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

  The Mahabharata of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1

ADI PARVA

SECTION CLXVII

(Chaitraratha Parva)

After this citizens returned to their respective houses and the Pandavas

continued to dwell at Ekachakra as before.

"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, what did those tigers among men, the

Pandavas, do after they had slain the Rakshasa Vaka?'

"Vaisampayana said, 'The Pandavas, O king, after slaying the Rakshasa

Vaka, continued to dwell in the abode of that Brahmana, employed in the

study of the Vedas. Within a few days there came a Brahmana of rigid vows

unto the abode of their host to take up his quarters there. Their host,

that bull among Brahmanas, ever hospitable unto all guests, worshipping

the newly-arrived Brahmana with due ceremonies, gave him quarters in his

own abode. Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, with their mother

Kunti, solicited the new lodger to narrate to them his interesting

experiences. The Brahmana spake to them of various countries and shrines

and (holy) rivers, of kings and many wonderful provinces and cities. And

after this narration was over, that Brahmana, O Janamejaya, also spoke of

the wonderful self-choice of Yajnasena's daughter, the princes of

Panchala, and of the births of Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandi, and of the

birth, without the intervention of a woman, of Krishna (Draupadi) at the

great sacrifice of Drupada.

"Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, hearing of these extraordinary

facts regarding that illustrious monarch (Drupada), and desiring to know

the details thereof, asked the Brahmana, after his narration was

concluded, to satisfy their curiosity. The Pandavas said, 'How, O

Brahmana, did the birth of Dhrishtadyumna the son of Drupada, take place

from the (sacrificial) fire? How also did the extraordinary birth of

Krishna take place from the centre of the sacrificial platform? How also

did Drupada's son learn all weapons from the great bowman Drona? And, O

Brahmana, how and for whom and for what reason was the friendship between

Drona and Drupada broken off?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus questioned, O monarch, by those bulls

among men, the Brahmana narrated all the particulars about the birth of

Draupadi.'"

SECTION CLXVIII

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"The Brahmana said, 'At that region where the Ganga entered the plains

there lived a great Rishi, devoted to the austerest of penances. Of rigid

vows and great wisdom, he bore the name Bharadwaja. One day, on coming to

the Ganga to perform his ablutions, the Rishi saw the Apsara Ghritachi,

who had come before, standing on the bank after her ablutions were over.

And it so happened that a wind arose and disrobed the Apsara standing

there. And the Rishi beholding her thus disrobed, felt the influence of

desire. Though practising the vow of continence from his very youth, as

soon as he felt the influence of desire, the Rishi's vital fluid came

out. And as it came out, he held it in a pot (drana), and of that fluid

thus preserved in a pot was born a son who came to be called Drona (the

pot-born). And Drona studied all the Vedas and their several branches.

And Bharadwaja had a friend named Prishata who was the king of Panchalas.

And about the time that Drona was born, Prishata also obtained a son

named Drupada. And that bull amongst Kshatriyas, Prishata's son, going

every day to that asylum of Bharadwaja, played and studied with Drona.

And after Prishata's death, Drupada succeeded him on the throne. Drona

about this time heard that (the great Brahmana hero) Rama (on the eve of

his retiring into the weeds) was resolved to give away all his wealth.

Hearing this, the son of Bharadwaja repaired unto Rama who was about to

retire into the woods and addressing him, said, 'O best of Brahmanas,

know me to be Drona who hath come to thee to obtain thy wealth.' Rama

replied, saying, 'I have given away everything. All that I now have is

this body of mine and my weapons. O Brahmana, thou mayest ask of me one

of these two, either my body or my weapons.' Then Drona said, 'It

behoveth thee, sir, to give me all thy weapons together with (the

mysteries of) their use and withdrawal.'

"The Brahmana continued, 'Then Rama of Bhrigu's race, saying, 'So be it,'

gave all his weapons unto Drona, who obtaining them regarded himself as

crowned with success. Drona obtaining from Rama the most exalted of all

weapons, called the Brahma weapon, became exceedingly glad and acquired a

decided superiority over all men. Then the son of Bharadwaja, endued with

great prowess went to king Drupada, and approaching that monarch, that

tiger among men, said, 'Know me for thy friend.' Hearing this Drupada

said, 'One of low birth can never be the friend of one whose lineage is

pure, nor can one who is not a car-warrior have a car-warrior for his

friend. So also one who is not a king cannot have a king as his friend.

Why dost thou, therefore, desire (to revive our) former friendship?'

"The Brahmana continued, 'Drona, gifted with great intelligence, was

extremely mortified at this, and settling in his mind some means of

humiliating the king of the Panchala he went to the capital of the Kurus,

called after the name of an elephant. Then Bhishma, taking with him his

grandsons, presented them unto the wise son of Bharadwaja as his pupils

for instruction, along with various kinds of wealth. Then Drona, desirous

of humiliating king Drupada, called together his disciples and addressed

them, 'Ye sinless ones, it behoveth you, after you have been accomplished

in arms, to give me as preceptorial fee something that I cherish in my

heart.' Then Arjuna and others said unto their preceptor, 'So be

it.'--After a time when the Pandavas became skilled in arms and sure

aims, demanding of them his fee, he again told them these words,

'Drupada, the son of Prishata, is the king of Chhatravati. Take away from

him his kingdom, and give it unto me.' Then the Pandavas, defeating

Drupada in battle and taking him prisoner along with his ministers,

offered him unto Drona, who beholding the vanquished monarch, said, 'O

king, I again solicit thy friendship; and because none who is not a king

deserveth to be the friend of a king, therefore, O Yajnasena, I am

resolved to divide thy kingdom amongst ourselves. While thou art the king

of the country to the south of Bhagirathi (Ganga), I will rule the

country to the north.'

"The Brahmana continued, 'The king of the Panchalas, thus addressed by

the wise son of Bharadwaja, told that best of Brahmanas and foremost of

all persons conversant with weapons, these words, 'O high-souled son of

Bharadwaja, blest be thou, let it be so, let there be eternal friendship

between us as thou desirest!' Thus addressing each other and establishing

a permanent bond between themselves, Drona and the king of Panchala, both

of them chastisers of foes, went away to the places they came from. But

the thought of that humiliation did not leave the king's mind for a

single moment. Sad at heart, the king began to waste away.'"

SECTION CLXIX

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"The Brahmana continued, 'King Drupada (after this), distressed at heart,

wandered among many asylums of Brahmanas in search of superior Brahmanas

well-skilled in sacrificial rites. Overwhelmed with grief and eagerly

yearning for children, the king always said, 'Oh, I have no offspring

surpassing all in accomplishments.' And the monarch, from great

despondency, always said 'Oh, fie on those children that I have and on my

relatives!' And ever thinking of revenging himself on Drona, the monarch

sighed incessantly. And that best of kings, O Bharata, even after much

deliberation, saw no way of overcoming, by his Kshatriya might, the

prowess and discipline and training and accomplishment of Drona.

Wandering along the banks of the Yamuna and the Ganga, the monarch once

came upon a sacred asylum of Brahmanas. There was in that asylum no

Brahmana who was not a Snataka, no one who was not of rigid vows, and

none who was not virtuous to a high degree. And the king saw there two

Brahmana sages named Yaja and Upayaja, both of rigid vows and souls under

complete control and belonging to the most superior order. They were both

devoted to the study of the ancient institutes and sprung from the race

of Kasyapa. And those best of Brahmanas were well-able to help the king

in the attainment of his object. The king then, with great assiduity and

singleness of purpose, began to court this pair of excellent Brahmanas.

Ascertaining the superior accomplishments of the younger of the two the

king courted in private Upayaja of rigid vows, by the offer of every

desirable acquisition. Employed in paying homage to the feet of Upayaja,

always addressing in sweet words and offering him every object of human

desire, Drupada, after worshipping that Brahmana, addressed him (one

day), saying, 'O Upayaja, O Brahmana, if thou, performest those

sacrificial rites by (virtue of) which I may obtain a son who may slay

Drona, I promise thee ten thousand kine, or whatever else may be

agreeable to thee, O first of Brahmanas, truly am I ready to make gifts

to thee.' Thus addressed by the king, the Rishi replied, saying, 'I

cannot (perform such rites).' But Drupada without accepting this reply as

final, once more began to serve and pay homage unto that Brahmana. Then,

after the expiration of a year, Upayaja, that first of Brahmanas, O

monarch, addressing Drupada in sweet tone, said, 'My elder brother

(Yaja), one day, while wandering through the deep woods, took up a fruit

that had fallen upon a spot the purity of which he cared not to enquire

about. I was following him (at the time) and observed this unworthy act

of his. Indeed, he entertains no scruples in accepting things impure. In

accepting that (particular) fruit he saw not any impropriety of sinful

nature: Indeed, he who observeth not purity (in one instance) is not very

likely to observe it in the other instances. When he lived in the house

of his preceptor, employed in studying the institutes, he always used to

eat (impure) remnants of other people's feasts. He always speaks

approvingly of food and entertains no dislike for anything. Arguing from

these, I believe that my brother covets earthy acquisitions. Therefore, O

king, go unto him; he will perform spiritual offices for thee.' Hearing

these words of Upayaja, king Drupada, though entertaining a low opinion

of Yaja, nevertheless went to his abode. Worshipping Yaja who was (still)

worthy of homage, Drupada said unto him, 'O master, perform thou

spiritual offices for me and I will give thee eighty thousand kine!

Enmity with Drona burneth my heart; it behoveth thee therefore to cool

that heart of mine. Foremost of those conversant with the Vedas, Drona is

also skilled in the Brahma weapon and for this, Drona hath overcome me in

a contest arising from (impaired) friendship. Gifted with great

intelligence, the son of Bharadwaja is (now) the chief preceptor of the

Kurus. There is no Kshatriya in this world superior to him. His bow is

full six cubits long and looks formidable, and his shafts are capable of

slaying every living being. That great bowman, the high-souled son of

Bharadwaja, habited as a Brahmana, is destroying the Kshatriya power all

over the earth. Indeed, he is like a second Jamadagnya intended for the

extermination of the Kshatriya race. There is no man on earth who can

overcome the terrible force of his weapons. Like a blazing fire fed with

clarified butter, Drona, possessed of Brahma might and uniting it with

Kshatriya might, consumeth every antagonist in battle. But (thy) Brahma

force is greater in itself than (Drona's) Brahma force united with

Kshatriya might. Therefore, as I am inferior (to Drona) in consequence of

my possession of Kshatriya might alone, I solicit the aid of thy Brahma

force, having obtained thee so superior to Drona in knowledge of Brahma.

O Yaja, perform that sacrifice by means of which I may obtain a son

invincible in battle and capable of slaying Drona. Ready am I to give

thee ten thousand kine.' Hearing these words of Drupada, Yaja said, 'So

be it.' Yaja then began to recollect the various ceremonies appertaining

to the particular sacrifice. And knowing the affair to be a very grave

one, he asked the assistance of Upayaja who coveted nothing. Then Yaja

promised to perform the sacrifice for the destruction of Drona. Then the

great ascetic Upayaja spoke unto king Drupada of everything required for

the grand sacrifice (by aid of fire) from which the king was to obtain

offspring. And he said, 'O king, a child shall be born unto thee, endued,

as thou desirest, with great prowess, great energy, and great strength.'

"The Brahmana continued, 'Then king Drupada, impelled by the desire of

obtaining a son who was to slay Drona, began, for the success of his

wish, to make the necessary preparations. (And when everything was

complete) Yaja, after having poured libations of clarified butter on the

sacrificial fire, commanded Drupada's queen, saying, 'Come hither, O

queen, O daughter-in-law of Prishata! A son and a daughter have arrived

for thee!' Hearing this, the queen said, 'O Brahmana, my mouth is yet

filled with saffron and other perfumed things. My body also beareth many

sweet scents; I am hardly fit for accepting (the sanctified butter which

is to give me offspring). Wait for me a little, O Yaja! Wait for that

happy consummation.' Yaja, however, replied, 'O lady, whether thou comest

or waitest, why should not the object of this sacrifice be accomplished

when the oblation hath already been prepared by me and sanctified by

Upayaja's invocations?'

"The Brahmana continued, 'Having said this, Yaja poured the sanctified

libation on the fire, whereupon arose from those flames a child

resembling a celestial who possessing the effulgence of fire, was

terrible to behold. With a crown on this head and his body encased in

excellent armour, sword in hand, and bearing a bow and arrows, he

frequently sent forth loud roars. And immediately after his birth, he

ascended an excellent chariot and went about in it for some time. Then

the Panchalas in great joy shouted, 'Excellent, Excellent.' The very

earth seemed at that time unable to bear the weight of the Panchalas mad

with joy. Then, marvellous to say, the voice of some invisible spirit in

the skies said, 'This prince hath been born for the destruction of Drona.

He shall dispel all the fears of the Panchalas and spread their fame. He

shall also remove the sorrow of the king.' And there arose, after this

from the centre of the sacrificial platform, a daughter also, called

Panchali, who, blest with great good fortune, was exceedingly handsome.

Her eyes were black, and large as lotus-petals, her complexion was dark,

and her locks were blue and curly. Her nails were beautifully convex, and

bright as burnished copper; her eye-brows were fair, and bosom was deep.

Indeed, she resembled the veritable daughter of a celestial born among

men. Her body gave out fragrance like that of a blue lotus, perceivable

from a distance of full two miles. Her beauty was such that she had no

equal on earth. Like a celestial herself, she could be desired (in

marriage) by a celestial, a Danava, or a: Yaksha. When this girl of fair

hips was born an incorporeal voice said, 'This dark-complexioned girl

will be the first of all women, and she will be the cause of the

destruction of many Kshatriyas. This slender-waisted one will, in time,

accomplish the purpose of the gods, and along with her many a danger will

overtake the Kauravas.' On hearing these words, the Panchalas uttered a

loud leonine roar, and the earth was unable to bear the weight of that

joyous concourse. Then beholding the boy and the girl, the

daughter-in-law of Prishata, desiring to have them, approached Yaja and

said, 'Let not these know any one else except myself as their mother.'

Yaja, desiring to do good unto the king said, 'So be it!' Then the

Brahmanas (present there), their expectations fully gratified, bestowed

names upon the new-born pair, 'Let this son of king Drupada, they said,

be called Dhrishtadyumna, because of his excessive audacity and because

of his being born like Dyumna with a natural mail and weapon.' And they

also said, 'Because this daughter is so dark in complexion, she should be

called Krishna (the dark).'

"The Brahmana continued, 'Thus were born those twins of the great

sacrifice of Drupada. And the great Drona, bringing the Panchala prince

into his own abode, taught him all weapons in requital of half the

kingdom he had formerly taken from Drupada. The high-souled son of

Bharadwaja, regarding destiny to be inevitable, did what would perpetuate

his own great deeds.'"

SECTION CLXX

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of the Brahmana, the sons of

Kunti seemed to be, as it were, pierced with darts. Indeed, all those

mighty heroes lost their peace of mind. Then the truthful Kunti,

beholding all her sons listless and inattentive, addressed Yudhishthira

and said, 'We have now lived many nights in the abode of this Brahmana.

We have passed our time pleasantly in this town, living on the alms

obtained from many honest and illustrious persons. O oppressor of foes,

as we have now seen often and often all the agreeable woods and gardens

that are in this part of the country, seeing them again would no longer

give any pleasure. O heroic scion of Kuru's race, alms also are not now

obtainable here as easily as before. If thou wishest it would be well for

us now to go to Panchala; we have not seen that country, it will, no

doubt, O hero, prove delightful to us. O crusher of foes, it hath been

heard by us that alms are obtainable in the country of the Panchala, and

that Yajnasena, the king thereof, is devoted to Brahmanas. I am of

opinion that it is not good to live long in one place. Therefore, O son,

if thou likest, it is good for us to go there.'

"Hearing these words, Yudhishthira said, 'It is our duty to obey thy

command, which, besides, must be for our good, I do not, however, know

whether my younger brothers are willing to go.'"

SECTION CLXXI

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Kunti spoke unto Bhimasena and Arjuna and

the twins regarding the journey to Panchala. They all said, 'So be it.'

Then, O king, Kunti with her sons saluted the Brahmana (in whose house

they had dwelt) and set out for the delightful town of the illustrious

Drupada.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'While the illustrious Pandavas were living disguised

in the abode of the Brahmana, Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, once went to

see them. Those chastisers of foes, beholding him coming rose up and

stepped onward to receive him. Saluting him reverentially and worshipping

him also the Pandavas stood in silence with joined hands. Thus worshipped

by them the sage became gratified. He asked them to be seated, and

cheerfully addressing them said, 'Ye slayers of foes, are ye living in

the path of virtue and according to the scriptures? Do ye worship the

Brahmanas? Ye are not, I hope, backward in paying homage unto those that

deserve your homage?' The illustrious Rishi, after this, spoke many words

of virtuous import, and after discoursing upon many topics of great

interest, he said, 'An illustrious Rishi, living in a certain hermitage,

had a daughter of tender waist, fair lips, and fine eye-brows, and

possessing every accomplishment. As a consequence of her own acts (in a

past life) the fair maid became very unfortunate. Though chaste and

beautiful, the damsel obtained not a husband. With a sorrowful heart she

thereupon began to practise ascetic penances with the object of obtaining

a husband. She soon gratified by her severe asceticism the god Sankara

(Mahadeva), who became propitious unto her and said unto that illustrious

damsel, 'Ask thou the boon thou desirest! Blest be thou! I am Sankara

prepared to give thee what thou wilt ask.' Desirous of benefiting

herself, the maid repeatedly said unto the supreme lord, 'O give me, a

husband endued with every accomplishment.' Then Isana (Mahadeva), that

foremost of all speakers, replied unto her, saying, 'O blessed one, thou

shall have five husbands from among the Bharata princes.' Thus told, the

maiden said unto the god who had given her that boon, 'O lord, I desire

to have only one husband through thy grace.' The god then addressed her

again and said these excellent words, 'Thou hast, O girl, said full five

times, 'Give me (a) husband.' Thou shalt, therefore, in another life have

five husbands!' Ye princes of Bharata's line, that damsel of celestial

beauty hath been born in the line of Drupada. The faultless Krishna of

Prishata's line hath been appointed to be the wife of you all. Ye mighty

ones, go therefore, to the capital of the Panchalas and dwell ye there.

There is no doubt that having obtained her as wife ye shall be very

happy.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said so unto the Pandavas, the

illustrious and blessed grandsire then bade them farewell. The great

ascetic then left them and went to the place whence he had come.'"

SECTION CLXXII

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Vyasa had gone away, those bulls among men,

the Pandavas, saluted the Brahmana and bade him farewell, and proceeded

(towards Panchala) with joyous hearts and with their mother walking

before them. Those slayers of all foes, in order to reach their

destination, proceeded in a due northerly direction, walking day and

night till they reached a sacred shrine of Siva with the crescent mark on

his brow. Then those tigers among men, the sons of Pandu, arrived at the

banks of the Ganga. Dhananjaya, that mighty car-warrior, walking before

them, torch in hand, for showing the way and guarding them (against wild

animals). And it so happened that at that time the proud king of the

Gandharvas, with his wives, was sporting in that solitary region in the

delightful waters of the Ganga. The king of the Gandharvas heard the

tread of the Pandavas as they approached the river. On hearing the sounds

of their foot-steps, the mighty Gandharvas were inflamed with wrath, and

beholding those chastisers of foes, the Pandavas, approach towards him

with their mother, he drew his frightful bow to a circle and said, 'It is

known that excepting the first forty seconds the grey twilight preceding

nightfall hath been appointed for the wandering of the Yakshas, the

Gandharvas and the Rakshasas, all of whom are capable of going everywhere

at will. The rest of the time hath been appointed for man to do his work.

If therefore, men, wandering during those moments from greed of gain,

come near us, both we and the Rakshasas slay those fools. Therefore,

persons acquainted with the Vedas never applaud those men--not even kings

at the head of their troops--who approach any pools of water at such a

time. Stay ye at a distance, and approach me not. Know ye not that I am

bathing in the waters of the Bhagirathi? Know that I am Angaraparna the

Gandharva, ever relying on my own strength! I am proud and haughty and am

the friend of Kuvera. This my forest on the banks of the Ganga, where I

sport to gratify all my senses, is called Angaraparna after my own name.

Here neither gods, nor Kapalikas, nor Gandharvas nor Yakshas, can come.

How dare ye approach me who am the brightest jewel on the diadem of

Kuvera?'

"Hearing these words of the Gandharva, Arjuna said, 'Blockhead, whether

it be day, night, or twilight, who can bar others from the ocean, the

sides of the Himalayas, and this river? O ranger of the skies, whether

the stomach be empty or full, whether it is night or day, there is no

special time for anybody to come to the Ganga--that foremost of all

rivers. As regards ourselves endued with might, we care not when we

disturb thee. Wicked being, those who are weak in fighting worship thee.

This Ganga, issuing out of the golden peaks of Himavat, falleth into the

waters of the ocean, being distributed into seven streams. They who drink

the waters of these seven streams, viz., Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati,

Vitashtha, Sarayu, Gomati, and Gandaki, are, cleansed of all their sins.

O Gandharva, this sacred Ganga again, flowing through the celestial

region is called there the Alakananda, It hath again in the region of the

Pitris become the Vaitarani, difficult of being crossed by sinners, and,

Krishna-Dwaipayana himself hath said so. The auspicious and celestial

river, capable of leading to heaven (them that touch its waters), is free

from all dangers. Why dost thou then desire to bar us from it? This act

of thine is not in consonance with eternal virtue. Disregarding thy

words, why shall we not touch the sacred waters of the Bhagirathi free

from all dangers and from which none can bar us?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Angaraparna

became inflamed with wrath and drawing his bow to a circle began to shoot

his arrows like venomous snakes at the Pandavas. Then Dhananjaya, the son

of Pandu, wielding a good shield and the torch he held in his hand,

warded off all those arrows and addressing the Gandharva again said, 'O

Gandharva, seek not to terrify those that are skilled in weapons, for

weapons hurled at them vanish like froth. I think, O Gandharva, that ye

are superior (in prowess) to men; therefore shall I fight with thee,

using celestial weapons and not with any crooked means. This fiery weapon

(that I shall hurl at thee), Vrihaspati the revered preceptor of Indra,

gave unto Bharadwaja, from whom it was obtained by Agnivesya, and from

Agnivesya by my preceptor, that foremost of Brahmanas, Drona, who gave it

away to me.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying these words, the Pandava wrathfully

hurled at the Gandharva that blazing weapon made of fire which burnt the

Gandharva's chariot in a trice. Deprived of consciousness by the force of

that weapon, the mighty Gandharva was falling, head downward, from his

chariot. Dhananjaya seized him by the hair of his head adorned with

garlands of flowers and thus dragged the unconscious Gandharva towards

his brothers. Beholding this, that Gandharva's wife Kumbhinasi, desirous

of saving her husband, ran towards Yudhishthira and sought his

protection. The Gandharvi said, 'O exalted one, extend to me thy

protection! O, set my husband free! O lord, I am Kumbhinasi by name, the

wife of this Gandharva, who seeketh thy protection!' Beholding her (so

afflicted), the mighty Yudhishthira addressed Arjuna and said, 'O slayer

of foes, O child, who would slay a foe who hath been vanquished in fight,

who hath been deprived of fame, who is protected by a woman, and who hath

no prowess?' Arjuna replied, saying, 'Keep thou thy life, O Gandharva! Go

hence, and grieve not I Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, commandeth

me to show thee mercy.'

"The Gandharva replied, 'I have been vanquished by thee, I shall,

therefore, abandon my former name Angaraparna (the blazing vehicle). In

name alone, O friend, I should not be boastful when my pride in my

strength hath been overcome: I have been fortunate in that I have

obtained thee; O Arjuna, that wielder of celestial weapons! I like to

impart to thee the power of (producing) illusions which Gandharvas alone

have. My excellent and variegated chariot hath been burnt by means of thy

fiery weapon. I who had formerly been called after my excellent chariot

should now be called after my burnt chariot. The science of producing

illusions that I have spoken of was formerly obtained by me by ascetic

penances. That science I will today impart to the giver of my life-thy

illustrious self! What good luck doth he not deserve who, after

overcoming a foe by his might, giveth him life when that foe asketh for

it? This science is called Chakshushi. It was communicated by Manu unto

Soma and by Soma unto Viswavasu, and lastly by Viswavasu unto me.

Communicated by my preceptor, that science, having come unto me who am

without energy, is gradually becoming fruitless. I have spoken to thee

about its origin and transmission. Listen now to its power! One may see

(by its aid) whatever one wisheth to see, and in whatever way he liketh

(generally or particularly). One can acquire this science only after

standing on one leg for six months. I shall however, communicate to thee

this science without thyself being obliged to observe any rigid vow. O

king, it is for this knowledge that we are superior to men. And as we are

capable of seeing everything by spiritual sight, we are equal to the

gods. O best of men, I intend to give thee and each of thy brothers a

hundred steeds born in the country of the Gandharvas. Of celestial colour

and endued with the speed of the mind, those horses are employed in

bearing the celestial, and the Gandharvas. They may be lean-fleshed but

they tire not, nor doth their speed suffer on that account. In days of

yore the thunderbolt was created for the chief of the celestials in order

that he might slay (the Asura) Vritra with it. But hurled at Vritra's

head it broke in a thousand pieces. The celestials worship with reverence

those fragments of the thunderbolt. That which is known in the three

worlds as glory is but a portion of the thunderbolt. The hand of the

Brahmana with which he poureth libations on the sacrificial fire, the

chariot upon which the Kshatriya fighteth, the charity of the Vaisya, and

the service of the Sudra rendered unto the three other classes, are all

fragments of the thunderbolt. It hath been said that horses, forming as

they do a portion of the Kshatriya's chariot, are, on that account,

unslayable. Again horses which form a portion of the Kshatriya's chariot,

are the offspring of Vadava. Those amongst them that are born in the

region of the Gandharvas can go everywhere and assume any hue and speed

at the will of their owners. These horses of mine that I give thee will

always gratify thy wishes."

"On hearing these words of the Gandharva, Arjuna said, 'O Gandharva, if

from satisfaction for having obtained thy life at my hands in a situation

of danger, thou givest me thy science, and these horses, I would not

accept thy gift.' The Gandharva replied, saying, 'A meeting with an

illustrious person is ever a source of gratification; besides thou hast

given me my life. Gratified with thee, I will give thee my science. That

the obligation, however, may not all be on one side, I will take from

thee, O Vibhatsu, O bull in Bharata's race, thy excellent and eternal

weapon of fire!'

"Arjuna said, 'I would accept thy horses in exchange for my weapon. Let

our friendship last for ever. O friend, tell us for what we human beings

have to stand in fear of the Gandharvas. Chastisers of foes that we are

and virtuous and conversant with the Vedas, tell us, O Gandharva, why in

travelling in the night-time we have been censured by thee.'

"The Gandharva said, 'Ye are without wives (though ye have completed the

period of study). Ye are without a particular Asrama (mode of life).

Lastly, ye are out without a Brahmana walking before, therefore, ye sons

of Pandu, ye have been censured by me. The Yakshas, Rakshasas,

Gandharvas, Pisachas, Uragas and Danavas, are possessed of wisdom and

intelligence, and acquainted with the history of the Kuru race. O hero, I

have heard too from Narada and other celestial Rishis about the good

deeds of your wise ancestors. I myself, too, while roaming over the whole

earth bounded by her belt of seas, have witnessed the prowess of thy

great race. O Arjuna, I have personal knowledge of thy preceptor, the

illustrious son of Bharadwaja, celebrated throughout the three worlds for

his knowledge of the Vedas and the science of arms. O tiger in Kuru's

race, O son of Pritha, I also know Dharma, Vayu, Sakra, the twin Aswins,

and Pandu,--these six perpetuators of Kuru race,--these excellent

celestials and human progenitors of you all. I also know that you five

brothers are learned and high-souled, that ye are foremost of all

wielders of weapons, that ye are brave and virtuous and observant of

vows. Knowing that your understanding and hearts are excellent and your

behaviour faultless, I have yet censured you. For, O thou of Kuru's race,

it behoveth no man endued with might of arms to bear with patience any

ill usage in the sight of his wife. Especially as, O son of Kunti, our

might increaseth during the hours of darkness, accompanied by my wife I

was filled with wrath. O best of vow-observing men, I have, however, been

vanquished by thee in battle. Listen to me as I tell thee the reasons

that have led to my discomfiture. The Brahmacharya is a very superior

mode of life, and as thou art in that mode now, it is for this, O Partha,

that I have been defeated by thee in battle. O chastiser of foes, if any

married Kshatriya fight with us at night, he can never escape, with life.

But, O Partha, a married Kshatriya, who is sanctified with Brahma, and

who hath assigned the cares of his State to a priest, might vanquish! all

wanderers in the night. O child of Tapati, men should therefore, ever

employ learned priests possessing self-command for the acquisition of

every good luck they desire. That Brahmana is worthy of being the king's

priest who is learned in the Vedas and the six branches thereof, who is

pure and truthful, who is of virtuous soul and possessed of self-command.

The monarch becometh ever victorious and finally earneth heaven who hath

for his priest a Brahmana conversant with the rules of morality, who is a

master of words, and is pure and of good behaviour. The king should

always select an accomplished priest in order to acquire what he hath not

and protect what he hath. He who desireth his own prosperity should ever

be guided by his priest, for he may then obtain ever the whole earth

surrounded by her belt of seas. O son of Tapati, a king, who is without a

Brahmana, can never acquire any land by his bravery or glory of birth

alone. Know, therefore, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, that the kingdom

lasteth for ever in which Brahmanas have power.'"