05. UDYOGA PARAVA (201)

OM! HAVING BOWED down to Narayana, and Nara the most exalted of malebeings, and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered.

“Indra said, This whole indestructible universe, O gods, hath beenpervaded by Vritra. There is nothing that can be equal to the task ofopposing him. I was capable of yore, but now I am incapable.

“Narada continued, ‘Here is that spacious and celebrated city of cities,called Hiranyapura, belonging to the Daityas and Danavas, possessing ahundred diverse kinds of illusion.

“Narada said, ‘This region belongeth to the birds, all of whom possessexcellent feathers. They all subsist on snakes. They never feel anyfatigue in putting forth their prowess, or in making journeys, or inbearing burthens.

“Narada said, ‘The region where we now are is called Rasatala and is theseventh stratum below the Earth. Here dwelleth Surabhi, the mother of allkine, she, who was born of the Amrita.

“Narada said, ‘This foremost of cities that thou beholdest and whichresembles the Amaravati of the chief of the celestials himself, is knownby the name of Bhogavati.

“Narada then said, ‘This one is the charioteer of the name of Matali. Heis besides a dear friend of Sakra. Pure in conduct, he hath an excellentdisposition and possesses numerous virtues.

“Kanwa said, ‘Meanwhile, O Bharata, the mighty Garuda heard what hadhappened, viz., the bestowal by Sakra of length of days on the NagaSumukha.

“Janamejaya said, ‘Interminably wedded to evil, blinded by avarice,addicted to wicked courses, resolved upon bringing destruction on hishead,

“Narada said, ‘Thus addressed by Viswamitra of great intelligence Galavawas filled with such anxiety that he could not sit or lie down, or takehis food.

“Garuda said, ‘O Galava, commanded I have been by God, who is the causeof all knowledge. I ask thee, towards which quarter shall I first takethee to see what lie there?

Sanjaya said, “While they were battling, the Sun set, O Bharata, aidthere came the dreadful hour of twilight and the battle could no longerbe seen.

“Garuda continued, ‘In days of yore, Vivaswat, having performed asacrifice, gave this quarter away as a present (Dakshina) unto hispreceptor, And it is for this that this region is known by the name ofDakshina (south).

“Salya said, ‘Then all the Rishis and the superior gods said, “Let thehandsome Nahusha be crowned as king of the gods. He is powerful andrenowned, and devoted to virtue ever more.’

“Garuda said, ‘This quarter is the favourite one of king Varuna, theruler of the ocean. Indeed, the lord of the waters had his origin here,and it is hither that sovereignty lieth.

“Garuda said, ‘O Brahmanas, since this quarter saveth from sin, and sinceone attaineth to salvation here, it is for this saying (Uttarana) powerthat it is called the north (uttara).

“Galava said, ‘O Garuda, O slayer of foremost snakes, O thou of beautifulfeathers, O son of Vinata, carry me, O Tarkhya, to the east where the twoeyes of Dharma are first opened. O,

“Narada said, ‘Alighting then on the peak of the Rishabha, the Brahmanaand the Bird beheld a Brahmana lady of the name of Sandili, engaged thereon ascetic penances.

“Narada said, ‘Garuda then, that foremost of winged beings, addressed thecheerless Galava and said, ‘Because it is created by Agni, in the bowelsof the earth and augmented by Vayu, and because also the earth itself issaid to be Hiranmaya, therefore, is wealth called Hiranya.

“Narada said, ‘Thus addressed by Suparna in excellent words fraught withtruth, that performer of thousand sacrifices, that foremost of givers,that liberal ruler of all the

“Narada said, ‘That best of monarchs, king Haryyaswa, after reflectingfor a long while and breathing a long and hot sigh about the birth of ason, at last said,

“Narada said, ‘Galava then, addressing Madhavi, said, The ruler of theKasis is an illustrious king known by the name of Divodasa. He is the sonof Bhimasena, is endued with great prowess, and is a mighty sovereign.

“Narada said, ‘The illustrious Madhavi, faithful to her promise,abandoning that prosperity and once more becoming a maiden, followed thefootsteps of the Brahmana Galava.

“Narada said, ‘Seeing Galava, Vinata’s son smilingly addressed him,saying, ‘By good luck it is, O Brahmana, that I behold thee successful.’Galava, however, hearing the words spoken by Garuda informed him that afourth part of the task was still un-finished.’

“Salya said, ‘Seeing Nahusha enraged, the gods led by the saints spokeunto him, ‘Who was now their king of awful mien? O king of gods, quit thywrath.

“Narada said, ‘King Yayati then, desirous again of disposing of hisdaughter in Swayamvara, went to a hermitage on the confluence of theGanga and the Yamuna, taking Madhavi with him on a chariot, her persondecked with garlands of flowers.

“Narada said, ‘Removed from his place and pushed away from his seat withheart trembling in fear, and consumed by burning remorse, with hisgarlands dimmed in lustre and his knowledge clouded, shorn of his crownand bracelets,

“Narada said, ‘As soon as that bull among men, king Yayati was recognisedby those virtuous persons, he rose again to heaven, without having had totouch the surface of the earth.

“Narada said, ‘Sent back to heaven by those righteous kings,distinguished by the liberality of their sacrificial presents, Yayatipossessed of daughter’s sons, dismissed them and reached the celestialregions.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘O holy one, it is even so as thou, O Narada,sayest. My wish also is precisely such, but, O holy one, I have no power(to carry them out)!’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing, O bull of Bharata’s race, these words ofKesava, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, then said unto vindictiveDuryodhana, Krishna hath spoken to thee, desirous of bringing about peacebetween kinsmen.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Dhritarashtra, both Bhishmaand Drona who sympathised with the old king, again addressed disobedient

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing in that assembly of the Kurus these wordsthat were disagreeable to him, Duryodhana replied unto the mighty-armedKesava of great fame, saying.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Reflecting (for a moment), with eyes red in anger,he, of Dasarha’s race, addressing Duryodhana in that assembly of theKurus, then said these words, ‘Wishest thou for a bed of heroes?

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Krishna, king Dhritarashtralost no time in addressing Vidura, who was conversant with all dictatesof virtue.

“Salya said, ‘Now then Nahusha, the king of the gods, looked at her andsaid, ‘O thou of sweet smiles, I am the Indra of all the three worlds.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Disregarding these words of grave import, spoken byhis mother, Duryodhana went away, in anger, from that place to thepresence of wicked persons.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Vidura had said this, Kesava, that slayer ofhostile divisions, endued with great energy, addressed Dhritarashtra’sson, Duryodhana, and said, ‘From delusion, O Suyodhana, thou regardest meto be alone, and it is for this,

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Entering her abode and worshipping her feet, Kesavarepresented to her briefly all that had transpired in the assembly of theKurus.

“Kunti said, ‘In this connection, O chastiser of foes, is cited an oldstory of the conversation between Vidula and her son. It behoveth thee tosay unto Yudhishthira anything that can be gathered from this or anythingmore beneficial than that.

“Vidula said, ‘If, having fallen into such a plight, thou wishest to giveup manliness, thou shalt then have, in no time, to tread the path that istrod by those that are low and wretched.

“Kunti said, ‘Hearing these words of his mother the son said, O ruthlessand wrathful mother, O thou that thinkest highly of martial heroism, thyheart is surely made of steel beat into that shape.

“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.

“Kunti said, ‘Say unto Arjuna, these words, when thou wert brought forthin the lying-in room and when I was sitting in the hermitage surroundedby ladies, a celestial and delightful voice was heard in the sky, saying,’O Kunti, this thy son will rival the deity of a thousand eyes.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing the words of Kunti, the mighty car-warriors,Bhishma and Drona, then spoke these words unto the disobedientDuryodhana, ‘Hast thou, O tiger among men, heard the fierce words ofgrave import, excellent and consistent with virtue, that Kunti had spokenin the presence of Krishna?

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus addressed by them, Duryodhana, contracting thespace between his eye-brows, became cheerless, and with face bent downbegan to cast oblique glances. And he said not a word in reply.

“Salya said, ‘Then the goddess of Divination stood near that chaste andbeautiful lady. And having beheld that goddess, youthful and lovely,standing before her, Indra’s queen, glad at heart, paid respects to themand said, ‘I desire to know who thou art, O thou of lovely face.’

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘O Sanjaya, in the midst of all the princes and theservants, the slayer of Madhu took Karna upon his car and went out (ofour city).

“Karna said, ‘Without doubt, O Kesava, thou hast said these words fromthy love, affection, and friendship for me, as also in consequence of thydesire of doing me good, O thou of Vrishni’s race.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these words of Karna, Kesava, that slayer ofhostile heroes, spoke unto him these words smilingly, ‘Do not the meansof winning an empire recommend themselves to thee.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these beneficial and auspicious words of Kesava,Karna worshipped Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, and said these words,’Knowing (everything), why dost thou yet, O thou of mighty arms, seek tobeguile me?

“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,

“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 (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, ‘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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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, ‘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.

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

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

“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

“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?

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

“Vaisampayana said, Dhritarashtra’s son, accompanied by all the kings,then addressed Bhishma, son of Santanu, and with joined hands said thesewords, ‘Without a commander, even a mighty army is routed in battle likea swarm of ants.

“Janamejaya said, ‘When Yudhishthira heard that Bhishma, the high-souledson of Ganga, the foremost of all wielders of weapons, the grandsire ofthe Bharatas, the head of all the kings, the rival of Vrihaspati inintellect, resembling the ocean in gravity, the mountains of

“Vaisampayana said, ‘About this time, there came into the Pandava campBhishmaka’s son, foremost among all persons of truthful resolution, andknown widely by the name of Rukmi.

“Vrihaspati said, ‘Thou art the mouth, O Agni, of all the gods. Thou artthe carrier of sacred offerings. Thou, like a witness, hast access to theinner souls of all creatures.

“Janamejaya said, ‘After the soldiers had been arrayed thus in order ofbattle (on the field of Kurukshetra), what, O bull among Brahmanas, didthe Kauravas then do, urged as they were by destiny itself?’

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the high-souled Pandavas, O king, had encamped bythe side of the Hiranwati, the Kauravas also fixed their camps.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having reached the Pandava camp, the gambler’s son(Uluka) presented himself before the Pandavas, and addressingYudhishthira said, ‘Thou art fully conversant with what envoys say!

“Sanjaya said, ‘O monarch, provoking Arjuna still further who was like asnake of virulent poison, by means of those wordy strokes of his Ulukaonce more repeated the words he had once spoken.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having heard those words of Duryodhana, Gudakesha ofgreat fame looked at the gambler’s son with eyes exceedingly red.

‘Sanjaya said, ‘Having listened to Uluka’s words, Yudhishthira, the sonof Kunti, moved his army headed by Dhrishtadyumna and others.

“Dhritarashtra said, After Falguni had vowed the slaughter of Bhishma inbattle, what did my wicked sons headed by Duryodhana do?

“Bhishma said, ‘Sudhakshina, the ruler of the Kamvojas, is in myjudgment, equal to a single Ratha. Desiring the success of thy object, hewill certainly fight with the enemy in battle.

“Bhishma said, ‘This thy maternal uncle Sakuni is, O king, equal to asingle Ratha. Having caused the (present) hostilities (to break out) withthe sons of Pandu, he will fight.

“Bhishma said, ‘Both the brothers Achala and Vrisha are Rathas.Invincible (in battle) they will slay thy foes. Endued with greatstrength, those tigers among men, those foremost of Gandharvas, are firmin wrath.

“Salya said, ‘Now when the great Indra, the intelligent chief of thegods, was deliberating with the guardians of the world and other deitiesupon the means of slaying Nahusha, there appeared at that spot thevenerable ascetic Agastya.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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?

“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!–

“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.

“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!

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

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

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

“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.

“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.’

“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!

“Bhishma said, ‘After the battle had ceased, my charioteer, well-skilledin such operations, drew out from his own body, from the bodies of mysteeds, and from my body as well, the arrows that struck there.

“Bhishma said, ‘The next day, O bull of Bharata’s race, frightful againwas the combat that wok place between me and Rama when I encountered himonce more.

“Bhishma said, ‘Next morning, O king, when the sun rose brightly, thecombat between myself and him of Bhrigu’s race, again, commenced.

“Bhishma said, ‘Then, O great king, during the night, having bowed untothe Brahmanas, the Rishis, the gods, and all those creatures that wanderduring the dark, and also all the kings of the earth,

“Bhishma said, ‘After the night had passed away, I awoke, O Bharata, andthinking of my dream I was filled with great joy. Then, O Bharata, thecombat began between him and me–a combat that was fierce and unrivalledand that made the hairs of all creatures stand on their ends.

“Bhishma said, ‘When I had formed this resolution, O king, a din oftumultuous voices arose in the sky. And it said,–O son of Kuru’s race,do not let off the Praswapa weapon!–Notwithstanding this, I still aimedthat weapon at Bhrigu’s descendant.