Mahabharata English

“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.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘How great was the love of virtue possessed by Vritraof immeasurable energy, whose knowledge was incomparable and whosedevotion to Vishnu was so great.

“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.

“Bhishma said, ‘Listen, O king, to me as I tell thee the symptoms thatappeared on the body of Vritra when he was overtaken by that fever (bornof the energy of Mahadeva).

“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.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, thou art possessed of great wisdom andthoroughly conversant with every branch of learning. From this verynarrative of the slaughter of Vritra the wish has arisen in my mind ofasking thee a question.

“Markandeya said, ‘And while those troops (thus withdrawn) were reposingthemselves in their quarters, many little Rakshasas and Pisachas owningRavana as their leader, penetrated amongst them.

“Janamejaya said, ‘How O Brahmana, was the Horse-sacrifice of thePrajapati Daksha, the son of Prachetas, destroyed during the age ofVaivaswata Manu?

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

“Yudhishthira said, ‘It behoveth thee, O sire, to tell me those names bywhich Daksha, that progenitor of creatures, adored the great deity. Osinless one, a reverent curiosity impels me to hear them.’

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

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, what is Adhyatma with respectto man and whence it arises.’

“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.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Living creatures always stand in fear of sorrow anddeath. Tell me, O grandsire, how the occurrence of these two may beprevented.’

“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.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, what is beneficial for onethat is unconversant with the truths of the scriptures, that is always indoubt, and that abstains from self-restraint and the other practiceshaving for their object the knowledge of the Soul.’

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

“Yudhishthira said, ‘How, O grandsire, should a king like us behave inthis world, keeping in view the great object of acquisition? Whatattributes, again, should he always possess so that he may be freed fromattachments?’

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

“Janamejaya said, ‘Tell me. O learned Brahmana, what that wonderful featwas which the great Rishi Vyasa of high energy accomplished after hispromise to the old king, made when

“Sanjaya said, ‘After this, the followers of Subala’s son, O monarch,became filled with rage. Prepared to lay down their lives in thatdreadful battle, they began to resist the Pandavas.

“Bhishma said, ‘Thus advised by Indra, Matanga, observant of vows,refused, to hear what he was bid.

“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.

“Arjuna said,–‘Thou applaudest, O Krishna, the abandonment of actions,and again the application (to them). Tell me definitely which one ofthese two is superior.

Vaisampayana said,–that chastiser of all foes then vanquished kingSrenimat of the country of Kumara, and then Vrihadvala, the king ofKosala. Then the foremost of the sons of Pandu, by performing featsexcelling in fierceness, defeated the virtuous and mighty kingDirghayaghna of Ayodhya.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I have heard from thee, O Sanjaya, of many poignantand unbearable griefs as also of the losses sustained by my sons.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Saradwata’s son, Kripa said, ‘What the agedBhishma hath said concerning the Pandavas is reasonable, suited to theoccasion, consistent with virtue and profit, agreeable to the ear,fraught with sound reason, and worthy of him.

“Sauti continued, ‘A certain Brahmana with his wife had entered thethroat of that ranger of the skies. The former began to burn the bird’sthroat like a piece of flaming charcoal. Him Garuda addressed, saying, ‘Obest of Brahmanas, come out soon from my mouth which I open for thee. ABrahmana must never be slain by me, although he may be always engaged insinful practices.’

Vaisampayana said, “The foremost of kings, viz., Yudhishthira the son ofDharma, still remaining speechless, Pandu’s son Arjuna addressed Krishnaand spoke as follows:

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.

“The Brahmana said, ‘In this connection is cited the ancient story, Olady, of the discourse between Karttaviryya and the Ocean. There was aking of the name of Karttaviryya-Arjuna who was endued with a thousandarms.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When those divisions (of mine), O Sanjaya, werebroken and routed, and all of you retreated quickly from the field, whatbecame the state of your minds?

“Yudhishthira said, ‘This curiosity, O sire, is always dwelling in mymind. O grandsire of the Kurus, I desire to hear everything about it fromthee.

“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 thou of mighty arms, tell me, after this what isbeneficial for us. O grandsire, I am never satiated with thy words whichseem to me like Amrita.

“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.

“Parasara said, ‘That man who, having obtained this car, viz., his bodyendued with mind, goes on, curbing with the reins of-knowledge the steedsrepresented by the objects of the senses, should certainly be regarded aspossessed of intelligence.

“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,

“Parasara said, ‘Nobody in this world does good to another. Nobody isseen to make gifts to others. All persons are seen to act for their ownselves.

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

“Parasara said, ‘The lowest order, it is proper, should derive theirsustenance from the three other orders. Such service, rendered withaffection and reverence, makes them righteous.

“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.

“Parasara said, ‘I have now discoursed to thee on what the ordinances areof the duties in respect of one that leads the domestic mode of life.

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

“Janaka said, ‘Whence, O great Rishi, does this difference of colourarise among men belonging to the different orders? I desire to know this.Tell me this, O foremost of speakers! The Srutis say that the offspringone begets are one’s own self.

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

“Parasara said, ‘The sires, the friends, the preceptor, and the spousesof the preceptors of men that are destitute of devotion are unable togive to those men the merits that attach to devotion.

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,

“Bhishma said, ‘Once again Janaka, the ruler of Mithila, questioned thehigh-souled Parasara endued with certain knowledge in respect of allduties.’

“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.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the grandsire, viz., the venerable Bhishma,that destroyer of all the

“Sanjaya said, ‘Upon the fall of the great bowman Drona, thy sons, thosemighty car-warriors, became pale and deprived of their senses.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The people who lived in the Kuru kingdom failed tonotice any variance in the cordiality that subsisted between kingYudhishthira and the father of Duryodhana.

Vaishampayana said: “At that time the Vrishni ladies dreamed every nightthat a woman of black complexion and white teeth, entering their abodes,laughed aloud and ran through Dvaraka, snatching from them the auspiciousthreads in their wrists.

“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.

“Vyasa said,–‘Asses are taking births in kine. Some are having sexualpleasure with mothers. The trees in the forests are exhibitingunseasonable flowers and fruits.

Vaishampayana said: “Then Shakra, causing the firmament and the Earth tobe filled by a loud sound, came to the son of Pritha on a car and askedhim to ascend it.

Vaishampayana said, “King Yudhishthira the just, the son of Pritha, hadnot stayed there for more than a moment when, O thou of Kurus race, allthe gods with Indra at their head came to that spot.

Sanjaya said, “Hearing these words of Kripa that were auspicious andfraught with morality and profit, Ashvatthama, O monarch, becameoverwhelmed with sorrow and grief.

“Vaisampayana said,–“Then Maya Danava addressed Arjuna, that foremost of successful warriors, saying,–‘I now go with thy leave, but shall comeback soon.

“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.

“Dhritarashtra said, O thou of great wisdom, my grief has been dispelledby thy excellent words! I desire, however, to again hear thee speak. How,indeed, do those that are wise free themselves from mental grief born ofthe advent of evils and the bereavement of objects that are dear?

Yudhishthira said, “Tender, possessed of a graceful presence, anddeserving of every luxury as thou art, what office wilt thou, O heroicNakula, discharge while living in the dominions of that king? Tell me allabout it!”

Sauti said, “Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, was, with his brothers,attending his long sacrifice on the plains of Kurukshetra. His brotherswere three, Srutasena, Ugrasena, and Bhimasena. And as they were sittingat the sacrifice, there arrived at the spot an offspring of Sarama (thecelestial bitch). And belaboured by the brothers of Janamejaya, he ranaway to his mother, crying in pain.

“Narada said, ‘That tiger of Bhrigu’s race (viz., Rama), was well-pleasedwith the might of Karna’s arms, his affection (for him), hisself-restraint, and the services he did unto his preceptor.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hear, O king, with attention, how that great carnage ofthe Kurus and the Pandavas occurred when they encountered each other.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘If, O prince, Brahmanahood be so difficult ofattainment by the three classes (Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras), howthen did the high souled Viswamitra, O king, though a Kshatriya (bybirth), attain to the status of a Brahmana?

“Vyasa said, ‘O Yudhishthira, thy wisdom, I conceive, is not adequate.None doth any act by virtue of his own power.

“Kunti said, ‘O holy one, thou art my father-in-law and therefore, mydeity of deities. Verily, thou art my god of gods. Hear my words oftruth.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘After all the Kaurava troops had been slain by thesons of Pandu on the field of battle, what did those survivors of myarmy, Kritavarma and Kripa and the valiant son of Drona do? What also didthe wicked-souled king Duryodhana then do?’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I have heard this great narrative, O perpetuator ofKuru’s race. Thou, O foremost of eloquent men, hast said that the statusof a Brahmana is exceedingly difficult of acquisition.

“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.

“The Holy One said,–‘Regardless of fruit of action, he that performs theactions which should be performed, is a renouncer and devotee, and notone who discards the (sacrificial) fire, nor one that abstains fromaction.

Vaisampayana said,–“thus also Sahadeva, dismissed with affection by kingYudhisthira the just, marched towards the southern direction accompaniedby a mighty host. Strong in strength, that mighty prince of the Kururace, vanquishing completely at the outset the Surasenas, brought theking of Matsya under his sway.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Placing Karna at their van, thy warriors, difficult ofdefeat in fight, returned and fought (with the foe) a battle thatresembled that between the gods and the Asuras.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Discomfited before, O monarch, many a time and oftby Matsya’s Suta Kichaka aided by the Matsyas and the Salyas, the mightyking of the

“Sauti said, ‘At the very touch by Garuda of great might with his feet,the branch of the tree broke as it was caught by Garuda.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘How did the son of Srinjaya becomeSuvarnashthivin?[103] Why also did Parvata give Srinjaya that child? Andwhy did he die? When the lives of all men in those days extended for athousand years, why did Srinjaya’s son die in infancy? Or, was he in nameonly Suvarnashthivin? How also did he come to be so? I desire to know allthis.’

“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!

“The Pitris said, ‘In this connection is cited this old history. Havingheard it, thou shouldst act according to it, O foremost of all regeneratepersons.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Vrikodara, however, could not brook that slaughter of hisarmy. He struck Valhika with sixty and Karna with ten arrows. Drona then,desirous of slaying Bhima, quickly struck the latter, in his very vitals,many straight and whetted shafts of keen edge.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, learned men praise truth,self-restraint, forgiveness, and wisdom. What is thy opinion of thesevirtues?’

“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,

“Yudhishthira said, ‘It behoveth thee to explain to me, O sire, what thedifference is between the Sankhya and the Yoga system of philosophy. Oforemost one of Kuru’s race, everything is known to thee, O thou that artconversant with all duties!’

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?

YUDHISHTHIRA SAID, ‘O king thou hast duly propounded unto me, in the wayin which it should be, the path of Yoga which is approved by the wise,after the manner of a loving preceptor unto his pupil. I ask now aboutthe principles of the Sankhya philosophy.

“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.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What is that which is called Undeteriorating and byattaining to which no one has to come back?

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

“‘Vasishtha said, ‘Thus in consequence of his forgetfulness the Soulfollows ignorance and obtains thousands of bodies one after another.

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

“‘Vasishtha said, ‘It is thus, in consequence of his Ignorance and hisassociation with others that are invested with Ignorance, that Jiva hasrecourse to millions and millions of births every one of which hasdissolution in the end.

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

‘”Janaka said, O holy one, it has been said that the relation betweenmale and female is like that which subsists between the Indestructibleand the destructible (or Purusha and Prakriti). Without a male, a femalecan never conceive. Without a female a male also can never create form.

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.

‘”Janaka said, Thou hast, O foremost of Rishis, said that Unity is theattribute of that which is Akshara (Indestructible) and variety ormultiplicity is the attribute of what is known as Kshara (Destructible).

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.

“‘Vasishtha said, I have thus far discoursed to thee on the Sankhyaphilosophy. Listen now to me as I tell thee what is Vidya (knowledge) andwhat is Avidya (Ignorance), one after the other.

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