05. UDYOGA PARAVA (201)

“Rama said, ‘O damsel, in the very sight of all these persons, I havefought according to the best of my power and displayed my prowess! Byusing even the very best of weapons I have not been able to obtain anyadvantage over Bhishma, that foremost of all wielders of weapons!

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Yuyudhana, the great hero of the Satwata race,came to Yudhishthira with a large army of foot, and horses and cars andelephants.

“Bhishma said, ‘Then all those ascetics (that dwell in Vatsabhumi),beholding the princess of Kasi firmly resolved on ascetic austerities,dissuaded her and enquired of her, saying, ‘What is thy business?’

“Duryodhana said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, how Sikhandin, O Ganga’s son,having before been born a daughter, afterwards became a man, O foremostof warriors.’

“Bhishma said, ‘Drupada, O chastiser of foes, bestowed great attention oneverything in connection with that daughter of his, teaching her writingand painting and all the arts.

“Bhishma said, ‘Thus addressed, O king, by that messenger, king Drupada,like a thief caught (in the act), could not speak. He exerted himselfgreatly, by sending sweet-speeched emissaries with his own instruction tothem, saying,–This is not so,–in order to pacify his brother.

“Bhishma said. ‘Then, O mighty-armed king, Sikhandin’s mother representedunto her lord the truth about her daughter, Sikhandin. And she said,’Childless, O great king, as I was, from fear of my co-wives, whenSikhandini, my daughter, was born, I represented unto you that it was ason!

“Bhishma said, ‘Hearing, O bull of Bharata’s race, those words ofSikhandini, afflicted by destiny, that Yaksha, said after reflecting inhis mind, these words, ‘Indeed, it was ordained to be so, and, O Kaurava,it was ordained for my grief!’

“Sanjaya said, ‘When the night passed away and morning came, thy sonsonce more, in the midst of all the troops, asked their grandsire, saying,’O son of

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words (of the leaders of the Kuruarmy), Kunti’s son Yudhishthira, summoning all his brothers, said untothem these words in private.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Next morning, under a cloudless sky, all the kings,urged by Dhritarashtra’s son, Duryodhana,–set out against the Pandavas.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Like Duryodhana, king Yudhishthira also, the son ofKunti and Dharma, ordered out, O Bharata, his heroic warriors headed byDhrishtadyumna.

“Baladeva said, ‘You have all listened to the speech of him who is theelder brother of Gada, characterised as it is by a sense of virtue andprudence, and salutary alike to Yudhishthira and king Duryodhana.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Drupada’s priest, having approached the Kauravachief, was honoured by Dhritarashtra as also by Bhishma and Vidura.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having heard his words, Bhishma, senior in wisdom,and endued with great effulgence, paid honours to him, and then spokewords suitable to the occasion.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘They say, O Sanjaya, that the Pandavas have arrivedat Upaplavya. Go thou and enquire after them.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having beard these words of king DhritarashtraSanjaya went to Upaplavya to see the Pandavas of immeasurable strength.

“Sanjaya said, ‘It is even so as thou hast said, O son of Pandu! Dostthou enquire about the welfare of the Kurus and of the foremost onesamong them?

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Here are met the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, andKrishna, and Yuyudhana and Virata, O son of the Suta Gavalgana, tell usall that Dhritarashtra hath directed thee to say.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What words from me, O Sanjaya, hast thou heard,indicative of war, that thou apprehendest war? O sire, peace ispreferable to war.

“Sanjaya said, ‘O Pandava, the world hath heard thy conduct beingrighteous. I see it also to be so, O son of Pritha.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Without doubt, O Sanjaya, it is true that righteousdeeds are the foremost of all our acts, as thou sayest. Thou shouldst,however, ensure me having first ascertained whether it is virtue or vicethat I practise.

“Krishna said, ‘I desire, O Sanjaya, that the sons of Pandu may not beruined; that they may prosper, and attain their wishes. Similarly, I prayfor the prosperity of king Dhritarashtra whose sons are many.

“Satyaki said, ‘Even as a man’s heart is, so doth he speak! Thou artspeaking in strict conformity with the nature of thy heart. There arebrave men, and likewise those that are cowards.

“Sanjaya said, ‘I did thee farewell, O divine ruler of men. I will nowdepart, O son of Pandu. Let prosperity be thine. I hope, I have notcarried away by the feelings of my heart, given utterance to anythingoffensive.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O Sanjaya, the righteous and the unrighteous, theyoung and the old, the weak and the strong, are all under the control ofthe Creator, It is that Supreme Lord who imparteth knowledge to the childand childishness to the learned, according to his own will.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Dismissed with salutation by the Pandavas, Sanjayaset out for (Hastinapura) having executed all the commands of theillustrious Dhritarashtra.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Dhritarashtra endued with great wisdom (then)said to the orderly-in-waiting, ‘I desire to see Vidura. Bring him herewithout delay.’

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Tell me what may be done by a person that issleepless and burning with anxieties, for thou alone amongst us, O child,art versed in both religion and profit.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘O thou of great intelligence, tell me again wordssuch as these, consistent with religion and profit. My thirst for hearingthem is not quenched. What thou sayst is charming!”

“Vidura said, ‘In this connection is cited the old story of the discoursebetween the son of Atri and the deities called Sadhyas is as heard by us.

“Vidura said, ‘O son of Vichitravirya, Manu, the son of the Self-created,hath, O king, spoken of the following seven and ten kinds of men, asthose that strike empty space with their fists, or seek to bend thevapoury bow of Indra in the sky, or desire to catch the intangible raysof the sun.

“Vidura said, ‘The heart of a young man, when an aged and venerableperson cometh to his house (as a guest), soareth aloft. By advancingforward and saluting him, he getteth it back.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Man is not the disposer of either his prosperity oradversity. He is like a wooden doll moved by strings. Indeed, the Creatorhath made man subject to Destiny. Go on telling me, I am attentive towhat thou sayest.’

“Drupada said, ‘O mighty-armed one, it will, without doubt, be even asthou hast said! Never will Duryodhana give up the kingdom by peacefulmeans, and Dhritarashtra, who dotes on his son, will follow him in hiswish.

“Vidura said, ‘Worshipped by the good and abandoning pride, that good manwho pursueth his objects without outstepping the limits of his power,soon succeedeth in winning fame, for they that are good, when gratifiedwith a person, are certainly competent to bestow happiness on him.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘If there is anything still left unsaid by thee, OVidura, say it then, as I am ready to listen to thee. The discourse is,indeed, charming.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then the illustrious and wise king Dhritarashtra,having applauded the words spoken by Vidura, questioned Sanat-sujata insecret, desirous of obtaining the highest of all knowledge.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘What is the object of asceticism (mauna)? Of thetwo kinds of mauna (viz., the restraining of speech and meditation),which is approved by thee?

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Excellent, O Sanat-sujata, as this thy discourseis, treating of the attainment of Brahman and the origin of the universe.I pray thee, O celebrated Rishi, to go on telling me words such as these,that are unconnected with objects of worldly desire and are, therefore,rare among men.’

“Sanat-sujata said, ‘Sorrow, anger, covetousness, lust, ignorance,laziness, malice, self-importance, continuous desire of gain, affection,jealousy and evil speech,–these twelve, O monarch, are grave faults thatare destructive of men’s lives.

“Sanat-sujata said, ‘The primary Seed (of the universe), calledMahayasas, is destitute of accidents, is pure Knowledge, and blazeth witheffulgence. It leadeth the senses, and it is in consequence of that Seedthat Surya shineth.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus conversing with Sanat-sujata and the learnedVidura, the king passed that night. And after the night had passed away,all the princes and chiefs, entered the court-hall with joyous hearts anddesirous of seeing that Suta (who had returned).

“Dhritarashtra said, “I ask thee, O Sanjaya, in the presence of my boyand of these kings, what words were said by the illustrious Dhananjaya ofmight that knoweth no diminution,–that leader of warriors,–thatdestroyer of the lives of the wicked?’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘In the midst, O Bharata, of all those assembledkings, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, then said these words untoDuryodhana, ‘Once on a time, Vrihaspati and Sakra went to Brahma.

“Krishna said, ‘These worlds are worthy of the chief of the Somaka tribe,and are calculated to promote the interests of Pandu’s son ofimmeasurable strength.

“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?

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

“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, ‘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.

“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.

“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.

“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?’

“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?’

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

Dhritarashtra said, ‘Tell me, O thou of great wisdom, what high-souledVasudeva and Dhananjaya said. I am anxious to hear from thee all aboutthis.’

“Drupada said, ‘Of beings those that are endowed with life are superior.Of living beings those that are endowed with intelligence are superior.Of intelligent creatures men are superior.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having heard these words of Sanjaya, the monarchendued with the eye of wisdom, took that speech into his consideration asregards its merits and demerits.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of his father, the passionateson of Dhritarashtra inflamed with great wrath, again said these words,of envy, of ‘Thou thinkest the Parthas having the celestials for theirallies, are incapable of being vanquished.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Without much minding Dhritarashtra, the son ofVichitravirya who was about to ask of Partha,

“Duryodhana said, ‘The son of Pritha are all as other men, and are, infact, of earthly birth as other men. Why then dost thou think that theyare sure to win victory?

“Vidura said, ‘We have heard, O sire, from old men, that once on a time afowler spread his net on the ground for catching feathery denizens of theair.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Consider, O Duryodhana, O dear son, what I tellthee. Like an ignorant traveller thou thinkest, the wrong path to be theright one, since thou art desirous of robbing the energy of the five sonsof Pandu, who are even as the five elements of the universe in theirsubtle form upholding all mobile and immobile things.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having addressed Suyodhana thus, the highly blessedand wise Dhritarashtra again asked Sanjaya, saying, ‘Tell me, O Sanjaya,what thou hast not yet said, viz., what Arjuna told thee after theconclusion of Vasudeva’s speech, for great is my curiosity to hear it.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘When Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, showedlittle regard for the words spoken by Sanjaya, and when the rest remainedsilent, the assembled kings rose up and retired.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Those adorable bowmen, Arjuna and Vasudeva, who areperfectly equal unto each other in respect of their godlike nature, havetaken their births of their own will.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘How hast thou, O Sanjaya, been able to know Madhavaas the Supreme Lord of the universe? And how is it that I am unable toknow Him as such? Tell me this, O Sanjaya.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having despatched the priest to the city calledafter the elephant they sent messengers to the kings of variouscountries.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I request thee, O Sanjaya, to tell me again of thelotus-eyed Krishna; for, by being acquainted with the import of hisnames, I may, O son, obtain that most exalted of male beings.’

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘O Sanjaya, I envy those gifted with sight, who willbehold before them that Vasudeva whose body endued with great beautyshineth with effulgence, illuminating the cardinal and subsidiary pointsof the compass;

“Janamejaya said, ‘When good Sanjaya (leaving the Pandava camp) went backto the Kurus, what did my grandsires, the sons of Pandu, then do? Oforemost of Brahmanas, I desire to hear all this. Tell me this,therefore.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Once more Keshava of immeasurable soul said these wordsunto Arjuna, who, O Bharata, was advancing (to battle), firmly resolvedupon slaying Karna, ‘Today is the seventeenth day, O Bharata, of thisterrible massacre of men and elephants and steeds.

“The holy one said, ‘I have heard Sanjaya’s words and now I have heardthine. I know all about his purposes as also of thyself.

“Bhima said, ‘Speak thou, O slayer of Madhu, in such a strain that theremay be peace with the Kurus. Do not threaten them with war.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words from Bhima, that were fraughtwith such mildness and that were, as unexpected as if the hills had losttheir weight and fire had become cold,

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus addressed by Vasudeva, the ever-wrathful Bhima,incapable of bearing insults, was immediately awakened like a steed ofhigh metal, and replied, without losing a moment, saying,

“The holy one said, It was only through affection that I said all this,desiring to know thy mind, and not from the desire of reproaching thee,nor from pride of learning, nor from wrath, nor from desire of making aspeech.

“Arjuna said, ‘O Janardana, Yudhishthira hath already said what should besaid. But, O chastiser of foes, hearing what thou hast said, it seemethto me that thou, O lord, does not think peace to be easily obtainableeither in consequence of Dhritarashtra’s covetousness or from our presentweakness.

“The holy one said, ‘It shall be, O thou of mighty arms, what thou, OPandavas, sayest, I will strive to bring about that which would bebeneficial to both the Pandavas and the Kurus.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘O king, having learnt the news from the messengers,Salya, accompanied by a large body of troops and by his sons, all of whomwere mighty in battle, was coming to the Pandavas.

“Nakula said, ‘Much hath been said, O Madhava, by king Yudhishthira thejust who is conversant with morality and endued with liberality, and thouhast heard what hath been said by Falguni also.

“Sahadeva said, ‘What hath been said by the king is, indeed, eternalvirtue, but thou, O chastiser of foes, shouldst act, in such a way thatwar may certainly happen.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing the peaceful words of the king that werefraught with both virtue and profit, king Drupada’s daughter Krishna, oflong black tresses, afflicted with great grief, applauding Sahadeva andthat mighty car-warrior Satyaki, addressed Madhava seated by his side.

“Arjuna said, ‘Thou art now, O Kesava, the best friend of all the Kurus.Related with both the parties, thou art the dear friend of both.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘O smiter of foes, when Devaki’s son of mighty armsset out (for Hastinapura), ten mighty car-warriors, capable of slayinghostile heroes, fully armed, followed in his train.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Meanwhile, understanding from his spies that theslayer of Madhu had set out, Dhritarashtra,

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘O Vidura, Janardana hath set out from Upaplavya. Heis now staying at Vrikasthala and will come here tomorrow.

“Vidura said, ‘O monarch, O best of men, thou art respected by threeworlds. Thou, O Bharata, art loved and regarded by every body.

“Duryodhana said, ‘All that Vidura hath said about Krishna, hath indeed,been truly said; for Janardana is greatly devoted to the Pandavas and cannever be separated from them.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Rising up (from his bed) at day-dawn, Krishna wentthrough his morning rites, and taking leave of the Bharatas, set out forthe city (of the Kurus).

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O foremost of monarchs, I wish to know how it wasthat great and unparalleled misery had to be endured by the illustriousIndra together with his queen.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Janardana, the chastiser of foes, after his meetingwith Vidura, went then in the afternoon to his paternal aunt, Pritha.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘With Pritha’s leave and having walked round her, thechastiser of foes, Govinda, also called Sauri, went to

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Kesava had dined and been refreshed, Vidurasaid unto him during the night, ‘O Kesava, this advent of thine hath notbeen a well judged one, for, O Janardana,

“The holy one said, ‘That, indeed, which should be said by a person ofgreat wisdom: that, indeed, which should be said by one possessed ofgreat foresight; that indeed, which should be said by one like thee to afriend like me; that indeed,

“Vaisampayana said, ‘In such conversation between those two distinguishedpersons, both of whom were endued with great intelligence, that night,lit with bright stars, passed away.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘And after all the kings had been seated and perfectsilence had ensued, Krishna possessing fine teeth and having a voice deepas that of the drum, began to speak.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words uttered by the high-souledKesava, all the persons who sat in that assembly remained silent, theirhair standing on their ends.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having listened to the words of Jamadagnya, theillustrious Rishi Kanwa also said these words unto Duryodhana in thatassembly of the Kurus.’

“Kanwa said, ‘When Matali was wending his way, he saw the great RishiNarada proceeding at his pleasure to pay a visit to Varuna (the god ofthe waters).