Chapter 290

“Markandeya said, ‘It was thus, O mighty-armed one, that Rama ofimmeasurable energy had suffered of old such excessive calamity inconsequence of his exile in the woods! O tiger among men, do not grieve,for, O chastiser of foes, thou art Kshatriya! Thou too treadest in thepath in which strength of arms is to be put forth,–the path that leadethto tangible rewards. Thou hast not even a particle of sin. Even thecelestials with Indra at their head, and the Asuras have to tread in thepath that is trod by thee! It was after such afflictions that the wielderof the thunderbolt, aided by the Maruts, slew Vritra, and the invincibleNamuchi and the Rakshasi of long tongue! He that hath assistance, alwayssecureth the accomplishment of all his purposes! What is that whichcannot be vanquished in battle by him that hath Dhananjaya for hisbrother? This Bhima, also, of terrible prowess, is the foremost of mightypersons. The heroic and youthful sons of Madravati again are mightybowmen. With allies such as these, why dost thou despair, O chastiser offoes? These are capable of vanquishing the army of the wielder himself ofthe thunderbolt with the Maruts in the midst. Having these mighty bowmenof celestial forms for thy allies, thou, O bull of Bharata race, art sureto conquer in battle all thy foes! Behold, this Krishna, the daughter ofDrupada, forcibly abducted by the wicked-minded Saindhava from pride ofstrength and energy, hath been brought back by these mighty warriorsafter achieving terrible feats! Behold, king Jayadratha was vanquishedand lay powerless before thee! The princess of Videha was rescued withalmost no allies by Rama after the slaughter in battle of the Ten-neckedRakshasa of terrible prowess! Indeed, the allies of Rama (in thatcontest) were monkeys and black-faced bears, creatures that were not evenhuman! Think of all this, O king in thy mind! Therefore, O foremost ofKurus, grieve not for all (that hath occurred), O bull of the Bharatarace! Illustrious persons like thee never indulge in sorrow, O smiter offoes!’

Vaisampayana continued, “It was thus that the king was comforted byMarkandeya. And then that high-souled one, casting off his sorrows, oncemore spoke unto Markandeya.”