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

 The Mahabharata of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1

ADI PARVA

 SECTION CLXXIII

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"Arjuna said, 'Thou hast addressed me (more than once) as Tapatya. I

therefore wish to know what the precise significance of this word is, O

virtuous Gandharva, being sons of Kunti, we are, indeed, Kaunteyas. But

who is Tapati that we should be called Tapatyas?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the Gandharva related to

Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, the (following) story well-known in the

three worlds.'

"The Gandharva said, 'O son of Pritha, O foremost of all intelligent men,

I will duly recite to you in full this charming narrative. O, listen with

attention to what I say in explanation of why I have addressed thee as

Tapatya. That one in heaven who pervadeth by his light the whole

firmament had a daughter named Tapati equal unto himself. Tapati, the

daughter of the god Vivaswat, was the younger sister of Savitri, and she

was celebrated throughout the three worlds and devoted to ascetic

penances. There was no woman amongst the celestials, the Asuras, the

Yakshas, the Rakshasas, the Apsaras, and the Gandharvas, who was equal to

her in beauty. Of perfect, symmetrical and faultless features, of black

and large eyes, and in beautiful attire, the girl was chaste and of

perfect conduct. And, O Bharata, seeing her Savitri (the sun) thought

that there was none in the three worlds who, for his beauty,

accomplishments, behaviour, and learning, deserved to be her husband.

Beholding her attain the age of puberty and, therefore, worthy of being

bestowed on a husband, her father knew no peace of mind, always thinking

of the person he should select. At that time, O son of Kunti, Riksha's

son, that bull amongst the Kurus, the mighty king Samvarana, was duly

worshipping Surya with offerings of Arghya and flower-garlands and

scents, and with vows and fasts and ascetic penances of various kinds.

Indeed, Samvarana was worshipping Surya constantly in all his glory, with

devotion and humility and piety. And beholding Samvarana conversant with

all rules of virtue and unequalled on earth for beauty, Surya regarded

him as the fit husband for his daughter, Tapati. And, O thou of Kuru's

race, Vivaswat then resolved to bestow his daughter on that best of

kings, viz., Samvarana, the scion of a race of world-wide fame. As Surya

himself in the heavens filleth the firmament with his splendour, so did

king Samvarana on earth fill every region with the splendour of his good

achievements. And all men, O Partha, except Brahmanas, worshipped

Samvarana. Blest with good luck, king Samvarana excelled Soma in soothing

the hearts of friends and Surya in scorching the hearts of foes. And, O

Kaurava, Tapana (Surya) himself was resolved upon bestowing his daughter

Tapati upon king Samvarana, who was possessed of such virtues and

accomplishments.

"Once on a time, O Partha, king Samvarana, endued with beauty (of person)

and immeasurable prowess, went on a hunting expedition to the under-woods

on the mountain-breast. While wandering in quest of deer, the excellent

steed the king rode, overcome, O Partha, with hunger, thirst and fatigue,

died on the mountains. Abandoning the steed, the king, O Arjuna, began to

wander about upon the mountain-breast on foot and in course of his

wandering the monarch saw a maiden of large eyes and unrivalled beauty,

That grinder of hostile host--that tiger among kings--himself without a

companion, beholding there that maiden without a companion, stood

motionless gazing at her steadfastly. For her beauty, the monarch for

some moment believed her to be (the goddess) Sri herself. Next he

regarded her to be the embodiment of the rays emanating from Surya. In

splendour of her person she resembled a flame of fire, though in

benignity and loveliness she resembled a spotless digit of the moon. And

standing on the mountain-breast, the black-eyed maiden appeared like a

bright statue of gold. The mountain itself with its creepers and plants,

because of the beauty and attire of that damsel, seemed to be converted

into gold. The sight of that maiden inspired the monarch with a contempt

for all women that he had seen before. By beholding her, the king

regarded his eye-sight truly blessed. Nothing the king had seen from the

day of his birth could equal, he thought, the beauty of that girl. The

king's heart and eyes were captivated by that damsel, as if they were

bound with a cord and he remained rooted to that spot, deprived of his

senses. The monarch thought that the artificer of so much beauty had

created it only after churning the whole world of gods Asuras and human

beings. Entertaining these various thoughts, king Samvarana regarded that

maiden as unrivalled in the three worlds for wealth of beauty.

"And the monarch of pure descent, beholding the beautiful maiden, was

pierced with Kama's (Cupid's) shafts and lost his peace of mind. Burnt

with the strong flame of desire the king asked that charming maiden,

still innocent, though in her full youth, saying, 'Who art thou and

whose? Why also dost thou stay here? O thou of sweet smiles, why dost

thou wander alone in these solitary woods? Of every feature perfectly

faultless, and decked with every ornament, thou seemest to be the coveted

ornament of these ornaments themselves! Thou seemest not to be of

celestial or Asura or Yaksha or Rakshasa or Naga or Gandharva or human

origin. O excellent lady, the best of women that I have ever seen or

heard of would not compare with thee in beauty! O thou of handsome face,

at sight of thee lovelier than the moon and graced with eyes like

lotus-petals, the god of desire is grinding me.'

"King Samvarana thus addressed that damsel in the forest, who however,

spoke not a word unto the monarch burning with desire. Instead, like

lightning in the clouds, that large-eyed maiden quickly disappeared in

the very sight of the monarch. The king then wandered through the whole

forest, like one out of his senses, in search of that girl of eyes like

lotus-petals. Failing to find her, that best of monarchs indulged in

copious lamentations and for a time stood motionless with grief.'"

SECTION CLXXIV

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"The Gandharva continued, 'When that maiden disappeared, that feller of

hostile ranks deprived of his senses by Kama (concupiscence) himself fell

down on the earth. And as the monarch fell down, that maiden of sweet

smiles and prominent and round hips appeared again before him, and

smiling sweetly, said unto that perpetuator of Kuru's race these honeyed

words, 'Rise, rise, O chastiser of foes! Blest be thou; it behoveth thee

not, O tiger among kings, to lose thy reason, a celebrated man as thou

art in the world.' Addressed in these honeyed words, the king opened his

eyes and saw before him that selfsame girl of swelling hips. The monarch

who was burning with the flame of desire then addressed that black-eyed

damsel in accents, weak with emotion, and said, 'Blest be thou O

excellent woman of black eyes! As I am burning with desire and paying

thee court, O, accept me! My life is ebbing away. O thou of large eyes,

for thy sake it is, O thou of the splendour of the filaments of the

lotus, that Kama is incessantly piercing me with his keen shafts without

stopping for a moment! O amiable and cheerful girl, I have been bitten by

Kama who is even like a venomous viper. O thou of swelling and large

hips, have mercy on me! O thou of handsome and faultless features, O thou

of face like unto the lotus-petal or the moon, O thou of voice sweet as

that of singing Kinnaras, my life now depends on thee! Without thee, O

timid one, I am unable to live! O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, Kama is

piercing me incessantly! O large-eyed girl, be merciful unto me! It

becometh thee not, O black-eyed maid, to cast me off; O handsome girl, it

behoveth thee to relieve me from such affliction by giving me thy love!

At first sight thou hast attracted my heart. My mind wandereth! Beholding

thee I like not to cast my eyes on any other woman! Be merciful! I am thy

obedient slave--thy adorer! O, accept me! O beautiful lady, O large-eyed

girl at the sight of thee, the god of desire hath entered my heart, and

is piercing me with his shafts! O thou of lotus-eyes, the flame of desire

burneth within me! O, extinguish that flame with the water of thy love

poured on it! O beautiful lady, by becoming mine, pacify thou the

irrepressible god of desire that hath appeared here armed with his deadly

bow and arrows and that is piercing me incessantly with those keen shafts

of his! O thou of the fairest complexion, wed me according to the

Gandharva form, for, O thou of tapering hips, of all forms of marriage

the Gandharva hath been said to be the best.'

"The Gandharva continued, 'Hearing those words of the monarch, Tapati

made answer, 'O king, I am not the mistress of my own self! Be it known

that I am a maiden under the control of my father. If thou really

entertainest an affection for me, demand me of my father. Thou sayest, O

king, that thy heart hath been robbed by me. But thou also hast, at first

sight, robbed me of my heart; I am not the mistress of my body, and

therefore, O best of kings, I do not approach thee; women are never

independent. What girl is there in the three worlds that would not desire

thee for her husband, as thou art kind unto all thy dependents and as

thou art born in a pure race? Therefore, when the opportunity comes, ask

my father Aditya for my hand with worship, ascetic penances, and vows. If

my father bestoweth me upon thee, then, O king, I shall ever be thy

obedient wife. My name is Tapati and I am the younger sister of Savitri,

and the daughter, O bull amongst Kshatriyas of Savitri, of (Sun) the

illuminator of the universe.'"

SECTION CLXXV

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"The Gandharva continued, 'Saying this, Tapati of faultless features,

ascended the skies. The monarch thereupon again fell down on the earth.

His ministers and followers searching for him throughout the forest at

length came upon him lying on that solitary spot, and beholding that

excellent king, that mighty bowman, thus lying forsaken on the ground

like a rainbow dropped from the firmament, his minister-in-chief became

like one burnt by a flame of fire. Advancing hastily with affection and

respect, the minister raised that best of monarchs lying prostrate on the

ground and deprived of his senses by desire. Old in wisdom as in age, old

in achievements as in policy, the minister, after having raised the

prostrate monarch, became easy (in mind). Addressing the king in sweet

words that were also for his good, he said, 'Blest be thou, O sinless

one! Fear not, O tiger among kings!' The minister thought that the

monarch, that great feller of hostile ranks in battle, had been lying on

the ground overcome with hunger, thirst, and fatigue. The old man then

sprinkled over the crownless head of the monarch water that was cold and

rendered fragrant with lotus-petals. Slowly regaining his consciousness,

the mighty monarch sent away all his attendants with the exception of his

minister only. After those attendants had retired at his command, the

king sat upon the mountain-breast. Having purified himself duly, the king

sat upon that chief of mountains, and began, with joined palms and

upturned face, to worship Surya. King Samvarana, that smiter of all foes,

thought also of his chief priest Vasishtha, that best of Rishis. The king

continued to sit there day and night without intermission. The Brahmana

sage Vasishtha came there on the twelfth day: that great Rishi of soul

under perfect command knew at once by his ascetic power that the monarch

had lost his senses in consequence of Tapati. And that virtuous and best

of Munis, as soon as he knew this, desirous of benefiting the monarch who

was ever observant of vows, addressed him and gave him every assurance.

The illustrious Rishi, in the very sight of that monarch, ascended upward

to interview Surya, himself possessed of the splendour of that luminary.

The Brahmana then approached with joined hands the god of a thousand rays

and introduced himself cheerfully unto him, saying, 'I am Vasishtha.'

Then Vivaswat of great energy said unto that best of Rishis, 'Welcome art

thou, O great Rishi! Tell me what is in thy mind. O thou of great good

fortune, whatever thou demandest of me, O foremost of eloquent men, I

will confer on thee, however difficult it may be for me!' Thus addressed

by Surya, the Rishi of great ascetic merit, bowing unto the god of light,

replied, saying, 'O Vibhavasu, this thy daughter, Tapati, the younger

sister of Savitri, I ask of thee for Samvarana! That monarch is of mighty

achievements, conversant with virtue, and of high soul. O

firmament-ranger, Samvarana will make a worthy husband for thy daughter.'

Thus addressed by the Rishi Vibhakara, resolved upon bestowing his

daughter upon Samvarana, saluted the Rishi, and replied unto him, saying,

'Oh, Samvarana is the best of monarchs, thou art the best of Rishis,

Tapati is the best of women. What should we do, therefore, but bestow her

on Samvarana?' With these words, the god Tapana, made over his daughter,

Tapati, of every feature perfectly faultless, unto the illustrious

Vasishtha to bestow her upon Samvarana. And the great Rishi then accepted

the girl, Tapati, and taking leave of Surya, came back to the spot, where

that bull amongst the Kurus, of celestial achievements, was. King

Samvarana, possessed by love and with his heart fixed on Tapati,

beholding that celestial maiden of sweet smiles led by Vasishtha, became

exceedingly glad. And Tapati of fair eyebrows came down from the

firmament like lightning from the clouds, dazzling the ten points of the

heavens. And the illustrious Rishi Vasishtha of pure soul approached the

monarch after the latter's twelve nights' vow was over. It was thus that

king Samvarana obtained a wife after having worshipped with like the full

moon. And that mighty bowman, that foremost one in Kuru's race having his

curiosity greatly excited by what he heard of Vasishtha's ascetic power,

asked the Gandharva, saying, 'I desire to hear of the Rishi whom thou

hast mentioned as Vasishtha. O, tell me in full about him! O chief of the

Gandharvas, tell me who this illustrious Rishi was that was the priest of

our forefathers.' The Gandharva replied, 'Vasishtha is Brahma's spiritual

(lit, mind-born) son and Arundhati's husband. Ever difficult of being

conquered by the very immortals, Desire and Wrath, conquered by

Vasishtha's ascetic penances, used to shampoo his feet. Though his wrath

was excited by Viswamitra's offence, that high-souled Rishi did not yet

exterminate Kusikas (the tribe whose king Viswamitra was). Afflicted at

the loss of his sons, he did not, as though powerless, though really

otherwise, do any dreadful act destructive of Viswamitra, Like the ocean

transgressing not its continents, Vasishtha transgressed not (the laws

of) Yama by bringing back his children from the domains of the king of

the dead. It was by obtaining that illustrious one who had conquered his

own self that Ikshvaku and other great monarchs acquired the whole earth.

And, O prince of Kuru's race, it was by obtaining Vasishtha, that best of

Rishis as their priest, that those monarchs performed many grand

sacrifices. And, O best of the Pandavas, that regenerate Rishi assisted

these monarchs in the performance of their sacrifices like Vrihaspati

assisting the immortals. Therefore, look ye for some accomplished and

desirable Brahmana conversant with the Vedas and in whose heart virtue

prevails, to appoint as your priest. A Kshatriya of good lineage,

desirous of extending his dominions by conquering the earth, should, O

Partha, first appoint a priest. He who is desirous of conquering the

earth should have a Brahmana before him. Therefore, O Arjuna, let some

accomplished and learned Brahmana, who has his senses under complete

control and who is conversant with religion, profit and pleasure, be your

priest.'"

Section CLXXVII

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing this, Arjuna said, 'O Gandharva, whence

arose the hostility between Viswamitra and Vasishtha both of whom dwelt

in a celestial hermitage? O, tell us all about it.'

"The Gandharva replied, 'O Partha, the story of Vasishtha is regarded as

a Purana (legend) in all the three worlds. Listen to me as I recite it

fully. There was, in Kanyakuvja, O bull of Bharata's race, a great king

of worldwide fame named Gadhi, the son of Kusika. The virtuous Gadhi had

a son named Viswamitra, that grinder of foes, possessing a large army and

many animals and vehicles. And Viswamitra, accompanied by his ministers,

used to roam in quest of deer through the deep woods and over picturesque

marascetic penances the propitious lord Vivaswat, by the help of

Vasishtha's (ascetic power). And Samvarana, that bull among men with due

rites took Tapati's hand on that mountain-breast which was resorted to by

the celestials and the Gandharvas. The royal sage, with the permission of

Vasishtha, desired to sport with his wife on that mountain. And the king

caused Vasishtha, to be proclaimed his regent in his capital and kingdom,

in the woods and gardens. And bidding farewell unto the monarch,

Vasishtha left him and went away. Samvarana, who sported on that mountain

like a celestial, sported with his wife in the woods and the under-woods

on that mountain for twelve full years. And, O best of the Bharatas, the

god of a thousand eyes poured no rain for twelve years on the capital and

on the kingdom of that monarch. Then, O chastiser of enemies, when that

season of drought broke out, the people of that kingdom, as also the

trees and lower animals began to die fast. And during the continuance of

that dreadful drought, not even a drop of dew fell from the skies and no

corn grew. And the inhabitants in despair, and afflicted with the fear of

hunger, left their homes and fled away in all directions. And the

famished people of the capital and the country began to abandon their

wives and children and grew reckless of one another. The people being

afflicted with hunger, without a morsel of food and reduced to skeletons,

the capital looked very much like the city of the king of the dead, full

of only ghostly beings. On beholding the capital reduced to such a state,

the illustrious and virtuous and best of Rishis, Vasishtha was resolved

upon applying a remedy and brought back unto the city that tiger among

kings, Samvarana, along with his wife, after the latter had passed so

long a period in solitude and seclusion. After the king had entered his

capital, things became as before, for, when that tiger among kings came

back to his own, the god of a thousand eyes, the slayer of Asuras, poured

rain in abundance and caused corn to grow. Revivified by the foremost of

virtuous souls the capital and the country became animated with extreme

joy. The monarch, with his wife, Tapati, once more performed sacrifices

for twelve years, like the lord Indra (god of rain) performing sacrifices

with his wife, Sachi.'

"The Gandharva continued, 'This, O Partha, is the history of Tapati of

old, the daughter of Vivaswat. It is for her that thou art (called)

Tapatya. King Samvarana begot upon Tapati a son named Kuru, who was the

foremost of ascetics. Born in the race of Kuru, thou art, O Arjuna, to be

called Tapatya.'"

SECTION CLXXVI

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'That bull among the Bharatas, Arjuna, hearing these

words of the Gandharva, was inspired with feelings of devotion and stood

shes (???--JBH), killing deer and wild boars. Once on a time, while out

in quest of deer, the king became weak with exertion and thirst. The

monarch arrived in that state at the asylum of Vasishtha, and the blessed

and illustrious Rishi beholding him arrive, reverenced with his homage

that best of men, king Viswamitra. And O Bharata, the Rishi saluted the

monarch by offering him water to wash his face and feet with, and Arghya,

and wild fruits, and clarified butter. For the illustrious Rishi had a

cow yielding anything that was desired of her. When she was addressed,

saying, 'O give',--she always yielded the article that was sought. And

she yielded various fruits and corn, wild or grown in gardens and fields,

and milk, and many excellent nutritive viands full of six different kinds

of juice (taste?) and like unto nectar itself, and various other kinds of

enjoyable things, O Arjuna, of ambrosial taste for drinking and eating,

and for licking and sucking, and also many precious gems and robes of

various kinds. With these desirable objects in profusion the monarch was

worshipped. And the king with his minister and troops became highly

pleased. And the monarch wondered much, beholding that cow with six

elevated limbs and the beautiful flanks and hips, and five limbs that

were broad, and eyes prominent like those of the frog and beautiful in

size, and high udders, and faultless make, and straight and uplifted

ears, and handsome horns, and well-developed head and neck.

"And, O prince, the son of Gadhi, gratified with everything and

applauding the cow named Nandini, addressed the Rishi, saying, 'O

Brahmana, O great Muni, give me thy Naridini in exchange for ten thousand

kine, or my kingdom. Enjoy thou my kingdom (giving me thy cow).'

"Hearing these words of Viswamitra, Vasishtha said, 'O sinless one, this

cow hath been kept by me for the sake of the gods, guests, and the

Pitris, as also for my sacrifices. I cannot give Nandini in exchange for

even thy kingdom.' Viswamitra replied, 'I am a Kshatriya, but thou art a

Brahmana devoted to asceticism and study. Is there any energy in

Brahmanas who are peaceful and who have their souls under perfect

command? When thou givest me not what I desire in exchange even for ten

thousand cows, I will not abandon the practice of my order; I will take

thy cow even by force!'

"Vasishtha said, 'Thou art a Kshatriya endued with might of arms. Thou

art a powerful monarch. O, do in haste what thou desirest; and stop not

to consider its propriety.'

"The Gandharva continued, 'Thus addressed by Vasishtha, Viswamitra, O

Partha, then forcibly seized Nandini, that cow (white) like the swan or

the moon, and attempted to take her away, afflicting her with stripes and

persecuting her otherwise. The innocent Nandini then began, O Partha, to

low piteously, and approaching the illustrious Vasishtha stood before him

with uplifted face. Though persecuted very cruelly, she refused to leave

the Rishi's asylum.'

"Beholding her in that plight, Vasishtha said, 'O amiable one, thou art

lowing repeatedly and I am hearing thy cries. But, O Nandini, even

Viswamitra is taking thee away by force, what can I do in this matter, as

I am a forgiving Brahmana?'

"The Gandharva continued, 'Then, O bull in Bharata's race, Nandini,

alarmed at the sight of Viswamitra's troops and terrified by Viswamitra

himself, approached the Rishi still closer, and said, 'O illustrious one,

why art thou so indifferent to my poor self afflicted with the stripes of

the cruel troops of Viswamitra and crying so piteously as if I were

masterless?' Hearing these words of the crying and persecuted Nandini,

the great Rishi lost not his patience nor turned from his vow of

forgiveness. He replied, 'The Kshatriya's might lies in physical

strength, the Brahmana's in forgiveness. Because I cannot give up

forgiveness, go thou, O Nandini, if thou choosest.' Nandini answered,

'Castest thou me away, O illustrious one, that thou sayest so? If thou

dost not cast me off, I cannot, O Brahmana, be taken away by force.'

Vasishtha said, 'O blessed one, I do not cast thee off! Stay if thou

canst! O, yonder is thy calf, tied with a stout cord, and even now being

weakened by it!'

"The Gandharva continued, 'Then the cow of Vasishtha, hearing the word

stay, raised her head and neck upward, and became terrible to behold.

With eyes red with rage and lowing repeatedly, she then attacked

Viswamitra's troops on all sides. Afflicted with their stripes and

running hither and thither with those red eyes of hers, her wrath

increased. Blazing with rage, she soon became terrible to behold like

unto the sun in his midday glory. And from her tail she began to rain

showers of burning coals all around. And some moments after, from her

tail she brought forth an army of Palhavas, and from her udders, an army

of Dravidas and Sakas; and from her womb, an army of Yavanas, and from

her dung, an army of Savaras; and from her urine, an army of Kanchis; and

from her sides, an army of Savaras. And from the froth of her mouth came

out hosts of Paundras and Kiratas, Yavanas and Sinhalas, and the

barbarous tribes of Khasas and Chivukas and Pulindas and Chinas and Hunas

with Keralas, and numerous other Mlechchhas. And that vast army of

Mlechchhas in various uniforms, and armed with various weapons, as soon

as it sprang into life, deploying in the very sight of Viswamitra,

attacked that monarch's soldiers. And so numerous was that Mlechchha host

that each particular soldier of Viswamitra was attacked by a band of six

or seven of their enemies. Assailed with a mighty shower of weapons,

Viswamitra's troops broke and fled, panic-stricken, in all directions,

before his very eyes. But, O bull in Bharata's race, the troops of

Vasishtha, though excited with wrath, took not the life of any of

Viswamitra's troops. Nandini simply caused the monarch's army to be

routed and driven off. And driven (from the asylum) twenty-seven full

miles, panic-stricken, they shrieked aloud and beheld not anyone that

could protect them. Viswamitra, beholding this wonderful feat that

resulted from Brahmana prowess, became disgusted with Kshatriya prowess

and said, 'O, fie on Kshatriya prowess! Brahmana prowess is true prowess!

In judging of strength and weakness, I see that asceticism is true

strength.' Saying this, the monarch, abandoning his large domains and

regal splendour and turning his back upon all pleasures, set his mind on

asceticism. Crowned with success in asceticism and filling the three

worlds with the heat of his ascetic penances, he afflicted all creatures

and finally became a Brahmana. The son of Kusika at last drank Soma with

Indra himself (in Heaven).'"