धार्मिक ग्रंथ

¹ And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to the commandment of Jehovah, and encamped in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

¹ And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

Sanjaya said,–“Just as the holy Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa had said, inthat very manner the kings of the Earth, mustered together, came to theencounter.

“Vasudeva said,–‘Arjuna hath indicated what the inclination should be ofone that is born in the Bharata race, especially of one who is the son ofKunti. We know not when death will overtake us, in the night or in theday.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus insulted by the Suta’s son, that illustriousprincess, the beautiful Krishna, eagerly wishing for the destruction ofVirata’s general, went to her quarters.

Vaishampayana said, “After all the troops had been slain during the hourof sleep by those three car-warriors, king Yudhishthira in great griefsaid these words unto him of Dasharha’s race:

¹ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

“Vasudeva continued, ‘O bull of the Bharata race, having spoken thus untothe Yadavas, the son of Rukmini (Pradyumna) ascended his golden car.

“Sauti said, ‘O ascetic, about this time the two sisters saw approachingnear, that steed of complacent appearance named Uchchaihsravas who wasworshipped by the gods, that gem of steeds, who arose at the churning ofthe Ocean for nectar. Divine, graceful, perpetually young, creation’smaster-piece, and of irresistible vigour, it was blest with everyauspicious mark.’

Vaishampayana said, “Beholding Duryodhana, Gandhari, deprived of hersenses by grief, suddenly fell down on the earth like an uprootedplantain tree.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Discontent, heedless attachment to earthly goods,the absence of tranquillity, might, folly, vanity, and anxiety,–affectedby these sins, O Bhima, thou covetest sovereignty.

“Vasudeva said, touching the feet of that sage, the Brahmana asked himsome questions that were exceedingly difficult to answer. That foremostof all righteous persons then discoursed on those duties that werereferred to.

¹ Thou shalt not sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God an ox, or a sheep, wherein is a blemish, [or] anything evil; for that is an abomination unto Jehovah thy God.

“Sanjaya said, ‘The troops of both the armies, having proceeded to theirtents, duly took up their quarters, O king, according to the divisionsand the sub-divisions to which they belonged.

¹ And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Taking up another bow that was very strong and muchtougher, the ruler of the Madras pierced Yudhishthira and roared like alion.

“Vasudeva said, ‘Concentrating his mind, O Yudhishthira. the regenerateRishi Upamanyu, with hands joined together in reverence uttered thisabstract of names (applying to Mahadeva), commencing from the beginning.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of the Brahmana, the sons ofKunti seemed to be, as it were, pierced with darts. Indeed, all thosemighty heroes lost their peace of mind.

“Bhishma said, ‘Hearing these sweet words, Gautama became filled withwonder. Feeling at the same time a great curiosity, he eyed Rajadharmanwithout being able to withdraw his gaze from him.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding his own army routed while being slaughtered bythose illustrious heroes, thy son, well-acquainted with words, O monarch,quickly repairing unto Karna and Drona, that foremost of all victors inbattle, wrathfully said these words,

“Arjuna said, ‘Then with rocks of the proportions of trees, therecommenced a mighty shower of crags; and this exercised me exceedingly.

“Bhishma said, ‘I have now, O king, indicated who thy Rathas are and whothy Atirathas and half Rathas. Listen now to the tale of Rathas andAtirathas among the Pandavas.

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Then Kunti spoke unto Bhimasena and Arjuna andthe twins regarding the journey to Panchala. They all said, ‘So be it.’Then, O king, Kunti with her sons saluted the Brahmana (in whose housethey had dwelt) and set out for the delightful town of the illustriousDrupada.’

“Bhishma said, ‘Led into a spacious apartment, Gautama was introduced tothe king of the Rakshasas.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Karna, that slayer of hostile heroes, beholdingPrishata’s son in battle, struck him on the chest with ten shafts capableof penetrating into the very vitals.

“Arjuna continued, ‘Remaining invisible the Daityas began to fight withthe help of illusion. And I too fought with them, resorting to the energyof visible weapons.

“Bhishma said, ‘All the five sons of Draupadi, O monarch, are Maharathas.Virata’s son Uttara is, in my judgment, one of the foremost of Rathas.The mighty-armed Abhimanyu is a leader of leaders of car-divisions.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Vyasa had gone away, those bulls among men,the Pandavas, saluted the Brahmana and bade him farewell, and proceeded(towards Panchala) with joyous hearts and with their mother walkingbefore them.

“Bhishma said, ‘There, under that banian, for the protection of hisguest, the prince of birds had kindled and kept up a fire with high andblazing flames.[496] On one side of the fire, the bird slept trustfully.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the mighty-armed Ghatotkacha, O king,proceeding towards the car of Suta’s son, Karna for slaughtering him inbattle, thy son Duryodhana addressing Duhsasana, said these words,

“Arjuna continued, ‘Then while returning, I happened to descry a mightyunearthly city, moving at will, and having the effulgence of fire or thesun.

“Bhishma said, ‘That subjugator of hostile cities, Sikhandin, the son ofthe king of the Panchalas, is, O king, in my judgment, one of theforemost of Yudhishthira’s Rathas.

“Arjuna said, ‘Thou hast addressed me (more than once) as Tapatya. Itherefore wish to know what the precise significance of this word is, Ovirtuous Gandharva, being sons of Kunti, we are, indeed, Kaunteyas. Butwho is Tapati that we should be called Tapatyas?’

“Bhishma said, ‘The Rakshasa king then caused a funeral pyre to be madefor that prince of cranes and adorned it with jewels and gems, andperfumes, and costly robes.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘How, indeed, did that battle take place when atdead of night Vikartana’s son, Karna, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkachaencountered each other?

“Arjuna continued, ‘Then firmly confident, the sovereign of thecelestials considering as his own, pertinently said these words unto mewounded by cleaving shafts, ‘All the celestial weapons,

“Bhishma said, ‘O great king, Rochamana is another Maharatha of thePandavas. He will, O Bharata, contend in battle against hostile warriors,like a second god.

“The Gandharva continued, ‘When that maiden disappeared, that feller ofhostile ranks deprived of his senses by Kama (concupiscence) himself felldown on the earth.

“YUDHISHTHIRA SAID, ‘THOU hast, O grandsire, discoursed upon theauspicious duties (of person in distress) connected with the duties ofkings. It behoveth thee now, O king, to tell me those foremost of dutieswhich belong to those who lead the (four) modes of life.’

“Duryodhana said, ‘For what reason, O chief of the Bharatas, wilt thounot slay Sikhandin even if thou beholdest him approach thee as a foe witharms upraised?

Vaisampayana continued, “And when the night had passed, Yudhishthira thejust, arose and together with his brothers, performed the necessaryduties.

“The Gandharva continued, ‘Saying this, Tapati of faultless features,ascended the skies. The monarch thereupon again fell down on the earth.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Time, which is destructive of every created thing,is passing on.[512] Tell me, O grandsire, what is that good thing whichshould be sought.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding Alayudha of terrible deeds come to battle, allthe Kauravas became filled with delight. Similarly, thy sons havingDuryodhana for their head, (were filled with delight) like raftless mendesirous of crossing the ocean when they meet with a raft.

“Bhishma said, ‘Then, O chief of the Bharatas, approaching my mother,that daughter of the Dasa clan, and saluting that parent of heroes, Isaid these words,–Having vanquished all the kings, these daughters ofthe ruler of Kasi, having beauty alone for their dowry, have beenabducted by me for the sake of Vichitravirya!–

Janamejaya said, “When that prime among heroes, having been accomplishedin arms, had returned from the abode of the slayer of Vritra, what didPritha’s sons do in company with the warlike Dhananjaya?”

“Vaisampayana said, ‘That bull among the Bharatas, Arjuna, hearing thesewords of the Gandharva, was inspired with feelings of devotion and stoodshes (???–JBH), killing deer and wild boars. Once on a time, while outin quest of deer, the king became weak with exertion and thirst.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, whence and how happiness andmisery come to those that are rich, as also those that are poor, but wholive in the observance of different practices and rites.'[521]

“Sanjaya said, ‘Seeing Bhima in that battle assailed by the cannibal,Vasudeva, approaching Ghatotkacha, said unto him these words, ‘Behold, Omighty-armed one, Bhima is violently assailed by the Rakshasa in battle,in the very sight of all the troops and of thyself,

“Bhishma said, ‘I then placed the matter before (my mother) Kali,otherwise called Gandhavati, as also all our counsellors, and also beforeour special and ordinary priests and then permitted, O king, the eldestof those maidens, Amva, to depart.

Vaisampayana said, “When they had left their happy home in the beautifulmountain abounding in cascades, and having birds,

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Hearing this, Arjuna said, ‘O Gandharva, whencearose the hostility between Viswamitra and Vasishtha both of whom dweltin a celestial hermitage? O, tell us all about it.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘If any person, desiring to accomplish acts (ofcharity and sacrifices), fails to find (the necessary) wealth, and thirstof wealth overwhelms him, what is that which he must do for obtaininghappiness?’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having slain Alayudha, the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha becamefilled with delight. Standing at the head of the army he began to utterdiverse kinds of shouts.

“Bhishma said, ‘Issuing out of the city, Amva reflected sorrowfully inthis strain. ‘There is not in the whole world a young woman in such amiserable plight as I! Alas, destitute of friends, I am rejected by Salwaalso!

Janamejaya said, “How was it, O sage! that Bhima, of mighty prowess andpossessing the strength of ten thousand elephants, was stricken withpanic at (the sight of) that snake?

“The Gandharva continued, ‘There was, O Partha, a king in this world,named Kalmashapada, who was of the race of Ikshvaku and was unequalled onearth for prowess. One day the king went from his capital into the woodsfor purposes of hunting, and this grinder of foes pierced (with hisarrows) many deer and wild boars.

“Bhishma continued, ‘In this connection is also cited the old narrativeof the verses sung by Janaka the ruler of the Videhas, who had attainedto tranquillity of soul.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding Hidimva’s son slain and lying like a rivenmountain, all the Pandavas became filled with grief and began to shedcopious tears.

“Bhishma said, ‘Those virtuous ascetics then set themselves about theirusual avocations, thinking all the while as to what they should do forthat maiden.

Vaisampayana continued, “And the powerful Bhimasena, having thus comeunder the power of the snake, thought of its mighty and wonderfulprowess; and said unto it, ‘Be thou pleased to tell me, O snake, who thouart.

“The Gandharva continued, ‘Beholding his asylum bereft of his children,the Muni afflicted with great grief left it again. And in course of hiswandering he saw, O Partha, a river swollen with the waters of the rainyseason, sweeping away numberless trees and plants that had grown on itsmargin.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O thou that art conversant with the conduct of men,tell me by what conduct a person may succeed in this world, freed fromgrief. How also should a person act in this world so that he may attainto an excellent end?’

“Arjuna said, ‘How, O Janardana, for our good, and by what means, werethose lords of the earth, viz., Jarasandha and the others, slain?’

“Akritavrana said, ‘Of these two afflictions of thine, for which, Oblessed lady, dost thou seek a remedy?

Vaisampayana continued, “Yudhishthira, finding his beloved brother coiledby the body of the serpent, said these words: ‘O son of Kunti, how hastthou come by this misfortune!

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Kunti, the sinless Pandavas,O best of kings, became ashamed.

“Salya said, “Then Indra, glorified by the bands of Gandharvas andcelestial nymphs, mounted on Airavata, the king of elephants,characterised by auspicious marks.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile towards the northern part of the Pandava army,a loud uproar arose of cars and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers asthose were being massacred by Dandadhara.

¹ And Jehovah said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy fathers’ house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

¹ Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Sanjaya said,–“Soon after, O king, a loud uproar, causing the heart totremble was heard, made by the combatants ready for the fight.

“Krishna continued,–‘hearing these words of the king, the Rakshasa womananswered–Blessed be thou, O king of kings. Capable of assuming any format will. I am a Rakshasa woman called Jara. I am living, O king, happilyin thy house, worshipped by all.

“Draupadi said, ‘What grief hath she not who hath Yudhishthira for herhusband? Knowing all my griefs, why dost thou ask me?

The holy one said, “After the krita-yuga had elapsed, the gods, desirousof performing a sacrifice, duly made preparation for one according to thedirections laid down in the Vedas. They collected clarified butter andthe other requisites.

¹ And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

“Sauti said, ‘There is a mountain called Mandara adorned with cloud-likepeaks. It is the best of mountains, and is covered all over withintertwining herbs.

“Vasudeva continued, ‘O king, afflicted with the arrows of Salwa, whenPradyumna became senseless the Vrishnis who had come to the fight wereall disheartened and filled with grief!

“Gandhari said, Behold, O Madhava, my century of sons, incapable offatigue (from exertion in battle), have all been slain by Bhimasena withhis mace in battle!

Vaisampayana said, “When Yudhishthira, after saying these words, becamesilent, Arjuna, afflicted by that speech of the king, and burning withsorrow and grief, once more addressed his eldest brother, saying, ‘Peoplerecite this old history,

“–The Brahmana said, ‘The acts, good and bad, that a Jiva does are notsubject to destruction. Upon attainment of body after body, those actsproduce fruits corresponding with them.

“Sanjaya said, ‘The Samsaptakas,[32] then, filled with joy, took theirstand on a level field, having, with their cars, formed an array in theshape of the half-moon.

¹ The priests the Levites, [even] all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of Jehovah made by fire, and his inheritance.

¹ And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the slaughter of Shalya, O king, the followers ofthe Madra king, numbering seventeen hundred heroic car-warriors,proceeded for battle with great energy.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Vasudeva had ceased to speak, the great Yogin,viz. the Island-born Krishna, addressed Yudhisthira, saying,–O son, dothou recite this hymn consisting of the thousand and eight names ofMahadeva, and let Maheswara be gratified with thee.

“The Gandharva continued, ‘Then, O Partha, Adrisyanti, who had beenresiding in Vasishtha’s asylum, brought forth (when the time came) a sonwho was the perpetuator of Saktri’s race and who was a second Saktri ineverything.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Which of these, O grandsire, viz., kinsmen, or acts,or wealth, or wisdom should be the refuge of a person? Questioned by me,answer me this!’

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When the Suta’s son had such a dart as was sure toslay one person, why did he not hurt it at Partha, to the exclusion ofall others?

“Bhishma said, ‘O lord, repeatedly urged by that maiden to slay Bhishma,Rama replied unto that weeping girl, saying, ‘O daughter of Kasi, O thouof the fairest complexion, I do not, on any account, take up arms nowexcept for the sake of those that are conversant with the Vedas.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘In this world, you are so learned in the Vedas andVedangas; tell me (then), what one should do to attain salvation?’

“Vasishtha continued, ‘The Brahmana lady, thus addressed by them, said,’Ye children, I have not robbed you of your eye-sight, nor am I angrywith you.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, if gifts, sacrifices,penances, and dutiful services returned to preceptors, are productive ofwisdom and high felicity.'[543]

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I see, O sire, that this act of Karna andDuryodhana and Suvala’s son, Sakuni, and of thyself, in especial, hathbeen very much against the dictates of policy.

“Bhishma said, ‘After he had quartered there, on third day, O king,Jamadagni’s son of high vows, sent a message to me, saying, ‘I have comehere, do what is agreeable to me.’

Vaisampayana said, “While they were dwelling at that place, there set inthe season of the rains, the season that puts an end to the hot weatherand is delightful to all animated beings.

“The Gandharva said, ‘Vasishtha after this, continued the narrationsaying, ‘Hearing these words of the Pitris, Aurva, O child, replied untothem to this effect:

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Whence has this universe consisting of mobile andimmobile creatures been created? Whom does it go to when destruction setsin?

“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus addressed by Vyasa, the heroic king Yudhishthira thejust refrained, O bull of Bharata’s race, from himself seeking to slayKarna.

“Bhishma said, ‘I then smilingly addressed Rama stationed for battle,saying,–Myself on my car, I do not wish to fight with thee that art onthe earth!