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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/7864.txt b/7864.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8fc0cdf --- /dev/null +++ b/7864.txt @@ -0,0 +1,21964 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa +- Adi Parva, by Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +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: The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa - Adi Parva + Translated into English Prose + +Author: Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7864] +Last Updated: March 8, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAHABHARATA *** + + + + +Produced by David King, Juliet Sutherland, and Charles +Franks, John B. Hare and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team + + + + + + + +The Mahabharata + +of + +Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + +Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text + +by + +Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +[1883-1896] + +Scanned at sacred-texts.com, 2003. Redaction at Distributed Proofing, +Juliet Sutherland, Project Manager. Additional proofing and formatting at +sacred-texts.com, by J. B. Hare. This text is in the public domain. These +files may be used for any non-commercial purpose, provided this notice of +attribution is left intact. + + +TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE + +The object of a translator should ever be to hold the mirror up to his +author. That being so, his chief duty is to represent so far as +practicable the manner in which his author's ideas have been expressed, +retaining if possible at the sacrifice of idiom and taste all the +peculiarities of his author's imagery and of language as well. In regard +to translations from the Sanskrit, nothing is easier than to dish up Hindu +ideas, so as to make them agreeable to English taste. But the endeavour of +the present translator has been to give in the following pages as literal +a rendering as possible of the great work of Vyasa. To the purely English +reader there is much in the following pages that will strike as ridiculous. +Those unacquainted with any language but their own are generally very +exclusive in matters of taste. Having no knowledge of models other than +what they meet with in their own tongue, the standard they have formed of +purity and taste in composition must necessarily be a narrow one. The +translator, however, would ill-discharge his duty, if for the sake of +avoiding ridicule, he sacrificed fidelity to the original. He must +represent his author as he is, not as he should be to please the narrow +taste of those entirely unacquainted with him. Mr. Pickford, in the +preface to his English translation of the Mahavira Charita, ably defends a +close adherence to the original even at the sacrifice of idiom and taste +against the claims of what has been called 'Free Translation,' which means +dressing the author in an outlandish garb to please those to whom he is +introduced. + +In the preface to his classical translation of Bhartrihari's Niti Satakam +and Vairagya Satakam, Mr. C.H. Tawney says, "I am sensible that in the +present attempt I have retained much local colouring. For instance, the +ideas of worshipping the feet of a god or great men, though it frequently +occurs in Indian literature, will undoubtedly move the laughter of +Englishmen unacquainted with Sanskrit, especially if they happen to belong +to that class of readers who revel their attention on the accidental and +remain blind to the essential. But a certain measure of fidelity to the +original even at the risk of making oneself ridiculous, is better than the +studied dishonesty which characterises so many translations of oriental +poets." + +We fully subscribe to the above although, it must be observed, the censure +conveyed to the class of translators last indicated is rather undeserved, +there being nothing like a 'studied dishonesty' in their efforts which +proceed only from a mistaken view of their duties and as such betray only +an error of the head but not of the heart. More than twelve years ago when +Babu Pratapa Chandra Roy, with Babu Durga Charan Banerjee, went to my +retreat at Seebpore, for engaging me to translate the Mahabharata into +English, I was amazed with the grandeur of the scheme. My first question +to him was,--whence was the money to come, supposing my competence for the +task. Pratapa then unfolded to me the details of his plan, the hopes he +could legitimately cherish of assistance from different quarters. He was +full of enthusiasm. He showed me Dr. Rost's letter, which, he said, had +suggested to him the undertaking. I had known Babu Durga Charan for many +years and I had the highest opinion of his scholarship and practical good +sense. When he warmly took Pratapa's side for convincing me of the +practicability of the scheme, I listened to him patiently. The two were +for completing all arrangements with me the very day. To this I did not +agree. I took a week's time to consider. I consulted some of my literary +friends, foremost among whom was the late lamented Dr. Sambhu C. +Mookherjee. The latter, I found, had been waited upon by Pratapa. Dr. +Mookherjee spoke to me of Pratapa as a man of indomitable energy and +perseverance. The result of my conference with Dr. Mookherjee was that I +wrote to Pratapa asking him to see me again. In this second interview +estimates were drawn up, and everything was arranged as far as my portion +of the work was concerned. My friend left with me a specimen of +translation which he had received from Professor Max Muller. This I began +to study, carefully comparing it sentence by sentence with the original. +About its literal character there could be no doubt, but it had no flow +and, therefore, could not be perused with pleasure by the general reader. +The translation had been executed thirty years ago by a young German +friend of the great Pundit. I had to touch up every sentence. This I did +without at all impairing faithfulness to the original. My first 'copy' was +set up in type and a dozen sheets were struck off. These were submitted to +the judgment of a number of eminent writers, European and native. All of +them, I was glad to see, approved of the specimen, and then the task of +translating the Mahabharata into English seriously began. + +Before, however, the first fasciculus could be issued, the question as to +whether the authorship of the translation should be publicly owned, arose. +Babu Pratapa Chandra Roy was against anonymity. I was for it. The reasons +I adduced were chiefly founded upon the impossibility of one person +translating the whole of the gigantic work. Notwithstanding my resolve to +discharge to the fullest extent the duty that I took up, I might not live +to carry it out. It would take many years before the end could be reached. +Other circumstances than death might arise in consequence of which my +connection with the work might cease. It could not be desirable to issue +successive fasciculus with the names of a succession of translators +appearing on the title pages. These and other considerations convinced my +friend that, after all, my view was correct. It was, accordingly, resolved +to withhold the name of the translator. As a compromise, however, between +the two views, it was resolved to issue the first fasciculus with two +prefaces, one over the signature of the publisher and the other headed-- +'Translator's Preface.' This, it was supposed, would effectually guard +against misconceptions of every kind. No careful reader would then +confound the publisher with the author. + +Although this plan was adopted, yet before a fourth of the task had been +accomplished, an influential Indian journal came down upon poor Pratapa +Chandra Roy and accused him openly of being a party to a great literary +imposture, viz., of posing before the world as the translator of Vyasa's +work when, in fact, he was only the publisher. The charge came upon my +friend as a surprise, especially as he had never made a secret of the +authorship in his correspondence with Oriental scholars in every part of +the world. He promptly wrote to the journal in question, explaining the +reasons there were for anonymity, and pointing to the two prefaces with +which the first fasciculus had been given to the world. The editor readily +admitted his mistake and made a satisfactory apology. + +Now that the translation has been completed, there can no longer be any +reason for withholding the name of the translator. The entire translation +is practically the work of one hand. In portions of the Adi and the Sabha +Parvas, I was assisted by Babu Charu Charan Mookerjee. About four forms of +the Sabha Parva were done by Professor Krishna Kamal Bhattacharya, and +about half a fasciculus during my illness, was done by another hand. I +should however state that before passing to the printer the copy received +from these gentlemen I carefully compared every sentence with the original, +making such alterations as were needed for securing a uniformity of style +with the rest of the work. + +I should here observe that in rendering the Mahabharata into English I +have derived very little aid from the three Bengali versions that are +supposed to have been executed with care. Every one of these is full of +inaccuracies and blunders of every description. The Santi in particular +which is by far the most difficult of the eighteen Parvas, has been made a +mess of by the Pundits that attacked it. Hundreds of ridiculous blunders +can be pointed out in both the Rajadharma and the Mokshadharma sections. +Some of these I have pointed out in footnotes. + +I cannot lay claim to infallibility. There are verses in the Mahabharata +that are exceedingly difficult to construe. I have derived much aid from +the great commentator Nilakantha. I know that Nilakantha's authority is +not incapable of being challenged. But when it is remembered that the +interpretations given by Nilakantha came down to him from preceptors of +olden days, one should think twice before rejecting Nilakantha as a guide. + +About the readings I have adopted, I should say that as regards the first +half of the work, I have generally adhered to the Bengal texts; as regards +the latter half, to the printed Bombay edition. Sometimes individual +sections, as occurring in the Bengal editions, differ widely, in respect +of the order of the verses, from the corresponding ones in the Bombay +edition. In such cases I have adhered to the Bengal texts, convinced that +the sequence of ideas has been better preserved in the Bengal editions +than the Bombay one. + +I should express my particular obligations to Pundit Ram Nath Tarkaratna, +the author of 'Vasudeva Vijayam' and other poems, Pundit Shyama Charan +Kaviratna, the learned editor of Kavyaprakasha with the commentary of +Professor Mahesh Chandra Nayaratna, and Babu Aghore Nath Banerjee, the +manager of the Bharata Karyalaya. All these scholars were my referees on +all points of difficulty. Pundit Ram Nath's solid scholarship is known to +them that have come in contact with him. I never referred to him a +difficulty that he could not clear up. Unfortunately, he was not always at +hand to consult. Pundit Shyama Charan Kaviratna, during my residence at +Seebpore, assisted me in going over the Mokshadharma sections of the Santi +Parva. Unostentatious in the extreme, Kaviratna is truly the type of a +learned Brahman of ancient India. Babu Aghore Nath Banerjee also has from +time to time, rendered me valuable assistance in clearing my difficulties. + +Gigantic as the work is, it would have been exceedingly difficult for me +to go on with it if I had not been encouraged by Sir Stuart Bayley, Sir +Auckland Colvin, Sir Alfred Croft, and among Oriental scholars, by the +late lamented Dr. Reinhold Rost, and Mons. A. Barth of Paris. All these +eminent men knew from the beginning that the translation was proceeding +from my pen. Notwithstanding the enthusiasm, with which my poor friend, +Pratapa Chandra Roy, always endeavoured to fill me. I am sure my energies +would have flagged and patience exhausted but for the encouraging words +which I always received from these patrons and friends of the enterprise. + +Lastly, I should name my literary chief and friend, Dr. Sambhu C. +Mookherjee. The kind interest he took in my labours, the repeated +exhortations he addressed to me inculcating patience, the care with which +he read every fasciculus as it came out, marking all those passages which +threw light upon topics of antiquarian interest, and the words of praise +he uttered when any expression particularly happy met his eyes, served to +stimulate me more than anything else in going on with a task that +sometimes seemed to me endless. + +Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +Calcutta + + +THE MAHABHARATA + +ADI PARVA + +SECTION I + +Om! Having bowed down to Narayana and Nara, the most exalted male being, +and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered. + +Ugrasrava, the son of Lomaharshana, surnamed Sauti, well-versed in the +Puranas, bending with humility, one day approached the great sages of +rigid vows, sitting at their ease, who had attended the twelve years' +sacrifice of Saunaka, surnamed Kulapati, in the forest of Naimisha. Those +ascetics, wishing to hear his wonderful narrations, presently began to +address him who had thus arrived at that recluse abode of the inhabitants +of the forest of Naimisha. Having been entertained with due respect by +those holy men, he saluted those Munis (sages) with joined palms, even all +of them, and inquired about the progress of their asceticism. Then all the +ascetics being again seated, the son of Lomaharshana humbly occupied the +seat that was assigned to him. Seeing that he was comfortably seated, and +recovered from fatigue, one of the Rishis beginning the conversation, +asked him, "Whence comest thou, O lotus-eyed Sauti, and where hast thou +spent the time? Tell me, who ask thee, in detail." + +Accomplished in speech, Sauti, thus questioned, gave in the midst of that +big assemblage of contemplative Munis a full and proper answer in words +consonant with their mode of life. + +Sauti said, "Having heard the diverse sacred and wonderful stories which +were composed in his Mahabharata by Krishna-Dwaipayana, and which were +recited in full by Vaisampayana at the Snake-sacrifice of the high-souled +royal sage Janamejaya and in the presence also of that chief of Princes, +the son of Parikshit, and having wandered about, visiting many sacred +waters and holy shrines, I journeyed to the country venerated by the +Dwijas (twice-born) and called Samantapanchaka where formerly was fought +the battle between the children of Kuru and Pandu, and all the chiefs of +the land ranged on either side. Thence, anxious to see you, I am come into +your presence. Ye reverend sages, all of whom are to me as Brahma; ye +greatly blessed who shine in this place of sacrifice with the splendour of +the solar fire: ye who have concluded the silent meditations and have fed +the holy fire; and yet who are sitting--without care, what, O ye Dwijas +(twice-born), shall I repeat, shall I recount the sacred stories collected +in the Puranas containing precepts of religious duty and of worldly profit, +or the acts of illustrious saints and sovereigns of mankind?" + +The Rishi replied, "The Purana, first promulgated by the great Rishi +Dwaipayana, and which after having been heard both by the gods and the +Brahmarshis was highly esteemed, being the most eminent narrative that +exists, diversified both in diction and division, possessing subtile +meanings logically combined, and gleaned from the Vedas, is a sacred work. +Composed in elegant language, it includeth the subjects of other books. It +is elucidated by other Shastras, and comprehendeth the sense of the four +Vedas. We are desirous of hearing that history also called Bharata, the +holy composition of the wonderful Vyasa, which dispelleth the fear of evil, +just as it was cheerfully recited by the Rishi Vaisampayana, under the +direction of Dwaipayana himself, at the snake-sacrifice of Raja +Janamejaya." + +Sauti then said, "Having bowed down to the primordial being Isana, to +whom multitudes make offerings, and who is adored by the multitude; who is +the true incorruptible one, Brahma, perceptible, imperceptible, eternal; +who is both a non-existing and an existing-non-existing being; who is the +universe and also distinct from the existing and non-existing universe; +who is the creator of high and low; the ancient, exalted, inexhaustible +one; who is Vishnu, beneficent and the beneficence itself, worthy of all +preference, pure and immaculate; who is Hari, the ruler of the faculties, +the guide of all things moveable and immoveable; I will declare the sacred +thoughts of the illustrious sage Vyasa, of marvellous deeds and worshipped +here by all. Some bards have already published this history, some are now +teaching it, and others, in like manner, will hereafter promulgate it upon +the earth. It is a great source of knowledge, established throughout the +three regions of the world. It is possessed by the twice-born both in +detailed and compendious forms. It is the delight of the learned for being +embellished with elegant expressions, conversations human and divine, and +a variety of poetical measures. + +"In this world, when it was destitute of brightness and light, and +enveloped all around in total darkness, there came into being, as the +primal cause of creation, a mighty egg, the one inexhaustible seed of all +created beings. It is called Mahadivya, and was formed at the beginning of +the Yuga, in which we are told, was the true light Brahma, the eternal one, +the wonderful and inconceivable being present alike in all places; the +invisible and subtile cause, whose nature partaketh of entity and non- +entity. From this egg came out the lord Pitamaha Brahma, the one only +Prajapati; with Suraguru and Sthanu. Then appeared the twenty-one +Prajapatis, viz., Manu, Vasishtha and Parameshthi; ten Prachetas, Daksha, +and the seven sons of Daksha. Then appeared the man of inconceivable +nature whom all the Rishis know and so the Viswe-devas, the Adityas, the +Vasus, and the twin Aswins; the Yakshas, the Sadhyas, the Pisachas, the +Guhyakas, and the Pitris. After these were produced the wise and most holy +Brahmarshis, and the numerous Rajarshis distinguished by every noble +quality. So the water, the heavens, the earth, the air, the sky, the +points of the heavens, the years, the seasons, the months, the fortnights, +called Pakshas, with day and night in due succession. And thus were +produced all things which are known to mankind. + +"And what is seen in the universe, whether animate or inanimate, of created +things, will at the end of the world, and after the expiration of the Yuga, +be again confounded. And, at the commencement of other Yugas, all things +will be renovated, and, like the various fruits of the earth, succeed each +other in the due order of their seasons. Thus continueth perpetually to +revolve in the world, without beginning and without end, this wheel which +causeth the destruction of all things. + +"The generation of Devas, in brief, was thirty-three thousand, thirty-three +hundred and thirty-three. The sons of Div were Brihadbhanu, Chakshus, Atma, +Vibhavasu, Savita, Richika, Arka, Bhanu, Asavaha, and Ravi. Of these +Vivaswans of old, Mahya was the youngest whose son was Deva-vrata. The +latter had for his son, Su-vrata who, we learn, had three sons,--Dasa- +jyoti, Sata-jyoti, and Sahasra-jyoti, each of them producing numerous +offspring. The illustrious Dasa-jyoti had ten thousand, Sata-jyoti ten +times that number, and Sahasra-jyoti ten times the number of Sata-jyoti's +offspring. From these are descended the family of the Kurus, of the Yadus, +and of Bharata; the family of Yayati and of Ikshwaku; also of all the +Rajarshis. Numerous also were the generations produced, and very abundant +were the creatures and their places of abode. The mystery which is +threefold--the Vedas, Yoga, and Vijnana Dharma, Artha, and Kama--also +various books upon the subject of Dharma, Artha, and Kama; also rules for +the conduct of mankind; also histories and discourses with various srutis; +all of which having been seen by the Rishi Vyasa are here in due order +mentioned as a specimen of the book. + +"The Rishi Vyasa published this mass of knowledge in both a detailed and an +abridged form. It is the wish of the learned in the world to possess the +details and the abridgement. Some read the Bharata beginning with the +initial mantra (invocation), others with the story of Astika, others with +Uparichara, while some Brahmanas study the whole. Men of learning display +their various knowledge of the institutes in commenting on the composition. +Some are skilful in explaining it, while others, in remembering its +contents. + +"The son of Satyavati having, by penance and meditation, analysed the +eternal Veda, afterwards composed this holy history, when that learned +Brahmarshi of strict vows, the noble Dwaipayana Vyasa, offspring of +Parasara, had finished this greatest of narrations, he began to consider +how he might teach it to his disciples. And the possessor of the six +attributes, Brahma, the world's preceptor, knowing of the anxiety of the +Rishi Dwaipayana, came in person to the place where the latter was, for +gratifying the saint, and benefiting the people. And when Vyasa, +surrounded by all the tribes of Munis, saw him, he was surprised; and, +standing with joined palms, he bowed and ordered a seat to be brought. And +Vyasa having gone round him who is called Hiranyagarbha seated on that +distinguished seat stood near it; and being commanded by Brahma +Parameshthi, he sat down near the seat, full of affection and smiling in +joy. Then the greatly glorious Vyasa, addressing Brahma Parameshthi, said, +'O divine Brahma, by me a poem hath been composed which is greatly +respected. The mystery of the Veda, and what other subjects have been +explained by me; the various rituals of the Upanishads with the Angas; the +compilation of the Puranas and history formed by me and named after the +three divisions of time, past, present, and future; the determination of +the nature of decay, fear, disease, existence, and non-existence, a +description of creeds and of the various modes of life; rule for the four +castes, and the import of all the Puranas; an account of asceticism and of +the duties of a religious student; the dimensions of the sun and moon, the +planets, constellations, and stars, together with the duration of the four +ages; the Rik, Sama and Yajur Vedas; also the Adhyatma; the sciences +called Nyaya, Orthoephy and Treatment of diseases; charity and +Pasupatadharma; birth celestial and human, for particular purposes; also a +description of places of pilgrimage and other holy places of rivers, +mountains, forests, the ocean, of heavenly cities and the kalpas; the art +of war; the different kinds of nations and languages: the nature of the +manners of the people; and the all-pervading spirit;--all these have been +represented. But, after all, no writer of this work is to be found on +earth.' + +"Brahma said, 'I esteem thee for thy knowledge of divine mysteries, before +the whole body of celebrated Munis distinguished for the sanctity of their +lives. I know thou hast revealed the divine word, even from its first +utterance, in the language of truth. Thou hast called thy present work a +poem, wherefore it shall be a poem. There shall be no poets whose works +may equal the descriptions of this poem, even, as the three other modes +called Asrama are ever unequal in merit to the domestic Asrama. Let Ganesa +be thought of, O Muni, for the purpose of writing the poem.'" + +Sauti said, "Brahma having thus spoken to Vyasa, retired to his own abode. +Then Vyasa began to call to mind Ganesa. And Ganesa, obviator of obstacles, +ready to fulfil the desires of his votaries, was no sooner thought of, +than he repaired to the place where Vyasa was seated. And when he had been +saluted, and was seated, Vyasa addressed him thus, 'O guide of the Ganas! +be thou the writer of the Bharata which I have formed in my imagination, +and which I am about to repeat.' + +"Ganesa, upon hearing this address, thus answered, 'I will become the +writer of thy work, provided my pen do not for a moment cease writing.' +And Vyasa said unto that divinity, 'Wherever there be anything thou dost +not comprehend, cease to continue writing.' Ganesa having signified his +assent, by repeating the word Om! proceeded to write; and Vyasa began; and +by way of diversion, he knit the knots of composition exceeding close; by +doing which, he dictated this work according to his engagement. + +"I am" (continued Sauti) "acquainted with eight thousand and eight hundred +verses, and so is Suka, and perhaps Sanjaya. From the mysteriousness of +their meaning, O Muni, no one is able, to this day, to penetrate those +closely knit difficult slokas. Even the omniscient Ganesa took a moment to +consider; while Vyasa, however, continued to compose other verses in great +abundance. + +"The wisdom of this work, like unto an instrument of applying collyrium, +hath opened the eyes of the inquisitive world blinded by the darkness of +ignorance. As the sun dispelleth the darkness, so doth the Bharata by its +discourses on religion, profit, pleasure and final release, dispel the +ignorance of men. As the full-moon by its mild light expandeth the buds of +the water-lily, so this Purana, by exposing the light of the Sruti hath +expanded the human intellect. By the lamp of history, which destroyeth the +darkness of ignorance, the whole mansion of nature is properly and +completely illuminated. + +"This work is a tree, of which the chapter of contents is the seed; the +divisions called Pauloma and Astika are the root; the part called Sambhava +is the trunk; the books called Sabha and Aranya are the roosting perches; +the books called Arani is the knitting knots; the books called Virata and +Udyoga the pith; the book named Bhishma, the main branch; the book called +Drona, the leaves; the book called Karna, the fair flowers; the book named +Salya, their sweet smell; the books entitled Stri and Aishika, the +refreshing shade; the book called Santi, the mighty fruit; the book called +Aswamedha, the immortal sap; the book denominated Asramavasika, the spot +where it groweth; and the book called Mausala, is an epitome of the Vedas +and held in great respect by the virtuous Brahmanas. The tree of the +Bharata, inexhaustible to mankind as the clouds, shall be as a source of +livelihood to all distinguished poets." + +Sauti continued, "I will now speak of the undying flowery and fruitful +productions of this tree, possessed of pure and pleasant taste, and not to +be destroyed even by the immortals. Formerly, the spirited and virtuous +Krishna-Dwaipayana, by the injunctions of Bhishma, the wise son of Ganga +and of his own mother, became the father of three boys who were like the +three fires by the two wives of Vichitra-virya; and having thus raised up +Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura, he returned to his recluse abode to +prosecute his religious exercise. + +"It was not till after these were born, grown up, and departed on the +supreme journey, that the great Rishi Vyasa published the Bharata in this +region of mankind; when being solicited by Janamejaya and thousands of +Brahmanas, he instructed his disciple Vaisampayana, who was seated near +him; and he, sitting together with the Sadasyas, recited the Bharata, +during the intervals of the ceremonies of the sacrifice, being repeatedly +urged to proceed. + +"Vyasa hath fully represented the greatness of the house of Kuru, the +virtuous principles of Gandhari, the wisdom of Vidura, and the constancy +of Kunti. The noble Rishi hath also described the divinity of Vasudeva, +the rectitude of the sons of Pandu, and the evil practices of the sons and +partisans of Dhritarashtra. + +"Vyasa executed the compilation of the Bharata, exclusive of the episodes +originally in twenty-four thousand verses; and so much only is called by +the learned as the Bharata. Afterwards, he composed an epitome in one +hundred and fifty verses, consisting of the introduction with the chapter +of contents. This he first taught to his son Suka; and afterwards he gave +it to others of his disciples who were possessed of the same +qualifications. After that he executed another compilation, consisting of +six hundred thousand verses. Of those, thirty hundred thousand are known +in the world of the Devas; fifteen hundred thousand in the world of the +Pitris: fourteen hundred thousand among the Gandharvas, and one hundred +thousand in the regions of mankind. Narada recited them to the Devas, +Devala to the Pitris, and Suka published them to the Gandharvas, Yakshas, +and Rakshasas: and in this world they were recited by Vaisampayana, one of +the disciples of Vyasa, a man of just principles and the first among all +those acquainted with the Vedas. Know that I, Sauti, have also repeated +one hundred thousand verses. + +"Yudhishthira is a vast tree, formed of religion and virtue; Arjuna is its +trunk; Bhimasena, its branches; the two sons of Madri are its full-grown +fruit and flowers; and its roots are Krishna, Brahma, and the Brahmanas. + +"Pandu, after having subdued many countries by his wisdom and prowess, took +up his abode with the Munis in a certain forest as a sportsman, where he +brought upon himself a very severe misfortune for having killed a stag +coupling with its mate, which served as a warning for the conduct of the +princes of his house as long as they lived. Their mothers, in order that +the ordinances of the law might be fulfilled, admitted as substitutes to +their embraces the gods Dharma, Vayu, Sakra, and the divinities the twin +Aswins. And when their offspring grew up, under the care of their two +mothers, in the society of ascetics, in the midst of sacred groves and +holy recluse-abodes of religious men, they were conducted by Rishis into +the presence of Dhritarashtra and his sons, following as students in the +habit of Brahmacharis, having their hair tied in knots on their heads. +'These our pupils', said they, 'are as your sons, your brothers, and your +friends; they are Pandavas.' Saying this, the Munis disappeared. + +"When the Kauravas saw them introduced as the sons of Pandu, the +distinguished class of citizens shouted exceedingly for joy. Some, however, +said, they were not the sons of Pandu; others said, they were; while a few +asked how they could be his offspring, seeing he had been so long dead. +Still on all sides voices were heard crying, 'They are on all accounts +welcome! Through divine Providence we behold the family of Pandu! Let +their welcome be proclaimed!' As these acclamations ceased, the plaudits +of invisible spirits, causing every point of the heavens to resound, were +tremendous. There were showers of sweet-scented flowers, and the sound of +shells and kettle-drums. Such were the wonders that happened on the +arrival of the young princes. The joyful noise of all the citizens, in +expression of their satisfaction on the occasion, was so great that it +reached the very heavens in magnifying plaudits. + +"Having studied the whole of the Vedas and sundry other shastras, the +Pandavas resided there, respected by all and without apprehension from any +one. + +"The principal men were pleased with the purity of Yudhishthira, the +courage of Arjuna, the submissive attention of Kunti to her superiors, and +the humility of the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva; and all the people +rejoiced in their heroic virtues. + +"After a while, Arjuna obtained the virgin Krishna at the swayamvara, in +the midst of a concourse of Rajas, by performing a very difficult feat of +archery. And from this time he became very much respected in this world +among all bowmen; and in fields of battle also, like the sun, he was hard +to behold by foe-men. And having vanquished all the neighbouring princes +and every considerable tribe, he accomplished all that was necessary for +the Raja (his eldest brother) to perform the great sacrifice called +Rajasuya. + +"Yudhishthira, after having, through the wise counsels of Vasudeva and by +the valour of Bhimasena and Arjuna, slain Jarasandha (the king of Magadha) +and the proud Chaidya, acquired the right to perform the grand sacrifice +of Rajasuya abounding in provisions and offering and fraught with +transcendent merits. And Duryodhana came to this sacrifice; and when he +beheld the vast wealth of the Pandavas scattered all around, the offerings, +the precious stones, gold and jewels; the wealth in cows, elephants, and +horses; the curious textures, garments, and mantles; the precious shawls +and furs and carpets made of the skin of the Ranku; he was filled with +envy and became exceedingly displeased. And when he beheld the hall of +assembly elegantly constructed by Maya (the Asura architect) after the +fashion of a celestial court, he was inflamed with rage. And having +started in confusion at certain architectural deceptions within this +building, he was derided by Bhimasena in the presence of Vasudeva, like +one of mean descent. + +"And it was represented to Dhritarashtra that his son, while partaking of +various objects of enjoyment and diverse precious things, was becoming +meagre, wan, and pale. And Dhritarashtra, some time after, out of +affection for his son, gave his consent to their playing (with the +Pandavas) at dice. And Vasudeva coming to know of this, became exceedingly +wroth. And being dissatisfied, he did nothing to prevent the disputes, but +overlooked the gaming and sundry other horried unjustifiable transactions +arising therefrom: and in spite of Vidura, Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa, the +son of Saradwan, he made the Kshatriyas kill each other in the terrific +war that ensued. + +"And Dhritarashtra hearing the ill news of the success of the Pandavas and +recollecting the resolutions of Duryodhana, Karna, and Sakuni, pondered for +a while and addressed to Sanjaya the following speech:-- + +"'Attend, O Sanjaya, to all I am about to say, and it will not become thee +to treat me with contempt. Thou art well-versed in the shastras, +intelligent and endowed with wisdom. My inclination was never to war, not +did I delight in the destruction of my race. I made no distinction between +my own children and the children of Pandu. My own sons were prone to +wilfulness and despised me because I am old. Blind as I am, because of my +miserable plight and through paternal affection, I bore it all. I was +foolish after the thoughtless Duryodhana ever growing in folly. Having +been a spectator of the riches of the mighty sons of Pandu, my son was +derided for his awkwardness while ascending the hall. Unable to bear it +all and unable himself to overcome the sons of Pandu in the field, and +though a soldier, unwilling yet to obtain good fortune by his own exertion, +with the help of the king of Gandhara he concerted an unfair game at dice. + +"'Hear, O Sanjaya, all that happened thereupon and came to my knowledge. +And when thou hast heard all I say, recollecting everything as it fell out, +thou shall then know me for one with a prophetic eye. When I heard that +Arjuna, having bent the bow, had pierced the curious mark and brought it +down to the ground, and bore away in triumph the maiden Krishna, in the +sight of the assembled princes, then, O Sanjaya I had no hope of success. +When I heard that Subhadra of the race of Madhu had, after forcible +seizure been married by Arjuna in the city of Dwaraka, and that the two +heroes of the race of Vrishni (Krishna and Balarama the brothers of +Subhadra) without resenting it had entered Indraprastha as friends, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Arjuna, by his +celestial arrow preventing the downpour by Indra the king of the gods, had +gratified Agni by making over to him the forest of Khandava, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the five Pandavas +with their mother Kunti had escaped from the house of lac, and that Vidura +was engaged in the accomplishment of their designs, then, O Sanjaya, I had +no hope of success. When I heard that Arjuna, after having pierced the +mark in the arena had won Draupadi, and that the brave Panchalas had +joined the Pandavas, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I +heard that Jarasandha, the foremost of the royal line of Magadha, and +blazing in the midst of the Kshatriyas, had been slain by Bhima with his +bare arms alone, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that in their general campaign the sons of Pandu had conquered the chiefs +of the land and performed the grand sacrifice of the Rajasuya, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Draupadi, her voice +choked with tears and heart full of agony, in the season of impurity and +with but one raiment on, had been dragged into court and though she had +protectors, she had been treated as if she had none, then, O Sanjaya, I +had no hope of success. When I heard that the wicked wretch Duhsasana, was +striving to strip her of that single garment, had only drawn from her +person a large heap of cloth without being able to arrive at its end, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Yudhishthira, +beaten by Saubala at the game of dice and deprived of his kingdom as a +consequence thereof, had still been attended upon by his brothers of +incomparable prowess, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I +heard that the virtuous Pandavas weeping with affliction had followed +their elder brother to the wilderness and exerted themselves variously for +the mitigation of his discomforts, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. + +"'When I heard that Yudhishthira had been followed into the wilderness by +Snatakas and noble-minded Brahmanas who live upon alms, then, O Sanjaya, I +had no hope of success. When I heard that Arjuna, having, in combat, +pleased the god of gods, Tryambaka (the three-eyed) in the disguise of a +hunter, obtained the great weapon Pasupata, then O Sanjaya, I had no hope +of success. When I heard that the just and renowned Arjuna after having +been to the celestial regions, had there obtained celestial weapons from +Indra himself then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +afterwards Arjuna had vanquished the Kalakeyas and the Paulomas proud with +the boon they had obtained and which had rendered them invulnerable even +to the celestials, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that Arjuna, the chastiser of enemies, having gone to the regions of Indra +for the destruction of the Asuras, had returned thence successful, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Bhima and the other +sons of Pritha (Kunti) accompanied by Vaisravana had arrived at that +country which is inaccessible to man then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that my sons, guided by the counsels of Karna, while +on their journey of Ghoshayatra, had been taken prisoners by the +Gandharvas and were set free by Arjuna, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that Dharma (the god of justice) having come under +the form of a Yaksha had proposed certain questions to Yudhishthira then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that my sons had failed +to discover the Pandavas under their disguise while residing with Draupadi +in the dominions of Virata, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. +When I heard that the principal men of my side had all been vanquished by +the noble Arjuna with a single chariot while residing in the dominions of +Virata, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Vasudeva of the race of Madhu, who covered this whole earth by one foot, +was heartily interested in the welfare of the Pandavas, then, O Sanjaya, I +had no hope of success. When I heard that the king of Matsya, had offered +his virtuous daughter Uttara to Arjuna and that Arjuna had accepted her +for his son, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Yudhishthira, beaten at dice, deprived of wealth, exiled and separated +from his connections, had assembled yet an army of seven Akshauhinis, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard Narada, declare that +Krishna and Arjuna were Nara and Narayana and he (Narada) had seen them +together in the regions of Brahma, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that Krishna, anxious to bring about peace, for the +welfare of mankind had repaired to the Kurus, and went away without having +been able to effect his purpose, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. +When I heard that Karna and Duryodhana resolved upon imprisoning Krishna +displayed in himself the whole universe, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. Then I heard that at the time of his departure, Pritha (Kunti) +standing, full of sorrow, near his chariot received consolation from +Krishna, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Vasudeva and Bhishma the son of Santanu were the counsellors of the +Pandavas and Drona the son of Bharadwaja pronounced blessings on them, +then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When Karna said unto Bhishma--I +will not fight when thou art fighting--and, quitting the army, went away, +then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Vasudeva and +Arjuna and the bow Gandiva of immeasurable prowess, these three of +dreadful energy had come together, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that upon Arjuna having been seized with compunction +on his chariot and ready to sink, Krishna showed him all the worlds within +his body, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Bhishma, the desolator of foes, killing ten thousand charioteers every day +in the field of battle, had not slain any amongst the Pandavas then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Bhishma, the +righteous son of Ganga, had himself indicated the means of his defeat in +the field of battle and that the same were accomplished by the Pandavas +with joyfulness, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that Arjuna, having placed Sikhandin before himself in his chariot, had +wounded Bhishma of infinite courage and invincible in battle, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the aged hero Bhishma, +having reduced the numbers of the race of shomaka to a few, overcome with +various wounds was lying on a bed of arrows, then, O Sanjaya, I had no +hope of success. When I heard that upon Bhishma's lying on the ground with +thirst for water, Arjuna, being requested, had pierced the ground and +allayed his thirst, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When Vayu +together with Indra and Suryya united as allies for the success of the +sons of Kunti, and the beasts of prey (by their inauspicious presence) +were putting us in fear, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When +the wonderful warrior Drona, displaying various modes of fight in the +field, did not slay any of the superior Pandavas, then, O Sanjaya, I had +no hope of success. When I heard that the Maharatha Sansaptakas of our +army appointed for the overthrow of Arjuna were all slain by Arjuna +himself, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that our +disposition of forces, impenetrable by others, and defended by Bharadwaja +himself well-armed, had been singly forced and entered by the brave son of +Subhadra, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that our +Maharathas, unable to overcome Arjuna, with jubilant faces after having +jointly surrounded and slain the boy Abhimanyu, then, O Sanjaya, I had no +hope of success. When I heard that the blind Kauravas were shouting for +joy after having slain Abhimanyu and that thereupon Arjuna in anger made +his celebrated speech referring to Saindhava, then, O Sanjaya, I had no +hope of success. When I heard that Arjuna had vowed the death of Saindhava +and fulfilled his vow in the presence of his enemies, then, O Sanjaya, I +had no hope of success. When I heard that upon the horses of Arjuna being +fatigued, Vasudeva releasing them made them drink water and bringing them +back and reharnessing them continued to guide them as before, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that while his horses were +fatigued, Arjuna staying in his chariot checked all his assailants, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Yuyudhana of the +race of Vrishni, after having thrown into confusion the army of Drona +rendered unbearable in prowess owing to the presence of elephants, retired +to where Krishna and Arjuna were, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that Karna even though he had got Bhima within his +power allowed him to escape after only addressing him in contemptuous +terms and dragging him with the end of his bow, then, O Sanjaya, I had no +hope of success. When I heard that Drona, Kritavarma, Kripa, Karna, the +son of Drona, and the valiant king of Madra (Salya) suffered Saindhava to +be slain, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the +celestial Sakti given by Indra (to Karna) was by Madhava's machinations +caused to be hurled upon Rakshasa Ghatotkacha of frightful countenance, +then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that in the +encounter between Karna and Ghatotkacha, that Sakti was hurled against +Ghatotkacha by Karna, the same which was certainly to have slain Arjuna in +battle, then, O Sanjaya. I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Dhristadyumna, transgressing the laws of battle, slew Drona while alone in +his chariot and resolved on death, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that Nakula, the son of Madri, having in the +presence of the whole army engaged in single combat with the son of Drona +and showing himself equal to him drove his chariot in circles around, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When upon the death of Drona, his son +misused the weapon called Narayana but failed to achieve the destruction +of the Pandavas, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that Bhimasena drank the blood of his brother Duhsasana in the field of +battle without anybody being able to prevent him, then, O Sanjaya, I had +no hope of success. When I heard that the infinitely brave Karna, +invincible in battle, was slain by Arjuna in that war of brothers +mysterious even to the gods, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. +When I heard that Yudhishthira, the Just, overcame the heroic son of Drona, +Duhsasana, and the fierce Kritavarman, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that the brave king of Madra who ever dared Krishna +in battle was slain by Yudhishthira, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that the wicked Suvala of magic power, the root of +the gaming and the feud, was slain in battle by Sahadeva, the son of Pandu, +then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Duryodhana, +spent with fatigue, having gone to a lake and made a refuge for himself +within its waters, was lying there alone, his strength gone and without a +chariot, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the +Pandavas having gone to that lake accompanied by Vasudeva and standing on +its beach began to address contemptuously my son who was incapable of +putting up with affronts, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When +I heard that while, displaying in circles a variety of curious modes (of +attack and defence) in an encounter with clubs, he was unfairly slain +according to the counsels of Krishna, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard the son of Drona and others by slaying the Panchalas +and the sons of Draupadi in their sleep, perpetrated a horrible and +infamous deed, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that Aswatthaman while being pursued by Bhimasena had discharged the first +of weapons called Aishika, by which the embryo in the womb (of Uttara) was +wounded, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the +weapon Brahmashira (discharged by Aswatthaman) was repelled by Arjuna with +another weapon over which he had pronounced the word "Sasti" and that +Aswatthaman had to give up the jewel-like excrescence on his head, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that upon the embryo in +the womb of Virata's daughter being wounded by Aswatthaman with a mighty +weapon, Dwaipayana and Krishna pronounced curses on him, then, O Sanjaya, +I had no hope of success. + +"'Alas! Gandhari, destitute of children, grand-children, parents, brothers, +and kindred, is to be pitied. Difficult is the task that hath been +performed by the Pandavas: by them hath a kingdom been recovered without a +rival. + +"'Alas! I have heard that the war hath left only ten alive: three of our +side, and the Pandavas, seven, in that dreadful conflict eighteen +Akshauhinis of Kshatriyas have been slain! All around me is utter darkness, +and a fit of swoon assaileth me: consciousness leaves me, O Suta, and my +mind is distracted.'" + +Sauti said, "Dhritarashtra, bewailing his fate in these words, was +overcome with extreme anguish and for a time deprived of sense; but being +revived, he addressed Sanjaya in the following words. + +"'After what hath come to pass, O Sanjaya, I wish to put an end to my life +without delay; I do not find the least advantage in cherishing it any +longer.'" + +Sauti said, "The wise son of Gavalgana (Sanjaya) then addressed the +distressed lord of Earth while thus talking and bewailing, sighing like a +serpent and repeatedly fainting, in words of deep import. + +"'Thou hast heard, O Raja, of the greatly powerful men of vast exertions, +spoken of by Vyasa and the wise Narada; men born of great royal families, +resplendent with worthy qualities, versed in the science of celestial arms, +and in glory emblems of Indra; men who having conquered the world by +justice and performed sacrifices with fit offerings (to the Brahmanas), +obtained renown in this world and at last succumbed to the sway of time. +Such were Saivya; the valiant Maharatha; Srinjaya, great amongst +conquerors; Suhotra; Rantideva, and Kakshivanta, great in glory; Valhika, +Damana, Saryati, Ajita, and Nala; Viswamitra the destroyer of foes; +Amvarisha, great in strength; Marutta, Manu, Ikshaku, Gaya, and Bharata; +Rama the son of Dasaratha; Sasavindu, and Bhagiratha; Kritavirya, the +greatly fortunate, and Janamejaya too; and Yayati of good deeds who +performed sacrifices, being assisted therein by the celestials themselves, +and by whose sacrificial altars and stakes this earth with her habited and +uninhabited regions hath been marked all over. These twenty-four Rajas +were formerly spoken of by the celestial Rishi Narada unto Saivya when +much afflicted for the loss of his children. Besides these, other Rajas +had gone before, still more powerful than they, mighty charioteers noble +in mind, and resplendent with every worthy quality. These were Puru, Kuru, +Yadu, Sura and Viswasrawa of great glory; Anuha, Yuvanaswu, Kakutstha, +Vikrami, and Raghu; Vijava, Virihorta, Anga, Bhava, Sweta, and Vripadguru; +Usinara, Sata-ratha, Kanka, Duliduha, and Druma; Dambhodbhava, Para, Vena, +Sagara, Sankriti, and Nimi; Ajeya, Parasu, Pundra, Sambhu, and holy Deva- +Vridha; Devahuya, Supratika, and Vrihad-ratha; Mahatsaha, Vinitatma, +Sukratu, and Nala, the king of the Nishadas; Satyavrata, Santabhaya, +Sumitra, and the chief Subala; Janujangha, Anaranya, Arka, Priyabhritya, +Chuchi-vrata, Balabandhu, Nirmardda, Ketusringa, and Brhidbala; +Dhrishtaketu, Brihatketu, Driptaketu, and Niramaya; Abikshit, Chapala, +Dhurta, Kritbandhu, and Dridhe-shudhi; Mahapurana-sambhavya, Pratyanga, +Paraha and Sruti. These, O chief, and other Rajas, we hear enumerated by +hundreds and by thousands, and still others by millions, princes of great +power and wisdom, quitting very abundant enjoyments met death as thy sons +have done! Their heavenly deeds, valour, and generosity, their magnanimity, +faith, truth, purity, simplicity and mercy, are published to the world in +the records of former times by sacred bards of great learning. Though +endued with every noble virtue, these have yielded up their lives. Thy +sons were malevolent, inflamed with passion, avaricious, and of very evil +disposition. Thou art versed in the Sastras, O Bharata, and art +intelligent and wise; they never sink under misfortunes whose +understandings are guided by the Sastras. Thou art acquainted, O prince, +with the lenity and severity of fate; this anxiety therefore for the +safety of thy children is unbecoming. Moreover, it behoveth thee not to +grieve for that which must happen: for who can avert, by his wisdom, the +decrees of fate? No one can leave the way marked out for him by Providence. +Existence and non-existence, pleasure and pain all have Time for their +root. Time createth all things and Time destroyeth all creatures. It is +Time that burneth creatures and it is Time that extinguisheth the fire. +All states, the good and the evil, in the three worlds, are caused by Time. +Time cutteth short all things and createth them anew. Time alone is awake +when all things are asleep: indeed, Time is incapable of being overcome. +Time passeth over all things without being retarded. Knowing, as thou dost, +that all things past and future and all that exist at the present moment, +are the offspring of Time, it behoveth thee not to throw away thy reason.'" + +Sauti said, "The son of Gavalgana having in this manner administered +comfort to the royal Dhritarashtra overwhelmed with grief for his sons, +then restored his mind to peace. Taking these facts for his subject, +Dwaipayana composed a holy Upanishad that has been published to the world +by learned and sacred bards in the Puranas composed by them. + +"The study of the Bharata is an act of piety. He that readeth even one +foot, with belief, hath his sins entirely purged away. Herein Devas, +Devarshis, and immaculate Brahmarshis of good deeds, have been spoken of; +and likewise Yakshas and great Uragas (Nagas). Herein also hath been +described the eternal Vasudeva possessing the six attributes. He is the +true and just, the pure and holy, the eternal Brahma, the supreme soul, +the true constant light, whose divine deeds wise and learned recount; from +whom hath proceeded the non-existent and existent-non-existent universe +with principles of generation and progression, and birth, death and +rebirth. That also hath been treated of which is called Adhyatma (the +superintending spirit of nature) that partaketh of the attributes of the +five elements. That also hath been described who is purusha being above +such epithets as 'undisplayed' and the like; also that which the foremost +yatis exempt from the common destiny and endued with the power of +meditation and Tapas behold dwelling in their hearts as a reflected image +in the mirror. + +"The man of faith, devoted to piety, and constant in the exercise of +virtue, on reading this section is freed from sin. The believer that +constantly heareth recited this section of the Bharata, called the +Introduction, from the beginning, falleth not into difficulties. The man +repeating any part of the introduction in the two twilights is during such +act freed from the sins contracted during the day or the night. This +section, the body of the Bharata, is truth and nectar. As butter is in +curd, Brahmana among bipeds, the Aranyaka among the Vedas, and nectar +among medicines; as the sea is eminent among receptacles of water, and the +cow among quadrupeds; as are these (among the things mentioned) so is the +Bharata said to be among histories. + +"He that causeth it, even a single foot thereof, to be recited to +Brahmanas during a Sraddha, his offerings of food and drink to the manes of +his ancestors become inexhaustible. + +"By the aid of history and the Puranas, the Veda may be expounded; but the +Veda is afraid of one of little information lest he should learn it. The +learned man who recites to other this Veda of Vyasa reapeth advantage. It +may without doubt destroy even the sin of killing the embryo and the like. +He that readeth this holy chapter of the moon, readeth the whole of the +Bharata, I ween. The man who with reverence daily listeneth to this sacred +work acquireth long life and renown and ascendeth to heaven. + +"In former days, having placed the four Vedas on one side and the Bharata +on the other, these were weighed in the balance by the celestials +assembled for that purpose. And as the latter weighed heavier than the +four Vedas with their mysteries, from that period it hath been called in +the world Mahabharata (the great Bharata). Being esteemed superior both in +substance and gravity of import it is denominated Mahabharata on account +of such substance and gravity of import. He that knoweth its meaning is +saved from all his sins. + +"Tapa is innocent, study is harmless, the ordinance of the Vedas +prescribed for all the tribes are harmless, the acquisition of wealth by +exertion is harmless; but when they are abused in their practices it is +then that they become sources of evil." + + +SECTION II + +The Rishis said, "O son of Suta, we wish to hear a full and +circumstantial account of the place mentioned by you as Samanta-panchaya." + +Sauti said, "Listen, O ye Brahmanas, to the sacred descriptions I utter. O +ye best of men, ye deserve to hear of the place known as Samanta-panchaka. +In the interval between the Treta and Dwapara Yugas, Rama (the son of +Jamadagni) great among all who have borne arms, urged by impatience of +wrongs, repeatedly smote the noble race of Kshatriyas. And when that fiery +meteor, by his own valour, annihilated the entire tribe of the Kshatriyas, +he formed at Samanta-panchaka five lakes of blood. We are told that his +reason being overpowered by anger he offered oblations of blood to the +manes of his ancestors, standing in the midst of the sanguine waters of +those lakes. It was then that his forefathers of whom Richika was the +first having arrived there addressed him thus, 'O Rama, O blessed Rama, O +offspring of Bhrigu, we have been gratified with the reverence thou hast +shown for thy ancestors and with thy valour, O mighty one! Blessings be +upon thee. O thou illustrious one, ask the boon that thou mayst desire.' + +"Rama said, 'If, O fathers, ye are favourably disposed towards me, the +boon I ask is that I may be absolved from the sins born of my having +annihilated the Kshatriyas in anger, and that the lakes I have formed may +become famous in the world as holy shrines.' The Pitris then said, 'So +shall it be. But be thou pacified.' And Rama was pacified accordingly. The +region that lieth near unto those lakes of gory water, from that time hath +been celebrated as Samanta-panchaka the holy. The wise have declared that +every country should be distinguished by a name significant of some +circumstance which may have rendered it famous. In the interval between +the Dwapara and the Kali Yugas there happened at Samanta-panchaka the +encounter between the armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas. In that +holy region, without ruggedness of any kind, were assembled eighteen +Akshauhinis of soldiers eager for battle. And, O Brahmanas, having come +thereto, they were all slain on the spot. Thus the name of that region, O +Brahmanas, hath been explained, and the country described to you as a +sacred and delightful one. I have mentioned the whole of what relateth to +it as the region is celebrated throughout the three worlds." + +The Rishis said, "We have a desire to know, O son of Suta, what is +implied by the term Akshauhini that hath been used by thee. Tell us in +full what is the number of horse and foot, chariots and elephants, which +compose an Akshauhini for thou art fully informed." + +Sauti said, "One chariot, one elephant, five foot-soldiers, and three +horses form one Patti; three pattis make one Sena-mukha; three sena-mukhas +are called a Gulma; three gulmas, a Gana; three ganas, a Vahini; three +vahinis together are called a Pritana; three pritanas form a Chamu; three +chamus, one Anikini; and an anikini taken ten times forms, as it is styled +by those who know, an Akshauhini. O ye best of Brahmanas, arithmeticians +have calculated that the number of chariots in an Akshauhini is twenty-one +thousand eight hundred and seventy. The measure of elephants must be fixed +at the same number. O ye pure, you must know that the number of foot- +soldiers is one hundred and nine thousand, three hundred and fifty, the +number of horse is sixty-five thousand, six hundred and ten. These, O +Brahmanas, as fully explained by me, are the numbers of an Akshauhini as +said by those acquainted with the principles of numbers. O best of +Brahmanas, according to this calculation were composed the eighteen +Akshauhinis of the Kaurava and the Pandava army. Time, whose acts are +wonderful assembled them on that spot and having made the Kauravas the +cause, destroyed them all. Bhishma acquainted with choice of weapons, +fought for ten days. Drona protected the Kaurava Vahinis for five days. +Karna the desolator of hostile armies fought for two days; and Salya for +half a day. After that lasted for half a day the encounter with clubs +between Duryodhana and Bhima. At the close of that day, Aswatthaman and +Kripa destroyed the army of Yudishthira in the night while sleeping +without suspicion of danger. + +"O Saunaka, this best of narrations called Bharata which has begun to be +repeated at thy sacrifice, was formerly repeated at the sacrifice of +Janamejaya by an intelligent disciple of Vyasa. It is divided into several +sections; in the beginning are Paushya, Pauloma, and Astika parvas, +describing in full the valour and renown of kings. It is a work whose +description, diction, and sense are varied and wonderful. It contains an +account of various manners and rites. It is accepted by the wise, as the +state called Vairagya is by men desirous of final release. As Self among +things to be known, as life among things that are dear, so is this history +that furnisheth the means of arriving at the knowledge of Brahma the first +among all the sastras. There is not a story current in this world but doth +depend upon this history even as the body upon the foot that it taketh. As +masters of good lineage are ever attended upon by servants desirous of +preferment so is the Bharata cherished by all poets. As the words +constituting the several branches of knowledge appertaining to the world +and the Veda display only vowels and consonants, so this excellent history +displayeth only the highest wisdom. + +"Listen, O ye ascetics, to the outlines of the several divisions (parvas) +of this history called Bharata, endued with great wisdom, of sections and +feet that are wonderful and various, of subtile meanings and logical +connections, and embellished with the substance of the Vedas. + +"The first parva is called Anukramanika; the second, Sangraha; then +Paushya; then Pauloma; the Astika; then Adivansavatarana. Then comes the +Sambhava of wonderful and thrilling incidents. Then comes Jatugrihadaha +(setting fire to the house of lac) and then Hidimbabadha (the killing of +Hidimba) parvas; then comes Baka-badha (slaughter of Baka) and then +Chitraratha. The next is called Swayamvara (selection of husband by +Panchali), in which Arjuna by the exercise of Kshatriya virtues, won +Draupadi for wife. Then comes Vaivahika (marriage). Then comes +Viduragamana (advent of Vidura), Rajyalabha (acquirement of kingdom), +Arjuna-banavasa (exile of Arjuna) and Subhadra-harana (the carrying away +of Subhadra). After these come Harana-harika, Khandava-daha (the burning +of the Khandava forest) and Maya-darsana (meeting with Maya the Asura +architect). Then come Sabha, Mantra, Jarasandha, Digvijaya (general +campaign). After Digvijaya come Raja-suyaka, Arghyaviharana (the robbing +of the Arghya) and Sisupala-badha (the killing of Sisupala). After these, +Dyuta (gambling), Anudyuta (subsequent to gambling), Aranyaka, and Krimira- +badha (destruction of Krimira). The Arjuna-vigamana (the travels of +Arjuna), Kairati. In the last hath been described the battle between +Arjuna and Mahadeva in the guise of a hunter. After this Indra- +lokavigamana (the journey to the regions of Indra); then that mine of +religion and virtue, the highly pathetic Nalopakhyana (the story of Nala). +After this last, Tirtha-yatra or the pilgrimage of the wise prince of the +Kurus, the death of Jatasura, and the battle of the Yakshas. Then the +battle with the Nivata-kavachas, Ajagara, and Markandeya-Samasya (meeting +with Markandeya). Then the meeting of Draupadi and Satyabhama, Ghoshayatra, +Mirga-Swapna (dream of the deer). Then the story of Brihadaranyaka and +then Aindradrumna. Then Draupadi-harana (the abduction of Draupadi), +Jayadratha-bimoksana (the release of Jayadratha). Then the story of +'Savitri' illustrating the great merit of connubial chastity. After this +last, the story of 'Rama'. The parva that comes next is called 'Kundala- +harana' (the theft of the ear-rings). That which comes next is 'Aranya' +and then 'Vairata'. Then the entry of the Pandavas and the fulfilment of +their promise (of living unknown for one year). Then the destruction of +the 'Kichakas', then the attempt to take the kine (of Virata by the +Kauravas). The next is called the marriage of Abhimanyu with the daughter +of Virata. The next you must know is the most wonderful parva called +Udyoga. The next must be known by the name of 'Sanjaya-yana' (the arrival +of Sanjaya). Then comes 'Prajagara' (the sleeplessness of Dhritarashtra +owing to his anxiety). Then Sanatsujata, in which are the mysteries of +spiritual philosophy. Then 'Yanasaddhi', and then the arrival of Krishna. +Then the story of 'Matali' and then of 'Galava'. Then the stories of +'Savitri', 'Vamadeva', and 'Vainya'. Then the story of 'Jamadagnya and +Shodasarajika'. Then the arrival of Krishna at the court, and then +Bidulaputrasasana. Then the muster of troops and the story of Sheta. Then, +must you know, comes the quarrel of the high-souled Karna. Then the march +to the field of the troops of both sides. The next hath been called +numbering the Rathis and Atirathas. Then comes the arrival of the +messenger Uluka which kindled the wrath (of the Pandavas). The next that +comes, you must know, is the story of Amba. Then comes the thrilling story +of the installation of Bhishma as commander-in-chief. The next is called +the creation of the insular region Jambu; then Bhumi; then the account +about the formation of islands. Then comes the 'Bhagavat-gita'; and then +the death of Bhishma. Then the installation of Drona; then the destruction +of the 'Sansaptakas'. Then the death of Abhimanyu; and then the vow of +Arjuna (to slay Jayadratha). Then the death of Jayadratha, and then of +Ghatotkacha. Then, must you know, comes the story of the death of Drona of +surprising interest. The next that comes is called the discharge of the +weapon called Narayana. Then, you know, is Karna, and then Salya. Then +comes the immersion in the lake, and then the encounter (between Bhima and +Duryodhana) with clubs. Then comes Saraswata, and then the descriptions of +holy shrines, and then genealogies. Then comes Sauptika describing +incidents disgraceful (to the honour of the Kurus). Then comes the +'Aisika' of harrowing incidents. Then comes 'Jalapradana' oblations of +water to the manes of the deceased, and then the wailings of the women. +The next must be known as 'Sraddha' describing the funeral rites performed +for the slain Kauravas. Then comes the destruction of the Rakshasa +Charvaka who had assumed the disguise of a Brahmana (for deceiving +Yudhishthira). Then the coronation of the wise Yudhishthira. The next is +called the 'Grihapravibhaga'. Then comes 'Santi', then +'Rajadharmanusasana', then 'Apaddharma', then 'Mokshadharma'. Those that +follow are called respectively 'Suka-prasna-abhigamana', 'Brahma- +prasnanusana', the origin of 'Durvasa', the disputations with Maya. The +next is to be known as 'Anusasanika'. Then the ascension of Bhishma to +heaven. Then the horse-sacrifice, which when read purgeth all sins away. +The next must be known as the 'Anugita' in which are words of spiritual +philosophy. Those that follow are called 'Asramvasa', 'Puttradarshana' +(meeting with the spirits of the deceased sons), and the arrival of Narada. +The next is called 'Mausala' which abounds with terrible and cruel +incidents. Then comes 'Mahaprasthanika' and ascension to heaven. Then +comes the Purana which is called Khilvansa. In this last are contained +'Vishnuparva', Vishnu's frolics and feats as a child, the destruction of +'Kansa', and lastly, the very wonderful 'Bhavishyaparva' (in which there +are prophecies regarding the future). + +"The high-souled Vyasa composed these hundred parvas of which the above is +only an abridgement: having distributed them into eighteen, the son of +Suta recited them consecutively in the forest of Naimisha as follows: + +"In the Adi parva are contained Paushya, Pauloma, Astika, Adivansavatara, +Samva, the burning of the house of lac, the slaying of Hidimba, the +destruction of the Asura Vaka, Chitraratha, the Swayamvara of Draupadi, +her marriage after the overthrow of rivals in war, the arrival of Vidura, +the restoration, Arjuna's exile, the abduction of Subhadra, the gift and +receipt of the marriage dower, the burning of the Khandava forest, and the +meeting with (the Asura-architect) Maya. The Paushya parva treats of the +greatness of Utanka, and the Pauloma, of the sons of Bhrigu. The Astika +describes the birth of Garuda and of the Nagas (snakes), the churning of +the ocean, the incidents relating to the birth of the celestial steed +Uchchaihsrava, and finally, the dynasty of Bharata, as described in the +Snake-sacrifice of king Janamejaya. The Sambhava parva narrates the birth +of various kings and heroes, and that of the sage, Krishna Dwaipayana: the +partial incarnations of deities, the generation of Danavas and Yakshas of +great prowess, and serpents, Gandharvas, birds, and of all creatures; and +lastly, of the life and adventures of king Bharata--the progenitor of the +line that goes by his name--the son born of Sakuntala in the hermitage of +the ascetic Kanwa. This parva also describes the greatness of Bhagirathi, +and the births of the Vasus in the house of Santanu and their ascension to +heaven. In this parva is also narrated the birth of Bhishma uniting in +himself portions of the energies of the other Vasus, his renunciation of +royalty and adoption of the Brahmacharya mode of life, his adherence to +his vows, his protection of Chitrangada, and after the death of +Chitrangada, his protection of his younger brother, Vichitravirya, and his +placing the latter on the throne: the birth of Dharma among men in +consequence of the curse of Animondavya; the births of Dhritarashtra and +Pandu through the potency of Vyasa's blessings (?) and also the birth of +the Pandavas; the plottings of Duryodhana to send the sons of Pandu to +Varanavata, and the other dark counsels of the sons of Dhritarashtra in +regard to the Pandavas; then the advice administered to Yudhishthira on +his way by that well-wisher of the Pandavas--Vidura--in the mlechchha +language--the digging of the hole, the burning of Purochana and the +sleeping woman of the fowler caste, with her five sons, in the house of +lac; the meeting of the Pandavas in the dreadful forest with Hidimba, and +the slaying of her brother Hidimba by Bhima of great prowess. The birth of +Ghatotkacha; the meeting of the Pandavas with Vyasa and in accordance with +his advice their stay in disguise in the house of a Brahmana in the city +of Ekachakra; the destruction of the Asura Vaka, and the amazement of the +populace at the sight; the extra-ordinary births of Krishna and +Dhrishtadyumna; the departure of the Pandavas for Panchala in obedience to +the injunction of Vyasa, and moved equally by the desire of winning the +hand of Draupadi on learning the tidings of the Swayamvara from the lips +of a Brahmana; victory of Arjuna over a Gandharva, called Angaraparna, on +the banks of the Bhagirathi, his contraction of friendship with his +adversary, and his hearing from the Gandharva the history of Tapati, +Vasishtha and Aurva. This parva treats of the journey of the Pandavas +towards Panchala, the acquisition of Draupadi in the midst of all the +Rajas, by Arjuna, after having successfully pierced the mark; and in the +ensuing fight, the defeat of Salya, Karna, and all the other crowned heads +at the hands of Bhima and Arjuna of great prowess; the ascertainment by +Balarama and Krishna, at the sight of these matchless exploits, that the +heroes were the Pandavas, and the arrival of the brothers at the house of +the potter where the Pandavas were staying; the dejection of Drupada on +learning that Draupadi was to be wedded to five husbands; the wonderful +story of the five Indras related in consequence; the extraordinary and +divinely-ordained wedding of Draupadi; the sending of Vidura by the sons +of Dhritarashtra as envoy to the Pandavas; the arrival of Vidura and his +sight to Krishna; the abode of the Pandavas in Khandava-prastha, and then +their rule over one half of the kingdom; the fixing of turns by the sons +of Pandu, in obedience to the injunction of Narada, for connubial +companionship with Krishna. In like manner hath the history of Sunda and +Upasunda been recited in this. This parva then treats of the departure of +Arjuna for the forest according to the vow, he having seen Draupadi and +Yudhishthira sitting together as he entered the chamber to take out arms +for delivering the kine of a certain Brahmana. This parva then describes +Arjuna's meeting on the way with Ulupi, the daughter of a Naga (serpent); +it then relates his visits to several sacred spots; the birth of +Vabhruvahana; the deliverance by Arjuna of the five celestial damsels who +had been turned into alligators by the imprecation of a Brahmana, the +meeting of Madhava and Arjuna on the holy spot called Prabhasa; the +carrying away of Subhadra by Arjuna, incited thereto by her brother +Krishna, in the wonderful car moving on land and water, and through mid- +air, according to the wish of the rider; the departure for Indraprastha, +with the dower; the conception in the womb of Subhadra of that prodigy of +prowess, Abhimanyu; Yajnaseni's giving birth to children; then follows the +pleasure-trip of Krishna and Arjuna to the banks of the Jamuna and the +acquisition by them of the discus and the celebrated bow Gandiva; the +burning of the forest of Khandava; the rescue of Maya by Arjuna, and the +escape of the serpent,--and the begetting of a son by that best of Rishis, +Mandapala, in the womb of the bird Sarngi. This parva is divided by Vyasa +into two hundred and twenty-seven chapters. These two hundred and twenty- +seven chapters contain eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-four slokas. + +"The second is the extensive parva called Sabha or the assembly, full of +matter. The subjects of this parva are the establishment of the grand hall +by the Pandavas; their review of their retainers; the description of the +lokapalas by Narada well-acquainted with the celestial regions; the +preparations for the Rajasuya sacrifice; the destruction of Jarasandha; +the deliverance by Vasudeva of the princes confined in the mountain-pass; +the campaign of universal conquest by the Pandavas; the arrival of the +princes at the Rajasuya sacrifice with tribute; the destruction of +Sisupala on the occasion of the sacrifice, in connection with offering of +arghya; Bhimasena's ridicule of Duryodhana in the assembly; Duryodhana's +sorrow and envy at the sight of the magnificent scale on which the +arrangements had been made; the indignation of Duryodhana in consequence, +and the preparations for the game of dice; the defeat of Yudhishthira at +play by the wily Sakuni; the deliverance by Dhritarashtra of his afflicted +daughter-in-law Draupadi plunged in the sea of distress caused by the +gambling, as of a boat tossed about by the tempestuous waves. The +endeavours of Duryodhana to engage Yudhishthira again in the game; and the +exile of the defeated Yudhishthira with his brothers. These constitute +what has been called by the great Vyasa the Sabha Parva. This parva is +divided into seventh-eight sections, O best of Brahmanas, of two thousand, +five hundred and seven slokas. + +"Then comes the third parva called Aranyaka (relating to the forest). This +parva treats of the wending of the Pandavas to the forest and the citizens +following the wise Yudhishthira, Yudhishthira's adoration of the god of +day, according to the injunctions of Dhaumya, to be gifted with the power +of maintaining the dependent Brahmanas with food and drink: the creation +of food through the grace of the Sun: the expulsion by Dhritarashtra of +Vidura who always spoke for his master's good; Vidura's coming to the +Pandavas and his return to Dhritarashtra at the solicitation of the latter; +the wicked Duryodhana's plottings to destroy the forest-ranging Pandavas, +being incited thereto by Karna; the appearance of Vyasa and his dissuasion +of Duryodhana bent on going to the forest; the history of Surabhi; the +arrival of Maitreya; his laying down to Dhritarashtra the course of action; +and his curse on Duryodhana; Bhima's slaying of Kirmira in battle; the +coming of the Panchalas and the princes of the Vrishni race to +Yudhishthira on hearing of his defeat at the unfair gambling by Sakuni; +Dhananjaya's allaying the wrath of Krishna; Draupadi's lamentations before +Madhava; Krishna's cheering her; the fall of Sauva also has been here +described by the Rishi; also Krishna's bringing Subhadra with her son to +Dwaraka; and Dhrishtadyumna's bringing the son of Draupadi to Panchala; +the entrance of the sons of Pandu into the romantic Dwaita wood; +conversation of Bhima, Yudhishthira, and Draupadi; the coming of Vyasa to +the Pandavas and his endowing Yudhishthira with the power of Pratismriti; +then, after the departure of Vyasa, the removal of the Pandavas to the +forest of Kamyaka; the wanderings of Arjuna of immeasurable prowess in +search of weapons; his battle with Mahadeva in the guise of a hunter; his +meeting with the lokapalas and receipt of weapons from them; his journey +to the regions of Indra for arms and the consequent anxiety of +Dhritarashtra; the wailings and lamentations of Yudhishthira on the +occasion of his meeting with the worshipful great sage Brihadaswa. Here +occurs the holy and highly pathetic story of Nala illustrating the +patience of Damayanti and the character of Nala. Then the acquirement by +Yudhishthira of the mysteries of dice from the same great sage; then the +arrival of the Rishi Lomasa from the heavens to where the Pandavas were, +and the receipt by these high-souled dwellers in the woods of the +intelligence brought by the Rishi of their brother Arjuna staying in the +heavens; then the pilgrimage of the Pandavas to various sacred spots in +accordance with the message of Arjuna, and their attainment of great merit +and virtue consequent on such pilgrimage; then the pilgrimage of the great +sage Narada to the shrine Putasta; also the pilgrimage of the high-souled +Pandavas. Here is the deprivation of Karna of his ear-rings by Indra. Here +also is recited the sacrificial magnificence of Gaya; then the story of +Agastya in which the Rishi ate up the Asura Vatapi, and his connubial +connection with Lopamudra from the desire of offspring. Then the story of +Rishyasringa who adopted Brahmacharya mode of life from his very boyhood; +then the history of Rama of great prowess, the son of Jamadagni, in which +has been narrated the death of Kartavirya and the Haihayas; then the +meeting between the Pandavas and the Vrishnis in the sacred spot called +Prabhasa; then the story of Sukanya in which Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, +made the twins, Aswinis, drink, at the sacrifice of king Saryati, the Soma +juice (from which they had been excluded by the other gods), and in which +besides is shown how Chyavana himself acquired perpetual youth (as a boon +from the grateful Aswinis). Then hath been described the history of king +Mandhata; then the history of prince Jantu; and how king Somaka by +offering up his only son (Jantu) in sacrifice obtained a hundred others; +then the excellent history of the hawk and the pigeon; then the +examination of king Sivi by Indra, Agni, and Dharma; then the story of +Ashtavakra, in which occurs the disputation, at the sacrifice of Janaka, +between that Rishi and the first of logicians, Vandi, the son of Varuna; +the defeat of Vandi by the great Ashtavakra, and the release by the Rishi +of his father from the depths of the ocean. Then the story of Yavakrita, +and then that of the great Raivya: then the departure (of the Pandavas) +for Gandhamadana and their abode in the asylum called Narayana; then +Bhimasena's journey to Gandhamadana at the request of Draupadi (in search +of the sweet-scented flower). Bhima's meeting on his way, in a grove of +bananas, with Hanuman, the son of Pavana of great prowess; Bhima's bath in +the tank and the destruction of the flowers therein for obtaining the +sweet-scented flower (he was in search of); his consequent battle with the +mighty Rakshasas and the Yakshas of great prowess including Hanuman; the +destruction of the Asura Jata by Bhima; the meeting (of the Pandavas) with +the royal sage Vrishaparva; their departure for the asylum of Arshtishena +and abode therein; the incitement of Bhima (to acts of vengeance) by +Draupadi. Then is narrated the ascent on the hills of Kailasa by Bhimasena, +his terrific battle with the mighty Yakshas headed by Hanuman; then the +meeting of the Pandavas with Vaisravana (Kuvera), and the meeting with +Arjuna after he had obtained for the purpose of Yudhishthira many +celestial weapons; then Arjuna's terrible encounter with the +Nivatakavachas dwelling in Hiranyaparva, and also with the Paulomas, and +the Kalakeyas; their destruction at the hands of Arjuna; the commencement +of the display of the celestial weapons by Arjuna before Yudhishthira, the +prevention of the same by Narada; the descent of the Pandavas from +Gandhamadana; the seizure of Bhima in the forest by a mighty serpent huge +as the mountain; his release from the coils of the snake, upon +Yudhishthira's answering certain questions; the return of the Pandavas to +the Kamyaka woods. Here is described the reappearance of Vasudeva to see +the mighty sons of Pandu; the arrival of Markandeya, and various recitals, +the history of Prithu the son of Vena recited by the great Rishi; the +stories of Saraswati and the Rishi Tarkhya. After these, is the story of +Matsya; other old stories recited by Markandeya; the stories of +Indradyumna and Dhundhumara; then the history of the chaste wife; the +history of Angira, the meeting and conversation of Draupadi and Satyabhama; +the return of the Pandavas to the forest of Dwaita; then the procession to +see the calves and the captivity of Duryodhana; and when the wretch was +being carried off, his rescue by Arjuna; here is Yudhishthira's dream of +the deer; then the re-entry of the Pandavas into the Kamyaka forest, here +also is the long story of Vrihidraunika. Here also is recited the story of +Durvasa; then the abduction by Jayadratha of Draupadi from the asylum; the +pursuit of the ravisher by Bhima swift as the air and the ill-shaving of +Jayadratha's crown at Bhima's hand. Here is the long history of Rama in +which is shown how Rama by his prowess slew Ravana in battle. Here also is +narrated the story of Savitri; then Karna's deprivation by Indra of his +ear-rings; then the presentation to Karna by the gratified Indra of a +Sakti (missile weapon) which had the virtue of killing only one person +against whom it might be hurled; then the story called Aranya in which +Dharma (the god of justice) gave advice to his son (Yudhishthira); in +which, besides is recited how the Pandavas after having obtained a boon +went towards the west. These are all included in the third Parva called +Aranyaka, consisting of two hundred and sixty-nine sections. The number of +slokas is eleven thousand, six hundred and sixty-four. + +"The extensive Parva that comes next is called Virata. The Pandavas +arriving at the dominions of Virata saw in a cemetery on the outskirts of +the city a large shami tree whereon they kept their weapons. Here hath +been recited their entry into the city and their stay there in disguise. +Then the slaying by Bhima of the wicked Kichaka who, senseless with lust, +had sought Draupadi; the appointment by prince Duryodhana of clever spies; +and their despatch to all sides for tracing the Pandavas; the failure of +these to discover the mighty sons of Pandu; the first seizure of Virata's +kine by the Trigartas and the terrific battle that ensued; the capture of +Virata by the enemy and his rescue by Bhimasena; the release also of the +kine by the Pandava (Bhima); the seizure of Virata's kine again by the +Kurus; the defeat in battle of all the Kurus by the single-handed Arjuna; +the release of the king's kine; the bestowal by Virata of his daughter +Uttara for Arjuna's acceptance on behalf of his son by Subhadra--Abhimanyu +--the destroyer of foes. These are the contents of the extensive fourth +Parva--the Virata. The great Rishi Vyasa has composed in these sixty-seven +sections. The number of slokas is two thousand and fifty. + +"Listen then to (the contents of) the fifth Parva which must be known as +Udyoga. While the Pandavas, desirous of victory, were residing in the +place called Upaplavya, Duryodhana and Arjuna both went at the same time +to Vasudeva, and said, 'You should render us assistance in this war.' The +high-souled Krishna, upon these words being uttered, replied, 'O ye first +of men, a counsellor in myself who will not fight and one Akshauhini of +troops, which of these shall I give to which of you?' Blind to his own +interests, the foolish Duryodhana asked for the troops; while Arjuna +solicited Krishna as an unfighting counsellor. Then is described how, when +the king of Madra was coming for the assistance of the Pandavas, +Duryodhana, having deceived him on the way by presents and hospitality, +induced him to grant a boon and then solicited his assistance in battle; +how Salya, having passed his word to Duryodhana, went to the Pandavas and +consoled them by reciting the history of Indra's victory (over Vritra). +Then comes the despatch by the Pandavas of their Purohita (priest) to the +Kauravas. Then is described how king Dhritarashtra of great prowess, +having heard the word of the purohita of the Pandavas and the story of +Indra's victory decided upon sending his purohita and ultimately +despatched Sanjaya as envoy to the Pandavas from desire for peace. Here +hath been described the sleeplessness of Dhritarashtra from anxiety upon +hearing all about the Pandavas and their friends, Vasudeva and others. It +was on this occasion that Vidura addressed to the wise king Dhritarashtra +various counsels that were full of wisdom. It was here also that Sanat- +sujata recited to the anxious and sorrowing monarch the excellent truths +of spiritual philosophy. On the next morning Sanjaya spoke, in the court +of the King, of the identity of Vasudeva and Arjuna. It was then that the +illustrious Krishna, moved by kindness and a desire for peace, went +himself to the Kaurava capital, Hastinapura, for bringing about peace. +Then comes the rejection by prince Duryodhana of the embassy of Krishna +who had come to solicit peace for the benefit of both parties. Here hath +been recited the story of Damvodvava; then the story of the high-souled +Matuli's search for a husband for his daughter: then the history of the +great sage Galava; then the story of the training and discipline of the +son of Bidula. Then the exhibition by Krishna, before the assembled Rajas, +of his Yoga powers upon learning the evil counsels of Duryodhana and Karna; +then Krishna's taking Karna in his chariot and his tendering to him of +advice, and Karna's rejection of the same from pride. Then the return of +Krishna, the chastiser of enemies from Hastinapura to Upaplavya, and his +narration to the Pandavas of all that had happened. It was then that those +oppressors of foes, the Pandavas, having heard all and consulted properly +with each other, made every preparation for war. Then comes the march from +Hastinapura, for battle, of foot-soldiers, horses, charioteers and +elephants. Then the tale of the troops by both parties. Then the despatch +by prince Duryodhana of Uluka as envoy to the Pandavas on the day previous +to the battle. Then the tale of charioteers of different classes. Then the +story of Amba. These all have been described in the fifth Parva called +Udyoga of the Bharata, abounding with incidents appertaining to war and +peace. O ye ascetics, the great Vyasa hath composed one hundred and eighty- +six sections in this Parva. The number of slokas also composed in this by +the great Rishi is six thousand, six hundred and ninety-eight. + +"Then is recited the Bhishma Parva replete with wonderful incidents. In +this hath been narrated by Sanjaya the formation of the region known as +Jambu. Here hath been described the great depression of Yudhishthira's +army, and also a fierce fight for ten successive days. In this the high- +souled Vasudeva by reasons based on the philosophy of final release drove +away Arjuna's compunction springing from the latter's regard for his +kindred (whom he was on the eve of slaying). In this the magnanimous +Krishna, attentive to the welfare of Yudhishthira, seeing the loss +inflicted (on the Pandava army), descended swiftly from his chariot +himself and ran, with dauntless breast, his driving whip in hand, to +effect the death of Bhishma. In this, Krishna also smote with piercing +words Arjuna, the bearer of the Gandiva and the foremost in battle among +all wielders of weapons. In this, the foremost of bowmen, Arjuna, placing +Shikandin before him and piercing Bhishma with his sharpest arrows felled +him from his chariot. In this, Bhishma lay stretched on his bed of arrows. +This extensive Parva is known as the sixth in the Bharata. In this have +been composed one hundred and seventeen sections. The number of slokas is +five thousand, eight hundred and eighty-four as told by Vyasa conversant +with the Vedas. + +"Then is recited the wonderful Parva called Drona full of incidents. First +comes the installation in the command of the army of the great instructor +in arms, Drona: then the vow made by that great master of weapons of +seizing the wise Yudhishthira in battle to please Duryodhana; then the +retreat of Arjuna from the field before the Sansaptakas, then the +overthrow of Bhagadatta like to a second Indra in the field, with the +elephant Supritika, by Arjuna; then the death of the hero Abhimanyu in his +teens, alone and unsupported, at the hands of many Maharathas including +Jayadratha; then after the death of Abhimanyu, the destruction by Arjuna, +in battle of seven Akshauhinis of troops and then of Jayadratha; then the +entry, by Bhima of mighty arms and by that foremost of warriors-in-chariot, +Satyaki, into the Kaurava ranks impenetrable even to the gods, in search +of Arjuna in obedience to the orders of Yudhishthira, and the destruction +of the remnant of the Sansaptakas. In the Drona Parva, is the death of +Alambusha, of Srutayus, of Jalasandha, of Shomadatta, of Virata, of the +great warrior-in-chariot Drupada, of Ghatotkacha and others; in this Parva, +Aswatthaman, excited beyond measure at the fall of his father in battle, +discharged the terrible weapon Narayana. Then the glory of Rudra in +connection with the burning (of the three cities). Then the arrival of +Vyasa and recital by him of the glory of Krishna and Arjuna. This is the +great seventh Parva of the Bharata in which all the heroic chiefs and +princes mentioned were sent to their account. The number of sections in +this is one hundred and seventy. The number of slokas as composed in the +Drona Parva by Rishi Vyasa, the son of Parasara and the possessor of true +knowledge after much meditation, is eight thousand, nine hundred and nine. + +"Then comes the most wonderful Parva called Karna. In this is narrated the +appointment of the wise king of Madra as (Karna's) charioteer. Then the +history of the fall of the Asura Tripura. Then the application to each +other by Karna and Salya of harsh words on their setting out for the field, +then the story of the swan and the crow recited in insulting allusion: +then the death of Pandya at the hands of the high-souled Aswatthaman; then +the death of Dandasena; then that of Darda; then Yudhishthira's imminent +risk in single combat with Karna in the presence of all the warriors; then +the mutual wrath of Yudhishthira and Arjuna; then Krishna's pacification +of Arjuna. In this Parva, Bhima, in fulfilment of his vow, having ripped +open Dussasana's breast in battle drank the blood of his heart. Then +Arjuna slew the great Karna in single combat. Readers of the Bharata call +this the eighth Parva. The number of sections in this is sixty-nine and +the number of slokas is four thousand, nine hundred and sixty-tour. + +"Then hath been recited the wonderful Parva called Salya. After all the +great warriors had been slain, the king of Madra became the leader of the +(Kaurava) army. The encounters one after another, of charioteers, have +been here described. Then comes the fall of the great Salya at the hands +of Yudhishthira, the Just. Here also is the death of Sakuni in battle at +the hands of Sahadeva. Upon only a small remnant of the troops remaining +alive after the immense slaughter, Duryodhana went to the lake and +creating for himself room within its waters lay stretched there for some +time. Then is narrated the receipt of this intelligence by Bhima from the +fowlers: then is narrated how, moved by the insulting speeches of the +intelligent Yudhishthira, Duryodhana ever unable to bear affronts, came +out of the waters. Then comes the encounter with clubs, between Duryodhana +and Bhima; then the arrival, at the time of such encounter, of Balarama: +then is described the sacredness of the Saraswati; then the progress of +the encounter with clubs; then the fracture of Duryodhana's thighs in +battle by Bhima with (a terrific hurl of) his mace. These all have been +described in the wonderful ninth Parva. In this the number of sections is +fifty-nine and the number of slokas composed by the great Vyasa--the +spreader of the fame of the Kauravas--is three thousand, two hundred and +twenty. + +"Then shall I describe the Parva called Sauptika of frightful incidents. +On the Pandavas having gone away, the mighty charioteers, Kritavarman, +Kripa, and the son of Drona, came to the field of battle in the evening +and there saw king Duryodhana lying on the ground, his thighs broken, and +himself covered with blood. Then the great charioteer, the son of Drona, +of terrible wrath, vowed, 'without killing all the Panchalas including +Drishtadyumna, and the Pandavas also with all their allies, I will not +take off armour.' Having spoken those words, the three warriors leaving +Duryodhana's side entered the great forest just as the sun was setting. +While sitting under a large banian tree in the night, they saw an owl +killing numerous crows one after another. At the sight of this, +Aswatthaman, his heart full of rage at the thought of his father's fate, +resolved to slay the slumbering Panchalas. And wending to the gate of the +camp, he saw there a Rakshasa of frightful visage, his head reaching to +the very heavens, guarding the entrance. And seeing that Rakshasa +obstructing all his weapons, the son of Drona speedily pacified by worship +the three-eyed Rudra. And then accompanied by Kritavarman and Kripa he +slew all the sons of Draupadi, all the Panchalas with Dhrishtadyumna and +others, together with their relatives, slumbering unsuspectingly in the +night. All perished on that fatal night except the five Pandavas and the +great warrior Satyaki. Those escaped owing to Krishna's counsels, then the +charioteer of Dhrishtadyumna brought to the Pandavas intelligence of the +slaughter of the slumbering Panchalas by the son of Drona. Then Draupadi +distressed at the death of her sons and brothers and father sat before her +lords resolved to kill herself by fasting. Then Bhima of terrible prowess, +moved by the words of Draupadi, resolved, to please her; and speedily +taking up his mace followed in wrath the son of his preceptor in arms. The +son of Drona from fear of Bhimasena and impelled by the fates and moved +also by anger discharged a celestial weapon saying, 'This is for the +destruction of all the Pandavas'; then Krishna saying. 'This shall not be', +neutralised Aswatthaman's speech. Then Arjuna neutralised that weapon by +one of his own. Seeing the wicked Aswatthaman's destructive intentions, +Dwaipayana and Krishna pronounced curses on him which the latter returned. +Pandava then deprived the mighty warrior-in-chariot Aswatthaman, of the +jewel on his head, and became exceedingly glad, and, boastful of their +success, made a present of it to the sorrowing Draupadi. Thus the tenth +Parva, called Sauptika, is recited. The great Vyasa hath composed this in +eighteen sections. The number of slokas also composed (in this) by the +great reciter of sacred truths is eight hundred and seventy. In this Parva +has been put together by the great Rishi the two Parvas called Sauptika +and Aishika. + +"After this hath been recited the highly pathetic Parva called Stri, +Dhritarashtra of prophetic eye, afflicted at the death of his children, +and moved by enmity towards Bhima, broke into pieces a statue of hard iron +deftly placed before him by Krishna (as substitute of Bhima). Then Vidura, +removing the distressed Dhritarashtra's affection for worldly things by +reasons pointing to final release, consoled that wise monarch. Then hath +been described the wending of the distressed Dhritarashtra accompanied by +the ladies of his house to the field of battle of the Kauravas. Here +follow the pathetic wailings of the wives of the slain heroes. Then the +wrath of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra and their loss of consciousness. Then +the Kshatriya ladies saw those heroes,--their unreturning sons, brothers, +and fathers,--lying dead on the field. Then the pacification by Krishna of +the wrath of Gandhari distressed at the death of her sons and grandsons. +Then the cremation of the bodies of the deceased Rajas with due rites by +that monarch (Yudhishthira) of great wisdom and the foremost also of all +virtuous men. Then upon the presentation of water of the manes of the +deceased princes having commenced, the story of Kunti's acknowledgment of +Karna as her son born in secret. Those have all been described by the +great Rishi Vyasa in the highly pathetic eleventh Parva. Its perusal +moveth every feeling heart with sorrow and even draweth tears from the +eyes. The number of sections composed is twenty-seven. The number of +slokas is seven hundred and seventy-five. + +"Twelfth in number cometh the Santi Parva, which increaseth the +understanding and in which is related the despondency of Yudhishthira on +his having slain his fathers, brothers, sons, maternal uncles and +matrimonial relations. In this Parva is described how from his bed of +arrows Bhishma expounded various systems of duties worth the study of +kings desirous of knowledge; this Parva expounded the duties relative to +emergencies, with full indications of time and reasons. By understanding +these, a person attaineth to consummate knowledge. The mysteries also of +final emancipation have been expatiated upon. This is the twelfth Parva +the favourite of the wise. It consists of three hundred and thirty-nine +sections, and contains fourteen thousand, seven hundred and thirty-two +slokas. + +"Next in order is the excellent Anusasana Parva. In it is described how +Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, was reconciled to himself on hearing +the exposition of duties by Bhishma, the son of Bhagirathi. This Parva +treats of rules in detail and of Dharma and Artha; then the rules of +charity and its merits; then the qualifications of donees, and the supreme +ride-regarding gifts. This Parva also describes the ceremonials of +individual duty, the rules of conduct and the matchless merit of truth. +This Parva showeth the great merit of Brahmanas and kine, and unraveleth +the mysteries of duties in relation to time and place. These are embodied +in the excellent Parva called Anusasana of varied incidents. In this hath +been described the ascension of Bhishma to Heaven. This is the thirteenth +Parva which hath laid down accurately the various duties of men. The +number of sections, in this is one hundred and forty-six. The number of +slokas is eight thousand. + +"Then comes the fourteenth Parva Aswamedhika. In this is the excellent +story of Samvarta and Marutta. Then is described the discovery (by the +Pandavas) of golden treasuries; and then the birth of Parikshit who was +revived by Krishna after having been burnt by the (celestial) weapon of +Aswatthaman. The battles of Arjuna the son of Pandu, while following the +sacrificial horse let loose, with various princes who in wrath seized it. +Then is shown the great risk of Arjuna in his encounter with Vabhruvahana +the son of Chitrangada (by Arjuna) the appointed daughter of the chief of +Manipura. Then the story of the mongoose during the performance of the +horse-sacrifice. This is the most wonderful Parva called Aswamedhika. The +number of sections is one hundred and three. The number of slokas composed +(in this) by Vyasa of true knowledge is three thousand, three hundred and +twenty. + +"Then comes the fifteenth Parva called Asramvasika. In this, Dhritarashtra, +abdicating the kingdom, and accompanied by Gandhari and Vidura went to the +woods. Seeing this, the virtuous Pritha also, ever engaged in cherishing +her superiors, leaving the court of her sons, followed the old couple. In +this is described the wonderful meeting through the kindness of Vyasa of +the king (Dhritarashtra) with the spirits of his slain children, grand- +children, and other princes, returned from the other world. Then the +monarch abandoning his sorrows acquired with his wife the highest fruit of +his meritorious actions. In this Parva, Vidura after having leaned on +virtue all his life attaineth to the most meritorious state. + +"The learned son of Gavalgana, Sanjaya, also of passions under full +control, and the foremost of ministers, attained, in the Parva, to the +blessed state. In this, Yudhishthira the just met Narada and heard from +him about the extinction of the race of Vrishnis. This is the very +wonderful Parva called Asramvasika. The number of sections in this is +forty-two, and the number of slokas composed by Vyasa cognisant of truth +is one thousand five hundred and six. + +"After this, you know, comes the Maushala of painful incidents. In this, +those lion-hearted heroes (of the race of Vrishni) with the scars of many +a field on their bodies, oppressed with the curse of a Brahmana, while +deprived of reason from drink, impelled by the fates, slew each other on +the shores of the Salt Sea with the Eraka grass which (in their hands) +became (invested with the fatal attributes of the) thunder. In this, both +Balarama and Kesava (Krishna) after causing the extermination of their +race, their hour having come, themselves did not rise superior to the sway +of all-destroying Time. In this, Arjuna the foremost among men, going to +Dwaravati (Dwaraka) and seeing the city destitute of the Vrishnis was much +affected and became exceedingly sorry. Then after the funeral of his +maternal uncle Vasudeva the foremost among the Yadus (Vrishnis), he saw +the heroes of the Yadu race lying stretched in death on the spot where +they had been drinking. He then caused the cremation of the bodies of the +illustrious Krishna and Balarama and of the principal members of the +Vrishni race. Then as he was journeying from Dwaraka with the women and +children, the old and the decrepit--the remnants of the Yadu race--he was +met on the way by a heavy calamity. He witnessed also the disgrace of his +bow Gandiva and the unpropitiousness of his celestial weapons. Seeing all +this, Arjuna became despondent and, pursuant to Vyasa's advice, went to +Yudhishthira and solicited permission to adopt the Sannyasa mode of life. +This is the sixteenth Parva called Maushala. The number of sections is +eight and the number of slokas composed by Vyasa cognisant of truth is +three hundred and twenty. + +"The next is Mahaprasthanika, the seventeenth Parva. + +"In this, those foremost among men the Pandavas abdicating their kingdom +went with Draupadi on their great journey called Mahaprasthana. In this, +they came across Agni, having arrived on the shore of the sea of red +waters. In this, asked by Agni himself, Arjuna worshipped him duly, +returned to him the excellent celestial bow called Gandiva. In this, +leaving his brothers who dropped one after another and Draupadi also, +Yudhishthira went on his journey without once looking back on them. This +the seventeenth Parva is called Mahaprasthanika. The number of sections in +this is three. The number of slokas also composed by Vyasa cognisant of +truth is three hundred and twenty. + +"The Parva that comes after this, you must know, is the extraordinary one +called Svarga of celestial incidents. Then seeing the celestial car come +to take him, Yudhishthira moved by kindness towards the dog that +accompanied him, refused to ascend it without his companion. Observing the +illustrious Yudhishthira's steady adherence to virtue, Dharma (the god of +justice) abandoning his canine form showed himself to the king. Then +Yudhishthira ascending to heaven felt much pain. The celestial messenger +showed him hell by an act of deception. Then Yudhishthira, the soul of +justice, heard the heart-rending lamentations of his brothers abiding in +that region under the discipline of Yama. Then Dharma and Indra showed +Yudhishthira the region appointed for sinners. Then Yudhishthira, after +leaving the human body by a plunge in the celestial Ganges, attained to +that region which his acts merited, and began to live in joy respected by +Indra and all other gods. This is the eighteenth Parva as narrated by the +illustrious Vyasa. The number of slokas composed, O ascetics, by the great +Rishi in this is two hundred and nine. + +"The above are the contents of the Eighteen Parvas. In the appendix +(Khita) are the Harivansa and the Vavishya. The number of slokas contained +in the Harivansa is twelve thousand. + +"These are the contents of the section called Parva-sangraha." Sauti +continued, "Eighteen Akshauhinis of troops came together for battle. The +encounter that ensued was terrible and lasted for eighteen days. He who +knows the four Vedas with all the Angas and Upanishads, but does not know +this history (Bharata), cannot be regarded as wise. Vyasa of immeasurable +intelligence, has spoken of the Mahabharata as a treatise on Artha, on +Dharma, and on Kama. Those who have listened to his history can never bear +to listen to others, as, indeed, they who have listened to the sweet voice +of the male Kokila can never hear the dissonance of the crow's cawing. As +the formation of the three worlds proceedeth from the five elements, so do +the inspirations of all poets proceed from this excellent composition. O +ye Brahman, as the four kinds of creatures (viviparous, oviparous, born of +hot moisture and vegetables) are dependent on space for their existence, +so the Puranas depend upon this history. As all the senses depend for +their exercise upon the various modifications of the mind, so do all acts +(ceremonials) and moral qualities depend upon this treatise. There is not +a story current in the world but doth depend on this history, even as body +upon the food it taketh. All poets cherish the Bharata even as servants +desirous of preferment always attend upon masters of good lineage. Even as +the blessed domestic Asrama can never be surpassed by the three other +Asramas (modes of life) so no poets can surpass this poem. + +"Ye ascetics, shake off all inaction. Let your hearts be fixed on virtue, +for virtue is the one only friend of him that has gone to the other world. +Even the most intelligent by cherishing wealth and wives can never make +these their own, nor are these possessions lasting. The Bharata uttered by +the lips of Dwaipayana is without a parallel; it is virtue itself and +sacred. It destroyeth sin and produceth good. He that listeneth to it +while it is being recited hath no need of a bath in the sacred waters of +Pushkara. A Brahmana, whatever sins he may commit during the day through +his senses, is freed from them all by reading the Bharata in the evening. +Whatever sins he may commit also in the night by deeds, words, or mind, he +is freed from them all by reading Bharata in the first twilight (morning). +He that giveth a hundred kine with horns mounted with gold to a Brahmana +well-posted up in the Vedas and all branches of learning, and he that +daily listeneth to the sacred narrations of the Bharata, acquireth equal +merit. As the wide ocean is easily passable by men having ships, so is +this extensive history of great excellence and deep import with the help +of this chapter called Parva sangraha." + +Thus endeth the section called Parva-sangraha of the Adi Parva of the +blessed Mahabharata. + + +SECTION III + +(Paushya Parva) + +Sauti said, "Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, was, with his brothers, +attending his long sacrifice on the plains of Kurukshetra. His brothers +were three, Srutasena, Ugrasena, and Bhimasena. And as they were sitting +at the sacrifice, there arrived at the spot an offspring of Sarama (the +celestial bitch). And belaboured by the brothers of Janamejaya, he ran +away to his mother, crying in pain. And his mother seeing him crying +exceedingly asked him, 'Why criest thou so? Who hath beaten thee?' And +being thus questioned, he said unto his mother, 'I have been belaboured by +the brothers of Janamejaya.' And his mother replied, 'Thou hast committed +some fault for which hast thou been beaten!' He answered, 'I have not +committed any fault. I have not touched the sacrificial butter with my +tongue, nor have I even cast a look upon it.' His mother Sarama hearing +this and much distressed at the affliction of her son went to the place +where Janamejaya with his brothers was at his long-extending sacrifice. +And she addressed Janamejaya in anger, saying, 'This my son hath committed +no fault: he hath not looked upon your sacrificial butter, nor hath he +touched it with his tongue. Wherefore hath he been beaten?' They said not +a word in reply; whereupon she said, 'As ye have beaten my son who hath +committed no fault, therefore shall evil come upon ye, when ye least +expect it.' + +"Janamejaya, thus addressed by the celestial bitch, Sarama, became +exceedingly alarmed and dejected. And after the sacrifice was concluded +returned to Hastinapura, and began to take great pains in searching for a +Purohita who could by procuring absolution for his sin, neutralise the +effect of the curse. + +"One day Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, while a-hunting, observed in a +particular part of his dominions a hermitage where dwelt a certain Rishi +of fame, Srutasrava. He had a son named Somasrava deeply engaged in +ascetic devotions. Being desirous of appointing that son of the Rishi as +his Purohita, Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, saluted the Rishi and +addressed him, saying, 'O possessor of the six attributes, let this thy +son be my purohita.' The Rishi thus addressed, answered Janamejaya, 'O +Janamejaya, this my son, deep in ascetic devotions, accomplished in the +study of the Vedas, and endued with the full force of my asceticism, is +born of (the womb of) a she-snake that had drunk my vital fluid. He is +able to absolve thee from all offences save those committed against +Mahadeva. But he hath one particular habit, viz. he would grant to any +Brahmana whatever might be begged of him. If thou canst put up with it, +then thou take him.' Janamejaya thus addressed replied to the Rishi, 'It +shall be even so.' And accepting him for his Purohita, he returned to his +capital; and he then addressed his brothers saying, 'This is the person I +have chosen for my spiritual master; whatsoever he may say must be +complied with by you without examination.' And his brothers did as they +were directed. And giving these directions to his brothers, the king +marched towards Takshyashila and brought that country under his authority. + +"About this time there was a Rishi, Ayoda-Dhaumya by name. And Ayoda- +Dhaumya had three disciples, Upamanyu, Aruni, and Veda. And the Rishi bade +one of these disciples, Aruni of Panchala, to go and stop up a breach in +the water-course of a certain field. And Aruni of Panchala, thus ordered +by his preceptor, repaired to the spot. And having gone there he saw that +he could not stop up the breach in the water-course by ordinary means. And +he was distressed because he could not do his preceptor's bidding. But at +length he saw a way and said, 'Well, I will do it in this way.' He then +went down into the breach and lay down himself there. And the water was +thus confined. + +"And some time after, the preceptor Ayoda-Dhaumya asked his other +disciples where Aruni of Panchala was. And they answered, 'Sir, he hath +been sent by yourself saying, "Go, stop up the breach in the water-course +of the field."' Thus reminded, Dhaumya, addressing his pupils, said, 'Then +let us all go to the place where he is.' + +"And having arrived there, he shouted, 'Ho Aruni of Panchala! Where art +thou? Come hither, my child.' And Aruni hearing the voice of his preceptor +speedily came out of the water-course and stood before his preceptor. And +addressing the latter, Aruni said, 'Here I am in the breach of the water- +course. Not having been able to devise any other means, I entered myself +for the purpose of preventing the water running out. It is only upon +hearing thy voice that, having left it and allowed the waters to escape, I +have stood before thee. I salute thee, Master; tell me what I have to do.' + +"The preceptor, thus addressed, replied, 'Because in getting up from the +ditch thou hast opened the water-course, thenceforth shalt thou be called +Uddalaka as a mark of thy preceptor's favour. And because my words have +been obeyed by thee, thou shalt obtain good fortune. And all the Vedas +shall shine in thee and all the Dharmasastras also.' And Aruni, thus +addressed by his preceptor, went to the country after his heart. + +"The name of another of Ayoda-Dhaumya's disciples was Upamanyu. And +Dhaumya appointed him saying, 'Go, my child, Upamanyu, look after the +kine.' And according to his preceptor's orders, he went to tend the kine. +And having watched them all day, he returned in the evening to his +preceptor's house and standing before him he saluted him respectfully. And +his preceptor seeing him in good condition of body asked him, 'Upamanyu, +my child, upon what dost thou support thyself? Thou art exceedingly plump.' +And he answered, 'Sir, I support myself by begging.' And his preceptor +said, 'What is obtained in alms should not be used by thee without +offering it to me.' And Upamanyu, thus told, went away. And having +obtained alms, he offered the same to his preceptor. And his preceptor +took from him even the whole. And Upamanyu, thus treated, went to attend +the cattle. And having watched them all day, he returned in the evening to +his preceptor's abode. And he stood before his preceptor and saluted him +with respect. And his preceptor perceiving that he still continued to be +of good condition of body said unto him, 'Upamanyu, my child, I take from +thee even the whole of what thou obtainest in alms, without leaving +anything for thee. How then dost thou, at present, contrive to support +thyself?' And Upamanyu said unto his preceptor, 'Sir, having made over to +you all that I obtain in alms, I go a-begging a second time for supporting +myself.' And his preceptor then replied, 'This is not the way in which +thou shouldst obey the preceptor. By this thou art diminishing the support +of others that live by begging. Truly having supported thyself so, thou +hast proved thyself covetous.' And Upamanyu, having signified his assent +to all that his preceptor said, went away to attend the cattle. And having +watched them all day, he returned to his preceptor's house. And he stood +before his preceptor and saluted him respectfully. And his preceptor +observing that he was still fat, said again unto him, 'Upamanyu, my child, +I take from thee all thou obtainest in alms and thou dost not go a-begging +a second time, and yet art thou in healthy condition. How dost thou +support thyself?' And Upamanyu, thus questioned, answered, 'Sir, I now +live upon the milk of these cows.' And his preceptor thereupon told him, +'It is not lawful for thee to appropriate the milk without having first +obtained my consent.' And Upamanyu having assented to the justice of these +observations, went away to tend the kine. And when he returned to his +preceptor's abode, he stood before him and saluted him as usual. And his +preceptor seeing that he was still fat, said, 'Upamanyu, my child, thou +eatest no longer of alms, nor dost thou go a-begging a second time, not +even drinkest of the milk; yet art thou fat. By what means dost thou +contrive to live now?' And Upamanyu replied, 'Sir, I now sip the froth that +these calves throw out, while sucking their mother's teats.' And the +preceptor said, 'These generous calves, I suppose, out of compassion for +thee, throw out large quantities of froth. Wouldst thou stand in the way +of their full meals by acting as thou hast done? Know that it is unlawful +for thee to drink the froth.' And Upamanyu, having signified his assent to +this, went as before to tend the cows. And restrained by his preceptor, he +feedeth not on alms, nor hath he anything else to eat; he drinketh not of +the milk, nor tasteth he of the froth! + +"And Upamanyu, one day, oppressed by hunger, when in a forest, ate of the +leaves of the Arka (Asclepias gigantea). And his eyes being affected by +the pungent, acrimonious, crude, and saline properties of the leaves which +he had eaten, he became blind. And as he was crawling about, he fell into +a pit. And upon his not returning that day when the sun was sinking down +behind the summit of the western mountains, the preceptor observed to his +disciples that Upamanyu was not yet come. And they told him that he had +gone out with the cattle. + +"The preceptor then said, 'Upamanyu being restrained by me from the use of +everything, is, of course, tired, and therefore, doth not come home until +it be late. Let us then go in search of him.' And having said this, he went +with his disciples into the forest and began to shout, saying, 'Ho +Upamanyu, where art thou?' And Upamanyu hearing his preceptor's voice +answered in a loud tone, 'Here I am at the bottom of a well.' And his +preceptor asked him how he happened to be there. And Upamanyu replied, +'Having eaten of the leaves of the Arka plant I became blind, and so have +I fallen into this well.' And his preceptor thereupon told him, 'Glorify +the twin Aswins, the joint physicians of the gods, and they will restore +thee thy sight.' And Upamanyu thus directed by his preceptor began to +glorify the twin Aswins, in the following words of the Rig Veda: + +"'Ye have existed before the creation! Ye first-born beings, ye are +displayed in this wondrous universe of five elements! I desire to obtain +you by the help of the knowledge derived from hearing, and of meditation, +for ye are Infinite! Ye are the course itself of Nature and intelligent +Soul that pervades that course! Ye are birds of beauteous feathers perched +on the body that is like to a tree! Ye are without the three common +attributes of every soul! Ye are incomparable! Ye, through your spirit in +every created thing, pervade the Universe! + +"'Ye are golden Eagles! Ye are the essence into which all things disappear! +Ye are free from error and know no deterioration! Ye are of beauteous +beaks that would not unjustly strike and are victorious in every +encounter! Ye certainly prevail over time! Having created the sun, ye +weave the wondrous cloth of the year by means of the white thread of the +day and the black thread of the night! And with the cloth so woven, ye +have established two courses of action appertaining respectively to the +Devas and the Pitris. The bird of Life seized by Time which represents the +strength of the Infinite soul, ye set free for delivering her unto great +happiness! They that are in deep ignorance, as long as they are under +delusions of their senses, suppose you, who are independent of the +attributes of matter, to be gifted with form! Three hundred and sixty cows +represented by three hundred and sixty days produce one calf between them +which is the year. That calf is the creator and destroyer of all. Seekers +of truth following different routes, draw the milk of true knowledge with +its help. Ye Aswins, ye are the creators of that calf! + +"'The year is but the nave of a wheel to which is attached seven hundred +and twenty spokes representing as many days and nights. The circumference +of this wheel represented by twelve months is without end. This wheel is +full of delusions and knows no deterioration. It affects all creatures +whether to this or of the other worlds. Ye Aswins, this wheel of time is +set in motion by you! + +"'The wheel of Time as represented by the year has a nave represented by +the six seasons. The number of spokes attached to that nave is twelve as +represented by the twelve signs of the Zodiac. This wheel of Time +manifests the fruits of the acts of all things. The presiding deities of +Time abide in that wheel. Subject as I am to its distressful influence, ye +Aswins, liberate me from that wheel of Time. Ye Aswins, ye are this +universe of five elements! Ye are the objects that are enjoyed in this and +in the other world! Make me independent of the five elements! And though +ye are the Supreme Brahma, yet ye move over the Earth in forms enjoying +the delights that the senses afford. + +"'In the beginning, ye created the ten points of the universe! Then have ye +placed the Sun and the Sky above! The Rishis, according to the course of +the same Sun, perform their sacrifices, and the gods and men, according to +what hath been appointed for them, perform their sacrifices also enjoying +the fruits of those acts! + +"'Mixing the three colours, ye have produced all the objects of sight! It +is from these objects that the Universe hath sprung whereon the gods and +men are engaged in their respective occupations, and, indeed, all +creatures endued with life! + +"'Ye Aswins, I adore you! I also adore the Sky which is your handiwork! Ye +are the ordainers of the fruits of all acts from which even the gods are +not free! Ye are yourselves free from the fruits of your acts! + +"'Ye are the parents of all! As males and females it is ye that swallow the +food which subsequently develops into the life creating fluid and blood! +The new-born infant sucks the teat of its mother. Indeed it is ye that +take the shape of the infant! Ye Aswins, grant me my sight to protect my +life!' + +"The twin Aswins, thus invoked, appeared and said, 'We are satisfied. Here +is a cake for thee. Take and eat it.' And Upamanyu thus addressed, replied, +'Your words, O Aswins, have never proved untrue. But without first +offering this cake to my preceptor I dare not take it.' And the Aswins +thereupon told him, 'Formerly, thy preceptor had invoked us. We thereupon +gave him a cake like this; and he took it without offering it to his +master. Do thou do that which thy preceptor did.' Thus addressed, Upamanyu +again said unto them, 'O Aswins, I crave your pardon. Without offering it +to my preceptor I dare not apply this cake.' The Aswins then said, 'O, we +are pleased with this devotion of thine to thy preceptor. Thy master's +teeth are of black iron. Thine shall be of gold. Thou shall be restored to +sight and shall have good fortune.' + +"Thus spoken to by the Aswins he recovered his sight, and having gone to +his preceptor's presence he saluted him and told him all. And his +preceptor was well-pleased with him and said unto him, 'Thou shalt obtain +prosperity even as the Aswins have said. All the Vedas shall shine in thee +and all the Dharma-sastras.' And this was the trial of Upamanyu. + +"Then Veda the other disciple of Ayoda-Dhaumya was called. His preceptor +once addressed him, saying, 'Veda, my child, tarry some time in my house +and serve thy preceptor. It shall be to thy profit.' And Veda having +signified his assent tarried long in the family of his preceptor mindful +of serving him. Like an ox under the burthens of his master, he bore heat +and cold, hunger and thirst, at all times without a murmur. And it was not +long before his preceptor was satisfied. And as a consequence of that +satisfaction, Veda obtained good fortune and universal knowledge. And this +was the trial of Veda. + +"And Veda, having received permission from his preceptor, and leaving the +latter's residence after the completion of his studies, entered the +domestic mode of life. And while living in his own house, he got three +pupils. And he never told them to perform any work or to obey implicitly +his own behests; for having himself experienced much woe while abiding in +the family of his preceptor, he liked not to treat them with severity. + +"After a certain time, Janamejaya and Paushya, both of the order of +Kshatriyas, arriving at his residence appointed the Brahman, Veda, as +their spiritual guide (Upadhyaya). And one day while about to depart upon +some business related to a sacrifice, he employed one of his disciples, +Utanka, to take charge of his household. 'Utanka', said he, 'whatsoever +should have to be done in my house, let it be done by thee without +neglect.' And having given these orders to Utanka, he went on his journey. + +"So Utanka always mindful of the injunction of his preceptor took up his +abode in the latter's house. And while Utanka was residing there, the +females of his preceptor's house having assembled addressed him and said, +'O Utanka, thy mistress is in that season when connubial connection might +be fruitful. The preceptor is absent; then stand thou in his place and do +the needful.' And Utanka, thus addressed, said unto those women, 'It is +not proper for me to do this at the bidding of women. I have not been +enjoined by my preceptor to do aught that is improper.' + +"After a while, his preceptor returned from his journey. And his preceptor +having learnt all that had happened, became well-pleased and, addressing +Utanka, said, 'Utanka, my child, what favour shall I bestow on thee? I +have been served by thee duly; therefore hath our friendship for each +other increased. I therefore grant thee leave to depart. Go thou, and let +thy wishes be accomplished!' + +"Utanka, thus addressed, replied, saying, 'Let me do something that you +wish, for it hath been said, "He who bestoweth instruction contrary to +usage and he who receiveth it contrary to usage, one of the two dieth, and +enmity springeth up between the two." I, therefore, who have received thy +leave to depart, am desirous of bringing thee some honorarium due to a +preceptor.' His master, upon hearing this, replied, 'Utanka, my child, wait +a while.' Sometime after, Utanka again addressed his preceptor, saying, +'Command me to bring that for honorarium, which you desire.' And his +preceptor then said, 'My dear Utanka, thou hast often told me of your +desire to bring something by way of acknowledgment for the instruction +thou hast received. Go then in and ask thy mistress what thou art to bring. +And bring thou that which she directs.' And thus directed by his preceptor +Utanka addressed his preceptress, saying, 'Madam, I have obtained my +master's leave to go home, and I am desirous of bringing something +agreeable to thee as honorarium for the instruction I have received, in +order that I may not depart as his debtor. Therefore, please command me +what I am to bring.' Thus addressed, his preceptress replied, 'Go unto +King Paushya and beg of him the pair of ear-rings worn by his Queen, and +bring them hither. The fourth day hence is a sacred day when I wish to +appear before the Brahmanas (who may dine at my house) decked with these +ear-rings. Then accomplish this, O Utanka! If thou shouldst succeed, good +fortune shall attend thee; if not, what good canst thou expect?' + +"Utanka thus commanded, took his departure. And as he was passing along +the road he saw a bull of extraordinary size and a man of uncommon stature +mounted thereon. And that man addressed Utanka and said, 'Eat thou of the +dung of this bull.' Utanka, however, was unwilling to comply. The man said +again, 'O Utanka, eat of it without scrutiny. Thy master ate of it before.' +And Utanka signified his assent and ate of the dung and drank of the +urine of that bull, and rose respectfully, and washing his hands and mouth +went to where King Paushya was. + +"On arriving at the palace, Utanka saw Paushya seated (on his throne). And +approaching him Utanka saluted the monarch by pronouncing blessings and +said, 'I am come as a petitioner to thee.' And King Paushya, having +returned Utanka's salutations, said, 'Sir, what shall I do for thee?' And +Utanka said, 'I came to beg of thee a pair of ear-rings as a present to my +preceptor. It behoveth thee to give me the ear-rings worn by the Queen.' + +"King Paushya replied, 'Go, Utanka, into the female apartments where the +Queen is and demand them of her.' And Utanka went into the women's +apartments. But as he could not discover the Queen, he again addressed the +king, saying, 'It is not proper that I should be treated by thee with +deceit. Thy Queen is not in the private apartments, for I could not find +her.' The king thus addressed, considered for a while and replied, +'Recollect, Sir, with attention whether thou art not in a state of +defilement in consequence of contact with the impurities of a repast. My +Queen is a chaste wife and cannot be seen by any one who is impure owing +to contact with the leavings of a repast. Nor doth she herself appear in +sight of any one who is defiled.' + +"Utanka, thus informed, reflected for a while and then said, 'Yes, it must +be so. Having been in a hurry I performed my ablutions (after meal) in a +standing posture.' King Paushya then said, 'Here is a transgression, +purification is not properly effected by one in a standing posture, nor by +one while he is going along.' And Utanka having agreed to this, sat down +with his face towards the east, and washed his face, hands, and feet +thoroughly. And he then, without a noise, sipped thrice of water free from +scum and froth, and not warm, and just sufficient to reach his stomach and +wiped his face twice. And he then touched with water the apertures of his +organs (eyes, ears, etc.). And having done all this, he once more entered +the apartments of the women. And this time he saw the Queen. And as the +Queen perceived him, she saluted him respectfully and said, 'Welcome, Sir, +command me what I have to do.' And Utanka said unto her, 'It behoveth thee +to give me those ear-rings of thine. I beg them as a present for my +preceptor.' And the Queen having been highly pleased with Utanka's conduct +and, considering that Utanka as an object of charity could not be passed +over, took off her ear-rings and gave them to him. And she said, 'These +ear-rings are very much sought after by Takshaka, the King of the serpents. +Therefore shouldst thou carry them with the greatest care.' + +"And Utanka being told this, said unto the Queen, 'Lady, be under no +apprehension. Takshaka, Chief of the serpents, is not able to overtake me.' +And having said this, and taking leave of the Queen, he went back into +the presence of Paushya, and said, 'Paushya, I am gratified.' Then Paushya +said to Utanka, 'A fit object of charity can only be had at long intervals. +Thou art a qualified guest, therefore do I desire to perform a sraddha. +Tarry thou a little.' And Utanka replied, 'Yes, I will tarry, and beg that +the clean provisions that are ready may be soon brought in.' And the king +having signified his assent, entertained Utanka duly. And Utanka seeing +that the food placed before him had hair in it, and also that it was cold, +thought it unclean. And he said unto Paushya, 'Thou givest me food that is +unclean, therefore shalt thou lose thy sight.' And Paushya in answer said, +'And because dost thou impute uncleanliness to food that is clean, +therefore shalt thou be without issue.' And Utanka thereupon rejoined, 'It +behoveth thee not, after having offered me unclean food, to curse me in +return. Satisfy thyself by ocular proof.' + +"And Paushya seeing the food alleged to be unclean satisfied himself of +its uncleanliness. And Paushya having ascertained that the food was truly +unclean, being cold and mixed with hair, prepared as it was by a woman +with unbraided hair, began to pacify the Rishi Utanka, saying, 'Sir, the +food placed before thee is cold, and doth contain hair, having been +prepared without sufficient care. Therefore I pray thee pardon me. Let me +not become blind.' And Utanka answered, 'What I say must come to pass. +Having become blind, thou mayst, however, recover the sight before long. +Grant that thy curse also doth not take effect on me.' And Paushya said +unto him, 'I am unable to revoke my curse. For my wrath even now hath not +been appeased. But thou knowest not this. For a Brahmana's heart is soft +as new-churned butter, even though his words bear a sharp-edged razor. It +is otherwise in respect of these with the Kshatriya. His words are soft as +new-churned butter, but his heart is like a sharp-edged tool, such being +the case, I am unable, because of the hardness of my heart, to neutralise +my curse. Then go thou thy own way.' To this Utanka made answer, 'I showed +thee the uncleanliness of the food offered to me, and I was even now +pacified by thee. Besides, saidst thou at first that because I imputed +uncleanliness to food that was clean I should be without issue. But the +food truly unclean, thy curse cannot affect me. Of this I am sure.' And +Utanka having said this departed with the ear-rings. + +"On the road Utanka perceived coming towards him a naked idle beggar +sometimes coming in view and sometimes disappearing. And Utanka put the +ear-rings on the ground and went for water. In the meantime the beggar +came quickly to the spot and taking up the ear-rings ran away. And Utanka +having completed his ablutions in water and purified himself and having +also reverently bowed down to the gods and his spiritual masters pursued +the thief with the utmost speed. And having with great difficulty +overtaken him, he seized him by force. But at that instant the person +seized, quitting the form of a beggar and assuming his real form, viz., +that of Takshaka, speedily entered a large hole open in the ground. And +having got in, Takshaka proceeded to his own abode, the region of the +serpents. + +"Now, Utanka, recollecting the words of the Queen, pursued the Serpent, +and began to dig open the hole with a stick but was unable to make much +progress. And Indra beholding his distress sent his thunder-bolt (Vajra) +to his assistance. Then the thunder-bolt entering that stick enlarged that +hole. And Utanka began to enter the hole after the thunder-bolt. And +having entered it, he beheld the region of the serpents infinite in extent, +filled with hundreds of palaces and elegant mansions with turrets and +domes and gate-ways, abounding with wonderful places for various games and +entertainments. And Utanka then glorified the serpents by the following +slokas: + +"'Ye Serpents, subjects of King Airavata, splendid in battle and showering +weapons in the field like lightning-charged clouds driven by the winds! +Handsome and of various forms and decked with many coloured ear-rings, ye +children of Airavata, ye shine like the Sun in the firmament! On the +northern banks of the Ganges are many habitations of serpents. There I +constantly adore the great serpents. Who except Airavata would desire to +move in the burning rays of the Sun? When Dhritarashtra (Airavata's +brother) goes out, twenty-eight thousand and eight serpents follow him as +his attendants. Ye who move near him and ye who stay at a distance from +him, I adore all of you that have Airavata for your elder brother. + +"'I adore thee also, to obtain the ear-rings, O Takshaka, who formerly +dwelt in Kurukshetra and the forest of Khandava! Takshaka and Aswasena, ye +are constant companions who dwell in Kurukshetra on the banks of the +Ikshumati! I also adore the illustrious Srutasena, the younger brother of +Takshaka, who resided at the holy place called Mahadyumna with a view to +obtaining the chiefship of the serpents.' + +"The Brahmana Rishi Utanka having saluted the chief serpents in this +manner, obtained not, however, the ear-rings. And he thereupon became very +thoughtful. And when he saw that he obtained not the ear-rings even though +he had adored the serpents, he then looked about him and beheld two women +at a loom weaving a piece of cloth with a fine shuttle; and in the loom +were black and white threads. And he likewise saw a wheel, with twelve +spokes, turned by six boys. And he also saw a man with a handsome horse. +And he began to address them the following mantras: + +"'This wheel whose circumference is marked by twenty-four divisions +representing as many lunar changes is furnished with three hundred spokes! +It is set in continual motion by six boys (the seasons)! These damsels +representing universal nature are weaving without intermission a cloth +with threads black and white, and thereby ushering into existence the +manifold worlds and the beings that inhabit them! Thou wielder of the +thunder, the protector of the universe, the slayer of Vritra and Namuchi, +thou illustrious one who wearest the black cloth and displayest truth and +untruth in the universe, thou who ownest for thy carrier the horse which +was received from the depths of the ocean, and which is but another form +of Agni (the god of fire), I bow to thee, thou supreme Lord, thou Lord of +the three worlds, O Purandara!' + +"Then the man with the horse said unto Utanka, 'I am gratified by this thy +adoration. What good shall I do to thee?' And Utanka replied, 'Even let +the serpents be brought under my control.' Then the man rejoined, 'Blow +into this horse.' And Utanka blew into that horse. And from the horse thus +blown into, there issued, from every aperture of his body, flames of fire +with smoke by which the region of the Nagas was about to be consumed. And +Takshaka, surprised beyond measure and terrified by the heat of the fire, +hastily came out of his abode taking the ear-rings with him, and said unto +Utanka, 'Pray, Sir, take back the ear-rings.' And Utanka took them back. + +"But Utanka having recovered his ear-rings thought, 'O, this is that +sacred day of my preceptress. I am at a distance. How can I, therefore, +show my regard for her?' And when Utanka was anxious about this, the man +addressed him and said, 'Ride this horse, Utanka, and he will in a moment +carry thee to thy master's abode.' And Utanka having signified his assent, +mounted the horse and presently reached his preceptor's house. + +"And his preceptress that morning after having bathed was dressing her +hair sitting, thinking of uttering a curse on Utanka if he should not +return within time. But, in the meantime, Utanka entered his preceptor's +abode and paid his respects to his preceptress and presented her the ear- +rings. 'Utanka', said she, 'thou hast arrived at the proper time at the +proper place. Welcome, my child; thou art innocent and therefore I do not +curse thee! Good fortune is even before thee. Let thy wishes be crowned +with success!' + +"Then Utanka waited on his preceptor. And his preceptor said, 'Thou art +welcome! What hath occasioned thy long absence?' And Utanka replied to his +preceptor, 'Sir, in the execution of this my business obstruction was +offered by Takshaka, the King of serpents. Therefore I had to go to the +region of the Nagas. There I saw two damsels sitting at a loom, weaving a +fabric with black and white threads. Pray, what is that? There likewise I +beheld a wheel with twelve spokes ceaselessly turned by six boys. What too +doth that import? Who is also the man that I saw? And what the horse of +extraordinary size likewise beheld by me? And when I was on the road I +also saw a bull with a man mounted thereon, by whom I was endearingly +accosted thus, "Utanka, eat of the dung of this bull, which was also eaten +by thy master?" So I ate of the dung of that bull according to his words. +Who also is he? Therefore, enlightened by thee, I desire to hear all about +them.' + +"And his preceptor thus addressed said unto him, 'The two damsels thou +hast seen are Dhata and Vidhata; the black and white threads denote night +and day; the wheel of twelve spokes turned by the six boys signified the +year comprising six seasons. The man is Parjanya, the deity of rain, and +the horse is Agni, the god of fire. The bull that thou hast seen on the +road is Airavata, the king of elephants; the man mounted thereon is Indra; +and the dung of the bull which was eaten by thee was Amrita. It was +certainly for this (last) that thou hast not met with death in the region +of the Nagas; and Indra who is my friend having been mercifully inclined +showed thee favour. It is for this that thou returnest safe, with the ear- +rings about thee. Then, O thou amiable one, I give thee leave to depart. +Thou shall obtain good fortune.' + +"And Utanka, having obtained his master's leave, moved by anger and +resolved to avenge himself on Takshaka, proceeded towards Hastinapura. +That excellent Brahmana soon reached Hastinapura. And Utanka then waited +upon King Janamejaya who had some time before returned victorious from +Takshashila. And Utanka saw the victorious monarch surrounded on all sides +by his ministers. And he pronounced benedictions on him in a proper form. +And Utanka addressed the monarch at the proper moment in speech of correct +accent and melodious sounds, saying, 'O thou the best of monarchs! How is +it that thou spendest thy time like a child when there is another matter +that urgently demandeth thy attention?'" + +Sauti said, "The monarch Janamejaya, thus addressed, saluting that +excellent Brahmana replied unto him, 'In cherishing these my subjects I do +discharge the duties of my noble tribe. Say, what is that business to be +done by me and which hath brought thee hither.' + +"The foremost of Brahmanas and distinguished beyond all for good deeds, +thus addressed by the excellent monarch of large heart, replied unto him, +'O King! the business is thy own that demandeth thy attention; therefore +do it, please. O thou King of kings! Thy father was deprived of life by +Takshaka; therefore do thou avenge thy father's death on that vile serpent. +The time hath come, I think, for the act of vengeance ordained by the +Fates. Go then avenge the death of thy magnanimous father who, being +bitten without cause by that vile serpent, was reduced to five elements +even like a tree stricken by thunder. The wicked Takshaka, vilest of the +serpent race, intoxicated with power committed an unnecessary act when he +bit the King, that god-like father, the protector of the race of royal +saints. Wicked in his deeds, he even caused Kasyapa (the prince of +physicians) to run back when he was coming for the relief of thy father. +It behoveth thee to burn the wicked wretch in the blazing fire of a snake- +sacrifice. O King! Give instant orders for the sacrifice. It is thus thou +canst avenge the death of thy father. And a very great favour shall have +also been shown to me. For by that malignant wretch, O virtuous Prince, my +business also was, on one occasion, obstructed, while proceeding on +account of my preceptor.'" + +Sauti continued, "The monarch, having heard these words, was enraged with +Takshaka. By the speech of Utanka was inflamed the prince, even as the +sacrificial fire with clarified butter. Moved by grief also, in the +presence of Utanka, the prince asked his ministers the particulars of his +father's journey to the regions of the blessed. And when he heard all +about the circumstances of his father's death from the lips of Utanka, he +was overcome with pain and sorrow." + +And thus endeth the section called Paushya of the Adi Parva of the blessed +Mahabharata. + + +SECTION IV + +(Pauloma Parva) + +Ugrasrava Sauti, the son of Lomaharshana, versed in the Puranas, while +present in the forest of Naimisha, at the twelve years' sacrifice of +Saunaka, surnamed Kulapati, stood before the Rishis in attendance. Having +studied Puranas with meticulous devotion and thus being thoroughly +acquainted with them, he addressed them with joined hands thus, "I have +graphically described to you the history of Utanka which is one of the +causes of King Janamejaya's Snake-sacrifice. What, revered Sirs, do ye +wish to hear now? What shall I relate to you?" The holy men replied, "O +son of Lomaharshana, we shall ask thee about what we are anxious to hear +and thou wilt recount the tales one by one. Saunaka, our revered master, +is at present attending the apartment of the holy fire. He is acquainted +with those divine stories which relate to the gods and asuras. He +adequately knoweth the histories of men, serpents, and Gandharvas. Further, +O Sauti, in this sacrifice that learned Brahmana is the chief. He is able, +faithful to his vows, wise, a master of the Sastras and the Aranyaka, a +speaker of truth, a lover of peace, a mortifier of the flesh, and an +observer of the penances according to the authoritative decrees. He is +respected by us all. It behoveth us therefore to wait for him. And when he +is seated on his highly respected seat, thou wilt answer what that best of +Dwijas shall ask of thee." + +Sauti said, "Be it so. And when the high-souled master hath been seated I +shall narrate, questioned by him, sacred stories on a variety of subjects." +After a while that excellent Brahmana (Saunaka) having duly finished all +his duties, and having propitiated the gods with prayers and the manes +with oblations of water, came back to the place of sacrifice, where with +Sauti seated before was the assembly of saints of rigid vows sitting at +ease. And when Saunaka was seated in the midst of the Ritwiks and Sadhyas, +who were also in their seats, he spake as followeth. + + +SECTION V + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +Saunaka said, "Child, thy father formerly read the whole of the Puranas, +O son of Lomaharshana, and the Bharata with Krishna-Dwaipayana. Hast thou +also made them thy study? In those ancient records are chronicled +interesting stories and the history of the first generations of the wise +men, all of which we heard being rehearsed by thy sire. In the first place, +I am desirous of hearing the history of the race of Bhrigu. Recount thou +that history, we shall attentively listen to thee." + +Sauti answered, "By me hath been acquired all that was formerly studied +by the high-souled Brahmanas including Vaisampayana and repeated by them; +by me hath been acquired all that had been studied by my father. O +descendant of the Bhrigu race, attend then to so much as relateth to the +exalted race of Bhrigu, revered by Indra and all the gods, by the tribes +of Rishis and Maruts (Winds). O great Muni, I shall first properly recount +the story of this family, as told in the Puranas. + +"The great and blessed saint Bhrigu, we are informed, was produced by the +self-existing Brahma from the fire at the sacrifice of Varuna. And Bhrigu +had a son, named Chyavana, whom he dearly loved. And to Chyavana was born +a virtuous son called Pramati. And Pramati had a son named Ruru by +Ghritachi (the celestial dancer). And to Ruru also by his wife Pramadvara, +was born a son, whose name was Sunaka. He was, O Saunaka, thy great +ancestor exceedingly virtuous in his ways. He was devoted to asceticism, +of great reputation, proficient in law, and eminent among those having a +knowledge of the Vedas. He was virtuous, truthful, and of well-regulated +fare." + +Saunaka said, "O son of Suta, I ask thee why the illustrious son of +Bhrigu was named Chyavana. Do tell me all." + +Sauti replied, "Bhrigu had a wife named Puloma whom he dearly loved. She +became big with child by Bhrigu. And one day while the virtuous continent +Puloma was in that condition, Bhrigu, great among those that are true to +their religion, leaving her at home went out to perform his ablutions. It +was then that the Rakshasa called Puloma came to Bhrigu's abode. And +entering the Rishi's abode, the Rakshasa saw the wife of Bhrigu, +irreproachable in everything. And seeing her he became filled with lust +and lost his senses. The beautiful Puloma entertained the Rakshasa thus +arrived, with roots and fruits of the forest. And the Rakshasa who burnt +with desire upon seeing her, became very much delighted and resolved, O +good sage, to carry her away who was so blameless in every respect. + +"'My design is accomplished,' said the Rakshasa, and so seizing that +beautiful matron he carried her away. And, indeed, she of agreeable smiles, +had been betrothed by her father himself, to him, although the former +subsequently bestowed her, according to due rites, on Bhrigu. O thou of +the Bhrigu race, this wound rankled deep in the Rakshasa's mind and he +thought the present moment very opportune for carrying the lady away. + +"And the Rakshasa saw the apartment in which the sacrificial fire was kept +burning brightly. The Rakshasa then asked the flaming element 'Tell me, O +Agni, whose wife this woman rightfully is. Thou art the mouth of gods; +therefore thou art bound to answer my question. This lady of superior +complexion had been first accepted by me as wife, but her father +subsequently bestowed her on the false Bhrigu. Tell me truly if this fair +one can be regarded as the wife of Bhrigu, for having found her alone, I +have resolved to take her away by force from the hermitage. My heart +burneth with rage when I reflect that Bhrigu hath got possession of this +woman of slender waist, first betrothed to me.'" + +Sauti continued, "In this manner the Rakshasa asked the flaming god of +fire again and again whether the lady was Bhrigu's wife. And the god was +afraid to return an answer. 'Thou, O god of fire,' said he, 'residest +constantly within every creature, as witness of her or his merits and +demerits. O thou respected one, then answer my question truly. Has not +Bhrigu appropriated her who was chosen by me as my wife? Thou shouldst +declare truly whether, therefore, she is my wife by first choice. After +thy answer as to whether she is the wife of Bhrigu, I will bear her away +from this hermitage even in sight of thee. Therefore answer thou truly.'" + +Sauti continued, "The Seven flamed god having heard these words of the +Rakshasa became exceedingly distressed, being afraid of telling a +falsehood and equally afraid of Bhrigu's curse. And the god at length made +answer in words that came out slowly. 'This Puloma was, indeed, first +chosen by thee, O Rakshasa, but she was not taken by thee with holy rites +and invocations. But this far-famed lady was bestowed by her father on +Bhrigu as a gift from desire of blessing. She was not bestowed on thee O +Rakshasa, this lady was duly made by the Rishi Bhrigu his wife with Vedic +rites in my presence. This is she--I know her. I dare not speak a +falsehood. O thou best of the Rakshasas, falsehood is never respected in +this world.'" + + +SECTION VI + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "O Brahmana, having heard these words from the god of fire, +the Rakshasa assumed the form of a boar, and seizing the lady carried her +away with the speed of the wind--even of thought. Then the child of Bhrigu +lying in her body enraged at such violence, dropped from his mother's womb, +for which he obtained the name of Chyavana. And the Rakshasa perceiving +the infant drop from the mother's womb, shining like the sun, quitted his +grasp of the woman, fell down and was instantly converted into ashes. And +the beautiful Pauloma, distracted with grief, O Brahmana of the Bhrigu +race, took up her offspring Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu and walked away. +And Brahma, the Grandfather of all, himself saw her, the faultless wife of +his son, weeping. And the Grandfather of all comforted her who was +attached to her son. And the drops of tears which rolled down her eyes +formed a great river. And that river began to follow the foot-steps of the +wife of the great ascetic Bhrigu. And the Grandfather of the worlds seeing +that river follow the path of his son's wife gave it a name himself, and +he called it Vadhusara. And it passeth by the hermitage of Chyavana. And +in this manner was born Chyavana of great ascetic power, the son of Bhrigu. + +"And Bhrigu saw his child Chyavana and its beautiful mother. And the Rishi +in a rage asked her, 'By whom wast thou made known to that Rakshasa who +resolved to carry thee away? O thou of agreeable smiles, the Rakshasa +could not know thee as my wife. Therefore tell me who it was that told the +Rakshasa so, in order that I may curse him through anger.' And Pauloma +replied, 'O possessor of the six attributes! I was identified to the +Rakshasa by Agni (the god of fire). And he (the Rakshasa) bore me away, +who cried like the Kurari (female osprey). And it was only by the ardent +splendour of this thy son that I was rescued, for the Rakshasa (seeing +this infant) let me go and himself falling to the ground was turned into +ashes.'" + +Sauti continued, "Bhrigu, upon hearing this account from Pauloma, became +exceedingly enraged. And in excess of passion the Rishi cursed Agni, +saying, 'Thou shalt eat of all things.'" + +So ends the sixth section called "the curse on Agni" in the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION VII + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "the god of fire enraged at the curse of Bhrigu, thus +addressed the Rishi, 'What meaneth this rashness, O Brahmana, that thou +hast displayed towards me? What transgression can be imputed to me who was +labouring to do justice and speak the truth impartially? Being asked I +gave the true answer. A witness who when interrogated about a fact of +which he hath knowledge, representeth otherwise than it is, ruineth his +ancestors and descendants both to the seventh generation. He, too, who, +being fully cognisant of all the particulars of an affair, doth not +disclose what he knoweth, when asked, is undoubtedly stained with guilt. I +can also curse thee, but Brahmanas are held by me in high respect. +Although these are known to thee, O Brahmana, I will yet speak of them, so +please attend! Having, by ascetic power, multiplied myself, I am present +in various forms, in places of the daily homa, at sacrifices extending for +years, in places where holy rites are performed (such as marriage, etc.), +and at other sacrifices. With the butter that is poured upon my flame +according to the injunctions prescribed in the Vedas, the Devas and the +Pitris are appeased. The Devas are the waters; the Pitris are also the +waters. The Devas have with the Pitris an equal right to the sacrifices +called Darshas and Purnamasas. The Devas therefore are the Pitris and the +Pitris, the Devas. They are identical beings, worshipped together and also +separately at the changes of the moon. The Devas and the Pitris eat what +is poured upon me. I am therefore called the mouth of the Devas and the +Pitris. At the new moon the Pitris, and at the full moon the Devas, are +fed through my mouth, eating of the clarified butter that is poured on me. +Being, as I am, their mouth, how am I to be an eater of all things (clean +and unclean)?' + +"Then Agni, after reflecting for a while, withdrew himself from all places; +from places of the daily homa of the Brahmanas, from all long-extending +sacrifices, from places of holy rites, and from other ceremonies. Without +their Oms and Vashats, and deprived of their Swadhas and Swahas +(sacrificial mantras during offerings), the whole body of creatures became +much distressed at the loss of their (sacrificial) fire. The Rishis in +great anxiety went to the gods and addressed them thus, 'Ye immaculate +beings! The three regions of the universe are confounded at the cessation +of their sacrifices and ceremonies in consequence of the loss of fire! +Ordain what is to be done in this matter, so that there may be no loss of +time.' Then the Rishis and the gods went together to the presence of +Brahma. And they represented to him all about the curse on Agni and the +consequent interruption of all ceremonies. And they said, 'O thou greatly +fortunate! Once Agni hath been cursed by Bhrigu for some reason. Indeed, +being the mouth of the gods and also the first who eateth of what is +offered in sacrifices, the eater also of the sacrificial butter, how will +Agni be reduced to the condition of one who eateth of all things +promiscuously?' And the creator of the universe hearing these words of +theirs summoned Agni to his presence. And Brahma addressed Agni, the +creator of all and eternal as himself, in these gentle words, 'Thou art +the creator of the worlds and thou art their destroyer! Thou preserves +the three worlds and thou art the promoter of all sacrifices and +ceremonies! Therefore behave thyself so that ceremonies be not interrupted. +And, O thou eater of the sacrificial butter, why dost thou act so +foolishly, being, as thou art, the Lord of all? Thou alone art always pure +in the universe and thou art its stay! Thou shall not, with all thy body, +be reduced to the state of one who eateth of all things promiscuously. O +thou of flames, the flame that is in thy viler parts shall alone eat of +all things alike. The body of thine which eateth of flesh (being in the +stomach of all carnivorous animals) shall also eat of all things +promiscuously. And as every thing touched by the sun's rays becometh pure, +so shall everything be pure that shall be burnt by thy flames. Thou art, O +fire, the supreme energy born of thy own power. Then, O Lord, by that +power of thine make the Rishi's curse come true. Continue to receive thy +own portion and that of the gods, offered at thy mouth.'" + +Sauti continued, "Then Agni replied to the Grandfather, 'So be it.' And +he then went away to obey the command of the supreme Lord. The gods and +the Rishis also returned in delight to the place whence they had come. And +the Rishis began to perform as before their ceremonies and sacrifices. And +the gods in heaven and all creatures of the world rejoiced exceedingly. +And Agni too rejoiced in that he was free from the prospect of sin. + +"Thus, O possessor of the six attributes, had Agni been cursed in the days +of yore by Bhrigu. And such is the ancient history connected with the +destruction of the Rakshasa, Pauloma and the birth of Chyavana." + +Thus endeth the seventh section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva of +the blessed Mahabharata. + + +SECTION VIII + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "O Brahmana, Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, begot a son in the +womb of his wife Sukanya. And that son was the illustrious Pramati of +resplendent energy. And Pramati begot in the womb of Ghritachi a son +called Ruru. And Ruru begot on his wife Pramadvara a son called Sunaka. +And I shall relate to you in detail, O Brahmana, the entire history of +Ruru of abundant energy. O listen to it then in full! + +"Formerly there was a great Rishi called Sthulakesa possessed of ascetic +power and learning and kindly disposed towards all creatures. At that time, +O Brahmana sage, Viswavasu, the King of the Gandharvas, it is said, had +intimacy with Menaka, the celestial dancing-girl. And the Apsara, Menaka, +O thou of the Bhrigu race, when her time was come, brought forth an infant +near the hermitage of Sthulakesa. And dropping the newborn infant on the +banks of the river, O Brahmana, Menaka, the Apsara, being destitute of +pity and shame, went away. And the Rishi, Sthulakesa, of great ascetic +power, discovered the infant lying forsaken in a lonely part of the river- +side. And he perceived that it was a female child, bright as the offspring +of an Immortal and blazing, as it were, with beauty: And the great +Brahmana, Sthulakesa, the first of Munis, seeing that female child, and +filled with compassion, took it up and reared it. And the lovely child +grew up in his holy habitation, the noble-minded and blessed Rishi +Sthulakesa performing in due succession all the ceremonies beginning with +that at birth as ordained by the divine law. And because she surpassed all +of her sex in goodness, beauty, and every quality, the great Rishi called +her by the name of Pramadvara. And the pious Ruru having seen Pramadvara +in the hermitage of Sthulakesa became one whose heart was pierced by the +god of love. And Ruru by means of his companions made his father Pramati, +the son of Bhrigu, acquainted with his passion. And Pramati demanded her +of the far-famed Sthulakesa for his son. And her foster-father betrothed +the virgin Pramadvara to Ruru, fixing the nuptials for the day when the +star Varga-Daivata (Purva-phalguni) would be ascendant. + +"Then within a few days of the time fixed for the nuptials, the beautiful +virgin while at play with companions of her own sex, her time having come, +impelled by fate, trod upon a serpent which she did not perceive as it lay +in coil. And the reptile, urged to execute the will of Fate, violently +darted its envenomed fangs into the body of the heedless maiden. And stung +by that serpent, she instantly dropped senseless on the ground, her colour +faded and all the graces of her person went off. And with dishevelled hair +she became a spectacle of woe to her companions and friends. And she who +was so agreeable to behold became on her death what was too painful to +look at. And the girl of slender waist lying on the ground like one +asleep--being overcome with the poison of the snake--once more became more +beautiful than in life. And her foster-father and the other holy ascetics +who were there, all saw her lying motionless upon the ground with the +splendour of a lotus. And then there came many noted Brahmanas filled with +compassion, and they sat around her. And Swastyatreya, Mahajana, Kushika, +Sankhamekhala, Uddalaka, Katha, and Sweta of great renown, Bharadwaja, +Kaunakutsya, Arshtishena, Gautama, Pramati, and Pramati's son Ruru, and +other inhabitants of the forest, came there. And when they saw that maiden +lying dead on the ground overcome with the poison of the reptile that had +bitten her, they all wept filled with compassion. But Ruru, mortified +beyond measure, retired from the scene." + +So ends the eighth section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva of the +blessed Mahabharata. + + +SECTION IX + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "While those illustrious Brahmanas were sitting around the +dead body of Pramadvara, Ruru, sorely afflicted, retired into a deep wood +and wept aloud. And overwhelmed with grief he indulged in much piteous +lamentation. And, remembering his beloved Pramadvara, he gave vent to his +sorrow in the following words, 'Alas! The delicate fair one that +increaseth my affliction lieth upon the bare ground. What can be more +deplorable to us, her friends? If I have been charitable, if I have +performed acts of penance, if I have ever revered my superiors, let the +merit of these arts restore to life my beloved one! If from my birth I +have been controlling my passions, adhered to my vows, let the fair +Pramadvara rise from the ground.' + +"And while Ruru was indulging in these lamentations for the loss of his +bride, a messenger from heaven came to him in the forest and addressed him +thus, 'The words thou utterest, O Ruru, in thy affliction are certainly +ineffectual. For, O pious man, one belonging to this world whose days have +run out can never come back to life. This poor child of a Gandharva and +Apsara has had her days run out! Therefore, O child, thou shouldst not +consign thy heart to sorrow. The great gods, however, have provided +beforehand a means of her restoration to life. And if thou compliest with +it, thou mayest receive back thy Pramadvara.' + +"And Ruru replied, 'O messenger of heaven! What is that which the gods have +ordained. Tell me in full so that (on hearing) I may comply with it. It +behoveth thee to deliver me from grief!' And the celestial messenger said +unto Ruru, 'Resign half of thy own life to thy bride, and then, O Ruru of +the race of Bhrigu, thy Pramadvara shall rise from the ground.' 'O best of +celestial messengers, I most willingly offer a moiety of my own life in +favour of my bride. Then let my beloved one rise up once more in her dress +and lovable form.'" + +Sauti said, "Then the king of Gandharvas (the father of Pramadvara) and +the celestial messenger, both of excellent qualities, went to the god +Dharma (the Judge of the dead) and addressed him, saying, 'If it be thy +will, O Dharmaraja, let the amiable Pramadvara, the betrothed wife of Ruru, +now lying dead, rise up with a moiety of Ruru's life.' And Dharmaraja +answered, 'O messenger of the gods, if it be thy wish, let Pramadvara, the +betrothed wife of Ruru, rise up endued with a moiety of Ruru's life.'" + +Sauti continued, "And when Dharmaraja had said so, that maiden of +superior complexion, Pramadvara, endued with a moiety of Ruru's life, rose +as from her slumber. This bestowal by Ruru of a moiety of his own span of +life to resuscitate his bride afterwards led, as it would be seen, to a +curtailment of Ruru's life. + +"And on an auspicious day their fathers gladly married them with due rites. +And the couple passed their days, devoted to each other. And Ruru having +obtained such a wife, as is hard to be found, beautiful and bright as the +filaments of the lotus, made a vow for the destruction of the serpent-race. +And whenever he saw a serpent he became filled with great wrath and always +killed it with a weapon. + +"One day, O Brahmana, Ruru entered an extensive forest. And there he saw +an old serpent of the Dundubha species lying stretched on the ground. And +Ruru thereupon lifted up in anger his staff, even like to the staff of +Death, for the purpose of killing it. Then the Dundubha, addressing Ruru, +said, 'I have done thee no harm, O Brahmana! Then wherefore wilt thou slay +me in anger?'" + +So ends the ninth section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva of the +blessed Mahabharata. + + +SECTION X + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "And Ruru, on hearing those words, replied, 'My wife, dear to +me as life, was bit by a snake; upon which, I took, O snake, a dreadful +vow, viz., that I would kill every snake that I might come across. +Therefore shall I smite thee and thou shalt be deprived of life.' + +"And the Dundubha replied, 'O Brahmana, the snakes that bite man are quite +different in type. It behoveth thee not to slay Dundubhas who are serpents +only in name. Subject like other serpents to the same calamities but not +sharing their good fortune, in woe the same but in joy different, the +Dundubhas should not be slain by thee under any misconception.'" + +Sauti continued, "And the Rishi Ruru hearing these words of the serpent, +and seeing that it was bewildered with fear, albeit a snake of the +Dundubha species, killed it not. And Ruru, the possessor of the six +attributes, comforting the snake addressed it, saying, 'Tell me fully, O +snake, who art thou thus metamorphosed?' And the Dundubha replied, 'O +Ruru! I was formerly a Rishi by name Sahasrapat. And it is by the curse of +a Brahmana that I have been transformed into a snake.' And Ruru asked, 'O +thou best of snakes, for what wast thou cursed by a Brahmana in wrath? And +how long also will thy form continue so?'" + +And so ends the tenth section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XI + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +Sauti continued "The Dundubha then said, 'In former times, I had a friend +Khagama by name. He was impetuous in his speech and possessed of spiritual +power by virtue of his austerities. And one day when he was engaged in the +Agni-hotra (Fire-sacrifice), I made a mock snake of blades of grass, and +in a frolic attempted to frighten him with it. And anon he fell into a +swoon. On recovering his senses, that truth-telling and vow-observing +ascetic, burning with wrath, exclaimed, "Since thou hast made a powerless +mock snake to frighten me, thou shalt be turned even into a venomless +serpent thyself by my curse." O ascetic, I well knew the power of his +penances; therefore with an agitated heart, I addressed him thus, bending +low with joined hands, "Friend, I did this by way of a joke, to excite thy +laughter. It behoveth thee to forgive me and revoke thy curse." And seeing +me sorely troubled, the ascetic was moved, and he replied, breathing hot +and hard. "What I have said must come to pass. Listen to what I say and +lay it to thy heart. O pious one! when Ruru the pure son of Pramati, will +appear, thou shall be delivered from the curse the moment thou seest him." +Thou art the very Ruru and the son of Pramati. On regaining my native form, +I will tell thee something for thy good.' + +"And that illustrious man and the best of Brahmanas then left his snake- +body, and attained his own form and original brightness. He then addressed +the following words to Ruru of incomparable power, 'O thou first of +created beings, verily the highest virtue of man is sparing the life of +others. Therefore a Brahmana should never take the life of any creature. A +Brahmana should ever be mild. This is the most sacred injunction of the +Vedas. A Brahmana should be versed in the Vedas and Vedangas, and should +inspire all creatures with belief in God. He should be benevolent to all +creatures, truthful, and forgiving, even as it is his paramount duty to +retain the Vedas in his memory. The duties of the Kshatriya are not thine. +To be stern, to wield the sceptre and to rule the subjects properly are +the duties of the Kshatriya. Listen, O Ruru, to the account of the +destruction of snakes at the sacrifice of Janamejaya in days of yore, and +the deliverance of the terrified reptiles by that best of Dwijas, Astika, +profound in Vedic lore and might in spiritual energy.'" + +And so ends the eleventh section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XII + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +Sauti continued, "Ruru then asked, 'O best of Dwijas, why was king +Janamejaya bent upon destroying the serpents?--And why and how were they +saved by the wise Astika? I am anxious to hear all this in detail.' + +"The Rishi replied, 'O Ruru, the important history of Astika you will +learn from the lips of Brahmanas.' Saying this, he vanished." + +Sauti continued, "Ruru ran about in search of the missing Rishi, and +having failed to find him in all the woods, fell down on the ground, +fatigued. And revolving in his mind the words of the Rishi, he was greatly +confounded and seemed to be deprived of his senses. Regaining +consciousness, he came home and asked his father to relate the history in +question. Thus asked, his father related all about the story." + +So ends the twelfth section in the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XIII + +(Astika Parva) + +Saunaka said, "For what reason did that tiger among kings, the royal +Janamejaya, determine to take the lives of the snakes by means of a +sacrifice? O Sauti, tell us in full the true story. Tell us also why +Astika, that best of regenerate ones, that foremost of ascetics, rescued +the snakes from the blazing fire. Whose son was that monarch who +celebrated the snake-sacrifice? And whose son also was that best of +regenerate ones?" + +Sauti said, "O best of speakers, this story of Astika is long. I will +duly relate it in full, O listen!" + +Saunaka said, "I am desirous of hearing at length the charming story of +that Rishi, that illustrious Brahmana named Astika." + +Sauti said, "This history (first) recited by Krishna-Dwaipayana, is +called a Purana by the Brahmanas. It was formerly narrated by my wise +father, Lomaharshana, the disciple of Vyasa, before the dwellers of the +Naimisha forest, at their request. I was present at the recital, and, O +Saunaka, since thou askest me, I shall narrate the history of Astika +exactly as I heard it. O listen, as I recite in full that sin-destroying +story. + +"The father of Astika was powerful like Prajapati. He was a Brahmacharin, +always engaged in austere devotions. He ate sparingly, was a great ascetic, +and had his lust under complete control. And he was known by the name of +Jaratkaru. That foremost one among the Yayavaras, virtuous and of rigid +vows, highly blessed and endued with great ascetic power, once undertook a +journey over the world. He visited diverse places, bathed in diverse +sacred waters, and rested where night overtook him. Endued with great +energy, he practised religious austerities, hard to be practised by men of +unrestrained souls. The sage lived upon air only, and renounced sleep for +ever. Thus going about like a blazing fire, one day he happened to see his +ancestors, hanging heads down in a great hole, their feet pointing upwards. +On seeing them, Jaratkaru addressed them, saying: + +"'Who are you thus hanging heads down in this hole by a rope of virana +fibres that is again secretly eaten into on all sides by a rat living +here?' + +"The ancestors said, 'We are Rishis of rigid vows, called Yayavaras. We +are sinking low into the earth for want of offspring. We have a son named +Jaratkaru. Woe to us! That wretch hath entered upon a life of austerities +only! The fool doth not think of raising offspring by marriage! It is for +that reason, viz., the fear of extinction of our race, that we are +suspended in this hole. Possessed of means, we fare like unfortunates that +have none! O excellent one, who art thou that thus sorrowest as a friend +on our account? We desire to learn, O Brahmana, who thou art that standest +by us, and why, O best of men, thou sorrowest for us that are so +unfortunate.' + +"Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my sires and grandsires; I am that Jaratkaru! +O, tell me, how I may serve you.' + +"The fathers then answered, 'Try thy best, O child, to beget a son to +extend our line. Thou wilt then, O excellent one, have done a meritorious +act for both thyself and us. Not by the fruits of virtue, not by ascetic +penances well hoarded up, acquireth the merit which one doth by becoming a +father. Therefore, O child, by our command, set thy heart upon marriage +and offspring. Even this is our highest good.' + +"Jaratkaru replied, 'I shall not marry for my sake, nor shall I earn +wealth for enjoyment, but I shall do so for your welfare only. According +to this understanding, I shall, agreeably to the Sastric ordinance, take a +wife for attaining the end. I shall not act otherwise. If a bride may be +had of the same name with me, whose friends would, besides, willingly give +her to me as a gift in charity, I shall wed her duly. But who will give +his daughter to a poor man like me for wife. I shall, however, accept any +daughter given to me as alms. I shall endeavour, ye sires, even thus to +wed a girl! Having given my word, I will not act otherwise. Upon her I +will raise offspring for your redemption, so that, ye fathers, ye may +attain to eternal regions (of bliss) and may rejoice as ye like.'" + +So ends the thirteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "That Brahmana of rigid vows then wandered over the earth for +a wife but a wife found he not. One day he went into the forest, and +recollecting the words of his ancestors, he thrice prayed in a faint voice +for a bride. Thereupon Vasuki rose and offered his sister for the Rishi's +acceptance. But the Brahmana hesitated to accept her, thinking her not to +be of the same name with himself. The high-souled Jaratkaru thought within +himself, 'I will take none for wife who is not of the same name with +myself.' Then that Rishi of great wisdom and austere penances asked him, +saying, 'Tell me truly what is the name of this thy sister, O snake.' + +"Vasuki replied, 'O Jaratkaru, this my younger sister is called Jaratkaru. +Given away by me, accept this slender-waisted damsel for thy spouse. O +best of Brahmanas, for thee I reserved her. Therefore, take her.' Saying +this, he offered his beautiful sister to Jaratkaru who then espoused her +with ordained rites." + +So ends the thirteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "O foremost of persons acquainted with Brahma, the mother of +the snakes had cursed them of old, saying, 'He that hath the Wind for his +charioteer (viz., Agni) shall burn you all in Janamejaya's sacrifice!' It +was to neutralise that curse that the chief of the snakes married his +sister to that high-souled Rishi of excellent vows. The Rishi wedded her +according to the rites ordained (in the scriptures), and from them was +born a high-souled son called Astika. An illustrious ascetic, versed in +the Vedas and their branches, he regarded all with an even eye, and +removed the fears of both his parents. + +"Then, after a long space of time, a king descending from the Pandava line +celebrated a great sacrifice known as the Snake-sacrifice. After that +sacrifice had commenced for the destruction of the snakes, Astika +delivered the Nagas, viz., his brothers and maternal uncles and other +snakes (from a fiery death). And he delivered his fathers also by +begetting offspring. And by his austerities, O Brahmana, and various vows +and study of the Vedas, he freed himself from all his debts. By sacrifices, +at which various kinds of offerings were made, he propitiated the gods. By +practising the Brahmacharya mode of life he conciliated the Rishis; and by +begetting offspring he gratified his ancestors. + +"Thus Jaratkaru of rigid vows discharged the heavy debt he owed to his +sires who being thus relieved from bondage ascended to heaven. Thus having +acquired great religious merit, Jaratkaru, after a long course of years, +went to heaven, leaving Astika behind. There is the story of Astika that I +have related duly. Now, tell me, O tiger of Bhrigu's race, what else I +shall narrate." + +So ends the fifteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Saunaka said, "O Sauti, relate once more in detail this history of the +learned and virtuous Astika. Our curiosity for hearing it is great. O +amiable one, thou speakest sweetly, with proper accent and emphasis; and +we are well-pleased with thy speech. Thou speakest even as thy father. Thy +sire was ever ready to please us. Tell us now the story as thy father had +related it." + +Sauti said, "O thou that art blest with longevity, I shall narrate the +history of Astika as I heard it from my father. O Brahmana, in the golden +age, Prajapati had two daughters. O sinless one, the sisters were endowed +with wonderful beauty. Named Kadru and Vinata, they became the wives of +Kasyapa. Kasyapa derived great pleasure from his two wedded wives and +being gratified he, resembling Prajapati himself, offered to give each of +them a boon. Hearing that their lord was willing to confer on them their +choice blessings, those excellent ladies felt transports of joy. Kadru +wished to have for sons a thousand snakes all of equal splendour. And +Vinata wished to bring forth two sons surpassing the thousand offsprings +of Kadru in strength, energy, size of body, and prowess. Unto Kadru her +lord gave that boon about a multitude of offspring. And unto Vinata also, +Kasyapa said, 'Be it so!' Then Vinata, having obtained her prayer, +rejoiced greatly. Obtaining two sons of superior prowess, she regarded her +boon fulfilled. Kadru also obtained her thousand sons of equal splendour. +'Bear the embryos carefully,' said Kasyapa, and then he went into the +forest, leaving his two wives pleased with his blessings." + +Sauti continued, "O best of regenerate ones, after a long time, Kadru +brought forth a thousand eggs, and Vinata two. Their maid-servants +deposited the eggs separately in warm vessels. Five hundred years passed +away, and the thousand eggs produced by Kadru burst and out came the +progeny. But the twins of Vinata did not appear. Vinata was jealous, and +therefore she broke one of the eggs and found in it an embryo with the +upper part developed but the lower one undeveloped. At this, the child in +the egg became angry and cursed his mother, saying. 'Since thou hast +prematurely broken this egg, thou shall serve as a slave. Shouldst thou +wait five hundred years and not destroy, or render the other egg half- +developed, by breaking it through impatience, then the illustrious child +within it will deliver thee from slavery! And if thou wouldst have the +child strong, thou must take tender care of the egg for all this time!' +Thus cursing his mother, the child rose to the sky. O Brahmana, even he is +the charioteer of Surya, always seen in the hour of morning! + +"Then at the expiration of the five hundred years, bursting open the other +egg, out came Garuda, the serpent-eater. O tiger of Bhrigu's race, +immediately on seeing the light, that son of Vinata left his mother. And +the lord of birds, feeling hungry, took wing in quest of the food assigned +to him by the Great Ordainer of all.". + +So ends the sixteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "O ascetic, about this time the two sisters saw approaching +near, that steed of complacent appearance named Uchchaihsravas who was +worshipped by the gods, that gem of steeds, who arose at the churning of +the Ocean for nectar. Divine, graceful, perpetually young, creation's +master-piece, and of irresistible vigour, it was blest with every +auspicious mark." + +Saunaka asked, "Why did the gods churn the Ocean for nectar, and under +what circumstances and when as you say, did that best of steeds so +powerful and resplendent spring?" + +Sauti said, "There is a mountain named Meru, of blazing appearance, and +looking like a heap of effulgence. The rays of the Sun falling on its +peaks of golden lustre are dispersed by them. Decked with gold and +exceedingly beautiful, that mountain is the haunt of the gods and the +Gandharvas. It is immeasurable and unapproachable by men of manifold sins. +Dreadful beasts of prey wander over its breasts, and it is illuminated by +many divine life-giving herbs. It stands kissing the heavens by its height +and is the first of mountains. Ordinary people cannot even think of +ascending it. It is graced with trees and streams, and resounds with the +charming melody of winged choirs. Once the celestials sat on its begemmed +peak in conclave. They who had practised penances and observed excellent +vows for amrita now seemed to be eager seekers after amrita (celestial +ambrosia). Seeing the celestial assembly in anxious mood Narayana said to +Brahman, 'Do thou churn the Ocean with the gods and the Asuras. By doing +so, amrita will be obtained as also all drugs and gems. O ye gods, churn +the Ocean, ye will discover amrita.'" + +So ends the seventeenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XVIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "There is a mountain called Mandara adorned with cloud-like +peaks. It is the best of mountains, and is covered all over with +intertwining herbs. There countless birds pour forth their melodies, and +beasts of prey roam about. The gods, the Apsaras and the Kinnaras visit +the place. Upwards it rises eleven thousand yojanas, and descends +downwards as much. The gods wanted to tear it up and use it as a churning +rod but failing to do so came to Vishnu and Brahman who were sitting +together, and said unto them, 'Devise some efficient scheme, consider, ye +gods, how Mandara may be dislodged for our good.'" + +Sauti continued, "O son of Bhrigu! Vishnu with Brahman assented to it. +And the lotus-eyed one (Vishnu) laid the hard task on the mighty Ananta, +the prince of snakes. The powerful Ananta, directed thereto both by +Brahman and Narayana, O Brahmana, tore up the mountain with the woods +thereon and with the denizens of those woods. And the gods came to the +shore of the Ocean with Ananta and addressed the Ocean, saying, 'O Ocean, +we have come to churn thy waters for obtaining nectar.' And the Ocean +replied, 'Be it so, as I shall not go without a share of it. I am able to +bear the prodigious agitation of my waters set up by the mountain.' The +gods then went to the king of tortoises and said to him, 'O Tortoise-king, +thou wilt have to hold the mountain on thy back!' The Tortoise-king agreed, +and Indra contrived to place the mountain on the former's back. + +"And the gods and the Asuras made of Mandara a churning staff and Vasuki +the cord, and set about churning the deep for amrita. The Asuras held +Vasuki by the hood and the gods held him by the tail. And Ananta, who was +on the side of the gods, at intervals raised the snake's hood and suddenly +lowered it. And in consequence of the stretch Vasuki received at the hands +of the gods and the Asuras, black vapours with flames issued from his +mouth. These, turned into clouds charged with lightning, poured showers +that refreshed the tired gods. And flowers that also fell on all sides of +the celestials from the trees on the whirling Mandara, refreshed them. + +"Then, O Brahmana, out of the deep came a tremendous roar like unto the +roar of the clouds at the Universal Dissolution. Diverse aquatic animals +being crushed by the great mountain gave up the ghost in the salt waters. +And many denizens of the lower regions and the world of Varuna were killed. +Large trees with birds on the whirling Mandara were torn up by the roots +and fell into the water. The mutual friction of those trees also produced +fires that blazed up frequently. The mountain thus looked like a mass of +dark clouds charged with lightning. O Brahmana, the fire spread, and +consumed the lions, elephants and other creatures that were on the +mountain. Then Indra extinguished that fire by pouring down heavy showers. + +"After the churning, O Brahmana, had gone on for some time, gummy +exudations of various trees and herbs vested with the properties of amrita +mingled with the waters of the Ocean. And the celestials attained to +immortality by drinking of the water mixed with those gums and with the +liquid extract of gold. By degrees, the milky water of the agitated deep +turned into clarified butter by virtue of those gums and juices. But +nectar did not appear even then. The gods came before the boon-granting +Brahman seated on his seat and said, 'Sire, we are spent up, we have no +strength left to churn further. Nectar hath not yet arisen so that now we +have no resource save Narayana.' + +"On hearing them, Brahman said to Narayana, 'O Lord, condescend to grant +the gods strength to churn the deep afresh.' + +"Then Narayana agreeing to grant their various prayers, said, 'Ye wise +ones, I grant you sufficient strength. Go, put the mountain in position +again and churn the water.' + +"Re-established thus in strength, the gods recommenced churning. After a +while, the mild Moon of a thousand rays emerged from the Ocean. Thereafter +sprung forth Lakshmi dressed in white, then Soma, then the White Steed, +and then the celestial gem Kaustubha which graces the breast of Narayana. +Then Lakshmi, Soma and the Steed, fleet as the mind, all came before the +gods on high. Then arose the divine Dhanwantari himself with the white +vessel of nectar in his hand. And seeing him, the Asuras set up a loud cry, +saying, 'It be ours.' + +"And at length rose the great elephant, Airavata, of huge body and with +two pair of white tusks. And him took Indra the wielder of the thunderbolt. +But with the churning still going on, the poison Kalakuta appeared at last. +Engulfing the Earth it suddenly blazed up like a fire attended with fumes. +And by the scent of the fearful Kalakuta, the three worlds were stupefied. +And then Siva, being solicited by Brahman, swallowed that poison for the +safety of the creation. The divine Maheswara held it in his throat, and it +is said that from that time he is called Nilakantha (blue-throated). +Seeing all these wondrous things, the Asuras were filled with despair, and +got themselves prepared for entering into hostilities with the gods for +the possession of Lakshmi and Amrita. Thereupon Narayana called his +bewitching Maya (illusive power) to his aid, and assuming the form of an +enticing female, coquetted with the Danavas. The Danavas and the Daityas +charmed with her exquisite beauty and grace lost their reason and +unanimously placed the Amrita in the hands of that fair damsel." + +So ends the eighteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XIX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Then the Daityas and the Danavas equipped with first-class +armours and various weapons attacked the gods. In the meantime the valiant +Lord Vishnu in the form of an enchantress accompanied by Nara deceived the +mighty Danavas and took away the Amrita from their hands. + +"And all the gods at that time of great fright drank the Amrita with +delight, receiving it from Vishnu. And while the gods were partaking of it, +after which they had so much hankered, a Danava named Rahu was also +drinking it among them in the guise of a god. And when the Amrita had +reached Rahu's throat only, Surya and Soma (recognised him and) intimated +the fact to the gods. And Narayana instantly cut off with his discus the +well-adorned head of the Danava who was drinking the Amrita without +permission. And the huge head of the Danava, cut off by the discus and +resembling a mountain peak, then rose up to the sky and began to utter +dreadful cries. And the Danava's headless trunk, falling upon the ground +and rolling thereon, made the Earth tremble with her mountains, forests +and islands. And from that time there is a long-standing quarrel between +Rahu's head and Surya and Soma. And to this day it swalloweth Surya and +Soma (during solar and lunar eclipses). + +"Then Narayana quitting his enchanting female form and hurling many +terrible weapons at the Danavas, made them tremble. And thus on the shores +of the salt-water sea, commenced the dreadful battle of the gods and the +Asuras. And sharp-pointed javelins and lances and various weapons by +thousands began to be discharged on all sides. And mangled with the discus +and wounded with swords, darts and maces, the Asuras in large numbers +vomited blood and lay prostrate on the earth. Cut off from the trunks with +sharp double-edged swords, heads adorned with bright gold, fell +continually on the field of battle. Their bodies drenched in gore, the +great Asuras lay dead everywhere. It seemed as if red-dyed mountain peaks +lay scattered all around. And when the Sun rose in his splendour, +thousands of warriors struck one another with weapons. And cries of +distress were heard everywhere. The warriors fighting at a distance from +one another brought one another down by sharp iron missiles, and those +fighting at close quarters slew one another with blows of their fists. And +the air was filled with shrieks of distress. Everywhere were heard the +alarming sounds,--'cut', 'pierce', 'at them', 'hurl down', 'advance'. + +"And when the battle was raging fiercely, Nara and Narayana entered the +field. And Narayana seeing the celestial bow in the hand of Nara, called +to mind his own weapon, the Danava-destroying discus. And lo! the discus, +Sudarsana, destroyer of enemies, like to Agni in effulgence and dreadful +in battle, came from the sky as soon as thought of. And when it came, +Narayana of fierce energy, possessing arms like the trunk of an elephant, +hurled with great force that weapon of extraordinary lustre, effulgent as +blazing fire, dreadful and capable of destroying hostile towns. And that +discus blazing like the fire that consumeth all things at the end of Yuga, +hurled with force from the hands of Narayana, and falling constantly +everywhere, destroyed the Daityas and the Danavas by thousands. Sometimes +it blazed like fire and consumed them all; sometimes it struck them down +as it coursed through the sky; and sometimes, falling on the earth, it +drank their life-blood like a goblin. + +"On the other hand, the Danavas, white as the clouds from which the rain +hath dropped, possessing great strength and bold hearts, ascended the sky, +and by hurling down thousands of mountains, continually harassed the gods. +And those dreadful mountains, like masses of clouds, with their trees and +flat tops, falling from the sky, collided with one another and produced a +tremendous roar. And when thousands of warriors shouted without +intermission in the field of battle and mountains with the woods thereon +began to fall around, the earth with her forests trembled. Then the divine +Nara appeared at the scene of the dreadful conflict between the Asuras and +the Ganas (the followers of Rudra), and reducing to dust those rocks by +means of his gold-headed arrows, he covered the heavens with dust. Thus +discomfited by the gods, and seeing the furious discus scouring the fields +of heaven like a blazing flame, the mighty Danavas entered the bowels of +the earth, while others plunged into the sea of salt-waters. + +"And having gained the victory, the gods offered due respect to Mandara +and placed him again on his own base. And the nectar-bearing gods made the +heavens resound with their shouts, and went to their own abodes. And the +gods, on returning to the heavens, rejoiced greatly, and Indra and the +other deities made over to Narayana the vessel of Amrita for careful +keeping." + +And so ends the nineteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Thus have I recited to you the whole story of how Amrita was +churned out of the Ocean, and the occasion on which the horse +Uchchaihsravas of great beauty and incomparable prowess was obtained. It +was this horse about which Kadru asked Vinata, saying, 'Tell me, amiable +sister, without taking much time, of what colour Uchchaishravas is.' And +Vinata answered, 'That prince of steeds is certainly white. What dost thou +think, sister? Say thou what is its colour. Let us lay a wager upon it.' +Kadru replied, then, 'O thou of sweet smiles, I think that horse is black +in its tail. Beauteous one, bet with me that she who loseth will become +the other's slave.'" + +Sauti continued, "Thus wagering with each other about menial service as a +slave, the sisters went home, and resolved to satisfy themselves by +examining the horse next day. And Kadru, bent upon practising a deception, +ordered her thousand sons to transform themselves into black hair and +speedily cover the horse's tail in order that she might not become a slave. +But her sons, the snakes, refusing to do her bidding, she cursed them, +saying, 'During the snake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the +Pandava race, Agni shall consume you all.' And the Grandsire (Brahman) +himself heard this exceedingly cruel curse pronounced by Kadru, impelled +by the fates. And seeing that the snakes had multiplied exceedingly, the +Grandsire, moved by kind consideration for his creatures, sanctioned with +all the gods this curse of Kadru. Indeed, as the snakes were of virulent +poison, great prowess and excess of strength, and ever bent on biting +other creatures, their mother's conduct towards them--those persecutors of +all creatures,--was very proper for the good of all creatures. Fate always +inflicts punishment of death on those who seek the death of other +creatures. The gods, having exchanged such sentiments with one another, +supported Kadru's action (and went away). And Brahman, calling Kasyapa to +him, spake unto him these words, 'O thou pure one who overcomest all +enemies, these snakes begotten by you, who are of virulent poison and huge +bodies, and ever intent on biting other creatures, have been cursed by +their mother. O son, do not grieve for it in the least. The destruction of +the snakes in the sacrifice hath, indeed, been ordained long ago.' Saying +this, the divine Creator of the Universe comforted Kasyapa and imparted to +that illustrious one the knowledge of neutralising poison." + +And so ends the twentieth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Then when the night had passed away and the sun had risen in +the morning, O thou whose wealth is asceticism, the two sisters Kadru and +Vinata, having laid a wager about slavery, went with haste and impatience +to view the steed Uchchaishravas from a near point. On their way they saw +the Ocean, that receptacle of waters, vast and deep, rolling and +tremendously roaring, full of fishes large enough to swallow the whale, +and abounding with huge makaras and creatures of various forms by +thousands, and rendered inaccessible by the presence of other terrible, +monster-shaped, dark, and fierce aquatic animals, abounding with tortoises +and crocodiles, the mine of all kinds of gems, the home of Varuna (the +water-God), the excellent and beautiful residence of the Nagas, the lord +of all rivers, the abode of the subterranean fire, the friend (or asylum) +of the Asuras, the terror of all creatures, the grand reservoir of water, +and ever immutable. It is holy, beneficial to the gods, and is the great +source of nectar; without limits, inconceivable, sacred, and highly +wonderful. It is dark, terrible with the sound of aquatic creatures, +tremendously roaring, and full of deep whirl-pools. It is an object of +terror to all creatures. Moved by the winds blowing from its shores and +heaving high, agitated and disturbed, it seems to dance everywhere with +uplifted hands represented by its surges. Full of swelling billows caused +by the waxing and waning of the moon the parent of Vasudeva's great conch +called Panchajanya, the great mine of gems, its waters were formerly +disturbed in consequence of the agitation caused within them by the Lord +Govinda of immeasurable prowess when he had assumed the form of a wild +boar for raising the (submerged) Earth. Its bottom, lower than the nether +regions, the vow observing regenerate Rishi Atri could not fathom after +(toiling for) a hundred years. It becomes the bed of the lotus-naveled +Vishnu when at the termination of every Yuga that deity of immeasurable +power enjoys yoga-nidra, the deep sleep under the spell of spiritual +meditation. It is the refuge of Mainaka fearful of falling thunder, and +the retreat of the Asuras overcome in fierce encounters. It offers water +as sacrificial butter to the blazing fire issuing from the mouth of Varava +(the Ocean-mare). It is fathomless and without limits, vast and +immeasurable, and the lord of rivers. + +"And they saw that unto it rushed mighty rivers by thousands with proud +gait, like amorous competitors, each eager for meeting it, forestalling +the others. And they saw that it was always full, and always dancing in +its waves. And they saw that it was deep and abounding with fierce whales +and makaras. And it resounded constantly with the terrible sounds of +aquatic creatures. And they saw that it was vast, and wide as the expanse +of space, unfathomable, and limitless, and the grand reservoir of water." + +And so ends the twenty-first section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "The Nagas after consultation arrived at the conclusion that +they should do their mother's bidding, for if she failed in obtaining her +desire she might withdraw her affection and burn them all. If, on the +other hand, she were graciously inclined, she might free them from her +curse. They said, 'We will certainly render the horse's tail black.' And +it is said that they then went and became hairs in the horse's tail. + +"Now the two co-wives had laid the wager. And having laid the wager, O +best of Brahmanas, the two sisters Kadru and Vinata, the daughters of +Daksha, proceeded in great delight along the sky to see the other side of +the Ocean. And on their way they saw the Ocean, that receptacle of waters, +incapable of being easily disturbed, mightily agitated all of a sudden by +the wind, and roaring tremendously; abounding with fishes capable of +swallowing the whale and full of makaras; containing also creatures of +diverse forms counted by thousands; frightful from the presence of +horrible monsters, inaccessible, deep, and terrible, the mine of all kinds +of gems, the home of Varuna (the water-god), the wonderful habitations of +the Nagas, the lord of rivers, the abode of the subterranean fire; the +residence of the Asuras and of many dreadful creatures; the reservoir of +water, not subject to decay, aromatic, and wonderful, the great source of +the amrita of the celestials; immeasurable and inconceivable, containing +waters that are holy, filled to the brim by many thousands of great rivers, +dancing as it were in waves. Such was the Ocean, full of rolling waves, +vast as the expanse of the sky, deep, of body lighted with the flames of +subterranean fire, and roaring, which the sisters quickly passed over." + +And so ends the twenty-second section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + + +SECTION XXIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Having crossed the Ocean, Kadru of swift speed, accompanied +by Vinata, soon alighted near the horse. They then both beheld that +foremost of steeds of great speed, with body white as the rays of the moon +but having black hairs (in the tail). And observing many black hairs in +the tail, Kadru put Vinata, who was deeply dejected, into slavery. And +thus Vinata having lost the wager, entered into a state of slavery and +became exceedingly sorry. + +"In the meantime, when his time came, burst forth from the egg without +(the help of his) mother, Garuda of great splendour, enkindling all the +points of the universe, that mighty being endued with strength, that bird +capable of assuming at will any form, of going at will everywhere, and of +calling to his aid at will any measure of energy. Effulgent like a heap of +fire, he shone terribly. Of lustre equal to that of the fire at the end of +the Yuga, his eyes were bright like the lightning-flash. And soon after +birth, that bird grew in size and increasing his body ascended the skies. +Fierce and vehemently roaring, he looked as terrible as second Ocean-fire. +And all the deities seeing him, sought the protection of Vibhavasu (Agni). +And they bowed down to that deity of manifold forms seated on his seat and +spake unto him these words, 'O Agni, extend not thy body! Wilt thou +consume us? Lo, this huge heap of thy flames is spreading wide!' And Agni +replied, 'O, ye persecutors of the Asuras, it is not as ye imagine. This +is Garuda of great strength and equal to me in splendour, endued with +great energy, and born to promote the joy of Vinata. Even the sight of +this heap of effulgence hath caused this delusion in you. He is the mighty +son of Kasyapa, the destroyer of the Nagas, engaged in the well-being of +the gods, and the foe of the Daityas and the Rakshasas. Be not afraid of +it in the least. Come with me and see.' Thus he addressed the gods from a +distance. + +"The gods said, 'Thou art a Rishi (i.e., one cognisant of all mantras), +sharer of the largest portion in sacrifices, ever resplendent, the +controller along with the Rishi wended their way towards Garuda and adored +him of birds, the presiding spirit of the animate and the inanimate +universe. Thou art the destroyer of all, the creator of all; thou art the +very Hiranyagarbha; thou art the progenitor of creation in the form of +Daksha and the other Prajapatis; thou art Indra (the king of the gods), +thou art Hayagriva the steed necked incarnation of Vishnu; thou art the +arrow (Vishnu himself, as he became such in the hands of Mahadeva at the +burning of Tripura); thou art the lord of the universe; thou art the mouth +of Vishnu; thou art the four-faced Padmaja; thou art the Brahmana (i.e., +wise), thou art Agni, Pavana, etc. (i.e., the presiding deity of every +object in the universe). Thou art knowledge, thou art the illusion to +which we are all subject; thou art the all-pervading spirit; thou art the +lord of the gods; thou art the great Truth; thou art fearless; thou art +ever unchanged; thou art Brahma without attributes; thou art the energy of +the Sun; thou art the intellectual functions; thou art our great protector; +thou art the ocean of holiness; thou art purity; thou art bereft of the +attributes of darkness; thou art the possessor of the six high attributes; +thou art he who cannot be withstood in contest. From thee have emanated +all things; thou art of excellent deeds; thou art all that hath not been +and all that hath been. Thou art pure knowledge; thou displayest to us, as +Surya does by his rays, this animate and inanimate universe; thou +darkenest the splendour of Surya at every moment, and thou art the +destroyer of all; thou art all that is perishable and all that is +imperishable. O thou resplendent as Agni, thou burnest all even as Surya +in his anger burneth all creatures. O terrible one, thou resistest even as +the fire that destroys everything at the time of the Universal Dissolution. +O mighty Garuda who movest in the skies, we seek thy protection. O lord of +birds thy energy is extraordinary, thy splendour is that of fire, thy +brightness is like that of the lightning that no darkness can approach. +Thou reachest the very clouds, and art both the cause and the effect; the +dispenser of boons and invincible in prowess. O Lord, this whole universe +is rendered hot by thy splendour, bright as the lustre of heated gold. +Protect these high-souled gods, who overcome by thee and terrified withal, +are flying along the heavens in different directions on their celestial +cars. O thou best of birds, thou Lord of all, thou art the son of the +merciful and high-souled Rishi Kasyapa; therefore, be not wroth but have +mercy on the universe. Thou art Supreme. O pacify thy anger and preserve +us. At thy voice, loud as the roar of the thunder, the ten points, the +skies, the heavens, the Earth and our hearts, O bird, thou art +continuously shaking. O, diminish this thy body resembling Agni. At the +sight of the splendour resembling that of Yama when in wrath, our hearts +lose all equanimity and quake. O thou lord of birds, be propitious to us +who solicit thy mercy! O illustrious one, bestow on us good fortune and +joy.' + +"And that bird of fair feathers, thus adored by the deities and diverse +sections of Rishis, reduced his own energy and splendour." + +And thus ends the twenty-third section in the Astika Parva of the Adi +Parva. + + +SECTION XXIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Then hearing of and beholding his own body, that bird of +beautiful feathers diminished its size. + +"And Garuda said, 'Let no creature be afraid; as ye are in a fright at the +sight of my terrible form, I shall diminish my energy.'" + +Sauti continued, "Then that bird capable of going everywhere at will, +that ranger of the skies capable of calling to his aid any measure of +energy, bearing Aruna on his back, wended from his father's home and +arrived at his mother's side on the other shore of the great ocean. And he +placed Aruna of great splendour in the eastern regions, just at a time +when Surya had resolved to burn the worlds with his fierce rays." + +Saunaka said, "When did the revered Surya resolve at the time to burn the +worlds? What wrong was done to him by the gods that provoked his ire?" + +Sauti said, "O sinless one, when Rahu was drinking nectar among the gods +at the time of the churning of the ocean he was pointed out to the gods by +Surya and Soma, and from that time he conceived an enmity towards those +deities. And upon this Rahu sought to devour his afflictor (Surya), became +wroth, and thought, 'Oh, this enmity of Rahu towards me hath sprung from +my desire of benefiting the gods. And this dire consequence I alone have +to sustain. Indeed, at this pass help I obtain not. And before the very +eyes of the denizens of heaven I am going to be devoured and they brook it +quietly. Therefore, for the destruction of the worlds must I strive.' And +with this resolution he went to the mountains of the west. + +"And from that place he began to radiate his heat around for the +destruction of the world. And then the great Rishis, approaching the gods, +spake unto them, 'Lo, in the middle of the night springeth a great heat +striking terror into every heart, and destructive of the three worlds.' +Then the gods, accompanied by the Rishis, wended to the Grandsire, and +said unto him, 'O what is this great heat today that causeth such panic? +Surya hath not yet risen, still the destruction (of the world) is obvious. +O Lord, what will happen when he doth rise?' The Grandsire replied, +'Indeed, Surya is prepared to rise today for the destruction of the world. +As soon as he will appear he will burn everything into a heap of ashes. By +me, however, hath the remedy been provided beforehand. The intelligent son +of Kasyapa is known to all by the name of Aruna. He is huge of body and of +great splendour; he shall stay in front of Surya, doing the duty of his +charioteer and taking away all the energy of the former. And this will +ensure the welfare of the worlds, of the Rishis, and of the dwellers in +heaven.'" + +Sauti continued, "Aruna, at the behest of the Grandsire, did all that he +was ordered to do. And Surya rose veiled by Aruna's person. I have told +thee now why Surya was in wrath, and how Aruna, the brother of Garuda, was +appointed as his charioteer. Hear next of that other question asked by +thee a little while ago." + +And so ends the twenty-fourth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + + +SECTION XXV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Then that bird of great strength and energy and capable of +going at will to every place repaired to his mother's side on the other +shore of the great ocean. Thither lived Vinata in affliction, defeated in +wager and put into a state of slavery. Once Kadru calling Vinata who had +prostrated herself before the former, addressed her these words in the +presence of her son, 'O gentle Vinata, there is in the midst of the ocean, +in a remote quarter, a delightful and fair region inhabited by the Nagas. +Bear me thither!' At this that mother of the bird of fair feathers bore +(on her shoulders) the mother of the snakes. And Garuda also, directed by +his mother's words, carried (on his back) the snakes. And that ranger of +the skies born of Vinata began to ascend towards the Sun. And thereupon +the snakes, scorched by the rays of the Sun, swooned away. And Kadru +seeing her sons in that state prayed to Indra, saying, 'I bow to thee, +thou Lord of all the gods! I bow to thee, thou slayer of Vritra! I bow to +thee, thou slayer of Namuchi! O thou of a thousand eyes, consort of Sachi! +By thy showers, be thou the protector of the snakes scorched by the Sun. O +thou best of the deities, thou art our great protector. O Purandara, thou +art able to grant rain in torrents. Thou art Vayu (the air), the clouds, +fire, and the lightning of the skies. Thou art the propeller of the clouds, +and hast been called the great cloud (i.e., that which will darken the +universe at the end of Yuga). Thou art the fierce and incomparable thunder, +and the roaring clouds. Thou art the Creator of the worlds and their +Destroyer. Thou art unconquered. Thou art the light of all creatures, +Aditya, Vibhavasu, and the wonderful elements. Thou art the ruler of all +the gods. Thou art Vishnu. Thou hast a thousand eyes. Thou art a god, and +the final resource. Thou art, O deity, all amrita, and the most adored +Soma. Thou art the moment, the lunar day, the bala (minute), thou art the +kshana (4 minutes). Thou art the lighted fortnight, and also the dark +fortnight. Thou art kala, thou kashtha, and thou Truti. Thou art the year, +the seasons, the months, the nights, and the days. Thou art the fair Earth +with her mountains and forests. Thou art also the firmament, resplendent +with the Sun. Thou art the great Ocean with heaving billows and abounding +with whales, swallowers of whales, and makaras, and various fishes. Thou +art of great renown, always adored by the wise and by the great Rishis +with minds rapt in contemplation. Thou drinkest, for the good of all +creatures, the Soma juice in sacrifices and the clarified butter offered +with sacred invocation. Thou art always worshipped at sacrifices by +Brahmanas moved by desire of fruit. O thou of incomparable mass of +strength, thou art sung in the Vedas and Vedangas. It is for that reason +that learned Brahmanas bent upon performing sacrifices, study the Vedas +with every care.'" + +And so ends the twenty-fifth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "And then Indra, the king of gods, having the best of horses +for his bearer, thus adored by Kadru, covered the entire firmament with +masses of blue clouds. And he commanded the clouds, saying, 'Pour ye, your +vivifying and blessed drops!' And those clouds, luminous with lightning, +and incessantly roaring against each other in the welkin, poured abundant +water. And the sky, in consequence of those wonderful and terribly-roaring +clouds that were incessantly begetting vast quantities of water, looked as +if the end of Yuga had come. And in consequence of the myriads of waves +caused in the falling torrents, the deep roar of the clouds, the flashes +of lightning, the violence of the wind, and the general agitation, the sky +looked as if dancing in madness. The sky became overcast, and the rays of +the Sun and the Moon totally disappeared in consequence of that incessant +downpour. + +"And upon Indra's causing that downpour, the Nagas became exceedingly +delighted. And the Earth was filled with water all around. And the cool, +clear water reached even the nether regions. And there were countless +waves of water all over the Earth. And the snakes with their mother +reached (in safety) the island called Ramaniyaka." + +And so ends the twenty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "And then the Nagas drenched by that shower, became +exceedingly glad. And borne by that bird of fair feathers, they soon +arrived at the island. That island had been fixed by the Creator of the +Universe as the abode of the makaras. There they saw the terrible Lavana +Samudra (ocean of salt). On arriving there with Garuda, they saw there a +beautiful forest washed by the waters of the sea and resounding with the +music of winged choirs. And there were clusters of trees all around laden +with various fruits and flowers. And there were also fair mansions all +around; and many tanks full of lotuses. And it was also adorned with many +lakes of pure water. And it was refreshed with pure incense-breathing +breezes. And it was adorned with many a tree that grew only on the hills +of Malaya, and seemed by their tallness to reach the very heavens. And +there were also various other trees whose flowers were scattered all +around by the breeze. And that forest was charming and dear to the +Gandharvas and always gave them pleasure. And it was full of bees maddened +with the honey they sucked. And the sight of all this was exceedingly +delightful. And in consequence of many things there, capable of charming +everybody, that forest was fair, delightful, and holy. And, echoing with +the notes of various birds, it delighted greatly the sons of Kadru. + +"And the snakes, after arriving at that forest, began to enjoy themselves. +And they commanded the lord of birds, viz., Garuda, of great energy, +saying, 'Convey us to some other fair island with pure water. Thou ranger +of the skies, thou must have seen many fair regions while coursing +(through the air).' Garuda, after reflecting for a few moments, asked his +mother Vinata, saying, 'Why, mother, have I to do the bidding of the +snakes?' Vinata thus questioned by him spake unto that ranger of the skies, +her son, invested with every virtue, of great energy, and great strength, +as follows. Vinata said, 'O thou best of birds, I have become, from +misfortune, the slave of my co-wife. The snakes, by an act of deception, +caused me to lose my bet and have made me so.' When his mother had told +him the reason, that ranger of the skies, dejected with grief, addressed +the snakes, saying, 'Tell me, ye snakes, by bringing what thing, gaining a +knowledge of what thing, or doing what act of prowess, we may be freed +from this state of bondage to you.'" + +Sauti continued, "The snakes, hearing him, said, 'Bring thou amrita by +force. Then O bird, shall you be freed from bondage.'" + +And so ends the twenty-seventh section in the Astika Parva of the Adi +Parva. + + +SECTION XXVIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Garuda, thus addressed by the snakes, then said unto his +mother, 'I shall go to bring amrita. I desire to eat something in the way. +Direct me to it.' Vinata replied, 'In a remote region in the midst of the +ocean, the Nishadas have their fair home. Having eaten the thousands of +Nishadas that live there, bring thou amrita. But let not thy heart be ever +set on taking the life of a Brahmana. Of all creatures a Brahmana must not +be slain. He is, indeed, like fire. A Brahmana, when angry, becomes like +fire or the Sun, like poison or an edged weapon. A Brahmana, it has been +said, is the master of all creatures. For these and other reasons, a +Brahmana is the adored of the virtuous. O child, he is never to be slain +by thee even in anger. Hostility with Brahmanas, therefore, would not be +proper under any circumstances. O sinless one, neither Agni nor Surya +truly can consume so much as does a Brahmana of rigid vows, when angry. By +these various indications must thou know a good Brahmana. Indeed, a +brahmana is the first-born of all creatures, the foremost of the four +orders, the father and the master of all.' Garuda then asked, 'O mother, +of what form is a Brahmana, of what behaviour, and of what prowess? Doth +he shine like fire, or is he of tranquil mien? And, O mother, it behoveth +thee to tell my inquiring self, those auspicious signs by which I may +recognise a Brahmana.' Vinata replied, saying, 'O child, him shouldst +thou know as the best amongst Brahmanas who having entered thy throat +would torture thee as a fish-hook or burn thee as blazing charcoal. A +Brahmana must never be slain by thee even in anger.' And Vinata out of +affection for her son, again told him these words, 'Him shouldst thou know +as a good Brahmana who would not be digested in thy stomach.' Although she +knew the incomparable strength of her son, yet she blessed him heartily, +for, deceived by the snakes, she was very much afflicted by woe. And she +said. 'Let Marut (the god of the winds) protect thy wings, and Surya and +Soma thy vertebral regions; let Agni protect thy head, and the Vasus thy +whole body. I also, O child (engaged in beneficial ceremonies), shall sit +here for your welfare. Go then, O child, in safety to accomplish thy +purpose.'" + +Sauti continued, "Then Garuda, having heard the words of his mother, +stretched his wings and ascended the skies. And endued with great strength, +he soon fell upon the Nishadas, hungry and like another Yama. And bent +upon slaying the Nishadas, he raised a great quantity of dust that +overspread the firmament, and sucking up water from amid the ocean, shook +the trees growing on the adjacent mountains. And then that lord of birds +obstructed the principal thoroughfares of the town of the Nishadas by his +mouth, increasing its orifice at will. And the Nishadas began to fly in +great haste in the direction of the open mouth of the great serpent-eater. +And as birds in great affliction ascend by thousand into the skies when +the trees in a forest are shaken by the winds, so those Nishadas blinded +by the dust raised by the storm entered the wide-extending cleft of +Garuda's mouth open to receive them. And then the hungry lord of all +rangers of the skies, that oppressor of enemies, endued with great +strength, and moving with greatest celerity to achieve his end, closed his +mouth, killing innumerable Nishadas following the occupation of +fishermen." + +So ends the twenty-eighth section in the Astika Parva of Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXIX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti continued, "A certain Brahmana with his wife had entered the throat +of that ranger of the skies. The former began to burn the bird's throat +like a piece of flaming charcoal. Him Garuda addressed, saying, 'O best of +Brahmanas, come out soon from my mouth which I open for thee. A Brahmana +must never be slain by me, although he may be always engaged in sinful +practices.' Unto Garuda who had thus addressed him that Brahmana said, 'O, +let this woman of the Nishada caste, who is my wife, also come out with +me.' And Garuda said, 'Taking the woman also of the Nishada caste with +thee, come out soon. Save thyself without delay since thou hast not yet +been digested by the heat of my stomach.'" + +Sauti continued, "And then that Brahmana, accompanied by his wife of the +Nishada caste, came out, and praising Garuda wended whatever way he liked. +And when that Brahmana had come out with his wife, that lord of birds, +fleet as the mind, stretching his wings ascended the skies. He then saw +his father, and, hailed by him, Garuda, of incomparable prowess made +proper answers. And the great Rishi (Kasyapa) then asked him, 'O child, is +it well with thee? Dost thou get sufficient food every day? Is there food +in plenty for thee in the world of men?' + +"Garuda replied, 'My mother is ever well. And so is my brother, and so am +I. But, father, I do not always obtain plenty of food, for which my peace +is incomplete. I am sent by the snakes to fetch the excellent amrita. +Indeed, I shall fetch it today for emancipating my mother from her bondage. +My mother command me, saying, "Eat thou the Nishadas." I have eaten them +by thousands, but my hunger is not appeased. Therefore, O worshipful one, +point out to me some other food, by eating which, O master, I may be +strong enough to bring away amrita by force. Thou shouldst indicate some +food wherewith I may appease my hunger and thirst.' + +"Kasyapa replied, 'This lake thou seest is sacred. It hath been heard, of +even in the heavens. There is an elephant, with face downwards, who +continually draggeth a tortoise, his elder brother. I shall speak to you +in detail of their hostility in former life. Just listen as I tell you why +they are here. + +"'There was of old a great Rishi of the name of Vibhavasu. He was +exceedingly wrathful. He had a younger brother of the name of Supritika. +The latter was averse to keeping his wealth jointly with his brother's. +And Supritika would always speak of partition. After some time his brother +Vibhavasu told Supritika, "It is from great foolishness that persons +blinded by love of wealth always desire to make a partition of their +patrimony. After effecting a partition they fight with each other, deluded +by wealth. Then again, enemies in the guise of friends cause estrangements +between ignorant and selfish men after they become separated in wealth, +and pointing out faults confirm their quarrels, so that the latter soon +fall one by one. Absolute ruin very soon overtakes the separated. For +these reasons the wise never speak approvingly of partition amongst +brothers who, when divided, do not regard the most authoritative Sastras +and live always in fear of each other. But as thou, Supritika, without +regarding my advice impelled by desire of separation, always wishest to +make an arrangement about your property, thou shall become an elephant." +Supritika, thus cursed, then spake unto Vibhavasu, "Thou also shall become +a tortoise moving in the midst of the waters." + +"'And thus on account of wealth those two fools, Supritika and Vibhavasu, +from each other's curse, have become an elephant and a tortoise +respectively. Owing to their wrath, they have both become inferior animals. +And they are engaged in hostilities with each other, proud of their +excessive strength and the weight of their bodies. And in this lake those +two beings of huge bodies are engaged in acts according to their former +hostility. Look here, one amongst them, the handsome elephant of huge body, +is even now approaching. Hearing his roar, the tortoise also of huge body, +living within the waters, cometh out, agitating the lake violently. And +seeing him the elephant, curling his trunk, rusheth into the water. And +endued with great energy, with motion of his tusks and fore-part of his +trunk and tail and feet, he agitates the water of the lake abounding with +fishes. And the tortoise also of great strength, with upraised head, +cometh forward for an encounter. And the elephant is six yojanas in height +and twice that measure in circumference. And the height of the tortoise +also is three yojanas and his circumference ten. Eat thou up both of them +that are madly engaged in the encounter and bent upon slaying each other, +and then accomplish the task that thou desirest. Eating that fierce +elephant which looketh like a huge mountain and resembleth a mass of dark +clouds, bring thou amrita.'" + +Sauti continued, "Having said so unto Garuda, he (Kasyapa) blessed him, +saying, 'Blest be thou when thou art in combat with the gods. Let water +pitchers filled to the brim, Brahmanas, kine, and other auspicious objects, +bless thee, thou oviparous one. And, O thou of great strength, when thou +art engaged with the gods in combat, let the Riks, the Yajus, the Samas, +the sacred sacrificial butter, all the mysteries (Upanishads), constitute +thy strength.' + +"Garuda, thus addressed by his father, wended to the side of that lake. He +saw that expanse of clear water with birds of various kinds all around. +And remembering the words of his father, that ranger of the skies +possessed of great swiftness of motion, seized the elephant and the +tortoise, one in each claw. And that bird then soared high into the air. +And he came upon a sacred place called Alamva and saw many divine trees. +And struck by the wind raised by his wings, those trees began to shake +with fear. And those divine trees having golden boughs feared that they +would break. And the ranger of the skies seeing that those trees capable +of granting every wish were quaking with fear, went to other trees of +incomparable appearance. And those gigantic trees were adorned with fruits +of gold and silver and branches of precious gems. And they were washed +with the water of the sea. And there was a large banian among them, which +had grown into gigantic proportions, that spoke unto that lord of bird +coursing towards it with the fleetness of the mind, 'Sit thou on this +large branch of mine extending a hundred yojanas and eat the elephant and +the tortoise.' When that best of birds, of great swiftness and of body +resembling a mountain, quickly alighted upon a bough of that banian tree, +the resort of thousands of winged creatures--that bough also full of +leaves shook and broke down." + +So ends the twenty-ninth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "At the very touch by Garuda of great might with his feet, +the branch of the tree broke as it was caught by Garuda. Casting his eyes +around in wonder he saw Valakhilya Rishis hanging therefrom with heads +downwards and engaged in ascetic penances. Reflecting that if that bough +fell down, the Rishis would be slain, the mighty one held the elephant and +the tortoise still more firmly with his claws. And from fear of slaying +the Rishis and desire of saving them, held that bough in his beaks, and +rose on his wings. The great Rishis were struck with wonder at the sight +of that act of his which was beyond even the power of the gods, and gave +that mighty bird a name. And they said, 'As this ranger of the skies rises +on its wings bearing a heavy burden, let this foremost of birds having +snakes for his food be called Garuda (bearer of heavy weight).' + +"And shaking the mountains by his wings, Garuda leisurely coursed through +the skies. And as he soared with the elephant and the tortoise (in his +claws), he beheld various regions underneath. Desiring as he did to save +the Valakhilyas, he saw not a spot whereon to sit. At last he went to that +foremost of mountains called Gandhamadana. There he saw his father Kasyapa +engaged in ascetic devotions. Kasyapa also saw his son, that ranger of the +skies, of divine form, possessed of great splendour, and energy and +strength, and endued with the speed of the wind or the mind, huge as a +mountain peak, a ready smiter like the curse of a Brahmana, inconceivable, +indescribable, frightful to all creatures, possessed of great prowess, +terrible, of the splendour of Agni himself, and incapable of being +overcome by the deities, Danavas, and invincible Rakshasas, capable of +splitting mountain summits and sucking the ocean itself and destroying the +three worlds, fierce, and looking like Yama himself. The illustrious +Kasyapa, seeing him approach and knowing also his motive, spoke unto him +these words: + +"Kasyapa said, 'O child, do not commit a rash act, for then thou wouldst +have to suffer pain. The Valakhilyas, supporting themselves by drinking +the rays of the sun, might, if angry, blast thee.'" + +Sauti continued, "Kasyapa then propitiated, for the sake of his son, the +Valakhilyas of exceeding good fortune and whose sins had been destroyed by +ascetic penances. And Kasyapa said, 'Ye whose wealth is asceticism, the +essay of Garuda is for the good of all creatures. The task is great that +he is striving to accomplish. It behoveth you to accord him your +permission.'" + +Sauti continued, "Those ascetics thus addressed by the illustrious +Kasyapa, abandoned that bough and went to the sacred mountain of Himavat +for purposes of ascetic penances. After those Rishis had gone away, the +son of Vinata, with voice obstructed by the bough in his beaks, asked his +father Kasyapa saying, 'O illustrious one, where shall I throw this arm of +the tree? O illustrious one, indicate to me some region without human +beings.' Then Kasyapa spoke of a mountain without human beings with caves +and dales always covered with snow and incapable of approach by ordinary +creatures even in thought. And the great bird bearing that branch, that +elephant, and that tortoise, proceeded with great speed towards that +mountain. The great arm of the tree with which that bird of huge body flew +away could not be girt round with a cord made of a hundred (cow) hides. +Garuda, the lord of birds, then flew away for hundreds of thousand of +yojanas within the shortest time. And going according to the directions +of his father to that mountain almost in a moment, that ranger of the +skies let fall the gigantic bough. And it fell with a great noise. And +that Prince of mountains shook, struck with the storm raised by Garuda's +wings. And the trees thereon dropped showers of flowers. And the peaks +decked with gems and gold adorning that great mountain itself, were +loosened and fell down on all sides. And the falling bough struck down +numerous trees which, with golden flowers amid dark foliage, shone there +like clouds charged with lightning. And those trees, bright as gold, +falling down upon the ground and, dyed with mountain metals, shone as if +they were bathed in the rays of the sun. + +"Then that best of birds, Garuda, perching on the summit of that mountain, +ate both the elephant and the tortoise, rose on his wings with great speed +from the top of the mountain. + +"And various omens began to appear among the gods foreboding fear. Indra's +favourite thunderbolt blazed up in a fright. Meteors with flames and smoke, +loosened from the welkin, shot down during the day. And the weapons of the +Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Sabhyas, the Maruts, and other gods, +began to spend their force against one another. Such a thing had never +happened even during the war between the gods and the Asuras. And the +winds blew accompanied with thunder, and meteors fell by thousands. And +the sky, though cloudless, roared tremendously. And even he who was the +god of gods shed showers of blood. And the flowery garlands on the necks +of the gods faded and their prowess suffered diminution. And terrible +masses of clouds dropped thick showers of blood. And the dust raised by +the winds darkened the splendour of the very coronets of the gods. And He +of a thousand sacrifices (Indra), with the other gods, perplexed with fear +at the sight of those dark forebodings spoke unto Vrihaspati thus, 'Why, O +worshipful one, have these natural disturbances suddenly arisen? No foe do +I behold who would oppress us in war.' Vrihaspati answered, 'O chief of +the gods, O thou of a thousand sacrifices, it is from thy fault and +carelessness, and owing also to the ascetic penance of the high-souled +great Rishis, the Valakhilyas, that the son of Kasyapa and Vinata, a +ranger of the skies endued with great strength and possessing the capacity +of assuming at will any form, is approaching to take away the Soma. And +that bird, foremost among all endued with great strength, is able to rob +you of the Soma. Everything is possible with him; the unachievable he can +achieve.'" + +Sauti continued, "Indra, having heard these words, then spoke unto those +that guarded the amrita, saying, 'A bird endued with great strength and +energy has set his heart on taking away the amrita. I warn you beforehand +so that he may not succeed in taking it away by force. Vrihaspati has told +me that his strength is immeasurable.' And the gods hearing of it were +amazed and took precautions. And they stood surrounding the amrita and +Indra also of great prowess, the wielder of the thunder, stood with them. +And the gods wore curious breastplates of gold, of great value, and set +with gems, and bright leathern armour of great toughness. And the mighty +deities wielded various sharp-edged weapons of terrible shapes, countless +in number, emitting, even all of them, sparks of fire with smoke. And they +were also armed with many a discus and iron mace furnished with spikes, +and trident, battle-axe, and various kinds of sharp-pointed missiles and +polished swords and maces of terrible form, all befitting their respective +bodies. And decked with celestial ornaments and resplendent with those +bright arms, the gods waited there, their fears allayed. And the gods, of +incomparable strength, energy, and splendour, resolved to protect the +amrita. Capable of splitting the towns of the Asuras, all displayed +themselves in forms resplendent as the fire. And in consequence of the +gods standing there, that (would be) battle-field, owing to hundreds of +thousands of maces furnished with iron spikes, shone like another +firmament illumined by the rays of the Sun." + +So ends the thirtieth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Saunaka said, "O son of Suta, what was Indra's fault, what his act of +carelessness? How was Garuda born in consequence of the ascetic penances +of the Valakhilyas? Why also Kasyapa--a Brahman--had the king of birds for +a son? Why, too, was he invincible of all creatures and unslayable of all? +Why also was that ranger of the skies capable of going into every place at +will and of mustering at will any measure of energy? If these are +described in the Purana, I should like to hear them." + +Sauti said, "What thou askest me is, indeed, the subject of the Purana. O +twice-born one, listen as I briefly recite it all. + +"Once upon a time, when the lord of creation, Kasyapa, was engaged in a +sacrifice from desire of offspring, the Rishis, the gods, and the +Gandharvas, all gave him help. And Indra was appointed by Kasyapa to bring +the sacrificial fuel; and with him those ascetics the Valakhilyas, and all +the other deities. And the lord Indra, taking up according to his own +strength, a weight that was mountain-like, brought it without any fatigue. +And he saw on the way some Rishis, of bodies of the measure of the thumb, +all together carrying one single stalk of a Palasa (Butea frondosa) leaf. +And those Rishis were, from want of food, very lean and almost merged in +their own bodies. And they were so weak that they were much afflicted when +sunk in the water that collected in an indentation on the road produced by +the hoof of a cow. And Purandara, proud of his strength, beheld them with +surprise, and laughing at them in derision soon left them behind insulting +them, besides, by passing over their heads. And those Rishis being thus +insulted were filled with rage and sorrow. And they made preparations for +a great sacrifice at which Indra was terrified. Hear, O Saunaka, of the +wish for accomplishment of which those vow-observing wise, and excellent +ascetics poured clarified butter on the sacrificial fire with loudly +uttered mantras, 'There shall be another Indra of all gods, capable of +going everywhere at will, and of mustering at will any measure of energy, +and striking fear into the (present) king of the gods. By the fruit of our +ascetic penance, let one arise, fleet as the mind, and fierce withal.' And +the lord of the celestials of a hundred sacrifices, having come to know of +this, became very much alarmed and sought the protection of the vow- +observing Kasyapa. And the Prajapati Kasyapa, hearing everything from +Indra, went to the Valakhilyas and asked them if their sacrifice had been +successful. And those truth-speaking Rishis replied to him, saying, 'Let +it be as thou sayest!' And the Prajapati Kasyapa pacifying them, spake +unto them as follows, 'By the word of Brahman, this one (Indra) hath been +made the Lord of the three worlds. Ye ascetics, ye also are striving to +create another Indra! Ye excellent ones, it behoveth you not to falsify +the word of Brahman. Let not also this purpose, for (accomplishing) which +ye are striving, be rendered futile. Let there spring an Indra (Lord) of +winged creatures, endued with excess of strength! Be gracious unto Indra +who is a suppliant before you.' And the Valakhilyas, thus addressed by +Kasyapa, after offering reverence to that first of the Munis, viz., the +Prajapati Kasyapa, spake unto him: + +"The Valakhilyas said, 'O Prajapati, this sacrifice of us all is for an +Indra! Indeed this hath also been meant for a son being born unto thee! +Let this task be now left to thee. And in this matter do whatsoever thou +seest to be good and proper.'" + +Sauti continued, "Meanwhile, moved by the desire of offspring, the good +daughter of Daksha, the vow-observing, amiable, and fortunate Vinata, her +ascetic penances over, having purified herself with a bath in that season +when connubial companionship might prove fruitful, approached her lord. +And Kasyapa spake unto her, 'Respected one, the sacrifice commenced by me +hath borne fruit. What hath been desired by thee shall come to pass. Two +heroic sons, shall be born unto thee, who shall be the lords of the three +worlds. By the penances of the Valakhilyas and by virtue of the desire +with which I commenced my sacrifice, those sons shall be of exceedingly +good fortune and worshipped in the three worlds!' And the illustrious +Kasyapa spake unto her again, 'Bear thou these auspicious seeds with great +care. These two will be the lords of all winged creatures. These heroic +rangers of the skies will be respected in all the worlds, and capable of +assuming any form at will.' + +"And the Prajapati, gratified with all that took place, then addressed +Indra of a hundred sacrifices, saying, 'Thou shalt have two brothers of +great energy and prowess, who shall be to thee even as the helpmates. From +them no injury shall result unto thee. Let thy sorrow cease; thou shalt +continue as the lord of all. Let not, however, the utterers of the name of +Brahma be ever again slighted by thee. Nor let the very wrathful ones, +whose words are even the thunderbolt, be ever again insulted by thee.' +Indra, thus addressed, went to heaven, his fears dispelled. And Vinata +also, her purpose fulfilled, was exceedingly glad. And she gave birth to +two sons, Aruna and Garuda. And Aruna, of undeveloped body, became the +fore-runner of the Sun. And Garuda was vested with the lordship over the +birds. O thou of Bhrigu's race, hearken now to the mighty achievement of +Garuda." + +So ends the thirty-first section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "O foremost of Brahmanas, the gods having prepared for battle +in that way, Garuda, the king of birds, soon came upon those wise ones. +And the gods beholding him of excessive strength began to quake with fear, +and strike one another with all their weapons. And amongst those that +guarded the Soma was Brahmana (the celestial architect), of measureless +might, effulgent as the electric fire and of great energy. And after a +terrific encounter lasting only a moment, managed by the lord of birds +with his talons, beak, and wings, he lay as dead on the fields. And the +ranger of the skies making the worlds dark with the dust raised by the +hurricane of his wings, overwhelmed the celestials with it. And the latter, +overwhelmed with that dust, swooned away. And the immortals who guarded +the amrita, blinded by that dust, could no longer see Garuda. Even thus +did Garuda agitate the region of the heavens. And even thus he mangled the +gods with the wounds inflicted by his wings and beak. + +"Then the god of a thousand eyes commanded Vayu (the god of wind), saying, +'Dispel thou this shower of dust soon. O Maruta, this is indeed, thy task.' +Then the mighty Vayu soon drove away that dust. And when the darkness had +disappeared, the celestials attacked Garuda. And as he of great might was +attacked by the gods, he began to roar aloud, like the great cloud that +appeareth in the sky at the end of the Yuga, frightening every creature. +And that king of birds, of great energy, that slayer of hostile heroes, +then rose on his wings. All the wise ones (the celestials) with Indra +amongst them armed with double-edged broad swords, iron maces furnished +with sharp spikes, pointed lances, maces, bright arrows, and many a discus +of the form of the sun, saw him over head. And the king of birds, attacked +them on all sides with showers of various weapons and fought exceedingly +hard without wavering for a moment. And the son of Vinata, of great +prowess blazing in the sky, attacked the gods on all sides with his wings +and breast. And blood began to flow copiously from the bodies of the gods +mangled by the talons and the beak of Garuda. Overcome by the lord of +birds, the Sadhyas with the Gandharvas fled eastwards, the Vasus with the +Rudras towards the south, the Adityas towards the west, and the twin +Aswins towards the north. Gifted with great energy, they retreated +fighting, looking back every moment on their enemy. + +"And Garuda had encounters with the Yakshas, Aswakranda of great courage, +Rainuka, the bold Krathanaka, Tapana, Uluka, Swasanaka, Nimesha, Praruja, +and Pulina. And the son of Vinata mangled them with his wings, talons, and +beak, like Siva himself, that chastiser of enemies, and the holder of +Pinaka in rage at the end of the Yuga. And those Yakshas of great might +and courage, mangled all over by that ranger of the skies, looked like +masses of black clouds dropping thick showers of blood. + +"And Garuda, depriving them of life, and then went to where the amrita was. +And he saw that it was surrounded on all sides by fire. And the terrible +flames of that fire covered the entire sky. And moved by violent winds, +they seemed bent on burning the Sun himself. The illustrious Garuda then +assumed ninety times ninety mouths and quickly drinking the waters of many +rivers with those mouths and returning with great speed, that chastiser of +enemies, having wings for his vehicle extinguished that fire with that +water. And extinguishing that fire, he assumed a very small form, desirous +of entering into (the place where the Soma was)." + +So ends the thirty-second section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Santi said, "And that bird, assuming a golden body bright as the rays of +the Sun, entered with great force (the region where the Soma was), like a +torrent entering the ocean. And he saw, placed near the Soma, a wheel of +steel keen-edged, and sharp as the razor, revolving incessantly. And that +fierce instrument, of the splendour of the blazing sun and of terrible +form, had been devised by the gods for cutting in pieces all robbers of +the Soma. Garuda, seeing a passage through it, stopped there for a moment. +Diminishing his body, in an instant he passed through the spokes of that +wheel. Within the line of the wheel, he beheld, stationed there for +guarding the Soma two great snakes of the effulgence of blazing fire, with +tongues bright as the lightning-flash, of great energy, with mouth +emitting fire, with blazing eyes, containing poison, very terrible, always +in anger, and of great activity. Their eyes were ceaselessly inflamed with +rage and were also winkless. He who may be seen by even one of the two +would instantly be reduced to ashes. The bird of fair feathers suddenly +covered their eyes with dust. And unseen by them he attacked them from all +sides. And the son of Vinata, that ranger of the skies, attacking their +bodies, mangled them into pieces. He then approached the Soma without loss +of time. Then the mighty son of Vinata, taking up the Amrita from the +place where it was kept, rose on his wings with great speed, breaking into +pieces the machine that had surrounded it. And the bird soon came out, +taking the Amrita but without drinking it himself. And he then wended on +his way without the least fatigue, darkening the splendour of the Sun. + +"And the son of Vinata then met Vishnu on his way along the sky. And +Narayana was gratified at that act of self-denial on the part of Garuda. +And that deity, knowing no deterioration, said unto the ranger of the +skies, 'O, I am inclined to grant thee a boon.' The ranger of the skies +thereupon said, 'I shall stay above thee.' And he again spake unto +Narayana these words, 'I shall be immortal and free from disease without +(drinking) Amrita.' Vishnu said unto the son of Vinata, 'Be it so.' Garuda, +receiving those two boons, told Vishnu, 'I also shall grant thee a boon; +therefore, let the possessor of the six attributes ask of me.' Vishnu then +asked the mighty Garuda to become his carrier. And he made the bird sit on +the flagstaff of his car, saying, 'Even thus thou shalt stay above me.' +And the ranger of the skies, of great speed, saying unto Narayana, 'Be it +so,' swiftly wended on his way, mocking the wind with his fleetness. + +"And while that foremost of all rangers of the skies, that first of winged +creatures, Garuda, was coursing through the air after wresting the Amrita, +Indra hurled at him his thunderbolt. Then Garuda, the lord of birds, +struck with thunderbolt, spake laughingly unto Indra engaged in the +encounter, in sweet words, saying, 'I shall respect the Rishi (Dadhichi) +of whose bone the Vajra hath been made. I shall also respect the Vajra, +and thee also of a thousand sacrifices. I cast this feather of mine whose +end thou shalt not attain. Struck with thy thunder I have not felt the +slightest pain.' And having said this, the king of birds cast a feather of +his. And all creatures became exceedingly glad, beholding that excellent +feather of Garuda so cast off. And seeing that the feather was very +beautiful, they said, 'Let this bird be called Suparna (having fair +feathers).' And Purandara of a thousand eyes, witnessing this wonderful +incident, thought that bird to be some great being and addressed him +thus. + +"And Indra said, 'O best of birds, I desire to know the limit of thy great +strength. I also desire eternal friendship with thee.'" + +So ends the thirty-third section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti continued, "Garuda then said, 'O Purandara, let there be friendship +between thee and me as thou desirest. My strength, know thou, is hard to +bear. O thou of a thousand sacrifices, the good never approve of speaking +highly of their own strength, nor do they speak of their own merits. But +being made a friend, and asked by thee, O friend, I will answer thee, +although self-praise without reason is ever improper. I can bear, on a +single feather of mine, O Sakra, this Earth, with her mountains and +forests and with the waters of the ocean, and with thee also stationed +thereon. Know thou, my strength is such that I can bear without fatigue +even all the worlds put together, with their mobile and immobile objects.'" + +Sauti continued, "O Saunaka, after Garuda of great courage had thus +spoken, Indra the chief of the gods, the wearer of the (celestial) crown, +ever bent upon the good of the worlds, replied, saying, 'It is as thou +sayest. Everything is possible in thee. Accept now my sincere and hearty +friendship. And if thou hast no concern with the Soma, return it to me. +Those to whom thou wouldst give it would always oppose us.' Garuda +answered, 'There is a certain reason for which the Soma is being carried +by me. I shall not give the Soma to any one for drink. But, O thou of a +thousand eyes, after I have placed it down, thou, O lord of the heavens, +canst then, taking it up, instantly bring it away.' Indra then said, 'O +oviparous one, I am highly gratified with these words now spoken by thee. +O best of all rangers of the skies, accept from me any boon that thou +desirest.'" + +Sauti continued, "Then Garuda, recollecting the sons of Kadru and +remembering also the bondage of his mother caused by an act of deception +owing to the well-known reason (viz., the curse of Aruna), said, 'Although +I have power over all creatures, yet I shall do your bidding. Let, O Sakra, +the mighty snakes become my food.' The slayer of the Danavas having said +unto him, 'Be it so,' then went to Hari, the god of gods, of great soul, +and the lord of Yogins. And the latter sanctioned everything that had been +said by Garuda. And the illustrious lord of heaven again said unto Garuda, +'I shall bring away the Soma when thou placest it down.' And having said +so, he bade farewell to Garuda. And the bird of fair feathers then went to +the presence of his mother with great speed. + +"And Garuda in joy then spake unto all the snakes, 'Here have I brought +the Amrita. Let me place it on some Kusa grass. O ye snakes, sitting here, +drink of it after ye have performed your ablutions and religious rites. As +said by you, let my mother become, from this day, free, for I have +accomplished your bidding.' The snakes having said unto Garuda, 'Be it +so,' then went to perform their ablutions. Meanwhile, Sakra taking up the +Amrita, wended back to heaven. The snakes after performing their ablutions, +their daily devotions, and other sacred rites, returned in joy, desirous +of drinking the Amrita. They saw that the bed of kusa grass whereon the +Amrita had been placed was empty, the Amrita itself having been taken away +by a counter-act of deception. And they began to lick with their tongues +the kusa grass, as the Amrita had been placed thereon. And the tongues of +the snakes by that act became divided in twain. And the kusa grass, too, +from the contact with Amrita, became sacred thenceforth. Thus did the +illustrious Garuda bring Amrita (from the heavens) for the snakes, and +thus were the tongues of snakes divided by what Garuda did. + +"Then the bird of fair feathers, very much delighted, enjoyed himself in +those woods accompanied by his mother. Of grand achievements, and deeply +reverenced by all rangers of the skies, he gratified his mother by +devouring the snakes. + +"That man who would listen to this story, or read it out to an assembly of +good Brahmanas, must surely go to heaven, acquiring great merit from the +recitation of (the feats of) Garuda." + +And so ends the thirty-fourth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + + +SECTION XXXV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Saunaka said, "O son of Suta, thou hast told us the reason why the snakes +were cursed by their mother, and why Vinata also was cursed by her son. +Thou hast also told us about the bestowal of boons, by their husband, on +Kadru and Vinata. Thou hast likewise told us the names of Vinata's sons. +But thou hast not yet recited to us the names of the snakes. We are +anxious to hear the names of the principal ones." + +Sauti said, "O thou whose wealth is asceticism, from fear of being lengthy, +I shall not mention the names of all the snakes. But I will recite the +names of the chief ones. Listen to me! + +"Sesha was born first, and then Vasuki. (Then were born) Airavata, +Takshaka, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Kalakeya, the serpent Mani, Purana, +Pinjaraka, and Elapatra, Vamana, Nila, Anila, Kalmasha, Savala, Aryaka, +Ugra, Kalasapotaka, Suramukha, Dadhimukha, Vimalapindaka, Apta, Karotaka, +Samkha, Valisikha, Nisthanaka, Hemaguha, Nahusha, Pingala, Vahyakarna, +Hastipada, Mudgarapindaka, Kamvala Aswatara, Kaliyaka, Vritta, Samvartaka, +Padma, Mahapadma, Sankhamukha, Kushmandaka, Kshemaka, Pindaraka, Karavira, +Pushpadanshtraka, Vilwaka, Vilwapandara, Mushikada, Sankhasiras, +Purnabhadra, Haridraka, Aparajita, Jyotika, Srivaha, Kauravya, +Dhritarashtra, Sankhapinda, Virajas, Suvahu, Salipinda, Prabhakara, +Hastipinda, Pitharaka, Sumuksha, Kaunapashana, Kuthara, Kunjara, Kumuda, +Kumudaksha, Tittri, Halika, Kardama, Vahumulaka, Karkara, Akarkara, +Kundodara, and Mahodara. + +"Thus, O best of regenerate ones, have I said the names of the principal +serpents. From fear of being tedious I do not give names of the rest. O +thou whose wealth is asceticism, the sons of these snakes, with their +grandsons, are innumerable. Reflecting upon this, I shall not name them to +thee. O best ascetics, in this world the number of snakes baffles +calculation, there being many thousands and millions of them." + +So ends the thirty-fifth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Saunaka said, "O child, thou hast named many of the serpents gifted with +great energy and incapable of being easily overcome. What did they do +after hearing of that curse?" + +Sauti said, "The illustrious Sesha amongst them, of great renown, leaving +his mother practised hard penances, living upon air and rigidly observing +his vows. He practised these ascetic devotions, repairing to Gandhamadana, +Vadri, Gokarna, the woods of Pushkara, and the foot of Himavat. And he +passed his days in those sacred regions, some of which were sacred for +their water and others for their soil in the rigid observance of his vows, +with singleness of aim, and his passions under complete control. And the +Grandsire of all, Brahma, saw that ascetic with knotted hair, clad in rags, +and his flesh, skin, and sinews dried up owing to the hard penances he was +practising. And the Grandsire addressing him, that penance-practising one +of great fortitude, said, 'What is that thou doest, O Sesha? Let the +welfare of the creatures of the worlds also engage thy thoughts. O sinless +one, thou art afflicting all creatures by thy hard penances. O Sesha, tell +me the desire implanted in thy breast.' + +"And Sesha replied, 'My uterine brothers are all of wicked hearts. I do +not desire to live amongst them. Let this be sanctioned by thee. Like +enemies they are always jealous of one another. I am, therefore, engaged +in ascetic devotions. I will not see them even. They never show any +kindness for Vinata and her son. Indeed, Vinata's son capable of ranging +through the skies, is another brother of ours. They always envy him. And +he, too, is much stronger owing to the bestowal of that boon by our father, +the high-souled Kasyapa. For these, I engaged in ascetic penances, and I +will cast off this body of mine, so that I may avoid companionship with +them, even in another state of life.' + +"Unto Sesha who had said so, the Grandsire said, 'O Sesha, I know the +behaviour of all thy brothers and their great danger owing to their +offence against their mother. But O Snake, a remedy (for this) hath been +provided by me even beforehand. It behoveth thee not to grieve for thy +brothers. O Sesha, ask of me the boon thou desirest. I have been highly +gratified with thee and I will grant thee today a boon. O best of snakes, +it is fortunate that thy heart hath been set on virtue. Let thy heart be +more and more firmly set on virtue.' + +"Then Sesha replied, 'O divine Grandsire, this is the boon desired by me; +viz., may my heart always delight in virtue and in blessed ascetic +penances, O Lord of all!' + +"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thy self- +denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be done by thee +for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly and well this +Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and +retreats, so that she may be steady.' + +"Sesha said, 'O divine Lord of all creatures, O bestower of boons, O lord +of the Earth, lord of every created thing, lord of the universe, I will, +even as thou sayest hold the Earth steady. Therefore, O lord of all +creatures, place her on my head.' + +"Brahman said, 'O best of snakes, go underneath the Earth. She will +herself give thee a crevice to pass through. And, O Sesha, by holding the +Earth, thou shalt certainly do what is prized by me very greatly.'" + +Sauti continued, "Then the elder brother of the king of the snakes, +entering a hole, passed to the other side of the Earth, and holding her, +supported with his head that goddess with her belt of seas passing all +round. + +"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, O best of snakes, thou art the god Dharma, +because alone, with thy huge body, thou supportest the Earth with +everything on her, even as I myself, or Valavit (Indra), can.'" + +Sauti continued, "The snake, Sesha, the lord Ananta, of great prowess, +lives underneath the Earth, alone supporting the world at the command of +Brahman. And the illustrious Grandsire, the best of the immortals, then +gave unto Ananta the bird of fair feathers, viz., the son of Vinata, for +Ananta's help." + +So ends the thirty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "That best of snakes, viz., Vasuki, hearing the curse of his +mother, reflected how to render it abortive. He held a consultation with +all his brothers, Airavata and others, intent upon doing what they deemed +best for themselves. + +"And Vasuki said, 'O ye sinless ones, the object of this curse is known to +you. It behoveth us to strive to neutralise it. Remedies certainly exist +for all curses, but no remedy can avail those cursed by their mother. +Hearing that this curse hath been uttered in the presence of the Immutable, +the Infinite, and the True one, my heart trembleth. Surely, our +annihilation hath come. Otherwise why should not the Immutable Lord +prevent our mother while uttering the curse? Therefore, let us consult +today how we may secure the safety of the snakes. Let us not waste time. +All of you are wise and discerning. We will consult together and find out +the means of deliverance as (did) the gods of yore to regain lost Agni who +had concealed himself within a cave, so that Janamejaya's sacrifice for +the destruction of the snakes may not take place, and so that we may not +meet with destruction.'" + +Sauti continued, "Thus addressed all the offspring of Kadru assembled +together, and, wise in counsels, submitted their opinions to one another. +One party of the serpents said, 'We should assume the guise of superior +Brahmanas, and beseech Janamejaya, saying, "This (intended) sacrifice of +yours ought not to take place."' Other snakes thinking themselves wise, +said, 'We should all become his favourite counsellors. He will then +certainly ask for our advice in all projects. And we will then give him +such advice that the sacrifice may be obstructed. The king, the foremost +of wise men, thinking us of sterling worth will certainly ask us about his +sacrifice. We will say, "It must not be!" And pointing to many serious +evils in this and the next worlds, we will take care that the sacrifice +may not take place. Or, let one of the snakes, approaching, bite the +person who, intending the monarch's good, and well-acquainted with the +rites of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed as the sacrificial priest, +so that he will die. The sacrificial priest dying, the sacrifice will not +be completed. We will also bite all those who, acquainted with the rites +of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed Ritwiks of the sacrifice, and by +that means attain our object.' Other snakes, more virtuous and kind, said, +'O, this counsel of yours is evil. It is not meet to kill Brahmanas. In +danger, that remedy is proper, which is blessed on the practices of the +righteous. Unrighteousness finally destroyeth the world.' Other serpents +said, 'We will extinguish the blazing sacrificial fire by ourselves +becoming clouds luminous with lightning and pouring down showers.' Other +snakes, the best of their kind, proposed, 'Going, by night, let us steal +away the vessel of Soma juice. That will disturb the rite. Or, at that +sacrifice, let the snakes, by hundreds and thousands, bite the people, and +spread terror around. Or, let the serpents defile the pure food with their +food-defiling urine and dung.' Others said, 'Let us become the king's +Ritwiks, and obstruct his sacrifice by saying at the outset, "Give us the +sacrificial fee." He (the king), being placed in our power, will do +whatever we like.' Others there said, 'When the king will sport in the +waters, we will carry him to our home and bind him, so that that sacrifice +will not take place!' Other serpents who deemed themselves wise, said, +'Approaching the king, let us bite him, so that our object will be +accomplished. By his death the root of all evil will be torn up. This is +the final deliberation of us all, O thou who hearest with thy eyes! Then, +do speedily what thou deemest proper.' Having said this, they looked +intently at Vasuki, that best of snakes. And Vasuki also, after reflecting, +answered saying, 'Ye snakes, this final determination of you doth not seem +worthy of adoption. The advice of you all is not to my liking. What shall +I say which would be for your good? I think the grace of the illustrious +Kasyapa (our father) can alone do us good. Ye snakes, my heart doth not +know which of all your suggestions is to be adopted for the welfare of my +race as also of me. That must be done by me which would be to your weal. +It is this that makes me so anxious, for the credit or the discredit (of +the measure) is mine alone.'" + +So ends the thirty-seventh section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXVIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Hearing the respective speeches of all the snakes, and +hearing also the words of Vasuki, Elapatra began to address them, saying, +'That sacrifice is not one that can be prevented. Nor is king Janamejaya +of the Pandava race from whom this fear proceedeth, such that he can be +hindered. The person, O king, who is afflicted by fate hath recourse to +fate alone; nothing else can be his refuge. Ye best of snakes, this fear +of ours hath fate for its root. Fate alone must be our refuge in this. +Listen to what I say. When that curse was uttered, ye best of snakes, in +fear I lay crouching on the lap of our mother. Ye best of snakes, and O +lord (Vasuki) of great splendour, from that place I heard the words the +sorrowing gods spake unto the Grandsire. The gods said, "O Grandsire, thou +god of gods who else than the cruel Kadru could thus, after getting such +dear children, curse them so, even in thy presence? And, O Grandsire, by +thee also hath been spoken, with reference to those words of hers, 'Be it +so.' We wish to know the reason why thou didst not prevent her." Brahman +replied, "The snakes have multiplied. They are cruel, terrible in form and +highly poisonous. From desire of the good of my creatures, I did not +prevent Kadru then. Those poisonous serpents and others who are sinful, +biting others for no faults, shall, indeed, be destroyed, but not they who +are harmless and virtuous. And hear also, how, when the hour comes, the +snakes may escape this dreadful calamity. There shall be born in the race +of the Yayavaras a great Rishi known by the name of Jaratkaru, intelligent, +with passions under complete control. That Jaratkaru shall have a son of +the name of Astika. He shall put a stop to that sacrifice. And those +snakes who shall be virtuous shall escape therefrom." The gods said, "O +thou truth-knowing one, on whom will Jaratkaru, that foremost Muni, gifted +with great energy and asceticism, beget that illustrious son?" Brahman +answered, "Gifted with great energy, that best Brahmana shall beget a son +possessed of great energy on a wife of the same name as his. Vasuki, the +king of the snakes, hath a sister of the name of Jaratkaru; the son, of +whom I speak, shall be born of her, and he shall liberate the snakes."' + +"Elapatra continued, 'The gods then said unto the Grandsire, "Be it so." +And the lord Brahman, having said so unto the gods, went to heaven. O +Vasuki, I see before me that sister of thine known by the name of +Jaratkaru. For relieving us from fear, give her as alms unto him (i.e., +the Rishi), Jaratkaru, of excellent vows, who shall roam abegging for a +bride. This means of release hath been heard of by me!'" + + +SECTION XXXIX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "O best of regenerate ones, hearing these words of Elapatra, +all the serpents, in great delight, exclaimed, 'Well said, well said!' And +from that time Vasuki set about carefully bringing up that maiden, viz., +his sister Jaratkaru. And he took great delight in rearing her. + +"And much time did not elapse from this, when the gods and the Asuras, +assembling together, churned the abode of Varuna. And Vasuki, the foremost +of all gifted with strength, became the churning-cord. And directly the +work was over, the king of the snakes presented himself before the +Grandsire. And the gods, accompanied by Vasuki, addressed the Grandsire, +saying, 'O lord, Vasuki is suffering great affliction from fear of (his +mother's curse). It behoveth thee to root out the sorrow, begotten of the +curse of his mother, that hath pierced the heart of Vasuki desirous of the +weal of his race. The king of the snakes is ever our friend and benefactor. +O Lord of the gods, be gracious unto him and assuage his mind's fever.' + +"Brahman replied, 'O ye immortals, I have thought, in my mind, of what ye +have said. Let the king of the snakes do that which hath been communicated +to him before by Elapatra. The time hath arrived. Those only shall be +destroyed that are wicked, not those that are virtuous. Jaratkaru hath +been born, and that Brahmana is engaged in hard ascetic penances. Let +Vasuki, at the proper time, bestow on him his sister. Ye gods, what hath +been spoken by the snake Elapatra for the weal of the snakes is true and +not otherwise.'" + +Sauti continued, "Then the king of the snakes, Vasuki, afflicted with the +curse of his mother, hearing these words of the Grandsire, and intending +to bestow his sister on the Rishi Jaratkaru, commanded all the serpents, +large numbers of whom were ever attentive to their duties, to watch the +Rishi Jaratkaru, saying, 'When the lord Jaratkaru will ask for a wife, +come immediately and inform me of it. The weal of our race depends upon +it.'" + + +SECTION XL + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Saunaka said, "O son of Suta, I desire to know the reason why the +illustrious Rishi whom thou hast named Jaratkaru came to be so called on +earth. It behoveth thee to tell us the etymology of the name Jaratkaru." + +Sauti said, "Jara is said to mean waste, and Karu implies huge. This +Rishi's body had been huge, and he gradually reduced it by severe ascetic +penances. For the same reason, O Brahmanas, the sister of Vasuki was +called Jaratkaru." + +The virtuous Saunaka, when he heard this, smiled and addressing Ugrasravas +said, "It is even so." + +Saunaka then said, "I have heard all that thou hast before recited. I +desire to know how Astika was born." + +Sauti, on hearing these words, began to relate according to what was +written in the Sastras. + +Sauti said, "Vasuki, desirous of bestowing his sister upon the Rishi +Jaratkaru, gave the snakes (necessary) orders. But days went on, yet that +wise Muni of rigid vows, deeply engaged in ascetic devotions, did not seek +for a wife. That high-souled Rishi, engaged in studies and deeply devoted +to asceticism, his vital seed under full control, fearlessly wandered over +the whole earth and had no wish for a wife. + +"Afterwards, once upon a time, there was a king, O Brahmana, of the name +of Parikshit, born in the race of the Kauravas. And, like his great- +grandfather Pandu of old, he was of mighty arms, the first of all bearers +of bows in battle, and fond of hunting. And the monarch wandered about, +hunting deer, and wild boars, and wolves, and buffaloes and various other +kinds of wild animals. One day, having pierced a deer with a sharp arrow +and slung his bow on his back, he penetrated into the deep forest, +searching for the animal here and there, like the illustrious Rudra +himself of old pursuing in the heavens, bow in hand, the deer which was +Sacrifice, itself turned into that shape, after the piercing. No deer that +was pierced by Parikshit had ever escaped in the wood with life. This deer, +however wounded as before, fled with speed, as the (proximate) cause of +the king's attainment to heaven. And the deer that Parikshit--that king of +men--had pierced was lost to his gaze and drew the monarch far away into +the forest. And fatigued and thirsty, he came across a Muni, in the forest, +seated in a cow-pen and drinking to his fill the froth oozing out of the +mouths of calves sucking the milk of their dams. And approaching him +hastily, the monarch, hungry and fatigued, and raising his bow, asked that +Muni of rigid vows, saying, 'O Brahmana, I am king Parikshit, the son of +Abhimanyu. A deer pierced by me hath been lost. Hast thou seen it?' But +that Muni observing then the vow of silence, spoke not unto him a word. +And the king in anger thereupon placed upon his shoulder a dead snake, +taking it up with the end of his bow. The Muni suffered him to do it +without protest. And he spoke not a word, good or bad. And the king seeing +him in that state, cast off his anger and became sorry. And he returned to +his capital but the Rishi continued in the same state. The forgiving Muni, +knowing that the monarch who was a tiger amongst kings was true to the +duties of his order, cursed him not, though insulted. That tiger amongst +monarchs, that foremost one of Bharata's race, also did not know that the +person whom he had so insulted was a virtuous Rishi. It was for this that +he had so insulted him. + +"That Rishi had a son by name Sringin, of tender years, gifted with great +energy, deep in ascetic penances, severe in his vows, very wrathful, and +difficult to be appeased. At times, he worshipped with great attention and +respect his preceptor seated with ease on his seat and ever engaged in the +good of creatures. + +"And commanded by his preceptor, he was coming home when, O best of +Brahmanas, a companion of his, a Rishi's son named Krisa in a playful mood +laughingly spoke unto him. And Sringin, wrathful and like unto poison +itself, hearing these words in reference to his father, blazed up in rage. + +"And Krisa said, 'Be not proud, O Sringin, for ascetic as thou art and +possessed of energy, thy father bears on his shoulders a dead snake. +Henceforth speak not a word to sons of Rishis like ourselves who have +knowledge of the truth, are deep in ascetic penances, and have attained +success. Where is that manliness of thine, those high words of thine +begotten of pride, when thou must have to behold thy father bearing a dead +snake? O best of all the Munis, thy father too had done nothing to deserve +this treatment, and it is for this that I am particularly sorry as if the +punishment were mine.'" + + +SECTION XLI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Being thus addressed, and hearing that his sire was bearing +a dead snake, the powerful Sringin burned with wrath. And looking at Krisa, +and speaking softly, he asked him, 'Pray, why doth my father bear today a +dead snake?' And Krisa replied, 'Even as king Parikshit was roving, for +purpose of hunting, O dear one, he placed the dead snake on the shoulder +of thy sire.' + +"And Sringin asked, 'What wrong was done to that wicked monarch by my +father? O Krisa, tell me this, and witness the power of my asceticism.' + +"And Krisa answered, 'King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, while hunting, +had wounded a fleet stag with an arrow and chased it alone. And the king +lost sight of the animal in that extensive wilderness. Seeing then thy +sire, he immediately accosted him. Thy sire was then observing the vow of +silence. Oppressed by hunger, thirst and labour, the prince again and +again asked thy sire sitting motionless, about the missing deer. The sage, +being under the vow of silence, returned no reply. The king thereupon +placed the snake on thy sire's shoulder with the end of his bow. O Sringin, +thy sire engaged in devotion is in the same posture still. And the king +also hath gone to his capital which is named after the elephant!'" + +Sauti continued, "Having heard of a dead snake placed upon his (father's) +shoulders, the son of the Rishi, his eyes reddened with anger, blazed up +with rage. And possessed by anger, the puissant Rishi then cursed the king, +touching water and overcome with wrath. + +"And Sringin said, 'That sinful wretch of a monarch who hath placed a dead +snake on the shoulders of my lean and old parent, that insulter of +Brahmanas and tarnisher of the fame of the Kurus, shall be taken within +seven nights hence to the regions of Yama (Death) by the snake Takshaka, +the powerful king of serpents, stimulated thereto by the strength of my +words!'" + +Sauti continued, "And having thus cursed (the king) from anger, Sringin +went to his father, and saw the sage sitting in the cow-pen, bearing the +dead snake. And seeing his parent in that plight, he was again inflamed +with ire. And he shed tears of grief, and addressed his sire, saying, +'Father, having been informed of this thy disgrace at the hands of that +wicked wretch, king Parikshit, I have from anger even cursed him; and that +worst of Kurus hath richly deserved my potent curse. Seven days hence, +Takshaka, the lord of snakes, shall take the sinful king to the horrible +abode of Death.' And the father said to the enraged son, 'Child, I am not +pleased with thee. Ascetics should not act thus. We live in the domains of +that great king. We are protected by him righteously. In all he does, the +reigning king should by the like of us be forgiven. If thou destroy Dharma, +verily Dharma will destroy thee. If the king do not properly protect us, +we fare very ill; we cannot perform our religious rites according to our +desire. But protected by righteous sovereigns, we attain immense merit, +and they are entitled to a share thereof. Therefore, reigning royalty is +by all means to be forgiven. And Parikshit like unto his great-grandsire, +protecteth us as a king should protect his subjects. That penance- +practising monarch was fatigued and oppressed with hunger. Ignorant of my +vow (of silence) he did this. A kingless country always suffereth from +evils. The king punisheth offenders, and fear of punishments to peace; +and people do their duties and perform their rites undisturbed. The king +establisheth religion--establisheth the kingdom of heaven. The king +protecteth sacrifices from disturbance, and sacrifices to please the gods. +The gods cause rain, and rain produceth grains and herbs, which are always +useful to man. Manu sayeth, a ruler of the destinies of men is equal (in +dignity) to ten Veda-studying priests. Fatigued and oppressed with hunger, +that penance-practising prince hath done this through ignorance of my vow. +Why then hast thou rashly done this unrighteous action through +childishness? O son, in no way doth the king deserve a curse from us.'" + + +SECTION XLII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "And Sringin then replied to his father, saying, 'Whether +this be an act of rashness, O father, or an improper act that I have done, +whether thou likest it or dislikest it, the words spoken by me shall never +be in vain. O father, I tell thee (a curse) can never be otherwise. I have +never spoken a lie even in jest.' + +"And Samika said, 'Dear child, I know that thou art of great prowess, and +truthful in speech. Thou hast never spoken falsehood before, so that thy +curse shall never be falsified. The son, even when he attaineth to age, +should yet be always counselled by the father, so that crowned with good +qualities he may acquire great renown. A child as thou art, how much more +dost thou stand in need of counsel? Thou art ever engaged in ascetic +penances. The wrath of even the illustrious ones possessing the six +attributes increaseth greatly. O thou foremost of ordinance-observing +persons, seeing that thou art my son and a minor too, and beholding also +thy rashness, I see that I must counsel thee. Live thou, O son, inclined +to peace and eating fruits and roots of the forest. Kill this thy anger +and destroy not the fruit of thy ascetic acts in this way. Wrath surely +decreaseth the virtue that ascetics acquire with great pains. And then for +those deprived of virtue, the blessed state existeth not. Peacefulness +ever giveth success to forgiving ascetics. Therefore, becoming forgiving +in thy temper and conquering thy passions, shouldst thou always live. By +forgiveness shalt thou obtain worlds that are beyond the reach of Brahman +himself. Having adopted peacefulness myself, and with a desire also for +doing good as much as lies in my power, I must do something; even must I +send to that king, telling him, "O monarch, thou hast been cursed by my +son of tender years and undeveloped intellect, in wrath, at seeing thy act +of disrespect towards myself."'" + +Sauti continued, "And that great ascetic, observer of vows, moved by +kindness, sent with proper instructions a disciple of his to king +Parikshit. And he sent his disciple Gaurmukha of good manners and engaged +also in ascetic penances, instructing him to first enquire about the +welfare of the king and then to communicate the real message. And that +disciple soon approached that monarch, the head of the Kuru race. And he +entered the king's palace having first sent notice of his arrival through +the servant in attendance at the gate. + +"And the twice-born Gaurmukha was duly worshipped by the monarch. And +after resting for a while, he detailed fully to the king, in the presence +of his ministers, the words of Samika, of cruel import, exactly as he had +been instructed. + +"And Gaurmukha said, 'O king of kings, there is a Rishi, Samika, by name, +of virtuous soul, his passions under control, peaceful, and given up to +hard ascetic devotions, living in thy dominions! By thee, O tiger among +men, was placed on the shoulders of that Rishi observing at present the +vow of silence, a dead snake, with the end of thy bow! He himself forgave +thee that act. But his son could not. And by the latter hast thou today +been cursed, O king of kings, without the knowledge of his father, to the +effect that within seven nights hence, shall (the snake) Takshaka cause +thy death. And Samika repeatedly asked his son to save thee, but there is +none to falsify his son's curse. And because he hath been unable to pacify +his son possessed by anger, therefore have I been sent to thee, O king, +for thy good!' + +"And that king of the Kuru race, himself engaged in ascetic practices, +having heard these cruel words and recollecting his own sinful act, became +exceedingly sorry. And the king, learning that foremost of Rishis in the +forest had been observing the vow of silence, was doubly afflicted with +sorrow and seeing the kindness of the Rishi Samika, and considering his +own sinful act towards him, the king became very repentant. And the king +looking like a very god, did not grieve so much for hearing of his death +as for having done that act to the Rishi. + +"And then the king sent away Gaurmukha, saying, 'Let the worshipful one +(Samika) be gracious to me!' And when Gaurmukha had gone away, the king, +in great anxiety, without loss of time, consulted his ministers. And +having consulted them, the king, himself wise in counsels, caused a +mansion to be erected upon one solitary column. It was well-guarded day +and night. And for its protection were placed there physicians and +medicines, and Brahmanas skilled in mantras all around. And the monarch, +protected on all sides, discharged his kingly duties from that place +surrounded by his virtuous ministers. And no one could approach that best +of kings there. The air even could not go there, being prevented from +entering. + +"And when the seventh day had arrived, that best of Brahmanas, the learned +Kasyapa was coming (towards the king's residence), desirous of treating +the king (after the snake-bite). He had heard all that had taken place, +viz., that Takshaka, that first of snakes, would send that best of +monarchs to the presence of Yama (Death). And he thought, 'I would cure the +monarch after he is bit by that first of snakes. By that I may have wealth +and may acquire virtue also.' But that prince of snakes, Takshaka, in the +form of an old Brahmana, saw Kasyapa approaching on his way, his heart set +upon curing the king. And the prince of snakes then spake unto that bull +among Munis, Kasyapa, saying, 'Whither dost thou go with such speed? What, +besides, is the business upon which thou art intent?' + +"And Kasyapa, thus addressed, replied, 'Takshaka, by his poison, will +today burn king Parikshit of the Kuru race, that oppressor of all enemies. +I go with speed, O amiable one, to cure, without loss of time, the king of +immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Pandava race, after +he is bit by the same Takshaka like to Agni himself in energy.' And +Takshaka answered, 'I am that Takshaka, O Brahmana, who shall burn that +lord of the earth. Stop, for thou art unable to cure one bit by me.' And +Kasyapa rejoined, 'I am sure that, possessed (that I am) of the power of +learning, going thither I shall cure that monarch bit by thee.'" + + +SECTION XLIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "And Takshaka, after this, answered, 'If, indeed, thou art +able to cure any creature bitten by me, then, O Kasyapa, revive thou this +tree bit by me. O best of Brahmanas, I burn this banian in thy sight. Try +thy best and show me that skill in mantras of which thou hast spoken.' + +"And Kasyapa said, 'If thou art so minded, bite thou then, O king of +snakes, this tree. O snake, I shall revive it, though bit by thee.'" + +Sauti continued, "That king of snakes, thus addressed by the illustrious +Kasyapa, bit then that banian tree. And that tree, bit by the illustrious +snake, and penetrated by the poison of the serpent, blazed up all around. +And having burnt the banian so, the snake then spake again unto Kasyapa, +saying, 'O first of Brahmanas, try thy best and revive this lord of the +forest.'" + +Sauti continued, "The tree was reduced to ashes by the poison of that +king of snakes. But taking up those ashes, Kasyapa spoke these words. 'O +king of snakes, behold the power of my knowledge as applied to this lord +of the forest! O snake, under thy very nose I shall revive it.' And then +that best of Brahmanas, the illustrious and learned Kasyapa, revived, by +his vidya, that tree which had been reduced to a heap of ashes. And first +he created the sprout, then he furnished it with two leaves, and then he +made the stem, and then the branches, and then the full-grown tree with +leaves and all. And Takshaka, seeing the tree revived by the illustrious +Kasyapa, said unto him, 'It is not wonderful in thee that thou shouldst +destroy my poison or that of any one else like myself. O thou whose wealth +is asceticism, desirous of what wealth, goest thou thither? The reward +thou hopest to have from that best of monarchs, even I will give thee, +however difficult it may be to obtain it. Decked with fame as thou art, +thy success may be doubtful on that king affected by a Brahmana's curse +and whose span of life itself hath been shortened. In that case, this +blazing fame of thine that hath overspread the three worlds will disappear +like the Sun when deprived of his splendour (on the occasion of the +eclipse).' + +"Kasyapa said, 'I go there for wealth, give it unto me, O snake, so that +taking thy gold, I may return.' Takshaka replied, 'O best of regenerate +ones, even I will give thee more than what thou expectest from that king. +Therefore do not go.'" + +Sauti continued, "That best of Brahmanas, Kasyapa, of great prowess and +intelligence, hearing those words of Takshaka, sat in yoga meditation over +the king. And that foremost of Munis, viz., Kasyapa, of great prowess and +gifted with spiritual knowledge, ascertaining that the period of life of +that king of the Pandava race had really run out, returned, receiving from +Takshaka as much wealth as he desired. + +"And upon the illustrious Kasyapa's retracing his steps, Takshaka at the +proper time speedily entered the city of Hastinapura. And on his way he +heard that the king was living very cautiously, protected by means of +poison-neutralising mantras and medicines." + +Sauti continued, "The snake thereupon reflected thus, 'The monarch must +be deceived by me with power of illusion. But what must be the means?' +Then Takshaka sent to the king some snakes in the guise of ascetics taking +with them fruits, kusa grass, and water (as presents). And Takshaka, +addressing them, said, 'Go ye all to the king, on the pretext of pressing +business, without any sign of impatience, as if to make the monarch only +accept the fruits and flowers and water (that ye shall carry as presents +unto him).'" + +Sauti continued, "Those snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, acted +accordingly. And they took to the king, Kusa grass and water, and fruits. +And that foremost of kings, of great prowess, accepted those offerings. +And after their business was finished, he said upto them, 'Retire.' Then +after those snakes disguised as ascetics had gone away, the king addressed +his ministers and friends, saying, 'Eat ye, with me, all these fruits of +excellent taste brought by the ascetics.' Impelled by Fate and the words +of the Rishi, the king, with his ministers, felt the desire of eating +those fruits. The particular fruit, within which Takshaka had entered, was +taken by the king himself for eating. And when he was eating it, there +appeared, O Saunaka, an ugly insect out of it, of shape scarcely +discernible, of eyes black, and of coppery colour. And that foremost of +kings, taking that insect, addressed his councillors, saying, 'The sun is +setting; today I have no more fear from poison. Therefore, let this insect +become Takshaka and bite me, so that my sinful act may be expiated and the +words of the ascetic rendered true.' And those councillors also, impelled +by Fate, approved of that speech. And then the monarch smiled, losing his +senses, his hour having come. And he quickly placed that insect on his +neck. And as the king was smiling, Takshaka, who had (in the form of that +insect) come out of the fruit that had been offered to the king, coiled +himself round the neck of the monarch. And quickly coiling round the +king's neck and uttering a tremendous roar, Takshaka, that lord of snakes, +bit that protector of the earth." + + +SECTION XLIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Then the councillors beholding the king in the coils of +Takshaka, became pale with fear and wept in exceeding grief. And hearing +the roar of Takshaka, the ministers all fled. And as they were flying away +in great grief, they saw Takshaka, the king of snakes, that wonderful +serpent, coursing through the blue sky like a streak of the hue of the +lotus, and looking very much like the vermilion-coloured line on a woman's +crown dividing the dark masses of her hair in the middle. + +"And the mansion in which the king was living blazed up with Takshaka's +poison. And the king's councillors, on beholding it, fled away in all +directions. And the king himself fell down, as if struck by lightning. + +"And when the king was laid low by Takshaka's poison, his councillors with +the royal priest--a holy Brahmana--performed all his last rites. All the +citizens, assembling together, made the minor son of the deceased monarch +their king. And the people called their new king, that slayer of all +enemies, that hero of the Kuru race, by the name of Janamejaya. And that +best of monarchs, Janamejaya, though a child, was wise in mind. And with +his councillors and priest, the eldest son Parikshita, that bull amongst +the Kurus, ruled the kingdom like his heroic great-grand-father +(Yudhishthira). And the ministers of the youthful monarch, beholding that +he could now keep his enemies in check, went to Suvarnavarman, the king of +Kasi, and asked him his daughter Vapushtama for a bride. And the king of +Kasi, after due inquiries, bestowed with ordained rites, his daughter +Vapushtama on that mighty hero of Kuru race. And the latter, receiving his +bride, became exceedingly glad. And he gave not his heart at any time to +any other woman. And gifted with great energy, he wandered in pursuit of +pleasure, with a cheerful heart, on expanses of water and amid woods and +flowery fields. And that first of monarchs passed his time in pleasure as +Pururavas of old did, on receiving the celestial damsel Urvasi. Herself +fairest of the fair, the damsel Vapushtama too, devoted to her lord and +celebrated for her beauty having gained a desirable husband, pleased him +by the excess of her affection during the period he spent in the pursuit +of pleasure." + + +SECTION XLV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Meanwhile the great ascetic Jaratkaru wandered over the whole earth +making the place where evening fell his home for the night. And gifted +with ascetic power, he roamed, practising various vows difficult to be +practised by the immature, and bathing also in various sacred waters. And +the Muni had air alone for his food and was free from desire of worldly +enjoyment. And he became daily emaciated and grew lean-fleshed. And one +day he saw the spirits of his ancestors, heads down, in a hole, by a cord +of virana roots having only one thread entire. And that even single thread +was being gradually eaten away by a large rat dwelling in that hole. And +the Pitris in that hole were without food, emaciated, pitiable, and +eagerly desirous of salvation. And Jaratkaru, approaching the pitiable +ones, himself in humble guise, asked them, 'Who are ye hanging by this cord +of virana roots? The single weak root that is still left in this cord of +virana roots already eaten away by the rat, dwelling in this hole, is +itself being gradually eaten away by the same rat with his sharp teeth. +The little that remains of that single thread will soon be cut away. It is +clear ye shall then have to fall down into this pit with faces downwards. +Seeing you with faces downwards, and overtaken by this great calamity, my +pity hath been excited. What good can I do to you. Tell me quickly whether +this calamity can be averted by a fourth, a third, or even by the +sacrifice of a half of this my asceticism, O, relieve yourselves even with +the whole of my asceticism. I consent to all this. Do ye as ye please.' + +"The Pitris said, 'Venerable Brahmacharin, thou desirest to relieve us. +But, O foremost of Brahmanas, thou canst not dispel our affliction by thy +asceticism. O child, O first of speakers, we too have the fruits of our +asceticism. But, O Brahmana, it is for the loss of children that we are +falling down into this unholy hell. The grandsire himself hath said that a +son is a great merit. As we are about to be cast in this hole, our ideas +are no longer clear. Therefore, O child, we know thee not, although thy +manhood is well-known on earth. Venerable thou art and of good fortune, +thou who thus from kindness grievest for us worthy of pity and greatly +afflicted. O Brahmana, listen, who we are. We are Rishis of the Yayavara +sect, of rigid vows. And, O Muni, from loss of children, we have fallen +down from a sacred region. Our severe penances have not been destroyed; we +have a thread yet. But we have only one thread now. It matters little, +however, whether he is or is not. Unfortunate as we are, we have a thread +in one, known as Jaratkaru. The unfortunate one has gone through the Vedas +and their branches and is practising asceticism alone. He being one with +soul under complete control, desires set high, observant of vows, deeply +engaged in ascetic penances, and free from greed for the merits of +asceticism, we have been reduced to this deplorable state. He hath no wife, +no son, no relatives. Therefore, do we hang in this hole, our +consciousness lost, like men having none to take care of them. If thou +meetest him, O, tell him, from thy kindness to ourselves. "Thy Pitris, in +sorrow, are hanging with faces downwards in a hole. Holy one, take a wife +and beget children. O thou of ascetic wealth, thou art, O amiable one, the +only thread that remaineth in the line of thy ancestors." O Brahmana, the +cord of virana roots that thou seest we are hanging by, is the cord +representing our multiplied race. And, O Brahmana, these threads of the +cord of virana roots that thou seest as eaten away, are ourselves who have +been eaten up by Time. This root thou seest hath been half-eaten and by +which we are hanging in this hole is he that hath adopted asceticism alone. +The rat that thou beholdest is Time of infinite strength. And he (Time) is +gradually weakening the wretch Jaratkaru engaged in ascetic penances +tempted by the merits thereof, but wanting in prudence and heart. O +excellent one, his asceticism cannot save us. Behold, our roots being torn, +cast down from higher regions, deprived of consciousness by Time, we are +going downwards like sinful wretches. And upon our going down into this +hole with all our relatives, eaten up by Time, even he shall sink with us +into hell. O child, whether it is asceticism, or sacrifice, or whatever +else there be of very holy acts, everything is inferior. These cannot +count with a son. O child, having seen all, speak unto that Jaratkaru of +ascetic wealth. Thou shouldst tell him in detail everything that thou hast +beheld. And, O Brahmana, from thy kindness towards us, thou shouldst tell +him all that would induce him to take a wife and beget children. Amongst +his friends, or of our own race, who art thou, O excellent one, that thus +grievest for us all like a friend? We wish to hear who thou art that +stayest here.'" + + +SECTION XLVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Jaratkaru, hearing all this, became excessively dejected. +And from sorrow he spoke unto those Pitris in words obstructed by tears. +And Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my fathers and grand-fathers gone before. +Therefore, tell me what I must do for your welfare. I am that sinful son +of yours, Jaratkaru! Punish me for my sinful deeds, a wretch that I am.' + +"The Pitris replied, saying, 'O son, by good luck hast thou arrived at +this spot in course of thy rambles. O Brahmana, why hast thou not taken a +wife?' + +"Jaratkaru said. 'Ye Pitris, this desire hath always existed in my heart +that I would, with vital seed drawn up, carry this body to the other world. +My mind hath been possessed with the idea that I would not take a wife. +But ye grandsires, having seen you hanging like birds, I have diverted my +mind from the Brahmacharya mode of life. I will truly do what you like. I +will certainly marry, if ever I meet with a maiden of my own name. I shall +accept her who, bestowing herself of her own accord, will be as alms unto +me, and whom I shall not have to maintain. I shall marry if I get such a +one; otherwise, I shall not. This is the truth, ye grandsires! And the +offspring that will be begot upon her shall be your salvation. And ye +Pitris of mine, ye shall live for ever in blessedness and without fear.'" + +Sauti continued, "The Muni, having said so unto the Pitris, wandered over +the earth again. And, O Saunaka, being old, he obtained no wife. And he +grieved much that he was not successful. But directed (as before) by his +ancestors, he continued the search. And going into the forest, he wept +loudly in great grief. And having gone into the forest, the wise one, +moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, 'I will ask for +a bride,' distinctly repeating these words thrice. And he said, 'Whatever +creatures are here, mobile and immobile, so whoever there be that are +invisible, O, hear my words! My ancestors, afflicted with grief, have +directed me that am engaged in the most severe penances, saying, "Marry +thou for (the acquisition of) a son." O ye, being directed by my +ancestors, I am roaming in poverty and sorrow, over the wide world for +wedding a maiden that I may obtain as alms. Let that creature, amongst +those I have addressed, who hath a daughter, bestow on me that am roaming +far and near. Such a bride as is of same name with me, to be bestowed on +me as alms, and whom, besides, I shall not maintain, O bestow on me!' Then +those snakes that had been set upon Jaratkaru's track, ascertaining his +inclination, gave information to Vasuki. And the king of the snakes, +hearing their words, took with him that maiden decked with ornaments, and +went into the forest unto that Rishi. And, O Brahmana, Vasuki, the king of +the snakes, having gone there, offered that maiden as alms unto that high- +souled Rishi. But the Rishi did not at once accept her. And the Rishi, +thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and seeing that the +question of her maintenance also was unsettled, reflected for a few +moments, hesitating to accept her. And then, O son of Bhrigu, he asked +Vasuki the maiden's name, and also said unto him, 'I shall not maintain +her.'" + + +SECTION XLVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Then Vasuki spake unto the Rishi Jaratkaru these words, 'O +best of Brahmanas, this maiden is of the same name with thee. She is my +sister and hath ascetic merit. I will maintain thy wife; accept her. O +thou of ascetic wealth, I shall protect her with all my ability. And, O +foremost of the great Munis, she hath been reared by me for thee.' And the +Rishi replied, 'This is agreed between us that I shall not maintain her; +and she shall not do aught that I do not like. If she do, I leave her!'" + +Sauti continued, "When the snake had promised, saying, 'I shall maintain +my sister,' Jaratkaru then went to the snake's house. Then that first of +mantra-knowing Brahmanas, observing rigid vows, that virtuous and veteran +ascetic, took her hand presented to him according to shastric rites. And +taking his bride with him, adored by the great Rishi, he entered the +delightful chamber set apart for him by the king of the snakes. And in +that chamber was a bed-stead covered with very valuable coverlets. And +Jaratkaru lived there with his wife. And the excellent Rishi made an +agreement with his wife, saying, 'Nothing must ever be done or said by +thee that is against my liking. And in case of thy doing any such thing, I +will leave thee and no longer continue to stay in thy house. Bear in mind +these words that have been spoken by me.' + +"And then the sister of the king of the snakes in great anxiety and +grieving exceedingly, spoke unto him, saying, 'Be it so.' And moved by the +desire of doing good to her relatives, that damsel, of unsullied +reputation, began to attend upon her lord with the wakefulness of a dog, +the timidity of a deer, and knowledge of signs possessed by the crow. And +one day, after the menstrual period, the sister of Vasuki, having purified +herself by a bath according to custom, approached her lord the great Muni. +And thereupon she conceived. And the embryo was like unto a flame of fire, +possessed of great energy, and resplendent as fire itself. And it grew +like the moon in the bright fortnight. + +"And one day, within a short time, Jaratkaru of great fame, placing his +head on the lap of his wife, slept, looking like one fatigued. And as he +was sleeping, the sun entered his chambers in the Western mountain and was +about to set. And, O Brahmana, as the day was fading, she, the excellent +sister of Vasuki, became thoughtful, fearing the loss of her husband's +virtue. And she thought, 'What should I now do? Shall I wake my husband or +not? He is exacting and punctilious in his religious duties. How can I act +as not to offend him? The alternatives are his anger and the loss of +virtue of a virtuous man. The loss of virtue, I ween, is the greater of +the two evils. Again, if I wake him, he will be angry. But if twilight +passeth away without his prayers being said, he shall certainly sustain +loss of virtue.' + +"And having resolved at last, the sweet-speeched Jaratkaru, the sister of +Vasuki, spake softly unto that Rishi resplendent with ascetic penances, +and lying prostrate like a flame of fire, 'O thou of great good fortune, +awake, the sun is setting. O thou of rigid vows, O illustrious one, do +your evening prayer after purifying yourself with water and uttering the +name of Vishnu. The time for the evening sacrifice hath come. Twilight, O +lord, is even now gently covering the western side.' + +"The illustrious Jaratkaru of great ascetic merit, thus addressed, spake +unto his wife these words, his upper lip quivering in anger, 'O amiable +one of the Naga race, thou hast insulted me. I shall no longer abide with +thee, but shall go where I came from. O thou of beautiful thighs, I +believe in my heart that the sun hath no power to set in the usual time, +if I am asleep. An insulted person should never live where he hath met +with the insult, far less should I, a virtuous person, or those that are +like me.' Jaratkaru, the sister of Vasuki, thus addressed by her lord, +began to quake with terror, and she spake unto him, saying, 'O Brahmana, I +have not waked thee from desire of insult; but I have done it so that thy +virtue may not sustain any loss.' + +"The Rishi Jaratkaru, great in ascetic merit, possessed with anger and +desirous of forsaking his spouse, thus addressed, spake unto his wife, +saying, 'O thou fair one, never have I spoken a falsehood. Therefore, go I +shall. This was also settled between ourselves. O amiable one, I have +passed the time happily with thee. And, O fair one, tell thy brother, when +I am gone, that I have left thee. And upon my going away, it behoveth thee +not to grieve for me.' + +"Thus addressed Jaratkaru, the fair sister of Vasuki, of faultless +features, filled with anxiety and sorrow, having mustered sufficient +courage and patience, though her heart was still quaking, then spake unto +Rishi Jaratkaru. Her words were obstructed with tears and her face was +pale with fear. And the palms of her hands were joined together, and her +eyes were bathed in tears. And she said, 'It behoveth thee not to leave me +without a fault. Thou treadest over the path of virtue. I too have been in +the same path, with heart fixed on the good of my relatives. O best of +Brahmanas, the object for which I was bestowed on thee hath not been +accomplished yet. Unfortunate that I am, what shall Vasuki say unto me? O +excellent one, the offspring desired of by my relatives afflicted by a +mother's curse, do not yet appear! The welfare of my relatives dependeth +on the acquisition of offspring from thee. And in order that my connection +with thee may not be fruitless, O illustrious Brahmana, moved by the +desire of doing good to my race do I entreat thee. O excellent one, high- +souled thou art; so why shall thou leave me who am faultless? This is what +is not just clear to me.' + +"Thus addressed, the Muni of great ascetic merit spake unto his wife +Jaratkaru these words that were proper and suitable to the occasion. And +he said, 'O fortunate one, the being thou hast conceived, even like unto +Agni himself is a Rishi of soul highly virtuous, and a master of the Vedas +and their branches.' + +"Having said so, the great Rishi, Jaratkaru of virtuous soul, went away, +his heart firmly fixed on practising again the severest penances." + + +SECTION XLVIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "O thou of ascetic wealth, soon after her lord had left her, +Jaratkaru went to her brother. And she told him everything that had +happened. And the prince of snakes, hearing the calamitous news, spake +unto his miserable sister, himself more miserable still. + +"And he said, 'Thou knowest, O amiable one, the purpose of thy bestowal, +the reason thereof. If, from that union, for the welfare of the snakes, a +son be born, then he, possessed of energy, will save us all from the snake- +sacrifice. The Grandsire had said so, of old, in the midst of the gods. O +fortunate one, hast thou conceived from thy union with that best of +Rishis? My heart's desire is that my bestowal of thee on that wise one may +not be fruitless. Truly, it is not proper for me to ask thee about this. +But from the gravity of the interests I ask thee this. Knowing also the +obstinacy of thy lord, ever engaged in severe penances, I shall not follow +him, for he may curse me. Tell me in detail all that thy lord, O amiable +one, hath done, and extract that terribly afflicting dart that lies +implanted for a long time past in my heart.' + +"Jaratkaru, thus addressed, consoling Vasuki, the king of the snakes, at +length replied, saying, 'Asked by me about offspring, the high-souled and +mighty ascetic said, "There is,"--and then he went away. I do not remember +him to have ever before speak even in jest aught that is false. Why should +he, O king, speak a falsehood on such a serious occasion? He said, "Thou +shouldst not grieve, O daughter of the snake race, about the intended +result of our union. A son shall be born to thee, resplendent as the +blazing sun." O brother, having said this to me, my husband of ascetic +wealth went away--Therefore, let the deep sorrow cherished in thy heart +disappear.'" + +Sauti continued, "Thus addressed, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, +accepted those words of his sister, and in great joy said, 'Be it so!' And +the chief of the snakes then adored his sister with his best regards, gift +of wealth, and fitting eulogies. Then, O best of Brahmanas, the embryo +endued with great splendour, began to develop, like the moon in the +heavens in the bright fortnight. + +"And in due time, the sister of the snakes, O Brahmana, gave birth to a +son of the splendour of a celestial child, who became the reliever of +the fears of his ancestors and maternal relatives. The child grew up there +in the house of the king of the snakes. He studied the Vedas and their +branches with the ascetic Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu. And though but a +boy, his vows were rigid. And he was gifted with great intelligence, and +with the several attributes of virtue, knowledge, freedom from the world's +indulgences, and saintliness. And the name by which he was known to the +world was Astika. And he was known by the name of Astika (whoever is) +because his father had gone to the woods, saying. 'There is', when he was +in the womb. Though but a boy, he had great gravity and intelligence. And +he was reared with great care in the palace of the snakes. And he was like +the illustrious lord of the celestials, Mahadeva of the golden form, the +wielder of the trident. And he grew up day by day, the delight of all the +snakes." + + +SECTION XLIX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Saunaka said, "Tell me again, in detail,--all that king Janamejaya had +asked his ministers about his father's ascension to heaven." + +Sauti said, "O Brahmana, hear all that the king asked his ministers, and +all that they said about the death of Parikshit. + +"Janamejaya asked, 'Know ye all that befell my father. How did that famous +king, in time, meet with his death? Hearing from you the incidents of my +father's life in detail, I shall ordain something, if it be for the +benefit of the world. Otherwise, I shall do nothing.' + +"The minister replied, 'Hear, O monarch, what thou hast asked, viz., an +account of thy illustrious father's life, and how also that king of kings +left this world. Thy father was virtuous and high-souled, and always +protected his people. O monarch, hear, how that high-souled one conducted +himself on earth. Like unto an impersonation of virtue and justice, the +monarch, cognisant of virtue, virtuously protected the four orders, each +engaged in the discharge of their specified duties. Of incomparable +prowess, and blessed with fortune, he protected the goddess Earth. There +was none who hated him and he himself hated none. Like unto Prajapati +(Brahma) he was equally disposed towards all creatures. O monarch, +Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, all engaged contentedly in +the practice of their respective duties, were impartially protected by that +king. Widows and orphans, the maimed and the poor, he maintained. Of +handsome features, he was unto all creatures like a second Soma. Cherishing +his subjects and keeping them contented, blessed with good fortune, truth- +telling, of immense prowess, he was the disciple of Saradwat in the +science of arms. And, O Janamejaya, thy father was dear unto Govinda. Of +great fame, he was loved by all men. And he was born in the womb of Uttara +when the Kuru race was almost extinct. And, therefore, the mighty son of +Abhimanyu came to be called Parikshit (born in an extinct line). Well- +versed in the interpretation of treatises on the duties of kings, he was +gifted with every virtue. With passions under complete control, +intelligent, possessing a retentive memory, the practiser of all virtues, +the conqueror of his six passions of powerful mind, surpassing all, and +fully acquainted with the science of morality and political science, thy +father had ruled over these subjects for sixty years. And he then died, +mourned by all his subjects. And, after him, O first of men, thou hast +acquired this hereditary kingdom of the Kurus for the last thousand years. +Thou wast installed while a child, and art thus protecting every +creature.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'There hath not been born in our race a king who hath +not sought the good of his subjects or been loved by them. Behold +especially the conduct of my grandsires ever engaged in great achievements. +How did my father, blessed with many virtues, meet with his death? +Describe everything to me as it happened. I am desirous of hearing it from +you!'" + +Sauti continued, "Thus directed by the monarch, those councillors, ever +solicitous of the good of the king, told him everything exactly as it had +occurred. + +"And the councillors said, 'O king, that father of thine, that protector +of the whole earth, that foremost of all persons obedient to the +scriptures, became addicted to the sports of the field, even as Pandu of +mighty arms, that foremost of all bearers of the bow in battle. He made +over to us all the affairs of state from the most trivial to the most +important. One day, going into the forest, he pierced a deer with an arrow. +And having pierced it he followed it quickly on foot into the deep woods, +armed with sword and quiver. He could not, however, come upon the lost +deer. Sixty years of age and decrepit, he was soon fatigued and became +hungry. He then saw in the deep woods a high-souled Rishi. The Rishi was +then observing the vow of silence. The king asked him about the deer, but, +though asked, he made no reply. At last the king, already tired with +exertion and hunger, suddenly became angry with that Rishi sitting +motionless like a piece of wood in observance of his vow of silence. +Indeed, the king knew not that he was a Muni observing the vow of silence. +Swayed by anger, thy father insulted him. O excellent one of the Bharata +race, the king, thy father taking up from the ground with the end of his +bow a dead snake placed it on the shoulders of that Muni of pure soul. But +the Muni spake not a word good or bad and was without anger. He continued +in the same posture, bearing the dead snake.'" + + +SECTION L + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti continued, "The ministers said, 'That king of kings then, spent +with hunger and exertion, and having placed the snake upon the shoulders +of that Muni, came back to his capital. The Muni had a son, born of a cow, +of the name of Sringin. He was widely known, possessed of great prowess +and energy, and very wrathful. Going (every day) to his preceptor he was +in the habit of worshipping him. Commanded by him, Sringin was returning +home, when he heard from a friend of his about the insult of his father by +thy parent. And, O tiger among kings, he heard that his father, without +having committed any fault, was bearing, motionless like a statue, upon +his shoulders a dead snake placed thereon. O king, the Rishi insulted by +thy father was severe in ascetic penances, the foremost of Munis, the +controller of passions, pure, and ever engaged in wonderful acts. His soul +was enlightened with ascetic penances, and his organs and their functions +were under complete control. His practices and his speech were both very +nice. He was contented and without avarice. He was without meanness of any +kind and without envy. He was old and used to observe the vow of silence. +And he was the refuge whom all creatures might seek in distress. + +"'Such was the Rishi insulted by thy father. The son, however, of that +Rishi, in wrath, cursed thy father. Though young in years, the powerful +one was old in ascetic splendour. Speedily touching water, he spake, +burning as it were with spiritual energy and rage, these words in allusion +to thy father, "Behold the power of my asceticism! Directed by my words, +the snake Takshaka of powerful energy and virulent poison, shall, within +seven nights hence, burn with his poison the wretch that hath placed the +dead snake upon my un-offending father." And having said this, he went to +where his father was. And seeing his father he told him of his curse. The +tiger among Rishis thereupon sent to thy father a disciple of his, named +Gaurmukha, of amiable manners and possessed of every virtue. And having +rested a while (after arrival at court) he told the king everything, +saying in the words of his master, "Thou hast been cursed, O king, by my +son. Takshaka shall burn thee with his poison! Therefore, O king, be +careful." O Janamejaya, hearing those terrible words, thy father took +every precaution against the powerful snake Takshaka. + +"'And when the seventh day had arrived, a Brahmana Rishi, named Kasyapa, +desired to come to the monarch. But the snake Takshaka saw Kasyapa. And +the prince of snakes spake unto Kasyapa without loss of time, saying, +"Where dost thou go so quickly, and what is the business on which thou +goest?" Kasyapa replied, saying, "O Brahmana, I am going whither king +Parikshit, that best of the Kurus, is. He shall today be burnt by the +poison of the snake Takshaka. I go there quickly in order to cure him, in +fact, in order that, protected by me, the snake may not bite him to +death." Takshaka answered, saying, "Why dost thou seek to revive the king +to be bitten by me? I am that Takshaka. O Brahmana, behold the wonderful +power of my poison. Thou art incapable of reviving that monarch when bit +by me." So saying, Takshaka, then and there, bit a lord of the forest (a +banian tree). And the banian, as soon as it was bit by the snake, was +converted into ashes. But Kasyapa, O king, revived it. Takshaka thereupon +tempted him, saying, "Tell me thy desire." And Kasyapa, too, thus +addressed, spake again unto Takshaka, saying, "I go there from desire of +wealth." And Takshaka, thus addressed, then spake unto the high-souled +Kasyapa in these soft words, "O sinless one, take from me more wealth than +what thou expectest from that monarch, and go back!" And Kasyapa, that +foremost of men, thus addressed by the snake, and receiving from him as +much wealth as he desired, wended his way back. + +"'And Kasyapa going back, Takshaka, approaching in disguise, blasted, with +the fire of his poison, thy virtuous father, the first of kings, then +staying in his mansion with all precautions. And after that, thou hast, O +tiger among men, been installed (on the throne). And, O best of monarchs, +we have thus told thee all that we have seen and heard, cruel though the +account is. And hearing all about the discomfiture of thy royal father, +and of the insult to the Rishi Utanka, decide thou that which should +follow!'" + +Sauti continued, "King Janamejaya, that chastiser of enemies, then spake +upto all his ministers. And he said, 'When did ye learn all that happened +upon that banian reduced to ashes by Takshaka, and which, wonderful as it +is, was afterwards revived by Kasyapa? Assuredly, my father could not have +died, for the poison could have been neutralised by Kasyapa with his +mantras. That worst of snakes, of sinful soul, thought within his mind +that if Kasyapa resuscitated the king bit by him, he, Takshaka, would be +an object of ridicule in the world owing to the neutralisation of his +poison. Assuredly, having thought so, he pacified the Brahmana. I have +devised a way, however, of inflicting punishment upon him. I like to know, +however, what ye saw or heard, what happened in the deep solitude of the +forest,--viz., the words of Takshaka and the speeches of Kasyapa. Having +known it, I shall devise the means of exterminating the snake race.' + +"The ministers said, 'Hear, O monarch of him who told us before of the +meeting between that foremost Brahmana and that prince of snakes in the +woods. A certain person, O monarch, had climbed up that tree containing +some dry branches with the object of breaking them for sacrificial fuel. +He was not perceived either by the snake or by the Brahmana. And, O king, +that man was reduced to ashes along with the tree itself. And, O king of +kings, he was revived with the tree by the power of the Brahmana. That man, +a Brahmana's menial, having come to us, represented fully everything as it +happened between Takshaka and the Brahmana. Thus have we told thee, O king, +all that we have seen and heard. And having heard it, O tiger among kings, +ordain that which should follow.'" + +Sauti continued, "King Janamejaya, having listened to the words of his +ministers, was sorely afflicted with grief, and began to weep. And the +monarch began to squeeze his hands. And the lotus-eyed king began to +breathe a long and hot breath, shed tears, and shrieked aloud. And +possessed with grief and sorrow, and shedding copious tears, and touching +water according to the form, the monarch spake. And reflecting for a +moment, as if settling something in his mind, the angry monarch, +addressing all ministers, said these words. + +"'I have heard your account of my father's ascension to heaven. Know ye now +what my fixed resolve is. I think no time must be lost in avenging this +injury upon the wretch Takshaka that killed my father. He burnt my father +making Sringin only a secondary cause. From malignity alone he made +Kasyapa return. If that Brahmana had arrived, my father assuredly would +have lived. What would he have lost if the king had revived by the grace +of Kasyapa and the precautionary measures of his ministers? From ignorance +of the effects of my wrath, he prevented Kasyapa--that excellent of +Brahmanas--whom he could not defeat, from coming to my father with the +desire of reviving him. The act of aggression is great on the part of the +wretch Takshaka who gave wealth unto that Brahmana in order that he might +not revive the king. I must now avenge myself on my father's enemy to +please myself, the Rishi Utanka and you all.'" + + +SECTION LI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "King Janamejaya having said so, his ministers expressed +their approbation. And the monarch then expressed his determination to +perform a snake-sacrifice. And that lord of the Earth--that tiger of the +Bharata race--the son of Parikshit, then called his priest and Ritwiks. +And accomplished in speech, he spake unto them these words relating to the +accomplishment of his great task. 'I must avenge myself on the wretch +Takshaka who killed my father. Tell me what I must do. Do you know any act +by which I may cast into the blazing fire the snake Takshaka with his +relatives? I desire to burn that wretch even as he burnt, of yore, by the +fire of his poison, my father.' + +"The chief priest answered, 'There is, O king, a great sacrifice for thee +devised by the gods themselves. It is known as the snake-sacrifice, and is +read of in the Puranas. O king, thou alone canst accomplish it, and no one +else. Men versed in the Puranas have told us, there is such a sacrifice.'" + +Sauti continued, "Thus addressed, the king, O excellent one, thought +Takshaka to be already burnt and thrown into the blazing mouth of Agni, +the eater of the sacrificial butter. The king then said unto those +Brahmanas versed in mantras, 'I shall make preparations for that sacrifice. +Tell me the things that are necessary.' And the king's Ritwiks, O +excellent Brahmana, versed in the Vedas and acquainted with the rites of +that sacrifice measured, according to the scriptures, the land for the +sacrificial platform. And the platform was decked with valuable articles +and with Brahmanas. And it was full of precious things and paddy. And the +Ritwika sat upon it at ease. And after the sacrificial platform had been +thus constructed according to rule and as desired, they installed the king +at the snake-sacrifice for the attainment of its object. And before the +commencement of the snake-sacrifice that was to come, there occurred this +very important incident foreboding obstruction to the sacrifice. For when +the sacrificial platform was being constructed, a professional builder of +great intelligence and well-versed in the knowledge of laying foundations, +a Suta by caste, well-acquainted with the Puranas, said, 'The soil upon +which and the time at which the measurement for the sacrificial platform +has been made, indicate that this sacrifice will not be completed, a +Brahmana becoming the reason thereof.' Hearing this, the king, before his +installation, gave orders to his gate-keepers not to admit anybody without +his knowledge." + + +SECTION LII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "The snake-sacrifice then commenced according to due form. +And the sacrificial priests, competent in their respective duties +according to the ordinance, clad in black garments and their eyes red from +contact with smoke, poured clarified butter into the blazing fire, +uttering the appropriate mantras. And causing the hearts of all the snakes +to tremble with fear, they poured clarified butter into the mouth of Agni +uttering the names of the snakes. And the snakes thereupon began to fall +into the blazing fire, benumbed and piteously calling upon one another. +And swollen and breathing hard, and twining each other with their heads +and tails, they came in large numbers and fell into the fire. The white, +the black, the blue, the old and the young--all fell alike into the fire, +uttering various cries. Those measuring a krosa, and those measuring a +yojana, and those of the measure of a gokarna, fell continuously with +great violence into that first of all fires. And hundreds and thousands +and tens of thousands of snakes, deprived of all control over their limbs, +perished on that occasion. And amongst those that perished, there were +some that were like horses, other like trunks of elephants, and others of +huge bodies and strength like maddened elephants Of various colours and +virulent poison, terrible and looking like maces furnished with iron- +spikes, of great strength, ever inclined to bite, the snakes, afflicted +with their mother's curse, fell into the fire." + + +SECTION LIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Saunaka asked, "What great Rishis became the Ritwiks at the snake- +sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava line? Who also became +the Sadasyas in that terrible snake-sacrifice, so frightful to the snakes, +and begetting such sorrow in them? It behoveth thee to describe all these +in detail, so that, O son of Suta, we may know who were acquainted with +the rituals of the snake-sacrifice." + +Sauti replied, "I will recite the names of those wise ones who became the +monarch's Ritwiks and Sadasyas. The Brahmana Chandabhargava became the +Hotri in that sacrifice. He was of great reputation, and was born in the +race of Chyavana and was the foremost of those acquainted with the Vedas. +The learned old Brahmana, Kautsa, became the Udgatri, the chanter of the +Vedic hymns. Jaimini became the Brahmana, and Sarngarva and Pingala the +Adhvaryus, Vyasa with his son and disciples, and Uddalaka, Pramataka, +Swetaketu, Pingala, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kundajathara, +the Brahmana Kalaghata, Vatsya, old Srutasravas ever engaged in japa and +the study of the Vedas, Kohala Devasarman, Maudgalya, Samasaurava, and +many other Brahmanas who had got through the Vedas became the Sadasyas at +that sacrifice of the son of Parikshit. + +"When the Ritwiks in that snake-sacrifice began to pour clarified butter +into the fire, terrible snakes, striking fear into every creature, began +to fall into it. And the fat and the marrow of the snakes thus falling +into the fire began to flow in rivers. And the atmosphere was filled with +an insufferable stench owing to the incessant burning of the snakes. And +incessant also were the cries of the snakes fallen into the fire and those +in the air about to fall into it. + +"Meanwhile, Takshaka, that prince of snakes, as soon as he heard that king +Janamejaya was engaged in the sacrifice, went to the palace of Purandara +(Indra). And that best of snakes, having represented all that had taken +place, sought in terror the protection of Indra after having acknowledged +his fault. And Indra, gratified, told him, 'O prince of snakes, O Takshaka, +here thou hast no fear from that snake-sacrifice. The Grandsire was +pacified by me for thy sake. Therefore, thou hast no fear. Let this fear +of thy heart be allayed.'" + +Sauti continued, "Thus encouraged by him, that best of snakes began to +dwell in Indra's abode in joy and happiness. But Vasuki, seeing that the +snakes were incessantly falling into the fire and that his family was +reduced to only a few, became exceedingly sorry. And the king of the +snakes was afflicted with great grief, and his heart was about to break. +And summoning his sister, he spake unto her, saying, 'O amiable one, my +limbs are burning and I no longer see the points of the heavens. I am +about to fall down from loss of consciousness. My mind is turning, my +sight is falling and my heart is breaking. Benumbed, I may fall today into +that blazing fire! This sacrifice of the son of Parikshit is for the +extermination of our race. It is evident I also shall have to go to the +abode of the king of the dead. The time is come, O my sister, on account +of which thou wert bestowed by me on Jaratkaru to protect us with our +relatives. O best of the women of the snake race, Astika will put an end +to the sacrifice that is going on. The Grandsire told me this of old. +Therefore, O child, solicit thy dear son who is fully conversant with the +Vedas and regarded even by the old, for the protection of myself and also +of those dependent on me."' + + +SECTION LIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Then the snake-dame Jaratkaru, calling her own son, told him +the following words according to the directions of Vasuki, the king of the +snakes. 'O son, the time is come for the accomplishment of that object for +which I was bestowed on thy father by my brother. Therefore, do thou that +which should be done.' + +"Astika asked, 'Why wert thou, O mother, bestowed on my father by my +uncle? Tell me all truly so that on hearing it, I may do what is proper.' + +"Then Jaratkaru, the sister of the king of the snakes, herself unmoved by +the general distress, and even desirous of the welfare of her relatives, +said unto him, 'O son, it is said that the mother of all the snakes is +Kadru. Know thou why she cursed in anger her sons. Addressing the snakes +she said, "As ye have refused to falsely represent Uchchaihsravas, the +prince of horses, for bringing about Vinata's bondage according to the +wager, therefore, shall he whose charioteer is Vayu burn you all in +Janamejaya's sacrifice. And perishing in that sacrifice, ye shall go to +the region of the unredeemed spirits." The Grandsire of all the worlds +spake unto her while uttering this curse, "Be it so," and thus approved of +her speech. Vasuki, having heard that curse and then the words of the +Grandsire, sought the protection of the gods, O child, on the occasion +when the amrita was being churned for. And the gods, their object +fulfilled, for they had obtained the excellent amrita, with Vasuki ahead, +approached the Grandsire. And all the gods, with king Vasuki, sought to +incline Him who was born of the lotus to be propitious, so that the curse +might be made abortive. + +"'And the gods said, "O Lord, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, is sorry on +account of his relatives. How may his mother's curse prove abortive?" + +"'Brahman thereupon replied, saying, "Jaratkaru will take unto himself a +wife of the name of Jaratkaru; the Brahmana born of her will relieve the +snakes." + +"'Vasuki, the best of snakes, hearing those words, bestowed me, O thou of +godlike looks, on thy high-souled father some time before the commencement +of the sacrifice. And from that marriage thou art born of me. That time +has come. It behoveth thee to protect us from this danger. It behoveth +thee to protect my brother and myself from the fire, so that the object, +viz., our relief, for which I was bestowed on thy wise father, may not be +unfulfilled. What dost thou think, O son?'" + +Sauti continued, "Thus addressed, Astika said unto his mother, 'Yes, I +will.' And he then addressed the afflicted Vasuki, and as if infusing life +into him, said, 'O Vasuki, thou best of snakes, thou great being, truly do +I say, I shall relieve thee from that curse. Be easy, O snake! There is no +fear any longer. I shall strive earnestly so that good may come! Nobody +hath ever said that my speech, even in jest, hath proved false. Hence on +serious occasions like this, I need not say anything more, O uncle, going +thither today I shall gratify, with words mixed with blessings, the +monarch Janamejaya installed at the sacrifice, so that, O excellent one, +the sacrifice may stop. O highminded one, O king of the snakes, believe +all that I say. Believe me, my resolve can never be unfulfilled.' + +"And Vasuki then said, 'O Astika, my head swims and my heart breaks. I +cannot discern the points of the earth, as I am afflicted with a mother's +curse.' + +"And Astika said, 'Thou best of snakes, it behoveth thee not to grieve any +longer. I shall dispel this fear of thine from the blazing fire. This +terrible punishment, capable of burning like the fire at the end of the +Yuga, I shall extinguish. Nurse not thy fear any longer.'" + +Sauti continued, "Then that best of Brahmanas, Astika, quelling the +terrible fear of the Vasuki's heart, and taking it, as it were, on himself, +wended, for the relief of the king of the snakes, with speed to +Janamejaya's sacrifice blessed with every merit. And Astika having gone +thither, beheld the excellent sacrificial compound with numerous Sadasyas +on it whose splendour was like unto that of the Sun or Agni. But that best +of Brahmanas was refused admittance by the door-keepers. And the mighty +ascetic gratified them, being desirous of entering the sacrificial +compound. And that best of Brahmanas, that foremost of all virtuous men, +having entered the excellent sacrificial compound, began to adore the king +of infinite achievements, Ritwiks, the Sadasyas, and also the sacred +fire." + + +SECTION LV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Astika said, 'Soma and Varuna and Prajapati performed sacrifices of old +in Prayaga. But thy sacrifice, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of +Parikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear unto us be +blessed! Sakra performed a hundred sacrifices. But this sacrifice of thine, +O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, is fully equal to +ten thousand sacrifices of Sakra. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like +the sacrifice of Yama, of Harimedha, or of king Rantideva, is the +sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit. +Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like the sacrifice of Maya, of king +Sasavindu, or of king Vaisravana, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost +one of Bharata's race, O son of Satyavati, in which he himself was the +chief priest, is this sacrifice of Nriga, of Ajamida, of the son of +Dasaratha, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O +son of Parikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like the sacrifice of +king Yudhishthira, the son of a god and belonging to Ajamida race, heard +of (even) in the heavens, is this sacrifice of thine. O foremost one of +Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, let those dear unto us be blessed! +Like the sacrifice of Krishna (Dwaipayana), the son of Satyavati, in which +he himself was the chief priest, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost +one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear unto us be +blessed! These (Ritwiks and Sadasyas) that are here engaged in making thy +sacrifice, like unto that of the slayer of Vritra, are of splendour equal +to that of the sun. There now remains nothing for them to know, and gifts +made to them become inexhaustible (in merit). It is my conviction that +there is no Ritwik in all the worlds who is equal to thy Ritwik, +Dwaipayana. His disciples, becoming Ritwiks, competent for their duties, +travel over the earth. The high-souled bearer of libation (viz., Agni), +called also Vibhavasu and Chitrabhanu, having gold for his vital seed and +having his path, marked by black smoke, blazing up with flames inclined to +the right, beareth these thy libations of clarified butter to the gods. In +this world of men there is no other monarch equal to thee in the +protection of subjects. I am ever well-pleased with thy abstinence. Indeed, +thou art either Varuna, or Yama, the god of Justice. Like Sakra himself, +thunderbolt in hand, thou art, in this world, the protector of all +creatures. In this earth there is no man so great as thou and no monarch +who is thy equal in sacrifice. Thou art like Khatwanga, Nabhaga, and +Dilipa. In prowess thou art like Yayati and Mandhatri. In splendour equal +to the sun, and of excellent vows, thou art O monarch, like Bhishma! Like +Valmiki thou art of energy concealed. Like Vasishtha thou hast controlled +thy wrath. Like Indra is thy lordship. Thy splendour also shines like that +of Narayana. Like Yama art thou conversant with the dispensation of +justice. Thou art like Krishna adorned with every virtue. Thou art the +home of the good fortune that belongs to the Vasus. Thou art also the +refuge of the sacrifices. In strength thou art equal to Damvodbhava. Like +Rama (the son of Jamadagni) thou art conversant with the scriptures and +arms. In energy thou art equal to Aurva and Trita. Thou inspirest terror +by thy looks like Bhagiratha.'" + +Sauti said, "Astika, having thus adored them, gratified them all, viz., +the king, the Sadasyas, the Ritwiks and the sacrificial fire. And king +Janamejaya beholding the signs and indications manifested all around, +addressed them as follows." + + +SECTION LVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'Though this one is but a boy, he speaks yet like a wise +old man. He is not a boy but one wise and old. I think, I desire to bestow +on him a boon. Therefore, ye Brahmanas, give me the necessary permission.' + +"The Sadasyas said, 'A Brahmana, though a boy, deserves the respect of +kings. The learned ones do more so. This boy deserves every desire of his +being fulfilled by thee, but not before Takshaka comes with speed.'" + +Sauti continued, "The king, being inclined to grant the Brahmana a boon, +said 'Ask thou a boon.' The Hotri, however, being rather displeased, said, +'Takshaka hath not come as yet into this sacrifice.' + +"Janamejaya replied, 'Exert ye to the best of your might, so that this +sacrifice of mine may attain completion, and Takshaka also may soon come +here. He is my enemy.' + +"The Ritwiks replied, 'As the scriptures declare unto us, and as the fire +also saith, O monarch, (it seems that) Takshaka is now staying in the +abode of Indra, afflicted with fear.'" + +Sauti continued, "The illustrious Suta named Lohitaksha also, conversant +with the Puranas, had said so before. + +"Asked by the king on the present occasion he again told the monarch, +'Sire, it is even so as the Brahmanas have said--Knowing the Puranas, I +say, O monarch, that Indra hath granted him this boon, saying, "Dwell with +me in concealment, and Agni shall not burn thee."'" + +Sauti continued, "Hearing this, the king installed in the sacrifice +became very sorry and urged the Hotri to do his duty. And as the Hotri, +with mantras, began to pour clarified butter into the fire Indra himself +appeared on the scene. And the illustrious one came in his car, adorned by +all the gods standing around, followed by masses of clouds, celestial +singers, and the several bevies of celestial dancing girls. And Takshaka +anxious with fear, hid himself in the upper garment of Indra and was not +visible. Then the king in his anger again said unto his mantra-knowing +Brahmanas these words, bent upon the destruction of Takshaka, 'If the +snake Takshaka be in the abode of Indra, cast him into the fire with Indra +himself.'" + +Sauti continued, "Urged thus by the king Janamejaya about Takshaka, the +Hotri poured libations, naming that snake then staying there. And even as +the libations were poured, Takshaka, with Purandara himself, anxious and +afflicted, became visible in a moment in the skies. Then Purandara, seeing +that sacrifice, became much alarmed, and quickly casting Takshaka off, +went back to his own abode. After Indra had gone away, Takshaka, the +prince of snakes, insensible with fear, was by virtue of the mantras, +brought near enough the flames of the sacrificial fire. + +"The Ritwiks then said, 'O king of kings, the sacrifice of thine is being +performed duly. It behoveth thee, O Lord, to grant a boon now to this +first of Brahmanas.' + +"Janamejaya then said, 'Thou immeasurable one of such handsome and child- +like features, I desire to grant thee a worthy boon. Therefore, ask thou +that which thou desirest in thy heart. I promise thee, that I will grant +it even if it be ungrantable.' + +"The Ritwiks said, 'O monarch, behold, Takshaka is soon coming under thy +control! His terrible cries, and loud roar is being heard. Assuredly, the +snake hath been forsaken by the wielder of thunder. His body being +disabled by your mantras, he is falling from heaven. Even now, rolling in +the skies, and deprived of consciousness, the prince of snakes cometh, +breathing loudly.'" + +Sauti continued, "While Takshaka, the prince of snakes was about to fall +into the sacrificial fire, during those few moments Astika spoke as +follows, 'O Janamejaya, if thou wouldst grant me a boon, let this +sacrifice of thine come to an end and let no more snakes fall into the +fire.' + +"O Brahmana, the son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika, became +exceedingly sorry and replied unto Astika thus, 'O illustrious one, gold, +silver, kine, whatever other possessions thou desirest I shall give unto +thee. But let not my sacrifice come to an end.' + +"Astika thereupon replied, 'Gold, silver or kine, I do not ask of thee, O +monarch! But let thy sacrifice be ended so that my maternal relations be +relieved.'" + +Sauti continued, "The son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika, +repeatedly said this unto that foremost of speakers, 'Best of the +Brahmanas, ask some other boon. O, blessed be thou!' But, O thou of +Bhrigu's race, he did not beg any other boon. Then all the Sadasyas +conversant with the Vedas told the king in one voice, 'Let the Brahmana +receive his boon!'" + + +SECTION LVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +Saunaka said, "O son of a Suta, I desire to hear the names of all those +snakes that fell into the fire of this snake-sacrifice!" + +Sauti replied, "Many thousands and tens of thousands and billions of +snakes fell into the fire. O most excellent Brahmana, so great is the +number that I am unable to count them all. So far, however, as I remember, +hear the names I mention of the principal snakes cast into the fire. Hear +first the names of the principal ones of Vasuki's race alone, of colour +blue, red and white of terrible form and huge body and deadly poison. +Helpless and miserable and afflicted with their mother's curse, they fell +into the sacrificial fire like libations of butter. + +"Kotisa, Manasa, Purna, Cala, Pala Halmaka, Pichchala, Kaunapa, Cakra, +Kalavega, Prakalana, Hiranyavahu, Carana, Kakshaka, Kaladantaka--these +snakes born of Vasuki, fell into the fire. And, O Brahmana, numerous other +snakes well-born, and of terrible form and great strength, were burnt in +the blazing fire. I shall now mention those born in the race of Takshaka. +Hear thou their names. Puchchandaka, Mandalaka, Pindasektri, Ravenaka; +Uchochikha, Carava, Bhangas, Vilwatejas, Virohana; Sili, Salakara, Muka, +Sukumara, Pravepana, Mudgara and Sisuroman, Suroman and Mahahanu. These +snakes born of Takshaka fell into the fire. And Paravata, Parijata, +Pandara, Harina, Krisa, Vihanga, Sarabha, Meda, Pramoda, Sauhatapana-- +these born in the race of Airavata fell into the fire. Now hear, O best of +Brahmanas, the names of the snakes I mention born in the race of Kauravya: +Eraka, Kundala Veni, Veniskandha, Kumaraka, Vahuka, Sringavera, Dhurtaka, +Pratara and Astaka. These born in the race of Kauravya fell into the fire. +Now hear the names I mention, in order, of those snakes endued with the +speed of the wind and with virulent poison, born in the race of +Dhritarashtra: Sankukarna, Pitharaka, Kuthara, Sukhana, and Shechaka; +Purnangada, Purnamukha, Prahasa, Sakuni, Dari, Amahatha, Kumathaka, +Sushena, Vyaya, Bhairava, Mundavedanga, Pisanga, Udraparaka, Rishabha, +Vegavat, Pindaraka; Raktanga, Sarvasaranga, Samriddha, Patha and Vasaka; +Varahaka, Viranaka, Suchitra, Chitravegika, Parasara, Tarunaka, +Maniskandha and Aruni. + +"O Brahmana, thus I have recited the names of the principal snakes known +widely for their achievements--I have not been able to name all, the +number being countless. The sons of these snakes, the sons of those sons, +that were burnt having fallen into the fire, I am unable to mention. They +are so many! Some of three heads, some of seven, others of ten, of poison +like unto the fire at the end of the yuga and terrible in form,--they were +burnt by thousands! + +"Many others, of huge bodies, of great speed, tall as mountain summits, of +the length of a yama, of a yojana, and of two yojanas, capable of assuming +at will any form and of mastering at will any degree of strength, of +poison like unto blazing fire, afflicted by the curse of a mother, were +burnt in that great sacrifice." + + +SECTION LVIII + +(Astika Parva, continued) + +Sauti said, "Listen now to another very wonderful incident in connection +with Astika. When king Janamejaya was about to gratify Astika by granting +the boon, the snake (Takshaka), thrown off Indra's hands, remained in mid +without actually falling. King Janamejaya thereupon became curious, for +Takshaka, afflicted with fear, did not at once fall into the fire although +libations were poured in proper form into the blazing sacrificial Agni in +his name." + +Saunaka said, "Was it, O Suta, that the mantras of those wise Brahmanas +were not potent; since Takshaka did not fall into the fire?" + +Sauti replied, "Unto the unconscious Takshaka, that best of snakes, after +he had been cast off Indra's hands, Astika had thrice said, 'Stay,' +'Stay,' 'Stay.' And he succeeded in staying in the skies, with afflicted +heart, like a person somehow staying between the welkin and the earth. + +"The king then, on being repeatedly urged by his Sadasyas, said, 'Let it +be done as Astika hath said. Let the sacrifice be ended, let the snakes be +safe, let this Astika also be gratified, O Suta, thy words also be true.' +When the boon was granted to Astika, plaudits expressive of joy rang +through the air. Thus the sacrifice of the son of Parikshit--that king of +the Pandava race--came to an end. The king Janamejaya of the Bharata race +was himself pleased, and on the Ritwiks with the Sadasyas, and on all who +had come there, the king, bestowed money by hundreds and thousands. And +unto Suta Lohitaksha--conversant with the rules of building and +foundations--who had at the commencement said that a Brahmana would be the +cause of the interruption of the snake-sacrifice, the king gave much +wealth. The king, of uncommon kindness, also gave him various things, with +food and wearing apparel, according to his desire, and became very much +pleased. Then he concluded his sacrifice according to the prescribed rites, +and after treating him with every respect, the king in joy sent home the +wise Astika exceedingly gratified, for he had attained his object. And the +king said unto him, 'Thou must come again to become a Sadasya in my great +Horse-sacrifice.' And Astika said, 'yes' and then returned home in great +joy, having achieved his great end after gratifying the monarch. And +returning in joy to his uncle and mother and touching their feet, he +recounted to them everything as it had happened." + +Sauti continued, "Hearing all he had said, the snakes that had come +thither became very much delighted, and their fears were allayed. They +were much pleased with Astika and asked him to solicit a boon, saying, 'O +learned one, what good shall we do unto thee? We have been very much +gratified, having been all saved by thee. What shall we accomplish for +thee, O child!' + +"Astika said, 'Let those Brahmanas, and other men, who shall, in the +morning or in the evening, cheerfully and with attention, read the sacred +account of this my act, have no fear from any of you.' And the snakes in +joy thereupon said, 'O nephew, in the nature of thy boon, let it be +exactly as thou sayest. That which thou askest we all shall cheerfully do, +O nephew! And those also that call to mind Astika, Artiman and Sunitha, in +the day or in the night, shall have no fear of snakes. He again shall have +no fear of snakes who will say, "I call to mind the famous Astika born of +Jaratkaru, that Astika who saved the snakes from the snake-sacrifice. +Therefore, ye snakes of great good fortune, it behoveth you not to bite me. +But go ye away, blessed be ye, or go away thou snake of virulent poison, +and remember the words of Astika after the snake sacrifice of Janamejaya. +That snake who does not cease from biting after hearing such mention of +Astika, shall have his hood divided a hundredfold like the fruit of Sinsa +tree."'" + +Sauti continued, "That first of Brahmanas, thus addressed by the foremost +of the chief snakes assembled together, was very much gratified. And the +high-souled one then set his heart upon going away. + +"And that best of Brahmanas, having saved the snakes from the snake- +sacrifice, ascended to heaven when his time came, leaving sons and +grandsons behind him. + +"Thus have I recited to thee this history of Astika exactly as it happened. +Indeed, the recitation of this history dispelleth all fear of snakes." + +Sauti continued, "O Brahmanas, O foremost one of Bhrigu's race, as thy +ancestor Pramati had cheerfully narrated unto his inquiring son Ruru, and +as I had heard it, thus have I recited this blessed history, from the +beginning, of the learned Astika. And, O Brahmana, O oppressor of all +enemies, having heard this holy history of Astika that increaseth virtue, +and which thou hadst asked me about after hearing the story of the +Dundubha, let thy ardent curiosity be satisfied." + + +SECTION LIX + +(Adivansavatarana Parva) + +Saunaka said, "O son, thou hast narrated to me this extensive and great +history commencing from the progeny of Bhrigu. O son of Suta, I have been +much gratified with thee. I ask thee again, to recite to me, O son of a +Suta, the history composed by Vyasa. The varied and wonderful narrations +that were recited amongst those illustrious Sadasyas assembled at the +sacrifice, in the intervals of their duties of that long-extending +ceremony, and the objects also of those narrations, I desire to hear from +thee, O son of a Suta! Recite therefore, all those to me fully." + +Sauti said, "The Brahmanas, in the intervals of the duties, spoke of many +things founded upon the Vedas. But Vyasa recited the wonderful and great +history called the Bharata." + +Saunaka said, "That sacred history called the Mahabharata, spreading the +fame of the Pandavas, which Krishna-Dwaipayana, asked by Janamejaya, +caused to be duly recited after the completion of the sacrifice, I desire +to hear duly. That history hath been born of the ocean-like mind of the +great Rishi of soul purified by yoga. Thou foremost of good men, recite it +unto me, for, O son of a Suta, my thirst hath not been appeased by all +thou hast said." + +Sauti said, "I shall recite to thee from the beginning of that great and +excellent history called the Mahabharata composed by Vyasa. O Brahmana, +listen to it in full, as I recite it. I myself feel a great pleasure in +reciting it." + + +SECTION LX + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +Sauti said, "Hearing that Janamejaya was installed in the snake-sacrifice, +the learned Rishi Krishna-Dwaipayana went thither on the occasion. And he, +the grand-father of the Pandavas, was born in an island of the Yamuna, of +the virgin Kali by Sakti's son, Parasara. And the illustrious one +developed by his will alone his body as soon as he was born, and mastered +the Vedas with their branches, and all the histories. And he readily +obtained that which no one could obtain by asceticism, by the study of the +Vedas, by vows, by fasts, by progeny, and by sacrifice. And the first of +Veda-knowing ones, he divided the Vedas into four parts. And the Brahmana +Rishi had knowledge of the supreme Brahma, knew the past by intuition, was +holy, and cherished truth. Of sacred deeds and great fame, he begot Pandu +and Dhritarashtra and Vidura in order to continue the line of Santanu. + +"And the high-souled Rishi, with his disciples all conversant with the +Vedas and their branches, entered the sacrificial pavilion of the royal +sage, Janamejaya. And he saw that the king Janamejaya was seated in the +sacrificial region like the god Indra, surrounded by numerous Sadasyas, by +kings of various countries whose coronal locks had undergone the sacred +bath, and by competent Ritwiks like unto Brahman himself. And that +foremost one of Bharata's race, the royal sage Janamejaya, beholding the +Rishi come, advanced quickly with his followers and relatives in great joy. +And the king with the approval of his Sadasyas, gave the Rishi a golden +seat as Indra did to Vrihaspati. And when the Rishi, capable of granting +boons and adored by the celestial Rishis themselves, had been seated, the +king of kings worshipped him according to the rites of the scriptures. And +the king then offered him--his grandfather Krishna--who fully deserved +them, water to wash his feet and mouth, and the Arghya, and kine. And +accepting those offerings from the Pandava Janamejaya and ordering the +kine also not to be slain, Vyasa became much gratified. And the king, +after those adorations bowed to his great-grandfather, and sitting in joy +asked him about his welfare. And the illustrious Rishi also, casting his +eyes upon him and asking him about his welfare, worshipped the Sadasyas, +having been before worshipped by them all. And after all this, Janamejaya +with all his Sadasyas, questioned that first of Brahmanas, with joined +palms as follows: + +"'O Brahmana, thou hast seen with thy own eyes the acts of the Kurus and +the Pandavas. I am desirous of hearing thee recite their history. What was +the cause of the disunion amongst them that was fruitful of such +extraordinary deeds? Why also did that great battle, which caused the +death of countless creatures occur between all my grandfathers--their +clear sense over-clouded by fate? O excellent Brahmana, tell me all this +in full as everything had happened.' + +"Hearing those words of Janamejaya, Krishna-Dwaipayana directed his +disciple Vaisampayana seated by his side, saying, 'The discord that +happened between the Kurus and the Pandavas of old, narrate all to the +king even as thou hast heard from me.' + +"Then that blessed Brahmana, at the command of his preceptor recited the +whole of that history unto the king, the Sadasyas, and all the chieftains +there assembled. And he told them all about the hostility and the utter +extinction of the Kurus and the Pandavas." + + +SECTION LXI + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Bowing down in the first place to my preceptor with +the eight parts of my body touching the ground, with devotion and +reverence, and with all my heart, worshipping the whole assembly of +Brahmanas and other learned persons, I shall recite in full what I have +heard from the high-souled and great Rishi Vyasa, the first of intelligent +men in the three worlds. And having got it within thy reach, O monarch, +thou also art a fit person to hear the composition called Bharata. +Encouraged by the command of my preceptor my heart feeleth no fear. + +"'Hear, O monarch, why that disunion occurred between the Kurus and the +Pandavas, and why also that exile into the woods immediately proceeding +from the game at dice prompted by the desire (of the Kurus) for rule. I +shall relate all to thee who askest it thou best of the Bharata race! + +"'On the death of their father those heroes (the Pandavas) came to their +own home. And within a short time they became well-versed in archery. And +the Kurus beholding the Pandavas gifted with physical strength, energy, +and power of mind, popular also with the citizens, and blessed with good +fortune, became very jealous. Then the crookedminded Duryodhana, and Karna, +with (the former's uncle) the son of Suvala began to persecute them and +devise means for their exile. Then the wicked Duryodhana, guided by the +counsels of Sakuni (his maternal uncle), persecuted the Pandavas in +various ways for the acquirement of undisputed sovereignty. The wicked son +of Dhritarashtra gave poison to Bhima, but Bhima of the stomach of the +wolf digested the poison with the food. Then the wretch again tied the +sleeping Bhima on the margin of the Ganges and, casting him into the water, +went away. But when Bhimasena of strong arms, the son of Kunti woke, he +tore the strings with which he had been tied and came up, his pains all +gone. And while asleep and in the water black snakes of virulent poison +bit him in every part of his body. But that slayer of foes did not still +perish. And in all those persecutions of the Pandavas by their cousins, +the Kurus, the high-minded Vidura attentively engaged himself neutralising +those evil designs and rescuing the persecuted ones. And as Sakra from the +heavens keeps in happiness the world of men, so did Vidura always keep the +Pandavas from evil. + +"'When Duryodhana, with various means, both secret and open, found himself +incapable of destroying the Pandavas who were protected by the fates and +kept alive for grave future purposes (such as the extermination of the +Kuru race), then called together his counsellors consisting of Vrisha +(Karna), Duhsasana and others, and with the knowledge of Dhritarashtra +caused a house of lac to be constructed. And king Dhritarashtra, from +affection for his children, and prompted by the desire of sovereignty, +sent the Pandavas tactfully into Varanavata. And the Pandavas then went +away with their mother from Hastinapura. And when they were leaving the +city, Vidura gave them some idea of impending danger and how they could +come out of it. + +"'The sons of Kunti reached the town of Varanavata and lived there with +their mother. And, agreeably to the command of Dhritarashtra, those +illustrious slayers of all enemies lived in the palace of lac, while in +that town. And they lived in that place for one year, protecting +themselves from Purochana very wakefully. And causing a subterranean +passage to be constructed, acting according to the directions of Vidura, +they set fire to that house of lac and burnt Purochana (their enemy and +the spy of Duryodhana) to death. Those slayers of all enemies, anxious +with fear, then fled with their mother. In the woods beside a fountain +they saw a Rakshasa. But, alarmed at the risk they ran of exposure by such +an act the Pandavas fled in the darkness, out of fear from the sons of +Dhritarashtra. It was here that Bhima gained Hidimva (the sister of the +Rakshasa he slew) for a wife, and it was of her that Ghatotkacha was born. +Then the Pandavas, of rigid vows, and conversant with the Vedas wended to +a town of the name of Ekachakra and dwelt there in the guise of +Brahmacharins. And those bulls among men dwelt in that town in the house +of a Brahmana for some time, with temperance and abstinence. And it was +here that Bhima of mighty arms came upon a hungry and mighty and man- +eating Rakshasa of the name of Vaka. And Bhima, the son of Pandu, that +tiger among men, slew him speedily with the strength of his arms and made +the citizens safe and free from fear. Then they heard of Krishna (the +princess of Panchala) having become disposed to select a husband from +among the assembled princes. And, hearing of it, they went to Panchala, +and there they obtained the maiden. And having obtained Draupadi (as their +common wife) they then dwelt there for a year. And after they became known, +those chastisers of all enemies went back to Hastinapura. And they were +then told by king Dhritarashtra and the son of Santanu (Bhishma) as +follows: 'In order, O dear ones, dissensions may not take place between +you and your cousins, we have settled that Khandavaprastha should be your +abode. Therefore, go ye, casting off all jealousy, to Khandavaprastha +which contains many towns served by many broad roads, for dwelling there.' +And accordingly the Pandavas went, with all their friends and followers, +to Khandavaprastha taking with them many jewels and precious stones. And +the sons of Pritha dwelt there for many years. And they brought, by force +of arms, many a prince under their subjection. And thus, setting their +hearts on virtue and firmly adhering to truth, unruffled by affluence, +calm in deportment, and putting down numerous evils, the Pandavas +gradually rose to power. And Bhima of great reputation subjugated the East, +the heroic Arjuna, the North, Nakula, the West, Sahadeva that slayer of +all hostile heroes, the South. And this having been done, their domination +was spread over the whole world. And with the five Pandavas, each like +unto the Sun, the Earth looked as if she had six Suns. + +"'Then, for some reason, Yudhishthira the just, gifted with great energy +and prowess, sent his brother Arjuna who was capable of drawing the bow +with the left hand, dearer unto him than life itself, into the woods. And +Arjuna, that tiger among men, of firm soul, and gifted with every virtue, +lived in the woods for eleven years and months. And during this period, on +a certain occasion, Arjuna went to Krishna in Dwaravati. And Vibhatsu +(Arjuna) there obtained for a wife the lotus-eyed and sweet-speeched +younger sister of Vasudeva, Subhadra by name. And she became united, in +gladness, with Arjuna, the son of Pandu, like Sachi with the great Indra, +or Sri with Krishna himself. And then, O best of monarchs, Arjuna, the son +of Kunti, with Vasudeva, gratified Agni, the carrier of the sacrificial +butter, in the forest of Khandava (by burning the medicinal plants in that +woods to cure Agni of his indigestion). And to Arjuna, assisted as he was +by Kesava, the task did not at all appear heavy even as nothing is heavy +to Vishnu with immense design and resources in the matter of destroying +his enemies. And Agni gave unto the son of Pritha the excellent bow +Gandiva and a quiver that was inexhaustible, and a war-chariot bearing the +figure of Garuda on its standard. And it was on this occasion that Arjuna +relieved the great Asura (Maya) from fear (of being consumed in the fire). +And Maya, in gratitude, built (for the Pandavas) a celestial palace decked +with every sort of jewels and precious stones. And the wicked Duryodhana, +beholding that building, was tempted with the desire of possessing it. And +deceiving Yudhishthira by means of the dice played through the hands of +the son of Suvala, Duryodhana sent the Pandavas into the woods for twelve +years and one additional year to be passed in concealment, thus making the +period full thirteen. + +"'And the fourteenth year, O monarch, when the Pandavas returned and +claimed their property, they did not obtain it. And thereupon war was +declared, and the Pandavas, after exterminating the whole race of +Kshatriyas and slaying king Duryodhana, obtained back their devastated +kingdom. + +"'This is the history of the Pandavas who never acted under the influence +of evil passions; and this the account, O first of victorious monarchs of +the disunion that ended in the loss of their kingdom by the Kurus and the +victory of the Pandavas.'" + + +SECTION LXII + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O excellent Brahmana, thou hast, indeed, told me, in +brief, the history, called Mahabharata, of the great acts of the Kurus. +But, O thou of ascetic wealth, recite now that wonderful narration fully. +I feel a great curiosity to hear it. It behoveth thee to recite it, +therefore, in full. I am not satisfied with hearing in a nutshell the +great history. That could never have been a trifling cause for which the +virtuous ones could slay those whom they should not have slain, and for +which they are yet applauded by men. Why also did those tigers among men, +innocent and capable of avenging themselves upon their enemies, calmly +suffer the persecution of the wicked Kurus? Why also, O best of Brahmanas, +did Bhima of mighty arms and of the strength of ten thousand elephants, +control his anger, though wronged? Why also did the chaste Krishna, the +daughter of Drupada, wronged by those wretches and able to burn them, not +burn the sons of Dhritarashtra with her wrathful eyes? Why also did the +two other sons of Pritha (Bhima and Arjuna) and the two sons of Madri +(Nakula and Sahadeva), themselves injured by the wretched Kurus, follow +Yudhishthira who was greatly addicted to the evil habit of gambling? Why +also did Yudhishthira, that foremost of all virtuous men, the son of +Dharma himself, fully acquainted with all duties, suffer that excess of +affliction? Why also did the Pandava Dhananjaya, having Krishna for his +charioteer, who by his arrows sent to the other world that dauntless host +of fighting men (suffer such persecution)? O thou of ascetic wealth, speak +to me of all these as they took place, and everything that those mighty +charioteers achieved.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O monarch, appoint thou a time for hearing it. This +history told by Krishna-Dwaipayana is very extensive. This is but the +beginning. I shall recite it. I shall repeat the whole of the composition +in full, of the illustrious and great Rishi Vyasa of immeasurable mental +power, and worshipped in all the worlds. This Bharata consists of a +hundred thousand sacred slokas composed by the son of Satyavati, of +immeasurable mental power. He that reads it to others, and they that hear +it read, attain to the world of Brahman and become equal to the very gods. +This Bharata is equal unto the Vedas, is holy and excellent; is the +worthiest of all to be listened to, and is a Purana worshipped by the +Rishis. It contains much useful instruction on Artha and Kama (profit and +pleasure). This sacred history maketh the heart desire for salvation. +Learned persons by reciting this Veda of Krishna-Dwaipayana to those that +are liberal, truthful and believing, earn much wealth. Sins, such as +killing the embryo in the womb, are destroyed assuredly by this. A person, +however cruel and sinful, by hearing this history, escapes from all his +sins like the Sun from Rahu (after the eclipse is over). This history is +called Jaya. It should be heard by those desirous of victory. A king by +hearing it may bring the whole world under subjection and conquer all his +foes. This history in itself is a mighty act of propitiation, a mighty +sacrifice productive of blessed fruit. It should always be heard by a +young monarch with his queen, for then they beget a heroic son or a +daughter to occupy a throne. This history is the high and sacred science +of Dharma, Artha, and also of Moksha; it hath been so said by Vyasa +himself of mind that is immeasurable. This history is recited in the +present age and will be recited in the future. They that hear it read, +have sons and servants always obedient to them and doing their behests. +All sins that are committed by body, word, or mind, immediately leave them +that hear this history. They who hear, without the spirit of fault finding, +the story of the birth of the Bharata princes, can have no fear of +maladies, let alone the fear of the other world. + +"'For extending the fame of the high-souled Pandavas and of other +Kshatriyas versed in all branches of knowledge, high spirited, and already +known in the world for their achievements, Krishna-Dwaipayana, guided also +by the desire of doing good to the world, hath composed this work. It is +excellent, productive of fame, grants length of life, is sacred and +heavenly. He who, from desire of acquiring religious merit, causeth this +history to be heard by sacred Brahmanas, acquireth great merit and virtue +that is inexhaustible. He that reciteth the famous generation of the Kurus +becometh immediately purified and acquireth a large family himself, and +becometh respected in the world. That Brahmana who regularly studies this +sacred Bharata for the four months of the rainy season, is cleansed from +all his sins. He that has read the Bharata may be regarded as one +acquainted with the Vedas. + +"'This work presents an account of the gods and royal sages and sacred +regenerate Rishis, the sinless Kesava; the god of gods, Mahadeva and the +goddess Parvati; the birth of Kartikeya who sprang from union of Parvati +with Mahadeva and was reared by many mothers; the greatness of Brahmanas +and of kine. This Bharata is a collection of all the Srutis, and is fit to +be heard by every virtuous person. That learned man who reciteth it to +Brahmanas during the sacred lunations, becometh cleansed of all sins, and, +not caring for heaven as it were, attaineth to a union with Brahma. He +that causeth even a single foot of this poem to be heard by Brahmanas +during the performance of a Sraddha, maketh that Sraddha inexhaustible, +the Pitris becoming ever gratified with the articles once presented to +them. The sins that are committed daily by our senses or the mind, those +that are committed knowingly or unknowingly by any man, are all destroyed +by hearing the Mahabharata. The history of the exalted birth of the +Bharata princes is called the Mahabharata. He who knoweth this etymology +of the name is cleansed of all his sins. And as this history of the +Bharata race is so wonderful, that, when recited, it assuredly purifieth +mortals from all sins. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana completed his work in +three years. Rising daily and purifying himself and performing his ascetic +devotions, he composed this Mahabharata. Therefore, this should be heard +by Brahmanas with the formality of a vow. He who reciteth this holy +narration composed by Krishna (Vyasa) for the hearing of others, and they +who hear it, in whatever state he or they may be, can never be affected by +the fruit of deeds, good or bad. The man desirous of acquiring virtue +should hear it all. This is equivalent to all histories, and he that +heareth it always attaineth to purity of heart. The gratification that one +deriveth from attaining to heaven is scarcely equal to that which one +deriveth from hearing this holy history. The virtuous man who with +reverence heareth it or causeth it to be heard, obtaineth the fruit of the +Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice. The Bharata is said to be as much a mine +of gems as the vast Ocean or the great mountain Meru. This history is +sacred and excellent, and is equivalent to the Vedas, worthy of being +heard, pleasing to the ear, sin-cleansing, and virtue-increasing. O +monarch, he that giveth a copy of the Bharata to one that asketh for it +doth indeed make a present of the whole earth with her belt of seas. O son +of Parikshit, this pleasant narration that giveth virtue and victory I am +about to recite in its entirety: listen to it. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana +regularly rising for three years, composed this wonderful history called +Mahabharata. O bull amongst the Bharata monarchs, whatever is spoken about +virtue, wealth, pleasure, and salvation may be seen elsewhere; but +whatever is not contained in this is not to be found anywhere.'" + + +SECTION LXIII + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a king of the name of Uparichara. That +monarch was devoted to virtue. He was very much addicted also to hunting. +That king of the Paurava race, called also Vasu, conquered the excellent +and delightful kingdom of Chedi under instructions from Indra. Some time +after, the king gave up the use of arms and, dwelling in a secluded +retreat, practised the most severe austerities. The gods with Indra at +their head once approached the monarch during this period, believing that +he sought the headship of the gods, by those severe austerities of his. +The celestials, becoming objects of his sight, by soft speeches succeeded +in winning him away from his ascetic austerities. + +"'The gods said, "O lord of the earth, thou shouldst take care so that +virtue may not sustain a diminution on earth! Protected by thee, virtue +itself will in return protect the universe." And Indra said, "O king, +protect virtue on earth attentively and rigidly. Being virtuous, thou +shalt, for all time, behold (in after life) many sacred regions. And +though I am of Heaven, and thou art of earth, yet art thou my friend and +dear to me. And, O king of men, dwell thou in that region on earth which +is delightful, and aboundeth in animals, is sacred, full of wealth and +corn, is well-protected like heaven, which is of agreeable climate, graced +with every object of enjoyment, and blessed with fertility. And, O monarch +of Chedi, this thy dominion is full of riches, of gems and precious stones, +and containeth, besides, much mineral wealth. The cities and towns of this +region are all devoted to virtue; the people are honest and contented; +they never lie even in jest. Sons never divide their wealth with their +fathers and are ever mindful of the welfare of their parents. Lean cattle +are never yoked to the plough or the cart or engaged in carrying +merchandise; on the other hand, they are well-fed and fattened. In Chedi +the four orders are always engaged in their respective vocations. Let +nothing be unknown to thee that happens in the three worlds. I shall give +thee a crystal car such as the celestials alone are capable of carrying +the car through mid air. Thou alone, of all mortals on earth, riding on +that best of cars, shall course through mid-air like a celestial endued +with a physical frame. I shall also give thee a triumphal garland of +unfading lotuses, with which on, in battle, thou shall not be wounded by +weapons. And, O king, this blessed and incomparable garland, widely known +on earth as Indra's garland, shall be thy distinctive badge." + +"'The slayer of Vritra (Indra) also gave the king, for his gratification, a +bamboo pole for protecting the honest and the peaceful. After the expiry +of a year, the king planted it in the ground for the purpose of +worshipping the giver thereof, viz., Sakra. From that time forth, O +monarch, all kings, following Vasu's example, began to plant a pole for +the celebration of Indra's worship. After erecting the pole they decked it +with golden cloth and scents and garlands and various ornaments. And the +god Vasava is worshipped in due form with such garlands and ornaments. And +the god, for the gratification of the illustrious Vasu, assuming the form +of a swan, came himself to accept the worship thus offered. And the god, +beholding the auspicious worship thus made by Vasu, that first of monarchs, +was delighted, and said unto him, "Those men, and kings also, who will +worship me and joyously observe this festival of mine like the king of +Chedi, shall have glory and victory for their countries and kingdom. Their +cities also shall expand and be ever in joy." + +"'King Vasu was thus blessed by the gratified Maghavat, the high-souled +chief of the gods. Indeed, those men who cause this festivity of Sakra to +be observed with gifts of land, of gems and precious stones, become the +respected of the world. And king Vasu, the lord of Chedis bestowing boons +and performing great sacrifices and observing the festivity of Sakra, was +much respected by Indra. And from Chedi he ruled the whole world +virtuously. And for the gratification of Indra, Vasu, the lord of the +Chedis, observed the festivity of Indra. + +"'And Vasu had five sons of great energy and immeasurable prowess. And the +emperor installed his sons as governors of various provinces. + +"'And his son Vrihadratha was installed in Magadha and was known by the +name of Maharatha. Another son of his was Pratyagraha; and another, +Kusamva, who was also called Manivahana. And the two others were Mavella, +and Yadu of great prowess and invincible in battle. + +"'These, O monarch, were the sons of that royal sage of mighty energy. And +the five sons of Vasu planted kingdoms and towns after their own names and +founded separate dynasties that lasted for long ages. + +"'And when king Vasu took his seat in that crystal car, with the gift of +Indra, and coursed through the sky, he was approached by Gandharvas and +Apsaras (the celestial singers and dancers). And as he coursed through the +upper regions, he was called Uparichara. And by his capital flowed a river +called Suktimati. And that river was once attacked by a life-endued +mountain called Kolahala maddened by lust. And Vasu, beholding the foul +attempt, struck the mountain with his foot. And by the indentation caused +by Vasu's stamp, the river came out (of the embraces of Kolahala). But the +mountain begat on the river two children that were twins. And the river, +grateful to Vasu for his having set her free from Kolahala's embraces, +gave them both to Vasu. And the son was made the generalissimo to his +forces by Vasu, that best of royal sages and giver of wealth and punisher +of enemies. And the daughter called Girika, was wedded by Vasu. + +"'And Girika, the wife of Vasu, after her menstrual course, purifying +herself by a bath, represented her state unto her lord. But that very day +the Pitris of Vasu came unto that best of monarchs and foremost of wise +men, and asked him to slay deer (for their Sraddha). And the king, +thinking that the command of the Pitris should not be disobeyed, went a- +hunting thinking of Girika alone who was gifted with great beauty and like +unto another Sri herself. And the season being the spring, the woods +within which the king was roaming, had become delightful like unto the +gardens of the king of the Gandharvas himself. There were Asokas and +Champakas and Chutas and Atimuktas in abundance: and there were Punnagas +and Karnikaras and Vakulas and Divya Patalas and Patalas and Narikelas and +Chandanas and Arjunas and similar other beautiful and sacred trees +resplendent with fragrant flowers and sweet fruits. And the whole forest +was maddened by the sweet notes of the kokila and echoed with the hum of +maddened bees. And the king became possessed with desire, and he saw not +his wife before him. Maddened by desire he was roaming hither and thither, +when he saw a beautiful Asoka decked with dense foliage, its branches +covered with flowers. And the king sat at his ease in the shade of that +tree. And excited by the fragrance of the season and the charming odours +of the flowers around, and excited also by the delicious breeze, the king +could not keep his mind away from the thought of the beautiful Girika. And +beholding that a swift hawk was resting very near to him, the king, +acquainted with the subtle truths of Dharma and Artha, went unto him and +said, "Amiable one, carry thou this seed (semen) for my wife Girika and +give it unto her. Her season hath arrived." + +"'The hawk, swift of speed, took it from the king and rapidly coursed +through the air. While thus passing, the hawk was seen by another of his +species. Thinking that the first one was carrying meat, the second one +flew at him. The two fought with each other in the sky with their beaks. +While they were fighting, the seed fell into the waters of the Yamuna. And +in those waters dwelt an Apsara of the higher rank, known by the name of +Adrika, transformed by a Brahmana's curse into a fish. As soon as Vasu's +seed fell into the water from the claws of the hawk, Adrika rapidly +approached and swallowed it at once. That fish was, some time after, +caught by the fishermen. And it was the tenth month of the fish's having +swallowed the seed. From the stomach of that fish came out a male and a +female child of human form. The fishermen wondered much, and wending unto +king Uparichara (for they were his subjects) told him all. They said, "O +king, these two beings of human shape have been found in the body of a +fish!" The male child amongst the two was taken by Uparichara. That child +afterwards became the virtuous and truthful monarch Matsya. + +"'After the birth of the twins, the Apsara herself became freed from her +curse. For she had been told before by the illustrious one (who had cursed +her) that she would, while living in her piscatorial form, give birth to +two children of human shape and then would be freed from the curse. Then, +according to these words, having given birth to the two children, and been +killed by the fishermen, she left her fish-form and assumed her own +celestial shape. The Apsara then rose up on the path trodden by the +Siddhas, the Rishis and the Charanas. + +"'The fish-smelling daughter of the Apsara in her piscatorial form was then +given by the king unto the fishermen, saying, "Let this one be thy +daughter." That girl was known by the name of Satyavati. And gifted with +great beauty and possessed of every virtue, she of agreeable smiles, owing +to contact with fishermen, was for some time of the fishy smell. Wishing +to serve her (foster) father she plied a boat on the waters of the Yamuna. + +"'While engaged in this vocation, Satyavati was seen one day by the great +Rishi Parasara, in course of his wanderings. As she was gifted with great +beauty, an object of desire even with an anchorite, and of graceful smiles, +the wise sage, as soon as he beheld her, desired to have her. And that +bull amongst Munis addressed the daughter of Vasu of celestial beauty and +tapering thighs, saying, "Accept my embraces, O blessed one!" Satyavati +replied, "O holy one, behold the Rishis standing on either bank of the +river. Seen by them, how can I grant thy wish?" + +"'Thus addressed by her, the ascetic thereupon created a fog (which existed +not before and) which enveloped the whole region in darkness. And the +maiden, beholding the fog that was created by the great Rishi wondered +much. And the helpless one became suffused with the blushes of bashfulness. +And she said, "O holy one, note that I am a maiden under the control of my +father. O sinless one, by accepting your embraces my virginity will be +sullied. O best of Brahmanas, my virginity being sullied, how shall I, O +Rishi, be able to return home? Indeed, I shall not then be able to bear +life. Reflecting upon all this, O illustrious one, do that which should be +done." That best of Rishis, gratified with all she said, replied, "Thou +shall remain a virgin even if thou grantest my wish. And, O timid one, O +beauteous lady, solicit the boon that thou desirest. O thou of fair smiles, +my grace hath never before proved fruitless." Thus addressed, the maiden +asked for the boon that her body might emit a sweet scent (instead of the +fish-odour that it had). And the illustrious Rishi thereupon granted that +wish of her heart. + +"'Having obtained her boon, she became highly pleased, and her season +immediately came. And she accepted the embraces of that Rishi of wonderful +deeds. And she thenceforth became known among men by the name of +Gandhavati (the sweet-scented one). And men could perceive her scent from +the distance of a yojana. And for this she was known by another name which +was Yojanagandha (one who scatters her scent for a yojana all around). And +the illustrious Parasara, after this, went to his own asylum. + +"'And Satyavati gratified with having obtained the excellent boon in +consequence of which she became sweet-scented and her virginity remained +unsullied conceived through Parasara's embraces. And she brought forth the +very day, on an island in the Yamuna, the child begot upon her by Parasara +and gifted with great energy. And the child, with the permission of his +mother, set his mind on asceticism. And he went away saying, "As soon as +thou rememberest me when occasion comes, I shall appear unto thee." + +"'And it was thus that Vyasa was born of Satyavati through Parasara. And +because he was born in an island, he was called Dwaipayana (Dwaipa or +islandborn). And the learned Dwaipayana, beholding that virtue is destined +to become lame by one leg each yuga (she having four legs in all) and that +the period of life and the strength of men followed the yugas, and moved +by the desire of obtaining the favour of Brahman and the Brahmanas, +arranged the Vedas. And for this he came to be called Vyasa (the arranger +or compiler). The boon-giving great one then taught Sumanta, Jaimini, +Paila, his son Suka, and Vaisampayana, the Vedas having the Mahabharata +for their fifth. And the compilation of the Bharata was published by him +through them separately. + +"'Then Bhishma, of great energy and fame and of immeasurable splendour, and +sprung from the component parts of the Vasus, was born in the womb of +Ganga through king Santanu. And there was a Rishi of the name of +Animandavya of great fame. And he was conversant with the interpretations +of the Vedas, was illustrious, gifted with great energy, and of great +reputation. And, accused of theft, though innocent, the old Rishi was +impaled. He thereupon summoned Dharma and told him these words, "In my +childhood I had pierced a little fly on a blade of grass, O Dharma! I +recollect that one sin: but I cannot call to mind any other. I have, +however, since practised penances a thousandfold. Hath not that one sin +been conquered by this my asceticism? And because the killing of a +Brahmana is more heinous than that of any other living thing, therefore, +hast thou, O Dharma, been sinful. Thou shalt, therefore, be born on earth +in the Sudra order." And for that curse Dharma was born a Sudra in the +form of the learned Vidura of pure body who was perfectly sinless. And the +Suta was born of Kunti in her maidenhood through Surya. And he came out of +his mother's womb with a natural coat of mail and face brightened by ear- +rings. And Vishnu himself, of world-wide fame, and worshipped of all the +worlds, was born of Devaki through Vasudeva, for the benefit of the three +worlds. He is without birth and death, of radiant splendour, the Creator +of the universe and the Lord of all! Indeed, he who is the invisible cause +of all, who knoweth no deterioration, who is the all-pervading soul, the +centre round which everything moveth, the substance in which the three +attributes of Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas co-inhere, the universal soul, the +immutable, the material out of which hath been created this universe, the +Creator himself, the controlling lord, the invisible dweller in every +object, progenitor of this universe of five elements, who is united with +the six high attributes, is the Pranava or Om of the Vedas, is infinite, +incapable of being moved by any force save his own will, illustrious, the +embodiment of the mode of life called Sannyasa, who floated on the waters +before the creation, who is the source whence hath sprung this mighty +frame, who is the great combiner, the uncreate, the invisible essence of +all, the great immutable, bereft of those attributes that are knowable by +the senses, who is the universe itself, without beginning, birth, and +decay,--is possessed of infinite wealth, that Grandsire of all creatures, +became incarnate in the race of the Andhaka-Vrishnis for the increase of +virtue. + +"'And Satyaki and Kritavarma, conversant with (the use of) weapons +possessed of mighty energy, well-versed in all branches of knowledge, and +obedient to Narayana in everything and competent in the use of weapons, +had their births from Satyaka and Hridika. And the seed of the great Rishi +Bharadwaja of severe penances, kept in a pot, began to develop. And from +that seed came Drona (the pot-born). And from the seed of Gautama, fallen +upon a clump of reeds, were born two that were twins, the mother of +Aswatthaman (called Kripi), and Kripa of great strength. Then was born +Dhrishtadyumna, of the splendour of Agni himself, from the sacrificial +fire. And the mighty hero was born with bow in hand for the destruction of +Drona. And from the sacrificial altar was born Krishna (Draupadi) +resplendent and handsome, of bright features and excellent beauty. Then +was born the disciple of Prahlada, viz., Nagnajit, and also Suvala. And +from Suvala was born a son, Sakuni, who from the curse of the gods became +the slayer of creatures and the foe of virtue. And unto him was also born +a daughter (Gandhari), the mother of Duryodhana. And both were well-versed +in the arts of acquiring worldly profits. And from Krishna was born, in +the soil of Vichitravirya, Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, and Pandu of +great strength. And from Dwaipayana also born, in the Sudra caste, the +wise and intelligent Vidura, conversant with both religion and profit, and +free from all sins. And unto Pandu by his two wives were born five sons +like the celestials. The eldest of them was Yudhishthira. And Yudhishthira +was born (of the seed) of Dharma (Yama, the god of justice); and Bhima of +the wolf's stomach was born of Marut (the god of wind), and Dhananjaya, +blessed with good fortune and the first of all wielders of weapons, was +born of Indra; and Nakula and Sahadeva, of handsome features and ever +engaged in the service of their superiors, were born of the twin Aswins. +And unto the wise Dhritarashtra were born a hundred sons, viz., Duryodhana +and others, and another, named Yuyutsu, who was born of a vaisya woman. +And amongst those hundred and one, eleven, viz., Duhsasana, Duhsaha, +Durmarshana, Vikarna, Chitrasena, Vivinsati, Jaya, Satyavrata, Purumitra, +and Yuyutsu by a Vaisya wife, were all Maharathas (great car-warriors). +And Abhimanyu was born of Subhadra, the sister of Vasudeva through Arjuna, +and was, therefore, the grandson of the illustrious Pandu. And unto the +five Pandavas were born five sons by (their common wife) Panchali. And +these princes were all very handsome and conversant with all branches of +knowledge. From Yudhishthira was born Pritivindhya; from Vrikodara, +Sutasoma; from Arjuna, Srutakirti; from Nakula, Satanika; and from +Sahadeva, Srutasena of great prowess; and Bhima, in the forest begot on +Hidimva a son named Ghatotkacha. And from Drupada was born a daughter +Sikhandin who was afterwards transformed into a male child. Sikhandini was +so transformed into a male by Yaksha named Sthuna from the desire of doing +her good. + +"'In that great battle of the Kurus came hundreds of thousands of monarchs +for fighting against one another. The names of the innumerable host I am +unable to recount even in ten thousand years. I have named, however, the +principal ones who have been mentioned in this history.'" + + +SECTION LXIV + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, those thou hast named and those thou hast +not named, I wish to hear of them in detail, as also of other kings by +thousands. And, O thou of great good fortune, it behoveth thee to tell me +in full the object for which those Maharathas, equal unto the celestials +themselves, were born on earth.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'It hath been heard by us, O monarch, that what thou +askest is a mystery even to the gods. I shall, however, speak of it unto +thee, after bowing down (to the self-born). The son of Jamadagni +(Parasurama), after twenty-one times making the earth bereft of Kshatriyas +wended to that best of mountains Mahendra and there began his ascetic +penances. And at that time when the earth was bereft of Kshatriyas, the +Kshatriya ladies, desirous of offspring, used to come, O monarch, to the +Brahmanas and Brahmanas of rigid vows had connection with them during the +womanly season alone, but never, O king, lustfully and out of season. And +Kshatriya ladies by thousands conceived from such connection with +Brahmanas. Then, O monarch, were born many Kshatriyas of greater energy, +boys and girls, so that the Kshatriya race, might thrive. And thus sprang +the Kshatriya race from Kshatriya ladies by Brahmanas of ascetic penances. +And the new generation, blessed with long life, began to thrive in virtue. +And thus were the four orders having Brahmanas at their head re- +established. And every man at that time went in unto his wife during her +season and never from lust and out of season. And, O bull of the Bharata +race, in the same way, other creatures also, even those born in the race +of birds went in unto their wives during the season alone. And, O +protector of the earth, hundreds of thousands of creatures were born, and +all were virtuous and began to multiply in virtue, all being free from +sorrow and disease. And, O thou of the elephant's tread, this wide earth +having the ocean for her boundaries, with her mountains and woods and +towns, was once more governed by the Kshatriyas. And when the earth began +to be again governed virtuously by the Kshatriyas, the other orders having +Brahmanas for their first were filled with great joy. And the kings giving +up all vices born of lust and anger and justly awarding punishments to +those that deserved them protected the earth. And he of a hundred +sacrifices, possessed also of a thousand eyes, beholding that the +Kshatriya monarchs ruled so virtuously, poured down vivifying showers at +proper times and places and blessed all creatures. Then, O king, no one of +immature years died, and none knew a woman before attaining to age. And +thus, O bull of the Bharata race, the earth, to the very coasts of the +ocean, became filled with men that were all long-lived. The Kshatriyas +performed great sacrifices bestowing much wealth. And the Brahmanas also +all studied the Vedas with their branches and the Upanishads. And, O king, +no Brahmana in those days ever sold the Vedas (i.e., taught for money) or +ever read aloud the Vedas in the presence of a Sudra. The Vaisyas, with +the help of bullocks, caused the earth to be tilled. And they never yoked +the cattle themselves. And they fed with care all cattle that were lean. +And men never milked kine as long as the calves drank only the milk of +their dams (without having taken to grass or any other food). And no +merchant in those days ever sold his articles by false scales. And, O +tiger among men, all persons, holding to the ways of virtue, did +everything with eyes set upon virtue. And, O monarch, all the orders were +mindful of their own respective duties. Thus, O tiger among men, virtue in +those days never sustained any diminution. And, O bull of the Bharata race, +both kine and women gave birth to their offspring at the proper time. And +trees bore flowers and fruit duly according to the seasons. And thus, O +king, the krita age having then duly set in, the whole earth was filled +with numerous creatures. + +"'And, O bull of the Bharata race, when such was the blessed state of the +terrestrial world, the Asuras, O lord of men, began to be born in kingly +lines. And the sons of Diti (Daityas) being repeatedly defeated in war by +the sons of Aditi (celestials) and deprived also of sovereignty and heaven, +began to be incarnated on the earth. And, O king, the Asuras being +possessed of great powers, and desirous of sovereignty began to be born on +earth amongst various creatures, such as kine, horses, asses, camels, +buffaloes, among creatures such as Rakshasas and others, and among +elephants and deer. And, O protector of the earth, owing to those already +born and to those that were being born, the earth became incapable of +supporting herself. And amongst the sons of Diti and of Danu, cast out of +heaven, some were born on the earth as kings of great pride and insolence. +Possessed of great energy, they covered the earth in various shapes. +Capable of oppressing all foes, they filled the earth having the ocean for +its boundaries. And by their strength they began to oppress Brahmanas and +Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras and all other creatures also. Terrifying +and killing all creatures, they traversed the earth, O king, in bands of +hundreds and thousands. Devoid of truth and virtue, proud of their +strength, and intoxicated with (the wine of) insolence, they even insulted +the great Rishis in their hermitages. + +"'And the earth, thus oppressed by the mighty Asuras endued with great +strength and energy and possessed of abundant means, began to think of +waiting on Brahman. The united strength of the creatures (such as Sesha, +the Tortoise, and the huge Elephant), and of many Seshas too, became +capable of supporting the earth with her mountains, burdened as she was +with the weight of the Danavas. And then, O king, the earth, oppressed +with weight and afflicted with fear, sought the protection of the +Grandsire of all creatures. And she beheld the divine Brahman--the Creator +of the worlds who knoweth no deterioration--surrounded by the gods, +Brahmanas, and great Rishis, of exceeding good fortune, and adored by +delighted Gandharvas and Apsaras always engaged in the service of the +celestials. And the Earth, desirous of protection, then represented +everything to him, in the presence, O Bharata, of all the Regents of the +worlds. But, O king, the Earth's object had been known beforehand to the +Omniscient, Self-create, and Supreme Lord. And, O Bharata, Creator as he +is of the universe, why should he not know fully what is in the minds of +his creatures including the very gods and the Asuras? O king, the Lord of +the Earth, the Creator of all creatures, also called Isa, Sambhu, +Prajapati, then spake unto her. And Brahman said, "O holder of wealth, for +the accomplishment of the object for which thou hast approached me, I +shall appoint all the dwellers in the heavens."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said so unto the Earth, O king, the +divine Brahman bade her farewell. And the Creator then commanded all the +gods saying, "To ease the Earth of her burden, go ye and have your births +in her according to your respective parts and seek ye strife (with the +Asuras already born there)". And the Creator of all, summoning also all +the tribes of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras, spake unto them these words +of deep import, "Go ye and be born amongst men according to your +respective parts in forms that ye like." + +"'And all the gods with Indra, on hearing these words of the Lord of the +celestials--words that were true, desirable under the circumstances, and +fraught with benefit,--accepted them. And they all having resolved to come +down on earth in their respected parts, then went to Narayana, the slayer +of all foes, at Vaikunth--the one who has the discus and the mace in his +hands, who is clad in purple, who is of great splendour, who hath the +lotus on his navel, who is the slayer of the foes of the gods, who is of +eyes looking down upon his wide chest (in yoga attitude), who is the lord +of the Prajapati himself, the sovereign of all the gods, of mighty +strength, who hath the mark of the auspicious whirl on his breast, who is +the mover of every one's faculties and who is adored by all the gods. Him, +Indra the most exalted of persons, addressed, saying, "Be incarnate." And +Hari replied,--"Let it be."'" + + +SECTION LXV + +(Sambhava Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Indra had a consultation with Narayana about the +latter's descent on the earth from heaven with all the gods according to +their respective parts. And, having commanded all the dwellers in heaven, +Indra returned from the abode of Narayana. And the dwellers in heaven +gradually became incarnate on earth for the destruction of the Asuras and +for the welfare of the three worlds. And then, O tiger among kings, the +celestials had their births, according as they pleased, in the races of +Brahmarshis and royal sages. And they slew the Danavas, Rakshasas, +Gandharvas and Snakes, other man-eaters, and many other creatures. And, O +bull in the Bharata race, the Danavas, Rakshasas and Gandharvas and Snakes, +could not slay the incarnate celestials even in their infancy, so strong +they were.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'I desire to hear from the beginning of the births of +the gods, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, men, Yakshas and +Rakshasas. Therefore, it behoveth thee to tell me about the births of all +creatures.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Indeed, I shall, having bowed down to the Self-create, +tell thee in detail the origin of the celestials and other creatures. It +is known that Brahman hath six spiritual sons, viz., Marichi, Atri, +Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu. And Marichi's son is Kasyapa, and +from Kasyapa have sprung these creatures. Unto Daksha (one of the +Prajapatis) were born thirteen daughters of great good fortune. The +daughters of Daksha are, O tiger among men and prince of the Bharata race, +Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kala, Danayu, Sinhika, Krodha, Pradha, Viswa, Vinata, +Kapila, Muni, and Kadru. The sons and grandsons of these, gifted with +great energy, are countless. From Aditi have sprung the twelve Adityas who +are the lords of the universe. And, O Bharata, as they are according to +their names, I shall recount them to thee. They are Dhatri, Mitra, Aryaman, +Sakra, Varuna, Ansa, Vaga, Vivaswat, Usha, Savitri, Tvashtri, and Vishnu. +The youngest, however, is superior to them all in merit. Diti had one son +called Hiranyakasipu. And the illustrious Hiranyakasipu had five sons, all +famous throughout the world. The eldest of them all was Prahlada, the next +was Sahradha; the third was Anuhrada; and after him were Sivi and Vashkala. +And, O Bharata, it is known everywhere that Prahlada had three sons. They +were Virochana, Kumbha, and Nikumbha. And unto Virochana was born a son, +Vali, of great prowess. And the son of Vali is known to be the great Asura, +Vana. And blessed with good fortune, Vana was a follower of Rudra, and was +known also by the name of Mahakala. And Danu had forty sons, O Bharata! +The eldest of them all was Viprachitti of great fame, Samvara, and Namuchi +and Pauloman; Asiloman, and Kesi and Durjaya; Ayahsiras, Aswasiras, and +the powerful Aswasanku; also Gaganamardhan, and Vegavat, and he called +Ketumat; Swarbhanu, Aswa, Aswapati, Vrishaparvan, and then Ajaka; and +Aswagriva, and Sukshama, and Tuhunda of great strength, Ekapada, and +Ekachakra, Virupaksha, Mahodara, and Nichandra, and Nikumbha, Kupata, and +then Kapata; Sarabha, and Sulabha, Surya, and then Chandramas; these in +the race of Danu are stated to be well-known. The Surya and Chandramas +(the Sun and the Moon) of the celestials are other persons, and not the +sons of Danu as mentioned above. The following ten, gifted with great +strength and vigour, were also, O king, born in the race of Danu;--Ekaksha, +Amritapa of heroic courage, Pralamva and Naraka, Vatrapi, Satrutapana, and +Satha, the great Asura; Gavishtha, and Vanayu, and the Danava called +Dirghajiva. And, O Bharata, the sons and the grandsons of these were known +to be countless. And Sinhika gave birth to Rahu, the persecutor of the Sun +and the Moon, and to three others, Suchandra, Chandrahantri, and +Chandrapramardana. And the countless progeny of Krura (krodha) were as +crooked and wicked as herself. And the tribe was wrathful, of crooked +deeds, and persecutors of their foes. And Danayu also had four sons who +were bulls among the Asuras. They were Vikshara, Vala, Vira, and Vritra +the great Asura. And the sons of Kala were all like Yama himself and +smiter of all foes. And they were of great energy, and oppressors of all +foes. And the sons of Kala were Vinasana and Krodha, and then Krodhahantri, +and Krodhasatru. And there were many others among the sons of Kala. And +Sukra, the son of a Rishi, was the chief priest of the Asuras. And the +celebrated Sukra had four sons who were priests of the Asuras. And they +were Tashtadhara and Atri, and two others of fierce deeds. They were like +the Sun himself in energy, and set their hearts on acquiring the regions +of Brahman. + +"'Thus hath been recited by me, as heard in the Purana, of progeny of the +gods and the Asuras, both of great strength and energy. I am incapable, O +king, of counting the descendants of these, countless as they are, are not +much known to fame. + +"'And the sons of Vinata were Tarkhya and Arishtanemi, and Garuda and +Aruna, and Aruni and Varuni. And Sesha of Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Kumara, +and Kulika are known to be the sons of Kadru; and Bhimasena, Ugrasena, +Suparna, Varuna, Gopati, and Dhritarashtra, and Suryavarchas the seventh, +Satyavachas, Arkaparna, Prayuta, Bhima, and Chitraratha known to fame, of +great learning, and a controller of his passions, and then Kalisiras, and, +O king, Parjanya, the fourteenth in the list, Kali, the fifteenth, and +Narada, the sixteenth--these Devas and Gandharvas are known to be the sons +of Muni (Daksha's daughter as mentioned before). I shall recount many +others, O Bharata! Anavadya Manu, Vansa, Asura, Marganapria, Anupa, +Subhaga, Vasi, were the daughters brought forth by Pradha, Siddha, and +Purna, and Varhin, and Purnayus of great fame, Brahmacharin, Ratiguna, and +Suparna who was the seventh; Viswavasu, Bhanu, and Suchandra who was the +tenth, were also the sons of Pradha. All these were celestial Gandharvas. +And it is also known that this Pradha of great fortune, through the +celestial Rishi (Kasyapa, her husband), brought forth the sacred of the +Apsaras, Alamvusha, Misrakesi, Vidyutparna, Tilottama, Aruna, Rakshita, +Rambha, Manorama, Kesini, Suvahu, Surata, Suraja, and Supria were the +daughters, and Ativahu and the celebrated Haha and Huhu, and Tumvuru were +the sons--the best of Gandharvas--of Pradha and Amrita. The Brahmanas, +kine, Gandharvas, and Apsaras, were born of Kapila as stated in the Purana. + +"'Thus hath been recited to thee by me the birth of all creatures duly--of +Gandharvas and Apsaras, of Snakes, Suparnas, Rudras, and Maruts; of kine +and of Brahmanas blessed with great good fortune, and of sacred deeds. And +this account (if read) extendeth the span of life, is sacred, worthy of +all praise, and giveth pleasure to the ear. It should be always heard and +recited to others, in a proper frame of mind. + +"'He who duly readeth this account of the birth of all high-souled +creatures in the presence of the gods and Brahmanas, obtaineth large +progeny, good fortune, and fame, and attaineth also to excellent worlds +hereafter.'" + + +SECTION LXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'It is known that the spiritual sons of Brahman were +the six great Rishis (already mentioned). There was another of the name of +Sthanu. And the sons of Sthanu, gifted with great energy, were, it is +known, eleven. They were Mrigavayadha, Sarpa, Niriti of great fame: +Ajaikapat, Ahivradhna, and Pinaki, the oppressor of foes; Dahana and +Iswara, and Kapali of great splendour; and Sthanu, and the illustrious +Bharga. These are called the eleven Rudras. It hath been already said, +that Marichi, Angiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu--these six great +Rishis of great energy--are the sons of Brahman. It is well-known in the +world that Angiras's sons are three,--Vrihaspati, Utathya, and Samvarta, +all of rigid vows. And, O king, it is said that the sons of Atri are +numerous. And, being great Rishis, they are all conversant with the Vedas, +crowned with ascetic success, and of souls in perfect peace. And, O tiger +among kings, the sons of Pulastya of great wisdom are Rakshasas, Monkeys, +Kinnaras (half-men and half-horses), and Yakshas. And, O king, the sons of +Pulaha were, it is said, the Salabhas (the winged insects), the lions, the +Kimpurushas (half-lions and half-men), the tigers, bears, and wolves. And +the sons of Kratu, sacred as sacrifices, are the companions of Surya, the +Valikhilyas, known in three worlds and devoted to truth and vows. And, O +protector of the Earth, the illustrious Rishi Daksha, of soul in complete +peace, and of great asceticism, sprung from the right toe of Brahman. And +from the left toe of Brahman sprang the wife of the high-souled Daksha. +And the Muni begat upon her fifty daughters; and all those daughters were +of faultless features and limbs and of eyes like lotus-petals. And the +lord Daksha, not having any sons, made those daughters his Putrikas (so +that their sons might belong both to himself and to their husbands). And +Daksha bestowed, according to the sacred ordinance, ten of his daughters +on Dharma, twenty-seven on Chandra (the Moon), and thirteen on Kasyapa. +Listen as I recount the wives of Dharma according to their names. They are +ten in all--Kirti, Lakshmi, Dhriti, Medha, Pushti, Sraddha, Kria, Buddhi, +Lajja, and Mali. These are the wives of Dharma as appointed by the Self- +create. It is known also throughout the world that the wives of Soma +(Moon) are twenty-seven. And the wives of Soma, all of sacred vows, are +employed in indicating time; and they are the Nakshatras and the Yoginis +and they became so for assisting the courses of the worlds. + +"'And Brahman had another son named Manu. And Manu had a son of the name of +Prajapati. And the sons of Prajapati were eight and were called Vasus whom +I shall name in detail. They were Dhara, Dhruva, Soma, Aha, Anila, Anala, +Pratyusha, and Prabhasa. These eight are known as the Vasus. Of these, +Dhara and the truth-knowing Dhruva were born of Dhumra; Chandramas (Soma) +and Swasana (Anila) were born of the intelligent Swasa; Aha was the son of +Rata; and Hutasana (Anala) of Sandilya; and Pratyusha and Prabhasa were +the sons of Prabhata. And Dhara had two sons, Dravina and Huta-havya-vaha. +And the son of Dhruva is the illustrious Kala (Time), the destroyer of the +worlds. And Soma's son is the resplendent Varchas. And Varchas begot upon +his wife Manohara two sons--Sisira, and Ramana. And the sons of Aha were +Jyotih, Sama, Santa, and also Muni. And the son of Agni is the handsome +Kumara born in a forest of reeds. And, he is also called Kartikeya because +he was reared by Krittika and others. And, after Kartikeya, there were +born his three brothers Sakha, Visakha, Naigameya. And the wife of Anila +is Siva, and Siva's son were Manojava and Avijnataagati. These two were +the sons of Anila. The son of Pratyusha, you must know, is the Rishi named +Devala; and Devala had two sons who were both exceedingly forgiving and of +great mental power. And the sister of Vrihaspati, the first of women, +uttering the sacred truth, engaged in ascetic penances, roamed over the +whole earth; and she became the wife of Prabhasa, the eighth Vasu. And she +brought forth the illustrious Viswakarman, the founder of all arts. And he +was the originator of a thousand arts, the engineer of the immortals, the +maker of all kinds of ornaments, and the first of artists. And he it was +who constructed the celestial cars of the gods, and mankind are enabled to +live in consequence of the inventions of that illustrious one. And he is +worshipped, for that reason, by men. And he is eternal and immutable, this +Viswakarman. + +"'And the illustrious Dharma, the dispenser of all happiness, assuming a +human countenance, came out through the right breast of Brahman. And +Ahasta (Dharma) hath three excellent sons capable of charming every +creature. And they are Sama, Kama, Harsha (Peace, Desire, and Joy). And by +their energy they are supporting the worlds. And the wife of Kama is Rati, +of Sama is Prapti; and the wife of Harsha is Nanda. And upon them, indeed, +are the worlds made to depend. + +"'And the son of Marichi is Kasyapa. And Kasyapa's offspring are the gods +and the Asuras. And, therefore, is Kasyapa, the Father of the worlds. And +Tvashtri, of the form of Vadava (a mare), became the wife of Savitri. And +she gave birth, in the skies, to two greatly fortunate twins, the Aswins. +And, O king, the sons of Aditi are twelve with Indra heading them all. And +the youngest of them all was Vishnu upon whom the worlds depend. + +"'These are the thirty-three gods (the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, the +twelve Adityas, Prajapati, and Vashatkara). I shall now recount their +progeny according to their Pakshas, Kulas, and Ganas. The Rudras, the +Saddhyas, the Maruts, the Vasus, the Bhargavas, and the Viswedevas are +each reckoned as a Paksha. Garuda the son of Vinata and the mighty Aruna +also, and the illustrious Vrihaspati are reckoned among the Adityas. The +twin Aswins, all annual plants, and all inferior animals, are reckoned +among the Guhyakas. + +"'These are the Ganas of the gods recited to thee, O king! This recitation +washes men of all sins. + +"'The illustrious Bhrigu came out, ripping open the breast of Brahman. The +learned Sukra is Bhrigu's son. And the learned Sukra becoming a planet and +engaged according to the command of the Self-existent in pouring and +withholding rain, and in dispensing and remitting calamities, traverses, +for sustaining the lives of all the creatures in the three worlds, through +the skies. And the learned Sukra, of great intelligence and wisdom, of +rigid vows, leading the life of a Brahmacharin, divided himself in twain +by power of asceticism, and became the spiritual guide of both the Daityas +and the gods. And after Sukra was thus employed by Brahman in seeking the +welfare (of the gods and the Asuras), Bhrigu begot another excellent son. +This was Chyavana who was like the blazing sun, of virtuous soul, and of +great fame. And he came out of his mother's womb in anger and became the +cause of his mother's release, O king (from the hands of the Rakshasas). +And Arushi, the daughter of Manu, became the wife of the wise Chyavana. +And on her was begotten Aurva of great reputation. And he came out, +ripping open the thigh of Arushi. And Aurva begot Richika. And Richika +even in his boyhood became possessed of great power and energy, and of +every virtue. And Richika begot Jamadagni. And the high-souled Jamadagni +had four sons. And the youngest of them all was Rama (Parasurama). And +Rama was superior to all his brothers in the possession of good qualities. +And he was skilful in all weapons, and became the slayer of the Kshatriyas. +And he had his passions under complete control. And Aurva had a hundred +sons with Jamadagni the eldest. And these hundred sons had offspring by +thousands spread over this earth. + +"'And Brahman had two other sons, viz., Dhatri and Vidhatri who stayed with +Manu. Their sister is the auspicious Lakshmi having her abode amid lotuses. +And the spiritual sons of Lakshmi are the sky-ranging horses. And the +daughter born of Sukra, named Divi, became the eldest wife of Varuna. Of +her were born a son named Vala and a daughter named Sura (wine), to the +joy of the gods. And Adharma (Sin) was born when creatures (from want of +food) began to devour one another. And Adharma always destroys every +creature. And Adharma hath Niriti for his wife, whence the Rakshasas who +are called Nairitas (offspring of Niriti). And she hath also three other +cruel sons always engaged in sinful deeds. They are Bhaya (fear), +Mahabhaya (terror), and Mrityu (Death) who is always engaged in slaying +every created thing. And, as he is all-destroying, he hath no wife, and no +son. And Tamra brought forth five daughters known throughout the worlds. +They are Kaki (crow), Syeni (hawk), Phasi (hen), Dhritarashtri (goose), +and Suki (parrot). And Kaki brought forth the crows; Syeni, the hawks, the +cocks and vultures; Dhritarashtri, all ducks and swans; and she also +brought forth all Chakravakas; and the fair Suki, of amiable qualities, +and possessing all auspicious signs brought forth all the parrots. And +Krodha gave birth to nine daughters, all of wrathful disposition. And +their names were Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Hari, Bhadramana, Matangi, Sarduli, +Sweta, Surabhi, and the agreeable Surasa blessed with every virtue. And, O +foremost of men, the offspring of Mrigi are all animals of the deer +species. And the offspring of Mrigamanda are all animals of the bear +species and those called Srimara (sweet-footed). And Bhadramana begot the +celestial elephants, Airavata. And the offspring of Hari are all animals +of the simian species endued with great activity, so also all the horses. +And those animals also, that are called Go-langula (the cow-tailed), are +said to be the offspring of Hari. And Sarduli begot lions and tigers in +numbers, and also leopards and all other strong animals. And, O king, the +offspring of Matangi are all the elephants. And Sweta begat the large +elephant known by the name of Sweta, endued with great speed. And, O king, +Surabhi gave birth to two daughters, the amiable Rohini and the far-famed +Gandharvi. And, O Bharata, she had also two other daughters named Vimala +and Anala. From Rohini have sprung all kine, and from Gandharvi all +animals of the horse species. And Anala begat the seven kinds of trees +yielding pulpy fruits. (They are the date, the palm, the hintala, the tali, +the little date, the nut, and the cocoanut.) And she had also another +daughter called Suki (the mother of the parrot species). And Surasa bore a +son called Kanka (a species of long-feathered birds). And Syeni, the wife +of Aruna, gave birth to two sons of great energy and strength, named +Sampati and the mighty Jatayu. Surasa also bore the Nagas, and Kadru, the +Punnagas (snakes). And Vinata had two sons Garuda and Aruna, known far and +wide. And, O king of men, O foremost of intelligent persons, thus hath the +genealogy of all the principal creatures been fully described by me. By +listening to this, a man is fully cleansed of all his sins, and acquireth +great knowledge, and finally attaineth to the first of states in after- +life!'" + + +SECTION LXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O worshipful one, I wish to hear from thee in detail +about the birth, among men, of the gods, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the +Rakshasas, the lions, the tigers, and the other animals, the snakes, the +birds, and in fact, of all creatures. I wish also to hear about the acts +and achievements of those, in due order, after they became incarnate in +human forms.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O king of men, I shall first tell thee all about +those celestials and Danavas that were born among men--The first of +Danavas, who was known by the name of Viprachitti, became that bull among +men, noted as Jarasandha. And, O king, that son of Diti, who was known as +Hiranyakasipu, was known in this world among men as the powerful Sisupala. +He who had been known as Samhlada, the younger brother of Prahlada, became +among men the famous Salya, that bull amongst Valhikas. The spirited +Anuhlada who had been the youngest became noted in the world as +Dhrishtaketu. And, O king, that son of Diti who had been known as Sivi +became on earth the famous monarch Druma. And he who was known as the +great Asura Vashkala became on earth the great Bhagadatta. The five great +Asuras gifted with great energy, Ayahsira, Aswasira, the spirited Aysanku, +Gaganamurdhan, and Vegavat, were all born in the royal line of Kekaya and +all became great monarchs. That other Asura of mighty energy who was known +by the name of Ketumat became on earth the monarch Amitaujas of terrible +deeds. That great Asura who was known as Swarbhanu became on earth the +monarch Ugrasena of fierce deeds. That great Asura who was known as Aswa +became on earth the monarch Asoka of exceeding energy and invincible in +battle. And, O king, the younger brother of Aswa who was known as Aswapati, +a son of Diti, became on earth the mighty monarch Hardikya. The great and +fortunate Asura who was known as Vrishaparvan became noted on earth as +king Dirghaprajna. And, O king, the younger brother of Vrishaparvan who +was known by the name of Ajaka became noted on earth as king Salwa. The +powerful and mighty Asura who was known as Aswagriva became noted on earth +as king Rochamana. And, O king, the Asura who was known as Sukshma, endued +with great intelligence and whose achievements also were great, became on +earth the famous king Vrihadratha. And that first of Asuras who was known +by the name of Tuhunda, became noted on earth as the monarch, Senavindu. +That Asura of great strength who was known as Ishupa became the monarch +Nagnajita of famous prowess. The great Asura who was known as Ekachakra +became noted on earth as Pritivindhya. The great Asura Virupaksha capable +of displaying various modes of fight became noted on earth as king +Chitravarman. The first of Danavas, the heroic Hara, who humbled the pride +of all foes became on earth the famous and fortunate Suvahu. The Asura +Suhtra of great energy and the destroyer of foemen, became noted on earth +as the fortunate monarch, Munjakesa. That Asura of great intelligence +called Nikumbha, who was never vanquished in battle was born on earth as +king Devadhipa, the first among monarchs. That great Asura known amongst +the sons of Diti by the name of Sarabha became on earth the royal sage +called Paurava. And, O king, the great Asura of exceeding energy, the +fortunate Kupatha, was born on earth as the famous monarch Suparswa. The +great Asura, O king, who was called Kratha, was born on earth as the royal +sage Parvateya of form resplendent like a golden mountain. He amongst the +Asura who was known as Salabha the second, became on earth the monarch +Prahlada in the country of the Valhikas. The foremost, among the sons of +Diti known by the name of Chandra and handsome as the lord of the stars +himself, became on earth noted as Chandravarman, the king of the Kamvojas. +That bull amongst the Danavas who was known by the name of Arka became on +earth, O king, the royal sage Rishika. That best of Asuras who was known +as Mritapa became on earth, O best of kings, the monarch, Pascimanupaka. +That great Asura of surpassing energy known as Garishtha became noted on +earth as king Drumasena. The great Asura who was known as Mayura became +noted on earth as the monarch Viswa. He who was the younger brother of +Mayura and called Suparna became noted on earth as the monarch, Kalakirti. +The mighty Asura who was known as Chandrahantri became on earth the royal +sage Sunaka. The great Asura who was called Chandravinasana became noted +on earth as the monarch, Janaki. That bull amongst the Danavas, O prince +of the Kuru race, who was called Dhirghajihva, became noted on earth as +Kasiraja. The Graha who was brought forth by Sinhika and who persecuted +the Sun and the Moon became noted on earth as the monarch Kratha. The +eldest of the four sons of Danayu, who was known by the name of Vikshara, +became known on earth the spirited monarch, Vasumitra. The second brother +of Vikshara, the great Asura, was born on earth as the king of the country, +called Pandya. That best of Asuras who was known by the name of Valina +became on earth the monarch Paundramatsyaka. And, O king, that great Asura +who was known as Vritra became on earth the royal sage known by the name +of Manimat. That Asura who was the younger brother of Vritra and known as +Krodhahantri became noted on earth as king Danda. That other Asura who was +known by the name Krodhavardhana became noted on earth as the monarch, +Dandadhara. The eight sons of the Kaleyas that were born on earth all +became great kings endued with the prowess of tigers. The eldest of them +all became king Jayatsena in Magadha. The second of them, in prowess, like +Indra, became noted on earth as Aparajita. The third of them, endued with +great energy and power of producing deception, was born on earth as the +king of the Nishadas gifted with great prowess. That other amongst them +who was known as the fourth was noted on earth as Srenimat, that best of +royal sages. That great Asura amongst them who was the fifth, became noted +on earth as king Mahanjas, the oppressor of enemies. That great Asura +possessing great intelligence who was the sixth of them became noted on +earth as Abhiru, that best of royal sages. The seventh of them became +known throughout earth, from the centre to the sea, as king Samudrasena +well acquainted with the truths of the scriptures. The eighth of the +Kaleyas known as Vrihat became on earth a virtuous king ever engaged in +the good of all creatures. The mighty Danava known by the name of Kukshi +became on earth as Parvatiya from his brightness as of a golden mountain. +The mighty Asura Krathana gifted with great energy became noted on earth +as the monarch Suryaksha. The great Asura of handsome features known by +the name of Surya, became on earth the monarch of the Valhikas by name +Darada, that foremost of all kings. And, O king, from the tribe of Asuras +called Krodhavasa, of whom I have already spoken to thee, were born many +heroic kings on earth. Madraka, and Karnaveshta, Siddhartha, and also +Kitaka; Suvira, and Suvahu, and Mahavira, and also Valhika, Kratha, +Vichitra, Suratha, and the handsome king Nila; and Chiravasa, and +Bhumipala; and Dantavakra, and he who was called Durjaya; that tiger +amongst kings named Rukmi; and king Janamejaya, Ashada, and Vayuvega, and +also Bhuritejas; Ekalavya, and Sumitra, Vatadhana, and also Gomukha; the +tribe of kings called the Karushakas, and also Khemadhurti; Srutayu, and +Udvaha, and also Vrihatsena; Kshema, Ugratirtha, the king of the Kalingas; +and Matimat, and he was known as king Iswara; these first of kings were +all born of the Asura class called Krodhavasa. + +"'There was also born on earth a mighty Asura known amongst the Danavas by +the name of Kalanemi, endued with great strength, of grand achievements, +and blessed with a large share of prosperity. He became the mighty son of +Ugrasena and was known on earth by the name of Kansa. And he who was known +among the Asuras by the name of Devaka and was besides in splendour like +unto Indra himself, was born on earth as the foremost king of the +Gandharvas. And, O monarch, know thou that Drona, the son of Bharadwaja, +not born of any woman, sprung from a portion of the celestial Rishi +Vrihaspati of grand achievements. And he was the prince of all bowmen, +conversant with all weapons, of mighty achievements, of great energy. Thou +shouldst know he was also well-acquainted with the Vedas and the science +of arms. And he was of wonderful deeds and the pride of his race. And, O +king, his son the heroic Aswatthaman, of eyes like the lotus-petals, +gifted with surpassing energy, and the terror of all foes, the great +oppressor of all enemies, was born on earth, of the united portions of +Mahadeva, Yama, Kama, and Krodha. And from the curse of Vasishtha and the +command also of Indra, the eight Vasus were born of Ganga by her husband +Santanu. The youngest of them was Bhishma, the dispeller of the fears of +the Kurus, gifted with great intelligence, conversant with the Vedas, the +first speakers, and the thinner of the enemy's ranks. And possessed of +mighty energy and the first of all persons acquainted with weapons, he +encountered the illustrious Rama himself, the son of Jamadagni of the +Bhrigu race. And, O king, that Brahman sage who, on earth, was known by +the name of Kripa and was the embodiment of all manliness was born of the +tribe of the Rudras. And the mighty chariot-fighter and king who on earth +was known by the name of Sakuni, that crusher of foes, thou shouldst know, +O king, was Dwapara himself (the third yuga). And he who was Satyaki of +sure aim, that upholder of the pride of Vrishni race, that oppressor of +foes, begotten of the portion of gods called the Maruts. And that royal +sage Drupada who on earth was a monarch, the first among all persons +bearing arms, was also born of the same tribe of the celestials. And, O +king, thou shouldst also know that Kritavarman, that prince among men, of +deeds unsurpassed by any one, and the foremost of all bulls amongst +Kshatriyas, was born of the portion of the same celestials. And that royal +sage also, Virata by name, the scorcher of the kingdoms of others, and the +great oppressor of all foes, was born of the portion of the same gods. +That son of Arishta who was known by the name of Hansa, was born in the +Kuru race and became the monarch of the Gandharvas. He who was known as +Dhritarashtra born of the seed of Krishna-Dwaipayana, and gifted with long +arms and great energy, also a monarch, of the prophetic eye, became blind +in consequence of the fault of his mother and the wrath of the Rishi. His +younger brother who was possessed of great strength and was really a great +being known as Pandu, devoted to truth and virtue, was Purity's self. And, +O king, thou shouldst know that he who was known on earth as Vidura, who +was the first of all virtuous men, who was the god of Justice himself, was +the excellent and greatly fortunate son of the Rishi Atri. The evil-minded +and wicked king Duryodhana, the destroyer of the fair fame of the Kurus, +was born of a portion of Kali on earth. He it was who caused all creatures +to be slain and the earth to be wasted; and he it was who fanned the flame +of hostility that ultimately consumed all. They who had been the sons of +Pulastya (the Rakshasas) were born on earth among men of Duryodhana's +brothers, that century of wicked individuals commencing with Duhsasana as +their first. And, O bull among the Bharata princes, Durmukha, Duhsaha, and +others whose names I do not mention, who always supported Duryodhana (in +all his schemes), were, indeed, the sons of Pulastya. And over and above +these hundred, Dhritarashtra had one son named Yuyutsu born of a Vaisya +wife.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'O illustrious one, tell me the names of Dhritarashtra's +sons according to the order of their birth beginning from the eldest.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, they are as follows: Duryodhana, and Yuyutsu, +and also Duhsasana; Duhsaha and Duhshala, and then Durmukha; Vivinsati, +and Vikarna, Jalasandha, Sulochna, Vinda and Anuvinda, Durdharsha, Suvahu, +Dushpradharshana; Durmarshana, and Dushkarna, and Karna; Chitra and +Vipachitra, Chitraksha, Charuchitra, and Angada, Durmada, and +Dushpradharsha, Vivitsu, Vikata, Sama; Urananabha, and Padmanabha, Nanda +and Upanandaka; Sanapati, Sushena, Kundodara; Mahodara; Chitravahu, and +Chitravarman, Suvarman, Durvirochana; Ayovahu, Mahavahu, Chitrachapa and +Sukundala, Bhimavega, Bhimavala, Valaki, Bhimavikrama, Ugrayudha, +Bhimaeara, Kanakayu, Dridhayudha, Dridhavarman, Dridhakshatra Somakirti, +Anadara; Jarasandha, Dridhasandha, Satyasandha, Sahasravaeh; Ugrasravas, +Ugrasena, and Kshemamurti; Aprajita, Panditaka, Visalaksha, Duradhara, +Dridhahasta, and Suhasta, Vatavega, and Suvarchasa; Adityaketu, Vahvasin, +Nagadatta and Anuyaina; Nishangi, Kuvachi, Dandi, Dandadhara, Dhanugraha; +Ugra, Bhimaratha, Vira, Viravahu, Alolupa; Abhaya, and Raudrakarman, also +he who was Dridharatha; Anadhrishya, Kundaveda, Viravi, Dhirghalochana; +Dirghavahu; Mahavahu; Vyudhoru, Kanakangana; Kundaja and Chitraka. There +was also a daughter named Duhsala who was over and above the hundred. And +Yuyutsu who was Dhritarashtra's son by a Vaisya wife, was also over and +above the hundred. Thus, O king, have I recited the names of the hundred +sons and also that of the daughter (of Dhritarashtra). Thou hast now known +their names according to the order of their births. All of them were +heroes and great car-warriors, and skilled in the art of warfare. Besides, +all of them were versed in the Vedas, and, O king, all of them had got +through the scriptures. All of them were mighty in attack and defence, and +all were graced with learning. And, O monarch, all of them had wives +suitable to them in grace and accomplishments. And, O king, when the time +came, the Kaurava monarch bestowed his daughter Duhsala on Jayadratha, the +king of the Sindhus, agreeably to the counsels of Sakuni. + +"'And, O monarch, learn that king Yudhishthira was a portion of Dharma; +that Bhimasena was of the deity of wind; that Arjuna was of Indra, the +chief of the celestials; and that Nakula and Sahadeva, the handsomest +beings among all creatures, and unrivalled for beauty on earth, were +similarly portions of the twin Aswins. And he who was known as the mighty +Varchas, the son of Soma, became Abhimanyu of wonderful deeds, the son of +Arjuna. And before his incarnation, O king, the god Soma had said these +words to the celestials, "I cannot give (part with) my son. He is dearer +to me than life itself. Let this be the compact and let it be not +transgressed. The destruction of the Asuras on earth is the work of the +celestials, and, therefore, it is our work as well. Let this Varchas, +therefore, go thither, but let him not stay there long. Nara, whose +companion is Narayana, will be born as Indra's son and indeed, will be +known as Arjuna, the mighty son of Pandu. This boy of mine shall be his +son and become a mighty car-warrior in his boyhood. And let him, ye best +of immortals, stay on earth for sixteen years. And when he attaineth to +his sixteenth year, the battle shall take place in which all who are born +of your portions shall achieve the destruction of mighty warriors. But a +certain encounter shall take place without both Nara and Narayana (taking +any part in it). And, indeed, your portions, ye celestials, shall fight, +having made that disposition of the forces which is known by the name of +the Chakra-vyuha. And my son shall compel all foes to retreat before him. +The boy of mighty arms having penetrated the impenetrable array, shall +range within it fearlessly and send a fourth part of the hostile force, in +course of half a day, unto the regions of the king of the dead. Then when +numberless heroes and mighty car-warriors will return to the charge +towards the close of the day, my boy of mighty arms, shall reappear before +me. And he shall beget one heroic son in his line, who shall continue the +almost extinct Bharata race." Hearing these words of Soma, the dwellers in +heaven replied, "So be it." And then all together applauded and worshipped +(Soma) the king of stars. Thus, O king, have I recited to thee the +(particulars of the) birth of thy father's father. + +"'Know also, O monarch, that the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna was a +portion of Agni. And know also that Sikhandin, who was at first a female, +was (the incarnation of) a Rakshasa. And, O bull in Bharata's race, they +who became the five sons of Draupadi, those bulls amongst the Bharata +princes, were the celestials known as the Viswas. Their names were +Pritivindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakirti, Satanika, Nakula, and Srutasena, +endued with mighty energy. + +"'Sura, the foremost of the Yadus, was the father of Vasudeva. He had a +daughter called Pritha, who for her beauty, was unrivalled on earth. And +Sura, having promised in the presence of fire that he would give his +firstborn child to Kuntibhoja, the son of his paternal aunt, who was +without offspring, gave his daughter unto the monarch in expectation of +his favours. Kuntibhoja thereupon made her his daughter. And she became, +thenceforth, in the house of her (adoptive) father, engaged in attending +upon Brahmanas and guests. One day she had to wait upon the wrathful +ascetic of rigid vows, Durvasa by name, acquainted with truth and fully +conversant with the mysteries of religion. And Pritha with all possible +care gratified the wrathful Rishi with soul under complete control. The +holy one, gratified with the attentions bestowed on him by the maiden, +told her, "I am satisfied, O fortunate one, with thee! By this mantra +(that I am about to give thee), thou shall be able to summon (to thy side) +whatever celestials thou likest. And, by their grace, shall thou also +obtain children." Thus addressed, the girl (a little while after), seized +with curiosity, summoned, during the period of her maiden-hood, the god +Surya. And the lord of light thereupon made her conceive and begot on her +a son who became the first of all wielders of weapons. From fear of +relatives she brought forth in secrecy that child who had come out with +ear-rings and coat of mail. And he was gifted with the beauty of a +celestial infant, and in splendour was like unto the maker of day himself. +And every part of his body was symmetrical and well-adorned. And Kunti +cast the handsome child into the water. But the child thus thrown into the +water was taken up by the excellent husband of Radha and given by him to +his wife to be adopted by her as their son. And the couple gave him the +name of Vasusena, by which appellation the child soon became known all +over the land. And, as he grew up, he became very strong and excelled in +all weapons. The first of all successful persons, he soon mastered the +sciences. And when the intelligent one having truth for his strength +recited the Vedas, there was nothing he would not then give to the +Brahmanas. At that time Indra, the originator of all things, moved by the +desire of benefiting his own son Arjuna, assumed the guise of a Brahmana, +came to him, and begged of the hero his ear-rings and natural armour. And +the hero taking off his ear-rings and armour gave them unto the Brahmana. +And Sakra (accepting the gift) presented to the giver a dart, surprised +(at his open handedness), and addressed him in these words, "O invincible +one, amongst the celestials, Asuras, men, Gandharvas, Nagas, and Rakshasas, +he at whom thou hurlest (this weapon), that one shall certainly be slain." +And the son of Surya was at first known in the world by the name of +Vasusena. But, for his deeds, he subsequently came to be called Karna. And +because that hero of great fame had taken off his natural armour, +therefore was he--the first son of Pritha--called Karna. And, O best of +kings, the hero began to grow up in the Suta caste. And, O king, know thou +that Karna--the first of all exalted men--the foremost of all wielders of +weapons--the slayer of foes--and the best portion of the maker of day--was +the friend and counsellor of Duryodhana. And he, called Vasudeva, endued +with great valour, was among men a portion of him called Narayana--the god +of gods--eternal. And Valadeva of exceeding strength was a portion of the +Naga, Sesha. And, O monarch, know that Pradyumna of great energy was +Sanatkumara. And in this way the portion of various other dwellers in +heaven became exalted men in the race of Vasudeva, increasing the glory +thereof. And, O king, the portions of the tribe of Apsaras which I have +mentioned already, also became incarnate on earth according to Indra's +commands--And sixteen thousand portions of those goddesses became, O king, +in this world of men, the wives of Vasudeva. And a portion of Sri herself +became incarnate on earth, for the gratification of Narayana, in the line +of Bhishmaka. And she was by name the chaste Rukmini. And the faultless +Draupadi, slender-waisted like the wasp, was born of a portion of Sachi +(the queen of the celestials), in the line of Drupada. And she was neither +low nor tall in stature. And she was of the fragrance of the blue lotus, +of eyes large as lotus-petals, of thighs fair and round, of dense masses +of black curly hair. And endued with every auspicious feature and of +complexion like that of the emerald, she became the charmer of the hearts +of five foremost of men. And the two goddesses Siddhi and Dhriti became +the mothers of those five, and were called Kunti and Madri. And she who +was Mati became the daughter (Gandhari) of Suvala. + +"'Thus, O king, have I recited to thee all about the incarnation, according +to their respective portions, of the gods, the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the +Apsaras, and of the Rakshasas. They who were born on earth as monarchs +invincible in battle, those high-souled ones who were born in the wide +extended line of the Yadus, they who were born as mighty monarchs in other +lines, they who were born as Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas, have +all been recited by me duly. And this account of the incarnation (of +superior beings according to their respective portions) capable of +bestowing wealth, fame, offspring, long life, and success, should always +be listened to in a proper frame of mind. And having listened to this +account of incarnation, according to their portions, of gods, Gandharvas, +and Rakshasas, the hearer becoming acquainted with the creation, +preservation, and destruction of the universe and acquiring wisdom, is +never cast down even under the most engrossing sorrows.'" + + +SECTION LXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, I have, indeed, heard from thee this +account of the incarnation, according to their portions, of the gods, the +Danavas, the Rakshasas, and also of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras. I +however, again desire to hear of the dynasty of the Kurus from the very +beginning. Therefore, O Brahmana, speak of this in the presence of all +these regenerate Rishis.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O exalted one of Bharata's race, the founder of the +Paurava line was Dushmanta gifted with great energy. And he was the +protector of the earth bounded by the four seas. And that king had full +sway over four quarters of this world. And he was the lord also of various +regions in the midst of the sea. And that great oppressor of all foes had +sway over the countries even of the Mlechchhas. + +"'And during his rule there were no men of mixed castes, no tillers of the +soil (for the land, of itself, yielded produce), no workers of mines (for +the surface of the earth yielded in abundance), and no sinful men. All +were virtuous, and did everything from virtuous motives, O tiger among men. +There was no fear of thieves, O dear one, no fear of famine, no fear of +disease. And all four orders took pleasure in doing their respective +duties and never performed religious acts for obtaining fruition of +desires. And his subjects, depending upon him, never entertained any fear. +And Parjanya (Indra) poured showers at the proper time, and the produce of +the fields was always pulpy and juicy. And the earth was full of all kinds +of wealth and all kinds of animals. And the Brahmanas were always engaged +in their duties and they were always truthful. And the youthful monarch +was endued with wonderful prowess and a physical frame hard as the +thunderbolt, so that he could, taking up the mountain Mandara with its +forests and bushes, support it on his arms. And he was well-skilled in +four kinds of encounters with the mace (hurling it at foes at a distance, +striking at those that are near, whirling it in the midst of many, and +driving the foe before). And he was skilled also in the use of all kinds +of weapons and in riding elephants and horses. And in strength he was like +unto Vishnu, in splendour like unto the maker of day, in gravity like unto +the ocean, and in patience, like unto the earth. And the monarch was loved +by all his subjects, and he ruled his contented people virtuously.'" + + +SECTION LXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'I desire to hear from thee about the birth and life of +the high-souled Bharata and of the origin of Sakuntala. And, O holy one, I +also desire to hear all about Dushmanta--that lion among men--and how the +hero obtained Sakuntala. It behoveth thee, O knower of truth and the first +of all intelligent men, to tell me everything.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Once on a time (king Dushmanta) of mighty arms, +accompanied by a large force, went into the forest. And he took with him +hundreds of horses and elephants. And the force that accompanied the +monarch was of four kinds (foot-soldiers, car-warriors, cavalry, and +elephants)--heroes armed with swords and darts and bearing in their hands +maces and stout clubs. And surrounded by hundreds of warriors with lances +and spears in their hands, the monarch set out on his journey. And with +the leonine roars of the warriors and the notes of conchs and sound of +drums, with the rattle of the car-wheels and shrieks of huge elephants, +all mingling with the neighing of horses and the clash of weapons of the +variously armed attendants in diverse dresses, there arose a deafening +tumult while the king was on his march. And ladies gifted with great +beauty beheld from the terraces of goodly mansions that heroic monarch, +the achiever of his own fame. And the ladies saw that he was like unto +Sakra, the slayer of his enemies, capable of repulsing the elephants of +foes--And they believed that he was the wielder of the thunderbolt himself. +And they said, "This is that tiger among men who in battle is equal unto +the Vasus in prowess, and in consequence of the might of whose arms no +foes are left." And saying this, the ladies from affection gratified the +monarch by showering flowers on his head. And followed by foremost of +Brahmanas uttering blessings all the way, the king in great gladness of +heart went towards the forest, eager for slaying the deer. And many +Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras, followed the monarch who was +like unto the king of the celestials seated on the back of a proud +elephant. The citizens and other classes followed the monarch for some +distance. And they at last refrained from going farther at the command of +the king. And the king, then, ascending his chariot of winged speed, +filled the whole earth and even the heavens, with the rattle of his +chariot wheels. And, as he went, he saw around him a forest like unto +Nandana itself (the celestial garden). And it was full of Vilwa, Arka, +Khadira (catechu), Kapittha (wood-apple) and Dhava trees. And he saw that +the soil was uneven and scattered over with blocks of stone loosened from +the neighbouring cliffs. And he saw that it was without water and without +human beings and lay extended for many Yojanas around. And it was full of +deer, and lions, and other terrible beasts of prey. + +"'And king Dushmanta, that tiger among men, assisted by his followers and +the warriors in his train, agitated that forest, killing numerous animals. +And Dushmanta, piercing them with his arrows, felled numerous tigers that +were within shooting range. And the king wounded many that were too +distant, and killed many that were too near with his heavy sword. And that +foremost of all wielders of darts killed many by hurling his darts at them. +And well-conversant with the art of whirling the mace, the king of +immeasurable prowess fearlessly wandered over the forest. And the king +roamed about, killing the denizens of the wilderness sometimes with his +sword and sometimes by fast-descending blows of his mace and heavy club. + +"'And when the forest was so disturbed by the king possessed of wonderful +energy and by the warriors in his train delighting in warlike sports, the +lions began to desert it in numbers. And herds of animals deprived of +their leaders, from fear and anxiety began to utter loud cries as they +fled in all directions. And fatigued with running, they began to fall down +on all sides, unable to slake their thirst, having reached river-beds that +were perfectly dry. And many so falling were eaten up by the hungry +warriors, while others were eaten up after having been duly quartered and +roasted in fires lit up by them. And many strong elephants, maddened with +the wounds they received and alarmed beyond measure, fled with trunks +raised on high. And those wild elephants, betraying the usual symptoms of +alarm by urinating and ejecting the contents of their stomachs and +vomiting blood in large quantities, trampled, as they ran, many warriors +to death. And that forest which had been full of animals, was by the king +with his bands of followers and with sharp weapons soon made bereft of +lions and tigers and other monarchs of the wilderness.'" + + +SECTION LXX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the king with his followers, having killed +thousands of animals, entered another forest with a view to hunting. And +attended by a single follower and fatigued with hunger and thirst, he came +upon a large desert on the frontiers of the forest. And having crossed +this herbless plain, the king came upon another forest full of the +retreats of ascetics, beautiful to look at, delightful to the heart and of +cool agreeable breezes. And it was full of trees covered with blossoms, +the soil overgrown with the softest and greenest grass, extending for many +miles around, and echoing with the sweet notes of winged warblers. And it +resounded with the notes of the male Kokila and of the shrill cicala. And +it was full of magnificent trees with outstretched branches forming a +shady canopy overhead. And the bees hovered over flowery creepers all +around. And there were beautiful bowers in every place. And there was no +tree without fruits, none that had prickles on it, none that had no bees +swarming around it. And the whole forest resounded with the melody of +winged choristers. And it was decked with the flowers of every season. And +there were refreshing shades of blossoming trees. + +"'Such was the delicious and excellent forest that the great bowman +entered. And trees with branches beautified with clusters began to wave +gently at the soft breeze and rain their flowers over the monarch's head. +And the trees, clad in their flowery attires of all colours, with sweet- +throated warblers perched on them, stood there in rows with heads touching +the very heavens. And around their branches hanging down with the weight of +flowers the bees tempted by the honey hummed in sweet chorus. And the king, +endued with great energy, beholding innumerable spots covered with bowers +of creepers decked with clusters of flowers, from excess of gladness, +became very much charmed. And the forest was exceedingly beautiful in +consequence of those trees ranged around with flowery branches twining with +each other and looking like so many rainbows for gaudiness and variety of +colour. And it was the resort of bands of Siddhas, of the Charanas, of +tribes of Gandharvas, and Apsaras, of monkeys and Kinnaras drunk with +delight. Delicious cool, and fragrant breezes, conveying the fragrance from +fresh flowers, blew in all directions as if they had come there to sport +with the trees. And the king saw that charming forest gifted with such +beauties. And it was situated in a delta of the river, and the cluster of +high trees standing together lent the place the look of a gaudy pole +erected to Indra's honour. + +"'And in that forest which was the resort of ever cheerful birds, the +monarch saw a delightful and charming retreat of ascetics. And there were +many trees around it. And the sacred fire was burning within it. And the +king worshipped that unrivalled retreat. And he saw seated in it numerous +Yotis, Valakhilyas and other Munis. And it was adorned with many chambers +containing sacrificial fire. And the flowers dropping from the trees had +formed a thick carpet spread over the ground. And the spot looked +exceedingly beautiful with those tall trees of large trunks. And by it +flowed, O king, the sacred and transparent Malini with every species of +water-fowl playing on its bosom. And that stream infused gladness into the +hearts of the ascetics who resorted to it for purposes of ablutions. And +the king beheld on its banks many innocent animals of the deer species and +was exceedingly delighted with all that he saw. + +"'And the monarch, the course of whose chariot no foe could obstruct, then +entered that asylum which was like unto the region of the celestials, +being exceedingly beautiful all over. And the king saw that it stood on +the margin of the sacred stream which was like the mother of all the +living creatures residing in its vicinage. And on its bank sported the +Chakravaka, and waves of milkwhite foam. And there stood also the +habitations of Kinnaras. And monkeys and bears too disported themselves in +numbers. And there lived also holy ascetics engaged in studies and +meditation. And there could be seen also elephants and tigers and snakes. +And it was on the banks of that stream that the excellent asylum of the +illustrious Kasyapa stood, offering a home to numerous Rishis of great +ascetic merit. And beholding that river, and also the asylum washed by +that river which was studded with many islands and which possessed banks +of so much beauty,--an asylum like unto that of Nara and Narayana laved by +the water of the Ganga--the king resolved to enter into that sacred abode. +And that bull among men, desirous of beholding the great Rishi of ascetic +wealth, the illustrious Kanwa of the race of Kasyapa, one who possessed +every virtue and who, for his splendour, could be gazed at with difficulty, +approached that forest resounding with the notes of maddened peacocks and +like unto the gardens of the great Gandharva, Chitraratha, himself. And +halting his army consisting of flags, cavalry, infantry, and elephants at +the entrance of the forest, the monarch spoke as follows, "I shall go to +behold the mighty ascetic of Kasyapa's race, one who is without darkness. +Stay ye here until my return!" + +"'And the king having entered that forest which was like unto Indra's +garden, soon forgot his hunger and thirst. And he was pleased beyond +measure. And the monarch, laying aside all signs of royalty, entered that +excellent asylum with but his minister and his priest, desirous of +beholding that Rishi who was an indestructible mass of ascetic merit. And +the king saw that the asylum was like unto the region of Brahman. Here +were bees sweetly humming and there were winged warblers of various +species pouring forth their melodies. At particular places that tiger +among men heard the chanting of Rik hymns by first-rate Brahmanas +according to the just rules of intonation. Other places again were graced +with Brahmanas acquainted with ordinances of sacrifice, of the Angas and +of the hymns of the Yajurveda. Other places again were filled with the +harmonious strains of Saman hymns sung by vow-observing Rishis. At other +places the asylum was decked with Brahmanas learned in the Atharvan Veda. +At other places again Brahmanas learned in the Atharvan Veda and those +capable of chanting the sacrificial hymns of the Saman were reciting the +Samhitas according to the just rules of voice. And at other places again, +other Brahmanas well-acquainted with the science of orthoepy were reciting +mantras of other kinds. In fact, that sacred retreat resounding with these +holy notes was like unto a second region of Brahman himself. And there +were many Brahmanas skilled in the art of making sacrificial platforms and +in the rules of Krama in sacrifices, conversant with logic and the mental +sciences, and possessing a complete knowledge of the Vedas. There were +those also who were fully acquainted with the meanings of all kinds of +expressions; those that were conversant with all special rites, those also +that were followers of Moksha-Dharma; those again that were well-skilled +in establishing propositions, rejecting superfluous causes, and drawing +right conclusions. There were those having a knowledge of the science of +words (grammar), of prosody, of Nirukta; those again that were conversant +with astrology and learned in the properties of matter and the fruits of +sacrificial rites, possessing a knowledge of causes and effects, capable +of understanding the cries of birds and monkeys, well-read in large +treatises, and skilled in various sciences. And the king, as he proceeded, +heard their voices. And the retreat resounded also with voice of men +capable of charming human hearts. And the slayer of hostile heroes also +saw around him learned Brahmanas of rigid vows engaged in Japa (the +repeated muttering of the names of gods) and Homa (burnt-offering). And +the king wondered much on beholding the beautiful carpets which those +Brahmanas offered to him respectfully. And that best of monarchs, at the +sight of the rites with which those Brahmanas worshipped the gods and the +great Rishis, thought within himself that he was in the region of Brahman. +And the more the king saw that auspicious and sacred asylum of Kasyapa +protected by that Rishi's ascetic virtues and possessing all the +requisites of a holy retreat, the more he desired to see it. In fact, he +was not satisfied with his short survey. And the slayer of heroes at last, +accompanied by his minister and his priest, entered that charming and +sacred retreat of Kasyapa inhabited all around by Rishis of ascetic wealth +and exalted vows.'" + + +SECTION LXXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The monarch then, as he proceeded, left even his +reduced retinue at the entrance of the hermitage. And entering quite alone +he saw not the Rishi (Kanwa) of rigid vows. And not seeing the Rishi and +finding that the abode was empty, he called loudly, saying, "What ho, who +is here?" And the sound of his voice was echoed back. And hearing the +sound of his voice, there came out of the Rishi's abode a maiden beautiful +as Sri herself but dressed as an ascetic's daughter. And the black-eyed +fair one, as she saw king Dushmanta, bade him welcome and received him +duly. And, showing him due respect by the offer of a seat, water to wash +his feet, and Arghya, she enquired about the monarch's health and peace. +And having worshipped the king and asked him about his health and peace, +the maiden reverentially asked, "What must be done, O king! I await your +commands." The king, duly worshipped by her, said unto that maiden of +faultless features and sweet speech, "I have come to worship the highly- +blessed Rishi Kanwa. Tell me, O amiable and beautiful one, where has the +illustrious Rishi gone?" + +"'Sakuntala then answered, "My illustrious father hath gone away from the +asylum to fetch fruit. Wait but a moment and thou wilt see him when he +arrives."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The king not seeing the Rishi and addressed thus +by her, beheld that the maiden was exceedingly beautiful and endued with +perfect symmetry of shape. And he saw that she was of sweet smiles. And +she stood decked with the beauty of her faultless features, her ascetic +penances, and her humility. And he saw that she was in the bloom of youth. +He therefore asked her, "Who art thou? And whose daughter, O beautiful +one? Why hast thou come into the woods also? O handsome one, gifted with +so much beauty and such virtues, whence hast thou come? O charming one, at +the very first glance hast thou stolen my heart! I desire to learn all +about thee; therefore tell me all." And thus addressed by the monarch, the +maiden smilingly replied in these sweet words, "O Dushmanta, I am the +daughter of the virtuous, wise, high-souled, and illustrious ascetic +Kanwa." + +"'Dushmanta, hearing this, replied, "The universally-worshipped and highly- +blessed Rishi is one whose seed hath been drawn up. Even Dharma himself +might fall off from his course but an ascetic of rigid vows can never fall +off so. Therefore, O thou of the fairest complexion, how hast thou been +born as his daughter? This great doubt of mine it behoveth thee to +dispel." + +"'Sakuntala then replied, "Hear, O king, what I have learnt regarding all +that befell me of old and how I became the daughter of the Muni. Once on a +time, a Rishi came here and asked about my birth. All that the illustrious +one (Kanwa) told him, hear now from me, O king! + +"'"My father Kanwa, in answer to that Rishi's enquiries, said, 'Viswamitra, +of old, having been engaged in the austerest penances alarmed Indra, the +chief of the celestials, who thought that the mighty ascetic of blazing +energy would, by his penances, hurl him down from his high seat in heaven. +Indra, thus alarmed, summoned Menaka and told her, "Thou, O Menaka, art +the first of celestial Apsaras. Therefore, O amiable one, do me this +service. Hear what I say. This great ascetic Viswamitra like unto the Sun +in splendour, is engaged in the most severe of penances. My heart is +trembling with fear. Indeed, O slender-waisted Menaka, this is thy +business. Thou must see that Viswamitra of soul rapt in contemplation and +engaged in the austerest penances, who might hurl me down from my seat. Go +and tempt him and frustrating his continued austerities accomplish my good. +Win him away from his penances, O beautiful one, by tempting him with thy +beauty, youth, agreeableness, arts, smiles and speech." Hearing all this, +Menaka replied, "The illustrious Viswamitra is endued with great energy +and is a mighty ascetic. He is very short-tempered too, as is known to +thee. The energy, penances, and wrath of the high-souled one have made +even thee anxious. Why should I not also be anxious? He it was who made +even the illustrious Vasishtha bear the pangs of witnessing the premature +death of his children. He it was who, though at first born as Kshatriya, +subsequently became a Brahmana by virtue of his ascetic penances. He it +was who, for purposes of his ablutions, created a deep river that can with +difficulty be forded, and which sacred stream is known by the name of the +Kausiki. It was Viswamitra whose wife, in a season of distress, was +maintained by the royal sage Matanga (Trisanku) who was then living under +a father's curse as a hunter. It was Viswamitra who, on returning after +the famine was over, changed the name of the stream having his asylum from +Kausik into Para. It was Viswamitra who in return for the services of +Matanga, himself became the latter's priest for purposes of a sacrifice. +The lord of the celestials himself went through fear to drink the Soma +juice. It was Viswamitra who in anger created a second world and numerous +stars beginning with Sravana. He it was who granted protection to Trisanku +smarting under a superior's curse. I am frightened to approach him of such +deeds. Tell me, O Indra, the means that should be adopted so that I may +not be burnt by his wrath. He can burn the three worlds by his splendour, +can, by a stamp (of his foot), cause the earth to quake. He can sever the +great Meru from the earth and hurl it to any distance. He can go round the +ten points of the earth in a moment. How can a woman like me even touch +such a one full of ascetic virtues, like unto a blazing fire, and having +his passions under complete control? His mouth is like unto a blazing fire; +the pupils of his eyes are like the Sun and the Moon; his tongue is like +unto Yama himself. How shall, O chief of the celestials, a woman like me +even touch him? At the thought of his prowess Yama, Soma, the great Rishis, +the Saddhyas, the Viswas, Valakhilyas, are terrified! How can a woman like +me gaze at him without alarm? Commanded, however, by thee, O king of the +celestials, I shall somehow approach that Rishi. But, O chief of the gods, +devise thou some plan whereby protected by thee, I may safely move about +that Rishi. I think that when I begin to play before the Rishi, Marut (the +god of wind) had better go there and rob me of my dress, and Manmatha (the +god of love) had also, at thy command, better help me then. Let also Marut +on that occasion bear thither fragrance from the woods to tempt the +Rishi." Saying this and seeing that all she had spoken about had been +duly provided, Menaka went to the retreat of the great Kausika.'"' + + +SECTION LXXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'"Kanwa continued, 'And Sakra, thus addressed by her, then commanded him +who could approach every place (viz., the god of the wind) to be present +with Menaka at the time she would be before the Rishi. And the timid and +beautiful Menaka then entered the retreat and saw there Viswamitra who had +burnt, by his penances, all his sins, and was engaged still in ascetic +penances. And saluting the Rishi, she then began to sport before him. And +just at that time Marut robbed her of her garments that were white as the +Moon. And she thereupon ran, as if in great bashfulness, to catch hold of +her attire, and as if she was exceedingly annoyed with Marut. And she did +all this before the very eyes of Viswamitra who was endued with energy +like that of fire. And Viswamitra saw her in that attitude. And beholding +her divested of her robes, he saw that she was of faultless feature. And +that best of Munis saw that she was exceedingly handsome, with no marks of +age on her person. And beholding her beauty and accomplishments that bull +amongst Rishis was possessed with lust and made a sign that he desired her +companionship. And he invited her accordingly, and she also of faultless +features expressed her acceptance of the invitation. And they then passed +a long time there in each other's company. And sporting with each other, +just as they pleased, for a long time as if it were only a single day, the +Rishi begat on Menaka a daughter named Sakuntala. And Menaka (as her +conception advanced) went to the banks of the river Malini coursing along +a valley of the charming mountains of Himavat. And there she gave birth to +that daughter. And she left the new-born infant on the bank of that river +and went away. And beholding the new-born infant lying in that forest +destitute of human beings but abounding with lions and tigers, a number of +vultures sat around to protect it from harm. No Rakshasas or carnivorous +animals took its life. Those vultures protected the daughter of Menaka. I +went there to perform my ablution and beheld the infant lying in the +solitude of the wilderness surrounded by vultures. Bringing her hither I +have made her my daughter. Indeed, the maker of the body, the protector of +life, the giver of food, are all three, fathers in their order, according +to the scriptures. And because she was surrounded in the solitude of the +wilderness, by Sakuntas (birds), therefore, hath she been named by me +Sakuntala (bird-protected). O Brahman, learn that it is thus that +Sakuntala hath become my daughter. And the faultless Sakuntala also +regards me as her father.' + +"'"This is what my father had said unto the Rishi, having been asked by +him. O king of men, it is thus that thou must know I am the daughter of +Kanwa. And not knowing my real father, I regard Kanwa as my father. Thus +have I told thee, O king, all that hath been heard by me regarding my +birth!"'" + + +SECTION LXXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Dushmanta, hearing all this, said, "Well- +spoken, O princess, this that thou hast said! Be my wife, O beautiful one! +What shall I do for thee? Golden garlands, robes, ear-rings of gold, white +and handsome pearls, from various countries, golden coins, finest carpets, +I shall present thee this very day. Let the whole of my kingdom be thine +today, O beautiful one! Come to me, O timid one, wedding me, O beautiful +one, according to the Gandharva form. O thou of tapering thighs, of all +forms of marriage, the Gandharva one is regarded as the first." + +"'Sakuntala, hearing this, said, "O king, my father hath gone away from +this asylum to bring fruit. Wait but a moment; he will bestow me on thee." + +"'Dushmanta replied, "O beautiful and faultless one, I desire that thou +shouldst be my life's companion. Know thou that I exist for thee, and my +heart is in thee. One is certainly one's own friend, and one certainly may +depend upon one's own self. Therefore, according to the ordinance, thou +canst certainly bestow thyself. There are, in all, eight kinds of +marriages. These are Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Asura, Gandharva, +Rakshasa, and Paisacha, the eighth. Manu, the son of the self-create, hath +spoken of the appropriateness of all these forms according to their order. +Know, O faultless one, that the first four of these are fit for Brahmanas, +and the first six for Kshatriyas. As regards kings, even the Rakshasa form +is permissible. The Asura form is permitted to Vaisyas and Sudras. Of the +first five the three are proper, the other two being improper. The +Paisacha and the Asura forms should never be practised. These are the +institutes of religion, and one should act according to them. The +Gandharva and the Rakshasa form are consistent with the practices of +Kshatriyas. Thou needst not entertain the least fear. There is not the +least doubt that either according to any one of these last-mentioned forms, +or according to a union of both of them, our wedding may take place. O +thou of the fairest complexion, full of desire I am, thou also in a +similar mood mayst become my wife according to the Gandharva form." + +"'Sakuntala, having listened to all this, answered, "If this be the course +sanctioned by religion, if, indeed, I am my own disposer, hear, O thou +foremost one of Puru's race, what my terms are. Promise truly to give me +what I ask thee. The son that shall be begotten on me shall become thy +heir-apparent. This, O king, is my fixed resolve. O Dushmanta, if thou +grant this, then let our union take place."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The monarch, without taking time to consider at +once told her, "Let it be so. I will even take thee, O thou of agreeable +smiles, with me to my capital. I tell thee truly. O beautiful one, thou +deservest all this." And so saying, that first of kings wedded the +handsome Sakuntala of graceful gait, and knew her as a husband. And +assuring her duly, he went away, telling her repeatedly, "I shall send +thee, for thy escort, my troops of four classes. Indeed, it is even thus +that I shall take thee to my capital, O thou of sweet smiles!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O Janamejaya, having promised so unto her, the +king went away. And as he retraced his way homewards, he began to think of +Kasyapa. And he asked himself, "What will the illustrious ascetic say, +after he has known all?" Thinking of this, he entered his capital. + +"'The moment the king had left, Kanwa arrived at his abode. But Sakuntala, +from a sense of shame, did not go out to receive her father. That great +ascetic, however, possessed of spiritual knowledge, knew all. Indeed +beholding everything with his spiritual eye, the illustrious one was +pleased, and addressing her, said, "Amiable one, what hath been done by +thee today in secret, without having waited for me--viz., intercourse +with a man--hath not been destructive of thy virtue. Indeed, union +according to the Gandharva form, of a wishful woman with a man of sensual +desire, without mantras of any kind, it is said, is the best for +Kshatriyas. That best of men, Dushmanta, is also high-souled and virtuous. +Thou hast, O Sakuntala, accepted him for thy husband. The son that shall +be born of thee shall be mighty and illustrious in this world. And he +shall have sway over the sea. And the forces of that illustrious king of +kings, while he goeth out against his foes shall be irresistible." + +"'Sakuntala then approached her fatigued father and washed his feet. And +taking down the load he had with him and placing the fruits in proper +order, she told him, "It behoveth thee to give thy grace to that Dushmanta +whom I have accepted for my husband, as well as his ministers!" + +"'Kanwa replied, "O thou of the fairest complexion, for thy sake I am +inclined to bless him. But receive from me, O blessed one, the boon that +thou desirest."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Sakuntala, thereupon, moved by desire of +benefiting Dushmanta, asked the boon that the Paurava monarchs might ever +be virtuous and never deprived of their thrones.'" + + +SECTION LXXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Dushmanta had left the asylum having made those +promises unto Sakuntala, the latter of tapering thighs brought forth a boy +of immeasurable energy. And when the child was three years old, he became +in splendour like the blazing fire. And, O Janamejaya, he was possessed of +beauty and magnanimity and every accomplishment. And that first of +virtuous men, Kanwa, caused all the rites of religion to be performed in +respect of that intelligent child thriving day by day. And the boy gifted +with pearly teeth and shining locks, capable of slaying lions even then, +with all auspicious signs on his palm, and broad expansive forehead, grew +up in beauty and strength. And like unto a celestial child in splendour, +he began to grow up rapidly. And when he was only six years of age, endued +with great strength he used to seize and bind to the trees that stood +around that asylum, lions and tigers and bears and buffaloes and elephants. +And he rode on some animals, and pursued others in sportive mood. The +dwellers at Kanwa's asylum thereupon bestowed on him a name. And they said, +because he seizes and restrains an animals however strong, let him be +called Sarvadamana (the subduer of all). And it was thus that the boy came +to be named Sarvadamana, endued as he was with prowess, and energy and +strength. And the Rishi seeing the boy and marking also his extraordinary +acts, told Sakuntala that the time had come for his installation as the +heir-apparent. And beholding the strength of the boy, Kanwa commanded his +disciples, saying, "Bear ye without delay this Sakuntala with her son from +this abode to that of her husband, blessed with every auspicious sign. +Women should not live long in the houses of their paternal or maternal +relations. Such residence is destructive of their reputation, their good +conduct, their virtue. Therefore, delay not in bearing her hence." These +disciples of the Rishi thereupon, saying "So be it," went towards the city +named after an elephant (Hastinapura) with Sakuntala and her son ahead of +them. And then she of fair eye-brows, taking with her that boy of +celestial beauty, endued with eyes like lotus petals, left the woods where +she had been first known by Dushmanta. And having approached the king, she +with her boy resembling in splendour the rising sun was introduced to him. +And the disciples of the Rishi having introduced her, returned to the +asylum. And Sakuntala having worshipped the king according to proper form, +told him, "This is thy son, O king! Let him be installed as thy heir- +apparent. O king, this child, like unto a celestial, hath been begotten by +thee upon me. Therefore, O best of men, fulfil now the promise thou gavest +me. Call to mind, O thou of great good fortune, the agreement thou hadst +made on the occasion of thy union with me in the asylum of Kanwa." + +"'The king, hearing these her words, and remembering everything said, "I +do not remember anything. Who art thou, O wicked woman in ascetic guise? +I do not remember having any connection with thee in respect of Dharma, +Kama and Arthas. Go or stay or do as thou pleasest." Thus addressed by +him, the fair-coloured innocent one became abashed. Grief deprived her +of consciousness and she stood for a time like an wooden post. Soon, +however, her eyes became red like copper and her lips began to quiver. +And the glances she now and then cast upon the king seemed to burn the +latter. Her rising wrath however, and the fire of her asceticism, she +extinguished within herself by an extraordinary effort. Collecting her +thoughts in a moment, her heart possessed with sorrow and rage, she thus +addressed her lord in anger, looking at him, "Knowing everything, O +monarch, how thou, like an inferior person, thus say that thou knowest +it not? Thy heart is a witness to the truth or falsehood of this matter. +Therefore, speak truly without degrading thyself. He who being one thing +representeth himself as another thing to others, is like a thief and a +robber of his own self. Of what sin is he not capable? Thou thinkest +that thou alone hast knowledge of thy deed. But knowest thou not that +the Ancient, Omniscient one (Narayana) liveth in thy heart? He knoweth +all thy sins, and thou sinnest in His presence. He that sins thinks that +none observes him. But he is observed by the gods and by Him also who is +in every heart. The Sun, the Moon, the Air, the Fire, the Earth, the +Sky, Water, the heart, Yama, the day, the night, both twilights, and +Dharma, all witness the acts of man. Yama, the son of Surya, takes no +account of the sins of him with whom Narayana the witness of all acts, +is gratified. But he with whom Narayana is not gratified is tortured for +his sins by Yama. Him who degradeth himself by representing his self +falsely, the gods never bless. Even his own soul blesseth him not. I am +a wife devoted to my husband. I have come of my own accord, it is true. +But do not, on that account, treat me with disrespect. I am thy wife +and, therefore, deserve to be treated respectfully. Wilt thou not treat +me so, because I have come hither of my own accord? In the presence of +so many, why dost thou treat me like an ordinary woman? I am not +certainly crying in the wilderness. Dost thou not hear me? But if thou +refuse to do what I supplicate thee for, O Dushmanta, thy head this +moment shall burst into a hundred pieces! The husband entering the womb +of the wife cometh out himself in the form of the son. Therefore is the +wife called by those cognisant of the Vedas as Jaya (she of whom one is +born). And the son that is so born unto persons cognisant of the Vedic +Mantras rescueth the spirits of deceased ancestors. And because the son +rescueth ancestors from the hell called Put, therefore, hath he been +called by the Self-create himself as Puttra (the rescuer from Put). By a +son one conquereth the three worlds. By a son's son, one enjoyeth +eternity. And by a grandson's son great-grand-fathers enjoy everlasting +happiness. She is a true wife who is skilful in household affairs. She +is a true wife who hath borne a son. She is a true wife whose heart is +devoted to her lord. She is a true wife who knoweth none but her lord. +The wife is a man's half. The wife is the first of friends. The wife is +the root of religion, profit, and desire. The wife is the root of +salvation. They that have wives can perform religious acts. They that +have wives can lead domestic lives. They that have wives have the means +to be cheerful. They that have wives can achieve good fortune. +Sweet-speeched wives are friends on occasions of joy. They are as +fathers on occasions of religious acts. They are mothers in sickness and +woe. Even in the deep woods to a traveller a wife is his refreshment and +solace. He that hath a wife is trusted by all. A wife, therefore, is +one's most valuable possession. Even when the husband leaving this world +goeth into the region of Yama, it is the devoted wife that accompanies +him thither. A wife going before waits for the husband. But if the +husband goeth before, the chaste wife followeth close. For these +reasons, O king, doth marriage exist. The husband enjoyeth the +companionship of the wife both in this and in the other worlds. It hath +been said by learned persons that one is himself born as one's son. +Therefore, a man whose wife hath borne a son should look upon her as his +mother. Beholding the face of the son one hath begotten upon his wife, +like his own face in a mirror, one feeleth as happy as a virtuous man, +on attaining to heaven. Men scorched by mental grief, or suffering under +bodily pain, feel as much refreshed in the companionship of their wives +as a perspiring person in a cool bath. No man, even in anger, should +ever do anything that is disagreeable to his wife, seeing that +happiness, joy, and virtue,--everything dependeth on the wife. A wife is +the sacred field in which the husband is born himself. Even Rishis +cannot create creatures without women. What happiness is greater than +what the father feeleth when the son running towards him, even though +his body be covered with dust, claspeth his limbs? Why then dost thou +treat with indifference such a son, who hath approached thee himself and +who casteth wistful glances towards thee for climbing thy knees? Even +ants support their own eggs without destroying them; then why shouldst +not thou, a virtuous man that thou art, support thy own child? The touch +of soft sandal paste, of women, of (cool) water is not so agreeable as +the touch of one's own infant son locked in one's embrace. As a Brahmana +is the foremost of all bipeds, a cow, the foremost of all quadrupeds, a +protector, the foremost of all superiors, so is the son the foremost of +all objects, agreeable to the touch. Let, therefore, this handsome child +touch thee in embrace. There is nothing in the world more agreeable to +the touch than the embrace of one's son. O chastiser of foes, I have +brought forth this child, O monarch, capable of dispelling all thy +sorrows after bearing him in my womb for full three years. O monarch of +Puru's race, 'He shall perform a hundred horse-sacrifices'--these were +the words uttered from the sky when I was in the lying-in room. Indeed, +men going into places remote from their homes take up there others' +children on their laps and smelling their heads feel great happiness. +Thou knowest that Brahmanas repeat these Vedic mantras on the occasion +of the consecrating rites of infancy.--Thou art born, O son, of my body! +Thou art sprung from my heart. Thou art myself in the form of a son. +Live thou to a hundred years! My life dependeth on thee, and the +continuation of my race also, on thee. Therefore, O son, live thou in +great happiness to a hundred years. He hath sprung from thy body, this +second being from thee! Behold thyself in thy son, as thou beholdest thy +image in the clear lake. As the sacrificial fire is kindled from the +domestic one, so hath this one sprung from thee. Though one, thou hast +divided thyself. In course of hunting while engaged in pursuit of the +deer, I was approached by thee, O king, I who was then a virgin in the +asylum of my father. Urvasi, Purvachitti, Sahajanya, Menaka, Viswachi +and Ghritachi, these are the six foremost of Apsaras. Amongst them +again, Menaka, born of Brahman, is the first. Descending from heaven on +Earth, after intercourse with Viswamitra, she gave birth to me. That +celebrated Apsara, Menaka, brought me forth in a valley of Himavat. +Bereft of all affection, she went away, cast me there as if I were the +child of somebody else. What sinful act did I do, of old, in some other +life that I was in infancy cast away by my parents and at present am +cast away by thee! Put away by thee, I am ready to return to the refuge +of my father. But it behoveth thee not to cast off this child who is thy +own." + +"'Hearing all this, Dushmanta said, "O Sakuntala, I do not know having +begot upon thee this son. Women generally speak untruths. Who shall +believe in thy words? Destitute of all affection, the lewd Menaka is thy +mother, and she cast thee off on the surface of the Himavat as one throws +away, after the worship is over, the flowery offering made to his gods. +Thy father too of the Kshatriya race, the lustful Viswamitra, who was +tempted to become a Brahmana, is destitute of all affection. However, +Menaka is the first of Apsaras, and thy father also is the first of Rishis. +Being their daughter, why dost thou speak like a lewd woman? Thy words +deserve no credit. Art thou not ashamed to speak them, especially before +me? Go hence, O wicked woman in ascetic guise. Where is that foremost of +great Rishis, where also is that Apsara Menaka? And why art thou, low as +thou art, in the guise of an ascetic? Thy child too is grown up. Thou +sayest he is a boy, but he is very strong. How hath he soon grown like a +Sala sprout? Thy birth is low. Thou speakest like a lewd woman. Lustfully +hast thou been begotten by Menaka. O woman of ascetic guise, all that thou +sayest is quite unknown to me. I don't know thee. Go withersoever thou +choosest." + +"'Sakuntala replied, "Thou seest, O king, the fault of others, even though +they be as small as a mustard seed. But seeing, thou noticest not thy own +faults even though they be as large as the Vilwa fruit. Menaka is one of +the celestials. Indeed, Menaka is reckoned as the first of celestials. My +birth, therefore, O Dushmanta, is far higher than thine. Thou walkest upon +the Earth, O king, but I roam in the skies! Behold, the difference between +ourselves is as that between (the mountain) Meru and a mustard seed! +Behold my power, O king! I can repair to the abodes of Indra, Kuvera, Yama, +and Varuna! The saying is true which I shall refer to before thee, O +sinless one! I refer to it for example's sake and not from evil motives. +Therefore, it behoveth thee to pardon me after thou hast heard it. An ugly +person considereth himself handsomer than others until he sees his own +face in the mirror. But when he sees his own ugly face in the mirror, it +is then that he perceiveth the difference between himself and others. He +that is really handsome never taunts anybody. And he that always talketh +evil becometh a reviler. And as the swine always look for dirt and filth +even when in the midst of a flower-garden, so the wicked always choose the +evil out of both evil and good that others speak. Those, however, that are +wise, on hearing the speeches of others that are intermixed with both good +and evil, accept only what is good, like geese that always extract the +milk only, though it be mixed with water. As the honest are always pained +at speaking ill of others, so do the wicked always rejoice in doing the +same thing. As the honest always feel pleasure in showing regard for the +old, so do the wicked always take delight in aspersing the good. The +honest are happy in not seeking for faults. The wicked are happy in +seeking for them. The wicked ever speak ill of the honest. But the latter +never injure the former, even if injured by them. What can be more +ridiculous in the world than that those that are themselves wicked should +represent the really honest as wicked? When even atheists are annoyed with +those that have fallen off from truth and virtue and who are really like +angry snakes of virulent poison, what shall I say of myself who am +nurtured in faith? He that having begotten a son who is his own image, +regardeth him not, never attaineth to the worlds he coveteth, and verily +the gods destroy his good fortune and possessions. The Pitris have said +that the son continueth the race and the line and is, therefore, the best +of all religious acts. Therefore, none should abandon a son. Manu hath +said that there are five kinds of sons: those begotten by one's self upon +his own wife, those obtained (as gift) from others, those purchased for a +consideration, those reared with affection and those begotten upon other +women than upon wedded wives. Sons support the religion and achievements +of men, enhance their joys, and rescue deceased ancestors from hell. It +behoveth thee not, therefore, O tiger among kings, to abandon a son who is +such. Therefore, O lord of Earth, cherish thy own self, truth, and virtue +by cherishing thy son. O lion among monarchs, it behoveth thee not to +support this deceitfulness. The dedication of a tank is more meritorious +than that of a hundred wells. A sacrifice again is more meritorious than +the dedication of a tank. A son is more meritorious than a sacrifice. +Truth is more meritorious than a hundred sons. A hundred horse-sacrifices +had once been weighed against Truth, and Truth was found heavier than a +hundred horse-sacrifices. O king, Truth, I ween, may be equal to the study +of the entire Vedas and ablutions in all holy places. There is no virtue +equal to Truth: there is nothing superior to Truth. O king, Truth is God +himself; Truth is the highest vow. Therefore, violate not thy pledge, O +monarch! Let Truth and thee be even united. If thou placest no credit in +my words, I shall of my own accord go hence. Indeed, thy companionship +should be avoided. But thou, O Dushmanta, that when thou art gone, this +son of mine shall rule the whole Earth surrounded by the four seas and +adorned with the king of the mountains."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Sakuntala having spoken to the monarch in this +wise, left his presence. But as soon as she had left, a voice from the +skies, emanating from no visible shape, thus spoke unto Dushmanta as he +was sitting surrounded by his occasional and household priests, his +preceptors, and ministers. And the voice said, "The mother is but the +sheath of flesh; the son sprung from the father is the father himself. +Therefore, O Dushmanta, cherish thy son, and insult not Sakuntala. O best +of men, the son, who is but a form of one's own seed, rescueth (ancestors) +from the region of Yama. Thou art the progenitor of this boy. Sakuntala +hath spoken the truth. The husband, dividing his body in twain, is born +of his wife in the form of son. Therefore, O Dushmanta, cherish, O monarch, +thy son born of Sakuntala. To live by forsaking one's living son is a +great misfortune. Therefore, O thou of Puru's race, cherish thy high- +souled son born of Sakuntala--And because this child is to be cherished by +thee even at our word, therefore shall this thy son be known by the name +of Bharata (the cherished)." Hearing these words uttered by the dwellers +in heaven, the monarch of Puru's race became overjoyed and spoke as +follows unto his priests and ministers, "Hear ye these words uttered by +the celestial messenger? I myself know this one to be my son. If I had +taken him as my son on the strength of Sakuntala's words alone, my people +would have been suspicious and my son also would not have been regarded as +pure." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The monarch, then, O thou of Bharata's race, +seeing the purity of his son established by the celestial messenger, +became exceedingly glad. And he took unto him that son with joy. And the +king with a joyous heart then performed all those rites upon his son that +a father should perform. And the king smelt his child's head and hugged +him with affection. And the Brahmanas began to utter blessings upon him +and the bards began to applaud him. And the monarch then experienced the +great delight that one feeleth at the touch of one's son. And Dushmanta +also received that wife of his with affection. And he told her these +words, pacifying her affectionately, "O goddess, my union with thee took +place privately. Therefore, I was thinking of how best to establish thy +purity. My people might think that we were only lustfully united and not +as husband and wife, and therefore, this son that I would have installed +as my heir apparent would only have been regarded as one of impure birth. +And dearest, every hard word thou hast uttered in thy anger, have I, O +large-eyed one, forgiven thee. Thou art my dearest!" And the royal sage +Dushmanta, having spoken thus unto his dear wife, O Bharata, received her +with offerings of perfume, food, and drink. And king Dushmanta, then, +bestowed the name of Bharata upon his child, and formally installed him as +the heir apparent. And the famous and bright wheels of Bharata's car, +invincible and like unto the wheels of the cars owned by the gods, +traversed every region, filling the whole Earth with their rattle. And the +son of Dushmanta reduced to subjection all kings of the Earth. And he +ruled virtuously and earned great fame. And that monarch of great prowess +was known by the titles of Chakravarti and Sarvabhauma. And he performed +many sacrifices like Sakra, the lord of the Maruts. And Kanwa was the +chief priest at those sacrifices, in which the offerings to Brahmanas were +great. And the blessed monarch performed both the cow and the horse- +sacrifices. And Bharata gave unto Kanwa a thousand gold coins as the +sacerdotal fee. It is that Bharata from whom have emanated so many mighty +achievements. It is from him that the great race called after him in his +race are called after him. And in the Bharata race there have been born +many godlike monarchs gifted with great energy, and like unto Brahman +himself. Their number cannot be counted. But, O thou of Bharata's race, I +shall name the principal ones that were blessed with great good fortune, +like unto the gods, and devoted to truth and honesty.'" + + +SECTION LXXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hear now, as I recite the recorded genealogy, that is +sacred and subservient to religion, profit and pleasure, of these royal +sages--Daksha, the lord of creation, Manu, the son of Surya, Bharata, Ruru, +Puru, and Ajamidha. I shall also recite to thee, O sinless one, the +genealogies of the Yadavas and of the Kurus and of the king of the Bharata +line. These genealogies are sacred and their recitation is a great act of +propitiation. That recitation conferreth wealth, fame and long life. And, +O sinless one, all these I have named shone in their splendour and were +equal unto the great Rishis in energy. + +"'Prachetas had ten sons who were all devoted to asceticism and possessed +of every virtue. They burnt, of old, by the fire emanating from their +mouths, several plants of poisonous and innumerable large trees that had +covered the Earth and became a source of great discomfort to man. After +these ten, was born another named Daksha. It is from Daksha that all +creatures have sprung. Therefore is he, O tiger among men, called the +Grandfather. Born of Prachetas the Muni Daksha, uniting himself with +Virini, begat a thousand sons of rigid vows, all like himself. And Narada +taught these thousand sons of Daksha the excellent philosophy of Sankhya +as a means of salvation. And, O Janamejaya, the lord of creation, Daksha, +then, from the desire of making creatures, begat fifty daughters. And he +made all of them his appointed daughters (so that their sons might be his +sons also for the performance of all religious acts). And he bestowed ten +of his daughters on Dharma, and thirteen on Kasyapa. And he gave twenty- +seven to Chandra, who are all engaged in indicating time. And Kasyapa, the +son of Marichi, begat on the eldest of his thirteen wives, the Adityas, +the celestials endued with great energy and having Indra as their head and +also Vivaswat (the Sun). And of Vivaswat was born the lord Yama. And +Martanda (Vivaswat) also begat another son after Yama, gifted with great +intelligence and named Manu. And Manu was endued with great wisdom and +devoted to virtue. And he became the progenitor of a line. And in Manu's +race have been born all human beings, who have, therefore, been called +Manavas. And it is of Manu that all men including Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, +and others have been descended, and are, therefore, all called Manavas. +Subsequently, O monarch, the Brahmanas became united with the Kshatriyas. +And those sons of Manu that were Brahmanas devoted themselves to the study +of the Vedas. And Manu begat ten other children named Vena, Dhrishnu, +Narishyan, Nabhaga, Ikshvaku, Karusha, Saryati, the eighth, a daughter +named Ila, Prishadhru the ninth, and Nabhagarishta, the tenth. They all +betook themselves to the practices of Kshatriyas. Besides these, Manu had +fifty other sons on Earth. But we heard that they all perished, +quarrelling with one another. The learned Pururavas was born of Ila. It +hath been heard by us that Ila was both his mother and father. And the +great Pururavas had sway over thirteen islands of the sea. And, though a +human being, he was always surrounded by companions that were superhuman. +And Pururavas intoxicated with power quarrelled with the Brahmanas and +little caring for their anger robbed them of their wealth. Beholding all +this Sanatkumara came from the region of Brahman and gave him good counsel, +which was, however, rejected by Pururavas. Then the wrath of the great +Rishis was excited, and the avaricious monarch, who intoxicated with power, +had lost his reason, was immediately destroyed by their curse. + +"'It was Pururavas who first brought from the region of the Gandharvas the +three kinds of fire (for sacrificial purpose). And he brought thence, the +Apsara Urvasi also. And the son of Ila begat upon Urvasi six sons who were +called Ayus, Dhimat, Amavasu and Dhridhayus, and Vanayus, and Satayus. And +it is said that Ayus begat four sons named Nahusha, Vriddhasarman, +Rajingaya, and Anenas, on the daughter of Swarbhanu. And, O monarch, +Nahusha, of all the sons of Ayus, being gifted with great intelligence and +prowess ruled his extensive kingdom virtuously. And king Nahusha supported +evenly the Pitris, the celestials, the Rishis, the Brahmanas, the +Gandharvas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, the Kshatriyas, and the Vaisyas. And +he suppressed all robber-gangs with a mighty hand. But he made the Rishis +pay tribute and carry him on their backs like bests of burden. And, +conquering the very gods by the beauty of his person, his asceticism, +prowess, and energy, he ruled as if he were Indra himself. And Nahusha +begat six sons, all of sweet speech, named Yati, Yayati, Sanyati, Ayati, +and Dhruva. Yati betaking himself to asceticism became a Muni like unto +Brahman himself. Yayati became a monarch of great prowess and virtue. He +ruled the whole Earth, performed numerous sacrifices, worshipped the +Pitris with great reverence, and always respected the gods. And he brought +the whole world under his sway and was never vanquished by any foe. And +the sons of Yayati were all great bowmen and resplendent with every virtue. +And, O king, they were begotten upon (his two wives) Devayani and +Sarmishtha. And of Devayani were born Yadu and Turvasu, and of Sarmishtha +were born Drahyu, Anu, and Puru. And, O king, having virtuously ruled his +subjects for a long time, Yayati was attacked with a hideous decrepitude +destroying his personal beauty. And attacked by decrepitude, the monarch +then spoke, O Bharata, unto his sons Yadu and Puru and Turvasu and Drahyu +and Anu these words, "Ye dear sons, I wish to be a young man and to +gratify my appetites in the company of young women. Do you help me +therein." To him his eldest son born of Devayani then said, "What needest +thou, O king? Dost thou want to have your youth?" Yayati then told him, +"Accept thou my decrepitude, O son! With thy youth I would enjoy myself. +During the time of a great sacrifice I have been cursed by the Muni +Usanas (Sukra). O son, I would enjoy myself with your youth. Take any of +you this my decrepitude and with my body rule ye my kingdom. I would +enjoy myself with a renovated body. Therefore, ye my sons, take ye my +decrepitude." But none of his sons accepted his decrepitude. Then his +youngest son Puru said unto him, "O king, enjoy thyself thou once again +with a renovated body and returned youth! I shall take thy decrepitude +and at thy command rule thy kingdom." Thus addressed, the royal sage, by +virtue of his ascetic power then transferred his own decrepitude unto +that high-souled son of his and with the youth of Puru became a youth; +while with the monarch's age Puru ruled his kingdom. + +"'Then, after a thousand years had passed away, Yayati, that tiger among +kings, remained as strong and powerful as a tiger. And he enjoyed for a +long time the companionship of his two wives. And in the gardens of +Chitraratha (the king of Gandharvas), the king also enjoyed the company of +the Apsara Viswachi. But even after all this, the great king found his +appetites unsatiated. The king, then recollected the following truths +contained in the Puranas, "Truly, one's appetites are never satiated by +enjoyment. On the other hand, like sacrificial butter poured into the fire, +they flame up with indulgence. Even if one enjoyed the whole Earth with +its wealth, diamonds and gold, animals and women, one may not yet be +satiated. It is only when man doth not commit any sin in respect of any +living thing, in thought, deed, or speech, it is then that he attaineth to +purity as that of Brahman. When one feareth nothing, when one is not +feared by anything, when one wisheth for nothing, when one injureth +nothing, it is then that one attaineth to the purity of Brahman." The wise +monarch seeing this and satisfied that one's appetites are never satiated, +set his mind at rest by meditation, and took back from his son his own +decrepitude. And giving him back his youth, though his own appetites were +unsatiated, and installing him on the throne, he spoke unto Puru thus, +"Thou art my true heir, thou art my true son by whom my race is to be +continued. In the world shall my race be known by thy name."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then that tiger among kings, having installed +his son Puru on the throne, went away to the mount of Bhrigu for devoting +himself to asceticism. And, having acquired great ascetic merit, after +long years, he succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time. He left his +human body by observing the vow of fasting, and ascended to heaven with +his wives.'" + + +SECTION LXXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O thou of the wealth of asceticism, tell me how our +ancestor Yayati, who is the tenth from Prajapati, obtained for a wife the +unobtainable daughter of Sukra. I desire to hear of it in detail. Tell me +also, one after another, of those monarchs separately who were the +founders of dynasties.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The monarch Yayati was in splendour like unto Indra +himself. I will tell thee, in reply to thy question, O Janamejaya, how +both Sukra and Vrishaparvan bestowed upon him, with due rites, their +daughters, and how his union took place with Devayani in special. + +"'Between the celestials and the Asuras, there happened, of yore, frequent +encounters for the sovereignty of the three worlds with everything in them. +The gods, then, from desire of victory, installed the son of Angiras +(Vrihaspati) as their priest to conduct their sacrifices; while their +opponents installed the learned Usanas as their priest for the same +purpose. And between those two Brahmanas there are always much boastful +rivalry. Those Danavas assembled for encounter that were slain by the gods +were all revived by the seer Sukra by the power of his knowledge. And then +starting again, into life,--these fought with the gods. The Asuras also +slew on the field of battle many of the celestials. But the open-minded +Vrihaspati could not revive them, because he knew not the science called +Sanjivani (re-vivification) which Kavya endued with great energy knew so +well. And the gods were, therefore, in great sorrow. And the gods, in +great anxiety of heart and entertaining a fear of the learned Usanas, then +went to Kacha, the eldest son of Vrihaspati, and spoke unto him, saying, +"We pay court to thee, be kind to us and do us a service that we regard as +very great. That knowledge which resides in Sukra, that Brahmana of +immeasurable prowess, make thy own as soon as thou canst. Thou shalt find +the Brahmana in the court of Vrishaparvan. He always protects the Danavas +but never us, their opponents. Thou art his junior in age, and, therefore, +capable of adoring him with reverence. Thou canst also adore Devayani, the +favourite daughter of that high-souled Brahmana. Indeed, thou alone art +capable of propitiating them both by worship. There is none else that can +do so. By gratifying Devayani with thy conduct, liberality, sweetness, and +general behaviour, thou canst certainly obtain that knowledge." The son of +Vrihaspati, thus solicited by the gods, said "So be it," and went to where +Vrishaparvan was. Kacha, thus sent by the gods, soon went to the capital +of the chief of the Asuras, and beheld Sukra there. And beholding him, he +thus spoke unto him, "Accept me as thy disciple. I am the grandson of the +Rishi Angiras and son of Vrihaspati. By name I am known as Kacha. Thyself +becoming my preceptor, I shall practise the Brahmacharya mode of life for +a thousand years. Command me, then, O Brahmana!" + +"'Sukra (hearing this) said, 'Welcome art thou, O Kacha! I accept thy +speech. I will treat thee with regard; for by so doing, it is Vrihaspati +who will be regarded.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Kacha commanded by Kavya or Usanas himself, +called also Sukra, then said, "So be it," and took the vow he had spoken +of. And, O Bharata, accepting the vow of which he had spoken, at the +proper time, Kacha began to conciliate regardfully both his preceptor and +(his daughter) Devayani. Indeed, he began to conciliate both. And as he +was young, by singing and dancing and playing on different kinds of +instruments, he soon gratified Devayani who was herself in her youth. And, +O Bharata, with his whole heart set upon it, he soon gratified the maiden +Devayani who was then a young lady, by presents of flowers and fruits and +services rendered with alacrity. And Devayani also with her songs and +sweetness of manners used, while they were alone, to attend upon that +youth carrying out his vow. And when five hundred years had thus passed of +Kacha's vow, the Danavas came to learn his intention. And having no +compunctions about slaying a Brahmana, they became very angry with him. +And one day they saw Kacha in a solitary part of the woods engaged in +tending (his preceptor's) kine. They then slew Kacha from their hatred of +Vrihaspati and also from their desire of protecting the knowledge of +reviving the dead from being conveyed by him. And having slain him, they +hacked his body into pieces and gave them to be devoured by jackals and +wolves. And (when twilight came) the kine returned to the fold without him +who tended them. And Devayani, seeing the kine returned from the woods +without Kacha, spoke, O Bharata, unto her father thus: + +"'"Thy evening-fire hath been kindled. The Sun also hath set, O father! The +kine have returned without him who tendeth them. Kacha is, indeed, not to +be seen. It is plain that Kacha hath been lost, or is dead. Truly do I say, +O father, that without him I will not live." + +"'Sukra hearing this said, "I will revive him by saying, 'Let this one +come.'" Then having recourse to the science of reviving the dead, Sukra +summoned Kacha. And summoned by his preceptor, Kacha appeared before him +in the gladness of heart tearing by virtue of his preceptor's science +the bodies of the wolves (that had devoured him). And asked about the +cause of his delay, he thus spoke unto Bhargava's daughter. Indeed, +asked by that Brahman's daughter, he told her, "I was dead. O thou of +pure manners, burdened with sacrificial fuel, Kusa grass, and logs of +wood, I was coming towards our abode. I sat under a banian tree. The +kine also, having been brought together, were staying under the shade +of that same banian tree. The Asuras, beholding me, asked 'Who art +thou?' They heard me answer, 'I am the son of Vrihaspati.' As soon as +I said this, the Danavas slew me, and hacking my body into pieces gave +my remains to jackals and wolves. And they then went home in the +gladness of heart. O amiable one, summoned by the high-souled +Bhargava, I after all come before thee fully revived." + +"'On another occasion, asked by Devayani, the Brahmana Kacha went into the +woods. And as he was roving about for gathering flowers, the Danavas +beheld him. They again slew him, and pounding him into a paste they mixed +it with the water of the ocean. Finding him long still (in coming), the +maiden again represented the matter unto her father. And summoned again by +the Brahmana with the aid of his science, Kacha appearing before his +preceptor and his daughter told everything as it had happened. Then +slaying him for the third time and burning him and reducing him to ashes, +the Asuras gave those ashes to the preceptor himself, mixing them with his +wine. And Devayani again spoke unto her father, saying, "O father, Kacha +was sent to gather flowers. But he is not to be seen. It is plain he hath +been lost, or has died. I tell thee truly, I would not live without him." + +"'Sukra hearing this said, "O daughter, the son of Vrihaspati hath gone to +the region of the dead. Though revived by my science, he is thus slain +frequently. What, indeed, am I to do? O Devayani, do not grieve, do not +cry. One like thee should not grieve for one that is mortal. Thou art +indeed, O daughter, in consequence of my prowess, worshipped thrice a day +during the ordained hours of prayer, by Brahmanas, the gods with Indra, +the Vasus, the Aswins, the Asuras, in fact, by the whole universe. It is +impossible to keep him alive, for revived by me he is often killed." To +all this Devayani replied, "Why shall I, O father, not grieve for him +whose grandfather is old Angiras himself, whose father is Vrihaspati who +is an ocean of ascetic merit, who is the grandson of a Rishi and the son +also of a Rishi? He himself too was a Brahmacharin and an ascetic; always +wakeful and skilled in everything. I will starve and follow the way Kacha +has gone. The handsome Kacha is, O father, dear unto me."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The great Rishi Kavya, then, afflicted by what +Devayani said, cried in anger, "Certainly, the Asuras seek to injure me, +for they slay my disciple that stayeth with me. These followers of Rudra +desire to divest me of my character as a Brahmana by making me participate +in their crime. Truly, this crime hath a terrible end. The crime of +slaying a Brahmana would even burn Indra himself." Having said this, the +Brahmana Sukra, urged by Devayani, began to summon Kacha who had entered +the jaws of Death. But Kacha, summoned with the aid of science, and afraid +of the consequence to his preceptor, feebly replied from within the +stomach of his preceptor, saying, "Be graceful unto me, O lord! I am Kacha +that worshippeth thee. Behave unto me as to thy own dearly-loved son."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Sukra then said, "By what path, O Brahmana, hast +thou entered my stomach, where thou stayest now? Leaving the Asuras this +very moment, I shall go over to the gods." Kacha replied, "By thy grace, +memory hath not failed me. Indeed, I do recollect everything as it hath +happened. My ascetic virtues have not been destroyed. It is, therefore, +that I am able to bear this almost insufferable pain. O Kavya, slain by +the Asuras and burnt and reduced to powder, I have been given to thee with +thy wine. When thou art present, O Brahmana, the art of the Asuras will +never be able to vanquish, the science of the Brahmana." + +"'Hearing this, Sukra said, "O daughter, what good can I do to thee? It is +with my death that Kacha can get his life back. O Devayani, Kacha is even +within me. There is no other way of his coming out except by ripping open +my stomach." Devayani replied, "Both evils shall, like fire, burn me! The +death of Kacha and thy own death are to me the same! The death of Kacha +would deprive me of life. If thou also diest, I shall not be able to bear +my life." Then Sukra said, "O son of Vrihaspati, thou art, indeed, one +already crowned with success, because Devayani regards thee so well. +Accept the science that I will today impart to thee, if, indeed, thou be +not Indra in the form of Kacha. None can come out of my stomach with life. +A Brahmana, however, must not be slain, therefore, accept thou the science +I impart to thee. Start thou into life as my son. And possessed of the +knowledge received from me, and revived by me, take care that, on coming +out of my body, thou dost act gracefully."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Receiving the science imparted to him by his +preceptor the handsome Kacha, ripped open his stomach, came out like the +moon at evening on the fifteenth day of the bright fort-night. And +beholding the remains of his preceptor lying like a heap of penances, +Kacha revived him, aided by the science he had learned. Worshipping him +with regard, Kacha said unto his preceptor, "Him who poureth the nectar of +knowledge into one's ears, even as thou hast done into those of myself who +was void of knowledge, him do I regard both as my father and mother. And +remembering the immense service done by him, who is there so ungrateful as +to injure him? They that, having acquired knowledge, injure their +preceptor who is always an object of worship, who is the giver of +knowledge, who is the most precious of all precious objects on Earth, come +to be hated on Earth and finally go to the regions of the sinful."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The learned Sukra, having been deceived while +under the influence of wine, and remembering the total loss of +consciousness that is one of the terrible consequences of drink, and +beholding too before him the handsome Kacha whom he had, in a state of +unconsciousness, drunk with his wine, then thought of effecting a reform +in the manners of Brahmanas. The high-souled Usanas rising up from the +ground in anger, then spoke as follows: "The wretched Brahmana who from +this day, unable to resist the temptation, will drink wine shall be +regarded as having lost his virtue, shall be reckoned to have committed +the sin of slaying a Brahmana, shall be hated both in this and the other +worlds. I set this limit to the conduct and dignity of Brahmanas +everywhere. Let the honest, let Brahmanas, let those with regard for their +superiors, let the gods, let the three worlds, listen!" Having said these +words that high-souled one, that ascetic of ascetics, then summoning the +Danavas who had been deprived by fate of the good sense, told them these +words, "Ye foolish Danavas, know ye that Kacha hath obtained his wishes. He +will henceforth dwell with me. Having obtained the valuable knowledge of +reviving the dead, that Brahmana hath, indeed, become in prowess even as +Brahman himself!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Bhargava having said so much cut short his +speech. The Danavas were surprised and went away to their homes. Kacha, +too, having stayed with his preceptor for a full thousand years, then +prepared to return to the abode of the celestials, after having obtained +his preceptor's permission.'" + + +SECTION LXXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After the expiry of the period of his vow, Kacha, +having obtained his preceptor's leave, was about to return to the abode of +the celestials, when Devayani, addressing him, said, "O grandson of the +Rishi Angiras, in conduct and birth, in learning, asceticism and humility, +thou shinest most brightly. As the celebrated Rishi Angiras is honoured +and regarded by my father, so is thy father regarded and worshipped by me. +O thou of ascetic wealth, knowing this, listen to what I say. Recollect my +conduct towards thee during the period of thy vow (Brahmacharya). Thy vow +hath now been over. It behoveth thee to fix thy affections on me. O accept +my hand duly with ordained mantras." + +"'Kacha replied, "Thou art to me an object of regard and worship even as +thy father! O thou of faultless features, thou art, indeed, even an object +of greater reverence! Thou art dearer than life to the high-souled +Bhargava, O amiable one! As the daughter of my preceptor, thou art ever +worthy of my worship! As my preceptor Sukra, thy father, is ever deserving +of my regards, so art thou, O Devayani! Therefore, it behoveth thee not to +say so." Hearing this, Devayani replied, "Thou, too, art the son of my +father's preceptor's son. Therefore, O best of Brahmanas, thou art +deserving of my regards and worship. O Kacha, when thou wert slain so many +times by the Asuras, recollect today the affection I showed for thee. +Remembering my friendship and affection for thee, and, indeed, my devoted +regard also, O virtuous one, it behoveth thee not to abandon me without +any fault. I am truly devoted to thee." + +"'Hearing all this, Kacha said, "O thou of virtuous vows, do not urge me +into such a sinful course. O thou of fair eye-brows, be gracious unto me. +Beautiful one, thou art to me an object of greater regard than my +preceptor. Full of virtuous resolves, O large-eyed one, of face as +handsome as the moon, the place where thou hadst resided, viz., the body of +Kavya, hath also been my abode. Thou art truly my sister. Amiable one, +happily have we passed the days that we have been together. There is +perfect good understanding between us. I ask thy leave to return to my +abode. Therefore, bless me so that my journey may be safe. I must be +remembered by thee, when thou recallest me in connection with topics of +conversation, as one that hath not transgressed virtue. Always attend upon +my preceptor with readiness and singleness of heart." To all this, +Devaniya answered, "Solicited by me, if, indeed, thou truly refusest to +make me thy wife, then, O Kacha, this thy knowledge shall not bear fruit." + +"'Hearing this, Kacha said, "I have refused thy request only because thou +art the daughter of my preceptor, and not because thou hast any fault. Nor +hath my preceptor in this respect issued any command. Curse me if it +please thee. I have told thee what the behaviour should be of a Rishi. I +do not deserve thy curse, O Devayani. But yet thou hast cursed me! Thou +hast acted under the influence of passion and not from a sense of duty. +Therefore, thy desire will not be fulfilled. No Rishi's son shall ever +accept thy hand in marriage. Thou hast said that my knowledge shall not +bear fruit. Let it be so. But in respect of him it shall bear fruit to +whom I may impart it."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'That first of Brahmanas, Kacha, having said so +unto Devayani speedily wended his way unto the abode of the chief of the +celestials. Beholding him arrived, the celestials with Indra ahead, having +first worshipped him, spoke unto him as follows, "Thou hast indeed, +performed an act of great benefit for us. Wonderful hath been thy +achievement! Thy fame shall never die! Thou shall be a sharer with us in +sacrificial offerings."'" + + +SECTION LXXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The dwellers in heaven became exceedingly glad in +welcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull of +Bharata's race, the celestials then learnt that science from Kacha and +considered their object already achieved. And assembling together, they +spoke unto him of a hundred sacrifices, saying, "The time hath come for +showing prowess. Slay thy foes, O Purandara!" And thus addressed, Maghavat, +then accompanied by the celestials, set out, saying, "So be it." But on +his way he saw a number of damsels. These maidens were sporting in a lake +in the gardens of the Gandharva Chitraratha. Changing himself into wind, +he soon mixed up the garments of those maidens which they had laid on the +bank. A little while after, the maidens, getting up from the water, +approached their garments that had, indeed, got mixed up with one another. +And it so happened that from the intermingled heap, the garments of +Devayani were appropriated by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, +from ignorance that it was not hers. And, O king, thereupon, between them, +Devayani and Sarmishtha, then ensued a dispute. And Devayani said, "O +daughter of the Asura (chief), why dost thou take my attire, being, as +thou art, my disciple? As thou art destitute of good behaviour, nothing +good can happen to thee!" Sarmishtha, however, quickly replied, "Thy +father occupying a lower seat, always adoreth with downcast looks, like a +hired chanter of praises, my father, whether he sitteth at his ease or +reclineth at full length! Thou art the daughter of one that chanteth the +praises of others, of one that accepteth alms. I am the daughter of one +who is adored, of one who bestoweth alms instead of ever accepting them! +Beggar-woman as thou art, thou art free to strike thy breast, to use ill +words, to vow enmity to me, to give way to thy wrath. Acceptress of alms, +thou weepest tears of anger in vain! If so minded, I can harm thee, but +thou canst not. Thou desirest to quarrel. But know thou that I do not +reckon thee as my equal!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, Devayani became exceedingly +angry and began to pull at her clothes. Sarmishtha thereupon threw her +into a well and went home. Indeed, the wicked Sarmishtha believing that +Devayani was dead, bent her steps home-wards in a wrathful mood. + +"'After Sarmishtha had left, Yayati the son of Nahusha soon came to that +spot. The king had been out a-hunting. The couple of horses harnessed to +his car and the other single horse with him were all fatigued. And the +king himself was thirsty. And the son of Nahusha saw a well that was by. +And he saw that it was dry. But in looking down into it, he saw a maiden +who in splendour was like a blazing fire. And beholding her within it, the +blessed king addressed that girl of the complexion of the celestials, +soothing her with sweet words. And he said, "Who art thou, O fair one, of +nails bright as burnished copper, and with ear-rings decked with celestial +gems? Thou seemest to be greatly perturbed. Why dost thou weep in +affliction? How, indeed, hast thou fallen into this well covered with +creepers and long grass? And, O slender-waisted girl, answer me truly +whose daughter thou art." + +"'Devayani then replied, "I am the daughter of Sukra who brings back into +life the Asuras slain by the gods. He doth not know what hath befallen me. +This is my right hand, O king, with nails bright as burnished copper. Thou +art well-born; I ask thee, to take and raise me up! I know thou art of +good behaviour, of great prowess, and of wide fame! It behoveth thee, +therefore, to raise me from this well."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Yayati, learning that she was a Brahmana's +daughter, raised her from that well by catching hold of her right hand. +And the monarch promptly raising her from the pit and squinting to her +tapering thighs, sweetly and courteously returned to his capital. + +"'When the son of Nahusha had gone away, Devayani of faultless features, +afflicted with grief, then spoke unto her maid, Ghurnika by name, who met +her then. And she said, "O Ghurnika, go thou quickly and speak to my +father without loss of time of everything as it hath happened. I shall not +now enter the city of Vrishaparvan."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Ghurnika, thus commanded, repaired quickly to +the mansion, of the Asura chief, where she saw Kavya and spoke unto him +with her perception dimmed by anger. And she said, "I tell thee, O great +Brahmana, that Devayani hath been ill-used, O fortunate one, in the forest +by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan." And Kavya, hearing that his +daughter had been ill-used by Sarmishtha speedily went out with a heavy +heart, seeking her in the woods. And when he found her in the woods, he +clasped her with affection and spoke unto her with voice choked with grief, +"O daughter, the weal or woe that befalleth people is always due to their +own faults. Thou hast therefore some fault, I ween, which hath been +expiated thus." Hearing this Devayani replied, "Be it a penalty or not, +listen to me with attention. O, hear that all Sarmishtha, the daughter of +Vrishaparvan, hath said unto me. Really hath she said that thou art only +the hired chanter of the praises of the Asura king! Even thus hath she-- +that Sarmishtha, Vrishaparvan's daughter,--spoken to me, with reddened +eyes, these piercing and cruel words, 'Thou art the daughter of one that +ever chanteth for hire the praises of others, of one that asketh for +charities, of one that accepteth alms; whereas I am the daughter of one +that receiveth adorations, of one that giveth, of one that never accepteth +anything as gift!' These have been the words repeatedly spoken unto me by +the proud Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, with eyes red with +anger. If, O father, I am really the daughter of a hired chanter of +praises, of one that accepteth gifts, I must offer my adorations in the +hope of obtaining her grace! Oh, of this I have already told her!" + +"'Sukra replied, "Thou art, O Devayani, no daughter of a hired adorer, of +one that asketh for alms and accepteth gifts. Thou art the daughter of one +that adores none, but of one that is adored by all! Vrishaparvan himself +knoweth it, and Indra, and king Yayati too. That inconceivable Brahma, +that unopposable Godhead, is my strength! The self-create, himself, +gratified by me, hath said that I am for aye the lord of that which is in +all things on Earth or in Heaven! I tell thee truly that it is I who pour +rain for the good of creatures and who nourish the annual plants that +sustain all living things!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'It was by such sweet words of excellent import +that the father endeavoured to pacify his daughter afflicted with woe and +oppressed by anger.'" + + +SECTION LXXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Sukra continued, "Know, then, O Devayani, that he that mindeth not the +evil speeches of others, conquereth everything! The wise say that he is a +true charioteer who without slackening holdeth tightly the reins of his +horses. He, therefore, is the true man that subdueth, without indulging in +his rising wrath. Know thou, O Devayani, that by him is everything +conquered, who calmly subdueth his rising anger. He is regarded as a man +who by having recourse to forgiveness, shaketh off his rising anger like a +snake casting off its slough. He that suppresseth his anger, he that +regardeth not the evil speeches of others, he that becometh not angry, +though there be cause, certainly acquireth the four objects for which we +live (viz., virtue, profit, desire, and salvation). Between him that +performeth without fatigue sacrifices every month for a hundred years, and +him that never feeleth angry at anything, he that feeleth not wrath is +certainly the higher. Boys and girls, unable to distinguish between right +and wrong, quarrel with each other. The wise never imitate them." Devayani, +on hearing this speech of her father, said, "O father, I know, also what +the difference is between anger and forgiveness as regards the power of +each. But when a disciple behaveth disrespectfully, he should never be +forgiven by the preceptor if the latter is really desirous of benefiting +the former. Therefore, I do not desire to live any longer in a country +where evil behaviour is at a premium. The wise man desirous of good, +should not dwell among those sinfully inclined men who always speak ill of +good behaviour and high birth. But there should one live,--indeed, that +hath been said to be the best of dwelling places,--where good behaviour +and purity of birth are known and respected. The cruel words uttered by +Vrishaparvan's daughter burn my heart even as men, desirous of kindling a +fire, burn the dry fuel. I do not think anything more miserable for a man +in the three worlds than to adore one's enemies blessed with good fortune, +himself possessing none. It hath been indeed said by the learned that for +such a man even death would be better."'" + + +SECTION LXXX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Kavya, the foremost of Bhrigu's line, became +angry himself. And approaching Vrishaparvan where the latter was seated, +began to address him without weighing his words, "O king," he said, +"sinful acts do not, like the Earth, bear fruit immediately! But gradually +and secretly do they extirpate their doers. Such fruit visiteth either in +one's own self, one's son, or one's grandson. Sins must bear their fruit. +Like rich food they can never be digested. And because ye slew the +Brahmana Kacha, the grandson of Angiras, who was virtuous, acquainted with +the precepts of religion, and attentive to his duties, while residing in +my abode, even for this act of slaughter--and for the mal-treatment of my +daughter too, know, O Vrishaparvan, I shall leave thee and thy relatives! +Indeed, O king, for this, I can no longer stay with thee! Dost thou, O +Asura chief, think that I am a raving liar? Thou makest light of thy +offence without seeking to correct it!" + +"'Vrishaparvan then said, "O son of Bhrigu, never have I attributed want of +virtue, of falsehood, to thee. Indeed, virtue and truth ever dwell in thee. +Be kind to me! O Bhargava, if, leaving us, thou really goest hence, we +shall then go into the depths of the ocean. Indeed, there is nothing else +for us to do." + +"'Sukra then replied, "Ye Asuras, whether ye go into the depths of the +ocean or fly away to all directions, I care little. I am unable to bear my +daughter's grief. My daughter is ever dear to me. My life dependeth on her. +Seek ye to please her. As Vrihaspati ever seeketh the good of Indra, so do +I always seek thine by my ascetic merits." + +"'Vrishaparvan then said, "O Bhargava, thou art the absolute master of +whatever is possessed by the Asura chiefs in this world-their elephants, +kine and horses, and even my humble self!" + +"'Sukra then answered, "If it is true, O great Asura, that I am the lord of +all the wealth of the Asuras, then go and gratify Devayani."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'when the great Kavya was so addressed by +Vrishaparvan, he then went to Devayani and told her all. Devayani, however, +quickly replied, "O Bhargava, if thou art truly the lord of the Asura king +himself and of all his wealth, then let the king himself come to me and +say so in my presence." Vrishaparvan then approached Devayani and told her, +"O Devayani of sweet smiles, whatever thou desirest I am willing to give +thee, however difficult it may be to grant the same." Devayani answered, +"I desire Sarmishtha with a thousand maids to wait on me! She must also +follow me to where my father may give me away." + +"'Vrishaparvan then commanded a maid-servant in attendance on him, saying, +"Go and quickly bring Sarmishtha hither. Let her also accomplish what +Devayani wisheth."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The maid-servant then repaired to Sarmishtha and +told her, "O amiable Sarmishtha, rise and follow me. Accomplish the good +of thy relatives. Urged by Devayani, the Brahmana (Sukra) is on the point +of leaving his disciples (the Asuras). O sinless one, thou must do what +Devayani wisheth." Sarmishtha replied, "I shall cheerfully do what +Devayani wisheth. Urged by Devayani Sukra is calling me. Both Sukra and +Devayani must not leave the Asuras through my fault." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Commanded by her father, then, Sarmishtha, +accompanied by a thousand maidens, soon came, in a palanquin, out of her +father's excellent mansion. And approaching Devayani she said, "With my +thousand maids, I am thy waiting-maid! And I shall follow thee where thy +father may give thee away." Devayani replied, "I am the daughter of one +who chanteth the praises of thy father, and who beggeth and accepteth alms; +thou, on the other hand, art the daughter of one who is adored. How canst +thou be my waiting-maid?" + +"'Sarmishtha answered, "One must by all means contribute to the happiness +of one's afflicted relatives. Therefore shall I follow thee wherever thy +father may give thee away."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When Sarmishtha thus promised to be Devayani's +waiting-maid the latter, O king, then spoke unto her father thus, "O best +of all excellent Brahmanas, I am gratified. I shall now enter the Asura +capital! I now know that thy science and power of knowledge are not +futile!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'That best of Brahmanas, of great reputation, +thus addressed by his daughter, then, entered the Asura capital in the +gladness of his heart. And the Danavas worshipped him with great +reverence.'" + + +SECTION LXXXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After some length of time, O best of monarchs, +Devayani of the fairest complexion went into the same woods for purposes +of pleasure. And accompanied by Sarmishtha with her thousand maids she +reached the same spot and began to wander freely. And waited upon by all +those companions she felt supremely happy. And sporting with light hearts, +they began drinking the honey in flowers, eating various kinds of fruit +and biting some. And just at that time, king Yayati, the son of Nahusha, +again came there tired and thirsty, in course of his wanderings, in search +of deer. And the king saw Devayani and Sarmishtha, and those other maidens +also, all decked with celestial ornaments and full of voluptuous languor +in consequence of the flower-honey they drank. And Devayani of sweet +smiles, unrivalled for beauty and possessed of the fairest complexion +amongst them all, was reclining at her ease. And she was waited upon by +Sarmishtha who was gently kneading her feet. + +"'And Yayati seeing all this, said, "O amiable ones, I would ask you both +your names and parentage. It seems that these two thousand maids wait on +you two." Hearing the monarch, Devayani then answered, "Listen to me, O +best of men. Know that I am the daughter of Sukra, the spiritual guide of +the Asuras. This my companion is my waiting-maid. She attendeth on me +wherever I go. She is Sarmishtha, the daughter of the Asura king +Vrishaparvan." + +"'Yayati then asked, "I am curious to know why is this thy companion of +fair eye-brows, this maiden of the fairest complexion, the daughter of the +Asura chief thy waiting-maid!" Devayani replied, "O best of king, +everything resulteth from Fate. Knowing this also to be the result of Fate, +wonder not at it. Thy feature and attire are both like a king's. Thy +speech also is fair and correct as that of the Vedas. Tell me thy name, +whence thou art and whose son also." + +"'The monarch replied, "During my vow of Brahmacharya, the whole Vedas +entered my ears. I am known as Yayati, a king's son and myself a king." +Devayani then enquired, "O king, what hast thou come here for? Is it to +gather lotuses or to angle or to hunt?" Yayati said, "O amiable one, +thirsty from the pursuit of deer, I have come hither in search of water. I +am very much fatigued. I await but your commands to leave this spot." + +"'Devayani answered, "With my two thousand damsels and my waiting-maid +Sarmishtha, I wait but your commands. Prosperity to thee. Be thou my +friend and lord." + +"'Yayati, thereupon, replied, "Beautiful one, I do not deserve thee. Thou +art the daughter of Sukra far superior to me. Thy father cannot bestow +thee even on a great king." To this Devayani replied, "Brahmanas had +before this been united with the Kshatriyas, and Kshatriyas with Brahmanas. +Thou art the son of a Rishi and thyself a Rishi. Therefore, O son of +Nahusha, marry me." Yayati, however, replied, "O thou of the handsomest +features, the four orders have, indeed, sprung from one body. But their +duties and purity are not the same, the Brahmana being truly superior to +all." Devayani answered, "This hand of mine hath never been touched before +by any man save thee. Therefore, do I accept thee for my lord. How, indeed, +shall any other man touch my hand which had before been touched by thyself +who art a Rishi?" Yayati then said, "The wise know that a Brahmana is more +to be avoided than an angry snake of virulent poison, or a blazing fire of +spreading flames." Devayani then told the monarch, "O bull amongst men, +why dost thou, indeed, say that Brahmana should be more avoided than an +angry snake of virulent poison or a blazing fire of spreading flames?" The +monarch answered, "The snake killeth only one. The sharpest weapon slayeth +but a single person. The Brahmana, when angry destroyeth whole cities and +kingdoms! Therefore, O timid one, do I deem a Brahmana as more to be +avoided than either. I cannot hence wed thee, O amiable one, unless thy +father bestoweth thee on me." Devayani then said, "Thou art, indeed, +chosen by me. And, O king, it is understood that thou wilt accept me if +my father bestoweth me on thee. Thou needst not fear to accept my poor +self bestowed on thee. Thou dost not, indeed, ask for me."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, Devayani quickly sent a maidservant +to her father. The maid represented to Sukra everything as it had happened. +And as soon as he had heard all, Bhargava came and saw Yayati. And +beholding Bhargava come, Yayati worshipped and adored that Brahmana, and +stood with joined palms in expectation of his commands. + +"'And Devayani then said, "This O father, is the son of Nahusha. He took +hold of my hand, when I was in distress. I bow to thee. Bestow me upon him. +I shall not wed any other person in the world." Sukra exclaimed, "O thou +of splendid courage, thou hast, indeed, been accepted as her lord by this +my dear daughter. I bestow her on thee. Therefore, O son of Nahusha, +accept her as thy wife." + +"'Yayati then said, "I solicit the boon, O Brahmana, that by so doing, the +sin of begetting a half-breed might not touch me." Sukra, however, assured +him by saying, "I shall absolve thee from the sin. Ask thou the boon that +thou desirest. Fear not to wed her. I grant thee absolution. Maintain +virtuously thy wife--the slender-waisted Devayani. Transports of happiness +be thine in her company. This other maiden, Vrishaparvan's daughter, +Sarmishtha should ever be regarded by thee. But thou shall not summon her +to thy bed."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Sukra, Yayati then walked +round the Brahmana. And the king then went through the auspicious ceremony +of marriage according to the rites of the scriptures. And having received +from Sukra this rich treasure of the excellent Devayani with Sarmishtha +and those two thousand maidens, and duly honoured also by Sukra himself +and the Asuras, the best of monarchs, then, commanded by the high-souled +Bhargava, returned to his capital with a joyous heart.'" + + +SECTION LXXXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Yayati then, on returning to his capital which was +like unto the city of Indra, entered his inner apartments and established +there his bride Devayani. And the monarch, directed by Devayani, +established Vrishaparvan's daughter Sarmishtha in a mansion especially +erected near the artificial woods of Asokas in his gardens. And the king +surrounded Vrishaparvan's daughter Sarmishtha with a thousand maids and +honoured her by making every arrangement for her food and garments. But it +was with Devayani that the royal son of Nahusha sported like a celestial +for many years in joy and bliss. And when her season came, the fair +Devayani conceived. And she brought forth as her first child a fine boy. +And when a thousand years had passed away, Vrishaparvan's daughter +Sarmishtha having attained to puberty saw that her season had come. She +became anxious and said to herself, "My season hath arrived. But I have +not yet chosen a husband. O, what hath happened, what should I do? How am +I to obtain the fruition of my wishes? Devayani hath become mother. My +youth is doomed to pass away in vain. Shall I choose him also for my +husband whom Devayani hath chosen? This is, indeed, my resolve: that +monarch should give me a son. Will not the virtuous one grant me a private +interview?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'While Sarmishtha was thus busy with her thoughts, +the king wandering listlessly came to that very wood of Asokas, and +beholding Sarmishtha before him, stood there in silence. Then Sarmishtha +of sweet smiles seeing the monarch before her with nobody to witness what +might pass, approached him and said with joined palms, "O son of Nahusha, +no one can behold the ladies that dwell in the inner apartments of Soma, +of Indra, of Vishnu, of Yama, of Varuna, and of thee! Thou knowest, O king, +that I am both handsome and well-born. I solicit thee, O king! My season +hath arrived. See that it goeth not in vain." + +"'Yayati answered, "Well do I know that honour of birth is thine, born as +thou art in the proud race of the Danavas. Thou art also gifted with +beauty. I do not, indeed, see even the speck of a fault in thy feature. +But Usanas commanded me, while I was united with Devayani, that never +should Vrishaparvan's daughter be summoned to my bed." + +"'Sarmishtha then said, "It hath been said, O king, that it is not sinful +to lie on the occasion of a joke, in respect of women sought to be enjoyed, +on occasions of marriage, in peril of immediate death and of the loss of +one's whole fortune. Lying is excusable on these five occasions. O king, +it is not true that he is fallen who speaks not the truth when asked. Both +Devayani and myself have been called hither as companions to serve the +same purpose. When, therefore, thou hadst said that you wouldst confine +thyself to one only amongst as, that was a lie thou hadst spoken." Yayati +replied, "A king should ever be a model in the eyes of his people. That +monarch certainly meets with destruction who speaks an untruth. As for +myself, I dare not speak an untruth even if the greatest loss threatens +me!" Sarmishtha answered, "O monarch, one may look upon her friend's +husband as her own. One's friend's marriage is the same as one's own. Thou +hast been chosen by my friend as her husband. Thou art as much my husband, +therefore." Yayati then said, "It is, indeed my vow always to grant what +one asketh. As thou askest me, tell me then what I am to do." Sarmishtha +then said, "Absolve me, O king, from sin. Protect my virtue. Becoming a +mother by thee, let me practise the highest virtue in this world. It is +said, O king, that a wife, a slave, and a son can never earn wealth for +themselves. What they earn always belongeth to him who owneth them. I am, +indeed, the slave of Devayani. Thou art Devayani's master and lord. Thou +art, therefore, O king, my master and lord as much as Devayani's! I +solicit thee! O, fulfil my wishes!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Sarmishtha, the monarch was +persuaded into the truth of all she spoke. He therefore, honoured +Sarmishtha by protecting her virtue. And they passed some time together. +And taking affectionate farewell of each other, they then parted, each +returning to whence he or she had come. + +"'And it came to pass that Sarmishtha of sweet smiles and fair eyebrows +conceived in consequence of that connection of hers with that best of +monarchs. And, O king, that lotus-eyed lady then in due course of time +brought forth a son of the splendour of a celestial child and of eyes +like lotus-petals.'" + + +SECTION LXXXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When Devayani of sweet smiles heard of the birth of +this child, she became jealous, and O Bharata, Sarmishtha became an object +of her unpleasant reflections. And Devayani, repairing to her, addressed +her thus, "O thou of fair eye-brows, what sin is this thou hast committed +by yielding to the influence of lust?" Sarmishtha replied, "A certain +Rishi of virtuous soul and fully conversant with the Vedas came to me. +Capable of granting boons he was solicited by me to grant my wishes that +were based on considerations of virtue. O thou of sweet smiles, I would +not seek the sinful fulfilment of my desires. I tell thee truly that this +child of mine is by that Rishi!" Devayani answered, "It is all right if +that be the case, O timid one! But if the lineage, name, and family of +that Brahmana be known to thee, I should like to hear them." Sarmishtha +replied, "O thou of sweet smiles, in asceticism and energy, that Rishi is +resplendent like the Sun himself. Beholding him, I had not, any need to +make these enquiries--" Devayani then said, "If this is true, if indeed, +thou hast obtained thy child from such a superior Brahmana, then, O +Sarmishtha, I have no cause of anger." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having thus talked and laughed with each other, +they separated, Devayani returning to the palace with the knowledge +imparted to her by Sarmishtha. And, O king, Yayati also begot on Devayani +two sons called Yadu and Turvasu, who were like Indra and Vishnu. And +Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, became through the royal sage +the mother of three sons in all, named Drahyu, Anu, and Puru. + +"'And, O king, it so came to pass that one day Devayani of sweet smiles, +by Yayati, went into a solitary part of the woods, (in the king's +extensive park). And there she saw three children of celestial beauty +playing with perfect trustfulness. And Devayani asked in surprise, "Whose +children are they, O king, who are so handsome and so like unto the +children of the celestials? In splendour and beauty they are like thee, I +should think."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'And Devayani without waiting for a reply from +the king, asked the children themselves, "Ye children, what is your +lineage? Who is your father? Answer me truly. I desire to know all." Those +children then pointed at the king (with their forefingers) and spoke of +Sarmishtha as their mother. + +"'And having so said, the children approached the king to clasp his knees. +But the king dared not caress them in the presence of Devayani. The boys +then left the place, and made towards their mother, weeping in grief. And +the king, at this conduct of the boys, became very much abashed. But +Devayani, marking the affection of the children for the king learnt the +secret and addressing Sarmishtha, said, "How hast thou dared to do me an +injury, being, as thou art, dependent on me? Dost thou not fear to have +recourse once more to that Asura custom of thine?" + +"'Sarmishtha said, "O thou of sweet smiles, all that I told thee of a Rishi +is perfectly true. I have acted rightly and according to the precepts of +virtue, and therefore, do I not fear thee. When thou hadst chosen the king +for thy husband, I, too, chose him as mine. O beautiful one, a friend's +husband is, according to usage, one's own husband as well. Thou art the +daughter of a Brahmana and, therefore, deservest my worship and regard. +But dost thou not know that this royal sage is held by me in greater +esteem still?"' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Devayani then, hearing those words of hers, exclaimed, +O king, thus, "Thou hast wronged me, O monarch! I shall not live here any +longer." And saying this, she quickly rose, with tearful eyes, to go to +her father. And the king was grieved to see her thus, and alarmed greatly, +followed in her foot-steps, endeavouring to appease her wrath. But +Devayani, with eyes red with anger, would not desist. Speaking not a word +to the king, with eyes bathed in tears, she soon reached the side of her +father Usanas, the son of Kavi. And beholding her father, she stood before +him, after due salutations. And Yayati also, immediately after, saluted +and worshipped Bhargava. + +"'And Devayani said, "O father, virtue hath been vanquished by vice. The +low have risen, and the high have fallen. I have been offended again by +Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan. Three sons have been begotten +upon her by this king Yayati. But, O father, being luckless I have got +only two sons! O son of Bhrigu, this king is renowned for his knowledge of +the precepts of religion. But, O Kavya, I tell thee that he hath deviated +from the path of rectitude." + +"'Sukra, hearing all this, said, "O monarch, since thou hast made vice thy +beloved pursuit, though fully acquainted with the precepts of religion, +invincible decrepitude shall paralyse thee!" Yayati answered, "Adorable +one, I was solicited by the daughter of the Danava king to fructify her +season. I did it from a sense of virtue and not from other motives. That +male person, who being solicited by a woman in her season doth not grant +her wishes, is called, O Brahmana, by those conversant with the Vedas, a +slayer of the embryo. He who, solicited in secret by a woman full of +desire and in season, goeth not in unto her, loseth virtue and is called +by the learned a killer of the embryo. O son of Bhrigu, for these reasons, +and anxious to avoid sin, I went into Sarmishtha." Sukra then replied, +"Thou art dependent on me. Thou shouldst have awaited my command. Having +acted falsely in the matter of thy duty, O son of Nahusha, thou hast been +guilty of the sin of theft."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Yayati, the son of Nahusha, thus cursed by the +angry Usanas, was then divested of his youth and immediately overcome by +decrepitude. And Yayati said, "O son of Bhrigu, I have not yet been +satiated with youth or with Devayani. Therefore, O Brahmana, be graceful +unto me so that decrepitude might not touch me." Sukra then answered, "I +never speak an untruth. Even now, O king, art thou attacked by decrepitude. +But if thou likest, thou art competent to transfer this thy decrepitude to +another." Yayati said, "O Brahmana, let it be commanded by thee that that +son of mine who giveth me his youth shall enjoy my kingdom, and shall +achieve both virtue and fame." Sukra replied, "O son of Nahusha, thinking +of me thou mayst transfer this thy decrepitude to whomsoever thou likest. +That son who shall give thee his youth shall become thy successor to the +throne. He shall also have long life, wide fame, and numerous progeny!"'" + + +SECTION LXXXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Yayati, then, overcome with decrepitude, returned to +his capital and summoning his eldest son Yadu who was also the most +accomplished, addressed him thus, "Dear child, from the curse of Kavya +called also Usanas, decrepitude and wrinkles and whiteness of hair have +come over me. But I have not been gratified yet with the enjoyment of +youth. Do thou, O Yadu, take this my weakness along with my decrepitude. I +shall enjoy with thy youth. And when a full thousand years will have +elapsed, returning to thee thy youth, I shall take back my weakness with +this decrepitude!" + +"'Yadu replied, "There are innumerable inconveniences in decrepitude, in +respect of drinking and eating. Therefore, O king, I shall not take thy +decrepitude. This is, indeed, my determination. White hair on the head, +cheerlessness and relaxation of the nerves, wrinkles all over the body, +deformities, weakness of the limbs, emaciation, incapacity to work, defeat +at the hands of friends and companions--these are the consequences of +decrepitude. Therefore, O king, I desire not to take it. O king, thou hast +many sons some of whom are dearer to thee. Thou art acquainted with the +precepts of virtue. Ask some other son of thine to take thy decrepitude." + +"'Yayati replied, "Thou art sprung from my heart, O son, but thou givest me +not thy youth. Therefore, thy children shall never be kings." And he +continued, addressing another son of his, "O Turvasu, take thou this +weakness of mine along with my decrepitude. With thy youth, O son, I like +to enjoy the pleasure of life. After the lapse of a full thousand years I +shall give back to thee thy youth, and take back from thee my weakness and +decrepitude." + +"'Turvasu replied, "I do not like decrepitude, O father, it takes away all +appetites and enjoyments, strength and beauty of person, intellect, and +even life." Yayati said to him, "Thou art sprung from my heart, O son! But +thou givest me not thy youth! Therefore, O Turvasu, thy race shall be +extinct. Wretch, thou shall be the king of those whose practices and +precepts are impure, amongst whom men of inferior blood procreate children +upon women of blue blood, who live on meat, who are mean, who hesitate not +to appropriate the wives of their superiors, whose practices are those of +birds and beasts, who are sinful, and non-Aryan."' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Yayati, having thus cursed his son Turvasu, then, +addressed Sarmishtha's son Drahyu thus, "O Drahyu, take thou for a +thousand years my decrepitude destructive of complexion and personal +beauty and give me thy youth. When a thousand years have passed away, I +shall return thee thy youth and take back my own weakness and +decrepitude." To this Drahyu replied, "O king, one that is decrepit can +never enjoy elephants and cars and horses and women. Even his voice +becometh hoarse. Therefore, I do not desire (to take) thy decrepitude." +Yayati said to him, "Thou art sprung from my heart, O son! But thou +refusest to give me thy youth. Therefore, thy most cherished desires +shall never be fulfilled. Thou shalt be king only in name, of that +region where there are no roads for (the passage of) horses and cars +and elephants, and good vehicles, and asses, and goats and bullocks, +and palanquins; where there is swimming only by rafts and floats." +Yayati next addressed Anu and said, "O Anu, take my weakness and +decrepitude. I shall with thy youth enjoy the pleasures of life for a +thousand years." To this Anu replied, "Those that are decrepit always +eat like children and are always impure. They cannot pour libations +upon fire in proper times. Therefore, I do not like to take thy +decrepitude." Yayati said to him, "Thou art sprung from my heart, thou +givest not thy youth. Thou findest so many faults in decrepitude. +Therefore, decrepitude shall overcome thee! And, O Anu, thy progeny also +as soon as they attain to youth, shall die. And thou shalt also not be +able to perform sacrifices before fire." + +"'Yayati at last turned to his youngest child, Puru, and addressing him +said, "Thou art, O Puru, my youngest son! But thou shall be the first of +all! Decrepitude, wrinkles, and whiteness of hair have come over me in +consequence of the curse of Kavya called also Usanas. I have not yet +however, been satiated with my youth. O Puru, take thou this my weakness +and decrepitude! With thy youth I shall enjoy for some years the pleasures +of life. And when a thousand years have passed away, I shall give back to +thee thy youth and take back my own decrepitude."' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by the king, Puru answered with +humility, "I shall do, O monarch, as thou bidest me. I shall take, O king, +thy weakness and decrepitude. Take thou my youth and enjoy as thou listest +the pleasures of life. Covered with thy decrepitude and becoming old, I +shall, as thou commandest, continue to live, giving thee my youth." Yayati +then said, "O Puru, I have been gratified with thee. And being gratified, +I tell thee that the people in thy kingdom shall have all their desires +fulfilled." + +"'And having said this, the great ascetic Yayati, then thinking of Kavya, +transferred his decrepitude unto the body of the high-souled Puru.'" + + +SECTION LXXXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The excellent monarch Yayati, the son of Nahusha, +having received Puru's youth, became exceedingly gratified. And with it he +once more began to indulge in his favourite pursuits to the full extent of +his desires and to the limit of his powers, according to seasons, so as to +derive the greatest pleasure therefrom. And, O king, in nothing that he +did, he acted against the precepts of his religion as behoved him well. He +gratified the gods by his sacrifices; the pitris, by Sraddhas; the poor, +by his charities; all excellent Brahmanas, by fulfilling their desires; +all persons entitled to the rites of hospitality, with food and drink; the +Vaisyas, by protection; and the Sudras, by kindness. And the king +repressed all criminals by proper punishments. And Yayati, gratifying all +sections of his subjects, protected them virtuously like another Indra. +And the monarch possessed of the prowess of a lion, with youth and every +object of enjoyment under control, enjoyed unlimited happiness without +transgressing the precepts of religion. And the king became very happy in +thus being able to enjoy all the excellent objects of his desires. And he +was only sorry when he thought that those thousand years would come to an +end. And having obtained youth for a thousand years, the king acquainted +with the mysteries of time, and watching proper Kalas and Kashthas sported +with (the celestial damsel) Viswachi, sometimes in the beautiful garden of +Indra, sometimes in Alaka (the city of Kuvera), and sometimes on the +summit of the mountain Meru on the north. And when the virtuous monarch +saw that the thousand years were full, he summoned his son, Puru, and +addressed him thus, "O oppressor of foes, with thy youth, O son, I have +enjoyed the pleasures of life, each according to its season to the full +extent of my desires, to the limit of my powers. Our desires, however, are +never gratified by indulgence. On the other hand, with indulgence, they +only flame up like fire with libations of sacrificial butter. If a single +person were owner of everything on Earth--all her yields of paddy and +barley, her silver, gold, and gems, her animals and women, he would not +still be content. Thirst of enjoyment, therefore, should be given up. +Indeed, true happiness belongeth to them that have cast off their thirst +for worldly objects--a thirst which is difficult to be thrown off by the +wicked and the sinful, which faileth not with the failing life, and which +is truly the fatal disease of man. My heart hath for a full thousand years +been fixed upon the objects of desires. My thirst for these, however, +increaseth day by day without abating. Therefore, I shall cast it off, and +fixing my mind on Brahma I shall pass the rest of my days with the +innocent deer in the forest peacefully and with no heart for any worldly +objects. And O Puru, I have been exceedingly gratified with thee! +Prosperity be thine! Receive back this thy youth! Receive thou also my +kingdom. Thou art, indeed, that son of mine who has done me the greatest +services."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Yayati, the son of Nahusha, received back +his decrepitude. And his son Puru received back his own youth. And Yayati +was desirous of installing Puru, his youngest son, on the throne. But the +four orders, with the Brahmanas at their head, then addressed the monarch +thus, "O king, how shall thou bestow thy kingdom on Puru, passing over thy +eldest son Yadu born of Devayani, and, therefore, the grandson of the +great Sukra? Indeed, Yadu is thy eldest son; after him hath been born +Turvasu; and of Sarmishtha's sons, the first is Drahyu, then Anu and then +Puru. How doth the youngest deserve the throne, passing all his elder +brothers over? This we represent to thee! O, conform to virtuous +practice." + +"'Yayati then said, "Ye four orders with Brahmanas at their head, hear my +words as to why my kingdom should not be given to my eldest son. My +commands have been disobeyed by my eldest son, Yadu. The wise say that he +is no son who disobeyeth his father. That son, however, who doth the +bidding of his parents, who seeketh their good, who is agreeable to them, +is indeed, the best of sons. I have been disregarded by Yadu and by +Turvasu, too. Much I have been disregarded by Drahyu and by Anu also. By +Puru alone hath my word been obeyed. By him have I been much regarded. +Therefore, the youngest shall be my heir. He took my decrepitude. Indeed, +Puru is my friend. He did what was so agreeable to me. It hath also been +commanded by Sukra himself, the son of Kavi, that, that son of mine who +should obey me will become king after me and bring the whole Earth under +his sway. I, therefore, beseech thee, let Puru be installed on the +throne." + +"'The people then said, "True it is, O king, that, that son who is +accomplished and who seeketh the good of his parents, deserveth prosperity +even if he be the youngest. Therefore, doth Puru, who hath done thee good, +deserve the crown. And as Sukra himself hath commanded it, we have nothing +to say to it."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The son of Nahusha, thus addressed by the +contented people, then installed his son, Puru, on the throne. And having +bestowed his kingdom on Puru, the monarch performed the initiatory +ceremonies for retiring into the woods. And soon after he left his capital, +followed by Brahmanas and ascetics. + +"'The sons of Yadu are known by the name of the Yadavas: while those of +Turvasu have come to be called the Yavanas. And the sons of Drahyu are the +Bhojas, while those of Anu, the Mlechchhas. The progeny of Puru, however, +are the Pauravas, amongst whom, O monarch, thou art born, in order to rule +for a thousand years with thy passions under complete control.'" + + +SECTION LXXXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, having thus +installed his dear son on the throne, became exceedingly happy, and +entered into the woods to lead the life of a hermit. And having lived for +some time into forest in the company of Brahmanas, observing many rigid +vows, eating fruits and roots, patiently bearing privations of all sorts, +the monarch at last ascended to heaven. And having ascended to heaven he +lived there in bliss. But soon, however, he was hurled down by Indra. And +it hath been heard by me, O king, that, though hurled from heaven, Yayati, +without reaching the surface of the Earth, stayed in the firmament. I have +heard that some time after he again entered the region of the celestials +in company with Vasuman, Ashtaka, Pratarddana, and Sivi.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'I desire to hear from thee in detail why Yayati, having +first obtained admission into heaven, was hurled therefrom, and why also +he gained re-admittance. Let all this, O Brahmana, be narrated by thee in +the presence of these regenerate sages. Yayati, lord of Earth, was, indeed, +like the chief of the celestials. The progenitor of the extensive race of +the Kurus, he was of the splendour of the Sun. I desire to hear in full +the story of his life both in heaven and on Earth, as he was illustrious, +and of world-wide celebrity and of wonderful achievements.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Indeed, I shall recite to thee the excellent story of +Yayati's adventures on Earth and in heaven. That story is sacred and +destroyeth the sins of those that hear it. + +"'King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, having installed his youngest son, Puru, +on the throne after casting his sons with Yadu for their eldest amongst +the Mlechchhas, entered the forest to lead the life of a hermit. And the +king eating fruits and roots lived for some time in the forest. Having his +mind and passions under complete control, the king gratified by sacrifices +the Pitris and the gods. And he poured libations of clarified butter upon +the fire according to the rites prescribed for those leading the +Vanaprastha mode of life. And the illustrious one entertained guests and +strangers with the fruit of the forest and clarified butter, while he +himself supported life by gleaning scattered corn seeds. And the king led +this sort of life for a full thousand years. And observing the vow of +silence and with mind under complete control he passed one full year, +living upon air alone and without sleep. And he passed another year +practising the severest austerities in the midst of four fires around and +the Sun overhead. And, living upon air alone, he stood erect upon one leg +for six months. And the king of sacred deeds ascended to heaven, covering +heaven as well as the Earth (with the fame of his achievements).'" + + +SECTION LXXXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'While that king of kings dwelt in heaven--the home of +the celestials, he was reverenced by the gods, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, +and the Vasus. Of sacred deeds, and mind under complete control, the +monarch used to repair now and then from the abode of the celestials unto +the region of Brahman. And it hath been heard by me that he dwelt for a +long time in heaven. + +"'One day that best of kings, Yayati, went to Indra and there in course of +conversation the lord of Earth was asked by Indra as follows: + +"'"What didst thou say, O king, when thy son Puru took thy decrepitude on +Earth and when thou gavest him thy kingdom?" + +"'Yayati answered, "I told him that the whole country between the rivers +Ganga and Yamuna was his. That is, indeed, the central region of the Earth, +while the out-lying regions are to be the dominions of thy brothers. I +also told him that those without anger were ever superior to those under +its sway, those disposed to forgive were ever superior to the unforgiving. +Man is superior to the lower animals. Among men again the learned are +superior to the un-learned. If wronged, thou shouldst not wrong in return. +One's wrath, if disregarded, burneth one's own self; but he that regardeth +it not taketh away all the virtues of him that exhibiteh it. Never +shouldst thou pain others by cruel speeches. Never subdue thy foes by +despicable means; and never utter such scorching and sinful words as may +torture others. He that pricketh as if with thorns men by means of hard +and cruel words, thou must know, ever carrieth in his mouth the Rakshasas. +Prosperity and luck fly away at his very sight. Thou shouldst ever keep +the virtuous before thee as thy models; thou shouldst ever with +retrospective eye compare thy acts with those of the virtuous; thou +shouldst ever disregard the hard words of the wicked. Thou shouldst ever +make the conduct of the wise the model upon which thou art to act thyself. +The man hurt by the arrows of cruel speech hurled from one's lips, weepeth +day and night. Indeed, these strike at the core of the body. Therefore the +wise never fling these arrows at others. There is nothing in the three +worlds by which thou canst worship and adore the deities better than by +kindness, friendship, charity and sweet speeches unto all. Therefore, +shouldst thou always utter words that soothe, and not those that scorch. +And thou shouldst regard those that deserve thy regards, and shouldst +always give but never beg!"'" + + +SECTION LXXXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After this Indra again asked Yayati, "Thou didst +retire into the woods, O king, after accomplishing all thy duties. O +Yayati, son of Nahusha, I would ask thee to whom thou art equal in ascetic +austerities." Yayati answered, "O Vasava, I do not, in the matter of +ascetic austerities, behold my equal among men, the celestials, the +Gandharvas, and the great Rishis." Indra then said, "O monarch, because +thou disregardest those that are thy superiors, thy equals, and even thy +inferiors, without, in fact, knowing their real merits, thy virtues have +suffered diminution and thou must fall from heaven." Yayati then said, "O +Sakra, if, indeed, my virtues have really sustained diminution and I must +on that account fall down from heaven, I desire, O chief of the celestials, +that I may at least fall among the virtuous and the honest." Indra replied, +"O king, thou shall fall among those that are virtuous and wise, and thou +shall acquire also much renown. And after this experience of thine, O +Yayati, never again disregard those that are thy superiors or even thy +equals."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Upon this, Yayati fell from the region of the +celestials. And as he was falling, he was beheld by that foremost of royal +sages, viz., Ashtaka, the protector of his own religion. Ashtaka beholding +him, enquired, "Who art thou, O youth of a beauty equal to that of Indra, +in splendour blazing as the fire, thus falling from on high? Art thou that +foremost of sky-ranging bodies--the sun--emerging from, dark masses of +clouds? Beholding thee falling from the solar course, possessed of +immeasurable energy and the splendour of fire or the sun, every one is +curious as to what it is that is so falling, and is, besides, deprived of +consciousness! Beholding thee in the path of the celestials, possessed of +energy like that of Sakra, or Surya, or Vishnu, we have approached thee to +ascertain the truth. If thou hadst first asked us who we were, we would +never have been guilty of the incivility of asking thee first. We now ask +thee who thou art and why thou approachest hither. Let thy fears be +dispelled; let thy woes and afflictions cease. Thou art now in the +presence of the virtuous and the wise. Even Sakra himself--the slayer of +Vala--cannot here do thee any injury. O thou of the prowess of the chief +of the celestials, the wise and the virtuous are the support of their +brethren in grief. Here there are none but the wise and virtuous like thee +assembled together. Therefore, stay thou here in peace. Fire alone hath +power to give heat. The Earth alone hath power to infuse life into the +seed. The sun alone hath power to illuminate everything. So the guest +alone hath power to command the virtuous and the wise."'" + + +SECTION LXXXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Yayati said, "I am Yayati, the son of Nahusha and the father of Puru. +Cast off from the region of the celestials and of Siddhas and Rishis for +having disregarded every creature, I am falling down, my righteousness +having sustained diminution. In years I am older than you; therefore, I +have not saluted you first. Indeed, the Brahmanas always reverence him who +is older in years or superior in learning or in ascetic merit." + +"'Ashtaka then replied, "Thou sayest, O monarch, that he who is older in +years is worthy of regard. But it is said that he is truly worthy of +worship who is superior in learning and ascetic merit." + +"'Yayati replied to this, "It is said that sin destroyeth the merits of +four virtuous acts. Vanity containeth the element of that which leadeth to +hell. The virtuous never follow in the footsteps of the vicious. They act +in such a way that their religious merit always increaseth. I myself had +great religious merit, but all that, however, is gone. I will scarcely be +able to regain it even by my best exertions. Beholding my fate, he that is +bent upon (achieving) his own good, will certainly suppress vanity. He who +having acquired great performeth meritorious sacrifices, who having +acquired all kinds of learning remaineth humble, and who having studied +the entire Vedas devoteth himself to asceticism with a heart withdrawn +from all mundane enjoyments, goeth to heaven. None should exult in having +acquired great wealth. None should be vain of having studied the entire +Vedas. In the world men are of different dispositions. Destiny is supreme. +Both power and exertion are all fruitless. Knowing Destiny to be all- +powerful, the wise, whatever their portions may be, should neither exult +nor boast. When creatures know that their weal and woe are dependent on +Destiny and not on their own exertion or power, they should neither grieve +nor exult, remembering that Destiny is all powerful. The wise should ever +live contented, neither grieving at woe nor exulting at weal. When Destiny +is supreme, both grief and exultation are one. O Ashtaka, I never suffer +myself to be overcome by fear, nor do I ever entertain grief, knowing for +certain that I shall be in the world what the great disposer of all hath +ordained. Insects and worms, all oviparous creatures, vegetable +existences, all crawling animals, vermin, the fish in the water, stones, +grass, wood--in fact, all created things, when they are freed from the +effects of their acts, are united with the Supreme Soul. Happiness and +misery are both transient. Therefore, O Ashtaka, why should I grieve? We +can never know how we are to act in order to avoid misery. Therefore, +none should grieve for misery." + +"'Possessed of every virtue, king Yayati who was the maternal grandfather +of Ashtaka, while staying in the welkin, at the conclusion of his speech, +was again questioned by Ashtaka. The latter said, "O king of kings, tell +me, in detail, of all those regions that thou hast visited and enjoyed, as +well as the period for which thou hast enjoyed each. Thou speakest of the +precepts of religion even like the clever masters acquainted with the acts +and sayings of great beings!" Yayati replied, "I was a great king on Earth, +owning the whole world for my dominion. Leaving it, I acquired by dint of +religious merit many high regions. There I dwelt for a full thousand years, +and then I attained to a very high region the abode of Indra, of +extraordinary beauty having a thousand gates, and extending over a hundred +yojanas all round. There too, I dwelt a full thousand years and then +attained to a higher region still. That is the region of perfect beatitude, +where decay never exists, the region, viz., that of the Creator and the +Lord of Earth, so difficult of attainment. There also I dwelt for a full +thousand years, and then attained to another very high region viz., that +of the god of gods (Vishnu) where, too, I had lived in happiness. Indeed, +I dwelt in various regions, adored by all the celestials, and possessed of +prowess and splendour equal unto those of the celestials themselves. +Capable of assuming any form at will, I lived for a million years in the +gardens of Nandana sporting with the Apsaras and beholding numberless +beautiful trees clad in flowery vesture and sending forth delicious +perfume all round. And after many, many years had elapsed, while still +residing there in enjoyment of perfect beatitude, the celestial messenger +of grim visage, one day, in a loud and deep voice, thrice shouted to me-- +Ruined! Ruined! Ruined!--O lion among kings, this much do I remember. I +was then fallen from Nandana, my religious merits gone! I heard in the +skies, O king, the voices of the celestials exclaiming in grief,--Alas! +What a misfortune! Yayati, with his religious merits destroyed, though +virtuous and of sacred deeds, is falling!--And as I was falling, I asked +them loudly, 'Where, ye celestials, are those wise ones amongst whom I am +to fall?' They pointed out to me this sacred sacrificial region belonging +to you. Beholding the curls of smoke blackening the atmosphere and +smelling the perfume of clarified butter poured incessantly upon fire, and +guided thereby, I am approaching this region of yours, glad at heart that +I come amongst you."'" + + +SECTION XC + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Ashtaka said, "Capable of assuming any form at will, thou hast lived for +a million years in the gardens of Nandana. For what cause, O foremost of +those that flourished in the Krita age, hast thou been compelled to leave +that region and come hither?" Yayati answered, "As kinsmen, friends, and +relatives forsake, in this world, those whose wealth disappears so, in the +other world, the celestials with Indra as their chief, forsake him who +hath lost his righteousness." Ashtaka said, "I am extremely anxious to +know how in the other world men can lose virtue. Tell me also, O king, +what regions are attainable by what courses of action. Thou art acquainted, +I know, with the acts and sayings of great beings." + +"'Yayati answered, "O pious one, they that speak of their own merits are +doomed to suffer the hell called Bhauma. Though really emaciated and lean, +they appear to grow on Earth (in the shape of their sons and grandsons) +only to become food for vultures, dogs, and jackals. Therefore, O king, +this highly censurable and wicked vice should be repressed. I have now, O +king, told thee all. Tell me what more I shall say." + +"'Ashtaka said, "When life is destroyed with age, vultures, peacocks, +insects, and worms eat up the human body. Where doth man then reside? How +doth he also come back to life? I have never heard of any hell called +Bhauma on Earth!" + +"'Yayati answered, "After the dissolution of the body, man, according to +his acts, re-entereth the womb of his mother and stayeth there in an +indistinct form, and soon after assuming a distinct and visible shape +reappeareth in the world and walketh on its surface. This is that Earth- +hell (Bhauma) where he falleth, for he beholdeth not the termination of +his existence and acteth not towards his emancipation. Some dwell for +sixty thousand years, some, for eighty thousand years in heaven, and then +they fall. And as they fall, they are attacked by certain Rakshasas in the +form of sons, grandsons, and other relatives, that withdraw their hearts +from acting for their own emancipation." + +"'Ashtaka asked, "For what sin are beings, when they fall from heaven, +attacked by these fierce and sharp-toothed Rakshasas? Why are they not +reduced to annihilation? How do they again enter the womb, furnished with +senses?" + +"'Yayati answered, "After falling from heaven, the being becometh a subtile +substance living in water. This water becometh the semen whence is the +seed of vitality. Thence entering the mother's womb in the womanly season, +it developeth into the embryo and next into visible life like the fruit +from the flower. Entering trees, plants, and other vegetable substances, +water, air, earth, and space, that same watery seed of life assumeth the +quadrupedal or bipedal form. This is the case with all creatures that you +see." + +"'Ashtaka said, "O tell me, I ask thee because I have my doubts. Doth a +being that hath received a human form enter the womb in its own shape or +in some other? How doth it also acquire its distinct and visible shape, +eyes and ears and consciousness as well? Questioned by me, O, explain it +all! Thou art, O father, one acquainted with the acts and sayings of great +beings." Yayati answered, "According to the merits of one's acts, the +being that in a subtile form co-inheres in the seed that is dropped into +the womb is attracted by the atmospheric force for purposes of re-birth. +It then developeth there in course of time; first it becomes the embryo, +and is next provided with the visible physical organism. Coming out of the +womb in due course of time, it becometh conscious of its existence as man, +and with his ears becometh sensible of sound; with his eyes, of colour and +form; with his nose, of scent; with his tongue, of taste; by his whole +body, of touch; and by his mind, of ideas. It is thus, O Ashtaka, that the +gross and visible body developeth from the subtile essence." + +"'Ashtaka asked, "After death, the body is burnt, or otherwise destroyed. +Reduced to nothing upon such dissolution, by what principle is one +revived?" Yayati said, "O lion among kings, the person that dies assumes a +subtil form; and retaining consciousness of all his acts as in a dream, he +enters some other form with a speed quicker than that of air itself. The +virtuous attain to a superior, and the vicious to an inferior form of +existence. The vicious become worms and insects. I have nothing more to +say, O thou of great and pure soul! I have told thee how beings are born, +after development of embryonic forms, as four-footed, six-footed creatures +and others with more feet. What more wilt thou ask me?" + +"'Ashtaka said, "How, O father, do men attain to those superior regions +whence there is no return to earthly life? Is it by asceticism or by +knowledge? How also can one gradually attain to felicitous regions? Asked +by me, O answer it in full." + +"'Yayati answered, "The wise say that for men there are seven gates through +which admission may be gained into Heaven. There are asceticism, +benevolence, tranquillity of mind, self-command, modesty, simplicity, and +kindness to all creatures. The wise also say that a person loseth all +these in consequence of vanity. That man who having acquired knowledge +regardeth himself as learned, and with his learning destroyed the +reputation of others, never attaineth to regions of indestructible +felicity. That knowledge also doth not make its possessor competent to +attain to Brahma. Study, taciturnity, worship before fire, and sacrifices, +these four remove all fear. When, however, these are mixed with vanity, +instead of removing it, they cause fear. The wise should never exult at +(receiving) honours nor should they grieve at insults. For it is the wise +alone that honour the wise; the wicked never act like the virtuous. I have +given away so much--I have performed so many sacrifices,--I have studied +so much,--I have observed these vows,--such vanity is the root of fear. +Therefore, thou must not indulge in such feelings. Those learned men who +accept as their support the unchangeable, inconceivable Brahma alone that +ever showereth blessings on persons virtuous like thee, enjoy perfect +peace here and hereafter."'" + + +SECTION XCI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Ashtaka said, "Those cognisant of the Vedas differ in opinion as to how +the followers of each of the four modes of life, viz., Grihasthas, +Bhikshus, Brahmacharins, and Vanaprashthas, should conduct themselves in +order to acquire religious merit." + +"'Yayati answered, "These are what a Brahmacharin must do. While dwelling +in the abode of his preceptor, he must receive lessons only when his +preceptor summons him to do so; he must attend to the service of his +preceptor without waiting for the latter's command; he must rise from his +bed before his preceptor riseth, and go to bed after his preceptor hath +gone to bed. He must be humble, must have his passions under complete +control, must be patient, vigilant, and devoted to studies. It is then +only that he can achieve success. It hath been said in the oldest +Upanishad that a grihastha, acquiring wealth by honest means, should +perform sacrifices; he should always give something in charity, should +perform the rites of hospitality unto all arriving at his abode, and +should never use anything without giving a portion thereof to others. A +Muni, without search for woods, depending on his own vigour, should +abstain from all vicious acts, should give away something in charity, +should never inflict pain on any creature. It is then only that he can +achieve success. He, indeed, is a true Bhikshu who doth not support +himself by any manual arts, who possesseth numerous accomplishments, who +hath his passions under complete control, who is unconnected with worldly +concerns, who sleepeth not under the shelter of a householder's roof, who +is without wife, and who going a little way every day, travelleth over a +large extent of the country. A learned man should adopt the Vanaprastha +mode of life after performance of the necessary rites, when he hath been +able to control his appetites for enjoyment and desire of acquiring +valuable possessions. When one dieth in the woods while leading the +Vanaprastha mode of life, he maketh his ancestors and the successors, +numbering ten generations including himself, mix with the Divine essence." + +"'Ashtaka asked, "How many kinds of Munis are there (observers of the vow +of the silence)?" + +"'Yayati answered, "He is, indeed, a Muni who, though dwelling in the +woods, hath an inhabited place near, or who, though dwelling in an +inhabited place, hath the woods near." + +"'Ashtaka enquired what is meant by Muni. Yayati replied, "A Muni +withdrawing himself from all worldly objects liveth in the woods. And +though he might never seek to surround himself with those objects that are +procurable in an inhabited place, he might yet obtain them all by virtue +of his ascetic power. He may truly be said to dwell in the woods having an +inhabited place near to himself. Again a wise man withdrawn from all +earthly objects, might live in a hamlet leading the life of a hermit. He +may never exhibit the pride of family, birth or learning. Clad in the +scantiest robes, he may yet regard himself as attired in the richest +vestments. He may rest content with food just enough for the support of +life. Such a person, though dwelling in an inhabited place, liveth yet in +the woods. + +"'"The person again, who, with passions under complete control, adopteth +the vow of silence, refraining from action and entertaining no desire, +achieveth success. Why shouldst thou not, indeed, reverence the man who +liveth on clean food, who refraineth from ever injuring others, whose +heart is ever pure, who stands in the splendour of ascetic attributes, who +is free from the leaden weight of desire, who abstaineth from injury even +when sanctioned by religion? Emaciated by austerities and reduced in flesh, +marrow and blood, such a one conquereth not only this but the highest +world. And when the Muni sits in yoga meditation, becoming indifferent to +happiness and misery, honour and insult, he then leaveth the world and +enjoyeth communion with Brahma. When the Muni taketh food like wine and +other animals, i. e., without providing for it beforehand and without any +relish (like a sleeping infant feeding on the mother's lap), then like the +all-pervading spirit he becometh identified with the whole universe and +attaineth to salvation."'" + + +SECTION XCII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Ashtaka asked, "Who amongst these, O king, both exerting constantly like +the Sun and the Moon, first attaineth to communion with Brahma, the +ascetic or the man of knowledge?" + +"'Yayati answered, "The wise, with the help of the Vedas and of Knowledge, +having ascertained the visible universe to be illusory, instantly realises +the Supreme Spirit as the sole existent independent essence. While they +that devote themselves to Yoga meditation take time to acquire the same +knowledge, for it is by practice alone that these latter divest themselves +of the consciousness of quality. Hence the wise attain to salvation first. +Then again if the person devoted to Yoga find not sufficient time in one +life to attain success, being led astray by the attractions of the world, +in his next life he is benefited by the progress already achieved, for he +devoteth himself regretfully to the pursuit of success. But the man of +knowledge ever beholdeth the indestructible unity, and is, therefore, +though steeped in worldly enjoyments, never affected by them at heart. +Therefore, there is nothing to impede his salvation. He, however, who +faileth to attain to knowledge, should yet devote himself to piety as +dependent on action (sacrifices). But he that devoteth himself to such +piety, moved thereto by desire of salvation, can never achieve success. +His sacrifices bear no fruit and partake of the nature of cruelty. Piety +which is dependent on action that proceedeth not from the desire of fruit, +is, in case of such men Yoga itself." + +"'Ashtaka said, "O king, thou lookest like a young man; thou art handsome +and decked with a celestial garland. Thy splendour is great! Whence dost +thou come and where dost thou go? Whose messenger art thou? Art thou going +down into the Earth?" + +"'Yayati said, "Fallen from heaven upon the loss of all my religious +merits, I am doomed to enter the Earth-hell. Indeed, I shall go there after +I have finished my discourse with you. Even now the regents of the points +of the universe command me to hasten thither. And, O king, I have obtained +it as a boon from Indra that though fall I must upon the earth, yet I +should fall amidst the wise and the virtuous. Ye are all wise and virtuous +that are assembled here." + +"'Ashtaka said, "Thou art acquainted with everything. I ask thee, O king, +are there any regions for myself to enjoy in heaven or in the firmament? +If there be, then, thou shalt not fall, though falling." + +"'Yayati answered, "O king, there are as many regions for thee to enjoy in +heaven even as the number of kine and horses on Earth with the animals in +the wilderness and on the hills." + +"'Ashtaka said, "If there are worlds for me to enjoy, as fruits of my +religious merits, in heaven, O king, I give them all unto thee. Therefore, +though falling, thou shalt not fall. O, take thou soon all those, wherever +they be, in heaven or in the firmament. Let thy sorrow cease." + +"'Yayati answered, "O best of kings, a Brahma-knowing Brahmana alone can +take in gift, but not one like ourselves. And, O monarch, I myself have +given away to Brahmanas as one should. Let no man who is not a Brahmana +and let not the wife of a learned Brahmana ever live in infamy by +accepting gifts. While on earth, I ever desired to perform virtuous acts. +Having never done so before, how shall I now accept a gift?" + +"'Pratardana who was amongst them asked, "O thou of the handsomest form, I +am Pratardana by name. I ask thee if there are any worlds for me to enjoy +as fruits of my religious merits, in heaven or the firmament? Answer me, +thou art acquainted with everything." + +"'Yayati said, "O king, numberless worlds, full of felicity, effulgent like +the solar disc, and where woe can never dwell, await thee. If thou +dwellest in each but for seven days, they would not yet be exhausted." + +"'Pratardana said, "These then I give unto thee. Therefore, though falling, +thou must not fall. Let the worlds that are mine be thine, whether they be +in the firmament or heaven. O, soon take them. Let thy woes cease." + +"'Yayati answered, "O monarch, no king of equal energy should ever desire +to receive as gift the religious merits of another king acquired by Yoga +austerities. And no king who is afflicted with calamity through the fates +should, if wise, act in a censurable way. A king keeping his eye fixed for +ever on virtue should walk along the path of virtue like myself and, +knowing what his duties are, should not act so meanly as thou directest. +When others desirous of acquiring religious merits do not accept gifts, +how can I do what they themselves do not?" On the conclusion of this +speech, that best of kings, Yayati, was then addressed by Vasumat in the +following words.'" + + +SECTION XCIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Vasumat said, "I am Vasumat, the son of Oshadaswa. I would ask thee, O +king, whether there are any worlds for me to enjoy as fruits of my +religious merits, in heaven or the firmament. Thou art, O high-souled one, +acquainted with all holy regions." + +"'Yayati answered, "There are as many regions for thee to enjoy in heaven +as the number of places in the firmament, the Earth and the ten points of +the universe illumined by the Sun." + +"'Vasumat then said, "I give them to thee. Let those regions that are for +me be thine. Therefore, though falling, thou shall not fall. If to accept +them as gift be improper for thee, then, O monarch, buy them for a straw?" + +"'Yayati answered, "I do not remember having ever bought and sold anything +unfairly. This has never been done by other kings. How shall I therefore +do it?" + +"'Vasumat said, "If buying them, O king, be regarded by thee as improper, +then take them as gift from me. For myself I answer that I will never go +to those regions that are for me. Let them, therefore, be thine." + +"'Sivi then addressed the king thus, "I am, O king, Sivi by name, the son +of Usinara. O father, are there in the firmament or in heaven any worlds +for me to enjoy? Thou knowest every region that one may enjoy as the fruit +of his religious merit." + +"'Yayati said, "Thou hast never, by speech or in mind, disregarded the +honest and the virtuous that applied to thee. There are infinite worlds +for thee to enjoy in heaven, all blazing like lightning." Sivi then said, +"If thou regardest their purchase as improper, I give them to thee. Take +them all, O king! I shall never take them, viz., those regions where the +wise never feel the least disquiet." + +"'Yayati answered, "O Sivi, thou hast indeed, obtained for thyself, +possessed of the prowess of Indra, infinite worlds. But I do not desire to +enjoy regions given to me by others. Therefore, I accept not thy gift." + +"'Ashtaka then said, "O king, each of us has expressed his desire to give +thee worlds that each of us has acquired by his religious merits. Thou +acceptest not them. But leaving them for thee, we shall descend into the +Earth-hell." + +"'Yayati answered, "Ye all are truth-loving and wise. Give me that which I +deserve. I shall not be able to do what I have never done before." + +"'Ashtaka then said, "Whose are those five golden cars that we see? Do men +that repair to these regions of everlasting bliss ride in them?" + +"'Yayati answered, "Those five golden cars displayed in glory, and blazing +as fire, would indeed, carry you to regions of bliss." + +"'Ashtaka said, "O king, ride on those cars thyself and repair to heaven. +We can wait. We follow thee in time." + +"'Yayati said, "We can now all go together. Indeed, all of us have +conquered heaven. Behold, the glorious path to heaven becomes visible." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then all those excellent monarchs riding in +those cars set out for heaven for gaining admittance into it, illuminating +the whole firmament by the glory of their virtues. + +"'Then Ashtaka, breaking the silence asked, "I had always thought that +Indra was my especial friend, and that I, of all others, should first +obtain admittance into heaven. But how is it that Usinara's son, Sivi hath +already left us behind?" + +"'Yayati answered, "This Usinara's son had given all he possessed for +attaining to the region of Brahman. Therefore is he the foremost among us. +Besides, Sivi's liberality, asceticism, truth, virtue, modesty, +forgiveness, amiability, desire of performing good acts, have been so +great that none can measure them!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, Ashtaka, impelled by curiosity, +again asked his maternal grandfather resembling Indra himself, saying, "O +king, I ask thee, tell me truly, whence thou art, who thou art, and whose +son? Is there any other Brahmana or Kshatriya who hath done what thou +didst on earth?" Yayati answered, "I tell thee truly, I am Yayati, the son +of Nahusha and the father of Puru. I was lord of all the Earth. Ye are my +relatives; I tell thee truly, I am the maternal grandfather of you all. +Having conquered the whole earth, I gave clothes to Brahmanas and also a +hundred handsome horses fit for sacrificial offering. For such acts of +virtue, the gods became propitious to those that perform them. I also gave +to Brahmanas this whole earth with her horses and elephants and kine and +gold, all kinds of wealth, along with a hundred Arbudas of excellent milch +cows. Both the earth and the firmament exist owing to my truth and virtue; +fire yet burneth in the world of men owing to my truth and virtue. Never +hath a word spoken by me been untrue. It is for this that the wise adore +Truth. O Ashtaka, all I have told thee, Pratardana, and Vasumat, is Truth +itself. I know it for certain that the gods and the Rishis and all the +mansions of the blessed are adorable only because of Truth that +characteriseth them all. He that will without malice duly read unto good +Brahmanas his account of our ascension to heaven shall himself attain to +the same worlds with us."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'It was thus that the illustrious king Yayati of +high achievements, rescued by his collateral descendants, ascended to +heaven, leaving the earth and covering the three worlds with the fame of +his deeds.'" + + +SECTION XCIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O adorable one, I desire to hear the histories of those +kings who were descended from Puru. O tell me of each as he was possessed +of prowess and achievements. I have, indeed, heard that in Puru's line +there was not a single one who was wanting in good behaviour and prowess, +or who was without sons. O thou of ascetic wealth, I desire to hear the +histories in detail of those famous monarchs endued with learning and all +accomplishments.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Asked by thee, I shall tell thee all about the heroic +kings in Puru's line, all equal unto Indra in prowess, possessing great +affluence and commanding the respect of all for their accomplishments. + +"'Puru had by his wife Paushti three sons, Pravira, Iswara, and Raudraswa, +all of whom were mighty car-warriors. Amongst them, Pravira was the +perpetuator of the dynasty. Pravira had by his wife Suraseni a son named +Manasyu. And the latter of eyes like lotus-petals had his sway over the +whole Earth bounded by the four seas. And Manasyu had for his wife Sauviri. +And he begat upon her three sons called Sakta, Sahana, and Vagmi. And they +were heroes in battle and mighty car-warriors. The intelligent and +virtuous Kaudraswa begat upon the Apsara Misrakesi ten sons who were all +great bowmen. And they all grew up into heroes, performing numerous +sacrifices in honour of the gods. And they all had sons, were learned in +all branches of knowledge and ever devoted to virtue. They are Richeyu, +and Kaksreyu and Vrikeyu of great prowess; Sthandileyu, and Vaneyu, and +Jaleyu of great fame; Tejeyu of great strength and intelligence; and +Satyeyu of the prowess of Indra; Dharmeyu, and Sannateyu the tenth of the +prowess of the celestials. Amongst them all, Richeyu became the sole +monarch of the whole earth and was known by the name of Anadhrishti. And +in prowess he was like unto Vasava amongst the celestials. And Anadhristi +had a son of the name of Matinara who became a famous and virtuous king +and performed the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice. And Matinara had four +sons of immeasurable prowess, viz., Tansu, Mahan, Atiratha, and Druhyu of +immeasurable glory. (Amongst them, Tansu of great prowess became the +perpetrator of Puru's line). And he subjugated the whole earth and +acquired great fame and splendour. And Tansu begat a son of great prowess +named Ilina. And he became the foremost of all conquerors and brought the +whole world under his subjection. And Ilina begat upon his wife Rathantara +five sons with Dushmanta at their head, all equal in might unto the five +elements. They were Dushmanta, Sura, Bhima, Pravasu, and Vasu. And, O +Janamejaya, the eldest of them, Dushmanta, became king. And Dushmanta had +by his wife Sakuntala an intelligent son named Bharata who became king. +And Bharata gave his name to the race of which he was the founder. And it +is from him that the fame of that dynasty hath spread so wide. And Bharata +begat upon his three wives nine sons in all. But none of them were like +their father and so Bharata was not at all pleased with them. Their +mothers, therefore, became angry and slew them all. The procreation of +children by Bharata, therefore, became vain. The monarch then performed a +great sacrifice and through the grace of Bharadwaja obtained a son named +Bhumanyu. And then Bharata, the great descendant of Puru, regarding +himself as really possessing a son, installed, O foremost one of Bharata's +race, that son as his heir-apparent. And Bhumanyu begat upon his wife, +Pushkarini, six sons named Suhotra, Suhotri, Suhavih, Sujeya, Diviratha and +Kichika. The eldest of them all, Suhotra, obtained the throne and +performed many Rajasuyas and horse-sacrifices. And Suhotra brought under +his sway the whole earth surrounded by her belt of seas and full of +elephants, kine and horses, and all her wealth of gems and gold. And the +earth afflicted with the weight of numberless human beings and elephants, +horses, and cars, was, as it were, about to sink. And during the virtuous +reign of Suhotra the surface of the whole earth was dotted all over with +hundreds and thousands of sacrificial stakes. And the lord of the earth, +Suhotra, begat, upon his wife Aikshaki three sons, viz., Ajamidha, Sumidha, +and Purumidha. The eldest of them, Ajamidha, was the perpetuator of the +royal line. And he begat six sons,--Riksha was born of the womb of Dhumini, +Dushmanta and Parameshthin, of Nili, and Jahnu, Jala and Rupina were born +in that of Kesini. All the tribes of the Panchalas are descended from +Dushmanta and Parameshthin. And the Kushikas are the sons of Jahnu of +immeasurable prowess. And Riksha who was older than both Jala and Rupina +became king. And Riksha begat Samvarana, the perpetuator of the royal line. +And, O king, it hath been heard by us that while Samvarana, the son of +Riksha, was ruling the earth, there happened a great loss of people from +famine, pestilence, drought, and disease. And the Bharata princes were +beaten by the troops of enemies. And the Panchalas setting out to invade +the whole earth with their four kinds of troops soon brought the whole +earth under their sway. And with their ten Akshauhinis the king of the +Panchalas defeated the Bharata prince. Samvarana then with his wife and +ministers, sons and relatives, fled in fear, and took shelter in the +forest on the banks of the Sindhu extending to the foot of the mountains. +There the Bharatas lived for a full thousand years, within their fort. And +after they had lived there a thousand years, one day the illustrious Rishi +Vasishtha approached the exiled Bharatas, who, on going out, saluted the +Rishi and worshipped him by the offer of Arghya. And entertaining him with +reverence, they represented everything unto that illustrious Rishi. And +after he was seated on his seat, the king himself approached the Rishi and +addressed him, saying, "Be thou our priest, O illustrious one! We will +endeavour to regain our kingdom." And Vasishtha answered the Bharatas by +saying, "Om" (the sign of consent). It hath been heard by us that +Vasishtha then installed the Bharata prince in the sovereignty of all the +Kshatriyas on earth, making by virtue of his Mantras this descendant of +Puru the veritable horns of the wild bull or the tusks of the wild +elephants. And the king retook the capital that had been taken away from +him and once more made all monarchs pay tribute to him. The powerful +Samvarana, thus installed once more in the actual sovereignty of the whole +earth, performed many sacrifices at which the presents to the Brahmanas +were great. + +"'Samvarana begat upon his wife, Tapati, the daughter of Surya, a son named +Kuru. This Kuru was exceedingly virtuous, and therefore, he was installed +on the throne by his people. It is after his name that the field called +Kuru-jangala has become so famous in the world. Devoted to asceticism, he +made that field (Kurukshetra) sacred by practising asceticism there. And +it has been heard by us that Kuru's highly intelligent wife, Vahini, +brought forth five sons, viz., Avikshit, Bhavishyanta, Chaitraratha, Muni +and the celebrated Janamejaya. And Avikshit begat Parikshit the powerful, +Savalaswa, Adhiraja, Viraja, Salmali of great physical strength, +Uchaihsravas, Bhangakara and Jitari the eighth. In the race of these were +born, as the fruit of their pious acts seven mighty car-warriors with +Janamejaya at their head. And unto Parikshit were born sons who were all +acquainted with (the secrets of) religion and profit. And they were named +Kakshasena and Ugrasena, and Chitrasena endued with great energy, and +Indrasena and Sushena and Bhimasena. And the sons of Janamejaya were all +endued with great strength and became celebrated all over the world. And +they were Dhritarashtra who was the eldest, and Pandu and Valhika, and +Nishadha endued with great energy, and then the mighty Jamvunada, and then +Kundodara and Padati and then Vasati the eighth. And they were all +proficient in morality and profit and were kind to all creatures. Among +them Dhritarashtra became king. And Dhritarashtra had eight sons, viz., +Kundika, Hasti, Vitarka, Kratha the fifth, Havihsravas, Indrabha, and +Bhumanyu the invincible, and Dhritarashtra had many grandsons, of whom +three only were famous. They were, O king, Pratipa, Dharmanetra, Sunetra. +Among these three, Pratipa became unrivalled on earth. And, O bull in +Bharata's race, Pratipa begat three sons, viz., Devapi, Santanu, and the +mighty car-warrior Valhika. The eldest Devapi adopted the ascetic course +of life, impelled thereto by the desire of benefiting his brothers. And +the kingdom was obtained by Santanu and the mighty car-warrior Valhika. + +"'O monarch, besides, there were born in the race of Bharata numberless +other excellent monarchs endued with great energy and like unto the +celestial Rishis themselves in virtue and ascetic power. And so also in +the race of Manu were born many mighty car-warriors like unto the +celestials themselves, who by their number swelled the Aila dynasty into +gigantic proportions.'" + + +SECTION XCV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, I have now heard from thee this great +history of my ancestors. I had also heard from thee about the great +monarchs that were born in this line. But I have not been gratified, this +charming account being so short. Therefore, be pleased, O Brahmana, to +recite the delightful narrative just in detail commencing from Manu, the +lord of creation. Who is there that will not be charmed with such an +account, as it is sacred? The fame of these monarchs increased by their +wisdom, virtue, accomplishments, and high character, hath so swelled as to +cover the three worlds. Having listened to the history, sweet as nectar, +of their liberality, prowess, physical strength, mental vigour, energy, +and perseverance, I have not been satiated!' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hear then, O monarch, as I recite in full the +auspicious account of thy own race just as I had heard it from Dwaipayana +before. + +"'Daksha begat Aditi, and Aditi begat Vivaswat, and Vivaswat begat Manu, +and Manu begat Ha and Ha begat Pururavas. And Pururavas begat Ayus, and +Ayus begat Nahusha, and Nahusha begat Yayati. And Yayati had two wives, +viz., Devayani, the daughter of Usanas, and Sarmishtha the daughter of +Vrishaparvan. Here occurs a sloka regarding (Yayati's) descendants, +"Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu; and Vrishaparvan's daughter +Sarmishtha gave birth to Druhyu, Anu, and Puru." And the descendants of +Yadu are the Yadavas and of Puru are the Pauravas. And Puru had a wife of +the name of Kausalya, on whom he begat a son named Janamejaya who +performed three horse-sacrifices and a sacrifice called Viswajit. And then +he entered into the woods. And Janamejaya had married Ananta, the daughter +of Madhava, and begat upon her a son called Prachinwat. And the prince was +so called because he had conquered all the eastern countries up to the +very confines of the region where the Sun rises. And Prachinwat married +Asmaki, a daughter of the Yadavas and begat upon her a son named Sanyati. +And Sanyati married Varangi, the daughter of Drishadwata and begat upon +her a son named Ahayanti. And Ahayanti married Bhanumati, the daughter of +Kritavirya and begat upon her a son named Sarvabhauma. And Sarvabhauma +married Sunanda, the daughter of the Kekaya prince, having obtained her by +force. And he begat upon her a son named Jayatsena, who married Susrava, +the daughter of the Vidarbha king and begat upon her Avachina. And +Avachina also married another princess of Vidarbha, Maryada by name. And +he begat on her a son named Arihan. And Arihan married Angi and begat on +her Mahabhauma. And Mahabhauma married Suyajna, the daughter of Prasenajit. +And of her was born Ayutanayi. And he was so called because he had +performed a sacrifice at which the fat of an Ayuta (ten thousands) of male +beings was required. And Ayutanayi took for a wife Kama, the daughter of +Prithusravas. And by her was born a son named Akrodhana, who took to wife +Karambha, the daughter of the king of Kalinga. And of her was born +Devatithi, and Devatithi took for his wife Maryada, the princess of Videha. +And of her was born a son named Arihan. And Arihan took to wife Sudeva, +the princess of Anga, and upon her he begat a son named Riksha. And Riksha +married Jwala, the daughter of Takshaka, and he begat upon her a son of +the name of Matinara, who performed on the bank of Saraswati the twelve +years' sacrifice said to be so efficacious. On conclusion of the sacrifice, +Saraswati appeared in person before the king and chose him for husband. +And he begat upon her a son named Tansu. Here occurs a sloka descriptive +of Tansu's descendants. + +"'"Tansu was born of Saraswati by Matinara. And Tansu himself begat a son +named Ilina on his wife, the princess Kalingi." + +"'Ilina begat on his wife Rathantari five sons, of whom Dushmanta was the +eldest. And Dushmanta took to wife Sakuntala, the daughter of Viswamitra. +And he begat on her a son named Bharata. Here occurs two slokas about +(Dushmanta's) descendants. + +"'"The mother is but the sheath of flesh in which the father begets the +son. Indeed the father himself is the son. Therefore, O Dushmanta, support +thy son and insult not Sakuntala. O god among men, the father himself +becoming the son rescueth himself from hell. Sakuntala hath truly said that +thou art the author of this child's being." + +"'It is for this (i.e., because the king supported his child after hearing +the above speech of the celestial messenger) that Sakuntala's son came to +be called Bharata (the supported). And Bharata married Sunanda, the +daughter of Sarvasena, the king of Kasi, and begat upon her the son named +Bhumanyu. And Bhumanyu married Vijaya, the daughter of Dasarha. And he +begat upon her a son Suhotra who married Suvarna, the daughter of Ikshvaku. +To her was born a son named Hasti who founded this city, which has, +therefore, been called Hastinapura. And Hasti married Yasodhara, the +princess of Trigarta. And of her was born a son named Vikunthana who took +for a wife Sudeva, the princess of Dasarha. And by her was born a son +named Ajamidha. And Ajamidha had four wives named Raikeyi, Gandhari, +Visala and Riksha. And he begat on them two thousand and four hundred sons. +But amongst them all, Samvarana became the perpetuator of the dynasty. And +Samvarana took for his wife Tapati, the daughter of Vivaswat. And of her +was born Kuru, who married Subhangi, the princess of Dasarha. And he begat +on her a son named Viduratha, who took to wife Supriya, the daughter of +the Madhavas. And he begat upon her a son named Anaswan. And Anaswan +married Amrita, the daughter of the Madhavas. And of her was born a son +named Parikshit, who took for his wife Suvasa, the daughter of the Vahudas, +and begat upon her a son named Bhimasena. And Bhimasena married Kumari, +the princess of Kekaya and begat upon her Pratisravas whose son was +Pratipa. And Pratipa married Sunanda, the daughter of Sivi, and begat upon +her three sons, viz., Devapi, Santanu and Valhika. And Devapi, while still +a boy, entered the woods as a hermit. And Santanu became king. Here occurs +a sloka in respect of Santanu. + +"'"Those old men that were touched by this monarch not only felt an +indescribable sensation of pleasure but also became restored to youth. +Therefore, this monarch was called Santanu." + +"'And Santanu married Ganga, who bore him a son Devavrata who was +afterwards called Bhishma. And Bhishma, moved by the desire of doing good +to his father, got him married to Satyavati who was also called Gandhakali. +And in her maidenhood she had a son by Parasara, named Dwaipayana. And +upon her Santanu begat two other sons named Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. +And before they attained to majority, Chitrangada had been slain by the +Gandharvas. But Vichitravirya became king, and married the two daughters +of the king of Kasi, named Amvika and Amvalika. But Vichitravirya died +childless. Then Satyavati began to think as to how the dynasty of +Dushmanta might be perpetuated. Then she recollected the Rishi Dwaipayana. +The latter coming before her, asked, "What are thy commands?" She said, +"Thy brother Vichitravirya hath gone to heaven childless. Beget virtuous +children for him." Dwaipayana, consenting to this, begat three children, +viz., Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura. King Dhritarashtra had a hundred +sons by his wife, Gandhari, in consequence of the boon granted by +Dwaipayana. And amongst those hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, four became +celebrated. They are Duryodhana, Duhsasana, Vikarna, and Chitrasena. And +Pandu had two jewels of wives, viz., Kunti, also called Pritha, and Madri. +One day Pandu, while out a-hunting, saw a deer covering its mate. That was +really a Rishi in the form of a deer. Seeing the deer in that attitude, he +killed it with his arrows, before its desire was gratified. Pierced with +the king's arrow, the deer quickly changed its form and became a Rishi, +and said unto Pandu, "O Pandu, thou art virtuous and acquainted also with +the pleasure derived from the gratification of one's desire. My desire +unsatisfied, thou hast slain me! Therefore, thou also, when so engaged and +before thou art gratified, shalt die!" Pandu, hearing this curse, became +pale, and from that time would not go in unto his wives. And he told them +these words, "Through my own fault, I have been cursed! But I have heard +that for the childless there are no regions hereafter." Therefore, he +solicited Kunti to have offspring raised for him. And Kunti said, "Let it +be." So she raised up offspring. By Dharma she had Yudhishthira; by Maruta, +Bhima: and by Sakra, Arjuna. And Pandu, well-pleased with her, said, "This +thy co-wife is also childless. Therefore, cause her also to bear children." +Kunti saying, "So be it," imparted unto Madri the mantra of invocation. +And on Madri were raised by the twin Aswins, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. +And (one day) Pandu, beholding Madri decked with ornaments, had his desire +kindled. And, as soon as he touched her, he died. Madri ascended the +funeral pyre with her lord. And she said unto Kunti, "Let these twins of +mine be brought up by thee with affection." After some time those five +Pandavas were taken by the ascetics of the woods to Hastinapura and there +introduced to Bhishma and Vidura. And after introducing them, the ascetics +disappeared in the very sight of all. And after the conclusion of the +speech of those ascetics, flowers were showered down upon the spot, and +the celestial drums also were beaten in the skies. The Pandavas were then +taken (by Bhishma). They then represented the death of their father and +performed his last honours duly. And as they were brought up there, +Duryodhana became exceedingly jealous of them. And the sinful Duryodhana +acting like Rakshasa tried various means to drive them away. But what must +be can never be frustrated. So all Duryodhana's efforts proved futile. +Then Dhritarashtra sent them, by an act of deception to Varanavata, and +they went there willingly. There an endeavour was made to burn them to +death; but it proved abortive owing to the warning counsels of Vidura. +After that the Pandavas slew Hidimva, and then they went to a town called +Ekachakra. There also they slew a Rakshasa of the name of Vaka and then +went to Panchala. And there obtaining Draupadi for a wife they returned to +Hastinapura. And there they dwelt for some time in peace and begat +children. And Yudhishthira begat Prativindhya; Bhima, Sutasoma; Arjuna, +Srutakriti; Nakula, Satanika; and Sahadeva, Srutakarman. Besides these, +Yudhishthira, having obtained for his wife Devika, the daughter of +Govasana of the Saivya tribe, in a self-choice ceremony, begat upon her a +son named Yaudheya. And Bhima also obtaining for a wife Valandhara, the +daughter of the king of Kasi, offered his own prowess as dower and begat +upon her a son named Sarvaga. And Arjuna also, repairing to Dwaravati, +brought away by force Subhadra, the sweet-speeched sister of Vasudeva, and +returned in happiness to Hastinapura. And he begat upon her a son named +Abhimanyu endued with all accomplishments and dear to Vasudeva himself. +And Nakula obtaining for his wife Karenumati, the princess of Chedi, begat +upon her a son named Niramitra. And Sahadeva also married Vijaya, the +daughter of Dyutimat, the king of Madra, obtaining her in a self-choice +ceremony and begat upon her a son named Suhotra. And Bhimasena had some +time before begat upon Hidimva a son named Ghatotkacha. These are the +eleven sons of the Pandavas. Amongst them all, Abhimanyu was the +perpetuator of the family. He married Uttara, the daughter of Virata, who +brought forth a dead child whom Kunti took up on her lap at the command of +Vasudeva who said, "I will revive this child of six months." And though +born before time, having been burnt by the fire of Aswatthaman's weapon +and, therefore, deprived of strength and energy he was revived by Vasudeva +and endued with strength, energy and prowess. And after reviving him, +Vasudeva said, "Because this child hath been born in an extinct race, +therefore, he shall be called Parikshit." And Parikshit married Madravati, +thy mother, O king, and thou art born to her, O Janamejaya! Thou hast also +begotten two sons on thy wife Vapushtama, named Satanika and Sankukarna. +And Satanika also hath begotten one son named Aswamedhadatta upon the +princess of Videha. + +"'Thus have I, O king, recited the history of the descendants of Puru and +of the Pandavas. This excellent, virtue-increasing, and sacred history +should ever be listened to by vow-observing Brahmanas, by Kshatriyas +devoted to the practices of their order and ready to protect their +subjects; by Vaisyas with attention, and by Sudras with reverence, whose +chief occupation is to wait upon the three other orders. Brahmanas +conversant in the Vedas and other persons, who with attention and +reverence recite this sacred history or listen to it when recited, conquer +the heavens and attain to the abode of the blessed. They are also always +respected and adored by the gods, Brahamanas, and other men. This holy +history of Bharata hath been composed by the sacred and illustrious Vyasa. +Veda-knowing Brahmanas and other persons who with reverence and without +malice hear it recited, earn great religious merits and conquer the +heavens. Though sinning, they are not disregarded by any one. Here occurs +a sloka, "This (Bharata) is equal unto the Vedas: it is holy and excellent. +It bestoweth wealth, fame, and life. Therefore, it should be listened to +by men with rapt attention."'" + + +SECTION XCVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a king known by the name of Mahabhisha born +in the race of Ikshvaku. He was the lord of all the earth, and was +truthful (in speech) and of true prowess. By a thousand horse-sacrifices +and a hundred Rajasuyas he had gratified the chief of the celestials and +ultimately attained to heaven. + +"'One day the celestials had assembled together and were worshipping +Brahman. Many royal sages and king Mahabhisha also were present on the +spot. And Ganga, the queen of rivers, also came there to pay her +adorations to the Grandsire. And her garments white as the beams of the +moon was displaced by the action of the wind. And as her person became +exposed, the celestials bent down their heads. But the royal sage +Mahabhisha rudely stared at the queen of rivers. And Mahabhisha was for +this cursed by Brahman, who said, "Wretch, as thou hast forgotten thyself +at the sight of Ganga, thou shalt be re-born on earth. But thou shall +again and again attain to these regions. And she, too, shall be born in +the world of men and shall do thee injuries. But when thy wrath shall be +provoked, thou shalt then be freed from my curse."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Mahabhisha then recollecting all the +monarchs and ascetics on earth, wished to be born as son to Pratipa of +great prowess. And the queen of rivers, too, seeing king Mahabhisha lose +his firmness, went away, thinking of him wishfully. And on her way, she +saw those dwellers in heaven, the Vasus, also pursuing the same path. And +the queen of rivers beholding them in the predicament, asked them, "Why +look ye so dejected? Ye dwellers in heaven, is everything right with you?" +Those celestials, the Vasus, answered her, saying, "O queen of rivers, we +have been cursed, for a venial fault, by the illustrious Vasishtha in +anger. The foremost of excellent Rishis, Vasishtha, had been engaged in +his twilight adorations and seated as he was, he could not be seen by us. +We crossed him in ignorance. Therefore, in wrath he hath cursed us, saying, +'Be ye born among men!' It is beyond our power to frustrate what hath been +said by that utterance of Brahma. Therefore, O river, thyself becoming a +human female make us the Vasus, thy children. O amiable one, we are +unwilling to enter the womb of any human female." Thus addressed, the +queen of rivers told them, "Be it so" and asked them, "On earth, who is +that foremost of men whom ye will make your father?" + +"'The Vasus replied, "On earth, unto Pratipa shall be born a son, Santanu, +who will be a king of world-wide fame." Ganga then said, "Ye celestials, +that is exactly my wish which ye sinless ones have expressed. I shall, +indeed, do good to that Santanu. That is also your desire as just +expressed." The Vasus then said, "It behoveth thee to throw thy children +after birth, into the water, so that, O thou of three courses (celestial, +terrestrial, and subterranean) we may be rescued soon without having to +live on earth for any length of time." Ganga then answered, "I shall do +what ye desire. But in order that his intercourse with me may not be +entirely fruitless, provide ye that one son at least may live." The Vasus +then replied, "We shall each contribute an eighth part of our respective +energies. With the sum thereof, thou shall have one son according to thy +and his wishes. But this son shall not begat any children on earth. +Therefore, that son of thine endued with great energy, shall be +childless." + +"'The Vasus, making this arrangement with Ganga, went away without waiting +to the place they liked.'" + + +SECTION XCVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said. 'There was a king of the name of Pratipa, who was kind +to all creatures. He spent many years in ascetic penances at the source of +the river Ganga. The accomplished and lovely Ganga, one day, assuming the +form of a beautiful female, and rising from the waters, made up to the +monarch. The celestial maiden, endued with ravishing beauty, approached +the royal sage engaged in ascetic austerities, and sat upon his right +thigh that was, for manly strength, a veritable Sala tree. When the maiden +of handsome face had so sat upon his lap, the monarch said unto her, "O +amiable one, what dost thou desire? What shall I do?" The damsel answered, +"I desire thee, O king, for my husband! O foremost one of the Kurus, be +mine! To refuse a woman coming of her own accord is never applauded by the +wise." Pratipa answered, "O thou of the fairest complexion, moved by lust, +I never go in unto others' wives or women that are not of my order. This, +indeed, is my virtuous vow." The maiden rejoined, "I am not inauspicious +or ugly. I am every way worthy of being enjoyed. I am a celestial maiden +of rare beauty; I desire thee for my husband. Refuse me not, O king." To +this Pratipa answered, "I am, O damsel, abstaining from that course to +which thou wouldst incite me. If I break my vow, sin will overwhelm and +kill me. O thou of the fairest complexion, thou hast embraced me, sitting +on my right thigh. But, O timid one, know that this is the seat for +daughters and daughters-in-law. The left lap is for the wife, but thou +hast not accepted that. Therefore, O best of women, I cannot enjoy thee as +an object of desire. Be my daughter-in-law. I accept thee for my son!" + +"'The damsel then said, "O virtuous one, let it be as thou sayest. Let me +be united with thy son. From my respect for thee, I shall be a wife of the +celebrated Bharata race. Ye (of the Bharata race) are the refuge of all +the monarchs on earth! I am incapable of numbering the virtues of this +race even within a hundred years. The greatness and goodness of many +celebrated monarchs of this race are limitless. O lord of all, let it be +understood now that when I become thy daughter-in-law, thy son shall not +be able to judge of the propriety of my acts. Living thus with thy son, I +shall do good to him and increase his happiness. And he shall finally +attain to heaven in consequence of the sons I shall bear him, and of his +virtues and good conduct."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O king, having said so, the celestial damsel +disappeared then and there. And the king, too, waited for the birth of his +son in order to fulfil his promise. + +"'About this time Pratipa, that light of the Kuru race, that bull amongst +Kshatriyas, was engaged, along with his wife, in austerities from desire +of offspring. And when they had grown old, a son was born unto them. This +was no other than Mahabhisha. And the child was called Santanu because he +was born when his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances. +And the best of Kurus, Santanu, knowing that region of indestructible +bliss can be acquired by one's deeds alone, became devoted to virtue. When +Santanu grew up into a youth, Pratipa addressed him and said, "Some time +ago, O Santanu, a celestial damsel came to me for thy good. If thou +meetest that fair-complexioned one in secret and if she solicit thee for +children, accept her as thy wife. And, O sinless one, judge not of the +propriety or impropriety of her action and ask not who she is, or whose or +whence, but accept her as thy wife at my command!"' Vaisampayana continued, +"Pratipa, having thus commanded his son Santanu and installed him on his +throne, retired into the woods. And king Santanu endued with great +intelligence and equal unto Indra himself in splendour, became addicted to +hunting and passed much of his time in the woods. And the best of monarchs +always slew deer and buffaloes. And one day, as he was wandering along the +bank of the Ganges, he came upon a region frequented by Siddhas and +Charanas. And there he saw a lovely maiden of blazing beauty and like unto +another Sri herself; of faultless and pearly teeth and decked with +celestial ornaments, and attired in garments of fine texture that +resembled in splendour the filaments of the lotus. And the monarch, on +beholding that damsel, became surprised, and his raptures produced instant +horripilation. With steadfast gaze he seemed to be drinking her charms, +but repeated draughts failed to quench his thirst. The damsel also +beholding the monarch of blazing splendour moving about in great agitation, +was moved herself and experienced an affection for him. She gazed and +gazed and longed to gaze on him evermore. The monarch then in soft words +addressed her and said, "O slender-waisted one, be thou a goddess or the +daughter of a Danava, be thou of the race of the Gandharvas, or Apsaras, +be thou of the Yakshas or the Nagas, or be thou of human origin, O thou of +celestial beauty, I solicit thee to be my wife!"'" + + +SECTION XCVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The maiden then, hearing those soft and sweet words +of the smiling monarch, and remembering her promise to the Vasus, +addressed the king in reply. Of faultless features, the damsel sending a +thrill of pleasure into the heart by every word she uttered, said, "O king, +I shall become thy wife and obey thy commands. But, O monarch, thou must +not interfere with me in anything I do, be it agreeable or disagreeable. +Nor shall thou ever address me unkindly. As long as thou shalt behave +kindly I promise to live with thee. But I shall certainly leave thee the +moment thou interferest with me or speakest to me an unkind word." The +king answered, "Be it so." And thereupon the damsel obtaining that +excellent monarch, that foremost one of the Bharata race for her husband, +became highly pleased. And king Santanu also, obtaining her for his wife, +enjoyed to the full the pleasure of her company. And adhering to his +promise, he refrained from asking her anything. And the lord of earth, +Santanu, became exceedingly gratified with her conduct, beauty, +magnanimity, and attention to his comforts. And the goddess Ganga also, of +three courses (celestial, terrestrial, and subterranean) assuming a human +form of superior complexion and endued with celestial beauty, lived +happily as the wife of Santanu, having as the fruit of her virtuous acts, +obtained for her husband, that tiger among kings equal unto Indra himself +in splendour. And she gratified the king by her attractiveness and +affection, by her wiles and love, by her music and dance, and became +herself gratified. And the monarch was so enraptured with his beautiful +wife that months, seasons, and years rolled on without his being conscious +of them. And the king, while thus enjoying himself with his wife, had +eight children born unto him who in beauty were like the very celestials +themselves. But, O Bharata, those children, one after another, as soon as +they were born, were thrown into the river by Ganga who said, "This is for +thy good." And the children sank to rise no more. The king, however, could +not be pleased with such conduct. But he spoke not a word about it lest +his wife should leave him. But when the eighth child was born, and when +his wife as before was about to throw it smilingly into the river, the +king with a sorrowful countenance and desirous of saving it from +destruction, addressed her and said, "Kill it not! Who art thou and whose? +Why dost thou kill thy own children? Murderess of thy sons, the load of +thy sins is great!" His wife, thus addressed, replied, "O thou desirous +of offspring, thou hast already become the first of those that have +children. I shall not destroy this child of thine. But according to our +agreement, the period of my stay with thee is at an end. I am Ganga, the +daughter of Jahnu. I am ever worshipped by the great sages; I have lived +with thee so long for accomplishing the purposes of the celestials. The +eight illustrious Vasus endued with great energy had, from Vasishtha's +curse, to assume human forms. On earth, besides thee, there was none else +to deserve the honour of being their begetter. There is no woman also on +earth except one like me, a celestial of human form, to become their +mother. I assumed a human form to bring them forth. Thou also, having +become the father of the eight Vasus, hast acquired many regions of +perennial bliss. It was also agreed between myself and the Vasus that I +should free them from their human forms as soon as they would be born. I +have thus freed them from the curse of the Rishi Apava. Blest be thou; I +leave thee, O king! But rear thou this child of rigid vows. That I should +live with thee so long was the promise I gave to the Vasus. And let this +child be called Gangadatta."'" + + +SECTION XCIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Santanu asked, "What was the fault of the Vasus and who was Apava, +through whose curse the Vasus had to be born among men? What also hath +this child of thine, Gangadatta, done for which he shall have to live +among men? Why also were the Vasus, the lords of the three worlds, +condemned to be born amongst men? O daughter of Jahnu, tell me all."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the celestial daughter of Jahnu, +Ganga, then replied unto the monarch, her husband, that bull amongst men, +saying, "O best of Bharata's race, he who was obtained as son by Varuna +was called Vasishtha, the Muni who afterwards came to be known as Apava. +He had his asylum on the breast of the king of mountains called Meru. The +spot was sacred and abounded with birds and beasts. And there bloomed at +all times of the year flowers of every season. And, O best of Bharata's +race, that foremost of virtuous men, the son of Varuna, practised his +ascetic penances in those woods abounding with sweet roots and water. + +"'"Daksha had a daughter known by the name of Surabhi, who, O bull of +Bharata's race, for benefiting the world, brought forth, by her connection +with Kasyapa, a daughter (Nandini) in the form of a cow. That foremost of +all kine, Nandini, was the cow of plenty (capable of granting every +desire). The virtuous son of Varuna obtained Nandini for his Homa rites. +And Nandini, dwelling in that hermitage which was adored by Munis, roamed +about fearlessly in those sacred and delightful woods. + +"'"One day, O bull of Bharata's race, there came into those woods adored by +the gods and celestial Rishis, the Vasus with Prithu at their head. And +wandering there with their wives, they enjoyed themselves in those +delightful woods and mountains. And as they wandered there, the slender- +waisted wife of one of the Vasus, O thou of the prowess of Indra, saw in +those woods Nandini, the cow of plenty. And seeing that cow possessing the +wealth of all accomplishments, large eyes, full udders, fine tail, +beautiful hoofs, and every other auspicious sign, and yielding much milk, +she showed the animal to her husband Dyu. O thou of the prowess of the +first of elephants, when Dyu was shown that cow, he began to admire her +several qualities and addressing his wife, said, 'O black-eyed girl of +fair thighs, this excellent cow belongeth to that Rishi whose is this +delightful asylum. O slender-waisted one, that mortal who drinketh the +sweet milk of this cow remaineth in unchanged youth for ten thousand +years.' O best of monarchs, hearing this, the slender-waisted goddess of +faultless features then addressed her lord of blazing splendour and said, +'There is on earth a friend of mine, Jitavati by name, possessed of great +beauty and youth. She is the daughter of that god among men, the royal +sage Usinara, endued with intelligence and devoted to truth. I desire to +have this cow, O illustrious one, with her calf for that friend of mine. +Therefore, O best of celestials, bring that cow so that my friend drinking +of her milk may alone become on earth free from disease and decrepitude. O +illustrious and blameless one, it behoveth thee to grant me this desire of +mine. There is nothing that would be more agreeable to me.' On hearing +these words of his wife, Dyu, moved by the desire of humouring her, stole +that cow, aided by his brothers Prithu and the others. Indeed, Dyu, +commanded by his lotus-eyed wife, did her bidding, forgetting at the +moment the high ascetic merits of the Rishi who owned her. He did not +think at the time that he was going to fall by committing the sin of +stealing the cow. + +"'"When the son of Varuna returned to his asylum in the evening with fruits +he had collected, he beheld not the cow with her calf there. He began to +search for them in the woods, but when the great ascetic of superior +intelligence found not his cow on search, he saw by his ascetic vision +that she had been stolen by the Vasus. His wrath was instantly kindled and +he cursed the Vasus, saying, 'Because the Vasus have stolen my cow of +sweet milk and handsome tail, therefore, shall they certainly be born on +earth!' + +"'"O thou bull of Bharata's race, the illustrious Rishi Apava thus cursed +the Vasus in wrath. And having cursed them, the illustrious one set his +heart once more on ascetic meditation. And after that Brahmarshi of great +power and ascetic wealth had thus in wrath cursed the Vasus, the latter, O +king, coming to know of it, speedily came into his asylum. And addressing +the Rishi, O bull among kings, they endeavoured to pacify him. But they +failed, O tiger among men, to obtain grace from Apava--that Rishi +conversant, with all rules of virtue. The virtuous Apava, however, said, +'Ye Vasus, with Dhava and others, ye have been cursed by me. But ye shall +be freed from my curse within a year of your birth among men. But he for +whose deed ye have been cursed by me he, viz., Dyu, shall for his sinful +act, have to dwell on earth for a length of time. I shall not make futile +the words I have uttered in wrath. Dyu, though dwelling on Earth, shall +not beget children. He shall, however, be virtuous and conversant with the +scriptures. He shall be an obedient son to his father, but he shall have +to abstain from the pleasure of female companionship.' + +"'"Thus addressing the Vasus, the great Rishi went away. The Vasus then +together came to me. And, O king, they begged of me the boon that as soon +as they would be born, I should throw them into the water. And, O best of +kings, I did as they desired, in order to free them from their earthly +life. And O best of kings, from the Rishi's curse, this one only, viz., +Dyu, himself, is to live on earth for some time."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the goddess disappeared then +and there. And taking with her the child, she went away to the region she +chose. And that child of Santanu was named both Gangeya and Devavrata and +excelled his father in all accomplishments. + +"'Santanu, after the disappearance of his wife, returned to his capital +with a sorrowful heart. I shall now recount to thee the many virtues and +the great good fortune of the illustrious king Santanu of the Bharata race. +Indeed, it is this splendid history that is called the Mahabharata.'" + + +SECTION C + +(Sambhava Parva continued ) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The monarch Santanu, the most adored of the gods and +royal sages, was known in all the worlds for his wisdom, virtues, and +truthfulness (of speech). The qualities of self-control, liberality, +forgiveness, intelligence, modesty, patience and superior energy ever +dwelt in that bull among men, viz., Santanu, that great being endued with +these accomplishments and conversant with both religion and profit, the +monarch was at once the protector of the Bharata race and all human beings. +His neck was marked with (three) lines, like a conch-shell; his shoulders +were broad, and he resembled in prowess an infuriated elephant. It would +seem that all the auspicious signs of royalty dwelt in his person, +considering that to be their fittest abode. Men, seeing the behaviour of +that monarch of great achievements came to know that virtue was ever +superior to pleasure and profit. These were the attributes that dwelt in +that great being--that bull among men--Santanu. And truly there was never +a king like Santanu. All the kings of the earth, beholding him devoted to +virtue, bestowed upon that foremost of virtuous men the title of King of +kings. And all the kings of the earth during the time of that lord- +protector of the Bharata race, were without woe and fear and anxiety of +any kind. And they all slept in peace, rising from bed every morning after +happy dreams. And owing to that monarch of splendid achievements +resembling Indra himself in energy, all the kings of the earth became +virtuous and devoted to liberality, religious acts and sacrifices. And +when the earth was ruled by Santanu and other monarchs like him, the +religious merits of every order increased very greatly. The Kshatriyas +served the Brahmanas; the Vaisyas waited upon the Kshatriyas, and the +Sudras adoring the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas, waited upon the Vaisyas. +And Santanu residing in Hastinapura, the delightful capital of the Kurus, +ruled the whole earth bounded by seas. He was truthful and guileless, and +like the king of the celestials himself conversant with the dictates of +virtue. And from the combination in him of liberality, religion and +asceticism, he acquired a great good fortune. He was free from anger and +malice, and was handsome in person like Soma himself. In splendour he was +like the Sun and in impetuosity of valour like Vayu. In wrath he was like +Yama, and in patience like the Earth. And, O king, while Santanu ruled the +earth, no deer, boars, birds, or other animals were needlessly slain. In +his dominions the great virtue of kindness to all creatures prevailed, and +the king himself, with the soul of mercy, and void of desire and wrath, +extended equal protection unto all creatures. Then sacrifices in honour of +the gods, the Rishis, and Pitris commenced, and no creature was deprived +of life sinfully. And Santanu was the king and father of all--of those +that were miserable and those that had no protectors, of birds and beasts, +in fact, of every created thing. And during the rule of the best of Kurus-- +of that king of kings--speech became united with truth, and the minds of +men were directed towards liberality and virtue. And Santanu, having +enjoyed domestic felicity for six and thirty years, retired into the woods. + +"'And Santanu's son, the Vasu born of Ganga, named Devavrata resembled +Santanu himself in personal beauty, in habits and behaviour, and in +learning. And in all branches of knowledge worldly or spiritual his skill +was very great. His strength and energy were extraordinary. He became a +mighty car-warrior. In fact he was a great king. + +"'One day, while pursuing along the banks of the Ganges a deer that he had +struck with his arrow, king Santanu observed that the river had become +shallow. On observing this, that bull among men, viz., Santanu, began to +reflect upon this strange phenomenon. He mentally asked why that first of +rivers ran out so quickly as before. And while seeking for a cause, the +illustrious monarch beheld that a youth of great comeliness, well-built +and amiable person, like Indra himself, had, by his keen celestial weapon, +checked the flow of the river. And the king, beholding this extraordinary +feat of the river Ganga having been checked in her course near where that +youth stood, became very much surprised. This youth was no other than +Santanu's son himself. But as Santanu had seen his son only once a few +moments after his birth, he had not sufficient recollection to identify +that infant with the youth before his eyes. The youth, however, seeing his +father, knew him at once, but instead of disclosing himself, he clouded +the king's perception by his celestial powers of illusion and disappeared +in his very sight. + +"'King Santanu, wondering much at what he saw and imagining the youth to be +his own son then addressed Ganga and said, "Show me that child." Ganga +thus addressed, assuming a beautiful form, and holding the boy decked with +ornaments in her right arm, showed him to Santanu. And Santanu did not +recognise that beautiful female bedecked with ornaments and attired in +fine robes of white, although he had known her before. And Ganga said, "O +tiger among men, that eighth son whom thou hadst some time before begat +upon me is this. Know that this excellent child is conversant with all +weapons. O monarch, take him now. I have reared him with care. And go home, +O tiger among men, taking him with thee. Endued with superior intelligence, +he has studied with Vasishtha the entire Vedas with their branches. +Skilled in all weapons and a mighty bowman, he is like Indra in battle. +And, O Bharata, both the gods and the Asuras look upon him with favour. +Whatever branches of knowledge are known to Usanas, this one knoweth +completely. And so is he the master of all those Sastras that the son of +Angiras (Vrihaspati) adored by the gods and the Asuras, knoweth. And all +the weapons known to the powerful and invincible Rama, the son of +Jamadagni are known to this thy son of mighty arms. O king of superior +courage, take this thy own heroic child given unto thee by me. He is a +mighty bowman and conversant with the interpretation of all treatises on +the duties of a king." Thus commanded by Ganga, Santanu took his child +resembling the Sun himself in glory and returned to his capital. And +having reached his city that was like unto the celestial capital, that +monarch of Puru's line regarded himself greatly fortunate. And having +summoned all the Pauravas together, for the protection of his kingdom he +installed his son as his heir-apparent. And O bull of Bharata's race, the +prince soon gratified by his behaviour his father and the other members of +the Paurava race: in fact, all the subjects of the kingdom. And the king +of incomparable prowess lived happily with that son of his. + +"'Four years had thus passed away, when the king one day went into the +woods on the bank of the Yamuna. And while the king was rambling there, he +perceived a sweet scent coming from an unknown direction. And the monarch, +impelled by the desire of ascertaining the cause, wandered hither and +thither. And in course of his ramble, he beheld a black-eyed maiden of +celestial beauty, the daughter of a fisherman. The king addressing her, +said, "Who art thou, and whose daughter? What dost thou do here, O timid +one?" She answered, "Blest be thou! I am the daughter of the chief of the +fishermen. At his command, I am engaged for religious merit, in rowing +passengers across this river in my boat." And Santanu, beholding that +maiden of celestial form endued with beauty, amiableness, and such +fragrance, desired her for his wife. And repairing unto her father, the +king solicited his consent to the proposed match. But the chief of the +fishermen replied to the monarch, saying, "O king, as soon as my daughter +of superior complexion was born, it was of course, understood that she +should be bestowed upon a husband. But listen to the desire I have +cherished all along in my heart. O sinless one, thou art truthful: if thou +desirest to obtain this maiden as a gift from me, give me then this +pledge. If, indeed, thou givest the pledge, I will of course bestow my +daughter upon thee for truly I can never obtain a husband for her equal to +thee." + +"'Santanu, hearing this, replied, "When I have heard of the pledge thou +askest, I shall then say whether I would be able to grant it. If it is +capable of being granted, I shall certainly grant it. Otherwise how shall +I grant it." The fisherman said, "O king, what I ask of thee is this: the +son born of this maiden shall be installed by thee on thy throne and none +else shall thou make thy successor."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O Bharata, when Santanu heard this, he felt no +inclination to grant such a boon, though the fire of desire sorely burnt +him within. The king with his heart afflicted by desire returned to +Hastinapura, thinking all the way of the fisherman's daughter. And having +returned home, the monarch passed his time in sorrowful meditation. One +day, Devavrata approaching his afflicted father said, "All is prosperity +with thee; all chiefs obey thee; then how is it that thou grievest thus? +Absorbed in thy own thoughts, thou speakest not a word to me in reply. +Thou goest not out on horse-back now; thou lookest pale and emaciated, +having lost all animation. I wish to know the disease thou sufferest from, +so that I may endeavour to apply a remedy." Thus addressed by his son, +Santanu answered, "Thou sayest truly, O son, that I have become melancholy. +I will also tell thee why I am so. O thou of Bharata's line, thou art the +only scion of this our large race. Thou art always engaged in sports of +arms and achievements of prowess. But, O son, I am always thinking of the +instability of human life. If any danger overtake thee, O child of Ganga, +the result is that we become sonless. Truly thou alone art to me as a +century of sons. I do not, therefore, desire to wed again. I only desire +and pray that prosperity may ever attend thee so that our dynasty may be +perpetuated. The wise say that he that hath one son hath no son. +Sacrifices before fire and the knowledge of the three Vedas yield, it is +true, everlasting religious merit, but all these, in point of religious +merit, do not come up to a sixteenth part of the religious merit +attainable on the birth of a son. Indeed, in this respect, there is hardly +any difference between men and the lower animals. O wise one, I do not +entertain a shadow of doubt that one attains to heaven in consequence of +his having begotten a son. The Vedas which constitute the root of the +Puranas and are regarded as authoritative even by the gods, contain +numerous proof of this. O thou of Bharata's race, thou art a hero of +excitable temper, who is always engaged in the exercise of arms. It is +very probable that thou wilt be slain on the field of battle. If it so +happen, what then will be the state of the Bharata dynasty? It is this +thought that hath made me so melancholy. I have now told thee fully the +causes of my sorrow."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Devavrata who was endued with great intelligence, +having ascertained all this from the king, reflected within himself for a +while. He then went to the old minister devoted to his father's welfare +and asked him about the cause of the king's grief. O bull of Bharata's +race, when the prince questioned the minister, the latter told him about +the boon that was demanded by the chief of the fishermen in respect of his +daughter Gandhavati. Then Devavrata, accompanied by many Kshatriya chiefs +of venerable age, personally repaired to the chief of the fishermen and +begged of him his daughter on behalf of the king. The chief of the +fishermen received him with due adorations, and, O thou of Bharata's race, +when the prince took his seat in the court of the chief, the latter +addressed him and said, "O bull among the Bharatas, thou art the first of +all wielders of weapons and the only son of Santanu. Thy power is great. +But I have something to tell thee. If the bride's father was Indra himself, +even then he would have to repent of rejecting such an exceedingly +honourable and desirable proposal of marriage. The great man of whose seed +this celebrated maiden named Satyavati was born, is, indeed, equal to you +in virtue. He hath spoken to me on many occasions of the virtues of thy +father and told me that, the king alone is worthy of (marrying) Satyavati. +Let me tell you that I have even rejected the solicitations of that best +of Brahmarshis--the celestial sage Asita--who, too, had often asked for +Satyavati's hand in marriage. I have only one word to say on the part of +this maiden. In the matter of the proposed marriage there is one great +objection founded on the fact of a rival in the person of a co-wife's son. +O oppressor of all foes, he hath no security, even if he be an Asura or a +Gandharva, who hath a rival in thee. There is this only objection to the +proposed marriage, and nothing else. Blest be thou! But this is all I have +to say in the matter of the bestowal or otherwise, of Satyavati."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O thou of Bharata's race, Devavrata, having +heard these words, and moved by the desire of benefiting his father thus +answered in the hearing of the assembled chiefs, "O foremost of truthful +men, listen to the vow I utter! The man has not been or will not be born, +who will have the courage to take such a vow! I shall accomplish all that +thou demandest! The son that may be born of this maiden shall be our +king." Thus addressed, the chief of the fishermen, impelled by desire of +sovereignty (for his daughter's son), to achieve the almost impossible, +then said, "O thou of virtuous soul, thou art come hither as full agent on +behalf of thy father Santanu of immeasurable glory; be thou also the sole +manager on my behalf in the matter of the bestowal of this my daughter. +But, O amiable one, there is something else to be said, something else to +be reflected upon by thee. O suppressor of foes, those that have daughters, +from the very nature of their obligations, must say what I say. O thou +that art devoted to truth, the promise thou hast given in the presence of +these chiefs for the benefit of Satyavati, hath, indeed, been worthy of +thee. O thou of mighty arms, I have not the least doubt of its ever being +violated by thee. But I have my doubts in respect of the children thou +mayst beget."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O king, the son of Ganga, devoted to truth, +having ascertained the scruples of the chief of the fishermen, then said, +moved thereto by the desire of benefiting his father, "Chief of fishermen, +thou best of men, listen to what I say in the presence of these assembled +kings. Ye kings, I have already relinquished my right to the throne, I +shall now settle the matter of my children. O fisherman, from this day I +adopt the vow of Brahmacharya (study and meditation in celibacy). If I die +sonless, I shall yet attain to regions of perennial bliss in heaven!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Upon these words of the son of Ganga, the hair +on the fisherman's body stood on end from glee, and he replied, "I bestow +my daughter!" Immediately after, the Apsaras and the gods with diverse +tribes of Rishis began to rain down flowers from the firmament upon the +head of Devavrata and exclaimed, "This one is Bhishma (the terrible)." +Bhishma then, to serve his father, addressed the illustrious damsel and +said, "O mother, ascend this chariot, and let us go unto our house."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, Bhishma helped the beautiful +maiden into his chariot. On arriving with her at Hastinapura, he told +Santanu everything as it had happened. And the assembled kings, jointly +and individually, applauded his extraordinary act and said, "He is really +Bhishma (the terrible)!" And Santanu also, hearing of the extraordinary +achievements of his son, became highly gratified and bestowed upon the +high-souled prince the boon of death at will, saying, "Death shall never +come to thee as long as thou desirest to live. Truly death shall approach +thee, O sinless one, having first obtained thy command."'" + + +SECTION CI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O monarch, after the nuptials were over, king Santanu +established his beautiful bride in his household. Soon after was born of +Satyavati an intelligent and heroic son of Santanu named Chitrangada. He +was endued with great energy and became an eminent man. The lord Santanu +of great prowess also begat upon Satyavati another son named Vichitravirya, +who became a mighty bowman and who became king after his father. And +before that bull among men, viz., Vichitravirya, attained to majority, the +wise king Santanu realised the inevitable influence of Time. And after +Santanu had ascended to heaven, Bhishma, placing himself under the command +of Satyavati, installed that suppressor of foes, viz., Chitrangada, on the +throne, who, having soon vanquished by his prowess all monarchs, +considered not any man as his equal. And beholding that he could vanquish +men, Asuras, and the very gods, his namesake, the powerful king of the +Gandharvas, approached him for an encounter. Between that Gandharva and +that foremost one of the Kurus, who were both very powerful, there +occurred on the field of Kurukshetra a fierce combat which lasted full +three years on the banks of the Saraswati. In that terrible encounter +characterised by thick showers of weapons and in which the combatants +ground each other fiercely, the Gandharva, who had greater prowess or +strategic deception, slew the Kuru prince. Having slain Chitrangada--that +first of men and oppressor of foes--the Gandharva ascended to heaven. When +that tiger among men endued with great prowess was slain, Bhishma, the son +of Santanu, performed, O king, all his obsequies. He then installed the +boy Vichitravirya of mighty arms, still in his minority, on the throne of +the Kurus. And Vichitravirya, placing himself under the command of Bhishma, +ruled the ancestral kingdom. And he adored Santanu's son Bhishma who was +conversant with all the rules of religion and law; so, indeed, Bhishma +also protected him that was so obedient to the dictates of duty.'" + + +SECTION CII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O thou of Kuru's race, after Chitrangada was slain, +his successor Vichitravirya being a minor, Bhishma ruled the kingdom, +placing himself under the command of Satyavati. When he saw that his +brother, who was the foremost of intelligent men, attained to majority, +Bhishma set his heart upon marrying Vichitravirya. At this time he heard +that the three daughters of the king of Kasi, all equal in beauty to the +Apsaras themselves, would be married on the same occasion, selecting their +husbands at a self-choice ceremony. Then that foremost of car-warriors, +that vanquisher of all foes, at the command of his mother, went to the +city of Varanasi in a single chariot. There Bhishma, the son of Santanu, +saw that innumerable monarchs had come from all directions; and there he +also saw those three maidens that would select their own husbands. And +when the (assembled) kings were each being mentioned by name, Bhishma +chose those maidens (on behalf of his brother). And taking them upon his +chariot, Bhishma, that first of smiters in battle, addressed the kings, O +monarch, and said in a voice deep as the roar of the clouds, "The wise +have directed that when an accomplished person has been invited, a maiden +may be bestowed on him, decked with ornaments and along with many valuable +presents. Others again may bestow their daughters by accepting a couple of +kine. Some again bestow their daughters by taking a fixed sum, and some +take away maidens by force. Some wed with the consent of the maidens, some +by drugging them into consent, and some by going unto the maidens' parents +and obtaining their sanction. Some again obtain wives as presents for +assisting at sacrifices. Of these, the learned always applaud the eighth +form of marriage. Kings, however, speak highly of the Swyamvara (the fifth +form as above) and themselves wed according to it. But the sages have said +that, that wife is dearly to be prized who is taken away by force, after +the slaughter of opponents, from amidst the concourse of princes and kings +invited to a self-choice ceremony. Therefore, ye monarchs, I bear away +these maidens hence by force. Strive ye, to the best of your might, to +vanquish me or to be vanquished. Ye monarchs, I stand here resolved to +fight!" The Kuru prince, endued with great energy, thus addressing the +assembled monarchs and the king of Kasi, took upon his car those maidens. +And having taken them up, he sped his chariot away, challenging the +invited kings to a fight. + +"'The challenged monarchs then all stood up, slapping their arms and biting +their nether lips in wrath. And loud was the din produced, as, in a great +hurry, they began to cast off their ornaments and put on their armour. And +the motion of their ornaments and armour, O Janamejaya, brilliant as these +were, resembled meteoric flashes in the sky. And with brows contracted and +eyes red with rage, the monarchs moved in impatience, their armour and +ornaments dazzling or waving with their agitated steps. The charioteers +soon brought handsome cars with fine horses harnessed thereto. Those +splendid warriors then, equipped with all kinds of weapons, rode on those +cars, and with uplifted weapons pursued the retreating chief of the Kurus. +Then, O Bharata, occurred the terrible encounter between those innumerable +monarchs on one side and the Kuru warrior alone on the other. And the +assembled monarchs threw at their foe ten thousand arrows at the same time. +Bhishma, however speedily checked those numberless arrows before they +could come at him by means of a shower of his own arrows as innumerable as +the down on the body. Then those kings surrounded him from all sides and +rained arrows on him like masses of clouds showering on the mountain- +breast. But Bhishma, arresting with his shafts the course of that arrowy +downpour, pierced each of the monarchs with three shafts. The latter, in +their turn pierced Bhishma, each with five shafts. But, O king, Bhishma +checked those by his prowess and pierced each of the contending kings with +two shafts. The combat became so fierce with that dense shower of arrows +and other missiles that it looked very much like the encounter between the +celestials and the Asuras of old, and men of courage who took no part in +it were struck with fear even to look at the scene. Bhishma cut off, with +his arrows, on the field of battle, bows, and flagstaffs, and coats of +mail, and human heads by hundreds and thousands. And such was his terrible +prowess and extraordinary lightness of hand, and such the skill with which +he protected himself, that the contending car-warriors, though his enemies, +began to applaud him loudly. Then that foremost of all wielders of weapons +having vanquished in battle all those monarchs, pursued his way towards +the capital of the Bharatas, taking those maidens with him. + +"'It was then, O king, that mighty car-warrior, king Salya of immeasurable +prowess, from behind summoned Bhishma, the son of Santanu, to an encounter. +And desirous of obtaining the maidens, he came upon Bhishma like a mighty +leader of a herd of elephants rushing upon another of his kind, and +tearing with his tusks the latter's hips at the sight of a female elephant +in heat. And Salya of mighty arms, moved by wrath addressed Bhishma and +said, "Stay, Stay." Then Bhishma, that tiger among men, that grinder of +hostile armies, provoked by these words, flamed up in wrath like a blazing +fire. Bow in hand, and brow furrowed into wrinkles, he stayed on his car, +in obedience to Kshatriya usage having checked its course in expectation +of the enemy. All the monarchs seeing him stop, stood there to become +spectators of the coming encounter between him and Salya. The two then +began to exhibit their prowess (upon each other) like roaring bulls of +great strength at the sight of a cow in rut. Then that foremost of men, +king Salya covered Bhishma, the son of Santanu with hundreds and thousands +of swift-winged shafts. And those monarchs seeing Salya thus covering +Bhishma at the outset with innumerable shafts, wondered much and uttered +shouts of applause. Beholding his lightness of hand in combat, the crowd +of regal spectators became very glad and applauded Salya greatly. That +subjugator of hostile towns, Bhishma, then, on hearing those shouts of the +Kshatriyas, became very angry and said, "Stay, Stay." In wrath, he +commanded his charioteer, saying, "Lead thou my car to where Salya is, so +that I may slay him instantly as Garuda slays a serpent." Then the Kuru +chief fixed the Varuna weapon on his bow-string, and with it afflicted the +four steeds of king Salya. And, O tiger among kings, the Kuru chief, then, +warding off with his weapons those of his foe, slew Salya's charioteer. +Then that first of men, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, fighting for the sake +of those damsels, slew with the Aindra weapon the noble steeds of his +adversary. He then vanquished that best of monarchs but left him with his +life. O bull of Bharata's race, Salya, after his defeat, returned to his +kingdom and continued to rule it virtuously. And O conqueror of hostile +towns, the other kings also, who had come to witness the self-choice +ceremony returned to their own kingdoms. + +"'That foremost of smiters, viz., Bhishma, after defeating those monarchs, +set out with those damsels, for Hastinapura whence the virtuous Kuru +prince Vichitravirya ruled the earth like that best of monarchs, viz., his +father Santanu. And, O king, passing through many forests, rivers, hills, +and woods abounding with trees, he arrived (at the capital) in no time. Of +immeasurable prowess in battle, the son of the ocean-going Ganga, having +slain numberless foes in battle without a scratch on his own person, +brought the daughters of the king of Kasi unto the Kurus as tenderly if +they were his daughters-in-law, or younger sisters, or daughters. And +Bhishma of mighty arms, impelled by the desire of benefiting his brother, +having by his prowess brought them thus, then offered those maidens +possessing every accomplishment unto Vichitravirya. Conversant with the +dictates of virtue, the son of Santanu, having achieved such an +extraordinary feat according to (kingly) custom, then began to make +preparations for his brother's wedding. And when everything about the +wedding had been settled by Bhishma in consultation with Satyavati, the +eldest daughter of the king of Kasi, with a soft smile, told him these +words, "At heart I had chosen the king of Saubha for my husband. He had, +in his heart, accepted me for his wife. This was also approved by my +father. At the self-choice ceremony also I would have chosen him as my +lord. Thou art conversant with all the dictates of virtue, knowing all +this, do as thou likest." Thus addressed by that maiden in the presence of +the Brahmanas, the heroic Bhishma began to reflect as to what should be +done. As he was conversant with the rules of virtue, he consulted with the +Brahmanas who had mastered the Vedas, and permitted Amba, the eldest +daughter of the ruler of Kasi to do as she liked. But he bestowed with due +rites the two other daughters, Ambika and Ambalika on his younger brother +Vichitravirya. And though Vichitravirya was virtuous and abstemious, yet, +proud of youth and beauty, he soon became lustful after his marriage. And +both Ambika and Ambalika were of tall stature, and of the complexion of +molten gold. And their heads were covered with black curly hair, and their +finger-nails were high and red; their hips were fat and round, and their +breasts full and deep. And endued with every auspicious mark, the amiable +young ladies considered themselves to be wedded to a husband who was every +way worthy of themselves, and extremely loved and respected Vichitravirya. +And Vichitravirya also, endued with the prowess of the celestials and the +beauty of the twin Aswins, could steal the heart of any beautiful woman. +And the prince passed seven years uninterruptedly in the company of his +wives. He was attacked while yet in the prime of youth, with phthisis. +Friends and relatives in consultation with one another tried to effect a +cure. But in spite of all efforts, the Kuru prince died, setting like the +evening sun. The virtuous Bhishma then became plunged into anxiety and +grief, and in consultation with Satyavati caused the obsequial rites of +the deceased to be performed by learned priests and the several of the +Kuru race.'" + + +SECTION CIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The unfortunate Satyavati then became plunged in +grief on account of her son. And after performing with her daughters-in- +law the funeral rites of the deceased, consoled, as best she could, her +weeping daughters-in-law and Bhishma, that foremost of all wielders of +weapons. And turning her eyes to religion, and to the paternal and +maternal lines (of the Kurus), she addressed Bhishma and said "The funeral +cake, the achievements, and the perpetuation of the line of the virtuous +and celebrated Santanu of Kuru's race, all now depend on thee. As the +attainment of heaven is inseparable from good deeds, as long life is +inseparable from truth and faith, so is virtue inseparable from thee. O +virtuous one, thou art well-acquainted, in detail and in the abstract, +with the dictates of virtue, with various Srutis, and with all the +branches of the Vedas; know very well that thou art equal unto Sukra and +Angiras as regards firmness in virtue, knowledge of the particular customs +of families, and readiness of inventions under difficulties. Therefore, O +foremost of virtuous men, relying on thee greatly, I shall appoint thee in +a certain matter. Hearing me, it behoveth thee to do my bidding. O bull +among men, my son and thy brother, endued with energy and dear unto thee, +hath gone childless to heaven while still a boy. These wives of thy +brother, the amiable daughters of the ruler of Kasi, possessing beauty and +youth, have become desirous of children. Therefore, O thou of mighty arms, +at my command, raise offspring on them for the perpetuation of our line. +It behoveth thee to guard virtue against loss. Install thyself on the +throne and rule the kingdom of the Bharatas. Wed thou duly a wife. Plunge +not thy ancestors into hell." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by his mother and friends and +relatives, that oppressor of foes, the virtuous Bhishma, gave this reply +conformable to the dictates of virtue, "O mother, what thou sayest is +certainly sanctioned by virtue. But thou knowest what my vow is in the +matter of begetting children. Thou knowest also all that transpired in +connection with thy dower. O Satyavati, I repeat the pledge I once gave, +viz., I would renounce three worlds, the empire of heaven, anything that +may be greater than that, but truth I would never renounce. The earth may +renounce its scent, water may renounce its moisture, light may renounce +its attribute of exhibiting forms, air may renounce its attribute of touch, +the sun may renounce his glory, fire, its heat, the moon, his cooling rays, +space, its capacity of generating sound, the slayer of Vritra, his prowess, +the god of justice, his impartiality; but I cannot renounce truth." Thus +addressed by her son endued wealth of energy, Satyavati said unto Bhishma, +"O thou whose prowess is truth, I know of thy firmness in truth. Thou +canst, if so minded, create, by the help of thy energy, three worlds other +than those that exist. I know what thy vow was on my account. But +considering this emergency, bear thou the burden of the duty that one +oweth to his ancestors. O punisher of foes, act in such a way that the +lineal link may not be broken and our friends and relatives may not +grieve." Thus urged by the miserable and weeping Satyavati speaking such +words inconsistent with virtue from grief at the loss of her son, Bhishma +addressed her again and said, "O Queen, turn not thy eyes away from virtue. +O, destroy us not. Breach of truth by a Kshatriya is never applauded in +our treatises on religion. I shall soon tell thee, O Queen, what the +established Kshatriya usage is to which recourse may be had to prevent +Santanu's line becoming extinct on earth. Hearing me, reflect on what +should be done in consultation with learned priests and those that are +acquainted with practices allowable in times of emergency and distress, +forgetting not at the same time what the ordinary course of social conduct +is."'" + + +SECTION CIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Bhishma continued, "In olden days, Rama, the son of Jamadagni, in anger +at the death of his father, slew with his battle axe the king of the +Haihayas. And Rama, by cutting off the thousand arms of Arjuna (the +Haihaya king), achieved a most difficult feat in the world. Not content +with this, he set out on his chariot for the conquest of the world, and +taking up his bow he cast around his mighty weapons to exterminate the +Kshatriyas. And the illustrious scion of Bhrigu's race, by means of his +swift arrows annihilated the Kshatriya tribe one and twenty times. + +"'"And when the earth was thus deprived of Kshatriyas by the great Rishi, +the Kshatriya ladies all over the land had offspring raised by Brahmanas +skilled in the Vedas. It has been said in the Vedas that the sons so +raised belongeth to him that had married the mother. And the Kshatriya +ladies went in unto the Brahamanas not lustfully but from motives of +virtue. Indeed, it was thus that the Kshatriya race was revived. + +"'"In this connection there is another old history that I will recite to +you. There was in olden days a wise Rishi of the name of Utathya. He had a +wife of the name Mamata whom he dearly loved. One day Utathya's younger +brother Vrihaspati, the priest of the celestials, endued with great energy, +approached Mamata. The latter, however, told her husband's younger +brother--that foremost of eloquent men--that she had conceived from her +connection with his elder brother and that, therefore, he should not then +seek for the consummation of his wishes. She continued, 'O illustrious +Vrihaspati, the child that I have conceived hath studied in his mother's +womb the Vedas with the six Angas, Semen tuum frustra perdi non potest. How +can then this womb of mine afford room for two children at a time? +Therefore, it behoveth thee not to seek for the consummation of thy desire +at such a time.' Thus addressed by her, Vrihaspati, though possessed of +great wisdom, succeeded not in suppressing his desire. Quum auten jam cum +illa coiturus esset, the child in the womb then addressed him and said, 'O +father, cease from thy attempt. There is no space here for two. O +illustrious one, the room is small. I have occupied it first. Semen tuum +perdi non potest. It behoveth thee not to afflict me.' But Vrihaspati +without listening to what that child in the womb said, sought the embraces +of Mamata possessing the most beautiful pair of eyes. Ille tamen Muni qui +in venture erat punctum temporis quo humor vitalis jam emissum iret +providens, viam per quam semen intrare posset pedibus obstruxit. Semen ita +exhisum, excidit et in terram projectumest. And the illustrious +Vrihaspati, beholding this, became indignant, and reproached Utathya's +child and cursed him, saying, 'Because thou hast spoken to me in the way +thou hast at a time of pleasure that is sought after by all creatures, +perpetual darkness shall overtake thee.' And from this curse of the +illustrious Vrishaspati Utathya's child who was equal unto Vrihaspati in +energy, was born blind and came to be called Dirghatamas (enveloped in +perpetual darkness). And the wise Dirghatamas, possessed of a knowledge +of the Vedas, though born blind, succeeded yet by virtue of his learning, +in obtaining for a wife a young and handsome Brahmana maiden of the name +of Pradweshi. And having married her, the illustrious Dirghatamas, for the +expansion of Utathya's race, begat upon her several children with Gautama +as their eldest. These children, however, were all given to covetousness +and folly. The virtuous and illustrious Dirghatamas possessing complete +mastery over the Vedas, soon after learnt from Surabhi's son the practices +of their order and fearlessly betook himself to those practices, regarding +them with reverence. (For shame is the creature of sin and can never be +where there is purity of intention). Then those best of Munis that dwelt +in the same asylum, beholding him transgress the limits of propriety +became indignant, seeing sin where sin was not. And they said, 'O, this +man, transgresseth the limit of propriety. No longer doth he deserve a +place amongst us. Therefore, shall we all cast this sinful wretch off.' +And they said many other things regarding the Muni Dirghatamas. And his +wife, too, having obtained children, became indignant with him. + +"'"The husband then addressing his wife Pradweshi, said, 'Why is it that +thou also hast been dissatisfied with me?' His wife answered, 'The husband +is called the Bhartri because he supporteth the wife. He is called Pati +because he protecteth her. But thou art neither, to me! O thou of great +ascetic merit, on the other hand, thou hast been blind from birth, it is I +who have supported thee and thy children. I shall not do so in future.' + +"'"Hearing these words of his wife, the Rishi became indignant and said +unto her and her children, 'Take me unto the Kshatriyas and thou shalt then +be rich.' His wife replied (by saying), 'I desire not wealth that may be +procured by thee, for that can never bring me happiness. O best of +Brahmanas, do as thou likest. I shall not be able to maintain thee as +before.' At these words of his wife, Dirghatamas said, 'I lay down from +this day as a rule that every woman shall have to adhere to one husband +for her life. Be the husband dead or alive, it shall not be lawful for a +woman to have connection with another. And she who may have such +connection shall certainly be regarded as fallen. A woman without husband +shall always be liable to be sinful. And even if she be wealthy she shall +not be able to enjoy that wealth truly. Calumny and evil report shall ever +dog her.' Hearing these words of her husband Pradweshi became very angry, +and commanded her sons, saying, 'Throw him into the waters of Ganga!' And +at the command of their mother, the wicked Gautama and his brothers, those +slaves of covetousness and folly, exclaiming, 'Indeed, why should we +support this old man?' tied the Muni to a raft and committing him to the +mercy of the stream returned home without compunction. The blind old man +drifting along the stream on that raft, passed through the territories of +many kings. One day a king named Vali conversant with every duty went to +the Ganges to perform his ablutions. And as the monarch was thus engaged, +the raft to which the Rishi was tied, approached him. And as it came, the +king took the old man. The virtuous Vali, ever devoted to truth, then +learning who the man was that was thus saved by him, chose him for raising +up offspring. And Vali said, 'O illustrious one, it behoveth thee to raise +upon my wife a few sons that shall be virtuous and wise.' Thus addressed, +the Rishi endued with great energy, expressed his willingness. Thereupon +king Vali sent his wife Sudeshna unto him. But the queen knowing that the +latter was blind and old went not unto him, she sent unto him her nurse. +And upon that Sudra woman the virtuous Rishi of passions under full +control begat eleven children of whom Kakshivat was the eldest. And +beholding those eleven sons with Kakshivat as the eldest, who had studied +all the Vedas and who like Rishis were utterers of Brahma and were +possessed of great power, king Vali one day asked the Rishi saying, 'Are +these children mine?' The Rishi replied, 'No, they are mine. Kakshivat and +others have been begotten by me upon a Sudra woman. Thy unfortunate queen +Sudeshna, seeing me blind and old, insulted me by not coming herself but +sending unto me, instead, her nurse.' The king then pacified that best of +Rishis and sent unto him his queen Sudeshna. The Rishi by merely touching +her person said to her, 'Thou shalt have five children named Anga, Vanga, +Kalinga, Pundra and Suhma, who shall be like unto Surya (Sun) himself in +glory. And after their names as many countries shall be known on earth. It +is after their names that their dominions have come to be called Anga, +Vanga, Kalinga, Pundra and Suhma.' + +"'"It was thus that the line of Vali was perpetuated, in days of old, by a +great Rishi. And it was thus also that many mighty bowmen and great car- +warriors wedded to virtue, sprung in the Kshatriya race from the seed of +Brahmanas. Hearing this, O mother, do as thou likest, as regards the +matter in hand."'" + + +SECTION CV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Bhishma continued, "Listen, O mother, to me as I indicate the means by +which the Bharata line may be perpetuated. Let an accomplished Brahmana be +invited by an offer of wealth, and let him raise offspring upon the wives +of Vichitravirya."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Satyavati, then, smiling softly and in voice +broken in bashfulness, addressed Bhishma saying, "O Bharata of mighty arms, +what thou sayest is true. From my confidence in thee I shall now indicate +the means of perpetuating our line. Thou shall not be able to reject it, +being conversant, as thou art, with the practices permitted in seasons of +distress. In our race, thou art Virtue, and thou art Truth, and thou art, +too, our sole refuge. Therefore hearing what I say truly, do what may be +proper. + +"'"My father was a virtuous man. For virtue's sake he had kept a (ferry) +boat. One day, in the prime of my youth, I went to ply that boat. It so +happened that the great and wise Rishi Parasara, that foremost of all +virtuous men, came, and betook himself to my boat for crossing the Yamuna. +As I was rowing him across the river, the Rishi became excited with desire +and began to address me in soft words. The fear of my father was uppermost +in my mind. But the terror of the Rishi's curse at last prevailed. And +having obtained from him a precious boon, I could not refuse his +solicitations. The Rishi by his energy brought me under his complete +control, and gratified his desire then and there, having first enveloped +the region in a thick fog. Before this there was a revolting fishy odour +in my body; but the Rishi dispelled it and gave me my present fragrance. +The Rishi also told me that by bringing forth his child in an island of +the river, I would still continue (to be) a virgin. And the child of +Parasara so born of me in my maidenhood hath become a great Rishi endued +with large ascetic powers and known by the name of Dwaipayana (the island- +born). That illustrious Rishi having by his ascetic power divided the +Vedas into four parts hath come to be called on earth by the name of Vyasa +(the divider or arranger), and for his dark colour, Krishna (the dark). +Truthful in speech, free from passion, a mighty ascetic who hath burnt all +his sins, he went away with his father immediately after his birth. +Appointed by me and thee also, that Rishi of incomparable splendour will +certainly beget good children upon the wives of thy brother. He told me +when he went away, 'Mother, think of me when thou art in difficulty.' I +will now call him up, if thou, O Bhishma of mighty arms so desirest. If +thou art willing, O Bhishma, I am sure that great ascetic will beget +children upon Vichitravirya's field."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Mention being made of the great Rishi, Bhishma +with joined palms said, "That man is truly intelligent who fixes his eyes +judiciously on virtue, profit, and pleasure, and who after reflecting with +patience, acteth in such a way that virtue may lead to future virtue, +profit to future profit and pleasure to future pleasure. Therefore, that +which hath been said by thee and which, besides being beneficial to us, is +consistent with virtue, is certainly the best advice and hath my full +approval." And when Bhishma had said this, O thou of Kuru's race, Kali +(Satyavati) thought of the Muni Dwaipayana and Dwaipayana who was then +engaged in interpreting the Vedas, learning that he was being called up by +his mother, came instantly unto her without anybody's knowing it. +Satayavati then duly greeted her son and embraced him with arms, bathing +him in her tears, for the daughter of the fisherman wept bitterly at the +sight of her son after so long a time. And her first son, the great Vyasa, +beholding her weeping, washed her with cool water, and bowing unto her, +said, "I have come, O mother, to fulfil thy wishes. Therefore, O virtuous +one, command me without delay. I shall accomplish thy desire." The family +priest of the Bharatas then worshipped the great Rishi duly, and the +latter accepted the offerings of worship, uttering the usual mantras. And +gratified with the worship he received, he took his seat. Satyavati, +beholding him seated at his ease, after the usual inquiries, addressed him +and said, "O learned one, sons derive their birth both from the father and +the mother. They are, therefore, the common property of both parents. +There cannot be the least doubt about it that the mother hath as much +power over them as the father. As thou art, indeed, my eldest son +according to the ordinance, O Brahmarshi, so is Vichitravirya my youngest +son. And as Bhishma is Vichitravirya's brother on the father's side, so +art thou his brother on the same mother's side. I do not know what you may +think, but this is what, O son, I think. This Bhishma, the son of Santanu, +devoted to truth, doth not, for the sake of truth, entertain the desire +of either begetting children or ruling the kingdom. Therefore, from +affection for thy brother Vichitravirya, for the perpetuation of our +dynasty, for the sake of this Bhishma's request and my command, for +kindness to all creatures, for the protection of the people and from the +liberality of thy heart, O sinless one, it behoveth thee to do what I say. +Thy younger brother hath left two widows like unto the daughters of the +celestials themselves, endued with youth and great beauty. For the sake of +virtue and religion, they have become desirous of offspring. Thou art the +fittest person to be appointed. Therefore beget upon them children worthy +of our race and for the continuance of our line." + +"'Vyasa, hearing this, said, "O Satyavati, thou knowest what virtue is both +in respect of this life and the other. O thou of great wisdom, thy +affections also are set on virtue. Therefore, at thy command, making +virtue my motive, I shall do what thou desirest. Indeed, this practice +that is conformable to the true and eternal religion is known to me. I +shall give unto my brother children that shall be like unto Mitra and +Varuna. Let the ladies then duly observe for one full year the vow I +indicate. They shall then be purified. No women shall ever approach me +without having observed a rigid vow." + +"'Satyavati then said, "O sinless one, it must be as thou sayest. Take such +steps that the ladies may conceive immediately. In a kingdom where there +is no king, the people perish from want of protection; sacrifices and +other holy acts are suspended; the clouds send no showers; and the gods +disappear. How can a kingdom be protected that hath no king? Therefore, +see thou that the ladies conceive. Bhishma will watch over the children as +long as they are in their mother's wombs." + +"'Vyasa replied, "If I am to give unto my brother children so unseasonably, +then let the ladies bear my ugliness. That in itself shall, in their case, +be the austerest of penances. If the princess of Kosala can bear my strong +odour, my ugly and grim visage, my attire and body, she shall then +conceive an excellent child."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having spoken thus unto Satyavati, Vyasa of +great energy addressed her and said, "Let the princess of Kosala clad in +clean attire and checked with ornaments wait for me in her bed-chamber." +Saying this, the Rishi disappeared. Satyavati then went to her daughter-in- +law and seeing her in private spoke to her these words of beneficial and +virtuous import, "O princess of Kosala, listen to what I say. It is +consistent with virtue. The dynasty of the Bharatas hath become extinct +from my misfortune. Beholding my affliction and the extinction of his +paternal line, the wise Bhishma, impelled also by the desire of +perpetuating our race, hath made me a suggestion, which suggestion, +however, for its accomplishment is dependent on thee. Accomplish it, O +daughter, and restore the lost line of the Bharatas. O thou of fair hips, +bring thou forth a child equal in splendour unto the chief of the +celestials. He shall bear the onerous burden of this our hereditary +kingdom." + +"'Satyavati having succeeded with great difficulty in procuring the assent +of her virtuous daughter-in-law to her proposal which was not inconsistent +with virtue, then fed Brahmanas and Rishis and numberless guests who +arrived on the occasion.'" + + +SECTION CVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Soon after the monthly season of the princess of +Kosala had been over, Satyavati, purifying her daughter-in-law with a bath, +led her into the sleeping apartment. There seating her upon a luxurious +bed, she addressed her, saying, "O Princess of Kosala, thy husband hath an +elder brother who shall this day enter thy womb as thy child. Wait for him +tonight without dropping off to sleep." Hearing these words of her mother- +in-law, the amiable princess, as she lay on her bed, began to think of +Bhishma and the other elders of the Kuru race. Then the Rishi of truthful +speech, who had given his promise in respect of Amvika (the eldest of the +princesses) in the first instance, entered her chamber while the lamp was +burning. The princess, seeing his dark visage, his matted locks of copper +hue, blazing eyes, his grim beard, closed her eyes in fear. The Rishi, +from desire of accomplishing his mother's wishes, however knew her. But +the latter, struck with fear, opened not her eyes even once to look at him. +And when Vyasa came out, he was met by his mother, who asked him, "Shall +the princess have an accomplished son?" Hearing her, he replied, "The son +of the princess she will bring forth shall be equal in might unto ten +thousand elephants. He will be an illustrious royal sage, possessed of +great learning and intelligence and energy. The high-souled one shall have +in his time a century of sons. But from the fault of his mother he shall +be blind." At these words of her son, Satyavati said, "O thou of ascetic +wealth, how can one that is blind become a monarch worthy of the Kurus? +How can one that is blind become the protector of his relatives and family, +and the glory of his father's race? It behoveth thee to give another king +unto the Kurus." Saying, "So be it," Vyasa went away. And the first +princess of Kosala in due time brought forth a blind son. + +"'Soon after Satyavati, O chastiser of foes, summoned Vyasa, after having +secured the assent of her daughter-in-law. Vyasa came according to his +promise, and approached, as before, the second wife of his brother. And +Ambalika beholding the Rishi, became pale with fear. And, O Bharata, +beholding her so afflicted and pale with fear, Vyasa addressed her and +said, "Because thou hast been pale with fear at the sight of my grim +visage, therefore, thy child shall be pale in complexion. O thou of +handsome face, the name also thy child shall bear will be Pandu (the +pale)." Saying this, the illustrious and best of Rishis came out of her +chamber. And as he came out, he was met by his mother who asked him about +the would-be-child. The Rishi told her that the child would be of pale +complexion and known by the name of Pandu. Satyavati again begged of the +Rishi another child, and the Rishi told her in reply, "So be it." +Ambalika, then, when her time came, brought forth a son of pale +complexion. Blazing with beauty the child was endued with all auspicious +marks. Indeed, it was this child who afterwards became the father of +those mighty archers, the Pandavas. + +"'Some time after, when the oldest of Vichitravirya's widows again had her +monthly season, she was solicited by Satyavati to approach Vyasa once +again. Possessed of beauty like a daughter of a celestial, the princess +refused to do her mother-in-law's bidding, remembering the grim visage and +strong odour of the Rishi. She, however, sent unto him a maid of hers, +endued with the beauty of an Apsara and decked with her own ornaments. And +when the Vyasa arrived, the maid rose up and saluted him. And she waited +upon him respectfully and took her seat near him when asked. And, O king, +the great Rishi of rigid vows, was well-pleased with her, and when he rose +to go away, he addressed her and said, "Amiable one, thou shalt no longer +be a slave. Thy child also shall be greatly fortunate and virtuous, and +the foremost of all intelligent men on earth!" And, O king, the son thus +begotten upon her by Krishna-Dwaipayana was afterwards known by the name +of Vidura. He was thus the brother of Dhritarashtra and the illustrious +Pandu. And Vidura was free from desire and passion and was conversant with +the rules of government, and was the god of justice born on earth under +the curse of the illustrious Rishi Mandavya. And Krishna-Dwaipayana, when +he met his mother as before, informed her as to how he had been deceived +by the seniormost of the princesses and how he had begotten a son upon a +Sudra woman. And having spoken thus unto his mother the Rishi disappeared +from her sight. + +"'Thus were born, in the field of Vichitravirya, even of Dwaipayana those +sons of the splendour of celestial children, those propagators of the Kuru +race.'" + + +SECTION CVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'What did the god of justice do for which he was cursed? +And who was the Brahmana ascetic from whose curse the god had to be born +in the Sudra caste?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a Brahmana known by the name of Mandavya. +He was conversant with all duties and was devoted to religion, truth and +asceticism. The great ascetic used to sit at the entrance of his hermitage +at the foot of a tree, with his arms upraised in the observance of the vow +of silence. And as he sat there for years together, one day there came +into his asylum a number of robbers laden with spoil. And, O bull in +Bharata's race, those robbers were then being pursued by a superior body +as guardians of the peace. The thieves, on entering that asylum, hid their +booty there, and in fear concealed themselves thereabout before the guards +came. But scarcely had they thus concealed themselves when the constables +in pursuit came to the spot. The latter, observing the Rishi sitting under +the tree, questioned him, O king, saying, "O best of Brahmanas, which way +have the thieves taken? Point it out to us so that we may follow it +without loss of time." Thus questioned by the guardians of peace the +ascetic, O king, said not a word, good or otherwise, in reply. The +officers of the king, however, on searching that asylum soon discovered +the thieves concealed thereabout together with the plunder. Upon this, +their suspicion fell upon the Muni, and accordingly they seized him with +the thieves and brought him before the king. The king sentenced him to be +executed along with his supposed associates. And the officers, acting in +ignorance, carried out the sentence by impaling the celebrated Rishi. And +having impaled him, they went to the king with the booty they had +recovered. But the virtuous Rishi, though impaled and kept without food, +remained in that state for a long time without dying. And the Rishi by his +ascetic power not only preserved his life but summoned other Rishi to the +scene. And they came there in the night in the forms of birds, and +beholding him engaged in ascetic meditation though fixed on that stake, +became plunged into grief. And telling that best of Brahmanas who they +were, they asked him saying, "O Brahmana, we desire to know what hath been +thy sin for which thou hast thus been made to suffer the tortures of +impalement!"'" + + +SECTION CVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus asked, the tiger among Munis then answered those +Rishis of ascetic wealth, "Whom shall I blame for this? In fact, none else +(than my own self) hath offended against me!" After this, O monarch, the +officers of justice, seeing him alive, informed the king of it. The latter +hearing what they said, consulted with his advisers, and came to the place +and began to pacify the Rishi, fixed on the stake. And the king said, "O +thou best of Rishis, I have offended against thee in ignorance. I beseech +thee to pardon me for the same. It behoveth thee not to be angry with me." +Thus addressed by the king, the Muni was pacified. And beholding him free +from wrath, the king took him up with the stake and endeavoured to extract +it from his body. But not succeeding therein, he cut it off at the point +just outside the body. The Muni, with a portion of the stake within his +body, walked about, and in that state practised the austerest of penances +and conquered numberless regions unattainable by others. And for the +circumstances of a part of the stake being within his body, he came to be +known in the three worlds by the name of Ani-Mandavya (Mandavya with the +stake within). And one day that Brahamana acquainted with the highest +truth of religion went unto the abode of the god of justice. And beholding +the god there seated on his throne, the Rishi reproached him and said, +"What, pray, is that sinful act committed by me unconsciously, for which I +am bearing this punishment? O, tell me soon, and behold the power of my +asceticism." + +"'The god of justice, thus questioned, replied, "O thou of ascetic wealth, +a little insect was once pierced by thee on a blade of grass. Thou bearest +now the consequence of the act. O Rishi, as a gift, however small, +multiplieth in respect of its religious merits, so a sinful act +multiplieth in respect of the woe it bringeth in its train." On hearing +this, Ani-Mandavya asked, "O tell me truly when this act was committed by +me." Told in reply by the god of justice that he had committed it when a +child, the Rishi said, "That shall not be a sin which may be done by a +child up to the twelfth year of his age from birth. The scriptures shall +not recognise it as sinful. The punishment thou hast inflicted on me for +such a venial offence hath been disproportionate in severity. The killing +of a Brahmana involves a sin that is heavier than the killing of any other +living being. Thou shall, therefore, O god of justice, have to be born +among men even in the Sudra order. And from this day I establish this +limit in respect of the consequence of acts that an act shall not be +sinful when committed by one below the age of fourteen. But when committed +by one above that age, it shall be regarded as sin."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Cursed for this fault by that illustrious Rishi, +the god of justice had his birth as Vidura in the Sudra order. And Vidura +was well-versed in the doctrines of morality and also politics and worldly +profit. And he was entirely free from covetousness and wrath. Possessed of +great foresight and undisturbed tranquillity of mind, Vidura was ever +devoted to the welfare of the Kurus.'" + + +SECTION CIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Upon the birth of those three children, Kurujangala, +Kurukshetra, and the Kurus grew in prosperity. The earth began to yield +abundant harvest, and the crops also were of good flavour. And the clouds +began to pour rain in season and trees became full of fruits and flowers. +And the draught cattle were all happy and the birds and other animals +rejoiced exceedingly. And the flowers became fragrant and the fruits +became sweet; the cities and towns became filled with merchants, artisans, +traders and artists of every description. And the people became brave, +learned, honest and happy. And there were no robbers then, nor anybody who +was sinful. And it seemed that the golden age had come upon every part of +the kingdom. And the people devoted to virtuous acts, sacrifices and truth, +and regarding one another with love and affection grew in prosperity. And +free from pride, wrath and covetousness, they rejoiced in perfectly +innocent sports. And the capital of the Kurus, full as the ocean, was a +second Amaravati, teeming with hundreds of palaces and mansions, and +possessing gates and arches dark as the clouds. And men in great +cheerfulness sported constantly on rivers, lakes and tanks, and in fine +groves and charming woods. And the southern Kurus, in their virtuous +rivalry with their northern kinsmen, walked about in the company of +Siddhas and Charanas and Rishis. And all over that delightful country +whose prosperity was thus increased by the Kurus, there were no misers and +no widowed women. And the wells and lakes were ever full; the groves +abounded with trees, and the houses and abodes of Brahmanas were full of +wealth and the whole kingdom was full of festivities. And, O king, +virtuously ruled by Bhishma, the kingdom was adorned with hundreds of +sacrificial stakes. And the wheel of virtue having been set in motion by +Bhishma, and the country became so contented that the subjects of other +kingdoms, quitting their homes, came to dwell there and increase its +population. And the citizens and the people were filled with hope, upon +seeing the youthful acts of their illustrious princes. And, O king, in the +house of the Kuru chiefs as also of the principal citizens, "give", "eat" +were the only words constantly heard. And Dhritarashtra and Pandu and +Vidura of great intelligence were from their birth brought up by Bhishma, +as if they were his own sons. And the children, having passed through the +usual rites of their order, devoted themselves to vows and study. And they +grew up into fine young men skilled in the Vedas and all athletic sports. +And they became well-skilled in the practice of bow, in horsemanship, in +encounters with mace, sword and shield, in the management of elephants in +battle, and in the science of morality. Well-read in history and the +Puranas and various branches of learning, and acquainted with the truths +of the Vedas and their branches they acquired knowledge, which was +versatile and deep. And Pandu, possessed of great prowess, excelled all +men in archery while Dhritarashtra excelled all in personal strength, +while in the three worlds there was no one equal to Vidura in devotion to +virtue and in the knowledge of the dictates of morality. And beholding the +restoration of the extinct line of Santanu, the saying became current in +all countries that among mothers of heroes, the daughters of the king of +Kasi were the first; that among countries Kurujangala was the first; that +among virtuous men, Vidura was the first; that among cities Hastinapura +was the first. Pandu became king, for Dhritarashtra, owing to the +blindness, and Vidura, for his birth by a Sudra woman, did not obtain the +kingdom. One day Bhishma, the foremost of those acquainted with the duties +of a statesman and dictates of morality, properly addressing Vidura +conversant with the truth of religion and virtue, said as follows.'" + + +SECTION CX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"'Bhishma said, "This our celebrated race, resplendent with every virtue +and accomplishment, hath all along sovereignty over all other monarchs on +earth. Its glory maintained and itself perpetuated by many virtuous and +illustrious monarchs of old, the illustrious Krishna (Dwaipayana) and +Satyavati and myself have raised you (three) up, in order that it may not +be extinct. It behoveth myself and thee also to take such steps that this +our dynasty may expand again as the sea. It hath been heard by me that +there are three maidens worthy of being allied to our race. One is the +daughter of (Surasena of) the Yadava race; the other is the daughter of +Suvala; and the third is the princess of Madra. O son, all these maidens +are of course of blue blood. Possessed of beauty and pure blood, they are +eminently fit for an alliance with our family. O thou foremost of +intelligent men, I think we should choose them for the growth of our race. +Tell me what thou thinkest." Thus addressed, Vidura replied, "Thou art our +father and thou art our mother, too. Thou art our respected spiritual +instructor. Therefore, do thou what may be best for us in thy eyes."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Soon after Bhishma heard from the Brahmanas that +Gandhari, the amiable daughter of Suvala, having worshipped Hara (Siva) +had obtained from the deity the boon that she should have a century of +sons. Bhishma, the grandfather of the Kurus, having heard this, sent +messengers unto the king of Gandhara. King Suvala at first hesitated on +account of the blindness of the bridegroom, but taking into consideration +the blood of the Kurus, their fame and behaviour, he gave his virtuous +daughter unto Dhritarashtra and the chaste Gandhari hearing that +Dhritarashtra was blind and that her parents had consented to marry her to +him, from love and respect for her future husband, blindfolded her own +eyes. Sakuni, the son of Suvala, bringing unto the Kurus his sister endued +with youth and beauty, formally gave her away unto Dhritarashtra. And +Gandhari was received with great respect and the nuptials were celebrated +with great pomp under Bhishma's directions. And the heroic Sakuni, after +having bestowed his sister along with many valuable robes, and having +received Bhishma's adorations, returned to his own city. And, O thou of +Bharata's race, the beautiful Gandhari gratified all the Kurus by her +behaviour and respectful attentions. And Gandhari, ever devoted to her +husband, gratified her superiors by her good conduct; and as she was +chaste, she never referred even by words to men other than her husband or +such superiors.'" + + +SECTION CXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'There was amongst the Yadavas a chief named Sura. +He was the father of Vasudeva. And he had a daughter called Pritha, who +was unrivalled for beauty on earth. And, O thou of Bharata's race, Sura, +always truthful in speech, gave from friendship this his firstborn +daughter unto his childless cousin and friend, the illustrious Kuntibhoja-- +the son of his paternal aunt--pursuant to a former promise. And Pritha in +the house of her adoptive father was engaged in looking after the duties +of hospitality to Brahmanas and other guests. Once she gratified by her +attentions the terrible Brahmana of rigid vows, who was known by the name +of Durvasa and was well-acquainted with the hidden truths of morality. +Gratified with her respectful attentions, the sage, anticipating by his +spiritual power the future (season of) distress (consequent upon the curse +to be pronounced upon Pandu for his unrighteous act of slaying a deer +while serving its mate) imparted to her a formula of invocation for +summoning any of the celestials she liked to give her children. And the +Rishi said, "Those celestials that thou shall summon by this Mantra shall +certainly approach thee and give thee children." Thus addressed by the +Brahmana, the amiable Kunti (Pritha) became curious, and in her maidenhood +summoned the god Arka (Sun). And as soon as she pronounced the Mantra, she +beheld that effulgent deity--that beholder of everything in the world-- +approaching her. And beholding that extraordinary sight, the maiden of +faultless features was overcome with surprise. But the god Vivaswat (Sun) +approaching her, said, "Here I am, O black-eyed girl! Tell me what I am to +do for thee." + +"'Hearing this, Kunti said, "O slayer of foes, a certain Brahamana gave me +this formula of invocation as a boon, and, O lord, I have summoned thee +only to test its efficacy. For this offence I bow to thee. A woman, +whatever be her offence, always deserveth pardon." Surya (Sun) replied, "I +know that Durvasa hath granted this boon. But cast off thy fears, timid +maiden, and grant me thy embraces. Amiable one, my approach cannot be +futile; it must bear fruit. Thou hast summoned me, and if it be for +nothing, it shall certainly be regarded as thy transgression."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Vivaswat thus spoke unto her many things with a +view to allay her fears, but, O Bharata, the amiable maiden, from modesty +and fear of her relatives, consented not to grant his request. And, O bull +of Bharata's race, Arka addressed her again and said, "O princess, for my +sake, it shall not be sinful for thee to grant my wish." Thus speaking +unto the daughter of Kuntibhoja, the illustrious Tapana--the illuminator +of the universe--gratified his wish. And of this connection there was +immediately born a son known all over the world as Karna accoutred with +natural armour and with face brightened by ear-rings. And the heroic Karna +was the first of all wielders of weapons, blessed with good fortune, and +endued with the beauty of a celestial child. And after the birth of this +child, the illustrious Tapana granted unto Pritha her maidenhood and +ascended to heaven. And the princess of the Vrishni race beholding with +sorrow that son born of her, reflected intently upon what was then the +best for her to do. And from fear of her relatives she resolved to conceal +that evidence of her folly. And she cast her offspring endued with great +physical strength into the water. Then the well-known husband of Radha, of +the Suta caste, took up the child thus cast into the water, and he and his +wife brought him up as their own son. And Radha and her husband bestowed +on him the name of Vasusena (born with wealth) because he was born with a +natural armour and ear-rings. And endued as he was born with great +strength, as he grew up, he became skilled in all weapons. Possessed of +great energy, he used to adore the sun until his back was heated by his +rays (i.e., from dawn to midday), and during the hours of worship, there +was nothing on earth that the heroic and intelligent Vasusena would not +give unto the Brahmanas. And Indra desirous of benefiting his own son +Phalguni (Arjuna), assuming the form of a Brahmana, approached Vasusena on +one occasion and begged of him his natural armour. Thus asked Karna took +off his natural armour, and joining his hands in reverence gave it unto +Indra in the guise of a Brahmana. And the chief of the celestials accepted +the gift and was exceedingly gratified with Karna's liberality. He +therefore, gave unto him a fine dart, saying, "That one (and one only) +among the celestials, the Asuras, men, the Gandharvas, the Nagas, and the +Rakshasas, whom thou desirest to conquer, shall be certainly slain with +this dart." + +"'The son of Surya was before this known by the name of Vasusena. But since +he cut off his natural armour, he came to be called Karna (the cutter or +peeler of his own cover).'" + + +SECTION CXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said. 'The large-eyed daughter of Kuntibhoja, Pritha by name, +was endued with beauty and every accomplishment. Of rigid vows, she was +devoted to virtue and possessed of every good quality. But though endued +with beauty and youth and every womanly attribute, yet it so happened that +no king asked for her hand. Her father Kuntibhoja seeing this, invited, O +best of monarchs, the princes and kings of other countries and desired his +daughter to select her husband from among her guests. The intelligent +Kunti, entering the amphitheatre, beheld Pandu--the foremost of the +Bharatas--that tiger among kings--in that concourse of crowned heads. +Proud as the lion, broad-chested, bull-eyed, endued with great strength, +and outshining all other monarchs in splendour, he looked like another +Indra in that royal assemblage. The amiable daughter of Kuntibhoja, of +faultless features, beholding Pandu--that best of men--in that assembly, +became very much agitated. And advancing with modesty, all the while +quivering with emotion, she placed the nuptial garland about Pandu's neck. +The other monarchs, seeing Kunti choose Pandu for her lord, returned to +their respective kingdoms on elephants, horses and cars, as they had come. +Then, O king, the bride's father caused the nuptial rites to be performed +duly. The Kuru prince blessed with great good fortune and the daughter of +Kuntibhoja formed a couple like Maghavat and Paulomi (the king and queen +of the celestials). And, O best of Kuru monarchs, king Kuntibhoja, after +the nuptials were over, presented his son-in-law with much wealth and sent +him back to his capital. Then the Kuru prince Pandu, accompanied by a +large force bearing various kinds of banners and pennons, and eulogised by +Brahmanas and great Rishis pronouncing benedictions, reached his capital. +And after arriving at his own palace, he established his queen therein.'" + + +SECTION CXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Some time after, Bhishma the intelligent son of +Santanu set his heart upon getting Pandu married to a second wife. +Accompanied by an army composed of four kinds of force, and also by aged +councillors and Brahmanas and great Rishis, he went to the capital of the +king of Madra. And that bull of the Valhikas--the king of Madra--hearing +that Bhishma had arrived, went out to receive him. And having received him +with respect, he got him to enter his palace. Arriving there, the king of +Madra offered unto Bhishma a white carpet for a seat, water to wash his +feet with, and usual oblation of various ingredients indicative of respect. +And when he was seated at ease, the king asked him about the reason of his +visit. Then Bhishma--the supporter of the dignity of the Kurus--addressed +the king of Madra and said, "O oppressor of all foes, know that I have +come for the hand of a maiden. It hath been heard by us that thou hast a +sister named Madri celebrated for her beauty and endued with every virtue; +I would chose her for Pandu. Thou art, O king, in every respect worthy of +an alliance with us, and we also are worthy of thee. Reflecting upon all +this, O king of Madra, accept us duly." The ruler of Madra, thus addressed +by Bhishma, replied, "To my mind, there is none else than one of thy +family with whom I can enter into an alliance. But there is a custom in +our family observed by our ancestors, which, be it good or bad, I am +incapable of transgressing. It is well-known, and therefore is known to +thee as well, I doubt not. Therefore, it is not proper for thee to say to +me,--Bestow thy sister. The custom to which I allude is our family custom. +With us that is a virtue and worthy of observance. It is for this only, O +slayer of foes, I cannot give thee any assurance in the matter of thy +request." On hearing this, Bhishma answered the king of Madra, saying, "O +king, this, no doubt, is a virtue. The self-create himself hath said it. +Thy ancestors were observant of custom. There is no fault to find with it. +It is also well-known, O Salya, that this custom in respect of family +dignity hath the approval of the wise and the good." Saying this Bhishma +of great energy gave unto Salya much gold both coined and uncoined, and +precious stones of various colours by thousands, and elephants and horses +and cars, and much cloth and many ornaments, and gems and pearls and +corals. And Salya accepting with a cheerful heart those precious gifts +then gave away his sister decked in ornaments unto that bull of the Kuru +race. Then the wise Bhishma, the son of the oceangoing Ganga, rejoiced at +the issue of his mission, took Madri with him, and returned to the Kuru +capital named after the elephant. + +"'Then selecting an auspicious day and moment as indicated by the wise for +the ceremony, King Pandu was duly united with Madri. And after the +nuptials were over, the Kuru king established his beautiful bride in +handsome apartments. And, O king of kings, that best of monarchs then gave +himself up to enjoyment in the company of his two wives as best he liked +and to the limit of his desires. And after thirty days had elapsed, the +Kuru king, O monarch, started from his capital for the conquest of the +world. And after reverentially saluting and bowing to Bhishma and the +other elders of the Kuru race, and with adieus to Dhritarashtra and others +of the family, and obtaining their leave, he set out on his grand campaign, +accompanied by a large force of elephants, horses, and cars, and well- +pleased with the blessings uttered by all around and the auspicious rites +performed by the citizens for his success. And Pandu, accompanied by such +a strong force marched against various foes. And that tiger among men-- +that spreader of the fame of the Kurus--first subjugated the robber tribes +of asarna. He next turned his army composed of innumerable elephants, +cavalry, infantry, and charioteers, with standards of various colours +against Dhirga--the ruler of the kingdom of Maghadha who was proud of his +strength, and offended against numerous monarchs. And attacking him in his +capital, Pandu slew him there, and took everything in his treasury and +also vehicles and draught animals without number. He then marched into +Mithila and subjugated the Videhas. And then, O bull among men, Pandu led +his army against Kasi, Sumbha, and Pundra, and by the strength and prowess +of his arms spread the fame of the Kurus. And Pandu, that oppressor of +foes, like unto a mighty fire whose far-reaching flames were represented +by his arrows and splendour by his weapons, began to consume all kings +that came in contact with him. These with their forces, vanquished by +Pandu at the head of his army, were made the vassals of the Kurus. And all +kings of the world, thus vanquished by him, regarded him as the one single +hero on earth even as the celestials regard Indra in heaven. And the kings +of earth with joined palms bowed to him and waited on him with presents of +various kinds of gems and wealth, precious stones and pearls and corals, +and much gold and silver, and first-class kine and handsome horses and +fine cars and elephants, and asses and camels and buffaloes, and goats and +sheep, and blankets and beautiful hides, and cloths woven out of furs. And +the king of Hastinapura accepting those offerings retraced his steps +towards his capital, to the great delight of his subjects. And the +citizens and others filled with joy, and kings and ministers, all began to +say, "O, the fame of the achievements of Santanu, that tiger among kings, +and of the wise Bharata, which were about to die, hath been revived by +Pandu. They who robbed before the Kurus of both territory and wealth have +been subjugated by Pandu--the tiger of Hastinapura--and made to pay +tribute." And all the citizens with Bhishma at their head went out to +receive the victorious king. They had not proceeded far when they saw the +attendants of the king laden with much wealth, and the train of various +conveyances laden with all kinds of wealth, and of elephants, horses, cars, +kine, camels and other animals, was so long that they saw not its end. +Then Pandu, beholding Bhishma, who was a father to him, worshipped his +feet and saluted the citizens and others as each deserved. And Bhishma, +too, embracing Pandu as his son who had returned victorious after grinding +many hostile kingdoms, wept tears of joy. And Pandu, instilling joy into +the hearts of his people with a flourish of trumpets and conchs and kettle- +drums, entered his capital.'" + + +SECTION CXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Pandu, then, at the command of Dhritarashtra, offered +the wealth he had acquired by the prowess of his arms to Bhishma, their +grand-mother Satyavati and their mothers. And he sent portion of his +wealth to Vidura also. And the virtuous Pandu gratified his other +relatives also with similar presents. Then Satyavati and Bhishma and the +Kosala princes were all gratified with the presents Pandu made out of the +acquisitions of his prowess. And Ambalika in particular, upon embracing +her son of incomparable prowess, became as glad as the queen of heaven +upon embracing Jayanta. And with the wealth acquired by that hero +Dhritarashtra performed five great sacrifices that were equal unto a +hundred great horse-sacrifices, at all of which the offerings to Brahmanas +were by hundreds and thousands. + +"'A little while after, O bull of Bharata's race, Pandu who had achieved a +victory over sloth and lethargy, accompanied by his two wives, Kunti and +Madri, retired into the woods. Leaving his excellent palace with its +luxurious beds, he became a permanent inhabitant of the woods, devoting +the whole of his time to the chase of the deer. And fixing his abode in a +delightful and hilly region overgrown with huge sala trees, on the +southern slope of the Himavat mountains, he roamed about in perfect +freedom. The handsome Pandu with his two wives wandered in those woods +like Airavata accompanied by two she-elephants. And the dwellers in those +woods, beholding the heroic Bharata prince in the company of his wives, +armed with sword, arrows, and bow, clad with his beautiful armour, and +skilled in all excellent weapons, regarded him as the very god wandering +amongst them. + +"'And at the command of Dhritarashtra, people were busy in supplying Pandu +in his retirement with every object of pleasure and enjoyment. + +"'Meanwhile the son of the ocean-going Ganga heard that king Devaka had a +daughter endued with youth and beauty and begotten upon a Sudra wife. +Bringing her from her father's abode, Bhishma married her to Vidura of +great wisdom. And Vidura begot upon her many children like unto himself in +accomplishments.'" + + +SECTION CXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile, O Janamejaya, Dhritarashtra begat upon +Gandhari a hundred sons, and upon a Vaisya wife another besides those +hundred. And Pandu had, by his two wives Kunti and Madri, five sons who +were great charioteers and who were all begotten by the celestials for the +perpetuation of the Kuru line.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'O best of Brahmanas, how did Gandhari bring forth those +hundred sons and in how many years? What were also the periods of life +allotted to each? How did Dhritarashtra also beget another son in a Vaisya +wife? How did Dhritarashtra behave towards his loving, obedient, and +virtuous wife Gandhari? How were also begotten the five sons of Pandu, +those mighty charioteers, even though Pandu himself laboured under the +curse of the great Rishi (he slew)? Tell me all this in detail, for my +thirst for hearing everything relating to my own ancestor hath not been +slaked.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'One day Gandhari entertained with respectful +attention the great Dwaipayana who came to her abode, exhausted with +hunger and fatigue. Gratified with Gandhari's hospitality, the Rishi gave +her the boon she asked for, viz., that she should have a century of sons +each equal unto her lord in strength and accomplishments. Some time after +Gandhari conceived and she bore the burden in her womb for two long years +without being delivered. And she was greatly afflicted at this. It was +then that she heard that Kunti had brought forth a son whose splendour was +like unto the morning sun. Impatient of the period of gestation which had +prolonged so long, and deprived of reason by grief, she struck her womb +with great violence without the knowledge of her husband. And thereupon +came out of her womb, after two years' growth, a hard mass of flesh like +unto an iron ball. When she was about to throw it away, Dwaipayana, +learning everything by his spiritual powers, promptly came there, and that +first of ascetics beholding that ball of flesh, addressed the daughter of +Suvala thus, "What hast thou done?" Gandhari, without endeavouring to +disguise her feelings, addressed the Rishi and said, "Having heard that +Kunti had brought forth a son like unto Surya in splendour, I struck in +grief at my womb. Thou hadst, O Rishi, granted me the boon that I should +have a hundred sons, but here is only a ball of flesh for those hundred +sons!" Vyasa then said, "Daughter of Suvala, it is even so. But my words +can never be futile. I have not spoken an untruth even in jest. I need not +speak of other occasions. Let a hundred pots full of clarified butter be +brought instantly, and let them be placed at a concealed spot. In the +meantime, let cool water be sprinkled over this ball of flesh."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'That ball of flesh then, sprinkled over with +water, became, in time, divided into a hundred and one parts, each about +the size of the thumb. These were then put into those pots full of +clarified butter that had been placed at a concealed spot and were watched +with care. The illustrious Vyasa then said unto the daughter of Suvala +that she should open the covers of the pots after full two years. And +having said this and made these arrangements, the wise Dwaipayana went to +the Himavat mountains for devoting himself to asceticism. + +"'Then in time, king Duryodhana was born from among those pieces of the +ball of flesh that had been deposited in those pots. According to the +order of birth, king Yudhishthira was the oldest. The news of Duryodhana's +birth was carried to Bhishma and the wise Vidura. The day that the haughty +Duryodhana was born was also the birth-day of Bhima of mighty arms and +great prowess. + +"'As soon as Duryodhana was born, he began to cry and bray like an ass. And +hearing that sound, the asses, vultures, jackals and crows uttered their +respective cries responsively. Violent winds began to blow, and there were +fires in various directions. Then king Dhritarashtra in great fear, +summoning Bhishma and Vidura and other well-wishers and all the Kurus, and +numberless Brahmanas, addressed them and said, "The oldest of those +princes, Yudhishthira, is the perpetuator of our line. By virtue of his +birth he hath acquired the kingdom. We have nothing to say to this. But +shall this my son born after him become king? Tell me truly what is lawful +and right under these circumstances." As soon as these words were spoken, +O Bharata, jackals and other carnivorous animals began to howl ominously. +And marking those frightful omens all around, the assembled Brahmanas and +the wise Vidura replied, "O king, O bull among men, when these frightful +omens are noticeable at the birth of thy eldest son, it is evident that he +shall be the exterminator of thy race. The prosperity of all dependeth on +his abandonment. Calamity there must be in keeping him. O king, if thou +abandonest him, there remain yet thy nine and ninety sons. If thou +desirest the good of thy race, abandon him, O Bharata! O king, do good to +the world and thy own race by casting off this one child of thine. It hath +been said that an individual should be cast off for the sake of the family; +that a family should be cast off for the sake of a village; that a village +may be abandoned for the sake of the whole country; and that the earth +itself may be abandoned for the sake of the soul." When Vidura and those +Brahmanas had stated so, king Dhritarashtra out of affection for his son +had not the heart to follow that advice. Then, O king, within a month, +were born a full hundred sons unto Dhritarashtra and a daughter also in +excess of this hundred. And during the time when Gandhari was in a state +of advanced pregnancy, there was a maid servant of the Vaisya class who +used to attend on Dhritarashtra. During that year, O king, was begotten +upon her by the illustrious Dhritarashtra a son endued with great +intelligence who was afterwards named Yuyutsu. And because he was begotten +by a Kshatriya upon a Vaisya woman, he came to be called Karna. + +"'Thus were born unto the wise Dhritarashtra a hundred sons who were all +heroes and mighty chariot-fighters, and a daughter over and above the +hundred, and another son Yuyutsu of great energy and prowess begotten upon +a Vaisya woman.'" + + +SECTION CXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O sinless one, thou hast narrated to me from the +beginning all about the birth of Dhritarashtra's hundred sons owing to the +boon granted by the Rishi. But thou hast not told me as yet any +particulars about the birth of the daughter. Thou hast merely said that +over and above the hundred sons, there was another son named Yuyutsu +begotten upon a Vaisya woman, and a daughter. The great Rishi Vyasa of +immeasurable energy said unto the daughter of the king of Gandhara that +she would become the mother of a hundred sons. Illustrious one, how is +that thou sayest Gandhari had a daughter over and above her hundred sons? +If the ball of flesh was distributed by the great Rishi only into a +hundred parts, and if Gandhari did not conceive on any other occasion, how +was then Duhsala born. Tell me this, O Rishi! my curiosity hath been +great.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O descendant of the Pandavas, thy question is just, +and I will tell thee how it happened. The illustrious and great Rishi +himself, by sprinkling water over that ball of flesh, began to divide it +into parts. And as it was being divided into parts, the nurse began to +take them up and put them one by one into those pots filled with clarified +butter. While this process was going on, the beautiful and chaste Gandhari +of rigid vows, realising the affection that one feeleth for a daughter, +began to think within herself, "There is no doubt that I shall have a +hundred sons, the Muni having said so. It can never be otherwise. But I +should be very happy if a daughter were born of me over and above these +hundred sons and junior to them all. My husband then may attain to those +worlds that the possession of a daughter's sons conferreth. Then again, +the affection the women feel for their sons-in-law is great. If, therefore, +I obtain a daughter over and above my hundred sons, then, surrounded by +sons and daughter's sons, I may feel supremely blest. If I have ever +practised ascetic austerities, if I have ever given anything in charity, +if I have ever performed the homa (through Brahamanas), if I have ever +gratified my superiors by respectful attentions, then (as the fruit of +those acts) let a daughter be born unto me." All this while that +illustrious and best of Rishis, Krishna-Dwaipayana himself was dividing +the ball of flesh; and counting a full hundred of the parts, he said unto +the daughter of Suvala, "Here are thy hundred sons. I did not speak aught +unto thee that was false. Here, however, is one part in excess of the +hundred, intended for giving thee a daughter's son. This part shall +develop into an amiable and fortunate daughter, as thou hast desired." +Then that great ascetic brought another pot full of clarified butter, and +put the part intended for a daughter into it. + +"'Thus have I, O Bharata, narrated unto thee all about the birth of +Duhsala. Tell me, O sinless one, what more I am now to narrate.'" + + +SECTION CXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'Please recite the names of Dhritarashtra's sons +according to the order of their birth.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Their names, O king, according to the order of birth, +are Duryodhana, Yuyutsu, Duhsasana, Duhsaha, Duhsala, Jalasandha, Sama, +Saha, Vinda and Anuvinda, Durdharsha, Suvahu, Dushpradharshana, +Durmarshana and Durmukha, Dushkarna, and Karna; Vivinsati and Vikarna, +Sala, Satwa, Sulochana, Chitra and Upachitra, Chitraksha, Charuchitra, +Sarasana, Durmada and Durvigaha, Vivitsu, Vikatanana; Urnanabha and +Sunabha, then Nandaka and Upanandaka; Chitravana, Chitravarman, Suvarman, +Durvimochana; Ayovahu, Mahavahu, Chitranga, Chitrakundala, Bhimavega, +Bhimavala, Balaki, Balavardhana, Ugrayudha; Bhima, Karna, Kanakaya, +Dridhayudha, Dridhavarman, Dridhakshatra, Somakitri, Anudara; Dridhasandha, +Jarasandha, Satyasandha, Sada, Suvak, Ugrasravas, Ugrasena, Senani, +Dushparajaya, Aparajita, Kundasayin, Visalaksha, Duradhara; Dridhahasta, +Suhasta, Vatavega, and Suvarchas; Adityaketu, Vahvashin, Nagadatta, +Agrayayin; Kavachin, Krathana, Kunda, Kundadhara, Dhanurdhara; the heroes, +Ugra and Bhimaratha, Viravahu, Alolupa; Abhaya, and Raudrakarman, and +Dridharatha; Anadhrishya, Kundabhedin, Viravi, Dhirghalochana Pramatha, +and Pramathi and the powerful Dhirgharoma; Dirghavahu, Mahavahu, Vyudhoru, +Kanakadhvaja; Kundasi and Virajas. Besides these hundred sons, there was a +daughter named Duhsala. All were heroes and Atirathas, and were well- +skilled in warfare. All were learned in the Vedas, and all kinds of +weapons. And, O, king, worthy wives were in time selected for all of them +by Dhritarashtra after proper examination. And king Dhritarashtra, O +monarch, also bestowed Duhsala, in proper time and with proper rites, upon +Jayadratha (the king of Sindhu).'" + + +SECTION CXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O utterer of Brahma, thou hast recited (everything +about) the extraordinary birth among men, of the sons of Dhritarashtra in +consequence of the Rishi's grace. Thou hast also said what their names are, +according to the order of their birth. O Brahmana, I have heard all these +from thee. But tell me now all about the Pandavas. While reciting the +incarnations on earth of the celestial, the Asuras, and the beings of +other classes, thou saidst that the Pandavas were all illustrious and +endued with the prowess of gods, and that they were incarnate portion of +the celestials themselves. I desire, therefore, to hear all about those +beings of extraordinary achievements beginning from the moment of their +birth. O Vaisampayana, recite thou their achievements.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, one day Pandu, while roaming about in the +woods (on the southern slopes of the Himavat) that teemed with deer and +wild animals of fierce disposition, saw a large deer, that seemed to be +the leader of a herd, serving his mate. Beholding the animals, the monarch +pierced them both with five of his sharp and swift arrows winged with +golden feathers. O monarch, that was no deer that Pandu struck at, but a +Rishi's son of great ascetic merit who was enjoying his mate in the form +of a deer. Pierced by Pandu, while engaged in the act of intercourse, he +fell down to the ground, uttering cries that were of a man and began to +weep bitterly. + +"'The deer then addressed Pandu and said, "O king, even men that are slaves +to lust and wrath, and void of reason, and ever sinful, never commit such +a cruel act as this. Individual judgment prevaileth not against the +ordinance, the ordinance prevaileth against individual judgment. The wise +never sanction anything discountenanced by the ordinance. Thou art born, O +Bharata, in a race that hath ever been virtuous. How is it, therefore, +that even thou, suffering thyself to be overpowered by passion and wrath +losest thy reason?" Hearing this, Pandu replied, "O deer, kings behave in +the matter of slaying animals of thy species exactly as they do in the +matter of slaying foes. It behoveth thee not, therefore, to reprove me +thus from ignorance. Animals of thy species are slain by open or covert +means. This, indeed, is the practice of kings. Then why dost thou reprove +me? Formerly, the Rishi Agastya, while engaged in the performance of a +grand sacrifice, chased the deer, and devoted every deer in the forest +unto the gods in general. Thou hast been slain, pursuant to the usage +sanctioned by such precedent. Wherefore reprovest us then? For his +especial sacrifices Agastya performed the homa with fat of the deer." + +"'The deer then said, "O king, men do not let fly their arrows at their +enemies when the latter are unprepared. But there is a time for doing it +(viz., after declaration of hostilities). Slaughter at such a time is not +censurable." + +"'Pandu replied, "It is well-known that men slay deer by various effective +means without regarding whether the animals are careful or careless. +Therefore, O deer, why dost thou reprove me?" + +"'The deer then said, "O, king, I did not blame thee for thy having killed +a deer, or for the injury thou hast done to me. But, instead of acting so +cruelly, thou shouldst have waited till the completion of my act of +intercourse. What man of wisdom and virtue is there that can kill a deer +while engaged in such an act? The time of sexual intercourse is agreeable +to every creature and productive of good to all. O king, with this my mate +I was engaged in the gratification of my sexual desire. But that effort of +mine hath been rendered futile by thee. O king of the Kurus, as thou art +born in the race of the Pauravas ever noted for white (virtuous) deeds, +such an act hath scarcely been worthy of thee. O Bharata, this act must be +regarded as extremely cruel, deserving of universal execration, infamous, +and sinful, and certainly leading to hell. Thou art acquainted with the +pleasures of sexual intercourse. Thou art acquainted also with the +teaching of morality and dictates of duty. Like unto a celestial as thou +art, it behoveth thee not to do such an act as leadeth to hell. O best of +kings, thy duty is to chastise all who act cruelly, who are engaged in +sinful practices and who have thrown to the winds religion, profit, and +pleasure as explained in the scriptures. What hast thou done, O best of +men, in killing me who have given thee no offence? I am, O king, a Muni +who liveth on fruits and roots, though disguised as a deer. I was living +in the woods in peace with all. Yet thou hast killed me, O king, for which +I will curse thee certainly. As thou hast been cruel unto a couple of +opposite sexes, death shall certainly overtake thee as soon as thou +feelest the influence of sexual desire. I am a Muni of the name of Kindama, +possessed of ascetic merit. I was engaged in sexual intercourse with this +deer, because my feelings of modesty did not permit me to indulge in such +an act in human society. In the form of a deer I rove in the deep woods in +the company of other deer. Thou hast slain me without knowing that I am a +Brahmana, the sin of having slain a Brahmana shall not, therefore, be +thine. But senseless man, as you have killed me, disguised as a deer, at +such a time, thy fate shall certainly be even like mine. When, approaching +thy wife lustfully, thou wilt unite with her even as I had done with mine, +in that very state shalt thou have to go to the world of the spirits. And +that wife of thine with whom thou mayst be united in intercourse at the +time of thy death shall also follow thee with affection and reverence to +the domains of the king of the dead. Thou hast brought me grief when I was +happy. So shall grief come to thee when thou art in happiness."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, that deer, afflicted with grief +gave up the ghost; and Pandu also was plunged in woe at the sight.'" + + +SECTION CXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After the death of that deer, king Pandu with his +wives was deeply afflicted and wept bitterly. And he exclaimed, "The +wicked, even if born in virtuous families, deluded by their own passions, +become overwhelmed with misery as the fruit of their own deeds. I have +heard that my father, though begotten by Santanu of virtuous soul, was cut +off while still a youth, only because he had become a slave to his lust. +In the soil of that lustful king, the illustrious Rishi Krishna-Dwaipayana +himself, of truthful speech, begot me. A son though I am of such a being, +with my wicked heart wedded to vice, I am yet leading a wandering life in +the woods in the chase of the deer. Oh, the very gods have forsaken me! I +shall seek salvation now. The great impediments to salvation are the +desire to beget children, and other concerns of the world. I shall now +adopt the Brahmacharya mode of life and follow in the imperishable wake of +my father. I shall certainly bring my passions under complete control by +severe ascetic penances. Forsaking my wives and other relatives and +shaving my head, alone shall I wander over the earth, begging for my +subsistence from each of these trees standing here. Forsaking every object +of affection and aversion, and covering my body with dust, I shall make +the shelter of trees or deserted houses my home. I shall never yield to +influence of sorrow or joy, and I shall regard slander and eulogy in the +same light. I shall not seek benedictions or bows. I shall be at peace +with all, and shall not accept gifts. I shall not mock anybody, nor shall +I knit my brows at any one, but shall be ever cheerful and devoted to the +good of all creatures. I shall not harm any of the four orders of life +gifted with power of locomotion or otherwise, viz., oviparous and +viviparous creatures and worms and vegetables. But on the contrary, +preserve an equality of behaviour towards all, as if they were, my own +children. Once a day shall I beg of five or ten families at the most, and +if I do not succeed in obtaining alms, I shall then go without food. I +shall rather stint myself than beg more than once of the same person. If I +do not obtain anything after completing my round of seven or ten houses, +moved by covetousness, I shall not enlarge my round. Whether I obtain or +fail to obtain alms, I shall be equally unmoved like a great ascetic. One +lopping off an arm of mine with a hatchet, and one smearing another arm +with sandal-paste, shall be regarded by me equally. I shall not wish +prosperity to the one or misery to the other. I shall not be pleased with +life or displeased with death. I shall neither desire to live nor to die. +Washing my heart of all sins, I shall certainly transcend those sacred +rites productive of happiness, that men perform in auspicious moments, +days, and periods. I shall also abstain from all acts of religion and +profit and also those that lead to the gratification of the senses. Freed +from all sins and snares of the world, I shall be like the wind subject to +none. Following the path of fearlessness and bearing myself in this way I +shall at last lay down my life. Destitute of the power of begetting +children, firmly adhering to the line of duty I shall not certainly +deviate therefrom in order to tread in the vile path of the world that is +so full of misery. Whether respected or disrespected in the world that man +who from covetousness casteth on others a begging look, certainly behaveth +like a dog. (Destitute as I am of the power of procreation, I should not +certainly, from desire of offspring, solicit others to give me +children.)"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The king, having thus wept in sorrow, with a +sigh looked at his two wives Kunti and Madri, and addressing them said, +"Let the princess of Kosala (my mother), Vidura, the king with our friends, +the venerable Satyavati, Bhishma, the priests of our family, illustrious +Soma-drinking Brahmanas of rigid vows and all elderly citizens depending +on us be informed, after being prepared for it, that Pandu hath retired +into the woods to lead a life of asceticism." Hearing these words of their +lord who had set his heart on a life of asceticism in the woods, both +Kunti and Madri addressed him in these proper words, "O bull of Bharata's +race, there are many other modes of life which thou canst adopt and in +which thou canst undergo the severest penances along with us, thy wedded +wives--in which for the salvation of thy body (freedom from re-birth), +thou mayest obtain heaven. We also, in the company of our lord, and for +his benefit, controlling our passions and bidding adieu to all luxuries, +shall subject ourselves to the severest austerities. O king, O thou of +great wisdom, if thou abandonest us, we shall then this very day truly +depart from this world." + +"'Pandu replied, "If, indeed, this your resolve springeth from virtue, then +with you both I shall follow the imperishable path of my fathers. +Abandoning the luxuries of cities and towns, clad in barks of trees, and +living on fruits and roots, I shall wander in deep woods, practising the +severest penances. Bathing morning and evening, I shall perform the homa. +I shall reduce my body by eating very sparingly and shall wear rags and +skins and knotted locks on my head. Exposing myself to heat and cold and +disregarding hunger and thirst, I shall reduce my body by severe ascetic +penances. I shall live in solitude and I shall give myself up to +contemplation; I shall eat fruit, ripe or green, that I may find. I shall +offer oblations to the Pitris (manes) and the gods with speech, water and +the fruits of the wilderness. I shall not see, far less harm, any of the +denizens of the woods, or any of my relatives, or any of the residents of +cities and towns. Until I lay down this body, I shall thus practise the +severe ordinances of the Vanaprastha scriptures, always searching for +severer ones that they may contain."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Kuru king, having said this unto his wives, +gave away to Brahmanas the big jewel in his diadem, his necklace of +precious gold, his bracelets, his large ear-rings, his valuable robes and +all the ornaments of his wives. Then summoning his attendants, he +commended them, saying, "Return ye to Hastinapura and proclaim unto all +that Pandu with his wives hath gone into the woods, foregoing wealth, +desire, happiness, and even sexual appetite." Then those followers and +attendants, hearing these and other soft words of the king, set up a loud +wail, uttering, "Oh, we are undone!" Then with hot tears trickling down +their cheeks they left the monarch and returned to Hastinapura with speed +carrying that wealth with them (that was to be distributed in charity). +Then Dhritarashtra, that first of men, hearing from them everything that +had happened in the woods, wept for his brother. He brooded over his +affliction continually, little relishing the comfort of beds and seats and +dishes. + +"'Meanwhile, the Kuru prince Pandu (after sending away his attendants) +accompanied by his two wives and eating fruits and roots went to the +mountains of Nagasata. He next went to Chaitraratha, and then crossed the +Kalakuta, and finally, crossing the Himavat, he arrived at Gandhamadana. +Protected by Mahabhutas, Siddhas, and great Rishis, Pandu lived, O king, +sometimes on level ground and sometimes on mountain slopes. He then +journeyed on to the lake of Indradyumna, whence crossing the mountains of +Hansakuta, he went to the mountain of hundred peaks (Sata-sringa) and +there continued to practise ascetic austerities.'" + + +SECTION CXX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Pandu, possessed of great energy, then devoted +himself to asceticism. Within a short time he became the favourite of the +whole body of the Siddhas and Charanas residing there. And, O Bharata, +devoted to the service of his spiritual masters, free from vanity, with +mind under complete control and the passions fully subdued, the prince, +becoming competent to enter heaven by his own energy, attained to great +(ascetic) prowess. Some of the Rishis would call him brother, some friend, +while others cherished him as their son. And, O bull of Bharata's race, +having acquired after a long time great ascetic merit coupled with +complete singleness, Pandu became even like a Brahmarshi (though he was a +Kshatriya by birth). + +"'On a certain day of the new moon, the great Rishis of rigid vows +assembled together, and desirous of beholding Brahman were on the point of +starting on their expedition. Seeing them about to start, Pandu asked +those ascetics, saying, "Ye first of eloquent men, where shall we go?" The +Rishis answered, "There will be a great gathering today, in the abode of +Brahman, of celestials, Rishis and Pitris. Desirous of beholding the Self- +create we shall go there today."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing this, Pandu rose up suddenly, desirous +of visiting heaven along with the great Rishis. Accompanied by his two +wives, when he was on the point of following the Rishis in the northerly +direction from the mountain of hundred peaks, those ascetics addressed him +saying, "In our northward march, while gradually ascending the king of +mountains, we have seen on its delightful breast many regions inaccessible +to ordinary mortals; retreats also of the gods, and Gandharvas and Apsaras, +with palatial mansions by hundreds clustering thick around and resounding +with the sweet notes of celestial music, the gardens of Kuvera laid out on +even and uneven grounds, banks of mighty rivers, and deep caverns. There +are many regions also on those heights that are covered with perpetual +snow and are utterly destitute of vegetable and animal existence. In some +places the downpour of rain is so heavy that they are perfectly +inaccessible and incapable of being utilised for habitation. Not to speak +of other animals, even winged creatures cannot cross them. The only thing +that can go there is air, and the only beings, Siddhas and great Rishis. +How shall these princesses ascend those heights of the king of mountains? +Unaccustomed to pain, shall they not droop in affliction? Therefore, come +not with us, O bull of Bharata's race!" + +"'Pandu replied, "Ye fortunate ones, it is said that for the sonless there +is no admittance into heaven. I am sonless! In affliction I speak unto +you! I am afflicted because I have not been able to discharge the debt I +owe to my ancestors. It is certain that with the dissolution of this my +body my ancestors perish! Men are born on this earth with four debts, viz. +those due unto the (deceased) ancestors, the gods, the Rishis, and other +men. In justice these must be discharged. The wise have declared that no +regions of bliss exist for them that neglect to pay these debts in due +time. The gods are paid (gratified) by sacrifices, the Rishis, by study, +meditation, and asceticism, the (deceased) ancestors, by begetting +children and offering the funeral cake, and lastly other men, by leading +a humane and inoffensive life. I have justly discharged my obligations to +the Rishis, the gods, and other men. But those others than these three are +sure to perish with the dissolution of my body! Ye ascetics, I am not yet +freed from the debt I owe to my (deceased) ancestors. The best of men are +born in this world to beget children for discharging that debt. I would +ask you, should children be begotten in my soil (upon my wives) as I +myself was begotten in the soil of my father by the eminent Rishi?" + +"'The Rishis said, "O king of virtuous soul, there is progeny in store for +thee, that is sinless and blest with good fortune and like unto the gods. +We behold it all with our prophetic eyes. Therefore, O tiger among men, +accomplish by your own acts that which destiny pointeth at. Men of +intelligence, acting with deliberation, always obtain good fruits; it +behoveth thee, therefore, O king, to exert thyself. The fruits thou +wouldst obtain are distinctly visible. Thou wouldst really obtain +accomplished and agreeable progeny."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the ascetics, Pandu, +remembering the loss of his procreative powers owing to the curse of the +deer, began to reflect deeply. And calling his wedded wife the excellent +Kunti, unto him, he told her in private, "Strive thou to raise offspring +at this time of distress. The wise expounders of the eternal religion +declare that a son, O Kunti, is the cause of virtuous fame in the three +worlds. It is said that sacrifices, charitable gifts, ascetic penances, +and vows observed most carefully, do not confer religious merit on a +sonless man. O thou of sweet smiles, knowing all this, I am certain that +as I am sonless, I shall not obtain regions of true felicity. O timid one, +wretch that I was and addicted to cruel deeds, as a consequence of the +polluted life I led, my power of procreation hath been destroyed by the +curse of the deer. The religious institutes mention six kinds of sons that +are heirs and kinsmen, and six other kinds that are not heirs but kinsmen. +I shall speak of them presently. O Pritha, listen to me. They are: 1st, +the son begotten by one's own self upon his wedded wife; 2nd, the son +begotten upon one's wife by an accomplished person from motives of +kindness; 3rd, the son begotten upon one's wife by a person for pecuniary +consideration; 4th, the son begotten upon the wife after the husband's +death; 5th, the maiden-born son; 6th, the son born of an unchaste wife; +7th, the son given; 8th, the son bought for a consideration; 9th, the son +self-given; 10th, the son received with a pregnant bride; 11th, the +brother's son; and 12th, the son begotten upon a wife of lower caste. On +failure of offspring of a prior class, the mother should desire to have +offspring of the next class. In times of distress, men solicit offspring +from accomplished younger brothers. The self-born Manu hath said that men +failing to have legitimate offspring of their own may have offspring +begotten upon their wives by others, for sons confer the highest religious +merit. Therefore, O Kunti, being destitute myself of the power of +procreation, I command thee to raise good offspring through some person +who is either equal or superior to me. O Kunti, listen to the history of +the daughter of Saradandayana who was appointed by her lord to raise +offspring. That warrior-dame, when her monthly season arrived, bathed duly +and in the night went out and waited on a spot where four roads met. She +did not wait long when a Brahmana crowned with ascetic success came there. +The daughter of Saradandayana solicited him for offspring. After pouring +libations of clarified butter on the fire (in the performance of the +sacrifice known by the name of Punsavana) she brought forth three sons +that were mighty car-warriors and of whom Durjaya was the eldest, begotten +upon her by that Brahmana. O thou of good fortune, do thou follow that +warrior-dame's example at my command, and speedily raise offspring out of +the seed of some Brahmana of high ascetic merit."'" + + +SECTION CXXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed, Kunti replied unto her heroic lord, +king Pandu, that bull amongst the Kurus, saying, "O virtuous one, it +behoveth thee not to say so unto me. I am, O thou lotus-eyed one, thy +wedded wife, devoted to thee. O, Bharata of mighty arms, thyself shalt, in +righteousness, beget upon me children endued with great energy. Then I +shall ascend to heaven with thee; O prince of Kuru's race, receive me in +thy embrace for begetting children. I shall not certainly, even in +imagination, accept any other man except thee in my embraces. What other +man is there in this world superior to thee? O virtuous one, listen to +this Pauranic narrative that hath been, O thou of large eyes, heard by me, +and that I shall presently narrate. + +"'"There was, in ancient times, a king in the race of Puru, known by the +name of Vyushitaswa. He was devoted to truth and virtue. Of virtuous soul +and mighty arms, on one occasion, while he was performing a sacrifice the +gods with Indra and the great Rishis came to him, and Indra was so +intoxicated with the Soma juice he drank and the Brahmanas with the large +presents they received, that both the gods and the great Rishis began +themselves to perform everything appertaining to that sacrifice of the +illustrious royal sage. And thereupon Vyushitaswa began to shine above all +men like the Sun appearing in double splendour after the season of frost +is over. And the powerful Vyushitaswa, who was endued with the strength of +ten elephants very soon performed the horse-sacrifice, overthrowing, O +best of monarchs, all the kings of the East, the North, the West and the +South, and exacted tributes from them all. There is an anecdote, O best of +the Kurus, that is sung by all reciters of the Puranas, in connection with +that first of all men, the illustrious Vyushitaswa.--Having conquered the +whole Earth up to the coast of the sea, Vyushitaswa protected every class +of his subjects as a father does his own begotten sons.--Performing many +great sacrifices he gave away much wealth to the Brahmanas. After +collecting unlimited jewels and precious stones he made arrangements for +performing still greater ones. And he performed also the Agnishtoma, and +other special Vedic sacrifices, extracting great quantities of Soma juice. +And, O king, Vyushitaswa had for his dear wife, Bhadra, the daughter of +Kakshivat, unrivalled for beauty on earth. And it hath been heard by us +that the couple loved each other deeply. King Vyushitaswa was seldom +separated from his wife. Sexual excess, however, brought on an attack of +phthisis and the king died within a few days, sinking like the Sun in his +glory. Then Bhadra, his beautiful queen, was plunged into woe, and as she +was sonless, O tiger among men, she wept in great affliction. Listen to me, +O king, as I narrate to you all that Bhadra said with bitter tears +trickling down her cheeks. 'O virtuous one', she said, 'Women serve no +purpose when their husbands are dead. She who liveth after her husband is +dead, draggeth on a miserable existence that can hardly be called life. O +bull of the Kshatriya order, death is a blessing to women without husbands. +I wish to follow the way thou hast gone. Be kind and take me with thee. In +thy absence, I am unable to bear life even for a moment. Be kind to me, O +king and take me hence pretty soon. O tiger among men, I shall follow thee +over the even and uneven ground. Thou hast gone away, O lord, never to +return. I shall follow thee, O king, as thy own shadow. O tiger among men, +I will obey thee (as thy slave) and will ever do what is agreeable to thee +and what is for thy good. O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, without thee, +from this day, mental agonies will overwhelm me and eat into my heart. A +wretch that I am, some loving couple had doubtless been separated by me in +a former life, for which, in this life, I am made to suffer the pangs of +separation from thee. O king, that wretched woman who liveth even for a +moment separated from her lord, liveth in woe and suffereth the pangs of +hell even here. Some loving couple had doubtless been separated by me in a +former life, for which sinful act I am suffering this torture arising from +my separation from thee. O king, from this day I will lay myself down on a +bed of Kusa grass and abstain from every luxury, hoping to behold thee +once more. O tiger among men, show thyself to me. O king, O lord, command +once more thy wretched and bitterly weeping wife plunged in woe.'" + +"'Kunti continued, "It was thus, O Pandu, that the beautiful Bhadra wept +over the death of her lord. And the weeping Bhadra clasped in her arms the +corpse in anguish of heart. Then she was addressed by an incorporeal voice +in these words, "Rise up, O Bhadra, and leave this place. O thou of sweet +smiles, I grant thee this boon. I will beget offspring upon thee. Lie thou +down with me on thy own bed, after the catamenial bath, on the night of +the eighth or the fourteenth day of the moon." Thus addressed by the +incorporeal voice, the chaste Bhadra did as she was directed, for +obtaining offspring. And, O bull of the Bharatas, the corpse of her +husband begat upon her seven children viz., three Salwas and four Madras. +O bull of the Bharatas, do thou also beget offspring upon me, like the +illustrious Vyushitaswa, by the exercise of that ascetic power which thou +possessest.'" + + +SECTION CXXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by his loving wife, king Pandu, well- +acquainted with all rules of morality, replied in these words of virtuous +import, "O Kunti, what thou hast said is quite true. Vyushitaswa of old +did even as thou hast said. Indeed he was equal unto the celestials +themselves. But I shall now tell thee about the practices of old indicated +by illustrious Rishis, fully acquainted with every rule of morality. O +thou of handsome face and sweet smiles, women formerly were not immured +within houses and dependent on husbands and other relatives. They used to +go about freely, enjoying themselves as best as they liked. O thou of +excellent qualities, they did not then adhere to their husbands faithfully, +and yet, O handsome one, they were not regarded sinful, for that was the +sanctioned usage of the times. That very usage is followed to this day by +birds and beasts without any (exhibition of) jealousy. That practice, +sanctioned by precedent, is applauded by great Rishis. O thou of tapering +thighs, the practice is yet regarded with respect amongst the Northern +Kurus. Indeed, that usage, so lenient to women, hath the sanction of +antiquity. The present practice, however (of women's being confined to one +husband for life) hath been established but lately. I shall tell thee in +detail who established it and why. + +"'"It hath been heard by us that there was a great Rishi of the name of +Uddalaka, who had a son named Swetaketu who also was an ascetic of merit. +O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, the present virtuous practice hath been +established by that Swetaketu from anger. Hear thou the reason. One day, +in the presence of Swetaketu's father a Brahmana came and catching +Swetaketu's mother by the hand, told her, 'Let us go.' Beholding his +mother seized by the hand and taken away apparently by force, the son was +greatly moved by wrath. Seeing his son indignant, Uddalaka addressed him +and said, 'Be not angry, O son! This is the practice sanctioned by +antiquity. The women of all orders in this world are free, O son; men in +this matter, as regards their respective orders, act as kine.' The Rishi's +son, Swetaketu, however, disapproved of the usage and established in the +world the present practice as regards men and women. It hath been heard by +us, O thou of great virtue, that the existing practice dates from that +period among human beings but not among beings of other classes. +Accordingly, since the establishment of the present usage, it is sinful +for women not to adhere to their husbands. Women transgressing the limits +assigned by the Rishi became guilty of slaying the embryo. And, men, too, +violating a chaste and loving wife who hath from her maidenhood observed +the vow of purity, became guilty of the same sin. The woman also who, +being commanded by her husband to raise offspring, refuses to do his +bidding, becometh equally sinful. + +"'"Thus, O timid one, was the existing usage established of old by +Swetaketu, the son of Uddalaka, in defiance of antiquity. O thou of +tapering thighs, it hath also been heard by us that Madayanti, the wife of +Saudasa, commanded by her husband to raise offspring went unto Rishi +Vasishtha. And on going in unto him, the handsome Madayanti obtained a son +named Asmaka. She did this, moved by the desire of doing good to her +husband. O thou of lotus-eyes, thou knowest, O timid girl, how we +ourselves, for the perpetuation of the Kuru race, were begotten by +Krishna-Dwaipayana. O faultless one, beholding all these precedents it +behoveth thee to do my bidding, which is not inconsistent with virtue. O +princess, who is devoted to her husband, it hath also been said by those +acquainted with the rules of morality that a wife, when her monthly season +cometh, must ever seek her husband, though at other times she deserveth +liberty. The wise have declared this to be the ancient practice. But, be +the act sinful or sinless, those acquainted with the Vedas have declared +that it is the duty of wives to do what their husbands bid them do. +Especially, O thou of faultless features, I, who am deprived of the power +of procreation, having yet become desirous of beholding offspring, deserve +the more to be obeyed by thee. O amiable one, joining my palms furnished +with rosy fingers, and making of them a cup as of lotus leaves, I place +them on my head to propitiate thee. O thou of fair looks, it behoveth thee +to raise offspring, at my command, through some Brahmana possessed of high +ascetic merit. For then, owing to thee, O thou of fair hips, I may go the +way that is reserved for those that are blessed with children." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Pandu, that subjugator of +hostile cities, the handsome Kunti, ever attentive to what was agreeable +and beneficial to her lord, then replied unto him, saying, "In my girlhood, +O lord, I was in my father's house engaged in attending upon all guests. I +used to wait respectfully upon Brahmanas of rigid vows and great ascetic +merit. One day I gratified with my attentions that Brahmana whom people +call Durvasa, of mind under full control and possessing knowledge of all +the mysteries of religion. Pleased with my services, that Brahmana gave me +a boon in the form of a mantra (formula of invocation) for calling into my +presence any one of the celestials I liked. And the Rishi, addressing me, +said, 'Anyone among the celestials whom thou callest by this shall, O girl, +approach thee and be obedient to thy will, whether he liketh it or not. +And, O princess, thou shall also have offspring through his grace.' O +Bharata, that Brahmana told me this when I lived in my father's house. The +words uttered by the Brahmana can never be false. The time also hath come +when they may yield fruit. Commanded by thee, O royal sage, I can by that +mantra summon any of the celestials, so that we may have good children. O +foremost of all truthful men, tell me which of the celestials I shall +summon. Know that, as regards this matter, I await your commands." + +"'Hearing this, Pandu replied, "O handsome one, strive duly this very day +to gratify our wishes. Fortunate one, summon thou the god of justice. He +is the most virtuous of the celestials. The god of justice and virtue will +never be able to pollute us with sin. The world also, O beautiful princess, +will then think that what we do can never be unholy. The son also that we +shall obtain from him shall in virtue be certainly the foremost among the +Kurus. Begotten by the god of justice and morality, he would never set his +heart upon anything that is sinful or unholy. Therefore, O thou of sweet +smiles, steadily keeping virtue before thy eyes, and duly observing holy +vows, summon thou the god of justice and virtue by the help of thy +solicitations and incantations."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Kunti, that best of women, thus addressed +by her lord, said, "So be it." And bowing down to him and reverently +circumambulating his person, she resolved to do his bidding.'" + + +SECTION CXXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O Janamejaya, when Gandhari's conception had been a +full year old, it was then that Kunti summoned the eternal god of justice +to obtain offspring from him. And she offered without loss of time, +sacrifices unto the god and began to duly repeat the formula that Durvasa +had imparted to her some time before. Then the god, overpowered by her +incantations, arrived at the spot where Kunti was seated in his car +resplendent as the Sun. Smiling, he asked, "O Kunti, what am I to give +thee?" And Kunti too smiling in her turn, replied, "Thou must even give me +offspring." Then the handsome Kunti was united (in intercourse) with the +god of justice in his spiritual form and obtained from him a son devoted +to the good of all creatures. And she brought his excellent child, who +lived to acquire a great fame, at the eighth Muhurta called Abhijit, of +the hour of noon of that very auspicious day of the seventh month +(Kartika), viz., the fifth of the lighted fortnight, when the star +Jyeshtha in conjunction with the moon was ascendant. And as soon as the +child was born, an incorporeal voice (from the skies) said, "This child +shall be the best of men, the foremost of those that are virtuous. Endued +with great prowess and truthful in speech, he shall certainly be the ruler +of the earth. And this first child of Pandu shall be known by the name of +Yudhishthira. Possessed of prowess and honesty of disposition, he shall be +a famous king, known throughout the three worlds." + +"'Pandu, having obtained that virtuous son, again addressed his wife and +said, "The wise have declared that a Kshatriya must be endued with +physical strength, otherwise he is no Kshatriya. Therefore, ask thou for +an offspring of superior strength." Thus commanded by her lord, Kunti then +invoked Vayu. And the mighty god of wind, thus invoked, came unto her, +riding upon a deer, and said, "What, O Kunti, am I to give thee? Tell me +what is in thy heart." Smiling in modesty, she said to him, "Give me, O +best of celestials, a child endued with great strength and largeness of +limbs and capable of humbling the pride of every body." The god of wind +thereupon begat upon her the child afterwards known as Bhima of mighty +arms and fierce prowess. And upon the birth of that child endued with +extraordinary strength, an incorporeal voice, O Bharata, as before, said, +"This child shall be the foremost of all endued with strength." I must +tell you, O Bharata, of another wonderful event that occurred after the +birth of Vrikodara (Bhima). While he fell from the lap of his mother upon +the mountain breast, the violence of the fall broke into fragments the +stone upon which he fell without his infant body being injured in the +least. And he fell from his mother's lap because Kunti, frightened by a +tiger, had risen up suddenly, unconscious of the child that lay asleep on +her lap. And as she had risen, the infant, of body hard as the thunderbolt, +falling down upon the mountain breast, broke into a hundred fragments the +rocky mass upon which he fell. And beholding this, Pandu wondered much. +And it so happened that that very day on which Vrikodara was born, was +also, O best of Bharatas, the birthday of Duryodhana who afterwards became +the ruler of the whole earth. + +"'After the birth of Vrikodara, Pandu again began to think, "How am I to +obtain a very superior son who shall achieve world-wide fame? Every thing +in the world dependeth on destiny and exertion. But destiny can never be +successful except by timely exertion. We have heard it said that Indra is +the chief of the gods. Indeed, he is endued with immeasurable might and +energy and prowess and glory. Gratifying him with my asceticism, I shall +obtain from him a son of great strength. Indeed, the son he giveth me must +be superior to all and capable of vanquishing in battle all men and +creatures other than men. I shall, therefore, practise the severest +austerities, with heart, deed and speech." + +"'After this, the Kuru king Pandu, taking counsel with the great Rishis +commanded Kunti to observe an auspicious vow for one full year, while he +himself commenced, O Bharata, to stand upon one leg from morning to +evening, and practise other severe austerities with mind rapt in +meditation, for gratifying the lord of the celestials. + +"'It was after a long time that Indra (gratified with such devotion) +approached Pandu and, addressing him, said, "I shall give thee, O king, a +son who will be celebrated all over the three worlds and who will promote +the welfare of Brahmanas, kine and all honest men. The son I shall give +thee will be the smiter of the wicked and the delight of friends and +relatives. Foremost of all men, he will be an irresistible slayer of all +foes." Thus addressed by Vasava (the king of the celestials), the virtuous +king of the Kuru race, well-recollecting those words, said unto Kunti, "O +fortunate one, thy vow hath become successful. The lord of the celestials +hath been gratified, and is willing to give thee a son such as thou +desirest, of superhuman achievements and great fame. He will be the +oppressor of all enemies and possessed of great wisdom. Endued with a +great soul, in splendour equal unto the Sun, invincible in battles, and of +great achievements, he will also be extremely handsome. O thou of fair +hips and sweet smiles, the lord of the celestials hath become gracious to +thee. Invoking him, bring thou forth a child who will be the very home of +all Kshatriya virtues."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The celebrated Kunti, thus addressed by her lord, +invoked Sakra (the king of the gods) who thereupon came unto her and begat +him that was afterwards called Arjuna. And as soon as this child was born, +an incorporeal voice, loud and deep as that of the clouds and filling the +whole welkin, distinctly said, addressing Kunti in the hearing of every +creature dwelling in that asylum, "This child of thine, O Kunti, will be +equal unto Kartavirya in energy and Siva in prowess. Invincible like Sakra +himself he will spread thy fame far and wide. As Vishnu (the youngest of +Aditi's sons) had enhanced Aditi's joy, so shall this child enhance thy +joy. Subjugating the Madras, the Kurus along with the Somakas, and the +people of Chedi, Kasi and Karusha, he will maintain the prosperity of the +Kurus. (Surfeited with libations at the sacrifice of king Swetaketu), Agni +will derive great gratification from the fat of all creatures dwelling in +the Khandava woods (to be burnt down) by the might of this one's arms. +This mighty hero, vanquishing all the monarchs of the earth, will with +his brothers perform three great sacrifices. In prowess, O Kunti, he will +be even as Jamadagnya or Vishnu. The foremost of all men endued with +prowess, he will achieve great fame. He will gratify in battle (by his +heroism) Sankara, the god of gods (Mahadeva), and will receive from him +the great weapon named Pasupata. This thy son of mighty arms will also +slay, at the command of Indra, those Daityas called the Nivatakavachas who +are the enemies of the gods. He will also acquire all kinds of celestial +weapons, and this bull among men will also retrieve the fortunes of his +race." + +"'Kunti heard these extraordinary words, while lying in the room. And +hearing those words uttered so loudly, the ascetics dwelling on the +mountain of a hundred peaks, and the celestials with Indra sitting in +their cars, became exceedingly glad. The sounds of the (invisible) drum +filled the entire welkin. There were shouts of joy, and the whole region +was covered with flowers showered down by invisible agents. The various +tribes of celestials assembled together, began to offer their respectful +adorations to the son of Pritha. The sons of Kadru (Nagas), the son of +Vinata, the Gandharvas, the lords of the creation, and the seven great +Rishis, viz., Bharadwaja, Kasyapa, Gautama, Viswamitra, Jamadagni, +Vasishtha, and the illustrious Atri who illumined the world of old when +the Sun was lost, all came there. And Marichi, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, +Kratu, Daksha the lord of creation, the Gandharvas, and Apsaras, came +there also. The various tribes of Apsaras, decked with celestial garlands +and every ornament, and attired in fine robes, came there and danced in +joy, chanting the praises of Vibhatsu (Arjuna). All around, the great +Rishis began to utter propitiatory formulas. And Tumvuru accompanied by +the Gandharvas began to sing in charming notes. And Bhimasena and Ugrasena, +Urnayus and Anagha, Gopati and Dhritarashtra and Suryavarchas the eighth, +Yugapa and Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, and Chitraratha, Salisirah the +thirteenth, Parjanya the fourteenth, Kali the fifteenth, and Narada the +sixteenth in this list, Vrihatta, Vrihaka, Karala of great soul, +Brahmacharin, Vahuguna, Suvarna of great fame, Viswavasu, Bhumanyu, +Suchandra, Sam and the celebrated tribes of Haha and Huhu gifted with +wonderful melody of voice,--these celestial Gandharvas, O king, all went +there. Many illustrious Apsaras also of large eyes, decked with every +ornament came there to dance and sing. And Anuchana and Anavadya, +Gunamukhya and Gunavara, Adrika and Soma, Misrakesi and Alambusha, Marichi +and Suchika, Vidyutparna and Tilottama and Ambika, Lakshmana, Kshema Devi, +Rambha, Manorama, Asita, Suvahu, Supriya, Suvapuh, Pundarika, Sugandha, +Surasa, Pramathini, Kamya and Saradwati, all danced there together. And +Menaka, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Ritusthala, Ghritachi, Viswachi, +Purvachiti, the celebrated Umlocha, Pramlocha the tenth and Urvasi the +eleventh,--these large-eyed dancing girls of heaven,--came there and sang +in chorus. And Dharti and Aryaman and Mitra and Varuna, Bhaga and Indra, +Vivaswat, Pushan, Tvastri and Parjanya or Vishnu, these twelve Adityas +came there to glorify Pandu's son. And, O king, Mrigavyadha, Sarpa, the +celebrated Niriti, Ajaikapada, Ahivradhna, Pinakin, Dahana, Iswara, +Kapalin, Sthanu and the illustrious Bhaga--these eleven Rudras,--also came +there. And the twin Aswins, the eight Vasus, the mighty Maruts, the +Viswedevas, and the Sadhyas, also came there. And Karkotaka, Vasuki, +Kachchhapa, Kunda and the great Naga Takshaka,--these mighty and wrathful +snakes possessed of high ascetic merit also came there. And Tarkshya, +Arishtanemi, Garuda, Asitadvaja,--these and many other Nagas, came there, +so also Aruna and Aruni of Vinata's race also came there. And only great +Rishis crowned with ascetic success and not others saw those celestials +and other beings seated in their cars or waiting on the mountain peaks. +Those best of Munis beholding that wonderful sight, became amazed, and +their love and affection for the children of Pandu was in consequence +enhanced. + +"'The celebrated Pandu, tempted by the desire of having more children +wished to speak again unto his wedded wife (for invoking some other god). +But Kunti addressed him, saying, "The wise do not sanction a fourth +delivery even in a season of distress. The woman having intercourse with +four different men is called a Swairini (wanton), while she having +intercourse with five becometh a harlot. Therefore, O learned one, as thou +art well-acquainted with the scripture on this subject, why dost thou, +beguiled by desire of offspring, tell me so in seeming forgetfulness of +the ordinance?"'" + + +SECTION CXXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After the birth of Kunti's sons and also of the +hundred sons of Dhritarashtra the daughter of the king of the Madras +privately addressed Pandu, saying, "O slayer of foes, I have no complaint +even if thou beest unpropitious to me. I have, O sinless one, also no +complaint that though by birth I am superior to Kunti yet I am inferior to +her in station. I do not grieve, O thou of Kuru's race, that Gandhari hath +obtained a hundred sons. This, however, is my great grief that while Kunti +and I are equal, I should be childless, while it should so chance that +thou shouldst have offspring by Kunti alone. If the daughter of Kuntibhoja +should so provide that I should have offspring, she would then be really +doing me a great favour and benefiting thee likewise. She being my rival, +I feel a delicacy in soliciting any favour of her. If thou beest, O king, +propitiously disposed to me, then ask her to grant my desire." + +"'Hearing her, Pandu replied, "O Madri, I do revolve this matter often in +my own mind, but I have hitherto hesitated to tell thee anything, not +knowing how thou wouldst receive it. Now that I know what your wishes are, +I shall certainly strive after that end. I think that, asked by me, Kunti +will not refuse."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, Pandu addressed Kunti in private, +saying, "O Kunti, grant me some more offspring for the expansion of my +race and for the benefit of the world. O blessed one, provide thou that I +myself, my ancestors, and thine also, may always have the funeral cake +offered to us. O, do what is beneficial to me, and grant me and the world +what, indeed, is the best of benefits. O, do what, indeed, may be +difficult for thee, moved by the desire of achieving undying fame. Behold, +Indra, even though he hath obtained the sovereignty of the celestials, +doth yet, for fame alone, perform sacrifices. O handsome one, Brahmanas, +well-acquainted with the Vedas, and having achieved high ascetic merit, do +yet, for fame alone, approach their spiritual masters with reverence. So +also all royal sages and Brahmanas possessed of ascetic wealth have +achieved, for fame only, the most difficult of ascetic feat. Therefore, O +blameless one, rescue this Madri as by a raft (by granting her the means +of obtaining offspring), and achieve thou imperishable fame by making her +a mother of children." + +"'Thus addressed by her lord, Kunti readily yielded, and said unto Madri, +"Think thou, without loss of time, of some celestial, and thou shall +certainly obtain from him a child like unto him." Reflecting for a few +moments. Madri thought of the twin Aswins, who coming unto her with speed +begat upon her two sons that were twins named Nakula and Sahadeva, +unrivalled on earth for personal beauty. And as soon as they were born, an +incorporeal voice said, "In energy and beauty these twins shall transcend +even the twin Aswins themselves." Indeed possessed of great energy and +beauty, they illumined the whole region. + +"'O king, after all the children were born the Rishis dwelling on the +mountain of a hundred peaks uttering blessings on them and affectionately +performing the first rites of birth, bestowed appellations on them. The +eldest of Kunti's children was called Yudhishthira, the second Bhimasena, +and the third Arjuna, and of Madri's sons, the first-born of the twins was +called Nakula and the next Sahadeva. And those foremost sons born at an +interval of one year after one another, looked like an embodied period of +five years. And king Pandu, beholding his children of celestial beauty and +of super-abundant energy, great strength and prowess, and of largeness of +soul, rejoiced exceedingly. And the children became great favourites of +the Rishis, as also of their wives, dwelling on the mountain of a hundred +peaks. + +"'Some time after, Pandu again requested Kunti on behalf of Madri. +Addressed, O king, by her lord in private, Kunti replied, "Having given +her the formula of invocation only once, she hath, O king, managed to +obtain two sons. Have I not been thus deceived by her, I fear, O king, +that she will soon surpass me in the number of her children. This, indeed, +is the way of all wicked women. Fool that I was, I did not know that by +invoking the twin gods I could obtain at one birth twin children. I +beseech thee, O king, do not command me any further. Let this be the boon +granted (by thee) to me." + +"'Thus, O king, were born unto Pandu five sons who were begotten by +celestials and were endued with great strength, and who all lived to +achieve great fame and expand the Kuru race. Each bearing every auspicious +mark on his person, handsome like Soma, proud as the lion, well-skilled in +the use of the bow, and of leonine tread, breast, heart, eyes, neck and +prowess, those foremost of men, resembling the celestials themselves in +might, began to grow up. And beholding them and their virtues growing with +years, the great Rishis dwelling on that snowcapped sacred mountain were +filled with wonder. And the five Pandavas and the hundred sons of +Dhritarashtra--that propagator of the Kuru race--grew up rapidly like a +cluster of lotuses in a lake.'" + + +SECTION CXXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Beholding his five handsome sons growing up before +him in that great forest on the charming mountain slope, Pandu felt the +vast might of his arms revive once more. One day in the season of spring +which maddens every creature the king accompanied by his wife (Madri), +began to rove in the woods where every tree had put forth new blossoms. He +beheld all around Palasas and Tilakas and Mangoes and Champakas and +Parihadrakas and Karnikaras, Asokas and Kesaras and Atimuktas and +Kuruvakas with swarms of maddened bees sweetly humming about. And there +were flowers of blossoming Parijatas with the Kokilas pouring forth their +melodies from under every twig echoing with the sweet hums of the black +bees. And he beheld also various other kinds of trees bent down with the +weight of their flowers and fruits. And there were also many fine pools of +water overgrown with hundreds of fragrant lotuses. Beholding all these, +Pandu felt the soft influence of desire. Roving like a celestial with a +light heart amidst such scenery, Pandu was alone with his wife Madri in +semi-transparent attire. And beholding the youthful Madri thus attired, +the king's desire flamed up like a forest-fire. And ill-able to suppress +his desire thus kindled at the sight of his wife of eyes like lotus-petals, +he was completely overpowered. The king then seized her against her will, +but Madri trembling in fear resisted him to the best of her might. +Consumed by desire, he forgot everything about his misfortune. And, O thou +of Kuru's race, unrestrained by the fear of (the Rishi's) curse and +impelled by fate, the monarch, overpowered by passion, forcibly sought the +embraces of Madri, as if he wished to put an end to his own life. His +reason, thus beguiled by the great Destroyer himself by intoxicating his +senses, was itself lost with his life. And the Kuru king Pandu, of +virtuous soul, thus succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time, while +united in intercourse with his wife. + +"'Then Madri, clasping the body of her senseless lord, began to weep aloud. +And Kunti with her sons and the twins of Madri, hearing those cries of +grief, came to the spot where the king lay in that state. Then, O king, +Madri addressing Kunti in a piteous voice, said, "Come hither alone, O +Kunti, and let the children stay there." Hearing these words, Kunti, the +children leaving, ran with speed, exclaiming, "Woe to me!" And beholding +both Pandu and Madri lying prostrate on the ground she went in grief and +affliction, saying, "Of passions under complete control, this hero, O +Madri, had all along been watched by me with care. How did he then +forgetting the Rishi's curse, approach thee with enkindled desire? O Madri, +this foremost of men should have been protected by thee. Why didst thou +tempt him into solitude? Always melancholy at the thought of the Rishi's +curse, how came he to be merry with thee in solitude? O princess of +Valhika, more fortunate than myself, thou art really to be envied, for +thou hast seen the face of our lord suffused with gladness and joy." + +"'Madri then replied, saying, "Revered sister, with tears in my eyes, I +resisted the king, but he could not control himself, bent on, as it were +making the Rishi's curse true." + +"'Kunti then said, "I am the older of his wedded wives; the chief religious +merit must be mine. Therefore, O Madri, prevent me not from achieving that +which must be achieved. I must follow our lord to the region of the dead. +Rise up, O Madri, and yield me his body. Rear thou these children." Madri +replied, saying, "I do clasp our lord yet, and have not allowed him to +depart; therefore, I shall follow him. My appetite hath not been appeased. +Thou art my older sister, O let me have thy sanction. This foremost one of +the Bharata princes had approached me, desiring to have intercourse. His +appetite unsatiated, shall I not follow him in the region of Yama to +gratify him? O revered one, if I survive thee, it is certain I shall not +be able to rear thy children as if they were mine. Will not sin touch me +on that account? But thou, O Kunti, shall be able to bring my sons up as +if they were thine. The king, in seeking me wishfully, hath gone to the +region of spirits; therefore, my body should be burnt with his. O revered +sister, withhold not thy sanction to this which is agreeable to me. Thou +wilt certainly bring up the children carefully. That indeed, would be very +agreeable to me. I have no other direction to give!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the daughter of the king of +Madras, the wedded wife of Pandu, ascended the funeral pyre of her lord, +that bull among men.'" + + +SECTION CXXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The godlike Rishis, wise in counsels, beholding the +death of Pandu, consulted with one another, and said, "The virtuous and +renowned king Pandu, abandoning both sovereignty and kingdom came hither +for practising ascetic austerities and resigned himself to the ascetics +dwelling on this mountain. He hath hence ascended to heaven, leaving his +wife and infant sons as a trust in our hands. Our duty now is to repair to +his kingdom with these his offspring, and his wife."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then those godlike Rishis of magnanimous hearts, +and crowned with ascetic success, summoning one another, resolved to go to +Hastinapura with Pandu's children ahead, desiring to place them in the +hands of Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. The ascetics set out that very moment, +taking with them those children and Kunti and the two dead bodies. And +though unused to toil all her life, the affectionate Kunti now regarded as +very short the really long journey she had to perform. Having arrived at +Kurujangala within a short time, the illustrious Kunti presented herself +at the principal gate. The ascetics then charged the porters to inform the +king of their arrival. The men carried the message in a trice to the court. +And the citizens of Hastinapura, hearing of the arrival of thousands of +Charanas and Munis, were filled with wonder. And it was soon after sunrise +that they began to come out in numbers with their wives and children to +behold those ascetics. Seated in all kinds of cars and conveyances by +thousands, vast numbers of Kshatriyas with their wives, and Brahmanas with +theirs came out. And the concourse of Vaisyas and Sudras too was as large +on the occasion. The vast assemblage was very peaceful, for every heart +then was inclined to piety. And there also came out Bhishma, the son of +Santanu, and Somadatta or Valhika and the royal sage (Dhritarashtra) +endued with the vision of knowledge and Vidura himself and the venerable +Satyavati and the illustrious princess of Kosala and Gandhari accompanied +by the other ladies of the royal household. And the hundred sons of +Dhritarashtra, decked with various ornaments, also came out. + +"'The Kauravas, then, accompanied by their priest, saluted the Rishis by +lowering their heads, and took their seats before them. The citizens also +saluting the ascetics and bowing down unto them with touching the ground, +took their seats there. Then Bhishma, seeing that vast concourse +perfectly still, duly worshipped, O king, those ascetics by offering them +water to wash their feet with and the customary Arghya. And having done +this, he spoke unto them about the sovereignty and the kingdom. Then the +oldest of the ascetics with matted locks on head and loins covered with +animal skin, stood up, and with the concurrence of the other Rishis, spoke +as follows, "You all know that that possessor of the sovereignty of the +Kurus who was called king Pandu, had, after abandoning the pleasures of +the world, repaired hence to dwell on the mountain of a hundred peaks. He +adopted the Brahmacharya mode of life, but for some inscrutable purpose +the gods have in view, this his eldest son, Yudhishthira, was born there, +begotten by Dharma himself. Then that illustrious king obtained from Vayu +this other son--the foremost of all mighty men--called Bhima. This other +son, begotten upon Kunti by Indra, is Dhananjaya whose achievements will +humble all bowmen in the world. Look here again at these tigers among men, +mighty in the use of the bow, the twin children begotten upon Madri by the +twin Aswins. Leading in righteousness the life of a Vanaprastha in the +woods, illustrious Pandu hath thus revived the almost extinct line of his +grandfather. The birth, growth, and Vedic studies of these children of +Pandu, will, no doubt, give you great pleasure. Steadily adhering to the +path of the virtuous and the wise, and leaving behind him these children, +Pandu departed hence seventeen days ago. His wife Madri, beholding him +placed in the funeral pyre and about to be consumed, herself ascended the +same pyre, and sacrificing her life thus, hath gone with her lord to the +region reserved for chaste wives. Accomplish now whatever rites should be +performed for their benefit. These are (the unburnt portions of) their +bodies. Here also are their children--these oppressors of foes--with their +mother. Let these be now received with due honours. After the completion +of the first rites in honour of the dead, let the virtuous Pandu, who had +all along been the supporter of the dignity of the Kurus, have the first +annual Sraddha (sapindakarana) performed with a view to installing him +formally among the Pitris."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The ascetics with Guhyakas, having said this +unto the Kurus, instantly disappeared in the very sight of the people. And +beholding the Rishis and the Siddhas thus vanish in their sight like +vapoury forms appearing and disappearing in the skies, the citizens filled +with wonder returned to their homes.'" + + +SECTION CXXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Dhritarashtra then said, "O Vidura, celebrate +the funeral ceremonies of that lion among kings viz., Pandu, and of Madri +also, in right royal style. For the good of their souls, distribute cattle, +cloths, gems and diverse kinds of wealth, every one receiving as much as +he asketh for. Make arrangements also for Kunti's performing the last +rites of Madri in such a style as pleaseth her. And let Madri's body be so +carefully wrapped up that neither the Sun nor Vayu (god of wind) may +behold it. Lament not for the sinless Pandu. He was a worthy king and hath +left behind him five heroic sons equal unto the celestials themselves."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Vidura, O Bharata, saying, "So be it," in +consultation with Bhishma, fixed upon a sacred spot for the funeral rites +of Pandu. The family priests went out of the city without loss of time, +carrying with them the blazing sacred fire fed with clarified butter and +rendered fragrant therewith. Then friends, relatives, and adherents, +wrapping it up in cloth, decked the body of the monarch with the flowers +of the season and sprinkled various excellent perfumes over it. And they +also decked the hearse itself with garlands and rich hangings. Then +placing the covered body of the king with that of his queen on that +excellent bier decked out so brightly, they caused it to be carried on +human shoulders. With the white umbrella (of state) held over the hearse +with waving yak-tails and sounds of various musical instruments, the whole +scene looked bright and grand. Hundreds of people began to distribute gems +among the crowd on the occasion of the funeral rites of the king. At +length some beautiful robes, and white umbrellas and larger yak-tails, +were brought for the great ceremony. The priests clad in white walked in +the van of the procession pouring libations of clarified butter on the +sacred fire blazing in an ornamental vessel. And Brahmanas, and Kshatriyas, +and Vaisyas, and Sudras by thousands followed the deceased king, loudly +wailing in these accents, "O prince, where dost thou go, leaving us behind, +and making us forlorn and wretched for ever?" And Bhishma, and Vidura, and +the Pandavas, also all wept aloud. At last they came to a romantic wood on +the banks of the Ganga. There they laid down the hearse on which the +truthful and lion-hearted prince and his spouse lay. Then they brought +water in many golden vessels, washed the prince's body besmeared before +with several kinds of fragrant paste, and again smeared it over with +sandal paste. They then dressed it in a white dress made of indigenous +fabrics. And with the new suit on, the king seemed as if he was living and +only sleeping on a costly bed. + +"'When the other funeral ceremonies also were finished in consonance with +the directions of the priests, the Kauravas set fire to the dead bodies of +the king and the queen, bringing lotuses, sandal-paste, and other fragrant +substances to the pyre. + +"'Then seeing the bodies aflame, Kausalya burst out, "O my son, my son!"-- +and fell down senseless on the ground. And seeing her down the citizens +and the inhabitants of the provinces began to wail from grief and +affection for their king. And the birds of the air and the beasts of the +field were touched by the lamentations of Kunti. And Bhishma, the son of +Santanu, and the wise Vidura, and the others also that were there, became +disconsolate. + +"'Thus weeping, Bhishma, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, the Pandavas and the Kuru +ladies, all performed the watery ceremony of the king. And when all this +was over, the people, themselves filled with sorrow, began to console the +bereaved sons of Pandu. And the Pandavas with their friends began to sleep +on the ground. Seeing this the Brahmanas and the other citizens also +renounced their beds. Young and old, all the citizens grieved on account +of the sons of king Pandu, and passed twelve days in mourning with the +weeping Pandavas.'" + + +SECTION CXXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Bhishma and Kunti with their friends celebrated +the Sraddha of the deceased monarch, and offered the Pinda. And they +feasted the Kauravas and thousands of Brahmanas unto whom they also gave +gems and lands. Then the citizens returned to Hastinapura with the sons of +Pandu, now that they had been cleansed from the impurity incident to the +demise of their father. All then fell to weeping for the departed king. It +seemed as if they had lost one of their own kin. + +"'When the Sraddha had been celebrated in the manner mentioned above, the +venerable Vyasa, seeing all the subjects sunk in grief, said one day to +his mother Satyavati, "Mother, our days of happiness have gone by and days +of calamity have succeeded. Sin beginneth to increase day by day. The +world hath got old. The empire of the Kauravas will no longer endure +because of wrong and oppression. Go thou then into the forest, and devote +thyself to contemplation through Yoga. Henceforth society will be filled +with deceit and wrong. Good work will cease. Do not witness the +annihilation of thy race, in thy old age." + +"'Acquiescing in the words of Vyasa, Satyavati entered the inner apartments +and addressed her daughter-in-law, saying, "O Ambika, I hear that in +consequence of the deeds of your grandsons, this Bharata dynasty and its +subjects will perish. If thou permit, I would go to the forest with +Kausalya, so grieved at the loss of her son." O king, saying this the +queen, taking the permission of Bhishma also, went to the forest. And +arriving there with her two daughters-in-law, she became engaged in +profound contemplation, and in good time leaving her body ascended to +heaven.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the sons of king Pandu, having gone through +all the purifying rites prescribed in the Vedas, began to grow up in +princely style in the home of their father. Whenever they were engaged in +play with the sons of Dhritarashtra, their superiority of strength became +marked. In speed, in striking the objects aimed at, in consuming articles +of food, and scattering dust, Bhimasena beat all the sons of Dhritarashtra. +The son of the Wind-god pulled them by the hair and made them fight with +one another, laughing all the while. And Vrikodara easily defeated those +hundred and one children of great energy as if they were one instead of +being a hundred and one. The second Pandava used to seize them by the hair, +and throwing them down, to drag them along the earth. By this, some had +their knees broken, some their heads, and some their shoulders. That youth, +sometimes holding ten of them, drowned them in water, till they were +nearly dead. When the sons of Dhritarashtra got up to the boughs of a tree +for plucking fruits, Bhima used to shake that tree, by striking it with +his foot, so that down came the fruits and the fruitpluckers at the same +time. In fact, those princes were no match for Bhima in pugilistic +encounters, in speed, or in skill. Bhima used to make a display of his +strength by thus tormenting them in childishness but not from malice. + +"'Seeing these wonderful exhibitions of the might of Bhima, the powerful +Duryodhana, the eldest son of Dhritarashtra, began to conceive hostility +towards him. And the wicked and unrighteous Duryodhana, through ignorance +and ambition, prepared himself for an act of sin. He thought, "There is no +other individual who can compare with Bhima, the second son of Pandu, in +point of prowess. I shall have to destroy him by artifice. Singly, Bhima +dares a century of us to the combat. Therefore, when he shall sleep in the +garden, I shall throw him into the current of the Ganga. Afterwards, +confining his eldest brother Yudhishthira and his younger brother Arjuna, +I shall reign sole king without molestation." Determined thus, the wicked +Duryodhana was ever on the watch to find out an opportunity for injuring +Bhima. And, O Bharata, at length at a beautiful place called Pramanakoti +on the banks of the Ganga, he built a palace decorated with hangings of +broad-cloth and other rich stuffs. And he built this palace for sporting +in the water there, and filled it with all kinds of entertaining things +and choice viands. Gay flags waved on the top of this mansion. The name of +the house was "the water-sport house." Skilful cooks prepared various +kinds of viands. When all was ready, the officers gave intimation to +Duryodhana. Then the evil-minded prince said unto the Pandavas, "Let us +all go to the banks of the Ganga graced with trees and crowned with +flowers and sport there in the water." And upon Yudhishthira agreeing to +this, the sons of Dhritarashtra, taking the Pandavas with them, mounted +country-born elephants of great size and cars resembling towns, and left +the metropolis. + +"'On arriving at the place, the princes dismissed their attendants, and +surveying the beauty of the gardens and the groves, entered the palace, +like lions entering their mountain caves. On entering they saw that the +architects had handsomely plastered the walls and the ceilings and that +painters had painted them beautifully. The windows looked very graceful, +and the artificial fountains were splendid. Here and there were tanks of +pellucid water in which bloomed forests of lotuses. The banks were decked +with various flowers whose fragrance filled the atmosphere. The Kauravas +and the Pandavas sat down and began to enjoy the things provided for them. +They became engaged in play and began to exchange morsels of food with one +another. Meanwhile the wicked Duryodhana had mixed a powerful poison with +a quantity of food, with the object of making away with Bhima. That wicked +youth who had nectar in his tongue and a razor in his heart, rose at +length, and in a friendly way fed Bhima largely with that poisoned food, +and thinking himself lucky in having compassed his end, was exceedingly +glad at heart. Then the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu together became +cheerfully engaged in sporting in the water. Their sport having been +finished, they dressed themselves in white habiliments, and decked +themselves with various ornaments. Fatigued with play, they felt inclined +in the evening to rest in the pleasurehouse belonging to the garden. +Having made the other youths take exercise in the waters, the powerful +second Pandava was excessively fatigued. So that on rising from the water, +he lay down on the ground. He was weary and under the influence of the +poison. And the cool air served to spread the poison over all his frame, +so that he lost his senses at once. Seeing this Duryodhana bound him with +chords of shrubs, and threw him into the water. The insensible son of +Pandu sank down till he reached the Naga kingdom. Nagas, furnished with +fangs containing virulent venom, bit him by thousands. The vegetable +poison, mingled in the blood of the son of the Wind god, was neutralised +by the snake-poison. The serpents had bitten all over his frame, except +his chest, the skin of which was so tough that their fangs could not +penetrate it. + +"'On regaining consciousness, the son of Kunti burst his bands and began to +press the snakes down under the ground. A remnant fled for life, and going +to their king Vasuki, represented, "O king of snakes, a man drowned under +the water, bound in chords of shrubs; probably he had drunk poison. For +when he fell amongst us, he was insensible. But when we began to bite him, +he regained his senses, and bursting his fetters, commenced laying at us. +May it please Your Majesty to enquire who is." + +"'Then Vasuki, in accordance with the prayer of the inferior Nagas, went to +the place and saw Bhimasena. Of the serpents, there was one, named Aryaka. +He was the grandfather of the father of Kunti. The lord of serpents saw +his relative and embraced him. Then, Vasuki, learning all, was pleased +with Bhima, and said to Aryaka with satisfaction, "How are we to please +him? Let him have money and gems in profusion." + +"'On hearing the words of Vasuki, Aryaka said, "O king of serpents, when +Your Majesty is pleased with him, no need of wealth for him! Permit him to +drink of rasakunda (nectar-vessels) and thus immeasurable strength. There +is the strength of a thousand elephants in each one of those vessels. Let +this prince drink as much as he can." + +"'The king of serpents gave his consent. And the serpents thereupon began +auspicious rites. Then purifying himself carefully, Bhimasena facing the +east began to drink nectar. At one breath, he quaffed off the contents of +a whole vessel, and in this manner drained off eight successive jars, till +he was full. At length, the serpents prepared an excellent bed for him, on +which he lay down at ease.'" + + +SECTION CXXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile the Kauravas and the Pandavas, after having +thus sported there, set out, without Bhima, for Hastinapura, some on +horses, some on elephants, while others preferred cars and other +conveyances. And on their way they said to one another, "Perhaps, Bhima +hath gone before us." And the wicked Duryodhana was glad at heart to miss +Bhima, and entered the city with his brothers in joy. + +"'The virtuous Yudhishthira, himself unacquainted with vice and wickedness, +regarded others to be as honest as himself. The eldest son of Pritha, +filled with fraternal love, going unto his mother, said, after making +obeisance to her, "O mother, hath Bhima come? O good mother, I don't find +him here. Where may he have gone? We long sought for him everywhere in the +gardens and the beautiful woods; but found him nowhere. At length, we +thought that the heroic Bhima preceded us all. O illustrious dame, we came +hither in great anxiety. Arrived here, where hath he gone? Have you sent +him anywhere? O tell me, I am full of doubts respecting the mighty Bhima. +He had been asleep and hath not come. I conclude he is no more." + +"'Hearing these words of the highly intelligent Yudhishthira, Kunti +shrieked, in alarm, and said, "Dear son, I have not seen Bhima. He did not +come to me. O, return in haste, and with your brothers search for him." + +"'Having said this in affliction to her eldest son, she summoned Vidura, +and said, "O illustrious Kshattri, Bhimasena is missing! Where has he +gone? The other brothers have all come back from the gardens, only Bhima +of mighty arms does not come home! Duryodhana likes him not. The Kaurava +is crooked and malicious and low-minded and imprudent. He coveteth the +throne openly. I am afraid he may have in a fit of anger slain my darling. +This afflicts me sorely, indeed, it burns my heart." + +"'Vidura replied, "Blessed dame, say not so! Protect thy other sons with +care. If the wicked Duryodhana be accused, he may slay thy remaining sons. +The great sage hath said that all thy sons will be long-lived. Therefore, +Bhima will surely return and gladden thy heart."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The wise Vidura, having said this unto Kunti, +returned to his abode, while Kunti, in great anxiety, continued to stay at +home with her children. + +"'Meanwhile, Bhimasena awoke from that slumber on the eighth day, and felt +strong beyond measure in consequence of the nectar he had taken having +been all digested. Seeing him awake, the Nagas began to console and cheer +him, saying, "O thou of mighty arms, the strength-giving liquor thou hast +drunk will give thee the might of ten thousand elephants! No one now will +be able to vanquish thee in fight. O bull of Kuru's race, do thou bath in +this holy and auspicious water and return home. Thy brothers are +disconsolate because of thee." + +"'Then Bhima purified himself with a bath in those waters, and decked in +white robes and flowery garlands of the same hue, ate of the paramanna +(rice and sugar pudding) offered to him by the Nagas. Then that oppressor +of all foes, decked in celestial ornaments, received the adorations and +blessings of the snakes, and saluting them in return, rose from the nether +region. Bearing up the lotus-eyed Pandava from under the waters, the Nagas +placed him in the selfsame gardens wherein he had been sporting, and +vanished in his very sight. + +"'The mighty Bhimasena, arrived on the surface of the earth, ran with speed +to his mother. And bowing down unto her and his eldest brother, and +smelling the heads of his younger brothers, that oppressor of all foes was +himself embraced by his mother and every one of those bulls among men. +Affectionate unto one another, they all repeatedly exclaimed, "What is our +joy today, O what joy!" + +"'Then Bhima, endued with great strength and prowess, related to his +brothers everything about the villainy of Duryodhana, and the lucky and +unlucky incidents that had befallen him in the world of the Serpents. +Thereupon Yudhishthira said, "Do thou observe silence on this. Do not +speak of this to any one. From this day, protect ye all one another with +care." Thus cautioned by the righteous Yudhishthira, they all, with +Yudhishthira himself, became very vigilant from that day. And lest +negligence might occur on the part of the sons of Kunti, Vidura +continually offered them sage advice. + +"'Some time after, Duryodhana again mixed in the food of Bhima a poison +that was fresh, virulent, and very deadly. But Yuyutsu (Dhritarashtra's +son by a Vaisya wife), moved by his friendship for the Pandavas, informed +them of this. Vrikodara, however, swallowed it without any hesitation, and +digested it completely. And, though virulent the poison produced no +effects on Bhima. + +"'When that terrible poison intended for the destruction of Bhima failed of +its effect, Duryodhana, Karna and Sakuni, without giving up their wicked +design had recourse to numerous other contrivances for accomplishing the +death of the Pandavas. And though every one of these contrivances was +fully known to the Pandavas, yet in accordance with the advice of Vidura +they suppressed their indignation. + +"'Meanwhile, the king (Dhritarashtra), beholding the Kuru princes passing +their time in idleness and growing naughty, appointed Gautama as their +preceptor and sent them unto him for instruction. Born among a clump of +heath, Gautama was well-skilled in the Vedas and it was under him (also +called Kripa) that the Kuru princes began to learn the use of arms.'" + + +SECTION CXXX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, it behoveth thee to relate to me everything +about the birth of Kripa. How did he spring from a clump of heath? Whence +also did he obtain his weapons?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, the great sage Gautama had a son named +Saradwat. This Saradwat was born with arrows (in hand). O oppressor of +foes, the son of Gautama exhibited great aptitude for the study of the +science of weapons, but none for the other sciences. Saradwat acquired all +his weapons by those austerities by which Brahmanas in student life +acquire the knowledge of Vedas. Gautama (the son of Gotama) by his +aptitude for the science of weapons and by his austerities made Indra +himself greatly afraid of him. Then, O thou of Kuru's race, the chief of +the gods summoned a celestial damsel named Janapadi and sent her unto +Gautama, saying, "Do thy best to disturb the austerities of Gautama." +Repairing unto the charming asylum of Saradwat, the damsel began to tempt +the ascetic equipped with bow and arrows. Beholding that Apsara, of figure +unrivalled on earth for beauty, alone in those woods and clad in a single +piece of cloth, Saradwat's eyes expanded with delight. At the sight of the +damsel, his bow and arrows slipped from his hand and his frame shook all +over with emotion; but possessed of ascetic fortitude and strength of soul, +the sage mustered sufficient patience to bear up against the temptation. +The suddenness, however, of his mental agitation, caused an unconscious +emission of his vital fluid. Leaving his bow and arrows and deer-skin +behind, he went away, flying from the Apsara. His vital fluid, however, +having fallen upon a clump of heath, was divided into two parts, whence +sprang two children that were twins. + +"'And it happened that a soldier in attendance upon king Santanu while the +monarch was out a-hunting in the woods, came upon the twins. And seeing +the bow and arrows and deer-skin on the ground, he thought they might be +the offspring of some Brahmana proficient in the science of arms. Deciding +thus, he took up the children along with the bow and arrows, and showed +what he had to the king. Beholding them the king was moved with pity, and +saying, "Let these become my children," brought them to his palace. Then +that first of men, Santanu, the son of Pratipa having brought Gautama's +twins into his house, performed in respect of them the usual rites of +religion. And he began to bring them up and called them Kripa and Kripi, +in allusion to the fact that he brought them up from motives of pity +(Kripa). The son of Gotama having left his former asylum, continued his +study of the science of arms in right earnest. By his spiritual insight he +learnt that his son and daughter were in the palace of Santanu. He +thereupon went to the monarch and represented everything about his lineage. +He then taught Kripa the four branches of the science of arms, and various +other branches of knowledge, including all their mysteries and recondite +details. In a short time Kripa became an eminent professor of the science +(of arms). And the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, and the Pandavas along +with the Yadavas, and the Vrishnis, and many other princes from various +lands, began to receive lessons from him in that science.'" + + +SECTION CXXXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Desirous of giving his grandsons a superior education, +Bhishma was on the look-out for a teacher endued with energy and well- +skilled in the science of arms. Deciding, O chief of the Bharatas, that +none who was not possessed of great intelligence, none who was not +illustrious or a perfect master of the science of arms, none who was not +of godlike might, should be the instructor of the Kuru (princes), the son +of Ganga, O tiger among men, placed the Pandavas and the Kauravas under +the tuition of Bharadwaja's son, the intelligent Drona skilled in all the +Vedas. Pleased with the reception given him by the great Bhishma, that +foremost of all men skilled in arms, viz., illustrious Drona of world-wide +fame, accepted the princes as his pupils. And Drona taught them the +science of arms in all its branches. And, O monarch, both the Kauravas and +the Pandavas endued with immeasurable power, in a short time became +proficient in the use of all kinds of arms.' + +"Janamejaya asked, 'O Brahmana, how was Drona born? How and whence did he +acquire his arms? How and why came he unto the Kurus? Whose son also was +endued with such energy? Again, how was his son Aswatthaman, the +foremost of all skilled in arms born? I wish to hear all this! Please +recite them in detail.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'There dwelt at the source of the Ganga, a great sage +named Bharadwaja, ceaselessly observing the most rigid vows. One day, of +old, intending to celebrate the Agnihotra sacrifice he went along with +many great Rishis to the Ganga to perform his ablutions. Arrived at the +bank of the stream, he saw Ghritachi herself, that Apsara endued with +youth and beauty, who had gone there a little before. With an expression +of pride in her countenance, mixed with a voluptuous languor of attitude, +the damsel rose from the water after her ablutions were over. And as she +was gently treading on the bank, her attire which was loose became +disordered. Seeing her attire disordered, the sage was smitten with +burning desire. The next moment his vital fluid came out, in consequence +of the violence of his emotion. The Rishi immediately held it in a vessel +called a drona. Then, O king, Drona sprang from the fluid thus preserved +in that vessel by the wise Bharadwaja. And the child thus born studied all +the Vedas and their branches. Before now Bharadwaja of great prowess and +the foremost of those possessing a knowledge of arms, had communicated to +the illustrious Agnivesa, a knowledge of the weapon called Agneya. O +foremost one of Bharata's race, the Rishi (Agnivesa) sprung from fire now +communicated the knowledge of that great weapon to Drona the son of his +preceptor. + +"'There was a king named Prishata who was a great friend of Bharadwaja. +About this time Prishata had a son born unto him, named Drupada. And that +bull among Kshatriyas, viz., Drupada, the son of Prishata, used every day +to come to the hermitage of Bharadwaja to play with Drona and study in his +company. O monarch, when Prishata was dead, this Drupada of mighty arms +became the king of the northern Panchalas. About this time the illustrious +Bharadwaja also ascended to heaven. Drona continuing to reside in his +father's hermitage devoted himself to ascetic austerities. Having become +well-versed in the Vedas and their branches and having burnt also all his +sins by asceticism, the celebrated Drona, obedient to the injunctions of +his father and moved by the desire of offspring married Kripi, the +daughter of Saradwat. And this woman, ever engaged in virtuous acts and +the Agnihotra, and the austerest of penances, obtained a son named +Aswatthaman. And as soon as Aswatthaman was born, he neighed like the +(celestial) steed Ucchaihsravas. Hearing that cry, an invisible being in +the skies said, "The voice of this child hath, like the neighing of a +horse, been audible all around. The child shall, therefore, be known by +the name of Aswatthaman, (the horse-voiced)." The son of Bharadwaja +(Drona) was exceedingly glad at having obtained that child. Continuing +to reside in that hermitage he devoted himself to the study of the +science of arms. + +"'O king, it was about this time that Drona heard that the illustrious +Brahmana Jamadagnya, that slayer of foes, that foremost one among all +wielders of weapons, versed in all kinds of knowledge, had expressed a +desire of giving away all his wealth to Brahmanas. Having heard of Rama's +knowledge of arms and of his celestial weapons also, Drona set his heart +upon them as also upon the knowledge of morality that Rama possessed. Then +Drona of mighty arms, endued with high ascetic virtues, accompanied by +disciples who were all devoted to vows and ascetic austerities, set out for +the Mahendra mountains. Arrived at Mahendra, the son of Bharadwaja +possessed of high ascetic merit, beheld the son of Bhrigu, the +exterminator of all foes, endued with great patience and with mind under +complete control. Then, approaching with his disciples that scion of the +Bhrigu race Drona, giving him his name, told him of his birth in the line +of Angiras. And touching the ground with his head, he worshipped Rama's +feet. And beholding the illustrious son of Jamadagni intent upon retiring +into the woods after having given away all his wealth, Drona said, "Know +me to have sprung from Bharadwaja, but not in any woman's womb! I am a +Brahmana of high birth, Drona by name, come to thee with the desire of +obtaining thy wealth." + +"'On hearing him, that illustrious grinder of the Kshatriya race replied, +"Thou art welcome, O best of regenerate ones! Tell me what thou desirest." +Thus addressed by Rama, the son of Bharadwaja replied unto that foremost +of all smiters, desirous of giving away the whole of his wealth, "O thou +of multifarious vows, I am a candidate for thy eternal wealth." "O thou of +ascetic wealth," returned Rama, "My gold and whatever other wealth I had, +have all been given away unto Brahmanas! This earth also, to the verge of +the sea, decked with towns and cities, as with a garland of flowers, I +have given unto Kasyapa. I have now my body only and my various valuable +weapons left. I am prepared to give either my body or my weapons. Say, +which thou wouldst have! I would give it thee! Say quickly!" + +"'Drona answered, "O son of Bhrigu, it behoveth thee to give me all thy +weapons together with the mysteries of hurling and recalling them." + +"'Saying, "So be it," the son of Bhrigu gave all his weapons unto Drona,-- +indeed, the whole science of arms with its rules and mysteries. Accepting +them all, and thinking himself amply rewarded that best of Brahmanas then, +glad at heart, set out, for (the city of) his friend Drupada.'" + + +SECTION CXXXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O king, the mighty son of Bharadwaja presented +himself before Drupada, and addressing that monarch, said, "Know me for +thy friend." Thus addressed by his friend, the son of Bharadwaja, with a +joyous heart, the lord of the Panchalas was ill-able to bear that speech. +The king, intoxicated with the pride of wealth, contracted his brows in +wrath, and with reddened eyes spake these words unto Drona, "O Brahmana, +thy intelligence is scarcely of a high order, inasmuch as thou sayest unto +me, all on a sudden, that thou art my friend! O thou of dull apprehension, +great kings can never be friends with such luckless and indigent wights as +thou! It is true there had been friendship between thee and me before, for +we were then both equally circumstanced. But Time that impaireth +everything in its course, impaireth friendship also. In this world, +friendship never endureth for ever in any heart. Time weareth it off and +anger destroyeth it too. Do not stick, therefore, to that worn-off +friendship. Think not of it any longer. The friendship I had with thee, O +first of Brahmanas, was for a particular purpose. Friendship can never +subsist between a poor man and a rich man, between a man of letters and an +unlettered mind, between a hero and a coward. Why dost thou desire the +continuance of our former friendship? There may be friendship or hostility +between persons equally situated as to wealth or might. The indigent and +the affluent can neither be friends nor quarrel with each other. One of +impure birth can never be a friend to one of pure birth; one who is not a +car-warrior can never be a friend to one who is so; and one who is not a +king never have a king for his friend. Therefore, why dost thou desire the +continuance of our former friendship?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Drupada, the mighty son of +Bharadwaja became filled with wrath, and reflecting for a moment, made up +his mind as to his course of action. Seeing the insolence of the Panchala +king, he wished to check it effectually. Hastily leaving the Panchala +capital Drona bent his steps towards the capital of the Kurus, named after +the elephant.'" + + +SECTION CXXXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Arrived at Hastinapura, that best of Brahmanas, the +son of Bharadwaja, continued to live privately in the house of Gautama +(Kripa). His mighty son (Aswatthaman) at intervals of Kripa's teaching, +used to give the sons of Kunti lessons in the use of arms. But as yet none +knew of Aswatthaman's prowess. + +"'Drona had thus lived privately for some time in the house of Kripa when +one day the heroic princes, all in a company, came out of Hastinapura. And +coming out of the city, they began to play with a ball and roam about in +gladness of heart. And it so happened that the ball with which they had +been playing fell into a well. And thereupon the princes strove their best +to recover it from the well. But all the efforts the princes made to +recover it proved futile. They then began to eye one another bashfully, +and not knowing how to recover it, their anxiety became great. Just at +this time they beheld a Brahmana near enough unto them, of darkish hue, +decrepit and lean, sanctified by the performance of the Agnihotra and who +had finished his daily rites of worship. And beholding that illustrious +Brahmana, the princes who had despaired of success surrounded him +immediately. Drona (for that Brahmana was no other), seeing the princes +unsuccessful, and conscious of his own skill, smiled a little, and +addressing them said, "Shame on your Kshatriya might, and shame also on +your skill in arms! You have been born in the race of Bharata! How is it +that ye cannot recover the ball (from the bottom of this well)? If ye +promise me a dinner today, I will, with these blades of grass, bring up +not only the ball ye have lost but this ring also that I now throw down!" +Thus saying, Drona that oppressor of foes, taking off his ring, threw it +down into the dry well. Then Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, addressing +Drona, said, "O Brahmana (thou askest for a trifle)! Do thou, with Kripa's +permission, obtain of us that which would last thee for life!" Thus +addressed, Drona with smiles replied unto the Bharata princes, saying, +"This handful of long grass I would invest, by my mantras, with the virtue +of weapons. Behold these blades possess virtues that other weapons, have +not! I will, with one of these blades, pierce the ball, and then pierce +that blade with another, and that another with a third, and thus shall I, +by a chain, bring up the ball."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Drona did exactly what he had said. And the +princes were all amazed and their eyes expanded with delight. And +regarding what they had witnessed to be very extraordinary, they said, "O +learned Brahmana, do thou bring up the ring also without loss of time." + +"'Then the illustrious Drona, taking a bow with an arrow, pierced the ring +with that arrow and brought it up at once. And taking the ring thus +brought up from the well still pierced with his arrow, he coolly gave it +to the astonished princes. Then the latter, seeing the ring thus recovered, +said, "We bow to thee, O Brahmana! None else owneth such skill. We long to +know who thou art and whose son. What also can we do for thee?" + +"'Thus addressed, Drona replied unto the princes, saying, "Do ye repair +unto Bhishma and describe to him my likeness and skill. The mighty one +will recognize me." The princes then saying, "So be it," repaired unto +Bhishma and telling him of the purport of that Brahmana's speech, related +everything about his (extraordinary) feat. Hearing everything from the +princes, Bhishma at once understood that the Brahmana was none else than +Drona, and thinking that he would make the best preceptor for the princes, +went in person unto him and welcoming him respectfully, brought him over +to the palace. Then Bhishma, that foremost of all wielders of arms, +adroitly asked him the cause of his arrival at Hastinapura. Asked by him, +Drona represented everything as it had happened, saying, "O sir, in times +past I went to the great Rishi Agnivesa for obtaining from him his weapons, +desirous also of learning the science of arms. Devoted to the service of +my preceptor, I lived with him for many years in the humble guise of a +Brahmacharin, with matted locks on my head. At that time, actuated by the +same motives, the prince of Panchala, the mighty Yajnasena, also lived in +the same asylum. He became my friend, always seeking my welfare. I liked +him much. Indeed, we lived together for many, many years. O thou of Kuru's +race, from our earliest years we had studied together and, indeed, he was +my friend from boyhood, always speaking and doing what was agreeable to me. +For gratifying me, O Bhishma, he used to tell me, 'O Drona, I am the +favourite child of my illustrious father. When the king installeth me as +monarch of the Panchalas, the kingdom shall be thine. O friend, this, +indeed, is my solemn promise. My dominion, wealth and happiness, shall all +be dependent on thee.' At last the time came for his departure. Having +finished his studies, he bent his steps towards his country. I offered him +my regards at the time, and, indeed, I remembered his words ever +afterwards. + +"'"Some time after, in obedience to the injunctions of my father and +tempted also by the desire of offspring, I married Kripi of short hair, who +gifted with great intelligence, had observed many rigid vows, and was ever +engaged in the Agnihotra and other sacrifices and rigid austerities. +Gautami, in time, gave birth to a son named Aswatthaman of great prowess +and equal in splendour unto the Sun himself. Indeed, I was pleased on +having obtained Aswatthaman as much as my father had been on obtaining me. + +"'"And it so happened that one day the child Aswatthaman observing some +rich men's sons drink milk, began to cry. At this I was so beside myself +that I lost all knowledge of the point of the compass. Instead of asking +him who had only a few kine (so that if he gave me one, he would no longer +be able to perform his sacrifices and thus sustain a loss of virtue), I was +desirous of obtaining a cow from one who had many, and for that I wandered +from country to country. But my wanderings proved unsuccessful, for I +failed to obtain a milch cow. After I had come back unsuccessful, some of +my son's playmates gave him water mixed with powdered rice. Drinking this, +the poor boy, was deceived into the belief that he had taken milk, and +began to dance in joy, saying, 'O, I have taken milk. I have taken milk!' +Beholding him dance with joy amid these playmates smiling at his +simplicity, I was exceedingly touched. Hearing also the derisive speeches +of busy-bodies who said, 'Fie upon the indigent Drona, who strives not to +earn wealth, whose son drinking water mixed with powdered rice mistaketh +it for milk and danceth with joy, saying, "I have taken milk,--I have +taken milk!"'--I was quite beside myself. Reproaching myself much, I at +last resolved that even if I should have to live cast off and censured by +Brahmanas, I would not yet, from desire of wealth, be anybody's servant, +which is ever hateful. Thus resolved, O Bhishma, I went, for former +friendship, unto the king of the Somakas, taking with me my dear child and +wife. Hearing that he had been installed in the sovereignty (of the +Somakas), I regarded myself as blessed beyond compare. Joyfully I went +unto that dear friend of mine seated on the throne, remembering my former +friendship with him and also his own words to me. And, O illustrious one, +approaching Drupada, I said, 'O tiger among men, know me for thy friend!'-- +Saying this, I approached him confidently as a friend should. But Drupada, +laughing in derision cast me off as if I were a vulgar fellow. Addressing +me he said, 'Thy intelligence scarcely seemeth to be of a high order +inasmuch as approaching me suddenly, thou sayest thou art my friend! Time +that impaireth everything, impaireth friendship also. My former friendship +with thee was for a particular purpose. One of impure birth can never be a +friend of one who is of pure birth. One who is not a car-warrior can never +be a friend of one who is such. Friendship can only subsist between +persons that are of equal rank, but not between those that are unequally +situated. Friendship never subsisteth for ever in my heart. Time impaireth +friendships, as also anger destroyeth them. Do thou not stick, therefore, +to that worn-off friendship between us. Think not of it any longer. The +friendship I had with thee, O best of Brahmanas, was for a special purpose. +There cannot be friendship between a poor man and a rich man, between an +unlettered kind and a man of letters, between a coward and a hero. Why +dost thou, therefore, desire the revival of our former friendship? O thou +of simple understanding, great kings can never have friendship with such +indigent and luckless wight as thou. One who is not a king can never have +a king for his friend. I do not remember ever having promised thee my +kingdom. But, O Brahmana, I can now give thee food and shelter for one +night.'--Thus addressed by him, I left his presence quickly with my wife, +vowing to do that which I will certainly do soon enough. Thus insulted by +Drupada, O Bhishma, I have been filled with wrath, I have come to the +Kurus, desirous of obtaining intelligent and docile pupils. I come to +Hastinapura to gratify thy wishes. O, tell me what I am to do."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the son of Bharadwaja, Bhishma +said unto him, "String thy bow, O Brahmana, and make the Kuru princes +accomplished in arms. Worshipped by the Kurus, enjoy with a glad heart to +thy fill every comfort in their abode. Thou art the absolute lord, O +Brahmana, of what ever wealth the Kurus have and of their sovereignty and +kingdom! The Kurus are thine (from this day). Think that as already +accomplished which may be in thy heart. Thou art, O Brahmana, obtained by +us as the fruit of our great good luck. Indeed, the favour thou hast +conferred upon me by thy arrival is great."'" + + +SECTION CXXXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus worshipped by Bhishma, Drona, that first of men, +endued with great energy, took up his quarters in the abode of the Kurus +and continued to live there, receiving their adorations. After he had +rested a while, Bhishma, taking with him his grandsons, the Kaurava +princes, gave them unto him as pupils, making at the same time many +valuable presents. And the mighty one (Bhishma) also joyfully gave unto +the son of Bharadwaja a house that was tidy and neat and well-filled with +paddy and every kind of wealth. And that first of archers, Drona, +thereupon joyfully accepted the Kauravas, viz., the sons of Pandu and +Dhritarashtra, as his pupils. And having accepted them all as his pupils, +one day Drona called them apart and making them touch his feet, said to +them with a swelling heart, "I have in my heart a particular purpose. +Promise me truly, ye sinless ones, that when ye have become skilled in +arms, ye will accomplish it."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, the Kuru princes remained +silent. But Arjuna, O king, vowed to accomplish it whatever it was. Drona +then cheerfully clasped Arjuna to his bosom and took the scent of his head +repeatedly, shedding tears of joy all the while. Then Drona endued with +great prowess taught the sons of Pandu (the use of) many weapons both +celestial and human. And, O bull of the Bharata race, many other princes +also flocked to that best of Brahmanas for instruction in arms. The +Vrishnis and the Andhakas, and princes from various lands, and the +(adopted) son of Radha of the Suta caste, (Karna), all became pupils of +Drona. But of them all, the Suta child Karna, from jealousy, frequently +defied Arjuna, and supported by Duryodhana, used to disregard the Pandavas. +Arjuna, however, from devotion to the science of arms, always stayed by +the side of his preceptor, and in skill, strength of arms, and +perseverance, excelled all (his class-fellows). Indeed, although the +instruction the preceptor gave, was the same in the case of all, yet in +lightness and skill Arjuna became the foremost of all his fellow-pupils. +And Drona was convinced that none of his pupils would (at any time) be +able to be equal to that son of Indra. + +"'Thus Drona continued giving lessons to the princes in the science of +weapons. And while he gave unto every one of his pupils a narrow-mouthed +vessel (for fetching water) in order that much time may be spent in +filling them, he gave unto his own son Aswatthaman a broad-mouthed vessel, +so that, filling it quickly, he might return soon enough. And in the +intervals so gained, Drona used to instruct his own son in several +superior methods (of using weapons). Jishnu (Arjuna) came to know of this, +and thereupon filling his narrow-mouthed vessel with water by means of the +Varuna weapon he used to come unto his preceptor at the same time with his +preceptor's son. And accordingly the intelligent son of Pritha, that +foremost of all men possessing a knowledge of weapons, had no inferiority +to his preceptor's son in respect of excellence. Arjuna's devotion to the +service of his preceptor as also to arms was very great and he soon became +the favourite of his preceptor. And Drona, beholding his pupil's devotion +to arms, summoned the cook, and told him in secret, "Never give Arjuna his +food in the dark, nor tell him that I have told thee this." A few days +after, however, when Arjuna was taking his food, a wind arose, and +thereupon the lamp that had been burning went out. But Arjuna, endued with +energy, continued eating in the dark, his hand, from habit, going to his +mouth. His attention being thus called to the force of habit, the strong- +armed son of Pandu set his heart upon practising with his bow in the night. +And, O Bharata, Drona, hearing the twang of his bowstring in the night, +came to him, and clasping him, said, "Truly do I tell thee that I shall do +that unto thee by which there shall not be an archer equal to thee in this +world."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thereafter Drona began to teach Arjuna the art +of fighting on horse-back, on the back of elephants, on car, and on the +ground. And the mighty Drona also instructed Arjuna in fighting with the +mace, the sword, the lance, the spear, and the dart. And he also +instructed him in using many weapons and fighting with many men at the +same time. And hearing reports of his skill, kings and princes, desirous +of learning the science of arms, flocked to Drona by thousands. Amongst +those that came there, O monarch, was a prince named Ekalavya, who was the +son of Hiranyadhanus, king of the Nishadas (the lowest of the mixed +orders). Drona, however, cognisant of all rules of morality, accepted not +the prince as his pupil in archery, seeing that he was a Nishada who might +(in time) excel all his high-born pupils. But, O oppressor of all enemies, +the Nishada prince, touching Drona's feet with bent head, wended his way +into the forest, and there he made a clay-image of Drona, and began to +worship it respectfully, as if it was his real preceptor, and practised +weapons before it with the most rigid regularity. In consequence of his +exceptional reverence for his preceptor and his devotion to his purpose, +all the three processes of fixing arrows on the bowstring, aiming, and +letting off became very easy for him. + +"'And one day, O grinder of foes, the Kuru and the Pandava princes, with +Drona's leave, set out in their cars on a hunting excursion. A servant, O +king, followed the party at leisure, with the usual implements and a dog. +Having come to the woods, they wandered about, intent on the purpose they +had in view. Meanwhile, the dog also, in wandering alone in the woods, +came upon the Nishada prince (Ekalavya). And beholding the Nishada of dark +hue, of body besmeared with filth, dressed in black and bearing matted +locks on head, the dog began to bark aloud. + +"'Thereupon the Nishada prince, desirous of exhibiting his lightness of +hand, sent seven arrows into its mouth (before it could shut it). The dog, +thus pierced with seven arrows, came back to the Pandavas. Those heroes, +who beheld that sight, were filled with wonder, and, ashamed of their own +skill, began to praise the lightness of hand and precision of aim by +auricular precision (exhibited by the unknown archer). And they thereupon +began to seek in those woods for the unknown dweller therein that had +shown such skill. And, O king, the Pandavas soon found out the object of +their search ceaselessly discharging arrows from the bow. And beholding +that man of grim visage, who was totally a stranger to them, they asked, +"Who art thou and whose son?" Thus questioned, the man replied, "Ye heroes, +I am the son of Hiranyadhanus, king of the Nishadas. Know me also for a +pupil of Drona, labouring for the mastery of the art of arms."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Pandavas then, having made themselves +acquainted with everything connected with him, returned (to the city), and +going unto Drona, told him of that wonderful feat of archery which they +had witnessed in the woods. Arjuna, in particular, thinking all the while, +O king, "Ekalavya," saw Drona in private and relying upon his preceptor's +affection for him, said, "Thou hadst lovingly told me, clasping me, to thy +bosom, that no pupil of thine should be equal to me. Why then is there a +pupil of thine, the mighty son of the Nishada king, superior to me?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'On hearing these words, Drona reflected for a +moment, and resolving upon the course of action he should follow, took +Arjuna with him and went unto the Nishada prince. And he beheld Ekalavya +with body besmeared with filth, matted locks (on head), clad in rags, +bearing a bow in hand and ceaselessly shooting arrows therefrom. And when +Ekalavya saw Drona approaching towards him, he went a few steps forward, +and touched his feet and prostrated himself on the ground. And the son of +the Nishada king worshipping Drona, duly represented himself as his pupil, +and clasping his hands in reverence stood before him (awaiting his +commands). Then Drona, O king, addressed Ekalavya, saying, "If, O hero, +thou art really my pupil, give me then my fees." On hearing these words, +Ekalavya was very much gratified, and said in reply, "O illustrious +preceptor, what shall I give? Command me; for there is nothing, O foremost +of all persons conversant with the Vedas, that I may not give unto my +preceptor." Drona answered, "O Ekalavya, if thou art really intent on +making me a gift, I should like then to have the thumb of thy right hand."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these cruel words of Drona, who had +asked of him his thumb as tuition-fee, Ekalavya, ever devoted to truth and +desirous also of keeping his promise, with a cheerful face and an +unafflicted heart cut off without ado his thumb, and gave it unto Drona. +After this, when the Nishada prince began once more to shoot with the help +of his remaining fingers, he found, O king, that he had lost his former +lightness of hand. And at this Arjuna became happy, the fever (of +jealousy) having left him. + +"'Two of Drona's pupils became very much accomplished in the use of mace. +These were Duryodhana and Bhima, who were, however, always jealous of each +other. Aswatthaman excelled everyone (in the mysteries of the science of +arms). The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) excelled everybody in handling the +sword. Yudhishthira surpassed everybody as a car-warrior; but Arjuna, +however, outdistanced everyone in every respect--in intelligence, +resourcefulness, strength and perseverance. Accomplished in all weapons, +Arjuna became the foremost of even the foremost of car-warriors; and his +fame spread all over the earth to the verge of the sea. And although the +instruction was the same, the mighty Arjuna excelled all (the princes in +lightness of hand). Indeed, in weapons as in devotion to his preceptor, he +became the foremost of them all. And amongst all the princes, Arjuna alone +became an Atiratha (a car-warrior capable of fighting at one time with +sixty thousand foes). And the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, beholding +Bhimasena endued with great strength and Arjuna accomplished in all arms, +became very jealous of them. + +"'O bull among men, one day Drona desirous of testing the comparative +excellence of all his pupils in the use of arms, collected them all +together after their education had been completed. And before assembling +them together, he had caused an artificial bird, as the would be aim, to +be placed on the top of a neighbouring tree. And when they were all +together, Drona said unto them, "Take up your bows quickly and stand here +aiming at that bird on the tree, with arrows fixed on your bowstrings; +shoot and cut off the bird's head, as soon as I give the order. I shall +give each of you a turn, one by one, my children."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Drona, that foremost of all Angira's sons +first addressed Yudhishthira saying, "O irrepressible one, aim with thy +arrow and shoot as soon as I give the order." Yudhishthira took up the bow +first, as desired, O king, by his preceptor, and stood aiming at the bird. +But, O bull of Bharata's race, Drona in an instant, addressing the Kuru +prince standing with bow in hand, said, "Behold, O prince, that bird on +top of the tree." Yudhishthira replied unto his preceptor, saying, "I do." +But the next instant Drona again asked him, "What dost thou see now, O +prince? Seest thou the tree, myself or thy brothers?" Yudhishthira +answered, "I see the tree, myself, my brothers, and the bird." Drona +repeated his question, but was answered as often in the same words. Drona +then, vexed with Yudhishthira, reproachingly said, "Stand thou apart. It +is not for thee to strike the aim." Then Drona repeated the experiment +with Duryodhana and the other sons of Dhritarashtra, one after another, as +also with his other pupils, Bhima and the rest, including the princes that +had come unto him from other lands. But the answer in every case was the +same as Yudhishthira's viz., "We behold the tree, thyself, our fellow- +pupils, and the bird." And reproached by their preceptor, they were all +ordered, one after another, to stand apart.'" + + +SECTION CXXXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When everyone had failed, Drona smilingly called +Arjuna and said unto him, "By thee the aim must be shot; therefore, turn +thy eyes to it. Thou must let fly the arrow as soon as I give the order. +Therefore, O son, stand here with bow and arrow for an instant." Thus +addressed, Arjuna stood aiming at the bird as desired by his preceptor, +with his bow bent. An instant after Drona asked him as in the case of +others, "Seest thou, O Arjuna, the bird there, the tree, and myself?" +Arjuna replied, "I see the bird only, but not the tree, or thyself." Then +the irrepressible Drona, well-pleased with Arjuna, the instant after, +again said unto that mighty car-warrior amongst the Pandavas, "If thou +seest the vulture, then describe it to me." Arjuna said, "I see only the +head of the vulture, not its body." At these words of Arjuna, the hair (on +Drona's body) stood on end from delight. He then said to Partha, "Shoot." +And the latter instantly let fly (his arrow) and with his sharp shaft +speedily struck off the head of the vulture on the tree and brought it +down to the ground. No sooner was the deed done than Drona clasped +Phalguna to his bosom and thought Drupada with his friends had already +been vanquished in fight. + +"'Some time after, O bull of Bharata's race, Drona, accompanied by all of +his pupils, went to the bank of the Ganga to bathe in that sacred stream. +And when Drona had plunged into the stream, a strong alligator, sent as it +were, by Death himself seized him by the thigh. And though himself quite +capable, Drona in a seeming hurry asked his pupil to rescue him. And he +said, "O, kill this monster and rescue me." Contemporaneously with this +speech, Vibhatsu (Arjuna) struck the monster within the water with five +sharp arrows irresistible in their course, while the other pupils stood +confounded, each at his place. Beholding Arjuna's readiness, Drona +considered him to be the foremost of all his pupils, and became highly +pleased. The monster, in the meantime cut into pieces by the arrows of +Arjuna, released the thigh of illustrious Drona and gave up the ghost. The +son of Bharadwaja then addressed the illustrious and mighty car-warrior +Arjuna and said, "Accept, O thou of mighty arms, this very superior and +irresistible weapon called Brahmasira with the methods of hurling and +recalling it. Thou must not, however, ever use it against any human foe, +for if hurled at any foe endued with inferior energy, it might burn the +whole universe. It is said, O child, that this weapon hath not a peer in +the three worlds. Keep it, therefore, with great care, and listen to what +I say. If ever, O hero, any foe, not human, contendeth against thee thou +mayst then employ it against him for compassing his death in battle." +Pledging himself to do what he was bid, Vibhatsu then, with joined hands, +received that great weapon. + +"'The preceptor then, addressing him again, said, "None else in this world +will ever become a superior bowman to thee. Vanquished thou shall never be +by any foe, and thy achievements will be great."'" + + +SECTION CXXXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O thou of Bharata's race, beholding the sons of +Dhritarashtra and Pandu accomplished in arms, Drona, O monarch, addressed +king Dhritarashtra, in the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, Valhika, the wise +son of Ganga (Bhishma), Vyasa, and Vidura, and said, "O best of Kuru kings, +thy children have completed their education. With thy permission, O king, +let them now show their proficiency." Hearing him, the king said with a +gladdened heart, "O best of Brahmanas, thou hast, indeed, accomplished a +great deed. Command me thyself as to the place and the time where and when +and the manner also in which the trial may be held. Grief arising from my +own blindness maketh me envy those who, blessed with sight, will behold my +children's prowess in arm. O Kshatri (Vidura), do all that Drona sayeth. O +thou devoted to virtue, I think there is nothing that can be more +agreeable to me." Then Vidura, giving the necessary assurance to the king, +went out to do what he was bid. And Drona endued with great wisdom, then +measured out a piece of land that was void of trees and thickets and +furnished with wells and springs. And upon the spot of land so measured +out, Drona, that first of eloquent men, selecting a lunar day when the +star ascendant was auspicious, offered up sacrifice unto the gods in the +presence of the citizens assembled by proclamation to witness the same. +And then, O bull among men, the artificers of the king built thereon a +large and elegant stage according to the rules laid down in the scriptures, +and it was furnished with all kinds of weapons. They also built another +elegant hall for the lady-spectators. And the citizens constructed many +platforms while the wealthier of them pitched many spacious and high tents +all around. + +"'When the day fixed for the Tournament came, the king accompanied by his +ministers, with Bhishma and Kripa, the foremost of preceptors, walking +ahead, came unto that theatre of almost celestial beauty constructed of +pure gold, and decked with strings of pearls and stones of lapis lazuli. +And, O first of victorious men, Gandhari blessed with great good fortune +and Kunti, and the other ladies of the royal house-hold, in gorgeous +attire and accompanied by their waiting women, joyfully ascended the +platforms, like celestial ladies ascending the Sumeru mountain. And the +four orders including the Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, desirous of beholding +the princes' skill in arms, left the city and came running to the spot. +And so impatient was every one to behold the spectacle, that the vast +crowd assembled there in almost an instant. And with the sounds of +trumpets and drums and the noise of many voices, that vast concourse +appeared like an agitated ocean. + +"'At last, Drona accompanied by his son, dressed in white (attire), with a +white sacred thread, white locks, white beard, white garlands, and white +sandal-paste rubbed over his body, entered the lists. It seemed as if the +Moon himself accompanied by the planet Mars appeared in an unclouded sky. +On entering Bharadwaja performed timely worship and caused Brahmanas +versed in mantras to celebrate the auspicious rites. And after auspicious +and sweet-sounding musical instruments had been struck up as a +propitiatory ceremony, some persons entered, equipped with various arms. +And then having girded up their loins, those mighty warriors, those +foremost ones of Bharata's race (the princes) entered, furnished with +finger-protectors (gauntlet), and bows, and quivers. And with Yudhishthira +at their head, the valiant princes entered in order of age and began to +show wonderful skill with their weapons. Some of the spectators lowered +their heads, apprehending fall of arrows while others fearlessly gazed on +with wonder. And riding swiftly on horses and managing them "dexterously" +the princes began to hit marks with shafts engraved with their respective +names. And seeing the prowess of the princes armed with bows and arrows, +the spectators thought that they were beholding the city of the Gandharvas, +became filled with amazement. And, O Bharata, all on a sudden, some +hundreds and thousands, with eyes wide open in wonder, exclaimed, "Well +done! Well done!" And having repeatedly displayed their skill and +dexterity in the use of bows and arrows and in the management of cars, the +mighty warriors took up their swords and bucklers, and began to range the +lists, playing their weapons. The spectators saw (with wonder) their +agility, the symmetry of their bodies, their grace, their calmness, the +firmness of their grasp and their deftness in the use of sword and buckler. +Then Vrikodara and Suyodhana, internally delighted (at the prospect of +fight), entered the arena, mace in hand, like two single-peaked mountains. +And those mighty-armed warriors braced their loins, and summoning all +their energy, roared like two infuriate elephants contending for a cow- +elephant; and like two infuriated elephants those mighty heroes +faultlessly (in consonance with the dictates of the science of arm) +careered right and left, circling the lists. And Vidura described to +Dhritarashtra and the mother of the Pandavas (Kunti) and Gandhari, all the +feats of the princes.'" + + +SECTION CXXXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Upon the Kuru king and Bhima, the foremost of +all endued with strength, having entered the arena, the spectators were +divided into two parties in consequence of the partiality swaying their +affections. Some cried, "Behold the heroic king of the Kurus!"--some-- +"Behold Bhima!"--And on account of these cries, there was, all on a sudden, +a loud uproar. And seeing the place become like a troubled ocean, the +intelligent Bharadwaja said unto his dear son, Aswatthaman, "Restrain both +these mighty warriors so proficient in arms. Let not the ire of the +assembly be provoked by this combat of Bhima and Duryodhana." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the son of the preceptor of the princes +restrained those combatants with their maces uplifted and resembling two +swollen oceans agitated by the winds that blow at the universal +dissolution. And Drona himself entering the yard of the arena commanded +the musicians to stop, and with a voice deep as that of the clouds +addressed these words, "Behold ye now that Partha who is dearer to me than +my own son, the master of all arms, the son of Indra himself, and like +unto the younger brother of Indra, (Vishnu)!" And having performed the +propitiatory rites, the youthful Phalguna, equipped with the finger +protector (gauntlet) and his quiver full of shafts and bow in hand, +donning his golden mail, appeared in the lists even like an evening cloud +reflecting the rays of the setting sun and illumined by the hues of the +rainbow and flashes of lightning. + +"'On seeing Arjuna, the whole assembly were delighted and conchs began to +be blown all around with other musical instruments. And there arose a +great uproar in consequence of the spectators' exclaiming,--"This is the +graceful son of Kunti!"--"This is the middle (third) Pandava!"--"This is +the son of the mighty Indra!"--"This is the protector of the Kurus"--"This +is the foremost of those versed in arms!"--"This is the foremost of all +cherishers of virtue!"--"This is the foremost of the persons of correct +behaviour, the great repository of the knowledge of manners!" At those +exclamations, the tears of Kunti, mixing with the milk of her breast, +wetted her bosom. And his ears being filled with that uproar, that first +of men, Dhritarashtra, asked Vidura in delight, "O Kshatri, what is this +great uproar for, like unto that of the troubled ocean, arising all on a +sudden and rending the very heavens?" Vidura replied, "O mighty monarch, +the son of Pandu and Pritha, Phalguna, clad in mail hath entered the lists. +And hence this uproar!" Dhritarashtra said, "O thou of soul so great, by +the three fires sprung from Pritha who is even like the sacred fuel, I +have, indeed, been blessed, favoured and protected!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the spectators, excited with delight, had +somewhat regained their equanimity, Vibhatsu began to display his +lightness in the use of weapons. By the Agneya weapon, he created fire, +and by the Varuna weapon he created water, by the Vayavya weapon, he +created air, and by the Parjanya weapon he created clouds. And by the +Bhauma weapon, he created land, and by the Parvatya weapon, he brought +mountains into being. By the Antardhana weapon all these were made to +disappear. Now the beloved one of his preceptor (Arjuna) appeared tall and +now short; now he was seen on the yoke of his car, and now on the car +itself; and the next moment he was on the ground. And the hero favoured by +his practised dexterity, hit with his various butts--some tender, some +fine and some of thick composition. And like one shaft, he let fly at a +time into the mouth of a moving iron-boar five shafts together from his +bow-string. And that hero of mighty energy discharged one and twenty +arrows into the hollow of a cow's horn hung up on a rope swaying to and +fro. In this manner, O sinless one, Arjuna showed his profound skill in +the use of sword, bow, and mace, walking over the lists in circles. + +"'And, O Bharata, when the exhibition had well-nigh ended, the excitement +of the spectators had cooled, and the sounds of instruments had died out +there was heard proceeding from the gate, the slapping of arms, betokening +might and strength, and even like unto the roar of the thunder. And, O +king, as soon as this sound was heard, the assembled multitude instantly +thought, "Are the mountains splitting or is the earth itself rending +asunder, or is the welkin resounding with the roar of gathering clouds?" +And then all the spectators turned their eyes towards the gate. And Drona +stood, surrounded by the five brothers, the sons of Pritha, and looked +like the moon in conjunction with the five-starred constellation Hasta. +And Duryodhana, that slayer of foes, stood up in haste and was surrounded +by his century of haughty brothers with Aswatthaman amongst them. And that +prince, mace in hand, thus surrounded by his hundred brothers with +uplifted weapons appeared like Purandara in days of yore, encircled by the +celestial host on the occasion of the battle with the Danavas.'" + + +SECTION CXXXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the spectators, with eyes expanded with +wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities, Karna, that hero +with his natural mail and face brightened with ear-rings, took up his bow +and girded on his sword, and then entered the spacious lists, like a +walking cliff. That far-famed destroyer of hostile hosts, the large-eyed +Karna, was born of Pritha in her maidenhood. He was a portion of the hot- +beamed Sun and his energy and prowess were like unto those of the lion, or +the bull, or the leader of a herd of elephants. In splendour he resembled +the Sun, in loveliness the Moon, and in energy the fire. Begotten by the +Sun himself, he was tall in stature like a golden palm tree, and, endued +with the vigour of youth, he was capable of slaying a lion. Handsome in +features, he was possessed of countless accomplishments. The mighty-armed +warrior, eyeing all around the arena, bowed indifferently to Drona and +Kripa. And the entire assembly, motionless and with steadfast gaze, +thought, "Who is he?" And they became agitated in their curiosity to know +the warrior. And that foremost of eloquent men, the offspring of the Sun, +in a voice deep as that of the clouds, addressed his unknown brother, the +son of the subduer of the Asura, Paka (Indra), saying, "O Partha, I shall +perform feats before this gazing multitude, excelling all thou hast +performed! Beholding them, thou shall be amazed." And, O thou best of +those blest with speech, he had hardly done when the spectators stood up +all at once, uplifted by some instrument, as it were. And, O tiger among +men, Duryodhana was filled with delight, while Vibhatsu was instantly all +abashment and anger. Then with the permission of Drona, the mighty Karna, +delighting in battle, there did all that Partha had done before. And, O +Bharata, Duryodhana with his brothers thereupon embraced Karna in joy and +then addressed him saying, "Welcome O mighty-armed warrior! I have +obtained thee by good fortune, O polite one! Live thou as thou pleasest, +and command me, and the kingdom of the Kurus." Karna replied, "When thou +hast said it, I regard it as already accomplished. I only long for thy +friendship. And, O lord, my wish is even for a single combat with Arjuna." +Duryodhana said, "Do thou with me enjoy the good things of life! Be thou +the benefactor of thy friend, and, O represser of enemies, place thou thy +feet on the heads of all foes." + +"'Arjuna, after this, deeming himself disgraced, said unto Karna +stationed amidst the brothers like unto a cliff, "That path which the +unwelcome intruder and the uninvited talker cometh to, shall be thine, +O Karna, for thou shall be slain by me." Karna replied, "This arena is +meant for all, not for thee alone, O Phalguna! They are kings who are +superior in energy; and verily the Kshatriya regardeth might and might +alone. What need of altercation which is the exercise of the weak? O +Bharata, speak then in arrows until with arrows I strike off thy head +today before the preceptor himself!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hastily embraced by his brothers, Partha that +subduer of hostile cities, with the permission of Drona, advanced for the +combat. On the other side, Karna, having been embraced by Duryodhana with +his brothers, taking up his bow and arrows, stood ready for the fight. +Then the firmament became enveloped in clouds emitting flashes of +lightning, and the coloured bow of Indra appeared shedding its effulgent +rays. And the clouds seemed to laugh on account of the rows of white +cranes that were then on the wing. And seeing Indra thus viewing the arena +from affection (for his son), the sun too dispersed the clouds from over +his own offspring. And Phalguna remained deep hid under cover of the +clouds, while Karna remained visible, being surrounded by the rays of the +Sun. And the son of Dhritarashtra stood by Karna, and Bharadwaja and Kripa +and Bhishma remained with Partha. And the assembly was divided, as also +the female spectators. And knowing the state of things, Kunti the daughter +of Bhoja, swooned away. And by the help of female attendants, Vidura, +versed in the lore of all duties, revived the insensible Kunti by +sprinkling sandal-paste and water on her person. On being restored to +consciousness, Kunti, seeing her two sons clad in mail, was seized with +fear, but she could do nothing (to protect them). And beholding both the +warriors with bows strung in their hands the son of Saradwat, viz., Kripa, +knowing all duties and cognisant of the rules regulating duels, addressed +Karna, saying "This Pandava, who is the youngest son of Kunti, belongeth +to the Kaurava race: he will engage in combat with thee. But, O mighty- +armed one, thou too must tell us thy lineage and the names of thy father +and mother and the royal line of which thou art the ornament. Learning all +this, Partha will fight with thee or not (as he will think fit). Sons of +kings never fight with men of inglorious lineage."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When he was thus addressed by Kripa, Karna's +countenance became like unto a lotus pale and torn with the pelting +showers in the rainy season. Duryodhana said, "O preceptor, verily the +scriptures have it that three classes of persons can lay claim to royalty, +viz., persons of the blood royal, heroes, and lastly, those that lead +armies. If Phalguna is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I +will install Karna as king of Anga."' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'At that very moment, seated on a golden seat, with +parched paddy and with flowers and water-pots and much gold, the mighty +warrior Karna was installed king by Brahmanas versed in mantras. And the +royal umbrella was held over his head, while Yak-tails waved around that +redoubtable hero of graceful mien. And the cheers, having ceased, king +(Karna) said unto the Kaurava Duryodhana, "O tiger among monarchs, what +shall I give unto thee that may compare with thy gift of a kingdom? O king, +I will do all thou biddest!" And Suyodhana said unto him, "I eagerly wish +for thy friendship." Thus spoken to, Karna replied, "Be it so." And they +embraced each other in joy, and experienced great happiness.'" + + +SECTION CXXXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After this, with his sheet loosely hanging down, +Adhiratha entered the lists, perspiring and trembling, and supporting +himself on a staff. + +"'Seeing him, Karna left his bow and impelled by filial regard bowed down +his head still wet with the water of inauguration. And then the charioteer, +hurriedly covering his feet with the end of his sheet, addressed Karna +crowned with success as his son. And the charioteer embraced Karna and +from excess of affection bedewed his head with tears, that head still wet +with the water sprinkled over it on account of the coronation as king of +Anga. Seeing the charioteer, the Pandava Bhimasena took Karna for a +charioteer's son, and said by way of ridicule, "O son of a charioteer, +thou dost not deserve death in fight at the hands of Partha. As befits thy +race take thou anon the whip. And, O worst of mortals, surely thou art not +worthy to sway the kingdom of Anga, even as a dog doth not deserve the +butter placed before the sacrificial fire." Karna, thus addressed, with +slightly quivering lips fetched a deep sigh, looked at the God of the day +in the skies. And even as a mad elephant riseth from an assemblage of +lotuses, the mighty Duryodhana rose in wrath from among his brothers, and +addressed that performer of dreadful deeds, Bhimasena, present there, "O +Vrikodara, it behoveth thee not to speak such words. Might is the cardinal +virtue of a Kshatriya, and even a Kshatriya of inferior birth deserveth to +be fought with. The lineage of heroes, like the sources of a lordly river, +is ever unknown. The fire that covereth the whole world riseth from the +waters. The thunder that slayeth the Danavas was made of a bone of (a +mortal named) Dadhichi. The illustrious deity Guha, who combines in his +composition the portions of all the other deities is of a lineage unknown. +Some call him the offspring of Agni; some, of Krittika, some, of Rudra, +and some of Ganga. It hath been heard by us that persons born in the +Kshatriya order have become Brahmanas. Viswamitra and others (born +Kshatriyas) have obtained the eternal Brahma. The foremost of all wielders +of weapons, the preceptor Drona hath been born in a waterpot and Kripa of +the race of Gotama hath sprung from a clump of heath. Your own births, ye +Pandava princes, are known to me. Can a she-deer bring forth a tiger (like +Karna), of the splendour of the Sun, and endued with every auspicious mark, +and born also with a natural mail and ear-rings? This prince among men +deserveth the sovereignty of the world, not of Anga only, in consequence +of the might of his arm and my swearing to obey him in everything. If +there be anybody here to whom all that I have done unto Karna hath become +intolerable, let him ascend his chariot and bend his bow with the help of +his feet."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then there arose a confused murmur amongst the +spectators approving of Duryodhana's speech. The sun, however, went down, +but prince Duryodhana taking Karna's hand led him out of the arena lighted +with countless lamps. And, O king, the Pandavas also, accompanied by Drona +and Kripa and Bhishma, returned to their abodes. And the people, too, came +away, some naming Arjuna, some Karna, and some Duryodhana (as the victor +of the day). And Kunti, recognising her son in Karna by the various +auspicious marks on his person and beholding him installed in the +sovereignty of Anga, was from motherly affection, very pleased. And +Duryodhana, O monarch, having obtained Karna (in this way), banished his +fears arising out of Arjuna's proficiency in arms. And the heroic Karna, +accomplished in arms, began to gratify Duryodhana by sweet speeches, while +Yudhishthira was impressed with the belief that there was no warrior on +earth like unto Karna.'" + + +SECTION CXL + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding the Pandavas and the son of +Dhritarashtra accomplished in arms, Drona thought the time had come when +he could demand the preceptorial fee. And, O king, assembling his pupils +one day together, the preceptor Drona asked of them the fee, saying, +"Seize Drupada, the king of Panchala in battle and bring him unto me. That +shall be the most acceptable fee." Those warriors then answering, "So be +it", speedily mounted up on their chariots, and for bestowing upon their +preceptor the fee he had demanded, marched out, accompanied by him. Those +bulls among men, smiting the Panchalas on their way, laid siege to the +capital of the great Drupada. And Duryodhana and Karna and the mighty +Yuyutsu, and Duhsasana and Vikarna and Jalasandha and Sulochana,--these +and many other foremost of Kshatriya princes of great prowess, vied with +one another in becoming the foremost in the attack. And the princes, +riding in first class chariots and following the cavalry, entered the +hostile capital, and proceeded along the streets. + +"'Meanwhile, the king of Panchala, beholding that mighty force and hearing +its loud clamour, came out of his palace, accompanied by his brothers. +Though king Yajnasena was well-armed, the Kuru army assailed him with a +shower of arrows, uttering their war-cry. Yajnasena, however, not easy to +be subdued in battle, approaching the Kurus upon his white chariot, began +to rain his fierce arrows around. + +"'Before the battle commenced, Arjuna, beholding the pride of prowess +displayed by the princes, addressed his preceptor, that best of Brahmanas, +Drona, and said, "We shall exert ourselves after these have displayed +their prowess. The king of Panchala can never be taken on the field of the +battle by any of these." Having said this, the sinless son of Kunti +surrounded by his brothers, waited outside the town at a distance of a +mile from it. Meanwhile Drupada beholding the Kuru host, rushed forward +and pouring a fierce shower of arrows around, terribly afflicted the Kuru +ranks. And such was his lightness of motion on the field of battle that, +though he was fighting unsupported on a single chariot, the Kurus from +panic supposed that there were many Drupadas opposed to them. And the +fierce arrows of that monarch fell fast on all sides, till conchs and +trumpets and drums by thousands began to be sounded by the Panchalas from +their houses (giving the alarm). Then there arose from the mighty Panchala +host a roar terrible as that of the lion, while the twang of their bow- +strings seemed to rend the very heavens. Then Duryodhana and Vikarna, +Suvahu and Dirghalochana and Duhsasana becoming furious, began to shower +their arrows upon the enemy. But the mighty bowman, Prishata's son, +invincible in battle, though very much pierced with the arrows of the +enemy, instantly began, O Bharata, to afflict the hostile ranks with +greater vigour. And careering over the field of battle like a fiery wheel, +king Drupada with his arrows smote Duryodhana and Vikarna and even the +mighty Karna and many other heroic princes and numberless warriors, and +slaked their thirst for battle. Then all the citizens showered upon the +Kurus various missiles like clouds showering rain-drops upon the earth. +Young and old, they all rushed to battle, assailing the Kurus with vigour. +The Kauravas, then, O Bharata, beholding the battle become frightful, +broke and fled wailing towards the Pandavas. + +"'The Pandavas, hearing the terrible wail of the beaten host, reverentially +saluted Drona and ascended their chariots. Then Arjuna hastily bidding +Yudhishthira not to engage in the fight, rushed forward, appointing the +sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva) the protectors of his chariot-wheels, +while Bhimasena ever fighting in the van, mace in hand, ran ahead. The +sinless Arjuna, thus accompanied by his brothers, hearing the shouts of +the enemy, advanced towards them, filling the whole region with the rattle +of his chariot-wheels. And like a Makara entering the sea, the mighty- +armed Bhima, resembling a second Yama, mace in hand, entered the Panchala +ranks, fiercely roaring like the ocean in a tempest. And Bhima, mace in +hand, first rushed towards the array of elephants in the hostile force, +while Arjuna, proficient in battle, assailed that force with the prowess +of his arms. And Bhima, like the great Destroyer himself, began to slay +those elephants with his mace. Those huge animals, like unto mountains, +struck with Bhima's mace, had their heads broken into pieces. Covered with +stream of blood, they began to fall upon the ground like cliffs loosened +by thunder. And the Pandavas prostrated on the ground elephants and horses +and cars by thousands and slew many foot-soldiers and many car-warriors. +Indeed, as a herdsman in the woods driveth before him with his staff +countless cattle with ease, so did Vrikodara drive before him the chariots +and elephants of the hostile force. + +"'Meanwhile, Phalguna, impelled by the desire of doing good unto +Bharadwaja's son, assailed the son of Prishata with a shower of arrows and +felled him from the elephant on which he was seated. And, O monarch, +Arjuna, like unto the terrible fire that consumeth all things at the end +of the Yuga, began to prostrate on the ground horses and cars and +elephants by thousands. The Panchalas and the Srinjayas, on the other hand, +thus assailed by the Pandava, met him with a perfect shower of weapons of +various kinds. And they sent up a loud shout and fought desperately with +Arjuna. The battle became furious and terrible to behold. Hearing the +enemy's shouts, the son of Indra was filled with wrath and assailing the +hostile host with a thick shower of arrows, rushed towards it furiously +afflicting it with renewed vigour. They who observed the illustrious +Arjuna at that time could not mark any interval between his fixing the +arrows on the bowstring and letting them off. Loud were the shouts that +rose there, mingled with cheers of approval. Then the king of the +Panchalas, accompanied by (the generalissimo of his forces) Satyajit, +rushed with speed at Arjuna like the Asura Samvara rushing at the chief of +the celestials (in days of yore). Then Arjuna covered the king of Panchala +with a shower of arrows. Then there arose a frightful uproar among the +Panchala host like unto the roar of a mighty lion springing at the leader +of a herd of elephants. And beholding Arjuna rushing at the king of +Panchala to seize him, Satyajit of great prowess rushed at him. And the +two warriors, like unto Indra and the Asura Virochana's son (Vali), +approaching each other for combat, began to grind each other's ranks. Then +Arjuna with great force pierced Satyajit with ten keen shafts at which +feat the spectators were all amazed. But Satyajit, without losing any time, +assailed Arjuna with a hundred shafts. Then that mighty car-warrior, +Arjuna, endued with remarkable lightness of motion, thus covered by that +shower of arrows, rubbed his bow-string to increase the force and velocity +of his shafts. Then cutting in twain his antagonist's bow, Arjuna rushed +at the king of the Panchalas, but Satyajit, quickly taking up a tougher +bow, pierced with his arrows Partha, his chariot, charioteer, and horses. +Arjuna, thus assailed in battle by the Panchala warrior, forgave not his +foe. Eager to slay him at once, he pierced with a number of arrows his +antagonist's horses, flags, bow, clenched (left) fist, charioteer, and the +attendant at his back. Then Satyajit, finding his bows repeatedly cut in +twain and his horses slain, desisted from the fight. + +"'The king of the Panchalas, beholding his general thus discomfited in the +encounter, himself began to shower his arrows upon the Pandava prince. +Then Arjuna, that foremost of warriors, crowned with success, began to +fight furiously, and quickly cutting his enemy's bow in twain as also his +flagstaff which he caused to fall down, pierced his antagonist's horses, +and charioteer also with five arrows. Then throwing aside his bow Arjuna +took his quiver, and taking out a scimitar and sending forth a loud shout, +leaped from his own chariot upon that of his foe. And standing there with +perfect fearlessness he seized Drupada as Garuda seizeth a huge snake +after agitating the waters of the ocean. At the sight of this, the +Panchala troops ran away in all directions. + +"'Then Dhananjaya, having thus exhibited the might of his arm in the +presence of both hosts, sent forth a loud shout and came out of the +Panchala ranks. And beholding him returning (with his captive), the +princes began to lay waste Drupada's capital. Addressing them Arjuna said, +"This best of monarchs, Drupada, is a relative of the Kuru heroes. +Therefore, O Bhima, slay not his soldiers. Let us only give unto our +preceptor his fee."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O king, thus prevented by Arjuna, the mighty +Bhimasena, though unsatiated with the exercise of battle, refrained from +the act of slaughter. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the princes then, +taking Drupada with them after having seized him on the field of battle +along with his friends and counsellors, offered him unto Drona. And Drona +beholding Drupada thus brought under complete control--humiliated and +deprived of wealth--remembered that monarch's former hostility and +addressing him said, "Thy kingdom and capital have been laid waste by me. +But fear not for thy life, though it dependeth now on the will of thy foe. +Dost thou now desire to revive thy friendship (with me)?" Having said this, +he smiled a little and again said, "Fear not for thy life, brave king! We, +Brahmanas, are ever forgiving. And, O bull among Kshatriyas, my affection +and love for thee have grown with me in consequence of our having sported +together in childhood in the hermitage. Therefore, O king, I ask for thy +friendship again. And as a boon (unasked), I give thee half the kingdom +(that was thine). Thou toldest me before that none who was not a king +could be a king's friend. Therefore is it, O Yajnasena, that I retain half +thy kingdom. Thou art the king of all the territory lying on the southern +side of the Bhagirathi, while I become king of all the territory on the +north of that river. And, O Panchala, if it pleaseth thee, know me hence +for thy friend." + +"'On hearing these words, Drupada answered, "Thou art of noble soul and +great prowess. Therefore, O Brahmana, I am not surprised at what thou +doest. I am very much gratified with thee, and I desire thy eternal +friendship."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, O Bharata, Drona released the king +of Panchala, and cheerfully performing the usual offices of regard, +bestowed upon him half the kingdom. Thenceforth Drupada began to reside +sorrowfully in (the city of) Kampilya within (the province of) Makandi on +the banks of the Ganga filled with many towns and cities. And after his +defeat by Drona, Drupada also ruled the southern Panchalas up to the bank +of the Charmanwati river. And Drupada from that day was well-convinced +that he could not, by Kshatriya might alone, defeat Drona, being very much +his inferior in Brahma (spiritual) power. And he, therefore, began to +wander over the whole earth to find out the means of obtaining a son (who +would subjugate his Brahmana foe). + +"'Meanwhile Drona continued to reside in Ahicchatra. Thus, O king, was the +territory of Ahicchatra full of towns and cities, obtained by Arjuna, and +bestowed upon Drona.'" + + +SECTION CXLI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After the expiration, O king, of a year from +this, Dhritarashtra, moved by kindness for the people, installed +Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, as the heir-apparent of the kingdom on +account of his firmness, fortitude, patience, benevolence, frankness and +unswerving honesty (of heart). And within a short time Yudhishthira, the +son of Kunti, by his good behaviour, manners and close application to +business, overshadowed the deeds of his father. And the second Pandava, +Vrikodara, began to receive continued lessons from Sankarshana (Valarama) +in encounters with the sword and the mace and on the chariot. And after +Bhima's education was finished, he became in strength like unto Dyumatsena +himself and continuing to live in harmony with his brothers, he began to +exert his prowess. And Arjuna became celebrated for the firmness of his +grasp (of weapons), for his lightness of motion, precision of aim, and his +proficiency in the use of the Kshura, Naracha, Vala and Vipatha weapons, +indeed, of all weapons, whether straight or crooked or heavy. And Drona +certified that there was none in the world who was equal to Arjuna in +lightness of hand and general proficiency. + +"'One day, Drona, addressing Arjuna before the assembled Kaurava princes, +said, "There was a disciple of Agastya in the science of arms called +Agnivesa. He was my preceptor and I, his disciple. By ascetic merit I +obtained from him a weapon called Brahmasira which could never be futile +and which was like unto thunder itself, capable of consuming the whole +earth. That weapon, O Bharata, from what I have done, may now pass from +disciple to disciple. While imparting it to me, my preceptor said, 'O son +of Bharadwaja, never shouldst thou hurl this weapon at any human being, +especially at one who is of poor energy. Thou hast, O hero, obtained that +celestial weapon. None else deserveth it. But obey the command of the +Rishi (Agnivesa).' And, look here, Arjuna, give me now the preceptorial +fee in the presence of these thy cousins and relatives." When Arjuna, on +hearing this, pledged his word that he would give what the preceptor +demanded, the latter said, "O sinless one, thou must fight with me when I +fight with thee." And that bull among the Kuru princes thereupon pledged +his word unto Drona and touching his feet, went away northward. Then there +arose a loud shout covering the whole earth bounded by her belt of seas to +the effect that there was no bowman in the whole world like unto Arjuna. +And, indeed, Dhananjaya, in encounters with the mace and the sword and on +the chariot as also with the bow, acquired wonderful proficiency. Sahadeva +obtained the whole science of morality and duties from (Vrihaspati) the +spiritual chief of celestials, and continued to live under the control of +his brothers. And Nakula, the favourite of his brothers taught by Drona, +became known as a skilful warrior and a great car-warrior (Ati-ratha). +Indeed, Arjuna and the other Pandava princes became so powerful that they +slew in battle the great Sauvira who had performed a sacrifice extending +over three years, undaunted by the raids of the Gandharvas. And the king +of the Yavanas himself whom the powerful Pandu even had failed to bring +under subjection was brought by Arjuna under control. Then again Vipula, +the king of the Sauviras, endued with great prowess, who had always shown +a disregard for the Kurus, was made by the intelligent Arjuna to feel the +edge of his power. And Arjuna also repressed by means of his arrows (the +pride of) king Sumitra of Sauvira, also known by the name of Dattamitra +who had resolutely sought an encounter with him. The third of the Pandava +princes, assisted by Bhima, on only a single car subjugated all the kings +of the East backed by ten thousand cars. In the same way, having conquered +on a single car the whole of the south, Dhananjaya sent unto the kingdom +of the Kurus a large booty. + +"'Thus did those foremost of men, the illustrious Pandavas, conquering the +territories of other kings, extend the limits of their own kingdom. But +beholding the great prowess and strength of those mighty bowmen, king +Dhritarashtra's sentiments towards the Pandavas became suddenly poisoned, +and from that day the monarch became so anxious that he could hardly +sleep.'" + + +SECTION CXLII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'On hearing that the heroic sons of Pandu endued +with excess of energy had become so mighty, king Dhritarashtra became very +miserable with anxiety. Then summoning unto his side Kanika, that foremost +of minister, well-versed in the science of politics and an expert in +counsels the king said, "O best of Brahmanas, the Pandavas are daily +overshadowing the earth. I am exceedingly jealous of them. Should I have +peace or war with them? O Kanika, advise me truly, for I shall do as thou +biddest."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'That best of Brahmanas, thus addressed by the +king, freely answered him in these pointed words well-agreeing with the +import of political science. + +"'"Listen to me, O sinless king, as I answer thee. And, O best of Kuru +kings, it behoveth thee not to be angry with me after hearing all I say. +Kings should ever be ready with uplifted maces (to strike when necessary), +and they should ever increase their prowess. Carefully avoiding all faults +themselves they should ceaselessly watch over the faults of their foes and +take advantage of them. If the king is always ready to strike, everybody +feareth him. Therefore the king should ever have recourse to chastisement +in all he doeth. He should so conduct himself that his foe may not detect +any weak side in him. But by means of the weakness he detecteth in his foe +he should pursue him (to destruction). He should always conceal, like the +tortoise concealing its body, his means and ends, and he should always +keep back his own weakness from the sight of others. And having begun a +particular act, he should ever accomplish it thoroughly. Behold, a thorn, +if not extracted wholly, produceth a festering sore. The slaughter of a +foe who doeth thee evil is always praiseworthy. If the foe be one of great +prowess, one should watch for the hour of his disaster and then kill him +without any scruples. If he should happen to be a great warrior, his hour +of disaster also should be watched and he should then be induced to fly. O +sire, an enemy should never be scorned, however contemptible. A spark of +fire is capable of consuming an extensive forest if only it can spread +from one object to another in proximity. Kings should sometimes feign +blindness and deafness, for if impotent to chastise, they should pretend +not to notice the faults that call for chastisement. On occasions, such as +these, let them regard their bows as made of straw. But they should be +always on the alert like a herd of deer sleeping in the woods. When thy +foe is in thy power, destroy him by every means open or secret. Do not +show him any mercy, although he seeketh thy protection. A foe, or one that +hath once injured thee, should be destroyed by lavishing money, if +necessary, for by killing him thou mayest be at thy ease. The dead can +never inspire fear. Thou must destroy the three, five and seven +(resources) of thy foes. Thou must destroy thy foes root and branch. Then +shouldst thou destroy their allies and partisans. The allies and partisans +can never exist if the principal be destroyed. If the root of the tree is +torn up, the branches and twigs can never exist as before. Carefully +concealing thy own means and ends, thou shouldst always watch thy foes, +always seeking their flaws. Thou shouldst, O king, rule thy kingdom, +always anxiously watching thy foes. By maintaining the perpetual fire by +sacrifices, by brown cloths, by matted locks, and by hides of animals for +thy bedding, shouldst thou at first gain the confidence of thy foes, and +when thou has gained it thou shouldst then spring upon them like a wolf. +For it hath been said that in the acquisition of wealth even the garb of +holiness might be employed as a hooked staff to bend down a branch in +order to pluck the fruits that are ripe. The method followed in the +plucking of fruits should be the method in destroying foes, for thou +shouldst proceed on the principle of selection. Bear thy foe upon thy +shoulders till the time cometh when thou canst throw him down, breaking +him into pieces like an earthen pot thrown down with violence upon a stony +surface. The foe must never be let off even though he addresseth thee most +piteously. No pity thou show him but slay him at once. By the arts of +conciliation or the expenditure of money should the foe be slain. By +creating disunion amongst his allies, or by the employment of force, +indeed by every means in thy power shouldst thou destroy thy foe." + +"'Dhritarashtra said, "Tell me truly how a foe can be destroyed by the arts +of conciliation or the expenditure of money, or by producing disunion or +by the employment of force." + +"'Kanika replied, "Listen, O monarch, to the history of a jackal dwelling +in days of yore in the forest and fully acquainted with the science of +politics. There was a wise jackal, mindful of his own interests who lived +in the company of four friends, viz., a tiger, a mouse, a wolf, and a +mongoose. One day they saw in the woods a strong deer, the leader of a +herd, whom, however, they could not seize for his fleetness and strength. +They thereupon called a council for consultation. The jackal opening the +proceedings said, 'O tiger, thou hast made many an effort to seize this +deer, but all in vain simply because this deer is young, fleet and very +intelligent. Let now the mouse go and eat into its feet when it lieth +asleep. And when this is done, let the tiger approach and seize it. Then +shall we all, with great pleasure feast on it.' Hearing these words of the +jackal, they all set to work very cautiously as he directed. And the mouse +ate into the feet of the deer and the tiger killed it as anticipated. And +beholding the body of the deer lying motionless on the ground, the jackal +said unto his companions, 'Blessed be ye! Go and perform your ablutions. +In the meantime I will look after the deer.' Hearing what the jackal said, +they all went into a stream. And the jackal waited there, deeply +meditating upon what he should do. The tiger endued with great strength, +returned first of all to the spot after having performed his ablutions. +And he saw the jackal there plunged in meditation. The tiger said, 'Why +art thou so sorrowful, O wise one! Thou art the foremost of all +intelligent beings. Let us enjoy ourselves today by feasting on this +carcass.' The jackal said, 'Hear, O mighty-armed one, what the mouse hath +said. He hath even said, "O, fie on the strength of the king of the +beasts! This deer hath been slain by me. By might of my arm he will today +gratify his hunger." When he hath boasted in such a language, I, for my +part, do not wish to touch this food.' The tiger replied, 'If, indeed, +the mouse hath said so, my sense is now awakened. I shall, from this day, +slay with the might of my own arms, creatures ranging the forest and then +feast on their flesh.' Having said this, the tiger went away. + +"'"And after the tiger had left the spot, the mouse came. And seeing the +mouse come, the jackal addressed him and said, 'Blest be thou, O mouse, +but listen to what the mongoose hath said. He hath even said, "The carcass +of this deer is poison (the tiger having touched it with his claws). I +will not eat of it. On the other hand, if thou, O jackal, permittest it, I +will even slay the mouse and feast on him."' Hearing this the mouse became +alarmed and quickly entered his hole. And after the mouse had gone, the +wolf, O king, came there having performed his ablutions. And seeing the +wolf come, the jackal said unto him, 'The king of the beasts hath been +angry with thee. Evil is certain to overtake thee. He is expected here +with his wife. Do as thou pleasest.' Thus was the wolf also, fond of +animal flesh, got rid of by the jackal. And the wolf fled, contracting his +body into the smallest dimensions. It was then that the mongoose came. And, +O king, the jackal, seeing him come, said, 'By the might of my arm have I +defeated the others who have already fled. Fight with me first and then +eat of this flesh as you please.' The mongoose replied, 'When, indeed, the +tiger, the wolf, and the intelligent mouse have all been defeated by thee, +heroes as they are, thou seemest to be a greater hero still. I do not +desire to fight with thee.' Saying this, the mongoose also went away." + +"'Kanika continued, "When they all had thus left the place, the jackal, +well-pleased with the success of his policy, alone ate up that flesh. If +kings always act in this way, they can be happy. Thus should the timid by +exciting their fears, the courageous by the arts of conciliation, the +covetous by gift of wealth, and equals and inferiors by exhibition of +prowess be brought under thy sway. Besides all this, O king, that I have +said, listen now to something else that I say." + +"'Kanika continued, "If thy son, friend, brother, father, or even the +spiritual preceptor, anyone becometh thy foe, thou shouldst, if desirous +of prosperity, slay him without scruples. By curses and incantations, by +gift of wealth, by poison, or by deception, the foe should be slain. He +should never be neglected from disdain. If both the parties be equal and +success uncertain, then he that acteth with diligence groweth in +prosperity. If the spiritual preceptor himself be vain, ignorant of what +should be done and what left undone, and vicious in his ways, even he +should be chastised. If thou art angry, show thyself as if thou art not so, +speaking even then with a smile on thy lips. Never reprove any one with +indications of anger (in thy speech). And O Bharata, speak soft words +before thou smitest and even while thou art smiting! After the smiting is +over, pity the victim, and grieve for him, and even shed tears. Comforting +thy foe by conciliation, by gift of wealth, and smooth behaviour, thou +must smite him when he walketh not aright. Thou shouldst equally smite the +heinous offender who liveth by the practice of virtue, for the garb of +virtue simply covereth his offences like black clouds covering the +mountains. Thou shouldst burn the house of that person whom thou punishest +with death. And thou shouldst never permit beggars and atheists and +thieves to dwell in thy kingdom. By a sudden sally or pitched battle, by +poison or by corrupting his allies, by gift of wealth, by any means in thy +power, thou shouldst destroy thy foe. Thou mayest act with the greatest +cruelty. Thou shouldst make thy teeth sharp to give a fatal bite. And thou +should ever smite so effectually that thy foe may not again raise his head. +Thou shouldst ever stand in fear of even one from whom there is no fear, +not to speak of him from whom there is such. For if the first be ever +powerful he may destroy thee to the root (for thy unpreparedness). Thou +shouldst never trust the faithless, nor trust too much those that are +faithful, for if those in whom thou confidest prove thy foes, thou art +certain to be annihilated. After testing their faithfulness thou shouldst +employ spies in thy own kingdom and in the kingdoms of others. Thy spies +in foreign kingdoms should be apt deceivers and persons in the garb of +ascetics. Thy spies should be placed in gardens, places of amusement, +temples and other holy places, drinking halls, streets, and with the +(eighteen) tirthas (viz., the minister, the chief priest, the heir- +presumptive, the commander-in-chief, the gate-keepers of the court, +persons in the inner apartments, the jailor, the chief surveyor, the head +of the treasury, the general executant of orders, the chief of the town +police, the chief architect, the chief justice, the president of the +council, the chief of the punitive department, the commander of the fort, +the chief of the arsenal, the chief of the frontier guards, and the keeper +of the forests), and in places of sacrifice, near wells, on mountains and +in rivers, in forests, and in all places where people congregate. In +speech thou shouldst ever be humble, but let thy heart be ever sharp as +razor. And when thou art engaged in doing even a very cruel and terrible +act, thou shouldst talk with smiles on thy lips. If desirous of prosperity, +thou shouldst adopt all arts--humility, oath, conciliation, worshipping +the feet of others by lowering thy head, inspiring hope, and the like. And, +a person conversant with the rules of policy is like a tree decked with +flowers but bearing no fruit; or, if bearing fruit, these must be at a +great height not easily attainable from the ground; and if any of these +fruits seem to be ripe care must be taken to make it appear raw. +Conducting himself in such a way, he shall never fade. Virtue, wealth and +pleasure have both their evil and good effects closely knit together. +While extracting the effects that are good, those that are evil should be +avoided. Those that practise virtue (incessantly) are made unhappy for +want of wealth and the neglect of pleasure. Those again in pursuit of +wealth are made unhappy for the neglect of two others. And so those who +pursue pleasure suffer for their inattention to virtue and wealth. +Therefore, thou shouldst pursue virtue, wealth and pleasure, in such a way +that thou mayest not have to suffer therefrom. With humiliation and +attention, without jealousy and solicitous of accomplishing thy purpose, +shouldst thou, in all sincerity, consult with the Brahmanas. When thou art +fallen, thou shouldst raise thyself by any means, gentle or violent; and +after thou hast thus raised thyself thou shouldst practise virtue. He that +hath never been afflicted with calamity can never have prosperity. This +may be seen in the life of one who surviveth his calamities. He that is +afflicted with sorrow should be consoled by the recitation of the history +of persons of former times (like those of Nala and Rama). He whose heart +hath been unstrung by sorrow should be consoled with hopes of future +prosperity. He again who is learned and wise should be consoled by +pleasing offices presently rendered unto him. He who, having concluded a +treaty with an enemy, reposeth at ease as if he hath nothing more to do, +is very like a person who awaketh, fallen down from the top of a tree +whereon he had slept. A king should ever keep to himself his counsels +without fear of calumny, and while beholding everything with the eyes of +his spies, he should take care to conceal his own emotions before the +spies of his enemies. Like a fisherman who becometh prosperous by catching +and killing fish, a king can never grow prosperous without tearing the +vitals of his enemy and without doing some violent deeds. The might of thy +foe, as represented by his armed force, should ever be completely +destroyed, by ploughing it up (like weeds) and mowing it down and +otherwise afflicting it by disease, starvation, and want of drink. A +person in want never approacheth (from love) one in affluence; and when +one's purpose hath been accomplished, one hath no need to approach him +whom he had hitherto looked to for its accomplishment. Therefore, when +thou doest anything never do it completely, but ever leave something to be +desired for by others (whose services thou mayest need). One who is +desirous of prosperity should with diligence seek allies and means, and +carefully conduct his wars. His exertions in these respects should always +be guided by prudence. A prudent king should ever act in such a way that +friends and foes may never know his motive before the commencement of his +acts. Let them know all when the act hath been commenced or ended, and as +long as danger doth not come, so long only shall thou act as if thou art +afraid. But when it hath overtaken thee, thou must grapple with it +courageously. He who trusteth in a foe who hath been brought under +subjection by force, summoneth his own death as a crab by her act of +conception. Thou shouldst always reckon the future act as already arrived +(and concert measures for meeting it), else, from want of calmness caused +by haste, thou mayest overlook an important point in meeting it when it is +before thee. A person desirous of prosperity should always exert with +prudence, adopting his measures to time and place. He should also act with +an eye to destiny as capable of being regulated by mantras and sacrificial +rites; and to virtue, wealth, and pleasure. It is well-known that time and +place (if taken into consideration) always produce the greatest good. If +the foe is insignificant, he should not yet be despised, for he may soon +grow like a palmyra tree extending its roots or like a spark of fire in +the deep woods that may soon burst into an extensive conflagration. As a +little fire gradually fed with faggots soon becometh capable of consuming +even the biggest blocks, so the person who increaseth his power by making +alliances and friendships soon becometh capable of subjugating even the +most formidable foe. The hope thou givest unto thy foe should be long +deferred before it is fulfilled; and when the time cometh for its +fulfilment, invent some pretext for deferring it still. Let that pretext +be shown as founded upon some reason, and let that reason itself be made +to appear as founded on some other reason. Kings should, in the matter of +destroying their foes, ever resemble razors in every particular; unpitying +as these are sharp, hiding their intents as these are concealed in their +leathern cases, striking when the opportunity cometh as these are used on +proper occasions, sweeping off their foes with all their allies and +dependants as these shave the head or the chin without leaving a single +hair. O supporter of the dignity of the Kurus, bearing thyself towards the +Pandavas and others also as policy dictateth, act in such a way that thou +mayest not have to grieve in future. Well do I know that thou art endued +with every blessing, and possessed of every mark of good fortune. +Therefore, O king, protect thyself from the sons of Pandu! O king, the +sons of Pandu are stronger than their cousins (thy sons); therefore, O +chastiser of foes, I tell thee plainly what thou shouldst do. Listen to it, +O king, with thy children, and having listened to it, exert yourselves (to +do the needful). O king, act in such a way that there may not be any fear +for thee from the Pandavas. Indeed, adopt such measures consonant with the +science of policy that thou mayest not have to grieve in the future." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having delivered himself thus Kanika returned to +his abode, while the Kuru king Dhritarashtra became pensive and +melancholy.'" + + +SECTION CXLIII + +(Jatugriha Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the son of Suvala (Sakuni), king Duryodhana, +Duhsasana and Karna, in consultation with one another, formed an evil +conspiracy. With the sanction of Dhritarashtra, the king of the Kurus, +they resolved to burn to death Kunti and her (five) sons. But that wise +Vidura, capable of reading the heart by external signs, ascertained the +intention of these wicked persons by observing their countenances alone. +Then the sinless Vidura, of soul enlightened by true knowledge, and +devoted to the good of the Pandavas, came to the conclusion that Kunti +with her children should fly away from her foes. And providing for that +purpose a boat strong enough to withstand both wind and wave, he addressed +Kunti and said, "This Dhritarashtra hath been born for destroying the fame +and offspring of the (Kuru) race. Of wicked soul, he is about to cast off +eternal virtue. O blessed one, I have kept ready on the stream a boat +capable of withstanding both wind and wave. Escape by it with thy children +from the net that death hath spread around you."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, the illustrious Kunti was +deeply grieved, and with her children, O bull of Bharata's race, stepped +into the boat and went over the Ganges. Then leaving the boat according to +the advice of Vidura, the Pandavas took with them the wealth that had been +given to them (while at Varanavata) by their enemies and safely entered +the deep woods. In the house of lac, however, that had been prepared for +the destruction of the Pandavas, an innocent Nishada woman who had come +there for some purpose, was, with her children burnt to death. And that +worst of Mlechchhas, the wretched Purochana (who was the architect +employed in building the house of lac) was also burnt in the conflagration. +And thus were the sons of Dhirtarashtra with their counsellors deceived in +their expectations. And thus also were the illustrious Pandavas, by the +advice of Vidura, saved with their mother. But the people (of Varanavata) +knew not of their safety. And the citizens of Varanavata, seeing the house +of lac consumed (and believing the Pandavas to have been burnt to death) +became exceedingly sorry. And they sent messengers unto king Dhritarashtra +to represent everything that had happened. And they said to the monarch, +"Thy great end hath been achieved! Thou hast at last burnt the Pandavas to +death! Thy desire fulfilled, enjoy with thy children. O king of the Kurus, +the kingdom." Hearing this, Dhritarashtra with his children, made a show +of grief, and along with his relatives, including Kshattri (Vidura) and +Bhishma the foremost of the Kurus, performed the last honours of the +Pandavas.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'O best of Brahmanas, I desire to hear in full this +history of the burning of the house of lac and the escape of the Pandavas +there from. That was a cruel act of theirs (the Kurus), acting under the +counsels of the wicked (Kanika). Recite the history to me of all that +happened. I am burning with curiosity to hear it.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O chastiser of all foes, listen to me, O monarch, as +I recite the (history of the) burning of the house of lac and the escape +of the Pandavas. The wicked Duryodhana, beholding Bhimasena surpass +(everybody) in strength and Arjuna highly accomplished in arms became +pensive and sad. Then Karna, the offspring of the Sun, and Sakuni, the son +of Suvala, endeavoured by various means to compass the death of the +Pandavas. The Pandavas too counteracted all those contrivances one after +another, and in obedience to the counsels of Vidura, never spoke of them +afterwards. Then the citizens, beholding the sons of Pandu possessed of +accomplishments, began, O Bharata, to speak of them in all places of +public resort. And assembled in courtyards and other places of gathering, +they talked of the eldest son of Pandu (Yudhishthira) as possessed of the +qualifications for ruling the kingdom. And they said, "Dhritarashtra, +though possessed of the eye of knowledge, having been (born) blind, had +not obtained the kingdom before. How can he (therefore) become king now? +Then Bhishma, the son of Santanu, of rigid vows and devoted to truth, +having formerly relinquished the sovereignty would never accept it now. We +shall, therefore, now install (on the throne) with proper ceremonies the +eldest of the Pandavas endued with youth, accomplished in battle, versed +in the Vedas, and truthful and kind. Worshipping Bhishma, the son of +Santanu and Dhritarashtra conversant with the rules of morality, he will +certainly maintain the former and the latter with his children in every +kind of enjoyment." + +"'The wretched Duryodhana, hearing these words of the parting partisans of +Yudhishthira, became very much distressed. Deeply afflicted, the wicked +prince could not put up with those speeches. Inflamed with jealousy, he +went unto Dhritarashtra, and finding him alone he saluted him with +reverence and distressed at (the sight of) the partiality of the citizens +for Yudhishthira, he addressed the monarch and said, "O father, I have +heard the parting citizens utter words of ill omen. Passing thee by, and +Bhishma too, they desire the son of Pandu to be their king. Bhishma will +sanction this, for he will not rule the kingdom. It seems, therefore, that +the citizens are endeavouring to inflict a great injury on us. Pandu +obtained of old the ancestral kingdom by virtue of his own accomplishments, +but thou, from blindness, didst not obtain the kingdom, though fully +qualified to have it. If Pandu's son now obtaineth the kingdom as his +inheritance from Pandu, his son will obtain it after him and that son's +son also, and so on will it descend in Pandu's line. In that case, O king +of the world, ourselves with our children, excluded from the royal line, +shall certainly be disregarded by all men. Therefore, O monarch, adopt +such counsels that we may not suffer perpetual distress, becoming +dependent on others for our food. O king, if thou hadst obtained the +sovereignty before, we would certainly have succeeded to it, however much +the people might be unfavourable to us."'" + + +SECTION CXLIV + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Dhritarashtra whose knowledge only was his +eyes, on hearing these words of his son and recollecting everything that +Kanika had said unto him, became afflicted with sorrow, and his mind also +thereupon began to waver. Then Duryodhana and Karna, and Sakuni, the son +of Suvala, and Duhsasana as their fourth, held a consultation together. +Prince Duryodhana said unto Dhritarashtra, "Send, O father, by some clever +contrivance, the Pandavas to the town of Varanavata. We shall then have no +fear of them." Dhritarashtra, on hearing these words uttered by his son, +reflected for a moment and replied unto Duryodhana, saying, "Pandu, ever +devoted to virtue, always behaved dutifully towards all his relatives but +particularly towards me. He cared very little for the enjoyments of the +world, but devotedly gave everything unto me, even the kingdom. His son is +as much devoted to virtue as he, and is possessed of every accomplishment. +Of world-wide fame, he is again the favourite of the people. He is +possessed of allies; how can we by force exile him from his ancestral +kingdom? The counsellors and soldiers (of the state) and their sons and +grandsons have all been cherished and maintained by Pandu. Thus benefited +of old by Pandu, shall not, O child, the citizens slay us with all our +friends and relatives now on account of Yudhishthira?" + +"'Duryodhana replied, "What thou sayest, O father, is perfectly true. But +in view of the evil that is looming on the future as regards thyself, if +we conciliate the people with wealth and honours, they would assuredly +side with us for these proofs of our power. The treasury and the ministers +of state, O king, are at this moment under our control. Therefore, it +behoveth thee now to banish, by some gentle means, the Pandavas to the +town of Varanavata; O king, when the sovereignty shall have been vested in +me, then, O Bharata, may Kunti with her children come back from that +place." + +"'Dhritarashtra replied, "This, O Duryodhana, is the very thought existing +in my mind. But from its sinfulness I have never given expression to it. +Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Kshattri, nor Gautama (Kripa) will ever +sanction the exile of the Pandavas. In their eyes, O dear son, amongst the +Kurus ourselves and the Pandavas are equal. Those wise and virtuous +persons will make no difference between us. If therefore, we behave so +towards the Pandavas, shall we not, O son, deserve death at the hands of +the Kurus, of these illustrious personages, and of the whole world?" + +"'Duryodhana answered, "Bhishma hath no excess of affection for either +side, and will, therefore, be neutral (in case of dispute). The son of +Drona (Aswatthaman) is on my side. There is no doubt that where the son is, +there the father will be. Kripa, the son of Saradwat, must be on the side +on which Drona and Aswatthaman are. He will never abandon Drona and his +sister's son (Aswatthaman). Kshattri (Vidura) is dependent on us for his +means of life, though he is secretly with the foe. If he sides with the +Pandavas, he alone can do us no injury, Therefore, exile thou the Pandavas +to Varanavata without any fear. And take such steps that they may go +thither this very day. By this act, O father, extinguish the grief that +consumeth me like a blazing fire, that robbeth me of sleep, and that +pierces my heart even like a terrible dart."'" + + +SECTION CXLV + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then prince Duryodhana, along with his brothers +began to gradually win over the people to his side by grants of wealth +and honours. Meanwhile, some clever councillors, instructed by +Dhritarashtra, one day began to describe (in court) the town of +Varanavata as a charming place. And they said, "The festival of Pasupati +(Siva) hath commenced in the town of Varanavata. The concourse of people +is great and the procession is the most delightful of all ever witnessed +on earth. Decked with every ornament, it charmed the hearts of all +spectators." Thus did those councillors, instructed by Dhritarashtra, +speak of Varanavata, and whilst they were so speaking, the Pandavas, O +king, felt the desire of going to that delightful town. And when the +king (Dhritarashtra) ascertained that the curiosity of the Pandavas had +been awakened, the son of Ambika addressed them, saying, "These men of +mine often speak of Varanavata as the most delightful town in the world. +If therefore, ye children, ye desire to witness that festival, go to +Varanavata with your followers and friends and enjoy yourselves there +like the celestials. And give ye away pearls and gems unto the Brahmanas +and the musicians (that may be assembled there). And sporting there for +some time as ye please like the resplendent celestials and enjoying as +much pleasure as ye like, return ye to Hastinapura again."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Yudhishthira, fully understanding the motives of +Dhritarashtra and considering that he himself was weak and friendless, +replied unto the king, saying, "So be it." Then addressing Bhishma, the +son of Santanu, the wise Vidura, Drona, Valhika, the Kaurava, Somadatta, +Kripa, Aswatthaman, Bhurisravas, and the other councillors, and Brahmanas +and ascetics, and the priests and the citizens, and the illustrious +Gandhari, he said slowly and humbly, "With our friends and followers we go +to the delightful and populous town of Varanavata at the command of +Dhritarashtra. Cheerfully give us your benedictions so that acquiring +prosperity, therewith we may not be touched by sin." Thus addressed by the +eldest of Pandu's sons, the Kaurava chiefs all cheerfully pronounced +blessings on them, saying, "Ye sons of Pandu, let all the elements bless +you along your way and let not the slightest evil befall you." + +"'The Pandavas, having performed propitiatory rites for obtaining (their +share of) the kingdom, and finishing their preparations, set out for +Varanavata.'" + + +SECTION CXLVI + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The wicked Duryodhana became very pleased when the +king, O Bharata, had said so unto the Pandavas. And, O bull of Bharata's +race, Duryodhana, then, summoning his counsellor Purochana in private, took +hold of his right hand and said, "O Purochana, this world, so full of +wealth, is mine. But it is thine equally with me. It behoveth thee, +therefore, to protect it. I have no more trustworthy counsellor than thee +with whom to consult. Therefore, O sire, keep my counsel and exterminate +my foes by a clever device. O, do as I bid thee. The Pandavas have, by +Dhritarashtra, been sent to Varanavata, where they will, at +Dhritarashtra's command, enjoy themselves during the festivities. Do that +by which thou mayest this very day reach Varanavata in a car drawn by +swift mules. Repairing thither, cause thou to be erected a quadrangular +palace in the neighbourhood of the arsenal, rich in the materials and +furniture, and guard thou the mansion well (with prying eyes). And use +thou (in erecting that house) hemp and resin and all other inflammable +materials that are procurable. And mixing a little earth with clarified +butter and oil and fat and a large quantity of lac, make thou a plaster +for lining the walls, and scatter thou all around that house hemp and oil +and clarified butter and lac and wood in such a way that the Pandavas, or +any others, may not, even with scrutiny behold them there or conclude the +house to be an inflammable one. And having erected such mansion, cause +thou the Pandavas, after worshipping them with great reverence, to dwell +in it with Kunti and all their friends. And place thou there seats and +conveyances and beds, all of the best workmanship, for the Pandavas, so +that Dhritarashtra may have no reason to complain. Thou must also so +manage it all that none of Varanavata may know anything till the end we +have in view is accomplished. And assuring thyself that the Pandavas are +sleeping within in confidence and without fear, thou must then set fire to +that mansion beginning at the outer door. The Pandavas thereupon must be +burnt to death, but the people will say that they have been burnt in (an +accidental) conflagration of their house." + +"'Saying, "So be it" unto the Kuru prince, Purochana repaired to Varanavata +in a car drawn by fleet mules. And going thither, O king, without loss of +time, obedient to the instructions of Duryodhana, did everything that the +prince had bid him do.'" + + +SECTION CXLVII + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile the Pandavas got into their cars, yoking +thereto some fine horses endued with the speed of wind. While they were on +the point of entering their cars, they touched, in great sorrow, the feet +of Bhishma, of king Dhritarashtra, of the illustrious Drona, of Kripa, of +Vidura and of the other elders of the Kuru race. Then saluting with +reverence all the older men, and embracing their equals, receiving the +farewell of even the children, and taking leave of all the venerable +ladies in their household, and walking round them respectfully, and +bidding farewell unto all the citizens, the Pandavas, ever mindful of +their vows, set out for Varanavata. And Vidura of great wisdom and the +other bulls among the Kurus and the citizens also, from great affliction, +followed those tigers among men to some distance. And some amongst the +citizens and the country people, who followed the Pandavas, afflicted +beyond measure at beholding the sons of Pandu in such distress, began to +say aloud, "King Dhritarashtra of wicked soul seeth no things with the +same eye. The Kuru monarch casteth not his eye on virtue. Neither the +sinless Yudhishthira, nor Bhima the foremost of mighty men, nor Dhananjaya +the (youngest) son of Kunti, will ever be guilty (of the sin of waging a +rebellious war). When these will remain quiet, how shall the illustrious +son of Madri do anything? Having inherited the kingdom from their father, +Dhritarashtra could not bear them. How is that Bhishma who suffers the +exile of the Pandavas to that wretched place, sanctions this act of great +injustice? Vichitravirya, the son of Santanu, and the royal sage Pandu of +Kuru's race both cherished us of old with fatherly care. But now that +Pandu that tiger among men, hath ascended to heaven, Dhritarashtra cannot +bear with these princes his children. We who do not sanction this exile +shall all go, leaving this excellent town and our own homes, where +Yudhishthira will go." + +"'Unto those distressed citizens talking in this way, the virtuous +Yudhishthira, himself afflicted with sorrow, reflecting for a few moments +said, "The king is our father, worthy of regard, our spiritual guide, and +our superior. To carry out with unsuspicious hearts whatever he biddeth, +is indeed, our duty. Ye are our friends. Walking round us and making us +happy by your blessings, return ye to your abodes. When the time cometh +for anything to be done for us by you, then, indeed, accomplish all that +is agreeable and beneficial to us." Thus addressed, the citizens walked +round the Pandavas and blessed them with their blessings and returned to +their respective abodes. + +"'And after the citizens had ceased following the Pandavas, Vidura, +conversant with all the dictates of morality, desirous of awakening the +eldest of the Pandavas (to a sense of his dangers), addressed him in these +words. The learned Vidura, conversant with the jargon (of the Mlechchhas), +addressed the learned Yudhishthira who also was conversant with the same +jargon, in the words of the Mlechchha tongue, so as to be unintelligible +to all except Yudhishthira. He said, "He that knoweth the schemes his foes +contrive in accordance with the dictates of political science, should, +knowing them, act in such a way as to avoid all danger. He that knoweth +that there are sharp weapons capable of cutting the body though not made +of steel, and understandeth also the means of warding them off, can never +be injured by foes. He liveth who protecteth himself by the knowledge that +neither the consumer of straw and wood nor the drier of the dew burneth +the inmates of a hole in the deep woods. The blind man seeth not his way: +the blind man hath no knowledge of direction. He that hath no firmness +never acquireth prosperity. Remembering this, be upon your guard. The man +who taketh a weapon not made of steel (i.e., an inflammable abode) given +him by his foes, can escape from fire by making his abode like unto that +of a jackal (having many outlets). By wandering a man may acquire the +knowledge of ways, and by the stars he can ascertain the direction, and he +that keepeth his five (senses) under control can never be oppressed by his +enemies." + +"'Thus addressed, Pandu's son, Yudhishthira the just replied unto Vidura, +that foremost of all learned men, saying, "I have understood thee." Then +Vidura, having instructed the Pandavas and followed them (thus far), +walked around them and bidding them farewell returned to his own abode. +When the citizens and Bhishma and Vidura had all ceased following, Kunti +approached Yudhishthira and said, "The words that Kshattri said unto thee +in the midst of many people so indistinctly as if he did not say anything, +and thy reply also to him in similar words and voice, we have not +understood. If it is not improper for us to know them I should then like +to hear everything that had passed between him and thee." + +"'Yudhishthira replied, "The virtuous Vidura said unto me that we should +know that the mansion (for our accommodation at Varanavata) hath been +built of inflammable materials. He said unto me, 'The path of escape too +shall not be unknown to thee,'--and further,--'Those that can control +their senses can acquire the sovereignty of the whole world.'--The reply +that I gave unto Vidura was, 'I have understood thee.'"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Pandavas set out on the eighth day of the +month of Phalguna when the star Rohini was in the ascendant, and arriving +at they beheld the town and the people.'" + + +SECTION CXLVIII + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the citizens (of Varanavata) on hearing that +the son of Pandu had come, were filled with joy at the tidings, speedily +came out of Varanavata, in vehicles of various kinds numbering by +thousands, taking with them every auspicious article as directed by the +Sastras, for receiving those foremost of men. And the people of Varanavata, +approaching the sons of Kunti blessed them by uttering the Jaya and stood +surrounding them. That tiger among men, viz., the virtuous Yudhishthira +thus surrounded by them looked resplendent like him having the thunderbolt +in his hands (viz., Indra) in the midst of the celestials. And those +sinless ones, welcomed by the citizens and welcoming the citizens in +return, then entered the populous town of Varanavata decked with every +ornament. Entering the town those heroes first went, O monarch, to the +abodes of Brahmanas engaged in their proper duties. Those foremost of men +then went to the abodes of the officials of the town, and then of the +Sutas and the Vaisyas and then to those of even the Sudras. O bull of +Bharata's race, thus adored by the citizens, the Pandavas at last went +with Purochana going before them, to the palace that had been built for +them. Purochana then began to place before them food and drink and beds +and carpets, all of the first and most agreeable order. The Pandavas +attired in costly robes, continued to live there, adored by Purochana and +the people having their homes in Varanavata. + +"'After the Pandavas had thus lived for ten nights, Purochana spoke to them +of the mansion (he had built) called "The Blessed Home," but in reality +the cursed house. Then those tigers among men, attired in costly dress, +entered that mansion at the instance of Purochana like Guhyakas entering +the palace (of Siva) on the Kailasa mount. The foremost of all virtuous +men, Yudhishthira, inspecting the house, said unto Bhima that it was +really built of inflammable materials. Smelling the scent of fat mixed +with clarified butter and preparations of lac, he said unto Bhima, "O +chastiser of foes, this house is truly built of inflammable materials! +Indeed, it is apparent that such is the case! The enemy, it is evident, by +the aid of trusted artists well-skilled in the construction of houses, +have finely built this mansion, after procuring hemp, resin, heath, straw, +and bamboos, all soaked in clarified butter. This wicked wretch, Purochana, +acting under the instruction of Duryodhana, stayeth here with the object +of burning me to death when he seeth me trustful. But, O son of Pritha, +Vidura of great intelligence, knew of this danger, and, therefore, hath +warned me of it beforehand. Knowing it all, that youngest uncle of ours, +ever wishing our good from affection hath told us that this house, so full +of danger, hath been constructed by the wretches under Duryodhana acting +in secrecy." + +"'Hearing this, Bhima replied, "If, sir, you know this house to be so +inflammable, it would then be well for us to return thither where we had +taken up our quarters first." Yudhishthira replied, "It seems to me that +we should rather continue to live here in seeming unsuspiciousness but all +the while with caution and our senses wide awake and seeking for some +certain means of escape. If Purochana findeth from our countenances that +we have fathomed designs, acting with haste he may suddenly burn us to +death. Indeed, Purochana careth little for obloquy or sin. The wretch +stayeth here acting under the instruction of Duryodhana. If we are burnt +to death, will our grandfather Bhishma be angry? Why will he, by showing +his wrath, make the Kauravas angry with him? Or, perhaps, our grandfather +Bhishma and the other bull of Kuru's race, regarding indignation at such a +sinful act to be virtuous, may become wrathful. If however, from fear of +being burnt, we fly from here, Duryodhana, ambitious of sovereignty will +certainly compass our death by means of spies. While we have no rank and +power, Duryodhana hath both; while we have no friends and allies, +Duryodhana hath both; while we are without wealth, Duryodhana hath at his +command a full treasury. Will he not, therefore, certainly destroy us by +adopting adequate means? Let us, therefore, by deceiving this wretch +(Purochana) and that other wretch Duryodhana, pass our days, disguising +ourselves at times. Let us also lead a hunting life, wandering over the +earth. We shall then, if we have to escape our enemies, be familiar with +all paths. We shall also, this very day, cause a subterranean passage to +be dug in our chamber in great secrecy. If we act in this way, concealing +what we do from all, fire shall never be able to consume us. We shall live +here, actively doing everything for our safety but with such privacy that +neither Purochana nor any of the citizens of Varanavata may know what we +are after."'" + + +SECTION CXLIX + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'A friend of Vidura's, well-skilled in mining, +coming unto the Pandavas, addressed them in secret, saying, "I have been +sent by Vidura and am a skilful miner. I am to serve the Pandavas. Tell me +what I am to do for ye. From the trust he reposeth in me Vidura hath said +unto me, 'Go thou unto the Pandavas and accomplish thou their good.' What +shall I do for you? Purochana will set fire to the door of thy house on +the fourteenth night of this dark fortnight. To burn to death those tigers +among men, the Pandavas, with their mother, is the design of that wicked +wretch, the son of Dhritarashtra. O son of Pandu, Vidura also told thee +something in the Mlechchha tongue to which thou also didst reply in same +language. I state these particulars as my credentials." Hearing these +words, Yudhishthira, the truthful son of Kunti replied, "O amiable one, I +now know thee as a dear and trusted friend of Vidura, true and ever +devoted to him. There is nothing that the learned Vidura doth not know. As +his, so ours art thou. Make no difference between him and us. We are as +much thine as his. O, protect us as the learned Vidura ever protecteth us. +I know that this house, so inflammable, hath been contrived for me by +Purochana at the command of Dhritarashtra's son. That wicked wretch +commanding wealth and allies pursueth us without intermission. O, save us +with a little exertion from the impending conflagration. If we are burnt +to death here, Duryodhana's most cherished desire will be satisfied. Here +is that wretch's well-furnished arsenal. This large mansion hath been +built abutting the high ramparts of the arsenal without any outlet. But +this unholy contrivance of Duryodhana was known to Vidura from the first, +and he it was who enlightened us beforehand. The danger of which Kshattri +had foreknowledge is now at our door. Save us from it without Purochana's +knowledge thereof." On hearing these words, the miner said, "So be it," +and carefully beginning his work of excavation, made a large subterranean +passage. And the mouth of that passage was in the centre of that house, +and it was on a level with the floor and closed up with planks. The mouth +was so covered from fear of Purochana, that wicked wretch who kept a +constant watch at the door of the house. The Pandavas used to sleep within +their chambers with arms ready for use, while, during the day, they went a- +hunting from forest to forest. Thus, O king, they lived (in that mansion) +very guardedly, deceiving Purochana by a show of trustfulness and +contentment while in reality they were trustless and discontented. Nor did +the citizens of Varanavata know anything about these plans of the Pandavas. +In fact, none else knew of them except Vidura's friend, that good miner.'" + + +SECTION CL + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Seeing the Pandavas living there cheerfully and +without suspicion for a full year, Purochana became exceedingly glad. And +beholding Purochana so very glad, Yudhishthira, the virtuous son of Kunti, +addressing Bhima and Arjuna and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) said, "The +cruel-hearted wretch hath been well-deceived. I think the time is come for +our escape. Setting fire to the arsenal and burning Purochana to death and +letting his body lie here, let us, six persons, fly hence unobserved by +all!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then on the occasion of an almsgiving, O king, +Kunti fed on a certain night a large number of Brahmanas. There came also +a number of ladies who while eating and drinking, enjoyed there as they +pleased, and with Kunti's leave returned to their respective homes. +Desirous of obtaining food, there came, as though impelled by fate, to +that feast, in course of her wanderings, a Nishada woman, the mother of +five children, accompanied by all her sons. O king, she, and her children, +intoxicated with the wine they drank, became incapable. Deprived of +consciousness and more dead than alive, she with all her sons lay down in +that mansion to sleep. Then when all the inmates of the house lay down to +sleep, there began to blow a violent wind in the night. Bhima then set +fire to the house just where Purochana was sleeping. Then the son of Pandu +set fire to the door of that house of lac. Then he set fire to the mansion +in several parts all around. Then when the sons of Pandu were satisfied +that the house had caught fire in several parts those chastisers of foes +with their mother, entered the subterranean passage without losing any +time. Then the heat and the roar of the fire became intense and awakened +the townspeople. Beholding the house in flames, the citizens with +sorrowful faces began to say, "The wretch (Purochana) of wicked soul had +under the instruction of Duryodhana built his house for the destruction of +his employer's relatives. He indeed hath set fire to it. O, fie on +Dhritarashtra's heart which is so partial. He hath burnt to death, as if +he were their foe, the sinless heirs of Pandu! O, the sinful and wicked- +souled (Purochana) who hath burnt those best of men, the innocent and +unsuspicious princes, hath himself been burnt to death as fate would have +it."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The citizens of Varanavata thus bewailed (the +fate of the Pandavas), and waited there for the whole night surrounding +that house. The Pandavas, however, accompanied by their mother coming out +of the subterranean passage, fled in haste unnoticed. But those chastisers +of foes, for sleepiness and fear, could not with their mother proceed in +haste. But, O monarch, Bhimasena, endued with terrible prowess and +swiftness of motion took upon his body all his brothers and mother and +began to push through the darkness. Placing his mother on his shoulder, +the twins on his sides, and Yudhishthira and Arjuna on both his arms, +Vrikodara of great energy and strength and endued with the speed of the +wind, commenced his march, breaking the trees with his breast and pressing +deep the earth with his stamp.'" + + +SECTION CLI + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'About this time, the learned Vidura had sent into +those woods a man of pure character and much trusted by him. This person +going to where he had been directed, saw the Pandavas with their mother in +the forest employed in a certain place in measuring the depth of a river. +The design that the wicked Duryodhana had formed had been, through his +spies, known to Vidura of great intelligence, and, therefore, he had sent +that prudent person unto the Pandavas. Sent by Vidura unto them, he showed +the Pandavas on the sacred banks of the Ganga a boat with engines and +flags, constructed by trusted artificers and capable of withstanding wind +and wave and endued with the speed of the tempest or of thought. He then +addressed the Pandavas in these words to show that he had really been sent +by Vidura, "O Yudhishthira," he said, "listen to these words the learned +Vidura had said (unto thee) as a proof of the fact that I come from him. +Neither the consumer of straw and the wood nor the drier of dew ever +burneth the inmates of a hole in the forest. He escapeth from death who +protecteth himself knowing this, etc. By these credentials know me to be +the person who has been truly sent by Vidura and to be also his trusted +agent. Vidura, conversant with everything, hath again said, 'O son of +Kunti, thou shalt surely defeat in battle Karna, and Duryodhana with his +brothers, and Sakuni.' This boat is ready on the waters, and it will glide +pleasantly thereon, and shall certainly bear you all from these regions!" + +"'Then beholding those foremost of men with their mother pensive and sad he +caused them to go into the boat that was on the Ganga, and accompanied +them himself. Addressing them again, he said, "Vidura having smelt your +heads and embraced you (mentally), hath said again that in commencing your +auspicious journey and going alone you should never be careless." + +"'Saying these words unto those heroic princes, the person sent by Vidura +took those bulls among men over to the other side of the Ganga in his boat. +And having taken them over the water and seen them all safe on the +opposite bank, he uttered the word "Jaya" (victory) to their success and +then left them and returned to the place whence he had come. + +"'The illustrious Pandavas also sending through that person some message to +Vidura, began, after having crossed the Ganga, to proceed with haste and +in great secrecy.'" + + +SECTION CLII + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, when the night had passed away, a large +concourse of the townspeople came there in haste to see the sons of Pandu. +After extinguishing the fire, they saw that the house just burnt down had +been built of lac in materials and that (Duryodhana's) counsellor +Purochana had been burnt to death. And the people began to bewail aloud +saying, "Indeed, this had been contrived by the sinful Duryodhana for the +destruction of the Pandavas. There is little doubt that Duryodhana hath, +with Dhritarashtra's knowledge, burnt to death the heirs of Pandu, else +the prince would have been prevented by his father. There is little doubt +that even Bhishma, the son of Santanu, and Drona and Vidura and Kripa and +other Kauravas have not, any of them, followed the dictates of duty. Let +us now send to Dhritarashtra to say, 'Thy great desire hath been achieved! +Thou hast burnt to death the Pandavas!'" + +"'They then began to extinguish the members to obtain some trace of the +Pandavas, and they saw the innocent Nishada woman with her five sons burnt +to death. Then the miner sent by Vidura, while removing the ashes, covered +the hole he had dug with those ashes in such a way that it remained +unnoticed by all who had gone there. + +"'The citizens then sent to Dhritarashtra to inform him that the Pandavas +along with (Duryodhana's) counsellor Purochana had been burnt to death. +King Dhritarashtra, on hearing the evil news of the death of the Pandavas, +wept in great sorrow. And he said, "King Pandu, my brother of great fame, +hath, indeed, died today when those heroic sons of his together with their +mother have been burnt to death. Ye men, repair quickly to Varanavata and +cause the funeral rites to be performed of those heroes and of the +daughter of Kuntiraj! Let also the bones of the deceased be sanctified +with the usual rites, and let all the beneficial and great acts (usual on +such occasions) be performed. Let the friends and relatives of those that +have been burnt to death repair thither. Let also all other beneficial +acts that ought, under the circumstances, to be performed by us for the +Pandavas and Kunti be accomplished by wealth." + +"'Having said this, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, surrounded by his +relatives, offered oblations of water to the sons of Pandu. And all of +them, afflicted with excessive sorrow, bewailed aloud, exclaiming, "O +Yudhishthira! Oh prince of the Kuru race!"--While others cried aloud, "Oh, +Bhima!--O Phalguna!"--while some again,--"Oh, the twins!--Oh, Kunti!"-- +Thus did they sorrow for the Pandavas and offer oblations of water unto +them. The citizens also wept for the Pandavas but Vidura did not weep much, +because he knew the truth. + +"'Meanwhile the Pandavas endued with great strength with their mother +forming a company of six going out of the town of Varanavata arrived at +the banks of the Ganga. They then speedily reached the opposite bank aided +by the strength of the boatmen's arms, the rapidity of the river's current, +and a favourable wind. Leaving the boat, they proceeded in the southern +direction finding their way in the dark by the light of the stars. After +much suffering they at last reached, O king, a dense forest. They were +then tired and thirsty; sleep was closing their eyes every moment. Then +Yudhishthira, addressing Bhima endued with great energy, said, "What can +be more painful than this? We are now in the deep woods. We know not which +side is which, nor can we proceed much further. We do not know whether +that wretch Purochana hath or hath not been burnt to death. How shall we +escape from these dangers unseen by others? O Bharata, taking us on +thyself, proceed thou as before. Thou alone amongst us art strong and +swift as the wind." + +"'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira the just, the mighty Bhimasena, taking up +on his body Kunti and his brothers, began to proceed with great +celerity.'" + + +SECTION CLIII + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'As the mighty Bhima proceeded, the whole forest with +its trees and their branches seemed to tremble, in consequence of their +clash with his breast. The motion of his thighs raised a wind like unto +that which blows during the months of Jyaishtha and Ashadha (May and June). +And the mighty Bhima proceeded, making a path for himself, but treading +down the trees and creepers before him. In fact, he broke (by the pressure +of his body) the large trees and plants, with their flowers and fruits, +standing on his way. Even so passeth through the woods breaking down +mighty trees, the leader of a herd of elephants, of the age of sixty years, +angry and endued with excess of energy, during the season of rut when the +liquid juice trickle down the three parts of his body. Indeed, so great +was the force with which Bhima endued with the speed of Garuda or of Marut +(the god of wind), proceeded that the Pandavas seemed to faint in +consequence. Frequently swimming across streams difficult of being crossed, +the Pandavas disguised themselves on their way from fear of the sons of +Dhritarashtra. And Bhima carried on his shoulder his illustrious mother of +delicate sensibilities along the uneven banks of rivers. Towards the +evening, O bull of Bharata's race, Bhima (bearing his brothers and mother +on his back) reached a terrible forest where fruits and roots and water +were scarce and which resounded with the terrible cries of birds and +beasts. The twilight deepened the cries of birds and beasts became fiercer, +darkness shrouded everything from the view and untimely winds began to +blow that broke and laid low many a tree large and small and many creepers +with dry leaves and fruits. The Kaurava princes, afflicted with fatigue +and thirst, and heavy with sleep, were unable to proceed further. They +then all sat down in that forest without food and drink. Then Kunti, +smitten with thirst, said unto her sons, "I am the mother of the five +Pandavas and am now in their midst. Yet I am burning with thirst!" Kunti +repeatedly said this unto her sons. Hearing these words, Bhima's heart, +from affection for his mother, was warmed by compassion and he resolved to +go (along as before). Then Bhima, proceeding through that terrible and +extensive forest without a living soul, saw a beautiful banian tree with +widespreading branches. Setting down there his brothers and mother, O bull +of Bharata's race, he said unto them, "Rest you here, while I go in quest +of water. I hear the sweet cries of aquatic fowls. I think there must be a +large pool here." Commanded, O Bharata, by his elder brother who said unto +him, "Go", Bhima proceeded in the direction whence the cries of those +aquatic fowls were coming. And, O bull of Bharata's race, he soon came +upon a lake and bathed and slaked his thirst. And affectionate unto his +brothers, he brought for them, O Bharata, water by soaking his upper +garments. Hastily retracing his way over those four miles he came unto +where his mother was and beholding her he was afflicted with sorrow and +began to sigh like a snake. Distressed with grief at seeing his mother and +brothers asleep on the bare ground, Vrikodara began to weep, "Oh, wretch +that I am, who behold my brothers asleep on the bare ground, what can +befall me more painful than this? Alas, they who formerly at Varanavata +could not sleep on the softest and costliest beds are now asleep on the +bare ground! Oh, what more painful sight shall I ever behold than that of +Kunti--the sister of Vasudeva, that grinder of hostile hosts--the daughter +of Kuntiraja,--herself decked with every auspicious mark, the daughter-in- +law of Vichitravirya,--the wife of the illustrious Pandu,--the mother of +us (five brothers),--resplendent as the filaments of the lotus and +delicate and tender and fit to sleep on the costliest bed--thus asleep, as +she should never be, on the bare ground! Oh, she who hath brought forth +these sons by Dharma and Indra and Maruta--she who hath ever slept within +palaces--now sleepeth, fatigued, on the bare ground! What more painful +sight shall ever be beheld by me than that of these tigers among men (my +brothers) asleep on the ground! Oh, the virtuous Yudhishthira, who +deserveth the sovereignty of the three worlds, sleepeth, fatigued, like an +ordinary man, on the bare ground! This Arjuna of the darkish hue of blue +clouds, and unequalled amongst men sleepeth on the ground like an ordinary +person! Oh, what can be more painful than this? Oh the twins, who in +beauty are like the twin Aswins amongst the celestials, are asleep like +ordinary mortals on the bare ground! He who hath no jealous evil-minded +relatives, liveth in happiness in this world like a single tree in a +village. The tree that standeth single in a village with its leaves and +fruits, from absence of other of the same species, becometh sacred and is +worshipped and venerated by all. They again that have many relatives who, +however, are all heroic and virtuous, live happily in the world without +sorrow of any kind. Themselves powerful and growing in prosperity and +always gladdening their friends and relatives, they live, depending on +each other, like tall trees growing in the same forest. We, however, have +been forced in exile by the wicked Dhritarashtra and his sons having +escaped with difficulty, from sheer good fortune, a fiery death. Having +escaped from that fire, we are now resting in the shade of this tree. +Having already suffered so much, where now are we to go? Ye sons of +Dhritarashtra of little foresight, ye wicked fellows, enjoy your temporary +success. The gods are certainly auspicious to you. But ye wicked wretches, +ye are alive yet, only because Yudhishthira doth not command me to take +your lives. Else this very day, filled with wrath, I would send thee, (O +Duryodhana), to the of Yama (Pluto) with thy children and friends and +brothers, and Karna, and (Sakuni) the son of Suvala! But what can I do, +for, ye sinful wretches, the virtuous king Yudhishthira, the eldest of the +Pandavas, is not yet angry with you?" + +"'Having said this, Bhima of mighty arms, fired with wrath, began to +squeeze his palms, sighing deeply in affliction. Excited again with wrath +like an extinguished fire blazing up all on a sudden, Vrikodara once more +beheld his brothers sleeping on the ground like ordinary persons sleeping +in trustfulness. And Bhima said unto himself, "I think there is some town +not far off from this forest. These all are asleep, so I will sit awake. +And this will slake their thirst after they rise refreshed from sleep." +Saying this, Bhima sat there awake, keeping watch over his sleeping mother +and brothers.'" + + +SECTION CLIV + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep, +a Rakshasa by name Hidimva dwelt on the Sala tree. Possessed of great +energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage that was grim in +consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was now hungry and longing for +human flesh. Of long shanks and a large belly, his locks and beard were +both red in hue. His shoulders were broad like the neck of a tree; his +ears were like unto arrows, and his features were frightful. Of red eyes +and grim visage, the monster beheld, while casting his glances around, the +sons of Pandu sleeping in those woods. He was then hungry and longing for +human flesh. Shaking his dry and grizzly locks and scratching them with +his fingers pointed upwards, the large-mouthed cannibal repeatedly looked +at the sleeping sons of Pandu yawning wistfully at times. Of huge body and +great strength, of complexion like the colour of a mass of clouds, of +teeth long and sharp-pointed and face emitting a sort of lustre, he was +ever pleased with human flesh. And scenting the odour of man, he addressed +his sister, saying, "O sister, it is after a long time that such agreeable +food hath approached me! My mouth waters at the anticipated relish of such +food. My eight teeth, so sharp-pointed and incapable of being resisted by +any substance, I shall, today, after a long time, put into the most +delicious flesh. Attacking the human throat and even opening the veins, I +shall (today) drink a plentiful quantity of human blood, hot and fresh and +frothy. Go and ascertain who these are, lying asleep in these woods. The +strong scent of man pleaseth my nostrils. Slaughtering all these men, +bring them unto me. They sleep within my territory. Thou needest have no +fear from them. Do my bidding soon, for we shall then together eat their +flesh, tearing off their bodies at pleasure. And after feasting to our +fill on human flesh we shall then dance together to various measures!" + +"'Thus addressed by Hidimva in those woods, Hidimva, the female cannibal, +at the command of her brother, went, O bull of Bharata's race, to the spot +where the Pandavas were. And on going there, she beheld the Pandavas +asleep with their mother and the invincible Bhimasena sitting awake. And +beholding Bhimasena unrivalled on earth for beauty and like unto a +vigorous Sala tree, the Rakshasa woman immediately fell in love with him, +and she said to herself, "This person of hue like heated gold and of +mighty arms, of broad shoulders as the lion, and so resplendent, of neck +marked with three lines like a conch-shell and eyes like lotus-petals, is +worthy of being my husband. I shall not obey the cruel mandate of my +brother. A woman's love for her husband is stronger than her affection for +her brother. If I slay him, my brother's gratification as well as mine +will only be momentary. But if I slay him not, I can enjoy with him for +ever and ever." Thus saying, the Rakshasa woman, capable of assuming form +at will, assumed an excellent human form and began to advance with slow +steps towards Bhima of mighty arms. Decked with celestial ornaments she +advanced with smiles on her lips and a modest gait, and addressing Bhima +said, "O bull among men, whence hast thou come here and who art thou? Who, +besides, are these persons of celestial beauty sleeping here? Who also, O +sinless one, is this lady of transcendent beauty sleeping so trustfully in +these woods as if she were lying in her own chamber? Dost thou not know +that this forest is the abode of a Rakshasa. Truly do I say, here liveth +the wicked Rakshasa called Hidimva. Ye beings of celestial beauty, I have +been sent hither even by that Rakshasa--my brother--with the cruel intent +of killing you for his food. But I tell thee truly that beholding thee +resplendent as a celestial, I would have none else for my husband save +thee! Thou who art acquainted with all duties, knowing this, do unto me +what is proper. My heart as well as my body hath been pierced by (the +shafts of) Kama (Cupid). O, as I am desirous of obtaining thee, make me +thine. O thou of mighty arms, I will rescue thee from the Rakshasa who +eateth human flesh. O sinless one, be thou my husband. We shall then live +on the breasts of mountains inaccessible to ordinary mortals. I can range +the air and I do so at pleasure. Thou mayest enjoy great felicity with me +in those regions." + +"'Hearing these words of hers, Bhima replied, "O Rakshasa woman, who can, +like a Muni having all his passions under control, abandon his sleeping +mother and elder and younger brothers? What man like me would go to +gratify his lust, leaving his sleeping mother and brothers as food for a +Rakshasa?" + +"'The Rakshasa woman replied, "O, awaken all these, I shall do unto you all +that is agreeable to thee! I shall certainly rescue you all from my +cannibal brother." + +"'Bhima then said, "O Rakshasa woman, I will not, from fear of thy wicked +brother, awaken my brothers and mother sleeping comfortably in the woods. +O timid one, Rakshasas are never able to bear the prowess of my arms. And, +O thou of handsome eyes, neither men, nor Gandharvas, nor Yakshas are able +to bear my might. O amiable one, thou mayst stay or go as thou likest, or +mayst even send thy cannibal brother, O thou of delicate shape. I care +not."'" + + +SECTION CLV + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hidimva, the chief of the Rakshasas, seeing that his +sister returned not soon enough, alighted from the tree, proceeded quickly +to the spot where the Pandavas were. Of red eyes and strong arms and the +arms and the hair of his head standing erect, of large open mouth and body +like unto a mass of dark clouds, teeth long and sharp-pointed, he was +terrible to behold. And Hidimva, beholding her brother of frightful visage +alight from the tree, became very much alarmed, and addressing Bhima said, +"The wicked cannibal is coming hither in wrath. I entreat thee, do with +thy brothers, as I bid thee. O thou of great courage, as I am endued with +the powers of a Rakshasa, I am capable of going whithersoever I like. +Mount ye on my hips, I will carry you all through the skies. And, O +chastiser of foes, awaken these and thy mother sleeping in comfort. Taking +them all on my body, I will convey you through the skies." + +"'Bhima then said, "O thou of fair hips, fear not anything. I am sure that +as long as I am here, there is no Rakshasa capable of injuring any of +these, O thou of slender waist. I will slay this (cannibal) before thy +very eyes. This worst of Rakshasas, O timid one, is no worthy antagonist +of mine, nor can all the Rakshasas together bear the strength of my arms. +Behold these strong arms of mine, each like unto the trunk of an elephant. +Behold also these thighs of mine like unto iron maces, and this broad and +adamantine chest. O beautiful one, thou shall today behold my prowess like +unto that of Indra. O thou of fair hips, hate me not, thinking that I am a +man." + +"'Hidimva replied saying, "O tiger among men, O thou of the beauty of a +celestial, I do not certainly hold thee in contempt. But I have seen the +prowess that Rakshasas exert upon men."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Bharata, the wrathful Rakshasa eating +human flesh heard these words of Bhima who had been talking in that way. +And Hidimva beheld his sister disguised in human form, her head decked +with garlands of flowers and her face like the full moon and her eyebrows +and nose and eyes and ringlets all of the handsomest description, and her +nails and complexion of the most delicate hue, and herself wearing every +kind of ornament and attired in fine transparent robes. The cannibal, +beholding her in that charming human form, suspected that she was desirous +of carnal intercourse and became indignant. And, O best of the Kurus, +becoming angry with his sister, the Rakshasa dilated his eyes and +addressing her said, "What senseless creature wishes to throw obstacles in +my path now that I am so hungry? Hast thou become so senseless, O Hidimva, +that thou fearest not my wrath? Fie on thee, thou unchaste woman! Thou art +even now desirous of carnal intercourse and solicitous of doing me an +injury. Thou art ready to sacrifice the good name and honour of all the +Rakshasas, thy ancestors! Those with whose aid thou wouldst do me this +great injury, I will, even now, slay along with thee." Addressing his +sister thus, Hidimva, with eyes red with anger and teeth pressing against +teeth, ran at her to kill her then and there. But beholding him rush at +his sister, Bhima, that foremost of smiters, endued with great energy, +rebuked him and said, "Stop--Stop!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'And Bhima, beholding the Rakshasa angry with his +sister, smiled (in derision), and said, addressing him, "O Hidimva, what +need is there for thee to awaken these persons sleeping so comfortably? O +wicked cannibal, approach me first without loss of time. Smite me first,-- +it behoveth thee not to kill a woman, especially when she hath been sinned +against instead of sinning. This girl is scarcely responsible for her act +in desiring intercourse with me. She hath, in this, been moved by the +deity of desire that pervadeth every living form. Thou wicked wretch and +the most infamous of Rakshasas, thy sister came here at thy command. +Beholding my person, she desireth me. In that the timid girl doth no +injury to thee. It is the deity of desire that hath offended. It behoveth +thee not to injure her for this offence. O wicked wretch, thou shalt not +slay a woman when I am here. Come with me, O cannibal, and fight with +myself singly. Singly shall I send thee today to the abode of Yama (Pluto). +O Rakshasa, let thy head today, pressed by my might, be pounded to pieces, +as though pressed by the tread of a mighty elephant. When thou art slain +by me on the field of battle, let herons and hawks and jackals tear in +glee thy limbs today on the ground. In a moment I shall today make this +forest destitute of Rakshasas,--this forest that had so long been ruled by +thee, devourer of human beings! Thy sister, O Rakshasa, shall today behold +thyself, huge though thou art like a mountain, like a huge elephant +repeatedly dragged by a lion. O worst of Rakshasas, thyself slain by me, +men ranging these woods will henceforth do so safely and without fear." + +"'Hearing these words, Hidimva said, "What need is there, O man, for this +thy vaunt and this thy boast? Accomplish all this first, and then mayst +thou vaunt indeed. Therefore, delay thou not. Thou knowest thyself to be +strong and endued with prowess, so thou shalt rightly estimate thy +strength today in thy encounter with me. Until that, I will not slay these +(thy brothers). Let them sleep comfortably. But I will, as thou art a fool +and the utterer of evil speeches, slay thee first. After drinking thy +blood, I will slay these also, and then last of all, this (sister of mine) +that hath done me an injury."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, the cannibal, extending his arms +ran in wrath towards Bhimasena, that chastiser of foes. Then Bhima of +terrible prowess quickly seized, as though in sport, with great force, the +extended arms of the Rakshasa who had rushed at him. Then seizing the +struggling Rakshasa with violence, Bhima dragged him from that spot full +thirty-two cubits like a lion dragging a little animal. Then the Rakshasa, +thus made to feel the weight of Bhima's strength, became very angry and +clasping the Pandava, sent forth a terrible yell. The mighty Bhima then +dragged with force the Rakshasa to a greater distance, lest his yells +should awaken his brothers sleeping in comfort. Clasping and dragging each +other with great force, both Hidimva and Bhimasena put forth their prowess. +Fighting like two full-grown elephants mad with rage, they then began to +break down the trees and tear the creepers that grew around. And at those +sounds, those tigers among men (the sleeping Pandavas) woke up with their +mother, and saw Hidimva sitting before them.'" + + +SECTION CLVI + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Roused from sleep, those tigers among men, with their +mother, beholding the extraordinary beauty of Hidimva, were filled with +wonder. And Kunti, gazing at her with wonder at her beauty, addressed her +sweetly and gave her every assurance. She asked, "O thou of the splendour +of a daughter of the celestials, whose art thou and who art thou? O thou +of the fairest complexion, on what business hast thou come hither and +whence hast thou come? If thou art the deity of these woods or an Apsara, +tell me all regarding thyself and also why thou stayest here?" Thereupon +Hidimva replied, "This extensive forest that thou seest, of the hue of +blue cloud, is the abode of a Rakshasa of the name of Hidimva. O handsome +lady, know me as the sister of that chief of the Rakshasa. Revered dame, I +had been sent by that brother of mine to kill thee with all thy children. +But on arriving here at the command of that cruel brother of mine, I +beheld thy mighty son. Then, O blessed lady, I was brought under the +control of thy son by the deity of love who pervadeth the nature of every +being, and I then (mentally) chose that mighty son of thine as my husband. +I tried my best to convey you hence, but I could not (because of thy son's +opposition). Then the cannibal, seeing my delay, came hither to kill all +these thy children. But he hath been dragged hence with force by that +mighty and intelligent son of thine--my husband. Behold now that couple-- +man and Rakshasa--both endued with great strength and prowess, engaged in +combat, grinding each other and filling the whole region with their +shouts."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing those words of hers, Yudhishthira +suddenly rose up and Arjuna also and Nakula and Sahadeva of great energy +and they beheld Bhima and the Rakshasa already engaged in fight, eager to +overcome each other and dragging each other with great force, like two +lions endued with great might. The dust raised by their feet in +consequence of that encounter looked like the smoke of a forest- +conflagration. Covered with that dust their huge bodies resembled two tall +cliffs enveloped in mist. Then Arjuna, beholding Bhima rather oppressed in +the fight by the Rakshasa, slowly said with smiles on his lips, "Fear not, +O Bhima of mighty arms! We (had been asleep and therefore) knew not that +thou wast engaged with a terrible Rakshasa and tired in fight. Here do I +stand to help thee, let me slay the Rakshasa, and let Nakula and Sahadeva +protect our mother." Hearing him, Bhima said, "Look on this encounter, O +brother, like a stranger. Fear not for the result. Having come within the +reach of my arms, he shall not escape with life." Then Arjuna said, "What +need, O Bhima, for keeping the Rakshasa alive so long? O oppressor of +enemies, we are to go hence, and cannot stay here longer. The east is +reddening, the morning twilight is about to set in. The Rakshasa become +stronger by break of day, therefore, hasten, O Bhima! Play not (with thy +victim), but slay the terrible Rakshasa soon. During the two twilights +Rakshasas always put forth their powers of deception. Use all the strength +of thy arms."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'At this speech of Arjuna, Bhima blazing up with +anger, summoned the might that Vayu (his father) puts forth at the time of +the universal dissolution. And filled with rage, he quickly raised high in +the air the Rakshasa's body, blue as the clouds of heaven, and whirled it +a hundred times. Then addressing the cannibal, Bhima said, "O Rakshasa, +thy intelligence was given thee in vain, and in vain hast thou grown and +thriven on unsanctified flesh. Thou deservest, therefore, an unholy death +and I shall reduce thee today to nothing. I shall make this forest blessed +today, like one without prickly plants. And, O Rakshasa, thou shalt no +longer slay human beings for thy food." Arjuna at this juncture, said, "O +Bhima, if thou thinkest it a hard task for thee to overcome this Rakshasa +in combat, let me render thee help, else, slay him thyself without loss of +time. Or, O Vrikodara, let me alone slay the Rakshasa. Thou art tired, and +hast almost finished the affair. Well dost thou deserve rest."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Bhima was fired +with rage and dashing the Rakshasa on the ground with all his might slew +him as if he were an animal. The Rakshasa, while dying, sent forth a +terrible yell that filled the whole forest, and was deep as the sound of a +wet drum. Then the mighty Bhima, holding the body with his hands, bent it +double, and breaking it in the middle, greatly gratified his brothers. +Beholding Hidimva slain, they became exceedingly glad and lost no time in +offering their congratulations to Bhima, that chastiser of all foes. Then +Arjuna worshipping the illustrious Bhima of terrible prowess, addressed +him again and said, "Revered senior, I think there is a town not far off +from this forest. Blest be thou, let us go hence soon, so that Duryodhana +may not trace us." + +"'Then all those mighty car-warriors, those tigers among men, saying, "So +be it," proceeded along with their mother, followed by Hidimva, the +Rakshasa woman.'" + + +SECTION CLVII + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Bhima, beholding Hidimva following them, addressed +her, saying, "Rakshasas revenge themselves on their enemies by adopting +deceptions that are incapable of being penetrated. Therefore, O Hidimva, +go thou the way on which thy brother hath gone." Then Yudhishthira +beholding Bhima in rage, said, "O Bhima, O tiger among men, however +enraged, do not slay a woman. O Pandava, the observance of virtue is a +higher duty than the protection of life. Hidimva, who had come with the +object of slaying us, thou hast already slain. This woman is the sister of +that Rakshasa, what can she do to us even if she were angry?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Hidimva reverentially saluting Kunti and +her son Yudhishthira also, said, with joined palms, "O revered lady, thou +knowest the pangs that women are made to feel at the hands of the deity of +love. Blessed dame, these pangs, of which Bhimasena hath been the cause, +are torturing me. I had hitherto borne these insufferable pangs, waiting +for the time (when thy son could assuage them). That time is now come, +when I expected I would be made happy. Casting off my friends and +relations and the usage of my race, I have, O blessed lady, chosen this +son of thine, this tiger among men, as my husband. I tell thee truly, O +illustrious lady, that if I am cast off by that hero or by thee either, I +will no longer bear this life of mine. Therefore, O thou of the fairest +complexion, it behoveth thee to show me mercy, thinking me either as very +silly or thy obedient slave. O illustrious dame, unite me with this thy +son, my husband. Endued as he is with the form of a celestial, let me go +taking him with me wherever I like. Trust me, O blessed lady, I will again +bring him back unto you all. When you think of me I will come to you +immediately and convey you whithersoever ye may command. I will rescue you +from all dangers and carry you across inaccessible and uneven regions. I +will carry you on my back whenever ye desire to proceed with swiftness. O, +be gracious unto me and make Bhima accept me. It hath been said that in a +season of distress one should protect one's life by any means. He, that +seeketh to discharge that duty should not scruple about the means. He, +that in a season of distress keepeth his virtue, is the foremost of +virtuous men. Indeed, distress is the greatest danger to virtue and +virtuous men. It is virtue that protecteth life; therefore is virtue +called the giver of life. Hence the means by which virtue or the +observance of a duty is secured can never be censurable." + +"'Hearing these words of Hidimva, Yudhishthira said. "It is even so, O +Hidimva, as thou sayest. There is no doubt of it. But, O thou of slender +waist, thou must act even as thou hast said. Bhima will, after he hath +washed himself and said his prayers and performed the usual propitiatory +rites, pay his attentions to thee till the sun sets. Sport thou with him +as thou likest during the day, O thou that art endued with the speed of +the mind! But thou must bring back Bhimasena hither every day at night- +fall."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Bhima, expressing his assent to all that +Yudhishthira said, addressed Hidimva, saying, "Listen to me, O Rakshasa +woman! Truly do I make this engagement with thee that I will stay with +thee, O thou of slender waist, until thou obtainest a son." Then Hidimva, +saying, "So be it," took Bhima upon her body and sped through the skies. +On mountain peaks of picturesque scenery and regions sacred to the gods, +abounding with dappled herds and echoing with the melodies of feathered +tribes, herself assuming the handsomest form decked with every ornament +and pouring forth at times mellifluous strains, Hidimva sported with the +Pandava and studied to make him happy. So also, in inaccessible regions of +forests, and on mountain-breasts overgrown with blossoming trees on lakes +resplendent with lotuses and lilies, islands of rivers and their pebbly +banks, on sylvan streams with beautiful banks and mountain-currents, in +picturesque woods with blossoming trees and creepers in Himalayan bowers, +and various caves, on crystal pools smiling with lotuses, on sea-shores +shining with gold and pearls, in beautiful towns and fine gardens, in +woods sacred to the gods and on hill-sides, in the regions of Guhyakas and +ascetics, on the banks of Manasarovara abounding with fruits and flowers +of every season Hidimva, assuming the handsomest form, sported with Bhima +and studied to make him happy. Endued with the speed of the mind, she +sported with Bhima in all these regions, till in time, she conceived and +brought forth a mighty son begotten upon her by the Pandava. Of terrible +eyes and large mouth and straight arrowy ears, the child was terrible to +behold. Of lips brown as copper and sharp teeth and loud roar, of mighty +arms and great strength and excessive prowess, this child became a mighty +bowman. Of long nose, broad chest, frightfully swelling calves, celerity +of motion and excessive strength, he had nothing human in his countenance, +though born of man. And he excelled (in strength and prowess) all Pisachas +and kindred tribes as well as all Rakshasas. And, O monarch, though a +little child, he grew up a youth the very hour he was born. The mighty +hero soon acquired high proficiency in the use of all weapons. The +Rakshasa women bring forth the very day they conceive, and capable of +assuming any forms at will, they always change their forms. And the bald- +headed child, that mighty bowman, soon after his birth, bowing down to his +mother, touched her feet and the feet also of his father. His parents then +bestowed upon him a name. His mother having remarked that his head was +(bald) like unto a Ghata (water-pot), both his parents thereupon called +him Ghatotkacha (the pot-headed). And Ghatotkacha who was exceedingly +devoted to the Pandavas, became a great favourite with them, indeed almost +one of them. + +"'Then Hidimva, knowing that the period of her stay (with her husband) had +come to an end, saluted the Pandavas and making a new appointment with +them went away whithersoever she liked. And Ghatotkacha also--that +foremost of Rakshasas--promising unto his father that he would come when +wanted on business, saluted them and went away northward. Indeed, it was +the illustrious Indra who created (by lending a portion of himself) the +mighty car-warrior Ghatotkacha as a fit antagonist of Karna of unrivalled +energy, in consequence of the dart he had given unto Karna (and which was +sure to kill the person against whom it would be hurled).'" + + +SECTION CLVIII + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Those mighty car-warriors, the heroic Pandavas, then +went, O king, from forest to forest killing deer and many animals (for +their food). And in the course of their wanderings they saw the countries +of the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Panchalas and then of the Kichakas, and +also many beautiful woods and lakes therein. And they all had matted locks +on their heads and were attired in barks of trees and the skins of animals. +Indeed, with Kunti in their company those illustrious heroes were attired +in the garbs of ascetics. And those mighty car-warriors sometimes +proceeded in haste, carrying their mother on their backs; and sometimes +they proceeded in disguise, and sometimes again with great celerity. And +they used to study the Rik and the other Vedas and also all the Vedangas +as well as the sciences of morals and politics. And the Pandavas, +conversant with the science of morals, met, in course of their wanderings +their grandfather (Vyasa). And saluting the illustrious Krishna-Dwaipayana, +those chastisers of enemies, with their mother, stood before him with +joined hands. + +"'Vyasa then said, "Ye bulls of Bharata's race, I knew beforehand of this +affliction of yours consisting in your deceitful exile by the son of +Dhritarashtra. Knowing this, I have come to you, desirous of doing you +some great good. Do not grieve for what hath befallen you. Know that all +this is for your happiness. Undoubtedly, the sons of Dhritarashtra and you +are all equal in my eye. But men are always partial to those who are in +misfortune or of tender years. It is therefore, that my affection for you +is greater now. And in consequence of that affection, I desire to do you +good. Listen to me! Not far off before you is a delightful town where no +danger can overtake you. Live ye there in disguise, waiting for my +return."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, thus comforting the +Pandavas, led them into the town of Ekachakra. And the master also +comforted Kunti, saying, "Live, O daughter! This son of thine, +Yudhishthira, ever devoted to truth, this illustrious bull among men, +having by his justice conquered the whole world, will rule over all the +other monarchs of the earth. There is little doubt that, having by means +of Bhima's and Arjuna's prowess conquered the whole earth with her belt of +seas, he will enjoy the sovereignty thereof. Thy sons as well as those of +Madri--mighty car-warriors all--will cheerfully sport as pleaseth them in +their dominions. These tigers among men will also perform various +sacrifices, such as the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice, in which the +presents unto the Brahmanas are very large. And these thy sons will rule +their ancestral kingdom, maintaining their friends and relatives in luxury +and affluence and happiness." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'With these words Vyasa introduced them into the +dwelling of a Brahmana. And the island-born Rishi, addressing the eldest +of the Pandavas, said, "Wait here for me! I will come back to you! By +adapting yourselves to the country and the occasion you will succeed in +becoming very happy." + +"'Then, O king, the Pandavas with joined hands said unto the Rishi, "So be +it." And the illustrious master, the Rishi Vyasa, then went away to the +region whence he had come.'" + + +SECTION CLIX + +(Vaka-vadha Parva) + +"Janamejaya asked, 'O first of Brahmanas, what did the Pandavas, those +mighty car-warriors, the sons of Kunti, do after arriving at Ekachakra?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Those mighty car-warriors, the sons of Kunti, on +arriving at Ekachakra, lived for a short time in the abode of a Brahmana. +Leading an eleemosynary life, they beheld (in course of their wanderings) +various delightful forests and earthly regions, and many rivers and lakes, +and they became great favourites of the inhabitants of that town in +consequence of their own accomplishments. At nightfall they placed before +Kunti all they gathered in their mendicant tours, and Kunti used to divide +the whole amongst them, each taking what was allotted to him. And those +heroic chastisers of foes, with their mother, together took one moiety of +the whole, while the mighty Bhima alone took the other moiety. In this way, +O bull of Bharata's race, the illustrious Pandavas lived there for some +time. + +"'One day, while those bulls of the Bharata race were out on their tour of +mendicancy, it so happened that Bhima was (at home) with (his mother) +Pritha. That day, O Bharata, Kunti heard a loud and heart-rending wail of +sorrow coming from within the apartments of the Brahmana. Hearing the +inmates of the Brahmana's house wailing and indulging in piteous +lamentations, Kunti, O king, from compassion and the goodness of her heart, +could not bear it with indifference. Afflicted with sorrow, the amiable +Pritha, addressing Bhima, said these words full of compassion. "Our woes +assuaged, we are, O son, living happily in the house of this Brahmana, +respected by him and unknown to Dhritarashtra's son. O son, I always think +of the good I should do to this Brahmana, like what they do that live +happily in others' abodes! O child, he is a true man upon whom favours are +never lost. He payeth back to others more than what he receiveth at their +hands. There is no doubt, some affliction hath overtaken this Brahmana. If +we could be of any help to him, we should then be requiting his services." + +"'Hearing these words of his mother, Bhima said, "Ascertain, O mother the +nature of the Brahmana's distress and whence also it hath arisen. Learning +all about it, relieve it I will however difficult may the task prove." + +"Vaisampayana continued 'While mother and son were thus talking with each +other, they heard again, O king, another wail of sorrow proceeding from +the Brahmana and his wife. Then Kunti quickly entered the inner apartments +of that illustrious Brahmana, like unto a cow running towards her tethered +calf. She beheld the Brahmana with his wife, son and daughter, sitting +with a woeful face, and she heard the Brahmana say, "Oh, fie on this +earthly life which is hollow as the reed and so fruitless after all which +is based on sorrow and hath no freedom, and which hath misery for its lot! +Life is sorrow and disease; life is truly a record of misery! The soul is +one: but it hath to pursue virtue, wealth and pleasure. And because these +are pursued at one and the same time, there frequently occurs a +disagreement that is the source of much misery. Some say that salvation is +the highest object of our desire. But I believe it can never be attained. +The acquisition of wealth is hell; the pursuit of wealth is attended with +misery; there is more misery after one has acquired it, for one loves +one's possessions, and if any mishap befalls them, the possessor becomes +afflicted with woe. I do not see by what means I can escape from this +danger, nor how I can fly hence, with my wife to some region free from +danger. Remember, O wife, that I endeavoured to migrate to some other +place where we would be happy, but thou didst not then listen to me. +Though frequently solicited by me, thou, O simple woman, said to me, 'I +have been born here, and here have I grown old; this is my ancestral +homestead.' Thy venerable father, O wife, and thy mother also, have, a +long time ago, ascended to heaven. Thy relations also had all been dead. +Oh why then didst thou yet like to live here? Led by affection for thy +relatives thou didst not then hear what I said. But the time is now come +when thou art to witness the death of a relative. Oh, how sad is that +spectacle for me! Or perhaps the time is come for my own death, for I +shall never be able to abandon cruelly one of my own as long as I myself +am alive. Thou art my helpmate in all good deeds, self-denying and always +affectionate unto me as a mother. The gods have given thee to me as a true +friend and thou art ever my prime stay. Thou hast, by my parents, been +made the participator in my domestic concerns. Thou art of pure lineage +and good disposition, the mother of children, devoted to me, and so +innocent; having chosen and wedded thee with due rites, I cannot abandon +thee, my wife, so constant in thy vows, to save my life. How shall I +myself be able to sacrifice my son a child of tender years and yet without +the hirsute appendages (of manhood)? How shall I sacrifice my daughter +whom I have begotten myself, who hath been placed, as a pledge, in my +hands by the Creator himself for bestowal on a husband and through whom I +hope to enjoy, along with my ancestors, the regions attainable by those +only that have daughters' sons? Some people think that the father's +affection for a son is greater; others, that his affection for a daughter +is greater; mine, however, is equal. How can I be prepared to give up the +innocent daughter upon whom rest the regions of bliss obtainable by me in +after life and my own lineage and perpetual happiness? If, again, I +sacrifice myself and go to the other world, I should scarcely know any +peace, for, indeed, it is evident that, left by me these would not be able +to support life. The sacrifice of any of these would be cruel and +censurable. On the other hand, if I sacrifice myself, these, without me, +will certainly perish. The distress into which I have fallen is great; nor +do I know the means of escape. Alas, what course shall I take today with +my near ones. It is well that I should die with all these, for I can live +no longer."'" + + +SECTION CLX + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'On hearing these words of the Brahmana, his wife said, +"Thou shouldst not, O Brahmana, grieve like an ordinary man. Nor is this +the time for mourning. Thou hast learning; thou knowest that all men are +sure to die; none should grieve for that which is inevitable. Wife, son, +and daughter, all these are sought for one's own self. As thou art +possessed of a good understanding, kill thou thy sorrows. I will myself go +there. This indeed, is the highest and the eternal duty of a woman, viz., +that by sacrificing her life she should seek the good of her husband. Such +an act done by me will make thee happy, and bring me fame in this world +and eternal bliss hereafter. This, indeed, is the highest virtue that I +tell thee, and thou mayest, by this, acquire both virtue and happiness. +The object for which one desireth a wife hath already been achieved by +thee through me. I have borne thee a daughter and a son and thus been +freed from the debt I had owed thee. Thou art well able to support and +cherish the children, but I however, can never support and cherish them +like thee. Thou art my life, wealth, and lord; bereft of thee, how shall +these children of tender years--how also shall I myself, exist? Widowed +and masterless, with two children depending on me, how shall I, without +thee, keep alive the pair, myself leading an honest life? If the daughter +of thine is solicited (in marriage) by persons dishonourable and vain and +unworthy of contracting an alliance with thee, how shall I be able to +protect the girl? Indeed, as birds seek with avidity for meat that hath +been thrown away on the ground, so do men solicit a woman that hath lost +her husband. O best of Brahmanas, solicited by wicked men, I may waver and +may not be able to continue in the path that is desired by all honest men. +How shall I be able to place this sole daughter of thy house--this +innocent girl--in the way along which her ancestors have always walked? +How shall I then be able to impart unto this child every desirable +accomplishment to make him virtuous as thyself, in that season of want +when I shall become masterless? Overpowering myself who shall be +masterless, unworthy persons will demand (the hand of) this daughter of +thine, like Sudras desiring to hear the Vedas. And if I bestow not upon +them this girl possessing thy blood and qualities, they may even take her +away by force, like crows carrying away the sacrificial butter. And +beholding thy son become so unlike to thee, and thy daughter placed under +the control of some unworthy persons, I shall be despised in the world by +even persons that are dishonourable, and I will certainly die. These +children also, bereft of me and thee, their father, will, I doubt not, +perish like fish when the water drieth up. There is no doubt that bereft +of thee the three will perish: therefore it behoveth thee to sacrifice me. +O Brahmana, persons conversant with morals have said that for women that +have borne children, to predecease their lords is an act of the highest +merit. Ready am I to abandon this son and this daughter, these my +relations, and life itself, for thee. For a woman to be ever employed in +doing agreeable offices to her lord is a higher duty than sacrifices, +asceticism, vows, and charities of every description. The act, therefore, +which I intend to perform is consonant with the highest virtue and is for +thy good and that of thy race. The wise have declared that children and +relatives and wife and all things held dear are cherished for the purpose +of liberating one's self from danger and distress. One must guard one's +wealth for freeing one's self from danger, and it is by his wealth that he +should cherish and protect his wife. But he must protect his own self both +by (means of) his wife and his wealth. The learned have enunciated the +truth that one's wife, son, wealth, and house, are acquired with the +intention of providing against accidents, foreseen or unforeseen. The wise +have also said that all one's relations weighed against one's own self +would not be equal unto one's self. Therefore, revered sir, protect thy +own self by abandoning me. O, give me leave to sacrifice myself, and +cherish thou my children. Those that are conversant with the morals have, +in their treatises, said, that women should never be slaughtered and that +Rakshasas are not ignorant of the rules of morality. Therefore, while it +is certain that the Rakshasa will kill a man, it is doubtful whether he +will kill a woman. It behoveth thee, therefore, being conversant with the +rules of morality, to place me before the Rakshasa. I have enjoyed much +happiness, have obtained much that is agreeable to me, and have also +acquired great religious merit. I have also obtained from thee children +that are so dear to me. Therefore, it grieveth not me to die. I have borne +thee children and have also grown old; I am ever desirous of doing good to +thee; remembering all these I have come to this resolution. O revered sir, +abandoning me thou mayest obtain another wife. By her thou mayest again +acquire religious merit. There is no sin in this. For a man polygamy is an +act of merit, but for a woman it is very sinful to betake herself to a +second husband after the first. Considering all this, and remembering too +that sacrifice of thy own self is censurable, O, liberate today without +loss of time thy own self, thy race, and these thy children (by abandoning +me)."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by her, O Bharata, the Brahmana +embraced her, and they both began to weep in silence, afflicted with +grief.'" + + +SECTION CLXI + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'On hearing these words of her afflicted parents, the +daughter was filled with grief, and she addressed them, saying, "Why are +you so afflicted and why do you so weep, as if you have none to look after +you? O, listen to me and do what may be proper. There is little doubt that +you are bound in duty to abandon me at a certain time. Sure to abandon me +once, O, abandon me now and save every thing at the expense of me alone. +Men desire to have children, thinking that children would save them (in +this world as well as in the region hereafter). O, cross the stream of +your difficulties by means of my poor self, as if I were a raft. A child +rescueth his parents in this and the other regions; therefore is the child +called by the learned Putra (rescuer). The ancestors desire daughter's +sons from me (as a special means of salvation). But (without waiting for +my children) I myself will rescue them by protecting the life of my father. +This my brother is of tender years, so there is little doubt that he will +perish if thou diest now. If thou, my father, diest and my brother +followeth thee, the funeral cake of the Pitris will be suspended and they +will be greatly injured. Left behind by my father and brother, and by my +mother also (for she will not survive her husband and son) I shall be +plunged deeper and deeper in woe and ultimately perish in great distress. +There can be little doubt that if thou escape from this danger as also my +mother and infant brother, then thy race and the (ancestral) cake will be +perpetuated. The son is one's own self; the wife is one's friend; the +daughter, however, is the source of trouble. Do thou save thyself, +therefore, by removing that source of trouble, and do thou thereby set me +in the path of virtue. As I am a girl, O father, destitute of thee, I +shall be helpless and plunged in woe, and shall have to go everywhere. It +is therefore that I am resolved to rescue my father's race and share the +merit of that act by accomplishing this difficult task. If thou, O best of +Brahmanas, goest thither (unto the Rakshasa), leaving me here, then I +shall be very much pained. Therefore, O father, be kind to me. O thou best +of men, for our sake, for that of virtue and also thy race, save thyself, +abandoning me, whom at one time thou shall be constrained to part from. +There need be no delay, O father, in doing that which is inevitable. What +can be more painful than that, when thou hast ascended to heaven, we shall +have to go about begging our food, like dogs, from strangers. But if thou +art with thy relations from these difficulties, I shall then live happily +in the region of the celestials. It hath been heard by us that if after +bestowing thy daughter in this way, thou offerest oblations to the gods +and the celestials, they will certainly be propitious."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Brahmana and his wife, hearing these various +lamentations of their daughter, became sadder than before and the three +began to weep together. Their son, then, of tender years, beholding them +and their daughter thus weeping together, lisped these words in a sweet +tone, his eyes having dilated with delight, "Weep not, O father, nor thou, +O mother, nor thou O sister!" And smilingly did the child approach each of +them, and at last taking up a blade of grass said in glee, "With this will +I slay the Rakshasa who eateth human beings!" Although all of them had +been plunged in woe, yet hearing what the child lisped so sweetly, joy +appeared on their faces. Then Kunti thinking that to be the proper +opportunity, approached the group and said these words. Indeed, her words +revived them as nectar reviveth a person that is dead.'" + + +SECTION CLXII + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"'Kunti said, 'I desire to learn from you the cause of this grief, for I +will remove it, if possible.' + +"'The Brahmana replied, 'O thou of ascetic wealth, thy speech is indeed +worthy of thee. But this grief is incapable of being removed by any human +being. Not far from this town, there liveth a Rakshasa of the name of Vaka, +which cannibal is the lord of this country and town. Thriving on human +flesh, that wretched Rakshasa endued with great strength ruleth this +country. He being the chief of the Asuras, this town and the country in +which it is situate are protected by his might. We have no fear from the +machinations of any enemy, or indeed from any living soul. The fee, +however, fixed for that cannibal is his food, which consists of a cart- +load of rice, two buffaloes, and a human being who conveyeth them unto him. +One after another, the house-holders have to send him this food. The turn, +however, cometh to a particular family at intervals of many long years. If +there are any that seek to avoid it, the Rakshasa slayeth them with their +children and wives and devoureth them all. There is, in this country, a +city called Vetrakiya, where liveth the king of these territories. He is +ignorant of the science of government, and possessed of little +intelligence, he adopts not with care any measure by which these +territories may be rendered safe for all time to come. But we certainly +deserve it all, inasmuch as we live within the dominion of that wretched +and weak monarch in perpetual anxiety. Brahmanas can never be made to +dwell permanently within the dominions of any one, for they are dependent +on nobody, they live rather like birds ranging all countries in perfect +freedom. It hath been said that one must secure a (good) king, then a wife, +and then wealth. It is by the acquisition of these three that one can +rescue his relatives and sons. But as regards the acquisition of these +three, the course of my actions hath been the reverse. Hence, plunged into +a sea of danger, I am suffering sorely. That turn, destructive of one's +family, hath now devolved upon me. I shall have to give unto the Rakshasa +as his fee the food of the aforesaid description and one human being to +boot. I have no wealth to buy a man with. I cannot by any means consent to +part with any one of my family, nor do I see any way of escape from (the +clutches of) that Rakshasa. I am now sunk in an ocean of grief from which +there is no escape. I shall go to that Rakshasa today, attended by all my +family in order that that wretch might devour us all at once.'" + + +SECTION CLXIII + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"'Kunti said, "Grieve not at all, O Brahmana, on account of this danger. I +see a way by which to rescue thee from that Rakshasa. Thou hast only one +son, who, besides, is of very tender years, also only one daughter, young +and helpless, so I do not like that any of these, or thy wife, or even +thyself should go unto the Rakshasa. I have five sons, O Brahmana, let one +of them go, carrying in thy behalf tribute of that Rakshasa." + +"'Hearing this, the Brahmana replied, "To save my own life I shall never +suffer this to be done. I shall never sacrifice, to save myself, the life +of a Brahmana or of a guest. Indeed, even those that are of low origin and +of sinful practices refuse to do (what thou askest me to do). It is said +that one should sacrifice one's self and one's offspring for the benefit +of a Brahmana. I regard this advice excellent and I like to follow it too. +When I have to choose between the death of a Brahmana and that of my own, +I would prefer the latter. The killing of a Brahmana is the highest sin, +and there is no expiation for it. I think a reluctant sacrifice of one's +own self is better than the reluctant sacrifice of a Brahmana. O blessed +lady, in sacrificing myself I do not become guilty of self-destruction. No +sin can attach to me when another will take my life. But if I deliberately +consent to the death of a Brahmana, it would be a cruel and sinful act, +from the consequence of which there is no escape. The learned have said +that the abandonment of one who hath come to thy house or sought thy +protection, as also the killing of one who seeketh death at thy hands, is +both cruel and sinful. The illustrious among those conversant with +practices allowable in seasons of distress, have before now said that one +should never perform an act that is cruel and censurable. It is well for +me that I should today perish myself with my wife, but I would never +sanction the death of a Brahmana." + +"'Kunti said, "I too am firmly of opinion, O Brahmana, that Brahmanas +should ever be protected. As regards myself, no son of mine would be less +dear to me even if I had a hundred instead of the five I have. But this +Rakshasa will not be able to kill my son, for that son of mine is endued +with great prowess and energy, and skilled in mantras. He will faithfully +deliver to the Rakshasa his food, but will, I know to a certainty, rescue +himself. I have seen before many mighty Rakshasas of huge bodies engaged +in combat with my heroic son and killed too by him. But, O Brahmana, do +not disclose this fact to anybody, for if it be known, persons desirous of +obtaining this power, will, from curiosity, always trouble my sons. The +wise have said that if my son imparteth any knowledge, without the assent +of his preceptor, unto any person, my son himself will no longer be able +to profit by that knowledge." + +"'Thus addressed by Pritha, the Brahmana with his wife became exceedingly +glad and assented to Kunti's speech, which was unto them as nectar. Then +Kunti, accompanied by the Brahmana, went unto the son of Vayu (Bhima) and +asked him to accomplish (that difficult task). Bhima replied unto them, +saying, "So be it."'" + + +SECTION CLXIV + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Bhima had pledged himself to accomplish the +task, saying, "I will do it," the Pandavas, O Bharata, returned home with +the alms they had obtained during the day. Then Yudhishthira, the son of +Pandu from Bhima's countenance alone, suspected the nature of the task he +had undertaken to accomplish. Sitting by the side of his mother, +Yudhishthira asked her in private, "What is the task, O mother, that Bhima +of terrible prowess seeketh to accomplish? Doth he do so at thy command or +of his own accord?" Kunti replied, "Bhima, that chastiser of foes, will at +my command, do this great deed for the good of the Brahmana and the +liberation of this town." + +"'Yudhishthira said, "What rash act hast thou done, O mother! It is +difficult of being performed and almost amounteth to suicide! The learned +never applaud the abandonment of one's own child. Why dost thou, O mother, +wish to sacrifice thy own child for the sake of another's? Thou hast, O +mother, by this abandonment of thy child, acted not only against the +course of human practices but also against the teachings of the Vedas. +That Bhima, relying on whose arms we sleep happily in the night and hope +to recover the kingdom of which we have been deprived by the covetous son +of Dhritarashtra, that hero of immeasurable energy, remembering whose +prowess Duryodhana and Sakuni do not sleep a wink during the whole night +and by whose prowess we were rescued from the palace of lac and various +other dangers, that Bhima who caused the death of Purochana, and relying +on whose might we regard ourselves as having already slain the sons of +Dhritarashtra and acquired the whole earth with all her wealth, upon what +considerations, O mother, hast thou resolved upon abandoning him? Hast +thou been deprived of thy reason? Hath thy understanding been clouded by +the calamities thou hast undergone?" + +"'On hearing these words of her son, Kunti said, "O Yudhishthira, thou +needst not be at all anxious on account of Vrikodara. I have not come to +this resolve owing to any weakness of understanding. Respected by him, and +with our sorrows assuaged, we have, O son, been living in the house of +this Brahmana, unknown to the sons of Dhritarashtra. For requiting, O son, +that Brahmana, I have resolved to do this. He, indeed, is a man upon whom +good offices are never lost. The measure of his requital becometh greater +than the measure of the services he receiveth. Beholding the prowess of +Bhima on the occasion of (our escape from) the house of lac, and from the +destruction also of Hidimva, my confidence in Vrikodara is great. The +might of Bhima's arms is equal unto that of ten thousand elephants. It was, +therefore, that he succeeded in carrying you all, each heavy as an +elephant, from Varanavata. There is no one on earth equal unto Bhima in +might; he may even overcome that foremost of warriors, the holder of the +thunderbolt himself. Soon after his birth he fell from my lap on the +breast of the mountain. By the weight of his body the mass of stone on +which he fell down broke in pieces. From this also, O son of Pandu, I have +come to know Bhima's might. For this reason have I resolved to set him +against the Brahmana's foe. I have not acted in this from foolishness or +ignorance or from motive of gain. I have deliberately resolved to do this +virtuous deed. By this act, O Yudhishthira, two objects will be +accomplished; one is a requital of the services rendered by the Brahmana +and the other is the acquisition of high religious merit. It is my +conviction that the Kshatriya who rendereth help unto a Brahmana in +anything acquireth regions of bliss hereafter. So also a Kshatriya who +saveth the life of a Kshatriya achieveth that great fame in this world as +in the other. A Kshatriya rendering help unto a Vaisya also on this earth +certainly acquires world-wide popularity. One of the kingly tribe should +protect even the Sudra who cometh to him for protection. If he doeth so, +in his next life he receiveth his birth in a royal line, commanding +prosperity and the respect of other kings. O scion of Puru's race, the +illustrious Vyasa of wisdom acquired by hard ascetic toil told me so in +bygone days. It is therefore, that I have resolved upon accomplishing +this."'" + + +SECTION CLXV + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"'Having heard these words of his mother, Yudhishthira said, "What thou, O +mother, hast deliberately done, moved by compassion for the afflicted +Brahmana, is, indeed, excellent. Bhima will certainly come back with life, +after having slain the cannibal, inasmuch as thou art, O mother, always +compassionate unto Brahmanas. But tell the Brahmana, O mother, that he +doth not do anything whereby the dwellers in this town may know all about +it, and make him promise to keep thy request."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, when the night passed away, Bhimasena, the +son of Pandu, taking with him the Rakshasa's food set out for the place +where the cannibal lived. The mighty son of Pandu, approaching the forest +where the Rakshasa dwelt, began to eat himself the food he carried, +calling loudly to the Rakshasa by name. The Rakshasa, inflamed with anger +at Bhima's words, came out and approached the place where Bhima was. + +"'Of huge body and great strength, of red eyes, red beard, and red hair, he +was terrible to behold, and he came, pressing deep the earth with his +tread. The opening of his mouth, was from ear to ear and his ears +themselves were straight as arrows. Of grim visage, he had a forehead +furrowed into three lines. Beholding Bhima eating his food, the Rakshasa +advanced, biting his nether lip and expanding his eyes in wrath. And +addressing Bhima he said, "Who is this fool, who desiring to go to the +abode of Yama, eateth in my very sight the food intended for me?" Hearing +these words, Bhima, O Bharata, smiled in derision and disregarding the +Rakshasa, continued eating with averted face. Beholding this, the cannibal +uttered a frightful yell and with both arms upraised ran at Bhima desiring +to kill him, there and then. Even then disregarding the Rakshasa and +casting only a single glance at him, Vrikodara, that slayer of hostile +heroes continued to eat the Rakshasa's food. Filled with wrath at this, +the Rakshasa struck from behind with both his arms a heavy blow on the +back of Vrikodara, the son of Kunti. But Bhima, though struck heavily by +the mighty Rakshasa, with both his hands, did not even look up at the +Rakshasa but continued to eat as before. Then the mighty Rakshasa, +inflamed with wrath, tore up a tree and ran at Bhima for striking him +again. Meanwhile the mighty Bhima, that bull among men had leisurely eaten +up the whole of that food and washing himself stood cheerfully for fight. +Then, O Bharata, possessed of great energy, Bhima, smiling in derision, +caught with his left hand the tree hurled at him by the Rakshasa in wrath. +Then that mighty Rakshasa, tearing up many more trees, hurled them at +Bhima, and the Pandava also hurled as many at the Rakshasa. Then, O king, +the combat with trees between that human being and the Rakshasa, became so +terrible that the region around soon became destitute of trees. Then the +Rakshasa, saying that he was none else than Vaka, sprang upon the Pandava +and seized the mighty Bhima with his arms. That mighty hero also clasping +with his own strong arms the strong-armed Rakshasa, and exerting himself +actively, began to drag him violently. Dragged by Bhima and dragging Bhima +also, the cannibal was overcome with great fatigue. The earth began to +tremble in consequence of the strength they both exerted, and large trees +that stood there broke in pieces. Then Bhima, beholding the cannibal +overcome with fatigue, pressed him down on the earth with his knees and +began to strike him with great force. Then placing one knee on the middle +of the Rakshasa's back, Bhima seized his neck with his right hand and the +cloth on his waist with his left, and bent him double with great force. +The cannibal then roared frightfully. And, O monarch, he also began to +vomit blood while he was being thus broken on Bhima's knee.'" + + +SECTION CLXVI + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said 'Then Vaka, huge as a mountain, thus broken (on Bhima's +knee), died, uttering frightful yells. Terrified by these sounds, the +relatives of that Rakshasa came out, O king, with their attendants. Bhima, +that foremost of smiters, seeing them so terrified and deprived of reason, +comforted them and made them promise (to give up cannibalism), saying, "Do +not ever again kill human beings. If ye kill men, ye will have to die even +as Vaka." Those Rakshasas hearing this speech of Bhima, said, "So be it," +and gave, O king, the desired promise. From that day, O Bharata, the +Rakshasas (of the region) were seen by the inhabitants of that town to be +very peaceful towards mankind. Then Bhima, dragging the lifeless cannibal, +placed him at one of the gates of the town and went away unobserved by any +one. The kinsmen of Vaka, beholding him slain by the might of Bhima, +became frightened and fled in different directions. + +"'Meanwhile Bhima, having slain the Rakshasa, returned to the Brahmana's +abode and related to Yudhishthira all that had happened, in detail. The +next morning the inhabitants of the town in coming out saw the Rakshasa +lying dead on the ground, his body covered with blood. Beholding that +terrible cannibal, huge as a mountain cliff, thus mangled and lying on the +ground, the hair of the spectators stood erect. Returning to Ekachakra, +they soon gave the intelligence. Then, O king, the citizens by thousands +accompanied by their wives, young and old, all began to come to the spot +for beholding the Vaka and they were all amazed at seeing that superhuman +feat. Instantly, O monarch, they began to pray to their gods. Then they +began to calculate whose turn it had been the day before to carry food to +the Rakshasa. And ascertaining this, they all came to that Brahmana and +asked him (to satisfy their curiosity). Thus asked by them repeatedly, +that bull among Brahmanas, desirous of concealing the Pandavas, said these +words unto all the citizens, "A certain high-souled Brahmana, skilled in +mantras, beheld me weeping with my relatives after I had been ordered to +supply the Rakshasa's food. Asking me the cause and ascertaining the +distress of the town, that first of Brahmanas gave me every assurance and +with smiles said, 'I shall carry the food for that wretched Rakshasa today. +Do not fear for me.' Saying this he conveyed the food towards the forest +of Vaka. This deed, so beneficial unto us all, hath very certainly been +done by him." + +"'Then those Brahmanas and Kshatriyas (of the city), hearing this, wondered +much. And the Vaisyas and the Sudras also became exceedingly glad, and +they all established a festival in which the worship of Brahmanas was the +principal ceremony (in remembrance of this Brahmana who had relieved them +from their fears of Vaka).'" + + +SECTION CLXVII + +(Chaitraratha Parva) + +"'After this citizens returned to their respective houses and the Pandavas +continued to dwell at Ekachakra as before.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, what did those tigers among men, the +Pandavas, do after they had slain the Rakshasa Vaka?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The Pandavas, O king, after slaying the Rakshasa Vaka, +continued to dwell in the abode of that Brahmana, employed in the study of +the Vedas. Within a few days there came a Brahmana of rigid vows unto the +abode of their host to take up his quarters there. Their host, that bull +among Brahmanas, ever hospitable unto all guests, worshipping the newly- +arrived Brahmana with due ceremonies, gave him quarters in his own abode. +Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, with their mother Kunti, +solicited the new lodger to narrate to them his interesting experiences. +The Brahmana spake to them of various countries and shrines and (holy) +rivers, of kings and many wonderful provinces and cities. And after this +narration was over, that Brahmana, O Janamejaya, also spoke of the +wonderful self-choice of Yajnasena's daughter, the princess of Panchala, +and of the births of Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandi, and of the birth, +without the intervention of a woman, of Krishna (Draupadi) at the great +sacrifice of Drupada. + +"'Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, hearing of these extraordinary +facts regarding that illustrious monarch (Drupada), and desiring to know +the details thereof, asked the Brahmana, after his narration was concluded, +to satisfy their curiosity. The Pandavas said, "How, O Brahmana, did the +birth of Dhrishtadyumna the son of Drupada, take place from the +(sacrificial) fire? How also did the extraordinary birth of Krishna take +place from the centre of the sacrificial platform? How also did Drupada's +son learn all weapons from the great bowman Drona? And, O Brahmana, how +and for whom and for what reason was the friendship between Drona and +Drupada broken off?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus questioned, O monarch, by those bulls among +men, the Brahmana narrated all the particulars about the birth of +Draupadi.'" + + +SECTION CLXVIII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Brahmana said, "At that region where the Ganga entered the plains +there lived a great Rishi, devoted to the austerest of penances. Of rigid +vows and great wisdom, he bore the name Bharadwaja. One day, on coming to +the Ganga to perform his ablutions, the Rishi saw the Apsara Ghritachi, +who had come before, standing on the bank after her ablutions were over. +And it so happened that a wind arose and disrobed the Apsara standing +there. And the Rishi beholding her thus disrobed, felt the influence of +desire. Though practising the vow of continence from his very youth, as +soon as he felt the influence of desire, the Rishi's vital fluid came out. +And as it came out, he held it in a pot (drana), and of that fluid thus +preserved in a pot was born a son who came to be called Drona (the pot- +born). And Drona studied all the Vedas and their several branches. And +Bharadwaja had a friend named Prishata who was the king of Panchalas. And +about the time that Drona was born, Prishata also obtained a son named +Drupada. And that bull amongst Kshatriyas, Prishata's son, going every day +to that asylum of Bharadwaja, played and studied with Drona. And after +Prishata's death, Drupada succeeded him on the throne. Drona about this +time heard that (the great Brahmana hero) Rama (on the eve of his retiring +into the woods) was resolved to give away all his wealth. Hearing this, +the son of Bharadwaja repaired unto Rama who was about to retire into the +woods and addressing him, said, 'O best of Brahmanas, know me to be Drona +who hath come to thee to obtain thy wealth.' Rama replied, saying, 'I have +given away everything. All that I now have is this body of mine and my +weapons. O Brahmana, thou mayest ask of me one of these two, either my +body or my weapons.' Then Drona said, 'It behoveth thee, sir, to give me +all thy weapons together with (the mysteries of) their use and +withdrawal.'" + +"'The Brahmana continued, "Then Rama of Bhrigu's race, saying, 'So be it,' +gave all his weapons unto Drona, who obtaining them regarded himself as +crowned with success. Drona obtaining from Rama the most exalted of all +weapons, called the Brahma weapon, became exceedingly glad and acquired a +decided superiority over all men. Then the son of Bharadwaja, endued with +great prowess went to king Drupada, and approaching that monarch, that +tiger among men, said, 'Know me for thy friend.' Hearing this Drupada said, +'One of low birth can never be the friend of one whose lineage is pure, +nor can one who is not a car-warrior have a car-warrior for his friend. So +also one who is not a king cannot have a king as his friend. Why dost thou, +therefore, desire (to revive our) former friendship?'" + +"'The Brahmana continued, "Drona, gifted with great intelligence, was +extremely mortified at this, and settling in his mind some means of +humiliating the king of the Panchala he went to the capital of the Kurus, +called after the name of an elephant. Then Bhishma, taking with him his +grandsons, presented them unto the wise son of Bharadwaja as his pupils +for instruction, along with various kinds of wealth. Then Drona, desirous +of humiliating king Drupada, called together his disciples and addressed +them, 'Ye sinless ones, it behoveth you, after you have been accomplished +in arms, to give me as preceptorial fee something that I cherish in my +heart.' Then Arjuna and others said unto their preceptor, 'So be it.'-- +After a time when the Pandavas became skilled in arms and sure aims, +demanding of them his fee, he again told them these words, 'Drupada, the +son of Prishata, is the king of Chhatravati. Take away from him his +kingdom, and give it unto me.' Then the Pandavas, defeating Drupada in +battle and taking him prisoner along with his ministers, offered him unto +Drona, who beholding the vanquished monarch, said, 'O king, I again +solicit thy friendship; and because none who is not a king deserveth to be +the friend of a king, therefore, O Yajnasena, I am resolved to divide thy +kingdom amongst ourselves. While thou art the king of the country to the +south of Bhagirathi (Ganga), I will rule the country to the north.'" + +"'The Brahmana continued, "The king of the Panchalas, thus addressed by the +wise son of Bharadwaja, told that best of Brahmanas and foremost of all +persons conversant with weapons, these words, 'O high-souled son of +Bharadwaja, blest be thou, let it be so, let there be eternal friendship +between us as thou desirest!' Thus addressing each other and establishing +a permanent bond between themselves, Drona and the king of Panchala, both +of them chastisers of foes, went away to the places they came from. But +the thought of that humiliation did not leave the king's mind for a single +moment. Sad at heart, the king began to waste away."'" + + +SECTION CLXIX + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Brahmana continued, "King Drupada (after this), distressed at heart, +wandered among many asylums of Brahmanas in search of superior Brahmanas +well-skilled in sacrificial rites. Overwhelmed with grief and eagerly +yearning for children, the king always said, 'Oh, I have no offspring +surpassing all in accomplishments.' And the monarch, from great +despondency, always said 'Oh, fie on those children that I have and on my +relatives!' And ever thinking of revenging himself on Drona, the monarch +sighed incessantly. And that best of kings, O Bharata, even after much +deliberation, saw no way of overcoming, by his Kshatriya might, the +prowess and discipline and training and accomplishment of Drona. Wandering +along the banks of the Yamuna and the Ganga, the monarch once came upon a +sacred asylum of Brahmanas. There was in that asylum no Brahmana who was +not a Snataka, no one who was not of rigid vows, and none who was not +virtuous to a high degree. And the king saw there two Brahmana sages named +Yaja and Upayaja, both of rigid vows and souls under complete control and +belonging to the most superior order. They were both devoted to the study +of the ancient institutes and sprung from the race of Kasyapa. And those +best of Brahmanas were well able to help the king in the attainment of his +object. The king then, with great assiduity and singleness of purpose, +began to court this pair of excellent Brahmanas. Ascertaining the superior +accomplishments of the younger of the two the king courted in private +Upayaja of rigid vows, by the offer of every desirable acquisition. +Employed in paying homage to the feet of Upayaja, always addressing in +sweet words and offering him every object of human desire, Drupada, after +worshipping that Brahmana, addressed him (one day), saying, 'O Upayaja, O +Brahmana, if thou, performest those sacrificial rites by (virtue of) which +I may obtain a son who may slay Drona, I promise thee ten thousand kine, +or whatever else may be agreeable to thee, O first of Brahmanas, truly am +I ready to make gifts to thee.' Thus addressed by the king, the Rishi +replied, saying, 'I cannot (perform such rites).' But Drupada without +accepting this reply as final, once more began to serve and pay homage +unto that Brahmana. Then, after the expiration of a year, Upayaja, that +first of Brahmanas, O monarch, addressing Drupada in sweet tone, said, 'My +elder brother (Yaja), one day, while wandering through the deep woods, +took up a fruit that had fallen upon a spot the purity of which he cared +not to enquire about. I was following him (at the time) and observed this +unworthy act of his. Indeed, he entertains no scruples in accepting things +impure. In accepting that (particular) fruit he saw not any impropriety of +sinful nature: Indeed, he who observeth not purity (in one instance) is +not very likely to observe it in the other instances. When he lived in the +house of his preceptor, employed in studying the institutes, he always +used to eat (impure) remnants of other people's feasts. He always speaks +approvingly of food and entertains no dislike for anything. Arguing from +these, I believe that my brother covets earthy acquisitions. Therefore, O +king, go unto him; he will perform spiritual offices for thee.' Hearing +these words of Upayaja, king Drupada, though entertaining a low opinion of +Yaja, nevertheless went to his abode. Worshipping Yaja who was (still) +worthy of homage, Drupada said unto him, 'O master, perform thou spiritual +offices for me and I will give thee eighty thousand kine! Enmity with +Drona burneth my heart; it behoveth thee therefore to cool that heart of +mine. Foremost of those conversant with the Vedas, Drona is also skilled +in the Brahma weapon and for this, Drona hath overcome me in a contest +arising from (impaired) friendship. Gifted with great intelligence, the +son of Bharadwaja is (now) the chief preceptor of the Kurus. There is no +Kshatriya in this world superior to him. His bow is full six cubits long +and looks formidable, and his shafts are capable of slaying every living +being. That great bowman, the high-souled son of Bharadwaja, habited as a +Brahmana, is destroying the Kshatriya power all over the earth. Indeed, he +is like a second Jamadagnya intended for the extermination of the +Kshatriya race. There is no man on earth who can overcome the terrible +force of his weapons. Like a blazing fire fed with clarified butter, Drona, +possessed of Brahma might and uniting it with Kshatriya might, consumeth +every antagonist in battle. But (thy) Brahma force is greater in itself +than (Drona's) Brahma force united with Kshatriya might. Therefore, as I +am inferior (to Drona) in consequence of my possession of Kshatriya might +alone, I solicit the aid of thy Brahma force, having obtained thee so +superior to Drona in knowledge of Brahma. O Yaja, perform that sacrifice +by means of which I may obtain a son invincible in battle and capable of +slaying Drona. Ready am I to give thee ten thousand kine.' Hearing these +words of Drupada, Yaja said, 'So be it.' Yaja then began to recollect the +various ceremonies appertaining to the particular sacrifice. And knowing +the affair to be a very grave one, he asked the assistance of Upayaja who +coveted nothing. Then Yaja promised to perform the sacrifice for the +destruction of Drona. Then the great ascetic Upayaja spoke unto king +Drupada of everything required for the grand sacrifice (by aid of fire) +from which the king was to obtain offspring. And he said, 'O king, a child +shall be born unto thee, endued, as thou desirest, with great prowess, +great energy, and great strength.'" + +"'The Brahmana continued, "Then king Drupada, impelled by the desire of +obtaining a son who was to slay Drona, began, for the success of his wish, +to make the necessary preparations. (And when everything was complete) +Yaja, after having poured libations of clarified butter on the sacrificial +fire, commanded Drupada's queen, saying, 'Come hither, O queen, O daughter- +in-law of Prishata! A son and a daughter have arrived for thee!' Hearing +this, the queen said, 'O Brahmana, my mouth is yet filled with saffron and +other perfumed things. My body also beareth many sweet scents; I am hardly +fit for accepting (the sanctified butter which is to give me offspring). +Wait for me a little, O Yaja! Wait for that happy consummation.' Yaja, +however, replied, 'O lady, whether thou comest or waitest, why should not +the object of this sacrifice be accomplished when the oblation hath +already been prepared by me and sanctified by Upayaja's invocations?'" + +"'The Brahmana continued, "Having said this, Yaja poured the sanctified +libation on the fire, whereupon arose from those flames a child resembling +a celestial who possessing the effulgence of fire, was terrible to behold. +With a crown on this head and his body encased in excellent armour, sword +in hand, and bearing a bow and arrows, he frequently sent forth loud roars. +And immediately after his birth, he ascended an excellent chariot and went +about in it for some time. Then the Panchalas in great joy shouted, +'Excellent, Excellent.' The very earth seemed at that time unable to bear +the weight of the Panchalas mad with joy. Then, marvellous to say, the +voice of some invisible spirit in the skies said, 'This prince hath been +born for the destruction of Drona. He shall dispel all the fears of the +Panchalas and spread their fame. He shall also remove the sorrow of the +king.' And there arose, after this from the centre of the sacrificial +platform, a daughter also, called Panchali, who, blest with great good +fortune, was exceedingly handsome. Her eyes were black, and large as lotus- +petals, her complexion was dark, and her locks were blue and curly. Her +nails were beautifully convex, and bright as burnished copper; her eye- +brows were fair, and bosom was deep. Indeed, she resembled the veritable +daughter of a celestial born among men. Her body gave out fragrance like +that of a blue lotus, perceivable from a distance of full two miles. Her +beauty was such that she had no equal on earth. Like a celestial herself, +she could be desired (in marriage) by a celestial, a Danava, or a Yaksha. +When this girl of fair hips was born an incorporeal voice said, 'This dark- +complexioned girl will be the first of all women, and she will be the +cause of the destruction of many Kshatriyas. This slender-waisted one will, +in time, accomplish the purpose of the gods, and along with her many a +danger will overtake the Kauravas.' On hearing these words, the Panchalas +uttered a loud leonine roar, and the earth was unable to bear the weight +of that joyous concourse. Then beholding the boy and the girl, the +daughter-in-law of Prishata, desiring to have them, approached Yaja and +said, 'Let not these know any one else except myself as their mother.' +Yaja, desiring to do good unto the king said, 'So be it!' Then the +Brahmanas (present there), their expectations fully gratified, bestowed +names upon the new-born pair, 'Let this son of king Drupada, they said, be +called Dhrishtadyumna, because of his excessive audacity and because of +his being born like Dyumna with a natural mail and weapon.' And they also +said, 'Because this daughter is so dark in complexion, she should be +called Krishna (the dark).'" + +"'The Brahmana continued, "Thus were born those twins of the great +sacrifice of Drupada. And the great Drona, bringing the Panchala prince +into his own abode, taught him all weapons in requital of half the kingdom +he had formerly taken from Drupada. The high-souled son of Bharadwaja, +regarding destiny to be inevitable, did what would perpetuate his own +great deeds."'" + + +SECTION CLXX + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of the Brahmana, the sons of +Kunti seemed to be, as it were, pierced with darts. Indeed, all those +mighty heroes lost their peace of mind. Then the truthful Kunti, beholding +all her sons listless and inattentive, addressed Yudhishthira and said, +"We have now lived many nights in the abode of this Brahmana. We have +passed our time pleasantly in this town, living on the alms obtained from +many honest and illustrious persons. O oppressor of foes, as we have now +seen often and often all the agreeable woods and gardens that are in this +part of the country, seeing them again would no longer give any pleasure. +O heroic scion of Kuru's race, alms also are not now obtainable here as +easily as before. If thou wishest it would be well for us now to go to +Panchala; we have not seen that country, it will, no doubt, O hero, prove +delightful to us. O crusher of foes, it hath been heard by us that alms +are obtainable in the country of the Panchala, and that Yajnasena, the +king thereof, is devoted to Brahmanas. I am of opinion that it is not good +to live long in one place. Therefore, O son, if thou likest, it is good +for us to go there." + +"'Hearing these words, Yudhishthira said, "It is our duty to obey thy +command, which, besides, must be for our good. I do not, however, know +whether my younger brothers are willing to go."'" + + +SECTION CLXXI + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Kunti spoke unto Bhimasena and Arjuna and +the twins regarding the journey to Panchala. They all said, "So be it." +Then, O king, Kunti with her sons saluted the Brahmana (in whose house +they had dwelt) and set out for the delightful town of the illustrious +Drupada. + +"Vaisampayana said, 'While the illustrious Pandavas were living disguised +in the abode of the Brahmana, Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, once went to +see them. Those chastisers of foes, beholding him coming rose up and +stepped onward to receive him. Saluting him reverentially and worshipping +him also the Pandavas stood in silence with joined hands. Thus worshipped +by them the sage became gratified. He asked them to be seated, and +cheerfully addressing them said, "Ye slayers of foes, are ye living in the +path of virtue and according to the scriptures? Do ye worship the +Brahmanas? Ye are not, I hope, backward in paying homage unto those that +deserve your homage?" The illustrious Rishi, after this, spoke many words +of virtuous import, and after discoursing upon many topics of great +interest, he said, "An illustrious Rishi, living in a certain hermitage, +had a daughter of tender waist, fair lips, and fine eye-brows, and +possessing every accomplishment. As a consequence of her own acts (in a +past life) the fair maid became very unfortunate. Though chaste and +beautiful, the damsel obtained not a husband. With a sorrowful heart she +thereupon began to practise ascetic penances with the object of obtaining +a husband. She soon gratified by her severe the god Sankara (Mahadeva), +who became propitious unto her and said unto that illustrious damsel, 'Ask +thou the boon thou desirest! Blest be thou! I am Sankara prepared to give +thee what thou wilt ask.' Desirous of benefiting herself, the maid +repeatedly said unto the supreme lord, 'O give me, a husband endued with +every accomplishment.' Then Isana (Mahadeva), that foremost of all +speakers, replied unto her, saying, 'O blessed one, thou shall have five +husbands from among the Bharata princes.' Thus told, the maiden said unto +the god who had given her that boon, 'O lord, I desire to have only one +husband through thy grace.' The god then addressed her again and said +these excellent words, 'Thou hast, O girl, said full five times, "Give me +(a) husband." Thou shalt, therefore, in another life have five husbands!' +Ye princes of Bharata's line, that damsel of celestial beauty hath been +born in the line of Drupada. The faultless Krishna of Prishata's line hath +been appointed to be the wife of you all. Ye mighty ones, go therefore, to +the capital of the Panchalas and dwell ye there. There is no doubt that +having obtained her as wife ye shall be very happy."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said so unto the Pandavas, the +illustrious and blessed grandsire then bade them farewell. The great +ascetic then left them and went to the place whence he had come.'" + + +SECTION CLXXII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Vyasa had gone away, those bulls among men, the +Pandavas, saluted the Brahmana and bade him farewell, and proceeded +(towards Panchala) with joyous hearts and with their mother walking before +them. Those slayers of all foes, in order to reach their destination, +proceeded in a due northerly direction, walking day and night till they +reached a sacred shrine of Siva with the crescent mark on his brow. Then +those tigers among men, the sons of Pandu, arrived at the banks of the +Ganga, Dhananjaya, that mighty car-warrior, walking before them, torch in +hand, for showing the way and guarding them (against wild animals). And it +so happened that at that time the proud king of the Gandharvas, with his +wives, was sporting in that solitary region in the delightful waters of +the Ganga. The king of the Gandharvas heard the tread of the Pandavas as +they approached the river. On hearing the sounds of their foot-steps, the +mighty Gandharvas were inflamed with wrath, and beholding those chastisers +of foes, the Pandavas, approach towards him with their mother, he drew his +frightful bow to a circle and said, "It is known that excepting the first +forty seconds the grey twilight preceding nightfall hath been appointed +for the wandering of the Yakshas, the Gandharvas and the Rakshasas, all of +whom are capable of going everywhere at will. The rest of the time hath +been appointed for man to do his work. If therefore, men, wandering during +those moments from greed of gain, come near us, both we and the Rakshasas +slay those fools. Therefore, persons acquainted with the Vedas never +applaud those men--not even kings at the head of their troops--who +approach any pools of water at such a time. Stay ye at a distance, and +approach me not. Know ye not that I am bathing in the waters of the +Bhagirathi? Know that I am Angaraparna the Gandharva, ever relying on my +own strength! I am proud and haughty and am the friend of Kuvera. This my +forest on the banks of the Ganga, where I sport to gratify all my senses, +is called Angaraparna after my own name. Here neither gods, nor Kapalikas, +nor Gandharvas nor Yakshas, can come. How dare ye approach me who am the +brightest jewel on the diadem of Kuvera?" + +"'Hearing these words of the Gandharva, Arjuna said, "Blockhead, whether it +be day, night, or twilight, who can bar others from the ocean, the sides +of the Himalayas, and this river? O ranger of the skies, whether the +stomach be empty or full, whether it is night or day, there is no special +time for anybody to come to the Ganga--that foremost of all rivers. As +regards ourselves endued with might, we care not when we disturb thee. +Wicked being, those who are weak in fighting worship thee. This Ganga, +issuing out of the golden peaks of Himavat, falleth into the waters of the +ocean, being distributed into seven streams. They who drink the waters of +these seven streams, viz., Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Vitashtha, Sarayu, +Gomati, and Gandaki, are cleansed of all their sins. O Gandharva, this +sacred Ganga again, flowing through the celestial region is called there +the Alakananda. It hath again in the region of the Pitris become the +Vaitarani, difficult of being crossed by sinners, and, Krishna-Dwaipayana +himself hath said so. The auspicious and celestial river, capable of +leading to heaven (them that touch its waters), is free from all dangers. +Why dost thou then desire to bar us from it? This act of thine is not in +consonance with eternal virtue. Disregarding thy words, why shall we not +touch the sacred waters of the Bhagirathi free from all dangers and from +which none can bar us?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Angaraparna +became inflamed with wrath and drawing his bow to a circle began to shoot +his arrows like venomous snakes at the Pandavas. Then Dhananjaya, the son +of Pandu, wielding a good shield and the torch he held in his hand, warded +off all those arrows and addressing the Gandharva again said, "O Gandharva, +seek not to terrify those that are skilled in weapons, for weapons hurled +at them vanish like froth. I think, O Gandharva, that ye are superior (in +prowess) to men; therefore shall I fight with thee, using celestial +weapons and not with any crooked means. This fiery weapon (that I shall +hurl at thee), Vrihaspati the revered preceptor of Indra, gave unto +Bharadwaja, from whom it was obtained by Agnivesya, and from Agnivesya by +my preceptor, that foremost of Brahmanas, Drona, who gave it away to me."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying these words, the Pandava wrathfully +hurled at the Gandharva that blazing weapon made of fire which burnt the +Gandharva's chariot in a trice. Deprived of consciousness by the force of +that weapon, the mighty Gandharva was falling, head downward, from his +chariot. Dhananjaya seized him by the hair of his head adorned with +garlands of flowers and thus dragged the unconscious Gandharva towards his +brothers. Beholding this, that Gandharva's wife Kumbhinasi, desirous of +saving her husband, ran towards Yudhishthira and sought his protection. +The Gandharvi said, "O exalted one, extend to me thy protection! O, set my +husband free! O lord, I am Kumbhinasi by name, the wife of this Gandharva, +who seeketh thy protection!" Beholding her (so afflicted), the mighty +Yudhishthira addressed Arjuna and said, "O slayer of foes, O child, who +would slay a foe who hath been vanquished in fight, who hath been deprived +of fame, who is protected by a woman, and who hath no prowess?" Arjuna +replied, saying, "Keep thou thy life, O Gandharva! Go hence, and grieve +not I. Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, commandeth me to show thee +mercy." + +"'The Gandharva replied, "I have been vanquished by thee. I shall, +therefore, abandon my former name Angaraparna (the blazing vehicle). In +name alone, O friend, I should not be boastful when my pride in my +strength hath been overcome: I have been fortunate in that I have obtained +thee, O Arjuna, that wielder of celestial weapons! I like to impart to +thee the power of (producing) illusions which Gandharvas alone have. My +excellent and variegated chariot hath been burnt by means of thy fiery +weapon. I who had formerly been called after my excellent chariot should +now be called after my burnt chariot. The science of producing illusions +that I have spoken of was formerly obtained by me by ascetic penances. +That science I will today impart to the giver of my life--thy illustrious +self! What good luck doth he not deserve who, after overcoming a foe by +his might, giveth him life when that foe asketh for it? This science is +called Chakshushi. It was communicated by Manu unto Soma and by Soma unto +Viswavasu, and lastly by Viswavasu unto me. Communicated by my preceptor, +that science, having come unto me who am without energy, is gradually +becoming fruitless. I have spoken to thee about its origin and +transmission. Listen now to its power! One may see (by its aid) whatever +one wisheth to see, and in whatever way he liketh (generally or +particularly). One can acquire this science only after standing on one leg +for six months. I shall however, communicate to thee this science without +thyself being obliged to observe any rigid vow. O king, it is for this +knowledge that we are superior to men. And as we are capable of seeing +everything by spiritual sight, we are equal to the gods. O best of men, I +intend to give thee and each of thy brothers a hundred steeds born in the +country of the Gandharvas. Of celestial colour and endued with the speed +of the mind, those horses are employed in bearing the celestial, and the +Gandharvas. They may be lean-fleshed but they tire not, nor doth their +speed suffer on that account. In days of yore the thunderbolt was created +for the chief of the celestials in order that he might slay (the Asura) +Vritra with it. But hurled at Vritra's head it broke in a thousand pieces. +The celestials worship with reverence those fragments of the thunderbolt. +That which is known in the three worlds as glory is but a portion of the +thunderbolt. The hand of the Brahmana with which he poureth libations on +the sacrificial fire, the chariot upon which the Kshatriya fighteth, the +charity of the Vaisya, and the service of the Sudra rendered unto the +three other classes, are all fragments of the thunderbolt. It hath been +said that horses, forming as they do a portion of the Kshatriya's chariot, +are, on that account, unslayable. Again horses which form a portion of the +Kshatriya's chariot, are the offspring of Vadava. Those amongst them that +are born in the region of the Gandharvas can go everywhere and assume any +hue and speed at the will of their owners. These horses of mine that I +give thee will always gratify thy wishes." + +"'On hearing these words of the Gandharva, Arjuna said, "O Gandharva, if +from satisfaction for having obtained thy life at my hands in a situation +of danger, thou givest me thy science, and these horses, I would not +accept thy gift." The Gandharva replied, saying, "A meeting with an +illustrious person is ever a source of gratification; besides thou hast +given me my life. Gratified with thee, I will give thee my science. That +the obligation, however, may not all be on one side, I will take from thee, +O Vibhatsu, O bull in Bharata's race, thy excellent and eternal weapon of +fire!" + +"'Arjuna said, "I would accept thy horses in exchange for my weapon. Let +our friendship last for ever. O friend, tell us for what we human beings +have to stand in fear of the Gandharvas. Chastisers of foes that we are +and virtuous and conversant with the Vedas, tell us, O Gandharva, why in +travelling in the night-time we have been censured by thee." + +"'The Gandharva said, "Ye are without wives (though ye have completed the +period of study). Ye are without a particular Asrama (mode of life). +Lastly, ye are out without a Brahmana walking before, therefore, ye sons +of Pandu, ye have been censured by me. The Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, +Pisachas, Uragas and Danavas, are possessed of wisdom and intelligence, +and acquainted with the history of the Kuru race. O hero, I have heard too +from Narada and other celestial Rishis about the good deeds of your wise +ancestors. I myself, too, while roaming over the whole earth bounded by +her belt of seas, have witnessed the prowess of thy great race. O Arjuna, +I have personal knowledge of thy preceptor, the illustrious son of +Bharadwaja, celebrated throughout the three worlds for his knowledge of +the Vedas and the science of arms. O tiger in Kuru's race, O son of Pritha, +I also know Dharma, Vayu, Sakra, the twin Aswins, and Pandu,--these six +perpetuators of Kuru race,--these excellent celestials and human +progenitors of you all. I also know that you five brothers are learned and +high-souled, that ye are foremost of all wielders of weapons, that ye are +brave and virtuous and observant of vows. Knowing that your understanding +and hearts are excellent and your behaviour faultless, I have yet censured +you. For, O thou of Kuru's race, it behoveth no man endued with might of +arms to bear with patience any ill usage in the sight of his wife. +Especially as, O son of Kunti, our might increaseth during the hours of +darkness, accompanied by my wife I was filled with wrath. O best of vow- +observing men, I have, however, been vanquished by thee in battle. Listen +to me as I tell thee the reasons that have led to my discomfiture. The +Brahmacharya is a very superior mode of life, and as thou art in that mode +now, it is for this, O Partha, that I have been defeated by thee in battle. +O chastiser of foes, if any married Kshatriya fight with us at night, he +can never escape, with life. But, O Partha, a married Kshatriya, who is +sanctified with Brahma, and who hath assigned the cares of his State to a +priest, might vanquish all wanderers in the night. O child of Tapati, men +should therefore, ever employ learned priests possessing self-command for +the acquisition of every good luck they desire. That Brahmana is worthy of +being the king's priest who is learned in the Vedas and the six branches +thereof, who is pure and truthful, who is of virtuous soul and possessed +of self-command. The monarch becometh ever victorious and finally earneth +heaven who hath for his priest a Brahmana conversant with the rules of +morality, who is a master of words, and is pure and of good behaviour. The +king should always select an accomplished priest in order to acquire what +he hath not and protect what he hath. He who desireth his own prosperity +should ever be guided by his priest, for he may then obtain ever the whole +earth surrounded by her belt of seas. O son of Tapati, a king, who is +without a Brahmana, can never acquire any land by his bravery or glory of +birth alone. Know, therefore, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, that the +kingdom lasteth for ever in which Brahmanas have power."'" + + +SECTION CLXXIII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'Arjuna said, "Thou hast addressed me (more than once) as Tapatya. I +therefore wish to know what the precise significance of this word is, O +virtuous Gandharva, being sons of Kunti, we are, indeed, Kaunteyas. But +who is Tapati that we should be called Tapatyas?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the Gandharva related to +Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, the (following) story well-known in the +three worlds. + +"'The Gandharva said, "O son of Pritha, O foremost of all intelligent men, +I will duly recite to you in full this charming narrative. O, listen with +attention to what I say in explanation of why I have addressed thee as +Tapatya. That one in heaven who pervadeth by his light the whole firmament +had a daughter named Tapati equal unto himself. Tapati, the daughter of +the god Vivaswat, was the younger sister of Savitri, and she was +celebrated throughout the three worlds and devoted to ascetic penances. +There was no woman amongst the celestials, the Asuras, the Yakshas, the +Rakshasas, the Apsaras, and the Gandharvas, who was equal to her in beauty. +Of perfect and faultless features, of black and large eyes, and in +beautiful attire, the girl was chaste and of perfect conduct. And, O +Bharata, seeing her Savitri (the sun) thought that there was none in the +three worlds who, for his beauty, accomplishments, behaviour, and learning, +deserved to be her husband. Beholding her attain the age of puberty and, +therefore, worthy of being bestowed on a husband, her father knew no peace +of mind, always thinking of the person he should select. At that time, O +son of Kunti, Riksha's son, that bull amongst the Kurus, the mighty king +Samvarana, was duly worshipping Surya with offerings of Arghya and flower- +garlands and scents, and with vows and fasts and ascetic penances of +various kinds. Indeed, Samvarana was worshipping Surya constantly in all +his glory, with devotion and humility and piety. And beholding Samvarana +conversant with all rules of virtue and unequalled on earth for beauty, +Surya regarded him as the fit husband for his daughter, Tapati. And, O +thou of Kuru's race, Vivaswat then resolved to bestow his daughter on that +best of kings, viz., Samvarana, the scion of a race of world-wide fame. As +Surya himself in the heavens filleth the firmament with his splendour, so +did king Samvarana on earth fill every region with the splendour of his +good achievements. And all men, O Partha, except Brahmanas, worshipped +Samvarana. Blest with good luck, king Samvarana excelled Soma in soothing +the hearts of friends and Surya in scorching the hearts of foes. And, O +Kaurava, Tapana (Surya) himself was resolved upon bestowing his daughter +Tapati upon king Samvarana, who was possessed of such virtues and +accomplishments. + +"'"Once on a time, O Partha, king Samvarana, endued with beauty (of person) +and immeasurable prowess, went on a hunting expedition to the under-woods +on the mountain-breast. While wandering in quest of deer, the excellent +steed the king rode, overcome, O Partha, with hunger, thirst and fatigue, +died on the mountains. Abandoning the steed, the king, O Arjuna, began to +wander about upon the mountain-breast on foot and in course of his +wandering the monarch saw a maiden of large eyes and unrivalled beauty. +That grinder of hostile host--that tiger among kings--himself without a +companion, beholding there that maiden without a companion, stood +motionless gazing at her steadfastly. For her beauty, the monarch for some +moment believed her to be (the goddess) Sri herself. Next he regarded her +to be the embodiment of the rays emanating from Surya. In splendour of her +person she resembled a flame of fire, though in benignity and loveliness +she resembled a spotless digit of the moon. And standing on the mountain- +breast, the black-eyed maiden appeared like a bright statue of gold. The +mountain itself with its creepers and plants, because of the beauty and +attire of that damsel, seemed to be converted into gold. The sight of that +maiden inspired the monarch with a contempt for all women that he had seen +before. By beholding her, the king regarded his eye-sight truly blessed. +Nothing the king had seen from the day of his birth could equal, he +thought, the beauty of that girl. The king's heart and eyes were +captivated by that damsel, as if they were bound with a cord and he +remained rooted to that spot, deprived of his senses. The monarch thought +that the artificer of so much beauty had created it only after churning +the whole world of gods, Asuras, and human beings. Entertaining these +various thoughts, king Samvarana regarded that maiden as unrivalled in the +three worlds for wealth of beauty. + +"'"And the monarch of pure descent, beholding the beautiful maiden, was +pierced with Kama's (Cupid's) shafts and lost his peace of mind. Burnt +with the strong flame of desire the king asked that charming maiden, still +innocent, though in her full youth, saying, 'Who art thou and whose? Why +also dost thou stay here? O thou of sweet smiles, why dost thou wander +alone in these solitary woods? Of every feature perfectly faultless, and +decked with every ornament, thou seemest to be the coveted ornament of +these ornaments themselves! Thou seemest not to be of celestial or Asura +or Yaksha or Rakshasa or Naga or Gandharva or human origin. O excellent +lady, the best of women that I have ever seen or heard of would not +compare with thee in beauty! O thou of handsome face, at sight of thee +lovelier than the moon and graced with eyes like lotus-petals, the god of +desire is grinding me.' + +"'"King Samvarana thus addressed that damsel in the forest, who however, +spoke not a word unto the monarch burning with desire. Instead, like +lightning in the clouds, that large-eyed maiden quickly disappeared in the +very sight of the monarch. The king then wandered through the whole forest, +like one out of his senses, in search of that girl of eyes like lotus- +petals. Failing to find her, that best of monarchs indulged in copious +lamentations and for a time stood motionless with grief."'" + + +SECTION CLXXIV + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Gandharva continued, "When that maiden disappeared, that feller of +hostile ranks deprived of his senses by Kama (concupiscence) himself fell +down on the earth. And as the monarch fell down, that maiden of sweet +smiles and prominent and round hips appeared again before him, and smiling +sweetly, said unto that perpetuator of Kuru's race these honeyed words, +'Rise, rise, O chastiser of foes! Blest be thou; it behoveth thee not, O +tiger among kings, to lose thy reason, a celebrated man as thou art in the +world.' Addressed in these honeyed words, the king opened his eyes and saw +before him that selfsame girl of swelling hips. The monarch who was +burning with the flame of desire then addressed that black-eyed damsel in +accents, weak with emotion, and said, 'Blest be thou O excellent woman of +black eyes! As I am burning with desire and paying thee court, O, accept +me! My life is ebbing away. O thou of large eyes, for thy sake it is, O +thou of the splendour of the filaments of the lotus, that Kama is +incessantly piercing me with his keen shafts without stopping for a +moment! O amiable and cheerful girl, I have been bitten by Kama who is +even like a venomous viper. O thou of swelling and large hips, have mercy +on me! O thou of handsome and faultless features, O thou of face like unto +the lotus-petal or the moon, O thou of voice sweet as that of singing +Kinnaras, my life now depends on thee! Without thee, O timid one, I am +unable to live! O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, Kama is piercing me +incessantly! O large-eyed girl, be merciful unto me! It becometh thee not, +O black-eyed maid, to cast me off; O handsome girl, it behoveth thee to +relieve me from such affliction by giving me thy love! At first sight thou +hast attracted my heart. My mind wandereth! Beholding thee I like not to +cast my eyes on any other woman! Be merciful! I am thy obedient slave--thy +adorer! O, accept me! O beautiful lady, O large-eyed girl at the sight of +thee, the god of desire hath entered my heart, and is piercing me with his +shafts! O thou of lotus-eyes, the flame of desire burneth within me! O, +extinguish that flame with the water of thy love poured on it! O beautiful +lady, by becoming mine, pacify thou the irrepressible god of desire that +hath appeared here armed with his deadly bow and arrows and that is +piercing me incessantly with those keen shafts of his! O thou of the +fairest complexion, wed me according to the Gandharva form, for, O thou of +tapering hips, of all forms of marriage the Gandharva hath been said to be +the best.'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Hearing those words of the monarch, Tapati made +answer, 'O king, I am not the mistress of my own self! Be it known that I +am a maiden under the control of my father. If thou really entertainest an +affection for me, demand me of my father. Thou sayest, O king, that thy +heart hath been robbed by me. But thou also hast, at first sight, robbed +me of my heart; I am not the mistress of my body, and therefore, O best of +kings, I do not approach thee; women are never independent. What girl is +there in the three worlds that would not desire thee for her husband, as +thou art kind unto all thy dependents and as thou art born in a pure race? +Therefore, when the opportunity comes, ask my father Aditya for my hand +with worship, ascetic penances, and vows. If my father bestoweth me upon +thee, then, O king, I shall ever be thy obedient wife. My name is Tapati +and I am the younger sister of Savitri, and the daughter, O bull amongst +Kshatriyas of Savitri, of (Sun) the illuminator of the universe."'" + + +SECTION CLXXV + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Saying this, Tapati of faultless features, +ascended the skies. The monarch thereupon again fell down on the earth. +His ministers and followers searching for him throughout the forest at +length came upon him lying on that solitary spot, and beholding that +excellent king, that mighty bowman, thus lying forsaken on the ground like +a rainbow dropped from the firmament, his minister-in-chief became like +one burnt by a flame of fire. Advancing hastily with affection and respect, +the minister raised that best of monarchs lying prostrate on the ground +and deprived of his senses by desire. Old in wisdom as in age, old in +achievements as in policy, the minister, after having raised the prostrate +monarch, became easy (in mind). Addressing the king in sweet words that +were also for his good, he said, 'Blest be thou, O sinless one! Fear not, +O tiger among kings!' The minister thought that the monarch, that great +feller of hostile ranks in battle, had been lying on the ground overcome +with hunger, thirst, and fatigue. The old man then sprinkled over the +crownless head of the monarch water that was cold and rendered fragrant +with lotus-petals. Slowly regaining his consciousness, the mighty monarch +sent away all his attendants with the exception of his minister only. +After those attendants had retired at his command, the king sat upon the +mountain-breast. Having purified himself duly, the king sat upon that +chief of mountains, and began, with joined palms and upturned face, to +worship Surya. King Samvarana, that smiter of all foes, thought also of +his chief priest Vasishtha, that best of Rishis. The king continued to sit +there day and night without intermission. The Brahmana sage Vasishtha came +there on the twelfth day: that great Rishi of soul under perfect command +knew at once by his ascetic power that the monarch had lost his senses in +consequence of Tapati. And that virtuous and best of Munis, as soon as he +knew this, desirous of benefiting the monarch who was ever observant of +vows, addressed him and gave him every assurance. The illustrious Rishi, +in the very sight of that monarch, ascended upward to interview Surya, +himself possessed of the splendour of that luminary. The Brahmana then +approached with joined hands the god of a thousand rays and introduced +himself cheerfully unto him, saying, 'I am Vasishtha.' Then Vivaswat of +great energy said unto that best of Rishis, 'Welcome art thou, O great +Rishi! Tell me what is in thy mind. O thou of great good fortune, whatever +thou demandest of me, O foremost of eloquent men, I will confer on thee, +however difficult it may be for me!' Thus addressed by Surya, the Rishi of +great ascetic merit, bowing unto the god of light, replied, saying, 'O +Vibhavasu, this thy daughter, Tapati, the younger sister of Savitri, I ask +of thee for Samvarana! That monarch is of mighty achievements, conversant +with virtue, and of high soul. O firmament-ranger, Samvarana will make a +worthy husband for thy daughter.' Thus addressed by the Rishi Vibhakara, +resolved upon bestowing his daughter upon Samvarana, saluted the Rishi, +and replied unto him, saying, 'Oh, Samvarana is the best of monarchs, thou +art the best of Rishis, Tapati is the best of women. What should we do, +therefore, but bestow her on Samvarana?' With these words, the god Tapana, +made over his daughter, Tapati, of every feature perfectly faultless, unto +the illustrious Vasishtha to bestow her upon Samvarana. And the great +Rishi then accepted the girl, Tapati, and taking leave of Surya, came back +to the spot, where that bull amongst the Kurus, of celestial achievements, +was. King Samvarana, possessed by love and with his heart fixed on Tapati, +beholding that celestial maiden of sweet smiles led by Vasishtha, became +exceedingly glad. And Tapati of fair eyebrows came down from the firmament +like lightning from the clouds, dazzling the ten points of the heavens. +And the illustrious Rishi Vasishtha of pure soul approached the monarch +after the latter's twelve nights' vow was over. It was thus that king +Samvarana obtained a wife after having worshipped with ascetic +penances the propitious lord Vivaswat, by the help of +Vasishtha's (ascetic power). And Samvarana, that bull among men with due +rites took Tapati's hand on that mountain-breast which was resorted to by +the celestials and the Gandharvas. The royal sage, with the permission of +Vasishtha, desired to sport with his wife on that mountain. And the king +caused Vasishtha to be proclaimed his regent in his capital and kingdom, +in the woods and gardens. And bidding farewell unto the monarch, Vasishtha +left him and went away. Samvarana, who sported on that mountain like a +celestial, sported with his wife in the woods and the under-woods on that +mountain for twelve full years. And, O best of the Bharatas, the god of a +thousand eyes poured no rain for twelve years on the capital and on the +kingdom of that monarch. Then, O chastiser of enemies, when that season of +drought broke out, the people of that kingdom, as also the trees and lower +animals began to die fast. And during the continuance of that dreadful +drought, not even a drop of dew fell from the skies and no corn grew. And +the inhabitants in despair, and afflicted with the fear of hunger, left +their homes and fled away in all directions. And the famished people of +the capital and the country began to abandon their wives and children and +grew reckless of one another. The people being afflicted with hunger, +without a morsel of food and reduced to skeletons, the capital looked very +much like the city of the king of the dead, full of only ghostly beings. +On beholding the capital reduced to such a state, the illustrious and +virtuous and best of Rishis, Vasishtha was resolved upon applying a remedy +and brought back unto the city that tiger among kings, Samvarana, along +with his wife, after the latter had passed so long a period in solitude +and seclusion. After the king had entered his capital, things became as +before, for, when that tiger among kings came back to his own, the god of +a thousand eyes, the slayer of Asuras, poured rain in abundance and caused +corn to grow. Revivified by the foremost of virtuous souls the capital and +the country became animated with extreme joy. The monarch, with his wife, +Tapati, once more performed sacrifices for twelve years, like the lord +Indra (god of rain) performing sacrifices with his wife, Sachi." + +"'The Gandharva continued, "This, O Partha, is the history of Tapati of +old, the daughter of Vivaswat. It is for her that thou art (called) +Tapatya. King Samvarana begot upon Tapati a son named Kuru, who was the +foremost of ascetics. Born in the race of Kuru, thou art, O Arjuna, to be +called Tapatya."'" + + +SECTION CLXXVI + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'That bull among the Bharatas, Arjuna, hearing +these words of the Gandharva, was inspired with feelings of devotion, and +stood comfortably like the full moon. And that mighty bowman, that +foremost one in Kuru's race having his curiosity greatly excited +by what he heard of Vasishtha's ascetic power, asked the Gandharva, +saying, "I desire to hear of the Rishi whom thou hast mentioned +as Vasishtha. O, tell me in full about him! O chief of the Gandharvas, +tell me who this illustrious Rishi was that was the priest of our +forefathers." The Gandharva replied, "Vasishtha is Brahma's spiritual +(lit, mind-born) son and Arundhati's husband. Ever difficult of being +conquered by the very immortals, Desire and Wrath, conquered by +Vasishtha's ascetic penances, used to shampoo his feet. Though his wrath +was excited by Viswamitra's offence, that high-souled Rishi did not yet +exterminate Kusikas (the tribe whose king Viswamitra was). Afflicted at +the loss of his sons, he did not, as though powerless, though really +otherwise, do any dreadful act destructive of Viswamitra. Like the ocean +transgressing not its continents, Vasishtha transgressed not (the laws of) +Yama by bringing back his children from the domains of the king of the +dead. It was by obtaining that illustrious one who had conquered his own +self that Ikshvaku and other great monarchs acquired the whole earth. And, +O prince of Kuru's race, it was by obtaining Vasishtha, that best of +Rishis as their priest, that those monarchs performed many grand +sacrifices. And, O best of the Pandavas, that regenerate Rishi assisted +these monarchs in the performance of their sacrifices like Vrihaspati +assisting the immortals. Therefore, look ye for some accomplished and +desirable Brahmana conversant with the Vedas and in whose heart virtue +prevails, to appoint as your priest. A Kshatriya of good lineage, desirous +of extending his dominions by conquering the earth, should, O Partha, +first appoint a priest. He who is desirous of conquering the earth should +have a Brahmana before him. Therefore, O Arjuna, let some accomplished and +learned Brahmana, who has his senses under complete control and who is +conversant with religion, profit and pleasure, be your priest."'" + + +SECTION CLXXVII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing this, Arjuna said, "O Gandharva, whence +arose the hostility between Viswamitra and Vasishtha both of whom dwelt in +a celestial hermitage? O, tell us all about it." + +"'The Gandharva replied, "O Partha, the story of Vasishtha is regarded as a +Purana (legend) in all the three worlds. Listen to me as I recite it fully. +There was, in Kanyakuvja, O bull of Bharata's race, a great king of +worldwide fame named Gadhi, the son of Kusika. The virtuous Gadhi had a +son named Viswamitra, that grinder of foes, possessing a large army and +many animals and vehicles. And Viswamitra, accompanied by his ministers, +used to roam in quest of deer through the deep woods and over picturesque +marshes, killing deer and wild boars. Once on a time, while king Viswamitra +went in quest of deer, the king became weak with exertion and thirst. The +monarch arrived in that state at the asylum of Vasishtha, and the blessed +and illustrious Rishi beholding him arrive, reverenced with his homage that +best of men, king Viswamitra. And O Bharata, the Rishi saluted the monarch +by offering him water to wash his face and feet with, and Arghya, and wild +fruits, and clarified butter. For the illustrious Rishi had a cow yielding +anything that was desired of her. When she was addressed, saying, 'O give', +she always yielded the article that was sought. And she yielded various +fruits and corn, wild or grown in gardens and fields, and milk, and many +excellent nutritive viands full of six different kinds of juice (taste?) +and like unto nectar itself, and various other kinds of enjoyable things, +O Arjuna, of ambrosial taste for drinking and eating, and for licking and +sucking, and also many precious gems and robes of various kinds. With +these desirable objects in profusion the monarch was worshipped. And the +king with his minister and troops became highly pleased. And the monarch +wondered much, beholding that cow with six elevated limbs and the +beautiful flanks and hips, and five limbs that were broad, and eyes +prominent like those of the frog and beautiful in size, and high udders, +and faultless make, and straight and uplifted ears, and handsome horns, +and well-developed head and neck. + +"'"And, O prince, the son of Gadhi, gratified with everything and +applauding the cow named Nandini, addressed the Rishi, saying, 'O Brahmana, +O great Muni, give me thy Nandini in exchange for ten thousand kine, or my +kingdom. Enjoy thou my kingdom (giving me thy cow).' + +"'"Hearing these words of Viswamitra, Vasishtha said, 'O sinless one, this +cow hath been kept by me for the sake of the gods, guests, and the Pitris, +as also for my sacrifices. I cannot give Nandini in exchange for even thy +kingdom.' Viswamitra replied, 'I am a Kshatriya, but thou art a Brahmana +devoted to asceticism and study. Is there any energy in Brahmanas who are +peaceful and who have their souls under perfect command? When thou givest +me not what I desire in exchange even for ten thousand cows, I will not +abandon the practice of my order; I will take thy cow even by force!' + +"'"Vasishtha said, 'Thou art a Kshatriya endued with might of arms. Thou +art a powerful monarch. O, do in haste what thou desirest; and stop not to +consider its propriety.'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Thus addressed by Vasishtha, Viswamitra, O +Partha, then forcibly seized Nandini, that cow (white) like the swan or +the moon, and attempted to take her away, afflicting her with stripes and +persecuting her otherwise. The innocent Nandini then began, O Partha, to +low piteously, and approaching the illustrious Vasishtha stood before him +with uplifted face. Though persecuted very cruelly, she refused to leave +the Rishi's asylum. + +"'"Beholding her in that plight, Vasishtha said, 'O amiable one, thou art +lowing repeatedly and I am hearing thy cries. But, O Nandini, even +Viswamitra is taking thee away by force, what can I do in this matter, as +I am a forgiving Brahmana?'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Then, O bull in Bharata's race, Nandini, +alarmed at the sight of Viswamitra's troops and terrified by Viswamitra +himself, approached the Rishi still closer, and said, 'O illustrious one, +why art thou so indifferent to my poor self afflicted with the stripes of +the cruel troops of Viswamitra and crying so piteously as if I were +masterless?' Hearing these words of the crying and persecuted Nandini, the +great Rishi lost not his patience nor turned from his vow of forgiveness. +He replied, 'The Kshatriya's might lies in physical strength, the +Brahmana's in forgiveness. Because I cannot give up forgiveness, go thou, +O Nandini, if thou choosest.' Nandini answered, 'Castest thou me away, O +illustrious one, that thou sayest so? If thou dost not cast me off, I +cannot, O Brahmana, be taken away by force.' Vasishtha said, 'O blessed +one, I do not cast thee off! Stay if thou canst! O, yonder is thy calf, +tied with a stout cord, and even now being weakened by it!'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, 'Then the cow of Vasishtha, hearing the word +stay, raised her head and neck upward, and became terrible to behold. With +eyes red with rage and lowing repeatedly, she then attacked Viswamitra's +troops on all sides. Afflicted with their stripes and running hither and +thither with those red eyes of hers, her wrath increased. Blazing with +rage, she soon became terrible to behold like unto the sun in his midday +glory. And from her tail she began to rain showers of burning coals all +around. And some moments after, from her tail she brought forth an army of +Palhavas, and from her udders, an army of Dravidas and Sakas; and from her +womb, an army of Yavanas, and from her dung, an army of Savaras; and from +her urine, an army of Kanchis; and from her sides, an army of Savaras. And +from the froth of her mouth came out hosts of Paundras and Kiratas, +Yavanas and Sinhalas, and the barbarous tribes of Khasas and Chivukas and +Pulindas and Chinas and Hunas with Keralas, and numerous other Mlechchhas. +And that vast army of Mlechchhas in various uniforms, and armed with +various weapons, as soon as it sprang into life, deploying in the very +sight of Viswamitra, attacked that monarch's soldiers. And so numerous was +that Mlechchha host that each particular soldier of Viswamitra was +attacked by a band of six or seven of their enemies. Assailed with a +mighty shower of weapons, Viswamitra's troops broke and fled, panic- +stricken, in all directions, before his very eyes. But, O bull in +Bharata's race, the troops of Vasishtha, though excited with wrath, took +not the life of any of Viswamitra's troops. Nandini simply caused the +monarch's army to be routed and driven off. And driven (from the asylum) +twenty-seven full miles, panic-stricken, they shrieked aloud and beheld +not anyone that could protect them. Viswamitra, beholding this wonderful +feat that resulted from Brahmana prowess, became disgusted with Kshatriya +prowess and said, 'O, fie on Kshatriya prowess! Brahmana prowess is true +prowess! In judging of strength and weakness, I see that asceticism is +true strength.' Saying this, the monarch, abandoning his large domains and +regal splendour and turning his back upon all pleasures, set his mind on +asceticism. Crowned with success in asceticism and filling the three +worlds with the heat of his ascetic penances, he afflicted all creatures +and finally became a Brahmana. The son of Kusika at last drank Soma with +Indra himself (in Heaven)."'" + + +SECTION CLXXVIII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Gandharva continued, "There was, O Partha, a king in this world, +named Kalmashapada, who was of the race of Ikshvaku and was unequalled on +earth for prowess. One day the king went from his capital into the woods +for purposes of hunting, and this grinder of foes pierced (with his +arrows) many deer and wild boars. And in those deep woods the king also +slew many rhinoceroses. Engaged in sport for some length of time, the +monarch became very much fatigued and at last he gave up the chase, +desiring to rest awhile. + +"'"The great Viswamitra, endued with energy, had, a little while ago, +desired to make that monarch his disciple. As the monarch, afflicted with +hunger and thirst, was proceeding through the woods, he came across that +best of Rishis, the illustrious son of Vasishtha, coming along the same +path. The king ever victorious in battle saw that Muni bearing the name of +Saktri, that illustrious propagator of Vasishtha's race, the eldest of the +high-souled Vasishtha's hundred sons, coming along from opposite direction. +The king, beholding him said, 'Stand out of our way.' The Rishi, +addressing the monarch in a conciliatory manner, said unto him sweetly, 'O +king, this is my way. This is the eternal rule of morality indicated in +every treatise on duty and religion, viz., that a king should ever make +way for Brahmanas.' Thus did they address each other respecting their +right of way. 'Stand aside, stand aside', were the words they said unto +each other. The Rishi, who was in the right, did not yield, nor did the +king yield to him from pride and anger. That best of monarchs, enraged at +the Rishi, refusing to yield him the way, acted like a Rakshasa, striking +him with his whip. Thus whipped by the monarch, that best of Rishis, the +son of Vasishtha, was deprived of his senses by anger, and speedily cursed +that first of monarchs, saying, 'O worst of kings, since thou persecutest +like a Rakshasa an ascetic, thou shalt from this day, became a Rakshasa +subsisting on human flesh! Hence, thou worst of kings! thou shalt wander +over the earth, affecting human form!' Thus did the Rishi Sakti, endued +with great prowess, speak unto king Kalmashapada. At this time Viswamitra, +between whom and Vasishtha there was a dispute about the discipleship of +Kalmashapada, approached the place where that monarch and Vasishtha's son +were. And, O Partha, that Rishi of severe ascetic penances, viz., +Viswamitra of great energy, approached the pair (knowing by his spiritual +insight that they had been thus quarrelling with each other). After the +curse had been pronounced, that best of monarchs knew that Rishi to be +Vasishtha's son and equal unto Vasishtha himself in energy. And, O Bharata, +Viswamitra, desirous of benefiting himself, remained on that spot, +concealed from the sight of both by making himself invisible. Then that +best of monarchs, thus cursed by Saktri, desiring to propitiate the Rishi +began to humbly beseech him. And, O chief of the Kurus, Viswamitra, +ascertaining the disposition of the king (and fearing that the difference +might be made up), ordered a Rakshasa to enter the body of the king. And a +Rakshasa of the name of Kinkara then entered the monarch's body in +obedience to Saktri's curse and Viswamitra's command. And knowing, O +chastiser of foes, that the Rakshasa had possessed himself of the monarch, +that best of Rishis, Viswamitra, then left the spot and went away. + +"'"Shortly after, O Partha, the monarch, possessed by the Rakshasa and +terribly afflicted by him, lost all his senses. At this time a Brahmana +beheld the king in the woods. Afflicted with hunger, that Brahmana begged +of the king some food with meat. The royal sage, Kalmashapada, that +cherisher of friends, answered the Brahmana, saying, 'Stay thou here, O +Brahmana for a moment. On my return, I will give thee whatever food thou +desirest.' Having said this, the monarch went away, but the Brahmana +stayed on there. The high-minded king having roved for some time at +pleasure and according to his will, at last entered his inner apartment. +Thus waking at midnight and remembering his promise, he summoned his cook +and told him of his promise unto the Brahmana staying in the forest. And +he commanded him, saying, 'Hie thee to that forest. A Brahmana waiteth for +me in the hope of food. Go and entertain him with food and meat.'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Thus commanded, the cook went out in search of +meat. Distressed at not having found any, he informed the king of his +failure. The monarch, however, possessed as he was by the Rakshasa, +repeatedly said, without scruple of any kind, 'Feed him with human flesh.' +The cook, saying, 'So be it,' went to the place where the (king's) +executioners were, and thence taking human flesh and washing and cooking +it duly and covering it with boiled rice offered it unto that hungry +Brahmana devoted to ascetic penances. But that best of Brahmanas, seeing +with his spiritual sight that the food was unholy and, therefore, unworthy +of being eaten, said these words with eyes red with anger, 'Because that +worst of kings offereth me food that is unholy and unworthy of being taken, +therefore that wretch shall have himself a fondness for such food. And +becoming fond of human flesh as cursed by Saktri of old, the wretch shall +wander over the earth, alarming and otherwise troubling all creatures.' +The curse, therefore, on that king, thus repeated a second time, became +very strong, and the king, possessed by a Rakshasa disposition, soon lost +all his senses. + +"'"A little while after, O Bharata, that best of monarchs, deprived of all +his senses by the Rakshasa within him, beholding Saktri who had cursed him, +said, 'Because thou hast pronounced on me this extraordinary curse, +therefore, I shall begin my life of cannibalism by devouring thee.' Having +said this, the king immediately slew Saktri and ate him up, like a tiger +eating the animal it was fond of. Beholding Saktri thus slain and devoured, +Viswamitra repeatedly urged that Rakshasa (who was within the monarch) +against the other sons of Vasishtha. Like a wrathful lion devouring small +animals, that Rakshasa soon devoured the other sons of the illustrious +Vasishtha that were junior to Saktri in age. But Vasishtha, learning that +all his sons had been caused to be slain by Viswamitra, patiently bore his +grief like the great mountain that bears the earth. That best of Munis, +that foremost of intelligent men, was resolved rather to sacrifice his own +life than exterminate (in anger) the race of Kusikas. The illustrious +Rishi threw himself down from the summit of Meru, but he descended on the +stony ground as though on a heap of cotton. And, O son of Pandu, when the +illustrious one found that death did not result from that fall, he kindled +a huge fire in the forest and entered it with alacrity. But that fire, +though burning brightly, consumed him not. O slayer of foes, that blazing +fire seemed to him cool. Then the great Muni under the influence of grief, +beholding the sea, tied a stony weight to his neck and threw himself into +its waters. But the waves soon cast him ashore. At last when that Brahmana +of rigid vows succeeded not in killing himself by any means, he returned, +in distress of heart, to his asylum."'" + + +SECTION CLXXIX + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Beholding his asylum bereft of his children, +the Muni afflicted with great grief left it again. And in course of his +wandering he saw, O Partha, a river swollen with the waters of the rainy +season, sweeping away numberless trees and plants that had grown on its +margin. Beholding this, O thou of Kuru's race, the distressed Muni +thinking that he would certainly be drowned if he fell into the waters of +that river, he tied himself strongly with several cords and flung himself, +under the influence of grief, into the current of that mighty stream. But, +O slayer of foes, that stream soon cut those cords and cast the Rishi +ashore. And the Rishi rose from the bank, freed from the cords with which +he had tied himself. And because his cords were thus broken off by the +violence of the current, the Rishi called the stream by the name of Vipasa +(the cord-breaker). For his grief the Muni could not, from that time, stay +in one place; he began to wander over mountains and along rivers and lakes. +And beholding once again a river named Haimavati (flowing from Himavat) of +terrible aspect and full of fierce crocodiles and other (aquatic) monsters, +the Rishi threw himself into it, but the river mistaking the Brahmana for +a mass of (unquenchable) fire, immediately flew in a hundred different +directions, and hath been known ever since by the name of the Satadru (the +river of a hundred courses). Seeing himself on the dry land even there he +exclaimed, 'O, I cannot die by my own hands!' Saying this, the Rishi once +more bent his steps towards his asylum. Crossing numberless mountains and +countries, as he was about to re-enter his asylum, he was followed by his +daughter-in-law named Adrisyanti. As she neared him, he heard the sound +from behind of a very intelligent recitation of the Vedas with the six +graces of elocution. Hearing that sound, the Rishi asked, 'Who is it that +followeth me?' His daughter-in-law then answered, 'I am Adrisyanti, the +wife of Saktri. I am helpless, though devoted to asceticism.' Hearing her, +Vasishtha said, 'O daughter, whose is this voice that I heard, repeating +the Vedas along with the Angas like unto the voice of Saktri reciting the +Vedas with the Angas?' Adrisyanti answered, 'I bear in my womb a child by +thy son Saktri. He hath been here full twelve years. The voice thou +hearest is that of the Muni, who is reciting the Vedas.'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Thus addressed by her the illustrious Vasishtha +became exceedingly glad. And saying, 'O, there is a child (of my race)!'-- +he refrained, O Partha, from self-destruction. The sinless one accompanied +by his daughter-in-law, then returned to his asylum. And the Rishi saw one +day in the solitary woods (the Rakshasa) Kalmashapada. The king, O Bharata, +possessed by fierce Rakshasa, as he saw the Rishi, became filled with +wrath and rose up, desiring to devour him. And Adrisyanti beholding before +her that the Rakshasa of cruel deeds, addressed Vasishtha in these words, +full of anxiety and fear, 'O illustrious one, the cruel Rakshasa, like +unto Death himself armed with (his) fierce club, cometh towards us with a +wooden club in hand! There is none else on earth, except thee, O +illustrious one, and, O foremost of all that are conversant with the Vedas +to restrain him today. Protect me, O illustrious one, from this cruel +wretch of terrible mien. Surely, the Rakshasa cometh hither to devour us!' +Vasishtha, hearing this, said, 'Fear not, O daughter, there is no need of +any fear from any Rakshasa. This one is no Rakshasa from whom thou +apprehendest such imminent danger. This is king Kalmashapada endued with +great energy and celebrated on earth. That terrible man dwelleth in these +woods.'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Beholding him advancing, the illustrious Rishi +Vasishtha, endued with great energy, restrained him, O Bharata, by +uttering the sound Hum. Sprinkling him again with water sanctified with +incantations the Rishi freed the monarch from that terrible curse. For +twelve years the monarch had been overwhelmed by the energy of Vasishtha's +son like Surya seized by the planet (Rahu) during the season of an eclipse. +Freed from the Rakshasa the monarch illumined that large forest by his +splendour like the sun illumining the evening clouds. Recovering his power +of reason, the king saluted that best of Rishis with joined palms and said, +'O illustrious one, I am the son of Sudasa and thy disciple, O best of +Munis! O, tell me what is thy pleasure and what I am to do.' Vasishtha +replied, saying, 'My desire hath already been accomplished. Return now to +thy kingdom and rule thy subjects. And, O chief of men, never insult +Brahmanas any more.' The monarch replied, 'O illustrious one, I shall +never more insult superior Brahmanas. In obedience to thy command I shall +always worship Brahmanas. But, O best of Brahmanas, I desire to obtain +from thee that by which, O foremost of all that are conversant with the +Vedas, I may be freed from the debt I owe to the race of Ikshvaku! O best +of men, it behoveth thee to grant me, for the perpetuation of Ikshvaku's +race, a desirable son possessing beauty and accomplishments and good +behaviour.'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Thus addressed, Vasishtha, that best of +Brahmanas devoted to truth replied unto that mighty bowman of a monarch, +saying, 'I will give you.' After some time, O prince of men, Vasishtha, +accompanied by the monarch, went to the latter's capital known all over +the earth by the name of Ayodhya. The citizens in great joy came out to +receive the sinless and illustrious one, like the dwellers in heaven +coming out to receive their chief. The monarch, accompanied by Vasishtha, +re-entered his auspicious capital after a long time. The citizens of +Ayodhya beheld their king accompanied by his priest, as if he were the +rising sun. The monarch who was superior to everyone in beauty filled by +his splendour the whole town of Ayodhya, like the autumnal moon filling by +his splendour the whole firmament. And the excellent city itself, in +consequence of its streets having been watered and swept, and of the rows +of banners and pendants beautifying it all around, gladdened the monarch's +heart. And, O prince of Kuru's race, the city filled as it was with joyous +and healthy souls, in consequence of his presence, looked gay like +Amaravati with the presence of the chief of the celestials. After the +royal sage had entered his capital, the queen, at the king's command, +approached Vasishtha. The great Rishi, making a covenant with her, united +himself with her according to the high ordinance. And after a little while, +when the queen conceived, that best of Rishis, receiving the reverential +salutations of the king, went back to his asylum. The queen bore the +embryo in her womb for a long time. When she saw that she did not bring +forth anything, she tore open her womb by a piece of stone. It was then +that at the twelfth year (of the conception) was born Asmaka, that bull +amongst men, that royal sage who founded (the city of) Paudanya."'" + + +SECTION CLXXX + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Then, O Partha, Adrisyanti, who had been +residing in Vasishtha's asylum, brought forth (when the time came) a son +who was the perpetuator of Saktri's race and who was a second Saktri in +everything. O foremost of Bharatas, that best of Munis, the illustrious +Vasishtha himself performed the usual after-birth ceremonies of his +grandson. And, because the Rishi Vasishtha had resolved on self- +destruction but had abstained therefrom as soon as he knew of the +existence of that child, that child, when born, was called Parasara (the +vivifier of the dead). The virtuous Parasara, from the day of his birth, +knew Vasishtha for his father and behaved towards the Muni as such. One +day, O son of Kunti, the child addressed Vasishtha, that first of Brahmana +sages, as father, in the presence of his mother Adrisyanti. Adrisyanti, +hearing the very intelligible sound 'father' sweetly uttered by her son, +addressed him with tearful eyes and said, 'O child, do not address this +thy grandfather as father. Thy father, O son, has been devoured by a +Rakshasa in a different forest. O innocent one, he is not thy father whom +thou regardest so. The revered one is the father of that celebrated father +of thine.' Thus addressed by his mother that best of Rishis of truthful +speech, gave way to sorrow, but soon fired up and resolved to destroy the +whole creation. Then that illustrious and great ascetic Vasishtha, that +foremost of all persons conversant with Brahma, that son of Mitravaruna, +that Rishi acquainted with positive truth, addressed his grandson who had +set his heart upon the destruction of the world. Hear, O Arjuna, the +arguments by which Vasishtha succeeded in driving out that resolution from +his grandson's mind." + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Then Vasishtha said, 'There was a celebrated +king of the name of Kritavirya. That bull among the kings of the earth was +the disciple of the Veda-knowing Bhrigus. That king, O child, after +performing the Soma sacrifice, gratified the Brahmanas with great presents +of rice and wealth. After that monarch had ascended to heaven, an occasion +came when his descendants were in want of wealth. And knowing that the +Bhrigus were rich, those princes went unto those best of Brahmanas, in the +guise of beggars. Some amongst the Bhrigus, to protect their wealth, +buried it under earth; and some from fear of the Kshatriyas, began to give +away their wealth unto (other) Brahmanas; while some amongst them duly +gave unto the Kshatriyas whatever they wanted. It happened, however, that +some Kshatriyas, in digging as they pleased at the house of particular +Bhargava, came upon a large treasure. And the treasure was seen by all +those bulls among Kshatriyas who had been there. Enraged at what they +regarded as the deceitful behaviour of the Bhrigus, the Kshatriyas +insulted the Brahmanas, though the latter asked for mercy. And those +mighty bowmen began to slaughter the Bhrigus with their sharp arrows. And +the Kshatriyas wandered over the earth, slaughtering even the embryos that +were in the wombs of the women of the Bhrigu race. And while the Bhrigu +race was thus being exterminated, the women of that tribe fled from fear +to the inaccessible mountains of Himavat. And one amongst these women, of +tapering thighs, desiring to perpetuate her husband's race, held in one of +her thighs an embryo endued with great energy. A certain Brahmana woman, +however, who came to know this fact, went from fear unto the Kshatriyas +and reported the matter unto them. And the Kshatriyas then went to destroy +that embryo. Arrived at the place, they beheld the would-be mother blazing +with inborn energy, and the child that was in her thigh came out tearing +up the thigh and dazzling the eyes of those Kshatriyas like the midday sun. +Thus deprived of their eyes, the Kshatriyas began to wander over those +inaccessible mountains. And distressed at the loss of sight, the princes +were afflicted with woe, and desirous of regaining the use of their eyes +they resolved to seek the protection of that faultless woman. Then those +Kshatriyas, afflicted with sorrow, and from loss of sight like unto a fire +that hath gone out, addressed with anxious hearts that illustrious lady, +saying, "By thy grace. O lady, we wish to be restored to sight. We shall +then return to our homes all together and abstain for ever from our sinful +practice. O handsome one, it behoveth thee with thy child to show us mercy. +It behoveth thee to favour these kings by granting them their +eye-sight.'"'" + + +SECTION CLXXXI + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'"Vasishtha continued, 'The Brahmana lady, thus addressed by them, said, +"Ye children, I have not robbed you of your eye-sight, nor am I angry with +you. This child, however, of the Bhrigu race hath certainly been angry +with you. There is little doubt, ye children, that ye have been robbed of +your sight by that illustrious child whose wrath hath been kindled at the +remembrance of the slaughter of his race. Ye children, while ye were +destroying even the embryos of the Bhrigu race, this child was held by me +in my thigh for a hundred years! And in order that the prosperity of +Bhrigu's race might be restored, the entire Vedas with their branches came +unto this one even while he was in the womb. It is plain that this scion +of the Bhrigu race, enraged at the slaughter of his fathers, desireth to +slay you! It is by his celestial energy that your eyes have been scorched. +Therefore, ye children, pray ye unto this my excellent child born of my +thigh. Propitiated by your homage he may restore your eye-sight."' + +"'"Vasishtha continued, 'Hearing those words of the Brahmana lady, all +these princes addressed the thigh-born child, saying, "Be propitious!" And +the child became propitious unto them. And that best of Brahmana Rishis, in +consequence of his having been born after tearing open his mother's thigh, +came to be known throughout the three worlds by the name of Aurva (thigh- +born). And those princes regaining their eye-sight went away. But the Muni +Aurva of the Bhrigu race resolved upon overcoming the whole world. And the +high-souled Rishi set his heart, O child, upon the destruction of every +creature in the world. And that scion of the Bhrigu race, for paying +homage (as he regarded) unto his slaughtered ancestors, devoted himself to +the austerest of penances with the object of destroying the whole world. +And desirous of gratifying his ancestors, the Rishi afflicted by his +severe asceticism the three worlds with the celestials, the Asuras and +human beings. The Pitris, then, learning what the child of their race was +about, all came from their own region unto the Rishi and addressing him +said: + +"'"'"Aurva, O son, fierce thou hast been in thy asceticism. Thy power hath +been witnessed by us. Be propitious unto the three worlds. O, control thy +wrath. O child, it was not from incapacity that the Bhrigus of souls under +complete control were, all of them, indifferent to their own destruction +at the hands of the murderous Kshatriyas. O child, when we grew weary of +the long periods of life alloted to us, it was then that we desired our +own destruction through the instrumentality of the Kshatriyas. The wealth +that the Bhrigus had placed in their house underground had been placed +only with the object of enraging the Kshatriyas and picking a quarrel with +them. O thou best of Brahmanas, as we were desirous of heaven, of what use +could wealth be to us? The treasurer of heaven (Kuvera) had kept a large +treasure for us. When we found that death could not, by any means, +overtake us all, it was then, O child, that we regarded this as the best +means (of compassing our desire). They who commit suicide never attain to +regions that are blessed. Reflecting upon this, we abstained from self- +destruction. That which therefore thou desirest to do is not agreeable to +us. Restrain thy mind, therefore, from the sinful act of destroying the +whole world. O child, destroy not the Kshatriyas nor the seven worlds. O, +kill this wrath of thine that staineth thy ascetic energy."'"'" + + +SECTION CLXXXII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Gandharva said, "Vasishtha after this, continued the narration +saying, 'Hearing words of the Pitris, Aurva, O child, replied unto them to +this effect: + +"'"'"Ye Pitris, the vow I have made from anger for the destruction of all +the worlds, must not go in vain. I cannot consent to be one whose anger and +vows are futile. Like fire consuming dry woods, this rage of mine will +certainly consume me if I do not accomplish my vow. The man that +represseth his wrath that hath been excited by (adequate) cause, becometh +incapable of duly compassing the three ends of life (viz., religion, +profit and pleasure). The wrath that kings desirous of subjugating the +whole earth exhibit, is not without its uses. It serveth to restrain the +wicked and to protect the honest. While lying unborn within my mother's +thigh, I heard the doleful cries of my mother and other women of the +Bhrigu race who were then being exterminated by the Kshatriyas. Ye Pitris, +when those wretches of Kshatriyas began to exterminate the Bhrigus +together with unborn children of their race, it was then that wrath filled +my soul. My mother and the other women of our race, each in an advanced +state of pregnancy, and my father, while terribly alarmed, found not in +all the worlds a single protector. Then when the Bhrigu women found not a +single protector, my mother held me in one of her thighs. If there be a +punisher of crimes in the worlds no one in all the worlds would dare +commit a crime; if he findeth not a punisher, the number of sinners +becometh large. The man who having the power to prevent or punish sin doth +not do so knowing that a sin hath been committed, is himself defiled by +that sin. When kings and others, capable of protecting my fathers, protect +them not, postponing that duty preferring the pleasures of life, I have +just cause to be enraged with them. I am the lord of the creation, capable +of punishing its iniquity. I am incapable of obeying your command. Capable +of punishing this crime, if I abstain from so doing, men will once more +have to undergo a similar persecution. The fire of my wrath too that is +ready to consume the worlds, if repressed, will certainly consume by its +own energy my own self. Ye masters, I know that ye ever seek the good of +the worlds: direct me, therefore, as to what may benefit both myself and +the worlds.' + +"'"Vasishtha continued, 'The Pitris replied saying, "O, throw this fire +that is born of thy wrath and that desireth to consume the worlds, into +the waters. That will do thee good. The worlds, indeed, are all dependent +on water (as their elementary cause). Every juicy substance containeth +water, indeed the whole universe is made of water. Therefore, O thou best +of Brahmanas, cast thou this fire of thy wrath into the waters. If, +therefore, thou desirest it, O Brahmana, let this fire born of thy wrath +abide in the great ocean, consuming the waters thereof, for it hath been +said that the worlds are made of water. In this way, O thou sinless one, +thy word will be rendered true, and the worlds with the gods will not be +destroyed." + +"'"Vasishtha continued, 'Then, O child, Aurva cast the fire of his wrath +into the abode of Varuna. And that fire which consumeth the waters of the +great ocean, became like unto a large horse's head which persons +conversant with the Vedas call by the name of Vadavamukha. And emitting +itself from that mouth it consumeth the waters of the mighty ocean. Blest +be thou! It behoveth not thee, therefore, to destroy the worlds, O thou +Parasara, who art acquainted with the higher regions, thou foremost of +wise men!'"'" + + +SECTION CLXXXIII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'The Gandharva continued, "The Brahmana sage (Parasara) thus addressed by +the illustrious Vasishtha restrained his wrath from destroying the worlds. +But the Rishi Parasara endued with great energy--the son of Saktri--the +foremost of all persons acquainted with the Vedas--performed a grand +Rakshasa sacrifice. And remembering the slaughter of (his father) Saktri, +the great Muni began to consume the Rakshasas, young and old, in the +sacrifice he performed. And Vasishtha did not restrain him from this +slaughter of the Rakshasa, from the determination of not obstructing this +second vow (of his grandson). And in that sacrifice the great Muni +Parasara sat before three blazing fires, himself like unto a fourth fire. +And the son of Saktri, like the Sun just emerging from the clouds, +illuminated the whole firmament by that stainless sacrifice of his into +which large were the libations poured of clarified butter. Then Vasishtha +and the other Rishis regarded that Muni blazing with his own energy as if +he were the second Sun. Then the great Rishi Atri of liberal soul desirous +of ending that sacrifice, an achievement highly difficult for others,-- +came to that place. And there also came, O thou slayer of all foes, +Pulastya and Pulaha, and Kratu the performer of many great sacrifices, all +influenced by the desire of saving the Rakshasas. And, O thou bull of the +Bharata race, Pulastya then, seeing that many Rakshasas had already been +slain, told these words unto Parasara that oppressor of all enemies: + +"'"'There is no obstruction, I hope, to this sacrifice of thine, O child! +Takest thou any pleasure, O child, in this slaughter of even all those +innocent Rakshasas that know nothing of thy father's death. It behoveth +thee not to destroy any creatures thus. This, O child, is not the +occupation of a Brahmana devoted to asceticism. Peace is the highest +virtue. Therefore, O Parasara, establish thou peace. How hast thou, O +Parasara, being so superior, engaged thyself in such a sinful practice? It +behoveth not thee to transgress against Saktri himself who was well- +acquainted with all rules of morality. It behoveth not thee to extirpate +any creatures. O descendant of Vasishtha's race, that which befell thy +father was brought about by his own curse. It was for his own fault that +Saktri was taken hence unto heaven. O Muni, no Rakshasa was capable of +devouring Saktri; he himself provided for his own death. And, O Parasara, +Viswamitra was only a blind instrument in that matter. Both Saktri and +Kalmashapada, having ascended to heaven are enjoying great happiness. And, +the other sons also of the great Rishi Vasishtha who were younger than +Saktri, are even now enjoying themselves with the celestials. And, O child, +O offspring of Vasishtha's son, thou hast also been, in this sacrifice, +only an instrument in the destruction of these innocent Rakshasas. O, +blest be thou! Abandon this sacrifice of thine. Let it come to an end.'" + +"'The Gandharva continued, "Thus addressed by Pulastya, as also by the +intelligent Vasishtha, that mighty Muni--the son of Saktri then brought +that sacrifice to an end. And the Rishi cast the fire that he had ignited +for the purpose of the Rakshasas' sacrifice into the deep woods on the +north of the Himavat. And that fire may be seen to this day consuming +Rakshasas and trees and stones in all seasons."'" + + +SECTION CLXXXIV + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'Arjuna asked, "What for, O Gandharva, did king Kalmashapada command his +queen to go unto that foremost of all persons conversant with the Vedas-- +the master Vasishtha? Why also did that illustrious and great Rishi +Vasishtha himself who was acquainted with every rule of morality know a +woman he should not have known? O friend, was this an act of sin on the +part of Vasishtha? It behoveth thee to remove the doubts I entertain and +refer to thee for solution." + +"'The Gandharva replied, saying, "O irrepressible Dhananjaya, listen to me +as I answer the question thou hast asked in respect of Vasishtha and king +Kalmashapada that cherisher of friends. O thou best of the Bharatas, I +have told thee all about the curse of king Kalmashapada by Saktri, the +illustrious son of Vasishtha. Brought under the influence of the curse, +that smiter of all foes--king Kalmashapada--with eyes whirling in anger +went out of his capital accompanied by his wife. And entering with his +wife the solitary woods the king began to wander about. And one day while +the king under the influence of the curse was wandering through that +forest abounding in several kinds of deer and various other animals and +overgrown with numerous large trees and shrubs and creepers and resounding +with terrible cries, he became exceedingly hungry. And the monarch +thereupon began to search for some food. Pinched with hunger, the king at +last saw, in a very solitary part of the woods, a Brahmana and his wife +enjoying each other. Alarmed at beholding the monarch the couple ran away, +their desire ungratified. Pursuing the retreating pair, the king forcibly +seized the Brahmana. Then the Brahmani, beholding her lord seized, +addressed the monarch, saying, 'Listen to what I say, O monarch of +excellent vows! It is known all over the world that thou art born in the +solar race, and that thou art ever vigilant in the practice of morality +and devoted to the service of thy superiors. It behoveth thee not to +commit sin, O thou irrepressible one, deprived though thou hast been of +thy senses by (the Rishi's) curse. My season hath come, and wishful of my +husband's company I was connected with him. I have not been gratified yet. +Be propitious unto us, O thou best of kings! Liberate my husband.' The +monarch, however, without listening to her cries cruelly devoured her +husband like a tiger devouring its desirable prey. Possessed with wrath at +this sight, the tears that that woman shed blazed up like fire and +consumed everything in that place. Afflicted with grief at the calamity +that overtook her lord, the Brahmani in anger cursed the royal sage +Kalmashapada, 'Vile wretch, since thou hast today cruelly devoured under +my very nose my illustrious husband dear unto me, even before my desires +have been gratified, therefore shall thou, O wicked one afflicted by my +curse, meet with instant death when thou goest in for thy wife in season. +And thy wife, O wretch, shall bring forth a son uniting herself with that +Rishi Vasishtha whose children have been devoured by thee. And that child, +O worst of kings, shall be the perpetuator of thy race.' And cursing the +monarch thus, that lady of Angira's house bearing every auspicious mark, +entered the blazing fire in the very sight of the monarch. And, O thou +oppressor of all foes, the illustrious and exalted Vasishtha by his +ascetic power and spiritual insight immediately knew all. And long after +this, when the king became freed from his curse, he approached his wife +Madayanati when her season came. But Madayanati softly sent him away. +Under the influence of passion the monarch had no recollection of that +curse. Hearing, however, the words of his wife, the best of kings became +terribly alarmed. And recollecting the curse he repented bitterly of what +he had done. It was for this reason, O thou best of men, that the monarch +infected with the Brahmani's curse, appointed Vasishtha to beget a son +upon his queen."'" + + +SECTION CLXXXV + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"'Arjuna asked, "O Gandharva, thou art acquainted with everything. Tell us, +therefore, which Veda-knowing Brahmana is worthy to be appointed as our +priest." + +"'The Gandharva replied, "There is in these woods a shrine of the name of +Utkochaka. Dhaumya, the younger brother of Devala is engaged there in +ascetic penances. Appoint him, if ye desire, your priest."' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Arjuna, highly pleased with everything that had +happened, gave unto that Gandharva, his weapon of fire with befitting +ceremonies. And addressing him, the Pandava also said, "O thou best of +Gandharvas, let the horses thou givest us remain with thee for a time. +When the occasion cometh, we will take them from thee. Blest be thou." +Then the Gandharva and the Pandavas, respectfully saluting each other, +left the delightful banks of the Bhagirathi and went wheresoever they +desired. Then, O Bharata, the Pandavas going to Utkochaka, the sacred +asylum of Dhaumya installed Dhaumya as their priest. And Dhaumya, the +foremost of all conversant with the Vedas, receiving them with presents of +wild fruits and (edible) roots, consented to become their priest. And the +Pandavas with their mother forming the sixth of the company, having +obtained that Brahmana as their priest regarded their sovereignty and +kingdom as already regained and the daughter of the Panchala king as +already obtained in the Swayamavara. And those bulls of the Bharata race, +having obtained the master Dhaumya as their priest, also regarded +themselves as placed under a powerful protector. And the high-souled +Dhaumya, acquainted with the true meaning of the Vedas and every rule of +morality, becoming the spiritual preceptor of the virtuous Pandavas, made +them his Yajamanas (spiritual disciples). And that Brahmana, beholding +those heroes endued with intelligence and strength and perseverance like +unto the celestials, regarded them as already restored, by virtue of their +own accomplishments to their sovereignty and kingdom. Then those kings of +men, having had benedictions uttered upon them by that Brahmana, resolved +to go, accompanied by him, to the Swayamvara of the Princess of +Panchala.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXVI + +(Swayamvara Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those tigers among men--those brothers--the five +Pandavas, set out for Panchala to behold that country and Draupadi and the +festivities (in view of her marriage). And those tigers among men--those +oppressors of all enemies--in going along with their mother, saw on the +way numerous Brahmanas proceeding together. And those Brahmanas who were +all Brahmacharis beholding the Pandavas, O king, asked them, "Where are ye +going to? Whence also are ye come?" And Yudhishthira replied unto them, +saying, "Ye bulls among Brahmanas, know ye that we are uterine brothers +proceeding together with our mother. We are coming even from Ekachakra." +The Brahmanas then said, "Go ye this very day to the abode of Drupada in +the country of the Panchalas. A great Swayamvara takes place there, on +which a large sum of money will be spent. We also are proceeding thither. +Let us all go together. Extraordinary festivities will take place (in +Drupada's abode). The illustrious Yajnasena, otherwise called Drupada, had +a daughter risen from the centre of the sacrificial altar. Of eyes like +lotus-petals and of faultless features endued with youth and intelligence, +she is extremely beautiful. And the slender-waisted Draupadi of every +feature perfectly faultless, and whose body emitteth a fragrance like unto +that of the blue lotus for two full miles around, is the sister of the +strong-armed Dhrishtadyumna gifted with great prowess--the (would-be) +slayer of Drona--who was born with natural mail and sword and bow and +arrows from the blazing fire, himself like unto the second Fire. And that +daughter of Yajnasena will select a husband from among the invited princes. +And we are repairing thither to behold her and the festivities on the +occasion, like unto the festivities of heaven. And to that Swayamvara will +come from various lands kings and princes who are performers of sacrifices +in which the presents to the Brahmanas are large: who are devoted to study, +are holy, illustrious, and of rigid vows; who are young and handsome; and +who are mighty car-warriors and accomplished in arms. Desirous of winning +(the hand of) the maiden those monarchs will all give away much wealth and +kine and food and other articles of enjoyment. And taking all they will +give away and witnessing the Swayamvara, and enjoying the festivities, we +shall go wheresoever we like. And there will also come unto that +Swayamvara, from various countries, actors, and bards singing the +panegyrics of kings, and dancers, and reciters of Puranas, and heralds, +and powerful athletes. And beholding all these sights and taking what will +be given away to illustrious ones, ye will return with us. Ye are all +handsome and like unto the celestials! Beholding you, Krishna may, by +chance, choose some one amongst you superior to the rest. This thy brother +of mighty arms and handsome and endued with beauty also, engaged in +(athletic) encounters, may, by chance, earn great wealth." + +"'On hearing these words of the Brahmanas, Yudhishthira replied, "Ye +Brahmanas, we will all go with you to witness that maiden's Swayamvara-- +that excellent jubilee."'" + + +SECTION CLXXXVII + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by the Brahmanas, the Pandavas, O +Janamejaya, proceeded towards the country of the southern Panchalas ruled +over by the king Drupada. And on their way those heroes beheld the +illustrious Dwaipayana--that Muni of pure soul, and perfectly sinless. And +duly saluting the Rishi and saluted by him, after their conversation was +over, commanded by him they proceeded to Drupada's abode. And those mighty +chariot-fighters proceeded by slow stages staying for some time within +those beautiful woods and by fine lakes that they beheld along their way. +Devoted to study, pure in their practices, amiable, and sweet-speeched, +the Pandavas at last entered the country of the Panchalas. And beholding +the capital, as also the fort, they took up their quarters in the house of +a potter. Adopting the Brahmanical profession, they began to lead an +eleemosynary life. And no men recognised those heroes during their stay in +Drupada's capital. + +"'Yajnasena always cherished the desire of bestowing his daughter on Kiriti +(Arjuna), the son of Pandu. But he never spoke of it to anybody. And, O +Janamejaya, the king of Panchala thinking of Arjuna caused a very stiff +bow to be made that was incapable of being bent by any except Arjuna. +Causing some machinery to be erected in the sky, the king set up a mark +attached to that machinery. And Drupada said, "He that will string this +bow and with these well-adorned arrows shoot the mark above the machine +shall obtain my daughter."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'With these words king Drupada proclaimed the +Swayamvara. On hearing of them, O Bharata, the kings of other lands came +to his capital. And there came also many illustrious Rishis desirous of +beholding the Swayamvara. And there came also, O king, Duryodhana and the +Kurus accompanied by Karna. There also came many superior Brahmanas from +every country. And the monarchs who came there were all received with +reverence by the illustrious Drupada. Desirous of beholding the Swayamvara, +the citizens, roaring like the sea, all took their seats on the platforms +that were erected around the amphitheatre. The monarch entered the grand +amphitheatre by the north-eastern gate. And the amphitheatre which itself +had been erected on an auspicious and level plain to the north-east of +Drupada's capital, was surrounded by beautiful mansions. And it was +enclosed on all sides with high walls and a moat with arched doorways here +and there. The vast amphitheatre was also shaded by a canopy of various +colours. And resounding with the notes of thousands of trumpets, it was +scented with black aloes and sprinkled all over with water mixed with +sandal-paste and decorated with garlands of flowers. It was surrounded +with high mansions perfectly white and resembling the cloud-kissing peaks +of Kailasa. The windows of those mansions were covered with net works of +gold; the walls were set with diamonds and precious costly carpets and +cloths. All those mansions adorned with wreaths and garlands of flowers +and rendered fragrant with excellent aloes, were all white and spotless, +like unto the necks of swans. And the fragrance therefrom could be +perceived from the distance of a Yojana (eight miles). And they were each +furnished with a hundred doors wide enough to admit a crowd of persons; +they were adorned with costly beds and carpets, and beautified with +various metals; they resembled the peaks of the Himavat. And in those +seven-storied houses of various sizes dwelt the monarchs invited by +Drupada whose persons were adorned with every ornament and who were +possessed with the desire of excelling one another. And the inhabitants of +the city and the country who had come to behold Krishna and taken their +seats on the excellent platforms erected around, beheld seated within +those mansions those lions among kings who were all endued with the energy +of great souls. And those exalted sovereigns were all adorned with the +fragrant paste of the black aloe. Of great liberality, they were all +devoted to Brahma and they protected their kingdoms against all foes. And +for their own good deeds they were loved by the whole world. + +"'The Pandavas, too, entering that amphitheatre, sat with the Brahmanas and +beheld the unequalled affluence of the king of the Panchalas. And that +concourse of princes, Brahmanas, and others, looking gay at the +performances of actors and dancers (large presents of every kind of wealth +being constantly made), began to swell day by day. And it lasted, O king, +several days, till on the sixteenth day when it was at its full, the +daughter of Drupada, O thou bull of the Bharata race, having washed +herself clean entered the amphitheatre, richly attired and adorned with +every ornament and bearing in her hand a dish of gold (whereon were the +usual offerings of Arghya) and a garland of flowers. Then the priest of +the lunar race--a holy Brahmana conversant with all mantras--ignited the +sacrificial fire and poured on it with due rites libations of clarified +butter. And gratifying Agni by these libations and making the Brahmanas +utter the auspicious formula of benediction, stopped the musical +instruments that were playing all around. And when that vast amphitheatre, +O monarch, became perfectly still, Dhrishtadyumna possessed of a voice +deep as the sound of the kettledrum or the clouds, taking hold of his +sister's arm, stood in the midst of that concourse, and said, with a voice +loud and deep as the roar of the clouds, these charming words of excellent +import, "Hear ye assembled kings, this is the bow, that is the mark, and +these are the arrows. Shoot the mark through the orifice of the machine +with these five sharpened arrows. Truly do I say that, possessed of +lineage, beauty of persons, and strength whoever achieveth this great feat +shall obtain today this my sister, Krishna for his wife." Having thus +spoken unto the assembled monarchs Drupada's son then addressed his sister, +reciting unto her the names and lineages and achievements of those +assembled lords of the earth.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXVIII + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"'Dhrishtadyumna said, "Duryodhana, Durvisaha, Durmukha and +Dushpradharshana, Vivinsati, Vikarna, Saha, and Duhsasana; Yuyutsu and +Vayuvega and Bhimavegarava; Ugrayudha, Valaki, Kanakayu, and Virochana, +Sukundala, Chitrasena, Suvarcha, and Kanakadhwaja; Nandaka, and Vahusali, +and Tuhunda, and Vikata; these, O sister, and many other mighty sons of +Dhritarashtra--all heroes--accompanied by Karna, have come for thy hand. +Innumerable other illustrious monarchs all bulls among Kshatriyas--have +also come for thee. Sakuni, Sauvala, Vrisaka, and Vrihadvala,--these sons +of the king Gandhara--have also come. Foremost of all wielders of weapons +--the illustrious Aswatthaman and Bhoja, adorned with every ornament have +also come for thee. Vrihanta, Manimana, Dandadhara, Sahadeva, Jayatsena, +Meghasandhi, Virata with his two sons Sankha and Uttara, Vardhakshemi, +Susarma, Senavindu, Suketu with his two sons Sunama and Suvarcha, Suchitra, +Sukumara, Vrika, Satyadhriti, Suryadhwaja, Rochamana, Nila, Chitrayudha, +Agsuman, Chekitana, the mighty Sreniman, Chandrasena the mighty son of +Samudrasena, Jarasandha, Vidanda, and Danda--the father and son, Paundraka, +Vasudeva, Bhagadatta endued with great energy, Kalinga, Tamralipta, the +king of Pattana, the mighty car-warrior Salya, the king of Madra, with his +son, the heroic Rukmangada, Rukmaratha, Somadatta of the Kuru race with +his three sons, all mighty chariot-fighters and heroes, viz., Bhuri, +Bhurisrava, and Sala, Sudakshina, Kamvoja of the Puru race, Vrihadvala, +Sushena, Sivi, the son of Usinara, Patcharanihanta, the king of Karusha, +Sankarshana (Valadeva), Vasudeva (Krishna) the mighty son of Rukmini, +Samva, Charudeshna, the son of Pradyumna with Gada, Akrura, Satyaki, the +high-souled Uddhava, Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, Prithu, Viprithu, +Viduratha, Kanka, Sanku with Gaveshana, Asavaha, Aniruddha, Samika, +Sarimejaya, the heroic Vatapi Jhilli Pindaraka, the powerful Usinara, all +these of the Vrishni race, Bhagiratha, Vrihatkshatra, Jayadratha the son +of Sindhu, Vrihadratha, Valhika, the mighty charioteer Srutayu, Uluka, +Kaitava, Chitrangada and Suvangada, the highly intelligent Vatsaraja, the +king of Kosala, Sisupala and the powerful Jarasandha, these and many other +great kings--all Kshatriyas celebrated throughout the world--have come, O +blessed one, for thee. Endued with prowess, these will shoot the mark. And +thou shalt choose him for thy husband who amongst these will shoot the +mark."'" + + +SECTION CLXXXIX + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those youthful princes adorned with ear-rings, +vying with one another and each regarding himself accomplished in arms and +gifted with might, stood up brandishing their weapons. And intoxicated +with pride of beauty, prowess, lineage, knowledge, wealth, and youth, they +were like Himalayan elephants in the season of rut with crowns split from +excess of temporal juice. And beholding each other with jealousy and +influenced by the god of desire, they suddenly rose up from their royal +seats, exclaiming "Krishna shall be mine." And the Kshatriyas assembled in +that amphitheatre, each desirous of winning the daughter of Drupada, +looked like the celestial (of old) standing round Uma, the daughter of the +King of mountains. Afflicted with the shafts of the god of the flowery bow +and with hearts utterly lost in the contemplation of Krishna, those +princes descended into the amphitheatre for winning the Panchala maiden +and began to regard even their best friends with jealousy. And there came +also the celestials on their cars, with the Rudras and the Adityas, the +Vasus and the twin Aswins, the Swadhas and all the Marutas, and Kuvera +with Yama walking ahead. And there came also the Daityas and the Suparnas, +the great Nagas and the celestial Rishis, the Guhyakas and the Charanas +and Viswavasu and Narada and Parvata, and the principal Gandharvas with +Apsaras. And Halayudha (Valadeva) and Janardana (Krishna) and the chief of +the Vrishni, Andhaka, and Yadava tribes who obeyed the leadership of +Krishna were also there, viewing the scene. And beholding those elephants +in rut--the five (Pandavas)--attracted towards Draupadi like mighty +elephants towards a lake overgrown with lotuses, or like fire covered with +ashes, Krishna the foremost of Yadu heroes began to reflect. And he said +unto Rama (Valadeva), "That is Yudhishthira; that is Bhima with Jishnu +(Arjuna); and those are the twin heroes." And Rama surveying them slowly +cast a glance of satisfaction at Krishna. Biting their nether lips in +wrath, the other heroes there--sons and grandsons of kings--with their +eyes and hearts and thoughts set on Krishna, looked with expanded eyes on +Draupadi alone without noticing the Pandavas. And the sons of Pritha also, +of mighty arms, and the illustrious twin heroes, beholding Draupadi, were +all likewise struck by the shafts of Kama. And crowded with celestial +Rishis and Gandharvas and Suparnas and Nagas and Asuras and Siddhas, and +filled with celestial perfumes and scattered over with celestial flowers, +and resounding with the kettle-drum and the deep hum of infinite voices, +and echoing with the softer music of the flute, the Vina, and the tabor, +the cars of the celestials could scarcely find a passage through the +firmament. Then those princes--Karna, Duryodhana, Salwa, Salya, +Aswatthaman, Kratha, Sunitha, Vakra, the ruler of Kalinga and Banga, +Pandya, Paundra, the ruler of Videha, the chief of the Yavanas, and many +other sons and grandsons of kings,--sovereigns of territories with eyes +like lotus-petals,--one after another began to exhibit prowess for +(winning) that maiden of unrivalled beauty. Adorned with crowns, garlands, +bracelets, and other ornaments, endued with mighty arms, possessed of +prowess and vigour and bursting with strength and energy, those princes +could not, even in imagination, string that bow of extraordinary +stiffness. + +"'And (some amongst) those kings in exerting with swelling lips each +according to his strength, education, skill, and energy,--to string that +bow, were tossed on the ground and lay perfectly motionless for some time. +Their strength spent and their crowns and garlands loosened from their +persons, they began to pant for breath and their ambition of winning that +fair maiden was cooled. Tossed by that tough bow, and their garlands and +bracelets and other ornaments disordered, they began to utter exclamations +of woe. And that assemblage of monarchs, their hope of obtaining Krishna +gone, looked sad and woeful. And beholding the plight of those monarchs, +Karna that foremost of all wielders of the bow went to where the bow was, +and quickly raising it strung it and placed the arrows on the string. And +beholding the son of Surya--Karna of the Suta tribe--like unto fire, or +Soma, or Surya himself, resolved to shoot the mark, those foremost of +bowmen--the sons of Pandu--regarded the mark as already shot and brought +down upon the ground. But seeing Karna, Draupadi loudly said, "I will not +select a Suta for my lord." Then Karna, laughing in vexation and casting +glance at the Sun, threw aside the bow already drawn to a circle. + +"'Then when all those Kshatriyas gave up the task, the heroic king of the +Chedis--mighty as Yama (Pluto) himself--the illustrious and determined +Sisupala, the son of Damaghosa, in endeavouring to string the bow, himself +fell upon his knees on the ground. Then king Jarasandha endued with great +strength and powers, approaching the bow stood there for some moment, +fixed and motionless like a mountain. Tossed by the bow, he too fell upon +his knees on the ground, and rising up, the monarch left the amphitheatre +for (returning to) his kingdom. Then the great hero Salya, the king of +Madra, endued with great strength, in endeavouring to string the bow fell +upon his knees on the ground. At last when in that assemblage consisting +of highly respectable people, all the monarchs had become subjects of +derisive talk that foremost of heroes--Jishnu, the son of Kunti--desired +to string the bow and placed the arrows on the bow-string.'" + + +SECTION CLXL + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When all the monarchs had desisted from +stringing that bow, the high-souled Jishnu arose from among the crowd of +Brahmanas seated in that assembly. And beholding Partha possessing the +complexion of Indra's banner, advancing towards the bow, the principal +Brahmanas shaking their deer-skins raised a loud clamour. And while some +were displeased, there were others that were well-pleased. And some there +were, possessed of intelligence and foresight, who addressing one another +said, "Ye Brahmanas, how can a Brahmana stripling unpractised in arms and +weak in strength, string that bow which such celebrated Kshatriyas as +Salya and others endued with might and accomplished in the science and +practice of arms could not? If he doth not achieve success in this untried +task which he hath undertaken from a spirit of boyish unsteadiness, the +entire body of Brahmanas here will be rendered ridiculous in the eyes of +the assembled monarchs. Therefore, forbid this Brahmana that he may not go +to string the bow which he is even now desirous of doing from vanity, +or mere childish daring." Others replied, "We shall not be made +ridiculous, nor shall we incur the disrespect of anybody or the +displeasure of the sovereigns." Some remarked, "This handsome youth is even +like the trunk of a mighty elephant, whose shoulders and arms and thighs +are so well-built, who in patience looks like the Himavat, whose gait is +even like that of the lion, and whose prowess seems to be like that of an +elephant in rut, and who is so resolute, that it is probable that he will +accomplish this feat. He has strength and resolution. If he had none, he +would never go of his own accord. Besides, there is nothing in the three +worlds that Brahmanas of all mortal men cannot accomplish. Abstaining from +all food or living upon air or eating of fruits, persevering in their vows, +and emaciated and weak, Brahmanas are ever strong in their own energy. One +should never disregard a Brahmana whether his acts be right or wrong, by +supposing him incapable of achieving any task that is great or little, or +that is fraught with bliss or woe. Rama the son of Jamadagni defeated in +battle, all the Kshatriyas. Agastya by his Brahma energy drank off the +fathomless ocean. Therefore, say ye, 'Let this youth bend the bow and +string it with ease'" (and many said), "So be it." And the Brahmanas +continued speaking unto one another these and other words. Then Arjuna +approached the bow and stood there like a mountain. And walking round that +bow, and bending his head unto that giver of boons--the lord Isana--and +remembering Krishna also, he took it up. And that bow which Rukma, Sunitha, +Vakra, Radha's son, Duryodhana, Salya, and many other kings accomplished +in the science and practice of arms, could not even with great exertion, +string, Arjuna, the son of Indra, that foremost of all persons endued with +energy and like unto the younger brother of Indra (Vishnu) in might, +strung in the twinkling of an eye. And taking up the five arrows he shot +the mark and caused it to fall down on the ground through the hole in the +machine above which it had been placed. Then there arose a loud uproar in +the firmament, and the amphitheatre also resounded with a loud clamour. +And the gods showered celestial flowers on the head of Partha the slayer +of foes. And thousands of Brahmanas began to wave their upper garments in +joy. And all around, the monarchs who had been unsuccessful, uttered +exclamations of grief and despair. And flowers were rained from the skies +all over the amphitheatre. And the musicians struck up in concert. Bards +and heralds began to chant in sweet tones the praises (of the hero who +accomplished the feat). And beholding Arjuna, Drupada--that slayer of +foes,--was filled with joy. And the monarch desired to assist with his +forces the hero if the occasion arose. And when the uproar was at its +height, Yudhishthira, the foremost of all virtuous men, accompanied by +those first of men the twins, hastily left the amphitheatre for returning +to his temporary home. And Krishna beholding the mark shot and beholding +Partha also like unto Indra himself, who had shot the mark, was filled with +joy, and approached the son of Kunti with a white robe and a garland of +flowers. And Arjuna the accomplisher of inconceivable feats, having won +Draupadi by his success in the amphitheatre, was saluted with reverence by +all the Brahmanas. And he soon after left the lists followed close by her +who thus became his wife.'" + + +SECTION CLXLI + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When the king (Drupada) expressed his desire of +bestowing his daughter on that Brahmana (who had shot the mark), all those +monarchs who had been invited to the Swayamvara, looking at one another, +were suddenly filled with wrath. And they said, "Passing us by and +treating the assembled monarchs as straw this Drupada desireth to bestow +his daughter--that first of women,--on a Brahmana! Having planted the tree +he cutteth it down when it is about to bear fruit. The wretch regardeth us +not: therefore let us slay him. He deserveth not our respect nor the +veneration due to age. Owing to such qualities of his, we shall, therefore, +slay this wretch that insulteth all kings, along with his son. Inviting +all the monarchs and entertaining them with excellent food, he +disregardeth us at last. In this assemblage of monarchs like unto a +conclave of the celestials, doth he not see a single monarch equal unto +himself? The Vedic declaration is well-known that the Swayamvara is for +the Kshatriyas. The Brahmanas have no claim in respect of a selection of +husband by a Kshatriya damsel. Or, ye kings, if this damsel desireth not +to select any one of us as her lord, let us cast her into the fire and +return to our kingdoms. As regards this Brahmana, although he hath, from +officiousness or avarice, done this injury to the monarchs, he should not +yet be slain; for our kingdoms, lives, treasures, sons, grandsons, and +whatever other wealth we have, all exist for Brahmanas. Something must be +done here (even unto him), so that from fear of disgrace and the desire of +maintaining what properly belongeth unto each order, other Swayamvaras may +not terminate in this way." + +"'Having addressed one another thus, those tigers among monarchs endued +with arms like unto spiked iron maces, took up their weapons and rushed at +Drupada to slay him then and there. And Drupada beholding those monarchs +all at once rushing towards him in anger with bows and arrows, sought, +from fear, the protection of the Brahmanas. But those mighty bowmen (Bhima +and Arjuna) of the Pandavas, capable of chastising all foes, advanced to +oppose those monarchs rushing towards them impetuously like elephants in +the season of rut. Then the monarchs with gloved fingers and upraised +weapons rushed in anger at the Kuru princes, Bhima and Arjuna, to slay +them. Then the mighty Bhima of extraordinary achievements, endued with the +strength of thunder, tore up like an elephant a large tree and divested it +of its leaves. And with that tree, the strong-armed Bhima, the son of +Pritha, that grinder of foes, stood, like unto the mace-bearing king of +the dead (Yama) armed with his fierce mace, near Arjuna that bull amongst +men. And beholding that feat of his brother, Jishnu of extraordinary +intelligence, himself also of inconceivable feats, wondered much. And +equal unto Indra himself in achievements, shaking off all fear he stood +with his bow ready to receive those assailants. And beholding those feats +of both Jishnu and his brother, Damodara (Krishna) of superhuman +intelligence and inconceivable feats, addressing his brother, Halayudha +(Valadeva) of fierce energy, said, "That hero there, of tread like that of +a mighty lion, who draweth the large bow in his hand four full cubits in +length, is Arjuna! There is no doubt, O Sankarshana, about this, if I am +Vasudeva. That other hero who having speedily torn up the tree hath +suddenly become ready to drive off the monarchs is Vrikodara! For no one +in the world, except Vrikodara, could today perform such a feat in the +field of battle. And that other youth of eyes like unto lotus-petals, of +full four cubits height, of gait like that of a mighty lion, and humble +withal, of fair complexion and prominent and shining nose, who had, a +little before, left the amphitheatre, is Dharma's son (Yudhishthira). The +two other youths, like unto Kartikeya, are, I suspect, the sons of the +twin Aswins. I heard that the sons of Pandu along with their mother Pritha +had all escaped from the conflagration of the house of lac." Then +Halayudha of complexion like unto that of clouds uncharged with rain, +addressing his younger brother (Krishna), said with great satisfaction, "O, +I am happy to hear, as I do from sheer good fortune, that our father's +sister Pritha with the foremost of the Kaurava princes have all escaped +(from death)!"'" + + +SECTION CLXLII + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those bulls among Brahmanas shaking their deer- +skins and water-pots made of cocoanut-shells exclaimed, "Fear not, we will +fight the foe!" Arjuna smilingly addressing those Brahmanas exclaiming +thus, said, "Stand ye aside as spectators (of the fray). Showering hundreds +of arrows furnished with straight points even I shall check, like snakes +with mantras, all those angry monarchs." Having said this, the mighty +Arjuna taking up the bow he had obtained as dower accompanied by his +brother Bhima stood immovable as a mountain. And beholding those +Kshatriyas who were ever furious in battle with Karna ahead, the heroic +brothers rushed fearlessly at them like two elephants rushing against a +hostile elephant. Then those monarchs eager for the fight fiercely +exclaimed, "The slaughter in battle of one desiring to fight is +permitted." And saying this, the monarchs suddenly rushed against the +Brahmanas. And Karna endued with great energy rushed against Jishnu for +fight. And Salya the mighty king of Madra rushed against Bhima like an +elephant rushing against another for the sake of a she-elephant in heat; +while Duryodhana and others engaged with the Brahmanas, skirmished with +them lightly and carelessly. Then the illustrious Arjuna beholding Karna, +the son of Vikartana (Surya), advancing towards him, drew his tough bow +and pieced him with his sharp arrows. And the impetus of those whetted +arrows furnished with fierce energy made Radheya (Karna) faint. +Recovering consciousness Karna attacked Arjuna with greater care than +before. Then Karna and Arjuna, both foremost of victorious warriors, +desirous of vanquishing each other, fought madly on. And such was the +lightness of hand they both displayed that (each enveloped by the other's +shower of arrows) they both became invisible (unto the spectators of their +encounter). "Behold the strength of my arms."--"Mark, how I have +counteracted that feat,"--those were the words--intelligible to heroes +alone--in which they addressed each other. And incensed at finding the +strength and energy of Arjuna's arms unequalled on the earth, Karna, the +son of Surya, fought with greater vigour. And parrying all those impetuous +arrows shot at him by Arjuna, Karna sent up a loud shout. And this feat of +his was applauded by all the warriors. Then addressing his antagonist, +Karna said, "O thou foremost of Brahmanas, I am gratified to observe the +energy of thy arms that knoweth no relaxation in battle and thy weapons +themselves fit for achieving victory. Art thou the embodiment of the +science of weapons, or art thou Rama that best of Brahmanas, or Indra +himself, or Indra's younger brother Vishnu called also Achyuta, who for +disguising himself hath assumed the form of a Brahmana and mustering such +energy of arms fighteth with me? No other person except the husband +himself of Sachi or Kiriti, the son of Pandu, is capable of fighting with +me when I am angry on the field of battle." Then hearing those words of +his, Phalguna replied, saying, "O Karna, I am neither the science of arms +(personified), nor Rama endued with superhuman powers. I am only a +Brahmana who is the foremost of all warriors and all wielders of weapons. +By the grace of my preceptor I have become accomplished in the Brahma and +the Paurandara weapons. I am here to vanquish thee in battle. Therefore, O +hero, wait a little."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed (by Arjuna), Karna the adopted +son of Radha desisted from the fight, for that mighty chariot-fighter +thought that Brahma energy is ever invincible. Meanwhile on another part +of the field, the mighty heroes Salya and Vrikodara, well-skilled in +battle and possessed of great strength and proficiency, challenging each +other, engaged in fight like two elephants in rut. And they struck each +other with their clenched fists and knees. And sometimes pushing each +other forward and sometimes dragging each other near, sometimes throwing +each other down, face downward, and sometimes on the sides, they fought on, +striking each other at times with their clenched fists. And encountering +each other with blows hard as the clash of two masses of granite, the +lists rang with the sounds of their combat. Fighting with each other thus +for a few seconds, Bhima the foremost of the Kuru heroes taking up Salya +on his arms hurled him to a distance. And Bhimasena, that bull amongst men, +surprised all (by the dexterity of his feat) for though he threw Salya on +the ground he did it without hurting him much. And when Salya was thus +thrown down and Karna was struck with fear, the other monarchs were all +alarmed. And they hastily surrounded Bhima and exclaimed, "Surely these +bulls amongst Brahmanas are excellent (warriors)! Ascertain in what race +they have been born and where they abide. Who can encounter Karna, the son +of Radha, in fight, except Rama or Drona, or Kiriti, the son of Pandu? Who +also can encounter Duryodhana in battle except Krishna, the son of Devaki, +and Kripa, the son of Saradwan? Who also can overthrow in battle Salya, +that first of mighty warriors, except the hero Valadeva or Vrikodara, the +son of Pandu, or the heroic Duryodhana? Let us, therefore, desist from +this fight with the Brahmanas. Indeed, Brahmanas, however offending, +should yet be ever protected. And first let us ascertain who these are; +for after we have done that we may cheerfully fight with them."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'And Krishna, having beheld that feat of Bhima, +believed them both to be the son of Kunti. And gently addressing the +assembled monarchs, saying, "This maiden hath been justly acquired (by the +Brahmana)," he induced them to abandon the fight. Accomplished in battle, +those monarchs then desisted from the fight. And those best of monarchs +then returned to their respective kingdoms, wondering much. And those who +had come there went away saying, "The festive scene hath terminated in the +victory of the Brahmanas. The princess of Panchala hath become the bride +of a Brahmana." And surrounded by Brahmanas dressed in skins of deer and +other wild animals, Bhima and Dhananjaya passed with difficulty out of the +throng. And those heroes among men, mangled by the enemy and followed by +Krishna, on coming at last out of that throng, looked like the full moon +and the sun emerging from the clouds. + +"'Meanwhile Kunti seeing that her sons were late in returning from their +eleemosynary round, was filled with anxiety. She began to think of various +evils having overtaken her sons. At one time she thought that the sons of +Dhritarashtra having recognised her sons had slain them. Next she feared +that some cruel and strong Rakshasas endued with powers of deception had +slain them. And she asked herself, "Could the illustrious Vyasa himself +(who had directed my sons to come to Panchala) have been guided by +perverse intelligence?" Thus reflected Pritha in consequence of her +affection for her offspring. Then in the stillness of the late afternoon, +Jishnu, accompanied by a body of Brahmanas, entered the abode of the +potter, like the cloud-covered sun appearing on a cloudy day.'" + + +SECTION CLXLIII + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those illustrious sons of Pritha, on returning +to the potter's abode, approached their mother. And those first of men +represented Yajnaseni unto their mother as the alms they had obtained that +day. And Kunti who was there within the room and saw not her sons, replied, +saying, "Enjoy ye all (what ye have obtained)." The moment after, she +beheld Krishna and then she said, "Oh, what have I said?" And anxious from +fear of sin, and reflecting how every one could be extricated from the +situation, she took the cheerful Yajnaseni by the hand, and approaching +Yudhishthira said, "The daughter of king Yajnasena upon being represented +to me by thy younger brothers as the alms they had obtained, from +ignorance, O king, I said what was proper, viz., 'Enjoy ye all what hath +been obtained.' O thou bull of the Kuru race, tell me how my speech may +not become untrue; how sin may not touch the daughter of the king of +Panchala, and how also she may not become uneasy."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by his mother that hero among men, +that foremost scion of the Kuru race, the intelligent king (Yudhishthira), +reflecting for a moment, consoled Kunti, and addressing Dhananjaya, said, +"By thee, O Phalguna, hath Yajnaseni been won. It is proper, therefore, +that thou shouldst wed her. O thou withstander of all foes, igniting the +sacred fire, take thou her hand with due rites." + +"'Arjuna, hearing this, replied, "O king, do not make me a participator in +sin. Thy behest is not conformable to virtue. That is the path followed by +the sinful. Thou shouldst wed first, then the strong-armed Bhima of +inconceivable feats, then myself, then Nakula, and last of all, Sahadeva +endued with great activity. Both Vrikodara and myself, and the twins and +this maiden also, all await, O monarch, thy commands. When such is the +state of things, do that, after reflection, which would be proper, and +conformable to virtue, and productive of fame, and beneficial unto the king +of Panchala. All of us are obedient to thee. O, command us as thou +likest."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Jishnu, so full of +respect and affection, the Pandavas all cast their eyes upon the princess +of Panchala. And the princess of Panchala also looked at them all. And +casting their glances on the illustrious Krishna, those princes looked at +one another. And taking their seats, they began to think of Draupadi alone. +Indeed, after those princes of immeasurable energy had looked at Draupadi, +the God of Desire invaded their hearts and continued to crush all their +senses. As the lavishing beauty of Panchali who had been modelled by the +Creator himself, was superior to that of all other women on earth, it +could captivate the heart of every creature. And Yudhishthira, the son of +Kunti, beholding his younger brothers, understood what was passing in +their minds. And that bull among men immediately recollected the words of +Krishna-Dwaipayana. And the king, then, from fear of a division amongst +the brothers, addressing all of them, said, "The auspicious Draupadi shall +be the common wife of us all."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The sons of Pandu, then, hearing those words of +their eldest brother, began to revolve them in their minds in great +cheerfulness. The hero of the Vrishni race (Krishna suspecting the five +persons he had seen at the Swayamvara to be none else than the heroes of +the Kuru race), came accompanied by the son of Rohini (Valadeva), to the +house of the potter where those foremost of men had taken up their +quarters. On arriving there, Krishna and Valadeva beheld seated in that +potter's house Ajatasanu (Yudhishthira) of well developed and long arms, +and his younger brothers passing the splendour of fire sitting around him. +Then Vasudeva approaching that foremost of virtuous men--the son of Kunti-- +and touching the feet of that prince of the Ajamida race, said, "I am +Krishna." And the son of Rohini (Valadeva) also approaching Yudhishthira, +did the same. And the Pandavas, beholding Krishna and Valadeva, began to +express great delight. And, O thou foremost of the Bharata race, those +heroes of the Yadu race thereafter touched also the feet of Kunti, their +father's sister. And Ajatasatru, that foremost of the Kuru race, beholding +Krishna, enquired after his well-being and asked, "How, O Vasudeva, hast +thou been able to trace us, as we are living in disguise?" And Vasudeva, +smilingly answered, "O king, fire, even if it is covered, can be known. +Who else among men than the Pandavas could exhibit such might? Ye +resisters of all foes, ye sons of Pandu, by sheer good fortune have ye +escaped from that fierce fire. And it is by sheer good fortune alone that +the wicked son of Dhritarashtra and his counsellors have not succeeded in +accomplishing their wishes. Blest be ye! And grow ye in prosperity like a +fire in a cave gradually growing and spreading itself all around. And lest +any of the monarchs recognise ye, let us return to our tent." Then, +obtaining Yudhishthira's leave, Krishna of prosperity knowing no decrease, +accompanied by Valadeva, hastily went away from the potter's abode.'" + + +SECTION CLXLIV + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When the Kuru princes (Bhima and Arjuna) were wending +towards the abode of the potter, Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchala prince +followed them. And sending away all his attendants, he concealed himself +in some part of the potter's house, unknown to the Pandavas. Then Bhima, +that grinder of all foes, and Jishnu, and the illustrious twins, on +returning from their eleemosynary round in the evening, cheerfully gave +everything unto Yudhishthira. Then the kind-hearted Kunti addressing the +daughter of Drupada said, "O amiable one, take thou first a portion from +this and devote it to the gods and give it away to Brahmanas, and feed +those that desire to eat and give unto those who have become our guests. +Divide the rest into two halves. Give one of these unto Bhima, O amiable +one, for this strong youth of fair complexion--equal unto a king of +elephants--this hero always eateth much. And divide the other half into +six parts, four for these youths, one for myself, and one for thee." Then +the princess hearing those instructive words of her mother-in-law +cheerfully did all that she had been directed to do. And those heroes then +all ate of the food prepared by Krishna. Then Sahadeva, the son of Madri, +endued with great activity, spread on the ground a bed of kusa grass. Then +those heroes, each spreading thereon his deer-skin, laid themselves down +to sleep. And those foremost of the Kuru princes lay down with heads +towards the south. And Kunti laid herself down along the line of their +heads, and Krishna along that of their feet. And Krishna though she lay +with the sons of Pandu on that bed of kusa grass along the line of their +feet as if she were their nether pillow, grieved not in her heart nor +thought disrespectfully of those bulls amongst the Kurus. Then those +heroes began to converse with one another. And the conversations of those +princes, each worthy to lead an army, was exceedingly interesting, they +being upon celestial cars and weapons and elephants, and swords and arrows, +and battle-axes. And the son of the Panchala king listened (from his place +of concealment) unto all they said. And all those who were with him beheld +Krishna in that state. + +"'When morning came, the prince Dhristadyumna set out from his place of +concealment with great haste in order to report to Drupada in detail all +that had happened at the potter's abode and all that he had heard those +heroes speak amongst themselves during the night. The king of Panchala had +been sad because he knew not the Pandavas as those who had taken away his +daughter. And the illustrious monarch asked Dhristadyumna on his return, +"Oh, where hath Krishna gone? Who hath taken her away? Hath any Sudra or +anybody of mean descent, or hath a tribute-paying Vaisya by taking my +daughter away, placed his dirty foot on my head? O son, hath that wreath +of flowers been thrown away on a grave-yard? Hath any Kshatriya of high +birth, or any one of the superior order (Brahmana) obtained my daughter? +Hath any one of mean descent, by having won Krishna, placed his left foot +on my head? I would not, O son, grieve but feel greatly happy, if my +daughter hath been united with Partha that foremost of men! O thou exalted +one, tell me truly who hath won my daughter today? O, are the sons of that +foremost of Kurus, Vichitravirya's son alive? Was it Partha (Arjuna) that +took up the bow and shot the mark?"'" + + +SECTION CLXLV + +(Vaivahika Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed Dhrishtadyumna, that foremost of the +Lunar princes, cheerfully said unto his father all that had happened and +by whom Krishna had been won. And the prince said, "With large, red eyes, +attired in deer-skin, and resembling a celestial in beauty, the youth who +strung that foremost of bows and brought down to the ground the mark set +on high, was soon surrounded by the foremost of Brahmanas who also offered +him their homage for the feat he had achieved. Incapable of bearing the +sight of a foe and endued with great activity, he began to exert his +prowess. And surrounded by the Brahmanas he resembled the thunder-wielding +Indra standing in the midst of the celestials, and the Rishis. And like a +she-elephant following the leader of a herd, Krishna cheerfully followed +that youth catching hold of his deer-skin. Then when the assembled +monarchs incapable of bearing that sight rose up in wrath and advanced for +fight, there rose up another hero who tearing up a large tree rushed at +that concourse of kings, felling them right and left like Yama himself +smiting down creatures endued with life. Then, O monarch, the assembled +kings stood motionless and looked at that couple of heroes, while they, +resembling the Sun and the Moon, taking Krishna with them, left the +amphitheatre and went into the abode of a potter in the suburbs of the +town, and there at the potter's abode sat a lady like unto a flame of fire +who, I think, is their mother. And around her also sat three other +foremost of men each of whom was like unto fire. And the couple of heroes +having approached her paid homage unto her feet, and they said unto +Krishna also to do the same. And keeping Krishna with her, those foremost +of men all went the round of eleemosynary visits. Some time after when +they returned, Krishna taking from them what they had obtained as alms, +devoted a portion thereof to the gods, and gave another portion away (in +gift) to Brahmanas. And of what remained after this, she gave a portion to +that venerable lady, and distributed the rest amongst those five foremost +of men. And she took a little for herself and ate it last of all. Then, O +monarch, they all laid themselves down for sleep, Krishna lying along the +line of their feet as their nether pillow. And the bed on which they lay +was made of kusa grass upon which was spread their deer-skins. And before +going to sleep they talked on diverse subjects in voices deep as of black +clouds. The talk of those heroes indicated them to be neither Vaisyas nor +Sudras, nor Brahmanas. Without doubt, O monarch, they are bulls amongst +Kshatriyas, their discourse having been on military subjects. It seems, O +father, that our hope hath been fructified, for we have heard that the +sons of Kunti all escaped from the conflagration of the house of lac. From +the way in which the mark was shot down by that youth, and the strength +with which the bow was strung by him, and the manner in which I have heard +them talk with one another proves conclusively, O monarch, that they are +the sons of Pritha wandering in disguise." + +"'Hearing these words of his son, king Drupada became exceedingly glad, and +he sent unto them his priest directing him to ascertain who they were and +whether they were the sons of the illustrious Pandu. Thus directed, the +king's priest went unto them and applauding them all, delivered the king's +message duly, saying, "Ye who are worthy of preference in everything, the +boon-giving king of the earth--Drupada--is desirous of ascertaining who ye +are. Beholding this one who hath shot down the mark, his joy knoweth no +bounds. Giving us all particulars of your family and tribe, place ye your +feet on the heads of your foes and gladden the hearts of the king of +Panchala mid his men and mine also. King Pandu was the dear friend of +Drupada and was regarded by him as his counterself. And Drupada had all +along cherished the desire of bestowing this daughter of his upon Pandu as +his daughter-in-law. Ye heroes of features perfectly faultless, king +Drupada hath all along cherished this desire in his heart that Arjuna of +strong and long arms might wed this daughter of his according to the +ordinance. If that hath become possible, nothing could be better; nothing +more beneficial; nothing more conducive to fame and virtue, so far as +Drupada is concerned." + +"'Having said this, the priest remained silent and humbly waited for an +answer. Beholding him sitting thus, the king Yudhishthira commanded Bhima +who sat near, saying, "Let water to wash his feet with and the Arghya be +offered unto this Brahmana. He is king Drupada's priest and, therefore, +worthy of great respect. We should worship him with more than ordinary +reverence." Then, O monarch, Bhima did as directed. Accepting the worship +thus offered unto him, the Brahmana with a joyous heart sat at his ease. +Then Yudhishthira addressed him and said, "The king of the Panchalas hath, +by fixing a special kind of dower, given away his daughter according to +the practice of his order and not freely. This hero hath, by satisfying +that demand, won the princess. King Drupada, therefore, hath nothing now +to say in regard to the race, tribe, family and disposition of him who +hath performed that feat. Indeed, all his queries have been answered by +the stringing of the bow and the shooting down of the mark. It is by doing +what he had directed that this illustrious hero hath brought away Krishna +from among the assembled monarchs. In these circumstances, the king of the +Lunar race should not indulge in any regrets which can only make him +unhappy without mending matters in the least. The desire that king Drupada +hath all along cherished will be accomplished for his handsome princess +who beareth, I think, every auspicious mark. None that is weak in strength +could string that bow, and none of mean birth and unaccomplished in arms +could have shot down the mark. It behoveth not, therefore, the king of the +Panchalas to grieve for his daughter today. Nor can anybody in the world +undo that act of shooting down the mark. Therefore the king should not +grieve for what must take its course." + +"'While Yudhishthira was saying all this, another messenger from the king +of the Panchalas, coming thither in haste, said, "The (nuptial) feast is +ready."'" + + +SECTION CLXLVI + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The messenger said, "King Drupada hath, in view +of his daughter's nuptials prepared a good feast for the bride-groom's +party. Come ye thither after finishing your daily rites. Krishna's wedding +will take place there. Delay ye not. These cars adorned with golden +lotuses drawn by excellent horses are worthy of kings. Riding on them, +come ye into the abode of the king of the Panchalas."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then those bulls among the Kurus, dismissing the +priest and causing Kunti and Krishna to ride together on one of those cars, +themselves ascended those splendid vehicles and proceeded towards +Drupada's palace. Meanwhile, O Bharata, hearing from his priest the words +that Yudhishthira had said, king Drupada, in order to ascertain the order +to which those heroes belonged, kept ready a large collection of articles +(required by the ordinance for the wedding of each of the four orders). +And he kept ready fruits, sanctified garlands, and coats of mail, and +shields, and carpets, and kine, and seeds, and various other articles and +implements of agriculture. And the king also collected, O monarch, every +article appertaining to other arts, and various implements and apparatus +of every kind of sport. And he also collected excellent coats of mail and +shining shields, and swords and scimitars, of fine temper, and beautiful +chariots and horses, and first-class bows and well-adorned arrows, and +various kinds of missiles ornamented with gold. And he also kept ready +darts and rockets and battle-axes and various utensils of war. And there +were in that collection beds and carpets and various fine things, and +cloths of various sorts. When the party went to Drupada's abode, Kunti +taking with her the virtuous Krishna entered the inner apartments of the +king. The ladies of the king's household with joyous hearts worshipped the +queen of the Kurus. Beholding, O monarch, those foremost of men, each +possessing the sportive gait of the lion, with deer-skins for their upper +garments, eyes like unto those of mighty bulls, broad shoulders, and long- +hanging arms like unto the bodies of mighty snakes, the king, and the +king's ministers, and the king's son, and the king's friends and +attendants, all became exceedingly glad. Those heroes sat on excellent +seats, furnished with footstools without any awkwardness and hesitation. +And those foremost of men sat with perfect fearlessness on those costly +seats one after another according to the order of their ages. After those +heroes were seated, well-dressed servants male and female, and skilful +cooks brought excellent and costly viands worthy of kings on gold and +silver plates. Then those foremost of men dined on those dishes and became +well-pleased. And after the dinner was over, those heroes among men, +passing over all other articles, began to observe with interest the +various utensils of war. Beholding this, Drupada's son and Drupada himself, +along with all his chief ministers of state, understanding the sons of +Kunti to be all of royal blood became exceedingly glad.'" + + +SECTION CLXLVII + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the illustrious king of Panchala, addressing +prince Yudhishthira in the form applicable to Brahmanas, cheerfully +enquired of that illustrious son of Kunti, saying, "Are we to know you as +Kshatriyas, or Brahamanas, or are we to know you as celestials who +disguising themselves as Brahmanas are ranging the earth and come hither +for the hand of Krishna? O tell us truly, for we have great doubts! Shall +we not be glad when our doubts have been removed? O chastiser of enemies, +have the fates been propitious unto us? Tell us the truth willingly! Truth +becometh monarchs better than sacrifices and dedications of tanks. +Therefore, tell us not what is untrue. O thou of the beauty of a celestial, +O chastiser of foes, hearing thy reply I shall make arrangements for my +daughter's wedding according to the order to which ye belong." + +"'Hearing these words of Drupada, Yudhishthira answered, saying "Be not +cheerless, O king; let joy fill thy heart! The desire cherished by thee +hath certainly been accomplished. We are Kshatriyas, O king, and sons of +the illustrious Pandu. Know me to be the eldest of the sons of Kunti and +these to be Bhima and Arjuna. By these, O king, was thy daughter won amid +the concourse of monarchs. The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Kunti wait +where Krishna is. O bull amongst men, let grief be driven from thy heart, +for we are Kshatriyas. Thy daughter, O monarch, hath like a lotus been +transferred only from one lake into another. O king, thou art our revered +superior and chief refuge. I have told thee the whole truth."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing those words, the king Drupada's eyes +rolled in ecstasy. And filled with delight the king could not, for some +moments answer Yudhishthira. Checking his emotion with great effort, that +chastiser of foes at last replied unto Yudhishthira in proper words. The +virtuous monarch enquired how the Pandavas had escaped from the town of +Varanavata. The son of Pandu told the monarch every particular in detail +of their escape from the burning palace of lac. Hearing everything that +the son of Kunti said, king Drupada censured Dhritarashtra, that ruler of +men. And the monarch gave every assurance unto Yudhishthira, the son of +Kunti. And that foremost of eloquent men then and there vowed to restore +Yudhishthira to his paternal throne. + +"'Then Kunti and Krishna and Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, commanded by +the king, to reside there, treated by Yajnasena with due respect. Then +king Drupada with his sons, assured by all that had happened, approaching +Yudhishthira, said, "O thou of mighty arms, let the Kuru prince Arjuna +take with due rites, the hand of my daughter on this auspicious day, and +let him, therefore, perform the usual initiatory rites of marriage."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Drupada, the virtuous +king Yudhishthira replied, saying, "O great king, I also shall have to +marry." Hearing him, Drupada said, "If it pleaseth thee, take thou the +hand of my daughter thyself with due rites. Or, give Krishna in marriage +unto whomsoever of thy brothers thou likest." Yudhishthira said, "Thy +daughter, O king, shall be the common wife of us all! Even thus it hath +been ordered, O monarch, by our mother. I am unmarried still, and Bhima +also is so amongst the sons of Pandu. This thy jewel of a daughter hath +been won by Arjuna. This, O king, is the rule with us; to ever enjoy +equally a jewel that we may obtain. O best of monarchs, that rule of +conduct we cannot now abandon. Krishna, therefore, shall become the wedded +wife of us all. Let her take our hands, one after another before the +fire." + +"'Drupada answered, "O scion of Kuru's race, it hath been directed that one +man may have many wives. But it hath never been heard that one woman may +have many husbands! O son of Kunti, as thou art pure and acquainted with +the rules of morality, it behoveth thee not to commit an act that is +sinful and opposed both to usage and the Vedas. Why, O prince, hath thy +understanding become so?" Yudhishthira said in reply, "O monarch, morality +is subtle. We do not know its course. Let us follow the way trodden by the +illustrious ones of former ages. My tongue never uttered an untruth. My +heart also never turneth to what is sinful. My mother commandeth so; and +my heart also approveth of it. Therefore, O king, that is quite +conformable to virtue. Act according to it, without any scruples. +Entertain no fear, O king, about this matter." + +"'Drupada said, "O son of Kunti, thy mother, and my son Dhrishtadyumna and +thyself, settle amongst yourselves as to what should be done. Tell me the +result of your deliberations and tomorrow I will do what is proper."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, O Bharata, Yudhishthira, Kunti and +Dhrishtadyumna discoursed upon this matter. Just at that time, however, +the island-born (Vyasa), O monarch, came there in course of his +wanderings.'" + + +SECTION CLXLVIII + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the Pandavas and the illustrious king of the +Panchalas and all others there present stood up and saluted with reverence +the illustrious Rishi Krishna (Dwaipayana). The high-souled Rishi, +saluting them in return and enquiring after their welfare, sat down on a +carpet of gold. And commanded by Krishna (Dwaipayana) of immeasurable +energy, those foremost of men all sat down on costly seats. A little after, +O monarch, the son of Prishata in sweet accents asked the illustrious +Rishi about the wedding of his daughter. And he said, "How, O illustrious +one, can one woman become the wife of many men without being defiled by +sin? O, tell me truly all about this." Hearing these words Vyasa replied, +"This practice, O king, being opposed to usage and the Vedas, hath become +obsolete. I desire, however, to hear what the opinion of each of you is +upon this matter." + +"'Hearing these words of the Rishi, Drupada spoke first, saying, "The +practice is sinful in my opinion, being opposed to both usage and the +Vedas. O best of Brahmanas, nowhere have I seen many men having one wife. +The illustrious ones also of former ages never had such a usage amongst +them. The wise should never commit a sin. I, therefore, can never make up +mind to act in this way. This practice always appeareth to me to be of +doubtful morality." + +"'After Drupada had ceased, Dhrishtadyumna spoke, saying "O bull amongst +Brahmanas, O thou of ascetic wealth, how can, O Brahmana, the elder +brother, if he is of a good disposition, approach the wife of his younger +brother? The ways of morality are ever subtle, and, therefore, we know +them not. We cannot, therefore, say what is conformable to morality and +what not. We cannot do such a deed, therefore, with a safe conscience. +Indeed, O Brahmana, I cannot say, 'Let Draupadi become the common wife of +five brothers.'" + +"'Yudhishthira then spoke, saying, "My tongue never uttereth an untruth and +my heart never inclineth to what is sinful. When my heart approveth of it, +it can never be sinful. I have heard in the Purana that a lady of name +Jatila, the foremost of all virtuous women belonging to the race of Gotama +had married seven Rishis. So also an ascetic's daughter, born of a tree, +had in former times united herself in marriage with ten brothers all +bearing the same name of Prachetas and who were all of souls exalted by +asceticism. O foremost of all that are acquainted with the rules of +morality, it is said that obedience to superior is ever meritorious. +Amongst all superiors, it is well-known that the mother is the foremost. +Even she hath commanded us to enjoy Draupadi as we do anything obtained as +alms. It is for this, O best of Brahmanas, that I regard the (proposed) +act as virtuous." + +"'Kunti then said, "The act is even so as the virtuous Yudhishthira hath +said. I greatly fear, O Brahmana, lest my speech should become untrue. How +shall I be saved from untruth?" + +"'When they had all finished speaking, Vyasa said, "O amiable one, how +shall thou be saved from the consequence of untruth? Even this is eternal +virtue! I will not, O king of the Panchalas, discourse on this before you +all. But thou alone shalt listen to me when I disclose how this practice +hath been established and why it is to be regarded as old and eternal. +There is no doubt that what Yudhishthira hath said is quite conformable to +virtue."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the illustrious Vyasa--the master +Dwaipayana--rose, and taking hold of Drupada's hand led him to a private +apartment. The Pandavas and Kunti and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race +sat there, waiting for the return of Vyasa and Drupada. Meanwhile, +Dwaipayana began his discourse with illustrious monarch for explaining how +the practice of polyandry could not be regarded as sinful.'" + + +SECTION CLXLIX + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Vyasa continued, "In days of yore, the celestials had +once commenced a grand sacrifice in the forest of Naimisha. At that +sacrifice, O king, Yama, the son of Vivaswat, became the slayer of the +devoted animals. Yama, thus employed in that sacrifice, did not (during +that period), O king, kill a single human being. Death being suspended in +the world, the number of human beings increased very greatly. Then Soma +and Sakra and Varuna and Kuvera, the Sadhyas, the Rudras, the Vasus, the +twin Aswins,--these and other celestials went unto Prajapati, the Creator +of the universe. Struck with fear for the increase of the human population +of the world they addressed the Master of creation and said, 'Alarmed, O +lord, at the increase of human beings on earth, we come to thee for relief. +Indeed, we crave thy protection.' Hearing those words the Grandsire said, +'Ye have little cause to be frightened at this increase of human beings. +Ye all are immortal. It behoveth you not to take fright at human beings.' +The celestials replied, 'The mortals have all become immortal. There is no +distinction now between us and them. Vexed at the disappearance of all +distinction, we have come to thee in order that thou mayest distinguish us +from them.' The Creator then said, 'The son of Vivaswat is even now +engaged in the grand sacrifice. It is for this that men are not dying. But +when Yama's work in connection with the sacrifice terminates, men will +again begin to die as before. Strengthened by your respective energies, +Yama will, when that time comes, sweep away by thousands the inhabitants +on earth who will scarcely have then any energy left in them.'" + +"'Vyasa continued, "Hearing these words of the first-born deity, the +celestials returned to the spot where the grand sacrifice was being +performed. And the mighty one sitting by the side of the Bhagirathi saw a +(golden) lotus being carried along by the current. And beholding that +(golden) lotus, they wondered much. And amongst them, that foremost of +celestials, viz., Indra, desirous of ascertaining whence it came, +proceeded up along the course of the Bhagirathi. And reaching that spot +whence the goddess Ganga issues perennially, Indra beheld a woman +possessing the splendour of fire. The woman who had come there to take +water was washing in the stream, weeping all the while. The tear-drops +she shed, falling on the stream, were being transformed into golden +lotuses. The wielder of the thunderbolt, beholding that wonderful sight, +approached the woman and asked her, 'Who art thou, amiable lady? Why dost +thou weep? I desire to know the truth. O, tell me everything.'" + +"'Vyasa continued, "The woman thereupon answered, 'O Sakra, thou mayest +know who I am and why, unfortunate that I am, I weep, if only, O chief of +the celestials, thou comest with me as I lead the way. Thou shall then see +what it is I weep for.' Hearing these words of the lady, Indra followed +her as she led the way. And soon he saw, not far off from where he was, a +handsome youth with a young lady seated on a throne placed on one of the +peaks of Himavat and playing at dice. Beholding that youth, the chief of +the celestials said, 'Know, intelligent youth, that this universe is under +my sway.' Seeing, however, that the person addressed was so engrossed in +dice that he took no notice of what he said, Indra was possessed by anger +and repeated, 'I am the lord of the universe.' The youth who was none else +than the god Mahadeva (the god of the gods), seeing Indra filled with +wrath, only smiled, having cast a glance at him. At that glance, however, +the chief of the celestials was at once paralysed and stood there like a +stake. When the game at dice was over, Isana addressing the weeping woman +said, 'Bring Sakra hither, for I shall soon so deal with him that pride +may not again enter his heart.' As soon as Sakra was touched by that woman, +the chief of the celestials with limbs paralysed by that touch, fell down +on the earth. The illustrious Isana of fierce energy then said unto him, +'Act not, O Sakra, ever again in this way. Remove this huge stone, for thy +strength and energy are immeasurable, and enter the hole (it will +disclose) where await some others possessing the splendour of the sun and +who are all like unto thee.' Indra, then, on removing that stone, beheld a +cave in the breast of that king of mountains, within which were four +others resembling himself. Beholding their plight, Sakra became seized +with grief and exclaimed, 'Shall I be even like these?' Then the god +Girisha, looking full at Indra with expanded eyes, said in anger, 'O thou +of a hundred sacrifices, enter this cave without loss of time, for thou +hast from folly insulted me.' Thus addressed by the lord Isana, the chief +of the celestials, in consequence of that terrible imprecation, was deeply +pained, and with limbs weakened by fear trembled like the wind-shaken leaf +of a Himalayan fig. And cursed unexpectedly by the god owning a bull for +his vehicle, Indra, with joined hands and shaking from head to foot, +addressed that fierce god of multi-form manifestations, saying, 'Thou art, +O Bhava, the over-looker of the infinite Universe!' Hearing these words +the god of fiery energy smiled and said, 'Those that are of disposition +like thine never obtain my grace. These others (within the cave) had at +one time been like thee. Enter thou this cave, therefore, and lie there +for some time. The fate of you all shall certainly be the same. All of you +shall have to take your birth in the world of men, where, having achieved +many difficult feats and slaying a large number of men, ye shall again by +the merits of your respective deeds, regain the valued region of Indra. Ye +shall accomplish all I have said and much more besides, of other kinds of +work.' Then those Indras, of their shorn glory said, 'We shall go from our +celestial regions even unto the region of men where salvation is ordained +to be difficult of acquisition. But let the gods Dharma, Vayu, Maghavat, +and the twin Aswins beget us upon our would-be mother. Fighting with men +by means of both celestial and human weapons, we shall again come back +into the region of Indra.'" + +"'Vyasa continued, "Hearing these words of the former Indras, the wielder +of the thunderbolt once more addressed that foremost of gods, saying, +'Instead of going myself, I shall, with a portion of my energy, create +from myself a person for the accomplishment of the task (thou assignest) +to form the fifth among these!' Vishwabhuk, Bhutadhaman, Sivi of great +energy, Santi the fourth, and Tejaswin, these it is said were the five +Indras of old. And the illustrious god of the formidable bow, from his +kindness, granted unto the five Indras the desire they cherished. And he +also appointed that woman of extraordinary beauty, who was none else than +celestial Sri (goddess of grace) herself, to be their common wife in the +world of men. Accompanied by all those Indras, the god Isana then went +unto Narayana of immeasurable energy, the Infinite, the Immaterial, the +Uncreate, the Old, the Eternal, and the Spirit of these universes without +limits. Narayana approved of everything. Those Indras then were born in +the world of men. And Hari (Narayana) took up two hairs from his body, one +of which hairs was black and the other white. And those two hairs entered +the wombs of two of the Yadu race, by name Devaki and Rohini. And one of +these hairs viz., that which was white, became Valadeva. And the hair that +was black was born as Kesava's self, Krishna. And those Indras of old who +had been confined in the cave on the Himavat are none else than the sons +of Pandu, endued with great energy. And Arjuna amongst the Pandavas, +called also Savyasachin (using both hands with equal dexterity) is a +portion of Sakra." + +"'Vyasa continued, "Thus, O king, they who have been born as the Pandavas +are none else than those Indras of old. And the celestial Sri herself who +had been appointed as their wife is this Draupadi of extraordinary beauty. +How could she whose effulgence is like that of the sun or the moon, whose +fragrance spreads for two miles around, take her birth in any other than +an extraordinary way, viz., from within the earth, by virtue of the +sacrificial rites? Unto thee, O king, I cheerfully grant this other boon +in the form of spiritual sight. Behold now the sons of Kunti endued with +their sacred and celestial bodies of old!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, that sacred Brahmana Vyasa of +generous deeds, by means of his ascetic power, granted celestial sight +unto the king. Thereupon the king beheld all the Pandavas endued with +their former bodies. And the king saw them possessed of celestial bodies, +with golden crowns and celestial garlands, and each resembling Indra +himself, with complexions radiant as fire or the sun, and decked with +every ornament, and handsome, and youthful, with broad chests and statures +measuring about five cubits. Endued with every accomplishment, and decked +with celestial robes of great beauty and fragrant garlands of excellent +making the king beheld them as so many three-eyed gods (Mahadeva), or +Vasus, or Rudras, or Adityas themselves. And observing the Pandavas in the +forms of those Indras of old, and Arjuna also in the form of Indra sprung +from Sakra himself, king Drupada was highly pleased. And the monarch +wondered much on beholding that manifestation of celestial power under +deep disguise. The king looking at his daughter, that foremost of women +endued with great beauty, like unto a celestial damsel and possessed of +the splendour of fire or the moon, regarded her as the worthy wife of +those celestial beings, for her beauty, splendour and fame. And beholding +that wonderful sight, the monarch touched the feet of Satyavati's son, +exclaiming, "O great Rishi, nothing is miraculous in thee!" The Rishi then +cheerfully continued, "In a certain hermitage there was an illustrious +Rishi's daughter, who, though handsome and chaste, obtained not a husband. +The maiden gratified, by severe ascetic penances, the god Sankara +(Mahadeva). The lord Sankara, gratified at her penances, told her himself, +'Ask thou the boon thou desirest.' Thus addressed, the maiden repeatedly +said unto the boon-giving Supreme Lord, 'I desire to obtain a husband +possessed of every accomplishment.' Sankara, the chief of the gods, +gratified with her, gave her the boon she asked, saying, 'Thou shall have, +amiable maiden, five husbands.' The maiden, who had succeeded in +gratifying the god, said again, 'O Sankara, I desire to have from thee +only one husband possessed of every virtue.' The god of gods, well-pleased +with her, spake again, saying, 'Thou hast, O maiden, addressed me five +full times, repeating, "Give me a husband." Therefore, O amiable one, it +shall even be as thou hast asked. Blessed be thou. All this, however, will +happen in a future life of thine!'" + +"'Vyasa continued, "O Drupada, this thy daughter of celestial beauty is +that maiden. Indeed, the faultless Krishna sprung from Prishata's race +hath been pre-ordained to become the common wife of five husbands. The +celestial Sri, having undergone severe ascetic penances, hath, for the +sake of the Pandavas, had her birth as thy daughter, in the course of thy +grand sacrifice. That handsome goddess, waited upon by all the celestials, +as a consequence of her own acts becomes the (common) wife of five +husbands. It is for this that the self-create had created her. Having +listened to all this, O king Drupada, do what thou desirest."'" + + +SECTION CC + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Drupada, on hearing this, observed, "O great Rishi, it +was only when I had not heard this from thee that I had sought to act in +the way I told thee of. Now, however, that I know all, I cannot be +indifferent to what hath been ordained by the gods. Therefore do I resolve +to accomplish what thou hast said. The knot of destiny cannot be untied. +Nothing in this world is the result of our own acts. That which had been +appointed by us in view of securing one only bridegroom hath now +terminated in favour of many. As Krishna (in a former life) had repeatedly +said, 'O, give me a husband!' the great god himself even gave her the boon +she had asked. The god himself knows the right or wrong of this. As +regards myself, when Sankara hath ordained so, right or wrong, no sin can +attach to me. Let these with happy hearts take, as ordained, the hand of +Krishna with the rites."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the illustrious Vyasa, addressing +Yudhishthira the just, said, "This day is an auspicious day, O son of +Pandu! This day the moon has entered the constellation called Pushya. Take +thou the hand of Krishna today, thyself first before thy brothers!" When +Vyasa had said so, king Yajnasena and his son made preparations for the +wedding. And the monarch kept ready various costly articles as marriage +presents. Then he brought out his daughter Krishna, decked, after a bath, +with many jewels and pearls. Then there came to witness the wedding all +the friends and relatives of the king, ministers of state, and many +Brahmanas and citizens. And they all took their seats according to their +respective ranks. Adorned with that concourse of principal men, with its +yard decked with lotuses and lilies scattered thereupon, and beautified +with lines of troops, king Drupada's palace, festooned around with +diamonds and precious stones, looked like the firmament studded with +brilliant stars. Then those princes of the Kuru line, endued with youth +and adorned with ear-rings, attired in costly robes and perfumed with +sandal-paste, bathed and performed the usual religious rites and +accompanied by their priest Dhaumya who was possessed of the splendour of +fire, entered the wedding hall one after another in due order, and with +glad hearts, like mighty bulls entering a cow-pen. Then Dhaumya, well- +conversant with the Vedas, igniting the sacred fire, poured with due +mantras libations of clarified butter into that blazing element. And +calling Yudhishthira there, Dhaumya, acquainted with mantras, united him +with Krishna. Walking round the fire the bridegroom and the bride took +each other's hand. After their union was complete, the priest Dhaumya, +taking leave of Yudhishthira, that ornament of battles, went out of the +palace. Then those mighty car-warriors,--those perpetuators of the Kuru +line,--those princes attired in gorgeous dresses, took the hand of that +best of women, day by day in succession, aided by that priest. O king, the +celestial Rishi told me of a very wonderful and extraordinary thing in +connection with these marriages, viz., that the illustrious princess of +slender waist regained her virginity every day after a previous marriage. +After the weddings were over, king Drupada gave unto those mighty car- +warriors diverse kinds of excellent wealth. And the king gave unto them +one hundred cars with golden standards, each drawn by four steeds with +golden bridles. And he gave them one hundred elephants all possessing +auspicious marks on their temples and faces and like unto a hundred +mountains with golden peaks. He also gave them a hundred female servants +all in the prime of youth and clad in costly robes and ornaments and +floral wreaths. And the illustrious monarch of the Lunar race gave unto +each of those princes of celestial beauty, making the sacred fire a +witness of his gifts, much wealth and many costly robes and ornaments of +great splendour. The sons of Pandu endued with great strength, after their +wedding were over, and after they had obtained Krishna like unto a second +Sri along with great wealth, passed their days in joy and happiness, like +so many Indras, in the capital of the king of the Panchalas.'" + + +SECTION CCI + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'King Drupada, after his alliance with the Pandavas, +had all his fears dispelled. Indeed, the monarch no longer stood in fear +even of the gods. The ladies of the illustrious Drupada's household +approached Kunti and introduced themselves unto her, mentioning their +respective names, and worshipped her feet with heads touching the ground. +Krishna also, attired in red silk and her wrists still encircled with the +auspicious thread, saluting her mother-in-law with reverence, stood +contentedly before her with joined palms. Pritha, out of affection, +pronounced a blessing upon her daughter-in-law endued with great beauty +and every auspicious mark and possessed of a sweet disposition and good +character, saying, "Be thou unto thy husband as Sachi unto Indra, Swaha +unto Vibhavasu, Rohini unto Soma, Damayanti unto Nala, Bhadra unto +Vaisravana, Arundhati unto Vasishtha, Lakshmi unto Narayana! O amiable one, +be thou the mother of long-lived and heroic children, and possessed of +everything that can make thee happy! Let luck and prosperity ever wait on +thee! Wait thou ever on husbands engaged in the performance of grand +sacrifices. Be thou devoted to thy husbands. And let thy days be ever +passed in duly entertaining and reverencing guests and strangers arrived +at thy abode, and the pious and the old; children and superiors. Be thou +installed as the Queen of the kingdom and the capital of Kurujangala, with +thy husband Yudhishthira the just! O daughter, let the whole earth, +conquered by the prowess of thy husbands endued with great strength, be +given away by thee unto Brahmanas at horse-sacrifice! O accomplished one +whatever gems there are on earth possessed of superior virtues, obtain +them, O lucky one, and be thou happy for a full hundred years! And, O +daughter-in-law, as I rejoice today beholding thee attired in red silk, so +shall I rejoice again, when, O accomplished one, I behold thee become the +mother of a son!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After the sons of Pandu had been married, Hari +(Krishna) sent unto them (as presents) various gold ornaments set with +pearls and black gems (lapis lazuli). And Madhava (Krishna) also sent unto +them costly robes manufactured in various countries, and many beautiful +and soft blankets and hides of great value, and many costly beds and +carpets and vehicles. He also sent them vessels by hundreds, set with gems +and diamonds. And Krishna also gave them female servants by thousands, +brought from various countries, and endued with beauty, youth and +accomplishments and decked with every ornament. He also gave them many +well-trained elephants brought from the country of Madra, and many +excellent horses in costly harness, cars drawn by horses of excellent +colours and large teeth. The slayer of Madhu, of immeasurable soul, also +sent them coins of pure gold by crores upon crores in separate heaps. And +Yudhishthira the just, desirous of gratifying Govinda, accepted all those +presents with great joy.'" + + +SECTION CCII + +(Viduragamana Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The news was carried unto all the monarchs (who had +come to the Self-choice of Draupadi) by their trusted spies that the +handsome Draupadi had been united in marriage with the sons of Pandu. And +they were also informed that the illustrious hero who had bent the bow and +shot the mark was none else than Arjuna, that foremost of victorious +warriors and first of all wielders of the bow and arrows. And it became +known that the mighty warrior who had dashed Salya, the king of Madra, on +the ground, and who in wrath had terrified the assembled monarchs by means +of the tree (he had uprooted), and who had taken his stand before all foes +in perfect fearlessness, was none else than Bhima, that feller of hostile +ranks, whose touch alone was sufficient to take the lives out of all foes. +The monarchs, upon being informed that the Pandavas had assumed the guise +of peaceful Brahmanas, wondered much. They even heard that Kunti with all +her sons had been burnt to death in the conflagration of the house of lac. +They, therefore, now regarded the Pandavas in the light of persons who had +come back from the region of the dead. And recollecting the cruel scheme +contrived by Purochana, they began to say, "O, fie on Bhishma, fie on +Dhritarashtra of the Kuru race!" + +"'After the Self-choice was over, all the monarchs (who had come thither), +hearing that Draupadi had been united with the Pandavas, set out for their +own dominions. And Duryodhana, hearing that Draupadi had selected the +owner of white steeds (Arjuna) as her lord, became greatly depressed. +Accompanied by his brothers, Aswatthaman, his uncle (Sakuni), Karna and +Kripa the prince set out with a heavy heart for his capital. Then +Duhsasana, blushing with shame, addressed his brother softly and said, "If +Arjuna had not disguised himself as a Brahmana, he could never have +succeeded in obtaining Draupadi. It was for this disguise, O king, that no +one could recognise him as Dhananjaya. Fate, I ween, is ever supreme. +Exertion is fruitless; fie on our exertions, O brother! The Pandavas are +still alive!" Speaking unto one another thus and blaming Purochana (for +his carelessness), they then entered the city of Hastinapura, with +cheerless and sorrowful hearts. Beholding the mighty sons of Pritha, +escaped from the burning house of lac and allied with Drupada, and +thinking of Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin and the other sons of Drupada all +accomplished in fight, they were struck with fear and overcome with +despair. + +"'Then Vidura, having learnt that Draupadi had been won by the Pandavas and +that the sons of Dhritarashtra had come back (to Hastinapura) in shame, +their pride humiliated, became filled with joy. And, O king, approaching +Dhritarashtra, Kshattri said, "The Kurus are prospering by good luck!" +Hearing those words of Vidura, the son of Vichitravirya, wondering, said +in great glee, "What good luck, O Vidura! What good luck!" From ignorance, +the blind monarch understood that his eldest son Duryodhana had been +chosen by Drupada's daughter as her lord. And the king immediately ordered +various ornaments to be made for Draupadi. And he commanded that both +Draupadi and his son Duryodhana should be brought with pomp to Hastinapura. +It was then that Vidura told the monarch that Draupadi had chosen the +Pandavas for her lords, and that those heroes were all alive and at peace, +and that they had been received with great respect by king Drupada. And he +also informed Dhritarashtra that the Pandavas had been united with the +many relatives and friends of Drupada, each owning large armies, and with +many others who had come to that self-choice. + +"'Hearing these words of Vidura, Dhritarashtra said, "Those children are to +me as dear as they were to Pandu. Nay, more. O listen to me why my +affection for them now is even greater! The heroic sons of Pandu are well +and at ease. They have obtained many friends. Their relatives, and others +whom they have gained as allies, are all endued with great strength. Who +amongst monarchs in prosperity or adversity would not like to have Drupada +with his relatives as an ally?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard these words of the monarch, Vidura +said, "O king, let thy understanding remain so without change for a +hundred years!" Having said this Vidura returned to his own abode. Then, O +monarch, there came unto Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana and the son of Radha, +Karna. Addressing the monarch, they said, "We cannot, O king, speak of any +transgression in the presence of Vidura! We have now found thee alone, and +will, therefore, say all we like! What is this that thou hast, O monarch, +desired to do? Dost thou regard the prosperity of thy foes as if it were +thy own, that thou hast been applauding the Pandavas, O foremost of men, +in the presence of Vidura? O sinless one, thou actest not, O king, in the +way thou shouldst! O father, we should now act every day in such a way as +to weaken (the strength of) the Pandavas. The time hath come, O father, +for us to take counsel together, so that the Pandavas may not swallow us +all with our children and friends and relatives."'" + + +SECTION CCIII + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Dhritarashtra replied saying, "I desire to do exactly +what you would recommend. But I do not wish to inform Vidura of it even by +a change of muscle. It was, therefore, O son, that I was applauding the +Pandavas in Vidura's presence, so that he might not know even by a sign +what is in my mind. Now that Vidura hath gone away, this is the time, O +Suyodhana (Duryodhana), for telling me what thou hast hit upon, and what, +O Radheya (Karna), thou too hast hit upon." + +"'Duryodhana said. "Let us, O father, by means of trusted and skilful and +adroit Brahmanas, seek to produce dissensions between the sons of Kunti +and Madri. Or, let king Drupada and his sons, and all his ministers of +state, be plied with presents of large wealth, so that they may abandon +the cause of Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti. Or, let our spies induce the +Pandavas to settle in Drupada's dominions, by describing to them, +separately, the inconvenience of residing in Hastinapura, so that, +separated from us, they may permanently settle in Panchala. Or, let some +clever spies, full of resources, sowing the seeds of dissension among the +Pandavas, make them jealous of one another. Or, let them incite Krishna +against her husbands. She has many lords and this will not present any +difficulty. Or, let some seek to make the Pandavas themselves dissatisfied +with Krishna, in which case Krishna also will be dissatisfied with them. +Or, let, O king, some clever spies, repairing thither, secretly compass +the death of Bhimasena. Bhima is the strongest of them all. Relying upon +Bhima alone, the Pandavas used to disregard us, of old. Bhima is fierce +and brave and the (sole) refuge of the Pandavas. If he be slain, the +others will be deprived of strength and energy. Deprived of Bhima who is +their sole refuge, they will no longer strive to regain their kingdom. +Arjuna, O king, is invincible in battle, if Bhima protecteth him from +behind. Without Bhima, Arjuna is not equal to even a fourth part of +Radheya. Indeed, O king, the Pandavas conscious of their own feebleness +without Bhima and of our strength would not really strive to recover the +kingdom. Or, if, O monarch, coming hither, they prove docile and obedient +to us, we would then seek to repress them according to the dictates of +political science (as explained by Kanika). Or, we may tempt them by means +of handsome girls, upon which the princess of Panchala will get annoyed +with them. Or, O Radheya, let messengers be despatched to bring them +hither, so that, when arrived, we may through trusted agents, by some of +the above methods, cause them to be slain. Strive, O father, to employ any +of these (various) methods that may appear to thee faultless. Time passeth. +Before their confidence in king Drupada--that bull amongst kings--is +established we may succeed, O monarch, to encounter them. But after their +confidence hath been established in Drupada, we are sure to fail. These, O +father, are my views for the discomfiture of the Pandavas. Judge whether +they be good or bad. What, O Karna, dost thou think?"'" + + +SECTION CCIV + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Duryodhana, Karna said, "It doth +not seem to me, O Duryodhana, that thy reasoning is well-founded. O +perpetuator of the Kuru race, no method will succeed against the Pandavas. +O brave prince, thou hast before, by various subtle means, striven to +carry out thy wishes. But ever hast thou failed to slay thy foes. They +were then living near thee, O king! They were then unfledged and of tender +years, but thou couldst not injure them then. They are now living at a +distance, grown up, full-fledged. The sons of Kunti, O thou of firm +resolution, cannot now be injured by any subtle contrivances of thine. +This is my opinion. As they are aided by the very Fates, and as they are +desirous of regaining their ancestral kingdom, we can never succeed in +injuring them by any means in our power. It is impossible to create +disunion amongst them. They can never be disunited who have all taken to a +common wife. Nor can we succeed in estranging Krishna from the Pandavas by +any spies of ours. She chose them as her lords when they were in adversity. +Will she abandon them now that they are in prosperity? Besides women +always like to have many husbands, Krishna hath obtained her wish. She can +never be estranged from the Pandavas. The king of Panchala is honest and +virtuous; he is not avaricious. Even if we offer him our whole kingdom he +will not abandon the Pandavas. Drupada's son also possesseth every +accomplishment, and is attached to the Pandavas. Therefore, I do not think +that the Pandavas can now be injured by any subtle means in thy power. But, +O bull amongst men, this is what is good and advisable for us now, viz., +to attack and smite them till they are exterminated. Let this course +recommend itself to thee. As long as our party is strong and that of the +king of the Panchalas is weak, so long strike them without any scruple. O +son of Gandhari, as long as their innumerable vehicles and animals, +friends, and friendly tribes are not mustered together, continue, O king, +to exhibit thy prowess. As long as the king of the Panchalas together with +his sons gifted with great prowess, setteth not his heart upon fighting +with us, so long, O king, exhibit thy prowess. And, O king, exert thy +prowess before he of the Vrishni race (Krishna) cometh with the Yadava +host into the city of Drupada, carrying everything before him, to restore +the Pandavas to their paternal kingdom. Wealth, every article of enjoyment, +kingdom, there is nothing that Krishna may not sacrifice for the sake of +the Pandavas. The illustrious Bharata had acquired the whole earth by his +prowess alone. Indra hath acquired sovereignty of the three worlds by +prowess alone. O king, prowess is always applauded by the Kshatriyas. O +bull amongst Kshatriyas, prowess is the cardinal virtue of the brave. Let +us, therefore, O monarch, with our large army consisting of four kinds of +forces, grind Drupada without loss of time, and bring hither the Pandavas. +Indeed, the Pandavas are incapable of being discomfited by any policy of +conciliation, of gift, of wealth and bribery, or of disunion. Vanquish +them, therefore, by thy prowess. And vanquishing them by thy prowess, rule +thou this wide earth. O monarch, I see not any other means by which we may +accomplish our end."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Radheya, Dhritarashtra, +endued with great strength, applauded him highly. The monarch then +addressed him and said, "Thou, O son of a Suta, art gifted with great +wisdom and accomplished in arms. This speech, therefore, favouring the +exhibition of prowess suiteth thee well. But let Bhishma, and Drona, and +Vidura, and you two, take counsel together and adopt that proposal which +may lead to our benefit."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then king Dhritarashtra called unto him, all +those celebrated ministers and took counsel with them.'" + + +SECTION CCV + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Asked by Dhritarashtra to give his opinion, Bhishma +replied, "O Dhritarashtra, a quarrel with the Pandavas is what I can never +approve of. As thou art to me, so was Pandu without doubt. And the sons of +Gandhari are to me, as those of Kunti. I should protect them as well as I +should thy sons, O Dhritarashtra! And, O king, the Pandavas are as much +near to me as they are to prince Duryodhana or to all the other Kurus. +Under these circumstances a quarrel with them is what I never like. +Concluding a treaty with those heroes, let half the land be given unto +them. This is without doubt, the paternal kingdom of those foremost ones +of the Kuru race. And, O Duryodhana, like thee who lookest upon this +kingdom as thy paternal property, the Pandavas also look upon it as their +paternal possession. If the renowned sons of Pandu obtain not the kingdom, +how can it be thine, or that of any other descendant of the Bharata race? +If thou regardest thyself as one that hath lawfully come into the +possession of the kingdom, I think they also may be regarded to have +lawfully come into the possession of this kingdom before thee. Give them +half the kingdom quietly. This, O tiger among men, is beneficial to all. +If thou actest otherwise, evil will befall us all. Thou too shall be +covered with dishonour. O Duryodhana, strive to maintain thy good name. A +good name is, indeed, the source of one's strength. It hath been said that +one liveth in vain whose reputation hath gone. A man, O Kaurava, doth not +die so long as his fame lasteth. One liveth as long as one's fame endureth, +and dieth when one's fame is gone. Follow thou, O son of Gandhari, the +practice that is worthy of the Kuru race. O thou of mighty arms, imitate +thy own ancestors. We are fortunate that the Pandavas have not perished. +We are fortunate that Kunti liveth. We are fortunate that the wretch +Purochana without being able to accomplish his purpose hath himself +perished. From that time when I heard that the sons of Kuntibhoja's +daughter had been burnt to death, I was, O son of Gandhari, ill able to +meet any living creature. O tiger among men, hearing of the fate that +overtook Kunti, the world doth not regard Purochana so guilty as it +regardeth thee. O king, the escape, therefore, of the sons of Pandu with +life from that conflagration and their re-appearance, do away with thy +evil repute. Know, O thou of Kuru's race, that as long as those heroes +live, the wielder of the thunder himself cannot deprive them of their +ancestral share in the kingdom. The Pandavas are virtuous and united. They +are being wrongly kept out of their equal share in the kingdom. If thou +shouldst act rightly, if thou shouldst do what is agreeable to me, if thou +shouldst seek the welfare of all, then give half the kingdom unto them."'" + + +SECTION CCVI + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Bhishma had concluded, Drona spoke, saying, "O +king Dhritarashtra, it hath been heard by us that friends summoned for +consultation should always speak what is right, true, and conductive to +fame. O sire, I am of the same mind in this matter with the illustrious +Bhishma. Let a share of the kingdom be given unto the Pandavas. This is +eternal virtue. Send, O Bharata, unto Drupada without loss of time some +messenger of agreeable speech, carrying with him a large treasure for the +Pandavas. And let the man go unto Drupada carrying costly presents for +both the bridegrooms and the bride, and let him speak unto that monarch of +thy increase of power and dignity arising from this new alliance with him. +And, O monarch, let the man know also that both thyself and Duryodhana +have become exceedingly glad in consequence of what hath happened. Let him +say this repeatedly unto Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna. And let him speak +also about the alliance as having been exceedingly proper, and agreeable +unto thee, and of thyself being worthy of it. And let the man repeatedly +propitiate the sons of Kunti and those of Madri (in proper words). And at +thy command, O king, let plenty of ornaments of pure gold be given unto +Draupadi. And let, O bull of Bharata's race, proper presents be given unto +all the sons of Drupada. Let the messenger then propose the return of the +Pandavas to Hastinapura. After the heroes will have been permitted (by +Drupada), to come hither, let Duhsasana and Vikarna go out with a handsome +train to receive them. And when they will have arrived at Hastinapura, let +those foremost of men be received with affection by thee. And let them +then be installed on their paternal throne, agreeably to the wishes of the +people of the realm. This, O monarch of Bharata's race, is what I think +should be thy behaviour towards the Pandavas who are to thee even as thy +own sons."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Drona had ceased, Karna spake again, "Both +Bhishma and Drona have been pampered with wealth that is thine and favours +conferred by thee! They are also always regarded by thee as thy trusted +friends! What can therefore be more amusing than that they both should +give thee advice which is not for thy good? How can the wise approve that +advice which is pronounced good by a person speaking with wicked intent +but taking care to conceal the wickedness of his heart? Indeed, in a +season of distress, friends can neither benefit nor injure. Every one's +happiness or the reverse dependeth on destiny. He that is wise and he that +is foolish, he that is young (in years) and he that is old, he that hath +allies and he that hath none, all become, it is seen everywhere, happy or +unhappy at times. It hath been heard by us that there was, of old, a king +by name Amvuvicha. Having his capital at Rajagriha, he was the king of all +the Magadha chiefs. He never attended to his affairs. All his exertion +consisted in inhaling the air. All his affairs were in the hands of his +minister. And his minister, named Mahakarni, became the supreme authority +in the state. Regarding himself all powerful, he began to disregard the +king. And the wretch himself appropriated everything belonging unto the +king, his queens and treasures and sovereignty. But the possession of all +these, instead of satisfying his avarice, only served to inflame him the +more. Having appropriated everything belonging to the king, he even +coveted the throne. But it hath been heard by us that with all his best +endeavours he succeeded not in acquiring the kingdom of the monarch, his +master, even though the latter was inattentive to business and content +with only breathing the air. What else can be said, O king, than that +monarch's sovereignty was dependent on destiny? If, therefore, O king, +this kingdom be established in thee by destiny, it will certainly continue +in thee, even if the whole world were to become thy enemy! If, however, +destiny hath ordained otherwise, howsoever mayest thou strive, it will not +last in thee! O learned one, remembering all this, judge of the honesty or +otherwise of thy advisers. Ascertain also who amongst them are wicked and +who have spoken wisely and well."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Karna, Drona replied, "As +thou art wicked it is evident thou sayest so in consequence of the +wickedness of thy intent. It is for injuring the Pandavas that thou +findest fault with us. But know, O Karna, what I have said is for the good +of all and the prosperity of the Kuru race. If thou regardest all this as +productive of evil, declare thyself what is for our good. If the good +advice I have given be not followed, I think the Kurus will be +exterminated in no time."'" + + +SECTION CCVII + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Drona had ceased, Vidura spoke, saying, "O +monarch, thy friends without doubt, are saying unto thee what is for thy +good. But as thou art unwilling to listen to what they say, their words +scarcely find a place in thy ears. What that foremost one of Kuru's race, +viz., Bhishma, the son of Santanu, hath said, is excellent and is for thy +good. But thou dost not listen to it. The preceptor Drona also hath said +much that is for thy good which however Karna, the son of Radha, doth not +regard to be such. But, O king, reflecting hard I do not find any one who +is better a friend to thee than either of these two lions among men (viz., +Bhishma and Drona), or any one who excels either of them in wisdom. These +two, old in years, in wisdom, and in learning, always regard thee, O king, +and the sons of Pandu with equal eyes. Without doubt, O king of Bharata's +race, they are both, in virtue and truthfulness, not inferior to Rama, the +son of Dasaratha, and Gaya. Never before did they give thee any evil +advice. Thou also, O monarch, hast never done them any injury. Why should, +therefore, these tigers among men, who are ever truthful, give thee wicked +advice, especially when thou hast never injured them? Endued with wisdom +these foremost of men, O king, will never give thee counsels that are +crooked. O scion of Kuru's race, this is my firm conviction that these two, +acquainted with all rules of morality, will never, tempted by wealth, +utter anything betraying a spirit of partisanship. What they have said, O +Bharata, I regard highly beneficial to thee. Without doubt, O monarch, the +Pandavas are thy sons as much as Duryodhana and others are. Those +ministers, therefore, that give thee any counsel fraught with evil unto +the Pandavas, do not really look to thy interests. If there is any +partiality in thy heart, O king, for thy own children, they who by their +counsel seek to bring it out, certainly do thee no good. Therefore, O king, +these illustrious persons endued with great splendour, have not I think, +said anything that leadeth to evil. Thou, however, dost not understand it. +What these bulls among men have said regarding the invincibility of the +Pandavas is perfectly true. Think not otherwise of it, O tiger among men. +Blest be thou! Can the handsome Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, using the +right and the left hand with equal activity, be vanquished in battle even +by Maghavat himself? Can the great Bhimasena of strong arms possessing the +might of ten thousand elephants, be vanquished in battle by the immortals +themselves? Who also that desireth to live can overcome in battle the +twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) like unto the sons of Yama himself, and well- +skilled in fight? How too can the eldest one of the Pandavas in whom +patience, mercy, forgiveness, truth, and prowess always live together, be +vanquished? They who have Rama (Valadeva) as their ally, and Janardana +(Krishna) as their counsellor, and Satyaki as their partisan, have already +defeated everybody in war. They who have Drupada for their father-in-law, +and Drupada's sons--the heroic brothers, viz., Dhristadyumna and others of +Prishata's race for their brothers-in-law, are certainly invincible. +Remembering this, O monarch, and knowing that their claim to the kingdom +is even prior to thine, behave virtuously towards them. The stain of +calumny is on thee, O monarch, in consequence of that act of Purochana. +Wash thyself of it now, by a kindly behaviour towards the Pandavas. This +kindly behaviour of thine, O monarch, towards the Pandavas will be an act +of great benefit to us, protecting the lives of us all that belong to +Kuru's race, and leading to the growth of the whole Kshatriya order! We +had formerly warred with king Drupada; if we can now secure him as an ally, +it will strengthen our party. The Dasarhas, O king, are numerous and +strong. Know where Krishna is, all of them must be, and where Krishna is, +there victory also must be! O king, who, unless cursed by the gods, would +seek, to effect that by means of war which can be effected by +conciliation? Hearing that the sons of Pritha are alive, the citizens and +other subjects of the realm have become exceedingly glad and eager for +beholding them. O monarch, act in a way that is agreeable to them. +Duryodhana and Karna and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, are sinful, foolish +and young; listen not to them. Possessed of every virtue thou art. I long +ago told thee, O monarch that for Duryodhana's fault, the subjects of this +kingdom would be exterminated."'" + + +SECTION CCVIII + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these various speeches, Dhritarashtra said, +"The learned Bhishma, the son of Santanu, and the illustrious Rishi Drona, +and thyself also (O Vidura), have said the truth and what also is most +beneficial to me. Indeed, as those mighty car-warriors, the heroic sons of +Kunti, are the children of Pandu, so are they, without doubt, my children +according to the ordinance. And as my sons are entitled to this kingdom, +so are the sons of Pandu certainly entitled to it. Therefore, hasten to +bring hither the Pandavas along with their mother, treating them with +affectionate consideration. O thou of Bharata's race, bring also Krishna +of celestial beauty along with them. From sheer good fortune the sons of +Pritha are alive; and from good fortune alone those mighty car-warriors +have obtained the daughter of Drupada. It is from good fortune alone that +our strength hath increased, and it is from good fortune alone that +Purochana hath perished. O thou of great splendour, it is from good +fortune that my great grief hath been killed!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Vidura, at the command of Dhritarashtra, +repaired, O Bharata, unto Yajnasena and the Pandavas. And he repaired +thither carrying with him numerous jewels and various kinds of wealth for +Draupadi and the Pandavas and Yajnasena also. Arrived at Drupada's abode, +Vidura conversant with every rule of morality and deep in every science, +properly accosted the monarch and waited upon him. Drupada received Vidura +in proper form and they both enquired after each other's welfare. Vidura +then saw there the Pandavas and Vasudeva. As soon as he saw them he +embraced them from affection and enquired after their well being. The +Pandavas also along with Vasudeva, in due order, worshipped Vidura of +immeasurable intelligence. But Vidura, O king, in the name of +Dhritarashtra repeatedly enquired with great affection after their welfare. +He then gave, O monarch, unto the Pandavas and Kunti and Draupadi, and +unto Drupada and Drupada's sons, the gems and various kinds of wealth that +the Kauravas had sent through him. Possessed of immeasurable intelligence, +the modest Vidura then, in the presence of the Pandavas and Keshava, +addressed the well-behaved Drupada thus: + +"'"With thy ministers and sons, O monarch, listen to what I say. King +Dhritarashtra, with ministers, sons, and friends, hath with a joyous heart, +O king, repeatedly enquired after thy welfare. And, O monarch, he hath +been highly pleased with this alliance with thee. So also, O king, Bhishma +of great wisdom, the son of Santanu, with all the Kurus, enquired after +thy welfare in every respect. Drona also of great wisdom the son of +Bharadwaja and thy dear friend, embracing thee mentally, enquired of thy +happiness. And, O king of Panchalas, Dhritarashtra and all the Kurus, in +consequence of this alliance with thee regard themselves supremely blest. +O Yajnasena, the establishment of this alliance with thee hath made them +happier than if they had acquired a new kingdom. Knowing all this, O +monarch, permit the Pandavas to re-visit their ancestral kingdom. The +Kurus are exceedingly eager to behold the sons of Pandu. These bulls among +men have been long absent (from their kingdom). They as well as Pritha +must be very eager to behold their city. And all the Kuru ladies and the +citizens and our subjects are eagerly waiting to behold Krishna the +Panchala Princess. This, therefore, is my opinion, O monarch, that thou +shouldst, without delay, permit the Pandavas to go thither with their wife. +And after the illustrious Pandavas, O king, will have received thy +permission to go thither, I shall send information unto Dhritarashtra by +quick messengers. Then, O king, will the Pandavas set out with Kunti and +Krishna."'" + + +SECTION CCIX + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Vidura, Drupada said, "It is +even so as thou, O Vidura of great wisdom, hast said. Venerable one, I too +have been exceedingly happy in consequence of this alliance. It is highly +proper that these illustrious princes should return to their ancestral +kingdom. But it is not proper for me to say this myself. If the brave son +of Kunti viz., Yudhishthira, if Bhima and Arjuna, if these among men, viz., +the twins, themselves desire to go and if Rama (Valadeva) and Krishna, +both acquainted with every rule of morality, be of the same mind, then let +the Pandavas go thither. For these tigers among men (Rama and Krishna) are +ever engaged in doing what is agreeable and beneficial to the sons of +Pandu." + +"'Hearing this, Yudhishthira said, "We are now, O monarch, with all our +younger brothers, dependent on thee. We shall cheerfully do what thou art +pleased to command."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Vasudeva said, "I am of opinion that the +Pandavas should go. But we should all abide by the opinion of king Drupada +who is conversant with every rule of morality." + +"'Drupada then spoke, "I certainly agree with what this foremost of men +thinketh, having regard to the circumstances. For the illustrious sons of +Pandu now are to me as they are, without doubt, to Vasudeva. Kunti's son +Yudhishthira himself doth not seek the welfare of the Pandavas so +earnestly as Kesava, that tiger among men."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Commanded by the illustrious Drupada, the +Pandavas, then, O king, and Krishna and Vidura, taking with them Krishna, +the daughter of Drupada, and the renowned Kunti, journeyed towards the +city called after the elephant, stopping at various places along the way +for purposes of pleasure and enjoyment. King Dhritarashtra, hearing that +those heroes had neared the capital sent out the Kauravas to receive them. +They who were thus sent out were, O Bharata, Vikarna of the great bow, and +Chitrasena, and Drona that foremost of warriors, and Kripa of Gautama's +line. Surrounded by these, those mighty heroes, their splendour enhanced +by that throng slowly entered the city of Hastinapura. The whole city +became radiant, as it were, with the gay throng of sight-seers animated by +curiosity. Those tigers among men gladdened the hearts of all who beheld +them. And the Pandavas, dear unto the hearts of the people, heard, as they +proceeded, various exclamations which the citizens, ever desirous of +obeying the wishes of those princes, loudly uttered. Some exclaimed, "Here +returns that tiger among men, conversant with all the rules of morality +and who always protects us as if we were his nearest relatives." And +elsewhere they said, "It seems that king Pandu--the beloved of his people-- +returneth today from the forest, doubtless to do what is agreeable to us." +And there were some that said, "What good is not done to us today when the +heroic sons of Kunti come back to our town? If we have ever given away in +charity, if we have ever poured libations of clarified butter on the fire, +if we have any ascetic merit, let the Pandavas, by virtue of all those +acts stay in town for a hundred years." + +"'At last the Pandavas, on arriving at the palace, worshipped the feet of +Dhritarashtra, as also those of the illustrious Bhishma. They also +worshipped the feet of everybody else that deserved that honour. And they +enquired after the welfare of every citizen (there present). At last, at +the command of Dhritarashtra they entered the chambers that had been +assigned to them. + +"'After they had rested there for some time, they were summoned (to the +court) by king Dhritarashtra and Bhishma, the son of Santanu. When they +came, king Dhritarashtra addressing Yudhishthira, said, "Listen, O son of +Kunti, with thy brothers, to what I say. Repair ye to Khandavaprastha so +that no difference may arise again (between you and your cousins). If you +take up your quarters there no one will be able to do you any injury. +Protected by Partha (Arjuna), like the celestials by the thunderbolt, +reside ye at Khandavaprastha, taking half of the kingdom."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Agreeing to what Dhritarashtra said, those bulls +among men worshipping the king set out from Hastinapura. And content with +half the kingdom, they removed to Khandavaprastha, which was in +unreclaimed desert. Then those heroes of unfading splendour, viz., the +Pandavas, with Krishna at their head, arriving there, beautified the place +and made it a second heaven. And those mighty car-warriors, selecting with +Dwaipayana's assistance a sacred and auspicious region, performed certain +propitiatory ceremonies and measured out a piece of land for their city. +Then surrounded by a trench wide as the sea and by walls reaching high up +to the heavens and white as the fleecy clouds or the rays of the moon, +that foremost of cities looked resplendent like Bhogavati (the capital of +the nether kingdom) decked with the Nagas. And it stood adorned with +palatial mansions and numerous gates, each furnished with a couple of +panels resembling the out-stretched wings of Garuda. And it was protected +with gateways looking like the clouds and high as the Mandara mountains. +And well-furnished with numerous weapons of attack the missiles of the +foes could not make slightest impression on them. And they were almost +covered with darts and other missiles like double-tongued snakes. The +turrets along the walls were filled with armed men in course of training; +and the walls were lined with numerous warriors along their whole length. +And there were thousands of sharp hooks and Sataghnis (machines slaying a +century of warriors) and numerous other machines on the battlements. There +were also large iron wheels planted on them. And with all these was that +foremost of cities adorned. The streets were all wide and laid out +excellently; and there was no fear in them of accident. And decked with +innumerable mansions, the city became like unto Amaravati and came to be +called Indraprastha (like unto Indra's city). In a delightful and +auspicious part of the city rose the palace of the Pandavas filled with +every kind of wealth and like unto the mansion of the celestial treasurer +(Kuvera) himself. And it looked like a mass of clouds charged with +lightning. + +"'When the city was built, there came, O king, numerous Brahmanas well- +acquainted with all the Vedas and conversant with every language, wishing +to dwell there. And there came also unto that town numerous merchants from +every direction, in the hope of earning wealth. There also came numerous +persons well-skilled in all the arts, wishing to take up their abode there. +And around the city were laid out many delightful gardens adorned with +numerous trees bearing both fruits and flowers. There were Amras (mango +trees) and Amaratakas, and Kadamvas and Asokas, and Champakas; and +Punnagas and Nagas and Lakuchas and Panasas; and Salas and Talas (palm +trees) and Tamalas and Vakulas, and Ketakas with their fragrant loads; +beautiful and blossoming and grand Amalakas with branches bent down with +the weight of fruits and Lodhras and blossoming Ankolas; and Jamvus +(blackberry trees) and Patalas and Kunjakas and Atimuktas; and Karaviras +and Parijatas and numerous other kinds of trees always adorned with +flowers and fruits and alive with feathery creatures of various species. +And those verdant groves always resounded with the notes of maddened +peacocks and Kokilas (blackbirds). And there were various pleasure-houses, +bright as mirrors, and numerous bowers of creepers, and charming and +artificial hillocks, and many lakes full to the brim of crystal water, and +delightful tanks fragrant with lotuses and lilies and adorned with swans +and ducks and chakravakas (brahminy ducks). And there were many delicious +pools overgrown with fine aquatic plants. And there were also diverse +ponds of great beauty and large dimension. And, O king, the joy of the +Pandavas increased from day to day, in consequence of their residence in +that large kingdom that was peopled with pious men. + +"'Thus in consequence of the virtuous behaviour of Bhishma and king +Dhritarashtra towards them, the Pandavas took up their abode in +Khandavaprastha. Adorned with those five mighty warriors, each equal unto +Indra himself, that foremost of cities looked like Bhogavati (the capital +of the nether kingdom) adorned with the Nagas. And, O monarch, having +settled the Pandavas there, the heroic Krishna, obtaining their leave, +came back with Rama to Dwaravati.'" + + +SECTION CCX + +(Rajya-labha Parva) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O thou possessed of ascetic wealth, what did those high- +souled ones, my grandsires, the illustrious Pandavas, do, after obtaining +the kingdom of Indraprastha? How did their wife Draupadi obey them all? +How is it also that no dissensions arose amongst those illustrious rulers +of men, all attached to one wife, viz., Krishna? O thou of the wealth of +asceticism, I wish to hear everything in detail regarding the behaviour +towards one another of those rulers of men after their union with +Krishna.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Those scorchers of foes, the Pandavas, having +obtained their kingdom, at the command of Dhritarashtra, passed their days +in joy and happiness at Khandavaprastha with Krishna. And Yudhishthira. +endued with great energy and ever adhering to truth, having obtained the +sovereignty, virtuously ruled the land, assisted by his brothers. And the +sons of Pandu, endued with great wisdom and devoted to truth and virtue, +having vanquished all their foes, continued to live there in great +happiness. And those bulls among men, seated on royal seats of great value, +used to discharge all the duties of government. And one day, while all +those illustrious heroes were so seated, there came unto them the +celestial Rishi Narada, in course of his wanderings. Beholding the Rishi, +Yudhishthira offered him his own handsome seat. And after the celestial +Rishi had been seated, the wise Yudhishthira duly offered him the Arghya +with his own hands. And the king also informed the Rishi of the state of +his kingdom. The Rishi accepting the worship, became well-pleased, and +eulogising him with benedictions, commanded the king to take his seat. +Commanded by the Rishi, the king took his seat. Then the king sent word +unto Krishna (in the inner apartments) of the arrival of the illustrious +one. Hearing of the Rishi's arrival Draupadi, purifying herself properly, +came with a respectful attitude to where Narada was with the Pandavas. The +virtuous princess of Panchala, worshipping the celestial Rishi's feet, +stood with joined hands before him, properly veiled. The illustrious +Narada, pronouncing various benedictions on her, commanded the princess to +retire. After Krishna had retired, the illustrious Rishi, addressing in +private all the Pandavas with Yudhishthira at their head, said, "The +renowned princess of Panchala is the wedded wife of you all. Establish a +rule amongst yourselves so that disunion may not arise amongst you. There +were, in former days, celebrated throughout the three worlds, two brothers +named Sunda and Upasunda living together and incapable of being slain by +anybody unless each slew the other. They ruled the same kingdom, lived in +the same house, slept on the same bed, sat on the same seat, and ate from +the same dish. And yet they killed each for the sake of Tilottama. +Therefore, O Yudhishthira, preserve your friendship for one another and do +that which may not produce disunion amongst you." + +"'On hearing this, Yudhishthira asked, "O great Muni, whose sons were +Asuras called Sunda and Upasunda? Whence arose that dissension amongst +them, and why did they slay each other? Whose daughter also was this +Tilottama for whose love the maddened brothers killed each other? Was she +an Apsara (water nymph) or the daughter of any celestial? O thou whose +wealth is asceticism, we desire, O Brahmana, to hear in detail everything +as it happened. Indeed, our curiosity hath become great."'" + + +SECTION CCXI + +(Rajya-labha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Yudhishthira, Narada replied, +"O son of Pritha, listen with thy brothers to me as I recite this old +story, O Yudhishthira, exactly as everything happened. In olden days, a +mighty Daitya named Nikumbha, endued with great energy and strength was +born in the race of the great Asura, Hiranyakasipu. Unto this Nikumbha, +were born two sons called Sunda and Upasunda. Both of them were mighty +Asuras endued with great energy and terrible prowess. The brothers were +both fierce and possessed of wicked hearts. And those Daityas were both of +the same resolution, and ever engaged in achieving the same tasks and ends. +They were ever sharers with each other in happiness as well as in woe. +Each speaking and doing what was agreeable to the other, the brothers +never were unless they were together, and never went anywhere unless +together. Of exactly the same disposition and habits, they seemed to be +one individual divided into two parts. Endued with great energy and ever +of the same resolution in everything they undertook, the brothers +gradually grew up. Always entertaining the same purpose, desirous of +subjugating the three worlds, the brothers, after due initiation, went to +the mountains of Vindhya. And severe were the ascetic penances they +performed there. Exhausted with hunger and thirst, with matted locks on +their heads and attired in barks of trees, they acquired sufficient +ascetic merit at length. Besmearing themselves with dirt from head to foot, +living upon air alone, standing on their toes, they threw pieces of the +flesh of their bodies into the fire. Their arms upraised, and eye fixed, +long was the period for which they observed their vows. And during the +course of their ascetic penances, a wonderful incident occurred there. For +the mountains of Vindhya, heated for a long course of years by the power +of their ascetic austerities, began to emit vapour from every part of +their bodies. And beholding the severity of their austerities, the +celestials became alarmed. The gods began to cause numerous obstructions +to impede the progress of their asceticism. The celestials repeatedly +tempted the brothers by means of every precious possession and the most +beautiful girls. The brothers broke not their vows. Then the celestials +once more manifested, before the illustrious brothers, their powers of +illusion. For it seemed their sisters, mothers, wives, and other relatives, +with disordered hair and ornaments and robes, were running towards them in +terror, pursued and struck by a Rakshasa with a lance in hand. And it +seemed that the women implored the help of the brothers crying, 'O save +us!' But all this went for nothing, for firmly wedded thereto, the +brothers did not still break their vows. And when it was found that all +this produced not the slightest impression on any of the two, both the +women and the Rakshasa vanished from sight. At last the Grandsire himself, +the Supreme Lord ever seeking the welfare of all, came unto those great +Asuras and asked them to solicit the boon they desired. Then the brothers +Sunda and Upasunda, both of great prowess, beholding the Grandsire, rose +from their seats and waited with joined palms. And the brothers both said +unto the God, 'O Grandsire, if thou hast been pleased with these our +ascetic austerities, and art, O lord, propitious unto us, then let us have +knowledge of all weapons and of all powers of illusion. Let us be endued +with great strength, and let us be able to assume any form at will. And +last of all, let us also be immortal.' Hearing these words of theirs, +Brahman said, 'Except the immortality you ask for, you shall be given all +that you desire. Solicit you some form of death by which you may still be +equal unto the immortals. And since you have undergone these severe +ascetic austerities from desire of sovereignty alone I cannot confer on +you the boon of immortality. You have performed your ascetic penances even +for the subjugation of the three worlds. It is for this, O mighty Daityas, +that I cannot grant you what you desire.'" + +"'Narada continued, "Hearing these words of Brahman, Sunda and Upasunda +said, 'O Grandsire, let us have no fear then from any created thing, +mobile or immobile, in the three worlds, except only from each other!' The +Grandsire then said, 'I grant you what you have asked for, even this your +desire'. And granting them this boon, the Grandsire made them desist from +their asceticism, and returned to his own region. Then the brothers, those +mighty Daityas, having received those several boons became incapable of +being slain by anybody in the universe. They then returned to their own +abode. All their friends and relatives, beholding those Daityas of great +intelligence, crowned with success in the matter of the boons they had +obtained, became exceedingly glad. And Sunda and Upasunda then cut off +their matted locks and wore coronets on their heads. Attired in costly +robes and ornaments, they looked exceedingly handsome. They caused the +moon to rise over their city every night even out of his season. And +friends and relatives gave themselves up to joy and merriment with happy +hearts. Eat, feed, give, make merry, sing, drink--these were the sounds +heard everyday in every house. And here and there arose loud uproars of +hilarity mixed with clappings of hands which filled the whole city of the +Daityas, who being capable of assuming any form at will, were engaged in +every kind of amusement and sport and scarcely noticed the flight of time, +even regarding a whole year as a single day."'" + + +SECTION CCXII + +(Rajya-labha Parva continued) + +"'Narada continued, "As soon as those festivities came to an end, the +brothers Sunda and Upasunda, desirous of the Sovereignty of the three +worlds, took counsel and commanded their forces to be arranged. Obtaining +the assent of their friends and relatives, of the elders of the Daitya +race and of their ministers of state, and performing the preliminary rites +of departure, they set out in the night when the constellation Magha was +in the ascendant. The brothers set out with a large Daitya force clad in +mail and armed with maces and axes and lances and clubs. The Daitya heroes +set out on their expedition with joyous hearts, the charanas (bards) +chanting auspicious panegyrics indicative of their future triumphs. +Furious in war, the Daitya brothers, capable of going everywhere at will, +ascended the skies and went to the region of the celestials. The +celestials knowing they were coming and acquainted also with the boons +granted unto them by the Supreme Deity left heaven and sought refuge in +the region of Brahman. Endued with fierce prowess, the Daitya heroes soon +subjugated the region of Indra, and vanquishing the diverse tribes of +Yakshas and Rakshasas and every creature ranging the skies, came away. +Those mighty car-warriors next subjugated the Nagas of the nether region, +and then the inmates of the ocean and then all the tribes of the +Mlechchhas. Desirous next of subjugating the whole earth, those heroes of +irresistible sway, summoning their soldiers, issued these cruel commands. +'Brahmanas and royal sages (on earth) with their libations and other food +offered at grand sacrifices, increase the energy and strength of the gods, +as also their prosperity. Engaged in such acts, they are the enemies of +the Asuras. All of us, therefore, mustering together should completely +slaughter them off the face of the earth!' Ordering their soldiers thus on +the eastern shore of the great ocean, and entertaining such a cruel +resolution, the Asura brothers set out in all directions. And those that +were performing sacrifices and the Brahmanas that were assisting at those +sacrifices, the mighty brothers instantly slew. And slaughtering them with +violence they departed for some other place. Whilst their soldiers threw +into the water the sacrificial fires that were in the asylums of Munis +with souls under complete control, the curses uttered by the illustrious +Rishis in wrath, rendered abortive by the boons granted (by Brahman), +affected not the Asura brothers. When the Brahmanas saw that their curses +produced not the slightest effect like shafts shot at stones they fled in +all directions, forsaking their rites and vows. Even those Rishis on earth +that were crowned with ascetic success, and had their passions under +complete control and were wholly engrossed in meditation of the Deity, +from fear of the Asura brothers, fled like snakes at the approach of +Vinata's son (Garuda the snake-eater). The sacred asylums were all trodden +down and broken. The sacrificial jars and vessels being broken, their +(sacred) contents were scattered over the ground. The whole universe +became empty, as if its creatures had all been stricken down during the +season of general dissolution. And, O king, after the Rishis had all +disappeared and made themselves invisible both the great Asuras, resolved +upon their destruction, began to assume various forms. Assuming the forms +of maddened elephants with temples rent from excess of juice, the Asura +pair, searching out the Rishis who had sheltered themselves in caves, sent +them to the region of Yama. Sometimes becoming as lions and again as +tigers and disappearing the next moment, by these and other methods the +cruel couple, seeing the Rishis, slew them instantly. Sacrifice and study +ceased, and kings and Brahmanas were exterminated. The earth became +utterly destitute of sacrifices and festivals. And the terrified people +uttered cries of Oh and Alas and all buying and selling were stopped. All +religious rites ceased, and the earth became destitute of sacred +ceremonies and marriages. Agriculture was neglected and cattle were no +longer tended. Towns and asylums became desolate. And scattered over with +bones and skeletons, the earth assumed a frightful aspect. All ceremonies +in honour of the Pitris were suspended, and the sacred sound of Vashat and +the whole circle of auspicious rites ceased. The earth became frightful to +behold. The Sun and the Moon, the Planets and Stars, and Constellations, +and the other dwellers in the firmament, witnessing these acts of Sunda +and Upasunda, grieved deeply. Subjugating all the points of heaven by +means of such cruel acts, the Asura brothers took up their abode in +Kurukshetra, without a single rival."'" + + +SECTION CCXIII + +(Rajya-labha Parva continued) + +"'Narada continued, "Then the celestial Rishis, the Siddhas, and the high- +souled Rishis possessing the attributes of tranquillity and self-restraint, +beholding that act of universal slaughter, were afflicted with great grief. +With passions and senses and souls under complete control, they then went +to the abode of the Grandsire, moved by compassion for the universe. +Arrived there, they beheld the Grandsire seated with gods, Siddhas, and +Brahmarshis around him. There were present that God of gods, viz., +Mahadeva, and Agni, accompanied by Vayu, and Soma and Surya and Sakra, and +Rishis devoted to the contemplation of Brahma, and the Vaikhanasas, the +Valakhilyas, the Vanaprasthas, the Marichipas, the Ajas, the Avimudas, and +other ascetics of great energy. All those Rishis were sitting with the +Grandsire, when the celestial and other Rishis, approaching Brahman with +sorrowful hearts, represented unto him all the acts of Sunda and Upasunda. +And they told the Grandsire in detail everything that the Asura brothers +had done, and how they had done it, and in what order. Then all the +celestials and the great Rishis pressed the matter before the Grandsire. +The Grandsire, hearing everything they said, reflected for a moment and +settled in his mind what he should do. Resolving to compass the +destruction of the Asura brothers, he summoned Viswakarman (the celestial +architect). Seeing Viswakarman before him, the Grandsire possessed of +supreme ascetic merit commanded him, saying, 'Create thou a damsel capable +of captivating all hearts.' Bowing down unto the Grandsire and receiving +his command with reverence, the great artificer of the universe created a +celestial maiden with careful attention. Viswakrit first collected all +handsome features upon the body of the damsel he created. Indeed, the +celestial maiden that he created was almost a mass of gems. And created +with great care by Viswakarman, the damsel, in beauty, became unrivalled +among the women of the three worlds. There was not even a minute part of +her body which by its wealth of beauty could not attract the gaze of +beholders. And like unto the embodied Sri herself, that damsel of +extraordinary beauty captivated the eyes and hearts of every creature. And +because she had been created with portions of every gem taken in minute +measures, the Grandsire bestowed upon her the name of Tilottama. And as +soon as he started it into life, the damsel bowed to Brahman and with +joined palms said, 'Lord of every created thing, what task am I to +accomplish and what have I been created for?' The Grandsire answered, 'Go, +O Tilottama, unto the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda. O amiable one, tempt +them with thy captivating beauty. And, O damsel, conduct thyself there in +such a way that the Asura brothers may, in consequence of the wealth of +thy beauty, quarrel with each other as soon as they cast their eyes upon +thee.'" + +"'Narada continued, "Bowing unto the Grandsire and saying, 'So be it,'--the +damsel walked round the celestial conclave. The illustrious Brahman was +then sitting with face turned eastwards, and Mahadeva with face also +towards the east, and all the celestials with faces northwards, and the +Rishis with faces towards all directions. While Tilottama walked round the +conclave of the celestials, Indra and the illustrious Sthanu (Mahadeva) +were the only ones that succeeded in preserving their tranquillity of mind. +But exceedingly desirous as Mahadeva was (of beholding Tilottama) when the +damsel (in her progress round the celestial conclave) was at his side, +another face like a full-blown lotus appeared on the southern side of his +body. And when she was behind him, another face appeared on the west. And +when the damsel was on the northern side of the great god, a fourth face +appeared on the northern side of his body. Mahadeva (who was eager to +behold the damsel) came also to have a thousand eyes, each large and +slightly reddish, before, behind and on his flanks. And it was thus that +Sthanu the great god came to have four faces, and the slayer of Vala, a +thousand eyes. And as regards the mass of the celestials and the Rishis, +they turned their faces towards all directions as Tilottama walked round +them. Except the divine Grandsire himself, the glances of those +illustrious personages, even of all of them fell upon Tilottama's body. +And when Tilottama set out (for the city of the Asuras) with the wealth of +her beauty, all regarded the task as already accomplished. After Tilottama +had gone away, the great god who was the First Cause of the Universe, +dismissed all the celestials and the Rishis."'" + + +SECTION CCXIV + +(Rajya-labha Parva continued) + +"'Narada continued, "Meanwhile the Asura brothers having subjugated the +earth were without a rival. The fatigue of exertion gone, they, having +brought the three worlds under equal sway, regarded themselves as persons +that had nothing more to do. Having brought all the treasures of the gods, +the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, and the kings of +the earth, the brothers began to pass their days in great happiness. When +they saw they had no rivals (in the three worlds), they gave up all +exertion and devoted their time to pleasure and merriment, like the +celestials. They experienced great happiness by giving themselves up to +every kind of enjoyment, such as women, and perfumes and floral wreaths +and viands, and drinks and many other agreeable objects all in profusion. +In houses and woods and gardens, on hills and in forests, wherever they +liked they passed their time in pleasure and amusement, like the immortals. +And it so happened that one day they went for purposes of pleasure to a +tableland of the Vindhya range, perfectly level and stony, and overgrown +with blossoming trees. After every object of desire, all of the most +agreeable kind, had been brought, the brothers sat on an excellent seat, +with happy hearts and accompanied by handsome women. And those damsels, +desirous of pleasing the brothers, commenced a dance in accompaniment to +music, and sweetly chanted many a song in praise of the mighty pair. + +"'"Meanwhile Tilottama attired in a single piece of red silk that exposed +all her charms, came along, plucking wild flowers on her way. She advanced +slowly to where those mighty Asuras were. The Asura brothers, intoxicated +with the large portions they had imbibed, were smitten upon beholding that +maiden of transcendent beauty. Leaving their seats they went quickly to +where the damsel was. Both of them being under the influence of lust, each +sought the maiden for himself. And Sunda seized that maid of fair brows by +her right hand. Intoxicated with the boons they had obtained, with +physical might, with the wealth and gems they had gathered from every +quarter, and with the wine they had drunk, maddened with all these, and +influenced by wishful desire, they addressed each other, each contracting +his brow in anger. 'She is my wife, and therefore your superior,' said +Sunda. 'She is my wife, and therefore your sister-in-law', replied +Upasunda. And they said unto each other, 'She is mine not yours.' And soon +they were under the influence of rage. Maddened by the beauty of the +damsel, they soon forgot their love and affection for each other. Both of +them, deprived of reason by passion, then took up their fierce maces. Each +repeating, 'I was the first, I was the first,' (in taking her hand) struck +the other. And the fierce Asuras, struck by each other with the mace, fell +down upon the ground, their bodies bathed in blood, like two suns +dislodged from the firmament. And beholding this, the women that had come +there, and the other Asuras there present, all fled away trembling in +grief and fear, and took refuge in the nether regions. The Grandsire +himself of pure soul, then came there, accompanied by the celestials, and +the great Rishis. And the illustrious Grandsire applauded Tilottama and +expressed his wish of granting her a boon. The Supreme Deity, before +Tilottama spoke, desirous of granting her a boon, cheerfully said, 'O +beautiful damsel, thou shalt roam in the region of the Adityas. Thy +splendour shall be so great that nobody will ever be able to look at thee +for any length of time!' The Grandsire of all creatures, granting this +boon unto her, establishing the three worlds in Indra as before, returned +to his own region." + +"'Narada continued, "It was thus that Asuras, ever united and inspired by +the same purpose slew each other in wrath for the sake of Tilottama. +Therefore, from affection I tell you, ye foremost ones of Bharata's line, +that if you desire to do anything agreeable to me, make some such +arrangements that you may not quarrel with one another for the sake of +Draupadi."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The illustrious Pandavas, thus addressed by the +great Rishi Narada, consulting with one another, established a rule +amongst themselves in the presence of the celestial Rishi himself endued +with immeasurable energy. And the rule they made was that when one of them +would be sitting with Draupadi, any of the other four who would see that +one thus must retire into the forest for twelve years, passing his days as +a Brahmacharin. After the virtuous Pandavas had established that rule +amongst themselves, the great Muni Narada, gratified with them, went to +the place he wished. Thus, O Janamejaya, did the Pandavas urged by Narada, +established a rule amongst themselves in regard to their common wife. And +it was for this, O Bharata, that no dispute ever arose between them.'" + + +SECTION CCXV + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The Pandavas, having established such a rule, +continued to reside there. By the prowess of their arms they brought many +kings under their sway. And Krishna became obedient unto all the five sons +of Pritha, those lions among men, of immeasurable energy. Like the river +Saraswati decked with elephants, which again take pleasure in that stream, +Draupadi took great delight in her five heroic husbands and they too took +delight in her. And in consequence of the illustrious Pandavas being +exceedingly virtuous in their practice, the whole race of Kurus, free from +sin, and happy, grew in prosperity. + +"'After some time, O king, it so happened that certain robbers lifted the +cattle of a Brahmana, and while they were carrying away the booty, the +Brahmana, deprived of his senses by anger, repaired to Khandavaprastha, +and began to reprove the Pandavas in accents of woe. The Brahmana said, +"Ye Pandavas, from this your dominion, my kine are even now being taken +away by force by despicable and wicked wretches! Pursue ye the thieves. +Alas, the sacrificial butter of a peaceful Brahmana is being taken away by +crows! Alas, the wretched jackal invadeth the empty cave of a lion! A king +that taketh the sixth part of the produce of the land without protecting +the subject, hath been called by the wise to be the most sinful person in +the whole world. The wealth of a Brahmana is being taken away by robbers! +Virtue itself is sustaining a diminution! Take me up by the hand, ye +Pandavas for I am plunged in grief!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, heard those +accents of the Brahmana weeping in bitter grief. As soon as he heard those +accents, he loudly assured the Brahmana, saying, "No fear!" But it so +happened that the chamber where the illustrious Pandavas had their weapons +was then occupied by Yudhishthira the just with Krishna. Arjuna, therefore, +was incapable of entering it or going along with the Brahmana, though +repeatedly urged (to do either) by the weeping accents of the Brahmana. +Summoned by the Brahmana, Arjuna reflected, with a sorrowful heart, "Alas, +this innocent Brahmana's wealth is being robbed! I should certainly dry up +his tears. He hath come to our gate, and is weeping even now. If I do not +protect him, the king will be touched with sin in consequence of my +indifference; our own irreligiousness will be cited throughout the kingdom, +and we shall incur a great sin. If, disregarding the king, I enter the +chamber, without doubt I shall be behaving untruthfully towards the +monarch without a foe. By entering the chamber, again, I incur the penalty +of an exile in the woods. But I must overlook everything. I care not if I +have to incur sin by disregarding the king. I care not if I have to go to +the woods and die there. Virtue is superior to the body and lasteth after +the body hath perished!" Dhananjaya, arriving at this resolution, entered +the chamber and talked with Yudhishthira. Coming out with the bow, he +cheerfully told the Brahmana, "Proceed, O Brahmana, with haste, so that +those wretched robbers may not go much ahead of us. I shall accompany thee +and restore unto thee thy wealth that hath fallen into the hands of the +thieves." Then Dhananjaya, capable of using both his arms with equal skill, +armed with the bow and cased in mail and riding in his war-chariot decked +with a standard, pursued the thieves, and piercing them with his arrows, +compelled them to give up the booty. Benefiting the Brahmana thus by +making over to him his kine, and winning great renown, the hero returned +to the capital. Bowing unto all the elders, and congratulated by everybody, +Partha at last approached Yudhishthira, and addressing him, said, "Give me +leave, O lord, to observe the vow I took. In beholding thee sitting with +Draupadi, I have violated the rule established by ourselves. I shall +therefore go into the woods, for this is even our understanding." Then +Yudhishthira, suddenly hearing those painful words, became afflicted with +grief, and said in an agitated voice, "Why!" A little while after, king +Yudhishthira in grief said unto his brother Dhananjaya of curly hair who +never departed from his vows, these words, "O sinless one, if I am an +authority worthy of regard, listen to what I say. O hero, full well do I +know the reason why thou hadst entered my chamber and didst what thou +regardest to be an act disagreeable to me. But there is no displeasure in +my mind. The younger brother may, without fault, enter the chamber where +the elder brother sitteth with his wife. It is only the elder brother that +acts against the rules of propriety by entering the room where the younger +brother sitteth with his wife. Therefore, O thou of mighty arms, desist +from thy purpose. Do what I say. Thy virtue hath sustained no diminution. +Thou hast not disregarded me." + +"'Arjuna, hearing this, replied, "I have heard, even from thee, that +quibbling is not permitted in the discharge of duty. I cannot waver from +truth. Truth is my weapon."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Obtaining then the king's permission, Arjuna +prepared himself for a forest-life; and he went to the forest to live +there for twelve years.'" + + +SECTION CCXVI + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When that spreader of the renown of Kuru's race, the +strong-armed Arjuna, set out (for the forest), Brahmanas conversant with +the Vedas walked behind that illustrious hero to a certain distance. +Followed by Brahmanas conversant with the Vedas and their branches and +devoted to the contemplation of the Supreme Spirit, by persons skilled in +music, by ascetics devoted to the Deity, by reciters of Puranas, by +narrators of sacred stories by devotees leading celibate lives, by +Vanaprasthas, by Brahmanas sweetly reciting celestial histories, and by +various other classes of persons of sweet speeches, Arjuna journeyed like +Indra followed by the Maruts. And, O thou of Bharata's race, that bull +among the Bharatas saw, as he journeyed, many delightful and picturesque +forests, lakes, rivers, seas, provinces, and waters. At length, on +arriving at the source of the Ganges the mighty hero thought of settling +there. + +"'Listen now, O Janamejaya, to a wonderful feat which that foremost of the +sons of Pandu, of high soul, did, while living there. When that son of +Kunti, O Bharata, and the Brahmanas who had followed him, took up their +residence in that region, the latter performed innumerable Agnihotras +(sacrificial rites by igniting the sacred fire). And, O king, in +consequence of those learned vow-observing, and illustrious Brahmanas, who +never deviated from the right path, daily establishing and igniting with +mantras on the banks of that sacred stream, after the performance of their +ablutions, fires for their sacrifices, and pouring libations of clarified +butter into the same, and worshipping those fires with offerings of +flowers, that region itself where the Ganges entered the plains became +exceedingly beautiful. One day that bull amongst the Pandavas, while +residing in that region in the midst of those Brahmanas, descended (as +usual) into the Ganges to perform his ablutions. After his ablutions had +been over, and after he had offered oblations of water unto his deceased +ancestors, he was about to get up from the stream to perform his +sacrificial rites before the fire, when the mighty-armed hero, O king, was +dragged into the bottom of the water by Ulupi, the daughter of the king of +the Nagas, urged by the god of desire. And it so happened that the son of +Pandu was carried into the beautiful mansion of Kauravya, the king of the +Nagas. Arjuna saw there a sacrificial fire ignited for himself. Beholding +that fire, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti performed his sacrificial rites +with devotion. And Agni was much gratified with Arjuna for the +fearlessness with which that hero had poured libations into his manifest +form. After he had thus performed his rites before the fire, the son of +Kunti, beholding the daughter of the king of the Nagas, addressed her +smilingly and said, "O handsome girl, what an act of rashness hast thou +done, O timid one! Whose is this beautiful region, who art thou and whose +daughter?" + +"'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Ulupi answered, "There is a Naga of the +name of Kauravya, born in the line of Airavata. I am, O prince, the +daughter of that Kauravya, and my name is Ulupi. O tiger among men, +beholding thee descend into the stream to perform thy ablutions, I was +deprived of reason by the god of desire. O sinless one, I am still +unmarried. Afflicted as I am by the god of desire on account of thee, O +thou of Kuru's race, gratify me today by giving thyself up to me." + +"'Arjuna replied, "Commanded by king Yudhishthira, O amiable one, I am +undergoing the vow of Brahmacharin for twelve years. I am not free to act +in any way I like. But, O ranger of the waters, I am still willing to do +thy pleasure (if I can). I have never spoken an untruth in my life. Tell +me, therefore, O Naga maid, how I may act so that, while doing thy +pleasure, I may not be guilty of any untruth or breach of duty." + +"'Ulupi answered, "I know, O son of Pandu, why thou wanderest over the +earth, and why thou hast been commanded to lead the life of a Brahmacharin +by the superior. Even this was the understanding to which all of you had +been pledged, viz., that amongst you all owning Drupada's daughter as your +common wife, he who would from ignorance enter the room where one of you +would be sitting with her, should lead the life of a Brahmacharin in the +woods for twelve years. The exile of any one amongst you, therefore, is +only for the sake of Draupadi. Thou art but observing the duty arising +from that vow. Thy virtue cannot sustain any diminution (by acceding to my +solicitation). Then again, O thou of large eyes, it is a duty to relieve +the distressed. Thy virtue suffereth no diminution by relieving me. Oh, if +(by this act), O Arjuna, thy virtue doth suffer a small diminution, thou +wilt acquire great merit by saving my life. Know me for thy worshipper, O +Partha! Therefore, yield thyself up to me! Even this, O lord, is the +opinion of the wise (viz., that one should accept a woman that wooeth). If +thou do not act in this way, know that I will destroy myself. O thou of +mighty arms, earn great merit by saving my life. I seek thy shelter, O +best of men! Thou protectest always, O son of Kunti, the afflicted and the +masterless. I seek thy protection, weeping in sorrow. I woo thee, being +filled with desire. Therefore, do what is agreeable to me. It behoveth +thee to gratify my wish by yielding thy self up to me."' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by the daughter of the king of the +Nagas, the son of Kunti did everything she desired, making virtue his +motive. The mighty Arjuna, spending the night in the mansion of the Naga +rose with the sun in the morning. Accompanied by Ulupi he came back from +the palace of Kauravya to the region where the Ganges entereth the plains. +The chaste Ulupi, taking her leave there, returned to her own abode. And, +O Bharata, she granted unto Arjuna a boon making him invincible in water, +saying, "Every amphibious creature shall, without doubt, be vanquishable +by thee."'" + + +SECTION CCXVII + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the son of the wielder of the thunderbolt +narrated everything unto those Brahmanas (residing with him there), set +out for the breast of Himavat. Arriving at the spot called Agastyavata, he +next went to Vasishtha's peak. Thence the son of Kunti proceeded to the +peak of Bhrigu. Purifying himself with ablutions and rites there, that +foremost of the Kurus gave away unto Brahmanas many thousands of cows and +many houses. Thence that best of men proceeded to the sacred asylum called +Hiranyavindu. Performing his ablutions there, that foremost of the sons of +Pandu saw many holy regions. Descending from those heights that chief of +men, O Bharata, accompanied by the Brahmanas, journeyed towards the east, +desiring to behold the regions that lay in that direction. That foremost +one of Kuru's race saw many regions of sacred waters one after another. +And beholding in the forest of Naimisha the delightful river Utpalini +(full of lotuses) and the Nanda and the Apara Nanda, the far-famed Kausiki, +and the mighty rivers Gaya and Ganga, and all the regions of sacred water, +he purified himself, O Bharata, (with the usual rites), and gave away many +cows unto Brahmanas. Whatever regions of sacred waters and whatever other +holy palaces there were in Vanga and Kalinga, Arjuna visited all of them. +Seeing them all and performing proper ceremonies, he gave away much wealth. +Then, O Bharata, all those Brahmanas following the son of Pandu, bade him +farewell at the gate of the kingdom of Kalinga and desisted from +proceeding with him any further. The brave Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, +obtaining their leave, went towards the ocean, accompanied by only a few +attendants. Crossing the country of the Kalingas, the mighty one proceeded, +seeing on his way diverse countries and sacred spots and diverse +delightful mansions and houses. Beholding the Mahendra mountain adorned +with the ascetics (residing there), he went to Manipura, proceeding slowly +along the sea-shore. Beholding all the sacred waters and other holy places +in that province, the strong-armed son of Pandu at last went, O king, to +the virtuous Chitravahana, the ruler of Manipura. The king of Manipura had +a daughter of great beauty named Chitrangada. And it so happened that +Arjuna beheld her in her father's palace roving at pleasure. Beholding the +handsome daughter of Chitravahana, Arjuna desired to possess her. Going +unto the king (her father), he represented unto him what he sought. He +said, "Give away unto me thy daughter, O king! I am an illustrious +Kshatriya's son." Hearing this, the king asked him, "Whose son art thou?" +Arjuna replied, "I am Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu and Kunti." The king, +hearing this, spoke unto him these words in sweet accents, "There was in +our race a king of the name of Prabhanjana, who was childless. To obtain a +child, he underwent severe ascetic penances. By his severe asceticism, O +Partha, he gratified that god of gods, Mahadeva, the husband of Uma, that +supreme Lord holding (the mighty bow called) Pinaka. The illustrious Lord +granted him the boon that each successive descendant of his race should +have one child only. In consequence of that boon only one child is born +unto every successive descendant of this race. All my ancestors (one after +another) had each a male child. I, however, have only a daughter to +perpetuate my race. But, O bull amongst men, I ever look upon this +daughter of mine as my son. O bull of Bharata's race, I have duly made her +a Putrika. Therefore, one amongst the sons that may be begotten upon her +by thee, O Bharata, shall be the perpetuator of my race. That son is the +dower for which I may give away my daughter. O son of Pandu, if thou +choosest, thou canst take her upon this understanding." Hearing these +words of the king, Arjuna accepted them all, saying, "So be it." Taking +Chitravahana's daughter (as his wife), the son of Kunti resided in that +city for three years. When Chitrangada at last gave birth to a son, Arjuna +embraced that handsome princess affectionately. And taking leave of the +king (her father), he set out on his wanderings again.'" + + +SECTION CCXVIII + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then that bull of Bharata's race went to the sacred +waters on the banks of the southern ocean, all adorned with the ascetics +residing there. And there lay scattered five such regions where also dwelt +many ascetics. But those five waters themselves were shunned by all of +them. Those sacred waters were called Agastya, and Saubhadra and Pauloma +of great holiness, and Karandhama of great propitiousness yielding the +fruits of a horse-sacrifice unto those that bathed there, and Bharadwaja, +that great washer of sins. That foremost one among the Kurus, beholding +those five sacred waters, and finding them uninhabited, and ascertaining +also that they were shunned by the virtuous ascetics dwelling around, +asked those pious men with joined hands, saying, "Why O ascetics, are +these five sacred waters shunned by utterers of Brahma?" Hearing him, the +ascetics replied, "There dwell in these waters five large crocodiles which +take away the ascetics that may happen to bathe in them. It is for this, O +son of Kuru's race, that these waters are shunned."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the ascetics, that +foremost of men endued with mighty arms, though dissuaded by them went to +behold those waters. Arrived at the excellent sacred water called +Saubhadra after a great Rishi, the brave scorcher of all foes suddenly +plunged into it to have a bath. As soon as that tiger among men had +plunged into the water a great crocodile (that was in it) seized him by +the leg. But the strong-armed Dhananjaya the son of Kunti, that foremost +of all men endued with might, seized that struggling ranger of the water +and dragged it forcibly to the shore. But dragged by the renowned Arjuna +to the land, that crocodile became (transformed into) a beautiful damsel +bedecked with ornament. O king, that charming damsel of celestial form +seemed to shine for her beauty and complexion. Dhananjaya, the son of +Kunti, beholding that strange sight, asked that damsel with a pleased +heart, "Who art thou, O beautiful one? Why hast thou been a ranger of the +waters? Why also didst thou commit such a dreadful sin?" The damsel +replied, saying, "I am, O mighty-armed one, an Apsara that sported in the +celestial woods. I am, O mighty one, Varga by name, and ever dear unto the +celestial treasurer (Kuvera). I have four other companions, all handsome +and capable of going everywhere at will. Accompanied by them I was one day +going to the abode of Kuvera. On the way we beheld a Brahmana of rigid +vows, and exceedingly handsome, studying the Vedas in solitude. The whole +forest (in which he was sitting) seemed to be covered with his ascetic +splendour. He seemed to have illuminated the whole region like the Sun +himself. Beholding his ascetic devotion of that nature and his wonderful +beauty, we alighted in that region, in order to disturb his meditations. +Myself and Saurabheyi and Samichi and Vudvuda and Lata, that Brahmana, O +Bharata, at the same time. We began to sing and smile and otherwise tempt +that Brahmana. But, O hero, that Brahmana (youth) set not his heart even +once upon us. His mind fixed on pure meditation, that youth of great +energy suffered not his heart to waver, O bull among Kshatriyas, the +glance he cast upon us was one of wrath. And he said, staring at us, +'Becoming crocodiles, range ye the waters for a hundred years.'"'" + + +SECTION CCXIX + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Varga continued, "We were then, O foremost one of +Bharata's race, deeply distressed at this curse. We sought to propitiate +that Brahmana of ascetic wealth that departed not from his vow. Addressing +him, we said, 'Inflated with a sense of our beauty and youth, and urged by +the god of desire, we have acted very improperly. It behoveth thee, O +Brahmana, to pardon us! Truly, O Brahmana, it was death to us that we had +at all come hither to tempt thee of rigid vows and ascetic wealth. The +virtuous, however, have said that women should never be slain. Therefore +grow thou in virtue. It behoveth thee not to slay us so. O thou that art +conversant with virtue, it hath been said that a Brahmana is ever the +friend of every creature. O thou of great prosperity, let this speech of +the wise become true. The eminent always protect those that seek +protection at their hands. We seek thy protection. It behoveth thee to +grant us pardon.'" + +"Vaisampayana continued, '"Thus addressed, that Brahmana of virtuous soul +and good deeds and equal in splendour, O hero, unto the sun or the moon, +became propitious unto them. And the Brahmana said, 'The words hundred and +hundred thousand are all indicative of eternity. The word hundred, however, +as employed by me is to be understood as a limited period and not +indicative of a period without end. Ye shall, therefore, becoming +crocodiles, seize and take away men (for only a hundred years as explained +by me). At the end of that period, an exalted individual will drag you all +from water to the land. Then ye will resume your real forms. Never have I +spoken an untruth even in jest. Therefore, all that I have said must come +to pass. And those sacred waters (within which I assign you your places), +will, after you will have been delivered by that individual, become known +all over the world by the name of Nari-tirthas (or sacred waters connected +with the sufferings and the deliverance of females), and all of them shall +become sacred and sin cleansing in the eyes of the virtuous and the wise.'" + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Varga then addressing Arjuna, finished her +discourse, saying, "Hearing these words of the Brahmana, we saluted him +with reverence and walked round him. Leaving that region we came away with +heavy hearts, thinking as we proceeded, 'Where shall we all soon meet with +that man who will give us back our own shapes (after our transformation)?' +As we were thinking of it, in almost a moment, O Bharata, we beheld even +the eminent celestial Rishi Narada. Beholding that Rishi of immeasurable +energy, our hearts were filled with joy. Saluting him with reverence, O +Partha, we stood before him, with blushing faces. He asked of us the cause +of our sorrow and we told him all. Hearing what had happened the Rishi +said, 'In the low-lands bordering on the southern ocean, there are five +regions of sacred water. They are delightful and eminently holy. Go ye +thither without delay. That tiger among men, Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu +of pure soul, will soon deliver you, without doubt, from this sad plight.' +O hero, hearing the Rishi's words, all of us came hither. O sinless one, +true it is that I have today been delivered by thee. But those four +friends of mine are still within the other waters here. O hero, do a good +deed by delivering them also."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O monarch, that foremost of the Pandavas, +endued with great prowess, cheerfully delivered all of them from that +curse. Rising from the waters they all regained their own forms. Those +Apsaras then, O king, all looked as before. Freeing those sacred waters +(from the danger for which they had been notorious), and giving the +Apsaras leave to go where they chose, Arjuna became desirous of once more +beholding Chitrangada. He, therefore, proceeded towards the city of +Manipura. Arrived there, he beheld on the throne the son he had begotten +upon Chitrangada, and who was called by the name of Vabhruvahana. Seeing +Chitrangada once more, Arjuna proceeded, O monarch, towards the spot +called Gokarna.'" + + +SECTION CCXX + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Arjuna of immeasurable prowess saw, one after +another, all the sacred waters and other holy places that were on the +shores of the western ocean. Vibhatsu reached the sacred spot called +Prabhasa. When the invincible Arjuna arrived at that sacred and delightful +region, the slayer of Madhu (Krishna) heard of it. Madhava soon went there +to see his friend, the son of Kunti. Krishna and Arjuna met together and +embracing each other enquired after each other's welfare. Those dear +friends, who were none else than the Rishis Nara and Narayana of old, sat +down. Vasudeva asked Arjuna about his travels, saying, "Why, O Pandava art +thou wandering over the earth, beholding all the sacred waters and other +holy places?" Then Arjuna told him everything that had happened. Hearing +everything, that mighty hero of Vrishni's race said, "This is as it should +be." And Krishna and Arjuna having sported as they liked, for some time at +Prabhasa, went to the Raivataka mountain to pass some days there. Before +they arrived at Raivataka, that mountain had, at the command of Krishna +been well-adorned by many artificers. Much food also had, at Krishna's +command, been collected there. Enjoying everything that had been collected +there for him, Arjuna sat with Vasudeva to see the performances of the +actors and the dancers. Then the high-souled Pandava, dismissing them all +with proper respect, laid himself down on a well-adorned and excellent bed. +As the strong-armed one lay on that excellent bed, he described unto +Krishna everything about the sacred waters, the lakes and the mountains, +the rivers and the forests he had seen. While he was speaking of these, +stretched upon that celestial bed, sleep, O Janamejaya, stole upon him. He +rose in the morning, awakened, by sweet songs and melodious notes of the +Vina (guitar) and the panegyrics and benedictions of the bards. After he +had gone through the necessary acts and ceremonies, he was affectionately +accosted by him of the Vrishni race. Riding upon a golden car, the hero +then set out for Dwaraka, the capital of the Yadavas. And, O Janamejaya, +for honouring the son of Kunti, the city of Dwaraka, was well-adorned, +even all the gardens and houses within it. The citizens of Dwaraka, +desirous of beholding the son of Kunti, began to pour eagerly into the +public thoroughfares by hundreds of thousands. In the public squares and +thoroughfares, hundreds and thousands of women, mixing with the men, +swelled the great crowd of the Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas, +that had collected there. Arjuna was welcomed with respect by all the sons +of Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas. And he, in his turn, worshipped +those that deserved his worship, receiving their blessings. The hero was +welcomed with affectionate reception by all the young men of the Yadava +tribe. He repeatedly embraced all that were equal to him in age. Wending +then to the delightful mansion of Krishna that was filled with gems and +every article of enjoyment, he took up his abode there with Krishna for +many days.'" + + +SECTION CCXXI + +(Subhadra-harana Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O best of monarchs, within a few days after this, +there commenced on the Raivataka mountain, a grand festival of the +Vrishnis and the Andhakas. At the mountain-festival of the Bhojas, the +Vrishnis and the Andhakas, the heroes of those tribes began to give away +much wealth unto Brahmanas by thousands. The region around that hill, O +king was adorned with many a mansion decked with gems and many an +artificial tree of gaudy hue. The musicians struck up in concert and the +dancers began to dance and the vocalists to sing. And the youth of the +Vrishni race, endued with great energy, adorned with every ornament, and +riding in their gold-decked cars, looked extremely handsome. The citizens, +some on foot and some in excellent cars, with their wives and followers +were there by hundreds and thousands. And there was the lord Haladhara +(Valarama), roving at will, hilarious with drink, accompanied by (his +wife) Revati, and followed by many musicians and vocalists. There came +Ugrasena also, the powerful king of the Vrishni race, accompanied by his +thousand wives and followed by sweet singers. And Raukmineya and Shamva +also, ever furious in battle, roved there, excited with drink and adorned +with floral wreaths of great beauty and with costly attires, and disported +themselves like a pair of celestials. And Akrura and Sarana and Gada, and +Vabhru, and Nisatha, and Charudeshna, and Prithu, Viprithu, and Satyaka, +and Satyaki, and Bhangakara, and Maharava, and Hardikya, and Uddhava, and +many others whose names are not given, accompanied by their wives that +followed by bands of singers, adorned that mountain-festival. When that +delightful festival of immense grandeur commenced, Vasudeva and Partha +went about, together, beholding everything around. While wandering there, +they saw the handsome daughter of Vasudeva, Bhadra by name, decked with +every ornament, in the midst of her maids. As soon as Arjuna beheld her he +was possessed by the god of desire. Then, O Bharata, that tiger among men, +Krishna, observing Partha contemplate her with absorbed attention, said +with a smile, "How is this? Can the heart of one that rangeth the woods be +agitated by the god of desire? This is my sister, O Partha, and the +uterine sister of Sarana. Blest be thou, her name is Bhadra and she is the +favourite daughter of my father. Tell me if thy heart is fixed upon her, +for I shall then speak to my father myself." + +"'Arjuna answered, "She is Vasudeva's daughter and Vasudeva's (Krishna) +sister; endued with so much beauty, whom can she not fascinate? If this +thy sister, this maid of the Vrishni race, becometh my wife, truly may I +win prosperity in everything. Tell me, O Janardana, by what means I may +obtain her. To get her I will achieve anything that is achievable by man." + +"'Vasudeva answered, "O bull amongst men, self-choice hath been ordained +for the marriage of Kshatriyas. But that is doubtful (in its consequences), +O Partha, as we do not know this girl's temper and disposition. In the +case of Kshatriyas that are brave, a forcible abduction for purposes of +marriage is applauded, as the learned have said. Therefore O Arjuna, carry +away this my beautiful sister by force, for who knows what she may do at a +self-choice." Then Krishna and Arjuna, having thus settled as to what +should be done sent some speedy messengers unto Yudhishthira at +Indraprastha, informing him of everything. The strong-armed Yudhishthira, +as soon as he heard it, gave his assent to it.'" + + +SECTION CCXXII + +(Subhadra-harana Parva continued) + +"'Then Dhananjaya, informed of the assent of Yudhishthira, and +ascertaining, O Janamejaya, that the maiden had gone to the Raivataka hill, +obtained the assent of Vasudeva also, after having settled in consultation +with him all that required to be done. Then that bull of Bharata's race, +that foremost of men, with Krishna's assent, riding in his well-built car +of gold equipped with rows of small bells and with every kind of weapon +and the clatter of whose wheels resembled the roar of the clouds and whose +splendour was like unto that of a blazing fire and which struck terror +into the hearts of all foes and unto which were yoked the steeds Saivya +and Sugriva, himself accoutred in mail and armed with sword and his +fingers encased in leathern gloves, set out, as it were, on a hunting +expedition. Meanwhile Subhadra, having paid her homage unto that prince of +hills, Raivataka and having worshipped the deities and made the Brahmanas +utter benedictions upon her, and having also walked round the hill, was +coming towards Dwaravati. The son of Kunti, afflicted with the shafts of +the god of desire, suddenly rushed towards that Yadava girl of faultless +features and forcibly took her into his car. Having seized that girl of +sweet smiles, that tiger among men proceeded in his car of gold towards +his own city (Indraprastha). Meanwhile, the armed attendants of Subhadra, +beholding her thus seized and taken away, all ran crying towards the city +of Dwaraka. Reaching all together the Yadava court called by the name of +Sudharma, they represented everything about the prowess of Partha unto the +chief officer of the court. The chief officer of the court, having heard +everything from those messengers, blew his gold-decked trumpet of loud +blare, calling all to arms. Stirred up by that sound, the Bhojas, the +Vrishnis, and the Andhakas began to pour in from all sides. Those that +were eating left their food, and those that were drinking left their drink. +Those tigers among men, those great warriors of the Vrishni and the +Andhaka tribes, took their seats upon their thousand thrones of gold +covered with excellent carpets and variegated with gems and corals and +possessed of the lustre of blazing fire. Indeed they took their seats upon +those thrones, like blazing fires receiving faggots to increase their +splendour. And after they were seated in that court which was like unto a +conclave of the celestials themselves, the chief officer of the court, +assisted by those that stood at his back, spoke of the conduct of Jishnu. +The proud Vrishni heroes, of eyes red with wine, as soon as they heard of +it, rose up from their seats, unable to brook what Arjuna had done. Some +amongst them said, "Yoke our cars", and some, "Bring our weapons" and some +said, "Bring our costly bows and strong coats of mail," and some loudly +called upon their charioteers to harness their cars, and some, from +impatience, themselves yoked their horses decked with gold unto their cars. +And while their cars and armours and standards were being brought, loud +became the uproar of those heroes. Then Valadeva, white and tall as the +peak of Kailasa, decked with garlands of wild flowers and attired in blue +robes, and proud and intoxicated with drink, said these words: + +"'"Ye senseless men, what are ye doing, when Janardana sitteth silent? +Without knowing what is in his mind, vainly do we roar in wrath! Let the +high-souled Krishna give out what he proposeth. Accomplish promptly what +he desireth to do." Then all of them, hearing those words of Halayudha +that deserved to be accepted, exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent!" They then +all became silent. Silence having been restored by the words of the +intelligent Valadeva, they took their seats once more in that assembly. +Then Rama, that oppressor of foes, spoke unto Vasudeva, saying, "Why, O +Janardana, sittest thou, gazing silently? O Achyuta, it was for thy sake +that the son of Pritha had been welcomed and honoured by us. It seemeth, +however, that that vile wretch deserved not our homage. What man is there +born of a respectable family that would break the plate after having dined +from it! Even if one desireth to make such an alliance, yet remembering +all the services he hath received, who is there, desirous of happiness, +that acts so rashly? That Pandava disregarding us and thee too hath today +outraged Subhadra, desiring (to compass) his own death. He hath placed his +foot on the crown of my head. How shall I, O Govinda, tamely bear it? +Shall I not resent it, even like a snake that is trodden upon? Alone shall +I today make the earth destitute of Kauravas! Never shall I put up with +this transgression by Arjuna." Then all the Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas, +present there, approved of everything that Valadeva had said, deeply +roaring like unto a kettle-drum or the clouds.'" + + +SECTION CCXXIII + +(Haranaharana Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When the heroes of the Vrishni race began to speak +repeatedly in this strain, Vasudeva uttered these words pregnant with deep +import and consistent with true morality. "Gudakesa (the conqueror of sleep +or he of the curly hair), by what he hath done, hath not insulted our +family. He hath without doubt, rather enhanced our respect. Partha knoweth +that we of the Satwata race are never mercenary. The son of Pandu also +regardeth a self-choice as doubtful in its results. Who also would approve +of accepting a bride in gift as if she were an animal? What man again is +there on earth that would sell his offspring? I think Arjuna, seeing these +faults in all the other methods took the maiden away by force, according +to the ordinance. This alliance is very proper. Subhadra is a renowned +girl. Partha too possesseth renown. Perhaps, thinking of all this, Arjuna +hath taken her away by force. Who is there that would not desire to have +Arjuna for a friend, who is born in the race of Bharata and the renowned +Santanu, and the son also of the daughter of Kuntibhoja? I do not see, in +all the worlds with Indra and the Rudras, the person that can by force +vanquish Partha in battle, except the three-eyed god Mahadeva. His car is +well-known. Yoked thereunto are those steeds of mine. Partha as a warrior +is well-known; and his lightness of hand is well-known. Who shall be equal +to him? Even this is my opinion: go ye cheerfully after Dhananjaya and by +conciliation stop him and bring him back. If Partha goes to his city after +having vanquished us by force, our fame will be gone. There is no disgrace, +however, in conciliation." Hearing, O monarch, those words of Vasudeva, +they did as he directed. Stopped by them, Arjuna returned to Dwaraka and +was united in marriage with Subhadra. Worshipped by the sons of Vrishni's +race, Arjuna, sporting there as he pleased, passed a whole year in Dwaraka. +The last year of his exile the exalted one passed at the sacred region of +Pushkara. After the twelve years were complete he came back to +Khandavaprastha. He approached the king first and then worshipped the +Brahmanas with respectful attention. At last the hero went unto Draupadi. +Draupadi, from jealousy, spoke unto him, saying, "Why tarriest thou here, +O son of Kunti? Go where the daughter of the Satwata race is!" And +Krishna lamented much in this strain. But Dhananjaya pacified her +repeatedly and asked for her forgiveness. And returning soon unto where +Subhadra, attired in red silk, was staying, Arjuna, sent her into the +inner apartments dressed not as a queen but in the simple garb of a +cowherd woman. But arrived at the palace, the renowned Subhadra looked +handsomer in that dress. The celebrated Bhadra of large and slightly red +eyes first worshipped Pritha. Kunti from excess of affection smelt the +head of that girl of perfectly faultless features, and pronounced infinite +blessing upon her. Then that girl of face like the full moon hastily went +unto Draupadi and worshipped her, saying, "I am thy maid!" Krishna rose +hastily and embraced the sister of Madhava from affection, and said, "Let +thy husband be without a foe!" Bhadra then, with a delighted heart, said +unto Draupadi, "So be it!" From that time, O Janamejaya, those great +warriors, the Pandavas, began to live happily, and Kunti also became very +happy. + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When that scorcher of foes, viz., Kesava of pure +soul and eyes like lotus-petals, heard that the foremost of the Pandavas, +viz., Arjuna, had reached his own excellent city of Indraprastha, he came +thither accompanied by Rama and the other heroes and great warriors of the +Vrishni and the Andhaka tribes, and by his brothers and sons and many +other brave warriors. And Saurin came accompanied by a large army that +protected him. And there came with Saurin, that oppressor of foes, viz., +the exceedingly liberal Akrura of great intelligence and renown, the +generalissimo of the brave Vrishni host. And there also came Anadhrishti +of great prowess, and Uddhava of great renown, of great intelligence, of +great soul, and a disciple of Vrihaspati himself. And there also came +Satyaka and Salyaka and Kritavarman and Satwata; and Pradyumna and Samva +and Nisatha and Sanku; and Charudeshna, and Jhilli of great prowess, and +Viprithu also and Sarana of mighty arms and Gada, the foremost of learned +men. These and many other Vrishnis and Bhojas, and Andhakas came to +Indraprastha, bringing with them many nuptial presents. King Yudhishthira, +hearing that Madhava had arrived, sent the twins out to receive him. +Received by them, the Vrishni host of great prosperity entered +Khandavaprastha well-adorned with flags and ensigns. The streets were well- +swept and watered and decked with floral wreaths and bunches. These were, +again, sprinkled over with sandalwood water that was fragrant and cooling. +Every part of the town was filled with the sweet scent of burning aloes. +And the city was full of joyous and healthy people and adorned with +merchants and traders. That best of men, viz., Kesava of mighty arms, +accompanied by Rama and many of the Vrishnis, Andhakas and Bhojas, having +entered the town, was worshipped by the citizens and Brahmanas by +thousands. At last Kesava entered the palace of the king which was like +unto the mansion of Indra himself. Beholding Rama, Yudhishthira received +him with due ceremonies. The king smelt the head of Kesava and embraced +him. Govinda, gratified with the reception, humbly worshipped Yudhishthira. +He also paid homage unto Bhima, that tiger among men. Yudhishthira the son +of Kunti then received the other principal men of the Vrishni and the +Andhaka tribes with due ceremonies. Yudhishthira reverentially worshipped +some as his superiors, and welcomed others as equals. And some he received +with affection and by some he was worshipped with reverence. Then +Hrishikesa of great renown gave unto the party of the bridegroom much +wealth. And unto Subhadra he gave the nuptial presents that had been given +to her by her relatives. Krishna gave unto the Pandavas a thousand cars of +gold furnished with rows of bells, and unto each of which were put four +steeds driven by well-trained charioteers. He also gave unto them ten +thousand cows belonging to the country of Mathura, and yielding much milk +and all of excellent colour. Well-pleased, Janardana also gave them a +thousand mares with gold harnesses and of colour white as the beams of the +moon. He also gave them a thousand mules, all well-trained and possessing +the speed of the wind, of white colour with black manes. And he of eyes +like lotus-petals also gave unto them a thousand damsels well-skilled in +assisting at bathing and at drinking, young in years and virgins all +before their first-season, well-attired and of excellent complexion, each +wearing a hundred pieces of gold around her neck, of skins perfectly +polished, decked with every ornament, and well-skilled in every kind of +personal service. Janardana also gave unto them hundreds of thousands of +draft horses from the country of the Valhikas as Subhadra's excellent +dower. That foremost one of Dasarha's race also gave unto Subhadra as her +peculium ten carrier-loads of first class gold possessing the splendour of +fire, some purified and some in a state of ore. And Rama having the plough +for his weapon and always loving bravery gave unto Arjuna, as a nuptial +present, a thousand elephants with secretions flowing in three streams +from the three parts of their bodies (the temple, the ears, and the anus) +each large as a mountain summit, irresistible in battle, decked with +coverlets and bells, well-adorned with other golden ornaments, and +equipped with excellent thrones on their backs. And that large wave of +wealth and gems that the Yadavas presented, together with the cloths and +blankets that represented its foam, and the elephants its alligators and +sharks, and the flags its floating weeds swelling into large proportions, +mingled with the Pandu ocean and filled it to the brim, to the great +sorrow of all foes. Yudhishthira accepted all those presents and +worshipped all those great warriors of the Vrishni and the Andhaka races. +Those illustrious heroes of the Kuru, the Vrishni, and the Andhaka races +passed their days in pleasure and merriment there like virtuous men (after +death) in the celestial regions. The Kurus and the Vrishnis with joyous +hearts amused themselves there, setting up at times loud shouts mingled +with clappings of the hand. Spending many days in sports and merriment +there, and worshipped by the Kurus all the while, the Vrishni heroes +endued with great energy then returned to the city of Dwaravati. And the +great warriors of the Vrishni and the Andhaka races set out with Rama in +the van, carrying with them those gems of the purest rays that had been +given them by those foremost ones of Kuru's race. And, O Bharata, the high- +souled Vasudeva remained there with Arjuna in the delightful city of +Indraprastha. And the illustrious one wandered over the banks of the +Yamuna in search of deer. And he sported with Arjuna piercing with his +shafts deer and wild boars. Then Subhadra, the favourite sister of Kesava, +gave birth to an illustrious son, like Puloma's daughter, (the queen of +heaven) bringing forth Jayanta. And the son that Subhadra brought forth +was of long arms, broad chest, and eyes as large as those of a bull. That +hero and oppressor of foes came to be called Abhimanyu. And the son of +Arjuna, that grinder of foes and bull among men, was called Abhimanyu +because he was fearless and wrathful. And that great warrior was begotten +upon the daughter of the Satwata race by Dhananjaya, like fire produced in +a sacrifice from within the sami wood by the process of rubbing. Upon the +birth of this child, Yudhishthira, the powerful son of Kunti, gave away +unto Brahmanas ten thousand cows and coins of gold. The child from his +earliest years became the favourite of Vasudeva and of his father and +uncles, like the moon of all the people of the world. Upon his birth, +Krishna performed the usual rites of infancy. The child began to grow up +like the Moon of the bright fortnight. That grinder of foes soon became +conversant with the Vedas and acquired from his father the science of +weapon both celestial and human, consisting of four branches and ten +divisions. + +"'Endued with great strength, the child also acquired the knowledge of +counteracting the weapons hurled at him by others, and great lightness of +hand and fleetness of motion forward and backward and transverse and +wheeling. Abhimanyu became like unto his father in knowledge of the +scriptures and rites of religion. And Dhananjaya, beholding his son, +became filled with joy. Like Maghavat beholding Arjuna, the latter beheld +his son Abhimanyu and became exceedingly happy. Abhimanyu possessed the +power of slaying every foe and bore on his person every auspicious mark. +He was invisible in battle and broad-shouldered as the bull. Possessing a +broad face as (the hood of) the snake, he was proud like the lion. +Wielding a large bow, his prowess was like that of an elephant in rut. +Possessed of a face handsome as the full-moon, and of a voice deep as the +sound of the drum or the clouds, he was equal unto Krishna in bravery and +energy, in beauty and in features. The auspicious Panchali also, from her +five husbands, obtained five sons all of whom were heroes of the foremost +rank and immovable in battle like the hills. Prativindhya by Yudhishthira, +Sutasoma by Vrikodara, Srutakarman by Arjuna, Satanika by Nakula, and +Srutasena by Sahadeva,--these were the five heroes and great warriors that +Panchali brought forth, like Aditi bringing forth the Adityas. And the +Brahmanas, from their foreknowledge, said unto Yudhishthira that as the +son of his would be capable of bearing like the Vindhya mountains the +weapons of the foe, he should be called Prativindhya. And because the +child that Draupadi bore to Bhimasena was born after Bhima had performed a +thousand Soma sacrifices, he came to be called Sutasoma. And because +Arjuna's son was born upon his return from exile during which he had +achieved many celebrated feats, that child came to be called Srutakarman. +While Nakula named his son Satanika after a royal sage of that name, in +the illustrious race of Kuru. Again the son that Draupadi bore to Sahadeva +was born under the constellation called Vahni-daivata (Krittika), +therefore was he called after the generalissimo of the celestial host, +Srutasena (Kartikeya). The sons of Draupadi were born, each at the +interval of one year, and all of them became renowned and much attached to +one another. And, O monarch, all their rites of infancy and childhood, +such as Chudakarana and Upanayana (first shave of the head and investiture +with the sacred threads) were performed by Dhaumya according to the +ordinance. All of them, of excellent behaviour and vows, after having +studied the Vedas, acquired from Arjuna a knowledge of all the weapons, +celestial and human. And, O tiger among kings, the Pandavas, having +obtained sons all of whom were equal unto the children of the celestials +and endued with broad chests, and all of whom became great warriors, were +filled with joy.'" + + +SECTION CCXXIV + +(Khandava-daha Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The Pandavas, after they had taken up their abode at +Indraprastha at the command of Dhritarashtra and Bhishma began to bring +other kings under their sway. All the subjects (of the kingdom) lived most +happily depending upon Yudhishthira the just, like a soul living happily +depending upon a body blest with auspicious marks and pious deeds. And, O +bull in Bharata's race, Yudhishthira paid homage unto virtue, pleasure, +and profit, in judicious proportion, as if each were a friend dear unto +him as his own self. It seemed as if the three pursuits--virtue, pleasure, +and profit--became personified on earth, and amongst them the king shone +as a fourth. The subjects having obtained Yudhishthira as their king, +obtained in their monarch one that was devoted to the study of the Vedas, +one that was performer of the great sacrifices, and one that was protector +of all good people. In consequence of Yudhishthira's influence, the good +fortune of all the monarchs of the earth became stationary, and their +hearts became devoted to the meditation of the Supreme Spirit, and virtue +itself began to grow every way all round. And in the midst of and assisted +by his four brothers, the king looked more resplendent (than he would have +done if he were alone), like a great sacrifice depending upon and assisted +by the four Vedas. Many learned Brahmanas with Dhananjaya at their head, +each like unto Vrihaspati, waited upon the monarch, like the celestials +waiting upon the Lord of the creation. From excess of affection, the eyes +and hearts of all the people equally took great delight in Yudhishthira +who was even as the full moon without a stain. The people took delight in +him not only because he was their king but also from sincere affection. +The king always did what was agreeable to them. The sweet-speeched +Yudhishthira of great intelligence never uttered anything that was +improper or untrue or unbearable or disagreeable. The best of monarchs of +the Bharata race, endued with great energy, passed his days happily for +the welfare of all as his own. His brothers also bringing by their energy +other kings under their sway, passed their days in happiness, without a +foe to disturb their peace. + +"'After a few days, Vibhatsu, addressing Krishna, said, "The summer days +have set in, O Krishna! Therefore, let us go to the banks of the Yamuna. O +slayer of Madhu, sporting there in the company of friends, we will, O +Janardana, return in the evening." Thereupon Vasudeva said, "O son of +Kunti, this is also my wish. Let us, O Partha, sport in the waters as we +please, in the company of friends."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Bharata, having consulted thus with each +other, Partha and Govinda, with Yudhishthira's leave, set out, surrounded +by friends. Reaching a fine spot (on the banks of the Yamuna) suitable for +purposes of pleasure, overgrown with numerous tall trees and covered with +several high mansions that made the place look like the celestial city and +within which had been collected for Krishna and Partha numerous costly and +well-flavoured viands and drinks and other articles of enjoyment and +floral wreaths and various perfumes, the party entered without delay the +inner apartments adorned with many precious gems of pure rays. Entering +those apartments, everybody, O Bharata, began to sport, according to his +pleasure. The women of the party, all of full rotund hips and deep bosoms +and handsome eyes, and gait unsteady with wine began to sport there at the +command of Krishna and Partha. Some amongst the women sported as they +liked in the woods, some in the waters, and some within the mansions, as +directed by Partha and Govinda. Draupadi and Subhadra, exhilarated with +wine, began to give away unto the women so sporting, their costly robes +and ornaments. And some amongst those women began to dance in joy, and +some began to sing; and some amongst them began to laugh and jest, and +some to drink excellent wines. Some began to obstruct one another's +progress and some to fight with one another, and to discourse with one +another in private. Those mansions and the woods, filled with the charming +music of flutes and guitars and kettledrums, became the scene of +Prosperity personified. + +"'When such was the state of things there, Arjuna and Vasudeva went to a +certain charming spot (in those woods) not far from the place where the +others were. O monarch, the high-souled Krishna, and that subjugator of +hostile cities, viz., Arjuna, going thither, sat down upon two very costly +seats. Vasudeva and Partha amused themselves there with discoursing upon +many past achievements of prowess and other topics. Unto Vasudeva and +Dhananjaya happily sitting there like the Aswins in heaven, a certain +Brahmana came. The Brahmana that came there looked like a tall Sala tree. +His complexion was like unto molten gold; his beard was bright yellow +tinged with green; and the height and the thickness of the body were in +just proportion. Of matted locks and dressed in rags, he resembled the +morning sun in splendour. Of eyes like lotus-petals and of a tawny hue, he +seemed to be blazing with effulgence. Beholding that foremost of Brahmanas +blazing with splendour approach towards them both Arjuna and Vasudeva, +hastily rising from their seats, stood, waiting (for his commands).'" + + +SECTION CCXXV + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then that Brahmana addressed Arjuna and Vasudeva of +the Satwata race, saying, "Ye who are now staying so near unto Khandava +are the two foremost of heroes on earth. I am a voracious Brahmana that +always eateth much. O thou of the Vrishni race, and O Partha, I solicit +you to gratify me by giving me sufficient food." Thus addressed by the +Brahmana, Krishna and the son of Pandu answered him, saying, "O, tell us +what kind of food will gratify thee so that we may endeavour to give it +thee." The illustrious Brahmana, thus replied to, said unto those heroes +who were enquiring after the kind of food he sought, "I do not desire to +eat ordinary food. Know that I am Agni! Give me that food which suiteth me. +This forest of Khandava is always protected by Indra. And as it is +protected by the illustrious one, I always fail to consume it. In that +forest dwelleth, with his followers and family, a Naga, called Takshaka, +who is the friend of Indra. It is for him that the wielder of the +thunderbolt protecteth this forest. Many other creatures also are thus +protected here for the sake of Takshaka. Desiring to consume the forest I +succeed not in my attempts in consequence of Indra's prowess. Beholding me +blazing forth, he always poureth upon me water from the clouds. Therefore, +I succeed not in consuming the forest of Khandava, although I desire very +much to do so. I have now come to you--you who are both skilled in +weapons! If you help me I will surely consume this forest: for even this +is the food that is desired by me! As ye are conversant with excellent +weapons, I pray you to prevent those showers from descending and any of +the creatures from escaping, when I begin to consume this forest!"' + +"Janamejaya said, 'Why did the illustrious Agni desire to consume the +forest of Khandava that was filled with various living creatures and +protected by the chief of the celestials? When Agni consumed in wrath the +forest of Khandava, it is evident there was a grave cause. I desire, O +Brahmana, to hear all this in detail from thee. Tell me, O sage, how the +Khandava forest was consumed in days of yore.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O chief of men, I will narrate to you the story of +the conflagration of Khandava as told by Rishis in the Purana. It hath +been heard, O king, in the Purana that there was a celebrated king of the +name of Swetaki who was endued with strength and prowess and who was equal +unto Indra himself. No one on earth has equalled him in sacrifices, +charity, and intelligence. Swetaki performed the five great sacrifices and +many others, at all of which the presents unto Brahmanas were large. The +heart of that monarch, O king, was always set upon sacrifices, religious +rites, and gifts of all kinds. And king Swetaki of great intelligence, +assisted by his Ritwiks performed sacrifices for many long years, till +those sacrificial priests with eyes afflicted by the continued smoke and +becoming very weak, left that monarch, wishing never more to assist at his +sacrifices. The king, however, repeatedly asked those Ritwiks to come to +him. But they came not to his sacrifice in consequence of the painful +state of their eyes. The king, therefore, invited at the command of his +own Ritwiks, others like unto them, and completed the sacrifice that he +had begun. After some days had elapsed, king Swetaki desired to perform +another sacrifice which should extend for a hundred years. But the +illustrious monarch obtained not any priest to assist him in it. The +celebrated king then, with his friends and relatives, casting off all +sloth, repeatedly courted his priests with great persistence, by bowing +down unto them, by conciliatory speeches, and by gifts of wealth. All of +them, however, refused to accomplish the purpose which that king of +immeasurable energy had in view. Then that royal sage, getting angry, +addressed those Brahmanas sitting in their asylums, and said, "If, ye +Brahmanas, I were a fallen person, or, if, I were wanting in homage and +service to you, I should then deserve to be abandoned without scruple by +you and by other Brahmanas at the same time. But as I am neither degraded +nor wanting in homage to you, it behoveth you not to obstruct the +performance by me of my sacrifice or to abandon me thus, ye foremost of +Brahmanas, without adequate reason. I seek, ye Brahmanas, your protection! +It behoveth you to be propitious unto me. But, ye foremost of Brahmanas, +if you abandon me from enmity alone or any improper motive, I shall go +unto other priests for their assistance in this sacrifice of mine, and +conciliating them by sweet words and gifts, I shall represent unto them +the business I have on hand, so that they may accomplish it." Having said +this, the monarch became silent. And, O chastiser of foes, when those +priests well knew that they could not assist at the king's sacrifice, they +pretended to be angry, and addressing that best of monarchs said, "O best +of kings, thy sacrifices are incessant! By assisting thee always, we have +all been fatigued. And as we have been wearied in consequence of these +labours, it behoveth thee to give us leave. O sinless one, from loss of +judgment thou canst not wait (but urgest us repeatedly). Go unto Rudra! He +will assist at thy sacrifice!" Hearing those words of censure and wrath, +king Swetaki became angry. And the monarch wending to the mountains of +Kailasa, devoted himself to asceticism there. And, O king, the monarch +began to worship Mahadeva, with fixed attention, and by observing the most +rigid vows. And foregoing all food at times, he passed a long period. The +monarch ate only fruits and roots sometimes at the twelfth and sometimes +at the sixteenth hour of the whole day. King Swetaki stood for six months, +rapt in attention, with arms upraised and steadfast eyes, like the trunk +of a tree or a column rooted to the ground. And, O Bharata, Sankara at +last gratified with that tiger among kings, who was undergoing such hard +penances, showed himself unto him. And the god spake unto the monarch in a +calm and grave voice, saying, "O tiger among kings, O chastiser of foes, I +have been gratified with thee for thy asceticism! Blest be thou! Ask now +the boon that thou, O king, desirest." Hearing these words of Rudra of +immeasurable energy, the royal sage bowed unto that deity and replied, +saying, "O illustrious one, O thou that art worshipped by the three worlds, +if thou hast been gratified with me, then, O god of gods, assist me +thyself, O lord of the celestials, in my sacrifice!" Hearing these words +spoken by the monarch, the illustrious god was gratified, and smilingly +said, "We do not ourselves assist at sacrifices: but as thou, O king, hast +undergone severe penances, desirous of obtaining a boon, I will, O +chastiser of foes, assist at thy sacrifice, upon, O king, this condition." +And Rudra continued, "If, O king of kings, thou canst, for twelve years, +pour without intermission libations of clarified butter into the fire, +thyself leading all the while the life of a Brahmacharin with rapt +attention, then thou shalt obtain from me what thou askest." King Swetaki, +thus addressed by Rudra, did all that he was directed to do by the wielder +of the trident. And after twelve years had elapsed, he again came unto +Maheswara. And Sankara, the Creator of the worlds upon seeing Swetaki, +that excellent monarch, immediately said, in great gratification, "I have +been gratified by thee, O best of kings, with this thy own act! But, O +chastiser of foes, the duty of assisting at sacrifices properly belongeth +to Brahmanas. Therefore, O oppressor of foes, I will not myself assist at +thy sacrifice today. There is on earth an exalted Brahmana who is even a +portion of my own self. He is known by the name of Durvasa. Even that +Brahmana endued with great energy will assist you in thy sacrifice. Let, +therefore, every preparation be made." Hearing these words uttered by +Rudra, the king, returning to his own capital, began to collect all that +was necessary. After everything had been collected, the monarch again +presented himself before Rudra and said, "Every necessary article hath +been collected, and all my preparations are complete, through thy grace, O +god of gods! Let me, therefore, be installed at the sacrifice tomorrow." +Having heard these words of that illustrious king, Rudra summoned Durvasa +before him and said. "This, O Durvasa, is that best of monarchs called +Swetaki. At my command, O best of Brahmanas, assist even this king in his +sacrifice." And the Rishi Durvasa said unto Rudra, "So be it." Then the +sacrifice for which king Swetaki had made those preparations, took place. +And the illustrious monarch's sacrifice was performed according to the +ordinance and in proper season. And the gifts, on that occasion, unto the +Brahmanas were large. And after that monarch's sacrifice had come to an +end, all the other priests who had come to assist at it went away with +Durvasa's leave. All other Sadasyas also of immeasurable energy, who had +been installed at that sacrifice, then went away. That exalted monarch +then entered his own palace, worshipped by exalted Brahmanas conversant +with the Vedas, eulogised by chanters of panegyrical hymns and +congratulated by the citizens. + +"'Such was the history of that best of monarchs, the royal sage Swetaki, +who, when the time came, ascended to heaven, having won great renown on +earth, and accompanied by the Ritwiks and the Sadasyas that had helped him +in life.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'At that sacrifice of Swetaki, Agni had drunk +clarified butter for twelve years. Indeed, clarified butter had been +poured into Agni's mouth in a continuous stream for that period. Having +drunk so much butter, Agni, satiated, desired not to drink butter again +from the hand of anybody else at any other sacrifice. Agni became pale, +having lost his colour, and he could not shine as before. He felt a loss +of appetite from surfeit, and his energy itself decreased and sickness +afflicted him. Then when the drinker of sacrificial libations perceived +that his energy was gradually diminishing, he went to the sacred abode of +Brahman that is worshipped by all. Approaching the great Deity seated on +his seat, Agni said, "O exalted one, Swetaki hath (by his sacrifice) +gratified me to excess. Even now I am suffering from surfeit which I +cannot dispel. O Lord of the universe, I am being reduced both in +splendour and strength. I desire to regain, through thy grace, my own +permanent nature." Hearing these words from Hutavaha, the illustrious +Creator of all things smilingly replied unto him, saying, "O exalted one, +thou hast eaten, for twelve years, a continuous stream of sacrificial +butter poured into thy mouth! It is for this that illness hath seized thee. +But, O Agni, grieve not for it. Thou shalt soon regain thy own nature. I +shall dispel this surfeit of thine and the time for it is even come. The +dreadful forest Khandava, that abode of the enemies of the gods, which +thou hadst of old once consumed to ashes at the request of the gods, hath +now become the home of numerous creatures. When thou will have eaten the +fat of those creatures, thou shalt regain thy own nature. Proceed thither +in haste to consume that forest with its living population. Thou wilt then +be cured of thy malady." Hearing the words that fell from the lips of the +Supreme Deity, Hutasana proceeded with great speed and soon reached the +forest of Khandava in great vigour. Arrived there, he suddenly blazed +forth in anger, assisted by Vayu. Beholding Khandava on fire the dwellers +(in the forest) that were there, made great efforts to extinguish the +conflagration. Elephants by hundreds of thousands, speeding in anger, +brought water in their trunks and scattered it upon the fire. Thousands of +many-hooded snakes, mad with anger, hastily began to scatter upon fire +much water from those many hoods of theirs. And so, O bull of Bharata's +race, the other creatures dwelling in that forest, by various appliances +and efforts, soon extinguished the fire. In this way, Agni blazed forth in +Khandava repeatedly, even for seven times. And it was in this way that the +blazing fire was extinguished there as often by the denizens of that +forest.'" + + +SECTION CCXXVI + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Havyavahana (Agni) in anger and disappointment, +with his ailment uncured, went to the Grandsire. And he represented unto +Brahman all that had happened: The illustrious deity, reflecting for a +moment, said unto him, "O sinless one, I see a way by which thou mayest +consume the forest of Khandava today in the very sight of Indra. Those old +deities, Nara and Narayana, have become incarnate in the world of men to +accomplish the business of the celestials. They are called on earth Arjuna +and Vasudeva. They are even now staying in the forest of Khandava. Solicit +them for aiding thee in consuming that forest. Thou shalt then consume the +forest even if it be protected by the celestials. They will certainly +prevent the population of Khandava from escaping, and thwart Indra also +(in aiding any one in the escape). I have no doubt of this!" Hearing these +words, Agni came in haste unto Krishna and Partha. O king, I have already +told thee what he said, having approached the illustrious pair. O tiger +among kings, hearing those words of Agni who was desirous of consuming the +forest of Khandava against the will of Indra, Vibhatsu said unto him these +words well-suited to the occasion, "I have numberless excellent celestial +weapons with which I can fight even many wielders of the thunderbolt. But, +O exalted one, I have no bow suited to the strength of my arms, and +capable of bearing the might I may put forth in battle. In consequence of +the lightness of my hands also I require arrows that must never be +exhausted. My car also is scarcely able to bear the load of arrows that I +would desire to keep by me. I desire celestial steeds of pure white, +possessing the speed of the wind; and a car possessing the splendour of +the sun and the clatter of whose wheels should resemble the roar of the +clouds. Then, there is no weapon suited to Krishna's energy and with which +Madhava can slay Nagas and Pisachas. O exalted one, it behoveth thee to +give us the means by which success may be achieved and by which we may +thwart Indra in pouring his showers upon that extensive forest. O Pavaka, +we are ready to do all that manliness and prowess can do. But, O exalted +one, it behoveth thee to give us the adequate means."'" + + +SECTION CCXXVII + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Arjuna, the smoke-bannered +Hutasana, desirous of an interview with Varuna, recollected that son of +Aditi,--that deity protecting one of the points of the heavens and having +his home in the water and ruling that element. Varuna, knowing that he was +thought of by Pavaka, immediately appeared before that deity. The smoke- +bannered celestial welcoming with reverence the ruler of the waters, that +fourth of the Lokapalas, said unto that eternal god of gods, "Give me +without loss of time that bow and quiver, and that ape-bannered car also, +which were obtained from king Soma. Partha will achieve a great task with +Gandiva, and Vasudeva also with the discus! Give both, therefore, unto me +today." Hearing these words, Varuna replied unto Pavaka, saying, "Well, I +am giving them." He then gave that wonderful jewel of a bow that was +endued with great energy. That bow was the enhancer of fame and +achievements, and was incapable of being injured by any weapon. It was the +chief of all weapons, and the grinder of them all. And it was the smiter +of hostile armies and was alone equal to a hundred thousand bows. It was +the multiplier of kingdoms, and was variegated with excellent colours. It +was well-adorned, and beautiful to behold, and without a mark of weakness +or injury anywhere. And it was always worshipped both by the celestials +and the Gandharvas. Varuna also gave two inexhaustible quivers, and he +also gave a car furnished with celestial weapons and whose banner bore a +large ape. Yoked unto that car were steeds white as silver of the fleecy +clouds, and born in the region of the Gandharvas, and decked with golden +harness, and resembling in fleetness the wind or the mind. And it was +equipped with implement of war, and was incapable of being vanquished by +the celestials or the Asuras. Its splendour was great and the sounds of +its wheels was tremendous. It delighted the heart of every creature that +looked at it. It had been made by Viswakarman, the architect of the +universe and one of the lords of creation, after severe ascetic meditation. +Its splendour, like that of the sun, was so great that no one could gaze +at it. It was the very car from which the lord Soma had vanquished the +Danavas. Resplendent with beauty, it looked like an evening cloud +reflecting the effulgence of the setting sun. It was furnished with an +excellent flag-staff of golden colour and great beauty. And there sat upon +that flag-staff a celestial ape of form fierce like that of a lion or a +tiger. Stationed on high, the ape seemed bent upon burning everything it +beheld. And upon the (other) flags were various creatures of large size, +whose roars and yells caused the enemy's soldiers to faint. Then Arjuna, +accoutred in mail and armed with the sword, and his fingers cased in +leathern gloves, walking round that excellent car adorned with numerous +flags and bowing unto the gods, ascended it like a virtuous man riding in +the celestial car that bears him to heaven. And taking up that celestial +and first of bows created by Brahman of old and called Gandiva, Arjuna was +filled with joy. And bowing unto Hutasana, Partha endued with great energy, +took up the bow and strung it forcibly. Those who heard the noise that was +made while the mighty Pandava strung that bow, quaked with fear. And +having obtained that car and that bow, and the two inexhaustible quivers, +the son of Kunti became glad and thought himself competent to assist at +the task. And Pavaka then gave unto Krishna a discus with an iron pole +attached to a hole in the centre. And it was a fiery weapon and became his +favourite. Having obtained that weapon, Krishna also became equal to the +task. Pavaka then, addressing Krishna, said, "With this, O slayer of Madhu, +thou shalt be able without doubt to vanquish in battle even foes that are +not human. With this weapon, without doubt, thou shalt be superior in +battle to men and gods, and Rakshasas and Pisachas, and Daityas and Nagas. +And thou shalt certainly be able with this to smite all. And, O Madhava, +hurled by thee in battle at thy foes, this weapon will irresistibly slay +the enemy and again come back into thy hands." And the lord Varuna, after +this, gave unto Krishna a mace, of name Kaumodaki, capable of slaying +every Daitya and producing, when hurled, a roar like that of the thunder. +Then Arjuna and Achyuta, filled with joy said unto Pavaka, "O exalted one, +furnished with weapons and knowing their use, possessed of cars with flags +and flagstaffs, we are now able to fight with even all the celestials and +the Asuras (together), let alone the wielder of the thunderbolt desirous +of fighting for the sake of the Naga (his friend Takshaka)." Arjuna also +said, "O Pavaka, while Hrishikesa, endued with abundant energy, moves on +the field of battle with this discus in hand, there is nothing in the +three worlds that he will not be able to consume by hurling this weapon. +Having obtained the bow Gandiva and this couple of inexhaustible quivers I +also am ready to conquer in battle the three worlds. Therefore, O lord, +blaze thou forth as thou likest, surrounding this large forest on every +side. We are quite able to help thee."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed both by Dasarha and Arjuna, the +illustrious god then put forth his most energetic form, and prepared to +consume the forest. Surrounding it on all sides with his seven flames, he +began to consume the forest of Khandava, exhibiting his all-consuming form +like that at the end of the Yuga (cycle). And, O bull of Bharata's race, +surrounding that forest and catching it from all sides with a roar like +that of the clouds, Agni made every creature within it tremble. And, O +Bharata, that burning forest then looked resplendent like the king of +mountains, Meru, blazing with the rays of the sun fallen thereupon.'" + + +SECTION CCXXVIII + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those foremost of car-warriors (Krishna and +Arjuna), riding in their cars and placing themselves on opposite sides of +that forest, began a great slaughter, on all sides, of the creatures +dwelling in Khandava. At whatever point any of the creatures residing in +Khandava could be seen attempting to escape, thither rushed those mighty +heroes (to prevent its flight). Indeed those two excellent cars seemed to +be but one, and the two warriors also therein but one individual. And +while the forest was burning, hundreds and thousands of living creatures, +uttering frightful yells, began to run about in all directions. Some had +particular limbs burnt, some were scorched with excessive heat, and some +came out, and some ran about from fear. And some clasping their children +and some their parents and brothers, died calmly without, from excess of +affection, being able to abandon those that were dear to them. And many +there were who biting their nether lips rose upwards and soon fell +whirling into the blazing element below. And some were seen to roll on the +ground with wings, eyes, and feet scorched and burnt. These creatures were +all seen to perish there almost soon enough. The tanks and ponds within +that forest, heated by the fire around, began to boil; the fishes and the +tortoises in them were all seen to perish. During that great slaughter of +living creatures in that forest, the burning bodies of various animals +looked as if fire itself had assumed many forms. The birds that took wings +to escape from that conflagration were pierced by Arjuna with his shafts, +and cut into pieces, they fell down into the burning element below. +Pierced all over with Arjuna's shafts, the birds dropped down into the +burning forest, uttering loud cries. The denizens of the forest, struck +with those shafts, began to roar and yell. The clamour they raised was +like unto the frightful uproar heard during the churning of the ocean (in +days of yore). The mighty flames of the blazing fire reaching the +firmament, caused great anxiety to the celestials themselves. Then all the +illustrious dwellers in heaven went in a body unto him of a hundred +sacrifices and thousand eyes, viz., their chief, that grinder of Asuras. +Approaching Indra, the celestials said, "Why, O lord of immortals, doth +Agni burn these creatures below? Hath the time come for the destruction of +the world?"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the gods, and himself +beholding what Agni was doing, the slayer of Vritra set out for the +protection of the forest of Khandava. And Vasava, the chief of the +celestials soon covering the sky with masses of clouds of every kind began +to shower upon the burning forest. Those masses of clouds by hundreds and +thousands, commanded by Indra began to pour rain upon Khandava in showers +thick as the flag-staffs of battle-cars. But the showers were all dried up +in the sky itself by the heat of the fire and could not, therefore, reach +the fire at all! Then the slayer of Namuchi, getting angry with Agni, +collected huge masses of clouds and caused them to yield a heavy downpour. +Then with the flames contending with those heavy showers, and with masses +of clouds overhead, that forest, filled with smoke and flashes of +lightning, became terrible to behold.'" + + +SECTION CCXXIX + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Vibhatsu, the son of Pandu, invoking his +excellent weapons, prevented that shower of rain by Indra, by means of a +shower of his own weapons. And Arjuna of immeasurable soul soon covered +the forest of Khandava with innumerable arrows like the moon covering the +atmosphere with a thick fog. When the sky above that forest was thus +covered with the arrows of Arjuna no living creature could then escape +from below. And it so happened that while that forest was burning, +Takshaka, the chief of the Nagas, was not there, having gone at that time +to the field of Kurukshetra. But Aswasena, the mighty son of Takshaka, was +there. He made great efforts to escape from that fire; but confined by +Arjuna's shafts he succeeded not in finding a way. It was then that his +mother, the daughter of a snake, determined to save him by swallowing him +first. His mother first swallowed his head and then was swallowing his +tail. And desirous of saving her son, the sea-snake rose (up from the +earth) while still employed in swallowing her son's tail. But Arjuna as +soon as he beheld her escaping, severed her head from her body by means of +a sharp and keen-edged arrow. Indra saw all this, and desiring to save his +friend's son, the wielder of the thunderbolt, by raising a violent wind, +deprived Arjuna of consciousness. During those few moments, Aswasena +succeeded in effecting his escape. Beholding that manifestation of the +power of illusion, and deceived by that snake, Arjuna was much enraged. He +forthwith cut every animal seeking to escape by the skies, into two, three, +or more pieces. And Vibhatsu in anger, and Agni, and Vasudeva also, cursed +the snake that had escaped so deceitfully, saying, "Never shalt thou be +famous!" And Jishnu remembering the deception practised upon him, became +angry, and covering the firmament with a cloud of arrows, sought to fight +with him of a thousand eyes. The chief of the celestials also, seeing +Arjuna in anger, sought to fight with him, and hurled his own fierce +weapons, covering the wide expanse of the firmament. Then the winds, +making a loud roar and agitating all the oceans, brought together masses +of clouds in the sky, charged with torrents of rain. Those masses of +clouds began to vomit thunder and terrible flashes of lightning charged +with the thunderclap. Then Arjuna possessing a knowledge of means, hurled +the excellent weapon called Vayavya with proper mantras to dispel those +clouds. With that weapon the energy and force of Indra's thunderbolt and +of those clouds were destroyed. And the torrents of rain with which those +clouds were charged were all dried up, and the lightning that played +amongst them was also destroyed. Within a moment the sky was cleared of +dust and darkness, and a delicious, cool breeze began to blow and the disc +of the sun resumed its normal state. Then the eater of clarified butter +(Agni), glad because none could baffle him, assumed various forms, and +sprinkled over with the fat exuded by the bodies of creatures, blazed +forth with all his flames, filling the universe with his roar. Then +numerous birds of the Garuda tribe bearing excellent feathers, beholding +that the forest was protected by Krishna and Arjuna, descended filled with +pride, from the upper skies, desirous of striking those heroes with their +thunderlike wings, beaks and claws. Innumerable Nagas also, with faces +emitting fire descending from high, approached Arjuna, vomiting the most +virulent poison all the while. Beholding them approach, Arjuna cut them +into pieces by means of arrows steeped in the fire of his own wrath. Then +those birds and snakes, deprived of life, fell into the burning element +below. And there came also, desirous of battle, innumerable Asuras with +Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Nagas sending forth terrific +yells. Armed with machines vomiting from their throats (mouths) iron +balls and bullets, and catapults for propelling huge stones, and rockets, +they approached to strike Krishna and Partha, their energy and strength +increased by wrath. But though they rained a perfect shower of weapons, +Vibhatsu, addressing them reproachfully, struck off their heads with his +own sharp arrows. That slayer of foes, Krishna, also, endued with great +energy, made a great slaughter of the Daitya and the Danava with his +discus. Many Asuras of immeasurable might, pierced with Krishna's arrows +and smitten with the force of his discus, became motionless like waifs and +strays stranded on the bank by the violence of the waves. Then Sakra the +lord of the celestials, riding on his white elephant, rushed at those +heroes, and taking up his thunderbolt which could never go in vain, hurled +it with great force. And the slayer of Asuras said unto the gods, "These +two are slain." Beholding the fierce thunderbolt about to be hurled +by their chief, the celestials all took up their respective weapons. Yama, +O king, took up the death-dealing mace, and Kuvera his spiked club, and +Varuna his noose and beautiful missile. And Skanda (Kartikeya) took up his +long lance and stood motionless like the mountain of Meru. The Aswins +stood there with resplendent plants in their hands. Dhatri stood, bow in +hand, and Jaya with a thick club. Tvashtri of great strength took up in +wrath, a huge mountain and Surya stood with a bright dart, and Mrityu with +a battle-axe. Aryaman stalked about with a terrible bludgeon furnished +with sharp spikes, and Mitra stood there with a discus sharp as a razor. +And, O monarch, Pusha and Bhaga and Savitri, in wrath, rushed at Krishna +and Partha with bows and scimitars in hand. And Rudras and the Vasus, the +mighty Maruts and the Viswedevas and the Sadhyas, all resplendent with +their own energy,--these and many other celestials, armed with various +weapons rushed against those exalted of men, Krishna and Partha, for +smiting them down. Then were seen in that great conflict wonderful +portents all around robbing every creature of his sense, and resembling +those that appeared at the time of the universal dissolution. But Arjuna +and Krishna, fearless and invincible in battle, beholding Sakra and the +other celestials prepared for fight, calmly waited, bows in hands. Skilled +in battle, those heroes in wrath assailed the advancing host of celestials +with their own thunderlike arrows. The celestials repeatedly routed by +Krishna and Arjuna, at last left the field of battle for fear and sought +the protection of Indra. The Munis who were witnessing the battle from the +skies, beholding the celestials defeated by Madhava and Arjuna, were +filled with wonder. Sakra also repeatedly witnessing their prowess in +battle, became exceedingly gratified, and once more rushed to the assault. +The chastiser of Paka then caused a heavy shower of stones, desiring to +ascertain the prowess of Arjuna who was able to draw the bow even with his +left hand. Arjuna, in great wrath, dispelled with his arrows that thick +shower. Then he of a hundred sacrifices beholding that shower baffled, +once more caused a thicker shower of stones. But the son of the chastiser +of Paka (viz., Arjuna) gratified his father by baffling that shower also +with his swift arrows. Then Sakra, desirous of smiting down the son of +Pandu, tore up with his hands a large peak from Mandara, with tall trees +on it, and hurled it against him. But Arjuna divided that mountain-peak +into a thousand pieces by his swift-going and fire-mouthed arrows. The +fragments of that mountain, in falling through the skies, looked as if the +sun and the moon and the planets, displaced from their positions fell down +on earth. That huge peak fell down upon that forest and by its fall killed +numerous living creatures that dwelt in Khandava.'" + + +SECTION CCXXX + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the inhabitants of the forest of Khandava, the +Danavas and Rakshasas and Nagas and wolves and bears and other wild +animals, and elephants with rent temples, and tigers, and lions with manes +and deer and buffaloes by hundreds, and birds, and various other creatures, +frightened at the falling stones and extremely anxious, began to fly in +all directions. They saw the forest (burning all around) and Krishna and +Arjuna also ready with their weapons. Frightened at the terrible sounds +that were audible there those creatures lost their power of movement. +Beholding the forest burning in innumerable places and Krishna also ready +to smite them down with his weapons, they all set up a frightful roar. +With that terrible clamour as also with the roar of fire, the whole welkin +resounded, as it were, with the voice of portentous clouds. Kesava of dark +hue and mighty arms, in order to compass their destruction, hurled at them +his large and fierce discus resplendent with its own energy. The forest- +dwellers including the Danavas and the Rakshasas, afflicted by that weapon, +were cut in hundreds of pieces and fell unto the mouth of Agni. Mangled by +Krishna's discus, the Asuras were besmeared with blood and fat and looked +like evening clouds. And, O Bharata, he of the Vrishni race moved about +like death itself, slaying Pisachas and birds and Nagas and other +creatures by thousands. The discus itself, repeatedly hurled from the +hands of Krishna, that slayer of all foes, came back to his hands after +slaughtering numberless creatures. The face and form of Krishna that soul +of every created thing became fierce to behold while he was thus employed +in the slaughter of the Pisachas, Nagas and Rakshasas. No one among the +celestials, who had mustered there could vanquish in battle Krishna and +Arjuna. When the celestials saw that they could not protect that forest +from the might of Krishna and Arjuna by extinguishing that conflagration, +they retired from the scene. Then, O monarch, he of a hundred sacrifices +(Indra), beholding the immortals retreat, became filled with joy and +applauded Krishna and Arjuna. And when the celestials gave up the fight, +an incorporeal voice, deep and loud, addressing him of a hundred +sacrifices, said, "Thy friend Takshaka, that chief of snakes, hath not +been slain! Before the conflagration commenced in Khandava he had +journeyed to Kurukshetra. Know from my words, O Vasava, that Vasudeva and +Arjuna are incapable of being vanquished in battle by any one! They are +Nara and Narayana--those gods of old heard of in heaven! Thou knowest what +their energy is and what their prowess. Invincible in battle, these best +of old Rishis are unconquerable by any one in all the worlds! They deserve +the most reverential worship of all the celestials and Asuras; of Yakshas +and Rakshasas and Gandharvas, of human beings and Kinnaras and Nagas. +Therefore, O Vasava, it behoveth thee to go hence with all the celestials. +The destruction of Khandava hath been ordained by Fate!" Then the chief of +the immortals, ascertaining those words to be true abandoned his wrath and +jealousy, and went back to heaven. The dwellers in heaven, O monarch, +beholding the illustrious Indra abandon the fight, followed him with all +their soldiers. Then those heroes, Vasudeva and Arjuna, when they saw the +chief of the celestials retreat accompanied by all the gods, set up a +leonine roar. And, O monarch, Kesava and Arjuna, after Indra had left the +scene, became exceedingly glad. Those heroes then fearlessly assisted at +the conflagration of the forest. Arjuna scattered the celestials like the +wind scattering the clouds, and slew with showers of his arrows, +numberless creatures that dwelt in Khandava. Cut off by Arjuna's arrows, +no one amongst the innumerable creatures could escape from the burning +forest. Far from fighting with him, none amongst even the strongest +creatures mustered there could look at Arjuna whose weapons were never +futile. Sometimes piercing hundred creatures with one shaft and sometimes +a single creature with hundred shafts, Arjuna moved about in his car. The +creatures themselves, deprived of life, began to fall into the mouth of +Agni (god of fire), struck down as it were by death itself. On the banks +of rivers or on uneven plains or on crematoriums, go where they did, the +creatures (dwelling in Khandava) found no ease, for wherever they sought +shelter there they were afflicted by the heat. And hosts of creatures +roared in pain, and elephants and deer and wolves set up cries of +affliction. At that sound the fishes of the Ganges and the sea, and the +various tribes of Vidyadharas dwelling in that forest all became +frightened. O thou of mighty arms, let alone battling with them, no one, +could even gaze at Arjuna and Janardana of dark hue. Hari slew with his +discus those Rakshasas and Danavas and Nagas that rushed at him in bands. +Of huge bodies, their heads and trunks were cut off by the swift motion of +the discus, and deprived of life they fell down into the blazing fire. +Gratified with large quantities of flesh, blood, and fat, the flames rose +up to a great height without a curling wreath of smoke. Hutasana (fire- +god) with blazing and coppery eyes, and flaming tongue and large mouth, +and the hair on the crown of his head all fiery, drinking, with the help +of Krishna and Arjuna, that nectar-like stream of animal fat, became +filled with joy. Gratified greatly, Agni derived much happiness. + +"'And it so happened that the slayer of Madhu suddenly beheld an Asura of +the name of Maya escaping from the abode of Takshaka. Agni having Vayu for +his car-driver, assuming a body with matted locks on head, and roaring +like the clouds, pursued the Asura, desirous of consuming him. Beholding +the Asura, Vasudeva stood with his weapon upraised, ready to smite him +down, seeing the discus uplifted and Agni pursuing from behind to burn him, +Maya said "Run to me, O Arjuna, and protect me!" Hearing his affrighted +voice Arjuna said, "Fear not!" That voice of Arjuna, O Bharata, seemed to +give Maya his life. As the merciful son of Pritha said unto Maya that +there was nothing to fear, he of the Dasarha race no longer desired to +slay Maya who was the brother of Namuchi, and Agni also burned him not.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Protected from Indra by Krishna and Partha, Agni +gifted with great intelligence, burned that forest for five and ten days. +And while the forest burned Agni spared only six of its dwellers, viz., +Aswasena, Maya, and four birds called Sarngakas.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXI + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, tell me why and when that forest burnt in +that way, Agni consumed not the birds called Sarngakas? Thou hast, O +Brahmana, recited (to us) the cause of Aswasena and the Danava Maya not +having been consumed. But thou hast not as yet said what the cause was of +the escape of the Sarngakas? The escape of those birds, O Brahmana, +appeareth to me to be wonderful. Tell us why they were not destroyed in +that dreadful conflagration.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O slayer of all foes, I shall tell thee all as to why +Agni did not burn up those birds during the conflagration. There was, O +king, a great Rishi known by the name of Mandapala, conversant with all +the shastras, of rigid vows, devoted to asceticism, and the foremost of +all virtuous persons. Following in the wake of Rishis that had drawn up +their virile fluid, that ascetic, O monarch, with every sense under +complete control, devoted himself to study and virtue. Having reached the +opposite shores of asceticism, O Bharata, he left his human form and went +to the region of the Pitris. But going thither he failed to obtain the +(expected) fruit of his acts. He asked the celestials that sat around the +king of the dead as to the cause of his treatment, saying, "Why have these +regions become unattainable by me,--regions that I had thought had been +acquired by me by my ascetic devotions? Have I not performed those acts +whose fruits are these regions? Ye inhabitants of heaven, tell me why +these regions are shut against me! I will do that which will give me the +fruit of my ascetic penances." + +"'The celestials answered, "Hear, O Brahmana, of those acts and things on +account of which men are born debtors. Without doubt, it is for religious +rites, studies according to the ordinance, and progeny, that men are born +debtors. These debts are all discharged by sacrifices, asceticism, and +offspring. Thou art an ascetic and hast also performed sacrifices; but +thou hast no offspring. These regions are shut against thee only for want +of children. Beget children, therefore! Thou shalt then enjoy multifarious +regions of felicity. The Vedas declared that the son rescueth the father +from a hell called Put. Then, O best of Brahmanas, strive to beget +offspring."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Mandapala, having heard these words of the +dwellers in heaven, reflected how best he could obtain the largest number +of offspring within the shortest period of time. The Rishi, after +reflection, understood that of all creatures birds alone were blest with +fecundity. Assuming the form of a Sarngaka the Rishi had connection with a +female bird of the same species called by the name of Jarita. And he begat +upon her four sons who were all reciters of the Vedas. Leaving all those +sons of his with their mother in that forest, while they were still within +eggs, the ascetic went to (another wife called by the name of) Lapita. And, +O Bharata, when the exalted sage went away for the company of Lapita, +moved by affection for her offspring, Jarita became very thoughtful. +Though forsaken by their father in the forest of Khandava, Jarita, anxious +in her affection for them, could not forsake her offspring, those infant +Rishis encased in eggs. Moved by parental affection, she brought up these +children born of her, herself following the pursuits proper to her own +species. Some time after, the Rishi, in wandering over that forest in the +company of Lapita, saw Agni coming towards Khandava to burn it down. Then +the Brahmana Mandapala, knowing the intention of Agni and remembering also +that his children were all young moved by fear, gratified the god, of the +burning element, that regent of the universe, endued with great energy. +And he did this, desiring to put in a word for his unfledged offspring. +Addressing Agni, the Rishi said, "Thou art, O Agni, the mouth of all the +worlds! Thou art the carrier of the sacrificial butter! O purifier (of all +sins), thou movest invisible with the frame of every creature! The learned +have spoken of thee as an One, and again as possessed of triple nature. +The wise perform their sacrifices before thee, taking thee as consisting +of eight (mouths). The great Rishis declare that this universe hath been +created by thee. O thou that feedest on sacrificial butter, without thee +this whole universe would be destroyed in a single day. Bowing to thee, +the Brahmanas, accompanied by their wives and children, go to eternal +regions won by them by help of their own deeds. O Agni, the learned +represent thee as the clouds in the heavens charged with lightning. O Agni, +the flames put forth by thee consume every creature. O thou of great +splendour, this universe hath been created by thee. The Vedas are thy word. +All creatures, mobile and immobile, depend upon thee. Water primarily +dependeth on thee, so also the whole of this universe. All offerings of +clarified butter and oblations of food to the pitris have been established +in thee. O god, thou art the consumer, and thou art the creator and thou +art Vrihaspati himself (in intelligence). Thou art the twin Aswins; thou +art Surya; thou art Soma; thou art Vayu." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O monarch, thus praised by Mandapala, Agni was +gratified with that Rishi of immeasurable energy; and the god, well- +pleased, replied, "What good can I do to thee?" Then Mandapala with joined +palms said unto the carrier of clarified butter, "While thou burnest the +forest of Khandava, spare my children." The illustrious bearer of +clarified butter replied, "So be it." It was, therefore, O monarch, that +he blazed not forth, while consuming the forest of Khandava, for the +destruction of Mandapala's children.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXII + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When the fire blazed forth in the forest of Khandava, +the infant birds became very much distressed and afflicted. Filled with +anxiety, they saw not any means of escape. Their mother, the helpless +Jarita, knowing that they were too young to escape, was filled with sorrow +and wept aloud. And she said, "Oh, the terrible, illuminating the whole +universe and burning the forest down, approacheth towards us, increasing +my woe. These infants with immature understanding, without feathers and +feet, and the sole refuge of our deceased ancestors, afflict me. Oh, this +fire approacheth, spreading fear all around, and licking with its tongue +the tallest trees. But my unfledged children are incapable of effecting +their escape. I myself am not capable of escaping, taking all these with +me. Nor am I capable of abandoning them, for my heart is distressed on +their account. Whom amongst my sons, shall I leave behind, and whom shall +I carry with me? What (act) should I do now that is consistent with duty? +What also do you, my infant sons, think? I do not, even by reflection, see +any way of escape for you. I shall even cover you with my wings and die +with you. Your cruel father left me some time before, saying, 'Upon this +Jaritari, because he is the eldest of my sons, will my race depend. My +second Sarisrikka will beget progeny for the expansion of my ancestors' +race. My third, Stamvamitra, will be devoted to asceticism, and my +youngest, Drona, will become the foremost of those acquainted with the +Vedas.' But how hath this terrible calamity overtaken us! Whom shall I +take with me? As I am deprived of judgment what should I do that is +consistent with duty? I do not see, by the exercise of my own judgment, +the escape of my children from the fire!"' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Unto their mother indulging in these lamentations, +the infant ones said, "O mother, relinquishing thy affection for us, go +thou to a place where there is no fire. If we are killed here, thou mayest +have other children born to thee. If thou, O mother be killed, we can have +no more children in our race. Reflecting upon both these calamities, the +time hath come for thee, O mother, to do that which is beneficial to our +race. Do not be influenced by affection for thy offspring, which promises +to destroy both us and thee. If thou savest thyself, our father, who is +even desirous of winning regions of felicity, may have his wishes +gratified." + +"'Hearing what the infants said, Jarita replied, "There is a hole here in +the ground near to this tree, belonging to a mouse. Enter this hole +without loss of time. You shall have then no fear of fire. After ye have +entered it, I shall, ye children, cover its mouth with dust. This is the +only means of escape that I see from the blazing fire. Then when the fire +will be put out, I shall return hither to remove the dust. Follow my +advice if you are to escape from the conflagration." + +"'The infant birds replied, "Without feathers we are but so many balls of +flesh. If we enter the hole, certain it is that the carnivorous mouse will +destroy us all. Beholding this danger before us, we cannot enter this hole. +Alas, we do not see any means by which we may escape from the fire or from +the mouse. We do not see how our father's act of procreation may be +prevented from becoming futile, and how also our mother may be saved. If +we enter the hole, the mouse will destroy us; we remain where we are and +the sky-ranging fire will destroy us. Reflecting upon both the calamities, +a death by fire is preferable to a death by being eaten up. If we are +devoured by the mouse within the hole, that death is certainly ignoble, +whereas the destruction of the body in fire is approved by the wise."'" + + +SECTION CCXXXIII + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing those words of her sons Jarita continued, +"The little mouse that had come out of this hole was seized by a hawk with +his claws and carried away hence. Therefore, ye may fearlessly enter this +hole now." The young ones replied, "We are not by any means certain of +that mouse having been taken away by the hawk. There may be other mice +living here. From them we have every fear. Whereas it is doubtful whether +fire will at all approach us here. Already we see an adverse wind blowing +the flames away. If we enter the hole, death is certain at the hands of +the dwellers in the hole. But if we remain where we are, death is +uncertain. O mother, a position in which death is uncertain is better than +that in which it is certain. It is thy duty, therefore, to escape thyself, +for, if thou livest thou mayest obtain other children as good." + +"'Their mother then said, "Ye children, I myself saw the mighty hawk, that +best of birds, swoop down and fly away with the mouse from the hole. And +while he was flying away swiftly, I followed him behind and pronounced +blessing on him for his having taken away the mouse from the hole. I said +unto him, 'O king of hawks, because thou art flying away with our enemy, +the mouse, in thy claws, mayest thou, without a foe, live in heaven with a +golden body.' Afterwards when that hawk devoured the mouse, I came away, +obtaining his leave. Therefore, ye children, enter this hole trustfully. +Ye have nothing to fear. The mouse that was its inmate was seized and +taken away by the hawk in my sight." The young ones again said, "O mother, +we do not by any means know that the mouse hath been carried away by the +hawk. We cannot enter this hole in the ground without being certain of the +fact." Their mother said, "I know to a certainty that the mouse hath been +carried away by the hawk. Therefore, ye children, ye have nothing to fear; +do what I say." The young ones again said, "We do not, O mother, say that +thou art dispelling our fears with a false story. For whatever is done by +a person when his reason hath been disturbed can scarcely be said to be +that person's deliberate act. Thou hast not been benefited by us, nor dost +thou know who we are. Why dost thou, therefore, strive to protect us at so +much cost to thyself? Who are we to thee? Thou art young and handsome, and +capable of seeking out thy husband. Go unto thy husband. Thou shalt obtain +good children again. Let us by entering the fire attain to regions of +felicity. If, however, the fire consume us not, thou mayest come back and +obtain us again."' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The parent bird then, thus addressed by her sons, +left them in Khandava and hastily went to the spot where there was no fire +and there was safety. Then Agni in haste and with fierce flames approached +the spot where the sons of Mandapala were. The young birds saw the blazing +fire come towards them. Then Jaritari, the eldest of the four, in the +hearing of Agni, began to speak.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXIV + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"'Jaritari said, "The person that is wise remaineth wakeful in view of +death. Accordingly, when the hour of death approacheth, he feeleth no +pangs. But the person of perplexed soul, who remaineth not awake, when the +hour of death comes, feeleth the pangs of death and never attaineth +salvation." + +"'The second brother, Sarisrikka, said, "Thou art patient and intelligent. +The time is come when our lives are threatened. Without doubt, one only +amongst many becometh wise and brave." + +"'The third brother, Stamvamitra, said, "The eldest brother is called the +protector. It is the eldest brother that rescueth (the younger ones) from +danger. If the eldest himself faileth to rescue them, what can the younger +ones do?" + +"'The fourth and the youngest brother, Drona, said, "The cruel god of fire, +with seven tongues and seven mouths quickly cometh towards our habitation, +blazing forth in splendour and licking up everything in his path."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having addressed one another thus, the sons of +Mandapala then each devotedly addressed an eulogistic hymn to Agni. Listen +now, O monarch, to those hymns as I recite them. + +"'Jaritari said, "Thou art, O fire, the soul of air! Thou art the body of +the Earth's vegetation! O Sukra, water is thy parent as thou art the +parent of water! O thou of great energy, thy flames, like the rays of the +sun, extend themselves above, below, behind, and on each side." + +"'Sarisrikka said, "O smoke-bannered god, our mother is not to be seen, and +we know not our father! Our feathers have not grown as yet. We have none +to protect us save thee. Therefore, O Agni, infants that we are protect +us! O Agni, as we are distressed, protect us with that auspicious form +thou hast and with those seven flames of thine! We seek protection at thy +hands. Thou alone, O Agni, art the giver of heat (in the universe). O lord, +there is none else (save thee) that giveth heat to the rays of the sun. O, +protect us who are young and who are Rishis. O Havyavaha (carrier of +sacrificial butter), be pleased to go hence by some other route." + +"'Stamvamitra said, "Thou alone, O Agni, art everything! This whole +universe is established in thee! Thou sustainest every creature, and thou +supportest the universe! Thou art the carrier of the sacrificial butter, +and thou art the excellent sacrificial butter itself! The wise know thee +to be one (as cause) and many (as effects)! Having created the three +worlds, thou, O Havyavaha, again destroyest them when the time cometh, +swelling thyself forth! Thou art the productive cause of the whole +universe, and thou also art the essence in which the universe dissolveth +itself!" + +"'Drona said, "O lord of the universe, growing in strength and remaining +within their bodies, thou causest the food that living creatures eat to be +digested. Everything therefore, is established in thee. O Sukra, O thou +from whose mouth the Vedas have sprung, it is thou who assumests the form +of the sun, and sucking up the waters of the earth and every liquid juice +that the earth yields, givest them back in time in the form of rain and +causest everything to grow! From thee, O Sukra, are these plants and +creepers with green foliage! From thee have sprung these tanks and pools, +and the great ocean also that is ever blessed! O thou of fierce rays, this +our (human) body dependeth on Varuna (the water-god)! We are unable to +bear thy heat. Be thou, therefore, our auspicious protector! O, destroy us +not! O thou of copper-hued eyes, O thou of red neck, O thou whose path is +marked by a black colour, save us by going along any remote route, as +indeed, the ocean saveth the house on its banks!"' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Drona--that utterer of Brahma-- +Agni, well-pleased at what he heard, and remembering also the promise he +had made to Mandapala, replied unto him, saying, "Thou art a Rishi, O +Drona! For what thou hast said is Brahma (Vedic truth). I shall do your +pleasure. Fear not! Indeed, Mandapala had spoken to me of you to the +effect that I should spare his sons, while consuming the forest. The words +he spoke and thy speech also are entitled to great weight to me. Say what +I am to do. O best of Brahmanas, I have been greatly pleased with thy hymn. +Blest be thou, O Brahmana!" + +"'Drona said, "O Sukra, these cats trouble us every day. O Hutasana; +consume them with their friends and relatives."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Agni did what the Sarngakas asked him to +do, telling them of his intentions. And, O Janamejaya, growing in strength, +he began then to consume the forest of Khandava.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXV + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O thou of Kuru's race, the Rishi Mandapala became +very anxious about his children, although he had spoken of them to the god +of fierce rays. Indeed, his mind was not in peace. Distressed on account +of his sons, he addressed Lapita (his second wife with whom he then was), +saying, "O Lapita, as my children are incapable of the power of moving, +how are they? When the fire will grow in strength and the wind begin to +blow violently, my children will scarcely be able to save themselves. How +will their mother be able to rescue them? That innocent woman will be +afflicted with great sorrow when she will find herself unable to save her +offspring. Oh, how will she compose herself, uttering various lamentations +on account of my children who are all incapable of taking wing or rising +up into the air. Oh, how is Jaritari, my son, and how is Sarisrikka, and +how is Stamvamitra, and how is Drona, and how also is their helpless +mother?" + +"'Unto the Rishi Mandapala thus weeping in the forest, Lapita, O Bharata, +thus replied, under the influence of jealousy, "Thou need not worry for +thy children who, as thou hast assured me, are all Rishis endued with +energy and prowess! They can have no fear from fire. Didst thou not speak +to Agni in my presence, in their behalf? Has not the illustrious deity +promised to save them? One of the regents of the universe as Agni is, he +will never falsify his speech. Thou hast no anxiety, nor is thy heart +inclined towards benefiting friends. It is only by thinking of her--my +rival (Jarita) that thou art so distracted! Certain it is that the love +thou bearest to me is not equal to what thou hadst for her at first. He +that hath two parties dividing his attention, can easily behold one of +those suffer all sorts of pangs; but he should not disregard the party +that is next to his heart. Then go thou to Jarita, for whom thy heart is +sorrowing! As for myself, I shall henceforth wander alone, as a fit reward +for my having attached myself to a wicked person." + +"'Hearing these words, Mandapala replied, "I do not wander over the earth +with such intentions as thou conceivest. It is only for the sake of +progeny that I am here. And even those that I have are in danger. He who +casteth off what he hath for the sake of what he may acquire, is a wicked +person. The world disregardeth and insulteth him. (Therefore, go I must). +As for thyself thou art free to do what thou choosest. This blazing fire +that licketh up the trees causeth sorrow in my anxious heart and raiseth +therein evil presentiments."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Meanwhile, after the fire had left the spot +where the Sarngakas dwelt, Jarita, much attached to her children, hastily +came thither to see how they were. She found that all of them had escaped +from the fire and were perfectly well. Beholding their mother, they began +to weep, though safe and sound. She too shed tears upon beholding them +alive. And she embraced, one by one, all her weeping children. Just at +that time, O Bharata, the Rishi Mandapala arrived there. But none of his +sons expressed joy, upon beholding him. The Rishi, however, began to speak +to them one after another and unto Jarita also, repeatedly. But neither +his sons nor Jarita spoke anything well or ill unto him in return. + +"'Mandapala then said, "Who amongst these is thy first born, and who the +next after him? And who is the third, and who the youngest? I am speaking +unto thee woefully; why dost thou not reply to me? I left thee, it is true, +but I was not happy where I was." + +"'Jarita then said, "What hast thou to do with the eldest of these, and +what with him that is next? And what with the third and what with the +youngest? Go now unto that Lapita of sweet smiles and endued with youth, +unto whom thou didst go of old, beholding me deficient in everything!" +Mandapala replied, "As regards females, there is nothing so destructive of +their happiness whether in this or the other world as a co-wife and a +clandestine lover. There is nothing like these two that inflames the fire +of hostility and causes such anxiety. Even the auspicious and well-behaved +Arundhati, celebrated amongst all creatures, had been jealous of the +illustrious Vasishtha of great purity of mind and always devoted to the +good of his wife. Arundhati insulted even the wise Muni amongst the +(celestial) seven. In consequence of such insulting thoughts of hers, she +has become a little star, like fire mixed with smoke, sometimes visible +and sometimes invisible, like an omen portending no good (amongst a +constellation of seven bright stars representing the seven Rishis). I look +to thee for the sake of children. I never wronged thee, like Vasishtha who +never wronged his wife. Thou hast, therefore, by thy jealousy behaved +towards me like Arundhati of old towards Vasishtha. Men should never trust +women even if they be wives. Women, when they have become mothers, do not +much mind serving their husbands."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, all his children came forward to +worship him. And he also began to speak kindly towards them all, giving +them every assurance.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXVI + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Mandapala then addressed his children, saying, "I had +spoken unto Agni for the safety of you all. The illustrious deity had +assured me that he would grant my wish. At those words of Agni, and +knowing the virtuous disposition of your mother, as also the great energy +that is in yourselves, I came not here earlier. Therefore, ye sons, do not +harbour in your hearts any resentment towards me. Ye are all Rishis +acquainted with the Vedas. Even Agni knoweth you well."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having given such assurances unto his sons, the +Brahmana Mandapala took with him his wife and sons, and leaving that +region, went away to some other country. + +"'It thus that the illustrious god of fierce rays, having grown in +strength consumed the forest of Khandava with the help of Krishna and +Arjuna, for the good of the world. And Agni having drunk several rivers of +fat and marrow, became highly gratified, and showed himself to Arjuna. +Then Purandara, surrounded by the Maruts, descended from the firmament and +addressing Partha and Kesava said, "Ye have achieved a feat that a +celestial even could not. Ask ye each a boon that is not obtainable by any +man. I have been gratified with you."' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Partha asked from Indra all his weapons. At +this Sakra of great splendour, having fixed the time for giving them, said, +"When the illustrious Madhava becomes pleased with thee, then, O son of +Pandu, I will give thee all my weapons! O prince of Kuru's race, I shall +know when the time cometh. Even for thy austere asceticism I will give +thee all my weapons of fire and all my Vayavya weapons, and thou also wilt +accept them all of me." Then Vasudeva asked that his friendship with +Arjuna might be eternal. The chief of the celestials granted unto the +intelligent Krishna the boon he desired. And having granted these boons +unto Krishna and Arjuna, the lord of the Maruts, accompanied by the +celestials, ascended to heaven, having also spoken to Hutasana (one whose +food is sacrificial butter). Agni also, having burnt that forest with its +animals and birds for five and ten days, became gratified and ceased to +burn. Having eaten flesh in abundance and drunk fat and blood, he became +highly gratified, and addressing Achyuta and Arjuna said, "I have been +gratified by you two tigers among men. At my command, ye heroes, ye shall +be competent to go wheresoever ye choose!" Thus addressed by the +illustrious Agni, Arjuna and Vasudeva and the Danava Maya also--these +three,--having wandered a little at last sat themselves down on the +delightful banks of a river.'" + +END OF ADI PARVA + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana +Vyasa - Adi Parva, by Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAHABHARATA *** + +***** This file should be named 7864.txt or 7864.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/6/7864/ + +Produced by David King, Juliet Sutherland, and Charles +Franks, John B. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + Translated into English Prose + Adi Parva + +Author: Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7864] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 27, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAHABHARATA OF KRISHNA-DWAIPAYANA *** + + + + +Produced by David King, Juliet Sutherland, and Charles Franks, +John B. Hare and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + +The Mahabharata + +of + +Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + +Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text + +by + +Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +[1883-1896] + +Scanned at sacred-texts.com, 2003. Redaction at Distributed Proofing, +Juliet Sutherland, Project Manager. Additional proofing and formatting at +sacred-texts.com, by J. B. Hare. This text is in the public domain. These +files may be used for any non-commercial purpose, provided this notice of +attribution is left intact. + + +TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE + +The object of a translator should ever be to hold the mirror upto his +author. That being so, his chief duty is to represent so far as +practicable the manner in which his author's ideas have been expressed, +retaining if possible at the sacrifice of idiom and taste all the +peculiarities of his author's imagery and of language as well. In regard +to translations from the Sanskrit, nothing is easier than to dish up Hindu +ideas, so as to make them agreeable to English taste. But the endeavour of +the present translator has been to give in the following pages as literal +a rendering as possible of the great work of Vyasa. To the purely English +reader there is much in the following pages that will strike as ridiculous. +Those unacquainted with any language but their own are generally very +exclusive in matters of taste. Having no knowledge of models other than +what they meet with in their own tongue, the standard they have formed of +purity and taste in composition must necessarily be a narrow one. The +translator, however, would ill-discharge his duty, if for the sake of +avoiding ridicule, he sacrificed fidelity to the original. He must +represent his author as he is, not as he should be to please the narrow +taste of those entirely unacquainted with him. Mr. Pickford, in the +preface to his English translation of the Mahavira Charita, ably defends a +close adherence to the original even at the sacrifice of idiom and taste +against the claims of what has been called 'Free Translation,' which means +dressing the author in an outlandish garb to please those to whom he is +introduced. + +In the preface to his classical translation of Bhartrihari's Niti Satakam +and Vairagya Satakam, Mr. C.H. Tawney says, "I am sensible that in the +present attempt I have retained much local colouring. For instance, the +ideas of worshipping the feet of a god of great men, though it frequently +occurs in Indian literature, will undoubtedly move the laughter of +Englishmen unacquainted with Sanskrit, especially if they happen to belong +to that class of readers who revel their attention on the accidental and +remain blind to the essential. But a certain measure of fidelity to the +original even at the risk of making oneself ridiculous, is better than the +studied dishonesty which characterises so many translations of oriental +poets." + +We fully subscribe to the above although, it must be observed, the censure +conveyed to the class of translators last indicated is rather undeserved, +there being nothing like a 'studied dishonesty' in their efforts which +proceed only from a mistaken view of their duties and as such betray only +an error of the head but not of the heart. More than twelve years ago when +Babu Pratapa Chandra Roy, with Babu Durga Charan Banerjee, went to my +retreat at Seebpore, for engaging me to translate the Mahabharata into +English, I was amazed with the grandeur of the scheme. My first question +to him was,--whence was the money to come, supposing my competence for the +task. Pratapa then unfolded to me the details of his plan, the hopes he +could legitimately cherish of assistance from different quarters. He was +full of enthusiasm. He showed me Dr. Rost's letter, which, he said, had +suggested to him the undertaking. I had known Babu Durga Charan for many +years and I had the highest opinion of his scholarship and practical good +sense. When he warmly took Pratapa's side for convincing me of the +practicability of the scheme, I listened to him patiently. The two were +for completing all arrangements with me the very day. To this I did not +agree. I took a week's time to consider. I consulted some of my literary +friends, foremost among whom was the late lamented Dr. Sambhu C. +Mookherjee. The latter, I found, had been waited upon by Pratapa. Dr. +Mookherjee spoke to me of Pratapa as a man of indomitable energy and +perseverance. The result of my conference with Dr. Mookherjee was that I +wrote to Pratapa asking him to see me again. In this second interview +estimates were drawn up, and everything was arranged as far as my portion +of the work was concerned. My friend left with me a specimen of +translation which he had received from Professor Max Muller. This I began +to study, carefully comparing it sentence by sentence with the original. +About its literal character there could be no doubt, but it had no flow +and, therefore, could not be perused with pleasure by the general reader. +The translation had been executed thirty years ago by a young German +friend of the great Pundit. I had to touch up every sentence. This I did +without at all impairing faithfulness to the original. My first 'copy' was +set up in type and a dozen sheets were struck off. These were submitted to +the judgment of a number of eminent writers, European and native. All of +them, I was glad to see, approved of the specimen, and then the task of +translating the Mahabharata into English seriously began. + +Before, however, the first fasciculus could be issued, the question as to +whether the authorship of the translation should be publicly owned, arose. +Babu Pratapa Chandra Roy was against anonymity. I was for it. The reasons +I adduced were chiefly founded upon the impossibility of one person +translating the whole of the gigantic work. Notwithstanding my resolve to +discharge to the fullest extent the duty that I took up, I might not live +to carry it out. It would take many years before the end could be reached. +Other circumstances than death might arise in consequence of which my +connection with the work might cease. It could not be desirable to issue +successive fasciculus with the names of a succession of translators +appearing on the title pages. These and other considerations convinced my +friend that, after all, my view was correct. It was, accordingly, resolved +to withhold the name of the translator. As a compromise, however, between +the two views, it was resolved to issue the first fasciculus with two +prefaces, one over the signature of the publisher and the other headed-- +'Translator's Preface.' This, it was supposed, would effectually guard +against misconceptions of every kind. No careful reader would then +confound the publisher with the author. + +Although this plan was adopted, yet before a fourth of the task had been +accomplished, an influential Indian journal came down upon poor Pratapa +Chandra Roy and accused him openly of being a party to a great literary +imposture, viz., of posing before the world as the translator of Vyasa's +work when, in fact, he was only the publisher. The charge came upon my +friend as a surprise, especially as he had never made a secret of the +authorship in his correspondence with Oriental scholars in every part of +the world. He promptly wrote to the journal in question, explaining the +reasons there were for anonymity, and pointing to the two prefaces with +which the first fasciculus had been given to the world. The editor readily +admitted his mistake and made a satisfactory apology. + +Now that the translation has been completed, there can no longer be any +reason for withholding the name of the translator. The entire translation +is practically the work of one hand. In portions of the Adi and the Sabha +Parvas, I was assisted by Babu Charu Charan Mookerjee. About four forms of +the Sabha Parva were done by Professor Krishna Kamal Bhattacharya, and +about half a fasciculus during my illness, was done by another hand. I +should however state that before passing to the printer the copy received +from these gentlemen I carefully compared every sentence with the original, +making such alterations as were needed for securing a uniformity of style +with the rest of the work. + +I should here observe that in rendering the Mahabharata into English I +have derived very little aid from the three Bengali versions that are +supposed to have been executed with care. Every one of these is full of +inaccuracies and blunders of every description. The Santi in particular +which is by far the most difficult of the eighteen Parvas, has been made a +mess of by the Pundits that attacked it. Hundreds of ridiculous blunders +can be pointed out in both the Rajadharma and the Mokshadharma sections. +Some of these I have pointed out in footnotes. + +I cannot lay claim to infallibility. There are verses in the Mahabharata +that are exceedingly difficult to construe. I have derived much aid from +the great commentator Nilakantha. I know that Nilakantha's authority is +not incapable of being challenged. But when it is remembered that the +interpretations given by Nilakantha came down to him from preceptors of +olden days, one should think twice before rejecting Nilakantha as a guide. + +About the readings I have adopted, I should say that as regards the first +half of the work, I have generally adhered to the Bengal texts; as regards +the latter half, to the printed Bombay edition. Sometimes individual +sections, as occurring in the Bengal editions, differ widely, in respect +of the order of the verses, from the corresponding ones in the Bombay +edition. In such cases I have adhered to the Bengal texts, convinced that +the sequence of ideas has been better preserved in the Bengal editions +than the Bombay one. + +I should express my particular obligations to Pundit Ram Nath Tarkaratna, +the author of 'Vasudeva Vijayam' and other poems, Pundit Shyama Charan +Kaviratna, the learned editor of Kavyaprakasha with the commentary of +Professor Mahesh Chandra Nayaratna, and Babu Aghore Nath Banerjee, the +manager of the Bharata Karyalaya. All these scholars were my referees on +all points of difficulty. Pundit Ram Nath's solid scholarship is known to +them that have come in contact with him. I never referred to him a +difficulty that he could not clear up. Unfortunately, he was not always at +hand to consult. Pundit Shyama Charan Kaviratna, during my residence at +Seebpore, assisted me in going over the Mokshadharma sections of the Santi +Parva. Unostentatious in the extreme, Kaviratna is truly the type of a +learned Brahman of ancient India. Babu Aghore Nath Banerjee also has from +time to time, rendered me valuable assistance in clearing my difficulties. + +Gigantic as the work is, it would have been exceedingly difficult for me +to go on with it if I had not been encouraged by Sir Stuart Bayley, Sir +Auckland Colvin, Sir Alfred Croft, and among Oriental scholars, by the +late lamented Dr. Reinhold Rost, and Mons. A. Barth of Paris. All these +eminent men know from the beginning that the translation was proceeding +from my pen. Notwithstanding the enthusiasm, with which my poor friend, +Pratapa Chandra Roy, always endeavoured to fill me. I am sure my energies +would have flagged and patience exhausted but for the encouraging words +which I always received from these patrons and friends of the enterprise. + +Lastly, I should name my literary chief and friend, Dr. Sambhu C. +Mookherjee. The kind interest he took in my labours, the repeated +exhortations he addressed to me inculcating patience, the care with which +he read every fasciculus as it came out, marking all those passages which +threw light upon topics of antiquarian interest, and the words of praise +he uttered when any expression particularly happy met his eyes, served to +stimulate me more than anything else in going on with a task that +sometimes seemed to me endless. + +Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +Calcutta + + +THE MAHABHARATA + +ADI PARVA + +SECTION I + +Om! Having bowed down to Narayana and Nara, the most exalted male being, +and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered. + +Ugrasrava, the son of Lomaharshana, surnamed Sauti, well-versed in the +Puranas, bending with humility, one day approached the great sages of +rigid vows, sitting at their ease, who had attended the twelve years' +sacrifice of Saunaka, surnamed Kulapati, in the forest of Naimisha. Those +ascetics, wishing to hear his wonderful narrations, presently began to +address him who had thus arrived at that recluse abode of the inhabitants +of the forest of Naimisha. Having been entertained with due respect by +those holy men, he saluted those Munis (sages) with joined palms, even all +of them, and inquired about the progress of their asceticism. Then all the +ascetics being again seated, the son of Lomaharshana humbly occupied the +seat that was assigned to him. Seeing that he was comfortably seated, and +recovered from fatigue, one of the Rishis beginning the conversation, +asked him, 'Whence comest thou, O lotus-eyed Sauti, and where hast thou +spent the time? Tell me, who ask thee, in detail.' + +Accomplished in speech, Sauti, thus questioned, gave in the midst of that +big assemblage of contemplative Munis a full and proper answer in words +consonant with their mode of life. + +"Sauti said, 'Having heard the diverse sacred and wonderful stories which +were composed in his Mahabharata by Krishna-Dwaipayana, and which were +recited in full by Vaisampayana at the Snake-sacrifice of the high-souled +royal sage Janamejaya and in the presence also of that chief of Princes, +the son of Parikshit, and having wandered about, visiting many sacred +waters and holy shrines, I journeyed to the country venerated by the +Dwijas (twice-born) and called Samantapanchaka where formerly was fought +the battle between the children of Kuru and Pandu, and all the chiefs of +the land ranged on either side. Thence, anxious to see you, I am come into +your presence. Ye reverend sages, all of whom are to me as Brahma; ye +greatly blessed who shine in this place of sacrifice with the splendour of +the solar fire: ye who have concluded the silent meditations and have fed +the holy fire; and yet who are sitting--without care, what, O ye Dwijas +(twice-born), shall I repeat, shall I recount the sacred stories collected +in the Puranas containing precepts of religious duty and of worldly profit, +or the acts of illustrious saints and sovereigns of mankind?" + +"The Rishi replied, 'The Purana, first promulgated by the great Rishi +Dwaipayana, and which after having been heard both by the gods and the +Brahmarshis was highly esteemed, being the most eminent narrative that +exists, diversified both in diction and division, possessing subtile +meanings logically combined, and gleaned from the Vedas, is a sacred work. +Composed in elegant language, it includeth the subjects of other books. It +is elucidated by other Shastras, and comprehendeth the sense of the four +Vedas. We are desirous of hearing that history also called Bharata, the +holy composition of the wonderful Vyasa, which dispelleth the fear of evil, +just as it was cheerfully recited by the Rishi Vaisampayana, under the +direction of Dwaipayana himself, at the snake-sacrifice of Raja +Janamejaya?' + +"Sauti then said, 'Having bowed down to the primordial being Isana, to +whom multitudes make offerings, and who is adored by the multitude; who is +the true incorruptible one, Brahma, perceptible, imperceptible, eternal; +who is both a non-existing and an existing-non-existing being; who is the +universe and also distinct from the existing and non-existing universe; +who is the creator of high and low; the ancient, exalted, inexhaustible +one; who is Vishnu, beneficent and the beneficence itself, worthy of all +preference, pure and immaculate; who is Hari, the ruler of the faculties, +the guide of all things moveable and immoveable; I will declare the sacred +thoughts of the illustrious sage Vyasa, of marvellous deeds and worshipped +here by all. Some bards have already published this history, some are now +teaching it, and others, in like manner, will hereafter promulgate it upon +the earth. It is a great source of knowledge, established throughout the +three regions of the world. It is possessed by the twice-born both in +detailed and compendious forms. It is the delight of the learned for being +embellished with elegant expressions, conversations human and divine, and +a variety of poetical measures.'" + +In this world, when it was destitute of brightness and light, and +enveloped all around in total darkness, there came into being, as the +primal cause of creation, a mighty egg, the one inexhaustible seed of all +created beings. It is called Mahadivya, and was formed at the beginning of +the Yuga, in which we are told, was the true light Brahma, the eternal one, +the wonderful and inconceivable being present alike in all places; the +invisible and subtile cause, whose nature partaketh of entity and non- +entity. From this egg came out the lord Pitamaha Brahma, the one only +Prajapati; with Suraguru and Sthanu. Then appeared the twenty-one +Prajapatis, viz., Manu, Vasishtha and Parameshthi; ten Prachetas, Daksha, +and the seven sons of Daksha. Then appeared the man of inconceivable +nature whom all the Rishis know and so the Viswe-devas, the Adityas, the +Vasus, and the twin Aswins; the Yakshas, the Sadhyas, the Pisachas, the +Guhyakas, and the Pitris. After these were produced the wise and most holy +Brahmarshis, and the numerous Rajarshis distinguished by every noble +quality. So the water, the heavens, the earth, the air, the sky, the +points of the heavens, the years, the seasons, the months, the fortnights, +called Pakshas, with day and night in due succession. And thus were +produced all things which are known to mankind. + +And what is seen in the universe, whether animate or inanimate, of created +things, will at the end of the world, and after the expiration of the Yuga, +be again confounded. And, at the commencement of other Yugas, all things +will be renovated, and, like the various fruits of the earth, succeed each +other in the due order of their seasons. Thus continueth perpetually to +revolve in the world, without beginning and without end, this wheel which +causeth the destruction of all things. + +The generation of Devas, in brief, was thirty-three thousand, thirty-three +hundred and thirty-three. The sons of Div were Brihadbhanu, Chakshus, Atma +Vibhavasu, Savita, Richika, Arka, Bhanu, Asavaha, and Ravi. Of these +Vivaswans of old, Mahya was the youngest whose son was Deva-vrata. The +latter had for his son, Su-vrata who, we learn, had three sons,--Dasa- +jyoti, Sata-jyoti, and Sahasra-jyoti, each of them producing numerous +offspring. The illustrious Dasa-jyoti had ten thousand, Sata-jyoti ten +times that number, and Sahasra-jyoti ten times the number of Sata-jyoti's +offspring. From these are descended the family of the Kurus, of the Yadus, +and of Bharata; the family of Yayati and of Ikshwaku; also of all the +Rajarshis. Numerous also were the generations produced, and very abundant +were the creatures and their places of abode. The mystery which is +threefold--the Vedas, Yoga, and Vijnana Dharma, Artha, and Kama--also +various books upon the subject of Dharma, Artha, and Kama; also rules for +the conduct of mankind; also histories and discourses with various srutis; +all of which having been seen by the Rishi Vyasa are here in due order +mentioned as a specimen of the book. + +The Rishi Vyasa published this mass of knowledge in both a detailed and an +abridged form. It is the wish of the learned in the world to possess the +details and the abridgement. Some read the Bharata beginning with the +initial mantra (invocation), others with the story of Astika, others with +Uparichara, while some Brahmanas study the whole. Men of learning display +their various knowledge of the institutes in commenting on the composition. +Some are skilful in explaining it, while others, in remembering its +contents. + +The son of Satyavati having, by penance and meditation, analysed the +eternal Veda, afterwards composed this holy history, when that learned +Brahmarshi of strict vows, the noble Dwaipayana Vyasa, offspring of +Parasara, had finished this greatest of narrations, he began to consider +how he might teach it to his disciples. And the possessor of the six +attributes, Brahma, the world's preceptor, knowing of the anxiety of the +Rishi Dwaipayana, came in person to the place where the latter was, for +gratifying the saint, and benefiting the people. And when Vyasa, +surrounded by all the tribes of Munis, saw him, he was surprised; and, +standing with joined palms, he bowed and ordered a seat to be brought. And +Vyasa having gone round him who is called Hiranyagarbha seated on that +distinguished seat stood near it; and being commanded by Brahma +Parameshthi, he sat down near the seat, full of affection and smiling in +joy. Then the greatly glorious Vyasa, addressing Brahma Parameshthi, said, +"O divine Brahma, by me a poem hath been composed which is greatly +respected. The mystery of the Veda, and what other subjects have been +explained by me; the various rituals of the Upanishads with the Angas; the +compilation of the Puranas and history formed by me and named after the +three divisions of time, past, present, and future; the determination of +the nature of decay, fear, disease, existence, and non-existence, a +description of creeds and of the various modes of life; rule for the four +castes, and the import of all the Puranas; an account of asceticism and of +the duties of a religious student; the dimensions of the sun and moon, the +planets, constellations, and stars, together with the duration of the four +ages; the Rik, Sama and Yajur Vedas; also the Adhyatma; the sciences +called Nyaya, Orth?phy and Treatment of diseases; charity and +Pasupatadharma; birth celestial and human, for particular purposes; also a +description of places of pilgrimage and other holy places of rivers, +mountains,, forests, the ocean, of heavenly cities and the kalpas; the art +of war; the different kinds of nations and languages: the nature of the +manners of the people; and the all-pervading spirit;--all these have been +represented. But, after all, no writer of this work is to be found on +earth.' + +"Brahma said. 'I esteem thee for thy knowledge of divine mysteries, before +the whole body of celebrated Munis distinguished for the sanctity of their +lives. I know thou hast revealed the divine word, even from its first +utterance, in the language of truth. Thou hast called thy present work a +poem, wherefore it shall be a poem. There shall be no poets whose works +may equal the descriptions of this poem, even, as the three other modes +called Asrama are ever unequal in merit to the domestic Asrama. Let Ganesa +be thought of, O Muni, for the purpose of writing the poem.' + +"Sauti said, 'Brahma having thus spoken to Vyasa, retired to his own abode. +Then Vyasa began to call to mind Ganesa. And Ganesa, obviator of obstacles, +ready to fulfil the desires of his votaries, was no sooner thought of, +than he repaired to the place where Vyasa was seated. And when he had been +saluted, and was seated, Vyasa addressed him thus, 'O guide of the Ganas! +be thou the writer of the Bharata which I have formed in my imagination, +and which I am about to repeat." + +"Ganesa, upon hearing this address, thus answered, 'I will become the +writer of thy work, provided my pen do not for a moment cease writing." +And Vyasa said unto that divinity, 'Wherever there be anything thou dost +not comprehend, cease to continue writing.' Ganesa having signified his +assent, by repeating the word Om! proceeded to write; and Vyasa began; and +by way of diversion, he knit the knots of composition exceeding close; by +doing which, he dictated this work according to his engagement. + +I am (continued Sauti) acquainted with eight thousand and eight hundred +verses, and so is Suka, and perhaps Sanjaya. From the mysteriousness of +their meaning, O Muni, no one is able, to this day, to penetrate those +closely knit difficult slokas. Even the omniscient Ganesa took a moment to +consider; while Vyasa, however, continued to compose other verses in great +abundance. + +The wisdom of this work, like unto an instrument of applying collyrium, +hath opened the eyes of the inquisitive world blinded by the darkness of +ignorance. As the sun dispelleth the darkness, so doth the Bharata by its +discourses on religion, profit, pleasure and final release, dispel the +ignorance of men. As the full-moon by its mild light expandeth the buds of +the water-lily, so this Purana, by exposing the light of the Sruti hath +expanded the human intellect. By the lamp of history, which destroyeth the +darkness of ignorance, the whole mansion of nature is properly and +completely illuminated. + +This work is a tree, of which the chapter of contents is the seed; the +divisions called Pauloma and Astika are the root; the part called Sambhava +is the trunk; the books called Sabha and Aranya are the roosting perches; +the books called Arani is the knitting knots; the books called Virata and +Udyoga the pith; the book named Bhishma, the main branch; the book called +Drona, the leaves; the book called Karna, the fair flowers; the book named +Salya, their sweet smell; the books entitled Stri and Aishika, the +refreshing shade; the book called Santi, the mighty fruit; the book called +Aswamedha, the immortal sap; the denominated Asramavasika, the spot where +it groweth; and the book called Mausala, is an epitome of the Vedas and +held in great respect by the virtuous Brahmanas. The tree of the Bharata, +inexhaustible to mankind as the clouds, shall be as a source of livelihood +to all distinguished poets." + +"Sauti continued, 'I will now speak of the undying flowery and fruitful +productions of this tree, possessed of pure and pleasant taste, and not to +be destroyed even by the immortals. Formerly, the spirited and virtuous +Krishna-Dwaipayana, by the injunctions of Bhishma, the wise son of Ganga +and of his own mother, became the father of three boys who were like the +three fires by the two wives of Vichitra-virya; and having thus raised up +Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura, he returned to his recluse abode to +prosecute his religious exercise. + +It was not till after these were born, grown up, and departed on the +supreme journey, that the great Rishi Vyasa published the Bharata in this +region of mankind; when being solicited by Janamejaya and thousands of +Brahmanas, he instructed his disciple Vaisampayana, who was seated near +him; and he, sitting together with the Sadasyas, recited the Bharata, +during the intervals of the ceremonies of the sacrifice, being repeatedly +urged to proceed. + +Vyasa hath fully represented the greatness of the house of Kuru, the +virtuous principles of Gandhari, the wisdom of Vidura, and the constancy +of Kunti. The noble Rishi hath also described the divinity of Vasudeva, +the rectitude of the sons of Pandu, and the evil practices of the sons and +partisans of Dhritarashtra. + +Vyasa executed the compilation of the Bharata, exclusive of the episodes +originally in twenty-four thousand verses; and so much only is called by +the learned as the Bharata. Afterwards, he composed an epitome in one +hundred and fifty verses, consisting of the introduction with the chapter +of contents. This he first taught to his son Suka; and afterwards he gave +it to others of his disciples who were possessed of the same +qualifications. After that he executed another compilation, consisting of +six hundred thousand verses. Of those, thirty hundred thousand are known +in the world of the Devas; fifteen hundred thousand in the world of the +Pitris: fourteen hundred thousand among the Gandharvas, and one hundred +thousand in the regions of mankind. Narada recited them to the Devas, +Devala to the Pitris, and Suka published them to the Gandharvas, Yakshas, +and Rakshasas: and in this world they were recited by Vaisampayana, one of +the disciples of Vyasa, a man of just principles and the first among all +those acquainted with the Vedas. Know that I, Sauti, have also repeated +one hundred thousand verses. + +Yudhishthira is a vast tree, formed of religion and virtue; Arjuna is its +trunk; Bhimasena, its branches; the two sons of Madri are its full-grown +fruit and flowers; and its roots are Krishna, Brahma, and the Brahmanas. + +Pandu, after having subdued many countries by his wisdom and prowess, took +up his abode with the Munis in a certain forest as a sportsman, where he +brought upon himself a very severe misfortune for having killed a stag +coupling with its mate, which served as a warning for the conduct of the +princes of his house as long as they lived. Their mothers, in order that +the ordinances of the law might be fulfilled, admitted as substitutes to +their embraces the gods Dharma, Vayu, Sakra, and the divinities the twin +Aswins. And when their offspring grew up, under the care of their two +mothers, in the society of ascetics, in the midst of sacred groves and +holy recluse-abodes of religious men, they were conducted by Rishis into +the presence of Dhritarashtra and his sons, following as students in the +habit of Brahmacharis, having their hair tied in knots on their heads. +'These our pupils', said they, 'are as your sons, your brothers, and your +friends; they are Pandavas.' Saying this, the Munis disappeared. + +When the Kauravas saw them introduced as the sons of Pandu, the +distinguished class of citizens shouted exceedingly for joy. Some, however, +said, they were not the sons of Pandu; others said, they were; while a few +asked how they could be his offspring, seeing he had been so long dead. +Still on all sides voices were heard crying, 'They are on all accounts +welcome! Through divine Providence we behold the family of Pandu! Let +their welcome be proclaimed!' As these acclamations ceased, the plaudits +of invisible spirits, causing every point of the heavens to resound, were +tremendous. There were showers of sweet-scented flowers, and the sound of +shells and kettle-drums. Such were the wonders that happened on the +arrival of the young princes. The joyful noise of all the citizens, in +expression of their satisfaction on the occasion, was so great that it +reached the very heavens in magnifying plaudits. + +Having studied the whole of the Vedas and sundry other shastras, the +Pandavas resided there, respected by all and without apprehension from any +one. + +The principal men were pleased with the purity of Yudhishthira, the +courage of Arjuna, the submissive attention of Kunti to her superiors, and +the humility of the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva; and all the people +rejoiced in their heroic virtues. + +After a while, Arjuna obtained the virgin Krishna at the swayamvara, in +the midst of a concourse of Rajas, by performing a very difficult feat of +archery. And from this time he became very much respected in this world +among all bowmen; and in fields of battle also, like the sun, he was hard +to behold by foe-men. And having vanquished all the neighbouring princes +and every considerable tribe, he accomplished all that was necessary for +the Raja (his eldest brother) to perform the great sacrifice called +Rajasuya. + +Yudhishthira, after having, through the wise counsels of Vasudeva and by +the valour of Bhimasena and Arjuna, slain Jarasandha (the king of Magadha) +and the proud Chaidya, acquired the right to perform the grand sacrifice +of Rajasuya abounding in provisions and offering and fraught with +transcendent merits. And Duryodhana came to this sacrifice; and when he +beheld the vast wealth of the Pandavas scattered all around, the offerings, +the precious stones, gold and jewels; the wealth in cows, elephants, and +horses; the curious textures, garments, and mantles; the precious shawls +and furs and carpets made of the skin of the Ranku; he was filled with +envy and became exceedingly displeased. And when he beheld the hall of +assembly elegantly constructed by Maya (the Asura architect) after the +fashion of a celestial court, he was inflamed with rage. And having +started in confusion at certain architectural deceptions within this +building, he was derided by Bhimasena in the presence of Vasudeva, like +one of mean descent. + +And it was represented to Dhritarashtra that his son, while partaking of +various objects of enjoyment and diverse precious things, was becoming +meagre, wan, and pale. And Dhritarashtra, some time after, out of +affection for his son, gave his consent to their playing (with the +Pandavas) at dice. And Vasudeva coming to know of this, became exceedingly +wroth. And being dissatisfied, he did nothing to prevent the disputes, but +overlooked the gaming and sundry other horried unjustifiable transactions +arising therefrom: and in spite of Vidura, Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa, the +son of Saradwan, he made the Kshatriyas kill each other in the terrific +war that ensued.' + +"And Dhritarashtra hearing the ill news of the success of the Pandavas and +recollecting the resolutions of Duryodhana, Karna, and Sakuni, pondered for +a while and addressed to Sanjaya the following speech:-- + +'Attend, O Sanjaya, to all I am about to say, and it will not become thee +to treat me with contempt. Thou art well-versed in the shastras, +intelligent and endowed with wisdom. My inclination was never to war, not +did I delight in the destruction of my race. I made no distinction between +my own children and the children of Pandu. My own sons were prone to +wilfulness and despised me because I am old. Blind as I am, because of my +miserable plight and through paternal affection, I bore it all. I was +foolish after the thoughtless Duryodhana ever growing in folly. Having +been a spectator of the riches of the mighty sons of Pandu, my son was +derided for his awkwardness while ascending the hall. Unable to bear it +all and unable himself to overcome the sons of Pandu in the field, and +though a soldier, unwilling yet to obtain good fortune by his own exertion, +with the help of the king of Gandhara he concerted an unfair game at dice. + +'Hear, O Sanjaya, all that happened thereupon and came to my knowledge. +And when thou hast heard all I say, recollecting everything as it fell out, +thou shall then know me for one with a prophetic eye. When I heard that +Arjuna, having bent the bow, had pierced the curious mark and brought it +down to the ground, and bore away in triumph the maiden Krishna, in the +sight of the assembled princes, then, O Sanjaya I had no hope of success. +When I heard that Subhadra of the race of Madhu had, after forcible +seizure been married by Arjuna in the city of Dwaraka, and that the two +heroes of the race of Vrishni (Krishna and Balarama the brothers of +Subhadra) without resenting it had entered Indraprastha as friends, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Arjuna, by his +celestial arrow preventing the downpour by Indra the king of the gods, had +gratified Agni by making over to him the forest of Khandava, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the five Pandavas +with their mother Kunti had escaped from the house of lac, and that Vidura +was engaged in the accomplishment of their designs, then, O Sanjaya, I had +no hope of success. When I heard that Arjuna, after having pierced the +mark in the arena had won Draupadi, and that the brave Panchalas had +joined the Pandavas, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I +heard that Jarasandha, the foremost of the royal line of Magadha, and +blazing in the midst of the Kshatriyas, had been slain by Bhima with his +bare arms alone, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that in their general campaign the sons of Pandu had conquered the chiefs +of the land and performed the grand sacrifice of the Rajasuya, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Draupadi, her voice +choked with tears and heart full of agony, in the season of impurity and +with but one raiment on, had been dragged into court and though she had +protectors, she had been treated as if she had none, then, O Sanjaya, I +had no hope of success. When I heard that the wicked wretch Duhsasana, was +striving to strip her of that single garment, had only drawn from her +person a large heap of cloth without being able to arrive at its end, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Yudhishthira, +beaten by Saubala at the game of dice and deprived of his kingdom as a +consequence thereof, had still been attended upon by his brothers of +incomparable prowess, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I +heard that the virtuous Pandavas weeping with affliction had followed +their elder brother to the wilderness and exerted themselves variously for +the mitigation of his discomforts, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. + +'When I heard that Yudhishthira had been followed into the wilderness by +Snatakas and noble-minded Brahmanas who live upon alms, then, O Sanjaya, I +had no hope of success. When I heard that Arjuna, having, in combat, +pleased the god of gods, Tryambaka (the three-eyed) in the disguise of a +hunter, obtained the great weapon Pasupata, then O Sanjaya, I had no hope +of success. When I heard that the just and renowned Arjuna after having +been to the celestial regions, had there obtained celestial weapons from +Indra himself then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +afterwards Arjuna had vanquished the Kalakeyas and the Paulomas proud with +the boon they had obtained and which had rendered them invulnerable even +to the celestials, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that Arjuna, the chastiser of enemies, having gone to the regions of Indra +for the destruction of the Asuras, had returned thence successful, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Bhima and the other +sons of Pritha (Kunti) accompanied by Vaisravana had arrived at that +country which is inaccessible to man then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that my sons, guided by the counsels of Karna, while +on their journey of Ghoshayatra, had been taken prisoners by the +Gandharvas and were set free by Arjuna, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that Dharma (the god of justice) having come under +the form of a Yaksha had proposed certain questions to Yudhishthira then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that my sons had failed +to discover the Pandavas under their disguise while residing with Draupadi +in the dominions of Virata, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. +When I heard that the principal men of my side had all been vanquished by +the noble Arjuna with a single chariot while residing in the dominions of +Virata, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Vasudeva of the race of Madhu, who covered this whole earth by one foot, +was heartily interested in the welfare of the Pandavas, then, O Sanjaya, I +had no hope of success. When I heard that the king of Matsya, had offered +his virtuous daughter Uttara to Arjuna and that Arjuna had accepted her +for his son, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Yudhishthira, beaten at dice, deprived of wealth, exiled and separated +from his connections, had assembled yet an army of seven Akshauhinis, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard Narada, declare that +Krishna and Arjuna were Nara and Narayana and he (Narada) had seen them +together in the regions of Brahma, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that Krishna, anxious to bring about peace, for the +welfare of mankind had repaired to the Kurus, and went away without having +been able to effect his purpose, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. +When I heard that Karna and Duryodhana resolved upon imprisoning Krishna +displayed in himself the whole universe, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. Then I heard that at the time of his departure, Pritha (Kunti) +standing, full of sorrow, near his chariot received consolation from +Krishna, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Vasudeva and Bhishma the son of Santanu were the counsellors of the +Pandavas and Drona the son of Bharadwaja pronounced blessings on them, +then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When Karna said unto Bhishma--I +will not fight when thou art fighting--and, quitting the army, went away, +then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Vasudeva and +Arjuna and the bow Gandiva of immeasurable prowess, these three of +dreadful energy had come together, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that upon Arjuna having been seized with compunction +on his chariot and ready to sink, Krishna showed him all the worlds within +his body, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Bhishma, the desolator of foes, killing ten thousand charioteers every day +in the field of battle, had not slain any amongst the Pandavas then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Bhishma, the +righteous son of Ganga, had himself indicated the means of his defeat in +the field of battle and that the same were accomplished by the Pandavas +with joyfulness, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that Arjuna, having placed Sikhandin before himself in his chariot, had +wounded Bhishma of infinite courage and invincible in battle, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the aged hero Bhishma, +having reduced the numbers of the race of shomaka to a few, overcome with +various wounds was lying on a bed of arrows, then, O Sanjaya, I had no +hope of success. When I heard that upon Bhishma's lying on the ground with +thirst for water, Arjuna, being requested, had pierced the ground and +allayed his thirst, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When Bayu +together with Indra and Suryya united as allies for the success of the +sons of Kunti, and the beasts of prey (by their inauspicious presence) +were putting us in fear, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When +the wonderful warrior Drona, displaying various modes of fight in the +field, did not slay any of the superior Pandavas, then, O Sanjaya, I had +no hope of success. When I heard that the Maharatha Sansaptakas of our +army appointed for the overthrow of Arjuna were all slain by Arjuna +himself, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that our +disposition of forces, impenetrable by others, and defended by Bharadwaja +himself well-armed, had been singly forced and entered by the brave son of +Subhadra, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that our +Maharathas, unable to overcome Arjuna, with jubilant faces after having +jointly surrounded and slain the boy Abhimanyu, then, O Sanjaya, I had no +hope of success. When I heard that the blind Kauravas were shouting for +joy after having slain Abhimanyu and that thereupon Arjuna in anger made +his celebrated speech referring to Saindhava, then, O Sanjaya, I had no +hope of success. When I heard that Arjuna had vowed the death of Saindhava +and fulfilled his vow in the presence of his enemies, then, O Sanjaya, I +had no hope of success. When I heard that upon the horses of Arjuna being +fatigued, Vasudeva releasing them made them drink water and bringing them +back and reharnessing them continued to guide them as before, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that while his horses were +fatigued, Arjuna staying in his chariot checked all his assailants, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Yuyudhana of the +race of Vrishni, after having thrown into confusion the army of Drona +rendered unbearable in prowess owing to the presence of elephants, retired +to where Krishna and Arjuna were, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that Karna even though he had got Bhima within his +power allowed him to escape after only addressing him in contemptuous +terms and dragging him with the end of his bow, then, O Sanjaya, I had no +hope of success. When I heard that Drona, Kritavarma, Kripa, Karna, the +son of Drona, and the valiant king of Madra (Salya) suffered Saindhava to +be slain, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the +celestial Sakti given by Indra (to Karna) was by Madhava's machinations +caused to be hurled upon Rakshasa Ghatotkacha of frightful countenance, +then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that in the +encounter between Karna and Ghatotkacha, that Sakti was hurled against +Ghatotkacha by Karna, the same which was certainly to have slain Arjuna in +battle, then, O Sanjaya. I had no hope of success. When I heard that +Dhristadyumna, transgressing the laws of battle, slew Drona while alone in +his chariot and resolved on death, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that Nakula. the son of Madri, having in the +presence of the whole army engaged in single combat with the son of Drona +and showing himself equal to him drove his chariot in circles around, then, +O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When upon the death of Drona, his son +misused the weapon called Narayana but failed to achieve the destruction +of the Pandavas, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that Bhimasena drank the blood of his brother Duhsasana in the field of +battle without anybody being able to prevent him, then, O Sanjaya, I had +no hope of success. When I heard that the infinitely brave Karna, +invincible in battle, was slain by Arjuna in that war of brothers +mysterious even to the gods, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. +When I heard that Yudhishthira, the Just, overcame the heroic son of Drona, +Duhsasana, and the fierce Kritavarman, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that the brave king of Madra who ever dared Krishna +in battle was slain by Yudhishthira, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard that the wicked Suvala of magic power, the root of +the gaming and the feud, was slain in battle by Sahadeva, the son of Pandu, +then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that Duryodhana, +spent with fatigue, having gone to a lake and made a refuge for himself +within its waters, was lying there alone, his strength gone and without a +chariot, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the +Pandavas having gone to that lake accompanied by Vasudeva and standing on +its beach began to address contemptuously my son who was incapable of +putting up with affronts, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When +I heard that while, displaying in circles a variety of curious modes (of +attack and defence) in an encounter with clubs, he was unfairly slain +according to the counsels of Krishna, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of +success. When I heard the son of Drona and others by slaying the Panchalas +and the sons of Draupadi in their sleep, perpetrated a horrible and +infamous deed, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard +that Aswatthaman while being pursued by Bhimasena had discharged the first +of weapons called Aishika, by which the embryo in the womb (of Uttara) was +wounded, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that the +weapon Brahmashira (discharged by Aswatthaman) was repelled by Arjuna with +another weapon over which he had pronounced the word "Sasti" and that +Aswatthaman had to give up the jewel-like excrescence on his head, then, O +Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that upon the embryo in +the womb of Virata's daughter being wounded by Aswatthaman with a mighty +weapon, Dwaipayana and Krishna pronounced curses on him, then, O Sanjaya, +I had no hope of success. + +'Alas! Gandhari, destitute of children, grand-children, parents, brothers, +and kindred, is to be pitied. Difficult is the task that hath been +performed by the Pandavas: by them hath a kingdom been recovered without a +rival. + +'Alas! I have heard that the war hath left only ten alive: three of our +side, and the Pandavas, seven, in that dreadful conflict eighteen +Akshauhinis of Kshatriyas have been slain! All around me is utter darkness, +and a fit of swoon assaileth me: consciousness leaves me, O Suta, and my +mind is distracted." + +"Sauti said, 'Dhritarashtra, bewailing his fate in these words, was +overcome with extreme anguish and for a time deprived of sense; but being +revived, he addressed Sanjaya in the following words. + +"After what hath come to pass, O Sanjaya, I wish to put an end to my life +without delay; I do not find the least advantage in cherishing it any +longer." + +"Sauti said, 'The wise son of Gavalgana (Sanjaya) then addressed the +distressed lord of Earth while thus talking and bewailing, sighing like a +serpent and repeatedly tainting, in words of deep import. + +"Thou hast heard, O Raja, of the greatly powerful men of vast exertions, +spoken of by Vyasa and the wise Narada; men born of great royal families, +resplendent with worthy qualities, versed in the science of celestial arms, +and in glory emblems of Indra; men who having conquered the world by +justice and performed sacrifices with fit offerings (to the Brahmanas), +obtained renown in this world and at last succumbed to the sway of time. +Such were Saivya; the valiant Maharatha; Srinjaya, great amongst +conquerors. Suhotra; Rantideva, and Kakshivanta, great in glory; Valhika, +Damana, Saryati, Ajita, and Nala; Viswamitra the destroyer of foes; +Amvarisha, great in strength; Marutta, Manu, Ikshaku, Gaya, and Bharata; +Rama the son of Dasaratha; Sasavindu, and Bhagiratha; Kritavirya, the +greatly fortunate, and Janamejaya too; and Yayati of good deeds who +performed sacrifices, being assisted therein by the celestials themselves, +and by whose sacrificial altars and stakes this earth with her habited and +uninhabited regions hath been marked all over. These twenty-four Rajas +were formerly spoken of by the celestial Rishi Narada unto Saivya when +much afflicted for the loss of his children. Besides these, other Rajas +had gone before, still more powerful than they, mighty charioteers noble +in mind, and resplendent with every worthy quality. These were Puru, Kuru, +Yadu, Sura and Viswasrawa of great glory; Anuha, Yuvanaswu, Kakutstha, +Vikrami, and Raghu; Vijava, Virihorta, Anga, Bhava, Sweta, and Vripadguru; +Usinara, Sata-ratha, Kanka, Duliduha, and Druma; Dambhodbhava, Para, Vena, +Sagara, Sankriti, and Nimi; Ajeya, Parasu, Pundra, Sambhu, and holy Deva- +Vridha; Devahuya, Supratika, and Vrihad-ratha; Mahatsaha, Vinitatma, +Sukratu, and Nala, the king of the Nishadas; Satyavrata, Santabhaya, +Sumitra, and the chief Subala; Janujangha, Anaranya, Arka, Priyabhritya, +Chuchi-vrata, Balabandhu, Nirmardda, Ketusringa, and Brhidbala; +Dhrishtaketu, Brihatketu, Driptaketu, and Niramaya; Abikshit, Chapala, +Dhurta, Kritbandhu, and Dridhe-shudhi; Mahapurana-sambhavya, Pratyanga, +Paraha and Sruti. These, O chief, and other Rajas, we hear enumerated by +hundreds and by thousands, and still others by millions, princes of great +power and wisdom, quitting very abundant enjoyments met death as thy sons +have done! Their heavenly deeds, valour, and generosity, their magnanimity, +faith, truth, purity, simplicity and mercy, are published to the world in +the records of former times by sacred bards of great learning. Though +endued with every noble virtue, these have yielded up their lives. Thy +sons were malevolent, inflamed with passion, avaricious, and of very evil- +disposition. Thou art versed in the Sastras, O Bharata, and art +intelligent and wise; they never sink under misfortunes whose +understandings are guided by the Sastras. Thou art acquainted, O prince, +with the lenity and severity of fate; this anxiety therefore for the +safety of thy children is unbecoming. Moreover, it behoveth thee not to +grieve for that which must happen: for who can avert, by his wisdom, the +decrees of fate? No one can leave the way marked out for him by Providence. +Existence and non-existence, pleasure and pain all have Time for their +root. Time createth all things and Time destroyeth all creatures. It is +Time that burneth creatures and it is Time that extinguisheth the fire. +All states, the good and the evil, in the three worlds, are caused by Time. +Time cutteth short all things and createth them anew. Time alone is awake +when all things are asleep: indeed, Time is incapable of being overcome. +Time passeth over all things without being retarded. Knowing, as thou dost, +that all things past and future and all that exist at the present moment, +are the offspring of Time, it behoveth thee not to throw away thy reason.' + +"Sauti said, 'The son of Gavalgana having in this manner administered +comfort to the royal Dhritarashtra overwhelmed with grief for his sons, +then restored his mind to peace. Taking these facts for his subject, +Dwaipayana composed a holy Upanishad that has been published to the world +by learned and sacred bards in the Puranas composed by them. + +"The study of the Bharata is an act of piety. He that readeth even one +foot, with belief, hath his sins entirely purged away. Herein Devas, +Devarshis, and immaculate Brahmarshis of good deeds, have been spoken of; +and likewise Yakshas and great Uragas (Nagas). Herein also hath been +described the eternal Vasudeva possessing the six attributes. He is the +true and just, the pure and holy, the eternal Brahma, the supreme soul, +the true constant light, whose divine deeds wise and learned recount; from +whom hath proceeded the non-existent and existent-non-existent universe +with principles of generation and progression, and birth, death and re- +birth. That also hath been treated of which is called Adhyatma (the +superintending spirit of nature) that partaketh of the attributes of the +five elements. That also hath been described who is purusha being above +such epithets as 'undisplayed' and the like; also that which the foremost +yatis exempt from the common destiny and endued with the power of +meditation and Tapas behold dwelling in their hearts as a reflected image +in the mirror. + +"The man of faith, devoted to piety, and constant in the exercise of +virtue, on reading this section is freed from sin. The believer that +constantly heareth recited this section of the Bharata, called the +Introduction, from the beginning, falleth not into difficulties. The man +repeating any part of the introduction in the two twilights is during such +act freed from the sins contracted during the day or the night. This +section, the body of the Bharata, is truth and nectar. As butter is in +curd, Brahmana among bipeds, the Aranyaka among the Vedas, and nectar +among medicines; as the sea is eminent among receptacles of water, and the +cow among quadrupeds; as are these (among the things mentioned) so is the +Bharata said to be among histories. + +"He that causeth it, even a single foot thereof, to be recited to +Brahmanas during a Sradha, his offerings of food and drink to the manes of +his ancestors become inexhaustible. + +"By the aid of history and the Puranas, the Veda may be expounded; but the +Veda is afraid of one of little information lest he should it. The learned +man who recites to other this Veda of Vyasa reapeth advantage. It may +without doubt destroy even the sin of killing the embryo and the like. He +that readeth this holy chapter of the moon, readeth the whole of the +Bharata, I ween. The man who with reverence daily listeneth to this sacred +work acquireth long life and renown and ascendeth to heaven. + +"In former days, having placed the four Vedas on one side and the Bharata +on the other, these were weighed in the balance by the celestials +assembled for that purpose. And as the latter weighed heavier than the +four Vedas with their mysteries, from that period it hath been called in +the world Mahabharata (the great Bharata). Being esteemed superior both in +substance and gravity of import it is denominated Mahabharata on account +of such substance and gravity of import. He that knoweth its meaning is +saved from all his sins. + +"'Tapa is innocent, study is harmless, the ordinance of the Vedas +prescribed for all the tribes are harmless, the acquisition of wealth by +exertion is harmless; but when they are abused in their practices it is +then that they become sources of evil.'" + + +SECTION II + +"The Rishis said, 'O son of Suta, we wish to hear a full and +circumstantial account of the place mentioned by you as Samanta-panchaya.' + +"Sauti said, 'Listen, O ye Brahmanas, to the sacred descriptions I utter O +ye best of men, ye deserve to hear of the place known as Samanta-panchaka. +In the interval between the Treta and Dwapara Yugas, Rama (the son of +Jamadagni) great among all who have borne arms, urged by impatience of +wrongs, repeatedly smote the noble race of Kshatriyas. And when that fiery +meteor, by his own valour, annihilated the entire tribe of the Kshatriyas, +he formed at Samanta-panchaka five lakes of blood. We are told that his +reason being overpowered by anger he offered oblations of blood to the +manes of his ancestors, standing in the midst of the sanguine waters of +those lakes. It was then that his forefathers of whom Richika was the +first having arrived there addressed him thus, 'O Rama, O blessed Rama, O +offspring of Bhrigu, we have been gratified with the reverence thou hast +shown for thy ancestors and with thy valour, O mighty one! Blessings be +upon thee. O thou illustrious one, ask the boon that thou mayst desire.' + +"Rama said, 'If, O fathers, ye are favourably disposed towards me, the +boon I ask is that I may be absolved from the sins born of my having +annihilated the Kshatriyas in anger, and that the lakes I have formed may +become famous in the world as holy shrines.' The Pitris then said, 'So +shall it be. But be thou pacified.' And Rama was pacified accordingly. The +region that lieth near unto those lakes of gory water, from that time hath +been celebrated as Samanta-panchaka the holy. The wise have declared that +every country should be distinguished by a name significant of some +circumstance which may have rendered it famous. In the interval between +the Dwapara and the Kali Yugas there happened at Samanta-panchaka the +encounter between the armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas. In that +holy region, without ruggedness of any kind, were assembled eighteen +Akshauhinis of soldiers eager for battle. And, O Brahmanas, having come +thereto, they were all slain on the spot. Thus the name of that region, O +Brahmanas, hath been explained, and the country described to you as a +sacred and delightful one. I have mentioned the whole of what relateth to +it as the region is celebrated throughout the three worlds.' + +"The Rishis said, 'We have a desire to know, O son of Suta, what is +implied by the term Akshauhini that hath been used by thee. Tell us in +full what is the number of horse and foot, chariots and elephants, which +compose an Akshauhini for thou art fully informed.' + +"Sauti said, 'One chariot, one elephant, five foot-soldiers, and three +horses form one Patti; three pattis make one Sena-mukha; three sena-mukhas +are called a Gulma; three gulmas, a Gana; three ganas, a Vahini; three +vahinis together are called a Pritana; three pritanas form a Chamu; three +chamus, one Anikini; and an anikini taken ten times forms, as it is styled +by those who know, an Akshauhini. O ye best of Brahmanas, arithmeticians +have calculated that the number of chariots in an Akshauhini is twenty-one +thousand eight hundred and seventy. The measure of elephants must be fixed +at the same number. O ye pure, you must know that the number of foot- +soldiers is one hundred and nine thousand, three hundred and fifty, the +number of horse is sixty-five thousand, six hundred and ten. These, O +Brahmanas, as fully explained by me, are the numbers of an Akshauhini as +said by those acquainted with the principles of numbers. O best of +Brahmanas, according to this calculation were composed the eighteen +Akshauhinis of the Kaurava and the Pandava army. Time, whose acts are +wonderful assembled them on that spot and having made the Kauravas the +cause, destroyed them all. Bhishma acquainted with choice of weapons, +fought for ten days. Drona protected the Kaurava Vahinis for five days. +Karna the desolator of hostile armies fought for two days; and Salya for +half a day. After that lasted for half a day the encounter with clubs +between Duryodhana and Bhima. At the close of that day, Aswatthaman and +Kripa destroyed the army of Yudishthira in the night while sleeping +without suspicion of danger. + +"'O Saunaka, this best of narrations called Bharata which has begun to be +repeated at thy sacrifice, was formerly repeated at the sacrifice of +Janamejaya by an intelligent disciple of Vyasa. It is divided into several +sections; in the beginning are Paushya, Pauloma, and Astika parvas, +describing in full the valour and renown of kings. It is a work whose +description, diction, and sense are varied and wonderful. It contains an +account of various manners and rites. It is accepted by the wise, as the +state called Vairagya is by men desirous of final release. As Self among +things to be known, as life among things that are dear, so is this history +that furnisheth the means of arriving at the knowledge of Brahma the first +among all the sastras. There is not a story current in this world but doth +depend upon this history even as the body upon the foot that it taketh. As +masters of good lineage are ever attended upon by servants desirous of +preferment so is the Bharata cherished by all poets. As the words +constituting the several branches of knowledge appertaining to the world +and the Veda display only vowels and consonants, so this excellent history +displayeth only the highest wisdom. + +"'Listen, O ye ascetics, to the outlines of the several divisions (parvas) +of this history called Bharata, endued with great wisdom, of sections and +feet that are wonderful and various, of subtile meanings and logical +connections, and embellished with the substance of the Vedas. + +"'The first parva is called Anukramanika; the second, Sangraha; then +Paushya; then Pauloma; the Astika; then Adivansavatarana. Then comes the +Sambhava of wonderful and thrilling incidents. Then comes Jatugrihadaha +(setting fire to the house of lac) and then Hidimbabadha (the killing of +Hidimba) parvas; then comes Baka-badha (slaughter of Baka) and then +Chitraratha. The next is called Swayamvara (selection of husband by +Panchali), in which Arjuna by the exercise of Kshatriya virtues, won +Draupadi for wife. Then comes Vaivahika (marriage). Then comes +Viduragamana (advent of Vidura), Rajyalabha (acquirement of kingdom), +Arjuna-banavasa (exile of Arjuna) and Subhadra-harana (the carrying away +of Subhadra). After these come Harana-harika, Khandava-daha (the burning +of the Khandava forest) and Maya-darsana (meeting with Maya the Asura +architect). Then come Sabha, Mantra, Jarasandha, Digvijaya (general +campaign). After Digvijaya come Raja-suyaka, Arghyaviharana (the robbing +of the Arghya) and Sisupala-badha (the killing of Sisupala). After these, +Dyuta (gambling), Anudyuta (subsequent to gambling), Aranyaka, and Krimira- +badha (destruction of Krimira). The Arjuna-vigamana (the travels of +Arjuna), Kairati. In the last hath been described the battle between +Arjuna and Mahadeva in the guise of a hunter. After this Indra- +lokavigamana (the journey to the regions of Indra); then that mine of +religion and virtue, the highly pathetic Nalopakhyana (the story of Nala). +After this last, Tirtha-yatra or the pilgrimage of the wise prince of the +Kurus, the death of Jatasura, and the battle of the Yakshas. Then the +battle with the Nivata-kavachas, Ajagara, and Markandeya-Samasya (meeting +with Markandeya). Then the meeting of Draupadi and Satyabhama, Ghoshayatra, +Mirga-Swapna (dream of the deer). Then the story of Brihadaranyaka and +then Aindradrumna. Then Draupadi-harana (the abduction of Draupadi), +Jayadratha-bimoksana (the release of Jayadratha). Then the story of +'Savitri' illustrating the great merit of connubial chastity. After this +last, the story of 'Rama'. The parva that comes next is called 'Kundala- +harana' (the theft of the ear-rings). That which comes next is 'Aranya' +and then 'Vairata'. Then the entry of the Pandavas and the fulfilment of +their promise (of living unknown for one year). Then the destruction of +the 'Kichakas', then the attempt to take the kine (of Virata by the +Kauravas). The next is called the marriage of Abhimanyu with the daughter +of Virata. The next you must know is the most wonderful parva called +Udyoga. The next must be known by the name of 'Sanjaya-yana' (the arrival +of Sanjaya). Then comes 'Prajagara' (the sleeplessness of Dhritarashtra +owing to his anxiety). Then Sanatsujata, in which are the mysteries of +spiritual philosophy. Then 'Yanasaddhi', and then the arrival of Krishna. +Then the story of 'Matali' and then of 'Galava'. Then the stories of +'Savitri', 'Vamadeva', and 'Vainya'. Then the story of 'Jamadagnya and +Shodasarajika'. Then the arrival of Krishna at the court, and then +Bidulaputrasasana. Then the muster of troops and the story of Sheta. Then, +must you know, comes the quarrel of the high-souled Karna. Then the march +to the field of the troops of both sides. The next hath been called +numbering the Rathis and Atirathas. Then comes the arrival of the +messenger Uluka which kindled the wrath (of the Pandavas). The next that +comes, you must know, is the story of Amba. Then comes the thrilling story +of the installation of Bhishma as commander-in-chief. The next is called +the creation of the insular region Jambu; then Bhumi; then the account +about the formation of islands. Then comes the 'Bhagavat-gita'; and then +the death of Bhishma. Then the installation of Drona; then the destruction +of the 'Sansaptakas'. Then the death of Abhimanyu; and then the vow of +Arjuna (to slay Jayadratha). Then the death of Jayadratha, and then of +Ghatotkacha. Then, must you know, comes the story of the death of Drona of +surprising interest. The next that comes is called the discharge of the +weapon called Narayana. Then, you know, is Karna, and then Salya. Then +comes the immersion in the lake, and then the encounter (between Bhima and +Duryodhana) with clubs. Then comes Saraswata, and then the descriptions of +holy shrines, and then genealogies. Then comes Sauptika describing +incidents disgraceful (to the honour of the Kurus). Then comes the +'Aisika' of harrowing incidents. Then comes 'Jalapradana' oblations of +water to the manes of the deceased, and then the wailings of the women. +The next must be known as 'Sraddha' describing the funeral rites performed +for the slain Kauravas. Then comes the destruction of the Rakshasa +Charvaka who had assumed the disguise of a Brahmana (for deceiving +Yudhishthira). Then the coronation of the wise Yudhishthira. The next is +called the 'Grihapravibhaga'. Then comes 'Santi', then +'Rajadharmanusasana', then 'Apaddharma', then 'Mokshadharma'. Those that +follow are called respectively 'Suka-prasna-abhigamana', 'Brahma- +prasnanusana', the origin of 'Durvasa', the disputations with Maya. The +next is to be known as 'Anusasanika'. Then the ascension of Bhishma to +heaven. Then the horse-sacrifice, which when read purgeth all sins away. +The next must be known as the 'Anugita' in which are words of spiritual +philosophy. Those that follow are called 'Asramvasa', 'Puttradarshana' +(meeting with the spirits of the deceased sons), and the arrival of Narada. +The next is called 'Mausala' which abounds with terrible and cruel +incidents. Then comes 'Mahaprasthanika' and ascension to heaven. Then +comes the Purana which is called Khilvansa. In this last are contained +'Vishnuparva', Vishnu's frolics and feats as a child, the destruction of +'Kansa', and lastly, the very wonderful 'Bhavishyaparva' (in which there +are prophecies regarding the future). + +The high-souled Vyasa composed these hundred parvas of which the above is +only an abridgement: having distributed them into eighteen, the son of +Suta recited them consecutively in the forest of Naimisha as follows: + +'In the Adi parva are contained Paushya, Pauloma, Astika, Adivansavatara, +Samva, the burning of the house of lac, the slaying of Hidimba, the +destruction of the Asura Vaka, Chitraratha, the Swayamvara of Draupadi, +her marriage after the overthrow of rivals in war, the arrival of Vidura, +the restoration, Arjuna's exile, the abduction of Subhadra, the gift and +receipt of the marriage dower, the burning of the Khandava forest, and the +meeting with (the Asura-architect) Maya. The Paushya parva treats of the +greatness of Utanka, and the Pauloma, of the sons of Bhrigu. The Astika +describes the birth of Garuda and of the Nagas (snakes), the churning of +the ocean, the incidents relating to the birth of the celestial steed +Uchchaihsrava, and finally, the dynasty of Bharata, as described in the +Snake-sacrifice of king Janamejaya. The Sambhava parva narrates the birth +of various kings and heroes, and that of the sage, Krishna Dwaipayana: the +partial incarnations of deities, the generation of Danavas and Yakshas of +great prowess, and serpents, Gandharvas, birds, and of all creatures; and +lastly, of the life and adventures of king Bharata--the progenitor of the +line that goes by his name--the son born of Sakuntala in the hermitage of +the ascetic Kanwa. This parva also describes the greatness of Bhagirathi, +and the births of the Vasus in the house of Santanu and their ascension to +heaven. In this parva is also narrated the birth of Bhishma uniting in +himself portions of the energies of the other Vasus, his renunciation of +royalty and adoption of the Brahmacharya mode of life, his adherence to +his vows, his protection of Chitrangada, and after the death of +Chitrangada, his protection of his younger brother, Vichitravirya, and his +placing the latter on the throne: the birth of Dharma among men in +consequence of the curse of Animondavya; the births of Dhritarashtra and +Pandu through the potency of Vyasa's blessings (?) and also the birth of +the Pandavas; the plottings of Duryodhana to send the sons of Pandu to +Varanavata, and the other dark counsels of the sons of Dhritarashtra in +regard to the Pandavas; then the advice administered to Yudhishthira on +his way by that well-wisher of the Pandavas--Vidura--in the mlechchha +language--the digging of the hole, the burning of Purochana and the +sleeping woman of the fowler caste, with her five sons, in the house of +lac; the meeting of the Pandavas in the dreadful forest with Hidimba, and +the slaying of her brother Hidimba by Bhima of great prowess. The birth of +Ghatotkacha; the meeting of the Pandavas with Vyasa and in accordance with +his advice their stay in disguise in the house of a Brahmana in the city +of Ekachakra; the destruction of the Asura Vaka, and the amazement of the +populace at the sight; the extra-ordinary births of Krishna and +Dhrishtadyumna; the departure of the Pandavas for Panchala in obedience to +the injunction of Vyasa, and moved equally by the desire of winning the +hand of Draupadi on learning the tidings of the Swayamvara from the lips +of a Brahmana; victory of Arjuna over a Gandharva, called Angaraparna, on +the banks of the Bhagirathi, his contraction of friendship with his +adversary, and his hearing from the Gandharva the history of Tapati, +Vasishtha and Aurva. This parva treats of the journey of the Pandavas +towards Panchala, the acquisition of Draupadi in the midst of all the +Rajas, by Arjuna, after having successfully pierced the mark; and in the +ensuing fight, the defeat of Salya, Karna, and all the other crowned heads +at the hands of Bhima and Arjuna of great prowess; the ascertainment by +Balarama and Krishna, at the sight of these matchless exploits, that the +heroes were the Pandavas, and the arrival of the brothers at the house of +the potter where the Pandavas were staying; the dejection of Drupada on +learning that Draupadi was to be wedded to five husbands; the wonderful +story of the five Indras related in consequence; the extraordinary and +divinely-ordained wedding of Draupadi; the sending of Vidura by the sons +of Dhritarashtra as envoy to the Pandavas; the arrival of Vidura and his +sight to Krishna; the abode of the Pandavas in Khandava-prastha, and then +their rule over one half of the kingdom; the fixing of turns by the sons +of Pandu, in obedience to the injunction of Narada, for connubial +companionship with Krishna. In like manner hath the history of Sunda and +Upasunda been recited in this. This parva then treats of the departure of +Arjuna for the forest according to the vow, he having seen Draupadi and +Yudhishthira sitting together as he entered the chamber to take out arms +for delivering the kine of a certain Brahmana. This parva then describes +Arjuna's meeting on the way with Ulupi, the daughter of a Naga (serpent); +it then relates his visits to several sacred spots; the birth of +Vabhruvahana; the deliverance by Arjuna of the five celestial damsels who +had been turned into alligators by the imprecation of a Brahmana, the +meeting of Madhava and Arjuna on the holy spot called Prabhasa; the +carrying away of Subhadra by Arjuna, incited thereto by her brother +Krishna, in the wonderful car moving on land and water, and through mid- +air, according to the wish of the rider; the departure for Indraprastha, +with the dower; the conception in the womb of Subhadra of that prodigy of +prowess, Abhimanyu; Yajnaseni's giving birth to children; then follows the +pleasure-trip of Krishna and Arjuna to the banks of the Jamuna and the +acquisition by them of the discus and the celebrated bow Gandiva; the +burning of the forest of Khandava; the rescue of Maya by Arjuna, and the +escape of the serpent,--and the begetting of a son by that best of Rishis, +Mandapala, in the womb of the bird Sarngi. This parva is divided by Vyasa +into two hundred and twenty-seven chapters. These two hundred and twenty- +seven chapters contain eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-four slokas. + +The second is the extensive parva called Sabha or the assembly, full of +matter. The subjects of this parva are the establishment of the grand hall +by the Pandavas; their review of their retainers; the description of the +lokapalas by Narada well-acquainted with the celestial regions; the +preparations for the Rajasuya sacrifice; the destruction of Jarasandha; +the deliverance by Vasudeva of the princes confined in the mountain-pass; +the campaign of universal conquest by the Pandavas; the arrival of the +princes at the Rajasuya sacrifice with tribute; the destruction of +Sisupala on the occasion of the sacrifice, in connection with offering of +arghya; Bhimasena's ridicule of Duryodhana in the assembly; Duryodhana's +sorrow and envy at the sight of the magnificent scale on which the +arrangements had been made; the indignation of Duryodhana in consequence, +and the preparations for the game of dice; the defeat of Yudhishthira at +play by the wily Sakuni; the deliverance by Dhritarashtra of his afflicted +daughter-in-law Draupadi plunged in the sea of distress caused by the +gambling, as of a boat tossed about by the tempestuous waves. The +endeavours of Duryodhana to engage Yudhishthira again in the game; and the +exile of the defeated Yudhishthira with his brothers. These constitute +what has been called by the great Vyasa the Sabha Parva. This parva is +divided into seventh-eight sections, O best of Brahmanas, of two thousand, +five hundred and seven slokas. + +Then comes the third parva called Aranyaka (relating to the forest) This +parva treats of the wending of the Pandavas to the forest and the citizens, +following the wise Yudhishthira, Yudhishthira's adoration of the god of +day; according to the injunctions of Dhaumya, to be gifted with the power +of maintaining the dependent Brahmanas with food and drink: the creation +of food through the grace of the Sun: the expulsion by Dhritarashtra of +Vidura who always spoke for his master's good; Vidura's coming to the +Pandavas and his return to Dhritarashtra at the solicitation of the latter; +the wicked Duryodhana's plottings to destroy the forest-ranging Pandavas, +being incited thereto by Karna; the appearance of Vyasa and his dissuasion +of Duryodhana bent on going to the forest; the history of Surabhi; the +arrival of Maitreya; his laying down to Dhritarashtra the course of action; +and his curse on Duryodhana; Bhima's slaying of Kirmira in battle; the +coming of the Panchalas and the princes of the Vrishni race to +Yudhishthira on hearing of his defeat at the unfair gambling by Sakuni; +Dhananjaya's allaying the wrath of Krishna; Draupadi's lamentations before +Madhava; Krishna's cheering her; the fall of Sauva also has been here +described by the Rishi; also Krishna's bringing Subhadra with her son to +Dwaraka; and Dhrishtadyumna's bringing the son of Draupadi to Panchala; +the entrance of the sons of Pandu into the romantic Dwaita wood; +conversation of Bhima, Yudhishthira, and Draupadi; the coming of Vyasa to +the Pandavas and his endowing Yudhishthira with the power of Pratismriti; +then, after the departure of Vyasa, the removal of the Pandavas to the +forest of Kamyaka; the wanderings of Arjuna of immeasurable prowess in +search of weapons; his battle with Mahadeva in the guise of a hunter; his +meeting with the lokapalas and receipt of weapons from them; his journey +to the regions of Indra for arms and the consequent anxiety of +Dhritarashtra; the wailings and lamentations of Yudhishthira on the +occasion of his meeting with the worshipful great sage Brihadaswa. Here +occurs the holy and highly pathetic story of Nala illustrating the +patience of Damayanti and the character of Nala. Then the acquirement by +Yudhishthira of the mysteries of dice from the same great sage; then the +arrival of the Rishi Lomasa from the heavens to where the Pandavas were, +and the receipt by these high-souled dwellers in the woods of the +intelligence brought by the Rishi of their brother Arjuna staving in the +heavens; then the pilgrimage of the Pandavas to various sacred spots in +accordance with the message of Arjuna, and their attainment of great merit +and virtue consequent on such pilgrimage; then the pilgrimage of the great +sage Narada to the shrine Putasta; also the pilgrimage of the high-souled +Pandavas. Here is the deprivation of Karna of his ear-rings by Indra. Here +also is recited the sacrificial magnificence of Gaya; then the story of +Agastya in which the Rishi ate up the Asura Vatapi, and his connubial +connection with Lopamudra from the desire of offspring. Then the story of +Rishyasringa who adopted Brahmacharya mode of life from his very boyhood; +then the history of Rama of great prowess, the son of Jamadagni, in which +has been narrated the death of Kartavirya and the Haihayas; then the +meeting between the Pandavas and the Vrishnis in the sacred spot called +Prabhasa; then the story of Su-kanya in which Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, +made the twins, Aswinis, drink, at the sacrifice of king Saryati, the Soma +juice (from which they had been excluded by the other gods), and in which +besides is shown how Chyavana himself acquired perpetual youth (as a boon +from the grateful Aswinis). Then hath been described the history of king +Mandhata; then the history of prince Jantu; and how king Somaka by +offering up his only son (Jantu) in sacrifice obtained a hundred others; +then the excellent history of the hawk and the pigeon; then the +examination of king Sivi by Indra, Agni, and Dharma; then the story of +Ashtavakra, in which occurs the disputation, at the sacrifice of Janaka, +between that Rishi and the first of logicians, Vandi, the son of Varuna; +the defeat of Vandi by the great Ashtavakra, and the release by the Rishi +of his father from the depths of the ocean. Then the story of Yavakrita, +and then that of the great Raivya: then the departure (of the Pandavas) +for Gandhamadana and their abode in the asylum called Narayana; then +Bhimasena's journey to Gandhamadana at the request of Draupadi (in search +of the sweet-scented flower). Bhima's meeting on his way, in a grove of +bananas, with Hanuman, the son of Pavana of great prowess; Bhima's bath in +the tank and the destruction of the flowers therein for obtaining the +sweet-scented flower (he was in search of); his consequent battle with the +mighty Rakshasas and the Yakshas of great prowess including Hanuman; the +destruction of the Asura Jata by Bhima; the meeting (of the Pandavas) with +the royal sage Vrishaparva; their departure for the asylum of Arshtishena +and abode therein: the incitement of Bhima (to acts of vengeance) by +Draupadi. Then is narrated the ascent on the hills of Kailasa by Bhimasena, +his terrific battle with the mighty Yakshas headed by Hanuman; then the +meeting of the Pandavas with Vaisravana (Kuvera), and the meeting with +Arjuna after he had obtained for the purpose of Yudhishthira many +celestial weapons; then Arjuna's terrible encounter with the +Nivatakavachas dwelling in Hiranyaparva, and also with the Paulomas, and +the Kalakeyas; their destruction at the hands of Arjuna; the commencement +of the display of the celestial weapons by Arjuna before Yudhishthira, the +prevention of the same by Narada; the descent of the Pandavas from +Gandhamadana; the seizure of Bhima in the forest by a mighty serpent huge +as the mountain; his release from the coils of the snake, upon +Yudhishthira's answering certain questions; the return of the Pandavas to +the Kamyaka woods. Here is described the reappearance of Vasudeva to see +the mighty sons of Pandu; the arrival of Markandeya, and various recitals, +the history of Prithu the son of Vena recited by the great Rishi; the +stories of Saraswati and the Rishi Tarkhya. After these, is the story of +Matsya; other old stories recited by Markandeya; the stories of +Indradyumna and Dhundhumara; then the history of the chaste wife; the +history of Angira, the meeting and conversation of Draupadi and Satyabhama; +the return of the Pandavas to the forest of Dwaita; then the procession to +see the calves and the captivity of Duryodhana; and when the wretch was +being carried off, his rescue by Arjuna; here is Yudhishthira's dream of +the deer; then the re-entry of the Pandavas into the Kamyaka forest, here +also is the long story of Vrihidraunika. Here also is recited the story of +Durvasa; then the abduction by Jayadratha of Draupadi from the asylum; the +pursuit of the ravisher by Bhima swift as the air and the ill-shaving of +Jayadratha's crown at Bhima's hand. Here is the long history of Rama in +which is shown how Rama by his prowess slew Ravana in battle. Here also is +narrated the story of Savitri; then Karna's deprivation by Indra of his +ear-rings; then the presentation to Karna by the gratified Indra of a +Sakti (missile weapon) which had the virtue of killing only one person +against whom it might be hurled; then the story called Aranya in which +Dharma (the god of justice) gave advice to his son (Yudhishthira); in +which, besides is recited how the Pandavas after having obtained a boon +went towards the west. These are all included in the third Parva called +Aranyaka, consisting of two hundred and sixty-nine sections. The number of +slokas is eleven thousand, six hundred and sixty-four. + +"The extensive Parva that comes next is called Virata. The Pandavas +arriving at the dominions of Virata saw in a cemetery on the outskirts of +the city a large shami tree whereon they kept their weapons. Here hath +been recited their entry into the city and their stay there in disguise. +Then the slaying by Bhima of the wicked Kichaka who, senseless with lust, +had sought Draupadi; the appointment by prince Duryodhana of clever spies; +and their despatch to all sides for tracing the Pandavas; the failure of +these to discover the mighty sons of Pandu; the first seizure of Virata's +kine by the Trigartas and the terrific battle that ensued; the capture of +Virata by the enemy and his rescue by Bhimasena; the release also of the +kine by the Pandava (Bhima); the seizure of Virata's kine again by the +Kurus; the defeat in battle of all the Kurus by the single-handed Arjuna; +the release of the king's kine; the bestowal by Virata of his daughter +Uttara for Arjuna's acceptance on behalf of his son by Subhadra--Abhimanyu +--the destroyer of foes. These are the contents of the extensive fourth +Parva--the Virata. The great Rishi Vyasa has composed in these sixty-seven +sections. The number of slokas is two thousand and fifty. + +"Listen then to (the contents of) the fifth Parva which must be known as +Udyoga. While the Pandavas, desirous of victory, were residing in the +place called Upaplavya, Duryodhana and Arjuna both went at the same time +to Vasudeva, and said, "You should render us assistance in this war." The +high-souled Krishna, upon these words being uttered, replied, "O ye first +of men, a counsellor in myself who will not fight and one Akshauhini of +troops, which of these shall I give to which of you?" Blind to his own +interests, the foolish Duryodhana asked for the troops; while Arjuna +solicited Krishna as an unfighting counsellor. Then is described how, when +the king of Madra was coming for the assistance of the Pandavas, +Duryodhana, having deceived him on the way by presents and hospitality, +induced him to grant a boon and then solicited his assistance in battle; +how Salya, having passed his word to Duryodhana, went to the Pandavas and +consoled them by reciting the history of Indra's victory (over Vritra). +Then comes the despatch by the Pandavas of their Purohita (priest) to the +Kauravas. Then is described how king Dhritarashtra of great prowess, +having heard the word of the purohita of the Pandavas and the story of +Indra's victory decided upon sending his purohita and ultimately +despatched Sanjaya as envoy to the Pandavas from desire for peace. Here +hath been described the sleeplessness of Dhritarashtra from anxiety upon +hearing all about the Pandavas and their friends, Vasudeva and others. It +was on this occasion that Vidura addressed to the wise king Dhritarashtra +various counsels that were full of wisdom. It was here also that Sanat- +sujata recited to the anxious and sorrowing monarch the excellent truths +of spiritual philosophy. On the next morning Sanjaya spoke, in the court +of the King, of the identity of Vasudeva and Arjuna. It was then that the +illustrious Krishna, moved by kindness and a desire for peace, went +himself to the Kaurava capital, Hastinapura, for bringing about peace. +Then comes the rejection by prince Duryodhana of the embassy of Krishna +who had come to solicit peace for the benefit of both parties. Here hath +been recited the story of Damvodvava; then the story of the high-souled +Matuli's search for a husband for his daughter: then the history of the +great sage Galava; then the story of the training and discipline of the +son of Bidula. Then the exhibition by Krishna, before the assembled Rajas, +of his Yoga powers upon learning the evil counsels of Duryodhana and Karna; +then Krishna's taking Karna in his chariot and his tendering to him of +advice, and Karna's rejection of the same from pride. Then the return of +Krishna, the chastiser of enemies from Hastinapura to Upaplavya, and his +narration to the Pandavas of all that had happened. It was then that those +oppressors of foes, the Pandavas, having heard all and consulted properly +with each other, made every preparation for war. Then comes the march from +Hastinapura, for battle, of foot-soldiers, horses, charioteers and +elephants. Then the tale of the troops by both parties. Then the despatch +by prince Duryodhana of Uluka as envoy to the Pandavas on the day previous +to the battle. Then the tale of charioteers of different classes. Then the +story of Amba. These all have been described in the fifth Parva called +Udyoga of the Bharata, abounding with incidents appertaining to war and +peace. O ye ascetics, the great Vyasa hath composed one hundred and eighty- +six sections in this Parva. The number of slokas also composed in this by +the great Rishi is six thousand, six hundred and ninety-eight. + +"Then is recited the Bhishma Parva replete with wonderful incidents. In +this hath been narrated by Sanjaya the formation of the region known as +Jambu. Here hath been described the great depression of Yudhishthira's +army, and also a fierce fight for ten successive days. In this the high- +souled Vasudeva by reasons based on the philosophy of final release drove +away Arjuna's compunction springing from the latter's regard for his +kindred (whom he was on the eve of slaying). In this the magnanimous +Krishna, attentive to the welfare of Yudhishthira, seeing the loss +inflicted (on the Pandava army), descended swiftly from his chariot +himself and ran, with dauntless breast, his driving whip in hand, to +effect the death of Bhishma. In this, Krishna also smote with piercing +words Arjuna, the bearer of the Gandiva and the foremost in battle among +all wielders of weapons. In this, the foremost of bowmen, Arjuna, placing +Shikandin before him and piercing Bhishma with his sharpest arrows felled +him from his chariot. In this, Bhishma lay stretched on his bed of arrows. +This extensive Parva is known as the sixth in the Bharata. In this have +been composed one hundred and seventeen sections. The number of slokas is +five thousand, eight hundred and eighty-four as told by Vyasa conversant +with the Vedas. + +"Then is recited the wonderful Parva called Drona full of incidents. First +comes the installation in the command of the army of the great instructor +in arms, Drona: then the vow made by that great master of weapons of +seizing the wise Yudhishthira in battle to please Duryodhana; then the +retreat of Arjuna from the field before the Sansaptakas, then the +overthrow of Bhagadatta like to a second Indra in the field, with the +elephant Supritika, by Arjuna; then the death of the hero Abhimanyu in his +teens, alone and unsupported, at the hands of many Maharathas including +Jayadratha; then after the death of Abhimanyu, the destruction by Arjuna, +in battle of seven Akshauhinis of troops and then of Jayadratha; then the +entry, by Bhima of mighty arms and by that foremost of warriors-in-chariot, +Satyaki, into the Kaurava ranks impenetrable even to the gods, in search +of Arjuna in obedience to the orders of Yudhishthira, and the destruction +of the remnant of the Sansaptakas. In the Drona Parva, is the death of +Alambusha, of Srutayus, of Jalasandha, of Shomadatta, of Virata, of the +great warrior-in-chariot Drupada, of Ghatotkacha and others; in this Parva, +Aswatthaman, excited beyond measure at the fall of his father in battle, +discharged the terrible weapon Narayana. Then the glory of Rudra in +connection with the burning (of the three cities). Then the arrival of +Vyasa and recital by him of the glory of Krishna and Arjuna. This is the +great seventh Parva of the Bharata in which all the heroic chiefs and +princes mentioned were sent to their account. The number of sections in +this is one hundred and seventy. The number of slokas as composed in the +Drona Parva by Rishi Vyasa, the son of Parasara and the possessor of true +knowledge after much meditation, is eight thousand, nine hundred and nine. + +"Then comes the most wonderful Parva called Karna. In this is narrated the +appointment of the wise king of Madra as (Karna's) charioteer. Then the +history of the fall of the Asura Tripura. Then the application to each +other by Karna and Salya of harsh words on their setting out for the field, +then the story of the swan and the crow recited in insulting allusion: +then the death of Pandya at the hands of the high-souled Aswatthaman; then +the death of Dandasena; then that of Darda; then Yudhishthira's imminent +risk in single combat with Karna in the presence of all the warriors; then +the mutual wrath of Yudhishthira and Arjuna; then Krishna's pacification +of Arjuna. In this Parva, Bhima, in fulfilment of his vow, having ripped +open Dussasana's breast in battle drank the blood of his heart. Then +Arjuna slew the great Karna in single combat. Readers of the Bharata call +this the eighth Parva. The number of sections in this is sixty-nine and +the number of slokas is four thousand, nine hundred and sixty-tour. + +"Then hath been recited the wonderful Parva called Salya. After all the +great warriors had been slain, the king of Madra became the leader of the +(Kaurava) army. The encounters one after another, of charioteers, have +been here described. Then comes the fall of the great Salya at the hands +of Yudhishthira, the Just. Here also is the death of Sakuni in battle at +the hands of Sahadeva. Upon only a small remnant of the troops remaining +alive after the immense slaughter, Duryodhana went to the lake and +creating for himself room within its waters lay stretched there for some +time. Then is narrated the receipt of this intelligence by Bhima from the +fowlers: then is narrated how, moved by the insulting speeches of the +intelligent Yudhishthira, Duryodhana ever unable to bear affronts, came +out of the waters. Then comes the encounter with clubs, between Duryodhana +and Bhima; then the arrival, at the time of such encounter, of Balarama: +then is described the sacredness of the Saraswati; then the progress of +the encounter with clubs; then the fracture of Duryodhana's thighs in +battle by Bhima with (a terrific hurl of) his mace. These all have been +described in the wonderful ninth Parva. In this the number of sections is +fifty-nine and the number of slokas composed by the great Vyasa--the +spreader of the fame of the Kauravas--is three thousand, two hundred and +twenty. + +"Then shall I describe the Parva called Sauptika of frightful incidents. +On the Pandavas having gone away, the mighty charioteers, Kritavarman, +Kripa, and the son of Drona, came to the field of battle in the evening +and there saw king Duryodhana lying on the ground, his thighs broken, and +himself covered with blood. Then the great charioteer, the son of Drona, +of terrible wrath, vowed, 'without killing all the Panchalas including +Drishtadyumna, and the Pandavas also with all their allies, I will not +take off armour.' Having spoken those words, the three warriors leaving +Duryodhana's side entered the great forest just as the sun was setting. +While sitting under a large banian tree in the night, they saw an owl +killing numerous crows one after another. At the sight of this, +Aswatthaman, his heart full of rage at the thought of his father's fate, +resolved to slay the slumbering Panchalas. And wending to the gate of the +camp, he saw there a Rakshasa of frightful visage, his head reaching to +the very heavens, guarding the entrance. And seeing that Rakshasa +obstructing all his weapons, the son of Drona speedily pacified by worship +the three-eyed Rudra. And then accompanied by Kritavarman and Kripa he +slew all the sons of Draupadi, all the Panchalas with Dhrishtadyumna and +others, together with their relatives, slumbering unsuspectingly in the +night. All perished on that fatal night except the five Pandavas and the +great warrior Satyaki. Those escaped owing to Krishna's counsels, then the +charioteer of Dhrishtadyumna brought to the Pandavas intelligence of the +slaughter of the slumbering Panchalas by the son of Drona. Then Draupadi +distressed at the death of her sons and brothers and father sat before her +lords resolved to kill herself by fasting. Then Bhima of terrible prowess, +moved by the words of Draupadi, resolved, to please her; and speedily +taking up his mace followed in wrath the son of his preceptor in arms. The +son of Drona from fear of Bhimasena and impelled by the fates and moved +also by anger discharged a celestial weapon saying, 'This is for the +destruction of all the Pandavas'; then Krishna saying. 'This shall not be', +neutralised Aswatthaman's speech. Then Arjuna neutralised that weapon by +one of his own. Seeing the wicked Aswatthaman's destructive intentions, +Dwaipayana and Krishna pronounced curses on him which the latter returned. +Pandava then deprived the mighty warrior-in-chariot Aswatthaman, of the +jewel on his head, and became exceedingly glad, and, boastful of their +success, made a present of it to the sorrowing Draupadi. Thus the tenth +Parva, called Sauptika, is recited. The great Vyasa hath composed this in +eighteen sections. The number of slokas also composed (in this) by the +great reciter of sacred truths is eight hundred and seventy. In this Parva +has been put together by the great Rishi the two Parvas called Sauptika +and Aishika. + +"After this hath been recited the highly pathetic Parva called Stri, +Dhritarashtra of prophetic eye, afflicted at the death of his children, +and moved by enmity towards Bhima, broke into pieces a statue of hard iron +deftly placed before him by Krishna (as substitute of Bhima). Then Vidura, +removing the distressed Dhritarashtra's affection for worldly things by +reasons pointing to final release, consoled that wise monarch. Then hath +been described the wending of the distressed Dhritarashtra accompanied by +the ladies of his house to the field of battle of the Kauravas. Here +follow the pathetic wailings of the wives of the slain heroes. Then the +wrath of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra and their loss of consciousness. Then +the Kshatriya ladies saw those heroes,--their unreturning sons, brothers, +and fathers,--lying dead on the field. Then the pacification by Krishna of +the wrath of Gandhari distressed at the death of her sons and grandsons. +Then the cremation of the bodies of the deceased Rajas with due rites by +that monarch (Yudhishthira) of great wisdom and the foremost also of all +virtuous men. Then upon the presentation of water of the manes of the +deceased princes having commenced, the story of Kunti's acknowledgment of +Karna as her son born in secret. Those have all been described by the +great Rishi Vyasa in the highly pathetic eleventh Parva. Its perusal +moveth every feeling heart with sorrow and even draweth tears from the +eyes. The number of sections composed is twenty-seven. The number of +slokas is seven hundred and seventy-five. + +"Twelfth in number cometh the Santi Parva, which increaseth the +understanding and in which is related the despondency of Yudhishthira on +his having slain his fathers, brothers, sons, maternal uncles and +matrimonial relations. In this Parva is described how from his bed of +arrows Bhishma expounded various systems of duties worth the study of +kings desirous of knowledge; this Parva expounded the duties relative to +emergencies, with full indications of time and reasons. By understanding +these, a person attaineth to consummate knowledge. The mysteries also of +final emancipation have been expatiated upon. This is the twelfth Parva +the favourite of the wise. It consists of three hundred and thirty-nine +sections, and contains fourteen thousand, seven hundred and thirty-two +slokas. + +"Next in order is the excellent Anusasana Parva. In it is described how +Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, was reconciled to himself on hearing +the exposition of duties by Bhishma, the son of Bhagirathi. This Parva +treats of rules in detail and of Dharma and Artha; then the rules of +charity and its merits; then the qualifications of donees, and the supreme +ride-regarding gifts. This Parva also describes the ceremonials of +individual duty, the rules of conduct and the matchless merit of truth. +This Parva showeth the great merit of Brahmanas and kine, and unraveleth +the mysteries of duties in relation to time and place. These are embodied +in the excellent Parva called Anusasana of varied incidents. In this hath +been described the ascension of Bhishma to Heaven. This is the thirteenth +Parva which hath laid down accurately the various duties of men. The +number of sections, in this is one hundred and forty-six. The number of +slokas is eight thousand. + +"Then comes the fourteenth Parva Aswamedhika. In this is the excellent +story of Samvarta and Marutta. Then is described the discovery (by the +Pandavas) of golden treasuries; and then the birth of Parikshit who was +revived by Krishna after having been burnt by the (celestial) weapon of +Aswatthaman. The battles of Arjuna the son of Pandu, while following the +sacrificial horse let loose, with various princes who in wrath seized it. +Then is shown the great risk of Arjuna in his encounter with Vabhruvahana +the son of Chitrangada (by Arjuna) the appointed daughter of the chief of +Manipura. Then the story of the mongoose during the performance of the +horse-sacrifice. This is the most wonderful Parva called Aswamedhika. The +number of sections is one hundred and three. The number of slokas composed +(in this) by Vyasa of true knowledge is three thousand, three hundred and +twenty. + +"Then comes the fifteenth Parva called Asramvasika. In this, Dhritarashtra, +abdicating the kingdom, and accompanied by Gandhari and Vidura went to the +woods. Seeing this, the virtuous Pritha also, ever engaged in cherishing +her superiors, leaving the court of her sons, followed the old couple. In +this is described the wonderful meeting through the kindness of Vyasa of +the king (Dhritarashtra) with the spirits of his slain children, grand- +children, and other princes, returned from the other world. Then the +monarch abandoning his sorrows acquired with his wife the highest fruit of +his meritorious actions. In this Parva, Vidura after having leaned on +virtue all his life attaineth to the most meritorious state. + +"The learned son of Gavalgana, Sanjaya, also of passions under full +control, and the foremost of ministers, attained, in the Parva, to the +blessed state. In this, Yudhishthira the just met Narada and heard from +him about the extinction of the race of Vrishnis. This is the very +wonderful Parva called Asramvasika. The number of sections in this is +forty-two, and the number of slokas composed by Vyasa cognisant of truth +is one thousand five hundred and six. + +"After this, you know, comes the Maushala of painful incidents. In this, +those lion-hearted heroes (of the race of Vrishni) with the scars of many +a field on their bodies, oppressed with the curse of a Brahmana, while +deprived of reason from drink, impelled by the fates, slew each other on +the shores of the Salt Sea with the Eraka grass which (in their hands) +became (invested with the fatal attributes of the) thunder. In this, both +Balarama and Kesava (Krishna) after causing the extermination of their +race, their hour having come, themselves did not rise superior to the sway +of all-destroying Time. In this, Arjuna the foremost among men, going to +Dwaravati (Dwaraka) and seeing the city destitute of the Vrishnis was much +affected and became exceedingly sorry. Then after the funeral of his +maternal uncle Vasudeva the foremost among the Yadus (Vrishnis), he saw +the heroes of the Yadu race lying stretched in death on the spot where +they had been drinking. He then caused the cremation of the bodies of the +illustrious Krishna and Balarama and of the principal members of the +Vrishni race. Then as he was journeying from Dwaraka with the women and +children, the old and the decrepit--the remnants of the Yadu race--he was +met on the way by a heavy calamity. He witnessed also the disgrace of his +bow Gandiva and the unpropitiousness of his celestial weapons. Seeing all +this, Arjuna became despondent and, pursuant to Vyasa's advice, went to +Yudhishthira and solicited permission to adopt the Sannyasa mode of life. +This is the sixteenth Parva called Maushala. The number of sections is +eight and the number of slokas composed by Vyasa cognisant of truth is +three hundred and twenty. + +"The next is Mahaprasthanika, the seventeenth Parva. + +"In this, those foremost among men the Pandavas abdicating their kingdom +went with Draupadi on their great journey called Mahaprasthana. In this, +they came across Agni, having arrived on the shore of the sea of red +waters. In this, asked by Agni himself, Arjuna worshipped him duly, +returned to him the excellent celestial bow called Gandiva. In this, +leaving his brothers who dropped one after another and Draupadi also, +Yudhishthira went on his journey without once looking back on them. This +the seventeenth Parva is called Mahaprasthanika. The number of sections in +this is three. The number of slokas also composed by Vyasa cognisant of +truth is three hundred and twenty. + +"The Parva that comes after this, you must know, is the extraordinary one +called Svarga of celestial incidents. Then seeing the celestial car come +to take him, Yudhishthira moved by kindness towards the dog that +accompanied him, refused to ascend it without his companion. Observing the +illustrious Yudhishthira's steady adherence to virtue, Dharma (the god of +justice) abandoning his canine form showed himself to the king. Then +Yudhishthira ascending to heaven felt much pain. The celestial messenger +showed him hell by an act of deception. Then Yudhishthira, the soul of +justice, heard the heart-rending lamentations of his brothers abiding in +that region under the discipline of Yama. Then Dharma and Indra showed +Yudhishthira the region appointed for sinners. Then Yudhishthira, after +leaving the human body by a plunge in the celestial Ganges, attained to +that region which his acts merited, and began to live in joy respected by +Indra and all other gods. This is the eighteenth Parva as narrated by the +illustrious Vyasa. The number of slokas composed, O ascetics, by the great +Rishi in this is two hundred and nine. + +"The above are the contents of the Eighteen Parvas. In the appendix +(Khita) are the Harivansa and the Vavishya. The number of slokas contained +in the Harivansa is twelve thousand." + +These are the contents of the section called Parva-sangraha. Sauti +continued, "Eighteen Akshauhinis of troops came together for battle. The +encounter that ensued was terrible and lasted for eighteen days. He who +knows the four Vedas with all the Angas and Upanishads, but does not know +this history (Bharata), cannot be regarded as wise. Vyasa of immeasurable +intelligence, has spoken of the Mahabharata as a treatise on Artha, on +Dharma, and on Kama. Those who have listened to his history can never bear +to listen to others, as, indeed, they who have listened to the sweet voice +of the male Kokila can never hear the dissonance of the crow's cawing. As +the formation of the three worlds proceedeth from the five elements, so do +the inspirations of all poets proceed from this excellent composition. O +ye Brahman, as the four kinds of creatures (viviparous, oviparous, born of +hot moisture and vegetables) are dependent on space for their existence, +so the Puranas depend upon this history. As all the senses depend for +their exercise upon the various modifications of the mind, so do all acts +(ceremonials) and moral qualities depend upon this treatise. There is not +a story current in the world but doth depend on this history, even as body +upon the food it taketh. All poets cherish the Bharata even as servants +desirous of preferment always attend upon masters of good lineage. Even as +the blessed domestic Asrama can never be surpassed by the three other +Asramas (modes of life) so no poets can surpass this poem. + +"Ye ascetics, shake off all inaction. Let your hearts be fixed on virtue, +for virtue is the one only friend of him that has gone to the other world. +Even the most intelligent by cherishing wealth and wives can never make +these their own, nor are these possessions lasting. The Bharata uttered by +the lips of Dwaipayana is without a parallel; it is virtue itself and +sacred. It destroyeth sin and produceth good. He that listeneth to it +while it is being recited hath no need of a bath in the sacred waters of +Pushkara. A Brahmana, whatever sins he may commit during the day through +his senses, is freed from them all by reading the Bharata in the evening. +Whatever sins he may commit also in the night by deeds, words, or mind, he +is freed from them all by reading Bharata in the first twilight (morning). +He that giveth a hundred kine with horns mounted with gold to a Brahmana +well-posted up in the Vedas and all branches of learning, and he that +daily listeneth to the sacred narrations of the Bharata, acquireth equal +merit. As the wide ocean is easily passable by men having ships, so is +this extensive history of great excellence and deep import with the help +of this chapter called Parva sangraha." + +Thus endeth the section called Parva-sangraha of the Adi Parva of the +blessed Mahabharata. + + +SECTION III + +(Paushya Parva) + +Sauti said, "Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, was, with his brothers, +attending his long sacrifice on the plains of Kurukshetra. His brothers +were three, Srutasena, Ugrasena, and Bhimasena. And as they were sitting +at the sacrifice, there arrived at the spot an offspring of Sarama (the +celestial bitch). And belaboured by the brothers of Janamejaya, he ran +away to his mother, crying in pain. And his mother seeing him crying +exceedingly asked him, 'Why criest thou so? Who hath beaten thee?' And +being thus questioned, he said unto his mother, 'I have been belaboured by +the brothers of Janamejaya.' And his mother replied, 'Thou hast committed +some fault for which hast thou been beaten!' He answered, 'I have not +committed any fault. I have not touched the sacrificial butter with my +tongue, nor have I even cast a look upon it.' His mother Sarama hearing +this and much distressed at the affliction of her son went to the place +where Janamejaya with his brothers was at his long-extending sacrifice. +And she addressed Janamejaya in anger, saying, 'This my son hath committed +no fault: he hath not looked upon your sacrificial butter, nor hath he +touched it with his tongue. Wherefore hath he been beaten?' They said not +a word in reply; whereupon she said, 'As ye have beaten my son who hath +committed no fault, therefore shall evil come upon ye, when ye least +expect it.' + +"Janamejaya, thus addressed by the celestial bitch, Sarama, became +exceedingly alarmed and dejected. And after the sacrifice was concluded +returned to Hastinapura, and began to take great pains in searching for a +Purohita who could by procuring absolution for his sin, neutralise the +effect of the curse. + +"One day Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, while a-hunting, observed in a +particular part of his dominions a hermitage where dwelt a certain Rishi +of fame, Srutasrava. He had a son named Somasrava deeply engaged in +ascetic devotions. Being desirous of appointing that son of the Rishi as +his Purohita, Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, saluted the Rishi and +addressed him, saying, 'O possessor of the six attributes, let this thy +son be my purohita.' The Rishi thus addressed, answered Janamejaya, 'O +Janamejaya, this my son, deep in ascetic devotions, accomplished in the +study of the Vedas, and endued with the full force of my asceticism, is +born of (the womb of) a she-snake that had drunk my vital fluid. He is +able to absolve thee from all offences save those committed against +Mahadeva. But he hath one particular habit, viz. he would grant to any +Brahmana whatever might be begged of him. If thou canst put up with it, +then thou take him.' Janamejaya thus addressed replied to the Rishi, 'It +shall be even so.' And accepting him for his Purohita, he returned to his +capital; and he then addressed his brothers saying, 'This is the person I +have chosen for my spiritual master; whatsoever he may say must be +complied with by you without examination.' And his brothers did as they +were directed. And giving these directions to his brothers, the king +marched towards Takshyashila and brought that country under his authority. + +"About this time there was a Rishi, Ayoda-Dhaumya by name. And Ayoda- +Dhaumya had three disciples, Upamanyu, Aruni, and Veda. And the Rishi bade +one of these disciples, Aruni of Panchala, to go and stop up a breach in +the water-course of a certain field. And Aruni of Panchala, thus ordered +by his preceptor, repaired to the spot. And having gone there he saw that +he could not stop up the breach in the water-course by ordinary means. And +he was distressed because he could not do his preceptor's bidding. But at +length he saw a way and said, 'Well, I will do it in this way.' He then +went down into the breach and lay down himself there. And the water was +thus confined. + +"And some time after, the preceptor Ayoda-Dhaumya asked his other +disciples where Aruni of Panchala was. And they answered, 'Sir, he hath +been sent by yourself saying, 'Go, stop up the breach in the water-course +of the field,' Thus reminded, Dhaumya, addressing his pupils, said, 'Then +let us all go to the place where he is.' + +"And having arrived there, he shouted, 'Ho Aruni of Panchala! Where art +thou? Come hither, my child.' And Aruni hearing the voice of his preceptor +speedily came out of the water-course and stood before his preceptor. And +addressing the latter, Aruni said, 'Here I am in the breach of the water- +course. Not having been able to devise any other means, I entered myself +for the purpose of preventing the water running out. It is only upon +hearing thy voice that, having left it and allowed the waters to escape, I +have stood before thee. I salute thee, Master; tell me what I have to do.' + +"The preceptor, thus addressed, replied, 'Because in getting up from the +ditch thou hast opened the water-course, thenceforth shalt thou be called +Uddalaka as a mark of thy preceptor's favour. And because my words have +been obeyed by thee, thou shalt obtain good fortune. And all the Vedas +shall shine in thee and all the Dharmasastras also.' And Aruni, thus +addressed by his preceptor, went to the country after his heart. + +"The name of another of Ayoda-Dhaumya's disciples was Upamanyu. And +Dhaumya appointed him saying, 'Go, my child, Upamanyu, look after the kine.' +And according to his preceptor's orders, he went to tend the kine. And +having watched them all day, he returned in the evening to his preceptor's +house and standing before him he saluted him respectfully. And his +preceptor seeing him in good condition of body asked him, 'Upamanyu, my +child, upon what dost thou support thyself? Thou art exceedingly plump.' +And he answered, 'Sir, I support myself by begging.' And his preceptor +said, 'What is obtained in alms should not be used by thee without +offering it to me.' And Upamanyu, thus told, went away. And having +obtained alms, he offered the same to his preceptor. And his preceptor +took from him even the whole. And Upamanyu, thus treated, went to attend +the cattle. And having watched them all day, he returned in the evening to +his preceptor's abode. And he stood before his preceptor and saluted him +with respect. And his preceptor perceiving that he still continued to be +of good condition of body said unto him, 'Upamanyu, my child, I take from +thee even the whole of what thou obtainest in alms, without leaving +anything for thee. How then dost thou, at present, contrive to support +thyself?' And Upamanyu said unto his preceptor, 'Sir, having made over to +you all that I obtain in alms, I go a-begging a second time for supporting +myself.' And his preceptor then replied, 'This is not the way in which +thou shouldst obey the preceptor. By this thou art diminishing the support +of others that live by begging. Truly having supported thyself so, thou +hast proved thyself covetous.' And Upamanyu, having signified his assent +to all that his preceptor said, went away to attend the cattle. And having +watched them all day, he returned to his preceptor's house. And he stood +before his preceptor and saluted him respectfully. And his preceptor +observing that he was still fat, said again unto him, 'Upamanyu, my child, +I take from thee all thou obtainest in alms and thou dost not go a-begging +a second time, and yet art thou in healthy condition. How dost thou +support thyself?' And Upamanyu, thus questioned, answered, 'Sir, I now +live upon the milk of these cows.' And his preceptor thereupon told him, +'It is not lawful for thee to appropriate the milk without having first +obtained my consent.' And Upamanyu having assented to the justice of these +observations, went away to tend the kine. And when he returned to his +preceptor's abode, he stood before him and saluted him as usual. And his +preceptor seeing that he was still fat, said, 'Upamanyu, my child, thou +eatest no longer of alms, nor dost thou go a-begging a second time, not +even drinkest of the milk; yet art thou fat. By what means dost thou +contrive to live now? And Upamanyu replied, 'Sir, I now sip the froth that +these calves throw out, while sucking their mother's teats.' And the +preceptor said, 'These generous calves, I suppose, out of compassion for +thee, throw out large quantities of froth. Wouldst thou stand in the way +of their full meals by acting as thou hast done? Know that it is unlawful +for thee to drink the froth.' And Upamanyu, having signified his assent to +this, went as before to tend the cows. And restrained by his preceptor, he +feedeth not on alms, nor hath he anything else to eat; he drinketh not of +the milk, nor tasteth he of the froth! + +"And Upamanyu, one day, oppressed by hunger, when in a forest, ate of the +leaves of the Arka (Asclepias gigantea). And his eyes being affected by +the pungent, acrimonious, crude, and saline properties of the leaves which +he had eaten, he became blind. And as he was crawling about, he fell into +a pit. And upon his not returning that day when the sun was sinking down +behind the summit of the western mountains, the preceptor observed to his +disciples that Upamanyu was not yet come. And they told him that he had +gone out with the cattle. + +"The preceptor then said, 'Upamanyu being restrained by me from the use of +everything, is, of course, and therefore, doth not come home until it be +late. Let us then go in search of him.' And having said this, he went with +his disciples into the forest and began to shout, saying, 'Ho Upamanyu, +where art thou?' And Upamanyu hearing his preceptor's voice answered in a +loud tone, 'Here I am at the bottom of a well.' And his preceptor asked +him how he happened to be there. And Upamanyu replied, 'Having eaten of +the leaves of the Arka plant I became blind, and so have I fallen into +this well.' And his preceptor thereupon told him, 'Glorify the twin Aswins, +the joint physicians of the gods, and they will restore thee thy sight.' +And Upamanyu thus directed by his preceptor began to glorify the twin +Aswins, in the following words of the Rig Veda: + +'Ye have existed before the creation! Ye first-born beings, ye are +displayed in this wondrous universe of five elements! I desire to obtain +you by the help of the knowledge derived from hearing, and of meditation, +for ye are Infinite! Ye are the course itself of Nature and intelligent +Soul that pervades that course! Ye are birds of beauteous feathers perched +on the body that is like to a tree! Ye are without the three common +attributes of every soul! Ye are incomparable! Ye, through your spirit in +every created thing, pervade the Universe! + +'Ye are golden Eagles! Ye are the essence into which all things disappear! +Ye are free from error and know no deterioration! Ye are of beauteous +beaks that would not unjustly strike and are victorious in every +encounter! Ye certainly prevail over time! Having created the sun, ye +weave the wondrous cloth of the year by means of the white thread of the +day and the black thread of the night! And with the cloth so woven, ye +have established two courses of action appertaining respectively to the +Devas and the Pitris. The bird of Life seized by Time which represents the +strength of the Infinite soul, ye set free for delivering her unto great +happiness! They that are in deep ignorance, as long as they are under +delusions of their senses, suppose you, who are independent of the +attributes of matter, to be gifted with form! Three hundred and sixty cows +represented by three hundred and sixty days produce one calf between them +which is the year. That calf is the creator and destroyer of all. Seekers +of truth following different routes, draw the milk of true knowledge with +its help. Ye Aswins, ye are the creators of that calf! + +'The year is but the nave of a wheel to which is attached seven hundred +and twenty spokes representing as many days and nights. The circumference +of this wheel represented by twelve months is without end. This wheel is +full of delusions and knows no deterioration. It affects all creatures +whether to this or of the other worlds. Ye Aswins, this wheel of time is +set in motion by you! + +'The wheel of Time as represented by the year has a nave represented by +the six seasons. The number of spokes attached to that nave is twelve as +represented by the twelve signs of the Zodiac. This wheel of Time +manifests the fruits of the acts of all things. The presiding deities of +Time abide in that wheel. Subject as I am to its distressful influence, ye +Aswins, liberate me from that wheel of Time. Ye Aswins, ye are this +universe of five elements! Ye are the objects that are enjoyed in this and +in the other world! Make me independent of the five elements! And though +ye are the Supreme Brahma, yet ye move over the Earth in forms enjoying +the delights that the senses afford. + +'In the beginning, ye created the ten points of the universe! Then have ye +placed the Sun and the Sky above! The Rishis, according to the course of +the same Sun, perform their sacrifices, and the gods and men, according to +what hath been appointed for them, perform their sacrifices also enjoying +the fruits of those acts! + +'Mixing the three colours, ye have produced all the objects of sight! It +is from these objects that the Universe hath sprung whereon the gods and +men are engaged in their respective occupations, and, indeed, all +creatures endued with life! + +'Ye Aswins, I adore you! I also adore the Sky which is your handiwork! Ye +are the ordainers of the fruits of all acts from which even the gods are +not free! Ye are yourselves free from the fruits of your acts! + +'Ye are the parents of all! As males and females it is ye that swallow the +food which subsequently develops into the life creating fluid and blood! +The new-born infant sucks the teat of its mother. Indeed it is ye that +take the shape of the infant! Ye Aswins, grant me my sight to protect my +life!" + +"The twin Aswins, thus invoked, appeared and said, 'We are satisfied. Here +is a cake for thee. Take and eat it.' And Upamanyu thus addressed, replied, +'Your words, O Aswins, have never proved untrue. But without first +offering this cake to my preceptor I dare not take it.' And the Aswins +thereupon told him, 'Formerly, thy preceptor had invoked us. We thereupon +gave him a cake like this; and he took it without offering it to his +master. Do thou do that which thy preceptor did.' Thus addressed, Upamanyu +again said unto them, 'O Aswins, I crave your pardon. Without offering it +to my preceptor I dare not apply this cake.' The Aswins then said, 'O, we +are pleased with this devotion of thine to thy preceptor. Thy master's +teeth are of black iron. Thine shall be of gold. Thou shall be restored to +sight and shall have good fortune.' + +"Thus spoken to by the Aswins he recovered his sight, and having gone to +his preceptor's presence he saluted him and told him all. And his +preceptor was well-pleased with him and said unto him, 'Thou shalt obtain +prosperity even as the Aswins have said. All the Vedas shall shine in thee +and all the Dharma-sastras.' And this was the trial of Upamanyu. + +"Then Veda the other disciple of Ayoda-Dhaumya was called. His preceptor +once addressed him, saying, 'Veda, my child, tarry some time in my house +and serve thy preceptor. It shall be to thy profit.' And Veda having +signified his assent tarried long in the family of his preceptor mindful +of serving him. Like an ox under the burthens of his master, he bore heat +and cold, hunger and thirst, at all times without a murmur. And it was not +long before his preceptor was satisfied. And as a consequence of that +satisfaction, Veda obtained good fortune and universal knowledge. And this +was the trial of Veda. + +"And Veda, having received permission from his preceptor, and leaving the +latter's residence after the completion of his studies, entered the +domestic mode of life. And while living in his own house, he got three +pupils. And he never told them to perform any work or to obey implicitly +his own behests; for having himself experienced much woe while abiding in +the family of his preceptor, he liked not to treat them with severity. + +"After a certain time, Janamejaya and Paushya, both of the order of +Kshatriyas, arriving at his residence appointed the Brahman, Veda, as +their spiritual guide (Upadhyaya). And one day while about to depart upon +some business related to a sacrifice, he employed one of his disciples, +Utanka, to take charge of his household. 'Utanka', said he, 'whatsoever +should have to be done in my house, let it be done by thee without neglect.' +And having given these orders to Utanka, he went on his journey. + +"So Utanka always mindful of the injunction of his preceptor took up his +abode in the latter's house. And while Utanka was residing there, the +females of his preceptor's house having assembled addressed him and said, +'O Utanka, thy mistress is in that season when connubial connection might +be fruitful. The preceptor is absent; then stand thou in his place and do +the needful.' And Utanka, thus addressed, said unto those women, 'It is +not proper for me to do this at the bidding of women. I have not been +enjoined by my preceptor to do aught that is improper.' + +"After a while, his preceptor returned from his journey. And his preceptor +having learnt all that had happened, became well-pleased and, addressing +Utanka, said, 'Utanka, my child, what favour shall I bestow on thee? I +have been served by thee duly; therefore hath our friendship for each +other increased. I therefore grant thee leave to depart. Go thou, and let +thy wishes be accomplished!' + +"Utanka, thus addressed, replied, saying, 'Let me do something that you +wish, for it hath been said, "He who bestoweth instruction contrary to +usage and he who receiveth it contrary to usage, one of the two dieth, and +enmity springeth up between the two." I, therefore, who have received thy +leave to depart, am desirous of bringing thee some honorarium due to a +preceptor.' His master, upon hearing this, replied, 'Utanka, my child, wait +a while.' Sometime after, Utanka again addressed his preceptor, saying, +'Command me to bring that for honorarium, which you desire.' And his +preceptor then said, 'My dear Utanka, thou hast often told me of your +desire to bring something by way of acknowledgment for the instruction +thou hast received. Go then in and ask thy mistress what thou art to bring. +And bring thou that which she directs.' And thus directed by his preceptor +Utanka addressed his preceptress, saying, 'Madam, I have obtained my +master's leave to go home, and I am desirous of bringing something +agreeable to thee as honorarium for the instruction I have received, in +order that I may not depart as his debtor. Therefore, please command me +what I am to bring.' Thus addressed, his preceptress replied, 'Go unto +King Paushya and beg of him the pair of ear-rings worn by his Queen, and +bring them hither. The fourth day hence is a sacred day when I wish to +appear before the Brahmanas (who may dine at my house) decked with these +ear-rings. Then accomplish this, O Utanka! If thou shouldst succeed, good +fortune shall attend thee; if not, what good canst thou expect?' + +"Utanka thus commanded, took his departure. And as he was passing along +the road he saw a bull of extraordinary size and a man of uncommon stature +mounted thereon. And that man addressed Utanka and said, 'Eat thou of the +dung of this bull.' Utanka, however, was unwilling to comply. The man said +again, 'O Utanka, eat of it without scrutiny. Thy master ate of it before.' +And Utanka signified his assent and ate of the dung and drank of the +urine of that bull, and rose respectfully, and washing his hands and mouth +went to where King Paushya was. + +'On arriving at the palace, Utanka saw Paushya seated (on his throne). And +approaching him Utanka saluted the monarch by pronouncing blessings and +said, 'I am come as a petitioner to thee.' And King Paushya, having +returned Utanka's salutations, said, 'Sir, what shall I do for thee?' And +Utanka said, 'I came to beg of thee a pair of ear-rings as a present to my +preceptor. It behoveth thee to give me the ear-rings worn by the Queen.' + +"King Paushya replied, 'Go, Utanka, into the female apartments where the +Queen is and demand them of her.' And Utanka went into the women's +apartments. But as he could not discover the Queen, he again addressed the +king, saying, 'It is not proper that I should be treated by thee with +deceit. Thy Queen is not in the private apartments, for I could not find +her.' The king thus addressed, considered for a while and replied, +'Recollect, Sir, with attention whether thou art not in a state of +defilement in consequence of contact with the impurities of a repast. My +Queen is a chaste wife and cannot be seen by any one who is impure owing +to contact with the leavings of a repast. Nor doth she herself appear in +sight of any one who is defiled.' + +"Utanka, thus informed, reflected for a while and then said, 'Yes, it must +be so. Having been in a hurry I performed my ablutions (after meal) in a +standing posture.' King Paushya then said, 'Here is a transgression, +purification is not properly effected by one in a standing posture, not by +one while he is going along.' And Utanka having agreed to this, sat down +with his face towards the east, and washed his face, hands, and feet +thoroughly. And he then, without a noise, sipped thrice of water free from +scum and froth, and not warm, and just sufficient to reach his stomach and +wiped his face twice. And he then touched with water the apertures of his +organs (eyes, ears, etc.). And having done all this, he once more entered +the apartments of the women. And this time he saw the Queen. And as the +Queen perceived him, she saluted him respectfully and said, 'Welcome, Sir, +command me what I have to do.' And Utanka said unto her, 'It behoveth thee +to give me those ear-rings of thine. I beg them as a present for my +preceptor.' And the Queen having been highly pleased with Utanka's conduct +and, considering that Utanka as an object of charity could not be passed +over, took off her ear-rings and gave them to him. And she said, 'These +ear-rings are very much sought after by Takshaka, the King of the serpents. +Therefore shouldst thou carry them with the greatest care.' + +"And Utanka being told this, said unto the Queen, 'Lady, be under no +apprehension. Takshaka, Chief of the serpents, is not able to overtake me.' +And having said this, and taking leave of the Queen, he went back into +the presence of Paushya, and said, 'Paushya, I am gratified.' Then Paushya +said to Utanka, 'A fit object of charity can only be had at long intervals. +Thou art a qualified guest, therefore do I desire to perform a sraddha. +Tarry thou a little. And Utanka replied, 'Yes, I will tarry, and beg that +the clean provisions that are ready may be soon brought in.' And the king +having signified his assent, entertained Utanka duly. And Utanka seeing +that the food placed before him had hair in it, and also that it was cold, +thought it unclean. And he said unto Paushya, 'Thou givest me food that is +unclean, therefore shalt thou lose thy sight.' And Paushya in answer said, +'And because dost thou impute uncleanliness to food that is clean, +therefore shalt thou be without issue.' And Utanka thereupon rejoined, 'It +behoveth thee not, after having offered me unclean food, to curse me in +return. Satisfy thyself by ocular proof.' + +"And Paushya seeing the food alleged to be unclean satisfied himself of +its uncleanliness. And Paushya having ascertained that the food was truly +unclean, being cold and mixed with hair, prepared as it was by a woman +with unbraided hair, began to pacify the Rishi Utanka, saying, 'Sir, the +food placed before thee is cold, and doth contain hair, having been +prepared without sufficient care. Therefore I pray thee pardon me. Let me +not become blind.' And Utanka answered, 'What I say must come to pass. +Having become blind, thou mayst, however, recover the sight before long. +Grant that thy curse also doth not take effect on me.' And Paushya said +unto him, 'I am unable to revoke my curse. For my wrath even now hath not +been appeased. But thou knowest not this. For a Brahmana's heart is soft +as new-churned butter, even though his words bear a sharp-edged razor. It +is otherwise in respect of these with the Kshatriya. His words are soft as +new-churned butter, but his heart is like a sharp-edged tool, such being +the case, I am unable, because of the hardness of my heart, to neutralise +my curse. Then go thou thy own way.' To this Utanka made answer, 'I showed +thee the uncleanliness of the food offered to me, and I was even now +pacified by thee. Besides, saidst thou at first that because I imputed +uncleanliness to food that was clean I should be without issue. But the +food truly unclean, thy curse cannot affect me. Of this I am sure.' And +Utanka having said this departed with the ear-rings. + +"On the road Utanka perceived coming towards him a naked idle beggar +sometimes coming in view and sometimes disappearing. And Utanka put the +ear-rings on the ground and went for water. In the meantime the beggar +came quickly to the spot and taking up the ear-rings ran away. And Utanka +having completed his ablutions in water and purified himself and having +also reverently bowed down to the gods and his spiritual masters pursued +the thief with the utmost speed. And having with great difficulty +overtaken him, he seized him by force. But at that instant the person +seized, quitting the form of a beggar and assuming his real form, viz., +that of Takshaka, speedily entered a large hole open in the ground. And +having got in, Takshaka proceeded to his own abode, the region of the +serpents. + +"Now, Utanka, recollecting the words of the Queen, pursued the Serpent, +and began to dig open the hole with a stick but was unable to make much +progress. And Indra beholding his distress sent his thunder-bolt (Vajra) +to his assistance. Then the thunder-bolt entering that stick enlarged that +hole. And Utanka began to enter the hole after the thunder-bolt. And +having entered it, he beheld the region of the serpents infinite in extent, +filled with hundreds of palaces and elegant mansions with turrets and +domes and gate-ways, abounding with wonderful places for various games and +entertainments. And Utanka then glorified the serpents by the following +slokas: + +'Ye Serpents, subjects of King Airavata, splendid in battle and showering +weapons in the field like lightning-charged clouds driven by the winds! +Handsome and of various forms and decked with many coloured ear-rings, ye +children of Airavata, ye shine like the Sun in the firmament! On the +northern banks of the Ganges are many habitations of serpents. There I +constantly adore the great serpents. Who except Airavata would desire to +move in the burning rays of the Sun? When Dhritarashtra (Airavata's +brother) goes out, twenty-eight thousand and eight serpents follow him as +his attendants. Ye who move near him and ye who stay at a distance from +him, I adore all of you that have Airavata for your elder brother. + +'I adore thee also, to obtain the ear-rings, O Takshaka, who formerly +dwelt in Kurukshetra and the forest of Khandava! Takshaka and Aswasena, ye +are constant companions who dwell in Kurukshetra on the banks of the +Ikshumati! I also adore the illustrious Srutasena, the younger brother of +Takshaka, who resided at the holy place called Mahadyumna with a view to +obtaining the chiefship of the serpents. + +"The Brahmana Rishi Utanka having saluted the chief serpents in this +manner, obtained not, however, the ear-rings. And he thereupon became very +thoughtful. And when he saw that he obtained not the ear-rings even though +he had adored the serpents, he then looked about him and beheld two women +at a loom weaving a piece of cloth with a fine shuttle; and in the loom +were black and white threads. And he likewise saw a wheel, with twelve +spokes, turned by six boys. And he also saw a man with a handsome horse. +And he began to address them the following mantras: + +'This wheel whose circumference is marked by twenty-four divisions +representing as many lunar changes is furnished with three hundred spokes! +It is set in continual motion by six boys (the seasons)! These damsels +representing universal nature are weaving without intermission a cloth +with threads black and white, and thereby ushering into existence the +manifold worlds and the beings that inhabit them! Thou wielder of the +thunder, the protector of the universe, the slayer of Vritra and Namuchi, +thou illustrious one who wearest the black cloth and displayest truth and +untruth in the universe, thou who ownest for thy carrier the horse which +was received from the depths of the ocean, and which is but another form +of Agni (the god of fire), I bow to thee, thou supreme Lord, thou Lord of +the three worlds, O Purandara!' + +"Then the man with the horse said unto Utanka, 'I am gratified by this thy +adoration. What good shall I do to thee?' And Utanka replied, 'Even let +the serpents be brought under my control.' Then the man rejoined, 'Blow +into this horse.' And Utanka blew into that horse. And from the horse thus +blown into, there issued, from every aperture of his body, flames of fire +with smoke by which the region of the Nagas was about to be consumed. And +Takshaka, surprised beyond measure and terrified by the heat of the fire, +hastily came out of his abode taking the ear-rings with him, and said unto +Utanka, 'Pray, Sir, take back the ear-rings.' And Utanka took them back. + +"But Utanka having recovered his ear-rings thought, 'O, this is that +sacred day of my preceptress. I am at a distance. How can I, therefore, +show my regard for her? And when Utanka was anxious about this, the man +addressed him and said, 'Ride this horse, Utanka, and he will in a moment +carry thee to thy master's abode.' And Utanka having signified his assent, +mounted the horse and presently reached his preceptor's house. + +"And his preceptress that morning after having bathed was dressing her +hair sitting, thinking of uttering a curse on Utanka if he should not +return within time. But, in the meantime, Utanka entered his preceptor's +abode and paid his respects to his preceptress and presented her the ear- +rings. 'Utanka', said she, 'thou hast arrived at the proper time at the +proper place. Welcome, my child; thou art innocent and therefore I do not +curse thee! Good fortune is even before thee. Let thy wishes be crowned +with success!' + +"Then Utanka waited on his preceptor. And his preceptor said, 'Thou art +welcome! What hath occasioned thy long absence?' And Utanka replied to his +preceptor, 'Sir, in the execution of this my business obstruction was +offered by Takshaka, the King of serpents. Therefore I had to go to the +region of the Nagas. There I saw two damsels sitting at a loom, weaving a +fabric with black and white threads. Pray, what is that? There likewise I +beheld a wheel with twelve spokes ceaselessly turned by six boys. What too +doth that import? Who is also the man that I saw? And what the horse of +extraordinary size likewise beheld by me? And when I was on the road I +also saw a bull with a man mounted thereon, by whom I was endearingly +accosted thus, 'Utanka, eat of the dung of this bull, which was also eaten +by thy master?' So I ate of the dung of that bull according to his words. +Who also is he? Therefore, enlightened by thee, I desire to hear all about +them.' + +"And his preceptor thus addressed said unto him, 'The two damsels thou +hast seen are Dhata and Vidhata; the black and white threads denote night +and day; the wheel of twelve spokes turned by the six boys signified the +year comprising six seasons. The man is Parjanya, the deity of rain, and +the horse is Agni, the god of fire. The bull that thou hast seen on the +road is Airavata, the king of elephants; the man mounted thereon is Indra; +and the dung of the bull which was eaten by thee was Amrita. It was +certainly for this (last) that thou hast not met with death in the region +of the Nagas; and Indra who is my friend having been mercifully inclined +showed thee favour. It is for this that thou returnest safe, with the ear- +rings about thee. Then, O thou amiable one, I give thee leave to depart. +Thou shall obtain good fortune.' + +"And Utanka, having obtained his master's leave, moved by anger and +resolved to avenge himself on Takshaka, proceeded towards Hastinapura. +That excellent Brahmana soon reached Hastinapura. And Utanka then waited +upon King Janamejaya who had some time before returned victorious from +Takshashila. And Utanka saw the victorious monarch surrounded on all sides +by his ministers. And he pronounced benedictions on him in a proper form. +And Utanka addressed the monarch at the proper moment in speech of correct +accent and melodious sounds, saying, 'O thou the best of monarchs! How is +it that thou spendest thy time like a child when there is another matter +that urgently demandeth thy attention?'" + +Sauti said, "The monarch Janamejaya, thus addressed, saluting that +excellent Brahmana replied unto him, 'In cherishing these my subjects I do +discharge the duties of my noble tribe. Say, what is that business to be +done by me and which hath brought thee hither.' + +"The foremost of Brahmanas and distinguished beyond all for good deeds, +thus addressed by the excellent monarch of large heart, replied unto him, +'O King! the business is thy own that demandeth thy attention; therefore +do it, please. O thou King of kings! Thy father was deprived of life by +Takshaka; therefore do thou avenge thy father's death on that vile serpent. +The time hath come, I think, for the act of vengeance ordained by the +Fates. Go then avenge the death of thy magnanimous father who, being +bitten without cause by that vile serpent, was reduced to five elements +even like a tree stricken by thunder. The wicked Takshaka, vilest of the +serpent race, intoxicated with power committed an unnecessary act when he +bit the King, that god-like father, the protector of the race of royal +saints. Wicked in his deeds, he even caused Kasyapa (the prince of +physicians) to run back when he was coming for the relief of thy father. +It behoveth thee to burn the wicked wretch in the blazing fire of a snake- +sacrifice. O King! Give instant orders for the sacrifice. It is thus thou +canst avenge the death of thy father. And a very great favour shall have +also been shown to me. For by that malignant wretch, O virtuous Prince, my +business also was, on one occasion, obstructed, while proceeding on +account of my preceptor." + +Sauti continued, "The monarch, having heard these words, was enraged with +Takshaka. By the speech of Utanka was inflamed the prince, even as the +sacrificial fire with clarified butter. Moved by grief also, in the +presence of Utanka, the prince asked his ministers the particulars of his +father's journey to the regions of the blessed. And when he heard all +about the circumstances of his father's death from the lips of Utanka, he +was overcome with pain and sorrow. + +And thus endeth the section called Paushya of the Adi Parva of the blessed +Mahabharata." + + +SECTION IV + +(Pauloma Parva) + +Ugrasrava Sauti, the son of Lomaharshana, versed in the Puranas, while +present in the forest of Naimisha, at the twelve years' sacrifice of +Saunaka, surnamed Kulapati, stood before the Rishis in attendance. Having +studied Puranas with meticulous devotion and thus being thoroughly +acquainted with them, he addressed them with joined hands thus, "I have +graphically described to you the history of Utanka which is one of the +causes of King Janamejaya's Snake-sacrifice. What, revered Sirs, do ye +wish to hear now? What shall I relate to you?" The holy men replied, "O +son of Lomaharshana, we shall ask thee about what we are anxious to hear +and thou wilt recount the tales one by one. Saunaka, our revered master, +is at present attending the apartment of the holy fire. He is acquainted +with those divine stories which relate to the gods and asuras. He +adequately knoweth the histories of men, serpents, and Gandharvas. Further, +O Sauti, in this sacrifice that learned Brahmana is the chief. He is able, +faithful to his vows, wise, a master of the Sastras and the Aranyaka, a +speaker of truth, a lover of peace, a mortifier of the flesh, and an +observer of the penances according to the authoritative decrees. He is +respected by us all. It behoveth us therefore to wait for him. And when he +is seated on his highly respected seat, thou wilt answer what that best of +Dwijas shall ask of thee." + +Sauti said, "Be it so. And when the high-souled master hath been seated I +shall narrate, questioned by him, sacred stories on a variety of subjects." +After a while that excellent Brahmana (Saunaka) having duly finished all +his duties, and having propitiated the gods with prayers and the manes +with oblations of water, came back to the place of sacrifice, where with +Sauti seated before was the assembly of saints of rigid vows sitting at +ease. And when Saunaka was seated in the midst of the Ritwiks and Sadhyas, +who were also in their seats, he spake as followeth. + + +SECTION V + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +"Saunaka said, 'Child, thy father formerly read the whole of the Puranas, +O son of Lomaharshana, and the Bharata with Krishna-Dwaipayana. Hast thou +also made them thy study? In those ancient records are chronicled +interesting stories and the history of the first generations of the wise +men, all of which we heard being rehearsed by thy sire. In the first place, +I am desirous of hearing the history of the race of Bhrigu. Recount thou +that history, we shall attentively listen to thee." + +"Sauti answered, 'By me hath been acquired all that was formerly studied +by the high-souled Brahmanas including Vaisampayana and repeated by them; +by me hath been acquired all that had been studied by my father. O +descendant of the Bhrigu race, attend then to so much as relateth to the +exalted race of Bhrigu, revered by Indra and all the gods, by the tribes +of Rishis and Maruts (Winds). O great Muni, I shall first properly recount +the story of this family, as told in the Puranas. + +"The great and blessed saint Bhrigu, we are informed, was produced by the +self-existing Brahma from the fire at the sacrifice of Varuna. And Bhrigu +had a son, named Chyavana, whom he dearly loved. And to Chyavana was born +a virtuous son called Pramati. And Pramati had a son named Ruru by +Ghritachi (the celestial dancer). And to Ruru also by his wife Pramadvara, +was born a son, whose name was Sunaka. He was, O Saunaka, thy great +ancestor exceedingly virtuous in his ways. He was devoted to asceticism, +of great reputation, proficient in law, and eminent among those having a +knowledge of the Vedas. He was virtuous, truthful, and of well-regulated +fare.' + +"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, I ask thee why the illustrious son of +Bhrigu was named Chyavana. Do tell me all.' + +"Sauti replied, 'Bhrigu had a wife named Puloma whom he dearly loved. She +became big with child by Bhrigu. And one day while the virtuous continent +Puloma was in that condition, Bhrigu, great among those that are true to +their religion, leaving her at home went out to perform his ablutions. It +was then that the Rakshasa called Puloma came to Bhrigu's abode. And +entering the Rishi's abode, the Rakshasa saw the wife of Bhrigu, +irreproachable in everything. And seeing her he became filled with lust +and lost his senses. The beautiful Puloma entertained the Rakshasa thus +arrived, with roots and fruits of the forest. And the Rakshasa who burnt +with desire upon seeing her, became very much delighted and resolved, O +good sage, to carry her away who was so blameless in every respect. + +'My design is accomplished,' said the Rakshasa, and so seizing that +beautiful matron he carried her away. And, indeed, she of agreeable smiles, +had been betrothed by her father himself, to him, although the former +subsequently bestowed her, according to due rites, on Bhrigu. O thou of +the Bhrigu race, this wound rankled deep in the Rakshasa's mind and he +thought the present moment very opportune for carrying the lady away. + +"And the Rakshasa saw the apartment in which the sacrificial fire was kept +burning brightly. The Rakshasa then asked the flaming element 'Tell me, O +Agni, whose wife this woman rightfully is. Thou art the mouth of gods; +therefore thou art bound to answer my question. This lady of superior +complexion had been first accepted by me as wife, but her father +subsequently bestowed her on the false Bhrigu. Tell me truly if this fair +one can be regarded as the wife of Bhrigu, for having found her alone, I +have resolved to take her away by force from the hermitage. My heart +burneth with rage when I reflect that Bhrigu hath got possession of this +woman of slender waist, first betrothed to me.'" + +"Sauti continued, 'In this manner the Rakshasa asked the flaming god of +fire again and again whether the lady was Bhrigu's wife. And the god was +afraid to return an answer. 'Thou, O god of fire,' said he, 'residest +constantly within every creature, as witness of her or his merits and +demerits. O thou respected one, then answer my question truly. Has not +Bhrigu appropriated her who was chosen by me as my wife? Thou shouldst +declare truly whether, therefore, she is my wife by first choice. After +thy answer as to whether she is the wife of Bhrigu, I will bear her away +from this hermitage even in sight of thee. Therefore answer thou truly.'" + +"Sauti continued, 'The Seven flamed god having heard these words of the +Rakshasa became exceedingly distressed, being afraid of telling a +falsehood and equally afraid of Bhrigu's curse. And the god at length made +answer in words that came out slowly. 'This Puloma was, indeed, first +chosen by thee, O Rakshasa, but she was not taken by thee with holy rites +and invocations. But this far-famed lady was bestowed by her father on +Bhrigu as a gift from desire of blessing. She was not bestowed on thee O +Rakshasa, this lady was duly made by the Rishi Bhrigu his wife with Vedic +rites in my presence. This is she--I know her. I dare not speak a +falsehood. O thou best of the Rakshasas, falsehood is never respected in +this world.'" + + +SECTION VI + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'O Brahmana, having heard these words from the god of fire, +the Rakshasa assumed the form of a boar, and seizing the lady carried her +away with the speed of the wind--even of thought. Then the child of Bhrigu +lying in her body enraged at such violence, dropped from his mother's womb, +for which he obtained the name of Chyavana. And the Rakshasa perceiving +the infant drop from the mother's womb, shining like the sun, quitted his +grasp of the woman, fell down and was instantly converted into ashes. And +the beautiful Pauloma, distracted with grief, O Brahmana of the Bhrigu +race, took up her offspring Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu and walked away. +And Brahma, the Grandfather of all, himself saw her, the faultless wife of +his son, weeping. And the Grandfather of all comforted her who was +attached to her son. And the drops of tears which rolled down her eyes +formed a great river. And that river began to follow the foot-steps of the +wife of the great ascetic Bhrigu. And the Grandfather of the worlds seeing +that river follow the path of his son's wife gave it a name himself, and +he called it Vadhusara. And it passeth by the hermitage of Chyavana. And +in this manner was born Chyavana of great ascetic power, the son of Bhrigu. + +"And Bhrigu saw his child Chyavana and its beautiful mother. And the Rishi +in a rage asked her, 'By whom wast thou made known to that Rakshasa who +resolved to carry thee away? O thou of agreeable smiles, the Rakshasa +could not know thee as my wife. Therefore tell me who it was that told the +Rakshasa so, in order that I may curse him through anger.' And Pauloma +replied, 'O possessor of the six attributes! I was identified to the +Rakshasa by Agni (the god of fire). And he (the Rakshasa) bore me away, +who cried like the Kurari (female osprey). And it was only by the ardent +splendour of this thy son that I was rescued, for the Rakshasa (seeing +this infant) let me go and himself falling to the ground was turned into +ashes.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Bhrigu, upon hearing this account from Pauloma, became +exceedingly enraged. And in excess of passion the Rishi cursed Agni, +saying, 'Thou shalt eat of all things.'" + +So ends the sixth section called "the curse on Agni" in the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION VII + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'the god of fire enraged at the curse of Bhrigu, thus +addressed the Rishi, 'What meaneth this rashness, O Brahmana, that thou +hast displayed towards me? What transgression can be imputed to me who was +labouring to do justice and speak the truth impartially? Being asked I +gave the true answer. A witness who when interrogated about a fact of +which he hath knowledge, representeth otherwise than it is, ruineth his +ancestors and descendants both to the seventh generation. He, too, who, +being fully cognisant of all the particulars of an affair, doth not +disclose what he knoweth, when asked, is undoubtedly stained with guilt. I +can also curse thee, but Brahmanas are held by me in high respect. +Although these are known to thee, O Brahmana, I will yet speak of them, so +please attend! Having, by ascetic power, multiplied myself, I am present +in various forms, in places of the daily homa, at sacrifices extending for +years, in places where holy rites are performed (such as marriage, etc.), +and at other sacrifices. With the butter that is poured upon my flame +according to the injunctions prescribed in the Vedas, the Devas and the +Pitris are appeased. The Devas are the waters; the Pitris are also the +waters. The Devas have with the Pitris an equal right to the sacrifices +called Darshas and Purnamasas. The Devas therefore are the Pitris and the +Pitris, the Devas. They are identical beings, worshipped together and also +separately at the changes of the moon. The Devas and the Pitris eat what +is poured upon me. I am therefore called the mouth of the Devas and the +Pitris. At the new moon the Pitris, and at the full moon the Devas, are +fed through my mouth, eating of the clarified butter that is poured on me. +Being, as I am, their mouth, how am I to be an eater of all things (clean +and unclean)?' + +"Then Agni, after reflecting for a while, withdrew himself from all places; +from places of the daily homa of the Brahmanas, from all long-extending +sacrifices, from places of holy rites, and from other ceremonies. Without +their Oms and Vashats, and deprived of their Swadhas and Swahas +(sacrificial mantras during offerings), the whole body of creatures became +much distressed at the loss of their (sacrificial) fire. The Rishis in +great anxiety went to the gods and addressed them thus, 'Ye immaculate +beings! The three regions of the universe are confounded at the cessation +of their sacrifices and ceremonies in consequence of the loss of fire! +Ordain what is to be done in this matter, so that there may be no loss of +time.' Then the Rishis and the gods went together to the presence of +Brahma. And they represented to him all about the curse on Agni and the +consequent interruption of all ceremonies. And they said, 'O thou greatly +fortunate! Once Agni hath been cursed by Bhrigu for some reason. Indeed, +being the mouth of the gods and also the first who eateth of what is +offered in sacrifices, the eater also of the sacrificial butter, how will +Agni be reduced to the condition of one who eateth of all things +promiscuously?' And the creator of the universe hearing these words of +theirs summoned Agni to his presence. And Brahma addressed Agni, the +creator of all and eternal as himself, in these gentle words, 'Thou art +the creator of the worlds and thou art their destroyer! Thou preserves +the three worlds and thou art the promoter of all sacrifices and +ceremonies! Therefore behave thyself so that ceremonies be not interrupted. +And, O thou eater of the sacrificial butter, why dost thou act so +foolishly, being, as thou art, the Lord of all? Thou alone art always pure +in the universe and thou art its stay! Thou shall not, with all thy body, +be reduced to the state of one who eateth of all things promiscuously. O +thou of flames, the flame that is in thy viler parts shall alone eat of +all things alike. The body of thine which eateth of flesh (being in the +stomach of all carnivorous animals) shall also eat of all things +promiscuously. And as every thing touched by the sun's rays becometh pure, +so shall everything be pure that shall be burnt by thy flames. Thou art, O +fire, the supreme energy born of thy own power. Then, O Lord, by that +power of thine make the Rishi's curse come true. Continue to receive thy +own portion and that of the gods, offered at thy mouth.' + +Sauti continued, "Then Agni replied to the Grandfather, 'So be it.' And +he then went away to obey the command of the supreme Lord. The gods and +the Rishis also returned in delight to the place whence they had come. And +the Rishis began to perform as before their ceremonies and sacrifices. And +the gods in heaven and all creatures of the world rejoiced exceedingly. +And Agni too rejoiced in that he was free from the prospect of sin. + +"Thus, O possessor of the six attributes, had Agni been cursed in the days +of yore by Bhrigu. And such is the ancient history connected with the +destruction of the Rakshasa, Pauloma and the birth of Chyavana.'" + +Thus endeth the seventh section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva of +the blessed Mahabharata. + + +SECTION VIII + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'O Brahmana, Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, begot a son in the +womb of his wife Sukanya. And that son was the illustrious Pramati of +resplendent energy. And Pramati begot in the womb of Ghritachi a son +called Ruru. And Ruru begot on his wife Pramadvara a son called Sunaka. +And I shall relate to you in detail, O Brahmana, the entire history of +Ruru of abundant energy. O listen to it then in full! + +"Formerly there was a great Rishi called Sthulakesa possessed of ascetic +power and learning and kindly disposed towards all creatures. At that time, +O Brahmana sage, Viswavasu, the King of the Gandharvas, it is said, had +intimacy with Menaka, the celestial dancing-girl. And the Apsara, Menaka, +O thou of the Bhrigu race, when her time was come, brought forth an infant +near the hermitage of Sthulakesa. And dropping the newborn infant on the +banks of the river, O Brahmana, Menaka, the Apsara, being destitute of +pity and shame, went away. And the Rishi, Sthulakesa, of great ascetic +power, discovered the infant lying forsaken in a lonely part of the river- +side. And he perceived that it was a female child, bright as the offspring +of an Immortal and blazing, as it were, with beauty: And the great +Brahmana, Sthulakesa, the first of Munis, seeing that female child, and +filled with compassion, took it up and reared it. And the lovely child +grew up in his holy habitation, the noble-minded and blessed Rishi +Sthulakesa performing in due succession all the ceremonies beginning with +that at birth as ordained by the divine law. And because she surpassed all +of her sex in goodness, beauty, and every quality, the great Rishi called +her by the name of Pramadvara. And the pious Ruru having seen Pramadvara +in the hermitage of Sthulakesa became one whose heart was pierced by the +god of love. And Ruru by means of his companions made his father Pramati, +the son of Bhrigu, acquainted with his passion. And Pramati demanded her +of the far-famed Sthulakesa for his son. And her foster-father betrothed +the virgin Pramadvara to Ruru, fixing the nuptials for the day when the +star Varga-Daivata (Purva-phalguni) would be ascendant. + +"Then within a few days of the time fixed for the nuptials, the beautiful +virgin while at play with companions of her own sex, her time having come, +impelled by fate, trod upon a serpent which she did not perceive as it lay +in coil. And the reptile, urged to execute the will of Fate, violently +darted its envenomed fangs into the body of the heedless maiden. And stung +by that serpent, she instantly dropped senseless on the ground, her colour +faded and all the graces of her person went off. And with dishevelled hair +she became a spectacle of woe to her companions and friends. And she who +was so agreeable to behold became on her death what was too painful to +look at. And the girl of slender waist lying on the ground like one asleep-- +being overcome with the poison of the snake--once more became more +beautiful than in life. And her foster-father and the other holy ascetics +who were there, all saw her lying motionless upon the ground with the +splendour of a lotus. And then there came many noted Brahmanas filled with +compassion, and they sat around her. And Swastyatreya, Mahajana, Kushika, +Sankhamekhala, Uddalaka, Katha, and Sweta of great renown, Bharadwaja, +Kaunakutsya, Arshtishena, Gautama, Pramati, and Pramati's son Ruru, and +other inhabitants of the forest, came there. And when they saw that maiden +lying dead on the ground overcome with the poison of the reptile that had +bitten her, they all wept filled with compassion. But Ruru, mortified +beyond measure, retired from the scene.'" + +So ends the eighth section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva of the +blessed Mahabharata. + + +SECTION IX + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'While those illustrious Brahmanas were sitting around the +dead body of Pramadvara, Ruru, sorely afflicted, retired into a deep wood +and wept aloud. And overwhelmed with grief he indulged in much piteous +lamentation. And, remembering his beloved Pramadvara, he gave vent to his +sorrow in the following words, 'Alas! The delicate fair one that +increaseth my affliction lieth upon the bare ground. What can be more +deplorable to us, her friends? If I have been charitable, if I have +performed acts of penance, if I have ever revered my superiors, let the +merit of these arts restore to life my beloved one! If from my birth I +have been controlling my passions, adhered to my vows, let the fair +Pramadvara rise from the ground.' + +"And while Ruru was indulging in these lamentations for the loss of his +bride, a messenger from heaven came to him in the forest and addressed him +thus, 'The words thou utterest, O Ruru, in thy affliction are certainly +ineffectual. For, O pious man, one belonging to this world whose days have +run out can never come back to life. This poor child of a Gandharva and +Apsara has had her days run out! Therefore, O child, thou shouldst not +consign thy heart to sorrow. The great gods, however, have provided +beforehand a means of her restoration to life. And if thou compliest with +it, thou mayest receive back thy Pramadvara.' + +"And Ruru replied, 'O messenger of heaven! What is that which the gods have +ordained. Tell me in full so that (on hearing) I may comply with it. It +behoveth thee to deliver me from grief!' And the celestial messenger said +unto Ruru, 'Resign half of thy own life to thy bride, and then, O Ruru of +the race of Bhrigu, thy Pramadvara shall rise from the ground.' 'O best of +celestial messengers, I most willingly offer a moiety of my own life in +favour of my bride. Then let my beloved one rise up once more in her dress +and lovable form.' + +"Sauti said, 'Then the king of Gandharvas (the father of Pramadvara) and +the celestial messenger, both of excellent qualities, went to the god +Dharma (the Judge of the dead) and addressed him, saying, 'If it be thy +will, O Dharmaraja, let the amiable Pramadvara, the betrothed wife of Ruru, +now lying dead, rise up with a moiety of Ruru's life.' And Dharmaraja +answered, 'O messenger of the gods, if it be thy wish, let Pramadvara, the +betrothed wife of Ruru, rise up endued with a moiety of Ruru's life.' + +"Sauti continued, 'And when Dharmaraja had said so, that maiden of +superior complexion, Pramadvara, endued with a moiety of Ruru's life, rose +as from her slumber. This bestowal by Ruru of a moiety of his own span of +life to resuscitate his bride afterwards led, as it would be seen, to a +curtailment of Ruru's life. + +"And on an auspicious day their fathers gladly married them with due rites. +And the couple passed their days, devoted to each other. And Ruru having +obtained such a wife, as is hard to be found, beautiful and bright as the +filaments of the lotus, made a vow for the destruction of the serpent-race. +And whenever he saw a serpent he became filled with great wrath and always +killed it with a weapon. + +"One day, O Brahmana, Ruru entered an extensive forest. And there he saw +an old serpent of the Dundubha species lying stretched on the ground. And +Ruru thereupon lifted up in anger his staff, even like to the staff of +Death, for the purpose of killing it. Then the Dundubha, addressing Ruru, +said, 'I have done thee no harm, O Brahmana! Then wherefore wilt thou slay +me in anger?'" + +So ends the ninth section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva of the +blessed Mahabharata. + + +SECTION X + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'And Ruru, on hearing those words, replied, 'My wife, dear to +me as life, was bit by a snake; upon which, I took, O snake, a dreadful +vow, viz., that I would kill every snake that I might come across. +Therefore shall I smite thee and thou shalt be deprived of life.' + +"And the Dundubha replied, 'O Brahmana, the snakes that bite man are quite +different in type. It behoveth thee not to slay Dundubhas who are serpents +only in name. Subject like other serpents to the same calamities but not +sharing their good fortune, in woe the same but in joy different, the +Dundubhas should not be slain by thee under any misconception.' + +"Sauti continued, 'And the Rishi Ruru hearing these words of the serpent, +and seeing that it was bewildered with fear, albeit a snake of the +Dundubha species, killed it not. And Ruru, the possessor of the six +attributes, comforting the snake addressed it, saying, 'Tell me fully, O +snake, who art thou thus metamorphosed?' And the Dundubha replied, 'O +Ruru! I was formerly a Rishi by name Sahasrapat. And it is by the curse of +a Brahmana that I have been transformed into a snake.' And Ruru asked, 'O +thou best of snakes, for what wast thou cursed by a Brahmana in wrath? And +how long also will thy form continue so?'" + +And so ends the tenth section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XI + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +"Sauti continued 'The Dundubha then said, 'In former times, I had a friend +Khagama by name. He was impetuous in his speech and possessed of spiritual +power by virtue of his austerities. And one day when he was engaged in the +Agni-hotra (Fire-sacrifice), I made a mock snake of blades of grass, and +in a frolic attempted to frighten him with it. And anon he fell into a +swoon. On recovering his senses, that truth-telling and vow-observing +ascetic, burning with wrath, exclaimed, 'Since thou hast made a powerless +mock snake to frighten me, thou shalt be turned even into a venomless +serpent thyself by my curse.' O ascetic, I well knew the power of his +penances; therefore with an agitated heart, I addressed him thus, bending +low with joined hands, 'Friend, I did this by way of a joke, to excite thy +laughter. It behoveth thee to forgive me and revoke thy curse.' And seeing +me sorely troubled, the ascetic was moved, and he replied, breathing hot +and hard. 'What I have said must come to pass. Listen to what I say and +lay it to thy heart. O pious one! when Ruru the pure son of Pramati, will +appear, thou shall be delivered from the curse the moment thou seest him. +Thou art the very Ruru and the son of Pramati. On regaining my native form, +I will tell thee something for thy good.' + +"And that illustrious man and the best of Brahmanas then left his snake- +body, and attained his own form and original brightness. He then addressed +the following words to Ruru of incomparable power, 'O thou first of +created beings, verily the highest virtue of man is sparing the life of +others. Therefore a Brahmana should never take the life of any creature. A +Brahmana should ever be mild. This is the most sacred injunction of the +Vedas. A Brahmana should be versed in the Vedas and Vedangas, and should +inspire all creatures with belief in God. He should be benevolent to all +creatures, truthful, and forgiving, even as it is his paramount duty to +retain the Vedas in his memory. The duties of the Kshatriya are not thine. +To be stern, to wield the sceptre and to rule the subjects properly are +the duties of the Kshatriya. Listen, O Ruru, to the account of the +destruction of snakes at the sacrifice of Janamejaya in days of yore, and +the deliverance of the terrified reptiles by that best of Dwijas, Astika, +profound in Vedic lore and might in spiritual energy.'" + +And so ends the eleventh section of the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XII + +(Pauloma Parva continued) + +"Sauti continued, 'Ruru then asked, 'O best of Dwijas, why was king +Janamejaya bent upon destroying the serpents?--And why and how were they +saved by the wise Astika? I am anxious to hear all this in detail.' + +"The Rishi replied, 'O Ruru, the important history of Astika you will +learn from the lips of Brahmanas.' Saying this, he vanished. + +"Sauti continued, 'Ruru ran about in search of the missing Rishi, and +having failed to find him in all the woods, fell down on the ground, +fatigued. And revolving in his mind the words of the Rishi, he was greatly +confounded and seemed to be deprived of his senses. Regaining +consciousness, he came home and asked his father to relate the history in +question. Thus asked, his father related all about the story.'" + +So ends the twelfth section in the Pauloma Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XIII + +(Astika Parva) + +"Saunaka said, 'For what reason did that tiger among kings, the royal +Janamejaya, determine to take the lives of the snakes by means of a +sacrifice? O Sauti, tell us in full the true story. Tell us also why +Astika, that best of regenerate ones, that foremost of ascetics, rescued +the snakes from the blazing fire. Whose son was that monarch who +celebrated the snake-sacrifice? And whose son also was that best of +regenerate ones?' + +"Sauti said, 'O best of speakers, this story of Astika is long. I will +duly relate it in full, O listen!' + +"Saunaka said, 'I am desirous of hearing at length the charming story of +that Rishi, that illustrious Brahmana named Astika.' + +"Sauti said, 'This history (first) recited by Krishna-Dwaipayana, is +called a Purana by the Brahmanas. It was formerly narrated by my wise +father, Lomaharshana, the disciple of Vyasa, before the dwellers of the +Naimisha forest, at their request. I was present at the recital, and, O +Saunaka, since thou askest me, I shall narrate the history of Astika +exactly as I heard it. O listen, as I recite in full that sin-destroying +story. + +"The father of Astika was powerful like Prajapati. He was a Brahma-charin, +always engaged in austere devotions. He ate sparingly, was a great ascetic, +and had his lust under complete control. And he was known by the name of +Jaratkaru. That foremost one among the Yayavaras, virtuous and of rigid +vows, highly blessed and endued with great ascetic power, once undertook a +journey over the world. He visited diverse places, bathed in diverse +sacred waters, and rested where night overtook him. Endued with great +energy, he practised religious austerities, hard to be practised by men of +unrestrained souls. The sage lived upon air only, and renounced sleep for +ever. Thus going about like a blazing fire, one day he happened to see his +ancestors, hanging heads down in a great hole, their feet pointing upwards. +On seeing them, Jaratkaru addressed them, saying: + +'Who are you thus hanging heads down in this hole by a rope of virana +fibres that is again secretly eaten into on all sides by a rat living +here?' + +"The ancestors said, 'We are Rishis of rigid vows, called Yayavaras. We +are sinking low into the earth for want of offspring. We have a son named +Jaratkaru. Woe to us! That wretch hath entered upon a life of austerities +only! The fool doth not think of raising offspring by marriage! It is for +that reason, viz., the fear of extinction of our race, that we are +suspended in this hole. Possessed of means, we fare like unfortunates that +have none! O excellent one, who art thou that thus sorrowest as a friend +on our account? We desire to learn, O Brahmana, who thou art that standest +by us, and why, O best of men, thou sorrowest for us that are so +unfortunate.' + +"Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my sires and grandsires; I am that Jaratkaru! +O, tell me, how I may serve you.' + +"The fathers then answered, 'Try thy best, O child, to beget a son to +extend our line. Thou wilt then, O excellent one, have done a meritorious +art for both thyself and us. Not by the fruits of virtue, not by ascetic +penances well hoarded up, acquireth the merit which one doth by becoming a +father. Therefore, O child, by our command, set thy heart upon marriage +and offspring. Even this is our highest good.' + +"Jaratkaru replied, 'I shall not marry for my sake, nor shall I earn +wealth for enjoyment, but I shall do so for your welfare only. According +to this understanding, I shall, agreeably to the Sastric ordinance, take a +wife for attaining the end. I shall not act otherwise. If a bride may be +had of the same name with me, whose friends would, besides, willingly give +her to me as a gift in charity, I shall wed her duly. But who will give +his daughter to a poor man like me for wife. I shall, however, accept any +daughter given to me as alms. I shall endeavour, ye sires, even thus to +wed a girl! Having given my word, I will not act otherwise. Upon her I +will raise offspring for your redemption, so that, ye fathers, ye may +attain to eternal regions (of bliss) and may rejoice as ye like.'" + +So ends the thirteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'That Brahmana of rigid vows then wandered over the earth for +a wife but a wife found he not. One day he went into the forest, and +recollecting the words of his ancestors, he thrice prayed in a faint voice +for a bride. Thereupon Vasuki rose and offered his sister for the Rishi's +acceptance. But the Brahmana hesitated to accept her, thinking her not to +be of the same name with himself. The high-souled Jaratkaru thought within +himself, 'I will take none for wife who is not of the same name with +myself.' Then that Rishi of great wisdom and austere penances asked him, +saying, 'Tell me truly what is the name of this thy sister, O snake.' + +"Vasuki replied, 'O Jaratkaru, this my younger sister is called Jaratkaru. +Given away by me, accept this slender-waisted damsel for thy spouse. O +best of Brahmanas, for thee I reserved her. Therefore, take her.' Saying +this, he offered his beautiful sister to Jaratkaru who then espoused her +with ordained rites." + +So ends the thirteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'O foremost of persons acquainted with Brahma, the mother of +the snakes had cursed them of old, saying, 'He that hath the Wind for his +charioteer (viz., Agni) shall burn you all in Janamejaya's sacrifice!' It +was to neutralise that curse that the chief of the snakes married his +sister to that high-souled Rishi of excellent vows. The Rishi wedded her +according to the rites ordained (in the scriptures), and from them was +born a high-souled son called Astika. An illustrious ascetic; versed in +the Vedas and their branches, he regarded all with an even eye, and +removed the fears of both his parents. + +"Then, after a long space of time, a king descending from the Pandava line +celebrated a great sacrifice known as the Snake-sacrifice, After that +sacrifice had commenced for the destruction of the snakes, Astika +delivered the Nagas, viz., his brothers and maternal uncles and other +snakes (from a fiery death). And he delivered his fathers also by +begetting offspring. And by his austerities, O Brahmana, and various vows +and study of the Vedas, he freed himself from all his debts. By sacrifices, +at which various kinds of offerings were made, he propitiated the gods. By +practising the Brahmacharya mode of life he conciliated the Rishis; and by +begetting offspring he gratified his ancestors. + +"Thus Jaratkaru of rigid vows discharged the heavy debt he owed to his +sires who being thus relieved from bondage ascended to heaven. Thus having +acquired great religious merit, Jaratkaru, after a long course of years, +went to heaven, leaving Astika behind. There is the story of Astika that I +have related duly Now, tell me, O tiger of Bhrigu's race, what else I +shall narrate." + +So ends the fifteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Saunaka said, 'O Sauti, relate once more in detail this history of the +learned and virtuous Astika. Our curiosity for hearing it is great. O +amiable one, thou speakest sweetly, with proper accent and emphasis; and +we are well-pleased with thy speech. Thou speakest even as thy father. Thy +sire was ever ready to please us. Tell us now the story as thy father had +related it.' + +"Sauti said, 'O thou that art blest with longevity, I shall narrate the +history of Astika as I heard it from my father. O Brahmana, in the golden +age, Prajapati had two daughters. O sinless one, the sisters were endowed +with wonderful beauty. Named Kadru and Vinata, they became the wives of +Kasyapa. Kasyapa derived great pleasure from his two wedded wives and +being gratified he, resembling Prajapati himself, offered to give each of +them a boon. Hearing that their lord was willing to confer on them their +choice blessings, those excellent ladies felt transports of joy. Kadru +wished to have for sons a thousand snakes all of equal splendour. And +Vinata wished to bring forth two sons surpassing the thousand offsprings +of Kadru in strength, energy, size of body, and prowess. Unto Kadru her +lord gave that boon about a multitude of offspring. And unto Vinata also, +Kasyapa said, 'Be it so!' Then Vinata, having obtained her prayer, +rejoiced greatly. Obtaining two sons of superior prowess, she regarded her +boon fulfilled. Kadru also obtained her thousand sons of equal splendour. +'Bear the embryos carefully,' said Kasyapa, and then he went into the +forest, leaving his two wives pleased with his blessings.' + +"Sauti continued, 'O best of regenerate ones, after a long time, Kadru +brought forth a thousand eggs, and Vinata two. Their maid-servants +deposited the eggs separately in warm vessels. Five hundred years passed +away, and the thousand eggs produced by Kadru burst and out came the +progeny. But the twins of Vinata did not appear. Vinata was jealous, and +therefore she broke one of the eggs and found in it an embryo with the +upper part developed but the lower one undeveloped. At this, the child in +the egg became angry and cursed his mother, saying. 'Since thou hast +prematurely broken this egg, thou shall serve as a slave. Shouldst thou +wait five hundred years and not destroy, or render the other egg half- +developed, by breaking it through impatience, then the illustrious child +within it will deliver thee from slavery! And if thou wouldst have the +child strong, thou must take tender care of the egg for all this time!' +Thus cursing his mother, the child rose to the sky. O Brahmana, even he is +the charioteer of Surya, always seen in the hour of morning! + +"Then at the expiration of the five hundred years, bursting open the other +egg, out came Garuda, the serpent-eater. O tiger of Bhrigu's race, +immediately on seeing the light, that son of Vinata left his mother. And +the lord of birds, feeling hungry, took wing in quest of the food assigned +to him by the Great Ordainer of all.". + +So ends the sixteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'O ascetic, about this time the two sisters saw approaching +near, that steed of complacent appearance named Uchchaihsravas who was +worshipped by the gods, that gem of steeds, who arose at the churning of +the Ocean for nectar. Divine, graceful, perpetually young, creation's +master-piece, and of irresistible vigour, it was blest with every +auspicious mark.' + +"Saunaka asked, 'Why did the gods churn the Ocean for nectar, and under +what circumstances and when as you say, did that best of steeds so +powerful and resplendent spring?' + +"Sauti said, 'There is a mountain named Meru, of blazing appearance, and +looking like a heap of effulgence. The rays of the Sun falling on its +peaks of golden lustre are dispersed by them. Decked with gold and +exceedingly beautiful, that mountain is the haunt of the gods and the +Gandharvas. It is immeasurable and unapproachable by men of manifold sins. +Dreadful beasts of prey wander over its breasts, and it is illuminated by +many divine life-giving herbs. It stands kissing the heavens by its height +and is the first of mountains. Ordinary people cannot even think of +ascending it. It is graced with trees and streams, and resounds with the +charming melody of winged choirs. Once the celestials sat on its begemmed +peak--in conclave. They who had practised penances and observed excellent +vows for amrita now seemed to be eager seekers after amrita (celestial +ambrosia). Seeing the celestial assembly in anxious mood Nara-yana said to +Brahman, 'Do thou churn the Ocean with the gods and the Asuras. By doing +so, amrita will be obtained as also all drugs and gems. O ye gods, churn +the Ocean, ye will discover amrita.'" + +So ends the seventeenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XVIII + +(Astika Parva continued] + +"Sauti said, 'There is a mountain called Mandara adorned with cloud-like +peaks. It is the best of mountains, and is covered all over with +intertwining herbs. There countless birds pour forth their melodies, and +beasts of prey roam about. The gods, the Apsaras and the Kinnaras visit +the place. Upwards it rises eleven thousand yojanas, and descends +downwards as much. The gods wanted to tear it up and use it as a churning +rod but failing to do so came to Vishnu and Brahman who were sitting +together, and said unto them, 'Devise some efficient scheme, consider, ye +gods, how Mandara may be dislodged for our good.' + +"Sauti continued, 'O son of Bhrigu! Vishnu with Brahman assented to it. +And the lotus-eyed one (Vishnu) laid the hard task on the mighty Ananta, +the prince of snakes. The powerful Ananta, directed thereto both by +Brahman and Narayana, O Brahmana, tore up the mountain with the woods +thereon and with the denizens of those woods. And the gods came to the +shore of the Ocean with Ananta and addressed the Ocean, saying, 'O Ocean; +we have come to churn thy waters for obtaining nectar.' And the Ocean +replied, 'Be it so, as I shall not go without a share of it. I am able to +bear the prodigious agitation of my waters set up by the mountain.' The +gods then went to the king of tortoises and said to him, 'O Tortoise-king, +thou wilt have to hold the mountain on thy back!' The Tortoise-king agreed, +and Indra contrived to place the mountain on the former's back. + +"And the gods and the Asuras made of Mandara a churning staff and Vasuki +the cord, and set about churning the deep for amrita. The Asuras held +Vasuki by the hood and the gods held him by the tail. And Ananta, who was +on the side of the gods, at intervals raised the snake's hood and suddenly +lowered it. And in consequence of the stretch Vasuki received at the hands +of the gods and the Asuras, black vapours with flames issued from his +mouth. These, turned into clouds charged with lightning, poured showers +that refreshed the tired gods. And flowers that also fell on all sides of +the celestials from the trees on the whirling Mandara, refreshed them. + +"Then, O Brahmana, out of the deep came a tremendous roar like unto the +roar of the clouds at the Universal Dissolution. Diverse aquatic animals +being crushed by the great mountain gave up the ghost in the salt waters. +And many denizens of the lower regions and the world of Varuna were killed. +Large trees with birds on the whirling Mandara were torn up by the roots +and fell into the water. The mutual friction of those trees also produced +fires that blazed up frequently. The mountain thus looked like a mass of +dark clouds charged with lightning. O Brahmana, the fire spread, and +consumed the lions, elephants and other creatures that were on the +mountain. Then Indra extinguished that fire by pouring down heavy showers. + +"After the churning, O Brahmana, had gone on for some time, gummy +exudations of various trees and herbs vested with the properties of amrita +mingled with the waters of the Ocean. And the celestials attained to +immortality by drinking of the water mixed with those gums and with the +liquid extract of gold. By degrees, the milky water of the agitated deep +turned into clarified butter by virtue of those gums and juices. But +nectar did not appear even then. The gods came before the boon-granting +Brahman seated on his seat and said, 'Sire, we are spent up, we have no +strength left to churn further. Nectar hath not yet arisen so that now we +have no resource save Narayana.' + +"On hearing them, Brahman said to Narayana, 'O Lord, condescend to grant +the gods strength to churn the deep afresh.' + +"Then Narayana agreeing to grant their various prayers, said, 'Ye wise +ones, I grant you sufficient strength. Go, put the mountain in position +again and churn the water.' + +"Re-established thus in strength, the gods recommenced churning. After a +while, the mild Moon of a thousand rays emerged from the Ocean. Thereafter +sprung forth Lakshmi dressed in white, then Soma, then the White Steed, +and then the celestial gem Kaustubha which graces the breast of Narayana. +Then Lakshmi, Soma and the Steed, fleet as the mind, all came before the +gods on high. Then arose the divine Dhanwantari himself with the white +vessel of nectar in his hand. And seeing him, the Asuras set up a loud cry, +saying, 'It be ours.' + +"And at length rose the great elephant, Airavata, of huge body and with +two pair of white tusks. And him took Indra the wielder of the thunderbolt. +But with the churning still going on, the poison Kalakuta appeared at last. +Engulfing the Earth it suddenly blazed up like a fire attended with fumes. +And by the scent of the fearful Kalakuta, the three worlds were stupefied. +And then Siva, being solicited by Brahman, swallowed that poison for the +safety of the creation. The divine Maheswara held it in his throat, and it +is said that from that time he is called Nilakantha (blue-throated). +Seeing all these wondrous things, the Asuras were filled with despair, and +got themselves prepared for entering into hostilities with the gods for +the possession of Lakshmi and Amrita. Thereupon Narayana called his +bewitching Maya (illusive power) to his aid, and assuming the form of an +enticing female, coquetted with the Danavas. The Danavas and the Daityas +charmed with her exquisite beauty and grace lost their reason and +unanimously placed the Amrita in the hands of that fair damsel.'" + +So ends the eighteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XIX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Then the Daityas and the Danavas equipped with first-class +armours and various weapons attacked the gods. In the meantime the valiant +Lord Vishnu in the form of an enchantress accompanied by Nara deceived the +mighty Danavas and took away the Amrita from their hands. + +"And all the gods at that time of great fright drank the Amrita with +delight, receiving it from Vishnu. And while the gods were partaking of it, +after which they had so much hankered, a Danava named Rahu was also +drinking it among them in the guise of a god. And when the Amrita had +reached Rahu's throat only, Surya and Soma (recognised him and) intimated +the fact to the gods. And Narayana instantly cut off with his discus the +well-adorned head of the Danava who was drinking the Amrita without +permission. And the huge head of the Danava, cut off by the discus and +resembling a mountain peak, then rose up to the sky and began to utter +dreadful cries. And the Danava's headless trunk, falling upon the ground +and rolling thereon, made the Earth tremble with her mountains, forests +and islands. And from that time there is a long-standing quarrel between +Rahu's head and Surya and Soma. And to this day it swalloweth Surya and +Soma (during solar and lunar eclipses). + +"Then Narayana quitting his enchanting female form and hurling many +terrible weapons at the Danavas, made them tremble. And thus on the shores +of the salt-water sea, commenced the dreadful battle of the gods and the +Asuras. And sharp-pointed javelins and lances and various weapons by +thousands began to be discharged on all sides. And mangled with the discus +and wounded with swords, darts and maces, the Asuras in large numbers +vomited blood and lay prostrate on the earth. Cut off from the trunks with +sharp double-edged swords, heads adorned with bright gold, fell +continually on the field of battle. Their bodies drenched in gore, the +great Asuras lay dead everywhere. It seemed as if red-dyed mountain peaks +lay scattered all around. And when the Sun rose in his splendour, +thousands of warriors struck one another with weapons. And cries of +distress were heard everywhere. The warriors fighting at a distance from +one another brought one another down by sharp iron missiles, and those +fighting at close quarters slew one another with blows of their fists. And +the air was filled with shrieks of distress. Everywhere were heard the +alarming sounds,--'cut', 'pierce', 'at them', 'hurl down', 'advance'. + +"And when the battle was raging fiercely, Nara and Narayana entered the +field. And Narayana seeing the celestial bow in the hand of Nara, called +to mind his own weapon, the Danava-destroying discus. And lo! the discus, +Sudarsana, destroyer of enemies, like to Agni in effulgence and dreadful +in battle, came from the sky as soon as thought of. And when it came, +Narayana of fierce energy, possessing arms like the trunk of an elephant, +hurled with great force that weapon of extraordinary lustre, effulgent as +blazing fire, dreadful and capable of destroying hostile towns. And that +discus blazing like the fire that consumeth all things at the end of Yuga, +hurled with force from the hands of Narayana, and falling constantly +everywhere, destroyed the Daityas and the Danavas by thousands. Sometimes +it blazed like fire and consumed them all; sometimes it struck them down +as it coursed through the sky; and sometimes, falling on the earth, it +drank their life-blood like a goblin. + +"On the other hand, the Danavas, white as the clouds from which the rain +hath dropped, possessing great strength and bold hearts, ascended the sky, +and by hurling down thousands of mountains, continually harassed the gods. +And those dreadful mountains, like masses of clouds, with their trees and +flat tops, falling from the sky, collided with one another and produced a +tremendous roar. And when thousands of warriors shouted without +intermission in the field of battle and mountains with the woods thereon +began to fall around, the earth with her forests trembled. Then the divine +Nara appeared at the scene of the dreadful conflict between the Asuras and +the Ganas (the followers of Rudra), and reducing to dust those rocks by +means of his gold-headed arrows, he covered the heavens with dust. Thus +discomfited by the gods, and seeing the furious discus scouring the fields +of heaven like a blazing flame, the mighty Danavas entered the bowels of +the earth, while others plunged into the sea of salt-waters. + +"And having gained the victory, the gods offered due respect to Mandara +and placed him again on his own base. And the nectar-bearing gods made the +heavens resound with their shouts, and went to their own abodes. And the +gods, on returning to the heavens, rejoiced greatly, and Indra and the +other deities made over to Narayana the vessel of Amrita for careful +keeping.'" + +And so ends the nineteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Thus have I recited to you the whole story of how Amrita was +churned out of the Ocean, and the occasion on which the horse +Uchchaihsravas of great beauty and incomparable prowess was obtained. It +was this horse about which Kadru asked Vinata, saying, 'Tell me, amiable +sister, without taking much time, of what colour Uchchaishravas is.' And +Vinata answered, 'That prince of steeds is certainly white. What dost thou +think, sister? Say thou what is its colour. Let us lay a wager upon it.' +Kadru replied, then, 'O thou of sweet smiles. I think that horse is black +in its tail. Beauteous one, bet with me that she who loseth will become +the other's slave.' + +'Sauti continued, 'Thus wagering with each other about menial service as a +slave, the sisters went home, and resolved to satisfy themselves by +examining the horse next day. And Kadru, bent upon practising a deception, +ordered her thousand sons to transform themselves into black hair and +speedily cover the horse's tail in order that she might not become a slave. +But her sons, the snakes, refusing to do her bidding, she cursed them, +saying, 'During the snake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the +Pandava race, Agni shall consume you all.' And the Grandsire (Brahman) +himself heard this exceedingly cruel curse pronounced by Kadru, impelled +by the fates. And seeing that the snakes had multiplied exceedingly, the +Grandsire, moved by kind consideration for his creatures, sanctioned with +all the gods this curse of Kadru. Indeed, as the snakes were of virulent +poison, great prowess and excess of strength, and ever bent on biting +other creatures, their mother's conduct towards them--those persecutors of +all creatures,--was very proper for the good of all creatures. Fate always +inflicts punishment of death on those who seek the death of other +creatures. The gods, having exchanged such sentiments with one another, +supported Kadru's action (and went away). And Brahman, calling Kasyapa to +him, spake unto him these words, 'O thou pure one who overcomest all +enemies, these snakes begotten by you, who are of virulent poison and huge +bodies, and ever intent on biting other creatures, have been cursed by +their mother. O son, do not grieve for it in the least. The destruction of +the snakes in the sacrifice hath, indeed, been ordained long ago.' Saying +this, the divine Creator of the Universe comforted Kasyapa and imparted to +that illustrious one the knowledge of neutralising poison." + +And so ends the twentieth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Then when the night had passed away and the sun had risen in +the morning, O thou whose wealth is asceticism, the two sisters Kadru and +Vinata, having laid a wager about slavery, went with haste and impatience +to view the steed Uchchaishravas from a near point. On their way they saw +the Ocean, that receptacle of waters, vast and deep, rolling and +tremendously roaring, full of fishes large enough to swallow the whale, +and abounding with huge makaras and creatures of various forms by +thousands, and rendered inaccessible by the presence of other terrible, +monster-shaped, dark, and fierce aquatic animals, abounding with tortoises +and crocodiles, the mine of all kinds of gems, the home of Varuna (the +water-God), the excellent and beautiful residence of the Nagas, the lord +of all rivers, the abode of the subterranean fire, the friend (or asylum) +of the Asuras, the terror of all creatures, the grand reservoir of water, +and ever immutable. It is holy, beneficial to the gods, and is the great +source of nectar; without limits, inconceivable, sacred, and highly +wonderful. It is dark, terrible with the sound of aquatic creatures, +tremendously roaring, and full of deep whirl-pools. It is an object of +terror to all creatures. Moved by the winds blowing from its shores and +heaving high, agitated and disturbed, it seems to dance everywhere with +uplifted hands represented by its surges. Full of swelling billows caused +by the waxing and waning of the moon the parent of Vasudeva's great conch +called Panchajanya, the great mine of gems, its waters were formerly +disturbed in consequence of the agitation caused within them by the Lord +Govinda of immeasurable prowess when he had assumed the form of a wild +boar for raising the (submerged) Earth. Its bottom, lower than the nether +regions, the vow observing regenerate Rishi Atri could not fathom after +(toiling for) a hundred years. It becomes the bed of the lotus-naveled +Vishnu when at the termination of every Yuga that deity of immeasurable +power enjoys yoga-nidra, the deep sleep under the spell of spiritual +meditation. It is the refuge of Mainaka fearful of falling thunder, and +the retreat of the Asuras overcome in fierce encounters. It offers water +as sacrificial butter to the blazing fire issuing from the mouth of Varava +(the Ocean-mare). It is fathomless and without limits, vast and +immeasurable, and the lord of rivers. + +"And they saw that unto it rushed mighty rivers by thousands with proud +gait, like amorous competitors, each eager for meeting it, forestalling +the others. And they saw that it was always full, and always dancing in +its waves. And they saw that it was deep and abounding with fierce whales +and makaras. And it resounded constantly with the terrible sounds of +aquatic creatures. And they saw that it was vast, and wide as the expanse +of space, unfathomable, and limitless, and the grand reservoir of water.'" + +And so ends the twenty-first section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'The Nagas after consultation arrived at the conclusion that +they should do their mother's bidding, for if she failed in obtaining her +desire she might withdraw her affection and burn them all. If, on the +other hand, she were graciously inclined, she might free them from her +curse. They said, 'We will certainly render the horse's tail black.' And +it is said that they then went and became hairs in the horse's tail. + +"Now the two co-wives had laid the wager. And having laid the wager, O +best of Brahmanas, the two sisters Kadru and Vinata, the daughters of +Daksha, proceeded in great delight along the sky to see the other side of +the Ocean. And on their way they saw the Ocean, that receptacle of waters, +incapable of being easily disturbed, mightily agitated all of a sudden by +the wind, and roaring tremendously; abounding with fishes capable of +swallowing the whale and full of makaras; containing also creatures of +diverse forms counted by thousands; frightful from the presence of +horrible monsters, inaccessible, deep, and terrible, the mine of all kinds +of gems, the home of Varuna (the water-god), the wonderful habitations of +the Nagas, the lord of rivers, the abode of the subterranean fire; the +residence of the Asuras and of many dreadful creatures; the reservoir of +water, not subject to decay, aromatic, and wonderful, the great source of +the amrita of the celestials; immeasurable and inconceivable, containing +waters that are holy, filled to the brim by many thousands of great rivers, +dancing as it were in waves. Such was the Ocean, full of rolling waves, +vast as the expanse of the sky, deep, of body lighted with the flames of +subterranean fire, and roaring, which the sisters quickly passed over.'" + +And so ends the twenty-second section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + + +SECTION XXIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Having crossed the Ocean, Kadru of swift speed, accompanied +by Vinata, soon alighted near the horse. They then both beheld that +foremost of steeds of great speed, with body white as the rays of the moon +but having black hairs (in the tail). And observing many black hairs in +the tail, Kadru put Vinata, who was deeply dejected, into slavery. And +thus Vinata having lost the wager, entered into a state of slavery and +became exceedingly sorry. + +"In the meantime, when his time came, burst forth from the egg without +(the help of his) mother, Garuda of great splendour, enkindling all the +points of the universe, that mighty being endued with strength, that bird +capable of assuming at will any form, of going at will everywhere, and of +calling to his aid at will any measure of energy. Effulgent like a heap of +fire, he shone terribly. Of lustre equal to that of the fire at the end of +the Yuga, his eyes were bright like the lightning-flash. And soon after +birth, that bird grew in size and increasing his body ascended the skies. +Fierce and vehemently roaring, he looked as terrible as second Ocean-fire. +And all the deities seeing him, sought the protection of Vibhavasu (Agni). +And they bowed down to that deity of manifold forms seated on his seat and +spake unto him these words, 'O Agni, extend not thy body! Wilt thou +consume us? Lo, this huge heap of thy flames is spreading wide!' And Agni +replied, 'O, ye persecutors of the Asuras, it is not as ye imagine. This +is Garuda of great strength and equal to me in splendour, endued with +great energy, and born to promote the joy of Vinata. Even the sight of +this heap of effulgence hath caused this delusion in you. He is the mighty +son of Kasyapa, the destroyer of the Nagas, engaged in the well-being of +the gods, and the foe of the Daityas and the Rakshasas. Be not afraid of +it in the least. Come with me and see.' Thus addressed, the gods from a +distance. + +"The gods said, 'Thou art a Rishi (i.e., one cognisant of all mantras), +share of the largest portion in sacrifices, ever resplendent, the +controller along with the Rishi wended their way towards Garuda and adored +him of birds, the presiding spirit of the animate and the inanimate +universe. Thou art the destroyer of all, the creator of all; thou art the +very Hiranyagarbha; thou art the progenitor of creation in the form of +Daksha and the other Prajapatis; thou art Indra (the king of the gods), +thou art Hayagriva the steed necked incarnation of Vishnu; thou art the +arrow (Vishnu himself, as he became such in the hands of Mahadeva at the +burning of Tripura); thou art the lord of the universe; thou art the mouth +of Vishnu; thou art the four-faced Padmaja; thou art the Brahmana (i.e., +wise), thou art Agni, Pavana, etc. (i.e., the presiding deity of every +object in the universe). Thou art knowledge, thou art the illusion to +which we are all subject; thou art the all-pervading spirit; thou art the +lord of the gods; thou art the great Truth; thou art fearless; thou art +ever unchanged; thou art Brahma without attributes; thou art the energy of +the Sun; thou art the intellectual functions; thou art our great protector; +thou art the ocean of holiness; thou art purity; thou art bereft of the +attributes of darkness; thou art the possessor of the six high attributes; +thou art he who cannot be withstood in contest. From thee have emanated +all things; thou art of excellent deeds; thou art all that hath not been +and all that hath been. Thou art pure knowledge; thou displayest to us, as +Surya does by his rays, this animate and inanimate universe; thou +darkenest the splendour of Surya at every moment, and thou art the +destroyer of all; thou art all that is perishable and all that is +imperishable. O thou resplendent as Agni, thou burnest all even as Surya +in his anger burneth all creatures. O terrible one, thou resistest even as +the fire that destroys everything at the time of the Universal Dissolution. +O mighty Garuda who movest in the skies, we seek thy protection. O lord of +birds thy energy is extraordinary, thy splendour is that of fire, thy +brightness is like that of the lightning that no darkness can approach. +Thou reachest the very clouds, and art both the cause and the effect; the +dispenser of boons and invincible in prowess. O Lord, this whole universe +is rendered hot by thy splendour, bright as the lustre of heated gold. +Protect these high-souled gods, who overcome by thee and terrified withal, +are flying along the heavens in different directions on their celestial +cars. O thou best of birds, thou Lord of all, thou art the son of the +merciful and high-souled Rishi Kasyapa; therefore, be not wroth but have +mercy on the universe. Thou art Supreme. O pacify thy anger and preserve +us. At thy voice, loud as the roar of the thunder, the ten points, the +skies, the heavens, the Earth and our hearts, O bird, thou art +continuously shaking. O, diminish this thy body resembling Agni. At the +sight of the splendour resembling that of Yama when in wrath, our hearts +lose all equanimity and quake. O thou lord of birds, be propitious to us +who solicit thy mercy! O illustrious one, bestow on us good fortune and +joy.' + +'And that bird of fair feathers, thus adored by the deities and diverse +sections of Rishis, reduced his own energy and splendour.'" + +And thus ends the twenty-third section in the Astika Parva of the Adi +Parva. + + +SECTION XXIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Then hearing of and beholding his own body, that bird of +beautiful feathers diminished its size.' + +"And Garuda said, 'Let no creature be afraid; as ye are in a fright at the +sight of my terrible form, I shall diminish my energy.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Then that bird capable of going everywhere at will, +that ranger of the skies capable of calling to his aid any measure of +energy, bearing Aruna on his back, wended from his father's home and +arrived at his mother's side on the other shore of the great ocean. And he +placed Aruna of great splendour in the eastern regions, just at a time +when Surya had resolved to burn the worlds with his fierce rays.' + +"Saunaka said, 'When did the revered Surya resolve at the time to burn the +worlds? What wrong was done to him by the gods that provoked his ire?' + +"Sauti said, 'O sinless one, when Rahu was drinking nectar among the gods +at the time of the churning of the ocean he was pointed out to the gods by +Surya and Soma, and from that time he conceived an enmity towards those +deities. And upon this Rahu sought to devour his afflictor (Surya), became +wroth, and thought, 'Oh, this enmity of Rahu towards me hath sprung from +my desire of benefiting the gods. And this dire consequence I alone have +to sustain. Indeed, at this pass help I obtain not. And before the very +eyes of the denizens of heaven I am going to be devoured and they brook it +quietly. Therefore, for the destruction of the worlds must I strive.' And +with this resolution he went to the mountains of the west. + +"And from that place he began to radiate his heat around for the +destruction of the world. And then the great Rishis, approaching the gods, +spake unto them, 'Lo, in the middle of the night springeth a great heat +striking terror into every heart, and destructive of the three worlds.' +Then the gods, accompanied by the Rishis, wended to the Grandsire, and +said unto him, 'O what is this great heat today that causeth such panic? +Surya hath not yet risen, still the destruction (of the world) is obvious. +O Lord, what will happen when he doth rise?' The Grandsire replied, +'Indeed, Surya is prepared to rise today for the destruction of the world. +As soon as he will appear he will burn everything into a heap of ashes. By +me, however, hath the remedy been provided beforehand. The intelligent son +of Kasyapa is known to all by the name of Aruna. He is huge of body and of +great splendour; he shall stay in front of Surya, doing the duty of his +charioteer and taking away all the energy of the former. And this will +ensure the welfare of the worlds, of the Rishis, and of the dwellers in +heaven.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Aruna, at the behest of the Grandsire, did all that he +was ordered to do. And Surya rose veiled by Aruna's person. I have told +thee now why Surya was in wrath, and how Aruna, the brother of Garuda, was +appointed as his charioteer. Hear next of that other question asked by +thee a little while ago.'" + +And so ends the twenty-fourth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + + +SECTION XXV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Then that bird of great strength and energy and capable of +going at will to every place repaired to his mother's side on the other +shore of the great ocean. Thither lived Vinata in affliction, defeated in +wager and put into a state of slavery. Once Kadru calling Vinata who had +prostrated herself before the former, addressed her these words in the +presence of her son, 'O gentle Vinata, there is in the midst of the ocean, +in a remote quarter, a delightful and fair region inhabited by the Nagas. +Bear me thither!' At this that mother of the bird of fair feathers bore +(on her shoulders) the mother of the snakes. And Garuda also, directed by +his mother's words, carried (on his back) the snakes. And that ranger of +the skies born of Vinata began to ascend towards the Sun. And thereupon +the snakes, scorched by the rays of the Sun, swooned away. And Kadru +seeing her sons in that state prayed to Indra, saying, 'I bow to thee, +thou Lord of all the gods! I bow to thee, thou slayer of Vritra! I bow to +thee, thou slayer of Namuchi! O thou of a thousand eyes, consort of Sachi! +By thy showers, be thou the protector of the snakes scorched by the Sun. O +thou best of the deities, thou art our great protector. O Purandara, thou +art able to grant rain in torrents. Thou art Vayu (the air), the clouds, +fire, and the lightning of the skies. Thou art the propeller of the clouds, +and hast been called the great cloud (i.e., that which will darken the +universe at the end of Yuga). Thou art the fierce and incomparable thunder, +and the roaring clouds. Thou art the Creator of the worlds and their +Destroyer. Thou art unconquered. Thou art the light of all creatures, +Aditya, Vibhavasu, and the wonderful elements. Thou art the ruler of all +the gods. Thou art Vishnu. Thou hast a thousand eyes. Thou art a god, and +the final resource. Thou art, O deity, all amrita, and the most adored +Soma. Thou art the moment, the lunar day, the bala (minute), thou art the +kshana (4 minutes). Thou art the lighted fortnight, and also the dark +fortnight. Thou art kala, thou kashtha, and thou Truti. Thou art the year, +the seasons, the months, the nights, and the days. Thou art the fair Earth +with her mountains and forests. Thou art also the firmament, resplendent +with the Sun. Thou art the great Ocean with heaving billows and abounding +with whales, swallowers of whales, and makaras, and various fishes. Thou +art of great renown, always adored by the wise and by the great Rishis +with minds rapt in contemplation. Thou drinkest, for the good of all +creatures, the Soma juice in sacrifices and the clarified butter offered +with sacred invocation. Thou art always worshipped at sacrifices by +Brahmanas moved by desire of fruit. O thou of incomparable mass of +strength, thou art sung in the Vedas and Vedangas. It is for that reason +that learned Brahmanas bent upon performing sacrifices, study the Vedas +with every care.'" + +And so ends the twenty-fifth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'And then Indra, the king of gods, having the best of horses +for his bearer, thus adored by Kadru, covered the entire firmament with +masses of blue clouds. And he commanded the clouds, saying, Pour ye, your +vivifying and blessed drops!' And those clouds, luminous with lightning, +and incessantly roaring against each other in the welkin, poured abundant +water. And the sky, in consequence of those wonderful and terribly-roaring +clouds that were incessantly begetting vast quantities of water, looked as +if the end of Yuga had come. And in consequence of the myriads of waves +caused in the falling torrents, the deep roar of the clouds, the flashes +of lightning, the violence of the wind, and the general agitation, the sky +looked as if dancing in madness. The sky became overcast, and the rays of +the Sun and the Moon totally disappeared in consequence of that incessant +downpour. + +"And upon Indra's causing that downpour, the Nagas became exceedingly +delighted. And the Earth was filled with water all around. And the cool, +clear water reached even the nether regions. And there were countless +waves of water all over the Earth. And the snakes with their mother +reached (in safety) the island called Ramaniyaka." + +And so ends the twenty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'And then the Nagas drenched by that shower, became +exceedingly glad. And borne by that bird of fair feathers, they soon +arrived at the island. That island had been fixed by the Creator of the +Universe as the abode of the makaras. There they saw the terrible Lavana +Samudra (ocean of salt). On arriving there with Garuda, they saw there a +beautiful forest washed by the waters of the sea and resounding with the +music of winged choirs. And there were clusters of trees all around laden +with various fruits and flowers. And there were also fair mansions all +around; and many tanks full of lotuses. And it was also adorned with many +lakes of pure water. And if was refreshed with pure incense-breathing +breezes. And it was adorned with many a tree that grew only on the hills +of Malaya, and seemed by their tallness to reach the very heavens. And +there were also various other trees whose flowers were scattered all +around by the breeze. And that forest was charming and dear to the +Gandharvas and always gave them pleasure. And it was full of bees maddened +with the honey they sucked. And the sight of all this was exceedingly +delightful. And in consequence of many things there, capable of charming +everybody, that forest was fair, delightful, and holy. And, echoing with +the notes of various birds, it delighted greatly the sons of Kadru. + +"And the snakes, after arriving at that forest, began to enjoy themselves. +And they commanded the lord of birds, viz., Garuda, of great energy, +saying, 'Convey us to some other fair island with pure water. Thou ranger +of the skies, thou must have seen many fair regions while coursing +(through the air).' Garuda, after reflecting for a few moments, asked his +mother Vinata, saying, 'Why, mother, have I to do the bidding of the +snakes?' Vinata thus questioned by him spake unto that ranger of the skies, +her son, invested with every virtue, of great energy, and great strength, +as follows: "Vinata said, 'O thou best of birds, I have become, from +misfortune, the slave of my co-wife. The snakes, by an act of deception, +caused me to lose my bet and have made me so.' When his mother had told +him the reason, that ranger of the skies, dejected with grief, addressed +the snakes, saying, 'Tell me, ye snakes, by bringing what thing, gaining a +knowledge of what thing, or doing what act of prowess, we may be freed +from this state of bondage to you.'" Sauti continued, 'The snakes, hearing +him, said, 'Bring thou amrita by force. Then O bird, shall you be freed +from bondage.'" And so ends the twenty-seventh section in the Astika Parva +of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXVIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Garuda, thus addressed by the snakes, then said unto his +mother, 'I shall go to bring amrita, I desire to eat something in the way. +Direct me to it.' Vinata replied, 'In a remote region in the midst of the +ocean, the Nishadas have their fair home. Having eaten the thousands of +Nishadas that live there, bring thou amrita. But let not thy heart be ever +set on taking the life of a Brahmana. Of all creatures a Brahmana must not +be slain. He is, indeed, like fire. A Brahmana, when angry, becomes like +fire or the Sun, like poison or an edged weapon. A Brahmana, it has been +said, is the master of all creatures. For these and other reasons, a +Brahmana is the adored of the virtuous. O child, he is never to be slain +by thee even in anger. Hostility with Brahmanas, therefore, would not be +proper under any circumstances. O sinless one, neither Agni nor Surya +truly can consume so much as does a Brahmana of rigid vows, when angry. By +these various indications must thou know a good Brahmana. Indeed, a +brahmana is the first-born of all creatures, the foremost of the four +orders, the father and the master of all.' Garuda then asked, 'O mother, +of what form is a Brahmana, of what behaviour, and of what prowess? Doth +he shine like fire, or is he of tranquil mien? And, O mother, it behoveth +thee to tell my inquiring self, those auspicious signs by which I may +recognise a Brahmana.' Vinata replied, saying, 'O child, him shouldst +thou know as the best amongst Brahmanas who having entered thy throat +would torture thee as a fish-hook or burn thee as blazing charcoal. A +Brahmana must never be slain by thee even in anger.' And Vinata out of +affection for her son, again told him these words, 'Him shouldst thou know +as a good Brahmana who would not be digested in thy stomach.' Although she +knew the incomparable strength of her son, yet she blessed him heartily, +for, deceived by the snakes, she was very much afflicted by woe. And she +said. 'Let Marut (the god of the winds) protect thy wings, and Surya and +Soma thy vertebral regions; let Agni protect thy head, and the Vasus thy +whole body. I also, O child (engaged in beneficial ceremonies), shall sit +here for your welfare. Go then, O child, in safety to accomplish thy +purpose.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Then Garuda, having heard the words of his mother, +stretched his wings and ascended the skies. And endued with great strength, +he soon fell upon the Nishadas, hungry and like another Yama. And bent +upon slaying the Nishadas, he raised a great quantity of dust that +overspread the firmament, and sucking up water from amid the ocean, shook +the trees growing on the adjacent mountains. And then that lord of birds +obstructed the principal thoroughfares of the town of the Nishadas by his +mouth, increasing its orifice at will. And the Nishadas began to fly in +great haste in the direction of the open mouth of the great serpent-eater. +And as birds in great affliction ascend by thousand into the skies when +the trees in a forest are shaken by the winds, so those Nishadas blinded +by the dust raised by the storm entered the wide-extending cleft of +Garuda's mouth open to receive them. And then the hungry lord of all +rangers of the skies, that oppressor of enemies, endued with great +strength, and moving with greatest celerity to achieve his end, closed his +mouth, killing innumerable Nishadas following the occupation of +fishermen.'" + +So ends the twenty-eighth section in the Astika Parva of Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXIX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti continued, 'A certain Brahmana with his wife had entered the throat +of that ranger of the skies. The former began to burn the bird's throat +like a piece of flaming charcoal. Him Garuda addressed, saying, 'O best of +Brahmanas, come out soon from my mouth which I open for thee. A Brahmana +must never be slain by me, although he may be always engaged in sinful +practices.' Unto Garuda who had thus addressed him that Brahmana said, 'O, +let this woman of the Nishada caste, who is my wife, also come out with +me.' And Garuda said, 'Taking the woman also of the Nishada caste with +thee, come out soon. Save thyself without delay since thou hast not yet +been digested by the heat of my stomach.' + +"Sauti continued, 'And then that Brahmana, accompanied by his wife of the +Nishada caste, came out, and praising Garuda wended whatever way he liked. +And when that Brahmana had come out with his wife, that lord of birds, +fleet as the mind, stretching his wings ascended the skies. He then saw +his father, and, hailed by him, Garuda, of incomparable prowess made +proper answers. And the great Rishi (Kasyapa) then asked him, 'O child, is +it well with thee? Dost thou get sufficient food every day? Is there food +in plenty for thee in the world of men?' + +"Garuda replied, 'My mother is ever well. And so is my brother, and so am +I. But, father, I do not always obtain plenty of food, for which my peace +is incomplete. I am sent by the snakes to fetch the excellent amrita. +Indeed, I shall fetch it today for emancipating my mother from her bondage. +My mother command me, saying, 'Eat thou the Nishadas.' I have eaten them +by thousands, but my hunger is not appeased. Therefore, O worshipful one, +point out to me some other food, by eating which, O master, I may be +strong enough to bring away amrita by force. Thou shouldst indicate some +food wherewith I may appease my hunger and thirst.' + +"Kasyapa replied, 'This lake thou seest is sacred. It hath been heard, of +even in the heavens. There is an elephant, with face downwards, who +continually draggeth a tortoise, his elder brother. I shall speak to you +in detail of their hostility in former life. Just listen as I tell you why +they are here. + +"There was of old a great Rishi of the name of Vibhavasu. He was +exceedingly wrathful. He had a younger brother of the name of Supritika. +The latter was averse to keeping his wealth jointly with his brother's. +And Supritika would always speak of partition. After some time his brother +Vibhavasu told Supritika, 'It is from great foolishness that persons +blinded by love of wealth always desire to make a partition of their +patrimony. After effecting a partition they fight with each other, deluded +by wealth. Then again, enemies in the guise of friends cause estrangements +between ignorant and selfish men alter they become separated in wealth, +and pointing out faults confirm their quarrels, so that the latter soon +fall one by one. Absolute ruin very soon overtakes the separated. For +these reasons the wise never speak approvingly of partition amongst +brothers who, when divided, do not regard the most authoritative Sastras +and live always in fear of each other. But as thou, Supritika, without +regarding my advice impelled by desire of separation, always wishest to +make an arrangement about your property, thou shall become an elephant.' +Supritika, thus cursed, then spake unto Vibhavasu, 'Thou also shall become +a tortoise moving in the midst of the waters.' + +"And thus on account of wealth those two fools, Supritika and Vibhavasu, +from each other's curse, have become an elephant and a tortoise +respectively. Owing to their wrath, they have both become inferior animals. +And they are engaged in hostilities with each other, proud of their +excessive strength and the weight of their bodies. And in this lake those +two beings of huge bodies are engaged in acts according to their former +hostility. Look here, one amongst them, the handsome elephant of huge body, +is even now approaching. Hearing his roar, the tortoise also of huge body, +living within the waters, cometh out, agitating the lake violently. And +seeing him the elephant, curling his trunk, rusheth into the water. And +endued with great energy, with motion of his tusks and fore-part of his +trunk and tail and feet, he agitates the water of the lake abounding with +fishes. And the tortoise also of great strength, with upraised head, +cometh forward for an encounter. And the elephant is six yojanas in height +and twice that measure in circumference. And the height of the tortoise +also is three yojanas and his circumference ten. Eat thou up both of them +that are madly engaged in the encounter and bent upon slaying each other, +and then accomplish the task that thou desirest. Eating that fierce +elephant which looketh like a huge mountain and resembleth a mass of dark +clouds, bring thou amrita.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Having said so unto Garuda, he (Kasyapa) blessed him, +saying, 'Blest be thou when thou art in combat with the gods. Let water +pitchers filled to the brim, Brahmanas, kine, and other auspicious objects, +bless thee, thou oviparous one. And, O thou of great strength, when thou +art engaged with the gods in combat, let the Riks, the Yajus, the Samas, +the sacred sacrificial butter, all the mysteries (Upanishads), constitute +thy strength.' + +"Garuda, thus addressed by his father, wended to the side of that lake. He +saw that expanse of clear water with birds of various kinds all around. +And remembering the words of his father, that ranger of the skies +possessed of great swiftness of motion, seized the elephant and the +tortoise, one in each claw. And that bird then soared high into the air. +And he came upon a sacred place called Alamva and saw many divine trees. +And struck by the wind raised by his wings, those trees began to shake +with fear. And those divine trees having golden boughs feared that they +would break. And the ranger of the skies seeing that those trees capable +of granting every wish were quaking with fear, went to other trees of +incomparable appearance. And those gigantic trees were adorned with fruits +of gold and silver and branches of precious gems. And they were washed +with the water of the sea. And there was a large banian among them, which +had grown into gigantic proportions, that spoke unto that lord of bird +coursing towards it with the fleetness of the mind, 'Sit thou on this +large branch of mine extending a hundred yojanas and eat the elephant and +the tortoise.' When that best of birds, of great swiftness and of body +resembling a mountain, quickly alighted upon a bough of that banian tree, +the resort of thousands of winged creatures--that bough also full of +leaves shook and broke down.'" + +So ends the twenty-ninth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'At the very touch by Garuda of great might with his feet, +the branch of the tree broke as it was caught by Garuda. Casting his eyes +around in wonder he saw Valakhilya Rishis hanging therefrom with heads +downwards and engaged in ascetic penances. Reflecting that if that bough +fell down, the Rishis would be slain, the mighty one held the elephant and +the tortoise still more firmly with his claws. And from fear of slaying +the Rishis and desire of saving them, held that bough in his beaks, and +rose on his wings. The great Rishis were struck with wonder at the sight +of that act of his which was beyond even the power of the gods, and gave +that mighty bird a name. And they said, 'As this ranger of the skies rises +on its wings bearing a heavy burden, let this foremost of birds having +snakes for his food be called Garuda (bearer of heavy weight).' + +"And shaking the mountains by his wings, Garuda leisurely coursed through +the skies. And as he soared with the elephant and the tortoise (in his +claws), he beheld various regions underneath. Desiring as he did to save +the Valakhilyas, he saw not a spot whereon to sit. At last he went to that +foremost of mountains called Gandhamadana. There he saw his father Kasyapa +engaged in ascetic devotions. Kasyapa also saw his son, that ranger of the +skies, of divine form, possessed of great splendour, and energy and +strength, and endued with the speed of the wind or the mind, huge as a +mountain peak, a ready smiter like the curse of a Brahmana, inconceivable, +indescribable, frightful to all creatures, possessed of great prowess, +terrible, of the splendour of Agni himself, and incapable of being +overcome by the deities, Danavas, and invincible Rakshasas, capable of +splitting mountain summits and sucking the ocean itself and destroying the +three worlds, fierce, and looking like Yama himself. The illustrious +Kasyapa, seeing him approach and knowing also his motive, spoke unto him +these words: + +"Kasyapa said, 'O child, do not commit a rash act, for then thou wouldst +have to suffer pain. The Valakhilyas, supporting themselves by drinking +the rays of the sun, might, if angry, blast thee.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Kasyapa then propitiated, for the sake of his son, the +Valakhilyas of exceeding good fortune and whose sins had been destroyed by +ascetic penances.' And Kasyapa said, 'Ye whose wealth is asceticism, the +essay of Garuda is for the good of all creatures. The task is great that +he is striving to accomplish. It behoveth you to accord him your +permission.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Those ascetics thus addressed by the illustrious +Kasyapa, abandoned that bough and went to the sacred mountain of Himavat +for purposes of ascetic penances. After those Rishis had gone away, the +son of Vinata, with voice obstructed by the bough in his beaks, asked his +father Kasyapa saying, 'O illustrious one, where shall I throw this arm of +the tree? O illustrious one, indicate to me some region without human +beings.' Then Kasyapa spoke of a mountain without human beings with caves +and dales always covered with snow and incapable of approach by ordinary +creatures even in thought. And the great bird bearing that branch, that +elephant, and that tortoise, proceeded with great speed towards that +mountain. The great arm of the tree with which that bird of huge body flew +away could not be girt round with a cord made of a hundred (cow) hides. +Garuda, the lord of birds, then flew away for hundreds of thousand of +yojanas within--the shortest time. And going according to the directions +of his father to that mountain almost in a moment, that ranger of the +skies let fall the gigantic bough. And it fell with a great noise. And +that Prince of mountains shook, struck with the storm raised by Garuda's +wings. And the trees thereon dropped showers of flowers. And the peaks +decked with gems and gold adorning that great mountain itself, were +loosened and tell down on all sides. And the falling bough struck down +numerous trees which, with golden flowers amid dark foliage, shone there +like clouds charged with lightning. And those trees, bright as gold, +falling down upon the ground and, dyed with mountain metals, shone as if +they were bathed in the rays of the sun. + +"Then that best of birds, Garuda, perching on the summit of that mountain, +ate both the elephant and the tortoise, rose on his wings with great speed +from the top of the mountain. + +"And various omens began to appear among the gods foreboding fear. Indra's +favourite thunderbolt blazed up in a fright. Meteors with flames and smoke, +loosened from the welkin, shot down during the day. And the weapons of the +Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Sabhyas, the Maruts, and other gods, +began to spend their force against one another. Such a thing had never +happened even during the war between the gods and the Asuras. And the +winds blew accompanied with thunder, and meteors fell by thousands. And +the sky, though cloudless, roared tremendously. And even he who was the +god of gods shed showers of blood. And the flowery garlands on the necks +of the gods faded and their prowess suffered diminution. And terrible +masses of clouds dropped thick showers of blood. And the dust raised by +the winds darkened the splendour of the very coronets of the gods. And He +of a thousand sacrifices (Indra), with the other gods, perplexed with fear +at the sight of those dark forebodings spoke unto Vrihaspati thus, 'Why, O +worshipful one, have these natural disturbances suddenly arisen? No foe do +I behold who would oppress us in war.' Vrihaspati answered, 'O chief of +the gods, O thou of a thousand sacrifices, it is from thy fault and +carelessness, and owing also to the ascetic penance of the high-souled +great Rishis, the Valakhilyas, that the son of Kasyapa and Vinata, a +ranger of the skies endued with great strength and possessing the capacity +of assuming at will any form, is approaching to take away the Soma. And +that bird, foremost among all endued with great strength, is able to rob +you of the Soma. Everything is possible with him; the unachievable he can +achieve.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Indra, having heard these words, then spoke unto those +that guarded the amrita, saying, 'A bird endued with great strength and +energy has set his heart on taking away the amrita. I warn you beforehand +so that he may not succeed in taking it away by force. Vrihaspati has told +me that his strength is immeasurable.' And the gods hearing of it were +amazed and took precautions. And they stood surrounding the amrita and +Indra also of great prowess, the wielder of the thunder, stood with them. +And the gods wore curious breastplates of gold, of great value, and set +with gems, and bright leathern armour of great toughness. And the mighty +deities wielded various sharp-edged weapons of terrible shapes, countless +in number, emitting, even all of them, sparks of fire with smoke. And they +were also armed with many a discus and iron mace furnished with spikes, +and trident, battle-axe, and various kinds of sharp-pointed missiles and +polished swords and maces of terrible form, all befitting their respective +bodies. And decked with celestial ornaments and resplendent with those +bright arms, the gods waited there, their fears allayed. And the gods, of +incomparable strength, energy, and splendour, resolved to protect the +amrita. Capable of splitting the towns of the Asuras, all displayed +themselves in forms resplendent as the fire. And in consequence of the +gods standing there, that (would be) battle-field, owing to hundreds of +thousands of maces furnished with iron spikes, shone like another +firmament illumined by the rays of the Sun.'" + +So ends the thirtieth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, what was Indra's fault, what his act of +carelessness? How was Garuda born in consequence of the ascetic penances +of the Valakhilyas? Why also Kasyapa--a Brahman--had the king of birds for +a son? Why, too, was he invincible of all creatures and unslayable of all? +Why also was that ranger of the skies capable of going into every place at +will and of mustering at will any measure of energy? If these are +described in the Purana, I should like to hear them.' + +"Sauti said, 'What thou askest me is, indeed, the subject of the Purana. O +twice-born one, listen as I briefly recite it all. + +"Once upon a time, when the lord of creation, Kasyapa, was engaged in a +sacrifice from desire of offspring, the Rishis, the gods, and the +Gandharvas, all gave him help. And Indra was appointed by Kasyapa to bring +the sacrificial fuel; and with him those ascetics the Valakhilyas, and all +the other deities. And the lord Indra, taking up according to his own +strength, a weight that was mountain-like, brought it without any fatigue. +And he saw on the way some Rishis, of bodies of the measure of the thumb, +all together carrying one single stalk of a Palasa (Butea frondosa) leaf. +And those Rishis were, from want of food, very lean and almost merged in +their own bodies. And they were so weak that they were much afflicted when +sunk in the water that collected in an indentation on the road produced by +the hoof of a cow. And Purandara, proud of his strength, beheld them with +surprise, and laughing at them in derision soon left them behind insulting +them, besides, by passing over their heads. And those Rishis being thus +insulted were filled with rage and sorrow. And they made preparations for +a great sacrifice at which Indra was terrified. Hear, O Saunaka, of the +wish for accomplishment of which those vow-observing wise, and excellent +ascetics poured clarified butter of the sacrificial fire with loudly +uttered mantras, 'There shall be another Indra of all gods, capable of +going everywhere at will, and of mustering at will any measure of energy, +and striking tear into the (present) king of the gods. By the fruit of our +ascetic penance, let one arise, fleet as the mind, and fierce withal.' And +the lord of the celestials of a hundred sacrifices, having come to know of +this, became very much alarmed and sought the protection of the vow- +observing Kasyapa. And the Prajapati Kasyapa, hearing everything from +Indra, went to the Valakhilyas and asked them if their sacrifice had been +successful. And those truth-speaking Rishis replied to him, saying, 'Let +it be as thou sayest!' And the Prajapati Kasyapa pacifying them, spake +unto them as follows, 'By the word of Brahman, this one (Indra) hath been +made the Lord of the three worlds. Ye ascetics, ye also are striving to +create another Indra! Ye excellent ones, it behoveth you not to falsify +the word of Brahman. Let not also this purpose, for (accomplishing) which +ye are striving, be rendered futile. Let there spring an Indra (Lord) of +winged creatures, endued with excess of strength! Be gracious unto Indra +who is a suppliant before you.' And the Valakhilyas, thus addressed by +Kasyapa, after offering reverence to that first of the Munis, viz., the +Prajapati Kasyapa, spake unto him: + +"The Valakhilyas said, 'O Prajapati, this sacrifice of us all is for an +Indra! Indeed this hath also been meant for a son being born unto thee! +Let this task be now left to thee. And in this matter do whatsoever thou +seest to be good and proper.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Meanwhile, moved by the desire of offspring, the good +daughter of Daksha, the vow-observing, amiable, and fortunate Vinata, her +ascetic penances over, having purified herself with a bath in that season +when connubial companionship might prove fruitful, approached her lord. +And Kasyapa spake unto her, 'Respected one, the sacrifice commenced by me +hath borne fruit. What hath been desired by thee shall come to pass. Two +heroic sons, shall be born unto thee, who shall be the lords of the three +worlds. By the penances of the Valakhilyas and by virtue of the desire +with which I commenced my sacrifice, those sons shall be of exceedingly +good fortune and worshipped in the three worlds!' And the illustrious +Kasyapa spake unto her again, 'Bear thou these auspicious seeds with great +care. These two will be the lords of all winged creatures. These heroic +rangers of the skies will be respected in all the worlds, and capable of +assuming any form at will.' + +"And the Prajapati, gratified with all that took place, then addressed +Indra of a hundred sacrifices, saying, 'Thou shalt have two brothers of +great energy and prowess, who shall be to thee even as the helpmates. From +them no injury shall result unto thee. Let thy sorrow cease; thou shalt +continue as the lord of all. Let not, however, the utterers of the name of +Brahma be ever again slighted by thee. Nor let the very wrathful ones, +whose words are even the thunderbolt, be ever again insulted by thee.' +Indra, thus addressed, went to heaven, his fears dispelled. And Vinata +also, her purpose fulfilled, was exceedingly glad. And she gave birth to +two sons, Aruna and Garuda. And Aruna, of undeveloped body, became the +fore-runner of the Sun. And Garuda was vested with the lordship over the +birds. O thou of Bhrigu's race, hearken now to the mighty achievement of +Garuda.'" + +So ends the thirty-first section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'O foremost of Brahmanas, the gods having prepared for battle +in that way, Garuda, the king of birds, soon came upon those wise ones. +And the gods beholding him of excessive strength began to quake with fear, +and strike one another with all their weapons. And amongst those that +guarded the Soma was Brahmana (the celestial architect), of measureless +might, effulgent as the electric fire and of great energy. And after a +terrific encounter lasting only a moment, managed by the lord of birds +with his talons, beak, and wings, he lay as dead on the fields. And the +ranger of the skies making the worlds dark with the dust raised by the +hurricane of his wings, overwhelmed the celestials with it. And the latter, +overwhelmed with that dust, swooned away. And the immortals who guarded +the amrita, blinded by that dust, could no longer see Garuda. Even thus +did Garuda agitate the region of the heavens. And even thus he mangled the +gods with the wounds inflicted by his wings and beak. + +"Then the god of a thousand eyes commanded Vayu (the god of wind), saying, +'Dispel thou this shower of dust soon. O Maruta, this is indeed, thy task. +Then the mighty Vayu soon drove away that dust. And when the darkness had +disappeared, the celestials attacked Garuda. And as he of great might was +attacked by the gods, he began to roar aloud, like the great cloud that +appeareth in the sky at the end of the Yuga, frightening every creature. +And that king of birds, of great energy, that slayer of hostile heroes, +then rose on his wings. All the wise ones (the celestials) with Indra +amongst them armed with double-edged broad swords, iron maces furnished +with sharp spikes, pointed lances, maces, bright arrows, and many a discus +of the form of the sun, saw him over head. And the king of birds, attacked +them on all sides with showers of various weapons and fought exceedingly +hard without wavering for a moment. And the son of Vinata, of great +prowess blazing in the sky, attacked the gods on all sides with his wings +and breast. And blood began to flow copiously from the bodies of the gods +mangled by the talons and the beak of Garuda. Overcome by the lord of +birds, the Sadhyas with the Gandharvas fled eastwards, the Vasus with the +Rudras towards the south, the Adityas towards the west, and the twin +Aswins towards the north. Gifted with great energy, they retreated +fighting, looking back every moment on their enemy. + +"And Garuda had encounters with the Yakshas, Aswakranda of great courage, +Rainuka, the bold Krathanaka, Tapana, Uluka, Swasanaka, Nimesha, Praruja, +and Pulina. And the son of Vinata mangled them with his wings, talons, and +beak, like Siva himself, that chastiser of enemies, and the holder of +Pinaka in rage at the end of the Yuga. And those Yakshas of great might +and courage, mangled all over by that ranger of the skies, looked like +masses of black clouds dropping thick showers of blood. + +"And Garuda, depriving them of life, and then went to where the amrita was. +And he saw that it was surrounded on all sides by fire. And the terrible +flames of that fire covered the entire sky. And moved by violent winds, +they seemed bent on burning the Sun himself. The illustrious Garuda then +assumed ninety times ninety mouths and quickly drinking the waters of many +rivers with those mouths and returning with great speed, that chastiser of +enemies, having wings for his vehicle extinguished that fire with that +water. And extinguishing that fire, he assumed a very small form, desirous +of entering into (the place where the Soma was)." + +So ends the thirty-second section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Santi said, 'And that bird, assuming a golden body bright as the rays of +the Sun, entered with great force (the region where the Soma was), like a +torrent entering the ocean. And he saw, placed near the Soma, a wheel of +steel keen-edged, and sharp as the razor, revolving incessantly. And that +fierce instrument, of the splendour of the blazing sun and of terrible +form, had been devised by the gods for cutting in pieces all robbers of +the Soma. Garuda, seeing a passage through it, stopped there for a moment. +Diminishing his body, in an instant he passed through the spokes of that +wheel. Within the line of the wheel, he beheld, stationed there for +guarding the Soma two great snakes of the effulgence of blazing fire, with +tongues bright as the lightning-flash, of great energy, with mouth +emitting fire, with blazing eyes, containing poison, very terrible, always +in anger, and of great activity. Their eyes were ceaselessly inflamed with +rage and were also winkless. He who may be seen by even one of the two +would instantly be reduced to ashes. The bird of fair feathers suddenly +covered their eyes with dust. And unseen by them he attacked them from all +sides. And the son of Vinata, that ranger of the skies, attacking their +bodies, mangled them into pieces. He then approached the Soma without loss +of time. Then the mighty son of Vinata, taking up the Amrita from the +place where it was kept, rose on his wings with great speed, breaking into +pieces the machine that had surrounded it. And the bird soon came out, +taking the Amrita but without drinking it himself. And he then wended on +his way without the least fatigue, darkening the splendour of the Sun. + +"And the son of Vinata then met Vishnu on his way along the sky. And +Narayana was gratified at that act of self-denial on the part of Garuda. +And that deity, knowing no deterioration, said unto the ranger of the +skies, 'O, I am inclined to grant thee a boon.' The ranger of the skies +thereupon said, 'I shall stay above thee.' And he again spake unto +Narayana these words, 'I shall be immortal and free from disease without +(drinking) Amrita.' Vishnu said unto the son of Vinata, 'Be it so.' Garuda, +receiving those two boons, told Vishnu, 'I also shall grant thee a boon; +therefore, let the possessor of the six attributes ask of me.' Vishnu then +asked the mighty Garuda to become his carrier. And he made the bird sit on +the flagstaff of his car, saying, 'Even thus thou shalt stay above me.' +And the ranger of the skies, of great speed, saying unto Narayana, 'Be it +so,' swiftly wended on his way, mocking the wind with his fleetness. + +"And while that foremost of all rangers of the skies, that first of winged +creatures, Garuda, was coursing through the air after wresting the Amrita, +Indra hurled at him his thunderbolt. Then Garuda, the lord of birds, +struck with thunderbolt, spake laughingly unto Indra engaged in the +encounter, in sweet words, saying, 'I shall respect the Rishi (Dadhichi) +of whose bone the Vajra hath been made. I shall also respect the Vajra, +and thee also of a thousand sacrifices. I cast this feather of mine whose +end thou shalt not attain. Struck with thy thunder I have not felt the +slightest pain.' And having said this, the king of birds cast a feather of +his. And all creatures became exceedingly glad, beholding that excellent +feather of Garuda so cast off. And seeing that the feather was very +beautiful, they said, 'Let this bird be called Suparna (having fair +feathers).' And Purandara of a thousand eyes, witnessing this wonderful +incident, thought that bird to be some great being and addressed him +thus. + +"And Indra said, 'O best of birds, I desire to know the limit of thy great +strength. I also desire eternal friendship with thee.'" + +So ends the thirty-third section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti continued, 'Garuda then said, 'O Purandara, let there be friendship +between thee and me as thou desirest. My strength, know thou, is hard to +bear. O thou of a thousand sacrifices, the good never approve of speaking +highly of their own strength, nor do they speak of their own merits. But +being made a friend, and asked by thee, O friend, I will answer thee, +although self-praise without reason is ever improper. I can bear, on a +single feather of mine, O Sakra, this Earth, with her mountains and +forests and with the waters of the ocean, and with thee also stationed +thereon. Know thou, my strength is such that I can bear without fatigue +even all the worlds put together, with their mobile and immobile objects.' + +"Sauti continued, 'O Saunaka, after Garuda of great courage had thus +spoken, Indra the chief of the gods, the wearer of the (celestial) crown, +ever bent upon the good of the worlds, replied, saying, 'It is as thou +sayest. Everything is possible in thee. Accept now my sincere and hearty +friendship. And if thou hast no concern with the Soma, return it to me. +Those to whom thou wouldst give it would always oppose us.' Garuda +answered, 'There is a certain reason for which the Soma is being carried +by me. I shall not give the Soma to any one for drink. But, O thou of a +thousand eyes, after I have placed it down, thou, O lord of the heavens, +canst then, taking it up, instantly bring it away.' Indra then said, 'O +oviparous one, I am highly gratified with these words now spoken by thee. +O best of all rangers of the skies; accept from me any boon that thou +desirest.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Then Garuda, recollecting the sons of Kadru and +remembering also the bondage of his mother caused by an act of deception +owing to the well-known reason (viz., the curse of Aruna), said, 'Although +I have power over all creatures, yet I shall do your bidding. Let, O Sakra, +the mighty snakes become my food.' The slayer of the Danavas having said +unto him, 'Be it so,' then went to Hari, the god of gods, of great soul, +and the lord of Yogins. And the latter sanctioned everything that had been +said by Garuda. And the illustrious lord of heaven again said unto Garuda, +'I shall bring away the Soma when thou placest it down.' And having said +so, he bade farewell to Garuda. And the bird of fair feathers then went to +the presence of his mother with great speed. + +"And Garuda in joy then spake unto all the snakes, 'Here have I brought +the Amrita. Let me place it on some Kusa grass. O ye snakes, sitting here, +drink of it after ye have performed your ablutions and religious rites. As +said by you, let my mother become, from this day, free, for I have +accomplished your bidding.' The snakes having said unto Garuda, 'Be it +so,' then went to perform their ablutions. Meanwhile, Sakra taking up the +Amrita, wended back to heaven. The snakes after performing their ablutions, +their daily devotions, and other sacred rites, returned in joy, desirous +of drinking the Amrita. They saw that the bed of kusa grass whereon the +Amrita had been placed was empty, the Amrita itself having been taken away +by a counter-act of deception. And they began to lick with their tongues +the kusa grass, as the Amrita had been placed thereon. And the tongues of +the snakes by that act became divided in twain. And the kusa grass, too, +from the contact with Amrita, became sacred thenceforth. Thus did the +illustrious Garuda bring Amrita (from the heavens) for the snakes, and +thus were the tongues of snakes divided by what Garuda did. + +"Then the bird of fair feathers, very much delighted, enjoyed himself in +those woods accompanied by his mother. Of grand achievements, and deeply +reverenced by all rangers of the skies, he gratified his mother by +devouring the snakes. + +"That man who would listen to this story, or read it out to an assembly of +good Brahmanas, must surely go to heaven, acquiring great merit from the +recitation of (the feats of) Garuda.'" + +And so ends the thirty-fourth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + + +SECTION XXXV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, thou hast told us the reason why the snakes +were cursed by their mother, and why Vinata also was cursed by her son. +Thou hast also told us about the bestowal of boons, by their husband, on +Kadru and Vinata. Thou hast likewise told us the names of Vinata's sons. +But thou hast not yet recited to us the names of the snakes. We are +anxious to hear the names of the principal ones.' + +"Sauti said, O thou whose wealth is asceticism, from fear of being lengthy, +I shall not mention the names of all the snakes. But I will recite the +names of the chief ones. Listen to me! + +"Sesha was born first, and then Vasuki. (Then were born) Airavata, +Takshaka, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Kalakeya, the serpent Mani, Purana, +Pinjaraka, and Elapatra, Vamana, Nila, Anila, Kalmasha, Savala, Aryaka, +Ugra, Kalasapotaka, Suramukha, Dadhimukha, Vimalapindaka, Apta, Karotaka, +Samkha, Valisikha, Nisthanaka, Hemaguha, Nahusha, Pingala, Vahyakarna, +Hastipada, Mudgarapindaka, Kamvala Aswatara, Kaliyaka, Vritta, Samvartaka, +Padma, Mahapadma, Sankhamukha, Kushmandaka, Kshemaka, Pindaraka, Karavira, +Pushpadanshtraka, Vilwaka, Vilwapandara, Mushikada, Sankhasiras, +Purnabhadra, Haridraka, Aparajita, Jyotika, Srivaha, Kauravya, +Dhritarashtra, Sankhapinda, Virajas, Suvahu, Salipinda, Prabhakara, +Hastipinda, Pitharaka, Sumuksha, Kaunapashana, Kuthara, Kunjara, Kumuda, +Kumudaksha, Tittri, Halika, Kardama, Vahumulaka, Karkara, Akarkara, +Kundodara, and Mahodara. + +"Thus, O best of regenerate ones, have I said the names of the principal +serpents. From fear of being tedious I do not give names of the rest. O +thou whose wealth is asceticism, the sons of these snakes, with their +grandsons, are innumerable. Reflecting upon this, I shall not name them to +thee. O best ascetics, in this world the number of snakes baffles +calculation, there being many thousands and millions of them." + +So ends the thirty-fifth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Saunaka said, 'O child, thou hast named many of the serpents gifted with +great energy and incapable of being easily overcome. What did they do +after hearing of that curse?' + +"Sauti said, 'The illustrious Sesha amongst them, of great renown, leaving +his mother practised hard penances, living upon air and rigidly observing +his vows. He practised these ascetic devotions, repairing to Gandhamadana, +Vadri, Gokarna, the woods of Pushkara, and the foot of Himavat. And he +passed his days in those sacred regions, some of which were sacred for +their water and others for their soil in the rigid observance of his vows, +with singleness of aim, and his passions under complete control. And the +Grandsire of all, Brahma, saw that ascetic with knotted hair, clad in rags, +and his flesh, skin, and sinews dried up owing to the hard penances he was +practising. And the Grandsire addressing him, that penance-practising one +of great fortitude, said, 'What is that thorn doest, O Sesha? Let the +welfare of the creatures of the worlds also engage thy thoughts. O sinless +one, thou art afflicting all creatures by thy hard penances. O Sesha, tell +me the desire implanted in thy breast.' + +"And Sesha replied, 'My uterine brothers are all of wicked hearts. I do +not desire to live amongst them. Let this be sanctioned by thee. Like +enemies they are always jealous of one another. I am, therefore, engaged +in ascetic devotions. I will not see them even. They never show any +kindness for Vinata and her son. Indeed, Vinata's son capable of ranging +through the skies, is another brother of ours. They always envy him. And +he, too, is much stronger owing to the bestowal of that boon by our father, +the high-souled Kasyapa. For these, I engaged in ascetic penances, and I +will cast off this body of mine, so that I may avoid companionship with +them, even in another state of life.' + +"Unto Sesha who had said so, the Grandsire said, 'O Sesha, I know the +behaviour of all thy brothers and their great danger owing to their +offence against their mother. But O Snake, a remedy (for this) hath been +provided by me even beforehand. It behoveth thee not to grieve for thy +brothers. O Sesha, ask of me the boon thou desirest. I have been highly +gratified with thee and I will grant thee today a boon. O best of snakes, +it is fortunate that thy heart hath been set on virtue. Let thy heart be +more and more firmly set on virtue.' + +"Then Sesha replied, 'O divine Grandsire, this is the boon desired by me; +viz., may my heart always delight in virtue and in blessed ascetic +penances, O Lord of all!' + +"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thy self- +denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be done by thee +for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly and well this +Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and +retreats, so that she may be steady.' + +"Sesha said, 'O divine Lord of all creatures, O bestower of boons, O lord +of the Earth, lord of every created thing, lord of the universe, I will, +even as thou sayest hold the Earth steady. Therefore, O lord of all +creatures, place her on my head.' + +"Brahman said, 'O best of snakes, go underneath the Earth. She will +herself give thee a crevice to pass through. And, O Sesha, by holding the +Earth, thou shalt certainly do what is prized by me very greatly.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Then the elder brother of the king of the snakes, +entering a hole, passed to the other side of the Earth, and holding her, +supported with his head that goddess with her belt of seas passing all +round.' + +"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, O best of snakes, thou art the god Dharma, +because alone, with thy huge body, thou supportest the Earth with +everything on her, even as I myself, or Valavit (Indra), can.' + +"Sauti continued, 'The snake, Sesha, the lord Ananta, of great prowess, +lives underneath the Earth, alone supporting the world at the command of +Brahman. And the illustrious Grandsire, the best of the immortals, then +gave unto Ananta the bird of fair feathers, viz., the son of Vinata, for +Ananta's help.'" + +So ends the thirty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'That best of snakes, viz., Vasuki, hearing the curse of his +mother, reflected how to render it abortive. He held a consultation with +all his brothers, Airavata and others, intent upon doing what they deemed +best for themselves.' + +"And Vasuki said, 'O ye sinless ones, the object of this curse is known to +you. It behoveth us to strive to neutralise it. Remedies certainly exist +for all curses, but no remedy can avail those cursed by their mother. +Hearing that this curse hath been uttered in the presence of the Immutable, +the Infinite, and the True one, my heart trembleth. Surely, our +annihilation hath come. Otherwise why should not the Immutable Lord +prevent our mother while uttering the curse? Therefore, let us consult +today how we may secure the safety of the snakes. Let us not waste time. +All of you are wise and discerning. We will consult together and find out +the means of deliverance as (did) the gods of yore to regain lost Agni who +had concealed himself within a cave, so that Janamejaya's sacrifice for +the destruction of the snakes may not take place, and so that we may not +meet with destruction.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed all the offspring of Kadru assembled +together, and, wise in counsels, submitted their opinions to one another. +One party of the serpents said, 'We should assume the guise of superior +Brahmanas, and beseech Janamejaya, saying, 'This (intended) sacrifice of +yours ought not to take place.' Other snakes thinking themselves wise, +said, 'We should all become his favourite counsellors. He will then +certainly ask for our advice in all projects. And we will then give him +such advice that the sacrifice may be obstructed. The king, the foremost +of wise men, thinking us of sterling worth will certainly ask us about his +sacrifice. We will say, 'It must not be!' And pointing to many serious +evils in this and the next worlds, we will take care that the sacrifice +may not take place. Or, let one of the snakes, approaching, bite the +person who, intending the monarch's good, and well-acquainted with the +rites of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed as the sacrificial priest, +so that he will die. The sacrificial priest dying, the sacrifice will not +be completed. We will also bite all those who, acquainted with the rites +of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed Ritwiks of the sacrifice, and by +that means attain our object.' Other snakes, more virtuous and kind, said, +'O, this counsel of yours is evil. It is not meet to kill Brahmanas. In +danger, that remedy is proper, which is blessed on the practices of the +righteous. Unrighteousness finally destroyeth the world.' Other serpents +said, 'We will extinguish the blazing sacrificial fire by ourselves +becoming clouds luminous with lightning and pouring down showers.' Other +snakes, the best of their kind, proposed, 'Going, by night, let us steal +away the vessel of Soma juice. That will disturb the rite. Or, at that +sacrifice, let the snakes, by hundreds and thousands, bite the people, and +spread terror around. Or, let the serpents defile the pure food with their +food-defiling urine and dung.' Others said, 'Let us become the king's +Ritwiks, and obstruct his sacrifice by saying at the outset, 'Give us the +sacrificial fee.' He (the king), being placed in our power, will do +whatever we like.' Others there said, 'When the king will sport in the +waters, we will carry him to our home and bind him, so that that sacrifice +will not take place!' Other serpents who deemed themselves wise, said, +'Approaching the king, let us bite him, so that our object will be +accomplished. By his death the root of all evil will be torn up. This is +the final deliberation of us all, O thou who hearest with thy eyes! Then, +do speedily what thou deemest proper.' Having said this, they looked +intently at Vasuki, that best of snakes. And Vasuki also, after reflecting, +answered saying, 'Ye snakes, this final determination of you doth not seem +worthy of adoption. The advice of you all is not to my liking. What shall +I say which would be for your good? I think the grace of the illustrious +Kasyapa (our father) can alone do us good. Ye snakes, my heart doth not +know which of all your suggestions is to be adopted for the welfare of my +race as also of me. That must be done by me which would be to your weal. +It is this that makes me so anxious, for the credit or the discredit (of +the measure) is mine alone.'" + +So ends the thirty-seventh section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva. + + +SECTION XXXVIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Hearing the respective speeches of all the snakes, and +hearing also the words of Vasuki, Elapatra began to address them, saying, +'That sacrifice is not one that can be prevented. Nor is king Janamejaya +of the Pandava race from whom this fear proceedeth, such that he can be +hindered. The person, O king, who is afflicted by fate hath recourse to +fate alone; nothing else can be his refuge. Ye best of snakes, this fear +of ours hath fate for its root. Fate alone must be our refuge in this. +Listen to what I say. When that curse was uttered, ye best of snakes, in +fear I lay crouching on the lap of our mother. Ye best of snakes, and O +lord (Vasuki) of great splendour, from that place I heard the words the +sorrowing gods spake unto the Grandsire. The gods said, 'O Grandsire, thou +god of gods who else than the cruel Kadru could thus, after getting such +dear children, curse them so, even in thy presence? And, O Grandsire, by +thee also hath been spoken, with reference to those words of hers, 'Be it +so.' We wish to know the reason why thou didst not prevent her.' Brahman +replied, 'The snakes have multiplied. They are cruel, terrible in form and +highly poisonous. From desire of the good of my creatures, I did not +prevent Kadru then. Those poisonous serpents and others who are sinful, +biting others for no faults, shall, indeed, be destroyed, but not they who +are harmless and virtuous. And hear also, how, when the hour comes, the +snakes may escape this dreadful calamity. There shall be born in the race +of the Yayavaras a great Rishi known by the name of Jaratkaru, intelligent, +with passions under complete control. That Jaratkaru shall have a son of +the name of Astika. He shall put a stop to that sacrifice. And those +snakes who shall be virtuous shall escape therefrom.' The gods said, 'O +thou truth-knowing one, on whom will Jaratkaru, that foremost Muni, gifted +with great energy and asceticism, beget that illustrious son?' Brahma +answered, 'Gifted with great energy, that best Brahmana shall beget a son +possessed of great energy on a wife of the same name as his. Vasuki, the +king of the snakes, hath a sister of the name of Jaratkaru; the son, of +whom I speak, shall be born of her, and he shall liberate the snakes.' + +"Elapatra continued, 'The gods then said unto the Grandsire, 'Be it so.' +And the lord Brahman, having said so unto the gods, went to heaven. O +Vasuki, I see before me that sister of thine known by the name of +Jaratkaru. For relieving us from fear, give her as alms unto him (i.e., +the Rishi), Jaratkaru, of excellent vows, who shall roam abegging for a +bride. This means of release hath been heard of by me!'" + + +SECTION XXXIX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'O best of regenerate ones, hearing these words of Elapatra, +all the serpents, in great delight, exclaimed, 'Well said, well said!' And +from that time Vasuki set about carefully bringing up that maiden, viz., +his sister Jaratkaru. And he took great delight in rearing her. + +"And much time did not elapse from this, when the gods and the Asuras, +assembling together, churned the abode of Varuna. And Vasuki, the foremost +of all gifted with strength, became the churning-cord. And directly the +work was over, the king of the snakes presented himself before the +Grandsire. And the gods, accompanied by Vasuki, addressed the Grandsire, +saying, 'O lord, Vasuki is suffering great affliction from fear of (his +mother's curse). It behoveth thee to root out the sorrow, begotten of the +curse of his mother, that hath pierced the heart of Vasuki desirous of the +weal of his race. The king of the snakes is ever our friend and benefactor. +O Lord of the gods, be gracious unto him and assuage his mind's fever.' + +"Brahman replied, 'O ye immortals, I have thought, in my mind, of what ye +have said. Let the king of the snakes do that which hath been communicated +to him before by Elapatra. The time hath arrived. Those only shall be +destroyed that are wicked, not those that are virtuous. Jaratkaru hath +been born, and that Brahmana is engaged in hard ascetic penances. Let +Vasuki, at the proper time, bestow on him his sister. Ye gods, what hath +been spoken by the snake Elapatra for the weal of the snakes is true and +not otherwise.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Then the king of the snakes, Vasuki, afflicted with the +curse of his mother, hearing these words of the Grandsire, and intending +to bestow his sister of the Rishi Jaratkaru, commanded all the serpents, a +large numbers of whom were ever attentive to their duties, to watch the +Rishi Jaratkaru, saying, 'When the lord Jaratkaru will ask for a wife, +come immediately and inform me of it. The weal of our race depends upon +it.'" + + +SECTION XL + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, I desire to know the reason why the +illustrious Rishi whom thou hast named Jaratkaru came to be so called on +earth. It behoveth thee to tell us the etymology of the name Jaratkaru.' + +"Sauti said, 'Jara is said to mean waste, and Karu implies huge. This +Rishi's body had been huge, and he gradually reduced it by severe ascetic +penances. For the same reason, O Brahmanas, the sister of Vasuki was +called Jaratkaru.' + +The virtuous Saunaka, when he heard this, smiled and addressing Ugrasravas +said, 'It is even so.' + +Saunaka then said, 'I have heard all that thou hast before recited. I +desire to know how Astika was born.' + +Sauti, on hearing these words, began to relate according to what was +written in the Sastras. + +"Sauti said, 'Vasuki, desirous of bestowing his sister upon the Rishi +Jaratkaru, gave the snakes (necessary) orders. But days went on, yet that +wise Muni of rigid vows, deeply engaged in ascetic devotions, did not seek +for a wife. That high-souled Rishi, engaged in studies and deeply devoted +to asceticism, his vital seed under full control, fearlessly wandered over +the whole earth and had no wish for a wife. + +"Afterwards, once upon a time, there was a king, O Brahmana, of the name +of Parikshit, born in the race of the Kauravas. And, like his great- +grandfather Pandu of old, he was of mighty arms, the first of all bearers +of bows in battle, and fond of hunting. And the monarch wandered about, +hunting deer, and wild boars, and wolves, and buffaloes and various other +kinds of wild animals. One day, having pierced a deer with a sharp arrow +and slung his bow on his back, he penetrated into the deep forest, +searching for the animal here and there, like the illustrious Rudra +himself of old pursuing in the heavens, bow in hand, the deer which was +Sacrifice, itself turned into that shape, after the piercing. No deer that +was pierced by Parikshit had ever escaped in the wood with life. This deer, +however wounded as before, fled with speed, as the (proximate) cause of +the king's attainment to heaven. And the deer that Parikshit--that king of +men--had pierced was lost to his gaze and drew the monarch far away into +the forest. And fatigued and thirsty, he came across a Muni, in the forest, +seated in a cow-pen and drinking to his fill the froth oozing out of the +mouths of calves sucking the milk of their dams. And approaching him +hastily, the monarch, hungry and fatigued, and raising his bow, asked that +Muni of rigid vows, saying, 'O Brahmana, I am king Parikshit, the son of +Abhimanyu. A deer pierced by me hath been lost. Hast thou seen it?' But +that Muni observing then the vow of silence, spoke not unto him a word. +And the king in anger thereupon placed upon his shoulder a dead snake, +taking it up with the end of his bow. The Muni suffered him to do it +without protest. And he spoke not a word, good or bad. And the king seeing +him in that state, cast off his anger and became sorry. And he returned to +his capital but the Rishi continued in the same state. The forgiving Muni, +knowing that the monarch who was a tiger amongst kings was true to the +duties of his order, cursed him not, though insulted. That tiger amongst +monarchs, that foremost one of Bharata's race, also did not know that the +person whom he had so insulted was a virtuous Rishi. It was for this that +he had so insulted him. + +"That Rishi had a son by name Sringin, of tender years, gifted with great +energy, deep in ascetic penances, severe in his vows, very wrathful, and +difficult to be appeased. At times, he worshipped with great attention and +respect his preceptor seated with ease on his seat and ever engaged in the +good of creatures. + +"And commanded by his preceptor, he was coming home when, O best of +Brahmanas, a companion of his, a Rishi's son named Krisa in a playful mood +laughingly spoke unto him. And Sringin, wrathful and like unto poison +itself, hearing these words in reference to his father, blazed up in rage. + +"And Krisa said, 'Be not proud, O Sringin, for ascetic as thou art and +possessed of energy, thy father bears on his shoulders a dead snake. +Henceforth speak not a word to sons of Rishis like ourselves who have +knowledge of the truth, are deep in ascetic penances, and have attained +success. Where is that manliness of thine, those high words of thine +begotten of pride, when thou must have to behold thy father bearing a dead +snake? O best of all the Munis, thy father too had done nothing to deserve +this treatment, and it is for this that I am particularly sorry as if the +punishment were mine.'" + + +SECTION XLI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Being thus addressed, and hearing that his sire was bearing +a dead snake, the powerful Sringin burned with wrath. And looking at Krisa, +and speaking softly, he asked him, 'Pray, why doth my father bear today a +dead snake?' And Krisa replied, 'Even as king Parikshit was roving, for +purpose of hunting, O dear one, he placed the dead snake on the shoulder +of thy sire.' + +"And Sringin asked, 'What wrong was done to that wicked monarch by my +father? O Krisa, tell me this, and witness the power of my asceticism.' + +"And Krisa answered, 'King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, while hunting, +had wounded a fleet stag with an arrow and chased it alone. And the king +lost sight of the animal in that extensive wilderness. Seeing then thy +sire, he immediately accosted him. Thy sire was then observing the vow of +silence. Oppressed by hunger, thirst and labour, the prince again and +again asked thy sire sitting motionless, about the missing deer. The sage, +being under the vow of silence, returned no reply. The king thereupon +placed the snake on thy sire's shoulder with the end of his bow. O Sringin, +thy sire engaged in devotion is in the same posture still. And the king +also hath gone to his capital which is named after the elephant!' + +"Sauti continued, 'Having heard of a dead snake placed upon his (father's) +shoulders, the son of the Rishi, his eyes reddened with anger, blazed up +with rage. And possessed by anger, the puissant Rishi then cursed the king, +touching water and overcome with wrath.' + +"And Sringin said, 'That sinful wretch of a monarch who hath placed a dead +snake on the shoulders of my lean and old parent, that insulter of +Brahmanas and tarnisher of the fame of the Kurus, shall be taken within +seven nights hence to the regions of Yama (Death) by the snake Takshaka, +the powerful king of serpents, stimulated thereto by the strength of my +words!' + +"Sauti continued, 'And having thus cursed (the king) from anger, Sringin +went to his father, and saw the sage sitting in the cow-pen, bearing the +dead snake. And seeing his parent in that plight, he was again inflamed +with ire. And he shed tears of grief, and addressed his sire, saying, +'Father, having been informed of this thy disgrace at the hands of that +wicked wretch, king Parikshit, I have from anger even cursed him; and that +worst of Kurus hath richly deserved my potent curse. Seven days hence, +Takshaka, the lord of snakes, shall take the sinful king to the horrible +abode of Death.' And the father said to the enraged son, 'Child, I am not +pleased with thee. Ascetics should not act thus. We live in the domains of +that great king. We are protected by him righteously. In all he does, the +reigning king should by the like of us forgiven. If thou destroy Dharma, +verily Dharma will destroy thee. If the king do not properly protect us, +we fare very ill; we cannot perform our religious rites according to our +desire. But protected by righteous sovereigns, we attain immense merit, +and they are entitled to a share thereof. Therefore, reigning royalty is +by all means to be forgiven. And Parikshit like unto his great-grandsire, +protecteth us as a king should protect his subjects. That penance- +practising monarch was fatigued and oppressed with hunger. Ignorant of my +vow (of silence) he did this. A kingless country always suffereth from +evils. The king punisheth offenders, and fear of punishments to peace; +and people do their duties and perform their rites undisturbed. The king +establisheth religion--establisheth the kingdom of heaven. The king +protecteth sacrifices from disturbance, and sacrifices to please the gods. +The gods cause rain, and rain produceth grains and herbs, which are always +useful to man. Manu sayeth, a ruler of the destinies of men is equal (in +dignity) to ten Veda-studying priests. Fatigued and oppressed with hunger, +that penance-practising prince hath done this through ignorance of my vow. +Why then hast thou rashly done this unrighteous action through +childishness? O son, in no way doth the king deserve a curse from us.'" + + +SECTION XLII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'And Sringin then replied to his father, saying, 'Whether +this be an act of rashness, O father, or an improper act that I have done, +whether thou likest it or dislikest it, the words spoken by me shall never +be in vain. O father, I tell thee (a curse) can never be otherwise. I have +never spoken a lie even in jest.' + +"And Samika said, 'Dear child, I know that thou art of great prowess, and +truthful in speech. Thou hast never spoken falsehood before, so that thy +curse shall never be falsified. The son, even when he attaineth to age, +should yet be always counselled by the father, so that crowned with good +qualities he may acquire great renown. A child as thou art, how much more +dost thou stand in need of counsel? Thou art ever engaged in ascetic +penances. The wrath of even the illustrious ones possessing the six +attributes increaseth greatly. O thou foremost of ordinance-observing +persons, seeing that thou art my son and a minor too, and beholding also +thy rashness, I see that I must counsel thee. Live thou, O son, inclined +to peace and eating fruits and roots of the forest. Kill this thy anger +and destroy not the fruit of thy ascetic acts in this way. Wrath surely +decreaseth the virtue that ascetics acquire with great pains. And then for +those deprived of virtue, the blessed state existeth not. Peacefulness +ever giveth success to forgiving ascetics. Therefore, becoming forgiving +in thy temper and conquering thy passions, shouldst thou always live. By +forgiveness shalt thou obtain worlds that are beyond the reach of Brahman +himself. Having adopted peacefulness myself, and with a desire also for +doing good as much as lies in my power, I must do something; even must I +send to that king, telling him, 'O monarch, thou hast been cursed by my +son of tender years and undeveloped intellect, in wrath, at seeing thy act +of disrespect towards myself.' + +"Sauti continued, 'And that great ascetic, observer of vows, moved by +kindness, sent with proper instructions a disciple of his to king +Parikshit. And he sent his disciple Gaurmukha of good manners and engaged +also in ascetic penances, instructing him to first enquire about the +welfare of the king and then to communicate the real message. And that +disciple soon approached that monarch, the head of the Kuru race. And he +entered the king's palace having first sent notice of his arrival through +the servant in attendance at the gate. + +"And the twice-born Gaurmukha was duly worshipped by the monarch. And +after resting for a while, he detailed fully to the king, in the presence +of his ministers, the words of Samika, of cruel import, exactly as he had +been instructed.' + +"And Gaurmukha said, 'O king of kings, there is a Rishi, Samika, by name, +of virtuous soul, his passions under control, peaceful, and given up to +hard ascetic devotions, living in thy dominions! By thee, O tiger among +men, was placed on the shoulders of that Rishi observing at present the +vow of silence, a dead snake, with the end of thy bow! He himself forgave +thee that act. But his son could not. And by the latter hast thou today +been cursed, O king of kings, without the knowledge of his father, to the +effect that within seven nights hence, shall (the snake) Takshaka cause +thy death. And Samika repeatedly asked his son to save thee, but there is +none to falsify his son's curse. And because he hath been unable to pacify +his son possessed by anger, therefore have I been sent to thee, O king, +for thy good!' + +"And that king of the Kuru race, himself engaged in ascetic practices, +having heard these cruel words and recollecting his own sinful act, became +exceedingly sorry. And the king, learning that foremost of Rishis in the +forest had been observing the vow of silence, was doubly afflicted with +sorrow and seeing the kindness of the Rishi Samika, and considering his +own sinful act towards him, the king became very repentant. And the king +looking like a very god, did not grieve so much for hearing of his death +as for having done that act to the Rishi.' + +"And then the king sent away Gaurmukha, saying, 'Let the worshipful one +(Samika) be gracious to me!' And when Gaurmukha had gone away, the king, +in great anxiety, without loss of time, consulted his ministers. And +having consulted them, the king, himself wise in counsels, caused a +mansion to be erected upon one solitary column. It was well-guarded day +and night. And for its protection were placed there physicians and +medicines, and Brahmanas skilled in mantras all around. And the monarch, +protected on all sides, discharged his kingly duties from that place +surrounded by his virtuous ministers. And no one could approach that best +of kings there. The air even could not go there, being prevented from +entering. + +"And when the seventh day had arrived, that best of Brahmanas, the learned +Kasyapa was coming (towards the king's residence), desirous of treating +the king (after the snake-bite). He had heard all that had taken place, +viz., that Takshaka, that first of snakes, would send that best of +monarchs to the presence of Yama (Death). And he thought, I would cure the +monarch after he is bit by that first of snakes. By that I may have wealth +and may acquire virtue also.' But that prince of snakes, Takshaka, in the +form of an old Brahmana, saw Kasyapa approaching on his way, his heart set +upon curing the king. And the prince of snakes then spake unto that bull +among Munis, Kasyapa, saying, 'Whither dost thou go with such speed? What, +besides, is the business upon which thou art intent?' + +"And Kasyapa, thus addressed, replied, 'Takshaka, by his poison, will +today burn king Parikshit of the Kuru race, that oppressor of all enemies. +I go with speed, O amiable one, to cure, without loss of time, the king of +immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Pandava race, after +he is bit by the same Takshaka like to Agni himself in energy.' And +Takshaka answered, 'I am that Takshaka, O Brahmana, who shall burn that +lord of the earth. Stop, for thou art unable to cure one bit by me.' And +Kasyapa rejoined, 'I am sure that, possessed (that I am) of the power of +learning, going thither I shall cure that monarch bit by thee.'" + + +SECTION XLIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'And Takshaka, after this, answered, 'If, indeed, thou art +able to cure any creature bitten by me, then, O Kasyapa, revive thou this +tree bit by me. O best of Brahmanas, I burn this banian in thy sight. Try +thy best and show me that skill in mantras of which thou hast spoken.' + +"And Kasyapa said, If thou art so minded, bite thou then, O king of snakes, +this tree. O snake, I shall revive it, though bit by thee. + +"Sauti continued, 'That king of snakes, thus addressed by the illustrious +Kasyapa, bit then that banian tree. And that tree, bit by the illustrious +snake, and penetrated by the poison of the serpent, blazed up all around. +And having burnt the banian so, the snake then spake again unto Kasyapa, +saying, 'O first of Brahmanas, try thy best and revive this lord of the +forest.' + +"Sauti continued, 'The tree was reduced to ashes by the poison of that +king of snakes. But taking up those ashes, Kasyapa spoke these words. 'O +king of snakes, behold the power of my knowledge as applied to this lord +of the forest! O snake, under thy very nose I shall revive it.' And then +that best of Brahmanas, the illustrious and learned Kasyapa, revived, by +his vidya, that tree which had been reduced to a heap of ashes. And first +he created the sprout, then he furnished it with two leaves, and then he +made the stem, and then the branches, and then the full-grown tree with +leaves and all. And Takshaka, seeing the tree revived by the illustrious +Kasyapa, said unto him, 'It is not wonderful in thee that thou shouldst +destroy my poison or that of any one else like myself. O thou whose wealth +is asceticism, desirous of what wealth, goest thou thither? The reward +thou hopest to have from that best of monarchs, even I will give thee, +however difficult it may be to obtain it. Decked with fame as thou art, +thy success may be doubtful on that king affected by a Brahmana's curse +and whose span of life itself hath been shortened. In that case, this +blazing fame of thine that hath overspread the three worlds will disappear +like the Sun when deprived of his splendour (on the occasion of the +eclipse).' + +"Kasyapa said, 'I go there for wealth, give it unto me, O snake, so that +taking thy gold. I may return.' Takshaka replied, 'O best of regenerate +ones, even I will give thee more than what thou expectest from that king. +Therefore do not go.' + +"Sauti continued, 'That best of Brahmanas, Kasyapa, of great prowess and +intelligence, hearing those words of Takshaka, sat in yoga meditation over +the king. And that foremost of Munis, viz., Kasyapa, of great prowess and +gifted with spiritual knowledge, ascertaining that the period of life of +that king of the Pandava race had really run out, returned, receiving from +Takshaka as much wealth as he desired. + +"And upon the illustrious Kasyapa's retracing his steps, Takshaka at the +proper time speedily entered the city of Hastinapura. And on his way he +heard that the king was living very cautiously, protected by means of +poison-neutralising mantras and medicines.' + +"Sauti continued, 'The snake thereupon reflected thus, 'The monarch must +be deceived by me with power of illusion. But what must be the means?' +Then Takshaka sent to the king some snakes in the guise of ascetics taking +with them fruits, kusa grass, and water (as presents). And Takshaka, +addressing them, said, 'Go ye all to the king, on the pretext of pressing +business, without any sign of impatience, as if to make the monarch only +accept the fruits and flowers and water (that ye shall carry as presents +unto him).' + +"Sauti continued, 'Those snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, acted +accordingly. And they took to the king, Kusa grass and water, and fruits. +And that foremost of kings, of great prowess, accepted those offerings. +And after their business was finished, he said upto them, 'Retire.' Then +after those snakes disguised as ascetics had gone away, the king addressed +his ministers and friends, saying, 'Eat ye, with me, all these fruits of +excellent taste brought by the ascetics.' Impelled by Fate and the words +of the Rishi, the king, with his ministers, felt the desire of eating +those fruits. The particular fruit, within which Takshaka had entered, was +taken by the king himself for eating. And when he was eating it, there +appeared, O Saunaka, an ugly insect out of it, of shape scarcely +discernible, of eyes black, and of coppery colour. And that foremost of +kings, taking that insect, addressed his councillors, saying, 'The sun is +setting; today I have no more fear from poison. Therefore, let this insect +become Takshaka and bite me, so that my sinful act may be expiated and the +words of the ascetic rendered true.' And those councillors also, impelled +by Fate, approved of that speech. And then the monarch smiled, losing his +senses, his hour having come. And he quickly placed that insect on his +neck. And as the king was smiling, Takshaka, who had (in the form of that +insect) come out of the fruit that had been offered to the king, coiled +himself round the neck of the monarch. And quickly coiling round the +king's neck and uttering a tremendous roar, Takshaka, that lord of snakes, +bit that protector of the earth.'" + + +SECTION XLIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Then the councillors beholding the king in the coils of +Takshaka, became pale with fear and wept in exceeding grief. And hearing +the roar of Takshaka, the ministers all fled. And as they were flying away +in great grief, they saw Takshaka, the king of snakes, that wonderful +serpent, coursing through the blue sky like a streak of the hue of the +lotus, and looking very much like the vermilion-coloured line on a woman's +crown dividing the dark masses of her hair in the middle. + +"And the mansion in which the king was living blazed up with Takshaka's +poison. And the king's councillors, on beholding it, fled away in all +directions. And the king himself fell down, as if struck by lightning. + +"And when the king was laid low by Takshaka's poison, his councillors with +the royal priest--a holy Brahmana--performed all his last rites. All the +citizens, assembling together, made the minor son of the deceased monarch +their king. And the people called their new king, that slayer of all +enemies, that hero of the Kuru race, by the name of Janamejaya. And that +best of monarchs, Janamejaya, though a child, was wise in mind. And with +his councillors and priest, the eldest son Parikshita, that bull amongst +the Kurus, ruled the kingdom like his heroic great-grand-father +(Yudhishthira). And the ministers of the youthful monarch, beholding that +he could now keep his enemies in check, went to Suvarnavarman, the king of +Kasi, and asked him his daughter Vapushtama for a bride. And the king of +Kasi, after due inquiries, bestowed with ordained rites, his daughter +Vapushtama on that mighty hero of Kuru race. And the latter, receiving his +bride, became exceedingly glad. And he gave not his heart at any time to +any other woman. And gifted with great energy, he wandered in pursuit of +pleasure, with a cheerful heart, on expanses of water and amid woods and +flowery fields. And that first of monarchs passed his time in pleasure as +Pururavas of old did, on receiving the celestial damsel Urvasi. Herself +fairest of the fair, the damsel Vapushtama too, devoted to her lord and +celebrated for her beauty having gained a desirable husband, pleased him +by the excess of her affection during the period he spent in the pursuit +of pleasure.'" + + +SECTION XLV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Meanwhile the great ascetic Jaratkaru wandered over the whole earth +making the place where evening fell his home for the night. And gifted +with ascetic power, he roamed, practising various vows difficult to be +practised by the immature, and bathing also in various sacred waters. And +the Muni had air alone for his food and was free from desire of worldly +enjoyment. And he became daily emaciated and grew lean-fleshed. And one +day he saw the spirits of his ancestors, heads down, in a hole, by a cord +of virana roots having only one thread entire. And that even single thread +was being gradually eaten away by a large rat dwelling in that hole. And +the Pitris in that hole were without food, emaciated, pitiable, and +eagerly desirous of salvation. And Jaratkaru, approaching the pitiable one, +himself in humble guise, asked them, 'Who are ye hanging by this cord of +virana roots? The single weak root that is still left in this cord of +virana roots already eaten away by the rat, dwelling in this hole, is +itself being gradually eaten away by the same rat with his sharp teeth. +The little that remains of that single thread will soon be cut away. It is +clear ye shall then have to fall down into this pit with faces downwards. +Seeing you with faces downwards, and overtaken by this great calamity, my +pity hath been excited. What good can I do to you. Tell me quickly whether +this calamity can be averted by a fourth, a third, or even by the +sacrifice of a half of this my asceticism, O, relieve yourselves even with +the whole of my asceticism. I consent to all this. Do ye as ye please.' + +"The Pitris said, 'Venerable Brahmacharin, thou desirest to relieve us. +But, O foremost of Brahmanas, thou canst not dispel our affliction by thy +asceticism. O child, O first of speakers, we too have the fruits of our +asceticism. But, O Brahmana, it is for the loss of children that we are +falling down into this unholy hell. The grandsire himself hath said that a +son is a great merit. As we are about to be cast in this hole, our ideas +are no longer clear. Therefore, O child, we know thee not, although thy +manhood is well-known on earth. Venerable thou art and of good fortune, +thou who thus from kindness grievest for us worthy of pity and greatly +afflicted. O Brahmana, listen, who we are. We are Rishis of the Yayavara +sect, of rigid vows. And, O Muni, from loss of children, we have fallen +down from a sacred region. Our severe penances have not been destroyed; we +have a thread yet. But we have only one thread now. It matters little, +however, whether he is or is not. Unfortunate as we are, we have a thread +in one, known as Jaratkaru. The unfortunate one has gone through the Vedas +and their branches and is practising asceticism alone. He being one with +soul under complete control, desires set high, observant of vows, deeply +engaged in ascetic penances, and free from greed for the merits or +asceticism, we have been reduced to this deplorable state. He hath no wife, +no son, no relatives. Therefore, do we hang in this hole, our +consciousness lost, like men having none to take care of them. If thou +meetest him, O, tell him, from thy kindness to ourselves, Thy Pitris, in +sorrow, are hanging with faces downwards in a hole. Holy one, take a wife +and beget children. O thou of ascetic wealth, thou art, O amiable one, the +only thread that remaineth in the line of thy ancestors. O Brahmana, the +cord of virana roots that thou seest we are hanging by, is the cord +representing our multiplied race. And, O Brahmana, these threads of the +cord of virana roots that thou seest as eaten away, are ourselves who have +been eaten up by Time. This root thou seest hath been half-eaten and by +which we are hanging in this hole is he that hath adopted asceticism alone. +The rat that thou beholdest is Time of infinite strength. And he (Time) is +gradually weakening the wretch Jaratkaru engaged in ascetic penances +tempted by the merits thereof, but wanting in prudence and heart. O +excellent one, his asceticism cannot save us. Behold, our roots being torn, +cast down from higher regions, deprived of consciousness by Time, we are +going downwards like sinful wretches. And upon our going down into this +hole with all our relatives, eaten up by Time, even he shall sink with us +into hell. O child, whether it is asceticism, or sacrifice, or whatever +else there be of very holy acts, everything is inferior. These cannot +count with a son. O child, having seen all, speak unto that Jaratkaru of +ascetic wealth. Thou shouldst tell him in detail everything that thou hast +beheld. And, O Brahmana, from thy kindness towards us, thou shouldst tell +him all that would induce him to take a wife and beget children. Amongst +his friends, or of our own race, who art thou, O excellent one, that thus +grievest for us all like a friend? We wish to hear who thou art that +stayest here.'" + + +SECTION XLVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said. 'Jaratkaru, hearing all this, became excessively dejected. +And from sorrow he spoke unto those Pitris in words obstructed by tears.' +And Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my fathers and grand-fathers gone before. +Therefore, tell me what I must do for your welfare. I am that sinful son +of yours, Jaratkaru! Punish me for my sinful deeds, a wretch that I am.' + +"The Pitris replied, saying, 'O son, by good luck hast thou arrived at +this spot in course of thy rambles. O Brahmana, why hast thou not taken a +wife?' + +"Jaratkaru said. 'Ye Pitris, this desire hath always existed in my heart +that I would, with vital seed drawn up, carry this body to the other world. +My mind hath been possessed with the idea that I would not take a wife. +But ye grandsires, having seen you hanging like birds, I have diverted my +mind from the Brahmacharya mode of life. I will truly do what you like. I +will certainly marry, if ever I meet with a maiden of my own name. I shall +accept her who, bestowing herself of her own accord, will be as aims unto +me, and whom I shall not have to maintain. I shall marry if I get such a +one; otherwise, I shall not. This is the truth, ye grandsires! And the +offspring that will be begot upon her shall be your salvation. And ye +Pitris of mine, ye shall live for ever in blessedness and without fear.' + +'Sauti continued, 'The Muni, having said so unto the Pitris, wandered over +the earth again. And, O Saunaka, being old, he obtained no wife. And he +grieved much that he was not successful. But directed (as before) by his +ancestors, he continued the search. And going into the forest, he wept +loudly in great grief. And having gone into the forest, the wise one, +moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, 'I will ask for +a bride,' distinctly repeating these words thrice. And he said, 'Whatever +creatures are here, mobile and immobile, so whoever there be that are +invisible, O, hear my words! My ancestors, afflicted with grief, have +directed me that am engaged in the most severe penances, saying, 'Marry +thou for (the acquisition of) a son.' 'O ye, being directed by my +ancestors, I am roaming in poverty and sorrow, over the wide world for +wedding a maiden that I may obtain as alms. Let that creature, amongst +those I have addressed, who hath a daughter, bestow on me that am roaming +far and near. Such a bride as is of same name with me, to be bestowed on +me as alms, and whom, besides, I shall not maintain, O bestow on me!' Then +those snakes that had been set upon Jaratkaru track, ascertaining his +inclination, gave information to Vasuki. And the king of the snakes, +hearing their words, took with him that maiden decked with ornaments, and +went into the forest unto that Rishi. And, O Brahmana, Vasuki, the king of +the snakes, having gone there, offered that maiden as alms unto that high- +souled Rishi. But the Rishi did not at once accept her. And the Rishi, +thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and seeing that the +question of her maintenance also was unsettled, reflected for a few +moments, hesitating to accept her. And then, O son of Bhrigu, he asked +Vasuki the maiden's name, and also said unto him, 'I shall not maintain +her.'" + + +SECTION XLVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Then Vasuki spake unto the Rishi Jaratkaru these words, 'O +best of Brahmanas, this maiden is of the same name with thee. She is my +sister and hath ascetic merit. I will maintain thy wife; accept her. O +thou of ascetic wealth, I shall protect her with all my ability. And, O +foremost of the great Munis, she hath been reared by me for thee.' And the +Rishi replied, 'This is agreed between us that I shall not maintain her; +and she shall not do aught that I do not like. If she do, I leave her!' + +"Sauti continued, 'When the snake had promised, saying, 'I shall maintain +my sister,' Jaratkaru then went to the snake's house. Then that first of +mantra-knowing Brahmanas, observing rigid vows, that virtuous and veteran +ascetic, took her hand presented to him according to shastric rites. And +taking his bride with him, adored by the great Rishi, he entered the +delightful chamber set apart for him by the king of the snakes. And in +that chamber was a bed-stead covered with very valuable coverlets. And +Jaratkaru lived there with his wife. And the excellent Rishi made an +agreement with his wife, saying, 'Nothing must ever be done or said by +thee that is against my liking. And in case of thy doing any such thing, I +will leave thee and no longer continue to stay in thy house. Bear in mind +these words that have been spoken by me.' + +"And then the sister of the king of the snakes in great anxiety and +grieving exceedingly, spoke unto him, saying, 'Be it so.' And moved by the +desire of doing good to her relatives, that damsel, of unsullied +reputation, began to attend upon her lord with the wakefulness of a dog, +the timidity of a deer, and knowledge of signs possessed by the crow. And +one day, after the menstrual period, the sister of Vasuki, having purified +herself by a bath according to custom, approached her lord the great Muni. +And thereupon she conceived. And the embryo was like unto a flame of fire, +possessed of great energy, and resplendent as fire itself. And it grew +like the moon in the bright fortnight. + +"And one day, within a short time, Jaratkaru of great fame, placing his +head on the lap of his wife, slept, looking like one fatigued. And as he +was sleeping, the sun entered his chambers in the Western mountain and was +about to set. And, O Brahmana, as the day was fading, she, the excellent +sister of Vasuki, became thoughtful, fearing the loss of her husband's +virtue. And she thought, 'What should I now do? Shall I wake my husband or +not? He is exacting and punctilious in his religious duties. How can I act +as not to offend him? The alternatives are his anger and the loss of +virtue of a virtuous man. The loss of virtue, I ween, is the greater of +the two evils. Again, if I wake him, he will be angry. But if twilight +passeth away without his prayers being said, he shall certainly sustain +loss of virtue.' + +'And having resolved at last, the sweet-speeched Jaratkaru, the sister of +Vasuki, spake softly unto that Rishi resplendent with ascetic penances, +and lying prostrate like a flame of fire, 'O thou of great good fortune, +awake, the sun is setting. O thou of rigid vows, O illustrious one, do +your evening prayer after purifying yourself with water and uttering the +name of Vishnu. The time for the evening sacrifice hath come. Twilight, O +lord, is even now gently covering the western side.' + +"The illustrious Jaratkaru of great ascetic merit, thus addressed, spake +unto his wife these words, his upper lip quivering in anger, 'O amiable +one of the Naga race, thou hast insulted me. I shall no longer abide with +thee, but shall go where I came from. O thou of beautiful thighs, I +believe in my heart that the sun hath no power to set in the usual time, +if I am asleep. An insulted person should never live where he hath met +with the insult, far less should I, a virtuous person, or those that are +like me.' Jaratkaru, the sister of Vasuki, thus addressed by her lord, +began to quake with terror, and she spake unto him, saying, 'O Brahmana, I +have not waked thee from desire of insult; but I have done it so that thy +virtue may not sustain any loss.' + +"The Rishi Jaratkaru, great in ascetic merit, possessed with anger and +desirous of forsaking his spouse, thus addressed, spake unto his wife, +saying, O thou fair one, never have I spoken a falsehood. Therefore, go I +shall. This was also settled between ourselves. O amiable one, I have +passed the time happily with thee. And, O fair one, tell thy brother, when +I am gone, that I have left thee. And upon my going away, it behoveth thee +not to grieve for me.' + +"Thus addressed Jaratkaru, the fair sister of Vasuki, of faultless +features, filled with anxiety and sorrow, having mustered sufficient +courage and patience, though her heart was still quaking, then spake unto +Rishi Jaratkaru. Her words were obstructed with tears and her face was +pale with fear. And the palms of her hands were joined together, and her +eyes were bathed in tears. And she said, 'It behoveth thee not to leave me +without a fault. Thou treadest over the path of virtue. I too have been in +the same path, with heart fixed on the good of my relatives. O best of +Brahmanas, the object for which I was bestowed on thee hath not been +accomplished yet. Unfortunate that I am, what shall Vasuki say unto me? O +excellent one, the offspring desired of by my relatives afflicted by a +mother's curse, do not yet appear! The welfare of my relatives dependeth +on the acquisition of offspring from thee. And in order that my connection +with thee may not be fruitless, O illustrious Brahmana, moved by the +desire of doing good to my race do I entreat thee. O excellent one, high- +souled thou art; so why shall thou leave me who am faultless? This is what +is not just clear to me.' + +"Thus addressed, the Muni of great ascetic merit spake unto his wife +Jaratkaru these words that were proper and suitable to the occasion. And +he said, 'O fortunate one, the being thou hast conceived, even like unto +Agni himself is a Rishi of soul highly virtuous, and a master of the Vedas +and their branches.' + +"Having said so, the great Rishi, Jaratkaru of virtuous soul, went away, +his heart firmly fixed on practising again the severest penances.'" + + +SECTION XLVIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'O thou of ascetic wealth, soon after her lord had left her, +Jaratkaru went to her brother. And she told him everything that had +happened. And the prince of snakes, hearing the calamitous news, spake +unto his miserable sister, himself more miserable still.' + +"And he said, 'Thou knowest, O amiable one, the purpose of thy bestowal, +the reason thereof. If, from that union, for the welfare of the snakes, a +son be born, then he, possessed of energy, will save us all from the snake- +sacrifice. The Grandsire had said so, of old, in the midst of the gods. O +fortunate one, hast thou conceived from thy union with that best of +Rishis? My heart's desire is that my bestowal of thee on that wise one may +not be fruitless. Truly, it is not proper for me to ask thee about this. +But from the gravity of the interests I ask thee this. Knowing also the +obstinacy of thy lord, ever engaged in severe penances, I shall not follow +him, for he may curse me. Tell me in detail all that thy lord, O amiable +one, hath done, and extract that terribly afflicting dart that lies +implanted for a long time past in my heart.' + +"Jaratkaru, thus addressed, consoling Vasuki, the king of the snakes, at +length replied, saying, 'Asked by me about offspring, the high-souled and +mighty ascetic said, 'There is,'--and then he went away. I do not remember +him to have ever before speak even in jest aught that is false. Why should +he, O king, speak a falsehood on such a serious occasion? He said, 'Thou +shouldst not grieve, O daughter of the snake race, about the intended +result of our union. A son shall be born to thee, resplendent as the +blazing sun.' O brother, having said this to me, my husband of ascetic +wealth went away--Therefore, let the deep sorrow cherished in thy heart +disappear.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, +accepted those words of his sister, and in great joy said, 'Be it so!' And +the chief of the snakes then adored his sister with his best regards, gift +of wealth, and fitting eulogies. Then, O best of Brahmanas, the embryo +endued with great splendour, began to develop, like the moon in the +heavens in the bright fortnight. + +"And in due time, the sister of the snakes, O Brahmana, gave birth to a +son of the splendour of a celestial child, who became the reliever of +the fears of his ancestors and maternal relatives. The child grew up there +in the house of the king of the snakes. He studied the Vedas and their +branches with the ascetic Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu. And though but a +boy, his vows were rigid. And he was gifted with great intelligence, and +with the several attributes of virtue, knowledge, freedom from the world's +indulgences, and saintliness. And the name by which he was known to the +world was Astika. And he was known by the name of Astika (whoever is) +because his father had gone to the woods, saying. 'There is', when he was +in the womb. Though but a boy, he had great gravity and intelligence. And +he was reared with great care in the palace of the snakes. And he was like +the illustrious lord of the celestials, Mahadeva of the golden form, the +wielder of the trident. And he grew up day by day, the delight of all the +snakes.'" + + +SECTION XLIX + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Saunaka said, 'Tell me again, in detail,--all that king Janamejaya had +asked his ministers about his father's ascension to heaven.' + +'Sauti said, 'O Brahmana, hear all that the king asked his ministers, and +all that they said about the death of Parikshit.' + +"Janamejaya asked, 'Know ye all that befell my father. How did that famous +king, in time, meet with his death? Hearing from you the incidents of my +father's life in detail, I shall ordain something, if it be for the +benefit of the world. Otherwise, I shall do nothing.' + +'The minister replied, 'Hear, O monarch, what thou hast asked, viz., an +account of thy illustrious father's life, and how also that king of kings +left this world. Thy father was virtuous and high-souled, and always +protected his people. O, hear, how that high-souled one conducted himself +on earth. Like unto an impersonation of virtue and justice, the monarch, +cognisant of virtue, virtuously protected the four orders, each engaged in +the discharge of their specified duties. Of incomparable prowess, and +blessed with fortune, he protected the goddess Earth. There was none who +hated him and he himself hated none. Like unto Prajapati (Brahma) he was +equally disposed towards all creatures. O monarch, Brahmanas and +Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, all engaged contentedly in the practice +of their respective duties, were impartially protected by that king. +Widows and orphans, the maimed and the poor, he maintained. Of handsome +features, he was unto all creatures like a second Soma. Cherishing his +subjects and keeping them contented, blessed with good fortune, truth- +telling, of immense prowess, he was the disciple of Saradwat in the +science of arms. And, O Janamejaya, thy father was dear unto Govinda. Of +great fame, he was loved by all men. And he was born in the womb of Uttara +when the Kuru race was almost extinct. And, therefore, the mighty son of +Abhimanyu came to be called Parikshit (born in an extinct line). Well- +versed in the interpretation of treatises on the duties of kings, he was +gifted with every virtue. With passions under complete control, +intelligent, possessing a retentive memory, the practiser of all virtues, +the conqueror of his six passions of powerful mind, surpassing all, and +fully acquainted with the science of morality and political science, the +father had ruled over these subjects for sixty years. And he then died, +mourned by all his subjects. And, after him, O first of men, thou hast +acquired this hereditary kingdom of the Kurus for the last thousand years. +Thou wast installed while a child, and art thus protecting every +creature.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'There hath not been born in our race a king who hath +not sought the good of his subjects or been loved by them. Behold +especially the conduct of my grandsires ever engaged in great achievements. +How did my father, blessed with many virtues, meet with his death? +Describe everything to me as it happened. I am desirous of hearing it from +you!' + +"Sauti continued, 'Thus directed by the monarch, those councillors, ever +solicitous of the good of the king, told him everything exactly as it had +occurred.' + +'And the councillors said, 'O king, that father of thine, that protector +of the whole earth, that foremost of all persons obedient to the +scriptures, became addicted to the sports of the field, even as Pandu of +mighty arms, that foremost of all bearers of the bow in battle. He made +over to us all the affairs of state from the most trivial to the most +important. One day, going into the forest, he pierced a deer with an arrow. +And having pierced it he followed it quickly on foot into the deep woods, +armed with sword and quiver. He could not, however, come upon the lost +deer. Sixty years of age and decrepit, he was soon fatigued and became +hungry. He then saw in the deep woods a high-souled Rishi. The Rishi was +then observing the vow of silence. The king asked him about the deer, but, +though asked, he made no reply. At last the king, already tired with +exertion and hunger, suddenly became angry with that Rishi sitting +motionless like a piece of wood in observance of his vow of silence. +Indeed, the king knew not that he was a Muni observing the vow of silence. +Swayed by anger, thy father insulted him. O excellent one of the Bharata +race, the king, thy father taking up from the ground with the end of his +bow a dead snake placed it on the shoulders of that Muni of pure soul. But +the Muni spake not a word good or bad and was without anger. He continued +in the same posture, bearing the dead snake.'" + + +SECTION L + +(Astika Parva continued) + +'Sauti continued, 'The ministers said, 'That king of kings then, spent +with hunger and exertion, and having placed the snake upon the shoulders +of that Muni, came back to his capital. The Muni had a son, born of a cow, +of the name of Sringin. He was widely known, possessed of great prowess +and energy, and very wrathful. Going (every day) to his preceptor he was +in the habit of worshipping him. Commanded by him, Sringin was returning +home, when he heard from a friend of his about the insult of his father by +thy parent. And, O tiger among kings, he heard that his father, without +having committed any fault, was bearing, motionless like a statue, upon +his shoulders a dead snake placed thereon. O king, the Rishi insulted by +thy father was severe in ascetic penances, the foremost of Munis, the +controller of passions, pure, and ever engaged in wonderful acts. His soul +was enlightened with ascetic penances, and his organs and their functions +were under complete control. His practices and his speech were both very +nice. He was contented and without avarice. He was without meanness of any +kind and without envy. He was old and used to observe the vow of silence. +And he was the refuge whom all creatures might seek in distress. + +"Such was the Rishi insulted by thy father. The son, however, of that +Rishi, in wrath, cursed thy father. Though young in years, the powerful +one was old in ascetic splendour. Speedily touching water, he spake, +burning as it were with spiritual energy and rage, these words in allusion +to thy father, 'Behold the power of my asceticism! Directed by my words, +the snake Takshaka of powerful energy and virulent poison, shall, within +seven nights hence, burn, with his poison the wretch that hath placed the +dead snake upon my un-offending father.' And having said this, he went to +where his father was. And seeing his father he told him of his curse. The +tiger among Rishis thereupon sent to thy father a disciple of his, named +Gaurmukha, of amiable manners and possessed of every virtue. And having +rested a while (after arrival at court) he told the king everything, +saying in the words of his master, 'Thou hast been cursed, O king, by my +son. Takshaka shall burn thee with his poison! Therefore, O king, be +careful.' O Janamejaya, hearing those terrible words, thy father took +every precaution against the powerful snake Takshaka. + +"And when the seventh day had arrived, a Brahmana Rishi, named Kasyapa, +desired to come to the monarch. But the snake Takshaka saw Kasyapa. And +the prince of snakes spake unto Kasyapa without loss of time, saying, +'Where dost thou go so quickly, and what is the business on which thou +goest?' Kasyapa replied, saying, 'O Brahmana, I am going whither king +Parikshit, that best of the Kurus, is. He shall today be burnt by the +poison of the snake Takshaka. I go there quickly in order to cure him, in +fact, in order that, protected by me, the snake may not bite him to +death.' Takshaka answered, saying, 'Why dost thou seek to revive the king +to be bitten by me? I am that Takshaka. O Brahmana, behold the wonderful +power of my poison. Thou art incapable of reviving that monarch when bit +by me.' So saying, Takshaka, then and there, bit a lord of the forest (a +banian tree). And the banian, as soon as it was bit by the snake, was +converted into ashes. But Kasyapa, O king, revived it. Takshaka thereupon +tempted him, saying, 'Tell me thy desire.' And Kasyapa, too, thus +addressed, spake again unto Takshaka, saying, 'I go there from desire of +wealth.' And Takshaka, thus addressed, then spake unto the high-souled +Kasyapa in these soft words, 'O sinless one, take from me more wealth than +what thou expectest from that monarch, and go back!' And Kasyapa, that +foremost of men, thus addressed by the snake, and receiving from him as +much wealth as he desired, wended his way back. + +"And Kasyapa going back, Takshaka, approaching in disguise, blasted, with +the fire of his poison, thy virtuous father, the first of kings, then +staying in his mansion with all precautions. And after that, thou hast, O +tiger among men, been installed (on the throne). And, O best of monarchs, +we have thus told thee all that we have seen and heard, cruel though the +account is. And hearing all about the discomfiture of thy royal father, +and of the insult to the Rishi Utanka, decide thou that which should +follow!' + +'Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, that chastiser of enemies, then spake +upto all his ministers. And he said, 'When did ye learn all that happened +upon that, banian reduced to ashes by Takshaka, and which, wonderful as it +is, was afterwards revived by Kasyapa? Assuredly, my father could not have +died, for the poison could have been neutralised by Kasyapa with his +mantras. That worst of snakes, of sinful soul, thought within his mind +that if Kasyapa resuscitated the king bit by him, he, Takshaka, would be +an object of ridicule in the world owing to the neutralisation of his +poison. Assuredly, having thought so, he pacified the Brahmana. I have +devised a way, however, of inflicting punishment upon him. I like to know, +however, what ye saw or heard, what happened in the deep solitude of the +forest,--viz., the words of Takshaka and the speeches of Kasyapa. Having +known it, I shall devise the means of exterminating the snake race.' + +"The ministers said, 'Hear, O monarch of him who told us before of the +meeting between that foremost Brahmana and that prince of snakes in the +woods. A certain person, O monarch, had climbed up that tree containing +some dry branches with the object of breaking them for sacrificial fuel. +He was not perceived either by the snake or by the Brahmana. And, O king, +that man was reduced to ashes along with the tree itself. And, O king of +kings, he was revived with the tree by the power of the Brahmana. That man, +a Brahmana's menial, having come to us, represented fully everything as it +happened between Takshaka and the Brahmana. Thus have we told thee, O king, +all that we have seen and heard. And having heard it, O tiger among kings, +ordain that which should follow.' + +"Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, having listened to the words of his +ministers, was sorely afflicted with grief, and began to weep. And the +monarch began to squeeze his hands. And the lotus-eyed king began to +breathe a long and hot breath, shed tears, and shrieked aloud. And +possessed with grief and sorrow, and shedding copious tears, and touching +water according to the form, the monarch spake. And reflecting for a +moment, as if settling something in his mind, the angry monarch, +addressing all ministers, said these words. + +'I have heard your account of my father's ascension to heaven. Know ye now +what my fixed resolve is. I think no time must be lost in avenging this +injury upon the wretch Takshaka that killed my father. He burnt my father +making Sringin only a secondary cause. From malignity alone he made +Kasyapa return. If that Brahmana had arrived, my father assuredly would +have lived. What would he have lost if the king had revived by the grace +of Kasyapa and the precautionary measures of his ministers? From ignorance +of the effects of my wrath, he prevented Kasyapa--that excellent of +Brahmanas--whom he could not defeat, from coming to my father with the +desire of reviving him. The act of aggression is great on the part of the +wretch Takshaka who gave wealth unto that Brahmana in order that he might +not revive the king. I must now avenge myself on my father's enemy to +please myself, the Rishi Utanka and you all.'" + + +SECTION LI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +'Sauti said, 'King Janamejaya having said so, his ministers expressed +their approbation. And the monarch then expressed his determination to +perform a snake-sacrifice. And that lord of the Earth--that tiger of the +Bharata race--the son of Parikshit, then called his priest and Ritwiks. +And accomplished in speech, he spake unto them these words relating to the +accomplishment of his great task. 'I must avenge myself on the wretch +Takshaka who killed my father. Tell me what I must do. Do you know any act +by which I may cast into the blazing fire the snake Takshaka with his +relatives? I desire to burn that wretch even as he burnt, of yore, by the +fire of his poison, my father.' + +"The chief priest answered, 'There is, O king, a great sacrifice for thee +devised by the gods themselves. It is known as the snake-sacrifice, and is +read of in the Puranas. O king, thou alone canst accomplish it, and no one +else. Men versed in the Puranas have told us, there is such a sacrifice.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, the king, O excellent one, thought +Takshaka to be already burnt and thrown into the blazing mouth of Agni, +the eater of the sacrificial butter. The king then said unto those +Brahmanas versed in mantras, 'I shall make preparations for that sacrifice. +Tell me the things that are necessary.' And the king's Ritwiks, O +excellent Brahmana, versed in the Vedas and acquainted with the rites of +that sacrifice measured, according to the scriptures, the land for the +sacrificial platform. And the platform was decked with valuable articles +and with Brahmanas. And it was full of precious things and paddy. And the +Ritwika sat upon it at ease. And after the sacrificial platform had been +thus constructed according to rule and as desired, they installed the king +at the snake-sacrifice for the attainment of its object. And before the +commencement of the snake-Sacrifice that was to come, there occurred this +very important incident foreboding obstruction to the sacrifice. For when +the sacrificial platform was being constructed, a professional builder of +great intelligence and well-versed in the knowledge of laying foundations, +a Suta by caste, well-acquainted with the Puranas, said, 'The soil upon +which and the time at which the measurement for the sacrificial platform +has been made, indicate that this sacrifice will not be completed, a +Brahmana becoming the reason thereof.' Hearing this, the king, before his +installation, gave orders to his gate-keepers not to admit anybody without +his knowledge." + + +SECTION LII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'The snake-sacrifice then commenced according to due form. +And the sacrificial priests, competent in their respective duties +according to the ordinance, clad in black garments and their eyes red from +contact with smoke, poured clarified butter into the blazing fire, +uttering the appropriate mantras. And causing the hearts of all the snakes +to tremble with fear, they poured clarified butter into the mouth of Agni +uttering the names of the snakes. And the snakes thereupon began to fall +into the blazing fire, benumbed and piteously calling upon one another. +And swollen and breathing hard, and twining each other with their heads +and tails, they came in large numbers and fell into the fire. The white, +the black, the blue, the old and the young--all fell alike into the fire, +uttering various cries. Those measuring a krosa, and those measuring a +yojana, and those of the measure of a gokarna, fell continuously with +great violence into that first of all fires. And hundreds and thousands +and tens of thousands of snakes, deprived of all control over their limbs, +perished on that occasion. And amongst those that perished, there were +some that were like horses, other like trunks of elephants, and others of +huge bodies and strength like maddened elephants Of various colours and +virulent poison, terrible and looking like maces furnished with iron- +spikes, of great strength, ever inclined to bite, the snakes, afflicted +with their mother's curse, fell into the fire.'" + + +SECTION LIII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Saunaka asked, 'What great Rishis became the Ritwiks at the snake- +sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava line? Who also became +the Sadasyas in that terrible snake-sacrifice, so frightful to the snakes, +and begetting such sorrow in them? It behoveth thee to describe all these +in detail, so that, O son of Suta, we may know who were acquainted with +the rituals of the snake-sacrifice.' + +"Sauti replied, 'I will recite the names of those wise ones who became the +monarch's Ritwiks and Sadasyas. The Brahmana Chandabhargava became the +Hotri in that sacrifice. He was of great reputation, and was born in the +race of Chyavana and was the foremost of those acquainted with the Vedas. +The learned old Brahmana, Kautsa, became the Udgatri, the chanter of the +Vedic hymns. Jaimini became the Brahmana, and Sarngarva and Pingala the +Adhvaryus, Vyasa with his son and disciples, and Uddalaka, Pramataka, +Swetaketu, Pingala, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kundajathara, +the Brahmana Kalaghata, Vatsya, old Srutasravas ever engaged in japa and +the study of the Vedas. Kohala Devasarman, Maudgalya, Samasaurava, and +many other Brahmanas who had got through the Vedas became the Sadasyas at +that sacrifice of the son of Parikshit. + +"When the Ritwiks in that snake-sacrifice began to pour clarified butter +into the fire, terrible snakes, striking fear into every creature, began +to fall into it. And the fat and the marrow of the snakes thus falling +into the fire began to flow in rivers. And the atmosphere was filled with +an insufferable stench owing to the incessant burning of the snakes. And +incessant also were the cries of the snakes fallen into the fire and those +in the air about to fall into it. + +'Meanwhile, Takshaka, that prince of snakes, as soon as he heard that king +Janamejaya was engaged in the sacrifice, went to the palace of Purandara +(Indra). And that best of snakes, having represented all that had taken +place, sought in terror the protection of Indra after having acknowledged +his fault. And Indra, gratified, told him, 'O prince of snakes, O Takshaka, +here thou hast no fear from that snake-sacrifice. The Grandsire was +pacified by me for thy sake. Therefore, thou hast no fear. Let this fear +of thy heart be allayed.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Thus encouraged by him, that best of snakes began to +dwell in Indra's abode in joy and happiness. But Vasuki, seeing that the +snakes were incessantly falling into the fire and that his family was +reduced to only a few, became exceedingly sorry. And the king of the +snakes was afflicted with great grief, and his heart was about to break. +And summoning his sister, he spake unto her, saying, 'O amiable one, my +limbs are burning and I no longer see the points of the heavens. I am +about to fall down from loss of consciousness. My mind is turning, my +sight is falling and my heart is breaking. Benumbed, I may fall today into +that blazing fire! This sacrifice of the son of Parikshit is for the +extermination of our race. It is evident I also shall have to go to the +abode of the king of the dead. The time is come, O my sister, on account +of which thou wert bestowed by me on Jaratkaru to protect us with our +relatives. O best of the women of the snake race, Astika will put an end +to the sacrifice that is going on. The Grandsire told me this of old. +Therefore, O child, solicit thy dear son who is fully conversant with the +Vedas and regarded even by the old, for the protection of myself and also +of those dependent on me."' + + +SECTION LIV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Then the snake-dame Jaratkaru, calling her own son, told him +the following words according to the directions of Vasuki, the king of the +snakes. 'O son, the time is come for the accomplishment of that object for +which I was bestowed on thy father by my brother. Therefore, do thou that +which should be done.' + +"Astika asked, 'Why wert thou, O mother, bestowed on my father by my +uncle? Tell me all truly so that on hearing it, I may do what is proper.' + +"Then Jaratkaru, the sister of the king of the snakes, herself unmoved by +the general distress, and even desirous of the welfare of her relatives, +said unto him, 'O son, it is said that the mother of all the snakes is +Kadru. Know thou why she cursed in anger her sons.' Addressing the snakes +she said, 'As ye have refused to falsely represent Uchchaihsravas, the +prince of horses, for bringing about Vinata's bondage according to the +wager, therefore, shall he whose charioteer is Vayu burn you all in +Janamejaya's sacrifice. And perishing in that sacrifice, ye shall go to +the region of the unredeemed spirits.' The Grandsire of all the worlds +spake unto her while uttering this curse, 'Be it so,' and thus approved of +her speech. Vasuki, having heard that curse and then the words of the +Grandsire, sought the protection of the gods, O child, on the occasion +when the amrita was being churned for. And the gods, their object +fulfilled, for they had obtained the excellent amrita, with Vasuki ahead, +approached the Grandsire. And all the gods, with king Vasuki, sought to +incline Him who was born of the lotus to be propitious, so that the curse +might be made abortive.' + +"And the gods said, 'O Lord, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, is sorry on +account of his relatives. How may his mother's curse prove abortive?' + +"Brahman thereupon replied, saying, 'Jaratkaru will take unto himself a +wife of the name of Jaratkaru; the Brahmana born of her will relieve the +snakes.' + +"Vasuki, the best of snakes, hearing those words, bestowed me, O thou of +godlike looks, on thy high-souled father some time before the commencement +of the sacrifice. And from that marriage thou art born of me. That time +has come. It behoveth thee to protect us from this danger. It behoveth +thee to protect my brother and myself from the fire, so that the object, +viz., our relief, for which I was bestowed on thy wise father, may not be +unfulfilled. What dost thou think, O son?' + +"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, Astika said unto his mother, 'Yes, I +will.' And he then addressed the afflicted Vasuki, and as if infusing life +into him, said, 'O Vasuki, thou best of snakes, thou great being, truly do +I say, I shall relieve thee from that curse. Be easy, O snake! There is no +fear any longer. I shall strive earnestly so that good may come! Nobody +hath ever said that my speech, even in jest, hath proved false. Hence on +serious occasions like this, I need not say anything more, O uncle, going +thither today I shall gratify, with words mixed with blessings, the +monarch Janamejaya installed at the sacrifice, so that, O excellent one, +the sacrifice may stop. O highminded one, O king of the snakes, believe +all that I say. Believe me, my resolve can never be unfulfilled.' + +"And Vasuki then said, 'O Astika, my head swims and my heart breaks. I +cannot discern the points of the earth, as I am afflicted with a mother's +curse.' + +"And Astika said, 'Thou best of snakes, it behoveth thee not to grieve any +longer. I shall dispel this fear of thine from the blazing fire. This +terrible punishment, capable of burning like the fire at the end of the +Yuga, I shall extinguish. Nurse not thy fear any longer.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Then that best of Brahmanas, Astika, quelling the +terrible fear of the Vasuki's heart, and taking it, as it were, on himself, +wended, for the relief of the king of the snakes, with speed to +Janamejaya's sacrifice blessed with every merit. And Astika having gone +thither, beheld the excellent sacrificial compound with numerous Sadasyas +on it whose splendour was like unto that of the Sun or Agni. But that best +of Brahmanas was refused admittance by the door-keepers. And the mighty +ascetic gratified them, being desirous of entering the sacrificial +compound. And that best of Brahmanas, that foremost of all virtuous men, +having entered the excellent sacrificial compound, began to adore the king +of infinite achievements, Ritwiks, the Sadasyas, and also the sacred +fire.'" + + +SECTION LV + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Astika said, 'Soma and Varuna and Prajapati performed sacrifices of old +in Prayaga. But thy sacrifice, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of +Parikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear unto us be +blessed! Sakra performed a hundred sacrifices. But this sacrifice of thine, +O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, is fully equal to +ten thousand sacrifices of Sakra. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like +the sacrifice of Yama, of Harimedha, or of king Rantideva, is the +sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit. +Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like the sacrifice of Maya, of king +Sasavindu, or of king Vaisravana, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost +one of Bharata's race, O son of Satyavati, in which he himself was the +chief priest, is this sacrifice of Nriga, of Ajamida, of the son of +Dasaratha, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O +son of Parikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like the sacrifice of +king Yudhishthira, the son of a god and belonging to Ajamida race, heard +of (even) in the heavens, is this sacrifice of thine. O foremost one of +Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, let those dear unto us be blessed! +Like the sacrifice of Krishna (Dwaipayana), the son of Satyavati, in which +he himself was the chief priest, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost +one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear unto us be +blessed! These (Ritwiks and Sadasyas) that are here engaged in making thy +sacrifice, like unto that of the slayer of Vritra, are of splendour equal +to that of the sun. There now remains nothing for them to know, and gifts +made to them become inexhaustible (in merit). It is my conviction that +there is no Ritwik in all the worlds who is equal to thy Ritwik, +Dwaipayana. His disciples, becoming Ritwiks, competent for their duties, +travel over the earth. The high-souled bearer of libation (viz., Agni), +called also Vibhavasu and Chitrabhanu, having gold for his vital seed and +having his path, marked by black smoke, blazing up with flames inclined to +the right, beareth these thy libations of clarified butter to the gods. In +this world of men there is no other monarch equal to thee in the +protection of subjects. I am ever well-pleased with thy abstinence. Indeed, +thou art either Varuna, or Yama, the god of Justice. Like Sakra himself, +thunderbolt in hand, thou art, in this world, the protector of all +creatures. In this earth there is no man so great as thou and no monarch +who is thy equal in sacrifice. Thou art like Khatwanga, Nabhaga, and +Dilipa. In prowess thou art like Yayati and Mandhatri. In splendour equal +to the sun, and of excellent vows, thou art O monarch, like Bhishma! Like +Valmiki thou art of energy concealed. Like Vasishtha thou hast controlled +thy wrath. Like Indra is thy lordship. Thy splendour also shines like that +of Narayana. Like Yama art thou conversant with the dispensation of +justice. Thou art like Krishna adorned with every virtue. Thou art the +home of the good fortune that belongs to the Vasus. Thou art also the +refuge of the sacrifices. In strength thou art equal to Damvodbhava. Like +Rama (the son of Jamadagni) thou art conversant with the scriptures and +arms. In energy thou art equal to Aurva and Trita. Thou inspirest terror +by thy looks like Bhagiratha.' + +"Sauti said, 'Astika, having thus adored them, gratified them all, viz., +the king, the Sadasyas, the Ritwiks and the sacrificial fire. And king +Janamejaya beholding the signs and indications manifested all around, +addressed them as follows.'" + + +SECTION LVI + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'Though this one is but a boy, he speaks yet like a wise +old man. He is not a boy but one wise and old. I think, I desire to bestow +on him a boon. Therefore, ye Brahmanas, give me the necessary permission.' + +"The Sadasyas said, 'A Brahmana, though a boy, deserves the respect of +kings. The learned ones do more so. This boy deserves every desire of his +being fulfilled by thee, but not before Takshaka comes with speed.' + +"Sauti continued, 'The king, being inclined to grant the Brahmana a boon, +said 'Ask thou a boon.' The Hotri, however, being rather displeased, said, +'Takshaka hath not come as yet into this sacrifice.' + +"Janamejaya replied, 'Exert ye to the best of your might, so that this +sacrifice of mine may attain completion, and Takshaka also may soon come +here. He is my enemy.' + +"The Ritwiks replied, 'As the scriptures declare unto us, and as the fire +also saith, O monarch, (it seems that) Takshaka is now staying in the +abode of Indra, afflicted with fear.' + +"Sauti continued, 'The illustrious Suta named Lohitaksha also, conversant +with the Puranas, had said so before. + +"Asked by the king on the present occasion he again told the monarch, +'Sire, it is even so as the Brahmanas have said--Knowing the Puranas, I +say, O monarch, that Indra hath granted him this boon, saying, 'Dwell with +me in concealment, and Agni shall not burn thee.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Hearing this, the king installed in the sacrifice +became very sorry and urged the Hotri to do his duty. And as the Hotri, +with mantras, began to pour clarified butter into the fire Indra himself +appeared on the scene. And the illustrious one came in his car, adorned by +all the gods standing around, followed by masses of clouds, celestial +singers, and the several bevies of celestial dancing girls. And Takshaka +anxious with fear, hid himself in the upper garment of Indra and was not +visible. Then the king in his anger again said unto his mantra-knowing +Brahmanas these words, bent upon the destruction of Takshaka, 'If the +snake Takshaka be in the abode of Indra, cast him into the fire with Indra +himself.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Urged thus by the king Janamejaya about Takshaka, the +Hotri poured libations, naming that snake then staying there. And even as +the libations were poured, Takshaka, with Purandara himself, anxious and +afflicted, became visible in a moment in the skies. Then Purandara, seeing +that sacrifice, became much alarmed, and quickly casting Takshaka off, +went back to his own abode. After Indra had gone away, Takshaka, the +prince of snakes, insensible with fear, was by virtue of the mantras, +brought near enough the flames of the sacrificial fire.' + +"The Ritwiks then said, 'O king of kings, the sacrifice of thine is being +performed duly. It behoveth thee, O Lord, to grant a boon now to this +first of Brahmanas.' + +"Janamejaya then said, 'Thou immeasurable one of such handsome and child- +like features, I desire to grant thee a worthy boon. Therefore, ask thou +that which thou desirest in thy heart. I promise thee, that I will grant +it even if it be ungrantable.' + +"The Ritwiks said, 'O monarch, behold, Takshaka is soon coming under thy +control! His terrible cries, and loud roar is being heard. Assuredly, the +snake hath been forsaken by the wielder of thunder. His body being +disabled by your mantras, he is falling from heaven. Even now, rolling in +the skies, and deprived of consciousness, the prince of snakes cometh, +breathing loudly.' + +"Sauti continued, 'While Takshaka, the prince of snakes was about to fall +into the sacrificial fire, during those few moments Astika spoke as +follows, 'O Janamejaya, if thou wouldst grant me a boon, let this +sacrifice of thine come to an end and let no more snakes fall into the +fire.' + +"O Brahmana, the son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika, became +exceedingly sorry and replied unto Astika thus, 'O illustrious one, gold, +silver, kine, whatever other possessions thou desirest I shall give unto +thee. But let not my sacrifice come to an end.' + +"Astika thereupon replied, 'Gold, silver or kine, I do not ask of thee, O +monarch! But let thy sacrifice be ended so that my maternal relations be +relieved.' + +"Sauti continued, 'The son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika, +repeatedly said this unto that foremost of speakers, 'Best of the +Brahmanas, ask some other boon. O, blessed be thou!' But, O thou of +Bhrigu's race, he did not beg any other boon. Then all the Sadasyas +conversant with the Vedas told the king in one voice, 'Let the Brahmana +receive his boon!'" + + +SECTION LVII + +(Astika Parva continued) + +"Saunaka said, 'O son of a Suta, I desire to hear the names of all those +snakes that fell into the fire of this snake-sacrifice!' + +"Sauti replied, 'Many thousands and tens of thousands and billions of +snakes fell into the fire. O most excellent Brahmana, so great is the +number that I am unable to count them all. So far, however, as I remember, +hear the names I mention of the principal snakes cast into the fire. Hear +first the names of the principal ones of Vasuki's race alone, of colour +blue, red and white of terrible form and huge body and deadly poison. +Helpless and miserable and afflicted with their mother's curse, they fell +into the sacrificial fire like libations of butter. + +"Kotisa, Manasa, Purna, Cala, Pala Halmaka, Pichchala, Kaunapa, Cakra, +Kalavega, Prakalana, Hiranyavahu, Carana, Kakshaka, Kaladantaka--these +snakes born of Vasuki, fell into the fire. And, O Brahmana, numerous other +snakes well-born, and of terrible form and great strength, were burnt in +the blazing fire. I shall now mention those born in the race of Takshaka. +Hear thou their names. Puchchandaka, Mandalaka, Pindasektri, Ravenaka; +Uchochikha, Carava, Bhangas, Vilwatejas, Virohana; Sili, Salakara, Muka, +Sukumara, Pravepana, Mudgara and Sisuroman, Suroman and Mahahanu. These +snakes born of Takshaka fell into the fire. And Paravata, Parijata, +Pandara, Harina, Krisa, Vihanga, Sarabha, Meda, Pramoda, Sauhatapana-- +these born in the race of Airavata fell into the fire. Now hear, O best of +Brahmanas, the names of the snakes I mention born in the race of Kauravya: +Eraka, Kundala Veni, Veniskandha, Kumaraka, Vahuka, Sringavera, Dhurtaka, +Pratara and Astaka. There born in the race of Kauravya fell into the fire. +Now hear the names I mention, in order, of those snakes endued with the +speed of the wind and with virulent poison, born in the race of +Dhritarashtra: Sankukarna, Pitharaka, Kuthara, Sukhana, and Shechaka; +Purnangada, Purnamukha, Prahasa, Sakuni, Dari, Amahatha, Kumathaka, +Sushena, Vyaya, Bhairava, Mundavedanga, Pisanga, Udraparaka, Rishabha, +Vegavat, Pindaraka; Raktanga, Sarvasaranga, Samriddha, Patha and Vasaka; +Varahaka, Viranaka, Suchitra, Chitravegika, Parasara, Tarunaka, +Maniskandha and Aruni. + +"O Brahmana, thus I have recited the names of the principal snakes known +widely for their achievements--I have not been able to name all, the +number being countless. The sons of these snakes, the sons of those sons, +that were burnt having fallen into the fire, I am unable to mention. They +are so many! Some of three heads, some of seven, others of ten, of poison +like unto the fire at the end of the yuga and terrible in form,--they were +burnt by thousands! + +"Many others, of huge bodies, of great speed, tall as mountain summits, of +the length of a yama, of a yojana, and of two yojanas, capable of assuming +at will any form and of mastering at will any degree of strength, of +poison like unto blazing fire, afflicted by the curse of a mother, were +burnt in that great 'sacrifice.'" + + +SECTION LVIII + +(Astika Parva, continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Listen now to another very wonderful incident in connection +with Astika. When king Janamejaya was about to gratify Astika by granting +the boon, the snake (Takshaka), thrown off Indra's hands, remained in mid +without actually falling. King Janamejaya thereupon became curious, for +Takshaka, afflicted with fear, did not at once fall into the fire although +libations were poured in proper form into the blazing sacrificial Agni in +his name.' + +"Saunaka said, 'Was it, O Suta, that the mantras of those wise Brahmanas +were not potent; since Takshaka did not fall into the fire?' + +"Sauti replied, 'Unto the unconscious Takshaka, that best of snakes, after +he had been cast off Indra's hands, Astika had thrice said, 'Stay,' +'Stay,' 'Stay.' And he succeeded in staying in the skies, with afflicted +heart, like a person somehow staying between the welkin and the earth. + +"The king then, on being repeatedly urged by his Sadasyas, said, 'Let it +be done as Astika hath said. Let the sacrifice be ended, let the snakes be +safe, let this Astika also be gratified, O Suta, thy words also be true.' +When the boon was granted to Astika, plaudits expressive of joy rang +through the air. Thus the sacrifice of the son of Parikshit--that king of +the Pandava race--came to an end. The king Janamejaya of the Bharata race +was himself pleased, and on the Ritwiks with the Sadasyas, and on all who +had come there, the king, bestowed money by hundreds and thousands. And +unto Suta Lohitaksha--conversant with the rules of building and +foundations--who had at the commencement said that a Brahmana would be the +cause of the interruption of the snake-sacrifice, the king gave much +wealth. The king, of uncommon kindness, also gave him various things, with +food and wearing apparel, according to his desire, and became very much +pleased. Then he concluded his sacrifice according to the prescribed rites, +and after treating him with every respect, the king in joy sent home the +wise Astika exceedingly gratified, for he had attained his object. And the +king said unto him, 'Thou must come again to become a Sadasya in my great +Horse-sacrifice.' And Astika said, 'yes' and then returned home in great +joy, having achieved his great end after gratifying the monarch. And +returning in joy to his uncle and mother and touching their feet, he +recounted to them everything as it had happened.' + +"Sauti continued, 'Hearing all he had said, the snakes that had come +thither became very much delighted, and their fears were allayed. They +were much pleased with Astika and asked him to solicit a boon, saying, 'O +learned one, what good shall we do unto thee? We have been very much +gratified, having been all saved by thee. What shall we accomplish for +thee, O child!' + +"Astika said, 'Let those Brahmanas, and other men, who shall, in the +morning or in the evening, cheerfully and with attention, read the sacred +account of this my act, have no fear from any of you.' And the snakes in +joy thereupon said, 'O nephew, in the nature of thy boon, let it be +exactly as thou sayest. That which thou askest we all shall cheerfully do, +O nephew! And those also that call to mind Astika, Artiman and Sunitha, in +the day or in the night, shall have no fear of snakes. He again shall have +no fear of snakes who will say, 'I call to mind the famous Astika born of +Jaratkaru, that Astika who saved the snakes from the snake-sacrifice. +Therefore, ye snakes of great good fortune, it behoveth you not to bite me. +But go ye away, blessed be ye, or go away thou snake of virulent poison, +and remember the words of Astika after the snake sacrifice of Janamejaya. +That snake who does not cease from biting after hearing such mention of +Astika, shall have his hood divided a hundredfold like the fruit of Sinsa +tree.' + +"Sauti continued, 'That first of Brahmanas, thus addressed by the foremost +of the chief snakes assembled together, was very much gratified. And the +high-souled one then set his heart upon going away. + +"And that best of Brahmanas, having saved the snakes from the snake- +sacrifice, ascended to heaven when his time came, leaving sons and +grandsons behind him. + +'Thus have I recited to thee this history of Astika exactly as it happened. +Indeed, the recitation of this history dispelleth all fear of snakes.' + +'Sauti continued, 'O Brahmanas, O foremost one of Bhrigu's race, as thy +ancestor Pramati had cheerfully narrated unto his inquiring son Ruru, and +as I had heard it, thus have I recited this blessed history, from the +beginning, of the learned Astika. And, O Brahmana, O oppressor of all +enemies, having heard this holy history of Astika that increaseth virtue, +and which thou hadst asked me about after hearing the story of the +Dundubha, let thy ardent curiosity be satisfied.'" + + +SECTION LIX + +(Adivansavatarana Parva) + +"Saunaka said, 'O son, thou hast narrated to me this extensive and great +history commencing from the progeny of Bhrigu. O son of Suta, I have been +much gratified with thee. I ask thee again, to recite to me, O son of a +Suta, the history composed by Vyasa. The varied and wonderful narrations +that were recited amongst those illustrious Sadasyas assembled at the +sacrifice, in the intervals of their duties of that long-extending +ceremony, and the objects also of those narrations, I desire to hear from +thee, O son of a Suta! Recite therefore, all those to me fully.' + +"Sauti said, 'The Brahmanas, in the intervals of the duties, spoke of many +things founded upon the Vedas. But Vyasa recited the wonderful and great +history called the Bharata.' + +"Saunaka said, 'That sacred history called the Mahabharata, spreading the +fame of the Pandavas, which Krishna-Dwaipayana, asked by Janamejaya, +caused to be duly recited after the completion of the sacrifice. I desire +to hear duly. That history hath been born of the ocean-like mind of the +great Rishi of soul purified by yoga. Thou foremost of good men, recite it +unto me, for, O son of a Suta, my thirst hath not been appeased by all +thou hast said.' + +"Sauti said, 'I shall recite to thee from the beginning of that great and +excellent history called the Mahabharata composed by Vyasa. O Brahmana, +listen to it in full, as I recite it. I myself feel a great pleasure in +reciting it.'" + + +SECTION LX + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Sauti said, 'Hearing that Janamejaya was installed in the snake-sacrifice, +the learned Rishi Krishna-Dwaipayana went thither on the occasion. And he, +the grand-father of the Pandavas, was born in an island of the Yamuna, of +the virgin Kali by Sakti's son, Parasara. And the illustrious one +developed by his will alone his body as soon as he was born, and mastered +the Vedas with their branches, and all the histories. And he readily +obtained that which no one could obtain by asceticism, by the study of the +Vedas, by vows, by fasts, by progeny, and by sacrifice. And the first of +Veda-knowing ones, he divided the Vedas into four parts. And the Brahmana +Rishi had knowledge of the supreme Brahma, knew the past by intuition, was +holy, and cherished truth. Of sacred deeds and great fame, he begot Pandu +and Dhritarashtra and Vidura in order to continue the line of Santanu. + +"And the high-souled Rishi, with his disciples all conversant with the +Vedas and their branches, entered the sacrificial pavilion of the royal +sage, Janamejaya. And he saw that the king Janamejaya was seated in the +sacrificial region like the god Indra, surrounded by numerous Sadasyas, by +kings of various countries whose coronal locks had undergone the sacred +bath, and by competent Ritwiks like unto Brahman himself. And that +foremost one of Bharata's race, the royal sage Janamejaya, beholding the +Rishi come, advanced quickly with his followers and relatives in great joy. +And the king with the approval of his Sadasyas, gave the Rishi a golden +seat as Indra did to Vrihaspati. And when the Rishi, capable of granting +boons and adored by the celestial Rishis themselves, had been seated, the +king of kings worshipped him according to the rites of the scriptures. And +the king then offered him--his grandfather Krishna--who fully deserved +them, water to wash his feet and mouth, and the Arghya, and kine. And +accepting those offerings from the Pandava Janamejaya and ordering the +kine also not to be slain, Vyasa became much gratified. And the king, +after those adorations bowed to his great-grandfather, and sitting in joy +asked him about his welfare. And the illustrious Rishi also, casting his +eyes upon him and asking him about his welfare, worshipped the Sadasyas, +having been before worshipped by them all. And after all this, Janamejaya +with all his Sadasyas, questioned that first of Brahmanas, with joined +palms as follows: + +'O Brahmana, thou hast seen with thy own eyes the acts of the Kurus and +the Pandavas. I am desirous of hearing thee recite their history. What was +the cause of the disunion amongst them that was fruitful of such +extraordinary deeds? Why also did that great battle, which caused the +death of countless creatures occur between all my grandfathers--their +clear sense over-clouded by fate? O excellent Brahmana, tell me all this +in full as everything had happened.' + +"Hearing those words of Janamejaya, Krishna-Dwaipayana directed his +disciple Vaisampayana seated by his side, saying, 'The discord that +happened between the Kurus and the Pandavas of old, narrate all to the +king even as thou hast heard from me.' + +"Then that blessed Brahmana, at the command of his preceptor recited the +whole of that history unto the king, the Sadasyas, and all the chieftains +there assembled. And he told them all about the hostility and the utter +extinction of the Kurus and the Pandavas.'" + + +SECTION LXI + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Bowing down in the first place to my preceptor with +the eight parts of my body touching the ground, with devotion and +reverence, and with all my heart, worshipping the whole assembly of +Brahmanas and other learned persons, I shall recite in full what I have +heard from the high-souled and great Rishi Vyasa, the first of intelligent +men in the three worlds. And having got it within thy reach, O monarch, +thou also art a fit person to hear the composition called Bharata. +Encouraged by the command of my preceptor my heart feeleth no fear. + +"Hear, O monarch, why that disunion occurred between the Kurus and the +Pandavas, and why also that exile into the woods immediately proceeding +from the game at dice prompted by the desire (of the Kurus) for rule. I +shall relate all to thee who askest it thou best of the Bharata race! + +"On the death of their father those heroes (the Pandavas) came to their +own home. And within a short time they became well-versed in archery. And +the Kurus beholding the Pandavas gifted with physical strength, energy, +and power of mind, popular also with the citizens, and blessed with good +fortune, became very jealous. Then the crookedminded Duryodhana, and Karna, +with (the former's uncle) the son of Suvala began to persecute them and +devise means for their exile. Then the wicked Duryodhana, guided by the +counsels of Sakuni (his maternal uncle), persecuted the Pandavas in +various ways for the acquirement of undisputed sovereignty. The wicked son +of Dhritarashtra gave poison to Bhima, but Bhima of the stomach of the +wolf digested the poison with the food. Then the wretch again tied the +sleeping Bhima on the margin of the Ganges and, casting him into the water, +went away. But when Bhimasena of strong arms, the son of Kunti woke, he +tore the strings with which he had been tied and came up, his pains all +gone. And while asleep and in the water black snakes of virulent poison +bit him in every part of his body. But that slayer of foes did not still +perish. And in all those persecutions of the Pandavas by their cousins, +the Kurus, the high-minded Vidura attentively engaged himself neutralising +those evil designs and rescuing the persecuted ones. And as Sakra from the +heavens keeps in happiness the world of men, so did Vidura always keep the +Pandavas from evil. + +"When Duryodhana, with various means, both secret and open, found himself +incapable of destroying the Pandavas who were protected by the fates and +kept alive for grave future purposes (such as the extermination of the +Kuru race), then called together his counsellors consisting of Vrisha +(Karna), Duhsasana and others, and with the knowledge of Dhritarashtra +caused a house of lac to be constructed. And king Dhritarashtra, from +affection for his children, and prompted by the desire of sovereignty, +sent the Pandavas tactfully into Varanavata. And the Pandavas then went +away with their mother from Hastinapura. And when they were leaving the +city, Vidura gave them some idea of impending danger and how they could +come out of it. + +"The sons of Kunti reached the town of Varanavata and lived there with +their mother. And, agreeably to the command of Dhritarashtra, those +illustrious slayers of all enemies lived in the palace of lac, while in +that town. And they lived in that place for one year, protecting +themselves from Purochana very wakefully. And causing a subterranean +passage to be constructed, acting according to the directions of Vidura, +they set fire to that house of lac and burnt Purochana (their enemy and +the spy of Duryodhana) to death. Those slayers of all enemies, anxious +with fear, then fled with their mother. In the woods beside a fountain +they saw a Rakshasa. But, alarmed at the risk they ran of exposure by such +an act the Pandavas fled in the darkness, out of fear from the sons of +Dhritarashtra. It was here that Bhima gained Hidimva (the sister of the +Rakshasa he slew) for a wife, and it was of her that Ghatotkacha was born. +Then the Pandavas, of rigid vows, and conversant with the Vedas wended to +a town of the name of Ekachakra and dwelt there in the guise of +Brahmacharins. And those bulls among men dwelt in that town in the house +of a Brahmana for some time, with temperance and abstinence. And it was +here that Bhima of mighty arms came upon a hungry and mighty and man- +eating Rakshasa of the name of Vaka. And Bhima, the son of Pandu, that +tiger among men, slew him speedily with the strength of his arms and made +the citizens safe and free from fear. Then they heard of Krishna (the +princess of Panchala) having become disposed to select a husband from +among the assembled princes. And, hearing of it, they went to Panchala, +and there they obtained the maiden. And having obtained Draupadi (as their +common wife) they then dwelt there for a year. And after they became known, +those chastisers of all enemies went back to Hastinapura. And they were +then told by king Dhritarashtra and the son of Santanu (Bhishma) as +follows: 'In order, O dear ones, dissensions may not take place between +you and your cousins, we have settled that Khandavaprastha should be your +abode. Therefore, go ye, casting off all jealousy, to Khandavaprastha +which contains many towns served by many broad roads, for dwelling there.' +And accordingly the Pandavas went, with all their friends and followers, +to Khandavaprastha taking with them many jewels and precious stones. And +the sons of Pritha dwelt there for many years. And they brought, by force +of arms, many a prince under their subjection. And thus, setting their +hearts on virtue and firmly adhering to truth, unruffled by affluence, +calm in deportment, and putting down numerous evils, the Pandavas +gradually rose to power. And Bhima of great reputation subjugated the East, +the heroic Arjuna, the North, Nakula, the West; Sahadeva that slayer of +all hostile heroes, the South. And this having been done, their domination +was spread over the whole world. And with the five Pandavas, each like +unto the Sun, the Earth looked as if she had six Suns. + +"Then, for some reason, Yudhishthira the just, gifted with great energy +and prowess, sent his brother Arjuna who was capable of drawing the bow +with the left hand, dearer unto him than life itself, into the woods. And +Arjuna, that tiger among men, of firm soul, and gifted with every virtue, +lived in the woods for eleven years and months. And during this period, on +a certain occasion, Arjuna went to Krishna in Dwaravati. And Vibhatsu +(Arjuna) there obtained for a wife the lotus-eyed and sweet-speeched +younger sister of Vasudeva, Subhadra by name. And she became united, in +gladness, with Arjuna, the son of Pandu, like Sachi with the great Indra, +or Sri with Krishna himself. And then, O best of monarchs, Arjuna, the son +of Kunti, with Vasudeva, gratified Agni; the carrier of the sacrificial +butter, in the forest of Khandava (by burning the medicinal plants in that +woods to cure Agni of his indigestion). And to Arjuna, assisted as he was +by Kesava, the task did not at all appear heavy even as nothing is heavy +to Vishnu with immense design and resources in the matter of destroying +his enemies. And Agni gave unto the son of Pritha the excellent bow +Gandiva and a quiver that was inexhaustible, and a war-chariot bearing the +figure of Garuda on its standard. And it was on this occasion that Arjuna +relieved the great Asura (Maya) from fear (of being consumed in the fire). +And Maya, in gratitude, built (for the Pandavas) a celestial palace decked +with every sort of jewels and precious stones. And the wicked Duryodhana, +beholding that building, was tempted with the desire of possessing it. And +deceiving Yudhishthira by means of the dice played through the hands of +the son of Suvala, Duryodhana sent the Pandavas into the woods for twelve +years and one additional year to be passed in concealment, thus making the +period full thirteen. + +"And the fourteenth year, O monarch, when the Pandavas returned and +claimed their property, they did not obtain it. And thereupon war was +declared, and the Pandavas, after exterminating the whole race of +Kshatriyas and slaying king Duryodhana, obtained back their devastated +kingdom. + +"This is the history of the Pandavas who never acted under the influence +of evil passions; and this the account, O first of victorious monarchs of +the disunion that ended in the loss of their kingdom by the Kurus and the +victory of the Pandavas.'" + + +SECTION LXII + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O excellent Brahmana, thou hast, indeed, told me, in +brief, the history, called Mahabharata, of the great acts of the Kurus. +But, O thou of ascetic wealth, recite now that wonderful narration fully. +I feel a great curiosity to hear it. It behoveth thee to recite it, +therefore, in full. I am not satisfied with hearing in a nutshell the +great history. That could never have been a trifling cause for which the +virtuous ones could slay those whom they should not have slain, and for +which they are yet applauded by men. Why also did those tigers among men, +innocent and capable of avenging themselves upon their enemies, calmly +suffer the persecution of the wicked Kurus? Why also, O best of Brahmanas, +did Bhima of mighty arms and of the strength of ten thousand elephants, +control his anger, though wronged? Why also did the chaste Krishna, the +daughter of Drupada, wronged by those wretches and able to burn them, not +burn the sons of Dhritarashtra with her wrathful eyes? Why also did the +two other sons of Pritha (Bhima and Arjuna) and the two sons of Madri +(Nakula and Sahadeva), themselves injured by the wretched Kurus, follow +Yudhishthira who was greatly addicted to the evil habit of gambling? Why +also did Yudhishthira, that foremost of all virtuous men, the son of +Dharma himself, fully acquainted with all duties, suffer that excess of +affliction? Why also did the Pandava Dhananjaya, having Krishna for his +charioteer, who by his arrows sent to the other world that dauntless host +of fighting men (suffer such persecution)? O thou of ascetic wealth, speak +to me of all these as they took place, and everything that those mighty +charioteers achieved.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O monarch, appoint thou a time for hearing it. This +history told by Krishna-Dwaipayana is very extensive. This is but the +beginning. I shall recite it. I shall repeat the whole of the composition +in full, of the illustrious and great Rishi Vyasa of immeasurable mental +power, and worshipped in all the worlds. This Bharata consists of a +hundred thousand sacred slokas composed by the son of Satyavati, of +immeasurable mental power. He that reads it to others, and they that hear +it read, attain to the world of Brahman and become equal to the very gods. +This Bharata is equal unto the Vedas, is holy and excellent; is the +worthiest of all to be listened to, and is a Purana worshipped by the +Rishis. It contains much useful instruction on Artha and Kama (profit and +pleasure). This sacred history maketh the heart desire for salvation. +Learned persons by reciting this Veda of Krishna-Dwaipayana to those that +are liberal, truthful and believing, earn much wealth. Sins, such as +killing the embryo in the womb, are destroyed assuredly by this. A person, +however cruel and sinful, by hearing this history, escapes from all his +sins like the Sun from Rahu (after the eclipse is over). This history is +called Jaya. It should be heard by those desirous of victory. A king by +hearing it may bring the whole world under subjection and conquer all his +foes. This history in itself is a mighty act of propitiation, a mighty +sacrifice productive of blessed fruit. It should always be heard by a +young monarch with his queen, for then they beget a heroic son or a +daughter to occupy a throne. This history is the high and sacred science +of Dharma, Artha, and also of Moksha; it hath been so said by Vyasa +himself of mind that is immeasurable. This history is recited in the +present age and will be recited in the future. They that hear it, read, +have sons and servants always obedient to them and doing their behests. +All sins that are committed by body, word, or mind, immediately leave them +that hear this history. They who hear, without the spirit of fault finding, +the story of the birth of the Bharata princes, can have no fear of +maladies, let alone the fear of the other world. + +"For extending the fame of the high-souled Pandavas and of other +Kshatriyas versed in all branches of knowledge, high spirited, and already +known in the world for their achievements, Krishna-Dwaipayana, guided also +by the desire of doing good to the world, hath composed this work. It is +excellent, productive of fame, grants length of life, is sacred and +heavenly. He who, from desire of acquiring religious merit, causeth this +history to be heard by sacred Brahmanas, acquireth great merit and virtue +that is inexhaustible. He that reciteth the famous generation of the Kurus +becometh immediately purified and acquireth a large family himself, and +becometh respected in the world. That Brahmana who regularly studies this +sacred Bharata for the four months of the rainy season, is cleansed from +all his sins. He that has read the Bharata may be regarded as one +acquainted with the Vedas. + +"This work presents an account of the gods and royal sages and sacred +regenerate Rishis, the sinless Kesava; the god of gods, Mahadeva and the +goddess Parvati; the birth of Kartikeya who sprang from union of Parvati +with Mahadeva and was reared by many mothers; the greatness of Brahmanas +and of kine. This Bharata is a collection of all the Srutis, and is fit to +be heard by every virtuous person. That learned man who reciteth it to +Brahmanas during the sacred lunations, becometh cleansed of all sins, and, +not caring for heaven as it were, attaineth to a union with Brahma. He +that causeth even a single foot of this poem to be heard by Brahmanas +during the performance of a Sraddha, maketh that Sraddha inexhaustible, +the Pitris becoming ever gratified with the articles once presented to +them. The sins that are committed daily by our senses or the mind, those +that are committed knowingly or unknowingly by any man, are all destroyed +by hearing the Mahabharata. The history of the exalted birth of the +Bharata princes is called the Mahabharata. He who knoweth this etymology +of the name is cleansed of all his sins. And as this history of the +Bharata race is so wonderful, that, when recited, it assuredly purifieth +mortals from all sins. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana completed his work in +three years. Rising daily and purifying himself and performing his ascetic +devotions, he composed this Mahabharata. Therefore, this should be heard +by Brahmanas with the formality of a vow. He who reciteth this holy +narration composed by Krishna (Vyasa) for the hearing of others, and they +who hear it, in whatever state he or they may be, can never be affected by +the fruit of deeds, good or bad. The man desirous of acquiring virtue +should hear it all. This is equivalent to all histories, and he that +heareth it always attaineth to purity of heart. The gratification that one +deriveth from attaining to heaven is scarcely equal to that which one +deriveth from hearing this holy history. The virtuous man who with +reverence heareth it or causeth it to be heard, obtaineth the fruit of the +Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice. The Bharata is said to be as much a mine +of gems as the vast Ocean or the great mountain Meru. This history is +sacred and excellent, and is equivalent to the Vedas, worthy of being +heard, pleasing to the ear, sin-cleansing, and virtue-increasing. O +monarch, he that giveth a copy of the Bharata to one that asketh for it +doth indeed make a present of the whole earth with her belt of seas. O son +of Parikshit, this pleasant narration that giveth virtue and victory I am +about to recite in its entirety: listen to it. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana +regularly rising for three years, composed this wonderful history called +Mahabharata. O bull amongst the Bharata monarchs, whatever is spoken about +virtue, wealth, pleasure, and salvation may be seen elsewhere; but +whatever is not contained in this is not to be found anywhere.'" + + +SECTION LXIII + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a king of the name of Uparichara. That +monarch was devoted to virtue. He was very much addicted also to hunting. +That king of the Paurava race, called also Vasu, conquered the excellent +and delightful kingdom of Chedi under instructions from Indra. Some time +after, the king gave up the use of arms and, dwelling in a secluded +retreat, practised the most severe austerities. The gods with Indra at +their head once approached the monarch during this period, believing that +he sought the headship of the gods, by those severe austerities of his. +The celestials, becoming objects of his sight, by soft speeches succeeded +in winning him away from his ascetic austerities.' + +"The gods said, 'O lord of the earth, thou shouldst take care so that +virtue may not sustain a diminution on earth! Protected by thee, virtue +itself will in return protect the universe.' And Indra said, 'O king, +protect virtue on earth attentively and rigidly. Being virtuous, thou +shalt, for all time, behold (in after life) many sacred regions. And +though I am of Heaven, and thou art of earth, yet art thou my friend and +dear to me. And, O king of men, dwell thou in that region on earth which +is delightful, and aboundeth in animals, is sacred, full of wealth and +corn, is well-protected like heaven, which is of agreeable climate, graced +with every object of enjoyment, and blessed with fertility. And, O monarch +of Chedi, this thy dominion is full of riches, of gems and precious stones, +and containeth, besides, much mineral wealth. The cities and towns of this +region are all devoted to virtue; the people are honest and contented; +they never lie even in jest. Sons never divide their wealth with their +fathers and are ever mindful of the welfare of their parents. Lean cattle +are never yoked to the plough or the cart or engaged in carrying +merchandise; on the other hand, they are well-fed and fattened. In Chedi +the four orders are always engaged in their respective vocations. Let +nothing be unknown to thee that happens in the three worlds. I shall give +thee a crystal car such as the celestials alone are capable of carrying +the car through mid air. Thou alone, of all mortals on earth, riding on +that best of cars, shall course through mid-air like a celestial endued +with a physical frame. I shall also give thee a triumphal garland of +unfading lotuses, with which on, in battle, thou shall not be wounded by +weapons. And, O king, this blessed and incomparable garland, widely known +on earth as Indra's garland, shall be thy distinctive badge.' + +"The slayer of Vritra (Indra) also gave the king, for his gratification, a +bamboo pole for protecting the honest and the peaceful. After the expiry +of a year, the king planted it in the ground for the purpose of +worshipping the giver thereof, viz., Sakra. From that time forth, O +monarch, all kings, following Vasu's example, began to plant a pole for +the celebration of Indra's worship. After erecting the pole they decked it +with golden cloth and scents and garlands and various ornaments. And the +god Vasava is worshipped in due form with such garlands and ornaments. And +the god, for the gratification of the illustrious Vasu, assuming the form +of a swan, came himself to accept the worship thus offered. And the god, +beholding the auspicious worship thus made by Vasu, that first of monarchs, +was delighted, and said unto him, 'Those men, and kings also, who will +worship me and joyously observe this festival of mine like the king of +Chedi, shall have glory and victory for their countries and kingdom. Their +cities also shall expand and be ever in joy.' + +"King Vasu was thus blessed by the gratified Maghavat, the high-souled +chief of the gods. Indeed, those men who cause this festivity of Sakra to +be observed with gifts of land, of gems and precious stones, become the +respected of the world. And king Vasu, the lord of Chedis bestowing boons +and performing great sacrifices and observing the festivity of Sakra, was +much respected by Indra. And from Chedi he ruled the whole world +virtuously. And for the gratification of Indra, Vasu, the lord of the +Chedis, observed the festivity of Indra. + +"And Vasu had five sons of great energy and immeasurable prowess. And the +emperor installed his sons as governors of various provinces. + +"And his son Vrihadratha was installed in Magadha and was known by the +name of Maharatha. Another son of his was Pratyagraha; and another, +Kusamva, who was also called Manivahana. And the two others were Mavella, +and Yadu of great prowess and invincible in battle. + +"These, O monarch, were the sons of that royal sage of mighty energy. And +the five sons of Vasu planted kingdoms and towns after their own names and +founded separate dynasties that lasted for long ages. + +"And when king Vasu took his seat in that crystal car, with the gift of +Indra, and coursed through the sky, he was approached by Gandharvas and +Apsaras (the celestial singers and dancers). And as he coursed through the +upper regions, he was called Uparichara. And by his capital flowed a river +called Suktimati. And that river was once attacked by a life-endued +mountain called Kolahala maddened by lust. And Vasu, beholding the foul +attempt, struck the mountain with his foot. And by the indentation caused +by Vasu's stamp, the river came out (of the embraces of Kolahala). But the +mountain begat on the river two children that were twins. And the river, +grateful to Vasu for his having set her free from Kolahala's embraces, +gave them both to Vasu. And the son was made the generalissimo to his +forces by Vasu, that best of royal sages and giver of wealth and punisher +of enemies. And the daughter called Girika, was wedded by Vasu. + +"And Girika, the wife of Vasu, after her menstrual course, purifying +herself by a bath, represented her state unto her lord. But that very day +the Pitris of Vasu came unto that best of monarchs and foremost of wise +men, and asked him to slay deer (for their Sraddha). And the king, +thinking that the command of the Pitris should not be disobeyed, went a- +hunting thinking of Girika alone who was gifted with great beauty and like +unto another Sri herself. And the season being the spring, the woods +within which the king was roaming, had become delightful like unto the +gardens of the king of the Gandharvas himself. There were Asokas and +Champakas and Chutas and Atimuktas in abundance: and there were Punnagas +and Karnikaras and Vakulas and Divya Patalas and Patalas and Narikelas and +Chandanas and Arjunas and similar other beautiful and sacred trees +resplendent with fragrant flowers and sweet fruits. And the whole forest +was maddened by the sweet notes of the kokila and echoed with the hum of +maddened bees. And the king became possessed with desire, and he saw not +his wife before him. Maddened by desire he was roaming hither and thither, +when he saw a beautiful Asoka decked with dense foliage, its branches +covered with flowers. And the king sat at his ease in the shade of that +tree. And excited by the fragrance of the season and the charming odours +of the flowers around, and excited also by the delicious breeze, the king +could not keep his mind away from the thought of the beautiful Girika. And +beholding that a swift hawk was resting very near to him, the king, +acquainted with the subtle truths of Dharma and Artha, went unto him and +said, 'Amiable one, carry thou this seed (semen) for my wife Girika and +give it unto her. Her season hath arrived.' + +"The hawk, swift of speed, took it from the king and rapidly coursed +through the air. While thus passing, the hawk was seen by another of his +species. Thinking that the first one was carrying meat, the second one +flew at him. The two fought with each other in the sky with their beaks. +While they were fighting, the seed fell into the waters of the Yamuna. And +in those waters dwelt an Apsara of the higher rank, known by the name of +Adrika, transformed by a Brahmana's curse into a fish. As soon as Vasu's +seed fell into the water from the claws of the hawk, Adrika rapidly +approached and swallowed it at once. That fish was, some time after, +caught by the fishermen. And it was the tenth month of the fish's having +swallowed the seed. From the stomach of that fish came out a male and a +female child of human form. The fishermen wondered much, and wending unto +king Uparichara (for they were his subjects) told him all. They said, 'O +king, these two beings of human shape have been found in the body of a +fish!' The male child amongst the two was taken by Uparichara. That child +afterwards became the virtuous and truthful monarch Matsya. + +"After the birth of the twins, the Apsara herself became freed from her +curse. For she had been told before by the illustrious one (who had cursed +her) that she would, while living in her piscatorial form, give birth to +two children of human shape and then would be freed from the curse. Then, +according to these words, having given birth to the two children, and been +killed by the fishermen, she left her fish-form and assumed her own +celestial shape. The Apsara then rose up on the path trodden by the +Siddhas, the Rishis and the Charanas. + +"The fish-smelling daughter of the Apsara in her piscatorial form was then +given by the king unto the fishermen, saying, 'Let this one be thy +daughter.' That girl was known by the name of Satyavati. And gifted with +great beauty and possessed of every virtue, she of agreeable smiles, owing +to contact with fishermen, was for some time of the fishy smell. Wishing +to serve her (foster) father she plied a boat on the waters of the Yamuna. + +"While engaged in this vocation, Satyavati was seen one day by the great +Rishi Parasara, in course of his wanderings. As she was gifted with great +beauty, an object of desire even with an anchorite, and of graceful smiles, +the wise sage, as soon as he beheld her, desired to have her. And that +bull amongst Munis addressed the daughter of Vasu of celestial beauty and +tapering thighs, saying, 'Accept my embraces, O blessed one!' Satyavati +replied, 'O holy one, behold the Rishis standing on either bank of the +river. Seen by them, how can I grant thy wish?' + +"Thus addressed by her, the ascetic thereupon created a fog (which existed +not before and) which enveloped the whole region in darkness. And the +maiden, beholding the fog that was created by the great Rishi wondered +much. And the helpless one became suffused with the blushes of bashfulness. +And she said, 'O holy one, note that I am a maiden under the control of my +father. O sinless one, by accepting your embraces my virginity will be +sullied. O best of Brahmanas, my virginity being sullied, how shall I, O +Rishi, be able to return home? Indeed, I shall not then be able to bear +life. Reflecting upon all this, O illustrious one, do that which should be +done.' That best of Rishis, gratified with all she said, replied, 'Thou +shall remain a virgin even if thou grantest my wish. And, O timid one, O +beauteous lady, solicit the boon that thou desirest. O thou of fair smiles, +my grace hath never before proved fruitless.' Thus addressed, the maiden +asked for the boon that her body might emit a sweet scent (instead of the +fish-odour that it had). And the illustrious Rishi thereupon granted that +wish of her heart. + +"Having obtained her boon, she became highly pleased, and her season +immediately came. And she accepted the embraces of that Rishi of wonderful +deeds. And she thenceforth became known among men by the name of +Gandhavati (the sweet-scented one). And men could perceive her scent from +the distance of a yojana. And for this she was known by another name which +was Yojanagandha (one who scatters her scent for a yojana all around). And +the illustrious Parasara, after this, went to his own asylum. + +"And Satyavati gratified with having obtained the excellent boon in +consequence of which she became sweet-scented and her virginity remained +unsullied conceived through Parasara's embraces. And she brought forth the +very day, on an island in the Yamuna, the child begot upon her by Parasara +and gifted with great energy. And the child, with the permission of his +mother, set his mind on asceticism. And he went away saying, 'As soon as +thou rememberest me when occasion comes, I shall appear unto thee.' + +"And it was thus that Vyasa was born of Satyavati through Parasara. And +because he was born in an island, he was called Dwaipayana (Dwaipa or +islandborn). And the learned Dwaipayana, beholding that virtue is destined +to become lame by one leg each yuga (she having four legs in all) and that +the period of life and the strength of men followed the yugas, and moved +by the desire of obtaining the favour of Brahman and the Brahmanas, +arranged the Vedas. And for this he came to be called Vyasa (the arranger +or compiler). The boon-giving great one then taught Sumanta, Jaimini, +Paila, his son Suka, and Vaisampayana, the Vedas having the Mahabharata +for their fifth. And the compilation of the Bharata was published by him +through them separately. + +"Then Bhishma, of great energy and fame and of immeasurable splendour, and +sprung from the component parts of the Vasus, was born in the womb of +Ganga through king Santanu. And there was a Rishi of the name of +Animandavya of great fame. And he was conversant with the interpretations +of the Vedas, was illustrious, gifted with great energy, and of great +reputation. And, accused of theft, though innocent, the old Rishi was +impaled. He thereupon summoned Dharma and told him these words, 'In my +childhood I had pierced a little fly on a blade of grass, O Dharma! I +recollect that one sin: but I cannot call to mind any other. I have, +however, since practised penances a thousandfold. Hath not that one sin +been conquered by this my asceticism? And because the killing of a +Brahmana is more heinous than that of any other living thing, therefore, +hast thou, O Dharma, been sinful. Thou shalt, therefore, be born on earth +in the Sudra order.' And for that curse Dharma was born a Sudra in the +form of the learned Vidura of pure body who was perfectly sinless. And the +Suta was born of Kunti in her maidenhood through Surya. And he came out of +his mother's womb with a natural coat of mail and face brightened by ear- +rings. And Vishnu himself, of world-wide fame, and worshipped of all the +worlds, was born of Devaki through Vasudeva, for the benefit of the three +worlds. He is without birth and death, of radiant splendour, the Creator +of the universe and the Lord of all! Indeed, he who is the invisible cause +of all, who knoweth no deterioration, who is the all-pervading soul, the +centre round which everything moveth, the substance in which the three +attributes of Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas co-inhere, the universal soul, the +immutable, the material out of which hath been created this universe, the +Creator himself, the controlling lord, the invisible dweller in every +object, progenitor of this universe of five elements, who is united with +the six high attributes, is the Pranava or Om of the Vedas, is infinite, +incapable of being moved by any force save his own will, illustrious, the +embodiment of the mode of life called Sannyasa, who floated on the waters +before the creation, who is the source whence hath sprung this mighty +frame, who is the great combiner, the uncreate, the invisible essence of +all, the great immutable, bereft of those attributes that are knowable by +the senses, who is the universe itself, without beginning, birth, and +decay,--is possessed of infinite wealth, that Grandsire of all creatures, +became incarnate in the race of the Andhaka-Vrishnis for the increase of +virtue. + +"And Satyaki and Kritavarma, conversant with (the use of) weapons +possessed of mighty energy, well-versed in all branches of knowledge, and +obedient to Narayana in everything and competent in the use of weapons, +had their births from Satyaka and Hridika. And the seed of the great Rishi +Bharadwaja of severe penances, kept in a pot, began to develop. And from +that seed came Drona (the pot-born). And from the seed of Gautama, fallen +upon a clump of reeds, were born two that were twins, the mother of +Aswatthaman (called Kripi), and Kripa of great strength. Then was born +Dhrishtadyumna, of the splendour of Agni himself, from the sacrificial +fire. And the mighty hero was born with bow in hand for the destruction of +Drona. And from the sacrificial altar was born Krishna (Draupadi) +resplendent and handsome, of bright features and excellent beauty. Then +was born the disciple of Prahlada, viz., Nagnajit, and also Suvala. And +from Suvala was born a son, Sakuni, who from the curse of the gods became +the slayer of creatures and the foe of virtue. And unto him was also born +a daughter (Gandhari), the mother of Duryodhana. And both were well-versed +in the arts of acquiring worldly profits. And from Krishna was born, in +the soil of Vichitravirya, Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, and Pandu of +great strength. And from Dwaipayana also born, in the Sudra caste, the +wise and intelligent Vidura, conversant with both religion and profit, and +free from all sins. And unto Pandu by his two wives were born five sons +like the celestials. The eldest of them was Yudhishthira. And Yudhishthira +was born (of the seed) of Dharma (Yama, the god of justice); and Bhima of +the wolf's stomach was born of Marut (the god of wind), and Dhananjaya, +blessed with good fortune and the first of all wielders of weapons, was +born of Indra; and Nakula and Sahadeva, of handsome features and ever +engaged in the service of their superiors, were born of the twin Aswins. +And unto the wise Dhritarashtra were born a hundred sons, viz., Duryodhana +and others, and another, named Yuyutsu, who was born of a vaisya woman. +And amongst those hundred and one, eleven, viz., Duhsasana, Duhsaha, +Durmarshana, Vikarna, Chitrasena, Vivinsati, Jaya, Satyavrata, Purumitra, +and Yuyutsu by a Vaisya wife, were all Maharathas (great car-warriors). +And Abhimanyu was born of Subhadra, the sister of Vasudeva through Arjuna, +and was, therefore, the grandson of the illustrious Pandu. And unto the +five Pandavas were born five sons by (their common wife) Panchali. And +these princes were all very handsome and conversant with all branches of +knowledge. From Yudhishthira was born Pritivindhya; from Vrikodara, +Sutasoma; from Arjuna, Srutakirti; from Nakula, Satanika; and from +Sahadeva, Srutasena of great prowess; and Bhima, in the forest begot on +Hidimva a son named Ghatotkacha. And from Drupada was born a daughter +Sikhandin who was afterwards transformed into a male child. Sikhandini was +so transformed into a male by Yaksha named Sthuna from the desire of doing +her good. + +"In that great battle of the Kurus came hundreds of thousands of monarchs +for fighting against one another. The names of the innumerable host I am +unable to recount even in ten thousand years. I have named, however, the +principal ones who have been mentioned in this history.'" + + +SECTION LXIV + +(Adivansavatarana Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, those thou hast named and those thou hast +not named, I wish to hear of them in detail, as also of other kings by +thousands. And, O thou of great good fortune, it behoveth thee to tell me +in full the object for which those Maharathas, equal unto the celestials +themselves, were born on earth.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'It hath been heard by us, O monarch, that what thou +askest is a mystery even to the gods. I shall, however, speak of it unto +thee, after bowing down (to the self-born). The son of Jamadagni +(Parasurama), after twenty-one times making the earth bereft of Kshatriyas +wended to that best of mountains Mahendra and there began his ascetic +penances. And at that time when the earth was bereft of Kshatriyas, the +Kshatriya ladies, desirous of offspring, used to come, O monarch, to the +Brahmanas and Brahmanas of rigid vows had connection with them during the +womanly season alone, but never, O king, lustfully and out of season. And +Kshatriya ladies by thousands conceived from such connection with +Brahmanas. Then, O monarch, were born many Kshatriyas of greater energy, +boys and girls, so that the Kshatriya race, might thrive. And thus sprang +the Kshatriya race from Kshatriya ladies by Brahmanas of ascetic penances. +And the new generation, blessed with long life, began to thrive in virtue. +And thus were the four orders having Brahmanas at their head re- +established. And every man at that time went in unto his wife during her +season and never from lust and out of season. And, O bull of the Bharata +race, in the same way, other creatures also, even those born in the race +of birds went in unto their wives during the season alone. And, O +protector of the earth, hundreds of thousands of creatures were born, and +all were virtuous and began to multiply in virtue, all being free from +sorrow and disease. And, O thou of the elephant's tread, this wide earth +having the ocean for her boundaries, with her mountains and woods and +towns, was once more governed by the Kshatriyas. And when the earth began +to be again governed virtuously by the Kshatriyas, the other orders having +Brahmanas for their first were filled with great joy. And the kings giving +up all vices born of lust and anger and justly awarding punishments to +those that deserved them protected the earth. And he of a hundred +sacrifices, possessed also of a thousand eyes, beholding that the +Kshatriya monarchs ruled so virtuously, poured down vivifying showers at +proper times and places and blessed all creatures. Then, O king, no one of +immature years died, and none knew a woman before attaining to age. And +thus, O bull of the Bharata race, the earth, to the very coasts of the +ocean, became filled with men that were all long-lived. The Kshatriyas +performed great sacrifices bestowing much wealth. And the Brahmanas also +all studied the Vedas with their branches and the Upanishads. And, O king, +no Brahmana in those days ever sold the Vedas (i.e., taught for money) or +ever read aloud the Vedas in the presence of a Sudra. The Vaisyas, with +the help of bullocks, caused the earth to be tilled. And they never yoked +the cattle themselves. And they fed with care all cattle that were lean. +And men never milked kine as long as the calves drank only the milk of +their dams (without having taken to grass or any other food). And no +merchant in those days ever sold his articles by false scales. And, O +tiger among men, all persons, holding to the ways of virtue, did +everything with eyes set upon virtue. And, O monarch, all the orders were +mindful of their own respective duties. Thus, O tiger among men, virtue in +those days never sustained any diminution. And, O bull of the Bharata race, +both kine and women gave birth to their offspring at the proper time. And +trees bore flowers and fruit duly according to the seasons. And thus, O +king, the krita age having then duly set in, the whole earth was filled +with numerous creatures. + +"And, O bull of the Bharata race, when such was the blessed state of the +terrestrial world, the Asuras, O lord of men, began to be born in kingly +lines. And the sons of Diti (Daityas) being repeatedly defeated in war by +the sons of Aditi (celestials) and deprived also of sovereignty and heaven, +began to be incarnated on the earth. And, O king, the Asuras being +possessed of great powers, and desirous of sovereignty began to be born on +earth amongst various creatures, such as kine, horses, asses, camels, +buffaloes, among creatures such as Rakshasas and others, and among +elephants and deer. And, O protector of the earth, owing to those already +born and to those that were being born, the earth became incapable of +supporting herself. And amongst the sons of Diti and of Danu, cast out of +heaven, some were born on the earth as kings of great pride and insolence. +Possessed of great energy, they covered the earth in various shapes. +Capable of oppressing all foes, they filled the earth having the ocean for +its boundaries. And by their strength they began to oppress Brahmanas and +Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras and all other creatures also. Terrifying +and killing all creatures, they traversed the earth, O king, in bands of +hundreds and thousands. Devoid of truth and virtue, proud of their +strength, and intoxicated with (the wine of) insolence, they even insulted +the great Rishis in their hermitages. + +"And the earth, thus oppressed by the mighty Asuras endued with great +strength and energy and possessed of abundant means, began to think of +waiting on Brahman. The united strength of the creatures (such as Sesha, +the Tortoise, and the huge Elephant), and of many Seshas too, became +capable of supporting the earth with her mountains, burdened as she was +with the weight of the Danavas. And then, O king, the earth, oppressed +with weight and afflicted with fear, sought the protection of the +Grandsire of all creatures. And she beheld the divine Brahman--the Creator +of the worlds who knoweth no deterioration--surrounded by the gods, +Brahmanas, and great Rishis, of exceeding good fortune, and adored by +delighted Gandharvas and Apsaras always engaged in the service of the +celestials. And the Earth, desirous of protection, then represented +everything to him, in the presence, O Bharata, of all the Regents of the +worlds. But, O king, the Earth's object had been known beforehand to the +Omniscient, Self-create, and Supreme Lord. And, O Bharata, Creator as he +is of the universe, why should he not know fully what is in the minds of +his creatures including the very gods and the Asuras? O king, the Lord of +the Earth, the Creator of all creatures, also called Isa, Sambhu, +Prajapati, then spake unto her. And Brahman said, 'O holder of wealth, for +the accomplishment of the object for which thou hast approached me, I +shall appoint all the dwellers in the heavens.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said so unto the Earth, O king, the +divine Brahman bade her farewell. And the Creator then commanded all the +gods saying, 'To ease the Earth of her burden, go ye and have your births +in her according to your respective parts and seek ye strife (with the +Asuras already born there)'. And the Creator of all, summoning also all +the tribes of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras, spake unto them these words +of deep import, 'Go ye and be born amongst men according to your +respective parts in forms that ye like.' + +"And all the gods with Indra, on hearing these words of the Lord of the +celestials--words that were true, desirable under the circumstances, and +fraught with benefit,--accepted them. And they all having resolved to come +down on earth in their respected parts, then went to Narayana, the slayer +of all foes, at Vaikunth--the one who has the discus and the mace in his +hands, who is clad in purple, who is of great splendour, who hath the +lotus on his navel, who is the slayer of the foes of the gods, who is of +eyes looking down upon his wide chest (in yoga attitude), who is the lord +of the Prajapati himself, the sovereign of all the gods, of mighty +strength, who hath the mark of the auspicious whirl on his breast, who is +the mover of every one's faculties and who is adored by all the gods. Him, +Indra the most exalted of persons, addressed, saying, 'Be incarnate.' And +Hari replied,--'Let it be.'" + + +SECTION LXV + +(Sambhava Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Indra had a consultation with Narayana about the +latter's descent on the earth from heaven with all the gods according to +their respective parts. And, having commanded all the dwellers in heaven, +Indra returned from the abode of Narayana. And the dwellers in heaven +gradually became incarnate on earth for the destruction of the Asuras and +for the welfare of the three worlds. And then, O tiger among kings, the +celestials had their births, according as they pleased, in the races of +Brahmarshis and royal sages. And they slew the Danavas, Rakshasas, +Gandharvas and Snakes, other man-eaters, and many other creatures. And, O +bull in the Bharata race, the Danavas, Rakshasas and Gandharvas and Snakes, +could not slay the incarnate celestials even in their infancy, so strong +they were.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'I desire to hear from the beginning of the births of +the gods, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, men, Yakshas and +Rakshasas. Therefore, it behoveth thee to tell me about the births of all +creatures.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Indeed, I shall, having bowed down to the Self-create, +tell thee in detail the origin of the celestials and other creatures. It +is known that Brahman hath six spiritual sons, viz., Marichi, Atri, +Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu. And Marichi's son is Kasyapa, and +from Kasyapa have sprung these creatures. Unto Daksha (one of the +Prajapatis) were born thirteen daughters of great good fortune. The +daughters of Daksha are, O tiger among men and prince of the Bharata race, +Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kala, Danayu, Sinhika, Krodha, Pradha, Viswa, Vinata, +Kapila, Muni, and Kadru. The sons and grandsons of these, gifted with +great energy, are countless. From Aditi have sprung the twelve Adityas who +are the lords of the universe. And, O Bharata, as they are according to +their names, I shall recount them to thee. They are Dhatri, Mitra, Aryaman, +Sakra, Varuna, Ansa, Vaga, Vivaswat, Usha, Savitri, Tvashtri, and Vishnu. +The youngest, however, is superior to them all in merit. Diti had one son +called Hiranyakasipu. And the illustrious Hiranyakasipu had five sons, all +famous throughout the world. The eldest of them all was Prahlada, the next +was Sahradha; the third was Anuhrada; and after him were Sivi and Vashkala. +And, O Bharata, it is known everywhere that Prahlada had three sons. They +were Virochana, Kumbha, and Nikumbha. And unto Virochana was born a son, +Vali, of great prowess. And the son of Vali is known to be the great Asura, +Vana. And blessed with good fortune, Vana was a follower of Rudra, and was +known also by the name of Mahakala. And Danu had forty sons, O Bharata! +The eldest of them all was Viprachitti of great fame Samvara, and Namuchi +and Pauloman; Asiloman, and Kesi and Durjaya; Ayahsiras, Aswasiras, and +the powerful Aswasanku; also Gaganamardhan, and Vegavat, and he called +Ketumat; Swarbhanu, Aswa, Aswapati, Vrishaparvan, and then Ajaka; and +Aswagriva, and Sukshama, and Tuhunda of great strength, Ekapada, and +Ekachakra, Virupaksha, Mahodara, and Nichandra, and Nikumbha, Kupata, and +then Kapata; Sarabha, and Sulabha, Surya, and then Chandramas; these in +the race of Danu are stated to be well-known. The Surya and Chandramas +(the Sun and the Moon) of the celestials are other persons, and not the +sons of Danu as mentioned above. The following ten, gifted with great +strength and vigour, were also, O king, born in the race of Danu;--Ekaksha, +Amritapa of heroic courage, Pralamva and Naraka, Vatrapi, Satrutapana, and +Satha, the great Asura; Gavishtha, and Vanayu, and the Danava called +Dirghajiva. And, O Bharata, the sons and the grandsons of these were known +to be countless. And Sinhika gave birth to Rahu, the persecutor of the Sun +and the Moon, and to three others, Suchandra, Chandrahantri, and +Chandrapramardana. And the countless progeny of Krura (krodha) were as +crooked and wicked as herself. And the tribe was wrathful, of crooked +deeds, and persecutors of their foes. And Danayu also had four sons who +were bulls among the Asuras. They were Vikshara, Vala, Vira, and Vritra +the great Asura. And the sons of Kala were all like Yama himself and +smiter of all foes. And they were of great energy, and oppressors of all +foes. And the sons of Kala were Vinasana and Krodha, and then Krodhahantri, +and Krodhasatru. And there were many others among the sons of Kala. And +Sukra, the son of a Rishi, was the chief priest of the Asuras. And the +celebrated Sukra had four sons who were priests of the Asuras. And they +were Tashtadhara and Atri, and two others of fierce deeds. They were like +the Sun himself in energy, and set their hearts on acquiring the regions +of Brahman. + +"Thus hath been recited by me, as heard in the Purana, of progeny of the +gods and the Asuras, both of great strength and energy. I am incapable, O +king, of counting the descendants of these, countless as they are, are not +much known to fame. + +"And the sons of Vinata were Tarkhya and Arishtanemi, and Garuda and Aruna, +and Aruni and Varuni. And Sesha of Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Kumara, and +Kulika are known to be the sons of Kadru; and Bhimasena, Ugrasena, Suparna, +Varuna, Gopati, and Dhritarashtra, and Suryavarchas the seventh, +Satyavachas, Arkaparna, Prayuta, Bhima, and Chitraratha known to fame, of +great learning, and a controller of his passions, and then Kalisiras, and, +O king, Parjanya, the fourteenth in the list, Kali, the fifteenth, and +Narada, the sixteenth--these Devas and Gandharvas are known to be the sons +of Muni (Daksha's daughter as mentioned before). I shall recount many +others, O Bharata! Anavadya Manu, Vansa, Asura, Marganapria, Anupa, +Subhaga, Vasi, were the daughters brought forth by Pradha, Siddha, and +Purna, and Varhin, and Purnayus of great fame, Brahmacharin, Ratiguna, and +Suparna who was the seventh; Viswavasu, Bhanu, and Suchandra who was the +tenth, were also the sons of Pradha. All these were celestial Gandharvas. +And it is also known that this Pradha of great fortune, through the +celestial Rishi (Kasyapa, her husband), brought forth the sacred of the +Apsaras, Alamvusha, Misrakesi, Vidyutparna, Tilottama, Aruna, Rakshita, +Rambha, Manorama, Kesini, Suvahu, Surata, Suraja, and Supria were the +daughters, and Ativahu and the celebrated Haha and Huhu, and Tumvuru were +the sons--the best of Gandharvas--of Pradha and Amrita. The Brahmanas, +kine, Gandharvas, and Apsaras, were born of Kapila as stated in the Purana. + +"Thus hath been recited to thee by me the birth of all creatures duly--of +Gandharvas and Apsaras, of Snakes, Suparnas, Rudras, and Maruts; of kine +and of Brahmanas blessed with great good fortune, and of sacred deeds. And +this account (if read) extendeth the span of life, is sacred, worthy of +all praise, and giveth pleasure to the ear. It should be always heard and +recited to others, in a proper frame of mind. + +"He who duly readeth this account of the birth of all high-souled +creatures in the presence of the gods and Brahmanas, obtaineth large +progeny, good fortune, and fame, and attaineth also to excellent worlds +hereafter.'" + + +SECTION LXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'It is known that the spiritual sons of Brahman were +the six great Rishis (already mentioned). There was another of the name of +Sthanu. And the sons of Sthanu, gifted with great energy, were, it is +known, eleven. They were Mrigavayadha, Sarpa, Niriti of great fame: +Ajaikapat, Ahivradhna, and Pinaki, the oppressor of foes; Dahana and +Iswara, and Kapali of great splendour; and Sthanu, and the illustrious +Bharga. These are called the eleven Rudras. It hath been already said, +that Marichi, Angiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu--these six great +Rishis of great energy--are the sons of Brahman. It is well-known in the +world that Angiras's sons are three,--Vrihaspati, Utathya, and Samvarta, +all of rigid vows. And, O king, it is said that the sons of Atri are +numerous. And, being great Rishis, they are all conversant with the Vedas, +crowned with ascetic success, and of souls in perfect peace. And, O tiger +among kings, the sons of Pulastya of great wisdom are Rakshasas, Monkeys, +Kinnaras (half-men and half-horses), and Yakshas. And, O king, the son of +Pulaha were, it is said, the Salabhas (the winged insects), the lions, the +Kimpurushas (half-lions and half-men), the tigers, bears, and wolves. And +the sons of Kratu, sacred as sacrifices, are the companions of Surya, the +Valikhilyas, known in three worlds and devoted to truth and vows. And, O +protector of the Earth, the illustrious Rishi Daksha, of soul in complete +peace, and of great asceticism, sprung from the right toe of Brahman. And +from the left toe of Brahman sprang the wife of the high-souled Daksha. +And the Muni begat upon her fifty daughters; and all those daughters were +of faultless features and limbs and of eyes like lotus-petals. And the +lord Daksha, not having any sons, made those daughters his Putrikas (so +that their sons might belong both to himself and to their husbands). And +Daksha bestowed, according to the sacred ordinance, ten of his daughters +on Dharma, twenty-seven on Chandra (the Moon), and thirteen on Kasyapa. +Listen as I recount the wives of Dharma according to their names. They are +ten in all--Kirti, Lakshmi, Dhriti, Medha, Pushti, Sraddha, Kria, Buddhi, +Lajja, and Mali. These are the wives of Dharma as appointed by the Self- +create. It is known also throughout the world that the wives of Soma +(Moon) are twenty-seven. And the wives of Soma, all of sacred vows, are +employed in indicating time; and they are the Nakshatras and the Yoginis +and they became so for assisting the courses of the worlds. + +"And Brahman had another son named Manu. And Manu had a son of the name of +Prajapati. And the sons of Prajapati were eight and were called Vasus whom +I shall name in detail. They were Dhara, Dhruva, Soma, Aha, Anila, Anala, +Pratyusha, and Prabhasa. These eight are known as the Vasus. Of these, +Dhara and the truth-knowing Dhruva were born of Dhumra; Chandramas (Soma) +and Swasana (Anila) were born of the intelligent Swasa; Aha was the son of +Rata; and Hutasana (Anala) of Sandilya; and Pratyusha and Prabhasa were +the sons of Prabhata. And Dhara had two sons, Dravina and Huta-havya-vaha. +And the son of Dhruva is the illustrious Kala (Time), the destroyer of the +worlds. And Soma's son is the resplendent Varchas. And Varchas begot upon +his wife Manohara three sons--Sisira, and Ramana. And the son of Aha were +Jyotih, Sama, Santa, and also Muni. And the son of Agni is the handsome +Kumara born in a forest of reeds. And, he is also called Kartikeya because +he was reared by Krittika and others. And, after Kartikeya, there were +born his three brothers Sakha, Visakha, Naigameya. And the wife of Anila +is Siva, and Siva's son were Manojava and Avijnataagati. These two were +the sons of Anila. The son of Pratyusha, you must know, is the Rishi named +Devala; and Devala had two sons who were both exceedingly forgiving and of +great mental power. And the sister of Vrihaspati, the first of women, +uttering the sacred truth, engaged in ascetic penances, roamed over the +whole earth; and she became the wife of Prabhasa, the eighth Vasu. And she +brought forth the illustrious Viswakarman, the founder of all arts. And he +was the originator of a thousand arts, the engineer of the immortals, the +maker of all kinds of ornaments, and the first of artists. And he it was +who constructed the celestial cars of the gods, and mankind are enabled to +live in consequence of the inventions of that illustrious one. And he is +worshipped, for that reason, by men. And he is eternal and immutable, this +Viswakarman. + +"And the illustrious Dharma, the dispenser of all happiness, assuming a +human countenance, came out through the right breast of Brahman. And +Ahasta (Dharma) hath three excellent sons capable of charming every +creature. And they are Sama, Kama, Harsha (Peace, Desire, and Joy). And by +their energy they are supporting the worlds. And the wife of Kama is Rati, +of Sama is Prapti; and the wife of Harsha is Nanda. And upon them, indeed, +are the worlds made to depend. + +"And the son of Marichi is Kasyapa. And Kasyapa's offspring are the gods +and the Asuras. And, therefore, is Kasyapa, the Father of the worlds. And +Tvashtri, of the form of Vadava (a mare), became the wife of Savitri. And +she gave birth, in the skies, to two greatly fortunate twins, the Aswins. +And, O king, the sons of Aditi are twelve with Indra heading them all. And +the youngest of them all was Vishnu upon whom the worlds depend. + +"These are the thirty-three gods (the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, the +twelve Adityas, Prajapati, and Vashatkara). I shall now recount their +progeny according to their Pakshas, Kulas, and Ganas. The Rudras, the +Saddhyas, the Maruts, the Vasus, the Bhargavas, and the Viswedevas are +each reckoned as a Paksha. Garuda the son of Vinata and the mighty Aruna +also, and the illustrious Vrihaspati are reckoned among the Adityas. The +twin Aswins, all annual plants, and all inferior animals, are reckoned +among the Guhyakas. + +"These are the Ganas of the gods recited to thee, O king! This recitation +washes men of all sins. + +"The illustrious Bhrigu came out, ripping open the breast of Brahman. The +learned Sukra is Bhrigu's son. And the learned Sukra becoming a planet and +engaged according to the command of the Self-existent in pouring and +withholding rain, and in dispensing and remitting calamities, traverses, +for sustaining the lives of all the creatures in the three worlds, through +the skies. And the learned Sukra, of great intelligence and wisdom, of +rigid vows, leading the life of a Brahmacharin, divided himself in twain +by power of asceticism, and became the spiritual guide of both the Daityas +and the gods. And after Sukra was thus employed by Brahman in seeking the +welfare (of the gods and the Asuras), Bhrigu begot another excellent son. +This was Chyavana who was like the blazing sun, of virtuous soul, and of +great fame. And he came out of his mother's womb in anger and became the +cause of his mother's release, O king (from the hands of the Rakshasas). +And Arushi, the daughter of Manu, became the wife of the wise Chyavana. +And, on her was begotten Aurva of great reputation. And he came out, +ripping open the thigh of Arushi. And Aurva begot Richika. And Richika +even in his boyhood became possessed of great power and energy, and of +every virtue. And Richika begot Jamadagni. And the high-souled Jamadagni +had four sons. And the youngest of them all was Rama (Parasurama). And +Rama was superior to all his brothers in the possession of good qualities. +And he was skilful in all weapons, and became the slayer of the Kshatriyas. +And he had his passions under complete control. And Aurva had a hundred +sons with Jamadagni the eldest. And these hundred sons had offspring by +thousands spread over this earth. + +"And Brahman had two other sons, viz., Dhatri and Vidhatri who stayed with +Manu. Their sister is the auspicious Lakshmi having her abode amid lotuses. +And the spiritual sons of Lakshmi are the sky-ranging horses. And the +daughter born of Sukra, named Divi, became the eldest wife of Varuna. Of +her were born a son named Vala and a daughter named Sura (wine), to the +joy of the gods. And Adharma (Sin) was born when creatures (from want of +food) began to devour one another. And Adharma always destroys every +creature. And Adharma hath Niriti for his wife, whence the Rakshasas who +are called Nairitas (offspring of Niriti). And she hath also three other +cruel sons always engaged in sinful deeds. They are Bhaya (fear), +Mahabhaya (terror), and Mrityu (Death) who is always engaged in slaying +every created thing. And, as he is all-destroying, he hath no wife, and no +son. And Tamra brought forth five daughters known throughout the worlds. +They are Kaki (crow), Syeni (hawk), Phasi (hen), Dhritarashtri (goose), +and Suki (parrot). And Kaki brought forth the crows; Syeni, the hawks, the +cocks and vultures; Dhritarashtri, all ducks and swans; and she also +brought forth all Chakravakas; and the fair Suki, of amiable qualities, +and possessing all auspicious signs brought forth all the parrots. And +Krodha gave birth to nine daughters, all of wrathful disposition. And +their names were Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Hari, Bhadramana, Matangi, Sarduli, +Sweta, Surabhi, and the agreeable Surasa blessed with every virtue. And, O +foremost of men, the offspring of Mrigi are all animals of the deer +species. And the offspring of Mrigamanda are all animals of the bear +species and those called Srimara (sweet-footed). And Bhadramana begot the +celestial elephants, Airavata. And the offspring of Hari are all animals +of the simian species endued with great activity, so also all the horses. +And those animals also, that are called Go-langula (the cow-tailed), are +said to be the offspring of Hari. And Sarduli begot lions and tigers in +numbers, and also leopards and all other strong animals. And, O king, the +offspring of Matangi are all the elephants. And Sweta begat the large +elephant known by the name of Sweta, endued with great speed. And, O king, +Surabhi gave birth to two daughters, the amiable Rohini and the far-famed +Gandharvi. And, O Bharata, she had also two other daughters named Vimala +and Anala. From Rohini have sprung all kine, and from Gandharvi all +animals of the horse species. And Anala begat the seven kinds of trees +yielding pulpy fruits. (They are the date, the palm, the hintala, the tali, +the little date, the nut, and the cocoanut.) And she had also another +daughter called Suki (the mother of the parrot species). And Surasa bore a +son called Kanka (a species of long-feathered birds). And Syeni, the wife +of Aruna, gave birth to two sons of great energy and strength, named +Sampati and the mighty Jatayu. Surasa also bore the Nagas, and Kadru, the +Punnagas (snakes). And Vinata had two sons Garuda and Aruna, known far and +wide. And, O king of men, O foremost of intelligent persons, thus hath the +genealogy of all the principal creatures been fully described by me. By +listening to this, a man is fully cleansed of all his sins, and acquireth +great knowledge, and finally attaineth to the first of states in after- +life!'" + + +SECTION LXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O worshipful one, I wish to hear from thee in detail +about the birth, among men, of the gods, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the +Rakshasas, the lions, the tigers, and the other animals, the snakes, the +birds, and in fact, of all creatures. I wish also to hear about the acts +and achievements of those, in due order, after they became incarnate in +human forms.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O king of men, I shall first tell thee all about +those celestials and Danavas that were born among men--The first of +Danavas, who was known by the name of Viprachitti, became that bull among +men, noted as Jarasandha. And, O king, that son of Diti, who was known as +Hiranyakasipu, was known in this world among men as the powerful Sisupala. +He who had been known as Samhlada, the younger brother of Prahlada, became +among men the famous Salya, that bull amongst Valhikas. The spirited +Anuhlada who had been the youngest became noted in the world as +Dhrishtaketu. And, O king, that son of Diti who had been known as Sivi +became on earth the famous monarch Druma. And he who was known as the +great Asura Vashkala became on earth the great Bhagadatta. The five great +Asuras gifted with great energy, Ayahsira, Aswasira, the spirited Aysanku, +Gaganamurdhan, and Vegavat, were all born in the royal line of Kekaya and +all became great monarchs. That other Asura of mighty energy who was known +by the name of Ketumat became on earth the monarch Amitaujas of terrible +deeds. That great Asura who was known as Swarbhanu became on earth the +monarch Ugrasena of fierce deeds. That great Asura who was known as Aswa +became on earth the monarch Asoka of exceeding energy and invincible in +battle. And, O king, the younger brother of Aswa who was known as Aswapati, +a son of Diti, became on earth the mighty monarch Hardikya. The great and +fortunate Asura who was known as Vrishaparvan became noted on earth as +king Dirghaprajna. And, O king, the younger brother of Vrishaparvan who +was known by the name of Ajaka became noted on earth as king Salwa. The +powerful and mighty Asura who was known as Aswagriva became noted on earth +as king Rochamana. And, O king, the Asura who was known as Sukshma, endued +with great intelligence and whose achievements also were great, became on +earth the famous king Vrihadratha. And that first of Asuras who was known +by the name of Tuhunda, became noted on earth as the monarch, Senavindu. +That Asura of great strength who was known as Ishupa became the monarch +Nagnajita of famous prowess. The great Asura who was known as Ekachakra +became noted on earth as Pritivindhya. The great Asura Virupaksha capable +of displaying various modes of fight became noted on earth as king +Chitravarman. The first of Danavas, the heroic Hara, who humbled the pride +of all foes became on earth the famous and fortunate Suvahu. The Asura +Suhtra of great energy and the destroyer of foemen, became noted on earth +as the fortunate monarch, Munjakesa. That Asura of great intelligence +called Nikumbha, who was never vanquished in battle was born on earth as +king Devadhipa, the first among monarchs. That great Asura known amongst +the sons of Diti by the name of Sarabha became on earth the royal sage +called Paurava. And, O king, the great Asura of exceeding energy, the +fortunate Kupatha, was born on earth as the famous monarch Suparswa. The +great Asura, O king, who was called Kratha, was born on earth as the royal +sage Parvateya of form resplendent like a golden mountain. He amongst the +Asura who was known as Salabha the second, became on earth the monarch +Prahlada in the country of the Valhikas. The foremost, among the sons of +Diti known by the name of Chandra and handsome as the lord of the stars +himself, became on earth noted as Chandravarman, the king of the Kamvojas. +That bull amongst the Danavas who was known by the name of Arka became on +earth, O king, the royal sage Rishika. That best of Asuras who was known +as Mritapa became on earth, O best of kings, the monarch, Pascimanupaka. +That great Asura of surpassing energy known as Garishtha became noted on +earth as king Drumasena. The great Asura who was known as Mayura became +noted on earth as the monarch Viswa. He who was the younger brother of +Mayura and called Suparna became noted on earth as the monarch, Kalakirti. +The mighty Asura who was known as Chandrahantri became on earth the royal +sage Sunaka. The great Asura who was called Chandravinasana became noted +on earth as the monarch, Janaki. That bull amongst the Danavas, O prince +of the Kuru race, who was called Dhirghajihva, became noted on earth as +Kasiraja. The Graha who was brought forth by Sinhika and who persecuted +the Sun and the Moon became noted on earth as the monarch Kratha. The +eldest of the four sons of Danayu, who was known by the name of Vikshara, +became known on earth the spirited monarch, Vasumitra. The second brother +of Vikshara, the great Asura, was born on earth as the king of the country, +called Pandya. That best of Asuras who was known by the name of Valina +became on earth the monarch Paundramatsyaka. And, O king, that great Asura +who was known as Vritra became on earth the royal sage known by the name +of Manimat. That Asura who was the younger brother of Vritra and known as +Krodhahantri became noted on earth as king Danda. That other Asura who was +known by the name Krodhavardhana became noted on earth as the monarch, +Dandadhara. The eight sons of the Kaleyas that were born on earth all +became great kings endued with the prowess of tigers. The eldest of them +all became king Jayatsena in Magadha. The second of them, in prowess, like +Indra, became noted on earth as Aparajita. The third of them, endued with +great energy and power of producing deception, was born on earth as the +king of the Nishadas gifted with great prowess. That other amongst them +who was known as the fourth was noted on earth as Srenimat, that best of +royal sages. That great Asura amongst them who was the fifth, became noted +on earth as king Mahanjas, the oppressor of enemies. That great Asura +possessing great intelligence who was the sixth of them became noted on +earth as Abhiru, that best of royal sages. The seventh of them became +known throughout earth, from the centre to the sea, as king Samudrasena +well acquainted with the truths of the scriptures. The eighth of the +Kaleyas known as Vrihat became on earth a virtuous king ever engaged in +the good of all creatures. The mighty Danava known by the name of Kukshi +became on earth as Parvatiya from his brightness as of a golden mountain. +The mighty Asura Krathana gifted with great energy became noted on earth +as the monarch Suryaksha. The great Asura of handsome features known by +the name of Surya, became on earth the monarch of the Valhikas by name +Darada, that foremost of all kings. And, O king, from the tribe of Asuras +called Krodhavasa, of whom I have already spoken to thee, were born many +heroic kings on earth. Madraka, and Karnaveshta, Siddhartha, and also +Kitaka; Suvira, and Suvahu, and Mahavira, and also Valhika, Kratha, +Vichitra, Suratha, and the handsome king Nila; and Chiravasa, and +Bhumipala; and Dantavakra, and he who was called Durjaya; that tiger +amongst kings named Rukmi; and king Janamejaya, Ashada, and Vayuvega, and +also Bhuritejas; Ekalavya, and Sumitra, Vatadhana, and also Gomukha; the +tribe of kings called the Karushakas, and also Khemadhurti; Srutayu, and +Udvaha, and also Vrihatsena; Kshema, Ugratirtha, the king of the Kalingas; +and Matimat, and he was known as king Iswara; these first of kings were +all born of the Asura class called Krodhavasa. + +"There was also born on earth a mighty Asura known amongst the Danavas by +the name of Kalanemi, endued with great strength, of grand achievements, +and blessed with a large share of prosperity. He became the mighty son of +Ugrasena and was known on earth by the name of Kansa. And he who was known +among the Asuras by the name of Devaka and was besides in splendour like +unto Indra himself, was born on earth as the foremost king of the +Gandharvas. And, O monarch, know thou that Drona, the son of Bharadwaja, +not born of any woman, sprung from a portion of the celestial Rishi +Vrihaspati of grand achievements. And he was the prince of all bowmen, +conversant with all weapons, of mighty achievements, of great energy. Thou +shouldst know he was also well-acquainted with the Vedas and the science +of arms. And he was of wonderful deeds and the pride of his race. And, O +king, his son the heroic Aswatthaman, of eyes like the lotus-petals, +gifted with surpassing energy, and the terror of all foes, the great +oppressor of all enemies, was born on earth, of the united portions of +Mahadeva, Yama, Kama, and Krodha. And from the curse of Vasishtha and the +command also of Indra, the eight Vasus were born of Ganga by her husband +Santanu. The youngest of them was Bhishma, the dispeller of the fears of +the Kurus, gifted with great intelligence, conversant with the Vedas, the +first speakers, and the thinner of the enemy's ranks. And possessed of +mighty energy and the first of all persons acquainted with weapons, he +encountered the illustrious Rama himself, the son of Jamadagni of the +Bhrigu race. And, O king, that Brahman sage who, on earth, was known by +the name of Kripa and was the embodiment of all manliness was born of the +tribe of the Rudras. And the mighty chariot-fighter and king who on earth +was known by the name of Sakuni, that crusher of foes, thou shouldst know, +O king, was Dwapara himself (the third yuga). And he who was Satyaki of +sure aim, that upholder of the pride of Vrishni race, that oppressor of +foes, begotten of the portion of gods called the Maruts. And that royal +sage Drupada who on earth was a monarch, the first among all persons +bearing arms, was also born of the same tribe of the celestials. And, O +king, thou shouldst also know that Kritavarman, that prince among men, of +deeds unsurpassed by any one, and the foremost of all bulls amongst +Kshatriyas, was born of the portion of the same celestials. And that royal +sage also, Virata by name, the scorcher of the kingdoms of others, and the +great oppressor of all foes, was born of the portion of the same gods. +That son of Arishta who was known by the name of Hansa, was born in the +Kuru race and became the monarch of the Gandharvas. He who was known as +Dhritarashtra born of the seed of Krishna-Dwaipayana, and gifted with long +arms and great energy, also a monarch, of the prophetic eye, became blind +in consequence of the fault of his mother and the wrath of the Rishi. His +younger brother who was possessed of great strength and was really a great +being known as Pandu, devoted to truth and virtue, was Purity's self. And, +O king, thou shouldst know that he who was known on earth as Vidura, who +was the first of all virtuous men, who was the god of Justice himself, was +the excellent and greatly fortunate son of the Rishi Atri. The evil-minded +and wicked king Duryodhana, the destroyer of the fair fame of the Kurus, +was born of a portion of Kali on earth. He it was who caused all creatures +to be slain and the earth to be wasted; and he it was who fanned the flame +of hostility that ultimately consumed all. They who had been the sons of +Pulastya (the Rakshasas) were born on earth among men of Duryodhana's +brothers, that century of wicked individuals commencing with Duhasasana as +their first. And, O bull among the Bharata princes, Durmukha, Duhsaha, and +others whose names I do not mention, who always supported Duryodhana (in +all his schemes), were, indeed, the sons of Pulastya. And over and above +these hundred, Dhritarashtra had one son named Yuyutsu born of a Vaisya +wife.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'O illustrious one, tell me the names of Dhritarashtra's +sons according to the order of their birth beginning from the eldest.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, they are as follows: Duryodhana, and Yuyutsu, +and also Duhsasana; Duhsaha and Duhshala, and then Durmukha; Vivinsati, +and Vikarna, Jalasandha, Sulochna, Vinda and Anuvinda, Durdharsha, Suvahu, +Dushpradharshana; Durmarshana, and Dushkarna, and Karna; Chitra and +Vipachitra, Chitraksha, Charuchitra, and Angada, Durmada, and +Dushpradharsha, Vivitsu, Vikata, Sama; Urananabha, and Padmanabha, Nanda +and Upanandaka; Sanapati, Sushena, Kundodara; Mahodara; Chitravahu, and +Chitravarman, Suvarman, Durvirochana; Ayovahu, Mahavahu, Chitrachapa and +Sukundala, Bhimavega, Bhimavala, Valaki, Bhimavikrama, Ugrayudha, +Bhimaeara, Kanakayu, Dridhayudha, Dridhavarman, Dridhakshatra Somakirti, +Anadara; Jarasandha, Dridhasandha, Satyasandha, Sahasravaeh; Ugrasravas, +Ugrasena, and Kshemamurti; Aprajita, Panditaka, Visalaksha, Duradhara, +Dridhahasta, and Suhasta, Vatavega, and Suvarchasa; Adityaketu, Vahvasin, +Nagadatta and Anuyaina; Nishangi, Kuvachi, Dandi, Dandadhara, Dhanugraha; +Ugra, Bhimaratha, Vira, Viravahu, Alolupa; Abhaya, and Raudrakarman, also +he who was Dridharatha; Anadhrishya, Kundaveda, Viravi, Dhirghalochana; +Dirghavahu; Mahavahu; Vyudhoru, Kanakangana; Kundaja and Chitraka. There +was also a daughter named Duhsala who was over and above the hundred. And +Yuyutsu who was Dhritarashtra's son by a Vaisya wife, was also over and +above the hundred. Thus, O king, have I recited the names of the hundred +sons and also that of the daughter (of Dhritarashtra). Thou hast now known +their names according to the order of their births. All of them were +heroes and great car-warriors, and skilled in the art of warfare. Besides, +all of them were versed in the Vedas, and, O king, all of them had got +through the scriptures. All of them were mighty in attack and defence, and +all were graced with learning. And, O monarch, all of them had wives +suitable to them in grace and accomplishments. And, O king, when the time +came, the Kaurava monarch bestowed his daughter Duhsala on Jayadratha, the +king of the Sindhus, agreeably to the counsels of Sakuni. + +"And, O monarch, learn that king Yudhishthira was a portion of Dharma; +that Bhimasena was of the deity of wind; that Arjuna was of Indra, the +chief of the celestials; and that Nakula and Sahadeva, the handsomest +beings among all creatures, and unrivalled for beauty on earth, were +similarly portions of the twin Aswins. And he who was known as the mighty +Varchas, the son of Soma, became Abhimanyu of wonderful deeds, the son of +Arjuna. And before his incarnation, O king, the god Soma had said these +words to the celestials, 'I cannot give (part with) my son. He is dearer +to me than life itself. Let this be the compact and let it be not +transgressed. The destruction of the Asuras on earth is the work of the +celestials, and, therefore, it is our work as well. Let this Varchas, +therefore, go thither, but let him not stay there long. Nara, whose +companion is Narayana, will be born as Indra's son and indeed, will be +known as Arjuna, the mighty son of Pandu. This boy of mine shall be his +son and become a mighty car-warrior in his boyhood. And let him, ye best +of immortals, stay on earth for sixteen years. And when he attaineth to +his sixteenth year, the battle shall take place in which all who are born +of your portions shall achieve the destruction of mighty warriors. But a +certain encounter shall take place without both Nara and Narayana (taking +any part in it). And, indeed, your portions, ye celestials, shall fight, +having made that disposition of the forces which is known by the name of +the Chakra-vyuha. And my son shall compel all foes to retreat before him. +The boy of mighty arms having penetrated the impenetrable array, shall +range within it fearlessly and send a fourth part of the hostile force, in +course of half a day, unto the regions of the king of the dead. Then when +numberless heroes and mighty car-warriors will return to the charge +towards the close of the day, my boy of mighty arms, shall reappear before +me. And he shall beget one heroic son in his line, who shall continue the +almost extinct Bharata race.' Hearing these words of Soma, the dwellers in +heaven replied, 'So be it.' And then all together applauded and worshipped +(Soma) the king of stars. Thus, O king, have I recited to thee the +(particulars of the) birth of thy father's father. + +"Know also, O monarch, that the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna was a +portion of Agni. And know also that Sikhandin, who was at first a female, +was (the incarnation of) a Rakshasa. And, O bull in Bharata's race, they +who became the five sons of Draupadi, those bulls amongst the Bharata +princes, were the celestials known as the Viswas. Their names were +Pritivindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakirti, Satanika, Nakula, and Srutasena, +endued with mighty energy. + +"Sura, the foremost of the Yadus, was the father of Vasudeva. He had a +daughter called Pritha, who for her beauty, was unrivalled on earth. And +Sura, having promised in the presence of fire that he would give his +firstborn child to Kuntibhoja, the son of his paternal aunt, who was +without offspring, gave his daughter unto the monarch in expectation of +his favours. Kuntibhoja thereupon made her his daughter. And she became, +thenceforth, in the house of her (adoptive) father, engaged in attending +upon Brahmanas and guests. One day she had to wait upon the wrathful +ascetic of rigid vows, Durvasa by name, acquainted with truth and fully +conversant with the mysteries of religion. And Pritha with all possible +care gratified the wrathful Rishi with soul under complete control. The +holy one, gratified with the attentions bestowed on him by the maiden, +told her, 'I am satisfied, O fortunate one, with thee! By this mantra +(that I am about to give thee), thou shall be able to summon (to thy side) +whatever celestials thou likest. And, by their grace, shall thou also +obtain children.' Thus addressed, the girl (a little while after), seized +with curiosity, summoned, during the period of her maiden-hood, the god +Surya. And the lord of light thereupon made her conceive and begot on her +a son who became the first of all wielders of weapons. From fear of +relatives she brought forth in secrecy that child who had come out with +ear-rings and coat of mail. And he was gifted with the beauty of a +celestial infant, and in splendour was like unto the maker of day himself. +And every part of his body was symmetrical and well-adorned. And Kunti +cast the handsome child into the water. But the child thus thrown into the +water was taken up by the excellent husband of Radha and given by him to +his wife to be adopted by her as their son. And the couple gave him the +name of Vasusena, by which appellation the child soon became known all +over the land. And, as he grew up, he became very strong and excelled in +all weapons. The first of all successful persons, he soon mastered the +sciences. And when the intelligent one having truth for his strength +recited the Vedas, there was nothing he would not then give to the +Brahmanas. At that time Indra, the originator of all things, moved by the +desire of benefiting his own son Arjuna, assumed the guise of a Brahmana, +came to him, and begged of the hero his ear-rings and natural armour. And +the hero taking off his ear-rings and armour gave them unto the Brahmana. +And Sakra (accepting the gift) presented to the giver a dart, surprised +(at his open handedness), and addressed him in these words, 'O invincible +one, amongst the celestials, Asuras, men, Gandharvas, Nagas, and Rakshasas, +he at whom thou hurlest (this weapon), that one shall certainly be slain.' +And the son of Surya was at first known in the world by the name of +Vasusena. But, for his deeds, he subsequently came to be called Karna. And +because that hero of great fame had taken off his natural armour, +therefore was he--the first son of Pritha--called Karna. And, O best of +kings, the hero began to grow up in the Suta caste. And, O king, know thou +that Karna--the first of all exalted men--the foremost of all wielders of +weapons--the slayer of foes--and the best portion of the maker of day--was +the friend and counsellor of Duryodhana. And he, called Vasudeva, endued +with great valour, was among men a portion of him called Narayana--the god +of gods--eternal. And Valadeva of exceeding strength was a portion of the +Naga, Sesha. And, O monarch, know that Pradyumna of great energy was +Sanatkumara. And in this way the portion of various other dwellers in +heaven became exalted men in the race of Vasudeva, increasing the glory +thereof. And, O king, the portions of the tribe of Apsaras which I have +mentioned already, also became incarnate on earth according to Indra's +commands--And sixteen thousand portions of those goddesses became, O king, +in this world of men, the wives of Vasudeva. And a portion of Sri herself +became incarnate on earth, for the gratification of Narayana, in the line +of Bhishmaka. And she was by name the chaste Rukmini. And the faultless +Draupadi, slender-waisted like the wasp, was born of a portion of Sachi +(the queen of the celestials), in the line of Drupada. And she was neither +low nor tall in stature. And she was of the fragrance of the blue lotus, +of eyes large as lotus-petals, of thighs fair and round, of dense masses +of black curly hair. And endued with every auspicious feature and of +complexion like that of the emerald, she became the charmer of the hearts +of five foremost of men. And the two goddesses Siddhi and Dhriti became +the mothers of those five, and were called Kunti and Madri. And she who +was Mati became the daughter (Gandhari) of Suvala. + +"Thus, O king, have I recited to thee all about the incarnation, according +to their respective portions, of the gods, the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the +Apsaras, and of the Rakshasas. They who were born on earth as monarchs +invincible in battle, those high-souled ones who were born in the wide +extended line of the Yadus, they who were born as mighty monarchs in other +lines, they who were born as Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas, have +all been recited by me duly. And this account of the incarnation (of +superior beings according to their respective portions) capable of +bestowing wealth, fame, offspring, long life, and success, should always +be listened to in a proper frame of mind. And having listened to this +account of incarnation, according to their portions, of gods, Gandharvas, +and Rakshasas, the hearer becoming acquainted with the creation, +preservation, and destruction of the universe and acquiring wisdom, is +never cast down even under the most engrossing sorrows.'" + + +SECTION LXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, I have, indeed, heard from thee this +account of the incarnation, according to their portions, of the gods, the +Danavas, the Rakshasas, and also of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras. I +however, again desire to hear of the dynasty of the Kurus from the very +beginning. Therefore, O Brahmana, speak of this in the presence of all +these regenerate Rishis.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O exalted one of Bharata's race, the founder of the +Paurava line was Dushmanta gifted with great energy. And he was the +protector of the earth bounded by the four seas. And that king had full +sway over four quarters of this world. And he was the lord also of various +regions in the midst of the sea. And that great oppressor of all foes had +sway over the countries even of the Mlechchhas. + +"And during his rule there were no men of mixed castes, no tillers of the +soil (for the land, of itself, yielded produce), no workers of mines (for +the surface of the earth yielded in abundance), and no sinful men. All +were virtuous, and did everything from virtuous motives, O tiger among men. +There was no fear of thieves, O dear one, no fear of famine, no fear of +disease. And all four orders took pleasure in doing their respective +duties and never performed religious acts for obtaining fruition of +desires. And his subjects, depending upon him, never entertained any fear. +And Parjanya (Indra) poured showers at the proper time, and the produce of +the fields was always pulpy and juicy. And the earth was full of all kinds +of wealth and all kinds of animals. And the Brahmanas were always engaged +in their duties and they were always truthful. And the youthful monarch +was endued with wonderful prowess and a physical frame hard as the +thunderbolt, so that he could, taking up the mountain Mandara with its +forests and bushes, support it on his arms. And he was well-skilled in +four kinds of encounters with the mace (hurling it at foes at a distance, +striking at those that are near, whirling it in the midst of many, and +driving the foe before). And he was skilled also in the use of all kinds +of weapons and in riding elephants and horses. And in strength he was like +unto Vishnu, in splendour like unto the maker of day, in gravity like unto +the ocean, and in patience, like unto the earth. And the monarch was loved +by all his subjects, and he ruled his contented people virtuously.'" + + +SECTION LXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'I desire to hear from thee about the birth and life of +the high-souled Bharata and of the origin of Sakuntala. And, O holy one, I +also desire to hear all about Dushmanta--that lion among men--and how the +hero obtained Sakuntala. It behoveth thee, O knower of truth and the first +of all intelligent men, to tell me everything.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Once on a time (king Dushmanta) of mighty arms, +accompanied by a large force, went into the forest. And he took with him +hundreds of horses and elephants. And the force that accompanied the +monarch was of four kinds (foot-soldiers, car-warriors, cavalry, and +elephants)--heroes armed with swords and darts and bearing in their hands +maces and stout clubs. And surrounded by hundreds of warriors with lances +and spears in their hands, the monarch set out on his journey. And with +the leonine roars of the warriors and the notes of conchs and sound of +drums, with the rattle of the car-wheels and shrieks of huge elephants, +all mingling with the neighing of horses and the clash of weapons of the +variously armed attendants in diverse dresses, there arose a deafening +tumult while the king was on his march. And ladies gifted with great +beauty beheld from the terraces of goodly mansions that heroic monarch, +the achiever of his own fame. And the ladies saw that he was like unto +Sakra, the slayer of his enemies, capable of repulsing the elephants of +foes--And they believed that he was the wielder of the thunderbolt himself. +And they said, 'This is that tiger among men who in battle is equal unto +the Vasus in prowess, and in consequence of the might of whose arms no +foes are left.' And saying this, the ladies from affection gratified the +monarch by showering flowers on his head. And followed by foremost of +Brahmanas uttering blessings all the way, the king in great gladness of +heart went towards the forest, eager for slaying the deer. And many +Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras, followed the monarch who was +like unto the king of the celestials seated on the back of a proud +elephant. The citizens and other classes followed the monarch for some +distance. And they at last refrained from going farther at the command of +the king. And the king, then, ascending his chariot of winged speed, +filled the whole earth and even the heavens, with the rattle of his +chariot wheels. And, as he went, he saw around him a forest like unto +Nandana itself (the celestial garden). And it was full of Vilwa, Arka, +Khadira (catechu), Kapittha (wood-apple) and Dhava trees. And he saw that +the soil was uneven and scattered over with blocks of stone loosened from +the neighbouring cliffs. And he saw that it was without water and without +human beings and lay extended for many Yojanas around. And it was full of +deer, and lions, and other terrible beasts of prey. + +"And king Dushmanta, that tiger among men, assisted by his followers and +the warriors in his train, agitated that forest, killing numerous animals. +And Dushmanta, piercing them with his arrows, felled numerous tigers that +were within shooting range. And the king wounded many that were too +distant, and killed many that were too near with his heavy sword. And that +foremost of all wielders of darts killed many by hurling his darts at them. +And well-conversant with the art of whirling the mace, the king of +immeasurable prowess fearlessly wandered over the forest. And the king +roamed about, killing the denizens of the wilderness sometimes with his +sword and sometimes by fast-descending blows of his mace and heavy club. + +"And when the forest was so disturbed by the king possessed of wonderful +energy and by the warriors in his train delighting in warlike sports, the +lions began to desert it in numbers. And herds of animals deprived of +their leaders, from fear and anxiety began to utter loud cries as they +fled in all directions. And fatigued with running, they began to fall down +on all sides, unable to slake their thirst, having reached river-beds that +were perfectly dry. And many so falling were eaten up by the hungry +warriors. While others were eaten up after having been duly quartered and +roasted in fires lit up by them. And many strong elephants, maddened with +the wounds they received and alarmed beyond measure, fled with trunks +raised on high. And those wild elephants, betraying the usual symptoms of +alarm by urinating and ejecting the contents of their stomachs and +vomiting blood in large quantities, trampled, as they ran, many warriors +to death. And that forest which had been full of animals, was by the king +with his bands of followers and with sharp weapons soon made bereft of +lions and tigers and other monarchs of the wilderness.'" + + +SECTION LXX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the king with his followers, having killed +thousands of animals, entered another forest with a view to hunting. And +attended by a single follower and fatigued with hunger and thirst, he came +upon a large desert on the frontiers of the forest. And having crossed +this herbless plain, the king came upon another forest full of the +retreats of ascetics, beautiful to look at, delightful to the heart and of +cool agreeable breezes. And it was full of trees covered with blossoms, +the soil overgrown with the softest and greenest grass, extending for many +miles around, and echoing with the sweet notes of winged warblers. And it +resounded with the notes of the male Kokila and of the shrill cicala. And +it was full of magnificent trees with outstretched branches forming a +shady canopy overhead. And the bees hovered over flowery creepers all +around. And there were beautiful bowers in every place. And there was no +tree without fruits, none that had prickles on it, none that had no bees +swarming around it. And the whole forest resounded with the melody of +winged choristers. And it was decked with the flowers of every season. And +there were refreshing shades of blossoming trees. + +"Such was the delicious and excellent forest that the great bowman entered. +And trees with branches beautified with clusters began to wave gently at +the soft breeze and rain their flowers over the monarch's head. And the +trees, clad in their flowery attires of all colours, with sweet-throated +warblers perched on them, stood there in rows with heads touching the very +heavens. And around their branches hanging down with the weight of flowers +the bees tempted by the honey hummed in sweet chorus. And the king, endued +with great energy, beholding innumerable spots covered with bowers of +creepers decked with clusters of flowers, from excess of gladness, became +very much charmed. And the forest was exceedingly beautiful in consequence +of those trees ranged around with flowery branches twining with each other +and looking like so many rainbows for gaudiness and variety of colour. And +it was the resort of bands of Siddhas, of the Charanas, of tribes of +Gandharvas, and Apsaras, of monkeys and Kinnaras drunk with delight. +Delicious cool, and fragrant breezes, conveying the fragrance from fresh +flowers, blew in all directions as if they had come there to sport with +the trees. And the king saw that charming forest gifted with such beauties. +And it was situated in a delta of the river, and the cluster of high trees +standing together lent the place the look of a gaudy pole erected to +Indra's honour. + +"And in that forest which was the resort of ever cheerful birds, the +monarch saw a delightful and charming retreat of ascetics. And there were +many trees around it. And the sacred fire was burning within it. And the +king worshipped that unrivalled retreat. And he saw seated in it numerous +Yotis, Valakhilyas and other Munis. And it was adorned with many chambers +containing sacrificial fire. And the flowers dropping from the trees had +formed a thick carpet spread over the ground. And the spot looked +exceedingly beautiful with those tall trees of large trunks. And by it +flowed, O king, the sacred and transparent Malini with every species of +water-fowl playing on its bosom. And that stream infused gladness into the +hearts of the ascetics who resorted to it for purposes of ablutions. And +the king beheld on its banks many innocent animals of the deer species and +was exceedingly delighted with all that he saw. + +"And the monarch, the course of whose chariot no foe could obstruct, then +entered that asylum which was like unto the region of the celestials, +being exceedingly beautiful all over. And the king saw that it stood on +the margin of the sacred stream which was like the mother of all the +living creatures residing in its vicinage. And on its bank sported the +Chakravaka, and waves of milkwhite foam. And there stood also the +habitations of Kinnaras. And monkeys and bears too disported themselves in +numbers. And there lived also holy ascetics engaged in studies and +meditation. And there could be seen also elephants and tigers and snakes. +And it was on the banks of that stream that the excellent asylum of the +illustrious Kasyapa stood, offering a home to numerous Rishis of great +ascetic merit. And beholding that river, and also the asylum washed by +that river which was studded with many islands and which possessed banks +of so much beauty,--an asylum like unto that of Nara and Narayana laved by +the water of the Ganga--the king resolved to enter into that sacred abode. +And that bull among men, desirous of beholding the great Rishi of ascetic +wealth, the illustrious Kanwa of the race of Kasyapa, one who possessed +every virtue and who, for his splendour, could be gazed at with difficulty, +approached that forest resounding with the notes of maddened peacocks and +like unto the gardens of the great Gandharva, Chitraratha, himself. And +halting his army consisting of flags, cavalry, infantry, and elephants at +the entrance of the forest, the monarch spoke as follows, 'I shall go to +behold the mighty ascetic of Kasyapa's race, one who is without darkness. +Stay ye here until my return!' + +"And the king having entered that forest which was like unto Indra's +garden, soon forgot his hunger and thirst. And he was pleased beyond +measure. And the monarch, laying aside all signs of royalty, entered that +excellent asylum with but his minister and his priest, desirous of +beholding that Rishi who was an indestructible mass of ascetic merit. And +the king saw that the asylum was like unto the region of Brahman. Here +were bees sweetly humming and there were winged warblers of various +species pouring forth their melodies. At particular places that tiger +among men heard the chanting of Rik hymns by first-rate Brahmanas +according to the just rules of intonation. Other places again were graced +with Brahmanas acquainted with ordinances of sacrifice, of the Angas and +of the hymns of the Yajurveda. Other places again were filled with the +harmonious strains of Saman hymns sung by vow-observing Rishis. At other +places the asylum was decked with Brahmanas learned in the Atharvan Veda. +At other places again Brahmanas learned in the Atharvan Veda and those +capable of chanting the sacrificial hymns of the Saman were reciting the +Samhitas according to the just rules of voice. And at other places again, +other Brahmanas well-acquainted with the science of orthoepy were reciting +mantras of other kinds. In fact, that sacred retreat resounding with these +holy notes was like unto a second region of Brahman himself. And there +were many Brahmanas skilled in the art of making sacrificial platforms and +in the rules of Krama in sacrifices, conversant with logic and the mental +sciences, and possessing a complete knowledge of the Vedas. There were +those also who were fully acquainted with the meanings of all kinds of +expressions; those that were conversant with all special rites, those also +that were followers of Moksha-Dharma; those again that were well-skilled +in establishing propositions; rejecting superfluous causes, and drawing +right conclusions. There were those having a knowledge of the science of +words (grammar), of prosody, of Nirukta; those again that were conversant +with astrology and learned in the properties of matter and the fruits of +sacrificial rites, possessing a knowledge of causes and effects, capable +of understanding the cries of birds and monkeys, well-read in large +treatises, and skilled in various sciences. And the king, as he proceeded, +heard their voices. And the retreat resounded also with voice of men +capable of charming human hearts. And the slayer of hostile heroes also +saw around him learned Brahmanas of rigid vows engaged in Japa (the +repeated muttering of the names of gods) and Homa (burnt-offering). And +the king wondered much on beholding the beautiful carpets which those +Brahmanas offered to him respectfully. And that best of monarchs, at the +sight of the rites with which those Brahmanas worshipped the gods and the +great Rishis, thought within himself that he was in the region of Brahman. +And the more the king saw that auspicious and sacred asylum of Kasyapa +protected by that Rishi's ascetic virtues and possessing all the +requisites of a holy retreat, the more he desired to see it. In fact, he +was not satisfied with his short survey. And the slayer of heroes at last, +accompanied by his minister and his priest, entered that charming and +sacred retreat of Kasyapa inhabited all around by Rishis of ascetic wealth +and exalted vows.'" + + +SECTION LXXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The monarch then, as he proceeded, left even his +reduced retinue at the entrance of the hermitage. And entering quite alone +he saw not the Rishi (Kanwa) of rigid vows. And not seeing the Rishi and +finding that the abode was empty, he called loudly, saying, 'What ho, who +is here?' And the sound of his voice was echoed back. And hearing the +sound of his voice, there came out of the Rishi's abode a maiden beautiful +as Sri herself but dressed as an ascetic's daughter. And the black-eyed +fair one, as she saw king Dushmanta, bade him welcome and received him +duly. And, showing him due respect by the offer of a seat, water to wash +his feet, and Arghya, she enquired about the monarch's health and peace. +And having worshipped the king and asked him about his health and peace, +the maiden reverentially asked, 'What must be done, O king! I await your +commands.' The king, duly worshipped by her, said unto that maiden of +faultless features and sweet speech, 'I have come to worship the highly- +blessed Rishi Kanwa. Tell me, O amiable and beautiful one, where has the +illustrious Rishi gone?' + +"Sakuntala then answered, 'My illustrious father hath gone away from the +asylum to fetch fruit. Wait but a moment and thou wilt see him when he +arrives.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The king not seeing the Rishi and addressed thus +by her, beheld that the maiden was exceedingly beautiful and endued with +perfect symmetry of shape. And he saw that she was of sweet smiles. And +she stood decked with the beauty of her faultless features, her ascetic +penances, and her humility. And he saw that she was in the bloom of youth. +He therefore asked her, 'Who art thou? And whose daughter, O beautiful +one? Why hast thou come into the woods also? O handsome one, gifted with +so much beauty and such virtues, whence hast thou come? O charming one, at +the very first glance hast thou stolen my heart! I desire to learn all +about thee; therefore tell me all.' And thus addressed by the monarch, the +maiden smilingly replied in these sweet words, 'O Dushmanta, I am the +daughter of the virtuous, wise, high-souled, and illustrious ascetic +Kanwa.' + +"Dushmanta, hearing this, replied, 'The universally-worshipped and highly- +blessed Rishi is one whose seed hath been drawn up. Even Dharma himself +might fall off from his course but an ascetic of rigid vows can never fall +off so. Therefore, O thou of the fairest complexion, how hast thou been +born as his daughter? This great doubt of mine it behoveth thee to +dispel.' + +"Sakuntala then replied, 'Hear, O king, what I have learnt regarding all +that befell me of old and how I became the daughter of the Muni. Once on a +time, a Rishi came here and asked about my birth. All that the illustrious +one (Kanwa) told him, hear now from me, O king! + +"My father Kanwa, in answer to that Rishi's enquiries, said, 'Viswamitra, +of old, having been engaged in the austerest penances alarmed Indra, the +chief of the celestials, who thought that the mighty ascetic of blazing +energy would, by his penances, hurl him down from his high seat in heaven. +Indra, thus alarmed, summoned Menaka and told her, 'Thou, O Menaka, art +the first of celestial Apsaras. Therefore, O amiable one, do me this +service. Hear what I say. This great ascetic Viswamitra like unto the Sun +in splendour, is engaged in the most severe of penances. My heart is +trembling with fear. Indeed, O slender-waisted Menaka, this is thy +business. Thou must see that Viswamitra of soul rapt in contemplation and +engaged in the austerest penances, who might hurl me down from my seat. Go +and tempt him and frustrating his continued austerities accomplish my good. +Win him away from his penances, O beautiful one, by tempting him with thy +beauty, youth, agreeableness, arts, smiles and speech.' Hearing all this, +Menaka replied, 'The illustrious Viswamitra is endued with great energy +and is a mighty ascetic. He is very short-tempered too, as is known to +thee. The energy, penances, and wrath of the high-souled one have made +even thee anxious. Why should I not also be anxious? He it was who made +even the illustrious Vasishtha bear the pangs of witnessing the premature +death of his children. He it was who, though at first born as Kshatriya, +subsequently became a Brahmana by virtue of his ascetic penances. He it +was who, for purposes of his ablutions, created a deep river that can with +difficulty be forded, and which sacred stream is known by the name of the +Kausiki. It was Viswamitra whose wife, in a season of distress, was +maintained by the royal sage Matanga (Trisanku) who was then living under +a father's curse as a hunter. It was Viswamitra who, on returning after +the famine was over, changed the name of the stream having his asylum from +Kausik into Para. It was Viswamitra who in return for the services of +Matanga, himself became the latter's priest for purposes of a sacrifice. +The lord of the celestials himself went through fear to drink the Soma +juice. It was Viswamitra who in anger created a second world and numerous +stars beginning with Sravana. He it was who granted protection to Trisanku +smarting under a superior's curse. I am frightened to approach him of such +deeds. Tell me, O Indra, the means that should be adopted so that I may +not be burnt by his wrath. He can burn the three worlds by his splendour, +can, by a stamp (of his foot), cause the earth to quake. He can sever the +great Meru from the earth and hurl it to any distance. He can go round the +ten points of the earth in a moment. How can a woman like me even touch +such a one full of ascetic virtues, like unto a blazing fire, and having +his passions under complete control? His mouth is like unto a blazing fire; +the pupils of his eyes are like the Sun and the Moon; his tongue is like +unto Yama himself. How shall, O chief of the celestials, a woman like me +even touch him? At the thought of his prowess Yama, Soma, the great Rishis, +the Saddhyas, the Viswas, Valakhilyas, are terrified! How can a woman like +me gaze at him without alarm? Commanded, however, by thee, O king of the +celestials, I shall somehow approach that Rishi. But, O chief of the gods, +devise thou some plan whereby protected by thee, I may safely move about +that Rishi. I think that when I begin to play before the Rishi, Marut (the +god of wind) had better go there and rob me of my dress, and Manmatha (the +god of love) had also, at thy command, better help me then. Let also Marut +on that occasion bear thither fragrance from the woods to tempt the +Rishi.' Saying this and seeing that all she had spoken about had been +duly provided, Menaka went to the retreat of the great Kausika." + + +SECTION LXXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Kanwa continued, 'And Sakra, thus addressed by her, then commanded him +who could approach every place (viz., the god of the wind) to be present +with Menaka at the time she would be before the Rishi. And the timid and +beautiful Menaka then entered the retreat and saw there Viswamitra who had +burnt, by his penances, all his sins, and was engaged still in ascetic +penances. And saluting the Rishi, she then began to sport before him. And +just at that time Marut robbed her of her garments that were white as the +Moon. And she thereupon ran, as if in great bashfulness, to catch hold of +her attire, and as if she was exceedingly annoyed with Marut. And she did +all this before the very eyes of Viswamitra who was endued with energy +like that of fire. And Viswamitra saw her in that attitude. And beholding +her divested of her robes, he saw that she was of faultless feature. And +that best of Munis saw that she was exceedingly handsome, with no marks of +age on her person. And beholding her beauty and accomplishments that bull +amongst Rishis was possessed with lust and made a sign that he desired her +companionship. And he invited her accordingly, and she also of faultless +features expressed her acceptance of the invitation. And they then passed +a long time there in each other's company. And sporting with each other, +just as they pleased, for a long time as if it were only a single day, the +Rishi begat on Menaka a daughter named Sakuntala. And Menaka (as her +conception advanced) went to the banks of the river Malini coursing along +a valley of the charming mountains of Himavat. And there she gave birth to +that daughter. And she left the new-born infant on the bank of that river +and went away. And beholding the new-born infant lying in that forest +destitute of human beings but abounding with lions and tigers, a number of +vultures sat around to protect it from harm. No Rakshasas or carnivorous +animals took its life. Those vultures protected the daughter of Menaka. I +went there to perform my ablution and beheld the infant lying in the +solitude of the wilderness surrounded by vultures. Bringing her hither I +have made her my daughter. Indeed, the maker of the body, the protector of +life, the giver of food, are all three, fathers in their order, according +to the scriptures. And because she was surrounded in the solitude of the +wilderness, by Sakuntas (birds), therefore, hath she been named by me +Sakuntala (bird-protected). O Brahman, learn that it is thus that +Sakuntala hath become my daughter. And the faultless Sakuntala also +regards me as her father.' + +"This is what my father had said unto the Rishi, having been asked by him. +O king of men, it is thus that thou must know I am the daughter of Kanwa. +And not knowing my real father, I regard Kanwa as my father. Thus have I +told thee, O king, all that hath been heard by me regarding my birth!'" + + +SECTION LXXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Dushmanta, hearing all this, said, 'Well- +spoken, O princess, this that thou hast said! Be my wife, O beautiful one! +What shall I do for thee? Golden garlands, robes, ear-rings of gold, white +and handsome pearls, from various countries, golden coins, finest carpets, +I shall present thee this very day. Let the whole of my kingdom be thine +today, O beautiful one! Come to me, O timid one, wedding me, O beautiful +one, according to the Gandharva form. O thou of tapering thighs, of all +forms of marriage, the Gandharva one is regarded as the first.' + +"Sakuntala, hearing this, said, 'O king, my father hath gone away from +this asylum to bring fruit. Wait but a moment; he will bestow me on thee.' + +"Dushmanta replied, 'O beautiful and faultless one, I desire that thou +shouldst be my life's companion. Know thou that I exist for thee, and my +heart is in thee. One is certainly one's own friend, and one certainly may +depend upon one's own self. Therefore, according to the ordinance, thou +canst certainly bestow thyself. There are, in all, eight kinds of +marriages. These are Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Asura, Gandharva, +Rakshasa, and Paisacha, the eighth. Manu, the son of the self-create, hath +spoken of the appropriateness of all these forms according to their order. +Know, O faultless one, that the first four of these are fit for Brahmanas, +and the first six for Kshatriyas. As regards kings, even the Rakshasa form +is permissible. The Asura form is permitted to Vaisyas and Sudras. Of the +first five the three are proper, the other two being improper. The +Paisacha and the Asura forms should never be practised. These are the +institutes of religion, and one should act according to them. The +Gandharva and the Rakshasa form are consistent with the practices of +Kshatriyas. Thou needst not entertain the least fear. There is not the +least doubt that either according to any one of these last-mentioned forms, +or according to a union of both of them, our wedding may take place. O +thou of the fairest complexion, full of desire I am, thou also in a +similar mood mayst become my wife according to the Gandharva form.' + +"Sakuntala, having listened to all this, answered, 'If this be the course +sanctioned by religion, if, indeed, I am my own disposer, hear, O thou +foremost one of Puru's race, what my terms are. Promise truly to give me +what I ask thee. The son that shall be begotten on me shall become thy +heir-apparent. This, O king, is my fixed resolve. O Dushmanta, if thou +grant this, then let our union take place.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The monarch, without taking time to consider at +once told her, 'Let it be so. I will even take thee, O thou of agreeable +smiles, with me to my capital. I tell thee truly. O beautiful one, thou +deservest all this.' And so saying, that first of kings wedded the +handsome Sakuntala of graceful gait, and knew her as a husband. And +assuring her duly, he went away, telling her repeatedly, 'I shall send +thee, for thy escort, my troops of four classes. Indeed, it is even thus +that I shall take thee to my capital, O thou of sweet smiles!" + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O Janamejaya, having promised so unto her, the +king went away. And as he retraced his way homewards, he began to think of +Kasyapa. And he asked himself, 'What will the illustrious ascetic say, +after he has known all?' Thinking of this, he entered his capital. + +"The moment the king had left, Kanwa arrived at his abode. But Sakuntala, +from a sense of shame, did not go out to receive her father. That great +ascetic, however, possessed of spiritual knowledge, knew all. Indeed +beholding everything with his spiritual eye, the illustrious one was +pleased, and addressing her, said, 'Amiable one, what hath been done by +thee today in secret, without, having waited for me--viz., intercourse +with a man--hath not been destructive of thy virtue. Indeed, union +according to the Gandharva form, of a wishful woman with a man of sensual +desire, without mantras of any kind, it is said, is the best for +Kshatriyas. That best of men, Dushmanta, is also high-souled and virtuous. +Thou hast, O Sakuntala, accepted him for thy husband. The son that shall +be born of thee shall be mighty and illustrious in this world. And he +shall have sway over the sea. And the forces of that illustrious king of +kings, while he goeth out against his foes shall be irresistible.' + +"Sakuntala then approached her fatigued father and washed his feet. And +taking down the load he had with him and placing the fruits in proper +order, she told him, 'It behoveth thee to give thy grace to that Dushmanta +whom I have accepted for my husband, as well as his ministers!' + +"Kanwa replied, 'O thou of the fairest complexion, for thy sake I am +inclined to bless him. But receive from me, O blessed one, the boon that +thou desirest.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Sakuntala, thereupon, moved by desire of +benefiting Dushmanta, asked the boon that the Paurava monarchs might ever +be virtuous and never deprived of their thrones.'" + + +SECTION LXXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Dushmanta had left the asylum having made those +promises unto Sakuntala, the latter of tapering thighs brought forth a boy +of immeasurable energy. And when the child was three years old, he became +in splendour like the blazing fire. And, O Janamejaya, he was possessed of +beauty and magnanimity and every accomplishment. And that first of +virtuous men, Kanwa, caused all the rites of religion to be performed in +respect of that intelligent child thriving day by day. And the boy gifted +with pearly teeth and shining locks, capable of slaying lions even then, +with all auspicious signs on his palm, and broad expansive forehead, grew +up in beauty and strength. And like unto a celestial child in splendour, +he began to grow up rapidly. And when he was only six years of age, endued +with great strength he used to seize and bind to the trees that stood +around that asylum, lions and tigers and bears and buffaloes and elephants. +And he rode on some animals, and pursued others in sportive mood. The +dwellers at Kanwa's asylum thereupon bestowed on him a name. And they said, +because he seizes and restrains an animals however strong, let him, be +called Sarvadamana (the subduer of all). And it was thus that the boy came +to be named Sarvadamana, endued as he was with prowess, and energy and +strength. And the Rishi seeing the boy and marking also his extraordinary +acts, told Sakuntala that the time had come for his installation as the +heir-apparent. And beholding the strength of the boy, Kanwa commanded his +disciples, saying, 'Bear ye without delay this Sakuntala with her son from +this abode to that of her husband, blessed with every auspicious sign. +Women should not live long in the houses of their paternal or maternal +relations. Such residence is destructive of their reputation, their good +conduct, their virtue. Therefore, delay not in bearing her hence.' These +disciples of the Rishi thereupon, saying 'So be it,' went towards the city +named after an elephant (Hastinapura) with Sakuntala and her son ahead of +them. And then she of fair eye-brows, taking with her that boy of +celestial beauty, endued with eyes like lotus petals, left the woods where +she had been first known by Dushmanta. And having approached the king, she +with her boy resembling in splendour the rising sun was introduced to him. +And the disciples of the Rishi having introduced her, returned to the +asylum. And Sakuntala having worshipped the king according to proper form, +told him, 'This is thy son, O king! Let him be installed as thy heir- +apparent. O king, this child, like unto a celestial, hath been begotten by +thee upon me. Therefore, O best of men, fulfil now the promise thou gavest +me. Call to mind, O thou of great good fortune, the agreement thou hadst +made on the occasion of thy union with me in the asylum of Kanwa.' + +"The king, hearing these her words, and remembering everything said, 'I +do not remember anything. Who art thou, O wicked woman in ascetic guise? +I do not remember having any connection with thee in respect of Dharma, +Kama and Arthas. Go or stay or do as thou pleasest.' Thus addressed by +him, the fair-coloured innocent one became abashed. Grief deprived her +of consciousness and she stood for a time like an wooden post. Soon, +however, her eyes became red like copper and her lips began to quiver. +And the glances she now and then cast upon the king seemed to burn the +latter. Her rising wrath however, and the fire of her asceticism, she +extinguished within herself by an extraordinary effort. Collecting her +thoughts in a moment, her heart possessed with sorrow and rage, she thus +addressed her lord in anger, looking at him, 'Knowing everything, O +monarch, how thou, like an inferior person, thus say that thou knowest +it not? Thy heart is a witness to the truth or falsehood of this matter. +Therefore, speak truly without degrading thyself. He who being one thing +representeth himself as another thing to others, is like a thief and a +robber of his own self. Of what sin is he not capable? Thou thinkest +that thou alone hast knowledge of thy deed. But knowest thou not that +the Ancient, Omniscient one (Narayana) liveth in thy heart? He knoweth +all thy sins, and thou sinnest in His presence. He that sins thinks that +none observes him. But he is observed by the gods and by Him also who is +in every heart. The Sun, the Moon, the Air, the Fire, the Earth, the +Sky, Water, the heart, Yama, the day, the night, both twilights, and +Dharma, all witness the acts of man. Yama, the son of Surya, takes no +account of the sins of him with whom Narayana the witness of all acts, +is gratified. But he with whom Narayana is not gratified is tortured for +his sins by Yama. Him who degradeth himself by representing his self +falsely, the gods never bless. Even his own soul blesseth him not. I am +a wife devoted to my husband. I have come of my own accord, it is true. +But do not, on that account, treat me with disrespect. I am thy wife +and, therefore, deserve to be treated respectfully. Wilt thou not treat +me so, because I have come hither of my own accord? In the presence of +so many, why dost thou treat me like an ordinary woman? I am not +certainly crying in the wilderness. Dost thou not hear me? But if thou +refuse to do what I supplicate thee for, O Dushmanta, thy head this +moment shall burst into a hundred pieces! The husband entering the womb +of the wife cometh out himself in the form of the son. Therefore is the +wife called by those cognisant of the Vedas as Jaya (she of whom one is +born). And the son that is so born unto persons cognisant of the Vedic +Mantras rescueth the spirits of deceased ancestors. And because the son +rescueth ancestors from the hell called Put, therefore, hath he been +called by the Self-create himself as Puttra (the rescuer from Put). By a +son one conquereth the three worlds. By a son's son, one enjoyeth +eternity. And by a grandson's son great-grand-fathers enjoy everlasting +happiness. She is a true wife who is skilful in household affairs. She +is a true wife who hath borne a son. She is a true wife whose heart is +devoted to her lord. She is a true wife who knoweth none but her lord. +The wife is a man's half. The wife is the first of friends. The wife is +the root of religion, profit, and desire. The wife is the root of +salvation. They that have wives can perform religious acts. They that +have wives can lead domestic lives. They that have wives have the means +to be cheerful. They that have wives can achieve good fortune. +Sweet-speeched wives are friends on occasions of joy. They are as +fathers on occasions of religious acts. They are mothers in sickness and +woe. Even in the deep woods to a traveller a wife is his refreshment and +solace. He that hath a wife is trusted by all. A wife, therefore, is +one's most valuable possession. Even when the husband leaving this world +goeth into the region of Yama, it is the devoted wife that accompanies +him thither. A wife going before waits for the husband. But if the +husband goeth before, the chaste wife followeth close. For these +reasons, O king, doth marriage exist. The husband enjoyeth the +companionship of the wife both in this and in the other worlds. It hath +been said by learned persons that one is himself born as one's son. +Therefore, a man whose wife hath borne a son should look upon her as his +mother. Beholding the face of the son one hath begotten upon his wife, +like his own face in a mirror, one feeleth as happy as a virtuous man, +on attaining to heaven. Men scorched by mental grief, or suffering under +bodily pain, feel as much refreshed in the companionship of their wives +as a perspiring person in a cool bath. No man, even in anger, should +ever do anything that is disagreeable to his wife, seeing that +happiness, joy, and virtue,--everything dependeth on the wife. A wife is +the sacred field in which the husband is born himself. Even Rishis +cannot create creatures without women. What happiness is greater than +what the father feeleth when the son running towards him, even though +his body be covered with dust, claspeth his limbs? Why then dost thou +treat with indifference such a son, who hath approached thee himself and +who casteth wistful glances towards thee for climbing thy knees? Even +ants support their own eggs without destroying them; then why shouldst +not thou, a virtuous man that thou art, support thy own child? The touch +of soft sandal paste, of women, of (cool) water is not so agreeable as +the touch of one's own infant son locked in one's embrace. As a Brahmana +is the foremost of all bipeds, a cow, the foremost of all quadrupeds, a +protector, the foremost of all superiors, so is the son the foremost of +all objects, agreeable to the touch. Let, therefore, this handsome child +touch thee in embrace. There is nothing in the world more agreeable to +the touch than the embrace of one's son. O chastiser of foes, I have +brought forth this child, O monarch, capable of dispelling all thy +sorrows after bearing him in my womb for full three years. O monarch of +Puru's race, 'He shall perform a hundred horse-sacrifices'--these were +the words uttered from the sky when I was in the lying-in room. Indeed, +men going into places remote from their homes take up there others' +children on their laps and smelling their heads feel great happiness. +Thou knowest that Brahmanas repeat these Vedic mantras on the occasion +of the consecrating rites of infancy.--Thou art born, O son, of my body! +Thou art sprung from my heart. Thou art myself in the form of a son. +Live thou to a hundred years! My life dependeth on thee, and the +continuation of my race also, on thee. Therefore, O son, live thou in +great happiness to a hundred years. He hath sprung from thy body, this +second being from thee! Behold thyself in thy son, as thou beholdest thy +image in the clear lake. As the sacrificial fire is kindled from the +domestic one, so hath this one sprung from thee. Though one, thou hast +divided thyself. In course of hunting while engaged in pursuit of the +deer, I was approached by thee, O king, I who was then a virgin in the +asylum of my father. Urvasi, Purvachitti, Sahajanya, Menaka, Viswachi +and Ghritachi, these are the six foremost of Apsaras. Amongst them +again, Menaka, born of Brahman, is the first. Descending from heaven on +Earth, after intercourse with Viswamitra, she gave birth to me. That +celebrated Apsara, Menaka, brought me forth in a valley of Himavat. +Bereft of all affection, she went away, cast me there as if I were the +child of somebody else. What sinful act did I do, of old, in some other +life that I was in infancy cast away by my parents and at present am +cast away by thee! Put away by thee, I am ready to return to the refuge +of my father. But it behoveth thee not to cast off this child who is thy +own.' + +"Hearing all this, Dushmanta said, 'O Sakuntala, I do not know having +begot upon thee this son. Women generally speak untruths. Who shall +believe in thy words? Destitute of all affection, the lewd Menaka is thy +mother, and she cast thee off on the surface of the Himavat as one throws +away, after the worship is over, the flowery offering made to his gods. +Thy father too of the Kshatriya race, the lustful Viswamitra, who was +tempted to become a Brahmana, is destitute of all affection. However, +Menaka is the first of Apsaras, and thy father also is the first of Rishis. +Being their daughter, why dost thou speak like a lewd woman? Thy words +deserve no credit. Art thou not ashamed to speak them, especially before +me? Go hence, O wicked woman in ascetic guise. Where is that foremost of +great Rishis, where also is that Apsara Menaka? And why art thou, low as +thou art, in the guise of an ascetic? Thy child too is grown up. Thou +sayest he is a boy, but he is very strong. How hath he soon grown like a +Sala sprout? Thy birth is low. Thou speakest like a lewd woman. Lustfully +hast thou been begotten by Menaka. O woman of ascetic guise, all that thou +sayest is quite unknown to me. I don't know thee. Go withersoever thou +choosest.' + +"Sakuntala replied, 'Thou seest, O king, the fault of others, even though +they be as small as a mustard seed. But seeing, thou noticest not thy own +faults even though they be as large as the Vilwa fruit. Menaka is one of +the celestials. Indeed, Menaka is reckoned as the first of celestials. My +birth, therefore, O Dushmanta, is far higher than thine. Thou walkest upon +the Earth, O king, but I roam in the skies! Behold, the difference between +ourselves is as that between (the mountain) Meru and a mustard seed! +Behold my power, O king! I can repair to the abodes of Indra, Kuvera, Yama, +and Varuna! The saying is true which I shall refer to before thee, O +sinless one! I refer to it for example's sake and not from evil motives. +Therefore, it behoveth thee to pardon me after thou hast heard it. An ugly +person considereth himself handsomer than others until he sees his own +face in the mirror. But when he sees his own ugly face in the mirror, it +is then that he perceiveth the difference between himself and others. He +that is really handsome never taunts anybody. And he that always talketh +evil becometh a reviler. And as the swine always look for dirt and filth +even when in the midst of a flower-garden, so the wicked always choose the +evil out of both evil and good that others speak. Those, however, that are +wise, on hearing the speeches of others that are intermixed with both good +and evil, accept only what is good, like geese that always extract the +milk only, though it be mixed with water. As the honest are always pained +at speaking ill of others, so do the wicked always rejoice in doing the +same thing. As the honest always feel pleasure in showing regard for the +old, so do the wicked always take delight in aspersing the good. The +honest are happy in not seeking for faults. The wicked are happy in +seeking for them. The wicked ever speak ill of the honest. But the latter +never injure the former, even if injured by them. What can be more +ridiculous in the world than that those that are themselves wicked should +represent the really honest as wicked? When even atheists are annoyed with +those that have fallen off from truth and virtue and who are really like +angry snakes of virulent poison, what shall I say of myself who am +nurtured in faith? He that having begotten a son who is his own image, +regardeth him not, never attaineth to the worlds he coveteth, and verily +the gods destroy his good fortune and possessions. The Pitris have said +that the son continueth the race and the line and is, therefore, the best +of all religious acts. Therefore, none should abandon a son. Manu hath +said that there are five kinds of sons; those begotten by one's self upon +his own wife, those obtained (as gift) from others, those purchased for a +consideration, those reared with affection and those begotten upon other +women than upon wedded wives. Sons support the religion and achievements +of men, enhance their joys, and rescue deceased ancestors from hell. It +behoveth thee not, therefore, O tiger among kings, to abandon a son who is +such. Therefore, O lord of Earth, cherish thy own self, truth, and virtue +by cherishing thy son. O lion among monarchs, it behoveth thee not to +support this deceitfulness. The dedication of a tank is more meritorious +than that of a hundred wells. A sacrifice again is more meritorious than +the dedication of a tank. A son is more meritorious than a sacrifice. +Truth is more meritorious than a hundred sons. A hundred horse-sacrifices +had once been weighed against Truth, and Truth was found heavier than a +hundred horse-sacrifices. O king, Truth, I ween, may be equal to the study +of, the entire Vedas and ablutions in all holy places. There is no virtue +equal to Truth: there is nothing superior to Truth. O king, Truth is God +himself; Truth is the highest vow. Therefore, violate not thy pledge, O +monarch! Let Truth and thee be even united. If thou placest no credit in +my words, I shall of my own accord go hence. Indeed, thy companionship +should be avoided. But thou, O Dushmanta, that when thou art gone, this +son of mine shall rule the whole Earth surrounded by the four seas and +adorned with the king of the mountains.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Sakuntala having spoken to the monarch in this +wise, left his presence. But as soon as she had left, a voice from the +skies, emanating from no visible shape, thus spoke unto Dushmanta as he +was sitting surrounded by his occasional and household priests, his +preceptors, and ministers. And the voice said, 'The mother is but the +sheath of flesh; the son sprung from the father is the father himself. +Therefore, O Dushmanta, cherish thy son, and insult not Sakuntala. O best +of men, the son, who is but a form of one's own seed, rescueth (ancestors) +from the region of Yama. Thou art the progenitor of this boy. Sakuntala +hath spoken the truth. The husband, dividing his body in twain, is born +of his wife in the form of son. Therefore, O Dushmanta, cherish, O monarch, +thy son born of Sakuntala. To live by forsaking one's living son is a +great misfortune. Therefore, O thou of Puru's race, cherish thy high- +souled son born of Sakuntala--And because this child is to be cherished by +thee even at our word, therefore shall this thy son be known by the name +of Bharata (the cherished).' Hearing these words uttered by the dwellers +in heaven, the monarch of Puru's race became overjoyed and spoke as +follows unto his priests and ministers, 'Hear ye these words uttered by +the celestial messenger? I myself know this one to be my son. If I had +taken him as my son on the strength of Sakuntala's words alone, my people +would have been suspicious and my son also would not have been regarded as +pure.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The monarch, then, O thou of Bharata's race, +seeing the purity of his son established by the celestial messenger, +became exceedingly glad. And he took unto him that son with joy. And the +king with a joyous heart then performed all those rites upon his son that +a father should perform. And the king smelt his child's head and hugged +him with affection. And the Brahmanas began to utter blessings upon him +and the bards began to applaud him. And the monarch then experienced the +great delight that one feeleth at the touch of one's son. And Dushmanta +also received that wife of his with affection. And he told her these +words, pacifying her affectionately, 'O goddess, my union with thee took +place privately. Therefore, I was thinking of how best to establish thy +purity. My people might think that we were only lustfully united and not +as husband and wife, and therefore, this son that I would have installed +as my heir apparent would only have been regarded as one of impure birth. +And dearest, every hard word thou hast uttered in thy anger, have I, O +large-eyed one, forgiven thee. Thou art my dearest!' And the royal sage +Dushmanta, having spoken thus unto his dear wife, O Bharata, received her +with offerings of perfume, food, and drink. And king Dushmanta, then, +bestowed the name of Bharata upon his child, and formally installed him as +the heir apparent. And the famous and bright wheels of Bharata's car, +invincible and like unto the wheels of the cars owned by the gods, +traversed every region, filling the whole Earth with their rattle. And the +son of Dushmanta reduced to subjection all kings of the Earth. And he +ruled virtuously and earned great fame. And that monarch of great prowess +was known by the titles of Chakravarti and Sarvabhauma. And he performed +many sacrifices like Sakra, the lord of the Maruts. And Kanwa was the +chief priest at those sacrifices, in which the offerings to Brahmanas were +great. And the blessed monarch performed both the cow and the horse- +sacrifices. And Bharata gave unto Kanwa a thousand gold coins as the +sacerdotal fee. It is that Bharata from whom have emanated so many mighty +achievements. It is from him that the great race called after him in his +race are called after him. And in the Bharata race there have been born +many godlike monarchs gifted with great energy, and like unto Brahman +himself. Their number cannot be counted. But, O thou of Bharata's race, I +shall name the principal ones that were blessed with great good fortune, +like unto the gods, and devoted to truth and honesty.'" + + +SECTION LXXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hear now, as I recite the recorded genealogy, that is +sacred and subservient to religion, profit and pleasure, of these royal +sages--Daksha, the lord of creation, Manu, the son of Surya, Bharata, Ruru, +Puru, and Ajamidha. I shall also recite to thee, O sinless one, the +genealogies of the Yadavas and of the Kurus and of the king of the Bharata +line. These genealogies are sacred and their recitation is a great act of +propitiation. That recitation conferreth wealth, fame and long life. And, +O sinless one, all these I have named shone in their splendour and were +equal unto the great Rishis in energy. + +"Prachetas had ten sons who were all devoted to asceticism and possessed +of every virtue. They burnt, of old, by the fire emanating from their +mouths, several plants of poisonous and innumerable large trees that had +covered the Earth and became a source of great discomfort to man. After +these ten, was born another named Daksha. It is from Daksha that all +creatures have sprung. Therefore is he, O tiger among men, called the +Grandfather. Born of Prachetas the Muni Daksha, uniting himself with +Virini, begat a thousand sons of rigid vows, all like himself. And Narada +taught these thousand sons of Daksha the excellent philosophy of Sankhya +as a means of salvation. And, O Janamejaya, the lord of creation, Daksha, +then, from the desire of making creatures, begat fifty daughters. And he +made all of them his appointed daughters (so that their sons might be his +sons also for the performance of all religious acts). And he bestowed ten +of his daughters on Dharma, and thirteen on Kasyapa. And he gave twenty- +seven to Chandra, who are all engaged in indicating time. And Kasyapa, the +son of Marichi, begat on the eldest of his thirteen wives, the Adityas, +the celestials endued with great energy and having Indra as their head and +also Vivaswat (the Sun). And of Vivaswat was born the lord Yama. And +Martanda (Vivaswat) also begat another son after Yama, gifted with great +intelligence and named Manu. And Manu was endued with great wisdom and +devoted to virtue. And he became the progenitor of a line. And in Manu's +race have been born all human beings, who have, therefore, been called +Manavas. And it is of Manu that all men including Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, +and others have been descended, and are, therefore, all called Manavas. +Subsequently, O monarch, the Brahmanas became united with the Kshatriyas. +And those sons of Manu that were Brahmanas devoted themselves to the study +of the Vedas. And Manu begat ten other children named Vena, Dhrishnu, +Narishyan, Nabhaga, Ikshvaku, Karusha, Saryati, the eighth, a daughter +named Ila, Prishadhru the ninth, and Nabhagarishta, the tenth. They all +betook themselves to the practices of Kshatriyas. Besides these, Manu had +fifty other sons on Earth. But we heard that they all perished, +quarrelling with one another. The learned Pururavas was born of Ila. It +hath been heard by us that Ila was both his mother and father. And the +great Pururavas had sway over thirteen islands of the sea. And, though a +human being, he was always surrounded by companions that were superhuman. +And Pururavas intoxicated with power quarrelled with the Brahmanas and +little caring for their anger robbed them of their wealth. Beholding all +this Sanatkumara came from the region of Brahman and gave him good counsel, +which was, however, rejected by Pururavas. Then the wrath of the great +Rishis was excited, and the avaricious monarch, who intoxicated with power, +had lost his reason, was immediately destroyed by their curse. + +"It was Pururavas who first brought from the region of the Gandharvas the +three kinds of fire (for sacrificial purpose). And he brought thence, the +Apsara Urvasi also. And the son of Ila begat upon Urvasi six sons who were +called Ayus, Dhimat, Amavasu and Dhridhayus, and Vanayus, and Satayus. And +it is said that Ayus begat four sons named Nahusha, Vriddhasarman, +Rajingaya, and Anenas, on the daughter of Swarbhanu. And, O monarch, +Nahusha, of all the sons of Ayus, being gifted with great intelligence and +prowess ruled his extensive kingdom virtuously. And king Nahusha supported +evenly the Pitris, the celestials, the Rishis, the Brahmanas, the +Gandharvas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, the Kshatriyas, and the Vaisyas. And +he suppressed all robber-gangs with a mighty hand. But he made the Rishis +pay tribute and carry him on their backs like bests of burden. And, +conquering the very gods by the beauty of his person, his asceticism, +prowess, and energy, he ruled as if he were Indra himself. And Nahusha +begat six sons, all of sweet speech, named Yati, Yayati, Sanyati, Ayati, +and Dhruva. Yati betaking himself to asceticism became a Muni like unto +Brahman himself. Yayati became a monarch of great prowess and virtue. He +ruled the whole Earth, performed numerous sacrifices, worshipped the +Pitris with great reverence, and always respected the gods. And he brought +the whole world under his sway and was never vanquished by any foe. And +the sons of Yayati were all great bowmen and resplendent with every virtue. +And, O king, they were begotten upon (his two wives) Devayani and +Sarmishtha. And of Devayani were born Yadu and Turvasu, and of Sarmishtha +were born Drahyu, Anu, and Puru. And, O king, having virtuously ruled his +subjects for a long time, Yayati was attacked with a hideous decrepitude +destroying his personal beauty. And attacked by decrepitude, the monarch +then spoke, O Bharata, unto his sons Yadu and Puru and Turvasu and Drahyu +and Anu these words, 'Ye dear sons, I wish to be a young man and to +gratify my appetites in the company of young women. Do you help me +therein.' To him his eldest son born of Devayani then said, 'What needest +thou, O king? Dost thou want to have your youth?' Yayati then told him, +'Accept thou my decrepitude, O son! With thy youth I would enjoy myself. +During the time of a great sacrifice I have been cursed by the Muni +Usanas (Sukra). O son, I would enjoy myself with your youth. Take any of +you this my decrepitude and with my body rule ye my kingdom. I would +enjoy myself with a renovated body. Therefore, ye my sons, take ye my +decrepitude.' But none of his sons accepted his decrepitude. Then his +youngest son Puru said unto him, 'O king, enjoy thyself thou once again +with a renovated body and returned youth! I shall take thy decrepitude +and at thy command rule thy kingdom.' Thus addressed, the royal sage, by +virtue of his ascetic power then transferred his own decrepitude unto +that high-souled son of his and with the youth of Puru became a youth; +while with the monarch's age Puru ruled his kingdom. + +"Then, after a thousand years had passed away, Yayati, that tiger among +kings, remained as strong and powerful as a tiger. And he enjoyed for a +long time the companionship of his two wives. And in the gardens of +Chitraratha (the king of Gandharvas), the king also enjoyed the company of +the Apsara Viswachi. But even after all this, the great king found his +appetites unsatiated. The king, then recollected the following truths +contained in the Puranas, 'Truly, one's appetites are never satiated by +enjoyment. On the other hand, like sacrificial butter poured into the fire, +they flame up with indulgence. Even if one enjoyed the whole Earth with +its wealth, diamonds and gold, animals and women, one may not yet be +satiated. It is only when man doth not commit any sin in respect of any +living thing, in thought, deed, or speech, it is then that he attaineth to +purity as that of Brahman. When one feareth nothing, when one is not +feared by anything, when one wisheth for nothing, when one injureth +nothing, it is then that one attaineth to the purity of Brahman.' The wise +monarch seeing this and satisfied that one's appetites are never satiated, +set his mind at rest by meditation, and took back from his son his own +decrepitude. And giving him back his youth, though his own appetites were +unsatiated, and installing him on the throne, he spoke unto Puru thus, +'Thou art my true heir, thou art my true son by whom my race is to be +continued. In the world shall my race be known by thy name.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then that tiger among kings, having installed +his son Puru on the throne, went away to the mount of Bhrigu for devoting +himself to asceticism. And, having acquired great ascetic merit, after +long years, he succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time. He left his +human body by observing the vow of fasting, and ascended to heaven with +his wives.'" + + +SECTION LXXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O thou of the wealth of asceticism, tell me how our +ancestor Yayati, who is the tenth from Prajapati, obtained for a wife the +unobtainable daughter of Sukra. I desire to hear of it in detail. Tell me +also, one after another, of those monarchs separately who were the +founders of dynasties.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The monarch Yayati was in splendour like unto Indra +himself. I will tell thee, in reply to thy question, O Janamejaya, how +both Sukra and Vrishaparvan bestowed upon him, with due rites, their +daughters, and how his union took place with Devayani in special. + +"Between the celestials and the Asuras, there happened, of yore, frequent +encounters for the sovereignty of the three worlds with everything in them. +The gods, then, from desire of victory, installed the son of Angiras +(Vrihaspati) as their priest to conduct their sacrifices; while their +opponents installed the learned Usanas as their priest for the same +purpose. And between those two Brahmanas there are always much boastful +rivalry. Those Danavas assembled for encounter that were slain by the gods +were all revived by the seer Sukra by the power of his knowledge. And then +starting again, into life,--these fought with the gods. The Asuras also +slew on the field of battle many of the celestials. But the open-minded +Vrihaspati could not revive them, because he knew not the science called +Sanjivani (re-vivification) which Kavya endued with great energy knew so +well. And the gods were, therefore, in great sorrow. And the gods, in +great anxiety of heart and entertaining a fear of the learned Usanas, then +went to Kacha, the eldest son of Vrihaspati, and spoke unto him, saying, +'We pay court to thee, be kind to us and do us a service that we regard as +very great. That knowledge which resides in Sukra, that Brahmana of +immeasurable prowess, make thy own as soon as thou canst. Thou shalt find +the Brahmana in the court of Vrishaparvan. He always protects the Danavas +but never us, their opponents. Thou art his junior in age, and, therefore, +capable of adoring him with reverence. Thou canst also adore Devayani, the +favourite daughter of that high-souled Brahmana. Indeed, thou alone art +capable of propitiating them both by worship. There is none else that can +do so. By gratifying Devayani with thy conduct, liberality, sweetness, and +general behaviour, thou canst certainly obtain that knowledge.' The son of +Vrihaspati, thus solicited by the gods, said 'So be it,' and went to where +Vrishaparvan was. Kacha, thus sent by the gods, soon went to the capital +of the chief of the Asuras, and beheld Sukra there. And beholding him, he +thus spoke unto him, 'Accept me as thy disciple. I am the grandson of the +Rishi Angiras and son of Vrihaspati. By name I am known as Kacha. Thyself +becoming my preceptor, I shall practise the Brahmacharya mode of life for +a thousand years. Command me, then, O Brahmana!' + +"Sukra (hearing this) said, 'Welcome art thou, O Kacha! I accept thy +speech. I will treat thee with regard; for by so doing, it is Vrihaspati +who will be regarded.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Kacha commanded by Kavya or Usanas himself, +called also Sukra, then said, 'So be it,' and took the vow he had spoken +of. And, O Bharata, accepting the vow of which he had spoken, at the +proper time, Kacha began to conciliate regardfully both his preceptor and +(his daughter) Devayani. Indeed, he began to conciliate both. And as he +was young, by singing and dancing and playing on different kinds of +instruments, he soon gratified Devayani who was herself in her youth. And, +O Bharata, with his whole heart set upon it, he soon gratified the maiden +Devayani who was then a young lady, by presents of flowers and fruits and +services rendered with alacrity. And Devayani also with her songs and +sweetness of manners used, while they were alone, to attend upon that +youth carrying out his vow. And when five hundred years had thus passed of +Kacha's vow, the Danavas came to learn his intention. And having no +compunctions about slaying a Brahmana, they became very angry with him. +And one day they saw Kacha in a solitary part of the woods engaged in +tending (his preceptor's) kine. They then slew Kacha from their hatred of +Vrihaspati and also from their desire of protecting the knowledge of +reviving the dead from being conveyed by him. And having slain him, they +hacked his body into pieces and gave them to be devoured by jackals and +wolves. And (when twilight came) the kine returned to the fold without him +who tended them. And Devayani, seeing the kine returned from the woods +without Kacha, spoke, O Bharata, unto her father thus: + +'Thy evening-fire hath been kindled. The Sun also hath set, O father! The +kine have returned without him who tendeth them. Kacha is, indeed, not to +be seen. It is plain that Kacha hath been lost, or is dead. Truly do I say, +O father, that without him I will not live.' + +"Sukra hearing this said, I will revive him by saying, 'Let this one +come.' Then having recourse to the science of reviving the dead, Sukra +summoned Kacha. And summoned by his preceptor, Kacha appeared before him +in the gladness of heart tearing by virtue of his preceptor's science +the bodies of the wolves (that had devoured him). And asked about the +cause of his delay, he thus spoke unto Bhargava's daughter. Indeed, +asked by that Brahman's daughter, he told her, 'I was dead. O thou of +pure manners, burdened with sacrificial fuel, Kusa grass, and logs of +wood, I was coming towards our abode. I sat under a banian tree. The +kine also, having been brought together, were staying under the shade +of that same banian tree. The Asuras, beholding me, asked 'Who art +thou?' They heard me answer, 'I am the son of Vrihaspati.' As soon as +I said this, the Danavas slew me, and hacking my body into pieces gave +my remains to jackals and wolves. And they then went home in the +gladness of heart. O amiable one, summoned by the high-souled +Bhargava, I after all come before thee fully revived.' + +"On another occasion, asked by Devayani, the Brahmana Kacha went into the +woods. And as he was roving about for gathering flowers, the Danavas +beheld him. They again slew him, and pounding him into a paste they mixed +it with the water of the ocean. Finding him long still (in coming), the +maiden again represented the matter unto her father. And summoned again by +the Brahmana with the aid of his science, Kacha appearing before his +preceptor and his daughter told everything as it had happened. Then +slaying him for the third time and burning him and reducing him to ashes, +the Asuras gave those ashes to the preceptor himself, mixing them with his +wine. And Devayani again spoke unto her father, saying, 'O father, Kacha +was sent to gather flowers. But he is not to be seen. It is plain he hath +been lost, or has died. I tell thee truly, I would not live without him.' + +"Sukra hearing this said, 'O daughter, the son of Vrihaspati hath gone to +the region of the dead. Though revived by my science, he is thus slain +frequently. What, indeed, am I to do? O Devayani, do not grieve, do not +cry. One like thee should not grieve for one that is mortal. Thou art +indeed, O daughter, in consequence of my prowess, worshipped thrice a day +during the ordained hours of prayer, by Brahmanas, the gods with Indra, +the Vasus, the Aswins, the Asuras, in fact, by the whole universe. It is +impossible to keep him alive, for revived by me he is often killed.' To +all this Devayani replied, 'Why shall I, O father, not grieve for him +whose grandfather is old Angiras himself, whose father is Vrihaspati who +is an ocean of ascetic merit, who is the grandson of a Rishi and the son +also of a Rishi? He himself too was a Brahmacharin and an ascetic; always +wakeful and skilled in everything. I will starve and follow the way Kacha +has gone. The handsome Kacha is, O father, dear unto me.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The great Rishi Kavya, then, afflicted by what +Devayani said, cried in anger, 'Certainly, the Asuras seek to injure me, +for they slay my disciple that stayeth with me. These followers of Rudra +desire to divest me of my character as a Brahmana by making me participate +in their crime. Truly, this crime hath a terrible end. The crime of +slaying a Brahmana would even burn Indra himself.' Having said this, the +Brahmana Sukra, urged by Devayani, began to summon Kacha who had entered +the jaws of Death. But Kacha, summoned with the aid of science, and afraid +of the consequence to his preceptor, feebly replied from within the +stomach of his preceptor, saying, 'Be graceful unto me, O lord! I am Kacha +that worshippeth thee. Behave unto me as to thy own dearly-loved son.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Sukra then said, 'By what path, O Brahmana, hast +thou entered my stomach, where thou stayest now? Leaving the Asuras this +very moment, I shall go over to the gods.' Kacha replied, 'By thy grace, +memory hath not failed me. Indeed, I do recollect everything as it hath +happened. My ascetic virtues have not been destroyed. It is, therefore, +that I am able to bear this almost insufferable pain. O Kavya, slain by +the Asuras and burnt and reduced to powder, I have been given to thee with +thy wine. When thou art present, O Brahmana, the art of the Asuras will +never be able to vanquish, the science of the Brahmana.' + +"Hearing this, Sukra said, 'O daughter, what good can I do to thee? It is +with my death that Kacha can get his life back. O Devayani, Kacha is even +within me. There is no other way of his coming out except by ripping open +my stomach.' Devayani replied, 'Both evils shall, like fire, burn me! The +death of Kacha and thy own death are to me the same! The death of Kacha +would deprive me of life. If thou also diest, I shall not be able to bear +my life.' Then Sukra said, 'O son of Vrihaspati, thou art, indeed, one +already crowned with success, because Devayani regards thee so well. +Accept the science that I will today impart to thee, if, indeed, thou be +not Indra in the form of Kacha. None can come out of my stomach with life. +A Brahmana, however, must not be slain, therefore, accept thou the science +I impart to thee. Start thou into life as my son. And possessed of the +knowledge received from me, and revived by me, take care that, on coming +out of my body, thou dost act gracefully.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Receiving the science imparted to him by his +preceptor the handsome Kacha, ripped open his stomach, came out like the +moon at evening on the fifteenth day of the bright fort-night. And +beholding the remains of his preceptor lying like a heap of penances, +Kacha revived him, aided by the science he had learned. Worshipping him +with regard, Kacha said unto his preceptor, 'Him who poureth the nectar of +knowledge into one's ears, even as thou hast done into those of myself who +was void of knowledge, him do I regard both as my father and mother. And +remembering the immense service done by him, who is there so ungrateful as +to injure him? They that, having acquired knowledge, injure their +preceptor who is always an object of worship, who is the giver of +knowledge, who is the most precious of all precious objects on Earth, come +to be hated on Earth and finally go to the regions of the sinful.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The learned Sukra, having been deceived while +under the influence of wine, and remembering the total loss of +consciousness that is one of the terrible consequences of drink, and +beholding too before him the handsome Kacha whom he had, in a state of +unconsciousness, drunk with his wine, then thought of effecting a reform +in the manners of Brahmanas. The high-souled Usanas rising up from the +ground in anger, then spoke as follows: "The wretched Brahmana who from +this day, unable to resist the temptation, will drink wine shall be +regarded as having lost his virtue, shall be reckoned to have committed +the sin of slaying a Brahmana, shall be hated both in this and the other +worlds. I set this limit to the conduct and dignity of Brahmanas +everywhere. Let the honest, let Brahmanas, let those with regard for their +superiors, let the gods, let the three worlds, listen!' Having said these +words that high-souled one, that ascetic of ascetics, then summoning the +Danavas who had been deprived by fate of the good sense, told them these +words, Ye foolish Danavas, know ye that Kacha hath obtained his wishes. He +will henceforth dwell with me. Having obtained the valuable knowledge of +reviving the dead, that Brahmana hath, indeed, become in prowess even as +Brahman himself!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Bhargava having said so much cut short his +speech. The Danavas were surprised and went away to their homes. Kacha, +too, having stayed with his preceptor for a full thousand years, then +prepared to return to the abode of the celestials, after having obtained +his preceptor's permission.'" + + +SECTION LXXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After the expiry of the period of his vow, Kacha, +having obtained his preceptor's leave, was about to return to the abode of +the celestials, when Devayani, addressing him, said, 'O grandson of the +Rishi Angiras, in conduct and birth, in learning, asceticism and humility, +thou shinest most brightly. As the celebrated Rishi Angiras is honoured +and regarded by my father, so is thy father regarded and worshipped by me. +O thou of ascetic wealth, knowing this, listen to what I say. Recollect my +conduct towards thee during the period of thy vow (Brahmacharya). Thy vow +hath now been over. It behoveth thee to fix thy affections on me. O accept +my hand duly with ordained mantras.' + +"Kacha replied, 'Thou art to me an object of regard and worship even as +thy father! O thou of faultless features, thou art, indeed, even an object +of greater reverence! Thou art dearer than life to the high-souled +Bhargava, O amiable one! As the daughter of my preceptor, thou art ever +worthy of my worship! As my preceptor Sukra, thy father, is ever deserving +of my regards, so art thou, O Devayani! Therefore, it behoveth thee not to +say so.' Hearing this, Devayani replied, 'Thou, too, art the son of my +father's preceptor's son. Therefore, O best of Brahmanas, thou art +deserving of my regards and worship. O Kacha, when thou wert slain so many +times by the Asuras, recollect today the affection I showed for thee. +Remembering my friendship and affection for thee, and, indeed, my devoted +regard also, O virtuous one, it behoveth thee not to abandon me without +any fault. I am truly devoted to thee.' + +"Hearing all this, Kacha said, 'O thou of virtuous vows, do not urge me +into such a sinful course. O thou of fair eye-brows, be gracious unto me. +Beautiful one, thou art to me an object of greater regard than my +preceptor. Full of virtuous resolves, O large-eyed one, of face as +handsome, as moon, the place where thou hadst resided, viz., the body of +Kavya, hath also been my abode. Thou art truly my sister. Amiable one, +happily have we passed the days that we have been together. There is +perfect good understanding between us. I ask thy leave to return to my +abode. Therefore, bless me so that my journey may be safe. I must be +remembered by thee, when thou recallest me in connection with topics of +conversation, as one that hath not transgressed virtue. Always attend upon +my preceptor with readiness and singleness of heart.' To all this, +Devaniya answered, 'Solicited, by me, if, indeed, thou truly refusest to +make me thy wife, then, O Kacha, this thy knowledge shall not bear fruit.' + +"Hearing this, Kacha said, 'I have refused thy request only because thou +art the daughter of my preceptor, and not because thou hast any fault. Nor +hath my preceptor in this respect issued any command. Curse me if it +please thee. I have told thee what the behaviour should be of a Rishi. I +do not deserve thy curse, O Devayani. But yet thou hast cursed me! Thou +hast acted under the influence of passion and not from a sense of duty. +Therefore, thy desire will not be fulfilled. No Rishi's son shall ever +accept thy hand in marriage. Thou hast said that my knowledge shall not +bear fruit. Let it be so. But in respect of him it shall bear fruit to +whom I may impart it.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'That first of Brahmanas, Kacha, having said so +unto Devayani speedily wended his way unto the abode of the chief of the +celestials. Beholding him arrived, the celestials with Indra ahead, having +first worshipped him, spoke unto him as follows, 'Thou hast indeed, +performed an act of great benefit for us. Wonderful hath been thy +achievement! Thy fame shall never die! Thou shall be a sharer with us in +sacrificial offerings.'" + + +SECTION LXXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The dwellers in heaven became exceedingly glad in +welcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull of +Bharata's race, the celestials then learnt that science from Kacha and +considered their object already achieved. And assembling together, they +spoke unto him of a hundred sacrifices, saying, 'The time hath come for +showing prowess. Slay thy foes, O Purandara!' And thus addressed, Maghavat, +then accompanied by the celestials, set out, saying, 'So be it.' But on +his way he saw a number of damsels. These maidens were sporting in a lake +in the gardens of the Gandharva Chitraratha. Changing himself into wind, +he soon mixed up the garments of those maidens which they had laid on the +bank. A little while after, the maidens, getting up from the water, +approached their garments that had, indeed, got mixed up with one another. +And it so happened that from the intermingled heap, the garments of +Devayani were appropriated by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, +from ignorance that it was not hers. And, O king, thereupon, between them, +Devayani and Sarmishtha, then ensued a dispute. And Devayani said, 'O +daughter of the Asura (chief), why dost thou take my attire, being, as +thou art, my disciple? As thou art destitute of good behaviour, nothing +good can happen to thee!' Sarmishtha, however, quickly replied, 'Thy +father occupying a lower seat, always adoreth with downcast looks, like a +hired chanter of praises, my father, whether he sitteth at his ease or +reclineth at full length! Thou art the daughter of one that chanteth the +praises of others, of one that accepteth alms. I am the daughter of one +who is adored, of one who bestoweth alms instead of ever accepting them! +Beggar-woman as thou art, thou art free to strike thy breast, to use ill +words, to vow enmity to me, to give way to thy wrath. Acceptress of alms, +thou weepest tears of anger in vain! If so minded, I can harm thee, but +thou canst not. Thou desirest to quarrel. But know thou that I do not +reckon thee as my equal!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, Devayani became exceedingly +angry and began to pull at her clothes. Sarmishtha thereupon threw her +into a well and went home. Indeed, the wicked Sarmishtha believing that +Devayani was dead, bent her steps home-wards in a wrathful mood. + +"After Sarmishtha had left, Yayati the son of Nahusha soon came to that +spot. The king had been out a-hunting. The couple of horses harnessed to +his car and the other single horse with him were all fatigued. And the +king himself was thirsty. And the son of Nahusha saw a well that was by. +And he saw that it was dry. But in looking down into it, he saw a maiden +who in splendour was like a blazing fire. And beholding her within it, the +blessed king addressed that girl of the complexion of the celestials, +soothing her with sweet words. And he said, 'Who art thou, O fair one, of +nails bright as burnished copper, and with ear-rings decked with celestial +gems? Thou seemest to be greatly perturbed. Why dost thou weep in +affliction? How, indeed, hast thou fallen into this well covered with +creepers and long grass? And, O slender-waisted girl, answer me truly +whose daughter thou art. + +"Devayani then replied, 'I am the daughter of Sukra who brings back into +life the Asuras slain by the gods. He doth not know what hath befallen me. +This is my right hand, O king, with nails bright as burnished copper. Thou +art well-born; I ask thee, to take and raise me up! I know thou art of +good behaviour, of great prowess, and of wide fame! It behoveth thee, +therefore, to raise me from this well.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Yayati, learning that she was a Brahmana's +daughter, raised her from that well by catching hold of her right hand. +And the monarch promptly raising her from the pit and squinting to her +tapering thighs, sweetly and courteously returned to his capital. + +"When the son of Nahusha had gone away, Devayani of faultless features, +afflicted with grief, then spoke unto her maid, Ghurnika by name, who met +her then. And she said, 'O Ghurnika, go thou quickly and speak to my +father without loss of time of everything as it hath happened. I shall not +now enter the city of Vrishaparvan.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Ghurnika, thus commanded, repaired quickly to +the mansion, of the Asura chief, where she saw Kavya and spoke unto him +with her perception dimmed by anger. And she said, 'I tell thee, O great +Brahmana, that Devayani hath been ill-used, O fortunate one, in the forest +by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan.' And Kavya, hearing that his +daughter had been ill-used by Sarmishtha speedily went out with a heavy +heart, seeking her in the woods. And when he found her in the woods, he +clasped her with affection and spoke unto her with voice choked with grief, +'O daughter, the weal or woe that befalleth people is always due to their +own faults. Thou hast therefore some fault, I ween, which hath been +expiated thus.' Hearing this Devayani replied, 'Be it a penalty or not, +listen to me with attention. O, hear that all Sarmishtha, the daughter of +Vrishaparvan, hath said unto me. Really hath she said that thou art only +the hired chanter of the praises of the Asura king! Even thus hath she-- +that Sarmishtha, Vrishaparvan's daughter,--spoken to me, with reddened +eyes, these piercing and cruel words, 'Thou art the daughter of one that +ever chanteth for hire the praises of others, of one that asketh for +charities, of one that accepteth alms; whereas I am the daughter of one +that receiveth adorations, of one that giveth, of one that never accepteth +anything as gift!' These have been the words repeatedly spoken unto me by +the proud Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, with eyes red with +anger. If, O father, I am really the daughter of a hired chanter of +praises, of one that accepteth gifts, I must offer my adorations in the +hope of obtaining her grace! Oh, of this I have already told her!' + +"Sukra replied, 'Thou art, O Devayani, no daughter of a hired adorer, of +one that asketh for alms and accepteth gifts. Thou art the daughter of one +that adores none, but of one that is adored by all! Vrishaparvan himself +knoweth it, and Indra, and king Yayati too. That inconceivable Brahma, +that unopposable Godhead, is my strength! The self-create, himself, +gratified by me, hath said that I am for aye the lord of that which is in +all things on Earth or in Heaven! I tell thee truly that it is I who pour +rain for the good of creatures and who nourish the annual plants that +sustain all living things!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'It was by such sweet words of excellent import +that the father endeavoured to pacify his daughter afflicted with woe and +oppressed by anger.'" + + +SECTION LXXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Sukra continued, 'Know, then, O Devayani, that he that mindeth not the +evil speeches of others, conquereth everything! The wise say that he is a +true charioteer who without slackening holdeth tightly the reins of his +horses. He, therefore, is the true man that subdueth, without indulging in +his rising wrath. Know thou, O Devayani, that by him is everything +conquered, who calmly subdueth his rising anger. He is regarded as a man +who by having recourse to forgiveness, shaketh off his rising anger like a +snake casting off its slough. He that suppresseth his anger, he that +regardeth not the evil speeches of others, he that becometh not angry, +though there be cause, certainly acquireth the four objects for which we +live (viz., virtue, profit, desire, and salvation). Between him that +performeth without fatigue sacrifices every month for a hundred years, and +him that never feeleth angry at anything, he that feeleth not wrath is +certainly the higher. Boys and girls, unable to distinguish between right +and wrong, quarrel with each other. The wise never imitate them.' Devayani, +on hearing this speech of her father, said, 'O father, I know, also what +the difference is between anger and forgiveness as regards the power of +each. But when a disciple behaveth disrespectfully, he should never be +forgiven by the preceptor if the latter is really desirous of benefiting +the former. Therefore, I do not desire to live any longer in a country +where evil behaviour is at a premium. The wise man desirous of good, +should not dwell among those sinfully inclined men who always speak ill of +good behaviour and high birth. But there should one live,--indeed, that +hath been said to be the best of dwelling places,--where good behaviour +and purity of birth are known and respected. The cruel words uttered by +Vrishaparvan's daughter burn my heart even as men, desirous of kindling a +fire, burn the dry fuel. I do not think anything more miserable for a man +in the three worlds than to adore one's enemies blessed with good fortune, +himself possessing none. It hath been indeed said by the learned that for +such a man even death would be better.'" + + +SECTION LXXX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Kavya, the foremost of Bhrigu's line, became +angry himself. And approaching Vrishaparvan where the latter was seated, +began to address him without weighing his words, 'O king,' he said, +'sinful acts do not, like the Earth, bear fruit immediately! But gradually +and secretly do they extirpate their doers. Such fruit visiteth either in +one's own self, one's son, or one's grandson. Sins must bear their fruit. +Like rich food they can never be digested. And because ye slew the +Brahmana Kacha, the grandson of Angiras, who was virtuous, acquainted with +the precepts of religion, and attentive to his duties, while residing in +my abode, even for this act of slaughter--and for the mal-treatment of my +daughter too, know, O Vrishaparvan, I shall leave thee and thy relatives! +Indeed, O king, for this, I can no longer stay with thee! Dost thou, O +Asura chief, think that I am a raving liar? Thou makest light of thy +offence without seeking to correct it!'. + +"Vrishaparvan then said, 'O son of Bhrigu, never have I attributed want of +virtue, of falsehood, to thee. Indeed, virtue and truth ever dwell in thee. +Be kind to me! O Bhargava, if, leaving us, thou really goest hence, we +shall then go into the depths of the ocean. Indeed, there is nothing else +for us to do.' + +"Sukra then replied, 'Ye Asuras, whether ye go into the depths of the +ocean or fly away to all directions, I care little. I am unable to bear my +daughter's grief. My daughter is ever dear to me. My life dependeth on her. +Seek ye to please her. As Vrihaspati ever seeketh the good of Indra, so do +I always seek thine by my ascetic merits.' + +"Vrishaparvan then said, 'O Bhargava, thou art the absolute master of +whatever is possessed by the Asura chiefs in this world-their elephants, +kine and horses, and even my humble self!' + +"Sukra then answered, 'If it is true, O great Asura, that I am the lord of +all the wealth of the Asuras, then go and gratify Devayani.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'when the great Kavya was so addressed by +Vrishaparvan, he then went to Devayani and told her all. Devayani, however, +quickly replied, 'O Bhargava, if thou art truly the lord of the Asura king +himself and of all his wealth, then let the king himself come to me and +say so in my presence.' Vrishaparvan then approached Devayani and told her, +'O Devayani of sweet smiles, whatever thou desirest I am willing to give +thee, however difficult it may be to grant the same.' Devayani answered, +'I desire Sarmishtha with a thousand maids to wait on me! She must also +follow me to where my father may give me away.' + +"Vrishaparvan then commanded a maid-servant in attendance on him, saying, +'Go and quickly bring Sarmishtha hither. Let her also accomplish what +Devayani wisheth.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The maid-servant then repaired to Sarmishtha and +told her, 'O amiable Sarmishtha, rise and follow me. Accomplish the good +of thy relatives. Urged by Devayani, the Brahmana (Sukra) is on the point +of leaving his disciples (the Asuras). O sinless one, thou must do what +Devayani wisheth.' Sarmishtha replied, 'I shall cheerfully do what +Devayani wisheth. Urged by Devayani Sukra is calling me. Both Sukra and +Devayani must not leave the Asuras through my fault.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Commanded by her father, then, Sarmishtha, +accompanied by a thousand maidens, soon came, in a palanquin, out of her +father's excellent mansion. And approaching Devayani she said, 'With my +thousand maids, I am thy waiting-maid! And I shall follow thee where thy +father may give thee away.' Devayani replied, 'I am the daughter of one +who chanteth the praises of thy father, and who beggeth and accepteth alms; +thou, on the other hand, art the daughter of one who is adored. How canst +thou be my waiting-maid?' + +"Sarmishtha answered, 'One must by all means contribute to the happiness +of one's afflicted relatives. Therefore shall I follow thee wherever thy +father may give thee away.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When Sarmishtha thus promised to be Devayani's +waiting-maid the latter, O king, then spoke unto her father thus, 'O best +of all excellent Brahmanas, I am gratified. I shall now enter the Asura +capital! I now know that thy science and power of knowledge are not +futile!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'That best of Brahmanas, of great reputation, +thus addressed by his daughter, then, entered the Asura capital in the +gladness of his heart. And the Danavas worshipped him with great +reverence.'" + + +SECTION LXXXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +Vaisampayana said, 'After some length of time, O best of monarchs, +Devayani of the fairest complexion went into the same woods for purposes +of pleasure. And accompanied by Sarmishtha with her thousand maids she +reached the same spot and began to wander freely. And waited upon by all +those companions she felt supremely happy. And sporting with light hearts, +they began drinking the honey in flowers, eating various kinds of fruit +and biting some. And just at that time, king Yayati, the son of Nahusha, +again came there tired and thirsty, in course of his wanderings, in search +of deer. And the king saw Devayani and Sarmishtha, and those other maidens +also, all decked with celestial ornaments and full of voluptuous languor +in consequence of the flower-honey they drank. And Devayani of sweet +smiles, unrivalled for beauty and possessed of the fairest complexion +amongst them all, was reclining at her ease. And she was waited upon by +Sarmishtha who was gently kneading her feet. + +"And Yayati seeing all this, said, 'O amiable ones, I would ask you both +your names and parentage. It seems that these two thousand maids wait on +you two.' Hearing the monarch, Devayani then answered, 'Listen to me, O +best of men. Know that I am the daughter of Sukra, the spiritual guide of +the Asuras. This my companion is my waiting-maid. She attendeth on me +wherever I go. She is Sarmishtha, the daughter of the Asura king +Vrishaparvan.' + +"Yayati then asked, 'I am curious to know why is this thy companion of +fair eye-brows, this maiden of the fairest complexion, the daughter of the +Asura chief thy waiting-maid!' Devayani replied, 'O best of king, +everything resulteth from Fate. Knowing this also to be the result of Fate, +wonder not at it. Thy feature and attire are both like a king's. Thy +speech also is fair and correct as that of the Vedas. Tell me thy name, +whence thou art and whose son also.' + +"The monarch replied, 'During my vow of Brahmacharya, the whole Vedas +entered my ears. I am known as Yayati, a king's son and myself a king.' +Devayani then enquired, 'O king, what hast thou come here for? Is it to +gather lotuses or to angle or to hunt?' Yayati said, 'O amiable one, +thirsty from the pursuit of deer, I have come hither in search of water. I +am very much fatigued. I await but your commands to leave this spot.' + +"Devayani answered, 'With my two thousand damsels and my waiting-maid +Sarmishtha, I wait but your commands. Prosperity to thee. Be thou my +friend and lord.' + +"Yayati, thereupon, replied, 'Beautiful one, I do not deserve thee. Thou +art the daughter of Sukra far superior to me. Thy father cannot bestow +thee even on a great king.' To this Devayani replied, 'Brahmanas had +before this been united with the Kshatriyas, and Kshatriyas with Brahmanas. +Thou art the son of a Rishi and thyself a Rishi. Therefore, O son of +Nahusha, marry me.' Yayati, however, replied, 'O thou of the handsomest +features, the four orders have, indeed, sprung from one body. But their +duties and purity are not the same, the Brahmana being truly superior to +all.' Devayani answered, 'This hand of mine hath never been touched before +by any man save thee. Therefore, do I accept thee for my lord. How, indeed, +shall any other man touch my hand which had before been touched by thyself +who art a Rishi?' Yayati then said, 'The wise know that a Brahmana is more +to be avoided than an angry snake of virulent poison, or a blazing fire of +spreading flames.' Devayani then told the monarch, 'O bull amongst men, +why dost thou, indeed, say that Brahmana should be more avoided than an +angry snake of virulent poison or a blazing fire of spreading flames?' The +monarch answered, 'The snake killeth only one. The sharpest weapon slayeth +but a single person. The Brahmana, when angry destroyeth whole cities and +kingdoms! Therefore, O timid one, do I deem a Brahmana as more to be +avoided than either. I cannot hence wed thee, O amiable one, unless thy +father bestoweth thee on me.' Devayani then said, 'Thou art, indeed, +chosen by me. And, O king, it is understood that thou wilt accept me if +my father bestoweth me on thee. Thou needst not fear to accept my poor +self bestowed on thee. Thou dost not, indeed, ask for me.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, Devayani quickly sent a maidservant +to her father. The maid represented to Sukra everything as it had happened. +And as soon as he had heard all, Bhargava came and saw Yayati. And +beholding Bhargava come, Yayati worshipped and adored that Brahmana, and +stood with joined palms in expectation of his commands.' + +"And Devayani then said, 'This O father, is the son of Nahusha. He took +hold of my hand, when I was in distress. I bow to thee. Bestow me upon him. +I shall not wed any other person in the world.' Sukra exclaimed, 'O thou +of splendid courage, thou hast, indeed, been accepted as her lord by this +my dear daughter. I bestow her on thee. Therefore, O son of Nahusha, +accept her as thy wife.' + +"Yayati then said, 'I solicit the boon, O Brahmana, that by so doing, the +sin of begetting a half-breed might not touch me.' Sukra, however, assured +him by saying, 'I shall absolve thee from the sin. Ask thou the boon that +thou desirest. Fear not to wed her. I grant thee absolution. Maintain +virtuously thy wife--the slender-waisted Devayani. Transports of happiness +be thine in her company. This other maiden, Vrishaparvan's daughter, +Sarmishtha should ever be regarded by thee. But thou shall not summon her +to thy bed.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Sukra, Yayati then walked +round the Brahmana. And the king then went through the auspicious ceremony +of marriage according to the rites of the scriptures. And having received +from Sukra this rich treasure of the excellent Devayani with Sarmishtha +and those two thousand maidens, and duly honoured also by Sukra himself +and the Asuras, the best of monarchs, then, commanded by the high-souled +Bhargava, returned to his capital with a joyous heart.'" + + +SECTION LXXXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Yayati then, on returning to his capital which was +like unto the city of Indra, entered his inner apartments and established +there his bride Devayani. And the monarch, directed by Devayani, +established Vrishaparvan's daughter Sarmishtha in a mansion especially +erected near the artificial woods of Asokas in his gardens. And the king +surrounded Vrishaparvan's daughter Sarmishtha with a thousand maids and +honoured her by making every arrangement for her food and garments. But it +was with Devayani that the royal son of Nahusha sported like a celestial +for many years in joy and bliss. And when her season came, the fair +Devayani conceived. And she brought forth as her first child a fine boy. +And when a thousand years had passed away, Vrishaparvan's daughter +Sarmishtha having attained to puberty saw that her season had come. She +became anxious and said to herself, 'My season hath arrived. But I have +not yet chosen a husband. O, what hath happened, what should I do? How am +I to obtain the fruition of my wishes? Devayani hath become mother. My +youth is doomed to pass away in vain. Shall I choose him also for my +husband whom Devayani hath chosen? This is, indeed, my resolve: that +monarch should give me a son. Will not the virtuous one grant me a private +interview?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'While Sarmishtha was thus busy with her thoughts, +the king wandering listlessly came to that very wood of Asokas, and +beholding Sarmishtha before him, stood there in silence. Then Sarmishtha +of sweet smiles seeing the monarch before her with nobody to witness what +might pass, approached him and said with joined palms, 'O son of Nahusha, +no one can behold the ladies that dwell in the inner apartments of Soma, +of Indra, of Vishnu, of Yama, of Varuna, and of thee! Thou knowest, O king, +that I am both handsome and well-born. I solicit thee, O king! My season +hath arrived. See that it goeth not in vain.' + +"Yayati answered, 'Well do I know that honour of birth is thine, born as +thou art in the proud race of the Danavas. Thou art also gifted with +beauty. I do not, indeed, see even the speck of a fault in thy feature. +But Usanas commanded me, while I was united with Devayani, that never +should Vrishaparvan's daughter he summoned to my bed.' + +"Sarmishtha then said, 'It hath been said, O king, that it is not sinful +to lie on the occasion of a joke, in respect of women sought to be enjoyed, +on occasions of marriage, in peril of immediate death and of the loss of +one's whole fortune. Lying is excusable on these five occasions. O king, +it is not true that he is fallen who speaks not the truth when asked. Both +Devayani and myself have been called hither as companions to serve the +same purpose. When, therefore, thou hadst said that you wouldst confine +thyself to one only amongst as, that was a lie thou hadst spoken.' Yayati +replied, 'A king should ever be a model in the eyes of his people. That +monarch certainly meets with destruction who speaks an untruth. As for +myself, I dare not speak an untruth even if the greatest loss threatens +me!' Sarmishtha answered, 'O monarch, one may look upon her friend's +husband as her own. One's friend's marriage is the same as one's own. Thou +hast been chosen by my friend as her husband. Thou art as much my husband, +therefore.' Yayati then said, 'It is, indeed my vow always to grant what +one asketh. As thou askest me, tell me then what I am to do.' Sarmishtha +then said, 'Absolve me, O king, from sin. Protect my virtue. Becoming a +mother by thee, let me practise the highest virtue in this world. It is +said, O king, that a wife, a slave, and a son can never earn wealth for +themselves. What they earn always belongeth to him who owneth them. I am, +indeed, the slave of Devayani. Thou art Devayani's master and lord. Thou +art, therefore, O king, my master and lord as much as Devayani's! I +solicit thee! O, fulfil my wishes!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Sarmishtha, the monarch was +persuaded into the truth of all she spoke. He therefore, honoured +Sarmishtha by protecting her virtue. And they passed some time together. +And taking affectionate farewell of each other, they then parted, each +returning to whence he or she had come. + +"And it came to pass that Sarmishtha of sweet smiles and fair eyebrows +conceived in consequence of that connection of hers with that best of +monarchs. And, O king, that lotus-eyed lady then in due course of time +brought forth a son of the splendour of a celestial child and of eyes +like lotus-petals.'" + + +SECTION LXXXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When Devayani of sweet smiles heard of the birth of +this child, she became jealous, and O Bharata, Sarmishtha became an object +of her unpleasant reflections. And Devayani, repairing to her, addressed +her thus, 'O thou of fair eye-brows, what sin is this thou hast committed +by yielding to the influence of lust?' Sarmishtha replied, 'A certain +Rishi of virtuous soul and fully conversant with the Vedas came to me. +Capable of granting boons he was solicited by me to grant my wishes that +were based on considerations of virtue. O thou of sweet smiles, I would +not seek the sinful fulfilment of my desires. I tell thee truly that this +child of mine is by that Rishi!' Devayani answered, 'It is all right if +that be the case, O timid one! But if the lineage, name, and family of +that Brahmana be known to thee, I should like to hear them.' Sarmishtha +replied, 'O thou of sweet smiles, in asceticism and energy, that Rishi is +resplendent like the Sun himself. Beholding him, I had not, any need to +make these enquiries--' Devayani then said, 'If this is true, if indeed, +thou hast obtained thy child from such a superior Brahmana, then, O +Sarmishtha, I have no cause of anger.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having thus talked and laughed with each other, +they separated, Devayani returning to the palace with the knowledge +imparted to her by Sarmishtha. And, O king, Yayati also begot on Devayani +two sons called Yadu and Turvasu, who were like Indra and Vishnu. And +Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, became through the royal sage +the mother of three sons in all, named Drahyu, Anu, and Puru. + +"And, O king, it so came to pass that one day Devayani of sweet smiles, +by Yayati, went into a solitary part of the woods, (in the king's +extensive park). And there she saw three children of celestial beauty +playing with perfect trustfulness. And Devayani asked in surprise, 'Whose +children are they, O king, who are so handsome and so like unto the +children of the celestials? In splendour and beauty they are like thee, I +should think.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'And Devayani without waiting for a reply from +the king, asked the children themselves, 'Ye children, what is your +lineage? Who is your father? Answer me truly. I desire to know all.' Those +children then pointed at the king (with their forefingers) and spoke of +Sarmishtha as their mother. + +"And having so said, the children approached the king to clasp his knees. +But the king dared not caress them in the presence of Devayani. The boys +then left the place, and made towards their mother, weeping in grief. And +the king, at this conduct of the boys, became very much abashed. But +Devayani, marking the affection of the children for the king learnt the +secret and addressing Sarmishtha, said, 'How hast thou dared to do me an +injury, being, as thou art, dependent on me? Dost thou not fear to have +recourse once more to that Asura custom of thine?' + +"Sarmishtha said, 'O thou of sweet smiles, all that I told thee of a Rishi +is perfectly true. I have acted rightly and according to the precepts of +virtue, and therefore, do I not fear thee. When thou hadst chosen the king +for thy husband, I, too, chose him as mine. O beautiful one, a friend's +husband is, according to usage, one's own husband as well. Thou art the +daughter of a Brahmana and, therefore, deservest my worship and regard. +But dost thou not know that this royal sage is held by me in greater +esteem still?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Devayani then, hearing those words of hers, exclaimed, +O king, thus, 'Thou hast wronged me, O monarch! I shall not live here any +longer.' And saying this, she quickly rose, with tearful eyes, to go to +her father. And the king was grieved to see her thus, and alarmed greatly, +followed in her foot-steps, endeavouring to appease her wrath. But +Devayani, with eyes red with anger, would not desist. Speaking not a word +to the king, with eyes bathed in tears, she soon reached the side of her +father Usanas, the son of Kavi. And beholding her father, she stood before +him, after due salutations. And Yayati also, immediately after, saluted +and worshipped Bhargava.' + +"And Devayani said, 'O father, virtue hath been vanquished by vice. The +low have risen, and the high have fallen. I have been offended again by +Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan. Three sons have been begotten +upon her by this king Yayati. But, O father, being luckless I have got +only two sons! O son of Bhrigu, this king is renowned for his knowledge of +the precepts of religion. But, O Kavya, I tell thee that he hath deviated +from the path of rectitude.' + +"Sukra, hearing all this, said, 'O monarch, since thou hast made vice thy +beloved pursuit, though fully acquainted with the precepts of religion, +invincible decrepitude shall paralyse thee!' Yayati answered, 'Adorable +one, I was solicited by the daughter of the Danava king to fructify her +season. I did it from a sense of virtue and not from other motives. That +male person, who being solicited by a woman in her season doth not grant +her wishes, is called, O Brahmana, by those conversant with the Vedas, a +slayer of the embryo. He who, solicited in secret by a woman full of +desire and in season, goeth not in unto her, loseth virtue and is called +by the learned a killer of the embryo, O son of Bhrigu, for these reasons, +and anxious to avoid sin, I went into Sarmishtha.' Sukra then replied, +'Thou art dependent on me. Thou shouldst have awaited my command. Having +acted falsely in the matter of thy duty, O son of Nahusha, thou hast been +guilty of the sin of theft.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Yayati, the son of Nahusha, thus cursed by the +angry Usanas, was then divested of his youth and immediately overcome by +decrepitude. And Yayati said, 'O son of Bhrigu, I have not yet been +satiated with youth or with Devayani. Therefore, O Brahmana, be graceful +unto me so that decrepitude might not touch me.' Sukra then answered, 'I +never speak an untruth. Even now, O king, art thou attacked by decrepitude. +But if thou likest, thou art competent to transfer this thy decrepitude to +another.' Yayati said, 'O Brahmana, let it be commanded by thee that that +son of mine who giveth me his youth shall enjoy my kingdom, and shall +achieve both virtue and fame.' Sukra replied, 'O son of Nahusha, thinking +of me thou mayst transfer this thy decrepitude to whomsoever thou likest. +That son who shall give thee his youth shall become thy successor to the +throne. He shall also have long life, wide fame, and numerous progeny!'" + + +SECTION LXXXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Yayati, then, overcome with decrepitude, returned to +his capital and summoning his eldest son Yadu who was also the most +accomplished, addressed him thus, 'Dear child, from the curse of Kavya +called also Usanas, decrepitude and wrinkles and whiteness of hair have +come over me. But I have not been gratified yet with the enjoyment of +youth. Do thou, O Yadu, take this my weakness along with my decrepitude. I +shall enjoy with thy youth. And when a full thousand years will have +elapsed, returning to thee thy youth, I shall take back my weakness with +this decrepitude!' + +"Yadu replied, 'There are innumerable inconveniences in decrepitude, in +respect of drinking and eating. Therefore, O king, I shall not take thy +decrepitude. This is, indeed, my determination. White hair on the head, +cheerlessness and relaxation of the nerves, wrinkles all over the body, +deformities, weakness of the limbs, emaciation, incapacity to work, defeat +at the hands of friends and companions--these are the consequences of +decrepitude. Therefore, O king, I desire not to take it. O king, thou hast +many sons some of whom are dearer to thee. Thou art acquainted with the +precepts of virtue. Ask some other son of thine to take thy decrepitude. + +"Yayati replied, 'Thou art sprung from my heart, O son, but thou givest me +not thy youth. Therefore, thy children shall never be kings.' And he +continued, addressing another son of his, 'O Turvasu, take thou this +weakness of mine along with my decrepitude. With thy youth, O son, I like +to enjoy the pleasure of life. After the lapse of a full thousand years I +shall give back to thee thy youth, and take back from thee my weakness and +decrepitude.' + +"Turvasu replied, 'I do not like decrepitude, O father, it takes away all +appetites and enjoyments, strength and beauty of person, intellect, and +even life.' Yayati said to him, 'Thou art sprung from my heart, O son! But +thou givest me not thy youth! Therefore, O Turvasu, thy race shall be +extinct. Wretch, thou shall be the king of those whose practices and +precepts are impure, amongst whom men of inferior blood procreate children +upon women of blue blood, who live on meat, who are mean, who hesitate not +to appropriate the wives of their superiors, whose practices are those of +birds and beasts, who are sinful, and non-Aryan.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Yayati, having thus cursed his son Turvasu, then, +addressed Sarmishtha's son Drahyu thus, 'O Drahyu, take thou for a +thousand years my decrepitude destructive of complexion and personal +beauty and give me thy youth. When a thousand years have passed away, I +shall return thee thy youth and take back my own weakness, and +decrepitude.' To this Drahyu replied, 'O king, one that is decrepit can +never enjoy elephants and cars and horses and women. Even his voice +becometh hoarse. Therefore, I do not desire (to take) thy decrepitude.' +Yayati said to him, 'Thou art sprung from my heart, O son! But thou +refusest to give me thy youth. Therefore, thy most cherished desires +shall never be fulfilled. Thou shalt be king only in name, of that +region where there are no roads for (the passage of) horses and cars +and elephants, and good vehicles, and asses, and goats and bullocks, +and palanquins; where there is swimming only by rafts and floats.' +Yayati next addressed Anu and said, 'O Anu, take my weakness and +decrepitude. I shall with thy youth enjoy the pleasures of life for a +thousand years.' To this Anu replied, 'Those that are decrepit always +eat like children and are always impure. They cannot pour libations +upon fire in proper times. Therefore, I do not like to take thy +decrepitude.' Yayati said to him, 'Thou art sprung from my heart, thou +givest not thy youth. Thou findest so many faults in decrepitude. +Therefore, decrepitude shall overcome thee! And, O Anu, thy progeny also +as soon as they attain to youth, shall die. And thou shalt also not be +able to perform sacrifices before fire.' + +"Yayati at last turned to his youngest child, Puru, and addressing him +said, 'Thou art, O Puru, my youngest son! But thou shall be the first of +all! Decrepitude, wrinkles, and whiteness of hair have come over me in +consequence of the curse of Kavya called also Usanas. I have not yet +however, been satiated with my youth. O Puru, take thou this my weakness +and decrepitude! With thy youth I shall enjoy for some years the pleasures +of life. And when a thousand years have passed away, I shall give back to +thee thy youth and take back my own decrepitude.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by the king, Puru answered with +humility, 'I shall do, O monarch, as thou bidest me. I shall take, O king, +thy weakness and decrepitude. Take thou my youth and enjoy as thou listest +the pleasures of life. Covered with thy decrepitude and becoming old, I +shall, as thou commandest, continue to live, giving thee my youth.' Yayati +then said, 'O Puru, I have been gratified with thee. And being gratified, +I tell thee that the people in thy kingdom shall have all their desires +fulfilled.' + +"And having said this, the great ascetic Yayati, then thinking of Kavya, +transferred his decrepitude unto the body of the high-souled Puru.'" + + +SECTION LXXXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The excellent monarch Yayati, the son of Nahusha, +having received Puru's youth, became exceedingly gratified. And with it he +once more began to indulge in his favourite pursuits to the full extent of +his desires and to the limit of his powers, according to seasons, so as to +derive the greatest pleasure therefrom. And, O king, in nothing that he +did, he acted against the precepts of his religion as behoved him well. He +gratified the gods by his sacrifices; the pitris, by Sraddhas; the poor, +by his charities; all excellent Brahmanas, by fulfilling their desires; +all persons entitled to the rites of hospitality, with food and drink; the +Vaisyas, by protection; and the Sudras, by kindness. And the king +repressed all criminals by proper punishments. And Yayati, gratifying all +sections of his subjects, protected them virtuously like another Indra. +And the monarch possessed of the prowess of a lion, with youth and every +object of enjoyment under control, enjoyed unlimited happiness without +transgressing the precepts of religion. And the king became very happy in +thus being able to enjoy all the excellent objects of his desires. And he +was only sorry when he thought that those thousand years would come to an +end. And having obtained youth for a thousand years, the king acquainted +with the mysteries of time, and watching proper Kalas and Kashthas sported +with (the celestial damsel) Viswachi, sometimes in the beautiful garden of +Indra, sometimes in Alaka (the city of Kuvera), and sometimes on the +summit of the mountain Meru on the north. And when the virtuous monarch +saw that the thousand years were full, he summoned his son, Puru, and +addressed him thus, 'O oppressor of foes, with thy youth, O son, I have +enjoyed the pleasures of life, each according to its season to the full +extent of my desires, to the limit of my powers. Our desires, however, are +never gratified by indulgence. On the other hand, with indulgence, they +only flame up like fire with libations of sacrificial butter. If a single +person were owner of everything on Earth--all her yields of paddy and +barley, her silver, gold, and gems, her animals and women, he would not +still be content. Thirst of enjoyment, therefore, should be given up. +Indeed, true happiness belongeth to them that have cast off their thirst +for worldly objects--a thirst which is difficult to be thrown off by the +wicked and the sinful, which faileth not with the failing life, and which +is truly the fatal disease of man. My heart hath for a full thousand years +been fixed upon the objects of desires. My thirst for these, however, +increaseth day by day without abating. Therefore, I shall cast it off, and +fixing my mind on Brahma I shall pass the rest of my days with the +innocent deer in the forest peacefully and with no heart for any worldly +objects. And O Puru, I have been exceedingly gratified with thee! +Prosperity be thine! Receive back this thy youth! Receive thou also my +kingdom. Thou art, indeed, that son of mine who has done me the greatest +services.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Yayati, the son of Nahusha, received back +his decrepitude. And his son Puru received back his own youth. And Yayati +was desirous of installing Puru, his youngest son, on the throne. But the +four orders, with the Brahmanas at their head, then addressed the monarch +thus, 'O king, how shall thou bestow thy kingdom on Puru, passing over thy +eldest son Yadu born of Devayani, and, therefore, the grandson of the +great Sukra? Indeed, Yadu is thy eldest son; after him hath been born +Turvasu; and of Sarmishtha's sons, the first is Drahyu, then Anu and then +Puru. How doth the youngest deserve the throne, passing all his elder +brothers over? This we represent to thee! O, conform to virtuous +practice.' + +"Yayati then said, 'Ye four orders with Brahmanas at their head, hear my +words as to why my kingdom should not be given to my eldest son. My +commands have been disobeyed by my eldest son, Yadu. The wise say that he +is no son who disobeyeth his father. That son, however, who doth the +bidding of his parents, who seeketh their good, who is agreeable to them, +is indeed, the best of sons. I have been disregarded by Yadu and by +Turvasu, too. Much I have been disregarded by Drahyu and by Anu also. By +Puru alone hath my word been obeyed. By him have I been much regarded. +Therefore, the youngest shall be my heir. He took my decrepitude. Indeed, +Puru is my friend. He did what was so agreeable to me. It hath also been +commanded by Sukra himself, the son of Kavi, that, that son of mine who +should obey me will become king after me and bring the whole Earth under +his sway. I, therefore, beseech thee, let Puru be installed on the +throne.' + +"The people then said, 'True it is, O king, that, that son who is +accomplished and who seeketh the good of his parents, deserveth prosperity +even if he be the youngest. Therefore, doth Puru, who hath done the good, +deserve the crown. And as Sukra himself hath commanded it, we have nothing +to say to it.' + +"Vaisampayana continued., 'The son of Nahusha, thus addressed by the +contented people, then installed his son, Puru, on the throne. And having +bestowed his kingdom on Puru, the monarch performed the initiatory +ceremonies for retiring into the woods. And soon after he left his capital, +followed by Brahmanas and ascetics. + +"The sons of Yadu are known by the name of the Yadavas: while those of +Turvasu have come to be called the Yavanas. And the sons of Drahyu are the +Bhojas, while those of Anu, the Mlechchhas. The progeny of Puru, however, +are the Pauravas, amongst whom, O monarch, thou art born, in order to rule +for a thousand years with thy passions under complete control.'" + + +SECTION LXXXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, having thus +installed his dear son on the throne, became exceedingly happy, and +entered into the woods to lead the life of a hermit. And having lived for +some time into forest in the company of Brahmanas, observing many rigid +vows, eating fruits and roots, patiently bearing privations of all sorts, +the monarch at last ascended to heaven. And having ascended to heaven he +lived there in bliss. But soon, however, he was hurled down by Indra. And +it hath been heard by me, O king, that, though hurled from heaven, Yayati, +without reaching the surface of the Earth, stayed in the firmament. I have +heard that some time after he again entered the region of the celestials +in company with Vasuman, Ashtaka, Pratarddana, and Sivi.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'I desire to hear from thee in detail why Yayati, having +first obtained admission into heaven, was hurled therefrom, and why also +he gained re-admittance. Let all this, O Brahmana, be narrated by thee in +the presence of these regenerate sages. Yayati, lord of Earth, was, indeed, +like the chief of the celestials. The progenitor of the extensive race of +the Kurus, he was of the splendour of the Sun. I desire to hear in full +the story of his life both in heaven and on Earth, as he was illustrious, +and of world-wide celebrity and of wonderful achievements.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Indeed, I shall recite to thee the excellent story of +Yayati's adventures on Earth and in heaven. That story is sacred and +destroyeth the sins of those that hear it. + +"King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, having installed his youngest son, Puru, +on the throne after casting his sons with Yadu for their eldest amongst +the Mlechchhas, entered the forest to lead the life of a hermit. And the +king eating fruits and roots lived for some time in the forest. Having his +mind and passions under complete control, the king gratified by sacrifices +the Pitris and the gods. And he poured libations of clarified butter upon +the fire according to the rites prescribed for those leading the +Vanaprastha mode of life. And the illustrious one entertained guests and +strangers with the fruit of the forest and clarified butter, while he +himself supported life by gleaning scattered corn seeds. And the king led +this sort of life for a full thousand years. And observing the vow of +silence and with mind under complete control he passed one full year, +living upon air alone and without sleep. And he passed another year +practising the severest austerities in the midst of four fires around and +the Sun overhead. And, living upon air alone, he stood erect upon one leg +for six months. And the king of sacred deeds ascended to heaven, covering +heaven as well as the Earth (with the fame of his achievements).'" + + +SECTION LXXXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'While that king of kings dwelt in heaven--the home of +the celestials, he was reverenced by the gods, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, +and the Vasus. Of sacred deeds, and mind under complete control, the +monarch used to repair now and then from the abode of the celestials unto +the region of Brahman. And it hath been heard by me that he dwelt for a +long time in heaven. + +"One day that best of kings, Yayati, went to Indra and there in course of +conversation the lord of Earth was asked by Indra as follows: + +'What didst thou say, O king, when thy son Puru took thy decrepitude on +Earth and when thou gavest him thy kingdom?' + +"Yayati answered, 'I told him that the whole country between the rivers +Ganga and Yamuna was his. That is, indeed, the central region of the Earth, +while the out-lying regions are to be the dominions of thy brothers. I +also told him that those without anger were ever superior to those under +its sway, those disposed to forgive were ever superior to the unforgiving. +Man is superior to the lower animals. Among men again the learned are +superior to the un-learned. If wronged, thou shouldst not wrong in return. +One's wrath, if disregarded, burneth one's own self; but he that regardeth +it not taketh away all the virtues of him that exhibiteh it. Never +shouldst thou pain others by cruel speeches. Never subdue thy foes by +despicable means; and never utter such scorching and sinful words as may +torture others. He that pricketh as if with thorns men by means of hard +and cruel words, thou must know, ever carrieth in his mouth the Rakshasas. +Prosperity and luck fly away at his very sight. Thou shouldst ever keep +the virtuous before thee as thy models; thou shouldst ever with +retrospective eye compare thy acts with those of the virtuous; thou +shouldst ever disregard the hard words of the wicked. Thou shouldst ever +make the conduct of the wise the model upon which thou art to act thyself. +The man hurt by the arrows of cruel speech hurled from one's lips, weepeth +day and night. Indeed, these strike at the core of the body. Therefore the +wise never fling these arrows at others. There is nothing in the three +worlds by which thou canst worship and adore the deities better than by +kindness, friendship, charity and sweet speeches unto all. Therefore, +shouldst thou always utter words that soothe, and not those that scorch. +And thou shouldst regard those that deserve, thy regards, and shouldst +always give but never beg!"' + + +SECTION LXXXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After this Indra again asked Yayati, 'Thou didst +retire into the woods, O king, after accomplishing all thy duties. O +Yayati, son of Nahusha, I would ask thee to whom thou art equal in ascetic +austerities.' Yayati answered, 'O Vasava, I do not, in the matter of +ascetic austerities, behold my equal among men, the celestials, the +Gandharvas, and the great Rishis.' Indra then said, 'O monarch, because +thou disregardest those that are thy superiors, thy equals, and even thy +inferiors, without, in fact, knowing their real merits, thy virtues have +suffered diminution and thou must fall from heaven.' Yayati then said, 'O +Sakra, if, indeed, my virtues have really sustained diminution and I must +on that account fall down from heaven, I desire, O chief of the celestials, +that I may at least fall among the virtuous and the honest.' Indra replied, +'O king, thou shall fall among those that are virtuous and wise, and thou +shall acquire also much renown. And after this experience of thine, O +Yayati, never again disregard those that are thy superiors or even thy +equals.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Upon this, Yayati fell from the region of the +celestials. And as he was falling, he was beheld by that foremost of royal +sages, viz., Ashtaka, the protector of his own religion. Ashtaka beholding +him, enquired, 'Who art thou, O youth of a beauty equal to that of Indra, +in splendour blazing as the fire, thus falling from on high? Art thou that +foremost of sky-ranging bodies--the sun--emerging from, dark masses of +clouds? Beholding thee falling from the solar course, possessed of +immeasurable energy and the splendour of fire or the sun, every one is +curious as to what it is that is so falling, and is, besides, deprived of +consciousness! Beholding thee in the path of the celestials, possessed of +energy like that of Sakra, or Surya, or Vishnu, we have approached thee to +ascertain the truth. If thou hast first asked us who we were, we would +never have been guilty of the incivility of asking thee first. We now ask +thee who thou art and why thou approachest hither. Let thy fears be +dispelled; let thy woes and afflictions cease. Thou art now in the +presence of the virtuous and the wise. Even Sakra himself--the slayer of +Vala--cannot here do thee any injury. O thou of the prowess of the chief +of the celestials, the wise and the virtuous are the support of their +brethren in grief. Here there are none but the wise and virtuous like thee +assembled together. Therefore, stay thou here in peace. Fire alone hath +power to give heat. The Earth alone hath power to infuse life into the +seed. The sun alone hath power to illuminate everything. So the guest +alone hath power to command the virtuous and the wise.'" + + +SECTION LXXXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Yayati said, 'I am Yayati, the son of Nahusha and the father of Puru. +Cast off from the region of the celestials and of Siddhas and Rishis for +having disregarded every creature, I am falling down, my righteousness +having sustained diminution. In years I am older than you; therefore, I +have not saluted you first. Indeed, the Brahmanas always reverence him who +is older in years or superior in learning or in ascetic merit.' + +"Ashtaka then replied, 'Thou sayest, O monarch, that he who is older in +years is worthy of regard. But it is said that he is truly worthy of +worship who is superior in learning and ascetic merit.' + +"Yayati replied to this, 'It is said that sin destroyeth the merits of +four virtuous acts. Vanity containeth the element of that which leadeth to +hell. The virtuous never follow in the footsteps of the vicious. They act +in such a way that their religious merit always increaseth. I myself had +great religious merit, but all that, however, is gone. I will scarcely be +able to regain it even by my best exertions. Beholding my fate, he that is +bent upon (achieving) his own good, will certainly suppress vanity. He who +having acquired great performeth meritorious sacrifices, who having +acquired all kinds of learning remaineth humble, and who having studied +the entire Vedas devoteth himself to asceticism with a heart withdrawn +from all mundane enjoyments, goeth to heaven. None should exult in having +acquired great wealth. None should be vain of having studied the entire +Vedas. In the world men are of different dispositions. Destiny is supreme. +Both power and exertion are all fruitless. Knowing Destiny to be all- +powerful, the wise, whatever their portions may be, should neither exult +nor boast. When creatures know that their weal and woe are dependent on +Destiny and not on their own exertion or power, they should neither grieve +nor exult, remembering that Destiny is all powerful. The wise should ever +live contented, neither grieving at woe nor exulting at weal. When Destiny +is supreme, both grief and exultation are one. O Ashtaka, I never suffer +myself to be overcome by fear, nor do I ever entertain grief, knowing for +certain that I shall be in the world what the great disposer of all hath +ordained. Insects and worms, all oviparous creatures, vegetable +existences, all crawling animals, vermin, the fish in the water, stones, +grass, wood--in fact, all created things, when they are freed from the +effects of their acts, are united with the Supreme Soul. Happiness and +misery are both transient. Therefore, O Ashtaka, why should I grieve? We +can never know how we are to act in order to avoid misery. Therefore, +none should grieve for misery.' + +"Possessed of every virtue, king Yayati who was the maternal grandfather +of Ashtaka, while staying in the welkin, at the conclusion of his speech, +was again questioned by Ashtaka. The latter said, 'O king of kings, tell +me, in detail, of all those regions that thou hast visited and enjoyed, as +well as the period for which thou hast enjoyed each. Thou speakest of the +precepts of religion even like the clever masters acquainted with the acts +and sayings of great beings!' Yayati replied, 'I was a great king on Earth, +owning the whole world for my dominion. Leaving it, I acquired by dint of +religious merit many high regions. There I dwelt for a full thousand years, +and then I attained to a very high region the abode of Indra, of +extraordinary beauty having a thousand gates, and extending over a hundred +yojanas all round. There too, I dwelt a full thousand years and then +attained to a higher region still. That is the region of perfect beatitude, +where decay never exists, the region, viz., that of the Creator and the +Lord of Earth, so difficult of attainment. There also I dwelt for a full +thousand years, and then attained to another very high region viz., that +of the god of gods (Vishnu) where, too, I had lived in happiness. Indeed, +I dwelt in various regions, adored by all the celestials, and possessed of +prowess and splendour equal unto those of the celestials themselves. +Capable of assuming any form at will, I lived for a million years in the +gardens of Nandana sporting with the Apsaras and beholding numberless +beautiful trees clad in flowery vesture and sending forth delicious +perfume all round. And after many, many years had elapsed, while still +residing there in enjoyment of perfect beatitude, the celestial messenger +of grim visage, one day, in a loud and deep voice, thrice shouted to me-- +Ruined! Ruined! Ruined!--O lion among kings, this much do I remember. I +was then fallen from Nandana, my religious merits gone! I heard in the +skies, O king, the voices of the celestials exclaiming in grief,--Alas! +What a misfortune! Yayati, with his religious merits destroyed, though +virtuous and of sacred deeds, is falling!--And as I was falling, I asked +them loudly, 'Where, ye celestials, are those wise ones amongst whom I am +to fall?' They pointed out to me this sacred sacrificial region belonging +to you. Beholding the curls of smoke blackening the atmosphere and +smelling the perfume of clarified butter poured incessantly upon fire, and +guided thereby, I am approaching this region of yours, glad at heart that +I come amongst you.'" + + +SECTION XC + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Ashtaka said, 'Capable of assuming any form at will, thou hast lived for +a million years in the gardens of Nandana. For what cause, O foremost of +those that flourished in the Krita age, hast thou been compelled to leave +that region and come hither?' Yayati answered, 'As kinsmen, friends, and +relatives forsake, in this world, those whose wealth disappears so, in the +other world, the celestials with Indra as their chief, forsake him who +hath lost his righteousness.' Ashtaka said, 'I am extremely anxious to +know how in the other world men can lose virtue. Tell me also, O king, +what regions are attainable by what courses of action. Thou art acquainted, +I know, with the acts and sayings of great beings.' + +"Yayati answered, 'O pious one, they that speak of their own merits are +doomed to suffer the hell called Bhauma. Though really emaciated and lean, +they appear to grow on Earth (in the shape of their sons and grandsons) +only to become food for vultures, dogs, and jackals. Therefore, O king, +this highly censurable and wicked vice should be repressed. I have now, O +king, told thee all. Tell me what more I shall say.' + +"Ashtaka said, 'When life is destroyed with age, vultures, peacocks, +insects, and worms eat up the human body. Where doth man then reside? How +doth he also come back to life? I have never heard of any hell called +Bhauma on Earth!' + +"Yayati answered, 'After the dissolution of the body, man, according to +his acts, re-entereth the womb of his mother and stayeth there in an +indistinct form, and soon after assuming a distinct and visible shape +reappeareth in the world and walketh on its surface. This is that Earth- +hell (Bhauma) where he falleth, for he beholdeth not the termination of +his existence and acteth not towards his emancipation. Some dwell for +sixty thousand years, some, for eighty thousand years in heaven, and then +they fall. And as they fall, they are attacked by certain Rakshasas in the +form of sons, grandsons, and other relatives, that withdraw their hearts +from acting for their own emancipation.' + +"Ashtaka asked, 'For what sin are beings, when they fall from heaven, +attacked by these fierce and sharp-toothed Rakshasas? Why are they not +reduced to annihilation? How do they again enter the womb, furnished with +senses?' + +"Yayati answered, 'After falling from heaven, the being becometh a subtile +substance living in water. This water becometh the semen whence is the +seed of vitality. Thence entering the mother's womb in the womanly season, +it developeth into the embryo and next into visible life like the fruit +from the flower. Entering trees, plants, and other vegetable substances, +water, air, earth, and space, that same watery seed of life assumeth the +quadrupedal or bipedal form. This is the case with all creatures that you +see.' + +"Ashtaka said, 'O tell me, I ask thee because I have my doubts. Doth a +being that hath received a human form enter the womb in its own shape or +in some other? How doth it also acquire its distinct and visible shape, +eyes and ears and consciousness as well? Questioned by me, O, explain it +all! Thou art, O father, one acquainted with the acts and sayings of great +beings.' Yayati answered, 'According to the merits of one's acts, the +being that in a subtile form co-inheres in the seed that is dropped into +the womb is attracted by the atmospheric force for purposes of re-birth. +It then developeth there in course of time; first it becomes the embryo, +and is next provided with the visible physical organism. Coming out of the +womb in due course of time, it becometh conscious of its existence as man, +and with his ears becometh sensible of sound; with his eyes, of colour and +form; with his nose, of scent; with his tongue, of taste; by his whole +body, of touch; and by his mind, of ideas. It is thus, O Ashtaka, that the +gross and visible body developeth from the subtile essence.' + +"Ashtaka asked, 'After death, the body is burnt, or otherwise destroyed. +Reduced to nothing upon such dissolution, by what principle is one +revived?' Yayati said, 'O lion among kings, the person that dies assumes a +subtil form; and retaining consciousness of all his acts as in a dream, he +enters some other form with a speed quicker than that of air itself. The +virtuous attain to a superior, and the vicious to an inferior form of +existence. The vicious become worms and insects. I have nothing more to +say, O thou of great and pure soul! I have told thee how beings are born, +after development of embryonic forms, as four-footed, six-footed creatures +and others with more feet. What more wilt thou ask me?' + +"Ashtaka said, 'How, O father, do men attain to those superior regions +whence there is no return to earthly life? Is it by asceticism or by +knowledge? How also can one gradually attain to felicitous regions? Asked +by me, O answer it in full.' + +"Yayati answered, 'The wise say that for men there are seven gates through +which admission may be gained into Heaven. There are asceticism, +benevolence, tranquillity of mind, self-command, modesty, simplicity, and +kindness to all creatures. The wise also say that a person loseth all +these in consequence of vanity. That man who having acquired knowledge +regardeth himself as learned, and with his learning destroyed the +reputation of others, never attaineth to regions of indestructible +felicity. That knowledge also doth not make its possessor competent to +attain to Brahma. Study, taciturnity, worship before fire, and sacrifices, +these four remove all fear. When, however, these are mixed with vanity, +instead of removing it, they cause fear. The wise should never exult at +(receiving) honours nor should they grieve at insults. For it is the wise +alone that honour the wise; the wicked never act like the virtuous. I have +given away so much--I have performed so many sacrifices,--I have studied +so much,--I have observed these vows,--such vanity is the root of fear. +Therefore, thou must not indulge in such feelings. Those learned men who +accept as their support the unchangeable, inconceivable Brahma alone that +ever showereth blessings on persons virtuous like thee, enjoy perfect +peace here and hereafter.'" + + +SECTION XCI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Ashtaka said, 'Those cognisant of the Vedas differ in opinion as to how +the followers of each of the four modes of life, viz., Grihasthas, +Bhikshus, Brahmacharins, and Vanaprashthas, should conduct themselves in +order to acquire religious merit.' + +"Yayati answered, 'These are what a Brahmacharin must do. While dwelling +in the abode of his preceptor, he must receive lessons only when his +preceptor summons him to do so; he must attend to the service of his +preceptor without waiting for the latter's command; he must rise from his +bed before his preceptor riseth, and go to bed after his preceptor hath +gone to bed. He must be humble, must have his passions under complete +control, must be patient, vigilant, and devoted to studies. It is then +only that he can achieve success. It hath been said in the oldest +Upanishad that a grihastha, acquiring wealth by honest means, should +perform sacrifices; he should always give something in charity, should +perform the rites of hospitality unto all arriving at his abode, and +should never use anything without giving a portion thereof to others. A +Muni, without search for woods, depending on his own vigour, should +abstain from all vicious acts, should give away something in charity, +should never inflict pain on any creature. It is then only that he can +achieve success. He, indeed, is a true Bhikshu who doth not support +himself by any manual arts, who possesseth numerous accomplishments, who +hath his passions under complete control, who is unconnected with worldly +concerns, who sleepeth not under the shelter of a householder's roof, who +is without wife, and who going a little way every day, travelleth over a +large extent of the country. A learned man should adopt the Vanaprastha +mode of life after performance of the necessary rites, when he hath been +able to control his appetites for enjoyment and desire of acquiring +valuable possessions. When one dieth in the woods while leading the +Vanaprastha mode of life, he maketh his ancestors and the successors, +numbering ten generations including himself, mix with the Divine essence.' + +"Ashtaka asked, 'How many kinds of Munis are there (observers of the vow +of the silence)?' + +"Yayati answered, 'He is, indeed, a Muni who, though dwelling in the woods, +hath an inhabited place near, or who, though dwelling in an inhabited +place, hath the woods near.' + +"Ashtaka enquired what is meant by Muni. Yayati replied, 'A Muni +withdrawing himself from all worldly objects liveth in the woods. And +though he might never seek to surround himself with those objects that are +procurable in an inhabited place, he might yet obtain them all by virtue +of his ascetic power. He may truly be said to dwell in the woods having an +inhabited place near to himself. Again a wise man withdrawn from all +earthly objects, might live in a hamlet leading the life of a hermit. He +may never exhibit the pride of family, birth or learning. Clad in the +scantiest robes, he may yet regard himself as attired in the richest +vestments. He may rest content with food just enough for the support of +life. Such a person, though dwelling in an inhabited place, liveth yet in +the woods. + +"The person again, who, with passions under complete control, adopteth the +vow of silence, refraining from action and entertaining no desire, +achieveth success. Why shouldst thou not, indeed, reverence the man who +liveth on clean food, who refraineth from ever injuring others, whose +heart is ever pure, who stands in the splendour of ascetic attributes, who +is free from the leaden weight of desire, who abstaineth from injury even +when sanctioned by religion? Emaciated by austerities and reduced in flesh, +marrow and blood, such a one conquereth not only this but the highest +world. And when the Muni sits in yoga meditation, becoming indifferent to +happiness and misery, honour and insult, he then leaveth the world and +enjoyeth communion with Brahma. When the Muni taketh food like wine and +other animals, i. e., without providing for it beforehand and without any +relish (like a sleeping infant feeding on the mother's lap), then like the +all-pervading spirit he becometh identified with the whole universe and +attaineth to salvation.'" + + +SECTION XCII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Ashtaka asked, 'Who amongst these, O king, both exerting constantly like +the Sun and the Moon, first attaineth to communion with Brahma, the +ascetic or the man of knowledge?' + +"Yayati answered, 'The wise, with the help of the Vedas and of Knowledge, +having ascertained the visible universe to be illusory, instantly realises +the Supreme Spirit as the sole existent independent essence. While they +that devote themselves to Yoga meditation take time to acquire the same +knowledge, for it is by practice alone that these latter divest themselves +of the consciousness of quality. Hence the wise attain to salvation first. +Then again if the person devoted to Yoga find not sufficient time in one +life to attain success, being led astray by the attractions of the world, +in his next life he is benefited by the progress already achieved, for he +devoteth himself regretfully to the pursuit of success. But the man of +knowledge ever beholdeth the indestructible unity, and, is, therefore, +though steeped in worldly enjoyments, never affected by them at heart. +Therefore, there is nothing to impede his salvation. He, however, who +faileth to attain to knowledge, should yet devote himself to piety as +dependent on action (sacrifices). But he that devoteth himself to such +piety, moved thereto by desire of salvation, can never achieve success. +His sacrifices bear no fruit and partake of the nature of cruelty. Piety +which is dependent on action that proceedeth not from the desire of fruit, +is, in case of such men Yoga itself.' + +"Ashtaka said, 'O king, thou lookest like a young man; thou art handsome +and decked with a celestial garland. Thy splendour is great! Whence dost +thou come and where dost thou go? Whose messenger art thou? Art thou going +down into the Earth?' + +"Yayati said, 'Fallen from heaven upon the loss of all my religious merits, +I am doomed to enter the Earth-hell. Indeed, I shall go there after I have +finished my discourse with you. Even now the regents of the points of the +universe command me to hasten thither. And, O king, I have obtained it as +a boon from Indra that though fall I must upon the earth, yet I should +fall amidst the wise and the virtuous. Ye are all wise and virtuous that +are assembled here.' + +"Ashtaka said, 'Thou art acquainted with everything. I ask thee, O king, +are there any regions for myself to enjoy in heaven or in the firmament? +If there be, then, thou shalt not fall, though falling.' + +"Yayati answered, 'O king, there are as many regions for thee to enjoy in +heaven even as the number of kine and horses on Earth with the animals in +the wilderness and on the hills.' + +"Ashtaka said, 'If there are worlds for me to enjoy, as fruits of my +religious merits, in heaven, O king, I give them all unto thee. Therefore, +though falling, thou shalt not fall. O, take thou soon all those, wherever +they be, in heaven or in the firmament. Let thy sorrow cease.' + +"Yayati answered, 'O best of kings, a Brahma-knowing Brahmana alone can +take in gift, but not one like ourselves. And, O monarch, I myself have +given away to Brahmanas as one should. Let no man who is not a Brahmana +and let not the wife of a learned Brahmana ever live in infamy by +accepting gifts. While on earth, I ever desired to perform virtuous acts. +Having never done so before, how shall I now accept a gift?' + +"Pratardana who was amongst them asked, 'O thou of the handsomest form, I +am Pratardana by name. I ask thee if there are any worlds for me to enjoy +as fruits of my religious merits, in heaven or the firmament? Answer me, +thou art acquainted with everything.' + +"Yayati said, 'O king, numberless worlds, full of felicity, effulgent like +the solar disc, and where woe can never dwell, await thee. If thou +dwellest in each but for seven days, they would not yet be exhausted.' + +"Pratardana said, 'These then I give unto thee. Therefore, though falling, +thou must not fall. Let the worlds that are mine be thine, whether they be +in the firmament or heaven. O, soon take them. Let thy woes cease.' + +"Yayati answered, 'O monarch, no king of equal energy should ever desire +to receive as gift the religious merits of another king acquired by Yoga +austerities. And no king who is afflicted with calamity through the fates +should, if wise, act in a censurable way. A king keeping his eye fixed for +ever on virtue should walk along the path of virtue like myself and, +knowing what his duties are, should not act so meanly as thou directest. +When others desirous of acquiring religious merits do not accept gifts, +how can I do what they themselves do not?' On the conclusion of this +speech, that best of kings, Yayati, was then addressed by Vasumat in the +following words." + + +SECTION XCIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vasumat said, 'I am Vasumat, the son of Oshadaswa. I would ask thee, O +king, whether there are any worlds for me to enjoy as fruits of my +religious merits, in heaven or the firmament. Thou art, O high-souled one, +acquainted with all holy regions.' + +"Yayati answered, 'There are as many regions for thee to enjoy in heaven +as the number of places in the firmament, the Earth and the ten points of +the universe illumined by the Sun.' + +"Vasumat then said, 'I give them to thee. Let those regions that are for +me be thine. Therefore, though falling, thou shall not fall. If to accept +them as gift be improper for thee, then, O monarch, buy them for a straw?' + +"Yayati answered, 'I do not remember having ever bought and sold anything +unfairly. This has never been done by other kings. How shall I therefore +do it?' + +"Vasumat said, 'If buying them, O king, be regarded by thee as improper, +then take them as gift from me. For myself I answer that I will never go +to those regions that are for me. Let them, therefore, be thine.' + +"Sivi then addressed the king thus, I am, O king, Sivi by name, the son of +Usinara. O father, are there in the firmament or in heaven any worlds for +me to enjoy? Thou knowest every region that one may enjoy as the fruit of +his religious merit.' + +"Yayati said, 'Thou hast never, by speech or in mind, disregarded the +honest and the virtuous that applied to thee. There are infinite worlds +for thee to enjoy in heaven, all blazing like lightning.' Sivi then said, +'If thou regardest their purchase as improper, I give them to thee. Take +them all, O king! I shall never take them, viz., those regions where the +wise never feel the least disquiet.' + +Yayati answered, 'O Sivi, thou hast indeed, obtained for thyself, +possessed of the prowess of Indra, infinite worlds. But I do not desire to +enjoy regions given to me by others. Therefore, I accept not thy gift.' + +"Ashtaka then said, 'O king, each of us has expressed his desire to give +thee worlds that each of us has acquired by his religious merits. Thou +acceptest not them. But leaving them for thee, we shall descend into the +Earth-hell.' + +"Yayati answered, 'Ye all are truth-loving and wise. Give me that which I +deserve. I shall not be able to do what I have never done before.' + +"Ashtaka then said, 'Whose are those five golden cars that we see? Do men +that repair to these regions of everlasting bliss ride in them?' + +"Yayati answered, 'Those five golden cars displayed in glory, and blazing +as fire, would indeed, carry you to regions of bliss.' + +"Ashtaka said, 'O king, ride on those cars thyself and repair to heaven. +We can wait. We follow thee in time.' + +"Yayati said, 'We can now all go together. Indeed, all of us have +conquered heaven. Behold, the glorious path to heaven becomes visible." + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then all those excellent monarchs riding in +those cars set out for heaven for gaining admittance into it, illuminating +the whole firmament by the glory of their virtues.' + +"Then Ashtaka, breaking the silence asked, 'I had always thought that +Indra was my especial friend, and that I, of all others, should first +obtain admittance into heaven. But how is it that Usinara's son, Sivi hath +already left us behind?' + +"Yayati answered, 'This Usinara's son had given all he possessed for +attaining to the region of Brahman. Therefore, is he the foremost among us. +Besides, Sivi's liberality, asceticism, truth, virtue, modesty, +forgiveness, amiability, desire of performing good acts, have been so +great that none can measure them!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, Ashtaka, impelled by curiosity, +again asked his maternal grandfather resembling Indra himself, saying, 'O +king, I ask thee, tell me truly, whence thou art, who thou art, and whose +son? Is there any other Brahmana or Kshatriya who hath done what thou +didst on earth?' Yayati answered, 'I tell thee truly, I am Yayati, the son +of Nahusha and the father of Puru. I was lord of all the Earth. Ye are my +relatives; I tell thee truly, I am the maternal grandfather of you all. +Having conquered the whole earth, I gave clothes to Brahmanas and also a +hundred handsome horses fit for sacrificial offering. For such acts of +virtue, the gods became propitious to those that perform them. I also gave +to Brahmanas this whole earth with her horses and elephants and kine and +gold all kinds of wealth, along with a hundred Arbudas of excellent milch +cows. Both the earth and the firmament exist owing to my truth and virtue; +fire yet burneth in the world of men owing to my truth and virtue. Never +hath a word spoken by me been untrue. It is for this that the wise adore +Truth. O Ashtaka, all I have told thee, Pratardana, and Vasumat, is Truth +itself. I know it for certain that the gods and the Rishis and all the +mansions of the blessed are adorable only because of Truth that +characteriseth them all. He that will without malice duly read unto good +Brahmanas his account of our ascension to heaven shall himself attain to +the same worlds with us.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'It was thus that the illustrious king Yayati of +high achievements, rescued by his collateral descendants, ascended to +heaven, leaving the earth and covering the three worlds with the fame of +his deeds.'" + + +SECTION XCIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O adorable one, I desire to hear the histories of those +kings who were descended from Puru. O tell me of each as he was possessed +of prowess and achievements. I have, indeed, heard that in Puru's line +there was not a single one who was wanting in good behaviour and prowess, +or who was without sons. O thou of ascetic wealth, I desire to hear the +histories in detail of those famous monarchs endued with learning and all +accomplishments.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Asked by thee, I shall tell thee all about the heroic- +kings in Puru's line, all equal unto Indra in prowess, possessing great +affluence and commanding the respect of all for their accomplishments. + +"Puru had by his wife Paushti three sons, Pravira, Iswara, and Raudraswa, +all of whom were mighty car-warriors. Amongst them, Pravira was the +perpetuator of the dynasty. Pravira had by his wife Suraseni a son named +Manasyu. And the latter of eyes like lotus-petals had his sway over the +whole Earth bounded by the four seas. And Manasyu had for his wife Sauviri. +And he begat upon her three sons called Sakta, Sahana, and Vagmi. And they +were heroes in battle and mighty car-warriors. The intelligent and +virtuous Kaudraswa begat upon the Apsara Misrakesi ten sons who were all +great bowmen. And they all grew up into heroes, performing numerous +sacrifices in honour of the gods. And they all had sons, were learned in +all branches of knowledge and ever devoted to virtue. They are Richeyu, +and Kaksreyu and Vrikeyu of great prowess; Sthandileyu, and Vaneyu, and +Jaleyu of great fame; Tejeyu of great strength and intelligence; and +Satyeyu of the prowess of Indra; Dharmeyu, and Sannateyu the tenth of the +prowess of the celestials. Amongst them all, Richeyu became the sole +monarch of the whole earth and was known by the name of Anadhrishti. And +in prowess he was like unto Vasava amongst the celestials. And Anadhristi +had a son of the name of Matinara who became a famous and virtuous king +and performed the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice. And Matinara had four +sons of immeasurable prowess, viz., Tansu, Mahan, Atiratha, and Druhyu of +immeasurable glory. (Amongst them, Tansu of great prowess became the +perpetrator of Puru's line). And he subjugated the whole earth and +acquired great fame and splendour. And Tansu begat a son of great prowess +named Ilina. And he became the foremost of all conquerors and brought the +whole world under his subjection. And Ilina begat upon his wife Rathantara +five sons with Dushmanta at their head, all equal in might unto the five +elements. They were Dushmanta, Sura, Bhima, Pravasu, and Vasu. And, O +Janamejaya, the eldest of them, Dushmanta, became king. And Dushmanta had +by his wife Sakuntala an intelligent son named Bharata who became king. +And Bharata gave his name to the race of which he was the founder. And it +is from him that the fame of that dynasty hath spread so wide. And Bharata +begat upon his three wives nine sons in all. But none of them were like +their father and so Bharata was not at all pleased with them. Their +mothers, therefore, became angry and slew them all. The procreation of +children by Bharata, therefore, became vain. The monarch then performed a +great sacrifice and through the grace of Bharadwaja obtained a son named +Bhumanyu. And then Bharata, the great descendant of Puru, regarding +himself as really possessing a son, installed, O foremost one of Bharata's +race, that son as his heir-apparent. And Bhumanyu begat upon his wife, +Pushkarini six sons named Suhotra, Suhotri, Suhavih, Sujeya, Diviratha and +Kichika. The eldest of them all, Suhotra, obtained the throne and +performed many Rajasuyas and horse-sacrifices. And Suhotra brought under +his sway the whole earth surrounded by her belt of seas and full of +elephants, kine and horses, and all her wealth of gems of gold. And the +earth afflicted with the weight of numberless human beings and elephants, +horses, and cats, was, as it were, about to sink. And during the virtuous +reign of Suhotra the surface of the whole earth was dotted all over with +hundreds and thousands, of sacrificial stakes. And the lord of the earth, +Suhotra, begat, upon his wife Aikshaki three sons, viz., Ajamidha, Sumidha, +and Purumidha. The eldest of them, Ajamidha, was the perpetuator of the +royal line. And he begat six sons,--Riksha was born of the womb of Dhumini, +Dushmanta and Parameshthin, of Nili, and Jahnu, Jala and Rupina were born +in that of Kesini. All the tribes of the Panchalas are descended from +Dushmanta and Parameshthin. And the Kushikas are the sons of Jahnu of +immeasurable prowess. And Riksha who was older than both Jala and Rupina +became king. And Riksha begat Samvarana, the perpetuator of the royal line. +And, O king, it hath been heard by us that while Samvarana, the son of +Riksha, was ruling the earth, there happened a great loss of people from +famine, pestilence, drought, and disease. And the Bharata princes were +beaten by the troops of enemies. And the Panchalas setting out to invade +the whole earth with their four kinds of troops soon brought the whole +earth under their sway. And with their ten Akshauhinis the king of the +Panchalas defeated the Bharata prince. Samvarana then with his wife and +ministers, sons and relatives, fled in fear, and took shelter in the +forest on the banks of the Sindhu extending to the foot of the mountains. +There the Bharatas lived for a full thousand years, within their fort. And +after they had lived there a thousand years, one day the illustrious Rishi +Vasishtha approached the exiled Bharatas, who, on going out, saluted the +Rishi and worshipped him by the offer of Arghya. And entertaining him with +reverence, they represented everything unto that illustrious Rishi. And +after he was seated on his seat, the king himself approached the Rishi and +addressed him, saying, 'Be thou our priest, O illustrious one! We will +endeavour to regain our kingdom.' And Vasishtha answered the Bharatas by +saying, 'Om' (the sign of consent). It hath been heard by us that +Vasishtha then installed the Bharata prince in the sovereignty of all the +Kshatriyas on earth, making by virtue of his Mantras this descendant of +Puru the veritable horns of the wild bull or the tusks of the wild +elephants. And the king retook the capital that had been taken away from +him and once more made all monarchs pay tribute to him. The powerful +Samvarana, thus installed once more in the actual sovereignty of the whole +earth, performed many sacrifices at which the presents to the Brahmanas +were great. + +"Samvarana begat upon his wife, Tapati, the daughter of Surya, a son named +Kuru. This Kuru was exceedingly virtuous, and therefore, he was installed +on the throne by his people. It is after his name that the field called +Kuru-jangala has become so famous in the world. Devoted to asceticism, he +made that field (Kurukshetra) sacred by practising asceticism there. And +it has been heard by us that Kuru's highly intelligent wife, Vahini, +brought forth five sons, viz., Avikshit, Bhavishyanta, Chaitraratha, Muni +and the celebrated Janamejaya. And Avikshit begat Parikshit the powerful, +Savalaswa, Adhiraja, Viraja, Salmali of great physical strength, +Uchaihsravas, Bhangakara and Jitari the eighth. In the race of these were +born, as the fruit of their pious acts seven mighty car-warriors with +Janamejaya at their head. And unto Parikshit were born sons who were all +acquainted with (the secrets of) religion and profit. And they were named +Kakshasena and Ugrasena, and Chitrasena endued with great energy, and +Indrasena and Sushena and Bhimasena. And the sons of Janamejaya were all +endued with great strength and became celebrated all over the world. And +they were Dhritarashtra who was the eldest, and Pandu and Valhika, and +Nishadha endued with great energy, and then the mighty Jamvunada, and then +Kundodara and Padati and then Vasati the eighth. And they were all +proficient in morality and profit and were kind to all creatures. Among +them Dhritarashtra became king. And Dhritarashtra had eight sons, viz., +Kundika, Hasti, Vitarka, Kratha the fifth, Havihsravas, Indrabha, and +Bhumanyu the invincible, and Dhritarashtra had many grandsons, of whom +three only were famous. They were, O king, Pratipa, Dharmanetra, Sunetra. +Among these three, Pratipa became unrivalled on earth. And, O bull in +Bharata's race, Pratipa begat three sons, viz., Devapi, Santanu, and the +mighty car-warrior Valhika. The eldest Devapi adopted the ascetic course +of life, impelled thereto by the desire of benefiting his brothers. And +the kingdom was obtained by Santanu and the mighty car-warrior Valhika. + +"O monarch, besides, there were born in the race of Bharata numberless +other excellent monarchs endued with great energy and like unto the +celestial Rishis themselves in virtue and ascetic power. And so also in +the race of Manu were born many mighty car-warriors like unto the +celestials themselves, who by their number swelled the Aila dynasty into +gigantic proportions.'" + + +SECTION XCV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, I have now heard from thee this great +history of my ancestors. I had also heard from thee about the great +monarchs that were born in this line. But I have not been gratified, this +charming account being so short. Therefore, be pleased, O Brahmana, to +recite the delightful narrative just in detail commencing from Manu, the +lord of creation. Who is there that will not be charmed with such an +account, as it is sacred? The fame of these monarchs increased by their +wisdom, virtue, accomplishments, and high character, hath so swelled as to +cover the three worlds. Having listened to the history, sweet as nectar, +of their liberality, prowess, physical strength, mental vigour, energy, +and perseverance, I have not been satiated!' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hear then, O monarch, as I recite in full the +auspicious account of thy own race just as I had heard it from Dwaipayana +before. + +"Daksha begat Aditi, and Aditi begat Vivaswat, and Vivaswat begat Manu, +and Manu begat Ha and Ha begat Pururavas. And Pururavas begat Ayus, and +Ayus begat Nahusha, and Nahusha begat Yayati. And Yayati had two wives, +viz., Devayani, the daughter of Usanas, and Sarmishtha the daughter of +Vrishaparvan. Here occurs a sloka regarding (Yayati's) descendants, +'Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu; and Vrishaparvan's daughter, +Sarmishtha gave birth to Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. And the descendants of +Yadu are the Yadavas and of Puru are the Pauravas. And Puru had a wife of +the name of Kausalya, on whom he begat a son named Janamejaya who +performed three horse-sacrifices and a sacrifice called Viswajit. And then +he entered into the woods. And Janamejaya had married Ananta, the daughter +of Madhava, and begat upon her a son called Prachinwat. And the prince was +so called because he had conquered all the eastern countries up to the +very confines of the region where the Sun rises. And Prachinwat married +Asmaki, a daughter of the Yadavas and begat upon her a son named Sanyati. +And Sanyati married Varangi, the daughter of Drishadwata and begat upon +her a son named Ahayanti. And Ahayanti married Bhanumati, the daughter of +Kritavirya and begat upon her a son named Sarvabhauma. And Sarvabhauma +married Sunanda, the daughter of the Kekaya prince, having obtained her by +force. And he begat upon her a son named Jayatsena, who married Susrava, +the daughter of the Vidarbha king and begat upon her Avachina. And +Avachina also married another princess of Vidarbha, Maryada by name. And +he begat on her a son named Arihan. And Arihan married Angi and begat on +her Mahabhauma. And Mahabhauma married Suyajna, the daughter of Prasenajit. +And of her was born Ayutanayi. And he was so called because he had +performed a sacrifice at which the fat of an Ayuta (ten thousands) of male +beings was required. And Ayutanayi took for a wife Kama, the daughter of +Prithusravas. And by her was born a son named Akrodhana, who took to wife +Karambha, the daughter of the king of Kalinga. And of her was born +Devatithi, and Devatithi took for his wife Maryada, the princess of Videha. +And of her was born a son named Arihan. And Arihan took to wife Sudeva, +the princess of Anga, and upon her he begat a son named Riksha. And Riksha +married Jwala, the daughter of Takshaka, and he begat upon her a son of +the name of Matinara, who performed on the bank of Saraswati the twelve +years' sacrifice said to be so efficacious. On conclusion of the sacrifice, +Saraswati appeared in person before the king and chose him for husband. +And he begat upon her a son named Tansu. Here occurs a sloka descriptive +of Tansu's descendants. + +"Tansu was born of Saraswati by Matinara. And Tansu himself begat a son +named Ilina on his wife, the princess Kalingi. + +"Ilina begat on his wife Rathantari five sons, of whom Dushmanta was the +eldest. And Dushmanta took to wife Sakuntala, the daughter of Viswamitra. +And he begat on her a son named Bharata. Here occurs two slokas about +(Dushmanta's) descendants. + +"The mother is but the sheath of flesh in which the father begets the son. +Indeed the father himself is the son. Therefore, O Dushmanta, support thy +son and insult not Sakuntala. O god among men, the father himself becoming +the son rescueth himself from hell. Sakuntala hath truly said that thou +art the author of this child's being. + +"It is for this (i.e., because the king supported his child after hearing +the above speech of the celestial messenger) that Sakuntala's son came to +be called Bharata (the supported). And Bharata married Sunanda, the +daughter of Sarvasena, the king of Kasi, and begat upon her the son named +Bhumanyu. And Bhumanyu married Vijaya, the daughter of Dasarha. And he +begat upon her a son Suhotra who married Suvarna, the daughter of Ikshvaku. +To her was born a son named Hasti who founded this city, which has, +therefore, been called Hastinapura. And Hasti married Yasodhara, the +princess of Trigarta. And of her was born a son named Vikunthana who took +for a wife Sudeva, the princess of Dasarha. And by her was born a son +named Ajamidha. And Ajamidha had four wives named Raikeyi, Gandhari, +Visala and Riksha. And he begat on them two thousand and four hundred sons. +But amongst them all, Samvarana became the perpetuator of the dynasty. And +Samvarana took for his wife Tapati, the daughter of Vivaswat. And of her +was born Kuru, who married Subhangi, the princess of Dasarha. And he begat +on her a son named Viduratha, who took to wife Supriya, the daughter of +the Madhavas. And he begat upon her a son named Anaswan. And Anaswan +married Amrita, the daughter of the Madhavas. And of her was born a son +named Parikshit, who took for his wife Suvasa, the daughter of the Vahudas, +and begat upon her a son named Bhimasena. And Bhimasena married Kumari, +the princess of Kekaya and begat upon her Pratisravas whose son was +Pratipa. And Pratipa married Sunanda, the daughter of Sivi, and begat upon +her three sons, viz., Devapi, Santanu and Valhika. And Devapi, while still +a boy, entered the woods as a hermit. And Santanu became king. Here occurs +a sloka in respect of Santanu. + +"Those old men that were touched by this monarch not only felt an +indescribable sensation of pleasure but also became restored to youth. +Therefore, this monarch was called Santanu. + +"And Santanu married Ganga, who bore him a son Devavrata who was +afterwards called Bhishma. And Bhishma, moved by the desire of doing good +to his father, got him married to Satyavati who was also called Gandhakali. +And in her maidenhood she had a son by Parasara, named Dwaipayana. And +upon her Santanu begat two other sons named Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. +And before they attained to majority, Chitrangada had been slain by the +Gandharvas. But Vichitravirya became king, and married the two daughters +of the king of Kasi, named Amvika and Amvalika. But Vichitravirya died +childless. Then Satyavati began to think as to how the dynasty of +Dushmanta might be perpetuated. Then she recollected the Rishi Dwaipayana. +The latter coming before her, asked, 'What are thy commands?' She said, +'Thy brother Vichitravirya hath gone to heaven childless. Beget virtuous +children for him.' Dwaipayana, consenting to this, begat three children, +viz., Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura. King Dhritarashtra had a hundred +sons by his wife, Gandhari in consequence of the boon granted by +Dwaipayana. And amongst those hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, four became +celebrated. They are Duryodhana, Duhsasana, Vikarna, and Chitrasena. And +Pandu had two jewels of wives, viz., Kunti, also called Pritha, and Madri. +One day Pandu, while out a-hunting, saw a deer covering its mate. That was +really a Rishi in the form of a deer. Seeing the deer in that attitude, he +killed it with his arrows, before its desire was gratified. Pierced with +the king's arrow, the deer quickly changed its form and became a Rishi, +and said unto Pandu, 'O Pandu, thou art virtuous and acquainted also with +the pleasure derived from the gratification of one's desire. My desire +unsatisfied, thou hast slain me! Therefore, thou also, when so engaged and +before thou art gratified, shalt die!' Pandu, hearing this curse, became +pale, and from that time would not go in unto his wives. And he told them +these words, 'Through my own fault, I have been cursed! But I have heard +that for the childless there are no regions hereafter.' Therefore, he +solicited Kunti to have offspring raised for him. And Kunti said, 'Let it +be.' So she raised up offspring. By Dharma she had Yudhishthira; by Maruta, +Bhima: and by Sakra, Arjuna. And Pandu, well-pleased with her, said, 'This +thy co-wife is also childless. Therefore, cause her also to bear children.' +Kunti saying, 'So be it,' imparted unto Madri the mantra of invocation. +And on Madri were raised by the twin Aswins, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. +And (one day) Pandu, beholding Madri decked with ornaments, had his desire +kindled. And, as soon as he touched her, he died. Madri ascended the +funeral pyre with her lord. And she said unto Kunti, 'Let these twins of +mine be brought up by thee with affection.' After some time those five +Pandavas were taken by the ascetics of the woods to Hastinapura and there +introduced to Bhishma and Vidura. And after introducing them, the ascetics +disappeared in the very sight of all. And after the conclusion of the +speech of those ascetics, flowers were showered down upon the spot, and +the celestial drums also were beaten in the skies. The Pandavas were then +taken (by Bhishma). They then represented the death of their father and +performed his last honours duly. And as they were brought up there, +Duryodhana became exceedingly jealous of them. And the sinful Duryodhana +acting like Rakshasa tried various means to drive them away. But what must +be can never be frustrated. So all Duryodhana's efforts proved futile. +Then Dhritarashtra sent them, by an act of deception to Varanavata, and +they went there willingly. There an endeavour was made to burn them to +death; but it proved abortive owing to the warning counsels of Vidura. +After that the Pandavas slew Hidimva, and then they went to a town called +Ekachakra. There also they slew a Rakshasa of the name of Vaka and then +went to Panchala. And there obtaining Draupadi for a wife they returned to +Hastinapura. And there they dwelt for some time in peace and begat +children. And Yudhishthira begat Prativindhya; Bhima, Sutasoma; Arjuna, +Srutakriti; Nakula, Satanika; and Sahadeva, Srutakarman. Besides these, +Yudhishthira, having obtained for his wife Devika, the daughter of +Govasana of the Saivya tribe, in a self-choice ceremony, begat upon her a +son named Yaudheya. And Bhima also obtaining for a wife Valandhara, the +daughter of the king of Kasi, offered his own prowess as dower and begat +upon her a son named Sarvaga. And Arjuna also, repairing to Dwaravati, +brought away by force Subhadra, the sweet-speeched sister of Vasudeva, and +returned in happiness to Hastinapura. And he begat upon her a son named +Abhimanyu endued with all accomplishments and dear to Vasudeva himself. +And Nakula obtaining for his wife Karenumati, the princess of Chedi, begat +upon her a son named Niramitra. And Sahadeva also married Vijaya, the +daughter of Dyutimat, the king of Madra, obtaining her in a self-choice +ceremony and begat upon her a son named Suhotra. And Bhimasena had some +time before begat upon Hidimva a son named Ghatotkacha. These are the +eleven sons of the Pandavas. Amongst them all, Abhimanyu was the +perpetuator of the family. He married Uttara, the daughter of Virata, who +brought forth a dead child whom Kunti took up on her lap at the command of +Vasudeva who said, 'I will revive this child of six months.' And though +born before time, having been burnt by the fire of Aswatthaman's weapon +and, therefore, deprived of strength and energy he was revived by Vasudeva +and endued with strength, energy and prowess. And after reviving him, +Vasudeva said, 'Because this child hath been born in an extinct race, +therefore, he shall be called Parikshit.' And Parikshit married Madravati, +thy mother, O king, and thou art born to her, O Janamejaya! Thou hast also +begotten two sons on thy wife Vapushtama, named Satanika and Sankukarna. +And Satanika also hath begotten one son named Aswamedhadatta upon the +princess of Videha. + +"Thus have I, O king, recited the history of the descendants of Puru and +of the Pandavas. This excellent, virtue-increasing, and sacred history +should ever be listened to by vow-observing Brahmanas, by Kshatriyas +devoted to the practices of their order and ready to protect their +subjects; by Vaisyas with attention, and by Sudras with reverence, whose +chief occupation is to wait upon the three other orders. Brahmanas +conversant in the Vedas and other persons, who with attention and +reverence recite this sacred history or listen to it when recited, conquer +the heavens and attain to the abode of the blessed. They are also always +respected and adored by the gods, Brahamanas, and other men. This holy +history of Bharata hath been composed by the sacred and illustrious Vyasa. +Veda-knowing Brahmanas and other persons who with reverence and without +malice hear it recited, earn great religious merits and conquer the +heavens. Though sinning, they are not disregarded by any one. Here occurs +a sloka, 'This (Bharata) is equal unto the Vedas: it is holy and excellent. +It bestoweth wealth, fame, and life. Therefore, it should be listened to +by men with rapt attention.'" + + +SECTION XCVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a king known by the name of Mahabhisha born +in the race of Ikshvaku. He was the lord of all the earth, and was +truthful (in speech) and of true prowess. By a thousand horse-sacrifices +and a hundred Rajasuyas he had gratified the chief of the celestials and +ultimately attained to heaven. + +"One day the celestials had assembled together and were worshipping +Brahman. Many royal sages and king Mahabhisha also were present on the +spot. And Ganga, the queen of rivers, also came there to pay her +adorations to the Grandsire. And her garments white as the beams of the +moon was displaced by the action of the wind. And as her person became +exposed, the celestials bent down their heads. But the royal sage +Mahabhisha rudely stared at the queen of rivers. And Mahabhisha was for +this cursed by Brahman, who said, 'Wretch, as thou hast forgotten thyself +at the sight of Ganga, thou shalt be re-born on earth. But thou shall +again and again attain to these regions. And she, too, shall be born in +the world of men and shall do thee injuries. But when thy wrath shall be +provoked, thou shalt then be freed from my curse.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Mahabhisha then recollecting all the +monarchs and ascetics on earth, wished to be born as son to Pratipa of +great prowess. And the queen of rivers, too, seeing king Mahabhisha lose +his firmness, went away, thinking of him wishfully. And on her way, she +saw those dwellers in heaven, the Vasus, also pursuing the same path. And +the queen of rivers beholding them in the predicament, asked them, 'Why +look ye so dejected? Ye dwellers in heaven, is everything right with you?' +Those celestials, the Vasus, answered her, saying, 'O queen of rivers, we +have been cursed, for a venial fault, by the illustrious Vasishtha in +anger. The foremost of excellent Rishis, Vasishtha, had been engaged in +his twilight adorations and seated as he was, he could not be seen by us. +We crossed him in ignorance. Therefore, in wrath he hath cursed us, saying, +Be ye born among men!' It is beyond our power to frustrate what hath been +said by that utterance of Brahma. Therefore, O river, thyself becoming a +human female make us the Vasus, thy children. O amiable one, we are +unwilling to enter the womb of any human female.' Thus addressed, the +queen of rivers told them, 'Be it so and asked them, 'On earth, who is +that foremost of men whom ye will make your father?' + +"The Vasus replied, 'On earth, unto Pratipa shall be born a son, Santanu, +who will be a king of world-wide fame.' Ganga then said, 'Ye celestials, +that is exactly my wish which ye sinless ones have expressed. I shall, +indeed, do good to that Santanu. That is also your desire as just +expressed.' The Vasus then said, 'It behoveth thee to throw thy children +after birth, into the water, so that, O thou of three courses (celestial, +terrestrial, and subterranean) we may be rescued soon without having to +live on earth for any length of time.' Ganga then answered, 'I shall do +what ye desire. But in order that his intercourse with me may not be +entirely fruitless, provide ye that one son at least may live.' The Vasus +then replied, 'We shall each contribute an eighth part of our respective +energies. With the sum thereof, thou shall have one son according to thy +and his wishes. But this son shall not begat any children on earth. +Therefore, that son of thine endued with great energy, shall be +childless.' + +"The Vasus, making this arrangement with Ganga, went away without waiting +to the place they liked.'" + + +SECTION XCVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said. 'There was a king of the name of Pratipa, who was kind +to all creatures. He spent many years in ascetic penances at the source of +the river Ganga. The accomplished and lovely Ganga, one day, assuming the +form of a beautiful female, and rising from the waters, made up to the +monarch. The celestial maiden, endued with ravishing beauty, approached +the royal sage engaged in ascetic austerities, and sat upon his right +thigh that was, for manly strength, a veritable Sala tree. When the maiden +of handsome face had so sat upon his lap, the monarch said unto her, 'O +amiable one, what dost thou desire? What shall I do?' The damsel answered, +'I desire thee, O king, for my husband! O foremost one of the Kurus, be +mine! To refuse a woman coming of her own accord is never applauded by the +wise.' Pratipa answered, 'O thou of the fairest complexion, moved by lust, +I never go in unto others' wives or women that are not of my order. This, +indeed, is my virtuous vow.' The maiden rejoined, 'I am not inauspicious +or ugly. I am every way worthy of being enjoyed. I am a celestial maiden +of rare beauty; I desire thee for my husband. Refuse me not, O king.' To +this Pratipa answered, 'I am, O damsel, abstaining from that course to +which thou wouldst incite me. If I break my vow, sin will overwhelm and +kill me. O thou of the fairest complexion, thou hast embraced me, sitting +on my right thigh. But, O timid one, know that this is the seat for +daughters and daughters-in-law. The left lap is for the wife, but thou +hast not accepted that. Therefore, O best of women, I cannot enjoy thee as +an object of desire. Be my daughter-in-law. I accept thee for my son!' + +"The damsel then said, 'O virtuous one, let it be as thou sayest. Let me +be united with thy son. From my respect for thee, I shall be a wife of the +celebrated Bharata race. Ye (of the Bharata race) are the refuge of all +the monarchs on earth! I am incapable of numbering the virtues of this +race even within a hundred years. The greatness and goodness of many +celebrated monarchs of this race are limitless. O lord of all, let it be +understood now that when I become thy daughter-in-law, thy son shall not +be able to judge of the propriety of my acts. Living thus with thy son, I +shall do good to him and increase his happiness. And he shall finally +attain to heaven in consequence of the sons I shall bear him, and of his +virtues and good conduct.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O king, having said so, the celestial damsel +disappeared then and there. And the king, too, waited for the birth of his +son in order to fulfil his promise.' + +"About this time Pratipa, that light of the Kuru race, that bull amongst +Kshatriyas, was engaged, along with his wife, in austerities from desire +of offspring. And when they had grown old, a son was born unto them. This +was no other than Mahabhisha. And the child was called Santanu because he +was born when his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances. +And the best of Kurus, Santanu, knowing that region of indestructible +bliss can be acquired by one's deeds alone, became devoted to virtue. When +Santanu grew up into a youth, Pratipa addressed him and said, 'Some time +ago, O Santanu, a celestial damsel came to me for thy good. If thou +meetest that fair-complexioned one in secret and if she solicit thee for +children, accept her as thy wife. And, O sinless one, judge not of the +propriety or impropriety of her action and ask not who she is, or whose or +whence, but accept her as thy wife at my command!'" Vaisampayana continued, +"Pratipa, having thus commanded his son Santanu and installed him on his +throne, retired into the woods. And king Santanu endued with great +intelligence and equal unto Indra himself in splendour, became addicted to +hunting and passed much of his time in the woods. And the best of monarchs +always slew deer and buffaloes. And one day, as he was wandering along the +bank of the Ganges, he came upon a region frequented by Siddhas and +Charanas. And there he saw a lovely maiden of blazing beauty and like unto +another Sri herself; of faultless and pearly teeth and decked with +celestial ornaments, and attired in garments of fine texture that +resembled in splendour the filaments of the lotus. And the monarch, on +beholding that damsel, became surprised, and his raptures produced instant +horripilation. With steadfast gaze he seemed to be drinking her charms, +but repeated draughts failed to quench his thirst. The damsel also +beholding the monarch of blazing splendour moving about in great agitation, +was moved herself and experienced an affection for him. She gazed and +gazed and longed to gaze on him evermore. The monarch then in soft words +addressed her and said, 'O slender-waisted one, be thou a goddess or the +daughter of a Danava, be thou of the race of the Gandharvas, or Apsaras, +be thou of the Yakshas or the Nagas, or be thou of human origin, O thou of +celestial beauty, I solicit thee to be my wife!'" + + +SECTION XCVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The maiden then, hearing those soft and sweet words +of the smiling monarch, and remembering her promise to the Vasus, +addressed the king in reply. Of faultless features, the damsel sending a +thrill of pleasure into the heart by every word she uttered, said, 'O king, +I shall become thy wife and obey thy commands. But, O monarch, thou must +not interfere with me in anything I do, be it agreeable or disagreeable. +Nor shall thou ever address me unkindly. As long as thou shalt behave +kindly I promise to live with thee. But I shall certainly leave thee the +moment thou interferest with me or speakest to me an unkind word.' The +king answered, 'Be it so.' And thereupon the damsel obtaining that +excellent monarch, that foremost one of the Bharata race for her husband, +became highly pleased. And king Santanu also, obtaining her for his wife, +enjoyed to the full the pleasure of her company. And adhering to his +promise, he refrained from asking her anything. And the lord of earth, +Santanu, became exceedingly gratified with her conduct, beauty, +magnanimity, and attention to his comforts. And the goddess Ganga also, of +three courses (celestial, terrestrial, and subterranean) assuming a human +form of superior complexion and endued with celestial beauty, lived +happily as the wife of Santanu, having as the fruit of her virtuous acts, +obtained for her husband, that tiger among kings equal unto Indra himself +in splendour. And she gratified the king by her attractiveness and +affection, by her wiles and love, by her music and dance, and became +herself gratified. And the monarch was so enraptured with his beautiful +wife that months, seasons, and years rolled on without his being conscious +of them. And the king, while thus enjoying himself with his wife, had +eight children born unto him who in beauty were like the very celestials +themselves. But, O Bharata, those children, one after another, as soon as +they were born, were thrown into the river by Ganga who said, 'This is for +thy good.' And the children sank to rise no more. The king, however, could +not be pleased with such conduct. But he spoke not a word about it lest +his wife should leave him. But when the eighth child was born, and when +his wife as before was about to throw it smilingly into the river, the +king with a sorrowful countenance and desirous of saving it from +destruction, addressed her and said, 'Kill it not! Who art thou and whose? +Why dost thou kill thy own children? Murderess of thy sons, the load of +thy sins is great!'" His wife, thus addressed, replied, 'O thou desirous +of offspring, thou hast already become the first of those that have +children. I shall not destroy this child of thine. But according to our +agreement, the period of my stay with thee is at an end. I am Ganga, the +daughter of Jahnu. I am ever worshipped by the great sages; I have lived +with thee so long for accomplishing the purposes of the celestials. The +eight illustrious Vasus endued with great energy had, from Vasishtha's +curse, to assume human forms. On earth, besides thee, there was none else +to deserve the honour of being their begetter. There is no woman also on +earth except one like me, a celestial of human form, to become their +mother. I assumed a human form to bring them forth. Thou also, having +become the father of the eight Vasus, hast acquired many regions of +perennial bliss. It was also agreed between myself and the Vasus that I +should free them from their human forms as soon as they would be born. I +have thus freed them from the curse of the Rishi Apava. Blest be thou; I +leave thee, O king! But rear thou this child of rigid vows. That I should +live with thee so long was the promise I gave to the Vasus. And let this +child be called Gangadatta.'" + + +SECTION XCIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Santanu asked, 'What was the fault of the Vasus and who was Apava, +through whose curse the Vasus had to be born among men? What also hath +this child of thine, Gangadatta, done for which he shall have to live +among men? Why also were the Vasus, the lords of the three worlds, +condemned to be born amongst men? O daughter of Jahnu, tell me all.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the celestial daughter of Jahnu, +Ganga, then replied unto the monarch, her husband, that bull amongst men, +saying, 'O best of Bharata's race, he who was obtained as son by Varuna +was called Vasishtha, the Muni who afterwards came to be known as Apava. +He had his asylum on the breast of the king of mountains called Meru. The +spot was sacred and abounded with birds and beasts. And there bloomed at +all times of the year flowers of every season. And, O best of Bharata's +race, that foremost of virtuous men, the son of Varuna, practised his +ascetic penances in those woods abounding with sweet roots and water. + +"Daksha had a daughter known by the name of Surabhi, who, O bull of +Bharata's race, for benefiting the world, brought forth, by her connection +with Kasyapa, a daughter (Nandini) in the form of a cow. That foremost of +all kine, Nandini, was the cow of plenty (capable of granting every +desire). The virtuous son of Varuna obtained Nandini for his Homa rites. +And Nandini, dwelling in that hermitage which was adored by Munis, roamed +about fearlessly in those sacred and delightful woods. + +"One day, O bull of Bharata's race, there came into those woods adored by +the gods and celestial Rishis, the Vasus with Prithu at their head. And +wandering there with their wives, they enjoyed themselves in those +delightful woods and mountains. And as they wandered there, the slender- +waisted wife of one of the Vasus, O thou of the prowess of Indra, saw in +those woods Nandini, the cow of plenty. And seeing that cow possessing the +wealth of all accomplishments, large eyes, full udders, fine tail, +beautiful hoofs, and every other auspicious sign, and yielding much milk, +she showed the animal to her husband Dyu. O thou of the prowess of the +first of elephants, when Dyu was shown that cow, he began to admire her +several qualities and addressing his wife, said, 'O black-eyed girl of +fair thighs, this excellent cow belongeth to that Rishi whose is this +delightful asylum. O slender-waisted one, that mortal who drinketh the +sweet milk of this cow remaineth in unchanged youth for ten thousand +years.' O best of monarchs, hearing this, the slender-waisted goddess of +faultless features then addressed her lord of blazing splendour and said, +'There is on earth a friend of mine, Jitavati by name, possessed of great +beauty and youth. She is the daughter of that god among men, the royal +sage Usinara, endued with intelligence and devoted to truth. I desire to +have this cow, O illustrious one, with her calf for that friend of mine. +Therefore, O best of celestials, bring that cow so that my friend drinking +of her milk may alone become on earth free from disease and decrepitude. O +illustrious and blameless one, it behoveth thee to grant me this desire of +mine. There is nothing that would be more agreeable to me.' On hearing +these words of his wife, Dyu, moved by the desire of humouring her, stole +that cow, aided by his brothers Prithu and the others. Indeed, Dyu, +commanded by his lotus-eyed wife, did her bidding, forgetting at the +moment the high ascetic merits of the Rishi who owned her. He did not +think at the time that he was going to fall by committing the sin of +stealing the cow. + +"When the son of Varuna returned to his asylum in the evening with fruits +he had collected, he beheld not the cow with her calf there. He began to +search for them in the woods, but when the great ascetic of superior +intelligence found not his cow on search, he saw by his ascetic vision +that she had been stolen by the Vasus. His wrath was instantly kindled and +he cursed the Vasus, saying, 'Because the Vasus have stolen my cow of +sweet milk and handsome tail, therefore, shall they certainly be born on +earth!' + +"O thou bull of Bharata's race, the illustrious Rishi Apava thus cursed +the Vasus in wrath. And having cursed them, the illustrious one set his +heart once more on ascetic meditation. And after that Brahmarshi of great +power and ascetic wealth had thus in wrath cursed the Vasus, the latter, O +king, coming to know of it, speedily came into his asylum. And addressing +the Rishi, O bull among kings, they endeavoured to pacify him. But they +failed, O tiger among men, to obtain grace from Apava--that Rishi +conversant, with all rules of virtue. The virtuous Apava, however, said, +'Ye Vasus, with Dhava and others, ye have been cursed by me. But ye shall +be freed from my curse within a year of your birth among men. But he for +whose deed ye have been cursed by me he, viz., Dyu, shall for his sinful +act, have to dwell on earth for a length of time. I shall not make futile +the words I have uttered in wrath. Dyu, though dwelling on Earth, shall +not beget children. He shall, however, be virtuous and conversant with the +scriptures. He shall be an obedient son to his father, but he shall have +to abstain from the pleasure of female companionship.' + +"Thus addressing the Vasus, the great Rishi went away. The Vasus then +together came to me. And, O king, they begged of me the boon that as soon +as they would be born, I should throw them into the water. And, O best of +kings, I did as they desired, in order to free them from their earthly +life. And O best of kings, from the Rishi's curse, this one only, viz., +Dyu, himself, is to live on earth for some time.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the goddess disappeared then +and there. And taking with her the child, she went away to the region she +chose. And that child of Santanu was named both Gangeya and Devavrata and +excelled his father in all accomplishments. + +"Santanu, after the disappearance of his wife, returned to his capital +with a sorrowful heart. I shall now recount to thee the many virtues and +the great good fortune of the illustrious king Santanu of the Bharata race. +Indeed, it is this splendid history that is called the Mahabharata.'" + + +SECTION C + +(Sambhava Parva continued ) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The monarch Santanu, the most adored of the gods and +royal sages, was known in all the worlds for his wisdom, virtues, and +truthfulness (of speech). The qualities of self-control, liberality, +forgiveness, intelligence, modesty, patience and superior energy ever +dwelt in that bull among men, viz., Santanu, that great being endued with +these accomplishments and conversant with both religion and profit, the +monarch was at once the protector of the Bharata race and all human beings. +His neck was marked with (three) lines, like a conch-shell; his shoulders +were broad, and he resembled in prowess an infuriated elephant. It would +seem that all the auspicious signs of royalty dwelt in his person, +considering that to be their fittest abode. Men, seeing the behaviour of +that monarch of great achievements came to know that virtue was ever +superior to pleasure and profit. These were the attributes that dwelt in +that great being--that bull among men--Santanu. And truly there was never +a king like Santanu. All the kings of the earth, beholding him devoted to +virtue, bestowed upon that foremost of virtuous men the title of King of +kings. And all the kings of the earth during the time of that lord- +protector of the Bharata race, were without woe and fear and anxiety of +any kind. And they all slept in peace, rising from bed every morning after +happy dreams. And owing to that monarch of splendid achievements +resembling Indra himself in energy, all the kings of the earth became +virtuous and devoted to liberality, religious acts and sacrifices. And +when the earth was ruled by Santanu and other monarchs like him, the +religious merits of every order increased very greatly. The Kshatriyas +served the Brahmanas; the Vaisyas waited upon the Kshatriyas, and the +Sudras adoring the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas, waited upon the Vaisyas. +And Santanu residing in Hastinapura, the delightful capital of the Kurus, +ruled the whole earth bounded by seas. He was truthful and guileless, and +like the king of the celestials himself conversant with the dictates of +virtue. And from the combination in him of liberality, religion and +asceticism, he acquired a great good fortune. He was free from anger and +malice, and was handsome in person like Soma himself. In splendour he was +like the Sun and in impetuosity of valour like Vayu. In wrath he was like +Yama, and in patience like the Earth. And, O king, while Santanu ruled the +earth, no deer, boars, birds, or other animals were needlessly slain. In +his dominions the great virtue of kindness to all creatures prevailed, and +the king himself, with the soul of mercy, and void of desire and wrath, +extended equal protection unto all creatures. Then sacrifices in honour of +the gods, the Rishis, and Pitris commenced, and no creature was deprived +of life sinfully. And Santanu was the king and father of all--of those +that were miserable and those that had no protectors, of birds and beasts, +in fact, of every created thing. And during the rule of the best of Kurus-- +of that king of kings-- speech became united with truth, and the minds of +men were directed towards liberality and virtue. And Santanu, having +enjoyed domestic felicity for six and thirty years, retired into the woods. + +"And Santanu's son, the Vasu born of Ganga, named Devavrata resembled +Santanu himself in personal beauty, in habits and behaviour, and in +learning. And in all branches of knowledge worldly or spiritual his skill +was very great. His strength and energy were extraordinary. He became a +mighty car-warrior. In fact he was a great king. + +"One day, while pursuing along the banks of the Ganges a deer that he had +struck with his arrow, king Santanu observed that the river had become +shallow. On observing this, that bull among men, viz., Santanu, began to +reflect upon this strange phenomenon. He mentally asked why that first of +rivers ran out so quickly as before. And while seeking for a cause, the +illustrious monarch beheld that a youth of great comeliness, well-built +and amiable person, like Indra himself, had, by his keen celestial weapon, +checked the flow of the river. And the king, beholding this extraordinary +feat of the river Ganga having been checked in her course near where that +youth stood, became very much surprised. This youth was no other than +Santanu's son himself. But as Santanu had seen his son only once a few +moments after his birth, he had not sufficient recollection to identify +that infant with the youth before his eyes. The youth, however, seeing his +father, knew him at once, but instead of disclosing himself, he clouded +the king's perception by his celestial powers of illusion and disappeared +in his very sight. + +"King Santanu, wondering much at what he saw and imagining the youth to be +his own son then addressed Ganga and said, 'Show me that child.' Ganga +thus addressed, assuming a beautiful form, and holding the boy decked with +ornaments in her right arm, showed him to Santanu. And Santanu did not +recognise that beautiful female bedecked with ornaments and attired in +fine robes of white, although he had known her before. And Ganga said, 'O +tiger among men, that eighth son whom thou hadst some time before begat +upon me is this. Know that this excellent child is conversant with all +weapons, O monarch, take him now. I have reared him with care. And go home, +O tiger among men, taking him with thee. Endued with superior intelligence, +he has studied with Vasishtha the entire Vedas with their branches. +Skilled in all weapons and a mighty bowman, he is like Indra in battle. +And, O Bharata, both the gods and the Asuras look upon him with favour. +Whatever branches of knowledge are known to Usanas, this one knoweth +completely. And so is he the master of all those Sastras that the son of +Angiras (Vrihaspati) adored by the gods and the Asuras, knoweth. And all +the weapons known to the powerful and invincible Rama, the son of +Jamadagni are known to this thy son of mighty arms. O king of superior +courage, take this thy own heroic child given unto thee by me. He is a +mighty bowman and conversant with the interpretation of all treatises on +the duties of a king.' Thus commanded by Ganga, Santanu took his child +resembling the Sun himself in glory and returned to his capital. And +having reached his city that was like unto the celestial capital, that +monarch of Puru's line regarded himself greatly fortunate. And having +summoned all the Pauravas together, for the protection of his kingdom he +installed his son as his heir-apparent. And O bull of Bharata's race, the +prince soon gratified by his behaviour his father and the other members of +the Paurava race: in fact, all the subjects of the kingdom. And the king +of incomparable prowess lived happily with that son of his. + +"Four years had thus passed away, when the king one day went into the +woods on the bank of the Yamuna. And while the king was rambling there, he +perceived a sweet scent coming from an unknown direction. And the monarch, +impelled by the desire of ascertaining the cause, wandered hither and +thither. And in course of his ramble, he beheld a black-eyed maiden of +celestial beauty, the daughter of a fisherman. The king addressing her, +said, 'Who art thou, and whose daughter? What dost thou do here, O timid +one?' She answered, 'Blest be thou! I am the daughter of the chief of the +fishermen. At his command, I am engaged for religious merit, in rowing +passengers across this river in my boat.' And Santanu, beholding that +maiden of celestial form endued with beauty, amiableness, and such +fragrance, desired her for his wife. And repairing unto her father, the +king solicited his consent to the proposed match. But the chief of the +fishermen replied to the monarch, saying, 'O king, as soon as my daughter +of superior complexion was born, it was of course, understood that she +should be bestowed upon a husband. But listen to the desire I have +cherished all along in my heart. O sinless one, thou art truthful: if thou +desirest to obtain this maiden as a gift from me, give, me then this +pledge. If, indeed, thou givest the pledge, I will of course bestow my +daughter upon thee for truly I can never obtain a husband for her equal to +thee.' + +"Santanu, hearing this, replied, 'When I have heard of the pledge thou +askest, I shall then say whether I would be able to grant it. If it is +capable of being granted, I shall certainly grant it. Otherwise how shall +I grant it.' The fisherman said, 'O king, what I ask of thee is this: the +son born of this maiden shall be installed by thee on thy throne and none +else shall thou make thy successor.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O Bharata, when Santanu heard this, he felt no +inclination to grant such a boon, though the fire of desire sorely burnt +him within. The king with his heart afflicted by desire returned to +Hastinapura, thinking all the way of the fisherman's daughter. And having +returned home, the monarch passed his time in sorrowful meditation. One +day, Devavrata approaching his afflicted father said, 'All is prosperity +with thee; all chiefs obey thee; then how is it that thou grievest thus? +Absorbed in thy own thoughts, thou speakest not a word to me in reply. +Thou goest not out on horse-back now; thou lookest pale and emaciated, +having lost all animation. I wish to know the disease thou sufferest from, +so that I may endeavour to apply a remedy.' Thus addressed by his son, +Santanu answered, 'Thou sayest truly, O son, that I have become melancholy. +I will also tell thee why I am so. O thou of Bharata's line, thou art the +only scion of this our large race. Thou art always engaged in sports of +arms and achievements of prowess. But, O son, I am always thinking of the +instability of human life. If any danger overtake thee, O child of Ganga, +the result is that we become sonless. Truly thou alone art to me as a +century of sons. I do not, therefore, desire to wed again. I only desire +and pray that prosperity may ever attend thee so that our dynasty may be +perpetuated. The wise say that he that hath one son hath no son. +Sacrifices before fire and the knowledge of the three Vedas yield, it is +true, everlasting religious merit, but all these, in point of religious +merit, do not come up to a sixteenth part of the religious merit +attainable on the birth of a son. Indeed, in this respect, there is hardly +any difference between men and the lower animals. O wise one, I do not +entertain a shadow of doubt that one attains to heaven in consequence of +his having begotten a son. The Vedas which constitute the root of the +Puranas and are regarded as authoritative even by the gods, contain +numerous proof of this. O thou of Bharata's race, thou art a hero of +excitable temper, who is always engaged in the exercise of arms. It is +very probable that thou wilt be slain on the field of battle. If it so +happen, what then will be the state of the Bharata dynasty, It is this +thought that hath made me so melancholy. I have now told thee fully the +causes of my sorrow.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Devavrata who was endued with great intelligence, +having ascertained all this from the king, reflected within himself for a +while. He then went to the old minister devoted to his father's welfare +and asked him about the cause of the king's grief. O bull of Bharata's +race, when the prince questioned the minister, the latter told him about +the boon that was demanded by the chief of the fishermen in respect of his +daughter Gandhavati. Then Devavrata, accompanied by many Kshatriya chiefs +of venerable age, personally repaired to the chief of the fishermen and +begged of him his daughter on behalf of the king. The chief of the +fishermen received him with due adorations, and, O thou of Bharata's race, +when the prince took his seat in the court of the chief, the latter +addressed him and said, 'O bull among the Bharatas, thou art the first of +all wielders of weapons and the only son of Santanu. Thy power is great. +But I have something to tell thee. If the bride's father was Indra himself, +even then he would have to repent of rejecting such an exceedingly +honourable and desirable proposal of marriage. The great man of whose seed +this celebrated maiden named Satyavati was born, is, indeed, equal to you +in virtue. He hath spoken to me on many occasions of the virtues of thy +father and told me that, the king alone is worthy of (marrying) Satyavati. +Let me tell you that I have even rejected the solicitations of that best +of Brahmarshis--the celestial sage Asita--who, too, had often asked for +Satyavati's hand in marriage. I have only one word to say on the part of +this maiden. In the matter of the proposed marriage there is one great +objection founded on the fact of a rival in the person of a co-wife's son. +O oppressor of all foes, he hath no security, even if he be an Asura or a +Gandharva, who hath a rival in thee. There is this only objection to the +proposed marriage, and nothing else. Blest be thou! But this is all I have +to say in the matter of the bestowal or otherwise, of Satyavati.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O thou of Bharata's race, Devavrata, having +heard these words, and moved by the desire of benefiting his father thus +answered in the hearing of the assembled chiefs, 'O foremost of truthful +men, listen to the vow I utter! The man has not been or will not be born, +who will have the courage to take such a vow! I shall accomplish all that +thou demandest! The son that may be born of this maiden shall be our +king.' Thus addressed, the chief of the fishermen, impelled by desire of +sovereignty (for his daughter's son), to achieve the almost impossible, +then said, 'O thou of virtuous soul, thou art come hither as full agent on +behalf of thy father Santanu of immeasurable glory; be thou also the sole +manager on my behalf in the matter of the bestowal of this my daughter. +But, O amiable one, there is something else to be said, something else to +be reflected upon by thee. O suppressor of foes, those that have daughters, +from the very nature of their obligations, must say what I say. O thou +that art devoted to truth, the promise thou hast given in the presence of +these chiefs for the benefit of Satyavati, hath, indeed, been worthy of +thee. O thou of mighty arms, I have not the least doubt of its ever being +violated by thee. But I have my doubts in respect of the children thou +mayst beget.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O king, the son of Ganga, devoted to truth, +having ascertained the scruples of the chief of the fishermen, then said, +moved thereto by the desire of benefiting his father, 'Chief of fishermen, +thou best of men, listen to what I say in the presence of these assembled +kings. Ye kings, I have already relinquished my right to the throne, I +shall now settle the matter of my children. O fisherman, from this day I +adopt the vow of Brahmacharya (study and meditation in celibacy). If I die +sonless, I shall yet attain to regions of perennial bliss in heaven!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Upon these words of the son of Ganga, the hair +on the fisherman's body stood on end from glee, and he replied, 'I bestow +my daughter!' Immediately after, the Apsaras and the gods with diverse +tribes of Rishis began to rain down flowers from the firmament upon the +head of Devavrata and exclaimed, 'This one is Bhishma (the terrible).' +Bhishma then, to serve his father, addressed the illustrious damsel and +said, 'O mother, ascend this chariot, and let us go unto our house.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, Bhishma helped the beautiful +maiden into his chariot. On arriving with her at Hastinapura, he told +Santanu everything as it had happened. And the assembled kings, jointly +and individually, applauded his extraordinary act and said, 'He is really +Bhishma (the terrible)!' And Santanu also, hearing of the extraordinary +achievements of his son, became highly gratified and bestowed upon the +high-souled prince the boon of death at will, saying, 'Death shall never +come to thee as long as thou desirest to live. Truly death shall approach +thee, O sinless one, having first obtained thy command.'" + + +SECTION CI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O monarch, after the nuptials were over, king Santanu +established his beautiful bride in his household. Soon after was born of +Satyavati an intelligent and heroic son of Santanu named Chitrangada. He +was endued with great energy and became an eminent man. The lord Santanu +of great prowess also begat upon Satyavati another son named Vichitravirya, +who became a mighty bowman and who became king after his father. And +before that bull among men, viz., Vichitravirya, attained to majority, the +wise king Santanu realised the inevitable influence of Time. And after +Santanu had ascended to heaven, Bhishma, placing himself under the command +of Satyavati, installed that suppressor of foes, viz., Chitrangada, on the +throne, who, having soon vanquished by his prowess all monarchs, +considered not any man as his equal. And beholding that he could vanquish +men, Asuras, and the very gods, his namesake, the powerful king of the +Gandharvas, approached him for an encounter. Between that Gandharva and +that foremost one of the Kurus, who were both very powerful, there +occurred on the field of Kurukshetra a fierce combat which lasted full +three years on the banks of the Saraswati. In that terrible encounter +characterised by thick showers of weapons and in which the combatants +ground each other fiercely, the Gandharva, who had greater prowess or +strategic deception, slew the Kuru prince. Having slain Chitrangada--that +first of men and oppressor of foes--the Gandharva ascended to heaven. When +that tiger among men endued with great prowess was slain, Bhishma, the son +of Santanu, performed, O king, all his obsequies. He then installed the +boy Vichitravirya of mighty arms, still in his minority, on the throne of +the Kurus. And Vichitravirya, placing himself under the command of Bhishma, +ruled the ancestral kingdom. And he adored Santanu's son Bhishma who was +conversant with all the rules of religion and law; so, indeed, Bhishma +also protected him that was so obedient to the dictates of duty.'" + + +SECTION CII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O thou of Kuru's race, after Chitrangada was slain, +his successor Vichitravirya being a minor, Bhishma ruled the kingdom, +placing himself under the command of Satyavati. When he saw that his +brother, who was the foremost of intelligent men, attained to majority, +Bhishma set his heart upon marrying Vichitravirya. At this time he heard +that the three daughters of the king of Kasi, all equal in beauty to the +Apsaras themselves, would be married on the same occasion, selecting their +husbands at a self-choice ceremony. Then that foremost of car-warriors, +that vanquisher of all foes, at the command of his mother, went to the +city of Varanasi in a single chariot. There Bhishma, the son of Santanu, +saw that innumerable monarchs had come from all directions; and there he +also saw those three maidens that would select their own husbands. And +when the (assembled) kings were each being mentioned by name, Bhishma +chose those maidens (on behalf of his brother). And taking them upon his +chariot, Bhishma, that first of smiters in battle, addressed the kings, O +monarch, and said in a voice deep as the roar of the clouds, 'The wise +have directed that when an accomplished person has been invited, a maiden +may be bestowed on him, decked with ornaments and along with many valuable +presents. Others again may bestow their daughters by accepting a couple of +kine. Some again bestow their daughters by taking a fixed sum, and some +take away maidens by force. Some wed with the consent of the maidens, some +by drugging them into consent, and some by going unto the maidens' parents +and obtaining their sanction. Some again obtain wives as presents for +assisting at sacrifices. Of these, the learned always applaud the eighth +form of marriage. Kings, however, speak highly of the Swyamvara (the fifth +form as above) and themselves wed according to it. But the sages have said +that, that wife is dearly to be prized who is taken away by force, after +the slaughter of opponents, from amidst the concourse of princes and kings +invited to a self-choice ceremony. Therefore, ye monarchs, I bear away +these maidens hence by force. Strive ye, to the best of your might, to +vanquish me or to be vanquished. Ye monarchs, I stand here resolved to +fight!' Kuru prince, endued with great energy, thus addressing the +assembled monarchs and the king of Kasi, took upon his car those maidens. +And having taken them up, he sped his chariot away, challenging the +invited kings to a fight. + +"The challenged monarchs then all stood up, slapping their arms and biting +their nether lips in wrath. And loud was the din produced, as, in a great +hurry, they began to cast off their ornaments and put on their armour. And +the motion of their ornaments and armour, O Janamejaya, brilliant as these +were, resembled meteoric flashes in the sky. And with brows contracted and +eyes red with rage, the monarchs moved in impatience, their armour and +ornaments dazzling or waving with their agitated steps. The charioteers +soon brought handsome cars with fine horses harnessed thereto. Those +splendid warriors then, equipped with all kinds of weapons, rode on those +cars, and with uplifted weapons pursued the retreating chief of the Kurus. +Then, O Bharata, occurred the terrible encounter between those innumerable +monarchs on one side and the Kuru warrior alone on the other. And the +assembled monarchs threw at their foe ten thousand arrows at the same time. +Bhishma, however speedily checked those numberless arrows before they +could come at him by means of a shower of his own arrows as innumerable as +the down on the body. Then those kings surrounded him from all sides and +rained arrows on him like masses of clouds showering on the mountain- +breast. But Bhishma, arresting with his shafts the course of that arrowy +downpour, pierced each of the monarchs with three shafts. The latter, in +their turn pierced Bhishma, each with five shafts. But, O king, Bhishma +checked those by his prowess and pierced each of the contending kings with +two shafts. The combat became so fierce with that dense shower of arrows +and other missiles that it looked very much like the encounter between the +celestials and the Asuras of old, and men of courage who took no part in +it were struck with fear even to look at the scene. Bhishma cut off, with +his arrows, on the field of battle, bows, and flagstaffs, and coats of +mail, and human heads by hundreds and thousands. And such was his terrible +prowess and extraordinary lightness of hand, and such the skill with which +he protected himself, that the contending car-warriors, though his enemies, +began to applaud him loudly. Then that foremost of all wielders of weapons +having vanquished in battle all those monarchs, pursued his way towards +the capital of the Bharatas, taking those maidens with him. + +"It was then, O king, that mighty car-warrior, king Salya of immeasurable +prowess, from behind summoned Bhishma, the son of Santanu, to an encounter. +And desirous of obtaining the maidens, he came upon Bhishma like a mighty +leader of a herd of elephants rushing upon another of his kind, and +tearing with his tusks the latter's hips at the sight of a female elephant +in heat. And Salya of mighty arms, moved by wrath addressed Bhishma and +said, 'Stay, Stay.' Then Bhishma, that tiger among men, that grinder of +hostile armies, provoked by these words, flamed up in wrath like a blazing +fire. Bow in hand, and brow furrowed into wrinkles, he stayed on his car, +in obedience to Kshatriya usage having checked its course in expectation +of the enemy. All the monarchs seeing him stop, stood there to become +spectators of the coming encounter between him and Salya. The two then +began to exhibit their prowess (upon each other) like roaring bulls of +great strength at the sight of a cow in rut. Then that foremost of men, +king Salya covered Bhishma, the son of Santanu with hundreds and thousands +of swift-winged shafts. And those monarchs seeing Salya thus covering +Bhishma at the outset with innumerable shafts, wondered much and uttered +shouts of applause. Beholding his lightness of hand in combat, the crowd +of regal spectators became very glad and applauded Salya greatly. That +subjugator of hostile towns, Bhishma, then, on hearing those shouts of the +Kshatriyas, became very angry and said, 'Stay, Stay'. In wrath, he +commanded his charioteer, saying, 'Lead thou my car to where Salya is, so +that I may slay him instantly as Garuda slays a serpent.' Then the Kuru +chief fixed the Varuna weapon on his bow-string, and with it afflicted the +four steeds of king Salya. And, O tiger among kings, the Kuru chief, then, +warding off with his weapons those of his foe, slew Salya's charioteer. +Then that first of men, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, fighting for the sake +of those damsels, slew with the Aindra weapon the noble steeds of his +adversary. He then vanquished that best of monarchs but left him with his +life. O bull of Bharata's race, Salya, after his defeat, returned to his +kingdom and continued to rule it virtuously. And O conqueror of hostile +towns, the other kings also, who had come to witness the self-choice +ceremony returned to their own kingdoms. + +"That foremost of smiters, viz., Bhishma, after defeating those monarchs, +set out with those damsels, for Hastinapura whence the virtuous Kuru +prince Vichitravirya ruled the earth like that best of monarchs, viz., his +father Santanu. And, O king, passing through many forests, rivers, hills, +and woods abounding with trees, he arrived (at the capital) in no time. Of +immeasurable prowess in battle, the son of the ocean-going Ganga, having +slain numberless foes in battle without a scratch on his own person, +brought the daughters of the king of Kasi unto the Kurus as tenderly if +they were his daughters-in-law, or younger sisters, or daughters. And +Bhishma of mighty arms, impelled by the desire of benefiting his brother, +having by his prowess brought them thus, then offered those maidens +possessing every accomplishment unto Vichitravirya. Conversant with the +dictates of virtue, the son of Santanu, having achieved such an +extraordinary feat according to (kingly) custom, then began to make +preparations for his brother's wedding. And when everything about the +wedding had been settled by Bhishma in consultation with Satyavati, the +eldest daughter of the king of Kasi, with a soft smile, told him these +words, 'At heart I had chosen the king of Saubha for my husband. He had, +in his heart, accepted me for his wife. This was also approved by my +father. At the self-choice ceremony also I would have chosen him as my +lord. Thou art conversant with all the dictates of virtue, knowing all +this, do as thou likest.' Thus addressed by that maiden in the presence of +the Brahmanas, the heroic Bhishma began to reflect as to what should be +done. As he was conversant with the rules of virtue, he consulted with the +Brahmanas who had mastered the Vedas, and permitted Amba, the eldest +daughter of the ruler of Kasi to do as she liked. But he bestowed with due +rites the two other daughters, Ambika and Ambalika on his younger brother +Vichitravirya. And though Vichitravirya was virtuous and abstemious, yet, +proud of youth and beauty, he soon became lustful after his marriage. And +both Ambika and Ambalika were of tall stature, and of the complexion of +molten gold. And their heads were covered with black curly hair, and their +finger-nails were high and red; their hips were fat and round, and their +breasts full and deep. And endued with every auspicious mark, the amiable +young ladies considered themselves to be wedded to a husband who was every +way worthy of themselves, and extremely loved and respected Vichitravirya. +And Vichitravirya also, endued with the prowess of the celestials and the +beauty of the twin Aswins, could steal the heart of any beautiful woman. +And the prince passed seven years uninterruptedly in the company of his +wives. He was attacked while yet in the prime of youth, with phthisis. +Friends and relatives in consultation with one another tried to effect a +cure. But in spite of all efforts, the Kuru prince died, setting like the +evening sun. The virtuous Bhishma then became plunged into anxiety and +grief, and in consultation with Satyavati caused the obsequial rites of +the deceased to be performed by learned priests and the several of the +Kuru race.'" + + +SECTION CIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The unfortunate Satyavati then became plunged in +grief on account of her son. And after performing with her daughters-in- +law the funeral rites of the deceased, consoled, as best she could, her +weeping daughters-in-law and Bhishma, that foremost of all wielders of +weapons. And turning her eyes to religion, and to the paternal and +maternal lines (of the Kurus), she addressed Bhishma and said 'The funeral +cake, the achievements, and the perpetuation of the line of the virtuous +and celebrated Santanu of Kuru's race, all now depend on thee. As the +attainment of heaven is inseparable from good deeds, as long life is +inseparable from truth and faith, so is virtue inseparable from thee. O +virtuous one, thou art well-acquainted, in detail and in the abstract, +with the dictates of virtue, with various Srutis, and with all the +branches of the Vedas; know very well that thou art equal unto Sukra and +Angiras as regards firmness in virtue, knowledge of the particular customs +of families, and readiness of inventions under difficulties. Therefore, O +foremost of virtuous men, relying on thee greatly, I shall appoint thee in +a certain matter. Hearing me, it behoveth thee to do my bidding. O bull +among men, my son and thy brother, endued with energy and dear unto thee, +hath gone childless to heaven while still a boy. These wives of thy +brother, the amiable daughters of the ruler of Kasi, possessing beauty and +youth, have become desirous of children. Therefore, O thou of mighty arms, +at my command, raise offspring on them for the perpetuation of our line. +It behoveth thee to guard virtue against loss. Install thyself on the +throne and rule the kingdom of the Bharatas. Wed thou duly a wife. Plunge +not thy ancestors into hell.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by his mother and friends and +relatives, that oppressor of foes, the virtuous Bhishma, gave this reply +conformable to the dictates of virtue, 'O mother, what thou sayest is +certainly sanctioned by virtue. But thou knowest what my vow is in the +matter of begetting children. Thou knowest also all that transpired in +connection with thy dower. O Satyavati, I repeat the pledge I once gave, +viz., I would renounce three worlds, the empire of heaven, anything that +may be greater than that, but truth I would never renounce. The earth may +renounce its scent, water may renounce its moisture, light may renounce +its attribute of exhibiting forms, air may renounce its attribute of touch, +the sun may renounce his glory, fire, its heat, the moon, his cooling rays, +space, its capacity of generating sound, the slayer of Vritra, his prowess, +the god of justice, his impartiality; but I cannot renounce truth.' Thus +addressed by her son endued wealth of energy, Satyavati said unto Bhishma, +'O thou whose prowess is truth, I know of thy firmness in truth. Thou +canst, if so minded, create, by the help of thy energy, three worlds other +than those that exist. I know what thy vow was on my account. But +considering this emergency, bear thou the burden of the duty that one +oweth to his ancestors. O punisher of foes, act in such a way that the +lineal link may not be broken and our friends and relatives may not +grieve.' Thus urged by the miserable and weeping Satyavati speaking such +words inconsistent with virtue from grief at the loss of her son, Bhishma +addressed her again and said, 'O Queen, turn not thy eyes away from virtue. +O, destroy us not. Breach of truth by a Kshatriya is never applauded in +our treatises on religion. I shall soon tell thee, O Queen, what the +established Kshatriya usage is to which recourse may be had to prevent +Santanu's line becoming extinct on earth. Hearing me, reflect on what +should be done in consultation with learned priests and those that are +acquainted with practices allowable in times of emergency and distress, +forgetting not at the same time what the ordinary course of social conduct +is.'" + + +SECTION CIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Bhishma continued, 'In olden days, Rama, the son of Jamadagni, in anger +at the death of his father, slew with his battle axe the king of the +Haihayas. And Rama, by cutting off the thousand arms of Arjuna (the +Haihaya king), achieved a most difficult feat in the world. Not content +with this, he set out on his chariot for the conquest of the world, and +taking up his bow he cast around his mighty weapons to exterminate the +Kshatriyas. And the illustrious scion of Bhrigu's race, by means of his +swift arrows annihilated the Kshatriya tribe one and twenty times. + +"And when the earth was thus deprived of Kshatriyas by the great Rishi, +the Kshatriya ladies all over the land had offspring raised by Brahmanas +skilled in the Vedas. It has been said in the Vedas that the sons so +raised belongeth to him that had married the mother. And the Kshatriya +ladies went in unto the Brahamanas not lustfully but from motives of +virtue. Indeed, it was thus that the Kshatriya race was revived. + +"In this connection there is another old history that I will recite to you. +There was in olden days a wise Rishi of the name of Utathya. He had a wife +of the name Mamata whom he dearly loved. One day Utathya's younger brother +Vrihaspati, the priest of the celestials, endued with great energy, +approached Mamata. The latter, however, told her husband's younger brother-- +that foremost of eloquent men--that she had conceived from her connection +with his elder brother and that, therefore, he should not then seek for +the consummation of his wishes. She continued, 'O illustrious Vrihaspati, +the child that I have conceived hath studied in his mother's womb the +Vedas with the six Angas, Semen tuum frustra perdi non potest. How can +then this womb of mine afford room for two children at a time? Therefore, +it behoveth thee not to seek for the consummation of thy desire at such a +time.' Thus addressed by her, Vrihaspati, though possessed of great +wisdom, succeeded not in suppressing his desire. Quum auten jam cum illa +coiturus esset, the child in the womb then addressed him and said, 'O +father, cease from thy attempt. There is no space here for two. O +illustrious one, the room is small. I have occupied it first. Semen tuum +perdi non potest. It behoveth thee not to afflict me.' But Vrihaspati +without listening to what that child in the womb said, sought the embraces +of Mamata possessing the most beautiful pair of eyes. Ille tamen Muni qui +in venture erat punctum temporis quo humor vitalis jam emissum iret +providens, viam per quam semen intrare posset pedibus obstruxit. Semen ita +exhisum, excidit et in terram projectumest. And the illustrious +Vrihaspati, beholding this, became indignant, and reproached Utathya's +child and cursed him, saying, 'Because thou hast spoken to me in the way +thou hast at a time of pleasure that is sought after by all creatures, +perpetual darkness shall overtake thee.' And from this curse of the +illustrious Vrishaspati Utathya's child who was equal unto Vrihaspati in +energy, was born blind and came to be called Dirghatamas (enveloped in +perpetual darkness). And the wise Dirghatamas, possessed of a knowledge +of the Vedas, though born blind, succeeded yet by virtue of his learning, +in obtaining for a wife a young and handsome Brahmana maiden of the name +of Pradweshi. And having married her, the illustrious Dirghatamas, for the +expansion of Utathya's race, begat upon her several children with Gautama +as their eldest. These children, however, were all given to covetousness +and folly. The virtuous and illustrious Dirghatamas possessing complete +mastery over the Vedas, soon after learnt from Surabhi's son the practices +of their order and fearlessly betook himself to those practices, regarding +them with reverence. (For shame is the creature of sin and can never be +where there is purity of intention). Then those best of Munis that dwelt +in the same asylum, beholding him transgress the limits of propriety +became indignant, seeing sin where sin was not. And they said, 'O, this +man, transgresseth the limit of propriety. No longer doth he deserve a +place amongst us. Therefore, shall we all cast this sinful wretch off.' +And they said many other things regarding the Muni Dirghatamas. And his +wife, too, having obtained children, became indignant with him. + +"The husband then addressing his wife Pradweshi, said, 'Why is it that +thou also hast been dissatisfied with me?' His wife answered, 'The husband +is called the Bhartri because he supporteth the wife. He is called Pati +because he protecteth her. But thou art neither, to me! O thou of great +ascetic merit, on the other hand, thou hast been blind from birth, it is I +who have supported thee and thy children. I shall not do so in future.' + +"Hearing these words of his wife, the Rishi became indignant and said unto +her and her children, 'Take me unto the Kshatriyas and thou shalt then be +rich.' His wife replied (by saying), 'I desire not wealth that may be +procured by thee, for that can never bring me happiness. O best of +Brahmanas, do as thou likest. I shall not be able to maintain thee as +before.' At these words of his wife, Dirghatamas said, 'I lay down from +this day as a rule that every woman shall have to adhere to one husband +for her life. Be the husband dead or alive, it shall not be lawful for a +woman to have connection with another. And she who may have such +connection shall certainly be regarded as fallen. A woman without husband +shall always be liable to be sinful. And even if she be wealthy she shall +not be able to enjoy that wealth truly. Calumny and evil report shall ever +dog her.' Hearing these words of her husband Pradweshi became very angry, +and commanded her sons, saying, 'Throw him into the waters of Ganga!' And +at the command of their mother, the wicked Gautama and his brothers, those +slaves of covetousness and folly, exclaiming, 'Indeed, why should we +support this old man?--'tied the Muni to a raft and committing him to the +mercy of the stream returned home without compunction. The blind old man +drifting along the stream on that raft, passed through the territories of +many kings. One day a king named Vali conversant with every duty went to +the Ganges to perform his ablutions. And as the monarch was thus engaged, +the raft to which the Rishi was tied, approached him. And as it came, the +king took the old man. The virtuous Vali, ever devoted to truth, then +learning who the man was that was thus saved by him, chose him for raising +up offspring. And Vali said, 'O illustrious one, it behoveth thee to raise +upon my wife a few sons that shall be virtuous and wise.' Thus addressed, +the Rishi endued with great energy, expressed his willingness. Thereupon +king Vali sent his wife Sudeshna unto him. But the queen knowing that the +latter was blind and old went not unto him, she sent unto him her nurse. +And upon that Sudra woman the virtuous Rishi of passions under full +control begat eleven children of whom Kakshivat was the eldest. And +beholding those eleven sons with Kakshivat as the eldest, who had studied +all the Vedas and who like Rishis were utterers of Brahma and were +possessed of great power, king Vali one day asked the Rishi saying, 'Are +these children mine?' The Rishi replied, 'No, they are mine. Kakshivat and +others have been begotten by me upon a Sudra woman. Thy unfortunate queen +Sudeshna, seeing me blind and old, insulted me by not coming herself but +sending unto me, instead, her nurse.' The king then pacified that best of +Rishis and sent unto him his queen Sudeshna. The Rishi by merely touching +her person said to her, 'Thou shalt have five children named Anga, Vanga, +Kalinga, Pundra and Suhma, who shall be like unto Surya (Sun) himself in +glory. And after their names as many countries shall be known on earth. It +is after their names that their dominions have come to be called Anga, +Vanga, Kalinga, Pundra and Suhma.' + +"It was thus that the line of Vali was perpetuated, in days of old, by a +great Rishi. And it was thus also that many mighty bowmen and great car- +warriors wedded to virtue, sprung in the Kshatriya race from the seed of +Brahmanas. Hearing this, O mother, do as thou likest, as regards the +matter in hand.'" + + +SECTION CV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Bhishma, continued, 'Listen, O mother, to me as I indicate the means by +which the Bharata line may be perpetuated. Let an accomplished Brahmana be +invited by an offer of wealth, and let him raise offspring upon the wives +of Vichitravirya.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Satyavati, then, smiling softly and in voice +broken in bashfulness, addressed Bhishma saying, 'O Bharata of mighty arms, +what thou sayest is true. From my confidence in thee I shall now indicate +the means of perpetuating our line. Thou shall not be able to reject it, +being conversant, as thou art, with the practices permitted in seasons of +distress. In our race, thou art Virtue, and thou art Truth, and thou art, +too, our sole refuge. Therefore hearing what I say truly, do what may be +proper. + +"My father was a virtuous man. For virtue's sake he had kept a (ferry) +boat. One day, in the prime of my youth, I went to ply that boat. It so +happened that the great and wise Rishi Parasara, that foremost of all +virtuous men, came, and betook himself to my boat for crossing the Yamuna. +As I was rowing him across the river, the Rishi became excited with desire +and began to address me in soft words. The fear of my father was uppermost +in my mind. But the terror of the Rishi's curse at last prevailed. And +having obtained from him a precious boon, I could not refuse his +solicitations. The Rishi by his energy brought me under his complete +control, and gratified his desire then and there, having first enveloped +the region in a thick fog. Before this there was a revolting fishy odour +in my body; but the Rishi dispelled it and gave me my present fragrance. +The Rishi also told me that by bringing forth his child in an island of +the river, I would still continue (to be) a virgin. And the child of +Parasara so born of me in my maidenhood hath become a great Rishi endued +with large ascetic powers and known by the name of Dwaipayana (the island- +born). That illustrious Rishi having by his ascetic power divided the +Vedas into four parts hath come to be called on earth by the name of Vyasa +(the divider or arranger), and for his dark colour, Krishna (the dark). +Truthful in speech, free from passion, a mighty ascetic who hath burnt all +his sins, he went away with his father immediately after his birth. +Appointed by me and thee also, that Rishi of incomparable splendour will +certainly beget good children upon the wives of thy brother. He told me +when he went away, 'Mother, think of me when thou art in difficulty.' I +will now call him up, if thou, O Bhishma of mighty arms so desirest. If +thou art willing, O Bhishma, I am sure that great ascetic will beget +children upon Vichitravirya's field.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Mention being made of the great Rishi, Bhishma +with joined palms said, 'That man is truly intelligent who fixes his eyes +judiciously on virtue, profit, and pleasure, and who after reflecting with +patience, acteth in such a way that virtue may lead to future virtue, +profit to future profit and pleasure to future pleasure. Therefore, that +which hath been said by thee and which, besides being beneficial to us, is +consistent with virtue, is certainly the best advice and hath my full +approval.' And when Bhishma had said this, O thou of Kuru's race, Kali +(Satyavati) thought of the Muni Dwaipayana and Dwaipayana who was then +engaged in interpreting the Vedas, learning that he was being called up by +his mother, came instantly unto her without anybody's knowing it. +Satayavati then duly greeted her son and embraced him with arms, bathing +him in her tears, for the daughter of the fisherman wept bitterly at the +sight of her son after so long a time. And her first son, the great Vyasa, +beholding her weeping, washed her with cool water, and bowing unto her, +said, 'I have come, O mother, to fulfil thy wishes. Therefore, O virtuous +one, command me without delay. I shall accomplish thy desire.' The family +priest of the Bharatas then worshipped the great Rishi duly, and the +latter accepted the offerings of worship, uttering the usual mantras. And +gratified with the worship he received, he took his seat. Satyavati, +beholding him seated at his ease, after the usual inquiries, addressed him +and said, 'O learned one, sons derive their birth both from the father and +the mother. They are, therefore, the common property of both parents. +There cannot be the least doubt about it that the mother hath as much +power over them as the father. As thou art, indeed, my eldest son +according to the ordinance, O Brahmarshi, so is Vichitravirya my youngest +son. And as Bhishma is Vichitravirya's brother on the father's side, so +art thou his brother on the same mother's side. I do not know what you may +think, but this is what, O son, I think. This Bhishma, the son of Santanu, +devoted to truth, doth not, for the sake of truth, entertain the desire +of either begetting children or ruling the kingdom. Therefore, from +affection for thy brother Vichitravirya, for the perpetuation of our +dynasty, for the sake of this Bhishma's request and my command, for +kindness to all creatures, for the protection of the people and from the +liberality of thy heart, O sinless one, it behoveth thee to do what I say. +Thy younger brother hath left two widows like unto the daughters of the +celestials themselves, endued with youth and great beauty. For the sake of +virtue and religion, they have become desirous of offspring. Thou art the +fittest person to be appointed. Therefore beget upon them children worthy +of our race and for the continuance of our line.' + +"Vyasa, hearing this, said, 'O Satyavati, thou knowest what virtue is both +in respect of this life and the other. O thou of great wisdom, thy +affections also are set on virtue. Therefore, at thy command, making +virtue my motive, I shall do what thou desirest. Indeed, this practice +that is conformable to the true and eternal religion is known to me. I +shall give unto my brother children that shall be like unto Mitra and +Varuna. Let the ladies then duly observe for one full year the vow I +indicate. They shall then be purified. No women shall ever approach me +without having observed a rigid vow.' + +"Satyavati then said, 'O sinless one, it must be as thou sayest. Take such +steps that the ladies may conceive immediately. In a kingdom where there +is no king, the people perish from want of protection; sacrifices and +other holy acts are suspended; the clouds send no showers; and the gods +disappear. How can a kingdom be protected that hath no king? Therefore, +see thou that the ladies conceive. Bhishma will watch over the children as +long as they are in their mother's wombs. + +"Vyasa replied, 'If I am to give unto my brother children so unseasonably, +then let the ladies bear my ugliness. That in itself shall, in their case, +be the austerest of penances. If the princess of Kosala can bear my strong +odour, my ugly and grim visage, my attire and body, she shall then +conceive an excellent child.'" + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having spoken thus unto Satyavati, Vyasa of +great energy addressed her and said, 'Let the princess of Kosala clad in +clean attire and checked with ornaments wait for me in her bed-chamber.' +Saying this, the Rishi disappeared, Satyavati then went to her daughter-in- +law and seeing her in private spoke to her these words of beneficial and +virtuous import, 'O princess of Kosala, listen to what I say. It is +consistent with virtue. The dynasty of the Bharatas hath become extinct +from my misfortune. Beholding my affliction and the extinction of his +paternal line, the wise Bhishma, impelled also by the desire of +perpetuating our race, hath made me a suggestion, which suggestion, +however, for its accomplishment is dependent on thee. Accomplish it, O +daughter, and restore the lost line of the Bharatas. O thou of fair hips, +bring thou forth a child equal in splendour unto the chief of the +celestials. He shall bear the onerous burden of this our hereditary +kingdom.' + +"Satyavati having succeeded with great difficulty in procuring the assent +of her virtuous daughter-in-law to her proposal which was not inconsistent +with virtue, then fed Brahmanas and Rishis and numberless guests who +arrived on the occasion.'" + + +SECTION CVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Soon after the monthly season of the princess of +Kosala had been over, Satyavati, purifying her daughter-in-law with a bath, +led her into the sleeping apartment. There seating her upon a luxurious +bed, she addressed her, saying, 'O Princess of Kosala, thy husband hath an +elder brother who shall this day enter thy womb as thy child. Wait for him +tonight without dropping off to sleep.' Hearing these words of her mother- +in-law, the amiable princess, as she lay on her bed, began to think of +Bhishma and the other elders of the Kuru race. Then the Rishi of truthful +speech, who had given his promise in respect of Amvika (the eldest of the +princesses) in the first instance, entered her chamber while the lamp was +burning. The princess, seeing his dark visage, his matted locks of copper +hue, blazing eyes, his grim beard, closed her eyes in fear. The Rishi, +from desire of accomplishing his mother's wishes, however knew her. But +the latter, struck with fear, opened not her eyes even once to look at him. +And when Vyasa came out, he was met by his mother, who asked him, 'Shall +the princess have an accomplished son?' Hearing her, he replied, 'The son +of the princess she will bring forth shall be equal in might unto ten +thousand elephants. He will be an illustrious royal sage, possessed of +great learning and intelligence and energy. The high-souled one shall have +in his time a century of sons. But from the fault of his mother he shall +be blind.' At these words of her son, Satyavati said, 'O thou of ascetic +wealth, how can one that is blind become a monarch worthy of the Kurus? +How can one that is blind become the protector of his relatives and family, +and the glory of his father's race? It behoveth thee to give another king +unto the Kurus.' Saying, 'So be it,' Vyasa went away. And the first +princess of Kosala in due time brought forth a blind son. + +"Soon after Satyavati, O chastiser of foes, summoned Vyasa, after having +secured the assent of her daughter-in-law. Vyasa came according to his +promise, and approached, as before, the second wife of his brother. And +Ambalika beholding the Rishi, became pale with fear. And, O Bharata, +beholding her so afflicted and pale with fear, Vyasa addressed her and +said, 'Because thou hast been pale with fear at the sight of my grim +visage, therefore, thy child shall be pale in complexion. O thou of +handsome face, the name also thy child shall bear will be Pandu (the +pale).' Saying this, the illustrious and best of Rishis came out of her +chamber. And as he came out, he was met by his mother who asked him about +the would-be-child. The Rishi told her that the child would be of pale +complexion and known by the name of Pandu. Satyavati again begged of the +Rishi another child, and the Rishi told her in reply, 'So be it.' +Ambalika, then, when her time came, brought forth a son of pale +complexion. Blazing with beauty the child was endued with all auspicious +marks. Indeed, it was this child who afterwards became the father of +those mighty archers, the Pandavas. + +"Some time after, when the oldest of Vichitravirya's widows again had her +monthly season, she was solicited by Satyavati to approach Vyasa once +again. Possessed of beauty like a daughter of a celestial, the princess +refused to do her mother-in-law's bidding, remembering the grim visage and +strong odour of the Rishi. She, however, sent unto him a maid of hers, +endued with the beauty of an Apsara and decked with her own ornaments. And +when the Vyasa arrived, the maid rose up and saluted him. And she waited +upon him respectfully and took her seat near him when asked. And, O king, +the great Rishi of rigid vows, was well-pleased with her, and when he rose +to go away, he addressed her and said, 'Amiable one, thou shalt no longer +be a slave. Thy child also shall be greatly fortunate and virtuous, and +the foremost of all intelligent men on earth!' And, O king, the son thus +begotten upon her by Krishna-Dwaipayana was afterwards known by the name +of Vidura. He was thus the brother of Dhritarashtra and the illustrious +Pandu. And Vidura was free from desire and passion and was conversant with +the rules of government, and was the god of justice born on earth under +the curse of the illustrious Rishi Mandavya. And Krishna-Dwaipayana, when +he met his mother as before, informed her as to how he had been deceived +by the seniormost of the princesses and how he had begotten a son upon a +Sudra woman. And having spoken thus unto his mother the Rishi disappeared +from her sight. + +"Thus were born, in the field of Vichitravirya, even of Dwaipayana those +sons of the splendour of celestial children, those propagators of the Kuru +race.'" + + +SECTION CVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'What did the god of justice do for which he was cursed? +And who was the Brahmana ascetic from whose curse the god had to be born +in the Sudra caste?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a Brahmana known by the name of Mandavya. +He was conversant with all duties and was devoted to religion, truth and +asceticism. The great ascetic used to sit at the entrance of his hermitage +at the foot of a tree, with his arms upraised in the observance of the vow +of silence. And as he sat there for years together, one day there came +into his asylum a number of robbers laden with spoil. And, O bull in +Bharata's race, those robbers were then being pursued by a superior body +as guardians of the peace. The thieves, on entering that asylum, hid their +booty there, and in fear concealed themselves thereabout before the guards +came. But scarcely had they thus concealed themselves when the constables +in pursuit came to the spot. The latter, observing the Rishi sitting under +the tree, questioned him, O king, saying, 'O best of Brahmanas, which way +have the thieves taken? Point it out to us so that we may follow it +without loss of time.' Thus questioned by the guardians of peace the +ascetic, O king, said not a word, good or otherwise, in reply. The +officers of the king, however, on searching that asylum soon discovered +the thieves concealed thereabout together with the plunder. Upon this, +their suspicion fell upon the Muni, and accordingly they seized him with +the thieves and brought him before the king. The king sentenced him to be +executed along with his supposed associates. And the officers, acting in +ignorance, carried out the sentence by impaling the celebrated Rishi. And +having impaled him, they went to the king with the booty they had +recovered. But the virtuous Rishi, though impaled and kept without food, +remained in that state for a long time without dying. And the Rishi by his +ascetic power not only preserved his life but summoned other Rishi to the +scene. And they came there in the night in the forms of birds, and +beholding him engaged in ascetic meditation though fixed on that stake, +became plunged into grief. And telling that best of Brahmanas who they +were, they asked him saying, 'O Brahmana, we desire to know what hath been +thy sin for which thou hast thus been made to suffer the tortures of +impalement!'" + + +SECTION CVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus asked, the tiger among Munis then answered those +Rishis of ascetic wealth, 'Whom shall I blame for this? In fact, none else +(than my own self) hath offended against me!' After this, O monarch, the +officers of justice, seeing him alive, informed the king of it. The latter +hearing what they said, consulted with his advisers, and came to the place +and began to pacify the Rishi, fixed on the stake. And the king said, 'O +thou best of Rishis, I have offended against thee in ignorance. I beseech +thee to pardon me for the same. It behoveth thee not to be angry with me.' +Thus addressed by the king, the Muni was pacified. And beholding him free +from wrath, the king took him up with the stake and endeavoured to extract +it from his body. But not succeeding therein, he cut it off at the point +just outside the body. The Muni, with a portion of the stake within his +body, walked about, and in that state practised the austerest of penances +and conquered numberless regions unattainable by others. And for the +circumstances of a part of the stake being within his body, he came to be +known in the three worlds by the name of Ani-Mandavya (Mandavya with the +stake within). And one day that Brahamana acquainted with the highest +truth of religion went unto the abode of the god of justice. And beholding +the god there seated on his throne, the Rishi reproached him and said, +'What, pray, is that sinful act committed by me unconsciously, for which I +am bearing this punishment? O, tell me soon, and behold the power of my +asceticism.' + +"The god of justice, thus questioned, replied, 'O thou of ascetic wealth, +a little insect was once pierced by thee on a blade of grass. Thou bearest +now the consequence of the act. O Rishi, as a gift, however small, +multiplieth in respect of its religious merits, so a sinful act +multiplieth in respect of the woe it bringeth in its train.' On hearing +this, Ani-Mandavya asked, 'O tell me truly when this act was committed by +me.' Told in reply by the god of justice that he had committed it when a +child, the Rishi said, 'That shall not be a sin which may be done by a +child up to the twelfth year of his age from birth. The scriptures shall +not recognise it as sinful. The punishment thou hast inflicted on me for +such a venial offence hath been disproportionate in severity. The killing +of a Brahmana involves a sin that is heavier than the killing of any other +living being. Thou shall, therefore, O god of justice, have to be born +among men even in the Sudra order. And from this day I establish this +limit in respect of the consequence of acts that an act shall not be +sinful when committed by one below the age of fourteen. But when committed +by one above that age, it shall be regarded as sin.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Cursed for this fault by that illustrious Rishi, +the god of justice had his birth as Vidura in the Sudra order. And Vidura +was well-versed in the doctrines of morality and also politics and worldly +profit. And he was entirely free from covetousness and wrath. Possessed of +great foresight and undisturbed tranquillity of mind, Vidura was ever +devoted to the welfare of the Kurus.'" + + +SECTION CIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Upon the birth of those three children, Kurujangala, +Kurukshetra, and the Kurus grew in prosperity. The earth began to yield +abundant harvest, and the crops also were of good flavour. And the clouds +began to pour rain in season and trees became full of fruits and flowers. +And the draught cattle were all happy and the birds and other animals +rejoiced exceedingly. And the flowers became fragrant and the fruits +became sweet; the cities and towns became filled with merchants, artisans, +traders and artists of every description. And the people became brave, +learned, honest and happy. And there were no robbers then, nor anybody who +was sinful. And it seemed that the golden age had come upon every part of +the kingdom. And the people devoted to virtuous acts, sacrifices and truth, +and regarding one another with love and affection grew in prosperity. And +free from pride, wrath and covetousness, they rejoiced in perfectly +innocent sports. And the capital of the Kurus, full as the ocean, was a +second Amaravati, teeming with hundreds of palaces and mansions, and +possessing gates and arches dark as the clouds. And men in great +cheerfulness sported constantly on rivers, lakes and tanks, and in fine +groves and charming woods. And the southern Kurus, in their virtuous +rivalry with their northern kinsmen, walked about in the company of +Siddhas and Charanas and Rishis. And all over that delightful country +whose prosperity was thus increased by the Kurus, there were no misers and +no widowed women. And the wells and lakes were ever full; the groves +abounded with trees, and the houses and abodes of Brahmanas were full of +wealth and the whole kingdom was full of festivities. And, O king, +virtuously ruled by Bhishma, the kingdom was adorned with hundreds of +sacrificial stakes. And the wheel of virtue having been set in motion by +Bhishma, and the country became so contented that the subjects of other +kingdoms, quitting their homes, came to dwell there and increase its +population. And the citizens and the people were filled with hope, upon +seeing the youthful acts of their illustrious princes. And, O king, in the +house of the Kuru chiefs as also of the principal citizens, 'give', 'eat' +were the only words constantly heard. And Dhritarashtra and Pandu and +Vidura of great intelligence were from their birth brought up by Bhishma, +as if they were his own sons. And the children, having passed through the +usual rites of their order, devoted themselves to vows and study. And they +grew up into fine young men skilled in the Vedas and all athletic sports. +And they became well-skilled in the practice of bow, in horsemanship, in +encounters with mace, sword and shield, in the management of elephants in +battle, and in the science of morality. Well-read in history and the +Puranas and various branches of learning, and acquainted with the truths +of the Vedas and their branches they acquired knowledge, which was +versatile and deep. And Pandu, possessed of great prowess, excelled all +men in archery while Dhritarashtra excelled all in personal strength, +while in the three worlds there was no one equal to Vidura in devotion to +virtue and in the knowledge of the dictates of morality. And beholding the +restoration of the extinct line of Santanu, the saying became current in +all countries that among mothers of heroes, the daughters of the king of +Kasi were the first; that among countries Kurujangala was the first; that +among virtuous men, Vidura was the first; that among cities Hastinapura +was the first. Pandu became king, for Dhritarashtra, owing to the +blindness, and Vidura, for his birth by a Sudra woman, did not obtain the +kingdom. One day Bhishma, the foremost of those acquainted with the duties +of a statesman and dictates of morality, properly addressing Vidura +conversant with the truth of religion and virtue, said as follows." + + +SECTION CX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Bhishma said, 'This our celebrated race, resplendent with every virtue +and accomplishment, hath all along sovereignty over all other monarchs on +earth. Its glory maintained and itself perpetuated by many virtuous and +illustrious monarchs of old, the illustrious Krishna (Dwaipayana) and +Satyavati and myself have raised you (three) up, in order that it may not +be extinct. It behoveth myself and thee also to take such steps that this +our dynasty may expand again as the sea. It hath been heard by me that +there are three maidens worthy of being allied to our race. One is the +daughter of (Surasena of) the Yadava race; the other is the daughter of +Suvala; and the third is the princess of Madra. O son, all these maidens +are of course of blue blood. Possessed of beauty and pure blood, they are +eminently fit for an alliance with our family. O thou foremost of +intelligent men, I think we should choose them for the growth of our race. +Tell me what thou thinkest.' Thus addressed, Vidura replied, 'Thou art our +father and thou art our mother, too. Thou art our respected spiritual +instructor. Therefore, do thou what may be best for us in thy eyes.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Soon after Bhishma heard from the Brahmanas that +Gandhari, the amiable daughter of Suvala, having worshipped Hara (Siva) +had obtained from the deity the boon that she should have a century of +sons. Bhishma, the grandfather of the Kurus, having heard this, sent +messengers unto the king of Gandhara. King Suvala at first hesitated on +account of the blindness of the bridegroom, but taking into consideration +the blood of the Kurus, their fame and behaviour, he gave his virtuous +daughter unto Dhritarashtra and the chaste Gandhari hearing that +Dhritarashtra was blind and that her parents had consented to marry her to +him, from love and respect for her future husband, blindfolded her own +eyes. Sakuni, the son of Suvala, bringing unto the Kurus his sister endued +with youth and beauty, formally gave her away unto Dhritarashtra. And +Gandhari was received with great respect and the nuptials were celebrated +with great pomp under Bhishma's directions. And the heroic Sakuni, after +having bestowed his sister along with many valuable robes, and having +received Bhishma's adorations, returned to his own city. And, O thou of +Bharata's race, the beautiful Gandhari gratified all the Kurus by her +behaviour and respectful attentions. And Gandhari, ever devoted to her +husband, gratified her superiors by her good conduct; and as she was +chaste, she never referred even by words to men other than her husband or +such superiors.'" + + +SECTION CXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'There was amongst the Yadavas a chief named Sura. +He was the father of Vasudeva. And he had a daughter called Pritha, who +was unrivalled for beauty on earth. And, O thou of Bharata's race, Sura, +always truthful in speech, gave from friendship this his firstborn +daughter unto his childless cousin and friend, the illustrious Kuntibhoja-- +the son of his paternal aunt--pursuant to a former promise. And Pritha in +the house of her adoptive father was engaged in looking after the duties +of hospitality to Brahmanas and other guests. Once she gratified by her +attentions the terrible Brahmana of rigid vows, who was known by the name +of Durvasa and was well-acquainted with the hidden truths of morality. +Gratified with her respectful attentions, the sage, anticipating by his +spiritual power the future (season of) distress (consequent upon the curse +to be pronounced upon Pandu for his unrighteous act of slaying a deer +while serving its mate) imparted to her a formula of invocation for +summoning any of the celestials she liked to give her children. And the +Rishi said, 'Those celestials that thou shall summon by this Mantra shall +certainly approach thee and give thee children.' Thus addressed by the +Brahmana, the amiable Kunti (Pritha) became curious, and in her maidenhood +summoned the god Arka (Sun). And as soon as he pronounced the Mantra, she +beheld that effulgent deity--that beholder of everything in the world-- +approaching her. And beholding that extraordinary sight, the maiden of +faultless features was overcome with surprise. But the god Vivaswat (Sun) +approaching her, said, 'Here I am, O black-eyed girl! Tell me what I am to +do for thee.' + +"Hearing this, Kunti said, 'O slayer of foes, a certain Brahamana gave me +this formula of invocation as a boon, and, O lord, I have summoned thee +only to test its efficacy. For this offence I bow to thee. A woman, +whatever be her offence, always deserveth pardon.' Surya (Sun) replied, 'I +know that Durvasa hath granted this boon. But cast off thy fears, timid +maiden, and grant me thy embraces. Amiable one, my approach cannot be +futile; it must bear fruit. Thou hast summoned me, and if it be for +nothing, it shall certainly be regarded as thy transgression.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Vivaswat thus spoke unto her many things with a +view to allay her fears, but, O Bharata, the amiable maiden, from modesty +and fear of her relatives, consented not to grant his request. And, O bull +of Bharata's race, Arka addressed her again and said, 'O princess, for my +sake, it shall not be sinful for thee to grant my wish.' Thus speaking +unto the daughter of Kuntibhoja, the illustrious Tapana--the illuminator +of the universe--gratified his wish. And of this connection there was +immediately born a son known all over the world as Karna accountred with +natural armour and with face brightened by ear-rings. And the heroic Karna +was the first of all wielders of weapons, blessed with good fortune, and +endued with the beauty of a celestial child. And after the birth of this +child, the illustrious Tapana granted unto Pritha her maidenhood and +ascended to heaven. And the princess of the Vrishni race beholding with +sorrow that son born of her, reflected intently upon what was then the +best for her to do. And from fear of her relatives she resolved to conceal +that evidence of her folly. And she cast her offspring endued with great +physical strength into the water. Then the well-known husband of Radha, of +the Suta caste, took up the child thus cast into the water, and he and his +wife brought him up as their own son. And Radha and her husband bestowed +on him the name of Vasusena (born with wealth) because he was born with a +natural armour and ear-rings. And endued as he was born with great +strength, as he grew up, he became skilled in all weapons. Possessed of +great energy, he used to adore the sun until his back was heated by his +rays (i.e., from dawn to midday), and during the hours of worship, there +was nothing on earth that the heroic and intelligent Vasusena would not +give unto the Brahmanas. And Indra desirous of benefiting his own son +Phalguni (Arjuna), assuming the form of a Brahmana, approached Vasusena on +one occasion and begged of him his natural armour. Thus asked Karna took +off his natural armour, and joining his hands in reverence gave it unto +Indra in the guise of a Brahmana. And the chief of the celestials accepted +the gift and was exceedingly gratified with Karna's liberality. He +therefore, gave unto him a fine dart, saying, 'That one (and one only) +among the celestials, the Asuras, men, the Gandharvas, the Nagas, and the +Rakshasas, whom thou desirest to conquer, shall be certainly slain with +this dart.' + +"The son of Surya was before this known by the name of Vasusena. But since +he cut off his natural armour, he came to be called Karna (the cutter or +peeler of his own cover).'" + + +SECTION CXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said. 'The large-eyed daughter of Kuntibhoja, Pritha by name, +was endued with beauty and every accomplishment. Of rigid vows, she was +devoted to virtue and possessed of every good quality. But though endued +with beauty and youth and every womanly attribute, yet it so happened that +no king asked for her hand. Her father Kuntibhoja seeing this, invited, O +best of monarchs, the princes and kings of other countries and desired his +daughter to select her husband from among her guests. The intelligent +Kunti, entering the amphitheatre, beheld Pandu--the foremost of the +Bharatas--that tiger among kings--in that concourse of crowned heads. +Proud as the lion, broad-chested, bull-eyed, endued with great strength, +and outshining all other monarchs in splendour, he looked like another +Indra in that royal assemblage. The amiable daughter of Kuntibhoja, of +faultless features, beholding Pandu--that best of men--in that assembly, +became very much agitated. And advancing with modesty, all the while +quivering with emotion, she placed the nuptial garland about Pandu's neck. +The other monarchs, seeing Kunti choose Pandu for her lord, returned to +their respective kingdoms on elephants, horses and cars, as they had come. +Then, O king, the bride's father caused the nuptial rites to be performed +duly. The Kuru prince blessed with great good fortune and the daughter of +Kuntibhoja formed a couple like Maghavat and Paulomi (the king and queen +of the celestials). And, O best of Kuru monarchs, king Kuntibhoja, after +the nuptials were over, presented his son-in-law with much wealth and sent +him back to his capital. Then the Kuru prince Pandu, accompanied by a +large force bearing various kinds of banners and pennons, and eulogised by +Brahmanas and great Rishis pronouncing benedictions, reached his capital. +And after arriving at his own palace, he established his queen therein.'" + + +SECTION CXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Some time after, Bhishma the intelligent son of +Santanu set his heart upon getting Pandu married to a second wife. +Accompanied by an army composed of four kinds of force, and also by aged +councillors and Brahmanas and great Rishis, he went to the capital of the +king of Madra. And that bull of the Valhikas--the king of Madra--hearing +that Bhishma had arrived, went out to receive him. And having received him +with respect, he got him to enter his palace. Arriving there, the king of +Madra offered unto Bhishma a white carpet for a seat; water to wash his +feet with, and usual oblation of various ingredients indicative of respect. +And when he was seated at ease, the king asked him about the reason of his +visit. Then Bhishma--the supporter of the dignity of the Kurus--addressed +the king of Madra and said, 'O oppressor of all foes, know that I have +come for the hand of a maiden. It hath been heard by us that thou hast a +sister named Madri celebrated for her beauty and endued with every virtue; +I would chose her for Pandu. Thou art, O king, in every respect worthy of +an alliance with us, and we also are worthy of thee. Reflecting upon all +this, O king of Madra, accept us duly.' The ruler of Madra, thus addressed +by Bhishma, replied, 'To my mind, there is none else than one of thy +family with whom I can enter into an alliance. But there is a custom in +our family observed by our ancestors, which, be it good or bad, I am +incapable of transgressing. It is well-known, and therefore is known to +thee as well, I doubt not. Therefore, it is not proper for thee to say to +me,--Bestow thy sister. The custom to which I allude is our family custom. +With us that is a virtue and worthy of observance. It is for this only, O +slayer of foes, I cannot give thee any assurance in the matter of thy +request.' On hearing this, Bhishma answered the king of Madra, saying, 'O +king, this, no doubt, is a virtue. The self-create himself hath said it. +Thy ancestors were observant of custom. There is no fault to find with it. +It is also well-known, O Salya, that this custom in respect of family +dignity hath the approval of the wise and the good.' Saying this Bhishma +of great energy gave unto Salya much gold both coined and uncoined, and +precious stones of various colours by thousands, and elephants and horses +and cars, and much cloth and many ornaments, and gems and pearls and +corals. And Salya accepting with a cheerful heart those precious gifts +then gave away his sister decked in ornaments unto that bull of the Kuru +race. Then the wise Bhishma, the son of the oceangoing Ganga, rejoiced at +the issue of his mission, took Madri with him, and returned to the Kuru +capital named after the elephant. + +"Then selecting an auspicious day and moment as indicated by the wise for +the ceremony, King Pandu was duly united with Madri. And after the +nuptials were over, the Kuru king established his beautiful bride in +handsome apartments. And, O king of kings, that best of monarchs then gave +himself up to enjoyment in the company of his two wives as best he liked +and to the limit of his desires. And after thirty days had elapsed, the +Kuru king, O monarch, started from his capital for the conquest of the +world. And after reverentially saluting and bowing to Bhishma and the +other elders of the Kuru race, and with adieus to Dhritarashtra and others +of the family, and obtaining their leave, he set out on his grand campaign, +accompanied by a large force of elephants, horses, and cars, and well- +pleased with the blessings uttered by all around and the auspicious rites +performed by the citizens for his success. And Pandu, accompanied by such +a strong force marched against various foes. And that tiger among men-- +that spreader of the fame of the Kurus--first subjugated the robber tribes +of asarna. He next turned his army composed of innumerable elephants, +cavalry, infantry, and charioteers, with standards of various colours +against Dhirga--the ruler of the kingdom of Maghadha who was proud of his +strength, and offended against numerous monarchs. And attacking him in his +capital, Pandu slew him there, and took everything in his treasury and +also vehicles and draught animals without number. He then marched into +Mithila and subjugated the Videhas. And then, O bull among men, Pandu led +his army against Kasi, Sumbha, and Pundra, and by the strength and prowess +of his arms spread the fame of the Kurus. And Pandu, that oppressor of +foes, like unto a mighty fire whose far-reaching flames were represented +by his arrows and splendour by his weapons, began to consume all kings +that came in contact with him. These with their forces, vanquished by +Pandu at the head of his army, were made the vassals of the Kurus. And all +kings of the world, thus vanquished by him, regarded him as the one single +hero on earth even as the celestials regard Indra in heaven. And the kings +of earth with joined palms bowed to him and waited on him with presents of +various kinds of gems and wealth, precious stones and pearls and corals, +and much gold and silver, and first-class kine and handsome horses and +fine cars and elephants, and asses and camels and buffaloes, and goats and +sheep, and blankets and beautiful hides, and cloths woven out of furs. And +the king of Hastinapura accepting those offerings retraced his steps +towards his capital, to the great delight of his subjects. And the +citizens and others filled with joy, and kings and ministers, all began to +say, 'O, the fame of the achievements of Santanu, that tiger among kings, +and of the wise Bharata, which were about to die, hath been revived by +Pandu. They who robbed before the Kurus of both territory and wealth have +been subjugated by Pandu--the tiger of Hastinapura--and made to pay +tribute.' And all the citizens with Bhishma at their head went out to +receive the victorious king. They had not proceeded far when they saw the +attendants of the king laden with much wealth, and the train of various +conveyances laden with all kinds of wealth, and of elephants, horses, cars, +kine, camels and other animals, was so long that they saw not its end. +Then Pandu, beholding Bhishma, who was a father to him, worshipped his +feet and saluted the citizens and others as each deserved. And Bhishma, +too, embracing Pandu as his son who had returned victorious after grinding +many hostile kingdoms, wept tears of joy. And Pandu, instilling joy into +the hearts of his people with a flourish of trumpets and conchs and kettle- +drums, entered his capital.'" + + +SECTION CXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Pandu, then, at the command of Dhritarashtra, offered +the wealth he had acquired by the prowess of his arms to Bhishma, their +grand-mother Satyavati and their mothers. And he sent portion of his +wealth to Vidura also. And the virtuous Pandu gratified his other +relatives also with similar presents. Then Satyavati and Bhishma and the +Kosala princes were all gratified with the presents Pandu made out of the +acquisitions of his prowess. And Ambalika in particular, upon embracing +her son of incomparable prowess, became as glad as the queen of heaven +upon embracing Jayanta. And with the wealth acquired by that hero +Dhritarashtra performed five great sacrifices that were equal unto a +hundred great horse-sacrifices, at all of which the offerings to Brahmanas +were by hundreds and thousands. + +"A little while after, O bull of Bharata's race, Pandu who had achieved a +victory over sloth and lethargy, accompanied by his two wives, Kunti and +Madri, retired into the woods. Leaving his excellent palace with its +luxurious beds, he became a permanent inhabitant of the woods, devoting +the whole of his time to the chase of the deer. And fixing his abode in a +delightful and hilly region overgrown with huge sala trees, on the +southern slope of the Himavat mountains, he roamed about in perfect +freedom. The handsome Pandu with his two wives wandered in those woods +like Airavata accompanied by two she-elephants. And the dwellers in those +woods, beholding the heroic Bharata prince in the company of his wives, +armed with sword, arrows, and bow, clad with his beautiful armour, and +skilled in all excellent weapons, regarded him as the very god wandering +amongst them. + +"And at the command of Dhritarashtra, people were busy in supplying Pandu +in his retirement with every object of pleasure and enjoyment. + +"Meanwhile the son of the ocean-going Ganga heard that king Devaka had a +daughter endued with youth and beauty and begotten upon a Sudra wife. +Bringing her from her father's abode, Bhishma married her to Vidura of +great wisdom. And Vidura begot upon her many children like unto himself in +accomplishments.'" + + +SECTION CXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile, O Janamejaya, Dhritarashtra begat upon +Gandhari a hundred sons, and upon a Vaisya wife another besides those +hundred. And Pandu had, by his two wives Kunti and Madri, five sons who +were great charioteers and who were all begotten by the celestials for the +perpetuation of the Kuru line.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'O best of Brahmanas, how did Gandhari bring forth those +hundred sons and in how many years? What were also the periods of life +allotted to each? How did Dhritarashtra also beget another son in a Vaisya +wife? How did Dhritarashtra behave towards his loving obedient, and +virtuous wife Gandhari? How were also begotten the five sons of Pandu, +those mighty charioteers, even though Pandu himself laboured under the +curse of the great Rishi (he slew)? Tell me all this in detail, for my +thirst for hearing everything relating to my own ancestor hath not been +slaked.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'One day Gandhari entertained with respectful +attention the great Dwaipayana who came to her abode, exhausted with +hunger and fatigue. Gratified with Gandhari's hospitality, the Rishi gave +her the boon she asked for, viz., that she should have a century of sons +each equal unto her lord in strength and accomplishments. Some time after +Gandhari conceived and she bore the burden in her womb for two long years +without being delivered. And she was greatly afflicted at this. It was +then that she heard that Kunti had brought forth a son whose splendour was +like unto the morning sun. Impatient of the period of gestation which had +prolonged so long, and deprived of reason by grief, she struck her womb +with great violence without the knowledge of her husband. And thereupon +came out of her womb, after two years' growth, a hard mass of flesh like +unto an iron ball. When she was about to throw it away, Dwaipayana, +learning everything by his spiritual powers, promptly came there, and that +first of ascetics beholding that ball of flesh, addressed the daughter of +Suvala thus, 'What hast thou done?' Gandhari, without endeavouring to +disguise her feelings, addressed the Rishi and said, 'Having heard that +Kunti had brought forth a son like unto Surya in splendour, I struck in +grief at my womb. Thou hadst, O Rishi, granted me the boon that I should +have a hundred sons, but here is only a ball of flesh for those hundred +sons!' Vyasa then said, 'Daughter of Suvala, it is even so. But my words +can never be futile. I have not spoken an untruth even in jest. I need not +speak of other occasions. Let a hundred pots full of clarified butter be +brought instantly, and let them be placed at a concealed spot. In the +meantime, let cool water be sprinkled over this ball of flesh.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'That ball of flesh then, sprinkled over with +water, became, in time, divided into a hundred and one parts, each about +the size of the thumb. These were then put into those pots full of +clarified butter that had been placed at a concealed spot and were watched +with care. The illustrious Vyasa then said unto the daughter of Suvala +that she should open the covers of the pots after full two years. And +having said this and made these arrangements, the wise Dwaipayana went to +the Himavat mountains for devoting himself to asceticism. + +"Then in time, king Duryodhana was born from among those pieces of the +ball of flesh that had been deposited in those pots. According to the +order of birth, king Yudhishthira was the oldest. The news of Duryodhana's +birth was carried to Bhishma and the wise Vidura. The day that the haughty +Duryodhana was born was also the birth-day of Bhima of mighty arms and +great prowess. + +"As soon as Duryodhana was born, he began to cry and bray like an ass. And +hearing that sound, the asses, vultures, jackals and crows uttered their +respective cries responsively. Violent winds began to blow, and there were +fires in various directions. Then king Dhritarashtra in great fear, +summoning Bhishma and Vidura and other well-wishers and all the Kurus, and +numberless Brahmanas, addressed them and said, 'The oldest of those +princes, Yudhishthira, is the perpetuator of our line. By virtue of his +birth he hath acquired the kingdom. We have nothing to say to this. But +shall this my son born after him become king? Tell me truly what is lawful +and right under these circumstances.' As soon as these words were spoken, +O Bharata, jackals and other carnivorous animals began to howl ominously. +And marking those frightful omens all around, the assembled Brahmanas and +the wise Vidura replied, 'O king, O bull among men, when these frightful +omens are noticeable at the birth of thy eldest son, it is evident that he +shall be the exterminator of thy race. The prosperity of all dependeth on +his abandonment. Calamity there must be in keeping him. O king, if thou +abandonest him, there remain yet thy nine and ninety sons. If thou +desirest the good of thy race, abandon him, O Bharata! O king, do good to +the world and thy own race by casting off this one child of thine. It hath +been said that an individual should be cast off for the sake of the family; +that a family should be cast off for the sake of a village; that a village +may be abandoned for the sake of the whole country; and that the earth +itself may be abandoned for the sake of the soul.' When Vidura and those +Brahmanas had stated so, king Dhritarashtra out of affection for his son +had not the heart to follow that advice. Then, O king, within a month, +were born a full hundred sons unto Dhritarashtra and a daughter also in +excess of this hundred. And during the time when Gandhari was in a state +of advanced pregnancy, there was a maid servant of the Vaisya class who +used to attend on Dhritarashtra. During that year, O king, was begotten +upon her by the illustrious Dhritarashtra a son endued with great +intelligence who was afterwards named Yuyutsu. And because he was begotten +by a Kshatriya upon a Vaisya woman, he came to be called Karna. + +"Thus were born unto the wise Dhritarashtra a hundred sons who were all +heroes and mighty chariot-fighters, and a daughter over and above the +hundred, and another son Yuyutsu of great energy and prowess begotten upon +a Vaisya woman.'" + + +SECTION CXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O sinless one, thou hast narrated to me from the +beginning all about the birth of Dhritarashtra's hundred sons owing to the +boon granted by the Rishi. But thou hast not told me as yet any +particulars about the birth of the daughter. Thou hast merely said that +over and above the hundred sons, there was another son named Yuyutsu +begotten upon a Vaisya woman, and a daughter. The great Rishi Vyasa of +immeasurable energy said unto the daughter of the king of Gandhara that +she would become the mother of a hundred sons. Illustrious one, how is +that thou sayest Gandhari had a daughter over and above her hundred sons? +If the ball of flesh was distributed by the great Rishi only into a +hundred parts, and if Gandhari did not conceive on any other occasion, how +was then Duhsala born. Tell me this, O Rishi! my curiosity hath been +great." + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O descendant of the Pandavas, thy question is just, +and I will tell thee how it happened. The illustrious and great Rishi +himself, by sprinkling water over that ball of flesh, began to divide it +into parts. And as it was being divided into parts, the nurse began to +take them up and put them one by one into those pots filled with clarified +butter. While this process was going on, the beautiful and chaste Gandhari +of rigid vows, realising the affection that one feeleth for a daughter, +began to think within herself, 'There is no doubt that I shall have a +hundred sons, the Muni having said so. It can never be otherwise. But I +should be very happy if a daughter were born of me over and above these +hundred sons and junior to them all. My husband then may attain to those +worlds that the possession of a daughter's sons conferreth. Then again, +the affection the women feel for their sons-in-law is great. If, therefore, +I obtain a daughter over and above my hundred sons, then, surrounded by +sons and daughter's sons, I may feel supremely blest. If I have ever +practised ascetic austerities, if I have ever given anything in charity, +if I have ever performed the homa (through Brahamanas), if I have ever +gratified my superiors by respectful attentions, then (as the fruit of +those acts) let a daughter be born unto me.' All this while that +illustrious and best of Rishis, Krishna-Dwaipayana himself was dividing +the ball of flesh; and counting a full hundred of the parts, he said unto +the daughter of Suvala, 'Here are thy hundred sons. I did not speak aught +unto thee that was false. Here, however, is one part in excess of the +hundred, intended for giving thee a daughter's son. This part shall +develop into an amiable and fortunate daughter, as thou hast desired.' +Then that great ascetic brought another pot full of clarified butter, and +put the part intended for a daughter into it. + +"Thus have I, O Bharata, narrated unto thee all about the birth of Duhsala. +Tell me, O sinless one, what more I am now to narrate.'" + + +SECTION CXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'Please recite the names of Dhritarashtra's sons +according to the order of their birth.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Their names, O king, according to the order of birth, +are Duryodhana, Yuyutsu, Duhsasana, Duhsaha, Duhsala, Jalasandha, Sama, +Saha, Vinda and Anuvinda, Durdharsha, Suvahu, Dushpradharshana, +Durmarshana and Durmukha, Dushkarna, and Karna; Vivinsati and Vikarna, +Sala, Satwa, Sulochana, Chitra and Upachitra, Chitraksha, Charuchitra, +Sarasana, Durmada and Durvigaha, Vivitsu, Vikatanana; Urnanabha and +Sunabha, then Nandaka and Upanandaka; Chitravana, Chitravarman, Suvarman, +Durvimochana; Ayovahu, Mahavahu, Chitranga, Chitrakundala, Bhimavega, +Bhimavala, Balaki, Balavardhana, Ugrayudha; Bhima, Karna, Kanakaya, +Dridhayudha, Dridhavarman, Dridhakshatra, Somakitri, Anudara; Dridhasandha, +Jarasandha, Satyasandha, Sada, Suvak, Ugrasravas, Ugrasena, Senani, +Dushparajaya, Aparajita, Kundasayin, Visalaksha, Duradhara; Dridhahasta, +Suhasta, Vatavega, and Suvarchas; Adityaketu, Vahvashin, Nagadatta, +Agrayayin; Kavachin, Krathana, Kunda, Kundadhara, Dhanurdhara; the heroes, +Ugra and Bhimaratha, Viravahu, Alolupa; Abhaya, and Raudrakarman, and +Dridharatha; Anadhrishya, Kundabhedin, Viravi, Dhirghalochana Pramatha, +and Pramathi and the powerful Dhirgharoma; Dirghavahu, Mahavahu, Vyudhoru, +Kanakadhvaja; Kundasi and Virajas. Besides these hundred sons, there was a +daughter named Duhsala. All were heroes and Atirathas, and were well- +skilled in warfare. All were learned in the Vedas, and all kinds of +weapons. And, O, king, worthy wives were in time selected for all of them +by Dhritarashtra after proper examination. And king Dhritarashtra, O +monarch, also bestowed Duhsala, in proper time and with proper rites, upon +Jayadratha (the king of Sindhu).'" + + +SECTION CXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O utterer of Brahma, thou hast recited (everything +about) the extraordinary birth among men, of the sons of Dhritarashtra in +consequence of the Rishi's grace. Thou hast also said what their names are, +according to the order of their birth. O Brahmana, I have heard all these +from thee. But tell me now all about the Pandavas. While reciting the +incarnations on earth of the celestial, the Asuras, and the beings of +other classes, thou saidst that the Pandavas were all illustrious and +endued with the prowess of gods, and that they were incarnate portion of +the celestials themselves. I desire, therefore, to hear all about those +beings of extraordinary achievements beginning from the moment of their +birth. O Vaisampayana, recite thou their achievements.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, one day Pandu, while roaming about in the +woods (on the southern slopes of the Himavat) that teemed with deer and +wild animals of fierce disposition, saw a large deer, that seemed to be +the leader of a herd, serving his mate. Beholding the animals, the monarch +pierced them both with five of his sharp and swift arrows winged with +golden feathers. O monarch, that was no deer that Pandu struck at, but a +Rishi's son of great ascetic merit who was enjoying his mate in the form +of a deer. Pierced by Pandu, while engaged in the act of intercourse, he +fell down to the ground, uttering cries that were of a man and began to +weep bitterly. + +"The deer then addressed Pandu and said, 'O king, even men that are slaves +to lust and wrath, and void of reason, and ever sinful, never commit such +a cruel act as this. Individual judgment prevaileth not against the +ordinance, the ordinance prevaileth against individual judgment. The wise +never sanction anything discountenanced by the ordinance. Thou art born, O +Bharata, in a race that hath ever been virtuous. How is it, therefore, +that even thou, suffering thyself to be overpowered by passion and wrath +losest thy reason?' Hearing this, Pandu replied, 'O deer, kings behave in +the matter of slaying animals of thy species exactly as they do in the +matter of slaying foes. It behoveth thee not, therefore, to reprove me +thus from ignorance. Animals of thy species are slain by open or covert +means. This, indeed, is the practice of kings. Then why dost thou reprove +me? Formerly, the Rishi Agastya, while engaged in the performance of a +grand sacrifice, chased the deer, and devoted every deer in the forest +unto the gods in general. Thou hast been slain, pursuant to the usage +sanctioned by such precedent. Wherefore reprovest us then? For his +especial sacrifices Agastya performed the homa with fat of the deer.' + +"The deer then said, 'O king, men do not let fly their arrows at their +enemies when the latter are unprepared. But there is a time for doing it +(viz., after declaration of hostilities). Slaughter at such a time is not +censurable.' + +"Pandu replied, 'It is well-known that men slay deer by various effective +means without regarding whether the animals are careful or careless. +Therefore, O deer, why dost thou reprove me?' + +"The deer then said, 'O, king, I did not blame thee for thy having killed +a deer, or for the injury thou hast done to me. But, instead of acting so +cruelly, thou shouldst have waited till the completion of my act of +intercourse. What man of wisdom and virtue is there that can kill a deer +while engaged in such an act? The time of sexual intercourse is agreeable +to every creature and productive of good to all. O king, with this my mate +I was engaged in the gratification of my sexual desire. But that effort of +mine hath been rendered futile by thee. O king of the Kurus, as thou art +born in the race of the Pauravas ever noted for white (virtuous) deeds, +such an act hath scarcely been worthy of thee. O Bharata, this act must be +regarded as extremely cruel, deserving of universal execration, infamous, +and sinful, and certainly leading to hell. Thou art acquainted with the +pleasures of sexual intercourse. Thou art acquainted also with the +teaching of morality and dictates of duty. Like unto a celestial as thou +art, it behoveth thee not to do such an act as leadeth to hell. O best of +kings, thy duty is to chastise all who act cruelly, who are engaged in +sinful practices and who have thrown to the winds religion, profit, and +pleasure as explained in the scriptures. What hast thou done, O best of +men, in killing me who have given thee no offence? I am, O king, a Muni +who liveth on fruits and roots, though disguised as a deer. I was living +in the woods in peace with all. Yet thou hast killed me, O king, for which +I will curse thee certainly. As thou hast been cruel unto a couple of +opposite sexes, death shall certainly overtake thee as soon as thou +feelest the influence of sexual desire. I am a Muni of the name of Kindama, +possessed of ascetic merit. I was engaged in sexual intercourse with this +deer, because my feelings of modesty did not permit me to indulge in such +an act in human society. In the form of a deer I rove in the deep woods in +the company of other deer. Thou hast slain me without knowing that I am a +Brahmana, the sin of having slain a Brahmana shall not, therefore, be +thine. But senseless man, as you have killed me, disguised as a deer, at +such a time, thy fate shall certainly be even like mine. When, approaching +thy wife lustfully, thou wilt unite with her even as I had done with mine, +in that very state shalt thou have to go to the world of the spirits. And +that wife of thine with whom thou mayst be united in intercourse at the +time of thy death shall also follow thee with affection and reverence to +the domains of the king of the dead. Thou hast brought me grief when I was +happy. So shall grief come to thee when thou art in happiness.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, that deer, afflicted with grief +gave up the ghost; and Pandu also was plunged in woe at the sight.'" + + +SECTION CXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After the death of that deer, king Pandu with his +wives was deeply afflicted and wept bitterly. And he exclaimed, 'The +wicked, even if born in virtuous families, deluded by their own passions, +become overwhelmed with misery as the fruit of their own deeds. I have +heard that my father, though begotten by Santanu of virtuous soul, was cut +off while still a youth, only because he had become a slave to his lust. +In the soil of that lustful king, the illustrious Rishi Krishna-Dwaipayana +himself, of truthful speech, begot me. A son though I am of such a being, +with my wicked heart wedded to vice, I am yet leading a wandering life in +the woods in the chase of the deer. Oh, the very gods have forsaken me! I +shall seek salvation now. The great impediments to salvation are the +desire to beget children, and other concerns of the world. I shall now +adopt the Brahmacharya mode of life and follow in the imperishable wake of +my father. I shall certainly bring my passions under complete control by +severe ascetic penances. Forsaking my wives and other relatives and +shaving my head, alone shall I wander over the earth, begging for my +subsistence from each of these trees standing here. Forsaking every object +of affection and aversion, and covering my body with dust, I shall make +the shelter of trees or deserted houses my home. I shall never yield to +influence of sorrow or joy, and I shall regard slander and eulogy in the +same light. I shall not seek benedictions or bows. I shall be at peace +with all, and shall not accept gifts. I shall not mock anybody, nor shall +I knit my brows at any one, but shall be ever cheerful and devoted to the +good of all creatures. I shall not harm any of the four orders of life +gifted with power of locomotion or otherwise, viz., oviparous and +viviparous creatures and worms and vegetables. But on the contrary, +preserve an equality of behaviour towards all, as if they were, my own +children. Once a day shall I beg of five or ten families at the most, and +if I do not succeed in obtaining alms, I shall then go without food. I +shall rather stint myself than beg more than once of the same person. If I +do not obtain anything after completing my round of seven or ten houses, +moved by covetousness, I shall not enlarge my round. Whether I obtain or +fail to obtain alms. I shall be equally unmoved like a great ascetic. One +lopping off an arm of mine with a hatchet, and one smearing another arm +with sandal-paste, shall be regarded by me equally. I shall not wish +prosperity to the one or misery to the other. I shall not be pleased with +life or displeased with death. I shall neither desire to live nor to die. +Washing my heart of all sins, I shall certainly transcend those sacred +rites productive of happiness, that men perform in auspicious moments, +days, and periods. I shall also abstain from all acts of religion and +profit and also those that lead to the gratification of the senses. Freed +from all sins and snares of the world, I shall be like the wind subject to +none. Following the path of fearlessness and bearing myself in this way I +shall at last lay down my life. Destitute of the power of begetting +children, firmly adhering to the line of duty I shall not certainly +deviate therefrom in order to tread in the vile path of the world that is +so full of misery. Whether respected or disrespected in the world that man +who from covetousness casteth on others a begging look, certainly behaveth +like a dog. (Destitute as I am of the power of procreation, I should not +certainly, from desire of offspring, solicit others to give me +children.)' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The king, having thus wept in sorrow, with a +sigh looked at his two wives Kunti and Madri, and addressing them said, +'Let the princess of Kosala (my mother), Vidura, the king with our friends, +the venerable Satyavati, Bhishma, the priests of our family, illustrious +Soma-drinking Brahmanas of rigid vows and all elderly citizens depending +on us be informed, after being prepared for it, that Pandu hath retired +into the woods to lead a life of asceticism.' Hearing these words of their +lord who had set his heart on a life of asceticism in the woods, both +Kunti and Madri addressed him in these proper words, 'O bull of Bharata's +race, there are many other modes of life which thou canst adopt and in +which thou canst undergo the severest penances along with us, thy wedded +wives--in which for the salvation of thy body (freedom from re-birth), +thou mayest obtain heaven. We also, in the company of our lord, and for +his benefit, controlling our passions and bidding adieu to all luxuries, +shall subject ourselves to the severest austerities. O king, O thou of +great wisdom, if thou abandonest us, we shall then this very day truly +depart from this world.' + +Pandu replied, 'If, indeed, this your resolve springeth from virtue, then +with you both I shall follow the imperishable path of my fathers. +Abandoning the luxuries of cities and towns, clad in barks of trees, and +living on fruits and roots, I shall wander in deep woods, practising the +severest penances. Bathing morning and evening, I shall perform the homa. +I shall reduce my body by eating very sparingly and shall wear rags and +skins and knotted locks on my head. Exposing myself to heat and cold and +disregarding hunger and thirst, I shall reduce my body by severe ascetic +penances, I shall live in solitude and I shall give myself up to +contemplation; I shall eat fruit, ripe or green, that I may find. I shall +offer oblations to the Pitris (manes) and the gods with speech, water and +the fruits of the wilderness. I shall not see, far less harm, any of the +denizens of the woods, or any of my relatives, or any of the residents of +cities and towns. Until I lay down this body, I shall thus practise the +severe ordinances of the Vanaprastha scriptures, always searching for +severer ones that they may contain.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Kuru king, having said this unto his wives, +gave away to Brahmanas the big jewel in his diadem, his necklace of +precious gold, his bracelets, his large ear-rings, his valuable robes and +all the ornaments of his wives. Then summoning his attendants, he +commended them, saying, 'Return ye to Hastinapura and proclaim unto all +that Pandu with his wives hath gone into the woods, foregoing wealth, +desire, happiness, and even sexual appetite.' Then those followers and +attendants, hearing these and other soft words of the king, set up a loud +wail, uttering, 'Oh, we are undone!' Then with hot tears trickling down +their cheeks they left the monarch and returned to Hastinapura with speed +carrying that wealth with them (that was to be distributed in charity). +Then Dhritarashtra, that first of men, hearing from them everything that +had happened in the woods, wept for his brother. He brooded over his +affliction continually, little relishing the comfort of beds and seats and +dishes. + +"Meanwhile, the Kuru prince Pandu (after sending away his attendants) +accompanied by his two wives and eating fruits and roots went to the +mountains of Nagasata. He next went to Chaitraratha, and then crossed the +Kalakuta, and finally, crossing the Himavat, he arrived at Gandhamadana. +Protected by Mahabhutas, Siddhas, and great Rishis, Pandu lived, O king, +sometimes on level ground and sometimes on mountain slopes. He then +journeyed on to the lake of Indradyumna, whence crossing the mountains of +Hansakuta, he went to the mountain of hundred peaks (Sata-sringa) and +there continued to practise ascetic austerities.'" + + +SECTION CXX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Pandu, possessed of great energy, then devoted +himself to asceticism. Within a short time he became the favourite of the +whole body of the Siddhas and Charanas residing there. And, O Bharata, +devoted to the service of his spiritual masters, free from vanity, with +mind under complete control and the passions fully subdued, the prince, +becoming competent to enter heaven by his own energy, attained to great +(ascetic) prowess. Some of the Rishis would call him brother, some friend, +while others cherished him as their son. And, O bull of Bharata's race, +having acquired after a long time great ascetic merit coupled with +complete singleness, Pandu became even like a Brahmarshi (though he was a +Kshatriya by birth). + +"On a certain day of the new moon, the great Rishis of rigid vows +assembled together, and desirous of beholding Brahman were on the point of +starting on their expedition. Seeing them about to start, Pandu asked +those ascetics, saying, 'Ye first of eloquent men, where shall we go?' The +Rishis answered, 'There will be a great gathering today, in the abode of +Brahman, of celestials, Rishis and Pitris. Desirous of beholding the Self- +create we shall go there today.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing this, Pandu rose up suddenly, desirous +of visiting heaven along with the great Rishis. Accompanied by his two +wives, when he was on the point of following the Rishis in the northerly +direction from the mountain of hundred peaks, those ascetics addressed him +saying, 'In our northward march, while gradually ascending the king of +mountains, we have seen on its delightful breast many regions inaccessible +to ordinary mortals; retreats also of the gods, and Gandharvas and Apsaras, +with palatial mansions by hundreds clustering thick around and resounding +with the sweet notes of celestial music, the gardens of Kuvera laid out on +even and uneven grounds, banks of mighty rivers, and deep caverns. There +are many regions also on those heights that are covered with perpetual +snow and are utterly destitute of vegetable and animal existence. In some +places the downpour of rain is so heavy that they are perfectly +inaccessible and incapable of being utilised for habitation. Not to speak +of other animals, even winged creatures cannot cross them. The only thing +that can go there is air, and the only beings, Siddhas and great Rishis. +How shall these princesses ascend those heights of the king of mountains? +Unaccustomed to pain, shall they not droop in affliction? Therefore, come +not with us, O bull of Bharata's race!' + +"Pandu replied, 'Ye fortunate ones, it is said that for the sonless there +is no admittance into heaven. I am sonless! In affliction I speak unto +you! I am afflicted because I have not been able to discharge the debt I +owe to my ancestors. It is certain that with the dissolution of this my +body my ancestors perish! Men are born on this earth with four debts, viz. +those due unto the (deceased) ancestors, the gods, the Rishis, and other +men. In justice these must be discharged. The wise have declared that no +regions of bliss exist for them that neglect to pay these debts in due +time. The gods are paid (gratified) by sacrifices, the Rishis, by study, +meditation, and asceticism, the (deceased) ancestors, by begetting +children and offering the funeral cake, and, lastly other men, by leading +a humane and inoffensive life. I have justly discharged my obligations to +the Rishis, the gods, and other men. But those others than these three are +sure to perish with the dissolution of my body! Ye ascetics, I am not yet +freed from the debt I owe to my (deceased) ancestors. The best of men are +born in this world to beget children for discharging that debt. I would +ask you, should children be begotten in my soil (upon my wives) as I +myself was begotten in the soil of my father by the eminent Rishi?' + +"The Rishis said, 'O king of virtuous soul, there is progeny in store for +thee, that is sinless and blest with good fortune and like unto the gods. +We behold it all with our prophetic eyes. Therefore, O tiger among men, +accomplish by your own acts that which destiny pointeth at. Men of +intelligence, acting with deliberation, always obtain good fruits; it +behoveth thee, therefore, O king, to exert thyself. The fruits thou +wouldst obtain are distinctly visible. Thou wouldst really obtain +accomplished and agreeable progeny.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the ascetics, Pandu, +remembering the loss of his procreative powers owing to the curse of the +deer, began to reflect deeply. And calling his wedded wife the excellent +Kunti, unto him, he told her in private, 'Strive thou to raise offspring +at this time of distress. The wise expounders of the eternal religion +declare that a son, O Kunti, is the cause of virtuous fame in the three +worlds. It is said that sacrifices, charitable gifts, ascetic penances, +and vows observed most carefully, do not confer religious merit on a +sonless man. O thou of sweet smiles, knowing all this, I am certain that +as I am sonless, I shall not obtain regions of true felicity. O timid one, +wretch that I was and addicted to cruel deeds, as a consequence of the +polluted life I led, my power of procreation hath been destroyed by the +curse of the deer. The religious institutes mention six kinds of sons that +are heirs and kinsmen, and six other kinds that are not heirs but kinsmen. +I shall speak of them presently. O Pritha, listen to me. They are: 1st, +the son begotten by one's own self upon his wedded wife; 2nd, the son +begotten upon one's wife by an accomplished person from motives of +kindness; 3rd, the son begotten upon one's wife by a person for pecuniary +consideration; 4th, the son begotten upon the wife after the husband's +death; 5th, the maiden-born son; 6th, the son born of an unchaste wife; +7th, the son given; 8th, the son bought for a consideration; 9th, the son +self-given; 10th, the son received with a pregnant bride; 11th, the +brother's son; and 12th, the son begotten upon a wife of lower caste. On +failure of offspring of a prior class, the mother should desire to have +offspring of the next class. In times of distress, men solicit offspring +from accomplished younger brothers. The self-born Manu hath said that men +failing to have legitimate offspring of their own may have offspring +begotten upon their wives by others, for sons confer the highest religious +merit. Therefore, O Kunti, being destitute myself of the power of +procreation, I command thee to raise good offspring through some person +who is either equal or superior to me. O Kunti, listen to the history of +the daughter of Saradandayana who was appointed by her lord to raise +offspring. That warrior-dame, when her monthly season arrived, bathed duly +and in the night went out and waited on a spot where four roads met. She +did not wait long when a Brahmana crowned with ascetic success came there. +The daughter of Saradandayana solicited him for offspring. After pouring +libations of clarified butter on the fire (in the performance of the +sacrifice known by the name of Punsavana) she brought forth three sons +that were mighty car-warriors and of whom Durjaya was the eldest, begotten +upon her by that Brahmana. O thou of good fortune, do thou follow that +warrior-dame's example at my command, and speedily raise offspring out of +the seed of some Brahmana of high ascetic merit.'" + + +SECTION CXXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed, Kunti replied unto her heroic lord, +king Pandu, that bull amongst the Kurus, saying, 'O virtuous one, it +behoveth thee not to say so unto me. I am, O thou lotus-eyed one, thy +wedded wife, devoted to thee. O, Bharata of mighty arms, thyself shalt, in +righteousness, beget upon me children endued with great energy. Then I +shall ascend to heaven with thee; O prince of Kuru's race, receive me in +thy embrace for begetting children. I shall not certainly, even in +imagination, accept any other man except thee in my embraces. What other +man is there in this world superior to thee? O virtuous one, listen to +this Pauranic narrative that hath been, O thou of large eyes, heard by me, +and that I shall presently narrate. + +"There was, in ancient times, a king in the race of Puru, known by the +name of Vyushitaswa. He was devoted to truth and virtue. Of virtuous soul +and mighty arms, on one occasion, while he was performing a sacrifice the +gods with Indra and the great Rishis came to him, and Indra was so +intoxicated with the Soma juice he drank and the Brahmanas with the large +presents they received, that both the gods and the great Rishis began +themselves to perform everything appertaining to that sacrifice of the +illustrious royal sage. And thereupon Vyushitaswa began to shine above all +men like the Sun appearing in double splendour after the season of frost +is over. And the powerful Vyushitaswa, who was endued with the strength of +ten elephants very soon performed the horse-sacrifice, overthrowing, O +best of monarchs, all the kings of the East, the North, the West and the +South, and exacted tributes from them all. There is an anecdote, O best of +the Kurus, that is sung by all reciters of the Puranas, in connection with +that first of all men, the illustrious Vyushitaswa.--Having conquered the +whole Earth up to the coast of the sea, Vyushitaswa protected every class +of his subjects as a father does his own begotten sons.--Performing many +great sacrifices he gave away much wealth to the Brahmanas. After +collecting unlimited jewels and precious stones he made arrangements for +performing still greater ones. And he performed also the Agnishtoma, and +other special Vedic sacrifices, extracting great quantities of Soma juice. +And, O king, Vyushitaswa had for his dear wife, Bhadra, the daughter of +Kakshivat, unrivalled for beauty on earth. And it hath been heard by us +that the couple loved each other deeply. King Vyushitaswa was seldom +separated from his wife. Sexual excess, however, brought on an attack of +phthisis and the king died within a few days, sinking like the Sun in his +glory. Then Bhadra, his beautiful queen, was plunged into woe, and as she +was sonless, O tiger among men, she wept in great affliction. Listen to me, +O king, as I narrate to you all that Bhadra said with bitter tears +trickling down her cheeks. 'O virtuous one', she said, 'Women serve no +purpose when their husbands are dead. She who liveth after her husband is +dead, draggeth on a miserable existence that can hardly be called life. O +bull of the Kshatriya order, death is a blessing to women without husbands. +I wish to follow the way thou hast gone. Be kind and take me with thee. In +thy absence, I am unable to bear life even for a moment. Be kind to me, O +king and take me hence pretty soon. O tiger among men, I shall follow thee +over the even and uneven ground. Thou hast gone away, O lord, never to +return. I shall follow thee, O king, as thy own shadow. O tiger among men, +I will obey thee (as thy slave) and will ever do what is agreeable to thee +and what is for thy good. O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, without thee, +from this day, mental agonies will overwhelm me and eat into my heart. A +wretch that I am, some loving couple had doubtless been separated by me in +a former life, for which, in this life, I am made to suffer the pangs of +separation from thee. O king, that wretched woman who liveth even for a +moment separated from her lord, liveth in woe and suffereth the pangs of +hell even here. Some loving couple had doubtless been separated by me in a +former life, for which sinful act I am suffering this torture arising from +my separation from thee. O king, from this day I will lay myself down on a +bed of Kusa grass and abstain from every luxury, hoping to behold thee +once more. O tiger among men, show thyself to me. O king, O lord, command +once more thy wretched and bitterly weeping wife plunged in woe.' + +"Kunti continued, 'It was thus, O Pandu, that the beautiful Bhadra wept +over the death of her lord. And the weeping Bhadra clasped in her arms the +corpse in anguish of heart. Then she was addressed by an incorporeal voice +in these words, "Rise up, O Bhadra, and leave this place. O thou of sweet +smiles, I grant thee this boon. I will beget offspring upon thee. Lie thou +down with me on thy own bed, after the catamenial bath, on the night of +the eighth or the fourteenth day of the moon.' Thus addressed by the +incorporeal voice, the chaste Bhadra did, as she was directed, for +obtaining offspring. And, O bull of the Bharatas, the corpse of her +husband begat upon her seven children viz., three Salwas and four Madras. +O bull of the Bharatas, do thou also beget offspring upon me, like the +illustrious Vyushitaswa, by the exercise of that ascetic power which thou +possessest.'" + + +SECTION CXXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by his loving wife, king Pandu, well- +acquainted with all rules of morality, replied in these words of virtuous +import, 'O Kunti, what thou hast said is quite true. Vyushitaswa of old +did even as thou hast said. Indeed he was equal unto the celestials +themselves. But I shall now tell thee about the practices of old indicated +by illustrious Rishis, fully acquainted with every rule of morality. O +thou of handsome face and sweet smiles, women formerly were not immured +within houses and dependent on husbands and other relatives. They used to +go about freely, enjoying themselves as best as they liked. O thou of +excellent qualities, they did not then adhere to their husbands faithfully, +and yet, O handsome one, they were not regarded sinful, for that was the +sanctioned usage of the times. That very usage is followed to this day by +birds and beasts without any (exhibition of) jealousy. That practice, +sanctioned by precedent, is applauded by great Rishis. O thou of taper +thighs, the practice is yet regarded with respect amongst the Northern +Kurus. Indeed, that usage, so lenient to women, hath the sanction of +antiquity. The present practice, however (of women's being confined to one +husband for life) hath been established but lately. I shall tell thee in +detail who established it and why. + +"It hath been heard by us that there was a great Rishi of the name of +Uddalaka, who had a son named Swetaketu who also was an ascetic of merit. +O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, the present virtuous practice hath been +established by that Swetaketu from anger. Hear thou the reason. One day, +in the presence of Swetaketu's father a Brahmana came and catching +Swetaketu's mother by the hand, told her, 'Let us go.' Beholding his +mother seized by the hand and taken away apparently by force, the son was +greatly moved by wrath. Seeing his son indignant, Uddalaka addressed him +and said, 'Be not angry. O son! This is the practice sanctioned by +antiquity. The women of all orders in this world are free, O son; men in +this matter, as regards their respective orders, act as kine.' The Rishi's +son, Swetaketu, however, disapproved of the usage and established in the +world the present practice as regards men and women. It hath been heard by +us, O thou of great virtue, that the existing practice dates from that +period among human beings but not among beings of other classes. +Accordingly, since the establishment of the present usage, it is sinful +for women not to adhere to their husbands. Women transgressing the limits +assigned by the Rishi became guilty of slaying the embryo. And, men, too, +violating a chaste and loving wife who hath from her maidenhood observed +the vow of purity, became guilty of the same sin. The woman also who, +being commanded by her husband to raise offspring, refuses to do his +bidding, becometh equally sinful. + +"Thus, O timid one, was the existing usage established of old by Swetaketu, +the son of Uddalaka, in defiance of antiquity. O thou of taper thighs, it +hath also been heard by us that Madayanti, the wife of Saudasa, commanded +by her husband to raise offspring went unto Rishi Vasishtha. And on going +in unto him, the handsome Madayanti obtained a son named Asmaka. She did +this, moved by the desire of doing good to her husband. O thou of lotus- +eyes, thou knowest, O timid girl, how we ourselves, for the perpetuation +of the Kuru race, were begotten by Krishna-Dwaipayana. O faultless one, +beholding all these precedents it behoveth thee to do my bidding, which is +not inconsistent with virtue, O princess, who is devoted to her husband, +it hath also been said by those acquainted with the rules of morality that +a wife, when her monthly season cometh, must ever seek her husband, though +at other times she deserveth liberty. The wise have declared this to be +the ancient practice. But, be the act sinful or sinless, those acquainted +with the Vedas have declared that it is the duty of wives to do what their +husbands bid them do. Especially, O thou of faultless features, I, who am +deprived of the power of procreation, having yet become desirous of +beholding offspring, deserve the more to be obeyed by thee. O amiable one, +joining my palms furnished with rosy fingers, and making of them a cup as +of lotus leaves, I place them on my head to propitiate thee. O thou of +lair looks, it behoveth thee to raise offspring, at my command, through +some Brahmana possessed of high ascetic merit. For then, owing to thee, O +thou of fair hips, I may go the way that is reserved for those that are +blessed with children.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Pandu, that subjugator of +hostile cities, the handsome Kunti, ever attentive to what was agreeable +and beneficial to her lord, then replied unto him, saying, 'In my girlhood, +O lord, I was in my father's house engaged in attending upon all guests. I +used to wait respectfully upon Brahmanas of rigid vows and great ascetic +merit. One day I gratified with my attentions that Brahmana whom people +call Durvasa, of mind under full control and possessing knowledge of all +the mysteries of religion. Pleased with my services, that Brahmana gave me +a boon in the form of a mantra (formula of invocation) for calling into my +presence any one of the celestials I liked. And the Rishi, addressing me, +said, 'Anyone among the celestials whom thou callest by this shall, O girl, +approach thee and be obedient to thy will, whether he liketh it or not. +And, O princess, thou shall also have offspring through his grace.' O +Bharata, that Brahmana told me this when I lived in my father's house. The +words uttered by the Brahmana can never be false. The time also hath come +when they may yield fruit. Commanded by thee, O royal sage, I can by that +mantra summon any of the celestials, so that we may have good children. O +foremost of all truthful men, tell me which of the celestials I shall +summon. Know that, as regards this matter, I await your commands.' + +"Hearing this, Pandu replied, 'O handsome one, strive duly this very day +to gratify our wishes. Fortunate one, summon thou the god of justice. He +is the most virtuous of the celestials. The god of justice and virtue will +never be able to pollute us with sin. The world also, O beautiful princess, +will then think that what we do can never be unholy. The son also that we +shall obtain from him shall in virtue be certainly the foremost among the +Kurus. Begotten by the god of justice and morality, he would never set his +heart upon anything that is sinful or unholy. Therefore, O thou of sweet +smiles, steadily keeping virtue before thy eyes, and duly observing holy +vows, summon thou the god of justice and virtue by the help of thy +solicitations and incantations.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Kunti, that best of women, thus addressed +by her lord, said, 'So be it.' And bowing down to him and reverently +circumambulating his person, she resolved to do his bidding.'" + + +SECTION CXXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O Janamejaya, when Gandhari's conception had been a +full year old, it was then that Kunti summoned the eternal god of justice +to obtain offspring from him. And she offered without loss of time, +sacrifices unto the god and began to duly repeat the formula that Durvasa +had imparted to her some time before. Then the god, overpowered by her +incantations, arrived at the spot where Kunti was seated in his car +resplendent as the Sun. Smiling, he asked, 'O Kunti, what am I to give +thee?' And Kunti too smiling in her turn, replied, 'Thou must even give me +offspring.' Then the handsome Kunti was united (in intercourse) with the +god of justice in his spiritual form and obtained from him a son devoted +to the good of all creatures. And she brought his excellent child, who +lived to acquire a great fame, at the eighth Muhurta called Abhijit, of +the hour of noon of that very auspicious day of the seventh month +(Kartika), viz., the fifth of the lighted fortnight, when the star +Jyeshtha in conjunction with the moon was ascendant. And as soon as the +child was born, an incorporeal voice (from the skies) said, 'This child +shall be the best of men, the foremost of those that are virtuous. Endued +with great prowess and truthful in speech, he shall certainly be the ruler +of the earth. And this first child of Pandu shall be known by the name of +Yudhishthira. Possessed of prowess and honesty of disposition, he shall be +a famous king, known throughout the three worlds.' + +"Pandu, having obtained that virtuous son, again addressed his wife and +said, 'The wise have declared that a Kshatriya must be endued with +physical strength, otherwise he is no Kshatriya.' Therefore, ask thou for +an offspring of superior strength.' Thus commanded by her lord, Kunti then +invoked Vayu. And the mighty god of wind, thus invoked, came unto her, +riding upon a deer, and said, 'What, O Kunti, am I to give thee? Tell me +what is in thy heart.' Smiling in modesty, she said to him, 'Give me, O +best of celestials, a child endued with great strength and largeness of +limbs and capable of humbling the pride of every body.' The god of wind +thereupon begat upon her the child afterwards known as Bhima of mighty +arms and fierce prowess. And upon the birth of that child endued with +extraordinary strength, an incorporeal voice, O Bharata, as before, said, +'This child shall be the foremost of all endued with strength.' I must +tell you, O Bharata, of another wonderful event that occurred after the +birth of Vrikodara (Bhima). While he fell from the lap of his mother upon +the mountain breast, the violence of the fall broke into fragments the +stone upon which he fell without his infant body being injured in the +least. And he fell from his mother's lap because Kunti, frightened by a +tiger, had risen up suddenly, unconscious of the child that lay asleep on +her lap. And as she had risen, the infant, of body hard as the thunderbolt, +falling down upon the mountain breast, broke into a hundred fragments the +rocky mass upon which he fell. And beholding this, Pandu wondered much. +And it so happened that that very day on which Vrikodara was born, was +also, O best of Bharatas, the birthday of Duryodhana who afterwards became +the ruler of the whole earth.' + +"After the birth of Vrikodara, Pandu again began to think, 'How am I to +obtain a very superior son who shall achieve world-wide fame? Every thing +in the world dependeth on destiny and exertion. But destiny can never be +successful except by timely exertion. We have heard it said that Indra is +the chief of the gods. Indeed, he is endued with immeasurable might and +energy and prowess and glory. Gratifying him with my asceticism, I shall +obtain from him a son of great strength. Indeed, the son he giveth me must +be superior to all and capable of vanquishing in battle all men and +creatures other than men. I shall, therefore, practise the severest +austerities, with heart, deed and speech.' + +"After this, the Kuru king Pandu, taking counsel with the great Rishis +commanded Kunti to observe an auspicious vow for one full year, while he +himself commenced, O Bharata, to stand upon one leg from morning to +evening, and practise other severe austerities with mind rapt in +meditation, for gratifying the lord of the celestials. + +"It was after a long time that Indra (gratified with such devotion) +approached Pandu and, addressing him, said, 'I shall give thee, O king, a +son who will be celebrated all over the three worlds and who will promote +the welfare of Brahmanas, kine and all honest men. The son I shall give +thee will be the smiter of the wicked and the delight of friends and +relatives. Foremost of all men, he will be an irresistible slayer of all +foes.' Thus addressed by Vasava (the king of the celestials), the virtuous +king of the Kuru race, well-recollecting those words, said unto Kunti, 'O +fortunate one, thy vow hath become successful. The lord of the celestials +hath been gratified, and is willing to give thee a son such as thou +desirest, of superhuman achievements and great fame. He will be the +oppressor of all enemies and possessed of great wisdom. Endued with a +great soul, in splendour equal unto the Sun, invincible in battles, and of +great achievements, he will also be extremely handsome. O thou of fair +hips and sweet smiles, the lord of the celestials hath become gracious to +thee. Invoking him, bring thou forth a child who will be the very home of +all Kshatriya virtues.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The celebrated Kunti, thus addressed by her lord, +invoked Sakra (the king of the gods) who thereupon came unto her and begat +him that was afterwards called Arjuna. And as soon as this child was born, +an incorporeal voice, loud and deep as that of the clouds and filling the +whole welkin, distinctly said, addressing Kunti in the hearing of every +creature dwelling in that asylum, 'This child of thine, O Kunti, will be +equal unto Kartavirya in energy and Siva in prowess. Invincible like Sakra +himself he will spread thy fame far and wide. As Vishnu (the youngest of +Aditi's sons) had enhanced Aditi's joy, so shall this child enhance thy +joy. Subjugating the Madras, the Kurus along with the Somakas, and the +people of Chedi, Kasi and Karusha, he will maintain the prosperity of the +Kurus. (Surfeited with libations at the sacrifice of king Swetaketu), Agni +will derive great gratification from the fat of all creatures dwelling in +the Khandava woods (to be burnt down) by the might of this one's arms. +This mighty hero, vanquishing all the monarchs of the earth, will with +his brothers perform three great sacrifices. In prowess, O Kunti, he will +be even as Jamadagnya or Vishnu. The foremost of all men endued with +prowess, he will achieve great fame. He will gratify in battle (by his +heroism) Sankara, the god of gods (Mahadeva), and will receive from him +the great weapon named Pasupata. This thy son of mighty arms will also +slay, at the command of Indra, those Daityas called the Nivatakavachas who +are the enemies of the gods. He will also acquire all kinds of celestial +weapons, and this bull among men will also retrieve the fortunes of his +race.' + +"Kunti heard these extraordinary words, while lying in the room. And +hearing those words uttered so loudly, the ascetics dwelling on the +mountain of a hundred peaks, and the celestials with Indra sitting in +their cars, became exceedingly glad. The sounds of the (invisible) drum +filled the entire welkin. There were shouts of joy, and the whole region +was covered with flowers showered down by invisible agents. The various +tribes of celestials assembled together, began to offer their respectful +adorations to the son of Pritha. The sons of Kadru (Nagas), the son of +Vinata, the Gandharvas, the lords of the creation, and the seven great +Rishis, viz., Bharadwaja, Kasyapa, Gautama, Viswamitra, Jamadagni, +Vasishtha, and the illustrious Atri who illumined the world of old when +the Sun was lost, all came there. And Marichi, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, +Kratu, Daksha the lord of creation, the Gandharvas, and Apsaras, came +there also. The various tribes of Apsaras, decked with celestial garlands +and every ornament, and attired in fine robes, came there and danced in +joy, chanting the praises of Vibhatsu (Arjuna). All around, the great +Rishis began to utter propitiatory formulas. And Tumvuru accompanied by +the Gandharvas began to sing in charming notes. And Bhimasena and Ugrasena, +Urnayus and Anagha, Gopati and Dhritarashtra and Suryavarchas the eighth, +Yugapa and Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, and Chitraratha, Salisirah the +thirteenth, Parjanya the fourteenth, Kali the fifteenth, and Narada the +sixteenth in this list, Vrihatta, Vrihaka, Karala of great soul, +Brahmacharin, Vahuguna, Suvarna of great fame, Viswavasu, Bhumanyu, +Suchandra, Sam and the celebrated tribes of Haha and Huhu gifted with +wonderful melody of voice,--these celestial Gandharvas, O king, all went +there. Many illustrious Apsaras also of large eyes, decked with every +ornament came there to dance and sing. And Anuchana and Anavadya, +Gunamukhya and Gunavara, Adrika and Soma, Misrakesi and Alambusha, Marichi +and Suchika, Vidyutparna and Tilottama and Ambika, Lakshmana, Kshema Devi, +Rambha, Manorama, Asita, Suvahu, Supriya, Suvapuh, Pundarika, Sugandha, +Surasa, Pramathini, Kamya and Saradwati, all danced there together. And +Menaka, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Ritusthala, Ghritachi, Viswachi, +Purvachiti, the celebrated Umlocha, Pramlocha the tenth and Urvasi the +eleventh,--these large-eyed dancing girls of heaven,--came there and sang +in chorus. And Dharti and Aryaman and Mitra and Varuna, Bhaga and Indra, +Vivaswat, Pushan, Tvastri and Parjanya or Vishnu, these twelve Adityas +came there to glorify Pandu's son. And, O king, Mrigavyadha, Sarpa, the +celebrated Niriti, Ajaikapada, Ahivradhna, Pinakin, Dahana, Iswara, +Kapalin, Sthanu and the illustrious Bhaga--these eleven Rudras,--also came +there. And the twin Aswins, the eight Vasus, the mighty Maruts, the +Viswedevas, and the Sadhyas, also came there. And Karkotaka, Vasuki, +Kachchhapa, Kunda and the great Naga Takshaka,--these mighty and wrathful +snakes possessed of high ascetic merit also came there. And Tarkshya, +Arishtanemi, Garuda, Asitadvaja,--these and many other Nagas, came there, +so also Aruna and Aruni of Vinata's race also came there. And only great +Rishis crowned with ascetic success and not others saw those celestials +and other beings seated in their cars or waiting on the mountain peaks. +Those best of Munis beholding that wonderful sight, became amazed, and +their love and affection for the children of Pandu was in consequence +enhanced. + +"The celebrated Pandu, tempted by the desire of having more children +wished to speak again unto his wedded wife (for invoking some other god). +But Kunti addressed him, saying, 'The wise do not sanction a fourth +delivery even in a season of distress. The woman having intercourse with +four different men is called a Swairini (wanton), while she having +intercourse with five becometh a harlot. Therefore, O learned one, as thou +art well-acquainted with the scripture on this subject, why dost thou, +beguiled by desire of offspring, tell me so in seeming forgetfulness of +the ordinance?'" + + +SECTION CXXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After the birth of Kunti's sons and also of the +hundred sons of Dhritarashtra the daughter of the king of the Madras +privately addressed Pandu, saying, 'O slayer of foes, I have no complaint +even if thou beest unpropitious to me. I have, O sinless one, also no +complaint that though by birth I am superior to Kunti yet I am inferior to +her in station. I do not grieve, O thou of Kuru's race, that Gandhari hath +obtained a hundred sons. This, however, is my great grief that while Kunti +and I are equal, I should be childless, while it should so chance that +thou shouldst have offspring by Kunti alone. If the daughter of Kuntibhoja +should so provide that I should have offspring, she would then be really +doing me a great favour and benefiting thee likewise. She being my rival, +I feel a delicacy in soliciting any favour of her. If thou beest, O king, +propitiously disposed to me, then ask her to grant my desire.' + +"Hearing her, Pandu replied, 'O Madri, I do revolve this matter often in +my own mind, but I have hitherto hesitated to tell thee anything, not +knowing how thou wouldst receive it. Now that I know what your wishes are, +I shall certainly strive after that end. I think that, asked by me, Kunti +will not refuse.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, Pandu addressed Kunti in private, +saying, 'O Kunti, grant me some more offspring for the expansion of my +race and for the benefit of the world. O blessed one, provide thou that I +myself, my ancestors, and thine also, may always have the funeral cake +offered to us. O, do what is beneficial to me, and grant me and the world +what, indeed, is the best of benefits. O, do what, indeed, may be +difficult for thee, moved by the desire of achieving undying fame. Behold, +Indra, even though he hath obtained the sovereignty of the celestials, +doth yet, for fame alone, perform sacrifices. O handsome one, Brahmanas, +well-acquainted with the Vedas, and having achieved high ascetic merit, do +yet, for fame alone, approach their spiritual masters with reverence. So +also all royal sages and Brahmanas possessed of ascetic wealth have +achieved, for fame only, the most difficult of ascetic feat. Therefore, O +blameless one, rescue this Madri as by a raft (by granting her the means +of obtaining offspring), and achieve thou imperishable fame by making her +a mother of children.' + +"Thus addressed by her lord, Kunti readily yielded, and said unto Madri, +'Think thou, without loss of time, of some celestial, and thou shall +certainly obtain from him a child like unto him.' Reflecting for a few +moments. Madri thought of the twin Aswins, who coming unto her with speed +begat upon her two sons that were twins named Nakula and Sahadeva, +unrivalled on earth for personal beauty. And as soon as they were born, an +incorporeal voice said, 'In energy and beauty these twins shall transcend +even the twin Aswins themselves.' Indeed possessed of great energy and +beauty, they illumined the whole region. + +"O king, after all the children were born the Rishis dwelling on the +mountain of a hundred peaks uttering blessings on them and affectionately +performing the first rites of birth, bestowed appellations on them. The +eldest of Kunti's children was called Yudhishthira, the second Bhimasena, +and the third Arjuna, and of Madri's sons, the first-born of the twins was +called Nakula and the next Sahadeva. And those foremost sons born at an +interval of one year after one another, looked like an embodied period of +five years. And king Pandu, beholding his children of celestial beauty and +of super-abundant energy, great strength and prowess, and of largeness of +soul, rejoiced exceedingly. And the children became great favourites of +the Rishis, as also of their wives, dwelling on the mountain of a hundred +peaks. + +"Some time after, Pandu again requested Kunti on behalf of Madri. +Addressed, O king, by her lord in private, Kunti replied, 'Having given +her the formula of invocation only once, she hath, O king, managed to +obtain two sons. Have I not been thus deceived by her, I fear, O king, +that she will soon surpass me in the number of her children. This, indeed, +is the way of all wicked women. Fool that I was, I did not know that by +invoking the twin gods I could obtain at one birth twin children. I +beseech thee, O king, do not command me any further. Let this be the boon +granted (by thee) to me.' + +"Thus, O king, were born unto Pandu five sons who were begotten by +celestials and were endued with great strength, and who all lived to +achieve great fame and expand the Kuru race. Each bearing every auspicious +mark on his person, handsome like Soma, proud as the lion, well-skilled in +the use of the bow, and of leonine tread, breast, heart, eyes, neck and +prowess, those foremost of men, resembling the celestials themselves in +might, began to grow up. And beholding them and their virtues growing with +years, the great Rishis dwelling on that snowcapped sacred mountain were +filled with wonder. And the five Pandavas and the hundred sons of +Dhritarashtra--that propagator of the Kuru race--grew up rapidly like a +cluster of lotuses in a lake.'" + + +SECTION CXXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, "Beholding his five handsome sons growing up before +him in that great forest on the charming mountain slope, Pandu felt the +last might of his arms revive once more. One day in the season of spring +which maddens every creature the king accompanied by his wife (Madri), +began to rove in the woods where every tree had put forth new blossoms. He +beheld all around Palasas and Tilakas and Mangoes and Champakas and +Parihadrakas and Karnikaras, Asokas and Kesaras and Atimuktas and +Kuruvakas with swarms of maddened bees sweetly humming about. And there +were flowers of blossoming Parijatas with the Kokilas pouring forth their +melodies from under every twig echoing with the sweet hums of the black +bees. And he beheld also various other kinds of trees bent down with the +weight of their flowers and fruits. And there were also many fine pools of +water overgrown with hundreds of fragrant lotuses. Beholding all these, +Pandu felt the soft influence of desire. Roving like a celestial with a +light heart amidst such scenery, Pandu was alone with his wife Madri in +semi-transparent attire. And beholding the youthful Madri thus attired, +the king's desire flamed up like a forest-fire. And ill-able to suppress +his desire thus kindled at the sight of his wife of eyes like lotus-petals, +he was completely overpowered. The king then seized her against her will, +but Madri trembling in fear resisted him to the best of her might. +Consumed by desire, he forgot everything about his misfortune. And, O thou +of Kuru's race unrestrained by the fear of (the Rishi's) curse and +impelled by fate, the monarch, overpowered by passion, forcibly sought the +embraces of Madri, as if he wished to put an end to his own life. His +reason, thus beguiled by the great Destroyer himself by intoxicating his +senses, was itself lost with his life. And the Kuru king Pandu, of +virtuous soul, thus succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time, while +united in intercourse with his wife. + +"Then Madri, clasping the body of her senseless lord, began to weep aloud. +And Kunti with her sons and the twins of Madri, hearing those cries of +grief, came to the spot where the king lay in that state. Then, O king, +Madri addressing Kunti in a piteous voice, said, 'Come hither alone, O +Kunti, and let the children stay there.' Hearing these words, Kunti, the +children stay, ran with speed, exclaiming, 'Woe to me!' And beholding both +Pandu and Madri lying prostrate on the ground she went in grief and +affliction, saying, 'Of passions under complete control, this hero, O +Madri, had all along been watched by me with care. How did he then +forgetting the Rishi's curse, approach thee with enkindled desire? O Madri, +this foremost of men should have been protected by thee. Why didst thou +tempt him into solitude? Always melancholy at the thought of the Rishi's +curse, how came he to be merry with thee in solitude? O princess of +Valhika, more fortunate than myself, thou art really to be envied, for +thou hast seen the face of our lord suffused with gladness and joy.' + +"Madri then replied, saying, 'Revered sister, with tears in my eyes, I +resisted the king, but he could not control himself, bent on, as it were +making the Rishi's curse true.' + +"Kunti then said, 'I am the older of his wedded wives; the chief religious +merit must be mine. Therefore, O Madri, prevent me not from achieving that +which must be achieved. I must follow our lord to the region of the dead. +Rise up, O Madri, and yield me his body. Rear thou these children.' Madri +replied, saying, 'I do clasp our lord yet, and have not allowed him to +depart; therefore, I shall follow him. My appetite hath not been appeased. +Thou art my older sister, O let me have thy sanction. This foremost one of +the Bharata princes had approached me, desiring to have intercourse. His +appetite unsatiated, shall I not follow him in the region of Yama to +gratify him? O revered one, if I survive thee, it is certain I shall not +be able to rear thy children as if they were mine. Will not sin touch me +on that account? But, thou O Kunti, shall be able to bring my sons up as +if they were thine. The king, in seeking me wishfully, hath gone to the +region of spirits; therefore, my body should be burnt with his. O revered +sister, withhold not thy sanction to this which is agreeable to me. Thou +wilt certainly bring up the children carefully. That indeed, would be very +agreeable to me. I have no other direction to give!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the daughter of the king of +Madras, the wedded wife of Pandu, ascended the funeral pyre of her lord, +that bull among men.'" + + +SECTION CXXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The godlike Rishis, wise in counsels, beholding the +death of Pandu, consulted with one another, and said, 'The virtuous and +renowned king Pandu, abandoning both sovereignty and kingdom came hither +for practising ascetic austerities and resigned himself to the ascetics +dwelling on this mountain. He hath hence ascended to heaven, leaving his +wife and infant sons as a trust in our hands. Our duty now is to repair to +his kingdom with these his offspring, and his wife.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then those godlike Rishis of magnanimous hearts, +and crowned with ascetic success, summoning one another, resolved to go to +Hastinapura with Pandu's children ahead, desiring to place them in the +hands of Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. The ascetics set out that very moment, +taking with them those children and Kunti and the two dead bodies. And +though unused to toil all her life, the affectionate Kunti now regarded as +very short the really long journey she had to perform. Having arrived at +Kurujangala within a short time, the illustrious Kunti presented herself +at the principal gate. The ascetics then charged the porters to inform the +king of their arrival. The men carried the message in a trice to the court. +And the citizens of Hastinapura, hearing of the arrival of thousands of +Charanas and Munis, were filled with wonder. And it was soon after sunrise +that they began to come out in numbers with their wives and children to +behold those ascetics. Seated in all kinds of cars and conveyances by +thousands, vast numbers of Kshatriyas with their wives, and Brahmanas with +theirs came out. And the concourse of Vaisyas and Sudras too was as large +on the occasion. The vast assemblage was very peaceful, for every heart +then was inclined to piety. And there also came out Bhishma, the son of +Santanu, and Somadatta or Valhika and the royal sage (Dhritarashtra) +endued with the vision of knowledge and Vidura himself and the venerable +Satyavati and the illustrious princess of Kosala and Gandhari accompanied +by the other ladies of the royal household. And the hundred sons of +Dhritarashtra, decked with various ornaments, also came out. + +"The Kauravas, then, accompanied by their priest, saluted the Rishis by +lowering their heads, and took their seats before them. The citizens also +saluting the ascetics and bowing down unto them with touching the ground, +took their seats there. Then Bhishma, setting that vast concourse +perfectly still, duly worshipped, O king, those ascetics by offering them +water to wash their feet with and the customary Arghya. And having done +this, he spoke unto them about the sovereignty and the kingdom. Then the +oldest of the ascetics with matted locks on head and loins covered with +animal skin, stood up, and with the concurrence of the other Rishis, spoke +as follows, 'You all know that that possessor of the sovereignty of the +Kurus who was called king Pandu, had, after abandoning the pleasures of +the world, repaired hence to dwell on the mountain of a hundred peaks. He +adopted the Brahmacharya mode of life, but for some inscrutable purpose +the gods have in view, this his eldest son, Yudhishthira, was born there, +begotten by Dharma himself. Then that illustrious king obtained from Vayu +this other son--the foremost of all mighty men--called Bhima. This other +son, begotten upon Kunti by Indra, is Dhananjaya whose achievements will +humble all bowmen in the world. Look here again at these tigers among men, +mighty in the use of the bow, the twin children begotten upon Madri by the +twin Aswins. Leading in righteousness the life of a Vanaprastha in the +woods, illustrious Pandu hath thus revived the almost extinct line of his +grandfather. The birth, growth, and Vedic studies of these children of +Pandu, will, no doubt, give you great pleasure. Steadily adhering to the +path of the virtuous and the wise, and leaving behind him these children, +Pandu departed hence seventeen days ago. His wife Madri, beholding him +placed in the funeral pyre and about to be consumed, herself ascended the +same pyre, and sacrificing her life thus, hath gone with her lord to the +region reserved for chaste wives. Accomplish now whatever rites should be +performed for their benefit. These are (the unburnt portions of) their +bodies. Here also are their children--these oppressors of foes--with their +mother. Let these be now received with due honours. After the completion +of the first rites in honour of the dead, let the virtuous Pandu, who had +all along been the supporter of the dignity of the Kurus, have the first +annual Sraddha (sapindakarana) performed with a view to installing him +formally among the Pitris.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The ascetics with Guhyakas, having said this +unto the Kurus, instantly disappeared in the very sight of the people. And +beholding the Rishis and the Siddhas thus vanish in their sight like +vapoury forms appearing and disappearing in the skies, the citizens filled +with wonder returned to their homes.'" + + +SECTION CXXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Dhritarashtra then said, 'O Vidura, celebrate +the funeral ceremonies of that lion among kings viz., Pandu, and of Madri +also, in right royal style. For the good of their souls, distribute cattle, +cloths, gems and diverse kinds of wealth, every one receiving as much as +he asketh for. Make arrangements also for Kunti's performing the last +rites of Madri in such a style as pleaseth her. And let Madri's body be so +carefully wrapped up that neither the Sun nor Vayu (god of wind) may +behold it. Lament not for the sinless Pandu. He was a worthy king and hath +left behind him five heroic sons equal unto the celestials themselves.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Vidura, O Bharata, saying, 'So be it,' in +consultation with Bhishma, fixed upon a sacred spot for the funeral rites +of Pandu. The family priests went out of the city without loss of time, +carrying with them the blazing sacred fire fed with clarified butter and +rendered fragrant therewith. Then friends, relatives, and adherents, +wrapping it up in cloth, decked the body of the monarch with the flowers +of the season and sprinkled various excellent perfumes over it. And they +also decked the hearse itself with garlands and rich hangings. Then +placing the covered body of the king with that of his queen on that +excellent bier decked out so brightly, they caused it to be carried on +human shoulders. With the white umbrella (of state) held over the hearse +with waving yak-tails and sounds of various musical instruments, the whole +scene looked bright and grand. Hundreds of people began to distribute gems +among the crowd on the occasion of the funeral rites of the king. At +length some beautiful robes, and white umbrellas and larger yak-tails, +were brought for the great ceremony. The priests clad in white walked in +the van of the procession pouring libations of clarified butter on the +sacred fire blazing in an ornamental vessel. And Brahmanas, and Kshatriyas, +and Vaisyas, and Sudras by thousands followed the deceased king, loudly +wailing in these accents, 'O prince, where dost thou go, leaving us behind, +and making us forlorn and wretched for ever?' And Bhishma, and Vidura, and +the Pandavas, also all wept aloud. At last they came to a romantic wood on +the banks of the Ganga. There they laid down the hearse on which the +truthful and lion-hearted prince and his spouse lay. Then they brought +water in many golden vessels, washed the prince's body besmeared before +with several kinds of fragrant paste, and again smeared it over with +sandal paste. They then dressed it in a white dress made of indigenous +fabrics. And with the new suit on, the king seemed as if he was living and +only sleeping on a costly bed. + +"When the other funeral ceremonies also were finished in consonance with +the directions of the priests, the Kauravas set fire to the dead bodies of +the king and the queen, bringing lotuses, sandal-paste, and other fragrant +substances to the pyre. + +"Then seeing the bodies aflame, Kausalya burst out, 'O my son, my son!'-- +and fell down senseless on the ground. And seeing her down the citizens +and the inhabitants of the provinces began to wail from grief and +affection for their king. And the birds of the air and the beasts of the +field were touched by the lamentations of Kunti. And Bhishma, the son of +Santanu, and the wise Vidura, and the others also that were there, became +disconsolate. + +"Thus weeping, Bhishma, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, the Pandavas and the Kuru +ladies, all performed the watery ceremony of the king. And when all this +was over, the people, themselves filled with sorrow, began to console the +bereaved sons of Pandu. And the Pandavas with their friends began to sleep +on the ground. Seeing this the Brahmanas and the other citizens also +renounced their beds. Young and old, all the citizens grieved on account +of the sons of king Pandu, and passed twelve days in mourning with the +weeping Pandavas.'" + + +SECTION CXXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Bhishma and Kunti with their friends celebrated +the Sraddha of the deceased monarch, and offered the Pinda. And they +feasted the Kauravas and thousands of Brahmanas unto whom they also gave +gems and lands. Then the citizens returned to Hastinapura with the sons of +Pandu, now that they had been cleansed from the impurity incident to the +demise of their father. All then fell to weeping for the departed king. It +seemed as if they had lost one of their own kin. + +"When the Sraddha had been celebrated in the manner mentioned above, the +venerable Vyasa, seeing all the subjects sunk in grief, said one day to +his mother Satyavati, 'Mother, our days of happiness have gone by and days +of calamity have succeeded. Sin beginneth to increase day by day. The +world hath got old. The empire of the Kauravas will no longer endure +because of wrong and oppression. Go thou then into the forest, and devote +thyself to contemplation through Yoga. Henceforth society will be filled +with deceit and wrong. Good work will cease. Do not witness the +annihilation of thy race, in thy old age.' + +"Acquiescing in the words of Vyasa, Satyavati entered the inner apartments +and addressed her daughter-in-law, saying, 'O Ambika, I hear that in +consequence of the deeds of your grandsons, this Bharata dynasty and its +subjects will perish. If thou permit, I would go to the forest with +Kausalya, so grieved at the loss of her son.' O king, saying this the +queen, taking the permission of Bhishma also, went to the forest. And +arriving there with her two daughters-in-law, she became engaged in +profound contemplation, and in good time leaving her body ascended to +heaven.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the sons of king Pandu, having gone through +all the purifying rites prescribed in the Vedas, began to grow up in +princely style in the home of their father. Whenever they were engaged in +play with the sons of Dhritarashtra, their superiority of strength became +marked. In speed, in striking the objects aimed at, in consuming articles +of food, and scattering dust, Bhimasena beat all the sons of Dhritarashtra. +The son of the Wind-god pulled them by the hair and made them fight with +one another, laughing all the while. And Vrikodara easily defeated those +hundred and one children of great energy as if they were one instead of +being a hundred and one. The second Pandava used to seize them by the hair, +and throwing them down, to drag them along the earth. By this, some had +their knees broken, some their heads, and some their shoulders. That youth, +sometimes holding ten of them, drowned them in water, till they were +nearly dead. When the sons of Dhritarashtra got up to the boughs of a tree +for plucking fruits, Bhima used to shake that tree, by striking it with +his foot, so that down came the fruits and the fruitpluckers at the same +time. In fact, those princes were no match for Bhima in pugilistic +encounters, in speed, or in skill. Bhima used to make a display of his +strength by thus tormenting them in childishness but not from malice. + +"Seeing these wonderful exhibitions of the might of Bhima, the powerful +Duryodhana, the eldest son of Dhritarashtra, began to conceive hostility +towards him. And the wicked and unrighteous Duryodhana, through ignorance +and ambition, prepared himself for an act of sin. He thought, 'There is no +other individual who can compare with Bhima, the second son of Pandu, in +point of prowess. I shall have to destroy him by artifice. Singly, Bhima +dares a century of us to the combat. Therefore, when he shall sleep in the +garden, I shall throw him into the current of the Ganga. Afterwards, +confining his eldest brother Yudhishthira and his younger brother Arjuna, +I shall reign sole king without molestation.' Determined thus, the wicked +Duryodhana was ever on the watch to find out an opportunity for injuring +Bhima. And, O Bharata, at length at a beautiful place called Pramanakoti +on the banks of the Ganga, he built a palace decorated with hangings of +broad-cloth and other rich stuffs. And he built this palace for sporting +in the water there, and filled it with all kinds of entertaining things +and choice viands. Gay flags waved on the top of this mansion. The name of +the house was 'the water-sport house.' Skilful cooks prepared various +kinds of viands. When all was ready, the officers gave intimation to +Duryodhana. Then the evil-minded prince said unto the Pandavas, 'Let us +all go to the banks of the Ganga graced with trees and crowned with +flowers and sport there in the water.' And upon Yudhishthira agreeing to +this, the sons of Dhritarashtra, taking the Pandavas with them, mounted +country-born elephants of great size and cars resembling towns, and left +the metropolis. + +"On arriving at the place, the princes dismissed their attendants, and +surveying the beauty of the gardens and the groves, entered the palace, +like lions entering their mountain caves. On entering they saw that the +architects had handsomely plastered the walls and the ceilings and that +painters had painted them beautifully. The windows looked very graceful, +and the artificial fountains were splendid. Here and there were tanks of +pellucid water in which bloomed forests of lotuses. The banks were decked +with various flowers whose fragrance filled the atmosphere. The Kauravas +and the Pandavas sat down and began to enjoy the things provided for them. +They became engaged in play and began to exchange morsels of food with one +another. Meanwhile the wicked Duryodhana had mixed a powerful poison with +a quantity of food, with the object of making away with Bhima. That wicked +youth who had nectar in his tongue and a razor in his heart, rose at +length, and in a friendly way fed Bhima largely with that poisoned food, +and thinking himself lucky in having compassed his end, was exceedingly +glad at heart. Then the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu together became +cheerfully engaged in sporting in the water. Their sport having been +finished, they dressed themselves in white habiliments, and decked +themselves with various ornaments. Fatigued with play, they felt inclined +in the evening to rest in the pleasurehouse belonging to the garden. +Having made the other youths take exercise in the waters, the powerful +second Pandava was excessively fatigued. So that on rising from the water, +he lay down on the ground. He was weary and under the influence of the +poison. And the cool air served to spread the poison over all his frame, +so that he lost his senses at once. Seeing this Duryodhana bound him with +chords of shrubs, and threw him into the water. The insensible son of +Pandu sank down till he reached the Naga kingdom. Nagas, furnished with +fangs containing virulent venom, bit him by thousands. The vegetable +poison, mingled in the blood of the son of the Wind god, was neutralised +by the snake-poison. The serpents had bitten all over his frame, except +his chest, the skin of which was so tough that their fangs could not +penetrate it. + +"On regaining consciousness, the son of Kunti burst his bands and began to +press the snakes down under the ground. A remnant fled for life, and going +to their king Vasuki, represented, 'O king of snakes, a man drowned under +the water, bound in chords of shrubs; probably he had drunk poison. For +when he fell amongst us, he was insensible. But when we began to bite him, +he regained his senses, and bursting his fetters, commenced laying at us. +May it please Your Majesty to enquire who is.' + +"Then Vasuki, in accordance with the prayer of the inferior Nagas, went to +the place and saw Bhimasena. Of the serpents, there was one, named Aryaka. +He was the grandfather of the father of Kunti. The lord of serpents saw +his relative and embraced him. Then, Vasuki, learning all, was pleased +with Bhima, and said to Aryaka with satisfaction, 'How are we to please +him? Let him have money and gems in profusion." + +"On hearing the words of Vasuki, Aryaka said, 'O king of serpents, when +Your Majesty is pleased with him, no need of wealth for him! Permit him to +drink of rasakunda (nectar-vessels) and thus immeasurable strength. There +is the strength of a thousand elephants in each one of those vessels. Let +this prince drink as much as he can.' + +"The king of serpents gave his consent. And the serpents thereupon began +auspicious rites. Then purifying himself carefully, Bhimasena facing the +east began to drink nectar. At one breath, he quaffed off the contents of +a whole vessel, and in this manner drained off eight successive jars, till +he was full. At length, the serpents prepared an excellent bed for him, on +which he lay down at ease.'" + + +SECTION CXXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile the Kauravas and the Pandavas, after having +thus sported there, set out, without Bhima, for Hastinapura, some on +horses, some on elephants, while others preferred cars and other +conveyances. And on their way they said to one another, 'Perhaps, Bhima +hath gone before us.' And the wicked Duryodhana was glad at heart to miss +Bhima, and entered the city with his brothers in joy. + +"The virtuous Yudhishthira, himself unacquainted with vice and wickedness, +regarded others to be as honest as himself. The eldest son of Pritha, +filled with fraternal love, going unto his mother, said, after making +obeisance to her, 'O mother, hath Bhima come? O good mother, I don't find +him here. Where may he have gone? We long sought for him everywhere in the +gardens and the beautiful woods; but found him nowhere. At length, we +thought that the heroic Bhima preceded us all. O illustrious dame, we came +hither in great anxiety. Arrived here, where hath he gone? Have you sent +him anywhere? O tell me, I am full of doubts respecting the mighty Bhima. +He had been asleep and hath not come. I conclude he is no more.' + +"Hearing these words of the highly intelligent Yudhishthira, Kunti +shrieked, in alarm, and said, 'Dear son, I have not seen Bhima. He did not +come to me. O, return in haste, and with your brothers search for him.' + +"Having said this in affliction to her eldest son, she summoned Vidura, +and said, 'O illustrious Kshattri, Bhimasena is missing! Where has he +gone? The other brothers have all come back from the gardens, only Bhima +of mighty arms does not come home! Duryodhana likes him not. The Kaurava +is crooked and malicious and low-minded and imprudent. He coveteth the +throne openly. I am afraid he may have in a fit of anger slain my darling. +This afflicts me sorely, indeed, it burns my heart.' + +"Vidura replied, 'Blessed dame, say not so! Protect thy other sons with +care. If the wicked Duryodhana be accused, he may slay thy remaining sons. +The great sage hath said that all thy sons will be long-lived. Therefore, +Bhima will surely return and gladden thy heart.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The wise Vidura, having said this unto Kunti, +returned to his abode, while Kunti, in great anxiety, continued to stay at +home with her children. + +"Meanwhile, Bhimasena awoke from that slumber on the eighth day, and felt +strong beyond measure in consequence of the nectar he had taken having +been all digested. Seeing him awake, the Nagas began to console and cheer +him, saying, 'O thou of mighty arms, the strength-giving liquor thou hast +drunk will give thee the might of ten thousand elephants! No one now will +be able to vanquish thee in fight. O bull of Kuru's race, do thou bath in +this holy and auspicious water and return home. Thy brothers are +disconsolate because of thee.' + +"Then Bhima purified himself with a bath in those waters, and decked in +white robes and flowery garlands of the same hue, ate of the paramanna +(rice and sugar pudding) offered to him by the Nagas. Then that oppressor +of all foes, decked in celestial ornaments, received the adorations and +blessings of the snakes, and saluting them in return, rose from the nether +region. Bearing up the lotus-eyed Pandava from under the waters, the Nagas +placed him in the selfsame gardens wherein he had been sporting, and +vanished in his very sight. + +"The mighty Bhimasena, arrived on the surface of the earth, ran with speed +to his mother. And bowing down unto her and his eldest brother, and +smelling the heads of his younger brothers, that oppressor of all foes was +himself embraced by his mother and every one of those bulls among men. +Affectionate unto one another, they all repeatedly exclaimed, 'What is our +joy today, O what joy!' + +"Then Bhima, endued with great strength and prowess, related to his +brothers everything about the villainy of Duryodhana, and the lucky and +unlucky incidents that had befallen him in the world of the Serpents. +Thereupon Yudhishthira said, 'Do thou observe silence on this. Do not +speak of this to any one. From this day, protect ye all one another with +care.' Thus cautioned by the righteous Yudhishthira, they all, with +Yudhishthira himself, became very vigilant from that day. And lest +negligence might occur on the part of the sons of Kunti, Vidura +continually offered them sage advice. + +"Some time after, Duryodhana again mixed in the food of Bhima a poison +that was fresh, virulent, and very deadly. But Yuyutsu (Dhritarashtra's +son by a Vaisya wife), moved by his friendship for the Pandavas, informed +them of this. Vrikodara, however, swallowed it without any hesitation, and +digested it completely. And, though virulent the poison produced no +effects on Bhima. + +"When that terrible poison intended for the destruction of Bhima failed of +its effect, Duryodhana, Karna and Sakuni, without giving up their wicked +design had recourse to numerous other contrivances for accomplishing the +death of the Pandavas. And though every one of these contrivances was +fully known to the Pandavas, yet in accordance with the advice of Vidura +they suppressed their indignation. + +"Meanwhile, the king (Dhritarashtra), beholding the Kuru princes passing +their time in idleness and growing naughty, appointed Gautama as their +preceptor and sent them unto him for instruction. Born among a clump of +heath, Gautama was well-skilled in the Vedas and it was under him (also +called Kripa) that the Kuru princes began to learn the use of arms.'" + + +SECTION CXXX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, it behoveth thee to relate to me everything +about the birth of Kripa. How did he spring from a clump of heath? Whence +also did he obtain his weapons?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, the great sage Gautama had a son named +Saradwat. This Saradwat was born with arrows (in hand). O oppressor of +foes, the son of Gautama exhibited great aptitude for the study of the +science of weapons, but none for the other sciences. Saradwat acquired all +his weapons by those austerities by which Brahmanas in student life +acquire the knowledge of Vedas. Gautama (the son of Gotama) by his +aptitude for the science of weapons and by his austerities made Indra +himself greatly afraid of him. Then, O thou of Kuru's race, the chief of +the gods summoned a celestial damsel named Janapadi and sent her unto +Gautama, saying, 'Do thy best to disturb the austerities of Gautama.' +Repairing unto the charming asylum of Saradwat, the damsel began to tempt +the ascetic equipped with bow and arrows. Beholding that Apsara, of figure +unrivalled on earth for beauty, alone in those woods and clad in a single +piece of cloth, Saradwat's eyes expanded with delight. At the sight of the +damsel, his bow and arrows slipped from his hand and his frame shook all +over with emotion; but possessed of ascetic fortitude and strength of soul, +the sage mustered sufficient patience to bear up against the temptation. +The suddenness, however, of his mental agitation, caused an unconscious +emission of his vital fluid. Leaving his bow and arrows and deer-skin +behind, he went away, flying from the Apsara. His vital fluid, however, +having fallen upon a clump of heath, was divided into two parts, whence +sprang two children that were twins. + +"And it happened that a soldier in attendance upon king Santanu while the +monarch was out a-hunting in the woods, came upon the twins. And seeing +the bow and arrows and deer-skin on the ground, he thought they might be +the offspring of some Brahmana proficient in the science of arms. Deciding +thus, he took up the children along with the bow and arrows, and showed +what he had to the king. Beholding them the king was moved with pity, and +saying, 'Let these become my children,' brought them to his palace. Then +that first of men, Santanu, the son of Pratipa having brought Gautama's +twins into his house, performed in respect of them the usual rites of +religion. And he began to bring them up and called them Kripa and Kripi, +in allusion to the fact that he brought them up from motives of pity +(Kripa). The son of Gotama having left his former asylum, continued his +study of the science of arms in right earnest. By his spiritual insight he +learnt that his son and daughter were in the palace of Santanu. He +thereupon went to the monarch and represented everything about his lineage. +He then taught Kripa the four branches of the science of arms, and various +other branches of knowledge, including all their mysteries and recondite +details. In a short time Kripa became an eminent professor of the science +(of arms). And the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, and the Pandavas along +with the Yadavas, and the Vrishnis, and many other princes from various +lands, began to receive lessons from him in that science.'" + + +SECTION CXXXI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Desirous of giving his grandsons a superior education, +Bhishma was on the look-out for a teacher endued with energy and well- +skilled in the science of arms. Deciding, O chief of the Bharatas, that +none who was not possessed of great intelligence, none who was not +illustrious or a perfect master of the science of arms, none who was not +of godlike might, should be the instructor of the Kuru (princes), the son +of Ganga, O tiger among men, placed the Pandavas and the Kauravas under +the tuition of Bharadwaja's son, the intelligent Drona skilled in all the +Vedas. Pleased with the reception given him by the great Bhishma, that +foremost of all men skilled in arms, viz., illustrious Drona of world-wide +fame, accepted the princes as his pupils. And Drona taught them the +science of arms in all its branches. And, O monarch, both the Kauravas and +the Pandavas endued with immeasurable power, in a short time became +proficient in the use of all kinds of arms.' + +"Janamejaya asked, 'O Brahmana, how was Drona born? How and whence did he +acquire his arms? How and why came he unto the Kurus? Whose son also was +endued with such energy? Again, how was his son Aswatthaman, the +foremost of all skilled in arms born? I wish to hear all this! Please +recite them in detail.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'There dwelt at the source of the Ganga, a great sage +named Bharadwaja, ceaselessly observing the most rigid vows. One day, of +old, intending to celebrate the Agnihotra sacrifice he went along with +many great Rishis to the Ganga to perform his ablutions. Arrived at the +bank of the stream, he saw Ghritachi herself, that Apsara endued with +youth and beauty, who had gone there a little before. With an expression +of pride in her countenance, mixed with a voluptuous languor of attitude, +the damsel rose from the water after her ablutions were over. And as she +was gently treading on the bank, her attire which was loose became +disordered. Seeing her attire disordered, the sage was smitten with +burning desire. The next moment his vital fluid came out, in consequence +of the violence of his emotion. The Rishi immediately held it in a vessel +called a drona. Then, O king, Drona sprang from the fluid thus preserved +in that vessel by the wise Bharadwaja. And the child thus born studied all +the Vedas and their branches. Before now Bharadwaja of great prowess and +the foremost of those possessing a knowledge of arms, had communicated to +the illustrious Agnivesa, a knowledge of the weapon called Agneya. O +foremost one of Bharata's race, the Rishi (Agnivesa) sprung from fire now +communicated the knowledge of that great weapon to Drona the son of his +preceptor. + +"There was a king named Prishata who was a great friend of Bharadwaja. +About this time Prishata had a son born unto him, named Drupada. And that +bull among Kshatriyas, viz., Drupada, the son of Prishata, used every day +to come to the hermitage of Bharadwaja to play with Drona and study in his +company. O monarch, when Prishata was dead, this Drupada of mighty arms +became the king of the northern Panchalas. About this time the illustrious +Bharadwaja also ascended to heaven. Drona continuing to reside in his +father's hermitage devoted himself to ascetic austerities. Having become +well-versed in the Vedas and their branches and having burnt also all his +sins by asceticism, the celebrated Drona, obedient to the injunctions of +his father and moved by the desire of offspring married Kripi, the +daughter of Saradwat. And this woman, ever engaged in virtuous acts and +the Agnihotra, and the austerest of penances, obtained a son named +Aswatthaman. And as soon as Aswatthaman was born, he neighed like the +(celestial) steed Ucchaihsravas. Hearing that cry, an invisible being in +the skies said, 'The voice of this child hath, like the neighing of a +horse, been audible all around. The child shall, therefore, be known by +the name of Aswatthaman, (the horse-voiced).' The son of Bharadwaja +(Drona) was exceedingly glad at having obtained that child. Continuing +to reside in that hermitage he devoted himself to the study of the +science of arms. + +"O king, it was about this time that Drona heard that the illustrious +Brahmana Jamadagnya, that slayer of foes, that foremost one among all +wielders of weapons, versed in all kinds of knowledge, had expressed a +desire of giving away all his wealth to Brahmanas. Having heard of Rama's +knowledge of arms and of his celestial weapons also, Drona set his heart +upon them as also upon the knowledge of morality that Rama possessed. Then +Drona of mighty arms, endued with high ascetic virtues, accompanied by +disciples who were all devoted to vows ascetic austerities, set out for +the Mahendra mountains. Arrived at Mahendra, the son of Bharadwaja +possessed of high ascetic merit, beheld the son of Bhrigu, the +exterminator of all foes, endued with great patience and with mind under +complete control. Then, approaching with his disciples that scion of the +Bhrigu race Drona, giving him his name, told him of his birth in the line +of Angiras. And touching the ground with his head, he worshipped Rama's +feet. And beholding the illustrious son of Jamadagni intent upon retiring +into the woods after having given away all his wealth, Drona said, 'Know +me to have sprung from Bharadwaja, but not in any woman's womb! I am a +Brahmana of high birth, Drona by name, come to thee with the desire of +obtaining thy wealth.' + +"On hearing him, that illustrious grinder of the Kshatriya race replied, +'Thou art welcome, O best of regenerate ones! Tell me what thou desirest.' +Thus addressed by Rama, the son of Bharadwaja replied unto that foremost +of all smiters, desirous of giving away the whole of his wealth, 'O thou +of multifarious vows, I am a candidate for thy eternal wealth.' 'O thou of +ascetic wealth, returned Rama, 'My gold and whatever other wealth I had, +have all been given away unto Brahmanas! This earth also, to the verge of +the sea, decked with towns and cities, as with a garland of flowers, I +have given unto Kasyapa. I have now my body only and my various valuable +weapons left. I am prepared to give either my body or my weapons. Say, +which thou wouldst have! I would give it thee! Say quickly!' + +"Drona answered, O son of Bhrigu, it behoveth thee to give me all thy +weapons together with the mysteries of hurling and recalling them.' + +"Saying, 'So be it,' the son of Bhrigu gave all his weapons unto Drona,-- +indeed, the whole science of arms with its rules and mysteries. Accepting +them all, and thinking himself amply rewarded that best of Brahmanas then, +glad at heart, set out, for (the city of) his friend Drupada.'" + + +SECTION CXXXII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O king, the mighty son of Bharadyaja presented +himself before Drupada, and addressing that monarch, said, 'Know me for +thy friend.' Thus addressed by his friend, the son of Bharadwaja, with a +joyous heart, the lord of the Panchalas was ill-able to bear that speech. +The king, intoxicated with the pride of wealth, contracted his brows in +wrath, and with reddened eyes spake these words unto Drona, 'O Brahmana, +thy intelligence is scarcely of a high order, inasmuch as thou sayest unto +me, all on a sudden, that thou art my friend! O thou of dull apprehension, +great kings can never be friends with such luckless and indigent wights as +thou! It is true there had been friendship between thee and me before, for +we were then both equally circumstanced. But Time that impaireth +everything in its course, impaireth friendship also. In this world, +friendship never endureth for ever in any heart. Time weareth it off and +anger destroyeth it too. Do not stick, therefore, to that worn-off +friendship. Think not of it any longer. The friendship I had with thee, O +first of Brahmanas, was for a particular purpose. Friendship can never +subsist between a poor man and a rich man, between a man of letters and an +unlettered mind, between a hero and a coward. Why dost thou desire the +continuance of our former friendship? There may be friendship or hostility +between persons equally situated as to wealth or might. The indigent and +the affluent can neither be friends nor quarrel with each other. One of +impure birth can never be a friend to one of pure birth; one who is not a +car-warrior can never be a friend to one who is so; and one who is not a +king never have a king for his friend. Therefore, why dost thou desire the +continuance of our former friendship?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Drupada, the mighty son of +Bharadwaja became filled with wrath, and reflecting for a moment, made up +his mind as to his course of action. Seeing the insolence of the Panchala +king, he wished to check it effectually. Hastily leaving the Panchala +capital Drona bent his steps towards the capital of the Kurus, named after +the elephant.'" + + +SECTION CXXXIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Arrived at Hastinapura, that best of Brahmanas, the +son of Bharadwaja, continued to live privately in the house of Gautama +(Kripa). His mighty son (Aswatthaman) at intervals of Kripa's teaching, +used to give the sons of Kunti lessons in the use of arms. But as yet none +knew of Aswatthaman's prowess. + +"Drona had thus lived privately for some time in the house of Kripa when +one day the heroic princes, all in a company, came out of Hastinapura. And +coming out of the city, they began to play with a ball and roam about in +gladness of heart. And it so happened that the ball with which they had +been playing fell into a well. And thereupon the princes strove their best +to recover it from the well. But all the efforts the princes made to +recover it proved futile. They then began to eye one another bashfully, +and not knowing how to recover it, their anxiety became great. Just at +this time they beheld a Brahmana near enough unto them, of darkish hue, +decrepit and lean, sanctified by the performance of the Agnihotra and who +had finished his daily rites of worship. And beholding that illustrious +Brahmana, the princes who had despaired of success surrounded him +immediately. Drona (for that Brahmana was no other), seeing the princes +unsuccessful, and conscious of his own skill, smiled a little, and +addressing them said, 'Shame on your Kshatriya might, and shame also on +your skill in arms! You have been born in the race of Bharata! How is it +that ye cannot recover the ball (from the bottom of this well)? If ye +promise me a dinner today, I will, with these blades of grass, bring up +not only the ball ye have lost but this ring also that I now throw down!' +Thus saying, Drona that oppressor of foes, taking off his ring, threw it +down into the dry well. Then Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, addressing +Drona, said, 'O Brahmana (thou askest for a trifle)! Do thou, with Kripa's +permission, obtain of us that which would last thee for life!' Thus +addressed, Drona with smiles replied unto the Bharata princes, saying, +'This handful of long grass I would invest, by my mantras, with the virtue +of weapons. Behold these blades possess virtues that other weapons, have +not! I will, with one of these blades, pierce the ball, and then pierce +that blade with another, and that another with a third, and thus shall I, +by a chain, bring up the ball.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Drona did exactly what he had said. And the +princes were all amazed and their eyes expanded with delight. And +regarding what they had witnessed to be very extraordinary, they said, O +learned Brahmana, do thou bring up the ring also without loss of time.' + +"Then the illustrious Drona, taking a bow with an arrow, pierced the ring +with that arrow and brought it up at once. And taking the ring thus +brought up from the well still pierced with his arrow, he coolly gave it +to the astonished princes. Then the latter, seeing the ring thus recovered, +said, 'We bow to thee, O Brahmana! None else owneth such skill. We long to +know who thou art and whose son. What also can we do for thee?' + +"Thus addressed, Drona replied unto the princes, saying, 'Do ye repair +unto Bhishma and describe to him my likeness and skill. The mighty one +will recognize me.' The princes then saying, 'So be it,' repaired unto +Bhishma and telling him of the purport of that Brahmana's speech, related +everything about his (extraordinary) feat. Hearing everything from the +princes, Bhishma at once understood that the Brahmana was none else than +Drona, and thinking that he would make the best preceptor for the princes, +went in person unto him and welcoming him respectfully, brought him over +to the place. Then Bhishma, that foremost of all wielders of arms, +adroitly asked him the cause of his arrival at Hastinapura. Asked by him, +Drona represented everything as it had happened, saying, 'O sir, in times +past I went to the great Rishi Agnivesa for obtaining from him his weapons, +desirous also of learning the science of arms. Devoted to the service of +my preceptor, I lived with him for many years in the humble guise of a +Brahmacharin, with matted locks on my head. At that time, actuated by the +same motives, the prince of Panchala, the mighty Yajnasena, also lived in +the same asylum. He became my friend, always seeking my welfare. I liked +him much. Indeed, we lived together for many, many years. O thou of Kuru's +race, from our earliest years we had studied together and, indeed, he was +my friend from boyhood, always speaking and doing what was agreeable to me. +For gratifying me, O Bhishma, he used to tell me, 'O Drona, I am the +favourite child of my illustrious father. When the king installeth me as +monarch of the Panchalas, the kingdom shall be thine. O friend, this, +indeed, is my solemn promise. My dominion, wealth and happiness, shall all +be dependent on thee.' At last the time came for his departure. Having +finished his studies, he bent his steps towards his country. I offered him +my regards at the time, and, indeed, I remembered his words ever +afterwards. + +"Some time after, in obedience to the injunctions of my father and tempted +also by the desire of offspring, I married Kripi of short hair, who gifted +with great intelligence, had observed many rigid vows, and was ever +engaged in the Agnihotra and other sacrifices and rigid austerities. +Gautami, in time, gave birth to a son named Aswatthaman of great prowess +and equal in splendour unto the Sun himself. Indeed, I was pleased on +having obtained Aswatthaman as much as my father had been on obtaining me. + +"And it so happened that one day the child Aswatthaman observing some rich +men's sons drink milk, began to cry. At this I was so beside myself that I +lost all knowledge of the point of the compass. Instead of asking him who +had only a few kine (so that if he gave me one, he would no longer be able +to perform his sacrifices and thus sustain a loss of virtue), I was +desirous of obtaining a cow from one who had many, and for that I wandered +from country to country. But my wanderings proved unsuccessful, for I +failed to obtain a milch cow. After I had come back unsuccessful, some of +my son's playmates gave him water mixed with powdered rice. Drinking this, +the poor boy, was deceived into the belief that he had taken milk, and +began to dance in joy, saying, 'O, I have taken milk. I have taken milk!' +Beholding him dance with joy amid these playmates smiling at his +simplicity, I was exceedingly touched. Hearing also the derisive speeches +of busy-bodies who said, 'Fie upon the indigent Drona, who strives not to +earn wealth, whose son drinking water mixed with powdered rice mistaketh +it for milk and danceth with joy, saying, 'I have taken milk,--I have +taken milk!'--I was quite beside myself. Reproaching myself much, I at +last resolved that even if I should have to live cast off and censured by +Brahmanas, I would not yet, from desire of wealth, be anybody's servant, +which is ever hateful. Thus resolved, O Bhishma, I went, for former +friendship, unto the king of the Somakas, taking with me my dear child and +wife. Hearing that he had been installed in the sovereignty (of the +Somakas), I regarded myself as blessed beyond compare. Joyfully I went +unto that dear friend of mine seated on the throne, remembering my former +friendship with him and also his own words to me. And, O illustrious one, +approaching Drupada, I said, 'O tiger among men, know me for thy friend!'-- +Saying this, I approached him confidently as a friend should. But Drupada, +laughing in derision cast me off as if I were a vulgar fellow. Addressing +me he said, 'Thy intelligence scarcely seemeth to be of a high order +inasmuch as approaching me suddenly, thou sayest thou art my friend! Time +that impaireth everything, impaireth friendship also. My former friendship +with thee was for a particular purpose. One of impure birth can never be a +friend of one who is of pure birth. One who is not a car-warrior can never +be a friend of one who is such. Friendship can only subsist between +persons that are of equal rank, but not between those that are unequally +situated. Friendship never subsisteth for ever in my heart. Time impaireth +friendships, as also anger destroyeth them. Do thou not stick, therefore, +to that worn-off friendship between us. Think not of it any longer. The +friendship I had with thee, O best of Brahmanas, was for a special purpose. +There cannot be friendship between a poor man and a rich man, between an +unlettered hind and a man of letters, between a coward and a hero. Why +dost thou, therefore, desire the revival of our former friendship? O thou +of simple understanding, great kings can never have friendship with such +indigent and luckless wight as thou. One who is not a king can never have +a king for his friend. I do not remember ever having promised thee my +kingdom. But, O Brahmana, I can now give thee food and shelter for one +night.'--Thus addressed by him, I left his presence quickly with my wife, +vowing to do that which I will certainly do soon enough. Thus insulted by +Drupada, O Bhishma, I have been filled with wrath, I have come to the +Kurus, desirous of obtaining intelligent and docile pupils. I come to +Hastinapura to gratify thy wishes. O, tell me what I am to do.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the son of Bharadwaja, Bhishma +said unto him, 'String thy bow, O Brahmana, and make the Kuru princes +accomplished in arms. Worshipped by the Kurus, enjoy with a glad heart to +thy fill every comfort in their abode. Thou art the absolute lord, O +Brahmana, of what ever wealth the Kurus have and of their sovereignty and +kingdom! The Kurus are thine (from this day). Think that as already +accomplished which may be in thy heart. Thou art, O Brahmana, obtained by +us as the fruit of our great good luck. Indeed, the favour thou hast +conferred upon me by thy arrival is great.' + + +SECTION CXXXIV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus worshipped by Bhishma, Drona, that first of men, +endued with great energy, took up his quarters in the abode of the Kurus +and continued to live there, receiving their adorations. After he had +rested a while, Bhishma, taking with him his grandsons, the Kaurava +princes, gave them unto him as pupils, making at the same time many +valuable presents. And the mighty one (Bhishma) also joyfully gave unto +the son of Bharadwaja a house that was tidy and neat and well-filled with +paddy and every kind of wealth. And that first of archers, Drona, +thereupon joyfully accepted the Kauravas, viz., the sons of Pandu and +Dhritarashtra, as his pupils. And having accepted them all as his pupils, +one day Drona called them apart and making them touch his feet, said to +them with a swelling heart, 'I have in my heart a particular purpose. +Promise me truly, ye sinless ones, that when ye have become skilled in +arms, ye will accomplish it.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, the Kuru princes remained +silent. But Arjuna, O king, vowed to accomplish it whatever it was. Drona +then cheerfully clasped Arjuna to his bosom and took the scent of his head +repeatedly, shedding tears of joy all the while. Then Drona endued with +great prowess taught the sons of Pandu (the use of) many weapons both +celestial and human. And, O bull of the Bharata race, many other princes +also flocked to that best of Brahmanas for instruction in arms. The +Vrishnis and the Andhakas, and princes from various lands, and the +(adopted) son of Radha of the Suta caste, (Karna), all became pupils of +Drona. But of them all, the Suta child Karna, from jealousy, frequently +defied Arjuna, and supported by Duryodhana, used to disregard the Pandavas. +Arjuna, however, from devotion to the science of arms, always stayed by +the side of his preceptor, and in skill, strength of arms, and +perseverance, excelled all (his class-fellows). Indeed, although the +instruction the preceptor gave, was the same in the case of all, yet in +lightness and skill Arjuna became the foremost of all his fellow-pupils. +And Drona was convinced that none of his pupils would (at any time) be +able to be equal to that son of Indra. + +"Thus Drona continued giving lessons to the princes in the science of +weapons. And while he gave unto every one of his pupils a narrow-mouthed +vessel (for fetching water) in order that much time may be spent in +filling them, he gave unto his own son Aswatthaman a broad-mouthed vessel, +so that, filling it quickly, he might return soon enough. And in the +intervals so gained, Drona used to instruct his own son in several +superior methods (of using weapons). Jishnu (Arjuna) came to know of this, +and thereupon filling his narrow-mouthed vessel with water by means of the +Varuna weapon he used to come unto his preceptor at the same time with his +preceptor's son. And accordingly the intelligent son of Pritha, that +foremost of all men possessing a knowledge of weapons, had no inferiority +to his preceptor's son in respect of excellence. Arjuna's devotion to the +service of his preceptor as also to arms was very great and he soon became +the favourite of his preceptor. And Drona, beholding his pupil's devotion +to arms, summoned the cook, and told him in secret, 'Never give Arjuna his +food in the dark, nor tell him that I have told thee this.' A few days +after, however, when Arjuna was taking his food, a wind arose, and +thereupon the lamp that had been burning went out. But Arjuna, endued with +energy, continued eating in the dark, his hand, from habit, going to his +mouth. His attention being thus called to the force of habit, the strong- +armed son of Pandu set his heart upon practising with his bow in the night. +And, O Bharata, Drona, hearing the twang of his bowstring in the night, +came to him, and clasping him, said, 'Truly do I tell thee that I shall do +that unto thee by which there shall not be an archer equal to thee in this +world.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thereafter Drona began to teach Arjuna the art +of fighting on horse-back, on the back of elephants, on car, and on the +ground. And the mighty Drona also instructed Arjuna in fighting with the +mace, the sword, the lance, the spear, and the dart. And he also +instructed him in using many weapons and fighting with many men at the +same time. And hearing reports of his skill, kings and princes, desirous +of learning the science of arms, flocked to Drona by thousands. Amongst +those that came there, O monarch, was a prince named Ekalavya, who was the +son of Hiranyadhanus, king of the Nishadas (the lowest of the mixed +orders). Drona, however, cognisant of all rules of morality, accepted not +the prince as his pupil in archery, seeing that he was a Nishada who might +(in time) excel all his high-born pupils. But, O oppressor of all enemies, +the Nishada prince, touching Drona's feet with bent head, wended his way +into the forest, and there he made a clay-image of Drona, and began to +worship it respectfully, as if it was his real preceptor, and practised +weapons before it with the most rigid regularity. In consequence of his +exceptional reverence for his preceptor and his devotion to his purpose, +all the three processes of fixing arrows on the bowstring, aiming, and +letting off became very easy for him. + +"And one day, O grinder of foes, the Kuru and the Pandava princes, with +Drona's leave, set out in their cars on a hunting excursion. A servant, O +king, followed the party at leisure, with the usual implements and a dog. +Having come to the woods, they wandered about, intent on the purpose they +had in view. Meanwhile, the dog also, in wandering alone in the woods, +came upon the Nishada prince (Ekalavya). And beholding the Nishada of dark +hue, of body besmeared with filth, dressed in black and bearing matted +locks on head, the dog began to bark aloud. + +"Thereupon the Nishada prince, desirous of exhibiting his lightness of +hand, sent seven arrows into its mouth (before it could shut it). The dog, +thus pierced with seven arrows, came back to the Pandavas. Those heroes, +who beheld that sight, were filled with wonder, and, ashamed of their own +skill, began to praise the lightness of hand and precision of aim by +auricular precision (exhibited by the unknown archer). And they thereupon +began to seek in those woods for the unknown dweller therein that had +shown such skill. And, O king, the Pandavas soon found out the object of +their search ceaselessly discharging arrows from the bow. And beholding +that man of grim visage, who was totally a stranger to them, they asked, +'Who art thou and whose son?' Thus questioned, the man replied, 'Ye heroes, +I am the son of Hiranyadhanus, king of the Nishadas. Know me also for a +pupil of Drona, labouring for the mastery of the art of arms.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Pandavas then, having made themselves +acquainted with everything connected with him, returned (to the city), and +going unto Drona, told him of that wonderful feat of archery which they +had witnessed in the woods. Arjuna, in particular, thinking all the while, +O king, Ekalavya, saw Drona in private and relying upon his preceptor's +affection for him, said, 'Thou hadst lovingly told me, clasping me, to thy +bosom, that no pupil of thine should be equal to me. Why then is there a +pupil of thine, the mighty son of the Nishada king, superior to me?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'On hearing these words, Drona reflected for a +moment, and resolving upon the course of action he should follow, took +Arjuna with him and went unto the Nishada prince. And he beheld Ekalavya +with body besmeared with filth, matted locks (on head), clad in rags, +bearing a bow in hand and ceaselessly shooting arrows therefrom. And when +Ekalavya saw Drona approaching towards him, he went a few steps forward, +and touched his feet and prostrated himself on the ground. And the son of +the Nishada king worshipping Drona, duly represented himself as his pupil, +and clasping his hands in reverence stood before him (awaiting his +commands). Then Drona, O king, addressed Ekalavya, saying, 'If, O hero, +thou art really my pupil, give me then my fees.' On hearing these words, +Ekalavya was very much gratified, and said in reply, 'O illustrious +preceptor, what shall I give? Command me; for there is nothing, O foremost +of all persons conversant with the Vedas, that I may not give unto my +preceptor.' Drona answered, 'O Ekalavya, if thou art really intent on +making me a gift, I should like then to have the thumb of thy right hand.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these cruel words of Drona, who had +asked of him his thumb as tuition-fee, Ekalavya, ever devoted to truth and +desirous also of keeping his promise, with a cheerful face and an +unafflicted heart cut off without ado his thumb, and gave it unto Drona. +After this, when the Nishada prince began once more to shoot with the help +of his remaining fingers, he found, O king, that he had lost his former +lightness of hand. And at this Arjuna became happy, the fever (of +jealousy) having left him. + +"Two of Drona's pupils became very much accomplished in the use of mace. +These were Druvodhana and Bhima, who were, however, always jealous of each +other. Aswatthaman excelled everyone (in the mysteries of the science of +arms). The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) excelled everybody in handling the +sword. Yudhishthira surpassed everybody as a car-warrior; but Arjuna, +however, outdistanced everyone in every respect--in intelligence, +resourcefulness, strength and perseverance. Accomplished in all weapons, +Arjuna became the foremost of even the foremost of car-warriors; and his +fame spread all over the earth to the verge of the sea. And although the +instruction was the same, the mighty Arjuna excelled all (the princes in +lightness of hand). Indeed, in weapons as in devotion to his preceptor, he +became the foremost of them all. And amongst all the princes, Arjuna alone +became an Atiratha (a car-warrior capable of fighting at one time with +sixty thousand foes). And the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, beholding +Bhimasena endued with great strength and Arjuna accomplished in all arms, +became very jealous of them. + +"O bull among men, one day Drona desirous of testing the comparative +excellence of all his pupils in the use of arms, collected them all +together after their education had been completed. And before assembling +them together, he had caused an artificial bird, as the would be aim, to +be placed on the top of a neighbouring tree. And when they were all +together, Drona said unto them, 'Take up your bows quickly and stand here +aiming at that bird on the tree, with arrows fixed on your bowstrings; +shoot and cut off the bird's head, as soon as I give the order. I shall +give each of you a turn, one by one, my children.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Drona, that foremost of all Angira's sons +first addressed Yudhishthira saying, 'O irrepressible one, aim with thy +arrow and shoot as soon as I give the order.' Yudhishthira took up the bow +first, as desired, O king, by his preceptor, and stood aiming at the bird. +But, O bull of Bharata's race, Drona in an instant, addressing the Kuru +prince standing with bow in hand, said, 'Behold, O prince, that bird on +top of the tree.' Yudhishthira replied unto his preceptor, saying, 'I do.' +But the next instant Drona again asked him, 'What dost thou see now, O +prince? Seest thou the tree, myself or thy brothers?' Yudhishthira +answered, 'I see the tree, myself, my brothers, and the bird.' Drona +repeated his question, but was answered as often in the same words. Drona +then, vexed with Yudhishthira, reproachingly said, 'Stand thou apart. It +is not for thee to strike the aim.' Then Drona repeated the experiment +with Duryodhana and the other sons of Dhritarashtra, one after another, as +also with his other pupils, Bhima and the rest, including the princes that +had come unto him from other lands. But the answer in every case was the +same as Yudhishthira's viz., 'We behold the tree, thyself, our fellow- +pupils, and the bird.' And reproached by their preceptor, they were all +ordered, one after another, to stand apart.'" + + +SECTION CXXXV + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When everyone had failed, Drona smilingly called +Arjuna and said unto him, 'By thee the aim must be shot; therefore, turn +thy eyes to it. Thou must let fly the arrow as soon as I give the order. +Therefore, O son, stand here with bow and arrow for an instant.' Thus +addressed, Arjuna stood aiming at the bird as desired by his preceptor, +with his bow bent. An instant after Drona asked him as in the case of +others, 'Seest thou, O Arjuna, the bird there, the tree, and myself?' +Arjuna replied, 'I see the bird only, but nor the tree, or thyself.' Then +the irrepressible Drona, well-pleased with Arjuna, the instant after, +again said unto that mighty car-warrior amongst the Pandavas, 'If thou +seest the vulture, then describe it to me.' Arjuna said, 'I see only the +head of the vulture, not its body.' At these words of Arjuna, the hair (on +Drona's body) stood on end from delight. He then said to Partha, 'Shoot.' +And the latter instantly let fly (his arrow) and with his sharp shaft +speedily struck off the head of the vulture on the tree and brought it +down to the ground. No sooner was the deed done than Drona clasped +Phalguna to his bosom and thought Drupada with his friends had already +been vanquished in fight. + +"Some time after, O bull of Bharata's race, Drona, accompanied by all of +his pupils, went to the bank of the Ganga to bathe in that sacred stream. +And when Drona had plunged into the stream, a strong alligator, sent as it +were, by Death himself seized him by the thigh. And though himself quite +capable, Drona in a seeming hurry asked his pupil to rescue him. And he +said, 'O, kill this monster and rescue me.' Contemporaneously with this +speech, Vibhatsu (Arjuna) struck the monster within the water with five +sharp arrows irresistible in their course, while the other pupils stood +confounded, each at his place. Beholding Arjuna's readiness, Drona +considered him to be the foremost of all his pupils, and became highly +pleased. The monster, in the meantime cut into pieces by the arrows of +Arjuna, released the thigh of illustrious Drona and gave up the ghost. The +son of Bharadwaja then addressed the illustrious and mighty car-warrior +Arjuna and said, 'Accept, O thou of mighty arms, this very superior and +irresistible weapon called Brahmasira with the methods of hurling and +recalling it. Thou must not, however, ever use it against any human foe, +for if hurled at any foe endued with inferior energy, it might burn the +whole universe. It is said, O child, that this weapon hath not a peer in +the three worlds. Keep it, therefore, with great care, and listen to what +I say. If ever, O hero, any foe, not human, contendeth against thee thou +mayst then employ it against him for compassing his death in battle.' +Pledging himself to do what he was bid, Vibhatsu then, with joined hands, +received that great weapon. + +The preceptor then, addressing him again, said, 'None else in this world +will ever become a superior bowman to thee. Vanquished thou shall never be +by any foe, and thy achievements will be great.'" + + +SECTION CXXXVI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O thou of Bharata's race, beholding the sons of +Dhritarashtra and Pandu accomplished in arms, Drona, O monarch, addressed +king Dhritarashtra, in the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, Valhika, the wise +son of Ganga (Bhishma), Vyasa, and Vidura, and said, 'O best of Kuru kings, +thy children have completed their education. With thy permission, O king, +let them now show their proficiency.' Hearing him, the king said with a +gladdened heart, 'O best of Brahmanas, thou hast, indeed, accomplished a +great deed. Command me thyself as to the place and the time where and when +and the manner also in which the trial may be held. Grief arising from my +own blindness maketh me envy those who, blessed with sight, will behold my +children's prowess in arm. O Kshatri (Vidura), do all that Drona sayeth. O +thou devoted to virtue, I think there is nothing that can be more +agreeable to me.' Then Vidura, giving the necessary assurance to the king, +went out to do what he was bid. And Drona endued with great wisdom, then +measured out a piece of land that was void of trees and thickets and +furnished with wells and springs. And upon the spot of land so measured +out, Drona, that first of eloquent men, selecting a lunar day when the +star ascendant was auspicious, offered up sacrifice unto the gods in the +presence of the citizens assembled by proclamation to witness the same. +And then, O bull among men, the artificers of the king built thereon a +large and elegant stage according to the rules laid down in the scriptures, +and it was furnished with all kinds of weapons. They also built another +elegant hall for the lady-spectators. And the citizens constructed many +platforms while the wealthier of them pitched many spacious and high tents +all around. + +"When the day fixed for the Tournament came, the king accompanied by his +ministers, with Bhishma and Kripa, the foremost of preceptors, walking +ahead, came unto that theatre of almost celestial beauty constructed of +pure gold, and decked with strings of pearls and stones of lapis lazuli. +And, O first of victorious men, Gandhari blessed with great good fortune +and Kunti, and the other ladies of the royal house-hold, in gorgeous +attire and accompanied by their waiting women, joyfully ascended the +platforms, like celestial ladies ascending the Sumeru mountain. And the +four orders including the Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, desirous of beholding +the princes' skill in arms, left the city and came running to the spot. +And so impatient was every one to behold the spectacle, that the vast +crowd assembled there in almost an instant. And with the sounds of +trumpets and drums and the noise of many voices, that vast concourse +appeared like an agitated ocean. + +"At last, Drona accompanied by his son, dressed in white (attire), with a +white sacred thread, white locks, white beard, white garlands, and white +sandal-paste rubbed over his body, entered the lists. It seemed as if the +Moon himself accompanied by the planet Mars appeared in an unclouded sky. +On entering Bharadwaja performed timely worship and caused Brahmanas +versed in mantras to celebrate the auspicious rites. And after auspicious +and sweet-sounding musical instruments had been struck up as a +propitiatory ceremony, some persons entered, equipped with various arms. +And then having girded up their loins, those mighty warriors, those +foremost ones of Bharata's race (the princes) entered, furnished with +finger-protectors (gauntlet), and bows, and quivers. And with Yudhishthira +at their head, the valiant princes entered in order of age and began to +show wonderful skill with their weapons. Some of the spectators lowered +their heads, apprehending fall of arrows while others fearlessly gazed on +with wonder. And riding swiftly on horses and managing them 'dexterously' +the princes began to hit marks with shafts engraved with their respective +names. And seeing the prowess of the princes armed with bows and arrows, +the spectators thought that they were beholding the city of the Gandharvas, +became filled with amazement. And, O Bharata, all on a sudden, some +hundreds and thousands, with eyes wide open in wonder, exclaimed, 'Well +done! Well done!' And having repeatedly displayed their skill and +dexterity in the use of bows and arrows and in the management of cars, the +mighty warriors took up their swords and bucklers, and began to range the +lists, playing their weapons. The spectators saw (with wonder) their +agility, the symmetry of their bodies, their grace, their calmness, the +firmness of their grasp and their deftness in the use of sword and buckler. +Then Vrikodara and Suyodhana, internally delighted (at the prospect of +fight), entered the arena, mace in hand, like two single-peaked mountains. +And those mighty-armed warriors braced their loins, and summoning all +their energy, roared like two infuriate elephants contending for a cow- +elephant; and like two infuriated elephants those mighty heroes +faultlessly (in consonance with the dictates of the science of arm) +careered right and left, circling the lists. And Vidura described to +Dhritarashtra and the mother of the Pandavas (Kunti) and Gandhari, all the +feats of the princes.'" + + +SECTION CXXXVII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Upon the Kuru king and Bhima, the foremost of +all endued with strength, having entered the arena, the spectators were +divided into two parties in consequence of the partiality swaying their +affections. Some cried, 'Behold the heroic king of the Kurus!'--some-- +'Behold Bhima!'--And on account of these cries, there was, all on a sudden, +a loud uproar. And seeing the place become like a troubled ocean, the +intelligent Bharadwaja said unto his dear son, Aswatthaman, 'Restrain both +these mighty warriors so proficient in arms. Let not the ire of the +assembly be provoked by this combat of Bhima and Duryodhana.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the son of the preceptor of the princes +restrained those combatants with their maces uplifted and resembling two +swollen oceans agitated by the winds that blow at the universal +dissolution. And Drona himself entering the yard of the arena commanded +the musicians to stop, and with a voice deep as that of the clouds +addressed these words, 'Behold ye now that Partha who is dearer to me than +my own son, the master of all arms, the son of Indra himself, and like +unto the younger brother of Indra, (Vishnu)! And having performed the +propitiatory rites, the youthful Phalguna, equipped with the finger +protector (gauntlet) and his quiver full of shafts and bow in hand, +donning his golden mail, appeared in the lists even like an evening cloud +reflecting the rays of the setting sun and illumined by the hues of the +rainbow and flashes of lightning. + +"On seeing Arjuna, the whole assembly were delighted and conchs began to +be blown all around with other musical instruments. And there arose a +great uproar in consequence of the spectators' exclaiming,--'This is the +graceful son of Kunti!'--'This is the middle (third) Pandava!'--'This is +the son of the mighty Indra!'--'This is the protector of the Kurus'--'This +is the foremost of those versed in arms!'--'This is the foremost of all +cherishers of virtue!'--'This is the foremost of the persons of correct +behaviour, the great repository of the knowledge of manners!' At those +exclamations, the tears of Kunti, mixing with the milk of her breast, +wetted her bosom. And his ears being filled with that uproar, that first +of men, Dhritarashtra, asked Vidura in delight, 'O Kshatri, what is this +great uproar for, like unto that of the troubled ocean, arising all on a +sudden and rending the very heavens?' Vidura replied, 'O mighty monarch, +the son of Pandu and Pritha, Phalguna, clad in mail hath entered the lists. +And hence this uproar!' Dhritarashtra said, 'O thou of soul so great, by +the three fires sprung from Pritha who is even like the sacred fuel, I +have, indeed, been blessed, favoured and protected!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the spectators, excited with delight, had +somewhat regained their equanimity, Vibhatsu began to display his +lightness in the use of weapons. By the Agneya weapon, he created fire, +and by the Varuna weapon he created water, by the Vayavya weapon, he +created air, and by the Parjanya weapon he created clouds. And by the +Bhauma weapon, he created land, and by the Parvatya weapon, he brought +mountains into being. By the Antardhana weapon all these were made to +disappear. Now the beloved one of his preceptor (Arjuna) appeared tall and +now short; now he was seen on the yoke of his car, and now on the car +itself; and the next moment he was on the ground. And the hero favoured by +his practised dexterity, hit with his various butts--some tender, some +fine and some of thick composition. And like one shaft, he let fly at a +time into the mouth of a moving iron-boar five shafts together from his +bow-string. And that hero of mighty energy discharged one and twenty +arrows into the hollow of a cow's horn hung up on a rope swaying to and +fro. In this manner, O sinless one, Arjuna showed his profound skill in +the use of sword, bow, and mace, walking over the lists in circles. + +"And, O Bharata, when the exhibition had well-nigh ended, the excitement +of the spectators had cooled, and the sounds of instruments had died out +there was heard proceeding from the gate, the slapping of arms, betokening +might and strength, and even like unto the roar of the thunder. And, O +king, as soon as this sound was heard, the assembled multitude instantly +thought, 'Are the mountains splitting or is the earth itself rending +asunder, or is the welkin resounding with the roar of gathering clouds?' +And then all the spectators turned their eyes towards the gate. And Drona +stood, surrounded by the five brothers, the sons of Pritha, and looked +like the moon in conjunction with the five-starred constellation Hasta. +And Duryodhana, that slayer of foes, stood up in haste and was surrounded +by his century of haughty brothers with Aswatthaman amongst them. And that +prince, mace in hand, thus surrounded by his hundred brothers with +uplifted weapons appeared like Purandara in days of yore, encircled by the +celestial host on the occasion of the battle with the Danavas.'" + + +SECTION CXXXVIII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the spectators, with eyes expanded with +wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities, Karna, that hero +with his natural mail and face brightened with ear-rings, took up his bow +and girded on his sword, and then entered the spacious lists, like a +walking cliff. That far-famed destroyer of hostile hosts, the large-eyed +Karna, was born of Pritha in her maidenhood. He was a portion of the hot- +beamed Sun and his energy and prowess were like unto those of the lion, or +the bull, or the leader of a herd of elephants. In splendour he resembled +the Sun, in loveliness the Moon, and in energy the fire. Begotten by the +Sun himself, he was tall in stature like a golden palm tree, and, endued +with the vigour of youth, he was capable of slaying a lion. Handsome in +features, he was possessed of countless accomplishments. The mighty-armed +warrior, eyeing all around the arena, bowed indifferently to Drona and +Kripa. And the entire assembly, motionless and with steadfast gaze, +thought, 'Who is he?' And they became agitated in their curiosity to know +the warrior. And that foremost of eloquent men, the offspring of the Sun, +in a voice deep as that of the clouds, addressed his unknown brother, the +son of the subduer of the Asura, Paka (Indra), saying, 'O Partha, I shall +perform feats before this gazing multitude; excelling all thou hast +performed! Beholding them, thou shall be amazed.' And, O thou best of +those blest with speech, he had hardly done when the spectators stood up +all at once, uplifted by some instrument, as it were. And, O tiger among +men, Duryodhana was filled with delight, while Vibhatsu was instantly all +abashment and anger. Then with the permission of Drona, the mighty Karna, +delighting in battle, there did all that Partha had done before. And, O +Bharata, Duryodhana with his brothers thereupon embraced Karna in joy and +then addressed him saying, 'Welcome O mighty-armed warrior! I have +obtained thee by good fortune, O polite one! Live thou as thou pleasest, +and command me, and the kingdom of the Kurus.' Karna replied, 'When thou +hast said it, I regard it as already accomplished. I only long for thy +friendship. And, O lord, my wish is even for a single combat with Arjuna.' +Duryodhana said, 'Do thou with me enjoy the good things of life! Be thou +the benefactor of thy friend, and, O represser of enemies, place thou thy +feet on the heads of all foes.' + +"Arjuna, after this, deeming himself disgraced, said unto Karna +stationed amidst the brothers like unto a cliff, 'That path which the +unwelcome intruder and the uninvited talker cometh to, shall be thine, +O Karna, for thou shall be slain by me.' Karna replied, 'This arena is +meant for all, not for thee alone, O Phalguna! They are kings who are +superior in energy; and verily the Kshatriya regardeth might and might +alone. What need of altercation which is the exercise of the weak? O +Bharata, speak then in arrows until with arrows I strike off thy head +today before the preceptor himself!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hastily embraced by his brothers, Partha that +subduer of hostile cities, with the permission of Drona, advanced for the +combat. On the other side, Karna, having been embraced by Duryodhana with +his brothers, taking up his bow and arrows, stood ready for the fight. +Then the firmament became enveloped in clouds emitting flashes of +lightning, and the coloured bow of Indra appeared shedding its effulgent +rays. And the clouds seemed to laugh on account of the rows of white +cranes that were then on the wing. And seeing Indra thus viewing the arena +from affection (for his son), the sun too dispersed the clouds from over +his own offspring. And Phalguna remained deep hid under cover of the +clouds, while Karna remained visible, being surrounded by the rays of the +Sun. And the son of Dhritarashtra stood by Karna, and Bharadwaja and Kripa +and Bhishma remained with Partha. And the assembly was divided, as also +the female spectators. And knowing the state of things, Kunti the daughter +of Bhoja, swooned away. And by the help of female attendants, Vidura, +versed in the lore of all duties, revived the insensible Kunti by +sprinkling sandal-paste and water on her person. On being restored to +consciousness, Kunti, seeing her two sons clad in mail, was seized with +fear, but she could do nothing (to protect them). And beholding both the +warriors with bows strung in their hands the son of Saradwat, viz., Kripa, +knowing all duties and cognisant of the rules regulating duels, addressed +Karna, saying 'This Pandava, who is the youngest son of Kunti, belongeth +to the Kaurava race: he will engage in combat with thee. But, O mighty- +armed one, thou too must tell us thy lineage and the names of thy father +and mother and the royal line of which thou art the ornament. Learning all +this, Partha will fight with thee or not (as he will think fit). Sons of +kings never fight with men of inglorious lineage.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When he was thus addressed by Kripa, Karna's +countenance became like unto a lotus pale and torn with the pelting +showers in the rainy season. Duryodhana said, 'O preceptor, verily the +scriptures have it that three classes of persons can lay claim to royalty, +viz., persons of the blood royal, heroes, and lastly, those that lead +armies. If Phalguna is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I +will install Karna as king of Anga.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'At that very moment, seated on a golden seat, with +parched paddy and with flowers and water-pots and much gold, the mighty +warrior Karna was installed king by Brahmanas versed in mantras. And the +royal umbrella was held over his head, while Yak-tails waved around that +redoubtable hero of graceful mien. And the cheers, having ceased, king +(Karna) said unto the Kaurava Duryodhana, 'O tiger among monarchs, what +shall I give unto thee that may compare with thy gift of a kingdom? O king, +I will do all thou biddest!' And Suyodhana said unto him, 'I eagerly wish +for thy friendship.' Thus spoken to, Karna replied, 'Be it so.' And they +embraced each other in joy, and experienced great happiness.'" + + +SECTION CXXXIX + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After this, with his sheet loosely hanging down, +Adhiratha entered the lists, perspiring and trembling, and supporting +himself on a staff. + +"Seeing him, Karna left his bow and impelled by filial regard bowed down +his head still wet with the water of inauguration. And them the charioteer, +hurriedly covering his feet with the end of his sheet, addressed Karna +crowned with success as his son. And the charioteer embraced Karna and +from excess of affection bedewed his head with tears, that head still wet +with the water sprinkled over it on account of the coronation as king of +Anga. Seeing the charioteer, the Pandava Bhimasena took Karna for a +charioteer's son, and said by way of ridicule, 'O son of a charioteer, +thou dost not deserve death in fight at the hands of Partha. As befits thy +race take thou anon the whip. And, O worst of mortals, surely thou art not +worthy to sway the kingdom of Anga, even as a dog doth not deserve the +butter placed before the sacrificial fire.' Karna, thus addressed, with +slightly quivering lips fetched a deep sigh, looked at the God of the day +in the skies. And even as a mad elephant riseth from an assemblage of +lotuses, the mighty Duryodhana rose in wrath from among his brothers, and +addressed that performer of dreadful deeds, Bhimasena, present there, 'O +Vrikodara, it behoveth thee not to speak such words. Might is the cardinal +virtue of a Kshatriya, and even a Kshatriya of inferior birth deserveth to +be fought with. The lineage of heroes, like the sources of a lordly river, +is ever unknown. The fire that covereth the whole world riseth from the +waters. The thunder that slayeth the Danavas was made of a bone of (a +mortal named) Dadhichi. The illustrious deity Guha, who combines in his +composition the portions of all the other deities is of a lineage unknown. +Some call him the offspring of Agni; some, of Krittika, some, of Rudra, +and some of Ganga. It hath been heard by us that persons born in the +Kshatriya order have become Brahmanas. Viswamitra and others (born +Kshatriyas) have obtained the eternal Brahma. The foremost of all wielders +of weapons, the preceptor Drona hath been born in a waterpot and Kripa of +the race of Gotama hath sprung from a clump of heath. Your own births, ye +Pandava princes, are known to me. Can a she-deer bring forth a tiger (like +Karna), of the splendour of the Sun, and endued with every auspicious mark, +and born also with a natural mail and ear-rings? This prince among men +deserveth the sovereignty of the world, not of Anga only, in consequence +of the might of his arm and my swearing to obey him in everything. If +there be anybody here to whom all that I have done unto Karna hath become +intolerable, let him ascend his chariot and bend his bow with the help of +his feet.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then there arose a confused murmur amongst the +spectators approving of Duryodhana's speech. The sun, however, went down, +but prince Duryodhana taking Karna's hand led him out of the arena lighted +with countless lamps. And, O king, the Pandavas also, accompanied by Drona +and Kripa and Bhishma, returned to their abodes. And the people, too, came +away, some naming Arjuna, some Karna, and some Duryodhana (as the victor +of the day). And Kunti, recognising her son in Karna by the various +auspicious marks on his person and beholding him installed in the +sovereignty of Anga, was from motherly affection, very pleased. And +Duryodhana, O monarch, having obtained Karna (in this way), banished his +fears arising out of Arjuna's proficiency in arms. And the heroic Karna, +accomplished in arms, began to gratify Duryodhana by sweet speeches, while +Yudhishthira was impressed with the belief that there was no warrior on +earth like unto Karna.'" + + +SECTION CXL + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding the Pandavas and the son of +Dhritarashtra accomplished in arms, Drona thought the time had come when +he could demand the preceptorial fee. And, O king, assembling his pupils +one day together, the preceptor Drona asked of them the fee, saying, +'Seize Drupada, the king of Panchala in battle and bring him unto me. That +shall be the most acceptable fee.' Those warriors then answering, 'So be +it', speedily mounted up on their chariots, and for bestowing upon their +preceptor the fee he had demanded, marched out, accompanied by him. Those +bulls among men, smiting the Panchalas on their way, laid siege to the +capital of the great Drupada. And Duryodhana and Karna and the mighty +Yuyutsu, and Duhsasana and Vikarna and Jalasandha and Sulochana,--these +and many other foremost of Kshatriya princes of great prowess, vied with +one another in becoming the foremost in the attack. And the princes, +riding in first class chariots and following the cavalry, entered the +hostile capital, and proceeded along the streets. + +"Meanwhile, the king of Panchala, beholding that mighty force and hearing +its loud clamour, came out of his palace, accompanied by his brothers. +Though king Yajnasena was well-armed, the Kuru army assailed him with a +shower of arrows, uttering their war-cry. Yajnasena, however, not easy to +be subdued in battle, approaching the Kurus upon his white chariot, began +to rain his fierce arrows around. + +"Before the battle commenced, Arjuna, beholding the pride of prowess +displayed by the princes, addressed his preceptor, that best of Brahmanas, +Drona, and said, 'We shall exert ourselves after these have displayed +their prowess. The king of Panchala can never be taken on the field of the +battle by any of these.' Having said this, the sinless son of Kunti +surrounded by his brothers, waited outside the town at a distance of a +mile from it. Meanwhile Drupada beholding the Kuru host, rushed forward +and pouring a fierce shower of arrows around, terribly afflicted the Kuru +ranks. And such was his lightness of motion on the field of battle that, +though he was fighting unsupported on a single chariot, the Kurus from +panic supposed that there were many Drupadas opposed to them. And the +fierce arrows of that monarch fell fast on all sides, till conchs and +trumpets and drums by thousands began to be sounded by the Panchalas from +their houses (giving the alarm). Then there arose from the mighty Panchala +host a roar terrible as that of the lion, while the twang of their bow- +strings seemed to rend the very heavens. Then Duryodhana and Vikarna, +Suvahu and Dirghalochana and Duhsasana becoming furious, began to shower +their arrows upon the enemy. But the mighty bowman, Prishata's son, +invincible in battle, though very much pierced with the arrows of the +enemy, instantly began, O Bharata, to afflict the hostile ranks with +greater vigour. And careering over the field of battle like a fiery wheel, +king Drupada with his arrows smote Duryodhana and Vikarna and even the +mighty Karna and many other heroic princes and numberless warriors, and +slaked their thirst for battle. Then all the citizens showered upon the +Kurus various missiles like clouds showering rain-drops upon the earth. +Young and old, they all rushed to battle, assailing the Kurus with vigour. +The Kauravas, then, O Bharata, beholding the battle become frightful, +broke and fled wailing towards the Pandavas. + +"The Pandavas, hearing the terrible wail of the beaten host, reverentially +saluted Drona and ascended their chariots. Then Arjuna hastily bidding +Yudhishthira not to engage in the fight, rushed forward, appointing the +sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva) the protectors of his chariot-wheels, +while Bhimasena ever fighting in the van, mace in hand, ran ahead. The +sinless Arjuna, thus accompanied by his brothers, hearing the shouts of +the enemy, advanced towards them, filling the whole region with the rattle +of his chariot-wheels. And like a Makara entering the sea, the mighty- +armed Bhima, resembling a second Yama, mace in hand, entered the Panchala +ranks, fiercely roaring like the ocean in a tempest. And Bhima, mace in +hand, first rushed towards the array of elephants in the hostile force, +while Arjuna, proficient in battle, assailed that force with the prowess +of his arms. And Bhima, like the great Destroyer himself, began to slay +those elephants with his mace. Those huge animals, like unto mountains, +struck with Bhima's mace, had their heads broken into pieces. Covered with +stream of blood, they began to fall upon the ground like cliffs loosened +by thunder. And the Pandavas prostrated on the ground elephants and horses +and cars by thousands and slew many foot-soldiers and many car-warriors. +Indeed, as a herdsman in the woods driveth before him with his staff +countless cattle with ease, so did Vrikodara drive before him the chariots +and elephants of the hostile force. + +"Meanwhile, Phalguna, impelled by the desire of doing good unto +Bharadwaja's son, assailed the son of Prishata with a shower of arrows and +felled him from the elephant on which he was seated. And, O monarch, +Arjuna, like unto the terrible fire that consumeth all things at the end +of the Yuga, began to prostrate on the ground horses and cars and +elephants by thousands. The Panchalas and the Srinjayas, on the other hand, +thus assailed by the Pandava, met him with a perfect shower of weapons of +various kinds. And they sent up a loud shout and fought desperately with +Arjuna. The battle became furious and terrible to behold. Hearing the +enemy's shouts, the son of Indra was filled with wrath and assailing the +hostile host with a thick shower of arrows, rushed towards it furiously +afflicting it with renewed vigour. They who observed the illustrious +Arjuna at that time could not mark any interval between his fixing the +arrows on the bowstring and letting them off. Loud were the shouts that +rose there, mingled with cheers of approval. Then the king of the +Panchalas, accompanied by (the generalissimo of his forces) Satyajit, +rushed with speed at Arjuna like the Asura Samvara rushing at the chief of +the celestials (in days of yore). Then Arjuna covered the king of Panchala +with a shower of arrows. Then there arose a frightful uproar among the +Panchala host like unto the roar of a mighty lion springing at the leader +of a herd of elephants. And beholding Arjuna rushing at the king of +Panchala to seize him, Satyajit of great prowess rushed at him. And the +two warriors, like unto Indra and the Asura Virochana's son (Vali), +approaching each other for combat, began to grind each other's ranks. Then +Arjuna with great force pierced Satyajit with ten keen shafts at which +feat the spectators were all amazed. But Satyajit, without losing any time, +assailed Arjuna with a hundred shafts. Then that mighty car-warrior, +Arjuna, endued with remarkable lightness of motion, thus covered by that +shower of arrows, rubbed his bow-string to increase the force and velocity +of his shafts. Then cutting in twain his antagonist's bow, Arjuna rushed +at the king of the Panchalas, but Satyajit, quickly taking up a tougher +bow, pierced with his arrows Partha, his chariot, charioteer, and horses. +Arjuna, thus assailed in battle by the Panchala warrior, forgave not his +foe. Eager to slay him at once, he pierced with a number of arrows his +antagonist's horses, flags, bow, clenched (left) fist, charioteer, and the +attendant at his back. Then Satyajit, finding his bows repeatedly cut in +twain and his horses slain, desisted from the fight. + +"The king of the Panchalas, beholding his general thus discomfited in the +encounter, himself began to shower his arrows upon the Pandava prince. +Then Arjuna, that foremost of warriors, crowned with success, began to +fight furiously, and quickly cutting his enemy's bow in twain as also his +flagstaff which he caused to fall down, pierced his antagonist's horses, +and charioteer also with five arrows. Then throwing aside his bow Arjuna +took his quiver, and taking out a scimitar and sending forth a loud shout, +leaped from his own chariot upon that of his foe. And standing there with +perfect fearlessness he seized Drupada as Garuda seizeth a huge snake +after agitating the waters of the ocean. At the sight of this, the +Panchala troops ran away in all directions. + +"Then Dhananjaya, having thus exhibited the might of his arm in the +presence of both hosts, sent forth a loud shout and came out of the +Panchala ranks. And beholding him returning (with his captive), the +princes began to lay waste Drupada's capital. Addressing them Arjuna said, +'This best of monarchs, Drupada, is a relative of the Kuru heroes. +Therefore, O Bhima, slay not his soldiers. Let us only give unto our +preceptor his fee.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O king, thus prevented by Arjuna, the mighty +Bhimasena, though unsatiated with the exercise of battle, refrained from +the act of slaughter. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the princes then, +taking Drupada with them after having seized him on the field of battle +along with his friends and counsellors, offered him unto Drona. And Drona +beholding Drupada thus brought under complete control--humiliated and +deprived of wealth--remembered that monarch's former hostility and +addressing him said, 'Thy kingdom and capital have been laid waste by me. +But fear not for thy life, though it dependeth now on the will of thy foe. +Dost thou now desire to revive thy friendship (with me)?' Having said this, +he smiled a little and again said, 'Fear not for thy life, brave king! We, +Brahmanas, are ever forgiving. And, O bull among Kshatriyas, my affection +and love for thee have grown with me in consequence of our having sported +together in childhood in the hermitage. Therefore, O king, I ask for thy +friendship again. And as a boon (unasked), I give thee half the kingdom +(that was thine). Thou toldest me before that none who was not a king +could be a king's friend. Therefore is it, O Yajnasena, that I retain half +thy kingdom. Thou art the king of all the territory lying on the southern +side of the Bhagirathi, while I become king of all the territory on the +north of that river. And, O Panchala, if it pleaseth thee, know me hence +for thy friend.' + +"On hearing these words, Drupada answered, 'Thou art of noble soul and +great prowess. Therefore, O Brahmana, I am not surprised at what thou +doest. I am very much gratified with thee, and I desire thy eternal +friendship.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, O Bharata, Drona released the king +of Panchala, and cheerfully performing the usual offices of regard, +bestowed upon him half the kingdom. Thenceforth Drupada began to reside +sorrowfully in (the city of) Kampilya within (the province of) Makandi on +the banks of the Ganga filled with many towns and cities. And after his +defeat by Drona, Drupada also ruled the southern Panchalas up to the bank +of the Charmanwati river. And Drupada from that day was well-convinced +that he could not, by Kshatriya might alone, defeat Drona, being very much +his inferior in Brahma (spiritual) power. And he, therefore, began to +wander over the whole earth to find out the means of obtaining a son (who +would subjugate his Brahmana foe). + +"Meanwhile Drona continued to reside in Ahicchatra. Thus, O king, was the +territory of Ahicchatra full of towns and cities, obtained by Arjuna, and +bestowed upon Drona." + + +SECTION CXLI + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After the expiration, O king, of a year from +this, Dhritarashtra, moved by kindness for the people, installed +Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, as the heir-apparent of the kingdom on +account of his firmness, fortitude, patience, benevolence, frankness and +unswerving honesty (of heart). And within a short time Yudhishthira, the +son of Kunti, by his good behaviour, manners and close application to +business, overshadowed the deeds of his father. And the second Pandava, +Vrikodara, began to receive continued lessons from Sankarshana (Valarama) +in encounters with the sword and the mace and on the chariot. And after +Bhima's education was finished, he became in strength like unto Dyumatsena +himself and continuing to live in harmony with his brothers, he began to +exert his prowess. And Arjuna became celebrated for the firmness of his +grasp (of weapons), for his lightness of motion, precision of aim, and his +proficiency in the use of the Kshura, Naracha, Vala and Vipatha weapons, +indeed, of all weapons, whether straight or crooked or heavy. And Drona +certified that there was none in the world who was equal to Arjuna in +lightness of hand and general proficiency. + +"One day, Drona, addressing Arjuna before the assembled Kaurava princes, +said, 'There was a disciple of Agastya in the science of arms called +Agnivesa. He was my preceptor and I, his disciple. By ascetic merit I +obtained from him a weapon called Brahmasira which could never be futile +and which was like unto thunder itself, capable of consuming the whole +earth. That weapon, O Bharata, from what I have done, may now pass from +disciple to disciple. While imparting it to me, my preceptor said, 'O son +of Bharadwaja, never shouldst thou hurl this weapon at any human being, +especially at one who is of poor energy. Thou hast, O hero, obtained that +celestial weapon. None else deserveth it. But obey the command of the +Rishi (Agnivesa).' And, look here, Arjuna, give me now the preceptorial +fee in the presence of these thy cousins and relatives.' When Arjuna, on +hearing this, pledged his word that he would give what the preceptor +demanded, the latter said, 'O sinless one, thou must fight with me when I +fight with thee.' And that bull among the Kuru princes thereupon pledged +his word unto Drona and touching his feet, went away northward. Then there +arose a loud shout covering the whole earth bounded by her belt of seas to +the effect that there was no bowman in the whole world like unto Arjuna. +And, indeed, Dhananjaya, in encounters with the mace and the sword and on +the chariot as also with the bow, acquired wonderful proficiency. Sahadeva +obtained the whole science of morality and duties from (Vrihaspati) the +spiritual chief of celestials, and continued to live under the control of +his brothers. And Nakula, the favourite of his brothers taught by Drona, +became known as a skilful warrior and a great car-warrior (Ati-ratha). +Indeed, Arjuna and the other Pandava princes became so powerful that they +slew in battle the great Sauvira who had performed a sacrifice extending +over three years, undaunted by the raids of the Gandharvas. And the king +of the Yavanas himself whom the powerful Pandu even had failed to bring +under subjection was brought by Arjuna under control. Then again Vipula, +the king of the Sauviras, endued with great prowess, who had always shown +a disregard for the Kurus, was made by the intelligent Arjuna to feel the +edge of his power. And Arjuna also repressed by means of his arrows (the +pride of) king Sumitra of Sauvira, also known by the name of Dattamitra +who had resolutely sought an encounter with him. The third of the Pandava +princes, assisted by Bhima, on only a single car subjugated all the kings +of the East backed by ten thousand cars. In the same way, having conquered +on a single car the whole of the south, Dhananjaya sent unto the kingdom +of the Kurus a large booty. + +"Thus did those foremost of men, the illustrious Pandavas, conquering the +territories of other kings, extend the limits of their own kingdom. But +beholding the great prowess and strength of those mighty bowmen, king +Dhritarashtra's sentiments towards the Pandavas became suddenly poisoned, +and from that day the monarch became so anxious that he could hardly +sleep." + + +SECTION CXLII + +(Sambhava Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'On hearing that the heroic sons of Pandu endued +with excess of energy had become so mighty, king Dhritarashtra became very +miserable with anxiety. Then summoning unto his side Kanika, that foremost +of minister, well-versed in the science of politics and an expert in +counsels the king said, 'O best of Brahmanas, the Pandavas are daily +overshadowing the earth. I am exceedingly jealous of them. Should I have +peace or war with them? O Kanika, advise me truly, for I shall do as thou +biddest. + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'That best of Brahmanas, thus addressed by the +king, freely answered him in these pointed words well-agreeing with the +import of political science." + +"Listen to me, O sinless king, as I answer thee. And, O best of Kuru kings, +it behoveth thee not to be angry with me after hearing all I say. Kings +should ever be ready with uplifted maces (to strike when necessary), and +they should ever increase their prowess. Carefully avoiding all faults +themselves they should ceaselessly watch over the faults of their foes and +take advantage of them. If the king is always ready to strike, everybody +feareth him. Therefore the king should ever have recourse to chastisement +in all he doeth. He should so conduct himself that, his foe may not detect +any weak side in him. But by means of the weakness he detecteth in his foe +he should pursue him (to destruction). He should always conceal, like the +tortoise concealing its body, his means and ends, and he should always +keep back his own weakness from the sight of others. And having begun a +particular act, he should ever accomplish it thoroughly. Behold, a thorn, +if not extracted wholly, produceth a festering sore. The slaughter of a +foe who doeth thee evil is always praiseworthy. If the foe be one of great +prowess, one should watch for the hour of his disaster and then kill him +without any scruples. If he should happen to be a great warrior, his hour +of disaster also should be watched and he should then be induced to fly. O +sire, an enemy should never be scorned, however contemptible. A spark of +fire is capable of consuming an extensive forest if only it can spread +from one object to another in proximity. Kings should sometimes feign +blindness and deafness, for if impotent to chastise, they should pretend +not to notice the faults that call for chastisement. On occasions, such as +these, let them regard their bows as made of straw. But they should be +always on the alert like a herd of deer sleeping in the woods. When thy +foe is in thy power, destroy him by every means open or secret. Do not +show him any mercy, although he seeketh thy protection. A foe, or one that +hath once injured thee, should be destroyed by lavishing money, if +necessary, for by killing him thou mayest be at thy ease. The dead can +never inspire fear. Thou must destroy the three, five and seven +(resources) of thy foes. Thou must destroy thy foes root and branch. Then +shouldst thou destroy their allies and partisans. The allies and partisans +can never exist if the principal be destroyed. If the root of the tree is +torn up, the branches and twigs can never exist as before. Carefully +concealing thy own means and ends, thou shouldst always watch thy foes, +always seeking their flaws. Thou shouldst, O king, rule thy kingdom, +always anxiously watching thy foes. By maintaining the perpetual fire by +sacrifices, by brown cloths, by matted locks, and by hides of animals for +thy bedding, shouldst thou at first gain the confidence of thy foes, and +when thou has gained it thou shouldst then spring upon them like a wolf. +For it hath been said that in the acquisition of wealth even the garb of +holiness might be employed as a hooked staff to bend down a branch in +order to pluck the fruits that are ripe. The method followed in the +plucking of fruits should be the method in destroying foes, for thou +shouldst proceed on the principle of selection. Bear thy foe upon thy +shoulders till the time cometh when thou canst throw him down, breaking +him into pieces like an earthen pot thrown down with violence upon a stony +surface. The foe must never be let off even though he addresseth thee most +piteously. No pity thou show him but slay him at once. By the arts of +conciliation or the expenditure of money should the foe be slain. By +creating disunion amongst his allies, or by the employment of force, +indeed by every means in thy power shouldst thou destroy thy foe.' + +"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me truly how a foe can be destroyed by the arts +of conciliation or the expenditure of money, or by producing disunion or +by the employment of force.' + +"Kanika replied, 'Listen, O monarch, to the history of a jackal dwelling +in days of yore in the forest and fully acquainted with the science of +politics. There was a wise jackal, mindful of his own interests who lived +in the company of four friends, viz., a tiger, a mouse, a wolf, and a +mongoose. One day they saw in the woods a strong deer, the leader of a +herd, whom, however, they could not seize for his fleetness and strength. +They thereupon called a council for consultation. The jackal opening the +proceedings said, 'O tiger, thou hast made many an effort to seize this +deer, but all in vain simply because this deer is young, fleet and very +intelligent. Let now the mouse go and eat into its feet when it lieth +asleep. And when this is done, let the tiger approach and seize it. Then +shall we all, with great pleasure feast on it.' Hearing these words of the +jackal, they all set to work very cautiously as he directed. And the mouse +ate into the feet of the deer and the tiger killed it as anticipated. And +beholding the body of the deer lying motionless on the ground, the jackal +said unto his companions, 'Blessed be ye! Go and perform your ablutions. +In the meantime I will look after the deer.' Hearing what the jackal said, +they all went into a stream. And the jackal waited there, deeply +meditating upon what he should do. The tiger endued with great strength, +returned first of all to the spot after having performed his ablutions. +And he saw the jackal there plunged in meditation. The tiger said, 'Why +art thou so sorrowful, O wise one! Thou art the foremost of all +intelligent beings. Let us enjoy ourselves today by feasting on this +carcass.' The jackal said, 'Hear, O mighty-armed one, what the mouse hath +said. He hath even said, 'O, fie on the strength of the king of the +beasts! This deer hath been slain by me. By might of my arm he will today +gratify his hunger.' When he hath boasted in such a language, I, for my +part, do not wish to touch this food.' The tiger replied, 'If, indeed, +the mouse hath said so, my sense is now awakened. I shall, from this day, +slay with the might of my own arms, creatures ranging the forest and then +feast on their flesh.' Having said this, the tiger went away. + +"And after the tiger had left the spot, the mouse came. And seeing the +mouse come, the jackal addressed him and said, 'Blest be thou, O mouse, +but listen to what the mongoose hath said. He hath even said, The carcass +of this deer is poison (the tiger having touched it with his claws). I +will not eat of it. On the other hand, if thou, O jackal, permittest it, I +will even slay the mouse and feast on him.' Hearing this the mouse became +alarmed and quickly entered his hole. And after the mouse had gone, the +wolf, O king, came there having performed his ablutions. And seeing the +wolf come, the jackal said unto him, 'The king of the beasts hath been +angry with thee. Evil is certain to overtake thee. He is expected here +with his wife. Do as thou pleasest.' Thus was the wolf also, fond of +animal flesh, got rid of by the jackal. And the wolf fled, contracting his +body into the smallest dimensions. It was then that the mongoose came. And, +O king, the jackal, seeing him come, said, 'By the might of my arm have I +defeated the others who have already fled. Fight with me first and then +eat of this flesh as you please.' The mongoose replied, 'When, indeed, the +tiger, the wolf, and the intelligent mouse have all been defeated by thee, +heroes as they are, thou seemest to be a greater hero still. I do not +desire to fight with thee.' Saying this, the mongoose also went away. + +"Kanika continued, 'When they all had thus left the place, the jackal, +well-pleased with the success of his policy, alone ate up that flesh. If +kings always act in this way, they can be happy. Thus should the timid by +exciting their fears, the courageous by the arts of conciliation, the +covetous by gift of wealth, and equals and inferiors by exhibition of +prowess be brought under thy sway. Besides all this, O king, that I have +said, listen now to something else that I say.' + +"Kanika continued, 'If thy son, friend, brother, father, or even the +spiritual preceptor, anyone becometh thy foe, thou shouldst, if desirous +of prosperity, slay him without scruples. By curses and incantations, by +gift of wealth, by poison, or by deception, the foe should be slain. He +should never be neglected from disdain. If both the parties be equal and +success uncertain, then he that acteth with diligence groweth in +prosperity. If the spiritual preceptor himself be vain, ignorant of what +should be done and what left undone, and vicious in his ways, even he +should be chastised. If thou art angry, show thyself as if thou art not so, +speaking even then with a smile on thy lips. Never reprove any one with +indications of anger (in thy speech). And O Bharata, speak soft words +before thou smitest and even while thou art smiting! After the smiting is +over, pity the victim, and grieve for him, and even shed tears. Comforting +thy foe by conciliation, by gift of wealth, and smooth behaviour, thou +must smite him when he walketh not aright. Thou shouldst equally smile the +heinous offender who liveth by the practice of virtue, for the garb of +virtue simply covereth his offences like black clouds covering the +mountains. Thou shouldst burn the house of that person whom thou punishest +with death. And thou shouldst never permit beggars and atheists and +thieves to dwell in thy kingdom. By a sudden sally or pitched battle by +poison or by corrupting his allies, by gift of wealth, by any means in thy +power, thou shouldst destroy thy foe. Thou mayest act with the greatest +cruelty. Thou shouldst make thy teeth sharp to give a fatal bite. And thou +should ever smite so effectually that thy foe may not again raise his head. +Thou shouldst ever stand in fear of even one from whom there is no fear, +not to speak of him from whom there is such. For if the first be ever +powerful he may destroy thee to the root (for thy unpreparedness). Thou +shouldst never trust the faithless, nor trust too much those that are +faithful, for if those in whom thou confidest prove thy foes, thou art +certain to be annihilated. After testing their faithfulness thou shouldst +employ spies in thy own kingdom and in the kingdoms of others. Thy spies +in foreign kingdoms should be apt deceivers and persons in the garb of +ascetics. Thy spies should be placed in gardens, places of amusement, +temples and other holy places, drinking halls, streets, and with the +(eighteen) tirthas (viz., the minister, the chief priest, the heir- +presumptive, the commander-in-chief, the gate-keepers of the court, +persons in the inner apartments, the jailor, the chief surveyor, the head +of the treasury, the general executant of orders, the chief of the town +police, the chief architect, the chief justice, the president of the +council, the chief of the punitive department, the commander of the fort, +the chief of the arsenal, the chief of the frontier guards, and the keeper +of the forests), and in places of sacrifice, near wells, on mountains and +in rivers, in forests, and in all places where people congregate. In +speech thou shouldst ever be humble, but let thy heart be ever sharp as +razor. And when thou art engaged in doing even a very cruel and terrible +act, thou shouldst talk with smiles on thy lips. If desirous of prosperity, +thou shouldst adopt all arts--humility, oath, conciliation, worshipping +the feet of others by lowering thy head, inspiring hope, and the like. And, +a person conversant with the rules of policy is like a tree decked with +flowers but bearing no fruit; or, if bearing fruit, these must be at a +great height not easily attainable from the ground; and if any of these +fruits seem to be ripe care must be taken to make it appear raw. +Conducting himself in such a way, he shall never fade. Virtue, wealth and +pleasure have both their evil and good effects closely knit together. +While extracting the effects that are good, those that are evil should be +avoided. Those that practise virtue (incessantly) are made unhappy for +want of wealth and the neglect of pleasure. Those again in pursuit of +wealth are made unhappy for the neglect of two others. And so those who +pursue pleasure suffer for their inattention to virtue and wealth. +Therefore, thou shouldst pursue virtue, wealth and pleasure, in such a way +that thou mayest not have to suffer therefrom. With humiliation and +attention, without jealousy and solicitous of accomplishing thy purpose, +shouldst thou, in all sincerity, consult with the Brahmanas. When thou art +fallen, thou shouldst raise thyself by any means, gentle or violent; and +after thou hast thus raised thyself thou shouldst practise virtue. He that +hath never been afflicted with calamity can never have prosperity. This +may be seen in the life of one who surviveth his calamities. He that is +afflicted with sorrow should be consoled by the recitation of the history +of persons of former times (like those of Nala and Rama). He whose heart +hath been unstrung by sorrow should be consoled with hopes of future +prosperity. He again who is learned and wise should be consoled by +pleasing offices presently rendered unto him. He who, having concluded a +treaty with an enemy, reposeth at ease as if he hath nothing more to do, +is very like a person who awaketh, fallen down from the top of a tree +whereon he had slept. A king should ever keep to himself his counsels +without fear of calumny, and while beholding everything with the eyes of +his spies, he should take care to conceal his own emotions before the +spies of his enemies. Like a fisherman who becometh prosperous by catching +and killing fish, a king can never grow prosperous without tearing the +vitals of his enemy and without doing some violent deeds. The might of thy +foe, as represented by his armed force, should ever be completely +destroyed, by ploughing it up (like weeds) and mowing it down and +otherwise afflicting it by disease, starvation, and want of drink. A +person in want never approacheth (from love) one in affluence; and when +one's purpose hath been accomplished, one hath no need to approach him +whom he had hitherto looked to for its accomplishment. Therefore, when +thou doest anything never do it completely, but ever leave something to be +desired for by others (whose services thou mayest need). One who is +desirous of prosperity should with diligence seek allies and means, and +carefully conduct his wars. His exertions in these respects should always +be guided by prudence. A prudent king should ever act in such a way that +friends and foes may never know his motive before the commencement of his +acts. Let them know all when the act hath been commenced or ended, and as +long as danger doth not come, so long only shall thou act as if thou art +afraid. But when it hath overtaken thee, thou must grapple with it +courageously. He who trusteth in a foe who hath been brought under +subjection by force, summoneth his own death as a crab by her act of +conception. Thou shouldst always reckon the future act as already arrived +(and concert measures for meeting it), else, from want of calmness caused +by haste, thou mayest overlook an important point in meeting it when it is +before thee. A person desirous of prosperity should always exert with +prudence, adopting his measures to time and place. He should also act with +an eye to destiny as capable of being regulated by mantras and sacrificial +rites; and to virtue, wealth, and pleasure. It is well-known that time and +place (if taken into consideration) always produce the greatest good. If +the foe is insignificant, he should not yet be despised, for he may soon +grow like a palmyra tree extending its roots or like a spark of fire in +the deep woods that may soon burst into an extensive conflagration. As a +little fire gradually fed with faggots soon becometh capable of consuming +even the biggest blocks, so the person who increaseth his power by making +alliances and friendships soon becometh capable of subjugating even the +most formidable foe. The hope thou givest unto thy foe should be long +deferred before it is fulfilled; and when the time cometh for its +fulfilment, invent some pretext for deferring it still. Let that pretext +be shown as founded upon some reason, and let that reason itself be made +to appear as founded on some other reason. Kings should, in the matter of +destroying their foes, ever resemble razors in every particular; unpitying +as these are sharp, hiding their intents as these are concealed in their +leathern cases, striking when the opportunity cometh as these are used on +proper occasions, sweeping off their foes with all their allies and +dependants as these shave the head or the chin without leaving a single +hair. O supporter of the dignity of the Kurus, bearing thyself towards the +Pandavas and others also as policy dictateth, act in such a way that thou +mayest not have to grieve in future. Well do I know that thou art endued +with every blessing, and possessed of every mark of good fortune. +Therefore, O king, protect thyself from the sons of Pandu! O king, the +sons of Pandu are stronger than their cousins (thy sons); therefore, O +chastiser of foes, I tell thee plainly what thou shouldst do. Listen to it, +O king, with thy children, and having listened to it, exert yourselves (to +do the needful). O king, act in such a way that there may not be any fear +for thee from the Pandavas. Indeed, adopt such measures consonant with the +science of policy that thou mayest not have to grieve in the future.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having delivered himself thus Kanika returned to +his abode, while the Kuru king Dhritarashtra became pensive and +melancholy." + + +SECTION CXLIII + +(Jatugriha Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the son of Suvala (Sakuni), king Duryodhana, +Duhsasana and Karna, in consultation with one another, formed an evil +conspiracy. With the sanction of Dhritarashtra, the king of the Kurus, +they resolved to burn to death Kunti and her (five) sons. But that wise +Vidura, capable of reading the heart by external signs, ascertained the +intention of these wicked persons by observing their countenances alone. +Then the sinless Vidura, of soul enlightened by true knowledge, and +devoted to the good of the Pandavas, came to the conclusion that Kunti +with her children should fly away from her foes. And providing for that +purpose a boat strong enough to withstand both wind and wave, he addressed +Kunti and said, 'This Dhritarashtra hath been born for destroying the fame +and offspring of the (Kuru) race. Of wicked soul, he is about to cast off +eternal virtue. O blessed one, I have kept ready on the stream a boat +capable of withstanding both wind and wave. Escape by it with thy children +from the net that death hath spread around you.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, the illustrious Kunti was +deeply grieved, and with her children, O bull of Bharata's race, stepped +into the boat and went over the Ganges. Then leaving the boat according to +the advice of Vidura, the Pandavas took with them the wealth that had been +given to them (while at Varanavata) by their enemies and safely entered +the deep woods. In the house of lac, however, that had been prepared for +the destruction of the Pandavas, an innocent Nishada woman who had come +there for some purpose, was, with her children burnt to death. And that +worst of Mlechchhas, the wretched Purochana (who was the architect +employed in building the house of lac) was also burnt in the conflagration. +And thus were the sons of Dhirtarashtra with their counsellors deceived in +their expectations. And thus also were the illustrious Pandavas, by the +advice of Vidura, saved with their mother. But the people (of Varanavata) +knew not of their safety. And the citizens of Varanavata, seeing the house +of lac consumed (and believing the Pandavas to have been burnt to death) +became exceedingly sorry. And they sent messengers unto king Dhritarashtra +to represent everything that had happened. And they said to the monarch, +'Thy great end hath been achieved! Thou hast at last burnt the Pandavas to +death! Thy desire fulfilled, enjoy with thy children. O king of the Kurus, +the kingdom.' Hearing this, Dhritarashtra with his children, made a show +of grief, and along with his relatives, including Kshattri (Vidura) and +Bhishma the foremost of the Kurus, performed the last honours of the +Pandavas.' + +"Janamejaya said, 'O best of Brahmanas, I desire to hear in full this +history of the burning of the house of lac and the escape of the Pandavas +there from. That was a cruel act of theirs (the Kurus), acting under the +counsels of the wicked (Kanika). Recite the history to me of all that +happened. I am burning with curiosity to hear it.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O chastiser of all foes, listen to me, O monarch, as +I recite the (history of the) burning of the house of lac and the escape +of the Pandavas. The wicked Duryodhana, beholding Bhimasena surpass +(everybody) in strength and Arjuna highly accomplished in arms became +pensive and sad. Then Karna, the offspring of the Sun, and Sakuni, the son +of Suvala, endeavoured by various means to compass the death of the +Pandavas. The Pandavas too counteracted all those contrivances one after +another, and in obedience to the counsels of Vidura, never spoke of them +afterwards. Then the citizens, beholding the son of Pandu possessed of +accomplishments, began, O Bharata, to speak of them in all places of +public resort. And assembled in courtyards and other places of gathering, +they talked of the eldest son of Pandu (Yudhishthira) as possessed of the +qualifications for ruling the kingdom. And they said, 'Dhritarashtra, +though possessed of the eye of knowledge, having been (born) blind, had +not obtained the kingdom before. How can he (therefore) become king now? +Then Bhishma, the son of Santanu, of rigid vows and devoted to truth, +having formerly relinquished the sovereignty would never accept it now. We +shall, therefore, now install (on the throne) with proper ceremonies the +eldest of the Pandavas endued with youth, accomplished in battle, versed +in the Vedas, and truthful and kind. Worshipping Bhishma, the son of +Santanu and Dhritarashtra conversant with the rules of morality, he will +certainly maintain the former and the latter with his children in every +kind of enjoyment.' + +"The wretched Duryodhana, hearing these words of the parting partisans of +Yudhishthira, became very much distressed. Deeply afflicted, the wicked +prince could not put up with those speeches. Inflamed with jealousy, he +went unto Dhritarashtra, and finding him alone he saluted him with +reverence and distressed at (the sight of) the partiality of the citizens +for Yudhishthira, he addressed the monarch and said, 'O father, I have +heard the parting citizens utter words of ill omen. Passing thee by, and +Bhishma too, they desire the son of Pandu to be their king. Bhishma will +sanction this, for he will not rule the kingdom. It seems, therefore, that +the citizens are endeavouring to inflict a great injury on us. Pandu +obtained of old the ancestral kingdom by virtue of his own accomplishments, +but thou, from blindness, didst not obtain the kingdom, though fully +qualified to have it. If Pandu's son now obtaineth the kingdom as his +inheritance from Pandu, his son will obtain it after him and that son's +son also, and so on will it descend in Pandu's line. In that case, O king +of the world, ourselves with our children, excluded from the royal line, +shall certainly be disregarded by all men. Therefore, O monarch, adopt +such counsels that we may not suffer perpetual distress, becoming +dependent on others for our food. O king, if thou hadst obtained the +sovereignty before, we would certainly have succeeded to it, however much +the people might be unfavourable to us.'" + + +SECTION CXLIV + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, "King Dhritarashtra whose knowledge only was his +eyes, on hearing these words of his son and recollecting everything that +Kanika had, said unto him, became afflicted with sorrow, and his mind also +thereupon began to waver. Then Duryodhana and Karna, and Sakuni, the son +of Suvala, and Duhsasana as their fourth, held a consultation together. +Prince Duryodhana said unto Dhritarashtra, 'Send, O father, by some clever +contrivance, the Pandavas to the town of Varanavata. We shall then have no +fear of them.' Dhritarashtra, on hearing these words uttered by his son, +reflected for a moment and replied unto Duryodhana, saying, 'Pandu, ever +devoted to virtue, always behaved dutifully towards all his relatives but +particularly towards me. He cared very little for the enjoyments of the +world, but devotedly gave everything unto me, even the kingdom. His son is +as much devoted to virtue as he, and is possessed of every accomplishment. +Of world-wide fame, he is again the favourite of the people. He is +possessed of allies; how can we by force exile him from his ancestral +kingdom? The counsellors and soldiers (of the state) and their sons and +grandsons have all been cherished and maintained by Pandu. Thus benefited +of old by Pandu, shall not, O child, the citizens slay us with all our +friends and relatives now on account of Yudhishthira?' + +"Duryodhana replied, 'What thou sayest, O father, is perfectly true. But +in view of the evil that is looming on the future as regards thyself, if +we conciliate the people with wealth and honours, they would assuredly +side with us for these proofs of our power. The treasury and the ministers +of state, O king, are at this moment under our control. Therefore, it +behoveth thee now to banish, by some gentle means, the Pandavas to the +town of Varanavata; O king, when the sovereignty shall have been vested in +me, then, O Bharata, may Kunti with her children come back from that +place.' + +"Dhritarashtra replied, 'This, O Duryodhana, is the very thought existing +in my mind. But from its sinfulness I have never given expression to it. +Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Kshattri, nor Gautama (Kripa) will ever +sanction the exile of the Pandavas. In their eyes, O dear son, amongst the +Kurus ourselves and the Pandavas are equal. Those wise and virtuous +persons will make no difference between us. If therefore, we behave so +towards the Pandavas, shall we not, O son, deserve death at the hands of +the Kurus, of these illustrious personages, and of the whole world?' + +"Duryodhana answered, 'Bhishma hath no excess of affection for either side, +and will, therefore, be neutral (in case of dispute). The son of Drona +(Aswatthaman) is on my side. There is no doubt that where the son is, +there the father will be. Kripa, the son of Saradwat, must be on the side +on which Drona and Aswatthaman are. He will never abandon Drona and his +sister's son (Aswatthaman). Kshattri (Vidura) is dependent on us for his +means of life, though he is secretly with the foe. If he sides the +Pandavas, he alone can do us no injury, Therefore, exile thou the Pandavas +to Varanavata without any fear. And take such steps that they may go +thither this very day. By this act, O father, extinguish the grief that +consumeth me like a blazing fire, that robbeth me of sleep, and that +pierces my heart even like a terrible dart.'" + + +SECTION CXLV + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then prince Duryodhana, along with his brothers +began to gradually win over the people to his side by grants of wealth +and honours. Meanwhile, some clever councillors, instructed by +Dhritarashtra, one day began to describe (in court) the town of +Varanavata as a charming place. And they said, The festival of Pasupati +(Siva) hath commenced in the town of Varanavata. The concourse of people +is great and the procession is the most delightful of all ever witnessed +on earth. Decked with every ornament, it charmed the hearts of all +spectators.' Thus did those councillors, instructed by Dhritarashtra, +speak of Varanavata, and whilst they were so speaking, the Pandavas, O +king, felt the desire of going to that delightful town. And when the +king (Dhritarashtra) ascertained that the curiosity of the Pandavas had +been awakened, the son of Ambika addressed them, saying, 'These men of +mine often speak of Varanavata as the most delightful town in the world. +If therefore, ye children, ye desire to witness that festival, go to +Varanavata with your followers and friends and enjoy yourselves there +like the celestials. And give ye away pearls and gems unto the Brahmanas +and the musicians (that may be assembled there). And sporting there for +some time as ye please like the resplendent celestials and enjoying as +much pleasure as ye like, return ye to Hastinapura again.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Yudhishthira, fully understanding the motives of +Dhritarashtra and considering that he himself was weak and friendless, +replied unto the king, saying, 'So be it.' Then addressing Bhishma, the +son of Santanu, the wise Vidura, Drona, Valhika, the Kaurava, Somadatta, +Kripa, Aswatthaman, Bhurisravas, and the other councillors, and Brahmanas +and ascetics, and the priests and the citizens, and the illustrious +Gandhari, he said slowly and humbly, 'With our friends and followers we go +to the delightful and populous town of Varanavata at the command of +Dhritarashtra. Cheerfully give us your benedictions so that acquiring +prosperity, therewith we may not be touched by sin.' Thus addressed by the +eldest of Pandu's sons, the Kaurava chiefs all cheerfully pronounced +blessings on them, saying, 'Ye sons of Pandu, let all the elements bless +you along your way and let not the slightest evil befall you.' + +"The Pandavas, having performed propitiatory rites for obtaining (their +share of) the kingdom, and finishing their preparations, set out for +Varanavata.'" + + +SECTION CXLVI + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The wicked Duryodhana became very pleased when the +king, O Bharata, had said so unto Pandavas. And, O bull of Bharata's race, +Duryodhana, then, summoning his counsellor, Purochana in private, took +hold of his right hand and said, 'O Purochana, this world, so full of +wealth, is mine. But it is thine equally with me. It behoveth thee, +therefore, to protect it. I have no more trustworthy counsellor than thee +with whom to consult. Therefore, O sire, keep my counsel and exterminate +my foes by a clever device. O, do as I bid thee. The Pandavas have, by +Dhritarashtra, been sent to Varanavata, where they will, at +Dhritarashtra's command, enjoy themselves during the festivities. Do that +by which thou mayest this very day reach Varanavata in a car drawn by +swift mules. Repairing thither, cause thou to be erected a quadrangular +palace in the neighbourhood of the arsenal, rich in the materials and +furniture, and guard thou the mansion well (with prying eyes). And use +thou (in erecting that house) hemp and resin and all other inflammable +materials that are procurable. And mixing a little earth with clarified +butter and oil and fat and a large quantity of lac, make thou a plaster +for lining the walls, and scatter thou all around that house hemp and oil +and clarified butter and lac and wood in such a way that the Pandavas, or +any others, may not, even with scrutiny behold them there or conclude the +house to be an inflammable one. And having erected such mansion, cause +thou the Pandavas, after worshipping them with great reverence, to dwell +in it with Kunti and all their friends. And place thou there seats and +conveyances and beds, all of the best workmanship, for the Pandavas, so +that Dhritarashtra may have no reason to complain. Thou must also so +manage it all that none of Varanavata may know anything till the end we +have in view is accomplished. And assuring thyself that the Pandavas are +sleeping within in confidence and without fear, thou must then set fire to +that mansion beginning at the outer door. The Pandavas thereupon must be +burnt to death, but the people will say that they have been burnt in (an +accidental) conflagration of their house.' + +"Saying, 'So be it' unto the Kuru prince, Purochana repaired to Varanavata +in a car drawn by fleet mules. And going thither, O king, without loss of +time, obedient to the instructions of Duryodhana, did everything that the +prince had bid him do." + + +SECTION CXLVII + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile the Pandavas got into their cars, yoking +thereto some fine horses endued with the speed of wind. While they were on +the point of entering their cars, they touched, in great sorrow, the feet +of Bhishma, of king Dhritarashtra, of the illustrious Drona, of Kripa, of +Vidura and of the other elders of the Kuru race. Then saluting with +reverence all the older men, and embracing their equals, receiving the +farewell of even the children, and taking leave of all the venerable +ladies in their household, and walking round them respectfully, and +bidding farewell unto all the citizens, the Pandavas, ever mindful of +their vows, set out for Varanavata. And Vidura of great wisdom and the +other bulls among the Kurus and the citizens also, from great affliction, +followed those tigers among men to some distance. And some amongst the +citizens and the country people, who followed the Pandavas, afflicted +beyond measure at beholding the sons of Pandu in such distress, began to +say aloud, 'King Dhritarashtra of wicked soul seeth no things with the +same eye. The Kuru monarch casteth not his eye on virtue. Neither the +sinless Yudhishthira, nor Bhima the foremost of mighty men, nor Dhananjaya +the (youngest) son of Kunti, will ever be guilty (of the sin of waging a +rebellious war). When these will remain quiet, how shall the illustrious +son of Madri do anything? Having inherited the kingdom from their father, +Dhritarashtra could not bear them. How is that Bhishma who suffers the +exile of the Pandavas to that wretched place, sanctions this act of great +injustice? Vichitravirya, the son of Santanu, and the royal sage Pandu of +Kuru's race both cherished us of old with fatherly care. But now that +Pandu that tiger among men, hath ascended to heaven, Dhritarashtra cannot +bear with these princes his children. We who do not sanction this exile +shall all go, leaving this excellent town and our own homes, where +Yudhishthira will go.' + +"Unto those distressed citizens talking in this way, the virtuous +Yudhishthira, himself afflicted with sorrow, reflecting for a few moments +said, 'The king is our father, worthy of regard, our spiritual guide, and +our superior. To carry out with unsuspicious hearts whatever he biddeth, +is indeed, our duty. Ye are our friends. Walking round us and making us +happy by your blessings, return ye to your abodes. When the time cometh +for anything to be done for us by you, then, indeed, accomplish all that +is agreeable and beneficial to us.' Thus addressed, the citizens walked +round the Pandavas and blessed them with their blessings and returned to +their respective abodes. + +"And after the citizens had ceased following the Pandavas, Vidura, +conversant with all the dictates of morality, desirous of awakening the +eldest of the Pandavas (to a sense of his dangers), addressed him in these +words. The learned Vidura, conversant with the jargon (of the Mlechchhas), +addressed the learned Yudhishthira who also was conversant with the same +jargon, in the words of the Mlechchha tongue, so as to be unintelligible +to all except Yudhishthira. He said, 'He that knoweth the schemes his foes +contrive in accordance with the dictates of political science, should, +knowing them, act in such a way as to avoid all danger. He that knoweth +that there are sharp weapons capable of cutting the body though not made +of steel, and understandeth also the means of warding them off, can never +be injured by foes. He liveth who protecteth himself by the knowledge that +neither the consumer of straw and wood nor the drier of the dew burneth +the inmates of a hole in the deep woods. The blind man seeth not his way: +the blind man hath no knowledge of direction. He that hath no firmness +never acquireth prosperity. Remembering this, be upon your guard. The man +who taketh a weapon not made of steel (i.e., an inflammable abode) given +him by his foes, can escape from fire by making his abode like unto that +of a jackal (having many outlets). By wandering a man may acquire the +knowledge of ways, and by the stars he can ascertain the direction, and he +that keepeth his five (senses) under control can never be oppressed by his +enemies.' + +"Thus addressed, Pandu's son, Yudhishthira the just replied unto Vidura, +that foremost of all learned men, saying, 'I have understood thee.' Then +Vidura, having instructed the Pandavas and followed them (thus far), +walked around them and bidding them farewell returned to his own abode. +When the citizens and Bhishma and Vidura had all ceased following, Kunti +approached Yudhishthira and said, 'The words that Kshattri said unto thee +in the midst of many people so indistinctly as if he did not say anything, +and thy reply also to him in similar words and voice, we have not +understood. If it is not improper for us to know them I should then like +to hear everything that had passed between him and thee.' + +"Yudhishthira replied, 'The virtuous Vidura said unto me that we should +know that the mansion (for our accommodation at Varanavata) hath been +built of inflammable materials. He said unto me, 'The path of escape too +shall not be unknown to thee,'--and further,--'Those that can control +their senses can acquire the sovereignty of the whole world.'--The reply +that I gave unto Vidura was, 'I have understood thee.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Pandavas set out on the eighth day of the +month of Phalguna when the star Rohini was in the ascendant, and arriving +at they beheld the town and the people.'" + + +SECTION CXLVIII + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the citizens (of Varanavata) on hearing that +the son of Pandu had come, were filled with joy at the tidings, speedily +came out of Varanavata, in vehicles of various kinds numbering by +thousands, taking with them every auspicious article as directed by the +Sastras, for receiving those foremost of men. And the people of Varanavata, +approaching the sons of Kunti blessed them by uttering the Jaya and stood +surrounding them. That tiger among men, viz., the virtuous Yudhishthira +thus surrounded by them looked resplendent like him having the thunderbolt +in his hands (viz., Indra) in the midst of the celestials. And those +sinless ones, welcomed by the citizens and welcoming the citizens in +return, then entered the populous town of Varanavata decked with every +ornament. Entering the town those heroes first went, O monarch, to the +abodes of Brahmanas engaged in their proper duties. Those foremost of men +then went to the abodes of the officials of the town, and then of the +Sutas and the Vaisyas and then to those of even the Sudras, O bull of +Bharata's race, thus adored by the citizens, the Pandavas at last went +with Purochana going before them, to the palace that had been built for +them, Purochana then began to place before them food and drink and beds +and carpets, all of the first and most agreeable order. The Pandavas +attired in costly robes, continued to live there, adored by Purochana and +the people having their homes in Varanavata. + +"After the Pandavas had thus lived for ten nights, Purochana spoke to them +of the mansion (he had built) called 'The Blessed Home,' but in reality +the cursed house. Then those tigers among men, attired in costly dress, +entered that mansion at the instance of Purochana like Guhyakas entering +the palace (of Siva) on the Kailasa mount. The foremost of all virtuous +men, Yudhishthira, inspecting the house, said unto Bhima that it was +really built of inflammable materials. Smelling the scent of fat mixed +with clarified butter and preparations of lac, he said unto Bhima, 'O +chastiser of foes, this house is truly built of inflammable materials! +Indeed, it is apparent that such is the case! The enemy, it is evident, by +the aid of trusted artists well-skilled in the construction of houses, +have finely built this mansion, after procuring hemp, resin, heath, straw, +and bamboos, all soaked in clarified butter. This wicked wretch, Purochana, +acting under the instruction of Duryodhana, stayeth here with the object +of burning me to death when he seeth me trustful. But, O son of Pritha, +Vidura of great intelligence, knew of this danger, and, therefore, hath +warned me of it beforehand. Knowing it all, that youngest uncle of ours, +ever wishing our good from affection hath told us that this house, so full +of danger, hath been constructed by the wretches under Duryodhana acting +in secrecy.' + +"Hearing this, Bhima replied, 'If, sir, you know this house to be so +inflammable, it would then be well for us to return thither where we had +taken up our quarters first.' Yudhishthira replied, 'It seems to me that +we should rather continue to live here in seeming unsuspiciousness but all +the while with caution and our senses wide awake and seeking for some +certain means of escape. If Purochana findeth from our countenances that +we have fathomed designs, acting with haste he may suddenly burn us to +death. Indeed, Purochana careth little for obloquy or sin. The wretch +stayeth here acting under the instruction of Duryodhana. If we are burnt +to death, will our grandfather Bhishma be angry? Why will he, by showing +his wrath, make the Kauravas angry with him? Or, perhaps, our grandfather +Bhishma and the other bull of Kuru's race, regarding indignation at such a +sinful act to be virtuous, may become wrathful. If however, from fear of +being burnt, we fly from here, Duryodhana, ambitious of sovereignty will +certainly compass our death by means of spies. While we have no rank and +power, Duryodhana hath both; while we have no friends and allies, +Duryodhana hath both; while we are without wealth, Duryodhana hath at his +command a full treasury. Will he not, therefore, certainly destroy us by +adopting adequate means? Let us, therefore, by deceiving this wretch +(Purochana) and that other wretch Duryodhana, pass our days, disguising +ourselves at times. Let us also lead a hunting life, wandering over the +earth. We shall then, if we have to escape our enemies, be familiar with +all paths. We shall also, this very day, cause a subterranean passage to +be dug in our chamber in great secrecy. If we act in this way, concealing +what we do from all, fire shall never be able to consume us. We shall live +here, actively doing everything for our safety but with such privacy that +neither Purochana nor any of the citizens of Varanavata may know what we +are after.'" + + +SECTION CXLIX + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'A friend of Vidura's, well-skilled in mining, +coming unto the Pandavas, addressed them in secret, saying, 'I have been +sent by Vidura and am a skilful miner. I am to serve the Pandavas. Tell me +what I am to do for ye. From the trust he reposeth in me Vidura hath said +unto me, 'Go thou unto the Pandavas and accomplish thou their good.' What +shall I do for you? Purochana will set fire to the door of thy house on +the fourteenth night of this dark fortnight. To burn to death those tigers +among men, the Pandavas, with their mother, is the design of that wicked +wretch, the son of Dhritarashtra. O son of Pandu, Vidura also told thee +something in the Mlechchha tongue to which thou also didst reply in same +language. I state these particulars as my credentials.' Hearing these +words, Yudhishthira, the truthful son of Kunti replied, 'O amiable one, I +now know thee as a dear and trusted friend of Vidura, true and ever +devoted to him. There is nothing that the learned Vidura doth not know. As +his, so ours art thou. Make no difference between him and us. We are as +much thine as his. O, protect us as the learned Vidura ever protecteth us. +I know that this house, so inflammable, hath been contrived for me by +Purochana at the command of Dhritarashtra's son. That wicked wretch +commanding wealth and allies pursueth us without intermission. O, save us +with a little exertion from the impending conflagration. If we are burnt +to death here, Duryodhana's most cherished desire will be satisfied. Here +is that wretch's well-furnished arsenal. This large mansion hath been +built abutting the high ramparts of the arsenal without any outlet. But +this unholy contrivance of Duryodhana was known to Vidura from the first, +and he it was who enlightened us beforehand. The danger of which Kshattri +had foreknowledge is now at our door. Save us from it without Purochana's +knowledge thereof.' On hearing these words, the miner said, 'So be it,' +and carefully beginning his work of excavation, made a large subterranean +passage. And the mouth of that passage was in the centre of that house, +and it was on a level with the floor and closed up with planks. The mouth +was so covered from fear of Purochana, that wicked wretch who kept a +constant watch at the door of the house. The Pandavas used to sleep within +their chambers with arms ready for use, while, during the day, they went a- +hunting from forest to forest. Thus, O king, they lived (in that mansion) +very guardedly, deceiving Purochana by a show of trustfulness and +contentment while in reality they were trustless and discontented. Nor did +the citizens of Varanavata know anything about these plans of the Pandavas. +In fact, none else knew of them except Vidura's friend, that good miner.'" + + +SECTION CL + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Seeing the Pandavas living there cheerfully and +without suspicion for a full year, Purochana became exceedingly glad. And +beholding Purochana so very glad, Yudhishthira, the virtuous son of Kunti, +addressing Bhima and Arjuna and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) said, 'The +cruel-hearted wretch hath been well-deceived. I think the time is come for +our escape. Setting fire to the arsenal and burning Purochana to death and +letting his body lie here, let us, six persons, fly hence unobserved by +all!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then on the occasion of an almsgiving, O king, +Kunti fed on a certain night a large number of Brahmanas. There came also +a number of ladies who while eating and drinking, enjoyed there as they +pleased, and with Kunti's leave returned to their respective homes. +Desirous of obtaining food, there came, as though impelled by fate, to +that feast, in course of her wanderings, a Nishada woman, the mother of +five children, accompanied by all her sons. O king, she, and her children, +intoxicated with the wine they drank, became incapable. Deprived of +consciousness and more dead than alive, she with all her sons lay down in +that mansion to sleep. Then when all the inmates of the house lay down to +sleep, there began to blow a violent wind in the night. Bhima then set +fire to the house just where Purochana was sleeping. Then the son of Pandu +set fire to the door of that house of lac. Then he set fire to the mansion +in several parts all around. Then when the sons of Pandu were satisfied +that the house had caught fire in several parts those chastisers of foes +with their mother, entered the subterranean passage without losing any +time. Then the heat and the roar of the fire became intense and awakened +the townspeople. Beholding the house in flames, the citizens with +sorrowful faces began to say, 'The wretch (Purochana) of wicked soul had +under the instruction of Duryodhana built his house for the destruction of +his employer's relatives. He indeed hath set fire to it. O, fie on +Dhritarashtra's heart which is so partial. He hath burnt to death, as if +he were their foe, the sinless heirs of Pandu! O, the sinful and wicked- +souled (Purochana) who hath burnt those best of men, the innocent and +unsuspicious princes, hath himself been burnt to death as fate would have +it.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The citizens of Varanavata thus bewailed (the +fate of the Pandavas), and waited there for the whole night surrounding +that house. The Pandavas, however, accompanied by their mother coming out +of the subterranean passage, fled in haste unnoticed. But those chastisers +of foes, for sleepiness and fear, could not with their mother proceed in +haste. But, O monarch, Bhimasena, endued with terrible prowess and +swiftness of motion took upon his body all his brothers and mother and +began to push through the darkness. Placing his mother on his shoulder, +the twins on his sides, and Yudhishthira and Arjuna on both his arms, +Vrikodara of great energy and strength and endued with the speed of the +wind, commenced his march, breaking the trees with his breast and pressing +deep the earth with his stamp.'" + + +SECTION CLI + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'About this time, the learned Vidura had sent into +those woods a man of pure character and much trusted by him. This person +going to where he had been directed, saw the Pandavas with their mother in +the forest employed in a certain place in measuring the depth of a river. +The design that the wicked Duryodhana had formed had been, through his +spies, known to Vidura of great intelligence, and, therefore, he had sent +that prudent person unto the Pandavas. Sent by Vidura unto them, he showed +the Pandavas on the sacred banks of the Ganga a boat with engines and +flags, constructed by trusted artificers and capable of withstanding wind +and wave and endued with the speed of the tempest or of thought. He then +addressed the Pandavas in these words to show that he had really been sent +by Vidura, 'O Yudhishthira,' he said, 'listen to these words the learned +Vidura had said (unto thee) as a proof of the fact that I come from him. +Neither the consumer of straw and the wood nor the drier of dew ever +burneth the inmates of a hole in the forest. He escapeth from death who +protecteth himself knowing this, etc. By these credentials know me to be +the person who has been truly sent by Vidura and to be also his trusted +agent. Vidura, conversant with everything, hath again said, 'O son of +Kunti, thou shalt surely defeat in battle Karna, and Duryodhana with his +brothers, and Sakuni.' This boat is ready on the waters, and it will glide +pleasantly thereon, and shall certainly bear you all from these regions!' + +"Then beholding those foremost of men with their mother pensive and sad he +caused them to go into the boat that was on the Ganga, and accompanied +them himself. Addressing them again, he said, 'Vidura having smelt your +heads and embraced you (mentally), hath said again that in commencing your +auspicious journey and going alone you should never be careless.' + +"Saying these words unto those heroic princes, the person sent by Vidura +took those bulls among men over to the other side of the Ganga in his boat. +And having taken them over the water and seen them all safe on the +opposite bank, he uttered the word 'Jaya' (victory) to their success and +then left them and returned to the place whence he had come. + +"The illustrious Pandavas also sending through that person some message to +Vidura, began, after having crossed the Ganga, to proceed with haste and +in great secrecy.'" + + +SECTION CLII + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, when the night had passed away, a large +concourse of the townspeople came there in haste to see the sons of Pandu. +After extinguishing the fire, they saw that the house just burnt down had +been built of lac in materials and that (Duryodhana's) counsellor +Purochana had been burnt to death. And the people began to bewail aloud +saying, 'Indeed, this had been contrived by the sinful Duryodhana for the +destruction of the Pandavas. There is little doubt that Duryodhana hath, +with Dhritarashtra's knowledge, burnt to death the heirs of Pandu, else +the prince would have been prevented by his father. There is little doubt +that even Bhishma, the son of Santanu, and Drona and Vidura and Kripa and +other Kauravas have not, any of them, followed the dictates of duty. Let +us now send to Dhritarashtra to say, 'Thy great desire hath been achieved! +Thou hast burnt to death the Pandavas!' + +"They then began to extinguish the members to obtain some trace of the +Pandavas, and they saw the innocent Nishada woman with her five sons burnt +to death. Then the miner sent by Vidura, while removing the ashes, covered +the hole he had dug with those ashes in such a way that it remained +unnoticed by all who had gone there. + +"The citizens then sent to Dhritarashtra to inform him that the Pandavas +along with (Duryodhana's) counsellor Purochana had been burnt to death. +King Dhritarashtra, on hearing the evil news of the death of the Pandavas, +wept in great sorrow. And he said, 'King Pandu, my brother of great fame, +hath, indeed, died today when those heroic sons of his together with their +mother have been burnt to death. Ye men, repair quickly to Varanavata and +cause the funeral rites to be performed of those heroes and of the +daughter of Kuntiraj! Let also the bones of the deceased be sanctified +with the usual rites, and let all the beneficial and great acts (usual on +such occasions) be performed. Let the friends and relatives of those that +have been burnt to death repair thither. Let also all other beneficial +acts that ought, under the circumstances, to be performed by us for the +Pandavas and Kunti be accomplished by wealth.' + +"Having said this, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, surrounded by his +relatives, offered oblations of water to the sons of Pandu. And all of +them, afflicted with excessive sorrow, bewailed aloud, exclaiming, 'O +Yudhishthira! Oh prince of the Kuru race!'--While others cried aloud, 'Oh, +Bhima!--O Phalguna!'--while some again,--'Oh, the twins!--Oh, Kunti!'-- +Thus did they sorrow for the Pandavas and offer oblations of water unto +them. The citizens also wept for the Pandavas but Vidura did not weep much, +because he knew the truth. + +"Meanwhile the Pandavas endued with great strength with their mother +forming a company of six going out of the town of Varanavata arrived at +the banks of the Ganga. They then speedily reached the opposite bank aided +by the strength of the boatmen's arms, the rapidity of the river's current, +and a favourable wind. Leaving the boat, they proceeded in the southern +direction finding their way in the dark by the light of the stars. After +much suffering they at last reached, O king, a dense forest. They were +then tired and thirsty; sleep was closing their eyes every moment. Then +Yudhishthira, addressing Bhima endued with great energy, said, 'What can +be more painful than this? We are now in the deep woods. We know not which +side is which, nor can we proceed much further. We do not know whether +that wretch Purochana hath or hath not been burnt to death. How shall we +escape from these dangers unseen by others? O Bharata, taking us on +thyself, proceed thou as before. Thou alone amongst us art strong and +swift as the wind.' + +"Thus addressed by Yudhishthira the just, the mighty Bhimasena, taking up +on his body Kunti and his brothers, began to proceed with great +celerity." + + +SECTION CLIII + +(Jatugriha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said," As the mighty Bhima proceeded, the whole forest with +its trees and their branches seemed to tremble, in consequence of their +clash with his breast. The motion of his thighs raised a wind like unto +that which blows during the months of Jyaishtha and Ashadha (May and June). +And the mighty Bhima proceeded, making a path for himself, but treading +down the trees and creepers before him. In fact, he broke (by the pressure +of his body) the large trees and plants, with their flowers and fruits, +standing on his way. Even so passeth through the woods breaking down +mighty trees, the leader of a herd of elephants, of the age of sixty years, +angry and endued with excess of energy, during the season of rut when the +liquid juice trickle down the three parts of his body. Indeed, so great +was the force with which Bhima endued with the speed of Garuda or of Marut +(the god of wind), proceeded that the Pandavas seemed to faint in +consequence. Frequently swimming across streams difficult of being crossed, +the Pandavas disguised themselves on their way from fear of the sons of +Dhritarashtra. And Bhima carried on his shoulder his illustrious mother of +delicate sensibilities along the uneven banks of rivers. Towards the +evening, O bull of Bharata's race, Bhima (bearing his brothers and mother +on his back) reached a terrible forest where fruits and roots and water +were scarce and which resounded with the terrible cries of birds and +beasts. The twilight deepened the cries of birds and beasts became fiercer, +darkness shrouded everything from the view and untimely winds began to +blow that broke and laid low many a tree large and small and many creepers +with dry leaves and fruits. The Kaurava princes, afflicted with fatigue +and thirst, and heavy with sleep, were unable to proceed further. They +then all sat down in that forest without food and drink. Then Kunti, +smitten with thirst, said unto her sons, 'I am the mother of the five +Pandavas and am now in their midst. Yet I am burning with thirst!' Kunti +repeatedly said this unto her sons. Hearing these words, Bhima's heart, +from affection for his mother, was warmed by compassion and he resolved to +go (along as before). Then Bhima, proceeding through that terrible and +extensive forest without a living soul, saw a beautiful banian tree with +widespreading branches. Setting down there his brothers and mother, O bull +of Bharata's race, he said unto them, 'Rest you here, while I go in quest +of water. I hear the sweet cries of aquatic fowls. I think there must be a +large pool here.' Commanded, O Bharata, by his elder brother who said unto +him, 'Go', Bhima proceeded in the direction whence the cries of those +aquatic fowls were coming. And, O bull of Bharata's race, he soon came +upon a lake and bathed and slaked his thirst. And affectionate unto his +brothers, he brought for them, O Bharata, water by soaking his upper +garments. Hastily retracing his way over those four miles he came unto +where his mother was and beholding her he was afflicted with sorrow and +began to sigh like a snake. Distressed with grief at seeing his mother and +brothers asleep on the bare ground, Vrikodara began to weep, 'Oh, wretch +that I am, who behold my brothers asleep on the bare ground, what can +befall me more painful than this? Alas, they who formerly at Varanavata +could not sleep on the softest and costliest beds are now asleep on the +bare ground! Oh, what more painful sight shall I ever behold than that of +Kunti--the sister of Vasudeva, that grinder of hostile hosts--the daughter +of Kuntiraja,--herself decked with every auspicious mark, the daughter-in- +law of Vichitravirya,--the wife of the illustrious Pandu,--the mother of +us (five brothers),--resplendent as the filaments of the lotus and +delicate and tender and fit to sleep on the costliest bed--thus asleep, as +she should never be, on the bare ground! Oh, she who hath brought forth +these sons by Dharma and Indra and Maruta--she who hath ever slept within +palaces--now sleepeth, fatigued, on the bare ground! What more painful +sight shall ever be beheld by me than that of these tigers among men (my +brothers) asleep on the ground! Oh, the virtuous Yudhishthira, who +deserveth the sovereignty of the three worlds, sleepeth, fatigued, like an +ordinary man, on the bare ground! This Arjuna of the darkish hue of blue +clouds, and unequalled amongst men sleepeth on the ground like an ordinary +person! Oh, what can be more painful than this? Oh the twins, who in +beauty are like the twin Aswins amongst the celestials, are asleep like +ordinary mortals on the bare ground! He who hath no jealous evil-minded +relatives, liveth in happiness in this world like a single tree in a +village. The tree that standeth single in a village with its leaves and +fruits, from absence of other of the same species, becometh sacred and is +worshipped and venerated by all. They again that have many relatives who, +however, are all heroic and virtuous, live happily in the world without +sorrow of any kind. Themselves powerful and growing in prosperity and +always gladdening their friends and relatives, they live, depending on +each other, like tall trees growing in the same forest. We, however, have +been forced in exile by the wicked Dhritarashtra and his sons having +escaped with difficulty, from sheer good fortune, a fiery death. Having +escaped from that fire, we are now resting in the shade of this tree. +Having already suffered so much, where now are we to go? Ye sons of +Dhritarashtra of little foresight, ye wicked fellows, enjoy your temporary +success. The gods are certainly auspicious to you. But ye wicked wretches, +ye are alive yet, only because Yudhishthira doth not command me to take +your lives. Else this very day, filled with wrath, I would send thee, (O +Duryodhana), to the of Yama (Pluto) with thy children and friends and +brothers, and Karna, and (Sakuni) the son of Suvala! But what can I do, +for, ye sinful wretches, the virtuous king Yudhishthira, the eldest of the +Pandavas, is not yet angry with you?' + +"Having said this, Bhima of mighty arms, fired with wrath, began to +squeeze his palms, sighing deeply in affliction. Excited again with wrath +like an extinguished fire blazing up all on a sudden, Vrikodara once more +beheld his brothers sleeping on the ground like ordinary persons sleeping +in trustfulness. And Bhima said unto himself, 'I think there is some town +not far off from this forest. These all are asleep, so I will sit awake. +And this will slake their thirst after they rise refreshed from sleep.' +Saying this, Bhima sat there awake, keeping watch over his sleeping mother +and brothers.'" + + +SECTION CLIV + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep, +a Rakshasa by name Hidimva dwelt on the Sala tree. Possessed of great +energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage that was grim in +consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was now hungry and longing for +human flesh. Of long shanks and a large belly, his locks and beard were +both red in hue. His shoulders were broad like the neck of a tree; his +ears were like unto arrows, and his features were frightful. Of red eyes +and grim visage, the monster beheld, while casting his glances around, the +sons of Pandu sleeping in those woods. He was then hungry and longing for +human flesh. Shaking his dry and grizzly locks and scratching them with +his fingers pointed upwards, the large-mouthed cannibal repeatedly looked +at the sleeping sons of Pandu yawning wistfully at times. Of huge body and +great strength, of complexion like the colour of a mass of clouds, of +teeth long and sharp-pointed and face emitting a sort of lustre, he was +ever pleased with human flesh. And scenting the odour of man, he addressed +his sister, saying, 'O sister, it is after a long time that such agreeable +food hath approached me! My mouth waters at the anticipated relish of such +food. My eight teeth, so sharp-pointed and incapable of being resisted by +any substance, I shall, today, after a long time, put into the most +delicious flesh. Attacking the human throat and even opening the veins, I +shall (today) drink a plentiful quantity of human blood, hot and fresh and +frothy. Go and ascertain who these are, lying asleep in these woods. The +strong scent of man pleaseth my nostrils. Slaughtering all these men, +bring them unto me. They sleep within my territory. Thou needest have no +fear from them. Do my bidding soon, for we shall then together eat their +flesh, tearing off their bodies at pleasure. And after feasting to our +fill on human flesh we shall then dance together to various measures!' + +"Thus addressed by Hidimva in those woods, Hidimva, the female cannibal, +at the command of her brother, went, O bull of Bharata's race, to the spot +where the Pandavas were. And on going there, she beheld the Pandavas +asleep with their mother and the invincible Bhimasena sitting awake. And +beholding Bhimasena unrivalled on earth for beauty and like unto a +vigorous Sala tree, the Rakshasa woman immediately fell in love with him, +and she said to herself, 'This person of hue like heated gold and of +mighty arms, of broad shoulders as the lion, and so resplendent, of neck +marked with three lines like a conch-shell and eyes like lotus-petals, is +worthy of being my husband. I shall not obey the cruel mandate of my +brother. A woman's love for her husband is stronger than her affection for +her brother. If I slay him, my brother's gratification as well as mine +will only be momentary. But if I slay him not, I can enjoy with him for +ever and ever.' Thus saying, the Rakshasa woman, capable of assuming form +at will, assumed an excellent human form and began to advance with slow +steps towards Bhima of mighty arms. Decked with celestial ornaments she +advanced with smiles on her lips and a modest gait, and addressing Bhima +said, 'O bull among men, whence hast thou come here and who art thou? Who, +besides, are these persons of celestial beauty sleeping here? Who also, O +sinless one, is this lady of transcendent beauty sleeping so trustfully in +these woods as if she were lying in her own chamber? Dost thou not know +that this forest is the abode of a Rakshasa. Truly do I say, here liveth +the wicked Rakshasa called Hidimva. Ye beings of celestial beauty, I have +been sent hither even by that Rakshasa--my brother--with the cruel intent +of killing you for his food. But I tell thee truly that beholding thee +resplendent as a celestial, I would have none else for my husband save +thee! Thou who art acquainted with all duties, knowing this, do unto me +what is proper. My heart as well as my body hath been pierced by (the +shafts of) Kama (Cupid). O, as I am desirous of obtaining thee, make me +thine. O thou of mighty arms, I will rescue thee from the Rakshasa who +eateth human flesh. O sinless one, be thou my husband. We shall then live +on the breasts of mountains inaccessible to ordinary mortals. I can range +the air and I do so at pleasure. Thou mayest enjoy great felicity with me +in those regions.' + +"Hearing these words of hers, Bhima replied, 'O Rakshasa woman, who can, +like a Muni having all his passions under control, abandon his sleeping +mother and elder and younger brothers? What man like me would go to +gratify his lust, leaving his sleeping mother and brothers as food for a +Rakshasa?' + +"The Rakshasa woman replied, 'O, awaken all these, I shall do unto you all +that is agreeable to thee! I shall certainly rescue you all from my +cannibal brother.' + +"Bhima then said, 'O Rakshasa woman, I will not, from fear of thy wicked +brother, awaken my brothers and mother sleeping comfortably in the woods. +O timid one, Rakshasas are never able to bear the prowess of my arms. And, +O thou of handsome eyes, neither men, nor Gandharvas, nor Yakshas are able +to bear my might. O amiable one, thou mayst stay or go as thou likest, or +mayst even send thy cannibal brother, O thou of delicate shape. I care +not.'" + + +SECTION CLV + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hidimva, the chief of the Rakshasas, seeing that his +sister returned not soon enough, alighted from the tree, proceeded quickly +to the spot where the Pandavas were. Of red eyes and strong arms and the +arms and the hair of his head standing erect, of large open mouth and body +like unto a mass of dark clouds, teeth long and sharp-pointed, he was +terrible to behold. And Hidimva, beholding her brother of frightful visage +alight from the tree, became very much alarmed, and addressing Bhima said, +'The wicked cannibal is coming hither in wrath. I entreat thee, do with +thy brothers, as I bid thee. O thou of great courage, as I am endued with +the powers of a Rakshasa, I am capable of going whithersoever I like. +Mount ye on my hips, I will carry you all through the skies. And, O +chastiser of foes, awaken these and thy mother sleeping in comfort. Taking +them all on my body, I will convey you through the skies.' + +"Bhima then said, 'O thou of fair hips, fear not anything. I am sure that +as long as I am here, there is no Rakshasa capable of injuring any of +these, O thou of slender waist. I will slay this (cannibal) before thy +very eyes. This worst of Rakshasas, O timid one, is no worthy antagonist +of mine, nor can all the Rakshasas together bear the strength of my arms. +Behold these strong arms of mine, each like unto the trunk of an elephant. +Behold also these thighs of mine like unto iron maces, and this broad and +adamantine chest. O beautiful one, thou shall today behold my prowess like +unto that of Indra. O thou of fair hips, hate me not, thinking that I am a +man.' + +"Hidimva replied saying, 'O tiger among men, O thou of the beauty of a +celestial, I do not certainly hold thee in contempt. But I have seen the +prowess that Rakshasas exert upon men.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Bharata, the wrathful Rakshasa eating +human flesh heard these words of Bhima who had been talking in that way. +And Hidimva beheld his sister disguised in human form, her head decked +with garlands of flowers and her face like the full moon and her eyebrows +and nose and eyes and ringlets all of the handsomest description, and her +nails and complexion of the most delicate hue, and herself wearing every +kind of ornament and attired in fine transparent robes. The cannibal, +beholding her in that charming human form, suspected that she was desirous +of carnal intercourse and became indignant. And, O best of the Kurus, +becoming angry with his sister, the Rakshasa dilated his eyes and +addressing her said, 'What senseless creature wishes to throw obstacles in +my path now that I am so hungry? Hast thou become so senseless, O Hidimva, +that thou fearest not my wrath? Fie on thee, thou unchaste woman! Thou art +even now desirous of carnal intercourse and solicitous of doing me an +injury. Thou art ready to sacrifice the good name and honour of all the +Rakshasas, thy ancestors! Those with whose aid thou wouldst do me this +great injury, I will, even now, slay along with thee.' Addressing his +sister thus, Hidimva, with eyes red with anger and teeth pressing against +teeth, ran at her to kill her then and there. But beholding him rush at +his sister, Bhima, that foremost of smiter, endued with great energy, +rebuked him and said, 'Stop--Stop!'" + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'And Bhima, beholding the Rakshasa angry with his +sister, smiled (in derision), and said, addressing him, 'O Hidimva, what +need is there for thee to awaken these persons sleeping so comfortably? O +wicked cannibal, approach me first without loss of time. Smite me first,-- +it behoveth thee not to kill a woman, especially when she hath been sinned +against instead of sinning. This girl is scarcely responsible for her act +in desiring intercourse with me. She hath, in this, been moved by the +deity of desire that pervadeth every living form. Thou wicked wretch and +the most infamous of Rakshasas, thy sister came here at thy command. +Beholding my person, she desireth me. In that the timid girl doth no +injury to thee. It is the deity of desire that hath offended. It behoveth +thee not to injure her for this offence. O wicked wretch, thou shalt not +slay a woman when I am here. Come with me, O cannibal, and fight with +myself singly. Singly shall I send thee today to the abode of Yama (Pluto). +O Rakshasa, let thy head today, pressed by my might, be pounded to pieces, +as though pressed by the tread of a mighty elephant. When thou art slain +by me on the field of battle, let herons and hawks and jackals tear in +glee thy limbs today on the ground. In a moment I shall today make this +forest destitute of Rakshasas,--this forest that had so long been ruled by +thee, devourer of human beings! Thy sister, O Rakshasa, shall today behold +thyself, huge though thou art like a mountain, like a huge elephant +repeatedly dragged by a lion. O worst of Rakshasas, thyself slain by me, +men ranging these woods will henceforth do so safely and without fear.' + +"Hearing these words, Hidimva said, 'What need is there, O man, for this +thy vaunt and this thy boast? Accomplish all this first, and then mayst +thou vaunt indeed. Therefore, delay thou not. Thou knowest thyself to be +strong and endued with prowess, so thou shalt rightly estimate thy +strength today in thy encounter with me. Until that, I will not slay these +(thy brothers). Let them sleep comfortably. But I will, as thou art a fool +and the utterer of evil speeches, slay thee first. After drinking thy +blood, I will slay these also, and then last of all, this (sister of mine) +that hath done me an injury.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, the cannibal, extending his arms +ran in wrath towards Bhimasena, that chastiser of foes. Then Bhima of +terrible prowess quickly seized, as though in sport, with great force, the +extended arms of the Rakshasa who had rushed at him. Then seizing the +struggling Rakshasa with violence, Bhima dragged him from that spot full +thirty-two cubits like a lion dragging a little animal. Then the Rakshasa, +thus made to feel the weight of Bhima's strength, became very angry and +clasping the Pandava, sent forth a terrible yell. The mighty Bhima then +dragged with force the Rakshasa to a greater distance, lest his yells +should awaken his brothers sleeping in comfort. Clasping and dragging each +other with great force, both Hidimva and Bhimasena put forth their prowess. +Fighting like two full-grown elephants mad with rage, they then began to +break down the trees and tear the creepers that grew around. And at those +sounds, those tigers among men (the sleeping Pandavas) woke up with their +mother, and saw Hidimva sitting before them.'" + + +SECTION CLVI + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Roused from sleep, those tigers among men, with their +mother, beholding the extraordinary beauty of Hidimva, were filled with +wonder. And Kunti, gazing at her with wonder at her beauty, addressed her +sweetly and gave her every assurance. She asked, 'O thou of the splendour +of a daughter of the celestials, whose art thou and who art thou? O thou +of the fairest complexion, on what business hast thou come hither and +whence hast thou come? If thou art the deity of these woods or an Apsara, +tell me all regarding thyself and also why thou stayest here?' Thereupon +Hidimva replied, 'This extensive forest that thou seest, of the hue of +blue cloud, is the abode of a Rakshasa of the name of Hidimva. O handsome +lady, know me as the sister of that chief of the Rakshasa. Revered dame, I +had been sent by that brother of mine to kill thee with all thy children. +But on arriving here at the command of that cruel brother of mine, I +beheld thy mighty son. Then, O blessed lady, I was brought under the +control of thy son by the deity of love who pervadeth the nature of every +being, and I then (mentally) chose that mighty son of thine as my husband. +I tried my best to convey you hence, but I could not (because of thy son's +opposition). Then the cannibal, seeing my delay, came hither to kill all +these thy children. But he hath been dragged hence with force by that +mighty and intelligent son of thine--my husband. Behold now that couple-- +man and Rakshasa--both endued with great strength and prowess, engaged in +combat, grinding each other and filling the whole region with their +shouts.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing those words of hers, Yudhishthira +suddenly rose up and Arjuna also and Nakula and Sahadeva of great energy +and they beheld Bhima and the Rakshasa already engaged in fight, eager to +overcome each other and dragging each other with great force, like two +lions endued with great might. The dust raised by their feet in +consequence of that encounter looked like the smoke of a forest- +conflagration. Covered with that dust their huge bodies resembled two tall +cliffs enveloped in mist. Then Arjuna, beholding Bhima rather oppressed in +the fight by the Rakshasa, slowly, said with smiles on his lips, 'Fear not, +O Bhima of mighty arms! We (had been asleep and therefore) knew not that +thou wast engaged with a terrible Rakshasa and tired in fight. Here do I +stand to help thee, let me slay the Rakshasa, and let Nakula and Sahadeva +protect our mother.' Hearing him, Bhima said, 'Look on this encounter, O +brother, like a stranger. Fear not for the result. Having come within the +reach of my arms, he shall not escape with life.' Then Arjuna said, 'What +need, O Bhima, for keeping the Rakshasa alive so long? O oppressor of +enemies, we are to go hence, and cannot stay here longer. The east is +reddening, the morning twilight is about to set in. The Rakshasa became +stronger by break of day, therefore, hasten, O Bhima! Play not (with thy +victim), but slay the terrible Rakshasa soon. During the two twilights +Rakshasas always put forth their powers of deception. Use all the strength +of thy arms.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'At this speech of Arjuna, Bhima blazing up with +anger, summoned the might that Vayu (his father) puts forth at the time of +the universal dissolution. And filled with rage, he quickly raised high in +the air the Rakshasa's body, blue as the clouds of heaven, and whirled it +a hundred times. Then addressing the cannibal, Bhima said, 'O Rakshasa, +thy intelligence was given thee in vain, and in vain hast thou grown and +thriven on unsanctified flesh. Thou deservest, therefore, an unholy death +and I shall reduce thee today to nothing. I shall make this forest blessed +today, like one without prickly plants. And, O Rakshasa, thou shalt no +longer slay human beings for thy food.' Arjuna at this juncture, said, 'O +Bhima, if thou thinkest it a hard task for thee to overcome this Rakshasa +in combat, let me render thee help, else, slay him thyself without loss of +time. Or, O Vrikodara, let me alone slay the Rakshasa. Thou art tired, and +hast almost finished the affair. Well dost thou deserve rest.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Bhima was fired +with rage and dashing the Rakshasa on the ground with all his might slew +him as if he were an animal. The Rakshasa, while dying, sent forth a +terrible yell that filled the whole forest, and was deep as the sound of a +wet drum. Then the mighty Bhima, holding the body with his hands, bent it +double, and breaking it in the middle, greatly gratified his brothers. +Beholding Hidimva slain, they became exceedingly glad and lost no time in +offering their congratulations to Bhima, that chastiser of all foes. Then +Arjuna worshipping the illustrious Bhima of terrible prowess, addressed +him again and said, 'Revered senior, I think there is a town not far off +from this forest. Blest be thou, let us go hence soon, so that Duryodhana +may not trace us.' + +"Then all those mighty car-warriors, those tigers among men, saying, 'So +be it,' proceeded along with their mother, followed by Hidimva, the +Rakshasa woman.'" + + +SECTION CLVII + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Bhima, beholding Hidimva following them, addressed +her, saying, 'Rakshasas revenge themselves on their enemies by adopting +deceptions that are incapable of being penetrated. Therefore, O Hidimva, +go thou the way on which thy brother hath gone.' Then Yudhishthira +beholding Bhima in rage, said, 'O Bhima, O tiger among men, however +enraged, do not slay a woman. O Pandava, the observance of virtue is a +higher duty than the protection of life. Hidimva, who had come with the +object of slaying us, thou hast already slain. This woman is the sister of +that Rakshasa, what can she do to us even if she were angry?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Hidimva reverentially saluting Kunti and +her son Yudhishthira also, said, with joined palms, 'O revered lady, thou +knowest the pangs that women are made to feel at the hands of the deity of +love. Blessed dame, these pangs, of which Bhimasena hath been the cause, +are torturing me. I had hitherto borne these insufferable pangs, waiting +for the time (when thy son could assuage them). That time is now come, +when I expected I would be made happy. Casting off my friends and +relations and the usage of my race, I have, O blessed lady, chosen this +son of thine, this tiger among men, as my husband. I tell thee truly, O +illustrious lady, that if I am cast off by that hero or by thee either, I +will no longer bear this life of mine. Therefore, O thou of the fairest +complexion, it behoveth thee to show me mercy, thinking me either as very +silly or thy obedient slave. O illustrious dame, unite me with this thy +son, my husband. Endued as he is with the form of a celestial, let me go +taking him with me wherever I like. Trust me, O blessed lady, I will again +bring him back unto you all. When you think of me I will come to you +immediately and convey you whithersoever ye may command. I will rescue you +from all dangers and carry you across inaccessible and uneven regions. I +will carry you on my back whenever ye desire to proceed with swiftness. O, +be gracious unto me and make Bhima accept me. It hath been said that in a +season of distress one should protect one's life by any means. He, that +seeketh to discharge that duty should not scruple about the means. He, +that in a season of distress keepeth his virtue, is the foremost of +virtuous men. Indeed, distress is the greatest danger to virtue and +virtuous men. It is virtue that protecteth life; therefore is virtue +called the giver of life. Hence the means by which virtue or the +observance of a duty is secured can never be censurable.' + +"Hearing these words of Hidimva, Yudhishthira said. 'It is even so, O +Hidimva, as thou sayest. There is no doubt of it. But, O thou of slender +waist, thou must act even as thou hast said. Bhima will, after he hath +washed himself and said his prayers and performed the usual propitiatory +rites, pay his attentions to thee till the sun sets. Sport thou with him +as thou likest during the day, O thou that art endued with the speed of +the mind! But thou must bring back Bhimasena hither every day at night- +fall.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Bhima, expressing his assent to all that +Yudhishthira said, addressed Hidimva, saying, 'Listen to me, O Rakshasa +woman! Truly do I make this engagement with thee that I will stay with +thee, O thou of slender waist, until thou obtainest a son.' Then Hidimva, +saying, 'So be it,' took Bhima upon her body and sped through the skies. +On mountain peaks of picturesque scenery and regions sacred to the gods, +abounding with dappled herds and echoing with the melodies of feathered +tribes, herself assuming the handsomest form decked with every ornament +and pouring forth at times mellifluous strains, Hidimva sported with the +Pandava and studied to make him happy. So also, in inaccessible regions of +forests, and on mountain-breasts overgrown with blossoming trees on lakes +resplendent with lotuses and lilies, islands of rivers and their pebbly +banks, on sylvan streams with beautiful banks and mountain-currents, in +picturesque woods with blossoming trees and creepers in Himalayan bowers, +and various caves, on crystal pools smiling with lotuses, on sea-shores +shining with gold and pearls, in beautiful towns and fine gardens, in +woods sacred to the gods and on hill-sides, in the regions of Guhyakas and +ascetics, on the banks of Manasarovara abounding with fruits and flowers +of every season Hidimva, assuming the handsomest form, sported with Bhima +and studied to make him happy. Endued with the speed of the mind, she +sported with Bhima in all these regions, till in time, she conceived and +brought forth a mighty son begotten upon her by the Pandava. Of terrible +eyes and large mouth and straight arrowy ears, the child was terrible to +behold. Of lips brown as copper and sharp teeth and loud roar, of mighty +arms and great strength and excessive prowess, this child became a mighty +bowman. Of long nose, broad chest, frightfully swelling calves, celerity +of motion and excessive strength, he had nothing human in his countenance, +though born of man. And he excelled (in strength and prowess) all Pisachas +and kindred tribes as well as all Rakshasas. And, O monarch, though a +little child, he grew up a youth the very hour he was born. The mighty +hero soon acquired high proficiency in the use of all weapons. The +Rakshasa women bring forth the very day they conceive, and capable of +assuming any forms at will, they always change their forms. And the bald- +headed child, that mighty bowman, soon after his birth, bowing down to his +mother, touched her feet and the feet also of his father. His parents then +bestowed upon him a name. His mother having remarked that his head was +(bald) like unto a Ghata (water-pot), both his parents thereupon called +him Ghatotkacha (the pot-headed). And Ghatotkacha who was exceedingly +devoted to the Pandavas, became a great favourite with them, indeed almost +one of them. + +"Then Hidimva, knowing that the period of her stay (with her husband) had +come to an end, saluted the Pandavas and making a new appointment with +them went away whithersoever she liked. And Ghatotkacha also--that +foremost of Rakshasas--promising unto his father that he would come when +wanted on business, saluted them and went away northward. Indeed, it was +the illustrious Indra who created (by lending a portion of himself) the +mighty car-warrior Ghatotkacha as a fit antagonist of Karna of unrivalled +energy, in consequence of the dart he had given unto Karna (and which was +sure to kill the person against whom it would be hurled)." + + +SECTION CLVIII + +(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Those mighty car-warriors, the heroic Pandavas, then +went, O king, from forest to forest killing deer and many animals (for +their food). And in the course of their wanderings they saw the countries +of the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Panchalas and then of the Kichakas, and +also many beautiful woods and lakes therein. And they all had matted locks +on their heads and were attired in barks of trees and the skins of animals. +Indeed, with Kunti in their company those illustrious heroes were attired +in the garbs of ascetics. And those mighty car-warriors sometimes +proceeded in haste, carrying their mother on their backs; and sometimes +they proceeded in disguise, and sometimes again with great celerity. And +they used to study the Rik and the other Vedas and also all the Vedangas +as well as the sciences of morals and politics. And the Pandavas, +conversant with the science of morals, met, in course of their wanderings +their grandfather (Vyasa). And saluting the illustrious Krishna-Dwaipayana, +those chastisers of enemies, with their mother, stood before him with +joined hands.' + +"Vyasa then said, 'Ye bulls of Bharata's race, I knew beforehand of this +affliction of yours consisting in your deceitful exile by the son of +Dhritarashtra. Knowing this, I have come to you, desirous of doing you +some great good. Do not grieve for what hath befallen you. Know that all +this is for your happiness. Undoubtedly, the sons of Dhritarashtra and you +are all equal in my eye. But men are always partial to those who are in +misfortune or of tender years. It is therefore, that my affection for you +is greater now. And in consequence of that affection, I desire to do you +good. Listen to me! Not far off before you is a delightful town where no +danger can overtake you. Live ye there in disguise, waiting for my +return.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, thus comforting the +Pandavas, led them into the town of Ekachakra. And the master also +comforted Kunti, saying, 'Live, O daughter! This son of thine, +Yudhishthira, ever devoted to truth, this illustrious bull among men, +having by his justice conquered the whole world, will rule over all the +other monarchs of the earth. There is little doubt that, having by means +of Bhima's and Arjuna's prowess conquered the whole earth with her belt of +seas, he will enjoy the sovereignty thereof. Thy sons as well as those of +Madri--mighty car-warriors all--will cheerfully sport as pleaseth them in +their dominions. These tigers among men will also perform various +sacrifices, such as the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice, in which the +presents unto the Brahmanas are very large. And these thy sons will rule +their ancestral kingdom, maintaining their friends and relatives in luxury +and affluence and happiness.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'With these words Vyasa introduced them into the +dwelling of a Brahmana. And the island-born Rishi, addressing the eldest +of the Pandavas, said, 'Wait here for me! I will come back to you! By +adapting yourselves to the country and the occasion you will succeed in +becoming very happy.' + +"Then, O king, the Pandavas with joined hands said unto the Rishi, 'So be +it.' And the illustrious master, the Rishi Vyasa, then went away to the +region whence he had come.'" + + +SECTION CLIX + +(Vaka-vadha Parva) + +"Janamejaya asked, 'O first of Brahmanas, what did the Pandavas, those +mighty car-warriors, the sons of Kunti, do after arriving at Ekachakra?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Those mighty car-warriors, the sons of Kunti, on +arriving at Ekachakra, lived for a short time in the abode of a Brahmana. +Leading an eleemosynary life, they behold (in course of their wanderings) +various delightful forests and earthly regions, and many rivers and lakes, +and they became great favourites of the inhabitants of that town in +consequence of their own accomplishments. At nightfall they placed before +Kunti all they gathered in their mendicant tours, and Kunti used to divide +the whole amongst them, each taking what was allotted to him. And those +heroic chastisers of foes, with their mother, together took one moiety of +the whole, while the mighty Bhima alone took the other moiety. In this way, +O bull of Bharata's race, the illustrious Pandavas lived there for some +time. + +"One day, while those bulls of the Bharata race were out on their tour of +mendicancy, it so happened that Bhima was (at home) with (his mother) +Pritha. That day, O Bharata, Kunti heard a loud and heart-rending wail of +sorrow coming from within the apartments of the Brahmana. Hearing the +inmates of the Brahmana's house wailing and indulging in piteous +lamentations, Kunti, O king, from compassion and the goodness of her heart, +could not bear it with indifference. Afflicted with sorrow, the amiable +Pritha, addressing Bhima, said these words full of compassion. 'Our woes +assuaged, we are, O son, living happily in the house of this Brahmana, +respected by him and unknown to Dhritarashtra's son. O son, I always think +of the good I should do to this Brahmana, like what they do that live +happily in others' abodes! O child, he is a true man upon whom favours are +never lost. He payeth back to others more than what he receiveth at their +hands. There is no doubt, some affliction hath overtaken this Brahmana. If +we could be of any help to him, we should then be requiting his services.' + +"Hearing these words of his mother, Bhima said, 'Ascertain, O mother the +nature of the Brahmana's distress and whence also it hath arisen. Learning +all about it, relieve it I will however difficult may the task prove.' + +"Vaisampayana continued 'While mother and son were thus talking with each +other, they heard again, O king, another wail of sorrow proceeding from +the Brahmana and his wife. Then Kunti quickly entered the inner apartments +of that illustrious Brahmana, like unto a cow running towards her tethered +calf. She beheld the Brahmana with his wife, son and daughter, sitting +with a woeful face, and she heard the Brahmana say, 'Oh, fie on this +earthly life which is hollow as the reed and so fruitless after all which +is based on sorrow and hath no freedom, and which hath misery for its lot! +Life is sorrow and disease; life is truly a record of misery! The soul is +one: but it hath to pursue virtue, wealth and pleasure. And because these +are pursued at one and the same time, there frequently occurs a +disagreement that is the source of much misery. Some say that salvation is +the highest object of our desire. But I believe it can never be attained. +The acquisition of wealth is hell; the pursuit of wealth is attended with +misery; there is more misery after one has acquired it, for one loves +one's possessions, and if any mishap befalls them, the possessor becomes +afflicted with woe. I do not see by what means I can escape from this +danger, nor how I can fly hence, with my wife to some region free from +danger. Remember, O wife, that I endeavoured to migrate to some other +place where we would be happy, but thou didst not then listen to me. +Though frequently solicited by me, thou, O simple woman, said to me, 'I +have been born here, and here have I grown old; this is my ancestral +homestead.' Thy venerable father, O wife, and thy mother also, have, a +long time ago, ascended to heaven. Thy relations also had all been dead. +Oh why then didst thou yet like to live here? Led by affection for thy +relatives thou didst not then hear what I said. But the time is now come +when thou art to witness the death of a relative. Oh, how sad is that +spectacle for me! Or perhaps the time is come for my own death, for I +shall never be able to abandon cruelly one of my own as long as I myself +am alive. Thou art my helpmate in all good deeds, self-denying and always +affectionate unto me as a mother. The gods have given thee to me as a true +friend and thou art ever my prime stay. Thou hast, by my parents, been +made the participator in my domestic concerns. Thou art of pure lineage +and good disposition, the mother of children, devoted to me, and so +innocent; having chosen and wedded thee with due rites, I cannot abandon +thee, my wife, so constant in thy vows, to save my life. How shall I +myself be able to sacrifice my son a child of tender years and yet without +the hirsute appendages (of manhood)? How shall I sacrifice my daughter +whom I have begotten myself, who hath been placed, as a pledge, in my +hands by the Creator himself for bestowal on a husband and through whom I +hope to enjoy, along with my ancestors, the regions attainable by those +only that have daughters' sons? Some people think that the father's +affection for a son is greater; others, that his affection for a daughter +is greater; mine, however, is equal. How can I be prepared to give up the +innocent daughter upon whom rest the regions of bliss obtainable by me in +after life and my own lineage and perpetual happiness? If, again, I +sacrifice myself and go to the other world, I should scarcely know any +peace, for, indeed, it is evident that, left by me these would not be able +to support life. The sacrifice of any of these would be cruel and +censurable. On the other hand, if I sacrifice myself, these, without me, +will certainly perish. The distress into which I have fallen is great; nor +do I know the means of escape. Alas, what course shall I take today with +my near ones. It is well that I should die with all these, for I can live +no longer.'" + + +SECTION CLX + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, "On hearing these words of the Brahmana, his wife said, +'Thou shouldst not, O Brahmana, grieve like an ordinary man. Nor is this +the time for mourning. Thou hast learning; thou knowest that all men are +sure to die; none should grieve for that which is inevitable. Wife, son, +and daughter, all these are sought for one's own self. As thou art +possessed of a good understanding, kill thou thy sorrows. I will myself go +there. This indeed, is the highest and the eternal duty of a woman, viz., +that by sacrificing her life she should seek the good of her husband. Such +an act done by me will make thee happy, and bring me fame in this world +and eternal bliss hereafter. This, indeed, is the highest virtue that I +tell thee, and thou mayest, by this, acquire both virtue and happiness. +The object for which one desireth a wife hath already been achieved by +thee through me. I have borne thee a daughter and a son and thus been +freed from the debt I had owed thee. Thou art well able to support and +cherish the children, but I however, can never support and cherish them +like thee. Thou art my life, wealth, and lord; bereft of thee, how shall +these children of tender years--how also shall I myself, exist? Widowed +and masterless, with two children depending on me, how shall I, without +thee, keep alive the pair, myself leading an honest life? If the daughter +of thine is solicited (in marriage) by persons dishonourable and vain and +unworthy of contracting an alliance with thee, how shall I be able to +protect the girl? Indeed, as birds seek with avidity for meat that hath +been thrown away on the ground, so do men solicit a woman that hath lost +her husband. O best of Brahmanas, solicited by wicked men, I may waver and +may not be able to continue in the path that is desired by all honest men. +How shall I be able to place this sole daughter of thy house--this +innocent girl--in the way along which her ancestors have always walked? +How shall I then be able to impart unto this child every desirable +accomplishment to make him virtuous as thyself, in that season of want +when I shall become masterless? Overpowering myself who shall be +masterless, unworthy persons will demand (the hand of) this daughter of +thine, like Sudras desiring to hear the Vedas. And if I bestow not upon +them this girl possessing thy blood and qualities, they may even take her +away by force, like crows carrying away the sacrificial butter. And +beholding thy son become so unlike to thee, and thy daughter placed under +the control of some unworthy persons, I shall be despised in the world by +even persons that are dishonourable, and I will certainly die. These +children also, bereft of me and thee, their father, will, I doubt not, +perish like fish when the water drieth up. There is no doubt that bereft +of thee the three will perish: therefore it behoveth thee to sacrifice me. +O Brahmana, persons conversant with morals have said that for women that +have borne children, to predecease their lords is an act of the highest +merit. Ready am I to abandon this son and this daughter, these my +relations, and life itself, for thee. For a woman to be ever employed in +doing agreeable offices to her lord is a higher duty than sacrifices, +asceticism, vows, and charities of every description. The act, therefore, +which I intend to perform is consonant with the highest virtue and is for +thy good and that of thy race. The wise have declared that children and +relatives and wife and all things held dear are cherished for the purpose +of liberating one's self from danger and distress. One must guard one's +wealth for freeing one's self from danger, and it is by his wealth that he +should cherish and protect his wife. But he must protect his own self both +by (means of) his wife and his wealth. The learned have enunciated the +truth that one's wife, son, wealth, and house, are acquired with the +intention of providing against accidents, foreseen or unforeseen. The wise +have also said that all one's relations weighed against one's own self +would not be equal unto one's self. Therefore, revered sir, protect thy +own self by abandoning me. O, give me leave to sacrifice myself, and +cherish thou my children. Those that are conversant with the morals have, +in their treatises, said, that women should never be slaughtered and that +Rakshasas are not ignorant of the rules of morality. Therefore, while it +is certain that the Rakshasa will kill a man, it is doubtful whether he +will kill a woman. It behoveth thee, therefore, being conversant with the +rules of morality, to place me before the Rakshasa. I have enjoyed much +happiness, have obtained much that is agreeable to me, and have also +acquired great religious merit. I have also obtained from thee children +that are so dear to me. Therefore, it grieveth not me to die. I have borne +thee children and have also grown old; I am ever desirous of doing good to +thee; remembering all these I have come to this resolution. O revered sir, +abandoning me thou mayest obtain another wife. By her thou mayest again +acquire religious merit. There is no sin in this. For a man polygamy is an +act of merit, but for a woman it is very sinful to betake herself to a +second husband after the first. Considering all this, and remembering too +that sacrifice of thy own self is censurable, O, liberate today without +loss of time thy own self, thy race, and these thy children (by abandoning +me).' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by her, O Bharata, the Brahmana +embraced her, and they both began to weep in silence, afflicted with +grief.'" + + +SECTION CLXI + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'On hearing these words of her afflicted parents, the +daughter was filled with grief, and she addressed them, saying, 'Why are +you so afflicted and why do you so weep, as if you have none to look after +you? O, listen to me and do what may be proper. There is little doubt that +you are bound in duty to abandon me at a certain time. Sure to abandon me +once, O, abandon me now and save every thing at the expense of me alone. +Men desire to have children, thinking that children would save them (in +this world as well as in the region hereafter). O, cross the stream of +your difficulties by means of my poor self, as if I were a raft. A child +rescueth his parents in this and the other regions; therefore is the child +called by the learned Putra (rescuer). The ancestors desire daughter's +sons from me (as a special means of salvation). But (without waiting for +my children) I myself will rescue them by protecting the life of my father. +This my brother is of tender years, so there is little doubt that he will +perish if thou diest now. If thou, my father, diest and my brother +followeth thee, the funeral cake of the Pitris will be suspended and they +will be greatly injured. Left behind by my father and brother, and by my +mother also (for she will not survive her husband and son) I shall be +plunged deeper and deeper in woe and ultimately perish in great distress. +There can be little doubt that if thou escape from this danger as also my +mother and infant brother, then thy race and the (ancestral) cake will be +perpetuated. The son is one's own self; the wife is one's friend; the +daughter, however, is the source of trouble. Do thou save thyself, +therefore, by removing that source of trouble, and do thou thereby set me +in the path of virtue. As I am a girl, O father, destitute of thee, I +shall be helpless and plunged in woe, and shall have to go everywhere. It +is therefore that I am resolved to rescue my father's race and share the +merit of that act by accomplishing this difficult task. If thou, O best of +Brahmanas, goest thither (unto the Rakshasa), leaving me here, then I +shall be very much pained. Therefore, O father, be kind to me. O thou best +of men, for our sake, for that of virtue and also thy race, save thyself, +abandoning me, whom at one time thou shall be constrained to part from. +There need be no delay, O father, in doing that which is inevitable. What +can be more painful than that, when thou hast ascended to heaven, we shall +have to go about begging our food, like dogs, from strangers. But if thou +art with thy relations from these difficulties, I shall then live happily +in the region of the celestials. It hath been heard by us that if after +bestowing thy daughter in this way, thou offerest oblations to the gods +and the celestials, they will certainly be propitious.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Brahmana and his wife, hearing these various +lamentations of their daughter, became sadder than before and the three +began to weep together. Their son, then, of tender years, beholding them +and their daughter thus weeping together, lisped these words in a sweet +tone, his eyes having dilated with delight, 'Weep not, O father, nor thou, +O mother, nor thou O sister!' And smilingly did the child approach each of +them, and at last taking up a blade of grass said in glee, 'With this will +I slay the Rakshasa who eateth human beings!' Although all of them had +been plunged in woe, yet hearing what the child lisped so sweetly, joy +appeared on their faces. Then Kunti thinking that to be the proper +opportunity, approached the group and said these words. Indeed, her words +revived them as nectar reviveth a person that is dead.'" + + +SECTION CLXII + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued + +"Kunti said, 'I desire to learn from you the cause of this grief, for I +will remove it, if possible.' + +"The Brahmana replied, 'O thou of ascetic wealth, thy speech is, indeed +worthy of thee. But this grief is incapable of being removed by any human +being. Not far from this town, there liveth a Rakshasa of the name of Vaka, +which cannibal is the lord of this country and town. Thriving on human +flesh, that wretched Rakshasa endued with great strength ruleth this +country. He being the chief of the Asuras, this town and the country in +which it is situate are protected by his might. We have no fear from the +machinations of any enemy, or indeed from any living soul. The fee, +however, fixed for that cannibal is his food, which consists of a cart- +load of rice, two buffaloes, and a human being who conveyeth them unto him. +One after another, the house-holders have to send him this food. The turn, +however, cometh to a particular family at intervals of many long years. If +there are any that seek to avoid it, the Rakshasa slayeth them with their +children and wives and devoureth them all. There is, in this country, a +city called Vetrakiya, where liveth the king of these territories. He is +ignorant of the science of government, and possessed of little +intelligence, he adopts not with care any measure by which these +territories may be rendered safe for all time to come. But we certainly +deserve it all, inasmuch as we live within the dominion of that wretched +and weak monarch in perpetual anxiety. Brahmanas can never be made to +dwell permanently within the dominions of any one, for they are dependent +on nobody, they live rather like birds ranging all countries in perfect +freedom. It hath been said that one must secure a (good) king, then a wife, +and then wealth. It is by the acquisition of these three that one can +rescue his relatives and sons. But as regards the acquisition of these +three, the course of my actions hath been the reverse. Hence, plunged into +a sea of danger, am suffering sorely. That turn, destructive of one's +family, hath now devolved upon me. I shall have to give unto the Rakshasa +as his fee the food of the aforesaid description and one human being to +boot. I have no wealth to buy a man with. I cannot by any means consent to +part with any one of my family, nor do I see any way of escape from (the +clutches of) that Rakshasa. I am now sunk in an ocean of grief from which +there is no escape. I shall go to that Rakshasa today, attended by all my +family in order that that wretch might devour us all at once.'" + + +SECTION CLXIII + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Kunti said, 'Grieve not at all, O Brahmana, on account of this danger. I +see a way by which to rescue thee from that Rakshasa. Thou hast only one +son, who, besides, is of very tender years, also only one daughter, young +and helpless, so I do not like that any of these, or thy wife, or even +thyself should go unto the Rakshasa. I have five sons, O Brahmana, let one +of them go, carrying in thy behalf tribute of that Rakshasa.' + +"Hearing this, the Brahmana replied, 'To save my own life I shall never +suffer this to be done. I shall never sacrifice, to save myself, the life +of a Brahmana or of a guest. Indeed, even those that are of low origin and +of sinful practices refuse to do (what thou askest me to do). It is said +that one should sacrifice one's self and one's offspring for the benefit +of a Brahmana. I regard this advice excellent and I like to follow it too. +When I have to choose between the death of a Brahmana and that of my own, +I would prefer the latter. The killing of a Brahmana is the highest sin, +and there is no expiation for it. I think a reluctant sacrifice of one's +own self is better than the reluctant sacrifice of a Brahmana. O blessed +lady, in sacrificing myself I do not become guilty of self-destruction. No +sin can attach to me when another will take my life. But if I deliberately +consent to the death of a Brahmana, it would be a cruel and sinful act, +from the consequence of which there is no escape. The learned have said +that the abandonment of one who hath come to thy house or sought thy +protection, as also the killing of one who seeketh death at thy hands, is +both cruel and sinful. The illustrious among those conversant with +practices allowable in seasons of distress, have before now said that one +should never perform an act that is cruel and censurable. It is well for +me that I should today perish myself with my wife, but I would never +sanction the death of a Brahmana.' + +"Kunti said, 'I too am firmly of opinion, O Brahmana, that Brahmanas +should ever be protected. As regards myself, no son of mine would be less +dear to me even if I had a hundred instead of the five I have. But this +Rakshasa will not be able to kill my son, for that son of mine is endued +with great prowess and energy, and skilled in mantras. He will faithfully +deliver to the Rakshasa his food, but will, I know to a certainty, rescue +himself. I have seen before many mighty Rakshasas of huge bodies engaged +in combat with my heroic son and killed too by him. But, O Brahmana, do +not disclose this fact to anybody, for if it be known, persons desirous of +obtaining this power, will, from curiosity, always trouble my sons. The +wise have said that if my son imparteth any knowledge, without the assent +of his preceptor, unto any person, my son himself will no longer be able +to profit by that knowledge.' + +"Thus addressed by Pritha, the Brahmana with his wife became exceedingly +glad and assented to Kunti's speech, which was unto them as nectar. Then +Kunti, accompanied by the Brahmana, went unto the son of Vayu (Bhima) and +asked him to accomplish (that difficult task). Bhima replied unto them, +saying, 'So be it.'" + + +SECTION CLXIV + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Bhima had pledged himself to accomplish the +task, saying, 'I will do it,' the Pandavas, O Bharata, returned home with +the alms they had obtained during the day. Then Yudhishthira, the son of +Pandu from Bhima's countenance alone, suspected the nature of the task he +had undertaken to accomplish. Sitting by the side of his mother, +Yudhishthira asked her in private, 'What is the task, O mother, that Bhima +of terrible prowess seeketh to accomplish? Doth he do so at thy command or +of his own accord?' Kunti replied, 'Bhima, that chastiser of foes, will at +my command, do this great deed for the good of the Brahmana and the +liberation of this town.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'What rash act hast thou done, O mother! It is +difficult of being performed and almost amounteth to suicide! The learned +never applaud the abandonment of one's own child. Why dost thou, O mother, +wish to sacrifice thy own child for the sake of another's? Thou hast, O +mother, by this abandonment of thy child, acted not only against the +course of human practices but also against the teachings of the Vedas. +That Bhima, relying on whose arms we sleep happily in the night and hope +to recover the kingdom of which we have been deprived by the covetous son +of Dhritarashtra, that hero of immeasurable energy, remembering whose +prowess Duryodhana and Sakuni do not sleep a wink during the whole night +and by whose prowess we were rescued from the palace of lac and various +other dangers, that Bhima who caused the death of Purochana, and relying +on whose might we regard ourselves as having already slain the sons of +Dhritarashtra and acquired the whole earth with all her wealth, upon what +considerations, O mother, hast thou resolved upon abandoning him? Hast +thou been deprived of thy reason? Hath thy understanding been clouded by +the calamities thou hast undergone?' + +"On hearing these words of her son, Kunti said, 'O Yudhishthira, thou +needst not be at all anxious on account of Vrikodara. I have not come to +this resolve owing to any weakness of understanding. Respected by him, and +with our sorrows assuaged, we have, O son, been living in the house of +this Brahmana, unknown to the sons of Dhritarashtra. For requiting, O son, +that Brahmana, I have resolved to do this. He, indeed, is a man upon whom +good offices are never lost. The measure of his requital becometh greater +than the measure of the services he receiveth. Beholding the prowess of +Bhima on the occasion of (our escape from) the house of lac, and from the +destruction also of Hidimva, my confidence in Vrikodara is great. The +might of Bhima's arms is equal unto that of ten thousand elephants. It was, +therefore, that he succeeded in carrying you all, each heavy as an +elephant, from Varanavata. There is no one on earth equal unto Bhima in +might; he may even overcome that foremost of warriors, the holder of the +thunderbolt himself. Soon after his birth he fell from my lap on the +breast of the mountain. By the weight of his body the mass of stone on +which he fell down broke in pieces. From this also, O son of Pandu, I have +come to know Bhima's might. For this reason have I resolved to set him +against the Brahmana's foe. I have not acted in this from foolishness or +ignorance or from motive of gain. I have deliberately resolved to do this +virtuous deed. By this act, O Yudhishthira, two objects will be +accomplished; one is a requital of the services rendered by the Brahmana +and the other is the acquisition of high religious merit. It is my +conviction that the Kshatriya who rendereth help unto a Brahmana in +anything acquireth regions of bliss hereafter. So also a Kshatriya who +saveth the life of a Kshatriya achieveth that great fame in this world as +in the other. A Kshatriya rendering help unto a Vaisya also on this earth +certainly acquires world-wide popularity. One of the kingly tribe should +protect even the Sudra who cometh to him for protection. If he doeth so, +in his next life he receiveth his birth in a royal line, commanding +prosperity and the respect of other kings. O scion of Puru's race, the +illustrious Vyasa of wisdom acquired by hard ascetic toil told me so in +bygone days. It is therefore, that I have resolved upon accomplishing +this.'" + + +SECTION CLXV + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Having heard these words of his mother, Yudhishthira said, 'What thou, O +mother, hast deliberately done, moved by compassion for the afflicted +Brahmana, is, indeed, excellent. Bhima will certainly come back with life, +after having slain the cannibal, inasmuch as thou art, O mother, always +compassionate unto Brahmanas. But tell the Brahmana, O mother, that he +doth not do anything whereby the dwellers in this town may know all about +it, and make him promise to keep thy request.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, when the night passed away, Bhimasena, the +son of Pandu, taking with him the Rakshasa's food set out for the place +where the cannibal lived. The mighty son of Pandu, approaching the forest +where the Rakshasa dwelt, began to eat himself the food he carried, +calling loudly to the Rakshasa by name. The Rakshasa, inflamed with anger +at Bhima's words, came out and approached the place where Bhima was. + +"Of huge body and great strength, of red eyes, red beard, and red hair, he +was terrible to behold, and he came, pressing deep the earth with his +tread. The opening of his mouth, was from ear to ear and his ears +themselves were straight as arrows. Of grim visage, he had a forehead +furrowed into three lines. Beholding Bhima eating his food, the Rakshasa +advanced, biting his nether lip and expanding his eyes in wrath. And +addressing Bhima he said, 'Who is this fool, who desiring to go to the +abode of Yama, eateth in my very sight the food intended for me?' Hearing +these words, Bhima, O Bharata, smiled in derision and disregarding the +Rakshasa, continued eating with averted face. Beholding this, the cannibal +uttered a frightful yell and with both arms upraised ran at Bhima desiring +to kill him, there and then. Even then disregarding the Rakshasa and +casting only a single glance at him, Vrikodara, that slayer of hostile +heroes continued to eat the Rakshasa's food. Filled with wrath at this, +the Rakshasa struck from behind with both his arms a heavy blow on the +back of Vrikodara, the son of Kunti. But Bhima, though struck heavily by +the mighty Rakshasa, with both his hands, did not even look up at the +Rakshasa but continued to eat as before. Then the mighty Rakshasa, +inflamed with wrath, tore up a tree and ran at Bhima for striking him +again. Meanwhile the mighty Bhima, that bull among men had leisurely eaten +up the whole of that food and washing himself stood cheerfully for fight. +Then, O Bharata, possessed of great energy, Bhima, smiling in derision, +caught with his left hand the tree hurled at him by the Rakshasa in wrath. +Then that mighty Rakshasa, tearing up many more trees, hurled them at +Bhima, and the Pandava also hurled as many at the Rakshasa. Then, O king, +the combat with trees between that human being and the Rakshasa, became so +terrible that the region around soon became destitute of trees. Then the +Rakshasa, saying that he was none else than Vaka, sprang upon the Pandava +and seized the mighty Bhima with his arms. That mighty hero also clasping +with his own strong arms the strong-armed Rakshasa, and exerting himself +actively, began to drag him violently. Dragged by Bhima and dragging Bhima +also, the cannibal was overcome with great fatigue. The earth began to +tremble in consequence of the strength they both exerted, and large trees +that stood there broke in pieces. Then Bhima, beholding the cannibal +overcome with fatigue, pressed him down on the earth with his knees and +began to strike him with great force. Then placing one knee on the middle +of the Rakshasa's back, Bhima seized his neck with his right hand and the +cloth on his waist with his left, and bent him double with great force. +The cannibal then roared frightfully. And, O monarch, he also began to +vomit blood while he was being thus broken on Bhima's knee.'" + + +SECTION CLXVI + +(Vaka-vadha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said 'Then Vaka, huge as a mountain, thus broken (on Bhima's +knee), died, uttering frightful yells. Terrified by these sounds, the +relatives of that Rakshasa came out, O king, with their attendants. Bhima, +that foremost of smiters, seeing them so terrified and deprived of reason, +comforted them and made them promise (to give up cannibalism), saying, 'Do +not ever again kill human beings. If ye kill men, ye will have to die even +as Vaka.' Those Rakshasas hearing this speech of Bhima, said, 'So be it,' +and gave, O king, the desired promise. From that day, O Bharata, the +Rakshasas (of the region) were seen by the inhabitants of that town to be +very peaceful towards mankind. Then Bhima, dragging the lifeless cannibal, +placed him at one of the gates of the town and went away unobserved by any +one. The kinsmen of Vaka, beholding him slain by the might of Bhima, +became frightened and fled in different directions. + +"Meanwhile Bhima, having slain the Rakshasa, returned to the Brahmana's +abode and related to Yudhishthira all that had happened, in detail. The +next morning the inhabitants of the town in coming out saw the Rakshasa +lying dead on the ground, his body covered with blood. Beholding that +terrible cannibal, huge as a mountain cliff, thus mangled and lying on the +ground, the hair of the spectators stood erect. Returning to Ekachakra, +they soon gave the intelligence. Then, O king, the citizens by thousands +accompanied by their wives, young and old, all began to come to the spot +for beholding the Vaka and they were all amazed at seeing that superhuman +feat. Instantly, O monarch, they began to pray to their gods. Then they +began to calculate whose turn it had been the day before to carry food to +the Rakshasa. And ascertaining this, they all came to that Brahmana and +asked him (to satisfy their curiosity). Thus asked by them repeatedly, +that bull among Brahmanas, desirous of concealing the Pandavas, said these +words unto all the citizens, 'A certain high-souled Brahmana, skilled in +mantras, beheld me weeping with my relatives after I had been ordered to +supply the Rakshasa's food. Asking me the cause and ascertaining the +distress of the town, that first of Brahmanas gave me every assurance and +with smiles said, 'I shall carry the food for that wretched Rakshasa today. +Do not fear for me.' Saying this he conveyed the food towards the forest +of Vaka. This deed, so beneficial unto us all, hath very certainly been +done by him.' + +"Then those Brahmanas and Kshatriyas (of the city), hearing this, wondered +much. And the Vaisyas and the Sudras also became exceedingly glad, and +they all established a festival in which the worship of Brahmanas was the +principal ceremony (in remembrance of this Brahmana who had relieved them +from their fears of Vaka)." + + +SECTION CLXVII + +(Chaitraratha Parva) + +"After this citizens returned to their respective houses and the Pandavas +continued to dwell at Ekachakra as before." + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, what did those tigers among men, the +Pandavas, do after they had slain the Rakshasa Vaka?' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The Pandavas, O king, after slaying the Rakshasa Vaka, +continued to dwell in the abode of that Brahmana, employed in the study of +the Vedas. Within a few days there came a Brahmana of rigid vows unto the +abode of their host to take up his quarters there. Their host, that bull +among Brahmanas, ever hospitable unto all guests, worshipping the newly- +arrived Brahmana with due ceremonies, gave him quarters in his own abode. +Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, with their mother Kunti, +solicited the new lodger to narrate to them his interesting experiences. +The Brahmana spake to them of various countries and shrines and (holy) +rivers, of kings and many wonderful provinces and cities. And after this +narration was over, that Brahmana, O Janamejaya, also spoke of the +wonderful self-choice of Yajnasena's daughter, the princes of Panchala, +and of the births of Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandi, and of the birth, +without the intervention of a woman, of Krishna (Draupadi) at the great +sacrifice of Drupada. + +"Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, hearing of these extraordinary +facts regarding that illustrious monarch (Drupada), and desiring to know +the details thereof, asked the Brahmana, after his narration was concluded, +to satisfy their curiosity. The Pandavas said, 'How, O Brahmana, did the +birth of Dhrishtadyumna the son of Drupada, take place from the +(sacrificial) fire? How also did the extraordinary birth of Krishna take +place from the centre of the sacrificial platform? How also did Drupada's +son learn all weapons from the great bowman Drona? And, O Brahmana, how +and for whom and for what reason was the friendship between Drona and +Drupada broken off?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus questioned, O monarch, by those bulls among +men, the Brahmana narrated all the particulars about the birth of +Draupadi.'" + + +SECTION CLXVIII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Brahmana said, 'At that region where the Ganga entered the plains +there lived a great Rishi, devoted to the austerest of penances. Of rigid +vows and great wisdom, he bore the name Bharadwaja. One day, on coming to +the Ganga to perform his ablutions, the Rishi saw the Apsara Ghritachi, +who had come before, standing on the bank after her ablutions were over. +And it so happened that a wind arose and disrobed the Apsara standing +there. And the Rishi beholding her thus disrobed, felt the influence of +desire. Though practising the vow of continence from his very youth, as +soon as he felt the influence of desire, the Rishi's vital fluid came out. +And as it came out, he held it in a pot (drana), and of that fluid thus +preserved in a pot was born a son who came to be called Drona (the pot- +born). And Drona studied all the Vedas and their several branches. And +Bharadwaja had a friend named Prishata who was the king of Panchalas. And +about the time that Drona was born, Prishata also obtained a son named +Drupada. And that bull amongst Kshatriyas, Prishata's son, going every day +to that asylum of Bharadwaja, played and studied with Drona. And after +Prishata's death, Drupada succeeded him on the throne. Drona about this +time heard that (the great Brahmana hero) Rama (on the eve of his retiring +into the weeds) was resolved to give away all his wealth. Hearing this, +the son of Bharadwaja repaired unto Rama who was about to retire into the +woods and addressing him, said, 'O best of Brahmanas, know me to be Drona +who hath come to thee to obtain thy wealth.' Rama replied, saying, 'I have +given away everything. All that I now have is this body of mine and my +weapons. O Brahmana, thou mayest ask of me one of these two, either my +body or my weapons.' Then Drona said, 'It behoveth thee, sir, to give me +all thy weapons together with (the mysteries of) their use and +withdrawal.' + +"The Brahmana continued, 'Then Rama of Bhrigu's race, saying, 'So be it,' +gave all his weapons unto Drona, who obtaining them regarded himself as +crowned with success. Drona obtaining from Rama the most exalted of all +weapons, called the Brahma weapon, became exceedingly glad and acquired a +decided superiority over all men. Then the son of Bharadwaja, endued with +great prowess went to king Drupada, and approaching that monarch, that +tiger among men, said, 'Know me for thy friend.' Hearing this Drupada said, +'One of low birth can never be the friend of one whose lineage is pure, +nor can one who is not a car-warrior have a car-warrior for his friend. So +also one who is not a king cannot have a king as his friend. Why dost thou, +therefore, desire (to revive our) former friendship?' + +"The Brahmana continued, 'Drona, gifted with great intelligence, was +extremely mortified at this, and settling in his mind some means of +humiliating the king of the Panchala he went to the capital of the Kurus, +called after the name of an elephant. Then Bhishma, taking with him his +grandsons, presented them unto the wise son of Bharadwaja as his pupils +for instruction, along with various kinds of wealth. Then Drona, desirous +of humiliating king Drupada, called together his disciples and addressed +them, 'Ye sinless ones, it behoveth you, after you have been accomplished +in arms, to give me as preceptorial fee something that I cherish in my +heart.' Then Arjuna and others said unto their preceptor, 'So be it.'-- +After a time when the Pandavas became skilled in arms and sure aims, +demanding of them his fee, he again told them these words, 'Drupada, the +son of Prishata, is the king of Chhatravati. Take away from him his +kingdom, and give it unto me.' Then the Pandavas, defeating Drupada in +battle and taking him prisoner along with his ministers, offered him unto +Drona, who beholding the vanquished monarch, said, 'O king, I again +solicit thy friendship; and because none who is not a king deserveth to be +the friend of a king, therefore, O Yajnasena, I am resolved to divide thy +kingdom amongst ourselves. While thou art the king of the country to the +south of Bhagirathi (Ganga), I will rule the country to the north.' + +"The Brahmana continued, 'The king of the Panchalas, thus addressed by the +wise son of Bharadwaja, told that best of Brahmanas and foremost of all +persons conversant with weapons, these words, 'O high-souled son of +Bharadwaja, blest be thou, let it be so, let there be eternal friendship +between us as thou desirest!' Thus addressing each other and establishing +a permanent bond between themselves, Drona and the king of Panchala, both +of them chastisers of foes, went away to the places they came from. But +the thought of that humiliation did not leave the king's mind for a single +moment. Sad at heart, the king began to waste away.'" + + +SECTION CLXIX + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Brahmana continued, 'King Drupada (after this), distressed at heart, +wandered among many asylums of Brahmanas in search of superior Brahmanas +well-skilled in sacrificial rites. Overwhelmed with grief and eagerly +yearning for children, the king always said, 'Oh, I have no offspring +surpassing all in accomplishments.' And the monarch, from great +despondency, always said 'Oh, fie on those children that I have and on my +relatives!' And ever thinking of revenging himself on Drona, the monarch +sighed incessantly. And that best of kings, O Bharata, even after much +deliberation, saw no way of overcoming, by his Kshatriya might, the +prowess and discipline and training and accomplishment of Drona. Wandering +along the banks of the Yamuna and the Ganga, the monarch once came upon a +sacred asylum of Brahmanas. There was in that asylum no Brahmana who was +not a Snataka, no one who was not of rigid vows, and none who was not +virtuous to a high degree. And the king saw there two Brahmana sages named +Yaja and Upayaja, both of rigid vows and souls under complete control and +belonging to the most superior order. They were both devoted to the study +of the ancient institutes and sprung from the race of Kasyapa. And those +best of Brahmanas were well able to help the king in the attainment of his +object. The king then, with great assiduity and singleness of purpose, +began to court this pair of excellent Brahmanas. Ascertaining the superior +accomplishments of the younger of the two the king courted in private +Upayaja of rigid vows, by the offer of every desirable acquisition. +Employed in paying homage to the feet of Upayaja, always addressing in +sweet words and offering him every object of human desire, Drupada, after +worshipping that Brahmana, addressed him (one day), saying, 'O Upayaja, O +Brahmana, if thou, performest those sacrificial rites by (virtue of) which +I may obtain a son who may slay Drona, I promise thee ten thousand kine, +or whatever else may be agreeable to thee, O first of Brahmanas, truly am +I ready to make gifts to thee.' Thus addressed by the king, the Rishi +replied, saying, 'I cannot (perform such rites).' But Drupada without +accepting this reply as final, once more began to serve and pay homage +unto that Brahmana. Then, after the expiration of a year, Upayaja, that +first of Brahmanas, O monarch, addressing Drupada in sweet tone, said, 'My +elder brother (Yaja), one day, while wandering through the deep woods, +took up a fruit that had fallen upon a spot the purity of which he cared +not to enquire about. I was following him (at the time) and observed this +unworthy act of his. Indeed, he entertains no scruples in accepting things +impure. In accepting that (particular) fruit he saw not any impropriety of +sinful nature: Indeed, he who observeth not purity (in one instance) is +not very likely to observe it in the other instances. When he lived in the +house of his preceptor, employed in studying the institutes, he always +used to eat (impure) remnants of other people's feasts. He always speaks +approvingly of food and entertains no dislike for anything. Arguing from +these, I believe that my brother covets earthy acquisitions. Therefore, O +king, go unto him; he will perform spiritual offices for thee.' Hearing +these words of Upayaja, king Drupada, though entertaining a low opinion of +Yaja, nevertheless went to his abode. Worshipping Yaja who was (still) +worthy of homage, Drupada said unto him, 'O master, perform thou spiritual +offices for me and I will give thee eighty thousand kine! Enmity with +Drona burneth my heart; it behoveth thee therefore to cool that heart of +mine. Foremost of those conversant with the Vedas, Drona is also skilled +in the Brahma weapon and for this, Drona hath overcome me in a contest +arising from (impaired) friendship. Gifted with great intelligence, the +son of Bharadwaja is (now) the chief preceptor of the Kurus. There is no +Kshatriya in this world superior to him. His bow is full six cubits long +and looks formidable, and his shafts are capable of slaying every living +being. That great bowman, the high-souled son of Bharadwaja, habited as a +Brahmana, is destroying the Kshatriya power all over the earth. Indeed, he +is like a second Jamadagnya intended for the extermination of the +Kshatriya race. There is no man on earth who can overcome the terrible +force of his weapons. Like a blazing fire fed with clarified butter, Drona, +possessed of Brahma might and uniting it with Kshatriya might, consumeth +every antagonist in battle. But (thy) Brahma force is greater in itself +than (Drona's) Brahma force united with Kshatriya might. Therefore, as I +am inferior (to Drona) in consequence of my possession of Kshatriya might +alone, I solicit the aid of thy Brahma force, having obtained thee so +superior to Drona in knowledge of Brahma. O Yaja, perform that sacrifice +by means of which I may obtain a son invincible in battle and capable of +slaying Drona. Ready am I to give thee ten thousand kine.' Hearing these +words of Drupada, Yaja said, 'So be it.' Yaja then began to recollect the +various ceremonies appertaining to the particular sacrifice. And knowing +the affair to be a very grave one, he asked the assistance of Upayaja who +coveted nothing. Then Yaja promised to perform the sacrifice for the +destruction of Drona. Then the great ascetic Upayaja spoke unto king +Drupada of everything required for the grand sacrifice (by aid of fire) +from which the king was to obtain offspring. And he said, 'O king, a child +shall be born unto thee, endued, as thou desirest, with great prowess, +great energy, and great strength.' + +"The Brahmana continued, 'Then king Drupada, impelled by the desire of +obtaining a son who was to slay Drona, began, for the success of his wish, +to make the necessary preparations. (And when everything was complete) +Yaja, after having poured libations of clarified butter on the sacrificial +fire, commanded Drupada's queen, saying, 'Come hither, O queen, O daughter- +in-law of Prishata! A son and a daughter have arrived for thee!' Hearing +this, the queen said, 'O Brahmana, my mouth is yet filled with saffron and +other perfumed things. My body also beareth many sweet scents; I am hardly +fit for accepting (the sanctified butter which is to give me offspring). +Wait for me a little, O Yaja! Wait for that happy consummation.' Yaja, +however, replied, 'O lady, whether thou comest or waitest, why should not +the object of this sacrifice be accomplished when the oblation hath +already been prepared by me and sanctified by Upayaja's invocations?' + +"The Brahmana continued, 'Having said this, Yaja poured the sanctified +libation on the fire, whereupon arose from those flames a child resembling +a celestial who possessing the effulgence of fire, was terrible to behold. +With a crown on this head and his body encased in excellent armour, sword +in hand, and bearing a bow and arrows, he frequently sent forth loud roars. +And immediately after his birth, he ascended an excellent chariot and went +about in it for some time. Then the Panchalas in great joy shouted, +'Excellent, Excellent.' The very earth seemed at that time unable to bear +the weight of the Panchalas mad with joy. Then, marvellous to say, the +voice of some invisible spirit in the skies said, 'This prince hath been +born for the destruction of Drona. He shall dispel all the fears of the +Panchalas and spread their fame. He shall also remove the sorrow of the +king.' And there arose, after this from the centre of the sacrificial +platform, a daughter also, called Panchali, who, blest with great good +fortune, was exceedingly handsome. Her eyes were black, and large as lotus- +petals, her complexion was dark, and her locks were blue and curly. Her +nails were beautifully convex, and bright as burnished copper; her eye- +brows were fair, and bosom was deep. Indeed, she resembled the veritable +daughter of a celestial born among men. Her body gave out fragrance like +that of a blue lotus, perceivable from a distance of full two miles. Her +beauty was such that she had no equal on earth. Like a celestial herself, +she could be desired (in marriage) by a celestial, a Danava, or a Yaksha. +When this girl of fair hips was born an incorporeal voice said, 'This dark- +complexioned girl will be the first of all women, and she will be the +cause of the destruction of many Kshatriyas. This slender-waisted one will, +in time, accomplish the purpose of the gods, and along with her many a +danger will overtake the Kauravas.' On hearing these words, the Panchalas +uttered a loud leonine roar, and the earth was unable to bear the weight +of that joyous concourse. Then beholding the boy and the girl, the +daughter-in-law of Prishata, desiring to have them, approached Yaja and +said, 'Let not these know any one else except myself as their mother.' +Yaja, desiring to do good unto the king said, 'So be it!' Then the +Brahmanas (present there), their expectations fully gratified, bestowed +names upon the new-born pair, 'Let this son of king Drupada, they said, be +called Dhrishtadyumna, because of his excessive audacity and because of +his being born like Dyumna with a natural mail and weapon.' And they also +said, 'Because this daughter is so dark in complexion, she should be +called Krishna (the dark).' + +"The Brahmana continued, 'Thus were born those twins of the great +sacrifice of Drupada. And the great Drona, bringing the Panchala prince +into his own abode, taught him all weapons in requital of half the kingdom +he had formerly taken from Drupada. The high-souled son of Bharadwaja, +regarding destiny to be inevitable, did what would perpetuate his own +great deeds.'" + + +SECTION CLXX + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of the Brahmana, the sons of +Kunti seemed to be, as it were, pierced with darts. Indeed, all those +mighty heroes lost their peace of mind. Then the truthful Kunti, beholding +all her sons listless and inattentive, addressed Yudhishthira and said, +'We have now lived many nights in the abode of this Brahmana. We have +passed our time pleasantly in this town, living on the alms obtained from +many honest and illustrious persons. O oppressor of foes, as we have now +seen often and often all the agreeable woods and gardens that are in this +part of the country, seeing them again would no longer give any pleasure. +O heroic scion of Kuru's race, alms also are not now obtainable here as +easily as before. If thou wishest it would be well for us now to go to +Panchala; we have not seen that country, it will, no doubt, O hero, prove +delightful to us. O crusher of foes, it hath been heard by us that alms +are obtainable in the country of the Panchala, and that Yajnasena, the +king thereof, is devoted to Brahmanas. I am of opinion that it is not good +to live long in one place. Therefore, O son, if thou likest, it is good +for us to go there.' + +"Hearing these words, Yudhishthira said, 'It is our duty to obey thy +command, which, besides, must be for our good. I do not, however, know +whether my younger brothers are willing to go.'" + + +SECTION CLXXI + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Kunti spoke unto Bhimasena and Arjuna and +the twins regarding the journey to Panchala. They all said, 'So be it.' +Then, O king, Kunti with her sons saluted the Brahmana (in whose house +they had dwelt) and set out for the delightful town of the illustrious +Drupada.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'While the illustrious Pandavas were living disguised +in the abode of the Brahmana, Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, once went to +see them. Those chastisers of foes, beholding him coming rose up and +stepped onward to receive him. Saluting him reverentially and worshipping +him also the Pandavas stood in silence with joined hands. Thus worshipped +by them the sage became gratified. He asked them to be seated, and +cheerfully addressing them said, 'Ye slayers of foes, are ye living in the +path of virtue and according to the scriptures? Do ye worship the +Brahmanas? Ye are not, I hope, backward in paying homage unto those that +deserve your homage?' The illustrious Rishi, after this, spoke many words +of virtuous import, and after discoursing upon many topics of great +interest, he said, 'An illustrious Rishi, living in a certain hermitage, +had a daughter of tender waist, fair lips, and fine eye-brows, and +possessing every accomplishment. As a consequence of her own acts (in a +past life) the fair maid became very unfortunate. Though chaste and +beautiful, the damsel obtained not a husband. With a sorrowful heart she +thereupon began to practise ascetic penances with the object of obtaining +a husband. She soon gratified by her severe the god Sankara (Mahadeva), +who became propitious unto her and said unto that illustrious damsel, 'Ask +thou the boon thou desirest! Blest be thou! I am Sankara prepared to give +thee what thou wilt ask.' Desirous of benefiting herself, the maid +repeatedly said unto the supreme lord, 'O give me, a husband endued with +every accomplishment.' Then Isana (Mahadeva), that foremost of all +speakers, replied unto her, saying, 'O blessed one, thou shall have five +husbands from among the Bharata princes.' Thus told, the maiden said unto +the god who had given her that boon, 'O lord, I desire to have only one +husband through thy grace.' The god then addressed her again and said +these excellent words, 'Thou hast, O girl, said full five times, 'Give me +(a) husband.' Thou shalt, therefore, in another life have five husbands!' +Ye princes of Bharata's line, that damsel of celestial beauty hath been +born in the line of Drupada. The faultless Krishna of Prishata's line hath +been appointed to be the wife of you all. Ye mighty ones, go therefore, to +the capital of the Panchalas and dwell ye there. There is no doubt that +having obtained her as wife ye shall be very happy.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said so unto the Pandavas, the +illustrious and blessed grandsire then bade them farewell. The great +ascetic then left them and went to the place whence he had come.'" + + +SECTION CLXXII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Vyasa had gone away, those bulls among men, the +Pandavas, saluted the Brahmana and bade him farewell, and proceeded +(towards Panchala) with joyous hearts and with their mother walking before +them. Those slayers of all foes, in order to reach their destination, +proceeded in a due northerly direction, walking day and night till they +reached a sacred shrine of Siva with the crescent mark on his brow. Then +those tigers among men, the sons of Pandu, arrived at the banks of the +Ganga, Dhananjaya, that mighty car-warrior, walking before them, torch in +hand, for showing the way and guarding them (against wild animals). And it +so happened that at that time the proud king of the Gandharvas, with his +wives, was sporting in that solitary region in the delightful waters of +the Ganga. The king of the Gandharvas heard the tread of the Pandavas as +they approached the river. On hearing the sounds of their foot-steps, the +mighty Gandharvas were inflamed with wrath, and beholding those chastisers +of foes, the Pandavas, approach towards him with their mother, he drew his +frightful bow to a circle and said, 'It is known that excepting the first +forty seconds the grey twilight preceding nightfall hath been appointed +for the wandering of the Yakshas, the Gandharvas and the Rakshasas, all of +whom are capable of going everywhere at will. The rest of the time hath +been appointed for man to do his work. If therefore, men, wandering during +those moments from greed of gain, come near us, both we and the Rakshasas +slay those fools. Therefore, persons acquainted with the Vedas never +applaud those men--not even kings at the head of their troops--who +approach any pools of water at such a time. Stay ye at a distance, and +approach me not. Know ye not that I am bathing in the waters of the +Bhagirathi? Know that I am Angaraparna the Gandharva, ever relying on my +own strength! I am proud and haughty and am the friend of Kuvera. This my +forest on the banks of the Ganga, where I sport to gratify all my senses, +is called Angaraparna after my own name. Here neither gods, nor Kapalikas, +nor Gandharvas nor Yakshas, can come. How dare ye approach me who am the +brightest jewel on the diadem of Kuvera?' + +"Hearing these words of the Gandharva, Arjuna said, 'Blockhead, whether it +be day, night, or twilight, who can bar others from the ocean, the sides +of the Himalayas, and this river? O ranger of the skies, whether the +stomach be empty or full, whether it is night or day, there is no special +time for anybody to come to the Ganga--that foremost of all rivers. As +regards ourselves endued with might, we care not when we disturb thee. +Wicked being, those who are weak in fighting worship thee. This Ganga, +issuing out of the golden peaks of Himavat, falleth into the waters of the +ocean, being distributed into seven streams. They who drink the waters of +these seven streams, viz., Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Vitashtha, Sarayu, +Gomati, and Gandaki, are cleansed of all their sins. O Gandharva, this +sacred Ganga again, flowing through the celestial region is called there +the Alakananda. It hath again in the region of the Pitris become the +Vaitarani, difficult of being crossed by sinners, and, Krishna-Dwaipayana +himself hath said so. The auspicious and celestial river, capable of +leading to heaven (them that touch its waters), is free from all dangers. +Why dost thou then desire to bar us from it? This act of thine is not in +consonance with eternal virtue. Disregarding thy words, why shall we not +touch the sacred waters of the Bhagirathi free from all dangers and from +which none can bar us?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Angaraparna +became inflamed with wrath and drawing his bow to a circle began to shoot +his arrows like venomous snakes at the Pandavas. Then Dhananjaya, the son +of Pandu, wielding a good shield and the torch he held in his hand, warded +off all those arrows and addressing the Gandharva again said, 'O Gandharva, +seek not to terrify those that are skilled in weapons, for weapons hurled +at them vanish like froth. I think, O Gandharva, that ye are superior (in +prowess) to men; therefore shall I fight with thee, using celestial +weapons and not with any crooked means. This fiery weapon (that I shall +hurl at thee), Vrihaspati the revered preceptor of Indra, gave unto +Bharadwaja, from whom it was obtained by Agnivesya, and from Agnivesya by +my preceptor, that foremost of Brahmanas, Drona, who gave it away to me.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying these words, the Pandava wrathfully +hurled at the Gandharva that blazing weapon made of fire which burnt the +Gandharva's chariot in a trice. Deprived of consciousness by the force of +that weapon, the mighty Gandharva was falling, head downward, from his +chariot. Dhananjaya seized him by the hair of his head adorned with +garlands of flowers and thus dragged the unconscious Gandharva towards his +brothers. Beholding this, that Gandharva's wife Kumbhinasi, desirous of +saving her husband, ran towards Yudhishthira and sought his protection. +The Gandharvi said, 'O exalted one, extend to me thy protection! O, set my +husband free! O lord, I am Kumbhinasi by name, the wife of this Gandharva, +who seeketh thy protection!' Beholding her (so afflicted), the mighty +Yudhishthira addressed Arjuna and said, 'O slayer of foes, O child, who +would slay a foe who hath been vanquished in fight, who hath been deprived +of fame, who is protected by a woman, and who hath no prowess?' Arjuna +replied, saying, 'Keep thou thy life, O Gandharva! Go hence, and grieve +not I. Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, commandeth me to show thee +mercy.' + +"The Gandharva replied, 'I have been vanquished by thee. I shall, +therefore, abandon my former name Angaraparna (the blazing vehicle). In +name alone, O friend, I should not be boastful when my pride in my +strength hath been overcome: I have been fortunate in that I have obtained +thee; O Arjuna, that wielder of celestial weapons! I like to impart to +thee the power of (producing) illusions which Gandharvas alone have. My +excellent and variegated chariot hath been burnt by means of thy fiery +weapon. I who had formerly been called after my excellent chariot should +now be called after my burnt chariot. The science of producing illusions +that I have spoken of was formerly obtained by me by ascetic penances. +That science I will today impart to the giver of my life--thy illustrious +self! What good luck doth he not deserve who, after overcoming a foe by +his might, giveth him life when that foe asketh for it? This science is +called Chakshushi. It was communicated by Manu unto Soma and by Soma unto +Viswavasu, and lastly by Viswavasu unto me. Communicated by my preceptor, +that science, having come unto me who am without energy, is gradually +becoming fruitless. I have spoken to thee about its origin and +transmission. Listen now to its power! One may see (by its aid) whatever +one wisheth to see, and in whatever way he liketh (generally or +particularly). One can acquire this science only after standing on one leg +for six months. I shall however, communicate to thee this science without +thyself being obliged to observe any rigid vow. O king, it is for this +knowledge that we are superior to men. And as we are capable of seeing +everything by spiritual sight, we are equal to the gods. O best of men, I +intend to give thee and each of thy brothers a hundred steeds born in the +country of the Gandharvas. Of celestial colour and endued with the speed +of the mind, those horses are employed in bearing the celestial, and the +Gandharvas. They may be lean-fleshed but they tire not, nor doth their +speed suffer on that account. In days of yore the thunderbolt was created +for the chief of the celestials in order that he might slay (the Asura) +Vritra with it. But hurled at Vritra's head it broke in a thousand pieces. +The celestials worship with reverence those fragments of the thunderbolt. +That which is known in the three worlds as glory is but a portion of the +thunderbolt. The hand of the Brahmana with which he poureth libations on +the sacrificial fire, the chariot upon which the Kshatriya fighteth, the +charity of the Vaisya, and the service of the Sudra rendered unto the +three other classes, are all fragments of the thunderbolt. It hath been +said that horses, forming as they do a portion of the Kshatriya's chariot, +are, on that account, unslayable. Again horses which form a portion of the +Kshatriya's chariot, are the offspring of Vadava. Those amongst them that +are born in the region of the Gandharvas can go everywhere and assume any +hue and speed at the will of their owners. These horses of mine that I +give thee will always gratify thy wishes.' + +"On hearing these words of the Gandharva, Arjuna said, 'O Gandharva, if +from satisfaction for having obtained thy life at my hands in a situation +of danger, thou givest me thy science, and these horses, I would not +accept thy gift.' The Gandharva replied, saying, 'A meeting with an +illustrious person is ever a source of gratification; besides thou hast +given me my life. Gratified with thee, I will give thee my science. That +the obligation, however, may not all be on one side, I will take from thee, +O Vibhatsu, O bull in Bharata's race, thy excellent and eternal weapon of +fire!' + +"Arjuna said, 'I would accept thy horses in exchange for my weapon. Let +our friendship last for ever. O friend, tell us for what we human beings +have to stand in fear of the Gandharvas. Chastisers of foes that we are +and virtuous and conversant with the Vedas, tell us, O Gandharva, why in +travelling in the night-time we have been censured by thee.' + +"The Gandharva said, 'Ye are without wives (though ye have completed the +period of study). Ye are without a particular Asrama (mode of life). +Lastly, ye are out without a Brahmana walking before, therefore, ye sons +of Pandu, ye have been censured by me. The Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, +Pisachas, Uragas and Danavas, are possessed of wisdom and intelligence, +and acquainted with the history of the Kuru race. O hero, I have heard too +from Narada and other celestial Rishis about the good deeds of your wise +ancestors. I myself, too, while roaming over the whole earth bounded by +her belt of seas, have witnessed the prowess of thy great race. O Arjuna, +I have personal knowledge of thy preceptor, the illustrious son of +Bharadwaja, celebrated throughout the three worlds for his knowledge of +the Vedas and the science of arms. O tiger in Kuru's race, O son of Pritha, +I also know Dharma, Vayu, Sakra, the twin Aswins, and Pandu,--these six +perpetuators of Kuru race,--these excellent celestials and human +progenitors of you all. I also know that you five brothers are learned and +high-souled, that ye are foremost of all wielders of weapons, that ye are +brave and virtuous and observant of vows. Knowing that your understanding +and hearts are excellent and your behaviour faultless, I have yet censured +you. For, O thou of Kuru's race, it behoveth no man endued with might of +arms to bear with patience any ill usage in the sight of his wife. +Especially as, O son of Kunti, our might increaseth during the hours of +darkness, accompanied by my wife I was filled with wrath. O best of vow- +observing men, I have, however, been vanquished by thee in battle. Listen +to me as I tell thee the reasons that have led to my discomfiture. The +Brahmacharya is a very superior mode of life, and as art in that mode now, +it is for this, O Partha, that I have been defeated by thee in battle. O +chastiser of foes, if any married Kshatriya fight with us at night, he can +never escape, with life. But, O Partha, a married Kshatriya, who is +sanctified with Brahma, and who hath assigned the cares of his State to a +priest, might vanquish all wanderers in the night. O child of Tapati, men +should therefore, ever employ learned priests possessing self-command for +the acquisition of every good luck they desire. That Brahmana is worthy of +being the king's priest who is learned in the Vedas and the six branches +thereof, who is pure and truthful, who is of virtuous soul and possessed +of self-command. The monarch becometh ever victorious and finally earneth +heaven who hath for his priest a Brahmana conversant with the rules of +morality, who is a master of words, and is pure and of good behaviour. The +king should always select an accomplished priest in order to acquire what +he hath not and protect what he hath. He who desireth his own prosperity +should ever be guided by his priest, for he may then obtain ever the whole +earth surrounded by her belt of seas. O son of Tapati, a king, who is +without a Brahmana, can never acquire any land by his bravery or glory of +birth alone. Know, therefore, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, that the +kingdom lasteth for ever in which Brahmanas have power.'" + + +SECTION CLXXIII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Arjuna said, 'Thou hast addressed me (more than once) as Tapatya. I +therefore wish to know what the precise significance of this word is, O +virtuous Gandharva, being sons of Kunti, we are, indeed, Kaunteyas. But +who is Tapati that we should be called Tapatyas?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the Gandharva related to +Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, the (following) story well-known in the +three worlds.' + +"The Gandharva said, 'O son of Pritha, O foremost of all intelligent men, +I will duly recite to you in full this charming narrative. O, listen with +attention to what I say in explanation of why I have addressed thee as +Tapatya. That one in heaven who pervadeth by his light the whole firmament +had a daughter named Tapati equal unto himself. Tapati, the daughter of +the god Vivaswat, was the younger sister of Savitri, and she was +celebrated throughout the three worlds and devoted to ascetic penances. +There was no woman amongst the celestials, the Asuras, the Yakshas, the +Rakshasas, the Apsaras, and the Gandharvas, who was equal to her in beauty. +Of perfect, and faultless features, of black and large eyes, and in +beautiful attire, the girl was chaste and of perfect conduct. And, O +Bharata, seeing her Savitri (the sun) thought that there was none in the +three worlds who, for his beauty, accomplishments, behaviour, and learning, +deserved to be her husband. Beholding her attain the age of puberty and, +therefore, worthy of being bestowed on a husband, her father knew no peace +of mind, always thinking of the person he should select. At that time, O +son of Kunti, Riksha's son, that bull amongst the Kurus, the mighty king +Samvarana, was duly worshipping Surya with offerings of Arghya and flower- +garlands and scents, and with vows and fasts and ascetic penances of +various kinds. Indeed, Samvarana was worshipping Surya constantly in all +his glory, with devotion and humility and piety. And beholding Samvarana +conversant with all rules of virtue and unequalled on earth for beauty, +Surya regarded him as the fit husband for his daughter, Tapati. And, O +thou of Kuru's race, Vivaswat then resolved to bestow his daughter on that +best of kings, viz., Samvarana, the scion of a race of world-wide fame. As +Surya himself in the heavens filleth the firmament with his splendour, so +did king Samvarana on earth fill every region with the splendour of his +good achievements. And all men, O Partha, except Brahmanas, worshipped +Samvarana. Blest with good luck, king Samvarana excelled Soma in soothing +the hearts of friends and Surya in scorching the hearts of foes. And, O +Kaurava, Tapana (Surya) himself was resolved upon bestowing his daughter +Tapati upon king Samvarana, who was possessed of such virtues and +accomplishments. + +"Once on a time, O Partha, king Samvarana, endued with beauty (of person) +and immeasurable prowess, went on a hunting expedition to the under-woods +on the mountain-breast. While wandering in quest of deer, the excellent +steed the king rode, overcome, O Partha, with hunger, thirst and fatigue, +died on the mountains. Abandoning the steed, the king, O Arjuna, began to +wander about upon the mountain-breast on foot and in course of his +wandering the monarch saw a maiden of large eyes and unrivalled beauty, +That grinder of hostile host--that tiger among kings--himself without a +companion, beholding there that maiden without a companion, stood +motionless gazing at her steadfastly. For her beauty, the monarch for some +moment believed her to be (the goddess) Sri herself. Next he regarded her +to be the embodiment of the rays emanating from Surya. In splendour of her +person she resembled a flame of fire, though in benignity and loveliness +she resembled a spotless digit of the moon. And standing on the mountain- +breast, the black-eyed maiden appeared like a bright statue of gold. The +mountain itself with its creepers and plants, because of the beauty and +attire of that damsel, seemed to be converted into gold. The sight of that +maiden inspired the monarch with a contempt for all women that he had seen +before. By beholding her, the king regarded his eye-sight truly blessed. +Nothing the king had seen from the day of his birth could equal, he +thought, the beauty of that girl. The king's heart and eyes were +captivated by that damsel, as if they were bound with a cord and he +remained rooted to that spot, deprived of his senses. The monarch thought +that the artificer of so much beauty had created it only after churning +the whole world of gods Asuras and human beings. Entertaining these +various thoughts, king Samvarana regarded that maiden as unrivalled in the +three worlds for wealth of beauty. + +"And the monarch of pure descent, beholding the beautiful maiden, was +pierced with Kama's (Cupid's) shafts and lost his peace of mind. Burnt +with the strong flame of desire the king asked that charming maiden, still +innocent, though in her full youth, saying, 'Who art thou and whose? Why +also dost thou stay here? O thou of sweet smiles, why dost thou wander +alone in these solitary woods? Of every feature perfectly faultless, and +decked with every ornament, thou seemest to be the coveted ornament of +these ornaments themselves! Thou seemest not to be of celestial or Asura +or Yaksha or Rakshasa or Naga or Gandharva or human origin. O excellent +lady, the best of women that I have ever seen or heard of would not +compare with thee in beauty! O thou of handsome face, at sight of thee +lovelier than the moon and graced with eyes like lotus-petals, the god of +desire is grinding me.' + +"King Samvarana thus addressed that damsel in the forest, who however, +spoke not a word unto the monarch burning with desire. Instead, like +lightning in the clouds, that large-eyed maiden quickly disappeared in the +very sight of the monarch. The king then wandered through the whole forest, +like one out of his senses, in search of that girl of eyes like lotus- +petals. Failing to find her, that best of monarchs indulged in copious +lamentations and for a time stood motionless with grief.'" + + +SECTION CLXXIV + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Gandharva continued, 'When that maiden disappeared, that feller of +hostile ranks deprived of his senses by Kama (concupiscence) himself fell +down on the earth. And as the monarch fell down, that maiden of sweet +smiles and prominent and round hips appeared again before him, and smiling +sweetly, said unto that perpetuator of Kuru's race these honeyed words, +'Rise, rise, O chastiser of foes! Blest be thou; it behoveth thee not, O +tiger among kings, to lose thy reason, a celebrated man as thou art in the +world.' Addressed in these honeyed words, the king opened his eyes and saw +before him that selfsame girl of swelling hips. The monarch who was +burning with the flame of desire then addressed that black-eyed damsel in +accents, weak with emotion, and said, 'Blest be thou O excellent woman of +black eyes! As I am burning with desire and paying thee court, O, accept +me! My life is ebbing away. O thou of large eyes, for thy sake it is, O +thou of the splendour of the filaments of the lotus, that Kama is +incessantly piercing me with his keen shafts without stopping for a +moment! O amiable and cheerful girl, I have been bitten by Kama who is +even like a venomous viper. O thou of swelling and large hips, have mercy +on me! O thou of handsome and faultless features, O thou of face like unto +the lotus-petal or the moon, O thou of voice sweet as that of singing +Kinnaras, my life now depends on thee! Without thee, O timid one, I am +unable to live! O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, Kama is piercing me +incessantly! O large-eyed girl, be merciful unto me! It becometh thee not, +O black-eyed maid, to cast me off; O handsome girl, it behoveth thee to +relieve me from such affliction by giving me thy love! At first sight thou +hast attracted my heart. My mind wandereth! Beholding thee I like not to +cast my eyes on any other woman! Be merciful! I am thy obedient slave--thy +adorer! O, accept me! O beautiful lady, O large-eyed girl at the sight of +thee, the god of desire hath entered my heart, and is piercing me with his +shafts! O thou of lotus-eyes, the flame of desire burneth within me! O, +extinguish that flame with the water of thy love poured on it! O beautiful +lady, by becoming mine, pacify thou the irrepressible god of desire that +hath appeared here armed with his deadly bow and arrows and that is +piercing me incessantly with those keen shafts of his! O thou of the +fairest complexion, wed me according to the Gandharva form, for, O thou of +tapering hips, of all forms of marriage the Gandharva hath been said to be +the best.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Hearing those words of the monarch, Tapati made +answer, 'O king, I am not the mistress of my own self! Be it known that I +am a maiden under the control of my father. If thou really entertainest an +affection for me, demand me of my father. Thou sayest, O king, that thy +heart hath been robbed by me. But thou also hast, at first sight, robbed +me of my heart; I am not the mistress of my body, and therefore, O best of +kings, I do not approach thee; women are never independent. What girl is +there in the three worlds that would not desire thee for her husband, as +thou art kind unto all thy dependents and as thou art born in a pure race? +Therefore, when the opportunity comes, ask my father Aditya for my hand +with worship, ascetic penances, and vows. If my father bestoweth me upon +thee, then, O king, I shall ever be thy obedient wife. My name is Tapati +and I am the younger sister of Savitri, and the daughter, O bull amongst +Kshatriyas of Savitri, of (Sun) the illuminator of the universe.'" + + +SECTION CLXXV + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Saying this, Tapati of faultless features, +ascended the skies. The monarch thereupon again fell down on the earth. +His ministers and followers searching for him throughout the forest at +length came upon him lying on that solitary spot, and beholding that +excellent king, that mighty bowman, thus lying forsaken on the ground like +a rainbow dropped from the firmament, his minister-in-chief became like +one burnt by a flame of fire. Advancing hastily with affection and respect, +the minister raised that best of monarchs lying prostrate on the ground +and deprived of his senses by desire. Old in wisdom as in age, old in +achievements as in policy, the minister, after having raised the prostrate +monarch, became easy (in mind). Addressing the king in sweet words that +were also for his good, he said, 'Blest be thou, O sinless one! Fear not, +O tiger among kings!' The minister thought that the monarch, that great +feller of hostile ranks in battle, had been lying on the ground overcome +with hunger, thirst, and fatigue. The old man then sprinkled over the +crownless head of the monarch water that was cold and rendered fragrant +with lotus-petals. Slowly regaining his consciousness, the mighty monarch +sent away all his attendants with the exception of his minister only. +After those attendants had retired at his command, the king sat upon the +mountain-breast. Having purified himself duly, the king sat upon that +chief of mountains, and began, with joined palms and upturned face, to +worship Surya. King Samvarana, that smiter of all foes, thought also of +his chief priest Vasishtha, that best of Rishis. The king continued to sit +there day and night without intermission. The Brahmana sage Vasishtha came +there on the twelfth day: that great Rishi of soul under perfect command +knew at once by his ascetic power that the monarch had lost his senses in +consequence of Tapati. And that virtuous and best of Munis, as soon as he +knew this, desirous of benefiting the monarch who was ever observant of +vows, addressed him and gave him every assurance. The illustrious Rishi, +in the very sight of that monarch, ascended upward to interview Surya, +himself possessed of the splendour of that luminary. The Brahmana then +approached with joined hands the god of a thousand rays and introduced +himself cheerfully unto him, saying, 'I am Vasishtha.' Then Vivaswat of +great energy said unto that best of Rishis, 'Welcome art thou, O great +Rishi! Tell me what is in thy mind. O thou of great good fortune, whatever +thou demandest of me, O foremost of eloquent men, I will confer on thee, +however difficult it may be for me!' Thus addressed by Surya, the Rishi of +great ascetic merit, bowing unto the god of light, replied, saying, 'O +Vibhavasu, this thy daughter, Tapati, the younger sister of Savitri, I ask +of thee for Samvarana! That monarch is of mighty achievements, conversant +with virtue, and of high soul. O firmament-ranger, Samvarana will make a +worthy husband for thy daughter.' Thus addressed by the Rishi Vibhakara, +resolved upon bestowing his daughter upon Samvarana, saluted the Rishi, +and replied unto him, saying, 'Oh, Samvarana is the best of monarchs, thou +art the best of Rishis, Tapati is the best of women. What should we do, +therefore, but bestow her on Samvarana?' With these words, the god Tapana, +made over his daughter, Tapati, of every feature perfectly faultless, unto +the illustrious Vasishtha to bestow her upon Samvarana. And the great +Rishi then accepted the girl, Tapati, and taking leave of Surya, came back +to the spot, where that bull amongst the Kurus, of celestial achievements, +was. King Samvarana, possessed by love and with his heart fixed on Tapati, +beholding that celestial maiden of sweet smiles led by Vasishtha, became +exceedingly glad. And Tapati of fair eyebrows came down from the firmament +like lightning from the clouds, dazzling the ten points of the heavens. +And the illustrious Rishi Vasishtha of pure soul approached the monarch +after the latter's twelve nights' vow was over. It was thus that king +Samvarana obtained a wife after having worshipped with like the full moon. +And that mighty bowman, that foremost one in Kuru's race having his +curiosity greatly excited by what he heard of Vasishtha's ascetic power, +asked the Gandharva, saying, 'I desire to hear of the Rishi whom thou hast +mentioned as Vasishtha. O, tell me in full about him! O chief of the +Gandharvas, tell me who this illustrious Rishi was that was the priest of +our forefathers.' The Gandharva replied, 'Vasishtha is Brahma's spiritual +(lit, mind-born) son and Arundhati's husband. Ever difficult of being +conquered by the very immortals, Desire and Wrath, conquered by +Vasishtha's ascetic penances, used to shampoo his feet. Though his wrath +was excited by Viswamitra's offence, that high-souled Rishi did not yet +exterminate Kusikas (the tribe whose king Viswamitra was). Afflicted at +the loss of his sons, he did not, as though powerless, though really +otherwise, do any dreadful act destructive of Viswamitra, Like the ocean +transgressing not its continents, Vasishtha transgressed not (the laws of) +Yama by bringing back his children from the domains of the king of the +dead. It was by obtaining that illustrious one who had conquered his own +self that Ikshvaku and other great monarchs acquired the whole earth. And, +O prince of Kuru's race, it was by obtaining Vasishtha, that best of +Rishis as their priest, that those monarchs performed many grand +sacrifices. And, O best of the Pandavas, that regenerate Rishi assisted +these monarchs in the performance of their sacrifices like Vrihaspati +assisting the immortals. Therefore, look ye for some accomplished and +desirable Brahmana conversant with the Vedas and in whose heart virtue +prevails, to appoint as your priest. A Kshatriya of good lineage, desirous +of extending his dominions by conquering the earth, should, O Partha, +first appoint a priest. He who is desirous of conquering the earth should +have a Brahmana before him. Therefore, O Arjuna, let some accomplished and +learned Brahmana, who has his senses under complete control and who is +conversant with religion, profit and pleasure, be your priest.'" + + +Section CLXXVII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing this, Arjuna said, 'O Gandharva, whence +arose the hostility between Viswamitra and Vasishtha both of whom dwelt in +a celestial hermitage? O, tell us all about it.' + +"The Gandharva replied, 'O Partha, the story of Vasishtha is regarded as a +Purana (legend) in all the three worlds. Listen to me as I recite it fully. +There was, in Kanyakuvja, O bull of Bharata's race, a great king of +worldwide fame named Gadhi, the son of Kusika. The virtuous Gadhi had a +son named Viswamitra, that grinder of foes, possessing a large army and +many animals and vehicles. And Viswamitra, accompanied by his ministers, +used to roam in quest of deer through the deep woods and over picturesque +marascetic penances the propitious lord Vivaswat, by the help of +Vasishtha's (ascetic power). And Samvarana, that bull among men with due +rites took Tapati's hand on that mountain-breast which was resorted to by +the celestials and the Gandharvas. The royal sage, with the permission of +Vasishtha, desired to sport with his wife on that mountain. And the king +caused Vasishtha to be proclaimed his regent in his capital and kingdom, +in the woods and gardens. And bidding farewell unto the monarch, Vasishtha +left him and went away. Samvarana, who sported on that mountain like a +celestial, sported with his wife in the woods and the under-woods on that +mountain for twelve full years. And, O best of the Bharatas, the god of a +thousand eyes poured no rain for twelve years on the capital and on the +kingdom of that monarch. Then, O chastiser of enemies, when that season of +drought broke out, the people of that kingdom, as also the trees and lower +animals began to die fast. And during the continuance of that dreadful +drought, not even a drop of dew fell from the skies and no corn grew. And +the inhabitants in despair, and afflicted with the fear of hunger, left +their homes and fled away in all directions. And the famished people of +the capital and the country began to abandon their wives and children and +grew reckless of one another. The people being afflicted with hunger, +without a morsel of food and reduced to skeletons, the capital looked very +much like the city of the king of the dead, full of only ghostly beings. +On beholding the capital reduced to such a state, the illustrious and +virtuous and best of Rishis, Vasishtha was resolved upon applying a remedy +and brought back unto the city that tiger among kings, Samvarana, along +with his wife, after the latter had passed so long a period in solitude +and seclusion. After the king had entered his capital, things became as +before, for, when that tiger among kings came back to his own, the god of +a thousand eyes, the slayer of Asuras, poured rain in abundance and caused +corn to grow. Revivified by the foremost of virtuous souls the capital and +the country became animated with extreme joy. The monarch, with his wife, +Tapati, once more performed sacrifices for twelve years, like the lord +Indra (god of rain) performing sacrifices with his wife, Sachi.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'This, O Partha, is the history of Tapati of old, +the daughter of Vivaswat. It is for her that thou art (called) Tapatya. +King Samvarana begot upon Tapati a son named Kuru, who was the foremost of +ascetics. Born in the race of Kuru, thou art, O Arjuna, to be called +Tapatya.'" + + +SECTION CLXXVI + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Once on a time, while king Viswamitra went +quest of deer, the king became weak with exertion and thirst. The monarch +arrived in that state at the asylum of Vasishtha, and the blessed and +illustrious Rishi beholding him arrive, reverenced with his homage that +best of men, king Viswamitra. And O Bharata, the Rishi saluted the monarch +by offering him water to wash his face and feet with, and Arghya, and wild +fruits, and clarified butter. For the illustrious Rishi had a cow yielding +anything that was desired of her. When she was addressed, saying, 'O give', +she always yielded the article that was sought. And she yielded various +fruits and corn, wild or grown in gardens and fields, and milk, and many +excellent nutritive viands full of six different kinds of juice (taste?) +and like unto nectar itself, and various other kinds of enjoyable things, +O Arjuna, of ambrosial taste for drinking and eating, and for licking and +sucking, and also many precious gems and robes of various kinds. With +these desirable objects in profusion the monarch was worshipped. And the +king with his minister and troops became highly pleased. And the monarch +wondered much, beholding that cow with six elevated limbs and the +beautiful flanks and hips, and five limbs that were broad, and eyes +prominent like those of the frog and beautiful in size, and high udders, +and faultless make, and straight and uplifted ears, and handsome horns, +and well-developed head and neck. + +"And, O prince, the son of Gadhi, gratified with everything and applauding +the cow named Nandini, addressed the Rishi, saying, 'O Brahmana, O great +Muni, give me thy Naridini in exchange for ten thousand kine, or my +kingdom. Enjoy thou my kingdom (giving me thy cow).' + +"Hearing these words of Viswamitra, Vasishtha said, 'O sinless one, this +cow hath been kept by me for the sake of the gods, guests, and the Pitris, +as also for my sacrifices. I cannot give Nandini in exchange for even thy +kingdom.' Viswamitra replied, 'I am a Kshatriya, but thou art a Brahmana +devoted to asceticism and study. Is there any energy in Brahmanas who are +peaceful and who have their souls under perfect command? When thou givest +me not what I desire in exchange even for ten thousand cows, I will not +abandon the practice of my order; I will take thy cow even by force!' + +"Vasishtha said, 'Thou art a Kshatriya endued with might of arms. Thou art +a powerful monarch. O, do in haste what thou desirest; and stop not to +consider its propriety.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Thus addressed by Vasishtha, Viswamitra, O +Partha, then forcibly seized Nandini, that cow (white) like the swan or +the moon, and attempted to take her away, afflicting her with stripes and +persecuting her otherwise. The innocent Nandini then began, O Partha, to +low piteously, and approaching the illustrious Vasishtha stood before him +with uplifted face. Though persecuted very cruelly, she refused to leave +the Rishi's asylum. + +"Beholding her in that plight, Vasishtha said, 'O amiable one, thou art +lowing repeatedly and I am hearing thy cries. But, O Nandini, even +Viswamitra is taking thee away by force, what can I do in this matter, as +I am a forgiving Brahmana?' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Then, O bull in Bharata's race, Nandini, +alarmed at the sight of Viswamitra's troops and terrified by Viswamitra +himself, approached the Rishi still closer, and said, 'O illustrious one, +why art thou so indifferent to my poor self afflicted with the stripes of +the cruel troops of Viswamitra and crying so piteously as if I were +masterless?' Hearing these words of the crying and persecuted Nandini, the +great Rishi lost not his patience nor turned from his vow of forgiveness. +He replied, 'The Kshatriya's might lies in physical strength, the +Brahmana's in forgiveness. Because I cannot give up forgiveness, go thou, +O Nandini, if thou choosest.' Nandini answered, 'Castest thou me away, O +illustrious one, that thou sayest so? If thou dost not cast me off, I +cannot, O Brahmana, be taken away by force.' Vasishtha said, 'O blessed +one, I do not cast thee off! Stay if thou canst! O, yonder is thy calf, +tied with a stout cord, and even now being weakened by it!' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Then the cow of Vasishtha, hearing the word +stay, raised her head and neck upward, and became terrible to behold. With +eyes red with rage and lowing repeatedly, she then attacked Viswamitra's +troops on all sides. Afflicted with their stripes and running hither and +thither with those red eyes of hers, her wrath increased. Blazing with +rage, she soon became terrible to behold like unto the sun in his midday +glory. And from her tail she began to rain showers of burning coals all +around. And some moments after, from her tail she brought forth an army of +Palhavas, and from her udders, an army of Dravidas and Sakas; and from her +womb, an army of Yavanas, and from her dung, an army of Savaras; and from +her urine, an army of Kanchis; and from her sides, an army of Savaras. And +from the froth of her mouth came out hosts of Paundras and Kiratas, +Yavanas and Sinhalas, and the barbarous tribes of Khasas and Chivukas and +Pulindas and Chinas and Hunas with Keralas, and numerous other Mlechchhas. +And that vast army of Mlechchhas in various uniforms, and armed with +various weapons, as soon as it sprang into life, deploying in the very +sight of Viswamitra, attacked that monarch's soldiers. And so numerous was +that Mlechchha host that each particular soldier of Viswamitra was +attacked by a band of six or seven of their enemies. Assailed with a +mighty shower of weapons, Viswamitra's troops broke and fled, panic- +stricken, in all directions, before his very eyes. But, O bull in +Bharata's race, the troops of Vasishtha, though excited with wrath, took +not the life of any of Viswamitra's troops. Nandini simply caused the +monarch's army to be routed and driven off. And driven (from the asylum) +twenty-seven full miles, panic-stricken, they shrieked aloud and beheld +not anyone that could protect them. Viswamitra, beholding this wonderful +feat that resulted from Brahmana prowess, became disgusted with Kshatriya +prowess and said, 'O, fie on Kshatriya prowess! Brahmana prowess is true +prowess! In judging of strength and weakness, I see that asceticism is +true strength.' Saying this, the monarch, abandoning his large domains and +regal splendour and turning his back upon all pleasures, set his mind on +asceticism. Crowned with success in asceticism and filling the three +worlds with the heat of his ascetic penances, he afflicted all creatures +and finally became a Brahmana. The son of Kusika at last drank Soma with +Indra himself (in Heaven).'" + + +SECTION CLXXVIII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Gandharva continued, 'There was, O Partha, a king in this world, +named Kalmashapada, who was of the race of Ikshvaku and was unequalled on +earth for prowess. One day the king went from his capital into the woods +for purposes of hunting, and this grinder of foes pierced (with his +arrows) many deer and wild boars. And in those deep woods the king also +slew many rhinoceroses. Engaged in sport for some length of time, the +monarch became very much fatigued and at last he gave up the chase, +desiring to rest awhile. + +"The great Viswamitra, endued with energy, had, a little while ago, +desired to make that monarch his disciple. As the monarch, afflicted with +hunger and thirst, was proceeding through the woods, he came across that +best of Rishis, the illustrious son of Vasishtha, coming along the same +path. The king ever victorious in battle saw that Muni bearing the name of +Saktri, that illustrious propagator of Vasishtha's race, the eldest of the +high-souled Vasishtha's hundred sons, coming along from opposite direction. +The king, beholding him said, 'Stand out of our way.' The Rishi, +addressing the monarch in a conciliatory manner, said unto him sweetly, 'O +king, this is my way. This is the eternal rule of morality indicated in +every treatise on duty and religion, viz., that a king should ever make +way for Brahmanas.' Thus did they address each other respecting their +right of way. 'Stand aside, stand aside', were the words they said unto +each other. The Rishi, who was in the right, did not yield, nor did the +king yield to him from pride and anger. That best of monarchs, enraged at +the Rishi, refusing to yield him the way, acted like a Rakshasa, striking +him with his whip. Thus whipped by the monarch, that best of Rishis, the +son of Vasishtha, was deprived of his senses by anger, and speedily cursed +that first of monarchs, saying, 'O worst of kings, since thou persecutest +like a Rakshasa an ascetic, thou shalt from this day, became a Rakshasa +subsisting on human flesh! Hence, thou worst of kings! thou shalt wander +over the earth, affecting human form!' Thus did the Rishi Sakti, endued +with great prowess, speak unto king Kalmashapada. At this time Viswamitra, +between whom and Vasishtha there was a dispute about the discipleship of +Kalmashapada, approached the place where that monarch and Vasishtha's son +were. And, O Partha, that Rishi of severe ascetic penances, viz., +Viswamitra of great energy, approached the pair (knowing by his spiritual +insight that they had been thus quarrelling with each other). After the +curse had been pronounced, that best of monarchs knew that Rishi to be +Vasishtha's son and equal unto Vasishtha himself in energy. And, O Bharata, +Viswamitra, desirous of benefiting himself, remained on that spot, +concealed from the sight of both by making himself invisible. Then that +best of monarchs, thus cursed by Saktri, desiring to propitiate the Rishi +began to humbly beseech him. And, O chief of the Kurus, Viswamitra, +ascertaining the disposition of the king (and fearing that the difference +might be made up), ordered a Rakshasa to enter the body of the king. And a +Rakshasa of the name of Kinkara then entered the monarch's body in +obedience to Saktri's curse and Viswamitra's command. And knowing, O +chastiser of foes, that the Rakshasa had possessed himself of the monarch, +that best of Rishis, Viswamitra, then left the spot and went away. + +"Shortly after, O Partha, the monarch, possessed by the Rakshasa and +terribly afflicted by him, lost all his senses. At this time a Brahmana +beheld the king in the woods. Afflicted with hunger, that Brahmana begged +of the king some food with meat. The royal sage, Kalmashapada, that +cherisher of friends, answered the Brahmana, saying, 'Stay thou here, O +Brahmana for a moment. On my return, I will give thee whatever food thou +desirest.' Having said this, the monarch went away, but the Brahmana +stayed on there. The high-minded king having roved for some time at +pleasure and according to his will, at last entered his inner apartment. +Thus waking at midnight and remembering his promise, he summoned his cook +and told him of his promise unto the Brahmana staying in the forest. And +he commanded him, saying, 'Hie thee to that forest. A Brahmana waiteth for +me in the hope of food. Go and entertain him with food and meat.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Thus commanded, the cook went out in search of +meat. Distressed at not having found any, he informed the king of his +failure. The monarch, however, possessed as he was by the Rakshasa, +repeatedly said, without scruple of any kind, 'Feed him with human flesh.' +The cook, saying, 'So be it,' went to the place where the (king's) +executioners were, and thence taking human flesh and washing and cooking +it duly and covering it with boiled rice offered it unto that hungry +Brahmana devoted to ascetic penances. But that best of Brahmanas, seeing +with his spiritual sight that the food was unholy and, therefore, unworthy +of being eaten, said these words with eyes red with anger, 'Because that +worst of kings offereth me food that is unholy and unworthy of being taken, +therefore that wretch shall have himself a fondness for such food. And +becoming fond of human flesh as cursed by Saktri of old, the wretch shall +wander over the earth, alarming and otherwise troubling all creatures.' +The curse, therefore, on that king, thus repeated a second time, became +very strong, and the king, possessed by a Rakshasa disposition, soon lost +all his senses. + +"A little while after, O Bharata, that best of monarchs, deprived of all +his senses by the Rakshasa within him, beholding Saktri who had cursed him, +said, 'Because thou hast pronounced on me this extraordinary curse, +therefore, I shall begin my life of cannibalism by devouring thee.' Having +said this, the king immediately slew Saktri and ate him up, like a tiger +eating the animal it was fond of. Beholding Saktri thus slain and devoured, +Viswamitra repeatedly urged that Rakshasa (who was within the monarch) +against the other sons of Vasishtha. Like a wrathful lion devouring small +animals, that Rakshasa soon devoured the other sons of the illustrious +Vasishtha that were junior to Saktri in age. But Vasishtha, learning that +all his sons had been caused to be slain by Viswamitra, patiently bore his +grief like the great mountain that bears the earth. That best of Munis, +that foremost of intelligent men, was resolved rather to sacrifice his own +life than exterminate (in anger) the race of Kusikas. The illustrious +Rishi threw himself down from the summit of Meru, but he descended on the +stony ground as though on a heap of cotton. And, O son of Pandu, when the +illustrious one found that death did not result from that fall, he kindled +a huge fire in the forest and entered it with alacrity. But that fire, +though burning brightly, consumed him not. O slayer of foes, that blazing +fire seemed to him cool. Then the great Muni under the influence of grief, +beholding the sea, tied a stony weight to his neck and threw himself into +its waters. But the waves soon cast him ashore. At last when that Brahmana +of rigid vows succeeded not in killing himself by any means, he returned, +in distress of heart, to his asylum.'" + + +SECTION CLXXIX + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Beholding his asylum bereft of his children, +the Muni afflicted with great grief left it again. And in course of his +wandering he saw, O Partha, a river swollen with the waters of the rainy +season, sweeping away numberless trees and plants that had grown on its +margin. Beholding this, O thou of Kuru's race, the distressed Muni +thinking that he would certainly be drowned if he fell into the waters of +that river, he tied himself strongly with several cords and flung himself, +under the influence of grief, into the current of that mighty stream. But, +O slayer of foes, that stream soon cut those cords and cast the Rishi +ashore. And the Rishi rose from the bank, freed from the cords with which +he had tied himself. And because his cords were thus broken off by the +violence of the current, the Rishi called the stream by the name of Vipasa +(the cord-breaker). For his grief the Muni could not, from that time, stay +in one place; he began to wander over mountains and along rivers and lakes. +And beholding once again a river named Haimavati (flowing from Himavat) of +terrible aspect and full of fierce crocodiles and other (aquatic) monsters, +the Rishi threw himself into it, but the river mistaking the Brahmana for +a mass of (unquenchable) fire, immediately flew in a hundred different +directions, and hath been known ever since by the name of the Satadru (the +river of a hundred courses). Seeing himself on the dry land even there he +exclaimed, 'O, I cannot die by my own hands!' Saying this, the Rishi once +more bent his steps towards his asylum. Crossing numberless mountains and +countries, as he was about to re-enter his asylum, he was followed by his +daughter-in-law named Adrisyanti. As she neared him, he heard the sound +from behind of a very intelligent recitation of the Vedas with the six +graces of elocution. Hearing that sound, the Rishi asked, 'Who is it that +followeth me?' His daughter-in-law then answered, 'I am Adrisyanti, the +wife of Saktri. I am helpless, though devoted to asceticism.' Hearing her, +Vasishtha said, 'O daughter, whose is this voice that I heard, repeating +the Vedas along with the Angas like unto the voice of Saktri reciting the +Vedas with the Angas?' Adrisyanti answered, 'I bear in my womb a child by +thy son Saktri. He hath been here full twelve years. The voice thou +hearest is that of the Muni, who is reciting the Vedas.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Thus addressed by her the illustrious Vasishtha +became exceedingly glad. And saying, 'O, there is a child (of my race)!'-- +he refrained, O Partha, from self-destruction. The sinless one accompanied +by his daughter-in-law, then returned to his asylum. And the Rishi saw one +day in the solitary woods (the Rakshasa) Kalmashapada. The king, O Bharata, +possessed by fierce Rakshasa, as he saw the Rishi, became filled with +wrath and rose up, desiring to devour him. And Adrisyanti beholding before +her that the Rakshasa of cruel deeds, addressed Vasishtha in these words, +full of anxiety and fear, 'O illustrious one, the cruel Rakshasa, like +unto Death himself armed with (his) fierce club, cometh towards us with a +wooden club in hand! There is none else on earth, except thee, O +illustrious one, and, O foremost of all that are conversant with the Vedas +to restrain him today. Protect me, O illustrious one, from this cruel +wretch of terrible mien. Surely, the Rakshasa cometh hither to devour us!' +Vasishtha, hearing this, said, 'Fear not, O daughter, there is no need of +any fear from any Rakshasa. This one is no Rakshasa from whom thou +apprehendest such imminent danger. This is king Kalmashapada endued with +great energy and celebrated on earth. That terrible man dwelleth in these +woods.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Beholding him advancing, the illustrious Rishi +Vasishtha, endued with great energy, restrained him, O Bharata, by +uttering the sound Hum. Sprinkling him again with water sanctified with +incantations the Rishi freed the monarch from that terrible curse. For +twelve years the monarch had been overwhelmed by the energy of Vasishtha's +son like Surya seized by the planet (Rahu) during the season of an eclipse. +Freed from the Rakshasa the monarch illumined that large forest by his +splendour like the sun illumining the evening clouds. Recovering his power +of reason, the king saluted that best of Rishis with joined palms and said, +'O illustrious one, I am the son of Sudasa and thy disciple, O best of +Munis! O, tell me what is thy pleasure and what I am to do.' Vasishtha +replied, saying, 'My desire hath already been accomplished. Return now to +thy kingdom and rule thy subjects. And, O chief of men, never insult +Brahmanas any more.' The monarch replied, 'O illustrious one, I shall +never more insult superior Brahmanas. In obedience to thy command I shall +always worship Brahmanas. But, O best of Brahmanas, I desire to obtain +from thee that by which, O foremost of all that are conversant with the +Vedas, I may be freed from the debt I owe to the race of Ikshvaku! O best +of men, it behoveth thee to grant me, for the perpetuation of Ikshvaku's +race, a desirable son possessing beauty and accomplishments and good +behaviour.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Thus addressed, Vasishtha, that best of +Brahmanas devoted to truth replied unto that mighty bowman of a monarch, +saying, 'I will give you.' After some time, O prince of men, Vasishtha, +accompanied by the monarch, went to the latter's capital known all over +the earth by the name of Ayodhya. The citizens in great joy came out to +receive the sinless and illustrious one, like the dwellers in heaven +coming out to receive their chief. The monarch, accompanied by Vasishtha, +re-entered his auspicious capital after a long time. The citizens of +Ayodhya beheld their king accompanied by his priest, as if he were the +rising sun. The monarch who was superior to everyone in beauty filled by +his splendour the whole town of Ayodhya, like the autumnal moon filling by +his splendour the whole firmament. And the excellent city itself, in +consequence of its streets having been watered and swept, and of the rows +of banners and pendants beautifying it all around, gladdened the monarch's +heart. And, O prince of Kuru's race, the city filled as it was with joyous +and healthy souls, in consequence of his presence, looked gay like +Amaravati with the presence of the chief of the celestials. After the +royal sage had entered his capital, the queen, at the king's command, +approached Vasishtha. The great Rishi, making a covenant with her, united +himself with her according to the high ordinance. And after a little while, +when the queen conceived, that best of Rishis, receiving the reverential +salutations of the king, went back to his asylum. The queen bore the +embryo in her womb for a long time. When she saw that she did not bring +forth anything, she tore open her womb by a piece of stone. It was then +that at the twelfth year (of the conception) was born Asmaka, that bull +amongst men, that royal sage who founded (the city of) Paudanya.'" + + +SECTION CLXXX + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Then, O Partha, Adrisyanti, who had been +residing in Vasishtha's asylum, brought forth (when the time came) a son +who was the perpetuator of Saktri's race and who was a second Saktri in +everything. O foremost of Bharatas, that best of Munis, the illustrious +Vasishtha himself performed the usual after-birth ceremonies of his +grandson. And, because the Rishi Vasishtha had resolved on self- +destruction but had abstained therefrom as soon as he knew of the +existence of that child, that child, when born, was called Parasara (the +vivifier of the dead). The virtuous Parasara, from the day of his birth, +knew Vasishtha for his father and behaved towards the Muni as such. One +day, O son of Kunti, the child addressed Vasishtha, that first of Brahmana +sages, as father, in the presence of his mother Adrisyanti. Adrisyanti, +hearing the very intelligible sound father sweetly uttered by her son, +addressed him with tearful eyes and said, 'O child, do not address this +thy grandfather as father? Thy father, O son, has been devoured by a +Rakshasa in a different forest. O innocent one, he is not thy father whom +thou regardest so. The revered one is the father of that celebrated father +of thine.' Thus addressed by his mother that best of Rishis of truthful +speech, gave way to sorrow, but soon fired up and resolved to destroy the +whole creation. Then that illustrious and great ascetic Vasishtha, that +foremost of all persons conversant with Brahma, that son of Mitravaruna, +that Rishi acquainted with positive truth, addressed his grandson who had +set his heart upon the destruction of the world. Hear, O Arjuna, the +arguments by which Vasishtha succeeded in driving out that resolution from +his grandson's mind.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Then Vasishtha said, 'There was a celebrated +king of the name of Kritavirya. That bull among the kings of the earth was +the disciple of the Veda-knowing Bhrigus. That king, O child, after +performing the Soma sacrifice, gratified the Brahmanas with great presents +of rice and wealth. After that monarch had ascended to heaven, an occasion +came when his descendants were in want of wealth. And knowing that the +Bhrigus were rich, those princes went unto those best of Brahmanas, in the +guise of beggars. Some amongst the Bhrigus, to protect their wealth, +buried it under earth; and some from fear of the Kshatriyas, began to give +away their wealth unto (other) Brahmanas; while some amongst them duly +gave unto the Kshatriyas whatever they wanted. It happened, however, that +some Kshatriyas, in digging as they pleased at the house of particular +Bhargava, came upon a large treasure. And the treasure was seen by all +those bulls among Kshatriyas who had been there. Enraged at what they +regarded as the deceitful behaviour of the Bhrigus, the Kshatriyas +insulted the Brahmanas, though the latter asked for mercy. And those +mighty bowmen began to slaughter the Bhrigus with their sharp arrows. And +the Kshatriyas wandered over the earth, slaughtering even the embryos that +were in the wombs of the women of the Bhrigu race. And while the Bhrigu +race was thus being exterminated, the women of that tribe fled from fear +to the inaccessible mountains of Himavat. And one amongst these women, of +tapering thighs, desiring to perpetuate her husband's race, held in one of +her thighs an embryo endued with great energy. A certain Brahmana woman, +however, who came to know this fact, went from fear unto the Kshatriyas +and reported the matter unto them. And the Kshatriyas then went to destroy +that embryo. Arrived at the place, they beheld the would-be mother blazing +with inborn energy, and the child that was in her thigh came out tearing +up the thigh and dazzling the eyes of those Kshatriyas like the midday sun. +Thus deprived of their eyes, the Kshatriyas began to wander over those +inaccessible mountains. And distressed at the loss of sight, the princes +were afflicted with woe, and desirous of regaining the use of their eyes +they resolved to seek the protection of that faultless woman. Then those +Kshatriyas, afflicted with sorrow, and from loss of sight like unto a fire +that hath gone out, addressed with anxious hearts that illustrious lady, +saying, 'By thy grace. O lady, we wish to be restored to sight. We shall +then return to our homes all together and abstain for ever from our sinful +practice. O handsome one, it behoveth thee with thy child to show us mercy. +It behoveth thee to favour these kings by granting them their eye-sight.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXI + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Vasishtha continued, 'The Brahmana lady, thus addressed by them, said, +'Ye children, I have not robbed you of your eye-sight, nor am I angry with +you. This child, however, of the Bhrigu race hath certainly been angry +with you. There is little doubt, ye children, that ye have been robbed of +your sight by that illustrious child whose wrath hath been kindled at the +remembrance of the slaughter of his race. Ye children, while ye were +destroying even the embryos of the Bhrigu race, this child was held by me +in my thigh for a hundred years! And in order that the prosperity of +Bhrigu's race might be restored, the entire Vedas with their branches came +unto this one even while he was in the womb. It is plain that this scion +of the Bhrigu race, enraged at the slaughter of his fathers, desireth to +slay you! It is by his celestial energy that your eyes have been scorched. +Therefore, ye children, pray ye unto this my excellent child born of my +thigh. Propitiated by your homage he may restore your eye-sight.' + +"Vasishtha continued, 'Hearing those words of the Brahmana lady, all these +princes addressed the thigh-born child, saying, 'Be propitious!' And the +child became propitious unto them. And that best of Brahmana Rishis, in +consequence of his having been born after tearing open his mother's thigh, +came to be known throughout the three worlds by the name of Aurva (thigh- +born). And those princes regaining their eye-sight went away. But the Muni +Aurva of the Bhrigu race resolved upon overcoming the whole world. And the +high-souled Rishi set his heart, O child, upon the destruction of every +creature in the world. And that scion of the Bhrigu race, for paying +homage (as he regarded) unto his slaughtered ancestors, devoted himself to +the austerest of penances with the object of destroying the whole world. +And desirous of gratifying his ancestors, the Rishi afflicted by his +severe asceticism the three worlds with the celestials, the Asuras and +human beings. The Pitris, then, learning what the child of their race was +about, all came from their own region unto the Rishi and addressing him +said: + +'Aurva, O son, fierce thou hast been in thy asceticism. Thy power hath +been witnessed by us. Be propitious unto the three worlds. O, control thy +wrath. O child, it was not from incapacity that the Bhrigus of souls under +complete control were, all of them, indifferent to their own destruction +at the hands of the murderous Kshatriyas. O child, when we grew weary of +the long periods of life alloted to us, it was then that we desired our +own destruction through the instrumentality of the Kshatriyas. The wealth +that the Bhrigus had placed in their house underground had been placed +only with the object of enraging the Kshatriyas and picking a quarrel with +them. O thou best of Brahmanas, as we were desirous of heaven, of what use +could wealth be to us? The treasurer of heaven (Kuvera) had kept a large +treasure for us. When we found that death could not, by any means, +overtake us all, it was then, O child, that we regarded this as the best +means (of compassing our desire). They who commit suicide never attain to +regions that are blessed. Reflecting upon this, we abstained from self- +destruction. That which, therefore thou desirest to do is not agreeable to +us. Restrain thy mind, therefore, from the sinful act of destroying the +whole world. O child, destroy not the Kshatriyas nor the seven worlds. O, +kill this wrath of thine that staineth thy ascetic energy.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Gandharva said, 'Vasishtha after this, continued the narration saying, +'Hearing words of the Pitris, Aurva, O child, replied unto them to this +effect: + +'Ye Pitris, the vow I have made from anger for the destruction of all the +worlds, must not go in vain. I cannot consent to be one whose anger and +vows are futile. Like fire consuming dry woods, this rage of mine will +certainly consume me if I do not accomplish my vow. The man that +represseth his wrath that hath been excited by (adequate) cause, becometh +incapable of duly compassing the three ends of life (viz., religion, +profit and pleasure). The wrath that kings desirous of subjugating the +whole earth exhibit, is not without its uses. It serveth to restrain the +wicked and to protect the honest. While lying unborn within my mother's +thigh, I heard the doleful cries of my mother and other women of the +Bhrigu race who were then being exterminated by the Kshatriyas. Ye Pitris, +when those wretches of Kshatriyas began to exterminate the Bhrigus +together with unborn children of their race, it was then that wrath filled +my soul. My mother and the other women of our race, each in an advanced +state of pregnancy, and my father, while terribly alarmed, found not in +all the worlds a single protector. Then when the Bhrigu women found not a +single protector, my mother held me in one of her thighs. If there be a +punisher of crimes in the worlds no one in all the worlds would dare +commit a crime; if he findeth not a punisher, the number of sinners +becometh large. The man who having the power to prevent or punish sin doth +not do so knowing that a sin hath been committed, is himself defiled by +that sin. When kings and others, capable of protecting my fathers, protect +them not, postponing that duty preferring the pleasures of life, I have +just cause to be enraged with them. I am the lord of the creation, capable +of punishing its iniquity. I am incapable of obeying your command. Capable +of punishing this crime, if I abstain from so doing, men will once more +have to undergo a similar persecution. The fire of my wrath too that is +ready to consume the worlds, if repressed, will certainly consume by its +own energy my own self. Ye masters, I know that ye ever seek the good of +the worlds: direct me, therefore, as to what may benefit both myself and +the worlds.' + +"Vasishtha continued, 'The Pitris replied saying, O, throw this fire that +is born of thy wrath and that desireth to consume the worlds, into the +waters. That will do thee good. The worlds, indeed, are all dependent on +water (as their elementary cause). Every juicy substance containeth water, +indeed the whole universe is made of water. Therefore, O thou best of +Brahmanas, cast thou this fire of thy wrath into the waters. If, therefore, +thou desirest it, O Brahmana, let this fire born of thy wrath abide in the +great ocean, consuming the waters thereof, for it hath been said that the +worlds are made of water. In this way, O thou sinless one, thy word will +be rendered true, and the worlds with the gods will not be destroyed.' + +"Vasishtha continued, 'Then, O child, Aurva cast the fire of his wrath +into the abode of Varuna. And that fire which consumeth the waters of the +great ocean, became like unto a large horse's head which persons +conversant with the Vedas call by the name of Vadavamukha. And emitting +itself from that mouth it consumeth the waters of the mighty ocean. Blest +be thou! It behoveth not thee, therefore, to destroy the worlds. O thou +Parasara, who art acquainted with the higher regions, thou foremost of +wise men!'" + + +SECTION CLXXXIII + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"The Gandharva continued, 'The Brahmana sage (Parasara) thus addressed by +the illustrious Vasishtha restrained his wrath from destroying the worlds. +But the Rishi Parasara endued with great energy--the son of Saktri--the +foremost of all persons acquainted with the Vedas--performed a grand +Rakshasa sacrifice. And remembering the slaughter of (his father) Saktri, +the great Muni began to consume the Rakshasas, young and old, in the +sacrifice he performed. And Vasishtha did not restrain him from this +slaughter of the Rakshasa, from the determination of not obstructing this +second vow (of his grandson). And in that sacrifice the great Muni +Parasara sat before three blazing fires, himself like unto a fourth fire. +And the son of Saktri, like the Sun just emerging from the clouds, +illuminated the whole firmament by that stainless sacrifice of his into +which large were the libations poured of clarified butter. Then Vasishtha +and the other Rishis regarded that Muni blazing with his own energy as if +he were the second Sun. Then the great Rishi Atri of liberal soul desirous +of ending that sacrifice, an achievement highly difficult for others,-- +came to that place. And there also came, O thou slayer of all foes, +Pulastya and Pulaha, and Kratu the performer of many great sacrifices, all +influenced by the desire of saving the Rakshasas. And, O thou bull of the +Bharata race, Pulastya then, seeing that many Rakshasas had already been +slain, told these words unto Parasara that oppressor of all enemies: + +'There is no obstruction, I hope, to this sacrifice of thine, O child! +Takest thou any pleasure, O child, in this slaughter of even all those +innocent Rakshasas that know nothing of thy father's death. It behoveth +thee not to destroy any creatures thus. This, O child, is not the +occupation of a Brahmana devoted to asceticism. Peace is the highest +virtue. Therefore, O Parasara, establish thou peace. How hast thou, O +Parasara, being so superior, engaged thyself in such a sinful practice? It +behoveth not thee to transgress against Saktri himself who was well- +acquainted with all rules of morality. It behoveth not thee to extirpate +any creatures. O descendant of Vasishtha's race, that which befell thy +father was brought about by his own curse. It was for his own fault that +Saktri was taken hence unto heaven. O Muni, no Rakshasa was capable of +devouring Saktri; he himself provided for his own death. And, O Parasara, +Viswamitra was only a blind instrument in that matter. Both Saktri and +Kalmashapada, having ascended to heaven are enjoying great happiness. And, +the other sons also of the great Rishi Vasishtha who were younger than +Saktri, are even now enjoying themselves with the celestials. And, O child, +O offspring of Vasishtha's son, thou hast also been, in this sacrifice, +only an instrument in the destruction of these innocent Rakshasas. O, +blest be thou! Abandon this sacrifice of thine. Let it come to an end.' + +"The Gandharva continued, 'Thus addressed by Pulastya, as also by the +intelligent Vasishtha, that mighty Muni--the son of Saktri then brought +that sacrifice to an end. And the Rishi cast the fire that he had ignited +for the purpose of the Rakshasas' sacrifice into the deep woods on the +north of the Himavat. And that fire may be seen to this day consuming +Rakshasas and trees and stones in all seasons.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXIV + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Arjuna asked, 'What for, O Gandharva, did king Kalmashapada command his +queen to go unto that foremost of all persons conversant with the Vedas-- +the master Vasishtha? Why also did that illustrious and great Rishi +Vasishtha himself who was acquainted with every rule of morality know a +woman he should not have known? O friend, was this an act of sin on the +part of Vasishtha? It behoveth thee to remove the doubts I entertain and +refer to thee for solution.' + +"The Gandharva replied, saying, 'O irrepressible Dhananjaya, listen to me +as I answer the question thou hast asked in respect of Vasishtha and king +Kalmashapada that cherisher of friends. O thou best of the Bharatas, I +have told thee all about the curse of king Kalmashapada by Saktri, the +illustrious son of Vasishtha. Brought under the influence of the curse, +that smiter of all foes--king Kalmashapada--with eyes whirling in anger +went out of his capital accompanied by his wife. And entering with his +wife the solitary woods the king began to wander about. And one day while +the king under the influence of the curse was wandering through that +forest abounding in several kinds of deer and various other animals and +overgrown with numerous large trees and shrubs and creepers and resounding +with terrible cries, he became exceedingly hungry. And the monarch +thereupon began to search for some food. Pinched with hunger, the king at +last saw, in a very solitary part of the woods, a Brahmana and his wife +enjoying each other. Alarmed at beholding the monarch the couple ran away, +their desire ungratified. Pursuing the retreating pair, the king forcibly +seized the Brahmana. Then the Brahmani, beholding her lord seized, +addressed the monarch, saying, 'Listen to what I say, O monarch of +excellent vows! It is known all over the world that thou art born in the +solar race, and that thou art ever vigilant in the practice of morality +and devoted to the service of thy superiors. It behoveth thee not to +commit sin, O thou irrepressible one, deprived though thou hast been of +thy senses by (the Rishi's) curse. My season hath come, and wishful of my +husband's company I was connected with him. I have not been gratified yet. +Be propitious unto us, O thou best of kings! Liberate my husband.' The +monarch, however, without listening to her cries cruelly devoured her +husband like a tiger devouring its desirable prey. Possessed with wrath at +this sight, the tears that that woman shed blazed up like fire and +consumed everything in that place. Afflicted with grief at the calamity +that overtook her lord, the Brahmani in anger cursed the royal sage +Kalmashapada, 'Vile wretch, since thou hast today cruelly devoured under +my very nose my illustrious husband dear unto me, even before my desires +have been gratified, therefore shall thou, O wicked one afflicted by my +curse, meet with instant death when thou goest in for thy wife in season. +And thy wife, O wretch, shall bring forth a son uniting herself with that +Rishi Vasishtha whose children have been devoured by thee. And that child, +O worst of kings, shall be the perpetuator of thy race.' And cursing the +monarch thus, that lady of Angira's house bearing every auspicious mark, +entered the blazing fire in the very sight of the monarch. And, O thou +oppressor of all foes, the illustrious and exalted Vasishtha by his +ascetic power and spiritual insight immediately knew all. And long after +this, when the king became freed from his curse, he approached his wife +Madayanati when her season came. But Madayanati softly sent him away. +Under the influence of passion the monarch had no recollection of that +curse. Hearing, however, the words of his wife, the best of kings became +terribly alarmed. And recollecting the curse he repented bitterly of what +he had done. It was for this reason, O thou best of men, that the monarch +infected with the Brahmani's curse, appointed Vasishtha to beget a son +upon his queen.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXV + +(Chaitraratha Parva continued) + +"Arjuna asked, 'O Gandharva, thou art acquainted with everything. Tell us, +therefore, which Veda-knowing Brahmana is worthy to be appointed as our +priest.' + +"The Gandharva replied, 'There is in these woods a shrine of the name of +Utkochaka. Dhaumya, the younger brother of Devala is engaged there in +ascetic penances. Appoint him, if ye desire, your priest." + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Arjuna, highly pleased with everything that had +happened, gave unto that Gandharva, his weapon of fire with befitting +ceremonies. And addressing him, the Pandava also said, 'O thou best of +Gandharvas, let the horses thou givest us remain with thee for a time. +When the occasion cometh, we will take them from thee. Blest be thou.' +Then the Gandharva and the Pandavas, respectfully saluting each other, +left the delightful banks of the Bhagirathi and went wheresoever they +desired. Then, O Bharata, the Pandavas going to Utkochaka, the sacred +asylum of Dhaumya installed Dhaumya as their priest. And Dhaumya, the +foremost of all conversant with the Vedas, receiving them with presents of +wild fruits and (edible) roots, consented to become their priest. And the +Pandavas with their mother forming the sixth of the company, having +obtained that Brahmana as their priest regarded their sovereignty and +kingdom as already regained and the daughter of the Panchala king as +already obtained in the Swayamavara. And those bulls of the Bharata race, +having obtained the master Dhaumya as their priest, also regarded +themselves as placed under a powerful protector. And the high-souled +Dhaumya, acquainted with the true meaning of the Vedas and every rule of +morality, becoming the spiritual preceptor of the virtuous Pandavas, made +them his Yajamanas (spiritual disciples). And that Brahmana, beholding +those heroes endued with intelligence and strength and perseverance like +unto the celestials, regarded them as already restored, by virtue of their +own accomplishments to their sovereignty and kingdom. Then those kings of +men, having had benedictions uttered upon them by that Brahmana, resolved +to go, accompanied by him, to the Swayamvara of the Princess of +Panchala.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXVI + +(Swayamvara Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those tigers among men--those brothers--the five +Pandavas, set out for Panchala to behold that country and Draupadi and the +festivities (in view of her marriage). And those tigers among men--those +oppressors of all enemies--in going along with their mother, saw on the +way numerous Brahmanas proceeding together. And those Brahmanas who were +all Brahmacharis beholding the Pandavas, O king, asked them, 'Where are ye +going to? Whence also are ye come?' And Yudhishthira replied unto them, +saying, 'Ye bulls among Brahmanas, know ye that we are uterine brothers +proceeding together with our mother. We are coming even from Ekachakra.' +The Brahmanas then said, 'Go ye this very day to the abode of Drupada in +the country of the Panchalas. A great Swayamvara takes place there, on +which a large sum of money will be spent. We also are proceeding thither. +Let us all go together. Extraordinary festivities will take place (in +Drupada's abode). The illustrious Yajnasena, otherwise called Drupada, had +a daughter risen from the centre of the sacrificial altar. Of eyes like +lotus-petals and of faultless features endued with youth and intelligence, +she is extremely beautiful. And the slender-waisted Draupadi of every +feature perfectly faultless, and whose body emitteth a fragrance like unto +that of the blue lotus for two full miles around, is the sister of the +strong-armed Dhrishtadyumna gifted with great prowess--the (would-be) +slayer of Drona--who was born with natural mail and sword and bow and +arrows from the blazing fire, himself like unto the second Fire. And that +daughter of Yajnasena will select a husband from among the invited princes. +And we are repairing thither to behold her and the festivities on the +occasion, like unto the festivities of heaven. And to that Swayamvara will +come from various lands kings and princes who are performers of sacrifices +in which the presents to the Brahmanas are large: who are devoted to study, +are holy, illustrious, and of rigid vows; who are young and handsome; and +who are mighty car-warriors and accomplished in arms. Desirous of winning +(the hand of) the maiden those monarchs will all give away much wealth and +kine and food and other articles of enjoyment. And taking all they will +give away and witnessing the Swayamvara, and enjoying the festivities, we +shall go wheresoever we like. And there will also come unto that +Swayamvara, from various countries, actors, and bards singing the +panegyrics of kings, and dancers, and reciters of Puranas, and heralds, +and powerful athletes. And beholding all these sights and taking what will +be given away to illustrious ones, ye will return with us. Ye are all +handsome and like unto the celestials! Beholding you, Krishna may, by +chance, choose some one amongst you superior to the rest. This thy brother +of mighty arms and handsome and endued with beauty also, engaged in +(athletic) encounters, may, by chance, earn great wealth.' + +"On hearing these words of the Brahmanas, Yudhishthira replied, 'Ye +Brahmanas, we will all go with you to witness that maiden's Swayamvara-- +that excellent jubilee.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXVII + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by the Brahmanas, the Pandavas, O +Janamejaya, proceeded towards the country of the southern Panchalas ruled +over by the king Drupada. And on their way those heroes beheld the +illustrious Dwaipayana--that Muni of pure soul, and perfectly sinless. And +duly saluting the Rishi and saluted by him, after their conversation was +over, commanded by him they proceeded to Drupada's abode. And those mighty +chariot-fighters proceeded by slow stages staying for some time within +those beautiful woods and by fine lakes that they beheld along their way. +Devoted to study, pure in their practices, amiable, and sweet-speeched, +the Pandavas at last entered the country of the Panchalas. And beholding +the capital, as also the fort, they took up their quarters in the house of +a potter. Adopting the Brahmanical profession, they began to lead an +eleemosynary life. And no men recognised those heroes during their stay in +Drupada's capital. + +"Yajnasena always cherished the desire of bestowing his daughter on Kiriti +(Arjuna), the son of Pandu. But he never spoke of it to anybody. And, O +Janamejaya, the king of Panchala thinking of Arjuna caused a very stiff +bow to be made that was incapable of being bent by any except Arjuna. +Causing some machinery to be erected in the sky, the king set up a mark +attached to that machinery. And Drupada said, 'He that will string this +bow and with these well-adorned arrows shoot the mark above the machine +shall obtain my daughter.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'With these words king Drupada proclaimed the +Swayamvara. On hearing of them, O Bharata, the kings of other lands came +to his capital. And there came also many illustrious Rishis desirous of +beholding the Swayamvara. And there came also, O king, Duryodhana and the +Kurus accompanied by Karna. There also came many superior Brahmanas from +every country. And the monarchs who came there were all received with +reverence by the illustrious Drupada. Desirous of beholding the Swayamvara, +the citizens, roaring like the sea, all took their seats on the platforms +that were erected around the amphitheatre. The monarch entered the grand +amphitheatre by the north-eastern gate. And the amphitheatre which itself +had been erected on an auspicious and level plain to the north-east of +Drupada's capital, was surrounded by beautiful mansions. And it was +enclosed on all sides with high walls and a moat with arched doorways here +and there. The vast amphitheatre was also shaded by a canopy of various +colours. And resounding with the notes of thousands of trumpets, it was +scented with black aloes and sprinkled all over with water mixed with +sandal-paste and decorated with garlands of flowers. It was surrounded +with high mansions perfectly white and resembling the cloud-kissing peaks +of Kailasa. The windows of those mansions were covered with net works of +gold; the walls were set with diamonds and precious costly carpets and +cloths. All those mansions adorned with wreaths and garlands of flowers +and rendered fragrant with excellent aloes, were all white and spotless, +like unto the necks of swans. And the fragrance therefrom could be +perceived from the distance of a Yojana (eight miles). And they were each +furnished with a hundred doors wide enough to admit a crowd of persons; +they were adorned with costly beds and carpets, and beautified with +various metals; they resembled the peaks of the Himavat. And in those +seven-storied houses of various sizes dwelt the monarchs invited by +Drupada whose persons were adorned with every ornament and who were +possessed with the desire of excelling one another. And the inhabitants of +the city and the country who had come to behold Krishna and taken their +seats on the excellent platforms erected around, beheld seated within +those mansions those lions among kings who were all endued with the energy +of great souls. And those exalted sovereigns were all adorned with the +fragrant paste of the black aloe. Of great liberality, they were all +devoted to Brahma and they protected their kingdoms against all foes. And +for their own good deeds they were loved by the whole world. + +"The Pandavas, too, entering that amphitheatre, sat with the Brahmanas and +beheld the unequalled affluence of the king of the Panchalas. And that +concourse of princes, Brahmanas, and others, looking gay at the +performances of actors and dancers (large presents of every kind of wealth +being constantly made), began to swell day by day. And it lasted, O king, +several days, till on the sixteenth day when it was at its full, the +daughter of Drupada, O thou bull of the Bharata race, having washed +herself clean entered the amphitheatre, richly attired and adorned with +every ornament and bearing in her hand a dish of gold (whereon were the +usual offerings of Arghya) and a garland of flowers. Then the priest of +the lunar race--a holy Brahmana conversant with all mantras--ignited the +sacrificial fire and poured on it with due rites libations of clarified +butter. And gratifying Agni by these libations and making the Brahmanas +utter the auspicious formula of benediction, stopped the musical +instruments that were playing all around. And when that vast amphitheatre, +O monarch, became perfectly still, Dhrishtadyumna possessed of a voice +deep as the sound of the kettledrum or the clouds, taking hold of his +sister's arm, stood in the midst of that concourse, and said, with a voice +loud and deep as the roar of the clouds, these charming words of excellent +import, 'Hear ye assembled kings, this is the bow, that is the mark, and +these are the arrows. Shoot the mark through the orifice of the machine +with these five sharpened arrows. Truly do I say that, possessed of +lineage, beauty of persons, and strength whoever achieveth this great feat +shall obtain today this my sister, Krishna for his wife.' Having thus +spoken unto the assembled monarchs Drupada's son then addressed his sister, +reciting unto her the names and lineages and achievements of those +assembled lords of the earth.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXVIII + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Dhrishtadyumna said, 'Duryodhana, Durvisaha, Durmukha and +Dushpradharshana, Vivinsati, Vikarna, Saha, and Duhsasana; Yuyutsu and +Vayuvega and Bhimavegarava; Ugrayudha, Valaki, Kanakayu, and Virochana, +Sukundala, Chitrasena, Suvarcha, and Kanakadhwaja; Nandaka, and Vahusali, +and Tuhunda, and Vikata; these, O sister, and many other mighty sons of +Dhritarashtra--all heroes--accompanied by Karna, have come for thy hand. +Innumerable other illustrious monarchs all bulls among Kshatriyas--have +also come for thee. Sakuni, Sauvala, Vrisaka, and Vrihadvala,--these sons +of the king Gandhara--have also come. Foremost of all wielders of weapons +--the illustrious Aswatthaman and Bhoja, adorned with every ornament have +also come for thee. Vrihanta, Manimana, Dandadhara, Sahadeva, Jayatsena, +Meghasandhi, Virata with his two sons Sankha and Uttara, Vardhakshemi, +Susarma, Senavindu, Suketu with his two sons Sunama and Suvarcha, Suchitra, +Sukumara, Vrika, Satyadhriti, Suryadhwaja, Rochamana, Nila, Chitrayudha, +Agsuman, Chekitana, the mighty Sreniman, Chandrasena the mighty son of +Samudrasena, Jarasandha, Vidanda, and Danda--the father and son, Paundraka, +Vasudeva, Bhagadatta endued with great energy, Kalinga, Tamralipta, the +king of Pattana, the mighty car-warrior Salya, the king of Madra, with his +son, the heroic Rukmangada, Rukmaratha, Somadatta of the Kuru race with +his three sons, all mighty chariot-fighters and heroes, viz., Bhuri, +Bhurisrava, and Sala, Sudakshina, Kamvoja of the Puru race, Vrihadvala, +Sushena, Sivi, the son of Usinara, Patcharanihanta, the king of Karusha, +Sankarshana (Valadeva), Vasudeva (Krishna) the mighty son of Rukmini, +Samva, Charudeshna, the son of Pradyumna with Gada, Akrura, Satyaki, the +high-souled Uddhava, Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, Prithu, Viprithu, +Viduratha, Kanka, Sanku with Gaveshana, Asavaha, Aniruddha, Samika, +Sarimejaya, the heroic Vatapi Jhilli Pindaraka, the powerful Usinara, all +these of the Vrishni race, Bhagiratha, Vrihatkshatra, Jayadratha the son +of Sindhu, Vrihadratha, Valhika, the mighty charioteer Srutayu, Uluka, +Kaitava, Chitrangada and Suvangada, the highly intelligent Vatsaraja, the +king of Kosala, Sisupala and the powerful Jarasandha, these and many other +great kings--all Kshatriyas celebrated throughout the world--have come, O +blessed one, for thee. Endued with prowess, these will shoot the mark. And +thou shalt choose him for thy husband who amongst these will shoot the +mark.'" + + +SECTION CLXXXIX + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those youthful princes adorned with ear-rings, +vying with one another and each regarding himself accomplished in arms and +gifted with might, stood up brandishing their weapons. And intoxicated +with pride of beauty, prowess, lineage, knowledge, wealth, and youth, they +were like Himalayan elephants in the season of rut with crowns split from +excess of temporal juice. And beholding each other with jealousy and +influenced by the god of desire, they suddenly rose up from their royal +seats, exclaiming 'Krishna shall be mine.' And the Kshatriyas assembled in +that amphitheatre, each desirous of winning the daughter of Drupada, +looked like the celestial (of old) standing round Uma, the daughter of the +King of mountains. Afflicted with the shafts of the god of the flowery bow +and with hearts utterly lost in the contemplation of Krishna, those +princes descended into the amphitheatre for winning the Panchala maiden +and began to regard even their best friends with jealousy. And there came +also the celestials on their cars, with the Rudras and the Adityas, the +Vasus and the twin Aswins, the Swadhas and all the Marutas, and Kuvera +with Yama walking ahead. And there came also the Daityas and the Suparnas, +the great Nagas and the celestial Rishis, the Guhyakas and the Charanas +and Viswavasu and Narada and Parvata, and the principal Gandharvas with +Apsaras. And Halayudha (Valadeva) and Janardana (Krishna) and the chief of +the Vrishni, Andhaka, and Yadava tribes who obeyed the leadership of +Krishna were also there, viewing the scene. And beholding those elephants +in rut--the five (Pandavas)--attracted towards Draupadi like mighty +elephants towards a lake overgrown with lotuses, or like fire covered with +ashes, Krishna the foremost of Yadu heroes began to reflect. And he said +unto Rama (Valadeva), 'That is Yudhishthira; that is Bhima with Jishnu +(Arjuna); and those are the twin heroes.' And Rama surveying them slowly +cast a glance of satisfaction at Krishna. Biting their nether lips in +wrath, the other heroes there--sons and grandsons of kings--with their +eyes and hearts and thoughts set on Krishna, looked with expanded eyes on +Draupadi alone without noticing the Pandavas. And the sons of Pritha also, +of mighty arms, and the illustrious twin heroes, beholding Draupadi, were +all likewise struck by the shafts of Kama. And crowded with celestial +Rishis and Gandharvas and Suparnas and Nagas and Asuras and Siddhas, and +filled with celestial perfumes and scattered over with celestial flowers, +and resounding with the kettle-drum and the deep hum of infinite voices, +and echoing with the softer music of the flute, the Vina, and the tabor, +the cars of the celestials could scarcely find a passage through the +firmament. Then those princes--Karna, Duryodhana, Salwa, Salya, +Aswatthaman, Kratha, Sunitha, Vakra, the ruler of Kalinga and Banga, +Pandya, Paundra, the ruler of Videha, the chief of the Yavanas, and many +other sons and grandsons of kings,--sovereigns of territories with eyes +like lotus-petals,--one after another began to exhibit prowess for +(winning) that maiden of unrivalled beauty. Adorned with crowns, garlands, +bracelets, and other ornaments, endued with mighty arms, possessed of +prowess and vigour and bursting with strength and energy, those princes +could not, even in imagination, string that bow of extraordinary +stiffness. + +"And (some amongst) those kings in exerting with swelling lips each +according to his strength, education, skill, and energy,--to string that +bow, were tossed on the ground and lay perfectly motionless for some time. +Their strength spent and their crowns and garlands loosened from their +persons, they began to pant for breath and their ambition of winning that +fair maiden was cooled. Tossed by that tough bow, and their garlands and +bracelets and other ornaments disordered, they began to utter exclamations +of woe. And that assemblage of monarchs, their hope of obtaining Krishna +gone, looked sad and woeful. And beholding the plight of those monarchs, +Karna that foremost of all wielders of the bow went to where the bow was, +and quickly raising it strung it and placed the arrows on the string. And +beholding the son of Surya--Karna of the Suta tribe--like unto fire, or +Soma, or Surya himself, resolved to shoot the mark, those foremost of +bowmen--the sons of Pandu--regarded the mark as already shot and brought +down upon the ground. But seeing Karna, Draupadi loudly said, 'I will not +select a Suta for my lord.' Then Karna, laughing in vexation and casting +glance at the Sun, threw aside the bow already drawn to a circle. + +"Then when all those Kshatriyas gave up the task, the heroic king of the +Chedis--mighty as Yama (Pluto) himself--the illustrious and determined +Sisupala, the son of Damaghosa, in endeavouring to string the bow, himself +fell upon his knees on the ground. Then king Jarasandha endued with great +strength and powers, approaching the bow stood there for some moment, +fixed and motionless like a mountain. Tossed by the bow, he too fell upon +his knees on the ground, and rising up, the monarch left the amphitheatre +for (returning to) his kingdom. Then the great hero Salya, the king of +Madra, endued with great strength, in endeavouring to string the bow fell +upon his knees on the ground. At last when in that assemblage consisting +of highly respectable people, all the monarchs had become subjects of +derisive talk that foremost of heroes--Jishnu, the son of Kunti--desired +to string the bow and placed the arrows on the bow-string.'" + + +SECTION CLXL + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When all the monarchs had desisted from +stringing that bow, the high-souled Jishnu arose from among the crowd of +Brahmanas seated in that assembly. And beholding Partha possessing the +complexion of Indra's banner, advancing towards the bow, the principal +Brahmanas shaking their deer-skins raised a loud clamour. And while some +were displeased, there were others that were well-pleased. And some there +were, possessed of intelligence and foresight, who addressing one another +said, 'Ye Brahmanas, how can a Brahmana stripling unpractised in arms and +weak in strength, string that bow which such celebrated Kshatriyas as +Salya and others endued with might and accomplished in the science and +practice of arms could not? If he doth not achieve success in this untried +task which he hath undertaken from a spirit of boyish unsteadiness, the +entire body of Brahmanas here will be rendered ridiculous in the eyes of +the assembled monarchs. Therefore, forbid this Brahmana that he may not go +to string the bow which he is even now desirous of doing from vanity, +or mere childish daring.' Others replied, 'We shall not be made +ridiculous, nor shall we incur the disrespect of anybody or the +displeasure of the sovereigns. Some remarked, 'This handsome youth is even +like the trunk of a mighty elephant, whose shoulders and arms and thighs +are so well-built, who in patience looks like the Himavat, whose gait is +even like that of the lion, and whose prowess seems to be like that of an +elephant in rut, and who is so resolute, that it is probable that he will +accomplish this feat. He has strength and resolution. If he had none, he +would never go of his own accord. Besides, there is nothing in the three +worlds that Brahmanas of all mortal men cannot accomplish. Abstaining from +all food or living upon air or eating of fruits, persevering in their vows, +and emaciated and weak, Brahmanas are ever strong in their own energy. One +should never disregard a Brahmana whether his acts be right or wrong, by +supposing him incapable of achieving any task that is great or little, or +that is fraught with bliss or woe. Rama the son of Jamadagni defeated in +battle, all the Kshatriyas. Agastya by his Brahma energy drank off the +fathomless ocean. Therefore, say ye, 'Let this youth bend the bow and +string it with ease' (and many said), 'So be it.' And the Brahmanas +continued speaking unto one another these and other words. Then Arjuna +approached the bow and stood there like a mountain. And walking round that +bow, and bending his head unto that giver of boons--the lord Isana--and +remembering Krishna also, he took it up. And that bow which Rukma, Sunitha, +Vakra, Radha's son, Duryodhana, Salya, and many other kings accomplished +in the science and practice of arms, could not even with great exertion, +string, Arjuna, the son of Indra, that foremost of all persons endued with +energy and like unto the younger brother of Indra (Vishnu) in might, +strung in the twinkling of an eye. And taking up the five arrows he shot +the mark and caused it to fall down on the ground through the hole in the +machine above which it had been placed. Then there arose a loud uproar in +the firmament, and the amphitheatre also resounded with a loud clamour. +And the gods showered celestial flowers on the head of Partha the slayer +of foes. And thousands of Brahmanas began to wave their upper garments in +joy. And all around, the monarchs who had been unsuccessful, uttered +exclamations of grief and despair. And flowers were rained from the skies +all over the amphitheatre. And the musicians struck up in concert. Bards +and heralds began to chant in sweet tones the praises (of the hero who +accomplished the feat). And beholding Arjuna, Drupada--that slayer of foes,-- +was filled with joy. And the monarch desired to assist with his forces the +hero if the occasion arose. And when the uproar was at its height, +Yudhishthira, the foremost of all virtuous men, accompanied by those first +of men the twins, hastily left the amphitheatre for returning to his +temporary home. And Krishna beholding the mark shot and beholding Partha +also like unto Indra himself, who had shot the mark, was filled with joy, +and approached the son of Kunti with a white robe and a garland of flowers. +And Arjuna the accomplisher of inconceivable feats, having won Draupadi by +his success in the amphitheatre, was saluted with reverence by all the +Brahmanas. And he soon after left the lists followed close by her who thus +became his wife.'" + + +SECTION CLXLI + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When the king (Drupada) expressed his desire of +bestowing his daughter on that Brahmana (who had shot the mark), all those +monarchs who had been invited to the Swayamvara, looking at one another, +were suddenly filled with wrath. And they said, 'Passing us by and +treating the assembled monarchs as straw this Drupada desireth to bestow +his daughter--that first of women,--on a Brahmana! Having planted the tree +he cutteth it down when it is about to bear fruit. The wretch regardeth us +not: therefore let us slay him. He deserveth not our respect nor the +veneration due to age. Owing to such qualities of his, we shall, therefore, +slay this wretch that insulteth all kings, along with his son. Inviting +all the monarchs and entertaining them with excellent food, he +disregardeth us at last. In this assemblage of monarchs like unto a +conclave of the celestials, doth he not see a single monarch equal unto +himself? The Vedic declaration is well-known that the Swayamvara is for +the Kshatriyas. The Brahmanas have no claim in respect of a selection of +husband by a Kshatriya damsel. Or, ye kings, if this damsel desireth not +to select any one of us as her lord, let us cast her into the fire and +return to our kingdoms. As regards this Brahmana, although he hath, from +officiousness or avarice, done this injury to the monarchs, he should not +yet be slain; for our kingdoms, lives, treasures, sons, grandsons, and +whatever other wealth we have, all exist for Brahmanas. Something must be +done here (even unto him), so that from fear of disgrace and the desire of +maintaining what properly belongeth unto each order, other Swayamvaras may +not terminate in this way.' + +"Having addressed one another thus, those tigers among monarchs endued +with arms like unto spiked iron maces, took up their weapons and rushed at +Drupada to slay him then and there. And Drupada beholding those monarchs +all at once rushing towards him in anger with bows and arrows, sought, +from fear, the protection of the Brahmanas. But those mighty bowmen (Bhima +and Arjuna) of the Pandavas, capable of chastising all foes, advanced to +oppose those monarchs rushing towards them impetuously like elephants in +the season of rut. Then the monarchs with gloved fingers and upraised +weapons rushed in anger at the Kuru princes, Bhima and Arjuna, to slay +them. Then the mighty Bhima of extraordinary achievements, endued with the +strength of thunder, tore up like an elephant a large tree and divested it +of its leaves. And with that tree, the strong-armed Bhima, the son of +Pritha, that grinder of foes, stood, like unto the mace-bearing king of +the dead (Yama) armed with his fierce mace, near Arjuna that bull amongst +men. And beholding that feat of his brother, Jishnu of extraordinary +intelligence, himself also of inconceivable feats, wondered much. And +equal unto Indra himself in achievements, shaking off all fear he stood +with his bow ready to receive those assailants. And beholding those feats +of both Jishnu and his brother, Damodara (Krishna) of superhuman +intelligence and inconceivable feats, addressing his brother, Halayudha +(Valadeva) of fierce energy, said, 'That hero there, of tread like that of +a mighty lion, who draweth the large bow in his hand four full cubits in +length, is Arjuna! There is no doubt, O Sankarshana, about this, if I am +Vasudeva. That other hero who having speedily torn up the tree hath +suddenly become ready to drive off the monarchs is Vrikodara! For no one +in the world, except Vrikodara, could today perform such a feat in the +field of battle. And that other youth of eyes like unto lotus-petals, of +full four cubits height, of gait like that of a mighty lion, and humble +withal, of fair complexion and prominent and shining nose, who had, a +little before, left the amphitheatre, is Dharma's son (Yudhishthira). The +two other youths, like unto Kartikeya, are, I suspect, the sons of the +twin Aswins. I heard that the sons of Pandu along with their mother Pritha +had all escaped from the conflagration of the house of lac.' Then +Halayudha of complexion like unto that of clouds uncharged with rain, +addressing his younger brother (Krishna), said with great satisfaction, 'O, +I am happy to hear, as I do from sheer good fortune, that our father's +sister Pritha with the foremost of the Kaurava princes have all escaped +(from death)!'" + + +SECTION CLXLII + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those bulls among Brahmanas shaking their deer- +skins and water-pots made of cocoanut-shells exclaimed, 'Fear not, we will +fight the foe!' Arjuna smilingly addressing those Brahmanas exclaiming +thus, said, 'Stand ye aside as spectators (of the fray). Showering hundreds +of arrows furnished with straight points even I shall check, like snakes +with mantras, all those angry monarchs.' Having said this, the mighty +Arjuna taking up the bow he had obtained as dower accompanied by his +brother Bhima stood immovable as a mountain. And beholding those +Kshatriyas who were ever furious in battle with Karna ahead, the heroic +brothers rushed fearlessly at them like two elephants rushing against a +hostile elephant. Then those monarchs eager for the fight fiercely +exclaimed, 'The slaughter in battle of one desiring to fight is +permitted.' And saying this, the monarchs suddenly rushed against the +Brahmanas. And Karna endued with great energy rushed against Jishnu for +fight. And Salya the mighty king of Madra rushed against Bhima like an +elephant rushing against another for the sake of a she-elephant in heat; +while Duryodhana and others engaged with the Brahmanas, skirmished with +them lightly and carelessly. Then the illustrious Arjuna beholding Karna, +the son of Vikartana (Surya), advancing towards him, drew his tough bow +and pieced him with his sharp arrows. And the impetus of those whetted +arrows furnished with fierce energy made Radheya (Karna) faint. +Recovering consciousness Karna attacked Arjuna with greater care than +before. Then Karna and Arjuna, both foremost of victorious warriors, +desirous of vanquishing each other, fought madly on. And such was the +lightness of hand they both displayed that (each enveloped by the other's +shower of arrows) they both became invisible (unto the spectators of their +encounter). 'Behold the strength of my arms.'--'Mark, how I have +counteracted that feat,'--those were the words--intelligible to heroes +alone--in which they addressed each other. And incensed at finding the +strength and energy of Arjuna's arms unequalled on the earth, Karna, the +son of Surya, fought with greater vigour. And parrying all those impetuous +arrows shot at him by Arjuna, Karna sent up a loud shout. And this feat of +his was applauded by all the warriors. Then addressing his antagonist, +Karna said, 'O thou foremost of Brahmanas, I am gratified to observe the +energy of thy arms that knoweth no relaxation in battle and thy weapons +themselves fit for achieving victory. Art thou the embodiment of the +science of weapons, or art thou Rama that best of Brahmanas, or Indra +himself, or Indra's younger brother Vishnu called also Achyuta, who for +disguising himself hath assumed the form of a Brahmana and mustering such +energy of arms fighteth with me? No other person except the husband +himself of Sachi or Kiriti, the son of Pandu, is capable of fighting with +me when I am angry on the field of battle.' Then hearing those words of +his, Phalguna replied, saying, 'O Karna, I am neither the science of arms +(personified), nor Rama endued with superhuman powers. I am only a +Brahmana who is the foremost of all warriors and all wielders of weapons. +By the grace of my preceptor I have become accomplished in the Brahma and +the Paurandara weapons. I am here to vanquish thee in battle. Therefore, O +hero, wait a little.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed (by Arjuna), Karna the adopted +son of Radha desisted from the fight, for that mighty chariot-fighter +thought that Brahma energy is ever invincible. Meanwhile on another part +of the field, the mighty heroes Salya and Vrikodara, well-skilled in +battle and possessed of great strength and proficiency, challenging each +other, engaged in fight like two elephants in rut. And they struck each +other with their clenched fists and knees. And sometimes pushing each +other forward and sometimes dragging each other near, sometimes throwing +each other down; face downward, and sometimes on the sides, they fought on, +striking, each other at times with their clenched fists. And encountering +each other with blows hard as the clash of two masses of granite, the +lists rang with the sounds of their combat. Fighting with each other thus +for a few seconds, Bhima the foremost of the Kuru heroes taking up Salya +on his arms hurled him to a distance. And Bhimasena, that bull amongst men, +surprised all (by the dexterity of his feat) for though he threw Salya on +the ground he did it without hurting him much. And when Salya was thus +thrown down and Karna was struck with fear, the other monarchs were all +alarmed. And they hastily surrounded Bhima and exclaimed, 'Surely these +bulls amongst Brahmanas are excellent (warriors)! Ascertain in what race +they have been born and where they abide. Who can encounter Karna, the son +of Radha, in fight, except Rama or Drona, or Kiriti, the son of Pandu? Who +also can encounter Duryodhana in battle except Krishna, the son of Devaki, +and Kripa, the son of Saradwan? Who also can overthrow in battle Salya, +that first of mighty warriors, except the hero Valadeva or Vrikodara, the +son of Pandu, or the heroic Duryodhana? Let us, therefore, desist from +this fight with the Brahmanas. Indeed, Brahmanas, however offending, +should yet be ever protected. And first let us ascertain who these are; +for after we have done that we may cheerfully fight with them.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'And Krishna, having beheld that feat of Bhima, +believed them both to be the son of Kunti. And gently addressing the +assembled monarchs, saying, 'This maiden hath been justly acquired (by the +Brahmana),' he induced them to abandon the fight. Accomplished in battle, +those monarchs then desisted from the fight. And those best of monarchs +then returned to their respective kingdoms, wondering much. And those who +had come there went away saying, 'The festive scene hath terminated in the +victory of the Brahmanas. The princess of Panchala hath become the bride +of a Brahmana.' And surrounded by Brahmanas dressed in skins of deer and +other wild animals, Bhima and Dhananjaya passed with difficulty out of the +throng. And those heroes among men, mangled by the enemy and followed by +Krishna, on coming at last out of that throng, looked like the full moon +and the sun emerging from the clouds. + +"Meanwhile Kunti seeing that her sons were late in returning from their +eleemosynary round, was filled with anxiety. She began to think of various +evils having overtaken her sons. At one time she thought that the sons of +Dhritarashtra having recognised her sons had slain them. Next she feared +that some cruel and strong Rakshasas endued with powers of deception had +slain them. And she asked herself, 'Could the illustrious Vyasa himself +(who had directed my sons to come to Panchala) have been guided by +perverse intelligence?' Thus reflected Pritha in consequence of her +affection for her offspring. Then in the stillness of the late afternoon, +Jishnu, accompanied by a body of Brahmanas, entered the abode of the +potter, like the cloud-covered sun appearing on a cloudy day.'" + + +SECTION CLXLIII + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those illustrious sons of Pritha, on returning +to the potter's abode, approached their mother. And those first of men +represented Yajnaseni unto their mother as the alms they had obtained that +day. And Kunti who was there within the room and saw not her sons, replied, +saying, 'Enjoy ye all (what ye have obtained).' The moment after, she +beheld Krishna and then she said, 'Oh, what have I said?' And anxious from +fear of sin, and reflecting how every one could be extricated from the +situation, she took the cheerful Yajnaseni by the hand, and approaching +Yudhishthira said, 'The daughter of king Yajnasena upon being represented +to me by thy younger brothers as the alms they had obtained, from +ignorance, O king, I said what was proper, viz., 'Enjoy ye all what hath +been obtained.' O thou bull of the Kuru race, tell me how my speech may +not become untrue; how sin may not touch the daughter of the king of +Panchala, and how also she may not become uneasy.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by his mother that hero among men, +that foremost scion of the Kuru race, the intelligent king (Yudhishthira), +reflecting for a moment, consoled Kunti, and addressing Dhananjaya, said, +'By thee, O Phalguna, hath Yajnaseni been won. It is proper, therefore, +that thou shouldst wed her. O thou withstander of all foes, igniting the +sacred fire, take thou her hand with due rites.' + +"Arjuna, hearing this, replied, 'O king, do not make me a participator in +sin. Thy behest is not conformable to virtue. That is the path followed by +the sinful. Thou shouldst wed first, then the strong-armed Bhima of +inconceivable feats, then myself, then Nakula, and last of all, Sahadeva +endued with great activity. Both Vrikodara and myself, and the twins and +this maiden also, all await, O monarch, thy commands. When such is the +state of things, do that, after reflection, which would be proper, and +conformable virtue, and productive of fame, and beneficial unto the king +of Panchala. All of us are obedient to thee. O, command us as thou +likest.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Jishnu, so full of +respect and affection, the Pandavas all cast their eyes upon the princess +of Panchala. And the princess of Panchala also looked at them all. And +casting their glances on the illustrious Krishna, those princes looked at +one another. And taking their seats, they began to think of Draupadi alone. +Indeed, after those princes of immeasurable energy had looked at Draupadi, +the God of Desire invaded their hearts and continued to crush all their +senses. As the lavishing beauty of Panchali who had been modelled by the +Creator himself, was superior to that of all other women on earth, it +could captivate the heart of every creature. And Yudhishthira, the son of +Kunti, beholding his younger brothers, understood what was passing in +their minds. And that bull among men immediately recollected the words of +Krishna-Dwaipayana. And the king, then, from fear of a division amongst +the brothers, addressing all of them, said, 'The auspicious Draupadi shall +be the common wife of us all.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The sons of Pandu, then, hearing those words of +their eldest brother, began to revolve them in their minds in great +cheerfulness. The hero of the Vrishni race (Krishna suspecting the five +persons he had seen at the Swayamvara to be none else than the heroes of +the Kuru race), came accompanied by the son of Rohini (Valadeva), to the +house of the potter where those foremost of men had taken up their +quarters. On arriving there, Krishna and Valadeva beheld seated in that +potter's house Ajatasanu (Yudhishthira) of well developed and long arms, +and his younger brothers passing the splendour of fire sitting around him. +Then Vasudeva approaching that foremost of virtuous men--the son of Kunti-- +and touching the feet of that prince of the Ajamida race, said, 'I am +Krishna.' And the son of Rohini (Valadeva) also approaching Yudhishthira, +did the same. And the Pandavas, beholding Krishna and Valadeva, began to +express great delight. And, O thou foremost of the Bharata race, those +heroes of the Yadu race thereafter touched also the feet of Kunti, their +father's sister. And Ajatasatru, that foremost of the Kuru race, beholding +Krishna, enquired after his well-being and asked, 'How, O Vasudeva, hast +thou been able to trace us, as we are living in disguise?' And Vasudeva, +smilingly answered, 'O king, fire, even if it is covered, can be known. +Who else among men than the Pandavas could exhibit such might? Ye +resisters of all foes, ye sons of Pandu, by sheer good fortune have ye +escaped from that fierce fire. And it is by sheer good fortune alone that +the wicked son of Dhritarashtra and his counsellors have not succeeded in +accomplishing their wishes. Blest be ye! And grow ye in prosperity like a +fire in a cave gradually growing and spreading itself all around. And lest +any of the monarchs recognise ye, let us return to our tent.' Then, +obtaining Yudhishthira's leave, Krishna of prosperity knowing no decrease, +accompanied by Valadeva, hastily went away from the potter's abode.'" + + +SECTION CLXLIV + +(Swayamvara Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When the Kuru princes (Bhima and Arjuna) were wending +towards the abode of the potter, Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchala prince +followed them. And sending away all his attendants, he concealed himself +in some part of the potter's house, unknown to the Pandavas. Then Bhima, +that grinder of all foes, and Jishnu, and the illustrious twins, on +returning from their eleemosynary round in the evening, cheerfully gave +everything unto Yudhishthira. Then the kind-hearted Kunti addressing the +daughter of Drupada said, 'O amiable one, take thou first a portion from +this and devote it to the gods and give it away to Brahmanas, and feed +those that desire to eat and give unto those who have become our guests. +Divide the rest into two halves. Give one of these unto Bhima, O amiable +one, for this strong youth of fair complexion--equal unto a king of +elephants--this hero always eateth much. And divide the other half into +six parts, four for these youths, one for myself, and one for thee.' Then +the princess hearing those instructive words of her mother-in-law +cheerfully did all that she had been directed to do. And those heroes then +all ate of the food prepared by Krishna. Then Sahadeva, the son of Madri, +endued with great activity, spread on the ground a bed of kusa grass. Then +those heroes, each spreading thereon his deer-skin, laid themselves down +to sleep. And those foremost of the Kuru princes lay down with heads +towards the south. And Kunti laid herself down along the line of their +heads, and Krishna along that of their feet. And Krishna though she lay +with the sons of Pandu on that bed of kusa grass along the line of their +feet as if she were their nether pillow, grieved not in her heart nor +thought disrespectfully of those bulls amongst the Kurus. Then those +heroes began to converse with one another. And the conversations of those +princes, each worthy to lead an army, was exceedingly interesting, they +being upon celestial cars and weapons and elephants, and swords and arrows, +and battle-axes. And the son of the Panchala king listened (from his place +of concealment) unto all they said. And all those who were with him beheld +Krishna in that state. + +"When morning came, the prince Dhristadyumna set out from his place of +concealment with great haste in order to report to Drupada in detail all +that had happened at the potter's abode and all that he had heard those +heroes speak amongst themselves during the night. The king of Panchala had +been sad because he knew not the Pandavas as those who had taken away his +daughter. And the illustrious monarch asked Dhristadyumna on his return, +'Oh, where hath Krishna gone? Who hath taken her away? Hath any Sudra or +anybody of mean descent, or hath a tribute-paying Vaisya by taking my +daughter away, placed his dirty foot on my head? O son, hath that wreath +of flowers been thrown away on a grave-yard? Hath any Kshatriya of high +birth, or any one of the superior order (Brahmana) obtained my daughter? +Hath any one of mean descent, by having won Krishna, placed his left foot +on my head? I would not, O son, grieve but feel greatly happy, if my +daughter hath been united with Partha that foremost of men! O thou exalted +one, tell me truly who hath won my daughter today? O, are the sons of that +foremost of Kurus, Vichitravirya's son alive? Was it Partha (Arjuna) that +took up the bow and shot the mark?'" + + +SECTION CLXLV + +(Vaivahika Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed Dhrishtadyumna, that foremost of the +Lunar princes, cheerfully said unto his father all that had happened and +by whom Krishna had been won. And the prince said, 'With large, red eyes, +attired in deer-skin, and resembling a celestial in beauty, the youth who +strung that foremost of bows and brought down to the ground the mark set +on high, was soon surrounded by the foremost of Brahmanas who also offered +him their homage for the feat he had achieved. Incapable of bearing the +sight of a foe and endued with great activity, he began to exert his +prowess. And surrounded by the Brahmanas he resembled the thunder-wielding +Indra standing in the midst of the celestials, and the Rishis. And like a +she-elephant following the leader of a herd, Krishna cheerfully followed +that youth catching hold of his deer-skin. Then when the assembled +monarchs incapable of bearing that sight rose up in wrath and advanced for +fight, there rose up another hero who tearing up a large tree rushed at +that concourse of kings, felling them right and left like Yama himself +smiting down creatures endued with life. Then, O monarch, the assembled +kings stood motionless and looked at that couple of heroes, while they, +resembling the Sun and the Moon, taking Krishna with them, left the +amphitheatre and went into the abode of a potter in the suburbs of the +town, and there at the potter's abode sat a lady like unto a flame of fire +who, I think, is their mother. And around her also sat three other +foremost of men each of whom was like unto fire. And the couple of heroes +having approached her paid homage unto her feet, and they said unto +Krishna also to do the same. And keeping Krishna with her, those foremost +of men all went the round of eleemosynary visits. Some time after when +they returned, Krishna taking from them what they had obtained as alms, +devoted a portion thereof to the gods, and gave another portion away (in +gift) to Brahmanas. And of what remained after this, she gave a portion to +that venerable lady, and distributed the rest amongst those five foremost +of men. And she took a little for herself and ate it last of all. Then, O +monarch, they all laid themselves down for sleep, Krishna lying along the +line of their feet as their nether pillow. And the bed on which they lay +was made of kusa grass upon which was spread their deer-skins. And before +going to sleep they talked on diverse subjects in voices deep as of black +clouds. The talk of those heroes indicated them to be neither Vaisyas nor +Sudras, nor Brahmanas. Without doubt, O monarch, they are bulls amongst +Kshatriyas, their discourse having been on military subjects. It seems, O +father, that our hope hath been fructified, for we have heard that the +sons of Kunti all escaped from the conflagration of the house of lac. From +the way in which the mark was shot down by that youth, and the strength +with which the bow was strung by him, and the manner in which I have heard +them talk with one another proves conclusively, O monarch, that they are +the sons of Pritha wandering in disguise.' + +"Hearing these words of his son, king Drupada became exceedingly glad, and +he sent unto them his priest directing him to ascertain who they were and +whether they were the sons of the illustrious Pandu. Thus directed, the +king's priest went unto them and applauding them all, delivered the king's +message duly, saying, 'Ye who are worthy of preference in everything, the +boon-giving king of the earth--Drupada--is desirous of ascertaining who ye +are. Beholding this one who hath shot down the mark, his joy knoweth no +bounds. Giving us all particulars of your family and tribe, place ye your +feet on the heads of your foes and gladden the hearts of the king of +Panchala mid his men and mine also. King Pandu was the dear friend of +Drupada and was regarded by him as his counterself. And Drupada had all +along cherished the desire of bestowing this daughter of his upon Pandu as +his daughter-in-law. Ye heroes of features perfectly faultless, king +Drupada hath all along cherished this desire in his heart that Arjuna of +strong and long arms might wed this daughter of his according to the +ordinance. If that hath become possible, nothing could be better; nothing +more beneficial; nothing more conducive to fame and virtue, so far as +Drupada is concerned.' + +"Having said this, the priest remained silent and humbly waited for an +answer. Beholding him sitting thus, the king Yudhishthira commanded Bhima +who sat near, saying, 'Let water to wash his feet with and the Arghya be +offered unto this Brahmana. He is king Drupada's priest and, therefore, +worthy of great respect. We should worship him with more than ordinary +reverence.' Then, O monarch, Bhima did as directed. Accepting the worship +thus offered unto him, the Brahmana with a joyous heart sat at his ease. +Then Yudhishthira addressed him and said, 'The king of the Panchalas hath, +by fixing a special kind of dower, given away his daughter according to +the practice of his order and not freely. This hero hath, by satisfying +that demand, won the princess. King Drupada, therefore, hath nothing now +to say in regard to the race, tribe, family and disposition of him who +hath performed that feat. Indeed, all his queries have been answered by +the stringing of the bow and the shooting down of the mark. It is by doing +what he had directed that this illustrious hero hath brought away Krishna +from among the assembled monarchs. In these circumstances, the king of the +Lunar race should not indulge in any regrets which can only make him +unhappy without mending matters in the least. The desire that king Drupada +hath all along cherished will be accomplished for his handsome princess +who beareth, I think, every auspicious mark. None that is weak in strength +could string that bow, and none of mean birth and unaccomplished in arms +could have shot down the mark. It behoveth not, therefore, the king of the +Panchalas to grieve for his daughter today. Nor can anybody in the world +undo that act of shooting down the mark. Therefore the king should not +grieve for what must take its course.' + +"While Yudhishthira was saying all this, another messenger from the king +of the Panchalas, coming thither in haste, said, 'The (nuptial) feast' is +ready.'" + + +SECTION CLXLVI + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The messenger said, 'King Drupada hath, in view +of his daughter's nuptials prepared a good feast for the bride-groom's +party. Come ye thither after finishing your daily rites. Krishna's wedding +will take place there. Delay ye not. These cars adorned with golden +lotuses drawn by excellent horses are worthy of kings. Riding on them, +come ye into the abode of the king of the Panchalas.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then those bulls among the Kurus, dismissing the +priest and causing Kunti and Krishna to ride together on one of those cars, +themselves ascended those splendid vehicles and proceeded towards +Drupada's place. Meanwhile, O Bharata, hearing from his priest the words +that Yudhishthira had said, king Drupada, in order to ascertain the order +to which those heroes belonged, kept ready a large collection of articles +(required by the ordinance for the wedding of each of the four orders). +And he kept ready fruits, sanctified garlands, and coats of mail, and +shields, and carpets, and kine, and seeds, and various other articles and +implements of agriculture. And the king also collected, O monarch, every +article appertaining to other arts, and various implements and apparatus +of every kind of sport. And he also collected excellent coats of mail and +shining shields, and swords and scimitars, of fine temper, and beautiful +chariots and horses, and first-class bows and well-adorned arrows, and +various kinds of missiles ornamented with gold. And he also kept ready +darts and rockets and battle-axes and various utensils of war. And there +were in that collection beds and carpets and various fine things, and +cloths of various sorts. When the party went to Drupada's abode, Kunti +taking with her the virtuous Krishna entered the inner apartments of the +king. The ladies of the king's household with joyous hearts worshipped the +queen of the Kurus. Beholding, O monarch, those foremost of men, each +possessing the sportive gait of the lion, with deer-skins for their upper +garments, eyes like unto those of mighty bulls, broad shoulders, and long- +hanging arms like unto the bodies of mighty snakes, the king, and the +king's ministers, and the king's son, and the king's friends and +attendants, all became exceedingly glad. Those heroes sat on excellent +seats, furnished with footstools without any awkwardness and hesitation. +And those foremost of men sat with perfect fearlessness on those costly +seats one after another according to the order of their ages. After those +heroes were seated, well-dressed servants male and female, and skilful +cooks brought excellent and costly viands worthy of kings on gold and +silver plates. Then those foremost of men dined on those dishes and became +well-pleased. And after the dinner was over, those heroes among men, +passing over all other articles, began to observe with interest the +various utensils of war. Beholding this, Drupada's son and Drupada himself, +along with all his chief ministers of state, understanding the sons of +Kunti to be all of royal blood became exceedingly glad.'" + + +SECTION CLXLVII + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the illustrious king of Panchala, addressing +prince Yudhishthira in the form applicable to Brahmanas, cheerfully +enquired of that illustrious son of Kunti, saying, 'Are we to know you as +Kshatriyas, or Brahamanas, or are we to know you as celestials who +disguising themselves as Brahmanas are ranging the earth and come hither +for the hand of Krishna? O tell us truly, for we have great doubts! Shall +we not be glad when our doubts have been removed? O chastiser of enemies, +have the fates been propitious unto us? Tell us the truth willingly! Truth +becometh monarchs better than sacrifices and dedications of tanks. +Therefore, tell us not what is untrue. O thou of the beauty of a celestial, +O chastiser of foes, hearing thy reply I shall make arrangements for my +daughter's wedding according to the order to which ye belong.' + +"Hearing these words of Drupada, Yudhishthira answered, saying 'Be not +cheerless, O king; let joy fill thy heart! The desire cherished by thee +hath certainly been accomplished. We are Kshatriyas, O king, and sons of +the illustrious Pandu. Know me to be the eldest of the sons of Kunti and +these to be Bhima and Arjuna. By these, O king, was thy daughter won amid +the concourse of monarchs. The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Kunti wait +where Krishna is. O bull amongst men, let grief be driven from thy heart, +for we are Kshatriyas. Thy daughter, O monarch, hath like a lotus been +transferred only from one lake into another. O king, thou art our revered +superior and chief refuge. I have told thee the whole truth.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing those words, the king Drupada's eyes +rolled in ecstasy. And filled with delight the king could not, for some +moments answer Yudhishthira. Checking his emotion with great effort, that +chastiser of foes at last replied unto Yudhishthira in proper words. The +virtuous monarch enquired how the Pandavas had escaped from the town of +Varanavata. The son of Pandu told the monarch every particular in detail +of their escape from the burning palace of lac. Hearing everything that +the son of Kunti said, king Drupada censured Dhritarashtra, that ruler of +men. And the monarch gave every assurance unto Yudhishthira, the son of +Kunti. And that foremost of eloquent men then and there vowed to restore +Yudhishthira to his paternal throne. + +"Then Kunti and Krishna and Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, commanded by +the king, to reside there, treated by Yajnasena with due respect. Then +king Drupada with his sons, assured by all that had happened, approaching +Yudhishthira, said, 'O thou of mighty arms, let the Kuru prince Arjuna +take with due rites, the hand of my daughter on this auspicious day, and +let him, therefore, perform the usual initiatory rites of marriage.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Drupada, the virtuous +king Yudhishthira replied, saying, 'O great king, I also shall have to +marry.' Hearing him, Drupada said, 'If it pleaseth thee, take thou the +hand of my daughter thyself with due rites. Or, give Krishna in marriage +unto whomsoever of thy brothers thou likest.' Yudhishthira said, 'Thy +daughter, O king, shall be the common wife of us all! Even thus it hath +been ordered, O monarch, by our mother. I am unmarried still, and Bhima +also is so amongst the sons of Pandu. This thy jewel of a daughter hath +been won by Arjuna. This, O king, is the rule with us; to ever enjoy +equally a jewel that we may obtain. O best of monarchs, that rule of +conduct we cannot now abandon. Krishna, therefore, shall become the wedded +wife of us all. Let her take our hands, one after another before the +fire.' + +'Drupada answered, 'O scion of Kuru's race, it hath been directed that one +man may have many wives. But it hath never been heard that one woman may +have many husbands! O son of Kunti, as thou art pure and acquainted with +the rules of morality, it behoveth thee not to commit an act that is +sinful and opposed both to usage and the Vedas. Why, O prince, hath thy +understanding become so?' Yudhishthira said in reply, 'O monarch, morality +is subtle. We do not know its course. Let us follow the way trodden by the +illustrious ones of former ages. My tongue never uttered an untruth. My +heart also never turneth to what is sinful. My mother commandeth so; and +my heart also approveth of it. Therefore, O king, that is quite +conformable to virtue. Act according to it, without any scruples. +Entertain no fear, O king, about this matter.' + +"Drupada said, 'O son of Kunti thy mother, and my son Dhrishtadyumna and +thyself, settle amongst yourselves as to what should be done. Tell me the +result of your deliberations and tomorrow I will do what is proper.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, O Bharata, Yudhishthira, Kunti and +Dhrishtadyumna discoursed upon this matter. Just at that time, however, +the island-born (Vyasa), O monarch, came there in course of his +wanderings.'" + + +SECTION CLXLVIII + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the Pandavas and the illustrious king of the +Panchalas and all others there present stood up and saluted with reverence +the illustrious Rishi Krishna (Dwaipayana). The high-souled Rishi, +saluting them in return and enquiring after their welfare, sat down on a +carpet of gold. And commanded by Krishna (Dwaipayana) of immeasurable +energy, those foremost of men all sat down on costly seats. A little after, +O monarch, the son of Prishata in sweet accents asked the illustrious +Rishi about the wedding of his daughter. And he said, 'How, O illustrious +one, can one woman become the wife of many men without being defiled by +sin? O, tell me truly all about this.' Hearing these words Vyasa replied, +'This practice, O king, being opposed to usage and the Vedas, hath become +obsolete. I desire, however, to hear what the opinion of each of you is +upon this matter.' + +"Hearing these words of the Rishi, Drupada spoke first, saying, 'The +practice is sinful in my opinion, being opposed to both usage and the +Vedas. O best of Brahmanas, nowhere have I seen many men having one wife. +The illustrious ones also of former ages never had such a usage amongst +them. The wise should never commit a sin. I, therefore, can never make up +mind to act in this way. This practice always appeareth to me to be of +doubtful morality. + +"After Drupada had ceased, Dhrishtadyumna spoke, saying 'O bull amongst +Brahmanas, O thou of ascetic wealth, how can, O Brahmana, the elder +brother, if he is of a good disposition, approach the wife of his younger +brother? The ways of morality are ever subtle, and, therefore, we know +them not. We cannot, therefore, say what is conformable to morality and +what not. We cannot do such a deed, therefore, with a safe conscience. +Indeed, O Brahmana, I cannot say, 'Let Draupadi become the common wife of +five brothers.' + +"Yudhishthira then spoke, saying, 'My tongue never uttereth an untruth and +my heart never inclineth to what is sinful. When my heart approveth of it, +it can never be sinful. I have heard in the Purana that a lady of name +Jatila, the foremost of all virtuous women belonging to the race of Gotama +had married seven Rishis. So also an ascetic's daughter, born of a tree, +had in former times united herself in marriage with ten brothers all +bearing the same name of Prachetas and who were all of souls exalted by +asceticism. O foremost of all that are acquainted with the rules of +morality, it is said that obedience to superior is ever meritorious. +Amongst all superiors, it is well-known that the mother is the foremost. +Even she hath commanded us to enjoy Draupadi as we do anything obtained as +alms. It is for this, O best of Brahmanas, that I regard the (proposed) +act as virtuous.' + +"Kunti then said, 'The act is even so as the virtuous Yudhishthira hath +said. I greatly fear, O Brahmana, lest my speech should become untrue. How +shall I be saved from untruth?' + +"When they had all finished speaking, Vyasa said, 'O amiable one, how +shall thou be saved from the consequence of untruth? Even this is eternal +virtue! I will not, O king of the Panchalas, discourse on this before you +all. But thou alone shalt listen to me when I disclose how this practice +hath been established and why it is to be regarded as old and eternal. +There is no doubt that what Yudhishthira hath said is quite conformable to +virtue.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the illustrious Vyasa--the master +Dwaipayana--rose, and taking hold of Drupada's hand led him to a private +apartment. The Pandavas and Kunti and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race +sat there, waiting for the return of Vyasa and Drupada. Meanwhile, +Dwaipayana began his discourse with illustrious monarch for explaining how +the practice of polyandry could not be regarded as sinful.'" + + +SECTION CLXLIX + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Vyasa continued, 'In days of yore, the celestials had +once commenced a grand sacrifice in the forest of Naimisha. At that +sacrifice, O king, Yama, the son of Vivaswat, became the slayer of the +devoted animals. Yama, thus employed in that sacrifice, did not (during +that period), O king, kill a single human being. Death being suspended in +the world, the number of human beings increased very greatly. Then Soma +and Sakra and Varuna and Kuvera, the Sadhyas, the Rudras, the Vasus, the +twin Aswins,--these and other celestials went unto Prajapati, the Creator +of the universe. Struck with fear for the increase of the human population +of the world they addressed the Master of creation and said, 'Alarmed, O +lord, at the increase of human beings on earth, we come to thee for relief. +Indeed, we crave thy protection.' Hearing those words the Grandsire said, +'Ye have little cause to be frightened at this increase of human beings. +Ye all are immortal. It behoveth you not to take fright at human beings.' +The celestials replied, 'The mortals have all become immortal. There is no +distinction now between us and them. Vexed at the disappearance of all +distinction, we have come to thee in order that thou mayest distinguish us +from them.' The Creator then said, 'The son of Vivaswat is even now +engaged in the grand sacrifice. It is for this that men are not dying. But +when Yama's work in connection with the sacrifice terminates, men will +again begin to die as before. Strengthened by your respective energies, +Yama will, when that time comes, sweep away by thousands the inhabitants +on earth who will scarcely have then any energy left in them.' + +"Vyasa continued, 'Hearing these words of the first-born deity, the +celestials returned to the spot where the grand sacrifice was being +performed. And the mighty one sitting by the side of the Bhagirathi saw a +(golden) lotus being carried along by the current. And beholding that +(golden) lotus, they wondered much. And amongst them, that foremost of +celestials, viz., Indra, desirous of ascertaining whence it came, +proceeded up along the course of the Bhagirathi. And reaching that spot +whence the goddess Ganga issues perennially, Indra beheld a woman +possessing the splendour of fire. The woman who had come there to take +water was washing in the stream, weeping all the while. The tear-drops +she shed, falling on the stream, were being transformed into golden +lotuses. The wielder of the thunderbolt, beholding that wonderful sight, +approached the woman and asked her, 'Who art thou, amiable lady? Why dost +thou weep? I desire to know the truth. O, tell me everything.' + +"Vyasa continued, 'The woman thereupon answered, 'O Sakra, thou mayest +know who I am and why, unfortunate that I am, I weep, if only, O chief of +the celestials, thou comest with me as I lead the way. Thou shall then see +what it is I weep for." Hearing these words of the lady, Indra followed +her as she led the way. And soon he saw, not far off from where he was, a +handsome youth with a young lady seated on a throne placed on one of the +peaks of Himavat and playing at dice. Beholding that youth, the chief of +the celestials said, 'Know, intelligent youth, that this universe is under +my sway.' Seeing, however, that the person addressed was so engrossed in +dice that he took no notice of what he said, Indra was possessed by anger +and repeated, 'I am the lord of the universe.' The youth who was none else +than the god Mahadeva (the god of the gods), seeing Indra filled with +wrath, only smiled, having cast a glance at him. At that glance, however, +the chief of the celestials was at once paralysed and stood there like a +stake. When the game at dice was over, Isana addressing the weeping woman +said, 'Bring Sakra hither, for I shall soon so deal with him that pride +may not again enter his heart.' As soon as Sakra was touched by that woman, +the chief of the celestials with limbs paralysed by that touch, fell down +on the earth. The illustrious Isana of fierce energy then said unto him, +'Act not, O Sakra, ever again in this way. Remove this huge stone, for thy +strength and energy are immeasurable, and enter the hole (it will +disclose) where await some others possessing the splendour of the sun and +who are all like unto thee.' Indra, then, on removing that stone, beheld a +cave in the breast of that king of mountains, within which were four +others resembling himself. Beholding their plight, Sakra became seized +with grief and exclaimed, 'Shall I be even like these?' Then the god +Girisha, looking full at Indra with expanded eyes, said in anger, 'O thou +of a hundred sacrifices, enter this cave without loss of time, for thou +hast from folly insulted me.' Thus addressed by the lord Isana, the chief +of the celestials, in consequence of that terrible imprecation, was deeply +pained, and with limbs weakened by fear trembled like the wind-shaken leaf +of a Himalayan fig. And cursed unexpectedly by the god owning a bull for +his vehicle, Indra, with joined hands and shaking from head to foot, +addressed that fierce god of multi-form manifestations, saying, 'Thou art, +O Bhava, the over-looker of the infinite Universe!' Hearing these words +the god of fiery energy smiled and said, 'Those that are of disposition +like thine never obtain my grace. These others (within the cave) had at +one time been like thee. Enter thou this cave, therefore, and lie there +for some time. The fate of you all shall certainly be the same. All of you +shall have to take your birth in the world of men, where, having achieved +many difficult feats and slaying a large number of men, ye shall again by +the merits of your respective deeds, regain the valued region of Indra. Ye +shall accomplish all I have said and much more besides, of other kinds of +work.' Then those Indras, of their shorn glory said, 'We shall go from our +celestial regions even unto the region of men where salvation is ordained +to be difficult of acquisition. But let the gods Dharma, Vayu, Maghavat, +and the twin Aswins beget us upon our would-be mother. Fighting with men +by means of both celestial and human weapons, we shall again come back +into the region of Indra.' + +"Vyasa continued, 'Hearing these words of the former Indras, the wielder +of the thunderbolt once more addressed that foremost of gods, saying, +'Instead of going myself, I shall, with a portion of my energy, create +from myself a person for the accomplishment of the task (thou assignest) +to form the fifth among these!' Vishwabhuk, Bhutadhaman, Sivi of great +energy, Santi the fourth, and Tejaswin, these it is said were the five +Indras of old. And the illustrious god of the formidable bow, from his +kindness, granted unto the five Indras the desire they cherished. And he +also appointed that woman of extraordinary beauty, who was none else than +celestial Sri (goddess of grace) herself, to be their common wife in the +world of men. Accompanied by all those Indras, the god Isana then went +unto Narayana of immeasurable energy, the Infinite, the Immaterial, the +Uncreate, the Old, the Eternal, and the Spirit of these universes without +limits. Narayana approved of everything. Those Indras then were born in +the world of men. And Hari (Narayana) took up two hairs from his body, one +of which hairs was black and the other white. And those two hairs entered +the wombs of two of the Yadu race, by name Devaki and Rohini. And one of +these hairs viz., that which was white, became Valadeva. And the hair that +was black was born as Kesava's self, Krishna. And those Indras of old who +had been confined in the cave on the Himavat are none else than the sons +of Pandu, endued with great energy. And Arjuna amongst the Pandavas, +called also Savyasachin (using both hands with equal dexterity) is a +portion of Sakra.' + +"Vyasa continued, 'Thus, O king, they who have been born as the Pandavas +are none else than those Indras of old. And the celestial Sri herself who +had been appointed as their wife is this Draupadi of extraordinary beauty. +How could she whose effulgence is like that of the sun or the moon, whose +fragrance spreads for two miles around, take her birth in any other than +an extraordinary way, viz., from within the earth, by virtue of the +sacrificial rites? Unto thee, O king, I cheerfully grant this other boon +in the form of spiritual sight. Behold now the sons of Kunti endued with +their sacred and celestial bodies of old!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, that sacred Brahmana Vyasa of +generous deeds, by means of his ascetic power, granted celestial sight +unto the king. Thereupon the king beheld all the Pandavas endued with +their former bodies. And the king saw them possessed of celestial bodies, +with golden crowns and celestial garlands, and each resembling Indra +himself, with complexions radiant as fire or the sun, and decked with +every ornament, and handsome, and youthful, with broad chests and statures +measuring about five cubits. Endued with every accomplishment, and decked +with celestial robes of great beauty and fragrant garlands of excellent +making the king beheld them as so many three-eyed gods (Mahadeva), or +Vasus, or Rudras, or Adityas themselves. And observing the Pandavas in the +forms of those Indras of old, and Arjuna also in the form of Indra sprung +from Sakra himself, king Drupada was highly pleased. And the monarch +wondered much on beholding that manifestation of celestial power under +deep disguise. The king looking at his daughter, that foremost of women +endued with great beauty, like unto a celestial damsel and possessed of +the splendour of fire or the moon, regarded her as the worthy wife of +those celestial beings, for her beauty, splendour and fame. And beholding +that wonderful sight, the monarch touched the feet of Satyavati's son, +exclaiming, 'O great Rishi, nothing is miraculous in thee!' The Rishi then +cheerfully continued, 'In a certain hermitage there was an illustrious +Rishi's daughter, who, though handsome and chaste, obtained not a husband. +The maiden gratified, by severe ascetic penances, the god Sankara +(Mahadeva). The lord Sankara, gratified at her penances, told her himself, +'Ask thou the boon thou desirest.' Thus addressed, the maiden repeatedly +said unto the boon-giving Supreme Lord, 'I desire to obtain a husband +possessed of every accomplishment.' Sankara, the chief of the gods, +gratified with her, gave her the boon she asked, saying, 'Thou shall have, +amiable maiden, five husbands.' The maiden, who had succeeded in +gratifying the god, said again, 'O Sankara, I desire to have from thee +only one husband possessed of every virtue?' The god of gods, well-pleased +with her, spake again, saying, 'Thou hast, O maiden, addressed me five +full times, repeating, 'Give me a husband.' Therefore, O amiable one, it +shall even be as thou hast asked. Blessed be thou. All this, however, will +happen in a future life of thine!' + +"Vyasa continued, 'O Drupada, this thy daughter of celestial beauty is +that maiden. Indeed, the faultless Krishna sprung from Prishata's race +hath been pre-ordained to become the common wife of five husbands. The +celestial Sri, having undergone severe ascetic penances, hath, for the +sake of the Pandavas, had her birth as thy daughter, in the course of thy +grand sacrifice. That handsome goddess, waited upon by all the celestials, +as a consequence of her own acts becomes the (common) wife of five +husbands. It is for this that the self-create had created her. Having +listened to all this, O king Drupada, do what thou desirest.'" + + +SECTION CC + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Drupada, on hearing this, observed, O great Rishi, it +was only when I had not heard this from thee that I had sought to act in +the way I told thee of. Now, however, that I know all, I cannot be +indifferent to what hath been ordained by the gods. Therefore do I resolve +to accomplish what thou hast said. The knot of destiny cannot be untied. +Nothing in this world is the result of our own acts. That which had been +appointed by us in view of securing one only bridegroom hath now +terminated in favour of many. As Krishna (in a former life) had repeatedly +said, 'O, give me a husband!' the great god himself even gave her the boon +she had asked. The god himself knows the right or wrong of this. As +regards myself, when Sankara hath ordained so, right or wrong, no sin can +attach to me. Let these with happy hearts take, as ordained, the hand of +Krishna with the rites.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the illustrious Vyasa, addressing +Yudhishthira the just, said, 'This day is an auspicious day, O son of +Pandu! This day the moon has entered the constellation called Pushya. Take +thou the hand of Krishna today, thyself first before thy brothers!' When +Vyasa had said so, king Yajnasena and his son made preparations for the +wedding. And the monarch kept ready various costly articles as marriage +presents. Then he brought out his daughter Krishna, decked, after a bath, +with many jewels and pearls. Then there came to witness the wedding all +the friends and relatives of the king, ministers of state, and many +Brahmanas and citizens. And they all took their seats according to their +respective ranks. Adorned with that concourse of principal men, with its +yard decked with lotuses and lilies scattered thereupon, and beautified +with lines of troops, king Drupada's palace, festooned around with +diamonds and precious stones, looked like the firmament studded with +brilliant stars. Then those princes of the Kuru line, endued with youth +and adorned with ear-rings, attired in costly robes and perfumed with +sandal-paste, bathed and performed the usual religious rites and +accompanied by their priest Dhaumya who was possessed of the splendour of +fire, entered the wedding hall one after another in due order, and with +glad hearts, like mighty bulls entering a cow-pen. Then Dhaumya, well- +conversant with the Vedas, igniting the sacred fire, poured with due +mantras libations of clarified butter into that blazing element. And +calling Yudhishthira there, Dhaumya, acquainted with mantras, united him +with Krishna. Walking round the fire the bridegroom and the bride took +each other's hand. After their union was complete, the priest Dhaumya, +taking leave of Yudhishthira, that ornament of battles, went out of the +palace. Then those mighty car-warriors,--those perpetuators of the Kuru +line,--those princes attired in gorgeous dresses, took the hand of that +best of women, day by day in succession, aided by that priest. O king, the +celestial Rishi told me of a very wonderful and extraordinary thing in +connection with these marriages, viz., that the illustrious princess of +slender waist regained her virginity every day after a previous marriage. +After the weddings were over, king Drupada gave unto those mighty car- +warriors diverse kinds of excellent wealth. And the king gave unto them +one hundred cars with golden standards, each drawn by four steeds with +golden bridles. And he gave them one hundred elephants all possessing +auspicious marks on their temples and faces and like unto a hundred +mountains with golden peaks. He also gave them a hundred female servants +all in the prime of youth and clad in costly robes and ornaments and +floral wreaths. And the illustrious monarch of the Lunar race gave unto +each of those princes of celestial beauty, making the sacred fire a +witness of his gifts, much wealth and many costly robes and ornaments of +great splendour. The sons of Pandu endued with great strength, after their +wedding were over, and after they had obtained Krishna like unto a second +Sri along with great wealth, passed their days in joy and happiness, like +so many Indras, in the capital of the king of the Panchalas,'" + + +SECTION CCI + +(Vaivahika Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'King Drupada, after his alliance with the Pandavas, +had all his fears dispelled. Indeed, the monarch no longer stood in fear +even of the gods. The ladies of the illustrious Drupada's household +approached Kunti and introduced themselves unto her, mentioning their +respective names, and worshipped her feet with heads touching the ground. +Krishna also, attired in red silk and her wrists still encircled with the +auspicious thread, saluting her mother-in-law with reverence, stood +contentedly before her with joined palms. Pritha, out of affection, +pronounced a blessing upon her daughter-in-law endued with great beauty +and every auspicious mark and possessed of a sweet disposition and good +character, saying, 'Be thou unto thy husband as Sachi unto Indra, Swaha +unto Vibhavasu, Rohini unto Soma, Damayanti unto Nala, Bhadra unto +Vaisravana, Arundhati unto Vasishtha, Lakshmi unto Narayana! O amiable one, +be thou the mother of long-lived and heroic children, and possessed of +everything that can make thee happy! Let luck and prosperity ever wait on +thee! Wait thou ever on husbands engaged in the performance of grand +sacrifices. Be thou devoted to thy husbands. And let thy days be ever +passed in duly entertaining and reverencing guests and strangers arrived +at thy abode, and the pious and the old; children and superiors. Be thou +installed as the Queen of the kingdom and the capital of Kurujangala, with +thy husband Yudhishthira the just! O daughter, let the whole earth, +conquered by the prowess of thy husbands endued with great strength, be +given away by thee unto Brahmanas at horse-sacrifice! O accomplished one +whatever gems there are on earth possessed of superior virtues, obtain +them, O lucky one, and be thou happy for a full hundred years! And, O +daughter-in-law, as I rejoice today beholding thee attired in red silk, so +shall I rejoice again, when, O accomplished one, I behold thee become the +mother of a son!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After the sons of Pandu had been married, Hari +(Krishna) sent unto them (as presents) various gold ornaments set with +pearls and black gems (lapis lazuli). And Madhava (Krishna) also sent unto +them costly robes manufactured in various countries, and many beautiful +and soft blankets and hides of great value, and many costly beds and +carpets and vehicles. He also sent them vessels by hundreds, set with gems +and diamonds. And Krishna also gave them female servants by thousands, +brought from various countries, and endued with beauty, youth and +accomplishments and decked with every ornament. He also gave them many +well-trained elephants brought from the country of Madra, and many +excellent horses in costly harness, cars drawn by horses of excellent +colours and large teeth. The slayer of Madhu, of immeasurable soul, also +sent them coins of pure gold by crores upon crores in separate heaps. And +Yudhishthira the just, desirous of gratifying Govinda, accepted all those +presents with great joy.'" + + +SECTION CCII + +(Viduragamana Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The news was carried unto all the monarchs (who had +come to the Self-choice of Draupadi) by their trusted spies that the +handsome Draupadi had been united in marriage with the sons of Pandu. And +they were also informed that the illustrious hero who had bent the bow and +shot the mark was none else than Arjuna, that foremost of victorious +warriors and first of all wielders of the bow and arrows. And it became +known that the mighty warrior who had dashed Salya, the king of Madra, on +the ground, and who in wrath had terrified the assembled monarchs by means +of the tree (he had uprooted), and who had taken his stand before all foes +in perfect fearlessness, was none else than Bhima, that feller of hostile +ranks, whose touch alone was sufficient to take the lives out of all foes. +The monarchs, upon being informed that the Pandavas had assumed the guise +of peaceful Brahmanas, wondered much. They even heard that Kunti with all +her sons had been burnt to death in the conflagration of the house of lac. +They, therefore, now regarded the Pandavas in the light of persons who had +come back from the region of the dead. And recollecting the cruel scheme +contrived by Purochana, they began to say, 'O, fie on Bhishma, fie on +Dhritarashtra of the Kuru race!' + +"After the Self-choice was over, all the monarchs (who had come thither), +hearing that Draupadi had been united with the Pandavas, set out for their +own dominions. And Duryodhana, hearing that Draupadi had selected the +owner of white steeds (Arjuna) as her lord, became greatly depressed. +Accompanied by his brothers, Aswatthaman, his uncle (Sakuni), Karna and +Kripa the prince set out with a heavy heart for his capital. Then +Duhsasana, blushing with shame, addressed his brother softly and said, 'If +Arjuna had not disguised himself as a Brahmana, he could never have +succeeded in obtaining Draupadi. It was for this disguise, O king, that no +one could recognise him as Dhananjaya. Fate, I ween, is ever supreme. +Exertion is fruitless; fie on our exertions, O brother! The Pandavas are +still alive!' Speaking unto one another thus and blaming Purochana (for +his carelessness), they then entered the city of Hastinapura, with +cheerless and sorrowful hearts. Beholding the mighty sons of Pritha, +escaped from the burning house of lac and allied with Drupada, and +thinking of Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin and the other sons of Drupada all +accomplished in fight, they were struck with fear and overcome with +despair. + +"Then Vidura, having learnt that Draupadi had been won by the Pandavas and +that the sons of Dhritarashtra had come back (to Hastinapura) in shame, +their pride humiliated, became filled with joy. And, O king, approaching +Dhritarashtra, Kshattri said, 'The Kurus are prospering by good luck!' +Hearing those words of Vidura, the son of Vichitravirya, wondering, said +in great glee, 'What good luck, O Vidura! What good luck!' From ignorance, +the blind monarch understood that his eldest son Duryodhana had been +chosen by Drupada's daughter as her lord. And the king immediately ordered +various ornaments to be made for Draupadi. And he commanded that both +Draupadi and his son Duryodhana should be brought with pomp to Hastinapura. +It was then that Vidura told the monarch that Draupadi had chosen the +Pandavas for her lords, and that those heroes were all alive and at peace, +and that they had been received with great respect by king Drupada. And he +also informed Dhritarashtra that the Pandavas had been united with the +many relatives and friends of Drupada, each owning large armies, and with +many others who had come to that self-choice. + +"Hearing these words of Vidura, Dhritarashtra said, 'Those children are to +me as dear as they were to Pandu. Nay, more. O listen to me why my +affection for them now is even greater! The heroic sons of Pandu are well +and at ease. They have obtained many friends. Their relatives, and others +whom they have gained as allies, are all endued with great strength. Who +amongst monarchs in prosperity or adversity would not like to have Drupada +with his relatives as an ally?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard these words of the monarch, Vidura +said, 'O king, let thy understanding remain so without change for a +hundred years!' Having said this Vidura returned to his own abode. Then, O +monarch, there came unto Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana and the son of Radha, +Karna. Addressing the monarch, they said, 'We cannot, O king, speak of any +transgression in the presence of Vidura! We have now found thee alone, and +will, therefore, say all we like! What is this that thou hast, O monarch, +desired to do? Dost thou regard the prosperity of thy foes as if it were +thy own, that thou hast been applauding the Pandavas, O foremost of men, +in the presence of Vidura? O sinless one, thou actest not, O king, in the +way thou shouldst! O father, we should now act every day in such a way as +to weaken (the strength of) the Pandavas. The time hath come, O father, +for us to take counsel together, so that the Pandavas may not swallow us +all with our children and friends and relatives.'" + + +SECTION CCIII + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Dhritarashtra replied saying, I desire to do exactly +what you would recommend. But I do not wish to inform Vidura of it even by +a change of muscle. It was, therefore, O son, that I was applauding the +Pandavas in Vidura's presence, so that he might not know even by a sign +what is in my mind. Now that Vidura hath gone away, this is the time, O +Suyodhana (Duryodhana), for telling me what thou hast hit upon, and what, +O Radheya (Karna), thou too hast hit upon.' + +"Duryodhana said. 'Let us, O father, by means of trusted and skilful and +adroit Brahmanas, seek to produce dissensions between the sons of Kunti +and Madri. Or, let king Drupada and his sons, and all his ministers of +state, be plied with presents of large wealth, so that they may abandon +the cause of Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti. Or, let our spies induce the +Pandavas to settle in Drupada's dominions, by describing to them, +separately, the inconvenience of residing in Hastinapura, so that, +separated from as, they may permanently settle in Panchala. Or, let some +clever spies, full of resources, sowing the seeds of dissension among the +Pandavas, make them jealous of one another. Or, let them incite Krishna +against her husbands. She has many lords and this will not present any +difficulty. Or, let some seek to make the Pandavas themselves dissatisfied +with Krishna, in which case Krishna also will be dissatisfied with them. +Or, let, O king, some clever spies, repairing thither, secretly compass +the death of Bhimasena. Bhima is the strongest of them all. Relying upon +Bhima alone, the Pandavas used to disregard us, of old. Bhima is fierce +and brave and the (sole) refuge of the Pandavas. If he be slain, the +others will be deprived of strength and energy. Deprived of Bhima who is +their sole refuge, they will no longer strive to regain their kingdom. +Arjuna, O king, is invincible in battle, if Bhima protecteth him from +behind. Without Bhima, Arjuna is not equal to even a fourth part of +Radheya. Indeed, O king, the Pandavas conscious of their own feebleness +without Bhima and of our strength would not really strive to recover the +kingdom. Or, if, O monarch, coming hither, they prove docile and obedient +to us, we would then seek to repress them according to the dictates of +political science (as explained by Kanika). Or, we may tempt them by means +of handsome girls, upon which the princess of Panchala will get annoyed +with them. Or, O Radheya, let messengers be despatched to bring them +hither, so that, when arrived, we may through trusted agents, by some of +the above methods, cause them to be slain. Strive, O father, to employ any +of these (various) methods that may appear to thee faultless. Time passeth. +Before their confidence in king Drupada--that bull amongst kings--is +established we may succeed, O monarch, to encounter them. But after their +confidence hath been established in Drupada, we are sure to fail. These, O +father, are my views for the discomfiture of the Pandavas. Judge whether +they be good or bad. What, O Karna, dost thou think?'" + + +SECTION CCIV + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Duryodhana, Karna said, 'It doth +not seem to me, O Duryodhana, that thy reasoning is well-founded. O +perpetuator of the Kuru race, no method will succeed against the Pandavas. +O brave prince, thou hast before, by various subtle means, striven to +carry out thy wishes. But ever hast thou failed to slay thy foes. They +were then living near thee, O king! They were then unfledged and of tender +years, but thou couldst not injure them then. They are now living at a +distance, grown up, full-fledged. The sons of Kunti, O thou of firm +resolution, cannot now be injured by any subtle contrivances of thine. +This is my opinion. As they are aided by the very Fates, and as they are +desirous of regaining their ancestral kingdom, we can never succeed in +injuring them by any means in our power. It is impossible to create +disunion amongst them. They can never be disunited who have all taken to a +common wife. Nor can we succeed in estranging Krishna from the Pandavas by +any spies of ours. She chose them as her lords when they were in adversity. +Will she abandon them now that they are in prosperity? Besides women +always like to have many husbands, Krishna hath obtained her wish. She can +never be estranged from the Pandavas. The king of Panchala is honest and +virtuous; he is not avaricious. Even if we offer him our whole kingdom he +will not abandon the Pandavas. Drupada's son also possesseth every +accomplishment, and is attached to the Pandavas. Therefore, I do not think +that the Pandavas can now be injured by any subtle means in thy power. But, +O bull amongst men, this is what is good and advisable for us now, viz., +to attack and smite them till they are exterminated. Let this course +recommend itself to thee. As long as our party is strong and that of the +king of the Panchalas is weak, so long strike them without any scruple. O +son of Gandhari, as long as their innumerable vehicles and animals, +friends, and friendly tribes are not mustered together, continue, O king, +to exhibit thy prowess. As long as the king of the Panchalas together with +his sons gifted with great prowess, setteth not his heart upon fighting +with us, so long, O king, exhibit thy prowess. And, O king, exert thy +prowess before he of the Vrishni race (Krishna) cometh with the Yadava +host into the city of Drupada, carrying everything before him, to restore +the Pandavas to their paternal kingdom. Wealth, every article of enjoyment, +kingdom, there is nothing that Krishna may not sacrifice for the sake of +the Pandavas. The illustrious Bharata had acquired the whole earth by his +prowess alone. Indra hath acquired sovereignty of the three worlds by +prowess alone. O king, prowess is always applauded by the Kshatriyas. O +bull amongst Kshatriyas, prowess is the cardinal virtue of the brave. Let +us, therefore, O monarch, with our large army consisting of four kinds of +forces, grind Drupada without loss of time, and bring hither the Pandavas. +Indeed, the Pandavas are incapable of being discomfited by any policy of +conciliation, of gift, of wealth and bribery, or of disunion. Vanquish +them, therefore, by thy prowess. And vanquishing them by thy prowess, rule +thou this wide earth. O monarch, I see not any other means by which we may +accomplish our end.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Radheya, Dhritarashtra, +endued with great strength, applauded him highly. The monarch then +addressed him and said, 'Thou, O son of a Suta, art gifted with great +wisdom and accomplished in arms. This speech, therefore, favouring the +exhibition of prowess suiteth thee well. But let Bhishma, and Drona, and +Vidura, and you two, take counsel together and adopt that proposal which +may lead to our benefit.' + +Vaisampayana continued, "'Then king Dhritarashtra called unto him, all +those celebrated ministers and took counsel with them.'" + + +SECTION CCV + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Asked by Dhritarashtra to give his opinion, Bhishma +replied, 'O Dhritarashtra, a quarrel with the Pandavas is what I can never +approve of. As thou art to me, so was Pandu without doubt. And the sons of +Gandhari are to me, as those of Kunti. I should protect them as well as I +should thy sons, O Dhritarashtra! And, O king, the Pandavas are as much +near to me as they are to prince Duryodhana or to all the other Kurus. +Under these circumstances a quarrel with them is what I never like. +Concluding a treaty with those heroes, let half the land be given unto +them. This is without doubt, the paternal kingdom of those foremost ones +of the Kuru race. And, O Duryodhana, like thee who lookest upon this +kingdom as thy paternal property, the Pandavas also look upon it as their +paternal possession. If the renowned sons of Pandu obtain not the kingdom, +how can it be thine, or that of any other descendant of the Bharata race? +If thou regardest thyself as one that hath lawfully come into the +possession of the kingdom, I think they also may be regarded to have +lawfully come into the possession of this kingdom before thee. Give them +half the kingdom quietly. This, O tiger among men, is beneficial to all. +If thou actest otherwise, evil will befall us all. Thou too shall be +covered with dishonour. O Duryodhana, strive to maintain thy good name. A +good name is, indeed, the source of one's strength. It hath been said that +one liveth in vain whose reputation hath gone. A man, O Kaurava, doth not +die so long as his fame lasteth. One liveth as long as one's fame endureth, +and dieth when one's fame is gone. Follow thou, O son of Gandhari, the +practice that is worthy of the Kuru race. O thou of mighty arms, imitate +thy own ancestors. We are fortunate that the Pandavas have not perished. +We are fortunate that Kunti liveth. We are fortunate that the wretch +Purochana without being able to accomplish his purpose hath himself +perished. From that time when I heard that the sons of Kuntibhoja's +daughter had been burnt to death, I was, O son of Gandhari, ill able to +meet any living creature. O tiger among men, hearing of the fate that +overtook Kunti, the world doth not regard Purochana so guilty as it +regardeth thee. O king, the escape, therefore, of the sons of Pandu with +life from that conflagration and their re-appearance, do away with thy +evil repute. Know, O thou of Kuru's race, that as long as those heroes +live, the wielder of the thunder himself cannot deprive them of their +ancestral share in the kingdom. The Pandavas are virtuous and united. They +are being wrongly kept out of their equal share in the kingdom. If thou +shouldst act rightly, if thou shouldst do what is agreeable to me, if thou +shouldst seek the welfare of all, then give half the kingdom unto them.'" + + +SECTION CCVI + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Bhishma had concluded, Drona spoke, saying, 'O +king Dhritarashtra, it hath been heard by us that friends summoned for +consultation should always speak what is right, true, and conductive to +fame. O sire, I am of the same mind in this matter with the illustrious +Bhishma. Let a share of the kingdom be given unto the Pandavas. This is +eternal virtue. Send, O Bharata, unto Drupada without loss of time some +messenger of agreeable speech, carrying with him a large treasure for the +Pandavas. And let the man go unto Drupada carrying costly presents for +both the bridegrooms and the bride, and let him speak unto that monarch of +thy increase of power and dignity arising from this new alliance with him. +And, O monarch, let the man know also that both thyself and Duryodhana +have become exceedingly glad in consequence of what hath happened. Let him +say this repeatedly unto Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna. And let him speak +also about the alliance as having been exceedingly proper, and agreeable +unto thee, and of thyself being worthy of it. And let the man repeatedly +propitiate the sons of Kunti and those of Madri (in proper words). And at +thy command, O king, let plenty of ornaments of pure gold be given unto +Draupadi. And let, O bull of Bharata's race, proper presents be given unto +all the sons of Drupada. Let the messenger then propose the return of the +Pandavas to Hastinapura. After the heroes will have been permitted (by +Drupada), to come hither, let Duhsasana and Vikarna go out with a handsome +train to receive them. And when they will have arrived at Hastinapura, let +those foremost of men be received with affection by thee. And let them +then be installed on their paternal throne, agreeably to the wishes of the +people of the realm. This, O monarch of Bharata's race, is what I think +should be thy behaviour towards the Pandavas who are to thee even as thy +own sons.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Drona had ceased, Karna spake again, 'Both +Bhishma and Drona have been pampered with wealth that is thine and favours +conferred by thee! They are also always regarded by thee as thy trusted +friends! What can therefore be more amusing than that they both should +give thee advice which is not for thy good? How can the wise approve that +advice which is pronounced good by a person speaking with wicked intent +but taking care to conceal the wickedness of his heart? Indeed, in a +season of distress, friends can neither benefit nor injure. Every one's +happiness or the reverse dependeth on destiny. He that is wise and he that +is foolish, he that is young (in years) and he that is old, he that hath +allies and he that hath none, all become, it is seen everywhere, happy or +unhappy at times. It hath been heard by us that there was, of old, a king +by name Amvuvicha. Having his capital at Rajagriha, he was the king of all +the Magadha chiefs. He never attended to his affairs. All his exertion +consisted in inhaling the air. All his affairs were in the hands of his +minister. And his minister, named Mahakarni, became the supreme authority +in the state. Regarding himself all powerful, he began to disregard the +king. And the wretch himself appropriated everything belonging unto the +king, his queens and treasures and sovereignty. But the possession of all +these, instead of satisfying his avarice, only served to inflame him the +more. Having appropriated everything belonging to the king, he even +coveted the throne. But it hath been heard by us that with all his best +endeavours he succeeded not in acquiring the kingdom of the monarch, his +master, even though the latter was inattentive to business and content +with only breathing the air. What else can be said, O king, than that +monarch's sovereignty was dependent on destiny? If, therefore, O king, +this kingdom be established in thee by destiny, it will certainly continue +in thee, even if the whole world were to become thy enemy! If, however, +destiny hath ordained otherwise, howsoever mayest thou strive, it will not +last in thee! O learned one, remembering all this, judge of the honesty or +otherwise of thy advisers. Ascertain also who amongst them are wicked and +who have spoken wisely and well.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Karna, Drona replied, 'As +thou art wicked it is evident thou sayest so in consequence of the +wickedness of thy intent. It is for injuring the Pandavas that thou +findest fault with us. But know, O Karna, what I have said is for the good +of all and the prosperity of the Kuru race. If thou regardest all this as +productive of evil, declare thyself what is for our good. If the good +advice I have given be not followed, I think the Kurus will be +exterminated in no time.'" + + +SECTION CCVII + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'After Drona had ceased, Vidura spoke, saying, 'O +monarch, thy friends without doubt, are saying unto thee what is for thy +good. But as thou art unwilling to listen to what they say, their words +scarcely find a place in thy ears. What that foremost one of Kuru's race, +viz., Bhishma, the son of Santanu, hath said, is excellent and is for thy +good. But thou dost not listen to it. The preceptor Drona also hath said +much that is for thy good which however Karna, the son of Radha, doth not +regard to be such. But, O king, reflecting hard I do not find any one who +is better a friend to thee than either of these two lions among men (viz., +Bhishma and Drona), or any one who excels either of them in wisdom. These +two, old in years, in wisdom, and in learning, always regard thee, O king, +and the sons of Pandu with equal eyes. Without doubt, O king of Bharata's +race, they are both, in virtue and truthfulness, not inferior to Rama, the +son of Dasaratha, and Gaya. Never before did they give thee any evil +advice. Thou also, O monarch, hast never done them any injury. Why should, +therefore, these tigers among men, who are ever truthful, give thee wicked +advice, especially when thou hast never injured them? Endued with wisdom +these foremost of men, O king, will never give thee counsels that are +crooked. O scion of Kuru's rate, this is my firm conviction that these two, +acquainted with all rules of morality, will never, tempted by wealth, +utter anything betraying a spirit of partisanship. What they have said, O +Bharata, I regard highly beneficial to thee. Without doubt, O monarch, the +Pandavas are thy sons as much as Duryodhana and others are. Those +ministers, therefore, that give thee any counsel fraught with evil unto +the Pandavas, do not really look to thy interests. If there is any +partiality in thy heart, O king, for thy own children, they who by their +counsel seek to bring it out, certainly do thee no good. Therefore, O king, +these illustrious persons endued with great splendour, have not I think, +said anything that leadeth to evil. Thou, however, dost not understand it. +What these bulls among men have said regarding the invincibility of the +Pandavas is perfectly true. Think not otherwise of it, O tiger among men. +Blest be thou! Can the handsome Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, using the +right and the left hand with equal activity, be vanquished in battle even +by Maghavat himself? Can the great Bhimasena of strong arms possessing the +might of ten thousand elephants, be vanquished in battle by the immortals +themselves? Who also that desireth to live can overcome in battle the +twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) like unto the sons of Yama himself, and well- +skilled in fight? How too can the eldest one of the Pandavas in whom +patience, mercy, forgiveness, truth, and prowess always live together, be +vanquished? They who have Rama (Valadeva) as their ally, and Janardana +(Krishna) as their counsellor, and Satyaki as their partisan, have already +defeated everybody in war. They who have Drupada for their father-in-law, +and Drupada's sons--the heroic brothers, viz., Dhristadyumna and others of +Prishata's race for their brothers-in-law, are certainly invincible. +Remembering this, O monarch, and knowing that their claim to the kingdom +is even prior to thine, behave virtuously towards them. The stain of +calumny is on thee, O monarch, in consequence of that act of Purochana. +Wash thyself of it now, by a kindly behaviour towards the Pandavas. This +kindly behaviour of thine, O monarch, towards the Pandavas will be an act +of great benefit to us, protecting the lives of us all that belong to +Kuru's race, and leading to the growth of the whole Kshatriya order! We +had formerly warred with king Drupada; if we can now secure him as an ally, +it will strengthen our party. The Dasarhas, O king, are numerous and +strong. Know where Krishna is, all of them must be, and where Krishna is, +there victory also must be! O king, who, unless cursed by the gods, would +seek, to effect that by means of war which can be effected by +conciliation? Hearing that the sons of Pritha are alive, the citizens and +other subjects of the realm have become exceedingly glad and eager for +beholding them. O monarch, act in a way that is agreeable to them. +Duryodhana and Karna and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, are sinful, foolish +and young; listen not to them. Possessed of every virtue thou art I long +ago told thee, O monarch that for Duryodhana's fault, the subjects of this +kingdom would be exterminated.'" + + +SECTION CCVIII + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these various speeches, Dhritarashtra said, +'The learned Bhishma, the son of Santanu, and the illustrious Rishi Drona, +and thyself also (O Vidura), have said the truth and what also is most +beneficial to me. Indeed, as those mighty car-warriors, the heroic sons of +Kunti, are the children of Pandu, so are they, without doubt, my children +according to the ordinance. And as my sons are entitled to this kingdom, +so are the sons of Pandu certainly entitled to it. Therefore, hasten to +bring hither the Pandavas along with their mother, treating them with +affectionate consideration. O thou of Bharata's race, bring also Krishna +of celestial beauty along with them. From sheer good fortune the sons of +Pritha are alive; and from good fortune alone those mighty car-warriors +have obtained the daughter of Drupada. It is from good fortune alone that +our strength hath increased, and it is from good fortune alone that +Purochana hath perished. O thou of great splendour, it is from good +fortune that my great grief hath been killed!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Vidura, at the command of Dhritarashtra, +repaired, O Bharata, unto Yajnasena and the Pandavas. And he repaired +thither carrying with him numerous jewels and various kinds of wealth for +Draupadi and the Pandavas and Yajnasena also. Arrived at Drupada's abode, +Vidura conversant with every rule of morality and deep in every science, +properly accosted the monarch and waited upon him. Drupada received Vidura +in proper form and they both enquired after each other's welfare. Vidura +then saw there the Pandavas and Vasudeva. As soon as he saw them he +embraced them from affection and enquired after their well being. The +Pandavas also along with Vasudeva, in due order, worshipped Vidura of +immeasurable intelligence. But Vidura, O king, in the name of +Dhritarashtra repeatedly enquired with great affection after their welfare. +He then gave, O monarch, unto the Pandavas and Kunti and Draupadi, and +unto Drupada and Drupada's sons, the gems and various kinds of wealth that +the Kauravas had sent through him. Possessed of immeasurable intelligence, +the modest Vidura then, in the presence of the Pandavas and Keshava, +addressed the well-behaved Drupada thus: + +"With thy ministers and sons, O monarch, listen to what I say. King +Dhritarashtra, with ministers, sons, and friends, hath with a joyous heart, +O king, repeatedly enquired after thy welfare. And, O monarch, he hath +been highly pleased with this alliance with thee. So also, O king, Bhishma +of great wisdom, the son of Santanu, with all the Kurus, enquired after +thy welfare in every respect. Drona also of great wisdom the son of +Bharadwaja and thy dear friend, embracing thee mentally, enquired of thy +happiness. And, O king of Panchalas, Dhritarashtra and all the Kurus, in +consequence of this alliance with thee regard themselves supremely blest. +O Yajnasena, the establishment of this alliance with thee hath made them +happier than if they had acquired a new kingdom. Knowing all this, O +monarch, permit the Pandavas to re-visit their ancestral kingdom. The +Kurus are exceedingly eager to behold the sons of Pandu. These bulls among +men have been long absent (from their kingdom). They as well as Pritha +must be very eager to behold their city. And all the Kuru ladies and the +citizens and our subjects are eagerly waiting to behold Krishna the +Panchala Princess. This, therefore, is my opinion, O monarch, that thou +shouldst, without delay, permit the Pandavas to go thither with their wife. +And after the illustrious Pandavas, O king, will have received thy +permission to go thither, I shall send information unto Dhritarashtra by +quick messengers. Then, O king, will the Pandavas set out with Kunti and +Krishna.'" + + +SECTION CCIX + +(Viduragamana Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Vidura, Drupada said, 'It is +even so as thou, O Vidura of great wisdom, hast said. Venerable one, I too +have been exceedingly happy in consequence of this alliance. It is highly +proper that these illustrious princes should return to their ancestral +kingdom. But it is not proper for me to say this myself. If the brave son +of Kunti viz., Yudhishthira, if Bhima and Arjuna, if these among men, viz., +the twins, themselves desire to go and if Rama (Valadeva) and Krishna, +both acquainted with every rule of morality, be of the same mind, then let +the Pandavas go thither. For these tigers among men (Rama and Krishna) are +ever engaged in doing what is agreeable and beneficial to the sons of +Pandu.' + +"Hearing this, Yudhishthira said, 'We are now, O monarch, with all our +younger brothers, dependent on thee. We shall cheerfully do what thou art +pleased to command.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Vasudeva said, 'I am of opinion that the +Pandavas should go. But we should all abide by the opinion of king Drupada +who is conversant with every rule of morality.' + +"Drupada then spoke, 'I certainly agree with what this foremost of men, +thinketh, having regard to the circumstances. For the illustrious sons of +Pandu now are to me as they are, without doubt, to Vasudeva. Kunti's son +Yudhishthira himself doth not seek the welfare of the Pandavas so +earnestly as, Kesava, that tiger among men.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Commanded by the illustrious Drupada, the +Pandavas, then, O king, and Krishna and Vidura, taking with them Krishna, +the daughter of Drupada, and the renowned Kunti, journeyed towards the +city called after the elephant, stopping at various places along the way +for purposes of pleasure and enjoyment. King Dhritarashtra, hearing that +those heroes had neared the capital sent out the Kauravas to receive them. +They who were thus sent out were, O Bharata, Vikarna of the great bow, and +Chitrasena, and Drona that foremost of warriors, and Kripa of Gautama's +line. Surrounded by these, those mighty heroes, their splendour enhanced +by that throng slowly entered the city of Hastinapura. The whole city +became radiant, as it were, with the gay throng of sight-seers animated by +curiosity. Those tigers among men gladdened the hearts of all who beheld +them. And the Pandavas, dear unto the hearts of the people, heard, as they +proceeded, various exclamations with the citizens, ever desirous of +obeying the wishes of those princes, loudly uttered. Some exclaimed, 'Here +returns that tiger among men, conversant with all the rules of morality +and who always protects us as if we were his nearest relatives.' And +elsewhere they said, 'It seems that king Pandu--the beloved of his people-- +returneth today from the forest, doubtless to do what is agreeable to us.' +And there were some that said, 'What good is not done to us today when the +heroic sons of Kunti come back to our town? If we have ever given away in +charity, if we have ever poured libations of clarified butter on the fire, +if we have any ascetic merit, let the Pandavas, by virtue of all those +acts stay in town for a hundred years.' + +"At last the Pandavas, on arriving at the place, worshipped the feet of +Dhritarashtra, as also those of the illustrious Bhishma. They also +worshipped the feet of everybody else that deserved that honour. And they +enquired after the welfare of every citizen (there present). At last, at +the command of Dhritarashtra they entered the chambers that had been +assigned to them. + +"After they had rested there for some time, they were summoned (to the +court) by king Dhritarashtra and Bhishma, the son of Santanu. When they +came, king Dhritarashtra addressing Yudhishthira, said, 'Listen, O son of +Kunti, with thy brothers, to what I say. Repair ye to Khandavaprastha so +that no difference may arise again (between you and your cousins). If you +take up your quarters there no one will be able to do you any injury. +Protected by Partha (Arjuna), like the celestials by the thunderbolt, +reside ye at Khandavaprastha, taking half of the kingdom.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Agreeing to what Dhritarashtra said, those bulls +among men worshipping the king set out from Hastinapura. And content with +half the kingdom, they removed to Khandavaprastha, which was in +unreclaimed desert. Then those heroes of unfading splendour, viz., the +Pandavas, with Krishna at their head, arriving there, beautified the place +and made it a second heaven. And those mighty car-warriors, selecting with +Dwaipayana's assistance a sacred and auspicious region, performed certain +propitiatory ceremonies and measured out a piece of land for their city. +Then surrounded by a trench wide as the sea and by walls reaching high up +to the heavens and white as the fleecy clouds or the rays of the moon, +that foremost of cities looked resplendent like Bhogavati (the capital of +the nether kingdom) decked with the Nagas. And it stood adorned with +palatial mansions and numerous gates, each furnished with a couple of +panels resembling the out-stretched wings of Garuda. And it was protected +with gateways looking like the clouds and high as the Mandara mountains. +And well-furnished with numerous weapons of attack the missiles of the +foes could not make slightest impression on them. And they were almost +covered with darts and other missiles like double-tongued snakes. The +turrets along the walls were filled with armed men in course of training; +and the walls were lined with numerous warriors along their whole length. +And there were thousands of sharp hooks and Sataghnis (machines slaying a +century of warriors) and numerous other machines on the battlements. There +were also large iron wheels planted on them. And with all these was that +foremost of cities adorned. The streets were all wide and laid out +excellently; and there was no fear in them of accident. And decked with +innumerable mansions, the city became like unto Amaravati and came to be +called Indraprastha (like unto Indra's city). In a delightful and +auspicious part of the city rose the palace of the Pandavas filled with +every kind of wealth and like unto the mansion of the celestial treasurer +(Kuvera) himself. And it looked like a mass of clouds charged with +lightning. + +"When the city was built, there came, O king, numerous Brahmanas well- +acquainted with all the Vedas and conversant with every language, wishing +to dwell there. And there came also unto that town numerous merchants from +every direction, in the hope of earning wealth. There also came numerous +persons well-skilled in all the arts, wishing to take up their abode there. +And around the city were laid out many delightful gardens adorned with +numerous trees bearing both fruits and flowers. There were Amras (mango +trees) and Amaratakas, and Kadamvas and Asokas, and Champakas; and +Punnagas and Nagas and Lakuchas and Panasas; and Salas and Talas (palm +trees) and Tamalas and Vakulas, and Ketakas with their fragrant loads; +beautiful and blossoming and grand Amalakas with branches bent down with +the weight of fruits and Lodhras and blossoming Ankolas; and Jamvus +(blackberry trees) and Patalas and Kunjakas and Atimuktas; and Karaviras +and Parijatas and numerous other kinds of trees always adorned with +flowers and fruits and alive with feathery creatures of various species. +And those verdant groves always resounded with the notes of maddened +peacocks and Kokilas (blackbirds). And there were various pleasure-houses, +bright as mirrors, and numerous bowers of creepers, and charming and +artificial hillocks, and many lakes full to the brim of crystal water, and +delightful tanks fragrant with lotuses and lilies and adorned with swans +and ducks and chakravakas (brahminy ducks). And there were many delicious +pools overgrown with fine aquatic plants. And there were also diverse +ponds of great beauty and large dimension. And, O king, the joy of the +Pandavas increased from day to day, in consequence of their residence in +that large kingdom that was peopled with pious men. + +"Thus in consequence of the virtuous behaviour of Bhishma and king +Dhritarashtra towards them, the Pandavas took up their abode in +Khandavaprastha. Adorned with those five mighty warriors, each equal unto +Indra himself, that foremost of cities looked like Bhogavati (the capital +of the nether kingdom) adorned with the Nagas. And, O monarch, having +settled the Pandavas there, the heroic Krishna, obtaining their leave, +came back with Rama to Dwaravati.'" + + +SECTION CCX + +(Rajya-labha Parva) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O thou possessed of ascetic wealth, what did those high- +souled ones, my grandsires, the illustrious Pandavas, do, after obtaining +the kingdom of Indraprastha? How did their wife Draupadi obey them all? +How is it also that no dissensions arose amongst those illustrious rulers +of men, all attached to one wife, viz., Krishna? O thou of the wealth of +asceticism, I wish to hear everything in detail regarding the behaviour +towards one another of those rulers of men after their union with +Krishna.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Those scorchers of foes, the Pandavas, having +obtained their kingdom, at the command of Dhritarashtra, passed their days +in joy and happiness at Khandavaprastha with Krishna. And Yudhishthira. +endued with great energy and ever adhering to truth, having obtained the +sovereignty, virtuously ruled the land, assisted by his brothers. And the +sons of Pandu, endued with great wisdom and devoted to truth and virtue, +having vanquished all their foes, continued to live there in great +happiness. And those bulls among men, seated on royal seats of great value, +used to discharge all the duties of government. And one day, while all +those illustrious heroes were so seated, there came unto them the +celestial Rishi Narada, in course of his wanderings. Beholding the Rishi, +Yudhishthira offered him his own handsome seat. And after the celestial +Rishi had been seated, the wise Yudhishthira duly offered him the Arghya +with his own hands. And the king also informed the Rishi of the state of +his kingdom. The Rishi accepting the worship, became well-pleased, and +eulogising him with benedictions, commanded the king to take his seat. +Commanded by the Rishi, the king took his seat. Then the king sent word +unto Krishna (in the inner apartments) of the arrival of the illustrious +one. Hearing of the Rishi's arrival Draupadi, purifying herself properly, +came with a respectful attitude to where Narada was with the Pandavas. The +virtuous princess of Panchala, worshipping the celestial Rishi's feet, +stood with joined hands before him, properly veiled. The illustrious +Narada, pronouncing various benedictions on her, commanded the princess to +retire. After Krishna had retired, the illustrious Rishi, addressing in +private all the Pandavas with Yudhishthira at their head, said, 'The +renowned princess of Panchala is the wedded wife of you all. Establish a +rule amongst yourselves so that disunion may not arise amongst you. There +were, in former days, celebrated throughout the three worlds, two brothers +named Sunda and Upasunda living together and incapable of being slain by +anybody unless each slew the other. They ruled the same kingdom, lived in +the same house, slept on the same bed, sat on the same seat, and ate from +the same dish. And yet they killed each for the sake of Tilottama. +Therefore, O Yudhishthira, preserve your friendship for one another and do +that which may not produce disunion amongst you.' + +"On hearing this, Yudhishthira asked, 'O great Muni, whose sons were +Asuras called Sunda and Upasunda? Whence arose that dissension amongst +them, and why did they slay each other? Whose daughter also was this +Tilottama for whose love the maddened brothers killed each other? Was she +an Apsara (water nymph) or the daughter of any celestial? O thou whose +wealth is asceticism, we desire, O Brahmana, to hear in detail everything +as it happened. Indeed, our curiosity hath become great.'" + + +SECTION CCXI + +(Rajya-labha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Yudhishthira, Narada replied, +'O son of Pritha, listen with thy brothers to me as I recite this old +story, O Yudhishthira, exactly as everything happened. In olden days, a +mighty Daitya named Nikumbha, endued with great energy and strength was +born in the race of the great Asura, Hiranyakasipu. Unto this Nikumbha, +were born two sons called Sunda and Upasunda. Both of them were mighty +Asuras endued with great energy and terrible prowess. The brothers were +both fierce and possessed of wicked hearts. And those Daityas were both of +the same resolution, and ever engaged in achieving the same tasks and ends. +They were ever sharers with each other in happiness as well as in woe. +Each speaking and doing what was agreeable to the other, the brothers +never were unless they were together, and never went anywhere unless +together. Of exactly the same disposition and habits, they seemed to be +one individual divided into two parts. Endued with great energy and ever +of the same resolution in everything they undertook, the brothers +gradually grew up. Always entertaining the same purpose, desirous of +subjugating the three worlds, the brothers, after due initiation, went to +the mountains of Vindhya. And severe were the ascetic penances they +performed there. Exhausted with hunger and thirst, with matted locks on +their heads and attired in barks of trees, they acquired sufficient +ascetic merit at length. Besmearing themselves with dirt from head to foot, +living upon air alone, standing on their toes, they threw pieces of the +flesh of their bodies into the fire. Their arms upraised, and eye fixed, +long was the period for which they observed their vows. And during the +course of their ascetic penances, a wonderful incident occurred there. For +the mountains of Vindhya, heated for a long course of years by the power +of their ascetic austerities, began to emit vapour from every part of +their bodies. And beholding the severity of their austerities, the +celestials became alarmed. The gods began to cause numerous obstructions +to impede the progress of their asceticism. The celestials repeatedly +tempted the brothers by means of every precious possession and the most +beautiful girls. The brothers broke not their vows. Then the celestials +once more manifested, before the illustrious brothers, their powers of +illusion. For it seemed their sisters, mothers, wives, and other relatives, +with disordered hair and ornaments and robes, were running towards them in +terror, pursued and struck by a Rakshasa with a lance in hand. And it +seemed that the women implored the help of the brothers crying, 'O save +us!' But all this went for nothing, for firmly wedded thereto, the +brothers did not still break their vows. And when it was found that all +this produced not the slightest impression on any of the two, both the +women and the Rakshasa vanished from sight. At last the Grandsire himself, +the Supreme Lord ever seeking the welfare of all, came unto those great +Asuras and asked them to solicit the boon they desired. Then the brothers +Sunda and Upasunda, both of great prowess, beholding the Grandsire, rose +from their seats and waited with joined palms. And the brothers both said +unto the God, 'O Grandsire, if thou hast been pleased with these our +ascetic austerities, and art, O lord, propitious unto us, then let us have +knowledge of all weapons and of all powers of illusion. Let us be endued +with great strength, and let us be able to assume any form at will. And +last of all, let us also be immortal.' Hearing these words of theirs, +Brahman said, 'Except the immortality you ask for, you shall be given all +that you desire. Solicit you some form of death by which you may still be +equal unto the immortals. And since you have undergone these severe +ascetic austerities from desire of sovereignty alone I cannot confer on +you the boon of immortality. You have performed your ascetic penances even +for the subjugation of the three worlds. It is for this, O mighty Daityas, +that I cannot grant you what you desire.' + +"Narada continued, 'Hearing these words of Brahman, Sunda and Upasunda +said, 'O Grandsire, let us have no fear then from any created thing, +mobile or immobile, in the three worlds, except only from each other!' The +Grandsire then said, 'I grant you what you have asked for, even this your +desire'. And granting them this boon, the Grandsire made them desist from +their asceticism, and returned to his own region. Then the brothers, those +mighty Daityas, having received those several boons became incapable of +being slain by anybody in the universe. They then returned to their own +abode. All their friends and relatives, beholding those Daityas of great +intelligence, crowned with success in the matter of the boons they had +obtained, became exceedingly glad. And Sunda and Upasunda then cut off +their matted locks and wore coronets on their heads. Attired in costly +robes and ornaments, they looked exceedingly handsome. They caused the +moon to rise over their city every night even out of his season. And +friends and relatives gave themselves up to joy and merriment with happy +hearts. Eat, feed, give, make merry, sing, drink--these were the sounds +heard everyday in every house. And here and there arose loud uproars of +hilarity mixed with clappings of hands which filled the whole city of the +Daityas, who being capable of assuming any form at will, were engaged in +every kind of amusement and sport and scarcely noticed the flight of time, +even regarding a whole year as a single day.'" + + +SECTION CCXII + +(Rajya-labha Parva continued) + +'Narada continued, 'As soon as those festivities came to an end, the +brothers Sunda and Upasunda, desirous of the Sovereignty of the three +worlds, took counsel and commanded their forces to be arranged. Obtaining +the assent of their friends and relatives, of the elders of the Daitya +race and of their ministers of state, and performing the preliminary rites +of departure, they set out in the night when the constellation Magha was +in the ascendant. The brothers set out with a large Daitya force clad in +mail and armed with maces and axes and lances and clubs. The Daitya heroes +set out on their expedition with joyous hearts, the charanas (bards) +chanting auspicious panegyrics indicative of their future triumphs. +Furious in war, the Daitya brothers, capable of going everywhere at will, +ascended the skies and went to the region of the celestials. The +celestials knowing they were coming and acquainted also with the boons +granted unto them by the Supreme Deity left heaven and sought refuge in +the region of Brahman. Endued with fierce prowess, the Daitya heroes soon +subjugated the region of Indra, and vanquishing the diverse tribes of +Yakshas and Rakshasas and every creature ranging the skies, came away. +Those mighty car-warriors next subjugated the Nagas of the nether region, +and then the inmates of the ocean and then all the tribes of the +Mlechchhas. Desirous next of subjugating the whole earth, those heroes of +irresistible sway, summoning their soldiers, issued these cruel commands. +'Brahmanas and royal sages (on earth) with their libations and other food +offered at grand sacrifices, increase the energy and strength of the gods, +as also their prosperity. Engaged in such acts, they are the enemies of +the Asuras. All of us, therefore, mustering together should completely +slaughter them off the face of the earth!' Ordering their soldiers thus on +the eastern shore of the great ocean, and entertaining such a cruel +resolution, the Asura brothers set out in all directions. And those that +were performing sacrifices and the Brahmanas that were assisting at those +sacrifices, the mighty brothers instantly slew. And slaughtering them with +violence they departed for some other place. Whilst their soldiers threw +into the water the sacrificial fires that were in the asylums of Munis +with souls under complete control, the curses uttered by the illustrious +Rishis in wrath, rendered abortive by the boons granted (by Brahman), +affected not the Asura brothers. When the Brahmanas saw that their curses +produced not the slightest effect like shafts shot at stones they fled in +all directions, forsaking their rites and vows. Even those Rishis on earth +that were crowned with ascetic success, and had their passions under +complete control and were wholly engrossed in meditation of the Deity, +from fear of the Asura brothers, fled like snakes at the approach of +Vinata's son (Garuda the snake-eater). The sacred asylums were all trodden +down and broken. The sacrificial jars and vessels being broken, their +(sacred) contents were scattered over the ground. The whole universe +became empty, as if its creatures had all been stricken down during the +season of general dissolution. And, O king, after the Rishis had all +disappeared and made themselves invisible both the great Asuras, resolved +upon their destruction, began to assume various forms. Assuming the forms +of maddened elephants with temples rent from excess of juice, the Asura +pair, searching out the Rishis who had sheltered themselves in caves, sent +them to the region of Yama. Sometimes becoming as lions and again as +tigers and disappearing the next moment, by these and other methods the +cruel couple, seeing the Rishis, slew them instantly. Sacrifice and study +ceased, and kings and Brahmanas were exterminated. The earth became +utterly destitute of sacrifices and festivals. And the terrified people +uttered cries of Oh and Alas and all buying and selling were stopped. All +religious rites ceased, and the earth became destitute of sacred +ceremonies and marriages. Agriculture was neglected and cattle were no +longer tended. Towns and asylums became desolate. And scattered over with +bones and skeletons, the earth assumed a frightful aspect. All ceremonies +in honour of the Pitris were suspended, and the sacred sound of Vashat and +the whole circle of auspicious rites ceased. The earth became frightful to +behold. The Sun and the Moon, the Planets and Stars, and Constellations, +and the other dwellers in the firmament, witnessing these acts of Sunda +and Upasunda, grieved deeply. Subjugating all the points of heaven by +means of such cruel acts, the Asura brothers took up their abode in +Kurukshetra, without a single rival.'" + + +SECTION CCXIII + +(Rajya-labha Parva continued) + +"Narada continued, 'Then the celestial Rishis, the Siddhas, and the high- +souled Rishis possessing the attributes of tranquillity and self-restraint, +beholding that act of universal slaughter, were afflicted with great grief. +With passions and senses and souls under complete control, they then went +to the abode of the Grandsire, moved by compassion for the universe. +Arrived there, they beheld the Grandsire seated with gods, Siddhas, and +Brahmarshis around him. There were present that God of gods, viz., +Mahadeva, and Agni, accompanied by Vayu, and Soma and Surya and Sakra, and +Rishis devoted to the contemplation of Brahma, and the Vaikhanasas, the +Valakhilyas, the Vanaprasthas, the Marichipas, the Ajas, the Avimudas, and +other ascetics of great energy. All those Rishis were sitting with the +Grandsire, when the celestial and other Rishis, approaching Brahman with +sorrowful hearts, represented unto him all the acts of Sunda and Upasunda. +And they told the Grandsire in detail everything that the Asura brothers +had done, and how they had done it, and in what order. Then all the +celestials and the great Rishis pressed the matter before the Grandsire. +The Grandsire, hearing everything they said, reflected for a moment and +settled in his mind what he should do. Resolving to compass the +destruction of the Asura brothers, he summoned Viswakarman (the celestial +architect). Seeing Viswakarman before him, the Grandsire possessed of +supreme ascetic merit commanded him, saying, 'Create thou a damsel capable +of captivating all hearts.' Bowing down unto the Grandsire and receiving +his command with reverence, the great artificer of the universe created a +celestial maiden with careful attention. Viswakrit first collected all +handsome features upon the body of the damsel he created. Indeed, the +celestial maiden that he created was almost a mass of gems. And created +with great care by Viswakarman, the damsel, in beauty, became unrivalled +among the women of the three worlds. There was not even a minute part of +her body which by its wealth of beauty could not attract the gaze of +beholders. And like unto the embodied Sri herself, that damsel of +extraordinary beauty captivated the eyes and hearts of every creature. And +because she had been created with portions of every gem taken in minute +measures, the Grandsire bestowed upon her the name of Tilottama. And as +soon as he started it into life, the damsel bowed to Brahman and with +joined palms said, 'Lord of every created thing, what task am I to +accomplish and what have I been created for?' The Grandsire answered, 'Go, +O Tilottama, unto the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda. O amiable one, tempt +them with thy captivating beauty. And, O damsel, conduct thyself there in +such a way that the Asura brothers may, in consequence of the wealth of +thy beauty, quarrel with each other as soon as they cast their eyes upon +thee.' + +"Narada continued, 'Bowing unto the Grandsire and saying, 'So be it,'--the +damsel walked round the celestial conclave. The illustrious Brahman was +then sitting with face turned eastwards, and Mahadeva with face also +towards the east, and all the celestials with faces northwards, and the +Rishis with faces towards all directions. While Tilottama walked round the +conclave of the celestials, Indra and the illustrious Sthanu (Mahadeva) +were the only ones that succeeded in preserving their tranquillity of mind. +But exceedingly desirous as Mahadeva was (of beholding Tilottama) when the +damsel (in her progress round the celestial conclave) was at his side, +another face like a full-blown lotus appeared on the southern side of his +body. And when she was behind him, another face appeared on the west. And +when the damsel was on the northern side of the great god, a fourth face +appeared on the northern side of his body. Mahadeva (who was eager to +behold the damsel) came also to have a thousand eyes, each large and +slightly reddish, before, behind and on his flanks. And it was thus that +Sthanu the great god came to have four faces, and the slayer of Vala, a +thousand eyes. And as regards the mass of the celestials and the Rishis, +they turned their faces towards all directions as Tilottama walked round +them. Except the divine Grandsire himself, the glances of those +illustrious personages, even of all of them fell upon Tilottama's body. +And when Tilottama set out (for the city of the Asuras) with the wealth of +her beauty, all regarded the task as already accomplished. After Tilottama +had gone away, the great god who was the First Cause of the Universe, +dismissed all the celestials and the Rishis.'" + + +SECTION CCXIV + +(Rajya-labha Parva continued) + +"Narada continued, 'Meanwhile the Asura brothers having subjugated the +earth were without a rival. The fatigue of exertion gone, they, having +brought the three worlds under equal sway, regarded themselves as persons +that had nothing more to do. Having brought all the treasures of the gods, +the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, and the kings of +the earth, the brothers began to pass their days in great happiness. When +they saw they had no rivals (in the three worlds), they gave up all +exertion and devoted their time to pleasure and merriment, like the +celestials. They experienced great happiness by giving themselves up to +every kind of enjoyment, such as women, and perfumes and floral wreaths +and viands, and drinks and many other agreeable objects all in profusion. +In houses and woods and gardens, on hills and in forests, wherever they +liked they passed their time in pleasure and amusement, like the immortals. +And it so happened that one day they went for purposes of pleasure to a +tableland of the Vindhya range, perfectly level and stony, and overgrown +with blossoming trees. After every object of desire, all of the most +agreeable kind, had been brought, the brothers sat on an excellent seat, +with happy hearts and accompanied by handsome women. And those damsels, +desirous of pleasing the brothers, commenced a dance in accompaniment to +music, and sweetly chanted many a song in praise of the mighty pair.' + +"Meanwhile Tilottama attired in a single piece of red silk that exposed +all her charms, came along, plucking wild flowers on her way. She advanced +slowly to where those mighty Asuras were. The Asura brothers, intoxicated +with the large portions they had imbibed, were smitten upon beholding that +maiden of transcendent beauty. Leaving their seats they went quickly to +where the damsel was. Both of them being under the influence of lust, each +sought the maiden for himself. And Sunda seized that maid of fair brows by +her right hand. Intoxicated with the boons they had obtained, with +physical might, with the wealth and gems they had gathered from every +quarter, and with the wine they had drunk, maddened with all these, and +influenced by wishful desire, they addressed each other, each contracting +his brow in anger. 'She is my wife, and therefore your superior,' said +Sunda. 'She is my wife, and therefore your sister-in-law', replied +Upasunda. And they said unto each other, 'She is mine not yours.' And soon +they were under the influence of rage. Maddened by the beauty of the +damsel, they soon forgot their love and affection for each other. Both of +them, deprived of reason by passion, then took up their fierce maces. Each +repeating, 'I was the first, I was the first,' (in taking her hand) struck +the other. And the fierce Asuras, struck by each other with the mace, fell +down upon the ground, their bodies bathed in blood, like two suns +dislodged from the firmament. And beholding this, the women that had come +there, and the other Asuras there present, all fled away trembling in +grief and fear, and took refuge in the nether regions. The Grandsire +himself of pure soul, then came there, accompanied by the celestials, and +the great Rishis. And the illustrious Grandsire applauded Tilottama and +expressed his wish of granting her a boon. The Supreme Deity, before +Tilottama spoke, desirous of granting her a boon, cheerfully said, 'O +beautiful damsel, thou shalt roam in the region of the Adityas. Thy +splendour shall be so great that nobody will ever be able to look at thee +for any length of time!' The Grandsire of all creatures, granting this +boon unto her, establishing the three worlds in Indra as before, returned +to his own region. + +"Narada continued, 'It was thus that Asuras, ever united and inspired by +the same purpose slew each other in wrath for the sake of Tilottama. +Therefore, from affection I tell you, ye foremost ones of Bharata's line, +that if you desire to do anything agreeable to me, make some such +arrangements that you may not quarrel with one another for the sake of +Draupadi.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'The illustrious Pandavas, thus addressed by the +great Rishi Narada, consulting with one another, established a rule +amongst themselves in the presence of the celestial Rishi himself endued +with immeasurable energy. And the rule they made was that when one of them +would be sitting with Draupadi, any of the other four who would see that +one thus must retire into the forest for twelve years, passing his days as +a Brahmacharin. After the virtuous Pandavas had established that rule +amongst themselves, the great Muni Narada, gratified with them, went to +the place he wished. Thus, O Janamejaya, did the Pandavas urged by Narada, +established a rule amongst themselves in regard to their common wife. And +it was for this, O Bharata, that no dispute ever arose between them.'" + + +SECTION CCXV + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The Pandavas, having established such a rule, +continued to reside there. By the prowess of their arms they brought many +kings under their sway. And Krishna became obedient unto all the five sons +of Pritha, those lions among men, of immeasurable energy. Like the river +Saraswati decked with elephants, which again take pleasure in that stream, +Draupadi took great delight in her five heroic husbands and they too took +delight in her. And in consequence of the illustrious Pandavas being +exceedingly virtuous in their practice, the whole race of Kurus, free from +sin, and happy, grew in prosperity. + +"After some time, O king, it so happened that certain robbers lifted the +cattle of a Brahmana, and while they were carrying away the booty, the +Brahmana, deprived of his senses by anger, repaired to Khandavaprastha, +and began to reprove the Pandavas in accents of woe. The Brahmana said, +'Ye Pandavas, from this your dominion, my kine are even now being taken +away by force by despicable and wicked wretches! Pursue ye the thieves. +Alas, the sacrificial butter of a peaceful Brahmana is being taken away by +crows! Alas, the wretched jackal invadeth the empty cave of a lion! A king +that taketh the sixth part of the produce of the land without protecting +the subject, hath been called by the wise to be the most sinful person in +the whole world. The wealth of a Brahmana is being taken away by robbers! +Virtue itself is sustaining a diminution! Take me up by the hand, ye +Pandavas for I am plunged in grief!" + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, heard those +accents of the Brahmana weeping in bitter grief. As soon as he heard those +accents, he loudly assured the Brahmana, saying, 'No fear!' But it so +happened that the chamber where the illustrious Pandavas had their weapons +was then occupied by Yudhishthira the just with Krishna. Arjuna, therefore, +was incapable of entering it or, going alone with the Brahmana, though +repeatedly urged (to do either) by the weeping accents of the Brahmana. +Summoned by the Brahmana, Arjuna reflected, with a sorrowful heart, 'Alas, +this innocent Brahmana's wealth is being robbed! I should certainly dry up +his tears. He hath come to our gate, and is weeping even now. If I do not +protect him, the king will be touched with sin in consequence of my +indifference; our own irreligiousness will be cited throughout the kingdom, +and we shall incur a great sin. If, disregarding the king, I enter the +chamber, without doubt I shall be behaving untruthfully towards the +monarch without a foe. By entering the chamber, again, I incur the penalty +of an exile in the woods. But I must overlook everything. I care not if I +have to incur sin by disregarding the king. I care not if I have to go to +the woods and die there. Virtue is superior to the body and lasteth after +the body hath perished!' Dhananjaya, arriving at this resolution, entered +the chamber and talked with Yudhishthira. Coming out with the bow, he +cheerfully told the Brahmana, 'Proceed, O Brahmana, with haste, so that +those wretched robbers may not go much ahead of us. I shall accompany thee +and restore unto thee thy wealth that hath fallen into the hands of the +thieves.' Then Dhananjaya, capable of using both his arms with equal skill, +armed with the bow and cased in mail and riding in his war-chariot decked +with a standard, pursued the thieves, and piercing them with his arrows, +compelled them to give up the booty. Benefiting the Brahmana thus by +making over to him his kine, and winning great renown, the hero returned +to the capital. Bowing unto all the elders, and congratulated by everybody, +Partha at last approached Yudhishthira, and addressing him, said, 'Give me +leave, O lord, to observe the vow I took. In beholding thee sitting with +Draupadi, I have violated the rule established by ourselves. I shall +therefore go into the woods, for this is even our understanding.' Then +Yudhishthira, suddenly hearing those painful words, became afflicted with +grief, and said in an agitated voice, 'Why!' A little while after, king +Yudhishthira in grief said unto his brother Dhananjaya of curly hair who +never departed from his vows, these words, 'O sinless one, if I am an +authority worthy of regard, listen to what I say. O hero, full well do I +know the reason why thou hadst entered my chamber and didst what thou +regardest to be an act disagreeable to me. But there is no displeasure in +my mind. The younger brother may, without fault, enter the chamber where +the elder brother sitteth with his wife. It is only the elder brother that +acts against the rules of propriety by entering the room where the younger +brother sitteth with his wife. Therefore, O thou of mighty arms, desist +from thy purpose. Do what I say. Thy virtue hath sustained no diminution. +Thou hast not disregarded me.' + +"Arjuna, hearing this, replied, 'I have heard, even from thee, that +quibbling is not permitted in the discharge of duty. I cannot waver from +truth. Truth is my weapon.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Obtaining then the king's permission, Arjuna +prepared himself for a forest-life; and he went to the forest to live +there for twelve years.'" + + +SECTION CCXVI + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When that spreader of the renown of Kuru's race, the +strong-armed Arjuna, set out (for the forest), Brahmanas conversant with +the Vedas walked behind that illustrious hero to a certain distance. +Followed by Brahmanas conversant with the Vedas and their branches and +devoted to the contemplation of the Supreme Spirit, by persons skilled in +music, by ascetics devoted to the Deity, by reciters of Puranas, by +narrators of sacred stories by devotees leading celibate lives, by +Vanaprasthas, by Brahmanas sweetly reciting celestial histories, and by +various other classes of persons of sweet speeches, Arjuna journeyed like +Indra followed by the Maruts. And, O thou of Bharata's race, that bull +among the Bharatas saw, as he journeyed, many delightful and picturesque +forests, lakes, rivers, seas, provinces, and waters. At length, on +arriving at the source of the Ganges the mighty hero thought of settling +there. + +"Listen now, O Janamejaya, to a wonderful feat which that foremost of the +sons of Pandu, of high soul, did, while living there. When that son of +Kunti, O Bharata, and the Brahmanas who had followed him, took up their +residence in that region, the latter performed innumerable Agnihotras +(sacrificial rites by igniting the sacred fire). And, O king, in +consequence of those learned vow-observing, and illustrious Brahmanas, who +never deviated from the right path, daily establishing and igniting with +mantras on the banks of that sacred stream, after the performance of their +ablutions, fires for their sacrifices, and pouring libations of clarified +butter into the same, and worshipping those fires with offerings of +flowers, that region itself where the Ganges entered the plains became +exceedingly beautiful. One day that bull amongst the Pandavas, while +residing in that region in the midst of those Brahmanas, descended (as +usual) into the Ganges to perform his ablutions. After his ablutions had +been over, and after he had offered oblations of water unto his deceased +ancestors, he was about to get up from the stream to perform his +sacrificial rites before the fire, when the mighty-armed hero, O king, was +dragged into the bottom of the water by Ulupi, the daughter of the king of +the Nagas, urged by the god of desire. And it so happened that the son of +Pandu was carried into the beautiful mansion of Kauravya, the king of the +Nagas. Arjuna saw there a sacrificial fire ignited for himself. Beholding +that fire, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti performed his sacrificial rites +with devotion. And Agni was much gratified with Arjuna for the +fearlessness with which that hero had poured libations into his manifest +form. After he had thus performed his rites before the fire, the son of +Kunti, beholding the daughter of the king of the Nagas, addressed her +smilingly and said, 'O handsome girl, what an act of rashness hast thou +done, O timid one! Whose is this beautiful region, who art thou and whose +daughter?' + +"Hearing these words of Arjuna, Ulupi answered, 'There is a Naga of the +name of Kauravya, born in the line of Airavata. I am, O prince, the +daughter of that Kauravya, and my name is Ulupi. O tiger among men, +beholding thee descend into the stream to perform thy ablutions, I was +deprived of reason by the god of desire. O sinless one, I am still +unmarried. Afflicted as I am by the god of desire on account of thee, O +thou of Kuru's race, gratify me today by giving thyself up to me.' + +"Arjuna replied, 'Commanded by king Yudhishthira, O amiable one, I am +undergoing the vow of Brahmacharin for twelve years. I am not free to act +in any way I like. But, O ranger of the waters, I am still willing to do +thy pleasure (if I can). I have never spoken an untruth in my life. Tell +me, therefore, O Naga maid, how I may act so that, while doing thy +pleasure, I may not be guilty of any untruth or breach of duty.' + +"Ulupi answered, 'I know, O son of Pandu, why thou wanderest over the +earth, and why thou hast been commanded to lead the life of a Brahmacharin +by the superior. Even this was the understanding to which all of you had +been pledged, viz., that amongst you all owning Drupada's daughter as your +common wife, he who would from ignorance enter the room where one of you +would be sitting with her, should lead the life of a Brahmacharin in the +woods for twelve years. The exile of any one amongst you, therefore, is +only for the sake of Draupadi. Thou art but observing the duty arising +from that vow. Thy virtue cannot sustain any diminution (by acceding to my +solicitation). Then again, O thou of large eyes, it is a duty to relieve +the distressed. Thy virtue suffereth no diminution by relieving me. Oh, if +(by this act), O Arjuna, thy virtue doth suffer a small diminution, thou +wilt acquire great merit by saving my life. Know me for thy worshipper, O +Partha! Therefore, yield thyself up to me! Even this, O lord, is the +opinion of the wise (viz., that one should accept a woman that wooeth). If +thou do not act in this way, know that I will destroy myself. O thou of +mighty arms, earn great merit by saving my life. I seek thy shelter, O +best of men! Thou protectest always, O son of Kunti, the afflicted and the +masterless. I seek thy protection, weeping in sorrow. I woo thee, being +filled with desire. Therefore, do what is agreeable to me. It behoveth +thee to gratify my wish by yielding thy self up to me.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by the daughter of the king of the +Nagas, the son of Kunti did everything she desired, making virtue his +motive. The mighty Arjuna, spending the night in the mansion of the Naga +rose with the sun in the morning. Accompanied by Ulupi he came back from +the palace of Kauravya to the region where the Ganges entereth the plains. +The chaste Ulupi, taking her leave there, returned to her own abode. And, +O Bharata, she granted unto Arjuna a boon making him invincible in water, +saying, 'Every amphibious creature shall, without doubt, be vanquishable +by thee.'" + + +SECTION CCXVII + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the son of the wielder of the thunderbolt +narrated everything unto those Brahmanas (residing with him there), set +out for the breast of Himavat. Arriving at the spot called Agastyavata, he +next went to Vasishtha's peak. Thence the son of Kunti proceeded to the +peak of Bhrigu. Purifying himself with ablutions and rites there, that +foremost of the Kurus gave away unto Brahmanas many thousands of cows and +many houses. Thence that best of men proceeded to the sacred asylum called +Hiranyavindu. Performing his ablutions there, that foremost of the sons of +Pandu saw many holy regions. Descending from those heights that chief of +men, O Bharata, accompanied by the Brahmanas, journeyed towards the east, +desiring to behold the regions that lay in that direction. That foremost +one of Kuru's race saw many regions of sacred waters one after another. +And beholding in the forest of Naimisha the delightful river Utpalini +(full of lotuses) and the Nanda and the Apara Nanda, the far-famed Kausiki, +and the mighty rivers Gaya and Ganga, and all the regions of sacred water, +he purified himself, O Bharata, (with the usual rites), and gave away many +cows unto Brahmanas. Whatever regions of sacred waters and whatever other +holy palaces there were in Vanga and Kalinga, Arjuna visited all of them. +Seeing them all and performing proper ceremonies, he gave away much wealth. +Then, O Bharata, all those Brahmanas following the son of Pandu, bade him +farewell at the gate of the kingdom of Kalinga and desisted from +proceeding with him any further. The brave Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, +obtaining their leave, went towards the ocean, accompanied by only a few +attendants. Crossing the country of the Kalingas, the mighty one proceeded, +seeing on his way diverse countries and sacred spots and diverse +delightful mansions and houses. Beholding the Mahendra mountain adorned +with the ascetics (residing there), he went to Manipura, proceeding slowly +along the sea-shore. Beholding all the sacred waters and other holy places +in that province, the strong-armed son of Pandu at last went, O king, to +the virtuous Chitravahana, the ruler of Manipura. The king of Manipura had +a daughter of great beauty named Chitrangada. And it so happened that +Arjuna beheld her in her father's palace roving at pleasure. Beholding the +handsome daughter of Chitravahana, Arjuna desired to possess her. Going +unto the king (her father), he represented unto him what he sought. He +said, 'Give away unto me thy daughter, O king! I am an illustrious +Kshatriya's son.' Hearing this, the king asked him, 'Whose son art thou?' +Arjuna replied, 'I am Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu and Kunti.' The king, +hearing this, spoke unto him these words in sweet accents, 'There was in +our race a king of the name of Prabhanjana, who was childless. To obtain a +child, he underwent severe ascetic penances. By his severe asceticism, O +Partha, he gratified that god of gods, Mahadeva, the husband of Uma, that +supreme Lord holding (the mighty bow called) Pinaka. The illustrious Lord +granted him the boon that each successive descendant of his race should +have one child only. In consequence of that boon only one child is born +unto every successive descendant of this race. All my ancestors (one after +another) had each a male child. I, however, have only a daughter to +perpetuate my race. But, O bull amongst men, I ever look upon this +daughter of mine as my son. O bull of Bharata's race, I have duly made her +a Putrika. Therefore, one amongst the sons that may be begotten upon her +by thee, O Bharata, shall be the perpetuator of my race. That son is the +dower for which I may give away my daughter. O son of Pandu, if thou +choosest, thou canst take her upon this understanding.' Hearing these +words of the king, Arjuna accepted them all, saying, 'So be it.' Taking +Chitravahana's daughter (as his wife), the son of Kunti resided in that +city for three years. When Chitrangada at last gave birth to a son, Arjuna +embraced that handsome princess affectionately. And taking leave of the +king (her father), he set out on his wanderings again.'" + + +SECTION CCXVIII + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then that bull of Bharata's race went to the sacred +waters on the banks of the southern ocean, all adorned with the ascetics +residing there. And there lay scattered five such regions where also dwelt +many ascetics. But those five waters themselves were shunned by all of +them. Those sacred waters were called Agastya, and Saubhadra and Pauloma +of great holiness, and Karandhama of great propitiousness yielding the +fruits of a horse-sacrifice unto those that bathed there, and Bharadwaja, +that great washer of sins. That foremost one among the Kurus, beholding +those five sacred waters, and finding them uninhabited, and ascertaining +also that they were shunned by the virtuous ascetics dwelling around, +asked those pious men with joined hands, saying, 'Why O ascetics, are +these five sacred waters shunned by utterers of Brahma?' Hearing him, the +ascetics replied, 'There dwell in these waters five large crocodiles which +take away the ascetics that may happen to bathe in them. It is for this, O +son of Kuru's race, that these waters are shunned.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the ascetics, that +foremost of men endued with mighty arms, though dissuaded by them went to +behold those waters. Arrived at the excellent sacred water called +Saubhadra after a great Rishi, the brave scorcher of all foes suddenly +plunged into it to have a bath. As soon as that tiger among men had +plunged into the water a great crocodile (that was in it) seized him by +the leg. But the strong-armed Dhananjaya the son of Kunti, that foremost +of all men endued with might, seized that struggling ranger of the water +and dragged it forcibly to the shore. But dragged by the renowned Arjuna +to the land, that crocodile became (transformed into) a beautiful damsel +bedecked with ornament. O king, that charming damsel of celestial form +seemed to shine for her beauty and complexion. Dhananjaya, the son of +Kunti, beholding that strange sight, asked that damsel with a pleased +heart, 'Who art thou, O beautiful one? Why hast thou been a ranger of the +waters? Why also didst thou commit such a dreadful sin?' The damsel +replied, saying, 'I am, O mighty-armed one, an Apsara that sported in the +celestial woods. I am, O mighty one, Varga by name, and ever dear unto the +celestial treasurer (Kuvera). I have four other companions, all handsome +and capable of going everywhere at will. Accompanied by them I was one day +going to the abode of Kuvera. On the way we beheld a Brahmana of rigid +vows, and exceedingly handsome, studying the Vedas in solitude. The whole +forest (in which he was sitting) seemed to be covered with his ascetic +splendour. He seemed to have illuminated the whole region like the Sun +himself. Beholding his ascetic devotion of that nature and his wonderful +beauty, we alighted in that region, in order to disturb his meditations. +Myself and Saurabheyi and Samichi and Vudvuda and Lata, that Brahmana, O +Bharata, at the same time. We began to sing and smile and otherwise tempt +that Brahmana. But, O hero, that Brahmana (youth) set not his heart even +once upon us. His mind fixed on pure meditation, that youth of great +energy suffered not his heart to waver, O bull among Kshatriyas, the +glance he cast upon us was one of wrath. And he said, staring at us, +'Becoming crocodiles, range ye the waters for a hundred years.'" + + +SECTION CCXIX + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Varga continued, 'We were then, O foremost one of +Bharata's race, deeply distressed at this curse. We sought to propitiate +that Brahmana of ascetic wealth that departed not from his vow. Addressing +him, we said, 'Inflated with a sense of our beauty and youth, and urged by +the god of desire, we have acted very improperly. It behoveth thee, O +Brahmana, to pardon us! Truly, O Brahmana, it was death to us that we had +at all come hither to tempt thee of rigid vows and ascetic wealth. The +virtuous, however, have said that women should never be slain. Therefore +grow thou in virtue. It behoveth thee not to slay us so. O thou that art +conversant with virtue, it hath been said that a Brahmana is ever the +friend of every creature. O thou of great prosperity, let this speech of +the wise become true. The eminent always protect those that seek +protection at their hands. We seek thy protection. It behoveth thee to +grant us pardon.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, that Brahmana of virtuous soul +and good deeds and equal in splendour, O hero, unto the sun or the moon, +became propitious unto them. And the Brahmana said, 'The words hundred and +hundred thousand are all indicative of eternity. The word hundred, however, +as employed by me is to be understood as a limited period and not +indicative of a period without end. Ye shall, therefore, becoming +crocodiles, seize and take away men (for only a hundred years as explained +by me). At the end of that period, an exalted individual will drag you all +from water to the land. Then ye will resume your real forms. Never have I +spoken an untruth even in jest. Therefore, all that I have said must come +to pass. And those sacred waters (within which I assign you your places), +will, after you will have been delivered by that individual, become known +all over the world by the name of Nari-tirthas (or sacred waters connected +with the sufferings and the deliverance of females), and all of them shall +become sacred and sin cleansing in the eyes of the virtuous and the wise.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Varga then addressing Arjuna, finished her +discourse, saying, 'Hearing these words of the Brahmana, we saluted him +with reverence and walked round him. Leaving that region we came away with +heavy hearts, thinking as we proceeded, 'Where shall we all soon meet with +that man who will give us back our own shapes (after our transformation)?' +As we were thinking of it, in almost a moment, O Bharata, we beheld even +the eminent celestial Rishi Narada. Beholding that Rishi of immeasurable +energy, our hearts were filled with joy. Saluting him with reverence, O +Partha, we stood before him, with blushing faces. He asked of us the cause +of our sorrow and we told him all. Hearing what had happened the Rishi +said, 'In the low-lands bordering on the southern ocean, there are five +regions of sacred water. They are delightful and eminently holy. Go ye +thither without delay. That tiger among men, Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu +of pure soul, will soon deliver you, without doubt, from this sad plight.' +O hero, hearing the Rishi's words, all of us came hither. O sinless one, +true it is that I have today been delivered by thee. But those four +friends of mine are still within the other waters here. O hero, do a good +deed by delivering them also.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O monarch, that foremost of the Pandavas, +endued with great prowess, cheerfully delivered all of them from that +curse. Rising from the waters they all regained their own forms. Those +Apsaras then, O king, all looked as before. Freeing those sacred waters +(from the danger for which they had been notorious), and giving the +Apsaras leave to go where they chose, Arjuna became desirous of once more +beholding Chitrangada. He, therefore, proceeded towards the city of +Manipura. Arrived there, he beheld on the throne the son he had begotten +upon Chitrangada, and who was called by the name of Vabhruvahana. Seeing +Chitrangada once more, Arjuna proceeded, O monarch, towards the spot +called Gokarna.'" + + +SECTION CCXX + +(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Arjuna of immeasurable prowess saw, one after +another, all the sacred waters and other holy places that were on the +shores of the western ocean. Vibhatsu reached the sacred spot called +Prabhasa. When the invisible Arjuna arrived at that sacred and delightful +region, the slayer of Madhu (Krishna) heard of it. Madhava soon went there +to see his friend, the son of Kunti. Krishna and Arjuna met together and +embracing each other enquired after each other's welfare. Those dear +friends, who were none else than the Rishis Nara and Narayana of old, sat +down. Vasudeva asked Arjuna about his travels, saying, 'Why, O Pandava art +thou wandering over the earth, beholding all the sacred waters and other +holy places?' Then Arjuna told him everything that had happened. Hearing +everything, that mighty hero of Vrishni's race said, 'This is as it should +be.' And Krishna and Arjuna having sported as they liked, for some time at +Prabhasa, went to the Raivataka mountain to pass some days there. Before +they arrived at Raivataka, that mountain had, at the command of Krishna +been well-adorned by many artificers. Much food also had, at Krishna's +command, been collected there. Enjoying everything that had been collected +there for him, Arjuna sat with Vasudeva to see the performances of the +actors and the dancers. Then the high-souled Pandava, dismissing them all +with proper respect, laid himself down on a well-adorned and excellent bed. +As the strong-armed one lay on that excellent bed, he described unto +Krishna everything about the sacred waters, the lakes and the mountains, +the rivers and the forests he had seen. While he was speaking of these, +stretched upon that celestial bed, sleep, O Janamejaya, stole upon him. He +rose in the morning, awakened, by sweet songs and melodious notes of the +Vina (guitar) and the panegyrics and benedictions of the bards. After he +had gone through the necessary acts and ceremonies, he was affectionately +accosted by him of the Vrishni race. Riding upon a golden car, the hero +then set out for Dwaraka, the capital of the Yadavas. And, O Janamejaya, +for honouring the son of Kunti, the city of Dwaraka, was well-adorned, +even all the gardens and houses within it. The citizens of Dwaraka, +desirous of beholding the son of Kunti, began to pour eagerly into the +public thoroughfares by hundreds of thousands. In the public squares and +thoroughfares, hundreds and thousands of women, mixing with the men, +swelled the great crowd of the Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas, +that had collected there. Arjuna was welcomed with respect by all the sons +of Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas. And he, in his turn, worshipped +those that deserved his worship, receiving their blessings. The hero was +welcomed with affectionate reception by all the young men of the Yadava +tribe. He repeatedly embraced all that were equal to him in age. Wending +then to the delightful mansion of Krishna that was filled with gems and +every article of enjoyment, he took up his abode there with Krishna for +many days.'" + + +SECTION CCXXI + +(Subhadra-harana Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O best of monarchs, within a few days after this, +there commenced on the Raivataka mountain, a grand festival of the +Vrishnis and the Andhakas. At the mountain-festival of the Bhojas, the +Vrishnis and the Andhakas, the heroes of those tribes began to give away +much wealth unto Brahmanas by thousands. The region around that hill, O +king was adorned with many a mansion decked with gems and many an +artificial tree of gaudy hue. The musicians struck up in concert and the +dancers began to dance and the vocalists to sing. And the youth of the +Vrishni race, endued with great energy, adorned with every ornament, and +riding in their gold-decked cars, looked extremely handsome. The citizens, +some on foot and some in excellent cars, with their wives and followers +were there by hundreds and thousands. And there was the lord Haladhara +(Valarama), roving at will, hilarious with drink, accompanied by (his +wife) Revati, and followed by many musicians and vocalists. There came +Ugrasena also, the powerful king of the Vrishni race, accompanied by his +thousand wives and followed by sweet singers. And Raukmineya and Shamva +also, ever furious in battle, roved there, excited with drink and adorned +with floral wreaths of great beauty and with costly attires, and disported +themselves like a pair of celestials. And Akrura and Sarana and Gada, and +Vabhru, and Nisatha, and Charudeshna, and Prithu, Viprithu, and Satyaka, +and Satyaki, and Bhangakara, and Maharava, and Hardikya, and Uddhava, and +many others whose names are not given, accompanied by their wives that +followed by bands of singers, adorned that mountain-festival. When that +delightful festival of immense grandeur commenced, Vasudeva and Partha +went about, together, beholding everything around. While wandering there, +they saw the handsome daughter of Vasudeva, Bhadra by name, decked with +every ornament, in the midst of her maids. As soon as Arjuna beheld her he +was possessed by the god of desire. Then, O Bharata, that tiger among men, +Krishna, observing Partha contemplate her with absorbed attention, said +with a smile, 'How is this? Can the heart of one that rangeth the woods be +agitated by the god of desire? This is my sister, O Partha, and the +uterine sister of Sarana. Blest be thou, her name is Bhadra and she is the +favourite daughter of my father. Tell me if thy heart is fixed upon her, +for I shall then speak to my father myself.' + +"Arjuna answered, 'She is Vasudeva's daughter and Vasudeva's (Krishna) +sister; endued with so much beauty, whom can she not fascinate? If this +thy sister, this maid of the Vrishni race, becometh my wife, truly may I +win prosperity in everything. Tell me, O Janardana, by what means I may +obtain her. To get her I will achieve anything that is achievable by man.' + +"Vasudeva answered, 'O bull amongst men, self-choice hath been ordained +for the marriage of Kshatriyas. But that is doubtful (in its consequences), +O Partha, as we do not know this girl's temper and disposition. In the +case of Kshatriyas that are brave, a forcible abduction for purposes of +marriage is applauded, as the learned have said. Therefore O Arjuna, carry +away this my beautiful sister by force, for who knows what she may do at a +self-choice.' Then Krishna and Arjuna, having thus settled as to what +should be done sent some speedy messengers unto Yudhishthira at +Indraprastha, informing him of everything. The strong-armed Yudhishthira, +as soon as he heard it, gave his assent to it.'" + + +SECTION CCXXII + +(Subhadra-harana Parva continued) + +"'Then Dhananjaya, informed of the assent of Yudhishthira, and +ascertaining, O Janamejaya, that the maiden had gone to the Raivataka hill, +obtained the assent of Vasudeva also, after having settled in consultation +with him all that required to be done. Then that bull of Bharata's race, +that foremost of men, with Krishna's assent, riding in his well-built car +of gold equipped with rows of small bells and with every kind of weapon +and the clatter of whose wheels resembled the roar of the clouds and whose +splendour was like unto that of a blazing fire and which struck terror +into the hearts of all foes and unto which were yoked the steeds Saivya +and Sugriva, himself accoutred in mail and armed with sword and his +fingers encased in leathern gloves, set out, as it were, on a hunting +expedition. Meanwhile Subhadra, having paid her homage unto that prince of +hills, Raivataka and having worshipped the deities and made the Brahmanas +utter benedictions upon her, and having also walked round the hill, was +coming towards Dwaravati. The son of Kunti, afflicted with the shafts of +the god of desire, suddenly rushed towards that Yadava girl of faultless +features and forcibly took her into his car. Having seized that girl of +sweet smiles, that tiger among men proceeded in his car of gold towards +his own city (Indraprastha). Meanwhile, the armed attendants of Subhadra, +beholding her thus seized and taken away, all ran, crying towards the city +of Dwaraka. Reaching all together the Yadava court called by the name of +Sudharma, they represented everything about the prowess of Partha unto the +chief officer of the court. The chief officer of the court, having heard +everything from those messengers, blew his gold-decked trumpet of loud +blare, calling all to arms. Stirred up by that sound, the Bhojas, the +Vrishnis, and the Andhakas began to pour in from all sides. Those that +were eating left their food, and those that were drinking left their drink. +Those tigers among men, those great warriors of the Vrishni and the +Andhaka tribes, took their seats upon their thousand thrones of gold +covered with excellent carpets and variegated with gems and corals and +possessed of the lustre of blazing fire. Indeed they took their seats upon +those thrones, like blazing fires receiving faggots to increase their +splendour. And after they were seated in that court which was like unto a +conclave of the celestials themselves, the chief officer of the court, +assisted by those that stood at his back, spoke of the conduct of Jishnu. +The proud Vrishni heroes, of eyes red with wine, as soon as they heard of +it, rose up from their seats, unable to brook what Arjuna had done. Some +amongst them said, 'Yoke our cars', and some, 'Bring our weapons' and some +said, 'Bring our costly bows and strong coats of mail,' and some loudly +called upon their charioteers to harness their cars, and some, from +impatience, themselves yoked their horses decked with gold unto their cars. +And while their cars and armours and standards were being brought, loud +became the uproar of those heroes. Then Valadeva, white and tall as the +peak of Kailasa, decked with garlands of wild flowers and attired in blue +robes, and proud and intoxicated with drink, said these words: + +'Ye senseless men, what are ye doing, when Janardana sitteth silent? +Without knowing what is in his mind, vainly do we roar in wrath! Let the +high-souled Krishna give out what he proposeth. Accomplish promptly what +he desireth to do.' Then all of them, hearing those words of Halayudha +that deserved to be accepted, exclaimed, 'Excellent! Excellent!' They then +all became silent. Silence having been restored by the words of the +intelligent Valadeva, they took their seats once more in that assembly. +Then Rama, that oppressor of foes, spoke unto Vasudeva, saying, 'Why, O +Janardana, sittest thou, gazing silently? O Achyuta, it was for thy sake +that the son of Pritha had been welcomed and honoured by us. It seemeth, +however, that that vile wretch deserved not our homage. What man is there +born of a respectable family that would break the plate after having dined +from it! Even if one desireth to make such an alliance, yet remembering +all the services he hath received, who is there, desirous of happiness, +that acts so rashly? That Pandava disregarding us and thee too hath today +outraged Subhadra, desiring (to compass) his own death. He hath placed his +foot on the crown of my head. How shall I, O Govinda, tamely bear it? +Shall I not resent it, even like a snake that is trodden upon? Alone shall +I today make the earth destitute of Kauravas! Never shall I put up with +this transgression by Arjuna.' Then all the Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas, +present there, approved of everything that Valadeva had said, deeply +roaring like unto a kettle-drum or the clouds.'" + + +SECTION CCXXIII + +(Haranaharana Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When the heroes of the Vrishni race began to speak +repeatedly in this strain, Vasudeva uttered these words pregnant with deep +import and consistent with true morality. 'Gudakesa (the conqueror of sleep +or he of the curly hair), by what he hath done, hath not insulted our +family. He hath without doubt, rather enhanced our respect. Partha knoweth +that we of the Satwata race are never mercenary. The son of Pandu also +regardeth a self-choice as doubtful in its results. Who also would approve +of accepting a bride in gift as if she were an animal? What man again is +there on earth that would sell his offspring? I think Arjuna, seeing these +faults in all the other methods took the maiden away by force, according +to the ordinance. This alliance is very proper. Subhadra is a renowned +girl. Partha too possesseth renown. Perhaps, thinking of all this, Arjuna +hath taken her away by force. Who is there that would not desire to have +Arjuna for a friend, who is born in the race of Bharata and the renowned +Santanu, and the son also of the daughter of Kuntibhoja? I do not see, in +all the worlds with Indra and the Rudras, the person that can by force +vanquish Partha in battle, except the three-eyed god Mahadeva. His car is +well-known. Yoked thereunto are those steeds of mine. Partha as a warrior +is well-known; and his lightness of hand is well-known. Who shall be equal +to him? Even this is my opinion: go ye cheerfully after Dhananjaya and by +conciliation stop him and bring him back. If Partha goes to his city after +having vanquished us by force, our fame will be gone. There is no disgrace, +however, in conciliation.' Hearing, O monarch, those words of Vasudeva, +they did as he directed. Stopped by them, Arjuna returned to Dwaraka and +was united in marriage with Subhadra. Worshipped by the sons of Vrishni's +race, Arjuna, sporting there as he pleased, passed a whole year in Dwaraka. +The last year of his exile the exalted one passed at the sacred region of +Pushkara. After the twelve years were complete he came back to +Khandavaprastha. He approached the king first and then worshipped the +Brahmanas with respectful attention. At last the hero went unto Draupadi. +Draupadi, from jealousy, spoke unto him, saying, 'Why tarriest thou here, +O son of Kunti? Go where the daughter of the Satwata race is!' And +Krishna lamented much in this strain. But Dhananjaya pacified her +repeatedly and asked for her forgiveness. And returning soon unto where +Subhadra, attired in red silk, was staying, Arjuna, sent her into the +inner apartments dressed not as a queen but in the simple garb of a +cowherd woman. But arrived at the palace, the renowned Subhadra looked +handsomer in that dress. The celebrated Bhadra of large and slightly red +eyes first worshipped Pritha. Kunti from excess of affection smelt the +head of that girl of perfectly faultless features, and pronounced infinite +blessing upon her. Then that girl of face like the full moon hastily went +unto Draupadi and worshipped her, saying, 'I am thy maid!' Krishna rose +hastily and embraced the sister of Madhava from affection, and said, 'Let +thy husband be without a foe!' Bhadra then, with a delighted heart, said +unto Draupadi, 'So be it!' From that time, O Janamejaya, those great +warriors, the Pandavas, began to live happily, and Kunti also became very +happy.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'When that scorcher of foes, viz., Kesava of pure +soul and eyes, like lotus-petals, heard that the foremost of the Pandavas, +viz., Arjuna, had reached his own excellent city of Indraprastha, he came +thither accompanied by Rama and the other heroes and great warriors of the +Vrishni and the Andhaka tribes, and by his brothers and sons and many +other brave warriors. And Saurin came accompanied by a large army that +protected him. And there came with Saurin, that oppressor of foes, viz., +the exceedingly liberal Akrura of great intelligence and renown, the +generalissimo of the brave Vrishni host. And there also came Anadhrishti +of great prowess, and Uddhava of great renown, of great intelligence, of +great soul, and a disciple of Vrihaspati himself. And there also came +Satyaka and Salyaka and Kritavarman and Satwata; and Pradyumna and Samva +and Nisatha and Sanku; and Charudeshna, and Jhilli of great prowess, and +Viprithu also and Sarana of mighty arms and Gada, the foremost of learned +men. These and many other Vrishnis and Bhojas, and Andhakas came to +Indraprastha, bringing with them many nuptial presents. King Yudhishthira, +hearing that Madhava had arrived, sent the twins out to receive him. +Received by them, the Vrishni host of great prosperity entered +Khandavaprastha well-adorned with flags and ensigns. The streets were well- +swept and watered and decked with floral wreaths and bunches. These were, +again, sprinkled over with sandalwood water that was fragrant and cooling. +Every part of the town was filled with the sweet scent of burning aloes. +And the city was full of joyous and healthy people and adorned with +merchants and traders. That best of men, viz., Kesava of mighty arms, +accompanied by Rama and many of the Vrishnis, Andhakas and Bhojas, having +entered the town, was worshipped by the citizens and Brahmanas by +thousands. At last Kesava entered the palace of the king which was like +unto the mansion of Indra himself. Beholding Rama, Yudhishthira received +him with due ceremonies. The king smelt the head of Kesava and embraced +him. Govinda, gratified with the reception, humbly worshipped Yudhishthira. +He also paid homage unto Bhima, that tiger among men. Yudhishthira the son +of Kunti then received the other principal men of the Vrishni and the +Andhaka tribes with due ceremonies. Yudhishthira reverentially worshipped +some as his superiors, and welcomed others as equals. And some he received +with affection and by some he was worshipped with reverence. Then +Hrishikesa of great renown gave unto the party of the bridegroom much +wealth. And unto Subhadra he gave the nuptial presents that had been given +to her by her relatives. Krishna gave unto the Pandavas a thousand cars of +gold furnished with rows of bells, and unto each of which were put four +steeds driven by well-trained charioteers. He also gave unto them ten +thousand cows belonging to the country of Mathura, and yielding much milk +and all of excellent colour. Well-pleased, Janardana also gave them a +thousand mares with gold harnesses and of colour white as the beams of the +moon. He also gave them a thousand mules, all well-trained and possessing +the speed of the wind, of white colour with black manes. And he of eyes +like lotus-petals also gave unto them a thousand damsels well-skilled in +assisting at bathing and at drinking, young in years and virgins all +before their first-season, well-attired and of excellent complexion, each +wearing a hundred pieces of gold around her neck, of skins perfectly +polished, decked with every ornament, and well-skilled in every kind of +personal service. Janardana also gave unto them hundreds of thousands of +draft horses from the country of the Valhikas as Subhadra's excellent +dower. That foremost one of Dasarha's race also gave unto Subhadra as her +peculium ten carrier-loads of first class gold possessing the splendour of +fire, some purified and some in a state of ore. And Rama having the plough +for his weapon and always loving bravery gave unto Arjuna, as a nuptial +present, a thousand elephants with secretions flowing in three streams +from the three parts of their bodies (the temple, the ears, and the anus) +each large as a mountain summit, irresistible in battle, decked with +coverlets and bells, well-adorned with other golden ornaments, and +equipped with excellent thrones on their backs. And that large wave of +wealth and gems that the Yadavas presented, together with the cloths and +blankets that represented its foam, and the elephants its alligators and +sharks, and the flags its floating weeds swelling into large proportions, +mingled with the Pandu ocean and filled it to the brim, to the great +sorrow of all foes. Yudhishthira accepted all those presents and +worshipped all those great warriors of the Vrishni and the Andhaka races. +Those illustrious heroes of the Kuru, the Vrishni, and the Andhaka races +passed their days in pleasure and merriment there like virtuous men (after +death) in the celestial regions. The Kurus and the Vrishnis with joyous +hearts amused themselves there, setting up at times loud shouts mingled +with clappings of the hand. Spending many days in sports and merriment +there, and worshipped by the Kurus all the while, the Vrishni heroes +endued with great energy then returned to the city of Dwaravati. And the +great warriors of the Vrishni and the Andhaka races set out with Rama in +the van, carrying with them those gems of the purest rays that had been +given them by those foremost ones of Kuru's race. And, O Bharata, the high- +souled Vasudeva remained there with Arjuna in the delightful city of +Indraprastha. And the illustrious one wandered over the banks of the +Yamuna in search of deer. And he sported with Arjuna piercing with his +shafts deer and wild boars. Then Subhadra, the favourite sister of Kesava, +gave birth to an illustrious son, like Puloma's daughter, (the queen of +heaven) bringing forth Jayanta. And the son that Subhadra brought forth +was of long arms, broad chest, and eyes as large as those of a bull. That +hero and oppressor of foes came to be called Abhimanyu. And the son of +Arjuna, that grinder of foes and bull among men, was called Abhimanyu +because he was fearless and wrathful. And that great warrior was begotten +upon the daughter of the Satwata race by Dhananjaya, like fire produced in +a sacrifice from within the sami wood by the process of rubbing. Upon the +birth of this child, Yudhishthira, the powerful son of Kunti, gave away +unto Brahmanas ten thousand cows and coins of gold. The child from his +earliest years became the favourite of Vasudeva and of his father and +uncles, like the moon of all the people of the world. Upon his birth, +Krishna performed the usual rites of infancy. The child began to grow up +like the Moon of the bright fortnight. That grinder of foes soon became +conversant with the Vedas and acquired from his father the science of +weapon both celestial and human, consisting of four branches and ten +divisions. + +"Endued with great strength, the child also acquired the knowledge of +counteracting the weapons hurled at him by others, and great lightness of +hand and fleetness of motion forward and backward and transverse and +wheeling. Abhimanyu became like unto his father in knowledge of the +scriptures and rites of religion. And Dhananjaya, beholding his son, +became filled with joy. Like Maghavat beholding Arjuna, the latter beheld +his son Abhimanyu and became exceedingly happy. Abhimanyu possessed the +power of slaying every foe and bore on his person every auspicious mark. +He was invisible in battle and broad-shouldered as the bull. Possessing a +broad face as (the hood of) the snake, he was proud like the lion. +Wielding a large bow, his prowess was like that of an elephant in rut. +Possessed of a face handsome as the full-moon, and of a voice deep as the +sound of the drum or the clouds, he was equal unto Krishna in bravery and +energy, in beauty and in features. The auspicious Panchali also, from her +five husbands, obtained five sons all of whom were heroes of the foremost +rank and immovable in battle like the hills. Prativindhya by Yudhishthira, +Sutasoma by Vrikodara, Srutakarman by Arjuna, Satanika by Nakula, and +Srutasena by Sahadeva,--these were the five heroes and great warriors that +Panchali brought forth, like Aditi bringing forth the Adityas. And the +Brahmanas, from their foreknowledge, said unto Yudhishthira that as the +son of his would be capable of bearing like the Vindhya mountains the +weapons of the foe, he should be called Prativindhya. And because the +child that Draupadi bore to Bhimasena was born after Bhima had performed a +thousand Soma sacrifices, he came to be called Sutasoma. And because +Arjuna's son was born upon his return from exile during which he had +achieved many celebrated feats, that child came to be called Srutakarman. +While Nakula named his son Satanika after a royal sage of that name, in +the illustrious race of Kuru. Again the son that Draupadi bore to Sahadeva +was born under the constellation called Vahni-daivata (Krittika), +therefore was he called after the generalissimo of the celestial host, +Srutasena (Kartikeya). The sons of Draupadi were born, each at the +interval of one year, and all of them became renowned and much attached to +one another. And, O monarch, all their rites of infancy and childhood, +such as Chudakarana and Upanayana (first shave of the head and investiture +with the sacred threads) were performed by Dhaumya according to the +ordinance. All of them, of excellent behaviour and vows, after having +studied the Vedas, acquired from Arjuna a knowledge of all the weapons, +celestial and human. And, O tiger among kings, the Pandavas, having +obtained sons all of whom were equal unto the children of the celestials +and endued with broad chests, and all of whom became great warriors, were +filled with joy.'" + + +SECTION CCXXIV + +(Khandava-daha Parva) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The Pandavas, after they had taken up their abode at +Indraprastha at the command of Dhritarashtra and Bhishma began to bring +other kings under their sway. All the subjects (of the kingdom) lived most +happily depending upon Yudhishthira the just, like a soul living happily +depending upon a body blest with auspicious marks and pious deeds. And, O +bull in Bharata's race, Yudhishthira paid homage unto virtue, pleasure, +and profit, in judicious proportion, as if each were a friend dear unto +him as his own self. It seemed as if the three pursuits--virtue, pleasure, +and profit--became personified on earth, and amongst them the king shone +as a fourth. The subjects having obtained Yudhishthira as their king, +obtained in their monarch one that was devoted to the study of the Vedas, +one that was performer of the great sacrifices, and one that was protector +of all good people. In consequence of Yudhishthira's influence, the good +fortune of all the monarchs of the earth became stationary, and their +hearts became devoted to the meditation of the Supreme Spirit, and virtue +itself began to grow every way all round. And in the midst of and assisted +by his four brothers, the king looked more resplendent (than he would have +done if he were alone), like a great sacrifice depending upon and assisted +by the four Vedas. Many learned Brahmanas with Dhananjaya at their head, +each like unto Vrihaspati, waited upon the monarch, like the celestials +waiting upon the Lord of the creation. From excess of affection, the eyes +and hearts of all the people equally took great delight in Yudhishthira +who was even as the full moon without a stain. The people took delight in +him not only because he was their king but also from sincere affection. +The king always did what was agreeable to them. The sweet-speeched +Yudhishthira of great intelligence never uttered anything that was +improper or untrue or unbearable or disagreeable. The best of monarchs of +the Bharata race, endued with great energy, passed his days happily for +the welfare of all as his own. His brothers also bringing by their energy +other kings under their sway, passed their days in happiness, without a +foe to disturb their peace. + +"After a few days, Vibhatsu, addressing Krishna, said, 'The summer days +have set in, O Krishna! Therefore, let us go to the banks of the Yamuna. O +slayer of Madhu, sporting there in the company of friends, we will, O +Janardana, return in the evening'. Thereupon Vasudeva said, 'O son of +Kunti, this is also my wish. Let us, O Partha, sport in the waters as we +please, in the company of friends.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Bharata, having consulted thus with each +other, Partha and Govinda, with Yudhishthira's leave, set out, surrounded +by friends. Reaching a fine spot (on the banks of the Yamuna) suitable for +purposes of pleasure, overgrown with numerous tall trees and covered with +several high mansions that made the place look like the celestial city and +within which had been collected for Krishna and Partha numerous costly and +well-flavoured viands and drinks and other articles of enjoyment and +floral wreaths and various perfumes, the party entered without delay the +inner apartments adorned with many precious gems of pure rays. Entering +those apartments, everybody, O Bharata, began to sport, according to his +pleasure. The women of the party, all of full rotund hips and deep bosoms +and handsome eyes, and gait unsteady with wine began to sport there at the +command of Krishna and Partha. Some amongst the women sported as they +liked in the woods, some in the waters, and some within the mansions, as +directed by Partha and Govinda. Draupadi and Subhadra, exhilarated with +wine, began to give away unto the women so sporting, their costly robes +and ornaments. And some amongst those women began to dance in joy, and +some began to sing; and some amongst them began to laugh and jest, and +some to drink excellent wines. Some began to obstruct one another's +progress and some to fight with one another, and to discourse with one +another in private. Those mansions and the woods, filled with the charming +music of flutes and guitars and kettledrums, became the scene of +Prosperity personified. + +"When such was the state of things there, Arjuna and Vasudeva went to a +certain charming spot (in those woods) not far from the place where the +others were. O monarch, the high-souled Krishna, and that subjugator of +hostile cities, viz., Arjuna, going thither, sat down upon two very costly +seats. Vasudeva and Partha amused themselves there with discoursing upon +many past achievements of prowess and other topics. Unto Vasudeva and +Dhananjaya happily sitting there like the Aswins in heaven, a certain +Brahmana came. The Brahmana that came there looked like a tall Sala tree. +His complexion was like unto molten gold; his beard was bright yellow +tinged with green; and the height and the thickness of the body were in +just proportion. Of matted locks and dressed in rags, he resembled the +morning sun in splendour. Of eyes like lotus-petals and of a tawny hue, he +seemed to be blazing with effulgence. Beholding that foremost of Brahmanas +blazing with splendour approach towards them both Arjuna and Vasudeva, +hastily rising from their seats, stood, waiting (for his commands).'" + + +SECTION CCXXV + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then that Brahmana addressed Arjuna and Vasudeva of +the Satwata race, saying, 'Ye who are now staying so near unto Khandava +are the two foremost of heroes on earth. I am a voracious Brahmana that +always eateth much. O thou of the Vrishni race, and O Partha, I solicit +you to gratify me by giving me sufficient food.' Thus addressed by the +Brahmana, Krishna and the son of Pandu answered him, saying, 'O, tell us +what kind of food will gratify thee so that we may endeavour to give it +thee.' The illustrious Brahmana, thus replied to, said unto those heroes +who were enquiring after the kind of food he sought, 'I do not desire to +eat ordinary food. Know that I am Agni! Give me that food which suiteth me. +This forest of Khandava is always protected by Indra. And as it is +protected by the illustrious one, I always fail to consume it. In that +forest dwelleth, with his followers and family, a Naga, called Takshaka, +who is the friend of Indra. It is for him that the wielder of the +thunderbolt protecteth this forest. Many other creatures also are thus +protected here for the sake of Takshaka. Desiring to consume the forest I +succeed not in my attempts in consequence of Indra's prowess. Beholding me +blazing forth, he always poureth upon me water from the clouds. Therefore, +I succeed not in consuming the forest of Khandava, although I desire very +much to do so. I have now come to you--you who are both skilled in +weapons! If you help me I will surely consume this forest: for even this +is the food that is desired by me! As ye are conversant with excellent +weapons, I pray you to prevent those showers from descending and any of +the creatures from escaping, when I begin to consume this forest!' + +"Janamejaya said, 'Why did the illustrious Agni desire to consume the +forest of Khandava that was filled with various living creatures and +protected by the chief of the celestials? When Agni consumed in wrath the +forest of Khandava, it is evident there was a grave cause. I desire, O +Brahmana, to hear all this in detail from thee. Tell me, O sage, how the +Khandava forest was consumed in days of yore.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O chief of men, I will narrate to you the story of +the conflagration of Khandava as told by Rishis in the Purana. It hath +been heard, O king, in the Purana that there was a celebrated king of the +name of Swetaki who was endued with strength and prowess and who was equal +unto Indra himself. No one on earth has equalled him in sacrifices, +charity, and intelligence. Swetaki performed the five great sacrifices and +many others, at all of which the presents unto Brahmanas were large. The +heart of that monarch, O king, was always set upon sacrifices, religious +rites, and gifts of all kinds. And king Swetaki of great intelligence, +assisted by his Ritwiks performed sacrifices for many long years, till +those sacrificial priests with eyes afflicted by the continued smoke and +becoming very weak, left that monarch, wishing never more to assist at his +sacrifices. The king, however, repeatedly asked those Ritwiks to come to +him. But they came not to his sacrifice in consequence of the painful +state of their eyes. The king, therefore, invited at the command of his +own Ritwiks, others like unto them, and completed the sacrifice that he +had begun. After some days had elapsed, king Swetaki desired to perform +another sacrifice which should extend for a hundred years. But the +illustrious monarch obtained not any priest to assist him in it. The +celebrated king then, with his friends and relatives, casting off all +sloth, repeatedly courted his priests with great persistence, by bowing +down unto them, by conciliatory speeches, and by gifts of wealth. All of +them, however, refused to accomplish the purpose which that king of +immeasurable energy had in view. Then that royal sage, getting angry, +addressed those Brahmanas sitting in their asylums, and said, 'If, ye +Brahmanas, I were a fallen person, or, if, I were wanting in homage and +service to you, I should then deserve to be abandoned without scruple by +you and by other Brahmanas at the same time. But as I am neither degraded +nor wanting in homage to you, it behoveth you not to obstruct the +performance by me of my sacrifice or to abandon me thus, ye foremost of +Brahmanas, without adequate reason. I seek, ye Brahmanas, your protection! +It behoveth you to be propitious unto me. But, ye foremost of Brahmanas, +if you abandon me from enmity alone or any improper motive, I shall go +unto other priests for their assistance in this sacrifice of mine, and +conciliating them by sweet words and gifts, I shall represent unto them +the business I have on hand, so that they may accomplish it.' Having said +this, the monarch became silent. And, O chastiser of foes, when those +priests well knew that they could not assist at the king's sacrifice, they +pretended to be angry, and addressing that best of monarchs said, 'O best +of kings, thy sacrifices are incessant! By assisting thee always, we have +all been fatigued. And as we have been wearied in consequence of these +labours, it behoveth thee to give us leave. O sinless one, from loss of +judgment thou canst not wait (but urgest us repeatedly). Go unto Rudra! He +will assist at thy sacrifice!' Hearing those words of censure and wrath, +king Swetaki became angry. And the monarch wending to the mountains of +Kailasa, devoted himself to asceticism there. And, O king, the monarch +began to worship Mahadeva, with fixed attention, and by observing the most +rigid vows. And foregoing all food at times, he passed a long period. The +monarch ate only fruits and roots sometimes at the twelfth and sometimes +at the sixteenth hour of the whole day. King Swetaki stood for six months, +rapt in attention, with arms upraised and steadfast eyes, like the trunk +of a tree or a column rooted to the ground. And, O Bharata, Sankara at +last gratified with that tiger among kings, who was undergoing such hard +penances, showed himself unto him. And the god spake unto the monarch in a +calm and grave voice, saying, 'O tiger among kings, O chastiser of foes, I +have been gratified with thee for thy asceticism! Blest be thou! Ask now +the boon that thou, O king, desirest.' Hearing these words of Rudra of +immeasurable energy, the royal sage bowed unto that deity and replied, +saying, 'O illustrious one, O thou that art worshipped by the three worlds, +if thou hast been gratified with me, then, O god of gods, assist me +thyself, O lord of the celestials, in my sacrifice!' Hearing these words +spoken by the monarch, the illustrious god was gratified, and smilingly +said, 'We do not ourselves assist at sacrifices: but as thou, O king, hast +undergone severe penances, desirous of obtaining a boon, I will, O +chastiser of foes, assist at thy sacrifice, upon, O king, this condition.' +And Rudra continued, 'If, O king of kings, thou canst, for twelve years, +pour without intermission libations of clarified butter into the fire, +thyself leading all the while the life of a Brahmacharin with rapt +attention, then thou shalt obtain from me what thou askest.' King Swetaki, +thus addressed by Rudra, did all that he was directed to do by the wielder +of the trident. And after twelve years had elapsed, he again came unto +Maheswara. And Sankara, the Creator of the worlds upon seeing Swetaki, +that excellent monarch, immediately said, in great gratification, 'I have +been gratified by thee, O best of kings, with this thy own act! But, O +chastiser of foes, the duty of assisting at sacrifices properly belongeth +to Brahmanas. Therefore, O oppressor of foes, I will not myself assist at +thy sacrifice today. There is on earth an exalted Brahmana who is even a +portion of my own self. He is known by the name of Durvasa. Even that +Brahmana endued with great energy will assist you in thy sacrifice. Let, +therefore, every preparation be made.' Hearing these words uttered by +Rudra, the king, returning to his own capital, began to collect all that +was necessary. After everything had been collected, the monarch again +presented himself before Rudra and said, 'Every necessary article hath +been collected, and all my preparations are complete, through thy grace, O +god of gods! Let me, therefore, be installed at the sacrifice tomorrow.' +Having heard these words of that illustrious king, Rudra summoned Durvasa +before him and said. 'This, O Durvasa, is that best of monarchs called +Swetaki. At my command, O best of Brahmanas, assist even this king in his +sacrifice.' And the Rishi Durvasa said unto Rudra, 'So be it.' Then the +sacrifice for which king Swetaki had made those preparations, took place. +And the illustrious monarch's sacrifice was performed according to the +ordinance and in proper season. And the gifts, on that occasion, unto the +Brahmanas were large. And after that monarch's sacrifice had come to an +end, all the other priests who had come to assist at it went away with +Durvasa's leave. All other Sadasyas also of immeasurable energy, who had +been installed at that sacrifice, then went away. That exalted monarch +then entered his own palace, worshipped by exalted Brahmanas conversant +with the Vedas, eulogised by chanters of panegyrical hymns and +congratulated by the citizens. + +"Such was the history of that best of monarchs, the royal sage Swetaki, +who, when the time came, ascended to heaven, having won great renown on +earth, and accompanied by the Ritwiks and the Sadasyas that had helped him +in life.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'At that sacrifice of Swetaki, Agni had drunk +clarified butter for twelve years. Indeed, clarified butter had been +poured into Agni's mouth in a continuous stream for that period. Having +drunk so much butter, Agni, satiated, desired not to drink butter again +from the hand of anybody else at any other sacrifice. Agni became pale, +having lost his colour, and he could not shine as before. He felt a loss +of appetite from surfeit, and his energy itself decreased and sickness +afflicted him. Then when the drinker of sacrificial libations perceived +that his energy was gradually diminishing, he went to the sacred abode of +Brahman that is worshipped by all. Approaching the great Deity seated on +his seat, Agni said, 'O exalted one, Swetaki hath (by his sacrifice) +gratified me to excess. Even now I am suffering from surfeit which I +cannot dispel. O Lord of the universe, I am being reduced both in +splendour and strength. I desire to regain, through thy grace, my own +permanent nature.' Hearing these words from Hutavaha, the illustrious +Creator of all things smilingly replied unto him, saying, 'O exalted one, +thou hast eaten, for twelve years, a continuous stream of sacrificial +butter poured into thy mouth! It is for this that illness hath seized thee. +But, O Agni, grieve not for it. Thou shalt soon regain thy own nature. I +shall dispel this surfeit of thine and the time for it is even come. The +dreadful forest Khandava, that abode of the enemies of the gods, which +thou hadst of old once consumed to ashes at the request of the gods, hath +now become the home of numerous creatures. When thou will have eaten the +fat of those creatures, thou shalt regain thy own nature. Proceed thither +in haste to consume that forest with its living population. Thou wilt then +be cured of thy malady.' Hearing the words that fell from the lips of the +Supreme Deity, Hutasana proceeded with great speed and soon reached the +forest of Khandava in great vigour. Arrived there, he suddenly blazed +forth in anger, assisted by Vayu. Beholding Khandava on fire the dwellers +(in the forest) that were there, made great efforts to extinguish the +conflagration. Elephants by hundreds of thousands, speeding in anger, +brought water in their trunks and scattered it upon the fire. Thousands of +many-hooded snakes, mad with anger, hastily began to scatter upon fire +much water from those many hoods of theirs. And so, O bull of Bharata's +race, the other creatures dwelling in that forest, by various appliances +and efforts, soon extinguished the fire. In this way, Agni blazed forth in +Khandava repeatedly, even for seven times. And it was in this way that the +blazing fire was extinguished there as often by the denizens of that +forest.'" + + +SECTION CCXXVI + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Havyavahana (Agni) in anger and disappointment, +with his ailment uncured, went to the Grandsire. And he represented unto +Brahman all that had happened: The illustrious deity, reflecting for a +moment, said unto him, 'O sinless one, I see a way by which thou mayest +consume the forest of Khandava today in the very sight of Indra. Those old +deities, Nara and Narayana, have become incarnate in the world of men to +accomplish the business of the celestials. They are called on earth Arjuna +and Vasudeva. They are even now staying in the forest of Khandava. Solicit +them for aiding thee in consuming that forest. Thou shalt then consume the +forest even if it be protected by the celestials. They will certainly +prevent the population of Khandava from escaping, and thwart Indra also +(in aiding any one in the escape). I have no doubt of this!' Hearing these +words, Agni came in haste unto Krishna and Partha. O king, I have already +told thee what he said, having approached the illustrious pair. O tiger +among kings, hearing those words of Agni who was desirous of consuming the +forest of Khandava against the will of Indra, Vibhatsu said unto him these +words well-suited to the occasion, 'I have numberless excellent celestial +weapons with which I can fight even many wielders of the thunderbolt. But, +O exalted one, I have no bow suited to the strength of my arms, and +capable of bearing the might I may put forth in battle. In consequence of +the lightness of my hands also I require arrows that must never be +exhausted. My car also is scarcely able to bear the load of arrows that I +would desire to keep by me. I desire celestial steeds of pure white, +possessing the speed of the wind; and a car possessing the splendour of +the sun and the clatter of whose wheels should resemble the roar of the +clouds. Then, there is no weapon suited to Krishna's energy and with which +Madhava can slay Nagas and Pisachas. O exalted one, it behoveth thee to +give us the means by which success may be achieved and by which we may +thwart Indra in pouring his showers upon that extensive forest. O Pavaka, +we are ready to do all that manliness and prowess can do. But, O exalted +one, it behoveth thee to give us the adequate means.'" + + +SECTION CCXXVII + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana, said, 'Thus addressed by Arjuna, the smoke-bannered +Hutasana, desirous of an interview with Varuna, recollected that son of +Aditi,--that deity protecting one of the points of the heavens and having +his home in the water and ruling that element. Varuna, knowing that he was +thought of by Pavaka, immediately appeared before that deity. The smoke- +bannered celestial welcoming with reverence the ruler of the waters, that +fourth of the Lokapalas, said unto that eternal god of gods, 'Give me +without loss of time that bow and quiver, and that ape-bannered car also, +which were obtained from king Soma. Partha will achieve a great task with +Gandiva, and Vasudeva also with the discus! Give both, therefore, unto me +today.' Hearing these words, Varuna replied unto Pavaka, saying, 'Well, I +am giving them.' He then gave that wonderful jewel of a bow that was +endued with great energy. That bow was the enhancer of fame and +achievements, and was incapable of being injured by any weapon. It was the +chief of all weapons, and the grinder of them all. And it was the smiter +of hostile armies and was alone equal to a hundred thousand bows. It was +the multiplier of kingdoms, and was variegated with excellent colours. It +was well-adorned, and beautiful to behold, and without a mark of weakness +or injury anywhere. And it was always worshipped both by the celestials +and the Gandharvas. Varuna also gave two inexhaustible quivers, and he +also gave a car furnished with celestial weapons and whose banner bore a +large ape. Yoked unto that car were steeds white as silver of the fleecy +clouds, and born in the region of the Gandharvas, and decked with golden +harness, and resembling in fleetness the wind or the mind. And it was +equipped with implement of war, and was incapable of being vanquished by +the celestials or the Asuras. Its splendour was great and the sounds of +its wheels was tremendous. It delighted the heart of every creature that +looked at it. It had been made by Viswakarman, the architect of the +universe and one of the lords of creation, after severe ascetic meditation. +Its splendour, like that of the sun, was so great that no one could gaze +at it. It was the very car from which the lord Soma had vanquished the +Danavas. Resplendent with beauty, it looked like an evening cloud +reflecting the effulgence of the setting sun. It was furnished with an +excellent flag-staff of golden colour and great beauty. And there sat upon +that flag-staff a celestial ape of form fierce like that of a lion or a +tiger. Stationed on high, the ape seemed bent upon burning everything it +beheld. And upon the (other) flags were various creatures of large size, +whose roars and yells caused the enemy's soldiers to faint. Then Arjuna, +accoutred in mail and armed with the sword, and his fingers cased in +leathern gloves, walking round that excellent car adorned with numerous +flags and bowing unto the gods, ascended it like a virtuous man riding in +the celestial car that bears him to heaven. And taking up that celestial +and first of bows created by Brahman of old and called Gandiva, Arjuna was +filled with joy. And bowing unto Hutasana, Partha endued with great energy, +took up the bow and strung it forcibly. Those who heard the noise that was +made while the mighty Pandava strung that bow, quaked with fear. And +having obtained that car and that bow, and the two inexhaustible quivers, +the son of Kunti became glad and thought himself competent to assist at +the task. And Pavaka then gave unto Krishna a discus with an iron pole +attached to a hole in the centre. And it was a fiery weapon and became his +favourite. Having obtained that weapon, Krishna also became equal to the +task. Pavaka then, addressing Krishna, said, 'With this, O slayer of Madhu, +thou shalt be able without doubt to vanquish in battle even foes that are +not human. With this weapon, without doubt, thou shalt be superior in +battle to men and gods, and Rakshasas and Pisachas, and Daityas and Nagas. +And thou shalt certainly be able with this to smite all. And, O Madhava, +hurled by thee in battle at thy foes, this weapon will irresistibly slay +the enemy and again come back into thy hands.' And the lord Varuna, after +this, gave unto Krishna a mace, of name Kaumodaki, capable of slaying +every Daitya and producing, when hurled, a roar like that of the thunder. +Then Arjuna and Achyuta, filled with joy said unto Pavaka, 'O exalted one, +furnished with weapons and knowing their use, possessed of cars with flags +and flagstaffs, we are now able to fight with even all the celestials and +the Asuras (together), let alone the wielder of the thunderbolt desirous +of fighting for the sake of the Naga (his friend Takshaka).' Arjuna also +said, 'O Pavaka, while Hrishikesa, endued with abundant energy, moves on +the field of battle with this discus in hand, there is nothing in the +three worlds that he will not be able to consume by hurling this weapon. +Having obtained the bow Gandiva and this couple of inexhaustible quivers I +also am ready to conquer in battle the three worlds. Therefore, O lord, +blaze thou forth as thou likest, surrounding this large forest on every +side. We are quite able to help thee.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed both by Dasarha and Arjuna, the +illustrious god then put forth his most energetic form, and prepared to +consume the forest. Surrounding it on all sides with his seven flames, he +began to consume the forest of Khandava, exhibiting his all-consuming form +like that at the end of the Yuga (cycle). And, O bull of Bharata's race, +surrounding that forest and catching it from all sides with a roar like +that of the clouds, Agni made every creature within it tremble. And, O +Bharata, that burning forest then looked resplendent like the king of +mountains, Meru, blazing with the rays of the sun fallen thereupon.'" + + +SECTION CCXXVIII + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those foremost of car-warriors (Krishna and +Arjuna), riding in their cars and placing themselves on opposite sides of +that forest, began a great slaughter, on all sides, of the creatures +dwelling in Khandava. At whatever point any of the creatures residing in +Khandava could be seen attempting to escape, thither rushed those mighty +heroes (to prevent its flight). Indeed those two excellent cars seemed to +be but one, and the two warriors also therein but one individual. And +while the forest was burning, hundreds and thousands of living creatures, +uttering frightful yells, began to run about in all directions. Some had +particular limbs burnt, some were scorched with excessive heat, and some +came out, and some ran about from fear. And some clasping their children +and some their parents and brothers, died calmly without, from excess of +affection, being able to abandon these that were dear to them. And many +there were who biting their nether lips rose upwards and soon fell +whirling into the blazing element below. And some were seen to roll on the +ground with wings, eyes, and feet scorched and burnt. These creatures were +all seen to perish there almost soon enough. The tanks and ponds within +that forest, heated by the fire around, began to boil; the fishes and the +tortoises in them were all seen to perish. During that great slaughter of +living creatures in that forest, the burning bodies of various animals +looked as if fire itself had assumed many forms. The birds that took wings +to escape from that conflagration were pierced by Arjuna with his shafts, +and cut into pieces, they fell down into the burning element below. +Pierced all over with Arjuna's shafts, the birds dropped down into the +burning forest, uttering loud cries. The denizens of the forest, struck +with those shafts, began to roar and yell. The clamour they raised was +like unto the frightful uproar heard during the churning of the ocean (in +days of yore). The mighty flames of the blazing fire reaching the +firmament, caused great anxiety to the celestials themselves. Then all the +illustrious dwellers in heaven went in a body unto him of a hundred +sacrifices and thousand eyes, viz., their chief, that grinder of Asuras. +Approaching Indra, the celestial said, 'Why, O lord of immortals, doth +Agni burn these creatures below? Hath the time come for the destruction of +the world?' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the gods, and himself +beholding what Agni was doing, the slayer of Vritra set out for the +protection of the forest of Khandava. And Vasava, the chief of the +celestials soon covering the sky with masses of clouds of every kind began +to shower upon the burning forest. Those masses of clouds by hundreds and +thousands, commanded by Indra began to pour rain upon Khandava in showers +thick as the flag-staffs of battle-cars. But the showers were all dried up +in the sky itself by the heat of the fire and could not, therefore, reach +the fire at all! Then the slayer of Namuchi, getting angry with Agni, +collected huge masses of clouds and caused them to yield a heavy downpour. +Then with the flames contending with those heavy showers, and with masses +of clouds overhead, that forest, filled with smoke and flashes of +lightning, became terrible to behold.'" + + +SECTION CCXXIX + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Vibhatsu, the son of Pandu, invoking his +excellent weapons, prevented that shower of rain by Indra, by means of a +shower of his own weapons. And Arjuna of immeasurable soul soon covered +the forest of Khandava with innumerable arrows like the moon covering the +atmosphere with a thick fog. When the sky above that forest was thus +covered with the arrows of Arjuna no living creature could then escape +from below. And it so happened that while that forest was burning, +Takshaka, the chief of the Nagas, was not there, having gone at that time +to the field of Kurukshetra. But Aswasena, the mighty son of Takshaka, was +there. He made great efforts to escape from that fire; but confined by +Arjuna's shafts he succeeded not in finding a way. It was then that his +mother, the daughter of a snake, determined to save him by swallowing him +first. His mother first swallowed his head and then was swallowing his +tail. And desirous of saving her son, the sea-snake rose (up from the +earth) while still employed in swallowing her son's tail. But Arjuna as +soon as he beheld her escaping, severed her head from her body by means of +a sharp and keen-edged arrow. Indra saw all this, and desiring to save his +friend's son, the wielder of the thunderbolt, by raising a violent wind, +deprived Arjuna of consciousness. During those few moments, Aswasena +succeeded in effecting his escape. Beholding that manifestation of the +power of illusion, and deceived by that snake, Arjuna was much enraged. He +forthwith cut every animal seeking to escape by the skies, into two, three, +or more pieces. And Vibhatsu in anger, and Agni, and Vasudeva also, cursed +the snake that had escaped so deceitfully, saying, 'Never shalt thou be +famous!' And Jishnu remembering the deception practised upon him, became +angry, and covering the firmament with a cloud of arrows, sought to fight +with him of a thousand eyes. The chief of the celestials also, seeing +Arjuna in anger, sought to fight with him, and hurled his own fierce +weapons, covering the wide expanse of the firmament. Then the winds, +making a loud roar and agitating all the oceans, brought together masses +of clouds in the sky, charged with torrents of rain. Those masses of +clouds began to vomit thunder and terrible flashes of lightning charged +with the thunderclap. Then Arjuna possessing a knowledge of means, hurled +the excellent weapon called Vayavya with proper mantras to dispel those +clouds. With that weapon the energy and force of Indra's thunderbolt and +of those clouds were destroyed. And the torrents of rain with which those +clouds were charged were all dried up, and the lightning that played +amongst them was also destroyed. Within a moment the sky was cleared of +dust and darkness, and a delicious, cool breeze began to blow and the disc +of the sun resumed its normal state. Then the eater of clarified butter +(Agni), glad because none could baffle him, assumed various forms, and +sprinkled over with the fat exuded by the bodies of creatures, blazed +forth with all his flames, filling the universe with his roar. Then +numerous birds of the Garuda tribe bearing excellent feathers, beholding +that the forest was protected by Krishna and Arjuna, descended filled with +pride, from the upper skies, desirous of striking those heroes with their +thunderlike wings, beaks and claws. Innumerable Nagas also, with faces +emitting fire descending from high, approached Arjuna, vomiting the most +virulent poison all the while. Beholding them approach, Arjuna cut them +into pieces by means of arrows steeped in the fire of his own wrath. Then +those birds and snakes, deprived of life, fell into the burning element +below. And there came also, desirous of battle, innumerable Asuras with +Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Nagas sending forth terrific +yells. Armed with machines vomiting from their throats (mouths) iron +balls and bullets, and catapults for propelling huge stones, and rockets, +they approached to strike Krishna and Partha, their energy and strength +increased by wrath. But though they rained a perfect shower of weapons, +Vibhatsu, addressing them reproachfully, struck off their heads with his +own sharp arrows. That slayer of foes, Krishna, also, endued with great +energy, made a great slaughter of the Daitya and the Danava with his +discus. Many Asuras of immeasurable might, pierced with Krishna's arrows +and smitten with the force of his discus, became motionless like waifs and +strays stranded on the bank by the violence of the waves. Then Sakra the +lord of the celestials, riding on his white elephant, rushed at those +heroes, and taking up his thunderbolt which could never go in vain, hurled +it with great force. And the slayer of Asuras said unto the gods, 'These +two are slain.' Beholding the fierce thunderbolt about to be hurled +by their chief, the celestials all took up their respective weapons. Yama, +O king, took up the death-dealing mace, and Kuvera his spiked club, and +Varuna his noose and beautiful missile. And Skanda (Kartikeya) took up his +long lance and stood motionless like the mountain of Meru. The Aswins +stood there with resplendent plants in their hands. Dhatri stood, bow in +hand, and Jaya with a thick club. Tvashtri of great strength took up in +wrath, a huge mountain and Surya stood with a bright dart, and Mrityu with +a battle-axe. Aryaman stalked about with a terrible bludgeon furnished +with sharp spikes, and Mitra stood there with a discus sharp as a razor. +And, O monarch, Pusha and Bhaga and Savitri, in wrath, rushed at Krishna +and Partha with bows and scimitars in hand. And Rudras and the Vasus, the +mighty Maruts and the Viswedevas and the Sadhyas, all resplendent with +their own energy,--these and many other celestials, armed with various +weapons rushed against those exalted of men, Krishna and Partha, for +smiting them down. Then were seen in that great conflict wonderful +portents all around robbing every creature of his sense, and resembling +those that appeared at the time of the universal dissolution. But Arjuna +and Krishna, fearless and invincible in battle, beholding Sakra and the +other celestials prepared for fight, calmly waited, bows in hands. Skilled +in battle, those heroes in wrath assailed the advancing host of celestials +with their own thunderlike arrows. The celestials repeatedly routed by +Krishna and Arjuna, at last left the field of battle for fear and sought +the protection of Indra. The Munis who were witnessing the battle from the +skies, beholding the celestials defeated by Madhava and Arjuna, were +filled with wonder. Sakra also repeatedly witnessing their prowess in +battle, became exceedingly gratified, and once more rushed to the assault. +The chastiser of Paka then caused a heavy shower of stones, desiring to +ascertain the prowess of Arjuna who was able to draw the bow even with his +left hand. Arjuna, in great wrath, dispelled with his arrows that thick +shower. Then he of a hundred sacrifices beholding that shower baffled, +once more caused a thicker shower of stones. But the son of the chastiser +of Paka (viz., Arjuna) gratified his father by baffling that shower also +with his swift arrows. Then Sakra, desirous of smiting down the son of +Pandu, tore up with his hands a large peak from Mandara, with tall trees +on it, and hurled it against him. But Arjuna divided that mountain-peak +into a thousand pieces by his swift-going and fire-mouthed arrows. The +fragments of that mountain, in falling through the skies, looked as if the +sun and the moon and the planets, displaced from their positions fell down +on earth. That huge peak fell down upon that forest and by its fall killed +numerous living creatures that dwelt in Khandava.'" + + +SECTION CCXXX + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the inhabitants of the forest of Khandava, the +Danavas and Rakshasas and Nagas and wolves and bears and other wild +animals, and elephants with rent temples, and tigers, and lions with manes +and deer and buffaloes by hundreds, and birds, and various other creatures, +frightened at the falling stones and extremely anxious, began to fly in +all directions. They saw the forest (burning all around) and Krishna and +Arjuna also ready with their weapons. Frightened at the terrible sounds +that were audible there those creatures lost their power of movement. +Beholding the forest burning in innumerable places and Krishna also ready +to smite them down with his weapons, they all set up a frightful roar. +With that terrible clamour as also with the roar of fire, the whole welkin +resounded, as it were, with the voice of portentous clouds. Kesava of dark +hue and mighty arms, in order to compass their destruction, hurled at them +his large and fierce discus resplendent with its own energy. The forest- +dwellers including the Danavas and the Rakshasas, afflicted by that weapon, +were cut in hundreds of pieces and fell unto the mouth of Agni. Mangled by +Krishna's discus, the Asuras were besmeared with blood and fat and looked +like evening clouds. And, O Bharata, he of the Vrishni race moved able +like death itself, slaying Pisachas and birds and Nagas and other +creatures by thousands. The discus itself, repeatedly hurled from the +hands of Krishna, that slayer of all foes, came back to his hands after +slaughtering numberless creatures. The face and form of Krishna that soul +of every created thing became fierce to behold while he was thus employed +in the slaughter of the Pisachas, Nagas and Rakshasas. No one among the +celestials, who had mustered there could vanquish in battle Krishna and +Arjuna. When the celestials saw that they could not protect that forest +from the might of Krishna and Arjuna by extinguishing that conflagration, +they retired from the scene. Then, O monarch, he of a hundred sacrifices +(Indra), beholding the immortals retreat, became filled with joy and +applauded Krishna and Arjuna. And when the celestials gave up the fight, +an incorporeal voice, deep and loud, addressing him of a hundred +sacrifices, said, 'Thy friend Takshaka, that chief of snakes, hath not +been slain! Before the conflagration commenced in Khandava he had +journeyed to Kurukshetra. Know from my words, O Vasava, that Vasudeva and +Arjuna are incapable of being vanquished in battle by any one! They are +Nara and Narayana--those gods of old heard of in heaven! Thou knowest what +their energy is and what their prowess. Invincible in battle, these best +of old Rishis are unconquerable by any one in all the worlds! They deserve +the most reverential worship of all the celestials and Asuras; of Yakshas +and Rakshasas and Gandharvas, of human beings and Kinnaras and Nagas. +Therefore, O Vasava, it behoveth thee to go hence with all the celestials. +The destruction of Khandava hath been ordained by Fate!' Then the chief of +the immortals, ascertaining those words to be true abandoned his wrath and +jealousy, and went back to heaven. The dwellers in heaven, O monarch, +beholding the illustrious Indra abandon the fight, followed him with all +their soldiers. Then those heroes, Vasudeva and Arjuna, when they saw the +chief of the celestials retreat accompanied by all the gods, set up a +leonine roar. And, O monarch, Kesava and Arjuna, after Indra had left the +scene, became exceedingly glad. Those heroes then fearlessly assisted at +the conflagration of the forest. Arjuna scattered the celestials like the +wind scattering the clouds, and slew with showers of his arrows, +numberless creatures that dwelt in Khandava. Cut off by Arjuna's arrows, +no one amongst the innumerable creatures could escape from the burning +forest. Far from fighting with him, none amongst even the strongest +creatures mustered there could look at Arjuna whose weapons were never +futile. Sometimes piercing hundred creatures with one shaft and sometimes +a single creature with hundred shafts, Arjuna moved about in his car. The +creatures themselves, deprived of life, began to fall into the mouth of +Agni (god of fire), struck down as it were by death itself. On the banks +of rivers or on uneven plains or on crematoriums, go where they did, the +creatures (dwelling in Khandava) found no ease, for wherever they sought +shelter there they were afflicted by the heat. And hosts of creatures +roared in pain, and elephants and deer and wolves set up cries of +affliction. At that sound the fishes of the Ganges and the sea, and the +various tribes of Vidyadharas dwelling in that forest all became +frightened. O thou of mighty arms, let alone battling with them, no one, +could even gaze at Arjuna and Janardana of dark hue. Hari slew with his +discus those Rakshasas and Danavas and Nagas that rushed at him in bands. +Of huge bodies, their heads and trunks were cut off by the swift motion of +the discus, and deprived of life they fell down into the blazing fire. +Gratified with large quantities of flesh, blood, and fat, the flames rose +up to a great height without a curling wreath of smoke. Hutasana (fire- +god) with blazing and coppery eyes, and flaming tongue and large mouth, +and the hair on the crown of his head all fiery, drinking, with the help +of Krishna and Arjuna, that nectar-like stream of animal fat, became +filled with joy. Gratified greatly, Agni derived much happiness. + +"And it so happened that the slayer of Madhu suddenly beheld an Asura of +the name of Maya escaping from the abode of Takshaka. Agni having Vayu for +his car-driver, assuming a body with matted locks on head, and roaring +like the clouds, pursued the Asura, desirous of consuming him. Beholding +the Asura, Vasudeva stood with his weapon upraised, ready to smite him +down, seeing the discus uplifted and Agni pursuing from behind to burn him, +Maya said 'Run to me, O Arjuna, and protect me!' Hearing his affrighted +voice Arjuna said, 'Fear not!' That voice of Arjuna, O Bharata, seemed to +give Maya his life. As the merciful son of Pritha said unto Maya that +there was nothing to fear, he of the Dasarha race no longer desired to +slay Maya who was the brother of Namuchi, and Agni also burned him not.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Protected from Indra by Krishna and Partha, Agni +gifted with great intelligence, burned that forest for five and ten days. +And while the forest burned Agni spared only six of its dwellers, viz., +Aswasena, Maya, and four birds called Sarngakas.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXI + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, tell me why and when that forest burnt in +that way, Agni consumed not the birds called Sarngakas? Thou hast, O +Brahmana, recited (to us) the cause of Aswasena and the Danava Maya not +having been consumed. But thou hast not as yet said what the cause was of +the escape of the Sarngakas? The escape of those birds, O Brahmana, +appeareth to me to be wonderful. Tell us why they were not destroyed in +that dreadful conflagration.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O slayer of all foes, I shall tell thee all as to why +Agni did not burn up those birds during the conflagration. There was, O +king, a great Rishi known by the name of Mandapala, conversant with all +the shastras, of rigid vows, devoted to asceticism, and the foremost of +all virtuous persons. Following in the wake of Rishis that had drawn up +their virile fluid, that ascetic, O monarch, with every sense under +complete control, devoted himself to study and virtue. Having reached the +opposite shores of asceticism, O Bharata, he left his human form and went +to the region of the Pitris. But going thither he failed to obtain the +(expected) fruit of his acts. He asked the celestials that sat around the +king of the dead as to the cause of his treatment, saying, 'Why have these +regions become unattainable by me,--regions that I had thought had been +acquired by me by my ascetic devotions? Have I not performed those acts +whose fruits are these regions? Ye inhabitants of heaven, tell me why +these regions are shut against me! I will do that which will give me the +fruit of my ascetic penances.' + +"The celestials answered, 'Hear, O Brahmana, of those acts and things on +account of which men are born debtors. Without doubt, it is for religious +rites, studies according to the ordinance, and progeny, that men are born +debtors. These debts are all discharged by sacrifices, asceticism, and +offspring. Thou art an ascetic and hast also performed sacrifices; but +thou hast no offspring. These regions are shut against thee only for want +of children. Beget children, therefore! Thou shalt then enjoy multifarious +regions of felicity. The Vedas declared that the son rescueth the father +from a hell called Put. Then, O best of Brahmanas, strive to beget +offspring.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Mandapala, having heard these words of the +dwellers in heaven, reflected how best he could obtain the largest number +of offspring within the shortest period of time. The Rishi, after +reflection, understood that of all creatures birds alone were blest with +fecundity. Assuming the form of a Sarngaka the Rishi had connection with a +female bird of the same species called by the name of Jarita. And he begat +upon her four sons who were all reciters of the Vedas. Leaving all those +sons of his with their mother in that forest, while they were still within +eggs, the ascetic went to (another wife called by the name of) Lapita. And, +O Bharata, when the exalted sage went away for the company of Lapita, +moved by affection for her offspring, Jarita became very thoughtful. +Though forsaken by their father in the forest of Khandava, Jarita, anxious +in her affection for them, could not forsake her offspring, those infant +Rishis encased in eggs. Moved by parental affection, she brought up these +children born of her, herself following the pursuits proper to her own +species. Some time after, the Rishi, in wandering over that forest in the +company of Lapita, saw Agni coming towards Khandava to burn it down. Then +the Brahmana Mandapala, knowing the intention of Agni and remembering also +that his children were all young moved by fear, gratified the god, of the +burning element, that regent of the universe, endued with great energy. +And he did this, desiring to put in a word for his unfledged offspring. +Addressing Agni, the Rishi said, 'Thou art, O Agni, the mouth of all the +worlds! Thou art the carrier of the sacrificial butter! O purifier (of all +sins), thou movest invisible with the frame of every creature! The learned +have spoken of thee as an One, and again as possessed of triple nature. +The wise perform their sacrifices before thee, taking thee as consisting +of eight (mouths). The great Rishis declare that this universe hath been +created by thee. O thou that feedest on sacrificial butter, without thee +this whole universe would be destroyed in a single day. Bowing to thee, +the Brahmanas, accompanied by their wives and children, go to eternal +regions won by them by help of their own deeds. O Agni, the learned +represent thee as the clouds in the heavens charged with lightning. O Agni, +the flames put forth by thee consume every creature. O thou of great +splendour, this universe hath been created by thee. The Vedas are thy word. +All creatures, mobile and immobile, depend upon thee. Water primarily +dependeth on thee, so also the whole of this universe. All offerings of +clarified butter and oblations of food to the pitris have been established +in thee. O god, thou art the consumer, and thou art the creator and thou +art Vrihaspati himself (in intelligence). Thou art the twin Aswins; thou +art Surya; thou art Soma; thou art Vayu. + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'O monarch, thus praised by Mandapala, Agni was +gratified with that Rishi of immeasurable energy; and the god, well- +pleased, replied, 'What good can I do to thee?' Then Mandapala with joined +palms said unto the carrier of clarified butter, 'While thou burnest the +forest of Khandava, spare my children.' The illustrious bearer of +clarified butter replied, 'So be it.' It was, therefore, O monarch, that +he blazed not forth, while consuming the forest of Khandava, for the +destruction of Mandapala's children.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXII + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'When the fire blazed forth in the forest of Khandava, +the infant birds became very much distressed and afflicted. Filled with +anxiety, they saw not any means of escape. Their mother, the helpless +Jarita, knowing that they were too young to escape, was filled with sorrow +and wept aloud. And she said, 'Oh, the terrible, illuminating the whole +universe and burning the forest down, approacheth towards us, increasing +my woe. These infants with immature understanding, without feathers and +feet, and the sole refuge of our deceased ancestors, afflict me. Oh, this +fire approacheth, spreading fear all around, and licking with its tongue +the tallest trees. But my unfledged children are incapable of effecting +their escape. I myself am not capable of escaping, taking all these with +me. Nor am I capable of abandoning them, for my heart is distressed on +their account. Whom amongst my sons, shall I leave behind, and whom shall +I carry with me? What (act) should I do now that is consistent with duty? +What also do you, my infant sons, think? I do not, even by reflection, see +any way of escape for you. I shall even cover you with my wings and die +with you. Your cruel father left me some time before, saying, 'Upon this +Jaritari, because he is the eldest of my sons, will my race depend. My +second Sarisrikka will beget progeny for the expansion of my ancestors' +race. My third, Stamvamitra, will be devoted to asceticism, and my +youngest, Drona, will become the foremost of those acquainted with the +Vedas.' But how hath this terrible calamity overtaken us! Whom shall I +take with me? As I am deprived of judgment what should I do that is +consistent with duty? I do not see, by the exercise of my own judgment, +the escape of my children from the fire!' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Unto their mother indulging in these lamentations, +the infant ones said. 'O mother, relinquishing thy affection for us, go +thou to a place where there is no fire. If we are killed here, thou mayest +have other children born to thee. If thou, O mother be killed, we can have +no more children in our race. Reflecting upon both these calamities, the +time hath come for thee, O mother, to do that which is beneficial to our +race. Do not be influenced by affection for thy offspring, which promises +to destroy both us and thee. If thou savest thyself, our father, who is +even desirous of winning regions of felicity, may have his wishes +gratified.' + +"Hearing what the infants said. Jarita replied, 'There is a hole here in +the ground near to this tree, belonging to a mouse. Enter this hole +without loss of time. You shall have then no fear of fire. After ye have +entered it, I shall, ye children, cover its mouth with dust. This is the +only means of escape that I see from the blazing fire. Then when the fire +will be put out, I shall return hither to remove the dust. Follow my +advice if you are to escape from the conflagration.' + +"The infant birds replied, 'Without feathers we are but so many balls of +flesh. If we enter the hole, certain it is that the carnivorous mouse will +destroy us all. Beholding this danger before us, we cannot enter this hole. +Alas, we do not see any means by which we may escape from the fire or from +the mouse. We do not see how our father's act of procreation may be +prevented from becoming futile, and how also our mother may be saved. If +we enter the hole, the mouse will destroy us; we remain where we are and +the sky-ranging fire will destroy us. Reflecting upon both the calamities, +a death by fire is preferable to a death by being eaten up. If we are +devoured by the mouse within the hole, that death is certainly ignoble, +whereas the destruction of the body in fire is approved by the wise.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXIII + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing those words of her sons Jarita continued, +'The little mouse that had come out of this hole was seized by a hawk with +his claws and carried away hence. Therefore, ye may fearlessly enter this +hole now.' The young ones replied, 'We are not by any means certain of +that mouse having been taken away by the hawk. There may be other mice +living here. From them we have every fear. Whereas it is doubtful whether +fire will at all approach us here. Already we see an adverse wind blowing +the flames away. If we enter the hole, death is certain at the hands of +the dwellers in the hole. But if we remain where we are, death is +uncertain. O mother, a position in which death is uncertain is better than +that in which it is certain. It is thy duty, therefore, to escape thyself, +for, if thou livest thou mayest obtain other children as good.' + +"Their mother then said, 'Ye children, I myself saw the mighty hawk, that +best of birds, swoop down and fly away with the mouse from the hole. And +while he was flying away swiftly, I followed him behind and pronounced +blessing on him for his having taken away the mouse from the hole. I said +unto him. 'O king of hawks, because thou art flying away with our enemy, +the mouse, in thy claws, mayest thou, without a foe, live in heaven with a +golden body.' Afterwards when that hawk devoured the mouse, I came away, +obtaining his leave. Therefore, ye children, enter this hole trustfully. +Ye have nothing to fear. The mouse that was its inmate was seized and +taken away by the hawk in my sight.' The young ones again said, 'O mother, +we do not by any means know that the mouse hath been carried away by the +hawk. We cannot enter this hole in the ground without being certain of the +fact.' Their mother said, 'I know to a certainty that the mouse hath been +carried away by the hawk. Therefore, ye children, ye have nothing to fear; +do what I say.' The young ones again said, 'We do not, O mother, say that +thou art dispelling our fears with a false story. For whatever is done by +a person when his reason hath been disturbed can scarcely be said to be +that person's deliberate act. Thou hast not been benefited by us, nor dost +thou know who we are. Why dost thou, therefore, strive to protect us at so +much cost to thyself? Who are we to thee? Thou art young and handsome, and +capable of seeking out thy husband. Go unto thy husband. Thou shalt obtain +good children again. Let us by entering the fire attain to regions of +felicity. If, however, the fire consume us not, thou mayest come back and +obtain us again.' + +"Vaisampayana said, 'The parent bird then, thus addressed by her sons, +left them in Khandava and hastily went to the spot where there was no fire +and there was safety. Then Agni in haste and with fierce flames approached +the spot where the sons of Mandapala were. The young birds saw the blazing +fire come towards them. Then Jaritari, the eldest of the four, in the +hearing of Agni, began to speak.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXIV + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Jaritari said, 'The person that is wise remaineth wakeful in view of +death. Accordingly, when the hour of death approacheth, he feeleth no +pangs. But the person of perplexed soul, who remaineth not awake, when the +hour of death comes, feeleth the pangs of death and never attaineth +salvation.' + +"The second brother Sarisrikka, said, 'Thou art patient and intelligent. +The time is come when our lives are threatened. Without doubt, one only +amongst many becometh wise and brave.' + +"The third brother, Stamvamitra, said, 'The eldest brother is called the +protector. It is the eldest brother that rescueth (the younger ones) from +danger. If the eldest himself faileth to rescue them, what can the younger +ones do?' + +"The fourth and the youngest brother, Drona said, 'The cruel god of fire, +with seven tongues and seven mouths quickly cometh towards our habitation, +blazing forth in splendour and licking up everything in his path.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having addressed one another thus, the sons of +Mandapala then each devotedly addressed an eulogistic hymn to Agni. Listen +now, O monarch, to those hymns as I recite them.' + +"Jaritari said, 'Thou art, O fire, the soul of air! Thou art the body of +the Earth's vegetation! O Sukra, water is thy parent as thou art the +parent of water! O thou of great energy, thy flames, like the rays of the +sun, extend themselves above, below, behind, and on each side.' + +"Sarisrikka said, 'O smoke-bannered god, our mother is not to be seen, and +we know not our father! Our feathers have not grown as yet. We have none +to protect us save thee. Therefore, O Agni, infants that we are protect +us! O Agni, as we are distressed, protect us with that auspicious form +thou hast and with those seven flames of thine! We seek protection at thy +hands. Thou alone, O Agni, art the giver of heat (in the universe). O lord, +there is none else (save thee) that giveth heat to the rays of the sun. O, +protect us who are young and who are Rishis. O Havyavaha (carrier of +sacrificial butter), be pleased to go hence by some other route.' + +"Stamvamitra said, 'Thou alone, O Agni, art everything! This whole +universe is established in thee! Thou sustainest every creature, and thou +supportest the universe! Thou art the carrier of the sacrificial butter, +and thou art the excellent sacrificial butter itself! The wise know thee +to be one (as cause) and many (as effects)! Having created the three +worlds, thou, O Havyavaha, again destroyest them when the time cometh, +swelling thyself forth! Thou art the productive cause of the whole +universe, and thou also art the essence in which the universe dissolveth +itself!' + +"Drona said, 'O lord of the universe, growing in strength and remaining +within their bodies, thou causest the food that living creatures eat to be +digested. Everything therefore, is established in thee. O Sukra, O thou +from whose mouth the Vedas have sprung, it is thou who assumests the form +of the sun, and sucking up the waters of the earth and every liquid juice +that the earth yields, givest them back in time in the form of rain and +causest everything to grow! From thee, O Sukra, are these plants and +creepers with green foliage! From thee have sprung these tanks and pools, +and the great ocean also that is ever blessed! O thou of fierce rays, this +our (human) body dependeth on Varuna (the water-god)! We are unable to +bear thy heat. Be thou, therefore, our auspicious protector! O, destroy us +not! O thou of copper-hued eyes, O thou of red neck, O thou whose path is +marked by a black colour, save us by going along any remote route, as +indeed, the ocean saveth the house on its banks!' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Drona--that utterer of Brahma-- +Agni, well-pleased at what he heard, and remembering also the promise he +had made to Mandapala, replied unto him, saying, 'Thou art a Rishi, O +Drona! For what thou hast said is Brahma (Vedic truth). I shall do your +pleasure. Fear not! Indeed, Mandapala had spoken to me of you to the +effect that I should spare his sons, while consuming the forest. The words +he spoke and thy speech also are entitled to great weight to me. Say what +I am to do. O best of Brahmanas, I have been greatly pleased with thy hymn. +Blest be thou, O Brahmana!' + +"Drona said, 'O Sukra, these cats trouble us every day. O Hutasana; +consume them with their friends and relatives.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Agni did what the Sarngakas asked him to +do, telling them of his intentions. And, O Janamejaya, growing in strength, +he began then to consume the forest of Khandava.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXV + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'O thou of Kuru's race, the Rishi Mandapala became +very anxious about his children, although he had spoken of them to the god +of fierce rays. Indeed, his mind was not in peace. Distressed on account +of his sons, he addressed Lapita (his second wife with whom he then was), +saying, 'O Lapita, as my children are incapable of the power of moving, +how are they? When the fire will grow in strength and the wind begin to +blow violently, my children will scarcely be able to save themselves. How +will their mother be able to rescue them? That innocent woman will be +afflicted with great sorrow when she will find herself unable to save her +offspring. Oh, how will she compose herself, uttering various lamentations +on account of my children who are all incapable of taking wing or rising +up into the air. Oh, how is Jaritari, my son, and how is Sarisrikka, and +how is Stamvamitra, and how is Drona, and how also is their helpless +mother?' + +"Unto the Rishi Mandapala thus weeping in the forest, Lapita, O Bharata, +thus replied, under the influence of jealousy, 'Thou need not worry for +thy children who, as thou hast assured me, are all Rishis endued with +energy and prowess! They can have no fear from fire. Didst thou not speak +to Agni in my presence, in their behalf? Has not the illustrious deity +promised to save them? One of the regents of the universe as Agni is, he +will never falsify his speech. Thou hast no anxiety, nor is thy heart +inclined towards benefiting friends. It is only by thinking of her--my +rival (Jarita) that thou art so distracted! Certain it is that the love +thou bearest to me is not equal to what thou hadst for her at first. He +that hath two parties dividing his attention, can easily behold one of +those suffer all sorts of pangs; but he should not disregard the party +that is next to his heart. Then go thou to Jarita, for whom thy heart is +sorrowing! As for myself, I shall henceforth wander alone, as a fit reward +for my having attached myself to a wicked person.' + +"Hearing these words, Mandapala replied, 'I do not wander over the earth +with such intentions as thou conceivest. It is only for the sake of +progeny that I am here. And even those that I have are in danger. He who +casteth off what he hath for the sake of what he may acquire, is a wicked +person. The world disregardeth and insulteth him. (Therefore, go I must). +As for thyself thou art free to do what thou choosest. This blazing fire +that licketh up the trees causeth sorrow in my anxious heart and raiseth +therein evil presentiments.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Meanwhile, after the fire had left the spot +where the Sarngakas dwelt, Jarita, much attached to her children, hastily +came thither to see how they were. She found that all of them had escaped +from the fire and were perfectly well. Beholding their mother, they began +to weep, though safe and sound. She too shed tears upon beholding them +alive. And she embraced, one by one, all her weeping children. Just at +that time, O Bharata, the Rishi Mandapala arrived there. But none of his +sons expressed joy, upon beholding him. The Rishi, however, began to speak +to them one after another and unto Jarita also, repeatedly. But neither +his sons nor Jarita spoke anything well or ill unto him in return.' + +"Mandapala then said, 'Who amongst these is thy first born, and who the +next after him? And who is the third, and who the youngest? I am speaking +unto thee woefully; why dost thou not reply to me? I left thee, it is true, +but I was not happy where I was.' + +"Jarita then said, 'What hast thou to do with the eldest of these, and +what with him that is next? And what with the third and what with the +youngest? Go now unto that Lapita of sweet smiles and endued with youth, +unto whom thou didst go of old, beholding me deficient in everything!' +Mandapala replied, 'As regards females, there is nothing so destructive of +their happiness whether in this or the other world as a co-wife and a +clandestine lover. There is nothing like these two that inflames the fire +of hostility and causes such anxiety. Even the auspicious and well-behaved +Arundhati, celebrated amongst all creatures, had been jealous of the +illustrious Vasishtha of great purity of mind and always devoted to the +good of his wife. Arundhati insulted even the wise Muni amongst the +(celestial) seven. In consequence of such insulting thoughts of hers, she +has become a little star, like fire mixed with smoke, sometimes visible +and sometimes invisible, like an omen portending no good (amongst a +constellation of seven bright stars representing the seven Rishis). I look +to thee for the sake of children. I never wronged thee, like Vasishtha who +never wronged his wife. Thou hast, therefore, by thy jealousy behaved +towards me like Arundhati of old towards Vasishtha. Men should never trust +women even if they be wives. Women, when they have become mothers, do not +much mind serving their husbands.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, all his children came forward to +worship him. And he also began to speak kindly towards them all, giving +them every assurance.'" + + +SECTION CCXXXVI + +(Khandava-daha Parva continued) + +"Vaisampayana said, 'Mandapala then addressed his children, saying, 'I had +spoken unto Agni for the safety of you all. The illustrious deity had +assured me that he would grant my wish. At those words of Agni, and +knowing the virtuous disposition of your mother, as also the great energy +that is in yourselves, I came not here earlier. Therefore, ye sons, do not +harbour in your hearts any resentment towards me. Ye are all Rishis +acquainted with the Vedas. Even Agni knoweth you well.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having given such assurances unto his sons, the +Brahmana Mandapala took with him his wife and sons, and leaving that +region, went away to some other country. + +"It thus that the illustrious god of fierce rays, having grown in +strength consumed the forest of Khandava with the help of Krishna and +Arjuna, for the good of the world. And Agni having drunk several rivers of +fat and marrow, became highly gratified, and showed himself to Arjuna. +Then Purandara, surrounded by the Maruts, descended from the firmament and +addressing Partha and Kesava said, 'Ye have achieved a feat that a +celestial even could not. Ask ye each a boon that is not obtainable by any +man. I have been gratified with you.' + +"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Partha asked from Indra all his weapons. At +this Sakra of great splendour, having fixed the time for giving them, said, +'When the illustrious Madhava becomes pleased with thee, then, O son of +Pandu, I will give thee all my weapons! O prince of Kuru's race, I shall +know when the time cometh. Even for thy austere asceticism I will give +thee all my weapons of fire and all my Vayavya weapons, and thou also wilt +accept them all of me.' Then Vasudeva asked that his friendship with +Arjuna might be eternal. The chief of the celestials granted unto the +intelligent Krishna the boon he desired. And having granted these boons +unto Krishna and Arjuna, the lord of the Maruts, accompanied by the +celestials, ascended to heaven, having also spoken to Hutasana (one whose +food is sacrificial butter). Agni also, having burnt that forest with its +animals and birds for five and ten days, became gratified and ceased to +burn. Having eaten flesh in abundance and drunk fat and blood, he became +highly gratified, and addressing Achyuta and Arjuna said, 'I have been +gratified by you two tigers among men. At my command, ye heroes, ye shall +be competent to go wheresoever ye choose!' Thus addressed by the +illustrious Agni, Arjuna and Vasudeva and the Danava Maya also--these +three,--having wandered a little at last sat themselves down on the +delightful banks of a river.'" + +END OF ADI PARVA + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana +Vyasa Translated into English Prose, by Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAHABHARATA OF KRISHNA-DWAIPAYANA *** + +This file should be named 8mkdw10.txt or 8mkdw10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8mkdw11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8mkdw10a.txt + +Produced by David King, Juliet Sutherland, and Charles Franks, +John B. Hare and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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