Chapter 136
“The mother said, ‘Into whatever calamity a king may fail, he should notstill betray it. Beholding the king afflicted with fright, the wholekingdom, the army, the counsellors, all yield to fear, and all thesubjects become disunited. Some go and embrace the side of the enemy;others simply abandon the king; and others again, that had before beenhumiliated, strive to strike. They, however, that are intimate friendswait by his side, and though desiring his welfare yet from inability todo anything wait helplessly, like a cow whose calf hath been tethered. Asfriends grieve for friends that are plunged into distress, so thosewell-wishers also grieve upon beholding their lord plunged into grief.Even thou hast many friends whom thou hadst worshipped before. Even thouhast many friends after thy heart, who feel for thy kingdom and whodesire to take a state of thy calamities on themselves. Do not frightenthose friends, and do not suffer them to abandon thee on beholding theeafflicted with fear. Desiring to test thy might, manliness, andunderstanding, and wishing also to encourage thee, I have said all thisfor enhancing thy energy. If thou understandest what I have said, and ifall I have said appears proper and sufficient, then, O Sanjaya, musterthy patience and gird up thy lions for victory. We have a large number oftreasure-houses unknown to thee. I alone know of their existence, and noother person. I will place all these at thy disposal. Thou hast also, OSanjaya, more than one friend who sympathise with thee in thy joys andwoes, and who, O hero, never retreat from the field of battle. O grinderof foes, allies such as these, always play the part of faithfulcounsellors to a person who seeketh his own welfare and desireth toacquire what is agreeable to himself.’
“Kunti continued, ‘Hearing this speech of his mother fraught withexcellent words, and sense, the despair that had overtaken Sanjaya’sheart left instantly, although that prince was not gifted with greatintelligence. And the son said, ‘When I have thee that are so observantof my future welfare for my guide, I shall certainly either rescue mypaternal kingdom that is sunk in water or perish in the attempt. Duringthy discourse I was almost a silent listener. Now and then only Iinterposed a word. It was, however, only with the view of drawing theeout, so that I might hear more on the subject. I have not been satiatedwith thy words, like a person not satiated with drinking amrita. Derivingsupport from any allies, behold, I gird up my loins for repressing myfoes and obtaining victory.’
“Kunti continued, ‘Pierced by the wordy arrows of his mother, the sonroused himself like a steed of proud mettle and achieved all that hismother had pointed out. When a king is afflicted by foes and overcomewith despair, his minister should make him hear this excellent historythat enhanceth energy and inspireth might. Indeed, this history is calledJaya and should be listened to by every one desirous of victory. Indeed,having listened to it, one may soon subjugate the whole earth and grindhis foes. This history causeth a woman to bring forth a heroic son, thewoman quick with child that listeneth to it repeatedly, certainly givethbirth to a hero. The Kshatriya woman that listeneth to it bringeth fortha brave son of irresistible prowess, one that is foremost in learning,foremost in ascetic austerities, foremost in liberality, devoted toasceticism, blazing forth with Brahmic beauty, enumerable with the good,radiant with effulgence, endued with great might, blessed, a mightycar-warrior, possessed of great intelligence, irresistible (in battle),ever victorious, invincible, a chastiser of the wicked and a protector ofall practisers of virtue.'”
