Mahabharata English

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having thus slain one of their foremost warriors, andhaving been afflicted with their arrows, we came back to our encampmentin the evening, covered with blood.

Janamejaya said, “These feats of Pritha’s son endued with immeasurableenergy, were certainly marvellous. O Brahmana, what did Dhritarashtra ofgreat wisdom say, when he heard of them?”

“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?’

Dhritarashtra said,–“When that great bowman Sweta proceeded towardsSalya’s car, what did the Kauravas and the Pandavas do, O Sanjaya? Andwhat also did Bhishma the son of Santanu do? Tell me who ask thee, allthis.”

Janamejaya said,–“O thou foremost of all conversant with the Vedas, howdid that game at dice take place, fraught with such evil to the cousinsand through which my grand-sires, the son of Pandu, were plunged intosuch sorrow?

“Kripa said, ‘O Radheya, thy crooked heart always inclineth to war. Thouknowest not the true nature of things; nor dost thou take into accounttheir after-consequences.

“Bhishma said, ‘A person that is born of an irregular union presentsdiverse features of disposition.

Vaishampayana said, “The mighty chief of the Yadus, having proceeded toIndra’s tirtha, bathed there according to due rites and gave away wealthand gems unto the Brahmanas.

“Saunaka said, ‘Tell me again, in detail,–all that king Janamejaya hadasked his ministers about his father’s ascension to heaven.’

Vaisampayana said, “Then Hrishikesa and king Yudhishthira, and all thosepersons headed by Kripa, and the four Pandavas, riding on those carslooking like fortified cities and decked with standards and banners,speedily proceeded to Kurukshetra with the aid of their fleet steeds.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Piercing through the Pandava host, Karna, surrounded bythousands of cars and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers, rushedtowards king Yudhishthira the just.

“The Rishis said,–‘Which among the duties is deemed to be the mostworthy of being performed? The diverse modes of duty, we see, arecontradictory.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the slaughter of that hero, that leader ofcar-divisions, viz., the son of Subhadra, the Pandava warriors, leavingtheir cars and putting off their armour, and throwing aside their

“Sanjaya said, ‘That which hath been uttered by thee, O king, withrespect to Duryodhana is all true. Nothing that thou hast said, O lord ofthe earth, is untrue.

“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.

Dhritarashtra said, “When the generalissimo Sweta, O son, was slain inbattle by the enemy, what did those mighty bowmen, the Panchalas with thePandavas, do?

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding that tiger among men, viz., Karna, mounted onhis car, Duryodhana, O king, filled with joy, said these words, ‘Thishost, protected by thee, hath now, I think, got a proper leader. Letthat, however, be settled now which is proper and within our power.’

Vaishampayana said, “Hearing these words, O monarch, Ambika’s sonDhritarashtra, with heart agitated by grief, addressed his driverSanjaya, saying, ‘Though the evil policy, O sire, of my son of littleforesight, Vikartana’s son hath been slain!

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having received the king’s permission, kingDhritarashtra of great energy then proceeded to his own palace, followedby Gandhari. With weakened strength and slow motion, that king of greatintelligence walked with difficulty, like the leader, worn out with age,of an elephantine herd.

“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.

Vaishampayana said: “Meanwhile Daruka, going to the Kurus and seeingthose mighty car-warriors, the son of Pritha, informed them of how theVrishnis had slain one another with iron bolts.

“Dhritarashtra said,–‘The names of rivers and mountains, O Sanjaya, asalso of provinces, and all other things resting on the earth, and theirdimensions, O thou that are acquainted with the measures of things of theearth in its entirety and the forests, O Sanjaya, recount to me indetail.’

“Vaisampayana said,–“While the illustrious Pandavas were seated in thatSabha along with the principal Gandharvas, there came, O Bharata, untothat assembly the celestial Rishi Narada, conversant with the Vedas and Upanishadas, worshipped by the celestials acquainted with histories and Puranas, well-versed in all that occurred in ancient kalpas (cycles), conversant with Nyaya (logic) and the truth of moral science, possessinga complete knowledge of the six Angas (viz., pronunciation, grammar,prosody, explanation of basic terms, description of religious rites, andastronomy).

Kripa said, “A person who is bereft of intelligence and who hath not hispassions under control, cannot, even if he waits dutifully upon hissuperiors, understand all the considerations of morality.

Janamejaya said, “Bhishma and Drona, those two high-souled persons, kingDhritarashtra, and Virata and Drupada, and Sankha and Uttara.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Desirous of living in the forest, those bulls of theBharata race, the Pandavas, with their followers, setting out from thebanks of the Ganges went to the field of Kurukshetra.

“Dhritarashtra said, Tell me in detail everything about the ways of thatintelligence by which this wilderness of duties may be safely covered.

Vaisampayana said, “Girding their waists with swords, and equipped withfinger-protectors made of iguana skins and with various weapons, thoseheroes proceeded in the direction of the river Yamuna.

“Saunaka said, ‘Child, thy father formerly read the whole of the Puranas,O son of Lomaharshana, and the Bharata with Krishna-Dwaipayana. Hast thoualso made them thy study? In those ancient records are chronicledinteresting stories and the history of the first generations of the wisemen, all of which we heard being rehearsed by thy sire. In the firstplace, I am desirous of hearing the history of the race of Bhrigu.Recount thou that history, we shall attentively listen to thee.”

“Narada said, ‘Hearing of the fame of Karna’s might, the ruler of theMagadhas, king Jarasandha, challenged him to a single combat.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus addressed by the celebrated grandson of Gotama, theking (Duryodhana), breathing long and hot breaths, remained silent, Omonarch. Having reflected for a little while, the high-souled son of

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O thou that knowest the truths of religion, I wishto hear of the merits of compassion, and of the characteristics of devoutmen. Do thou, O sire, describe them to me.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O best of speakers, how that king became sopowerful? And how, O twice-born one, did he obtain so much gold? Andwhere now, O reverend sire, is all his wealth? And, O ascetic, how can wesecure the same?’

“Aswatthaman said, ‘The kine, O Karna, have not yet been won, nor havethey yet crossed the boundary (of their owner’s dominions), nor have theyyet reached Hastinapura.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What is the nature of the compassion or pity that isfelt at the sight of another’s woe?

Vaishampayana said, “In that tirtha lived in days of yore a Rishi ofvirtuous soul, named Asita-Devala, observant of the duties ofDomesticity.

‘Sauti continued, ‘The ministers said, ‘That king of kings then, spentwith hunger and exertion, and having placed the snake upon the shouldersof that Muni, came back to his capital.

“Vasudeva said, ‘Listen, O son of Kunti, to the story of Rama’s energyand powers and birth as heard by me from great Rishis discoursing uponthe subject.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the Pandava heroes rushing impetuously towardsthy host, Duryodhana, O monarch, endeavoured to check the warriors of hisarmy on all sides, O bull of Bharata race.

“Brahmana said, ‘Well then, I shall declare to you what you ask. Learnwhat was told by a preceptor to a disciple that came unto him.

“Sanjaya said, ‘While Kunti’s son, Yudhishthira, was indulging in suchlamentations, the great Rishi Krishna Dwaipayana came to him.

Janamejaya said, “Having sent the heroic sons of Pandu into exile, theselamentations, O Muni, of Dhritarashtra were perfectly futile.

“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?

Sanjaya said, “When the troops, O bull of Bharata’s race, were withdrawnon the first day, and when Duryodhana was filled with delight upon(beholding) Bhishma excited with wrath in battle, king Yudhisthira thejust, speedily repaired unto Janardana, accompanied by all his brothersand all the kings (on his side).

Duryodhana said,–‘Listen now, O Bharata, about all the most costlyarticles I saw, belonging unto the sons of Pandu, and brought one afteranother by the kings of the earth.

“Bhishma said, ‘Drona’s son observeth well, and Kripa, too observethrightly. As for Kama, it is only out of regard for the duties of theKshatriya order that he desireth to fight.

“Bhishma said, ‘King Nahusha hearing the pass to which Chyavana wasreduced, quickly proceeded to that spot accompanied by his ministers andpriest.

Vaishampayana said, “There, in that tirtha, O Bharata, where the Lord ofstars had in former days performed the rajasuya sacrifice, a great battlewas fought in which Taraka was the root of the evil.

‘Sauti said, ‘King Janamejaya having said so, his ministers expressedtheir approbation. And the monarch then expressed his determination toperform a snake-sacrifice.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Yudhishthira, hearing of those feats of Rama,became filled with wonder and said unto Janardana, O thou of Vrishni’srace, the prowess of the high-souled Rama, who in wrath had freed theearth of Kshatriyas, was like that of Sakra himself.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Exceedingly difficult of accomplishment was thatfeat, O Sanjaya, which was achieved by Bhima who caused the mighty-armedKarna himself to measure his length on the terrace of his car.

“Brahmana said, ‘Since the mind is the ruler of these five elements, inthe matter of controlling and bringing them forth, the mind, therefore,is the soul of the elements.

“Sthanu said, ‘O lord, thou hadst taken great care for creating diversecreatures. Indeed, creatures of diverse kinds were created and reared bythee. Those very creatures, again, are now being consumed through thyfire. Seeing this, I am filled with compassion. O illustrious lord, beinclined to grace.’

Vaisampayana said, “That bull among men–Dhritarashtra–the son ofAmvika, having heard of this wonderful way of life–so above that ofmen–of the sons of Pandu, was filled with anxiety and grief.

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

Sanjaya said, “Beholding the mighty and terrible array called Kraunchaformed by Pandu’s son of immeasurable energy, thy son, approaching thepreceptor, and Kripa, and Salya,

Duryodhana said,–‘O sinless one, listen to me as I describe that largemass of wealth consisting of various kinds of tribute presented untoYudhishthira by the kings of the earth.

“Bhishma said, ‘The wheel of time revolves with its divisions, viz., withKalas and Kasthas and Muhurtas and days and fortnights and months andconstellations and planets and seasons and years.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O thou of great wisdom, a doubt I have that is verygreat and that is as vast as the ocean itself.

Janamejaya said, “Why, O regenerate one, did that maiden betake herselfto ascetic penances, in days of old? For what reason did she practisepenances, and what was her vow?

“Sauti said, ‘The snake-sacrifice then commenced according to due form.And the sacrificial priests, competent in their respective dutiesaccording to the ordinance, clad in black garments and their eyes redfrom contact with smoke, poured clarified butter into the blazing fire,uttering the appropriate mantras.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Krishna fraught with Moralityand profit, Santanu’s Bhishma, answered him in the following words.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Krishna fraught with Moralityand profit, Santanu’s Bhishma, answered him in the following words.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Those Kshatriyas, O monarch, harbouring feelings ofanimosity against one another and longing to take one another’s life,began to slay one another in that battle.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After this, Krishna ordered Daruka, saying–Let mycar be yoked.–Within a very short space of time Daruka informed (hismaster), saying,–It has been yoked.–The son of Pandu then commanded allhis attendants, saying,–Prepare yourselves and be ready.

“Narada said, ‘The helpless lady, suppressing her arrow within her ownself, addressed, with joined hands, the Lord of the creation, bendingwith humility like a creeper.

Janamejaya said, “When the high-souled Partha went to Indra’s region forobtaining weapons, what did Yudhishthira and the other sons of Pandu do?”

“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, “When mine and the hostile hosts were thus formedinto battle array, how did the foremost of smiters begin to strike?”

Duryodhana said,–“Those king that are revered over all the world, whoare devoted to truth and who are pledged to the observance of rigid vows,

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After the Kauravas, O Bharata, had taken their standin this order, Arjuna, filling the air with the rattle and din of hiscar, advanced quickly towards them.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘After the Rishi had disappeared, what did the kingdo and what also did highly-blessed spouse do? Tell me this, O grandsire!’

“The Rishis said, ‘O Rama, this Samantapanchaka is said to be the eternalnorthern altar of Brahman, the Lord of all creatures.

“Saunaka asked, ‘What great Rishis became the Ritwiks at thesnake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava line? Who alsobecame the Sadasyas in that terrible snake-sacrifice, so frightful to thesnakes, and begetting such sorrow in them? It behoveth thee to describeall these in detail, so that, O son of Suta, we may know who wereacquainted with the rituals of the snake-sacrifice.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The slayer of Madhu, retiring to his bed, slepthappily. Awaking when half a Yama was wanting to usher in the day, headdressed himself to contemplation. Fixing all his senses, he meditatedon the eternal Brahma.

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that battle in which so manyKshatriyas sank down, the loud twang of Gandiva, O sire, was heard abovethe din on that spot, O king, where the son of Pandu was engaged inslaughtering the samsaptakas, the Kosalas, and the Narayana forces.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘As he of Vrishni’s race was proceeding to Dwaraka,those foremost princes of Bharata’s race, those chastisers of foesembraced him and fell back with their attendants.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing of the origin of Death and her strange acts, kingYudhishthira, humbly addressing Vyasa, once more said these words untohim.’

Vrihadaswa said, “There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena. Andhe was strong, and handsome, and well-versed in (the knowledge of)horses, and possessed of every desirable accomplishment.

“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.

Dhritarashtra said, “Tell me, O Sanjaya, how that great bowman Drona andthe Panchala prince of Prishata’s race encounter each other in battle,each striving his best.

“Dhritrashtra said,–Thou art my eldest son and born also of my eldestwife. Therefore, O son, be not jealous of the Pandavas. He that isjealous is always unhappy and suffereth the pangs of death.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having disorganised the hostile host by force andhaving recovered the kine, that foremost of bowmen, desirous of fightingagain, proceeded towards Duryodhana.

“Sauti said, ‘Then the snake-dame Jaratkaru, calling her own son, toldhim the following words according to the directions of Vasuki, the kingof the snakes. ‘O son, the time is come for the accomplishment of thatobject for which I was bestowed on thy father by my brother. Therefore,do thou that which should be done.’

“Bhishma said, ‘When that night passed away, the high-souled king Kusikaawoke and went through his morning rites.

Vaishampayana said, “Having visited Kurukshetra and given away wealththere, he of the Satwata race then proceeded, O Janamejaya, to a largeand exceedingly beautiful hermitage.

“Janamejaya said, ‘When that tiger among men, of righteous soul and greatenergy, firmly adhering to truth and with passions under completecontrol, viz., the son of Santanu and Ganga, named Devavrata or Bhishmaof unfading glory, lay on a hero’s bed with the sons of Pandu sittingaround him,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Kritavarma, and Kripa, and the son of Drona and theSuta’s son, O sire, and Uluka, and Subala’s son (Shakuni), and the kinghimself, with his uterine brothers, beholding the (Kuru) army afflictedwith the fear of

“Utanka said, ‘Do thou, O Kesava, tell me that faultless Adhyatma. Havingheard thy discourse I shall ordain what is for thy good or denounce acurse to thee, O Janarddana.’

“Narada said, ‘King Suhotra also, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell a prey todeath. He was the foremost of heroes, and invincible in battle. The verygods used to come for seeing him.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘O Bharata, hearing those words of the swan, Damayantithenceforth lost all peace of mind on account of Nala. And heavingfrequent sighs she was filled with anxiety, and became melancholy andpale-faced and lean.

“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.

Dhritarashtra said, “How did the ruler of the Kalingas, that commander ofa large division, urged by my son, and supported by his troops, fight inbattle with the mighty Bhimasena of wonderful feats, that hero wanderingover the field of battle with his mace like Death himself club in hand?”

“Duryodhana said,–‘He that is devoid of intellect but hath merely heardof many things, can scarcely understand the real import of thescriptures, like the spoon that hath no perception of the taste of thesoup it toucheth.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After the son of Radha had fled from the field,other warriors headed by Duryodhana, one after another, fell upon the sonof Pandu with their respective divisions.

“Astika said, ‘Soma and Varuna and Prajapati performed sacrifices of oldin Prayaga. But thy sacrifice, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son ofParikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear unto us beblessed! Sakra performed a hundred sacrifices.

“Chyavana said, ‘Do thou accept a boon from me. Do thou also, O chief ofmen, tell me what the doubt is that is in thy mind. I shall certainlyaccomplish all thy purposes.’

Vaishampayana said, “Even thus, O Janamejaya, did that terrible battletake place. King Dhritarashtra, in great sorrow, said these words withreference to it:

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Endued with great energy, the delighter of the Kurus(viz., Bhishma), said, ‘I shall discourse on the subject of duty.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile the son of Drona (Ashvatthama), beholdingYudhishthira protected by the grandson of Sini (Satyaki) and by theheroic sons of