धार्मिक ग्रंथ

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, O thou of great wisdom, O thou that areconversant with every kind of scripture, tell me what the merit is of onewho cherishes a suppliant that craves for protection.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing the twang, resembling the loud call of Deathhimself or the frightful peal of Indra’s thunder, of Dhananjaya’s bow,while he stretched it, that host of thine,

“Uma said, ‘O holy one, O thou that didst tear off the eyes of Bhaga andthe teeth of Pushan, O destroyer of the sacrifice of Daksha, O three-eyeddeity, I have a great doubt. In days of yore, the Self-born One createdthe four orders.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Upon the failure of Krishna’s solicitations (forpeace), and after he had started for the Pandavas from the Kurus, Kshatriapproached Pritha and said these words slowly in grief,

“Vaisampayana continued, “King Dhritarashtra whose knowledge only was hiseyes, on hearing these words of his son and recollecting everything thatKanika had, said unto him, became afflicted with sorrow, and his mindalso thereupon began to waver.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O Bhima, let this mighty and heroic Rakshasa chief,thy legitimate son, devoted to us, and truthful, and conversant withvirtue carry (his) mother (Draupadi) without delay. And, O possessor ofdreadful prowess, depending on the strength of thy arms, I shall reachthe Gandhamadana, unhurt, together with Panchala’s daughter.'”

“Bhishma said, ‘In one of the branches of that tree, a pigeon withbeautiful feathers, O king, lived for many years with his family. Thatmorning his wife had gone out in search of food but had not yet returned.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Tell me, O Sanjaya, what did my warriors do afterthe heroic ruler of the Sindhus had been slain, by Arjuna.’

“Uma said, ‘O holy one, O Lord of all beings, O thou that art worshippedby the deities and Asuras equally, tell me what are the duties andderelictions of men.

“Karna said, ‘I am Karna, son of Radha and Adhiratha. For what, O lady,hast thou come here? Tell me what I am to do for thee?’

“Vaisampayana said, Then prince Duryodhana, along with his brothers beganto gradually win over the people to his side by grants of wealth andhonours. Meanwhile, some clever councillors, instructed by Dhritarashtra,one day began to describe (in court) the town of Varanavata as a charmingplace.

“Bhishma said, ‘Hearing those piteous lamentations of the pigeon on thetree, the she-pigeon seized by the fowler began to say to herself asfollows.’

Vaisampayana said, “There observing cleanliness, those tigers among mendwelt for six nights, in expectation of beholding Dhananjaya. And it cameto pass that all of a sudden there blew a wind from the north-east andbrought a celestial lotus of a thousand petals and effulgent as the sun.

“Dhritarashtra said, When such was the condition of battle, between thoseheroes of their side and mine, what did Bhima then do? Tell me all, OSanjaya!’

“Uma said, ‘By what disposition, what conduct, what acts, and what gifts,does a man succeed in attaining to Heaven?’

“Narada said, ‘Having said these words, the puissant Mahadeva himselfbecame desirous of hearing (instead of talking), and with that view hequestioned his dear spouse who was seated by his side and she was fullyinclined to act up to his desire.’

“Vaisampayana said (After Kunti had said this), Karna heard anaffectionate voice issued out of the solar circle. Coming from a greatdistance, that voice was uttered by Surya himself with paternalaffection.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The wicked Duryodhana became very pleased when theking, O Bharata, had said so unto Pandavas. And, O bull of Bharata’srace, Duryodhana, then, summoning his counsellor, Purochana in private,took hold of his right hand and said, ‘O Purochana, this world, so fullof wealth, is mine.

“Bhishma said, ‘Hearing these words fraught with morality and reason thatwere spoken by his wife, the pigeon became filled with great delight andhis eyes were bathed in tears of joy.

Vaisampayana said, “O represser of foes, hearing these words of theintelligent monkey-chief, the heroic Bhima answered, ‘Who art thou? Andwhy also hast thou assumed the shape of a monkey?

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the ruler of the Sindhus had been slain by Partha,Krishna, repairing unto the king, viz., Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma,worshipped the latter with a gladdened heart.

“The Rishis said, ‘O wielder of Pinaka, O tearer of the eyes of Bhaga, Othou that art worshipped by all the universe, we desire to hear the gloryof Vasudeva.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Coming back to Upaplavya from Hastinapura, thatchastiser of foes, Kesava, represented unto the Pandavas all that hadhappened, and conferring with them for a long space of time, and holdingrepeated consultations, Sauri went to his own quarters for rest.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Meanwhile the Pandavas got into their cars, yokingthereto some fine horses endued with the speed of wind. While they wereon the point of entering their cars, they touched, in great sorrow, thefeet of Bhishma, of king Dhritarashtra, of the illustrious Drona, ofKripa, of Vidura and of the other elders of the Kuru race.

“Bhishma said, ‘The fowler, seeing the pigeon fall into the fire, becamefilled with compassion and once more said, ‘Alas, cruel and senselessthat I am, what have I done!

Hanuman said, ‘And after his wife was carried away, that descendant ofRaghu, while searching with his brother for his queen, met, on the summitof that mountain, with Sugriva, chief of the monkeys.

“Sanjaya said, Upon the fall, O king, of the ruler of the Sindhus, thyson Suyodhana, his face bedewed with tears, and himself filled with griefand breathing hot sighs like a snake whose fangs have been broken, thatoffender against the whole world, viz., thy son, experienced bitteraffliction.

“Narada said, ‘At the conclusion of Mahadeva’s speech, loud roars wereheard in the firmament. Thunders bellowed, with flashes of lightening.

“Vasudeva said, ‘After Bhishma had said these words, Drona, alwayscompetent to speak, then addressed Duryodhana in the midst of the(assembled) monarchs and said these words that are beneficial to thee.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then all the citizens (of Varanavata) on hearingthat the son of Pandu had come, were filled with joy at the tidings,speedily came out of Varanavata, in vehicles of various kinds numberingby thousands, taking with them every auspicious article as directed bythe Sastras, for receiving those foremost of men. And the people of Varanavata, approaching the sons of Kunti blessed them by uttering theJaya and stood surrounding them.

“Bhishma said, ‘After the fowler had left that spot, the she-pigeon,remembering her husband and afflicted with grief on his account, weptcopiously and indulged in these lamentations, ‘I cannot, O dear lord,recollect a single instance of thy having done me an injury!

Vaisampayana continued, “Thus addressed, the powerful Bhimasena of mightyarms, affectionately, and with a cheerful heart, bowed unto his brother,Hanuman, the monkey-chief, and said in mild words, ‘None is morefortunate than I am; now have I seen my elder brother.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘After the ruler of the Sindhus had been slain inbattle by Savyasachin and after the fall of Bhurisravas, what became thestate of your mind? After Drona also had been thus addressed byDuryodhana in the midst of the Kurus, what did the preceptor say unto himthen? Tell me all this, O Sanjaya!’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having heard all the duties in their entirety andall those sacred acts and objects that cleanse human beings of theirsins. Yudhishthira once more addressed the son of Santanu in thefollowing words.’

“Vasudeva said, ‘After Gandhari had said this, that ruler of men,Dhritarashtra, then said these words to Duryodhana in the midst of the(assembled) monarchs, ‘O Duryodhana, listen, O son, to what I say, andblessed be thou; do that if thou hast any respect for thy father.

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘A friend of Vidura’s, well-skilled in mining,coming unto the Pandavas, addressed them in secret, saying, ‘I have beensent by Vidura and am a skilful miner. I am to serve the Pandavas.

“Bhishma said, ‘The fowler, O king, happened to see that pair whileseated on their celestial car. Beholding the couple he became filled withsorrow (at the thought of his own misfortune) and began to reflect uponthe means of obtaining the same end.

“Bhimasena said, ‘Without beholding thy former shape, I will never goaway. If I have found favour with thee, do thou then show me thine ownshape.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus urged by Drona, king Duryodhana, filled with rageset his heart on battle.

“Vaisampayana said,–‘The royal son of Amvika, viz., Dhritarashtra,having settled the hour of his departure for the woods, summoned thoseheroes, the Pandavas.

¹ And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

¹ Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah, and spake, saying, I will sing unto Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously: The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Endued with the greatest activity, Drona’s son, O king,displaying the lightness of his arms, pierced Bhima with an arrow.

“Salya said, ‘Thus addressed by Sachi, the illustrious god said to heragain, ‘This is not the time for putting forth valour. Nahusha isstronger than I am.

Sanjaya said,–“Deserving as thou art, this question is, indeed, worthyof thee, O great king. It behoveth thee not, however, to impute thisfault to Duryodhana.

“Yudhishthira said,–“Intelligent as thou art, thou hast said what noneelse is capable of saying. There is none else on earth who is settler ofall doubts. Behold, there are kings in every province employed inbenefiting their respective selves. But no one amongst them hath beenable to achieve the imperial dignity.

Vaishampayana said, “At the very sight, O tiger among men, of those tworishis possessed of splendour like that of fire, Dhananjaya quicklyresolved to withdraw his celestial shaft.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Rejected thus by the princess, Kichaka, afflictedwith maddening lust and forgetting all sense of propriety, addressedSudeshna saying, ‘Do thou, Kekaya’s daughter, so act that thy Sairindhrimay come into my arms.

¹ After these things the word of Jehovah came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O illustrious Vasudeva of mighty arms, tell thou indetail of the death of the lord of Saubha. My curiosity hath not beenappeased by the narration.’

“Sauti said, ‘O foremost of persons acquainted with Brahma, the mother ofthe snakes had cursed them of old, saying, ‘He that hath the Wind for hischarioteer (viz., Agni) shall burn you all in Janamejaya’s sacrifice!’ Itwas to neutralise that curse that the chief of the snakes married hissister to that high-souled Rishi of excellent vows.

Vaishampayana said, “Hearing these words of Gandhari, Bhimasena, lookinglike one in fright, said these words for soothing her, Be the actrighteous or unrighteous, it was done by me through fear and for theobject of protecting my own self. It behoveth thee therefore, to forgiveme now.

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing these words of Yajnasena’s daughter, Arjunaonce more spoke, showing proper regard for his mighty-armed eldestbrother of unfading glory.

Janamejaya said, ‘O the best of regenerate beings, when the Pandavas hadreconquered and pacified their kingdom, what did the two warriors,Vasudeva and Dhananjaya do?

¹ At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.

¹ And Jehovah spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Thou hast, O Sanjaya, described to me manyexcellent single combats. Hearing about them, I envy those that haveeyes.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Duryodhana, O king, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son ofPrishata, fought a fierce battle, using arrows and darts in profusion.

“The blessed Krishna said, ‘Bowing my head with great joy unto that massof energy and effulgence,

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, O thou of great wisdom, O thou that artconversant with all branches of knowledge, what is that subject of silentrecitation by reciting which every day one may acquire the merit ofrighteousness in a large measure?

“Vasudeva said, ‘Though thus addressed by Bhishma, and Drona, and Vidura,and Gandhari, and Dhritarashtra, that wicked wight could not yet bebrought to his senses. On the other hand, the wicked Duryodhana,disregarding them all, rose (and left the assembly) with eyes red inanger.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Seeing the Pandavas living there cheerfully andwithout suspicion for a full year, Purochana became exceedingly glad. Andbeholding Purochana so very glad, Yudhishthira, the virtuous son ofKunti, addressing Bhima and Arjuna and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva)said, ‘The cruel-hearted wretch hath been well-deceived.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O best of the Bharatas, when a person commits sinfrom want of judgment, how may he be cleansed from it? Tell me everythingabout it.’

Vaisampayana said, “Then contracting that huge body of his, which he hadassumed at will, the monkey with his arms again embraced Bhimasena. And OBharata, on Bhima being embraced by his brother, his fatigue went off,and all (the powers of body) as also his strength were restored.

“Sanjaya said, ‘That elephant force of thine, O king, swelling withmight, fought everywhere, prevailing over the Pandava force. Resolved togo to the other world, the Panchalas and the Kauravas fought with oneanother for admission into the swelling domains of Yama.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Janardana, king Yudhishthirathe Just, of virtuous soul, addressed his brothers in the presence ofKesava and said, ‘Ye have heard all that had happened in the court of theassembled Kurus.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Who deserve to be worshipped? Who are they unto whomwe should bow? How, indeed, should we behave towards whom? What course ofconduct, O grandsire, towards what classes of persons is regardedfaultless?’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘About this time, the learned Vidura had sent intothose woods a man of pure character and much trusted by him. This persongoing to where he had been directed, saw the Pandavas with their motherin the forest employed in a certain place in measuring the depth of ariver.

“Bhishma said, ‘Thus addressed, Janamejaya replied unto the sage, saying,’Thou rebukest one that deserves to be rebuked.

Vaisampayana said, “When that foremost of monkeys had gone away, Bhima,the best of strong men, began to range the huge Gandhamadana along thatpath.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Having said all those words unto my son,Duryodhana, who is ever disobedient to my commands, when that mightybowman endued with great strength, viz.,

“Vaisampayana said, ‘When Krishna had said this, all the monarchs therewere filled with joy. And the shout sent forth by those delighted kingswas tremendous.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell us, O king, what is that reward attached to theworship of Brahmanas, seeing which thou worshippest them, O thou ofsuperior intelligence! Indeed, what is that success, flowing from theirworship, guided by which thou worshippest them?’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then, when the night had passed away, a largeconcourse of the townspeople came there in haste to see the sons ofPandu. After extinguishing the fire, they saw that the house just burntdown had been built of lac in materials and that (Duryodhana’s)counsellor Purochana had been burnt to death.

“Saunaka said, ‘I shall for these reasons discourse to thee ofrighteousness, to thee whose heart has been exceedingly agitated.Possessed of knowledge and great strength, and with a contented heart,thou seekest righteousness of thy own will.

Vaisampayana said, “Having reached that spot, Bhimasena saw in thevicinity of the Kailasa cliff, that beautiful lotus lake surrounded bylovely woods, and guarded by the Rakshasas.

“Dhritarashtra said, “When the invincible Drona, of immeasurable energy,unable to bear (the slaughter of Jayadratha), Wrathfully entered into themidst of the Srinjayas, what did all of you think?

“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Yudhishthira then caused his troops to encampon a part of the field that was level, cool, and abounding with grass andfuel.

“The god of wind said, ‘Hear, O deluded man, what the attributes are thatbelong to Brahmanas all of whom are endued with high souls.

“Vaisampayana said,” As the mighty Bhima proceeded, the whole forest withits trees and their branches seemed to tremble, in consequence of theirclash with his breast. The motion of his thighs raised a wind like untothat which blows during the months of Jyaishtha and Ashadha (May andJune).

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Hast thou, O grandsire, ever seen or heard of anymortal restored to life after having succumbed to death?’

“Bhima said, ‘I am the son of Pandu, and next by birth to Yudhishthirathe just, and my name is Bhimasena. O Rakshasas, I have come with mybrothers to the jujube named Visala.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After his son (Bhurisravas) had been slain by Satyakiwhile the former was sitting in Praya, Somadatta, filled with rage, saidunto Satyaki these words,

“Janamejaya said, ‘Hearing that Yudhishthira had, with his troops marchedfrom the desire of battle and encamped on Kurukshetra, protected byVasudeva, and aided by Virata and

“The god of wind said, ‘Once on a time, O king, a ruler of the name ofAnga desired to give away the whole earth as sacrificial present unto theBrahmanas.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Not far from the place where the Pandavas wereasleep, a Rakshasa by name Hidimva dwelt on the Sala tree. Possessed ofgreat energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage that was grimin consequence of his sharp and long teeth.

“Yudhishthira said, “If a person, weak, worthless, and light-hearted, Ogrand sire, doth from folly provoke, by means of unbecoming and boastfulspeeches, a

Vaisampayana said, “Then, O best of the Bharatas, Bhima began to collectthose rare unearthly, variegated and fresh flowers in abundance.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the sons of Drupada, as also those ofKuntibhoja, and Rakshasas too in thousands, slain by the son of Drona,Yudhishthira and Bhimasena, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, andYuyudhana, uniting together, set their hearts firmly on battle.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Recollecting the words spoken by Vasudeva,Yudhishthira once more addressed that scion of Vrishni’s race, saying,’How, O Kesava, could wicked Duryodhana say it?

“Bhishma said, “Thus addressed, king Arjuna remained silent. The god ofwind once more spoke to him, ‘Listen now, O king, to the story of thegreatness of the Brahmana Agastya.

“Narada said, ‘Without doubt, O Salmali, the terrible and irresistiblegod of the wind always protects thee from friendliness or amity.

Vaisampayana said, “Once upon a time Yudhishthira, while living at thatplace, addressed Krishna, his brother, and the Brahmanas, saying,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding that vast host of the Pandavas swelling withrage and regarding it to be incapable of being resisted, thy sonDuryodhana.

“Bhishma said, ‘Thus addressed, Arjuna remained silent. The god of windonce more addressed him, saying, ‘Hear me, O foremost one of theHaihayas, as I narrate to thee the achievement of the high-souled Atri.

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Hearing those words of hers, Yudhishthirasuddenly rose up and Arjuna also and Nakula and Sahadeva of great energyand they beheld Bhima and the Rakshasa already engaged in fight, eager toovercome each other and dragging each other with great force, like twolions endued with great might.

“Bhishma continued, ‘Having said these words unto the Salmali. thatforemost of all persons conversant with Brahma, viz., Narada, representedunto the god of the wind all that the Salmali had said about him.’

Vaisampayana continued, “Thus dwelling with the Brahmanas in that best ofmountains, in expectation of Arjuna’s return,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Seeding his uncle thus addressed in harsh and insultingwords by the Suta’s son, Aswatthaman, uplifting his scimitar, furiouslyrushed towards the latter. Filled with fury, Drona’s son rushed towardsKarna, in the very sight of the Kuru king, like a lion at an infuriatedelephant.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After that night had passed away, king Duryodhana, OBharata, distributed (in proper order) his eleven Akshauhinis of troops.