Mahabharata English

“The holy one said, ‘It shall be, O thou of mighty arms, what thou, OPandavas, sayest, I will strive to bring about that which would bebeneficial to both the Pandavas and the Kurus.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile Arjuna, O monarch, having slain the four kindsof forces (of the enemy), and having obtained a sight of the angry son ofthe Suta in that dreadful battle, caused a river of blood to flow therethat was tawny with flesh and marrow and bones.

Vaisampayana said,–“defeated at dice, after the Pandavas had gone to thewoods, Dhritarashtra, O king, was overcome with anxiety.

Sanjaya said, “Then Abhimanyu, accompanied by Bhimasena pursuing thysons, afflicted them all.

Janamejaya said, “Having heard of Karna’s fall and the slaughter of hissons, what, O foremost of regenerate ones, did the king say, after he hadbeen a little comforted? Indeed, poignant was the grief that heexperienced, arising from the calamity that befell his sons! Tell me, Iask thee, all that the king said on that occasion!”

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O lord of Earth, I shall do as thou biddest me. Oforemost of kings, I should be further instructed by thee. Bhishma hasascended to Heaven.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘O king, having learnt the news from the messengers,Salya, accompanied by a large body of troops and by his sons, all of whomwere mighty in battle, was coming to the Pandavas.

“Dhritarashtra said,–‘Tell me truly, O Sanjaya, the names of all theVarshas, and of all the mountains, and also of all those that dwell onthose mountains.

Vaishampayana said: “As Arjuna entered the asylum of the truthful Rishi,he beheld the son of Satyavati seated in a secluded spot.

“Narada said,–‘O Yudhisthira, I shall now describe the assembly house ofYama, the son of Vivaswat, which, O son of Pritha, was built byViswakarma. Listen now to me. Bright as burnished gold, that assemblyhouse, O monarch, covers an area of much more than a hundred yojanas.

Dhritarashtra said, “While Drona’s son, that mighty car-warrior, thusproceeded towards the hostile camp, did Kripa and Bhoja stop from fear?

“Vyasa said, ‘O wise Dhritarashtra, hear what I say! I will tell theethat which is for the great good of all the Kauravas! O thou of mightyarms, it hath not pleased me that the Pandavas have gone to the forestdishonestly defeated (at dice) by Duryodhana and others!

Vaisampayana said, “Then another endued with the dreadful strength andblazing in beauty, approached king Virata, with the playful gait of thelion.

Vaishampayana said, “Even after hearing the words of Vidura, the chief ofthe Kurus, afflicted with grief on account of the death of his sons, felldown senseless on the Earth.

“Sauti said, ‘O Brahmana, Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, begot a son in thewomb of his wife Sukanya. And that son was the illustrious Pramati ofresplendent energy. And Pramati begot in the womb of Ghritachi a soncalled Ruru. And Ruru begot on his wife Pramadvara a son called Sunaka.And I shall relate to you in detail, O Brahmana, the entire history ofRuru of abundant energy. O listen to it then in full!

Vaisampayana said, “Like a person unwilling to forgive an insult, Arjunaof keen speech and prowess, and possessed of energy, betraying greatfierceness and licking the Corners of his mouth, said these words ofgrave import, smiling the while: ‘Oh, how painful, how distressing!

“Sanjaya said, ‘After that night had passed away, king Duryodhana then,addressing all thy soldiers, said, “Arm, you mighty car-warriors!”

“Samvarta said, “There is a peak named Munjaban on the summits of theHimalaya mountains, where the adorable Lord of Uma (Mahadeva) isconstantly engaged in austere devotional exercises.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Who are deserving of worship? Who are they unto whomone may bow? Who are they, O Bharata, unto whom thou wouldst bend thyhead?

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding Drona thus slaying steeds and drivers andcar-warriors and elephants, the Pandavas, without being troubled,encompassed him on all sides.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Kavya, the foremost of Bhrigu’s line, becameangry himself. And approaching Vrishaparvan where the latter was seated,began to address him without weighing his words, ‘O king,’ he said,’sinful acts do not, like the Earth, bear fruit immediately! Butgradually and secretly do they extirpate their doers.

Janamejaya said, “O holy one, after my great-grandfather Partha had goneaway from the woods of Kamyaka, what did the sons of Pandu do in theabsence of that hero capable of drawing the bow with his left hand?

“Yudhishthira said, ‘The most trifling act, O grandsire, cannot beaccomplished by any man if unaided. What then need be said of the king(who has to govern a kingdom)? What should be the behaviour and what theacts of the king’s minister? Upon whom should the king repose confidenceand upon whom should he not?’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘That lady of eyes like lotus petals, having indulgedin copious lamentations, and burning with grief, at last lost her sensesand fell down on the Earth.

“Sanjaya said, ‘While Krishna and Daruka were thus conversing together,that night, O king, passed away. (When morning dawned), king Yudhishthirarose from his bed.

“Vasishtha said, ‘Kine are yielders of ghee and milk. They are thesources of ghee and they have sprung from ghee. They are rivers of ghee,and eddies of ghee.

“Nakula said, ‘Much hath been said, O Madhava, by king Yudhishthira thejust who is conversant with morality and endued with liberality, and thouhast heard what hath been said by Falguni also.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then, O king, Dhananjaya, desirous of rescuing Kunti’sson Bhima who, assailed by many, foremost of warriors of the Kuru army,seemed to sink (under that attack), avoided,

Sanjaya said, “Then when the sun assumed a red hue, king Duryodhana,desirous of battle, rushed towards Bhima from desire of slaying him.

Vaisampayana said, ‘After some length of time, O best of monarchs,Devayani of the fairest complexion went into the same woods for purposesof pleasure. And accompanied by Sarmishtha with her thousand maids shereached the same spot and began to wander freely.

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing these words of his brothers as also ofKrishna, all of whom were anxious on account of Dhananjaya, kingYudhishthira, the just, became melancholy.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘If one does not succeed in winning over one’skinsmen and relatives (by this course), they that are intended forbecoming friends become foes. How should one, then, conduct one’s self sothat the hearts of both friends and foes may be won?’

“Arjuna said, ‘What business brought thee here, O daughter (-in-law) ofKuru’s race, and what also is the cause of the arrival on the field ofbattle of her who is the mother of the ruler of Manipura?

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then king Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, salutingDevaki’s son Janardana, and cheerfully addressed him saying ‘Hast thoupassed the night happily, O slayer of Madhu?

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, what is that which is the mostsacred of all sacred things in the world, other than that which has beenalready mentioned, and which is the highest of all sanctifying objects.’

“Sahadeva said, ‘What hath been said by the king is, indeed, eternalvirtue, but thou, O chastiser of foes, shouldst act, in such a way thatwar may certainly happen.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile ninety Kaurava car-warriors rushed for battleagainst the ape-bannered Arjuna who was advancing, borne by his steeds ofexceeding fleetness.

Sanjaya said, “Then those heroes, O king, who cherished feelings ofhostility towards one another, retired to their tents, their personscovered with blood.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Yayati then, on returning to his capital which waslike unto the city of Indra, entered his inner apartments and establishedthere his bride Devayani.

“Pulastya said, ‘O thou of excellent vows, I have been much gratifiedwith thy humility, thy self-control, and thy truth, thou blessed oneversed in morality!

“Bhishma said, ‘This that I have told thee constitutes the first means.Listen now, O Bharata to the second means.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The (sacrificial) steed, having wandered over thewhole Earth bounded by the ocean, then ceased and turned his face towardsthe city called after the elephant. Following as he did that horse, thediadem-decked Arjuna also turned his face towards the Kuru capital.

“Sanjaya said, ‘While Yudhishthira, Vasudeva, and others were thusconversing, Dhananjaya came there, desirous of beholding that foremostone of Bharata’s race, viz., the king, as also his friends andwell-wishers.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I have heard that the dung of the cow is endued withSree. I desire to hear how this has been brought about. I have doubts, Ograndsire, which thou shouldst dispel.'[381]

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing the peaceful words of the king that werefraught with both virtue and profit, king Drupada’s daughter Krishna, oflong black tresses, afflicted with great grief, applauding Sahadeva andthat mighty car-warrior Satyaki, addressed Madhava seated by his side.

Sanjaya said, “O chief of the Bharatas, Ganga’s son, once more addressingthy son who was plunged in thought, told him these delightful words,’Myself and

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the Kurus, O king, had been put to flight by themighty car-warrior Arjuna of white steeds, the Suta’s son Karna began todestroy the sons of the Pancalas with his mighty shafts, like the tempestdestroying congregated masses of clouds.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘When Devayani of sweet smiles heard of the birth ofthis child, she became jealous, and O Bharata, Sarmishtha became anobject of her unpleasant reflections. And Devayani, repairing to her,addressed her thus, ‘O thou of fair eye-brows, what sin is this thou hastcommitted by yielding to the influence of lust?’

“Pulastya said, ‘One should next proceed, O king, to the adoredKurukshetra at sight of which all creatures are freed from their sins. Heis freed from all sins who constantly sayeth, ‘I will live inKurukshetra.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What should be the characteristics, O grandsire, ofthe legislators, the ministers of war, the courtiers, the generalissimos,and the counsellors of a king!’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Worshipped by the ruler of Magadha, Pandu’s sonhaving white steeds yoked unto his car, proceeded along the south,following the (sacrificial) steed.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘After Abhimanyu’s slaughter when the next day came,what did the Pandavas, afflicted with grief and sorrow do?

“Bhishma said, ‘They who make gifts of kine, and who subsist upon theremnants of things offered as libations on the sacred fire, are regarded,O Yudhishthira, as always performing sacrifices of every kind. Nosacrifice can be performed without the aid of curds and ghee.

“Arjuna said, ‘Thou art now, O Kesava, the best friend of all the Kurus.Related with both the parties, thou art the dear friend of both.

Sanjaya said, “And when the battle was thus raging and after Susarman hadceased fighting, and the (other) heroic warriors (of the Kuru army) hadbeen routed by the high-souled son of

“Sanjaya said, ‘Fighting fiercely, prince Duhshasana achieved the mostdifficult feats in that encounter.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Yayati, then, overcome with decrepitude, returned tohis capital and summoning his eldest son Yadu who was also the mostaccomplished, addressed him thus, ‘Dear child, from the curse of Kavyacalled also Usanas, decrepitude and wrinkles and whiteness of hair havecome over me. But I have not been gratified yet with the enjoyment ofyouth.

“‘Bhishma said, ‘In this connection, O Yudhishthira, the old account of aconversation between Vrihaspati and Sakra is cited.’

“Pulastya said, ‘Then, O great king, one should proceed to the excellenttirtha of Dharma, where the illustrious god of justice had practisedhighly meritorious austerities.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The heroic son of Sakuni, who was a mightycar-warrior among the Gandharas, accompanied by a large force, proceededagainst the Kuru hero of curly hair.

“Sanjaya said, ‘I will tell thee all, for everything hath been witnessedby me with my own eyes. Listen calmly. Great is thy fault.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast, O grandsire, discoursed to me on the giftof kine that is fraught with great merit. In the case of kings observantof their duties, that gift is most meritorious.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘O smiter of foes, when Devaki’s son of mighty armsset out (for Hastinapura), ten mighty car-warriors, capable of slayinghostile heroes, fully armed, followed in his train.

Dhritarashtra said, “Many and wonderful, O Sanjaya, were the singlecombats I hear thee speak of between the Pandavas and my warriors.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the slaughter of Duhshasana, O king, ten of thysons, heroes that never retreated from battle, all of whom were greatcar-warriors, endued with mighty energy, and filled with the poison ofwrath, shrouded Bhima with their shafts.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The excellent monarch Yayati, the son of Nahusha,having received Puru’s youth, became exceedingly gratified. And with ithe once more began to indulge in his favourite pursuits to the fullextent of his desires and to the limit of his powers, according toseasons, so as to derive the greatest pleasure therefrom.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O foremost of kings, what is that method by which aking ruling his subjects may, in consequence of it, obtain greatblessedness and eternal fame?’

“Pulastya said, ‘Arriving next at the excellent tirtha called Samvedya inthe evening, and touching its waters, one surely obtaineth knowledge.Created a tirtha in days of yore by Rama’s energy, he that proceedeth toLauhitya obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having said these words, Partha set out, followingthe horse which wandered at its will.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After that fight had passed away, Drona, that foremost ofall wielders of weapons, began to array all his divisions for battle.Diverse sounds were heard, O monarch of angry heroes shouting in wrathand desirous of slaying one another.

‘The Deities said, ‘The Asura named Taraka who has received boons fromthee, O puissant one, is afflicting the deities and the Rishis. Let hisdeath be ordained by thee. O Grandsire, great has been our fear from him.O illustrious one, do thou rescue us. We have no other refuge than thee.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Meanwhile, understanding from his spies that theslayer of Madhu had set out, Dhritarashtra,

Sanjaya said, “Then when the sun attained the meridian, kingYudhishthira, beholding Srutayush, urged on his steeds. And the kingrushed at Srutayush, that chastiser of foes, striking him with ninestraight shafts of keen points.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Learning that Nakula had been deprived of his car,afflicted with arrows and mangled with the weapons of Karna’s son, andthat he had his shafts, bow, and sword cut off, these eleven formidableresisters of all foes, the five heroic sons of

“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, having thusinstalled his dear son on the throne, became exceedingly happy, andentered into the woods to lead the life of a hermit.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What should be the kind of city within which theking should himself dwell? Should he select one already made or should hecause one to be especially constructed? Tell me this O grandsire!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Having ascertained the opinion of his brothers,and of the intelligent Narada, king Yudhishthira, addressing Dhaumya, whowas like unto the Grandsire himself, said,

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Beholding those kings–lords of Earth–allconversant with the Vedas, arrive, king Yudhishthira, addressingBhimasena, said,–‘O chief of men, let proper honours be paid to thesekings who have come (to my sacrifice), for these foremost of men are allworthy of the highest honours.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the divisions of the Kuru army had been (thus)arrayed, and a loud uproar, O sire, had, arisen; after drums andMridangas began to be beaten and

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast, O grandsire, discoursed to me, in detailon the merits that attach to the gift of gold agreeably with theordinances laid down in the scriptures as indicated in the auditions ofthe Veda.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘O Vidura, Janardana hath set out from Upaplavya. Heis now staying at Vrikasthala and will come here tomorrow.

Sanjaya said, “Then the mighty Dhananjaya, struck with those shafts anddrawing long breaths like a trodden snake, cut off, with great force, bymeans of his successive shafts, the bows of those mighty car-warriors.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the gigantic and roaring Karna, incapable ofbeing resisted by the very gods, advancing like the surging sea, thatbull amongst men, viz., he of Dasharha’s race, addressed Arjuna, saying,

“Yudhishthira said, ‘How, O king, may a kingdom be consolidated, and howshould it be protected? I desire to know this. Tell me all this, O bullof Bharata’s race!’

Vaisampayana said, “Beholding the Pandavas afflicted with anxiety anddepressed in spirits, Dhaumya, who resembled Vrihaspati, spake thus,comforting them, ‘O bull of the Bharata race, O sinless one, listen to meas I mention certain sacred asylums and regions and tirthas and mountainsthat are approved of by Brahmanas.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I have heard, O Krishna, thy agreeable words. Theyare such as deserve to be spoken by thee. Gladsome and sweet as nectarare they, indeed, they fill my heart with great pleasure, O puissant one.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When the van of my army thus slaughtered by thediadem-decked (Arjuna) broke and fled, who were those heroes thatadvanced against Arjuna? (Did any of them actually fight with Arjuna, or)did all, abandoning their determination enter the Sakata array, gettingbehind the fearless Drona, resembling a solid wall?’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast discoursed to me, O thou of righteoussoul, on the duties of the four orders. Do thou, after the same manner, Qking, discourse to me now on all the ordinances respecting the Sraddha(of deceased ancestors).’

“Vidura said, ‘O monarch, O best of men, thou art respected by threeworlds. Thou, O Bharata, art loved and regarded by every body.

Sanjaya said,–“Approaching then thy son Chitrasena of great energy whohad thus been deprived of his car, thy son Vikarna caused him to mount onhis car.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding Vrishasena slain, Karna, filled with grief andrage, shed tears from his eyes for the death of his son. Endued withgreat energy, with eyes red as copper from rage, Karna proceeded in theface of his foe, having summoned Dhananjaya to battle.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘While that king of kings dwelt in heaven–the homeof the celestials, he was reverenced by the gods, the Sadhyas, theMaruts, and the Vasus. Of sacred deeds, and mind under complete control,the monarch used to repair now and then from the abode of the celestialsunto the region of Brahman. And it hath been heard by me that he dweltfor a long time in heaven.

“Yudhishthira said: ‘Tell me, O grandsire, how should the king shouldbehave if, notwithstanding his great wealth, he desires for more.’

“Dhaumya continued, ‘Listen, O Bharata, I shall now narrate to thee indetail according to my knowledge, the sacred tirthas of the south. Inthat quarter lieth the sacred and auspicious river Godavari, full ofwater abounding in groves and frequented by ascetics.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Entering the palace of the Pandavas the mighty-armedprince saluted his grand-mother in soothing and sweet accents.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Slaying the force of Duhsasana, the mighty car-warrior,Savyasachin, desirous of getting at the ruler of the Sindhus, proceededagainst the division of Drona,

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O thou of great puissance, tell me what that objectis which, if dedicated to the Pitris, becomes inexhaustible! What Havi,again, (if offered) lasts for all time? What, indeed, is that which (ifpresented) becomes eternal?'”

“Duryodhana said, ‘All that Vidura hath said about Krishna, hath indeed,been truly said; for Janardana is greatly devoted to the Pandavas and cannever be separated from them.

Sanjaya said, “Having passed the night in sound steep, those rulers ofmen, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, once more proceeded to battle.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Meanwhile the welkin, filled with gods and Nagas andAsuras and Siddhas and Yakshas and with large bands of Gandharvas andRakshasas, and Asuras and regenerate Rishis and royal sages and birds ofexcellent feathers, assumed a wonderful aspect.