Chapter 68

“Janamejaya said, ‘O Brahmana, I have, indeed, heard from thee thisaccount of the incarnation, according to their portions, of the gods, theDanavas, the Rakshasas, and also of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras. Ihowever, again desire to hear of the dynasty of the Kurus from the verybeginning. Therefore, O Brahmana, speak of this in the presence of allthese regenerate Rishis.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘O exalted one of Bharata’s race, the founder of thePaurava line was Dushmanta gifted with great energy. And he was theprotector of the earth bounded by the four seas. And that king had fullsway over four quarters of this world. And he was the lord also ofvarious regions in the midst of the sea. And that great oppressor of allfoes had sway over the countries even of the Mlechchhas.

“And during his rule there were no men of mixed castes, no tillers of thesoil (for the land, of itself, yielded produce), no workers of mines (forthe surface of the earth yielded in abundance), and no sinful men. Allwere virtuous, and did everything from virtuous motives, O tiger amongmen. There was no fear of thieves, O dear one, no fear of famine, no fearoff disease. And all four orders took pleasure in doing their respectiveduties and never performed religious acts for obtaining fruition ofdesires. And his subjects, depending upon him, never entertained anyfear. And Parjanya (Indra) poured showers at the proper time, and theproduce of the fields was always pulpy and juicy. And the earth was fullof all kinds of wealth and all kinds of animals. And the Brahmanas werealways engaged in their duties and they were always truthful. And theyouthful monarch was endued with wonderful prowess and a physical framehard as the thunderbolt, so that he could, taking up the mountain Mandarawith its forests and bushes, support it on his arms. And he waswell-skilled in four kinds of encounters with the mace (hurling it atfoes at a distance, striking at those that are near, whirling it in themidst of many, and driving the foe before). And he was skilled also inthe use of all kinds of weapons and in riding elephants and horses. Andin strength he was like unto Vishnu, in splendour like unto the maker ofday, in gravity like unto the ocean, and in patience, like unto theearth. And the monarch was loved by all his subjects, and he ruled hiscontented people virtuously.'”