Chapter 291
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O mighty sage, I do not so much grieve for myself orthese my brothers or the loss of my kingdom as I do for this daughter ofDrupada.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O mighty sage, I do not so much grieve for myself orthese my brothers or the loss of my kingdom as I do for this daughter ofDrupada.
“Manu said, ‘When the fivefold attributes are united with the five sensesand the mind, then is Brahma seen by the individual like a thread passingthrough a gem.
Dhritarashtra said, “How did the ruler of the Kalingas, that commander ofa large division, urged by my son, and supported by his troops, fight inbattle with the mighty Bhimasena of wonderful feats, that hero wanderingover the field of battle with his mace like Death himself club in hand?”
Vaishampayana said: “While the Vrishnis and the Andhakas were thusendeavouring (to avoid the impending calamity), the embodied form of Time(death) every day wandered about their houses.
“Saunaka said, ‘O Sauti, relate once more in detail this history of thelearned and virtuous Astika. Our curiosity for hearing it is great. Oamiable one, thou speakest sweetly, with proper accent and emphasis; andwe are well-pleased with thy speech. Thou speakest even as thy father.Thy sire was ever ready to please us. Tell us now the story as thy fatherhad related it.’
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When all the foremost of my warriors, O Sanjayahave perished, I do not think that the remnant of my army will notperish!
Vaisampayana said, “Vyasa then dispelled the grief of the eldest son ofPandu., who, burning with sorrow on account of the slaughter of hiskinsmen, had resolved to make an end of himself.”
“Markandeya said, ‘It was thus, O mighty-armed one, that Rama ofimmeasurable energy had suffered of old such excessive calamity inconsequence of his exile in the woods!
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, O thou of great wisdom, I desire tohear in detail, O chief of the Bharatas, of that lotus-eyed andindestructible one, who is the
Sanjaya said, “When the forenoon of that day had passed away, O Bharata,and when the destruction of cars, elephants, steeds, foot-soldiers andhorse-soldiers, proceeded on, the prince of Panchala engaged himself inbattle with these three mighty car-warriors, viz.,