धार्मिक ग्रंथ

Janamejaya said, “Having sent the heroic sons of Pandu into exile, theselamentations, O Muni, of Dhritarashtra were perfectly futile.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘What did that Pandava king, the son of Dharma, say,O Sanjaya, after hearing that a large force hath been assembled here forgladdening us?

Sanjaya said, “When the troops, O bull of Bharata’s race, were withdrawnon the first day, and when Duryodhana was filled with delight upon(beholding) Bhishma excited with wrath in battle, king Yudhisthira thejust, speedily repaired unto Janardana, accompanied by all his brothersand all the kings (on his side).

Duryodhana said,–‘Listen now, O Bharata, about all the most costlyarticles I saw, belonging unto the sons of Pandu, and brought one afteranother by the kings of the earth.

“Bhishma said, ‘Drona’s son observeth well, and Kripa, too observethrightly. As for Kama, it is only out of regard for the duties of theKshatriya order that he desireth to fight.

“Bhishma said, ‘King Nahusha hearing the pass to which Chyavana wasreduced, quickly proceeded to that spot accompanied by his ministers andpriest.

Vaishampayana said, “There, in that tirtha, O Bharata, where the Lord ofstars had in former days performed the rajasuya sacrifice, a great battlewas fought in which Taraka was the root of the evil.

‘Sauti said, ‘King Janamejaya having said so, his ministers expressedtheir approbation. And the monarch then expressed his determination toperform a snake-sacrifice.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Yudhishthira, hearing of those feats of Rama,became filled with wonder and said unto Janardana, O thou of Vrishni’srace, the prowess of the high-souled Rama, who in wrath had freed theearth of Kshatriyas, was like that of Sakra himself.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Exceedingly difficult of accomplishment was thatfeat, O Sanjaya, which was achieved by Bhima who caused the mighty-armedKarna himself to measure his length on the terrace of his car.

“Brahmana said, ‘Since the mind is the ruler of these five elements, inthe matter of controlling and bringing them forth, the mind, therefore,is the soul of the elements.

“Sthanu said, ‘O lord, thou hadst taken great care for creating diversecreatures. Indeed, creatures of diverse kinds were created and reared bythee. Those very creatures, again, are now being consumed through thyfire. Seeing this, I am filled with compassion. O illustrious lord, beinclined to grace.’

Vaisampayana said, “That bull among men–Dhritarashtra–the son ofAmvika, having heard of this wonderful way of life–so above that ofmen–of the sons of Pandu, was filled with anxiety and grief.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘All these named by thee are, indeed, endued withgreat courage, but all of them together are equal to Bhima singly.

Sanjaya said, “Beholding the mighty and terrible array called Kraunchaformed by Pandu’s son of immeasurable energy, thy son, approaching thepreceptor, and Kripa, and Salya,

Duryodhana said,–‘O sinless one, listen to me as I describe that largemass of wealth consisting of various kinds of tribute presented untoYudhishthira by the kings of the earth.

“Bhishma said, ‘The wheel of time revolves with its divisions, viz., withKalas and Kasthas and Muhurtas and days and fortnights and months andconstellations and planets and seasons and years.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O thou of great wisdom, a doubt I have that is verygreat and that is as vast as the ocean itself.

Janamejaya said, “Why, O regenerate one, did that maiden betake herselfto ascetic penances, in days of old? For what reason did she practisepenances, and what was her vow?

“Sauti said, ‘The snake-sacrifice then commenced according to due form.And the sacrificial priests, competent in their respective dutiesaccording to the ordinance, clad in black garments and their eyes redfrom contact with smoke, poured clarified butter into the blazing fire,uttering the appropriate mantras.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Krishna fraught with Moralityand profit, Santanu’s Bhishma, answered him in the following words.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Krishna fraught with Moralityand profit, Santanu’s Bhishma, answered him in the following words.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Those Kshatriyas, O monarch, harbouring feelings ofanimosity against one another and longing to take one another’s life,began to slay one another in that battle.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After this, Krishna ordered Daruka, saying–Let mycar be yoked.–Within a very short space of time Daruka informed (hismaster), saying,–It has been yoked.–The son of Pandu then commanded allhis attendants, saying,–Prepare yourselves and be ready.

“Narada said, ‘The helpless lady, suppressing her arrow within her ownself, addressed, with joined hands, the Lord of the creation, bendingwith humility like a creeper.

Janamejaya said, “When the high-souled Partha went to Indra’s region forobtaining weapons, what did Yudhishthira and the other sons of Pandu do?”

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘He whom we have never heard to speak a falsehood,he who hath Dhananjaya to fight for him, may have the sovereignty of eventhe three worlds.

Dhritarashtra said, “When mine and the hostile hosts were thus formedinto battle array, how did the foremost of smiters begin to strike?”

Duryodhana said,–“Those king that are revered over all the world, whoare devoted to truth and who are pledged to the observance of rigid vows,

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After the Kauravas, O Bharata, had taken their standin this order, Arjuna, filling the air with the rattle and din of hiscar, advanced quickly towards them.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘After the Rishi had disappeared, what did the kingdo and what also did highly-blessed spouse do? Tell me this, O grandsire!’

“The Rishis said, ‘O Rama, this Samantapanchaka is said to be the eternalnorthern altar of Brahman, the Lord of all creatures.

“Saunaka asked, ‘What great Rishis became the Ritwiks at thesnake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava line? Who alsobecame the Sadasyas in that terrible snake-sacrifice, so frightful to thesnakes, and begetting such sorrow in them? It behoveth thee to describeall these in detail, so that, O son of Suta, we may know who wereacquainted with the rituals of the snake-sacrifice.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The slayer of Madhu, retiring to his bed, slepthappily. Awaking when half a Yama was wanting to usher in the day, headdressed himself to contemplation. Fixing all his senses, he meditatedon the eternal Brahma.

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that battle in which so manyKshatriyas sank down, the loud twang of Gandiva, O sire, was heard abovethe din on that spot, O king, where the son of Pandu was engaged inslaughtering the samsaptakas, the Kosalas, and the Narayana forces.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘As he of Vrishni’s race was proceeding to Dwaraka,those foremost princes of Bharata’s race, those chastisers of foesembraced him and fell back with their attendants.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing of the origin of Death and her strange acts, kingYudhishthira, humbly addressing Vyasa, once more said these words untohim.’

Vrihadaswa said, “There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena. Andhe was strong, and handsome, and well-versed in (the knowledge of)horses, and possessed of every desirable accomplishment.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Endued with great prowess and eager for victory,even as the sons themselves of Pandu are, so are their followers, who areall resolved to sacrifice their lives and determined to win victory.

Dhritarashtra said, “Tell me, O Sanjaya, how that great bowman Drona andthe Panchala prince of Prishata’s race encounter each other in battle,each striving his best.

“Dhritrashtra said,–Thou art my eldest son and born also of my eldestwife. Therefore, O son, be not jealous of the Pandavas. He that isjealous is always unhappy and suffereth the pangs of death.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having disorganised the hostile host by force andhaving recovered the kine, that foremost of bowmen, desirous of fightingagain, proceeded towards Duryodhana.

“Sauti said, ‘Then the snake-dame Jaratkaru, calling her own son, toldhim the following words according to the directions of Vasuki, the kingof the snakes. ‘O son, the time is come for the accomplishment of thatobject for which I was bestowed on thy father by my brother. Therefore,do thou that which should be done.’

“Bhishma said, ‘When that night passed away, the high-souled king Kusikaawoke and went through his morning rites.

Vaishampayana said, “Having visited Kurukshetra and given away wealththere, he of the Satwata race then proceeded, O Janamejaya, to a largeand exceedingly beautiful hermitage.

“Janamejaya said, ‘When that tiger among men, of righteous soul and greatenergy, firmly adhering to truth and with passions under completecontrol, viz., the son of Santanu and Ganga, named Devavrata or Bhishmaof unfading glory, lay on a hero’s bed with the sons of Pandu sittingaround him,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Kritavarma, and Kripa, and the son of Drona and theSuta’s son, O sire, and Uluka, and Subala’s son (Shakuni), and the kinghimself, with his uterine brothers, beholding the (Kuru) army afflictedwith the fear of

“Utanka said, ‘Do thou, O Kesava, tell me that faultless Adhyatma. Havingheard thy discourse I shall ordain what is for thy good or denounce acurse to thee, O Janarddana.’

“Narada said, ‘King Suhotra also, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell a prey todeath. He was the foremost of heroes, and invincible in battle. The verygods used to come for seeing him.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘O Bharata, hearing those words of the swan, Damayantithenceforth lost all peace of mind on account of Nala. And heavingfrequent sighs she was filled with anxiety, and became melancholy andpale-faced and lean.

“Sanjaya said, It is even so, O great king, as thou, O Bharata, sayest.On the event of battle, the destruction of the Kshatriyas by means ofGandiva is certain.

Dhritarashtra said, “How did the ruler of the Kalingas, that commander ofa large division, urged by my son, and supported by his troops, fight inbattle with the mighty Bhimasena of wonderful feats, that hero wanderingover the field of battle with his mace like Death himself club in hand?”

“Duryodhana said,–‘He that is devoid of intellect but hath merely heardof many things, can scarcely understand the real import of thescriptures, like the spoon that hath no perception of the taste of thesoup it toucheth.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After the son of Radha had fled from the field,other warriors headed by Duryodhana, one after another, fell upon the sonof Pandu with their respective divisions.

“Astika said, ‘Soma and Varuna and Prajapati performed sacrifices of oldin Prayaga. But thy sacrifice, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son ofParikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear unto us beblessed! Sakra performed a hundred sacrifices.

“Chyavana said, ‘Do thou accept a boon from me. Do thou also, O chief ofmen, tell me what the doubt is that is in thy mind. I shall certainlyaccomplish all thy purposes.’

Vaishampayana said, “Even thus, O Janamejaya, did that terrible battletake place. King Dhritarashtra, in great sorrow, said these words withreference to it:

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Endued with great energy, the delighter of the Kurus(viz., Bhishma), said, ‘I shall discourse on the subject of duty.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile the son of Drona (Ashvatthama), beholdingYudhishthira protected by the grandson of Sini (Satyaki) and by theheroic sons of

“Utanka said, ‘I know thee, O Janarddana, to be the creator of theuniverse. Without doubt, this knowledge that I have is the result of thygrace towards me, O thou of unfading glory, my heart is possessed ofcheerful tranquillity in consequence of its being devoted to thee.

“Narada said, ‘The heroic king Paurava also, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell aprey to death. That king gave away a thousand times thousand horses thatwere all white in hue.

“Duryodhana said, ‘Fear not, O king. Nor shouldest thou grieve for us. Omonarch, O lord, we are quite able to vanquish the foe in battle.

“Vrihadaswa continued, ‘O Bharata, Nala pledged his word to thecelestials saying, ‘I will do it.’ And then approaching these, he askedwith folded hands.

Sanjaya said, “When the forenoon of that day had passed away, O Bharata,and when the destruction of cars, elephants, steeds, foot-soldiers andhorse-soldiers, proceeded on, the prince of Panchala engaged himself inbattle with these three mighty car-warriors, viz.,

“Sakuni said,–O thou foremost of victorious persons, I will snatch (forthee) this prosperity of Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, at the sight ofwhich thou grievest so.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘And the ranks of those fierce bowmen, the Kurus,looked like masses of clouds in the rainy season drifting before a gentlewind.

Janamejaya said, ‘Though this one is but a boy, he speaks yet like a wiseold man. He is not a boy but one wise and old. I think, I desire tobestow on him a boon. Therefore, ye Brahmanas, give me the necessarypermission.’

“Chyavana said, ‘I should certainly, O chief of men, tell you everythingabout the circumstance for which, O monarch, I came hither forexterminating thy race.

Vaishampayana said, “At the outset, O Janamejaya a fierce wordy encountertook place between the two heroes.

Vaisampayana said, ‘Having bowed unto Hrishikesa, and saluted Bhishma,and taken the permission of all the seniors assembled there, Yudhishthirabegan to put questions unto Bhishma.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile Vikartana himself, resisting Bhimasenasupported by the Pancalas and the Cedis and the Kaikayas, covered himwith many arrows.

“Janamejaya said, ‘With what penances was the high-souled Utanka enduedso that he entertained the wish to denounce a curse on Vishnu himself,who is the source of all puissance?’

“Narada said, Usinara’s son, Sivi also, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell a preyto death. That king had, as it were, put a leathern girdle around theearth, making the earth with her mountains and islands and seas andforests resound with the clatter of his car.

“Duryodhana said, ‘Having obtained, O Sanjaya, an army numbering sevenAkshauhinis, what is Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, with the other kingsin his company, doing in view of the war?’

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Damayanti, having bowed down unto the gods, thusaddressed Nala with a smile, ‘O king, love me with proper regard, andcommand me what I shall do for thee.

Sanjaya said,–“When the night having passed away, the dawn came,Santanu’s son Bhishma, that chastiser of foes, gave the order for the(Kuru) army to prepare for battle.

Vaisampayana said,–“King Dhritarashtra, ascertaining the inclinations ofhis son and knowing that Fate is inevitable, did what I have said.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Beholding the army of the Kurus arrayed in order ofbattle, that descendant of the Kuru race, Partha, addressing Virata’sson, said, ‘Do thou proceed to the spot where Kripa, the son of Saradwat,is going by the southern side of that car whose flag is seen to bear thedevice of a golden altar.’

“Saunaka said, ‘O son of a Suta, I desire to hear the names of all thosesnakes that fell into the fire of this snake-sacrifice!’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Hearing thy words I become stupefied, O grandsire!Reflecting that the earth is now destitute of a very large number ofkings all of whom were possessed of great prosperity, my heart becomesfilled with grief.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Duryodhana, with heart undepressed, beholding Bhimasenain that state, rushed furiously against him, uttering a loud roar.

“Bhishma said, ‘The king, O Yudhishthira, should always be ready foraction. That king is not worth of praise who, like a woman, is destituteof exertion.

“Vaisampayana said, “Beholding the king, who had become so, of frightfulmien, wearing a long beard smeared with the blood of human beings, theBrahmana Utanka, O king, did not become agitated.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Duryodhana, O chief of Bharatas, repairing to Karna,said unto him as also unto the ruler of the Madras and the other lords ofEarth present there, these words, “Without seeking hath this occasionarrived, when the gates of heaven have become wide open.

“Narada said, ‘Rama, the son of Dasaratha, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell aprey to death. His subjects were as much delighted with him, as a sire isdelighted with the children of his loins.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Whom hast thou, O Sanjaya, seen to have, fromaffection, arrived there, and who will, on behalf of the Pandavas, fightmy son’s forces?’

“Vrihadaswa continued, ‘Then at the sacred hour of the holy lunar day ofthe auspicious season, king Bhima summoned the kings to the Swayamvara.

Sanjaya said, “After the ranks of thy army and theirs had been disposedin battle-array, that mighty car-warrior, Dhananjaya, felling in thatconflict leaders of car-divisions with his arrows, caused a greatcarnage,

Vaisampayana said,–“Vidura then, thus commanded against his will by kingDhritarashtra, set out, with the help of horses of high mettle and enduedwith great speed and strength, and quiet and patient, for the abode ofthe wise sons of Pandu.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Kripa had thus been taken away, the invincibleDrona of red steeds, taking up his bow to which he had already stringedan arrow, rushed towards Arjuna of white steeds.

“Sauti said, ‘Listen now to another very wonderful incident in connectionwith Astika. When king Janamejaya was about to gratify Astika by grantingthe boon, the snake (Takshaka), thrown off Indra’s hands, remained in midair without actually falling. King Janamejaya thereupon became curious,for Takshaka, afflicted with fear, did not at once fall into the firealthough libations were poured in proper form into the blazingsacrificial Agni in his name.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I desire, O chief of the Bharatas, to hear from theewhat the rewards are which are attached, O best of the Kurus, to theplanting of trees and the digging of tanks.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding that fight thus raging between those twoforemost heroes of Kuru’s race, Arjuna said unto Vasudeva, “Between thesetwo, who, in thy opinion, is superior? Who amongst them hath what merit?Tell me this, O Janardana.”

“Bhishma said, ‘Protection of the subject, O Yudhishthira, is the verycheese of kingly duties. The divine Vrihaspati does not applaud any otherduty (so much as this one).

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Utanka, coming back to king Saudasa who was alwayswell-disposed towards all his friends, solicited him for some sign (toconvince Madayanti of the fact of his being really commissioned by theking). That foremost one of Ikshwaku’s race then gave him a sign.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus raged that great battle between those lords of Earthwhen Arjuna and Karna and Bhimasena, the son of Pandu became angry.

“Narada said, ‘Even king Bhagiratha, O Srinjaya, we hear, was dead. Hecaused the shores of Ganga, called after his name Bhagirath to be coveredwith flights of steps made of gold.[99]

“Dhritarashtra said, Yudhishthira the son of Pandu is endued withKshatriya energy and leadeth the Brahmacharya mode of life from his veryyouth.

Sanjaya said, “Then those kings, excited with rage, beholding Phalguni inbattle, surrounded him on all sides with many thousands of cars.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘When the blazing guardians of the worlds werereturning after the daughter of Bhima had chosen Naishadha, on their waythey met Dwapara with Kali approaching towards them.