03. ARANYAKA PARVA (313)

“Draupadi continued, ‘On this subject, the ancient story of theconversation between Prahlada and Vali, the son of Virochana, is quotedas an example.

“Markandeya said, ‘Meanwhile the illustrious descendant of Raghu, alongwith his brother, hospitably treated by Sugriva, continued to dwell onthe breast of the Malyavat hill, beholding every day the clear blue sky.

“Markandeya said, ‘It was on the breast of that very hill where Rama wasseated with those foremost of monkeys that great monkey chiefs at thecommand of Sugriva, began to flock together.

“Markandeya said, ‘Having quartered his army in those groves aboundingwith food and water and with fruits and roots, the descendant ofKakutstha began to watch over them with care.

“Markandeya said, ‘And while those troops (thus withdrawn) were reposingthemselves in their quarters, many little Rakshasas and Pisachas owningRavana as their leader, penetrated amongst them.

“Markandeya said, “Then Prahasta, suddenly advancing up to Vibhishana anduttering a loud yell, struck him with his mace.

“Markandeya said, “Then Kumbhakarna set out from the city, accompanied byhis followers. And soon he beheld the victorious monkey troops encampedbefore him.

“Markandeya said, ‘Learning that Kumbhakarna had with his followers,fallen in battle as also that great warrior Prahasta, and Dhumraksha tooof mighty energy, Ravana then addressed his heroic son Indrajit saying,’O slayer of foes, slay thou in battle Rama and Sugriva and Lakshmana.

“Markandeya said, ‘Beholding both the brothers Rama and Lakshmanaprostrate on the ground, the son of Ravana tied them in a net-work ofthose arrows of his which he had obtained as boons.

“Markandeya said, The Ten-necked (Ravana), excited to fury at the deathof his beloved son, ascended his car decked with gold and gems.

“Markandeya said, ‘Having slain Ravana, that wretched king of theRakshasas and foe of the celestials, Rama with his friends and Sumitra’sson rejoiced exceedingly.

Yudhishthira said, ‘Anger is the slayer of men and is again theirprosperor. Know this, O thou possessed of great wisdom, that anger is theroot of all prosperity and all adversity.

“Markandeya said, ‘It was thus, O mighty-armed one, that Rama ofimmeasurable energy had suffered of old such excessive calamity inconsequence of his exile in the woods!

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O mighty sage, I do not so much grieve for myself orthese my brothers or the loss of my kingdom as I do for this daughter ofDrupada.

“Markandeya continued, ‘On one occasion, O Bharata, when that king, thelord of the Madras, was seated with Narada in the midst of his court,engaged in conversation,

“Markandeya said, ‘Having pondered over these words (of Narada) about hisdaughter’s marriage, the king began to make arrangements about thenuptials.

“Markandeya said, ‘At length, O king, after a long time had passed away,the hour that had been appointed for the death of Satyavan arrived. Andas the words that had been spoken by Narada were ever present in the mindof Savitri, she had counted the days as they passed.

“Markandeya said, The powerful Satyavan then, accompanied by his wife,plucked fruits and filled his wallet with them. And he then began to fellbranches of trees.

“Markandeya said, ‘Meanwhile the mighty Dyumatsena, having regained hissight, could see everything. And when his vision grew clear he saweverything around him.

“Markandeya continued, ‘When the night had passed away, and the solar orbhad risen, those ascetics, having performed their morning rites,assembled together.

Janamejaya said,–“What, O Brahmana, was that great fear entertained byYudhishthira in respect of Karna, for which Lomasa had conveyed to theson of Pandu a message of deep import from Indra in these words,

“Surya said, ‘Never do, O Karna, anything that is harmful to thy self andthy friends; thy sons, thy wives, thy father, and thy mother; O thou bestof those that bear life, people desire renown (in this world) and lastingfame in heaven, without wishing to sacrifice their bodies.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, thus addressed bySaunaka, approached his priest and in the midst of his brothers said,’The Brahmanas versed in the Vedas are following me who am departing forthe forest.

“Draupadi said, ‘I bow down unto Dhatri and Vidhatri who have thusclouded thy sense! Regarding the burden (thou art to bear) thou thinkestdifferently from the ways of thy fathers and grand-fathers!

“Karna said, ‘As thou, O lord of splendour, knowest me for thyworshipper, so also thou knowest that there is nothing which I cannotgive away in charity,

Janamejaya said, “What was that secret which was not revealed to Karna bythe deity of warm rays? Of what kind also were those ear-rings and ofwhat sort was that coat of mail?

“Kunti said, ‘According to thy promise, I will, O king, with concentratedmind, serve that Brahmana. O foremost of kings, I do not say thisfalsely. It is my nature to worship Brahmanas.

Vaisampayana said, “And that maiden of rigid vows. O mighty monarch, byserving with a pure heart, that Brahmana of rigid vows, succeeded ingratifying him.

Vaisampayana said, “When that foremost of Brahmanas had gone away on someother errand, the maiden began to ponder over the virtue of thosemantras.

Vaisampayana said, “Although that noble girl addressed him in varioussweet words, yet she was unable to dissuade that deity of a thousandrays.

Vaisampayana said, “It was, O lord of earth, on the first day of thelighted fortnight during the tenth month of the year that Prithaconceived a son like the lord himself of the stars in the firmament.

Vaisampayana said, “And it came to pass that at this time a Suta namedAdhiratha, who was a friend of Dhritarashtra, came to the river Ganga,accompanied by his wife.

Vaisampayana said, “And when the king of the celestials presented himselfin the guise of a Brahmana, beholding him, Kama said, ‘Welcome!’

Janamejaya said, “Having felt great affliction on account of theabduction of their wife and having rescued Krishna thereafter, what didthe Pandavas next do?”

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thy speech, O Yajnaseni, is delightful, smooth andfull of excellent phrases. We have listened to it (carefully). Thouspeakest, however, the language of atheism.

Yudhishthira said, “There is no limit to calamities. Nor is it possibleto ascertain either their final or efficient cause. It is the Lord ofjustice alone who distributeth the fruits of both virtue and vice.

Vaisampayana said, “Yudhishthira saw his brothers, each possessed of theglory of Indra himself, lying dead like the Regents of the world droppedfrom their spheres at the end of the Yuga.

Vaisampayana continued,–“Then agreeable to the words of the Yaksha thePandavas rose up; and in a moment their hunger and thirst left them.

Vaisampayana continued,–“Commanded by the Lord of justice to thus spendin disguise the thirteenth year of non-discovery, the high-souled

“Draupadi said, ‘I do not ever disregard or slander religion, O son ofPritha! Why should I disregard God, the lord of all creatures?

‘Vaisampayana said, “Hearing these words of Yajnaseni, Bhimasena, sighingin wrath, approached the king and addressed him, saying, ‘Walk, Omonarch, in the customary path trodden by good men, (before thee) inrespect of kingdoms.

Vaisampayana said, “Thus addressed by Bhimasena, the high-souled kingAjatasatru firmly devoted to truth, mustering his patience, after a fewmoments said these words, ‘No doubt, O Bharata, all this is true. Icannot reproach thee for thy torturing me thus by piercing me with thyarrowy words.

Bhima said, ‘O king, unsubstantial as thou art like froth, unstable likea fruit (falling when ripe), dependent on time, and mortal, havingentered into an agreement in respect of time, which is infinite andimmeasurable, quick like a shaft or flowing like a stream, and carryingeverything before it like death itself, how canst regard it as availableby thee?

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing those words of Bhima, Yudhishthira. the sonof Kunti–tiger among men and slayer of all foes–began to sigh heavily,and reflect in silence.

Vaisampayana said, “After some time, Yudhishthira the just, rememberingthe command of the Muni (Vyasa) and calling unto himself that bull amongmen–Arjuna–possessed of great wisdom, addressed him in private.

Janemejaya said, “O illustrious one, I desire to hear in detail thehistory of the acquisition of weapons by Arjuna of spotless deeds. O tellme how that tiger among men, Dhananjaya, of mighty arms and possessed ofgreat energy, entered that solitary forest without fear.

Vaisampayana said, “After all those illustrious ascetics had gone away,that wielder of the Pinaka and cleanser of all sins–the illustriousHara–assuming the form of a Kirata resplendent as a golden tree, andwith a huge and stalwart form like a second Meru, and taking up a handsome bow and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, andlooking like an embodiment of fire, came quickly down on the breast ofHimavat.

“Vaisampayana said,–“After the Pandavas had gone to the forest,Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika, whose knowledge was his eye,[14] becameexceedingly sorrowful. And seated at his ease the king addressed thesewords to the virtuous Vidura of profound intelligence, ‘Thy understandingis as clear as that of Bhargava.[15] Thou knowest also all the subtletiesor morality, and thou lookest on all the Kauravas with an equal eye. O,tell me what is proper for me and them. O Vidura, things having thustaken their course, what should we do now? How may I secure the goodwillof the citizens so that they may not destroy us to the roots? O, tell usall, since thou art conversant with every excellent expedient.’

“Mahadeva said, ‘Thou wert in thy former life Nara, the friend ofNarayana. In Vadari wert thou engaged in fierce ascetic austerities forseveral thousands of years.

Vaisampayana said, “The wielder of the Pinaka, having the bull for hissign, thus disappeared in the very sight of the gazing son of Pandu, likethe sun setting in the sight of the world. Arjuna, that slayer of hostileheroes, wondered much at this, saying, ‘O, I have seen the great god ofgods.

Vaisampayana said, “After the Lokapalas had gone away, Arjuna–thatslayer of all foes–began to think, O monarch, of the car of Indra!

Vaisampayana said, “And the city of Indra which Arjuna saw was delightfuland was the resort of Siddhas and Charanas. And it was adorned with theflowers of every season, and with sacred trees of all kinds.

Vaisampayana said, “The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding thewishes of India, procured an excellent Arghya and reverenced the son ofPritha in a hurry.

Vaisampayana said, “One day, knowing that Arjuna’s glances were cast uponUrvasi, Vasava, calling Chitrasena to himself, addressed him in privatesaying,

Vaisampayana said, ‘Having thus sent away the Gandharva successful in hismission, Urvasi of luminous smiles, moved by the desire of possessingPhalguna, took a bath.

Vaisampayana said, “One day, the great Rishi Lomasa in course of hiswanderings, went to the abode of Indra, desirous of beholding the lord ofthe celestials.

Janamejaya said, “These feats of Pritha’s son endued with immeasurableenergy, were certainly marvellous. O Brahmana, what did Dhritarashtra ofgreat wisdom say, when he heard of them?”

“Sanjaya said, ‘That which hath been uttered by thee, O king, withrespect to Duryodhana is all true. Nothing that thou hast said, O lord ofthe earth, is untrue.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Desirous of living in the forest, those bulls of theBharata race, the Pandavas, with their followers, setting out from thebanks of the Ganges went to the field of Kurukshetra.

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

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.

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

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.

“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.

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

“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.

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

“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.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Having made this compact with Dwapara, Kali came tothe place where the king of the Nishadhas was.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘O king, after Vidura had gone to the abode of thePandavas, Dhritarashtra, O Bharata, of profound wisdom, repented of hisaction.

Vrihadaswa said. “Bhima’s daughter, the cool-headed Damayanti, seeing therighteous king maddened and deprived of his senses at dice, was filled, Oking, with alarm and grief.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After Varshneya had gone away, Pushkara won from therighteous Nala that latter’s kingdom and what else of wealth he had.

“Nala said, ‘Surely, thy father’s kingdom is as my own. But thither Iwill not, by any means, repair in this extremity. Once I appeared therein glory, increasing thy joy. How can I go there now in misery,augmenting thy grief?’

Vrihadaswa said, “O king, after Nala had gone away, the beauteousDamayanti, now refreshed, timorously awoke in that lonely forest. And Omighty monarch, not finding her lord Naishadha, afflicted with grief andpain, she shrieked aloud in fright, saying, ‘O lord?

“Vrihadaswa continued, ‘Having destroyed that hunter Damayanti of eyeslike lotus leaves, went onwards through that fearful and solitary forestringing with the chirp of crickets.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Having heard the words of the leader of that caravan,Damayanti of faultless limbs proceeded with that caravan itself anxiousto behold her lord.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘O monarch, having deserted Damayanti, king Nala saw amighty conflagration that was raging in that dense forest.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After the snake had vanquished, Nala, the ruler of theNishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day entered the city of Rituparna.And he approached the king, saying, ‘My name is Vahuka.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Nala, despoiled of his kingdom, had, with hiswife, become a bondsman, Bhima with the desire of seeing Nala sent outBrahmanas to search for him.

“Sudeva said, ‘There is a virtuous and illustrious ruler of theVidarbhas, Bhima by name. This blessed lady is his daughter, and widelyknown by the name of Damayanti.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing that Vidura had returned, and that the kinghad consoled him, the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra began to burn ingrief.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After a long time had passed away, a Brahmana namedParnada returned to the city (of the Vidarbhas), and said unto thedaughter of Bhima, ‘O Damayanti, seeking Nala, the king of Nishadhas, Icame to the city of Ayodhya, and appeared before the son of Bhangasura.

“Vrihadaswa continued, ‘Having heard the words of Sudeva king Rituparna,soothing Vahuka with gentle words, said, ‘O Vahuka, thou art well-skilledin training and guiding horses.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Like a bird coursing through the sky, Nala sooncrossed rivers and mountains, and woods and lakes. And while the car wascoursing thus, that conqueror of hostile cities, the royal son ofBhangasura, saw his upper garment drop down on the ground.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After Rituparna of prowess incapable of being baffledhad, in the evening, arrived at the city of the Vidarbhas, the peoplebrought unto king Bhima the tidings (of his arrival).

“Damayanti said, ‘O Kesini, go thou and learn who that charioteer is thatsitteth by the car, unsightly and possessed of short arms.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Hearing everything, Damayanti became oppressed withgrief, and suspecting the person to be Nala, said unto Kesini, ‘O Kesini,go thou again, and examine Vahuka, and staying in silence at his sidemark thou his conduct.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Beholding the agitation of the virtuous and wise Nala,Kesini returned unto Damayanti and related everything unto her.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Having passed that night, king Nala decked inornaments and with Damayanti by his side, presented himself in due timebefore the king.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘O son of Kunti, the ruler of the Nishadhas havingdwelt there for a month, set out from that city with Bhima’s permissionand accompanied by only a few (followers) for the country of theNishadhas.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After the festivities had commenced in the city thatwas full of joy and without anxiety of any kind, the king with a largeforce brought Damayanti (from her father’s home).

“Vyasa said, ‘O wise Dhritarashtra, hear what I say! I will tell theethat which is for the great good of all the Kauravas! O thou of mightyarms, it hath not pleased me that the Pandavas have gone to the forestdishonestly defeated (at dice) by Duryodhana and others!

Janamejaya said, “O holy one, after my great-grandfather Partha had goneaway from the woods of Kamyaka, what did the sons of Pandu do in theabsence of that hero capable of drawing the bow with his left hand?

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing these words of his brothers as also ofKrishna, all of whom were anxious on account of Dhananjaya, kingYudhishthira, the just, became melancholy.

“Pulastya said, ‘O thou of excellent vows, I have been much gratifiedwith thy humility, thy self-control, and thy truth, thou blessed oneversed in morality!

“Pulastya said, ‘One should next proceed, O king, to the adoredKurukshetra at sight of which all creatures are freed from their sins. Heis freed from all sins who constantly sayeth, ‘I will live inKurukshetra.’

“Pulastya said, ‘Then, O great king, one should proceed to the excellenttirtha of Dharma, where the illustrious god of justice had practisedhighly meritorious austerities.

“Pulastya said, ‘Arriving next at the excellent tirtha called Samvedya inthe evening, and touching its waters, one surely obtaineth knowledge.Created a tirtha in days of yore by Rama’s energy, he that proceedeth toLauhitya obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance.

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Having ascertained the opinion of his brothers,and of the intelligent Narada, king Yudhishthira, addressing Dhaumya, whowas like unto the Grandsire himself, said,

Vaisampayana said, “Beholding the Pandavas afflicted with anxiety anddepressed in spirits, Dhaumya, who resembled Vrihaspati, spake thus,comforting them, ‘O bull of the Bharata race, O sinless one, listen to meas I mention certain sacred asylums and regions and tirthas and mountainsthat are approved of by Brahmanas.