Chapter 2
Vaishampayana said: “Those princes of restrained souls and devoted toYoga, proceeding to the north, beheld Himavat, that very large mountain.Crossing the Himavat, they beheld a vast desert of sand. They then sawthe mighty mountain Meru, the foremost of all high-peaked mountains. Asthose mighty ones were proceeding quickly, all rapt in Yoga, Yajnaseni,falling of from Yoga, dropped down on the Earth. Beholding her fallendown, Bhimasena of great strength addressed king Yudhishthira the just,saying, O scorcher of foes, this princess never did any sinful act. Tellus what the cause is for which Krishna has fallen down on the Earth!
“Yudhishthira said: O best of men, though we were all equal unto her shehad great partiality for Dhananjaya. She obtains the fruit of thatconduct today, O best of men.”
Vaishampayana continued: “Having said this, that foremost one of Bharatasrace proceeded on. Of righteous soul, that foremost of men, endued withgreat intelligence, went on, with mind intent on itself. Then Sahadeva ofgreat learning fell down on the Earth. Beholding him drop down, Bhimaaddressed the king, saying, He who with great humility used to serve usall, alas, why is that son of Madravati fallen down on the Earth?
“Yudhishthira said, He never thought anybody his equal in wisdom. It isfor that fault that this prince has fallen down.
Vaishampayana continued: “Having said this, the king proceeded, leavingSahadeva there. Indeed, Kuntis son Yudhishthira went on, with hisbrothers and with the dog. Beholding both Krishna and the PandavaSahadeva fallen down, the brave Nakula, whose love for kinsmen was verygreat, fell down himself. Upon the falling down of the heroic Nakula ofgreat personal beauty, Bhima once more addressed the king, saying, Thisbrother of ours who was endued with righteousness without incompleteness,and who always obeyed our behests, this Nakula who was unrivalled forbeauty, has fallen down.
“Thus addressed by Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, said, with respect to Nakula,these words: He was of righteous soul and the foremost of all personsendued with intelligence. He, however, thought that there was nobody thatequalled him in beauty of person. Indeed, he regarded himself as superiorto all in that respect. It is for this that Nakula has fallen down. Knowthis, O Vrikodara. What has been ordained for a person, O hero, must haveto be endured by him.
“Beholding Nakula and the others fall down, Pandus son Arjuna of whitesteeds, that slayer of hostile heroes, fell down in great grief of heart.When that foremost of men, who was endued with the energy of Shakra, hadfallen down, indeed, when that invincible hero was on the point of death,Bhima said unto the king, I do not recollect any untruth uttered by thishigh-souled one. Indeed, not even in jest did he say anything false. Whatthen is that for whose evil consequence this one has fallen down on theEarth?
“Yudhishthira said, Arjuna had said that he would consume all our foes ina single day. Proud of his heroism, he did not, however, accomplish whathe had said. Hence has he fallen down. This Phalguna disregarded allwielders of bows. One desirous of prosperity should never indulge in suchsentiments.”
Vaishampayana continued: “Having said so, the king proceeded on. ThenBhima fell down. Having fallen down, Bhima addressed king Yudhishthirathe just, saying, O king, behold, I who am thy darling have fallen down.For what reason have I dropped down? Tell me if thou knowest it.
“Yudhishthira said, Thou wert a great eater, and thou didst use to boastof thy strength. Thou never didst attend, O Bhima, to the wants of otherswhile eating. It is for that, O Bhima, that thou hast fallen down.
“Having said these words, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira proceeded on,without looking back. He had only one companion, the dog of which I haverepeatedly spoken to thee, that followed him now.
