Chapter 349
Janamejaya said, “The illustrious Hari becomes gracious unto them thatare devoted to him with their whole souls. He accepts also all worshipthat is offered to Him agreeably to the ordinance.
Janamejaya said, “The illustrious Hari becomes gracious unto them thatare devoted to him with their whole souls. He accepts also all worshipthat is offered to Him agreeably to the ordinance.
“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.
“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.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O Vrikodara, there are mighty and powerful invisiblespirits at this place. We shall, however, pass it, through the merit ofour asceticism and Agnihotra sacrifices.
“Dhritarashtra said, A mere child in years, brought up in great luxury,proud of the strength of his arms, accomplished in battle, endued withgreat heroism, the perpetuator of his race, and prepared to lay down hislife–when Abhimanyu penetrated into the Katirava army, borne on histhree-years old steeds of spirited mettle, was there any of greatwarriors, in Yudhishthira’s army, that followed the son of Arjuna?’
“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.
Janamejaya said, “The Sankhya system, the Pancharatra scriptures, and theAranyaka-Vedas,–these different systems of knowledge or religion,–Oregenerate Rishi, are current in the world.
“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.’
“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.
“Lomasa said, ‘O descendant of Bharata, O king, now hast thou left behindthe mountains Usiravija, Mainaka and Sweta, as well as the Kala hills, Oson of Kunti, O bull among the descendants of Bharata, here flow beforethee the seven Gangas.