Mahabharata English

Vaisampayana continued, “Then, O bull among the Bharatas, that mightybowman, Karna, surrounded by a large army, besieged the beautiful city ofDrupada.

“Vyasa said, ‘Unto a disciple that wishes to enquire after Emancipationafter having transcended all pairs of opposites and accomplished theconcerns of both profit and religion, an accomplished preceptor shouldfirst recount all that has been said in the foregoing section, which iselaborate, on the topic of Adhyatma.

Vaisampayana continued, “O king, O lord of men, that slayer of hostileheroes, the Suta’s son, said these words to Duryodhana, ‘O KauravaDuryodhana, do thou lay unto thy heart the words that I shall tell thee;and, O represser of foes, after having heard my words, it behoveth theeto act accordingly every way.

“Vyasa said, ‘Those that are conversant with the scriptures behold, withthe aid of acts laid down in the scriptures, the Soul which is clothed ina subtile body and is exceedingly subtile and which is dissociated fromthe gross body in which it resides.

Vaisampayana continued, “Then all the artisans, the principalcounsellors, and the highly wise Vidura said unto Dhritarashtra’s son,”All the preparations for the excellent sacrifice have been made, O king;and the time also hath come, O Bharata.

“Vyasa said, ‘There is a wonderful tree, called Desire, in the heart of aman. It is born of the seed called Error. Wrath and pride constitute itslarge trunk.

Vaisampayana said, “While, O great king, Duryodhana was entering (thecity), the panegyrists eulogized the prince of unfailing prowess. Andothers also eulogized that mighty bowman and foremost of kings.

“Bhishma said, ‘Do thou, O son, O sinless one, listen once more, withfeelings of great pride, to the words that fell from the lips of theIsland-born Rishi on the subject of the enumeration of the entities.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘These lords of earth that lie on the earth’s surfaceamid their respective hosts, these princes endued with great might, arenow reft of animation. Every one of these mighty monarchs was possessedof strength equal to that of ten thousand elephants.

Janamejaya said, ‘After having delivered Duryodhana, what did the mightysons of Pandu do in that forest? It behoveth thee to tell me this.’

“Sthanu said, ‘Know, O lord, that my solicitations to thee are on behalfof the created beings of the universe. These beings have been created bythee. Do not be angry with them, O grandsire! By the fire born of thyenergy, O illustrious one, all the created beings are being consumed.Beholding them placed in such a plight, I am penetrated with compassion.Do not be angry with them, O lord of the universe.’

Vaisampayana continued, “Dwelling in the woods, O bull of the Bharatarace, the high-souled Pandavas spent one and ten years in a miserableplight.

Yudhishthira said, “Why did that high-souled one give away a drona ofcorn? And, O eminently pious one, to whom and in what prescribed way didhe give it? Do thou tell me this.

“Narada said, ‘The large-eyed lady, controlling her grief by an effort ofher own, addressed the Grandsire, with joined hands and bending in anattribute of humility like a creeper.

“The messenger of the gods said, ‘O great sage, thou art of simpleunderstanding; since, having secured that celestial bliss which bringethgreat honour, thou art still deliberating like an unwise person.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘All men that inhabit this earth are filled withdoubts in respect of the nature of righteousness.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After that elephant-division had been destroyed, OBharata, by the son of Pandu, and while thy army was being thusslaughtered by

“Vaisampayana said,–‘Equal unto Vrihaspati in intelligence and Brahmahimself in forgiveness, resembling Sakra in prowess and Surya in energy,Bhishma the son of Ganga, of infinite might, had been overthrown inbattle by Arjuna.

“Dhritarashtra said. ‘O Yudhishthira, art thou in peace and happiness,with all thy brothers and the inhabitants of the city and the provinces?

“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,–“Unto him thus possessed with pity, his eyes filled andoppressed with tears, and desponding, the slayer of Madhu said thesewords.”

Vaisampayana continued,–thus addressed, Dhananjaya replied untoBhagadatta, saying,–‘If thou wilt give thy promise to do this, thou hastdone all I desire. And having thus subjugated the king of Pragjyotisha,Dhananjaya of long arms, the son of Kunti, then marched towards thenorth–the direction presided over by the lord of treasures.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Kripa, O king, resisted Dhrishtadyumna in battle, like aSarabha in the forest resisting a proud lion.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having listened to these words of his spies, kingDuryodhana reflected inwardly for some time and then addressed hiscourtiers, saying, ‘It is difficult to ascertain the course of eventsdefinitely.

“Sauti said, ‘And then Indra, the king of gods, having the best of horsesfor his bearer, thus adored by Kadru, covered the entire firmament withmasses of blue clouds. And he commanded the clouds, saying, Pour ye, yourvivifying and blessed drops!’ And those clouds, luminous with lightning,and incessantly roaring against each other in the welkin, poured abundantwater.

Vaisampayana said, “In this connection, the high-souled Yudhishthira saidunto Arjuna these words fraught with reason.

Vaisampayana said, “While the illustrious son of Pandu continued to dwellin the Dwaita woods, that great forest became filled with Brahmanas. Andthe lake within that forest, ever resounding with Vedic recitations,became sacred like a second region of Brahma.

“The Brahmana said, ‘There is one Ruler. There is no second beside him.He that is Ruler resides in the heart. I shall speak now of him.

“The holy one said, Arise, arise, O Gandhari, do not set thy heart ongrief! Through thy fault, this vast carnage has taken place!

“Sanjaya said, ‘At Partha’s desire, Krishna then urged his white steeds,fleet as the mind and covered in golden armour, towards Drona’sdivisions.

Janamejaya said, “While the high-souled Pandavas were living in thosewoods, delighted with the pleasant conversation they held with the Munis,and engaged in distributing the food they obtained from the sun, withvarious kinds of venison to

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou sayest that righteousness or duty depends upondelicate considerations, that is indicated by the conduct of those thatare called good, that it is fraught with restraints (from numerous acts),and that its indications are also contained in the Vedas.

Vaisampayana said, “One day, having previously ascertained that thePandavas were all seated at their ease and that Krishna was reposingherself after her meal, the sage Durvasa, surrounded by ten thousanddisciples repaired to that forest.

“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection is cited the old narrative of theconversation of Tuladhara with Jajali on the topic of righteousness.

Vaisampayana said, “These great warriors of the race of Bharata sojournedlike immortals in the great forest of Kamyaka, employed in hunting andpleased with the sight of numerous wild tracts of country and widereaches of woodland, gorgeous with flowers blossoming in season.

“Bhishma said, ‘Thus addressed by the intelligent Tuladhara on thatoccasion, Jajali of great intelligence, that foremost of ascetics, saidthese words unto him.’

Kotika said, “Excellent lady, who art thou that standest alone, leaningon a branch of the Kadamva tree at this hermitage and looking grand likea flame of fire blazing at night time, and fanned by the wind?Exquisitely beautiful as thou art, how is it that thou feelest not anyfear in these forests?

“Jajali said, ‘This course of duty that thou, O holder of scales,preachest, closes the door of heaven against all creatures and puts astop to the very means of their subsistence.

Vaisampayana continued, “The princess Draupadi, thus questioned by thatornament of Sivi’s race, moved her eyes gently, and letting go her holdof the Kadamva blanch and arranging her silken apparel she said,

“Tuladhara said, ‘See with thy own eyes, O Jajali, who, viz., those thatare good or those that are otherwise, have adopted this path of duty thatI have spoken of.

“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection is cited an old narrative of what wasrecited by king Vichakhy through compassion for all creatures.

Vaisampayana said, “O Bharata, Kotikakhya related to those princes whohad been waiting, all that had passed between him and Krishna.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou, O grandsire, art our highest preceptor in thematter of all acts that are difficult of accomplishment (in consequenceof the commands of superiors on the one hand and the cruelty that isinvolved in them on the other). I ask, how should one judge of an act inrespect of either one’s obligation to do it or of abstaining from it? Isit to be judged speedily or with delay?’

Vaisampayana said, “The daughter of Drupada, though naturally handsome,was suffused with crimson arising from a fit of anger.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘How, indeed, should the king protect his subjectswithout injuring anybody. I ask thee this, O grandsire, tell me, Oforemost of good men!’

Vaisampayana said, “Meanwhile those foremost of bowmen on the face of theearth, having wandered separately and ranged in all directions, andhaving slain plenty of deer and buffaloes, at length met together.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast already explained to me, O grandsire, howthe religion of Yoga, which leads to the six well-known attributes, maybe adopted and practised without injuring any creature.

Vaisampayana said, “The hostile Kshatriyas, incensed at sight ofBhimasena and Arjuna, sent up a loud shout in the forest.

“Kapila said, ‘Beholding that all the fruits that are attainable by actsare terminable instead of being eternal, Yatis, by adoptingself-restraint and tranquillity, attain to Brahma through the path ofknowledge.

Vaisampayana said, “Meanwhile, the king of Sindhu was giving orders tothose princes, saying, ‘Halt, strike, march, quick’, and like.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Duryodhana, O king, and thy son Sudarsa, the only two ofthy children yet unslain, were at that time in the midst of the (Kaurava)cavalry.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou O grandsire, art endued with wisdom andknowledge of the scriptures, with conduct and behaviour, with diversekinds of excellent attributes, and also with years. Thou artdistinguished above others by intelligence and wisdom and penances.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘They passed that night which was characterised byauspicious constellations even thus, O king, in that retreat of righteousascetics.

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

“Arjuna said,–‘If devotion, O Janardana, is regarded by thee as superiorto work, why then, O Kesava, dost thou engage me in such dreadful work?By equivocal words thou seemest to confound my understanding. Therefore,tell (me) one thing definitely by which I may attain to what is good.’

Vaisampayana said,–“that heroic and foremost of the Pandavas endued withgreat energy, crossing the White mountains, subjugated the country of theLimpurushas ruled by Durmaputra, after a collision involving a greatslaughter of Kshatriyas, and brought the region under his complete sway.

“Sanjaya said, ‘The white steeded (Arjuna) also, O monarch, routed thyforce even as the winds, approaching a heap of cotton, scatters it on allsides.

“Vaisampayana said, “Endued with mighty energy and possessed of greatdiscernment, Drona then said, ‘Persons like the sons of Pandu neverperish nor undergo discomfiture.

“Sauti said, ‘And then the Nagas drenched by that shower, becameexceedingly glad. And borne by that bird of fair feathers, they soonarrived at the island. That island had been fixed by the Creator of theUniverse as the abode of the makaras. There they saw the terrible LavanaSamudra (ocean of salt).

“Yudhishthira said, ‘In consequence of the fall Abhimanyu of tenderyears, of the sons of Draupadi, of Dhrishtadyumna, of Virata, of kingDrupada, of Vasusena conversant with every duty, of the royalDhrishtaketu, and of diverse other kings hailing from diverse regions, inbattle, grief does not forsake my wretched self that am a slayer ofkinsmen.

Vaisampayana said, “Exiled to the woods the sons of Pritha with Krishnaseated in the evening, conversed with one another afflicted with sorrowand grief.

“The Brahmana said, ‘Having crossed that impassable fastness (the world)which has purposes for its gadflies and mosquitoes, grief and joy for itscold and heat, heedlessness for its blinding darkness, cupidity anddiseases for its reptiles, wealth for its one danger on the road, andlust and wrath its robbers, I have entered the extensive forest of(Brahman)’.

Vaishampayana said, “Arrived at the auspicious Ganga full of sacredwater, containing many lakes, adorned with high banks and broad shores,and having a vast bed, they cast off their ornaments, upper garments, andbelts and girdles.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Filled with rage, what did Partha, the son ofPandu, do to Bhagadatta? What also did the king of the Pragjyotishas doto Partha? Tell me all this, O Sanjaya!’

“Kapila said, ‘The Vedas are regarded as authoritative by all. Peoplenever disregard them.

Vaisampayana said, “Jayadratha flying for his life upon beholding thosetwo brothers with upraised arms, was sorely grieved and bolted off withspeed and coolness.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘The Vedas, O Bharata, discourse of Religion. Profit,and Pleasure. Tell me, however, O grandsire, the attainment of which(amongst these three) is regarded as superior.’

Janamejaya said, “What did those tigers among men, the Pandavas, do,after they had suffered such misery in consequence of the ravishment ofDraupadi?”

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Amongst the diverse kinds of sacrifices, all ofwhich, of course, are regarded to have but one object (viz., thecleansing of the heart or the glory of God), tell me, O grandsire, whatthat sacrifice is which has been ordained for the sake only of virtue andnot for the acquisition of either heaven or wealth!'[1283]

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Amongst the diverse kinds of sacrifices, all ofwhich, of course, are regarded to have but one object (viz., thecleansing of the heart or the glory of God), tell me, O grandsire, whatthat sacrifice is which has been ordained for the sake only of virtue andnot for the acquisition of either heaven or wealth!'[1283]

“Markandeya said, ‘O bull of the Bharata race, even Rama sufferedunparalleled misery, for the evil-minded Ravana, king of the Rakshasas,having recourse to deceit and overpowering the vulture Jatayu, forciblycarried away his wife Sita from his asylum in the woods.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘By what means doth a man become sinful, by what dothhe achieve virtue, by what doth he attain to Renunciation, and by whatdoth he win Emancipation?’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘By what means doth a man become sinful, by what dothhe achieve virtue, by what doth he attain to Renunciation, and by whatdoth he win Emancipation?’

Markandeya said, “The Muni named Visrava, who was begotten of half thesoul of Pulastya, in a fit of passion, began to look upon Vaisravana withgreat anger.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast said, O grandsire, the Emancipation is tobe won by means and not otherwise. I desire to hear duly what those meansare.’

“Markandeya said, ‘Then the Brahmarshis, the Siddhas and the Devarshis,with Havyavaha as their spokesman, sought the protection of Brahma. AndAgni said, ‘That powerful son of Visrava, the Ten-headed cannot be slainon account of thy boon!

“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection is cited the old narrative of thediscourse that took place between Narada and Asita-Devala. Once on a timeNarada, beholding that foremost of intelligent men, viz., Devala ofvenerable years, seated at his ease, questioned him about the origin andthe destruction of all creatures.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O adorable one, thou hast described to me in detailthe history of the birth of Rama and others. I wish to learn the cause oftheir exile. Do thou, O Brahmana, relate why the sons of Dasaratha–thebrothers Rama and Lakshmana–went to the forest with famous princess ofMithila.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Cruel and sinful that we are, alas, we have slainbrothers and sires and grandsons and kinsmen and friends and sons. How, Ograndsire, shall we dispel this thirst for wealth. Alas, through thatthirst we have perpetrated many sinful deeds.’

“Markandeya said, ‘Beholding Ravana come, Maricha received him with arespectful welcome, and offered him fruits and roots.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Time, that is fraught, with terror unto allcreatures, is running his course. What is that source of good after whichone should strive? Tell me this, O grandsire!’

“Markandeya said, ‘That heroic king of the vultures, Jatayu, havingSampati for his uterine brother and Arjuna himself for his father, was afriend of Dasaratha.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Of what behaviour must a man be, of what acts, ofwhat kind of knowledge, and to what must he be devoted, for attaining toBrahma’s place which transcends Prakriti and which is unchangeable?’

“Markandeya said, ‘Afflicted with grief at the abduction of Sita, Ramahad not to go much further before he came upon Pampa–that lake whichabounded with lotuses of various kinds.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘All men speak of ourselves as highly fortunate. Intruth, however, there is no person more wretched than ourselves.

“Markandeya said, ‘And while the chaste Sita was dwelling there afflictedwith melancholy and grief on account of her lord, attired in mean garb,with but a single jewel (on the marital thread on her wrist), andincessantly weeping, seated on a stone, and waited upon by

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that battle which was sodestructive of men and steeds and elephants, Subala’s son, Shakuni, Oking, rushed against Sahadeva.

“Bhishma said, ‘Thus addressed by Indra, Matanga of restrained vows andwell regulated soul, (without hearkening to the counsels of the chief ofthe celestials), stood for a hundred years on one foot, O thou ofunfading glory.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After the high-souled Pandavas had all been seated,Satyavati’s son Vyasa said,–O Dhritarashtra of mighty arms, hast thoubeen able to achieve penances? Is thy mind, O king, pleased with thyresidence in the woods?

“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.

“The Holy One said,–‘This imperishable (system of) devotion I declaredto Vivaswat: Vivaswat declared it to Manu; and Manu communicated it toIkshaku.

Vaisampayana said,–in the meantime, Bhimasena also endued with greatenergy, having obtained the assent of Yudhishthira the just marchedtowards the eastern direction.

“Sanjaya said, ‘King Duryodhana, O monarch, himself fearlessly receivedYudhishthira, as the latter was engaged in shooting large numbers ofshafts.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then that grandsire of the Bharatas, Bhishma the sonof Sutanu, conversant with the Vedas, acquainted with the proprieties oftime and place, and possessing a knowledge of every duty of morality,after the conclusion of

“Sauti said, ‘Garuda, thus addressed by the snakes, then said unto hismother, ‘I shall go to bring amrita, I desire to eat something in theway. Direct me to it.’ Vinata replied, ‘In a remote region in the midstof the ocean, the Nishadas have their fair home.

Vaisampayana said, “Vyasa then dispelled the grief of the eldest son ofPandu., who, burning with sorrow on account of the slaughter of hiskinsmen, had resolved to make an end of himself.”

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

“The Brahmana said, ‘I do not smell scents. I do not perceive tastes. Ido not see colours. I do not touch. I do not likewise hear the diversesounds (that arise). Nor do I entertain purposes of any kind.

“Sanjaya said, Having slain Bhagadatta who was ever the favourite and Ifriend of Indra and who was possessed of great energy, Parthacircumambulated him.

“Usanas said, ‘I bow to that divine and illustrious and puissant Beingwho holds this earth with the firmament in his arms. I shall speak tothee of the pre-eminent greatness of that Vishnu whose head, O best ofthe Danavas, is that Infinite place (called Emancipation).’