Mahabharata English

Vaishampayana said, “Having said these words, Gandhari, though staying onthat spot which was distant from the field of battle, beheld, with herspiritual eye, the slaughter of the Kurus.

Vaisampayana said, “After the conclusion of Arjuna’s speech, Bhimasena ofgreat wrath and energy, mustering all his patience, said these words untohis eldest brother, ‘Thou art, O monarch, conversant with all duties.

“Janamejaya said, “When the high-souled Kesava and Arjuna after slayingtheir enemies repaired to the assembly rooms, what conversation, Oregenerate one, took place between them?’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding that army of thine exceedingly broken, thevaliant Vrishasena, single-handed, began to protect it, O king,displaying the illusion of his weapons.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then, O lord, thy troops, with Shalya at their head, oncemore rushed against the Parthas in that battle with great impetuosity.

“Upamanyu said, ‘There was in the Krita age, O sire, a Rishi celebratedunder the name of Tandi. With great devotion of heart he adored, with theaid of Yoga-meditation, the great God for ten thousand years.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘It behoveth thee, O slayer of Madhu, to expound tome that knowledge which thou hast acquired through the grace of Durvasa!O foremost of all persons endued with intelligence, I desire to knoweverything about the high blessedness and all the names of thathigh-souled one truly and in detail![616]

“Vaisampayana said, “On hearing these words of the Brahmana, his wifesaid, ‘Thou shouldst not, O Brahmana, grieve like an ordinary man. Nor isthis the time for mourning. Thou hast learning; thou knowest that all menare sure to die; none should grieve for that which is inevitable. Wife,son, and daughter, all these are sought for one’s own self.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, O thou of virtuous soul, what, indeed,is said to be productive of great merit[458] for a person attentivelyengaged in the study of the Vedas and desirous of acquiring virtue?

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that fierce and terrible battle,when the world was enveloped with darkness and dust, O king, thecombatants, as they stood on the field, could not see one another.

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing various sounds resounding in the caves of themountain and not seeing Bhimasena, Kunti’s son, Ajatasatru and the twinsons of Madri and Dhaumya and Krishna and all the Brahmanas and thefriends (of the Pandavas), were filled with anxiety.

“Janamejaya said, ‘After the soldiers had been arrayed thus in order ofbattle (on the field of Kurukshetra), what, O bull among Brahmanas, didthe Kauravas then do, urged as they were by destiny itself?’

“Vasudeva said, ‘O mighty-armed Yudhishthira, listen to me as I recite tothee the many names of Rudra as also the high blessedness of thathigh-souled one.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘On hearing these words of her afflicted parents, thedaughter was filled with grief, and she addressed them, saying, ‘Why areyou so afflicted and why do you so weep, as if you have none to lookafter you? O, listen to me and do what may be proper.

“Bhishma said, ‘They that are possessed of knowledge say that everythinghas penance for its root.

“Sanjaya said, ‘When the field of battle which had before been envelopedin darkness and dust had thus become illuminated, heroic warriorsencountered one another, desirous of taking one another’s life.[218]

“The lord of treasures said, ‘O Yudhishthira, patience, ability,(appropriate) time and place and prowess–these five lead to success inhuman affairs. O Bharata, in the Krita Yuga, men were patient and able intheir respective occupations and they knew how to display prowess.

“Sanjaya said, ‘After the high-souled Pandavas, O king, had encamped bythe side of the Hiranwati, the Kauravas also fixed their camps.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Krishna, the son of Devaki, had said thesewords, Yudhishthira once more asked Bhishma the son of Santanu, saying,’O thou of great intelligence; O foremost of all persons conversant withduties, which, indeed, of the two, direct perception and the scriptures,is to be regarded as authority for arriving at a conclusion?’

‘Kunti said, ‘I desire to learn from you the cause of this grief, for Iwill remove it, if possible.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Brahmanas and Rishis and Pitris and the gods allapplaud the duty of truth. I desire to hear of truth. Discourse to meupon it, O grandsire! What are the indications, O king, of truth? How mayit be acquired? What is gained by practising truth, and how? Tell me allthis.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that terrible nocturnalengagement, O king, which was fraught with an indiscriminate carnage,Dharma’s son Yudhishthira, addressed the Pandavas, the Panchalas, and theSomakas.

Vaisampayana continued, “Then, O represser of foes, at sunrise, havingfinished his daily devotions, Dhaumya came unto the Pandavas, withArshtishena.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having reached the Pandava camp, the gambler’s son(Uluka) presented himself before the Pandavas, and addressingYudhishthira said, ‘Thou art fully conversant with what envoys say!

“Yudhishthira said, ‘It is seen that if a person happens to beunfortunate, he fails to acquire wealth, how great so ever his strength.

“Kunti said, Grieve not at all, O Brahmana, on account of this danger. Isee a way by which to rescue thee from that Rakshasa. Thou hast only oneson, who, besides, is of very tender years, also only one daughter, youngand helpless, so I do not like that any of these, or thy wife, or eventhyself should go unto the Rakshasa. I have five sons, O Brahmana, letone of them go, carrying in thy behalf tribute of that Rakshasa.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O thou of great wisdom, everything aboutthat from which spring wrath and lust, O bull of Bharata’s race, andsorrow and loss of judgment, and inclination to do (evil to others), andjealousy and malice and pride, and envy, and slander, and incapacity tobear the good of others, and unkindness, and fear. Tell me everythingtruly and in detail about all these.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Bhuri, O king, in that battle, resisted that foremost ofcar-warriors, viz., the grandson of Sini, who advanced like an elephanttowards a lake full of water.

Vaisampayana continued, “Dwelling in that best of mountains thosehigh-souled ones observing excellent vows, felt themselves attracted (tothat place), and diverted themselves, eager to behold Arjuna.

“Sanjaya said, ‘O monarch, provoking Arjuna still further who was like asnake of virulent poison, by means of those wordy strokes of his Ulukaonce more repeated the words he had once spoken.

“Bhishma said, ‘If one does acts oneself that are good or causes othersto accomplish them, one should then expect to attain to the merits ofrighteousness.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I know what benevolence is, in consequence of myobservation of persons that are good.

‘Sanjaya said, ‘Karna, the son of Vikartana,[222] O king, resisted themighty car-warrior Sahadeva in that battle, who advanced from desire ofgetting at Drona.

Vaisampayana continued, “And it came to pass that once a day as thosemighty charioteers were thinking of Arjuna, seeing Mahendra’s car, yokedwith horses of the effulgence of lightning, arrive all on a sudden,

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having heard those words of Duryodhana, Gudakesha ofgreat fame looked at the gambler’s son with eyes exceedingly red.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘That perpetuator of Kuru’s race, viz., Yudhishthirathe son of Pandu, desirous of obtaining such good as is destructive ofsins, questioned Bhishma who was lying on a bed of arrows, (in thefollowing words).’

“Having heard these words of his mother, Yudhishthira said, ‘What thou, Omother, hast deliberately done, moved by compassion for the afflictedBrahmana, is, indeed, excellent Bhima will certainly come back with life,after having slain the cannibal, inasmuch as thou art, O mother, alwayscompassionate unto Brahmanas.

“Bhishma said, ‘For enabling such pious and impoverished Brahmanas ashave been robbed of their wealth (by thieves), as are engaged in theperformance of sacrifices, as are well conversant with all the

“Sanjaya said, ‘The ruler of the Madras shrouded on all sides, withclouds of shafts, Virata with his troops, who was proceeding quickly forgetting at Drona.

Vaisampayana said, “Then when the night had been spent, Dhananjaya,together with his brothers, paid homage unto Yudhishthira the just.

‘Sanjaya said, ‘Having listened to Uluka’s words, Yudhishthira, the sonof Kunti, moved his army headed by Dhrishtadyumna and others.

“Janamejaya said, ‘When that foremost person among the Kauravas, viz.,Bhishma, was lying on a bed of arrows,–a bed that is always coveted byheroes,–and when the Pandavas, were sitting around him, my greatgrandsire Yudhishthira of much wisdom, heard these expositions ofmysteries with respect to the subject of duty and had all his doubtssolved.

“Vaisampayana said ‘Then Vaka, huge as a mountain, thus broken (onBhima’s knee), died, uttering frightful yells. Terrified by these sounds,the relatives of that Rakshasa came out, O king, with their attendants.Bhima, that foremost of smiters, seeing them so terrified and deprived ofreason, comforted them and made them promise (to give up cannibalism),saying, ‘Do not ever again kill human beings.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Upon the completion of this discourse, Nakula whowas an accomplished swordsman thus questioned the Kuru grandsire lying onhis bed of arrows.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Thy son, Chitrasena, O Bharata, resisted (Nakula’s son)Satanika who was engaged in scorching thy host with his keen shafts.Nakula’s son pierced Chitrasena with five arrows.

Vaisampayana continued, “When Sakra had gone to his proper place,Vibhatsu together with his brothers and Krishna, paid homage unto the sonof Dharma.

“Dhritarashtra said, After Falguni had vowed the slaughter of Bhishma inbattle, what did my wicked sons headed by Duryodhana do?

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then the royal son of Kunti, having duly honouredthe citizens and the inhabitants of the province, dismissed them to theirrespective homes.

After this citizens returned to their respective houses and the Pandavascontinued to dwell at Ekachakra as before.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘When Bhishma, after having said this, became silent,Yudhishthira (and the others) returned home.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Against Nakula who was engaged in smiting thy host,Suvala’s son (Sakuni) in wrath, rushed with great impetuosity andaddressing him, said,

“Arjuna said, ‘O Bharata, by the grace of that god of gods the SupremeSoul, Tryamvaka, I passed the night at that place. And having passed thenight, when I had finished the morning rituals, I saw that foremost ofthe Brahmanas whom I had seen before.

“Bhishma said, ‘Sudhakshina, the ruler of the Kamvojas, is in myjudgment, equal to a single Ratha. Desiring the success of thy object, hewill certainly fight with the enemy in battle.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having said so unto all the Kurus, Bhishma, the sonof Santanu, remained silent for sometime, O chastiser of foes He thenheld forth his life-breaths successively in those parts of his body whichare indicated in Yoga.

“The Brahmana said, ‘At that region where the Ganga entered the plainsthere lived a great Rishi, devoted to the austerest of penances. Of rigidvows and great wisdom, he bore the name Bharadwaja. One day, on coming tothe Ganga to perform his ablutions, the Rishi saw the Apsara Ghritachi,who had come before, standing on the bank after her ablutions were over.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, O thou that art possessed of greatwisdom, I shall ask thee a question.

“Sanjaya said, ‘In that fierce and terrible battle, Dhrishtadyumna, Oking, proceeded against Drona.

“Arjuna continued, ‘Then at places eulogised by the Maharshis, I(proceeded, and at length) beheld the ocean–that inexhaustible lord ofwaters. And like unto flowing cliffs were seen on it heaving billows, nowmeeting together and now rolling away.

“Bhishma said, ‘This thy maternal uncle Sakuni is, O king, equal to asingle Ratha. Having caused the (present) hostilities (to break out) withthe sons of Pandu, he will fight.

“The Brahmana continued, ‘King Drupada (after this), distressed at heart,wandered among many asylums of Brahmanas in search of superior Brahmanaswell-skilled in sacrificial rites. Overwhelmed with grief and eagerlyyearning for children, the king always said, ‘Oh, I have no offspringsurpassing all in accomplishments.’

“Bhishma said, ‘After that night had passed away and that best ofBrahmanas had left the house, Gautama, issuing from his abode, began toproceed towards the sea, O Bharata!

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then all those kings of thy army, incapable of beingeasily defeated in battle, angrily proceeded against Yuyudhana’s car,unable to brook (his feats).

“Arjuna continued, ‘Then, O Bharata, vehemently rushed at me in battle ina body the Nivata-Kavachas, equipped with arms.

“Bhishma said, ‘Both the brothers Achala and Vrisha are Rathas.Invincible (in battle) they will slay thy foes. Endued with greatstrength, those tigers among men, those foremost of Gandharvas, are firmin wrath.

“Kunti said, ‘It is even so, O mighty-armed son of Pandu, as thou sayest.Ye kings, formerly when ye were cheerless, it was even in this way that Iexcited you all.

“Salya said, ‘Now when the great Indra, the intelligent chief of thegods, was deliberating with the guardians of the world and other deitiesupon the means of slaying Nahusha, there appeared at that spot thevenerable ascetic Agastya.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then occurred that battle between Arjuna and Ashvatthamaresembling the planets Shukra and Brihaspati in splendour, like thebattle between Shukra and Brihaspati in the firmament for entering thesame constellation.

Sanjaya said,–“Just as the holy Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa had said, inthat very manner the kings of the Earth, mustered together, came to theencounter.

“Vasudeva said,–‘Arjuna hath indicated what the inclination should be ofone that is born in the Bharata race, especially of one who is the son ofKunti. We know not when death will overtake us, in the night or in theday.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus insulted by the Suta’s son, that illustriousprincess, the beautiful Krishna, eagerly wishing for the destruction ofVirata’s general, went to her quarters.

Vaishampayana said, “After all the troops had been slain during the hourof sleep by those three car-warriors, king Yudhishthira in great griefsaid these words unto him of Dasharha’s race:

“Vasudeva continued, ‘O bull of the Bharata race, having spoken thus untothe Yadavas, the son of Rukmini (Pradyumna) ascended his golden car.

“Sauti said, ‘O ascetic, about this time the two sisters saw approachingnear, that steed of complacent appearance named Uchchaihsravas who wasworshipped by the gods, that gem of steeds, who arose at the churning ofthe Ocean for nectar. Divine, graceful, perpetually young, creation’smaster-piece, and of irresistible vigour, it was blest with everyauspicious mark.’

Vaishampayana said, “Beholding Duryodhana, Gandhari, deprived of hersenses by grief, suddenly fell down on the earth like an uprootedplantain tree.

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Discontent, heedless attachment to earthly goods,the absence of tranquillity, might, folly, vanity, and anxiety,–affectedby these sins, O Bhima, thou covetest sovereignty.

“Vasudeva said, touching the feet of that sage, the Brahmana asked himsome questions that were exceedingly difficult to answer. That foremostof all righteous persons then discoursed on those duties that werereferred to.

“Sanjaya said, ‘The troops of both the armies, having proceeded to theirtents, duly took up their quarters, O king, according to the divisionsand the sub-divisions to which they belonged.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Taking up another bow that was very strong and muchtougher, the ruler of the Madras pierced Yudhishthira and roared like alion.

“Vasudeva said, ‘Concentrating his mind, O Yudhishthira. the regenerateRishi Upamanyu, with hands joined together in reverence uttered thisabstract of names (applying to Mahadeva), commencing from the beginning.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of the Brahmana, the sons ofKunti seemed to be, as it were, pierced with darts. Indeed, all thosemighty heroes lost their peace of mind.

“Bhishma said, ‘Hearing these sweet words, Gautama became filled withwonder. Feeling at the same time a great curiosity, he eyed Rajadharmanwithout being able to withdraw his gaze from him.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding his own army routed while being slaughtered bythose illustrious heroes, thy son, well-acquainted with words, O monarch,quickly repairing unto Karna and Drona, that foremost of all victors inbattle, wrathfully said these words,

“Arjuna said, ‘Then with rocks of the proportions of trees, therecommenced a mighty shower of crags; and this exercised me exceedingly.

“Bhishma said, ‘I have now, O king, indicated who thy Rathas are and whothy Atirathas and half Rathas. Listen now to the tale of Rathas andAtirathas among the Pandavas.

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Then Kunti spoke unto Bhimasena and Arjuna andthe twins regarding the journey to Panchala. They all said, ‘So be it.’Then, O king, Kunti with her sons saluted the Brahmana (in whose housethey had dwelt) and set out for the delightful town of the illustriousDrupada.’

“Bhishma said, ‘Led into a spacious apartment, Gautama was introduced tothe king of the Rakshasas.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Karna, that slayer of hostile heroes, beholdingPrishata’s son in battle, struck him on the chest with ten shafts capableof penetrating into the very vitals.

“Arjuna continued, ‘Remaining invisible the Daityas began to fight withthe help of illusion. And I too fought with them, resorting to the energyof visible weapons.

“Bhishma said, ‘All the five sons of Draupadi, O monarch, are Maharathas.Virata’s son Uttara is, in my judgment, one of the foremost of Rathas.The mighty-armed Abhimanyu is a leader of leaders of car-divisions.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Vyasa had gone away, those bulls among men,the Pandavas, saluted the Brahmana and bade him farewell, and proceeded(towards Panchala) with joyous hearts and with their mother walkingbefore them.

“Bhishma said, ‘There, under that banian, for the protection of hisguest, the prince of birds had kindled and kept up a fire with high andblazing flames.[496] On one side of the fire, the bird slept trustfully.

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the mighty-armed Ghatotkacha, O king,proceeding towards the car of Suta’s son, Karna for slaughtering him inbattle, thy son Duryodhana addressing Duhsasana, said these words,

“Arjuna continued, ‘Then while returning, I happened to descry a mightyunearthly city, moving at will, and having the effulgence of fire or thesun.

“Bhishma said, ‘That subjugator of hostile cities, Sikhandin, the son ofthe king of the Panchalas, is, O king, in my judgment, one of theforemost of Yudhishthira’s Rathas.

“Arjuna said, ‘Thou hast addressed me (more than once) as Tapatya. Itherefore wish to know what the precise significance of this word is, Ovirtuous Gandharva, being sons of Kunti, we are, indeed, Kaunteyas. Butwho is Tapati that we should be called Tapatyas?’

“Bhishma said, ‘The Rakshasa king then caused a funeral pyre to be madefor that prince of cranes and adorned it with jewels and gems, andperfumes, and costly robes.

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘How, indeed, did that battle take place when atdead of night Vikartana’s son, Karna, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkachaencountered each other?

“Arjuna continued, ‘Then firmly confident, the sovereign of thecelestials considering as his own, pertinently said these words unto mewounded by cleaving shafts, ‘All the celestial weapons,

“Bhishma said, ‘O great king, Rochamana is another Maharatha of thePandavas. He will, O Bharata, contend in battle against hostile warriors,like a second god.