Mahabharata English

“Vaisampayana, said, ‘Thus addressed by Arjuna, the smoke-banneredHutasana, desirous of an interview with Varuna, recollected that son ofAditi,–that deity protecting one of the points of the heavens and havinghis home in the water and ruling that element.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What, indeed, is good for a man that is sunk in diredistress, when loss of friends or loss of kingdom, O monarch hasoccurred? In this world, O bull of Bharata’s race, thou art the foremostof our instructors. I ask thee this. It behoveth thee to tell me what Iask.’

“Markandeya continued, ‘Skanda was adorned with a golden amulet andwreath, and wore a crest and a crown of gold; his eyes weregolden-coloured, and he had a set of sharp teeth; he was dressed in a redgarment and looked very handsome;

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then those foremost of car-warriors (Krishna andArjuna), riding in their cars and placing themselves on opposite sides ofthat forest, began a great slaughter, on all sides, of the creaturesdwelling in Khandava.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, the indications of futuregreatness and future fall in respect of a person.’

“Markandeya continued, ‘Those six ladies, the wives of the seven Rishiswhen they learned that good fortune had smiled on Mahasena and that hehad been made leader of the celestial forces,[79] repaired to his camp.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Vibhatsu, the son of Pandu, invoking hisexcellent weapons, prevented that shower of rain by Indra, by means of ashower of his own weapons. And Arjuna of immeasurable soul soon coveredthe forest of Khandava with innumerable arrows like the moon covering theatmosphere with a thick fog.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘By what disposition, what course of duties, whatknowledge, and what energy, does one succeed in attaining to Brahma whichis immutable and which is beyond the reach of primordial nature.'[866]

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that terrible and awful battle,the army of thy son was broken by the Pandavas. Rallying their greatcar-warriors, however, with vigorous efforts, thy sons continued to fightwith the Pandava army.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I desire thee, O grandsire, to tell me what theordinances are that have been laid down by the acts touching the deitiesand the (deceased) ancestors on occasions of Sraddhas.’

“Vaisampayana said. ‘That foremost one of Bharata’s race, then orderedhis troops, which were protected by heroes that were headed by Arjuna andthat resembled the very guardians of the universe, to march out.Instantly, a loud clamour arose consisting of the words–Equip,Equip!

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

Sanjaya said,–“Beholding the Dhartarashtra army approach for fight,Krishna said these words for Arjuna’s benefit.”

Vaisampayana said,–‘then that foremost of all speakers, Krishna of theYadava race, addressing king Jarasandha who was resolved upon fighting,said,–‘O king, with whom amongst us three dost thou desire to fight? Whoamongst us shall prepare himself for battle (with thee)?’

“Sanjaya said, ‘While Sahadeva, filled with rage, was thus blasting thyhost, Duhshasana, O great king, proceeded against him, the brotheragainst the brother.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then all the relatives of Kichaka, arriving at thatplace, beheld him there and began to wail aloud, surrounding him on allsides.

“Sauti said, ‘Having crossed the Ocean, Kadru of swift speed, accompaniedby Vinata, soon alighted near the horse. They then both beheld thatforemost of steeds of great speed, with body white as the rays of themoon but having black hairs (in the tail). And observing many black hairsin the tail, Kadru put Vinata, who was deeply dejected, into slavery. Andthus Vinata having lost the wager, entered into a state of slavery andbecame exceedingly sorry.

Vaisampayana continued, “After the chief of the Dasharhas had departed,the heroic Yudhishthira, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the twins, eachlooking like unto Shiva, and Krishna, and their priest, ascending costlycars unto which were yoked excellent steeds, together went into theforest.

Vaisampayana said, “Thus addressed by Arjuna of curly hair, the Kuru kingborn of Kunti remained speechless. Then the island-born (Vyasa) saidthese words.

“Gandhari said, There lies Shalya, the maternal uncle himself of Nakula,slain in battle, O sire, by the pious and virtuous Yudhishthira!

“The Brahmana said, ‘In this connection, O blessed lady, is cited theancient story of what kind the institution is of the five sacrificingpriests. The learned know this to be a great principle that Prana andApana and Udana and Samana and Vyana are the five sacrificing priests.'”

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Tell me, O Sanjaya, the distinctive indications ofthe cars of all those who, excited with wrath and headed by Bhimasena,had proceeded against Drona.’

Markandeya continued, “When Skanda had bestowed these powers, Swahaappeared to him and said, ‘Thou art my natural son,–I desire that thoushalt grant exquisite happiness to me.”

Vaisampayana said, ‘Then the inhabitants of the forest of Khandava, theDanavas and Rakshasas and Nagas and wolves and bears and other wildanimals, and elephants with rent temples, and tigers, and lions withmanes and deer and buffaloes by hundreds, and birds, and various othercreatures, frightened at the falling stones and extremely anxious, beganto fly in all directions.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What man is there who is dear to all, who gladdensall persons, and who is endued with every merit and every accomplishment?’

Vaisampayana said, “After those Brahmanas and the illustrious sons ofPandu had taken their seats, Draupadi and Satyabhama entered thehermitage. And with hearts full of joy the two ladies laughed merrily andseated themselves at their ease.

“Janamejaya said, ‘O Brahmana, tell me why and when that forest burnt inthat way, Agni consumed not the birds called Sarngakas?

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I desire, O thou of Kuru’s race, to know what theorigin and what the end is of all creatures; what is the nature of theirmeditation and what are their acts; what are the divisions of time, andwhat the allotted periods of life in the respective epochs.

“Draupadi said, ‘I shall now indicate to thee, for attracting the heartof thy husbands a way that is free from deceit.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘When the fire blazed forth in the forest ofKhandava, the infant birds became very much distressed and afflicted.Filled with anxiety, they saw not any means of escape. Their mother, thehelpless Jarita, knowing that they were too young to escape, was filledwith sorrow and wept aloud.

“Vyasa said, ‘Brahma is the effulgent seed from which, existing as itdoes by itself, hath sprung the whole universe consisting of two kinds ofbeing, viz., the mobile and the immobile.

Vaisampayana said, “Then Kesava, the slayer of Madhu, also calledJanardana, having conversed on various agreeable themes with theillustrious sons of Pandu and with those Brahmanas that were headed byMarkandeya and having bid them farewell, mounted his car and called forSatyabhama.

“Vyasa said, ‘I shall now tell thee, how, when his day is gone and hisnight comes, he withdraws all things unto himself, or how the SupremeLord, making this gross universe exceedingly subtile, merges everythinginto his Soul.

Janamejaya said, “While those foremost of men–the sons of Pritha–werepassing their days in the forest exposed to the inclemencies of thewinter, the summer, the wind and the sun, what did they do, O Brahmana,after they had reached the lake and woods going by the name of Dwaita?”

“Jaritari said, ‘The person that is wise remaineth wakeful in view ofdeath. Accordingly, when the hour of death approacheth, he feeleth nopangs. But the person of perplexed soul, who remaineth not awake, whenthe hour of death comes, feeleth the pangs of death and never attainethsalvation.’

“Vyasa said, ‘Thou hadst asked me about the Creation of all beings; Ihave now narrated that to thee in full.

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing those words of Dhritarashtra, Sakuni, whenthe opportunity presented itself, aided by Kama, spoke unto Duryodhanathese words,

“Vaisampayana said, ‘O thou of Kuru’s race, the Rishi Mandapala becamevery anxious about his children, although he had spoken of them to thegod of fierce rays. Indeed, his mind was not in peace.

“Vyasa said, ‘The knowledge called Trayi which occurs in the Vedas andtheir branches should be acquired.

Vaisampayana said, “Having heard these words of Karna, king Duryodhanabecame highly pleased. Soon after, however, the prince became melancholyand addressing the speaker said, ‘What thou tellest me, O Karna, isalways before my mind.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Mandapala then addressed his children, saying, ‘Ihad spoken unto Agni for the safety of you all. The illustrious deity hadassured me that he would grant my wish.

“Vyasa said, ‘If Emancipation be desirable, then knowledge should beacquired. For a person who is borne now up and now down along the streamof Time or life, knowledge is the raft by which he can reach the shore.

Vaisampayana said, “They then all saw king Dhritarashtra, O Janamejaya,and having seen him, enquired after his welfare, and were, in return,asked about their welfare.

“Vyasa said, ‘Borne up and down in life’s ocean, he that is capable ofmeditation seizes the raft of Knowledge and for achieving hisEmancipation adheres to Knowledge itself (without extending his armshither and thither for catching any other support).'[919]

Vaisampayana said, “King Duryodhana then moving from forest to forest, atlast approached the cattle-stations, and encamped his troops.

“Vyasa said, ‘These, then, are the obligatory acts ordained forBrahmanas. One possessed of knowledge always attains to success by goingthrough (the prescribed) acts.

Vaisampayana said, “Those soldiers then, O king, all went back toDuryodhana and repeated to him every word that the Gandharvas had said.

“Bhishma said, ‘Thus addressed (by his sire), Suka, highly applaudingthese instructions of the great Rishi, set himself about asking thefollowing, question relating to the import of duties that lead toEmancipation.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘When the loud noise of battle had somewhat subsided andthe Pandavas had slain large numbers of their foes, Subala’s son (oncemore) came for fight with the remnant of his horsemen numbering sevenhundred.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O royal son of Bharata’s race, it behoveth thee toanswer this question of mine truly and in detail. What are thosecircumstances under which a person may become guilty of Brahmanicidewithout actually slaying a Brahmana!’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The Pandavas alighted, at a distance, from theircars and proceeded on foot to the retreat of the king, bending themselvesin humility.

“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?

Dhritarashtra said,–“There (on the field of battle) O Sanjaya, thewarriors of which side first advanced to battle cheerfully?

“Sanjaya said, ‘While Nakula was employed in destroying and routing theKaurava divisions in battle with great force, Vikartana’s son Karna,filled with rage, checked him, O king.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘And beholding the Sutas slain, the citizens went tothe king, and represented unto him what had happened, saying, ‘O king,those mighty sons of the Sutas have all been slain by the Gandharvas.

“Sauti said, ‘Then hearing of and beholding his own body, that bird ofbeautiful feathers diminished its size.’

Vaisampayana said, “After they had departed, Yudhishthira the virtuousson of Kunti, unwavering in his promises, addressed all his brothers,saying, ‘We shall have to dwell in the solitary forest for these twelveyears.

Vaisampayana said, “Once more the great sage Krishna-Dwaipayana saidthese words unto Ajatasatru, the son of Kunti

“Gandhari said, Behold the son of Somadatta, who was slain by Yuyudhana,pecked at and torn by a large number of birds! Burning with grief at thedeath of his son, Somadatta,

“The Brahmana said, ‘In this connection is cited the ancient story of thediscourse between Narada and the Rishi Devamata.’

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When the troops were thus engaged and thusproceeded against one another in separate divisions, how did Partha andthe warriors of my army endued with great activity fight?

Vaisampayana said, “After that great warrior Karna had been routed by theGandharvas, the whole of the Kuru army, O monarch, fled from the field inthe very sight of Dhritarashtra’s son.

“Vyasa said, ‘O excellent son, asked by thee, I have told thee truly whatthe answer to thy question should be according to the doctrine ofknowledge as expounded in the Sankhya system.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O child, why dost thou use language such as this,towards the frightened Kurus, who are now in adversity and who have cometo us, solicitous of protection! O Vrikodara, disunions and disputes dotake place amongst those that are connected in blood.

“Suka said, ‘The declarations of the Vedas are twofold. They once Jaydown the command, ‘Do all acts.’ They also indicate (the reverse,saying), ‘Give up acts.’

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing the words of Yudhishthira, those bulls amongmen, headed by Bhimasena, rose up with faces beaming in joy.

“Suka said, ‘I have now understood that there are two kinds of creation,viz., one commencing with Kshara (which is universal), and which is fromthe (universal) Soul. The other, consisting of the senses with theirobjects, is traceable to the puissance of the knowledge.

Vaisampayana said, “Then those Gandharvas decked in golden garlands andaccomplished in celestial weapons, showing their blazing shafts,encountered the Pandavas from every side.

“Vyasa said, ‘Observant of meritorious vows, the householder, for thesecond period of life, should dwell in his house, having taken spousesaccording to the ways indicated in the ordinance and having establishedafire (of his own).

Vaisampayana said, “Then that mighty bowman of blazing splendour, Arjuna,smilingly said unto Chitrasena in the midst of the Gandharva host, ‘Whatpurpose dost thou serve, O hero, in punishing the Kauravas? O, why alsohath Suyodhana with his wives been thus punished?’

“Bhishma said, “Though hast been told what the duties of domesticity areas ordained by the wise. Listen now, O Yudhishthira, to what those dutiesare that have been next spoken of.

Janamejaya said, “After his defeat and capture by the foe and hissubsequent liberation by the illustrious sons of Pandu by force of arms,it seemeth to me that the entry into

“Suka said, ‘While living in the due observance of the duties of theforemost of life, how should one, who seeks to attain to That which isthe highest object of knowledge, set one’s soul on Yoga according to thebest of one’s power?’

“Duryodhana said, ‘O Radheya, thou knowest not what hath happened.Therefore, I do not resent thy words. Thou thinkest the hostileGandharvas to have been vanquished by me with my own energy.

“Vyasa said, ‘The Jiva-soul is endued with all those entities that aremodifications of Prakriti. These do not know the Soul but the Soul knowsthem all.

Duryodhana said, “That slayer of hostile heroes, Arjuna, then approachingChitrasena, smilingly addressed him in these manly words: ‘O hero, Oforemost of the Gandharvas, it behoveth thee to set my brothers atliberty.

“Suka said, ‘O illustrious one, O foremost of Rishis, once againdiscourse to me on Adhyatma more elaborately. Tell me what, indeed, isAdhyatma and whence does it come?'[1041]

“Kama continued, ‘O king, this conduct of thine to-day appeareth to bechildish. O hero, O slayer of foes, what is to be wondered at in thisthat the Pandavas liberated thee when thou wert vanquished by the foe?

“Vyasa said, ‘The mind creates (within itself) numerous ideas (of objectsor existent things). The Understanding settles which is which.

Vaisampayana said, “Beholding king Duryodhana, incapable of putting upwith an insult, seated with the resolution of giving up life by forgoingfood, Sakuni, the son of Suvala, said these words to comfort him. Sakunisaid,

“Vyasa said, ‘The objects by which one is surrounded are created by theunderstanding. The Soul, without being connected with them, stands aloof,presiding over them.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Dhananjaya, with his Gandiva, frustrated the purpose ofthose unreturning heroes struggling in battle and striking their foes.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘It has been said that sojourns to sacred waters asfraught with merit; that ablutions in such waters is meritorious; andthat listening to the excellence of such waters is also meritorious.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The king, O chief of Bharata’s race, with thoseforemost of men, viz., his brothers, who were all possessed of eyes thatresembled lotus-petals, took his seat in the retreat of his eldest sire.

“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.’

([This where is the Bhagavad Gita proper starts. I have added the chapterheadings to aid in comparison with other translations, they are not partof the original Ganguli text.–John Bruno Hare])

Vaisampayana said,–Arjuna, having obtained that best of bows and thatcouple of inexhaustible quivers and that car and flag-staff, as also thatassembly-house, addressing Yudhisthira said,–Bow, weapons, great energy,allies, territory, fame, army-those, O king, difficult of acquisitionhowever desirable, have all been obtained by me.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Against Yuyutsu who was employed in routing the vast armyof thy son, Uluka proceeded with speed saying “Wait, Wait.”

“Vaisampayana said, ‘At the slaughter of Kichaka and brothers, people, Oking, thinking of this terrible feat, were filled with surprise.

“Sauti said, ‘Then that bird of great strength and energy and capable ofgoing at will to every place repaired to his mother’s side on the othershore of the great ocean.

Vaisampayana said, “Having fallen into distress, those princes thusobtained at last a pleasant habitation in that forest. And there in thosewoods abounding with Sala trees and washed by the Saraswati, they whowere like so many Indras, began to sport themselves.

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing the words of the Island-born Rishi and seeingDhananjaya angry, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, saluted Vyasa and madethe following answer.

“Gandhari said, Behold that irresistible ruler of the Kambojas, thatbull-necked hero, lying amid the dust, O Madhava, though deserving ofbeing stretched at his ease on Kamboja blankets.

“The Brahmana said, ‘In this connection is recited the ancient story ofwhat the institution is of the Chaturhotra (sacrifice). The ordinancesare now being duly declared of that in its entirety.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Thou askest me about the feats of Arjuna in battle.Listen, O thou of mighty arms, to what Partha achieved in the fight.

“The Danavas said, ‘O Suyodhana, O great king? O perpetuator of the raceof Bharata, thou art ever surrounded by heroes and illustrious men. Whyhast thou, then, undertaken to do such a rash act as the vow ofstarvation?

“Suka said, ‘Let thy reverence tell me of that which is the foremost ofall duties, indeed, of that duty above which no higher one exists in thisworld.’

Janamejaya said, “When the high-souled sons of Pritha were living in theforest, what did those foremost of men and mighty archers–the sons ofDhritarashtra–do?

“Vyasa said, ‘One should not show any affection for scents and tastes andother kinds of enjoyment. Nor should one accept ornaments and otherarticles contributing to the enjoyment of the senses of scent and taste.