Chapter 36

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing those words of Bhima, Yudhishthira. the sonof Kunti–tiger among men and slayer of all foes–began to sigh heavily,and reflect in silence. And he thought within himself, ‘I have heardrecited the duties of kings, also all truths about the duties of thedifferent orders. He is said to observe those duties truly who keepeththem before his eyes, so as to regulate his conduct both in the presentand the future. Knowing as I do the true course of virtue, which, howeveris so very difficult of being known, how can I forcibly grind virtue downlike grinding the mountains of Meru? Having reflected so for a moment,and settled what he should do, he replied unto Bhima as follows withoutallowing him another word:

“O thou of mighty arms, it is even so as thou hast said. But, O thouforemost of speakers, listen now to another word I say. Whatever sinfuldeeds, O Bhima, one seeketh to achieve, depending on his courage alone,become always a source of pain. But, O thou of mighty arms, whatever isbegun with deliberation, with well-directed prowess, with all appliances,and much previous thought, is seen to succeed. The gods themselves favoursuch designs. Hear from me something about what, proud of thy might, OBhima, and led away by thy restlessness, thou thinkest should beimmediately begun. Bhurisravas, Sala, the mighty Jarasandha, Bhishma,Drona, Karna, the mighty son of Drona, Dhritarashtra’s sons–Duryodhanaand others–so difficult of being vanquished, are all accomplished inarms and ever ready for battle with us. Those kings and chiefs of theearth also who have been injured by us, have all adopted the side of theKauravas, and are bound by ties of affection to them. O Bharata, they areengaged in seeking the good of Duryodhana and not of us. With fulltreasures and aided by large forces, they will certainly strive theirbest in battle. All the officers also of the Kuru army together withtheir sons and relatives, have been honoured by Duryodhana with wealthand luxuries. Those heroes are also much regarded by Duryodhana. This ismy certain conclusion that they will sacrifice their lives for Duryodhanain battle. Although the behaviour of Bhishma, Drona, and the illustriousKripa, is the same towards us as towards them, yet, O thou of mightyarms, this is my certain conclusion that in order to pay off the royalfavours they enjoy, they will throw their very lives, than which there isnothing dearer, in battle. All of them are masters of celestial weapons,and devoted to the practice of virtue. I think they are incapable ofbeing vanquished even by gods led by Vasava himself. There is againamongst them that mighty warrior–Karna–impetuous, and ever wrathful,master of all weapons, and invincible, and encased in impenetrable mail.Without first vanquishing in battle all those foremost of men, unaided asthou art, how canst thou slay Duryodhana? O Vrikodara, I cannot sleepthinking of the lightness of hand of that Suta’s son, who, I regard, isthe foremost of all wielders of the bow!”

“Vaisampayana continued, “Hearing these words of Yudhishthira, theimpetuous Bhima became alarmed, and forbore from speaking anything. Andwhile the sons of Pandu were thus conversing with each other, there cameto that spot the great ascetic Vyasa, the son of Satyavati. And as hecame, the sons of Pandu worshipped him duly. Then that foremost of allspeakers, addressing Yudhishthira, said, O, Yudhishthira, O thou ofmighty arms, knowing by spiritual insight what is passing in thy heart, Ihave come to thee, O thou bull among men! The fear that is in thy heart,arising from Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and Drona’s son,and prince Duryodhana, and Dussasana, I will dispell, O slayer of allfoes, by means of an act enjoined by the ordinance. Hearing it from me,accomplish it thou with patience, and having accomplished it, O king,quell this fever of thine soon.'”

That foremost of speakers then, the son of Parasara, taking Yudhishthirato a corner, began to address him in words of deep import, saying, ‘Obest of the Bharatas, the time is come for thy prosperity, when, indeedDhananjaya–that son of Pritha–will slay all thy foes in battle. Utteredby me and like unto success personified, accept from me this knowledgecalled Pratismriti that I impart to thee, knowing thou art capable ofreceiving it. Receiving it (from thee), Arjuna will be able to accomplishhis desire. And let Arjuna, O son of Pandu, go unto Mahendra and Rudra,and Varuna, and Kuvera, and Yama, for receiving weapon from them. He iscompetent to behold the gods for his asceticism and prowess. He is even aRishi of great energy, the friend of Narayana; ancient, eternal a godhimself, invincible, ever successful, and knowing no deterioration. Ofmighty arms, he will achieve mighty deeds, having obtained weapons fromIndra, and Rudra, and the Lokapalas, O son of Kunti, think also of goingfrom this to some other forest that may, O king, be fit for thy abode. Toreside in one place for any length of time is scarcely pleasant. In thycase, it might also be productive of anxiety to the ascetics. And as thoumaintainest numerous Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and the severalbranches thereof, continued residence here might exhaust the deer of thisforest, and be destructive of the creepers and plants.'”

Vaisampayana continued, “Having addressed him thus, that illustrious andexalted ascetic Vyasa, of great wisdom, acquired with the mysteries ofthe world, then imparted unto the willing Yudhishthira the just, who hadmeanwhile purified himself, that foremost of sciences. And biddingfarewell unto the son of Kunti, Vyasa disappeared then and there. Thevirtuous and intelligent Yudhishthira, however, having obtained thatknowledge carefully retained it in his mind and always recited it onproper occasions. Glad of the advice given him by Vyasa, the son of Kuntithen, leaving the wood Dwaitavana went to the forest of Kamyaka on thebanks of the Saraswati. And, O king, numerous Brahmanas of ascetic meritand versed in the science of orthoepy and orthography, followed him likethe Rishis following the chief of the celestials. Arrived at Kamyaka,those illustrious bulls amongst the Bharata took up their residence therealong with their friends and attendants. And possessed of energy, thoseheroes, O king, lived there for some time, devoted to the exercise of thebow and hearing all the while the chanting of the Vedas. And they wentabout those woods every day in search of deer, armed with pure arrows.And they duly performed all the rites in honour of the Pitris, thecelestials and the Brahmanas.”