Mahabharata English

“Samvarta said, ‘How hast thou come to know me, and who has referred theeto me, do thou tell this to me truly, if thou wishest me to do what isgood to thee. And if thou speak truly, thou shalt attain all the objectsof thy desire, and shouldst thou tell a lie, thy head shall be riven in ahundred pieces.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O the best of Bharata’s race and the foremost ofgreat men, I wish to know what the fruits are of good deed. Do thouenlighten me on this point.'”

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After a long time had passed away, a Brahmana namedParnada returned to the city (of the Vidarbhas), and said unto thedaughter of Bhima, ‘O Damayanti, seeking Nala, the king of Nishadhas, Icame to the city of Ayodhya, and appeared before the son of Bhangasura.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then, on the third day, attired in white robes aftera bath, and decked in ornaments of all kinds, those great car-warriors,the five Pandava brothers, having accomplished their row, and with

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then the king with his followers, having killedthousands of animals, entered another forest with a view to hunting. Andattended by a single follower and fatigued with hunger and thirst, hecame upon a large desert on the frontiers of the forest.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘By adopting that conduct, O thou that art conversantwith every kind of behaviour, can a king succeed in easily acquiring,both here and hereafter, objects productive of happiness in the end?’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘When the Brahma-weapon was withdrawn by Krishna, atthat time, the laying-in room was illumined by thy father with hisenergy.

“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection, O perpetuator of Kuru’s race, isrecited by the righteous the narrative of the great calamity thatovertook king Nriga in consequence of his spoliation of what had belongedto a Brahmans.

“Sanjaya said, ‘When that terrible day, so fraught with the slaughter ofcreatures, departed, and when the sun set, the beautiful twilight of theevening spread itself.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus addressed by Janardana, Pritha’s son Arjuna,applauding those counsels of his friend, then vehemently addressed kingYudhishthira the just, in language that was harsh and the like of whichhe had never used before.

“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.’

Sanjaya said, “Then Bhishma the son of Santanu fought fiercely,[394]desirous of protecting the sons from the fear of Bhimasena.

“Karna said,–‘We have never heard of such an act (as this one ofDraupadi), performed by any of the women noted in this world for theirbeauty.

“Vrihadaswa continued, ‘Having heard the words of Sudeva king Rituparna,soothing Vahuka with gentle words, said, ‘O Vahuka, thou art well-skilledin training and guiding horses.

“Virata said, ‘If this one, indeed, be the Kuru king Yudhisthira the sonof Kunti, which amongst these is his brother Arjuna, and which, themighty Bhima.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The monarch then, as he proceeded, left even hisreduced retinue at the entrance of the hermitage. And entering quitealone he saw not the Rishi (Kanwa) of rigid vows.

Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grand sire, in what way should the kingprotect his subjects so as to be able to avoid grief and so as not tooffend against righteousness?’

Vaisampayana, said, ‘Hearing that the Pandavas were near, that crusher offoes, viz., Vasudeva, accompanied by his ministers, went out for seeingthem.

”Yudhishthira said, V sinless one, do thou discourse to me more indetail upon the merits that are attainable by making gifts of kine. Othou of mighty arms, I am never satiated with thy words!’

“Yudhishthira said,–O mighty-armed one, after thou hadst gone towardsthe army of the Samsaptakas, the preceptor Drona made fierce endeavoursfor seizing me.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having heard these joyful words of king Yudhishthira,Govinda of virtuous soul, that delighter of the Yadus, then addressedPartha.

“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;

Sanjaya said, “Beholding his brothers and the other kings engaged inbattle with Bhishma, Dhananjaya, with weapons upraised, rushed againstthe son of Ganga.

“Yudhishthira said,–‘O king, thou art our master. Command us as to whatwe shall do. O Bharata, we desire to remain always in obedience to thee.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Like a bird coursing through the sky, Nala sooncrossed rivers and mountains, and woods and lakes. And while the car wascoursing thus, that conqueror of hostile cities, the royal son ofBhangasura, saw his upper garment drop down on the ground.

“Virata said, ‘Why, O best among the Pandavas, dost thou not wish toaccept as wife this my daughter that I bestow upon thee?’

Kanwa continued, ‘And Sakra, thus addressed by her, then commanded himwho could approach every place (viz., the god of the wind) to be presentwith Menaka at the time she would be before the Rishi.

“Bhishma said, ‘That person, O king, who would protect the good andpunish the wicked, should be appointed as his priest by the king. In thisconnection is cited the old story about the discourse between Pururavas,the son of Aila and Matariswan.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus addressed by Krishna, Yudhishthira, the son ofDharma, endued with great intelligence, saluted Vyasa and said thesewords: ‘Do thou cause me to be initiated when the proper hour, as thoutruly knowest, comes for that rite. This my sacrifice is entirelydependent on thee.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast, O grandsire, discoursed to me the topicof gifts of kine in speaking of the Rishi Nachiketa Thou hast alsoimpliedly discoursed, O puissant one, on the efficacy and pre-eminence ofthat act.

“Sanjaya said, ‘When the spies (of Duryodhana), having heard that louduproar made by the Pandavas desirous of victory, informed (their mastersof the cause),

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having with a cheerful heart gratified king Yudhishthirathe just, Partha, prepared to slay the Suta’s son, addressed Govinda,saying, “Let my car be once more equipped and let my foremost of steedsbe yoked thereto.

“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, “Sikhandin with Virata king of the Matsyas speedilyapproached Bhishma that invincible and mighty bowman.

Janamejaya said,–“How did the sons of Dhritarashtra feel, when they cameto know that the Pandavas had, with Dhritarashtra’s leave, leftHastinapore with all their wealth and jewels?”

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After Rituparna of prowess incapable of being baffledhad, in the evening, arrived at the city of the Vidarbhas, the peoplebrought unto king Bhima the tidings (of his arrival).

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘King Dushmanta, hearing all this, said,’Well-spoken, O princess, this that thou hast said! Be my wife, Obeautiful one! What shall I do for thee?

“Bhishma said, ‘The king, with an eye to both religious merit and profitwhose considerations are often very intricate, should, without delay,appoint a priest possessed of learning and intimate acquaintance with theVedas and the (other) scriptures.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘When the hour for initiation came, all those greatRitwijas duly initiated the king in view of the horse-sacrifice.

“The Grandsire said, ‘The questions thou hast asked me in respect ofkine, beginning with their gift, are such that there is none else in thethree worlds, O thou of a hundred sacrifices, who could put them!

“Sanjaya said, ‘After Partha had vowed the death of the ruler of theSindhus, the mighty-armed Vasudeva addressed Dhananjaya and said,–Withthe consent of thy brothers (alone, but without consulting me), thou hastsworn, saying–

“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.

Sanjaya said, “King Virata then pierced that mighty car-warrior, viz.,Bhishma, with three shafts. And that great car-warrior pierced his(antagonist’s) steeds also with three shafts furnished with golden wings.

Vaisampayana said,–‘O monarch, it was then that the virtuous Gandhari,afflicted with grief on account of her affection for her sons, addressedking Dhritarashtra and said, “When Duryodhana was born, Vidura of greatintelligence had said,

“Damayanti said, ‘O Kesini, go thou and learn who that charioteer is thatsitteth by the car, unsightly and possessed of short arms.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Dushmanta had left the asylum having madethose promises unto Sakuntala, the latter of tapering thighs broughtforth a boy of immeasurable energy. And when the child was three yearsold, he became in splendour like the blazing fire.

“Bhishma said, ‘It is said that the preservation and growth of thekingdom rest upon the king. The preservation and growth of the king restupon the king’s priest.

“Vaisampayana said. ‘A battle took place between the diadem-decked(Arjuna) and the sons and grandsons of the Trigartas whose hostility thePandavas has incurred before and all of whom were well-known as mightycar-warriors.

“Indra said, ‘I wish to know, O Grandsire, what the end is that isattained by him who consciously steals a cow or who sells one frommotives of cupidity.”

“Arjuna said, ‘These six car-warriors of the Dhritarashtra army whom thouregardest to be so strong their (united) energy, I think is not equal toeven half of mine!

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these words of Keshava, O Bharata, Vibhatsu sooncast off his anxiety and became cheerful.

“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.

Sanjaya said, “Then, O king, the mighty-armed Satyaki invincible inbattle, drawing in that conflict an excellent bow capable of bearing agreat strain shot innumerable winged arrows resembling snakes of virulentpoison, displaying his wonderful lightness of hand.

Vaisampayana said,–‘The royal messenger, agreeably to the commands ofthe intelligent king Dhritarashtra, coming upon Yudhishthira, the son of Pritha who had by that time gone a great way, addressed the monarch and said,–‘Even these are the words of thy father-like uncle, O Bharata,spoken unto thee, ‘The assembly is ready.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Hearing everything, Damayanti became oppressed withgrief, and suspecting the person to be Nala, said unto Kesini, ‘O Kesini,go thou again, and examine Vahuka, and staying in silence at his sidemark thou his conduct.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, that conduct by which a kingsucceeds in aggrandising his subjects and earning regions of felicity inthe other world.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘That foremost of steeds then proceeded to the realmof Pragjyotisha and began to wander there. At this, Bhagadatta’s son, whowas exceedingly valorous in battle, came out (for encountering Arjuna).

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I have been greatly assured, O thou of puissance, bythee thus discoursing unto me of duties. I shall, however, giveexpression to the doubts I have.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Both Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, afflicted with sorrow andgrief and frequently sighing like two snakes, got no sleep that night

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘In that awful and fathomless encounter of thePandavas and the Srinjayas with the warriors of my army, when Dhananjaya,O sire, proceeded for battle, how, indeed, did the fight occur?’

“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,

Sanjaya said, “Having rested for a while, O king, both the Kurus and thePandavas, after the night had passed away, once more went out for battle.

Vaisampayana said,–“Then the vanquished sons of Pritha prepared fortheir exile into the woods. And they, one after another, in due order,casting off their royal robes, attired themselves in deer-skins.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Beholding the agitation of the virtuous and wise Nala,Kesini returned unto Damayanti and related everything unto her.

“Janamejaya said, ‘O thou of the wealth of asceticism, tell me how ourancestor Yayati, who is the tenth from Prajapati, obtained for a wife theunobtainable daughter of Sukra. I desire to hear of it in detail. Tell mealso, one after another, of those monarchs separately who were thefounders of dynasties.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, amongst Brahmanas some are engaged inthe duties proper to their order, while others are engaged in otherduties. Tell me the difference between these two classes!’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus waged that battle, O chief of the Bharatas, forthree days between Arjuna and that prince like the encounter between himof a hundred sacrifices and Vritra.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these words of the high-souled Kesava, Subhadra,afflicted with grief on account of the death of her son, began to indulgein these piteous lamentations:

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I desire, O king, to hear thee discourse in detailupon those high ordinances which regulate gifts of kine, for it is bymaking gifts (of kine) according to those ordinances that one attains toinnumerable regions of eternal felicity.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of the fierce engagement, Bhima,while fighting along, being encompassed by innumerable foes, addressedhis driver, saying, “Bear me into the midst of the Dhartarashtra host.Proceed, O charioteer, with speed, borne by these steeds.

“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,

Dhritarashtra said, “Our army is possessed of many excellencies,consisting of diverse forces, its efficiency is great.

Yudhishthira said,–‘I bid farewell unto all the Bharatas, unto my oldgrand-sire (Bhishma), king Somadatta, the great king Vahlika, Drona,Kripa, all the other kings, Aswathaman, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, all thesons of Dhritarashtra, Yayutsu, Sanjaya, and all the courtiers, I bidfare well, all of ye and returning again I shall see you.”

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Having passed that night, king Nala decked inornaments and with Damayanti by his side, presented himself in due timebefore the king.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After the expiry of the period of his vow, Kacha,having obtained his preceptor’s leave, was about to return to the abodeof the celestials, when Devayani, addressing him, said, ‘O grandson ofthe Rishi Angiras, in conduct and birth, in learning, asceticism andhumility, thou shinest most brightly.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Of whose wealth, O bull of Bharata’s race, is theking regarded to be the lord? And what conduct also should the kingadopt? Discourse to me on this, O grandsire.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘There occurred a great battle between thediadem-decked Arjuna and the hundreds of Saindhavas who still lived afterthe slaughter of their clan (on the field of Kurukshetra).

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then lord Kesava, of eyes like lotus-petals, havingentered the unrivalled mansion of Arjuna, touched water, and spread (forArjuna) on the auspicious and even floor an excellent bed of Kusa bladesthat were of the hue of the lapis lazuli.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Yudhishthira endued with humility, once againquestioned the royal son of Santanu on the subject of gifts of kine indetail.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing the roars of cars and the leonine shouts (of thewarriors) in battle, Arjuna addressed Govinda, saying, “Urge the steedsto greater speed.”

“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.

Sanjaya said, “Thou hast, O king, in consequence of thy own fault, beenovertaken by this calamity.

Vaisampayana said,–‘Then when Draupadi was about to set out she wentunto the illustrious Pritha and solicited her leave. And she also askedleave of the other ladies of the household who had all been plunged intogrief. And saluting and embracing every one of them as each deserved, shedesired to go away.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The dwellers in heaven became exceedingly glad inwelcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull ofBharata’s race, the celestials then learnt that science from Kacha andconsidered their object already achieved.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘O son of Kunti, the ruler of the Nishadhas havingdwelt there for a month, set out from that city with Bhima’s permissionand accompanied by only a few (followers) for the country of theNishadhas.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘It has been said that in seasons of distress aBrahmana may support himself by the practice of Kshatriya duties. Can he,however, at any time, support himself by the practice of the duties laiddown for the Vaisyas?’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The irresistible wielder of Gandiva, addresst forbattle, stood immovable on the field like Himavat himself.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Kunti’s son, Dhananjaya, of inconceivable prowessthinking of how to accomplish his vow, recollected the mantras (given tohim by Vyasa).

“Bhishma said, ‘In days of yore, king Saudasa born of Ikshvaku’s race,that foremost of eloquent men, on one occasion approached his familypriest, viz.,

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When our troops were broken in battle by Bhimasena,what, O Sanjaya, did Duryodhana and Subala’s son say?

“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.

Vaisampayana said,–“As soon as Vidura endued with great foresight cameunto him king Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, timidly asked hisbrother,–‘How doth Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, proceed along?

Sanjaya said, “Then king Duryodhana, regaining his senses, once morebegan to resist Bhima with showers of arrows. And once more those mightycar-warriors viz., thy sons, united together, began to fight valiantlywith Bhimasena.

“Sukra continued, ‘Know, then, O Devayani, that he that mindeth not theevil speeches of others, conquereth everything! The wise say that he is atrue charioteer who without slackening holdeth tightly the reins of hishorses.

“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After the festivities had commenced in the city thatwas full of joy and without anxiety of any kind, the king with a largeforce brought Damayanti (from her father’s home).

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What, O grandsire, should be the acts and what thebehaviour of persons employed as priests in our sacrifices? What sort ofpersons should they be, O king? Tell me all this, O foremost of speakers.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The ruler of Manipura, Vabhruvahana, hearing thathis sire Arjuna had arrived within his dominions, went out with humility,with a number of Brahmanas and some treasure in his van.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Partha, with a cheerful soul and joined hands andeyes expanded (in wonder), gazed at the god having the bull for his markand who was the receptacle of every energy.

“Vasishtha said, ‘The kine that had been created in a former agepractised the austerest penances for a hundred thousand years with thedesire of attaining to a position of great pre-eminence.