The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1 ADI PARVA SECTION LXVIII (Sambhava Parva continued)

   The Mahabharata of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1

ADI PARVA

SECTION LXVIII

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, I have, indeed, heard from thee this

account of the incarnation, according to their portions, of the gods, the

Danavas, the Rakshasas, and also of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras. I

however, again desire to hear of the dynasty of the Kurus from the very

beginning. Therefore, O Brahmana, speak of this in the presence of all

these regenerate Rishis.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'O exalted one of Bharata's race, the founder of the

Paurava line was Dushmanta gifted with great energy. And he was the

protector of the earth bounded by the four seas. And that king had full

sway over four quarters of this world. And he was the lord also of

various regions in the midst of the sea. And that great oppressor of all

foes had sway over the countries even of the Mlechchhas.

"And during his rule there were no men of mixed castes, no tillers of the

soil (for the land, of itself, yielded produce), no workers of mines (for

the surface of the earth yielded in abundance), and no sinful men. All

were virtuous, and did everything from virtuous motives, O tiger among

men. There was no fear of thieves, O dear one, no fear of famine, no fear

off disease. And all four orders took pleasure in doing their respective

duties and never performed religious acts for obtaining fruition of

desires. And his subjects, depending upon him, never entertained any

fear. And Parjanya (Indra) poured showers at the proper time, and the

produce of the fields was always pulpy and juicy. And the earth was full

of all kinds of wealth and all kinds of animals. And the Brahmanas were

always engaged in their duties and they were always truthful. And the

youthful monarch was endued with wonderful prowess and a physical frame

hard as the thunderbolt, so that he could, taking up the mountain Mandara

with its forests and bushes, support it on his arms. And he was

well-skilled in four kinds of encounters with the mace (hurling it at

foes at a distance, striking at those that are near, whirling it in the

midst of many, and driving the foe before). And he was skilled also in

the use of all kinds of weapons and in riding elephants and horses. And

in strength he was like unto Vishnu, in splendour like unto the maker of

day, in gravity like unto the ocean, and in patience, like unto the

earth. And the monarch was loved by all his subjects, and he ruled his

contented people virtuously.'"