The Mahabharata, of, Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, BOOK 3, (Tirtha-yatra Parva), SECTION CLVIII

 The Mahabharata, of, Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, BOOK 3, (Tirtha-yatra Parva), 

SECTION CLVIII

Vaisampayana continued, "Having approached that one, whose sins had been

consumed by asceticism, Yudhishthira announced his name, and gladly

greeted him, bending his head. And then Krishna, and Bhima, and the

devout twins, having bowed down their heads unto the royal sage, stood

(there) surrounding him. And that priest of the Pandavas, the virtuous

Dhaumya, also duly approached that vow-observing sage. And by his

prophetic eye that virtuous Muni had already known (the identity of)

those foremost of the Kurus, the sons of Pandu. And he said unto them.

'Be ye seated.' And that one of rigid austerities, after having duly

received that chief of the Kurus, when the latter with his brothers had

seated himself enquired after his welfare saying, 'Dost thou not turn thy

inclination upon untruth? And art thou intent upon virtue? And. O Partha,

hath not thy attention to thy father and thy mother diminished? Are all

thy superiors, and the aged, and those versed in the Vedas, honoured by

thee? And O Pritha's son, dost thou not turn thy inclination unto sinful

acts? And dost thou, O best of the Kurus, properly know how to perform

meritorious acts, and to eschew wicked deeds? Dost thou not exalt

thyself? And are pious men gratified, being honoured by thee? And even

dwelling in the woods, dost thou follow virtue alone? And, O Partha, doth

not Dhaumya grieve at thy conduct? Dost thou follow the customs of thy

ancestors, by charity, and religious observances, and asceticism, and

purity, and candour, and forgiveness? And dost thou go along the way

taken by the royal sages? On the birth of a son in their (respective)

lines, the Pitris in their regions, both laugh and grieve, thinking--Will

the sinful acts of this son of ours harm us, or will meritorious deeds

conduce to our welfare? He conquereth both the worlds that payeth homage

unto his father, and mother, and preceptor, and Agni, and fifthly, the

soul.' Yudhishthira said, 'O worshipful one, those duties have been

mentioned by thee as excellent. To the best of my power I duly and

properly discharge them.'

Arshtishena said, 'During the Parvas sages subsisting on air and water

come unto this best of the mountains ranging through the air. And on the

summits of the mountain are seen amorous Kimpurushas with their

paramours, mutually attached unto each other; as also, O Partha, many

Gandharvas and Apsaras clad in white silk vestments; and lovely-looking

Vidyadharas, wearing garlands; and mighty Nagas, and Suparnas, and

Uragas, and others. And on the summits of the mountain are heard, during

the Parvas, sounds of kettle-drums, and tabors, shells and mridangas. O

foremost of the Bharatas, even by staying here, ye shall hear those

sounds; do ye by no means feel inclined to repair thither. Further, O

best of the Bharata race, it is impossible, to proceed beyond this. That

place is the sporting-region of the celestials. There is no access

thither for mortals. O Bharata, at this place all creatures bear ill-will

to, and the Rakshasas chastise, that man who committeth aggression, be it

ever so little. Beyond the summit of this Kailasa cliff, is seen the path

of the celestial sages. If any one through impudence goeth beyond this,

the Rakshasas slay him with iron darts and other weapons. There, O child,

during the Parvas, he that goeth about on the shoulders of men, even

Vaisravana is seen in pomp and grandeur surrounded by the Apsaras. And

when that lord of all the Rakshasas is seated on the summit, all

creatures behold him like unto the sun arisen, O best of Bharatas, that

summit is the sporting-garden of the celestials, and the Danavas, and the

Siddhas, and Vaisravana. And during the Parvas, as Tumburu entertaineth

the Lord of treasures, the sweet notes of his song are heard all over the

Gandhamadana. O child, O Yudhishthira, here during the Parvas, all

creatures see and hear marvels like this. O Pandavas, till ye meet with

Arjuna, do ye stay here, partaking of luscious fruits, and the food of

the Munis. O child as thou hast come hither, do thou not betray any

impertinence. And, O child, after living here at thy will and diverting

thyself as thou listest, thou wilt at length rule the earth, having

conquered it by the force of thy arms.'"

SECTION CLIX

Janamejaya said, "How long did my great grandsires, the highsouled sons

of Pandu of matchless prowess, dwell in the Gandhamadana mountain? And

what did those exceedingly powerful ones, gifted with manliness, do? And

what was the food of those high-souled ones, when those heroes of the

worlds dwelt (there)? O excellent one, do thou relate all about this. Do

thou describe the prowess of Bhimasena, and what that mighty-armed one

did in the mountain Himalayan. Surely, O best of Brahmanas, he did not

fight again with the Yakshas. And did they meet with Vaisravana? Surely,

as Arshtishena said, the lord of wealth cometh thither. All this, O thou

of ascetic wealth, I desire to hear in detail. Surely, I have not yet

been fully satisfied by hearing about their acts."

Vaisampayana continued, "Having heard from that one of incomparable

energy, (Arshtishena), that advice conducive to their welfare, those

foremost of the Bharatas, began to behave always accordingly. Those best

of men, the Pandavas, dwelt upon the Himavan, partaking of the food eaten

by the Munis, and luscious fruit, and the flesh of deer killed with

unpoisoned shafts and various kinds of pure honey. Living thus, they

passed the fifth year, hearing to various stories told by Lomasa. O lord,

saying, 'I shall be present when occasion ariseth,' Ghatotkacha, together

with all the Rakshasas, had ere this already gone away. Those magnanimous

ones passed many months in the hermitage of Arshtishena, witnessing many

marvels. And as the Pandavas were sporting there pleasantly, there came

to see them some complacent vow-observing Munis and Charanas of high

fortune, and pure souls. And those foremost of the Bharata race conversed

with them on earthly topics. And it came to pass that when several days

has passed, Suparna all of a sudden carried off an exceedingly powerful

and mighty Naga, living in the large lake. And thereupon that mighty

mountain began to tremble, and the gigantic trees, break. And all the

creatures and the Pandavas witnessed the wonder. Then from the brow of

that excellent mountain, the wind brought before the Pandavas various

fragrant and fair blossoms. And the Pandavas, and the illustrious

Krishna, together with their friends, saw those unearthly blossoms of

five hues. And as the mighty-armed Bhimasena was seated at ease upon the

mountain, Krishna addressed him, saying, 'O best of the Bharata race, in

the presence of all the creatures, these flowers of five hues, carried by

the force of the wind raised by Suparna, are falling in amain on the

river Aswaratha. In Khandava thy high-souled brother, firm in promise,

had baffled Gandharvas and Nagas and Vasava himself, and slain fierce

Rakshasas, and also obtained the bow Gandiva. Thou also art of exceeding

prowess and the might of thy arms is great, and irrepressible, and

unbearable like unto the might of Sakra. O Bhimasena, terrified with the

force of thy arms, let all the Rakshasas betake themselves to the ten

cardinal points, leaving the mountain. Then will thy friends be freed

from fear and affliction, and behold the auspicious summit of this

excellent mountain furnished with variegated flowers. O Bhima, I have for

long cherished this thought in my mind,--that protected by the might of

thy arms, I shall see that summit.'

"Thereupon, like a high-mettled bull that hath been struck, Bhimasena,

considering himself as censured by Draupadi, could not bear (that). And

that Pandava of the gait of a lion or a bull, and graceful, and generous,

and having the splendour of gold, and intelligent, and strong, and proud,

and sensitive, and heroic, and having red eyes, and broad shoulders, and

gifted with the strength of mad elephants, and having leonine teeth and a

broad neck, and tall like a young sala tree, and highsouled, and graceful

in every limb, and of neck having the whorls of a shell and mighty-armed,

took up his bow plaited at the back with gold, and also his sword. And

haughty like unto a lion, and resembling a maddened elephant, that strong

one rushed towards that cliff, free from fear or affliction. And all the

creatures saw him equipped with bows and arrows, approaching like a lion

or a maddened elephant. And free from fear or affliction, the Pandava

taking his mace, proceeded to that monarch of mountains causing the

delight of Draupadi. And neither exhaustion, nor fatigue, nor lassitude,

nor the malice (of others), affected that son of Pritha and the Wind-god.

And having arrived at a rugged path affording passage to one individual

only, that one of great strength ascended that terrible summit high as

several palmyra palms (placed one upon another). And having ascended that

summit, and thereby gladdened Kinnaras, and great Nagas, and Munis, and

Gandharvas, and Rakshasas, that foremost of the Bharata line, gifted with

exceeding strength described the abode of Vaisravana, adorned with golden

crystal palaces surrounded on all sides by golden walls having the

splendour of all gems, furnished with gardens all around, higher than a

mountain peak, beautiful with ramparts and towers, and adorned with

door-ways and gates and rows of pennons. And the abode was graced with

dallying damsels dancing around, and also with pennons waved by the

breeze. And with bent arms, supporting himself on the end of his bow, he

stood beholding with eagerness the city of the lord of treasures. And

gladdening all creatures, there was blowing a breeze, carrying all

perfumes, and of a balmy feel. And there were various beautiful and

wonderful trees of diverse hues resounding with diverse dulcet notes. And

at that place the foremost of the Bharatas surveyed the palace of the

Lord of the Rakshasas scattered with heaps of gems, and adorned with

variegated garlands. And renouncing all care of life the mighty-armed

Bhimasena stood motionless like a rock, with his mace and sword and bow

in his hands. Then he blew his shell making the down of his adversaries

stand erect; and twanging his bow-string, and striking his arms with the

hands he unnerved all the creatures. Thereat with their hairs standing

erect, the Yakshas and Rakshasas began to rush towards the Pandavas, in

the direction of those sounds. And taken by the arms of the Yakshas and

Rakshasas the flamed maces and clubs and swords and spears and javelins

and axes, and when, O Bharata, the fight ensued between the Rakshasas and

Bhima, the latter by arrows cut off the darts, javelins and axes of those

possessing great powers of illusion, and he of exceeding strength with

arrows pierced the bodies of the roaring Rakshasas, both of those that

were in the sky, and of those that remained on the earth. And Bhima of

exceeding strength was deluged with the mighty sanguine rain sprung from

the bodies of the Rakshasas with maces and clubs in their hands and

flowing on all sides from their persons. And the bodies and hands of the

Yakshas and Rakshasas were seen to be struck off by the weapon discharged

by the might of Bhima's arms. And then all the creatures saw the graceful

Pandava densely surrounded by the Rakshasas, like unto the Sun enveloped

by clouds. And even as the Sun surrounds everything with his rays, that

mighty-armed and strong one of unfailing prowess, covered all with arrows

destroying foes. And although menacing and uttering yells, the Rakshasas

did not see Bhima embarrassed. Thereupon, with their bodies mangled, the

Yakshas afflicted by fear, Bhimasena began to utter frightful sounds of

distress, throwing their mighty weapons. And terrified at the wielder of

a strong bow, they fled towards the southern quarter, forsaking their

maces and spears and swords and clubs and axes. And then there stood,

holding in his hands darts and maces, the broad-chested and mighty-armed

friend of Vaisravana, the Rakshasa named Maniman. And that one of great

strength began to display his mastery and manliness. And seeing them

forsake the fight, he addressed them with a smile, 'Going to Vaisravana's

abode, how will ye say unto that lord of wealth, that numbers have been

defeated by a single mortal in battle?' Having said this unto them that

Rakshasa, taking in his hands clubs and javelins and maces, set out and

rushed towards the Pandava. And he rushed in amain like a maddened

elephant. Bhimasena pierced his sides with three choice arrows. And the

mighty Maniman, on his part, in wrath taking and flourishing a tremendous

mace hurled it at Bhimasena. Thereupon Bhimasena beset with innumerable

shafts sharpened on stones, hurled that mighty mace in the sky, dreadful,

and like unto the lightning flash. But on reaching the mace those shafts

were baffled; and although discharged with force by that adept at hurling

the mace, still they could not stay its career. Then the mighty Bhima of

dreadful prowess, baffled his (the Rakshasa's) discharge by resorting to

his skill in mace-fighting. In the meanwhile, the intelligent Rakshasa

had discharged a terrible iron club, furnished with a golden shaft. And

that club, belching forth flames and emitting tremendous roars, all of a

sudden pierced Bhima's right arm and then fell to the ground. On being

severely wounded by that club, that bowman, Kunti's son, of immeasurable

prowess, with eyes rolling in ire, took up his mace. And having taken

that iron mace, inlaid with golden plates, which caused the fear of foes

and brought on their defeat, he darted it with speed towards the mighty

Maniman, menacing (him) and uttering shouts. Then Maniman on his part,

taking his huge and blazing dart, with great force discharged it at

Bhima, uttering loud shouts. Thereat breaking the dart with the end of

his mace, that mighty-armed one skilled in mace-fighting, speedily rushed

to slay him, as Garuda (rushed) to slay a serpent. Then all of a sudden,

advancing ahead in the field, that mighty-armed one sprang into the sky

and brandishing his mace hurled it with shouts. And like unto the

thunder-bolt hurled by Indra, that mace like a pest, with the speed of

the wind destroyed the Rakshasa and then fell to the ground. Then all the

creatures saw that Rakshasa of terrible strength slaughtered by Bhima,

even like a bull slain by a lion. And the surviving Rakshasas seeing him

slain on the ground went towards the east, uttering frightful sounds of

distress.'"

SECTION CLX

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing various sounds resounding in the caves of the

mountain and not seeing Bhimasena, Kunti's son, Ajatasatru and the twin

sons of Madri and Dhaumya and Krishna and all the Brahmanas and the

friends (of the Pandavas), were filled with anxiety. Thereupon,

entrusting Draupadi to the charge of Arshtishena and equipped in their

arms, those valiant and mighty charioteers together began to ascend the

summit of the mountain. And having reached the summit, as those

repressors of foes and mighty bowmen and powerful charioteers they were

looking about, saw Bhima and those huge Rakshasas of mighty strength and

courage weltering in a state of unconsciousness having been struck down

by Bhima. And holding his mace and sword and bow, that mighty-armed one

looked like Maghavan, after he had slain the danava hosts. Then on seeing

their brother, the Pandavas, who had attained excellent state, embraced

him and sat down there. And with those mighty bowmen, that summit looked

grand like heaven graced by those foremost of celestials, the highly

fortunate Lokapalas. And seeing the abode of Kuvera and the Rakshasas,

lying slain on the ground, the king addressed his brother who was seated,

saying, 'Either it be through rashness, or through ignorance, thou hast,

O Bhima, committed a sinful act. O hero, as thou art leading the life of

an anchorite, this slaughter without cause is unlike thee. Acts, it is

asserted by those versed in duties, as are calculated to displease a

monarch, ought not to be committed. But thou hast, O Bhimasena, committed

a deed which will offend even the gods. He that disregarding profit and

duty, turneth his thoughts to sin must, O Partha, reap the fruit of his

sinful actions. However, if thou seekest my good, never again commit such

a deed.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this to his brother, Vrikodara the

virtuous, the highly energetic and firm-minded son of Kunti, Yudhishthira

versed in the particulars of (the science of) profit, ceased, and began

to reflect on that matter."

"On the other hand, the Rakshasas that had survived those slain by Bhima

fled in a body towards the abode of Kuvera. And they of exceeding

fleetness having speedily reached Vaisravana's abode, began to utter loud

cries of distress, being afflicted with the fear of Bhima. And, O king

bereft of their weapons and exhausted and with their mail besmeared with

gore and with dishevelled hair they spake unto Kuvera, saying. 'O lord,

all thy foremost Rakshasas fighting with maces and clubs and swords and

lances and barbed darts, have been slain. O lord of treasures, a mortal,

trespassing into the mountain, hath, singlehanded, slaughtered all thy

Krodhovasa Rakshasas assembled together. And, O lord of wealth, there lie

the foremost of the Yakshas and Rakshasas senseless and dead, having been

struck down; and we have been let off through his favour. And thy friend,

Maniman also hath been slain. All this hath been done by a mortal. Do

thou what is proper, after this.' Having heard this, that lord of all the

Yaksha hosts waxing wroth, with eyes reddened in anger, exclaimed,

'What!' And hearing of Bhima's second (act of) aggression, that lord of

treasures, the king of the Yakshas, was filled with wrath, and said.

'Yoke' (the horses). Thereat unto a car of the hue of dark clouds, and

high as a mountain summit, they yoked steeds having golden garments. And

on being yoked unto the car, those excellent horses of his, graced with

every noble quality and furnished with the ten auspicious curls of hair

and having energy and strength, and adorned with various gems and looking

splendid, as if desirous of speeding like the wind, began to neigh at

each other the neighing emitted at (the hour of) victory. And that divine

and effulgent king of the Yakshas set out, being eulogised by the

celestials and Gandharvas. And a thousand foremost Yakshas of reddened

eyes and golden lustre and having huge bodies, and gifted with great

strength, equipped with weapons and girding on their swords, followed

that high-souled lord of treasures. And coursing through the firmament

they (the steeds) arrived at the Gandhamadana, as if drawing forward the

sky with their fleetness. And with their down standing erect, the

Pandavas saw that large assemblage of horses maintained by the lord of

wealth and also the highsouled and graceful Kuvera himself surrounded by

the Yaksha hosts. And seeing those mighty charioteers the son of Pandu,

possessed of great strength, equipped with bows and swords, Kuvera also

was delighted; and he was pleased at heart, keeping in view the task of

the celestials. And like unto birds, they, (the Yakshas) gifted with

extreme celerity, alighted on the summit of the mountain and stood before

them (the Pandavas), with the lord of treasures at their head. Then, O

Bharata, seeing him pleased with the Pandavas, the Yakshas and the

Gandharvas stood there, free from agitation. Then thinking themselves as

having transgressed, those high-souled and mighty charioteers, the

Pandavas, having bowed down unto that lord, the giver of wealth stood

surrounding the lord of treasures with joined hands. And the lord of

treasures sat on that excellent seat, the elegant Pushpaka, constructed

by Viswakarma, painted with diverse colours. And thousands of Yakshas and

Rakshasas, some having huge frames and some ears resembling pegs, and

hundreds of Gandharvas and hosts of Apsaras sat in the presence of that

one seated, even as the celestials sit surrounding him of a hundred

sacrifices and wearing a beautiful golden garland on his head and holding

in his hands his noose and sword and bow, Bhima stood, gazing at the lord

of wealth. And Bhimasena did not feel depress either on having been

wounded by the Rakshasas, or even in that plight seeing Kuvera arrive.

"And that one going about on the shoulders of men, on seeing Bhima stand

desirous of fighting with sharpened shafts, said unto Dharma's son, 'O

Partha, all the creatures know thee as engaged in their good. Do thou.

therefore, with thy brothers fearlessly dwell on this summit of the

mountain. And, O Pandava, be thou not angry with Bhima. These Yakshas and

Rakshasas had already been slain by Destiny: thy brother hath been the

instrument merely. And it is not necessary to feel shame for the act of

impudence that hath been committed. This destruction of the Rakshasas had

been foreseen by the gods. I entertain no anger towards Bhimasena.

Rather, O foremost of the Bharata a race, I am pleased with him;

nay,--even before coming here, I had been gratified with this deed of

Bhima.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Having spoken thus unto the king, (Kuvera) said unto

Bhimasena, 'O child, O best of the Kurus, I do not mind this, O Bhima, as

in order to please Krishna, thou hast, disregarding the gods and me also,

committed this rash act, namely, the destruction of the Yakshas and the

Rakshasas, depending on the strength of thy arms, I am well-pleased with

thee. O Vrikodara, to-day I have been freed from a terrible curse. For

some offence, that great Rishi, Agastya, had cursed me in anger. Thou

hast delivered me by this act (of thine). O Pandu's son, my disgrace had

ere this been fated. No offence, therefore, in any way, attaches unto

thee, O Pandava.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O divine one, why wast thou cursed by the

high-souled Agastya? O god, I am curious to hear about the occasion of

that imprecation. I wonder that at that very moment, thou together with

thy forces and attendants wast not consumed by the ire of that

intelligent one.'

"Thereupon the lord of treasures said, 'At Kusasthali, O king, once there

was held a conclave of the gods. And surrounded by grimvisaged Yakshas,

numbering three hundred maha-padmas, carrying various weapons, I was

going to that place. And on the way, I saw that foremost of sages,

Agastya, engaged in the practice of severe austerities on the bank of the

Yamuna, abounding in various birds and graced with blossoming trees. And,

O king, immediately on seeing that mass of energy, flaming and brilliant

as fire, seated with upraised arms, facing the sun, my friend, the

graceful lord of the Rakshasas, Maniman, from stupidity, foolishness,

hauteur and ignorance discharged his excrement on the crown of that

Maharshi. Thereupon, as if burning all the cardinal points by his wrath,

he said unto me, 'Since, O lord of treasures, in thy very presence,

disregarding me, this thy friend hath thus affronted me, he, together

with thy forces, shall meet with destruction at the hands of a mortal.

And, O wicked-minded one, thou also, being distressed on account of thy

fallen soldiers, shalt be freed from thy sin, on beholding that mortal.

But if they follow thy behests, their (the soldier's) powerful sons shall

not incur by this dreadful curse. This curse I received formerly from

that foremost of Rishis. Now, O mighty king, have I been delivered by thy

brother Bhima.'"

SECTION CLXI

"The lord of treasures said, 'O Yudhishthira, patience, ability,

(appropriate) time and place and prowess--these five lead to success in

human affairs. O Bharata, in the Krita Yuga, men were patient and able in

their respective occupations and they knew how to display prowess. And, O

foremost of the Kshatriyas, a Kshatriya that is endued with patience and

understandeth the propriety regarding place and time and is versed in all

mortal regulations, can alone govern the world for a long time,--nay, in

all transactions. He that behaveth thus, acquireth, O hero, fame in this

world and excellent state in the next. And by having displayed his

prowess at the proper place and time, Sakra with the Vasus hath obtained

the dominion of heaven. He that from anger cannot see his fall and he

that being naturally wicked and evilminded followeth evil and he that

knoweth not the propriety relative to acts, meet with destruction both in

this world and the next. The exertions of that stupid person become

fruitless, who is not conversant with the expediency regarding time and

acts, and he meeteth with destruction both in this world and the next.

And the object of that wicked and deceitful persons is vicious, who,

aiming at mastery of every kind, committeth some rash act. O best of men,

Bhimasena is fearless, and ignorant of duties, and haughty, and of the

sense of a child, and unforbearing. Do thou, therefore, check him.

Repairing again to the hermitage of the pious sage Arshtisena, do thou

reside there during the dark fortnight, without fear or anxiety. O lord

of men, deputed by me, all the Gandharvas residing at Alaka, as also

those dwelling in this mountain, will, O mighty-armed one, protect thee,

and these best of the Brahmanas. And, O king, O chief among virtuous men,

knowing that Vrikodara hath come hither out of rashness, do thou check

him. Henceforth, O monarch, beings living in the forest will meet you,

wait upon you and always protect you all. And, ye foremost of men, my

servants will always procure for you various meats and drinks of

delicious flavour. And, O son, Yudhishthira, even as by reason of your

being the progeny of spiritual intercourse, Jishnu is entitled to the

protection of Mahendra, and Vrikodara, of the Wind-god, and thou, of

Dharma, and the twins possessed of strength, of the Aswins,--so ye all

are entitled to my protection. That one next by birth to Bhimasena,

Phalguna, versed in the science of profit and all mortal regulations, is

well in heaven. And, O child, those perfections that are recognised in

the world as leading to heaven, are established in Dhananjaya even from

his very birth. And self-restraint, and charity, and strength, and

intelligence, and modesty, and fortitude, and excellent energy--even all

these are established in that majestic one of magnificent soul. And, O

Pandava, Jishnu never committed any shameful act through poverty of

spirit. And in the world, none ever say that Partha hath uttered an

untruth. And, O Bharata, honoured by the gods, pitris, and the

Gandharvas, that enhancer of the glory of the Kurus is learning the

science of weapons in Sakra's abode. And, O Partha, in heaven he that

with justice had brought under his subjection all the rulers of the

earth, even that exceedingly powerful and highly energetic monarch, the

grandsire of thy father, Santanu himself, is well-pleased with the

behaviour of that wielder of the Gandiva--the foremost of his race. And,

O king, abiding in Indra's regions, he who on the banks of the Yamuna had

worshipped the gods, the pitris, and the Brahmanas, by celebrating seven

grand horse sacrifices, that great grandsire of thine, the emperor

Santanu of severe austerities, who hath attained heaven, hath enquired of

thy welfare.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Having heard these words of the dispenser of wealth,

the Pandavas were well-pleased with them. Then lowering his club and mace

and sword and bow, that foremost of the Bharatas bowed down unto Kuvera.

And that giver of protection, the lord of treasures, seeing him

prostrate, said, 'Be thou the destroyer of the pride of foes, and the

enhancer of the delight of friends. And ye oppressors of enemies, do ye

live in our romantic region. The Yakshas will not cross your desires.

Gudakesa, after having acquired mastery over weapons, will come back

soon. Bidden adieu by Maghavat himself, Dhananjaya will join you.'

"Having thus instructed Yudhishthira of excellent deeds, the lord of the

Guhyakas, vanished from that best of mountains. And thousands upon

thousands of Yakshas, and Rakshasas followed him in vehicles spread over

with checkered cushions, and decorated with various jewels. And as the

horses proceeded towards the abode of Kuvera, a noise arose as of birds

flying in the air. And the chargers of the lord of treasures speedily

coursed through the sky as if drawing forward the firmament, and

devouring the air.

"Then at the command of the lord of wealth, the dead bodies of the

Rakshasas were removed from the summit of the mountain. As the

intelligent Agastya had fixed this period as the limit of (the duration

of) his curse, so being slain in conflict, the Rakshasas were freed from

the imprecation. And being honoured by the Rakshasas, the Pandavas for

several nights dwelt pleasantly in those habitations."

SECTION CLXII

Vaisampayana continued, "Then, O represser of foes, at sunrise, having

finished his daily devotions, Dhaumya came unto the Pandavas, with

Arshtishena. And having bowed down unto the feet of Arshtishena and

Dhaumya, they with joined hands paid homage unto all the Brahmanas. Then

Dhaumya taking Yudhishthira's right hand, said these words, looking at

the east, 'O mighty monarch, this king of mountains, Mandara lieth vast,

covering the earth up to the ocean. O Pandava, Indra and Vaisravana

preside over this point graced with woods and forests and mountains. And,

O child, the intelligent sages versed in every duty, say, that this

(region) is the abode of Indra and king Vaisravana. And the twice-born

ones, and the sages versed in the duties, and the Sidhas, and the

Sadhyas, and the celestials pay their adorations unto the Sun as he

riseth from this point. And that lord of all living beings, king Yama,

conversant with duty, presideth over yonder southern region whither come

the spirits of the departed. And this is Sanyamana, the abode of the lord

of departed spirits, sacred, and wonderful to behold, and crowned with

prime prosperity. And the intelligent ones call that monarch of mountains

(by the name of) Asta. Having, O king, arrived at this, the Sun ever

abideth by the truth. And king Varuna protects all creatures, abiding in

this king of mountains, and also in the vast deep. And, O highly

fortunate one, there illumining the northern regions, lieth the puissant

Mahameru, auspicious and the refuge of those knowing Brahma, where is the

court of Brahma, and remaining where that soul of all creatures,

Prajapati, hath created all that is mobile and immobile. And the Mahameru

is the auspicious and healthy abode even of the seven mind-born sons of

Brahma, of whom Daksha was the seventh. And, O child, here it is that the

seven celestial rishis with Vasishtha at their head rise and set. Behold

that excellent and bright summit of the Meru, where sitteth the great

sire (Brahma) with the celestials happy in self-knowledge. And next to

the abode of Brahma is visible the region of him who is said to be the

really primal Cause or the origin of all creatures, even that prime lord,

god Narayana, having neither beginning nor end. And, O king, that

auspicious place composed of all energies even the celestials, cannot

behold. And the region of the high-souled Vishnu, by its native

splendour, exceeding in effulgence the sun or fire, cannot be beheld by

the gods, or the Danavas. And the region of Narayana lieth resplendent to

the east of the Meru, where, O child, that lord of all creatures, the

self-create primal Cause of the universe, having manifested all beings,

looketh splendid of his excellent grace. O child, not to speak of the

Maharshis--even Brahmarshis have no access to that place. And, O best of

the Kurus, it is the Yatis only who have access to it. And, O Pandu's

son, (at that place) luminaries cannot shine by him; there that lord of

inconceivable soul alone shineth transcendental. There by reverence, and

severe austerities, Yatis inspired by virtue of pious practices, attain

Narayana Hari. And, O Bharata, repairing thither, and attaining that

universal Soul--the self-create and eternal God of gods, high-souled

ones, of Yoga success, and free from ignorance and pride have not to

return to this world. O highly fortunate Yudhishthira, this region is

without beginning, or deterioration, or end for it is the very essence of

that God. And, O son of the Kurus, the Sun and the Moon every day go

round this Meru, coursing in an opposite direction. And, O sinless one. O

mighty monarch, the other luminaries also go round this king of mountains

in the self-same way. Thus the worshipful Sun who dispelleth darkness,

goeth round this (mountain) obscuring other luminaries. Then having set,

and passed the evening, that Maker of day, the Sun, taketh a northerly

course. Then again nearing the Meru, the divine Sun (ever) intent on the

good of all beings, again courseth, facing the east. And in this way, the

divine Moon also together with the stars goeth round this mountain,

dividing the month unto several sections, by his arrival at the Parvas.

Having thus unerringly coursed round the mighty Meru, and, nourished all

creatures, the Moon again repaireth unto the Mandar. In the same way,

that destroyer of darkness--the divine Sun--also moveth on this

unobstructed path, animating the universe. When, desirous of causing dew,

he repaireth to the south, then there ensueth winter to all creatures.

Then the Sun, turning back from the south, by his rays draweth up the

energy from all creatures both mobile and immobile. Thereupon, men become

subject to perspiration, fatigue, drowsiness and lassitude; and living

beings always feel disposed to slumber. Thence, returning through unknown

regions, that divine effulgent one causeth shower, and thereby reviveth

beings. And having, by the comfort caused by the shower, wind, and

warmth, cherished the mobile and the immobile, the powerful Sun resumeth

his former course. O Partha, ranging thus, the Sun unerringly turneth on

the wheel of Time, influencing created things. His course is unceasing;

he never resteth, O Pandava. Withdrawing the energy of all beings, he

again rendereth it back. O Bharata, dividing time into day and night, and

Kala, and Kashtha, that lord, the Sun, dealeth life and motion to all

created things.'"