09. SHALYA PARVA (65)

Om! Having bowed down unto Narayana and Nara, the most exalted of malebeings, and the goddess Sarasvati, must the word Jaya be uttered.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the army broken, the valiant king of theMadras, addressed his driver, saying, “Quickly urge these steeds enduedwith the fleetness of thought.

Sanjaya said, “When the troops, slaughtered by one another, were thusagitated, when many of the warriors fled away and the elephants began toutter loud cries, when the foot-soldiers in that dreadful battle began toshout and wail aloud, when the steeds,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Seeing his driver fallen, Shalya, O king, quickly took uphis mace made wholly of iron and stood immovable as a bull.

“Sanjaya said, ‘When king Yudhishthira the just was thus afflicted by theruler of Madras, Satyaki and Bhimasena and the two sons of Madri byPandu, encompassing Shalya with their cars, began to afflict him in thatbattle.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile Arjuna, in that battle, pierced with manyarrows by the son of Drona as also by the latter’s followers, the heroicand mighty car-warriors among the Trigartas, pierced Drona’s son inreturn with three shafts, and each of the other warriors with two.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Duryodhana, O king, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son ofPrishata, fought a fierce battle, using arrows and darts in profusion.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then, O lord, thy troops, with Shalya at their head, oncemore rushed against the Parthas in that battle with great impetuosity.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Taking up another bow that was very strong and muchtougher, the ruler of the Madras pierced Yudhishthira and roared like alion.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the slaughter of Shalya, O king, the followers ofthe Madra king, numbering seventeen hundred heroic car-warriors,proceeded for battle with great energy.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Upon the fall of that great king and mighty car-warrior,that invincible hero (Shalya) in battle, thy troops as also thy sonsalmost all turned away from the fight. Indeed, upon the slaughter of thathero by the illustrious

Vaishampayana said, “After the ladies had been dismissed, Dhritarashtra,the son of Ambika, plunged into grief greater than that which hadafflicted him before, began, O monarch, to indulge in lamentations,exhaling breaths that resembled smoke, and repeatedly waving his arms,and reflecting a little, O monarch, he said these words.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the (Kuru) army had been rallied, Shalva, the rulerof the Mlecchas, filled with rage, rushed against the large force of thePandavas, riding on a gigantic elephant, with secretions issuing from theusual limbs, looking like a hill, swelling with pride, resembling

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the heroic Salwa, that ornament of assemblies, hadbeen slain, thy army speedily broke like a mighty tree broken by theforce of the tempest.

“Sanjaya said, ‘That foremost of car-warriors, O monarch, thy son, ridingon his car and filled with the courage of despair, looked resplendent inthat battle like Rudra himself of great valour.

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that terrible and awful battle,the army of thy son was broken by the Pandavas. Rallying their greatcar-warriors, however, with vigorous efforts, thy sons continued to fightwith the Pandava army.

“Sanjaya said, ‘When the loud noise of battle had somewhat subsided andthe Pandavas had slain large numbers of their foes, Subala’s son (oncemore) came for fight with the remnant of his horsemen numbering sevenhundred.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Dhananjaya, with his Gandiva, frustrated the purpose ofthose unreturning heroes struggling in battle and striking their foes.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After that elephant-division had been destroyed, OBharata, by the son of Pandu, and while thy army was being thusslaughtered by

“Sanjaya said, ‘Duryodhana, O king, and thy son Sudarsa, the only two ofthy children yet unslain, were at that time in the midst of the (Kaurava)cavalry.

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that battle which was sodestructive of men and steeds and elephants, Subala’s son, Shakuni, Oking, rushed against Sahadeva.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After this, the followers of Subala’s son, O monarch,became filled with rage. Prepared to lay down their lives in thatdreadful battle, they began to resist the Pandavas.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hear, O king, with attention, how that great carnage ofthe Kurus and the Pandavas occurred when they encountered each other.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘After all the Kaurava troops had been slain by thesons of Pandu on the field of battle, what did those survivors of myarmy, Kritavarma and Kripa and the valiant son of Drona do? What also didthe wicked-souled king Duryodhana then do?’

“Sanjaya said, ‘After those three car-warriors had left that spot, thePandavas arrived at that lake within which Duryodhana was restinghimself.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Thus admonished (by his foes), how, indeed, didthat scorcher of enemies, my heroic and royal son, who was wrathful bynature, then behave?

“Sanjaya said, ‘Whilst Duryodhana, O king, was repeatedly roaring in thisstrain, Vasudeva, filled with wrath, said these words unto Yudhishthira,”What rash words hast thou spoken,

“Sanjaya said, ‘When that fierce battle, O monarch, was about tocommence, and when all the high-souled

Janamejaya said, “On the eve of the great battle (between the Kurus andthe Pandus), the lord Rama, with Keshava’s leave, had gone away (fromDwaraka) accompanied by many of the Vrishnis.

Vaishampayana said, “Baladeva (as already said), proceeded next to thetirtha called Udapana in the Sarasvati, that had formerly been theresidence, O king, of the illustrious (ascetic) Trita.

Vaishampayana said, “Then Valadeva, O king, proceeded to Vinasana wherethe Sarasvati hath become invisible in consequence of her contempt forSudras and Abhiras.

Janamejaya said, “Why was that tirtha called Sapta-Saraswat? Who was theascetic Mankanaka? How did that adorable one become crowned with success?

Vaishampayana said, “Having passed one night more, Rama, having theplough for his weapon, worshipped the dwellers of that tirtha and showedhis regard for Mankanaka.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the fallen boxes of cars, as also the cars ofhigh-souled warriors, and the elephants and foot-soldiers, O sire, slainin battle,

Janamejaya said, “Why did the adorable Arshtishena undergo the austerestof penances? How also did Sindhudwipa acquire the status of a Brahmana?

Vaishampayana said, “The delighter of the Yadus then proceeded to theasylum (of Vaka) which resounded with the chanting of the Vedas.

Janamejaya said, “Why is the current of (the tirtha known by the name of)Vasishthapavaha so rapid? For what reason did the foremost of rivers bearaway Vasishtha?

Vaishampayana said, “Cursed by the intelligent Vishvamitra in anger,Sarasvati, in that auspicious and best of tirthas, flowed, bearing bloodin her current.

Janamejaya said, “Thou hast described the merits of the Sarasvati, O bestof Brahmanas! It behoveth thee, O regenerate one, to describe to me theinvestiture of Kumara (by the gods).

Vaishampayana said, “Collecting all articles as laid down in thescriptures for the ceremony of investiture, Brihaspati duly pouredlibations on the blazing fire.

Vaishampayana said, “Listen now to the large bands of the mothers, thoseslayers of foes, O hero, that became the companions of Kumara, as Imention their names.

Janamejaya said, “This history, O regenerate one, that I have heard fromthee is exceedingly wonderful, this narration, in detail, of theinstallation, according to due rites, of Skanda.

Vaishampayana said, “Rama (as already said) then proceeded to the tirthacalled Vadarapachana where dwelt many ascetics and Siddhas.

Vaishampayana said, “The mighty chief of the Yadus, having proceeded toIndra’s tirtha, bathed there according to due rites and gave away wealthand gems unto the Brahmanas.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus addressed by the celebrated grandson of Gotama, theking (Duryodhana), breathing long and hot breaths, remained silent, Omonarch. Having reflected for a little while, the high-souled son of

Vaishampayana said, “In that tirtha lived in days of yore a Rishi ofvirtuous soul, named Asita-Devala, observant of the duties ofDomesticity.

Vaishampayana said, “There, in that tirtha, O Bharata, where the Lord ofstars had in former days performed the rajasuya sacrifice, a great battlewas fought in which Taraka was the root of the evil.

Janamejaya said, “Why, O regenerate one, did that maiden betake herselfto ascetic penances, in days of old? For what reason did she practisepenances, and what was her vow?

“The Rishis said, ‘O Rama, this Samantapanchaka is said to be the eternalnorthern altar of Brahman, the Lord of all creatures.

Vaishampayana said, “Having visited Kurukshetra and given away wealththere, he of the Satwata race then proceeded, O Janamejaya, to a largeand exceedingly beautiful hermitage.

Vaishampayana said, “Even thus, O Janamejaya, did that terrible battletake place. King Dhritarashtra, in great sorrow, said these words withreference to it:

Vaishampayana said, “At the outset, O Janamejaya a fierce wordy encountertook place between the two heroes.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Duryodhana, with heart undepressed, beholding Bhimasenain that state, rushed furiously against him, uttering a loud roar.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding that fight thus raging between those twoforemost heroes of Kuru’s race, Arjuna said unto Vasudeva, “Between thesetwo, who, in thy opinion, is superior? Who amongst them hath what merit?Tell me this, O Janardana.”

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding Duryodhana felled upon the earth like agigantic Sala uprooted (by the tempest) the Pandavas became filled withjoy.

“Sanjaya said, ‘On that table land at the foot of Himavat, thosewarriors, O monarch, delighting at the prospect of battle and assembledtogether, passed the night.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Beholding the (Kuru) king struck down unfairly,what O Suta, did the mighty Baladeva, that foremost one of Yadu’s race,say? Tell me, O Sanjaya, what Rohini’s son, well-skilled in encounterswith the mace and well acquainted with all its rules, did on thatoccasion!’

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Beholding Duryodhana struck down in battle byBhimasena, what, O Sanjaya, did the Pandavas and the Srinjayas do?’

Sanjaya said, “All those kings, possessed of arms that resembled spikedbludgeons, then proceeded towards their tents, filled with joy andblowing their conchs on their way.

Janamejaya said, “For what reason did that tiger among kings,Yudhishthira the just, despatch that scorcher of foes, Vasudeva, untoGandhari?

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Kicked at the head, his thighs broken, prostratedon the ground, exceedingly proud, what, O Sanjaya, did my son then say?

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having heard of Duryodhana’s fall from the messengers,those mighty car-warriors, the unslain remnant of the Kaurava army,exceedingly wounded with keen shafts, and maces and lances and darts,those three,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these words of the (Kuru) king, the valiantmonarch (Shalya), O king, said these words unto Duryodhana in reply, “Omighty-armed Duryodhana, listen to me, O foremost of eloquent men.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After that night had passed away, king Duryodhana then,addressing all thy soldiers, said, “Arm, you mighty car-warriors!”

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then commenced the battle between the Kurus and theSrinjayas, O monarch, that was as fierce and awful as the battle betweenthe gods and the Asuras.