Chapter 129
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Meanwhile the Kauravas and the Pandavas, afterhaving thus sported there, set out, without Bhima, for Hastinapura, someon horses, some on elephants, while others preferred cars and otherconveyances.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Meanwhile the Kauravas and the Pandavas, afterhaving thus sported there, set out, without Bhima, for Hastinapura, someon horses, some on elephants, while others preferred cars and otherconveyances.
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Excellent, O Sanat-sujata, as this thy discourseis, treating of the attainment of Brahman and the origin of the universe.I pray thee, O celebrated Rishi, to go on telling me words such as these,that are unconnected with objects of worldly desire and are, therefore,rare among men.’
Vaisampayana continued, “And the powerful Bhimasena, having thus comeunder the power of the snake, thought of its mighty and wonderfulprowess; and said unto it, ‘Be thou pleased to tell me, O snake, who thouart.
“The Rishis said,–‘Which among the duties is deemed to be the mostworthy of being performed? The diverse modes of duty, we see, arecontradictory.
“Janamejaya said, ‘O Brahmana, it behoveth thee to relate to meeverything about the birth of Kripa. How did he spring from a clump ofheath? Whence also did he obtain his weapons?’
“Sanat-sujata said, ‘Sorrow, anger, covetousness, lust, ignorance,laziness, malice, self-importance, continuous desire of gain, affection,jealousy and evil speech,–these twelve, O monarch, are grave faults thatare destructive of men’s lives.
Janamejaya said, “How was it, O sage! that Bhima, of mighty prowess andpossessing the strength of ten thousand elephants, was stricken withpanic at (the sight of) that snake?
“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.
‘Yajnavalkya said, Listen now to me, with attention, O king, as to whatthe places are to which those who die have to go.