The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 3 VANA PARVA

 

The Mahabharata

of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa

BOOK 3

VANA PARVA

Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text

by

Kisari Mohan Ganguli

[1883-1896]

Scanned at sacred-texts.com, 2003. Proofed at Distributed Proofing,

Juliet Sutherland, Project Manager. Additional proofing and formatting at

sacred-texts.com, by J. B. Hare.

SECTION I

(Aranyaka Parva)

Om! Having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara the foremost of male beings,

and the goddess Saraswati also, must the word Jaya be uttered.

"Janamejaya said, 'O thou foremost of regenerate ones, deceitfully

defeated at dice by the sons of Dhritarashtra and their counsellors,

incensed by those wicked ones that thus brought about a fierce animosity,

and addressed in language that was so cruel, what did the Kuru princes,

my ancestors--the sons of Pritha--(then) do? How also did the sons of

Pritha, equal unto Sakra in prowess, deprived of affluence and suddenly

over whelmed with misery, pass their days in the forest? Who followed the

steps of those princes plunged in excess of affliction? And how did those

high souled ones bear themselves and derive their sustenance, and where

did they put up? And, O illustrious ascetic and foremost of Brahmanas,

how did those twelve years (of exile) of those warriors who were slayers

of foes, pass away in the forest? And undeserving of pain, how did that

princess, the best of her sex, devoted to her husbands, eminently

virtuous, and always speaking the truth, endure that painful exile in the

forest? O thou of ascetic wealth tell me all this in detail, for, O

Brahmana, I desire to hear thee narrate the history of those heroes

possessed of abundant prowess and lustre. Truly my curiosity is great.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus defeated at dice and incensed by the wicked

sons of Dhritarashtra and their counsellors, the sons of Pritha set out

from Hastinapura. And issuing through Vardhamana gate of the city, the

Pandavas bearing their weapons and accompanied by Draupadi set out in a

northernly direction. Indrasena and others, with servants numbering

altogether fourteen, with their wives, followed them on swift cars. And

the citizens learning of their departure became overwhelmed with sorrow,

and began to censure Bhishma and Vidura and Drona and Gautama. And having

met together they thus addressed one another fearlessly.

'Alas, our families, we ourselves, and our homes are all gone, when the

wicked Duryodhana, backed by the son of Suvala, by Karna and Dussasana,

aspireth to this kingdom. And, Oh, our families, our (ancestral) usages,

our virtue and prosperity, are all doomed where this sinful wretch

supported by wretches as sinful aspireth to the kingdom! And, Oh, how can

happiness be there where these are not! Duryodhana beareth malice towards

all superiors, hath taken leave of good conduct, and quarreleth with

those that are near to him in blood. Covetous and vain and mean, he is

cruel by nature. The whole earth is doomed when Duryodhana becometh its

ruler. Thither, therefore, let us proceed whither the merciful and

high-minded sons of Pandu with passions under control and victorious over

foes, and possessed of modesty and renown, and devoted to pious

practices, repair!'

"Vaisampayana said, 'And saying this, the citizens went after the

Pandavas, and having met them, they all, with joined hands, thus

addressed the sons of Kunti and Madri.

'Blest be ye! Where will ye go, leaving us in grief? We will follow you

whithersoever ye will go! Surely have we been distressed upon learning

that ye have been deceitfully vanquished by relentless enemies! It

behoveth you not to forsake us that are your loving subjects and devoted

friends always seeking your welfare and employed in doing what is

agreeable to you! We desire not to be overwhelmed in certain destruction

living in the dominions of the Kuru king. Ye bulls among men, listen as

we indicate the merits and demerits springing respectively from

association with what is good and bad! As cloth, water, the ground, and

sesame seeds are perfumed by association with flowers, even so are

qualities ever the product of association. Verily association with fools

produceth an illusion that entangleth the mind, as daily communion with

the good and the wise leadeth to the practice of virtue. Therefore, they

that desire emancipation should associate with those that are wise and

old and honest and pure in conduct and possessed of ascetic merit. They

should be waited upon whose triple possessions, viz., knowledge (of the

Vedas), origin and acts, are all pure, and association with them is even

superior to (the study of the) scriptures. Devoid of the religious acts

as we are, we shall yet reap religious merit by association with the

righteous, as we should come by sin by waiting upon the sinful. The very

sight and touch of the dishonest, and converse and association with them;

cause diminution of virtue, and men (that are doomed to these), never

attain purity of mind. Association with the base impaireth the

understanding, as, indeed, with the indifferent maketh it indifferent,

while communion with the good ever exalteth it. All those attributes

which are spoken of in the world as the sources of religious merit, of

worldly prosperity and sensual pleasures, which are regarded by the

people, extolled in the Vedas, and approved by the well-behaved, exist in

you, separately and jointly! Therefore, desirous of our own welfare, we

wish to live amongst you who possess those attributes!

"Yudhishthira said, 'Blessed are we since the people with the Brahmanas

at their head, moved by affection and compassion credit us with merits we

have not. I, however, with my brothers, would ask all of you to do one

thing. Ye should not, through affection and pity for us, act otherwise!

Our grandfather Bhishma, the king (Dhritarashtra), Vidura, my mother and

most of my well-wishers, are all in the city of Hastinapura. Therefore,

if ye are minded to seek our welfare, cherish ye them with care, uniting

together as they are overwhelmed with sorrow and afflictions. Grieved at

our departure, ye have come far! Go ye back, and let your hearts be

directed with tenderness towards the relatives I entrust to you as

pledges! This, of all others, is the one act upon which my heart is set,

and by doing this ye would give me great satisfaction and pay me your

best regards!

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus exhorted by Yudhishthira the just, the

people in a body set up a loud wail exclaiming,--Alas, O king! And

afflicted and overwhelmed with sorrow on remembering the virtues of

Pritha's son, they unwillingly retraced their steps asking leave of the

Pandavas.

'The citizens having ceased to follow, the Pandavas ascended their cars,

and setting out reached (the site of) the mighty banian tree called

Pramana on the banks of the Ganges. And reaching the site of the banian

tree about the close of the day, the heroic sons of Pandu purified

themselves by touching the sacred water, and passed the night there. And

afflicted with woe they spent that night taking water alone as their sole

sustenance. Certain Brahmanas belonging to both classes, viz., those that

maintained the sacrificial fire and those that maintained it not, who

had, with their disciples and relatives, out of affection followed the

Pandavas thither also passed the night with them. And surrounded by those

utterers of Brahma, the king shone resplendent in their midst. And that

evening, at once beautiful and terrible, those Brahmanas having lighted

their (sacred) fires, began to chant the Vedas and hold mutual converse.

And those foremost of Brahmanas, with swan-sweet voices spent the night,

comforting that best of Kurus--the king."

SECTION II

"Vaisampayana said, 'When that night passed away and day broke in, those

Brahmamas who supported themselves by mendicancy, stood before the

Pandavas of exalted deeds, who were about to enter the forest. Then king

Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, addressed them, saying, "Robbed of our

prosperity and kingdom, robbed of everything, we are about to enter the

deep woods in sorrow, depending for our food on fruits and roots, and the

produce of the chase. The forest too is full of dangers, and abounds with

reptiles and beasts of prey. It appeareth to me that ye will certainly

have to suffer much privation and misery there. The sufferings of the

Brahmanas might overpower even the gods. That they would overwhelm me is

too certain. Therefore, O Brahmana, go ye back whithersoever ye list!'

"The Brahmanas replied, 'O king, our path is even that on which ye are

for setting out! It behoveth thee not, therefore, to forsake us who are

thy devoted admirers practising the true religion! The very gods have

compassion upon their worshippers,--specially upon Brahmanas of regulated

lives!'

"Yudhishthira said, 'We regenerate ones, I too am devoted to the

Brahmanas! But this destitution that hath overtaken me overwhelmed me

with confusion! These my brothers that are to procure fruits and roots

and the deer (of the forest) are stupefied with grief arising from their

afflictions and on account of the distress of Draupadi and the loss of

our kingdom! Alas, as they are distressed, I cannot employ them in

painful tasks!'

"The Brahmanas said, 'Let no anxiety, O king, in respect of our

maintenance, find a place in thy heart! Ourselves providing our own food,

we shall follow thee, and by meditation and saying our prayers we shall

compass thy welfare while by pleasant converse we shall entertain thee

and be cheered ourselves.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'Without doubt, it must be as ye say, for I am ever

pleased with the company of the regenerate ones! But my fallen condition

maketh me behold in myself an object of reproach! How shall I behold you

all, that do not deserve to bear trouble, out of love for me painfully

subsisting upon food procured by your own toil? Oh, fie upon the wicked

sons of Dhritarashtra!'

"Vaisampayana continued. 'Saying this, the weeping king sat himself down

upon the ground. Then a learned Brahmana, Saunaka by name versed in

self-knowledge and skilled in the Sankhya system of yoga, addressed the

king, saying, 'Causes of grief by thousands, and causes of fear by

hundreds, day after day, overwhelm the ignorant but not the wise. Surely,

sensible men like thee never suffer themselves to be deluded by acts that

are opposed to true knowledge, fraught with every kind of evil, and

destructive of salvation. O king, in thee dwelleth that understanding

furnished with the eight attributes which is said to be capable of

providing against all evils and which resulteth from a study of the Sruti

(Vedas) and scriptures! And men like unto thee are never stupefied, on

the accession of poverty or an affliction overtaking their friends,

through bodily or mental uneasiness! Listen, I shall tell the slokas

which were chanted of old by the illustrious Janaka touching the subject

of controlling the self! This world is afflicted with both bodily and

mental suffering. Listen now to the means of allaying it as I indicate

them both briefly and in detail. Disease, contact with painful things,

toil and want of objects desired.--these are the four causes that induce

bodily suffering. And as regards disease, it may be allayed by the

application of medicine, while mental ailments are cured by seeking to

forget them yoga-meditation. For this reason, sensible physicians first

seek to allay the mental sufferings of their patients by agreeable

converse and the offer of desirable objects And as a hot iron bar thrust

into a jar maketh the water therein hot, even so doth mental grief bring

on bodily agony. And as water quencheth fire, so doth true knowledge

allay mental disquietude. And the mind attaining ease, the body findeth

ease also. It seemeth that affection is the root of all mental sorrow. It

is affection that maketh every creature miserable and bringeth on every

kind of woe. Verily affection is the root of all misery and of all fear,

of joy and grief of every kind of pain. From affection spring all

purposes, and it is from affection that spring the love of worldly goods!

Both of these (latter) are sources of evil, though the first (our

purposes) is worse than the second. And as (a small portion of) fire

thrust into the hollow of a tree consumeth the tree itself to its roots,

even so affection, ever so little, destroyeth both virtue and profit. He

cannot be regarded to have renounced the world who hath merely withdrawn

from worldly possessions. He, however, who though in actual contact with

the world regardeth its faults, may be said to have truly renounced the

world. Freed from every evil passion, soul dependent on nothing with such

a one hath truly renounced the world. Therefore, should no one seek to

place his affections on either friends or the wealth he hath earned. And

so should affection for one's own person be extinguished by knowledge.

Like the lotus-leaf that is never drenched by water, the souls of men

capable of distinguishing between the ephemeral and the everlasting, of

men devoted to the pursuit of the eternal, conversant with the scriptures

and purified by knowledge, can never be moved by affection. The man that

is influenced by affection is tortured by desire; and from the desire

that springeth up in his heart his thirst for worldly possessions

increaseth. Verily, this thirst is sinful and is regarded as the source

of all anxieties. It is this terrible thirst, fraught with sin that

leaneth unto unrighteous acts. Those find happiness that can renounce

this thirst, which can never be renounced by the wicked, which decayeth

not with the decay of the body, and which is truly a fatal disease! It

hath neither beginning nor end. Dwelling within the heart, it destroyeth

creatures, like a fire of incorporeal origin. And as a faggot of wood is

consumed by the fire that is fed by itself, even so doth a person of

impure soul find destruction from the covetousness born of his heart. And

as creatures endued with life have ever a dread of death, so men of

wealth are in constant apprehension of the king and the thief, of water

and fire and even of their relatives. And as a morsel of meat, if in air,

may be devoured by birds; if on ground by beasts of prey; and if in water

by the fishes; even so is the man of wealth exposed to dangers wherever

he may be. To many the wealth they own is their bane, and he that

beholding happiness in wealth becometh wedded to it, knoweth not true

happiness. And hence accession of wealth is viewed as that which

increaseth covetousness and folly. Wealth alone is the root of

niggardliness and boastfulness, pride and fear and anxiety! These are the

miseries of men that the wise see in riches! Men undergo infinite

miseries in the acquisition and retention of wealth. Its expenditure also

is fraught with grief. Nay, sometimes, life itself is lost for the sake

of wealth! The abandonment of wealth produces misery, and even they that

are cherished by one's wealth become enemies for the sake of that wealth!

When, therefore, the possession of wealth is fraught with such misery,

one should not mind its loss. It is the ignorant alone who are

discontented. The wise, however, are always content. The thirst of wealth

can never be assuaged. Contentment is the highest happiness; therefore,

it is, that the wise regard contentment as the highest object of pursuit.

The wise knowing the instability of youth and beauty, of life and

treasure-hoards, of prosperity and the company of the loved ones, never

covet them. Therefore, one should refrain from the acquisition of wealth,

bearing the pain incident to it. None that is rich free from trouble, and

it is for this that the virtuous applaud them that are free from the

desire of wealth. And as regards those that pursue wealth for purposes of

virtue, it is better for them to refrain altogether from such pursuit,

for, surely, it is better not to touch mire at all than to wash it off

after having been besmeared with it. And, O Yudhishthira, it behoveth

thee not to covet anything! And if thou wouldst have virtue, emancipate

thyself from desire of worldly possessions!'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Brahmana, this my desire of wealth is not for

enjoying it when obtained. It is only for the support of the Brahmanas

that I desire it and not because I am actuated by avarice! For what

purpose, O Brahmana, doth one like us lead a domestic life, if he cannot

cherish and support those that follow him? All creatures are seen to

divide the food (they procure) amongst those that depend on them.[1] So

should a person leading a domestic life give a share of his food to Yatis

and Brahmacharins that have renounced cooking for themselves. The houses

of the good men can never be in want of grass (for seat), space (for

rest), water (to wash and assuage thirst), and fourthly, sweet words. To

the weary a bed,--to one fatigued with standing, a seat,--to the thirsty,

water,--and to the hungry, food should ever be given. To a guest are due

pleasant looks and a cheerful heart and sweet words. The host, rising up,

should advance towards the guest, offer him a seat, and duly worship him.

Even this is eternal morality. They that perform not the Agnihotra[2] not

wait upon bulls, nor cherish their kinsmen and guests and friends and

sons and wives and servants, are consumed with sin for such neglect. None

should cook his food for himself alone and none should slay an animal

without dedicating it to the gods, the pitris, and guests. Nor should one

eat of that food which hath not been duly dedicated to the gods and

pitris. By scattering food on the earth, morning and evening, for (the

behoof of) dogs and Chandalas and birds, should a person perform the

Viswedeva sacrifice.[3] He that eateth the Vighasa, is regarded as eating

ambrosia. What remaineth in a sacrifice after dedication to the gods and

the pitris is regarded as ambrosia; and what remaineth after feeding the

guest is called Vighasa and is equivalent to ambrosia itself. Feeding a

guest is equivalent to a sacrifice, and the pleasant looks the host

casteth upon the guest, the attention he devoteth to him, the sweet words

in which he addresseth him, the respect he payeth by following him, and

the food and drink with which he treateth him, are the five Dakshinas[4]

in that sacrifice. He who giveth without stint food to a fatigued

wayfarer never seen before, obtaineth merit that is great, and he who

leading a domestic life, followeth such practices, acquireth religious

merit that is said to be very great. O Brahmana, what is thy opinion on

this?"

"Saunaka said, 'Alas, this world is full of contradictions! That which

shameth the good, gratifieth the wicked! Alas, moved by ignorance and

passion and slaves of their own senses, even fools perform many acts of

(apparent merit) to gratify in after-life their appetites! With eyes open

are these men led astray by their seducing senses, even as a charioteer,

who hath lost his senses, by restive and wicked steeds! When any of the

six senses findeth its particular object, the desire springeth up in the

heart to enjoy that particular object. And thus when one's heart

proceedeth to enjoy the objects of any particular sense a wish is

entertained which in its turn giveth birth to a resolve. And finally,

like unto an insect falling into a flame from love of light, the man

falleth into the fire of temptation, pierced by the shafts of the object

of enjoyment discharged by the desire constituting the seed of the

resolve! And thenceforth blinded by sensual pleasure which he seeketh

without stint, and steeped in dark ignorance and folly which he mistaketh

for a state of happiness, he knoweth not himself! And like unto a wheel

that is incessantly rolling, every creature, from ignorance and deed and

desire, falleth into various states in this world, wandering from one

birth to another, and rangeth the entire circle of existences from a

Brahma to the point of a blade of grass, now in water, now on land, and

now against in the air!

'This then is the career of those that are without knowledge. Listen now

to the course of the wise they that are intent on profitable virtue, and

are desirous of emancipation! The Vedas enjoin act but renounce (interest

in) action. Therefore, shouldst thou act, renouncing Abhimana,[5]

performance of sacrifices, study (of the Vedas), gifts, penance, truth

(in both speech and act), forgiveness, subduing the senses, and

renunciation of desire,--these have been declared to be the eight

(cardinal) duties constituting the true path. Of these, the four first

pave the way to the world of the pitris. And these should be practised

without Abhimana. The four last are always observed by the pious, to

attain the heaven of the gods. And the pure in spirit should ever follow

these eight paths. Those who wish to subdue the world for purpose of

salvation, should ever act fully renouncing motives, effectually subduing

their senses, rigidly observing particular vows, devotedly serving their

preceptors, austerely regulating their fare, diligently studying the

Vedas, renouncing action as mean and restraining their hearts. By

renouncing desire and aversion the gods have attained prosperity. It is

by virtue of their wealth of yoga[6] that the Rudras, and the Sadhyas,

and the Adityas and the Vasus, and the twin Aswins, rule the creatures.

Therefore, O son of Kunti, like unto them, do thou, O Bharata, entirely

refraining from action with motive, strive to attain success in yoga and

by ascetic austerities. Thou hast already achieved such success so far as

thy debts to thy ancestors, both male and female concerned, and that

success also which is derived from action (sacrifices). Do thou, for

serving the regenerate ones endeavour to attain success in penances.

Those that are crowned with ascetic success, can, by virtue of that

success, do whatever they list; do thou, therefore, practising asceticism

realise all thy wishes."

SECTION III

"Vaisampayana said, 'Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, thus addressed by

Saunaka, approached his priest and in the midst of his brothers said,

'The Brahmanas versed in the Vedas are following me who am departing for

the forest. Afflicted with many calamities I am unable to support them. I

cannot abandon them, nor have I the power to offer them sustenance: Tell

me, O holy one, what should be done by me in such a pass.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'After reflecting for a moment seeking to find out

the (proper) course by his yoga powers, Dhaumya, that foremost of all

virtuous men, addressed Yudhishthira, in these words, 'In days of old,

all living beings that had been created were sorely afflicted with

hunger. And like a father (unto all of them), Savita (the sun) took

compassion upon them. And going first into the northern declension, the

sun drew up water by his rays, and coming back to the southern

declension, stayed over the earth, with his heat centered in himself. And

while the sun so stayed over the earth, the lord of the vegetable world

(the moon), converting the effects of the solar heat (vapours) into

clouds and pouring them down in the shape of water, caused plants to

spring up. Thus it is the sun himself, who, drenched by the lunar

influence, is transformed, upon the sprouting of seeds, into holy

vegetable furnished with the six tastes. And it is these which constitute

the food of all creatures upon the earth. Thus the food that supporteth

the lives of creatures is instinct with solar energy, and the sun is,

therefore, the father of all creatures. Do thou, hence, O Yudhishthira,

take refuge even in him. All illustrious monarchs of pure descent and

deeds are known to have delivered their people by practising high

asceticism. The great Karttavirya, and Vainya and Nahusha, had all, by

virtue of ascetic meditation preceded by vows, delivered their people

from heavy afflictions. Therefore, O virtuous one, as thou art purified

by the acts do thou likewise, entering upon a file of austerities. O

Bharata, virtuously support the regenerate ones.'

"Janamejaya said, 'How did that bull among the Kurus, king Yudhishthira,

for the sake of the Brahmanas adore the sun of wonderful appearance?"

"Vaisampayana said, 'Listen attentively, O king, purifying thyself and

withdrawing thy mind from every other thing. And, O king of kings,

appoint thou a time. I will tell thee everything in detail, And, O

illustrious one, listen to the one hundred and eight names (of the sun)

as they were disclosed of old by Dhaumya to the high-souled son of

Pritha. Dhaumya said, 'Surya, Aryaman, Bhaga, Twastri, Pusha, Arka,

Savitri. Ravi,

Gabhastimat, Aja, Kala, Mrityu, Dhatri, Prabhakara, Prithibi, Apa, Teja,

Kha, Vayu, the sole stay, Soma, Vrihaspati, Sukra, Budha, Angaraka,

Indra, Vivaswat, Diptanshu, Suchi, Sauri, Sanaichara, Brahma, Vishnu,

Rudra, Skanda, Vaisravana, Yama, Vaidyutagni, Jatharagni, Aindhna,

Tejasampati, Dharmadhwaja, Veda-karttri, Vedanga, Vedavahana, Krita,

Treta, Dwapara, Kali, full of every impurity, Kala, Kastha, Muhurtta,

Kshapa, Yama, and Kshana; Samvatsara-kara, Aswattha, Kalachakra,

Bibhavasu, Purusha, Saswata, Yogin, Vyaktavyakta, Sanatana, Kaladhyaksha,

Prajadhyaksha, Viswakarma, Tamounda, Varuna, Sagara, Ansu, Jimuta,

Jivana, Arihan, Bhutasraya, Bhutapati, Srastri, Samvartaka, Vanhi,

Sarvadi, Alolupa, Ananta, Kapila, Bhanu, Kamada, Sarvatomukha, Jaya,

Visala, Varada, Manas, Suparna, Bhutadi, Sighraga, Prandharana,

Dhanwantari, Dhumaketu, Adideva, Aditisuta, Dwadasatman, Aravindaksha,

Pitri, Matri, Pitamaha, Swarga-dwara, Prajadwara, Mokshadwara,

Tripistapa, Dehakarti, Prasantatman, Viswatman, Viswatomukha,

Characharatman, Sukhsmatman, the merciful Maitreya. These are the hundred

and eight names of Surya of immeasurable energy, as told by the

self-create (Brahma). For the acquisition of prosperity, I bow down to

thee, O Bhaskara, blazing like unto gold or fire, who is worshipped of

the gods and the Pitris and the Yakshas, and who is adored by Asuras,

Nisacharas, and Siddhas. He that with fixed attention reciteth this hymn

at sunrise, obtaineth wife and offspring and riches and the memory of his

former existence, and by reciting this hymn a person attaineth patience

and memory. Let a man concentrating his mind, recite this hymn. By doing

so, he shall be proof against grief and forest-fire and ocean and every

object of desire shall be his.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard from Dhaumya these words suitable

to the occasion, Yudhishthira the just, with heart concentrated within

itself and purifying it duly, became engaged in austere meditation, moved

by the desire of supporting the Brahmanas. And worshipping the maker of

day with offerings of flowers and other articles, the king performed his

ablutions. And standing in the stream, he turned his face towards the god

of day. And touching the water of the Ganges the virtuous Yudhishthira

with senses under complete control and depending upon air alone for his

sustenance, stood there with rapt soul engaged in pranayama.[7] And

having purified himself and restrained his speech, he began to sing the

hymn of praise (to the sun).'

'Yudhishthira said, "Thou art, O sun, the eye of the universe. Thou art

the soul of all corporeal existences. Thou art the origin of all things.

Thou art the embodiment of the acts of all religious men. Thou art the

refuge of those versed in the Sankhya philosophy (the mysteries of the

soul), and thou art the support of the Yogins. Thou art a door unfastened

with bolts. Thou art the refuge of those wishing for emancipation. Thou

sustainest and discoverest the world, and sanctifiest and supportest it

from pure compassion. Brahmanas versed in the Vedas appearing before

thee, adore thee in due time, reciting the hymns from the respective

branches (of the Vedas) they refer. Thou art the adored of the Rishis.

The Siddhas, and the Charanas and the Gandharvas and the Yakshas, and the

Guhyakas, and the Nagas, desirous of obtaining boons follow thy car

coursing through the skies. The thirty-three gods[8] with Upendra

(Vishnu) and Mahendra, and the order of Vaimanikas[9] have attained

success by worshipping thee. By offering thee garlands of the celestial

Mandaras[10] the best of the Vidyadharas have obtained all their desires.

The Guhyas and the seven orders of the Pitris--both divine and

human--have attained superiority by adoring thee alone. The Vasus, the

Manilas, and the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Marichipas, the Valikhilyas,

and the Siddhas, have attained pre-eminence by bowing down unto thee.

There is nothing that I know in the entire seven worlds, including that

of Brahma which is beyond thee. There are other beings both great and

endued with energy; but none of them hath thy lustre and energy. All

light is in thee, indeed, thou art the lord of all light. In thee are the

(five) elements and all intelligence, and knowledge and asceticism and

the ascetic properties.[11] The discus by which the wielder of the

Saranga[12] humbleth the pride of Asuras and which is furnished with a

beautiful nave, was forged by Viswakarman with thy energy. In summer thou

drawest, by thy rays, moisture from all corporeal existences and plants

and liquid substances, and pourest it down in the rainy season. Thy rays

warm and scorch, and becoming as clouds roar and flash with lightning and

pour down showers when the season cometh. Neither fire nor shelter, nor

woolen cloths give greater comfort to one suffering from chilling blasts

than thy rays. Thou illuminest by thy rays the whole Earth with her

thirteen islands. Thou alone are engaged in the welfare of the three

worlds. If thou dost not rise, the universe becometh blind and the

learned cannot employ themselves in the attainment of virtue, wealth and

profit. It is through thy grace that the (three) orders of Brahmanas,

Kshatriyas and Vaisyas are able to perform their various duties and

sacrifices.[13] Those versed in chronology say that thou art the

beginning and thou the end of a day of Brahma, which consisteth of a full

thousand Yugas. Thou art the lord of Manus and of the sons of the Manus,

of the universe and of man, of the Manwantaras, and their lords. When the

time of universal dissolution cometh, the fire Samvartaka born of thy

wrath consumeth the three worlds and existeth alone And clouds of various

hues begotten of thy rays, accompanied by the elephant Airavata and the

thunderbolt, bring about the appointed deluges. And dividing thyself into

twelve parts and becoming as many suns, thou drinkest up the ocean once

more with thy rays. Thou art called Indra, thou art Vishnu, thou art

Brahma, thou art Prajapati. Thou art fire and thou art the subtle mind.

And thou art lord and the eternal Brahma. Thou art Hansa, thou art

Savitri, thou art Bhanu, Ansumalin, and Vrishakapi. Thou art Vivaswan,

Mihira, Pusha, Mitra, and Dharma. Thou art thousand-rayed, thou art

Aditya, and Tapana, and the lord of rays. Thou art Martanda, and Arka,

and Ravi, and Surya and Saranya and maker of day, and Divakara and

Suptasaspti, and Dhumakeshin and Virochana. Thou art spoken of as swift

of speed and the destroyer of darkness, and the possessor of yellow

steeds. He that reverentially adoreth thee on the sixth or the seventh

lunar day with humility and tranquillity of mind, obtaineth the grace of

Lakshmi. They that with undivided attention adore and worship thee, are

delivered from all dangers, agonies, and afflictions. And they that hold

that thou art everywhere (being the soul of all things) living long,

freed from sin and enjoying an immunity from all diseases. O lord of all

food, it behoveth thee to grant food in abundance unto me who am desirous

of food even for entertaining all my guests with reverence. I bow also to

all those followers of thine that have taken refuge at thy feet--Mathara

and Aruna and Danda and others, including Asani and Kshuva and the

others. And I bow also to the celestial mothers of all creatures, viz.,

Kshuva and Maitri and the others of the class. O, let them deliver me

their supplient.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus, O great king, was the sun that purifier of the

world, adored (by Yudhishthira). And pleased with the hymn, the maker of

day, self-luminous, and blazing like fire showed himself to the son of

Pandu. And Vivaswan said, 'Thou shall obtain all that thou desirest. I

shall provide thee with food for five and seven years together. And, O

king, accept this copper-vessel which I give unto thee. And, O thou of

excellent vows, as long as Panchali will hold this vessel, without

partaking of its contents fruits and roots and meat and vegetables cooked

in thy kitchen, these four kinds of food shall from this day be

inexhaustible. And, on the fourteenth year from this, thou shall regain

thy kingdom.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the god vanished away. He

that, with the desire of obtaining a boon, reciteth this hymn

concentrating his mind with ascetic abstraction, obtaineth it from the

sun, however difficult of acquisition it may be that he asketh for. And

the person, male or female, that reciteth or heareth this hymn day after

day, if he or she desireth for a son, obtaineth one, and if riches,

obtaineth them, and if learning acquireth that too. And the person male

or female, that reciteth this hymn every day in the two twilights, if

overtaken by danger, is delivered from it, and if bound, is freed from

the bonds. Brahma himself had communicated this hymn to the illustrious

Sakra, and from Sakra was it obtained by Narada and from Narada, by

Dhaumya. And Yudhishthira, obtaining it from Dhaumya, attained all his

wishes. And it is by virtue of this hymn that one may always obtain

victory in war, and acquire immense wealth also. And it leadeth the

reciter from all sins, to the solar region.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having obtained the boon, the virtuous son of

Kunti, rising from the water, took hold of Dhaumya's feet and then

embraced his brother's. And, O exalted one, wending then with Draupadi to

the kitchen, and adored by her duly, the son of Pandu set himself to cook

(their day's) food. And the clean food, however little, that was dressed,

furnished with the four tastes, increased and became inexhaustible. And

with it Yudhishthira began to feed the regenerate ones. And after the

Brahmanas had been fed, and his younger brothers also, Yudhishthira

himself ate of the food that remained, and which is called Vighasa. And

after Yudhishthira had eaten, the daughter of Prishata took what

remained. And after she had taken her meal, the day's food became

exhausted.

'And having thus obtained the boon from the maker of day, the son of

Pandu, himself as resplendent as that celestial, began to entertain the

Brahmanas agreeably to their wishes. And obedient to their priest, the

sons of Pritha, on auspicious lunar days and constellations and

conjunctions, performed sacrifices according to the ordinance, the

scriptures, and the Mantras. After the sacrifices, the sons of Pandu,

blessed by the auspicious rites performed by Dhaumya and accompanied by

him, and surrounded also by the Brahmanas set out for the woods of

Kamyaka.'"

SECTION IV

"Vaisampayana said,--"After the Pandavas had gone to the forest,

Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika, whose knowledge was his eye,[14] became

exceedingly sorrowful. And seated at his ease the king addressed these

words to the virtuous Vidura of profound intelligence, 'Thy understanding

is as clear as that of Bhargava.[15] Thou knowest also all the subtleties

or morality, and thou lookest on all the Kauravas with an equal eye. O,

tell me what is proper for me and them. O Vidura, things having thus

taken their course, what should we do now? How may I secure the goodwill

of the citizens so that they may not destroy us to the roots? O, tell us

all, since thou art conversant with every excellent expedient.'

"Vidura said, 'The three-fold purposes, O king (viz., profit, pleasure,

and salvation), have their foundations in virtue, and the sages say that

a kingdom also standeth on virtue as its basis. Therefore, O monarch,

according to the best of thy power, cherish thou virtuously thy own sons

and those of Pandu. That virtue had been beguiled by wicked souls with

Suvala's son at their head, when thy sons invited the righteous

Yudhishthira and defeated him in the match at dice. O king, of this deed

of utter iniquity I behold this expiation whereby, O chief of the Kurus,

thy son, freed from sin, may win back his position among good men. Let

the sons of Pandu, obtain that which was given unto them by thee. For,

verily, even this is the highest morality that a king should remain

content with his own, and never covet another's possessions. Thy good

name then would not suffer nor would family dissensions ensue, nor

unrighteousness be thine. This then is thy prime duty now,--to gratify

the Pandavas and disgrace Sakuni. If thou wishest to restore to thy sons

the good fortune they have lost, then, O king, do thou speedily adopt

this line of conduct. If thou dost not act so, the Kurus will surely meet

with destruction, for neither Bhimasena nor Arjuna, if angry, will leave

any of their foes unslain. What is there in the world which is

unattainable to those who cannot among their warriors Savyasachin skilled

in arms; who have the Gandiva, the most powerful of all weapons in the

world, for their bow; and who have amongst them the mighty Bhima also as

a warrior? Formerly, as soon as thy son was born, I told thee,--Forsake

thou this inauspicious child of thine. Herein lieth the good of thy

race.--But thou didst not then act accordingly. Nor also, O king, have I

pointed out to thee the way of thy welfare. If thou doest as I have

counselled, thou shalt not have to repent afterwards. If thy son consent

to reign in peace jointly with the sons of Pandu, passing thy days in joy

thou shalt not have to repent. Should it be otherwise, abandon thou thy

child for thy own happiness. Putting Duryodhana aside, do thou install

the son of Pandu in the sovereignty, and let, O king, Ajatasatru, free

from passion, rule the earth virtuously. All the kings of the earth,

then, like Vaisyas, will, without delay, pay homage unto us. And, O king,

let Duryodhana and Sakuni and Karna with alacrity wait upon the Pandavas.

And let Dussasana, in open court, ask forgiveness of Bhimasena and of the

daughter of Drupada also. And do thou pacify Yudhishthira by placing him

on the throne with every mark of respect. Asked by thee, what else can I

counsel thee to do? By doing this, O monarch, thou wouldst do what was

proper.'

'Dhritarashtra said, 'These words, O Vidura, then thou hast spoken in

this assembly, with reference to the Pandavas and myself, are for their

good but not for ours. My mind doth not approve them. How hast thou

settled all this in thy mind now? When thou hast spoken all this on

behalf of the Pandavas, I perceive that thou art not friendly to me. How

can I abandon my son for the sake of the sons of Pandu? Doubtless they

are my sons, but Duryodhana is sprung from my body. Who then, speaking

with impartiality, will ever counsel me to renounce my own body for the

sake of others? O Vidura, all that thou sayest is crooked, although I

hold thee in high esteem. Stay or go as thou likest. However much may she

be humoured, an unchaste will forsaketh her husband.'

"Vaisampayana said, O king, saying this Dhritarashtra rose suddenly and

went into the inner apartments. And Vidura, saying 'This race is doomed'

went away to where the sons of Pritha were.'"

SECTION V

"Vaisampayana said, 'Desirous of living in the forest, those bulls of the

Bharata race, the Pandavas, with their followers, setting out from the

banks of the Ganges went to the field of Kurukshetra. And performing

their ablutions in the Saraswati, the Drisadwati and the Yamuna, they

went from one forest to another, travelling in an westernly direction.

And at length they saw before them the woods, Kamyaka, the favourite

haunt of Munis, situated by a level and wild plain on the banks of the

Saraswati. And in those woods, O Bharata, abounding in birds and deer,

those heroes began to dwell, entertained and comforted by the Munis. And

Vidura always longing to see the Pandavas, went in a single car to the

Kamyaka woods abounding in every good thing. And arriving at Kamyaka on a

car drawn by swift steeds, he saw Yudhishthira the just, sitting with

Draupadi at a retired spot, surrounded by his brothers and the Brahmanas.

And seeing Vidura approach from a distance with swift steps, the virtuous

king addressed brother, Bhimasena, saying, 'With what message doth

Kshatta come to us? Doth he come hither, despatched by Sakuni, to invite

us again to a game of dice? Doth the little-minded Sakuni intend to win

again our weapons at dice? O Bhimasena, challenged by any one addressing

me,--Come, I am unable to stay. And if our possession of the Gandiva

becomes doubtful, will not the acquisition of our kingdom also be so.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, the Pandavas then rose up and welcomed

Vidura. And received by them, that descendant of the Ajamida line

(Vidura) sat in their midst and made the usual enquiries. And after

Vidura had rested awhile, those bulls among men asked him the reason of

his coming. And Vidura began to relate unto them in detail everything

connected with the bearing of Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika.'

"Vidura said, 'O Ajatasatru, Dhritarashtra called me, his dependant,

before him and honouring me duly said, 'Things have fared thus. Now, do

thou tell me what is good for the Pandavas as well as for me. I pointed

out what was beneficial to both the Kauravas and Dhritarashtra. But what

I said was not relished by him, nor could I hit upon any other course.

What I advised was, O Pandavas, highly beneficial, but the son of Amvika

heeded me not. Even as medicine recommendeth itself not to one that is

ill, so my words failed to please the king. And, O thou without a foe, as

all unchaste wile in the family of a man of pure descent cannot be

brought back to the path of virtue, so I failed to bring Dhritarashtra

back. Indeed, as a young damsel doth not like a husband of three score,

even so Dhritarashtra did not like my words. Surely, destruction will

overtake the Kuru race, surely Dhritarashtra will never acquire good

fortune. For, as water dropped on a lotus-leaf doth not remain there, my

counsels will fail to produce any effect to Dhritarashtra. The incensed

Dhritarashtra told me, O Bharata, go thou thither where thou likest Never

more shall I seek thy aid in ruling the earth or my capital,--O best of

monarchs, forsaken by king Dhritarashtra, I come to thee for tendering

good counsel. What I had said in the open court, I will now repeat unto

thee. Listen, and bear my words in mind,--that wise man who bearing all

the gross wrong heaped upon him by his enemies, patiently bideth his

time, and multiplieth his resources "even as men by degrees turn a small

fire: into a large one, ruleth alone this entire earth. He that (in

prosperity) enjoyeth his substance with his adherents findeth in them

sharers of his adversity,--this is the best means of securing adherents,

and it is said that he that hath adherents, winneth the sovereignty of

the world! And, O Pandava, divided thy prosperity with thy adherents,

behave truthfully towards them, and converse with them agreeably! Share

also your food with them! And never boast thyself in their presence! This

behaviour increaseth the prosperity of kings!'

"Yudhishthira said, 'Having recourse to such high intelligence,

undisturbed by passion, I will do as thou counsellest! And whatever else

thou mayst counsel in respect of time and place, I will carefully follow

entirely.'"

SECTION VI

"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, after Vidura had gone to the abode of the

Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, O Bharata, of profound wisdom, repented of his

action. And thinking of the great intelligence of Vidura in matters

connected with both war and peace, and also of the aggrandisement of the

Pandavas in the future, Dhritarashtra, pained at the recollection of

Vidura, having approached the door of the hall of state fell down

senseless in the presence of the monarchs (in waiting) And regaining

consciousness, the king rose from the ground and thus addressed Sanjaya

standing by, 'My brother and friend is even like the god of justice

himself! Recollecting him today, my heart burneth in grief! Go, bring

unto me without delay my brother well-versed in morality!' Saying this,

the monarch wept bitterly. And burning in repentance, and overwhelmed

with sorrow at the recollection of Vidura, the king, from brotherly

affection, again addressed Sanjaya saying, 'O Sanjaya, go thou and

ascertain whether my brother, expelled by my wretched self through anger,

liveth still! That wise brother of mine of immeasurable intelligence hath

never been guilty of even the slightest transgression, but, on the other

hand, he it is who hath come by grievous wrong at my hands! Seek him, O

wise one, and bring him hither; else, O Sanjaya, I will lay down my life!"

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the king, Sanjaya

expressed his approbation, and saying 'So be it,' went in the direction

of the Kamyaka woods. And arriving without loss of time at the forest

where the sons of Pandu dwelt, he beheld Yudhishthira clad in deer-skin,

seated with Vidura, in the midst of Brahmanas by thousands and guarded by

his brothers, even like Purandara in the midst of the celestials! And

approaching Yudhishthira, Sanjaya worshipped him duly and was received

with due respect by Bhima and Arjuna and the twins. And Yudhishthira made

the usual enquiries about his welfare and when he had been seated at his

ease, he disclosed the reason of his visit, in these words, 'King

Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, hath, O Kshatta! remembered thee!

Returning unto him without loss of time, do thou revive the king! And, O

thou best of men, with the permission of these Kuru princes--these

foremost of men--it behoveth thee, at the command of that lion among

kings, to return unto him!

Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Sanjaya, the intelligent

Vidura, ever attached to his relatives, with the permission of

Yudhishthira returned to the city named after the elephant. And after he

had approached the king, Dhritarashtra of great energy, the son of

Amvika, addressed him, saying, 'From my good luck alone, O Vidura, thou,

O sinless one, of conversant with morality, hast come here remembering

me! And, O thou bull of the Bharata race, in thy absence I was beholding

myself, sleepless through the day and the night, as one that hath been

lost on earth!' And the king then took Vidura on his lap and smelt his

head, and said, 'Forgive me, O sinless one, the words in which thou wert

addressed by me!' And Vidura said, 'O king, I have forgiven thee. Thou

art my superior, worthy of the highest reverence! Here am I, having come

back, eagerly wishing to behold thee! All virtuous men, O tiger among

men, are (instinctively) partial towards those that are distressed! This,

O king, is scarcely the result of deliberation! (My partiality to the

Pandavas proceedeth from this cause)! O Bharata, thy sons are as dear to

me as the sons of Pandu, but as the latter are now in distress, my heart

yearneth after them!

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And addressing each other thus in apologetic

speeches, the two illustrious brothers, Vidura and Dhritarashtra, felt

themselves greatly happy!'"

SECTION VII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing that Vidura had returned, and that the king

had consoled him, the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra began to burn in

grief. His understanding clouded by ignorance, he summoned the son of

Suvala, and Karna and Dussasana, and addressed them saying, 'The learned

Vidura, the minister of the wise Dhritarashtra, hath returned! The friend

of the sons of Pandu, he is ever engaged in doing what is beneficial to

them. So long as this Vidura doth not succeed in inducing the king to

bring them back, do ye all think of what may benefit me! If ever I behold

the sons of Pritha return to the city, I shall again be emaciated by

renouncing food and drink, even though there be no obstacle in my path!

And I shall either take poison or hang myself, either enter the pyre or

kill myself with my own weapons. But I shall never be able to behold the

sons of Pandu in prosperity!

"Sakuni said, 'O king, O lord of the earth, what folly hath taken

possession of thee! The Pandavas have gone to the forest, having given a

particular pledge, so that what thou apprehendest can never take place! O

bull of the Bharata race, the Pandavas ever abide by the truth. They will

never, therefore, accept the words of thy father! If however, accepting

the commands of the king, they come back to the capital, violating their

vow, even this would be our conduct, viz., assuming, an aspect of

neutrality, and in apparent obedience to the will of the monarch, we will

closely watch the Pandavas, keeping our counsels!'

"Dussasana said, 'O uncle of great intelligence, it is even as thou

sayest! The words of wisdom thou utterest always recommend themselves to

me!'"Karna said, 'O Duryodhana, all of us seek to accomplish thy will

and, O king, I see that unanimity at present prevaileth among us! The

sons of Pandu, with passions under complete control, will never return

without passing away the promised period. If, however, they do return

from failing sense, do thou defeat them again at dice.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana with

cheerless heart, averted his face from his counsellors. Marking all this,

Karna expanding his beautiful eyes, and vehemently gesticulating in

anger, haughtily addressed Duryodhana and Dussasana and Suvala's son

saying, 'Ye princes, know ye my opinion! We are all servants of the king

(Duryodhana) waiting upon him with joined palms! We should, therefore, do

what is agreeable to him! But we are not always able to seek his welfare

with promptness and activity (owing to our dependence on Dhritarashtra)!

But let us now, encased in mail and armed with our weapons, mount our

cars and go in a body to slay the Pandavas now living in the forest!

After the Pandavas have been quieted and after they have gone on the

unknown journey, both ourselves and the sons of Dhritarashtra will find

peace! As long as they are in distress, as long as they are in sorrow, as

long as they are destitute of help, so long are we a match for them! This

is my mind!'

'Hearing those words of the charioteer's son, they repeatedly applauded

him, and at last exclaimed, 'Very well!' And saying this each of them

mounted his car, and sanguine of success, they rushed in a body to slay

the sons of Pandu. And knowing by his spiritual vision that they had gone

out, the master Krishna-Dwaipayana of pure soul came upon them, and

commanded them to desist. And sending them away, the holy one, worshipped

by all the worlds, quickly appeared before the king whose intelligence

served the purposes of eye-sight, and who was then seated (at his ease).

And the holy one addressed the monarch thus.'"

SECTION VIII

"Vyasa said, 'O wise Dhritarashtra, hear what I say! I will tell thee

that which is for the great good of all the Kauravas! O thou of mighty

arms, it hath not pleased me that the Pandavas have gone to the forest

dishonestly defeated (at dice) by Duryodhana and others! O Bharata, on

the expiration of the thirteenth year, recollecting all their woes, they

may shower death-dealing weapons, even like virulent poison, upon the

Kauravas! Why doth thy sinful son of wicked heart, ever inflamed with

ire, seek to slay the sons of Pandu for the sake of their kingdom? Let

the fool be restrained; let thy son remain quiet! In attempting to slay

the Pandavas in exile, he will only lose his own life. Thou art as honest

as the wise Vidura, or Bhishma, or ourselves, or Kripa, or Drona, O thou

of great wisdom, dissension with one's own kin are forbidden, sinful and

reprehensible! Therefore, O king, it behoveth thee to desist from such

acts! And, O Bharata, Duryodhana looketh with such jealousy towards the

Pandavas that great harm would be the consequence, if thou didst not

interfere. Or let this wicked son of thine, O monarch, along and

unaccompanied, himself go to the forest and live with the sons of Pandu.

For then, if the Pandavas, from association, feel an attachment for

Duryodhana, then, O king of men, good fortune may be thine. (This,

however, may not be)! For it hath been heard that one's congenital nature

leaveth him not till death. But what do Bhishma and Drona and Vidura

think? What also dost thou think? That which is beneficial should be done

while there is time, else thy purposes will be unrealised.'"

SECTION IX

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O holy one, I did not like this business of

gambling, but, O Muni, I think, I was made to consent to it drawn by

fate! Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Vidura, nor Gandhari liked this

game at dice. No doubt, it was begot of folly. And, O thou who delightest

in the observance of vows, O illustrious one, knowing everything yet

influenced by paternal affection, I am unable to cast off my senseless

son, Duryodhana!'

"Vyasa said, 'O king, O son of Vichitravirya, what thou sayest is true!

We know it well that a son is the best of all things and that there is

nothing that is so good as a son. Instructed by the tears of Suravi,

Indra came to know that the son surpasseth in worth other valuable

possessions. O monarch, I will, in this connection, relate to thee that

excellent and best of stories, the conversation between Indra and Suravi.

In days of yore, Suravi, the mother of cows was once weeping in the

celestial regions. O child, Indra took compassion upon her, and asked

her, saying, 'O auspicious one! why dost thou weep? Is everything well

with the celestials? Hath any misfortune, ever so little, befallen the

world of men or serpents?' Suravi replied, 'No evil hath befallen thee

that I perceive. But I am aggrieved on account of my son, and it is

therefore, O Kausika, that I weep! See, O chief of the celestials, yonder

cruel husbandman is belabouring my weak son with the wooden stick, and

oppressing him with the (weight of the) plough, in consequence of which

my child agitated with agony is falling upon the ground and is at the

point of death. At sight of this, O lord of the celestials, I am filled

with compassion, and my mind is agitated! The one that is the stronger of

the pair is bearing his burthen of greater weight (with ease), but, O

Vasava, the other is lean, and weak and is a mass of veins and arteries!

He beareth his burthen with difficulty! And it is for him that I grieve.

See, O Vasava, sore inflicted with the whip, and harassed exceedingly, he

is unable to bear his burthen. And it is for him that, moved by grief, I

weep in heaviness of heart and these tears of compassion trickle down my

eyes!'

"Sakra said, 'O fair one, when thousands of thy son are (daily)

oppressed, why dost thou grieve for one under infliction?' Suravi

replied. 'Although I have a thousand offspring, yet my affections flow

equally towards all! But, O Sakra, I feel greater compassion for one that

is weak and innocent!'

"Vyasa continued, 'Then Indra having heard these words of Suravi, was

much surprised, and O thou of the Kuru race, he became convinced that a

son is dearer than one's life! And the illustrious chastiser of Paka

thereupon suddenly poured there a thick shower and caused obstruction to

the husbandman's work. And as Suravi said, thy affections, O king,

equally flow towards all thy sons. Let them be greater towards those that

are weak! And as my son Pandu is to me, so art thou, O son, and so also

Vidura of profound wisdom! It is out of affection that I tell you all

this! O Bharata, thou art possessed of a hundred and one sons, but Pandu

hath only five. And they are in a bad plight and passing their days in

sorrow. How may they save their lives, how may they thrive such thoughts

regarding the distressed sons of Pritha continually agitate my soul! O

king of the earth, if thou desirest all the Kauravas to live, let thy son

Duryodhana make peace with the Pandavas!'"

SECTION X

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Muni of profound wisdom, it is even as thou

sayest! I know it well as do all these kings! Indeed, what thou

considerest to be beneficial for the Kurus was pointed out to me, O Muni,

by Vidura and Bhishma and Drona. And, if I deserve thy favour, and if

thou hast kindness for the Kurus, do thou exhort my wicked son

Duryodhana!'

"Vyasa said, 'O king, after having seen the Pandava brothers, here cometh

the holy Rishi Maitreya, with the desire of seeing us. That mighty Rishi,

O king, will admonish thy son for the welfare of this race. And, O

Kauravya, what he adviseth must be followed undoubtingly, for if what he

recommendeth is not done, the sage will curse thy son in anger.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, Vyasa departed, and Maitreya made

his appearance. And the king with his son respectfully received that

way-worn chief of Munis, with offerings of the Arghya and other rites.

And king Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, in words of respect thus

addressed the sage, 'O holy one, hath journey from the Kuru-jangala been

a pleasant one? Are those heroes, the five Pandavas living happily? Do

those bulls of the Kuru race intend to stay out their time? Will the

brotherly affection of the Kauravas ever be impaired?'

"Maitreya said, 'Setting out on a pilgrimage to the different shrines, I

arrived at Kuru-jangala, and there I unexpectedly saw Yudhishthira the

just in the woods of Kamyaka. And, O exalted one, many Munis had come

there to behold the high-souled Yudhishthira, dwelling in an ascetic

asylum, clad in deer-skin and wearing matted locks. It was there, O king

of kings, that I heard of the grave error committed by thy sons and the

calamity and terrible danger arisen from dice that had overtaken them.

Therefore, it is that I have come to thee, for the good of the Kauravas,

since, O exalted one, my affection is great for thee and I am delighted

with thee! O king, it is not fit that thy sons should on any account

quarrel with one another, thyself and Bhishma living. Thou art, O king,

the stake at which bulls are tied (in treading cord), and thou art

competent to punish and reward! Why dost thou overlook then this great

evil that is about to overtake all? And, O descendant of the Kurus, for

those wrongs that have been perpetrated in thy court, which are even like

the acts of wretched outcasts, thou art not well-thought amongst the

ascetics!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then turning to the wrathful prince Duryodhana,

the illustrious Rishi Maitreya addressed him in these soft words, 'O

mighty-armed Duryodhana, O best of all eloquent men, O illustrious one,

give heed unto the words I utter for my good! O king, seek not to quarrel

with the Pandavas! And, O bull among men, compass thou thy own good as

also of the Pandavas, of the Kurus and of the world! All those tigers

among men are heroes of high prowess in war, gifted with the strength of

ten thousand elephants, with bodies hard as the thunderbolt, holding fast

by their promises, and proud of their manliness! they have slain the

enemies of the celestials--those Rakshasas capable of assuming any form

at will, such as were headed by Hidimva and Kirmira! When those

high-souled ones went from hence that Rakshasa of fierce soul obstructed

their nocturnal path even like an immoveable hill. And even as a tiger

slayeth a little deer, Bhima, that foremost of all endued with strength,

and ever delighted in fight, slew that monster. Consider also, O king,

how while out on his campaign of conquest, Bhima slew in battle that

mighty warrior, Jarasandha, possessing the strength of ten thousand

elephants. Related to Vasudeva and having the sons of king Drupada as

their brothers-in-law, who that is subject to decrepitude and death would

undertake to cope with them in battle? O bull of the Bharata race, let

there be peace between thee and Pandavas! Follow thou my counsels and

surrender not thyself to anger!

'O king, thus admonished by Maitreya, Duryodhana began to slap his thigh

resembling the trunk of the elephant, and smilingly began to scratch the

ground with his foot. And the wicked wretch spake not a word, but hung

down his head. And, O monarch, beholding Duryodhana thus offer him a

slight by scratching the earth silently, Maitreya became angry. And, as

if commissioned by fate, Maitreya, the best of Munis, overwhelmed by

wrath, set his mind upon cursing Duryodhana! And then, with eyes red in

anger, Maitreya, touching water, caused the evil-minded son of

Dhritarashtra, saying, 'Since, slighting me thou declinest to act

according to my words, thou shalt speedily reap the fruit of this thy

insolence! In the great war which shall spring out of the wrongs

perpetrated by thee, the mighty Bhima shall smash that thigh of thine

with a stroke of his mace!

'When the Muni had spoken so, king Dhritarashtra began to pacify the

sage, in order that what he had said might not happen. But Maitreya said,

'O king, if thy son concludeth peace with the Pandavas, this curse of

mine, O child, will not take effect, otherwise it must be as I have said!'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Desirous of ascertaining the might of Bhima, that

foremost of kings, the father of Duryodhana, then asked Maitreya, saying,

'How was Kirmira slain by Bhima?'

"Maitreya said, 'I shall not speak again unto thee, O king, for my words

are not regarded by thy son. After I have gone away, Vidura will relate

everything unto thee!' And saying this, Maitreya went away to the place

whence he had come. And Duryodhana also went out perturbed at the tidings

of Kirmira's death (at the hand of Bhima).'"

SECTION XI

(Kirmirabadha Parva)

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Kshatta, I am desirous to hear of the destruction

of Kirmira! Do thou tell me how the encounter took place between the

Rakshasa and Bhimasena!'

"Vidura said, 'Listen to the story of that feat of Bhimasena of super

human achievements! I have often heard of it in course of my conversation

with the Pandavas (while I was with them)

'O foremost of kings, defeated at dice the Pandavas departed from hence

and travelling for three days and nights they at length reached those

woods that go by the name of Kamyaka. O king, just after the dreadful

hour of midnight when all nature is asleep, when man-eating Rakshasas of

terrible deeds begin to wander, the ascetics and the cowherds and other

rangers of the forest used to shun the woods of Kamyaka and fly to a

distance from fear of cannibals. And, O Bharata, as the Pandavas were at

this hour entering those woods a fearful Rakshasa of flaming eyes

appeared before them with a lighted brand, obstructing their path. And

with outstretched arms and terrible face, he stood obstructing the way on

which those perpetuators of the Kuru race were proceeding. With eight

teeth standing out, with eyes of coppery hue, and with the hair of his

head blazing and standing erect, the fiend looked like a mass of clouds

reflecting the rays of the sun or mingled with lightning flashes and

graced with flocks of cranes underneath on their wings. And uttering

frightful yells and roaring like a mass of clouds charged with rain, the

fiend began to spread the illusion proper to his species. Hearing that

terrible roar, birds along with other creatures that live on land or in

water, began to drop down in all directions, uttering cries of fear. And

in consequence of the deer and the leopards and the buffaloes and the

bears flying about in all directions, it seemed as if the forest itself

was in motion. And swayed by the wind raised by the sighs of the

Rakshasa, creepers growing at a great distance seemed to embrace the

trees with their arms of coppery leaves. And at that moment, a violent

wind began to blow, and the sky became darkened with the dust that

covered it. And as grief is the greatest enemy of the object of the five

senses, even so appeared before the Pandavas that unknown foe of theirs.

And beholding the Pandavas from a distance clad in black deer-skins, the

Rakshasa obstructed their passage through the forest even like the

Mainaka mountain. And at the sight of him never seen before the

lotus-eyed Krishna, agitated with fear, closed her eyes. And she whose

braids had been dishevelled by the hand of Dussasana, stationed in the

midst of the five Pandavas, looked like a stream chafing amid five hills.

And seeing her overwhelmed with fear the five Pandavas supported her as

the five senses influenced by desire adhere to the pleasures relating to

their objects. And Dhaumya of great (ascetic) energy, in the presence of

the sons of Pandu, destroyed the fearful illusion that had been spread by

the Rakshasa, by applying various mantras, calculated to destroy the

Rakshasa. And beholding his illusion dispelled, the mighty Rakshasa of

crooked ways, capable of assuming any form at will, expanded his eyes in

wrath and seemed like death himself. Then king Yudhishthira, endued with

great wisdom, addressed him saying, 'Who art thou, and whose (son)? Tell

us what we should do for thee.' The Rakshasa thus addressed, answered

Yudhishthira the just, saying, 'I am the brother of Vaka, the celebrated

Kirmira. I live at ease in these deserted woods of Kamyaka, daily

procuring my food by vanquishing men in fight. Who are ye that have come

near me in the shape of my food? Defeating ye all in fight, I will eat ye

with pleasure.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'O Bharata, hearing these words of the wretch,

Yudhishthira announced his own name and lineage, saying, 'I am king

Yudhishthira the just, the son of Pandu, of whom thou mayst have heard.

Deprived of my kingdom, I have with my brothers Bhimasena and Arjuna and

the others, in course of my wanderings, come into this terrible forest

which is thy dominion, desirous of passing my period of exile here!'

"Vidura continued, 'Kirmira said unto Yudhishthira, 'By good luck it is

that fate hath accomplished today my long-accomplished desire! With

weapons upraised have I been continually ranging the entire earth with

the object of slaying Bhima. But Bhima I had found not. By good luck it

is that slayer of my brother, whom I had been seeking so long, hath come

before me! It was he who in the disguise of a Brahmana slew my dear

brother Vaka in the Vetrakiya forest by virtue of his science. He hath

truly no strength of arms! It is also this one of wicked soul who

formerly slew my dear friend Hidimva, living in this forest and ravished

his sister! And that fool hath now come into this deep forest of mine,

when the night is half spent, even at the time when we wander about!

Today I will wreak my long-cherished vengeance upon him, and I will today

gratify (the manes of) Vaka with his blood in plenty! By slaying this

enemy of the Rakshasas, I shall today be freed from the debt I owe to my

friend and my brother, and thereby attain supreme happiness! If Bhimasena

was let free formerly by Vaka, today, I will devour him in thy sight, O

Yudhishthira! And even as Agastya ate up and digested the mighty Asura

(Vatapi) I will eat up and digest this Bhima!'

"Vidura continued, 'Thus addressed by the Rakshasa, the virtuous

Yudhishthira, steadfast in his pledges, said, 'It can never be so,--and

in anger rebuked the Rakshasa.' The mighty-armed Bhima then tore up in

haste a tree of the length of ten Vyasas and stripped it of its leaves.

And in the space of a moment the ever-victorious Arjuna stringed his bow

Gandiva possessing the force of the thunderbolt. And, O Bharata, making

Jishnu desist, Bhima approached that Rakshasa still roaring like the

clouds and said unto him, 'Stay! Stay!' And thus addressing the cannibal,

and tightening the cloth around his waist, and rubbing his palms, and

biting his nether lip with his teeth, and armed with the tree, the

powerful Bhima rushed towards the foe. And like unto Maghavat hurling his

thunderbolt, Bhima made that tree, resembling the mace of Yama himself

descend with force on the head of the cannibal. The Rakshasa, however,

was seen to remain unmoved at that blow, and wavered not in the conflict.

On the other hand, he hurled his lighted brand, flaming like lightning,

at Bhima. But that foremost of warriors turned it off with his left foot

in such a way that it went back towards the Rakshasa. Then the fierce

Kirmira on his part, all on a sudden uprooting a tree darted to the

encounter like unto the mace bearing Yama himself. And that fight, so

destructive of the trees, looked like the encounter in days of yore

between the brothers Vali and Sugriva for the possession of the same

woman. And the trees struck at the heads of the combatants, were broken

into shivers, like lotus-stalks thrown on the temples of infuriate

elephants. And in that great forest, innumerable trees, crushed like unto

reeds, lay scattered as rags. That encounter with trees between that

foremost of Rakshasas and that best of men, O thou bull of the Bharata

race, lasted but for a moment. Then taking up a crag, the angry Rakshasa

hurled it at Bhima standing before him, but the latter wavered not. Then

like unto Rahu going to devour the sun dispersing his rays with extended

arms, the Rakshasa with out-stretched arms darted towards Bhima, who had

remained firm under the blow inflicted with the crag. And tugging at and

grappling with each other in diverse ways they appeared like two

infuriate bulls struggling with each other. Or like unto two mighty

tigers armed with teeth and claws, the encounter between them waxed

fierce and hard. And remembering their (late) disgrace at the hands of

Duryodhana, and proud of the strength of his arms, and conscious also of

Krishna looking at him, Vrikodara began to swell in vigour. And fried

with anger, Bhima seized the Rakshasa with his arms, as one elephant in

rut seizeth another. And the powerful Rakshasa also in his turn seized

his adversary, but Bhimasena that foremost of all men endued with

strength, threw the cannibal down with violence. The sounds that in

consequence of those mighty combatants pressing each other's hands, were

frightful and resembled the sounds of splintering bamboos. And hurling

the Rakshasa down, seized him by the waist, and began to whirl him about,

even as fierce hurricane shaketh a tree. And thus seized by the mighty

Bhima, the fatigued Rakshasa, became faint, and trembling all over, he

still pressed the (Pandava) with all his strength. And finding him

fatigued, Vrikodara, twined his own arms round the foe, even as one

bindeth a beast with cord. And the monster thereupon began to roar

frightfully, as a trumpet out of order. And the mighty Vrikodara for a

long while whirled the Rakshasa till the latter appeared to be

insensible, and began to move convulsively. And finding the Rakshasa

exhausted, the son of Pandu without loss of time took him up in his arms,

and slew him like a beast. And placing his knee on the waist of that

wretch of Rakshasa, Vrikodara began to press the neck of the foe with his

hands. Then Bhima, dragging along the earth the bruised body of the

Rakshasa with the eye-lids about to close, said, 'O sinful wretch, thou

wilt no more have to wipe away the tears of Hidimva or Vaka, for thou too

art about to go to the mansions of Yama!' And saying this, that foremost

of men, his heart filled with wrath, beholding the Rakshasa destitute of

clothing and ornaments, and insensible, and undergoing convulsions, let

him dead. And after that Rakshasa of hue like the clouds had been slain,

the son of that best of kings (Pandu) praised Bhima for his many

qualities, and placing Krishna in their front, set out for the Dwaita

woods."

Vidura said, 'It was thus, O lord of men, that Kirmira was slain in

combat by Bhima, in obedience, O Kaurava, to the commands of Yudhishthira

the just! And having rid the forest of its pest, the victorious

Yudhishthira the just, began to live in that dwelling of theirs, with

Draupadi. And those bulls of the Bharata race comforting Draupadi began

to cheerfully extol Bhima with glad hearts. And after the Rakshasa had

been slain, borne down by the might of Bhima's arms, those heroes entered

into the peaceful forest freed from its annoyance. Passing through the

great forest I saw lying the body of the wicked and fearless Rakshasa

slain by Bhima's might. And, O Bharata, there I heard of this achievement

of Bhima from those Brahmanas who have assembled round the Pandavas.'

Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing the account of the slaughter in combat

of Kirmira, that foremost of Rakshasas, the king sighed in sorrow and

became absorbed in thought.'"

SECTION XII

(Arjunabhigamana Parva)

Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing that the Pandavas had been banished, the

Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas went to those heroes residing in

affliction in the great forest. And the consanguineous relatives of

Panchala, and Dhrishtaketu the king of Chedi, and those celebrated and

powerful brothers--the Kaikeyas, their hearts fired with wrath, went to

the forest to see the sons of Pritha. And reproaching the sons of

Dhritarashtra, they said, 'What should we do?' And those bulls of the

Kshatriya race, with Vasudeva at their head, sat themselves down round

Yudhishthira the just. And respectfully saluting that foremost of the

Kurus, Kesava mournfully said, 'The earth shall drink the blood of

Duryodhana and Karna, of Dussasana and the wicked Sakuni! Slaying these

in battle and defeating their followers along with their royal allies,

will we all install Yudhishthira the just on the throne! The wicked

deserve to be slain! Verily, this is eternal morality.'

Vaisampayana continued, 'And when on account of the wrongs of Pritha's

sons, Janardana had thus got into a passion, and seemed bent upon

consuming all created things, Arjuna exerted himself to pacify him. And

beholding Kesava angry, Falguna began to recite the feats achieved in his

former lives by that soul of all things, himself immeasurable, the

eternal one, of infinite energy, the lord of Prajapati himself, the

supreme ruler of the worlds, Vishnu of profound wisdom!'

"Arjuna said, 'In days of old, thou, O Krishna, hadst wandered on the

Gandhamadana mountains for ten thousand years as a Muni having his home

where evening fell! Living upon water alone, thou hadst, in days of old,

O Krishna, also dwelt for full eleven thousand years by the lake of

Pushkara! And, O slayer of Madhu, with arms upraised and standing on one

leg, thou hadst passed a hundred years on the high hills of Vadari,[16]

living all the while upon air! And leaving aside thy upper garment, with

body emaciated and looking like a bundle of veins, thou hadst lived on

the banks of the Saraswati, employed in thy sacrifice extending for

twelve years! And, O Krishna of mighty energy, in observance of thy vow

thou hadst stood on one leg for the length of a thousand years of the

celestials, on the plains of Prabhasa which it behoveth the virtuous to

visit! Vyasa hath told me that thou art the cause of the creation and its

course! And, O Kesava, the lord of Kshetra,[17] thou art the mover of all

minds, and the beginning and end of all things! All asceticism resteth in

thee, and thou too art the embodiment of all sacrifices, and the eternal

one! Slaying the Asura Naraka, offspring of the Earth-first begotten,

thou hadst obtained his ear-rings, and performed, O Krishna, the first

horse-sacrifice (offering up that Asura as the sacrificial horse)! And, O

bull of all the worlds, having performed that feat, thou hast become

victorious over all! Thou hadst slain all the Daityas and Danavas

mustered in battle, and giving the lord of Sachi (Indra) the sovereignty

of the universe, thou hast, O Kesava of mighty arms, taken thy birth

among men! O slayer of all foes, having floated on the primordial waters,

thou subsequently becamest Hari,[18] and Brahma and Surya and Dharma, and

Dhatri and Yama and Anala and Vasu, and Vaisravana, and Rudra, and Kala

and the firmament the earth, and the ten directions! Thyself increate,

thou art the lord of the mobile and the immobile universe, the Creator of

all, O thou foremost of all existences! And, O slayer of Madhu, O thou of

abundant energy, in the forest of Chitraratha thou didst, O Krishna,

gratify with thy sacrifice the chief of all the gods, the highest of the

high! O Janardana, at each sacrifice thou didst offer, according to

shares, gold by hundreds and thousands. And, O son of the Yadava race,

becoming the son of Aditi, O exalted one of the supreme attributes, thou

hast been known as the younger brother of Indra! And, O thou chastiser of

foes, even while a child thou didst, O Krishna, in consequence of thy

energy, fill by three steps only the heaven, the firmament, and the

earth! And, O thou soul of all covering the heaven and the firmament

(while thou wert thus transformed), thou didst dwell in the body of the

sun and afflict him with thy own splendour! And, O exalted one, in thy

incarnations on those thousand occasions, thou hadst slain, O Krishna,

sinful Asuras by hundreds! By destroying the Mauravas and the Pashas, and

slaying Nisunda and Naraka. Thou hast again rendered safe the road to

Pragjyotisha! Thou hast slain Ahvriti at Jaruthi, and Kratha and Sisupala

with his adherents, and Jarasandha and Saivya and Satadhanwan! And on thy

car roaring like unto clouds and effulgent like the sun, thou didst

obtain for thy queen the daughter of Bhoja, defeating Rukmi in battle!

Thou didst in fury slay Indradyumna and the Yavana called Kaseruman! And

slaying Salwa the lord of Saubha, thou didst destroy that city of Saubha

itself! These have all been slain in battle; listen to me as I speak of

others (also slain by thee)! At Iravati thou hast slain king Bhoja equal

unto Karttavirya in battle, and both Gopati and Talaketu also have been

slain by thee! And, O Janardana, thou hast also appropriate unto thyself

the sacred city of Dwarka, abounding in wealth and agreeable unto the

Rishi themselves, and thou wilt submerge it at the end within the ocean!

O slayer of Madhu, how can crookedness be in thee, devoid as thou art, O

thou of the Dasarha race, of anger and envy and untruth and cruelty? O

thou who knowest no deterioration, all the Rishis, coming unto thee

seated in thy glory on the sacrificial ground, seek protection of thee!

And, O slayer of Madhu, thou stayest at the end of the Yuga, contracting

all things and withdrawing this universe into thy own self, thou

repressor of all foes! O thou of the Vrishni race, at the beginning of

the Yuga, there sprang from thy lotus-like navel, Brahma himself, and

lord of all mobile and immobile things, and whose is this entire

universe! When the dreadful Danavas Madhu and Kaitava were bent on

slaying Brahma, beholding their impious endeavour thou wert angry, and

from thy forehead, O Hari, sprang Sambhu, the holder of the trident. Thus

these two foremost of the deities have sprung from thy body in order to

do thy work! Even Narada it was who hath told me this! O Narayana, thou

didst, in the forest of Chaitraratha, celebrate with plentiful gifts a

grand sacrifice consisting of a multitude of rites! O God, O thou of eyes

like lotus leaves, the deeds thou hast performed while still a boy,

having recourse to thy might and aided by Baladeva, have never been done

by others, nor are they capable of being achieved by others in the

future! Thou didst even dwell in Kailasa, accompanied by Brahmanas!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having addressed Krishna thus, the illustrious

Pandava, who was the soul of Krishna, became dumb, when Janardana (in

reply addressed that son of Pritha) saying, 'Thou art mine and I am

thine, while all that is mine is thine also! He that hateth thee hateth

me as well, and he that followeth thee followeth me! O thou irrepressible

one, thou art Nara and I am Narayana or Hari! We are the Rishis Nara and

Narayana born in the world of men for a special purpose. O Partha, thou

art from me and I am from thee! O bull of the Bharata race, no one can

understand the difference that is between us!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the illustrious Kesava had said so in the

midst of that assembly of brave kings, all excited with anger, Panchali

surrounded by Dhrishtadyumna and her other heroic brothers, approached

him of eyes like lotus leaves seated with his cousins, and, desirous of

protection, addressed in angry accents that refuge of all, saying, 'Asita

and Devala have said that in the matter of the creation of all things,

thou hast been indicated (by the sages) as the only Prajapati and the

Creator of all the worlds! And, O irrepressible one, Jamadagnya sayeth

that thou art Vishnu, and, O slayer of Madhu, that thou art (embodiment

of) Sacrifice, Sacrificer and he for whom the sacrifice is performed!

And, O best of male beings, the Rishis indicate thee as Forgiveness and

Truth! Kasyapa hath said that thou art Sacrifice sprung from Truth! O

exalted one, Narada calleth thee the god of the Sadhyas, and of the

Sivas, as alone the Creator and the Lord of all things. And, O tiger

among men, thou repeatedly sportest with the gods including, Brahma and

Sankara and Sakra even as children sporting with their toys! And, O

exalted one, the firmament is covered by thy head, and the earth by thy

feet; these worlds are as thy womb and thou art the Eternal one! With

Rishis sanctified by Vedic lore and asceticism, and whose souls have been

purified by penance, and who are contented with soul-vision, thou art the

best of all objects! And, O chief of all male beings; thou art the refuge

of all royal sages devoted to virtuous acts, never turning their backs on

the field of the battle, and possessed of every accomplishment! Thou art

the Lord of all, thou art Omnipresent, thou art the Soul of all things,

and thou art the active power pervading everything! The rulers of the

several worlds, those worlds themselves, the stellar conjunctions, the

ten points of the horizon, the firmament, the moon, and the sun, are all

established in thee! And, O mighty-armed one, the morality of (earthly)

creatures, the immortality of the universe, are established in thee! Thou

art the Supreme lord of all creatures, celestial or human! Therefore it

is, O slayer of Madhu, that impelled by the affection thou bearest me

that I will relate to thee my griefs! O Krishna, how could one like me,

the wife of Pritha's sons, the sister of Dhrishtadyumna, and the friend

of thee, be dragged to the assembly! Alas, during my season, stained with

blood, with but a single cloth on, trembling all over, and weeping, I was

dragged to the court of the Kurus! Beholding me, stained with blood in

the presence of those kings in the assembly, the wicked sons of

Dhritarashtra laughed at me! O slayer of Madhu, while the sons of Pandu

and the Panchalas and the Vrishnis lived, they dared express the desire

of using me as their slave! O Krishna, I am according to the ordinance,

the daughter in-law of both Dhritarashtra and Bhishma! Yet, O slayer of

Madhu, they wished to make of me a slave by force! I blame the Pandavas

who are mighty and foremost in battle, for they saw (without stirring)

their own wedded wife known over all the world, treated with such

cruelty! Oh, fie on the might of Bhimasena, fie on the Gandiva of Arjuna,

for they, O Janardana, both suffered me to be thus disgraced by little

men! This eternal course of morality is ever followed by the

virtuous--viz., that the husband, however weak, protecteth his wedded

wife! By protecting the wife one protecteth his offspring and by

protecting the offspring one protecteth his own self! One's own self is

begotten on one's wife, and therefore it is that the wife is called Jaya.

A wife also should protect her lord, remembering that he is to take his

birth in her womb! The Pandavas never forsake the person that soliciteth

their protection, and yet they abandoned me who solicited it! By my five

husbands five sons of exceeding energy have been born of me: Prativindhya

by Yudhishthira, Sutasoma by Vrikodara, Srutakirti by Arjuna, Satanika by

Nakula and Srutakarman by the youngest, all of them of energy that cannot

be baffled. For their sake, O Janardana, it was necessary to protect me!

Even as (thy son) Pradyumna, they are, O Krishna, mighty warriors all!

They are foremost of bowmen, and invincible in battle by any foe! Why do

they bear the wrongs inflicted (on me) by the sons of Dhritarashtra of

such contemptible strength? Deprived of their kingdom by deception, the

Pandavas were made bondsmen and I myself was dragged to the assembly

while in my season, and having only a single cloth on! Fie on that

Gandiva which none else can string save Arjuna and Bhima and thyself, O

slayer of Madhu! Fie on the strength of Bhima, and fie on the prowess of

Arjuna, since, O Krishna, Duryodhana (after what he had done) hath drawn

breath even for a moment! He it is, O slayer of Madhu, who formerly drove

the guileless Pandavas with their mother from the kingdom, while they

were children still engaged in study and the observance of their vows. It

is that sinful wretch, who, horrible to relate, mixed in Bhima's food

fresh and virulent poison in full dose. But, O Janardana, Bhima digested

that poison with the food, without sustaining any injury, for, O best of

men and mighty-armed one, Bhima's days had not been ended! O Krishna, it

is Duryodhana who at the house standing by the banyan called Pramana

bound Bhima sleeping unsuspectingly, and casting him into the Ganges

returned to the city. But the powerful Bhimasena the son of Kunti,

possessed of mighty arms, on waking from sleep, tore his bonds and rose

from the water. It is Duryodhana, who caused venomous black-cobras to

bite all over the body of Bhimasena, but that slayer of foes died not.

Awaking, the son of Kunti smashed all the serpents and with his left hand

killed (the agent, viz.) the favourite charioteer of Duryodhana. Again,

while the children were asleep at Varanavata with their mother, it is he

who set fire to the house intending to burn them to death. Who is there

capable of doing such an act? It was then that the illustrious Kunti,

overtaken by this calamity, and surrounded by the flames, began to cry

out in terror, speaking to the children, 'Alas, I am undone! How shall we

escape from this fire today! Alas, I shall meet with destruction with my

little children!' Then Bhima, possessed of mighty arms, and prowess like

unto the force of the wind, comforted his illustrious mother as also his

brothers, saying, 'Like that king of birds, Garuda, the son of Vinata, I

will spring up into the air. We have no fear from this fire'. And then

taking his mother on his left flank, and the king in his right, and the

twins on each shoulder, and Vivatsu on his back, the mighty Vrikodara,

thus taking all of them, at one leap cleared the fire and delivered his

mother and brother from the conflagration. Setting out that night with

their renowned mother, they came near the forest of Hidimva. And while

fatigued and distressed, they were sleeping fast with her, a Rakshasa

woman called Hidimva approached them. Beholding the Pandavas with their

mother asleep on the ground, influenced by desire she sought to have

Bhimasena for her lord. The weak one then took up Bhima's feet on her lap

to press them with her soft hands. The mighty Bhima of immeasurable

energy, of prowess that could not be baffled, then woke from sleep, and

asked her, saying, 'O thou of faultless features, what dost thou wish

here?' Thus asked by him, the Rakshasa lady of faultless features,

capable, besides, of assuming any form at will, replied unto the

high-souled Bhima, saying, 'Do ye speedily fly from this place! My

brother gifted with strength will come to slay ye! Therefore speed and

tarry not!' But Bhima haughtily said, 'I do not fear him! If he cometh

here, I will slay him!' Hearing their converse, that vilest of cannibals

came to the spot. Of frightful form and dreadful to behold, uttering loud

cries as he came, the Rakshasa said, 'O Hidimva, with whom dost thou

converse? Bring him unto me, I will eat him up. It behoveth thee to tarry

not.' But moved by compassion, the Rakshasa lady of faultless features

and pure heart said nothing out of pity. Then the man-eating monster,

uttering dreadful cries, rushed at Bhima with great force. And

approaching him furiously, the mighty cannibal, possessed with rage,

caught hold of Bhima's hand with his own and clenching fast his other

hand and making it hard as the thunder-bolt of Indra, suddenly struck

Bhima a blow that descended with the force of lightning. His hand having

been seized by the Rakshasa, Vrikodara, without being able to brook it,

flew into a rage. Then a dreadful combat took place between Bhimasena and

Hidimva, both skilled in all weapons and which was like unto the

encounter of Vasava with Vritra. And, O sinless one, after sporting with

the Rakshasa for a long while the powerful Bhima of mighty energy slew

the cannibal when the latter had become weak with exertion. Then having

slain Hidimva, and taking (his sister) Hidimva at their head, of whom was

(subsequently) born Ghatotkacha, Bhima and his brothers went away. Then

all those repressors of their foes, accompanied by their mother and

surrounded by many Brahmanas proceeded towards Ekachakra. In the matter

of this their journey, Vyasa ever engaged in their welfare had become

their counsellor. Then arriving at Ekachakra, the Pandavas of rigid vows

there also slew a mighty cannibal, Vaka by name, terrible as Hidimva

himself. And having slain that fierce cannibal, Bhima that foremost of

smiters, went with all his brothers to the capital of Drupada. And, O

Krishna, as thou hadst acquired Rukmini, the daughter of Bhishmaka, even

so Savyasachin, while residing there, obtained me! O slayer of Madhu,

Arjuna won me in the Swayamvara, having performed a feat difficult of

achievement by others and having fought also with the assembled kings!

'Thus, O Krishna, afflicted with numerous griefs, and in great distress,

am I living, with Dhaumya at our head, but deprived of the company of the

adorable Kunti! Why do these that are gifted with strength and possessed

of the prowess of the lion, sit indifferently, beholding me thus

afflicted by enemies so despicable? Suffering such wrongs at the hands of

wicked and evil-doing foes of small strength, am I to burn in grief so

long? Born I was in a great race, coming into the world in an

extraordinary way! I am also the beloved wife of the Pandavas, and the

daughter-in-law of the illustrious Pandu! The foremost of women and

devoted to my husbands, even I, O Krishna, was seized by hair, O slayer

of Madhu, in the sight of the Pandavas, each of whom is like an Indra

himself!

'Saying this the mild-speeched Krishna hid her face with her soft hands

like the buds of lotus, and began to weep. And the tears of Panchali

begot of grief washed her deep, plump and graceful breasts crowned with

auspicious marks. And wiping her eyes and sighing frequently she said

these words angrily and in a choked voice, 'Husbands, or sons, or

friends, or brothers, or father, have I none! Nor have I thee, O thou

slayer of Madhu, for ye all, beholding me treated so cruelly by inferior

foes, sit still unmoved! My grief at Karna's ridicule is incapable of

being assuaged! On these grounds I deserve to be ever protected by thee,

O Kesava, viz., our relationship, thy respect (for me), our friendship,

and thy lordship (over me)

"Vaisampayana continued, 'In that assembly of heroes Vasudeva then spake

unto the weeping Draupadi as follows, 'O fair lady, the wives of those

with whom thou art angry, shall weep even like thee, beholding their

husbands dead on the ground, weltering in blood and their bodies covered

with the arrows of Vivatsu! Weep not, lady, for I will exert to the

utmost of my powers for the sons of Pandu! I promise thou shalt (once

more) be the queen of kings! The heavens might fall, or the Himavat might

split, the earth might be rent, or the waters of the ocean might dry up,

but my words shall never be futile!' Hearing those words of Achyuta in

reply, Draupadi looked obliquely at her third husband (Arjuna). And, O

mighty king, Arjuna said unto Draupadi, 'O thou of beautiful coppery

eyes, grieve not! O illustrious one, it shall be even as the slayer of

Madhu hath said! It can never be otherwise, O beautiful one!'

"Dhrishtadyumna said, 'I will slay Drona, Sikhandin will slay the

grandfather. And Bhimasena will slay Duryodhana, and Dhananjaya will slay

Karna. And, O sister, assisted by Rama and Krishna, we are invincible in

battle by even the slayer himself of Vritra--what are the sons of

Dhritarashtra?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After these words had been spoken, all the

heroes there turned their faces towards Vasudeva, who then in their midst

began to speak as follows.'"

SECTION XIII

"Vasudeva said, O lord of earth, if I had been present at Dwaraka, then,

O king, this evil would not have befallen thee! And, O irrepressible one,

coming unto the gambling-match, even if uninvited by the son of Amvika

(Dhritarashtra), or Duryodhana, or by the other Kauravas, I would have

prevented the game from taking place, by showing its many evils,

summoning to my aid Bhishma and Drona and Kripa, and Vahlika! O exalted

one, for thy sake I would have told the son of Vichitravirya--O foremost

of monarchs, let thy sons have nothing to do with dice!--I would have

shown the many evils (of dice) through which thou hast fallen into such

distress and the son of Virasena was formerly deprived of his kingdom! O

king, unthought of evils, befall a man from dice! I would have described

how a man once engaged in the game continueth to play (from desire of

victory). Women, dice, hunting and drinking to which people become

addicted in consequence of temptation, have been regarded as the four

evils that deprive a man of prosperity. And those versed in the Sastras

are of opinion that evils attend upon all these. They also that are

addicted to dice know all its evils. O thou of mighty arms, appearing

before the son of Amvika, I would have pointed out that through dice men

in a day lose their possessions, and fall into distress, and are deprived

of their untasted wealth, and exchange harsh words! O perpetuator of the

Kuru race, I would have pointed out these and other attendant evils! If

he had accepted my words thus addressed, the welfare of the Kurus as also

virtue itself would both have been secured! And, O foremost of kings, if

he had rejected my gentle counsels offered as medicine, then, O best of

the Bharata race, I would have compelled him by force! And, if those who

wait at his court, professing to be his friends but in reality his foes,

had supported him, then I would have slain them all, along with those

gamblers, there present! O Kauravya, it is owing to my absence from the

Anartta country at that time that thou hast fallen into such distress

begot of dice! O thou best of Kurus, O son of Pandu, on arriving at

Dwarka I learnt from Yuyudhana all about thy calamity! And, O foremost of

kings, directly I heard it with a heart sore agitated by grief, have I

speedily come here wishing to see thee, O king! Alas! O bull of the

Bharata race, ye have all fallen into dire distress! I see thee with thy

brothers plunged in misfortune!"

SECTION XIV

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Krishna, why wert thou absent (from the Anartta

country)? And, O descendant of the Vrishni race, while thou wert away,

where didst thou dwell? And what didst thou do while out of thy kingdom?'

"Krishna said, 'O bull of the Bharata race, I had gone for the purpose of

destroying the (arranging) city Salwa. And, O foremost of the Kauravas,

listen to the reasons I had for so doing! The heroic son of Damaghosha,

the well-known king Sisupala of mighty arms and great energy, was slain

by me, O best of Bharatas, at thy Rajasuya sacrifice, because that wicked

one could not from anger bear to see the first worship offered to me!

Hearing that he had been slain, Salwa, burning with fierce anger, came to

Dwaraka, while, O Bharata, it was empty, myself being away, residing with

you here. And having arrived there on a car made of precious metals and

hence called the Souva, he had an encounter with the youthful princes of

the Vrishni race--those bulls of that line--and fought With them

mercilessly. And slaughtering many youthful Vrishnis of heroic valour,

the wicked one devastated all the gardens of the city. And, O thou of

mighty arms, he said, 'Where is that wretch of the Vrishni race,

Vasudeva, the evil-souled son of Vasudeva? I will humble in battle the

pride of that person so eager for fight! Tell me truly, O Anarttas! I

will go there where he is. And after killing that slayer of Kansa and

Kesi, will I return! By my weapon I swear that I will not return with out

slaying him!' And exclaiming repeatedly--Where is he? Where is he? the

lord of Saubha rusheth to this place and that, desirous of encountering

me in battle? And Salwa also said, 'Impelled by wrath for the destruction

of Sisupala I shall today send to the mansion of Yama that treacherous

miscreant of mean mind?' And, O king, he further said, 'That Janardana

shall I slay, who, wretch that he is, hath killed my brother who was but

a boy of tender years, and who was slain not on the field of battle,

unprepared as he was!' Having, O great king, wailed thus, and having, O

son of the Kuru race, abused me thus, he rose into the sky on his car of

precious metals capable of going anywhere at will! On returning (to my

kingdom) I heard what, O Kaurava, the evil-minded and wicked king of

Maticka had said regarding myself! And, O descendant of the Kuru race, I

was agitated with wrath, and, O king, having reflected upon everything, I

set my heart upon slaying him! And, learning, O Kauravya, of his

oppression of the Anarttas, of his abuse of myself, and of his excessive

arrogance, I resolved upon the destruction of that wretch! And, O lord of

earth, I accordingly set out (from my city), for slaying the (lord of)

the Saubha. And searching him here and there, I found him in an island in

the midst of the ocean! Then, O king, blowing my conch called the

Panchajanya obtained from the sea, and challenging Salwa to combat, I

stood for the fight! At that instant, I had an encounter with numerous

Danavas, all of whom, however, I subdued and prostrated on the ground. O

mighty-armed one, it was owing to this affair that I could not then come

(unto thee)! As soon as I heard of the unfair game of dice at Hastinapur,

I have come here desirous of seeing ye who have been plunged in

distress.'"

SECTION XV

"Yudhishthira said, 'O illustrious Vasudeva of mighty arms, tell thou in

detail of the death of the lord of Saubha. My curiosity hath not been

appeased by the narration.'

"Vasudeva said, 'O mighty-armed king, hearing that the son of Srutasravas

(Sisupala) had been slain by me, Salwa, O best of the Bharata race, came

to the city of Dwaravati! And, O son of Pandu, the wicked king,

stationing his forces in array, besieged that city around and above. And

stationing himself in the upper regions, the king began his fight with

the city. And that encounter commenced with a thick shower of weapons

from all sides. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the city at that time

was well-fortified on all sides, according to the science (of

fortification), with pennons, and arches, and combatants, and walls and

turrets, and engines, and miners, and streets barricaded with spiked

wood-works and towers and edifices with gate-ways well-filled with

provisions, and engines for hurling burning brands and fires, and

vessels, of deer-skins (for carrying water), and trumpets, tabors, and

drums, lances and forks, and Sataghnis, and plough-shares, rockets, balls

of stone and battle-axes and other weapons and shield embossed with iron,

and engines for hurling balls and bullets and hot liquids! And the city

was also well-defended by numerous cars, and, O tiger among Kurus, by

Gada and Shamva and Uddhava and others, and by warriors of prowess tried

in battle, all well-born and capable of encountering any foe! And these

all placing themselves on commanding posts, aided by cavalry and

standard-bearers, began to defend the town. And Ugrasena and Uddhava and

others, to prevent carelessness, Proclaimed throughout the city that

nobody should drink. And all the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, well-knowing

that they would be slain by Salwa if they behaved carelessly, remained

sober and watchful. And the police soon drove out of the city all mimes

and dancers and singers of the Anartta country. And all the bridges over

rivers were destroyed, and boats forbidden to ply, and the trenches

(around the city) were spiked with poles at the bottom. And the land

around the city for full two miles was rendered uneven, and holes and

pits were dug thereon, and combustibles were secreted below the surface.

Our fort, O sinless one, is naturally strong and always well-defended and

filled with all kinds of weapons! And in consequence of the preparations

made, our city was more prepared than ever to meet the foe. And, O chief

of the Bharatas, in consequence of all this, the city looked like that of

Indra himself. And, O king, at the time of Salwa's approach, nobody could

either enter or leave the town of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas without

presenting the sign that had been agreed upon. And all the streets of the

town and the open spaces were filled with numerous elephants and horses!

And, O thou of mighty arms, the combatants were all specially gratified

with allowances and wages, and rations, and weapons, and dresses! And

amongst the combatants there was none who was not paid in gold, and none

who was not paid at all, and none who was not somehow obliged, and none

who was not of tried valour! And, O thou of eyes like lotus-leaves, it

was thus Dwaraka, abounding in well-ordered arrangements, was defended by

Ahuka (Ugrasena)!'"

SECTION XVI

"Vasudeva continued, 'O king of kings, Salwa, the lord of Saubha, came

towards our city with an immense force consisting of infantry, cavalry

and elephants! And the army headed by king Salwa, consisting of four

kings of forces, occupied a level ground commanding a copious

water-supply. And forsaking cemeteries and temples dedicated to the gods,

and sacred trees, and grounds covered by ant-hills, that host occupied

every other place. And the roads (leading to the city) were blocked up by

the divisions of the army, and the secret entrances also were all blocked

up by the enemy's camp. And, O Kauravya, like unto the lord of birds

(Garuda), the ruler of Saubha rushed towards Dwaraka, bringing with him,

O bull among men, his host equipped with all kinds of arms, skilled in

all weapons, consisting of a dense display of cars and elephants and

cavalry abounding in banners, and well-paid and well-fed foot-soldiers

possessed of great strength and bearing every mark of heroism and

furnished with wonderful chariots and bows. And beholding the army of

Salwa, the youthful princess of the Vrishni race resolved to encounter it

sallying out of the city. And, O king, Charudeshna, Samva, and the mighty

warrior Pradyumna, O descendant of the Kuru race, sailed out, ascending

on their chariots, and clad in mail, and decked with ornaments, with

colours flying, resolved to encounter the mighty and countless host of

Salwa! And Samva taking up his bows eagerly attacked on the field of

battle Kshemavriddhi, the commander of Salwa's forces and his chief

counsellor also! And, O thou foremost of Bharatas, the son of Jambavati

then began to shower arrows in a continuous stream even as Indra

showereth down rain! And, O mighty king, then Kshemavriddhi, the

commander of Salwa's forces, bore that shower of arrows, immovable as the

Himavat! And, O foremost of kings, Kshemavriddhi on his part, discharged

at Samva mightier volley of shafts, aided by his powers of illusion! And

dispersing by counter illusion that discharge inspired by illusion, Samva

showered on his (adversary's) car a thousand arrows! Then pierced by the

shafts on Samva and overwhelmed there with Kshemavriddhi, the commander

of the hostile host, left the field by the help of his fleet-steed! And

when the wicked general of Salwa had left the field, a mighty Daitya

called Vegavat rushed at my son! And, O best of monarchs, thus attacked,

the heroic Samva, the perpetuator of the Vrishni race, bore that onset of

Vegavat, keeping his ground. And, O son of Kunti, the heroic Samva, of

prowess incapable of being baffled, whirling a quickly-going mace, hurled

it speedily at Vegavat! And, O king, struck with that mace, Vegavat fell

down on the ground, like a weather-beaten and faded lord of the forest of

decayed roots! And on that heroic Asura of mighty energy, being slain

with the mace, my son entered within that mighty host and began to fight

with all. And, O great king, a well-known Danava named Vivindhya, a

mighty warrior wielding a large and powerful bow, encountered

Charudeshna! And, O monarch, the encounter between Charudeshna and

Vivindhya was as fierce as that in days of yore between Vritra and

Vasava! And enraged with each other the combatants pierced each other

with their arrows, uttering loud roars like unto two powerful lions! Then

the son of Rukmini fixed on his bow-string a mighty weapon possessing the

splendour of fire or the sun, and capable of destroying all foes, having

first vivified it with incantations! Then, O monarch, that mighty warrior

my son, fired with wrath, challenged Vivindhya and discharged the weapon

at him. And the Danava struck with that weapon, fell down on the ground a

lifeless corpse! And beholding Vivindhya slain, and the whole host waver,

Salwa advanced again on his beautiful car capable of going everywhere.

And, O king of mighty arms, beholding Salwa on that beautiful car of his,

the combatants of Dwaraka wavered with fear! But, O thou of the Kuru

race, Pradyumna sailed out, and, O great king, bidding the Anarttas be of

good cheer, said, 'Waver ye not, and staying behold me fight I Even I

shall, by force, repell that car with Salwa on it! Ye Yadavas, this day,

I shall, with my weapons like unto serpents discharged from my bow with

my hand, destroy this host of the lord of Saubha! Be of good cheer, ye

all! Fear not! The lord of Saubha will be slain today! Attached by me,

the wretch will meet with destruction together with his car!' O son of

Pandu, upon Pradyumna speaking thus with cheerful heart, the Yadava host,

O hero, remained on the field, and began to fight cheerfully!'"

SECTION XVII

"Vasudeva continued, 'O bull of the Bharata race, having spoken thus unto

the Yadavas, the son of Rukmini (Pradyumna) ascended his golden car. And

the car he rode was drawn by excellent steeds in mail. And over it stood

a standard bearing the figure of a Makara with gaping mouth and fierce as

Yama. And with his steeds, more flying than running on the ground, he

rushed against the foe And the hero equipped with quiver and sword, with

fingers cased in leather, twanged his bow possessed of the splendour of

the lightning, with great strength, and transferring it from hand to

hand, as if in contempt of the enemy, spread confusion among the Danavas

and other warriors of the city of Saubha. And as hot in contempt of the,

foe, and continuously slew the Danavas in battle, no one could mark the

slightest interval between his successive shafts. And the colour of his

face changed not, and his limbs trembled not. And people only heard his

loud leonine roars indicative of wonderful valour. And the aquatic

monster with mouth wide open, that devourer of all fishes, placed on

golden flag-staff of that best of cars, struck terror into the hearts of

Salwa's warriors. And, O king, Pradyumna, the mower of foes rushed with

speed against Salwa himself so desirous of an encounter! And, O

perpetuator of the Kuru race, braved by the heroic Pradyumna in that

mighty battle, the angry Salwa could ill bear the challenge! And that

conqueror of hostile cities, Salwa, maddened by anger, descended from his

beautiful car of unchecked speed, resolved to encounter Pradyumna. And

the people beheld the fight between Salwa and the foremost of Vrishni

heroes, which was even like unto the encounter between Vasava with Vali.

And, O hero, mounting on his beautiful car decked with gold and furnished

with flags and flag-staffs and quivers, the illustrious and mighty Salwa

began to discharge his arrows at Pradyumna! Pradyumna also by the energy

of his arms, overwhelmed Salwa in the combat by a thick shower of arrows.

The king of Saubha, however, thus attacked in battle by Pradyumna,

endured him not, but discharged at my son arrows that were like blazing

fire. But the mighty Pradyumna parried off that arrowy shower. Beholding

this, Salwa rained on my son other weapons of blazing splendour. Then, O

foremost of monarchs, pierced by the shafts of Salwa, the son of Rukmini

discharged without loss of time an arrow that was capable of entering the

vitals of a foe in fight. And that winged shaft shot by my son, piercing

Salwa's mail, entered his heart--whereupon he fell down, in a swoon. And

beholding the heroic king Salwa fallen down deprived of sense, the

foremost of the Danavas fled away rending the ground beneath their feet.

And, O lord of the earth, the army of Salwa sent up exclamations of Oh!

and Alas! seeing their king, the lord of Saubha, drop down bereft of

sense! And O son of the Kuru race, regaining his senses, the mighty Salwa

rose and all of a sudden discharged his arrows on Pradyumna. Then the

heroic and mighty armed Pradyumna, sorely pierced by his adversary about

his throat, was enfeebled on his car. And, O mighty king, wounding the

son of Rukmini, Salwa sent up a shout like unto the roar of a lion, and

filling the entire earth with it! And, O Bharata, when my son became

senseless, Salwa, without losing a moment, again discharged at him other

shafts difficult to bear. And pierced with numberless arrows and deprived

of his senses, Pradyumna, O chief of the Kuru race, became motionless on

the field of battle!'"

SECTION XVIII

"Vasudeva continued, 'O king, afflicted with the arrows of Salwa, when

Pradyumna became senseless the Vrishnis who had come to the fight were

all disheartened and filled with grief! And the combatants of the Vrishni

and Andhaka races burst into exclamations of Oh! and Alas! while great

joy was felt by the enemy and beholding him thus deprived of sense, his

trained charioteer, the son of Daruka, soon carried him off the field by

the help of his steeds. The car had not gone far when that best of

warriors regained his senses, and taking up his bow addressed his

charioteer, saying, 'O son of the Suta tribe, what hast thou done? Why

dost thou go leaving the field of battle? This is not the custom of the

Vrishni heroes in battle! O son of a Suta, hast thou been bewildered at

the sight of a Salwa in that fierce encounter? Or hast thou been

disheartened, beholding the fight? O! tell me truly thy mind!' The

charioteer answered. 'O son of Janardana, I have not been confounded, nor

hath fear taken possession of me. On the other hand, O son of Kesava, the

task, I ween, of vanquishing Salwa is difficult for thee! Therefore, O

hero, I am slowly retiring from the field. This wretch is stronger than

thou art! It behoveth a charioteer to protect the warrior on the car,

however, when he is deprived of his senses! O thou gifted with length of

days, thou shouldst always be protected by me, even as it behoveth thee

to protect me! Thinking that the warrior on the car should always be

protected (by his charioteer), I am carrying thee away! Further, O thou

of mighty arms, thou art alone, while the Danavas are many. Thinking, O

son of Rukmini, that thou art not equal to them in the encounter, I am

going away!'

"Vasudeva continued, 'When the charioteer had spoken thus, he, O

Kauravya, who hath the makara for his mark replied unto him, saying,

'Turn the car! O son of Daruka, never do so again; never, O Suta, turn

thou from the fight, while I am alive! He is no son of the Vrishni race

who forsaketh the field or slayeth the foe fallen at his feet and crying

I am thine! or killeth a woman, a boy, or an old man, or a warrior in

distress, deprived of his car or with his weapons broken! Thou art born

in the race of charioteers and trained to thy craft! And, O son of

Daruka, thou art acquainted with the customs of the Vrishnis in battle!

Versed as thou art with all the customs of the Vrishnis in battle, do

thou, O Suta, never again fly from the field as thou hast done! What will

the irrepressible Madhava, the elder brother of Gada, say to me when he

heareth that I have left the field of battle in bewilderment or that I

have been struck on the back--a run-away from the combat! What will the

elder brother of Kesava, the mighty-armed Baladeva, clad in blue and

inebriate with wine, say, when he returneth? What also, O Suta, will that

lion among men, the grand-son of Sini (Satyaki), that great warrior, say

on hearing that I have forsaken the fight? And, O charioteer, what will

the ever-victorious Shamva, the irrepressible Charudeshna. and Gada, and

Sarana, and Akrura also of mighty arms, say unto me! What also will the

wives of the Vrishni heroes when they meet together, say of me who had

hitherto been considered as brave and well-conducted, respectable and

possessed of manly pride? They will even say This Pradyumna is a coward

who cometh here, leaving the battle! Fie on him! They will never say,

Well done! Ridicule, with exclamation of Fie, is to me or a person like

me O Suta, more than death! Therefore, do thou never again leave the

field of battle! Reposing the charge on me, Hari the slayer of Madhu,

hath gone to the sacrifice of the Bharata lion (Yudhishthira)! Therefore,

I cannot bear to be quiet now! O Suta, when the brave Kritavarman was

sallying out to encounter Salwa, I prevented him, saying I will resist

Salwa. Do thou stay! For honouring me the son of Hridika desisted! Having

left the field of battle, what shall I say unto that mighty warrior when

I meet him? When that irrepressible one of mighty arms--the holder of the

conch, the discus, and the mace--returneth, what shall I say unto him of

eyes like lotus leaves? Satyaki, and Valadeva, and others of the Vrishni

and Andhaka races always boast of me! What shall I say unto them? O Suta,

having left the field of battle and with wounds of arrows on my back

while being carried away by thee, I shall, by no means, be able to live!

Therefore, O son of Daruka, turn that car speedily, and never do so again

even in times of greatest danger! I do not, O Suta, think life worth

much, having fled from the field like a coward, and my back pierced, with

the arrows (of the enemy)! Hast thou ever seen me. O son of Suta, fly in

fear from the field of battle like coward? O son of Daruka, it behoved

thee not to forsake the battle, while my desire of fight was not yet

gratified! Do thou, therefore, go back to the field.'"

SECTION XIX

Vasudeva continued, Thus addressed, the son of Suta race replied in haste

unto Pradyumna, that foremost of all endued with strength, in these sweet

words, 'O son of Rukmini, I fear not to guide the horses on the field of

battle, and I am acquainted also with the customs of the Vrishnis in war!

It is not otherwise in the least! But, O thou blest with length of days,

those that guide the car are taught that the warrior on the car is, by

all means, to be protected by his charioteer! Thou wert also much

afflicted! Thou wert much wounded by the arrows shot by Salwa. Thou wert

also deprived of thy senses, O hero! Therefore is it that I retired from

the field.' But, O chief of the Satwatas, now that thou hast regained thy

senses without much ado, do thou, O son of Kesava, witness my skill in

guiding the horses! I have been begotten by Daruka, and I have been duly

trained! I will now penetrate into the celebrated array of Salwa without

fear!

"Vasudeva continued, 'Saying this, O hero, the charioteer, pulling the

reins, began to lead the horses with speed towards the field of battle.

And, O king, struck with the whip and pulled by the reins those excellent

steeds seemed to be flying in the air, performing various beautiful

motion, now circular, now similar, now dissimilar, now to the right, now

to the left. And, O king, those steeds understanding as it were the

intention of Daruka's son endued with such lightness of hand, burned with

energy, and seemed to go without touching the ground with their feet!

That bull among men wheeled round Salwa's host so easily that they who

witnessed it wondered exceedingly. And the lord of Saubha, unable to bear

that manoeuvre of Pradyumna, instantly sent three shafts at the

charioteer of his antagonist! The charioteer, however, without taking any

note of the force of those arrows, continued to go along the right. Then

the lord of Saubha, O hero, again discharged at my son by Rukmini, a

shower of various kinds of weapons! But that slayer of hostile heroes,

the son of Rukmini, showing with a smile his lightness of hand, cut all

those weapons off as they reached him. Finding his arrows cut by

Pradyumna, the lord of Saubha, having recourse to the dreadful illusion

natural to Asuras began to pour a thick shower of arrows. But cutting

into pieces those powerful Daitya weapons shot at him in mid-career by

means of his Brahma weapon, Pradyumna discharged winged shafts of other

kings. And these delighting in blood, warding off the shafts of Daitya,

pierced his head, bosom and face. And at those wounds Salwa fell down

senseless. And on the mean-minded Salwa falling down, afflicted with

Pradyumna's arrows, the son of Rukmini aimed another arrow at him,

capable of destroying every foe. And beholding that arrow worshipped by

all the Dasarhas, and flaming like fire and fatal as a venomous snake,

fixed on the bow-string, the firmament was filled with exclamations of

Oh! and Alas! Then all the celestials with Indra and the lord of

treasures (Kubera) at their head sent Narada and the god of wind endued

with the speed of the mind. And these two approaching the son of Rukmini

delivered unto him the message of the celestial, saying, O hero, king

Salwa is nor to be slain by thee! Do thou draw back the arrow. He is

unslayable by thee in fight! There breatheth not a person who cannot be

killed by that arrow! O thou of mighty arms, the Creator hath ordained

his death at the hands of Krishna, the son of Devaki! Let this be not

falsified!--Thereupon with a glad heart, Pradyumna withdrew that best of

arrows from his excellent bow and deposited it back in his quiver. And

then, O foremost of kings, the mighty Salwa, afflicted with the arrows of

Pradyumna, rose disheartened, and speedily went away. Then O king, the

wicked Salwa, thus afflicted by the Vrishnis, mounted on his car of

precious metals, and leaving Dwaraka scudded through the skies!'"

SECTION XX

"Vasudeva said, 'When Salwa had left the city of the Anarttas, I returned

to it, O king, on the completion of thy great Rajasuya sacrifice! On my

arrival I found Dwaraka shorn of its splendour, and, O great monarch,

there were not sounds of Vedic recitation or sacrificial offering, And

the excellent damsels were all destitute of ornaments, and the gardens

were devoid of beauty. And alarmed by the aspect, I asked the son of

Hridika saying, 'Why is it that the men and women of the city of the

Vrishnis are so woe-begone, O tiger among men?' O thou best of kings thus

asked the son of Hridika (Kritavarman) relate to me in detail the

invasion of the city by Salwa, and his subsequent departure from it. And,

O thou foremost of Bharatas, hearing all, even then I made up my mind to

slay Salwa. And encouraging the citizens, O best of Bharatas, I

cheerfully addressed king Ahuka, and Anakdundhuvi, and the chief heroes

of the Vrishni race, saying, 'Do ye, O bulls among the Yadavas, stay in

the city, taking every care, and know that I go to slay Salwa! I return

not to the city of Dwaravati without slaying him. I will again come to ye

having compassed the destruction of Salwa together with his car of

precious metals. Do ye strike up the sharp and middle and flat notes of

the Dundhuvi so dreadful to foes!' And O thou bull of the Bharata race,

thus adequately encouraged by me, those heroes cheerfully said unto me,

'Go and slay the enemies!' And thus receiving the benedictions of those

warriors with glad hearts, and causing the Brahmanas to utter auspicious

words and bowing down to the best of the regenerate ones, and to Siva

also, I set out on my car unto which were yoked the horses Saivya, and

Sugriva, filling all sides with the clatter (of my wheels) and blowing

that best of conchs, the Panchajanya! And, O king, O tiger among men,

accompanied by my redoubted and victorious army consisting of the four

kinds of the forces so persevering in battle, I set out. And leaving many

countries, and mountains, crowned with trees, and pieces of water, and

streams, I at last arrived at the country of Matrikavarta. It is there, O

thou tiger among men, that I heard that Salwa was coursing on his car of

precious metals near the ocean, and I followed in his pursuit. And, O

thou slayer of thy foes, having reached the main, Salwa on his car of

costly metals was in the midst of the deep heaving with billows! And on

seeing me from a distance, O Yudhishthira, that one of wicked soul

himself challenged me repeatedly to the fight. And many arrows capable of

piercing to the quick, discharged from my bow reached not his car. And at

this I was wroth! And, O king, that essentially sinful wretch of a

Daitya's son of irrepressible energy, on his part began to shoot thousand

upon thousands of arrows in torrents! And, O Bharata, he rained shafts

upon my soldiers and upon my charioteer and upon my steeds! But without

thinking of the shafts, we continued the conflict. Then the warriors

following Salwa poured on me straight arrows by thousands. And the Asuras

covered my horses and my car and Daruka with arrows capable of piercing

the very vitals. And, O hero, I could not at that time see either my

horses, or my car, or my charioteer Daruka! And I with my army was

covered with weapons. And, O son of Kunti, superhumanly skilled in

weapons, I also let fly from my bow arrows by tens of thousands,

inspiring them with mantras! But as that car of costly metals was in the

sky, full two miles off, it could not, O Bharata, be seen by my troops.

They could therefore only remaining on the field of battle look on like

spectators in a place of amusement, cheering me on by shouts loud as the

roar of the lion, and also by the sound of their clapping. And the tinted

arrows shot by the fore-part of hand penetrated into the bodies of the

Danavas like biting insects. And then arose cries in the car of precious

metals from those that were dying of wounds by those sharp arrows and

falling into the waters of the mighty ocean. And the Danavas deprived of

their arms, necks, and wearing the form of Kavandhas,--fell, sending up

tremendous roars. And as they fell they were devoured by animals living

in the waters of the ocean. And then I powerfully blew the Panchajanya

obtained from the waters and graceful as the lotus-stalk and white as

milk or the Kunda flower or the moon or silver. And seeing his soldiers

fall, Salwa the possessor of the car of precious metals, began to fight

with the help of illusion. And then he began to ceaselessly hurl at me

maces, and ploughshares, and winged darts and lances, and javelins, and

battle-axes, and swords and arrows blazing like javelins and

thunderbolts, and nooses, and broad swords, and bullets from barrels, and

shafts, and axes, and rockets. And permitting them to come towards me, I

soon destroyed them all by counter-illusion. And on this illusion being

rendered ineffectual, he began the contest with mountain peaks. And, O

Bharata, then there was darkness and light alternately, and the day was

now fair, and now gloomy, and now hot, and now cold. And there was a

perfect shower of coals, and ashes, and weapons. And creating such

illusion the enemy fought with me. And ascertaining it I destroyed his

illusion by counter-illusion. And in the due time I showered arrows all

round. And then, O mighty king, the dome of heaven blazed as with a

hundred suns, and, O son of Kunti with one hundred moons, and thousands

and ten thousands of stars! And then none could ascertain whether it was

day or night, or distinguish the points of the horizon. And, becoming

bewildered, I fixed on my bowstring the weapon called Pragnastra. And, O

son of Kunti, the weapon went like unto flakes of pure cotton blown away

by the winds! And a great fight took place, calculated to make the down

on one's body stand on end. And O best of monarchs, having regained,

light, I again fought with the enemy!'"

SECTION XXI

"Vasudeva said, 'O thou tiger among men, my great enemy king Salwa, thus

encountered by me in battle, again ascended the sky. And O mighty

monarch, inspired with the desire of victory, that wicked one hurled at

me Sataghnis, and mighty maces, and flaming lances, and stout clubs, and

as the weapons came along the sky, I speedily resisted them with my swift

arrows, and cut them in two or three pieces before they came at me. And

there was a great noise in the welkins. And Salwa covered Daruka, and my

steeds, and my car also with hundreds of straight shafts. Then, O hero,

Daruka, evidently about to faint, said unto me, 'Afflicted with the

shafts of Salwa I stay in the field, because it is my duty to do so. But

I am incapable of doing so (any longer). My body hath become weak!'

Hearing these piteous words of my charioteer, I looked at him, and found

the driver wounded with arrows. Nor was there a spot on his breasts or

the crown of his head, or body or his arms which was not, O thou foremost

of sons of Pandu, covered with shafts! And blood flowed profusely from

his wounds inflicted by arrows, and he looked like unto a mountain of red

chalk after a heavy shower. And, O thou of mighty arms, seeing the

charioteer with the reins in his hands thus pierced and enfeebled by the

shafts of Salwa in the field of battle, I cheered him up!

"'And, O Bharata, about this time, a certain person, having his home in

Dwaraka quickly coming to my car, addressed me like a friend, delivering

to me, O hero, a message from Ahuka! He seemed to be one of Ahuka's

followers. And sadly and in a voice choked in sorrow, know, O

Yudhishthira, he said words'--O warrior, Ahuka, the lord of Dwaraka, hath

said these words unto thee! O Kesava, hear what thy father's friend

sayeth: O son of the Vrishni race, O thou irrepressible one, in thy

absence today Salwa, coming to Dwaraka, hath by main force killed

Vasudeva! Therefore, no need of battle any more. Cease, O Janardana! Do

thou defend Dwaraka! This is thy principal duty!--Hearing these words of

his, my heart became heavy, and I could not ascertain what I should do

and what I should not. And, O hero, hearing of that great misfortune, I

mentally censured Satyaki, and Baladeva, and also that mighty pradyumna.

Having reposed on them the duty of protecting Dwaraka and Vasudeva, I had

gone, O son of the Kuru race, to effect the destruction of Salwa's city.

And in a sorrowful heart, I asked myself,--Doth that destroyer of foes,

the mighty-armed Baladeva, live, and Satyaki, and the son of Rukmini and

Charudeshna possessed of prowess, and Shamva and others? For, O thou

tiger among men, these living, even the bearer himself of the thunderbolt

could by no means destroy Suta's son (Vasudeva)! And thought, I, It is

plain that Vasudeva is dead and equally plain that the others with

Baladeva at their head have been deprived of life--This was my certain

conclusion. And, O mighty king, thinking of the destruction of those all,

I was overwhelmed with grief! And it was in this state of mind that I

encountered Salwa afresh. And now I saw, O great monarch, Vasudeva

himself falling from the car of precious metals! And, O warrior I swooned

away, and, O king of men, my sire seemed like unto Yayati after the loss

of his merit, falling towards the earth from heaven! And like unto a

luminary whose merit hath been lost saw my father falling, his head-gear

foul and flowing loosely, and his hair and dress disordered. And then the

bow Sharanga dropped from my hand, and, O son of Kunti I swooned away! I

sat down on the side of the car. And, O thou descendant of the Bharata

race, seeing me deprived of consciousness on the car, and as if dead, my

entire host exclaimed Oh! and Alas! And my prone father with

out-stretched arms and lower limbs, appeared like a dropping bird. And

him thus falling, O thou of mighty arms, O hero, the hostile warriors

bearing in their hands lances and axes struck grievously! And (beholding

this) my heart trembled! and soon regaining my consciousness, O warrior,

I could not see in that mighty contest either the car of costly metals,

or the enemy Salwa, or my old father! Then I concluded in my mind that it

was certainly illusion. And recovering my senses, I again began to

discharge arrows by hundreds."

SECTION XXII

"Vasudeva continued, 'Then O thou foremost of the Bharata race, taking up

my beautiful bow, I began to cut off with my arrows the heads of the

enemies of the celestials, from off that car of costly metals! And I

began to discharge from the Sharanga many well-looking arrows of the

forms of snakes, capable of going at a great height and possessing

intense energy. And, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, I could not then see

the car of costly metals, for it had vanished, through illusion! I was

then filled with wonder! That host of Danvas then, O Bharata, of

frightful visages and hair, set up a loud howl while I was waiting for

it. In that fierce battle. I then, with the object of destroying them,

fixed on my bow-string the weapon capable of piercing the foes if but his

sound was inaudible. Upon this, their shouts ceased. But those Danavas

that had sent up that shout were all slain by those shafts of mine

blazing as the Sun himself, and capable of striking at the perception of

sound alone. And after the shout had ceased at one place, O mighty king,

another yell proceeded from another quarter. Thitherto also I sent my

shafts. In this way, O Bharata, the Asuras began to send up yells in all

the ten quarters above and across. These were all slain by me, viz.,

those that were in the skies and that were invisible, with arrows of

diverse forms, and celestial weapons inspired with mantras. Then, O hero,

that car of precious metals capable of going anywhere at will,

bewildering my eyes, reappeared at Pragjyotisha! And then the destroying

Danavas of fierce forms suddenly drowned me with a mighty shower of

rocks. And, O thou foremost of monarchs, torrents of rocks falling upon

me covered me up, and I began to grow like an ant-hill (with its summits

and peaks)! And covered along with my horses and charioteer and

flagstaffs, with crags on all sides, I disappeared from sight altogether.

Then those foremost of heroes of the Vrishni race who were of my army

were, struck with panic, and all on a sudden began to fly in all

directions. And beholding me in that plight, O king, the heaven, the

firmament, and the earth were filled with exclamation of Oh! and Alas!

And then, O monarch, my friends filled with sorrow and grief began to

weep and wail with heavy hearts! And delight filled the hearts of the

enemies. And O thou who never waverest, I heard of this after I had

defeated the foe! And then wielding the thunderbolt, that favourite

(weapon) of Indra, capable of riving stones, I destroyed that entire mass

of crags! But my steeds, afflicted with the weight of the stones and

almost on the point of death began to tremble. And beholding me, all my

friends rejoiced again even as men rejoice on seeing the sun rise in the

sky, dispersing the clouds. And seeing my horses almost in their last

gasp for breath, afflicted with that load of stones, my charioteer said

unto me in words suitable to the occasion, 'O thou of the Vrishni race,

behold Salwa the owner of the car of precious metals sitting (yonder). Do

not disregard him! Do thou exert thyself! Do thou abandon thy mildness

and consideration for Salwa. Slay Salwa, O thou of mighty arms! O Kesava,

do not let him live! O hero, O thou destroyer of those that are not thy

friends (enemies), an enemy should be slain with every exertion! Even a

weak enemy who is under the feet of a man endued with strength, should

not be disregarded by the latter: that (shall I say) of one that dareth

us to the fight? Therefore, O thou tiger among men, putting forth every

exertion, slay him, O lord, O thou foremost of the Vrishni race! Do thou

not delay again! This one is not capable of being vanquished by milder

measures. And he cannot in my opinion be thy friend who is fighting thee

and who devastated Dwaraka!' O Kaunteya, hearing such words of my

charioteer, and knowing that what he said was true, I directed my

attention to the fight (afresh), with the view of slaying Salwa and

destroying the car of costly metals! And, O hero, saying unto Daruka,

'Stay a moment' I fixed on my bow-string my favourite weapon of fire,

blazing and of celestial origin, of irresistible force, and incapable of

being baffled, bursting with energy, capable of penetrating into

everything, and of great splendour! And saying, 'Destroy the car of

precious metals together with all those enemies that are in it.' I

launched with the might of my arms and in wrath with mantras, the great

powerful discus Sudarsana which reduceth to ashes in battle Yakshas and

Rakshasas and Danavas and kings born in impure tribes, sharp-edged like

the razor, and without stain, like unto Yama the destroyer, and

incomparable, and which killeth enemies. And rising into the sky, it

seemed like a second sun of exceeding effulgence at the end of the Yuga.

And approaching the town of Saubha whose splendour had disappeared, the

discus went right through it, even as a saw divideth a tall tree. And cut

in twain by the energy of the Sudarsana it fell like the city of Tripura

shaken by the shafts of Maheswara. And after the town of Saubha had

fallen, the discus came back into my hands, And taking it up I once more

hurled it with force saying, 'Go thou unto Salwa.' The discus then cleft

Salwa in twain who in that fierce conflict was at the point of hurling a

heavy mace. And with its energy it set the foe ablaze. And after that

brave warrior was slain, the disheartened Danava women fled in all

directions, exclaiming Oh! and Alas! And taking my chariot in front of

the town of Saubha I cheerfully blew my conch and gladdened the hearts of

my friends. And beholding their town, high as the peak of the Meru, with

its palaces and gate-ways utterly destroyed, and all ablaze, the Danavas

fled in fear. And having thus destroyed the town of Saubha and slain

Salwa, I returned to the Anarttas and delighted my friends. And, O king,

it is for this reason that I could not come to the city named after the

elephant (Hastinapura), O destroyer of hostile heroes! O warrior, if I

had come, Suyodhana would not have been alive or the match at dice would

not have taken place. What can I do now? It is difficult to confine the

waters after the dam is broken!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed the Kaurava thus, that foremost

of male persons, of mighty arms, the slayer of Madhu, possessed of every

grace, saluting the Pandavas, prepared for departure. And the

mighty-armed hero reverentially saluted Yudhishthira the just, and the

king in return and Bhima also smelt the crown of his head. And he was

embraced by Arjuna, and the twins saluted him with reverence. And he was

duly honoured by Dhaumya, and worshipped with tears by Draupadi. And

causing Subhadra and Abhimanyu to ascend his golden car, Krishna, mounted

it himself, worshipped by the Pandavas. And consoling Yudhishthira,

Krishna set out for Dwaraka on his car resplendent as the sun and unto

which were yoked the horses Saivya and Sugriva. And after he of the

Dasharha race had departed, Dhristadyumna, the son of Prishata, also set

out for his own city, taking with him the sons of Draupadi. And the king

of Chedi, Dhrishtaketu also, taking his sister with him set out for his

beautiful city of Suktimati, after bidding farewell to the Pandavas. And,

O Bharata, the Kaikeyas also, with the permission of Kunti's son

possessed of immeasurable energy, having reverentially saluted all the

Pandavas, went away. But Brahmanas and the Vaisyas and the dwellers of

Yudhishthira's kingdom though repeatedly requested to go, did not leave

the Pandavas. O foremost of king, O bull of the Bharata race, the

multitude that surrounded those high-souled ones in the forest of Kamyaka

looked extraordinary. And Yudhishthira, honouring those high-minded

Brahmanas, in due time ordered his men, saying 'Make ready the car.'"

SECTION XXIII

Vaisampayana continued, "After the chief of the Dasharhas had departed,

the heroic Yudhishthira, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the twins, each

looking like unto Shiva, and Krishna, and their priest, ascending costly

cars unto which were yoked excellent steeds, together went into the

forest. And at time of going they distributed Nishkas of gold and clothes

and kine unto Brahmanas versed in Siksha and Akshara and mantras. And

twenty attendants followed them equipped with bows, and bowstrings, and

blazing weapons, and shafts and arrows and engines of destruction. And

taking the princess's clothes and the ornaments, and the nurses and the

maid-servants, Indrasena speedily followed the princes on a car. And then

approaching the best of Kurus, the high-minded citizens walked round him.

And the principal Brahmanas of Kurujangala cheerfully saluted him. And

together with his brothers, Yudhishthira the just, on his part saluted

them cheerfully. And the illustrious king stopped there a little,

beholding the concourse of the inhabitants of Kurujangala. And the

illustrious bull among the Kurus felt for them as a father feeleth for

his sons, and they too felt for the Kuru chief even as sons feel for

their father! And that mighty concourse, approaching the Kuru hero, stood

around him. And, O king, affected, with bashfulness, and with tears in

their eyes, they all exclaimed, 'Alas, O lord! O Dharma!' And they said,

'Thou art the chief of the Kurus, and the king of us, thy subjects! Where

dost thou go, O just monarch, leaving all these citizens and the

inhabitants of the country, like a father leaving his sons? Fie on the

cruel-hearted son of Dhritarashtra! Fie on the evil-minded son of Suvala!

Fie on Karna! For, O foremost of monarchs, those wretches ever wish unto

thee who art firm in virtue! Having thyself established the unrivalled

city of Indraprastha of the splendour of Kailasa itself, where dost thou

go, leaving it, O illustrious and just king, O achiever of extraordinary

deeds! O illustrious one, leaving that peerless palace built by Maya,

which possesseth the splendour of the palace of the celestials

themselves, and is like unto a celestial illusion, ever guarded by the

gods, where dost thou go, O son of Dharma?' And Vibhatsu knowing the ways

of virtue, pleasure, and profit said unto them in a loud voice, 'Living

in the forest, the king intendeth to take away the good name of his

enemies! O we with the regenerate ones at your head, versed in virtue and

profit, do you approaching the ascetics separately and inclining them to

grace, represent unto them what may be for our supreme good!' Upon

hearing these words of Arjuna, the Brahmanas and the other orders, O

king, saluting him cheerfully walked round the foremost of virtuous men!

And bidding farewell unto the son of Pritha, and Vrikodara, and

Dhananjaya and Yajnaseni, and the twins, and commanded by Yudhishthira,

they returned to their respective abodes in the kingdom with heavy

hearts."

SECTION XXIV

Vaisampayana said, "After they had departed, Yudhishthira the virtuous

son of Kunti, unwavering in his promises, addressed all his brothers,

saying, 'We shall have to dwell in the solitary forest for these twelve

years. Search ye, therefore, in this mighty forest for some spot

abounding in birds and deer and flowers and fruits, beautiful to behold,

and auspicious, and inhabited by virtuous persons and where we may dwell

pleasantly for all these years!' Thus addressed by Yudhishthira,

Dhananjaya replied unto the son of Dharma, after reverencing the

illustrious king as if he were his spiritual preceptor. And Arjuna said,

'Thou hast respectfully waited upon all the great and old Rishis. There

is nothing unknown to thee in the world of men. And O bull of the Bharata

race, thou hast always waited with reverence upon Brahmanas including

Dwaipayana and others, and Narada of great ascetic merit, who with senses

under control, ever goeth to the gates of all the world from the world of

the gods unto that of Brahma, including that of the Gandharvas and

Apsaras! And thou knowest, without doubt, the opinions of the Brahmanas,

and, O king, their prowess also! And O monarch, thou knowest what is

calculated to do us good! And O great king, we will live wherever thou

likest! Here is this lake, full of sacred water, called Dwaitavana,

abounding with flowers, and delightful to look at, and inhabited by many

species of birds. If, O king, it pleaseth thee, here should we like to

dwell these twelve years! Thinkest thou otherwise?' Yudhishthira replied,

'O Partha, what thou hast said recommendeth itself to me! Let us go that

sacred and celebrated and large lake called Dwaitavana!"

"Vaisampayana continued, "Then the virtuous son of Pandu, accompanied by

numerous Brahmanas, all went to the sacred lake called Dwaitavana. And

Yudhishthira was surrounded by numerous Brahmanas some of whom sacrificed

with fire and some without it and some of whom, devoted to the study of

the Vedas, lived upon alms or were of the class called Vanaprasthas. And

the king was also surrounded by hundreds of Mahatmas crowned with ascetic

success and of rigid vows. And those bulls of the Bharata race, the sons

of Pandu setting out with those numerous Brahmanas, entered the sacred

and delightful woods of Dwaita. And the king saw that mighty forest

covered on the close of summer with Salas, and palms, and mangoes, and

Madhukas, and Nipas and Kadamvas and Sarjjas and Arjunas, and Karnikars,

many of them covered with flowers. And flocks of peacocks and Datyuhas

and Chakoras and Varhins and Kokilas, seated on the tops of the tallest

trees of that forest were pouring forth their mellifluous notes. And the

king also saw in that forest mighty herds of gigantic elephants huge as

the hills, with temporal juice trickling down in the season of rut,

accompanied by herds of she-elephants. And approaching the beautiful

Bhogavati (Saraswati), the king saw many ascetics crowned with success in

the habitations in that forest, and virtuous men of sanctified souls clad

in barks of trees and bearing matted locks on their heads. And descending

from their cars, the king that foremost of virtuous men with his brothers

and followers entered that forest like Indra of immeasurable energy

entering heaven. And crowds of Charanas and Siddhas, desirous of

beholding the monarch devoted to truth, came towards him. And the

dwellers of that forest stood surrounding that lion among king possessed

of great intelligence. And saluting all the Siddhas, and saluted by them

in return as a king or a god should be, that foremost of virtuous men

entered the forest with joined hands accompanied by all those foremost of

regenerate ones. And the illustrious and virtuous king, saluted in return

by those virtuous ascetics that had approached him, sat down in their

midst at the foot of a mighty tree decked with flowers, like his father

(Pandu) in days before. And those chiefs of the Bharata race viz., Bhima

and Dhananjaya and the twins and Krishna and their followers, all

fatigued, leaving their vehicles, sat themselves down around that best of

kings. And that mighty tree bent down with the weight of creepers, with

those five illustrious bowmen who had come there for rest sitting under

it, looked like a mountain with (five) huge elephants resting on its

side."

SECTION XXV

Vaisampayana said, "Having fallen into distress, those princes thus

obtained at last a pleasant habitation in that forest. And there in those

woods abounding with Sala trees and washed by the Saraswati, they who

were like so many Indras, began to sport themselves. And the illustrious

king, that bull of the Kuru race, set himself to please all the Yatis and

Munis and the principal Brahmanas in that forest, by offerings of

excellent fruits and roots. And their priest, Dhaumya endued with great

energy, like unto a father to those princes, began to perform the

sacrificial rites of Ishti and Paitreya for the Pandavas residing in that

great forest. And there came, as a guest, unto the abode of the

accomplished Pandavas living in the wood after loss of their kingdom, the

old Rishi Markandeya, possessed of intense and abundant energy. And that

bull of the Kuru race, the high-souled Yudhishthira, possessed of

unrivalled strength and prowess, paid his homage unto that great Muni,

reverenced by celestials and Rishis of men, and possessed of the

splendour of blazing fire. And that illustrious and all-knowing Muni, of

unrivalled energy, beholding Draupadi and Yudhishthira and Bhima and

Arjuna, in the midst of the ascetics, smiled, recollecting Rama in his

mind. And Yudhishthira the just, apparently grieved at this, asked him,

saying, 'All these ascetics are sorry for seeing me here. Why is it that

thou alone smilest, as if an glee, in the presence of these?' Markandeya

replied, 'O child', I too am sorry and do not smile in glee! Nor doth

pride born of joy possess my heart! Beholding to-day the calamity, I

recollect Rama, the son of Dasaratha, devoted to truth! Even that Rama,

accompanied by Lakshman, dwelt in the woods at the command of his father.

O son of Pritha, I beheld him in days of old ranging with his bow on the

top of the Rishyamuka hills! The illustrious Rama was like unto Indra,

the lord of Yama himself, and the slayer of Namuchi! Yet that sinless one

had to dwell in the forest at the command of his father, accepting it as

his duty. The illustrious Rama was equal unto Sakra in prowess, and

invincible in battle. And yet he had to range the forest renouncing all

pleasures! Therefore should no one act unrighteously, saying,--I am

mighty! Kings Nabhaga and Bhagiratha and others, having subjugated by

truth this world bounded by the seas, (finally) obtained, O child, all

the region hereafter. Therefore, should no one act unrighteously,

saying,--I am mighty! And, O exalted of men, the virtuous and truthful

king of Kasi and Karusha was called a mad dog for having renounced his

territories and riches! Therefore, should no one act unrighteously,

saying,--I am mighty! O best of men, O son of Pritha, the seven righteous

Rishis, for having observed the ordinance prescribed by the Creator

himself in the Vedas, blaze in the firmament. Therefore, should no one

act unrighteously, saying,--I am mighty! Behold, O king, the mighty

elephants, huge as mountain cliffs and furnished with tusks, transgress

not, O exalted of men, the laws of the Creator! Therefore, should none

act unrighteously saying, Might is mine! And, O foremost of monarchs,

behold all the creatures acting according to their species, as ordained

by the Creator. Therefore, should none act unrighteously, saying, Might

is mine. O son of Pritha, in truth, and virtue, and proper behaviour, and

modesty, thou hast surpassed all creatures, and thy fame and energy are

as bright as fire or the Sun! Firm in thy promises, O illustrious one,

having passed in the woods thy painful exile, thou wilt again, O king,

snatch from the Kauravas thy blazing prosperity with the help of thy own

energy!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having spoken these words unto Yudhishthira

(seated) in the midst of the ascetics with friends, the great Rishi

having also saluted Dhaumya and all the Pandavas set out in a northerly

direction!"

SECTION XXVI

Vaisampayana said, "While the illustrious son of Pandu continued to dwell

in the Dwaita woods, that great forest became filled with Brahmanas. And

the lake within that forest, ever resounding with Vedic recitations,

became sacred like a second region of Brahma. And the sounds of the

Yajus, the Riks, the Samas, and other words uttered by the Brahmanas,

were exceedingly delightful to hear. And the Vedic recitations of the

Brahmanas mingling with the twang of bows of the sons of Pritha, produced

a union of the Brahmana and Kshatriya customs that was highly beautiful.

And one evening the Rishi Vaka of the Dalvya family addressed

Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti seated in the midst of the Rishis, saying,

'Behold, O chief of the Kurus, O son of Pritha, the homa time is come of

these Brahmanas devoted to ascetic austerities, the time when the

(sacred) fires have all been lit up! These all, of rigid vows, protected

by thee, are performing the rites of religion in this sacred region! The

descendants of Bhrigu and Angiras, along with those of Vasishta and

Kasyapa, the illustrious sons of Agastya, the offspring of Atri all of

excellent vows, in fact, all the foremost Brahmanas of the whole, are now

united with thee! Listen, O son of the Kuru race born of Kunti, thyself

with thy brothers, to the words I speak to thee! As are aided by the wind

consumeth the forest, so Brahma energy mingling with Kshatriya energy,

and Kshatriya might mingling with Brahma power, might, when they gathered

force, consume all enemies! O child, he should never desire to be without

Brahmanas who wisheth to subdue this and the other world for length of

days! Indeed, a king slayeth his enemies having obtained a Brahmana

conversant, with religion and worldly affairs and freed from passion and

folly. King Vali cherishing his subjects practised those duties that lead

to salvation, and knew not of any other means in this world than

Brahmanas. It was for this that all the desires of Virochana's son, the

Asura (Vali), were ever gratified, and his wealth was ever inexhaustible.

Having obtained the whole earth through the aid of the Brahmanas, he met

with destruction when he began to practise wrong on them! This earth with

her wealth never adoreth long as her lord a Kshatriya living without a

Brahmana! The earth, however, girt by the sea, boweth unto him who is

ruled by a Brahmana and taught his duties by him! Like an elephant in

battle without his driver, a Kshatriya destitute of Brahmanas decreaseth

in strength! The Brahmana's sight is without compare, and the Kshatriya's

might also is unparalleled. When these combine, the whole earth itself

cheerfully yieldeth to such a combination. As fire becoming mightier with

the wind consumeth straw and wood, so kings with Brahmanas consume all

foes! An intelligent Kshatriya, in order to gain what he hath not, and

increase what he hath, should take counsel of Brahmanas! Therefore, O son

of Kunti, for obtaining what thou hast not and increasing what thou hast,

and spending what thou hast on proper objects and persons, keep thou with

thee a Brahmana of reputation, of a knowledge of the Vedas, of wisdom and

experience! O Yudhishthira. Thou hast ever highly regarded the Brahmanas.

It is for this that thy fame is great and blazeth in the three worlds!"

Vaisampayana continued, "Then all those Brahmanas who were with

Yudhishthira worshipped Vaka of the Dalvya race, and having heard him

praise Yudhishthira became highly pleased. And Dwaipayana and Narada and

Jamadagnya and Prithusravas; and Indradyumna and Bhalaki and Kritachetas

and Sahasrapat; and Karnasravas and Munja and Lavanaswa and Kasyapa; and

Harita and Sthulakarana and Agnivesya and Saunaka; and Kritavak and

Suvakana Vrihadaswa and Vibhavasu; and Urdharetas and Vrishamitra and

Suhotra and Hotravahana; these and many other Brahmanas of rigid vows

then adored Yudhishthira like Rishis adoring Purandara in heaven!"

SECTION XXVII

Vaisampayana said, "Exiled to the woods the sons of Pritha with Krishna

seated in the evening, conversed with one another afflicted with sorrow

and grief. And the handsome and well informed Krishna dear unto her lords

and devoted to them, thus spake unto Yudhishthira, Then sinful, cruel,

and wicked-minded son of Dhritarashtra certainly feeleth no sorrow for

us, when, O king, that evil-hearted wretch having sent thee with myself

into the woods dressed in deer-skin feeleth no regret! The heart of that

wretch of evil deeds must surely be made of steel when he could at that

time address thee, his virtuous eldest brother, in words so harsh! Having

brought thee who deservest to enjoy every happiness and never such woe,

into such distress, alas, that wicked-minded and sinful wretch joyeth

with his friends! O Bharata, when dressed in deer-skin thou hast set out

for the woods, only four persons, O monarch, viz., Duryodhana, Karna, the

evil-minded Sakuni, and Dussasana that bad and fierce brother of

Duryodhana, did not shed tears! With the exception of these, O thou best

of the Kurus, all other Kurus filled with sorrow shed tears from their

eyes! Beholding this thy bed and recollecting what thou hadst before, I

grieve, O king, for thee who deservest not woe and hast been brought up

in every luxury! Remembering that seat of ivory in thy court, decked with

jewels and beholding this seat of kusa grass, grief consumeth me, O king!

I saw thee, O king, surrounded in thy court by kings! What peace can my

heart know in not beholding thee such now? I beheld thy body, effulgent

as the sun, decked with sandal paste! Alas, grief depriveth me of my

senses in beholding thee now besmeared with mud and dirt! I saw thee

before, O king, dressed in silken clothes of pure white! But I now behold

thee dressed in rags? Formerly, O king, pure food of every kind was

carried from thy house on plates of gold for Brahmanas by thousands! And,

O king, food also of the best kind was formerly given by thee unto

ascetics both houseless and living in domesticity! Formerly, living in

dry mansion thou hadst ever filled with food of every kind plates by

thousands, and worshipped the Brahmanas gratifying every wish of theirs!

What peace, O king, can my heart know in not beholding all this now? And,

O great king, these thy brothers, endued with youth and decked with

ear-rings, were formerly fed by cook with food of the sweet flavour and

dressed with skill! Alas, O king, I now behold them all, so undeserving

of woe, living in the woods and upon what the wood may yield! My heart, O

King knoweth no peace! Thinking of this Bhimasena living in sorrow in the

woods, doth not thy anger blaze up, even though it is time? Why doth not

thy anger, O king, blaze up upon beholding the illustrious Bhimasena who

ever performeth everything unaided, so fallen into distress, though

deserving of every happiness? Why, O king, doth not thy anger blaze up on

beholding that Bhima living in the woods who was formerly surrounded with

numerous vehicles and dressed in costly apparel? This exalted personage

is ready to slay all the Kurus in battle. He beareth, however, all this

sorrow, only because he waiteth for the fufilment of thy promise! This

Arjuna, O king, though possessed of two hands, is equal, for the

lightness of his hand in discharging shafts, to (Kartavirya) Arjuna of a

thousand arms! He Is even (to foes), like unto Yama himself at the end of

the Yuga! It was by the prowess of his weapons that all the kings of the

earth were made to wait upon the Brahmanas at thy sacrifice? Beholding

that Arjuna that tiger among men worshipped by both the celestials and

the Danavas so anxious, why, O king, dost thou not feel indignant? I

grieve, O Bharata, that thy wrath doth not blaze up at sight of that son

of Pritha in exile, that prince who deserveth not such distress and who

hath been brought up in every luxury! Why doth not thy wrath blaze up at

sight of that Arjuna in exile, who, on a single car, hath vanquished

celestials and men and serpents? Why, O king, doth not thy wrath blaze up

at sight of that Arjuna in exile who, honoured with offerings of cars and

vehicles of various forms and horses and elephants, forcibly took from

the kings of the earth their treasures, who is the chastiser of all foes,

and who at one impetus can throw full five hundred arrows? Why, O king,

doth not thy wrath blaze up at sight of Nakula, in exile, who so fair and

able-bodied and young, is the foremost of all swordsmen? Why, O king,

dost thou pardon the foe. O Yudhishthira, at sight of Madri's son, the

handsome and brave Sahadeva in exile? Why doth not thy anger blaze up, O

king, it sight of both Nakula and Sahadeva overwhelmed with grief, though

so undeserving of distress? Why also, O king, dost thou pardon the foe at

sight of myself in exile who, born in the race of Drupada and, therefore,

the sister of Dhrishtadyumna, am the daughter-in-law of the illustrious

Pandu and the devoted wife of heroes? Truly, O thou best of the Bharatas,

thou hast no anger, else why is it that thy mind is not moved at sight of

thy brothers and myself (in such distress)? It is said that there is no

Kshatriya in the world who is bereft of anger. I now behold in thee,

however, a refutation of the proverb! That Kshatriya, O son of Pritha,

who discovereth not his energy when the opportunity cometh, is ever

disregarded by all creatures! Therefore, O king, thou shouldst not extend

thy forgiveness to the foe. Indeed, with thy energy, without doubt, thou,

mayst slay them all! So also, O king, that Kshatriya who is not appeased

when the time for forgiveness cometh, becometh unpopular with every

creature and meeteth with destruction both in this and the other world!'"

SECTION XXVIII

"Draupadi continued, 'On this subject, the ancient story of the

conversation between Prahlada and Vali, the son of Virochana, is quoted

as an example. One day Vali asked his grand-father Prahlada, the chief of

the Asuras and the Danavas, possessed of great wisdom and well-versed in

the mysteries of the science of duty, saying, 'O sire, is forgiveness

meritorious or might and energy such? I am puzzled as regards this; O

sire, enlighten me who ask thee this! O thou conversant with all duties,

tell me truly which of these is meritorious? I will strictly obey

whatever thy command may be! Thus asked (by Vali), his wise grandfather,

conversant with every conclusion, replied upon the whole subject unto his

grand-son who had sought at his hands the resolution of his doubts. And

Prahlada said, 'Know, O child, these two truths with certainty, viz.,

that might is not always meritorious and forgiveness also is not always

meritorious! He that forgiveth always suffereth many evils. Servants and

strangers and enemies always disregard him. No creature ever bendeth down

unto him. Therefore it is, O child, that the learned applaud not a

constant habit of forgiveness! The servants of an ever-forgiving person

always disregard him, and contract numerous faults. These mean-minded men

also seek to deprive him of his wealth. Vile souled servants also

appropriate to themselves his vehicles and clothes and ornaments and

apparel and beds and seats and food and drink and other articles of use.

They do not also at the command of their master, give unto others the

things they are directed to give Nor do they even worship their master

with that respect which is their master's due. Disregard in this world is

worse than death. O child, sons and servants and attendants and even

strangers speak harsh words unto the man who always forgiveth. Persons,

disregarding the man of an ever-forgiving temper, even desire his wife,

and his wife also, becometh ready to act as she willeth. And servants

also that are ever fond of pleasure, if they do not receive even slight

punishments from their master, contract all sorts of vices, and the

wicked ever injure such a master. These and many other demerits attach to

those that are ever-forgiving!

"Listen now, O son of Virochana, to the demerits of those that are never

forgiving! The man of wrath who, surrounded by darkness, always

inflicteth, by help of his own energy, various kinds of punishment on

persons whether they deserve them or not, is necessarily separated from

his friends in consequence of that energy of his. Such a man is hated by

both relatives and strangers. Such a man, because he insulteth others,

suffereth loss of wealth and reapeth disregard and sorrow and hatred and

confusion and enemies. The man of wrath, in consequence of his ire,

inflicteth punishments on men and obtaineth (in return) harsh words. He

is divested of his prosperity soon and even of life, not to say, of

friends and relatives. He that putteth forth his might both upon his

benefactor and his foe, is an object of alarm to the world, like a snake

that hath taken shelter in a house, to the inmates thereof. What

prosperity can he have who is an object of alarm to the world? People

always do him an injury when they find a hole. Therefore, should men

never exhibit might in excess nor forgiveness on all occasions. One

should put forth his might and show his forgiveness on proper occasions.

He that becometh forgiving at the proper time and harsh and mighty also

at the proper time, obtaineth happiness both in this world and the other.

"'I shall now indicate the occasions in detail of forgiveness, as laid

down by the learned, and which should ever be observed by all. Hearken

unto me as I speak! He that hath done thee a service, even if he is

guilty of a grave wrong unto thee, recollecting his former service,

shouldst thou forgive that offender. Those also that have become

offenders from ignorance and folly should be forgiven for learning and

wisdom are not always easily attainable by man. They that having offended

thee knowingly, plead ignorance should be punished, even if their

offences be trivial. Such crooked men should never be pardoned. The first

offence of every creature should be forgiven. The second offence,

however, should be punished, even if it be trivial. If, however, a person

commiteth an offence unwillingly, it hath been said that examining his

plea well by a judicious enquiry, he should be pardoned. Humility may

vanquish might, humility may vanquish weakness. There is nothing that

humility may not accomplish. Therefore, humility is truly fiercer (than

it seemeth)! One should act with reference to place and time, taking note

of his own might or weakness. Nothing can succeed that hath been

undertaken without reference to place and time. Therefore, do thou ever

wait for place and time! Sometimes offenders should be forgiven from fear

of the people. These have been declared to be times of forgiveness. And

it hath been said that on occasions besides these, might should be put

forth against transgressors.'

"Draupadi continued, 'I, therefore, regard, O king, that the time hath

come for thee to put forth thy might! Unto those Kurus the covetous sons

of Dhritarashtra who injure us always, the present is not the time for

forgiveness! It behoveth thee to put forth thy might. The humble and

forgiving person is disregarded; while those that are fierce persecute

others. He, indeed, is a king who hath recourse to both, each according

to its time!'"

SECTION XXIX

Yudhishthira said, 'Anger is the slayer of men and is again their

prosperor. Know this, O thou possessed of great wisdom, that anger is the

root of all prosperity and all adversity. O thou beautiful one, he that

suppresseth his anger earneth prosperity. That man, again, who always

giveth way to anger, reapeth adversity from his fierce anger. It is seen

in this world that anger is the cause of destruction of every creature.

How then can one like me indulge his anger which is so destructive of the

world? The angry man commiteth sin. The angry man killeth even his

preceptors. The angry man insulteth even his superiors in harsh words.

The man that is angry faileth to distinguish between what should be said

and what should not. There is no act that an angry man may not do, no

word that an angry man may not utter. From anger a man may slay one that

deserveth not to be slain, and may worship one that deserveth to be

slain. The angry man may even send his own soul to the regions of Yama.

Beholding all these faults, the wise control their anger, desirous of

obtaining high prosperity both in this and the other world. It is for

this that they of tranquil souls have banished wrath. How can one like us

indulge in it then? O daughter of Drupada, reflecting upon all this, my

anger is not excited One that acteth not against a man whose wrath hath

been up, rescueth himself as also others from great fear. In fact, he may

be regarded to be the physician of the two (viz., himself and angry man).

If a weak man, persecuted by others, foolishly becometh angry towards men

that are mightier than he, he then becometh himself the cause of his own

destruction. And in respect of one who thus deliberately throweth away

his life, there are no regions hereafter to gain. Therefore, O daughter

of Drupada, it hath been said that a weak man should always suppress his

wrath. And the wise man also who though presecuted, suffereth not his

wrath to be roused, joyeth in the other world--having passed his

persecutor over in indifference. It is for this reason hath it been said

that a wise man, whether strong or weak, should ever forgive his

persecutor even when the latter is in the straits. It is for this, O

Krishna, that the virtuous applaud them that have conquered their wrath.

Indeed, it is the opinion of the virtuous that the honest and forgiving

man is ever victorious. Truth is more beneficial than untruth; and

gentleness than cruel behaviour. How can one like me, therefore, even for

the purpose of slaying Duryodhana, exhibit anger which hath so many

faults and which the virtuous banish from their souls? They that are

regarded by the learned of foresight, as possessed of (true) force of

character, are certainly those who are wrathful in outward show only. Men

of learning and of true insight call him to be possessed of force of

character who by his wisdom can suppress his risen wrath. O thou of fair

hips, the angry man seeth not things in their true light. The man that is

angry seeth not his way, nor respecteth persons. The angry man killeth

even those that deserve not to be killed. The man of wrath slayeth even

his preceptors. Therefore, the man possessing force of character should

ever banish wrath to a distance. The man that is overwhelmed with wrath

acquireth not with ease generosity, dignity, courage, skill, and other

attributes belonging to real force of character. A man by forsaking anger

can exhibit proper energy, whereas, O wise one, it is highly difficult

for the angry man to exhibit his energy at the proper time! The ignorant

always regard anger as equivalent to energy. Wrath, however hath been

given to man for the destruction of the world. The man, therefore, who

wisheth to behave properly, must ever forsake anger. Even one who hath

abandoned the excellent virtues of his own order, it is certain,

indulgeth in wrath (if behaveth properly). If fools, of mind without

light, transgress in every respect, how, O faultless one, can one like me

transgress (like them)? If amongst men there were not persons equal unto

the earth in forgiveness, there would be no peace among men but continued

strife caused by wrath. If the injured return their injuries, if one

chastised by his superior were to chastise his superior in return, the

consequence would be the destruction of every creature, and sin also

would prevail in the world. If the man who hath ill speeches from

another, returneth those speeches afterwards; if the injured man

returneth his injuries: if the chastised person chastiseth in return; if

fathers slay sons, and sons fathers and if husbands slay wives, and wives

husbands; then, O Krishna, how can birth take place in a world where

anger prevaileth so! For, O thou of handsome face, know that the birth of

creatures is due to peace! If the kings also, O Draupadi, giveth way to

wrath, his subjects soon meet with destruction. Wrath, therefore, hath

for its consequence the destruction and the distress of the people. And

because it is seen that there are in the world men who are forgiving like

the Earth, it is therefore that creatures derive their life and

prosperity. O beautiful one, one should forgive under every injury. It

hath been said that the continuation of species is due to man being

forgiving. He, indeed, is a wise and excellent person who hath conquered

his wrath and who showeth forgiveness even when insulted, oppressed, and

angered by a strong person. The man of power who controleth his wrath,

hath (for his enjoyment) numerous everlasting regions; while he that is

angry, is called foolish, and meeteth with destruction both in this and

the other world. O Krishna, the illustrious and forgiving Kashyapa hath,

in this respect, sung the following verses in honour of men that are ever

forgiving, 'Forgiveness is virtue; forgiveness is sacrifice, forgiveness

is the Vedas, forgiveness is the Shruti. He that knoweth this is capable

of forgiving everything. Forgiveness is Brahma; forgiveness is truth;

forgiveness is stored ascetic merit; forgiveness protecteth the ascetic

merit of the future; forgiveness is asceticism; forgiveness is holiness;

and by forgiveness is it that the universe is held together. Persons that

are forgiving attain to the regions obtainable by those that have

preformed meritorious sacrifices, or those that are well-conversant with

the Vedas, or those that have high ascetic merit. Those that perform

Vedic sacrifices as also those that perform the meritorious rites of

religion obtain other regions. Men of forgiveness, however, obtain those

much-adored regions that are in the world of Brahma. Forgiveness is the

might of the mighty; forgiveness is sacrifice; forgiveness is quiet of

mind. How, O Krishna, can one like us abandon forgiveness, which is such,

and in which are established Brahma, and truth, and wisdom and the

worlds? The man of wisdom should ever forgive, for when he is capable of

forgiving everything, he attaineth to Brahma. The world belongeth to

those that are forgiving; the other world is also theirs. The forgiving

acquire honours here, and a state of blessedness hereafter. Those men

that ever conquer their wrath by forgiveness, obtain the higher regions.

Therefore hath it been said that forgiveness is the highest virtue.'

Those are the verses sung by Kashyapa in respect of those that are

everforgiving. Having listened, O Draupadi, to these verses in respect of

forgiveness, content thyself! Give not way to thy wrath! Our grandsire,

the son of Santanu, will worship peace; Krishna, the son of Devaki, will

worship peace; the preceptor (Drona) and Vidura called Kshatri will both

speak of peace; Kripa and Sanjaya also will preach peace. And Somadatta

and Yuyutshu and Drona's son and our grandsire Vyasa, every one of them

speaketh always of peace. Ever urged by these towards peace, the king

(Dhritarashtra) will, I think, return us our kingdom. If however, he

yieldeth to temptation, he will meet with destruction. O lady, a crisis

hath come in the history of Bharatas for plunging them into calamity!

This hath been my certain conclusion from some time before! Suyodhana

deserveth not the kingdom. Therefore hath he been unable to acquire

forgiveness. I, however, deserve the sovereignty and therefore is it that

forgiveness hath taken possession of me. Forgiveness and gentleness are

the qualities of the self-possessed. They represent eternal virtue. I

shall, therefore, truly adopt those qualities."

SECTION XXX

"Draupadi said, 'I bow down unto Dhatri and Vidhatri who have thus

clouded thy sense! Regarding the burden (thou art to bear) thou thinkest

differently from the ways of thy fathers and grand-fathers! Influenced by

acts men are placed in different situations of life. Acts, therefore,

produce consequences that are inevitable; emancipation is desired from

mere folly. It seemeth that man can never attain prosperity in this world

by virtue, gentleness, forgiveness, straight-forwardness and fear of

censure! If this were not so, O Bharata, this insufferable calamity would

never have overtaken thee who art so undeserving of it, and these thy

brothers of great energy! Neither in those days of prosperity nor in

these days of thy adversity, thou, O Bharata, hath ever known anything so

dear to thee as virtue, which thou hast even regarded as dearer to thee

than life? That thy kingdom is for virtue alone, that thy life also is

for virtue alone, is known to Brahmanas and thy superiors and even the

celestials! I think thou canst abandon Bhimasena and Arjuna and these

twin sons of Madri along with myself but thou canst not abandon virtue! I

have heard that the king protecteth virtue; and virtue, protected by him,

protecteth him (in return)! I see, however, that virtue protecteth thee

not! Like the shadow pursuing a man, thy heart, O tiger among men, with

singleness of purpose, ever seeketh virtue. Thou hast never disregarded

thy equals, and inferiors and superiors. Obtaining even the entire world,

thy pride never increased! O son of Pritha, thou ever worshippest

Brahmanas, and gods, and the Pitris, with Swadhas, and other forms of

worship! O son of Pritha, thou hast ever gratified the Brahmanas by

fulfilling every wish of theirs! Yatis and Sannyasins and mendicants of

domestic lives have always been fed in thy house from off plates of gold

where I have distributed (food) amongst them. Unto the Vanaprasthas thou

always givest gold and food. There is nothing in thy house thou mayest

not give unto the Brahmanas! In the Viswadeva sacrifice, that is, for thy

peace, performed in thy house, the things consecrated are first offered

unto guests and all creatures while thou livest thyself with what

remaineth (after distribution)! Ishtis Pashubandhas, sacrifices for

obtaining fruition of desire, the religions rites of (ordinary)

domesticity, Paka sacrifices, and sacrifices of other kinds, are ever

performed in thy house. Even in this great forest, so solitary and

haunted by robbers, living in exile, divested of thy kingdom, thy virtue

hath sustained no diminution! The Aswamedha, the Rajasuya, the Pundarika,

and Gosava, these grand sacrifices requiring large gifts have all been

performed by thee! O monarch, impelled by a perverse sense during that

dire hour of a losing match at dice, thou didst yet stake and loss thy

kingdom, thy wealth, thy weapons, thy brothers, and myself! Simple,

gentle, liberal, modest, truthful, how, O king could thy mind be

attracted to the vice of gambling? I am almost deprived of my sense, O

king, and my heart is overwhelmed with grief, beholding this thy

distress, and this thy calamity! An old history is cited as an

illustration for the truth that men are subjects to the will of God and

never to their own wishes! The Supreme Lord and Ordainer of all ordaineth

everything in respect of the weal and woe, the happiness and misery, of

all creatures, even prior to their births guided by the acts of each,

which are even like a seed (destined to sprout forth into the tree of

life). O hero amongst men, as a wooden doll is made to move its limbs by

the wire-puller, so are creatures made to work by the Lord of all. O

Bharata, like space that covereth every object, God, pervading every

creature, ordaineth its weal or woe. Like a bird tied with a string,

every creature is dependent on God. Every one is subject to God and none

else. No one can be his own ordainer. Like a pearl on its string, or a

bull held fast by the cord passing through its nose, or a tree fallen

from the bank into the middle of the stream, every creature followeth the

command of the Creator, because imbued with His Spirit and because

established in Him. And man himself, dependent on the Universal Soul,

cannot pass a moment independently. Enveloped in darkness, creatures are

not masters of their own weal or woe. They go to heaven or hell urged by

God Himself. Like light straws dependent on strong winds, all creatures,

O Bharatas, are dependent on God! And God himself, pervading all

creatures and engaged in acts right and wrong, moveth in the universe,

though none can say This is God! This body with its physical attributes

is only the means by which God--the Supreme Lord of all maketh (every

creature) to reap fruits that are good or bad. Behold the power of

illusion that hath been spread by God, who confounding with his illusion,

maketh creatures slay their fellows! Truth-knowing Munis behold those

differently. They appear to them in a different light, even like the rays

of the Sun (which to ordinary eyes are only a pencil of light, while to

eyes more penetrating seem fraught with the germs of food and drink).

Ordinary men behold the things of the earth otherwise. It is God who

maketh them all, adopting different processes in their creation and

destruction. And, O Yudhishthira, the Self-create Grandsire, Almighty

God, spreading illusion, slayeth his creatures by the instrumentality of

his creatures, as one may break a piece of inert and senseless wood with

wood, or stone with stone, or iron with iron. And the Supreme Lord,

according to his pleasure, sporteth with His creatures, creating and

destroying them, like a child with his toy (of soft earth). O king, it

doth seem to me that God behaveth towards his creatures like a father or

mother unto them. Like a vicious person, He seemeth to bear himself

towards them in anger! Beholding superior and well-behaved and modest

persons persecuted, while the sinful are happy, I am sorely troubled.

Beholding this thy distress and the prosperity of Suyodhana, I do not

speak highly of the Great Ordainer who suffereth such inequality! O sir,

what fruits doth the Great Ordainer reap by granting prosperity to

Dhritarashtra's son who transgresseth the ordinances, who is crooked and

covetous, and who injureth virtue and religion! If the act done pursueth

the doer and none else, then certainly it is God himself who is stained

with the sin of every act. If however, the sin of an act done doth not

attach to the doer, then (individual) might (and not God) is the true

cause of acts, and I grieve for those that have no might!'"

SECTION XXXI

"Yudhishthira said, 'Thy speech, O Yajnaseni, is delightful, smooth and

full of excellent phrases. We have listened to it (carefully). Thou

speakest, however, the language of atheism. O princess, I never act,

solicitous of the fruits of my actions. I give away, because it is my

duty to give; I sacrifice because it is my duty to sacrifice! O Krishna,

I accomplish to the best of my power whatever a person living in

domesticity should do, regardless of the fact whether those acts have

fruits or not. O thou of fair hips, I act virtuously, not from the desire

of reaping the fruits of virtue, but of not transgressing the ordinances

of the Veda, and beholding also the conduct of the good and wise! My

heart, O Krishna, is naturally attracted towards virtue. The man who

wisheth to reap the fruits of virtue is a trader in virtue. His nature is

mean and he should never be counted amongst the virtuous. Nor doth he

ever obtain the fruits of his virtues! Nor doth he of sinful heart, who

having accomplished a virtuous act doubteth in his mind, obtain the

fruits of his act, in consequence of that scepticism of his! I speak unto

thee, under the authority of the Vedas, which constitute the highest

proof in such matters, that never shouldst thou doubt virtue! The man

that doubteth virtue is destined to take his birth in the brute species.

The man of weak understanding who doubteth religion, virtue or the words

of the Rishis, is precluded from regions of immortality and bliss, like

Sudras from the Vedas! O intelligent one, if a child born of a good race

studieth the Vedas and beareth himself virtuously, royal sages of

virtuous behaviour regard him as an aged sage (not withstanding his

years)! The sinful wretch, however, who doubteth religion and

transgresseth the scriptures, is regarded as lower even than Sudras and

robbers! Thou hast seen with thy own eyes the great ascetic Markandeya of

immeasurable soul come to us! It is by virtue alone that he hath acquired

immortality in the flesh. Vyasa, and Vasistha and Maitreya, and Narada

and Lomasa, and Suka, and other Rishis have all, by virtue alone, become

of pure soul! Thou beholdest them with thy own eyes as furnished with

prowess of celestial asceticism, competent to curse or bless (with

effect), and superior to the very gods! O sinless one, these all, equal

to the celestials themselves, behold with their eyes what Is written in

the Vedas, and describe virtue as the foremost duty! It behoveth thee

not, therefore, O amiable Queen, to either doubt or censure God or act,

with a foolish heart. The fool that doubteth religion and disregardeth

virtue, proud of the proof derived from his own reasoning, regardeth not

other proofs and holdeth the Rishis, who are capable of knowing the

future as present as mad men. The fool regardeth only the external world

capable of gratifying his senses, and is blind to everything else. He

that doubteth religion hath no expiation for his offence. That miserable

wretch is full of anxiety and acquireth not regions of bliss hereafter. A

rejector of proofs, a slanderer of the interpretation of the Vedic

scriptures, a transgressor urged by lust and covetousness, that fool

goeth to hell. O amiable one, he on the other hand, who ever cherisheth

religion with faith, obtaineth eternal bliss in the other world. The fool

who cherisheth not religion, transgressing the proofs offered by the

Rishis, never obtaineth prosperity in any life, for such transgression of

the scriptures. It is certain, O handsome one, that with respect to him

who regardeth not the words of the Rishis or the conduct of the virtuous

as proof, neither this nor the other world existeth. Doubt not, O

Krishna, the ancient religion that is practised by the good and framed by

Rishis of universal knowledge and capable of seeing all things! O

daughter of Drupada, religion is the only raft for those desirous of

going to heaven, like a ship to merchants desirous of crossing the ocean.

O thou faultless one, if the virtues that are practised by the virtuous

had no fruits, this universe then would be enveloped in infamous

darkness. No one then would pursue salvation, no one would seek to

acquire knowledge not even wealth, but men would live like beasts. If

asceticism, the austerities of celibate life, sacrifices, study of the

Vedas, charity, honesty,--these all were fruitless, men would not have

practised virtue generation after generation. If acts were all fruitless,

a dire confusion would ensue. For what then do Rishis and gods and

Gandharvas and Rakshasas who are all independent of human conditions,

cherish virtue with such affection? Knowing it for certain that God is

the giver of fruits in respect of virtue, they practise virtue in this

world. This, O Krishna, is the eternal (source of) prosperity. When the

fruits of both knowledge and asceticism are seen, virtue and vice cannot

be fruitless. Call to thy mind, O Krishna, the circumstances of thy own

birth as thou that heard of them, and recall also the manner in which

Dhrishtadyumna of great prowess was born! These, O thou of sweet smiles,

are the best proofs (of the fruits of virtue)! They that have their minds

under control, reap the fruits of their acts and are content with little.

Ignorant fools are not content with even that much they get (here),

because they have no happiness born of virtue to acquire to in the world

hereafter. The fruitlessness of virtuous acts ordained in the Vedas, as

also of all transgressions, the origin and destruction of acts are, O

beautiful one, mysterious even to the gods. These are not known to any

body and everybody. Ordinary men are ignorant in respect of these. The

gods keep up the mystery, for the illusion covering the conduct of the

gods is unintelligible. Those regenerate ones that have destroyed all

aspirations, that have built all their hopes on vows and asceticism, that

have burnt all their sins and have acquired minds where quest and peace

and holiness dwell, understand all these. Therefore, though you mayst not

see the fruits of virtue, thou shouldst not yet doubt religion or gods.

Thou must perform sacrifices with a will, and practise charity without

insolence. Acts in this world have their fruits, and virtue also is

eternal. Brahma himself told this unto his (spiritual) sons, as testified

to by Kashyapa. Let thy doubt, therefore, O Krishna, be dispelled like

mist. Reflecting upon all this, let thy scepticism give way to faith.

Slander not God, who is the lord of all creatures. Learn how to know him.

Bow down unto him. Let not thy mind be such. And, O Krishna, never

disregard that Supreme Being through whose grace mortal man, by piety,

acquireth immortality!'"

SECTION XXXII

"Draupadi said, 'I do not ever disregard or slander religion, O son of

Pritha! Why should I disregard God, the lord of all creatures? Afflicted

with woe, know me, O Bharata, to be only raving I will once more indulge

in lamentations; listen to me with attention O persecutor of all enemies,

every conscious creature should certainly act in this world. It is only

the immobile, and not other creatures, that may live without acting. The

calf, immediately after its birth, sucketh the mothers' teat. Persons

feel pain in consequence of incantations performed with their statues. It

seemeth, therefore, O Yudhishthira, that creatures derive the character

of their lives from their acts of former lives. Amongst mobile creatures

man differeth in this respect that he aspireth, O bull of the Bharata

race, to affect his course of life in this and the other world by means

of his acts. Impelled by the inspiration of a former life, all creatures

visibly (reap) in this world the fruits of their acts. Indeed, all

creatures live according to the inspiration of a former life, even the

Creator and the Ordainer of the universe, like a crane that liveth on the

water (untaught by any one.) If a creature acteth not, its course of life

is impossible. In the case of a creature, therefore, there must be action

and not inaction. Thou also shouldest act, and not incur censure by

abandoning action. Cover thyself up, as with an armour, with action.

There may or may not be even one in a thousand who truly knoweth the

utility of acts or work. One must act for protecting as also increasing

his wealth; for if without seeking to earn, one continueth to only spend,

his wealth, even if it were a hoard huge as Himavat, would soon be

exhausted. All the creatures in the world would have been exterminated,

if there were no action. If also acts bore no fruits, creatures would

never have multiplied. It is even seen that creatures sometimes perform

acts that have no fruits, for without acts the course of life itself

would be impossible. Those persons in the world who believe in destiny,

and those again who believe in chance, are both the worst among men.

Those only that believe in the efficacy of acts are laudable. He that

lieth at ease, without activity, believing in destiny alone, is soon

destroyed like an unburnt earthen pot in water. So also he that believeth

in chance, i.e., sitteth inactive though capable of activity liveth not

long, for his life is one of weakness and helplessness. If any person

accidentally acquireth any wealth, it is said he deriveth it from chance,

for no one's effort hath brought about the result. And, O son of Pritha,

whatever of good fortune a person obtaineth in consequence of religious

rites, that is called providential. The fruit, however that a person

obtaineth by acting himself, and which is the direct result of those acts

of his, is regarded as proof of personal ability. And, O best of men,

know that the wealth one obtaineth spontaneously and without cause is

said to be a spontaneous acquisition. Whatever is thus obtained by

chance, by providential dispensation, spontaneously, of as the result of

one's acts is, however, the consequence of the acts of a former life. And

God, the Ordainer of the universe, judging according to the acts of

former lives, distributeth among men their portions in this world.

Whatever acts, good or bad, a person performeth, know that they are the

result of God's, arrangements agreeably to the acts of a former life.

This body is only the instruments in the hands of God, for doing the acts

that are done. Itself, inert, it doth as God urgeth it to do. O son of

Kunti, it is the Supreme Lord of all who maketh all creatures do what

they do. The creatures themselves are inert. O hero, man, having first

settled some purpose in his mind, accomplisheth it, himself working with

the aid of his intelligence. We, therefore, say that man is himself the

cause (of what he doeth). O bull among men, it is impossible to number

the acts of men, for mansions and towns are the result of man's acts.

Intelligent men know, by help of their intellect, that oil may be had

from sesame, curds from milk, and that food may be cooked by means of

igniting fuel. They know also the means for accomplishing all these. And

knowing them, they afterwards set themselves, with proper appliances, to

accomplish them. And creatures support their lives by the results

achieved in these directions by their own acts. If a work is executed by

a skilled workman, it is executed well. From differences (in

characteristics), another work may be said to be that of an unskilful

hand. If a person were not, in the matter of his acts, himself the cause

thereof, then sacrifices would not bear any fruits in his case nor would

any body be a disciple or a master. It is because a person is himself the

cause of his work that he is applauded when he achieved success. So the

doer is censured if he faileth. If a man were not himself the cause of

his acts, how would all this be justified? Some say that everything is

the result of Providential dispensation; others again, that this is not

so, but that everything which is supposed to be the result of destiny or

chance is the result of the good or the bad acts of former lives. It is

seen, possessions are obtained from chance, as also from destiny

Something being from destiny and something from chance, something is

obtained by exertion. In the acquisition of his objects, there is no

fourth cause in the case of man. Thus say those that are acquainted with

truth and skilled in knowledge. If, however, God himself were not the

giver of good and bad fruits, then amongst creatures there would not be

any that was miserable. If the effect of former acts be a myth, then all

purposes for which man would work should be successful. They, therefore,

that regard the three alone (mentioned above) as the doors of all success

and failure in the world, (without regarding the acts of former life),

are dull and inert like the body itself. For all this, however, a person

should act. This is the conclusion of Manu himself. The person that doth

not act, certainly succumbeth, O Yudhishthira. The man of action in this

world generally meeteth with success. The idle, however, never achieveth

success. If success, becometh impossible, then should one seek to remove

the difficulties that bar his way to success. And, O king, if a person

worketh (hard), his debt (to the gods) is cancelled (whether he achieveth

success or not). The person that is idle and lieth at his length, is

overcome by adversity; while he that is active and skillful is sure to

reap success and enjoy prosperity. Intelligent persons engaged in acts

with confidence in themselves regard all who are diffident as doubting

and unsuccessful. The confident and faithful, however, are regarded by

them as successful. And this moment misery hath overtaken us. If,

however, thou betakest to action, that misery will certainly be removed.

If thou meetest failure, then that will furnish a proof unto thee and

Vrikodara and Vivatsu and the twins (that ye are unable to snatch the

kingdom from the foe). The acts of others, it is seen, are crowned with

success. It is probable that ours also will be successful. How can one

know beforehand what the consequence will be? Having exerted thyself thou

wilt know what the fruit of thy exertion will be. The tiller tilleth with

the plough the soil and soweth the seeds thereon. He then sitteth silent,

for the clouds (after that) are the cause that would help the seeds to

grow into plants. If however, the clouds favour him not, the tiller is

absolved from all blame. He sayeth unto himself, 'What others do, I have

done. If, notwithstanding this, I meet with failure, no blame can attach

to me.' Thinking so, he containeth himself and never indulgeth in

self-reproach. O Bharata, no one should despair saying, 'Oh, I am acting,

yet success is not mine! For there are two other causes, besides

exertion, towards success. Whether there be success or failure, there

should be no despair, for success in acts dependeth upon the union; of

many circumstances. If one important element is wanting, success doth not

become commensurate, or doth not come at all. If however, no exertion is

made, there can be no success. Nor is there anything to applaud in the

absence of all exertion. The intelligent, aided by their intelligence,

and according to their full might bring place, time, means, auspicious

rites, for the acquisition of prosperity. With carefulness and vigilance

should one set himself to work, his chief guide being his prowess. In the

union of qualities necessary for success in work, prowess seemeth to be

the chief. When the man of intelligence seeth his enemy superior to him

in many qualities, he should seek the accomplishment of his purposes by

means, of the arts of conciliation and proper appliances. He should also

wish evil unto his foe and his banishment. Without speaking of mortal

man, if his foe were even the ocean or the hills, he should be guided by

such motives. A person by his activity in searching for the holes of his

enemies, dischargeth his debt to himself as also to his friends. No man

should ever disparage himself for the man that disparageth himself never

earneth high prosperity. O Bharata, success in this world is attainable

on such conditions! In fact, success in the World is said to depend on

acting according to time and circumstances. My father formerly kept a

learned Brahmana with him. O bull of the Bharata race, he said all this

unto my father. Indeed, these instructions as to duty, uttered by

Vrihaspati himself, were first taught to my brothers. It was from them

that I heard these afterwards while in my father's house. And, O

Yudhishthira, while at intervals of business, I went out (of the inner

apartments) and sat on the lap of my father, that learned Brahmana used

to recite unto me these truths, sweetly consoling me therewith!"

SECTION XXXIII

'Vaisampayana said, "Hearing these words of Yajnaseni, Bhimasena, sighing

in wrath, approached the king and addressed him, saying, 'Walk, O

monarch, in the customary path trodden by good men, (before thee) in

respect of kingdoms. What do we gain by living in the asylum of ascetics,

thus deprived of virtue, pleasure, and profit? It is not by virtue, nor

by honesty, nor by might, but by unfair dice, that our kingdom hath been

snatched by Duryodhana. Like a weak offal-eating jackal snatching the

prey from mighty lions, he hath snatched away our kingdom. Why, O

monarch, in obedience to the trite merit of sticking to a promise, dost

thou suffer such distress, abandoning that wealth which is the source of

both virtue and enjoyments? It was for thy carelessness, O king, that our

kingdom protected by the wielder of the Gandiva and therefore, incapable

of being wrested by Indra himself, was snatched from us in our very

sight. It was for thee, O monarch, that, ourselves living, our prosperity

was snatched away from us like a fruit from one unable to use his arms,

or like kine from one incapable of using his legs. Thou art faithful in

the acquisition of virtue. It was to please thee, O Bharata, that we have

suffered ourselves to be overwhelmed with such dire calamity. O bull of

the Bharata race, it was because we were subject to thy control that we

are thus tearing the hearts of our friends and gratifying our foes. That

we did not, in obedience to thee, even then slay the sons of

Dhritarashtra, is an act of folly on our part that grieveth me sorely.

This thy abode, O king, in the woods, like that of any wild animal, is

what a man of weakness alone would submit to. Surely, no man of might

would ever lead such a life. This thy course of life is approved neither

by Krishna, nor Vibhatsu, nor by Abhimanyu, nor by the Srinjayas, nor by

myself, nor by the sons of Madri. Afflicted with the vows, thy cry is

Religion! Religion! Hast thou from despair been deprived of thy

manliness? Cowards alone, unable to win back their prosperity, cherish

despair, which is fruitless and destructive of one's purposes. Thou hast

ability and eyes. Thou seest that manliness dwelleth in us. It is because

thou hast adopted a life of peace that thou feelest not this distress.

These Dhritarashtras regard us who are forgiving, as really incompetent.

This, O king, grieveth me more than death in battle. If we all die in

fair fight without turning our backs on the foe, even that would be

better than this exile, for then we should obtain regions of bliss in the

other world. Or, if, O bull of the Bharata race, having slain them all,

we acquire the entire earth, that would be prosperity worth the trial. We

who ever adhere to the customs of our order, who ever desire grand

achievements, who wish to avenge our wrongs, have this for our bounden

duty. Our kingdom wrested from us, if we engage in battle, our deeds when

known to the world will procure for us fame and not slander. And that

virtue, O king, which tortureth one's own self and friends, is really no

virtue. It is rather vice, producing calamities. Virtue is sometimes also

the weakness of men. And though such a man might ever be engaged in the

practice of virtue, yet both virtue and profit forsake him, like pleasure

and pain forsaking a person that is dead. He that practiseth virtue for

virtue's sake always suffereth. He can scarcely be called a wise man, for

he knoweth not the purposes of virtue like a blind man incapable of

perceiving the solar light. He that regardeth his wealth to exist for

himself alone, scarcely understandeth the purposes of wealth. He is

really like a servant that tendeth kine in a forest. He again that

pursueth wealth too much without pursuing virtue and enjoyments,

deserveth to be censured and slain by all men. He also that ever pursueth

enjoyments without pursuing virtue and wealth, loseth his friends and

virtue and wealth also. Destitute of virtue and wealth such a man,

indulging in pleasure at will, at the expiration of his period of

indulgence, meeteth with certain death, like a fish when the water in

which it liveth hath been dried up. It is for these reasons that they

that are wise are ever careful of both virtue and wealth, for a union of

virtue and wealth is the essential requisite of pleasure, as fuel is the

essential requisite of fire. Pleasure hath always virtue for its root,

and virtue also is united with pleasure. Know, O monarch, that both are

dependent on each other like the ocean and the clouds, the ocean causing

the clouds and the clouds filling the ocean. The joy that one feeleth in

consequence of contact with objects of touch or of possession of wealth,

is what is called pleasure. It existeth in the mind, having no corporeal

existence that one can see. He that wisheth (to obtain) wealth, seeketh

for a large share of virtue to crown his wish with success. He that

wisheth for pleasure, seeketh wealth, (so that his wish may be realised).

Pleasure however, yieldeth nothing in its turn. One pleasure cannot lead

to another, being its own fruit, as ashes may be had from wood, but

nothing from those ashes in their turn. And, O king, as a fowler killeth

the birds we see, so doth sin slay the creatures of the world. He,

therefore, who misled by pleasure or covetousness, beholdeth not the

nature of virtue, deserveth to be slain by all, and becometh wretched

both here and here-after. It is evident, O king, that thou knowest that

pleasure may be derived from the possession of various objects of

enjoyment. Thou also well knowest their ordinary states, as well as the

great changes they undergo. At their loss or disappearance occasioned by

decrepitude or death, ariseth what is called distress. That distress, O

king, hath now overtaken us. The joy that ariseth from the five senses,

the intellect and the heart, being directed to the objects proper to

each, is called pleasure. That pleasure, O king, is, as I think, one of

the best fruits of our actions.

"Thus, O monarch, one should regard virtue, wealth and pleasure one after

another. One should not devote one self to virtue alone, nor regard

wealth as the highest object of one's wishes, nor pleasure, but should

ever pursue all three. The scriptures ordain that one should seek virtue

in the morning, wealth at noon, and pleasure in the evening. The

scriptures also ordain that one should seek pleasure in the first portion

of life, wealth in the second, and virtue in the last. And, O thou

foremost of speakers, they that are wise and fully conversant with proper

division of time, pursue all three, virtue, wealth, and pleasure,

dividing their time duly. O son of the Kuru race, whether independence of

these (three), or their possession is the better for those that desire

happiness, should be settled by thee after careful thought. And thou

shouldst then, O king, unhesitatingly act either for acquiring them, or

abandoning them all. For he who liveth wavering between the two

doubtingly, leadeth a wretched life. It is well known that thy behaviour

is ever regulated by virtue. Knowing this thy friends counsel thee to

act. Gift, sacrifice, respect for the wise, study of the Vedas, and

honesty, these, O king, constitute the highest virtue and are efficacious

both here and hereafter. These virtues, however, cannot be attained by

one that hath no wealth, even if, O tiger among men, he may have infinite

other accomplishments. The whole universe, O king, dependeth upon virtue.

There is nothing higher than virtue. And virtue, O king, is attainable by

one that hath plenty of wealth. Wealth cannot be earned by leading a

mendicant life, nor by a life of feebleness. Wealth, however, can be

earned by intelligence directed by virtue. In thy case, O king, begging,

which is successful with Brahmanas, hath been forbidden. Therefore, O

bull amongst men, strive for the acquisition of wealth by exerting thy

might and energy. Neither mendicancy, nor the life of a Sudra is what is

proper for thee. Might and energy constitute the virtue of the Kshatriya

in especial. Adopt thou, therefore, the virtue of thy order and slay the

enemies. Destroy the might of Dhritarashtra's sons, O son of Pritha, with

my and Arjuna's aid. They that are learned and wise say that sovereignty

is virtue. Acquire sovereignty, therefore, for it behoveth thee not to

live in a state of inferiority. Awake, O king, and understand the eternal

virtues (of the order). By birth thou belongest to an order whose deeds

are cruel and are a source of pain to man. Cherish thy subjects and reap

the fruit thereof. That can never be a reproach. Even this, O king, is

the virtue ordained by God himself for the order to which thou belongest!

If thou tallest away therefrom, thou wilt make thyself ridiculous.

Deviation from the virtues of one's own order is never applauded.

Therefore, O thou of the Kuru race, making thy heart what it ought to be,

agreeably to the order to which thou belongest, and casting away this

course of feebleness, summon thy energy and bear thy weight like one that

beareth it manfully. No king, O monarch, could ever acquire the

sovereignty of the earth or prosperity or affluence by means of virtue

alone. Like a fowler earning his food in the shape of swarms of little

easily-tempted game, by offering them some attractive food, doth one that

is intelligent acquire a kingdom, by offering bribes unto low and

covetous enemies. Behold, O bull among kings, the Asuras, though elder

brothers in possession of power and affluence, were all vanquished by the

gods through stratagem. Thus, O king, everything belongeth to those that

are mighty. And, O mighty-armed one, slay thy foes, having recourse to

stratagem. There is none equal unto Arjuna in wielding the bow in battle.

Nor is there anybody that may be equal unto me in wielding the mace.

Strong men, O monarch, engage in battle depending on their might, and not

on the force of numbers nor on information of the enemy's plans procured

through spies. Therefore, O son of Pandu exert thy might. Might is the

root of wealth. Whatever else is said to be its root is really not such.

As the shade of the tree in winter goeth for nothing, so without might

everything else becometh fruitless. Wealth should be spent by one who

wisheth to increase his wealth, after the manner, O son of Kunti, of

scattering seeds on the ground. Let there be no doubt then in thy mind.

Where, however, wealth that is more or even equal is not to be gained,

there should be no expenditure of wealth. For investment of wealth are

like the ass, scratching, pleasurable at first but painful afterwards.

Thus, O king of men, the person who throweth away like seeds a little of

his virtue in order to gain a larger measure of virtue, is regarded as

wise. Beyond doubt, it is as I say. They that are wise alienate the

friends of the foe that owneth such, and having weakened him by causing

those friends to abandon him thus, they then reduce him to subjection.

Even they that are strong, engage in battle depending on their courage.

One cannot by even continued efforts (uninspired by courage) or by the

arts of conciliation, always conquer a kingdom. Sometimes, O king, men

that are weak, uniting in large numbers, slay even a powerful foe, like

bees killing the despoiler of the honey by force of numbers alone. (As

regards thyself), O king, like the sun that sustaineth as well as slayeth

creatures by his rays, adopt thou the ways of the sun. To protect one's

kingdom and cherish the people duly, as done by our ancestors, O king,

is, it hath been heard by us, a kind of asceticism mentioned even in the

Vedas. By ascetism, O king, a Kshatriya cannot acquire such regions of

blessedness as he can by fair fight whether ending in victory or defeat.

Beholding, O king, this thy distress, the world hath come to the

conclusion that light may forsake the Sun and grace the Moon. And, O

king, good men separately as well as assembling together, converse with

one another, applauding thee and blaming the other. There is this,

moreover, O monarch, viz., that both the Kurus and the Brahmanas,

assembling together, gladly speak of thy firm adherence to truth, in that

thou hast never, from ignorance, from meanness, from covetousness, or

from fear, uttered an untruth. Whatever sin, O monarch, a king committeth

in acquiring dominion, he consumeth it all afterwards by means of

sacrifices distinguished by large gifts. Like the Moon emerging from the

clouds, the king is purified from all sins by bestowing villages on

Brahmanas and kine by thousands. Almost all the citizens as well as the

inhabitants of the country, young or old, O son of the Kuru race, praise

thee, O Yudhishthira! This also, O Bharata, the people are saying amongst

themselves, viz., that as milk in a bag of dog's hide, as the Vedas in a

Sudra, as truth in a robber, as strength in a woman, so is sovereignty in

Duryodhana. Even women and children are repeating this, as if it were a

lesson they seek to commit to memory. O represser of foes, thou hast

fallen into this state along with ourselves. Alas, we also are lost with

thee for this calamity of thine. Therefore, ascending in thy car

furnished with every implement, and making the superior Brahmanas utter

benedictions on thee, march thou with speed, even this very day, upon

Hastinapura, in order that thou mayst be able to give unto Brahmanas the

spoils of victory. Surrounded by thy brothers, who are firm wielders of

the bow, and by heroes skilled in weapons and like unto snakes of

virulent poison, set thou out even like the slayer Vritra surounded by

the Marutas. And, O son of Kunti, as thou art powerful, grind thou with

thy might thy weak enemies, like Indra grinding the Asuras; and snatch

thou from Dhritarashtra's son the prosperity he enjoyeth. There is no

mortal that can bear the touch of the shafts furnished with the feathers

of the vulture and resembling snakes of virulent poison, that would be

shot from the Gandiva. And, O Bharata, there is not a warrior, nor an

elephant, nor a horse, that is able to bear the impetus of my mace when I

am angry in battle. Why, O son of Kunti, should we not wrest our kingdom

from the foe, fighting with the aid of the Srinjayas and Kaikeyas, and

the bull of the Vrishni race? Why, O king, should we not succeed in

wresting the (sovereignty of the) earth that is now in the hands of the

foe, if, aided by a large force, we do but strive?"

SECTION XXXIV

Vaisampayana said, "Thus addressed by Bhimasena, the high-souled king

Ajatasatru firmly devoted to truth, mustering his patience, after a few

moments said these words, 'No doubt, O Bharata, all this is true. I

cannot reproach thee for thy torturing me thus by piercing me with thy

arrowy words. From my folly alone hath this calamity come against you. I

sought to cast the dice desiring to snatch from Dhritarashtra's son his

kingdom with the sovereignty. It was therefore that, that cunning

gambler--Suvala's son--played against me on behalf of Suyodhana. Sakuni,

a native of the hilly country, is exceedingly artful. Casting the dice in

the presence of the assembly, unacquainted as I am with artifices of any

kind, he vanquished me artfully. It is, therefore, O Bhimasena, that we

have been overwhelmed with this calamity. Beholding the dice favourable

to the wishes of Sakuni in odds and evens, I could have controlled my

mind. Anger, however, driveth off a person's patience. O child, the mind

cannot be kept under control when it is influenced by hauteur, vanity, or

pride. I do not reproach thee, O Bhimasena, for the words thou usest. I

only regard that what hath befallen us was pre-ordained. When king

Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, coveting our kingdom, plunged us

into misery and even slavery, then, O Bhima, it was Draupadi that rescued

us. When summoned again to the assembly for playing once more, thou

knowest as well as Arjuna what Dhritarashtra's son told me, in the

presence of all the Bharatas, regarding the stake for which we were to

play. His words were, O prince Ajatsatru, (if vanquished), thou shalt

have with all thy brothers, to dwell, to the knowledge of all men, for

twelve years in the forest of thy choice, passing the thirteenth year in

secrecy. If during the latter period, the spies of the Bharatas, hearing

of thee, succeed in discovering thee, thou shalt have again to live in

the forest for the same period, passing once more the last year in

secrecy. Reflecting upon this, pledge thyself to it. As regards myself, I

promise truly in this assembly of the Kurus, that if thou canst pass this

time confounding my spies and undiscovered by them, then, O Bharata, this

kingdom of the five rivers is once more thine. We also, O Bharata, if

vanquished by thee, shall, all of us, abandoning all our wealth, pass the

same period, according to the same rules. Thus addressed by the prince, I

replied unto him in the midst of all the Kurus, 'So be it!' The wretched

game then commenced. We were vanquished and have been exiled. It is for

this that we are wandering miserably over different woody regions

abounding with discomfort. Suyodhana, however, still dissatisfied, gave

himself up to anger, and urged the Kurus as also all those under his sway

to express their joy at our calamity. Having entered into such an

agreement in the presence of all good men, who dareth break it for the

sake of a kingdom on earth? For a respectable person, I think, even death

itself is lighter than the acquisition of sovereignty by an act of

transgression. At the time of the play, thou hadst desired to burn my

hands. Thou wert prevented by Arjuna, and accordingly didst only squeeze

thy own hands. If thou couldst do what thou hadst desired, could this

calamity befall us? Conscious of thy prowess, why didst thou not, O

Bhima, say so before we entered into such an agreement? Overwhelmed with

the consequence of our pledge, and the time itself having passed, what is

the use of thy addressing me these harsh words? O Bhima, this is my great

grief that we could not do anything even beholding Draupadi persecuted in

that way. My heart burneth as if I have drunk some poisonous liquid.

Having, however, given that pledge in the midst of the Kuru heroes, I am

unable to violate it now. Wait, O Bhima, for the return of our better

days, like the scatterer of seeds waiting for the harvest. When one that

hath been first injured, succeedeth in revenging himself upon his foe at

a time when the latter's enmity hath borne fruit and flowers, he is

regarded to have accomplished a great thing by his prowess. Such a brave

person earneth undying fame. Such a man obtaineth great prosperity. His

enemies bow down unto him, and his friends gather round him, like the

celestials clustering round Indra for protection. But know, O Bhima, my

promise can never be untrue. I regard virtue as superior to life itself

and a blessed state of celestial existence. Kingdom, sons, fame,

wealth,--all these do not come up to even a sixteenth part of truth.'

SECTION XXXV

Bhima said, 'O king, unsubstantial as thou art like froth, unstable like

a fruit (falling when ripe), dependent on time, and mortal, having

entered into an agreement in respect of time, which is infinite and

immeasurable, quick like a shaft or flowing like a stream, and carrying

everything before it like death itself, how canst regard it as available

by thee? How can he, O son of Kunti, wait whose life is shortened every

moment, even like a quantity of collyrium that is lessened each time a

grain is taken up by the needle? He only whose life is unlimited or who

knoweth with certitude what the period of his life is, and who knoweth

the future as if it were before his eyes, can indeed wait for the arrival

of (an expected) time. If we wait, O king, for thirteen years, that

period, shortening our lives, will bring us nearer to death. Death is

sure to overtake every creature having a corporeal existence. Therefore,

we should strive for the possession of our kingdom before we die. He that

faileth to achieve fame, by failing to chastise his foes, is like an

unclean thing. He is a useless burden on the earth like an incapacitated

bull and perisheth ingloriously. The man who, destitute of strength, and

courage, chastiseth not his foes, liveth in vain, I regard such a one as

low-born. Thy hand can rain gold; thy fame spreadeth over the whole

earth; slaying thy foes, therefore, in battle, enjoy thou the wealth

acquired by the might of thy arms. O repressor of all foes, O king, if a

man slaying his injurer, goeth the very day into hell, that hell becometh

heaven to him. O king, the pain one feeleth in having to suppress one's

wrath is more burning than fire itself. Even now I burn with it and

cannot sleep in the day or the night. This son of Pritha, called

Vibhatsu, is foremost in drawing the bow-string. He certainly burneth

with grief, though he liveth here like a lion in his den. This one that

desireth to slay without aid all wielders of the bow on earth, represseth

the wrath that riseth in his breast, like a mighty elephant. Nakula,

Sahadeva, and old Kunti--that mother of heroes, are all dumb, desiring to

please thee. And all our friends along with the Srinjayas equally desire

to please thee. I alone, and Prativindhya's mother speak unto thee

burning with grief. Whatever I speak unto thee is agreeable to all of

them, for all of them plunged in distress, eagerly wish for battle. Then,

O monarch, what more wretched a calamity can overtake us that our kingdom

should be wrested from us by weak and contemptible foes and enjoyed by

them? O king, from the weakness of thy disposition thou feelest shame in

violating thy pledge. But, O slayer of foes, no one applaudeth thee for

thus suffering such pain in consequence of the kindliness of thy

disposition. Thy intellect, O king, seeth not the truth, like that of a

foolish and ignorant person of high birth who hath committed the words of

the Vedas to memory without understanding their sense. Thou art kind like

a Brahmana. How hast thou been born in the Kshatriya order? They that are

born in the Kshatriya order are generally of crooked hearts. Thou hast

heard (recited) the duties of kings, as promulgated by Manu, fraught with

crookedness and unfairness and precepts opposed to tranquillity and

virtue. Why dost thou then, O king, forgive the wicked sons of

Dhritarashtra? Thou hast intelligence, prowess, learning and high birth.

Why dost thou then, O tiger among men, act in respect of thy duties, like

a huge snake that is destitute of motion? O son of Kunti, he that

desireth to conceal us, only wisheth to conceal the mountains of Himavat

by means of a handful of grass. O son of Pritha, known as thou art over

whole earth, thou wilt not be able to live unknown, like the sun that can

never course through the sky unknown to men. Like a large tree in a

well-watered region with spreading branches and flowers and leaves, or

like Indra's elephant, how will Jishnu live unknown? How also will these

children, the brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva, equal unto a couple of young

lions, both live in secret? How, O son of Pritha, will Krishna--the

daughter of Drupada--a princess and mother of heroes, of virtuous deeds

and known over all the world, live unknown? Me also, everybody knoweth

from my boyhood. I do not see how I can live unknown. As well mighty

mountains of Meru be sought to be concealed. Then, again, many kings had

been expelled by us from their kingdom. These kings and princes will all

follow the bad son of Dhritarashtra, for robbed and exiled by us, they

have not still become friendly. Desiring to do good unto Dhritarashtra,

they will certainly seek to injure us. They will certainly set against us

numerous spies in disguise. If these discover us and report their

discovery, a great danger will overtake us. We have already lived in the

woods full thirteen months. Regard them, O king, for their length as

thirteen years. The wise have said that a month is a substitute for a

year, like the pot-herb that is regarded as a substitute for the Soma.

Or, (if thou breakest thy pledge), O king, thou mayst free thyself from

this sin by offering good savoury food to a quiet bull carrying sacred

burdens. Therefore, O king resolve thou to slay thy enemies. There is no

virtue higher than fighting, for every Kshatriya!"

SECTION XXXVI

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing those words of Bhima, Yudhishthira. the son

of Kunti--tiger among men and slayer of all foes--began to sigh heavily,

and reflect in silence. And he thought within himself, 'I have heard

recited the duties of kings, also all truths about the duties of the

different orders. He is said to observe those duties truly who keepeth

them before his eyes, so as to regulate his conduct both in the present

and the future. Knowing as I do the true course of virtue, which, however

is so very difficult of being known, how can I forcibly grind virtue down

like grinding the mountains of Meru? Having reflected so for a moment,

and settled what he should do, he replied unto Bhima as follows without

allowing him another word:

"O thou of mighty arms, it is even so as thou hast said. But, O thou

foremost of speakers, listen now to another word I say. Whatever sinful

deeds, O Bhima, one seeketh to achieve, depending on his courage alone,

become always a source of pain. But, O thou of mighty arms, whatever is

begun with deliberation, with well-directed prowess, with all appliances,

and much previous thought, is seen to succeed. The gods themselves favour

such designs. Hear from me something about what, proud of thy might, O

Bhima, and led away by thy restlessness, thou thinkest should be

immediately begun. Bhurisravas, Sala, the mighty Jarasandha, Bhishma,

Drona, Karna, the mighty son of Drona, Dhritarashtra's sons--Duryodhana

and others--so difficult of being vanquished, are all accomplished in

arms and ever ready for battle with us. Those kings and chiefs of the

earth also who have been injured by us, have all adopted the side of the

Kauravas, and are bound by ties of affection to them. O Bharata, they are

engaged in seeking the good of Duryodhana and not of us. With full

treasures and aided by large forces, they will certainly strive their

best in battle. All the officers also of the Kuru army together with

their sons and relatives, have been honoured by Duryodhana with wealth

and luxuries. Those heroes are also much regarded by Duryodhana. This is

my certain conclusion that they will sacrifice their lives for Duryodhana

in battle. Although the behaviour of Bhishma, Drona, and the illustrious

Kripa, is the same towards us as towards them, yet, O thou of mighty

arms, this is my certain conclusion that in order to pay off the royal

favours they enjoy, they will throw their very lives, than which there is

nothing dearer, in battle. All of them are masters of celestial weapons,

and devoted to the practice of virtue. I think they are incapable of

being vanquished even by gods led by Vasava himself. There is again

amongst them that mighty warrior--Karna--impetuous, and ever wrathful,

master of all weapons, and invincible, and encased in impenetrable mail.

Without first vanquishing in battle all those foremost of men, unaided as

thou art, how canst thou slay Duryodhana? O Vrikodara, I cannot sleep

thinking of the lightness of hand of that Suta's son, who, I regard, is

the foremost of all wielders of the bow!"

"Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Yudhishthira, the

impetuous Bhima became alarmed, and forbore from speaking anything. And

while the sons of Pandu were thus conversing with each other, there came

to that spot the great ascetic Vyasa, the son of Satyavati. And as he

came, the sons of Pandu worshipped him duly. Then that foremost of all

speakers, addressing Yudhishthira, said, O, Yudhishthira, O thou of

mighty arms, knowing by spiritual insight what is passing in thy heart, I

have come to thee, O thou bull among men! The fear that is in thy heart,

arising from Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and Drona's son,

and prince Duryodhana, and Dussasana, I will dispell, O slayer of all

foes, by means of an act enjoined by the ordinance. Hearing it from me,

accomplish it thou with patience, and having accomplished it, O king,

quell this fever of thine soon.'"

That foremost of speakers then, the son of Parasara, taking Yudhishthira

to a corner, began to address him in words of deep import, saying, 'O

best of the Bharatas, the time is come for thy prosperity, when, indeed

Dhananjaya--that son of Pritha--will slay all thy foes in battle. Uttered

by me and like unto success personified, accept from me this knowledge

called Pratismriti that I impart to thee, knowing thou art capable of

receiving it. Receiving it (from thee), Arjuna will be able to accomplish

his desire. And let Arjuna, O son of Pandu, go unto Mahendra and Rudra,

and Varuna, and Kuvera, and Yama, for receiving weapon from them. He is

competent to behold the gods for his asceticism and prowess. He is even a

Rishi of great energy, the friend of Narayana; ancient, eternal a god

himself, invincible, ever successful, and knowing no deterioration. Of

mighty arms, he will achieve mighty deeds, having obtained weapons from

Indra, and Rudra, and the Lokapalas, O son of Kunti, think also of going

from this to some other forest that may, O king, be fit for thy abode. To

reside in one place for any length of time is scarcely pleasant. In thy

case, it might also be productive of anxiety to the ascetics. And as thou

maintainest numerous Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and the several

branches thereof, continued residence here might exhaust the deer of this

forest, and be destructive of the creepers and plants.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed him thus, that illustrious and

exalted ascetic Vyasa, of great wisdom, acquired with the mysteries of

the world, then imparted unto the willing Yudhishthira the just, who had

meanwhile purified himself, that foremost of sciences. And bidding

farewell unto the son of Kunti, Vyasa disappeared then and there. The

virtuous and intelligent Yudhishthira, however, having obtained that

knowledge carefully retained it in his mind and always recited it on

proper occasions. Glad of the advice given him by Vyasa, the son of Kunti

then, leaving the wood Dwaitavana went to the forest of Kamyaka on the

banks of the Saraswati. And, O king, numerous Brahmanas of ascetic merit

and versed in the science of orthoepy and orthography, followed him like

the Rishis following the chief of the celestials. Arrived at Kamyaka,

those illustrious bulls amongst the Bharata took up their residence there

along with their friends and attendants. And possessed of energy, those

heroes, O king, lived there for some time, devoted to the exercise of the

bow and hearing all the while the chanting of the Vedas. And they went

about those woods every day in search of deer, armed with pure arrows.

And they duly performed all the rites in honour of the Pitris, the

celestials and the Brahmanas."

SECTION XXXVII

Vaisampayana said, "After some time, Yudhishthira the just, remembering

the command of the Muni (Vyasa) and calling unto himself that bull among

men--Arjuna--possessed of great wisdom, addressed him in private. Taking

hold of Arjuna's hands, with a smiling face and in gentle accents, that

chastiser of foes--the virtuous Yudhishthira--apparently after reflecting

for a moment, spake these words in private unto Dhananjaya, 'O Bharata,

the whole science of arms dwelleth in Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and

Karna, and Drona's son. They fully know all sorts of Brahma and celestial

and human and Vayavya weapons, together with the modes of using and

warding them off. All of them are conciliated and honoured and gratified

by Dhritarashtra's son who behaveth unto them as one should behave unto

his preceptor. Towards all his warriors Dhritarashtra's son behaveth with

great affection; and all the chiefs honoured and gratified by him, seek

his good in return. Thus honoured by him, they will not fail to put forth

their might. The whole earth, besides, is now under Duryodhana's sway,

with all the villages and towns, O son of Pritha, and all the seas and

woods and mines! Thou alone art our sole refuge. On thee resteth a great

burden. I shall, therefore, O chastiser of all foes, tell thee what thou

art to do now. I have obtained a science from Krishna Dwaipayana. Used by

thee, that science will expose the whole universe to thee. O child,

attentively receive thou that science from me, and in due time (by its

aid) attain thou the grace of the celestials. And, O bull of the Bharata

race, devote thyself to fierce asceticism. Armed with the bow and sword,

and cased in mail, betake thyself to austerities and good vows, and go

thou northwards, O child, without giving way to anybody. O Dhananjaya,

all celestial weapons are with Indra. The celestials, from fear of

Vritra, imparted at the time all their might to Sakra. Gathered together

in one place, thou wilt obtain all weapons. Go thou unto Sakra, he will

give thee all his weapons. Taking the bow set thou out this very day in

order to behold Purandara."

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the exalted Yudhishthira the

just, imparted that science unto Arjuna. And the elder brother having

communicated with due rites the knowledge unto his heroic brother, with

speech and body and mind under perfect control, commanded him to depart.

And at the command of Yudhishthira, the strong-armed Arjuna, taking up

the Gandiva as also his inexhaustible quivers, and accoutred in mail and

gauntlets and finger-protectors made of the skin of the guana, and having

poured oblations into the fire and made the Brahmanas to utter

benedictions after gifts, set out (from Kamyaka) with the objects of

beholding Indra. And armed with the bow, the hero, at the time of setting

out heaved a sigh and cast a look upwards for achieving the death of

Dhritarashtra's sons. And beholding Kunti's son thus armed and about to

set out, the Brahmanas and Siddhas and invisible spirits addressed him,

saying, 'O son of Kunti, obtain thou soon what thou wishest.' And the

Brahmanas, also uttering benedictions said, 'Achieve thou the object thou

hast in view. Let victory be truly thine.' And beholding the heroic

Arjuna, of thighs stout as the trunks of the Sala, about to set out

taking away with him the hearts of all, Krishna addressed him saying, 'O

thou strong-armed one, let all that Kunti had desired at thy birth, and

let all that thou desirest, be accomplished, O Dhananjaya! Let no one

amongst us be ever again born in the order of Kshatriyas. I always bow

down unto the Brahmanas whose mode of living is mendicancy. This is my

great grief that the wretch Duryodhana beholding me in the assembly of

princes mockingly called me a cow! Besides this he told me in the midst

of that assembly many other hard things. But the grief I experience at

parting with thee is far greater than any I felt at those insults.

Certainly, in thy absence, thy brothers will while away their waking

hours in repeatedly talking of thy heroic deeds! If, however, O son of

Pritha, thou stayest away for any length of time, we shall derive no

pleasure from our enjoyments or from wealth. Nay, life itself will be

distasteful to us. O son of Pritha, our weal, and woe, life and death,

our kingdom and prosperity, are all dependent on thee. O Bharata, I bless

thee, let success be thine. O sinless one, thy (present) task thou wilt

be able to achieve even against powerful enemies. O thou of great

strength, go thou to win success with speed. Let dangers be not thine. I

bow to Dhatri and Vidhatri! I bless thee. Let prosperity be thine. And, O

Dhananjaya, let Hri, Sree, Kirti, Dhriti, Pushti, Uma, Lakshmi,

Saraswati, all protect thee on thy way, for thou ever worshippest thy

elder brother and ever obeyest his commands. And, O bull of the Bharata

race, I bow to the Vasus, the Rudras and Adityas, the Manilas, the

Viswadevas, and the Sadhyas, for procuring thy welfare. And, O Bharata,

be thou safe from all spirits of mischief belonging to the sky, the

earth, and the heaven, and from such other spirits generally.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Krishna, the daughter of Yajnasena, having

uttered these benedictions, ceased. The strong-armed son of Pandu then,

having walked round his brothers and round Dhaumya also, and taking up

his handsome bow, set out. And all creatures began to leave the way that

Arjuna of great energy and prowess, urged by the desire of beholding

Indra, took. And that slayer of foes passed over many mountains inhabited

by ascetics, and then reached the sacred Himavat, the resort of the

celestials. And the high-souled one reached the sacred mountain in one

day, for like the winds he was gifted with the speed of the mind, in

consequence of his ascetic austerities. And having crossed the Himavat,

as also the Gandhamadana, he passed over many uneven and dangerous spots,

walking night and day without fatigue. And having reached Indrakila,

Dhananjaya stopped for a moment. And then he heard a voice in the skies,

saying, 'Stop!' And hearing that voice, the son of Pandu cast his glances

all around. And Arjuna, capable of using his left hand with skill equal

to that of his right hand, then beheld before him an ascetic under the

shade of a tree, blazing with Brahma brilliancy, of a tawny colour, with

matted locks, and thin. And the mighty ascetic, beholding Arjuna stop at

t at place, addressed him, saying, 'Who art thou, O child, arrived hither

with bow and arrows, and cased in mail and accoutred in scabbard and

gauntlet, and (evidently) wedded to the customs of the Kshatriya? There

is no need of weapons here. This is the abode of peaceful Brahmanas

devoted to ascetic austerities without anger or joy. There is no use for

the bow here, for there is no dispute in this place of any kind.

Therefore throw away, O child, this bow of thine. Thou hast obtained a

pure state of life by coming here. O hero, there is no man who is like

thee in energy and prowess.' That Brahmana thus addressed Arjuna, with a

smiling face, repeatedly. But he succeeded not in moving Arjuna, firmly

devoted to his purpose. The regenerate one, glad at heart, smilingly

addressed Arjuna once more, saying, 'O slayer of foes, blest be thou! I

am Sakra: ask thou the boon thou desirest.' Thus addressed, that

perpetuator of the Kuru race, the heroic Dhananjaya bending his head and

joining his hands, replied unto him of a thousand eyes, saying, 'Even

this is the object of my wishes; grant me this boon, O illustrious one. I

desire to learn from thee all the weapons.' The chief of the celestials

then, smiling, replied unto him cheerfully, saying, 'O Dhananjaya, when

thou hast reached this region, what need is there of weapons? Thou hast

already obtained a pure state of life. Ask thou for the regions of bliss

that thou desirest.' Thus addressed, Dhananjaya replied unto him o a

thousand eyes, saying, 'I desire not regions of bliss, nor objects of

enjoyment, nor the state of a celestial; what is this talk about

happiness? O chief of the celestials, I do not desire the prosperity of

all the gods. Having left my brothers behind me in the forest, and

without avenging myself on the foe, shall I incur the opprobrium for all

ages of all the world." Thus addressed, the slayer of Vritra, worshipped

of the worlds, consoling him with gentle words, spare unto the son of

Pandu, saying, 'When thou art able to behold the three-eyed

trident-bearing Siva, the lord of all creatures, it is then, O child,

that I will give thee all the celestial weapons. Therefore, strive thou

to obtain the sight of the highest of the gods; for it is only after thou

hast seen him. O son of Kunti, that thou will obtain all thy wishes.'

Having spoken thus unto Phalguna, Sakra disappeared then and there, and

Arjuna, devoting himself to asceticism, remained at that spot."

SECTION XXXVIII

(Kairata Parva)

Janemejaya said, "O illustrious one, I desire to hear in detail the

history of the acquisition of weapons by Arjuna of spotless deeds. O tell

me how that tiger among men, Dhananjaya, of mighty arms and possessed of

great energy, entered that solitary forest without fear. And, O thou

foremost of those acquainted with the Veda, what also did Arjuna do while

dwelling there? How also were the illustrious Sthanu and the chief of the

celestials gratified by him? O thou best of regenerate ones, I desire to

hear all this under thy favour. Thou art omniscient; thou knowest all

about the gods and all about men. O Brahmana, the battle that took place

of old between Arjuna--that foremost of smiters never defeated in

battle--and Bhava was highly extraordinary and without parallel. It

maketh one's hair stand on end to hear of it. Even the hearts of those

lions among men--the brave sons of Pritha--trembled in consequence of

wonder and joy and a sense of their own inferiority. O tell me in full

what else Arjuna, did I do not see even the most trivial thing to Jishnu

that is censurable. Therefore, recite to me in full the history of that

hero."

Vaisampayana said, "O tiger among Kurus, I shall recite to thee that

narration, excellent and extensive and unrivalled, in connection with the

illustrious hero. O sinless one, hear in detail the particulars about

Arjuna's meeting with the three-eyed god of gods, and his contact with

the illustrious god's person!

"At Yudhishthira's command, Dhananjaya of immeasurable prowess set out

(from Kamyaka) to obtain a sight of Sakra, the chief of the celestials

and of Sankara, the god of gods. And the strong-armed Arjuna of great

might set out armed with his celestial bow and a sword with golden hilt,

for the success of the object he had in view, northwards, towards the

summit of the Himavat. And, O king, that first of all warriors in the

three worlds, the son of Indra, with a calm mind, and firmly adhering to

his purpose, then devoted himself, without the loss of any time, to

ascetic austerities. And he entered, all alone, that terrible forest

abounding with thorny plants and trees and flowers and fruits of various

kinds, and inhabited by winged creatures of various species, and swarming

with animals of diverse kinds, and resorted to by Siddhas and Charanas.

And when the son of Kunti entered that forest destitute of human beings,

sounds of conchs and drums began to be heard in the heavens. And a thick

shower of flowers fell upon the earth, and the clouds spreading over the

firmament caused a thick shade. Passing over those difficult and woody

regions at the foot of the great mountains, Arjuna soon reached the

breast of the Himavat; and staying there for sometime began to shine in

his brilliancy. And he beheld there numerous trees with expanding

verdure, resounding with the melodious notes of winged warblers. And he

saw there rivers with currents of the lapis lazuli, broken by the fierce

eddies here and there, and echoing with the notes of swans and ducks and

cranes. And the banks of those rivers resounded with the mellifluous

strains of the male Kokilas and the notes of peacocks and cranes. And the

mighty warrior, beholding those rivers of sacred and pure and delicious

water and their charming banks, became highly delighted. And the

delighted Arjuna of fierce energy and high soul then devoted himself to

rigid austerities in that delightful and woody region. Clad in rags made

of grass and furnished with a black deerskin and a stick, he commenced to

eat withered leaves fallen upon the ground. And he passed the first

month, by eating fruits at the interval of three nights; and the second

by eating at the interval of the six nights; and the third by eating at

the interval of a fortnight. When the fourth month came, that best of the

Bharatas--the strong-armed son of Pandu--began to subsist on air alone.

With arms upraised and leaning upon nothing and standing on the tips of

his toes, he continued his austerities. And the illustrious hero's locks,

in consequence of frequent bathing took the hue of lightning or the

lotus. Then all the great Rishis went together unto the god of the Pinaka

for representing unto him about the fierce asceticism of Pritha's son.

And bowing unto that god of gods, they informed him of Arjuna's

austerities saying, 'This son of pritha possessed of great energy is

engaged in the most difficult of ascetic austerities on the breast of the

Himavat. Heated with his asceticism, the earth is smoking all round, O

god of gods. We do not know what his object is for which he is engaged in

these austerities. He, however, is causing us pain. It behoveth thee to

prevent him!' Hearing these words of those munis with souls under perfect

control, the lord of all creatures--the husband of Uma said, 'It behoveth

you not to indulge in any grief on account of Phalguna! Return ye all

cheerfully and with alacrity to the places whence ye have come. I know

the desire that is in Arjuna's heart. His wish is not for heaven, nor for

prosperity, nor for long life. And I will accomplish, even, this day, all

that is desired by him.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "The truth-speaking Rishis, having heard these

words of Mahadeva, became delighted, and returned to their respective

abodes."

SECTION XXXIX

Vaisampayana said, "After all those illustrious ascetics had gone away,

that wielder of the Pinaka and cleanser of all sins--the illustrious

Hara--assuming the form of a Kirata resplendent as a golden tree, and

with a huge and stalwart form like a second Meru, and taking up a hand

some bow and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, and

looking like an embodiment of fire, came quickly down on the breast of

Himavat. And the handsome god of gods was accompanied by Uma in the guise

of a Kirata woman, and also by a swarm of merry spirits of various forms

and attire, and by thousands of women in the form and attire of Kiratas.

And, O king, that region suddenly blazed up in beauty, in consequence of

the arrival of the god of gods in such company. And soon enough a solemn

stillness pervaded the place. The sounds of springs, and water-courses,

and of birds suddenly ceased. And as the god of gods approached Pritha's

son of blameless deeds, he beheld a wonderful sight, even that of a

Danava named Muka, seeking, in the form of a boar, to slay Arjuna.

Phalguna, at the sight of the enemy seeking to slay him, took up the

Gandiva and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison. And

stringing his bow and filling the air with its twang, he addressed the

boar and said, 'I have come here but done thee no injury. As thou seekest

to slay me, I shall certainly send thee to the abode of Yama.' And

beholding that firm wielder of the bow--Phalguna--about to slay the boar,

Sankara in the guise of a Kirata suddenly bade him stop saying, 'The boar

like the mountain of Indrakila in hue hath been aimed at by me first';

Phalguna, however, disregarding these words, struck the boar. The Kirata

also blazing splendour, let fly an arrow like flaming fire and resembling

the thunderbolt at the same object. And the arrows thus shot by both fell

at the same instant of time upon the wide body of Muka, hard as adamant.

And the two shafts fell upon the boar with a loud sound, even like that

of Indra's thunderbolt and the thunder of the clouds falling together

upon the breast of a mountain. And Muka, thus struck by two shafts which

produced numerous arrows resembling snakes of blazing mouths, yielded up

his life, assuming once more his terrible Rakshasa form. Jishnu--that

slayer of foes--then beheld before him that person, of form blazing as

god, and attired in the dress of a Kirata and accompanied by many women.

And beholding him, the son of Kunti with a joyous heart addressed him

smilingly and said, 'Who art thou that thus wanderest in these solitary

woods, surrounded by women? thou of the splendour of gold, art thou not

afraid of this terrible forest? Why, again, didst thou shoot the boar

that was first aimed at by me? This Rakshasa that came hither, listlessly

or with the object, of slaying me, had been first aimed at by me. Thou

shalt not, therefore, escape from me with life. Thy behaviour towards me

is not consistent with the customs of the chase. Therefore, O

mountaineer, I will take thy life.' Thus addressed by the son of Pandu,

the Kirata, smiling replied unto his capable of wielding the bow with his

left hand, in soft words, saying, 'O hero, thou needst not be anxious on

my account. This forest land is proper abode for us who always dwell in

the woods. Respecting thyself, however, I may inquire, why thou hast

selected thy abode here amid such difficulties. We, O ascetic, have our

habitation in these woods abounding in animals of all kinds. Why dost

thou, so delicate and brought up in luxury and possessed of the splendour

of fire, dwell alone in such a solitary region?' Arjuna said, 'Depending

on the Gandiva and arrows blazing like fire, I live in this great forest,

like a second Pavaki. Thou hast seen how this monster--this terrible

Rakshasa--that came hither in the form of an animal, hath been slain by

me.' The Kirata replied, 'This Rakshasa, first struck with the shot from

my bow, was killed and sent to the regions of Yama by me. He was first

aimed at by me. And it is with my shot that he has been deprived of life.

Proud of thy strength, it behoveth thee not to impute thy own fault to

others. Thou art thyself in fault, O wretch, and, therefore, shalt not

escape from me with life. Stay thou: I will shoot at thee shafts like

thunderbolts. Strive thou also and shoot, to the best of thy power, thy

arrows at me.' Hearing these words of the Kirata, Arjuna became angry,

and attacked him with arrows. The Kirata, however, with a glad heart

received all those shafts upon himself, repeatedly saying, 'Wretch,

wretch, shoot thou best arrows capable of piercing into the very vitals.'

Thus addressed, Arjuna, began to shower his arrows on him. Both of them

then became angry and, engaging in fierce conflict, began to shoot at

each other showers of arrows, each resembling a snake of virulent poison.

And Arjuna rained a perfect shower of arrows on the Kirata, Sankara,

however, bore that downpour on him with a cheerful heart. But the wielder

of the Pinaka, having borne that shower of arrows for a moment, stood

unwounded, immovable like a hill. Dhananjaya, beholding his arrowy shower

become futile, wondered exceedingly, repeatedly saying, 'Excellent!

Excellent! Alas, this mountaineer of delicate limbs, dwelling on the

heights of the Himavat, beareth, without wavering, the shafts shot from

the Gandiva! Who is he? Is he Rudra himself, or some other god, or a

Yaksha, or an Asura? The gods sometimes do descend on the heights of the

Himavat. Except the god who wieldeth the Pinaka, there is none rise that

can bear the impetuosity of the thousands of arrows shot by me from the

Gandiva. Whether he is a god or a Yaksha, in fact, anybody except Rudra,

I shall soon send him, with my shafts, to the regions of Yama.' Thus

thinking, Arjuna, with a cheerful heart, began, O king, to shoot arrows

by hundreds, resembling in splendour the rays of the sun. That downpour

of shafts, however, the illustrious Creator of the worlds--the wielder of

the trident--bore with a glad heart, like a mountain bearing a shower of

rocks. Soon, however, the arrows of Phalguna were exhausted. And noticing

this fact, Arjuna became greatly alarmed. And the son of Pandu then began

to think of the illustrious god Agni who had before, during the burning

of the Khandava, given him a couple of inexhaustible quivers. And he

began to think, 'Alas, my arrows are all exhausted. What shall I shoot

now from my bow? Who is this person that swalloweth my arrows? Slaying

him with the end of my bow, as elephants are killed with lances, I shall

send him to the domains of the mace-bearing Yama.' The illustrious Arjuna

then, taking up his bow and dragging the Kirata with his bow-string,

struck him some fierce blows that descended like thunderbolts. When,

however, that slayer of hostile heroes--the son of Kunti--commenced the

conflict with the end of the bow, the mountaineer snatched from his hands

that celestial bow. And beholding his bow snatched from him, Arjuna took

up his sword, and wishing to end the conflict, rushed at his foe. And

then the Kuru prince, with the whole might of his arms, struck that sharp

weapon upon the head of the Kirata, a weapon that was incapable of being

resisted even by solid rocks. But that first of swords, at touch of the

Kirata's crown, broke into pieces. Phalguna then commenced the conflict

with trees and stones. The illustrious god in the form of the huge-bodied

Kirata, however, bore that shower of trees and rocks with patience. The

mighty son of Pritha then, his mouth smoking with wrath, struck the

invincible god in the form of a Kirata, with hi clenched fists, blows

that descended like thunderbolts. The god in the Kirata form returned

Phalguna's blows with fierce blows resembling the thunderbolts of Indra.

And in consequence of that conflict of blows between the son of Pandu and

the Kirata, there arose in that place loud and frightful sounds. That

terrible conflict of blows, resembling the conflict of yore between

Vritra and Vasava, lasted but for a moment. The mighty Jishnu clasping

the Kirata began to press him with his breast, but the Kirata, possessed

of great strength pressed the insensible son of Pandu with force. And in

consequence of the pressure of their arms and of their breasts, their

bodies began to emit smoke like charcoal in fire. The great god then,

smiting the already smitten son of Pandu, and attacking him in anger with

his full might, deprived him of his senses. Then, O Bharata, Phalguna,

thus pressed by the god of the gods, with limbs, besides, bruised and

mangled, became incapable of motion and was almost reduced to a ball of

flesh. And struck by the illustrious god, he became breathless and,

falling down on earth without power of moving, looked like one that was

dead. Soon, however, he regained consciousness, and, rising from his

prostrate position, with body covered with blood, became filled with

grief. Mentally prostrating himself before the gracious god of gods, and

making a clay image of that deity, he worshipped it, with offerings of

floral garlands. Beholding, however, the garland that he had offered to

the clay image of Bhava, decking the crown of the Kirata, that best of

Pandu's sons became filled with joy and regained his ease. And he

prostrated himself thereupon at the feet of Bhava, and the god also was

pleased with him. And Hara, beholding the wonder of Arjuna and seeing

that his body had been emaciated with ascetic austerities, spake unto him

in a voice deep as the roaring of the clouds, saying, 'O Phalguna, I have

been pleased with thee for thy act is without a parallel. There is no

Kshatriya who is equal to thee in courage, and patience. And, O sinless

one, thy strength and prowess are almost equal to mine. O mighty-armed

one, I have been pleased with thee. Behold me, O bull of the Bharata

race! O large-eyed one! I will grant thee eyes (to see me in my true

form). Thou wert a Rishi before. Thou wilt vanquish all thy foes, even

the dwellers of heaven; I will as I have been pleased with thee, grant

thee an irresistible weapon. Soon shall thou be able to wield that weapon

of mine."

Vaisampayana continued, "Phalguna then beheld him--Mahadeva--that god of

blazing splendour-that wielder of the Pinaka-that one who had his abode

on the mountains (of Kailasa)--accompanied by Uma. Bending down on his

knee and bowing with his head, that conqueror of hostile cities-the son

of Pritha-worshipped Hara and inclined him to grace. And Arjuna said, 'O

Kapardin, O chief of all gods, O destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga, O god of

gods, O Mahadeva, O thou of blue throat, O thou of matted locks, I know

thee as the Cause of all causes. O thou of three eyes, O lord of all!

Thou art the refuge of all the gods! This universe hath sprung from thee.

Thou art incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds of the

celestials, the Asuras, and men. Thou art Siva in the form of Vishnu, and

Vishnu in the form of Siva. Thou destroyedest of old the great sacrifice

of Daksha. O Hari, O Rudra, I bow to thee. Thou hast an eye on thy

forehead. O Sarva, O thou that rainest objects of desire, O bearer of the

trident, O wielder of the Pinaka, O Surya, O thou of pure body, O Creator

of all, I bow to thee. O lord of all created things, I worship thee to

obtain thy grace. Thou art the lord of the Ganas, the source of universal

blessing, the Cause of the causes of the universe. Thou art beyond the

foremost of male beings, thou art the highest, thou art the subtlest, O

Hara! O illustrious Sankara, it behoveth thee to pardon my fault. It was

even to obtain a sight of thyself that I came to this great mountain,

which is dear to thee and which is the excellent abode of ascetics. Thou

art worshipped of all worlds. O lord, I worship thee to obtain thy grace.

Let not this rashness of mine be regarded as a fault--this combat in

which I was engaged with thee from ignorance. O Sankara, I seek thy

protection. Pardon me all I have done."

Vaisampayana continued, "Endued with great might, the god whose sign was

the bull, taking into his the handsome hands of Arjuna, smilingly replied

unto him, saying, 'I have pardoned thee. And the illustrious Hara,

cheerfully clasping Arjuna with his arms, once more consoling Arjuna said

as follows."

SECTION XL

"Mahadeva said, 'Thou wert in thy former life Nara, the friend of

Narayana. In Vadari wert thou engaged in fierce ascetic austerities for

several thousands of years. In thee as well as in Vishnu--that first of

male beings--dwelleth great might. Ye both, by your might, hold the

universe; O lord, taking up that fierce bow whose twang resembled the

deep roar of the clouds, thou, as well as Krishna, chastisedest the

Danavas during the coronation of Indra. Even this Gandiva is that bow, O

son of Pritha, fit for thy hands. O foremost of male beings, I snatched

it from thee, helped by my powers of illusion. This couple of quivers,

fit for thee, will again be inexhaustible, O son of Pritha! And, O son of

the Kuru race, thy body will be free from pain and disease. Thy prowess

is incapable of being baffled. I have been pleased with thee. And, O

first of male beings, ask thou of me the boon that thou desirest. O

chastiser of all foes, O giver of proper respect, (to those deserving it)

not even in heaven is there any male being who is equal to thee, nor any

Kshatriya who is thy superior.'

"Arjuna said, 'O illustrious god having the bull for thy sign, if thou

wilt grant me my desire, I ask of thee, O lord that fierce celestial

weapon wielded by thee and called Brahmasira--that weapon of terrific

prowess which destroyeth, at the end of the Yuga the entire

universe--that weapon by the help of which, O god of gods, I may under

thy grace, obtain victory in the terrible conflict which shall take place

between myself (on one side), and Karna and Bhishma and Kripa and Drona

(on the other)--that weapon by which I may consume in battle Danavas and

Rakshasas and evil spirits and Pisachas and Gandharvas and Nagas--that

weapon which when hurled with Mantras produceth darts by thousands and

fierce-looking maces and arrows like snakes of virulent poison, and by

means of which I may fight with Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Karna of

ever abusive tongue, O illustrious destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga, even

this is my foremost desire, viz., that I may be able to fight with them

and obtain success.'

Bhava replied, 'O powerful one. I will give to thee that favourite weapon

of mine called the Pasuputa. O son of Pandu, thou art capable of holding,

hurling, and withdrawing it. Neither the chief himself of the gods, nor

Yama, nor the king of the Yakshas, nor Varuna, nor Vayu, knoweth it. How

could men know anything of it? But, O son of Pritha, this weapon should

not be hurled without adequate cause; for if hurled at any foe of little

might it may destroy the whole universe. In the three worlds with all

their mobile and immobile creatures, there is none who is incapable of

being slain by this weapon. And it may be hurled by the mind, by the eye,

by words, and by the bow.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words, the son of Pritha purified

himself. And approaching the lord of the universe with rapt attention, he

said, 'Instruct me!' Mahadeva then imparted unto that best of Pandu's son

the knowledge of that weapon looking like the embodiment of Yama,

together with all the mysteries about hurling and withdrawing it. And

that weapon thence began to wait upon Arjuna as it did upon Sankara, the

lord of Uma. And Arjuna also gladly accepted it. And at the moment the

whole earth, with its mountains and woods and trees and seas and forests

and villages and towns and mines, trembled. And the sounds of conchs and

drums and trumpets by thousands began to be heard. And at that moment

hurricanes and whirlwinds began to blow. And the gods and the Danavas

beheld that terrible weapon in its embodied form stay by the side of

Arjuna of immeasurable energy. And whatever of evil there had been in the

body of Phalguna of immeasurable energy was all dispelled by the touch of

the three-eyed deity. And the three eyed god then commanded Arjuna,

saying, 'Go thou into heaven.' Arjuna then, O king, worshipping the god

with bent head, gazed at him, with joined hands. Then the lord of all the

dwellers of heaven, the deity of blazing splendour having his abode on

mountain-breasts, the husband of Uma, the god of passions under complete

control, the source of all blessings, Bhava gave unto Arjuna, that

foremost of men, the great bow called Gandiva, destructive of Danavas and

Pisachas. And the god of gods, then leaving that blessed mountain with

snowy plateaus and vales and caves, favourite resort of sky-ranging great

Rishis, went up, accompanied by Uma into the skies, in the sight of that

foremost of men."

SECTION XLI

Vaisampayana said, "The wielder of the Pinaka, having the bull for his

sign, thus disappeared in the very sight of the gazing son of Pandu, like

the sun setting in the sight of the world. Arjuna, that slayer of hostile

heroes, wondered much at this, saying, 'O, I have seen the great god of

gods. 'Fortunate, indeed I am, and much favoured, for I have both beheld

and touched with my hand the three-eyed Hara the wielder of the Pinaka,

in his boon-giving form. I shall win success. I am already great. My

enemies have already been vanquished by me. My purposes have been already

achieved.' And while the son of Pritha, endued with immeasurable energy,

was thinking thus, there came to that place Varuna the god of waters,

handsome and of the splendour of the lapis lazuli accompanied by all

kinds of aquatic creatures, and filling all the points of the horizon

with a blazing effulgence. And accompanied by Rivers both male and

female, and Nagas, and Daityas and Sadhyas and inferior deities, Varuna,

the controller and lord of all aquatic creatures, arrived at that spot.

There came also the lord Kuvera of body resembling pure gold, seated on

his car of great splendour, and accompanied by numerous Yakshas. And the

lord of treasures, possessed of great beauty, came there to see Arjuna,

illuminating the firmament with his effulgence. And there came also Yama

himself, of great beauty, the powerful destroyer of all the worlds,

accompanied by those lords of the creation--the Pitris--both embodied and

disembodied. And the god of justice, of inconceivable soul, the son of

Surya, the destroyer of all creatures, with the mace in hand, came there

on his car, illuminating the three worlds with regions of the Guhyakas,

the Gandharvas and the Nagas, like a second Surya as he riseth at the end

of the Yuga. Having arrived there, they beheld, from the effulgent and

variegated summits of the great mountain, Arjuna engaged in ascetic

austerities. And there came in a moment the illustrious Sakra also,

accompanied by his queen, seated on the back of (the celestial elephant)

Airavata, and surrounded also by all the deities. And in consequence of

the white umbrella being held over his head, he looked like the moon amid

fleecy clouds. And eulogised by Gandharvas, and Rishis endued with wealth

of asceticism, the chief of the celestials alighted on a particular

summit of the mountain, like a second sun. Then Yama possessed of great

intelligence, and fully conversant with virtue, who had occupied a summit

on the south, in a voice deep as that of the clouds, said these

auspicious words, 'Arjuna, behold us, the protectors of the worlds,

arrive here! We will grant thee (spiritual) vision, for thou deservest to

behold us. Thou wert in thy former life a Rishi of immeasurable soul,

known as Nara of great might At the command, O child, of Brahma, thou

hast been born among men! O sinless one, by thee shall be vanquished in

battle the highly virtuous grandsire of the Kurus--Bhishma of great

energy--who is born of the Vasus. Thou shalt also defeat all the

Kshatriyas of fiery energy commanded by the son of Bharadwaja in battle.

Thou shalt also defeat those Danavas of fierce prowess that have been

born amongst men, and those Danavas also that are called Nivatakavachas.

And, O son of the Kuru race, O Dhananjaya, thou shalt also slay Karna of

fierce prowess, who is even a portion of my father Surya, of energy

celebrated throughout the worlds. And, O son of Kunti, smiter of all

foes, thou shalt also slay all the portions of celestials and Danavas and

the Rakshasas that have been incarnate on earth. And slain by thee, these

shall attain to the regions earned by them according to their acts. And,

O Phalguna, the fame of thy achievements will last for ever in the world:

thou hast gratified Mahadeva himself in conflict. Thou shalt, with Vishnu

himself, lighten the burden of the earth. O accept this weapon of

mine--the mace I wield incapable of being baffled by any body. With this

weapon thou wilt achieve great deeds.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "O Janamejaya, the son of Pritha then received

from Yama that weapon duly, along with the Mantras and rite, and the

mysteries of hurling and withdrawing it. Then Varuna, the lord of all

aquatic creatures, blue as the clouds, from a summit he had occupied on

the west, uttered these words, 'O son of Pritha, thou art the foremost of

Kshatriyas, and engaged in Kshatriya practices. O thou of large coppery

eyes, behold me! I am Varuna, the lord of waters. Hurled by me, my nooses

are incapable of being resisted. O son of Kunti, accept of me these

Varuna weapons along with the mysteries of hurling and withdrawing them.

With these, O hero, in the battle that ensued of your on account of

Taraka (the wife of Vrihaspati), thousands of mighty Daityas were seized

and tied. Accept them of me. Even if Yama himself by thy foe, with these

in thy hands, he will not be able to escape from thee. When thou wilt

armed with these, range over the field of battle, the land, beyond doubt,

will be destitute of Kshatriyas.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "After both Varuna and Yama had given away their

celestial weapons, the lord of treasures having his home on the heights

of Kailasa, then spake, 'O son of Pandu, O thou of great might and

wisdom, I too have been pleased with thee. And this meeting with thee

giveth me as much pleasure as a meeting with Krishna. O wielder of the

bow with the left hand, O thou of mighty arms, thou wert a god before,

eternal (as other gods). In ancient Kalpas, thou hadst every day gone

through ascetic austerities along with us. O best of men, I grant thee

celestial vision. O thou of mighty arms, thou wilt defeat even invincible

Daityas and Danavas. Accept of me also without loss of time, an excellent

weapon. With this thou wilt be able to consume the ranks of

Dhritarashtra. Take then this favourite weapon of mine called

Antarddhana. Endued with energy and prowess and splendour, it is capable

of sending the foe to sleep. When the illustrious Sankara slew Tripura,

even this was the weapon which he shot and by which many mighty Asuras

were consumed. O thou of invincible prowess I take it up for giving it to

thee. Endued with the dignity of the Meru, thou art competent to hold

this weapon.'"

"After these words had been spoken, the Kuru prince Arjuna endued with

great strength, duly received from Kuvera that celestial weapon. Then the

chief of the celestials addressing Pritha's son of ceaseless deeds in

sweet words, said, in a voice deep as that the clouds or the kettle-drum,

'O thou mighty-armed son of Kunti, thou art an ancient god. Thou hast

already achieved the highest success, and acquired the statue of a god.

But, O represser of foes, thou hast yet to accomplish the purposes of the

gods. Thou must ascend to heaven. Therefore prepare thou O hero of great

splendour! My own car with Matali as charioteer, will soon descend on the

earth. Taking thee, O Kaurava, to heaven, I will grant thee there all my

celestial weapons.'"

"Beholding those protectors of the worlds assembled together on the

heights of Himavat, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, wondered much, Endued

with great energy, he then duly worshipped the assembled Lokapalas, with

words, water, and fruits. The celestials then returning that worship,

went away. And the gods capable of going everywhere at will, and endued

with the speed of the mind, returned to the places whence they had come."

"That bull among men--Arjuna--having obtained weapons thus, was filled

with pleasure. And he regarded himself as one whose desires had been

fulfilled and who was crowned with success."

SECTION XLII

(Indralokagamana Parva)

Vaisampayana said, "After the Lokapalas had gone away, Arjuna--that

slayer of all foes--began to think, O monarch, of the car of Indra! And

as Gudakesa gifted with great intelligence was thinking of it, the car

endued with great effulgence and guided by Matali, came dividing the

clouds and illuminating the firmament and filling the entire welkin with

its rattle deep as the roar of mighty masses of clouds. Swords, and

missiles of terrible forms and maces of frightful description, and winged

darts of celestials splendour and lightnings of the brightest effulgence,

and thunderbolts, and propellors furnished with wheels and worked with

atmosphere expansion and producing sounds loud as the roar of great

masses of clouds, were on that car. And there were also on that car

fierce and huge-bodied Nagas with fiery mouths, and heaps of stones white

as the fleecy clouds. And the car was drawn by ten thousands of horses of

golden hue, endued with the speed of the wind. And furnished with prowess

of illusion, the car was drawn with such speed that the eye could hardly

mark its progress. And Arjuna saw on that car the flag-staff called

Vaijayanta, of blazing effulgence, resembling in hue the emerald or the

dark-blue lotus, and decked with golden ornaments and straight as the

bamboo. And beholding a charioteer decked in gold seated on that car, the

mighty-armed son of Pritha regarded it as belonging to the celestials.

And while Arjuna was occupied with his thoughts regarding the car, the

charioteer Matali, bending himself after descending from the car,

addressed him, saying, 'O lucky son of Sakra! Sakra himself wisheth to

see thee. Ascend thou without loss of time this car that hath been sent

by Indra. The chief of the immortals, thy father--that god of a hundred

sacrifices--hath commanded me, saying, 'Bring the son of Kunti hither.

Let the gods behold him.' And Sankara himself, surrounded by the

celestials and Rishis and Gandharvas and Apsaras, waiteth to behold thee.

At the command of the chastiser of Paka, therefore, ascend thou with me

from this to the region of the celestials. Thou wilt return after

obtaining weapons.'"

"Arjuna replied, 'O Matali, mount thou without loss of time this

excellent car, a car that cannot be attained even by hundreds of Rajasuya

and horse sacrifices. Even kings of great prosperity who have performed

great sacrifices distinguished by large gifts (to Brahmanas), even gods

and Danavas are not competent to ride this car. He that hath not ascetic

merit is not competent to even see or touch this car, far less to ride on

it. O blessed one, after thou hast ascended, it, and after the horses

have become still, I will ascend it, like a virtuous man stepping into

the high-road of honesty.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Matali, the charioteer of Sakra, hearing these

words of Arjuna, soon mounted the car and controlled the horses. Arjuna

then, with a cheerful heart, purified himself by a bath in the Ganges.

And the son of Kunti then duly repeated (inaudibly) his customary

prayers. He then, duly and according to the ordinance, gratified the

Pitris with oblations of water. And, lastly, he commenced to invoke the

Mandara--that king of mountains--saying, 'O mountain, thou art ever the

refuge of holy, heaven-seeking Munis of virtuous conduct and behaviour.

It is through thy grace, O mountain, that Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and

Vaisyas attain heaven, and their anxieties gone, sport with the

celestials. O king of mountains, O mountain, thou art the asylum of

Munis, and thou holdest on thy breast numerous sacred shrines. Happily

have I dwelt on thy heights. I leave thee now, bidding thee farewell. Oft

have I seen thy tablelands and bowers, thy springs and brooks, and the

sacred shrines on thy breast. I have also eaten the savoury fruits

growing on thee, and have slated my thirst with draughts of perfumed

water oozing from the body. I have also drunk the water of thy springs,

sweet as amrita itself. O mountain, as a child sleepeth happily on the

lap of his father, so have I, O king of mountains, O excellent one,

sported on thy breast, echoing with the notes of Apsaras and the chanting

of the Vedas. O mountain, every day have I lived happily on thy

tablelands.' Thus having bidden farewell to the mountain, that slayer of

hostile heroes--Arjuna--blazing like the Sun himself, ascended the

celestial car. And the Kuru prince gifted with great intelligence, with a

glad heart, coursed through the firmament on that celestial car effulgent

as the sun and of extra-ordinary achievements. And after he had become

invisible to the mortals of the earth, he beheld thousands of cars of

extra-ordinary beauty. And in that region there was no sun or moon or

fire to give light, but it blazed in light of its own, generated by

virtue of ascetic merit. And those brilliant regions that are seen from

the earth in the form of stars, like lamps (in the sky)--so small in

consequence of their distance, though very large--were beheld by the son

of Pandu, stationed in their respective places, full of beauty and

effulgence and blazing with splendour all their own. And there he beheld

royal sages crowned with ascetic success, and heroes who had yielded up

their lives in battle, and those that had acquired heaven by their

ascetic austerities, by hundreds upon hundreds. And there were also

Gandharvas, of bodies blazing like the sun, by thousands upon thousands,

as also Guhyakas and Rishis and numerous tribes of Apsaras. And beholding

those self-effulgent regions, Phalguna became filled with wonder, and

made enquiries of Matali. And Matali also gladly replied unto him,

saying, 'These, O son of Pritha, are virtuous persons stationed in their

respective places. It is these whom thou hast seen, O exalted one, as

stars, from the earth.' Then Arjuna saw standing at the gates (Indra's

region) the handsome and ever victorious elephant--Airavata--furnished

with four tusks, and resembling the mountain of Kailasa with its summits.

And coursing along that path of the Siddhas, that foremost of the Kurus

and the son of Pandu, sat in beauty like Mandhata--that best of kings.

Endued with eyes like lotus leaves, he passed through the region set

apart for virtuous kings. And the celebrated Arjuna having thus passed

through successive regions of heaven at last beheld Amaravati, the city

of Indra."

SECTION XLIII

Vaisampayana said, "And the city of Indra which Arjuna saw was delightful

and was the resort of Siddhas and Charanas. And it was adorned with the

flowers of every season, and with sacred trees of all kinds. And he

beheld also celestial gardens called Nandana--the favourite resort of

Apsaras. And fanned by the fragrant breezes charged with the farina of

sweet-scented flowers, the trees with their lord of celestial blossoms

seemed to welcome him amongst them. And the region was such that none

could behold it who had not gone through ascetic austerities, or who had

not poured libations on fire. It was a region for the virtuous alone, and

not for those who had turned their back on the field of battle. And none

were competent to see it who had not performed sacrifices or observed

rigid vows, or who were without a knowledge of the Vedas, or who had not

bathed in sacred waters, or who were not distinguished for sacrifices and

gifts. And none were competent to see it who were disturbers of

sacrifices, or who were low, or who drank intoxicating liquors, or who

were violators of their preceptors' bed, or who were eaters of

(unsanctified) meat, or who were wicked. And having beheld those

celestial gardens resounding with celestial music, the strong-armed son

of Pandu entered the favourite city of Indra. And he beheld there

celestial cars by thousands, capable of going everywhere at will,

stationed in proper places. And he saw tens of thousands of such cars

moving in every direction. And fanned by pleasant breezes charged with

the perfumes of flowers, the son of Pandu was praised by Apsaras and

Gandharvas. And the celestials then, accompanied by the Gandharvas and

Siddhas and great Rishis, cheerfully reverenced Pritha's son of white

deeds. Benedictions were poured upon him, accompanied by the sounds of

celestial music. The strong-armed son of Pritha then heard around him the

music of conchs and drums. And praised all around, the son of Pritha then

went, at the command of Indra, to that large and extensive starry way

called by the name of Suravithi. There he met with the Sadhyas, the

Viswas, the Marutas, the twin Aswins, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras,

the Brahmarshis of the great splendour, and numerous royal sages with

Dilipa at their head, and Tumvura and Narada, and that couple of

Gandharvas known by the names of Haha and Huhu. And the Kuru prince--that

chastiser of foes--having met and duly saluted them, last of all beheld

the chief of the celestials--the god of a hundred sacrifices. Then the

strong-armed son of Pritha, alighting from the car approached the lord

himself of the gods--his father--that chastiser of Paka. And a beautiful

white umbrella furnished with a golden staff was held over the chief of

the celestials. And he was fanned with a Chamara perfumed with celestial

scents. And he was eulogised by many Gandharvas headed by Viswavasu and

others, by bards and singers, and by foremost Brahmanas chanting Rik and

Yajus hymns. And the mighty son of Kunti, approaching Indra, saluted him

by bending his head to the ground. And Indra thereupon embraced him with

his round and plump arms. And taking his hand, Sakra made him sit by him

on a portion of his own seat, that sacred seat which was worshipped by

gods and Rishis. And the lord of the celestials-that slayer of hostile

heroes--smelt the head of Arjuna bending in humility, and even took him

upon his lap. Seated on Sakra's seat at the command of that god of a

thousand eyes, Pritha's son of immeasurable energy began to blaze in

splendour like a second Indra. And moved by affection, the slayer of

Vritra, consoling Arjuna, touched his beautiful face with his own

perfumed hands. And the wielder of the thunderbolt, patting and rubbing

gently again and again with his own hands which bore the marks of the

thunderbolt the handsome and huge arms of Arjuna which resembled a couple

of golden columns and which were hard in consequence of drawing the

bowstring and son enhanced the beauty of the assembly, like the sun and

moon god of a thousand eyes--eyeing his son of curly locks smilingly and

with eyes expanded with delight, seemed scarcely to be gratified. The

more he gazed, the more he liked to gaze on. And seated on one seat, the

father and son enhanced the beauty of the assembly, like the sun and moon

beautifying the firmament together on the fourteenth day of the dark

fortnight. And a band of Gandharvas headed by Tumvuru skilled in music

sacred and profane, sang many verses in melodious notes. And Ghritachi

and Menaka and Rambha and Purvachitti and Swayamprabha and Urvasi and

Misrakesi and Dandagauri and Varuthini and Gopali and Sahajanya and

Kumbhayoni and Prajagara and Chitrasena and Chitralekha and Saha and

Madhuraswana, these and others by thousands, possessed of eyes like lotus

leaves, who were employed in enticing the hearts of persons practising

rigid austerities, danced there. And possessing slim waists and fair

large hips, they began to perform various evolutions, shaking their deep

bosoms, and casting their glances around, and exhibiting other attractive

attitude capable of stealing the hearts and resolutions and minds of the

spectators."

SECTION XLIV

Vaisampayana said, "The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding the

wishes of India, procured an excellent Arghya and reverenced the son of

Pritha in a hurry. And giving water to wash both his feet and face, they

caused the prince to enter the palace of Indra. And thus worshipped,

Jishnu continued to live in the abode of his father. And the son of Pandu

continued all the while to acquire celestial weapons, together with the

means of withdrawing them. And he received from the hands of Sakra his

favourite weapon of irresistible force, viz., the thunder-bolt and those

other weapons also, of tremendous roar, viz., the lightnings of heaven,

whose flashes are inferable from the appearance of clouds and (the

dancing of) peacocks. And the son of Pandu, after he had obtained those

weapons, recollected his brothers. And at the command of Indra, however,

he lived for full five years in heaven, surrounded by every comfort and

luxury.

"After some time, when Arjuna had obtained all the weapons. Indra

addressed him in due time, saying, 'O son of Kunti, learn thou music and

dancing from Chitrasena. Learn the instrumental music that is current

among the celestials and which existeth not in the world of men, for, O

son of Kunti, it will be to thy benefit. And Purandara gave Chitrasena as

a friend unto Arjuna. And the son of Pritha lived happily in peace with

Chitrasena. And Chitrasena instructed Arjuna all the while in music;

vocal and instrumental and in dancing. But the active Arjuna obtained no

peace of mind, remembering the unfair play at dice of Sakuni, the son of

Suvala, and thinking with rage of Dussasana and his death. When however,

his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully, he at times learned the

unrivalled dance and music practised among the Gandharvas. And at last

having learnt various kinds of dance and diverse species of music, both

vocal and instrumental, that slayer of hostile heroes obtained no peace

of mind remembering his brothers and mother Kunti."

SECTION XLV

Vaisampayana said, "One day, knowing that Arjuna's glances were cast upon

Urvasi, Vasava, calling Chitrasena to himself, addressed him in private

saying, 'O king of Gandharvas, I am pleased; go thou as my messenger to

that foremost of Apsaras, Urvasi, and let her wait upon that tiger among

men, Phalguna. Tell her, saying these words of mine, 'As through my

instrumentality Arjuna hath learnt all the weapons and other arts,

worshipped by all, so shouldst thou make him conversant with the arts of

acquitting one's self in female company.' Thus addressed by Indra, the

chief of the Gandharvas in obedience to that command of Vasava, soon went

to Urvasi that foremost of Apsaras. And as he saw her, she recognised him

and delighted him by the welcome she offered and the salutation she gave.

And seated at ease he then smilingly addressed Urvasi, who also was

seated at ease, saying, 'Let it be known, O thou of fair hips, that I

come hither despatched by the one sole lord of heaven who asketh of thee

a favour. He who is known amongst gods and men for his many inborn

virtues, for his grace, behaviour, beauty of person, vows and

self-control; who is noted for might and prowess, and respected by the

virtuous, and ready-witted; who is endued with genius and splendid

energy, is of a forgiving temper and without malice of any kind; who hath

studied the four Vedas with their branches, and the Upanishads, and the

Puranas also; who is endued with devotion to his preceptors and with

intellect possessed of the eight attributes, who by his abstinence,

ability, origin and age, is alone capable of protecting the celestial

regions like Mahavat himself; who is never boastful; who showeth proper

respect to all; who beholdeth the minutest things as clearly as if those

were gross and large; who is sweet-speeched; who showereth diverse kinds

of food and drink on his friends and dependents; who is truthful,

worshipped of all, eloquent, handsome, and without pride; who is kind to

those devoted to him, and universally pleasing and dear to all; who is

firm in promise; who is equal to even Mahendra and Varuna in respect of

every desirable attribute, viz., Arjuna, is known to thee. O Urvasi, know

thou that hero is to be made to taste the joys of heaven. Commanded by

Indra, let him today obtain thy feet. Do this, O amiable one, for

Dhananjaya is inclined to thee.'

"Thus addressed, Urvasi of faultless features assumed a smiling face, and

receiving the words of the Gandharva with high respect, answered with a

glad heart, saying, 'Hearing of the virtues that should adorn men, as

unfolded by thee, I would bestow my favours upon any one who happened to

possess them. Why should I not then, choose Arjuna for a lover? At the

command of Indra, and for my friendship for thee, and moved also by the

numerous virtues of Phalguna, I am already under the influence of the god

of love. Go thou, therefore, to the place thou desirest. I shall gladly

go to Arjuna.'"

SECTION XLVI

Vaisampayana said, 'Having thus sent away the Gandharva successful in his

mission, Urvasi of luminous smiles, moved by the desire of possessing

Phalguna, took a bath. And having performed her ablutions, she decked

herself in charming ornaments and splendid garlands of celestial odour.

And inflamed by the god of love, and her heart pierced through and

through by the shafts shot by Manmatha keeping in view the beauty of

Arjuna, and her imagination wholly taken up by the thoughts of Arjuna,

she mentally sported with him on a wide and excellent bed laid over with

celestial sheets. And when the twilight had deepened and the moon was up,

that Apsara of high hips sent out for the mansions of Arjuna. And in that

mood and with her crisp, soft and long braids decked with bunches of

flowers, she looked extremely beautiful. With her beauty and grace, and

the charm of the motions of her eye-brows and of her soft accents, and

her own moon like face, she seemed to tread, challenging the moon

himself. And as she proceeded, her deep, finely tapering bosoms, decked

with a chain of gold and adorned with celestial unguents and smeared with

fragrant sandal paste, began to tremble. And in consequence of the weight

of her bosoms, she was forced to slightly stoop forward at every step,

bending her waist exceedingly beautiful with three folds. And her loins

of faultless shape, the elegant abode of the god of love, furnished with

fair and high and round hips and wide at their lower part as a hill, and

decked with chains of gold, and capable of shaking the saintship of

anchorites, being decked with thin attire, appeared highly graceful. And

her feet with fair suppressed ankles, and possessing flat soles and

straight toes of the colour of burnished copper and dorsum high and

curved like tortoise back and marked by the wearing of ornaments

furnished with rows of little bells, looked exceedingly handsome. And

exhilarated with a little liquor which she had taken, and excited by

desire, and moving in diverse attitudes and expressing a sensation of

delight, she looked more handsome than usual. And though heaven abounded

with many wonderful objects, yet when Urvasi proceeded in this manner,

the Siddhas and Charanas and Gandharvas regarded her to be the handsomest

object they had cast their eyes upon. And the upper half of her body clad

in an attire of fine texture and cloudy hues, she looked resplendent like

a digit of the moon in the firmament shrouded by fleecy clouds. And

endued with the speed of the winds or the mind, she of luminous smiles

soon reached the mansion of Phalguna, the son of Pandu. And, O best of

men, Urvasi of beautiful eyes, having arrived at the gate of Arjuna's

abode, sent word through the keeper in attendance. And (on receiving

permission), she soon entered that brilliant and charming palace. But, O

monarch, upon beholding her at night in his mansion, Arjuna, with a

fearstricken heart, stepped up to receive her with respect and as soon as

he saw her, the son of Pritha, from modesty, closed his eyes. And

saluting her, he offered the Apsara such worship as is offered unto a

superior. And Arjuna said, 'O thou foremost of the Apsaras, I reverence

thee by bending my head down. O lady, let me know thy commands. I wait

upon thee as thy servant.'"

Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Phalguna, Urvasi became

deprived of her senses. And she soon represented unto Arjuna all that had

passed between her and the Gandharva, Chitrasena. And she said, 'O best

of men, I shall tell thee all that hath passed between me and Chitrasena,

and why I have come hither. On account of thy coming here, O Arjuna,

Mahendra had convened a large and charming assembly, in which celestial

festivities were held. Unto that assembly came, O best of men, the Rudras

and the Adityas and the Aswins and the Vasus. And there came also numbers

of great Rishis and royal sages and Siddhas and Charanas and Yakshas and

great Nagas. And, O thou of expansive eyes, the members of the assembly

resplendent as fire or the sun or the moon, having taken their seats

according to rank, honour, and prowess, O son of Sakra, the Gandharvas

began to strike the Vinas and sing charming songs of celestial melody.

And, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, the principal Apsaras also commenced

to dance. Then, O son of Pritha, thou hadst looked on me only with a

steadfast gaze. When that assembly of the celestials broke, commanded by

thy father, the gods went away to their respective places. And the

principal Apsaras also went away to their abodes, and others also, O

slayer of foes, commanded by thy father and obtaining his leave. It was

then that Chitrasena sent to me by Sakra, and arriving at my abode. O

thou of eyes like lotus leaves, he addressed me, saying, 'O thou of the

fairest complexion, I have been sent unto thee by the chief of the

celestials. Do thou something that would be agreeable to Mahendra and

myself and to thyself also. O thou of fair hips, seek thou to please

Arjuna, who is brave in battle even like Sakra himself, and who is always

possessed of magnanimity.' Even these, O son of Pritha, were his words.

Thus, O sinless one, commanded by him and thy father also, I come to thee

in order to wait upon thee, O slayer of foes. My heart hath been

attracted by thy virtues, and am already under the influence of the god

of love. And, O hero, even this is my wish, and I have cherished it for

ever!"

Vaisampayana continued, "While in heaven, hearing her speak in this

strain, Arjuna was overcome with bashfulness. And shutting his ears with

his hands, he said, 'O blessed lady, fie on my sense of hearing, when

thou speakest thus to me. For, O thou of beautiful face, thou art

certainly equal in my estimation unto the wife of a superior. Even as

Kunti here even this is my wish, and I have cherished it for ever!"

[Some text is obviously missing here--JBH] of high fortune or Sachi the

queen of Indra, art thou to me, O auspicious one, of this there is no

doubt! That I had gazed particularly at thee, O blessed one, is true.

There was a reason for it. I shall truly tell it to thee, O thou of

luminous smiles! In the assembly I gazed at thee with eyes expanded in

delight, thinking, 'Even this blooming lady is the mother of the Kaurava

race.' O blessed Apsara, it behoveth thee not to entertain other feelings

towards me, for thou art superior to my superiors, being the parent of my

race.'"

"Hearing these words of Arjuna, Urvasi answered, saying, 'O son of The

chief of the celestials, we Apsaras are free and unconfined in our

choice. It behoveth thee not, therefore, to esteem me as thy superior.

The sons and grandsons of Puru's race, that have come hither in

consequence of ascetic merit do all sport with us, without incurring any

sin. Relent, therefore, O hero, it behoveth thee not to send me away. I

am burning with desire. I am devoted to thee. Accept me, O thou giver of

proper respect.'"

"Arjuna replied, 'O beautiful lady of features perfectly faultless,

listen. I truly tell thee. Let the four directions and the transverse

directions, let also the gods listen. O sinless one, as Kunti, or Madri,

or Sachi, is to me, so art thou, the parent of my race, an object of

reverence to me. Return, O thou of the fairest complexion: I bend my head

unto thee, and prostrate myself at thy feet. Thou deservest my worship as

my own mother; and it behoveth thee to protect me as a son.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Partha, Urvasi was deprived of

her senses by wrath. Trembling with rage, and contracting her brows, she

cursed Arjuna, saying, 'Since thou disregardest a woman come to thy

mansion at the command of thy father and of her own motion--a woman,

besides, who is pierced by the shafts of Kama, therefore, O Partha, thou

shalt have to pass thy time among females unregarded, and as a dancer,

and destitute of manhood and scorned as a eunuch.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having cursed Arjuna thus, Urvasi's lips still

quivered in anger, herself breathing heavily all the while. And she soon

returned to her own abode. And that slayer of foes, Arjuna also sought

Chitrasena without loss of time. And having found him, he told him all

that had passed between him and Urvasi in the night. And he told

Chitrasena everything as it had happened, repeatedly referring to the

curse pronounced upon him. And Chitrasena also represented everything

unto Sakra. And Harivahana, calling his son unto himself in private, and

consoling him in sweet words, smilingly said, 'O thou best of beings,

having obtained thee, O child, Pritha hath to-day become a truly blessed

mother. O mighty-armed one, thou hast now vanquished even Rishis by the

patience and self-control. But, O giver of proper respect, the curse that

Urvasi hath denounced on thee will be to thy benefit,

O child, and stand thee in good stead. O sinless one, ye will have on

earth to pass the thirteenth year (of your exile), unknown to all. It is

then that thou shalt suffer the curse of Urvasi. And having passed one

year as a dancer without manhood, thou shalt regain thy power on the

expiration of the term.'"

"Thus addressed by Sakra, that slayer of hostile heroes, Phalguna,

experienced great delight and ceased to think of the curse. And

Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, sported in regions of heaven with the

Gandharva Chitrasena of great celebrity."

"The desires of the man that listeneth to this history of the son of

Pandu never run after lustful ends. The foremost of men, by listening to

this account of the awfully pure conduct of Phalguna, the son of the lord

of the celestials, become void of pride and arrogance and wrath and other

faults, and ascending to heaven, sport there in bliss."

SECTION XLVII

Vaisampayana said, "One day, the great Rishi Lomasa in course of his

wanderings, went to the abode of Indra, desirous of beholding the lord of

the celestials. And the great Muni, having approached the chief of the

gods, bowed to him respectfully. And he beheld the son of Pandu occupying

half of the seat of Vasava. And worshipped by the great Rishis, that

foremost of Brahmanas sat on an excellent seat at the desire of Sakra.

And beholding Arjuna seated on Indra's seat, the Rishi began to think as

to how Arjuna who was a Kshatriya had attained to the seat of Sakra

himself. What acts of merit had been performed by him and what regions,

had been conquered by him (by ascetic merit), that he had obtained a seat

that was worshipped by the gods themselves? And as the Rishi was employed

with these thoughts, Sakra, the slayer of Vritra, came to know of them.

And having known them, the lord of Sachi addressed Lomasa with a smile

and said, 'Listen, O Brahmarshi, about what is now passing in thy mind.

This one is no mortal though he hath taken his birth among men. O great

Rishi, the mighty-armed hero is even my son born of Kunti. He hath come

hither, in order to acquire weapons for some purpose. Alas! dost thou not

recognise him as an ancient Rishi of the highest merit? Listen to me, O

Brahamana, as I tell thee who is and why he hath come to me. Those

ancient and excellent Rishis who were known by the names of Nara and

Narayana are, know, O Brahmana, none else than Hrishikesa and Dhananjaya.

And those Rishis, celebrated throughout the three worlds, and known by

the names of Nara and Narayana have, for the accomplishment of a certain

purpose, been born on earth--for the acquisition of virtue. That sacred

asylum which even gods and illustrious Rishis are not competent to

behold, and which is known throughout the world by the name of Vadari,

and situate by the source of the Ganga, which is worshipped by the

Siddhas and the Charanas, was the abode, O Brahmana, of Vishnu and

Jishnu. Those Rishis of blazing splendour have, O Brahmarshi, at my

desire, been born on earth, and endued with mighty energy, will lighten

the burden thereof. Besides this, there are certain Asuras known as

Nivatakavachas, who, proud of the boon they have acquired, are employed

in doing us injuries. Boastful of their strength, they are even now

planning the destruction of the gods, for, having received a boon, they

no longer regard the gods. Those fierce and mighty Danavas live in the

nether regions. Even all the celestials together are incapable of

fighting with them. The blessed Vishnu--the slayer of Madhu--he, indeed

who is known on earth as Kapila, and whose glance alone, O exalted one,

destroyed the illustrious sons of Sagara, when they approached him with

loud sounds in the bowels of the earth,--that illustrious and invincible

Hari is capable, O Brahmana of doing us a great service. Either he or

Partha or both may do us that great service, without doubt. Verily as the

illustrious Hari had slain the Nagas in the great lake, he, by sight

alone, is capable of slaying those Asuras called the Nivatakavachas,

along with their followers. But the slayer of Madhu should not be urged

when the task is insignificant. A mighty mass of energy that he is. It

swelleth to increasing proportions, it may consume the whole universe.

This Arjuna also is competent to encounter them all, and the hero having

slain them in battle, will go back to the world of men. Go thou at my

request to earth. Thou wilt behold the brave Yudhishthira living in the

woods of Kamyaka. And for me tell thou the virtuous Yudhishthira of

unbaffled prowess in battle, that he should not be anxious on account of

Phalguna, for that hero will return to earth a thorough master of

weapons, for without sanctified prowess of arms, and without skill in

weapons, he would not be able to encounter Bhishma and Drona and others

in battle. Thou wilt also represent unto Yudhishthira that the

illustrious and mighty-armed Gudakesa, having obtained weapons, hath also

mastered the science of celestial dancing and music both instrumental and

vocal. And thou wilt also tell him, O king of men, O slayer of foes,

thyself also, accompanied by all thy brothers, should see the various

sacred shrines. For having bathed in different sacred waters, thou wilt

be cleansed from thy sins, and the fever of thy heart will abate. And

then thou wilt be able to enjoy thy kingdom, happy in the thought that

thy sins have been washed off. And, O foremost of Brahmanas, endued with

ascetic power, it behoveth thee also to protect Yudhishthira during his

wandering over the earth. Fierce Rakshasas ever live in mountain

fastnesses and rugged steppes. Protect thou the king from those

cannibals.'

"After Mahendra had spoken thus unto Lomasa, Vibhatsu also reverently

addressed that Rishi, saying, 'Protect thou ever the son of Pandu. O best

of men, let the king, O great Rishi, protected by thee, visit the various

places of pilgrimage and give away unto Brahmanas in charity.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "The mighty ascetic Lomasa, having answered both

saying, 'So be it,' set out for the earth, desirous of arriving at

Kamvaka. And having arrived at those woods, he beheld the slayer of foes

and son of Kunti, king Yudhishthira the just, surrounded by ascetics and

his younger brothers."

SECTION XLVIII

Janamejaya said, "These feats of Pritha's son endued with immeasurable

energy, were certainly marvellous. O Brahmana, what did Dhritarashtra of

great wisdom say, when he heard of them?"

Vaisampayana said, "Amvika's son, king Dhritarashtra, having heard of

Arjuna's arrival and stay at Indra's abode, from Dwaipayana, that

foremost of Rishis, spake unto Sanjaya, saying, 'O charioteer, dost thou

know in detail the acts of the intelligent Arjuna, of which I have heard

from beginning to end? O charioteer, my wretched and sinful son is even

now engaged in a policy of the most vulgar kind. Of wicked soul, he will

certainly depopulate the earth. The illustrious person whose words even

in jest are true, and who hath Dhananjaya to fight for him, is sure to

win the three worlds. Who that is even beyond the influence of Death and

Decay will be able to stay before Arjuna, when he will scatter his barbed

and sharp-pointed arrows whetted on stone? My wretched sons, who have to

fight with the invincible Pandavas are indeed, all doomed. Reflecting day

and night, I see not the warrior amongst us that is able to stay in

battle before the wielder of the Gandiva. If Drona, or Karna, or even

Bhishma advance against him in battle, a great calamity is likely to

befall the earth. But even in that case, I see not the way to our success

Karna is kind and forgetful. The preceptor Drona is old, and the teacher

(of Arjuna) Arjuna, however, is wrathful, and strong, and proud, and of

firm and steady prowess. As all these warriors are invincible, a terrible

fight will take place between them. All of them are heroes skilled in

weapons and of great reputation. They would not wish for the sovereignty

of the world, if it was to be purchased by defeat. Indeed, peace will be

restored only on the death of these or of Phalguna. The slayer of Arjuna,

however, existeth not, nor doth one that can vanquish him. Oh, how shall

that wrath of his which hath myself for its object be pacified. Equal

unto the chief of the celestials, that hero gratified Agni at Khandava

and vanquished all the monarchs of the earth on the occasion of the great

Rajasuya. O Sanjaya, the thunder-bolt falling on the mountain top,

leaveth a portion unconsumed; but the shafts, O child, that are shot by

Kiriti leave not a rack behind. As the rays of the sun heat this mobile

and immobile universe, so will the shafts shot by Arjuna's hands scorch

my sons. It seemeth to me that the Chamus of the Bharatas, terrified at

the clatter of Arjuna's chariot-wheels, are already broken through in all

directions. Vidhatri hath created Arjuna as an all-consuming Destroyer.

He stayeth in battle as a foe, vomitting and scattering swarms of arrows.

Who is there that will defeat him?"

SECTION XLIX

"Sanjaya said, 'That which hath been uttered by thee, O king, with

respect to Duryodhana is all true. Nothing that thou hast said, O lord of

the earth, is untrue. The Pandavas of immeasurable energy have been

filled with rage at the sight of Krishna their wedded wife of pure

fame--brought in the midst of the assembly. Hearing also those cruel

words of Dussasana and Karna, they have been so incensed, O king, that

they will not, I ween, forgive (the Kurus) on my account. I have heard, O

king, how Arjuna hath gratified in battle by means of his bow the god of

gods--Sthanu of eleven forms. The illustrious lord of all the

gods--Kapardin himself--desirous of testing Phalguna, fought with him,

having assumed the guise of a Kirata. And there it was that the Lokapala,

in order to give away their weapons unto that bull of the Kuru race,

showed themselves unto him of undeteriorating prowess. What other man on

earth, except Phalguna, would strive to have a sight of these gods in

their own forms? And, O king, who is there that will weaken in battle

Arjuna, who could not be weakened by Maheswara himself possessed of eight

forms? Thy sons, having dragged Draupadi, and thereby incensed the sons

of Pandu, have brought this frightful and horrifying calamity upon

themselves. Beholding Duryodhana showing both his thighs unto Draupadi,

Bhima said with quivering lips, 'wretch! those thighs of thine will I

smash with my fierce descending mace, on the expiration of thirteen

years.' All the sons of Pandu are the foremost of smiters; all of them

are of immeasurable energy; all of them are well-versed in every kind of

weapons. For these, they are incapable of being vanquished even by the

gods. Incensed at the insult offered to their wedded wife, Pritha's sons,

urged by wrath, will, I ween, slay all thy sons in battle.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O charioteer, what mischief hath been done by Karna

uttering those cruel words, to the sons of Pandu! Was not the enmity

sufficient that was provoked by bringing Krishna into the assembly? How

can my wicked sons live, whose eldest brother and preceptor walketh not

in the path of righteousness? Seeing me void of eye-sight, and incapable

of exerting myself actively, my wretched son, O charioteer, believeth me

to be a fool, and listeneth not to my words. Those wretches also that are

his counsellors, viz., Karna and Suvala, and others, always pander to his

vices, as he is incapable of understanding things rightly. The shafts

that Arjuna of immeasurable prowess may lightly shoot, are capable of

consuming all my sons, leave alone those shafts that he will shoot,

impelled by anger. The arrows urged by the might of Arjuna's arms and

shot from his large bow, and inspired with mantras capable of converting

them into celestial weapons can chastise the celestials themselves. He

who hath for his counsellor and protector and friend that smiter of

sinful men--the lord of the three worlds--Hari himself--encountereth

nothing that he cannot conquer. This, O Sanjaya, is most marvellous in

Arjuna that, as we have heard, he hath been clasped by Mahadeva in his

arms. That also which Phalguna, assisted by Damodara did of old towards

helping Agni in the conflagration of Khandava, hath been witnessed by all

the world. When, therefore, Bhima and Partha and Vasudeva of the Satwata

race become enraged, surely my sons along with their friends and the

Suvalas are all unequal to fight with them.'"

SECTION L

Janamejaya said, "Having sent the heroic sons of Pandu into exile, these

lamentations, O Muni, of Dhritarashtra were perfectly futile. Why did the

king permit his foolish son Duryodhana to thus incense those mighty

warriors, the sons of Pandu? Tell us now, O Brahmana, what was the food

of the sons of Pandu, while they lived in the woods? Was it of the

wilderness, or was it the produce of cultivation?"

Vaisampayana said, "Those bulls among men, collecting the produce of the

wilderness and killing the deer with pure arrows, first dedicated a

portion of the food to the Brahmanas, and themselves are the rest. For, O

king, while those heroes wielding large bows lived in the woods, they

were followed by Brahmanas of both classes, viz., those worshipping with

fire and those worshipping without it. And there were ten thousand

illustrious Snataka Brahmanas, all conversant with the means of

salvation, whom Yudhishthira supported in the woods. And killing with

arrows Rurus and the black deer and other kinds of clean animals of the

wilderness, he gave them unto those Brahmanas. And no one that lived with

Yudhishthira looked pale or ill, or was lean or weak, or was melancholy

or terrified. And the chief of the Kurus--the virtuous king

Yudhishthira--maintained his brothers as if they were his sons, and his

relatives as if they were his uterine brothers. And Draupadi of pure fame

fed her husbands and the Brahmanas, as if she was their mother; and last

of all took her food herself. And the king himself wending towards the

east, and Bhima, towards the south, and the twins, towards the west and

the north, daily killed with bow in hand the deer of the forest, for the

sake of meat. And it was that the Pandavas lived for five years in the

woods of Kamyaka, in anxiety at the absence of Arjuna, and engaged all

the while in study and prayers and sacrifices."

SECTION LI

Vaisampayana said, "That bull among men--Dhritarashtra--the son of

Amvika, having heard of this wonderful way of life--so above that of

men--of the sons of Pandu, was filled with anxiety and grief. And

overwhelmed with melancholy and sighing heavily and hot, that monarch,

addressing his charioteer Sanjaya, said, 'O charioteer, a moment's peace

I have not, either during the day or the night, thinking of the terrible

misbehaviour of my sons arising out of their past gambling, and thinking

also of the heroism, the patience, the high intelligence, the unbearable

prowess, and the extraordinary love unto one another of the sons of

Pandu. Amongst the Pandavas, the illustrious Nakula and Sahadeva, of

celestial origin and equal unto the chief himself of the celestials in

splendour, are invincible in battle. They are firm in the wielding of

weapons, capable of shooting at a long distance, resolute in battle, of

remarkable lightness of hand, of wrath that is not easily quelled,

possessed of great steadiness, and endued with activity. Possessed of the

prowess of lions and unbearable as the Aswins themselves, when they will

come to the field of battle with Bhima and Arjuna in front, I see, O

Sanjaya, that my soldiers will all be slain without a remnant. Those

mighty warriors of celestial origin, unrivalled in battle by anybody,

filled with rage at the remembrance of that insult to Draupadi, will show

no forgiveness. The mighty warriors of the Vrishnis also, and the

Panchalas of great energy, and the sons of Pritha themselves, led by

Vasudeva of unbaffled prowess, will blast my legions. O charioteer, all

the warriors on my side assembled together, are not competent to bear the

impetus of the Vrishnis alone when commanded by Rama and Krishna. And

amongst them will move that great warrior Bhima of terrible prowess,

armed with his iron mace held on high and capable of slaying every hero.

And high above the din will be heard the twang of the Gandiva loud as the

thunder of heaven. The impetus of Bhima's mace and the loud twang of the

Gandiva are incapable of being stood against by any of the kings on my

side. It is then, O Sanjaya, that obedient as I have been to the voice of

Duryodhana, I shall have to call back the rejected counsels of my

friends--counsels that I should have attended to in time.'"

Sanjaya said, "This hath been thy great fault, O king, viz., that though

capable, thou didst not, from affection prevent thy son from doing what

he hath done. The slayer of Madhu, that hero of unfading glory, hearing

that the Pandavas had been defeated at dice, soon went to the woods of

Kamyaka and consoled them there. And Draupadi's sons also headed by

Dhrishtadyumna, and Virata, and Dhrishtaketu, and those mighty warriors,

the Kekayas, all went there. All that was said by these warriors at the

sight of Pandu's son defeated at dice, was learnt by me through our

spies. I have also told thee all, O king. When the slayer of Madhu met

the Pandavas, they requested him to become the charioteer of Phalguna in

battle. Hari himself, thus requested, answered them, saying, 'so be it.'

And even Krishna himself beholding the sons of Pritha dressed in deer

skins, became filled with rage, and addressing Yudhishthira, said, 'That

prosperity which the sons of Pritha had acquired at Indraprastha, and

which, unobtainable by other kings, was beheld by me at the Rajasuya

sacrifice, at which, besides, I saw all kings, even those of the Vangas

and Angas and Paundras and Odras and Cholas and Dravidas and Andhakas,

and the chiefs of many islands and countries on the sea-board as also of

frontier states, including the rulers of the Sinhalas, the barbarous

mlecchas, the natives of Lanka, and all the kings of the West by

hundreds, and all the chiefs of the sea-coast, and the kings of the

Pahlavas and the Daradas and the various tribes of the Kiratas and

Yavanas and Sakras and the Harahunas and Chinas and Tukharas and the

Sindhavas and the Jagudas and the Ramathas and the Mundas and the

inhabitants of the kingdom of women and the Tanganas and the Kekayas and

the Malavas and the inhabitants of Kasmira, afraid of the prowess of your

weapons, present in obedience to your invitation, performing various

offices,--that prosperity, O king, so unstable and waiting at present on

the foe, I shall restore to thee, depriving thy foe of his very life. I

shall, O chief of the Kurus, assisted by Rama and Bhima and Arjuna and

the twins and Akrura and Gada and Shamva and Pradyumna and Ahuka and the

heroic Dhrishtadyumna and the son of Sisupala, slay in battle in course

of a day Duryodhana and Karna and Dussasana and Suvala's son and all

others who may fight against us. And thou shalt, O Bharata, living at

Hastinapura along with thy brothers, and snatching from Dhritarashtra's

party the prosperity they are enjoying, rule this earth.' Even these, O

king, were Krishna's words unto Yudhishthira, who, on the conclusion of

Krishna's speech, addressed him in that meeting of heroes and in the

hearing of all those brave warriors headed by Dhrishtadyumna, saying, 'O

Janardana, I accept these words of thine as truth. O thou of mighty arms,

do thou, however, slay my enemies along with all their followers on the

expiry of thirteen years. O Kesava, promise this truly unto me. I

promised in the presence of the king to live in the forest as I am now

living.' Consenting to these words of king Yudhishthira the just, his

counsellors headed by Dhrishtadyumna soon pacified the incensed Kesava

with sweet words and expressions suitable to the occasion. And they also

said unto Draupadi of pure deeds in the hearing of Vasudeva himself,

these words, 'O lady, in consequence of thy anger, Duryodhana shall lay

down his life. We promise it, O thou of the fairest complexion.

Therefore, grieve no more. O Krishna, those that mocked thee, beholding

thee won at dice, shall reap the fruit of their act. Beasts of prey and

birds shall eat their flesh, and mock them thus. Jackals and vultures

will drink their blood. And, O Krishna, thou shalt behold the bodies of

those wretches that dragged thee by the hair prostrate on the earth,

dragged and eaten by carnivorous animals. They also that gave thee pain

and disregarded thee shall lie on the earth destitute of their heads, and

the earth herself shall drink their blood.' These and other speeches of

various kinds were uttered there, O king, by those bulls of the Bharata

race. All of them are endued with energy and bravery, and marked with the

marks of battle. On the expiration of the thirteenth year, those mighty

warriors, chosen by Yudhishthira and headed by Vasudeva, will come (to

the field of battle). Rama and Krishna and Dhananjaya and Pradyumna and

Shamva and Yuyudhana and Bhima and the sons of Madri and the Kekaya

princes and the Panchala princes, accompanied by the king of Matsya,

these all, illustrious and celebrated and invincible heroes, with their

followers and troops, will come. Who is there that, desiring to live,

will encounter these in battle, resembling angry lions of erect manes?'

"Dhritarashtra said, "What Vidura told me at the time of the game at

dice, 'If thou seekest, O king, to vanquish the Pandavas (at dice), then

certainly a terrible blood-shed ending in the destruction of all the

Kurus will be the result,' I think it is about to be realised. As Vidura

told me of old, without doubt a terrible battle will take place, as soon

as the pledged period of the Pandavas expireth.'"

SECTION LII

(Nalopakhyana Parva)

Janamejaya said, "When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's region for

obtaining weapons, what did Yudhishthira and the other sons of Pandu do?"

Vaisampayana said, "When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's region

for obtaining weapons, those bulls of the Bharata race continued to dwell

with Krishna in (the woods of) Kamyaka. One day, those foremost of the

Bharatas, afflicted with grief, were seated with Krishna on a clean and

solitary sward. Grieving for Dhananjaya, overwhelmed with sorrow, their

voices were choked with weeping. Tortured by Dhananjaya's absence, grief

afflicted them equally. And filled with sorrow at their separation from

Arjuna and at the loss of their kingdom, the mighty-armed Bhima among

them addressed Yudhishthira, saying, "That Bull of the Bharata race,

Arjuna, O great king, on whom depend the lives of Pandu's sons, and on

whose death the Panchalas as also ourselves with our sons and Satyaki and

Vasudeva are sure to die, hath gone away at thy behest. What can be

sadder than this that the virtuous Vibhatsu hath gone away at thy

command, thinking of his many griefs? Depending upon the might of that

illustrious hero's arms, regard our foes as already vanquished in battle,

and the whole earth itself as already acquired by us. It was for the sake

of that mighty warrior that I refrained from sending to the other world

all the Dhartarashtras along with the Suvalas, in the midst of the

assembly. Gifted with might of arms, and supported by Vasudeva, we have

to suppress the wrath that hath been roused in us, because thou art the

root of that wrath. Indeed, with Krishna's help, slaying our foes headed

by Karna, we are able to rule the entire earth (thus) conquered by our

own arms. Endued with manliness, we are yet overwhelmed with calamities,

in consequence of thy gambling vice, while the foolish null of

Dhritarashtra are growing stronger with the tributes (gathered from

dependent kings). O mighty monarch, it behoveth thee to keep in view the

duties of the Kshatriya. O great king, it is not the duty of a Khsatriya

to live in the woods. The wise are of the opinion that to rule is the

foremost duty of a Kshatriya. O king, thou art conversant with Kshatriya

morality. Do not, therefore, deviate from the path of duty. Turning away

from the woods, let us, summoning Partha and Janardana, slay, O king, the

sons of Dhritarashtra, even before the twelve years are complete. O

illustrious monarch O king of kings, even if these Dhartarashtras be

surrounded by soldiers in array of battle, I shall send them to the other

world by dint of might alone. I shall slay all the sons of Dhritarashtra

along with the Sauvalas, indeed, Duryodhana, Karna, and any one else that

will fight with me. And after I shall have slain all our foes, thou mayst

come back unto the woods. By acting thus, O king, no fault will be thine.

(Or if any sin be thine), O represser of foes, O mighty monarch, washing

it off, O sire, by various sacrifices, we may ascend to a superior

heaven. Such a consummation may come to pass, if our king proveth not

unwise or procrastinating. Thou art, however, virtuous. Verily the

deceitful should be destroyed by deceit. To slay the deceitful by deceit,

is not regarded as sinful. O Bharata, it is, also said by those versed in

morality that one day and night is, O great prince, equal unto a full

year. The Veda text also, exalted one, is often heard, signifying that a

year is equivalent to a day when passed in the observance of certain

difficult vows. O thou of unfading glory, if the Vedas are an authority

with thee, regard thou the period of a day and something more as the

equivalent of thirteen years. O represser of foes, this is the time to

slay Duryodhana with his adherents. Else, O king, he will beforehand

bring the whole earth obedient to his will. O foremost of monarchs, all

this is the result of thy addiction to gambling. We are on the verge of

destruction already, in consequence of thy promise of living one year

undiscovered. I do not find the country where, if we live, the

wicked-minded Suyodhana may not be able to trace us by his spies. And

finding us out, that wretch will again deceitfully send us into such

exile in the woods. Or if that sinful one beholdeth us emerge, after the

expiry of the pledged period of non-discovery, he will again invite thee,

O great king, to dice, and the play will once more begin. Summoned once

more, thou wilt again efface thyself at dice. Thou art not skilled at

dice, and when summoned at play, thou wilt be deprived of thy senses.

Therefore, O mighty monarch thou wilt have to lead a life in the woods

again. If, O mighty king, it behoveth thee not to make us wretched for

life, observe thou fully the ordinance of the Vedas, (which inculcateth

that) verily the deceitful ought to be slain by deceit. If I but have thy

command I would go (to Hastinapura) and, even as fire falling upon a heap

of grass consumeth it, would slay Duryodhana, putting forth my utmost

might. It behoveth thee, therefore, to grant me the permission.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Bhima, king Yudhishthira the

just, smelt the crown of that son of Pandu, and pacifying him said, 'O

mighty-armed one, without doubt, thou wilt, assisted by the wielder of

the Gandiva, slay Suyodhana at the expiry of the thirteenth year. But, O

son of Pritha, as for thy assertion, 'O Lord, the time is complete', I

cannot dare tell an untruth, for untruth is not in me. O son of Kunti,

without the help of fraud, wilt thou kill the wicked and irrepressible

Duryodhana, with his allies.'

"While Yudhishthira the just, was speaking unto Bhima thus, there came

the great and illustrious Rishi Vrihadaswa before them. And beholding

that virtuous ascetic before him, the righteous king worshipped him

according to the ordinance, with the offering of Madhuparka. And when the

ascetic was seated and refreshed, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira sat by

him, and looking up at the former, addressed him thus in exceedingly

piteous accents:

'O holy one, summoned by cunning gamblers skilled at dice, I have been

deprived of wealth and kingdom through gambling. I am not an adept at

dice, and am unacquainted with deceit. Sinful men, by unfair means,

vanquished me at play. They even brought into the public assembly my wife

dearer unto me than life itself. And defeating me a second time, they

have sent me to distressful exile in this great forest, clad in deer

skins. At present I am leading a distressful life in the woods in grief

of heart. Those harsh and cruel speeches they addressed me on the

occasion of that gambling match, and the words of my afflicted friends

relating to the match at dice and other subjects, are all stored up in my

remembrance. Recollecting them I pass the whole night in (sleepless)

anxiety. Deprived also (of the company) of the illustrious wielder of the

Gandiva, on whom depend the lives of us all, I am almost deprived of

life. Oh, when shall I see the sweet-speeched and large-hearted Vibhatsu

so full of kindness and activity, return to us, having obtained all

weapons? Is there a king on this earth who is more unfortunate than

myself? Hast thou ever seen or heard of any such before? To my thinking,

there is no man more wretched than I am.'

"Vrihadaswa said, 'O great king, O son of Pandu, thou sayest, 'There is

no person more miserable than I am' O sinless monarch, if thou wilt

listen, I will relate unto thee the history of a king more wretched than

thyself?

Vaisampayana continued, "And thereupon the king said unto the ascetic, 'O

illustrious one, tell me, I desire to hear the history of the king who

had fallen into such a condition.'

"Vrihadaswa said, 'O king, O thou that never fallest off, listen

attentively with thy brothers, I will narrate the history of a prince

more miserable than thyself. There was a celebrated king among the

Nishadhas, named Virasena. He had a son named Nala, versed in (the

knowledge of) virtue and wealth. It hath been heard by us that, that king

was deceitfully defeated by Pushkara, and afflicted with calamity, he

dwelt in the woods with his spouse. And, O king, while he was living in

the forest, he had neither slaves nor cars, neither brother nor friends

with him. But thou art surrounded by thy heroic brothers like unto the

celestials, and also by foremost regenerate ones like unto Brahma

himself. Therefore, it behoveth thee not to grieve.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'I am anxious to hear in detail, O thou foremost of

eloquent men, the history of the illustrious Nala. It behoveth thee

therefore to relate it unto me.'

SECTION LIII

Vrihadaswa said, "There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena. And

he was strong, and handsome, and well-versed in (the knowledge of)

horses, and possessed of every desirable accomplishment. And he was at

the head of all the kings, even like the lord of the celestials. And

exalted over all, he resembled the sun in glory. And he was the king of

the Nishadhas, intent on the welfare of the Brahmanas, versed in the

Vedas, and possessed of heroism. And he was truth-telling, fond of dice,

and the master of a mighty army. And he was the beloved of men and women,

and of great soul and subdued passions. And he was the protector (of

all), and the foremost of bowmen, and like unto Manu himself. And like

him, there was among the Vidarbhas (a king named) Bhima, of terrible

prowess, heroic and well-disposed towards his subjects and possessed of

every virtue. (But withal) he was childless. And with a fixed mind, he

tried his utmost for obtaining issue. And. O Bharata there came unto him

(once) a Brahmarshi named Damana. And, O king of kings, desirous of

having offspring, Bhima, versed in morality, with his queen gratified

that illustrious Rishi by a respectful reception. And Damana,

well-pleased, granted unto the king and his consort a boon in the form of

a jewel of a daughter, and three sons possessed of lofty souls and great

fame. (And they were called respectively) Damayanti, and Dama and Danta,

and illustrious Damana. And the three sons were possessed of every

accomplishment and terrible mien and fierce prowess. And the

slender-waisted Damayanti, in beauty and brightness, in good name and

grace and luck, became celebrated all over the world. And on her

attaining to age, hundreds of hand-maids, and female slaves, decked in

ornaments, waited upon her like Sachi herself. And Bhima's daughter of

faultless features, decked in every ornament, shone in the midst of her

hand-maids, like the luminous lightning of the clouds. And the large-eyed

damsel was possessed of great beauty like that of Sree herself. And

neither among celestials, nor among Yakshas, nor among men was anybody

possessed of such beauty, seen or heard of before. And the beautiful

maiden filled with gladness the hearts of even the gods. And that tiger

among men, Nala also had not his peer in the (three) worlds: for in

beauty he was like Kandarpa himself in his embodied form. And moved by

admiration, the heralds again and again celebrated the praises of Nala

before Damayanti and those of Damayanti before the ruler of the

Nishadhas. And repeatedly hearing of each other's virtues they conceived

an attachment towards each other not begot of sight, and that attachment,

O son of Kunti began to grow in strength. And then Nala was unable to

control the love that was in his bosom. And he began to pass much of his

time in solitude in the gardens adjoining the inner apartment (of his

palace). And there he saw a number of swans furnished with golden wings,

wandering in those woods. And from among them he caught one with his

hands. And thereupon the sky-ranging one said unto Nala. 'Deserve I not

to be slain by thee. O king. I will do something that is agreeable to

thee. O king of the Nishadhas. I will speak of thee before Damayanti in

such a way that she will not ever desire to have any other person (for

her lord).' Thus addressed, the king liberated that swan. And those swans

then rose on their wings and went to the country of the Vidarbhas. And on

arriving at the city of the Vidarbhas the birds alighted before

Damayanti, who beheld them all. And Damayanti in the midst of her maids,

beholding those birds of extraordinary appearance was filled with

delight, and strove without loss of time to catch those coursers of the

skies. And the swans at this, before that bevy of beauties, fled in all

directions. And those maidens there pursued the birds, each (running)

after one. And the swan after which Damayanti ran, having led her to a

secluded spot, addressed her in human speech, saying, O Damayanti, there

is a king amongst the Nishadhas named Nala. He is equal unto the Aswins

in beauty, not having his peer among men. Indeed, in comeliness, he is

like Kandarpa himself in his embodied form. O fair-complexioned one, O

thou of slender waist, if thou becomest his wife, thy existence and this

thy beauty may be of purpose. We have, indeed, beheld celestials and

Gandharvas, and Nagas, and Rakshasas, and men, but never saw we before

any one like Nala. Thou also art a jewel among thy sex, as Nala is the

prime among men. The union of the best with the best is happy.' Thus

addressed by the swan. Damayanti, O monarch, replied unto him there,

saying, 'Do thou speak thus unto Nala also, 'Saying So be it, to the

daughter of Vidarbha, the oviparous one, O king, returned to the country

of the Nishadhas, and related everything unto Nala."

SECTION LIV

"Vrihadaswa said, 'O Bharata, hearing those words of the swan, Damayanti

thenceforth lost all peace of mind on account of Nala. And heaving

frequent sighs she was filled with anxiety, and became melancholy and

pale-faced and lean. And with her heart possessed by the god of love, she

soon lost colour, and with her upturned gaze and modes of abstraction,

looked like one demented. And she lost all inclination for beds and seats

and object of enjoyment. And she ceased to lie down by day or night,

always weeping with exclamation of Oh! and Alas! And beholding her uneasy

and fallen into that condition, her hand-maids represented, O king, the

matter of her illness unto the ruler of Vidarbha by indirect hints. And

king Bhima, hearing of this from the handmaids of Damayanti, regarded the

affair of his daughter to be serious. And he asked himself, 'Why is it

that my daughter seemeth to be so ill now?' And the king, reflecting by

himself that his daughter had attained to puberty, concluded that

Damayanti's Swayamvara should take place. And the monarch, O exalted one,

(invited) all the rulers of the earth, saying, Ye heroes, know that

Damayanti's Swayamvara is at hand, And all the kings, hearing of

Damayanti's Swayamvara, came unto Bhima, agreeable to his message,

filling the earth with the clatter of their cars, the roar of their

elephants, and the neighing of their horses, and accompanied with their

fine-looking battalions decked in ornaments and graceful garlands. And

the mighty-armed Bhima paid due reverence unto those illustrious

monarchs. And duly honoured by him they took up their quarters there.'

"And at the juncture, those foremost of celestial Rishis possessed of

great splendour, of great wisdom and great vows--namely, Narada and

Parvata--having arrived in course of their wandering at the regions of

Indra entered the mansion of the lord of the immortals, receiving proper

worship. And Maghavat having worshipped them reverentially, inquired

after their undisturbed peace and welfare as regards all respects. And

Narada said, 'O lord, O divine one, peace attendeth us in every respect.

And, O Maghavat, peace attendeth also O exalted one, the kings of the

whole world.'

"Vrihadaswa continued. 'Hearing the words of Narada the slaver of Vala

and Vritra said, 'Those righteous rulers of the earth who fight

renouncing all desire of life, and who meet death when their time is come

by means of weapons, without flying from the field,--theirs is this

region, everlasting unto them and granting all desires, even as it is to

me. Where be those Kshatriya heroes? I do not see those kings approach

(now) Where are my favourite guests?' Thus addressed by Sakra, Narada

replied, 'Listen, O Mahavat, why seest not thou the kings (now)? The

ruler of the Vidarbhas hath a daughter--the celebrated Damayanti. In

beauty she transcendeth all the women of the earth. Her Swayamvara, O

Sakra, will take place shortly. Thither are going all the kings and

Princes from all directions. And all the lords of the earth desire to

have that pearl of the earth,--desire to have her eagerly, O slaver of

Vala and Vritra.' And while they were talking thus, those foremost of the

immortals, the Lokapalas with Agni among them, appeared before the lord

of the celestials. And all of them heard the words of Narada fraught with

grave import. And as soon as they heard them, they exclaimed in rapture,

We also will go there. And, O mighty monarch, accompanied by their

attendants and mounted on their (respective) vehicles, they set out for

the country of Vidarbhas, whither (had gone) all the kings. And, O son of

Kunti, the high-souled king Nala also hearing of that concourse of kings,

set out with a cheerful heart, full of Damayanti's love. And (it came to

pass) that the gods saw Nala on the way treading on the earth. And his

form owing to its beauty was like that of the god of love himself. And

beholding him resplendent as the sun, the Lokapalas were filled with

astonishment at his wealth of beauty, and abandoned their intention. And,

O king, leaving their cars in the sky the dwellers of heaven alighted

from the welkin and spake unto the ruler of the Nishadhas, saying, 'O

foremost of monarchs ruling the Nishadhas, O Nala, thou art devoted to

truth. Do thou help us. O best of men, be thou our messenger.'"

SECTION LV

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O Bharata, Nala pledged his word to the

celestials saying, 'I will do it.' And then approaching these, he asked

with folded hands. 'Who are ye? And who also is he that desireth me to be

his messenger? And what, further, shall I have to do for you? O tell me

truly!'--When the king of the Nishadhas spoke thus, Maghavat replied,

saying, 'Know us as the immortals come hither for Damayanti's sake. I am

Indra, this one is Agni, this the lord of waters, and this, O king, is

even Yama the destroyer of the bodies of men. Do thou inform Damayanti of

our arrival, saying, 'The guardians of the world, (consisting of) the

great Indra and the others, are coming to the assembly, desirous of

beholding (the Swayamvara). The gods, Sakra and Agni and Varuna and Yama,

desire to obtain thee. Do thou, therefore, choose one of them for thy

lord.' Thus addressed by Sakra, Nala said with joined hands, 'I have come

here with the self same object. It behoveth thee not to send me (on this

errand). How can a person who is himself under the influence of love

bring himself to speak thus unto a lady on behalf of others? Therefore,

spare me, ye gods' The gods, however, said, 'O ruler of the Nishadhas,

having promised first, saying, 'I will! why wilt thou not act accordingly

now? O ruler of the Nishadhas, tell us this without delay.'

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Thus addressed by those celestials, the ruler of

Nishadhas spake again, saying, 'Those mansions are well-guarded. How can

I hope to enter them?' Indra replied, 'Thou shalt be able to enter.' And,

saying, So be it.' Nala thereupon went to the palace of Damayanti. And

having arrived there, he beheld the daughter of the king of Vidarbha

surrounded by her hand-maids, blazing in beauty and excelling in symmetry

of form, of limbs exceedingly delicate, of slender waist and fair eyes.

And she seemed to rebuke the light of the moon by her own splendour. And

as he gazed on that lady of sweet smiles. Nala's love increased, but

desirous of keeping his truth, he suppressed his passion. And at the

sight of Naishadha, overpowered by his effulgence, those first of women

sprang up from their seats in amazement. And filled with wonder (at his

sight), they praised Nala in gladness of heart. And without saying

anything, they mentally paid him homage, 'Oh, what comeliness! Oh, what

gentleness belongeth to this high-souled one! Who is he? Is he some god

or Yaksha or Gandharva?' And those foremost of women, confounded by

Nala's splendour and bashfulness would not accost him at all in speech.

And Damayanti although herself struck with amazement, smilingly addressed

the warlike Nala who also gently smiled at her, saying, 'What art thou, O

thou of faultless features, that hast come here awakening my love? O

sinless one, O hero of celestial form, I am anxious to know who thou art

that hast come hither. And why hast thou come hither? And how is it that

thou hast not been discovered by any one, considering that my apartments

are well-guarded and the king's mandates are stern.' Thus addressed by

the daughter of the king of the Vidarbhas, Nala replied, 'O beauteous

lady, know that my name is Nala. I come here as the messenger of the

gods. The celestials, Sakra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, desire to have thee.

O beautiful lady, do thou choose one of them for thy lord. It is through

their power that I have entered here unperceived, and it is for this

reason that none saw me on my way or obstructed my entrance. O gentle

one, I have been sent by the foremost of the celestials even for this

object. Hearing this, O fortunate one, do what thou pleasest.'"

SECTION LVI

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Damayanti, having bowed down unto the gods, thus

addressed Nala with a smile, 'O king, love me with proper regard, and

command me what I shall do for thee. Myself and what else of wealth is

mine are thine. Grant me, O exalted one, thy love in full trust. O king,

the language of the swans in burning me. It is for thy sake, O hero, that

I have caused the kings to meet. O giver of proper honour, if thou

forsake me who adore thee, for thy sake will I resort to poison, or fire,

or water or the rope.' Thus addressed by the daughter of the king of the

Vidarbhas, Nala answered her saying, 'With the Lokapalas present,

choosest thou a man? Do thou turn thy heart to those high-souled lords,

the creators of the worlds, unto the dust of whose feet I am not equal.

Displeasing the gods, a mortal cometh by death. Save me, O thou of

faultless limbs! Choose thou the all-excelling celestials. By accepting

the gods, do thou enjoy spotless robes, and celestial garlands of

variegated hues, and excellent ornaments. What woman would not choose as

her lord Hutasana--the chief of the celestials, who compassing the earth

swalloweth it? What woman would not choose him as her lord the dread of

whose mace induceth all creatures to tread the path of virtue? And what

woman would not choose as her lord the virtuous and high-souled Mahendra,

the lord of the celestials, the chastiser of Daityas and Danavas? Or, if

thou couldst choose in thy heart Varuna amongst the Lokapalas, do so

unhesitatingly. O accept this friendly advice.' Thus addressed by

Naishadha, Damayanti, with eyes bathed in tears of grief spake thus unto

Nala, 'O lord of the earth, bowing to all the gods, I choose thee for my

lord. Truly do I tell thee this.' The king, who had come as the messenger

of the gods, replied unto the trembling Damayanti standing with folded

hands, 'O amiable one, do as thou pleasest. Having given my pledge, O

blessed one, unto the gods in especial, how can I, having come on other's

mission, dare seek my own interest? If seeking my own interest consists

with virtue, I will seek it, and do thou also, O beauteous one, act

accordingly.' Then Damayanti of luminous smiles slowly spake unto king

Nala, in words choked with tears, 'O lord of men I see a blameless way,

by which no sin whatever will attach unto thee. O king, do thou, O

foremost of men, come to the Swayamvara in company with all the gods

headed by Indra. There, O Monarch, in the presence of the Lokapalas I

will, O tiger among men, choose thee--at which no blame will be thine.'

Thus addressed, O monarch, by the daughter of Vidarbha, king Nala

returned to where the gods were staying together. And beholding him

approach those great gods, the Lokapalas, eagerly asked him about all

that had happened saying, 'Hast thou, O king, seen Damayanti of sweet

smiles? What hath she said unto us all? O sinless monarch, tell us

everything.' Nala answered, 'Commanded by you I entered Damayanti's

palace furnished with lofty portals guarded by veteran warders bearing

wands. And as I entered, no one perceived me, by virtue of your power,

except the princess. And I saw her hand-maids, and they also saw me. And,

O exalted celestials, seeing me, they were filled with wonder. And as I

spake unto her of you, the fair-faced maiden, her will fixed on me, O ye

best of the gods, chose me (for her spouse).' And the maiden said, 'Let

the gods, O tiger among men, come with thee to the Swayamvara, I will in

their presence, choose thee. At this, O thou of mighty arms, no blame

will attach to thee.' 'This is all, ye gods, that took place, as I have

said. Finally, everything rests with you, ye foremost of celestials.'"

SECTION LVII

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Then at the sacred hour of the holy lunar day of

the auspicious season, king Bhima summoned the kings to the Swayamvara.

And hearing of it, all the lords of earth smit with love speedily came

thither, desirous of (possessing) Damayanti. And the monarchs entered the

amphitheatre decorated with golden pillars and a lofty portal arch, like

mighty lions entering the mountain wilds. And those lords of earth decked

with fragrant garlands and polished ear-rings hung with jewels seated

themselves on their several seats. And that sacred assembly of Kings,

graced by those tigers among men, resembled the Bhogavati swarming with

the Nagas, or a mountain cavern with tigers. And their arms were robust,

and resembling iron maces, and well-shaped, and graceful, and looking

like five-headed snakes. And graced with beautiful locks and fine noses

and eyes and brows, the countenance of the kings shone like stars in the

firmament. And (when the time came), Damayanti of beauteous face,

stealing the eyes and hearts of the princes by her dazzling light,

entered the hall. And the glances of those illustrious kings were

rivetted to those parts of her person where they had chanced to fall

first, without moving at all. And when, O Bharata, the names of the

monarchs were proclaimed, the daughter of Bhima saw five persons all

alike in appearance. And beholding them seated there, without difference

of any kind in form, doubt filled her mind, and she could not ascertain

which of them was king Nala. And at whomsoever (among them) she looked,

she regarded him to be the king of the Nishadhas. And filled with

anxiety, the beauteous one thought within herself, 'Oh, how shall I

distinguish the celestials, and how discern the royal Nala?' And thinking

thus, the daughter of Vidarbha became filled with grief. And, O Bharata,

recollecting the marks belonging to the celestials, of which she had

heard, she thought, 'Those attributes of the celestials, of which I have

heard from the aged, do not pertain to any of these deities present here

upon the earth.' And revolving the matter long in her mind, and

reflecting upon it repeatedly, she decided upon seeking the protection of

the gods themselves. And bowing down unto them with mind and speech, with

folded hands, she addressed them trembling, 'Since I heard the speech of

the swans, I chose the king of the Nishadhas as my lord. For the sake of

truth, O, let the gods reveal him to me. And as in thought or word I have

never swerved from him, O, let the gods, for the sake of that truth,

reveal him to me. And as the gods themselves have destined the ruler of

the Nishadhas to be my lord, O, let them, for the sake of that truth,

reveal him to me. And as it is for paying homage unto Nala that I have

adopted this vow, for the sake of that truth, O, let the gods reveal him

unto me, O, let the exalted guardians of the worlds assume their own

proper forms, so that I may know the righteous king.' Hearing these

piteous words of Damayanti, and ascertaining her fixed resolve, and

fervent love for the king of Nishadhas, the purity of her heart and her

inclination and regard and affection for Nala, the gods did as they had

been adjured, and assumed their respective attributes as best they could.

And thereupon she beheld the celestials unmoistened with perspiration,

with winkless eyes, and unfading garlands, unstained with dust, and

staying without touching the ground. And Naishadha stood revealed to his

shadow, his fading garlands, himself stained with dust and sweat, resting

on the ground with winking eyes. And, O Bharata, discerning the gods and

the virtuous Nala the daughter of Bhima chose Naishadha according to her

truth. And the large-eyed damsel then bashfully caught the hem of his

garment and placed round his neck a floral wreath of exceeding grace. And

when that fair-complexioned maiden had thus chosen Nala for her husband,

the kings suddenly broke out into exclamations of Oh! and Alas! And, O

Bharata, the gods and the great Rishis in wonder cried Excellent!

Excellent!, applauding the king the while. And, O Kauravya, the royal son

of Virasena, with heart filled with gladness, comforted the beauteous

Damayanti, saying, 'Since thou, O blessed one, hast chosen a mortal in

the presence of the celestials, know me for a husband even obedient to

thy command. And, O thou of sweet smiles, truly do I tell thee this that

as long as life continueth in this body of mine, I will remain thine and

thine alone. Damayanti also, with folded hands paid homage unto Nala in

words of like import. And the happy pair beholding Agni and the other

gods mentally sought their protection. And after the daughter of Bhima

had chosen Naishadha as her husband, the Lokapalas of exceeding

effulgence with pleased hearts, bestowed on Nala eight boons. And Sakra,

the lord of Sachi, bestowed on Nala the boon that he should be able to

behold his godship in sacrifices and that he should attain to blessed

legions thereafter, and Hutasana bestowed on him the boon of his own

presence whenever Naishadha wished, and regions also bright as himself.

And Yama granted him subtle taste in food as well as pre-eminence in

virtue. And the lord of waters granted Nala his own presence whenever he

desired, and also garlands of celestial fragrance. And thus each of them

bestowed upon him a couple of boons. And having bestowed these the gods

went to heaven. And the kings also, having witnessed with wonder

Damayanti's selection of Nala, returned delighted whence they had come.

And on the departure of those mighty monarchs, the high-souled Bhima,

well pleased, celebrated the wedding of Nala and Damayanti. And having

stayed there for a time according to his desire, Naishadha, the best of

men, returned to his own city with the permission of Bhima. And having

attained that pearl of a woman, the virtuous king, O monarch, began to

pass his days in joy, like the slayer of Vala and Vritra in the company

of Sachi. And resembling the sun in glory, the king, full of gladness,

began to rule his subjects righteously, and give them great satisfaction.

And like unto Yayati, the son of Nahusha, that intelligent monarch

celebrated the horse sacrifice and many other sacrifices with abundant

gifts to Brahmanas. And like unto a very god, Nala sported with Damayanti

in romantic woods and groves. And the high-minded king begat upon

Damayanti a son named Indrasena, and a daughter named Indrasena. And

celebrating sacrifice, and sporting (with Damayanti) thus, the king ruled

the earth abounding in wealth.'"

SECTION LVIII

"Vrihadaswa said, 'When the blazing guardians of the worlds were

returning after the daughter of Bhima had chosen Naishadha, on their way

they met Dwapara with Kali approaching towards them. And seeing Kali,

Sakra the slayer of Vala and Vritra, said, 'O Kali, say whither thou art

going with Dwapara.' And thereupon Kali replied unto Sakra, 'Going to

Damayanti's Swayamvara, will I obtain her (for my wife), as my heart is

fixed upon that damsel.' Hearing this, Indra said with a smile, 'That

Swayamvara is already ended. In our sight she hath chosen Nala for her

husband.' Thus answered by Sakra, Kali, that vilest of the celestials,

filled with wrath, addressing all those gods spake, 'Since in the

presence of the celestials she hath chosen a mortal for her lord, it is

meet that she should undergo a heavy doom.' Upon hearing these words of

Kali, the celestials answered, 'It is with our sanction that Damayanti

hath chosen Nala. What damsel is there that would not choose king Nala

endued with every virtue? Well-versed in all duties, always conducting

himself with rectitude, he hath studied the four Vedas together with the

Puranas that are regarded as the fifth. Leading a life of harmlessness

unto all creatures, he is truth-telling and firm in his vows, and in his

house the gods are ever gratified by sacrifices held according to the

ordinance. In that tiger among men--that king resembling a Lokapala, is

truth, and forbearance, and knowledge, and asceticism, and purity and

self-control, and perfect tranquillity of soul. O Kali, the fool that

wisheth to curse Nala bearing such a character, curseth himself, and

destroyeth himself by his own act. And, O Kali, he that seeketh to curse

Nala crowned with such virtues, sinketh into the wide bottomless pit of

hell rife with torments.' Having said this to Kali and Dwapara, the gods

went to heaven. And when the gods had gone away, Kali said unto Dwapara,

'I am ill able, O Dwapara, to suppress my anger. I shall possess Nala,

deprive him of his kingdom, and he shall no more sport with Bhima's

daughter. Entering the dice, it behoveth thee to help me.'"

SECTION LIX

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having made this compact with Dwapara, Kali came to

the place where the king of the Nishadhas was. And always watching for a

hole, he continued to dwell in the country of the Nishadhas for a long

time. And it was in the twelfth year that Kali saw a hole. For one day

after answering the call of nature, Naishadha touching water said his

twilight prayers, without having previously washed his feet. And it was

through this (omission) that Kali entered his person. And having

possessed Nala, he appeared before Pushkara, and addressed him, saying,

'Come and play at dice with Nala. Through my assistance thou wilt surely

win at the play. And defeating king Nala and acquiring his kingdom, do

thou rule the Nishadhas.' Thus exhorted by Kali, Pushkara went to Nala.

And Dwapara also approached Pushkara, becoming the principal die called

Vrisha. And appearing before the warlike Nala, that slayer of hostile

heroes, Pushkara, repeatedly said, 'Let us play together with dice.' Thus

challenged in the presence of Damayanti, the lofty-minded king could not

long decline it. And he accordingly fixed the time for the play. And

possessed by Kali, Nala began to lose, in the game, his stakes in gold,

and silver, and cars with the teams thereof, and robes. And maddened at

dice, no one amongst his friends could succeed in dissuading that

represser of foes from the play that went on. And thereupon, O Bharata,

the citizens in a body, with the chief councillors, came thither to

behold the distressed monarch and make him desist. And the charioteer

coming to Damayanti spake to her of this, saying, 'O lady, the citizens

and officers of the state wait at the gate. Do thou inform the king of

the Nishadhas that the citizens have come here, unable to bear the

calamity that hath befallen their king conversant with virtue and

wealth.' Thereupon Bhima's daughter, overwhelmed with grief and almost

deprived of reason by it, spake unto Nala in choked accents, 'O king, the

citizens with the councillors of state, urged by loyalty, stay at the

gate desirous of beholding thee. It behoveth thee to grant them an

interview.' But the king, possessed by Kali, uttered not a word in reply

unto his queen of graceful glances, uttering thus her lamentations. And

at this, those councillors of state as also the citizens, afflicted with

grief and shame, returned to their homes, saying, 'He liveth not.' And, O

Yudhishthira, it was thus that Nala and Pushkara gambled together for

many months, the virtuous Nala being always worsted.'"

SECTION LX

Vrihadaswa said. "Bhima's daughter, the cool-headed Damayanti, seeing the

righteous king maddened and deprived of his senses at dice, was filled, O

king, with alarm and grief. And she thought the affair to be a serious

one with the king. And apprehensive of the calamity that threatened Nala,

yet seeking his welfare and at last understanding that her lord had lost

everything, she said unto her nurse and maid-servant Vrihatsena of high

fame, intent upon her good, dexterous in all duties, faithful and

sweet-speeched, these words, 'O Vrihatsena, go thou and summon the

councillors in the name of Nala, and tell them also what of wealth and

other things hath been lost and what remaineth.' The councillors then,

hearing of Nala's summons, said, 'This is fortunate for us' and

approached the king. And when the subjects in a body had (thus) come a

second time, the daughter of Bhima informed Nala of it. But the king

regarded her not. Finding her husband disregarding her words, Damayanti,

filled with shame, returned to her apartments. And hearing that the dice

were uniformly unfavourable to the virtuous Nala, and that he had lost

everything, she again spake unto her nurse, saying, 'O Vrihatsena, go

thou again in Nala's name to bring hither, O blessed one, the charioteer,

Varshneya. The matter at hand is very serious.' And Vrihatsena, hearing

those words of Damayanti caused Varshneya to be summoned by trusty

servants. And the blameless daughter of Bhima, acquainted with conduct

suitable to time and place, addressing soft words said according to the

occasion, 'Thou knowest how the king hath always behaved towards thee. He

is now in difficulty, and it behoveth thee to assist him. The more the

king loseth to Pushkara, the greater becometh his ardour for the play.

And as the dice fall obedient to Pushkara, it is seen that they are

adverse to Nala in the matter of the play. And absorbed in the play, he

heedeth not the words of his friends and relatives, nor even those of

mine. I do not think, however, that in this the high-souled Naishadha is

to blame, in as much as the king regarded not my words, being absorbed in

play. O Charioteer, I seek thy protection. Do my behest. My mind

misgiveth me. The king may come to grief. Yoking Nala's favourite horses

endued with the fleetness of the mind, do thou take these twins (my son

and daughter) on the car and hie thou to Kundina. Leaving the children

there with my kindred as also the car and the horses, either stay thou

there, or go to any other place as it listeth thee.' Varshneya, the

charioteer of Nala, then reported in detail these words of Damayanti unto

the chief officers of the king. And having settled (the matter) in

consultation with them, and obtaining their assent, O mighty monarch, the

charioteer started for Vidarbha, taking the children on that car. And

leaving there the boy Indrasena and the girl Indrasena, as also that best

of cars and those steeds, the charioteer, with a sad heart grieving for

Nala, bade farewell unto Bhima. And wandering for some time, he arrived

at the city of Ayodhya. And there he appeared with a sorrowful heart

before king Rituparna, and entered the service of that monarch as

charioteer."

SECTION LXI

"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Varshneya had gone away, Pushkara won from the

righteous Nala that latter's kingdom and what else of wealth he had. And

unto Nala, O king, who had lost his kingdom, Pushkara laughingly said,

'Let the play go on. But what stake hast thou now? Damayanti only

remaineth; all else of thine hath been won by me. Well, if thou likest,

that Damayanti be our stake now.' Hearing these words of Pushkara the

virtuous king felt as if his heart would burst in rage, but he spake not

a word. And gazing at Pushkara in anguish, king Nala of great fame took

all the ornaments off every part of his body. And attired in a single

piece of cloth, his body uncovered, renouncing all his wealth, and

enhancing the grief of friends, the king set out. And Damayanti, clad in

one piece of cloth, followed him behind as he was leaving the city. And

coming to the outskirts of the city, Nala stayed there for three nights

with his wife. But Pushkara, O king, proclaimed through the city that he

that should show any attention to Nala, would be doomed to death. And on

account of these words of Pushkara and knowing his malice towards Nala,

the citizens, O Yudhishthira, no longer showed him hospitable regards.

And unregarded though deserving of hospitable regards, Nala passed three

nights in the outskirts of the city, living on water alone. And afflicted

with hunger, the king went away in search of fruit and roots, Damayanti

following him behind. And in agony of famine, after many days, Nala saw

some birds with plumage of golden hue. And thereupon the mighty lord of

the Nishadhas thought within himself, 'These will be my banquet today and

also my wealth.' And then he covered them with the cloth he had on--when

bearing up that garment of his, the birds rose up to the sky. And

beholding Nala nude and melancholy, and standing with face turned towards

the ground, those rangers of the sky addressed him, saying, 'O thou of

small sense, we are even those dice. We had come hither wishing to take

away thy cloth, for it pleased us not that thou shouldst depart even with

thy cloth on.' And finding himself deprived of his attire, and knowing

also that the dice were departing (with it), the virtuous Nala, O king,

thus spake unto Damayanti, 'O faultless one, they through whose anger I

have been despoiled of my kingdom, they through whose influence

distressed and afflicted with hunger, I am unable to procure sustenance,

they for whom the Nishadhas offered me not any hospitality, they, O timid

one, are carrying off my cloth, assuming the form of birds. Fallen into

this dire disaster, I am afflicted with grief and deprived of my senses,

I am thy lord, do thou, therefore, listen to the words I speak for thy

good. These many roads lead to the southern country, passing by (the city

of) Avanti and the Rikshavat mountains. This is that mighty mountain

called Vindhya; yon, the river Payasvini running sea-wards, and yonder

are the asylums of the ascetics, furnished with various fruit and roots.

This road leadeth to the country of the Vidarbhas--and that, to the

country of the Kosalas. Beyond these roads to the south is the southern

country.' Addressing Bhima's daughter, O Bharata, he distressed king Nala

spake those words unto Damayanti over and over again. Thereupon afflicted

with grief, in a voice choked with tears, Damayanti spake unto Naishadha

these piteous words, 'O king, thinking of thy purpose, my heart

trembleth, and all my limbs become faint. How can I go, leaving thee in

the lone woods despoiled of thy kingdom and deprived of thy wealth,

thyself without a garment on, and worn with hunger and toil? When in the

deep woods, fatigued and afflicted with hunger, thou thinkest of thy

former bliss, I will, O great monarch, soothe thy weariness. In every

sorrow there is no physic equal unto the wife, say the physicians. It is

the truth, O Nala, that I speak unto thee.' Hearing those words of his

queen, Nala replied, 'O slender-waisted Damayanti, it is even as thou

hast said. To a man in distress, there is no friend or medicine that is

equal unto a wife. But I do not seek to renounce thee, wherefore, O timid

one, dost thou dread this? O faultless one, I can forsake myself but thee

I cannot forsake.' Damayanti then said, 'If thou dost not, O mighty king,

intend to forsake me, why then dost thou point out to me the way to the

country of the Vidarbhas? I know, O king, that thou wouldst not desert

me. But, O lord of the earth, considering that thy mind is distracted,

thou mayst desert me. O best of men, thou repeatedly pointest out to me

the way and it is by this, O god-like one, that thou enhancest my grief.

If it is thy intention that I should go to my relatives, then if it

pleaseth thee, both of us will wend to the country of the Vidarbhas. O

giver of honours, there the king of the Vidarbhas will receive thee with

respect. And honoured by him, O king, thou shall live happily in our

home.'"

SECTION LXII

"Nala said, 'Surely, thy father's kingdom is as my own. But thither I

will not, by any means, repair in this extremity. Once I appeared there

in glory, increasing thy joy. How can I go there now in misery,

augmenting thy grief?'

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Saying this again and again unto Damayanti, king

Nala, wrapped in half a garment, comforted his blessed wife. And both

attired in one cloth and wearied with hunger and thirst, in course of

their wanderings, at last they came to a sheltered shed for travellers.

And arrived at this place, the king of the Nishadhas sat down on the bare

earth with the princes of Vidarbha. And wearing the same piece of cloth

(with Damayanti), and dirty, and haggard, and stained with dust, he fell

asleep with Damayanti on the ground in weariness. And suddenly plunged in

distress, the innocent and delicate Damayanti with every mark of good

fortune, fell into a profound slumber. And, O monarch, while she slept,

Nala, with heart and mind distraught, could not slumber calmly as before.

And reflecting on the loss of his kingdom, the desertion of his friends,

and his distress in the woods, he thought with himself, 'What availeth my

acting thus? And what if I act not thus? Is death the better for me now?

Or should I desert my wife? She is truly devoted to me and suffereth this

distress for my sake. Separated from me, she may perchance wander to her

relatives. Devoted as she is to me, if she stayeth with me, distress will

surely be hers; while it is doubtful, if I desert her. On the other hand,

it is not unlikely that she may even have happiness some time.'

Reflecting upon this repeatedly, and thinking of it again and again, he

concluded, O monarch, that the desertion of Damayanti was the best course

for him. And he also thought, 'Of high fame and auspicious fortune, and

devoted to me, her husband, she is incapable of being injured by any one

on the way on account of her energy.' Thus his mind that was influenced

by the wicked Kali, dwelling upon Damayanti, was made up for deserting

her. And then thinking of his own want of clothing, and of her being clad

in a single garment, he intended to cut off for himself one half of

Damayanti's attire. And he thought, 'How shall I divide this garment, so

that my beloved one may not perceive?' And thinking of this, the royal

Nala began to walk up and down that shed. And, O Bharata, pacing thus to

and fro, he found a handsome sword lying near the shed, unsheathed. And

that repressor of foes, having, with that sword cut off one half of the

cloth, and throwing the instrument away, left the daughter of Vidharbha

insensible in her sleep and went away. But his heart failing him, the

king of the Nishadhas returned to the shed, and seeing Damayanti (again),

burst into tears. And he said, 'Alas! that beloved one of mine whom

neither the god of wind nor the sun had seen before, even she sleepeth

to-day on the bare earth, like one forlorn. Clad in this severed piece of

cloth, and lying like one distracted, how will the beauteous one of

luminous smiles behave when she awaketh? How will the beautiful daughter

of Bhima, devoted to her lord, all alone and separated from me, wander

through these deep woods inhabited by beasts and serpents? O blessed one,

may the Adityas and the Vasus, and the twin Aswins together with the

Marutas protect thee, thy virtue being thy best guard.' And addressing

thus his dear wife peerless on earth in beauty, Nala strove to go, reft

of reason by Kali. Departing and still departing, king Nala returned

again and again to that shed, dragged away by Kali but drawn back by

love. And it seemed as though the heart of the wretched king was rent in

twain, and like a swing, he kept going out from cabin and coming back

into it. At length after lamenting long and piteously, Nala stupefied and

bereft of sense by Kali went away, forsaking that sleeping wife of his.

Reft of reason through Kali's touch, and thinking of his conduct, the

king departed in sorrow, leaving his, wife alone in that solitary

forest.'"

SECTION LXIII

Vrihadaswa said, "O king, after Nala had gone away, the beauteous

Damayanti, now refreshed, timorously awoke in that lonely forest. And O

mighty monarch, not finding her lord Naishadha, afflicted with grief and

pain, she shrieked aloud in fright, saying, 'O lord? O mighty monarch! O

husband, dost thou desert me? Oh, I am lost and undone, frightened in

this desolate place. O illustrious prince, thou art truthful in speech,

and conversant with morality. How hast thou then, having pledged thy

word, deserted me asleep in the woods? Oh, why hast thou deserted thy

accomplished wife, even devoted to thee, particularly one that hath not

wronged thee, though wronged thou hast been by others? O king of men, it

behoveth thee to act faithfull, according to those words thou hadst

spoken unto me before in the presence of the guardians of the worlds. O

bull among men, that thy wife liveth even a moment after thy desertion of

her, is only because mortals are decreed to die at the appointed time. O

bull among men, enough of this joke! O irrepressible one, I am terribly

frightened. O lord, show thyself. I see thee! I see thee, o king! Thou

art seen, O Naishadha, Hiding thyself behind those shrubs, why dost thou

not reply unto me? It is cruel of thee, O great king, that seeing me in

this plight and so lamenting, thou dost not, O king, approach and comfort

me. I grieve not for myself, nor for anything else. I only grieve to

think how thou wilt pass thy days alone, O king. In the evening oppressed

with hunger and thirst and fatigue, underneath the trees, how wilt it

take with thee when thou seest me not?' And then Damayanti, afflicted

with anguish and burning with grief, began to rush hither and thither,

weeping in woe. And now the helpless princess sprang up, and now she sank

down in stupor; and now she shrank in terror, and now she wept and wailed

aloud. And Bhima's daughter devoted to her husband, burning in anguish

and sighing ever more, and faint and weeping exclaimed, 'That being

through whose imprecation the afflicted Naishadha suffereth this woe,

shall bear grief that is greater than ours. May that wicked being who

hath brought Nala of sinless heart this, lead a more miserable life

bearing greater ills.'

"Thus lamenting, the crowned consort of the illustrious (king) began to

seek her lord in those woods, inhabited by beasts of prey. And the

daughter of Bhima, wailing bitterly, wandered hither and thither like a

maniac, exclaiming, 'Alas! Alas! Oh king!' And as she was wailing loudly

like a female osprey, and grieving and indulging in piteous lamentations

unceasingly, she came near a gigantic serpent. And that huge and hungry

serpent thereupon suddenly seized Bhima's daughter, who had come near and

was moving about within its range. And folded within serpent's coils and

filled with grief, she still wept, not for herself but for Naishadha. And

she said 'O lord, why dost thou not rush towards me, now that I am

seized, without anybody to protect me, by this serpent in these desert

wilds? And, O Naishadha, how will it fare with thee when thou rememberest

me? O lord, why hast thou gone away, deserting me today in the forest?

Free from thy course, when thou wilt have regained thy mind and senses

and wealth, how will it be with thee when thou thinkest of me? O

Naishadha, O sinless one, who will soothe thee when thou art weary, and

hungry, and fainting, O tiger among kings?' And while she was wailing

thus, a certain huntsman ranging the deep woods, hearing her

lamentations, swiftly came to the spot. And beholding the large-eyed one

in the coils of the serpent, he rushed towards it and cut off its head

with his sharp weapon. And having struck the reptile dead, the huntsman

set Damayanti free. And having sprinkled her body with water and fed and

comforted her. O Bharata, he addressed her saying, 'O thou with eyes like

those of a young gazelle, who art thou? And why also hast thou come into

the woods? And, O beauteous one, how hast thou fallen into this extreme

misery' And thus accosted, O monarch, by that man, Damayanti, O Bharata,

related unto him all that had happened. And beholding that beautiful

woman clad in half a garment, with deep bosom and round hips, and limbs

delicate and faultless, and face resembling the full moon, and eyes

graced with curved eye-lashes, and speech sweet as honey, the hunter

became inflamed with desire. And afflicted by the god of love, the

huntsman began to soothe her in winning voice and soft words. And as soon

as the chaste and beauteous Damayanti, beholding him understood his

intentions, she was filled with fierce wrath and seemed to blaze up in

anger. But the wicked-minded wretch, burning with desire became wroth,

attempted to employ force upon her, who was unconquerable as a flame of

blazing fire. And Damayanti already distressed upon being deprived of

husband and kingdom, in that hour of grief beyond utterance, cursed him

in anger, saying, 'I have never even thought of any other person than

Naishadha, therefore let this mean-minded wrath subsisting on chase, fall

down lifeless.' And as soon as she said this, the hunter fell down

lifeless upon the ground, like a tree consumed by fire." 131

SECTION LXIV

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having destroyed that hunter Damayanti of eyes

like lotus leaves, went onwards through that fearful and solitary forest

ringing with the chirp of crickets. And it abounded with lions, and

leopards, and Rurus and tigers, and buffaloes, and bears and deer. And it

swarmed with birds of various species, and was infested by thieves and

mlechchha tribes. And it contained Salas, and bamboos and Dhavas, and

Aswatthas, and Tindukas and Ingudas, and Kinsukas, and Arjunas, and

Nimvas, and Tinisas and Salmalas, and Jamvus, and mango trees, and

Lodhras, and the catechu, and the cane, and Padmakas, and Amalahas, and

Plakshas, and Kadamvas, and Udumvaras and Vadaris, and Vilwas, and

banians, and Piyalas, and palms, and date-trees, and Haritakas and

Vibhitakas. And the princess of Vidarbha saw many mountains containing

ores of various kinds, and groves resounding with the notes of winged

choirs, and many glens of wondrous sight, and many rivers and lakes and

tanks and various kinds of birds and beasts. And she saw numberless

snakes and goblins and Rakshasas of grim visage, and pools and tanks and

hillocks, and brooks and fountains of wonderful appearance. And the

princess of Vidarbha saw there herds of buffaloes. And boars, and bears

as well as serpents of the wilderness. And safe in virtue and glory and

good fortune and patience, Damayanti wandered through those woods alone,

in search of Nala. And the royal daughter of Bhima, distressed only at

her separation from her lord, was not terrified at aught in that fearful

forest. And, O king, seating herself down upon a stone and filled with

grief, and every limb of hers trembling with sorrow on account of her

husband, she began to lament thus: 'O king of the Nishadhas, O thou of

broad chest and mighty arms, whither hast thou gone, O king, leaving me

in this lone forest? O hero, having performed the Aswamedha and other

sacrifices, with gifts in profusion (unto the Brahmanas), why hast thou,

O tiger among men, played false with me alone? O best of men, O thou of

great splendour, it behoveth thee. O auspicious one, to remember what

thou didst declare before me, O bull among kings! And, O monarch, it

behoveth thee also to call to mind what the sky-ranging swans spake in

thy presence and in mine. O tiger among men, the four Vedas in all their

extent, with the Angas and the Upangas, well-studied, on one side, and

one single truth on the other, (are equal). Therefore, O slayer of foes,

it behoveth thee, O lord of men, to make good what thou didst formerly

declare before me. Alas, O hero! warrior! O Nala! O sinless one being

thine, I am about to perish in this dreadful forest. Oh! wherefore dost

thou not answer me? This terrible lord of the forest, of grim visage and

gaping jaws, and famishing with hunger, filleth me with fright. Doth it

not behove thee to deliver me? Thou wert wont to say always, 'Save thee

there existeth not one dear unto me.' O blessed one, O king, do thou now

make good thy words so spoken before. And, O king, why dost thou not

return an answer to thy beloved wife bewailing and bereft of sense,

although thou lovest her, being loved in return? O king of the earth, O

respected one, O represser of foes, O thou of large eyes, why dost thou

not regard me, emaciated, and distressed and pale, and discoloured, and

clad in a half piece of cloth, and alone, and weeping, and lamenting like

one forlorn, and like unto a solitary doe separated from the herd? O

illustrious sovereign, it is, I, Damayanti, devoted to thee, who, alone

in this great forest, address thee. Wherefore, then, dost thou not reply

unto me? Oh, I do not behold thee today on this mountain, O chief of men,

O thou of noble birth and character with every limb possesed of grace! In

this terrible forest, haunted by lions and tigers, O king of the

Nishadhas, O foremost of men, O enhancer of my sorrows, (Wishing to know)

whether thou art lying down, or sitting, or standing, or gone, whom shall

I ask, distressed and woe-stricken on thy account, saying, 'Hast thou

seen in this woods the royal Nala?' Of whom shall I in this forest

enquire alter the departed Nala, handsome and of high soul, and the

destroyer of hostile arrays? From whom shall I today hear the sweet

words, viz., 'That royal Nala, of eyes like lotus-leaves, whom thou

seekest, is even here?' Yonder cometh the forest-king, that tiger of

graceful mien, furnished with four teeth and prominent cheeks. Even him

will I accost fearlessly: Thou art the lord of all animals, and of this

forest the king. Know me for Damayanti, the daughter of the king of the

Vidarbhas, and the wife of Nala, destroyer of foes, and the king of the

Nishadhas. Distressed and woe-stricken, I am seeking my husband alone in

these woods. Do thou, O king of beasts, comfort me (with news of Nala) if

thou hast seen him. Or, O lord of the forest, if thou cannot speak of

Nala, do thou, then, O best of beasts, devour me, and free me from this

misery. Alas! hearing my plaintive appeal in the wilderness, this king of

mountains, this high and sacred hill, crested with innumerable [...?-JBH]

rolleth towards the sea. Let me, then, for tidings of the king, ask this

king of mountains, this high and sacred hill, crested with innumerable

heaven-kissing and many-hued and beauteous peaks, and abounding in

various ores, and decked with gems of diverse kings, and rising like a

banner over this broad forest, and ranged by lions and tigers and

elephants and boars and bears and stags, and echoing all around with (the

notes of) winged creatures of various species, and adorned with kinsukas

and Asokas and Vakulas and Punnagas, with blossoming Karnikaras, and

Dhavas and Plakshas, and with streams haunted by waterfowls of every

kind, and abounding in crested summits, O sacred one! O best of

mountains! O thou of wondrous sight! O celebrated hill! O refuge (of the

distressed)! O highly auspicious one! I bow to thee, O pillar of the

earth! Approaching, I bow to thee. Know me for a king's daughter, and a

king's daughter-in-law, and king's consort, Damayanti by name that lord

of earth who ruleth the Vidarbhas, that mighty warrior-king Bhima by

name, who protecteth the four orders, is my sire. That best of kings

celebrated the Rajasuya and Aswamedha sacrifices, with profuse gifts to

the Brahmanas. Possessed of beautiful and large eyes, distinguished for

devotion to the Vedas, of unblemished character, truth-telling, devoid of

guile, gentle, endued with prowess, lord of immense wealth, versed in

morality, and pure, he having vanquished all his foes, effectually

protecteth the inhabitants of Vidarbha. Know me, O holy one, for his

daughter, thus come to thee. That best of men--the celebrated ruler of

the Nishadha--known by the name of Virasena of high fame, was my

father-in-law. The son of that king, heroic and handsome and possessed of

energy incapable of being baffled, who ruleth well the kingdom which hath

descended to him from his father, is named Nala. Know, O mountain, that

of that slayer of foes, called also Punyasloka, possessed of the

complexion of gold, and devoted to the Brahmanas, and versed in the

Vedas, and gifted with eloquence,--of that righteous and Soma-quaffing

and fire-adoring king, who celebrateth sacrifices and is liberal and

warlike and who adequately chastiseth (criminals), I am the innocent

spouse--the chief of his queens--standing before thee. Despoiled of

prosperity and deprived of (the company of my) husband without a

protector, and afflicted with calamity, hither have I come, O best of

mountains, seeking my husband. Hast thou, O foremost of mountains, with

thy hundreds of peaks towering (into the sky) seen king Nala in this

frightful forest? Hast thou seen my husband, that ruler of the Nishadhas,

the illustrious Nala, with the tread of a mighty elephant, endued with

intelligence, long-armed, and of fiery energy, possessed of prowess and

patience and courage and high fame? Seeing me bewailing alone,

overwhelmed with sorrow, wherefore, O best of mountains, dost thou not

today soothe me with thy voice, as thy own daughter in distress? O hero,

O warrior of prowess, O thou versed in every duty, O thou adhering to

truth--O lord of the earth, if thou art in this forest, then, O king,

reveal thyself unto me. Oh, when shall I again hear the voice of Nala,

gentle and deep as that of the clouds, that voice, sweet as Amrita, of

the illustrious king, calling me Vidharva's daughter, with accents

distinct, and holy, and musical as the chanting of the Vedas and rich,

and soothing all my sorrows. O king, I am frightened. Do thou, O virtuous

one, comfort me.'

"Having addressed that foremost of mountain thus, Damayanti then went in

a northerly direction. And having proceeded three days and nights, that

best of women came to an incomparable penance grove of ascetics,

resembling in beauty a celestial grove. And the charming asylum she

beheld was inhabited and adorned by ascetics like Vasishtha and Bhrigu

and Atri, self-denying and strict in diet, with minds under control,

endued with holiness, some living on water, some on air, and some on

(fallen) leaves, with passions in check, eminently blessed, seeking the

way to heaven, clad in barks of trees and deer-skins, and with senses

subdued. And beholding that hermitage inhabited by ascetics, and

abounding in herds of deer and monkeys, Damayanti was cheered. And that

best of women, the innocent and blessed Damayanti, with graceful

eye-brows, and long tresses, with lovely hips and deep bosom, and face

graced with fine teeth and with fine black and large eyes, in her

brightness and glory entered that asylum. And saluting those ascetics

grown old in practising austerities, she stood in an attitude of

humility. And the ascetics living in that forest, said, 'Welcome!' And

those men of ascetic wealth, paying her due homage, said, 'Sit ye down,

and tell us what we may do for thee.' That best of women replied unto

them, saying, 'Ye sinless and eminently blessed ascetics, is it well with

your austerities, and sacrificial fire, and religious observances, and

the duties of your own order? And is it well with the beasts and birds of

this asylum? And they answered, 'O beauteous and illustrious lady,

prosperity attendeth us in every respect. But, O thou of faultless limbs,

tell us who thou art, and what thou seekest. Beholding thy beauteous form

and thy bright splendour, we have been amazed. Cheer up and mourn not.

Tell us, O blameless and blessed one, art thou the presiding deity of

this forest, or of this mountain, or of this river?' Damayanti replied

unto those ascetics, saying, 'O Brahmanas, I am not the goddess of this

forest, or of this mountain, or of this stream. O Rishis of ascetic

wealth, know that I am a human being. I will relate my history in detail.

Do ye listen to me. There is a king--the mighty ruler of the

Vidarbhas--Bhima by name. O foremost of regenerate ones, know me to be

his daughter. The wise ruler of the Nishadhas, Nala by name, of great

celebrity, heroic, and ever victorious in battle, and learned, is my

husband. Engaged in the worship of the gods, devoted to the twice-born

ones, the guardian of the line of the Nishadhas, of mighty energy,

possessed of great strength, truthful, conversant with all duties, wise,

unwavering in promise, the crusher of foes, devout, serving the gods,

graceful, the conqueror of hostile towns, that foremost of kings, Nala by

name, equal in splendour unto the lord of celestials, the slayer of foes,

possessed of large eyes, and a hue resembling the full moon, is my

husband. The celebrator of great sacrifices, versed in the Vedas and

their branches, the destroyer of enemies in battle, and like unto the sun

and the moon in splendour, is he. That king devoted to truth and religion

was summoned to dice by certain deceitful persons of mean mind and

uncultured soul and of crooked ways, and skilful in gambling, and was

deprived of wealth and kingdom. Know that I am the wife of that bull

among kings, known to all by the name of Damayanti, anxious to find out

my (missing) lord. In sadness of heart am I wandering among woods, and

mountains, and lakes, and rivers, and tanks and forests, in search of

that husband of mine--Nala, skilled in battle, high-souled, and

well-versed in the use of weapons, O hath king Nala, the lord of the

Nishadhas, come to this delightful asylum of your holy selves? It is for

him, O Brahmanas, that I have come to this dreary forest full of terrors

and haunted by tigers and other beasts. If I do not see king Nala within

a few days and nights, I shall seek my good by renouncing this body. Of

what use is my life without that bull among men? How shall I live

afflicted with grief on account of my husband?'

Unto Bhima's daughter, Damayanti, lamenting forlorn in that forest, the

truth-telling ascetics replied, saying, 'O blessed and beauteous one, we

see by ascetic power that the future will bring happiness to thee, and

that thou wilt soon behold Naishadha. O daughter of Bhima, thou wilt

behold Nala, the lord of the Nishadhas, the slayer of foes, and the

foremost of the virtuous freed from distress. And O blessed lady, thou

wilt behold the king--thy lord--freed from all sins and decked with all

kinds of gems, and ruling the selfsame city, and chasting his enemies,

and striking terror into the hearts of foes, and gladdening the hearts of

friends, and crowned with every blessing.'

"'Having spoken unto that princess--the beloved queen of Nala--the

ascetics with their sacred fires and asylum vanished from sight. And

beholding that mighty wonder, the daughter-in-law of king Virasena,

Damayanti of faultless limbs, was struck with amazement. And she asked

herself, 'Was it a dream that I saw? What an occurrence hath taken place!

Where are all those ascetics? And where is that asylum? Where, further,

is that delightful river of sacred waters--the resort of diverse kinds of

fowls? And where, again, are those charming trees decked with fruits and

flowers?' And after thinking so for some time, Bhima's daughter,

Damayanti of sweet smiles melancholy and afflicted with grief on account

of her lord, lost the colour of her face (again). And going to another

part of the wood, she saw an Asoka tree. And approaching that first of

trees in the forest, so charming with blossoms and its load of foliage,

and resounding with the notes of birds, Damayanti, with tears in her eyes

and accents choked in grief, began to lament, saying, 'Oh, this graceful

tree in the heart of the forest, decked in flowers, looketh beautiful,

like a charming king of hills. O beauteous Asoka, do thou speedily free

me from grief. Hast thou seen king Nala, the slayer of foes and the

beloved husband of Damayanti,--freed from fear and grief and obstacles?

Hast thou seen my beloved husband, the ruler of the Nishadhas, clad in

half a piece of cloth, with delicate skin, that hero afflicted with woe

and who hath come into this wilderness? O Asoka tree, do thou free me

from grief! O Asoka, vindicate thy name, for Asoka meaneth destroyer of

grief. And going round that tree thrice, with an afflicted heart, that

best of women, Bhima's daughter, entered a more terrible part of the

forest. And wandering in quest of her lord, Bhima's daughter beheld many

trees and streams and delightful mountains, and many beasts and birds,

and caves, and precipices, and many rivers of wonderful appearance. And

as she proceeded she came upon a broad way where she saw with wonder a

body of merchants, with their horses and elephants, landing on the banks

of a river, full of clear and cool water, and lovely and charming to

behold, and broad, and covered with bushes of canes, and echoing with the

cries of cranes and ospreys and Chakravakas, and abounding in tortoises

and alligators and fishes, and studded with innumerable islets. And as

soon as as she saw that caravan, the beauteous and celebrated wife of

Nala, wild like a maniac, oppressed with grief, clad in half a garment,

lean and pale and smutted, and with hair covered with dust, drew near and

entered into its midst. And beholding her, some fled in fear, and some

became extremely anxious, and some cried aloud, and some laughed at her,

and some hated her. And some, O Bharata, felt pity for, and even

addressed, her, saying, 'O blessed one, who art thou, and whose? What

seekest thou in woods? Seeing thee here we have been terrified. Art thou

human? Tell us truly, O blessed one if thou art the goddess of this wood

or of this mountain or of the points of the heaven. We seek thy

protection. Art thou a female Yaksha, or a female Rakshasa, or a

celestial damsel? O thou of faultless features, do thou bless us wholly

and protect us. And, O blessed one, do thou so act that his caravan may

soon go hence in prosperity and that the welfare of all of us may be

secured.' Thus addressed by that caravan, the princess Damayanti, devoted

to her husband and oppressed by the calamity that had befallen her,

answered, saying, 'O leader of the caravan, ye merchants, ye youths, old

men, and children, and ye that compose this caravan, know me for a human

being. I am the daughter of a king, and the daughter in-law of a king,

and the consort also of a king, eager for the sight of my lord. The ruler

of the Vidarbhas is my father, and my husband is the lord of the

Nishadhas, named Nala. Even now I am seeking that unvanquished and

blessed one. If ye have chanced to see my beloved one, king Nala, that

tiger among men, that destroyer of hostile hosts, O tell me quick.'

Thereupon the leader of that great caravan, named Suchi, replied unto

Damayanti of faultless limbs, saying, 'O blessed one, listen to my words.

O thou of sweet smiles, I am a merchant and the leader of this caravan. O

illustrious lady, I have not seen any man of the name of Nala. In this

extensive forest uninhabited by men, there are only elephants and

leopards and buffaloes, and tigers and bears and other animals. Except

thee, I have not met with any man or woman here, so help us now

Manibhadra, the king of Yakshas!' Thus addressed by them she asked those

merchants as well as the leader of the host saying, 'It behoveth you to

tell me whither this caravan is bound.' The leader of the band said, 'O

daughter of a great king, for the purpose of profit this caravan is bound

direct for the city of Suvahu, the truth-telling ruler of the Chedis.'"

SECTION LXV

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having heard the words of the leader of that caravan,

Damayanti of faultless limbs proceeded with that caravan itself anxious

to behold her lord. And after having proceeded for many days the

merchants saw a large lake fragrant with lotuses in the midst of that

dense and terrible forest. And it was beautiful all over, and exceedingly

delightful, (with banks) abounding in grass and fuel and fruits and

flowers. And it was inhabited by various kinds of fowls and birds, and

fall of water that was pure and sweet. And it was cool and capable of

captivating the heart. And the caravan, worn out with toil, resolved to

halt there. And with the permission of their leader, they spread

themselves around those beautiful woods. And that mighty caravan finding

it was evening halted at that place. And (it came to pass that) at the

hour of midnight when everything was hushed and still and the tired

caravan had fallen asleep, a herd of elephants in going towards a

mountain stream to drink of its water befouled by their temporal juice,

saw that caravan as also the numerous elephants belonging to it. And

seeing their domesticated fellows the wild elephants infuriated and with

the temporal juice trickling down rushed impetuously on the former, with

the intention of killing them. And the force of the rush of those

elephants was hard to bear, like the impetuosity of peaks lessened from

mountain summits rolling towards the plain. The rushing elephants found

the forest paths to be all blocked up, for the goodly caravan was

sleeping obstructing the paths around that lake of lotuses. And the

elephants all of a sudden, began to crush the men lying insensible on the

ground. And uttering cries of 'Oh!' and 'Alas!' the merchants, blinded by

sleep, fled, in order to escape that danger, to copses and woods for

refuge. And some were slain by the tusks, and some by the trunks, and

some by the legs of those elephants. And innumerable camels and horses

were killed, and crowds of men on foot, running in fright, killed one

another. And uttering loud cries some fell down on the ground, and some

in fear climbed on trees, and some dropped down on uneven ground. And, O

king, thus accidentally attacked by that large herd of elephants, that

goodly caravan suffered a great loss. And there arose a tremendous uproar

calculated to frighten the three worlds, 'Lo! a great fire hath broken

out. Rescue us.

Do ye speedily fly away. Why do ye fly? Take the heaps of jewels

scattered around. All this wealth is a trifle. I do not speak falsely, 'I

tell you again, (exclaimed some one) think on my words, O ye distracted

one!' With such exclamation they ran about in fright. And Damayanti awoke

in fear and anxiety, while that terrible slaughter was raging there. And

beholding slaughter capable of awaking the fear of all the worlds, and

which was so unforeseen, the damsel of eyes like lotus leaves rose up,

wild with fright, and almost out of breath. And those of the caravan that

had escaped unhurt, met together, and asked one another, 'Of what deed of

ours is this the consequence? Surely, we have failed to worship the

illustrious Manibhadras, and likewise the exalted and graceful

Vaisravana, the king of the Yaksha. Perhaps, we have not worshipped the

deities that cause calamities, or perhaps, we have not paid them the

first homage. Or, perhaps, this evil is the certain consequence of the

birds (we saw). Our stars are not unpropitious. From what other cause,

then hath this disaster come?' Others, distressed and bereft of wealth

and relatives, said, 'That maniac-like woman who came amongst this mighty

caravan in guise that was strange and scarcely human, alas, it is by her

that this dreadful illusion had been pre-arranged. Of a certainty, she is

a terrible Rakshasa or a Yaksha or a Pisacha woman. All this evil is her

work, what need of doubts? If we again see that wicked destroyer of

merchants, that giver of innumerable woes, we shall certainly slay that

injurer of ours, with stones, and dust, and grass, and wood, and cuffs.'

And hearing these dreadful words of the merchants, Damayanti, in terror

and shame and anxiety, fled into the woods apprehensive of evil. And

reproaching herself she said, 'Alas! fierce and great is the wrath of God

on me. Peace followeth not in my track. Of what misdeed is this the

consequence? I do not remember that I did ever so little a wrong to any

one in thought, word, or deed. Of what deed, then, is this the

consequence? Certainly, it is on account of the great sins I had

committed in a former life that such calamity hath befallen me, viz., the

loss of my husband's kingdom, his defeat at the hands of his own kinsmen,

this separation from my lord and my son and daughter, this my unprotected

state, and my presence in this forest abounding in innumerable beasts of

prey!'"

"The next day, O king, the remnant of that caravan left the place

bewailing the destruction that had overtaken them and lamenting for their

dead brothers and fathers and sons and friends. And the princess of

Vidarbha began to lament, saying, 'Alas! What misdeed have I perpetrated!

The crowd of men that I obtained in this lone forest, hath been destroyed

by a herd of elephants, surely as a consequence of my ill luck. Without

doubt, I shall have to suffer misery for a long time. I have heard from

old men that no person dieth ere his time; it is for this that my

miserable self hath not been trodden to death by that herd of elephants.

Nothing that befalleth men is due to anything else than Destiny, for even

in my childhood I did not commit any such sin in thought, word, or deed,

whence might come this calamity. Methinks, I suffer this severance from

my husband through the potency of those celestial Lokapalas, who had come

to the Swayamvara but whom I disregarded for the sake of Nala.' Bewailing

thus, O tiger among kings, that excellent lady, Damayanti, devoted to her

husband, went, oppressed with grief and (pale) as the autumnal moon, with

those Brahmanas versed in the Vedas that had survived the slaughter of

the caravan. And departing speedily, towards evening, the damsel came to

the mighty city of the truth-telling Suvahu, the king of the Chedis. And

she entered that excellent city clad in half a garment. And the citizens

saw her as she went, overcome with fear, and lean, melancholy, her hair

dishevelled and soiled with dust, and maniac-like. And beholding her

enter the city of the king of the Chedis, the boys of the city, from

curiosity, began to follow her. And surrounded by them, she came before

the palace of the king. And from the terrace the queen-mother saw her

surrounded by the crowd. And she said to her nurse, 'Go and bring that

woman before me. She is forlorn and is being vexed by the crowd. She hath

fallen into distress and standeth in need of succour. I find her beauty

to be such that it illumineth my house. The fair one, though looking like

a maniac, seemeth a very Sree with her large eyes.' Thus commanded, the

nurse went out and dispersing the crowd brought Damayanti to that

graceful terrace. And struck with wonder, O king, she asked Damayanti,

saying, 'Afflicted though thou art with such distress, thou ownest a

beautiful form. Thou shinest like lightning in the midst of the clouds.

Tell me who thou art, and whose. O thou possessed of celestial splendour,

surely, thy beauty is not human, bereft though thou art of ornaments. And

although thou art helpless, yet thou art unmoved under the outrage of

these men.' Hearing these words of the nurse, the daughter of Bhima said,

Know that I am a female belonging to the human species and devoted to my

husband. I am a serving woman of good lineage. I live wherever I like,

subsisting on fruit and roots, and whom a companion, and stay where

evening overtaketh me. My husband is the owner of countless virtues and

was ever devoted to me. And I also, on my part, was deeply attached to

him, following him like his shadow. It chanced that once he became

desperately engaged at dice. Defeated at dice, he came along into the

forest. I accompanied my husband into the woods, comforting the hero clad

in a single piece of cloth and maniac-like and overwhelmed with calamity.

Once on a time for some cause, that hero, afflicted with hunger and

thirst and grief, was forced to abandon that sole piece of covering in

the forest. Destitute of garment and maniac-like and deprived of his

senses as he was, I followed him, myself in a single garment. Following

him, I did not sleep for nights together. Thus passed many days, until at

last while I was sleeping, he cut off half of my cloth, and forsook me

who had done him no wrong. I am seeking my husband but unable to find him

who is of hue like the filaments of the lotus, without being able to cast

my eyes on that delight of my heart, that dear lord who owneth my heart

and resembleth the celestials in mien, day and night do I burn in grief."

"Unto Bhima's daughter thus lamenting with tearful eyes, and afflicted

and speaking in accents choked in grief, the queen-mother herself said,

'O blessed damsel, do thou stay with me. I am well pleased with thee. O

fair lady, my men shall search for thy husband. Or, perhaps he may come

here of his own accord in course of his wanderings. And, O beautiful

lady, residing here thou wilt regain thy (lost) lord.' Hearing these

words of the queen mother, Damayanti replied, 'O mother of heroes, I may

stay with thee on certain conditions. I shall not eat the leavings on any

dish, nor shall I wash anybody's feet, nor shall I have to speak with

other men. And if anybody shall seek me (as a wife or mistress) he should

be liable to punishment at thy hands. And, further, should he solicit me

over and over again, that wicked one should be punished with death. This

is the vow I have made. I intend to have an interview with those

Brahmanas that will set out to search for my husband. If thou canst do

all this, I shall certainly live with thee. If it is otherwise, I cannot

find it in my heart to reside with thee.' The queen-mother answered her

with a glad heart, saying, 'I will do all this. Thou hast done well in

adopting such a vow!'"

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O king, having spoken so unto the daughter of

Bhima, the queen-mother, O Bharata, said to her daughter named Sunanda,

'O Sunanda, accept this lady like a goddess as thy Sairindhri! Let her be

thy companion, as she is of the same age with thee. Do thou, with heart

free from care, always sport with her in joy.' And Sunanda cheerfully

accepted Damayanti and led her to her own apartment accompanied by her

associates. And treated with respect, Damayanti was satisfied, and she

continued to reside there without anxiety of any kind, for all her wishes

were duly gratified.'"

SECTION LXVI

"Vrihadaswa said, 'O monarch, having deserted Damayanti, king Nala saw a

mighty conflagration that was raging in that dense forest. And in the

midst of that conflagration, he heard the voice of some creature,

repeatedly crying aloud, 'O righteous Nala, come hither.' And answering,

'Fear not,' he entered into the midst of the fire and beheld a mighty

Naga lying in coils. And the Naga with joined hands, and trembling, spake

unto Nala, saying, 'O king, that I am a snake, Karkotaka by name. I had

deceived the great Rishi Narada of high ascetic merit, and by him have I

been cursed in wrath, O king of men, even in words such as these: 'Stay

thou here like an immobile thing, until one Nala taketh thee hence. And,

indeed, on the spot to which he will carry thee, there shalt thou he

freed from my curse. It is for that curse of his that I am unable to stir

one step. I will instruct thee in respect of thy welfare. It behoveth

thee to deliver me. I will be thy friend. There is no snake equal to me.

I will be light in thy hands. Taking me up, do thou speedily go hence.'

Having said this, that prince of snakes became as small as the thumb. And

taking him up, Nala went to a spot free from fire. Having reached an open

spot where there was no fire, Nala intended to drop the serpent, upon

which Karkotaka again addressed him, saying, 'O king of the Nishadhas,

proceed thou yet, counting a few steps of thine; meanwhile, O

mighty-armed one, I will do thee great good.' And as Nala began to count

his steps, the snake bit him at the tenth step. And, lo! As he was bit,

his form speedily underwent a change. And beholding his change of form,

Nala was amazed. And the king saw the snake also assume his own form. And

the snake Karkotaka, comforting Nala, spake unto him, 'I have deprived

thee of thy beauty, so that people may not recognise thee. And, O Nala,

he by whom thou hast been deceived and cast into distress, shall dwell in

thee tortured by my venom. And, O monarch, as long as he doth not leave

thee, he will have to dwell in pain in thy body with thee every limb

filled with my venom. And, O ruler of men I have saved from the hands of

him who from anger and hate deceived thee, perfectly innocent though thou

art and undeserving of wrong. And, O tiger among men, through my grace,

thou shalt have (no longer) any fear from animals with fangs from

enemies, and from Brahmanas also versed in the Vedas, O king! Nor shalt

thou, O monarch, feel pain on account of my poison. And, O foremost of

kings, thou shalt be ever victorious in battle. This very day, O prince,

O lord of Nishadhas, go to the delightful city of Ayodhya, and present

thyself before Rituparna skilled in gambling, saying, 'I am a charioteer,

Vahuka by name.' And that king will give thee his skill in dice for thy

knowledge of horses. Sprung from the line of Ikswaku, and possessed of

prosperity, he will be thy friend. When thou wilt be an adept at dice,

thou shalt then have prosperity. Thou wilt also meet with thy wife and

thy children, and regain thy kingdom. I tell thee this truly. Therefore,

let not thy mind be occupied by sorrow. And, O lord of men, when thou

shouldst desire to behold thy proper form, thou shouldst remember me, and

wear this garment. Upon wearing this, thou shalt get back thy own form.'

And saying this, that Naga then gave unto Nala two pieces of celestial

cloth. And, O son of the Kuru race, having thus instructed Nala, and

presented him with the attire, the king of snakes, O monarch, made

himself invisible there and then!'"

SECTION LXVII

"Vrihadaswa said, 'After the snake had vanquished, Nala, the ruler of the

Nishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day entered the city of Rituparna.

And he approached the king, saying, 'My name is Vahuka. There is no one

in this world equal to me in managing steeds. My counsel also should be

sought in matters of difficulty and in all affairs of skill. I also

surpass others in the art of cooking. In all those arts that exists in

this world, and also in every thing difficult of accomplishment, I will

strive to attain success, O Rituparna, do thou maintain me.' And

Rituparna replied, 'O Vahuka, stay with me! May good happen to thee. Thou

wilt even perform all this. I have always particularly desired to be

driven fast. Do thou concert such measures that my steeds may become

fleet. I appoint thee the superintendent of my stables. Thy pay shall be

ten thousand (coins). Both Varshneya and Jivala shall always be under thy

direction. Thou wilt live pleasantly in their company. Therefore, O

Vahuka, stay thou with me.'"

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Thus addressed by the king, Nala began to dwell

in the city of Rituparna, treated with respect and with Varshneya and

Jivala as his companions. And residing there, the king (Nala),

remembering the princess of Vidarbha, recited every evening the following

sloka: 'Where lieth that helpless one afflicted with hunger and thirst

and worn with toil, thinking of that wretch? And upon whom also doth she

now wait?' And once as the king was reciting this in the night, Jivala

asked him saying, 'O Vahuka, whom dost thou lament thus daily? I am

curious to hear it. O thou blest with length of days, whose spouse is she

whom thus lamentest?' Thus questioned, king Nala answered him, saying, 'A

certain person devoid of sense had a wife well-known to many. That wretch

was false in his promises. For some reason that wicked person was

separated from her. Separated from her, that wretch wandered about

oppressed with woe, and burning with grief he resteth not by day or

night. And at night, remembering her, he singeth this sloka. Having

wandered over the entire world, he hath at last found a refuge, and

undeserving of the distress that hath befallen him, passeth his days,

thus remembering his wife. When calamity had overtaken this man, his wife

followed him into the woods. Deserted by that man of little virtue, her

life itself is in danger. Alone, without knowledge of ways, ill able to

bear distress, and fainting with hunger and thirst, the girl can hardly

protect her life. And, O friend, she hath been deserted by that man of

small fortune and having little sense, with the wide and terrible forest,

ever abounding in beasts of prey'--

"Thus remembering Damayanti, the king of the Nishadhas continued to live

unknown in the abode of that monarch!"

SECTION LXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Nala, despoiled of his kingdom, had, with his

wife, become a bondsman, Bhima with the desire of seeing Nala sent out

Brahmanas to search for him. And giving them profuse wealth, Bhima

enjoined on them, saying, 'Do ye search for Nala, and also for my

daughter Damayanti. He who achieveth this task, viz., ascertaining where

the ruler of the Nishadhas is, bringeth him and my daughter hither, will

obtain from me a thousand kine, and fields, and a village resembling a

town. Even if failing to bring Damayanti and Nala here, he that succeeds

learning their whereabouts, will get from me the wealth represented by a

thousand kine.' Thus addressed, the Brahmanas cheerfully went out in all

directions seeking Nala and his wife in cities and provinces. But Nala or

his spouse they found not anywhere. Until at length searching in the

beautiful city of the Chedis, a Brahmana named Sudeva, during the time of

the king's prayers, saw the princess of Vidarbha in the palace of the

king, seated with Sunanda. And her incomparable beauty was slightly

perceptible, like the brightness of a fire enveloped in curls of smoke.

And beholding that lady of large eyes, soiled and emaciated he decided

her to be Damayanti, coming to that conclusion from various reasons. And

Sudeva said, 'As I saw her before, this damsel is even so at present. O,

I am blest, by casting my eyes on this fair one, like Sree herself

delighting the worlds! Resembling the full moon, of unchanging youth, of

well-rounded breasts, illumining all sides by her splendour, possessed of

large eyes like beautiful lotuses, like unto Kama's Rati herself the

delight of all the worlds like the rays of the full moon, O, she looketh

like a lotus-stalk transplanted by adverse fortune from the Vidarbha lake

and covered with mire in the process. And oppressed with grief on account

of her husband, and melancholy, she looketh like the night of the full

moon when Rahu hath swallowed that luminary, or like a stream whose

current hath dried up. Her plight is very much like that of a ravaged

lake with the leaves of its lotuses crushed by the trunks of elephants,

and with its birds and fowls affrighted by the invasion. Indeed, this

girl, of a delicate frame and of lovely limbs, and deserving to dwell in

a mansion decked with gems, is (now) like an uprooted lotus-stalk

scorched by the sun. Endued with beauty and generosity of nature, and

destitute of ornaments, though deserving of them, she looketh like the

moon 'new bent in haven' but covered with black clouds. Destitute of

comforts and luxuries, separated from loved ones and friends, she liveth

in distress, supported by the hope of beholding her lord. Verily, the

husband is the best ornament of a woman, however destitute of ornaments.

Without her husband beside her, this lady, though beautiful, shineth not.

It is a hard feat achieved by Nala in that he liveth without succumbing

to grief, though separated from such a wife. Beholding this damsel

possessed of black hair and of eyes like lotus-leaves, in woe though

deserving of bliss, even my heart is pained. Alas! when shall this girl

graced with auspicious marks and devoted to her husband, crossing this

ocean of woe, regain the company of her lord, like Rohini regaining the

Moon's? Surely, the king of the Nishadhas will experience in regaining

her the delight that a king deprived of his kingdom experienceth in

regaining his kingdom. Equal to her in nature and age and extraction,

Nala deserveth the daughter of Vidarbha, and this damsel of black eyes

also deserveth him. It behoveth me to comfort the queen of that hero of

immeasurable prowess and endued with energy and might, (since) she is so

eager to meet her husband. I will console this afflicted girl of face

like the full moon, and suffering distress that she had never before

endured, and ever meditating on her lord.'

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having thus reflected on these various

circumstances and signs, the Brahmana, Sudeva, approached Damayanti, and

addressed her, saying, 'O princess of Vidarbha, I am Sudeva, the dear

friend of thy brother. I have come here, seeking thee, at the desire of

king Bhima. Thy father is well, and also thy mother, and thy brothers.

And thy son and daughter, blessed with length of days, are living in

peace. Thy relatives, though alive, are almost dead on thy account, and

hundreds of Brahmanas are ranging the world in search of thee."

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O Yudhishthira, Damayanti recognising Sudeva,

asked him respecting all her relatives and kinsmen one after another.

And, O monarch, oppressed with grief, the princess of Vidarbha began to

weep bitterly, at the unexpected sight of Sudeva, that foremost of

Brahmanas and the friend of her brother. And, O Bharata, beholding

Damayanti weeping, and conversing in private with Sudeva, Sunanda was

distressed, and going to her mother informed her, saying, 'Sairindhri is

weeping bitterly in the presence of a Brahmana. If thou likest, satisfy

thyself.' And thereupon the mother of the king of the Chedis, issuing

from the inner apartments of the palace, came to the place where the girl

(Damayanti) was with that Brahmana. Then calling Sudeva, O king, the

queen-mother asked him, 'Whose wife is this fair one, and whose daughter?

How hath this lady of beautiful eyes been deprived of the company of her

relatives and of her husband as well? And how also hast thou come to know

this lady fallen into such a plight? I wish to hear all this in detail

from thee. Do truly relate unto me who am asking thee about this damsel

of celestial beauty.' Then, O king, thus addressed by the queen-mother,

Sudeva, that best of Brahmanas, sat at his ease, and began to relate the

true history of Damayanti.'"

SECTION LXIX

"Sudeva said, 'There is a virtuous and illustrious ruler of the

Vidarbhas, Bhima by name. This blessed lady is his daughter, and widely

known by the name of Damayanti. And there is a king ruling the Nishadhas,

named Nala, the son of Virasena. This blessed lady is the wife of that

wise and righteous monarch. Defeated at dice by his brother, and

despoiled of his kingdom, that king, accompanied by Damayanti, went away

without the knowledge of any one. We have been wandering over the whole

earth in search of Damayanti. And that girl is at last found in the house

of thy son. No woman existeth that is her rival in beauty. Between the

eye-brows of this ever-youthful damsel, there is an excellent mole from

birth, resembling a lotus. Noticed by us (before) it seems to have

disappeared, covered, (as her forehead is) with (a coat of) dust even

like the moon hid in clouds. Placed there by the Creator himself as an

indication of prosperity and wealth, that mole is visible faintly, like

the cloud-covered lunar crescent of the first day of the lighted

fortnight. And covered as her body is with dust, her beauty hath not

disappeared. Though careless of her person, it is still manifest, and

shineth like gold. And this girl--goddess-like--capable of being

identified by this form of hers and that mole, hath been discovered by me

as one discovereth a fire that is covered, by its heat!'

"O king, hearing these words of Sudeva, Sunanda washed the dust that

covered the mole between Damayanti's eye-brows. And thereupon it became

visible like the moon in the sky, just emerged from the clouds. And

seeing that mole, O Bharata, Sunanda and the queen-mother began to weep,

and embracing Damayanti stood silent for a while. And the queen-mother,

shedding tears as she spoke, said in gentle accents, 'By this thy mole, I

find that thou art the daughter of my sister. O beauteous girl, thy

mother and I are both daughters of the high-souled Sudaman, the ruler of

the Dasarnas. She was bestowed upon king Bhima, and I on Viravahu. I

witnessed thy birth at our father's palace in the country of the

Dasarnas. O beautiful one, my house is to thee even as thy father's. And

this wealth, O Damayanti, is thine as much as mine.' As this, O king,

Damayanti bowing down to her mother's sister with a glad heart, spake

unto her these words, 'Unrecognised, I have still lived happily with

thee, every want of mine satisfied and myself cared for by thee. And

happy as my stay hath been, it would, without doubt, be happier still.

But, mother, I have long been an exile. It behoveth thee, therefore, to

grant me permission (to depart). My son and daughter, sent to my father's

palace, are living there. Deprived of their father, and of their mother

also, how are they passing their days stricken with sorrow. If thou

wishest to do what is agreeable to me, do thou without loss of time,

order a vehicle, for I wish to go to the Vidarbhas.' At this, O king, the

sister to (Damayanti's) mother, with a glad heart, said, 'So be it'. And

the queen-mother with her son's permission, O chief of the Bharatas, sent

Damayanti in handsome litter carried by men, protected by a large escort

and provided with food and drink and garments of the first quality. And

soon enough she reached the country of the Vidarbhas. And all her

relatives, rejoicing (in her arrival) received her with respect. And

seeing her relatives, her children, both her parents, and all her maids,

to be well, the illustrious Damayanti, O king, worshipped the gods and

Brahmanas according to the superior method. And the king rejoiced at

beholding his daughter gave unto Sudeva a thousand kine and much wealth

and a village. And, O king, having spent that night at her father's

mansion and recovered from fatigue, Damayanti addressed her mother,

saying, 'O mother, if thou wishest me to live, I tell thee truly, do thou

endeavour to bring Nala, that hero among men.' Thus addressed by

Damayanti, the venerable queen became filled with sorrow. And bathed in

tears, she was unable to give any answer. And beholding her in that

plight, all the inmates of the inner apartments broke out into

exclamation of 'Oh!' And 'Alas'! and began to cry bitterly. And then the

queen addressed the mighty monarch Bhima, saying, 'Thy daughter Damayanti

mourneth on account of her husband. Nay, banishing away all bashfulness,

she hath herself, O king, declared her mind to me. Let thy men strive to

find out (Nala) the righteous.' Thus informed by her the king sent the

Brahmanas under him in all directions, saying, 'Exert ye to discover

Nala.' And those Brahmanas, commanded by the ruler of the Vidarbhas (to

seek Nala) appeared before Damayanti and told her of the journey they

were about to undertake. And Bhima's daughter spake unto them saying, 'Do

ye cry in every realm and in every assembly, 'O beloved gambler, where

hast thou gone cutting off half of my garment, and deserting the dear and

devoted wife asleep in the forest? And that girl, as commanded by thee

stayeth expecting thee, clad in half a piece of cloth and burning with

grief! O king, O hero, relent towards, and answer, her who incessantly

weepeth for that grief. This and more ye will say, so that he may be

inclined to pity me. Assisted by the wind, fire consumeth the forest.

(Further, ye will say that) the wife is always to be protected and

maintained by the husband. Why then, good as thou art and acquainted with

every duty, hast thou neglected both the duties? Possessed of fame and

wisdom, and lineage, and kindness, why hast thou be unkind? I fear, this

is owing to the loss of my good luck! Therefore, O tiger among men, have

pity on me. O bull among men! I have heard it from thee that kindness is

the highest virtue. Speaking so, if anybody answereth you, that person

should by all means, be known, and ye should learn who he is, and where

he dwelleth. And ye foremost of regenerate ones, do ye bring me the words

of him who hearing this your speech will chance to answer. Ye should also

act with such care that no one may know the words ye utter to be at my

command, nor that ye will come back to me. And ye should also learn

whether that answers is wealthy, or poor, or destitute of power, in fact

all about him.'

"Thus instructed by Damayanti, O king, the Brahmanas set out in all

directions in search of Nala overtaken with such disaster. And the

Brahmanas, O king, searched for him in cities and kingdoms and villages,

and retreats of ascetics, and places inhabited by cow-herds. And, O

monarch, wherever they went they recited the speeches that Damayanti had

directed them to do."

SECTION LXX

"Vrihadaswa said, 'After a long time had passed away, a Brahmana named

Parnada returned to the city (of the Vidarbhas), and said unto the

daughter of Bhima, 'O Damayanti, seeking Nala, the king of Nishadhas, I

came to the city of Ayodhya, and appeared before the son of Bhangasura.

And, O best of women, I repeated those words of thine in the presence of

the blessed Rituparna. But hearing them neither that ruler of men, nor

his courtiers, answered anything, although I uttered them repeatedly.

Then, after I had been dismissed by the monarch, I was accosted by a

person in the service of Rituparna, named Vahuka. And Vahuka is the

charioteer of that king, of unsightly appearance and possessed of short

arms. And he is skillful in driving with speed, and well acquainted with

the culinary art. And sighing frequently, and weeping again and again, he

inquired about my welfare and afterwards said these words, 'Chaste women,

although fallen into distress, yet protect themselves and thus certainly

secure heaven. Although they may be deserted by their lords, they do not

yet become angry on that account, for women that are chaste lead their

lives, encased in the armour of virtuous behaviour. It behoveth her not

to be angry, since he that deserted her was overwhelmed with calamity,

and deprived of every bliss. A beauteous and virtuous woman should not be

angry with one that was deprived by birds of his garment while striving

to procure sustenance and who is being consumed with grief. Whether

treated well or ill, such a wife should never indulge in ire, beholding

her husband in that plight, despoiled of kingdom and destitute of

prosperity, oppressed with hunger and overwhelmed with calamity.' Hearing

these words of his, I have speedily come here. Thou hast now heard all.

Do what thou thinkest proper, and inform the king of it.'

"O king, having heard these words of Parnada, Damayanti with tearful eyes

came to her mother, and spake unto her in private, 'O mother, king Bhima

should not, by any means, be made acquainted with my purpose. In thy

presence will I employ that best of Brahmanas, Sudeva! If thou desirest

my welfare, act in such a way that king Bhima may not know my purpose.

Let Sudeva without delay go hence to the city of Ayodhya, for the purpose

of bringing Nala, O mother, having performed the same auspicious rites by

virtue of which he had speedily brought me into the midst of friends.'

With these words, after Parnada had recovered from fatigue, the princess

of Vidarbha worshipped him with profuse wealth and also said, 'When Nala

will come here, O Brahmana, I will bestow on thee wealth in abundance

again. Thou hast done me the immense service which none else, indeed, can

do me, for, (owing to that service of thine), O thou best of the

regenerate ones, I shall speedily regain my (lost) lord.' And thus

addressed by Damayanti, that high-minded Brahmana comforted her, uttering

benedictory words of auspicious import, and then went home, regarding his

mission to have been successful. And after he had gone away, Damayanti

oppressed with grief and distress, calling Sudeva, addressed him, O

Yudhishthira, in the presence of her mother, saying, 'O Sudeva, go thou

to the city of Ayodhya, straight as a bird, and tell king Rituparna

living there, these words: 'Bhima's daughter, Damayanti will hold another

Swayamvara. All the kings and princes are going thither. Calculating the

time, I find that the ceremony will take place tomorrow. O represser of

foes, if it is possible for thee, go thither without delay. Tomorrow,

after the sun hath risen, she will choose a second husband, as she doth

not know whether the heroic Nala liveth or not. And addressed by her, O

monarch thus, Sudeva set out. And he said unto Rituparna, all that he had

been directed to say.'"

SECTION LXXI

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having heard the words of Sudeva king Rituparna,

soothing Vahuka with gentle words, said, 'O Vahuka, thou art well-skilled

in training and guiding horses. If it pleases thee, I intend to go to

Damayanti's Swayamvara in course of a single day.' Thus addressed, O son

of Kunti, by that king, Nala felt his heart to be bursting in grief. And

the high-souled king seemed to burn in sorrow. And he thought within

himself, 'Perhaps Damayanti in doing this is blinded by sorrow. Or,

perhaps, she hath conceived this magnificent scheme for my sake. Alas,

cruel is the deed that the innocent princess of Vidarbha intends to do,

having been deceived by my sinful and low self of little sense. It is

seen in the world that the nature of woman is inconstant. My offence also

hath been great; perhaps she is acting so, because she hath no longer any

love for me owing to my separation from her. Indeed, that girl of slender

waist, afflicted with grief on my account and with despair, will not

certainly do anything of the kind, when especially, she is the mother of

offspring (by me). However whether this is true or false, I shall

ascertain with certitude by going thither. I will, therefore, accomplish

Rituparna's and my own purpose also.' Having resolved thus in his mind,

Vahuka, with his heart in sorrow, spake unto king Rituparna, with joined

hands, saying, 'O monarch, I bow to thy behest, and, O tiger among men, I

will go to the city of the Vidarbhas in a single day. O king!' Then, O

monarch, at the command of the royal son of Bhangasura, Vahuka went to

the stables and began to examine the horses. And repeatedly urged by

Rituparna to make haste, Vahuka after much scrutiny and careful

deliberation, selected some steeds that were lean-fleshed, yet strong and

capable of a long journey and endued with energy and strength of high

breed and docility, free from inauspicious marks, with wide nostrils and

swelling cheeks, free from faults as regards the ten hairy curls, born in

(the country of) Sindhu, and fleet as the winds. And seeing those horses,

the king said somewhat angrily, 'What is this, that thou wishest to do?

Thou shouldst not jest with us. How can these horses of mine, weak in

strength and breath, carry us? And how shall we be able to go this long

way by help of these?' Vahuka replied, 'Each of these horses bears one

curl on his forehead, two on his temples, four on his sides, four on his

chest, and one on his back. Without doubt, these steeds will be able to

go to the country of the Vidarbhas. If, O king, thou thinkest of choosing

others, point them out and I shall yoke them for thee.' Rituparna

rejoined, 'O Vahuka, thou art versed in the science of horses and art

also skillful (in guiding them). Do thou speedily yoke those that thou

thinkest to be able.' Thereupon the skillful Nala yoked upon the car four

excellent steeds of good breed that were, besides, docile and fleet. And

after the steeds had been yoked, the king without loss of time mounted

upon the car, when those best of horses fell down upon the ground on

their knees. Then, O king, that foremost of men, the blessed king Nala

began to soothe horses endued with energy and strength. And raising them

up with the reins and making the charioteer Varshneya sit on the car, he

prepared to set out with great speed. And those best of steeds, duly

urged by Vahuka, rose to the sky, confounding the occupant of the

vehicle. And beholding those steeds gifted with the speed of the wind

thus drawing the car, the blessed king of Ayodhaya was exceedingly

amazed. And noticing the rattle of the car and also the management of the

steeds, Varshneya reflected upon Vahuka's skill in guiding horses. And he

thought, 'Is he Matali, the charioteer of the king of the celestials? I

find the same magnificent indications in the heroic Vahuka. Or, hath

Salihotra versed in the science of horses taken this human shape so

beautiful? Or, is it king Nala the reducer of hostile towns that hath

come here? Or, it may be that this Vahuka knoweth the science that Nala

knoweth, for I perceive that the knowledge of Vahuka is equal to that of

Nala. Further, Vahuka and Nala are of the same age. This one, again, may

not be Nala of high prowess, but somebody of equal knowledge. Illustrious

persons, however, walk this earth in disguise in consequence of

misfortune, or agreeably to the ordinance of the scriptures. That this

person is of unsightly appearance need not change my opinion; for Nala, I

think, may even be despoiled of his personal features. In respect of age

this one equals Nala. There is difference, however, in personal

appearance. Vahuka, again is endued with every accomplishment. I think,

therefore, he is Nala.' Having thus reasoned long in his mind, O mighty

monarch, Varshneya, the (former) charioteer of the righteous Nala, became

absorbed in thought. And that foremost of kings Rituparna, also,

beholding the skill of Vahuka in equestrian science experienced great

delight, along with his charioteer Varshneya. And thinking of Vahuka's

application and ardour and the manner of his holding the reins, the king

felt exceedingly glad.'"

SECTION LXXII

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Like a bird coursing through the sky, Nala soon

crossed rivers and mountains, and woods and lakes. And while the car was

coursing thus, that conqueror of hostile cities, the royal son of

Bhangasura, saw his upper garment drop down on the ground. And at soon as

his garment had dropped down the high-minded monarch, without loss of

time, told Nala, 'I intend to recover it. O thou of profound

intelligence, retain these steeds endued with exceeding swiftness until

Varshneya bringeth back my garment.' Thereupon Nala replied unto him,

'The sheet is dropped down far away. We have travelled one yojana thence.

Therefore, it is incapable of being recovered.' After Nala had addressed

him thus, O king, the royal son of Bhangasura came upon a Vibhitaka tree

with fruits in a forest. And seeing that tree, the king hastily said to

Vahuka, 'O charioteer, do thou also behold my high proficiency in

calculation. All men do not know everything. There is no one that is

versed in every science of art. Knowledge in its entirety is not found in

any one person, O Vahuka, the leaves and fruits of this tree that are

lying on the ground respectively exceed those that are on it by one

hundred and one. The two branches of the tree have fifty millions of

leaves, and two thousand and ninety five fruits. Do thou examine these

two branches and all their boughs.' Thereupon staying the car Vahuka

addressed the king, saying, 'O crusher of foes, thou takest credit to

thyself in a matter which is beyond my perception. But, O monarch, I will

ascertain it by the direct evidence of my senses, by cutting down the

Vibhitaka. O king, when I actually count, it will no longer be matter of

speculation. Therefore, in thy presence, O monarch, I will hew down this

Vibhitaka. I do not know whether it be not (as thou hast said). In thy

presence, O ruler of men, I will count the fruits and leaves. Let

Varshneya hold the reins of the horses for a while.' Unto the charioteer

the king replied, 'There is no time to lose.' But Vahuka answered with

humility, 'Stay thou a short space, or, if thou art in a hurry, go then,

making Varshneya thy charioteer. The road lies direct and even.' And at

this, O son of the Kuru race, soothing Vahuka, Rituparna said, 'O Vahuka,

thou art the only charioteer, there is none other in this world. And, O

thou versed in horse lore, it is through thy help that I expect to go to

the Vidarbhas. I place myself in thy hands. It behoveth thee not to cause

any obstacle. And, O Vahuka, whatever thy wish. I will grant it if taking

me to the country of the Vidarbhas to-day, thou makest me see the sun

rise.' At this, Vahuka answered him, saying, 'After having counted (the

leaves and fruits of the) Vibhitaka, I shall proceed to Vidarbha, do thou

agree to my words. Then the king reluctantly told him, 'Count. And on

counting the leaves and fruits of a portion of this branch, thou wilt be

satisfied of the truth of my assertion.' And thereupon Vahuka speedily

alighted from the car, and felled that tree. And struck with amazement

upon finding the fruits, after calculation, to be what the king had said,

he addressed the king, saying, 'O monarch, this thy power is wonderful. I

desire, O prince, to know the art by which thou hast ascertained all

this.' And at this king, intent upon proceeding speedily, said unto

Vahuka. 'Know that I am proficient at dice besides being versed in

numbers. And Vahuka said unto him, 'Impart unto me this knowledge and, O

bull among men, take from me my knowledge of horses.' And king Rituparna,

having regard to the importance of the act that depended upon Vahuka's

good-will, and tempted also by the horse-lore (that his charioteer

possessed), said, 'So be it.' As solicited by thee, receive this science

of dice from me, and, O Vahuka, let my equine science remain with thee in

trust.' And saying this, Rituparna imparted unto Nala the science (he

desired). And Nala upon becoming acquainted with the science of dice,

Kali came out of his body, incessantly vomiting from his mouth the

virulent poison of Karkotaka.

And when Kali, afflicted (by Damayanti's curse) came out (of Nala's

body), the fire of that curse also left Kali. Indeed, long had been the

time for which the king had been afflicted by Kali, as if he were of

unregenerate soul. And Kala the ruler of the Nishadhas, in wrath, was

bent upon cursing Kali, when the latter, frightened, and trembling, said

with joined hands, 'Control thy wrath, O king! I will render thee

illustrious. Indrasena's mother had formerly cursed me in anger when she

had been deserted by thee. Ever since that time undergoing sore

affliction I resided in thee, O mighty monarch, O unconquered one,

miserably and burning night and day with the venom of the prince of

snakes. I seek thy protection. If thou dost not curse me who am

affrighted and seek thy protection, then those men that will attentively

recite thy history, shall be even free from fear on my account.' And thus

addressed by Kali, king Nala controlled his wrath. And thereupon the

frightened Kali speedily entered into the Vibhitaka tree. And while the

Kali was conversing with Naishadha, he was invisible to others. And

delivered from his afflictions, and having counted the fruits of that

tree, the king, filled with great joy and of high energy, mounted on the

car and proceeded with energy, urging those fleet horses. And from the

touch of Kali the Vibhitaka tree from that hour fell into disrepute. And

Nala, with a glad heart, began to urge those foremost of steeds which

sprang into the air once and again like creatures endued with wings. And

the illustrious monarch drove (the car) in the direction of the

Vidarbhas. And after Nala had gone far away, Kali also returned to his

abode. And abandoned by Kali, O king, that lord of earth, the royal Nala,

became freed from calamity though he did not assume his native form.'"

SECTION LXXIII

"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Rituparna of prowess incapable of being baffled

had, in the evening, arrived at the city of the Vidarbhas, the people

brought unto king Bhima the tidings (of his arrival). And at the

invitation of Bhima, the king (of Ayodhya) entered the city of Kundina,

filling with the rattle of his car all the ten points, direct and

transverse, of the horizon. And the steeds of Nala that were in that city

heard that sound, and hearing it they became delighted as they used to be

in the presence of Nala himself. And Damayanti also heard the sound of

that car driven by Nala, like the deep roar of the clouds in the rainy

season. And Bhima and the steeds (of Nala) regarded the clatter of that

car to be like that which they used to hear in days of yore when king

Nala himself urged his own steeds. And the peacocks on the terraces, and

the elephants in the stables, and the horses also, all heard the rattle

of Rituparna's car. And hearing the sound, so like the roar of the

clouds, the elephants and the peacocks, O king, began to utter their

cries, facing that direction, and filled with delight such as they

experience when they hear the actual roar of the clouds. And Damayanti

said, 'Because the rattle of his car filling the whole earth, gladdens my

heart, it must be King Nala (that has come). If I do not see Nala, of

face bright as the moon, that hero with countless virtues, I shall

certainly die. If I am not clasped today in that hero's thrilling

embrace, I shall certainly cease to be. If Naishadha with voice deep as

that of the clouds doth not come to me today, I shall enter into a pyre

of golden brilliance. If that foremost of kings, powerful as a lion and

gifted with the strength of an infuriated elephant, doth not present

himself before me, I shall certainly cease to live. I do not remember a

single untruth in him, or a single wrong done by him to others. Never

hath he spoken an untruth even in jest. Oh, my Nala is exalted and

forgiving and heroic and magnificent and superior to all other kings, and

faithful to his marriage vow and like unto a eunuch in respect of other

females. Night and day dwelling upon his perceptions, my heart, in

absence of that dear one, is about to burst in grief.'

"Thus bewailing as if devoid of sense, Damayanti, O Bharata, ascended the

terrace (of her mansion) with the desire of seeing the righteous Nala.

And in the yard of the central mansion she beheld king Rituparna on the

car with Varshneya and Vahuka. And Varshneya and Vahuka, descending for

that excellent vehicle, unyoked the steeds, and kept the vehicle itself

in a proper place. And king Rituparna also, descending from the car,

presented himself before king Bhima possessed of terrible prowess. And

Bhima received him with great respect, for in the absence of a proper

occasion, a great person cannot be had (as a guest). And honoured by

Bhima, king Rituparna looked about him again and again, but saw no traces

of the Swayamvara. And the ruler of the Vidarbhas, O Bharata, approaching

Rituparna, said, 'Welcome! What is the occasion of this thy visit?' And

king Bhima asked this without knowing that Rituparna had come to obtain

the hand of his daughter. And king Rituparna, of unbaffled prowess and

gifted with intelligence, saw that there were no other kings or princes.

Nor did he hear any talk relating to the Swayamvara, nor saw any

concourse of Brahmanas. And at this, the king of Kosala reflected a while

and at length said, 'I have come here to pay my respects to thee.' And

the king Bhima was struck with astonishment, and reflected upon the

(probable) cause of Rituparna's coming, having passed over a hundred

yojanas. And he reflected, 'That passing by other sovereigns, and leaving

behind him innumerable countries, he should come simply to pay his

respect to me is scarcely the reason of his arrival. What he assigneth to

be the cause of his coming appeareth to be a trifle. However, I shall

learn the true reason in the future.' And although king Bhima thought so,

he did not dismiss Rituparna summarily, but said unto him again and

again, 'Rest, thou art weary.' And honoured thus by the pleased Bhima,

king Rituparna was satisfied, and with a delighted heart, he went to his

appointed quarters followed by the servants of the royal household."

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'And, O king, after Rituparna had gone away with

Varshneya, Vahuka took the car to the stables. And there freeing the

steeds, and tending them according to rule, and soothing them himself,

sat down on a side of the car. Meanwhile, the princess of Vidharva,

Damayanti, afflicted with grief, having beheld the royal son of

Bhangasura, and Varshneya of the Suta race, and also Vahuka in that

guise, asked herself, 'Whose is this car-rattle? It was loud as that of

Nala, but I do not see the ruler of the Nishadhas. Certainly, Varshneya

hath learnt the art from Nala, and it is for this the rattle of the car

driven by him hath been even like that of Nala. Or, is Rituparna equally

skilled with Nala so that the rattle of his car seemeth to be like that

of Nala?' And reflecting thus, O monarch, the blessed and beauteous girl

sent a female messenger in search of Nishada."

SECTION LXXIV

"Damayanti said, 'O Kesini, go thou and learn who that charioteer is that

sitteth by the car, unsightly and possessed of short arms. O blessed one,

O faultless one, approaching him, cautiously and with suit words, make

thou the usual inquiries of courtesy and learn all particulars truly.

Having regard to the feeling of satisfaction my mind experienceth, and

the delight my heart feeleth, I am greatly afraid this one is king Nala

himself. And, O faultless one, having inquired after his welfare, thou

shalt speak unto him the words of Parnada. And, O beauteous one,

understand the reply he may make thereto.' Thus instructed, that female

messenger, going cautiously, while the blessed Damayanti watched from the

terrace, addressed Vahuka in these words, 'O foremost of men, thou art

welcome. I wish thee happiness. O bull among men, hear now the words of

Damayanti. When did ye all set out, and with what object have ye come

hither. Tell us truly, for the princess of Vidarbha wisheth to hear it.'

Thus addressed, Vahuka answered, the illustrious king of Kosala had heard

from a Brahmana that a second Swayamvara of Damayanti would take place.

And hearing it, he hath come here, by the help of excellent steeds fleet

as the wind and capable of going a hundred yojanas. I am his charioteer.

Kesini then asked, 'Whence doth the third among you come, and whose (son)

is he? And whose son art thou, and how hast thou come to do this work?'

Thus questioned, Vahuka replied, 'He (of whom thou inquirest) was the

charioteer of the virtuous Nala, and known to all by the name of

Varshneya. After Nala had, O beauteous one, left his kingdom, he came to

the son of Bhangasura. I am skilled in horse-lore, and have, therefore,

been appointed as charioteer. Indeed, king Rituparna hath himself chosen

me as his charioteer and cook.' At this Kesini rejoined, 'Perhaps

Varshneya knoweth where king Nala hath gone, and O Vahuka, he may also

have spoken to thee (about his master).' Vahuka then said, 'Having

brought hither the children of Nala of excellent deeds, Varshneya went

away whither he listed: He doth not know where Naishadha is. Nor, O

illustrious one, doth anybody else know of Nala's whereabouts; for the

king (in calamity) wandereth over the world in disguise and despoiled of

(his native) beauty. Nala's self only knoweth Nala. Nala never

discovereth his marks of identity anywhere.' Thus addressed, Kesini

returned, 'The Brahmana that had before this gone to Ayodhya, had

repeatedly said these words suitable to female lips, 'O beloved gambler,

where hast thou gone cutting off half my piece of cloth, and deserting

me, his dear and devoted wife asleep in the woods? And she herself, as

commanded by him, waiteth expecting him clad in half a garment and

burning day and night in grief. O king, O hero, do thou relent towards

her that weepeth ceaselessly for that calamity and do thou give her an

answer. O illustrious one, do thou speak the words agreeable to her for

the blameless one panteth to hear them. Hearing these words of the

Brahmana thou didst formerly give a reply! The princess of Vidarbha again

wisheth to hear the words thou didst then say.'"

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O son of the Kuru race, hearing these words of

Kesini, Nala's heart was pained, and his eyes filled with tears. And

repressing his sorrow, the king who was burning in grief, said again

these words, in accents choked with tears: 'Chaste women, though

overtaken by calamity, yet protect themselves, and thereby secure heaven.

Women that are chaste, deserted by their lords, never become angry, but

continue to live, cased in virtue's mail. Deserted by one fallen into

calamity, bereft of sense, and despoiled of bliss, it behoveth her not to

be angry. A virtuous lady should not be angry with one that was deprived

by birds of his garment while striving to procure sustenance and who is

burning in misery. Whether treated well or ill she would never be angry,

seeing her husband in that plight, despoiled of his kingdom, bereft of

prosperity, oppressed with hunger, and overwhelmed with calamity.' And, O

Bharata, while speaking thus, Nala oppressed with grief, could not

restrain his tears, but began to weep. And thereupon Kesini went back to

Damayanti, and acquainted her with everything about that conversation as

well as that outburst of grief."

SECTION LXXV

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Hearing everything, Damayanti became oppressed with

grief, and suspecting the person to be Nala, said unto Kesini, 'O Kesini,

go thou again, and examine Vahuka, and staying in silence at his side

mark thou his conduct. And, O beauteous one, whenever he happens to do

anything skilful, do thou observe well his act while accomplishing it.

And, O Kesini, whenever he may ask water or fire, with the view of

offering him obstruction, thou shalt be in no hurry to give it. And

marking everything about his behaviour, come thou and tell me. And

whatever human or super-human thou seest in Vahuka, together with

anything else, should all be reported unto me.' And thus addressed by

Damayanti, Kesini went away, and having marked the conduct of that person

versed in horse-lore, she came back. And she related unto Damayanti all

that had happened, indeed, everything of human and superhuman that she

had witnessed in Vahuka. And Kesini said, 'O Damayanti, a person of such

control over the elements I have never before seen or heard of. Whenever

he cometh to low passage, he never stoopeth down, but seeing him, the

passage itself groweth in height so that he may pass through it easily.

And at his approach, impassable narrow holes open wide. King Bhima had

sent various kinds of meat--of diverse animals, for Rituparna's food. And

many vessels had been placed there for washing the meat. And as he looked

upon them, those vessels became filled (with water). And having washed

the meat, as he set himself to cook, he took up a handful of grass and

held it in the sun, when fire blazed up all on a sudden. Beholding this

marvel, I have come hither amazed. Further, I have witnessed in him

another great wonder. O beauteous one, he touched fire and was not burnt.

And at his will, water falling floweth in a stream. And, I have witnessed

another greater wonder still. He took up some flowers, began to press

them slowly with his hands. And pressed by his hand, the flowers did not

lose their original forms, but, on the contrary, became gayer and more

odorous than before. Having beheld wonderful things I have come hither

with speed.'"

"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Hearing of these acts of the virtuous Nala, and

discovering him from his behaviour, Damayanti considered him as already

recovered. And from these indications suspecting that Vahuka was her

husband, Damayanti once more weepingly addressed Kesini in soft words,

saying, 'O beauteous one, go thou once more, and bring from the kitchen

without Vahuka's knowledge some meat that hath been boiled and dressed

(by him).' Thus commanded, Kesini, ever bent on doing what was agreeable

to Damayanti, went to Vahuka, and taking some hot meat came back without

loss of time. And Kesini gave that meat, O son of the Kuru race, unto

Damayanti. And Damayanti who had formerly often partaken of meat dressed

by Nala, tasted the meat that was brought by her hand-maid. And she

thereupon decided Vahuka to be Nala and wept aloud in grief of heart.

And, O Bharata, overwhelmed with grief, and washing her face, she sent

her two children with Kesini. And Vahuka, who was the king in disguise,

recognising Indrasena with her brother, advanced hastily, and embracing

them, took them up on his lap. And taking up his children like unto the

children of the celestials, he began to weep aloud in sonorous accents,

his heart oppressed with great sorrow. And after having repeatedly

betrayed his agitation, Naishadha suddenly left children, and addressed

Kesini, saying, 'O fair damsel, these twins are very like my own

children. Beholding them unexpectedly, I shed tears. If thou comest to me

frequently people may think evil, for we are guests from another land.

Therefore. O blessed one, go at thy ease.'"

SECTION LXXVI

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Beholding the agitation of the virtuous and wise Nala,

Kesini returned unto Damayanti and related everything unto her. And

thereupon Damayanti with a sorrowful heart and eager to behold Nala,

again despatched Kesini to her mother, asking her to say on her behalf:

Suspecting Vahuka to be Nala, I have tried him in various ways. My doubt

now only relates to his appearance. I intend to examine him myself. O

mother, either let him enter the palace, or give me permission to go to

him. And arrange this with the knowledge of my father or without it. And

thus addressed to Damayanti, that lady communicated unto Bhima the

intention of his daughter, and upon learning it the king gave his

consent. And, O bull of the Bharata race, having obtained the consent

both of her father and mother, Damayanti caused Nala to be brought to her

apartments. And as soon as he saw Damayanti unexpectedly, king Nala was

overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, and bathed in tears. And that best of

women, Damayanti, also, upon beholding king Nala in that condition, was

sorely afflicted with grief. And, O monarch, herself clad in a piece of

red cloth, and wearing matted locks, and covered with dirt and dust,

Damayanti then addressed Vahuka, saying, 'O Vahuka, hast thou ever seen

any person acquainted with duty, who hath gone away, deserting his

sleeping wife in the forest? Who, except the virtuous Nala, could go

away, deserting in the woods, his dear and unoffending wife overcome with

fatigue? Of what offence was I guilty in the eyes of that monarch since

my early youth that he should go away deserting me in the woods while

asleep overcome with fatigue? Why should he whom I formerly chose in

preference to the gods themselves abandon his ever-devoted and loving

wife who had become the mother also of his children? Before the fire, and

in presence also of the celestials, he had taken my hand, vowing, 'Verily

I will be thine.' Oh, where was that vow when he deserted me. O represser

of foes.' While Damayanti was saying all this, tears of sorrow began to

flow plentifully from her eyes. And beholding her thus afflicted with

grief, Nala also, shedding tears, black of those of the gazelle with

extremities of reddish hue, said, 'O timid one, neither the loss of my

kingdom nor my desertion of thee was my act. Both were due to Kali. And,

O foremost of virtuous women, lamenting for me day and night, and

overcome with sorrow, thou hadst in the woods cursed Kali, and so he

began to dwell in my body, burning in consequence of thy curse. Indeed

burning with thy curse, he lived within me like fire within fire. O

blessed girl, that our sorrows might terminate, that wretch have I

overcome by my observances and austerities. The sinful wretch hath

already left me, and it is for this that I have come hither. My presence

here, O fair lady, is for thy sake. I have no other object. But, O timid

one, can any other woman, forsaking her loving and devoted husband, ever

choose a second lord like thee? At the command of the king, messengers

are ranging this entire earth, saying, 'Bhima's daughter will, of her own

accord, choose a second husband worthy of her.' Immediately on hearing

this, the son of Bhangasura hath arrived here.' Hearing these

lamentations of Nala, Damayanti, frightened and trembling, said with

joined hand, 'It behoveth thee not, O blessed one, to suspect any fault

in me. O ruler of the Nishadhas, passing over the celestials themselves,

I choose thee as my lord. It was to bring thee hither that the Brahmanas

had gone out in all directions, even to all the sides of the horizon,

singing my words, in the form of ballads. At last, O king, a learned

Brahmana named Parnada had found thee in Kosala in the palace of

Rituparna. When thou hadst returned a fit answer to those words of his,

it was then, O Naishadha, that I devised this scheme to recover thee.

Except thee, O lord of earth, there is no one in this world, who in one

day can clear, O King, a hundred yojanas with horses. O monarch, touching

thy feet I can swear truly that I have not, even in thought, committed

any sin. May the all-witnessing Air that courseth through this world,

take my life, if I have committed any sin. May the Sun that ever courseth

through the sky take my life, if I have committed any sin. May the Moon,

that dwelleth within every creature as a witness, take my life, if I have

committed any sin. Let the three gods that sustain the triple worlds in

their entirety, declare truly, or let them forsake me today.' And thus

addressed by her, the Wind-god said from the sky, 'O Nala, I tell thee

truly that she hath done no wrong. O king, Damayanti, well guarding the

honour of thy family, hath enhanced it. Of this we are the witnesses, as

we have been her protectors for these three years. It is for thy sky that

she hath devised this unrivalled scheme, for, except thee, none on earth

is capable of travelling in a single day a hundred yojanas. O monarch,

thou hast obtained Bhima's daughter, and she hath also obtained thee.

Thou needst not entertain any suspicion but be united with thy partner.'

And after the Wind-god had said this, a floral shower fell there and the

celestial kettle-drum began to play, and auspicious breezes began to

blow. And beholding those wonders, O Bharata, king Nala, the represser of

foes, cast away all his doubts in respect of Damayanti. And then that

lord of earth, remembering the king of serpents, wore that pure garment

and regained his native form. And beholding her righteous lord in his own

form, Bhima's daughter of faultless limbs embraced him, and began to weep

aloud. And king Nala also embraced Bhima's daughter devoted to him, as

before, and also his children, and experienced great delight. And burying

her face in his bosom, the beauteous Damayanti of large eyes began to

sigh heavily, remembering her griefs. And overwhelmed with sorrow, that

tiger among men stood for some time, clasping the dust-covered Damayanti

of sweet smiles. And, O king, the queen-mother then, with a glad heart,

told Bhima all that had passed between Nala and Damayanti. And the mighty

monarch answered, 'Let Nala pass this day in peace, to-morrow I shall see

him after his bath and prayers, with Damayanti by his side.' And, O king,

they passed that night pleasantly, in relating to each other the past

incidents of their life in the forest. And with hearts filled with joy,

the princess of Vidarbha and Nala began to pass their days in the palace

of king Bhima, intent upon making each other happy. And it was in the

fourth year (after the loss of his kingdom) that Nala was re-united with

his wife, and all his desires gratified, once more experienced the

highest bliss. And Damayanti rejoiced exceedingly in having recovered her

lord even as fields of tender plants on receiving a shower. And Bhima's

daughter, thus recovering her lord, obtained her wish, and blazed forth

in beauty, her weariness gone, her anxieties dispelled and herself

swelling with joy, ever like a night that is lit by the bright disc of

the moon!"

SECTION LXXVII

"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having passed that night, king Nala decked in

ornaments and with Damayanti by his side, presented himself in due time

before the king. And Nala saluted his father-in-law with becoming

humility and after him the fair Damayanti paid her respects to her

father. And the exalted Bhima, with great joy, received him as a son, and

honouring him duly along with his devoted wife, comforted them in proper

words. And duly accepting the homage rendered unto him, king Nala offered

his father-in-law his services as became him. And seeing Nala arrived,

the citizens were in great joy. And there arose in the city a loud uproar

of delight. And the citizens decorated the city with flags and standards

and garlands of flowers. And the streets were watered and decked in

floral wreaths and other ornaments. And at their gates citizens piled

flowers, and their temples and shrines were all adorned with flowers. And

Rituparna heard that Vahuka had already been united with Damayanti. And

the king was glad to hear of all this. And calling unto him king Nala, he

asked his forgiveness. And the intelligent Nala also asked Rituparna's

forgiveness, showing diverse reasons. And that foremost of speakers

versed in the truth, king Rituparna, after being thus honoured by Nala,

said, with a countenance expressive of wonder, these words unto the ruler

of the Nishadhas. 'By good fortune it is that regaining the company of

thy own wife, thou hast obtained happiness. O Naishadha, while dwelling

in disguise at my house, I hope I did not wrong thee in any way, O lord

of the earth! If knowingly I have done thee any wrong, it behoveth thee

to forgive me.' Hearing this, Nala replied, 'Thou hast not, O monarch,

done me ever so little an injury. And if thou hast, it hath not awakened

my ire, for surely thou shouldst be forgiven by me. Thou wert formerly my

friend, and, O ruler of men, thou art also related to me. Henceforth I

shall find greater delight in thee. O king, with all my desires

gratified, I lived happily in thy abode, in fact more happily there than

in my own house. This thy horse-lore is in my keeping. If thou wishest, O

king, I will make it over to thee.' Saying this, Naishadha gave unto

Rituparna that science and the latter took it with the ordained rites.

And, O monarch, the royal son of Bhangasura, having obtained the

mysteries of equestrian science and having given unto the ruler of the

Naishadhas the mysteries of dice, went to his own city, employing another

person for his charioteer. And, O king, after Rituparna had gone, king

Nala did not stay long in the city of Kundina!'"

SECTION LXXVIII

"Vrihadaswa said, 'O son of Kunti, the ruler of the Nishadhas having

dwelt there for a month, set out from that city with Bhima's permission

and accompanied by only a few (followers) for the country of the

Nishadhas. With a single car white in hue, sixteen elephants, fifty

horses, and six hundred infantry, that illustrious king, causing the

earth itself to tremble, entered (the country of the Nishadhas) without

loss of a moment and swelling with rage. And the mighty son of Virasena,

approaching his brothers Pushkara said unto him, 'We will play again, for

I have earned vast wealth. Let Damayanti and all else that I have be my

stake, let, O Pushkara, thy kingdom be thy stake. Let the play begin

again. This is my certain determination. Blessed be thou, let us stake

all we have along with our lives. Having won over and acquired another's

wealth or kingdom, it is a high duty, says the ordinance, to stake it

when the owner demands. Or, if thou dost not relish play with dice, let

the play with weapons begin. O king, let me or thyself have peace by a

single combat. That this ancestral kingdom should, under all

circumstances and by any means, be recovered, there is the authority of

sages for holding. And, O Pushkara, choose thou one of these two

things--gambling with dice or bending the bow in battle!' Thus addressed

by Nishadha, Pushkara, sure of his own success, laughingly answered that

monarch, saying, 'O Naishadha, it is by good fortune that thou hast

earned wealth again to stake. It is by good fortune also that Damayanti's

ill-luck hath at last come to an end. And O king, it is by good fortune

that thou art still alive with thy wife, O thou of mighty arms! It is

evident that Damayanti, adorned with this wealth of thine that I will

win, will wait upon me like an Apsara in heaven upon Indra. O Naishadha,

I daily recollect thee and am even waiting for thee, since I derive no

pleasure from gambling with those that are not connected with me by

blood. Winning over to-day the beauteous Damayanti of faultless features,

I shall regard myself fortunate, indeed, since she it is that hath ever

dwelt in my heart.' Hearing these words of that incoherent braggart, Nala

in anger desired to cut off his head with a scimitar. With a smile,

however, though his eyes were red in anger, king Nala said, 'Let us play.

Why do you speak so now? Having vanquished me, you can say anything you

like.' Then the play commenced between Pushkara and Nala. And blessed be

Nala who at a single throw won his wealth and treasures back along with

the life of his brother that also had been staked. And the king, having

won, smilingly said unto Pushkara, 'This whole kingdom without a thorn in

its side is now undisturbedly mine. And, O worst of kings, thou canst not

now even look at the princess of Vidarbha. With all thy family, thou art

now, O fool, reduced to the position of her slave. But my former defeat

at thy hands was not due to any act of thine. Thou knowest it not, O

fool, that it was Kali who did it all. I shall not, therefore, impute to

thee the faults of others. Live happily as thou choosest, I grant thee

thy life. I also grant thee thy portion (in the paternal kingdom) along

with all necessaries. And, O hero, without doubt, my affection towards

thee is now the same as before. My fraternal love also for thee will

never know any diminution. O Pushkara, thou art my brother, live thou for

a hundred years!'"

"And Nala of unbaffled prowess, having comforted his brother thus gave

him permission to go to his own town, having embraced him repeatedly. And

Pushkara himself, thus comforted by the ruler of the Nishadhas saluted

that righteous king, and addressed him, O monarch, saying these words

with joined hands, 'Let thy fame be immortal and live thou happily for

ten thousand years, thou who grantest me, O king, both life and refuge.

And entertained by the king, Pushkara dwelt there for a month and then

went to his own town accompanied by large force and many obedient

servants and his own kindred, his heart filled with joy. And that bull

among men all the while blazed forth in beauty of person like a second

Sun. And the blessed ruler of the Nishadhas, having established Pushkara

and made him wealthy and freed him from troubles, entered his richly

decorated palace. And the ruler of the Nishadhas, having entered his

palace, comforted the citizens. And all the citizens and the subjects

from the country horripilated in joy. And the people headed by the

officers of state said with joined hands, 'O king, we are truly glad

to-day throughout the city and the country. We have obtained to-day our

ruler, like the gods their chief of a hundred sacrifice!'"

SECTION LXXIX

"Vrihadaswa said, 'After the festivities had commenced in the city that

was full of joy and without anxiety of any kind, the king with a large

force brought Damayanti (from her father's home). And her father, too,

that slayer of hostile heroes, Bhima of terrible prowess and immeasurable

soul, sent his daughter, having honoured her duly. And upon the arrival

of the princess of Vidarbha accompanied by her son and daughter, king

Nala began to pass his days in joy like the chief of the celestials in

the gardens of Nandana. And the king of undying fame, having regained his

kingdom and becoming illustrious among monarchs of the island of Jamvu,

began once more to rule it. And he duly performed numerous sacrifices

with abundant gifts to Brahmanas. O great king, thou also wilt with thy

kindred and relatives, so blaze forth in effulgence soon. For, O foremost

of men, it was thus that subjugator of hostile cities, king Nala, had

fallen into distress along with his wife, in consequence, O bull of

Bharata race of dice. And, O lord of the earth, Nala suffered such dire

woe all alone and recovered his prosperity, whereas thou, O son of Pandu,

with heart fixed on virtue, art sporting in joy in this great forest,

accompanied by thy brothers and Krishna. When thou art also, O monarch,

mixing daily with blessed Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and their

branches, thou hast little cause for sorrow. This history, besides, of

the Naga Karkotaka, of Damayanti, of Nala and of that royal sage

Rituparna, is destructive of evil. And, O thou of unfading glory, this

history, destructive of the influence of Kali, is capable, O king, of

comforting persons like thee when they listen to it. And reflecting upon

the uncertainty (of success) of human exertion, it behoveth thee not to

joy or grieve at prosperity or adversity. Having listened to this

history, be comforted, O king, and yield not to grief. It behoveth thee

not, O great king, to pine under calamity. Indeed, men of

self-possession, reflecting upon the caprice of destiny and the

fruitlessness of exertion, never suffer themselves to be depressed. They

that will repeatedly recite this noble history of Nala, and that will

hear it recited, will never be touched by adversity. He that listeneth to

this old and excellent history hath all his purposes crowned with success

and, without doubt, obtaineth fame, besides sons and grandsons and

animals, a high position among men, and health, and joy. And, O king, the

fear also that thou entertainest, viz., (Some one skilled in dice will

summon me), I will for once dispel. O thou of invincible prowess, I know

the science of dice in its entirety. I am gratified with thee; take this

lore, O son of Kunti, I will tell unto thee.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "King Yudhishthira then, with a glad heart, said

unto Vrihadaswa, 'O illustrious one, I desire to learn the science of

dice from thee.' The Rishi then gave his dice-lore unto the high-souled

son of Pandu, and having given it unto him, that great ascetic went to

the sacred waters of Hayasirsha for a bath.

"And after Vrihadaswa had gone away, Yudhishthira of firm vows heard from

Brahmanas and ascetics that came to him from various directions and from

places of pilgrimage and mountains and forests that Arjuna of high

intelligence and capable of drawing the bow with his left hand, was still

engaged in the austerest of ascetic penances, living upon air alone. And

he heard that the mighty-armed Partha was engaged in such fierce

asceticism that none else before him had ever been engaged in such

penances. And Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, engaged in ascetic

austerities with regulated vows and fixed mind and observing the vow of

perfect silence, was, he heard, like the blazing god of justice himself

in his embodied form. And, O king, (Yudhishthira) the son of Pandu

hearing that his dear brother Jaya, the son of Kunti, was engaged in such

asceticism in the great forest, began to grieve for him. And with a heart

burning in grief, the eldest son of Pandu, seeking consolation in that

mighty forest held converse with the Brahmanas possessed of various

knowledge who were living with him there."

SECTION LXXX

(Tirtha-yatra Parva)

Janamejaya said, "O holy one, after my great-grandfather Partha had gone

away from the woods of Kamyaka, what did the sons of Pandu do in the

absence of that hero capable of drawing the bow with his left hand? It

seemeth to me that mighty bowman and vanquisher of armies was their

refuge, as Vishnu of the celestials. How did my heroic grandsires pass

their time in the forest, deprived of the company of that hero, who

resembled Indra himself in prowess and never turned his back in battle?"

Vaisampayana said, "After Arjuna of unbaffled prowess had gone away from

Kamyaka, the sons of Pandu, O son, were filled with sorrow and grief. And

the Pandavas with cheerless hearts very much resembled pearls unstrung

from a wreath, or birds shorn of their wings. And without that hero of

white steeds that forest looked like the Chaitraratha woods when deprived

of the presence of Kuvera. And, O Janamejaya, those tigers among men--the

sons of Pandu--deprived of the company of Arjuna, continued to live in

Kamyaka in perfect cheerlessness. And, O chief of the Bharata race, those

mighty warriors endowed with great prowess slew with pure arrows various

kinds of sacrificial animals for the Brahmanas. And those tigers among

men and repressors of foes, daily slaying those wild animals and

sanctifying them properly, offered them unto the Brahmanas. And it was

thus, O king, that those bulls among men afflicted with sorrow lived

there with cheerless hearts after Dhananjaya's departure. The princess of

Panchala in particular, remembering her third lord, addressed the anxious

Yudhishthira and said, 'That Arjuna who with two hands rivals the

thousand-armed Arjuna (of old), alas, without that foremost of the sons

of Pandu, this forest doth not seem at all beautiful in my eyes. Without

him, whenever I cast my eyes, this earth seems to be forlorn. Even this

forest with its blossoming trees and so full of wonders, without Arjuna

seems not so delightful as before. Without him who is like a mass of blue

clouds (in hue), who hath the prowess of an infuriated elephant, and

whose eyes are like the leaves of the lotus, this Kamyaka forest doth not

seem beautiful to me. Remembering that hero capable of drawing the bow

with his left hand, and the twang of whose bow sounds like the roar of

thunder, I cannot feel any happiness, O king!' And, O monarch, hearing

her lament in this strain, that slayer of hostile heroes, Bhimasena,

addressed Draupadi in these words, 'O blessed lady of slender waist, the

agreeable words thou utterest delight my heart like the quaffing of

nectar. Without him whose arms are long and symmetrical, and stout and

like unto a couple of iron maces and round and marked by the scars of the

bow-strings and graced with the bow and sword and other weapons and

encircled with golden bracelets and like unto a couple of five-headed

snakes, without that tiger among men the sky itself seemeth to be without

the sun. Without that mighty-armed one relying upon whom the Panchalas

and the Kauravas fear not the sternly-exerting ranks of the celestials

themselves, without that illustrious hero relying upon whose arms we all

regard our foes as already vanquished and the earth itself as already

conquered, without that Phalguna I cannot obtain any peace in the woods

of Kamyaka. The different directions also, wherever I cast my eyes,

appear to be empty!'

"After Bhima had concluded, Nakula the son of Pandu, with voice choked

with tears, said, 'Without him whose extraordinary deeds on the field of

battle constitute the talk of even the gods, without that foremost of

warriors, what pleasure can we have in the woods? Without him who having

gone towards the north had vanquished mighty Gandharva chiefs by

hundreds, and who having obtained numberless handsome horses of the

Tittiri and Kalmasha species all endowed with the speed of the wind,

presented them from affection unto his brother the king, on the occasion

of the great Rajasuya sacrifice, without that dear and illustrious one,

without that terrible warrior born after Bhima, without that hero equal

unto a god I do not desire to live in the Kamyaka woods any longer.'

"After Nakula's lamentations, Sahadeva said, 'He who having vanquished

mighty warriors in battle won wealth and virgins and brought them unto

the king on the occasion of the great Rajasuya sacrifice, that hero of

immeasurable splendour who having vanquished single-handed the assembled

Yadavas in battle, ravished Subhadra with the consent of Vasudeva, he,

who having invaded the dominion of the illustrious Drupada gave, O

Bharata, unto the preceptor Drona his tuition fee--beholding, O king,

that Jishnu's bed of grass empty in our asylum, my heart refuses

consolation. A migration from this forest is what, O represser of foes, I

would prefer for without that hero this forest cannot be delightful."

SECTION LXXXI

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing these words of his brothers as also of

Krishna, all of whom were anxious on account of Dhananjaya, king

Yudhishthira, the just, became melancholy. And at that time he saw

(before him) the celestial Rishi Narada blazing with Brahmi beauty and

like unto a fire flaming up in consequence of sacrificial libation. And

beholding him come, king Yudhishthira with his brothers stood up and duly

worshipped the illustrious one. And endued with blazing energy, the

handsome chief of the Kuru race, surrounded by his brothers, shone like

the god of a hundred sacrifices encircled by the celestials. And

Yajnaseni in obedience to the dictates of morality adhered to her lords,

the sons of Pritha, like Savitri to the Vedas or the rays of the Sun to

the peak of Meru. And the illustrious Rishi Narada, accepting that

worship, comforted the son of Dharma in proper terms. And, O sinless one,

addressing the high-souled king Yudhishthira, the just, the Rishi said,

'Tell me, O foremost of virtuous men, what it is that thou seekest and

what I can do for thee. At this, the royal son of Dharma bowing with his

brothers unto Narada, who was the revered of the celestials, told him

with joined hands, 'O thou that art highly blessed and worshipped by all

the worlds when thou art gratified with me, I regard all my wishes in

consequence of thy grace, as already fulfilled, O thou of excellent vows!

If, O sinless one, I with my brothers deserve thy favour, it behoveth

thee, O best of Munis, to dispel the doubt that is in my mind. It

behoveth thee to tell me in detail what merit is his that goeth round the

worlds, desirous of beholding the sacred waters and shrines that are on

it.'"

"Narada said, 'Listen, O king, with attention, to what the intelligent

Bhishma had heard before from Pulastya! Once, O blessed one, that

foremost of virtuous men, Bhishma, while in the observance of the Pitrya

vow, lived, O king, in the company of Munis in a delightful and sacred

region, near the source of the Ganga, that is resorted to by the

celestial Rishis and Gandharvas and the celestials themselves. And while

living there, the resplendent one gratified with his oblations the

Pitris, the gods and the Rishis, according to the rites inculcated in the

scriptures. And once on a time while the illustrious one was engaged in

his silent recitations, he beheld Pulastya--that best of Rishis, of

wonderful appearance. And beholding that austere ascetic blazing with

beauty, he was filled with great delight and exceeding wonder. And, O

Bharata, that foremost of virtuous men, Bhishma, then worshipped that

blessed Rishi according to the rites of the ordinance. And purifying

himself and with rapt attention, he approached that best of Brahmarshis,

with the Arghya on his head. And uttering aloud his name, he said, 'O

thou of excellent vow, blessed be thou, I am Bhishma, thy slave. At sight

of thee, I am freed from all my sins.' And saying this, that foremost of

virtuous men, Bhishma, restraining speeches stood, O Yudhishthira, in

silence and with joined hands. And beholding Bhishma that foremost of the

Kurus, reduced and emaciated by the observance of vows and the study of

the Vedas, the Muni became filled with joy."

SECTION LXXXII

"Pulastya said, 'O thou of excellent vows, I have been much gratified

with thy humility, thy self-control, and thy truth, thou blessed one

versed in morality! O sinless one, it is for this virtue of thine which

thou hast acquired from regard to thy ancestors, that I have been

gratified with thee and thou hast, O son, obtained a sight of my person.

O Bhishma. my eyes can penetrate into everything. Tell me what I may do

for thee. O sinless one, O thou foremost of the Kuru race, I will grant

thee whatever thou mayst ask me.'

"Bhishma said, 'O highly blessed one, when thou who art worshipped by the

three worlds hast been gratified with me and when I have obtained a sight

of thy exalted self, I regard myself as already crowned with success.

But, O thou foremost of virtuous persons, if I have deserved thy favour,

I will tell thee my doubts and it behoveth thee to dispel them, O holy

one, I have some religious doubts in respect of tirthas. Speak of those

to me in detail, I desire to hear thee. O thou that resemblest a

celestial himself, what is his merit, O regenerate Rishi, who goeth round

the whole earth (visiting shrines). O tell me this with certainty."

"Pulastya said, 'O son, listen with attention. I will tell thee of the

merit which attacheth to tirthas and which constituth the refuge of the

Rishis. He whose hands and feet and mind and knowledge and asceticism and

acts are under wholesome control, enjoyeth the fruits of tirthas. He who

has ceased to accept gifts, he that is contented, he that is free from

pride enjoys the fruits of tirthas. He that is without sin, he that acts

without purpose, he that eats light, he that has his senses under

control, he that is free from every sin, enjoys the fruits of tirthas. O

king, he that is free from anger, he that adhereth to truth, he that is

firm in vows, he that regardeth all creatures as his own self, enjoyeth

the fruits of tirthas. In the Vedas the Rishis have declared in due order

the sacrifices and also their fruits here and hereafter truly. O lord of

earth, those sacrifices cannot be accomplished by him that is poor, for

those sacrifices require various materials and diverse things in large

measures. These, therefore can be performed by kings or sometimes by

other men of prosperity and wealth. O lord of men, that rite, however,

which men without wealth, without allies, singly, without wife and

children, and destitute of means, are capable of accomplishing and the

merit of which is equal unto the sacred fruits of sacrifices, I will now

declare unto thee, thou best of warriors! O thou best of the Bharata

race, sojourns in tirthas which are meritorious and which constitute one

of the high mysteries of the Rishis, are even superior to sacrifices. He

is a poor man who having gone to a tirtha hath not fasted for three

nights, who hath not given away gold, and who hath not distributed kine.

Indeed, one acquireth not, by the performance of the Agnishtoma and other

sacrifices distinguished by large gifts, that merit which one requireth

by a sojourn to a tirtha. In the world of men, there is that tirtha of

the God of gods, celebrated over the three worlds by the name of

Pushkara. One that sojourneth there becometh equal unto that deity. O

high-souled son of the Kuru race, during the two twilights and mid-day

there is the presence of hundred thousand millions of tirthas in

Pushkara. The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Maruts,

the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras are ever present, O exalted one, in

Pushkara. It was there, O king, that the gods, the Daityas and

Brahmarshis, having performed ascetic devotions there, obtained great

merit and finally attained to god-hood.'"

"Men of self-control, by even thinking mentally of Pushkara, are cleansed

from their sins, and regarded in heaven. O king, the illustrious

grand-sire having the lotus for his seat, had dwelt with great pleasure

in this tirtha. O blessed one, it was in Pushkara that the gods with the

Rishis having acquired of old great merit, finally obtained the highest

success. The person who, devoted to the worship of the gods and the

Pitris, batheth in this tirtha, obtaineth, it hath been said by the wise,

merit that is equal to ten times that of the horse-sacrifice. Having gone

to the Pushkara woods, he that feedeth even one Brahmana, becometh happy

here and hereafter, O Bhishma, for that act. He that supporteth himself

on vegetables and roots and fruits, may with pious regard and without

disrespect, give even such fare to a Brahmana. And, O best of kings, the

man of wisdom, even by such a gift, will acquire the merit of a

horse-sacrifice. Those illustrious persons among Brahmanas or Kshatriyas

or Vaisyas or Sudras that bathe in Pushkara are freed from the obligation

of rebirth. That man in special who visits Pushkara on the full moon of

the month of Karttika, acquireth ever-lasting regions in the abode of

Brahma. He that thinketh with joined hands morning and evening, of the

Pushkara, practically batheth, O Bharata, in every tirtha. Whether a male

or a female, whatever sins one may commit since birth, are all destroyed

as soon as one batheth in Pushkara. As the slayer of Madhu is the

foremost of all the celestials, so is Pushkara, O king, the foremost of

all tirthas. A man by residing with purity and regulated vows for twelve

years in Pushkara, acquireth the merit of all the sacrifices, and goeth

to the abode of Brahma. The merit of one who performeth the Agni-hotra

for full one hundred years, is equal to that of him who resideth for the

single month of Karttika in Pushkara. There are three white hillocks and

three springs known from the remotest times, we do not know why, by the

name of the Pushkara. It is difficult to go to Pushkara; it is difficult

to undergo ascetic austerities at Pushkara; it is difficult to give away

at Pushkara; and it is difficult to live at Pushkara."

"Having dwelt for twelve nights at Pushkara with regulated diet and vows,

and having walked round (the place), one must go to Jamvu-marga. One that

goeth to Jamvu-marga which is resorted to by the celestials, the Rishis,

and the Pitris, acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and the

fruition of all his wishes. The man that resideth there for five nights,

hath his soul cleansed from all sins. He never sinketh into hell, but

acquireth high success. Leaving Jamvu-marga one must go to

Tandulikasrama. He that goeth there never sinketh into hell but ascendeth

to the abode of Brahma. He that goeth to the lake of Agastya and

occupieth himself with the worship of the Pitris and celestials, fasting

for three nights, acquireth, O king, the fruit of the Agnishtoma. Going

thither, he that liveth on vegetables or fruits acquireth the status

called Kaumara. One should next proceed to the beautiful asylum of Kanwa,

which is worshipped by the whole world. That sacred wood characterised by

holiness, existeth, O bull of the Bharata race, from very remote times.

As soon as one entereth it, he is freed from all his sins. He who with

regulated diet and vows worshippeth the Pitris and the gods there,

obtaineth the fruit of a sacrifice that is capable of bestowing the

fruition of all one's desires. Having walked round this asylum one must

then go to the spot where Yayati fell (from heaven). He that goeth

thither, acquireth the merit of a horse-sacrifice. One must then go to

Mahakala with regulated diet and senses subdued. And having bathed in the

tirtha called Koti, one obtaineth the merit of a horse-sacrifice. A

virtuous man should next proceed to the tirtha of Sthanu, the husband of

Uma, known over the three worlds by the name of Bhadravata. That best of

men who goeth to Bhadravata, beholdeth Isana and obtaineth the fruit of a

gift of a thousand kine. And through the grace of Mahadeva, he acquireth

the status of Ganapatya blessed with prosperity and peace and high grace.

Having arrived then at the Narmada, that river celebrated over the three

worlds, and given oblations of water to the Pitris and the gods, one

acquireth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. He that goeth into the

Southern ocean, practising the Brahmacharya mode of life, and with senses

subdued, acquireth the fruit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice and ascendeth to

heaven. Having arrived at Charmanwati, with regulated diet and senses

subdued, one acquireth, at the command of Rantideva, the merit of the

Agnishtoma sacrifice. One must then go, O virtuous chief of warriors, to

Arvuda, the son of Himavat, where there was a hole through the earth in

days of yore. There is the asylum of Vasistha, celebrated over the three

worlds. Having resided for one night, one obtaineth the merit of the gift

of a thousand kine. He that, leading a Brahmacharya mode of life batheth

in the tirtha called Pinga, obtaineth, O tiger among kings, the merit of

the gift of a hundred Kapila kine. One must next go, O king, to that

excellent tirtha called Prabhasa. There Hutasana is always present in his

own person. He, the friend of Pavana, O hero, is the mouth of all the

gods. The man that with subdued and sanctified soul batheth in that

tirtha, obtaineth merit greater than that of the Agnishtoma or Atiratra

sacrifices. Proceeding next to the spot where the Saraswati mingleth with

the sea, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a thousand kine and

heaven also besides, O bull of the Bharata race, blazing forth for all

time like Agni himself. He that with subdued soul batheth in the tirtha

of the king of waters, and giveth oblations of water unto the Pitris and

the gods, living there for three nights, blazeth forth like the Moon, and

obtaineth also the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next proceed,

O best of the Bharata, unto the tirtha known by the name of Varadana,

where (the Rishi) Durvasa had given a boon unto Vishnu. A man by bathing

in Varadana obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a thousand kine. One

should next proceed with subdued senses and regulated diet to Dwaravati,

where by bathing in Pindaraka, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift of

gold in abundance. O blessed one, it is wonderful to relate that in that

tirtha, to this day, coins with the mark of the lotus and lotuses also

with the mark of the trident, are seen. O represser of heroes! And O bull

among men, the presence of Mahadeva is there. Arriving then, O Bharata,

at the spot where the Sindhu mingleth with the sea, one should with

subdued soul bathe in that tirtha of Varuna. And bathing there and giving

oblations of water to the Pitris, the Rishis, and the gods one acquireth,

O bull of the Bharata race, the region of Varuna, and blazeth forth in

effulgence of his own. Men of wisdom say that, by worshipping the god

known by the name of Shankukarneswara, one acquireth ten times the merit

of the horse-sacrifice. O bull of the Bharata race, having walked round

that tirtha, one should, O thou foremost of the Kurus, go to that tirtha

celebrated over the three worlds and known by the name of Drimi. That

tirtha cleanseth from every sin, and it is there that the gods including

Brahma worship Maheswara. Having bathed there and worshipped Rudra

surrounded by the other gods, one is freed from all sins since birth. It

was there, O best of men, that Drimi was adored by all the gods. Bathing

there, O best of men, one obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. O

thou of great intelligence, Vishnu the creator of the universe, after

slaying the Daityas and Danavas, went thither to purify himself. O

virtuous one, one should next proceed to Vasudhara adored by all. The

moment one arrives at that tirtha, one acquireth the fruit of the

horse-sacrifice. And, O thou best of the Kurus, by bathing there with

subdued soul and rapt attention, and giving oblations of water unto the

gods and the Pitris one ascendeth unto the region of Vishnu and is adored

there. In that tirtha, O bull of the Bharata race, there is a sacred lake

of the Vasus. By bathing there and drinking of its water, one becometh

regarded of the Vasus. There is a celebrated tirtha of the name of

Sindhuttama, which destroyeth every sin. O best of men, by bathing there,

one acquireth the fruit of the gift of gold in abundance. By arriving at

Bhadratunga with sanctified soul and purity of conduct, one acquireth the

region of Brahma and a high state of blessedness. There is then the

tirtha of the Kumarikas of Indra, that is much resorted to by the

Siddhas. O best of men, by bathing there, one obtaineth the region of

Indra. In Kumarika there is another tirtha called Renuka, which is also

resorted to by the Siddhas. A Brahmana by bathing there would become as

bright as the Moon. Proceeding next to the tirtha called the Panchananda,

with subdued sense and regulated diet, one obtaineth the fruit of the

five sacrifices that have been mentioned one after another in the

scriptures. Then, O king, one should go to the excellent region of Bhima.

O best of the Bharatas by bathing in the tirtha there, that is called

Yoni, a man (in his next birth) becometh, O king, the son of a goddess,

bearing ear-rings decked with pearls, and obtaineth also the merit of the

gift of a hundred thousand kine. Proceeding next to Srikunda, celebrated

over the three worlds and worshipping the grandsire, one obtaineth the

fruit of the gift of a thousand kine. O virtuous one, one should then go

to the excellent tirtha called Vimala, where to this day may be seen

fishes of golden and silver hues. By bathing there, one soon acquireth

the region of Vasava, and his soul being cleansed from every sin, he

attaineth to a high state of blessedness. Proceeding next to Vitasta and

giving oblations of water unto the Pitris and the gods, a man, O Bharata,

obtaineth the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. That sin-destroying tirtha

known by the name of Vitasta, is situate in the country of the Kasmiras

and is the abode of the Naga Takshaka. Bathing there, a man certainly

obtaineth the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice, and his soul cleansed from

every sin, he attaineth to a high state of blessedness. One should next

proceed to Vadava celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing there with

due rites in the evening, one should offer rice boiled in butter and

milk, according to the best of his might, unto the deity of seven flames.

Men of wisdom say that a gift made here in honour of the Pitris, becometh

inexhaustible. The Rishis, the Pitris, the gods, the Gandharvas, several

tribes of Apsaras, the Guhyakas, the Kinnaras, the Yakshas, the Siddhas,

the Vidhyadharas, the Rakshasas, Daityas, Rudras, and Brahma himself, O

king, having with subdued senses, accepted a course of austerities for a

thousand years in order to move Vishnu to grace, cooked rice in milk and

butter and gratified Kesava with oblations, each offered with seven Riks.

And, O king, the gratified Kesava thereupon conferred on them the

eight-fold attributes called Aiswarya and other objects that they

desired. And having bestowed upon them these, that god disappeared in

their sight like lightning in the clouds. And it is for this, O Bharata,

that that tirtha became known by the name of Saptacharu, and if one

offereth Charu there to the seven flamed deity, he obtaineth merit

superior to that of the gift of a hundred thousand kine, to that of a

hundred Rajasuya sacrifices, as also of a hundred horse-sacrifices.

Leaving Vadava, O king, one should then proceed to Raudrapada, and

beholding Mahadeva there one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice.

Proceeding then, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode of

life, to Manimat, and residing there for one night, one acquireth, O

king, the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. One should then go, O king,

to Devika celebrated over the whole world. It was there, O bull of

Bharata race, that, as heard by us, the Brahmanas first sprang into

existence. There also is the region of the holder of the trident--a

region that is celebrated over the world. Having bathed in Devika and

worshipped Maheswara by offering him, to the best of one's might, rice

boiled in milk and butter, a man obtaineth, O bull of the Bharata race,

the merit of a sacrifice that is capable of filling every desire. There

also is another tirtha of Rudra called Kamakhya, which is much resorted

to by the gods. Bathing there, a man speedily obtaineth success. By

touching also the water of Yajana. Brahmavaluka, and Pushpamva, one

becometh free from sorrow in after life. The learned have said that the

sacred tirtha of Devika, the resort of the gods and the Rishis, is five

Yojanas in length and half a Yojana in breadth. One should then, in due

order, proceed, O king, to Dirghasatra. There the gods with Brahma at

their head, the Siddhas, and the greatest Rishis, with regulated vows and

the recitation and acceptance of the preliminary pledge, perform the

long-extending sacrifice. O king, by going only to Dirghasatra, O

represser of foes, one obtaineth merit that is superior, O Bharata, to

that of the Rajasuya or the horse-sacrifice. One should next proceed with

subdued senses and regulated diet to Vinasana, where Saraswati

disappearing on the breast of Meru, re-appeareth at Chamasa, Shivodbheda

and Nagadbheda. Bathing in Chamasadbheda, one obtaineth the merit of the

Agnishtoma sacrifice. Bathing in Shivodbheda, one acquireth the merit of

the gift of a thousand kine. And bathing in Nagodbheda, one obtaineth the

region of the Nagas. One should proceed, next, to the inaccessible tirtha

of Shasayana, where the cranes, O Bharata, disappearing in the form of

sasas, re-appear every year in the month of Karttika, and bathe, O

blessed chief of the Bharata race, in the Sarsawati. Bathing there, O

tiger among men, one blazeth forth like the Moon, and obtaineth, O bull

of the Bharata race, the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. One should

next proceed, O thou of the Kuru race, to Kumarakoti, with subdued

senses, and bathing there, worship the gods and the Puris. By doing this,

one obtaineth the merit of the gift of ten thousand kine, and raiseth all

his ancestors to higher regions. One should next, O virtuous one, proceed

with subdued soul to Rudrakoti, where in olden days, O king, ten millions

of Munis had assembled. And, O king, filled with great joy at the

prospect of beholding Mahadeva, the Rishis assembled there, each saying,

'I will first behold the god! I will first behold the god!' And, O king,

in order to prevent disputes amongst those Rishis of subdued souls, the

Lord of Yoga, by the help of his Yoga power, multiplied himself into ten

million forms, and stood before every one of them. And every one of these

Rishis said, 'I have seen him first!' And gratified, O king, with the

deep devotion of those Munis of subdued souls, Mahadeva granted them a

boon, saying, 'From this day your righteousness shall grow!' And, O tiger

among men, one that bathes, with a pure mind, in Rudrakoti obtaineth the

merit of the horse-sacrifice and delivereth his ancestors. One should

next proceed, O king, to that highly sacred and celebrated region where

the Saraswati mingles with the sea. Thither, O king, the gods with Brahma

at their head and Rishis with wealth of asceticism repair for adoring

Kesava on the fourteenth day of the lighted fortnight of the month of

Chaitra. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one obtaineth the merit of

giving away gold in abundance, and his soul being cleansed from every

sin, he ascendeth to the region of Brahma. It is there, O king, that the

Rishis have completed many a sacrifice. By a trip to that spot one

obtaineth the merit of the gifts of a thousand kine.'"

SECTION LXXXIII

"Pulastya said, 'One should next proceed, O king, to the adored

Kurukshetra at sight of which all creatures are freed from their sins. He

is freed from all sins who constantly sayeth, 'I will live in

Kurukshetra.' The very dust of Kurukshetra, conveyed by the wind, leadeth

a sinful man to a blessed course (in after-life). They that dwell in

Kurukshetra which lieth to the south of the Saraswati and the north of

the Drishadwati, are said to dwell in heaven. O hero, one should reside

there, O thou foremost of warriors, for a month. There, O lord of earth,

the gods with Brahma at their head, the Rishis, the Siddhas, the

Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Yakshas and the Nagas, often

repair, O Bharata, to the highly sacred Brahmakshetra. O foremost of

warriors, the sins of one that desireth to repair to Kurukshetra even

mentally are all destroyed, and he finally goeth into the region of

Brahma. O son of the Kuru race, by repairing to Kurukshetra in a pious

frame of mind, one obtaineth the fruit of the Rajasuya and horse

sacrifices. By saluting next the Yaksha called Mankanaka, that mighty

gate-keeper (of Kuvera), cue obtaineth the fruit of giving away a

thousand kine. O virtuous king, one should next repair to the excellent

region of Vishnu, where Hari is always present. Bathing there and bowing

down unto Hari, the Creator of the three worlds, one obtaineth the fruit

of the horse-sacrifice and repaireth to the abode of Vishnu. One should

next repair to Pariplava, that tirtha celebrated over the three worlds,

and (bathing there), O Bharata, one obtaineth merit that is greater than

that of the Agnishtoma and the Atiratra sacrifices. Repairing next to the

tirtha called Prithivi, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a thousand

kine. The pilgrim should next, O king, proceed to Shalukini and bathing

there in the Dasaswamedha one obtaineth the merit of ten

horse-sacrifices. Proceeding next to Sarpadevi, that excellent tirtha of

the Nagas, one obtaineth the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice and

attaineth to the region of the Nagas. O virtuous one, one should next

proceed to Tarantuka, the gatekeeper, and residing there for one night

one obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Proceeding next

with subdued senses and regulated diet to Panchananda and bathing in the

tirtha there, called Koti, one obtaineth the fruit of the

horse-sacrifice. Proceeding then to the tirtha of the twin Aswins one

obtaineth personal beauty. O virtuous one, one should next proceed to the

excellent tirtha called Varaha, where Vishnu formerly stood in the form

of a boar. Bathing there one obtaineth, O foremost of men, the merit of

the horse-sacrifice. One should next, O king, repair to the tirtha called

Sama in Jayanti. Bathing there one obtaineth the merit of Rajasuya

sacrifice. By bathing in Ekahansa, a man obtaineth the merit of giving

away a thousand kine. O king, a pilgrim repairing to Kritasaucha

obtaineth the lotus-eyed deity (Vishnu) and perfect purity of soul. One

should next proceed to Munjavata, that spot sacred to the illustrious

Sthanu. Residing there without food for one night, one obtaineth the

status called Ganapatya. There, O king, is the celebrated tirtha called

Yakshini. O king, repairing to that tirtha and bathing there, one

obtaineth fruition of all his desires. O bull of the Bharata race, that

tirtha is regarded as the gate of Kurukshetra. The pilgrim should with

concentrated soul, walk round it. Equal unto the Pushkaras, it was

created by the high-souled Rama, the son of Jamadagni. Bathing there and

worshipping the Pitris and the gods, one obtaineth, O king, the merit of

the horse-sacrifice and becometh successful in everything. The pilgrim

should next repair with concentrated soul to the Rama-hrada. There, O

king, the heroic Rama of resplendent energy, exterminating the Kshatriyas

by his might, dug five lakes and filled them, O tiger among men, with the

blood of his victims, as heard by us. And having filled those lakes with

Kshatriya blood, Rama offered oblations of blood to his sires and

grandsires. Gratified (with the oblations) those Rishis then addressed

Rama and said, 'O Rama, O Rama, O thou of great good fortune, we have

been gratified with thee, O thou of the Bhrigu race, for this thy regard

for the Pitris, and thy prowess, O exalted one! Blessed be thou and ask

thou the boon thou choosest. What is that thou desirest, O thou of great

splendour!' Thus addressed (by them), Rama, that foremost of smiters,

said with joined hands these words unto the Pitris, stationed in the

firmament, 'If ye have been gratified with me, if I have deserved your

favour, I desire this favour of the Pitris, viz., that I may have

pleasure again in ascetic austerities. Let me also, through your power,

be freed from the sin I have committed by exterminating, from wrath, the

Kshatriya race. Let also my lakes become tirthas celebrated over the

world. The Pitris, hearing these blessed words of Rama, were highly

gratified, and filled with joy they answered him saying, 'Let thy

asceticism increase in consequence of thy regard for the Pitris. Thou

hast exterminated the Kshatriyas from wrath. Freed art thou already from

that sin, for they have perished as a consequence of their own misdeeds.

Without doubt, these lakes of thine will become tirthas. And if one,

bathing in these lakes, offereth oblations of the water thereof to the

Pitris, the latter gratified with him will grant him desire, difficult of

fulfilment in the world as also eternal heaven.' O king, having granted

him these boons, the Pitris joyfully saluted Rama of the Bhrigu race and

disappeared there and then. It was thus that the lakes of the illustrious

Rama of the Bhrigu race became sacred. Leading a Brahmacharya mode of

life and observing sacred vows, one should bathe in the lakes of Rama.

Bathing therein and worshipping Rama, one obtaineth, O king, the merit of

gift of gold in abundance. Proceeding next, O son of the Kuru race, to

Vansamulaka, a pilgrim by bathing there, raiseth, O king, his own race. O

best of the Bharatas, arriving next at the tirtha called Kayasodhana, and

bathing there, one purifieth, without doubt, his body, and proceeded with

purified body to the blessed region of unrivalled excellence. One should

next repair, O virtuous one, to that tirtha, celebrated over the three

worlds, called Lokoddara, where formerly Vishnu of great prowess had

created the worlds. Arriving at that tirtha which is adored by the three

worlds one earneth, O king, by bathing there, numerous worlds for

himself. Repairing next with subdued soul to the tirtha called Sree, one

acquires, by bathing there and worshipping the Pitris and the gods, high

prosperity. Leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and with concentrated

soul, one should proceed next to the tirtha called Kapila. Bathing there

and worshipping one's own Pitris and the gods, a man earneth the fruit of

the gift of a thousand Kapila kine. Repairing next to the tirtha called

Surya and bathing there with subdued soul and worshipping the Pitris and

the gods, fasting all the while, one obtaineth the fruit of the

Agnishtoma sacrifice and goeth (finally) to the region of the Sun. The

pilgrim by proceeding next to Gobhavana and bathing there obtaineth the

merit of the gift of a thousand kine. O son of the Kuru race, a pilgrim

by repairing then to the tirtha called Shankhini and bathing in the

Devi-tirtha that is there, obtaineth high prowess. O king, one should

then proceed to the tirtha called Tarandaka situated in the Saraswati and

belonging to the illustrious chief of the Yakshas who is one of the

gate-keepers (of Kuvera). O king, bathing there one obtaineth the fruit

of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. O virtuous king, one should next repair to

the tirtha called Brahmavarta. Bathing in Brahmavarta, one ascendeth to

the abode of Brahma. O king, one should then repair to the excellent

tirtha called Sutirtha. There the Pitris are ever present along with the

gods. One should bathe there and worship the Pitris and the gods. By so

doing, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth (finally)

into the region of the Pitris. It is for this, O virtuous one, that

Sutirtha situate in Amvumati is regarded as so excellent. And, O thou

best of the Bharata race, having bathed in the tirtha of Kasiswara, one

becometh freed from all diseases and is adored in the abode of Brahma.

There, in that tirtha, is another called Matri. One that bathes in Matri

tirtha hath a large progeny and obtaineth, O king, great prosperity. One

should next proceed with subdued sense and regulated diet to the tirtha

called Shitavana. And, O great king, it hath been seen that one merit of

that tirtha which rarely belongs to any other, is that one only going

thither obtaineth holiness. By casting off his hair in that tirtha one

acquireth, O Bharata, great sanctity. There, in that tirtha, is another

called Shwavillomapaha, where, O tiger among men, and chief of the

Bharata race, learned Brahmanas that go to tirthas obtain great

satisfaction by a dip into its waters. Good Brahmanas, O king, by casting

off their hair in that tirtha acquire holiness by Pranayama and finally

attain to a high state. There, O king, in that tirtha is also another

called Dasaswamedhika. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one attains to a

high state. One should next proceed, O king, to the celebrated tirtha

called Manusha where, O king, a number of black antelopes afflicted by

the hunter's arrows, plunging into its waters, were transformed into

human beings. Bathing in that tirtha, leading a Brahmacharya mode of life

and with concentrated soul, a man becomes freed from all his sins and is

adored in heaven. Distant by a krosa, O king, to the east of Manusha

there is a river celebrated by the name of Apaga that is restored to by

the Siddhas. The man that offereth there the syamaka grain in honour of

the gods and the Pitris acquireth great religious merit. And if one

Brahmana is fed there, it becomes equivalent to feeding ten millions of

Brahmanas. Having bathed in that tirtha and worshipped the gods and the

Pitris and resided there for one night, a man obtaineth the merit of the

Agnishtoma sacrifice. One should then repair, O king, to that excellent

region of Brahma which, O Bharata, is known on earth by the name of

Brahmodumvara. Bathing in the tank of the seven Rishis that is there, O

bull among men, with pure mind and subdued soul, as also in the tirtha

called Kedara of the high-souled Kapila, and beholding Brahma who is

there, one's soul being purified from all sins, one goeth to the abode of

Brahma. Proceeding next to the inaccessible tirtha called Kedara of

Kapila, and burning one's sins there by ascetic penances, one acquireth

the power of disappearance at will. One should next proceed, O king, to

the celebrated tirtha called Saraka, and beholding Mahadeva there on the

fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, one obtaineth all his wishes and

goeth also into heaven. O son of the Kuru race, in Saraka and Rudrakoti

as also in the well and the lakes that are there, thirty millions of

tirthas are present. There in that tirtha, O chief of the Bharatas, is

another called Ilaspada. Bathing there and worshipping the gods and the

Pitris, one never sinketh into hell but obtaineth the fruit of the

Vajapeya sacrifice. Repairing next to Kindana and Kinjapya, one

acquireth, O Bharata, the merit of giving away in measureless abundance

and the infinite recitation of prayers. Repairing next to the tirtha

called Kalasi and bathing there devoutly and with the senses under

control, a man obtaineth the fruit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. To the

east of Saraka, O chief of the Kurus, there is an auspicious tirtha known

by the name of Anajanma, of the high-souled Narada. He that bathes there,

O Bharata, obtaineth, after death, at the command of Narada various

unrivalled regions. One should next proceed, on the tenth day of the

lighted fortnight, to the tirtha called Pundarika. Bathing there, O king,

one obtaineth the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice. One should next

proceed to the tirtha called Tripishtapa that is known over the three

worlds. There in that tirtha is the sacred and sin-destroying river

called Vaitarani. Bathing there and adoring the god known by the mark of

the bull and holding the trident in his hand, one's soul being purified

from every sin one attaineth to the highest state. One should next

proceed, O king, to the excellent tirtha called Phalakivana. There in

that tirtha the gods, O monarch, having been present, performed their

ascetic austerities extending for many thousand years. One should then

proceed to the Dhrishadwati. Bathing there and worshipping the gods, one

obtaineth, O Bharata, merit that is superior to that of both the

Agnishtoma and the Atiratra sacrifices. O chief of the Bharatas, bathing

in that tirtha called Sarvadeva, a man obtaineth, O king, the merit of

giving away a thousand kine. Bathing next in the tirtha called Panikhata

and worshipping all the gods, a man obtaineth merit that is superior to

that of both the Agnishtoma and the Atiratra sacrifices, besides

acquiring that of the Rajasuya sacrifice and finally going into the

region of the Rishis. One should next proceed, O virtuous one, to that

excellent tirtha called Misraka. There, O tiger among kings, it hath been

heard by us that the high-souled Vyasa, for the sake of the Brahmanas,

hath mixed all the tirthas. He, therefore, that bathes in Misraka really

bathes in all the tirtha. One should next proceed with subdued senses and

regulated diet, to the tirtha called Vyasavana. Bathing in the tirtha

called Manojava that is there, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a

thousand kine. Proceeding next to the Devi tirtha that is in Madhuvati,

one that bathes there and worships the gods and the Pitris obtains at the

command of the Goddess the merit of the gift of a thousand kine.

Proceeding with regulated diet, he that bathes in the confluence of the

Kausiki and the Drishadwati, becometh free from all his sins. One should

next proceed to Vyasasthali where Vyasa of great intelligence, burning

with grief for his son had resolved to cast off his body but was cheered

again by the gods. Proceeding to that spot of Vyasa, one obtaineth the

merit of a thousand kine. O son of the Kuru race, proceeding next to the

well called Kindatta, he that throweth into it a measure of sesame, is

freed from all his debts and obtaineth his success. Bathing in the tirtha

called Vedi, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine.

There are two other celebrated tirthas called Ahas and Sudina. Bathing

there, O tiger among men, one goeth to the region of the Sun. One should

next proceed to the tirtha called Mrigadhuma that is celebrated

throughout the three worlds. One should bathe there, O king, in Ganga.

Bathing there and worshipping Mahadeva, one obtaineth the merit of the

horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the Devi tirtha one obtaineth the merit

of the gift of a thousand kine. One should then proceed to Vamanaka

celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing there in Vishnupada and

worshipping Vamana one's soul being purified from every sin, one goeth to

the abode of Vishnu. Bathing next in Kulampuna, one sanctifieth his own

race. Proceeding then to the Pavana-hrada, that excellent tirtha of the

Marutas, and bathing there, O king and tiger among men, one becometh

adored in the region of the Wind-god. Bathing in the Amara-hrada and

worshipping with devotion the chief of the celestials, one becometh

adored in heaven and courseth, seated on an excellent car, in the company

of the immortals. O best of great men, bathing next with due rites in the

tirtha called Sali surya, of Salihotra, one obtaineth the merit of the

gift of a thousand kine. O best of the Bharatas, there is a tirtha called

Sreekunja in the Saraswati. Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth

the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. O son of the Kuru race, one should

next repair to Naimishakunja. O king, the Rishis engaged in ascetic

austerities in the woods of Naimisha had, in days of old, taking the vow

of pilgrimage, gone to Kurukshetra. There, on the banks of the Saraswati,

O chief of the Bharatas, a grove was made, which might serve for a

resting spot for themselves, and which was highly gratifying to them.

Bathing in the Saraswati there, one obtaineth the merit of the Agnishtoma

sacrifice. One should next proceed, O virtuous one, to the excellent

tirtha called Kanya. Bathing there one obtaineth the merit of the gift of

a thousand kine. One should next proceed to the excellent tirtha of

Brahma. Bathing there, a person, of the (three) inferior orders,

obtaineth the status of a Brahmana, and if one be a Brahmana, his soul

being purified from every sin, he attaineth to the highest state. One

should then, O best of men, proceed to the excellent tirtha called Soma.

Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the region of Soma. One should next

proceed, O king, to the tirtha called Saptasaraswata, where the

celebrated Rishi, Mankanaka, had obtained ascetic success. O king, it

hath been heard by us that in days of old Mankanaka having cut his hand

with the pointed blade of the Kusa grass, there flowed from his wound

vegetable juice (instead of blood). And beholding vegetable juice flow

from his wound, the Rishi began to dance with wonder-expanded eyes. And

as the Rishi danced, all the mobile and immobile creatures also,

overwhelmed with his prowess, began to dance with him. Then, O king, the

gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis endued with the wealth of

asceticism moved by the act of Mankanaka, represented the matter to

Mahadeva, saying, 'It behoveth thee, O god, to act in such a way that

this Rishi may not dance.' Thus addressed, Mahadeva, with heart filled

with joy, approached the dancing Rishi, and moved by the desire of doing

good to the gods, said, 'O great Rishi, O virtuous one, why dost thou

dance? O bull among Munis, what can be the reason of this thy present

joy?' The Rishi answered, 'O best of Brahmanas, I am an ascetic that

tread the path of virtue. Dost thou not behold, O Brahmana, that

vegetable juice floweth from the wound in my hand? Filled with great joy

at sight of this, I am dancing.' Addressing the Rishi blinded by emotion,

the god laughingly said, 'O Brahmana, I do not wonder at this. Behold

me.' Having said this, O best of men, Mahadeva, O sinless king, pressed

his thumb by the tip of his own finger. And, lo, from the wound thus

inflicted, there came out ashes white as snow. And beholding this, O

king, that Muni became ashamed and fell at the feet of the god. And

believing that there was nothing better and greater than the god Rudra,

he began to adore him in these words:

"O holder of the trident, thou art the refuge of the celestials and the

Asuras, of, indeed, the universe. By thee have been created the three

worlds with their mobile and immobile beings. It is thou again that

swallowest everything at the end of the Yuga. Thou art incapable of being

known by the gods themselves, far less by me. O sinless one, the gods

with Brahma at their heads are all displayed in thee. Thou art all, the

Creator himself and the Ordainer of the worlds. It is by thy grace that

all the gods sport without anxiety or fear. And adoring Mahadeva thus the

Rishi also said, 'O god of gods, grant me thy grace, so that my

asceticism may not diminish.' Then that god of cheerful soul answered the

regenerate Rishi,--saying, 'Let thy asceticism, O Brahmana, increase a

thousandfold through my grace. And, O great Muni, I shall dwell with thee

in this thy asylum. Bathing in Saptasaraswata, they that will worship me,

shall be able to attain everything here and hereafter. And, without

doubt, they shall all attain to the Saraswata region in the end.' Having

said this, Mahadeva disappeared then and there.

"After visiting Saraswata, one should proceed to Ausanasa celebrated over

the three worlds. There, O Bharata, the gods with Brahma at their head,

and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, and the illustrious

Kartikeya, were ever present during two twilights and the mid-day,

impelled by the desire of doing good to Bhargava. There in that tirtha is

another called Kapalamochana, which cleanseth from every sin. O tiger

among men, bathing there one is cleansed from every sin. One should then

proceed to the tirtha called Agni. Bathing there, O bull among men, one

obtaineth the regions of agni and raiseth his own race (from lower

regions). There in that tirtha is another, O chief of the Bharatas, that

belongeth to Viswamitra. Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth the

status of a Brahmana. Proceeding next to Brahmayoni in purity of body and

with subdued soul, one obtaineth, O tiger among men, by bathing there,

the abode of Brahma, and sanctifieth, without doubt, his own race to the

seventh generation up and down. One should next proceed, O king, to the

tirtha celebrated over the three worlds, which is called Prithudaka,

belonging to Kartikeya. One should bathe there and occupy oneself in the

worship of the Pitris and the gods. Whatever evil hath been committed,

knowingly or unknowingly, by man or woman, impelled by human motives, is

all destroyed, O Bharata, by a bath in that tirtha. Bathing there one

obtaineth, too, the merit of the horse-sacrifice and heaven also. The

learned have said that Kurukshetra is holy; that holier than Kurukshetra

is the Saraswati; that holier than the Saraswati are all the tirthas

together, and that holier than all the tirthas together is Prithudaka. He

that engaged in the recitation of prayers casteth off his body at

Prithudaka, which is the best of all tirthas, becometh an immortal. It

hath been sung by Sanatkumara and by the high-souled Vyasa, and it is in

the Vedas also, that one should, O king, go to Prithudaka, with subdued

soul. O son of Kuru race, there is no tirtha which is superior to

Prithudaka. Without doubt, that tirtha is purifying, holy and

sin-destroying. O best of men, it hath been said by learned persons that

men, however sinful, by bathing in Prithudaka, go to heaven. O best of

the Bharatas, there in that tirtha is another called Madhusrava. Bathing

there, O king, one obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine.

One should then proceed, O king, to that celebrated and sacred tirtha

where the Saraswati uniteth with the Aruna. One that batheth there,

having fasted for three nights, is cleansed of even the sin of slaying a

Brahmana, and obtaineth also merit that is superior to that of either the

Agnishtoma or Atiratra sacrifice, and rescueth his race to the seventh

generation up and down. There in that tirtha is another, O perpetuator of

the Kuru race, that is called Ardhakila. From compassion for the

Brahmanas, that tirtha was made by Darbhi in days of old. Without doubt,

by vows, by investiture of the sacred, by fasts, by rites and by Mantras,

one becometh a Brahmana. O bull among men, it hath been seen, however, by

learned persons of old that even one destitute of rites and Mantras, by

only bathing in that tirtha becometh learned and endued with the merit of

vows. Darbhi had also brought hither the four oceans. O best of men, one

that batheth here, never meeteth with distress hereafter and obtaineth

also the merit of giving away four thousand kine. One should next repair,

O virtuous one, to the tirtha called Satasahasraka. Near to this is

another called Sahasraka. Both are celebrated, and one that batheth in

them, obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Fasts and gifts

there multiply a thousandfold. One should next proceed, O king, to the

excellent tirtha called Renuka. One should bathe there and worship the

Pitris and the gods. By this, cleansed from every sin, he obtaineth the

merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Bathing next in the tirtha called

Vimochana with passions and senses under control, one is cleansed from

all the sins generated by the acceptance of gifts. With senses under

control and practising the Brahmacharya mode of life, one should next

repair to the woods of Panchavati. By a sojourn thither, one earneth much

virtue and becometh adored in the regions of the virtuous. One should

next go to the tirtha of Varuna called Taijasa, blazing in effulgence of

its own. There in that tirtha is the lord of Yoga, Sthanu himself, having

for his vehicle the bull. He that sojourneth there, obtaineth success by

worshipping the god of gods. It was there that the gods with Brahma at

their head and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, installed Guha as

the generalissimo of the celestials. To the east of that tirtha is

another, O perpetuator of Kuru race, that is called Kuru tirtha. With

senses under control and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, he that

bathes in Kuru-tirtha, becometh cleansed of all his sins and obtaineth

the region of Brahma. With subdued senses and regulated diet one should

next proceed to Svargadwara. Sojourning thither, one obtaineth the merit

of the Agnishtoma sacrifice and goeth to the abode of Brahma. The pilgrim

should then, O king, proceed to the tirtha called Anaraka. Bathing there,

O king, one never meeteth with distress hereafter. There, O king, Brahma

himself with the other gods having Narayana at their head, is ever

present, O tiger among men! And, O royal son of the Kuru race, the wife

also of Rudra is present there. Beholding the goddess, one never meeteth

with distress hereafter. There in that tirtha O king, is also (an image

of) Visweswara, the lord of Uma. Beholding the god of gods there, one is

cleansed of all his sins. Beholding also (the image of) Narayana from

whose navel had sprung the lotus, one blazeth forth, O royal represser of

all foes, and goeth to the abode of Vishnu. O bull among men, he that

batheth in the tirthas of all the gods, is exempted from every sorrow and

blazeth forth like the Moon. The pilgrim should next proceed, O king, to

Swastipura. By walking around that place, one obtaineth the merit of

giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at the tirtha called Pavana,

one should offer oblations to the Pitris and the gods. By this, he

obtaineth, O Bharata, the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Near to that

is Ganga-hrada, and another, O Bharata, called Kupa. Thirty millions of

tirthas, O king, are present in that Kupa. Bathing there, O king, a

person obtaineth heaven. Bathing also in the Ganga-hrada and adoring

Maheswara, one obtaineth the status of Ganapatya and rescueth his own

race. One should next proceed to Sthanuvata, celebrated over the three

worlds. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth heaven. One should then

proceed to Vadaripachana, the asylum of Vasishtha. Having tasted there

for three nights, one should eat jujubes. He that liveth on jujubes for

twelve years, and he that fasteth at the tirtha for three nights,

acquireth merit that is eternal. Arriving then at Indramarga, O king, and

fasting there for a day and night the pilgrim becometh adored in the

abode of Indra. Arriving next at the tirtha called Ekaratra, a person

that stayeth there for one night, with regulated vows and refraining from

untruth, becometh adored in the abode of Brahma. One should next go, O

king, to the asylum of Aditya--that illustrious god who is a mass of

effulgence. Bathing in that tirtha celebrated over three worlds, and

worshipping the god of light, one goeth to the region of Aditya and

rescueth his own race. The pilgrim then, O king, bathing in the tirtha of

Soma, obtaineth, without doubt, the region of Soma. One should next

proceed, O virtuous one, to the most sacred tirtha of the illustrious

Dadhicha, that sanctifying tirtha which is celebrated over the whole

world. It was here that Angiras, that ocean of ascetic austerities

belonging to the Saraswata race, was born, Bathing in that tirtha, one

obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and without doubt, gaineth

also residence in the legion of Saraswati. With subdued senses and

leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, one should next proceed to

Kanyasrama. Residing there for three nights, O king, with subdued senses

and regulated diet, one obtaineth a hundred celestial damsels and goeth

also to the abode of Brahma. One should next, O virtuous one, proceed to

the tirtha called Sannihati. Sojourning thither the gods with Brahma at

their head and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism earn much virtue.

Bathing in the Saraswati during a solar eclipse, one obtaineth the merit

of a hundred horse-sacrifices, and any sacrifice that one may perform

there produceth merit that is eternal. Whatever tirthas exist on earth or

in the firmament, all the rivers, lakes, smaller lakes, springs, tanks,

large and small, and spots sacred to particular gods, without doubt, all

come, O tiger among men, month after month, and mingle with Sannihati, O

king of men! And it is because that all other tirthas are united together

here, that this tirtha is so called. Bathing there and drinking of its

water, one becometh adored in heaven. Listen now, O king, to the merit

acquired by that mortal who performeth a Sraddha on the day of the new

moon during a solar eclipse. The person that performeth a Sraddha there,

after having bathed in that tirtha, obtaineth the merit that one earneth

by properly celebrating a thousand horse-sacrifices. Whatever sins a man

or woman committeth, are, without doubt, all destroyed as soon as one

batheth in that tirtha. Bathing there one also ascendeth to the abode of

Brahma on the lotus-coloured tar. Bathing next in Koti-tirtha, after

having worshipped the Yaksha doorkeeper, Machakruka, one obtaineth the

merit of giving away gold in abundance. Near to this, O best of the

Bharatas, is a tirtha called Gangahrada. One should bathe there, O

virtuous one, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life.

By this, one obtaineth merit that is greater than that of a Rajasuya and

horse-sacrifices. The tirtha called Naimisha is productive of good on

earth. Pushkara is productive of good in the regions of the firmament;

Kurukshetra, however, is productive of good in respect of all the three

worlds. Even the dust of Kurukshetra, carried by the wind, leadeth sinful

men to a highly blessed state. They that reside in Kurukshetra, which

lieth to the north of the Drishadwati and the south of the Saraswati,

really reside in heaven. 'I will go to Kurukshetra,' 'I will dwell in

Kurukshetra,' he that uttereth those words even once, becometh cleansed

of all sins. The sacred Kurukshetra which is worshipped by Brahmarshis,

is regarded as the sacrificial altar of the celestials. Those mortals

that dwell there, have nothing to grieve for at any time. That which

lieth between Tarantuka and Arantuka and the lakes of Rama and Machakruka

is Kurukshetra. It is also called Samantapanchaka and is said to be the

northern sacrificial altar of the Grandsire.'

SECTION LXXXIV

"Pulastya said, 'Then, O great king, one should proceed to the excellent

tirtha of Dharma, where the illustrious god of justice had practised

highly meritorious austerities. And it is for this that he made the spot

a sacred tirtha and rendered it celebrated by his own name. Bathing

there, O king, a virtuous man with concentrated soul certainly

sanctifieth his family to the seventh generation. One should then repair,

O king, to the excellent Jnanapavana. Sojourning thither, one obtaineth

the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice, and goeth to the region of the

Munis. Then, O monarch, a man should repair to the Saugandhika-vana.

There dwell the celestials with Brahma at their head, Rishis endued with

wealth of asceticism, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the

Kinnaras and the serpents. As soon as one entereth these woods, he is

cleansed of all his sins. Then, O king, should one repair to the sacred

goddess Saraswati, known there as the goddess Plaksha, that best of

streams and foremost of rivers. There should one bathe in the water

issuing from an ant-hill. (Bathing there and) worshipping the Pitris and

the gods, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There existeth

a rare tirtha called Isanadhyushita, lying from the ant-hill at the

distance of six throws of a heavy stick. As seen in the Puranas, O tiger

among men, bathing there a man obtaineth the merit of giving away a

thousand Kapila kine and of the horse-sacrifice. Journeying next, O

foremost of men, to Sugandha, and Satakumbha and Panchayaksha, a man

becometh adored in heaven. Repairing to another tirtha there called

Trisulakhata, one should bathe and set himself to worship the Pitris and

the gods. Doing so, without doubt, one obtaineth, after death, the status

of Ganapatya. One should next proceed, O king, to the excellent spot of

the Goddess celebrated over the three worlds by the name of Sakamvari.

There, for the space of a thousand celestial years, she of excellent

vows, month after month, had subsisted upon herbs, O king of men! And

attracted by their reverence for the Goddess, many Rishis with wealth of

asceticism, came thither, O Bharata. and were entertained by her with

herbs. And it is for this that they bestowed on her the name of

Sakamvari. O Bharata, the man who arriveth at Sakamvari, with rapt

attention and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and passeth three

nights there in purity and subsisting on herbs alone, obtaineth, at the

will of the goddess, the merit of him that liveth upon herbs for twelve

years. Then should one proceed to the tirtha called Suvarna, famed

through the three worlds. There in days of old, Vishnu had paid his

adorations to Rudra, for his grace, and obtaineth also many boons

difficult of acquisition even by the gods. And, O Bharata, the gratified

destroyer of Tripura said, 'O Krishna, thou shalt, without doubt, be much

beloved in the world, and the foremost of everything in the universe.'

Repairing thither, O king, and worshipping the deity having the bull for

his mark, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice as also the

status of Ganapatya. One should next proceed to the tirtha of Dhumavati.

Fasting there for three nights, one obtaineth, without doubt, all the

wishes cherished by him. To the southern half of this spot of the

Goddess, there is, O king, a tirtha called Rathavarta. One should, O

virtuous one, go up to that place, with devout heart, and having his

senses under control. By this, through the grace of Mahadeva, one

attaineth to an exalted state. After walking round the place, one should,

O bull of the Bharata race, proceed to the tirtha named Dhara, which, O

thou of great wisdom, washeth off all sins. Bathing there, O tiger among

men, a man is freed from every sorrow. One should then repair, O virtuous

one, after bowing to the great mountain (Himavat), to the source of the

Ganges, which is, without doubt, like the gate of heaven. There should

one, with concentrated soul, bathe in the tirtha called Koti. By this,

one obtaineth the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice, and delivereth his

race. Residing one night there, one acquireth the merit of giving away a

thousand kine. By offering oblations of water duly to the gods and the

Pitris, at Saptaganga, Triganga and Sakravarta, (which are all there),

becometh adored in the regions of the virtuous. Bathing next at

Kanakhala, and fasting there for three nights, a person reapeth the merit

of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to heaven. Then O lord of men, the

pilgrim should repair to Kapilavata. Fasting for one night there, he

obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O king, there is a

tirtha of the illustrious Kapila, king of the Nagas, that is celebrated,

O thou best of Kurus, over all the worlds. Bathing there at the

Nagatirtha one obtaineth, O king, the merit of giving away a thousand

Kapila kine. One should next repair to the excellent tirtha of Santanu,

called Lalitika. Bathing there, O king, one never sinketh into distress

(hereafter). The man that bathes at the confluence of the Ganga and the

Yamuna, obtains the merit of ten horse-sacrifices, and also rescues his

race. One should next, O king, go to Sugandha, celebrated over the world.

By this, cleansed of every sin, he becometh adored in the abode of

Brahma. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrim should repair to Rudravarta.

Bathing there, one ascendeth to heaven. Bathing at the confluence of the

Ganga and the Saraswati, a person obtaineth the merit of the

horse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to heaven. Proceeding next to

Bhadrakarneswara and worshipping the gods duly, one, without sinking into

distress, becometh adored in heaven. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrim

should proceed to the tirtha called Kuvjamraka. By this he obtaineth the

merit of giving away a thousand kine, and heaven also. Then, O king, the

pilgrim should go to the Arundhativata. Proceeding thither with

concentrated soul and practising the Brahmacharya vows, one that batheth

in Samudraka and fasteth for three nights, obtaineth the merit of the

horse-sacrifice and of giving away a thousand kine, and also rescueth his

race. One should next proceed to Brahmavarta, with concentrated soul and

practising the Brahmacharya vows. By this, one obtaineth the merit of the

horse-sacrifice, and goeth to the region of Soma. The man that proceedeth

to the Yamuna-prabhava, (the source of the Yamuna) and batheth there,

obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and is worshipped in heaven.

Arriving at Darvisankramana, that tirtha which is worshipped of the three

worlds, a person obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to

heaven. Repairing next to Sindhu-prabhava (the source of the Indus) which

is worshipped by Siddhas and Gandharvas, and staying there for five

nights, one obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance.

Proceeding next to the inaccessible tirtha called Vedi, one obtaineth the

merit of the horse-sacrifice and ascendeth to heaven. Then, O Bharata,

should one proceed to Rishikulya and Vasishtha. By visiting the latter,

all orders attain to Brahmanhood. Repairing to Rishikulya and bathing

there, and living a month upon herbs, and worshipping the gods and

Pitris, one is cleansed of all his sins, and obtaineth the region of the

Rishis. Proceeding next to Bhrigutunga a person acquireth the merit of

the horse-sacrifice. Repairing then to Vipramoksha, one is freed from

every sin. Proceeding then to the tirtha of Krittika and Magha, one, O

Bharata, obtaineth the merit superior to that of the Agnishtoma and

Atiratha sacrifices. The man who, repairing to the excellent tirtha

called Vidya, batheth there in the evening, obtaineth proficiency in

every kind of knowledge. One should next reside for one night at

Mahasrama capable of destroying every sin, taking a single meal. By this,

one obtains many auspicious regions, and delivers ten preceding and ten

succeeding generations of his race. Dwelling next for a month of

Mahalaya, and fasting there for three nights, one's soul is cleansed of

all sins and one acquires the merit of giving away gold in abundance.

Proceeding next to Vetasika worshipped by the Grandsire, one obtaineth

the merit of the horse-sacrifice and the state of Usanas. Going next to

the tirtha called Sundarika, worshipped by the Siddhas, one obtaineth

personal beauty as witnessed by the ancients. Proceeding next to Brahmani

with subdued senses and observing the Brahmacharya vow, a person

ascendeth to the region of Brahma on a lotus-hued car. One should repair

next to the sacred Naimisha, worshipped by the Siddhas. There dwelleth

for aye Brahma with the gods. By only purposing to go to Naimisha, half

one's sins are destroyed; by entering it, one is cleansed of all his

sins. The pilgrim of subdued senses should stay at Naimisha for a month;

for, O Bharata, all the tirthas of the earth are at Naimisha. Bathing

there, with restrained senses and regulated fare, one obtains, O Bharata,

the merit of the cow-sacrifice, and also sanctifies, O best of the

Bharatas, his race for seven generations both upwards and downwards. He

who renounceth his life at Naimisha by fasting, enjoyeth happiness in the

heavenly regions. Even this is the opinion of the wise. O foremost of

kings, Naimisha is ever sacred and holy. Proceeding next to Gangodbheda

and fasting there for three nights, a man obtaineth the merit of the

Vajapeya sacrifice, and becometh like unto Brahma himself. Journeying to

the Saraswati, one should offer oblations unto the gods and the Pitris.

By this, one certainly enjoyeth bliss in the regions called Saraswata.

Then should one wend to Vahuda, with subdued soul and observing the

Brahmacharya vow. Residing there for one night, one becometh adored in

heaven, and obtaineth also, O Kaurava, the merit of the Devasatra

sacrifice. Then should one repair to the holy Kshiravati, frequented by

holier men. By worshipping the gods and the Pitris there, one obtains the

merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. Proceeding next to Vimalasoka, with

subdued soul and observing the Brahmacharya vow, and residing there for

one night, one is adored in heaven. One should next proceed to the

excellent Gopratra in the Sarayu, whence Rama, O king, with all his

attendants and animals, renouncing his body, ascended to heaven in

consequence of the efficacy of the tirtha alone. Bathing in that tirtha,

O Bharata, one's soul, through Rama's grace, and by virtue of his own

deeds, being cleansed of all sins, one becometh adored in heaven. O

Bharata! Proceeding next, O son of the Kuru race, to the Rama-tirtha on

the Gomati, and bathing there, one obtaineth the merit of the

horse-sacrifice, and sanctifieth also his own race. There, O bull of the

Bharata race, is another tirtha called Satasahasrika. Bathing there, with

restrained senses and regulated diet, a person reapeth, O bull of Bharata

race, the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Then should one, O king,

go to the unrivalled tirtha called Bhartristhana. By this, a person

obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the tirtha

called Koti, and worshipping Kartikeya, a man reapeth, O king, the merit

of giving away a thousand kine, and acquireth great energy. Proceeding

next to Varanasi, and worshipping the god having the bull for his mark,

after a bath in the Kapilahrada, one obtaineth the merit of the Rajasuya

sacrifice. Repairing then, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, to the tirtha

called Avimukta, and beholding there the god of gods, the pilgrim, from

such sight alone, is immediately cleansed of even the sin of slaying a

Brahmana. By renouncing one's life there, one obtaineth deliverance.

Arriving next, O king, at the rare tirtha called Markandeya celebrated

over the world and situated at the confluence of the Ganges, a person

obtaineth the merit of Agnishtoma sacrifice, and delivereth his race.

Sojourning next to Gaya, with subdued senses and observing the

Brahmacharya vow, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also

rescueth his race. There in that tirtha is the Akshaya-vata, celebrated

over the three worlds. Whatever is offered there to the Pitris is said to

become inexhaustible. Bathing there at the Mahanadi, and offering

oblations to the gods and the Pitris, a man acquireth eternal regions,

and also rescueth his race. Proceeding then to Brahma-sara that is

adorned by the woods of Dharma, and passing one night there, a man

attaineth to the region of Brahma. In that lake, Brahma had raised a

sacrificial pillar. By walking round this pillar, a person acquireth the

merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. One should next, O mighty monarch, go to

Denuka celebrated over the world. Staying there for one night and giving

away sesame and kine, one's soul being cleansed from every sin, one

ascendeth, without doubt to the region of Soma. There, O king, on the

mountains, the cow called Kapila used to range with her calf. There is

little doubt, of this, O Bharata, the hoof-marks, of that cow and her

calf are seen there to this day. By bathing in those hoof-prints, O

foremost of monarchs, whatever sin a man may have incurred is, O Bharata,

washed away. Then should one go to Gridhravata, the spot consecrated to

the trident-bearing god. Approaching the deity having the bull for his

mark one should rub himself with ashes. If a Brahmana, he obtains the

merit of observing the twelve year's vow and if belonging to any of the

other orders, he is freed from all his sins. One should next proceed to

the Udyanta mountains, resounding with melodious notes. There, O bull of

the Bharata race, is still seen the foot-print of Savitri. The Brahmana

of rigid vows, who sayeth his morning, noon and evening prayers there,

obtaineth the merit of performing that service for twelve years. There, O

bull of the Bharata race, is the famous Yonidwara. Repairing thither, a

person becometh exempted from the pain of rebirth. The person that

stayeth at Gaya during both the dark and lighted fortnights, certainly

sanctifieth, O king, his own race up and down to the seventh generation.

One should wish for many sons so that even one may go to Gaya, or

celebrate the horse-sacrifice, or offer a nila bull. Then, O king, the

pilgrim should proceed to Phalgu. By this, he obtains the merit of

horse-sacrifice, and acquires great success. O king, one should repair

then, with subdued soul, to Dharmaprishta. There, O foremost of warriors,

dwelleth Dharma for aye. Drinking of the water of a well which is there,

and purifying one's self by a bath, he that offereth oblations to the

gods and the Pitris is cleansed of all his sins and ascendeth to heaven.

There in that tirtha is the hermitage of the great Rishi Matanga of soul

under complete control. By entering that beautiful asylum capable of

soothing fatigue and sorrow, one earneth the merit of the Gavayana

sacrifice, and by touching (the image of) Dharma which is there, one

obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next go, O king,

to the excellent tirtha called Brahmasthana. Approaching Brahma, that

bull among male beings, who is there, one acquireth, O mighty monarch,

the merit of the Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The pilgrim should then

repair to Rajasuya, O king of men! Bathing there, one liveth (in heaven)

as happily as (the Rishi) Kakshiyan. After purifying himself, one should

partake there of the offerings daily made unto the Yakshini. By this, one

is freed from the sin of even slaying a Brahmana, through the Yakshini's

grace. Proceeding next to Maninaga, one obtains the merit of giving away

a thousand kine. O Bharata, he that eateth anything relating to the

tirtha of Maninaga, if bitten by a venomous snake, doth not succumb to

its poison. Residing there for one night, one is cleansed of one's sins.

Then should one proceed to the favourite wood of the Brahmarshi Gautama.

There bathing in the lake of Ahalya, one attaineth to an exalted state.

Beholding next the image of Sree, one acquireth great prosperity. There

in that tirtha is a well celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing in it,

one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There also existeth a

well sacred to the royal Rishi Janaka, which is worshipped by the gods.

Bathing in the well, one ascendeth to the region of Vishnu. Then should

one repair to Vinasana that destroys every sin. By a sojourn thither, one

obtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice, and goeth also to the

region of Soma. Proceeding next to Gandaki which is produced by the

waters of every tirtha, a person acquireth the merit of the Vajapeya

sacrifice, and ascendeth also to the solar region. Proceeding next to the

Visala, that river celebrated over the three worlds, one obtaineth the

merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice and ascendeth also to heaven. Repairing

then, O virtuous one, to the woody seat of ascetics that is called

Adhivanga, one obtains, without doubt, great happiness amongst the

Guhyakas. Proceeding next to the river Kampana, visited by the Siddhas,

one obtaineth the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice, and ascendeth also to

heaven. Arriving then, O lord of earth, at the stream called Maheswari,

one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also rescueth his own

race. Repairing next to the tank of the celestials, one earneth immunity

from misfortune, and also the merit of the horse-sacrifice. One should

next go to Somapada, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode of

life. Bathing in Maheswarapada that is there, one reapeth the merit of

the horse-sacrifice. There in that tirtha, O bull of the Bharata race, it

is well known that ten millions of tirthas exist together. A wicked Asura

in the shape of a tortoise had, O foremost of monarchs, been carrying it

away when the powerful Vishnu recovered it from him. There in that tirtha

should one perform his ablutions, for by this he acquireth the merit of

the Pundarika sacrifice and ascendeth also to the region of Vishnu. Then,

O best of kings, should one proceed to the place of Narayana, where, O

Bharata, Narayana is ever present and dwelleth for aye. There the gods

with Brahma at their head, Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, the

Adityas, the Vasus, and the Rudras, all adore Janardana, in that tirtha,

and Vishnu of wonderful deeds hath become known as Salagrama. Approaching

the eternal Vishnu, that lord of the three worlds, that giver of boons,

one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and goeth to the region

of Vishnu. There in that place, O virtuous one, is a well, capable of

destroying every sin. The four seas are ever present in that well. He

that bathes in it, O king, will have immunity from misfortune. Beholding

(the image of) the boon-giving, eternal, and fierce Mahadeva who is

there, one shineth, O king, like the moon emerged from the cloud. Bathing

then in Jatismara, with pure mind and subdued senses, one acquireth,

without doubt, the recollections of his former life. Proceeding then to

Maheswarapura, and worshipping the god having the bull for his mark,

fasting the while, one obtaineth, without doubt, the fruition of all his

desires. Repairing then to Vamana that destroys every sin, and beholding

the god Hari, one acquireth exemption from every misfortune. One should

next go to the asylum of Kusika that is capable of removing every sin.

Repairing then to the river Kausika that cleanseth from even great sins,

one should bathe in it. By this one obtaineth the merit of Rajasuya

sacrifice. One should next, O foremost of kings, proceed to the excellent

woods of Champaka. By spending there one night, one acquireth the merit

of giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at Jyeshthila, that tirtha

of rare worth, and passing one night there, one reapeth the fruit of the

gift of a thousand kine. Beholding there (the image of) Visweswara of

great splendour, with his consort the goddess, a person obtaineth, O bull

among men, the region of Mitra-Varuna. By fasting there for three nights,

a man acquireth the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. By visiting

Kanya-samvedya, with senses restrained and regulated fare, one acquireth,

O bull among men, the region of Manu, the lord of creation. Rishis of

rigid vows have said that he that giveth away rice or maketh any gift at

the tirtha called Kanya, rendereth such gift eternal. Arriving next at

Nischira celebrated over the three worlds, one obtaineth the merit of the

horse-sacrifice and goeth to the legion of Vishnu. O king, those that

give away at the confluence of the Nischira, ascend to the blessed region

of Brahma. There in that tirtha is the asylum of Vasishtha that is known

over the three worlds. Bathing there, one obtaineth the merit of the

Vajapeya sacrifice. Proceeding next to Devakuta that is resorted to by

celestial Rishis, one acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and

also delivereth his race. Then should one, O king, go to the lake of the

Muni Kausika, where Kusika's son, Viswamitra, obtained high success.

Bathing there, a person acquireth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.

There, O hero, at Kausika, should one reside for a month, O bull of the

Bharata race! By a month's residence there, one reapeth the merit of the

horse-sacrifice. He that resideth at the best of tirthas called

Maha-hrada, enjoys immunity from misfortune, and also obtains the merit

of giving away gold in abundance. Beholding next Kartikeya who dwelleth

at Virasrama, a man certainly reapeth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Proceeding then to Agnidhara celebrated over the three worlds, and

beholding there after a bath the eternal and boon-giving Vishnu, that god

of gods, one obtaineth the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Proceeding

next to the Grandsire's tank near the snowcapped of mountains, and

bathing in it, a man obtains the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Falling from the Grandsire's tank, is that world-sanctifying (stream),

celebrated over the three worlds, called Kumara-Dhara. Bathing there, one

regardeth himself as having all his purposes fulfilled. Fasting in that

tirtha for three days, one is even cleansed from the sin of slaying a

Brahmana. The pilgrim should next, O virtuous one, proceed to the peak of

the great goddess Gauri, famed over the three worlds. Ascending it, O

best of men, one should approach Stana-Kunda. By touching the waters of

Stana-Kunda, a person obtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.

Bathing in that tirtha and worshipping the gods and Pitris, one acquireth

the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to the region of

Indra. Arriving next at the well of Tamraruna, that is frequented by the

gods, one acquireth, O lord of men, the merit that attaches to human

sacrifice. Bathing next at the confluence of the Kirtika with the Kausiki

and the Aruna, and fasting there for three nights a man of learning is

cleansed of all his sins. Proceeding next to the tirtha called Urvasi,

and then to Somasrama, a wise man by bathing next at Kumbhakarnasrama

becometh adored in the world. The ancients knew that by touching the

waters of Kokamukha, with steady vows and leading Brahmacharya mode of

life, the memory of one's former life is revived. Arriving next with

speed to the river called Nanda a regenerate one becometh freed from all

his sins and ascendeth with soul under control to Indra's region.

Proceeding next to the island called Rishabha, that is destructive of

cranes, and bathing in the Saraswati, an individual blazeth forth in

heaven. Proceeding next to the tirtha called Auddalaka frequented by

Munis, and bathing there one is cleansed of all his sins. Repairing next

to the sacred tirtha called Dharma that is visited by Brahmarshis, one

acquireth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice and becometh respected in

heaven. Proceeding next to Champa and bathing in the Bhagirathi he that

sojourneth to Dandaparna, acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand

kine. Then should one proceed to the sacred Lalitika that is graced by

the presence of the virtuous. By this one acquireth the merit of the

Rajasuya sacrifice and is regarded in heaven."

SECTION LXXXV

"Pulastya said, 'Arriving next at the excellent tirtha called Samvedya in

the evening, and touching its waters, one surely obtaineth knowledge.

Created a tirtha in days of yore by Rama's energy, he that proceedeth to

Lauhitya obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Proceeding

next to the river Karatoya, and fasting there for three nights, a man

acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Even this is the injunction

of the Creator himself. It hath been said by the wise, O king, that if a

person goeth to the spot where the Ganga mingleth with the sea, he

reapeth merit which is ten times that of the horse-sacrifice. Crossing

over to the opposite bank of the Ganga, he that batheth there having

resided for three nights is, O king, cleansed from all his sins. One

should next proceed to the Vaitarani capable of destroying every sin.

Arriving next at the tirtha named Viraja one shineth like the moon, and

sanctifying his race rescueth it and is himself cleansed of all his sins.

He that bathes in Viraja further reapeth the merit of giving away a

thousand kine besides sanctifying his line. Residing with purity at the

confluence of the Sona and the Jyotirathi, and offering oblations of

water to the gods and the Pitris, a man reapeth the merit of the

Agnishtoma sacrifice. Touching next the waters of the Vansagulma

constituting the sources of both the Sona and the Narmada, one obtaineth

the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Sojourning next to the tirtha called

Rishabha in Kosala, O lord of men, and fasting there for three nights one

earneth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice, and of the gift of a

thousand kine, and also delivereth his race. Arriving at Kosala, a man

should bathe in the tirtha named Kala. By this one surely obtaineth the

merit of giving away one and ten bulls. By bathing in Pushpavati and

fasting there, O king, for three nights one sanctifieth his own race,

besides earning the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. Then, O

foremost of the Bharata race, by bathing in the tirtha called Vadarika,

one obtaineth long life, and also goeth to heaven. Arriving next at

Champa, and bathing in the Bhagirathi, and seeing Danda one earneth the

merit of giving away a thousand kine. Then should one go to the sacred

Lapetika, graced by the presence of the pious. By so doing one reapeth

the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice and also becometh regarded by the

gods. Proceeding next to the mountain called Mahendra, inhabited (of

yore) by Jamadagnya, and bathing in Rama's tirtha, a person acquireth the

merit of the horse-sacrifice. Here is Matanga's tirtha called Kedara, O

son of the Kuru race! Bathing in it, O foremost of the Kurus, a man

obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Going to the mountain

Sree, one who toucheth the waters of the stream that is there by

worshipping there the god having the bull for his mark obtaineth the

merit of the horse-sacrifice. On the mountain Sree dwelleth happily, the

effulgent Mahadeva with the goddess, as also Brahma with the other gods.

By bathing in the lake of Deva, with purity and restrained mind, one

obtaineth the merit of the-horse-sacrifice, and also attaineth to the

highest success."'

Proceeding next to the mountain Rishabha in Pandya, worshipped by the

gods, one obtains the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice and rejoices in

heaven. One should next proceed to the river Kaveri, frequented by

Apsaras. Bathing there, O monarch, one obtaineth, the merit of giving

away a thousand kine. Touching next the waters of the tirtha called Kanya

on the shores of the sea one is cleansed from every sin. Proceeding next

to Gokarna celebrated over the three worlds, and which is situate, O best

of kings, in the midst of the deep, and is reverenced by all the worlds,

and where the gods headed by Brahma, and Rishis endued with wealth of

asceticism, and spirits and Yakshas and Pisachas, and Kinnaras and the

great Nagas, and Siddhas and Charanas and Gandharvas, and men and

Pannagas, and rivers, Seas and Mountains, worship the lord of Uma, one

should worship Isana, fasting there for three nights. By this, one

acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and the status of Ganapatya.

By staying there for twelve nights, one's soul is cleansed of all sins.

One should next proceed to the tirtha known as Gayatri celebrated over

the three worlds. Staying there for three nights, one acquireth the merit

of giving away a thousand kine. A strange phenomenon is seen to occur

there in respect to Brahmanas, O Lord of men! If a Brahmana, whether born

of a Brahmani or any other woman, reciteth the Gayatri there, the

recitation becomes rhythmic and musical, while, O king, a person who is

not a Brahmana cannot adequately hymn it at all. Proceeding next to the

inaccessible tank of the Brahmana Rishi Samvarta, one acquireth personal

beauty and prosperity. Repairing next to Vena, he that offers oblations

of water to the gods and the Pitris, obtains a car drawn by peacocks and

cranes. Going next to the Godavari, ever frequented by the Siddhas, one

earneth the merit of the cow-sacrifice, and goeth to the excellent region

of Vasuki. Bathing next at the confluence of the Venna, one obtains the

merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. By a dip next at the confluence of

Varada, one acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Arriving

next at Brahmasthuna, one that stayeth there for three nights acquireth

the merit of giving away a thousand kine, and also ascendeth to heaven.

Coming next to Kusaplavana, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya

mode of life, and staying there for three nights he that bathes in it

obtains the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next at the romantic

Deva-hrada that is supplied by the waters of the Krishna-Venna, and also

in the Jatismara-hrada, one acquireth the memory of one's former life. It

was there that the chief of the celestials celebrated a hundred

sacrifices and ascended to heaven. By a visit only to that spot, one

acquireth the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Bathing next in the

Sarvadeva-hrada, a person obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand

kine. Proceeding next to the highly sacred tank called Payoshni, that

best of waters, he that offers oblations of water to the gods and the

Pitris acquires the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. Arriving next

at the sacred forest of Dandaka, a person should bathe (in the waters)

there. By this, O king, one at once obtains, O Bharata, the merit of

giving away a thousand kine. Proceeding next to the asylum of Sarabhanga

and that of the illustrious Suka, one acquireth immunity from misfortune,

besides sanctifying his race. Then should one proceed to Surparaka, where

Jamadagni's son had formerly dwelt. Bathing in that tirtha of Rama, one

acquireth the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Bathing next in the

Saptagadavara, with the subdued sense and regulated diet, one earneth

great merit, and goeth also to the region of the celestials. Proceeding

next to Deva-hrada, with subdued sense and regulated diet, a man

obtaineth the merit of the Devasatra sacrifice. One should proceed next

to the forest of Tungaka, with subdued senses and leading a Brahmacharya

mode of life It was here that in olden days Muni Saraswata taught the

Vedas to the ascetics. When the Vedas had been lost (in consequence of

the Munis having forgotten them), Angirasa's son, seated at ease on the

upper garments of the Munis (duly spread out), pronounced distinctly and

with emphasis the syllable Om. And at this, the ascetics again

recollected all that they had learnt before. It was there that the Rishis

and the gods Varuna, Agni, Prajapati, Narayana also called Hari, Mahadeva

and the illustrious Grandsire of great splendour, appointed the

resplendent Bhrigu to officiate at a sacrifice. Gratifying Agni by

libations of clarified butter poured according to the ordinance, the

illustrious Bhrigu once performed the Agnyadhana sacrifice for all those

Rishis, after which both they and the gods went away to their respective

homes one after another. One who enters the forest of Tungaka, is, O best

of kings, male or female, cleansed of every sin. There in that tirtha, O

hero, one should reside for a month, with subdued senses and regulated

diet. By this, O king, one ascendeth to the region of Brahma, and

delivereth also his race. Arriving next at Medhavika, one should offer

oblations of water to the gods and the Pitris. By this, one acquires the

merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice, and also memory and intellect. There

in that tirtha is the mountain known over the whole world and called

Kalanjara. Bathing in the celestial lake that is there, one acquires the

merit of giving away a thousand kine. He that, O king, after a bath,

offereth oblations (to the gods and the Pitris) on the Kalanjara

mountain, is, without doubt, regarded in heaven. Proceeding next, O

monarch, to the river Mandakini capable of destroying all sins and which

is on that best of mountains called Chitrakuta, he that bathes there and

worships the gods and the Pitris, obtains the merit of the

horse-sacrifice and attains to an exalted state. One should next, O

virtuous one, proceed to the excellent tirtha called Bhartristhana,

where, O king, ever dwells the celestial generalissimo Kartikeya. By a

journey only to that spot, a person, O foremost of kings, attaineth to

success. Bathing next at the tirtha called Koti, one earneth the merit of

giving away a thousand kine. Having walked round Koti, one should proceed

next to Jyeshthasthana. Beholding Mahadeva who is there, one shineth like

the moon. There, O mighty monarch, is a celebrated well. O bull of the

Bharata race! There in that well, O foremost of warriors, are the four

seas. He that bathes there, O foremost of kings, and with subdued soul

worships the gods and the Pitris, is cleansed of all his sins and

attaineth to an exalted state. Then, O mighty king, should one proceed to

the great Sringaverapura, where, O foremost of kings, formerly Rama,

Dasharatha's son, had crossed (the Ganga). Bathing in that tirtha, one, O

mighty-armed one, is cleansed of all his sins. Bathing with subdued

senses and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, in the Ganga, one is

cleansed of every sin, and obtains also the merit of the Vajapeya

sacrifice. One should next proceed to the place called Mayuravata,

consecrated to Mahadeva of high intelligence. Beholding there the god,

bowing down to him and walking round the spot, one acquireth, O Bharata,

the Ganapatya status. Bathing in Ganga at that tirtha, one is cleansed of

all his sins. Then, O king, should one proceed to Prayaga, whose praises

have been sung by Rishis and where dwell the gods with Brahma at their

head, the Directions with their presiding deities, the Lokapalas, the

Siddhas, the Pitris adored by the worlds, the great Rishis-Sanatkumara

and others, stainless Brahmarshis--Angiras and others,--the Nagas, the

Suparnas, the Siddhas, the Snakes, the Rivers, the Seas, the Gandharvas,

the Apsaras, and the Lord Hari with Prajapati. There in that tirtha are

three fiery caverns between which the Ganga, that foremost of tirthas,

rolleth rapidly. There in that region also the world-purifying daughter

of the sun, Yamuna, celebrated over the three worlds, uniteth with the

Ganga. The country between the Ganga and the Yamuna is regarded as the

mons veneris of the world, and Prayaga as the foremost point of that

region. The tirthas Prayaga, Pratisthana, Kamvala, Aswatara and Bhogavati

are the sacrificial platforms of the Creator. There in those places, O

foremost of warriors, the Vedas and the Sacrifices, in embodied forms,

and the Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, adore Brahma, and there

the gods and rulers of territories also celebrate their sacrifices. The

learned, however, say that of all these tirthas, O exalted one, Prayaga

is the most sacred, in fact, the foremost of all tirthas in the three

worlds. By going to that tirtha, by singing its praises, or by taking a

little earth from it, one is cleansed from every sin. He that bathes in

that confluence celebrated over the world, acquires all the merits of the

Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifices. This sacrificial place is worshipped

by the gods themselves. If a man giveth there ever so little, it

increaseth, O Bharata, a thousandfold. O child, let not the texts of the

Veda, nor the opinions of men dissuade thy mind from the desire of dying

at Prayaga. O son of the Kuru race, the wise say that six hundred million

and ten thousand tirthas exist at Prayaga. Bathing in the confluence of

Ganga and Yamuna, one obtains the merit that attaches to the four kinds

of knowledge and the merits also of those that are truthful. There at

Prayaga is the excellent tirtha of Vasuki called Bhogavati. He that

batheth in it, obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There also in

the Ganga is the tirtha famed over the three worlds, called

Ramaprapatana, which conferreth the merit of ten horse-sacrifices. O son

of the Kuru race! Wherever may a person bathe in the Ganga, he earneth

merit equal to that of a trip to Kurukshetra. An exception, however, is

made in favour of Kanakhala, while the merit attaching to Prayaga is the

greatest. Having committed a hundred sins, he that bathes in the Ganga,

hath all his sins washed off by the waters thereof, even as fuel is

consumed by fire. It hath been said that in the Satyayuga all the tirthas

were sacred; in the Treta, Pushkara alone was such; in Dwapara,

Kurukshetra; and in the Kali-yuga, the Ganga alone is sacred. In

Pushkara, one should practise austerities; in Mahalaya, one should give

away; in the Malaya mountains, one should ascend the funeral pyre; and in

Bhrigutunga, one should renounce one's body by forgoing food. Bathing in

Pushkara, in Kurukshetra, in the Ganga and in the confluence (of the

Ganga and the Yamuna), one sanctifieth seven generations of one's race up

and down. He that reciteth the name of the Ganga is purified; while he

that beholdeth her, receiveth prosperity; while he that bathes in her and

drinks of her waters sanctifieth seven generations of his race up and

down. As long, O king, as one's bones lie in contact with the waters of

the Ganga, so long doth he live regarded in heaven, even as one liveth in

heaven in consequence of the merit he earneth by pious pilgrimages to

sacred tirthas and holy spots. There is no tirtha that is like unto the

Ganga, there is no god like unto Kesava, and there is none superior to

Brahmanas,--this hath been said even by the Grandsire. O great king, the

region through which the Ganga flows should be regarded as a sacred

asylum, and a spot of land that is on the Ganga's banks, should be

regarded as one favourable to the attainment of ascetic success.

This truthful description (of the tirthas) one should recite only unto

the regenerate ones, unto those that are pious, unto one's son and

friends and disciples and dependents. This narrative, without a rival, is

blessed and holy and leadeth to heaven. Holy and entertaining and

sanctifying, it is productive of merit and high worth. Destructive of

every sin, it is a mystery that the great Rishis cherish with care. By

reciting it in the midst of Brahmanas, one is cleansed of every sin, and

ascends to heaven. This description of tirthas is auspicious and

heaven-giving and sacred; ever blessed as it is, it destroys one's

enemies; foremost of all accounts, it sharpens the intellect. By reading

this narrative the sonless obtains sons, the destitute obtains riches, a

person of the royal order conquereth the whole earth, the Vaisya cometh

by wealth, the Sudra obtaineth all his desires, and the Brahmana crosseth

the ocean (of the world). Purifying himself, he that listens daily to the

merits of the different tirthas, recollects the incidents of many

previous births and rejoices in heaven. Of the tirthas that have been

recited here, some are easily accessible, while others are difficult of

access. But he that is inspired with the desire of beholding all tirthas,

should visit them even in imagination. Desirous of obtaining merit, the

Vasus, and the Sadhyas, the Adityas, the Maruts, the Aswins, and the

Rishis equal unto celestials, all bathed in these tirthas. Do thou also,

O thou of the Kuru race, observing the ordinance as explained by me,

visit, with subdued senses, these tirthas, increasing thy merit, O thou

of excellent vows. Men of piety and learning are able to visit these

tirthas, by reason of their purified senses, their belief in Godhead, and

their acquaintance with the Vedas. He that doth not observe vows, he that

hath not his soul under control, he that is impure, he that is a thief,

and he that is of crooked mind, doth not, O Kauravya, bathe in tirthas.

Thou art ever observant of virtue, and art of pure character. By thy

virtue, O virtuous one, thou hast always gratified thy father and thy

grand-father, and great-grand-fathers, and the gods with Brahma at their

head, and the Rishis also, O thou versed in virtue! Thou who resemblest

Vasava, thou wilt, O Bhishma, attain to the region of the Vasus, and also

eternal fame on earth!'

"Narada continued, 'Having cheerfully spoken thus, the illustrious Rishi

Pulastya, well-pleased, bidding Bhishma farewell, disappeared there and

then. And Bhishma also, O tiger among men, well understanding the true

import of the Shastras, wandered over the world at the command of

Pulastya. Thus, O thou blessed one, did Bhishma end at Prayaga his highly

meritorious journey to the tirthas capable of destroying all sins. The

man that ranges the earth in accordance with these injunctions, obtains

the highest fruit of a hundred horse-sacrifices and earns salvation

hereafter. Thou wilt, O son of Pritha, obtain merit consisting of the

eight attributes, even like that which Bhishma, the foremost of the

Kurus, had obtained of yore. And as thou wilt lead these ascetics to

those tirthas, thy merit will be much greater. Those tirthas are infested

by Rakshasas, and no one, save thyself, O son of Kuru race, can go there.

Rising early he that reciteth this narrative by the celestial Rishis on

the subject of the tirthas, becometh free from all sins. Those foremost

of Rishis, Valmiki, and Kasyapa, and Atreya, and Kundajathara, and

Viswamitra, and Gautama, and Asita, and Devala, and Markandeya, and

Galava, and Bharadwaja, and Vasishtha, and the Muni Uddalaka, and Saunaka

with his son, and Vyasa, that best of ascetics, and Durvasas, that

foremost of Munis, and Javali of great austerities--all these illustrious

Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, are staying in expectation of

thee. With these, O mighty king, do thou meet by visiting these tirthas.

And, O illustrious monarch, a great Rishi of immeasurable energy, Lomasa

by name, will come to thee. Do thou follow him, and me, and by turns

visit these tirthas, O thou virtuous one! By this, thou wilt acquire

great fame, like king Mahabhisha! O tiger among kings, even as the

virtuous Yayati and king Pururavas, dost thou blaze forth with thy own

virtue. Like king Bhagiratha and the illustrious Rama, dost thou shine

among kings even as the Sun himself. And thou art, O great king,

celebrated (in the world) even as Muni or Ikshwaku, or the highly famous

Puru or Vainya! And as in days of yore the slayer of Vritra, after

burning all his foes, ruled the three worlds, his mind freed from

anxiety, so wilt thou rule thy subjects, after slaying all thy enemies.

And, O thou of eyes like lotus leaves, having conquered the earth

according to the customs of thy order, thou wilt obtain renown by thy

virtue, even like Kartaviryaryuna.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "O great king, having comforted the monarch thus,

the illustrious Rishi Narada, bidding farewell to the king, disappeared

there and then. And the virtuous Yudhishthira, reflecting upon the

subject, began to recite unto the ascetics the merit attaching to

tirthas!"

SECTION LXXXVI

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having ascertained the opinion of his brothers,

and of the intelligent Narada, king Yudhishthira, addressing Dhaumya, who

was like unto the Grandsire himself, said, 'I have for the acquisition of

arms, sent away that tiger among men, Jishnu, whose prowess is incapable

of being baffled, and who is possessed of long arms and immeasurable

intelligence. O thou of ascetic wealth, that hero is devoted to me,

endued with ability, and well-skilled in weapons, and like unto the

exalted Vasudeva himself. I know them both, Krishna and Arjuna, those

destroyers of enemies, O Brahmana, endued with prowess, even as the

puissant Vyasa knoweth them. I know Vasudeva and Dhananjaya to be none

else than Vishnu himself, possessed of the six attributes. And this is

also what Narada knoweth, for he hath always spoken so unto me. I also

know them to be Rishis, Nara and Narayana. Knowing him to possess the

ability, I have sent him (on the mission). Not inferior unto Indra and

fully competent (for the task), I have sent that son of a god to see the

lord of the celestials and obtain weapons from him. Bhishma and Drona are

Atirathas. Kripa and the son of Drona are invincible; these mighty

warriors have been installed by Dhritarashtra's son in the command of his

army. All these are versed in the Vedas, are heroic, and possessed of the

knowledge of every weapon. Endued with great strength, these always

desire to encounter Arjuna in fight. And Karna also of the Suta caste is

a mighty warrior versed in celestial weapons. In respect of the impetus

of his weapons, he is endued with the strength of the Wind-god. Himself

like a flame of fire, the arrows (proceeding from him) constitute its

tongues. The slaps of his left hand cased in leathern fence constitute

the crackling of that flame. The dust of the battle-field is its smoke.

Urged by the sons of Dhritarashtra even as the wind urgeth the fire,

Karna like unto the all-consuming fire at the end of the Yuga that is

sent by Death himself, will, without doubt, consume my troops like unto a

heap of straw. Only that mighty mass of clouds called Arjuna, aided by

Krishna like unto a powerful wind, with celestial weapon representing its

fierce lightning, the white steeds, the rows of white cranes coursing

underneath and the unbearable Gandiva, the rainbow ahead, is capable of

extinguishing the blazing flame represented by Karna by means of its

arrowy showers let off with unflagging steadiness. That conqueror of

hostile cities, Vibhatsu, will, without doubt, succeed in obtaining from

Indra himself all the celestial weapons with their fullness and life.

Alone he is equal, I think, unto them all. Otherwise it is impossible

(for us) to vanquish in fight all those foes, who have attained to

eminent success in all their purposes. We shall behold Arjuna, that

repressor of foes, fully equipped with celestial weapons, for Vibhatsu

having once undertaken a task, never, droopeth under its weight. Without

that hero, however, that best of men, ourselves, with Krishna, cannot be

at rest in Kamyaka. Therefore, do thou mention some other wood that is

sacred and delightful, and abounds in food and fruits, and that is

inhabited by men of pious practices:--where we may pass some time,

expecting the warlike Arjuna of unbaffled prowess, like the Chataka in

expectation of gathering clouds. Do thou tell us of some asylums open to

the regenerate ones, and lakes and streams and beautiful mountains. O

Brahmana, deprived of Arjuna, I do not like to stay in this wood of

Kamyaka. We wish to go somewhere else.'"

SECTION LXXXVII

Vaisampayana said, "Beholding the Pandavas afflicted with anxiety and

depressed in spirits, Dhaumya, who resembled Vrihaspati, spake thus,

comforting them, 'O bull of the Bharata race, O sinless one, listen to me

as I mention certain sacred asylums and regions and tirthas and mountains

that are approved of by Brahmanas. O king, listen to me as I speak,

thyself with the daughter of Drupada and thy brothers, wilt, O lord of

men, be relieved from grief. And, O son of Pandu, by hearing only of

these places, thou wilt acquire merit. And by visiting them thou wilt

obtain merit a hundred times greater, O best of men! First, O king, I

will, so far as I recollect, speak of the beautiful eastern country, much

regarded, O Yudhishthira, by royal Rishis. In that direction, O Bharata

is a place called Naimisha which is regarded by the celestials. There in

that region are several sacred tirthas belonging to the gods. There also

is the sacred and beautiful Gomati which is adored by celestial Rishis

and there also in [possibly 'is'?--JBH] the sacrificial region of the

gods and the sacrificial stake of Surya. In that quarter also is that

best of hills called Gaya, which is sacred and much regarded by royal

ascetics. There on that hill, is the auspicious lake called Brahmasara

which is adored by celestial Rishis. It is for this that the ancients say

that one should wish for many sons, so that even one among them may visit

Gaya, celebrate the horse-sacrifice or give away a nila bull, and thereby

deliver ten generations of his race up and down. There, O monarch, is a

great river, and spot called Gayasira. In Gayasira is a banian, which is

called by the Brahmanas the Eternal banian, for the food that is offered

there to the Pitris becometh eternal, O exalted one! The great river that

floweth by the place is known by the name of Phalgu, and its waters are

all sacred. And, O bull among the Bharatas, there also, in that place, is

the Kausiki, whose basin abounds in various fruit and roots, and where

Viswamitra endued with wealth of asceticism acquired Brahmanahood.

Towards that direction also is the sacred Ganga, on whose banks

Bhagiratha celebrated many sacrifices with profuse gifts (to Brahmanas).

They say that in the country of Panchala, there is a wood called Utpala,

where Viswamitra of Kusika's race had performed sacrifices with his son,

and where beholding the relics of Viswamitra's superhuman power, Rama,

the son of Jamadagni, recited the praises of his ancestry. At Kamyaka,

Kusika's son had quaffed the Soma juice with Indra. Then abandoning the

Kshatriya order, he began to say, I am a Brahmana.' In that quarter, O

hero is the sacred confluence of Ganga and Yamuna which is celebrated

over the world. Holy and sin-destroying, that tirtha is much regarded by

the Rishis. It is there that the soul of all things, the Grandsire, had,

in olden days, performed his sacrifice, and it is for this, O chief of

the Bharata race, that the place hath come to be called Prayaga. In this

direction, O foremost of kings, lieth the excellent asylum of Agastya, O

monarch, and the forest called Tapasa, decked by many ascetics. And there

also is the great tirtha called Hiranyavinda on the Kalanjara hills, and

that best of mountains called Agastya, which is beautiful, sacred and

auspicious. In that quarter, O descendant of the Kuru race, is the

mountain called Mahendra, sacred to the illustrious Rama of the Bhrigu

race. There, O son of Kunti, the Grandsire performed sacrifices of yore.

There, O Yudhishthira, the sacred Bhagiratha entereth a lake and there

also, O king, is that sacred river known by the name of the

merit-bestowing Brahmasara, whose banks are inhabited by persons whose

sins have been washed away, and whose sight alone produceth merit. In

that direction also lieth the high-souled Matanga's excellent asylum,

called Kedara which is sacred and auspicious and celebrated over the

world. And there also is the mountain called Kundoda, which is so

delightful and abounding in fruits and roots and waters, and where the

king of the Nishadhas (Nala) had slaked his thirst and rested for a

while. In that quarter also is the delightful Deva-vana which is graced

by ascetics. There also are the rivers Vahuda and Nanda on the mountain's

crest. O mighty king, I have described unto thee all the tirthas and

sacred spots in the Eastern quarter. Do thou now hear of the sacred

tirthas, and rivers and mountains and holy spots in the other three

quarters!'"

SECTION LXXXVIII

"Dhaumya continued, 'Listen, O Bharata, I shall now narrate to thee in

detail according to my knowledge, the sacred tirthas of the south. In

that quarter lieth the sacred and auspicious river Godavari, full of

water abounding in groves and frequented by ascetics. In that direction

also are the rivers Venna and Bhimarathi, both capable of destroying sin

and fear, and abounding in birds and deer, and graced with abodes of

ascetics. In that region also, O bull of the Bharata race, is the tirtha

of the royal ascetic, Nriga viz., the river Payoshni, which is delightful

and full of waters and visited by Brahmanas. There the illustrious

Markandeya, of high ascetic merit sang the praises in verse of king

Nriga's line! We have heard respecting the sacrificing king Nriga that

which really took place while he was performing a sacrifice in the

excellent tirtha called Varaha on the Payoshni. In that sacrifice Indra

became intoxicated with quaffing the Soma, and the Brahmanas, with the

gifts they received. The water of the Payoshni, taken up (in vessel), or

flowing along the ground, or conveyed by the wind, can cleanse a person

from whatever sins he may commit till the day of his death. Higher than

heaven itself, and pure, and created and bestowed by the trident-bearing

god, there in that tirtha is an image of Mahadeva beholding which a

mortal goeth to the region of Siva. Placing on one scale Ganga and the

other rivers with their waters, and on the other, the Payoshni, the

latter, in my opinion would be superior to all the tirthas, together, in

point of merit! Then, O foremost of the Bharata race, on the mountain

called Varunasrotasa is the sacred and auspicious wood of Mathara

abounding in fruits and roots, and containing a sacrificial stake. Then,

O king, it is said that in the region on the north of the Praveni, and

about the sacred asylum of Kanwa, are many woody retreats of ascetics.

And, O child, in the tirtha called Surparaka are two sacrificial

platforms of the illustrious Jamadagni, called Pashana and Punaschandra,

O Bharata! And, O son of Kunti, in that spot is the tirtha called Asoka

abounding in woody retreats of ascetics. And, O Yudhishthira, in the

country of the Pandyas are the tirthas named Agastya and Varuna! And, O

bull among men, there, amongst the Pandavas, is the tirtha called the

Kumaris. Listen, O son of Kunti, I shall now describe Tamraparni. In that

asylum the gods had undergone penances impelled by the desire of

obtaining salvation. In that region also is the lake of Gokarna which is

celebrated over the three worlds, hath an abundance of cool waters, and

is sacred, auspicious, and capable, O child, of producing great merit.

That lake is extremely difficult of access to men of unpurified souls.

Near to that tirtha is the sacred asylum of Agastya's disciple, the

mountain Devasabha, which abounds in trees and grass, and fruits and

roots. And there also is the Vaiduryya mountain, which is delightful

abounding in gems and capable of bestowing great merit. There on that

mountain is the asylum of Agastya abounding in fruits and roots and

water.'"

"I shall now, O lord of men, describe the sacred spots, and asylums, and

rivers and lakes belonging to the Surashtra country! O Yudhishthira, the

Brahmanas say that on the sea-coast is the Chamasodbheda, and also

Prabhasa, that tirtha which is much regarded by the gods. There also is

the tirtha called Pindaraka, frequented by ascetics and capable of

producing great merit. In that region is a mighty hill named Ujjayanta

which conduceth to speedy success. Regarding it the celestial Rishi

Narada of great intelligence hath recited an ancient sloka. Do thou

listen to it, O Yudhishthira! By performing austerities on the sacred

hill of Ujjayanta in Surashtra, that abounds in birds and animals, a

person becometh regarded in heaven. There also is Dwaravati, producing

great merit, where dwelleth the slayer of Madhu, who is the Ancient one

in embodied form, and eternal virtue. Brahmanas versed in the Vedas, and

persons acquainted with the philosophy of the soul say that the

illustrious Krishna is eternal Virtue. Govinda is said to be the purest

of all pure things, the righteous of the righteous and the auspicious of

the auspicious. In all the three worlds, He of eyes like lotus-leaves is

the God of gods, and is eternal. He is the pure soul and the active

principle of life, is the Supreme Brahma and is the lord of all. That

slayer of Madhu, Hari of inconceivable soul, dwelleth there!"

SECTION LXXXIX

"Dhaumya continued, 'I shall describe to thee those sacred spots capable

of producing merit that lie on the west, in the country of the Anarttas,

O Bharata, there, flows in a westward course the sacred river Narmada,

graced by Priyangu and mango trees, and engarlanded with thickest of

canes. All the tirthas and sacred spots, and rivers and woods and

foremost of mountains that are in the three worlds, all the gods with the

Grandsire, along with the Siddhas, the Rishis and the Charanas, O best of

the Kurus, always come, O Bharata, to bathe in the sacred waters of the

Narmada. And it hath been heard by us that the sacred asylum of the Muni

Visravas, had stood there, and that there was born the lord of treasures,

Kuvera, having men for his vehicles. There also is that foremost of

hills, the sacred and auspicious Vaidurya peak abounding with trees that

are green and which are always graced with fruit and flowers. O lord of

the earth, on the top of that mountain is a sacred tank decked with

full-blown lotus and resorted to by the gods and the Gandharvas. Many are

the wonders, O mighty monarch, that may be seen on that sacred mountain

which is like unto heaven itself and which is visited by celestial

Rishis. There, O subjugator of hostile cities, is the sacred river called

Viswamitra belonging to the royal sage of that name and which abounds, O

king, in many sacred tirthas. It was on the banks of this river, that

Yayati, the son of Nahusha, (fell from heaven) among the virtuous, and

obtained once more the eternal regions of the righteous. Here also are

the well-known lake called Punya, the mountain called Mainaka, and that

other mountain called Asita abounding in fruits and roots. And here also

is the sacred asylum of Kakshasena, and O Yudhishthira, the asylum of

Chyavana also, which is famed over every country, O son of Pandu! In that

spot, O exalted one, men attain to (ascetic) success without severe

austerities. Here also, O mighty king, is the region called Jamvumarga,

inhabited by birds and deer, and which constitutes the retreat of

ascetics with souls under control, O thou foremost of those that have

subdued their senses! Next lie the exceedingly sacred Ketumala, and

Medhya ever graced with ascetics, and, O lord of earth, Gangadwara, and

the well-known woods of Saindhava which are sacred and inhabited by the

regenerate ones. There also is the celebrated tank of the Grandsire,

called Pushkara, the favourite abode of the Vaikanasas, and Siddhas and

Rishis. Moved by the desire of obtaining its protection, the Creator sang

this verse at Pushkara, O chief of the Kurus and foremost of virtuous

men! If a person of pure soul purposes a pilgrimage to the Pushkaras in

imagination even, he becometh purged from all his sins and rejoiceth in

heaven!'"

SECTION XC

"Dhaumya continued, 'O tiger among kings, I shall now describe those

tirthas and sacred spots that lie to the north. Do thou, O exalted one,

listen to me attentively. By hearing this narration, O hero, one

acquireth a reverential frame of mind, which conduceth to much good. In

that region is the highly sacred Saraswati abounding in tirthas and with

banks easy of descent. There also, O son of Pandu, is the ocean-going and

impetuous Yamuna, and the tirtha called Plakshavatarana, productive of

high merit and prosperity. It was there that the regenerate ones having

performed the Saraswata sacrifice, bathed on the completion there of. O

sinless one, is the well-known celestial tirtha called Agnisiras, which

is productive of great merit. There king Sahadeva had celebrated a

sacrifice measuring out the ground by a throw of the Samya. It is for

this reason, O Yudhishthira, that Indra sang the praises of Sahadeva in

verse. Those verses are still current in this world, being recited by the

regenerate ones, e. g., on the Yamuna Sahadeva worshipped the sacrificial

fire, with gifts in a hundred thousands to Brahmanas. There the

illustrious king, the imperial Bharata, performed five and thirty

horse-sacrifices. O child, we have heard that Sarabhanga of yore used to

fully gratify the desires of the regenerate ones. There in this region is

his celebrated asylum productive of great merit. In that region also, O

son of Pritha, is the river Saraswati, which is ever worshipped by the

god, where, in days of yore, the Valikhilyas, O great king, performed

sacrifices. In that region also, O Yudhishthira, is the well-known river

Drisadwati, which is productive of great merit. Then, O chief of men, are

Nyagrodhakhya, and Panchalya, and Punyaka and Dalbhyaghosha, and Dalbhya,

which are, O son of Kunti, the sacred asylum in the world of illustrious

Anandayasas of excellent vows and great energy, and which are celebrated

over the three worlds. Here also, O lord of men, the illustrious Etavarna

and Avavarana versed in the Vedas, learned in Vedic lore, and proficient

in the knowledge of Vedic rites, performed meritorious sacrifices, O

chief of the Bharata race! There also is Visakhayupa to which, in days of

yore, came the gods with Varuna and Indra, and practised ascetic

austerities. And therefore is that spot so eminently sacred. Here also is

Palasaka, where the great and illustrious and highly blessed Rishi

Jamadagni performed sacrifices. There all the principal rivers in their

embodied forms taking their respective waters stood surrounding that best

of sages. And there also, O monarch, Vibhavasu (fire) himself, beholding

that high-souled one's initiation, sang the following sloka: 'The river

coming to the illustrious Jamadagni while sacrificing unto the gods

gratified the Brahmanas with offerings of honey.' O Yudhishthira, the

spot where Ganga rusheth past, cleaving the foremost of mountains which

is frequented by Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Apsaras, and

inhabited by hunters, and Kinnaras, is called Gangadwara. O king,

Sanatkumara regardeth that spot visited by Brahmarshis, as also the

tirtha Kanakhala (that is near to it), as sacred. There also is the

mountain named Puru which is resorted to by great Rishis and where

Pururavas was born, and Bhrigu practised ascetic austerities. For this it

is, O king, that asylum hath become known as the great peak of

Bhrigutunga. Near that peak is the sacred and extensive Vadari, that

highly meritorious asylum, famed over the three worlds, of him, O bull of

the Bharata race, who is the Present, the Past and the Future, who is

called Narayana and the lord Vishnu, who is eternal and the best of male

beings, and who is pre-eminently illustrious. Near Vadari, the cool

current of Ganga was formerly warm, and the banks there were overspread

with golden sands. There the gods and Rishis of high fortune and

exceeding effulgence, approaching the divine lord Narayana, always

worship him. The entire universe with all its tirthas and holy spots is

there where dwelleth the divine and eternal Narayana, the Supreme soul,

for he is Merit, he is the Supreme Brahma, he is tirtha, he is the

ascetic retreat, he is the First, he is the foremost of gods, and he is

the great Lord of all creatures. He is eternal, he is the great Creator,

and he is the highest state of blessedness. Learned persons versed in the

scriptures attain to great happiness by knowing him. In that spot are the

celestial Rishis, the Siddhas, and, indeed, all the Rishis,--where

dwelleth the slayer of Madhu, that primeval Deity and mighty Yogin! Let

no doubt enter thy heart that that spot is the foremost of all holy

spots. These, O lord of earth, are the tirthas and sacred spots on earth,

that I have recited, O best of men! These all are visited by the Vasus,

the Sadhyas, the Adityas, the Marutas, the Aswins and the illustrious

Rishis resembling the celestials themselves. By journeying, O son of

Kunti, to those places, with the Brahmanas and ascetics that are with

thee and with thy blessed brothers, thou wilt be freed from anxiety!"

SECTION XCI

Vaisampayana continued, "O son of the Kuru race, while Dhaumya was

speaking thus, there arrived at the spot the Rishi Lomasa of great

energy. And the king, who was the eldest of Pandu's sons, with his

followers and those Brahmanas sat round the highly righteous one, like

celestials in heaven sitting round Sakra. And having received him duly,

Yudhishthira the just enquired after the reason of his arrival, and the

object also of his wanderings. Thus asked by Pandu's son, the illustrious

ascetic, well-pleased, replied in sweet words delighting the Pandavas,

'Travelling at will, O Kaunteya, over all the regions, I came to Sakra's

abode, and saw there the lord of the celestials. There, I saw thy heroic

brother capable of wielding the bow with his left hand, seated on the

same seat with Sakra. And beholding Partha on that seat I was greatly

astonished, O tiger among men! And the lord of the celestials then said

unto me, 'Go thou unto the sons of Pandu.' At the request, therefore, of

Indra as also of the high-souled son of Pritha have I come hither with

speed, desiring to see thee with thy younger brothers. O child, I will

relate what will please thee highly, O son of Pandu! Do thou listen to

it, O king, with Krishna and the Rishis that are with thee. O bull of the

Bharata race, Partha hath obtained from Rudra that incomparable weapon

for the acquisition of which thou hadst sent him to heaven. That fierce

weapon, known by the name of Brahma-sira which arose after Amrita, and

which Rudra had obtained by means of ascetic austerities, hath been

acquired by Arjuna together with the Mantras for hurling and withdrawing

it, and the rites of expiation and revival. And, O Yudhishthira, Arjuna

of immeasurable prowess hath also acquired Vajras and Dandas and other

celestial weapons from Yama and Kuvera and Varuna and Indra, O son of the

Kuru race! And he hath also thoroughly learnt music, both vocal and

instrumental, and dancing and proper recitation of the Saman (Veda) from

Vishwavasu's son. And having thus acquired weapons and mastered the

Gandharva Veda, thy third brother Vibhatsu liveth happily (in heaven).

Listen to me, O Yudhishthira, for I shall now deliver to thee the message

of that foremost of celestials. He hath commanded me saying, "Thou wilt,

no doubt, go to the world of men. O best of Brahmanas, tell thou

Yudhishthira these words of mine. Soon will thy brother Arjuna come to

thee, having acquired arms and accomplished a great deed for the

celestials that is incapable of being accomplished by themselves. Do thou

meanwhile devote thyself to ascetic austerities, with thy brothers. There

is nothing superior to asceticism, and it is by asceticism that a person

achieveth great results. And, O bull of the Bharata race, well do I know

that Karna is endued with great ardour and energy and strength and

prowess that is incapable of being baffled. Well do I know that, skilled

in fierce conflict, he hath not his rival in battle; that he is a mighty

bowman, a hero deft in the use of fierce weapons and cased in the best of

mail. Well do I know that that exalted son of Aditya resembleth the son

of Maheswara himself. Well do I also know the high natural prowess of the

broad-shouldered Arjuna. In battle Karna is not equal unto even a

sixteenth part of Pritha's son. And as for the fear of Karna which is in

thy heart, O repressor of foes, I shall dispel when Savyasachin will have

left heaven. And as regards thy purpose, O hero, to set out on a

pilgrimage to tirthas, the great Rishi Lomasa will, without doubt, speak

unto thee. And whatever that regenerate Rishi will relate unto thee

touching the merits of asceticism and tirthas, thou shouldst receive with

respect and not otherwise!'"

SECTION XCII

"Lomasa continued, 'Listen now, O Yudhishthira, to what Dhananjaya hath

said: 'Cause my brother Yudhishthira to attend to the practice of virtue

which leadeth to prosperity. Endued with wealth of asceticism, thou art

conversant with the highest morality, with ascetic austerities of every

kind, with the eternal duties of kings blessed with prosperity, and the

high and sanctifying merit that men obtain from tirthas. Persuade thou

the sons of Pandu to acquire the merit attaching to tirthas. Do thou with

thy whole soul persuade the king to visit the tirthas and give away

kine.' This is what Arjuna said unto me. Indeed he also said, 'Let him

visit all the tirthas protected by thee. Thou wilt also protect him from

Rakshasas, and watch over him in inaccessible regions and rugged mountain

breasts. And as Dadhichi had protected Indra, and Angiras had protected

the Sun, so do thou, O best of regenerate ones, protect the sons of Kunti

from Rakshasas. Along the way are many Rakshasas, huge as

mountain-cliffs. But protected by thee these will not be able to approach

the sons of Kunti. Obedient to the words of Indra and at the request of

Arjuna also protecting thee from dangers, I shall wander with thee.

Before this, O son of the Kuru race, I have twice visited the tirthas.

With thee I shall repair to them for the third time. O Yudhishthira, Manu

and other royal Rishis of meritorious deeds had undertaken journeys to

tirthas. Indeed, a trip to them is capable of dispelling all fear, O

king! They that are crooked-minded, they that have not their souls under

control, they that are illiterate and perverse, do not, O Kauravya, bathe

in tirthas. But thou art ever of a virtuous disposition and conversant

with morality and firm in thy promises. Thou wilt surely be able to free

thyself from the world. For, O son of Pandu, thou art even as king

Bhagiratha, or Gaya, or Yayati, or any one, O son of Kunti, that is like

them.'

"Yudhishthira answered, 'I am so overwhelmed with delight, O Brahmana,

that I cannot find words to answer thee. Who can be more fortunate than

he who is remembered even by the lord of the celestials? Who can be more

fortunate than he who hath been favoured with thy company, who hath

Dhananjaya for a brother, and who is thought of by Vasava himself? As to

thy words, O illustrious one, in respect of a trip to the tirthas, my

mind had already been made up at the words of Dhaumya. O Brahmana, I

shall start, at whatever hour thou mayst be pleased to appoint, on the

proposed journey to tirthas. Even this is my firm resolve!'

Vaisampayana continued, "Lomasa then said unto Yudhishthira, who had made

up his mind to start on the proposed journey, 'O mighty king, be thou

light as regards thy retinue, for by this thou wilt be able to go more

easily!'

"Yudhishthira then said, 'Let those mendicants and Brahmanas and Yogis

that are incapable of bearing hunger and thirst, the fatigues of travel

and toil, and the severity of winter, desist. Let those Brahmanas also

desist that live on sweetmeats, and they also that desire cooked viands

and food that is sucked or drunk as well as meat. And let those also

remain behind that are dependent on cooks. Let those citizens that have

followed me from motives of loyalty, and whom I have hitherto kept on

proper stipends, repair to king Dhritarashtra. He will give them their

allowances in due time. If, however, that king refuses to grant them

proper allowances, the king of the Panchalas will, for our satisfaction

and welfare, give them these.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "And thereupon oppressed with grief, the citizens

and the principal Brahmanas and Yatis set out for Hastinapura. And out of

affection for Yudhishthira the just, the royal son of Amvika received

them properly, and gratified them with proper allowances. And the royal

son of Kunti, with only a small number of Brahmanas, abode for three

nights at Kamyaka, cheered by Lomasa."

SECTION XCIII

Vaisampayana said, "Those Brahmanas then, that had been dwelling (with

him) in the woods, beholding the son of Kunti about to set out (on the

pious pilgrimage), approached him, O king, and said, 'Thou art about to

set out, O king, on thy journey to the sacred tirthas, along with thy

brothers and accompanied by the illustrious Rishi Lomasa. O king, it

behoveth thee, O son of Pandu, to take us with thee. Without thee, we

shall not be able, O son of the Kuru race, to visit them at any time.

Surrounded by dangers and difficult of access, they are infested by

beasts of prey. Those tirthas, O lord of men, are inaccessible to persons

in small parties. Foremost of all wielders of the bow, thy brothers are

ever brave. Protected by your heroic selves, we also would proceed to

them. Permit us to acquire, O lord of earth, through thy grace the

blessed fruit of tirthas. Protected by thy energy, let us, O king, be

cleansed of all our sins by visiting those tirthas and purified by baths

therein. Bathing in those tirthas, thou also, O Bharata, wilt acquire

without doubt the regions difficult of acquisition that Kartavirya and

Ashtaka, the royal sage Lomapada and the imperial and heroic Bharata only

had earned. In thy company, O king, we desire to behold Prabhasa and

other tirthas, Mahendra and other hills, Ganga and other rivers, and

Plaksha and other gigantic trees. If, O lord of men, thou hast any regard

for the Brahmanas, do thou our bidding. Thou wilt surely have prosperity

from this. O thou of mighty arms, the tirthas are infested by Rakshasas

that ever obstruct ascetic penances. It behoveth thee to protect us from

them. Protected by Lomasa and taking us with thee, go thou to all the

tirthas spoken of by Dhaumya and the intelligent Narada, as also all

those that have been spoken of by the celestial Rishi Lomasa, endued with

great ascetic wealth, and be thou, by this, cleansed of all thy sins."

"Thus addressed respectfully by them, the king--that bull amongst the

sons of Pandu--surrounded by his heroic brothers headed by Bhima, with

tears of joy in his eyes, said unto all those ascetics, 'Let it be so.'

With the permission then of Lomasa, as also of his priest Dhaumya, that

foremost of Pandu's sons with soul under complete control, resolved,

along with his brothers and Drupada's daughter of faultless features, to

set out. Just at this time, the blessed Vyasa, as also Parvata and

Narada, all endued with high intelligence, came to Kamyaka for seeing the

son of Pandu. Beholding them, king Yudhishthira worshipped them with due

rites. And worshipped by the monarch thus, those blessed ones, addressing

Yudhishthira, said, 'O Yudhishthira, O Bhima, and ye twins, banish all

evil thoughts from your minds. Purify your hearts and then set out for

the tirthas. The Brahmanas have said that the observance of regulations

in respect of the body are called earthly vows, while efforts to purify

the heart, so that it may be free from evil thoughts, are called

spiritual vows. O king, the mind that is free from all evil thoughts is

highly pure. Purifying yourselves, therefore, harbouring only friendly

feelings for all, behold ye the tirthas. Observing earthly vows in

respect of your bodies and purifying your minds by spiritual vows, obtain

ye the fruits as recited, of pilgrimages."

"Saying, 'So be it,' the Pandavas with Krishna, caused those celestial

and human Rishis to perform the usual propitiatory ceremonies. And those

heroes, having worshipped the feet of Lomasa and Dwaipayana and Narada

and the celestial Rishi Parvata, O king, and accompanied by Dhaumya as

also the ascetics that had been residing with them in the woods, set out

on the day following the full moon of Agrahayana in which the

constellation Pushya was ascendant. Dressed in barks and hides, and with

matted lock on head, they were all cased in impenetrable mail and armed

with swords. And O Janamejaya, the heroic sons of Pandu with quivers and

arrows and scimitars and other weapons, and accompanied by Indrasena and

other attendants with fourteen and one cars, a number of cooks and

servants of other classes, set out with faces turned towards the east!"

SECTION XCIV

"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of celestial Rishis, I do not think that I am

without merits. Yet am I afflicted with so much sorrow that there never

was a king like me. I think, however, that my enemies are destitute of

good qualities and even destitute of morality. Yet why, O Lomasa, do they

prosper in this world?"

"Lomasa said, 'Grieve not ever, O king, O son of Pritha, that sinful men

should often prosper in consequence of the sins they commit. A man may be

seen to prosper by his sins, obtain good therefrom and vanquish his foes.

Destruction, however, overtakes him to the roots. O king, I have seen

many Daityas and Danavas prosper by sin but I have also seen destruction

overtake them. O exalted one, I have seen all this in the righteous age

of yore. The gods practised virtue, while the Asuras abandoned it. The

gods visited the tirthas, while the Asuras did not visit them. And at

first the sinful Asuras were possessed with pride. And pride begat vanity

and vanity begat wrath. And from wrath arose every kind of evil

propensities, and from these latter sprang shamelessness. And in

consequence of shamelessness, good behaviour disappeared from among them.

And because they had become shameless and destitute of virtuous

propensities and good conduct and virtuous vows, forgiveness and

prosperity and morality forsook them in no time. And prosperity then, O

king, sought the gods, while adversity sought the Asuras. And when the

Daityas and the Danavas, deprived of sense by pride, were possessed by

adversity. Kali also sought to possess them. And, O son of Kunti,

overwhelmed with pride, and destitute of rites and sacrifices, and devoid

of reason and feeling, and their hearts full of vanity, destruction

overtook them soon. And covered with infamy, the Daityas were soon

exterminated. The gods, however, who were virtuous in their practices,

going to the seas, the rivers, the lakes and the holy spots, cleansed

themselves of all sins, O son of Pandu, by means of ascetic penances and

sacrifices and gifts and blessings, and obtained prosperity and the

consequence. And because the gods always performed sacrifices and holy

deeds abandoning every practice that was evil, and visited the tirthas,

as the consequence thereof they acquired great good fortune. Guided by

this, O king, do thou also, with thy brothers, bathe in tirthas, for then

thou wilt obtain prosperity once more. Even this is the eternal road.

And, O monarch, as king Nriga and Shivi and Ausinara and Bhagiratha and

Vasumanas and Gaya and Puru and Pururavas, by practising ascetic penances

and visiting tirthas and touching sacred waters and beholding illustrious

ascetics, obtained fame and sanctity and merit and wealth, so wilt thou

also obtain prosperity that is great. And as Ikshwaku with his sons,

friends and followers, as Muchukunda and Mandhatri and king Marutta, as

the gods through power of asceticism and the celestial Rishis also, had

all obtained fame, so wilt thou also obtain great celebrity. The sons of

Dhritarashtra, on the other hand, enslaved by sinfulness and ignorance,

will, without doubt, be soon exterminated like the Daityas.'"

SECTION XCV

Vaisampayana said, "The heroic sons of Pandu, accompanied by their

followers, proceeding from place to place, at last arrived at Naimisha. O

king, reaching the Gomati, the Pandavas bathed in the sacred tirtha of

that stream, and having performed their ablutions there, they gave away,

O Bharata, both kine and wealth! And repeatedly offering oblations of

water, O Bharata, to the gods, the pitris, and the Brahmanas, in the

tirthas called Kanya, Aswa, and Go and staying (as directed) in Kalakoti

and the Vishaprastha hills, the Kauravas then, O king, reached Vahuda and

performed their ablution in that stream. Proceeding next, O lord of

earth, to the sacrificial region of the gods known by the name Prayaga,

they bathed in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna and residing there

practised ascetic penances of great merit. And the Pandavas, of truthful

promises, bathing in the tirtha, cleansed themselves of every sin. The

sons of Pandu then, O king of the Bharata race, accompanied by those

Brahmanas, proceeded to the tirtha called Vedi, sacred to the Creator and

adored by the ascetics. Residing there for some time and gratifying the

Brahmanas with the fruit and roots of the wilderness and clarified

butter, those heroes began to practise ascetic penances of great merit.

They then proceeded to Mahidhara consecrated by that virtuous royal sage

Gaya of unrivalled splendour. In that region is the hill called Gayasira,

as well as the delightful river called Mahanadi, with fine banks graced

by bushes of canes. On that celestial hill of holy peaks is a sacred

tirtha called Brahmasara  which is much adored by ascetics. There on the

banks of that lake had dwelt of yore the eternal god himself of justice,

and it was thither that the illustrious Rishi Agastya had repaired to

behold that deity. It is from that lake that all the rivers take their

rise and there in that tirtha, Mahadeva the wielder of the Pinaka, is

present for aye. Arriving at that spot, the heroic sons of Pandu

practised the vow that is known by the name of the Chaturmasya according

to all the rites and ordinances of the great sacrifice called Rishiyajna.

It is there that that mighty tree called the Eternal banian stands. Any

sacrifice performed there produces merit that is eternal. In that

sacrificial platform of the gods producing eternal merit, the Pandavas

began to fast with concentrated souls. And there came unto them Brahmanas

by hundreds endued with wealth of asceticism. And those Brahmanas also

all performed the Chaturmasya sacrifice according to the rites inculcated

by the Rishis. And there in that tirtha, those Brahmanas old in knowledge

and ascetic merit and fully versed in the Vedas, that constituted the

court of the illustrious sons of Pandu, talked in their presence upon

various subject of sacred import. And it was in that place that the

learned vow-observing, and sacred Shamatha, leading, besides, a life of

celibacy, spake unto them, O king, of Gaya, the son of Amurttaraya. And

Shamatha said, 'Gaya, the son of Amurttaraya, was one of the foremost of

royal sages. Listen to me, O Bharata, as I recite his meritorious deeds.

It was here, O king, that Gaya had performed many sacrifices

distinguished by the enormous quantities of food (that were distributed)

and the profuse gifts that were given away (unto Brahmanas). Those

sacrifices, O king, were distinguished by mountains in hundreds and

thousands of cooked rice, lakes of clarified butter and rivers of curds

in many hundreds, and streams of richly-dressed curries in thousands. Day

after day were these got ready and distributed amongst all comers, while,

over and above this, Brahmanas and others, O king, received food that was

clean and pure. During the conclusion also (of every sacrifice) when

gifts were dedicated to the Brahmanas, the chanting of the Vedas reached

the heavens. And so loud, indeed, was the sound of the Vedic Mantras that

nothing else, O Bharata, could be heard there. Thus sacred sounds, O

king, filled the earth, the points of the horizon, the sky and heaven

itself. Even these were the wonders that persons noticed on those

occasions. And gratified with the excellent viands and drinks that the

illustrious Gaya provided, men, O bull of the Bharata race, went about

singing these verses. In Gaya's great sacrifice, who is there today,

amongst creatures, that still desireth to eat? There are yet twenty-five

mountains of food there after all have been fed! What the royal sage Gaya

of immense splendour hath achieved in his sacrifice was never achieved by

men before, nor will be by any in future. The gods have been so surfeited

by Gaya with clarified butter that they are not able to take anything

that anybody else may offer. As sand grains on earth, as stars in the

firmament, as drops showered by rain-charged clouds, cannot ever be

counted by anybody, so can none count the gifts in Gaya's sacrifice!"

"O son of the Kuru race, many times did king Gaya perform sacrifices of

this description, here, by the side of this Brahmasara!"

SECTION XCVI

Vaisampayana said, "After this the royal son of Kunti who was ever

distinguished for his profuse gifts unto Brahmanas, proceeded to the

asylum of Agastya and took up his abode in Durjaya. It was here that that

foremost of speakers, king Yudhishthira asked Lomasa as to why Agastya

had slain Vatapi there. And the king also enquired after the extent of

that man-destroying Daitya's prowess, and the reason also of the

illustrious Agastya's wrath being excited against that Asura.

"Thus questioned, Lomasa said, 'O son of Kuru race, there was in the city

called Manimati, in days of yore, a Daitya named Ilwala, whose younger

brother was Vatapi. One day that son of Diti addressed the Brahmana

endued with ascetic merit, saying, 'O holy one, grant me a son equal unto

Indra.' The Brahmana, however, did not grant the Asura a son like Indra.

And at this, the Asura was inflamed with wrath against the Brahmana. And

from that day, O king, the Asura Ilwala became a destroyer of Brahmanas.

And endued with power of illusion the angry Asura transformed his brother

into a ram. And Vatapi also capable of assuming any form at will, would

immediately assume the shape of a ram. And the flesh of that ram, after

being properly dressed, was offered to Brahmanas as food. And after they

had eaten of it, they were slain. For whomsoever Ilwala summoned with his

voice, he would come back to Ilwala even if he had gone to the abode of

Yama, in re-embodied form endued with life, and show himself to Ilwala.

And so having transformed the Asura Vatapi into a ram and properly cooked

his flesh and feeding Brahmanas therewith, he would summon Vatapi. And

the mighty Asura Vatapi, that foe of Brahmanas, endued with great

strength and power of illusion, hearing, O king, those sounds uttered

with a loud voice by Ilwala, and ripping open the flanks of the Brahmana

would come laughingly out, O lord of earth! And it was thus, O monarch,

that the wicked-hearted Daitya Ilwala, having fed Brahmanas, frequently

took away their lives.

"Meanwhile, the illustrious Agastya beheld his deceased ancestors hanging

in a pit with heads downwards. And he asked those personages thus

suspended in that hole, saying, 'What is the matter with you? Thus

questioned those utterers of Brahma replied, 'It is even for offspring.'

And they also told him, 'We are your ancestors. It is even for offspring

that we stay suspended in this pit. If O Agastya, thou canst beget us a

good son, we may then be saved from this hell and thou also wilt obtain

thy blessed state of those having offspring.' Endued with great energy

and observant of truth and morality Agastya replied, saying, 'Ye Pitris,

I will accomplish your desire. Let this anxiety of yours be dispelled.'

And the illustrious Rishi then began to think of perpetuating his race.

But he saw not a wife worthy of him on whom he himself could take his

birth in the form of a son. The Rishi accordingly, taking those parts

that were regarded as highly beautiful, from creatures possessing them,

created therewith an excellent woman. And the Muni, endued with great

ascetic merit, thereupon gave that girl created for himself to the king

of the Vidharbhas who was then undergoing ascetic penances for obtaining

offspring. And that blessed girl of sweet face (thus disposed of) then

took her birth (in Vidarbha's royal line) and, beautiful as the effulgent

lightning, her limbs began to grow day by day. And as soon as that lord

of earth--the ruler of the Vidarbhas--saw her ushered into life, he

joyfully communicated the intelligence, O Bharata, unto the Brahmanas.

And the Brahmanas thereupon, O lord of earth, blessed the girl and they

bestowed upon her the name Lopamudra. And possessed of great beauty, she

began, O monarch, to grow quickly like unto a lotus in the midst of water

or the effulgent flame of a fire. And when the girl grew and attained to

puberty, a hundred virgins decked in ornaments and a hundred maids waited

in obedience upon her blessed self. And surrounded by those hundred maids

and virgins, she shone in their midst, endued as she was with bright

effulgence, like Rohini in the firmament amid an inferior multitude of

stars. And possessed as she was of good behaviour and excellent manners,

none dared ask for her hand even when she attained to puberty, through

fear of her father, the king of the Vidharbhas. And Lopamudra, devoted to

truth, surpassing the Apsaras even in beauty, gratified her father and

relatives by means of her conduct. And her father, beholding his

daughter-the princess of Vidharbha-attain to puberty, began to reflect in

his mind, saying, 'To whom should I give this daughter of mine?'"

SECTION XCVII

"Lomasa continued, 'When Agastya thought that girl to be competent for

the duties of domesticity, he approached that lord of earth-the ruler of

Vidharbhas-and addressing him, said, 'I solicit thee, O king, to bestow

thy daughter Lopamudra on me.' Thus addressed by the Muni, the king of

the Vidharbhas swooned away. And though unwilling to give the Muni his

daughter, he dared not refuse. And that lord of earth then, approaching

his queen, said, 'This Rishi is endued with great energy. If angry, he

may consume me with the fire of his curse. O thou of sweet face, tell me

what is thy wish." Hearing these words of the king, she uttered not a

word. And beholding the king along with the queen afflicted with sorrow,

Lopamudra approached them in due time and said, O monarch, it behoveth

thee not to grieve on my account. Bestow me on Agastya, and, O father,

save thyself, by giving me away.' And at these words of his daughter, O

monarch, the king gave away Lopamudra unto the illustrious Agastya with

due rites. And obtaining her as wife, Agastya addressed Lopamudra,

saying, 'Cast thou away these costly robes and ornaments.' And at these

words of her lord, that large-eyed damsel of thighs tapering as the stem

of the plantain tree cast away her handsome and costly robes of fine

texture. And casting them away she dressed herself in rags and barks and

deerskins, and became her husband's equal in vows and acts. And

proceeding then to Gangadwara that illustrious and best of Rishis began

to practise the severest penances along with his helpful wife. And

Lopamudra herself, well pleased, began to serve her lord from the deep

respect that she bore him. And the exalted Agastya also began to manifest

great love for his wife.

"After a considerable time, O king, the illustrious Rishi one day beheld

Lopamudra, blazing in ascetic splendour come up after the bath in her

season. And pleased with the girl, for her services, her purity, and self

control, as also with her grace and beauty, he summoned her for marital

intercourse. The girl, however, joining her hands, bashfully but lovingly

addressed the Rishi, saying, 'The husband, without doubt, weddeth the

wife for offspring. But it behoveth thee, O Rishi, to show that love to

me which I have for thee. And it behoveth thee, O regenerate one, to

approach me on a bed like to that which I had in the palace of my father.

I also desire that thou shouldst be decked in garlands of flowers and

other ornaments, and that I should approach thee adorned in those

celestial ornaments that I like. Otherwise, I cannot approach thee,

dressed in these rags dyed in red. Nor, O regenerate Rishi, it is sinful

to wear ornaments (on such an occasion).' Hearing these words of his

wife, Agastya replied, 'O blessed girl, O thou of slender waist, I have

not wealth like what thy father hath, O Lopamudra!' She answered saying,

'Thou who art endued with wealth of asceticism, art certainly able to

bring hither within a moment, by ascetic power, everything that exists in

the world of men.' Agastya said, 'It is even so as thou hast said. That,

however, would waste my ascetic merit. O bid me do that which may not

loosen my ascetic merit.' Lopamudra then said, 'O thou endued with wealth

of asceticism, my season will not last long, I do not desire, however, to

approach thee otherwise. Nor do I desire to diminish thy (ascetic) merit

in any way. It behoveth thee, however, to do as I desire, without

injuring thy virtue.'

"'Agastya then said, 'O blessed girl, if this be the resolve that thou

hast settled in thy heart, I will go out in quest of wealth. Meanwhile,

stay thou here as it pleaseth thee.'"

SECTION XCVIII

"Lomasa continued, 'Agastya then, O son of the Kuru race, went to king

Srutarvan who was regarded as richer than other kings, to beg for wealth.

And that monarch, learning of the arrival of the pot-born Rishi on the

frontiers of his kingdoms, went out with his ministers and received the

holy man with respect. And the king duly offering the Arghya in the first

instance, submissively and with joined hands enquired then after the

reason of the Rishi's arrival. And Agastya answered saying, O lord of the

earth, know that I have come to thee, desirous of wealth. Give me a

portion according to thy ability and without doing injury to others.'

"Lomasa continued, 'The king, then, representing unto the Rishi the

equality of his expenditure and income, said, 'O learned one, take thou

from my possessions the wealth thou pleasest.' Beholding, however, the

equality of that monarch's expenditure with income, the Rishi who always

saw both sides with equal eyes, thought that if he took anything under

the circumstances, his act would result in injury to creatures. Taking,

therefore, Srutarvan with him, the Rishi went to Vradhnaswa. The latter,

hearing of their arrival on his frontiers, received them duly. And

Vradhnaswa also offered them the Arghyas and water to wash their feet.

And the monarch, with their permission, then enquired after the reason of

their coming. And Agastya said, 'O lord of earth, know that we have come

to thee desirous of wealth. Give us what thou canst, without doing injury

to others.'"

"Lomasa continued, 'That monarch then represented unto them the equality

of his expenditure and income, and said, 'Knowing this, take ye what ye

desire.' The Rishi, however, who saw both sides with equal eyes,

beholding the equality of that monarch's income with expenditure, thought

that if he took anything under the circumstances, his act would result in

injury to all creatures. Agastya and Srutarvan, with king Vradhnaswa then

went to Purokutsa's son, Trasadasyu, of enormous wealth. The high-souled

Trasadasyu, learning of their arrival on the confines of his kingdom went

out, O king, and received them well. And that best of monarchs in

Ikshvaku's line, having worshipped all of them duly, enquired after the

reason of their arrival. And Agastya answered, 'O lord of earth, know

that we have all come to thee, desirous of wealth. Give us what you can,

without injuring others.'"

"Lomasa continued, 'That monarch then, represented unto them the equality

of his income with expenditure, and said, 'Knowing this, take ye what ye

desire.' Beholding, however, the equality of that monarch's expenditure

with income, the Rishi who saw both sides with equal eyes, thought that

if he took anything under the circumstances, his act would result in

injury to all creatures. Then, O monarch, all those kings looking at one

another, together spoke unto the Rishis saying, 'O Brahmana, there is a

Danava of the name Ilwala who of all persons on earth, is possessed of

enormous wealth. Let us all approach him to-day and beg wealth of him.'"

"Lomasa continued, 'This suggestion, O king, of begging wealth of Ilwala

appeared to them to be proper. And, O monarch, all of them went together

to Ilwala after this!'"

SECTION XCIX

"Lomasa said, 'When Ilwala learnt that those kings along with the great

Rishi had arrived on the confines of his domain, he went out with his

ministers and worshipped them duly. And that prince of Asuras received

them hospitably, entertaining them, O son of the Kuru race, with well

dressed meat supplied by his brother Vatapi (transformed into a ram).

Then all those royal sages, beholding the mighty Asura Vatapi, who had

been transformed into a ram thus cooked for them, became sad and

cheerless and were nearly deprived of themselves. But that best of

Rishis--Agastya--addressing those royal sages, said, 'Yield ye not to

grief, I will eat up the great Asura.' And the mighty Rishi then sat

himself down on an excellent seat, and the prince of Asuras, Ilwala,

began to distribute the food smilingly. And Agastya ate up the whole of

the meat supplied by Vatapi (transformed into a ram). And after the

dinner was over, Ilwala began to summon his brother. But thereupon a

quantity of air alone came out of the illustrious Rishi's stomach, with a

sound that was as loud, O child, as the roar of the clouds. And Ilwala

repeatedly said, 'Come out, O Vatapi!' Then that best of

Munis--Agastya--bursting out in laughter, said, 'How can he come out? I

have already digested that great Asura.' And beholding his brother

already digested, Ilwala became sad and cheerless and joining his hands,

along with his ministers, addressing the Rishi (and his companions),

said, 'What for have ye come hither, and what can I do for you?' And

Agastya smilingly answered Ilwala, saying, 'We know thee, O Asura, to be

possessed of great power and also enormous wealth. These kings are not

very wealthy while my need also of wealth is great. Give us what thou

canst, without injuring others.' Thus addressed Ilwala saluted the Rishi

and said, 'If thou say what it is that I mean to give, then will I give

you wealth.' Hearing this Agastya said, 'O great Asura, thou hast even

purposed to give unto each of these kings ten thousand kine and as many

gold coins. And unto me thou hast purposed to give twice as much, as also

a car of gold and a couple of horses fleet as thought. If thou enquirest

now, thou wilt soon learn that your car is made of gold.' Thereupon, O

son of Kunti, Ilwala made enquiries and learnt that the car he had

intended to give away was really a golden one. And the Daitya then with a

sad heart, gave away much wealth and that car, unto which were yoked two

steeds called Virava and Surava. And those steeds, O Bharata, took those

kings and Agastya and all that wealth to the asylum of Agastya within the

twinkling of an eye. And those royal sages then obtaining Agastya's

permission, went away to their respective cities. And Agastya also (with

that wealth) did all that his wife Lopamudra had desired. And Lopamudra

then said, 'O illustrious one, thou hast now accomplished all my wishes.

Beget thou a child on me that shall be possessed of great energy.' And

Agastya replied unto her, saying, 'O blessed and beauteous one, I have

been much gratified with thy conduct. Listen thou unto me as regards the

proposal I make in respect of thy offspring. Wouldst thou have a thousand

sons, or a century of sons each equal to ten, or ten sons equal each to

an hundred, or only one son who may vanquish a thousand?' Lopamudra

answered, 'Let me have one son equal unto a thousand, O thou endued with

wealth of asceticism! One good and learned son is preferable to many evil

ones.'"

"Lomasa continued, 'Saying, 'So be it,' that pious Muni thereupon knew

his devout wife of equal behaviour. And after she had conceived, he

retired into the forest. And after the Muni had gone away, the foetus

began to grow for seven years. And after the seventh year had expired,

there came out of the womb, the highly learned Dridhasyu, blazing, O

Bharata, in his own splendour. And the great Brahmana and illustrious

ascetic, endued with mighty energy, took his birth as the Rishi's son,

coming out of the womb, as if repeating the Vedas with the Upanishads and

the Angas. Endued with great energy while yet a child, he used to carry

loads of sacrificial fuel into the asylum of his father, and was thence

called Idhmavaha (carrier of sacrificial wood). And the Muni, beholding

his son possessed of such virtues, became highly glad.

"And it was thus, O Bharata, that Agastya begat an excellent son in

consequence of which his ancestors, O king, obtained the regions they

desired. And it is from that time that this spot hath become known on the

earth as the asylum of Agastya. Indeed, O king, this is the asylum graced

with numerous beauties, of that Agastya who had slain Vatapi of

Prahrada's race. The sacred Bhagirathi, adored by gods and Gandharvas

gently runneth by, like a breeze-shaken pennon in the welkin. Yonder also

she floweth over craggy crests descending lower and lower, and looketh

like an affrighted she-snake lying along the hilly slopes. Issuing out of

the matted locks of Mahadeva, she passeth along, flooding the southern

country and benefiting it like a mother, and ultimately mingleth with the

ocean as if she were his favourite bride. Bathe ye as ye like in this

sacred river, ye son of Pandu! And behold there, O Yudhisthira, the

tirtha of Bhrigu that is celebrated over the three worlds and adored, O

king, by great Rishis. Bathing here, Rama (of Bhrigu's race) regained his

might, which had been taken away from him (by Dasaratha's son). Bathing

here, O son of Pandu, with thy brothers and Krishna, thou wilt certainly

regain that energy of thine that hath been taken away by Duryodhana, even

as Rama regained his that had been taken away by Dasaratha's son in

hostile encounter."

Vaisampayana continued, "At these words of Lomasa, Yudhishthira bathed

there with his brothers and Krishna, and offered oblations of water, O

Bharata, to the gods and the Pitris. And, O bull among men, after

Yudhishthira had bathed in that tirtha, his body blazed forth in brighter

effulgence, and he became invisible in respect of all foes. The son of

Pandu then, O king, asked Lomasa, saying, 'O illustrious one, why had

Rama's energy and might been taken away? And how also did he regain it? O

exalted one, I ask thee, tell me everything.'"

"Lomasa said, 'Listen, O king, to the history of Rama (the son of

Dasaratha) and Rama of Bhrigu's line gifted with intelligence. For the

destruction of Ravana, O king, Vishnu, in his own body, took his birth as

the son of illustrious Dasaratha. We saw in Ayodhya that son of Dasaratha

after he had been born. It was then that Rama of Bhrigu's line, the son

of Richika by Renuka, hearing of Rama the son of Dasaratha--of spotless

deeds--went to Ayodhya, impelled by curiosity, and taking with him that

celestial bow so fatal to the Kshatriyas, for ascertaining the prowess of

Dasaratha's son. And Dasaratha, hearing that Rama of Bhrigu's race had

arrived on the confines of his domains, set his own son Rama to receive

the hero with respect. And beholding Dasaratha's son approach and stand

before him with ready weapons, Rama of Bhrigu's line smilingly addressed

him, O son of Kunti, saying, 'O king, O exalted one, string, if thou

canst, with all thy mighty, this bow which in my hands was made the

instrument of destroying the Kshatriya race.' Thus addressed, Dasaratha's

son answered, 'O illustrious one, it behoveth thee not to insult me thus.

Nor am I, amongst the regenerate classes, deficient in the virtues of the

Kshatriya order. The descendants of Ikshwaku in special never boast of

the prowess of their arms.' Then unto Dasaratha's son who said so, Rama

of Bhrigu's line replied, 'A truce to all crafty speech, O king! Take

this bow.' At this, Rama the son of Dasaratha, took in anger from the

hands of Rama of Bhrigu's line that celestial bow that had dealt death to

the foremost of Kshatriyas. And, O Bharata, the mighty hero smilingly

strung that bow without the least exertion, and with its twang loud as

the thunder-rattle, affrighted all creatures. And Rama, the son of

Dasaratha, then, addressing Rama of Bhrigu's said, 'Here, I have strung

this bow. What else, O Brahmana, shall I do for thee?' Then Rama, the son

of Jamadagni, gave unto the illustrious son of Dasaratha a celestial

arrow and said, 'Placing this on the bow-string, draw to thy ear, O

hero!' "Lomasa continued, 'Hearing this, Dasaratha's son blazed up in

wrath and said, 'I have heard what thou hast said, and even pardoned

thee. O son of Bhrigu's race, thou art full of vanity. Through the

Grandsire's grace thou hast obtained energy that is superior to that of

the Kshatriyas. And it is for this that thou insultest me. Behold me now

in my native form: I give thee sight.' Then Rama of Bhrigu's race beheld

in the body of Dasaratha's son the Adityas with the Vasus, the Rudras,

the Sadhyas with the Marutas, the Pitris, Hutasana, the stellar

constellations and the planets, the Gandharvas, the Rakshasas, the

Yakshas, the Rivers, the tirthas, those eternal Rishis identified with

Brahma and called the Valkhilyas, the celestial Rishis, the Seas and

Mountains, the Vedas with the Upanishads and Vashats and the sacrifices,

the Samans in their living form, the Science of weapons, O Bharata, and

the Clouds with rain and lightning, O Yudhishthira! And the illustrious

Vishnu then shot that shaft. And at this the earth was filled with sounds

of thunder, and burning meteors. O Bharata, began to flash through the

welkin. And showers of dust and rain fell upon the surface of the earth.

And whirlwinds and frightful sounds convulsed everything, and the earth

herself began to quake. And shot by the hand of Rama, that shalt,

confounding by its energy the other Rama, came back blazing into Rama's

hands. And Bhargava, who had thus been deprived of his senses, regaining

consciousness and life, bowed unto Rama--that manifestation of Vishnu's

power. And commanded by Vishnu, he proceeded to the mountains of

Mahendra. And thenceforth that great ascetic began to dwell there, in

terror and shame. And after the expiration of a year, the Pitris,

beholding Rama dwelling there deprived of energy, his pride quelled, and

himself sunk in affliction, said unto him, 'O son, having approached

Vishnu, thy behaviour towards him was not proper. He deserveth for aye

worship and respect in the three worlds. Go, O son, to that sacred river

which goeth by name of Vadhusara! Bathing in all the tirthas of that

stream, thou wilt regain thy energy! There in that river is the tirthas

called Diptoda where thy grandsire Bhrigu, O Rama, in the celestial age

had practised ascetic penances of great merit.' Thus addressed by them,

Rama, O son of Kunti, did what the Pitris bade him, and obtained back at

this tirtha, O son of Pandu, the energy he had lost. Even this O child,

was what befell Rama of spotless deeds in days in of yore, after he had,

O king, met Vishnu (in the form of Dasaratha's son)!'"

SECTION C

"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of regenerate ones, I desire again to hear of

the achievements in detail of Agastya--that illustrious Rishi endued with

great intelligence.'"

"Lomasa said, 'Listen now, O king, to the excellent and wonderful and

extraordinary history of Agastya, as also, O monarch, about the prowess

of that Rishi of immeasurable energy. There were in the Krita age certain

tribes of fierce Danavas that were invincible in battle. And they were

known by the name of Kalakeyas and were endued with terrible prowess.

Placing themselves under Vritra and arming themselves with diverse

weapons they pursued the celestials with Indra at their head in all

directions. The gods then all resolved upon the destruction of Vritra,

and went with Indra at their head to Brahma. And beholding them standing

before him with joined hands, Parameshthi addressed them all and said,

"Everything is known to me, ye gods, about what ye seek. I shall indicate

now the means by which ye may slay Vritra. There is a high-souled and

great Rishi known by the name of Dadhicha. Go ye all together unto him

and solicit of him a boon. With well-pleased heart, that Rishi of

virtuous soul will even grant you the boon. Desirous as ye are of

victory, go ye all together unto him and tell him, 'For the good of the

three worlds, give us thy bones.' Renouncing his body, he will give you

his bones. With these bones of his, make ye a fierce and powerful weapon

to be called Vajra, endued with six sides and terrible roar and capable

of destroying even the most powerful enemies. With that weapon will he of

a hundred sacrifices slay Vritia. I have now told you all. See that all

this is done speedily.' Thus addressed by him, the gods with the

Grandsire's leave (came away), and with Narayana at their head proceeded

to the asylum of Dadhicha. That asylum was on the other bank of the river

Saraswati and covered with diverse trees and creepers. And it resounded

with the hum of bees as if they were reciting Samans. And it also echoed

with the melodious notes of the male Kokila and the Chakora. And

buffaloes and boars and deer and Chamaras wandered there at pleasure

freed from the fear of tigers. And elephants with the juice trickling

down from rent temples, plunging in the stream, sported with the

she-elephants and made the entire region resound with their roars. And

the place also echoed with the loud roars of lions and tigers, while at

intervals might be seen those grisly monarchs of the forest lying

stretched in caves and glens and beautifying them with their presence And

such was the asylum, like unto heaven itself, of Dadhicha, that the gods

entered. And there they beheld Dadhicha looking like the sun himself in

splendour and blazing in grace of person like the Grandsire himself. And

the celestials saluted the feet of the Rishi and bowed unto him and

begged of him the boon that the Grandsire had bade them do. Then

Dadhicha, well pleased, addressing those foremost of celestials, said,

'Ye celestials, I will do what is for your benefit. I will even renounce

this body of mine myself.' And that foremost of men with soul under

control, having said this, suddenly renounced his life. The gods then

took the bones of the deceased Rishi as directed. And the celestials,

glad at heart, went to Twashtri (the celestial Artificer) and spake to

him of the means of victory. And Twashtri, hearing those words of theirs,

became filled with joy, and constructed (out of those bones) with great

attention and care the fierce weapons called Vajra. And having

manufactured it, he joyfully addressed Indra, saying, 'With this foremost

of weapons, O exalted one, reduce that fierce foe of the gods to ashes.

And having slain the foe, rule thou happily the entire domain of heaven,

O chief of the celestials, with those that follow thee.' And thus

addressed by Twashtri, Purandara took the Vajra from his hand, joyfully

and with proper respect."

SECTION CI

"Lomasa said, 'Armed with the Vajra then, and supported by celestials

endued with great might, Indra then approached Vritra, who was then

occupying the entire earth and the heaven. And he was guarded on all

sides by huge-bodied Kalakeyas with upraised weapons resembling gigantic

mountains with towering peaks. And the encounter that took place between

the gods and the Danavas lasted for a short while and was, O chief of the

Bharatas, terrific in the extreme, appalling as it did the three worlds.

And loud was the clash of swords and scimitars upraised and warded off by

heroic hands in course of those fierce encounters. And heads (severed

from trunks) began to roll from the firmament to the earth like fruits of

the palmyra palm falling upon the ground, loosened from their stalks. And

the Kalakeyas armed with iron-mounted bludgeons and cased in golden mail

ran against the gods, like moving mountains on conflagration. And the

gods, unable to stand the shock of that impetuous and proudly advancing

host, broke and fled from fear. Purandara of a thousand eyes, beholding

the gods flying in fear and Vritra growing in boldness, became deeply

dejected. And the foremost of gods Purandara, himself, agitated with the

fear of the Kalakeyas, without losing a moment, sought the exalted

Narayana's refuge. And the eternal Vishnu beholding Indra so depressed

enhanced his might by imparting unto him a portion of his own energy. And

when the celestials beheld that Sakra was thus protected by Vishnu, each

of them imparted unto him his own energy. And the spotless Brahmarshis

also imparted their energies unto the chief of the celestials. And

favoured thus by Vishnu and all the gods and by the high-blessed Rishis

also, Sakra became mightier than before. And when Vritra learnt that the

chief of the celestials had been filled with might of others, he sent

forth some terrific roars. And at these roars of his, the earth, the

directions, the firmament, heaven, and the mountains all began to

tremble. And the chief of the celestials, deeply agitated on hearing that

fierce and loud roar, was filled with fear, and desiring to slay the

Asura soon, hurled, O king, the mighty Vajra. And struck with Indra's

Vajra the great Asura decked in gold and garlands fell head-long, like

the great mountain Mandara hurled of yore from Vishnu's hands; and

although the prince of Daityas was slain, yet Sakra in panic ran from the

field, desiring to take shelter in a lake, thinking that the Vajra itself

had not been hurled from his hands and regarding that Vritra himself was

still alive. The celestials, however, and the great Rishis became filled

with joy, and all of them began to cheerfully chant the praise of Indra.

And mustering together, the celestials began to slay the Danavas, who

were dejected at the death of their leader. And struck with panic at

sight of the assembled celestial host, the afflicted Danavas fled to the

depths of the sea. And having entered the fathomless deep, teeming with

fishes and crocodiles, the Danavas assembled together and began to

proudly conspire for the destruction of the three worlds. And some

amongst them that were wise in inferences suggested courses of action,

each according to his judgment. In course of time, however, the dreadful

resolution arrived at those conspiring sons of Diti, was that they

should, first of all, compass the destruction of all persons possessed of

knowledge and ascetic virtue. The worlds are all supported by asceticism.

Therefore, they said, 'Lose no time for the destruction of asceticism.

Compass ye without delay the destruction of those on earth that are

possessed of ascetic virtues, that are conversant with duties and the

ways of morality, and that have a knowledge of Brahma; for when these are

destroyed, the universe itself will be destroyed.' And all the Danavas,

having arrived at this resolution for the destruction of the universe,

became highly glad. And thenceforth they made the ocean--that abode of

Varuna--with billows high as hills, their fort, from which to make their

sallies."

SECTION CII

"Lomasa said, 'The Kalakeyas then having recourse to that receptacle of

waters, which is the abode of Varuna, began their operations for the

destruction of the universe. And during the darkness of the night those

angry Daityas began to devour the Munis they found in woody retreats and

sacred spots. And those wicked wretches devoured in the asylum of

Vasishtha, Brahmanas to the number of a hundred and eighty, besides nine

other ascetics. And, proceeding to the asylum of Chyavana that was

inhabited by many Brahmacharis, they devoured a century of Brahmanas that

lived upon fruit and roots alone. And they began to do all this during

the darkness of the night, while they entered the depths of the sea by

day. And they slew a full score of Brahmanas of subdued souls and leading

a Brahmacharya mode of life and living upon air and water alone, in the

retreat of Bharadwaja. And it was thus that those Danavas the Kalakeyas,

intoxicated with prowess of arms and their lives nearly run out,

gradually invaded all the asylums of the Rishis during the darkness of

the night, slaughtering numerous Brahmanas. And, O best of men, although

the Danavas behaved in this way towards the ascetics in woody retreats,

yet men failed to discover anything of them. And every morning people saw

the dead bodies of Munis emaciated with frugal diet, lying on the ground.

And many of those bodies were without flesh and without blood, without

marrow, without entrails, and with limbs separated from one another. And

here and there lay on the ground heaps of bones like masses of conch

shells. And the earth was scattered over with the (sacrificial) contents

of broken jars and shattered ladles for pouring libations of clarified

butter and with the sacred fires kept with care by the ascetics. And the

universe afflicted with the terror of the Kalakeyas, being destitute of

Vedic studies and vashats and sacrificial festivals and religious rites,

became entirely cheerless. And, O king, when men began to perish in this

way, the survivors, afflicted with fear, fled for their lives in all

directions. And some fled to caverns and some behind mountain-streams and

springs and some through fear of death, died without much ado. And some

who were brave and mighty bowmen cheerfully went out and took great

trouble in tracking the Danavas. Unable, however, to find them out, for

the Asuras had sought refuge in the depths of the sea, these brave men

came back to their homes gratified with the search. And, O lord of men,

when the universe was being thus destroyed, and when sacrificial

festivals and religious rites had been suspended, the gods became deeply

afflicted. And gathering together with Indra in their midst they began,

from fear, to take counsel of one another. And repairing unto the exalted

and uncreate Narayana--that unvanquished god of Vaikuntha--the celestials

sought his protection. And bowing unto the slayer of Madhu, the gods

addressed him, saying, 'O lord, thou art the creator, the protector, and

the slayer of ourselves as well as of the universe. It is thou who has

created this universe with its mobile and immobile creatures. O thou of

eyes like lotus leaves, it was thou who in days of yore hadst for the

benefit of all creatures raised from the sea the sunken earth, assuming

also the form of a boar. And, O best of male beings, assuming also the

form of half-man and half-lion, thou hadst slain in days of yore that

ancient Daitya of mighty prowess known by the name of Hiranyakasipu. And

that other great Asura also, Vali by name, was incapable of being slain

by any one. Assuming the form of a dwarf, thou exiledest him from the

three worlds. O lord, it was by thee that that wicked Asura, Jambha by

name, who was a mighty bowman and who always obstructed sacrifices, was

slain. Achievements like these, which cannot be counted, are thine. O

slayer of Madhu, we who have been afflicted with fear, have thee for our

refuge. It is for this, O god of gods, that we inform thee of our present

troubles. Protect the worlds, the gods, and Sakra also, from a terrible

fear.'"

SECTION CIII

"The celestials said, 'Through thy favour it is that all born beings of

the four kinds increase. And they being created, propitiate the dwellers

of heaven by offerings made to the gods and the names of departed

forefathers. Thus it is that people, protected by thee and free from

trouble live depending on one another, and (so) increase. Now this peril

hath befallen the people. We do not know by whom are Brahmanas being

killed during the night. If the Brahmanas are destroyed, the earth itself

will meet with destruction, and if the earth cometh to an end, heaven

also will cease to exist. O mighty-armed one, O lord of the universe! we

beseech thee (to act so) that all the worlds, protected by thee, may not

come to an end, so it may please thee.'

"Vishnu said, 'Ye gods! To me is known the reason of the destruction of

the born beings, I shall speak of it to you; listen with minds free from

tribulation. There exists an exceedingly fierce host, known by the name

of Kalakeyas. They, under the lead of Vritra, were devastating the whole

universe. And when they saw that Vritra was slain by the sagacious Indra

endued with a thousand eyes, they, to preserve their lives, entered into

the ocean, that abode of Varuna. And having entered the ocean, abounding

with sharks and crocodiles, they at night killed the saints at this spot

with the view of exterminating the people. But they cannot be slain, as

they have taken shelter within the sea. Ye should, therefore, think of

some expedient to dry up the ocean. Who save Agastya is capable of drying

up the sea. And without drying up the ocean, these (demons) cannot be

assailed by any other means.' Hearing these words of Vishnu, the gods

took the permission of Brahma, who lives at the best of all regions, and

went to the hermitage of Agastya. Then they beheld the high-souled

Agastya, the son of Varuna, of resplendent mien, and waited upon by

saints, even as Brahma is waited upon by celestials. And approaching him,

they addressed the son of Mitra and Varuna at the hermitage, magnanimous

and unswerving, and looking like an embodiment of pious works piled

together, and glorified him by reciting his deeds. The deities said,

'Thou wert formerly the refuge of the gods when they were oppressed by

Nahusha. Thorn of the world that he was, he was thrown down from his

throne of heaven--from the celestial regions. Vindhya, the foremost of

all mountains, suddenly began to increase his height, from a wrathful

competition with the sun (i. e., to rival him in altitude). But he hath

ceased to increase, as he was unable to disobey thy command. And when

darkness hath covered the world, the born beings were harassed by death,

but having obtained thee for a protector, they attained the utmost

security. Whenever we are beset by perils, thy reverence is always our

refuge; for this reason it is that we solicit a boon from thee; as thou

ever grantest the boon solicited (of thee).'"

SECTION CIV

"Yudhishthira said, 'O great saint! I am desirous of hearing in detail

why it was that Vindhya, made senseless with wrath, suddenly began to

increase his bulk.'"

"Lomasa said, 'The sun between his rising and setting used to revolve

round that monarch of mountains--the great Meru of golden lustre. And

seeing this the mountain Vindhya spake to Surya saying, 'As thou every

day goest round Meru and honourest him by thy circumambulations, do thou

even the same by me, O maker of light!' Thus addressed, the sun replied

to the great mountain, saying, 'I do not of my own will honour this

mountain by my circumambulations. By those who have built this universe

hath that path been assigned to me.' Thus addressed the mountain suddenly

began to increase from wrath, desirous, O chastiser of foes, of

obstructing the path of the Sun and the Moon. And all the assembled gods

came to Vindhya, the mighty king of mountains, and tried to dissuade him

from his course. But he heeded not what they said. And then all the

assembled gods went to the saint, living in the hermitage, engaged in the

practice of austerities, and the very best of persons devoted to virtue;

and stated all that happened to Agastya, possessed of exceeding

marvellous power.

"The gods said, 'This king of hills, Vindhya, giving way to wrath, is

stopping the path of the Sun and the Moon, and also the course of the

stars. O foremost of Brahmanas! O thou great in gifts! excepting thyself,

there is none who can prevent him; therefore do thou make him desist.'

Hearing these words of the gods the Brahmana came to the mountain. And he

with his wife, having arrived there, came near Vindhya and spake to him,

saying, 'O thou best of mountains! I wish to have a path given to me by

thee, as, for some purpose, I shall have to go to the southern region.

Until my return, do thou wait for me. And when I have returned, O king of

mountains, thou mayst increase in bulk as much as thou pleasest.' And, O

slayer of foes! having made this compact with Vindhya up to the present

day Varuna's son doth not return from the southern region. Thus have I,

asked by thee, narrated to thee why Vindhya doth not increase in bulk, by

reason of the power of Agastya. Now, O king! hear how the Kalakeyas were

killed by the gods, after they had obtained their prayer from Agastya.

"Having heard the words of the gods, Agastya, the son of Mitra, and

Varuna, said, 'Wherefore are ye come? What boon do ye solicit from me?'

Thus addressed by him, the deities then spake to the saint, saying, 'This

deed we ask thee to achieve, viz., to drink up the great ocean. O

magnanimous (saint)! Then we shall be able to slay those enemies of the

gods, known by the name of Kalakeyas, together with all their adherents.'

Having heard the words of the gods, the saint said, 'Let it be so--I

shall do even what ye desire, and that which will conduce to the great

happiness of men.' Having said this, he then proceeded to the ocean--the

lord of rivers,--accompanied by sages, ripe in the practice of penances,

and also by the deities, O thou who leadest an excellent life! And men

and snakes, celestial choristers, Yakshas and Kinnaras followed the

magnanimous saints,--desirous of witnessing that wonderful event. Then

they came up all together near to the sea, of awful roar, dancing, as it

were, with its billows, bounding with the breeze, and laughing with

masses of froth, and stumbling at the caves, and thronged with diverse

kinds of sharks, and frequented by flocks of various birds. And the

deities accompanied by Agastya and celestial choristers and huge snakes

and highly-gifted saints, approached the immense watery waste."

SECTION CV

"Lomasa said, 'That blessed saint, the son of Varuna, having reached the

sea spake unto the assembled gods, and the saints gathered together,

saying 'I surely am going to drink up the ocean--that abode of the god of

waters. Be ye quickly ready with those preparations which it devolves

upon you to make.' Having spoken these few words, the unswerving

offspring of Mitra and Varuna, full of wrath, began to drink up the sea,

while all the worlds stood observing (the deed). Then the gods, together

with Indra, seeing how the sea was being drunk up, were struck with

mighty amazement, and glorified him with laudatory words, saying, 'Thou

art our protector, and the Providence itself for men,--and also the

creator of the worlds. By thy favour the universe with its gods may

possibly be saved from havoc.' And the magnanimous one, glorified by the

gods--while the musical instruments of celestial choristers were playing

all round, and while celestial blossoms were showered upon him--rendered

waterless the wide ocean. And seeing the wide ocean rendered devoid of

water, the host of gods was exceedingly glad; and taking up choice

weapons of celestial forge, fell to slaying the demons with courageous

hearts,--And they, assailed by the magnanimous gods, of great strength,

and swift of speed, and roaring loudly, were unable to withstand the

onset of their fleet and valorous (foes)--those residents of the heavenly

regions, O descendant of Bharata! And those demons, attacked by the gods,

bellowing loudly, for a moment carried on terrible conflict. They had

been in the first instance burnt by the force of penances performed by

the saints, who had matured their selves; therefore, the demons, though

they tried to the utmost, were at last slaughtered by the gods. And

decked with brooches of gold, and bearing on their persons ear-rings and

armlets, the demons, when slain, looked beautiful indeed, like palasa

trees when full of blossoms. Then, O best of men! a few--the remnant of

those that were killed of the Kalakeya race, having rent asunder the

goddess Earth, took refuge at the bottom of the nether regions. And the

gods, when they saw that the demons were slain, with diverse speeches,

glorified the mighty saint, and spake the following words. 'O thou of

mighty arms, by thy favour men have attained a mighty blessing, and the

Kalakeyas, of ruthless strength have been killed by thy power, O creator

of beings! Fill the sea (now), O mighty-armed one; give up again the

water drunk up by thee.' Thus addressed, the blessed and mighty saint

replied, 'That water in sooth hath been digested by me. Some other

expedient, therefore, must be thought of by you, if ye desire to make

endeavour to fill the ocean.' Hearing this speech of that saint of

matured soul, the assembled gods were struck with both wonder and

sadness, O great king! And thereupon, having bidden adieu to each other,

and bowed to the mighty saint all the born beings went their way. And the

gods with Vishnu, came to Brahma. And having held consultation again,

with the view of filling up the sea, they, with joined hands, spake about

replenishing it."

SECTION CVI

"Lomasa said, 'Then gathered together, Brahma, the grandfather of men

(thus) addressed, 'Go ye, O gods! whither your pleasure may lead you, or

your desire conduct you. It will take a long course of time for the ocean

to resume its wonted state; the occasion will be furnished by the agnates

of the great king Bhagiratha.' Hearing the words of the (universal)

grandfather (Brahma), all the foremost gods went their way biding the day

(when the ocean was to be filled again).'

"Yudhishthira said, 'What was that occasion, O Saint? And how did the

agnates of (Bhagiratha furnish the same)? And how was the ocean refilled

by the interference of Bhagiratha? O Saint, who deemest thy religious

practices as thy only treasure. O thou of the priestly class! I wish to

hear the account of the achievements of the king, narrated in detail by

thyself.'"

"Vaisampayana said, "Thus addressed by the magnanimous and virtuous king,

he, the chief of men of the priestly class, narrated the achievements of

the high-souled (king) Sagara."

"Lomasa said, 'There was born in the family of the Ikshaku tribe, a ruler

of the earth named Sagara, endued with beauty, and strength. And that

same (king) of a dreaded name was sonless, O descendant of Bharata! And

he carried havoc through the tribes of the Haihayas and the Talajanghas;

brought under subjection the whole of the military caste; (and so) ruled

over his own kingdom. And, O most praiseworthy of the descendants of

Bharata! O chief of the Bharata race! he had two wives proud of their

beauty and of their youth,--one a princess of the Vidarbha race, and the

other of the royal line of Sivi. And, O chief of kings, that same ruler

of men, betook himself to the mountain Kailasa, accompanied by both his

wives, and with the desire of having a son became engaged in the practice

of exceeding austere penances. And being engaged in the practice of rigid

austerities, and (also) employed in the contemplation known by the name

of Yoga, he obtained the sight of the magnanimous god with three

eyes--the slayer of the demon called Tripura; the worker of blessings

(for all beings); the (eternally) existent one; the ruling Being, the

holder of the Pinaka bow; carrying in his hand his (well-known

weapon)--the trident; the god of three eyes; the repository of (eternal)

peace; the ruler of all those that are fierce; capable of assuming very

many forms; and the lord of the goddess Uma. And that same ruler of men,

of mighty arms, as soon as he beheld the god--that giver of boons--fell

down at his feet, with both his queens, and proffered a prayer to have a

son. And the god Siva, well pleased with him, spake (thus) to that most

righteous of the rulers of men, attended by his two wives, saying, 'O

lord of men! considering the (astrological) moment at which thou hast

proffered thy prayer to me, sixty thousand sons, O foremost of choice men

valorous and characterised by exceeding pride, will be born in one off

thy two wives (here). But they all, O ruler of the earth, shall perish

together. In the other wife, (however), will be born a single valiant

son, who will perpetuate thy race.' Having said this to him, the god

Rudra (Siva) vanished from sight at that very spot, and that same king

Sagara now came (back) to his own abode accompanied by his two wives,

exceedingly delighted at heart (for what had happened) then. And, O most

praiseworthy of the sons of Manu! (i.e., men), there the two lotus-eyed

wives of him--the princess of Vidarbha and the princess of Sivi--came

(erelong) to be with child. And afterwards, on the due day, the princess

of Vidarbha brought forth (something) of the shape of a gourd and the

princess of Sivi gave birth to a boy as beautiful as a god. Then the

ruler of the earth made up his mind to throw away the gourd,--when he

heard (proceeding) from the sky a speech (uttered) in a grave and solemn

voice, 'O king! do thou not be guilty of this hasty act; thou shouldst

not abandon thy sons. Take out the seeds from the gourd and let them be

preserved with care in steaming vessels partly filled with clarified

butter. Then thou wilt get, O scion of Bharata's race! sixty thousand

sons. O ruler of men! the great god (Siva) hath spoken that thy sons are

to be born in this manner. Let not therefore thy mind be turned away

therefrom.'"

SECTION CVII

"Lomasa said, 'O most righteous of kings! When he heard these words

(proceeding) from the sky, he had faith therein, and did all that he was

directed to do, O chief of the men of Bharata's race! Then the ruler of

men took separately each of the seeds and then placed these divisions (of

the gourd) in vessels filled with clarified butter. And intent on the

preservation of his sons, he provided a nurse for every (receptacle).

Then after a long time there arose sixty thousand exceedingly powerful

sons of that same king--gifted with unmeasured strength, they were born,

O ruler of earth! to that saint-like king, by Rudra's favour. And they

were terrible; and their acts were ruthless. And they were able to ascend

and roam about in the sky; and being numerous themselves, despised

everybody, including the gods. And they would chase even the gods, the

Gandharvas, and the Rakshasas and all the born beings, being themselves

valiant and addicted to fighting. Then all people, harassed by the

dull-headed sons of Sagara, united with all the gods, went to Brahma as

their refuge. And then addressed the blessed grandfather of all beings

(Brahma), 'Go ye your way, ye gods, together with all these men. In a not

very long space of time, there will come about, O gods! a great and

exceedingly terrible destruction of Sagara's sons, caused by the deed

perpetrated by them.' Thus addressed, those same gods, and men, O lord of

the sons of Manu! bade adieu to the grandfather, and went back to whence

they had come. Then, O chief of Bharata's race! after the expiry of very

many days, the mighty king Sagara accepted the consecration for

performing the rites of a horse-sacrifice. And his horse began to roam

over the world, protected by his sons. And when the horse reached the

sea, waterless and frightful to behold--although the horse was guarded

with very great care--it (suddenly) vanished at the very spot (it stood

upon). Then, O respected sir! those same sons of Sagara imagined the same

fine horse to have been stolen; and returning to their father, narrated

how it had been stolen out of sight. And thereupon he addressed them,

saying, 'Go ye and search for the horse in all the cardinal points.'

Then, O great king! by this command of their father, they began to search

for the horse in the cardinal points and throughout the whole surface of

the earth. But all those sons of Sagara, all mutually united, could not

find the horse, nor the person who had stolen it. And coming back then,

they with joined palms (thus addressed) their father, (standing) before

them, 'O Protector of men! O ruler of the earth! O king! by thy command,

the whole of this world with its hills and its forest tracts, with its

seas, and its woods, and its islands, with its rivulets and rivers and

caves, hath been searched through by us. But we cannot find either the

horse, or the thief who had stolen the same.' And hearing the words, the

same king became senseless with wrath, and then told them all, carried

away by Destiny, 'Go ye all, may ye never return! Search ye again for the

horse. Without that sacrificial horse, ye must never return, my boys!'"

"And those same sons of Sagara, accepted this command of their father,

and once more began to search through the entire world. Now these heroes

saw a rift on the surface of the earth. And having reached this pit, the

sons of Sagara began to excavate it. And with spades and pickaxes they

went on digging the sea, making the utmost efforts. And that same abode

of Varuna (namely the ocean), being thus, excavated by the united sons of

Sagara and rent and cut on all sides round, was placed in a condition of

the utmost distress. And the demons and snakes and Rakshasas and various

(other) animated beings began to utter distressful cries, while being

killed by Sagara's sons. And hundreds and thousands of animated beings

were beheld with severed heads and separated trunks and with their skins

and bones and joints rent asunder and broken. Thus they went on digging

the ocean, which was the abode of Varuna and an exceedingly long space of

time expired in this work, but still the horse was not found. Then, O

lord of earth! towards the north-eastern region of the sea, the incensed

sons of Sagara dug down as far as the lower world, and there they beheld

the horse, roaming about on the surface of the ground. And they saw the

magnanimous Kapila, who looked like a perfect mass of splendour. And

having beheld him shining with his brightness, just as the fire shineth

with its flames, they, O king! seeing the horse, were flushed with

delight. And they being incensed, sent forward by their fate, paid no

heed to the presence of the magnanimous Kapila, and ran forward with a

view to seizing the horse. Then, O great king! Kapila, the most righteous

of saints,--he whom the great sages name as Kapila Vasudeva--assumed a

fiery look, and the mighty saint shot flames towards them, and thereby

burnt down the dull-headed sons of Sagara. And Narada, whose practice of

austerities was very great, when he beheld them reduced to ashes, came to

Sagara's side, and gave the information to him. And when the king learnt

this terrible news which proceeded from the mouth of the saint, for

nearly an hour he remained sad, and then he bethought himself of what

Siva had said. Then sending for Ansuman, the son of Asamanjas, and his

own grandson, he, O chief of Bharata's race! spake the following words,

'Those same sixty thousand sons of unmeasured strength having encountered

Kapila's wrath, have met their death on my account. And, O my boy of

stainless character! thy father also hath been forsaken by me, in order

to discharge my duty (as a king), and being desirous of doing good to my

subjects.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O saint, whose sole wealth consists in religious

practices! Tell me for what reason, Sagara, the foremost of kings,

abandoned his own begotten son, endued with valour--an act so difficult

(for all other men)."

"Lomasa said, 'A son was born to Sagara, known by the name of Asamanjas,

he who was given birth to by the princess of Sivi. And he used to seize

by throat the feeble children of the townsmen, and threw them while

screaming into the river. And thereupon the townsmen, overwhelmed with

terror and grief, met together, and all standing with joined palms,

besought Sagara in the following way, 'O great king! Thou art our

protector from the dreaded peril of attack from a hostile force.

Therefore it is proper for thee to deliver us from the frightful danger,

proceeding from Asamanjas.' And the most righteous of the rulers of men,

having heard this frightful news from his subjects, for nearly an hour

remained sad and then spake to his ministers, saying, 'This day from the

city let my son Asamanjas be driven forth. If ye wish to do what will be

acceptable to me, let this be quickly done. 'And, O protector of men!

those same ministers, thus addressed by the king, performed in a hurry

exactly what the king had commanded them to do. Thus have I narrated to

thee how the magnanimous Sagara banished his son, with a view to the

welfare of the residents of the town. I shall now fully narrate to thee

what Ansuman of the powerful bow was told by Sagara. Listen to me!

"Sagara said, 'O my boy! sore am I at heart for having abandoned thy

father, on account of the death of my sons, and also on being

unsuccessful in getting back the horse. Therefore, O grandson! harassed

with grief and confounded with the obstruction to my religious rites as I

am, thou must bring back the horse and deliver me from hell.' Thus

addressed by the magnanimous Sagara, Ansuman went with sorrow to that

spot where the earth had been excavated. And by that very passage he

entered into the sea, and beheld that illustrious Kapila and that same

horse. And having beheld that ancient saint, most righteous of his order,

looking like a mass of light, he bowed with his head to the ground, and

informed him of the reason of his visit. Then, O great king, Kapila was

pleased with Ansuman, and that saint of a virtuous soul told him to ask

for a favour from him. And he in the first place prayed for the horse,

for the purpose of using it in the sacrifice; in the second place he

prayed for the purification of his fathers. Then the mighty chief of

saints, Kapila spake to him, saying, 'I shall grant thee everything that

thou desirest, O stainless (prince). May good luck be thine! In thee are

fixed (the virtues of) forbearance, and truth, and righteousness. By thee

hath Sagara had all his desires fulfilled. Thou are (really) a son to thy

father. And by thy ability the sons of Sagara will go to heaven (i.e.,

will be delivered from the consequences of their unhallowed death). And

the son of thy son, with a view to purifying the sons of Sagara, will

obtain the favour of the great god Siva, (by means of practising great

austerities), and will (thus) bring (to this world) the river that

floweth in three (separate) streams, Ganga, O chief of men! May good luck

be thine! Take thou with thee the sacrificial horse. Finish, my lad! the

sacrificial rites of the magnanimous Sagara.' Thus addressed by the

illustrious Kapila, Ansuman took the horse with him, and came back to the

sacrificial yard of the mighty-minded Sagara. Then he fell prostrate at

the feet of the high-souled Sagara, who smelt him on the head and

narrated all the events to him, all that had been seen and heard by him,

and likewise the destruction of Sagara's sons. He also announced that the

horse had been brought back to the sacrificial yard. And when king Sagara

heard of this, he no more grieved on account of his sons. And he praised

and honoured Ansuman, and finished those same sacrificial rites. His

sacrifice finished, Sagara was greeted honourably by all the gods; and he

converted the sea, Varuna's dwelling place, into a son of himself. And

the lotus-eyed (King Sagara) having ruled his kingdom for a period of

exceeding length, placed his grandson on the throne, (full of)

responsibilities and then ascended to heaven. And Ansuman likewise, O

great king! virtuous in soul, ruled over the world as far as the edge of

the sea, following the foot-prints of his father's father. His son was

named Dilipa, versed in virtue. Upon him placing the duties of his

sovereign post, Ansuman like-wise departed this life. And then when

Dilipa heard what an awful fate had overtaken his forefathers, he was

sorely grieved and thought of the means of raising them. And the ruler of

men made every great effort towards the descent of Ganga (to the mortal

world). But although trying to the utmost of his power, he could not

bring about what he so much wished. And a son was born to him, known by

the name of Bhagiratha beauteous, and devoted to a virtuous life, and

truthful, and free from feelings of malice. And Dilipa appointed him as

king, and betook himself to the forest life. And, O best of all the

scions of Bharata's race! that same king (Dilipa), devoted himself to a

successful course of austerities, and at the end of (sufficient) period,

from the forest departed to heaven."

SECTION CVIII

"Lomasa said, 'That same king, of a powerful bow, standing at the head of

the surrounding, (i.e., the occupant of an imperial throne) of a powerful

car, (i.e., possessing every great fighting power) became the delight of

the eyes and the soul of all the world. And he of the powerful arm came

to learn how his forefathers had met an awful end from Kapila of mighty

soul, and how they had been unable to attain the region of gods. And he

with a sorrowful heart made over his kingly duties to his minister, and,

O lord of men! for practising austerities, went to the side of the snowy

Mountain (the Himalayas). And, O most praiseworthy of men, desirous of

extinguishing his sins by leading an austere life, and (thereby)

obtaining the favour of the (goddess) Ganga, he visited that foremost of

mountains--Himalaya. And he beheld it adorned with peaks of diverse forms

full of mineral earth; besprinkled on all sides with drops from clouds

which were resting themselves upon the breeze; beautiful with rivers and

groves and rocky spurs, looking like (so many) palaces (in a city);

attended upon by lions and tigers that had concealed themselves in its

caves and pits; and also inhabited by birds of checkered forms, which

were uttering diverse sounds, such as the Bhringarajas, and ganders, and

Datyuhas, and water-cocks, and peacocks and birds with a hundred

feathers, and Jivanjivakas, and black birds, and Chakoras of eyes

furnished with black corners, and the birds that love their young. And he

saw the mountain abounding in lotus plants growing in delightful

reservoirs of water. And the cranes rendered it charming with their

sounds; and the Kinnaras and the celestial nymphs were seated on its

stony slabs. And the elephants occupying the cardinal points had

everywhere robbed its trees with the end of their tusks; and the

demi-gods of the Vidyadhara class frequented the hill. And it was full of

various gems, and was also infested by snakes bearing terrible poison and

of glowing tongues. And the mountain at places looked like (massive)

gold, and elsewhere it resembled a silvery (pile), and at some places it

was like a (sable) heap of collyrium. Such was the snowy hill where the

king now found himself. And that most praiseworthy of men at that spot

betook himself to an awful austere course of life. And for one thousand

years his subsistence was nothing but water, fruit and roots. When,

however, a thousand years according to the calculation of gods had

elapsed, then the great river Ganga having assumed a material form,

manifested to him her (divine) self.'

"Ganga said. 'O great king! what dost thou desire of me? And what must I

bestow on thee? Tell me the same, O most praiseworthy of men! I shall do

as thou mayst ask me.' Thus addressed, the king then made his reply to

Ganga, the daughter of the snowy Hill, saying, 'O grantress of boons! O

great river! my father's fathers, while searching for the horse, were

sent by Kapila to the abode of the god of death. And those same sixty

thousand sons of Sagara of mighty soul, having met with the majestic

Kapila, perished, (to a soul) in an instant of time. Having thus

perished, there hath been no place for them in the region of heaven. O

great river! So long as thou dost not besprinkle those same bodies with

thy water, there is no salvation for these same Sagara's sons. O blessed

goddess! carry thou my forefathers, Sagara's sons, to the region of

heaven. O great river! on their account am I beseeching thee forsooth."

"Lomasa said, 'Ganga, the goddess saluted by the world, having heard

these words of the king, was well pleased, and spake to Bhagiratha the

following words: 'O great king! I am prepared to do what thou dost ask

me; there is no doubt therein. But when I shall descend from the sky to

the earth, the force of my fall will be difficult to sustain. O protector

of men! In the three worlds there exists none who is able to sustain the

same, excepting Siva, the most praiseworthy of gods, the great Lord with

the throat of sable blue. O (prince) of a powerful arm! Obtain the

favour, by practising austerities, of that same Siva-giver of boons. That

same god will sustain my descent upon his head. Thy desire he will

fulfill, the desire, namely, to be of service to thy fathers, O king!'

Then the great king Bhagiratha having heard the same, went to the Kailasa

hill, and betaking himself to a severe course of penances, at the

expiration of a certain length of time obtained the favour of that worker

of blessings (Siva). And, O protector of men! that same best of men, in

order that his forefathers might have a place in heaven secured to them,

received from that very Siva the fulfilment of his wish, namely the wish

that the descending Ganga might be sustained.'"

SECTION CIX

"Lomasa said, 'The blessed God having heard what Bhagiratha had said, and

with a view to doing what was agreeable to the residents of heaven,

replied to the king, saying, 'So let it be. O most righteous of the

protectors of men, O (prince) of a powerful arm! For thy sake I shall

sustain the river of the gods, when she will take her descent from the

sky, she who is pure and blessed and divine, O (king) of a mighty arm!'

Saying this, he came to the snowy mountain, surrounded by his attendants,

of awful mien, and with uplifted weapons of diverse forms. And standing

there, he said to Bhagiratha, the most praiseworthy of men, 'O (prince)

of a powerful arm! do thou pray to the river, the daughter of the king of

mountains. I shall sustain that most praiseworthy of rivers when she

falls down from the third region of the world (heaven).' Having heard

these words uttered by Siva, the king became devout (in heart), made

obesiance and directed his thoughts towards Ganga. Then the delightful

(river), of pure water in being so thought of by the king, and seeing

that the great lord (Siva) was standing (to receive her fall), came down

all of a sudden from the sky. And seeing that she had taken her leap from

the sky, the gods, together with the mighty saints, the Gandharvas, the

snakes, and the Yakshas, assembled there as spectators. Then came down

from the sky Ganga, the daughter of the snowy mountain. And her

whirlpools were raging, and she was teeming with fishes and sharks. O

king! she directing her course towards the sea, separated herself, into

three streams; and her water was bestrewn with piles of froth, which

looked like so many rows of (white) ganders. And crooked and tortuous in

the movement of her body, at places; and at others stumbling at it were;

and covered with foam as with a robe: she went forward like a woman

drunk. And elsewhere, by virtue of the roar of her waters, she uttered

loud sounds. Thus assuming very many different aspects, when she fell

from the sky, and reached the surface of the earth, she said to

Bhagiratha, 'O great king! show me the path that I shall have to take. O

lord of the earth! for thy sake have I descended to the earth.' Having

heard these words, king Bhagiratha directed his course towards the spot

where lay those bodies of mighty Sagara's sons, in order that, O most

praiseworthy of men, the holy water might flood (the same). Having

achieved the task of sustaining Ganga, Siva, saluted by men, went to

Kailasa the most praiseworthy of mountains, accompanied by the

celestials. And the protector of men (Bhagiratha) accompanied by Ganga

reached the sea; and the sea, the abode of Varuna, was quickly filled.

And the king adopted Ganga as a daughter of himself, and at that spot

offered libations of water to the names of his forefathers; thus was his

heart's wish fulfilled. Thus asked by thee, I have narrated the whole

story how Ganga running in three streams, was brought down to the earth

for filling the sea; how the mighty saint had drunk up the sea for a

particular reason, and how, O lord! Vatapi, the slayer of Brahmanas, was

destroyed by Agastya.'"

SECTION CX

Vaisampayana said, "O chief of the Bharata race! then the son of Kunti

went at a slow pace to the two rivers Nanda and Aparananda, which had the

virtue of destroying the dread of sin. And the protector of men having

reached the healthy hill Hemakuta, beheld there very many strange and

inconceivable sights. There the very utterance of words caused the

gathering of clouds, and a thousand volleys of stones. And people at its

sight, were struck sad, and were unable to ascend the hill. There the

winds blew for aye, and the heavens always poured down rains; and

likewise the sounds of the recitation of the sacred writ were heard, yet

nobody was seen. In the evening and in the morning would be seen the

blessed fire that carries offerings to the gods and there flies would

bite and interrupt the practice of austerities. And there a sadness would

overtake the soul, and people would become sick. The son of Pandu, having

observed very many strange circumstances of this character again

addressed his questions to Lomasa with reference to these wonderful

things.

"Lomasa said, 'O slayer of foes! O king! I am going to tell thee as we

heard it before; do thou attend to the same with intent mind. In this

peak of Rishava, there was once a saint known by that name. And his life

had lasted for many hundred years. And he was devoted to penances and was

greatly wrathful. And he, forsooth, for having been spoken to by others,

from wrath addressed the hill thus, 'Whoever should utter any words here,

thou must throw stones at him, and thou must call up the winds to prevent

him from making any noise.' This was what the saint said. And so at this

place, as soon as a man utters any words, he is forbidden by a roaring

cloud. O king! thus these deeds were performed by that great saint, and

from wrath he also forbade other acts. O king! tradition says that when

the gods of yore had come to the Nanda, suddenly came over (there) a

number of men to look at the celestials. Those same gods at whose head

stood Indra did not, however, like to be seen; and so they rendered this

spot inaccessible, by raising obstructions in the form of hills. And from

that day forward, O Kunti's son! men could not cast their eyes at any

time on what looked like a hill, far less could they ascend the same.

This big mountain is incapable of being seen by one who hath not led an

austere life, nor can such a one ascend it. Therefore, O son of Kunti!

keep thou thy tongue under control. Here at that time all those gods

performed the best sacrificial rites. O Bharata's son! Even up to this

day these marks thereof may be seen. This grass here hath the form of the

sacred kusa grass: the ground here seemeth to be overspread with the

sacred grass; and. O lord of men! many of these trees here look like the

spots for tying the sacrificial beasts. O Bharata's son! still the Gods

and saints have residence here; and their sacred fire is observed in the

morning and in the evening. Here if one bathes, his sin is forthwith

destroyed, O Kunti's son! O most praiseworthy of the race of Kuru! do

thou, therefore, perform thy ablutions, together with thy younger

brothers. Then after having washed thyself in the Nanda, thou wilt repair

to the river Kausiki, the spot where the most excellent and severest form

of penances was practised by Viswamitra. Then the king with his

attendants, having washed his body there, proceeded to the river Kausiki,

which was pure and delightful and pleasant with cool water.'

"Lomasa said, 'This is the pure divine river by name Kausiki. O chief of

Bharata's race! and this is the delightful hermitage of Viswamitra,

conspicuous here. And this is a hermitage, with a holy name, belonging to

Kasyapa of mighty soul; whose son was Rishyasringa, devoted to penances,

and of passions under control. He by force of his penances caused Indra

to rain; and that god, the slayer of the demons Vala and Vritra, dreading

him, poured down rain during a drought. That powerful and mighty son of

Kasyapa was born of a hind. He worked a great marvel in the territory of

Lomapada. And when the crops had been restored, king Lomapada gave his

daughter Santa in marriage to him, as the sun gave in marriage his

daughter Savitri.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'How was the son of Kasyapa, Rishyasringa, born of a

hind? And how was he endowed with holiness, being the issue of a

reprehensible sexual connexion? And for what reason was Indra, the slayer

of the demons Vala and Vritra, afraid of that same sagacious boy, and

poured down rain during a period of drought? And how beautiful was that

princess Santa, pure in life, she who allured the heart of him when he

had turned himself into a stag? And since the royal saint Lomapada is

said to have been of a virtuous disposition, why was it that in his

territory, Indra, the chastiser of the demon Paka, had withheld rain? O

holy saint! all this in detail, exactly as it happened, thou wilt be

pleased to narrate to me, for I am desirous of hearing the deeds of

Rishyasringa's life.'

"Lomasa said, 'Hear how Rishyasringa, of dreaded name, was born as a son

to Vibhandaka, who was a saint of the Brahmana caste, who had cultured

his soul by means of religious austerities, whose seed never failed in

causing generation, and who was learned and bright like the Lord of

beings. And the father was highly honoured, and the son was possessed of

a mighty spirit, and, though a boy, was respected by aged man. And that

son of Kasyapa, Vibhandaka, having proceeded to a big lake, devoted

himself to the practice of penances. And that same saint, comparable to a

god, laboured for a long period. And once while he was washing his mouth

in the waters, he beheld the celestial nymph Urvasi--whereupon came out

his seminal fluid. And, O king! a hind at that time lapped it up along

with the water that she was drinking, being athirst; and from this cause

she became with child. That same hind had really been a daughter of the

gods, and had been told of yore by the holy Brahma, the creator of the

worlds, 'Thou shall be a hind; and when in that form, thou shall give

birth to a saint; thou shalt then be freed.' As Destiny would have it,

and as the word of the creator would not be untrue, in that same hind was

born his (Vibhandaka's) son a mighty saint. And Rishyasringa, devoted to

penances, always passed his days in the forest. O king! there was a horn

on the head of that magnanimous saint and for this reason did he come to

be known at the time by the name of Rishyasringa. And barring his father,

not a man had ever before been seen by him; therefore his mind, O

protector of men! was entirely devoted to the duties of a continent life.

At this very period there was a ruler of the land of Anga known by the

name of Lomapada who was a friend of Dasaratha. We have heard that he

from love of pleasure had been guilty of a falsehood towards a Brahmana.

And that same ruler of the world had at that time been shunned by all

persons of the priestly class. And he was without a ministering priest

(to assist him in his religious rites). And the god of a thousand eyes

(Indra) suddenly abstained from giving rain in his territory; so that his

people began to suffer and O lord of the earth! he questioned a number of

Brahmanas, devoted to penances, of cultivated minds, and possessed of

capabilities with reference to the matter of rain being granted by the

lord of gods, saying, 'How may the heavens grant us the rain? Think of an

expedient (for this purpose).' And those same cultured men, being thus

questioned, gave expression to their respective views. And one among

them--the best of saints--spake to that same king, saying, 'O lord of

kings! the Brahmanas are angry with thee. Do some act (therefore) for

appeasing them. O ruler of the earth! send for Rishyasringa, the son of a

saint, resident of the forest knowing nothing of the female sex, and

always taking delight in simplicity. O king! if he, great in the practice

of penances, should show himself in thy territory, forthwith rain would

be granted by the heavens, herein I have no doubt at all.' And, O king!

having heard these words Lomapada made atonement for his sins. And he

went away; and when the Brahmanas had been appeased, he returned again,

and seeing the king returned, the people were again glad at heart. Then

the king of Anga convened a meeting of his ministers, proficient in

giving counsel. And he took great pains in order to settle some plan for

securing a visit from Rishyasringa. And, O unswerving (prince)! with

those ministers, who were versed in all branches of knowledge, and

exceedingly proficient in worldly matters, and had a thorough training in

practical affairs, he at last settled a plan (for gaining his object).

And then he sent for a number of courtesans, women of the town, clever in

everything. And when they came, that same ruler of the earth spake to

them, saying, 'Ye lovely women! Ye must find some means to allure, and

obtain the confidence of the son of the saint--Rishyasringa, whom ye must

bring over to my territory.' And those same women, on the one hand afraid

of the anger of the king and on the other, dreading a curse from the

saint, became sad and confounded, and declared the business to be beyond

their power. One, however, among them--a hoary woman, thus spake to the

king, 'O great king! him whose wealth solely consists in penances, I

shall try to bring over here. Thou wilt, however, have to procure for me

certain things, in connection with the plan. In that case, I may be able

to bring over the son of the saint--Rishyasringa.' Thereupon the king

gave an order that all that she might ask for should be procured. And he

also gave a good deal of wealth and jewels of various kinds. And then, O

Lord of the earth, she took with herself a number of women endowed with

beauty and youth, and went to the forest without delay."

SECTION CXI

"Lomasa said, 'O descendant of Bharata! she in order to compass the

object of the king, prepared a floating hermitage, both because the king

had ordered so, and also because it exactly accorded with her plan. And

the floating hermitage, containing artificial trees adorned with various

flowers and fruits, and surrounded by diverse shrubs and creeping plants

and capable of furnishing choice and delicious fruits, was exceedingly

delightful, and nice, and pleasing, and looked as if it had been created

by magic. Then she moored the vessel at no great distance from the

hermitage of Kasyapa's son, and sent emissaries to survey the place where

that same saint habitually went about. And then she saw an opportunity;

and having conceived a plan in her mind, sent forward her daughter a

courtesan by trade and of smart sense. And that clever woman went to the

vicinity of the religious man and arriving at the hermitage beheld the

son of the saint.'"

"The courtesan said, 'I hope, O saint! that is all well with the

religious devotees. And I hope that thou hast a plentiful store of fruits

and roots and that thou takest delight in this hermitage. Verily I come

here now to pay thee a visit. I hope the practice of austerities among

the saints is on the increase. I hope that thy father's spirit hath not

slackened and that he is well pleased with thee. O Rishyasringa of the

priestly caste! I hope thou prosecutest the studies proper for thee.'"

Rishyasringa said, 'Thou art shining with lustre, as if thou wert a

(mass) of light. And I deem thee worthy of obeisance. Verily I shall give

thee water for washing thy feet and such fruits and roots also as may be

liked by thee, for this is what my religion hath prescribed to me. Be

thou pleased to take at thy pleasure thy seat on a mat made of the sacred

grass, covered over with a black deer-skin and made pleasant and

comfortable to sit upon. And where is thy hermitage? O Brahmana! thou

resemblest a god in thy mien. What is the name of this particular

religious vow, which thou seemest to be observing now?'

"The courtesan said, O son of Kasyapa! on the other side of yonder hill,

which covers the space of three Yojanas, is my hermitage--a delightful

place. There, not to receive obeisance is the rule of my faith nor do I

touch water for washing my feet. I am not worthy of obeisance from

persons like thee; but I must make obeisance to thee. O Brahmana! This is

the religious observance to be practised by me, namely, that thou must be

clasped in my arms.'"

"Rishyasringa said, 'Let me give thee ripe fruits, such as gallnuts,

myrobalans, Karushas, Ingudas from sandy tracts and Indian fig. May it

please thee to take a delight in them!'"

Lomasa said, "She, however, threw aside all those edible things and then

gave him unsuitable things for food. And these were exceedingly nice and

beautiful to see and were very much acceptable to Rishyasringa. And she

gave him garlands of an exceedingly fragrant scent and beautiful and

shining garments to wear and first-rate drinks; and then played and

laughed and enjoyed herself. And she at his sight played with a ball and

while thus employed, looked like a creeping plant broken in two. And she

touched his body with her own and repeatedly clasped Rishyasringa in her

arms. Then she bent and break the flowery twigs from trees, such as the

Sala, the Asoka and the Tilaka. And overpowered with intoxication,

assuming a bashful look, she went on tempting the great saint's son. And

when she saw that the heart of Rishyasringa had been touched, she

repeatedly pressed his body with her own and casting glances, slowly went

away under the pretext that she was going to make offerings on the fire.

On her departure, Rishyasringa became over-powered with love and lost his

sense. His mind turned constantly to her and felt itself vacant. And he

began to sigh and seemed to be in great distress. At that moment appeared

Vibhandaka, Kasyapa's son, he whose eyes were tawny like those of a lion,

whose body was covered with hair down to the tip of the nails, who was

devoted to studies proper for his caste, and whose life was pure and was

passed in religious meditation. He came up and saw that his son was

seated alone, pensive and sad, his mind upset and sighing again and again

with upturned eyes. And Vibhandaka spake to his distressed son, saying,

'My boy! why is it that thou art not hewing the logs for fuel. I hope

thou hast performed the ceremony of burnt offering today. I hope thou

hast polished the sacrificial ladles and spoons and brought the calf to

the milch cow whose milk furnisheth materials for making offerings on the

fire. Verily thou art not in thy wonted state, O son! Thou seemest to be

pensive, and to have lost thy sense. Why art thou so sad today? Let me

ask thee, who hath been to this place today?'"

SECTION CXII

'Rishyasringa said, 'Here came to-day a religious student with a mass of

hair on his head. And he was neither short nor tall. And he was of a

spirited look and a golden complexion, and endued with eye large as

lotuses; and he was shining and graceful as a god. And rich was his

beauty blazing like the Sun; and he was exceedingly fair with eyes

graceful and black. And his twisted hair was blue-black and neat and long

and of a fragrant scent and tied up with strings of gold. A beautiful

ornament was shining on his neck which looked like lightning in the sky.

And under the throat he had two balls of flesh without a single hair upon

them and of an exceedingly beautiful form. And his waist was slender to a

degree and his navel neat; and smooth also was the region about his ribs.

Then again there shone a golden string from under his cloth, just like

this waist-string of mine. And there was something on his feet of a

wonderful shape which give forth a jingling sound. Upon his wrists

likewise was tied a pair of ornaments that made a similar sound and

looked just like this rosary here. And when he walked, his ornaments

uttered a jingling sound like those uttered by delighted ganders upon a

sheet of water. And he had on his person garments of a wonderful make;

these clothes of mine are by no means beautiful like those. And his face

was wonderful to behold; and his voice was calculated to gladden the

heart; and his speech was pleasant like the song of the male blackbird.

And while listening to the same I felt touched to my inmost soul. And as

a forest in the midst of the vernal season, assumes a grace only when it

is swept over by the breeze, so, O father! he of an excellent and pure

smell looks beautiful when fanned by the air. And his mass of hair is

neatly tied up and remains adhering to the head and forehead evenly

sundered in two. And his two eyes seemed to be covered with wonderful

Chakravaka birds of an exceedingly beautiful form. And he carried upon

his right palm a wonderful globur fruit, which reaches the ground and

again and again leaps up to the sky in a strange way. And he beats it and

turns himself round and whirls like a tree moved by the breeze. And when

I looked at him, O father! he seemed to be a son of the celestials, and

my joy was extreme, and my pleasure unbounded. And he clasped my body,

took hold of my matted hair, and bent down my mouth, and, mingling his

mouth with my own, uttered a sound that was exceedingly pleasant. And he

doth not care for water for washing his feet, nor for those fruits

offered by me; and he told me that such was the religious observance

practised by him. And he gave unto me a number of fruits. Those fruits

were tasteful unto me: these here are not equal to them in taste. They

have not got any rind nor any stone within them, like these. And he of a

noble form gave me to drink water of an exceedingly fine flavour; and

having drunk it, I experienced great pleasu e; and the ground seemed to

be moving under my feet. And these are the garlands beautiful and

fragrant and twined with silken threads that belong to him. And he,

bright with fervent piety, having scattered these garlands here, went

back to his own hermitage. His departure hath saddened my heart; and my

frame seems to be in a burning sensation! And my desire is to go to him

as soon as I can, and to have him every day walk about here. O father,

let me this very moment go to him. Pray, what is that religious

observance which is being practised by him. As he of a noble piety is

practising penances, so I am desirous to live the same life with him. My

heart is yearning after similar observances My soul will be in torment if

I see him not,'"

SECTION CXIII

"Vibhandaka said, 'Those are, O son! Rakshasas. They walk about in that

wonderfully beautiful form. Their strength is unrivalled and their beauty

great And they always meditate obstruction to the practice of penances.

And, O my boy, they assume lovely forms and try to allure by diverse

means. And those fierce beings hurled the saints, the dwellers of the

woods, from blessed regions (won by their pious deeds) And the saint who

hath control over his soul, and who is desirous of obtaining the regions

where go the righteous, ought to have nothing to do with them. And their

acts are vile and their delight is in causing obstruction to those who

practise penance; (therefore) a pious man should never look at them. And,

O son! those were drinks unworthy to be drunk, being as they were

spirituous liquors consumed by unrighteous men. And these garlands, also,

bright and fragrant and of various hues, are not intended for saints.'

Having thus forbidden his son by saying that those were wicked demons,

Vibhandaka went in quest of her. And when by three day's search he was

unable to trace where she was he then came back to his own hermitage. In

the meanwhile, when the son of Kasyapa had gone out to gather fruits,

then that very courtesan came again to tempt Rishyasringa in the manner

described above. And as soon as Rishyasringa had her in sight, he was

glad and hurriedly rushing towards him said, 'Let us go to thy hermitage

before the return of my father.' Then, O king! those same courtesans by

contrivances made the only son of Kasyapa enter their bark, and unmoored

the vessel. And by various means they went on delighting him and at

length came to the side of Anga's king. And leaving then that floating

vessel of an exceedingly white tint upon the water, and having placed it

within sight of the hermitage, he similarly prepared a beautiful forest

known by the name of the Floating Hermitage. The king, however, kept that

only son of Vibhandaka within that part of the palace destined for the

females when of a sudden he beheld that rain was poured by the heavens

and that the world began to be flooded with water. And Lomapada, the

desire of his heart fulfilled, bestowed his daughter Santa on

Rishyasringa in marriage. And with a view to appease the wrath of his

father, he ordered kine to be placed, and fields to be ploughed, by the

road that Vibhandaka was to take, in order to come to his son. And the

king also placed plentiful cattle and stout cowherds, and gave the latter

the following order:

"When the great saint Vibhandaka should enquire of you about his son, ye

must join your palms and say to him that these cattle, and these ploughed

fields belong to his son and that ye are his slaves, and that ye are

ready to obey him in all that he might bid.' Now the saint, whose wrath

was fierce, came to his hermitage, having gathered fruits and roots and

searched for his son. But not finding him he became exceedingly wroth.

And he was tortured with anger and suspected it to be the doing of the

king. And therefore, he directed his course towards the city of Champa

having made up his mind to burn the king, his city, and his whole

territory. And on the way he was fatigued and hungry, when he reached

those same settlements of cowherds, rich with cattle. And he was honoured

in a suitable way by those cowherds and then spent the night in a manner

befitting a king. And having received very great hospitality from them,

he asked them, saying, 'To whom, O cowherds, do ye belong?' Then they all

came up to him and said, 'All this wealth hath been provided for thy

son.' At different places he was thus honoured by that best of men, and

saw his son who looked like the god Indra in heaven. And he also beheld

there his daughter-in-law, Santa, looking like lightning issuing from a

(cloud). And having seen the hamlets and the cowpens provided for his son

and having also beheld Santa, his great resentment was appeased. And O

king of men! Vibhandaka expressed great satisfaction with the very ruler

of the earth. And the great saint, whose power rivalled that of the sun

and the god of fire, placed there his son, and thus spake, 'As soon as a

son is born to thee, and having performed all that is agreeable to the

king, to the forest must thou come without fail.' And Rishyasringa did

exactly as his father said, and went back to the place where his father

was. And, O king of men! Santa obediently waited upon him as in the

firmament the star Rohini waits upon the Moon, or as the fortunate

Arundhati waits upon Vasishtha, or as Lopamudra waits upon Agastya. And

as Damayanti was an obedient wife to Nala, or as Sachi is to the god who

holdeth the thunderbolt in his hand or as Indrasena, Narayana's daughter,

was always obedient to Mudgala, so did Santa wait affectionately upon

Rishyasringa, when he lived in the wood. This is the holy hermitage which

belonged to him. Beautifying the great lake here, it bears holy fame.

Here perform thy ablutions and have thy desire fulfilled. And having

purified thyself, direct thy course towards other holy spots,'"

SECTION CXIV

(Tirtha-yatra Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O Janamejaya, the son of Pandu started from

the river Kausiki and repaired in succession to all the sacred shrines.

And, O protector of men, he came to the sea where the river Ganga falls

into it; and there in the centre of five hundred rivers, he performed the

holy ceremony of a plunge. Then, O ruler of the earth, accompanied by his

brothers, the valiant prince proceeded by the shore of the sea towards

the land where the Kalinga tribes dwell."

"Lomasa said, 'There is the land, O Kunti's son, where the Kalinga tribes

dwell. Through it passeth the river Vaitarani, on the banks whereof even

the god of virtue performed religious river, having first placed himself

under the protection of the celestials. Verily, this is the northern

bank, inhabited by saints, suitable for the performance of religious

rites beautified by a hill, and frequented by persons of the regenerate

caste. This spot (in holiness) rivals the path whereby a virtuous man,

fit for going to heaven, repairs to the region inhabited by gods. And

verily at this spot in former times, other saints likewise worshipped the

immortals by the performance of religious rites. And at the very spot it

was that the god Rudra, O king of kings, seized the sacrificial beast and

exclaimed, 'This is my share!' O chief of the descendants of Bharata,

then when the beast was carried away by Siva, the gods spake to him

saying, 'Cast not a covetous glance at the property of others,

disregarding all the righteous rules.' Then they addressed words of

glorification of a pleasing kind to the god Rudra. And they satisfied him

by offering a sacrifice, and paid him suitable honours. Thereupon he gave

up the beast, and went by the path trodden by the gods. Thereupon what

happened to Rudra, learn from me, O Yudhishthira! Influenced by the dread

of Rudra, the gods set apart for evermore, the best allotment out of all

shares, such as was fresh and not stale (to be appropriated by the god).

Whosoever performs his ablutions at this spot, while reciting this

ancient story, beholds with his mortal eyes the path that leads to the

region of the gods.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the sons of Pandu and likewise the daughter

of Drupada--all of whom were the favoured of Fate--descended to the river

Vaitarani, and made libations to the names of their fathers.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Lomasa, how great must be the force of a pious

deed! Having taken my bath at this spot in a proper form, I seem to touch

no more the region inhabited by mortal men! O saint of a virtuous life, I

am beholding all the regions. And this is the noise of the magnanimous

dwellers of the wood, who are reciting their audible prayers.'

"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira, the place whence this noise comes and

reaches thy ears is at the distance of three hundred thousand yojanas, to

be sure. O lord of men, rest thou quiet and utter no word. O king, this

is the divine forest of the Self-existent One, which hath now come to our

view. There, O king, Viswakarma of a dreaded name performed religious

rites. On the mighty occasion of that sacrifice, the Self-existent One

made a gift of this entire earth with all its hilly and forest tracts, to

Kasyapa, by way of gratuity, for ministering as a priest. And then, O

Kuru's son, as soon as that goddess Earth was giving away, she became sad

at heart, and wrathfully spake the following words to that great lord,

the ruler of the worlds, 'O mighty god, it is unworthy of thee to give me

away to an ordinary mortal. And this act of gift on thy part will come to

nothing; (for) here am I going to descend into the bottom of the nether

world.' Then when the blessed saint Kasyapa beheld the goddess Earth,

despondent and sad, he, O protector of men, performed a propitiatory act

calculated to appease her wrath. And then, O Pandu's son, the Earth was

pleased with his pious deed. And she uprose again from within the waters,

and showed herself in the form of a sacred altar. This, O king, is the

spot which distinctly manifests the form of an altar. O great monarch,

ascend over it, and thou wilt gain valour and strength. And, O king, this

is the very altar which reaches as far as the sea, and rests itself upon

its bosom. May good luck be thine, do thou mount hereupon, and of thyself

cross the sea. And while thou this day mountest upon it, I shall

administer the ceremony for averting all evil from thee; for this altar

here, as soon as it gets a mortal's touch, at once enters into the sea.

Salutation to the god who protects the universe! Salutation to thee that

art beyond the universe! O Lord of gods, vouchsafe thy presence in this

sea. O Pandu's son, thou must recite the following words of truth, and

while so reciting, thou must quickly ascend this altar, 'The god of fire,

and the sun, and the organ of generation, and water, and goddess and the

seed of Vishnu, and the navel of nectar. The god of fire is the organ

that generated the (ocean); the earth is thy body; Vishnu deposited the

seed that caused thy being and thou art the navel of nectar.' Thus, O

Pandu's son, the words of truth must be audibly recited, and while so

reciting, one must plunge into the lord of rivers. O most praiseworthy of

Kunti's son, otherwise this lord of waters of divine birth, this best

storehouse of the waters (of the earth), should not be touched, O son of

Kunti, even with the end of a sacred grass.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then when the ceremony for averting evil had been

completed in his behalf, the magnanimous Yudhishthira went into the sea,

and having performed all that the saint had bid, repaired to the skirts

of the Mahendra hill, and spent the night at that spot.'"

SECTION CXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'The protector of the earth spent there a single

night, and with his brothers, paid the highest honours to the religious

men. And Lomasa made him acquainted with the names of all of them, such

as the Bhrigus, the Angiras, the Vasishthas, and the Kasyapas. And the

royal saint paid visit to them all and made obeisance to them with joined

palms. And then he asked the valiant Akritavrana, who was a follower of

Parasurama, when will the revered Parasurama show himself to the

religious men here? It is desired on that occasion to obtain a sight of

the descendant of Bhrigu.'

"Akritavrana said, 'Thy journey to this spot is already known to Rama,

whose soul spontaneously knows everything. And he is in every way

well-pleased with thee, and he will show himself readily to thee. And the

saints who practise penances here, are permitted to see him on the

fourteenth and the eighth day of the lunar course. On the morrow at the

end of this very night there will set in the fourteenth day of the lunar

course. On that occasion thou wilt have a sight of him, clad in a sable

deerskin, and wearing his hair in the form of a matted mass."

"Yudhishthira said, Thou hast been a follower of the mighty Rama,

Jamadagni's son; thou must, therefore, have been the eye-witness of all

the deeds achieved by him in former days. I, therefore, request thee to

narrate to me how the members of the military caste were vanquished by

Rama on the field of battle, and what the original cause of those

conflicts was.'

"Akritavrana said, 'With pleasure shall I recite to thee that excellent

story, O Bharata's son, O chief of kings, the story of the godlike deeds

of Rama, the son of Jamadagni, who traced his origin to Bhrigu's race. I

shall also relate the achievements of the great ruler of the Haihaya

tribe. That king, Arjuna by name, the mighty lord of the Haihaya tribe

was killed by Rama. He, O Pandu's son, was endued with a thousand arms;

and by the favour of Dattatreya he likewise had a celestial car made of

gold. And, O protector of the earth, his rule extended over the entire

animated world, wheresoever located on this earth. And the car of that

mighty monarch could proceed everywhere in an unobstructed course. And

grown resistless by the virtue of a granted boon, he ever mounted on that

car, trampled upon gods and Yakshas and saints on all sides round. And

all the born beings wheresoever placed, were harassed by him. Then the

celestials and the saints of a rigidly virtuous life, met together, and

thus spake to Vishnu, the god of gods, the slayer of demons, and

possessed of prowess that never failed, saying. 'O blessed and revered

lord, for the purpose of preserving all the born beings, it is necessary

that Arjuna should be killed by thee.' And the mighty ruler of the

Haihaya tribe placing himself on his celestial car, affronted Indra,

while that deity was enjoying himself with Sachi, his queen. Then, O

Bharata's son, the blessed and the revered god (Vishhnu) held a

consultation with Indra, with a view to destroying Kartavirya's son. And

on that occasion, all that was for the good of the world of beings, was

communicated by the lord of gods; and the blessed god worshipped by the

world, to do all that was necessary, went to the delightful Vadari wood

which was his own chosen retreat for practising penances. And at this

very time there lived on the earth a mighty monarch in the land of

Kanyakuvja, a sovereign whose military force was exceedingly great. And

his name of Gadhi was famous in the world. He, however, betook himself to

a forest-life. And while he was dwelling in the midst of the wood, there

was born to him a daughter beautiful as a nymph of heaven. And Richika,

the son of Bhrigu, asked for her to be united with himself in marriage.

And then Gadhi spake to that Brahmana, who led a rigidly austere life,

saying. There is a certain family custom in our race; it hath been

founded by my ancestors of a bygone age. And, O most excellent of the

sacerdotal caste, be it known to thee that the intending bridegroom must

offer a dowry consisting of a thousand fleet steeds, whose colour must be

brown and every one of whom must possess a single sable car. But, O

Bhrigu's son, a reverend saint like thee cannot be asked to offer the

same. Nor can my daughter be refused to a magnanimous saint of thy

(exalted) rank.' Thereupon Richika said, 'I will give thee a thousand

fleet steeds, brown in hue and possessing a single sable car; let thy

daughter be given in marriage to me.'

"Akritavrana said. Thus having given his word, O king, he went and said

to Varuna, 'Give me a thousand fleet steeds brown in colour, and each

with one black ear. I want the same as dowry for my marriage.' To him

Varuna forthwith gave a thousand steeds. Those steeds had issued out of

the river Ganga; hence the spot hath been named: The horse's landing

place. And in the city of Kanyakuvja, the daughter of Gadhi, Satyavati by

name, was given in marriage; and the gods themselves were of the party of

the bride. Richika, the most excellent of the sacerdotal caste, thus

procured a thousand steeds, and had a sight of the dwellers of heaven and

won a wife in the proper form. And he enjoyed himself with the girl of

slender waist, and thus gratified all the wishes and desire that he ever

had. And when the marriage had been celebrated, O king, his father Bhrigu

came on a visit to see him and his wife; and he was glad to see his

praiseworthy son. And the husband and wife together paid their best

respects to him, who was worshipped by all the gods. And when he had

seated himself, they both with joined palms, stood near him, in order

that they might to his bidding. And then the revered saint, Bhrigu, glad

at heart, thus spoke to his daughter-in-law, saying, 'O lovely daughter,

as for a boon I am ready to grant thee any object of thy wish.' And there

upon she asked for his favour in this, that a son might be born to both

herself and her mother. And he vouchsafed the favour thus asked for.'

"Bhrigu said, 'During the days that your season lasts, thou and thy

mother must take a bath, with the ceremony for bringing forth a male

child. And ye two must then separately embrace two different trees--she a

peepal tree, and thou a fig tree. And, O dutiful girl, here are two pots

of rice and milk, prepared by me with the utmost care. I having ransacked

the whole universe to find the drugs, the essence whereof hath been

blended with this milk and rice. It must be taken as food with the

greatest care.' And saying this, he vanished from sight. The two ladies,

however, made an interchange both in the matter of the pots of rice, and

likewise as regards the trees (to be embraced by each). Then after the

lapse of very many days, the revered saint, once more came. And he came

knowing (what had happened) by his attribute of divine knowledge. Then

Bhrigu possessed of mighty strength, spake to Satyavati, his

daughter-in-law, saying, 'O dutiful girl! O my daughter of a lovely brow,

the wrong pot of rice thou tookest as food. And it was the wrong tree

which was embraced by thee. It was thy mother who deluded thee. A son

will be born of thee, who, though of the priestly caste, will be of a

character fit for the military order; while a mighty son will be born of

thy mother, who, though by birth a Kshatriya will assume a life suitable

to the sacerdotal order. And his power will be great, and he will walk on

the path trodden by righteous men.' Then she entreated her father-in-law

again and again, saying, 'Let not my son be of this character; but let my

grandson be such.' And, O Pandu's son, he replied, 'So let it be!' And

thus he was pleased to grant her prayer. Then she brought forth on the

expected day a son by name Jamadagni. And this son of Bhrigu was endowed

with both splendour and grace. And he grew in years and in strength, and

excelled he other saints in the proficiency of his Vaidik lore. O

chieftain of Bharata's race, to him, rivalling in lustre the author of

light (the sun), came spontaneously and without instruction the knowledge

of the entire military art and of the fourfold missile arms.'"

SECTION CXVI

"Akritavrana said, 'Jamadagni devoted himself to the study of the Veda

and the practice of sacred penances, and became famous for his great

austerities. Then he pursued a methodical course of study and obtained a

mastery over the entire Veda. And, O king, he paid a visit to Prasenajit

and solicited the hand of Renuka in marriage. And this prayer was granted

by the king. And the delight of Bhrigu's race having thus obtained Renuka

for his wife, took his residence with her in a hermitage, and began to

practice penances, being assisted by her. And four boys were born of her,

with Rama for the fifth. And although the youngest, Rama was superior to

all in merit. Now once upon a time, when her sons had gone out for the

purpose of gathering fruits, Renuka who had a pure and austere life, went

out to bathe. And, O king, while returning home, she happened to cast her

glance towards the king of Martikavata, known by the name of Chitraratha.

The king was in the water with his wives, and wearing on his breast a

lotus wreath, was engaged in sport. And beholding his magnificent form,

Renuka was inspired with desire. And this unlawful desire she could not

control, but became polluted within the water, and came back to the

hermitage frightened at heart. Her husband readily perceived what state

she was in. And mighty and powerful and of a wrathful turn of mind, when

he beheld that she had been giddy and that the lustre of chastity had

abandoned her, he reproached her by crying out 'Fie!' At that very moment

came in the eldest of Jamadagni's sons, Rumanvan; and then, Sushena, and

then, Vasu, and likewise, Viswavasu. And the mighty saint directed them

all one by one to put an end to the life of their mother. They, however,

were quite confounded and lost heart. And they could not utter a single

word. Then he in ire cursed them. And on being cursed they lost their

sense and suddenly became like inanimate objects, and comparable in

conduct to beasts and birds. And then Rama, the slayer of hostile heroes,

came to the hermitage, last of all. Him the mighty-armed Jamadagni, of

great austerities, addressed, saying, 'Kill this wicked mother of thine,

without compunction, O my son.' Thereupon Rama immediately took up an axe

and therewith severed his mother's head. Then, O great king, the wrath of

Jamadagni of mighty soul, was at once appeased; and well-pleased, he

spake the following words, 'Thou hast, my boy, performed at my bidding

this difficult task, being versed in virtue. Therefore, whatsoever wishes

there may be in thy heart, I am ready to grant them all. Do thou ask me.'

Thereupon Rama solicited that his mother might be restored to life, and

that he might not be haunted by the remembrance of this cruel deed and

that he might not be affected by any sin, and that his brothers might

recover their former state, and that he might be unrivalled on the field

of battle, and that he might obtain long life. And, O Bharata's son,

Jamadagni, whose penances were the most rigid, granted all those desires

of his son. Once, however, O lord, when his sons had gone out as before,

the valourous son of Kartavirya, the lord of the country near the shore

of the sea, came up to the hermitage. And when he arrived at that

hermitage, the wife of the saint received him hospitably. He, however,

intoxicated with a warrior's pride, was not at all pleased with the

reception accorded to him, and by force and in defiance of all

resistance, seized and carried off from that hermitage the chief of the

cows whose milk supplied the sacred butter, not heeding the loud lowing

of the cow. And he wantonly pulled down the large trees of the wood. When

Rama came home, his father himself told him all that had happened. Then

when Rama saw how the cow was lowing for its calf, resentment arose in

his heart. And he rushed towards Kartavirya's son, whose last moments had

drawn nigh. Then the descendant of Bhrigu, the exterminator of hostile

heroes, put forth his valour on the field of battle, and with sharpened

arrows with flattened tips, which were shot from a beautiful bow, cut

down Arjuna's arms, which numbered a thousand, and were massive like

(wooden) bolts for barring the door. He, already touched by the hand of

death, was overpowered by Rama, his foe. Then the kinsmen of Arjuna,

their wrath excited against Rama, rushed at Jamadagni in his hermitage,

while Rama was away. And they slew him there; for although his strength

was great, yet being at the time engaged in penances, he would not fight.

And while thus attacked by his foes, he repeatedly shouted the name of

Rama in a helpless and piteous way. And, O Yudhishthira, the sons of

Kartavirya shot Jamadagni, with their arrows, and having thus chastised

their foe, went their way. And when they had gone away, and when

Jamadagni had breathed his last, Rama, the delight of Bhrigu's race,

returned to the hermitage, bearing in his arms, fuel for religious rites.

And the hero beheld his father who had been put to death. And grieved

exceedingly he began to bewail the unworthy fate that had laid his father

low."

SECTION CXVII

"Rama said, 'The blame is mine, O father, that like a stag in the wood,

thou hast been shot dead with arrows, by those mean and stupid

wretches--the sons of Kartavirya. And O father, virtuous and unswerving

from the path of righteousness and inoffensive to all animated beings as

thou wert, how came it to be permitted by Fate that thou shouldst die in

this way? What an awful sin must have been committed by them, who have

killed thee with hundreds of sharpened shafts, although thou wert an aged

man, and engaged in penances at the time and absolutely averse to

fighting with them. With what face will those shameless persons speak of

this deed of theirs to their friends and servants, viz., that they have

slain an unassisted and unresisting virtuous man?--O protector of men,

thus he, great in penance, bewailed much in a piteous manner, and then

performed the obsequies of his departed sire. And Rama, the conqueror of

hostile cities, cremated his father on the funeral pyre, and vowed, O

scion of Bharata's race, the slaughter of the entire military caste, and

of exceeding strength in the field of battle, and possessed of valour

suited to a heroic soul, and comparable to the god of death himself, he

took up his weapon in wrathful mood, and singlehanded put Kartavirya's

sons to death. And, O chieftain of the military caste, Rama, the leader

of all capable of beating their foes, thrice smote down all the

Kashatriya followers of Kartavirya's sons. And seven times did that

powerful lord exterminate the military tribes of the earth. In the tract

of land, called Samantapanchaka five lakes of blood were made by him.

There the mightiest scion of Bhrigu's race offered libations to his

forefathers--the Bhrigus, and Richika appeared to him in a visible form,

and spake to him words of counsel. Then the son of Jamadagni of dreaded

name, performed a mighty sacrifice and gratified the lord of the

celestials, and bestowed the earth to the ministering priests. And, O

protector of human beings, he raised an altar made of gold, ten Vyamas in

breadth and nine in height, and made a gift of the same to the

magnanimous Kasyapa. Then at Kasyapa's bidding the Brahamanas divided the

altar into a number of shares, and thus they became reputed as the

Khandavayamas (share takers). And the exterminator of the military race

possessed of immense strength, bestowed the earth upon the high-souled

Kasyapa, and then became engaged in penance of an exceedingly severe

form. He now dwells in this Mahendra, monarch of hills. Thus did

hostilities arise between him and the members of the military caste,--all

of them who dwell on this earth; and Rama, endowed with immense strength,

in this way subdued the entire world.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then on the fourteenth day of the moon, the

mighty-souled Rama at the proper hour showed himself to those members of

the priestly caste and also to the virtuous king (Yudhishthira) and his

younger brothers. And, O king of kings, the lord together with his

brothers, worshipped Rama, and, O most righteous of the rulers of men,

the very highest honours were paid by him to all those members of the

twice-born class. And after worshipping Jamadagni's son and having

received words of praise from him, at his direction he spent the night on

the Mahendra hill, and then started on his journey towards the southern

regions.'"

SECTION CXVIII

Vaisampayana said, "The magnanimous monarch pursued his journey, and at

different spots on the shore of the sea visited the various bathing

places, all sacred and pleasant and frequented by men of the sacerdotal

caste. And O son of Parikshit! He in proper form took his bath in them

together with his younger brothers and then went to an excellent river,

the holiest of all. There also the magnanimous king, took his plunge, and

offered libations to his forefathers and the gods, and distributed riches

to the leaders of the twice-born class. Then he went to the Godavari, a

river that falls directly into the sea. There he was freed from his sins.

And he reached the sea in the Dravida land, and visited the holy spot

passing under Agastya's name, which was exceedingly sacred and

exceptionally pure. And the valiant king visited the feminine sacred

spots. Here he listened to the story of that well-known feat which was

achieved by Arjuna, chief of all wielders of the bow, and which was

beyond the power of human beings to perform. And here he was praised by

the highest members of the saintly class, and the son of Pandu

experienced the greatest delight. And, O protector of the earth! the

ruler of the world, accompanied by Krishna bathed in those holy spots,

and speaking of Arjuna's valour in laudatory terms delightfully spent his

time in the place. Then he gave away thousands of cows at those holy

spots on the coast of the sea; and with his brothers narrated well

pleased how Arjuna had made a gift of kine. And he, O king! visited one

by one those holy places on the coast of the sea and many other sacred

spots, and thus fulfilled his heart's desire, till he came to the holiest

of all known by the name of Suparaka. Then having crossed a certain tract

on the coast of the sea, he reached a forest celebrated on earth. There

the deities had practised asceticism in former days, and likewise

virtuous rulers of men had performed sacrificial rites. There he,

possessed of long and lusty arms, beheld the celebrated altar of

Richika's son, who was the foremost of all wielders of the bow. And the

altar was girt round by hosts of ascetics, and was fit to be worshipped

by persons of a virtuous life. Then the king beheld the holy and

delightful shrines of all the gods and of the Vasus, and of the hosts of

wind and of the two celestial physicians and of Yama, son of the sun and

of the lord of riches, and of Indra, and of Vishnu, and of the lord

Creator and of Siva, and of the moon, and of the author of day, and of

the lord of waters, and of the host of Sadhyas, and of Brahma, and of the

forefathers, and of Rudra together with all his followers, and of the

goddess of learning, and of the host of Siddhas, and of many immortal

holy gods besides. And in those shrines the king observed various fasts,

and gave away large quantities of gems. He plunged his body in all the

holy spots, and then came again to Surparaka. And he by the same

landing-place of the sea again proceeded with his uterine brothers and

came over to the holy spot Prabhasa, whereof fame hath been spread by

mighty Brahmanas throughout the world. There he, possessed of a pair of

large red eyes, washed himself with all his younger brothers, and offered

libations to the forefathers and the celestial hosts; and so did Krishna

and all those Brahmanas together with Lomasa. For twelve days he

subsisted upon air and water. And he performed ablutions for days and

nights and surrounded himself with fires kindled on all sides. Thus that

greatest of all virtuous men engaged himself in asceticism. While he was

acting thus, information reached both Valarama and Krishna that the king

was practising penances of a most austere form and these two leaders of

the entire Vrishni tribe accompanied with troops came to Yudhishthira of

Ajamidha's race. And when the Vrishnis beheld that the sons of Pandu lay

down on the ground, their bodies besmeared all over with dirt and when

they beheld the daughter of Drupada in a sad state, their grief was great

and they could not refrain from breaking out in loud lamentations. Then

the king, whose courage was such that misfortune never could cast him

down, cordially met Rama and Krishna and Samva, Krishna's son, and the

grand-son of Sini and other Vrishnis, and paid honour to them in a

suitable form. And they also in return paid honour to all the sons of

Pritha, and were similarly honoured by Pandu's sons. And they seated

themselves round about Yudhishthira, as round Indra, O king! are seated

the celestial hosts. And highly pleased, he recounted to them all the

machinations of his adversaries, and how also he had resided in the

forest, and how Arjuna had gone to Indra's abode in order to learn the

science of arms--all this he related with a gladdened heart. And they

were happy to learn all this news from him; but when they saw the

Pandavas so exceedingly lean, the majestic and magnanimous Vrishnis could

not forbear shedding tears, which spontaneously gushed from their eyes on

account of the agony they felt."

SECTION CXIX

Janamejaya said, "O thou of ascetic wealth! when the sons of Pandu and

the Vrishnis reached the holy spot Prabhasa, what did they do and what

conversation was held there by them, for all of them were of mighty

souls, proficient in all the branches of science and both the Vrishnis

and the sons of Pandu held one another in friendly estimation."

Vaisampayana said, "When the Vrishnis reached the holy spot Prabhasa, the

sacred landing-place on the coast of the sea, they surrounded the sons of

Pandu and waited upon them. Then Valarama, resembling in hue the milk of

the cow and the Kunda flower and the moon and the silver and the lotus

root and who wore a wreath made of wild flowers and who had the

ploughshare for his arms, spake to the lotuseyed one, saying, 'O Krishna,

I do not see that the practice of virtue leads to any good or that

unrighteous practices can cause evil, since the magnanimous Yudhishthira

is in this miserable state, with matted hair, a resident of the wood, and

for his garment wearing the bark of trees. And Duryodhana is now ruling

the earth, and the ground doth not yet swallow him up. From this, a

person of limited sense would believe a vicious course of life is

preferable to a virtuous one. When Duryodhana is in a flourishing state

and Yudhishthira, robbed of his throne, is suffering thus, what should

people do in such a matter?--This is the doubt that is now perplexing all

men. Here is the lord of men sprung from the god of virtue, holding fast

to a righteous path, strictly truthful and of a liberal heart. This son

of Pritha would give up his kingdom and his pleasure but would not swerve

from the righteous path, in order to thrive. How is it that Bhishma and

Kripa and the Brahmana Drona and the aged king, the senior member of the

house, are living happily, after having banished the sons of Pritha? Fie

upon the vicious-minded leaders of Bharata's race! What will that sinner,

the chieftain of the earth, say to the departed forefathers of his race,

when the wretch will meet them in the world to come? Having hurled from

the throne his in-offensive sons, will he be able to declare that he had

treated them in a blameless way? He doth not now see with his mind's eye

how he hath become so sightless, and on account of what act he hath grown

blind among the kings of this entire earth. Is it not because he hath

banished Kunit's son from his kingdom? I have no doubt that

Vichitravirya's son, when he with his sons perpetrated this inhuman act,

beheld on the spot where dead bodies are burnt, flowering trees of a

golden hue. Verily he must have asked them, when those stood before him

with their shoulders projected forward towards him, and with their large

red eyes staring at him, and he must have listened to their evil advice,

since he fearlessly sent away Yudhishthira to the forest, who had all his

weapons of war with him and was borne company by his younger brothers.

This Bhima here, whose voracious appetite is like that of a wolf, is able

to destroy with the sole strength of his powerful arms, and without the

help of any weapons of war, a formidable array of hostile troops. The

forces in the field of battle were utterly unmanned on hearing his

war-cry. And now the strong one is suffering from hunger and thirst, and

is emaciated with toilsome journeys. But when he will take up in his hand

arrows and diverse other weapons of war, and meet his foes in the field

of battle, he will then remember the sufferings of his exceedingly

miserable forest-life, and kill his enemies to a man: of a certainty do I

anticipate this. There is not throughout the whole world a single soul

who can boast of strength and prowess equal to his. And his body, alas!

is emaciated with cold, and heat and winds. But when he will stand up for

fight, he will not leave a single man out of his foes. This powerful

hero, who is a very great warrior when mounted on a car--this Bhima, of

appetite rivalling a wolf's conquered single-handed all the rulers of men

in the east, together with, those who followed them in battle; and he

returned from those wars safe and uninjured. And that same Bhima,

miserably dressed in the bark of trees, is now leading a wretched life in

the woods. This powerful Sahadeva vanquished all the kings in the south;

those lords of men who had gathered on the coast of the sea,--look at him

now in an anchorite's dress. Valiant in battle Nakula vanquished

single-handed the kings who ruled the regions towards the west,--and he

now walks about the wood, subsisting on fruit and roots, with a matted

mass of hair on the head, and his body besmeared all over with dirt. This

daughter of a king, who is a great soldier when mounted on a car, took

her rise from beneath the altar, during the pomp of sacrificial rites.

She hath been always accustomed to a life of happiness; how is she now

enduring this exceedingly miserable life in this wood! And the son of the

god of virtue,--virtue which stands at the head of all the there pursuits

of life--and the son of the wind-god and also the son of the lord of

celestials, and those two sons of the celestial physicians,--being the

sons of all those gods and always accustomed to a life of happiness, how

are they living in this wood, deprived of all comforts? When the son of

Virtue met with defeat, and when his wife, his brothers, his followers,

and himself were all driven forth, and Duryodhana began to flourish, why

did not the earth subside with all its hills?"

SECTION CXX

Satyaki said, "O Rama! this is not the time of lamentation; let us do

that which is proper and suited to the present occasion, although

Yudhishthira doth not speak a single word. Those who have persons to look

after their welfare do not undertake anything of themselves; they have

others to do their work, as Saivya and others did for Yayati. Likewise, O

Rama! those who have appointed functionaries to undertake their work on

their own responsibility, as the leaders of men, they may be said to have

real patrons, and they meet with no difficulty, like helpless beings. How

is it that when the sons of Pritha have for their patrons these two men,

Rama and Krishna, and the two others, Pradyumna and Samva, together with

myself,--these patrons being able to protect all the three worlds,--how

is it that the son of Pritha is living in the wood with his brothers? It

is fit that this very day the army of the Dasarhas should march out,

variously armed and with checkered mails. Let Dhritarashtra's sons be

overwhelmed with the forces of the Vrishinis and let them go with their

friends to the abode of the god of death. Let him alone who wields the

bow made of the horn (Krishna), thou alone, if roused, wouldst be able to

surround even the whole of this earth. I ask thee to kill Dhritarashtra's

son with all his men, as the great Indra, the lord of the gods kill

Vritra. Arjuna, the son of Pritha, is my brother, and also my friend, and

also my preceptor, and is like the second self of Krishna. It is for this

that men desire for a worthy son, and that preceptor seeks a pupil who

would contradict him not. It is for this that the time is come for that

excellent work, which is the best of all tasks and difficult to perform.

I shall baffle Duryodhana's volleys of arms by my own excellent weapons.

I shall overpower all in the field of battle. I shall in my wrath cut off

his head with my excellent shafts, little inferior to snakes and poison

and fire. And with the keen edge of my sword, I shall forcibly sever his

head from the trunk, in the field of battle; then I shall kill his

followers, and Duryodhana, and all of Kuru's race. O son of Rohini! let

the followers of Bhima look at me with joy at their heart, when I shall

keep up the weapons of war in the field of battle, and when I shall go on

slaying all the best fighting men on the side of the Kurus, as at the end

of time fire will burn vast heaps of straw. Kripa and Drona and Vikarna

and Kama are not able to bear the keen arrows shot by Pradyumna. I know

the power of Arjuna's son--he conducts himself like the son of Krishna in

the field of battle. Let Samva chastise by the force of his arms

Dussasana; let him destroy by force Dussasana and his charioteer and his

car. In the field of battle when the son of Jamvavati becomes

irresistible in fight, there is nothing which can withstand his force.

The army of the demon Samvara was speedily routed by him when only a boy.

By him was killed in fight Asvachakra, whose thighs were round, and whose

muscular arms were of exceeding length. Who is there that would be able

to go forward to the car of Samva, who is great in fight, when mounted on

a car? As a mortal coming under the clutches of death can never escape;

so who is there that once coming under his clutches in the field of

battle, is able to return with his life? The son of Vasudeva will burn

down by the volleys of his fiery shafts all the hostile troops, and those

two warriors, Bhishma and Drona,--who are great on a car, and Somadatta

surrounded by all his sons. What is there in all the world including the

gods, which Krishna cannot encounter on an equal footing, when he takes

up the weapons of war, wields in his hands excellent arrows, arms himself

with his dice, and thus becomes unrivalled in fight? Then let Aniruddha

also take up in his hand his buckler and sword, and let him cover the

surface of the earth with Dhritarashtra's sons, their heads separated

from their trunks, their bodies devoid of all consciousness as in a

sacrificial rite the altar is overspread with sacred grass placed upon

the same. And Gada and Uluka, and Vahuka and Bhanu and Nitha and the

young Nishatha valiant in battle and Sarana, and Charudeshna,

irresistible in war, let them perform feats befitting their race. Let the

united army of the Satwatas and Suras, together with the best soldiers of

the Vrishnis, the Bhojas, and the Andhakas, kill those sons of

Dhritarashtra in the field of battle and let them swell their expanded

fame throughout the world. Then let Abhimanyu rule the world so long as

this most excellent of virtuous men, the magnanimous Yudhishthira, may be

engaged in fulfilling his vow,--the vow that was accepted and declared by

him, the most righteous of Kuru's race, on the occasion of the famous

play at dice. Afterwards the virtuous king will protect the earth, all

his foes defeated in battle by shafts which will be discharged by us.

Then there will remain no sons of Dhritarashtra on earth,--nor the son of

the charioteer (Kama). This is the most important work for us to do, and

this will surely lead to fame."

"Krishna said, 'O scion of the race of Madhu! no doubt what thou sayest

is true; we accept thy words, O thou of courage that is never weak! But

this bull of the Kuru race (Yudhishthira) would never accept the

sovereignty of the earth, unless it were won by the prowess of his own

arms. Neither for the sake of pleasure, nor from fear, nor from

covetousness, would Yudhishthira ever renounce the rules of the caste;

nor would these two heroes, who are mighty, when mounted on a car--Bhima

and Arjuna; nor the twin brothers, nor Krishna, the daughter of Drupada.

He possessing the appetite of a wolf (Bhima), and the winner of riches

(Arjuna), are both unrivalled in fight throughout the world. And why

should not this king rule over the entire world when he hath the two sons

of Madri to espouse his cause? The high-souled ruler of Panchala together

with the Kekaya king, and we also should put forth our united strength,

and then would the enemies of Yudhisthira be annihilated.'"

"Yudhishthira said, 'It is not strange that thou shouldst speak thus, O

scion of Madhu's race! but to me truth seems to be the first

consideration, above that of my sovereign power itself. But it is Krishna

alone who precisely knoweth what I am; and it is I alone who precisely

know what Krishna (really) is. O thou endued with valour! O scion of

Madhu's race! as soon as he will perceive that the time is come for feats

of bravery, then, O most valiant of Sini's race, he also of beautiful

hair (Krishna) will defeat Suyodhana. Let the brave men of the Dasarha

race go back today. They are my patrons; and the foremost of human

beings, they have visited me here. O ye of immeasurable strength! never

fall off from the path of virtue. I shall see you again, when ye will be

happily gathered together.'

"Then after mutual greeting and obeisance to seniors, and having embraced

the youthful, those valiant men of the Yadu race and the sons of Pandu

separated. And the Yadus reunited to their home; and the Pandavas

continued their journey to the sacred spots. Then having parted with

Krishna, the virtuous king, accompanied by his brothers and servants, and

also by Lomasa, went to the sacred river Payosini. Its fine landing place

was constructed by the king of Vidarbha. And he began to dwell on the

banks of the Payosini, whose waters were mingled with the distilled Soma

juice. There the high-souled Yudhishthira was greeted with excellent

laudatory, terms by numerous leaders of the twice-born class, who were

delighted to see him there."

SECTION CXXI

Lomasa said, "O king! when the Nriga performed a sacrifice here, he

gratified Indra, the demolisher of hostile cities, by offering the Soma

juice. And Indra was refreshed and was very much pleased. Here the gods

together with Indira, and the protectors of all born beings, celebrated

sacrifices of various kinds on a large scale, and paid abundant

gratuities to the ministering priests. Here king Amurtarayasa, the lord

of the world, satisfied Indra, the holder of the thunderbolt, by the

offer of the Soma juice, when seven horse-sacrifices were performed by

that king. The articles which in other sacrificial rites are uniformly

made of the timber, wood and of earth, were all made of gold in the seven

sacrifices performed by him. And it is said that in all those rites,

seven sets of stakes, rings for the sacrificial stakes, spots, ladles,

utensils, spoons were prepared by him. On each sacrificial stake, seven

rings were fastened at the top. And, O Yudhishthira! the celestials

together with Indira, themselves erected the sacrificial stakes of

shining gold which had been prepared for his sacred rites. In all those

magnificent sacrifices instituted by Gaya, the protector of the earth,

Indira, was delighted by drinking the Soma juice, and the ministering

priests were gratified with the gratuities paid to them. And the priests

obtained untold wealth counted out to them. And as the sand-grains of the

earth, or as the stars in the sky, or as the rain-drops when it raineth,

cannot be counted by anyone, so the wealth Gaya gave away was incapable

of being counted by figures. So untold was the wealth, O great king! that

was given to the ministering priests in all those seven sacrifices that

even the above-mentioned objects might be counted by figures, but the

gratuities bestowed by him whose largeness exceeded all that was known

before were not capable of being counted by figures. And images of the

goddess of speech were made of gold by the sculptor of the gods;--and the

king gratified the members of the sacerdotal caste, who had arrived from

all the cardinal points, by making presents to them of those images, of

gold. O protector of men! when the high-souled Gaya performed his

sacrificial rites, he erected sacrificial piles at so many different

spots that but little space was left on the surface of the earth. And, O

scion of Bharata's race! he by that sacred act attained the regions of

Indra. Whoever should bathe in the river, Payosini, would go to the

regions attained by Gaya. Therefore, O lord of kings! O unswerving

prince! thou and thy brothers should bathe in this river; then, O

protector of the earth, thou wilt be freed from all these sins."

Vaisampayana said, "O most praiseworthy of men! Yudhishthira with his

brothers performed ablutions in the Payosini river. Then, O sinless

prince! the powerful monarch together with his brothers, journeyed to the

hill of sapphires and the great river Narmada. The blessed saint Lomasa

there named to him all the delightful holy spots and all the sacred

shrines of the celestials. Then he with his brothers visited those

places, according to his desire and convenience. And at various places

Brahmanas by thousands received gifts from him."

"Lomasa said, 'O son of Kunti! one who visits the sapphire Hill and

plunges his body in the river Narmada attains the regions inhabited by

the celestials and kings. O most praiseworthy of men! this period is the

junction between the Treta and the Kali age, O Kunti's son! This is the

period when a person gets rid of all his sins. O respected sir! this is

the spot where Saryati performed sacrificial rites, wherein Indra

appeared in a visible form and drank the Soma juice, with the two

celestial physicians. And Bhrigu's son of severe austerities conceived

anger towards the great Indra; and the mighty Chyavana paralysed Indra,

and for his wife obtained the princess, Sukanya.'"

"Yudhishthira said, 'How was the chastiser of the demon Paka, the god

possessed of the six attributes, paralysed by Chyavana? And for what

reason did the mighty saint conceive wrath towards Indra? And how, O

Brahmana! did he raise the celestial physicians to the rank of the

drinkers of Soma? All this, precisely as it happened, thy venerable self

will be pleased to recount to me.'"

SECTION CXXII

"Lomasa said, 'A son was born to the great saint Bhrigu, Chyavana by

name. And he, of an exceedingly resplendent form, began to practise

austerities by the side of yonder lake. And, O Pandu's son! O protector

of men! he of mighty energy assumed the posture called Vira, quiet and

still like an inanimate post, and for a long period, remained at the same

spot of ground. And he was turned into an anthill covered over with

creepers. And after the lapse of a long period, swarms of ants enveloped

him. And covered all over with ants, the sagacious saint looked exactly

like a heap of earth. And he went on practising austerities, enveloped on

all sides with that ant-hill. Now after the lapse of a long space of

time, that ruler of earth, Saryati by name, for amusement visited this

pleasant and excellent lake. With him were four thousand females,

espoused by him, O son of Bharata's race! there was also his only

daughter endued with beautiful brows, named Sukanya. She surrounded by

her maids, and decked out with jewels fit for the celestials, while

walking about, approached the anthill where Bhrigu's son was seated. And

surrounded by her maids, she began to amuse herself there, viewing the

beautiful scenery, and looking at the lofty trees of the wood. And she

was handsome and in the prime of her youth; and she was amorous and bent

on frolicking. And she began to break the twigs of the forest trees

bearing blossoms. And Bhrigu's son endued with intelligence beheld her

wandering like lightning, without her maids, and wearing a single piece

of cloth and decked with ornaments. And seeing her in the lone forest,

that ascetic of exceeding effulgence was inspired with desire. And that

regenerate Rishi possessing ascetic energy, who had a low voice, called

the auspicious one,--but she heard him not. Then seeing the eyes of

Bhrigu's son from the ant-hill, Sukanya from curiosity and losing her

sense, said, 'What is this?'--and with thorns pierced the eyes (of the

Rishi). And as his eyes being pierced by her, he felt exceeding pain and

became wroth. And (from anger) he obstructed the calls of nature of

Saryati's forces. And on their calls of nature being obstructed, the men

were greatly afflicted. And seeing this state of things, the king asked.

'Who is it that hath done wrong to the illustrious son of Bhrigu, old and

ever engaged in austerities and of wrathful temper? Tell me quick if ye

know it'. The soldiers (thereupon) answered him saying, 'We do not know

whether any one hath done wrong to the Rishi. Do thou, as thou list, make

a searching enquiry into the matter. Thereupon that ruler of earth, using

(as he saw occasion) both menace and conciliation, asked his friends

(about the circumstance). But they too did not know anything. Seeing that

the army was distressed owing to the obstruction of the calls of nature,

and also finding her father aggrieved, Sukanya said, 'Roving in the

forest, I lighted in the ant-hill here upon some brilliant substance.

Thereupon taking it for a glow-worm I neared it, and pierced it (with

thorns); Hearing this Saryati immediately came to the ant-hill, and there

saw Bhrigu's son, old both in years and austerities. Then the lord of

earth with joined hands, besought (the ascetic) saying, 'It behoveth thee

to forgive what my daughter through ignorance and greenness, hath done

unto thee." Chyavana the son of Bhrigu, addressed the monarch saying,

'Disregarding me, this one, filled with pride hath pierced my eyes. Even

her, O king, endued with beauty and who was bereft of her senses by

ignorance and temptation--even thy daughter would I have for my bride, I

tell thee truly, on this condition alone will I forgive thee.'

Lomasa said, "Hearing the words of the sage, Saryati, without pausing,

bestowed his daughter on the high-souled Chyavana. Having received the

hand of that girl, the holy one was pleased with the king. And having won

the Rishi's grace, the king went to his city, accompanied by his troops.

And the faultless Sukanya also having obtained that ascetic for her

husband, began to tend him, practising penances, and observing the

ordinance. And that one of a graceful countenance, and void of guile

worshipped Chyavana, and also ministered unto guests, and the sacred

fire."

SECTION CXXIII

"Lomasa said, 'Once on a time, O king, those celestials, namely the twin

Aswins, happened to behold Sukanya, when she had (just) bathed, and when

her person was bare. And seeing that one of excellent limbs, and like

unto the daughter of the lord of celestials, the nose-born Aswins neared

her, and addressed her, saying, 'O thou of shapely thighs, whose daughter

art thou? And what doest thou in this wood? O auspicious one, O thou of

excellent grace, we desire to know this, do thou therefore tell us.'

Thereupon she replied bashfully unto those foremost of celestials. 'Know

me as Sarayati's daughter, and Chyavana's wife.' Thereat the Aswins again

spake unto her, smiling. 'What for, O fortunate one, hath thy father

bestowed thee on a person who is verging on death? Surely, O timid girl,

thou shinest in this wood like lightning. Not in the regions of the

celestials themselves, O girl, have our eyes lighted on thy like. O

damsel, unadornedand without gay robes as thou art, thou beautifiest this

wood exceedingly. Still, O thou of faultless limbs, thou canst not look

so beautiful, when (as at present) thou art soiled with mud and dirt, as

thou couldst, if decked with every ornament and wearing gorgeous apparel.

Why, O excellent girl in such plight servest thou a decrepit old husband,

and one that hath become incapable of realising pleasure and also of

maintaining thee, O thou of luminous smiles? O divinely beautiful damsel,

do thou, forsaking Chyavana accept one of us for husband. It behoveth

thee not to spend thy youth fruitlessly.'"

"Thus addressed Sukanya answered the celestials saying. 'I am devoted to

my husband, Chyavana: do ye not entertain any doubts (regarding my

fidelity). Thereupon they again spake unto her, 'We two are the celestial

physicians of note. We will make thy lord young and graceful. Do thou

then select one of us, viz., ourselves and thy husband,--for thy partner.

Promising this do thou, O auspicious one, bring hither thy husband.' .. O

king, agreeably to their words she went to Bhrigu's son and communicated

to him what the two celestials had said. Hearing her message, Chyavana

said unto his wife, 'Do thou so.' Having received the permission of her

lord, (she returned to the celestials) and said, 'Do ye so.' Then hearing

her words, viz., 'Do ye so,' they spoke unto the king's daughter. 'Let

thy husband enter into water.' Thereat Chyavana desirous of obtaining

beauty, quickly entered into water. The twin Aswins also, O king, sank

into the sheet of water. And the next moment they all came out of the

tank in surpassingly beautiful forms, and young and wearing burnished

earrings. And all, possessed of the same appearance pleasing to behold,

addressed her saying, 'O fortunate one, do thou choose one of us for

spouse. And O beauteous one, do thou select him for lord who may please

thy fancy.' Finding, however, all of them of the same appearance she

deliberated; and at last ascertaining the identity of her husband, even

selected him.

"Having obtained coveted beauty and also his wife, Chyavana, of exceeding

energy, well pleased, spake these words unto the nose-born celestials:

'Since at your hands, an old man, I have obtained youth, and beauty, and

also this wife of mine, I will, well pleased, make you quaffers of the

Soma juice in the presence of the lord of celestials himself. This I tell

you truly.' Hearing this, highly delighted, the twins ascendedto heaven;

and Chyavana and Sukanya too passed their days happily even like

celestials."

SECTION CXXIV

"Lomasa said, 'Now the news came to Saryati that Chyavana had been turned

into a youth. And well pleased he came, accompanied by his troops, to the

hermitage of the son of Bhrigu. And he saw Chyavana and Sukanya, like two

children sprung from celestials, and his joy and that of his wife were as

great as if the king had conquered the entire world. And the ruler of

earth together with his wife was received honourably by that saint. And

the king seated himself near the ascetic, and entered into a delightful

conversation of an auspicious kind. Then, O king, the son of Bhrigu spake

to the king these words of a soothing nature: 'I shall, O king, officiate

at a religious ceremony to be performed by thee: let the requisite

articles, therefore, be procured.' Thereat, that protector of earth

Saryati, experienced the very height of joy, and O great king, he

expressed his approbation of the proposal made by Chyavana. And on an

auspicious day, suitable for the commencement of a sacrificial ceremony,

Saryati ordered the erection of a sacrificial shrine of an excellent

description and splendidly furnished with all desirable things. There

Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, officiated for the king as his priest. Now

listen to me relating the wonderful events which happened at that spot.

Chyavana took up a quantity of the Soma juice, in order that he might

offer the same to the Aswins, who were physicians to the celestials. And

while the saint was taking up the intended offering for those celestial

twins, Indra pronounced his interdiction, saying, These Aswins both of

them in my opinion have no right to receive an offering of the Soma

juice.' They are the physicians of the celestials in heaven,--this

vocation of theirs hath disentitled them (in the matter of Soma).

Thereupon Chyavana said, 'These two are of mighty enterprise, possessed

of mighty souls, and uncommonly endued with beauty and grace. And they, O

Indra, have converted me into an eternally youthful person, even like

unto a celestial. Why shouldst thou and the other celestials have a right

to the distilled Soma juice, and not they? O lord of the celestials, O

demolisher of hostile towns! be it known to thee that the Aswins also

rank as gods.' At this, Indra spake saying, These two practise the

healing art,--so they are but servants. And assuming forms at their

pleasure they roam about in the world of mortal beings. How can they then

rightfully claim the juice of the Soma?

"Lomasa said, 'When these very identical words were spoken again and

again by the lord of celestials, the son of Bhrigu, setting Indra at

naught, took up the offering he had intended to make. And as he was about

to take up an excellent portion of the Soma juice with the object of

offering it to the two Aswins, the destroyer of the demon Vala (Indra)

observed his act, and thus spoke unto him, 'If thou take up the Soma with

a view to offering it to those celestials, I shall hurl at thee my

thunderbolt of awful form, which is superior to all the weapons that

exist.' Thus addressed by Indra, the son of Bhrigu, cast at Indra a

smiling glance, and took up in due form a goodly quantity of the Soma

juice, to make an offering to the Aswins. Then Sachi's lord hurled at him

the thunderbolt of awful form. And as he was about to launch it, his arm

was paralysed by Bhrigu's son. And having paralysed his arm, Chyavana

recited sacred hymns, and made offering on the fire. His object gained,

he now attempted to destroy that celestial. Then by the virtue of that

saint's ascetic energy, an evil spirit came into being,--a huge demon,

Mada by name, of great strength and gigantic proportions. And his body

was incapable of being measured either by demons or by gods. And his

mouth was terrible and of huge size, and with teeth of sharpened edge.

And one of his jaws rested on the earth, and the other stretched to

heaven. And he had four fangs, each extending as far as one hundred

yojanas, and his other fangs were extended to the distance of ten

yojanas, and were of a form resembling towers on a palace, and which

might be likened to the ends of spears. And his two arms were like unto

hills, and extended ten thousand yojanas, and both were of equal bulk.

And his two eyes resembled the sun and the moon; and his face rivalled

the conflagration at the universal dissolution. And he was licking his

mouth with his tongue, which, like lightning, knew no rest. And his mouth

was open, and his glance was frightful, and seemed as if he would

forcibly swallow up the world. The demon rushed at the celestial by whom

a hundred sacrifices had been performed. And his intent was to devour

that deity. And the world resounded with the loud and frightful sounds

uttered by the Asura."

SECTION CXXV

"Lomasa said, 'When the god who had performed a hundred sacrifices

(Indra) beheld the demon Mada of a frightful mien, coming towards him

with open mouth, his intention being to devour him, and looking like the

god of death himself, while his own arms remained paralysed, he through

fear repeatedly licked the corners of his mouth. Then the lord of the

celestials, tortured with fright, spake to Chyavana saying, 'O Bhrigu's

son! O Brahmana! verily I tell thee as truth itself, that from this day

forward the two Aswins will be entitled to the Soma juice. Be merciful to

me! My undertaking can never come to naught. Let this be the rule. And I

know, O saint of the sacerdotal caste! that thy work can never come to

nothing. These two Aswins will have a right to drink the Soma juice,

since thou hast made them entitled to the same. And, O Bhrigu's son, I

have done this but to spread the fame of thy powers, and my object was to

give thee an occasion for displaying thy powers. My other object was that

the fame of the father of this Sukanya here might spread everywhere.

Therefore be merciful to me: let it be as thou wishest.' Being thus

addressed by Indra, the wrath of Chyavana of mighty soul was quickly

appeased, and he set free the demolisher of hostile cities (Indra). And

the powerful saint, O king! distributed Mada (literally intoxication),

and put it piece-meal in drinks, in women, in gambling, and in field

sports, even this same Mada who had been created repeatedly before.

Having thus cast down the demon Mada and gratified Indra with a Soma

draught and assisted king Saryati in worshipping all the gods together

with the two Aswins and also spread his fame for power over all the

worlds, the best of those endued with speech passed his days happily in

the wood, in the company of Sukanya, his loving wife. This is his lake,

shining, O king! and resounding with the voice of birds. Here must thou,

together with thy uterine brothers, offer libations of water to thy

forefathers and the gods. And, O ruler of earth! O scion of Bharata's

race! having visited it and Sikataksha also, thou shalt repair to the

Saindhava wood, and behold a number of small artificial rivers. And O

great king, O scion of Bharata's race! thou shalt touch the waters of all

the holy lakes and reciting the hymns of the god Sthanu (Siva), meet with

success in every undertaking. For this is the junction, O most

praiseworthy of men, of the two ages of the world, viz., Dwapara and

Treta. It is a time, O Kunti's son! capable of destroying all the sins of

a person. Here do thou perform ablutions, for the spot is able to remove

all the sins of an individual. Yonder is the Archika hill, a dwelling

place for men of cultured minds. Fruits of all the seasons grow here at

all times and the streams run for ever. It is an excellent place fit for

the celestials. And there are the holy cairns of diverse forms, set up by

the celestials. O Yudhishthira! this is the bathing spot belonging to the

Moon. And the saints are in attendance here on all sides round--they are

the dwellers of the wood and the Valakhilyas, and the Pavakas, who

subsist on air only. These are three peaks and three springs. Thou mayst

walk round them all, one by one: then thou mayst wash thyself at

pleasure. Santanu, O king! and Sunaka the sovereign of men, and both Nara

and Narayana have attained everlasting regions from this place. Here did

the gods constantly lie down, as also the forefathers, together with the

mighty saints. In this Archika hill, they all carried on austerities.

Sacrifice to them, O Yudhishthira! Here did they, also the saints, eat

rice cooked in milk, O protector of men! And here is the Yamuna of an

exhaustless spring. Krishna here engaged himself in a life of penances, O

Pandu's son. O thou that draggest the dead bodies of thy foes! the twin

brothers, and Bhimasena and Krishna and all of us will accompany thee to

this spot. O lord of men, this is the holy spring that belongeth to

Indra. Here the creative and the dispensing deity, and Varuna also rose

upwards, and here too they dwelt, O king! observing forbearance, and

possessed of the highest faith. This excellent and propitious hill is fit

for persons of a kindly and candid disposition. This is that celebrated

Yamuna, O king! frequented by hosts of mighty saints, the scene of

diverse religious rites, holy, and destructive of the dread of sin. Here

did Mandhata himself, of a mighty bow, perform sacrificial rites for the

gods; and so did Somaka, O Kunti's son! who was the son of Sahadeva, and

a most excellent maker of gifts.

SECTION CXXVI

"Yudhishthira said, 'O great Brahmana, how was that tiger among kings,

Mandhata, Yuvanaswa's son, born,--even he who was the best of monarchs,

and celebrated over the three worlds? And how did he of unmeasured lustre

attain the very height of real power, since all the three worlds were as

much under his subjection, as they are under that of Vishnu of mighty

soul? I am desirous of hearing all this in connection with the life and

achievements of that sagacious monarch. I should also like to hear how

his name of Mandhata originated, belonging as it did to him who rivalled

in lustre Indra himself: and also how he of unrivalled strength was born,

for thou art skilled in the art of narrating events.'

"Lomasa said, 'Hear with attention, O king! how the name of Mandhata

belonging to that monarch of mighty soul hath come to be celebrated

throughout all the worlds. Yuvanaswa, the ruler of the earth, was sprung

from Ikshvaku's race. That protector of the earth performed many

sacrificial rites noted for magnificent gifts. And the most excellent of

all virtuous men performed a thousand times the ceremony of sacrificing a

horse. And he also performed other sacrifices of the highest order,

wherein he made abundant gifts. But that saintly king had no son. And he

of mighty soul and rigid vows made over to his ministers the duties of

the state, and became a constant resident of the woods. And he of

cultured soul devoted himself to the pursuits enjoined in the sacred

writ. And once upon a time, that protector of men, O king! had observed a

fast. And he was suffering from the pangs of hunger and his inner soul

seemed parched with thirst. And (in this state) he entered the hermitage

of Bhrigu. On that very night, O king of kings! the great saint who was

the delight of Bhrigu's race, had officiated in a religious ceremony,

with the object that a son might be born to Saudyumni. O king of kings!

at the spot stood a large jar filled with water, consecrated with the

recitation of sacred hymns, and which had been previously deposited

there. And the water was endued with the virtue that the wife of

Saudyumni would by drinking the same, bring forth a god-like son. Those

mighty saints had deposited the jar on the altar and had gone to sleep,

having been fatigued by keeping up the night. And as Saudyumni passed

them by, his palate was dry, and he was suffering greatly from thirst.

And the king was very much in need of water to drink. And he entered that

hermitage and asked for drink. And becoming fatigued, he cried in feeble

voice, proceeding from a parched throat, which resembled the weak

inarticulate utterance of a bird. And his voice reached nobody's ears.

Then the king beheld the jar filled with water. And he quickly ran

towards it, and having drunk the water, put the jar down. And as the

water was cool, and as the king had been suffering greatly from thirst,

the draught of water relieved the sagacious monarch and appeased his

thirst. Then those saints together with him of ascetic wealth, awoke from

sleep; and all of them observed that the water of the jar had gone.

Thereupon they met together and began to enquire as to who might have

done it. Then Yuvanaswa truthfully admitted that it was his act. Then the

revered son of Bhrigu spoke unto him, saying. 'It was not proper. This

water had an occult virtue infused into it, and had been placed there

with the object that a son might be born to thee. Having performed severe

austerities, I infused the virtue of my religious acts in this water,

that a son might be born to thee. O saintly king of mighty valour and

physical strength! a son would have been born to thee of exceeding

strength and valour, and strengthened by austerities, and who would have

sent by his bravery even Indra to the abode of the god of death. It was

in this manner, O king! that this water had been prepared by me. By

drinking this water, O king, thou hast done what was not at all right.

But it is impossible now for us to turn back the accident which hath

happened. Surely what thou hast done must have been the fiat of Fate.

Since thou, O great king, being a thirst hast drunk water prepared with

sacred hymns, and filled with the virtue of my religious labours, thou

must bring forth out of thy own body a son of the character described

above. To that end we shall perform a sacrifice for thee, of wonderful

effect so that, valorous as thou art, thou wilt bring forth a son equal

to Indra. Nor with thou experience any trouble on account of the labour

pains.' Then when one hundred years had passed away, a son shining as the

sun pierced the left side of the king endowed with a mighty soul, and

came forth. And the son was possessed of mighty strength. Nor did

Yuvanaswa die--which itself was strange. Then Indra of mighty strength

came to pay him a visit. And the deities enquired of the great Indra,

'What is to be sucked by this boy?' Then Indra introduced his own

forefinger into his mouth. And when the wielder of the thunderbolt said,

'He will suck me,' the dwellers of heaven together with Indra christened

the boy Mandhata, (literally, Me he shall suck). Then the boy having

tasted the forefinger extended by Indra, became possessed of mighty

strength, and he grew thirteen cubits, O king. And O great king! the

whole of sacred learning together with the holy science of arms, was

acquired by that masterful boy, who gained all that knowledge by the

simple and unassisted power of his thought. And all at once, the bow

celebrated under the name of Ajagava and a number of shafts made of horn,

together with an impenetrable coat of mail, came to his possession on the

very same day, O scion of Bharata's race! And he was placed on the throne

by Indra himself and he conquered the three worlds in a righteous way, as

Vishnu did by his three strides. And the wheel of the car of that mighty

king as irresistible in its course (throughout the world). And the gems,

of their own accord, came into the possession of that saintly king. This

is the tract of land, O lord of earth, which belonged to him. It abounds

in wealth. He performed a number of sacrificial rites of various kinds,

in which abundant gratuities were paid to the priests. O king! he of

mighty force and unmeasured lustre, erected sacred piles, and performed

splendid pious deeds, and attained the position of sitting at Indra's

side. That sagacious king of unswerving piety sent forth his fiat, and

simply by its virtue conquered the earth, together with the sea--that

source of gems--and all the cities (or [of?--JBH] the earth), O great

king! The sacrificial grounds prepared by him were to be found all over

the earth on all sides round--not a single spot, but was marked with the

same. O great king! the mighty monarch is said to have given to the

Brahmanas ten thousand padmas of kine. When there was a drought, which

continued for twelve consecutive years, the mighty king caused rain to

come down for the growth of crops, paying no heed to Indra, the wielder

of the thunder-bolt, who remained staring (at him). The mighty ruler of

the Gandhara land, born in the lunar dynasty of kings, who was terrible

like a a roaring cloud, was slain by him, who wounded him sorely with his

shafts. O king! he of cultured soul protected the four orders of people,

and by him of mighty force the worlds were kept from harm, by virtue of

his austere and righteous life. This is the spot where he, lustrous like

the sun, sacrificed to the god. Look at it! here it is, in the midst of

the field of the Kurus, situated in a tract, the holiest of all. O

preceptor of earth! requested by thee, I have thus narrated to thee the

great life of Mandhata, and also the way in which he was born, which was

a birth of an extraordinary kind.'"

Vaisampayana said, "O scion of Bharata's race! Kunti's son, thus

addressed by the mighty saint, Lomasa, immediately put fresh questions to

him, with regard to Somaka."

SECTION CXXVII

Yudhishthira said, 'O best of speakers! what was the extent of power and

strength possessed by king Somaka? I am desirous of hearing an exact

account of his deeds and of his power."

"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira! there was a virtuous king Somaka by name.

He had one hundred wives, O king, all suitably matched to their husband.

He took great care, but could not succeed in getting a single son from

any one of them, and a long time elapsed during which he continued a

sonless man. Once upon a time, when he had become old, and was trying

every means to have a son, a son was born to him, Jantu by name, out of

that century of women. And, O ruler of men! All the mothers used to sit

surrounding their son and every one giving him such objects as might

conduce to his enjoyment and pleasure. And it came to pass that one day

an ant stung the boy at his hip. And the boy screamed loudly on account

of the pain caused by the sting. And forthwith the mothers were

exceedingly distressed to see how the child had been stung by the ant.

And they stood around him and set up cries. Thus there arose a tumultuous

noise. And that scream of pain suddenly reached (the ears of) the

sovereign of the earth, when he was seated in the midst of his ministers,

with the family priest at his side. Then the king sent for information as

to what it was about. And the royal usher explained to him precisely what

the matter was with reference to his son. And Somaka got up together with

his ministers and hastened towards the female apartments. And on coming

there, O subjugator of foes! he soothed his son. And having done so and

coming out from the female apartments, the king sat with his family

priest and ministers.'

"Somaka then spoke thus, 'Fie on having only a single son! I had rather

be a sonless man. Considering how constantly liable to disease are all

organized beings, to have an only son is but a trouble. O Brahmana! O my

lord! With the view that I might have many sons born to me, this century

of wives hath been wedded by me, after inspection, and after I had

satisfied myself that they would prove suitable to me. But issue they

have none. Having tried every means, and put forth great efforts, they

have borne this single son, Jantu. What grief can be greater than this? O

most excellent of the twice-born caste! I am grown old in years and so

are my wives too. And yet this only son is like the breath of their

nostrils, and so he is to me also. But is there any ceremony, by

celebrating which one may get a hundred sons? (And if there is one such),

tell me whether it is great or small, and easy or difficult to perform.'

"The family priest said, 'There is a ceremony by virtue of which a man

may get a century of sons. If thou art able to perform it, O Somaka, then

I shall explain it to thee.'

"Somaka said, 'Whether it be a good or an evil deed, the ceremony by

which a hundred sons may be born, may be taken by thee as already

performed. Let thy blessed self explain it to me.'

"The family priest thereupon said, 'O king! Let me set on foot a

sacrifice and thou must sacrifice thy son, Jantu in it. Then on no

distant date, a century of handsome sons will be born to thee. When

Jantu's fat will be put into the fire as an offering to the gods, the

mothers will take a smell of that smoke, and bring forth a number of

sons, valourous and strong. And Jantu also will once more be born as a

self-begotten son of thine in that very (mother); and on his back there

will appear a mark of gold.'"

SECTION CXXVIII

"Somaka said, 'O Brahmana! whatever is to be performed--do precisely as

it may be necessary. As I am desirous of having a number of sons, I shall

do all that may be prescribed by thee."

"Lomasa said, "Then the priest officiated in the sacrifice in which Jantu

was offered as the victim. But the mothers is in pity forcibly snatched

the son and took him away. And they cried, 'We are undone!' And they were

smitten with torturing grief and they caught hold of Jantu by his right

hand, and wept in a piteous way. But the officiating priest held the boy

by the right hand and pulled him. And like female ospreys they screamed

in agony! but the priest dragged the son killed him and made a burnt

offering of his fat in the proper form. And, O delight of the race of

Kuru! While the fat was being made an offering of the agonised mothers

smelt its smell, and of a sudden fell to the ground (and swooned away.)

And then all those lovely women became with child, and O lord of men! O

scion of Bharata's race! When ten months had passed a full century of

sons was born to Somaka begotten on all those women. And, O monarch of

the earth! Jantu became the eldest and was born of his former mother and

he became the most beloved to the women,--not so were their own sons. And

on his back there was that mark of gold and of that century of sons, he

was also superior in merit. Then that family priest of Somaka departed

this life as also Somaka after a certain time. Now he beheld that the

priest was being grilled in a terrible hell. And thereupon he questioned

him, 'Why art thou, O Brahmana! being grilled in this hell?" Then the

family priest exceedingly scorched with fire, spake to him saying, 'This

is the outcome of my having officiated in that sacrifice of thine.' O

king, hearing this, the saintly king thus spake to the god who meteth out

punishments to departed souls, 'I shall enter here. Set free my

officiating priest; this reversed man is being grilled by hell-fire on my

account only.'

"Dharmaraja thereat answered thus, 'One cannot enjoy or suffer for

another person's acts. O best of speakers! these are the fruits of thy

acts; see it here.'

"Somaka said, 'Without this Brahmana here, I desire not go to the blessed

regions. My desire is to dwell in company with this very man, either in

the abode of the gods, or in hell, for, O Dharmaraja! my deed is

identical with what hath been done by him and the fruit of our virtuous

or evil deed must be the same for both of us.'

"Dharmaraja said, 'O king! If this is thy wish, then taste with him the

fruit of that act, for the same period that he must do. After that thou

shall go to the blessed regions.'

"Lomasa said, The lotus-eyed king did all that exactly in the way

prescribed to him. And when his sins were worked off, he was set free

together with the priest. O king! Fond of the priest as he was, he won

all those blessings to which he had entitled himself by his meritorious

acts and shared everything with the family priest. This is his hermitage

which looketh lovely before our eyes. Any one would attain the blessed

regions, if he should spend six nights here controlling his passions. O

king of kings! O leader of the tribe of Kurus! Here, free from excitement

and self-controlled, we must spend six nights. Be thou ready therefor.'"

SECTION CXXIX

"Lomasa said, 'Here, O king! The lord of born beings himself performed a

sacrifice in former times,--the ceremony called Ishtikrita, which

occupied one thousand years. And Amvarisha, son of Nabhaga, sacrificed

near the Yamuna river. And having sacrificed there, he gave away ten

Padmas (of gold coins) to the attendant priests, and he obtained the

highest success by his sacrifices and austerities. And, O Kunti's son!

This is the spot where that sovereign of the entire earth, Nahusha's son,

Yayati, of unmeasured force, and who led a holy life, performed his

sacrificial rites. He competed with Indra and performed his sacrifice

here. Behold how the ground is studded with places for the sacrificial

fires of various forms, and how the earth seems to be subsiding here

under the pressure of Yayati's pious works. This is the Sami tree, which

hath got but a single leaf, and this is a most excellent lake. Behold

these lakes of Parasurama, and the hermitage of Narayana. O protector of

earth! This is the path which was followed by Richika's son, of

unmeasured energy, who roamed over the earth, practising the Yoga rites

in the river Raupya. And, O delight of the tribe of Kurus! Hear what a

Pisacha woman (she-goblin), who was decked with pestles for her

ornaments, said (to a Brahmana woman), as I was reciting here the table

of genealogy. (She said), "Having eaten curd in Yugandhara, and lived in

Achutasthala, and also bathed in Bhutilaya, thou shouldst live with thy

sons. Having passed a single night here, if thou wilt spend the second,

the events of the night will be different from those that have happened

to thee in the day-time, O most righteous of Bharata's race! Today we

shall spend the night at this very spot. O scion of Bharata's race! this

is the threshold of the field of the Kurus. O king! At this very spot,

the monarch Yayati, son of Nahusha, performed sacrificial rites, and made

gifts of an abundance of gems. And Indra was pleased with those sacred

rites. This is an excellent holy bathing-place on the river Yamuna, known

as Plakshavatarana (descent of the banian tree). Men of cultured minds

call it the entrance to the region of heaven. O respected sir! here,

after having performed sacrificial rites of the Saraswata king, and

making use of the sacrificial stake for their pestle, the highest order

of saints performed the holy plunge prescribed at the end of a sacred

ceremony. O monarch! King Bharata here performed sacrificial rites. To

celebrate the horse-sacrifice, he here set free the horse who was the

intended victim. That monarch had won the sovereignty of the earth by

righteousness. The horse? he let go more than once were of a colour

checkered with black. O tiger among men! it was here that Marutta

sheltered by Samvartta, leader of saints, succeeded in performing

excellent sacrifices. O sovereign of kings! Having taken his bath at this

spot, one can behold all the worlds, and is purified from his evil deeds.

Do thou, therefore, bathe at this spot.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Then that most praiseworthy of Pandu's sons, there

bathed with his brothers, while the mighty saints were uttering laudatory

words to him. And he addressed the following words to Lomasa, 'O thou

whose strength lieth in truthfulness! By virtue of this pious act, I

behold all the worlds. And from this place, I behold that most

praiseworthy of Pandu's sons Arjuna, the rider of white steed."

'Lomasa said, 'It is even so, O thou of powerful arms! The saints of the

highest order thus behold all the regions. Behold this holy Saraswati

here, thronged by persons who look upon her as their sole refuge. O most

praise worthy of men! having bathed here, thou wilt be free from all thy

sins. O Kunti's son! here the celestial saints performed sacrificial

rites of Saraswata king: and so did the saints and the royal saints. This

is the altar of the lord of beings, five yojanas in extent on all sides

round. And this is the field of the magnanimous Kurus, whose habit it was

to perform sacrifices.'"

SECTION CXXX

"Lomasa said, 'O son of Bharata's race! If mortals breathe their last at

this spot, they go to heaven. O king! Thousands upon thousands of men

come to this place to die. A blessing was pronounced on this spot by

Daksha, when he was engaged in sacrifice here, (in these words), 'Those

men that shall die at this spot shall win a place in heaven.' Here is the

beautiful and sacred river, Saraswati, full of water: and here, O lord of

men, is the spot known as Vinasana, or the place where the Saraswati

disappeared. Here is the gate of the kingdom of the Nishadas and it is

from hatred for them that the Saraswati entered into the earth in order

that the Nishadas might not see her. Here too is the sacred region of

Chamashodbheda where the Saraswati once more became visible to them. And

here she is joined by other sacred rivers running seawards. O conqueror

of foes, here is that sacred spot known by the name of Sindhu--where

Lopamudra accepted the great sage Agastya as her lord and, O thou whose

effulgence is like unto that of the sun, here is the sacred tirtha called

Prabhasa, the favoured spot of Indra and which removeth all sins. Yonder

is visible the region of Vishnupada. And here is the delightful and

sacred river, Vipasa. From grief for the death of his sons the great sage

Vasistha had thrown himself into this stream, after binding his limbs.

And when he rose from the water, lo! he was unfettered. Look, O king with

thy brothers at the sacred region of Kasmeera, frequented by holy sages.

Here, O scion of Bharata's race, is the spot, where a conference took

place between Agni and the sage Kasyapa, and also between Nahusha's son

and the sages of the north. And, O great prince, Yonder is the gate of

the Manasasarovara. In the midst of this mountain, a gap hath been opened

by Rama. And here. O prince of prowess incapable of being baffled, is the

well-known region of Vatikhanda, which, although adjacent to the gate of

Videha, lieth on the north of it. And O bull among men, there is another

very remarkable thing connected with this place,--namely, that on the

waning of every yuga, the god Siva, having the power to assume any shape

at will, may be seen with Uma and his followers. In Yonder lake also

people desirous of securing welfare to the family, propitiate with

sacrifices the holder of the great bow Pinaka, in the month of Chaitra.

And persons of devotion having passions under control, performing their

ablutions in this lake, become free from sins and, without doubt, attain

to the holy regions. Here is the sacred tirtha called Ujjanaka, where the

holy sage Vasistha with his wife Arundhati and also the sage Yavakri

obtained tranquillity. Yonder is the lake Kausava, where grown the

lotuses called Kausesaya, and here also is the sacred hermitage of

Rukmini, where she attained peace, after conquering that evil passion,

anger. I think, O prince, that thou hast heard something about that man

of meditations, Bhrigutunga. There, O king, before thee is that lofty

peak. And, O foremost of kings, yonder is Vitasta, the sacred stream that

absolveth men from all sins. The water of this stream is extremely cool

and limpid, and it is largely used by the great sages. O prince, behold

the holy rivers Jala and Upajala, on either side of the Yamuna. By

performing a sacrifice here, king Usinara surpassed in greatness Indra

himself. And, O descendant of Bharata, desirous of testing Usinara's

merit and also of bestowing boons on him, Indra and Agni presented

themselves at his sacrificial ground. And Indra assuming the shape of a

hawk, and Agni that of a pigeon, came up to that king. And the pigeon in

fear of the hawk, fell upon the king's thigh, seeking his protection.'"

SECTION CXXXI

"The hawk said, 'All the kings of the earth represent thee as a pious

ruler. Wherefore, O prince, has thou then stopped to perpetrate a deed

not sanctioned by the ordinance? I have been sore afflicted with hunger.

Do thou not withhold from me that which hath been appointed by the Deity

for my food,--under the impression that thereby thou servest the

interests of virtue, whereas in reality, thou wilt forsake it, (by

committing thyself to this act). Thereupon, the king said, 'O best of the

feathered race, afflicted with fear of thee, and desirous of escaping

from thy hands, this bird, all in a hurry, hath come up to me asking for

life. When this pigeon hath in such a manner sought my protection, why

dost thou not see that the highest merit is even in my not surrendering

it unto thee? And it is trembling with fear, and is agitated, and is

seeking its life from me. It is therefore certainly blameworthy to

forsake it. He that slayeth a Brahmana, he that slaughtered a cow--the

common mother of all the worlds--and he that forsaketh one seeking for

protection are equally sinful.' Thereat the hawk replied, 'O lord of

earth, it is from food that all beings derive their life, and it is food

also that nourisheth and sustaineth them. A man can live long even after

forsaking what is dearest to him, but he cannot do so, after abstaining

from food. Being deprived of food, my life, O ruler of men, will surely

leave this body, and will attain to regions unknown to such troubles. But

at my death, O pious king, my wife and children will surely perish, and

by protecting this single pigeon. O prince, thou dost not protect many

lives. The virtue that standeth in the way of another virtue, is

certainly no virtue at all, but in reality is unrighteousness. But O

king, whose prowess consisteth in truth, that virtue is worthy of the

name, which is not conflicting. After instituting a comparison between

opposing virtues, and weighing their comparative merits, one, O great

prince, ought to espouse that which is not opposing. Do thou, therefore,

O king, striking a balance between virtues, adopt that which

preponderates.' At this the king said, 'O best of birds, as thou speakest

words fraught with much good, I suspect thee to be Suparna, the monarch

of birds. I have not the least hesitation to declare that thou art fully

conversant with the ways of virtue. As thou speakest wonders about

virtue, I think that there is nothing connected with it, that is unknown

to thee. How canst thou then consider the forsaking of one, seeking for

help, as virtuous? Thy efforts in this matter, O ranger of the skies,

have been in quest of food. Thou canst, however, appease thy hunger with

some other sort of food, even more copious. I am perfectly willing to

procure for thee any sort of food that to thee may seem most tasteful,

even if it be an ox, or a boar, or a deer, or a buffalo.' Thereupon the

hawk said, 'O great king, I am not desirous of eating (the flesh of) a

boar or an ox or the various species of beasts. What have I to do with

any other sort of food? Therefore, O bull among the Kshatriyas, leave to

me this pigeon, whom Heaven hath today ordained for my food, O ruler of

earth, that hawks eat pigeons is the eternal provision. O prince, do not

for support embrace a plantain tree, not knowing its want of strength.'

The king said, 'Ranger of the skies, I am willing to bestow on thee this

rich province of my race, or any other thing that to thee may seem

desirable. With the sole exception of this pigeon, which hath approached

me craving my protection, I shall be glad to give unto thee anything that

thou mayst like. Let me know what I shall have to do for the deliverance

of this bird. But this I shall not return to thee on any condition

whatever.'"

"The hawk said, 'O great ruler of men, if thou hast conceived an

affection for this pigeon, then cut off a portion of thine own flesh, and

weigh it in a balance, against this pigeon. And when thou hast found it

equal (in weight) to the pigeon, then do thou give it unto me, and that

will be to my satisfaction.' Then the king replied, This request of

thine, O hawk, I consider as a favour unto me, and, therefore, I will

give unto thee even my own flesh, after weighing it in a balance.'

"Lomasa said, 'Saying this, O mighty son of Kunti, the highly virtuous

king cut off a portion of his own flesh, and placed it in a balance,

against the pigeon. But when he found that pigeon exceeded his flesh in

weight, he once more cut off another portion of his flesh, and added it

to the former. When portion after portion had been repeatedly added to

weigh against the pigeon, and no more flesh was left on his body, he

mounted the scale himself, utterly devoid of flesh.

"The hawk then said, 'I am Indra, O virtuous king, and this pigeon is

Agni, the carrier of the sacrificial clarified butter. We had come unto

thy sacrificial ground, desirous of testing thy merit. Since thou hast

cut off thy own flesh from thy body, thy glory shall be resplendent, and

shall surpass that of all others in the world. As long as men, O king,

shall speak of thee, so long shall thy glory endure, and thou shalt

inhabit the holy regions.' Saying this to the king, Indra ascended to

heaven. And the virtuous king Usinara, after having filled heaven and

earth with the merit of his pious deeds, ascended to heaven in a radiant

shape. Behold, O king, the residence of that noble-hearted monarch. Here,

O king, are seen holy sages and gods, together with virtuous and

highsouled Brahmanas."

SECTION CXXXII

"Lomasa said, 'See here, O lord of men, the sacred hermitage of

Swetaketu, son of Uddalaka, whose fame as an expert in the sacred mantras

is so widely spread on earth. This hermitage is graced with cocoanut

trees. Here Swetaketu beheld the goddess Saraswati in her human shape,

and spake unto her, saying, 'May I be endowed with the gift of speech!"

In that yuga, Swetaketu, the son of Uddalaka, and Ashtavakra, the son of

Kahoda, who stood to each other in the relation of uncle and nephew, were

the best of those conversant with the sacred lore. Those two Brahmanas,

of matchless energy, who bore unto each other the relationship of uncle

and nephew, went into the sacrificial ground of king Janaka and there

defeated Vandin in a controversy. Worship, O son of Kunti, with thy

brothers, the sacred hermitage of him who had for his grandson

Ashtavakra, who, even when a mere child, had caused Vandin to be drowned

in a river, after having defeated him in a (literary) contest.'

"Yudhishthira said, Tell me, O Lomasa, all about the power of this man,

who had in that way defeated Vandin. Why was he born as Ashtavakra

(crooked in eight parts in his body)?"

"Lomasa said, The sage Uddalaka had a disciple named Kahoda of subdued

passions, and entirely devoted to the service of his preceptor and who

had continued his studies long. The Brahmana had served his tutor long,

and his preceptor, recognising his service, gave him his own daughter,

Sujata, in marriage, as well as a mastery over the Shastras. And she

became with child, radiant as fire. And the embryo addressed his father

while employed in reading, 'O father, thou hast been reading the whole

night, but (of all that) thy reading doth not seem to me correct. Even in

my fetal state I have, by thy favour, become versed in the Shastras and

the Vedas with their several branches. I say, O father, that what

proceeds from thy mouth, is not correct.' Thus insulted in the presence

of his disciples, the great sage in anger cursed his child in the womb,

saying, 'Because thou speakest thus even while in the womb, therefore

thou shalt be crooked in eight parts of the body.' The child was

accordingly born crooked, and the great sage was ever after known by the

name of Ashtavakra. Now, he had an uncle named Swetaketu who was the same

age with himself. Afflicted by the growth of the child in the womb,

Sujata, desirous of riches, conciliating her husband who had no wealth

told him in private: 'How shall I manage, O great sage, the tenth month

of my pregnancy having come? Thou hast no substance whereby I may

extricate myself from the exigencies, after I have been delivered." Thus

addressed by his wife, Kahoda went unto king Janaka for riches. He was

there defeated in a controversy by Vandin, well versed in the science of

arguments, and (in consequence) was immersed into water. And hearing that

his son-in-law had been defeated in a controversy by Vandin and caused to

be drowned by him, Uddalaka spake unto his daughter Sujata, saying, 'Thou

shall keep it a secret from Ashtavakra.' She accordingly kept her

counsel--so that Ashtavakra, when born, had heard nothing about the

matter. And he regarded Uddalaka as his father and Swetaketu as his

brother. And when Ashtavakra was in his twelfth year, Swetaketu one day

saw the former seated on his father's lap. And thereat he pulled him by

the hand, and on Ashtavakra's beginning to cry, he told him, 'It is not

the lap of thy father.' This cruel communication went direct into

Ashtavakra's heart and it pained him sorely. And he went home and asked

his mother saying, 'Where is my father?' Thereupon Sujata who was greatly

afflicted (by his question), and apprehending a curse told him all that

had happened. And having heard all, the Brahmana at night said unto his

uncle Swetaketu, 'Let us go unto the sacrifice of king Janaka, wherein

many wonderful things are to be seen. There we shall listen to the

controversy between the Brahmanas and shall partake of excellent food.

Our knowledge also will increase. The recitation of the sacred Vedas is

sweet to hear and is fraught with blessings.' Then they both--uncle and

nephew--went unto the splendid sacrifice of king Janaka. And on being

driven from the entrance, Ashtavakra met the king and addressed him in

the following words."

SECTION CXXXIII

"Ashtavakra said, 'When no Brahmana is met with on the way, the way

belongeth to the blind, the deaf, the women, carriers of burden, and the

king respectively. But when a Brahmana is met with on the way, it

belongeth to him alone.' Thereupon the king said, 'I give the privilege

to enter. Do thou, therefore, go in by whatever way thou likest. No fire

ever so small is to be slighted. Even Indra himself boweth unto the

Brahmanas.' At this Ashtavakra said, 'We have come, O ruler of men, to

witness thy sacrificial ceremony and our curiosity, O king, is very

great. And we have come here as guests. We want the permission of thy

order (to enter). And, O son of Indradyumna, we have come, desirous of

seeing the sacrifice, and to meet king Janaka and speak to him. But thy

warder obstructs us and for this our anger burneth us like fever.' The

warder said, 'We carry out the orders of Vandin. Listen to what I have to

say. Lads are not permitted to enter here and it is only the learned old

Brahmanas that are allowed to enter.' Ashtavakra said. 'If this be the

condition, O warder, that the door is open to those only that are old,

then we have a right to enter. We are old and we have observed sacred

vows and are in possession of energy proceeding from the Vedic lore. And

we have served our superiors and subdued our passions--and have also won

proficiency in knowledge. It is said that even boys are not to be

slighted,--for a fire, small though it be, burneth on being touched.' The

warder replied, 'O young Brahmana, I consider you a boy, and therefore

recite, if you know, the verse demonstrating the existence of the Supreme

Being, and adored by the divine sages, and which, although composed of

one letter, is yet multifarious. Make no vain boast. Learned men are

really very rare.' Ashtavakra said, 'True growth cannot be inferred from

the mere development of the body, as the growth of the knots of the

Salmali tree cannot signify its age. That tree is called full-grown which

although slender and short, beareth fruits. But that which doth not bear

fruits, is not considered as grown.' The warder said, 'Boys receive

instruction from the old and they also in time grow old. Knowledge

certainly is not attainable in a short time. "Wherefore then being a

child, dost thou talk like an old man?' Then Ashtavakra said, 'One is not

old because his head is gray. But the gods regard him as old who,

although a child in years, is yet possessed of knowledge. The sages have

not laid down that a man's merit consists in years, or gray hair, or

wealth, or friends. To us he is great who is versed in the Vedas. I have

come here, O porter, desirous of seeing Vandin in the court. Go and

inform king Janaka, who hath a garland of lotuses on his neck, that I am

here. Thou shalt to-day see me enter into a dispute with the learned men,

and defeat Vandin in a controversy. And when others have been silenced,

the Brahmanas of matured learning and the king also with his principal

priests, bear witness to the superior or the inferior quality of my

attainments.' The warder said, 'How canst thou, who art but in thy tenth

year, hope to enter into this sacrifice, into which learned and educated

men only are admitted? I shall, however, try some means for thy

admittance. Do thou also try thyself'. Ashtavakra then addressing the

king said, 'O king, O foremost of Janaka's race, thou art the paramount

sovereign and all power reposeth in thee. In times of old, king Yayati

was the celebrator of sacrifices. And in the present age, thou it is that

art performer thereof. We have heard that the learned Vandin, after

defeating (in controversy) men expert in discussion, causeth them to be

drowned by faithful servants employed by thee. Hearing this, I have come

before these Brahmanas, to expound the doctrine of the unity of the

Supreme Being. Where is now Vandin? Tell me so that I may approach him,

and destroy him, even as the sun destroyeth the stars. Thereupon the king

said, 'Thou hopest, O Brahmana, to defeat Vandin, not knowing his power

of speech. Can those who are familiar with his power, speak as thou dost?

He hath been sounded by Brahmanas versed in the Vedas. Thou hopest to

defeat Vandin, only because thou knowest not his powers (of speech). Many

a Brahmana hath waned before him, even as the stars before the sun.

Desirous of defeating him, people proud of their learning, have lost

their glory on appearing before him, and have retired from his presence,

without even venturing to speak with the members of the assembly.'

Ashtavakra said, 'Vandin hath never entered into disputation with a man

like myself, and it is for this only that he looketh upon himself as a

lion, and goeth about roaring like one. But to-day meeting me he will lie

down dead, even like a cart on the highway, of which the wheels have been

deranged.' The king said, 'He alone is a truly learned man who

understandeth the significance of the thing that hath thirty divisions,

twelve parts twentyfour joints, and three hundred and sixty spokes.'

Ashtavakra said, 'May that ever-moving wheel that hath twentyfour joints,

six naves, twelve peripheries, and sixty spokes protect thee![19]' The

king said, 'Who amongst the gods beareth those two which go together like

two mares (yoked to a car), and sweep like a hawk, and to what also do

they give birth?' Ashtavakra said, 'May God, O king, forfend the presence

of these two[20] in thy house; aye, even in the house of thine enemies.

He who appeareth, having for his charioteer the wind,[21] begetteth them,

and they also produce him.' Thereupon the king said, 'What is that doth

not close its eyes even while sleeping; what is it that doth not move,

even when born; what is it that hath no heart; and what doth increase

even in its own speed?' Ashtavakra said, 'It is a fish[22] that doth not

close its eye-lids, while sleeping; and it is an a egg[23] that doth not

move when produced; it is stone[24] that hath no heart; and it is a

river[25] that increase in its own speed.'

"The king said, 'It seemeth, O possessor of divine energy, that thou art

no human being. I consider thee not a boy, but a matured man; there is no

other man who can compare with thee in the art of speech. I therefore

give thee admittance. There is Vandin.'"

SECTION CXXXIV

"Ashtavakra said, 'O king, O leader of fierce legions, in this assembly

of monarchs of unrivalled power who have met together, I am unable to

find out Vandin, chief of the controversialists. But I am searching for

him, even as one doth for a swan on a vast expanse of water. O Vandin,

thou regardest thyself as the foremost of controversialists. When though

wilt engage with me in staking, thou wilt not be able to flow like the

current of a river. I am like a full-flaming fire. Be silent before me, O

Vandin! Do not awaken a sleeping tiger. Know that thou shalt not escape

unstung, after trampling on the head of a venomous snake, licking the

corners of its mouth with its tongue, and who hath been hurt by thy foot.

That weak man who, in pride of strength, attempts to strike a blow at a

mountain, only gets his hands and nails hurt, but no wound is left on the

mountain itself. As the other mountains are inferior to the Mainaka, and

as calves are inferior to the ox, so are all other kings of the earth

inferior to the lord of Mithila. And as Indra is the foremost of

celestials, and as the Ganga is the best of rivers, so thou alone art, O

king, the greatest of monarchs. O king, cause Vandin to be brought to my

presence.'

"Lomasa said, 'Saying this, O Yudhishthira, wroth with Vandin, Ashtavakra

thus thundered in the assembly, and addressed him in these words, 'Do

thou answer my questions, and I shall answer thine.' Thereat Vandin said,

'One only fire blazeth forth in various shapes; one only sun illumineth

this whole world; one only hero, Indra, the lord of celestials,

destroyeth enemies; and one only Yama is the sole lord of the Pitris.[26]

Ashtavakra said, 'The two friends, Indra and Agni, ever move together;

the two celestial sages are Narada and Parvata; twins are the

Aswinikumaras; two is the number of the wheels of a car; and it is as a

couple that husband and wife live together, as ordained by the

deity.'[27] Vandin said, 'Three kinds of born beings are produced by

acts; the three Vedas together perform the sacrifice, Vajapeya; at three

different times, the Adhwaryus commence sacrificial rites; three is the

number of words: and three also are the divine lights.'[28] Ashtavakra

said, 'Four are the Asramas of the Brahmanas; the four orders perform

sacrifices; four are the cardinal points; four is the number of letters;

and four also, as is ever known, are the legs of a cow.'[29] Vandin said,

'Five is the number of fires; five are the feet of the metre called

Punki; five are the sacrifices; five locks, it is said in the Vedas, are

on the heads of the Apsaras; and five sacred rivers are known in the

world.'[30] Ashtavakra said. 'Six cows, it is asserted by some, and paid

as a gratuity on the occasion of establishing the sacred fire; six are

the seasons belonging to the wheel of time; six is the number of the

senses; six stars constitute the constellation Kirtika; and six, it is

found in all the Vedas, is the number of the Sadyaska sacrifice.'[31]

Vandin said, 'Seven is the number of the domesticated animals; seven are

the wild animals; seven metres are used in completing a sacrifice; seven

are the Rishis, seven forms of paying homage are extant (in the world);

and seven, it is known, are the strings of the Vina.'[32] Ashtavakra

said, 'Eight are the bags containing a hundred fold; eight is the number

of the legs of the Sarabha, which preyeth upon lions; eight Vasus, as we

hear, are amongst the celestials; and eight are the angles of yupa

(stake), in all sacrificial rites.'[33] Vandin said, 'Nine is the number

of the mantras used in kindling the fire in sacrifices to the Pitris;

nine are the appointed functions in the processes of creation; nine

letters compose the foot of the metre, Vrihati; and nine also is ever the

number of the figures (in calculation).'[34] Ashtavakra said, 'Ten is

said to be the number of cardinal points, entering into the cognition of

men in this world; ten times hundred make up a thousand; ten is the

number of months, during which women bear; and ten are the teachers of

true knowledge, and ten, the haters thereof, and ten again are those

capable of learning it.'[35] Vandin said, 'Eleven are the objects

enjoyable by beings; eleven is the number of the yupas; eleven are the

changes of the natural state pertaining to those having life; and eleven

are the Rudras among the gods in heaven.'[36] Ashtavakra said, Twelve

months compose the year; twelve letters go to the composition of a foot

of the metre called Jagati; twelve are the minor sacrifices; and twelve,

according to the learned, is the number of the Adityas.'[37] Vandin said,

'The thirteenth lunar day is considered the most auspicious; thirteen

islands exist on earth.[38]

Lomasa said, 'Having proceeded thus far, Vandin stopped. Thereupon

Ashtavakra supplied the latter half of the sloka. Ashtavakra said,

'Thirteen sacrifices are presided over by Kesi; and thirteen are devoured

by Atichhandas, (the longer metres) of the Veda.[39] And seeing

Ashtavakra speaking and the Suta's son silent, and pensive, and with head

downcast, the assembly broke into a long uproar. And when the tumult thus

arose in the splendid sacrifice performed by king Janaka, the Brahmanas

well pleased, and with joined hands, approached Ashtavakra, and began to

pay him homage.'

"Thereupon Ashtavakra said, 'Before this, this man, defeating the

Brahmanas in controversy, used to cast them into water. Let Vandin today

meet with the same fate. Seize him and drown him in water.' Vandin said.

'O Janaka, I am the son of king Varuna. Simultaneously with thy

sacrifice, there also hath commenced a sacrifice extending over twelve

years. It is for this that I have despatched the principal Brahmanas

thither. They have gone to witness Varuna's sacrifice. Lo! there they are

returning. I pay homage to the worshipful Ashtavakra, by whose grace

to-day I shall join him who hath begot me.'

"Ashtavakra said, 'Defeating the Brahmanas either by words or subtlety.

Vandin had cast them into the waters of the sea. (That Vedic truth which

he had suppressed by false arguments), have I to-day rescued by dint of

my intellect. Now let candid men judge. As Agni, who knoweth the

character of both the good and the bad, leaveth unscorched by his heat

the bodies of those whose designs are honest, and is thus partial to

them, so good men judge the assertions of boys, although lacking the

power of speech, and are favourably disposed towards them. O Janaka, thou

hearest my words as if thou hast been stupefied in consequence of having

eaten the fruit of the Sleshmataki tree. Or flattery hath robbed thee of

thy sense, and for this it is that although pierced by my words as an

elephant (by the hook), thou hearest them not.'

"Janaka said, 'Listening to thy words, I take them to be excellent and

superhuman. Thy form also standeth manifest as superhuman. As thou hast

to-day defeated Vandin in discussion, I place even him at thy disposal.'

Ashtavakra said, 'O king, Vandin remaining alive, will not serve any

purpose of mine. If his father be really Varuna, let him be drowned in

the sea.'

Vandin said, 'I am King Varuna's son. I have no fear (therefore) in being

drowned. Even at this moment. Ashtavakra shall see his long-lost sire,

Kahoda.'

"Lomasa said, 'Then rose before Janaka all the Brahmanas, after having

been duly worshipped by the magnanimous Varuna. Kahoda said, 'It is for

this, O Janaka, that men pray for sons, by performing meritorious acts.

That in which I had failed hath been achieved by my son. Weak persons may

have sons endued with strength; dunces may have intelligent sons; and the

illiterate may have sons possessed of learning.' Vandin said, 'It is with

thy sharpened axe, O monarch, that even Yama severeth the heads of foes.

May prosperity attend thee! In this sacrifice of king Janaka, the

principal hymns relating to the Uktha rites are being chanted, and the

Soma juice also is being adequately quaffed. And the gods themselves, in

person, and with cheerful hearts, are accepting their sacred shares.'

"Lomasa said, 'When in enhanced splendour, the Brahmanas had risen up,

Vandin, taking king Janaka's permission, entered into the waters of the

sea. And then Ashtavakra worshipped his father, and he himself also was

worshipped by the Brahmanas. And having thus defeated the Suta's son.[40]

Ashtavakra returned to his own excellent hermitage, in company with his

uncle. Then in the presence of his mother, his father addressed him,

saying, '(O son), thou speedily enter into this river, Samanga.' And

accordingly, he entered (into the water). (And as he plunged beneath the

water), all his (crooked) limbs were immediately made straight. And from

that day that river came to be called Samanga and she became invested

with the virtues of purifying (sins). He that shall bathe in her, will be

freed from his sins. Therefore, O Yudhishthira, do thou with thy brothers

and wife descend to the river, and perform thy ablutions. O Kunti's son,

O scion of the Ajamidha race, living happily and cheerfully at this place

together with thy brothers and the Brahmanas, thou wilt perform with me

other acts of merit, being intent upon good deeds.'"

SECTION CXXXV

"Lomasa said, 'Here, O king, is visible the river Samanga, whose former

name was Madhuvila, and yonder is the spot named Kardamila, the bathing

place of Bharata. The lord of Sachi, when fallen into misery in

consequence of having slain Vritra, became freed from his sin, by

performing his ablutions in this Samanga. Here, O bull among men, is the

spot where the Mainaka mountain hath sunk into the interior of the earth;

and it is hence called Vinasana. For obtaining sons, here Aditi in days

of yore had cooked that celebrated food, (presided over by the Supreme

Being). O ye bulls among men, ascended this lofty mountain and put an end

to your inglorious misery unworthy to be uttered. Here, O king, before

thee is the Kanakhala range, the favourite resort of sages. 'And yonder

is the mighty river Ganga. Here, in ancient times, the holy sage

Sanatkumara attained ascetic success. O scion of the Ajamidha race, by

performing thy ablutions here in this river, thou wilt be freed from all

thy sins. O son of Kunti, do thou together with thy ministers, touch (the

waters) of this lake called Punya, and this mountain Bhrigutunga and also

(the water of) these two rivers, called Tushniganga. Here, O Kunti's son,

appeareth the hermitage of the sage Sthulasiras. Resign here thy anger

and sense of self-importance. There, O son of Pandu, is seen the

beautiful hermitage of Raivya, where perished Bharadwaja's son, Yavakari,

profound in Vedic lore.'"

"Yudhishthira said, 'How did the mighty sage, Yavakri, son of the ascetic

Bharadwaja, acquire profundity in the Vedas? And how also did he perish?

I am anxious to hear all this, just as it happened. I take delight in

listening to the narration of the deeds of god-like men.'"

"Lomasa said, 'Bharadwaja and Raivya were two friends. And they dwelt

here, ever taking the greatest pleasure in each other's company. Now,

Raivya had two sons, named Arvavasu and Paravasu. And, Bharadwaja, O

Bharata's son, had an only son, named Yavakri. Raivya and his two sons

were versed in the Vedas, while Bharadwaja practised asceticism. But, O

son of Bharata, from their boyhood, the friendship subsisting between

those two was unequalled. O sinless one, the highspirited Yavakri finding

that his father, who practised asceticism, was slighted by the Brahmanas,

while Raivya with his sons was greatly respected by them, was overwhelmed

with sorrow, and became sore aggrieved. Thereupon, O son of Pandu, he

entered upon severe austerities, for (obtaining) a knowledge of the

Vedas. And he exposed his body to a flaming fire. By thus practising the

most rigid austerities, he caused anxiety in the mind of Indra. Then

Indra, O Yudhishthira, went to him and addressed him saying, 'Wherefore,

O sage, hast thou become engaged in practising such rigid austerities?'

Yavakri said, 'O thou adored of celestial hosts, I am practising severe

penances, because I wish that such a knowledge of the Vedas as hath never

been acquired by any Brahmana whatever, may be manifest unto me. O

conqueror of Paka, these endeavours of mine have been for Vedic lore. O

Kausika, by the force of my asceticism. I purpose to obtain all sorts of

knowledge. O lord, a knowledge of the Vedas as learnt through teachers,

is acquired in a long time. Therefore, (with the view of attaining in

short time a proficiency in the Vedas), I have put forth these high

endeavours.' Indra said, 'O Brahmana sage, the way that thou hast adopted

is not the proper way. What for, O Brahamana, wilt thou destroy thyself?

Go and learn from the lips of a preceptor.'

"Lomasa said, 'O son of Bharata, having said this, Sakra went away, and

Yavakri of immeasurable energy, once more directed his attention to

asceticism. O king, we have heard that carrying on severe austerities he

again greatly agitated Indra. And the god Indra, slayer of Vala, again

came unto that great sage, who was engaged in austere penances; and

forbade him, saying, Thou art striving with the object that Vedic lore

may be manifest unto thee as well as unto thy father; but thy exertions

can never be successful, nor is this act of thine well-advised.' Yavakri

said, 'O lord of the celestials, if thou wilt not do for me what I want,

I shall, observing stricter vows, practise still severer penances. O lord

of celestials! know that if thou do not fulfil all my desires, I shall

then cut off my limbs and offer them as a sacrifice into a blazing fire.'

"Lomasa said, 'Knowing the determination of that high-souled sage, the

sagacious Indra reflected and hit upon some expedient to dissuade him.

Then Indra assumed the guise of an ascetic Brahmana, hundreds of years

old, and infirm, and suffering from consumption. And he fell to throwing

up a dam with sands, at that spot of the Bhagirathi to which Yavakri used

to descend for performing ablutions. Because Yavakri, chief of the

Brahmanas, paid no heed to Indra's words, the latter began to fill the

Ganga with sands. And without cessation, he threw handfuls of sand into

the Bhagirathi, and began to construct the dam attracting the notice of

the sage. And when that bull among the sages, Yavakri, saw Indra thus

earnestly engaged in constructing the dam, he broke into laughter, and

said the following words, 'What art thou engaged in, O Brahmana, and what

is thy object? Why dost thou, for nothing, make this mighty endeavour?'

Indra said, 'I am trying, O my son, to dam the Ganga so that there may be

a commodious passage. People experience considerable difficulty in

crossing and recrossing (the river) by boat.' Yavakri said, 'O thou of

ascetic wealth, thou canst not dam up this mighty current. O Brahmana,

desist from, what is impracticable, and take up something that is

practicable.' Indra said, 'O sage, I have imposed on myself this heavy

task, even as, for obtaining a knowledge of the Vedas, thou hast begun

these penances, which can never be fruitful.' Yavakri said, 'If, O chief

of the celestials, those efforts of mine be fruitless, even as those of

thy own, then, O lord of heavenly hosts, be thou pleased to do for me

what is practicable. Vouchsafe unto me boons whereby I may excel other

men.'

"Lomasa said 'Then Indra granted boons, as was prayed for by the mighty

ascetic, Indra said, 'As thou desirest, the Vedas will be manifest unto

thee, yea--even unto thy father. And all thy other desires will also be

fulfilled. Return home, O Yavakri.'

"Having thus obtained the object of his desire, Yavakri came unto his

father and said, The Vedas, O father, will be manifest unto thee as well

as unto myself and I have obtained boons whereby we shall excel all men.'

Thereat Bharadwaja said, 'O my son, as thou hast obtained the objects of

thy desire, thou wilt be proud. And when thou art puffed up with pride

and hast also become uncharitable, destruction will soon overtake thee. O

my son, there is a current anecdote narrated by the gods. In ancient

times, O son, there lived a sage named Valadhi, possessed of great

energy. And in grief for the death of a child, he practised the severest

penances to have a child that should be immortal. And he obtained a son

even as he desired. But the gods, though very favourably disposed

(towards him), did not yet make his son immortal like unto the gods. They

said, 'On condition can a mortal being be made immortal. Thy son's life,

however, shall depend on some instrumental cause.' Thereupon, Valadhi

said, 'O chiefs of the celestials, these mountains have been existing

eternally, and indestructible, let them be the instrumental cause of my

son's life. Afterwards a son was born to the sage, named Medhavi. And he

was of a very irritable temper. And hearing of (the incident of his

birth), he grew haughty, and began to insult the sages. And he ranged

over the earth, doing mischief to the munis. And one day, meeting with

the learned sage Dhannushaksha endued with energy. Medhavi maltreated

him. Thereupon, the former cursed him, saying, 'Be thou reduced to

ashes.' Medhavi, however, was not reduced to ashes. Then Dhannushaksha

caused the mountain which was the instrumental cause of Medhavi's life,

to be shattered by buffaloes. And the boy perished, with the destruction

of the instrumental cause of his life. And embracing his dead son,

Medhavi's father began to bewail his fate. Now hear from me, O my son,

what was chanted by the sages conversant with the Vedas, when they found

the sage mourning. A mortal on no condition whatever can overcome what

hath been ordained by Fate, Lo! Dhannushaksha succeeded in shattering

even the mountain by buffaloes. Thus young ascetics, puffed up with pride

for having obtained boons, perish in a short time. Be thou not one of

them. This Raivya, O my son, is possessed of great energy, and his two

sons are like him. Therefore, be thou vigilant--so as never to approach

him. O my son, Raivya is a great ascetic of an irritable temper. When

angry, he can do thee harm. Yavakri said, 'I shall do as thou biddest me.

Of father, do thou not by any means entertain anxiety for that. Raivya

deserveth my regard even as thou, my father.' Having replied unto his

father in these sweet words, Yavakri, fearing nothing and nobody, began

to delight in wantonly offending other munis."

SECTION CXXXVI

"Lomasa said, 'One day in the month of Chaitra, while fearlessly

wandering at large, Yavakri approached the hermitage of Raivya. And O son

of Bharata, in that beautiful hermitage, adorned with trees bearing

blossoms, he happened to behold the daughter-in-law of Raivya, sauntering

about like a Kinnara woman. And having lost his senses through passion,

Yavakri shamelessly spake unto the bashful maiden, saying, 'Be thou

attached unto me.' Thereupon, knowing his nature, and afraid of a curse,

as well as thinking of Raivya's power, she went unto him saying, 'I

agree.' Then, O son of Bharata, taking him in private, she kept him

chained. O conqueror of foes, returning to his hermitage, Raivya found

his daughter-in-law, Paravasu's wife, in tears. O Yudhishthira, thereat

consoling her with soft words, he enquired of her as to the cause of her

grief. Thereupon, the beautiful damsel told him all that Yavakri had said

unto her, and what she also had cleverly said unto him. Hearing of this

gross misbehaviour of Yavakri, the mind of the sage flamed up, and he

waxed exceedingly wroth. And being thus seized with passion, the great

sage of a highly irascible temper, tore off a matted lock of his hair,

and with holy mantras, offered it as a sacrifice on the sacred fire. At

this, there sprang out of it a female exactly resembling his

daughter-in-law. And then he plucked another matted lock of his hair, and

again offered it as a sacrifice into the fire. Thereupon sprang out of it

a demon, terrible to behold, and having fierce eyes. Then those, two

spake unto Raivya, saying, 'What shall we do?' Thereat, the angry sage

said unto them, 'Go and kill Yavakri.' Then saying, 'We shall do (as thou

biddest)'--they two went away with the intention of slaying Yavakri. And

with her charms, the female whom the large-hearted sage had created,

robbed Yavakri of his sacred water-pot. Then with his uplifted spear the

demon flew at Yavakri, when he had been deprived of his water-pot and

rendered unclean. And seeing the demon approach with uplifted spear for

the purpose of slaying him, Yavakri rose up all on a sudden and fled

towards a tank. But finding it devoid of water, he hurried towards all

the rivers. But they too were all dried up. And being obstructed again

and again by the fierce demon, holding the spear, Yavakri in fright

attempted to enter into the Agnihotra room of his father. But there, O

king, he was repulsed by a blind Sudra warder, and he remained at the

door, grasped by the man. And, finding Yavakri thus grasped by the Sudra,

the demon hurled his spear at him, and thereupon he fell down dead,

pierced in the heart. After slaying Yavakri, the demon went back to

Raivya, and with the permission of that sage, began to live with the

female."

SECTION CXXXVII

"Lomasa said, 'O son of Kunti, Bharadwaja returned to his hermitage after

performing the ritual duties of the day, and having collected the

sacrificial fuel. And because his son had been slain, the sacrificial

fires which used to welcome him everyday, did not on that day come

forward to welcome him. And marking this change in the Agnihotra, the

great sage asked the blind Sudra warder seated there, saying, 'Why is it.

O Sudra, that the fires rejoice not at sight of me? Thou too dost not

rejoice as is thy wont. Is it all well with my hermitage? I hope that my

son of little sense had not gone to the sage Raivya. Answer speedily, O

Sudra, all these questions of mine. My mind misgiveth me.' The Sudra

said, 'Thy son of little sense had gone to the sage Raivya, and therefore

it is that lie lieth prostrate (on the ground), having been slain by a

powerful demon. Being attacked by the Rakshasa, holding a spear, he

attempted to force his way into this room, and I therefore barred his way

with my arms. Then desirous of having water in an unclean state, as he

stood hopeless, he was slain by the vehement Rakshasa, carrying a spear

in his hand.' On hearing from the Sudra of this great calamity,

Bharadwaja, sorely afflicted with grief, began to lament, embracing his

dead son. And he said, 'O my son, it is for the good of the Brahmanas

that thou didst practise penances, with the intention that the Vedas

unstudied by any Brahmana whatever might be manifest unto thee. Thy

behaviour towards the Brahmanas had always been for their good, and thou

hadst also been innocent in regard to all creatures. But, alas! (at last)

thou didst lapse into rudeness. I had prohibited thee, O my son, from

visiting the residence of Raivya; but alas! to that very hermitage,

(destructive to thee) as the god of death himself, Yama, didst thou

repair. Evil-minded is that man, who, (knowing that I am an old man), and

also that (Yavakri) was my only son, had given way to wrath. It is

through the agency of Raivya that I have sustained the loss of my child.

Without thee, O my son, I shall give up my life, the most precious thing

in the world. In grief for the death of my son, I renounce my life; but

this I say that Raivya's eldest son shall in a short time kill him

although he be innocent. Blessed are those to whom children have never

been born, for they lead a happy life, without having to experience the

grief (incident to the death of a child). Who in this world can be more

wicked than those who from affliction, and deprived of their sense by

sorrow consequent upon the death of a child, curse even their dearest

friend! I found my son dead, and, therefore, have cursed my dearest

friend. Ah! what second man can there be in this world, destined to

suffer so grievous a misfortune!' Having lamented long Bharadwaja

cremated his son and then himself entered into a full-blazing fire.'"

SECTION CXXXVIII

"Lomasa said, 'At that very time, the mighty king, Vrihadyumna, of high

fortune, who was the Yajamana of Raivya, commenced a sacrifice. And the

two sons of Raivya, Arvavasu and Paravasu, were engaged by that

intelligent monarch, to assist him in the performance of the ceremony.

And, O son of Kunti, taking the permission of their father, they two went

to the sacrifice, while Raivya with Paravasu's wife remained in the

hermitage. And it came to pass that one day, desirous of seeing his wife.

Paravasu returned home alone. And he met his father in the wood, wrapped

in the skin of a black antelope. And the night was far advanced and dark;

and Paravasu, blinded by drowsiness in that deep wood, mistook his father

for a straggling deer. And mistaking him for a deer, Paravasu, for the

sake of personal safety, unintentionally killed his father. Then, O son

of Bharata, after performing the funeral rites (of his father), he

returned to the sacrifice and there addressed his brother saying, 'Thou

wilt never be able to perform this task unassisted. I again, have killed

our father, mistaking him for a deer. O brother, for me do thou observe a

vow, prescribed in the case of killing a Brahmana. O Muni, I shall be

able to perform this work (sacrifice), without any assistant.' Arvavasu

said, 'Do thou then thyself officiate at this sacrifice of the gifted

Vrihadyumna; and for thee will I, bringing my senses under perfect

control, observe the vow prescribed in the case of slaying a Brahmana.'

"Lomasa said, 'Having observed the vow relative to the killing of a

Brahmana, the sage Arvavasu came back to the sacrifice. Seeing his

brother arrive, Paravasu, in accents choked with malice, addressed

Vrihadyumna, saying, 'O king, see that this slayer of a Brahmana enter

not into thy sacrifice, nor look at it. Even by a glance, the killer of a

Brahmana can, without doubt, do thee harm.' O lord of men, immediately on

hearing this, the king ordered his attendants (to turn out Arvavasu). O

king, on being driven out by the king's attendants, and repeatedly

addressed by them--'O slayer of  a Brahmana--Arvavasu more than once

cried, 'It is not I that have killed a Brahmana. Not did he own that he

had observed the vow for his own sake. He said that his brother had

committed the sin, and that he had freed him therefrom.' Having said this

in anger, and being reprimanded by the attendants, the Brahmana sage of

austere penances, retired in silence into the woods. There betaking

himself to the severest penances, the great Brahmana sought the

protection of the Sun. Thereupon, the revelation teaching the mantra

relative to the worship of the Sun, became manifest unto him and that

eternal deity who obtaineth his share (of the sacrificial butter) first,

appeared before him in an embodied form.'

"Lomasa said, 'The celestials, O king, were well pleased with Arvavasu

for his acts. And they made him engaged as the chief priest in the

sacrifice (of Vrihadyumna), and Paravasu to be dismissed from it. Then

Agni and the other celestials (of their own accord) bestowed boons on

Arvavasu. And they also prayed that his father might be restored to life.

He further prayed that his brother might be absolved from his sin; that

his father might have no recollection of his having been slain; that

Bharadwaja and Yavakri might both be restored to life; and that the solar

revelation might attain celebrity (on earth). Then the god said, 'So be

it,' and conferred on him other boons also. Thereat, O Yudhishthira, all

of these persons regained their life. Yavakri now addressed Agni and the

other deities, saying, 'I had obtained a knowledge of all the Vedas, and

also practised penances. How came it then, O chiefs of the immortals,

that Raivya succeeded in killing me in that way?' Thereupon the gods

said, 'O Yavakri, never act again as those have done. What thou askest

about is quite possible, for thou hast learnt the Vedas without exertion,

and without the help of a preceptor. But this man (Raivya) bearing

various troubles, had satisfied his preceptor by his conduct, and

obtained (from the latter) the excellent Vedas through great exertions

and in a long time.'

"Lomasa said, 'Having said this to Yavakri, and restored all those to

life, the celestials with Indra at their head, ascended to heaven. Here,

O Yudhishthira, is the sacred hermitage of that sage embellished with

trees bearing blossoms and fruits at all seasons. O tiger among kings,

dwelling at this spot, thou wilt be delivered from all thy sins.'"

SECTION CXXXIX

"Lomasa said, 'O descendant of Bharata, O king, now hast thou left behind

the mountains Usiravija, Mainaka and Sweta, as well as the Kala hills, O

son of Kunti, O bull among the descendants of Bharata, here flow before

thee the seven Gangas. This spot is pure and holy. Here Agni blazeth

forth without intermission. No son of Manu is able to obtain a sight of

this wonder. Therefore, O son of Pandu, concentrate your mind in order

that he may intently behold these tirthas. Now wilt thou see the

play-ground of the gods, marked with their footprints, as we have passed

the mountain Kala. We shall now ascend that white rock--the mountain

Mandara, inhabited by the Yakshas, Manibhadra and Kuvera, king of the

Yakshas. O king, at this place eighty thousand fleet Gandharvas, and four

times as many Kimpurushas and Yakshas of various shapes and forms,

holding various weapons, attend upon Manibhadra, king of the Yakshas. In

these regions their power is very great. And in speed they are even as

the wind. They can, without doubt, displace even the lord of the

celestials from his seat. Protected by them, and also watched over by the

Rakshasas, these mountains have been rendered inaccessible. Therefore, O

son of Pritha, do thou concentrate thy thoughts. Besides these, O son of

Kunti, here are fierce ministers of Kuvera and his Rakshasa kindred. We

shall have to meet them, and, therefore, O Kunti's son, gather up thy

energies. O king the mountain Kailasa is six yojanas in height. It

contains a gigantic jujube tree. And, O son of Kunti, numberless gods and

Yakshas and Rakshasas and Kinnaras and Nagas and Suparnas and Gandharvas

pass this way, in going towards Kuvera's palace. O king, protected by me,

as well as by the might of Bhimasena, and also in virtue of thy own

asceticism and self-command, do thou to-day mix with them. May king

Varuna and Yama, conqueror of battles, and Ganga, and Yamuna, and this

mountain, and the Maruts and the twin Aswins, and all rivers and lakes,

vouchsafe thy safety. And, O effulgent one, mayst thou have safety from

all the celestials and the Asuras, and the Vasus. O Goddess Ganga, I hear

thy roar from this golden mountain, sacred to Indra. O Goddess of high

fortune, in these mountainous regions, protect the king, worshipped by

all of the Ajamidha race. O daughter of the mountain (Himalaya), this

king is about to enter into these mountainous regions. Do thou,

therefore, confer protection upon him.'

"Having thus addressed the river, Lomasa bade Yudhishthira, saying, 'Be

thou careful.'"

"Yudhishthira said, This confusion of Lomasa is unprecedented. Therefore,

protect ye Krishna, and be not careless. Lomasa knows this place to be

certainly difficult of access. Therefore, do ye practise here the utmost

cleanliness."

"Vaisampayana said, "He next addressed his brother Bhima of vast prowess,

saying, 'O Bhimasena, do thou protect Krishna carefully. Whether Arjuna

be near or away, Krishna in times of danger ever seeketh protection from

thee alone.'"

"Then the high-souled monarch approached the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva,

and after smelling their heads, and rubbing their persons, with tears

said unto them, 'Do not fear. Proceed, however, with caution."'

SECTION CXL

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Vrikodara, there are mighty and powerful invisible

spirits at this place. We shall, however, pass it, through the merit of

our asceticism and Agnihotra sacrifices. O son of Kunti, do thou

therefore, restrain thy hunger and thirst by collecting thy energies, and

also, O Vrikodara have recourse to thy strength and cleverness. O Kunti's

son, thou hast heard what the sage (Lomasa) had said regarding mount

Kailasa. Ascertain, therefore, after deliberation, how Krishna will pass

the spot. Or, O mighty Bhima of large eyes, do return from hence, taking

with thee Sahadeva, and all our charioteers, cooks, servants, cars,

horses, and Brahmanas worn out with travel, while I together with Nakula

and the sage Lomasa of severe austerities proceed, subsisting on the

lightest fare and observing vows. Do thou in expectation of my return,

cautiously wait at the source of the Ganga, protecting Draupadi till I

come back.'

"Bhima replied, 'O descendant of Bharata, although this blessed princess

hath been sore afflicted by toil and distress, yet she easily proceedeth,

in the hope of beholding him of the white steeds (Arjuna). Thy dejection

also is already very great at not seeing the high-souled Arjuna, who

never retreateth from fight. O Bharata, it is superfluous then to say

that if thou seest neither myself nor Sahadeva nor Krishna, thy dejection

will certainly increase. The Brahmanas had better return with our

servants, charioteers cooks and whomsoever else thou mayst command. I

never shall leave thee in these rugged and inaccessible mountainous

regions, infested by Rakshasas. And, O tiger among men, also this

princess of high fortune, ever devoted to her lords, desireth not to

return without thee. Sahadeva is always devoted to thee; he too will

never retrace his steps. His disposition is known to me. O king, O mighty

monarch, we are all eager to behold Savyasachin, and therefore, will we

all go together. If we are unable to go over this mountain in our cars,

abounding as it doth in defiles, well, we would go on foot. Trouble

thyself not, O king, I shall carry Panchala's daughter wherever she will

be incapable of walking. O king, I have decided upon this. Therefore let

not thy mind be distracted. I shall also carry over inaccessible tracts

those tender-bodied heroes, the twins, the delight of their mother,

wherever they will be incapable of proceeding.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'May thy strength increase, O Bhima, as thou speakest

thus, and as thou boldly undertakest to carry the illustrious Panchali

and these twins. Blessed be thou! Such courage dwelleth not in any other

individual. May thy strength, fame, merit, and reputation increase! O

long-armed one, as thou offerest to carry Krishna and our brothers the

twins, exhaustion and defeat never be thine!"

Vaisampayana said, "Then the charming Krishna said with a smile, 'O

descendant of Bharata, I shall be able to go, and, therefore, be thou not

anxious on my account.'

"Lomasa said, 'Access to the mountain, Gandhamadana, is only to be

obtained by dint of asceticism. Therefore, O son of Kunti, shall we all

practise austerities, O king, Nakula, Sahadeva, Bhimasena, thou and

myself shall then see him of the white steeds, O Kunti's son.'"

Vaisampayana said, "O king, thus conversing together, they saw with

delight the extensive domains of Suvahu, situated on the Himalayas

abounding in horses and elephants, densely inhabited by the Kiratas and

the Tanganas, crowded by hundreds of Pulindas, frequented by the

celestials, and rife with wonders. King Suvahu, the lord of the Pulindas,

cheerfully received them at the frontiers of his dominions, paying them

proper respect. Having been thus received with honour, and having dwelt

comfortably at this place, they started for the mountain Himalaya, when

the sun shone brightly in the firmament. And, O king, having entrusted to

the care of the lord of the Pulindas, all their servants--Indrasena and

the others,--and the cooks and the stewards, and Draupadi's

accoutrements, and every thing else, those mighty charioteers, the son of

the Kurus, endued with great prowess, set out from that country, and

began to proceed cautiously with Krishna,--all of them cheerful in the

expectation of beholding Arjuna."

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Bhimasena, O Panchali, and ye twins, hearken unto

my words. The acts done (by a person) in a former birth do not perish,

(without producing their effects). Behold! Even we have become rangers of

the wilderness. Even to see Dhananjaya, exhausted and distressed as we

are, we have to bear each other, and pass through impassable places. This

burneth me even as fire doth a heap of cotton. O hero, I do not see

Dhananjaya at my side. I reside in the wood with my younger brothers,

anxious for beholding him. This thought, as also the memory of that grave

insult offered to Yajanaseni, consumes me. O Vrikodara, I do not see the

invincible Partha of strong bow and incomparable energy, and who is the

immediate elder to Nakula. For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. In

order to see that hero, Dhananjaya, firm in promise, for these five years

have I been wandering in various tirthas, and beautiful forests and lakes

and yet I do meet with him. For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. I do

not see the long-armed Gudakesa, of dark blue hue, and leonine gait. For

this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. I do not see that foremost of Kurus,

accomplished in arms, skilful in fight, and matchless among bowmen. For

this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. Distressed for I am I do not see that

son of Pritha, Dhananjaya, born under the influence of the star Phalguni;

ranging amidst foes even like Yama at the time of the universal

dissolution; possessed of the prowess of an elephant with the temporal

juice trickling down; endued with leonine shoulders; not inferior to

Sakra himself in prowess and energy; elder in years to the twins; of

white steeds; unrivalled in heroism; invincible; and wielding a strong

bow. For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. And he is always of a

forgiving temper,--even when insulted by the meanest individual. And he

conferreth benefit and protection to the righteous; but to that tortuous

person who by craft attempts to do him mischief, Dhananjaya is like unto

virulent poison, albeit that one were Sakra himself. And the mighty

Vibhatsu of immeasurable soul and possessing great strength, showeth

mercy and extendeth protection even to a foe when fallen. And he is the

refuge of us all and he crusheth his foes in fight. And he hath the power

to collect any treasure whatever, and he ministereth unto our happiness.

It was through his prowess that I had owned formerly measureless precious

jewels of various kinds which at present Syodhana hath usurped. It was by

his might, O hero, that I had possessed before that palatial amphitheatre

embellished with all manner of jewels, and celebrated throughout the

three worlds. O Pandu's son, in prowess, Phalguni is like unto Vasudeva,

and in fight he is invincible and unrivalled, even like unto Kartavirya.

Alas! I see him not, O Bhima. In might, that conqueror of foes goeth in

the wake of the invincible and most powerful Sankarshana (Valarama) and

Vasudeva. In strength of arms, and spirit, he is like unto Purandara

himself. And in swiftness, he is even as the wind, and in grace, as the

moon, and in ire, he is the eternal Death himself. O mighty-armed one,

with the object of beholding that war-like tiger among men, shall we

repair to the Gandhamadana mountain, where lies the hermitage of Nara and

Narayana at the site of the celebrated jujube tree, and which is

inhabited by the Yakshas. We shall see that best of mountains. And,

practising severe austerities only on foot we shall go to Kuvera's

beautiful lake guarded by Rakshasas. That place cannot be reached by

vehicles, O Vrikodara. Neither can cruel or avaricious, or irascible

people attain to that spot, O Bharata's son. O Bhima, in order to see

Arjuna, thither shall we repair, in company, with Brahmanas of strict

vows, girding on our swords, and wielding our bows. Those only that are

impure, meet with flies gad-flies, mosquitoes, tigers, lions, and

reptiles, but the pure never come across them. Therefore, regulating our

fare, and restraining our senses, we shall go to the Gandhamadana,

desirous of seeing Dhananjaya.'"

SECTION CXLI

"Lomasa said, O sons of Pandu, ye have seen many a mountain, and river

and town and forest and beautiful tirtha; and have touched with your

hands the sacred waters. Now this way leads to the celestial mountain

Mandara; therefore be ye attentive and composed. Ye will now repair to

the residence of the celestials and the divine sages of meritorious

deeds. Here, O king, flows the mighty and beautiful river (Alakananda) of

holy water adored by hosts of celestials and sages, and tracing its

source to (the site of) the jujube tree. It is frequented and worshipped

by high-souled Vaihayasas, Valakhilyas and Gandharvas of mighty souls.

Accustomed to sing the Sama hymns, the sages, Marichi, Pulaha, Bhrigu and

Angiras, chanted them at this spot. Here the lord of celestials

performeth with the Maruts his daily prayers. And the Sadhyas and the

Aswins attend on him. The sun, the moon and all the luminaries with the

planets resort to this river, alternately by day and by night. O highly

fortunate monarch, that protector of the world; Mahadeva, having a bull

for his mark, received on his head the fall of the waters of this river,

at the source of the Ganga. O children, approach this goddess of the six

attributes and bow down before her with concentrated minds.'

"Hearing the words of the high-souled Lomasa, the son of Pandu

reverentially worshipped the river (Ganga), flowing through the

firmament. And after having adored her the pious sons of Pandu resumed

their journey accompanied by the sages. And it came to pass that those

best of men beheld at a distance some white object of vast proportions,

even like Meru and stretching on all sides. And knowing that Pandu's sons

were intent upon asking (him), Lomasa versed in speech said, 'Hear, O

sons of Pandu! O best of men, what ye see before you, of vast proportions

like unto a mountain and beautiful as the Kailasa cliff, is a collection

of the bones of the mighty Daitya Naraka, Being placed on a mountain, it

looketh like one. The Daitya was slain by that Supreme Soul, the eternal

God Vishnu, for the good of the lord of celestials. Aiming at the

possession of Indra's place, by the force of austere and Vedic lore, that

mighty-minded (demon) had practised austere penances for ten thousand

years. And on account of his asceticism, as also of the force and might

of his arms he had grown invincible and always harassed (Indra). And O

sinless one, knowing his strength and austerities and observance of

religious vows, Indra became agitated and was overwhelmed with fear. And

mentally he thought of the eternal deity, Vishnu. And thereat the

graceful lord of the universe, who is present everywhere, appeared and

stood before him manifest. And the sages and celestials began to

propitiate Vishnu with prayers. And in his presence even Agni of the six

attributes and of blazing beauty being overpowered by his effulgence,

became shorn of radiance and seeing before him the God Vishnu, the chief

of the celestials who wields the thunder-bolt, bowing with head down

readily apprised Vishnu of the source of his fear. Thereupon Vishnu said,

'I know, O Sakra, that thy fear proceedeth from Naraka, that lord of the

Daityas. By the merit of his successful ascetic acts he aimeth at Indra's

position. Therefore, for pleasing thee, I shall certainly sever his soul

from his body, although he hath achieved success in asceticism. Do thou,

lord of celestials, wait for a moment.' Then the exceedingly powerful

Vishnu deprived (Naraka) of his senses (by striking him) with his hand.

And he fell down on the earth even like the monarch of mountains struck

by (thunder). He was thus slain by a miracle and his bones lie gathered

at this spot. Here also is manifest another deed of Vishnu's. Once the

whole earth having been lost and sunk into the nether regions she was

lifted up by him in the shape of a boar having a single tusk.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O worshipful one, relate in particular how Vishnu,

the lord of the celestials, raised up the earth sunk a hundred yojanas?

In what manner also was that support of all created things--the goddess

Earth of high fortune--who dispenseth blessings and bringeth forth all

sorts of corn rendered stable? Through whose power had she sunk an

hundred yojanas below, and under what circumstances was exhibited this

greatest exploit of the Supreme Being? O chief of the twice-born race, I

wish to hear all about it in detail as it happened. Certainly, it is

known to thee.'

"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira, listen to all at length as I relate the

story, which thou hast asked me (to narrate). O child, in days of yore,

there was (once) a terrible time in the Krita Yuga when the eternal and

primeval Deity assumed the duties of Yama. And, O thou that never fallest

off, when the God of gods began to perform the functions of Yama, there

died not a creature while the births were as usual. Then there began to

multiply birds and beasts and kine, and sheep, and deer and all kinds of

carnivorous animals. O tiger among men and vanquisher of foes, then the

human race also increased by thousands even like unto a current of water.

And, O my son, when the increase of population had been so frightful, the

Earth oppressed with the excessive burden, sank down for a hundred

yojanas. And suffering pain in all her limbs, and being deprived of her

senses by excessive pressure, the earth in distress sought the protection

of Narayana, the foremost of the gods. The earth spake saying, 'It is by

thy favour, O possessor of the six attributes, that I had been able to

remain so long in my position. But I have been overcome with burden and

now I cannot hold myself any longer. It behoveth thee, O adorable one, to

relieve this load of mine. I have sought thy protection. O lord; and do

thou, therefore, extend unto me thy favour.' Hearing these words of hers,

the eternal lord, possessor of the six attributes, complaisantly said, in

words uttered in distinct letters. Vishnu said, 'Thou need not fear, O

afflicted Earth, the bearer of all treasures. I shall act so that thou

mayst be made light.'

"Lomasa said, 'Having thus dismissed the Earth, who hath the mountains

for her ear-rings, he suddenly became turned into a boar with one tusk,

and of exceeding effulgence. Causing terror with his glowing red eyes and

emitting fumes from his blazing lustre, he began to swell in magnitude in

that region. O hero, then holding the earth with his single radiant tusk

that being who pervadeth the Vedas, raised her up a hundred yojanas. And

while she was being thus raised, there ensued a mighty agitation and all

the celestials, together with the sages of ascetic wealth became

agitated. And heaven, and the firmament, and also the Earth were filled

with exclamations of Oh! and Alas! and neither the celestials nor men

could rest in peace. Then countless celestials together with the sages

went to Brahma, who was seated burning as it were in his (own) lustre.

Then approaching Brahma, the lord of celestials, and the witness of the

acts of all beings, they with folded hands spake the following words, 'O

lord of the celestials, all created beings have become agitated and the

mobile and immobile creatures are restless. O lord of the celestials,

even the oceans are found to be agitated and this whole earth hath gone

down a hundred yojanas. What is the matter? And by whose influence is it

that the whole universe is in ferment? May it please thee to explain it

unto us without delay, for we are all bewildered.' Thereupon Brahma

replied, 'Ye immortals! do ye not entertain fear for the Asuras, in any

matter or place. Hearken, ye celestials, to the reason to which all this

commotion is owing! This agitation in the heavens hath been produced by

the influence of the illustrious Being who is omnipresent, eternal and

the never-perishing Soul. That Supreme soul, Vishnu hath lifted up the

Earth, who had entirely sunk down hundred yojanas. This commotion hath

taken place in consequence of the earth being raised up. Know ye this and

dispel your doubts.' The celestials said, 'Where is that Being who with

pleasure raiseth up the Earth? O possessor of the six attributes, mention

unto us the place. Thither shall we repair.' Brahma said 'Go ye. May good

happen to you! Ye will find him resting in the Nandana (gardens). Yonder

is visible the glorious worshipful Suparna (Garuda). After having raised

the Earth, the Supreme Being from whom the world become manifest, flameth

even in the shape of a boar, like unto the all-consuming fire at the

universal dissolution. And on his beast is really to be seen the gem

Srivatsa. (Go) and behold that Being knowing no deterioration.'

"Lomasa said, 'Then the celestials, placing the grandsire at their head,

came to that infinite Soul, and having listened to his praise, bade him

adieu and went back to whence they had come.'"

Vaisampayana said, "O Janamejaya, having heard this story, all the

Pandavas without delay and with alacrity, began to proceed by the way

pointed out by Lomasa."

SECTION CXLII

Vaisampayana said, "O king, then those foremost of bowmen, of

immeasurable prowess, holding bows stringed at full stretch and equipped

with quivers and arrows and wearing finger-caps made of the guana-skin,

and with their swords on, proceeded with Panchali towards the

Gandhamadana, taking with them the best of Brahmanas. And on their way

they saw various lakes, and rivers and mountains and forests, and trees

of wide-spreading shade on mountain summits and places abounding in trees

bearing flowers and fruit in all seasons and frequented by celestials and

sages. And restraining their senses within their inner self and

subsisting on fruits and roots, the heroes passed through rugged regions,

craggy and difficult of passage, beholding many and various kinds of

beasts. Thus those high-souled ones entered the mountain inhabited by the

sages, the Siddhas and the celestials, and frequented by the Kinnaras and

the Apsaras. And, O lord of men, as those mighty heroes were entering the

mountain Gandhamandana, there arose a violent wind, attended with a heavy

shower. And owing to this, mighty clouds of dust bearing lots of dry

leaves, rose, and all on a sudden covered earth, air and firmament. And

when the heavens had been covered with dust nothing could be perceived,

neither could they (the Pandavas) speak to one another. And with eyes

enveloped with darkness and pushed by the wind carrying particles of

rocks they could not see one another. And there began to arrive mighty

sounds proceeding from the tree, and also from those breaking down

incessantly under the force of the wind, and falling to the ground. And

distracted by gusts of the wind, they thought, 'Are the heavens falling

down; or the earth and the mountains being rent?' And afraid of the wind,

they felt about with their hands and took shelter under the way-side tree

and ant-hills and in caverns. Then holding his bow and supporting Krishna

the mighty Bhimasena stood under a tree. And Yudhishthira the just with

Dhaumya crept into the deep wood. And Sahedeva carrying the sacred fire

with him took shelter in a rock. And Nakula together with Lomasa and

other Brahmanas of great asceticism stood in fright, each under a tree.

Then when the wind had abated and the dust subsided, there came down a

shower in torrents. There also arose a loud rattling noise, like unto the

thunder hurled; and quick-flashing lightning began to play gracefully

upon the clouds. And being helped on by the swift wind, showers of rain

poured down without intermissions, filling all sides round. And, O lord

of men, all around there began to flow many rivers covered with foam and

turbid with mud; and these bearing volumes of water spread over the

frothy rafts rushed down with tremendous roar uprooting trees. And

afterwards when that sound had ceased and the air had arisen they (each

of them) cautiously came out of their coverts and met together, O

descendant of Bharata. And then the heroes started for the mountain

Gandhamadana."

SECTION CXLIII

Vaisampayana said, "When the high-souled sons of Pandu had proceeded only

two miles, Draupadi unaccustomed to travel on foot, sank down. Weary and

afflicted as she was, the poor daughter of Panchala became faint, on

account of the hailstorm and also of her extreme delicacy. And trembling

with faintness, the black-eyed one supported herself on her thighs with

her plump arms, becoming (her graceful form). And thus resting for

support on her thighs resembling the trunk of an elephant, and which were

in contract with each other, she suddenly dropped upon the ground,

trembling like a plantain tree. And finding that the beautiful one was

falling down like a twisted creeper, Nakula ran forward and supported,

her. And he said, 'O king, this black-eyed daughter of Panchala, being

weary, hath fallen down upon the ground. Do thou, therefore, tend her, O

son of Bharata. Undeserving as she is of misery, this lady of slow pace

hath been subject to great hardships, and she is also worn out with the

fatigues of the journey. O mighty king, do thou therefore, comfort her.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Having heard these words of Nakula, the king as also

Bhima and Sahadeva, became sorely afflicted, and hastily ran towards her.

And finding her weak, and her countenance pale, the pious son of Kunti

began to lament in grief, taking her on his lap. Yudhishthira said.

'Accustomed to ease, and deserving to sleep in wellprotected rooms, on

beds spread over with fine sheets, how doth this beautiful one sleep

prostrate on the ground! Alas! On my account (alone), the delicate feet

and the lotus-like face of this one deserving of all excellent things,

have contracted a dark-blue hue. O what have I done! Fool that I am,

having been addicted to dice, I have been wandering in the forest full of

wild beasts, taking Krishna in my company. This large-eyed one had been

bestowed by her father, the king of the Drupadas, in the hope that the

blessed girl would be happy, by obtaining the sons of Pandu for her

lords. It is on account of my wretched self, that without obtaining

anything hoped for, she sleepeth prostrate on the ground, tired with

hardships, sorrow and travel!"

Vaisampayana said, "While king Yudhishthira the just was lamenting thus,

Dhaumya with all the other principal Brahmanas came to the spot. And they

began to console him and to honour him with blessings. And they recited

mantras capable of dispelling Rakshasas and (to that end) also performed

rites. And on the mantras being recited by the great ascetics, in order

to the restoration of (Panchali's) health, Panchali frequently touched by

the Pandavas with their soothing palms and fanned by cool breezes

surcharged with particles of water, felt ease, and gradually regained her

senses. And finding that exhausted poor lady restored to her senses, the

sons of Pritha, placing her on deer-skin, caused her to take rest. And

taking her feet of red soles, bearing auspicious marks, the twins began

to press them gently with their hands, scarred by the bow-string. And

Yudhishthira the just, the foremost of the Kurus, also comforted her and

addressed Bhima in the following words: 'O Bhima, there yet remain many

mountains (before us), rugged, and inaccessible because of snow. How,

long-armed one, will Krishna pass over them?' Thereupon Bhima said, 'O

king, I myself shall carry thee, together with this princess and these

bulls among men, the twins; therefore, O king of kings, resign not thy

mind unto despair. Or, at thy bidding, O sinless one, Hidimava's son, the

mighty Ghatotkacha, who is capable of ranging the skies and who is like

unto me in strength, will carry us all.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Then with Yudhishthira's permission, Bhima thought of

his Rakshasa son. And no sooner was he thought of by his father, than the

pious Ghatotkacha made his appearance and, saluting the Pandavas and the

Brahmanas, stood with joined hands. And they also caressed him of mighty

arms. He then addressed his father, Bhimasena of dreadful prowess,

saying, 'Having been thought of by thee I have come here with speed, in

order to serve thee. Do thou, O longarmed one, command me. I shall

certainly be able to perform whatever thou bidst.' Hearing this,

Bhimasena hugged the Rakshasa to his breast."

SECTION CXLIV

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Bhima, let this mighty and heroic Rakshasa chief,

thy legitimate son, devoted to us, and truthful, and conversant with

virtue carry (his) mother (Draupadi) without delay. And, O possessor of

dreadful prowess, depending on the strength of thy arms, I shall reach

the Gandhamadana, unhurt, together with Panchala's daughter.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing the words of his brother, that tiger among

men, Bhimasena, commanded his son, Ghatotkacha, represser of foes,

saying, 'O invincible son of Hidimva, this thy mother hath been sorely

tired. Thou art, again, strong and capable of going wherever thou likest.

Do thou therefore, O ranger of the skies, carry her. May prosperity

attend thee! Taking her on thy shoulders, thou shalt go in our company,

adopting a course not far overhead,--so that thou mayst not render her

uneasy.' Thereat, Ghatotkacha said, 'Even single-handed, I am able to

carry Yudhishthira the just, and Dhaumya, and Krishna, and the twins--and

what wonder then that I shall to-day carry them, when I have others to

assist me? And, O sinless one, hundreds of other heroic (Rakshasas),

capable of moving through the sky, and of assuming any shape at will,

will together carry you all with the Brahmanas."

Vaisampayana said, "Saying this, Ghatotkacha carried Krishna in the midst

of the Pandavas, and the other (Rakshasas) also began to carry the

Pandavas. And by virtue of his native energy, Lomasa of incomparable

effulgence moved along the path of the Siddhas, like unto a second sun.

And at the command of the lord of the Rakshasas, those Rakshasas of

terrific prowess began to proceed, bearing all the other Brahmanas, and

beholding many a romantic wood. And they proceeded towards the gigantic

jujube tree. And carried by the Rakshasas of great speed, proceeding at a

rapid pace, the heroes passed over longextending ways quickly, as if over

short ones. And on their way they saw various tracts crowded with

Mlechchha people, and containing mines of diverse gems. And they also saw

hillocks teeming with various minerals, thronged with Vidyadharas,

inhabited on all sides by monkeys and Kinnaras and Kimpurushas, and

Gandharvas, and filled with peacocks, and chamaras, and apes, and rurus,

and bears, and gavayas, and buffaloes, intersected with a network of

rivulets, and inhabited by various birds and beasts, and beautified by

elephants, and abounding in trees and enraptured birds. After having thus

passed many countries, and also the Uttarakurus, they saw that foremost

of mountains, the Kailasa, containing many wonders. And by the side of

it, they beheld the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, with celestial trees

bearing flowers and fruits in all seasons. And they also beheld that

beautiful jujube of round trunk. And it was fresh; and of deep shade; and

of excellent beauty; and of thick, soft and sleek foliage; and healthful;

and having gigantic boughs; and wide-spreading; and of incomparable

lustre; and bearing full-grown, tasteful, and holy fruits dropping honey.

And this celestial tree was frequented by hosts of mighty sages, and was

always inhabited by various birds maddened with animal spirits. And it

grew at a spot devoid of mosquitoes and gad-flies, and abounding in

fruits and roots and water, and covered with green grass, and inhabited

by the celestials and the Gandharvas, and of smooth surface, and

naturally healthful, and beauteous and cool and of delicate feel. Having

reached that (tree) together with those bulls among Brahmanas, the

high-souled ones gently alighted from the shoulders of the Rakshasas.

Then in company with those bulls among the twice-born ones, the Pandavas

beheld that romantic asylum presided over by Nara and Narayana; devoid of

gloom; and sacred; and untouched by the solar rays; and free from those

rubs, viz. hunger, and thirst, heat and cold, and removing (all) sorrow;

and crowded with hosts of mighty sages; and adorned with the grace

proceeding from the Vedas, Saman, Rich, and Yajus; and, O king,

inaccessible to men who have renounced religion; and beautified with

offerings, and homas; and sacred; and well-swept and daubed; and shining

all around with offerings of celestial blossoms; and spread over with

altars of sacrificial fire, and sacred ladles and pots; and graced with

large water-jars, and baskets and the refuge of all beings; and echoing

with the chanting of the Vedas; and heavenly: and worthy of being

inhabited; and removing fatigue; and attended with splendour and of

incomprehensible merit; and majestic with divine qualities. And the

hermitage was inhabited by hosts of great sages, subsisting on fruits and

roots; and having their senses under perfect control; and clad in black

deer-skins; and effulgent like unto the Sun and Agni; and of souls

magnified by asceticism and intent on emancipation; and leading the

Vanaprastha mode of life; and of subdued senses; and identified with the

Supreme Soul; and of high fortune; and reciting Vaidic hymns. Then having

purified himself and restrained his senses, that son of Dharma, the

intelligent Yudhishthira of exceeding energy, accompanied by his

brothers, approached those sages. And all the great sages endued with

supernatural knowledge, knowing Yudhishthira arrived, received him

joyfully. And those sages engaged in the recitation of the Vedas, and

like unto fire itself, after having conferred blessings on Yudhishthira,

cheerfully accorded him fitting reception. And they gave him clean water

and flowers and roots. And Yudhishthira the just received with regard the

things gladly offered for his reception by the great sages. And then, O

sinless one, Pandu's son together with Krishna and his brothers, and

thousands of Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and the Vendangas, entered

into that holy hermitage, like unto the abode of Sukra and pleasing the

mind with heavenly odours and resembling heaven itself and attended with

beauty. There the pious (Yudhishthira) beheld the hermitage of Nara and

Narayana, beautified by the Bhagirathi and worshipped by the gods and the

celestial sages. And seeing that hermitage inhabited by the Brahmarshis

and containing fruits dropping honey, the Pandavas were filled with

delight. And having reached that place, the high-souled ones began to

dwell with the Brahmanas. There beholding the holy lake Vinda, and the

mountain Mainaka, of golden summits and inhabited by various species of

birds, the magnanimous ones lived happily with joy. The son of Pandu

together with Krishna took pleasure in ranging excellent and captivating

woods, shining with flowers of every season; beauteous on all sides with

trees bearing blown blossoms; and bending down with the weight of fruits

and attended by the numerous male kokilas and of glossy foliage; and

thick and having cool shade and lovely to behold. They took delight in

beholding diverse beautiful lakes of limpid water and shining all round

with lotuses and lilies. And there, O lord, the balmy breeze bearing pure

fragrance, blew gladdening all the Pandavas, together with Krishna. And

hard by the gigantic jujube, the mighty son of Kunti saw the Bhagirathi

of easy descent and cool and furnished with fresh lotuses and having

stairs made of rubies and corals and graced with trees and scattered over

with celestial flowers, and gladsome to the mind. And at that spot,

frequented by celestials and sages, and extremely inaccessible, they,

after having purified themselves offered oblations unto the pitris and

the gods and the rishis in the sacred waters of the Bhagirathi. Thus

those bulls among men the heroic perpetuators of the Kuru race, began to

reside there with the Brahmanas offering oblations and practising

meditation. And those tigers among men, the Pandavas of the god-like

appearance, felt delight in witnessing the various amusements of

Draupadi."

SECTION CXLV

Vaisampayana said, "There observing cleanliness, those tigers among men

dwelt for six nights, in expectation of beholding Dhananjaya. And it came

to pass that all of a sudden there blew a wind from the north-east and

brought a celestial lotus of a thousand petals and effulgent as the sun.

And Panchali saw that pure and charming lotus of unearthly fragrance,

brought by the wind and left on the ground. And having obtained that

excellent and beautiful lotus, that blessed one became exceedingly

delighted, O king, and addressed Bhimasena in the following words,

'Behold, O Bhima, this most beautiful unearthly flower having within it

the very source of fragrance. It gladdenth my heart, O represser of foes.

This one shall be presented to Yudhishthira the just. Do thou, therefore,

procure others for my satisfaction--in order that I may carry them to our

hermitage in the Kamyaka. If, O Pritha's son, I have found grace with

thee, do thou then procure others of this species in large numbers. I

wish to carry them to our hermitage.' Having said this, the blameless

lady of beautiful glances approached Yudhishthira the just, taking the

flower. And knowing the desire of his beloved queen that bull among men,

Bhima of great strength, also set out, in order to gratify her. And

intent upon fetching the flowers, he began to proceed at rapid space,

facing the wind, in the direction from which the flower had come. And

taking the bow inlaid with gold on the back as also arrows like unto

venomous snakes, he proceeded as a lion in anger or an elephant in rut.

And all beings gazed at him, holding a mighty bow and arrows. And neither

exhaustion, nor langour, neither fear nor confusion, ever possessed the

son of Pritha and the offspring of Vayu (wind). And desirous of pleasing

Draupadi the mighty one, free from fear or confusion, ascended the peak

depending on the strength of his arms. And that slayer of foes began to

range that beautiful peak covered with trees, creepers and of black rocky

base; and frequented by Kinnaras; and variegated with minerals, plants,

beasts, and birds of various hues; and appearing like an upraised arm of

the Earth adorned with an entire set of ornaments. And that one of

matchless prowess proceeded, fixing his look at the slopes of the

Gandhamadana,--beautiful with flowers of every season--and revolving

various thoughts in his mind and with his ears, eyes and mind rivetted to

the spots resounding with the notes of male kokilas and ringing with the

hum of black bees. And like an elephant in rut ranging mad in a forest

that one of mighty prowess smelt the rare odour proceeding from the

flowers of every season. And he was fanned by the fresh breeze of the

Gandhamadana bearing the perfumes of various blossoms and cooling like

unto a father's touch. On his fatigue being removed the down on his body

stood on end. And in this state that represser of foes for the flowers

began to survey all the mountain, inhabited by Yakshas and Gandharvas and

celestials and Brahmarshis. And brushed by the leaves of Saptachchada

tree, besmeared with fresh red, black and white minerals, he looked as if

decorated with lines of holy unguents drawn by fingers. And with clouds

stretching at its sides, the mountain seemed dancing with outspread

wings. And on account of the trickling waters of springs, it appeared to

be decked with necklaces of pearls. And it contained romantic caverns and

groves and cascades and caves. And there were excellent peacocks dancing

to the jingling of the bangles of the Apsaras. And its rocky surface was

worn away by the end of tusks of the elephants presiding over the

cardinal points. And with the waters of rivers falling down, the mountain

looked as if its clothes were getting loosened. And that graceful son of

the wind-god playfully and cheerfully went on, pushing away by his force

countless intertwisted creepers. And stags in curiosity gazed at him,

with grass in their mouths. And not having experienced fear (ever

before), they were unalarmed, and did not flee away. And being engaged in

fulfilling the desire of his love, the youthful son of Pandu, stalwart

and of splendour like unto the hue of gold; and having a body strong as a

lion; and treading like a mad elephant; and possessing the force of a mad

elephant; and having coppery eyes like unto those of a mad elephant; and

capable of checking a mad elephant began to range the romantic sides of

the Gandhamadana with his beautiful eyes uplifted; and displaying as it

were a novel type of beauty. And the wives of Yakshas and Gandharvas

sitting invisible by the side of their husbands, stared at him, turning

their faces with various motions. Intent upon gratifying Draupadi exiled

unto the woods, as he was ranging the beautiful Gandhamadana, he

remembered the many and various woes caused by Duryodhana. And he

thought, 'Now that Arjuna sojourn in heaven and that I too have come away

to procure the flowers, what will our brother Yudhishthira do at present?

Surely, from affection and doubting their prowess, that foremost of men,

Yudhishthira, will not let Nakula and Sahadeva come in search of us. How,

again, can I obtain the flowers soon?' Thinking thus, that tiger among

men proceeded in amain like unto the king of birds, his mind and sight

fixed on the delightful side of the mountain. And having for his

provisions on the journey the words of Draupadi, the mighty son of Pandu,

Vrikodara Bhima, endued with strength and the swiftness of the wind, with

his mind and sight fixed on the blooming slopes of the mountain,

proceeded speedily, making the earth tremble with his tread, even as doth

a hurricane at the equinox; and frightening herds of elephants and

grinding lions and tigers and deer and uprooting and smashing large trees

and tearing away by force plants and creepers, like unto an elephant

ascending higher and higher the summit of a mountain; and roaring

fiercely even as a cloud attended with thunder. And awakened by that

mighty roaring of Bhima, tigers came out of their dens, while other

rangers of the forest hid themselves. And the coursers of the skies

sprang up (on their wing) in fright. And herds of deer hurriedly ran

away. And birds left the trees (and fled). And lions forsook their dens.

And the mighty lions were roused from their slumber. And the buffaloes

stared. And the elephants in fright, leaving that wood, ran to more

extensive forests company with their mates. And the boars and the deer

and the lions and the buffaloes and the tigers and the jackals and the

gavayas of the wood began to cry in herds. And the ruddy geese, and the

gallinules and the ducks and the karandavas and the plavas and the

parrots and the male kokilas and the herons in confusion flew in all

directions, while some proud elephants urged by their mates, as also some

lions and elephants in rage, flew at Bhimasena. And as they were

distracted at heart through fear, these fierce animals discharging urine

and dung, set up loud yells with gapping mouths. Thereupon the

illustrious and graceful son of the wind-god, the mighty Pandava,

depending upon the strength of his arms, began to slay one elephant with

another elephant and one lion with another lion while he despatched the

others with slaps. And on being struck by Bhima the lions and the tigers

and the leopards, in fright gave loud cries and discharged urine and

dung. And after having destroyed these the handsome son of Pandu,

possessed of mighty strength, entered into the forest, making all sides

resound with his shouts. And then the long-armed one saw on the slopes of

the Gandhamadana a beautiful plantain tree spreading over many a yojana.

And like unto a mad lion, that one of great strength proceeded amain

towards that tree breaking down various plants. And that foremost of

strong persons--Bhima--uprooting innumerable plantain trunks equal in

height to many palm-trees (placed one above another), cast them on all

sides with force. And that highly powerful one, haughty like a male lion,

sent up shouts. And then he encountered countless beasts of gigantic

size, and stags, and monkeys, and lions, and buffaloes, and aquatic

animals. And what with the cries of these, and what with the shouts of

Bhima, even the beasts and birds that were at distant parts of the wood,

became all frightened. And hearing those cries of beasts and birds,

myriads of aquatic fowls suddenly rose up on wetted wings. And seeing

these fowls of water, that bull among the Bharatas proceeded in that

direction; and saw a vast and romantic lake. And that fathomless lake

was, as it were, being fanned by the golden plantain trees on the coast,

shaken by the soft breezes. And immediately descending into the lake

abounding in lilies and lotuses, he began to sport lustily like unto a

mighty maddened elephant. Having thus sported there for a long while, he

of immeasurable effulgence ascended, in order to penetrate with speed

into that forest filled with trees. Then the Pandava winded with all his

might his loud-blowing shell. And striking his arms with his hands, the

mighty Bhima made all the points of heaven resound. And filled with the

sounds of the shell, and with the shouts of Bhimasena, and also with the

reports produced by the striking of his arms, the caves of the mountain

seemed as if they were roaring. And hearing those loud arm-strokes, like

unto the crashing of thunder, the lions that were slumbering in the

caves, uttered mighty howls. And being terrified by the yelling of the

lions, the elephants, O Bharata, sent forth tremendous roars, which

filled the mountain. And hearing those sounds emitted, and knowing also

Bhimasena to be his brother, the ape Hanuman, the chief of monkeys, with

the view of doing good to Bhima, obstructed the path leading to heaven.

And thinking that he (Bhima) should not pass that way,(Hanuman) lay

across the narrow path, beautified by plantain trees, obstructing it for

the sake of the safety of Bhima. With the object that Bhima might not

come by curse or defeat, by entering into the plantain wood, the ape

Hanuman of huge body lay down amidst the plantain trees, being overcome

with drowsiness. And he began to yawn, lashing his long tail, raised like

unto the pole consecrated to Indra, and sounding like thunder. And on all

sides round, the mountains by the mouths of caves emitted those sounds in

echo, like a cow lowing. And as it was being shaken by the reports

produced by the lashing of the tail, the mountain with its summits

tottering, began to crumble all around. And overcoming that roaring of

mad elephants, the sounds of his tail spread over the varied slopes of

the mountain.

"On those sounds being heard the down of Bhima's body stood on end; and

he began to range that plantain wood, in search of those sounds. And that

one of mighty arms saw the monkey-chief in the plantain wood, on an

elevated rocky base. And he was hard to be looked at even as the

lightning-flash; and of coppery hue like that of the lightning-flash: and

endued with the voice of the lightning-flash; and quick moving as the

lightning-flash; and having his short flesh neck supported on his

shoulders; and with his waist slender in consequence of the fullness of

his shoulders. And his tail covered with long hair, and a little bent at

the end, was raised like unto a banner. And (Bhima) saw Hanuman's head

furnished with small lips, and coppery face and tongue, and red ears, and

brisk eyes, and bare white incisors sharpened at the edge.' And his head

was like unto the shining moon; adorned with white teeth within the

mouth; and with mane scattered over, resembling a heap of asoka flowers.

And amidst the golden plantain trees, that one of exceeding effulgence

was lying like unto a blazing fire, with his radiant body. And that

slayer of foes as casting glances with his eyes reddened with

intoxication. And the intelligent Bhima saw that mighty chief of monkeys,

of huge body, lying like unto the Himalaya, obstructing the path of

heaven. And seeing him alone in that mighty forest, the undaunted

athletic Bhima, of long arms, approached him with rapid strides, and

uttered a loud shout like unto the thunder. And at that shout of Bhima,

beasts and birds became all alarmed. The powerful Hanuman, however,

opening his eyes partially looked at him (Bhima) with disregard, with

eyes reddened with intoxication. And then smilingly addressing him,

Hanuman said the following words, 'Ill as I am, I was sleeping sweetly.

Why hast thou awakened me? Thou shouldst show kindness to all creatures,

as thou hast reason. Belonging to the animal species, we are ignorant of

virtue. But being endued with reason, men show kindness towards

creatures. Why do then reasonable persons like thee commit themselves to

acts contaminating alike body, speech, and heart, and destructive of

virtue? Thou knowest not what virtue is, neither hast thou taken council

of the wise. And therefore it is that from ignorance, and childishness

thou destroyest the lower animals. Say, who art thou, and what for hast

thou come to the forest devoid of humanity and human beings? And, O

foremost of men, tell thou also, whither thou wilt go to-day. Further it

is impossible to proceed. Yonder hills are inaccessible. O hero, save the

passage obtained by the practice of asceticism, there is no passage to

that place. This is the path of the celestials; it is ever impassable by

mortals. Out of kindness, O hero, do I dissuade thee. Do thou hearken

unto my words. Thou canst not proceed further from this place. Therefore,

O lord, do thou desist. O chief of men, to-day in very way thou art

welcome to this place. If thou think it proper to accept my words, do

thou then, O best of men, rest here, partaking of fruits and roots, sweet

as ambrosia, and do not have thyself destroyed for naught."

SECTION CXLVI

Vaisampayana said, "O represser of foes, hearing these words of the

intelligent monkey-chief, the heroic Bhima answered, 'Who art thou? And

why also hast thou assumed the shape of a monkey? It is a Kshatriya--one

of a race next to the Brahmanas--that asketh thee. And he belongeth to

the Kuru race and the lunar stock, and was borne by Kunti in her womb,

and is one of the sons of Pandu, and is the off spring of the wind-god,

and is known by the name of Bhimasena.' Hearing these words of the Kuru

hero, Hanuman smiled, and that son of the wind-god (Hanuman) spake unto

that offspring of the wind-god (Bhimasena), saying, 'I am a monkey, I

will not allow thee the passage thou desirest. Better desist and go back.

Do thou not meet with destruction.' At this Bhimasena replied.

'Destruction at anything else do I not ask thee about, O monkey. Do thou

give me passage. Arise! Do not come by grief at my hands.' Hanuman said,

'I have no strength to rise; I am suffering from illness. If go thou

must, do thou go by overleaping me.' Bhima said, 'The Supreme Soul void

of the properties pervadeth a body all over. Him knowable alone by

knowledge, I cannot disregard. And therefore, will I not overleap thee.

If I had not known Him from Whom become manifest all creatures, I would

have leapt over thee and also the mountain, even as Hanuman had bounded

over the ocean.' Thereupon Hanuman said, 'Who is that Hanuman, who had

bounded over the ocean? I ask thee, O best of men. Relate if thou canst.'

Bhima replied, "He is even my brother, excellent with every perfection,

and endued with intelligence and strength both of mind and body. And he

is the illustrious chief of monkeys, renowned in the Ramayana. And for

Rama's queen, that king of the monkeys even with one leap crossed the

ocean extending over a hundred yojanas. That mighty one is my brother. I

am equal unto him in energy, strength and prowess and also in fight. And

able am I to punish thee. So arise. Either give me passage or witness my

prowess to-day. If thou do not listen to my bidding, I shall send thee to

the abode of Yama."

Vaisampayana continued. "Then knowing him (Bhima) to be intoxicated with

strength, and proud of the might of his arms, Hanuman, slighting him at

heart, said the following words, 'Relent thou, O sinless one. In

consequence of age, I have no strength to get up. From pity for me, do

thou go, moving aside my tail.' Being thus addressed by Hanuman, Bhima

proud of the strength of his arms, took him for one wanting in energy and

prowess, and thought within himself, 'Taking fast hold of the tail, will

I send this monkey destitute of energy and prowess, to the region of

Yama.' Thereat, with a smile he slightingly took hold of the tail with

his left hand; but could not move that tail of the mighty monkey. Then

with both arms he pulled it, resembling the pole reared in honour of

Indra. Still the mighty Bhima could not raise the tail with both his

arms. And his eye-brows were contracted up, and his eyes rolled, and his

face was contracted into wrinkles and his body was covered with sweat;

and yet he could not raise it. And when after having striven, the

illustrious Bhima failed in raising the tail, he approached the side of

the monkey, and stood with a bashful countenance. And bowing down,

Kunti's son, with joined hands, spake these words, 'Relent thou, O

foremost of monkeys; and forgive me for my harsh words. Art thou a

Siddha, or a god, or a Gandharva, or a Guhyaka? I ask thee out of

curiosity. Tell me who thou art that hast assumed the shape of monkey, if

it be not a secret, O long-armed one, and if I can well hear it. I ask

thee as a disciple, and I, O sinless one, seek thy refuge.' Thereupon

Hanuman said, 'O represser of foes, even to the extent of thy curiosity

to know me, shall I relate all at length. Listen, O son of Pandu! O

lotus-eyed one, I was begotten by the wind-god that life of the

world--upon the wife of Kesari. I am a monkey, by name Hanuman. All the

mighty monkey-kings, and monkey-chiefs used to wait upon that son of the

sun, Sugriva, and that son of Sakra, Vali. And, O represser of foes, a

friendship subsisted between me and Sugriva, even as between the wind and

fire. And for some cause, Sugriva, driven out by his brother, for a long

time dwelt with me at the Hrisyamukh. And it came to pass that the mighty

son of Dasaratha the heroic Rama, who is Vishnu's self in the shape of a

human being, took his birth in this world. And in company with his queen

and brother, taking his bow, that foremost of bowmen with the view of

compassing his father's welfare, began to reside in the Dandaka forest.

And from Janasthana, that mighty Rakshasa monarch, the wicked Ravana,

carried away his (Rama's) queen by stratagem and force, deceiving, O

sinless one, that foremost of men, through the agency of a Rakshasa,

Maricha, who assumed the form of a deer marked with gem-like and golden

spots."

SECTION CXLVII

Hanuman said, 'And after his wife was carried away, that descendant of

Raghu, while searching with his brother for his queen, met, on the summit

of that mountain, with Sugriva, chief of the monkeys. Then a friendship

was contracted between him and the high-souled Raghava. And the latter,

having slain Vali installed Sugriva in the kingdom. And having obtained

the kingdom, Sugriva sent forth monkeys by hundreds and by thousands in

search of Sita. And, O best of men, I too with innumerable monkeys set

out towards the south in quest of Sita, O mighty-armed one. Then a mighty

vulture Sampati by name, communicated the tidings that Sita was in the

abode of Ravana. Thereupon with the object of securing success unto Rama,

I all of a sudden bounded over the main, extending for a hundred yojanas.

And, O chief of the Bharatas, having by my own prowess crossed the ocean,

that abode of sharks and crocodiles, I saw in Ravana's residence, the

daughter of king Janaka, Sita, like unto the daughter of a celestial. And

having interviewed that lady, Vaidehi, Rama's beloved, and burnt the

whole of Lanka with its towers and ramparts and gates, and proclaimed my

name there, I returned. Hearing everything from me the lotus-eyed Rama at

once ascertained his course of action, and having for the passage of his

army constructed a bridge across the deep, crossed it followed by myriads

of monkeys. Then by prowess Rama slew those Rakshasas in battle, and also

Ravana, the oppressor of the worlds together with his Rakshasa followers.

And having slain the king of the Rakshasas, with his brother, and sons

and kindred, he installed in the kingdom in Lanka the Rakshasa chief,

Vibhishana, pious, and reverent, and kind to devoted dependants. Then

Rama recovered his wife even like the lost Vaidic revelation. Then

Raghu's son, Rama, with his devoted wife, returned to his own city,

Ayodhya, inaccessible to enemies; and that lord of men began to dwell

there. Then that foremost of kings, Rama was established in the kingdom.

Thereafter, I asked a boon of the lotus-eyed Rama, saying, 'O slayer of

foes, Rama, may I live as long as the history of thy deeds remaineth

extant on earth!" Thereupon he said, 'So be it. O represser of foes, O

Bhima, through the grace of Sita also, here all excellent objects of

entertainment are supplied to me, whoever abide at this place. Rama

reigned for the thousand and ten hundred years. Then he ascended to his

own abode. Ever since, here Apsaras and Gandharvas delight me, singing

for aye the deeds of that hero, O sinless one. O son of the Kurus, this

path is impassable to mortals. For this, O Bharata, as also with the view

that none might defeat or curse thee, have I obstructed thy passage to

this path trod by the immortals. This is one of the paths to heaven, for

the celestials; mortals cannot pass this way. But the lake in search of

which thou hast come, lieth even in that direction."

SECTION CXLVIII

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed, the powerful Bhimasena of mighty

arms, affectionately, and with a cheerful heart, bowed unto his brother,

Hanuman, the monkey-chief, and said in mild words, 'None is more

fortunate than I am; now have I seen my elder brother. It is a great

favour shown unto me; and I have been well pleased with thee. Now I wish

that thou mayst fulfil this desire of mine. I desire to behold. O hero,

that incomparable form of thine, which thou at that time hadst had, in

bounding over the main, that abode of sharks and crocodiles. Thereby I

shall be satisfied, and also believe in thy words.' Thus addressed, that

mighty monkey said with a smile, 'That form of mine neither thou, not any

one else can behold. At that age, the state of things was different, and

doth not exist at present. In the Krita age, the state of things was one;

and in the Treta, another; and in the Dwapara, still another. Diminution

is going on this age; and I have not that form now. The ground, rivers,

plants, and rocks, and siddhas, gods, and celestial sages conform to

Time, in harmony with the state of things in the different yugas.

Therefore, do not desire to see my former shape, O perpetuator of the

Kuru race. I am conforming to the tendency of the age. Verily, Time is

irresistible' Bhimasena said, 'Tell me of the duration of the different

yugas, and of the different manners and customs and of virtue, pleasure

and profit, and of acts, and energy, and of life and death in the

different yugas.' Thereupon Hanuman said, 'O child, that yuga is called

Krita when the one eternal religion was extant. And in that best of

yugas, every one had religious perfection, and, therefore, there was no

need of religious acts. And then virtue knew no deterioration; nor did

people decrease. It is for this that this age is called Krita (perfect).

But in time the yuga had come to be considered as an inferior one. And, O

child, in the Krita age, there were neither gods, nor demons, nor

Gandharvas, nor Yakshas, nor Rakshasas, nor Nagas. And there was no

buying and selling. And the Sama, the Rich, and the Yajus did not exist.

And there was no manual labour. And then the necessaries of life were

obtained only by being thought of. And the only merit was in renouncing

the world. And during that yuga, there was neither disease, nor decay of

the senses. And there was neither malice, nor pride, nor hypocrisy, nor

discord, nor ill-will, nor cunning, nor fear, nor misery, nor envy, nor

covetousness. And for this, that prime refuge of Yogis, even the Supreme

Brahma, was attainable to all. And Narayana wearing a white hue was the

soul of all creatures. And in the Krita Yuga, the distinctive

characteristics of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras were

natural and these ever stuck to their respective duties. And then Brahma

was the sole refuge, and their manners and customs were naturally adapted

to the attainment of Brahma and the objects of their knowledge was the

sole Brahma, and all their acts also had reference to Brahma. In this way

all the orders attained merit. And one uniform Soul was the object of

their meditation; and there was only one mantra (the Om), and there was

one ordinance. And although of different characteristics, all of them

followed a single Veda; and they had one religion. And according to the

divisions of time, they led the four modes of life, without aiming at any

object, and so they attained emancipation. The religion consisting in the

identification of self with Brahma indicates the Krita Yuga. And in the

Krita Yuga, the virtue of the four orders is throughout entire in

four-fold measure. Such is the Krita Yuga devoid of the three qualities.

Do thou also hear from me of the character of the Treta Yuga. In this

age, sacrifices are introduced, and virtue decreaseth by a quarter. And

Narayana (who is the Soul of all creatures) assumeth a red colour. And

men practise truth, and devote themselves to religion and religious

rites. And thence sacrifices and various religious observances come into

existence. And in the Treta Yuga people begin to devise means for the

attainment of an object; and they attain it through acts and gifts. And

they never deviate from virtue. And they are devoted to asceticism and to

the bestowal of gifts. And the four orders adhere to their respective

duties; and perform rites. Such are the men of the Treta Yuga. In the

Dwapara Yuga, religion decreaseth by one half. And Narayana weareth a

yellow hue. And the Veda becometh divided into four parts. And then some

men retain (the knowledge of) the four Vedas, and some of three Vedas,

and some of one Veda, while others do not know even the Richs. And on the

Shastras becoming thus divided, acts become multiplied. And largely

influenced by passion, people engage in asceticism and gifts. And from

their incapacity to study the entire Veda, it becomes divided into

several parts. And in consequence of intellect having decreased, few are

established in truth. And when people fall off from truth, they become

subject to various diseases; and then lust, and natural calamities ensue.

And afflicted with these, people betake themselves to penances. And some

celebrate sacrifices, desiring to enjoy the good things of life, or

attain heaven. On the coming of the Dwapara Yuga, men become degenerate,

in consequence of impiety. O son of Kunti, in the Kali Yuga a quarter

only of virtue abideth. And in the beginning of this iron age, Narayana

weareth a black hue. And the Vedas and the institutes, and virtue, and

sacrifices, and religious observances, fall into disuse. And (then) reign

iti[41], and disease, and lassitude, and anger and other deformities, and

natural calamities, and anguish, and fear of scarcity. And as the yugas

wane, virtue dwindles. And as virtue dwindles away, creatures degenerate.

And as creatures degenerate, their natures undergo deterioration. And the

religious acts performed at the waning of the yugas, produce contrary

effects. And even those that live for several yugas, conform to these

changes. O represser of foes, as regards thy curiosity to know me, I say

this,--Why should a wise person be eager to know a superfluous matter?

(Thus), O long-armed one, have I narrated in full what thou hadst asked

me regarding the characteristics of the different yugas. Good happen to

thee! Do thou return.'"

SECTION CXLIX

"Bhimasena said, 'Without beholding thy former shape, I will never go

away. If I have found favour with thee, do thou then show me thine own

shape."

Vaisampayana continued, "Being thus addressed by Bhima, the monkey with a

smile showed him that form of his in which he had bounded over the main.

And wishing to gratify his brother, Hanuman assumed a gigantic body which

(both) in length and breadth increased exceedingly. And that monkey of

immeasurable effulgence stood there, covering the plantain grove

furnished with trees, and elevating himself to the height reached by the

Vindhya. And the monkey, having attained his lofty and gigantic body like

unto a mountain, furnished with coppery eyes, and sharp teeth, and a face

marked by frown, lay covering all sides and lashing his long tail. And

that son of the Kurus, Bhima, beholding that gigantic form of his

brother, wondered, and the hairs of his body repeatedly stood on end. And

beholding him like unto the sun in splendour, and unto a golden mountain,

and also unto the blazing firmament, Bhima closed his eyes. Thereupon

Hanuman addressed Bhima with a smile, saying, 'O sinless one, thou art

capable of beholding my size up to this extent. I can, however, go on

swelling my size as long as I wish. And, O Bhima, amidst foes, my size

increaseth exceedingly by its own energy.'

Vaisampayana said, "Witnessing that dreadful and wonderful body of

Hanuman, like unto the Vindhya mountain, the son of the wind-god became

bewildered. Then with his down standing erect, the noble-minded Bhima,

joining his hands, replied unto Hanuman saying (there), 'O lord, by me

have been beheld the vast dimensions of thy body. Do thou (now), O highly

powerful one, decrease thyself by thy own power. Surely I cannot look at

thee, like unto the sun risen, and of immeasurable (power), and

irrepressible, and resembling the mountain Mainaka. O hero, to-day this

wonder of my heart is very great, that thou remaining by his side, Rama

should have encountered Ravana personally. Depending on the strength of

thy arms, thou wert capable of instantly destroying Lanka, with its

warriors, and horses, elephants and chariots. Surely, O son of the

wind-god, there is nothing that is incapable of being achieved by thee;

and in fight, Ravana together with his followers was no match for thee

single-handed."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Bhima, Hanuman, the chief of

monkeys, answered in affectionate words uttered in solemn accents. "O

mighty-armed one, O Bharata, it is even as thou sayest. O Bhimasena, that

worst of Rakshasas was no match for me. But if I had slain Ravana--that

thorn of the worlds--the glory of Raghu's son would have been

obscured;--and for this it is that I left him alone. By slaying that lord

of the Rakshasas together with his followers, and bringing back Sita unto

his own city, that hero hath established his fame among men. Now, O

highly wise one, being intent on the welfare of thy brothers, and

protected by the wind-god, do thou go along a fortunate and auspicious

way. O foremost of the Kurus, this way will lead thee to the Saugandhika

wood. (Proceeding in this direction), thou wilt behold the gardens of

Kuvera, guarded by Yakshas and Rakshasas. Do thou not pluck the flowers

(there) personally by thy own force; for the gods deserve regard

specially from mortals. O best of the Bharata race, the gods confer their

favour (upon men), (being propitiated) by offerings, and homas, and

reverential salutations, and recitation of mantras, and veneration, O

Bharata. Do thou not, therefore, act with rashness, O child; and do thou

not deviate from the duties of thy order. Sticking to the duties of thy

order, do thou understand and follow the highest morality. Without

knowing duties and serving the old, even persons like unto Vrihaspati

cannot understand profit and religion. One should ascertain with

discrimination those cases in which vice goeth under the name of virtue,

and virtue goeth under the name of vice,--(cases) in which people

destitute of intelligence become perplexed. From religious observances

proceedeth merit; and in merit are established the Vedas; and from the

Vedas sacrifices come into existence; and by sacrifices are established

the gods. The gods are maintained by the (celebration of) sacrifices

prescribed by the Vedas and the religious ordinances; while men maintain

themselves by (following) the ordinances of Vrihaspati and Usanas and

also by these avocations, by which the world is maintained,--serving for

wages, (receiving) taxes, merchandise, agriculture and tending kine and

sheep. The world subsisteth by profession. The (study of the) three Vedas

and agriculture and trade and government constitutes, it is ordained by

the wise, the professions of the twice born ones; and each order

maintaineth itself by following the profession prescribed for it. And

when these callings are properly pursued, the world is maintained with

ease. If, however, people do not righteously lead their lives, the world

becometh lawless, in consequence of the want of Vedic merit and

government. And if people do not resort to (their) prescribed vocations,

they perish, but by regularly following the three professions, they bring

about religion. The religion of the Brahmanas consisteth in the knowledge

of the soul and the hue of that order alone is universally the same. The

celebration of sacrifices, and study and bestowal of gifts are well-known

to be the three duties common (to all these orders). Officiating at

sacrifices, teaching and the acceptance of gifts are the duties of a

Brahmana. To rule (the subjects) is the duty of the Kshatriya; and to

tend (cattle), that of the Vaisya, while to serve the twice-born orders

is said to be the duty of the Sudra. The Sudras cannot beg alms, or

perform homas, or observe vows; and they must dwell in the habitation of

their masters. Thy vocation, O son of Kunti, is that of the Kshatriya,

which is to protect (the subjects). Do thou carry out thy own duties, in

an humble spirit, restraining thy senses. That king alone can govern, who

taketh counsel of experienced men, and is helped by honest, intelligent

and learned ministers; but a king who is addicted to vices, meeteth with

defeat. Then only is the order of the world secured, when the king duly

punisheth and conferreth favours. Therefore, it is necessary to ascertain

through spies the nature of the hostile country, its fortified places and

the allied force of the enemy and their prosperity and decay and the way

in which they retain the adhesion of the powers they have drawn to their

side. Spies are among the important auxiliaries of the king; and tact,

diplomacy, prowess, chastisement, favour and cleverness lead to success.

And success is to be attained through these, either in separation, or

combined--namely, conciliation, gift, sowing dissensions, chastisement,

and sight. And, O chief of the Bharatas, polity hath for its root

diplomacy; and diplomacy also is the main qualification of spies. And

polity, if well judged conferreth success. Therefore, in matters of

polity the counsels of Brahmanas should be resorted to. And in secret

affairs, these should not be consulted,--namely, a woman, a sot, a boy, a

covetous person a mean-minded individual, and he that betrayeth signs of

insanity. Wise men only should be consulted, and affairs are to be

despatched through officers that are able. And polity must be executed

through persons that are friendly; but dunces should in all affairs be

excluded. In matters religious, pious men; and in matters of gain, wise

men; and in guarding families, eunuchs; and in all crooked affairs,

crooked men, must be employed. And the propriety or impropriety of the

resolution of the enemy, as also their strength or weakness, must be

ascertained through one's own as well as hostile spies. Favour should be

shown to honest persons that have prudently sought protection; but

lawless and disobedient individuals should be punished. And when the king

justly punisheth and showeth favour, the dignity of the law is well

maintained, O son of Pritha, thus have I expounded, unto thee the hard

duties of kings difficult to comprehend. Do thou with equanimity observe

these as prescribed for thy order. The Brahmanas attain heaven through

merit, mortification of the senses, and sacrifice. The Vaisyas attain

excellent state through gifts, hospitality, and religious acts. The

Kshatriyas attain the celestial regions by protecting and chastising the

subjects, uninfluenced by lust, malice, avarice and anger. If kings

justly punish (their subjects), they go to the place whither repair

meritorious persons.'

SECTION CL

Vaisampayana said, "Then contracting that huge body of his, which he had

assumed at will, the monkey with his arms again embraced Bhimasena. And O

Bharata, on Bhima being embraced by his brother, his fatigue went off,

and all (the powers of body) as also his strength were restored. And

having gained great accession of strength, he thought that there was none

equal to him in physical power. And with tears in his eyes, the monkey

from affection again addressed Bhima in choked utterance, saying, 'O

hero, repair to thy own abode. May I be incidentally remembered by thee

in thy talk! O best of Kurus, do not tell any one that I abide here. O

thou of great strength, the most excellent of the wives of the gods and

Gandharvas resort to this place, and the time of their arrival is nigh.

My eyes have been blessed (by seeing thee). And, O Bhima, having felt a

human being by coming in contact with thee, I have been put in mind of

that son of Raghu, who was Vishnu himself under the name of Rama, and who

delighted the heart of the world; and who was as the sun in regard to the

lotus face of Sita, and also to that darkness--Ravana. Therefore, O

heroic son of Kunti, let not thy meeting with me be fruitless. Do thou

with fraternal feeling ask of me a boon, O Bharata. If this be thy wish,

that going to Varanavata, I may destroy the insignificant sons of

Dhritarashtra--even this will I immediately do. Or if this be thy wish

that, that city may be ground by me with rocks, or that I may bind

Duryodhana and bring him before thee, even this will I do to-day, O thou

of mighty strength.'

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing those words of that high-souled one,

Bhimasena with a cheerful heart answered Hanuman, saying, 'O foremost of

monkeys, I take all this as already performed by thee. Good happen to

thee. O mighty-armed one! I ask of thee this,--be thou well pleased with

me. O powerful one, on thy having become our protector, the Pandavas have

found help. Even by thy prowess shall we conquer all foes." Thus

addressed, Hanuman said unto Bhimasena, 'From fraternal feeling and

affection, I will do good unto thee, by diving into the army of thy foes

copiously furnished with arrows and javelins. And, O highly powerful one,

O hero, when thou shall give leonine roars, then shall I with my own, add

force to shouts. Remaining on the flagstaff of Arjuna's car will I emit

fierce shouts that will damp the energy of thy foes. Thereby ye will slay

them easily.' Having said this unto Pandu's son, and also pointed him out

the way. Hanuman vanished at that spot."

SECTION CLI

Vaisampayana said, "When that foremost of monkeys had gone away, Bhima,

the best of strong men, began to range the huge Gandhamadana along that

path. And he went on, thinking of Hanuman's body and splendour unrivalled

on earth, and also of the greatness and dignity of Dasaratha's son. And

proceeding in search of the place filled with lotuses of that kind, Bhima

beheld romantic woods, and groves, and rivers, and lakes graced with

trees bearing blossoms, and flowery woodlands variegated with various

flowers. And, O Bharata, he beheld herds of mad elephants besmeared with

mud, resembling masses of pouring clouds. And that graceful one went on

with speed, beholding by the wayside woods wherein there stood with their

mates deer of quick glances, holding the grass in their mouths. And

fearless from prowess, Bhimasena, as if invited by the breeze-shaken

trees of the forest ever fragrant with flowers, bearing delicate coppery

twigs, plunged into the mountainous regions inhabited by buffaloes, bears

and leopards. And on the way, he passed by lotus-lakes haunted by

maddened black-bees, having romantic descents and woods, and on account

of the presence of lotus-buds, appearing as if they had joined their

hands (before Bhima). And having for his provisions on the journey the

words of Draupadi, Bhima went on with speed, his mind and sight fixed on

the blooming slopes of the mountain. And when the sun passed the

meridian, he saw in the forest scattered over with deer, a mighty river

filled with fresh golden lotuses. And being crowded with swans and

Karandavas, and graced with Chakravakas, the river looked like a garland

of fresh lotuses put on by the mountain. And in that river that one of

great strength found the extensive assemblage of Saugandhika lotuses,

effulgent as the rising sun, and delightful to behold. And beholding it,

Pandu's son thought within himself that his object had been gained, and

also mentally presented himself before his beloved worn out by exile."

SECTION CLII

Vaisampayana said, "Having reached that spot, Bhimasena saw in the

vicinity of the Kailasa cliff, that beautiful lotus lake surrounded by

lovely woods, and guarded by the Rakshasas. And it sprang from the

cascades contiguous to the abode of Kuvera. And it was beautiful to

behold, and was furnished with a wide-spreading shade and abounded in

various trees and creepers and was covered with green lilies. And this

unearthly lake was filled with golden lotuses, and swarmed with diverse

species of birds. And its banks were beautiful and devoid of mud. And

situated on the rocky elevation this expanse of excellent water was

exceedingly fair. And it was the wonder of the world and healthful and of

romantic sight. In that lake the son of Kunti saw, the water of ambrosial

taste and cool and light and clear and fresh; and the Pandava drank of it

profusely. And that unearthly receptacle of waters was covered with

celestial Saugandhika lotuses, and was also spread over with beautiful

variegated golden lotuses of excellent fragrance having graceful stalks

of lapis lazulis. And swayed by swans and Karandavas, these lotuses were

scattering fresh farina. And this lake was the sporting region of the

high-souled Kuvera, the king of the Yakshas. And it was held in high

regard by the Gandharvas the Apsaras and the celestials. And it was

frequented by the celestial sages and the Yakshas and the Kimpurushas and

the Rakshasas and the Kinnaras; and it was well-protected by Kuvera. And

as soon as he beheld that river and that unearthly lake, Kunti's son,

Bhimasena of mighty strength became exceedingly delighted. And agreeably

to the mandate of their king, hundreds and thousands of Rakshasas, named

Krodhavasas, were guarding that lake, wearing uniforms and armed with

various weapons. And as that repressor of foes, Kunti's son, the heroic

Bhima of dreadful prowess, clad in deer-skins and wearing golden armlets

and equipped with weapons and girding his sword on, was fearlessly

proceeding, with the view of gathering the lotus, those (Rakshasas) saw

him and immediately began to address each other, shouting forth, 'It

behoveth you to enquire for the errand on which this foremost of men,

clad in deer skins, and equipped with arms, hath come.' Then they all

approached the effulgent Vrikodara of mighty arms and asked, 'Who art

thou? Thou shouldst answer our questions. We see thee in the guise of an

ascetic and yet armed with weapons. O thou of mighty intelligence, do

thou unfold unto us the object with which thou hast come (hither)."

SECTION CLIII

"Bhima said, 'I am the son of Pandu, and next by birth to Yudhishthira

the just, and my name is Bhimasena. O Rakshasas, I have come with my

brothers to the jujube named Visala. At that place, Panchali saw an

excellent Saugandhika lotus, which, of a certainty, was carried thither

by the wind from this region. She wisheth to have those flowers in

abundance. Know ye, ye Rakshasas, that I am engaged in fulfilling the

desire of my wedded wife of faultless features, and have come hither to

procure the flowers. Thereat the Rakshasas said, 'O foremost of men, this

spot is dear unto Kuvera, and it is his sporting region. Men subject to

death cannot sport here. O Vrikodara. the celestial sages, and the gods

taking the permission of the chief of the Yakshas, drink of this lake,

and sport herein. And, O Pandava, the Gandharvas and the Apsaras also

divert themselves in this lake. That wicked person who, disregarding the

lord of treasures, unlawfully attempteth to sport here, without doubt,

meeteth with destruction. Disregarding him, thou seekest to take away the

lotuses from this place by main force. Why then dost thou say that thou

art the brother of Yudhishthira the just? First, taking the permission of

the lord of Yakshas, do thou drink of this lake and take away the

flowers. If thou dost not do this, thou shall not be able even to glance

at a single lotus Bhimasena said, 'Ye Rakshasas, I do not see the lord of

wealth here And even if I did see that mighty king, I would not beseech

him Kshatriyas never beseech (any body). This is the eternal morality;

and I by no means wish to forsake the Kshatriya morality. And, further

this lotus-lake hath sprung from the cascades of the mountain; it hath

not been excavated in the mansion of Kuvera. Therefore it belongeth

equally to all creatures with Vaisravana. In regard to a thing of such a

nature, who goeth to beseech another?"

Vaisampayana said, "Having said this unto the Rakshasas, the mighty-armed

and exceedingly unforbearing Bhimasena of great strength plunged into the

lotus-lake. Thereat that powerful one was forbidden by the Rakshasas,

saying, 'Do not do this;' and they from all sides began to abuse him in

anger. But slighting these Rakshasas, that mighty one of dreadful prowess

plunged (farther and farther). Now they all prepared for opposing him.

And with eyes rolling, they upraised their arms, and rushed in wrath at

Bhimasena, exclaiming, 'Seize him!' 'Bind him! Hew him! We shall cook

Bhimasena, and eat him up!' Thereupon that one of great force, taking his

ponderous and mighty mace inlaid with golden plates, like unto the mace

of Yama himself, turned towards those, and then said, 'Stay!' At this,

they darted at him with vehemence, brandishing lances, and axes, and

other weapons. And wishing to destroy Bhima, the dreadful and fierce

Krodhavasas surrounded Bhima on all sides. But that one, being endued

with strength, had been begotten by Vayu in the womb of Kunti; and he was

heroic and energetic, and the slayer of foes, and ever devoted to virtue

and truth, and incapable of being vanquished by enemies through prowess.

Accordingly this high-souled Bhima defeating all the manoeuveres of the

foes, and breaking their arms, killed on the banks of the lake more than

a hundred, commencing with the foremost. And then witnessing his prowess

and strength, and the force of his skill, and also the might of his arms;

and unable to bear (the onset), those prime heroes all of a sudden fled

on all sides in bands.

"Beaten and pierced by Bhimasena, those Krodhavasas quitted the field of

battle, and in confusion quickly fled towards the Kailasa cliff,

supporting themselves in the sky. Having thus by the exercise of his

prowess defeated those hosts, even as Sakra had defeated the armies of

Daityas and Danavas, he (Bhima), now that he had conquered the enemy,

plunged into the lake and began to gather the lotuses, with the object of

gaining his purpose. And as he drank of the waters, like unto nectar, his

energy and strength were again fully restored; and he fell to plucking

and gathering Saugandhika lotuses of excellent fragrance. On the other

hand, the Krodhavasas, being driven by the might of Bhima and exceedingly

terrified, presented themselves before the lord of wealth, and gave an

exact account of Bhima's prowess and strength in fight. Hearing their

words, the god (Kuvera) smiled and then said, 'Let Bhima take for Krishna

as many lotuses as he likes. This is already known to me.' Thereupon

taking the permission of the lord of wealth, those (Rakshasas) renouncing

anger, went to that foremost of the Kurus, and in that lotus-lake beheld

Bhima alone, disporting in delight."

SECTION CLIV

Vaisampayana said, "Then, O best of the Bharatas, Bhima began to collect

those rare unearthly, variegated and fresh flowers in abundance.

"And it came to pass that a high and violent wind, piercing to the touch,

and blowing about gravels, arose, portending battle. And frightful

meteors began to shoot, with thundering sounds. And being enveloped by

darkness, the sun became pale, his rays being obscured. And on Bhima

displaying his prowess, dreadful sounds of explosion rang through the

sky. And the earth began to tremble, and dust fell in showers. And the

points of the heavens became reddened. And beasts and birds began to cry

in shrill tones. And every thing became enveloped in darkness; and

nothing could be distinguished. And other evil omens besides these

appeared there. Witnessing these strange phenomena, Dharma's son

Yudhishthira, the foremost of speakers, said, 'Who is it that will

overcome us? Ye Pandavas who take delight in battle, good betide you! Do

ye equip yourselves. From what I see, I infer that the time for the

display of our prowess hath drawn nigh'. Having said this, the king

looked around. Then not finding Bhima, that represser of foes, Dharma's

son, Yudhishthira, enquired of Krishna and the twins standing near

regarding his brother, Bhima, the doer of dreadful deeds in battle,

saying, 'O Panchali, is Bhima intent upon performing some great feat, or

hath that one delighting in daring deeds already achieved some brave

deed? Portending some great danger, these omens have appeared all around,

indicating a fearful battle.' When Yudhishthira said this, his beloved

queen, the high-minded Krishna of sweet smiles, answered him, in order to

remove his anxiety. 'O king, that Saugandhika lotus which to-day had been

brought by the wind. I had out of love duly shown unto Bhimasena; and I

had also said unto that hero, If thou canst find many of this species,

procuring even all of them, do thou return speedily,--O Pandava, that

mighty armed one, with the view of gratifying my desire, may have gone

towards the north-east to bring them.' Having heard these words of hers,

the king said unto twins, 'Let us together follow the path taken by

Vrikodara. Let the Rakshasas carry those Brahmanas that are fatigued and

weak. O Ghatotkacha, O thou like unto a celestial, do thou carry Krishna.

I am convinced and it is plain that Bhima hath dived into the forest; for

it is long since he hath gone, and in speed he resembleth the wind, and

in clearing over the ground, he is swift like unto Vinata's son, and he

will ever leap into the sky, and alight at his will. O Rakshasas, we

shall follow him through your prowess. He will not at first do any wrong

to the Siddhas versed in the Vedas. O best of the Bharatas, saying, 'So

be it,' Hidimava's son and the other Rakshasas who knew the quarter where

the lotus lake of Kuvera was situated, started cheerfully with Lomasa,

bearing the Pandavas, and many of the Brahmanas. Having shortly reached

that spot, they saw that romantic lake covered with Saugandhika and other

lotuses and surrounded by beautiful woods. And on its shores they beheld

the high-souled and vehement Bhima, as also the slaughtered Yakshas of

large eyes, with their bodies, eyes, arms and thighs smashed, and their

heads crushed. And on seeing the high-souled Bhima, standing on the shore

of that lake in an angry mood, and with steadfast eyes, and biting his

lip, and stationed on the shore of the lake with his mace upraised by his

two hands, like unto Yama with his mace in his hand at the time of the

universal dissolution. Yudhishthira the just, embraced him again and

again, and said in sweet words, 'O Kaunteya, what hast thou done? Good

betide thee! If thou wishest to do good unto me, thou shouldst never

again commit such a rash act, nor offend the gods.' Having thus

instructed the son of Kunti, and taken the flowers those god-like ones

began to sport in that very lake. At this instant, the huge-bodied

warders of the gardens, equipped with rocks for weapons, presented

themselves at the spot. And seeing Yudhishthira the just and the great

sage Lomasa and Nakula and Sahadeva and also the other foremost of

Brahmanas, they all bowed themselves down in humility. And being pacified

by Yudhishthira the just, the Rakshasas became satisfied. And with the

knowledge of Kuvera, those foremost of Kurus for a short time dwelt

pleasantly at that spot on the slopes of the Gandhamadana, expecting

Arjuna."

SECTION CLV

Vaisampayana said, "Once upon a time Yudhishthira, while living at that

place, addressed Krishna, his brother, and the Brahmanas, saying, 'By us

have been attentively seen one after another sacred and auspicious

tirthas, and woods, delightful to beheld, which had ere this been visited

by the celestials and the high-souled sages, and which had been

worshipped by the Brahmanas. And in various sacred asylums we have

performed ablutions with Brahmanas, and have heard from them the lives

and acts of many sages, and also of many royal sages of yore, and other

pleasant stories. And with flowers and water have the gods been

worshipped by us. And with offerings of fruits and roots as available at

each place we have gratified the pitris. And with the high-souled ones

have we performed ablutions in all sacred and beautiful mountains and

lakes, and also in the highly sacred ocean. And with the Brahmanas we

have bathed in the Ila, and in the Saraswati, and in the Sindhu, and in

the Yamuna, and in the Narmada, and in various other romantic tirthas.

And having passed the source of the Ganga, we have seen many a lovely

hill and the Himalaya mountains, inhabited by various species of birds,

and also the jujube named Visala, where there is the hermitage of Nara

and Narayana. And (finally) we have beheld this unearthly lake, held in

veneration by the Siddhas, the gods and the sages. In fact, O foremost of

Brahmanas, we have one by one carefully seen all celebrated and sacred

spots in company with the high-souled Lomasa. Now, O Bhima, how shall we

repair to the sacred abode of Vaisravana, inhabited by the Siddhas? Do

thou think of the means of entering (the same)."

Vaisampayana said, "When that king had said this, an aerial voice spake,

saying. 'Thou will not be able to go to that inaccessible spot. By this

very way, do thou repair from this region of Kuvera to the place whence

thou hadst come even to the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, known by the

name of Vadari. Thence, O Kaunteya. thou wilt repair to the hermitage of

Vrishaparva, abounding in flowers and fruit, and inhabited by the Siddhas

and the Charanas. Having passed that, O Partha, thou wilt proceed to the

hermitage of Arshtisena, and from thence thou wilt behold the abode of

Kuvera.' Just at that moment the breeze became fresh, and gladsome and

cool and redolent of unearthly fragrance; and it showered blossoms, And

on hearing the celestial voice from the sky, they all were amazed,--more

specially those earthly rishis and the Brahmanas. On hearing this mighty

marvel, the Brahmana Dhaumya, said, 'This should not be gainsaid. O

Bharata, let this be so.' Thereupon, king Yudhishthira obeyed him. And

having returned to the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, he began to dwell

pleasantly, surrounded by Bhimasena and his other brothers, Panchali the

Brahmanas."

SECTION CLVI

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus dwelling with the Brahmanas in that best of

mountains, in expectation of Arjuna's return, when the Pandavas had grown

confident and when all those Rakshasas together with Bhima's son had

departed, one day while Bhimasena was away, a Rakshasa all of a sudden

carried off Yudhishthira the just and the twins and Krishna. That

Rakshasa (in the guise of a Brahmana) had constantly remained in the

company of the Pandavas, alleging that he was a high-class Brahmana,

skilled in counsel, and versed in all the Sastras. His object was to

possess himself of the bows, the quivers and the other material

implements belonging to the Pandavas; and he had been watching for an

opportunity of ravishing Draupadi. And that wicked and sinful one was

named Jatasura. And, O king of kings, Pandu's son (Yudhishthira) had been

supporting him, but knew not that wretch like unto a fire covered with

ashes.

"And once on a day while that represser of foes, Bhimasena, was out a

hunting, he (the Rakshasa), seeing Ghatotkacha and his followers scatter

in different directions and seeing those vow-observing great rishis, of

ascetic wealth, viz.; Lomasa and the rest, away for bathing and

collecting flowers, assumed a different form, gigantic and monstrous and

frightful; and having secured all the arms (of the Pandavas) as also

Draupadi, that wicked one fled away taking the three Pandavas. Thereupon

that son of Pandu, Sahadeva, extricated himself with exertion, and by

force snatched the sword named Kausika from the grasp of the enemy and

began to call Bhimasena, taking the direction in which that mighty one

had gone. And on being carried off Yudhishthira the just, addressed him

(that Rakshasa), saying, 'O stupid one, thy merit decreaseth (even by

this act of thine). Dost thou not pay heed unto the established order of

nature? Whether belonging to the human race, or to the lower orders, all

pay regard to virtue,--more specially the Rakshasas. In the first

instance, they knew virtue better than others. Having considered all

these, thou ought to adhere to virtue. O Rakshasa, the gods, the pitris,

the Siddhas, the rishis, the Gandharvas, the brutes and even the worms

and ants depend for their lives on men; and thou too liveth through that

agency. If prosperity attendeth the human race, thy race also prospereth;

and if calamities befall the former, even the celestials suffer grief.

Being gratified by offerings, do the gods thrive. O Rakshasa, we are the

guardians, governors and preceptors of kingdoms. If kingdoms become

unprotected, whence can proceed prosperity and happiness? Unless there be

offence, a Rakshasa should not violate a king. O man-eating one, we have

committed no wrong, ever so little. Living on vighasa, we serve the gods

and others to the best of our power. And we are never intent upon bowing

down to our superiors and Brahmanas. A friend, and one confiding, and he

whose food hath been partaken of, and he that hath afforded shelter,

should never be injured. Thou hast lived in our place happily, being duly

honoured. And, O evil-minded one, having partaken of our food, how canst

thou carry us off? And as thy acts are so improper and as thou hast grown

in age without deriving any benefit and as thy propensities are evil, so

thou deservest to die for nothing, and for nothing wilt thou die to-day.

And if thou beest really evil-disposed and devoid of all virtue, do thou

render us back our weapons and ravish Draupadi after fight. But if

through stupidity thou must do this deed, then in the world thou wilt

only reap demerit and infamy O Rakshasa, by doing violence to this female

of the human race, thou hast drunk poison, after having shaken the

vessel.' Thereupon, Yudhishthira made himself ponderous to the Rakshasa.

And being oppressed with the weight, he could not proceed rapidly as

before. Then addressing Draupadi, Nakula and Sahadeva, Yudhishthira said,

'Do ye not entertain any fear of this wretched Rakshasa, I have checked

his speed. The mighty-armed son of the Wind-god may not be far away; and

on Bhima coming up at the next moment, the Rakshasa will not live.' O

king, staring at the Rakshasa bereft of sense, Sahadeva addressed

Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, saying, 'What can be more meritorious for

a Kshatriya than to fall in fight, or defeat a foe? O repressor of foes,

we will fight and either this one will slay us, or we shall slay him, O

mighty-armed one. Verily this is the place and time. O king. And, O thou

of unfailing prowess, the time hath come for the display of our Kshatriya

virtue. It behoveth us to attain heaven either by gaining victory or

being slain. If the sun sets to-day, the Rakshasa living yet, O Bharata,

I will not any more say that I am a Kshatriya. Ho! Ho! Rakshasa. say! I

am Pandu's son, Sahadeva. Either, after having killed me, carry off this

lady, or being slain, lie senseless here.'

"Madri's son, Sahadeva, was speaking thus, when Bhimasena made his

appearance, with a mace in his hand, like unto Vasava himself wielding

the thunder-bolt. And here he saw his two brothers and the noble-minded

Draupadi (on the shoulders of the demon), and Sahadeva on the ground

rebuking the Rakshasa and also that stupid Rakshasa himself deprived of

sense by Fate, going round in different directions through bewilderment

caused by Destiny. And finding his brothers and Draupadi being carried

off, Bhima of mighty strength was fired with wrath, and addressed the

Rakshasa, saying, 'I had ere this found thee out for a wicked wight from

thy scrutiny of our weapons; but as I had no apprehension of thee, so I

had not slain thee at that time. Thou wert in the disguise of a

Brahmana--nor didst thou say anything harsh unto us. And thou didst take

delight in pleasing us. And thou also didst not do us wrong. And,

furthermore, thou wert our guest. How could I, therefore, slay thee, who

wert thus innocent of offence, and who wert in the disguise of a

Brahmana? He that knowing such a one to be even a Rakshasa, slayeth him,

goes to hell. Further, thou canst not be killed before the time cometh.

Surely to-day thou hast reached the fullness of thy time in as much as

thy mind hath been thus turned by the wonder-performing Fate towards

carrying off Krishna. By committing thyself to this deed, thou hast

swallowed up the hook fastened to the line of Fate. So like unto a fish

in water, whose mouth hath been hooked, how canst thou live to-day? Thou

shall not have to go whither thou intendest to, or whither thou hadst

already gone mentally; but thou shall go whither have repaired Vaka and

Hidimva.'

"Thus addressed by Bhima, the Rakshasa in alarm put them down; and being

forced by Fate, approached for fight. And with his lips trembling in

anger he spake unto Bhima, saying, 'Wretch! I have not been bewildered; I

had been delaying for thee. To day will I offer oblations of thy blood to

those Rakshasas who, I had heard, have been slain by thee in fight' Thus

addressed, Bhima, as if bursting with wrath, like unto Yama himself at

the time of the universal dissolution, rushed towards the Rakshasa,

licking the corners of his mouth and staring at him as he struck his own

arms with the hands. And seeing Bhima waiting in expectation of fight,

the Rakshasa also darted towards him in anger, like unto Vali towards the

wielder of the thunderbolt, repeatedly gaping and licking the corners of

his mouth. And when a dreadful wrestling ensued between those two, both

the sons of Madri, waxing exceeding wroth rushed forward; but Kunti's

son, Vrikodara, forbade them with a smile and said, 'Witness ye! I am

more than a match for this Rakshasa. By my own self and by my brothers,

and by my merit, and by my good deeds, and by my sacrifices, do I swear

that I shall slay this Rakshasa.' And after this was said, those two

heroes, the Rakshasa and Vrikodara challenging each other, caught each

other by the arms. And they not forgiving each other, then there ensued a

conflict between the infuriated Bhima and the Rakshasa, like unto that

between a god and a demon. And repeatedly uprooting trees, those two of

mighty strength struck each other, shouting and roaring like two masses

of clouds. And those foremost of athletes, each wishing to kill the

other, and rushing at the other with vehemence, broke down many a

gigantic tree by their thighs. Thus that encounter with trees,

destructive of plants, went on like unto that between the two brothers

Vali and Sugriva--desirous of the possession of a single woman.

Brandishing trees for a moment, they struck each other with them,

shouting incessantly. And when all the trees of the spot had been pulled

down and crushed into fibres by them endeavouring to kill each other,

then, O Bharata, those two of mighty strength, taking up rocks, began to

fight for a while, like unto a mountain and a mighty mass of clouds. And

not suffering each other, they fell to striking each other with hard and

large crags, resembling vehement thunder-bolts. Then from strength

defying each other, they again darted at each other, and grasping each

other by their arms, began to wrestle like unto two elephants. And next

they dealt each other fierce blows. And then those two mighty ones began

to make chattering sounds by gnashing their teeth. And at length, having

clenched his fist like a five-headed snake, Bhima with force dealt a blow

on the neck of the Rakshasa. And when struck by that fist of Bhima, the

Rakshasa became faint, Bhimasena stood, catching hold of that exhausted

one. And then the god-like mighty-armed Bhima lifted him with his two

arms, and dashing him with force on the ground, the son of Pandu smashed

all his limbs. And striking him with his elbow, he severed from his body

the head with bitten lips and rolling eyes, like unto a fruit from its

stem. And Jatasura's head being severed by Bhimasena's might, he fell

besmeared with gore, and having bitten lips. Having slain Jatasura, Bhima

presented himself before Yudhishthira, and the foremost Brahmanas began

to eulogise him (Bhima) even as the Marutas (eulogise) Vasava."

SECTION CLVII

Vaisampayana continued, "On that Rakshasa having been slain, that lord,

the royal son of Kunti, returned to the hermitage of Narayana and began

to dwell there. And once on a time, remembering his brother Jaya

(Arjuna), Yudhishthira summoned all his brothers, together with Draupadi

and said these words, 'We have passed these four years peacefully ranging

the woods. It hath been appointed by Vibhatsu that about the fifth year

he will come to that monarch of mountains, the excellent cliff Sweta,

ever graced with festivities held by blooming plants and maddened Kokilas

and black bees, and peacocks, and chatakas and inhabited by tigers, and

boars and buffaloes, and gavayas, and deer, and ferocious beasts; and

sacred; and lovely with blown lotuses of a hundred and a thousand petals,

and blooming lilies and blue lilies and frequented by the celestials and

the Asuras. And we also, eagerly anxious of meeting him on his arrival

have made up our minds to repair thither. Partha of unrivalled prowess

hath appointed with me, saying, 'I shall remain abroad for five years,

with the object of learning military science.' In the place like unto the

region of the gods, shall we behold the wielder of Gandiva, arrive after

having obtained the weapons.' Having said this, the Pandava summoned the

Brahmanas, and the sons of Pritha having gone round the ascetics of rigid

austerities and thereby pleased them, informed them of the matter

mentioned above. Thereupon the Brahmanas gave their assent, saying, 'This

shall be attended by prosperity and welfare. O foremost of the Bharatas,

these troubles shall result in happiness. O pious one, gaining the earth

by the Kshatriya virtue, thou shall govern it.' Then in obedience to

these words of the ascetics, that represser of foes, Yudhishthira, set

out with his brothers and those Brahmanas, followed by the Rakshasa and

protected by Lomasa. And that one of mighty energy, and of staunch vows,

with his brothers, at places went on foot and at others were carried by

the Rakshasas. Then king Yudhishthira, apprehending many troubles,

proceeded towards the north abounding in lions and tigers and elephants.

And beholding on the way the mountain Mainaka and the base of the

Gandhamadana and that rocky mass Sweta and many a crystal rivulet higher

and higher up the mountain, he reached on the seventeenth day the sacred

slopes of the Himalayas. And, O king, not far from the Gandhamadana,

Pandu's son beheld on the sacred slopes of the Himavan covered with

various trees and creepers the holy hermitage of Vrishaparva surrounded

by blossoming trees growing near the cascades. And when those repressers

of foes, the sons of Pandu, had recovered from fatigue, they went to the

royal sage, the pious Vrishaparva and greeted him. And that royal sage

received with affection those foremost of Bharatas, even as his own sons.

And those repressers of foes passed there seven nights, duly regarded.

And when the eighth day came, taking the permission of that sage

celebrated over the worlds, they prepared to start on their journey. And

having one by one introduced unto Vrishaparva those Brahmanas, who, duly

honoured, remained in his charge as friends; and having also entrusted

the highsouled Vrishaparva with their remaining robes, the sons of Pandu,

O king, left in the hermitage of Vrishaparva their sacrificial vessels

together with their ornaments and jewels. And wise and pious and versed

in every duty and having a knowledge of the past as well as the future,

that one gave instructions unto those best of the Bharatas, as unto his

own sons. Then taking his permission those high-souled ones set out

towards the north. And as they set out the magnanimous Vrishaparva

followed them to a certain distance. Then having entrusted the Pandavas

unto the care of the Brahmanas and instructed and blessed them and given

directions concerning their course, Vrishaparva of mighty energy retraced

his steps.

"Then Kunti's son, Yudhishthira of unfailing prowess, together with his

brothers, began to proceed on foot along the mountain path, inhabited by

various kinds of beasts. And having dwelt at the mountain slopes, densely

overgrown with trees, Pandu's son on the fourth day reached the Sweta

mountain, like unto a mighty mass of clouds, abounding in streams and

consisting of a mass of gold and gems. And taking the way directed by

Vrishaparva, they reached one by one the intended places, beholding

various mountains. And over and over they passed with ease many

inaccessible rocks and exceedingly impassable caves of the mountain. And

Dhaumya and Krishna and the Parthas and the mighty sage Lomasa went on in

a body and none grew tired. And those highly fortunate ones arrived at

the sacred and mighty mountain resounding with the cries of birds and

beasts and covered with various trees and creepers and inhabited by

monkeys, and romantic and furnished with many lotus-lakes and having

marshes and extensive forests. And then with their down standing erect,

they saw the mountain Gandhamadana, the abode of Kimpurushas, frequented

by Siddhas and Charanas and ranged by Vidyadharis and Kinnaris and

inhabited by herds of elephants and thronged with lions and tigers and

resounding with the roars of Sarabhas and attended by various beasts. And

the war-like sons of Pandu gradually entered into the forest of the

Gandhamadana, like unto the Nandana gardens, delightful to the mind and

heart and worthy of being inhabited and having beautiful groves. And as

those heroes entered with Draupadi and the high-souled Brahmanas, they

heard notes uttered by the mouths of birds, exceedingly sweet and

graceful to the ear and causing delight and dulcet and broken by reason

of excess of animal spirits. And they saw various trees bending under the

weight of fruits in all seasons, and ever bright with flowers--such as

mangoes and hog-plums and bhavyas and pomegranates, citrons and jacks and

lakuchas and plantains and aquatic reeds and parvatas and champakas and

lovely kadamvas and vilwas, wood-apples and rose-apples and kasmaris and

jujbes and figs and glomerous figs and banians and aswatthas and khirikas

and bhall atakas and amalkas and bibhitakas and ingudas and karamardas

and tindukas of large fruits--these and many others on the slopes of the

Gandhamadana, clustered with sweet and nectarine fruits. And besides

these, they beheld champakas and asokas and ketakas and vakulas and

punnagas and saptaparnas and karnikaras, and patals, and beautiful

kutajas and mandaras, and lotuses, and parijatas, and kovidaras and

devadarus, and salas, and palmyra palms, and tamalas, and pippalas, and

salmalis and kinsukas, and singsapas, and saralas and these were

inhabited by Chakoras, and wood-peckers and chatakas, and various other

birds, singing in sweet tones pleasing to the ear. And they saw lakes

beautiful on all sides with aquatic birds, and covered all around with

kumudas, and pundarikas, and kokanadas, and utpalas, and kalharas, and

kamalas and thronged on all sides with drakes and ruddy geese, and

ospreys, and gulls and karandavas, and plavas, and swans, and cranes, and

shags, and other aquatic birds. And those foremost of men saw those

lotus-lakes beautified with assemblages of lotuses, and ringing with the

sweet hum of bees, glad, and drowsy on account of having drunk the

intoxicating honey of lotuses, and reddened with the farina falling from

the lotuscups. And in the groves they beheld with their hens peacocks

maddened with desire caused by the notes of cloud-trumpets; and those

woods-loving glad peacocks drowsy with desire, were dancing, spreading in

dalliance their gorgeous tails, and were crying in melodious notes. And

some of the peacocks were sporting with their mates on kutaja trees

covered with creepers. And some sat on the boughs of the kutajas,

spreading their gorgeous tails, and looking like crowns worn by the

trees. And in the glades they beheld the graceful sindhuvaras like unto

the darts of Cupid. And on the summits of the mountain, they saw blooming

karnikaras bearing blossoms of a golden hue, appearing like ear-rings of

excellent make. And in the forest they saw blossoming kuruvakas, like

unto the shafts of Cupid, which smiteth one with desire and maketh him

uneasy. And they saw tilakas appearing like unto beauty-spots painted on

the forehead of the forest. And they saw mango trees graced with blossoms

hummed over by black bees, and serving the purpose of Cupid's shafts. And

on the slopes of the mountain there were diverse blossoming trees,

looking lovely, some bearing flowers of a golden hue, and some, of the

hue of the forest-conflagration, and some, red and some sable, and some

green like unto lapises. And besides these, there were ranges of salas

and tamalas and patalas and vakula trees, like unto garlands put on by

the summits of mountain. Thus gradually beholding on the slopes of the

mountain many lakes, looking transparent like crystal, and having swans

of white plumage and resounding with cries of cranes, and filled with

lotuses and lilies, and furnished with waters of delicious feel; and also

beholding fragrant flowers, and luscious fruits, and romantic lakes, and

captivating trees, the Pandavas penetrated into the forest with eyes

expanded with wonder. And (as they proceeded) they were fanned by the

breeze of balmy feel, and perfumed by kamalas and utpalas and kalharas

and pundarikas. Then Yudhishthira pleasantly spake unto Bhima saying,

'Ah! O Bhima, beautiful is this forest of the Gandhamadana. In this

romantic forest there are various heavenly blossoming wild trees and

creepers, bedecked with foliage and fruit, nor are there any trees that

do not flower. On these slopes of the Gandhamadana, all the trees are of

sleek foliage and fruit. And behold how these lotus-lakes with fullblown

lotuses, and ringing with the hum of black bees, are being agitated by

elephants with their mates. Behold another lotus-lake girt with lines of

lotuses, like unto a second Sree in an embodied form wearing garlands.

And in this excellent forest there are beautiful ranges of woods, rich

with the aroma of various blossoms, and hummed over by the black bees.

And, O Bhima, behold on all sides the excellent sporting ground of the

celestials. By coming here, we have attained extra-human state, and been

blessed. O Partha, on these slopes of the Gandhamadana, yon beautiful

blossoming trees, being embraced by creepers with blossoms at their tops,

look lovely. And, O Bhima, hark unto the notes of the peacocks crying

with their hens on the mountain slopes. And birds such as chakoras, and

satapatras, and maddened kokilas, and parrots, are alighting on these

excellent flowering trees. And sitting on the twigs, myriads of

jivajivakas of scarlet, yellow and red hues, are looking at one another.

And the cranes are seen near the spots covered with green and reddish

grass, and also by the side of the cascades. And those birds,

bhringarajas, and upachakras, and herons are pouring forth their notes

charming to all creatures. And, lo! with their mates, these elephants

furnished with four tusks, and white as lotuses, are agitating that large

lake of the hue of lapises. And from many cascades, torrents high as

several palmyra palms (placed one upon another) are rushing down from the

cliffs. And many argent minerals splendid, and of the effulgence of the

sun, and like unto autumnal clouds, are beautifying this mighty mountain.

And in some places there are minerals of the hue of the collyrium, and in

some those like unto gold, in some, yellow orpiment and in some,

vermilion, and in some, caves of red arsenic like unto the evening clouds

and in some, red chalk of the hue of the rabit, and in some, minerals

like unto white and sable clouds; and in some, those effulgent as the

rising sun, these minerals of great lustre beautify the mountain. O

Partha, as was said by Vrishaparva, the Gandharvas and the Kimpurushas,

in company with their loves, are visible on the summits of the mountain.

And, O Bhima, there are heard various songs of appropriate measures, and

also Vedic hymns, charming to all creatures. Do thou behold the sacred

and graceful celestial river Mahaganga, with swans, resorted to by sages

and Kinnaras. And, O represser of foes, see this mountain having

minerals, rivulets, and beautiful woods and beasts, and snakes of diverse

shapes and a hundred heads and Kinnaras, Gandharvas and Apsaras.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Having attained excellent state, those valiant and

warlike repressers of foes with Draupadi and the high-souled Brahmanas

were exceedingly delighted at heart, and they were not satiated by

beholding that monarch of mountains. Thereafter they saw the hermitage of

the royal sage Arshtishena, furnished with flowers and trees bearing

fruits. Then they went to Arshtishena versed in all duties of rigid

austerities, skeleton-like, and having muscles bare."

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.'"

SECTION CLXIII

Vaisampayana continued, "Dwelling in that best of mountains those

high-souled ones observing excellent vows, felt themselves attracted (to

that place), and diverted themselves, eager to behold Arjuna. And

multitudes of Gandharvas and Maharshis gladly visited those energetic

ones, possessing prowess, of chaste desires and being the foremost of

those endued with truth and fortitude. And having arrived at that

excellent mountain furnished with trees bearing blossoms, those mighty

charioteers were exceedingly delighted, even as the Marutas, on arriving

at the celestial regions. And experiencing great exhilaration, they lived

(there), seeing the slopes and summits of that mighty mountain, filled

with flowers, and resonant with the cries of peacocks and cranes. And on

that beautiful mountain they beheld lakes filled with lotuses, and having

their shores covered with trees, and frequented by darkness, and

karandavas and swans. And the flourishing sporting-regions, graceful on

account of the various flowers, and abounding in gems, was capable of

captivating that king, the dispenser of wealth (Kuvera). And always

ranging (there), those foremost of ascetics (the Pandavas) were incapable

of conceiving (the significance of) that Summit, furnished with mighty

trees, and masses of wide-spreading clouds. And, O great hero, owing to

its native splendour, and also on account of the brilliance of the annual

plants, there was no difference there between night and day. And staying

in the mountain, remaining in which the Sun of unrivalled energy

cherisheth the mobile and immobile things, those heroes and foremost of

men beheld the rising and the setting of the Sun. And having seen the

rising and the setting points of the Sun and the rising and the setting

mountain, and all the cardinal points, as well as the intervening spaces

ever blazing with the rays of the Dispeller of darkness, those heroes, in

expectation of the arrival of that mighty charioteer firm in truth,

became engaged in reciting the Vedas, practising the daily rituals,

chiefly discharging the religious duties, exercising sacred vows, and

abiding by the truth. And saying, 'Let us even here experience delight by

joining without delay Arjuna accomplished in arms,' those highly blessed

Parthas became engaged in the practice of Yoga. And beholding romantic

woods on that mountain, as they always thought of Kiriti, every day and

night appeared unto them even as a year. From that very moment joy had

taken leave of them when, with Dhaumya's permission, the high-souled

Jishnu, matting his hair, departed (for the woods). So, how could they,

absorbed in his contemplation, experience happiness there? They had

become overwhelmed with grief ever since the moment when at the command

of his brother, Yudhishthira, Jishnu of the tread of a mad elephant had

departed from the Kamyaka forest. O Bharata, in this way, on that

mountain those descendants of Bharata passed a month with difficulty,

thinking of him of the white steeds, who had gone to Vasava's abode for

learning arms. And Arjuna, having dwelt for five years in the abode of

him of a thousand eyes, and having from that lord of celestials obtained

all the celestial weapons,--such as those of Agni, of Varuna, of Soma, of

Vayu, of Vishnu, of Indra, of Pasupati, of Brahma, of Parameshthi, of

Prajapati, of Yama, of Dhata, of Savita, of Tvashta, and of Vaisravana;

and having bowed down to and gone round him of a hundred sacrifices, and

taken his (Indra's) permission, cheerfully came to the Gandhamadana."

SECTION CLXIV

Vaisampayana continued, "And it came to pass that once a day as those

mighty charioteers were thinking of Arjuna, seeing Mahendra's car, yoked

with horses of the effulgence of lightning, arrive all on a sudden, they

were delighted. And driven by Matali, that blazing car, suddenly

illuminating the sky, looked like smokeless flaming tongues of fire, or a

mighty meteor embosomed in clouds. And seated in that car appeared Kiriti

wearing garlands and new-made ornaments. Then Dhananjaya possessing the

prowess of the wielder of the thunder-bolt, alighted on that mountain,

blazing in beauty. And that intelligent one decked in a diadem and

garlands, having alighted on the mountain, first bowed down at the feet

of Dhaumya, and then at those of Ajatasatru. And he also paid homage unto

Vrikodara's feet; and the twins also bowed down unto him. Then going to

Krishna, and having cheered her, he stood before his (elder) brother in

humble guise. And on meeting with that matchless one, they were

exceedingly delighted. And he also meeting with them rejoiced

exceedingly, and began to eulogise the king. And seeing before them that

car driving in which the slayer of Namuchi had annihilated seven

phalanxes of Diti's offspring, the magnanimous Parthas went round it. And

being highly pleased, they offered excellent worship unto Matali, as unto

the lord of the celestials himself. And then the son of the Kuru king

duly enquired of him after the health of all the gods. And Matali also

greeted them. And having instructed the Parthas even as a father doth his

sons, he ascended that incomparable car, and returned to the lord of the

celestials.

"And when Matali had gone away, that foremost of the royal race, Sakra's

son, the high-souled destroyer of all foes made over unto his love, the

mother of Sutasoma, beautiful precious gems and ornaments having the

splendour of the sun, which had been presented to him by Sakra. Then,

sitting in the midst of those foremost of the Kurus, and those best of

the Brahmanas, effulgent like unto fire or the sun, he began to relate

all as it had happened, saying, "In this way, I have learnt weapons from

Sakra, Vayu, and the manifest Siva; and all the celestials with Indra

also have been pleased with me, on account of my good behaviour, and

concentration.'

"After having briefly narrated unto them his sojourn in heaven, Kiriti of

spotless deeds agreeably slept that night with the two sons of Madri."

SECTION CLXV

Vaisampayana said, "Then when the night had been spent, Dhananjaya,

together with his brothers, paid homage unto Yudhishthira the just. And,

O Bharata, at this moment, proceeding from the celestials there arose

mighty and tremendous sounds of a musical instrument, and the rattling of

car-wheels, and the tolling of bells. And there at all the beasts and

beasts of prey and birds emitted separate cries. And from all sides in

cars resplendent as the sun, hosts of Gandharvas and Apsaras began to

follow that represser of foes, the lord of the celestials. And ascending

a car yoked with steeds, decorated with burnished gold, and roaring like

clouds, that king of the celestials, Purandara blazing in beauty came

unto the Parthas. And having arrived (at that place), he of a thousand

eyes descended from his car. And as soon as Yudhishthira the just saw

that high-souled one, he together with his brothers, approached that

graceful king of the immortals. And in accordance with the ordinance that

generous one duly worshipped him of immeasurable soul, in consequence

with his dignity. And then Dhananjaya possessed of prowess, having bowed

down unto Purandara, stood before the lord of the celestials in humble

guise, like unto a servant. And seeing the sinless Dhananjaya having

ascetic merit, bearing clotted hair, stand in humility before the lord of

celestials, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti; of great energy, smelt (the

crown) of his head. And beholding Phalguna (in that attitude), he was

exceedingly glad; and by worshipping the king of the celestials, he

experienced the highest bliss. Then unto that strongminded monarch,

swimming in felicity, the intelligent lord of the celestials, Purandara,

spake, saying, Thou shalt rule the earth, O Pandava, Blessed be thou! Do

thou, O Kunti's son, again repair unto Kamyaka.'"That learned man who for

a year leading the Brahmacharya mode of life, subduing his senses and

observing vows, peruseth with rapt attention this meeting of Sakra with

the Pandavas, liveth a hundred years free from disturbances, and enjoying

happiness."'

SECTION CLXVI

Vaisampayana continued, "When Sakra had gone to his proper place,

Vibhatsu together with his brothers and Krishna, paid homage unto the son

of Dharma. Then smelling the crown of the head of that Pandava, who was

thus paying homage, (Yudhishthira) in accents faltering on account of

you, addressed Arjuna, saying 'O Arjuna, how didst thou pass this period

in heaven? And how has thou obtained the weapons, and how also hast thou

gratified the lord of the celestials? And, O Pandava, has thou adequately

secured the weapons? Have the lord of the celestials and Rudra gladly

granted thee the weapons? And how hast thou beheld the divine Sakra, and

the wielder of Pinaka? And how has thou obtained the weapons? And in what

manner didst thou worship (them)? And what service hadst thou done unto

that repressor of foes, the worshipful one of a hundred sacrifices, that

he said unto thee, 'By thee have I been gratified? All this, O highly

effulgent one, I wish to hear in detail. And, O sinless one, the manner

in which thou didst please Mahadeva and the king of the celestials and, O

repressor of foes, the service thou hadst done to the wielder of the

thunder-bolt,--do thou, O Dhananjaya, relate all this in detail."

"Arjuna said, 'O mighty monarch, listen how I duly beheld him of a

hundred sacrifice and the divine Sankara also. O grinder of foes, O king,

having acquired that science which thou hadst directed me (to learn), I

at thy command went to the forest, for practising penances. From Kamyaka

repairing to the Bhrigutunga, I spent there one night, being engaged in

austerities And it came to pass that on the next I saw a certain

Brahmana. And he asked me, saying, 'O son of Kunti, whither wilt thou

go?' Thereupon, O descendant of the Kurus, I truly related unto him

everything. And, O best of kings, having heard the true account, the

Brahmana became well-pleased with me, and, O king, praised me. Then the

Brahmana, pleased with me, said, 'O Bharata, be thou engaged in

austerities. By performing penances, thou wilt in a short time behold the

lord of the celestials.' And according to his advice I ascended the

Himavan, and, O mighty king, began to practise penances, (the first)

month subsisting on fruit and roots. I spent the second month, subsisting

on water. And, O Pandava, in the third month I totally abstained from

food. And in the fourth month I remained with upraised arms. And a wonder

it is that I did not lose any strength. And it came to pass that when the

first day of the fifth month had been spent, there appeared before me a

being wearing the form of a boar, turning up the earth with his mouth,

stamping the ground with his feet, rubbing the earth with his breast, and

momentarily going about in a frightful manner. And him followed a great

being in the guise of a hunter furnished with the bow, arrows, and the

sword, and surrounded by females. Thereupon, taking my bow and the two

inexhaustible quivers, I pierced with shafts that terrible and frightful

creature. And simultaneously (with me) that hunter also drawing a strong

bow, more severely struck at (the animal), as if shaking my mind. And, O

king, he also said unto me, 'Why hast thou, transgressing the rules of

hunting, hit the animal first hit at by me? With these sharpened shafts

will I destroy thy pride. Stay!' Then that mighty-bodied one holding the

bow rushed at me. And with volleys of mighty shafts, he covered me

entirely, even as a cloud covereth a mountain with showers. Then, on my

part, I covered him with a mighty discharge of arrows. Thereupon, with

steady arrows having their points aflame, and inspired with mantras, I

pierced him even as (Indra) riveth a mountain with a thunderbolt. Then

his person began to be multiplied a hundredfold and a thousandfold. At

this, I pierced all this bodies with shafts. Then again all those forms

became one, O Bharata. Thereat I struck at it. Next, he now assumed a

small body with a huge head, and now a huge body with a small head. And,

O king, he then assumed his former person and approached me for fight.

And, O foremost of the Bharata race, when in the encounter I failed to

overwhelm him with arrows, I fixed the mighty weapon of the Wind-god. But

I failed to discharge it at him, and this was a wonder. And when that

weapon thus failed of effect, I was struck with amazement. However, O

king, exerting myself more vigorously, I again covered that being with a

mighty multitude of shafts. Then taking Sthunakarna, and Varuna and

Salava, and Asmavarsha weapons, I assailed him, profusely showering

shafts. But, O king, he instantly swallowed up even all these weapons of

mine. And when all those (weapons) had been swallowed up, I discharged

the weapon presided over by Brahma. And when the blazing arrows issuing

from that weapon were heaped upon him all around, and being thus heaped

over by that mighty weapon discharged by me, he increased (in bulk). Then

all the world became oppressed with the energy begotten of the weapon

hurled by me, and the firmament and all the points of the sky became

illumined. But that one of mighty energy instantly baffled even that

weapon. And, O monarch, when that weapon presided over by Brahma had been

baffled I was possessed with terrible fear. Thereupon immediately holding

even my bow and the two inexhaustible quivers, I shot at that being, but

he swallowed up all those weapons. And when all the weapons had been

baffled and swallowed up, there ensued a wrestling between him and

myself. And we encountered each other first with blows and then with

slaps. But incapable of overcoming that being, I fell down stupefied on

the ground. Thereupon, O mighty king, with a laugh, that wonderful being

at my sight vanished at that spot together with the woman. Having

accomplished this, O illustrious monarch, that divine one assumed another

and unearthly form (clad in) wonderful raiment. And renouncing the form

of a hunter, that divine lord of the gods, resumed his own unearthly

appearance and that mighty god stood (there). Then appeared before me

with Uma that manifest divine one, having the bull for his mark, wielding

the Pinaka, bearing serpents and cable of assuming many forms. And, O

repressor of foes, advancing towards me, standing even then in the field

ready for conflict, that wielder of the trident addressed me saying, I am

well-pleased with thee. Then that divine one held up my bows and the

couple of quivers furnished with inexhaustible shafts and returned them

unto me saying, 'Do thou ask some boon, O Kunti's son. I am well-pleased

with thee. Tell me, what I shall do for thee. And, O hero, express the

desire that dwelleth in thy heart. I will grant it. Except immortality

alone, tell me as to the desire that is in thy heart. Thereat with my

mind intent on the acquisition of arms, I only bowed down unto Siva and

said, 'O divine one, if thou beest favourably disposed towards me, then I

wish to have this boon,--I wish to learn all the weapons that are with

thy god-head.' Then the god Tryamvaka said unto me, 'I will give. O

Pandava, my own weapon Raudra shall attend upon thee.' Thereupon

Mahadeva, well-pleased, granted to me the mighty weapon, Pasupata. And,

having granted that eternal weapon, he also said unto me, This must never

be hurled at mortals. If discharged at any person of small energy, it

would consume the universe. Shouldst thou (at any time) be hard pressed,

thou mayst discharge it. And when all thy weapons have been completely

baffled, thou mayst hurl it.' Then when he having the bull for his mark,

had been thus gratified, there stood manifest by my side that celestial

weapon, of resistless force capable of baffling all weapons and

destructive of foes and the hewer of hostile forces and unrivalled and

difficult to be borne even by the celestials, the demons and the

Rakshasas. Then at the command of that god, I sat me down there. And in

my very sight the god vanished from the spot.'"

SECTION CLXVII

"Arjuna said, 'O Bharata, by the grace of that god of gods the Supreme

Soul, Tryamvaka, I passed the night at that place. And having passed the

night, when I had finished the morning rituals, I saw that foremost of

the Brahmanas whom I had seen before. And unto him I told all as it had

happened, O Bharata, namely, that I had met the divine Mahadeva.

Thereupon, O king of kings, well-pleased, he said unto me, 'Since thou

hast beheld the great god, incapable of being beheld by any one else,

soon wilt thou mix with Vaivaswata and the other Lokapalas and the lord

of the celestials; and Indra too will grant thee weapons.' O king, having

said this unto me and having embraced me again and again, that Bhrahmana

resembling the Sun, went away whither he listed. And, O slayer of foes,

it came to pass that on the evening of that day refreshing the whole

world, there began to blow a pure breeze. And in my vicinity on the base

of the Himalaya mountain fresh, fragrant and fair flowers began to bloom.

And on all sides there were heard charming symphony and captivating hymns

relating to Indra. And before the lord of the celestial hosts of Apsaras

and Gandharvas chanted various songs. And ascending celestial cars, there

approached the Marutas and the followers of Mahendra and the dwellers of

heaven. And afterwards, Marutvan together with Sachi and all the

celestials appeared on the scene in cars yoked with horses elegantly

adorned. And at this very moment, O king, he that goeth about on the

shoulders of men manifested himself unto me in excellent grace. And I saw

Yama seated on the south and Varuna and the lord of the celestials at

their respective regions. And, O foremost of men, O mighty monarch, they

after having cheered me said, 'O Savyasachin, behold us--the

Lokapalas--seated. For the performance of the task of the gods thou hast

obtained the sight of Sankara. Do thou now receive weapons from us seated

around.' Thereupon, O lord, having bowed down unto those foremost of the

celestials with regard, I duly accepted those mighty weapons. And then

they recognised me as one of their own. Afterwards the gods repaired to

the quarter from whence they had come. And that lord of the celestials,

the divine Maghavan too having ascended his glorious chariot, said, 'O

Phalguna, thou shalt have to repair unto the celestial region. O

Dhananjaya, even before this thy arrival I knew that thou wouldst come

hither. Then I, have O best of the Bharatas, manifested myself unto thee.

As formerly thou hadst performed thy ablution in the various tirthas and

now hast performed severe austerities, so thou wilt be able to repair

unto the celestial regions, O Pandava. Thou wilt, however, again have to

practise extreme penance, for thou shouldst at any rate journey to

heaven. And at my command, Matali shall take thee to the celestial

regions. Thou hast already been recognised by the celestials and the

celestial sages of high soul.' Thereupon I said unto Sakra, 'O divine

one, be thou favourable unto me. With the view of learning arms do I

beseech thee that thou mayst 'be my preceptor.' At this Indra said, 'O

child, having learnt weapons thou wouldst perform terrible deeds and with

this object thou desirest to obtain the weapons. However, obtain thou the

arms, as thou desirest.' Then I said, 'O slayer of foes, I never would

discharge these celestial weapons at mortals except when all my other

arms should have been baffled. Do thou, O lord of the celestials, grant

me the celestial weapons (so that) I may hereafter, obtain the regions

attainable by warriors.' Indra said, 'O Dhananjaya it is to try thee that

I have said such words unto thee. Having been begotten of me this speech

of thine well becometh thee. Do thou, O Bharata, repairing unto my abode

learn all the weapons of Vayu, of Agni, of the Vasus, of Varuna, of the

Marutas, of the Siddhas, of Brahma, of the Gandharvas of the Uragas, of

the Rakshasas, of Vishnu and of the Nairitas; and also all the weapons

that are with me, O perpetuator of the Kuru race.' Having said this unto

me Sakra vanished at the very spot. Then, O king, I saw the wonderful and

sacred celestial car yoked with steeds arrive conducted by Matali. And

when the Lokapalas went away Matali said unto me. 'O thou of mighty

splendour, the lord of the celestials is desirous of seeing thee. And O

mighty-armed one, do thou acquire competence and then perform thy task.

Come and behold the regions, attainable by merit and come unto heaven

even in this frame. O Bharata, the thousand-eyed lord of the celestials

wisheth to see thee.' Thus addressed by Matali, I, taking leave of the

mountain Himalaya and having gone round it ascended that excellent car.

And then the exceedingly generous Matali, versed in equine lore, drove

the steeds, gifted with the speed of thought or the wind. And when the

chariot began to move that charioteer looking at my face as I was seated

steadily, wondered and said these words, 'Today this appeareth unto me

strange and unprecedented that being seated in this celestial car, thou

hast not been jerked ever so little. O foremost of Bharata race, I have

ever remarked that at the first pull by the steeds even the lord of the

celestials himself getteth jerked. But all the while that the car had

moved, thou hast been sitting unshaken. This appeareth unto me as

transcending even the power of Sakra.'

"Having said this, O Bharata, Matali soared in the sky and showed me the

abodes of the celestials and their palaces. Then the chariot yoked with

steeds coursed upwards. And the celestials and the sages began to worship

(that car), O prime of men. And I saw the regions, moving anywhere at

will, and the splendour also of the highly energetic Gandharvas, Apsaras,

and the celestial sages. And Sakra's charioteer, Matali, at once showed

me Nandana and other gardens and groves belonging to the celestials. Next

I beheld Indra's abode, Amaravati, adorned with jewels and trees yielding

any sort of fruit that is desired. There the Sun doth not shed heat; nor

doth heat or cold or fatigue there affect (one), O king. And, O great

monarch, the celestials feel neither sorrow nor poverty of spirit, nor

weakness, nor lassitude, O grinder of foes. And, O ruler of men, the

celestials and the others have neither anger nor covetousness. And, O

king, in the abodes of the celestials, the beings are ever contented. And

there the trees ever bear verdant foliage, and fruits, and flowers; and

the various lakes are embalmed with the fragrance of lotuses. And there

the breeze is cool, and delicious, and fragrant, and pure, and inspiring.

And the ground is variegated with all kinds of gems, and adorned with

blossoms. And there were seen innumerable beautiful beasts and in the air

innumerable rangers of the sky. Then I saw the Vasus, and the Rudras, and

the Sadhyas with the Marutas, and the Adityas, and the two Aswins and

worshipped them. And they conferred their benison on me, granting me

strength and prowess, and energy, and celebrity, and (skill in) arms, and

victory in battle. Then, entering that romantic city adored by the

Gandharvas and the celestials, with joined hands, I stood before the

thousand-eyed lord of the celestials. Thereupon, that best of bestowers

gladly offered unto me half of his seat; and Vasava also with regard

touched my person. And, O Bharata, with the view of acquiring arms and

learning weapons, I began to dwell in heaven, together with the gods and

the Gandharvas of generous souls. And Viswavana's son, Chitrasena became

my friend. And he, O king, imparted unto me the entire Gandharva

(science). And, O monarch, I happily lived in Sakra's abode, well cared

for having all my desires gratified, learning weapons, listening to the

notes of songs, and the clear sounds of musical instruments, and

beholding the foremost of Apsaras dance. And without neglecting to study

the arts, which I learnt properly, my attention was specially fixed on

the acquisition of arms. And that lord of a thousand eyes was pleased

with that purpose of mine. Living thus in heaven, O king, I passed this

period.

"And when I had acquired proficiency in weapons, and gained his

confidence that one having for his vehicle the horse (Uchchaisrava),

(Indra), patting me on the head with his hand, said these words, 'Now

even the celestials themselves cannot conquer thee,--what shall I say of

imperfect mortals residing on earth? Thou hast become invulnerable in

strength, irrepressible, and incomparable in fight.' Then with the hair

of his body standing on end, he again accosted me saying, 'O hero, in

fighting with weapons none is equal unto thee. And, O perpetuator of the

Kuru race, thou art even watchful, and dexterous, and truthful, and of

subdued senses, and the protector of the Brahmanas and adept in weapons,

and warlike. And, O Partha, together with (a knowledge of) the five

modes, using (them), thou hast obtained five and ten weapons and,

therefore, there existeth none, who is thy peer. And thou hast perfectly

learnt the discharge (of those weapons) and (their) withdrawal, and

(their) re-discharge and re-withdrawal, and the Prayaschitta connected

(with them), and also their revival, in case of their being baffled. Now,

O represser of foes, the time hath arrived for thy paying the preceptor's

fee. Do thou promise to pay the fee; then I shall unfold unto thee what

thou wilt have to perform.' Thereat, O king, I said unto the ruler of the

celestials, 'If it be in my power to do the work, do thou consider it as

already accomplished by me.' O king, when I had said these words, Indra

with a smile said unto me 'Nothing is there in the three worlds that is

not in thy power (to achieve) My enemies, those Danavas, named,

Nivata-Kavachas dwell in the womb of the ocean. And they number thirty

million and are notorious, and all of equal forms and strength and

splendour. Do thou slay them there, O Kunti's son; and that will be thy

preceptor's fee.'

"Saying this he gave unto me the highly resplendent celestial car,

conducted by Matali, furnished with hair resembling the down of peacocks.

And on my head he set this excellent diadem. And he gave me ornaments for

my body, like unto his own. And he granted unto me the impenetrable

mail--the best of its kind, and easy to the touch; and fastened unto the

Gandiva this durable string. Then I set out, ascending that splendid

chariot riding on which in days of yore, the lord of the celestials and

vanquished Vali--that son of Virochana. And, O ruler of men, startled by

the rattling of the car, all the celestials, approached (there), taking

me to be the king of the celestials. And seeing me, they asked, 'O

Phalguna, what art thou going to do?' And I told them as it had fallen

out,--and said, 'I shall even do this in battle. Ye that are highly

fortunate, know that I have set out desirous of slaying the

Nivata-Kavachas. O sinless ones, do ye bless me.' Thereupon, they began

to eulogise me even as they (eulogise) the god, Purandara. And they said,

'Riding on this car, Maghavan conquered in battle Samvara, and Namuchi,

and Vala, and Vritra, and Prahrada, and Naraka. And mounted on this car

also Maghavan, had conquered in battle many thousands and millions and

hundreds of millions of Daityas. And, O Kaunteya, thou also, riding on

this car, by thy prowess shalt conquer the Nivatha-Kavachas in conflict,

even as did the self-possessed Maghavan in days of yore. And here is the

best of shells; by this also thou shalt defeat the Danavas And by this it

is that the high souled Sakra conquered the words.' Saying this, the gods

offered (unto me) this shell, Devadatta, sprung in the deep; and I

accepted it for the sake of victory. And at this moment, the gods fell

extolling me. And in order to be engaged in action, I proceeded to the

dreadful abode of the Danavas, furnished with the shell, the mail, and

arrows, and taking my bow."

SECTION CLXVIII

"Arjuna continued, 'Then at places eulogised by the Maharshis, I

(proceeded, and at length) beheld the ocean--that inexhaustible lord of

waters. And like unto flowing cliffs were seen on it heaving billows, now

meeting together and now rolling away. And there (were seen) all around

barks by thousands filled with gems. And there were seen timingilas and

tortoises and makaras like unto rock submerged in water. And on all sides

round thousands of shells sunk in water appeared like star in the night

covered by light clouds. And thousands upon thousands of gem were

floating in heaps and a violent wind was blowing about in whirls--and

this was wonderful to behold. And having beheld that excellent lord of

all waters with powerful tides, I saw at a short distance the city of the

demons filled with the Danavas. And even there, eftsoons entering

underneath the earth, Matali skilled in guiding the car, sitting fast on

the chariot drove it with force; and he dashed on, frightening that city

with the rattling of his chariot. And hearing that rattling of the

chariot like unto the rumbling of the clouds in the sky, the Danavas,

thinking me to be the lord of the celestials, became agitated. And

thereupon they all, frightened at heart, stood holding in their hands

bows and arrows and swords and javelins and axes and maces and clubs.

Then having made arrangements for the defence of the city, the Danavas,

with minds alarmed, shut the gates, so that nothing could be discovered.

Thereupon taking my shell, Devadatta, of tremendous roars, I again and

again winded it with exceeding cheerfulness. And filling all the

firmament, those sounds produced echoes. Thereat mighty beings were

terrified and they hid (themselves). And then, O Bharata, all of them

adorned with ornaments, those offsprings of Diti--the

Nivata-Kavachas--made their appearance by thousands, donning diverse mail

and taking in their hands various weapons and equipped with mighty iron

javelins and maces and clubs and hatchets and sabres and discs and

sataghnis and bhusundis and variegated and ornamented swords. Then, after

deliberating much as to the course of the car, Matali began to guide the

steeds on a (piece of) level ground, O foremost of the Bharatas. And

owing to the swiftness of those fleet coursers conducted by him, I could

see nothing--and this was strange. Then the Danavas there began to sound

thousands of musical instruments, dissonant and of odd shapes. And at

those sounds, fishes by hundreds and by thousands, like unto hills,

having their senses bewildered by that noise, fled suddenly. And mighty

force flew at me, the demons discharging sharpened shafts by hundreds and

by thousands. And then, O Bharata, there ensued a dreadful conflict

between me and the demons, calculated to extinguish the Nivata-Kavachas.

And there came to the mighty battle the Devarshis and the Danavarshis and

the Brahmarshis and the Siddhas. And desirous of victory, the Munis

eulogised me with the same sweet-speeches that (they had eulogised) Indra

with, at the war, (which took place) for the sake of Tara.'"

SECTION CLXIX

"Arjuna continued, 'Then, O Bharata, vehemently rushed at me in battle in

a body the Nivata-Kavachas, equipped with arms. And obstructing the

course of the car, and shouting loudly, those mighty charioteers, hemming

me in on all sides, covered me with showers of shafts. Then other demons

of mighty prowess, with darts and hatchets in their hands, began to throw

at me spears and axes. And that mighty discharge of darts, with numerous

maces and clubs incessantly hurled fell upon my car. And other dreadful

and grim-visaged smiters among the Nivata-Kavachas, furnished with bows

and sharpened weapons, ran at me in fight. And in the conflict, shooting

from the Gandiva sundry swift arrows coursing straight, I pierced each of

them with ten. And they were driven back by those stone-whetted shafts of

mine. Then on my steeds being swiftly driven by Matali, they began to

display various movements with the speed of the wind. And being skilfully

guided by Matali, they began to trample upon the sons of Diti. And

although the steeds yoked unto that mighty chariot numbered hundreds upon

hundreds, yet being deftly conducted by Matali, they began to move, as if

they were only a few. And by their tread, and by the rattling of the

chariot wheels and by the vollies of my shafts, the Danavas began to fall

by hundreds. And others accoutred in bows, being deprived of life, and

having their charioteers slain, were carried about by the horses. Then,

covering all sides and directions, all (the Danavas) skilled in striking

entered into the contest with various weapons, and thereat my mind became

afflicted. And I witnessed (this instance of) the marvellous prowess of

Matali, viz., that he guided those fiery steeds with ease. Then, O king,

in the conflict, with diverse fleet weapons I pierced by hundreds and by

thousands (demons) bearing arms. And, O slayer of foes, seeing me thus

range the field putting forth every exertion, the heroic charioteer of

Sakra was well-pleased. And oppressed by those steeds and that car, some

(of them) met with annihilation; and others desisted from fight; while

(other) Nivata-Kavachas, challenged by us in battle and being harassed

with shafts offered opposition unto me, by (discharging) mighty showers

of arrows. Thereupon, with hundreds and thousands of sundry fleet weapons

inspired with the mantras relating to Brahma's weapons, I swiftly began

to burn them. And being sore pressed by me, those mighty asuras waxing

wroth afflicted me together, by pouring torrents of clubs and darts and

swords. Then, O Bharata, I took up that favourite weapon of the lord of

the celestials, Maghavan by name, prime and of fiery energy and by the

energy of that weapon I cut into a thousand pieces the Tomaras, together

with the swords and the tridents hurled by them. And having cut off their

arms I in ire pierced them each with ten shafts. And in the field arrows

were shot from the Gandiva like unto rows of black-bees; and this Matali

admired. And their shafts also showered upon me; but those powerful

(arrows) I cut off with my shafts. Then on being struck the

Nivata-Kavachas again covered me on all sides with a mighty shower of

arrows. And having neutralised the force of the arrows by excellent swift

and flaming weapons capable of baffling arms, I pierced them by

thousands. And blood began to flow from their torn frames, even as in the

rainy season waters run down from the summits of mountains. And on being

wounded by my fleet and straight-coursing shafts of the touch of Indra's

thunder-bolt, they became greatly agitated. And their bodies were pierced

at hundreds of places; and the force of their arms diminished. Then the

Nivata-Kavachas fought me by (the help of) illusion.'"

SECTION CLXX

"Arjuna said, 'Then with rocks of the proportions of trees, there

commenced a mighty shower of crags; and this exercised me exceedingly.

And in that high encounter, I crushed (those crags) by swift-speeding

showers of arrows, issuing from Mahendra's weapon, like unto the

thunder-bolt itself. And when the rocks had been reduced to powder, there

was generated fire; and the rocky dust fell like unto masses of flames.

And when the showers of crags had been repelled, there happened near me a

mightier shower of water, having currents of the proportions of an axle.

And falling from the welkin, those thousands of powerful torrents covered

the entire firmament and the directions and the cardinal points. And on

account of the pouring of the shower, and of the blowing of the wind, and

of roaring of the Daityas, nothing could be perceived. And touching

heaven and the entire earth, and incessantly falling on the ground, the

showers bewildered me. Thereupon, I discharged that celestial weapon

which I had learnt from Indra--even the dreadful and flaming Visoshana:

and by that the water was dried up. And, O Bharata, when the rocky shower

had been destroyed, and the watery shower had been dried up, the Danavas

began to spread illusions of fire and wind. Then by aqueous appliances I

extinguished the flames; and by a mighty rock-issuing arm, resisted the

fury of the winds. And when these had been repelled, the Danavas,

irrepressible in battle, O foremost of the Bharata, simultaneously

created various illusions. And there happened a tremendous horrifying

shower of rocks and dreadful weapons of fire and wind. And that illusory

downpour afflicted me in fight. And then on all sides there appeared a

dense and thick darkness. And when the world had been enveloped in deep

and dense darkness, the steeds turned away, Matali fell off, and from his

hand the golden lash fell to the earth. And, O foremost of the Bharatas,

being frightened, he again and again cried, 'Where art thou?' And when he

had been stupefied, a terrible fear possessed me. And then in a hurry, he

spake unto me, saying, 'O Partha, for the sake of nectar, there had taken

place a mighty conflict between the gods and the demons. I had seen that

(encounter), O sinless one. And on the occasion of the destruction of

Samvara, there had occurred a dreadful and mighty contest. Nevertheless I

had acted as charioteer to the lord of the celestials. In the same way,

on the occasion of the slaying of Vritra, the steeds had been conducted

by me. And I had also beheld the high and terrific encounter with

Virochana's son, and, O Pandava, with Vala, and with Prahrada and with

others also. In these exceedingly dreadful battles, I was present; but, O

Pandu's son, never (before) had I lost my senses. Surely the Great-father

hath ordained the destruction of all creatures; for this battle cannot be

for any other purpose than destruction of the universe.' Having heard

these words of his, pacifying my perturbation by my own effort, I will

destroy the mighty energy of the illusion spread by the Danavas quoth I

unto the terrified Matali. Behold the might of my arms, and the power of

my weapons and of the bow, Gandiva. To-day even by (the help of)

illusion-creating arms, will I dispel this deep gloom and also this

horrible illusion of theirs. Do not fear, O charioteer. Pacify thyself.'

Having said this, O lord of men, I created for the good of the

celestials, an illusion of arms capable of bewildering all beings. And

when (their) illusion had been dispelled, some of the foremost amongst

the Asuras, of unrivalled prowess, again spread diverse kinds of

illusion. Thereupon, now (the world) displayed itself, and now it was

devoured by darkness; and now the world disappeared from view and now it

was submerged under water. And when it had brightened up. Matali, sitting

in front of the car, with the wellconducted steeds, began to range that

hair-erecting field. Then the fierce Nivata-Kavachas assailed me. And

finding my opportunity. I began to send them to the mansion of Yama.

Thereupon, in that conflict then raging, calculated to annihilate the

Nivata-Kavachas on a sudden, I could not see the Danavas concealed by

illusion."

SECTION CLXXI

"Arjuna continued, 'Remaining invisible the Daityas began to fight with

the help of illusion. And I too fought with them, resorting to the energy

of visible weapons. And the shafts duly discharged from the Gandiva,

began to sever their heads at those different places where they were

respectively stationed. And thus assailed by me in the conflict, the

Nivata-Kavachas, all on a sudden withdrawing the illusion, entered into

their own city. And when the Daityas had fled, and when all had become

visible, I there discovered hundreds and thousands of the slain. And

there I saw by hundreds their shivered weapons, ornaments, limbs, and

mail. And the horses could not find room for moving from one place to

another; and on a sudden with a bound, they fell to coursing in the sky.

Then remaining invisible, the Nivata-Kavachas covered the entire welkin

with masses of crags. And, O Bharata, other dreadful Danavas, entering

into the entrails of the earth, took up horses' legs and chariot-wheels.

And as I was fighting, they, hard besetting my horses with rocks,

attacked me together with (my) car. And with the crags that had fallen

and with others that were falling, the place where I was, seemed to be a

mountain cavern. And on myself being covered with crags and on the horses

being hard pressed, I became sore distressed and this was marked by

Matali. And on seeing me afraid, he said unto me, 'O Arjuna, Arjuna! be

thou not afraid; send that weapon, the thunder-bolt, O lord of men.'

Hearing those words of his, I then discharged the favourite weapon of the

king of the celestials--the dreadful thunderbolt. And inspiring the

Gandiva with mantras, I, aiming at the locality of the crags, shot

sharpened iron shafts of the touch of the thunder-bolt. And sent by the

thunder, those adamantine arrows entered into all those illusions and

into the midst of those Nivata-Kavachas. And slaughtered by the vehemence

of the thunder, those Danavas resembling cliffs, fell to the earth

together in masses. And entering amongst those Danavas that had carried

away the steeds of the car into the interior of the earth, the shafts

sent them into the mansion of Yama. And that quarter was completely

covered with the Nivata-Kavachas that had been killed or baffled,

comparable unto cliffs and lying scattered like crags. And then no injury

appeared to have been sustained either by the horses, or by the car, or

by Matali, or by me, and this seemed strange. Then, O king, Matali

addressed me smiling, 'Not in the celestials themselves, O Arjuna, is

seen the prowess that is seen in thee. And when the Danava hosts had been

destroyed, all their females began to bewail in that city, like unto

cranes in autumn. Then with Matali I entered that city, terrifying with

the rattling of my car the wives of the Nivata-Kavachas. Thereupon,

seeing those ten thousand horses like unto peacocks (in hue), and also

that chariot resembling the sun, the women fled in swarms. And like unto

(the sounds of) rocks falling on a mountain, sounds arose of the

(falling) ornaments of the terrified dames. (At length), the

panic-stricken wives of the Daityas entered into their respective golden

places variegated with innumerable jewels.

'Beholding that excellent city, superior to the city of the celestials

themselves, I asked Matali, saying, 'Why do not the celestials reside in

such (a place)? Surely, this appeareth superior to the city of

Purandara.' Thereat, Matali said, 'In days of yore, O Partha, even this

was the city of our lord of the celestials. Afterwards the celestials

were driven from hence by the Nivata-Kavachas. Having performed the most

rigid austerities, they had gratified the Grand-father and had asked (and

obtained) the boons--namely, that they might reside here, and that they

might be free from danger in wars with the gods.' Then Sakra addressed

the self-create lord saying, 'Do thou, O lord, desirous of our own

welfare do what is proper.' Thereupon, O Bharata, in this matter the Lord

commanded (Indra), saying, 'O slayer of foes, in another body, even thou

shalt be (the destroyer of the Danavas).' Then, in order to slaughter

them, Sakra rendered unto thee those weapons. The gods had been unable to

slay these, who have been slain by thee. O Bharata, in the fullness of

time, hadst thou come hither, in order to destroy them and thou hast done

so. O foremost of men, with the object that the demons might be killed,

Mahendra had conferred on thee the excellent prime energy of these

weapons.'

"Arjuna continued, 'After having destroyed the Danavas, and also subdued

that city, with Matali I again went to that abode of the celestials.'"

SECTION CLXXII

"Arjuna continued, 'Then while returning, I happened to descry a mighty

unearthly city, moving at will, and having the effulgence of fire or the

sun. And that city contained various trees composed of gems, and

sweet-voiced feathered ones. And furnished with four gates, and

gate-ways, and towers, that impregnable (city) was inhabited by the

Paulamas and Kalakanjas. And it was made of all sorts of jewels and was

unearthly, and of wonderful appearance. And it was covered with trees of

all kinds of gems, bearing fruits and flowers. And it contained

exceedingly beautiful unearthly birds. And it always swarmed throughout

with cheerful Asuras, wearing garlands, and bearing in their hands darts,

two edged swords, maces, bows, and clubs. And, O king, on seeing this

wonderful city of the Daityas, I asked Matali saying, 'What is this that

looketh so wonderful?' Thereat, Matali replied, 'Once on a time a

Daitya's daughter, named Pulama and a mighty female of the Asura order,

Kalaka by name, practised severe austerities for a thousand celestial

years. And at the end of their austerities, the self-create conferred on

them boons. And, O king of kings, they received these boons,--that their

offspring might never suffer misfortune; that they might be incapable of

being destroyed even by the gods, the Rakshasas and the Pannagas; and

that they might obtain a highly effulgent and surpassingly fair aerial

city, furnished with all manner of gems and invincible even by the

celestials, the Maharshis, the Yakshas, the Gandharvas, the Pannagas, the

Asuras and the Rakshasas. O best of the Bharatas, this is that unearthly

aerial city devoid of the celestials, which is moving about, having been

created for the Kalakeyas, by Brahma himself. And this city is furnished

with all desirable objects, and is unknown of grief or disease. And, O

hero, celebrated under the name of Hiranyapura, this mighty city is

inhabited by the Paulamas and the Kalakanjas; and it is also guarded by

those mighty Asuras. And, O king, unslayed by any of the gods, there they

dwell cheerfully, free from anxiety and having all their desires

gratified, O foremost of kings. Formerly, Brahma had destined destruction

at the hands of mortals. Do thou, O Partha, in fight, compass with that

weapon--the thunder-bolt--the destruction of the mighty and irrepressible

Kalakanjas.'

"Arjuna continued, 'O lord of men, learning that they were incapable of

being destroyed by the celestials and the Asuras, I cheerfully said unto

Matali, 'Do thou speedily repair into yonder city. With weapons will I

compass the annihilation of the haters of the lord of the celestials.

Surely, there exist no wicked haters of the gods who ought not to be

slain by me.' Thereupon Matali took me to the vicinity of Hiranyapura on

the celestial chariot yoked with steeds. And seeing me, those sons of

Diti, wearing various kinds of attire and ornament and accoutred in mail,

flew at me with a mighty rush. And those foremost of the Danavas, of

exceeding prowess, in wrath attacked me with arrows and bhallas and clubs

and two-edged swords, and tomaras. Thereat, O king, resorting to my

strength of lore, I resisted that great volley of weapons by a mighty

shower of shafts; and also confounded them in conflict by ranging around

in my car. And being bewildered, the Danavas began to push each other

down. And having been confounded, they rushed at one another. And with

flaming arrows, I severed their heads by hundreds. And hard pressed by

me, the offspring of Diti, taking shelter within (their) city, soared

with it to the firmament, resorting to the illusion proper to the

Danavas. Thereupon, O son of the Kurus, covering the way of the Daityas,

with a mighty discharge of shafts I obstructed their course. Then by

virtue of the bestowal of the boon, the Daityas supported themselves

easily on that sky-ranging unearthly aerial city, going anywhere at will

and like unto the sun. And now (the city) entered unto the earth and now

it rose upwards; and at one time it went in a crooked way and at another

time it submerged into water. At this, O represser of foes, I assailed

that mighty city, going anywhere at will, and resembling Amaravati. And,

O best of the Bharatas, I attacked the city containing those sons of

Diti, with multitudes of shafts, displaying celestial weapons. And

battered and broken by the straight-coursing iron shafts, shot by me, the

city of the Asuras, O king, fell to the earth. And they also, wounded by

my iron arrows having the speed of the thunder, began, O monarch, to go

about, being urged by destiny. Then ascending to the sky, Matali, as if

falling in front, swiftly descended to the earth, on that chariot of

solar resplendence. Then, O Bharata, environed me sixty thousand cars

belonging to those wrathful ones eager to battle with me. And with

sharpened shafts graced with feathers of the vulture, I destroyed those

(cars). At this, thinking, 'These our hosts are incapable of being

vanquished by mortals, they became engaged in the conflict, like unto the

surges of the sea.' Thereupon I gradually began to fix (on the string)

unearthly weapons. At this, thousands of weapons (shot) by those

wonderfully warring charioteers, by degrees opposed my unearthly arms and

in the field I saw hundreds and thousands of mighty (demons) ranging on

their cars, in various manoeuvres. And being furnished with variegated

mail and standards and diverse ornaments, they delighted my mind. And in

the conflict I could not afflict them by showers of shafts, but they did

not afflict me. And being afflicted by those innumerable ones, equipped

in weapons and skilled in fight, I was pained in that mighty encounter

and a terrible fear seized me. Thereupon collecting (my energies) in

fight, I (bowed down) unto that god of gods, Raudra, and saying, 'May

welfare attend on all beings!' I fixed that mighty weapon which,

celebrated under the name of Raudra, is the destroyer of all foes. Then I

beheld a male person having three heads, nine eyes, three faces, and six

arms. And his hair was flaming like fire or the sun. And, O slayer of

foes, for his dress, he had mighty serpents, putting out their tongues.

And saying, O best of the Bharatas, the dreadful and eternal Raudra, I

being free from fear, set it on the Gandiva; and, bowing unto the

three-eyed Sarva of immeasurable energy, let go (the weapon), with the

object of vanquishing those foremost of the Danavas, O Bharata. And, O

lord of men, as soon as it had been hurled, there appeared on the scene

by thousands, forms of deer, and of lions, and of tigers, and of bears

and of buffaloes, and of serpents, and of kine, and of sarabhas, and of

elephants, and of apes in multitudes, and of bulls, and of boars, and of

cats, and of dogs, and of spectres, and of all the Bhurundas, and of

vultures, and of Garudas, of chamaras, and of all the leopards, and of

mountains, and of seas, and of celestials, and of sages, and of all the

Gandharvas, and of ghosts with the Yakshas, and of the haters of the

gods, (Asuras), and of the Guhyakas in the field, and of the Nairitas and

of elephant-mouthed sharks, and of owls, and of beings having the forms

of fishes and horses, and of beings bearing swords and various other

weapons, and of Rakshasas wielding maces and clubs. And on that weapon

being hurled all the universe became filled with these as well as many

others wearing various shapes. And again and again wounded by beings of

various sights with (pieces of) flesh, fat, bones, and marrow on their

persons,--some having three heads, and some four tusks, and some four

mouths, and some four arms,--the Danavas met with destruction. And, then,

O Bharata, in a moment I slew all those Danavas, with other swarms of

arrows composed of the quintessence of stone, flaming like fire or the

sun, and possessed of the force of the thunder-bolt. And, seeing them

hewn by the Gandiva, and deprived of life, and thrown from the sky, I

again bowed unto that god--the Destroyer of Tripura. And, seeing those

adorned with unearthly ornaments, crushed by the weapon, the Raudra, the

charioteer of the celestials, experienced the greatest delight. And

having witnessed the accomplishment of that unbearable feat incapable of

being achieved even by the celestials themselves, Matali, the charioteer

of Sakra, paid homage unto me; and well-pleased, with joint hands said

these words. 'The feat that hath been achieved by thee, is incapable of

being borne even by the gods, nay,--in battle, the lord of the celestials

himself cannot perform this deed. The sky-coursing mighty city incapable

of being destroyed by the gods and the Asuras hast thou, O hero, crushed

by thy own prowess and by the energy of asceticism. And when that aerial

city had been destroyed, and when the Danavas also had been slain, their

wives, uttering cries of distress, like unto Kurari birds, with hair

dishevelled came out of the city. And bewailing for their sons and

brothers and fathers, they fell on the ground and cried with distressful

accents. And on being deprived for their lords, they beat their breasts,

their garlands and ornaments fallen off. And that city of Danavas, in

appearance like unto the city of the Gandharvas filled with lamentations

and stricken with dole and distress, and bereft of grace even like unto a

lake deprived of (its) elephants, or like unto a forest deprived of trees

and (deprived of its) masters, looked no longer beautiful--but it

vanished, like a cloud-constructed city. And when I had accomplished the

task, eftsoons from the field Matali took me of delighted spirits, unto

the abode of the lord of the celestials. And having slain those mighty

Asuras, and destroyed Hiranyapura, and having also killed the

Nivata-Kavachas, I came unto Indra. And, O exceedingly resplendent one,

as it had fallen out, Matali related in detail unto Devendra that entire

achievement of mine. And with the Marutas, hearing of the destruction of

Hiranyapura, of the neutralisation of the illusion, and of the slaughter

of the highly powerful Nivatakavachas in fight, the prosperous

thousand-eyed divine Purandara was well pleased, and exclaimed, 'Well

done; Well done!' And the king of the celestials together with the

celestials, cheering me again and again, said these sweet words, 'By thee

hath been achieved a feat incapable of being achieved by the gods and the

Asuras. And, O Partha, by slaying my mighty enemies, thou hast paid the

preceptor's fee. And, O Dhananjaya, thus in battle shalt thou always

remain calm, and discharge the weapons unerringly, and there shall not

stand thee in fight celestials, and Danavas, and Rakshasas, and Yakshas,

and Asuras, and Gandharvas and birds and serpents. And, O Kaunteya, by

conquering it even by the might of thy arms, Kunti's son Yudhishthira,

will rule the earth.'"

SECTION CLXXIII

"Arjuna continued, 'Then firmly confident, the sovereign of the

celestials considering as his own, pertinently said these words unto me

wounded by cleaving shafts, 'All the celestial weapons, O Bharata, are

with thee, so no man on earth will by any means be able to over-power

thee. And, O son, when thou art in the field, Bhishma and Drona and Kripa

and Karna and Sakuni together with other Kshatriyas shall not amount unto

one-sixteenth part of thee.' And the lord Maghavan granted me this golden

garland and this shell, Devadatta, of mighty roars, and also his

celestial mail impenetrable and capable of protecting the body. And Indra

himself set on my (head) this diadem. And Sakra presented me with these

unearthly apparels and unearthly ornaments, elegant and rare. In this

manner, O king, (duly) honoured, I delightfully dwelt in Indra's sacred

abode with the children of the Gandharvas. Then, well-pleased, Sakra,

together with the celestials, addressed me, saying, 'O Arjuna, the time

hath come for thy departure; thy brothers have thought of thee.' Thus, O

Bharata, remembering the dissensions arising from that gambling, did I, O

king, pass those five years in the abode of Indra. Then have I come and

seen thee surrounded by our brothers on the summit of this lower range of

the Gandhamadana.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Dhananjaya, by fortune it is that the weapons have

been obtained by thee; by fortune it is that the master of the immortals

hath been adored by thee. O repressor of foes, by fortune it is that the

divine Sthanu together with the goddess had become manifest unto thee and

been gratified by thee in battle, O sinless one; by fortune it is that

thou hadst met with the Lokapalas, O best of the Bharatas. O Partha, by

fortune it is that we have prospered; and by fortune it is that thou hast

come back. To-day I consider as if the entire earth engarlanded with

cities hath already been conquered, and as if the sons of Dhritarashtra

have already been subdued. Now, O Bharata, I am curious to behold those

celestial weapons wherewith thou hadst slain the powerful

Nivata-Kavachas.'"

"Thereat Arjuna said, 'Tomorrow in the morning thou wilt see all the

celestial weapons with which I slew the fierce Nivata-Kavachas.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Thus having related (the facts touching) the arrival,

Dhananjaya passed that night there, together with all his brothers."

SECTION CLXXIV

Vaisampayana continued, "And when the night had passed, Yudhishthira the

just, arose and together with his brothers, performed the necessary

duties. He then spake unto Arjuna, that delight of his mother, saying, 'O

Kaunteya, do thou show (me) those weapons with which thou vanquished the

Danavas.' Thereat, O king, the exceedingly powerful Dhananjaya, the son

of Pandu, duly practising extreme purity, showed those weapons, O

Bharata, which had been given unto him by the celestials. Dhananjaya

seated on the earth, as his chariot, which had the mountain for its pole,

the base of the axle and the cluster of beautiful-looking bamboo trees

for its socket-pole, looked resplendent with that celestial armour of

great lustre, took his bow Gandiva and the conch-shell given to him by

the gods, commenced to exhibit those celestial weapons in order. And as

those celestial weapons had been set, the Earth being oppressed with the

feet (of Arjuna), began to tremble with (its) trees; and the rivers and

the mighty main became vexed; and the rocks were riven; and the air was

hushed. And the sun did not shine; and fire did not flame; and by no

means did the Vedas of the twice-born once shine. And, O Janamejaya, the

creatures peopling the interior of the earth, on being afflicted, rose

and surrounded the Pandava, trembling with joined hands and contorted

countenances. And being burnt by those weapons, they besought Dhananjaya

(for their lives). Then the Brahmarshis, and the Siddhas, and the

Maharshis and the mobile beings--all these appeared (on the scene). And

the foremost Devarshis, and the celestials and the Yakshas and the

Rakshasas and the Gandharvas and the feathered tribes and the (other)

sky-ranging beings--all these appeared (on the scene). And the Great-sire

and all the Lokapalas and the divine Mahadeva, came thither, together

with their followers. Then, O great king, bearing unearthly variegated

blossoms Vayu (the Wind-god) fell to strewing them around the Pandava.

And sent by the celestials, the Gandharvas chanted various ballads; and,

O monarch, hosts of the Apsaras danced (there). At such a moment, O king,

sent by the celestials, Narada arrived (there) and addressed Partha in

these sweet words, 'O Arjuna, Arjuna, do thou not discharge the celestial

weapons. These should never be discharged when there is no object (fit).

And when there is an object (present), they should also by no means be

hurled, unless one is sore pressed; for, O son of the Kurus, to discharge

the weapons (without occasion), is fraught with great evil. And, O

Dhananjaya, being duly kept as thou hast been instructed to these

powerful weapons will doubtless conduce to thy strength and happiness.

But if they are not properly kept, they, O Pandava, will become the

instrument for the destruction of the three worlds. So thou shouldst not

act in this way again. O Ajatasatru, thou too wilt behold even these

weapons, when Partha will use them for grinding (thy) enemies in battle.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having prevented Partha the immortals with

others that had come there, went to each his place, O foremost of men.

And, O Kaurava, after they had all gone, the Pandavas began to dwell

pleasantly in the same forest, together with Krishna."

SECTION CLXXV

Janamejaya said, "When that prime among heroes, having been accomplished

in arms, had returned from the abode of the slayer of Vritra, what did

Pritha's sons do in company with the warlike Dhananjaya?"

Vaisampayana said, "In company with that hero equal unto Indra,

Arjuna--that foremost of men, sported in the pleasure-gardens of the lord

of treasures (situated) in those woods on that romantic and excellent

mountain. And surveying those peerless and various pleasure-grounds

filled with diverse trees, that chief of men, Kiriti, ever intent upon

arms, ranged at large, bow in hand. And having through the grace of king

Vaisravana obtained a residence, those sons of a sovereign cared not for

the prosperity of men. And, O king, that period of their (lives) passed

peacefully. And having Partha in their company, they spent four years

there even like a single night. And as the Pandavas lived in the wood,

(these four years) and the former six, numbering ten, passed smoothly

with them.

"Then having seated themselves before the king, the vehement son of the

Wind-god, with Jishnu and the heroic twins, like unto the lord of the

celestials, earnestly addressed the king in these beneficial and pleasant

words. 'It is only to render thy promise effectual and to advance thy

interests, that, O king of the Kurus, forsaking the forest, we do not go

to slay Suyodhana together with all his followers. Although deserving of

happiness, yet have we been deprived of happiness. And this is the

eleventh year that (in this state) we have been living (in the forest).

And hereafter, deluding that one of evil mind and character, shall we

easily live out the period of non-discovery. And at thy mandate, O

monarch, free from apprehension, we have been ranging the woods, having

relinquished our honour. Having been tempted by our residence in the

vicinity, they (our enemies) will not believe that we have removed to a

distant realm. And after having lived there undiscovered for a year, and

having wreaked our revenge on that wicked wight, Suyodhana, with his

followers, we shall easily root out that meanest of men, slaying him and

regaining our kingdom. Therefore, O Dharmaraja, do thou descend unto the

earth. For, O king, if we dwell in this region like unto heaven itself,

we shall forget our sorrows. In that case, O Bharata, thy fame like, unto

a fragrant flower shall vanish from the mobile and the immobile worlds.

By gaining that kingdom of the Kuru chiefs, thou wilt be able to attain

(great glory), and to perform various sacrifices. This that thou art

receiving from Kuvera, thou wilt, O foremost of men, be able to attain

any time. Now, O Bharata, turn thy mind towards the punishment and

destruction of foes that committed wrongs. O king, the wielder of the

thunderbolt himself is incapable of standing thy prowess. And intent upon

thy welfare, he, having Suparna for his mark (Krishna), and also the

grandson of Sini (Satyaki) never experience pain, even when engaged in

encounter with the gods, O Dharmaraja. And Arjuna is peerless in

strength, and so am I too, O best of kings. And as Krishna together with

the Yadavas is intent upon thy welfare, so am I also, O foremost of

monarchs, and the heroic twins accomplished in war. And encountering the

enemy, we, having for our main object the attainment by thee of wealth

and prosperity, will destroy them.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Then having learnt that intention of theirs, the

magnanimous and excellent son of Dharma, versed in religion and profit,

and of immeasurable prowess, went round Vaisravana's abode. And

Yudhishthira the just, after bidding adieu unto the palaces, the rivers,

the lakes, and all the Rakshasas, looked towards the way by which (he)

had come (there). And then looking at the mountain also, the high-souled

and pure-minded one besought that best of mountains, saying, 'O foremost

of mountains, may I together with my friends, after having finished my

task, and slain my foes, and regained my kingdom, see thee again,

carrying on austerities with subdued soul.' And this also he determined

on. And in company with his younger brothers and the Brahmanas, the lord

of the Kurus proceeded even along that very road. And Ghatotkacha with

his followers began to carry them over the mountain cascades. And as they

started, the great sage Lomasa, advising them even as a father doth his

son, with a cheerful heart, went unto the sacred abode of the dwellers of

heaven. Then advised also by Arshtishena, those first of men, the

Parthas, went alone beholding romantic tirthas and hermitages, and other

mighty lakes."

SECTION CLXXVI

Vaisampayana said, "When they had left their happy home in the beautiful

mountain abounding in cascades, and having birds, and the elephants of

the eight quarters, and the supernatural attendants of Kuvera (as

dwellers thereof), all happiness forsook those foremost of men of

Bharata's race. But afterwards on beholding Kuvera's favourite mountain,

Kailasa, appearing like clouds, the delight of those pre-eminent heroes

of the race of Bharata, became very great. And those foremost of heroic

men, equipped with scimitars and bows, proceeded contentedly, beholding

elevations and defiles, and dens of lions and craggy causeways and

innumerable water-falls and lowlands, in different places, as also other

great forests inhabited by countless deer and birds and elephants. And

they came upon beautiful woodlands and rivers and lakes and caves and

mountain caverns; and these frequently by day and night became the

dwelling place of those great men. And having dwelt in all sorts of

inaccessible places and crossing Kailasa of inconceivable grandeur, they

reached the excellent and surpassingly beautiful hermitage of

Vrishaparba. And meeting king Vrishaparba and received by him being they

became free from depression and then they accurately narrated in detail

to Vrishaparba the story of their sojourn in the mountains. And having

pleasantly passed one night in his sacred abode frequented by gods and

Maharshis, those great warriors proceeded smoothly towards the jujube

tree called Visala and took up their quarters there. Then all those

magnanimous men having reached the place of Narayana, continued to live

there, bereft of all sorrow, at beholding Kuvera's favourite lake,

frequented by gods and Siddhas. And viewing that lake, those foremost of

men, the sons of Pandu traversed that place, renouncing all grief even as

immaculate Brahmana rishis (do) on attaining a habitation in the Nandana

gardens. Then all those warriors having in due course happily lived at

Badari for one month, proceeded towards the realm of Suvahu, king of the

Kiratas, by following the same track by which they had come. And crossing

the difficult Himalayan regions, and the countries of China, Tukhara,

Darada and all the climes of Kulinda, rich in heaps of jewels, those

warlike men reached the capital of Suvahu. And hearing that those sons

and grandsons of kings had all reached his kingdom, Suvahu, elated with

joy, advanced (to meet them). Then the best of the Kurus welcomed him

also. And meeting king Suvahu, and being joined by all their charioteers

with Visoka at their head and by their attendants, Indrasena and others,

and also by the superintendents and servants of the kitchen, they stayed

there comfortably for one night. Then taking all the chariots and

chariot-men and dismissing Ghatotkacha together with his followers, they

next repaired to the monarch of mountains in the vicinity of the Yamuna.

In the midst of the mountain abounding in waterfalls and having grey and

orange-coloured slopes and summits covered with a sheet of snow, those

warlike men having then found the great forest of Visakhayupa like unto

the forest of Chitraratha and inhabited by wild boars and various kinds

of deer and birds, made it their home. Addicted to hunting as their chief

occupation, the sons of Pritha peacefully dwelt in that forest for one

year. There in a cavern of the mountain, Vrikodara, with a heart

afflicted with distraction and grief, came across a snake of huge

strength distressed with hunger and looking fierce like death itself. At

this crisis Yudhishthira, the best of pious men, became the protector of

Vrikodara and he, of infinite puissance, extricated Bhima whose whole

body had been fast gripped by the snake with its folds. And the twelfth

year of their sojourn in forests having arrived, those scions of the race

of Kuru, blazing in effulgence, and engaged in asceticism, always devoted

principally to the practice of archery, repaired cheerfully from that

Chitraratha-like forest to the borders of the desert, and desirous of

dwelling by the Saraswati they went there, and from the banks of that

river they reached the lake of Dwaitabana. Then seeing them enter

Dwaitabana, the dwellers of that place engaged in asceticism, religious

ordinances, and self-restraining exercises and in deep and devout

meditation and subsisting on things ground with stone (for want of teeth)

having procured grass-mats and water-vessels, advanced to meet them. The

holy fig, the rudaraksha, the rohitaka, the cane and the jujube, the

catechu, the sirisha, the bel and the inguda and the karira and pilu and

sami trees grew on the banks of the Saraswati. Wandering about with

contentment in (the vicinity of) the Saraswati which was, as it were, the

home of the celestials, and the favourite (resort) of Yakshas and

Gandharvas and Maharshis, those sons of kings lived there in happiness."

SECTION CLXXVII

Janamejaya said, "How was it, O sage! that Bhima, of mighty prowess and

possessing the strength of ten thousand elephants, was stricken with

panic at (the sight of) that snake? Thou hast described him, that slayer

of his enemies, as dismayed and appalled with fear, even him, who by

fighting at the lotus lake (of Kuvera) became the destroyer of Yakshas

and Rakshasas and who, in proud defiance, invited to a single combat,

Pulastya's son, the dispenser of all riches. I desire to hear this (from

you); great indeed is my curiosity."

Vaisampayana continued, "O king, having reached king Vrishaparva's

hermitage, while those fearful warriors were living in various wonderful

woods, Vrikodara roaming at pleasure, with bow in hand and armed with a

scimitar, found that beautiful forest, frequented by gods and Gandharvas.

And then he beheld (some) lovely spots in the Himalayan mountains,

frequented by Devarshis and Siddhas and inhabited by hosts of Apsaras,

resounded here and there with (the warbling of) birds--the chakora, the

chakrabaka, the jibajibaka and the cuckoo and the Bhringaraja, and

abounding with shady trees, soft with the touch of snow and pleasing to

the eye and mind, and bearing perennial fruits and flowers. And he beheld

mountain streams with waters glistening like the lapis lazuli and with

ten thousand snow-white ducks and swans and with forests of deodar trees

forming (as it were) a trap for the clouds; and with tugna and kalikaya

forests, interspersed with yellow sandal trees. And he of mighty

strength, in the pursuit of the chase, roamed in the level and desert

tracts of the mountain, piercing his game with unpoisoned arrows. In that

forest the famous and mighty Bhimasena, possessing the strength of a

hundred elephants, killed (many) large wild boars, with the force (of his

arms). And endowed with terrible prowess and mighty strength, and

powerful as the lion or the tiger, and capable of resisting a hundred

men, and having long arms, and possessing the strength of a hundred

elephants, he killed many antelopes and wild boars and buffaloes. And

here and there, in that forest he pulled out trees by the roots, with

great violence and broke them too, causing the earth and the woods and

the (surrounding) places to resound. And then shouting and trampling on

the tops of mountains, and causing the earth to resound with his roars,

and striking his arms, and uttering his war-cry, and slapping and

clapping his hands, Bhimasena, exempt from decay, and ever-proud and

without fear, again and again leaped about in those woods. And on hearing

the shouts of Bhimasena, powerful lions and elephants of huge strength,

left their lairs in fright. And in that same forest, he fearlessly

strolled about in search of game; and like the denizens of the woods,

that most valiant of men, the mighty Bhimasena, wandered on foot in that

forest. And he penetrated the vast forest, shouting strange whoopos, and

terrifying all creatures, endowed with strength and prowess. And then

being terrified, the snakes hid (themselves) in caves, but he, overtaking

them with promptitude, pursued them slowly. Then the mighty Bhimasena,

like unto the Lord of the Celestials, saw a serpent of colossal

proportions, living in one of the mountain fastnesses and covering the

(entire) cave with its body and causing one's hair to stand on end (from

fright). It had its huge body stretched like a hillock, and it possessed

gigantic strength, and its body was speckled with spots and it had a

turmeric-like (yellow) colour and a deep copper-coloured mouth of the

form of a cave supplied with four teeth; and with glaring eyes, it was

constantly licking the corners of its mouth. And it was the terror of all

animated beings and it looked like the very image of the Destroyer Yama;

and with the hissing noise of its breath it lay as if rebuking (an

in-comer). And seeing Bhima draw so near to him, the serpent, all on a

sudden, became greatly enraged, and that goat-devouring snake violently

seized Bhimasena in his grip. Then by virtue of the boon that had been

received by the serpent, Bhimasena with his body in the serpent's grip,

instantly lost all consciousness. Unrivalled by that of others, the might

of Bhimasena's arms equalled the might of ten thousand elephants

combined. But Bhima, of great prowess, being thus vanquished by the

snake, trembled slowly, and was unable to exert himself. And that one of

mighty arms and of leonine shoulders, though possessed of strength often

thousand elephants, yet seized by the snake, and overpowered by virtue of

the boon, lost all strength. He struggled furiously to extricate himself,

but did not succeed in any wise baffling this (snake)."

SECTION CLXXVIII

Vaisampayana continued, "And the powerful Bhimasena, having thus come

under the power of the snake, thought of its mighty and wonderful

prowess; and said unto it, 'Be thou pleased to tell me, O snake, who thou

art. And, O foremost of reptiles, what wilt thou do with me? I am

Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, and next by birth to Yudhishthira the just.

And endued as I am with the strength of ten thousand elephants, how hast

thou been able to overpower me? In fight have been encountered and slain

by me innumerable lions, and tigers, and buffaloes, and elephants. And, O

best of serpents, mighty Rakshasas and Pisachas, and Nagas, are unable to

stand the force of my arms. Art thou possessed of any magic, or hast thou

received any boon, that although exerting myself, I have been overcome by

thee? Now I have been convinced that the strength of men is false, for, O

serpent, by thee hath such mighty strength of men been baffled.'

Vaisampayana continued, "When the heroic Bhima of noble deed had said

this, the snake caught him, and coiled him all round with his body,

having thus subdued that mighty-aimed one, and freed his plump arms

alone, the serpent spake these words, 'By good fortune it is that, myself

being hungry, after long time the gods have to-day destined thee for my

food; for life is dear unto every embodied being, I should relate unto

thee the way in which I have come by this snake form. Hear, O best of the

pious, I have fallen into this plight on account of the wrath of the

Maharhis. Now desirous of getting rid of the curse, I will narrate unto

thee all about it. Thou hast, no doubt, heard of the royal sage, Nahusha.

He was the son of Ayu, and the perpetuator of the line of thy ancestors.

Even I am that one. For having affronted the Brahmanas I, by (virtue of)

Agastya's malediction, have come by this condition. Thou art my agnate,

and lovely to behold,--so thou shouldst not be slain by me,--yet I shall

to-day devour thee! Do thou behold the dispensation of Destiny! And be it

a buffalo, or an elephant, none coming within my reach at the sixth

division of the day, can, O best of men, escape. And, O best of the

Kurus, thou hast not been taken by an animal of the lower order, having

strength alone,--but this (hath been so) by reason only of the boon I

have received. As I was falling rapidly from Sakra's throne placed on the

front of his palace, I spake unto that worshipful sage (Agastya), 'Do

thou free me from this curse.' Thereat filled with compassion, that

energetic one said unto me, 'O king, thou shall be freed after the lapse

of some time.' Then I fell to the earth (as a snake); but my recollection

(of former life) did not renounce me. And although it be so ancient, I

still recollect all that was said. And the sage said unto me, That person

who conversant with the relation subsisting between the soul and the

Supreme Being, shall be able to answer the questions put by thee, shall

deliver thee. And, O king, taken by thee, strong beings superior to thee,

shall immediately lose their strength, I heard these words of those

compassionate ones, who felt attached unto me. And then the Brahmanas

vanished. Thus, O highly effulgent one, having become a serpent, I, doing

exceedingly sinful acts, live in unclean hell, in expectation of the

(appointed) time.' The mighty-armed Bhimasena addressed the serpent,

saying, 'I am not angry, O mighty snake,--nor do I blame myself. Since in

regard to happiness and misery, men sometimes possess the power of

bringing and dismissing them, and sometimes do not. Therefore one should

not fret one's mind. Who can baffle destiny by self-exertion? I deem

destiny to be supreme, and self-exertion to be of no avail. Smitten with

the stroke of destiny, the prowess of my arms lost, behold me to-day

fallen unto this condition without palpable cause. But to-day I do not so

much grieve for my own self being slain, as I do for my brothers deprived

of their kingdom, and exiled into the forest. This Himalaya is

inaccessible, and abounds with Yakshas and the Rakshasas, And searching

about for me, they will be distracted. And hearing that I have been

killed, (my brothers) will forego all exertion, for, firm in promise,

they have hitherto been controlled by my harsh speech, I being desirous

of gaining the kingdom. Or the intelligent Arjuna (alone), being versed

in every lore, and incapable of being overcome by gods and Rakshasas and

Gandharvas, will not be afflicted with grief. That mighty-armed and

exceedingly powerful one is able single-handed to speedily pull down from

his place even the celestials. What shall I say of the deceitfully

gambling son of Dhritarashtra, detested of all men, and filled with

haughtiness and ignorance! And I also grieve for my poor mother,

affectionate to her sons, who is ever solicitous for our greatness in a

large measure than is attained by our enemies. O serpent, the desire that

forlorn one had in me will all be fruitless in consequence of my

destruction. And gifted with manliness, the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva,

following their elder brother (me), and always protected by the strength

of my arms, will, owing to my destruction, be depressed and deprived of

their prowess, and stricken with grief. This is what I think.' In this

way Vrikodara lamented profusely. And being bound by the body of the

snake, he could not exert himself.

"On the other hand, Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, (seeing) and reflecting on

dreadful ill omens, became alarmed. Terrified by the blaze of the points

of the horizon, jackals stationing themselves on the right of that

hermitage, set up frightful and inauspicious yells. And ugly Vartikas as

of dreadful sight, having one wing, one eye, and one leg, were seen to

vomit blood, facing the sun. And the wind began to blow dryly, and

violently, attracting grits. And to the right all the beasts and birds

began to cry. And in the rear the black crows cried, 'Go!' 'Go!' And

momentarily his (Yudhishthira's) right arm began to twitch, and his chest

and left leg shook (of themselves). And indicating evil his left eye

contracted spasmodically. Thereupon, O Bharata, the intelligent

Yudhishthira the just, inferring some great calamity (to be imminent),

asked Draupadi, saying, 'Where is Bhima?' Thereat Panchali said that

Vrikodara had long gone out. Hearing this, that mighty-armed king set out

with Dhaumya, after having said unto Dhananjaya, "Thou shouldst protect

Draupadi.' And he also directed Nakula and Sahadeva to protect the

Brahmanas. And issuing from the hermitage that lord, Kunti's son,

following the footprints of Bhimasena, began to search for him in that

mighty forest. And on coming to the east, he found mighty leaders of

elephant-herds (slain) and saw the earth marked with Bhima's

(foot-prints). Then seeing thousands of deer and hundreds of lions lying

in the forest, the king ascertained his course. And on the way were

scattered trees pulled down by the wind caused by the thighs of that hero

endued with the speed of the wind as he rushed after the deer. And

proceeding, guided by those marks, to a spot filled with dry winds and

abounding in leafless vegetables, brackish and devoid of water, covered

with thorny plants and scattered over with gravel, stumps and shrubs and

difficult of access and uneven and dangerous, he saw in a mountain cavern

his younger brother motionless, caught in the folds of that foremost of

snakes."

SECTION CLXXIX

Vaisampayana continued, "Yudhishthira, finding his beloved brother coiled

by the body of the serpent, said these words: 'O son of Kunti, how hast

thou come by this misfortune! And who is this best of serpents having a

body like unto a mountain mass?' Bhimasena said, 'O worshipful one, this

mighty being hath caught me for food. He is the royal sage Nahusha living

in the form of a serpent.' Yudhishthira said, 'O longlived one, do thou

free my brother of immeasurable prowess; we will give thee some other

food which will appease thy hunger.' The serpent said, 'I have got for

diet even this son of a king, come to my mouth of himself. Do thou go

away. Thou shouldst not stay here. (If thou remainest here) thou too

shall be my fare to-morrow. O mighty-armed one, this is ordained in

respect of me, that he that cometh unto my place, becometh my food and

thou too art in my quarter. After a long time have I got thy younger

brother as my food; I will not let him off; neither do I like to have any

other food.' Thereat Yudhishthira said, 'O serpent, whether thou art a

god, or a demon, or an Uraga, do thou tell me truly, it is Yudhishthira

that asketh thee, wherefore, O snake, hast thou taken Bhimasena? By

obtaining which, or by knowing what wilt thou receive satisfaction, O

snake, and what food shall I give thee? And how mayst thou free him.' The

serpent said, 'O sinless one, I was thy ancestor, the son of Ayu and

fifth in descent from the Moon. And I was a king celebrated under the

name of Nahusha. And by sacrifices and asceticism and study of the Vedas

and self-restraint and prowess I had acquired a permanent dominion over

the three worlds. And when I had obtained such dominion, haughtiness

possessed me. And thousands of Brahmanas were engaged in carrying my

chair. And intoxicated by supremacy, I insulted those Brahmanas. And, O

lord of the earth, by Agastya have I been reduced to this pass! Yet, O

Pandava, to this day the memory (of my former birth) hath not forsaken

me! And, O king, even by the favour of that high-souled Agastya, during

the sixth division of the day have I got for meal thy younger brother.

Neither will I set him free, nor do I wish for any other food. But if

to-day thou answerest the questions put by me, then, I shall deliver

Vrikodara!" At this Yudhishthira said, 'O serpent, ask whatever thou

listest! I shall, if I can, answer thy questions with the view of

gratifying thee, O snake! Thou knowest fully what should be known by

Brahmanas. Therefore, O king of snakes, hearing (thee) I shall answer thy

queries!'

The serpent said, 'O Yudhishthira, say--Who is a Brahmana and what should

be known? By thy speech I infer thee to be highly intelligent.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O foremost of serpents, he, it is asserted by the

wise, in whom are seen truth, charity, forgiveness, good conduct,

benevolence, observance of the rites of his order and mercy is a

Brahmana. And, O serpent, that which should be known is even the supreme

Brahma, in which is neither happiness nor misery--and attaining which

beings are not affected with misery; what is thy opinion?'

"The serpent said, 'O Yudhishthira, truth, charity, forgiveness,

benevolence, benignity, kindness and the Veda[42] which worketh the

benefit of the four orders, which is the authority in matters of religion

and which is true, are seen even in the Sudra. As regards the object to

be known and which thou allegest is without both happiness and misery, I

do not see any such that is devoid of these.'

"Yudhishthira said, Those characteristics that are present in a Sudra, do

not exist in a Brahmana; nor do those that are in a Brahmana exist in a

Sudra. And a Sudra is not a Sudra by birth alone--nor a Brahmana is

Brahmana by birth alone. He, it is said by the wise, in whom are seen

those virtues is a Brahmana. And people term him a Sudra in whom those

qualities do not exist, even though he be a Brahmana by birth. And again,

as for thy assertion that the object to be known (as asserted by me) doth

not exist, because nothing exists that is devoid of both (happiness and

misery), such indeed is the opinion, O serpent, that nothing exists that

is without (them) both. But as in cold, heat doth not exist, nor in heat,

cold, so there cannot exist an object in which both (happiness and

misery) cannot exist?"

"The serpent said, 'O king, if thou recognise him as a Brahmana by

characteristics, then, O long-lived one, the distinction of caste

becometh futile as long as conduct doth not come into play.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'In human society, O mighty and highly intelligent

serpent, it is difficult to ascertain one's caste, because of promiscuous

intercourse among the four orders. This is my opinion. Men belonging to

all orders (promiscuously) beget offspring upon women of all the orders.

And of men, speech, sexual intercourse, birth and death are common. And

to this the Rishis have borne testimony by using as the beginning of a

sacrifice such expressions as--of what caste so ever we may be, we

celebrate the sacrifice. Therefore, those that are wise have asserted

that character is the chief essential requisite. The natal ceremony of a

person is performed before division of the umbilical cord. His mother

then acts as its Savitri and his father officiates as priest. He is

considered as a Sudra as long as he is not initiated in the Vedas. Doubts

having arisen on this point, O prince; of serpents, Swayambhuba Manu has

declared, that the mixed castes are to be regarded as better than the

(other) classes, if having gone through the ceremonies of purification,

the latter do not conform to the rules of good conduct, O excellent

snake! Whosoever now conforms to the rules of pure and virtuous conduct,

him have I, ere now, designated as a Brahmana.' The serpent replied, 'O

Yudhishthira, thou art acquainted with all that is fit to be known and

having listened to thy words, how can I (now) eat up thy brother

Vrikodara!"

SECTION CLXXX

"Yudhishthira said, 'In this world, you are so learned in the Vedas and

Vedangas; tell me (then), what one should do to attain salvation?'

"The serpent replied, 'O scion of the Bharata's race, my belief is that

the man who bestows alms on proper objects, speaks kind words and tells

the truth and abstains from doing injury to any creature goes to heaven.'

"Yudhishthira enquired, 'Which, O snake, is the higher of the two, truth

or alms-giving? Tell me also the greater or less importance of kind

behaviour and of doing injury to no creature.'

"The snake replied, 'The relative merits of these virtues, truth and

alms-giving, kind speech and abstention from injury to any creature, are

known (measured) by their objective gravity (utility). Truth is

(sometimes) more praiseworthy than some acts of charity; some of the

latter again are more commendable than true speech. Similarly, O mighty

king, and lord of the earth, abstention from doing injury to any creature

is seen to be important than good speech and vice-versa. Even so it is, O

king, depending on effects. And now, if thou hast anything else to ask,

say it all, I shall enlighten thee!' Yudhishthira said, 'Tell me, O

snake, how the incorporal being's translation to heaven, its perception

by the senses and its enjoyment of the immutable fruits of its actions

(here below), can be comprehended.' The snake replied, 'By his own acts,

man is seen to attain to one of the three conditions of human existence,

of heavenly life, or of birth in the lower animal kingdom. Among these,

the man who is not slothful, who injures no one and who is endowed with

charity and other virtues, goes to heaven, after leaving this world of

men. By doing the very contrary, O king, people are again born as men or

as lower animals. O my son, it is particularly said in this connection,

that the man who is swayed by anger and lust and who is given to avarice

and malice falls away from his human state and is born again as a lower

animal, and the lower animals too are ordained to be transformed into the

human state; and the cow, the horse and other animals are observed to

attain to even the divine state.'[43] O my son, the sentient being,

reaping the fruits of his actions, thus transmigrates through these

conditions; but the regenerate and wise man reposes his soul in the

everlasting Supreme Spirit. The embodied spirit, enchained by destiny and

reaping the fruits of its own actions, thus undergoes birth after birth

but he that has lost touch of his actions, is conscious of the immutable

destiny of all born beings.[44]

"Yudhishthira asked, 'O snake, tell me truly and without confusion how

that dissociated spirit becomes cognisant of sound, touch, form, flavour,

and taste. O great-minded one, dost thou not perceive them,

simultaneously by the senses? Do thou, O best of snakes, answer all these

queries!' The snake replied, 'O long-lived one, the thing called Atman

(spirit), betaking itself to corporeal tenement and manifesting itself

through the organs of sense, becomes duly cognisant of perceptible

objects. O prince of Bharata's race, know that the senses, the mind, and

the intellect, assisting the soul in its perception of objects, are

called Karanas. O my son, the eternal spirit, going out of its sphere,

and aided by the mind, acting through the senses, the receptacles of all

perceptions, successively perceives these things (sound, form, flavour,

&c). O most valiant of men, the mind of living creatures is the cause of

all perception, and, therefore, it cannot be cognisant of more than one

thing at a time. That spirit, O foremost of men, betaking itself to the

space between the eyebrows, sends the high and low intellect to different

objects. What the Yogins perceive after the action of the intelligent

principle by that is manifested the action of the soul.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'Tell me the distinguishing characteristics of the

mind and the intellect. The knowledge of it is ordained as the chief duty

of persons meditating on the Supreme Spirit.'

"The snake replied, 'Through illusion, the soul becomes subservient to

the intellect. The intellect, though known to be subservient to the soul,

becomes (then) the director of the latter. The intellect is brought into

play by acts of perception; the mind is self-existent. The Intellect does

not cause the sensation (as of pain, pleasure, &c), but the mind does.

This, my son, is the difference between the mind and the intellect. You

too are learned in this matter, what is your opinion?'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O most intelligent one, you have fine intelligence

and you know all that is fit to be known. Why do you ask me that

question? You knew all and you performed such wonderful deeds and you

lived in heaven. How could then illusion overpower you? Great is my doubt

on this point.' The snake replied, 'Prosperity intoxicates even the wise

and valiant men. Those who live in luxury, (soon) lose their reason. So,

I too, O Yudhishthira, overpowered by the infatuation of prosperity, have

fallen from my high state and having recovered my self-consciousness, am

enlightening thee thus! O victorious king, thou hast done me a good turn.

By conversing with thy pious self, my painful curse has been expiated. In

days of yore, while I used to sojourn in heaven in a celestial chariot,

revelling in my pride, I did not think of anything else, I used to exact

tribute from Brahmarshis, Devas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Pannagas

and all other dwellers of the three worlds. O lord of earth, such was the

spell of my eyes, that on whatever creature, I fixed them, I instantly

destroyed his power. Thousands of Brahmarshis used to draw my chariot.

The delinquency, O king, was the cause of my fall from my high

prosperity. Among them, Agastya was one day drawing my conveyance, and my

feet came in contact with his body; Agastya then pronounced (this curse)

on me, in anger, 'Ruin seize thee, do thou become a snake.' So, losing my

glory, I fell down from that excellent car and while falling, I beheld

myself turned into a snake, with head downwards. I thus implored that

Brahmana, 'May this curse be extinguished, O adorable one! You ought to

forgive one who has been so foolish from infatuation.' Then he kindly

told me this, as I was being hurled down (from heaven), "The virtuous

king Yudhishthira will save thee from this curse, and when, O king,

horrible sin of pride will be extinguished in thee; thou shalt attain

salvation.' And I was struck with wonder on seeing (this) power of his

austere virtues; and therefore, have I questioned thee about the

attributes of the Supreme Spirit and of Brahmanas. Truth, charity,

self-restraint, penance, abstention from doing injury to any creature,

and constancy in virtue, these, O king, and not his race of family

connections, are the means, by which a man must always secure salvation.

May this brother of thine, the mighty Bhimasena, meet with good luck and

may happiness abide with thee! I must go to Heaven again.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "So saying, that king, Nahusha, quitted his

serpentine form, and assuming his celestial shape he went back to Heaven.

The glorious and pious Yudhishthira, too, returned to his hermitage with

Dhaumya and his brother Bhima. Then the virtuous Yudhishthira narrated

all that, in detail, to the Brahmanas who had assembled (there). On

hearing that, his three brothers and all the Brahmanas and the renowned

Draupadi too were covered with shame. And all those excellent Brahmanas

desiring the welfare of the Pandavas, admonished Bhima for his

foolhardiness, telling him not to attempt such things again, and the

Pandavas too were greatly pleased at seeing the mighty Bhima out of

danger, and continued to live there pleasantly."

SECTION CLXXXI

(Markandeya-Samasya Parva)

Vaisampayana said, "While they were dwelling at that place, there set in

the season of the rains, the season that puts an end to the hot weather

and is delightful to all animated beings. Then the black clouds, rumbling

loudly, and covering the heavens and the cardinal points, ceaselessly

rained during day and night. These clouds, counted by hundreds and by

thousands, looked like domes in the rainy season. From the earth

disappeared the effulgence of the sun; its place was taken by the

stainless lustre of the lightning; the earth became delightful to all,

being overgrown with grass, with gnats and reptiles in their joy; it was

bathed with rain and possessed with calm. When the waters had covered

all, it could not be known whether the ground was at all even or

uneven;--whether there were rivers or trees or hills. At the end of the

hot season, the rivers added beauty to the woods being themselves full of

agitated waters, flowing with great force and resembling serpents in the

hissing sound they made. The boars, the stags and the birds, while the

rain was falling upon them began to utter sounds of various kinds which

could be heard within the forest tracts. The chatakas, the peacocks and

the host of male Kohilas and the excited frogs, all ran about in joy.

Thus while the Pandavas were roaming about in the deserts and sandy

tracts, the happy season of rain, so various in aspect and resounding

with clouds passed away. Then set in the season of autumn, thronged with

ganders and cranes and full of joy; then the forest tracts were overrun

with grass; the river turned limpid; the firmament and stars shone

brightly., And the autumn, thronged with beasts and birds, was joyous and

pleasant for the magnanimous sons of Pandu. Then were seen nights, that

were free from dust and cool with clouds and beautified by myriads of

planets and stars and the moon. And they beheld rivers and ponds, adorned

with lilies and white lotuses, full of cool and pleasant water. And while

roving by the river Saraswati whose banks resembled the firmament itself

and were overgrown with canes, and as such abounded in sacred baths,

their joy was great. And those heroes who wielded powerful bows, were

specially glad to see the pleasant river Saraswati, with its limpid

waters full to the brim. And, O Janamejaya, the holiest night, that of

the full moon in the month of Kartika in the season of autumn, was spent

by them while dwelling there! And the sons of Pandu, the best of the

descendants of Bharata, spent that auspicious juncture with righteous and

magnanimous saints devoted to penance. And as soon as the dark fortnight

set in immediately after, the sons of Pandu entered the forest named the

Kamyaka, accompanied by Dhananjaya and their charioteers and cooks."

SECTION CLXXXII

Vaisampayana said, "O son of Kuru, they, Yudhishthira and others, having

reached the forest of Kamyaka, were, hospitably received by hosts of

saints and they lived together with Krishna. And while the sons of Pandu

were dwelling in security in that place, many Brahmanas came to wait upon

them. And a certain Brahmana said, 'He the beloved friend of Arjuna, of

powerful arms and possessed of self control, descendant of Sura, of a

lofty intellect, will come, for, O ye foremost of the descendants of

Kuru, Hari knows that ye have arrived here. For, Hari has always a

longing for your sight and always seeks your welfare. And Markandeya, who

lived very many years devoted to great austerities, given to study and

penance, will erelong come and meet you.' And the very moment that he was

uttering these words, there was beheld Krishna, coming thitherward upon a

car unto which were yoked the horses Saivya and Sugriva,--he the best of

those that ride on cars, accompanied by Satyabhama, is like Indra by

Sachi, the daughter of Pulaman. And the son of Devaki came, desirous to

see those most righteous of the descendants of Kuru. And the sagacious

Krishna, having alighted from the car, prostrated himself, with pleasure

in his heart, before the virtuous king, in the prescribed way, and also

before Bhima, that foremost of powerful men. And he paid his respects to

Dhaumya, while the twin brothers prostrated themselves to him. And he

embraced Arjuna of the curly hair; and spoke words of solace to the

daughter of Drupada. And the descendant of the chief of the Dasaraha

tribe, that chastiser of foes, when he saw the beloved Arjuna come near

him, having seen him after a length of time, clasped him again and again.

And so too Satyabhama also, the beloved consort of Krishna, embraced the

daughter of Drupada, the beloved wife of the sons of Pandu. Then these

sons of Pandu, accompanied by their wife and priests, paid their respects

to Krishna, whose eyes resembled the white lotus and surrounded him on

all sides. And Krishna, when united with Arjuna, the son of Pritha, the

winner of riches and the terror of the demons assumed a beauty comparable

to that of Siva, the magnanimous lord of all created beings, when he, the

mighty lord, is united with Kartikeya (his son). And Arjuna, who bore a

circlet of crowns on his head, gave an account of what had happened to

him in the forest to Krishna, the elder brother of Gada. And Arjuna

asked, saying, 'How is Subhadra, and her son Abhimanyu?' And Krishna, the

slayer of Madhu, having paid his respects in the prescribed form to the

son of Pritha, and to the priest, and seating himself with them there,

spoke to king Yudhishthira, in words of praise. And he said, 'O king,

Virtue is preferable to the winning of kingdoms; it is, in fact, practice

of austerities! By you who have obeyed with truth and candour what your

duty prescribed, have been won both this world and that to come! First

you have studied, while performing religious duties; having acquired in a

suitable way the whole science of arms, having won wealth by pursuing the

methods prescribed for the military caste, you have celebrated all the

time-honoured sacrificial rites. You take no delight in sensual

pleasures; you do not act, O lord of men, from motives of enjoyment, nor

do you swerve from virtue from greed of riches; it is for this, you have

been named the Virtuous King, O son of Pritha! Having won kingdoms and

riches and means of enjoyment, your best delight has been charity and

truth and practice of austerities, O King, and faith and meditation and

forbearance and patience! When the population of Kuru-jangala beheld

Krishna outraged in the assembly hall, who but yourself could brook that

conduct, O Pandu's son, which was so repugnant both to virtue and usage?

No doubt, you will, before long, rule over men in a praiseworthy way, all

your desires being fulfilled. Here are we prepared to chastise the Kurus,

as soon as the stipulation made by you is fully performed! And Krishna,

the foremost of the Dasarha tribe, then said to Dhaumya and Bhima and

Yudhishthira, and the twins and Krishna, 'How fortunate that by your

blessing Arjuna the bearer of the coronet, has arrived after having

acquired the science of arms!" And Krishna, the leader of the Dasarha

tribe, accompanied by friends, likewise spoke to Krishna, the daughter of

Yajnasena, saying, 'How fortunate that you are united, safe and secure,

with Arjuna, the winner of riches!' And Krishna also said, 'O Krishna, O

daughter of Yajnasena, those sons of yours, are devoted to the study of

the science of arms, are well-behaved and conduct themselves on the

pattern, O Krishna, of their righteous friends. Your father and your

uterine brothers proffer them a kingdom and territories; but the boys

find no joy in the house of Drupada, or in that of their maternal uncles.

Safely proceeding to the land of the Anartas, they take the greatest

delight in the study of the science of arms. Your sons enter the town of

the Vrishnis and take an immediate liking to the people there. And as you

would direct them to conduct themselves, or as the respected Kunti would

do, so does Subhadra direct them in a watchful way. Perhaps, she is still

more careful of them. And, O Krishna, as Rukmini's son is the preceptor

of Aniruddha, of Abhimanyu, of Sunitha, and of Bhanu; so he is the

preceptor and the refuge of your sons also! And a good preceptor, would

unceasingly give them lessons in the wielding of maces and swords and

bucklers, in missiles and in the arts of driving cars and of riding

horses, being valiant. And he, the son of Rukmini, having bestowed a very

good training upon them, and having taught them the art of using various

weapons in a proper way, takes satisfaction at the valorous deeds of your

sons, and of Abhimanyu. O daughter of Drupada! And when your son goes

out, in pursuit of (out-door) sports, each one of them is followed

thither by cars and horses and vehicles and elephants.' And Krishna said

to the virtuous king, Yudhishthira, The fighting men of the Dasarha

tribe, and the Kukuras, and the Andhakas--let these, O king, place

themselves at thy command--let them perform what thou desirest them. O

lord of men, let the army of the tribe of Madhus, (resistless) like the

wind, with their bows and led by Balarama whose weapon is the plough--let

that army, equipped (for war), consisting of horsemen and foot soldiers

and horses and cars and elephants, prepare to do your bidding. O son of

Pandu! Drive Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, the vilest of sinful

men, together with his followers and his hosts of friends to the path

betaken by the lord of Saubha, the son of the Earth! You, O ruler of men,

are welcome to stick to that stipulation which was made in the

assembly-hall--but let the city of Hastina be made ready for you, when

the hostile force has been slain by the soldiers of the Dasarha tribe!

Having roamed at your pleasure in all those places where you may desire

to go, having got rid of your grief and freed from all your sins--you

will reach the city of Hastina--the well-known city situated in the midst

of a fine territory!--Then the magnanimous king having been acquainted

with the view, thus clearly set forth by Krishna that best of men, and,

having applauded the same, and having deliberated, thus spoke with joined

palms unto Kesava, 'O Kesava, no doubt, thou art the refuge of the sons

of Pandu; for the sons of Pandu have their protector in thee! When the

time will come, there is no doubt that thou wilt do all the work just

mentioned by thee; and even more than the same! As promised by us, we

have spent all the twelve years in lonely forests. O Kesava, having in

the prescribed way completed the period for living unrecognised, the sons

of Pandu will take refuge in thee. This should be the intention of those

that associate with thee, O Krishna! The sons of Pandu swerve not from

the path of truth, for the sons of Pritha with their charity and their

piety with their people and their wives and with their relations have

their protector in thee!"

Vaisampayana said, 'O descendant of Bharata, while Krishna, the

descendant of the Vrishnis and the virtuous king, were thus talking,

there appeared then the saint Markandeya, grown grey in the practise of

penances. And he had seen many thousand years of life, was of a pious

soul, and devoted to great austerities. Signs of old age he had none; and

deathless he was, and endued with beauty and generous and many good

qualities. And he looked like one only twenty-five years old. And when

the aged saint, who had seen many thousand years of life, came, all the

Brahamanas paid their respects to him and so did Krishna together with

Pandu's son. And when that wisest saint, thus honoured, took his seat in

a friendly way, Krishna addressed him, in accordance with the views of

the Brahmanas and of Pandu's sons, thus,--

"The sons of Pandu, and the Brahmanas assembled here, and the daughter of

Drupada, and Satyabhama, likewise myself, are all anxious to hear your

most excellent words, O Markandeya! Propound to us the holy stories of

events of bygone times, and the eternal rules of righteous conduct by

which are guided kings and women and saints!"

Vaisampayana continued, "When they had all taken their seats, Narada

also, the divine saint, of purified soul, came on a visit to Pandu's

sons. Him also, then, of great soul, all those foremost men of superior

intellect, honoured in the prescribed form, by offering water to wash his

feet, and the well-known oblation called the Arghya. Then the godlike

saint, Narada, learning that they were about to hear the speech of

Markandeya, expressed his assent to the arrangement. And he, the

deathless, knowing what would be opportune, said smilingly, 'O saint of

the Brahmana caste, speak what you were about to say unto the sons of

Pandu!' Thus addressed, Markandeya, devoted to great austerities,

replied, 'Wait a moment. A great deal will be narrated.' Thus addressed,

the sons of Pandu, together with those twice-born ones, waited a moment,

looking at that great saint, (bright) as the mid-day sun."

Vaisampayana continued, "Pandu's son, the king of the Kuru tribe, having

observed that the great saint as willing to speak, questioned him with a

view to suggesting topics to speak upon, saying, 'You who are ancient (in

years), know the deeds of gods and demons, and illustrious saints, and of

all the royal ones. We consider you as worthy of being worshipped and

honoured; and we have long yearned after your company. And here is this

son of Devaki, Krishna, who has come to us on a visit. Verily, when I

look at myself, fallen away from happiness, and when I contemplate the

sons of Dhritarashtra, of evil life, flourishing in every way, the idea

arises in me that it is man who does all acts, good or bad, and that it

is he that enjoys the fruit the acts bring forth. How then is god the

agent? And, O best of those that are proficient in the knowledge of God,

how is it that men's actions follow them? Is it in this world? Or is it

in some subsequent existence? And, O best of righteous men among the

twice-born, in what way is an embodied animated being joined by his good

and evil deeds that seek him out? Is it after death? Or is it in this

world? And, O descendant of Bhrigu, is what we experience in this world

the result of the acts of this very life? Or will the acts of this life

bear fruit in the world to come? And where do the actions of an animated

being who is dead find their resting place?"

"Markandeya said, 'O best of those that can speak, this question befits

thee, and is just what it should be? Thou knowest all that there is to

know. But thou art asking this question, simply for the sake of form.

Here I shall answer thee: listen to me with an attentive mind, as to how

in this world and in that to come, a man experienceth happiness and

misery. The lord of born beings, himself sprung first of all, created,

for all embodied beings, bodies which were stainless, pure, and obedient

to virtuous impulses, O wisest of the descendants of Kuru! The ancient

men had all their desires fulfilled, were given to praiseworthy courses

of life, were speakers of truth, godly and pure. All were equal to the

gods, could ascend to the sky at their pleasure, and could come back

again; and all went about at their pleasure. And they had their death and

their life also under their own control; and they had few sufferings; had

no fear; and had their wishes fulfilled; and they were free from trouble;

could visit the gods and the magnanimous saints; knew by heart all

righteous rules; were self-controlled and free from envy. And they lived

many thousand years; and had many thousand sons. Then in course of time

they came to be restricted to walking solely on the surface of the earth,

overpowered by lust and wrath, dependent for subsistence upon falsehood

and trick, overwhelmed by greed and senselessness. Then those wicked men,

when disembodied, on account of their unrighteous and unblessed deeds,

went to hell in a crooked way. Again and again, they were grilled, and,

again and again they began to drag their miserable existence in this

wonderful world. And their desires were unfulfilled, the objects

unaccomplished, and their knowledge became unavailing. And their senses

were paralysed and they became apprehensive of everything and the cause

of other people's sufferings. And they were generally marked by wicked

deeds, and born in low families; they became wicked and afflicted with

diseases, and the terror of others. And they became short-lived and

sinful and they reaped the fruit of their terrible deeds. And coveting

everything, they became godless and indifferent in mind, O son of Kunti!

The destiny of every creature after death is determined by his acts in

this world. Thou hast asked me where this treasure of acts of the sage

and the ignorant remain, and where they enjoy the fruit of their good and

evil deeds! Do thou listen to the regulations on this subject! Man with

his subtle original body created by God lays up a great store of virtue

and vice. After death he quits his frail (outer) body and is immediately

born again in another order of beings. He never remains non-existent for

a single moment. In his new life his actions follow him invariably as

shadow and, fructifying, makes his destiny happy or miserable. The wise

man, by his spiritual insight, knows all creatures to be bound to an

immutable destiny by the destroyer and incapable of resisting the

fruition of his actions in good or evil fortune. This, O Yudhishthira, is

the doom of all creatures steeped in spiritual ignorance. Do thou now

hear of the perfect way attained by men of high spiritual perception!

Such men are of high ascetic virtue and are versed in all profane and

holy writ, diligent in performing their religious obligations and devoted

to truth. And they pay due homage to their preceptors and superiors and

practise Yoga, are forgiving, continent and energetic and pious and are

generally endowed with every virtue. By the conquest of the passions,

they are subdued in mind; by practising yoga they become free from

disease, fear and sorrow; they are not troubled (in mind). In course of

birth, mature or immature, or while ensconced in the womb, in every

condition, they with spiritual eyes recognize the relation of their soul

to the supreme Spirit. Those great-minded Rishis of positive and

intuitive knowledge passing through this arena of actions, return again

to the abode of the celestials. Men, O king, attain what they have in

consequence of the grace of the gods of Destiny or of their own actions.

Do thou not think otherwise. O Yudhishthira, I regard that as the highest

good which is regarded so in this world. Some attain happiness in this

world, but not in the next; others do so in the next, but not in this.

Some, again, attain happiness in this as well as in the next world; and

others neither here nor in the next world. Those that have immense

wealth, shine every day with well-decorated persons. O slayer of mighty

foes, being addicted to carnal pleasures, they enjoy happiness only in

this world, but not in the next. But those who are engaged in spiritual

meditations and the study of the Vedas, who are diligent in asceticism,

and who impair the vigour of their bodies by performing their duties, who

have subdued their passions, and who refrain from killing any animated

being, those men, O slayer of thy enemies, attain happiness in the next

world, but not in this! Those who first live a pious life, and virtuously

acquire wealth in due time and then marry and perform sacrifices, attain

bliss both in this and the next world. Those foolish men again who do not

acquire knowledge, nor are engaged in asceticism or charity or increasing

their species; or in encompassing the pleasures and enjoyments of this

world, attain bliss neither in this nor in the next world. But all of you

are proficient in knowledge and possessed of great power and strength and

celestial vigour. For the extermination (of the wicked) and for serving

the purposes of the gods, ye have come from the other world and have

taken your birth in this! Ye, who are so valiant, and engaged in

asceticism, self-restraining exercises, and religious ordinances, and

fond of exertion, after having performed great deeds and gratified the

gods and Rishis and the Pitris, ye will at last in due course attain by

your own acts the supreme region--the abode of all virtuous men! O

ornament of Kuru's race, may no doubts cross thy mind on account of these

thy sufferings, for this affliction is for thy good!"

SECTION CLXXXIII

Vaisampayana continued,--"The sons of Pandu said to the high-souled

Markandeya, 'We long to hear of the greatness of the Brahmanas Do thou

tell us of it!' Thus asked, the revered Markandeya, of austere virtue and

high spiritual energy, and proficient in all departments of knowledge,

replied, 'A strong-limbed, handsome young prince of the race of the

Haihayas, a conqueror of hostile cities, (once) went out hunting. And

(while) roaming in the wilderness of big trees and thickets of grass, he

saw, at no great distance from him, a Muni with the skin of a black

antelope for his upper garment, and killed him for a deer. Pained at what

he had done, and his senses paralysed with grief, he repaired to the

presence of the more distinguished of the Haihaya chiefs. The louts-eyed

prince related to them the particulars. On hearing the account, O my son,

and beholding the body of the Muni who had subsisted on fruits and roots,

they were sorely afflicted in mind. And they all set out enquiring here

and there as they proceeded, as to whose son the Muni might be. And they

soon after reached the hermitage of Arishtanemi, son of Kasyapa. And

saluting that great Muni, so constant in austerity, they all remained

standing, while the Muni, on his part, busied himself about their

reception. And they said unto the illustrious Muni, 'By a freak of

destiny, we have ceased to merit thy welcome: indeed, we have killed a

Brahmana!' And the regenerate Rishi said to them, 'How hath a Brahmana

come to be killed by you, and say where may be he? Do ye all witness the

power of my ascetic practices!' And they, having related everything to

him as it had happened went back, but found not the body of the dead

Rishi on the spot (where they had left it). And having searched for him,

they returned, ashamed and bereft of all perception, as in a dream. And

then, O thou conqueror of hostile cities, the Muni Tarkshya, addressed

them, saying, 'Ye princes, can this be the Brahmana of your killing? This

Brahmana, endowed with occult gifts from spiritual exercises, is, indeed,

my son!' Seeing that Rishi, O lord of the earth, they were struck with

bewilderment. And they said, 'What a marvel! How hath the dead come to

life again? Is it the power of his austere virtue by which he hath

revived again? We long to hear this, O Brahmana, if, indeed, it can be

divulged?' To them, he replied, 'Death, O lords of men, hath no power

over us! I shall tell ye the reason briefly and intelligibly. We perform

our own sacred duties; therefore, have we no fear of death; we speak well

of Brahmanas but never think any ill of them; therefore hath death no

terror for us. Entertaining our guests with food and drink, and our

dependants with plenty of food, we ourselves (then) partake of what is

left; therefore we are not afraid of death. We are peaceful and austere

and charitable and forbearing and fond of visiting sacred shrines, and we

live in sacred places; therefore we have no fear of death. And we live in

places inhabited by men who have great spiritual power; therefore hath

death no terror for us. I have briefly told ye all! Return ye now all

together, cured of all worldly vanity. Ye have no fear of sin!' Saying

amen, O foremost scion of Bharata's race, and saluting the great Muni,

all those princes joyously returned to their country."

SECTION CLXXXIV

"Markandeya continued, 'Do ye again hear from me the glory of the

Brahmanas! It is said that a royal sage of the name of Vainya was once

engaged in performing the horse-sacrifice and that Atri desired to go to

him for alms. But Atri subsequently gave up his desire of wealth, from

religious scruples. After much thought he, of great power, became

desirous of living in the woods, and, calling his wife and sons together,

addressed them thus, 'Let us attain the highly tranquil and complete

fruition of our desires. May it, therefore, be agreeable to you to repair

quickly to the forest for a life of great merit.' His wife, arguing from

motives of virtue also then said to him, 'Hie thee to the illustrious

prince Vainya, and beg of him vast riches! Asked by thee, that royal

sage, engaged in sacrifice will give thee wealth. Having gone there, O

regenerate Rishi, and received from him vast wealth, thou canst

distribute it among thy sons and servants and then thou canst go

whithersoever thou pleasest. This, indeed, is the higher virtue as

instanced by men conversant with religion.' Atri replied, 'I am informed,

O virtuous one, by the high-souled Gautama, that Vainya is a pious

prince, devoted to the cause of truth; but there are Brahmanas (about his

persons) who are jealous of me; and as Gautama hath told me this, I do

not venture to go there, for (while) there, if I were to advise what is

good and calculated to secure piety and the fulfilment of one's desires,

they would contradict me with words unproductive of any good. But I

approve of any counsel and will go there; Vainya will give me kine and

hoards of riches.'

"Markandeya continued, 'So saying, he, of great ascetic merit, hastened

to Vainya's sacrifice and reaching the sacrificial altar and making his

obeisance to the king and praising him with well-meaning speeches, he

spoke these words, 'Blessed art thou, O king! Ruling over the earth, thou

art the foremost of sovereigns! The Munis praise thee, and besides thee

there is none so versed in religious lore'! To him the Rishi Gautama, of

great ascetic merit, then indignantly replied saying, 'Atri, do not

repeat this nonsense. (It seems) thou art not in thy proper senses. In

this world of ours, Mahendra the lord of all created beings (alone) is

the foremost of all sovereigns!' Then, O, great prince, Atri said to

Gautama, 'As Indra, the lord of all creatures, ruleth over our destinies,

so doth this king! Thou art mistaken. It is thou who hast lost thine

senses from want of spiritual perception!' Gautama replied, 'I know I am

not mistaken; it is thou who art labouring under a misconception in this

matter. To secure the king's countenance, thou art flattering him in

(this) assembly of the people. Thou dost not know what the highest

virtue, is nor dost thou feel the need for it. Thou art like a child

steeped in ignorance, for what then hast thou become (so) old in years?'

"Markandeya continued, 'While those two men were thus disputing in the

presence of the Munis, who were engaged in Vainya's sacrifice the latter

enquired, 'What is the matter with them, that maketh them talk so

vociferously?' Then the very pious Kasyapa learned in all religious lore,

approaching the disputants asked them what was the matter. And then

Gautama, addressing that assembly of great Munis said, 'Listen, O great

Brahmanas, to the point in dispute between us. Atri hath said that Vainya

is the ruler of our destinies; great is our doubt on this point.'

"Markandeya continued, 'On hearing this, the great-mind Munis went

instantly to Sanatkumara who was well versed in religion to clear their

doubt. And then he of great ascetic merit, having heard the particulars

from them addressed them these words full of religious meaning. And

Sanatkumara said, 'As fire assisted by the wind burneth down forests, so

a Brahmana's energy in union with a Kshatriya's or a Kshatriya's joined

with a Brahmana's destroyeth all enemies. The sovereign is the

distinguished giver of laws and the protector of his subjects. He is (a

protector of created beings) like Indra, (a propounder of morals) like

Sukra, (a counsellor) like Vrihaspati and (hence he is also called) the

ruler of men's destinies. Who does not think it proper to worship the

individual of whom such terms as 'preserver of created beings,' 'royal,'

'emperor,' 'Kshatriya' (or saviour of the earth), 'lord of earth', 'ruler

of men', are applied in praise? The king is (also) styled the prime cause

(of social order, as being the promulgator of laws), 'the virtuous in

wars,' (and therefore, preserver after peace), 'the watchman,' 'the

contented,' 'the lord,' 'the guide to salvation,' 'the easily

victorious,' 'the Vishnu like,' 'of effective wrath,' 'the winner of

battles' and 'the cherisher of the true religion.' The Rishis, fearful of

sin, entrusted (the temporal) power to the Kshatriyas. As among the gods

in heaven the Sun dispelleth darkness by his effulgence, so doth the king

completely root out sin from this earth. Therefore is the king's

greatness reduced from the evidences of the sacred books, and we are

bound to pronounce for that side which hath spoken in favour of the king.'

"Markandeya continued, 'Then that illustrious prince, highly pleased with

the victorious party, joyfully said to Atri, who had praised him

erewhile. 'O regenerate Rishi, thou hast made and styled me the greatest

and most excellent of men here, and compared me to the gods; therefore,

shall I give thee vast and various sorts of wealth. My impression is that

thou art omniscient. I give thee, O well-dressed and well-adorned one, a

hundred millions of gold coins and also ten bharas of gold. Then Atri, of

high austere virtues and great spiritual powers, thus welcomed (by the

king), accepted all the gifts without any breach of propriety, and

returned home. And then giving his wealth to his sons and subduing his

self, he cheerfully repaired to the forest with the object of performing

penances."

SECTION CLXXXV

"Markandeya continued, 'O thou conqueror of hostile cities, in this

connection Saraswati too, when interrogated by that intelligent Muni

Tarkshya, had said (this). Do thou listen to her words! Tarkshya had

asked, saying, 'Excellent lady, what is the best thing for a man to do

here below, and how must he act so that he may not deviate from (the path

of) virtue. Tell me all this, O beautiful lady, so that instructed by

thee, I may not fall away from the path of virtue! When and how must one

offer oblations to the (sacred) fire and when must he worship so that

virtue may not be compromised? Tell me all this, O excellent lady, so

that I may live without any passions, craving, or desire, in this world.'

"Markandeya continued, 'Thus questioned by that cheerful Muni and seeing

him eager to learn and endued with high intelligence, Saraswati addressed

these pious and beneficial words to the Brahmana, Tarkshya.'

"Saraswati said, 'He who is engaged in the study of the Vedas, and with

sanctity and equanimity perceives the supreme Godhead in his proper

sphere, ascends the celestial regions and attains supreme beatitude with

the Immortals. Many large, beautiful, pellucid and sacred lakes are

there, abounding with fish, flowers, and golden lilies. They are like

shrines and their very sight is calculated to assuage grief. Pious men,

distinctively worshipped by virtuous well-adorned golden-complexioned

Apsaras, dwell in contentment on the shores of those lakes. He who giveth

cows (to Brahmanas) attaineth the highest regions; by giving bullocks he

reacheth the solar regions, by giving clothes he getteth to the lunar

world, and by giving gold he attaineth to the state of the Immortals. He

who giveth a beautiful cow with a fine calf, and which is easily milked

and which doth not run away, is (destined) to live for as many years in

the celestial regions as there are hairs on the body of that animal. He

who giveth a fine, strong, powerful, young bullock, capable of drawing

the plough and bearing burdens, reacheth the regions attained by men who

give ten cows. When a man bestoweth a well-caparisoned kapila cow with a

brazen milk-pail and with money given afterwards, that cow becoming, by

its own distinguished qualities, a giver of everything reacheth the side

of the man who gave her away. He who giveth away cows, reapeth

innumerable fruits of his action, measured by the hairs on the body of

that animal. He also saveth (from perdition) in the next world his sons

and grandsons and ancestors to the seventh generation. He who presenteth

to a Brahmana, sesamum made up in the form of a cow, having horns made of

gold, with money besides, and a brazen milk-pail, subsequently attaineth

easily to the regions of the Vasus. By his own acts man descends into the

darksome lower regions, infested by evil spirits (of his own passions)

like a ship tossed by the storm in the high seas; but the gift of kine to

Brahmanas saves him in the next world. He who giveth his daughter in

marriage, in the Brahma form, who bestoweth gifts of land on Brahmanas

and who duly maketh other presents, attaineth to the regions of

Purandara. O Tarkshya, the virtuous man who is constant in presenting

oblations to the sacred fire for seven years, sanctifieth by his own

action seven generations up and down.'

"Tarkshya said, 'O beautiful lady, explain to me who ask thee, the rules

for the maintenance of the sacred fire as inculcated in the Vedas. I

shall now learn from thee the time-honoured rules for perpetually keeping

up the sacred fire.'"

SECTION CLXXXVI

Then Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, said to the Brahmana, Markandeya,

'Do thou now narrate the history of Vaivaswata Manu?

"Markandeya replied, 'O king, O foremost of men, there was a powerful and

great Rishi of the name of Manu. He was the son of Vivaswan and was equal

unto Brahma in glory. And he far excelled his father and grandfather in

strength, in power, in fortune, as also in religious austerities. And

standing on one leg and with uplifted hand, that lord of men did severe

penance in the jujube forest called Visala. And there with head downwards

and with steadfast eyes he practised the rigid and severe penance for ten

thousand years. And one day, whilst he was practising austerities there

with wet clothes on and matted hair on head, a fish approaching the banks

of the Chirini, addressed him thus, 'Worshipful sir, I am a helpless

little fish, I am afraid of the large ones; therefore, do thou, O great

devotee, think it worth thy while to protect me from them; especially as

this fixed custom is well established amongst us that the strong fish

always preys upon the weak ones. Therefore do thou think it fit to save

me from being drowned in this sea of terrors! I shall requite thee for

thy good offices.' On hearing these words from the fish, Vaivaswata Manu

was overpowered with pity and he took out the fish from the water with

his own hands. And the fish which had a body glistening like the rays of

the moon when taken out of the water was put back in an earthen

water-vessel. And thus reared that fish O king, grew up in size and Manu

tended it carefully like a child. And after a long while, it became so

large in size, that there was no room for it in that vessel. And then

seeing Manu (one day), it again addressed these words to him, 'Worshipful

sir, do thou appoint some better habitation for me.' And then the

adorable Manu, the conqueror of hostile cities, took it out of that

vessel and carried it to a large tank and placed it there. And there

again the fish grew for many a long year. And although the tank was two

yojanas in length and one yojana in width, even there, O lotus-eyed son

of Kunti and ruler of men, was no room for the fish to play about! And

beholding Manu it said again, 'O pious and adorable father, take me to

the Ganga, the favourite spouse of the Ocean so that I may live there; or

do as thou listest. O sinless one, as I have grown to this great bulk by

thy favour I shall do thy bidding cheerfully.' Thus asked the upright and

continent and worshipful Manu took the fish to the river Ganga and he put

it into the river with his own hands. And there, O conqueror of thy

enemies, the fish again grew for some little time and then beholding

Manu, it said again, 'O lord, I am unable to move about in the Ganga on

account of my great body; therefore, worshipful sir, do thou please take

me quickly to the sea!' O son of Pritha, Manu then taking it out of the

Ganga, carried it to the sea and consigned it there. And despite its

great bulk, Manu transported it easily and its touch and smell were also

pleasant to him. And when it was thrown into the sea by Manu, it said

these words to him with a smile, 'O adorable being, thou hast protected

me with special care; do thou now listen to me as to what thou shouldst

do in the fulness of time! O fortunate and worshipful sir, the

dissolution of all this mobile and immobile world is nigh at hand. The

time for the purging of this world is now ripe. Therefore do I now

explain what is good for thee! The mobile and immobile divisions of the

creation, those that have the power of locomotion, and those that have it

not, of all these the terrible doom hath now approached. Thou shall build

a strong massive ark and have it furnished with a long rope. On that must

thou ascend, O great Muni, with the seven Rishis and take with thee all

the different seeds which were enumerated by regenerate Brahmanas in days

of yore, and separately and carefully must thou preserve them therein.

And whilst there, O beloved of the Munis, thou shall wait for me, and I

shall appear to thee like a horned animal, and thus, O ascetic, shall

thou recognise me! And I shall now depart, and thou shall act according

to my instructions, for, without my assistance, thou canst not save

thyself from that fearful flood.' Then Manu said unto the fish, 'I do not

doubt all that thou hast said, O great one! Even so shall I act!' And

giving instructions to each other, they both went away. And Manu then, O

great and powerful king and conqueror of thy enemies, procured all the

different seeds as directed by the fish, and set sail in an excellent

vessel on the surging sea. And then, O lord of the earth, he bethought

himself of that fish. And the fish too, O conqueror of thy enemies and

foremost scion of Bharata's race, knowing his mind, appeared there with

horns on his head. And then, O tiger among men, beholding in the ocean

that horned fish emerging like a rock in the form of which he had been

before appraised, he lowered the ropy noose on its head. And fastened by

the noose, the fish, O king and conqueror of hostile cities, towed the

ark with great force through the salt waters. And it conveyed them in

that vessel on the roaring and billow beaten sea. And, O conqueror of thy

enemies and hostile cities, tossed by the tempest on the great ocean, the

vessel reeled about like a drunken harlot. And neither land nor the four

cardinal points of the compass, could be distinguished.

And there was water everywhere and the waters covered the heaven and the

firmament also. And, O bull of Bharata's race, when the world was thus

flooded, none but Manu, the seven Rishis and the fish could be seen. And,

O king, the fish diligently dragged the boat through the flood for many a

long year and then, O descendant of Kuru and ornament of Bharata's race,

it towed the vessel towards the highest peak of the Himavat. And, O

Bharata, the fish then told those on the vessel to tie it to the peak of

the Himavat. And hearing the words of the fish they immediately tied the

boat on that peak of the mountain and, O son of Kunti and ornament of

Bharata's race, know that that high peak of the Himavat is still called

by the name of Naubandhana (the harbour). Then the fish addressing the

associated Rishis told them these words, 'I am Brahma, the Lord of all

creatures; there is none greater than myself. Assuming the shape of a

fish, I have saved you from this cataclysm. Manu will create (again) all

beings--gods, Asuras and men, all those divisions of creation which have

the power of locomotion and which have it not. By practicing severe

austerities he will acquire this power, and with my blessing, illusion

will have no power over him.'

"So saying the fish vanished instantly. And Vaivaswata Manu himself

became desirous of creating the world. In this work of creation illusion

overtook him and he, therefore, practised great asceticism. And endowed

with ascetic merit, Manu, O ornament of Bharata's race, again set about

his work of creating all beings in proper and exact order. This story

which I have narrated to thee and the hearing of which destroyeth all

sin, is celebrated as the Legend of the Fish. And the man who listeneth

every day to this primeval history of Manu, attaineth happiness and all

other objects of desire and goeth to heaven."

SECTION CLXXXVII

"Then the virtuous king Yudhishthira in all humility again enquired of

the illustrious Markandeya, saying, 'O great Muni, thou hast seen many

thousands of ages pass away. In this world there is none so longlived as

thou! O best of those that have attained the knowledge of Supreme Spirit,

there is none equal to thee in years except the great-minded Brahma

living in the most exalted place. Thou, O Brahmana, worshippest Brahma at

the time of the great dissolution of the universe, when this world is

without sky and without the gods and Danavas. And when that cataclysm

ceaseth and the Grandsire awaketh, thou alone, O regenerate Rishi,

beholdest Brahma duly re-create the four orders of beings after having

filled the cardinal points with air and consigned the waters to their

proper place. Thou, O great Brahmana, hast worshipped in his presence the

great Lord and Grandsire of all creatures with soul rapt in meditation

and entirely swallowed up in Him! And, O Brahmana, thou hast many a time

witnessed with thy eyes, the primeval acts of creation, and, plunged in

severe ascetic austerities, thou hast also surpassed the Prajapatis

themselves! Thou art esteemed as one who is nearest to Narayana, in the

next world. Many a time in days of yore hast thou beheld the Supreme

Creator of the universe with eyes of spiritual abstraction and

renunciation, having first opened thy pure and lotus-like heart--the only

place where the multiform Vishnu of universal knowledge may be seen! It

is for this, O learned Rishi, by the grace of God neither all-destroying

Death, nor dotage that causeth the decay of the body, hath any power over

thee! When neither the sun, nor the moon, nor fire, nor earth, nor air,

nor sky remains, when all the world being destroyed looketh like one vast

ocean, when the Gods and Asuras and the great Uragas are annihilated, and

when the great-minded Brahma, the Lord of all creatures, taking his seat

on a lotus flower, sleepeth there, then thou alone remainest to worship

him! And, O best of Brahman as thou hast seen all this that occurred

before, with thy own eyes. And thou alone hast witnessed many things by

the senses, and never in all the worlds hath there been any thing unknown

to thee! Therefore do I long to hear any discourse explaining the causes

of things!"

"Markandeya replied, 'Indeed, I shall explain all, after having bowed

down to that Self-existent, Primordial Being, who is eternal and

undeteriorating and inconceivable, and who is at once vested with and

divested of attributes. O tiger among men, this Janardana attired in

yellow robes is the grand Mover and Creator of all, the Soul and Framer

of all things, and the lord of all! He is also called the Great, the

Incomprehensible, the Wonderful and the Immaculate. He is without

beginning and without end, pervades all the world, is Unchangeable and

Undeteriorating. He is the Creator of all, but is himself uncreate and is

the Cause of all power. His knowledge is greater than that of all the

gods together. O best of kings and pre-eminent of men, after the

dissolution of the universe, all this wonderful creation again comes into

life. Four thousand years have been said to constitute the Krita Yuga.

Its dawn also, as well as its eve, hath been said to comprise four

hundred years. The Treta-Yuga is said to comprise three thousand years,

and its dawn, as well as its eve, is said to comprise three hundred

years. The Yuga that comes next is called Dwapara, and it hath been

computed to consist of two thousand years. Its dawn, as well as its eve,

is said to comprise two hundred years. The next Yuga, called Kali, is

said to comprise one thousand years and its dawn, as well as eve, is said

to comprise one hundred years. Know, O king, that the duration of the

dawn is the same as that of the eve of a Yuga. And after the Kali Yuga is

over, the Krita Yuga comes again. A cycle of the Yugas thus comprised a

period of twelve thousand years. A full thousand of such cycles would

constitute a day of Brahma. O tiger among men, when all this universe is

withdrawn and ensconced within its home--the Creator himself--that

disappearance of all things is called by the learned to be Universal

Destruction. O bull of the Bharata race, towards the end of the last

mentioned period of one thousand years, i.e., when the period wanted to

complete a cycle is short, men generally become addicted to falsehood in

speech. O son of Pritha, then sacrifices and gifts and vows, instead of

being performed by principals are suffered to be performed by

representatives! Brahmanas then perform acts that are reserved for the

Sudras, and the Sudras betake themselves to the acquisition of wealth.

Then Kshatriyas also betake themselves to the practice of religious acts.

In the Kali age, the Brahmanas also abstain from sacrifices and the study

of the Vedas, are divested of their staff and deer-skin, and in respect

of food become omnivorous. And, O son, the Brahmanas in that age also

abstain from prayers and meditation while the Sudras betake themselves to

these! The course of the world looketh contrary, and indeed, these are

the signs that foreshadow the Universal Destruction. And, O lord of men,

numerous Mleccha kings then rule over the earth! And those sinful

monarchs, addicted to false speech, govern their subjects on principles

that are false. The Andhhas, the Sakas, the Pulindas, the Yavanas, the

Kamvojas, the Valhikas and the Abhiras, then become, O best of men,

possessed of bravery and the sovereignty of the earth. This, O tiger

among men, becometh the state of the world during the eve, O Bharata, of

the Kali age! Not a single Brahmana then adhereth to the duties of his

order. And the Kshatriyas and the Vaisyas also, O monarch, follow

practices contrary to those that are proper for their own orders. And men

become short-lived, weak in strength, energy, and prowess; and endued

with small might and diminutive bodies, they become scarcely truthful in

speech. And the human population dwindles away over large tracts of

country, and the regions of the earth, North and South, and East and

West, become crowded with animals and beasts of prey. And during this

period, they also that utter Brahma, do so in vain. The Sudras address

Brahmanas, saying, Bho, while the Brahmanas address Sudras, saying

Respected Sir. And, O tiger among men, at the end of the Yuga, animals

increase enormously. And, O king, odours and perfumes do not then become

so agreeable to our sense of scent, and, O tiger among men, the very

tastes of things do not then so well accord with our organs of taste as

at other periods! And, O king, women then become mothers of numerous

progeny, endued with low statures, and destitute of good behaviour and

good manners. And they also make their very mouths serve the purposes of

the organ of procreation. And famine ravages the habitations of men, and

the highways are infested by women of ill fame, while females in general,

O king, become at such periods hostile to their lords and destitute of

modesty! And, O king, the very kine at such periods yield little milk,

while the trees, sat over with swarms of crows, do not produce many

flowers and fruits. And, O lord of the earth, regenerate classes, tainted

with the sin of slaying Brahmanas, accept gifts from monarchs that are

addicted to falsehood in speech. And filled with covetousness and

ignorance, and bearing on their persons the outward symbols of religion,

they set out on eleemosynary rounds, afflicting the people of the Earth.

And people leading domestic lives, afraid of the burden of taxes, become

deceivers, while Brahmanas, falsely assuming the garb of ascetics, earn

wealth by trade, with nails and hair unpared and uncut. And, O tiger

among men, many of the twice-born classes become, from avarice of wealth,

religious mendicants of the Brahmacharin order. And, O monarch, men at

such periods behave contrary to the modes of life to which they betake

themselves, and addicted to intoxicating drinks and capable of violating

the beds of their preceptors, their desires are all of this world,

pursuing matters ministering to the flesh and the blood. And O tiger

among men, at such period the asylums of ascetics become full of sinful

and audacious wretches ever applauding lives of dependence. And the

illustrious chastiser of Paka never showers rain according to the seasons

and the seeds also that are scattered on earth, do not, O Bharata, all

sprout forth. And men, unholy in deed and thought, take pleasure in envy

and malice. And, O sinless one, the earth then becometh full of sin and

immorality. And, O lord of the earth, he that becometh virtuous at such

periods doth not live long. Indeed, the earth becometh reft of virtue in

every shape. And, O tiger among men, the merchants and traders then full

of guile, sell large quantities of articles with false weights and

measures. And they that are virtuous do not prosper; while they that are

sinful proper exceedingly. And virtue loseth her strength while sin

becometh all powerful. And men that are devoted to virtue become poor and

short-lived; while they that are sinful become long-lived and win

prosperity. And in such times, people behave sinfully even in places of

public amusements in cities and towns. And men always seek the

accomplishment of their ends by means that are sinful. And having earned

fortunes that are really small they become intoxicated with the pride of

wealth. And O monarch, many men at such periods strive to rob the wealth

that hath from trust been deposited with them in secrecy. And wedded to

sinful practices, they shamelessly declare--there is nothing in deposit.

And beasts of prey and other animals and fowl may be seen to lie down in

places of public amusement in cities and towns, as well as in sacred

edifices. And, O king girls of seven or eight years of age do then

conceive, while boys of ten or twelve years beget offspring. An in their

sixteenth year, men are overtaken with decrepitude and decay and the

period of life itself is soon outrun. And O king, when men become so

short-lived, more youths act like the aged; while all that is observable

in youth may be noticed in the old. And women given to impropriety of

conduct and marked by evil manners, deceive even the best of husbands and

forget themselves with menials and slaves and even with animals. And O

king, even women that are wives of heroes seek the companionship of other

men and forget themselves with these during the life-time of their

husbands.

"O king, towards the end of those thousands of years constituting the

four Yugas and when the lives of men become so short, a drought occurs

extending for many years. And then, O lord of the earth, men and

creatures endued with small strength and vitality, becoming hungry die by

thousands. And then, O lord of men, seven blazing Suns, appearing in the

firmament, drink up all the waters of the Earth that are in rivers or

seas. And, O bull of the Bharata race, then also everything of the nature

of wood and grass that is wet to dry, is consumed and reduced to ashes.

And then, O Bharata, the fire called Samvartaka impelled by the winds

appeareth on the earth that hath already been dried to cinders by the

seven Suns. And then that fire, penetrating through the Earth and making

its appearance, in the nether regions also, begetteth great terror in the

hearts of the gods, the Danavas and the Yakshas. And, O lord of the

earth, consuming the nether regions as also everything upon this Earth

that fire destroyeth all things in a moment. And that fire called

Samvartaka aided by that inauspicious wind, consumeth this world

extending for hundreds and thousands of yojanas. And that lord of all

things, that fire, blazing forth in effulgence consumeth this universe

with gods and Asuras and Gandharvas and Yakshas and Snakes and Rakshasas.

And there rise in the sky deep masses of clouds, looking like herds of

elephants and decked with wreaths of lightning that are wonderful to

behold. And some of those clouds are of the hue of the blue lotus; and

some are of the hue of the water-lily; and some resemble in tint the

filaments of the lotus and some are purple and some are yellow as

turmeric and some of the hue of the crows' egg. And some are bright as

the petals of the lotus and some red as vermillion. And some resemble

palatial cities in shape and some herds of elephants. And some are of the

form of lizards and some of crocodiles and sharks. And, O king, the

clouds that gather in the sky on the occasion are terrible to behold and

wreathed with lightnings, roar frightfully. And those vapoury masses,

charged with rain, soon cover the entire welkin. And, O king, those

masses of vapour then flood with water the whole earth with her mountains

and forests and mines. And, O bull among men, urged by the Supreme Lord

those clouds roaring frightfully, soon flood over the entire surface of

the earth. And pouring in a great quantity of water and filling the whole

earth, they quench that terrible inauspicious fire (of which I have

already spoken to thee). And urged by the illustrious Lord those clouds

filling the earth with their downpour shower incessantly for twelve

years. And then, O Bharata, the Ocean oversteps his continents, the

mountains sunder in fragments, and the Earth sinks under the increasing

flood. And then moved on a sudden by the impetus of the wind, those

clouds wander along the entire expanse of the firmament and disappear

from the view. And then, O ruler of men, the Self-create Lord--the first

Cause of everything--having his abode in the lotus, drinketh those

terrible winds and goeth to sleep, O Bharata!

"And then when the universe become one dead expanse of water, when all

mobile and immobile creatures have been destroyed, when the gods and the

Asuras cease to be, when the Yakshas and the Rakshasas are no more, when

man is not, when trees and beasts of prey have disappeared, when the

firmament itself has ceased to exist, I alone, O lord of the earth,

wander in affliction. And, O best of kings, wandering over that dreadful

expanse of water, my heart becometh afflicted in consequence of my not

beholding any creature! And, O king, wandering without cessation, through

that flood, I become fatigued, but I obtain no resting place! And some

time after I behold in that expanse of accumulated waters a vast and

wide-extending banian tree, O lord of earth! And I then behold, O

Bharata, seated on a conch, O king, overlaid with a celestial bed and

attached to a far-extended bough of that banian, a boy, O great king, of

face fair as the lotus or the moon, and of eyes, O ruler of men, large as

petals of a full blown lotus! And at this sight, O lord of earth, wonder

filled my heart. And I asked myself, 'How doth this boy alone sit here

when the world itself hath been destroyed?' And, O king, although I have

full knowledge of the Past, the Present, and the Future, still I failed

to learn anything of this by means of even ascetic meditation. Endued

with the lustre of the Atasi flower, and decked with the mark of

Sreevatsa, he seemed to me to be like the abode of Lakshmi, herself. And

that boy, of eyes like the petals of the lotus, having the mark of

Sreevatsa, and possessed of blazing effulgence, then addressed me in

words highly pleasant to the ear, saying, 'O sire, I know thee to be

fatigued and desirous of rest. O Markandeya of Bhrigu's race, rest thou

here as long as thou wishest. O best of Munis, entering within my body,

rest thou there. That hath been the abode assigned to thee by me. I have

been pleased with thee.' Thus addressed by that boy, a sense of total

disregard possessed me in respect both of my long life and state of

manhood. Then that boy suddenly opened his mouth, and as fate would have

it, I entered his mouth deprived of the power of motion. But O king,

having suddenly entered into the stomach of that boy, I behold there the

whole earth teeming with cities and kingdoms. And, O best of men, while

wandering through the stomach of that illustrious one, I behold the

Ganga, the Satudru, the Sita, the Yamuna, and the Kausiki; the

Charmanwati, the Vetravati; the Chandrabhaga, the Saraswati, the Sindhu,

the Vipasa, and the Godavari; the Vaswokasara, the Nalini and the

Narmada; the Tamra, and the Venna also of delightful current and sacred

waters; the Suvenna, the Krishna-venna, the Irama, and the Mahanadi; the

Vitasti, O great king, and that large river, the Cavery; the one also, O

tiger among men, the Visalya, and the Kimpuna also. I beheld all these

and many other rivers that are on the earth! And, O slayer of foes, I

also beheld there the ocean inhabited by alligators and sharks, that mine

of gems, that excellent abode of waters. And I beheld there the firmament

also, decked with the Sun and the Moon, blazing with effulgence, and

possessed of lustre of fire of the Sun. And I beheld there, O king, the

earth also, graced with woods and forests. And, O monarch, I beheld there

many Brahmanas also, engaged in various sacrifices; and the Kshatriyas

engaged in doing good to all the orders; and the Vaisyas employed in

pursuits in agriculture; and the Sudras devoted to the service of the

regenerate classes. And, O king, while wandering through the stomach of

that high-souled one, I also beheld the Himavat and the mountains of

Hemakuta. And I also saw Nishada, and the mountains of Sweta abounding in

silver. And, O king, I saw there the mountain Gandhamadana, and, O tiger

among men, also Mandara and the huge mountains of Nila. And, O great

king, I saw there the golden mountains of Meru and also Mahendra and

those excellent mountains called the Vindhyas. And I beheld there the

mountains of Malaya and of Paripatra also. These and many other mountains

that are on earth were all seen by me in his stomach. And all these were

decked with jewels and gems. And, O monarch, while wandering through his

stomach, I also beheld lions and tigers and boars and, indeed, all other

animals that are on earth, O great king! O tiger among men, having

entered his stomach, as I wandered around, I also beheld the whole tribe

of the gods with their chief Sakra, the Sadhyas, the Rudras, the Adityas,

the Guhyakas, the Pitris, the Snakes and the Nagas, the feathery tribes,

the Vasus, the Aswins, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Yakshas, the

Rishis, the hordes of the Daityas and the Danavas, and the Nagas also. O

king, and the sons of Singhika and all the other enemies of the gods;

indeed what else of mobile and immobile creatures may be seen on earth,

were all seen by me, O monarch, within the stomach of that high-souled

one. And, O lord, living upon fruits I dwelt within his body for many

centuries wandering over the entire universe that is there. Never did I

yet, O king, behold the limits of his body. And when, O lord of earth, I

failed to measure the limits of that high-souled one's body, even though

I wandered within him continuously in great anxiety of mind. I then, in

thought and deed sought the protection of that boon-giving and

pre-eminent Deity, duly acknowledging his superiority. And when I had

done this, O king, I was suddenly projected (from within his body)

through that high-souled one's open mouth by means, O chief of men, of a

gust of wind. And, O king, I then beheld seated on the branch of that

very banian that same Being of immeasurable energy, in the form of a boy

with the mark of Sreevatsa (on his breast) having, O tiger among men,

swallowed up the whole universe. And that boy of blazing effulgence and

bearing the mark of Sreevatsa and attired in yellow robes, gratified with

me, smilingly addressed me, saying, 'O Markandeya, O best of Munis,

having dwelt for some time within my body, thou hast been fatigued! I

shall however speak unto thee.' And as he said this to me, at that very

moment I acquired a new sight, so to speak, in consequence of which I

beheld myself to be possessed of true knowledge and emancipated from the

illusions of the world. And, O child, having witnessed the inexhaustible

power of that Being of immeasurable energy, I then worshipped his revered

and well-shaped feet with soles bright as burnished copper and

well-decked with toes of mild red hue, having placed them carefully on my

head and joining my palms in humility and approaching him with reverence.

I beheld that Divine Being who is the soul of all things and whose eyes

are like the petals of the lotus. And having bowed unto him with joined

hands I addressed him saying, 'I wish to know thee, O Divine Being, as

also this high and wonderful illusion of thine! O illustrious one, having

entered into thy body through thy mouth, I have beheld the entire

universe in thy stomach! O Divine Being, the gods, the Danavas and the

Rakshasas, the Yakshas, the Gandharvas, and the Nagas, indeed, the whole

universe mobile and immobile, are all within thy body! And though I have

ceaselessly wandered through thy body at a quick pace, through thy grace,

O God, my memory faileth me not. And, O great lord, I have come out of

thy body at thy desire but not of mine! O thou of eyes like lotus leaves,

I desire to know thee who art free from all faults! Why dost thou stay

here in the form of a boy having swallowed up the entire universe? It

behoveth thee to explain all this to me. Why, O sinless one, is the

entire universe within thy body? How long also, O chastiser of foes, wilt

thou stay here? Urged by a curiosity that is not improper for Brahmanas,

I desire, O Lord of all the gods, to hear all this from thee, O thou of

eyes like lotus leaves, with every detail and exactly as it all happens,

for all I have seen, O Lord, is wonderful and inconceivable!' And thus

addressed by me, that deity of deities, of blazing effulgence and great

beauty, that foremost of all speakers consoling me properly, spoke unto

me these words."

SECTION CLXXXVIII

"Markandeya continued, 'The Deity then said, 'O Brahmana, the gods even

do not know me truly! As however, I have been gratified with thee, I will

tell thee how I created the universe! O regenerate Rishi, thou art

devoted to thy ancestors and hast also sought my protection! Thou hast

also beheld me with thy eyes, and thy ascetic merit also is great! In

ancient times I called the waters by the name of Nara; and because the

waters have ever been my ayana or home, therefore have I been called

Narayana (the water-homed). O best of regenerate ones, I am Narayana, the

Source of all things, the Eternal, the Unchangeable. I am the Creator of

all things, and the Destroyer also of all. I am Vishnu, I am Brahma and I

am Sakra, the chief of the gods. I am king Vaisravana, and I am Yama, the

lord of the deceased spirits. I am Siva, I am Soma, and I am Kasyapa the

lord of the created things. And, O best of regenerate ones, I am he

called Dhatri, and he also that is called Vidhatri, and I am Sacrifice

embodied. Fire is my mouth, the earth my feet, and the Sun and the Moon

are my eyes; the Heaven is the crown of my head, the firmament and the

cardinal points are my ears; the waters are born of my sweat. Space with

the cardinal points are my body, and the Air is my mind. I have performed

many hundreds of sacrifices with gifts in profusion. I am always present

in the sacrifices of the gods; and they that are cognisant of the Vedas

and officiate therein, make their offerings to me. On earth the Kshatriya

chiefs that rule over men, in performing their sacrifices from desire of

obtaining heaven, and the Vaisyas also in performing theirs from desire

of winning those happy regions, all worship me at such times and by those

ceremonials. It is I who, assuming the form of Sesha support (on my head)

this earth bounded by the four seas and decked by Meru and Mandara. And O

regenerate one, it is I who, assuming the form of a boar, had raised in

days of yore this earth sunk in water. And, O best of Brahmanas, it is I

who, becoming the fire that issues out of the Equine mouth, drink up the

waters (of the ocean) and create them again. In consequence of my energy

from my mouth, my arms, my thighs, and my feet gradually sprang Brahmanas

and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras. It is from me that the Rik, the

Sama, the Yajus, and the Atharvan Vedas spring, and it is in me that they

all enter when the time cometh. Brahmanas devoted to asceticism, they

that value Peace as the highest attribute, they that have their souls

under complete control, they that are desirous of knowledge, they that

are freed from lust and wrath and envy, they that are unwedded to things

of the earth, they that have their sins completely washed away, they that

are possessed of gentleness and virtue, and are divested of pride, they

that have a full knowledge of the Soul, all worship me with profound

meditation. I am the flame known as Samvartaka, I am the Wind called by

that name, I am the Sun wearing that appellation, and I am the fire that

hath that designation. And, O best of Brahmanas, those things that are

seen in the firmament as stars, know them to be the pores of my skin. The

ocean--those mines of gems and the four cardinal points, know, O

Brahmana, are my robes, my bed, and my home. By me have they been

distributed for serving the purposes of the gods. And, O best of men,

know also that lust, wrath, joy, fear, and the over-clouding of the

intellect, are all different forms of myself. And, O Brahmana, whatever

is obtained by men by the practice of truth, charity, ascetic

austerities, and peace and harmlessness towards all creatures, and such

other handsome deeds, is obtained because of my arrangements. Governed by

my ordinance, men wander within my body, their senses overwhelmed by me.

They move not according to their will but as they are moved by me.

Regenerate Brahmanas that have thoroughly studied the Vedas, that have

tranquillity in their souls, they that have subdued their wrath, obtain a

high reward by means of their numerous sacrifices. That reward, however,

is unattainable by men that are wicked in their deeds, overwhelmed by

covetousness, mean and disreputable with souls unblessed and impure.

Therefore, must thou know, O Brahmana that this reward which is obtained

by persons having their souls under control and which is unobtainable by

the ignorant and the foolish,--this which is attainable by asceticism

alone,--is productive of high merit. And, O best of men, at those times

when virtue and morality decrease and sin and immorality increase, I

create myself in new forms. And, O Muni, when fierce and malicious

Daityas and Rakshasas that are incapable of being slain by even the

foremost of the gods, are born on earth, I then take my birth in the

families of virtuous men, and assuming human body restore tranquillity by

exterminating all evils. Moved by my own maya, I create gods and men, and

Gandharvas and Rakshasas, and all immobile things and then destroy them

all myself (when the time cometh). For the preservation of rectitude and

morality I assume a human form, and when the season for action cometh, I

again assume forms that are inconceivable. In the Krita age I become

white, in the Treta age I become yellow, in the Dwapara I have become red

and in the Kali age I become dark in hue, I the Kali age, the proportion

of immorality becometh three-fourths, (a fourth only being that of

morality). And when the end of the Yuga cometh, assuming the fierce form

of Death, alone I destroy all the three worlds with their mobile and

immobile existences. With three steps, I cover the whole Universe; I am

the Soul of the universe; I am the source of all happiness; I am the

humbler of all pride; I am omnipresent; I am infinite; I am the Lord of

the senses; and my prowess is great. O Brahmana, alone do I set a-going

the wheel of Time; I am formless; I am the Destroyer of all creatures;

and I am the cause of all efforts of all my creatures. O best of Munis,

my soul completely pervadeth all my creatures, but, O foremost of all

regenerate ones, no one knoweth me. It is me that the pious and the

devoted worship in all the worlds. O regenerate one, whatever of pain

thou hast felt within my stomach, know, O sinless one, that all that is

for thy happiness and good fortune. And whatever of mobile and immobile

objects thou hast seen in the world, everything hath been ordained by my

Soul which is the Spring of all existence. The grandsire of all creatures

is half my body; I am called Narayana, and I am bearer of the

conch-shell, the discus and the mace. O regenerate Rishi, for a period

measured by a thousand times the length of the Yugas, I who am the

Universal Soul sleep overwhelming all creatures in insensibility. And, O

best of regenerate Rishis, I stay here thus for all time, in the form of

a boy though I am old, until Brahma waketh up. O foremost of Brahmanas,

gratified with thee, I who am Brahma have repeatedly granted thee boons,

O thou who art worshipped by regenerate Rishis! Beholding one vast

expanse of water and seeing that all mobile and immobile creatures have

been destroyed, thou wert afflicted with melancholy. I know this, and it

is for this that I showed thee the universe (within my stomach). And

while thou wert within my body, beholding the entire universe, thou wert

filled with wonder and deprived of thy senses. O regenerate Rishi, it is

for this that thou wert speedily brought out by me through my mouth. I

have (now) told thee of that Soul which is incapable of being

comprehended by the gods and the Asuras. And as long as that great

ascetic, the holy Brahma, doth not awake, thou, O regenerate Rishi, canst

happily and trustfully dwell here. And when that Grandsire of all

creatures awaketh up, I will then, O best of Brahmanas, alone create all

creatures endued with bodies, the firmament, the earth, light, the

atmosphere, water, and indeed all else of mobile and immobile creatures

(that thou mayst have seen) on the earth!'

'Markandeya continued, 'Having said so unto me that wonderful Deity

vanished, O son, from my sight! I then beheld this varied and wondrous

creation start into life. O king, O thou foremost of the Bharata race, I

witnessed all this, so wonderful, O thou foremost of all virtuous men, at

the end of the Yuga! And the Deity, of eyes large as lotus leaves, seen

by me, in days of yore is this tiger among men, this Janardana who hath

become thy relative! It is in consequence of the boon granted to me by

this one that memory doth not fail me, that the period of my life, O son

of Kunti, is so long and death itself is under my control. This is that

ancient and supreme Lord Hari of inconceivable soul who hath taken his

birth as Krishna of the Vrishni race, and who endued with mighty arms,

seemeth to sport in this world! This one is Dhatri and Vidhatri, the

Destroyer of all the Eternal, the bearer of the Sreevatsa mark on his

breast, the Lord of the lord of all creatures, the highest of the high,

called also Govinda! Beholding this foremost of all gods, this

ever-victorious Being, attired in yellow robes, this chief of the Vrishni

race, my recollection cometh back to me! This Madhava is the father and

mother of all creatures! Ye bulls of the Kuru race, seek ye the refuge of

this Protector!'

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed, the sons of Pritha and those

bulls among men--the twins, along with Draupadi, all bowed down unto

Janardana. And that tiger among men deserving of every respect thus

revered by the sons of Pandu, then consoled them all with words of great

sweetness."

SECTION CLXXXIX

"Vaisampayana said Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, once more asked the

great Muni Markandeya about the future course of the government of the

Earth.

"And Yudhishthira said, 'O thou foremost of all speakers, O Muni of

Bhrigu's race, that which we have heard from thee about the destruction

and re-birth of all things at the end of the Yuga, is, indeed, full of

wonder! I am filled with curiosity, however, in respect of what may

happen in the Kali age. When morality and virtue will be at an end, what

will remain there! What will be the prowess of men in that age, what

their food, and what their amusements? What will be the period of life at

the end of the Yuga? What also is the limit, having attained which the

Krita age will begin anew? Tell me all in detail, O Muni, for all that

thou narratest is varied and delightful.'

"Thus addressed, that foremost of Munis began his discourse again,

delighting that tiger of the Vrishni race and the sons of Pandu as well.

And Markandeya said, 'Listen, O monarch, to all that hath been seen and

heard by me, and to all, O king of kings, that hath been known to me by

intuition from the grace of the God of gods! O bull of the Bharata race,

listen to me as I narrate the future history of the world during the

sinful age. O bull of the Bharata race, in the Krita age, everything was

free from deceit and guile and avarice and covetousness; and morality

like a bull was among men, with all the four legs complete. In the Treta

age sin took away one of these legs and morality had three legs. In the

Dwapara, sin and morality are mixed half and half; and accordingly

morality is said to have two legs only. In the dark age (of Kali), O thou

best of the Bharata race, morality mixed with three parts of sin liveth

by the side of men. Accordingly morality then is said to wait on men,

with only a fourth part of itself remaining. Know, O Yudhishthira, that

the period of life, the energy, intellect and the physical strength of

men decrease in every Yuga! O Pandava, the Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and

Vaisyas and Sudras, (in the Kali age) will practise morality and virtue

deceitfully and men in general will deceive their fellows by spreading

the net of virtue. And men with false reputation of learning will, by

their acts, cause Truth to be contracted and concealed. And in

consequence of the shortness of their lives they will not be able to

acquire much knowledge. And in consequence of the littleness of their

knowledge, they will have no wisdom. And for this, covetousness and

avarice will overwhelm them all. And wedded to avarice and wrath and

ignorance and lust men will entertain animosities towards one another,

desiring to take one another's lives. And Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and

Vaisyas with their virtue contracted and divested of asceticism and truth

will all be reduced to an equality with the Sudras. And the lowest orders

of men will rise to the position of the intermediate ones, and those in

intermediate stations will, without doubt, descend to the level of the

lowest ones. Even such, O Yudhishthira, will become the state of the

world at the end of the Yuga. Of robes those will be regarded the best

that are made of flax and of grain the Paspalum frumentacea[45] will be

regarded the best. Towards this period men will regard their wives as

their (only) friends. And men will live on fish and milk, goats and

sheep, for cows will be extinct. And towards that period, even they that

are always observant of vows, will become covetous. And opposed to one

another, men will, at such a time, seek one another's lives; and divested

of Yuga, people will become atheists and thieves. And they will even dig

the banks of streams with their spades and sow grains thereon. And even

those places will prove barren for them at such a time. And those men who

are devoted to ceremonial rites in honour of the deceased and of the

gods, will be avaricious and will also appropriate and enjoy what belongs

to others. The father will enjoy what belongs to the son; and the son,

what belongs to the father. And those things will also be enjoyed by men

in such times, the enjoyment of which hath been forbidden in the

scriptures. And the Brahmanas, speaking disrespectfully of the Vedas,

will not practise vows, and their understanding clouded by the science of

disputation, they will no longer perform sacrifices and the Homa. And

deceived by the false science of reasons, they will direct their hearts

towards everything mean and low. And men will till low lands for

cultivation and employ cows and calves that are one year old, in drawing

the plough and carrying burthens. And sons having slain their sires, and

sires having slain their sons will incur no opprobrium. And they will

frequently save themselves from anxiety by such deeds, and even glory in

them. And the whole world will be filled with mleccha behaviour and

notions and ceremonies, and sacrifices will cease and joy will be nowhere

and general rejoicing will disappear. And men will rob the possession of

helpless persons of those that are friendless and of wisdoms also. And,

possessed of small energy and strength, without knowledge and given to

avarice and folly and sinful practices men will accept with joy the gifts

made by wicked people with words of contempt. And, O son of Kunti, the

kings of the earth, with hearts wedded to sin without knowledge and

always boastful of their wisdom, will challenge one another from desire

of taking one another's life. And the Kshatriyas also towards the end of

such a period will become the thorns of the earth. And filled with

avarice and swelling with pride and vanity and, unable and unwilling to

protect (their subjects), they will take pleasure in inflicting

punishments only. And attacking and repeating their attacks upon the good

and the honest, and feeling no pity for the latter, even when they will

cry in grief, the Kshatriyas will, O Bharata, rob these of their wives

and wealth. And no one will ask for a girl (for purposes of marriage) and

no one will give away a girl (for such purposes), but the girls will

themselves choose their lords, when the end of the Yuga comes. And the

kings of the earth with souls steeped in ignorance, and discontented with

what they have, will at such a time, rob their subjects by every means in

their power. And without doubt the whole world will be mlecchified.[46]

And when the end of the Yuga comes, the right hand will deceive the left;

and the left, the right. And men with false reputation of learning will

contract Truth and the old will betray the senselessness of the young,

and the young will betray the dotage of the old. And cowards will have

the reputation of bravery and the brave will be cheerless like cowards.

And towards the end of the Yuga men will cease to trust one another. And

full of avarice and folly the whole world will have but one kind of food.

And sin will increase and prosper, while virtue will fade and cease to

flourish. And Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas will disappear,

leaving, O king, no remnants of their orders. And all men towards the end

of the Yuga will become members of one common order, without distinction

of any kind. And sires will not forgive sons, and sons will not forgive

sires. And when the end approaches, wives will not wait upon and serve

their husbands. And at such a time men will seek those countries where

wheat and barley form the staple food. And, O monarch, both men and women

will become perfectly free in their behaviour and will not tolerate one

another's acts. And, O Yudhishthira, the whole world will be mlecchified.

And men will cease to gratify the gods by offerings of Sraddhas. And no

one will listen to the words of others and no one will be regarded as a

preceptor by another. And, O ruler of men, intellectual darkness will

envelop the whole earth, and the life of man will then be measured by

sixteen years, on attaining to which age death will ensue. And girls of

five or six years of age will bring forth children and boys of seven or

eight years of age will become fathers. And, O tiger among kings, when

the end of the Yuga will come, the wife will never be content with her

husband, nor the husband with his wife. And the possessions of men will

never be much, and people will falsely bear the marks of religion, and

jealousy and malice will fill the world. And no one will, at that time,

be a giver (of wealth or anything else) in respect to any one else. And

the inhabited regions of the earth will be afflicted with dearth and

famine, and the highways will be filled with lustful men and women of

evil repute. And, at such a time, the women will also entertain an

aversion towards their husbands. And without doubt all men will adopt the

behaviour of the mlecchas, become omnivorous without distinction, and

cruel in all their acts, when the end of the Yuga will come. And, O thou

foremost of the Bharatas, urged by avarice, men will, at that time,

deceive one another when they sell and purchase. And without a knowledge

of the ordinance, men will perform ceremonies and rites, and, indeed,

behave as listeth them, when the end of the Yuga comes. And when the end

of the Yuga comes, urged by their very dispositions, men will act

cruelly, and speak ill of one another. And people will, without

compunction, destroy trees and gardens. And men will be filled with

anxiety as regards the means of living. And, O king, overwhelmed with

covetousness, men will kill Brahmanas and appropriate and enjoy the

possessions of their victims. And the regenerate ones, oppressed by

Sudras, and afflicted with fear, and crying Oh and Alas, will wander over

the earth without anybody to protect them. And when men will begin to

slay one another, and become wicked and fierce and without any respect

for animal life, then will the Yuga come to an end. And, O king, even the

foremost of the regenerate ones, afflicted by robbers, will, like crows,

fly in terror and with speed, and seek refuge, O perpetuator of the Kuru

race, in rivers and mountains and inaccessible regions. And always

oppressed by bad rulers with burthens of taxes, the foremost of the

regenerate classes, O lord of the earth, will, in those terrible times,

take leave of all patience and do improper acts by becoming even the

servants of the Sudras. And Sudras will expound the scriptures, and

Brahmanas will wait upon and listen to them, and settle their course of

duty accepting such interpretations as their guides. And the low will

become the high, and the course of things will look contrary. And

renouncing the gods, men will worship bones and other relics deposited

within walls. And, at the end of the Yuga, the Sudras will cease to wait

upon and serve the Brahmanas. And in the asylums of great Rishis, and the

teaching institutions of Brahmanas, and in places sacred to the gods and

sacrificial compounds, and in sacred tanks, the earth will be disfigured

with tombs and pillars containing bony relics and not graced with temples

dedicated to the gods. All this will take place at the end of the Yuga,

and know that these are the signs of the end of the Yuga. And when men

become fierce and destitute of virtue and carnivorous and addicted to

intoxicating drinks, then doth the Yuga come to an end. And, O monarch,

when flowers will be begot within flowers, and fruits within fruits, then

will the Yuga come to an end. And the clouds will pour rain unseasonably

when the end of the Yuga approaches. And, at that time, ceremonial rites

of men will not follow one another in due order, and the Sudras will

quarrel with the Brahmanas. And the earth will soon be full of mlecchas,

and the Brahmanas will fly in all directions for fear of the burthen of

taxes. And all distinctions between men will cease as regards conduct and

behaviour, and afflicted with honorary tasks and offices, people will fly

to woody retreats, subsisting on fruits and roots. And the world will be

so afflicted, that rectitude of conduct will cease to be exhibited

anywhere. And disciples will set at naught the instructions of

preceptors, and seek even to injure them. And preceptors impoverished

will be disregarded by men. And friends and relatives and kinsmen will

perform friendly offices for the sake of the wealth only that is

possessed by a person. And when the end of the Yuga comes, everybody will

be in want. And all the points of the horizon will be ablaze, and the

stars and stellar groups will be destitute of brilliancy, and the planets

and planetary conjunctions will be inauspicious. And the course of the

winds will be confused and agitated, and innumerable meteors will flash

through the sky, foreboding evil. And the Sun will appear with six others

of the same kind. And all around there will be din and uproar, and

everywhere there will be conflagrations. And the Sun, from the hour of

his rising to that of setting, will be enveloped by Rahu. And the deity

of a thousand eyes will shower rain unseasonably. And when the end of the

Yuga comes, crops will not grow in abundance. And the women will always

be sharp in speech and pitiless and fond of weeping. And they will never

abide by the commands of their husbands. And when the end of the Yuga

comes, sons will slay fathers and mothers. And women, living

uncontrolled, will slay their husbands and sons. And, O king, when the

end of the Yuga comes, Rahu will swallow the Sun unseasonably. And fires

will blaze up on all sides. And travellers unable to obtain food and

drink and shelter even when they ask for these, will lie down on the

wayside refraining from urging their solicitations. And when the end of

the Yuga comes, crows and snakes and vultures and kites and other animals

and birds will utter frightful and dissonant cries. And when the end of

the Yuga comes, men will cast away and neglect their friends and

relatives and attendants. And, O monarch, when the end of the Yuga comes,

men abandoning the countries and directions and towns and cities of their

occupation, will seek for new ones, one after another. And people will

wander over the earth, uttering, 'O father, O son', and such other

frightful and rending cries.

"And when those terrible times will be over, the creation will begin

anew. And men will again be created and distributed into the four orders

beginning with Brahmanas. And about that time, in order that men may

increase, Providence, according to its pleasure, will once more become

propitious. And then when the Sun, the Moon, and Vrihaspati will, with

the constellation Pushya[47], enter the same sign, the Krita age will

begin again. And the clouds will commence to shower seasonably, and the

stars and stellar conjunctions will become auspicious. And the planets,

duly revolving in their orbits, will become exceedingly propitious. And

all around, there will be prosperity and abundance and health and peace.

And commissioned by Time, a Brahmana of the name of Kalki will take his

birth. And he will glorify Vishnu and possess great energy, great

intelligence, and great prowess. And he will take his birth in a town of

the name of Sambhala in an auspicious Brahmana family. And vehicles and

weapons, and warriors and arms, and coats of mail will be at his disposal

as soon as he will think of them. And he will be the king of kings, and

ever victorious with the strength of virtue. And he will restore order

and peace in this world crowded with creatures and contradictory in its

course. And that blazing Brahmana of mighty intellect, having appeared,

will destroy all things. And he will be the Destroyer of all, and will

inaugurate a new Yuga. And surrounded by the Brahmanas, that Brahmana

will exterminate all the mlecchas wherever those low and despicable

persons may take refuge."

SECTION CLXL

"Markandeya continued, 'Having exterminated the thieves and robbers,

Kalki will, at a great Horse-sacrifice, duly give away this earth to the

Brahmanas, and having established anew the blessed rectitude ordained by

the Self-create, Kalki, of sacred deeds and illustrious reputation, will

enter a delightful forest, and the people of this earth will imitate his

conduct, and when the Brahmanas will have exterminated the thieves and

robbers, there will be prosperity everywhere (on earth). And as the

countries of the earth will one after another be subjugated, that tiger

among Brahmanas, Kalki, having placed deer skins and lances and tridents

there, will roam over the earth, adored by foremost Brahmanas and showing

his regard for them and engaged all the while in slaughtering thieves and

robbers. And he will exterminate the thieves and robbers amid

heart-rending cries of 'Oh, father--' 'Oh, mother!--'O son!' and the

like, and O Bharata, when sin will thus have been rooted out and virtue

will flourish on arrival of the Krita age, men will once more betake

themselves to the practice of religious rites. And in the age that will

set in, viz., the Krita, well-planted gardens and sacrificial compounds

and large tanks and educational centres for the cultivation of Brahmanic

lore and ponds and temples will re-appear everywhere. And the ceremonies

and rites of sacrifices will also begin to be performed. And the

Brahmanas will become good and honest, and the regenerate ones, devoted

to ascetic austerities, will become Munis and the asylums of ascetics,

which had before been filled with wretches will once more be homes of men

devoted to truth, and men in general will begin to honour and practise

truth. And all seeds, sown on earth, will grow, and, O monarch, every

kind of crop will grow in every season. And men will devotedly practise

charity and vows and observances, and the Brahmanas devoted to meditation

and sacrifices will be of virtuous soul and always cheerful, and the

rulers of the earth will govern their kingdoms virtuously, and in the

Krita age, the Vaisyas will be devoted to the practices of their order.

And the Brahmanas will be devoted to their six-fold duties (of study,

teaching, performance of sacrifices on their own account, officiating at

sacrifices performed by others, charity and acceptance of gifts), and the

Kshatriyas will be devoted to feats of prowess. And Sudras will be

devoted to service of the three (high) orders,

"These, O Yudhishthira, are the courses of the Krita, the Treta, the

Dwapara and the succeeding age. I have now narrated to thee everything. I

have also told thee, O son of Pandu, the periods embraced by the several

Yugas as generally known. I have now told thee everything appertaining to

both the past and the future as narrated by Vayu in the Purana (which

goes by his name and) which is adored by the Rishis. Being immortal I

have many a time beheld and otherwise ascertained the courses of the

world. Indeed, all I have seen and felt I have now told thee. And, O thou

of unfading glory, listen now with thy brothers to something else I will

presently tell thee for clearing thy doubts about religion! O thou

foremost of virtuous men, thou shouldst always fix thy soul on virtue,

for, O monarch, a person of virtuous soul obtaineth bliss both here and

hereafter. And, O sinless one, listen to the auspicious words that I will

now speak to thee. Never do thou humiliate a Brahmana, for a Brahmana, if

angry, may by his vow destroy the three worlds."

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Markandeya, the royal

head of the Kurus, endued with intelligence and possessed of great

lustre, spoke these words of great wisdom, 'O muni, if I am to protect my

subjects, to what course of conduct should I adhere? And how should I

behave so that I may not fall away from the duties of my order?'

"Markandeya, hearing this, answered, 'Be merciful to all creatures, and

devoted to their good. Love all creatures, scorning none. Be truthful in

speech, humble, with passions under complete control, and always devoted

to the protection of thy people. Practise virtue and renounce sin, and

worship thou the manes and the god and whatever thou mayst have done from

ignorance or carelessness, wash them off and expiate them by charity.

Renouncing pride and vanity, be thou possessed to humility and good

behaviour. And subjugating the whole earth, rejoice thou and let

happiness be thine. This is the course of conduct that accords with

virtue. I have recited to thee all that was and all that will be regarded

as virtuous. There is nothing appertaining to the past or the future that

is unknown to thee. Therefore, O son, take not to heart this present

calamity of thine. They that are wise are never overwhelmed when they are

persecuted by Time. O thou of mighty arms, the very dwellers of heaven

cannot rise superior to Time. Time afflicts all creatures. O sinless one,

let not doubt cross thy mind regarding the truth of what I have told

thee, for, if thou sufferest doubt to enter thy heart, thy virtue will

suffer diminution! O bull of the Bharata race, thou art born in the

celebrated family of the Kurus. Thou shouldst practise that which I have

told thee, in thought, word and deed.'

Yudhishthira answered, "O thou foremost of the regenerate ones, at thy

command I will certainly act according to all the instructions thou hast

given me, and which, O lord, are all so sweet to the ear. O foremost of

Brahmanas, avarice and lust I have none, and neither fear nor pride nor

vanity. I shall, therefore, O lord, follow all that thou hast told me."

Vaisampayana continued, "Having listened to the words of the intelligent

Markandeya, the sons of Pandu, O king, along with the wielder of the bow

called Saranga, and all those bulls among Brahmanas, and all others that

were there, became filled with joy. And having heard those blessed words

appertaining to olden time, from Markandeya gifted with wisdom, their

hearts were filled with wonder."

SECTION CLXLI

Janamejaya said, "It behoveth thee to narrate to me in full the greatness

of the Brahmanas even as the mighty ascetic Markandeya had expounded it

to the sons of Pandu."

"Vaisampayana said, 'The eldest son of Pandu had asked Markandeya saying,

'It behoveth thee to expound to me the greatness of Brahmanas.'

Markandeya answered him saying, 'Hear, O king, about the behaviour of

Brahmanas in days of old.'

"And Markandeya continued, 'There was a king, by name Parikshit in

Ayodhya and belonging to the race of Ikshvaku. And once upon a time

Parikshit went a-hunting. And as he was riding alone on a horse chasing

deer, the animal led him to a great distance (from the habitations of

men). And fatigued by the distance he had ridden and afflicted with

hunger and thirst he beheld in that part of the country whither he had

been led, a dark and dense forest, and the king, beholding that forest,

entered it and seeing a delightful tank within the forest, both the rider

and the horse bathed in it, and refreshed by the bath and placing before

his horse some stalks and fibres of the lotus, the king sat by the side

of the tank. And while he was lying by the side of the tank, he heard

certain sweet strains of music, and hearing those strains, he reflected,

'I do not see here the foot-prints of men. Whose and whence then these

strains?' And the king soon beheld a maiden of great beauty gathering

flowers singing all the while, and the maiden soon came before the king,

and the king thereupon asked her, 'Blessed one, who art thou and whose?'

And she replied, 'I am a maiden.' And the king said, 'I ask thee to be

mine.' And the maiden answered, 'Give me a pledge, for then only I can be

thine, else not.' And the king then asked about the pledge and the girl

answered. 'Thou wilt never make me cast my eyes on water', and the king

saying, 'So be it,' married her, and king Parikshit having married her

sported (with her) in great joy, and sat with her in silence, and while

the king was staying there, his troops reached the spot, and those troops

beholding the monarch stood surrounding him, and cheered by the presence

of troops, the king entered a handsome vehicle accompanied by his (newly)

wedded wife. And having arrived at his capital he began to live with her

in privacy. And persons that were even near enough to the king could not

obtain any interview with him and the minister-in-chief enquired of those

females that waited upon the king, asking, 'What do ye do here?' And

those women replied, 'We behold here a female of unrivalled beauty. And

the king sporteth with her, having married her with a pledge that he

would never show her water.' And hearing those words, the

minister-in-chief caused an artificial forest to be created, consisting

of many trees with abundant flowers and fruits, and he caused to be

excavated within that forest and towards one of its sides a large tank,

placed in a secluded spot and full of water that was sweet as Amrita. The

tank was well covered with a net of pearls. Approaching the king one day

in private, he addressed the king saying, 'This is a fine forest without

water. Sport thou here joyfully!' And the king at those words of his

minister entered that forest with that adorable wife of his, and the king

sported with her in that delightful forest, and afflicted with hunger and

thirst and fatigued and spent, the king beheld a bower of Madhavi

creepers[48] and entering that bower with his dear one, the king beheld a

tank full of water that was transparent and bright as nectar, and

beholding that tank, the king sat on its bank with her and the king told

his adorable wife, 'Cheerfully do thou plunge into this water!' And she,

hearing those words plunged into the tank. But having plunged into the

water she appeared not above the surface, and as the king searched, he

failed to discover any trace of her. And the king ordered the waters of

the tank to be baled out, and thereupon he beheld a frog sitting at the

mouth of a hole, and the king was enraged at this and promulgated an

order saying, 'Let frogs be slaughtered everywhere in my dominions!

Whoever wishes to have an interview with me must come before me with a

tribute of dead frogs.' And accordingly when frogs began to be terribly

slaughtered, the affrighted frogs represented all that had happened unto

their king, and the king of the frogs assuming the garb of an ascetic

came before the king Parikshit, and having approached the monarch, he

said, 'O king, give not thyself up to wrath! Be inclined to grace. It

behoveth thee not to slay the innocent frogs.' Here occurs a couple of

Slokas. (They are these):--'O thou of unfading glory, slay not the frogs!

Pacify thy wrath! The prosperity and ascetic merits of those that have

their souls steeped in ignorance suffer diminution! Pledge thyself not to

be angry with the frogs! What need hast thou to commit such sin! What

purpose will be served by slaying the frogs!' Then king Parikshit whose

soul was filled with woe on account of the death of her that was dear to

him, answered the chief of the frogs who had spoken to him thus, 'I will

not forgive the frogs. On the other hand, I will slay them. By these

wicked wretches hath my dear one been swallowed up. The frogs, therefore,

always deserve to be killed by me. It behoveth thee not, O learned one,

to intercede on their behalf.' And hearing these words of Parikshit, the

king of the frogs with his senses and mind much pained said, 'Be inclined

to grace, O king! I am the king of the frogs by name Ayu. She who was thy

wife is my daughter of the name of Susobhana. This, indeed, is an

instance of her bad conduct. Before this, many kings were deceived by

her.' The king thereupon said to him, 'I desire to have her. Let her be

granted to me by thee!' The king of the frogs thereupon bestowed his

daughter upon Parikshit, and addressing her said, 'Wait upon and serve

the king.' And having spoken these words to his daughter, he also

addressed her in wrath saying, 'Since thou hast deceived many Kings for

this untruthful behaviour of thine, thy offspring will prove

disrespectful to Brahmanas!' But having obtained her, the king became

deeply enamoured of her in consequence of her companionable virtues, and

feeling that he had, as it were, obtained the sovereignty of the three

worlds, he bowed down to the king of the frogs and reverenced him in due

form and then with utterance choked in joy and tears said, 'I have been

favoured indeed!' And the king of the frogs obtaining the leave of his

daughter, returned to the place from which he had come and some time

after the king begot three sons upon her and those sons were named Sala

and Dala and Vala, and some time after, their father, installing the

eldest of them of all on the throne and setting his heart on asceticism,

retired into the forest. One day Sala while out a-hunting, beheld a deer

and pursued it, on his car, and the prince said to his charioteer, 'Drive

thou fast.' And the charioteer, thus addressed, replied unto the king,

saying, 'Do not entertain such a purpose. This deer is incapable of being

caught by thee. If indeed Vami horses had been yoked to thy car, then

couldst thou have taken it.' Thereupon the king addressed his charioteer,

saying, 'Tell me all about Vami horses, otherwise I will slay thee,' Thus

addressed the charioteer became dreadfully alarmed and he was afraid of

the king and also of Vamadeva's curse and told not the king anything and

the king then lifting up his scimitar said to him, 'Tell me soon, else I

will slay thee.' At last afraid of the king, the charioteer said, 'The

Vami horses are those belonging to Vamadeva; they are fleet as the mind.'

And unto his charioteer who had said so, the king said, 'Repair thou to

the asylum of Vamadeva.' And reaching the asylum of Vamadeva the king

said unto that Rishi, 'O holy one, a deer struck by me is flying away. It

behoveth thee to make it capable of being seized by me by granting me thy

pair of Vami horses.' The Rishi then answered him saying, 'I give thee my

pair of Vami horses. But after accomplishing thy object, my Vami pair you

should soon return.' The king then taking those steeds and obtaining the

leave of the Rishi pursued the deer, having yoked the Vami pair unto his

car, and after he had left the asylum he spoke unto his charioteer

saying, 'These jewels of steeds the Brahmanas do not deserve to possess.

These should not be returned to Vamadeva.' Having said this and seized

the deer he returned to his capital and placed those steeds within the

inner apartments of the palace.

"Meanwhile the Rishi reflected, 'The prince is young. Having obtained an

excellent pair of animals, he is sporting with it in joy without

returning it to me. Alas, what a pity it is!' And reflecting in this

strain, the Rishi said unto a disciple of his, after the expiration of a

month, 'Go, O Atreya, and say to the king that if he has done with the

Vami steeds, he should return them unto thy preceptor.' And the disciple

Atreya, thereupon, repairing to the king, spoke unto him as instructed,

and the king replied saying, 'This pair of steeds deserves to be owned by

kings. The Brahmanas do not deserve to possess jewels of such value. What

business have Brahmanas with horses? Return thou contentedly!' And

Atreya, thus addressed by the king, returned and told his preceptor all

that had happened, and hearing this sad intelligence, Vamadeva's heart

was filled with wrath, and repairing in person to the king he asked him

for his steeds, and the king refused to give the Rishi what the latter

asked, and Vamadeva said, 'O lord of earth, give me thou my Vami horses.

By them hast thou accomplished a task which was almost incapable of being

accomplished by thee. By transgressing the practices of Brahmanas and

Kshatriyas, subject not thyself, O king, to death by means of the

terrible noose of Varuna.' And hearing this, the king answered, 'O

Vamadeva, this couple of excellent well-trained, and docile bulls are fit

animals for Brahmanas. O great Rishi, (take them and) go with them

wherever thou likest. Indeed, the very Vedas carry persons like thee.'

Then Vamadeva said, 'O king, the Vedas do, indeed, carry persons like us.

But that is in the world hereafter. In this world, however, O king,

animals like these carry me and persons like me as also all others.' At

this the king answered, 'Let four assess carry thee, or four mules of the

best kind, or even four steeds endued with the speed of the wind. Go thou

with these. This pair of Vami horses, however, deserves to be owned by

Kshatriyas. Know thou, therefore, that these are not thine.' At this,

Vamadeva said, 'O king, terrible vows have been ordained for the

Brahmanas. If I have lived in their observance, let four fierce and

mighty Rakshasas of terrible mien and iron bodies, commanded by me,

pursue thee with desire of slaying, and carry thee on their sharp lances,

having cut up thy body into four parts.' Hearing this, the king said,

'Let those, O Vamadeva, that know thee as a Brahmana that in thought,

word, and deed, is desirous of taking life, at my command, armed with

bright lances and swords prostrate thee with thy disciples before me.'

Then Vamadeva answered, 'O king, having obtained these my Vami steeds,

thou hadst said, 'I will return them.' Therefore, give me back my Vami

steeds, so thou mayst be able to protect thy life.' Hearing this, the

king said, 'Pursuit of deer hath not been ordained for the Brahmanas. I

do punish thee, however, for thy untruthfulness. From this day, too,

obeying all thy commands I will, O Brahmana, attain to regions of bliss.'

Vamadeva then said, 'A Brahmana cannot be punished in thought, word or

deed. That learned person who by ascetic austerities succeedeth in

knowing a Brahmana to be so, faileth not to attain to prominence in this

world.'

"Markandeya continued, 'After Vamadeva had said this, there arose, O

king, (four) Rakshasas of terrible mien, and as they, with lances in

their hands, approached the king for slaying him, the latter cried aloud,

saying, 'If, O Brahmana, all the descendants of Ikshvaku's race, if (my

brother) Dala, if all these Vaisyas acknowledge my sway, then I will not

yield up the Vami steeds to Vamadeva, for these men can never be

virtuous.' And while he was uttering those words, those Rakshasas slew

him, and the lord of earth was soon prostrated on the ground. And the

Ikshvakus, learning that their king had been slain, installed Dala on the

throne, and the Brahmana Vamadeva thereupon going to the kingdom (of the

Ikshvakus), addressed the new monarch, saying, 'O king, it hath been

declared in all the sacred books that persons should give away unto

Brahmanas. If thou fearest sin, O king, give me now the Vami steeds

without delay.' And hearing these words of Vamadeva, the king in anger

spoke unto his charioteer, saying, 'Bring me an arrow from those I have

kept, which is handsome to behold and tempered with poison, so that

pierced by it Vamadeva may lie prostrate in pain, torn by the dogs.'

Hearing this, Vamadeva answered, 'I know, O king, that thou hast a son of

ten years of age, called Senajita, begotten upon thy queen. Urged by my

word, slay thou that dear boy of thine without delay by means of thy

frightful arrows!'

"Markandeya continued, 'At these words of Vamadeva, O king, that arrow of

fierce energy, shot by the monarch, slew the prince in the inner

apartments, and hearing this, Dala said there and then, 'Ye people of

Ikshvaku's race, I will do ye good. I shall slay this Brahmana today,

grinding him with force. Bring me another arrow of fierce energy. Ye

lords of earth, behold my prowess now.' And at these words of Dala,

Vamadeva said, 'This arrow of terrible mien and tempered with poison,

that thou aimest at me, thou shall not, O ruler of men, be able to aim

nor even to shoot.' And thereupon the king said, 'Ye men of Ikshvaku's

race, behold me incapable of shooting the arrow that hath been taken up

by me. I fail to compass the death of this Brahmana. Let Vamadeva who is

blessed with a long life live.' Then Vamadeva said, 'Touching thy queen

with this arrow, thou mayst purge thyself of the sin (of attempting to

take the life of a Brahmana).' And king Dala did as he was directed and

the queen then addressed the Muni, and said, 'O Vamadeva, let me be able

to duly instruct this wretched husband of mine from day to day, imparting

unto him words of happy import; and let me always wait upon and serve the

Brahmanas, and by this acquire, O Brahmana, the sacred regions

hereafter.' And hearing these words of the queen, Vamadeva said, 'O thou

of beautiful eyes, thou hast saved this royal race. Beg thou an

incomparable boon. I will grant thee whatever thou mayst ask. And, O thou

faultless one, rule thou, O princess, these thy kinsmen and this great

kingdom of the Ikshvakus!' And hearing these words of Vamadeva the

princess said, 'This, O holy one, is the boon I seek, viz., that my

husband may now be freed from his sin, and that thou mayst be employed in

thinking of the weal of his son and kinsmen. This is the boon that I ask,

O thou foremost of Brahmanas!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Hearing these words of the queen, that Muni, O

thou foremost of the Kuru race, said, 'So be it.' And thereupon king Dala

became highly glad and gave unto the Muni his Vami steeds, having bowed

down unto him with reverence!'"

SECTION CLXLII

Vaisampayana said, "The Rishis, the Brahmanas, and Yudhishthira then

asked Markandeya, saying, 'How did the Rishi Vaka become so long lived?'

"Thus asked by them, Markandeya answered, 'The royal sage Vaka is a great

ascetic and endowed with long life. Ye need not enquire into the reason

of this.'

"Hearing this, O Bharata, the son of Kunti, king Yudhishthira the just,

along with his brothers, then asked Markandeya saying, 'It hath been

heard by us that both Vaka and Dalvya are of great souls and endowed with

immortality and that those Rishis, held in universal reverence, are the

friends of the chief of the gods. O Holy One, I desire to listen lo the

(history of the) meeting of Vaka and Indra that is full of both joy and

woe. Narrate thou that history unto us succinctly.'

"Markandeya said, 'When that horrible conflict between the gods and the

Asuras was over, Indra became the ruler of the three worlds. The clouds

showered rain copiously. And the dwellers of the world had abundance of

harvests, and were excellent in disposition. And devoted to virtue, they

always practised morality and enjoyed peace. And all persons, devoted to

the duties of their respective orders, were perfectly happy and cheerful,

and the slayer of Vala, beholding all the creatures of the world happy

and cheerful, became himself filled with joy. And he of a hundred

sacrifices, the chief of the gods seated on the back of his elephant

Airavata, surveyed his happy subjects, and he cast his eyes on delightful

asylums of Rishis, on various auspicious rivers, towns full of

prosperity, and villages and rural regions in the enjoyment of plenty.

And he also cast his eyes upon kings devoted to the practice of virtue

and well-skilled in ruling their subjects. And he also looked upon tanks

and reservoirs and wells and lakes and smaller lakes all full of water

and adored by best of Brahmanas in the observance, besides, of various

excellent vows, and then descending on the delightful earth, O king, the

god of a hundred sacrifices, proceeded towards a blessed asylum teeming

with animals and birds, situated by the side of the sea, in the

delightful and auspicious regions of the East on a spot overgrown with

abundance of vegetation. And the chief of the gods beheld Vaka in that

asylum, and Vaka also, beholding the ruler of the Immortals, became

highly glad, and he worshipped Indra by presenting him with water to wash

his feet, a carpet to sit upon, the usual offering of the Arghya, and

fruit and roots. And the boon-giving slayer of Vala, the divine ruler of

those that know not old age, being seated at his ease, asked Vaka the

following question, 'O sinless Muni, thou hast lived for a hundred years!

Tell me, O Brahmana, what the sorrows are of those that are immortal!'

Markandeya continued, "Hearing this, Vaka answered, saying, 'Life with

persons that are disagreeable, separation from those that are agreeable

and beloved, companionship with the wicked, these are the evils which

they that are immortal have to bear. The death of sons and wives, of

kinsmen and friends, and the pain of dependence on others, are some of

the greatest of evils. (These may all be noticed in a deathless life).

There is no more pitiable sight in the world, as I conceive, than that of

men destitute of wealth being insulted by others. The acquisition of

family dignity by those that have it not, the loss of family dignity by

those that have it, unions and disunions,--these all are noticeable by

those that lead deathless lives. How they that have no family dignity but

have prosperity, win what they have not--all this, O god of a hundred

sacrifices, is before thy very eyes! What can be more pitiable than the

calamities and reverses sustained by the gods, the Asuras, the

Gandharvas, men, the snakes, and the Rakshasas! They that have been of

good families suffer afflictions in consequence of their subjection to

persons that are ill-born and the poor are insulted by the rich. What can

be more pitiable than these? Innumerable examples of such contradictory

dispensations are seen in the world. The foolish and the ignorant are

cheerful and happy while the learned and the wise suffer misery!

Plentiful instances of misery and woe are seen among men in this world!

(They that lead deathless lives are destined to behold all these and

suffer on that account.)'

"Indra then said, 'O thou of great good fortune, tell me again, what the

joys are of those persons that lead deathless lives,--joys that are

adored by gods and Rishis!'

"Vaka answered, 'If without having to associate with a wicked friend, a

man cooks scanty vegetables in his own house at the eight or the twelfth

part of the day, there can be nothing happier than that.[49] He in whose

case the day is not counted is not called voracious. And, O Maghavan,

happiness is even his own whose scanty vegetables are cooked. Earned by

his own efforts, without having to depend upon any one, he that eateth

even fruits and vegetables in his own house is entitled to respect. He

that eateth in another's house the food given to him in contempt, even if

that food be rich and sweet, doth what is despicable. This, therefore, is

the opinion of the wise that fie on the food of that mean wretch who like

a dog or a Rakshasa eateth at another's house. If after treating guests

and servants and offering food to the manes a good Brahmana eateth what

remains, there can be nothing happier than that. There is nothing sweeter

or more sacred, O thou of a hundred sacrifices, than that food which such

a person takes after serving the guest with the first portion thereof.

Each mouthful (of rice) that the Brahmana eats after having served the

guest, produces merit equal to what attaches to the gift of a thousand

kine. And whatever sins such a one may have committed in his youth are

all washed away of a certainty. The water in the hands of the Brahmana

that hath been fed and honoured with a pecuniary gift (after the feeding

is over) when touched with water (sprinkled by him that feeds), instantly

purges off all the sins of the latter!'"

"Speaking of these and various other things with Vaka, the chief of the

gods went away to heaven.'"[50]

SECTION CLXLIII

Vaisampayana said, "Then the sons of Pandu again addressed Markandeya

saying, 'Thou hast told us of greatness of Brahmanas. We desire now to

hear of the greatness of the royal Kshatriyas!" Thus addressed by them,

the great Rishi Markandeya spoke, 'Listen now to the greatness of the

royal Kshatriyas. A certain king of the name of Suhotra belonging to the

Kuru race went on a visit to the great Rishis. And as he was returning

from that visit, he beheld king Sivi the son of Usinara, seated on his

car, and as each came before the other, each saluted the other as best

befitted his age and each regarding himself as the equal of the other in

respect of qualities, refused to give the way to the other. And at this

juncture Narada appeared there, and beholding what had happened, the

celestial Rishi asked, 'Why is it that ye both stand here blocking each

other's way?' And thus questioned both of them spoke to Narada saying, 'O

holy one, do not speak so. The sages of old have declared that the way

should be given to one who is superior or to him that is abler. We,

however, that stand blocking each other's way are equal to each other in

every respect. Judged properly there is no superiority amongst us.' Thus

addressed by them, Narada recited three slokas. (They are these), 'O thou

of the Kuru race, he that is wicked behaveth wickedly even unto him that

is humble; he also that is humble behaveth with humility and honestly

unto him that is wicked! He that is honest behaveth honestly even towards

the dishonest. Why should he not behave honestly towards him that is

honest? He that is honest regardeth the service that is done to him, as

if it were a hundred times greater than it is. Is this not current

amongst the gods themselves? Certainly it is the royal son of Usinara who

is possessed of goodness that is greater than thine. One should conquer

the mean by charity; the untruthful by truth, the man of wicked deeds by

forgiveness; and the dishonest by honesty. Both of you are large-hearted.

Let one amongst you stand aside, according to the indication of the above

slokas.' And having said so Narada became silent, and hearing what Narada

had said the king of the Kuru race walking round Sivi, and praising his

numerous achievements, gave him the way and went on in his course. It was

even thus that Narada had described the high blessedness of the royal

Kshatriyas.'"

SECTION CLXLIV

Markandeya continued, "Listen now to another story. One day as king

Yayati, the son of Nahusha, was sitting on his throne, surrounded by the

citizens, there came unto him a Brahmana desirous of soliciting wealth

for his preceptor, and approaching the king, the Brahmana said, 'O king,

I beg of thee wealth for my preceptor according to my covenant.' And the

king said, 'O Holy One, tell me what thy covenant is.' And thereupon the

Brahmana said, 'O king, in this world when men are asked for alms, they

entertain contempt for him that asketh it. I therefore, ask thee, O king,

with what feelings thou wilt give me what I ask and upon which I have set

my heart.' And the king replied saying, 'Having given away a thing, I

never boast of it. I never also listen to solicitations for things that

cannot be given. I listen, however, to prayers for things that can be

given and giving them away I always become happy. I will give thee a

thousand kine. The Brahmana that asks me for a gift is always dear to me.

I am never angry with the person that begs of me and I am never sorry for

having given away a thing!' And the Brahmana then obtained from the king

a thousand kine and went away."

SECTION CLXLV

Vaisampayana said, "The son of Pandu again addressed the Rishi and said,

'Speak thou unto us of the high fortune of royal Kshatriyas!' And

Markandeya said, 'There were two kings of the name of Vrishadarbha and

Seduka and both of them were conversant with morals and with weapons of

attack and defence. And Seduka knew that Vrishadarbha had from his

boyhood an unuttered vow that he would give no other metal unto Brahmanas

save gold and silver. And once on a time a Brahmana having completed his

study of the Vedas came unto Seduka and uttering a benediction upon him

begged of him wealth for his preceptor, saying, 'Give me a thousand

steeds.' And thus addressed, Seduka said unto him, 'It is not possible

for me to give thee this for thy preceptor. Therefore, go thou unto king

Vrishadarbha, for, O Brahmana, he is a highly virtuous king. Go and beg

of him. He will grant thy request. Even this is his unuttered vow.'

Hearing these words that Brahmana went to Vrishadarbha and begged of him

a thousand steeds, and the king thus solicited, struck the Brahmana with

a whip and thereupon the Brahmana said, 'Innocent as I am, why dost thou

attack me thus?' And the Brahmana was on the point of cursing the king,

when the latter said, 'O Brahmana, dost thou curse him that doth not give

thee what thou askest? Or, is this behaviour proper for a Brahmana?' And

the Brahmana said, 'O king of kings, sent unto thee by Seduka, I come

before thee for this.' The king said, 'I will give thee now whatever

tribute may come to me before the morning expire. How indeed, can I send

away the man empty-handed who hath been whipped by me.' And having said

this the king gave unto that Brahmana the entire proceeds of that day and

that was more than the value of a thousand horses.'"

SECTION CLXLVI

"Markandeya said, 'One day it was resolved by the gods that they should

descend on the earth and try the goodness and virtue of king Sivi, the

son of Usinara. And addressing each other,--'Well'--Agni and Indra came

to the earth. And Agni took the form of a pigeon flying away from Indra

who pursued him in the form of a hawk, and that pigeon fell upon the lap

of king Sivi who was seated on an excellent seat. And the priest

thereupon addressing the king said, 'Afraid of the hawk and desirous of

saving its life, this pigeon hath come to thee for safety. The learned

have said that the falling of a pigeon upon one's body forebodeth a great

danger. Let the king that understands omens give away wealth for saving

himself from the danger indicated.' And the pigeon also addressed the

king and said, 'Afraid of the hawk and desirous of saving my life I have

come to thee for protection. I am a Muni. Having assumed the form of a

pigeon, I come to thee as a seeker of thy protection. Indeed, I seek thee

as my life. Know me as one possessed of Vedic lore, as one leading the

Brahmacharya mode of life, as one possessed also of self-control and

ascetic virtues. And know me further as one that has never spoken

disagreeably unto his preceptor, as one possessed of every virtue indeed,

as one that is sinless. I repeat the Vedas, I know their prosody; indeed,

I have studied all the Vedas letter by letter. I am not a pigeon. Oh, do

not yield me up to the hawk. The giving up of a learned and pure Brahmana

can never be a good gift.' And after the pigeon said so, the hawk

addressed the king, and said, 'Creatures do not come into the world in

the same particular order. In the order of creation, thou mayst, in a

former birth, have been begotten by this pigeon. It is not proper for

thee, O king, to interfere with my food by protecting this pigeon (even

though he might have been thy father).' And thus addressed, the king

said, 'Hath any one, before this, seen birds thus speak the pure speech

of man? Knowing what this pigeon sayeth, and this hawk also, how can we

act to-day according to virtue? He that giveth up an affrighted creature

seeking protection, unto its foe, doth not obtain protection when he is

in need of it himself. Indeed, the very clouds do not shower rain

seasonably for him, and the seeds though scattered do not grow for him.

He that giveth up an afflicted creature seeking protection unto its foe,

hath to see his offspring die in childhood. The ancestor of such a person

can never dwell in heaven; indeed, the very gods decline to accept the

libations of clarified butter poured by him into the fire. He that giveth

up an affrighted creature seeking protection, unto its foe, is struck

with the thunder-bolt by the gods with Indra at their head. The food that

he eateth is unsanctified, and he, of a narrow soul, falleth from heaven

very soon. O hawk, let the people of the Sivi tribe place before thee a

bull cooked with rice instead of this pigeon. And let them also carry to

the place where thou livest in joy, meat in abundance.' And hearing this,

the hawk said, 'O king, I do not ask for a bull, nor, indeed, any other

meat, nor meat more in quantity than that of this pigeon. It hath been

given to me by the gods. The creature, therefore, is my food today in

consequence of its death that hath been ordained. Therefore, O monarch,

give it up to me.' Thus addressed by the hawk, the king said, 'Let my men

see and carefully carry the bull to thee with every limb entire. Let that

bull be the ransom of this creature afflicted with fright and let it be

carried to thee before my eyes. Oh, slay not this pigeon! I will yield up

my very life, yet I would not give up this pigeon. Dost thou not know, O

hawk, that this creature looketh like a sacrifice with the Soma juice? O

blessed one, cease to take so much trouble for it. I cannot, by any

means, yield up the pigeon to thee. Or, O hawk, if it pleases thee,

command me to do some such thing which I may do for thee, which may be

agreeable to thee, and upon doing which the men of the Sivi tribe may yet

in joy bless me in terms of applause. I promise thee that I will do what

thou mayst did me do.' And at this appeal of the king, the hawk said, 'O

king, if thou givest me as much flesh as would be equal to the weight of

the pigeon, cutting it off thy right thigh; then can the pigeon be

properly saved by thee; then wouldst thou do what would be agreeable to

me and what the men of the Sivi tribe would speak of in terms of praise.'

And the king agreed to this and he cut off a piece of flesh from his

right thigh and weighed it against the pigeon. But the pigeon weighed

heavier. And thereupon the king cut off another piece of his flesh, but

the pigeon still weighed heavier, and then the king cut off pieces of

flesh from all parts of his body and placed them on the scale. But the

pigeon still weighed heavier, and then the king himself ascended the

scale and he felt no grief at this and beholding this, the hawk

disappeared there saying--(The pigeon hath been) Saved,--And the king

asked the pigeon saying, 'O pigeon, let the Sivis know who the hawk is.

None but the lord of the universe could do as he did. O Holy One, answer

thou this question of mine!' And the pigeon then said, 'I am the

smoke-bannered Agni called also Vaiswanara. The hawk is none other than

Sachi's lord armed with the thunder-bolt. O son of Suratha, thou art a

bull among men. We came to try thee. These pieces of flesh, O king, that

thou hast cut off with thy sword from thy body for saving me have caused

gashes in thy body. I will make these marks auspicious and handsome and

they will be of the colour of gold and emit a sweet perfume, and earning

great fame and respected by the gods and the Rishis thou shall long rule

these subjects of thine, and a son will spring from thy flank who shall

be called Kapataroman. O king, thou shalt obtain this son of the name of

Kapataroman from out of thy own body and thou wilt behold him become the

foremost of the Saurathas, blazing with renown, possessed of bravery and

great personal beauty!"

SECTION CLXLVII

Vaisampayana said, "And the son of Pandu once more addressed Markandeya,

saying, 'Tell us again of the great good fortune of kings.' And

Markandeya said, 'There came unto the horse-sacrifice of king Ashtaka of

Viswamitra's race, many kings. And there came unto that sacrifice the

three brothers also of that king, viz., Pratardana, Vasumanas, and Sivi,

the son of Usinara. And after the sacrifice was completed, Ashtaka was

proceeding on his car along with his brothers when they all beheld Narada

coming that way and they saluted the celestial Rishi and said unto him,

'Ride thou on this car with us. And Narada, saying, So be it, mounted on

the car, and one among those kings having gratified the holy and

celestial Rishi Narada, said, O Holy One, I desire, to ask thee

something.' And the Rishi said, 'Ask.' And the person, thus permitted,

said, 'All four of us are blessed with long lives and have indeed every

virtue. We shall, therefore, be permitted to go to a certain heaven and

dwell there for a long period. Who amongst us, however, O king, shall

fall down first?' Thus questioned the Rishi said, 'This Ashtaka shall

first come down.' And thereupon the enquirer asked, 'For what cause?' And

the Rishi answered, 'I lived for a few days in the abode of Ashtaka. He

carried me (one day) on his car out of the town and there I beheld

thousands of kine distinguished from one another by difference of hue.

And beholding those kine I asked Ashtaka whose they were and Ashtaka

answered me, saying, 'I have given away these kine. By this answer he

gave expression to his own praise. It is for this answer of his that

Ashtaka shall have to come down.' And after Narada had said so, one of

them again enquired, saying, 'Three of us then will stay in heaven.

Amongst us three, who shall fall down first?' And the Rishi answered,

Pratardana.' And the enquirer asked, 'For what cause?' And the Rishi

answered, 'I lived for some days in the abode of Pratardana also. And he

carried me on his car one day. And while doing so, a Brahmana asked him

saying, 'Give me a horse!' And Pratardana replied, 'After returning, I

will give thee one!' And thereupon the Brahmana said, 'Let it be given to

me soon.' And as the Brahmana spoke those words, the king gave unto him

the steed that had been yoked on the right-hand wheel of the car. And

there came unto him another Brahmana desirous of obtaining a steed. And

the king having spoken to him in the same way, gave him the steed that

had been yoked on the left wheel of his car. And having given away the

horse unto him, the king proceeded on his journey. And then there came

unto the king another Brahmana desirous of obtaining a horse. And the

king soon gave him the horse on the left front of his car, unyoking the

animal. And having done so, the king proceeded on his journey. And then

there came unto the king another Brahmana desirous of obtaining a horse.

And the king said unto him, 'Returning, I will give thee a horse.' But

the Brahmana said, 'Let the steed be given to me soon.' And the king gave

him the only horse he had. And seizing the yoke of the car himself, the

king began to draw it. And as he did so, he said, 'There is now nothing

for the Brahmanas.' The king had given away, it is true, but he had done

so with detraction. And for that speech of his, he shall have to fall

down from heaven. And after the Rishi had said so, of the two that

remained, one asked, 'Who amongst us two shall fall down?' And the Rishi

answered, 'Vasumanas.' And the enquirer asked, 'For what reason?' And

Narada said, 'In course of my wanderings I arrived at the abode of

Vasumanas. And at that time the Brahmanas were performing the ceremony of

Swastivachana for the sake of a flowery car.[51] And I approached the

king's presence. And after the Brahmanas had completed the ceremony, the

flowery car became visible to them. And I praised that car, and thereupon

the king told me, 'Holy one, by thee hath this car been praised. Let this

car, therefore, be thine.' And after this I went to Vasumanas another

time when I was in need of a (flowery) car. And I admired the car, and

the king said, 'It is thine.' And I went to the king a third time and

admired the car again. And even then the king exhibiting the flowery car

to the Brahmanas, cast his eyes on me, and said, 'O holy one, thou hast

praised the flowery car sufficiently." And the king only said these

words, without making me a gift of that car. And for this he will fall

down from heaven.'

"And one among them said, 'Of the one who is to go with thee, who will go

and who will fall down?' And Narada answered, saying, 'Sivi will go, but

I will fall down.' 'For what reason?' asked the enquirer. And Narada

said, 'I am not the equal of Sivi. For one day a Brahmana came unto Sivi

and addressing him, said, 'O Sivi, I came to thee for food.' And Sivi

replied unto him, saying. 'What shall I do? Let me have thy orders.' And

the Brahmana answered, 'This thy son known by the name of Vrihadgarbha

should be killed. And, O king, cook him for my food.' And hearing this, I

waited to see what would follow. And Sivi then killed his son and cooking

him duly and placing that food in a vessel and taking it upon his head,

he went out in search of the Brahmana and while Sivi was thus seeking,

for the Brahmana, some one told him, The Brahmana thou seekest, having

entered thy city, is setting fire to thy abode and he is also setting

fire, in wrath, to thy treasury, thy arsenal, the apartments of the

females and thy stables for horses and elephants.' And Sivi heard all

this, without change of colour, and entering his city spoke unto the

Brahmana, 'O holy one, the food has been cooked.' And the Brahmana

hearing this spoke not a word and from surprise he stood with downcast

looks. And Sivi with a view to gratifying the Brahmana said, 'O holy one,

eat thou this.' And the Brahmana looking at Sivi for a moment said, 'Eat

it thyself.' And thereupon Sivi said, 'Let it be so.' And Sivi cheerfully

taking the vessel from his head desired to eat it and thereupon the

Brahmana caught hold of Sivi's hand and addressing him said, 'Thou hast

conquered wrath. There is nothing that thou canst not give unto the

Brahmanas.' And saying this, that Brahmana adored Sivi, and then as Sivi

cast his eyes before him, he beheld his son standing like a child of the

gods, decked in ornaments and yielding a fragrance from his body and the

Brahmana, having accomplished all this, made himself visible and it was

Vidhatri himself who had thus come in that guise to try that royal sage,

and after Vidhatri had disappeared, the counsellors addressed the king,

saying, 'Thou knowest everything. For what didst thou do all this?' And

Sivi answered, 'It was not for fame, nor for wealth, nor from desire of

acquiring objects of enjoyment that I did all this. This course is not

sinful. It is for this that I do all this. The path which is trodden by

the virtuous is laudable. My heart always inclineth towards such a

course. This high instance of Sivi's blessedness I know, and I have,

therefore, narrated it duly!'"

SECTION CLXLVIII

Vaisampayana said, "The sons of Pandu and those Rishis then asked

Markandeya, 'Is there anybody that is blessed with longer life than

thou?' And Markandeya answered them, saying, 'There is without doubt, a

royal sage of the name of Indradyumna and his virtue having diminished,

he fell from heaven, crying, 'My achievements are lost!' And he came unto

me and asked, 'Dost thou know me?' And I answered him, saying, 'From our

anxiety to acquire religious merit we do not confine ourselves to any

home. We live but for a night in the same village or town. A person like

us, therefore, cannot possibly know thy pursuits. The fasts and vows we

observe render us weak in body and unable to follow any worldly pursuits

on our own behalf. Hence, one like us cannot possibly know thee.' He then

asked me, 'Is there any one who is longerlived than thou'? I answered

him, saying, 'There liveth on the Himavat an owl of the name of

Pravarakarna. He is older than I. He may know thee. The part of the

Himavat where he dwelleth is far off from here.' And at this Indradyumna

became a horse and carried me to where that owl lived and the king asked

the owl, saying, 'Dost thou know me?' And the owl seemed to reflect for a

moment and then said unto the king, 'I do not know thee.' And the royal

sage Indradyumna thereupon asked the owl, 'Is there any one who is older

than thou?' And thus asked the owl answered, saying, There is a lake of

the name of Indradyumna. In that lake dwelleth a crane of the name of

Nadijangha. He is older than we. Ask thou him.' And at this king

Indradyumna taking both myself and the owl went to that lake where the

crane Nadijangha dwelt. And that crane was asked by us, 'Dost thou know

the king Indradyumna?' And the crane thereupon seemed to reflect a little

and then said, 'I do not know king Indradyumna.' And the crane was asked

by us, 'Is there any one who is older than thou?' And he answered us,

saying, 'There dwelleth in this very lake a tortoise of the name of

Akupara. He is older than I. He may know something of this king.

Therefore, enquire ye of Akupara. And then that crane gave information to

the tortoise, saying, 'It is intended by us to ask thee something. Please

come to us.' And hearing this the tortoise came out of the lake to that

part of the bank where we all were and as he came there we asked him,

saying, 'Dost thou know this king Indradyumna?' And the tortoise

reflected for a moment. And his eyes were filled with tears and his heart

was much moved and he trembled all over and was nearly deprived of his

senses. And he said with joined hands, 'Alas, do I not know this one? He

had planted the sacrificial stake a thousand times at the time of

kindling the sacrificial fire. This lake was excavated by the feet of the

cows given away by this king unto the Brahmanas on the completion of the

sacrifice. I have lived here ever since.' And after the tortoise had said

all this, there came from the celestial regions a car. And an aerial

voice was heard which said, addressing Indradyumna, 'Come thou and obtain

the place thou deservest in heaven! Thy achievements are great! Come thou

cheerfully to thy place! Here also are certain slokas: The report of

virtuous deeds spreadeth over the earth and ascendeth to heaven. As long

as that report lasts, so long is the doer said to be in heaven. The man

whose evil deeds are bruited about, is said to fall down and live, as

long as that evil report lasts in the lower regions. Therefore should man

be virtuous in his acts if he is to gain Heaven. And he should seek

refuge in virtue, abandoning a sinful heart.'

"And hearing these words, the king said, 'Let the car stay here as long

as I do not take these old persons to the places whence I brought them.

And having brought me and the owl Pravarakarna to our respective places,

he went away, riding on that car, to the place that was fit for him.

Being longlived, I witness all this."

Vaisampayana continued, "It was thus that Markandeya narrated all this

unto the son of Pandu. And after Markandeya finished, the sons of Pandu

said, 'Blessed be thou! Thou hadst acted properly in causing king

Indradyumna who had fallen from Heaven to regain his sphere!' And

Markandeya answered them, saying, 'Devaki's son, Krishna, also had thus

raised the royal sage Nriga who had sunk in hell and caused him to regain

Heaven!'"

SECTION CLXLIX

Vaisampayana said, "King Yudhishthira, hearing from the illustrious

Markandeya the story of the royal sage Indradyumna's regaining of Heaven,

again asked the Muni, saying, 'O great Muni, tell me in what condition

should a man practise charity in order to gain admission into the regions

of Indra? Is it by practising charity while leading a domestic mode of

life, or in boyhood, or in youth, or in old age? O, tell me about the

respective merits reaped from the practice of charity in these different

stages of life?'

Markandeya said, 'Life that is futile is of four kinds. Charity also that

is futile is of sixteen kinds. His life is vain who hath no son; and his

also who is out of pale of virtue: and his too who liveth on the food of

other; and, lastly, his who cooketh for himself without giving therefrom

unto the Pitris, the gods, and the guests, and who eateth of it before

these all. The gift to one that has fallen away from the practice of

virtuous vows, as also the gift of wealth that has been earned wrongly,

are both in vain. The gift to a fallen Brahmana, that to a thief, that

also to a preceptor that is false, is in vain. The gift to an untruthful

man, to a person that is sinful, to one that is ungrateful, to one that

officiates at sacrifices performed by all classes of people residing in a

village, to one that sells the Vedas,[52] to a Brahmana that cooks for

Sudra, to one that too by birth is a Brahmana but who is destitute of the

occupations of his order, is in vain. The gift to one that has married a

girl after the accession of puberty, to females, to one that sports with

snakes, and to one that is employed in menial offices, is also in vain.

These sixteen kinds of gifts are productive of no merits. That man who

with mind clouded with darkness giveth away from fear or anger, enjoyeth

the merit of such gift while he is in the womb of his mother. The man who

(under other circumstances) maketh gifts unto the Brahmanas, enjoyeth the

fruit thereof while he is in old age. Therefore, O king, the man who

wishes to win the way of heaven, should under all conditions, make gifts

unto Brahmanas of everything that he wishes to give away.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'By what means do Brahmanas, who accept gifts from

all the four orders, save others as well as themselves?"

"Markandeya said, 'By Japa,[53] and Mantras,[54] and Homa[55] and the

study of the Vedas, the Brahmanas construct a Vedic boat[56] wherewith

they save both others and themselves. The gods themselves are pleased

with that man who gratifieth the Brahmanas. Indeed, a man may attain

heaven at the command of a Brahmana. Thou wilt, O king, without doubt

ascend to regions of everlasting bliss, in consequence of thy worship of

the Pitris and the gods, and thy reverence for the Brahmanas, even though

thy body is filled with phlegmatic humours and withal so dull and inert!

He that desires virtue and heaven should adore the Brahmanas. One should

feed Brahmanas with care on occasions of Sraddhas, although those among

them that are cursed or fallen should be excluded. They also should be

carefully excluded that are either excessively fair or excessively black,

that have diseased nails, that are lepers, that are deceitful, that are

born in bastardy of widows or of women having husbands alive; and they

also that support themselves by the profession of arms. That Sraddha

which is censurable, consumeth the performer thereof like fire consuming

fuel. If they that are to be employed in Sraddhas happen to be dumb,

blind, or deaf, care should be taken to employ them along with Brahmanas

conversant with the Vedas. O Yudhishthira, listen now unto whom thou

shouldst give. He that knoweth all the Vedas should give only to that

able Brahmana who is competent to rescue both the giver and himself, for

he, indeed, is to be regarded as able who can rescue both the giver and

himself. O son of Pritha, the sacred fires do not receive such

gratification from libations of clarified butter, from offerings of

flowers and sandal and other perfumed pastes as from the entertainment of

guests. Therefore, do thou strive to entertain guests, O son of Pandu! O

king, they that give unto guests water to wash their feet, butter to rub

over their (tired) legs, light during the hours of darkness, food, and

shelter, have not to go before Yama. The removal (after worship) of the

flowery offerings unto the gods, the removal of the remnants of a

Brahmana's feast, waiting (upon a Brahmana) with perfumed pastes, and the

massaging of a Brahmana's limbs, are, each of them, O foremost of kings,

productive of greater merit than the gift of kine. A person, without

doubt, rescueth himself by the gift of a Kapila cow. Therefore, should

one give away a Kapila cow decked with ornaments unto Brahmanas. O thou

of the Bharata race, one should give unto a person of good lineage and

conversant with the Vedas; unto a person that is poor; unto one leading a

domestic mode of life but burdened with wife and children; unto one that

daily adoreth the sacred fire; and unto one that hath done thee no

service. Thou shouldst always give unto such persons but not to them that

are in affluence. What merit is there, O thou foremost of the Bharata

race, by giving unto one that is affluent? One cow must be given unto one

Brahmana. A single cow must not be given unto many. For if the cow so

given away (unto many) be sold, the giver's family is lost for three

generations. Such a gift would not assuredly rescue the giver nor the

Brahmana that takes it. He who giveth eighty Ratis of pure gold, earneth

the merit of giving away a hundred pieces of gold for ever. He that

giveth away a strong bull capable also of drawing the plough, is

certainly rescued from all difficulties and finally goeth to heaven. He

that giveth away land unto a learned Brahmana, hath all his desires

fulfilled. The tired traveller, with weakened limbs and feet besmeared

with dust, asks for the name of him that may give him food. There are men

who answer him by telling him the name. That wise man who informs these

toil-worn ones of the name of the person who may give them food, is,

without doubt, regarded as equal in merit unto the giver himself of food.

Therefore, abstaining from other kinds of gift, give thou food. There is

no merit (arising out of gifts) that is so great as that of giving food.

The man that according to the measure of his might gives well-cooked and

pure food unto the Brahmanas, acquires, by that act of his, the

companionship of Prajapati (Brahma). There is nothing superior to food.

Therefore, food is regarded as the first and foremost of all things (to

be given away). It hath been said that food itself is Prajapati. And

Prajapati is regarded as the Year. And the Year is sacrifice. And

everything is established in sacrifice, for it is from sacrifice that all

creatures, mobile and immobile, take their origin. For this reason, it

hath been heard by us, food is the foremost of all things. They that give

away lakes and large pieces of water, and tanks and wells, and shelter

and food and they that have sweet words for all, have not to hear the

admonitions of Yama. With him who gives rice, and wealth earned by his

labour, unto Brahmana of good behaviour, the earth is satisfied. And she

poureth upon him showers of wealth. The giver of food walketh first,

after him the speaker of truth and he that giveth unto persons that do

not solicit. But the three go to the same place.'"

Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing all this, Yudhishthira, along with his

younger brothers, impelled by curiosity, again addressed the high-souled

Markandeya, saying, 'O great Muni, what is the distance of Yama's region

from that of men? What is its measurement? How also do men pass it over?

And by what means? O, tell me all this!'

"Markandeya said, 'O king, O them foremost of virtuous men, this question

of thine appertains to a great mystery. It is sacred and much applauded

by the Rishis. Appertaining as it also does to virtue, I will speak of it

to thee. The distance of Yama's region from the abode of men is, O king,

eighty-six thousand Yojanas! The way is over space, without water, and

very terrible to behold; Nowhere on that road is the shade of a tree,

nowhere any water, and nowhere any resting place in which the traveller,

when fatigued, may rest for some moments. And men and women and all on

earth that have life, are forcibly led along this way by the messengers

of Yama. Those creatures that obey the mandates of the grim king, and

they, O king, that have given horses and other good conveyances unto

Brahmanas, proceed along this way on those animals and vehicles. And they

that have given umbrellas proceed along this way with umbrellas warding

off the sun's rays. And they that have given food, proceed without

hunger, while they that have not given food proceed afflicted with

hunger. And they that have given robes, proceed along this way attired in

robes while they that have given none, proceed naked. And they that have

given gold, proceed in happiness, themselves decked in ornaments. And

they that have given land, proceed with every desire completely

gratified. And they that have given grain, proceed without being

afflicted with any want. And they that have given houses, proceed happily

on cars. And those men that have given something to drink, proceed with

cheerful hearts unafflicted with thirst. And they that have given lights,

proceed happily lighting the way before them. And they that have given

kine, proceed along the way happily, freed from all their sins. And they

that have fasted for a month, proceed on cars drawn by swans. And they

who have fasted for six nights, proceed on cars drawn by peacocks. And, O

son of Pandu, he that fasteth three nights upon only one meal without a

second during this period goeth into a region free from disease and

anxiety. And water hath this excellent property that it produceth

happiness in the region of Yama. And they that give water find for

themselves a river there of the name of Pushpodaka. And the givers of

water on the earth drink cool and ambrosial draughts from that stream.

And they that are of evil deeds have pus ordained for them. Thus, O great

king, that river serveth all purposes. Therefore, O king, adore thou duly

these Brahmanas (that are with thee). Weak in limbs owing to the way he

has walked, and besmeared with the dust of the high-road, the traveller

enquireth for the name of him who giveth food, and cometh in hope to his

house. Adore thou him with reverent attention, for he indeed is a guest,

and he is a Brahmana. The gods with Indra at their head follow him as he

proceedeth. And if he is adored, the gods with Indra become gratified,

and if he is not adored, the celestials with their chief become

cheerless. Therefore, O thou foremost of kings, worship thou these

Brahmanas duly. I have thus spoken to thee upon a hundred subjects. What

dost thou desire to hear from me again?'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O master, conversant thou art with virtue and

morality, and so I desire to repeatedly listen to thee as thou speakest

on sacred subjects appertaining to virtue and morals.'

"Markandeya said, 'O king, I will now speak on another sacred subject

appertaining to eternal interests and capable of washing off all sins.

Listen thou with rapt attention. O thou foremost of the Bharatas, the

merit equal to that of giving away a Kapila cow in (the tirtha called)

Jyeshtha-Pushkara arises from washing the feet of Brahmanas. As long as

the earth remains wet with water which a Brahmana hath touched with his

feet, so long do Pitris drink water of cups made of lotus-leaves. If the

guest is welcomed (with enquiries about his welfare), the deities of fire

become glad; and if he is offered a seat, it is the god of a hundred

sacrifices, who is gratified. If his feet are washed, it is the Pitris

who are delighted; and if he is fed it is Prajapati that is pleased. One

should with collected soul, give a cow when (during her throes) the feet

and head of her calf are visible, before her delivery is complete. A cow

with her calf in the air in course of falling from the uterus to the

earth, is to be regarded as equal to the earth herself. He, therefore,

that giveth away such a cow, reapeth the merit of giving away the earth.

And he that giveth away such a cow, is adored in heaven for as many

thousands of Yugas as there are bristles on the bodies of the animal and

her young one together. And, O Bharata, he that having accepted a thing

in gift giveth it away immediately unto a person that is virtuous and

honest, reapeth very great merit. Without doubt, he reapeth the fruit of

giving away the whole earth to her utmost limits and with her oceans and

seas and caves, her mountains and forests and woods. That Brahmana who

eateth in silence from a plate, keeping his hands between his knees,

succeedeth in rescuing others. And those Brahmanas that abstain from

drink and who are never spoken of by others as having any faults and who

daily read the Samhitas, are capable of rescuing others. Libations of

butter and edible offerings should all be presented to a Brahmana who is

learned in the Vedas. And as libations of clarified butter poured into

fire never go in vain, so gift to virtuous Brahmanas learned in the Vedas

can never go in vain. The Brahmanas have anger for their weapon; they

never fight with arms of iron and steel. Indeed the Brahmanas slay with

anger like Indra slaying the Asuras with his thunder-bolt.

Thus prelection appertaining to virtue and morality is now over. Hearing

this, the Munis of the forest of Naimisha were filled with delight. And

those ascetics were also freed from grief and anger by listening to it.

And they were also purged of all their sins in consequence of this. And,

O king, those human beings that listen to it become freed from the

obligation of rebirth.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O thou of great wisdom, what purification is there

by which a Brahmana may always keep himself pure? I desire to hear of it

from thee, O thou foremost of all virtuous men!"

"Markandeya answered, 'There are three kinds of purity, viz., purity in

speech, purity in deed, and purity achieved by use of water. He that has

recourse to these three different kinds of purity, attains, without

doubt, to heaven. That Brahmana who adoreth the goddess Sandhya in the

morning and the evening, and who recites meditatively the sacred goddess

Gayatri who is the mother of the Vedas, sanctified by the latter, is

freed from all his sins. Even if he accepts in gift the entire earth with

her oceans, he doth not, on that account, suffer the least unhappiness.

And those heavenly bodies in the sky including the sun that may be

inauspicious and hostile towards him soon become auspicious and

favourable towards him in consequence of these acts of his, while those

stars that are auspicious and favourable become more auspicious and more

favourable in consequence of such conduct of his. And terrible Rakshasas

subsisting on animal food, or gigantic and fierce mien, all become unable

to prevail over a Brahmana who practiseth these purifications. The

Brahmanas are even like blazing fires. They incur no fault in consequence

of teaching, of officiating at sacrifices, and of accepting gifts from

others. Whether the Brahmana be cognisant of the Vedas or ignorant of

them, whether they be pure or impure, they should never be insulted, for

Brahmanas are like fires. As the fire that blazeth up in the place set

apart for the cremation of the dead is never regarded impure on that

account, so the Brahmana, be he learned or ignorant, is always pure. He

is great and a very god! Cities that are adorned with walls and gates and

palaces one after another, lose their beauty if they are bereft of

Brahmanas. That, indeed, O king, is a city where Brahmanas accomplished

in the Vedas, duly observing the duties of their order and possessed of

learning and ascetic merit, reside. O son of Pritha, that spot, be it a

wood or pasture land, where learned Brahmanas reside, hath been called a

city. And that place, O king, becometh a tirtha also. By approaching a

king that offereth protection, as also a Brahmana possessed of ascetic

merit, and by offering worship unto both, a man may purge off his sins

immediately. The learned have said that ablutions in the sacred tirthas,

recitation of the names of holy ones, and converse with the good and

virtuous, are all acts worthy of applause. They that are virtuous and

honest always regard themselves as sanctified by the holy companionship

of persons like themselves and by the water of pure and sacred converse.

The carrying of three staffs, the vow of silence, matted hair on head,

the shaving of the crown, covering one's person with barks and deerskins,

the practice of vows, ablutions, the worship of fire, abode in the woods,

emaciating the body, all these are useless if the heart be not pure. The

indulgence of the six senses is easy, if purity be not sought in the

object of enjoyment. Abstinence, however, which of itself is difficult,

is scarcely easy without purity of the objects of enjoyment. O king of

kings, among the six senses, the mind alone that is easily moved is the

most dangerous! Those high-souled persons that do not commit sins in

word, deed, heart and soul, are said to undergo ascetic austerities, and

not they that suffer their bodies to be wasted by fasts and penances. He

that hath no feeling of kindness for relatives cannot be free from sin

even if his body be pure. That hard-heartedness of his is the enemy of

his asceticism. Asceticism, again, is not mere abstinence from the

pleasures of the world. He that is always pure and decked with virtue, he

that practises kindness all his life, is a Muni even though he may lead a

domestic life. Such a man is purged of all his sins. Fasts and other

penances cannot destroy sins, however much they may weaken and dry up the

body that is made of flesh and blood. The man whose heart is without

holiness, suffers torture only by undergoing penances in ignorance of

their meaning. He is never freed from sins of such acts. The fire he

worshippeth doth not consume his sins. It is in consequence of holiness

and virtue alone that men attain to regions of blessedness, and fasts and

vows become efficacious. Subsistence on fruits and roots, the vow of

silence, living upon air, the shaving of the crown, abandonment of a

fixed home, the wearing of matted locks on the head, lying under the

canopy of heaven, daily fasts, the worship of fire, immersion in water,

and lying on the bare ground,--these alone cannot produce such a result.

They only that are possessed of holiness succeed, by knowledge and deeds,

to conquer disease, decrepitude and death, and acquire a high status. As

seeds that have been scorched by fire do not sprout forth, so the pains

that have been burnt by knowledge cannot effect the soul. This inert body

that is only like a block of wood when destitute of souls, is, without

doubt, short lived like froth in the ocean. He that obtaineth a view of

his soul, the soul that resideth in every body, by help of one or half of

a rhythmic line (of the Vedas), hath no more need for anything. Some

obtaining a knowledge of identity with the Supreme Soul from but two

letters (of the Vedas) and some from hundreds and thousands of rhythmic

lines, acquire salvation, for the knowledge of one's identity with the

Supreme Soul is the sure indication of salvation. The men of old,

distinguished for their knowledge, have said, neither this world nor that

hereafter nor bliss can be his who is disturbed by doubts. And belief of

one's identity with the Supreme Soul is the indication of salvation. He

that knoweth the true meaning of the Vedas, understandeth their true use.

Such a man is affrighted at the Vedic ritual like a man at sight of a

forest conflagration. Giving up dry disputation, have recourse to Sruti

and Smriti, and seek thou, with the aid of thy reason, the knowledge of

the Undecaying One that is without a second. One's search (after this

knowledge) becometh futile from defect of means. Therefore, should one

carefully strive to obtain that knowledge by aid of the Vedas. The Vedas

are the Supreme Soul; they are His body; they are the Truth. The soul

that is bounded by the animal organism is incompetent to know Him in whom

all the Vedas merge. That Supreme Soul, however, is capable of being

known by the pure intellect. The existence of the gods as stated in the

Vedas, the efficacy of acts, and the capacity for action of being

furnished with bodies, are noticeable in every Yuga. Independence of

these and annihilation are to be sought from purity of the senses.

Therefore, the suspension of the function of the senses is the true

fasting. One may attain to heaven by asceticism, one may obtain objects

of enjoyment by the practice of charity and may have his sins purged off

by ablutions in tirthas. But complete emancipation cannot be had except

by knowledge.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed, O great king, by the Rishi,

Yudhishthira of great fame then said, 'O holy one, I desire to listen to

the rules about that charity which is meritorious."

"Markandeya said, 'O great king, O Yudhishthira, the rules about charity

which thou wishest to hear from me are always highly regarded by me.

Listen now to the mysteries of charity as expounded in the sruti and the

smritis! A man that performs a sraddha in the conjunction called

Gajacchaya at a place that is fanned by the leaves of the Aswattha tree

enjoys the fruits thereof, O Yudhishthira, for a hundred thousand kalpas.

O king, he that foundeth a dharmasala and established there a person to

look after all comers, is crowned with the merits of all the sacrifices.

He that giveth away a horse at a tirtha where the current of the river

runneth in a direction opposite to its general course, reapeth merit that

is inexhaustible. The guest that comes to one's house for food is none

other than Indra himself. If he is entertained with food, Indra himself

conferreth on the best merit that is inexhaustible. As men cross seas by

vessels, so are the givers mentioned above are saved from all their sins.

So what is given unto Brahmanas produceth, like gift of curds,

inexhaustible merits. A gift on particular lunations produceth merit that

is twice as much as a gift on other days. That in a particular season

produceth merit ten times greater that in other seasons. That in a

particular year produceth merit a hundred times greater than in other

years. And lastly, a gift on the last day of the last month of the year

produceth merit that is inexhaustible. A gift also that is made while the

Sun is on the solstitial points, one again that is made on the last day

of the Sun's path through Libra, Aries, Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces, a gift

again during eclipses of the Moon and the Sun, produce merit that is

inexhaustible. The learned have also said that gifts made during the

seasons produce merit that is ten times, those made during the change of

seasons, a hundred times--and those made during the days when Rahu is

visible, a thousand times--greater than what is produced by gifts at

other time; while a gift made on the last day of the Sun's course through

Libra and Aries produces merit that knows no diminution. O king, no one

can enjoy landed possessions unless he giveth away land, and no one can

go on cars and vehicles unless he giveth away these. Indeed a person on

rebirth obtaineth the fruition of whatever objects he hath in view at the

time of making a gift to a Brahmana. Gold hath sprung from Fire; the

Earth from Vishnu; and the cows from the Sun. He, therefore, that giveth

away gold, land, and kine attaineth all the regions of Agni, Vishnu, and

the Sun. There is nothing so eternal as a gift. Where, therefore, in the

three worlds is anything that is more auspicious? It is for this, O king,

that they who have great intelligence say that there is nothing higher

and greater in the three worlds than gift!'"

SECTION CC

Vaisampayana said, "Having, O great king, heard from the illustrious

Markandeya the history of the attainment of heaven by the royal sage

Indradyumna, Yudhishthira, that bull of the Bharata race, once more asked

that sinless Muni endued with great ascetic merit and long life, saying,

'Thou knowest, O virtuous one, the entire host of the gods, the Danavas,

and the Rakshasas. Thou art acquainted also with various royal

genealogies and many eternal lines of Rishis! O best of Brahmanas, there

is nothing in this world that thou dost not know! Thou knowest also, O

Muni, many delightful stories about men, Snakes and Rakshasas; about

gods, Gandharvas, and Yakshas, and about Kinnaras and Apsaras! I desire

now to hear from thee, O best of Brahmanas, as to why Kuvalaswa--that

unvanquished king of Ikshavaku's race changed his name, assuming another,

viz., Dhundhumara. O thou best of Bhrigu's line, I desire to know in

detail why the name of Kuvalaswa of great intelligence underwent such a

change!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, the great Muni

Markandeya, O Bharata, then began the history of Dhundhumara!"

Markandeya said, 'O royal Yudhishthira, listen to me, I will tell thee

all! The story of Dhundhumara is a moral one. Listen to it then! Listen

now, O king, to the story of how the royal Kuvalaswa of Ikshvaku's race

came to be known as Dhundhumara. O son, O Bharata, there was a celebrated

Rishi of the name of Utanka and, O thou of the Kuru race, Utanka had his

hermitage in a delightful wilderness. And, O great king, the Rishi Utanka

underwent ascetic austerities of the severest kind and the lord Utanka

underwent those penances for numberless years with the object of

obtaining the favours of Vishnu, and gratified with his penances that

illustrious Lord presented himself before Utanka. And beholding the

Deity, the Rishi in all humility began to gratify him with many hymns,

and Utanka said, 'O thou of great effulgence all creatures with the gods,

Asuras and human beings, all things that are mobile or immobile, even

Brahma himself, the Vedas, and all things that are capable of being

known, have, O lord, been created by thee! The firmament is thy head, O

god, and the sun and the moon are thy eyes! And, O Unfading One, the

winds are thy breath and fire thy energy! The directions of the horizon

constitute thy arms and the great ocean thy stomach! And, O god, the

hills and mountains constitute thy thigh and the sky thy hips, O slayer

of Madhu! The earth constitutes thy feet, and the plants the bristles on

thy body. And, O lord, Indra and Soma and Agni and Varuna, indeed all the

gods, the Asuras and the great Snakes all wait upon thee with humility,

adoring thee with various hymns! O Lord of the Universe, created things

are pervaded by thee. The great Rishis of high energy and ever plunged in

ascetic meditation, always adore thee. When thou art gratified, the

universe is in peace. And when thou art angry, terror pervadeth every

soul. Thou art, O Lord, the great dispeller of all terrors and thou art

the One Supreme Male Being! Thou art the cause of happiness of both gods

and human beings! And, O Lord, by three steps of thine thou didst cover

the three worlds! And it was by thee that the Asuras in the height of

their power were destroyed! It is owing to thy prowess, O God, that the

celestials obtained peace and happiness and, O thou of great effulgence,

it was the anger that destroyed hundred great Daitya chiefs. Thou art the

Creator and destroyer of all creatures in the world. It is by adoring

thee that the gods have obtained happiness. It was thus, O Yudhishthira,

that the high-souled Utanka praised the Lord of the senses. And Vishnu,

therefore, said unto Utanka, 'I am gratified with thee. Ask thou the boon

that thou desirest.' And Utanka said, 'This indeed hath, been a great

boon to me, in that I have been able to behold Hari, that eternal Being,

that divine Creator, that Lord of the universe!" Thus addressed Vishnu

said, 'I am gratified with this absence of all desires on thy pail and

with thy devotion, O thou best of men! But, O Brahmanas, O regenerate

one, thou shouldst of a certainty accept some boon from me! Thus

requested by Hari to accept a boon Utanka then, O thou best of Bharatas,

with joined hands begged a boon saying, 'O illustrious one, O thou of

eyes like lotus leaves, if thou hast been gratified with me, then let my

heart always rest on virtue, truth, and self-content. And, O Lord, let my

heart always turn to thee in devotion.' And hearing these words of

Utanka, the holy one said, 'O regenerate one, all this shall happen to

thee through my grace. And there will also appear in thee a yoga power

endued with which thou shalt achieve a great thing for the dwellers of

Heaven, as also for the triple world. Even now a great Asura of the name

of Dhundhu is undergoing ascetic penances of fierce austerity with the

object of destroying the triple world. Hear now as to who will slay that

Asura. O son, there will appear a king of invincible energy and great

prowess and he will be born in the race of Ikshvaku and will be known by

the name of Vrihadaswa who will have a son of the name of Kuvalaswa

endued with great holiness and self-control and celebrity. And that best

of kings will be furnished with yoga power springing from me and urged

and commended by thee, O regenerate Rishi, that king will be the slayer

of the Asura Dhundhu.' And having said these words unto that Brahmana,

Vishnu disappeared there and then."

SECTION CCI

Markandeya said, "O king, after the death of Ikshvaku, a highly virtuous

king of the name of Sasada, ascending the throne of Ayodhya ruled this

earth. And from Sasada was descended Kakutstha of great energy. And

Kakutshta had a son of name Anenas. And Anenas had a son named Prithu and

Prithu had a son named Viswagaswa and from Viswagaswa sprang Adri and

from Adri sprang Yuvanaswa and from Yuvanaswa sprang Sravastha and it was

by this Sravastha that the city called Sravasthi was built and from

Sravastha was descended Vrihadaswa and from Vrihadaswa sprang Kuvalaswa

and Kuvalaswa had twentyone thousand sons and all these sons were fierce

and powerful and skilled in learning. And Kuvalaswa excelled his father

in every quality. And when the time came, his father Vrihadaswa installed

him--the brave and highly virtuous Kuvalaswa--on the throne. And having

thus made over the royal dignity to his son, that slayer of foes--king

Vrihadaswa of great intelligence--retired into the woods for asceticism."

"Markandeya continued, 'O king, when the royal sage Vrihadaswa was about

to retire into the woods, that best of Brahmanas, Utanka heard of it. And

Utanka who was possessed of great energy and immeasurable soul,

approached that foremost of all wielders of weapons and best of men. And

approaching him, the Rishis began to persuade him to give up asceticism.

And Utanka said, 'O king, to protect (the people) is thy duty. It

behoveth thee to do that duty of thine. Let us be free from all anxiety

through thy grace. Possessed as thou art of a great soul, protected by

thee, the earth will be freed from all dangers. Therefore, it behoveth

thee, not to retire into the woods. Great merit attaches to the act of

protecting people in this world. Such merit can never be acquired in the

woods. Let not thy heart, therefore, turn to this course. The merit,

great king, that was acquired in days of old by great royal sages by

protecting their subjects was so great that nothing equal to it could be

seen. The king should always protect his subjects. It behoveth thee,

therefore, to protect thy people. O lord of the earth, I cannot (at

present) perform my ascetic devotions peacefully. Close to my asylum

there is a sea of sands known by the name of Ujjalaka. And it occupies a

level country and is without any water. And it extends many yojanas in

length and breadth and in that desert dwells a chief of the Danavas

called Dhundhu by name. And Dhundhu is the son of Madhu and Kaitabha, and

is fierce and terrible and possessed of great prowess. And endued with

immeasurable energy, that Danava, O king, dwelleth under the ground, and,

O king, it behoveth thee to retire into the woods, having first slain

that Asura. That Asura is now lying still in the observance of an ascetic

penance of great austerity and, O king, the object he hath in view is

sovereignty over the celestials as also of the three worlds. And, O king,

having, obtained a boon from the Grandsire of all creatures, that Asura

hath become incapable of being slain by the gods and Daityas and

Rakshasas and Gandharvas. Slay though him, O king, and blessed be thou

and let not thy heart turn to any other course. By slaying him thou wilt

without doubt, achieve a great thing and thou wilt also obtain eternal

and undying fame. And O king, when at the end of every year that wicked

Asura lying covered with sands, wakes up and begins to breathe, then the

whole earth with her mountains, forests and woods begins to tremble. And

his breath raiseth up clouds of sands, and shroudeth the very sun, and

for seven days continually the earth tremble all over, and sparks and

flames of fire mixed with smoke spread far around and for all this, O

king, I cannot rest in peace in my asylum. Slay thou him, O king, for the

good of the world. Indeed, when that Asura is slain the triple world will

be in peace and happiness. That thou art competent, O king, to slay that

Asura, I fully believe. Thy energy will be enhanced by Vishnu with the

addition of his own. In days of old, O king, Vishnu gave this boon that

the king who should slay this fierce and great Asura would be pervaded by

the invincible energy of Vishnu himself. Bearing that invincible

Vaishnava energy in thyself, slay thou, O great king, that Daitya of

fierce prowess. Possessed as Dhundhu is of mighty energy, no one, O king,

that is endued with small energy himself will be capable of consuming

him, even if he were to strive for a hundred years.'"

SECTION CCII

"Markandeya said, 'Thus addressed by Utanka, that unvanquished royal

sage, with joined hands, O thou foremost of the Kuru race, replied unto

Utanka, saying, 'This visit of thine, O Brahmana, will not be in vain.

This my son, O holy one, known by the name of Kuvalaswa is endued with

steadiness and activity. In prowess also he is unequalled on earth.

Without doubt he will accomplish all this that is agreeable to thee,

aided by all his brave sons endued with arms like unto iron maces. Give

me leave to retire, O Brahmana, for I have now given up my weapons.' Thus

addressed by the king, that Muni of immeasurable energy replied unto him,

saying, 'So be it." And the royal sage Vrihadaswa then, having commended

his son to obey the behest of the high-souled Utanka saying, 'Let it be

done by thee,' himself retired into an excellent forest.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O holy one, O thou possessed of the wealth of

asceticism, who was this Daitya of great energy? Whose son and whose

grandson was he? I desire to know all this; O thou possessed of the

wealth of asceticism I never heard of this mighty Daitya before. I desire

to know all this truly, O holy one, and with all particulars in detail, O

thou of great wisdom and ascetic wealth!'

"Markandeya said, 'O monarch, know everything as it happened, O ruler of

men, as I narrate the particulars truly, O thou of great wisdom! When the

world became one broad expanse of water and creatures mobile and immobile

were destroyed, when, O bull of the Bharata race, the entire creation

came to its end. He who is the Source and Creator of the Universe, viz.,

the Eternal and unfading Vishnu, He who is called by Munis crowned with

ascetic success as the Supreme Lord of the Universe, that Being of great

holiness, then lay in Yoga sleep on the wide hood of the Snake Sesha of

immeasurable energy, and the Creator of the Universe, that highly-blessed

and holy Hari, knowing no deterioration, lay on the hood of that Snake

encircling the whole Earth and as the Deity lay asleep on that bed, a

lotus, endued with great beauty and effulgence equal unto that of the

Sun, sprang from his navel. And from that lotus possessed of effulgence

like unto the Sun's, sprang the Grandsire Brahma, that lord of the worlds

who is the four Vedas, who hath four forms and four faces, who is

invincible in consequence of his own energy and who is endued with mighty

strength and great prowess and as the Lord Hari of wondrous frame,

possessed of great lustre and decked with a crown and the Kaustubha gem

and attired in purple silk, lay stretched for many a yojana on that

excellent bed furnished by the hood of the snake itself extending far and

wide, blazing, O king, in his beauty and the lustre of his own body like

a thousand Suns concentrated in one mass. He was beheld some time after

by two Danavas of great prowess named Madhu and Kaitabha and beholding

Hari (in that posture) and the Grandsire with eyes like lotus-leaves

seated on that lotus, both Madhu and Kaitabha wandered much and they

began to terrify and alarm Brahma of immeasurable prowess, and the

illustrious Brahma alarmed by their continued exertions trembled on his

seat, and at his trembling the stalk of the lotus on which he was seated

began to tremble and when the lotus-stalk trembled, Kesava awoke. And

awakened from his slumber, Govinda beheld those Danavas of mighty energy,

and beholding them the Deity said unto them, 'Welcome, ye mighty ones! I

am gratified with you! Therefore, I will grant you excellent boons!' And

thereupon both those proud and mighty Danavas, O king, laughingly replied

unto Hrishikesa, saying, 'Ask boons of us, O Divine one! O thou that art

the Supreme Deity, we are disposed to grant thee a boon. Indeed, we will

grant thee a boon! Therefore, ask thou of us anything that cometh to thy

mind.' Thus addressed by them the holy one spoke, 'Ye brave ones, I will

accept a boon from you. There is a boon that I desire. Both of you are

possessed of mighty energy. There is no male person like unto any of you.

O ye of unbaffled prowess, submit ye to be slain by me. Even that is what

I desire to accomplish for the good of the world.' Hearing these words of

the Deity, both Madhu and Kaitabha said, 'We have never before spoken an

untruth; no, not even in jest; what shall we say of other occasions! O

thou foremost of male Beings, know that we have ever been firm in truth

and morality. In strength, in forms, in beauty, in virtue, in asceticism,

in charity, in behaviour, in goodness, in self control, there is no one

equal unto either of us. A great danger, O Kesava, hath approached us.

Accomplish thou, therefore, what thou hast said. No one can prevail over

Time. But, O Lord, there is one thing that we desire to be done by thee.

O thou best and foremost of all Deities, thou must slay us at a spot that

is absolutely uncovered. And, O thou of excellent eyes, we also desire to

become thy sons. This is the boon that we desire, know then, O chief of

the gods! Let not that O Deity, be false which thou hadst at first

promised to us.' The Holy One then replied unto them saying, 'Yes, I will

do as ye desire. Everything will be as ye wish!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Then Govinda began to reflect but uncovered space

found he none and when he could not discover any spot that was uncovered

on earth or in the sky, that foremost Deity then beheld his thighs to be

absolutely uncovered. And there, O king, the illustrious Deity cut off

the heads of Madhu and Kaitabha with his keenedged discus!'"

SECTION CCIII

"Markandeya said, 'The illustrious Dhundhu, O king, was the son of Madhu

and Kaitabha, and possessed of great energy and prowess, he underwent

ascetic penances of great austerity and he stood erect on one leg and

reduced his body to a mass of only veins and arteries, and Brahma,

gratified with him, gave him a boon. And the boon he had asked of the

lord Prajapati was in these words, 'Let no one among the gods, the

Danavas, the Rakshas, the Snakes, the Gandharvas and the Rakshasas be

capable of slaying me. Even this is the boon that I ask of thee.' And the

Grandsire replied unto him saying, 'Let it be as thou wishest. Go thy

way.' And thus addressed by the Grandsire, the Danava placed the feet of

the Deity on his head and having thus touched with reverence the Deity's

feet he went away and possessed of mighty energy and prowess. Dhundhu,

having obtained the boon hastily approached Vishnu remembering the death

of his father at the hands of that Deity, and the wrathful Dhundhu having

vanquished the gods with the Gandharvas began to distress all the

celestials with Vishnu at their head. And at last O bull of the Bharata

race, that wicked souled Asura arriving at a sea of sands known by the

name of Ujjalaka, began to distress to the utmost of his might the asylum

of Utanka. And endued with fierce energy, Dhundhu, the son of Madhu and

Kaitabha, lay in his subterranean cave underneath the sands in the

observance of fierce ascetic and severe austerities with the object of

destroying the triple world, and while the Asura lay breathing near the

asylum of Utanka that Rishi possessed of the splendour of fire, king

Kualaswa with his troops, accompanied by the Brahmana Utanka, as also by

all his sons set out for that region, O bull of the Bharata race! And

after that grinder of foes, the royal Kuvalaswa, had set out, accompanied

by his twenty-one thousand sons all of whom were exceedingly powerful,

the illustrious Lord Vishnu filled him with his own energy at the command

of Utanka and impelled by the desire of benefiting the triple world and

while that invincible hero was proceeding on his way and loud voice was

heard in the sky repeating the words, 'This fortunate and unslayable one

will become the destroyer of Dhundhu to-day.' And the gods began to

shower upon him celestial flowers. And the celestial kettle drums began

to sound their music although none played upon them. And during the march

of that wise one, cool breezes began to blow and the chief of the

celestials poured gentle showers wetting the dust on the roads and, O

Yudhishthira, the cars of the celestials could be seen high over the spot

where the mighty Asura Dhundhu was. The gods and Gandharvas and great

Rishis urged by curiosity, came there to behold the encounter between

Dhundhu and Kuvalaswa and, O thou of the Kuru race, filled by Narayana

with his own energy, king Kuvalaswa, aided by his sons, soon surrounded

that sea of sands and the king ordered that wilderness to be excavated

and after the king's sons had excavated that sea of sands for seven days,

they could see the mighty Asura Dhundhu. And, O bull of the Bharata race,

the huge body of that Asura lay within those sands, effulgent in its own

energy like the Sun himself. And Dhundhu, O king, was lying covering the

western region of the desert and surrounded on all sides by the sons of

Kuvalaswa, the Danava was assaulted with sharp-pointed shafts and maces

and heavy and short clubs and axes and clubs, with iron spikes and darts

and bright and keen-edged swords, and thus assaulted, the mighty Danava

rose from his recumbent posture in wrath. And enraged, the Asura began to

swallow those various weapons that were hurled at him and he vomited from

his mouth fiery flames like unto those of the fire called Samvarta that

appeareth at the end of the Yuga and by those flames of his, the Asura

consumed all the sons of the king and, O tiger among men, like the Lord

Kapila of old consuming the sons of king Sagara, the infuriated Asura

overwhelming the triple world with the flames vomited from his mouth,

achieved that wonderful feat in a moment. And, O thou best of the

Bharatas, when all those sons of king Kuvalaswa were consumed by the fire

emitted by the Asura in wrath, the monarch, possessed as he was of mighty

energy, then approached the Danava who, like unto a second Kumbhakarna of

mighty energy, had come to the encounter after waking from his slumbers.

From the body of the king, O monarch, then began to flow a mighty and

copious stream of water and that stream soon extinguished, O king, the

fiery flames emitted by the Asura. And, O great king, the royal

Kuvalaswa, filled with Yoga force, having extinguished those flames by

the water that issued from his body, consumed that Daitya of wicked

prowess with the celebrated weapon called Brahma for relieving the triple

world of its fears, and the royal sage Kuvalaswa, having consumed that

great Asura, that foe of the celestials and slayer of all enemies, by

means of that weapon became like unto a second chief of the triple world

and the high-souled king Kuvalaswa having slain the the Asura Dhundhu,

became from that time known by the name of Dhundhumara and from that time

he came to be regarded as invincible in battle, and the gods and the

great Rishis who had come to witness that encounter were so far gratified

with him that they addressed him saying, 'Ask thou a boon of us!' And

thus solicited by the gods, the king bowed to them and filled with joy,

the king said unto them, with joined hands these words, 'Let me be always

able to give wealth unto superior Brahmanas! Let me be invincible as

regards all foes! Let there be friendship between myself and Vishnu! Let

me have no ill-feeling towards any creature! Let my heart always turn to

virtue! And let me (finally) dwell in heaven for ever!' And the gods and

the Rishis and Utanka, hearing this were exceedingly gratified and all of

them said, 'Let it be as thou wishest!' And, O king, having also blessed

him with many other speeches, the gods and the great Rishis then went

away to their respective abodes. And, O Yudhishthira, after the slaughter

of all his sons, king Kuvalaswa had still three sons left, and, O thou of

the Bharata race, they were called Dridaswa and Kapilaswa and Chandraswa.

It is from them, O king, that the illustrious line of kings belonging to

Ikshvaku's race, all possessed of immeasurable prowess, hath sprung.

"It was thus, O best of king, that that great Daitya of the name Dhundhu,

the son of Madhu and Kaitabha was slain by Kuvalaswa and it was for this

also that king came to be called by the name of Dhundhumara. And indeed,

the name he assumed was no empty one but was literally true.

"I have now told thee all that thou hadst asked me, viz., all about that

person in consequence of whose act the story of Dhundhu's death hath

become famous. He that listeneth to this holy history connected with the

glory of Vishnu, becometh virtuous and obtaineth children. By listening

to this story on particular lunations, one becometh blessed with long

life and great good fortune. And freed from every anxiety one ceaseth to

have any fear of diseases."

SECTION CCIV

Vaisampayana said, "O thou foremost of the Bharata race, king Yudhisthira

then asked the illustrious Markandeya a difficult question about

morality, saying, 'I desire to hear, O holy one, about the high and

excellent virtue of women. I desire to hear from thee, O Brahmana,

discourse about the subtle truths of morality. O regenerate Rishi, O best

of men, the Sun, the Moon, the Wind, the Earth, the Fire, the father, the

mother, the preceptor--these and other objects ordained by the gods,

appear to us as Deities embodied! All these that are reverend ones are

worthy of our best regard. So also is the woman who adoreth one lord. The

worship that chaste wives offer unto their husbands appeareth to me to be

fraught with great difficulty. O adorable one, it behoveth thee to

discourse to us of the high and excellent virtue of chaste wives--of

wives who restraining all their senses and keeping their hearts under

complete control regard their husbands as veritable gods. O holy and

adorable one, all this appears to me to be exceedingly difficult of

accomplishment. O regenerate one, the worship that sons offer to their

mothers and fathers and that wives offer to their husbands, both seem to

me to be highly difficult. I do not behold anything that is more

difficult than the severe virtue of chaste women. O Brahmana, the duties

that women of good behaviour discharge with care and the conduct that is

pursued by good sons towards their fathers and mothers appear to me to be

most difficult of performance. Those women that are each devoted to but

one lord, they that always speak the truth, they that undergo a period of

gestation for full ten months--there is nothing, O Brahmana, that is more

difficult than that is done by these. O worshipful one, women bring forth

their offspring with great hazard to themselves and great pain and rear

their children, O bull among Brahmanas, with great affection! Those

persons also who being always engaged in acts of cruelty and there by

incurring general hatred, succeed yet in doing their duties accomplish

what, in my opinion, is exceedingly difficult. O regenerate one, tell me

the truths of the duties of the Kshatriya order. It is difficult, O

twice-born one, for those high-souled ones to acquire virtue who by the

duties of their order are obliged to do what is cruel. O holy one, thou

art capable of answering all questions; I desire to hear thee discourse

on all this. O thou foremost of Bhrigu's race, I desire to listen to all

this, waiting respectfully on thee, O thou of excellent vows!'

"Markandeya said, 'O thou foremost of the Bharata race, I will discourse

to thee on all this truly, however difficult of answer thy question may

be. Listen to me, therefore, as I speak unto thee. Some regard the mother

as superior and some the father. The mother, however, that bringeth forth

and some the father. The mother, however, that bringeth forth and reareth

up offspring what is more difficult. Fathers also, by ascetic penances by

worship of the gods, by adorations addressed to them, by bearing cold and

heat, by incantations and other means desire to have children. And having

by these painful expedients obtained children that are so difficult of

acquisition, they then, O hero, are always anxious about the future of

their sons and, O Bharata, both the father and the mother desire to see

in their sons fame and achievements and prosperity and offspring and

virtue. That son is virtuous who realises these hopes of his parents.

And, O great king, that son with whom the father and the mother are

gratified, achieveth eternal fame and eternal virtue both here and

thereafter. As regards women again, neither sacrifice nor sraddhas, nor

fasts are of any efficacy. By serving their husbands only they can win

heaven. O king, O Yudhishthira, remembering this alone, listen thou with

attention to the duties of chaste women."

SECTION CCV

"Markandeya said, 'There was, O Bharata, a virtuous ascetic of the name

of Kausika and endued with wealth of asceticism and devoted to the study

of the Vedas, he was a very superior Brahmana and that best of Brahmanas

studied all the Vedas with the Angas and the Upanishadas and one day he

was reciting the Vedas at the foot of a tree and at that time there sat

on the top of that tree a female crane and that she-crane happened at

that time to befoul the Brahmana's body and beholding that crane the

Brahmana became very angry and thought of doing her an injury and as the

Brahmana cast his angry glances upon the crane and thought also of doing

her an injury, she fell down on the ground and beholding the crane thus

fallen from the tree and insensible in death, the Brahmana was much moved

by pity and the regenerate one began to lament for the dead crane saying,

'Alas, I have done a bad deed, urged by anger and malice!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Having repeated these words many times, that

learned Brahmana entered a village for procuring alms. And, O bull of the

Bharata race, in course of his eleemosynary round among the houses of

persons of good lineage, the Brahmana entered one such house that he knew

from before. And as he entered the house, he said, 'Give'. And he was

answered by a female with the word, 'Stay'. And while the housewife was

engaged, O king, in cleaning the vessel from which alms are given, her

husband, O thou best of the Bharatas, suddenly entered the house, very

much afflicted with hunger. The chaste housewife beheld her husband and

disregarding the Brahmana, gave her lord water to wash his feet and face

and also a seat and after that the black-eyed lady, placing before her

lord savoury food and drink, humbly stood beside him desirous of

attending to all his wants. And, O Yudhishthira, that obedient wife used

every day to eat the orts of her husband's plate and, always conducting

herself in obedience to the wishes of the lord, that lady ever regarded

her husband, and all her heart's affections inclined towards her lord. Of

various and holy behaviour and skilful in all domestic duties and

attentive to all her relatives, she always did what was agreeable and

beneficial to her husband and she also, with rapt senses attended to the

worship of the gods and the wants of guests and servants and her

mother-in-law and father-in-law.

"And while the lady of handsome eyes was still engaged in waiting upon

her lord, she beheld that Brahmana waiting for alms and beholding him,

she remembered that she had asked him to wait. And remembering all this,

she felt abashed. And then that chaste woman possessed of great fame,

took something for alms and went out, O thou foremost of the Bharatas,

for giving it unto that Brahmana. And when she came before him, the

Brahmana said, 'O best of women, O blessed one, I am surprised at thy

conduct! Having requested me to wait saying, 'Stay' thou didst not

dismiss me!'

"Markandeya continued, 'O lord of men beholding that Brahmana filled with

wrath and blazing with his energy, that chaste woman began to conciliate

him and said, 'O learned one, it behoveth thee to forgive me. My husband

is my supreme god. He came hungry and tired and was being served and

waited upon by me.' Hearing this, the Brahmana said, 'With thee Brahmanas

are not worthy of superior regard. Exaltest thou thy husband above them?

Leading a domestic life, dost thou disregard Brahmanas? Indra himself

boweth down unto them, what shall I say of men on earth. Proud woman,

dost thou not know it, hast thou never heard it, that the Brahmanas are

like fire and may consume the entire earth?' At these words of that

Brahmana the woman answered, 'I am no she-crane, O regenerate Rishi! O

thou that art endued with the wealth of asceticism, cast off this anger

of thine. Engaged as thou are, what canst thou do to me with these angry

glances of thine? I do not disregard Brahmanas. Endued with great energy

of soul, they are like unto the gods themselves. But, O sinless one, this

fault of mine it behoveth thee to forgive. I know the energy and high

dignity of Brahmanas that are possessed of wisdom. The waters of the

ocean have been made brackish and undrinkable by the wrath of the

Brahmanas. I know also the energy of Munis of souls under complete

control and endued with blazing ascetic merit. The fire of their wrath to

this day hath not been extinguished in the forest of Dandaka. It was for

his having disregarded the Brahmanas that the great Asura--the wicked and

evil-minded Vatapi was digested when he came in contact with Agastya. It

hath been heard by us that the powers and merits of high-souled Brahmanas

are great. But, O Brahmana, as regenerate ones of high souls are great in

wrath, so are they equally great in forgiveness. Therefore, O sinless

one, it behoveth thee to forgive me in the matter of this my offence. O

Brahmana, my heart inclineth to that merit which springeth from the

service of my husband, for I regard my husband as the highest among all

the gods. O best of Brahmanas, I practise that virtue which consists in

serving my husband whom I regard as the highest Deity. Behold, O

regenerate one, the merit that attaches to the service of one's husband!

I know that thou hast burnt a she-crane with thy wrath! But, O best of

regenerate ones, the anger that a person cherishes is the greatest of

foes which that person hath. The gods know him for a Brahmana who hath

cast off anger and passion. The gods know him for a Brahmana who always

speaketh the truth here, who always gratifieth his preceptor, and who,

though injured himself, never returneth the injury. The gods know him for

a Brahmana who hath his senses under control, who is virtuous and pure

and devoted to the study of the Vedas, and who hath mastery over anger

and lust. The gods know him for a Brahmana who, cognisant of morals and

endued with mental energy, is catholic in religion and looketh upon all

equal unto himself. The gods know him for a Brahmana who studieth himself

and teacheth others, who performeth sacrifices himself and officiateth at

the sacrifices of others, and who giveth away to the best of his means.

The gods know that bull among the regenerate ones for a Brahmana who,

endued with liberality of soul, practiseth the Brahmacharya vow and is

devoted to study,--in fact who is vigilantly devoted to the study of the

Vedas. Whatever conduceth to the happiness of the Brahmanas is always

recited before these. Ever taking pleasure in truth, the hearts of such

men never find joy in untruth. O thou best of regenerate ones, it hath

been said that the study of the Vedas, tranquillity of soul, simplicity

of behaviour, and repression of the senses, constitute the eternal duties

of the Brahmana. Those cognisant with virtue and morals have said that

truth and honesty are the highest virtue. Virtue that is eternal is

difficult of being understood. But whatever it is, it is based on truth.

The ancients have declared that virtue dependeth on sruti. But, O

foremost of regenerate ones, virtue as exposed in sruti appears to be of

various kinds. It is, therefore, too subtle of comprehension. Thou, O

holy one, art cognisant of virtue, pure, and devoted to the study of the

Vedas. I think, however, O holy one, that thou dost not know what virtue

in reality is. Repairing to the city of Mithila, enquire thou of a

virtuous fowler there, if indeed, O regenerate one, thou art not really

acquainted with what constitutes the highest virtue. There liveth in

Mithila a fowler who is truthful and devoted to the service of his

parents and who hath senses under complete control. Even he will

discourse to thee on virtue. Blessed be thou, O best of regenerate ones,

if thou likest, repair thither. O faultless one, it behoveth thee to

forgive me, if what I have said be unpalatable, for they that are

desirous of acquiring virtue are incapable of injuring women!'

"At these words of the chaste woman, the Brahmana replied, saying, 'I am

gratified with thee. Blessed be thou; my anger hath subsided, O beautiful

one! The reproofs uttered by thee will be of the highest advantage to me.

Blessed be thou, I shall now go and accomplish what is so conducive, O

handsome one, to my benefit!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Dismissed by her, Kausika, that best of

regenerate ones, left her house, and, reproaching himself, returned to

his own abode.'"

SECTION CCVI

"Markandeya said, 'Continually reflecting upon that wonderful discourse

of the woman, Kausika began to reproach himself and looked very much like

a guilty person and meditating on the subtle ways of morality and virtue,

he said to himself, 'I should accept with reverence what the lady hath

said and should, therefore, repair to Mithila. Without doubt there

dwelleth in that city a fowler of soul under complete control and fully

acquainted with the mysteries of virtue and morality. This very day will

I repair unto that one endued with wealth of asceticism for enquiring of

him about virtue.' His faith in her was assured by her knowledge of the

death of the she-crane and the excellent words of virtuous import she had

uttered. Kausika thus reflecting with reverence upon all she had said,

set out for Mithila, filled with curiosity. And he traversed many forests

and villages and towns and at last reached Mithila that was ruled over by

Janaka and he beheld the city to be adorned with the flags of various

creeds. And he beheld that beautiful town to be resounding with the noise

of sacrifices and festivities and furnished with splendid gateways. It

abounded with palatial residences and protected by walls on all sides; it

had many splendid buildings to boast of. And that delightful town was

also filled with innumerable cars. And its streets and roads were many

and well-laid and many of them were lined with shops. And it was full of

horses and cars and elephants and warriors. And the citizens were all in

health and joy and they were always engaged in festivities. And having

entered that city, that Brahmana beheld there many other things.

And there the Brahmana enquired about the virtuous fowler and was

answered by some twice-born persons. And repairing to the place indicated

by those regenerate ones, the Brahmana beheld the fowler seated in a

butcher's yard and the ascetic fowler was then selling venison and

buffalo meat and in consequence of the large concourse of buyers gathered

round that fowler, Kausika stood at a distance. But the fowler,

apprehending that the Brahmana had come to him, suddenly rose from his

seat and went to that secluded spot where the Brahmana was staying and

having approached him there, the fowler said, 'I salute thee, O holy one!

Welcome art thou, O thou best of Brahmanas! I am the fowler. Blessed be

thou! Command me as to what I may do for thee. The word that the chaste

woman said unto thee, viz., Repair thou to Mithila, are known to me. I

also know for what purpose thou hast come hither.' Hearing these words of

the fowler that Brahmana was filled with surprise. And he began to

reflect inwardly, saying, 'This indeed, is the second marvel that I see!'

The fowler then said unto the Brahmana, saying, 'Thou art now standing in

place that is scarcely proper for thee, O sinless one. If it pleasest

thee, let us go to my abode, O holy one!'

"Markandeya continued, 'So be it,' said the Brahmana unto him, gladly.

And thereupon, the fowler proceeded towards his home with the Brahmana

walking before him. And entering his abode that looked delightful, the

fowler reverenced his guest by offering him a seat. And he also gave him

water to wash his feet and face. And accepting these, that best of

Brahmanas sat at his ease And he then addressed the fowler, saying, 'It

seems to me that this profession doth not befit thee. O fowler, I deeply

regret that thou shouldst follow such a cruel trade.' At these words of

the Brahmana the fowler said, 'This profession is that of my family,

myself having inherited it from my sires and grandsires. O regenerate

one, grieve not for me owing to my adhering to the duties that belong to

me by birth. Discharging the duties ordained for me beforehand by the

Creator, I carefully serve my superiors and the old. O thou best of

Brahmanas! I always speak the truth, never envy others; and give to the

best of my power. I live upon what remaineth after serving the gods,

guests, and those that depend on me. I never speak ill of anything, small

or great. O thou best of Brahmanas, the actions of a former life always

follow the doer. In this world there are three principal professions,

viz., agriculture, rearing of cattle, and trade. As regards the other

world, the three Vedas, knowledge, and the science of morals are

efficacious. Service (of the other three orders) hath been ordained to be

the duty of the Sudra. Agriculture hath been ordained for the Vaisyas,

and fighting for the Kshatriyas, while the practice of the Brahmacharya

vow, asceticism, recitation of mantras, and truthfulness have been

ordained for the Brahmanas. Over subjects adhering to their proper

duties, the king should rule virtuously; while he should set those

thereto that have fallen away from the duties of their order. Kings

should ever be feared, because they are the lords of their subjects. They

restrain those subjects of theirs that fall away from their duties as

they restrain the motions of the deer by means of their shafts. O

regenerate Rishi, there existeth not in the kingdom of Janaka a single

subject that followeth not the duties of his birth. O thou best of the

Brahmanas, all the four orders here rigidly adhere to their respective

duties. King Janaka punisheth him that is wicked, even if he be his own

son; but never doth he inflict pain on him that is virtuous. With good

and able spies employed under him, he looketh upon all with impartial

eyes. Prosperity, and kingdom, and capacity to punish, belong, O thou

best of Brahmanas, to the Kshatriyas. Kings desire high prosperity

through practice of the duties that belong to them. The king is the

protector of all the four orders. As regards myself, O Brahmana, I always

sell pork and buffalo meat without slaying those animals myself. I sell

meat of animals, O regenerate Rishi, that have been slain by others. I

never eat meat myself; never go to my wife except in her season; I always

fast during the day, and eat, O regenerate one, in the night. Even though

the behaviour of his order is bad, a person may yet be himself of good

behaviour. So also a person may become virtuous, although he may be

slayer of animals by profession. It is in consequence of the sinful acts

of kings that virtue decreaseth greatly, and sin beginneth to prosper.

And when all this taketh place the subjects of the kingdom begin to

decay. And it is then, O Brahmana, that ill-looking monsters, and dwarfs,

and hunch-backed and large-headed wights, and men that are blind or deaf

or those that have paralysed eyes or are destitute of the power of

procreation, begin to take their birth. It is from the sinfulness of

kings that their subjects suffer numerous mischiefs. But this our king

Janaka casteth his eyes upon all his subjects virtuously, and he is

always kind unto them who, on their part, ever adhere to their respective

duties. Regarding myself, I always with good deeds please those that

speak well, as also those that speak ill of me. Those kings that live in

the observance of their own proper duties, who are always engaged in the

practice of acts that are good and honest, who are of souls under

complete control and who are endued with readiness and alacrity, may not

depend upon anything else for supporting their power. Gift of food to the

best of one's power, endurance of heat and cold, firmness in virtue, and

a regard and tenderness for all creatures,--these attributes can never

find place in a person, without an innate desire being present in him of

separating himself from the world. One should avoid falsehood in speech,

and should do good without solicitation. One should never cast off virtue

from lust, from wrath, or from malice. One should never joy immoderately

at a good turn or grieve immoderately at a bad one. One should never feel

depressed when overtaken by poverty, nor when so overtaken abandon the

path of virtue. If at any time one doth what is wrong, he should never do

its like again. One should always urge his soul to the doing of that

which he regardeth as beneficial. One should never return wrong for

wrong, but should act honestly by those that have wronged him. That

wretched man who desireth to do what is sinful, slayeth himself. By doing

what is sinful, one only imitates them that are wicked and sinful,

Disbelieving in virtue they that mock the good and the pure saying,

'There is no virtue' undoubtedly meet with destruction. A sinful man

swelleth up like a leather bag puffed up with wind. The thoughts of these

wretches filled with pride and folly are feeble and unprofitable. It is

the heart, the inner soul, that discovereth the fool like the sun that

discovereth forms during the day. The food cannot always shine in the

world by means of self-praise. The learned man, however, even if he be

destitute of beauty, displayeth his lustre by refraining from speaking

ill of others and well of himself. No example, however, can be met with,

in this world, of a person shining brilliantly on account of attributes

to be found in him in their reputed measure. If one repenteth of a wrong

done by him, that repentance washeth off his sin. The resolution of never

doing it again saveth him from future sin, even as, O thou best of

Brahmanas, he may save himself from sin by any of those expiations

obtained in the scriptures. Even this, O regenerate one, is the sruti

that may be seen in respect of virtue. He that having before been

virtuous, committeth a sin, or committeth it unknowingly may destroy that

sin. For virtue, O Brahmana, driveth off the sin that men commit from

ignorance. A man, after having committed a sin, should cease to regard

himself any longer as a man. No man can conceal his sins. The gods behold

what one does, also the Being that is within every one. He that with

piety and without detraction hideth the faults of the honest and the wise

like holes in his own attire, surely seeketh his salvation. If a man

seeketh redemption after having committed a sin, without doubt he is

purged of all his sins and looketh pure and resplendent like the moon

emerged from the clouds. A man that seeketh redemption is washed of all

his sins, even as the sun, upon rising, dispelleth all darkness. O best

of Brahmanas, it is temptation that constitutes the basis of sin. Men

that are ignorant commit sin, yielding to temptation alone. Sinful men

generally cover themselves with a virtuous exterior, like wells whose

mouths are covered by long grass. Outwardly they seem to possess

self-control and holiness and indulge in preaching virtuous texts which,

in their mouth are of little meaning. Indeed, everything may be noticed

in them except conduct that is truly virtuous!'

"Markandeya continued, 'At these words, O best of men, of the fowler,

that Brahmana endued with great wisdom, then asked the fowler, saying,

'How shall I know what is virtuous conduct? Blessed be thou, I desire to

hear this, O thou foremost of virtuous men, from thee. Therefore, O thou

of exalted soul, tell me all about it truly.' Hearing these words, the

fowler replied, saying, 'O best of Brahmanas, Sacrifices, Gift,

Asceticism, the Vedas, and Truth--these five holy things are ever present

in conduct that is called virtuous. Having subjugated lust and wrath

pride avarice, and crookedness, they that take pleasure in virtue because

it is virtue, are regarded as really virtuous and worthy of the

approbation of persons that are virtuous. These persons who are devoted

to sacrifices; and study of the Vedas have no independent behaviour. They

follow only the practices of the honest and the good. This indeed, is the

second attribute of the virtuous. Waiting upon superiors, Truth, Freedom

from anger, and Gift, these four, O Brahmana, are inseparably connected

with behaviour that is virtuous. For the reputation that a person

acquires by setting his heart on virtuous behaviour and adhering to it

rigidly is incapable of acquisition except by practising the four virtues

named above. The essence of the Vedas is Truth: the essence of Truth is

self-control, and the essence of self-control is abstention from the

pleasures of the world. These all are to be noticed in behaviour that is

virtuous. They that follow those deluded fools that mock the forms of

faith prevailing among men, are dragged into destruction for walking in

such a sinful path. They, however, that are virtuous and engaged in the

observance of vows, who are devoted to the srutis and the virtue of

abstention from the pleasure of the world, they in fact who tread in

virtue's path and follow the true religion, they that are obedient to the

mandates of their preceptors, and who reflect upon the sense of the

scriptures with patience and carefulness,--is these that are said to be

possessed of behaviour that is virtuous; it is these, O Brahmana, that

are said to properly guide their higher intelligence. Forsaking those

that are atheists, those that transgress virtue's limits, those that are

of wicked souls, those that live in sinfulness, betake thyself to

knowledge reverencing those that are virtuous. Lust and temptation are

even like sharks in the river of life; the waters are the five senses. Do

thou cross over to the other side of this river in the boat of patience

and resignation, avoiding the shoals of corporeal existence (repeated

births in this world). The supreme virtue consisting in the exercise of

the intelligent principle and abstraction, when gradually super-added to

virtuous conduct, becomes beautiful like dye on white fabrics.

Truthfulness and abstention from doing injury to any one, are virtues

highly beneficial to all creatures. Of these, that latter is a cardinal

virtue, and is based on truth. Our mental faculties have their proper

play when their foundation is laid in truth, and in the exercise of

virtue truth is of the highest value. Purity of conduct is the

characteristic of all good men. Those that are distinguished for holy

living are good and virtuous. All creatures follow the principles of

conduct which are innate in their nature. The sinful being who has no

control over self acquire lust, anger and other vices. It is the

immemorial rule that virtuous actions are those that are founded on

justice, and it is also ordained by holy men that all iniquitous conduct

is sin. Those who are not swayed by anger, pride, haughtiness and envy,

and those who are quiet and straight-forward, are men of virtuous

conduct. Those who are diligent in performing the rites enjoined in the

three Vedas, who are wise, and of pure and virtuous conduct, who exercise

self-restraint and are full of attention to their superior, are men of

virtuous conduct. The actions and conduct of such men of great power, are

very difficult of attainment. They are sanctified by the purification of

their own actions, and consequently sin in them dies out of itself. This

virtue of good conduct is wonderful, ancient, immutable and eternal; and

wise men observing this virtue with holiness, attain to heaven. These men

who believe in the existence of the Deity, who are free from false pride,

and versed in holy writ, and who respect regenerate (twice-born) men, go

to heaven. Among holy men, virtue is differentiated in three ways--that

great virtue which is inculcated in the Vedas, the other which is

inculcated in the dharmashastras (the minor scriptures), and virtuous

conduct. And virtuous conduct is indicated by acquisition of knowledge,

pilgrimage to sacred places, truthfulness, forbearance, purity and

straight-forwardness. Virtuous men are always kind to all creatures, and

well-disposed towards regenerate men. They abstain from doing injury to

any creature, and are never rude in speech. Those good men who know well

the consequences of the fruition of their good and evil deeds, are

commended by virtuous men. Those who are just and good-natured, and

endowed with virtue, who wish well of all creatures, who are steadfast in

the path of virtue, and have conquered heaven, who are charitable,

unselfish and of unblemished character, who succour the afflicted, and

are learned and respected by all, who practise austerities, and are kind

to all creatures, are commended as such by the virtuous. Those who are

charitably disposed attain prosperity in this world, as also the regions

of bliss (hereafter). The virtuous man when solicited for assistance by

good men bestow alms on them by straining to the utmost, even to the

deprivation of the comforts of his wife and servants. Good men having an

eye to their own welfare, as also virtue and the ways of the world, act

in this way and thereby grow in virtue through endless ages. Good persons

possessing the virtues of truthfulness, abstention from doing injury to

any one, rectitude, abstention from evil towards any one, want of

haughtiness, modesty, resignation, self-restraint, absence of passion,

wisdom, patience, and kindness towards all creatures, and freedom from

malice and lust, are the witnesses of the world. These three are said to

constitute the perfect way of the virtuous, viz., a man must not do wrong

to any body, he must bestow alms, and must always be truthful. Those

high-souled good men of virtuous conduct, and settled convictions, who

are kind to all and are full of compassion, depart with contentment from

this world to the perfect way of virtue. Freedom from malice,

forbearance, peace of mind, contentment, pleasant speech, renunciation of

desire and anger, virtuous conduct and actions regulated according to the

ordinances of holy writ, constitute the perfect way of the virtuous. And

those who are constant in virtue follow these rules of virtuous conduct,

and having reached the pinnacle of knowledge, and discriminating between

the various phases of human conduct, which are either very virtuous or

the reverse, they escape from the great danger. Thus, O great Brahmana,

having introduced the subject of virtuous conduct, have I described to

thee all this, according to my own knowledge and to what I have heard on

the subject."

SECTION CCVII

"Markandeya continued, 'The pious fowler, O Yudhishthira, then said to

that Brahmana, 'Undoubtedly my deeds are very cruel, but, O Brahmana,

Destiny is all-powerful and it is difficult to evade the consequence of

our past actions. And this is the karmic evil arising out of sin

committed in a former life. But, O Brahmana, I am always assiduous in

eradicating the evil. The Deity takes away life, the executioner acts

only as a secondary agent. And we, O good Brahmana, are only such agents

in regard to our karma. Those animals that are slain by me and whose meat

I sell, also acquire karma, because (with their meat), gods and guests

and servants are regaled with dainty food and the manes are propitiated.

It is said authoritatively that herbs and vegetables, deer, birds and

wild animals constitute the food of all creatures. And, O Brahmana, king

Sivi, the son of Usinara, of great forbearance attained to heaven, which

is hard to reach, giving away his own flesh. And in days of yore, O

Brahmana, two thousand animals used to be killed every day in the kitchen

of king Rantideva; and in the same manner two thousand cows were killed

every day; and, O best of regenerate beings, king Rantideva acquired

unrivalled reputation by distributing food with meat every day. For the

performance of the fourmonthly rites animals ought to be sacrificed

daily. 'The sacred fire is fond of animal food,' this saying has come

down to us. And at sacrifices animals are invariably killed by regenerate

Brahmanas, and these animals being purged of sin, by incantation of

hymns, go to heaven. If, O Brahmana, the sacred fire had not been so fond

of animal food in ancient times, it could never have become the food of

any one. And in this matter of animal food, this rule has been laid down

by Munis:--Whoever partakes of animal food after having first offered it

duly and respectfully to the gods and the manes, is not polluted by the

act. And such a man is not at all considered to have partaken of animal

food, even, as a Brahmacharin having intercoursed with his wife during

the menstrual period, is nevertheless considered to be a good Brahmana.

After consideration of the propriety and impropriety of the matter, this

rule has been laid down. King Saudasa, O Brahmana, when under a curse,

often used to prey upon men; what is thy opinion of this matter? And, O

good Brahmana, knowing this to be the consequence of my own actions, I

obtain my livelihood from this profession. The forsaking of one's own

occupation is considered, O Brahmana, to be a sin, and the act of

sticking to one's own profession is without doubt a meritorious act. The

Karma of a former existence never forsakes any creature. And in

determining the various consequences of one's Karma, this rule was not

lost sight of by the Creator. A person having his being under the

influence of evil Karma, must always consider how he can atone for his

Karma, and extricate himself from an evil doom, and the evil Karma may be

expiated in various ways. Accordingly, O good Brahmana, I am charitable,

truthful, assiduous in attending on my superior, full of respect towards

regenerate Brahmanas, devoted to and free from pride and (idle) excessive

talk. Agriculture is considered to be a praiseworthy occupation, but it

is well-known that even there, great harm is done to animal life; and in

the operation of digging the earth with the plough, numberless creatures

lurking in the ground as also various other forms of animal life are

destroyed. Dost thou not think so? O good Brahmana, Vrihi and other seeds

of rice are all living organisms. What is thy opinion on this matter?

Men, O Brahmana, hunt wild animals and kill them and partake of their

meat; they also cut up trees and herbs; but, O Brahmana, there are

numberless living organisms in trees, in fruits, as also in water; dost

thou not think so? This whole creation, O Brahmana, is full of animal

life, sustaining itself with food derived from living organisms. Dost

thou not mark that fish preys upon fish, and that various species of

animals prey upon other species, and there are species the members of

which prey upon each other? Men, O Brahmana, while walking about hither

and thither, kill numberless creatures lurking in the ground by trampling

on them, and even men of wisdom and enlightenment destroy animal life in

various ways, even while sleeping or reposing themselves. What hast thou

to say to this?--The earth and the air all swarm with living organisms,

which are unconsciously destroyed by men from mere ignorance. Is not this

so? The commandment that people should not do harm to any creature, was

ordained of old by men, who were ignorant of the true facts of the case.

For, O Brahmana, there is not a man on the face of this earth, who is

free from the sin of doing injury to creatures. After full consideration,

the conclusion is irresistible that there is not a single man who is free

from the sin of doing injury to animal life. Even the sage, O good

Brahmana, whose vow is to do harm to no creature, doth inflict injury to

animal life. Only, on account of greater needfulness, the harm is less.

Men of noble birth and great qualities perpetrate wicked acts in defiance

of all, of which they are not at all ashamed. Good men acting in an

exemplary way are not commended by other good men; nor are bad men acting

in a contrary way praised by their wicked compeers; and friends are not

agreeable to friends, albeit endowed with high qualities; and foolish

pedantic men cry down the virtues of their preceptors. This reversal of

the natural order of things, O good Brahmana, is seen everywhere in this

world. What is thy opinion as to the virtuousness or otherwise of this

state of things? There is much that can be said of the goodness or

badness of our actions. But whoever is addicted to his own proper

occupation surely acquires great reputation.

SECTION CCVIII

Markandeya continued, "O Yudhishthira, the virtuous fowler, eminent in

pity, then skilfully addressed himself again to that foremost of

Brahmanas, saying, 'It is the dictum of the aged that the ways of

righteousness are subtle, diverse and infinite. When life is at stake and

in the matter of marriage, it is proper to tell an untruth. Untruth

sometimes leads to the triumph of truth, and the latter dwindles into

untruth. Whichever conduces most to the good of all creatures is

considered to be truth. Virtue is thus perverted; mark thou its subtle

ways. O best of virtuous men, man's actions are either good or bad, and

he undoubtedly reaps their fruits. The ignorant man having attained to an

abject state, grossly abuses the gods, not knowing that it is the

consequence of his own evil karma. The foolish, the designing and the

fickle, O good Brahmana, always attain the very reverse of happiness or

misery. Neither learning nor good morals, nor personal exertion can save

them. And if the fruits of our exertion were not dependent on anything

else, people would attain the object of their desire, by simply striving

to attain it.

It is seen that able, intelligent and diligent persons are baffled in

their efforts, and do not attain the fruits of their actions. On the

other hand, persons who are always active in injuring others and in

practising deception on the world, lead a happy life. There are some who

attain prosperity without any exertion. And there are others, who with

the utmost exertion, are unable to achieve their dues. Miserly persons

with the object of having sons born to them worship the gods, and

practise severe austerities, and those sons having remained in the womb

for ten months at length turn out to be very infamous issue of their

race; and others begotten under the same auspices, decently pass their

lives in luxury with heaps of riches and grain accumulated by their

ancestors. The diseases from which man suffer, are undoubtedly the result

of their own karma. They then behave like small deer at the hands of

hunters, and they are racked with mental troubles. And, O Brahmana, as

hunters intercept the flight of their game, the progress of those

diseases is checked by able and skilful physicians with their collections

of drugs. And, the best of the cherishers of religion, thou hast observed

that those who have it in their power to enjoy (the good things of this

earth), are prevented from doing so from the fact of their suffering from

chronic bowel-complaints, and that many others that are strong and

powerful, suffer from misery, and are enabled with great difficulty to

obtain a livelihood; and that every man is thus helpless, overcome by

misery and illusion, and again and again tossed and overpowered by the

powerful current of his own actions (karma). If there were absolute

freedom of action, no creature would die, none would be subject to decay,

or await his evil doom, and everybody would attain the object of his

desire. All persons desire to out distance their neighbours (in the race

of life), and they strive to do so to the utmost of their power; but the

result turns out otherwise. Many are the persons born under the influence

of the same star and the same auspices of good luck; but a great

diversity is observable in the maturity of their actions. No person, O

good Brahmana, can be the dispenser of his own lot. The actions done in a

previous existence are seen to fructify in our present life. It is the

immemorial tradition that the soul is eternal and everlasting, but the

corporeal frame of all creatures is subject to destruction here (below).

When therefore life is extinguished, the body only is destroyed, but the

spirit, wedded to its actions, travels elsewhere.'

"The Brahmana replied, 'O best of those versed in the doctrine of karma,

and in the delivery of discourses, I long to know accurately how the soul

becomes eternal.' The fowler replied, 'The spirit dies not, there being

simply a change of tenement. They are mistaken, who foolishly say that

all creatures die. The soul betakes itself to another frame, and its

change of habitation is called its death. In the world of men, no man

reaps the consequences of another man's karma. Whatever one does, he is

sure to reap the consequences thereof; for the consequences of the karma

that is once done, can never be obviated. The virtuous become endowed

with great virtues, and sinful men become the perpetrators of wicked

deeds. Men's actions follow them; and influenced by these, they are born

again.' The Brahmana enquired, 'Why does the spirit take its birth, and

why does its nativity become sinful or virtuous, and how, O good man,

does it come to belong to a sinful or virtuous race?' The fowler replied,

This mystery seems to belong to the subject of procreation, but I shall

briefly describe to you, O good Brahmana, how the spirit is born again

with its accumulated load of karma, the righteous in a virtuous, and the

wicked in a sinful nativity. By the performance of virtuous actions it

attains to the state of the gods, and by a combination of good and evil,

it acquires the human state; by indulgence in sensuality and similar

demoralising practices it is born in the lower species of animals, and by

sinful acts, it goes to the infernal regions. Afflicted with the miseries

of birth and dotage, man is fated to rot here below from the evil

consequences of his own actions. Passing through thousands of births as

also the infernal regions, our spirits wander about, secured by the

fetters of their own karma. Animate beings become miserable in the next

world on account of these actions done by themselves and from the

reaction of those miseries, they assume lower births and then they

accumulate a new series of actions, and they consequently suffer misery

over again, like sickly men partaking of unwholesome food; and although

they are thus afflicted, they consider themselves to be happy and at ease

and consequently their fetters are not loosened and new karma arises; and

suffering from diverse miseries they turn about in this world like a

wheel. If casting off their fetters they purify themselves by their

actions and practise austerities and religious meditations, then, O best

of Brahmanas, they attain the Elysian regions by these numerous acts and

by casting off their fetters and by the purification of karma, men attain

those blissful regions where misery is unknown to those who go there. The

sinful man who is addicted to vices, never comes to the end of his course

of iniquities. Therefore must we strive to do what is virtuous and

forbear from doing what is unrighteous. Whoever with a heart full of

gratefulness and free from malice strives to do what is good, attains

wealth, virtue, happiness and heaven (hereafter). Those who are purified

of sins, wise, forbearing, constant in righteousness, and self-restrained

enjoy continuous felicity in this as well as in the next world. Man must

follow the standard of virtue of the good and in his acts imitate the

example of the righteous. There are virtuous men, versed in holy writ and

learned in all departments of knowledge. Man's proper duty consists in

following his own proper avocation, and this being the case these latter

do not become confused and mixed up. The wise man delights in virtue and

lives by righteousness. And, O good Brahmana, such a man with the wealth

of righteousness which he hereby acquires, waters the root of the plant

in which he finds most virtue. The virtuous man acts thus and his mind is

calmed. He is pleased with his friends in this world and he also attains

happiness hereafter. Virtuous people, O good man, acquire dominion over

all and the pleasure of beauty, flavour, sound and touch according to

their desire. These are known to be the rewards of virtue. But the man of

enlightened vision, O great Brahmana, is not satisfied with reaping the

fruits of righteousness. Not content with that, he with the light of

spiritual wisdom that is in him, becomes indifferent to pain and pleasure

and the vice of the world influenceth him not. Of his own free will he

becometh indifferent to worldly pursuits but he forsaketh not virtue.

Observing that everything worldly is evanescent, he trieth to renounce

everything and counting on more chance he deviseth means for the

attainment of salvation. Thus doth he renounce the pursuits of the world,

shuneth the ways of sin, becometh virtuous and at last attaineth

salvation. Spiritual wisdom is the prime requisite of men for salvation,

resignation and forbearance are its roots. By this means he attaineth all

the objects of this desire. But subduing the senses and by means of

truthfulness and forbearance, he attaineth, O good Brahmana, the supreme

asylum of Brahma.' The Brahmana again enquired, 'O thou most eminent in

virtue and constant in the performance of the religious obligations, you

talk of senses; what are they; how may they be subdued; and what is the

good of subduing them; and how doth a creature reap the fruits thereof? O

pious man, I beg to acquaint myself with the truth of this matter."

SECTION CCIX

"Markandeya continued, 'Hear, O king Yudhishthira what the virtuous

fowler, thus interrogated by that Brahmana, said to him in reply. The

fowler said, 'Men's minds are at first bent on the acquisition of

knowledge. That acquired, O good Brahmana, they indulge in their passions

and desires, and for that end, they labour and set about tasks of great

magnitude and indulge in much-desired pleasures of beauty, flavour, &c.

Then follows fondness, then envy, then avarice and then extinction of all

spiritual light. And when men are thus influenced by avarice, and

overcome by envy and fondness, their intellect ceases to be guided by

righteousness and they practise the very mockery of virtue. Practising

virtue with hypocrisy, they are content to acquire wealth by

dishonourable means with the wealth thus acquired the intelligent

principle in them becomes enamoured of those evil ways, and they are

filled with a desire to commit sins. And when, O good Brahmana, their

friends and men of wisdom remonstrate with them, they are ready with

specious answers, which are neither sound nor convincing. From their

being addicted to evil ways, they are guilty of a threefold sin. They

commit sin in thought, in word, as also in action. They being addicted to

wicked ways, all their good qualities die out, and these men of wicked

deeds cultivate the friendship of men of similar character, and

consequently they suffer misery in this world as well as in the next. The

sinful man is of this nature, and now hear of the man of virtue. He

discerns these evils by means of his spiritual insight, and is able to

discriminate between happiness and misery, and is full of respectful

attention to men of virtue, and from practising virtues, his mind becomes

inclined to righteousness.' The Brahmana replied, 'Thou hast given a true

exposition of religion which none else is able to expound. Thy spiritual

power is great, and thou dost appear to me to be like a great Rishi.' The

fowler replied, 'The great Brahmanas are worshipped with the same honours

as our ancestors and they are always propitiated with offerings of food

before others. Wise men in this world do what is pleasing to them, with

all their heart. And I shall, O good Brahmana, describe to thee what is

pleasing to them, after having bowed down to Brahmanas as a class. Do

thou learn from me the Brahmanic philosophy. This whole universe

unconquerable everywhere and abounding in great elements, is Brahma, and

there is nothing higher than this. The earth, air, water, fire and sky

are the great elements. And form, odour, sound, touch and taste are their

characteristic properties. These latter too have their properties which

are also correlated to each other. And of the three qualities, which are

gradually characterised by each, in order of priority is consciousness

which is called the mind. The seventh is intelligence and after that

comes egoism; and then the five senses, then the soul, then the moral

qualities called sattwa, rajas and tamas. These seventeen are said to be

the unknown or incomprehensible qualities. I have described all this to

thee, what else dost thou wish to know?'"

SECTION CCX

"Markandeya continued, 'O Bharata, the Brahmana, thus interrogated by the

virtuous fowler, resumed again this discourse so pleasing to the mind.

The Brahmana said, 'O best of the cherishers of religion, it is said that

there are five great elements; do thou describe to me in full the

properties of any one of the five.' The fowler replied, 'The earth,

water, fire, air and sky all have properties interlapping each other. I

shall describe them to thee. The earth, O Brahmana, has five qualities,

water four, fire three and the air and sky together three also. Sound,

touch, form, odour and taste--these five qualities belong to earth, and

sound, touch, form and taste, O austere Brahmana, have been described to

thee as the properties of water, and sound, touch and form are the three

properties of fire and air has two properties sound and touch, and sound

is the property of sky. And, O Brahmana, these fifteen properties

inherent in five elements, exist in all substances of which this universe

is composed. And they are not opposed to one another; they exist, O

Brahmana, in proper combination. When this whole universe is thrown into

a state of confusion, then every corporeal being in the fulness of time,

assumes another corpus. It arises and perishes in due order. And there

are present the five elementary substances of which all the mobile and

immobile world is composed. Whatever is perceptible by the senses, is

called vyakta (knowable or comprehensible) and whatever is beyond the

reach of the senses and can only be perceived by guesses, is known to be

avyakta (not vyakta). When a per on engages in the discipline of

self-examination, after having subdued the senses which have of their own

proper objective play in the external conditions of sound, form, &c, then

he beholds his own spirit pervading the universe, and the universe

reflected in itself. He who is wedded to his previous karma, although

skilled in the highest spiritual wisdom, is cognisant only of his soul's

objective existence, but the person whose soul is never affected by the

objective conditions around, is never subject to ills, owing to its

absorption in the elementary spirit of Brahma. When a person has overcome

the domination of illusion, his manly virtues consisting of the essence

of spiritual wisdom, turn to the spiritual enlightenment which illumines

the intelligence of sentient beings. Such a person is styled by the

omnipotent, intelligent Spirit as one who is without beginning and

without end, self-existent, immutable, incorporeal and incomparable.

This, O Brahmana, that thou hast enquired of me is only the result of

self discipline. And this self-discipline can only be acquired by

subduing the senses. It cannot be otherwise, heaven and hell are both

dependent on our senses. When subdued, they lead to heaven; when indulged

in, they lead to perdition. This subjugation of the senses is the highest

means of attaining spiritual light. Our senses are at the (cause) root of

our spiritual advancement as also at the root of our spiritual

degradation. By indulging in them, a person undoubtedly contracts vices,

and by subduing these, he attains salvation. The self-restrained person

who acquires mastery over the six senses inherent in our nature, is never

tainted with sin, and consequently evil has no power over him. Man's

corporeal self has been compared to a chariot, his soul to a charioteer

and his senses to horses. A dexterous man drives about without confusion,

like a quiet charioteer with well-broken horses. That man is an excellent

driver who knows how to patiently wield the reins of those wild

horses,--the six senses inherent in our nature. When our senses become

ungovernable like horses on the high road, we must patiently rein them

in; for with patience, we are sure to get the better of them. When a

man's mind is overpowered by any one of these senses running wild, he

loses his reason, and becomes like a ship tossed by storms upon the high

ocean. Men are deceived by illusion in hoping to reap the fruits of those

six things, whose effects are studied by persons of spiritual insight,

who thereby reap the fruits of their clear perception."

SECTION CCXI

Markandeya continued, "O Bharata, the fowler having expounded these

abstruse points, the Brahmana with great attention again enquired of him

about these subtle topics. The Brahmana said, 'Do thou truly describe to

me, who now duly ask thee, the respective virtues of the qualities of

sattwa, rajas, and tamas.' The fowler replied, 'Very well, I shall tell

thee what thou hast asked. I shall describe separately their respective

virtues, do thou listen. Of them tamas is characterised by illusion

(spiritual), rajas incites (men to action), sattwa is of great grandeur,

and on that account, it is said to be the greatest of them. He who is

greatly under the influence of spiritual ignorance, who is foolish,

senseless and given to dreaming, who is idle, unenergetic and swayed by

anger and haughtiness, is said to be under the influence of tamas. And, O

Brahmana rishi, that excellent man who is agreeable in speech,

thoughtful, free from envy, industrious in action from an eager desire to

reap its fruits, and of warm temperament, is said to be under the

influence of rajas. And he who is resolute, patient, not subject to

anger, free from malice, and is not skilful in action from want of a

selfish desire to reap its fruits, wise and forbearing, is said to be

under the influence of sattwa. When a man endowed with the sattwa

quality, is influenced by worldliness, he suffers misery; but he hates

worldliness, when he realises its full significance. And then a feeling

of indifference to worldly affairs begins to influence him. And then his

pride decreases, and uprightness becomes more prominent, and his

conflicting moral sentiments are reconciled. And then self-restraint in

any matter becomes unnecessary. A man, O Brahmana, may be born in the

Sudra caste, but if he is possessed of good qualities, he may attain the

state of Vaisya and similarly that of a Kshatriya, and if he is steadfast

in rectitude, he may even become a Brahmana. I have described to thee

these virtues, what else dost thou wish to learn?'"

SECTION CCXII

"The Brahmana enquired, 'How is it that fire (vital force) in combination

with the earthly element (matter), becomes the corporeal tenement (of

living creatures), and how doth the vital air (the breath of life)

according to the nature of its seat (the muscles and nerves) excite to

action (the corporeal frame)?' Markandeya said, 'This question, O

Yudhishthira, having been put to the Brahmana by the fowler, the latter,

in reply, said to that high-minded Brahmana. (The fowler said):--The

vital spirit manifesting itself in the seat of consciousness, causes the

action of the corporeal frame. And the soul being present in both of them

acts (through them). The past, the present and the future are inseparably

associated with the soul. And it is the highest of a creature's

possessions; it is of the essence of the Supreme Spirit and we adore it.

It is the animating principle of all creatures, and it is the eternal

purusha (spirit). It is great and it is the intelligence and the ego, and

it is the subjective seat of the various properties of elements. Thus

while seated here (in a corporeal frame) it is sustained in all its

relations external or internal (to matter or mind) by the subtle ethereal

air called prana, and thereafter, each creature goes its own way by the

action of another subtle air called Samana. And this latter transforming

itself into Apana air, and supported by the head of the stomach carries

the refuse matter of the body, urine &c, to the kidneys and intestines.

That same air is present in the three elements of effort, exertion and

power, and in that condition it is called Udana air by persons learned in

physical science, and when manifesting itself by its presence at all the

junctional points of the human system, it is known by the name Vyana. And

the internal heat is diffused over all the tissues of our system, and

supported by these kinds of air, it transforms our food and the tissues

and the humours of our system. And by the coalition of Prana and other

airs, a reaction (combination) ensues, and the heat generated thereby is

known as the internal heat of the human system which causes the digestion

of our food. The Prana and the Apana air are interposed within the Samana

and the Udana air. And the heat generated by their coalition causes the

growth of the body (consisting of the seven substances, bones, muscles,

&c). And that portion of its seat extending to as far as the rectum is

called Apana; and from that arteries arise in the five airs Prana, &c.

The Prana air, acted on by the heat strikes against the extremity of the

Apana region and then recoiling, it reacts on the heat. Above the navel

is the region of undigested food and below it the region of digestion.

And the Prana and all other airs of the system are seated in the navel.

The arteries issuing from the heart run upwards and downwards, as also in

oblique directions; they carry the best essence of our food, and are

acted upon by the ten Prana airs. This is the way by which patient Yogins

who have overcome all difficulties, and who view things with an impartial

and equal eye, with their souls seated in the brain, find the Supreme

Spirit, the Prana and the Apana airs are thus present in the body of all

creatures. Know that the spirit is embodied in corporeal disguise, in the

eleven allotropous conditions (of the animal system), and that though

eternal, its normal state is apparently modified by its

accompaniments,--even like the fire purified in its pan,--eternal, yet

with its course altered by its surroundings; and that the divine thing

which is kindred with the body is related to the latter in the same way

as a drop of water to the sleek surface of a lotus-leaf on which it

rolls. Know that sattwa, rajas and tamas, are the attributes of all life

and that life is the attribute of spirit, and that the latter again is an

attribute of the Supreme Spirit. Inert, insensible matter is the seat of

the living principle, which is active in itself and induces activity in

others. That thing by which the seven worlds are incited to action is

called the most high by men of high spiritual insight. Thus in all these

elements, the eternal spirit does not show itself, but is perceived by

the learned in spiritual science by reason of their high and keen

perception. A pure-minded person, by purification of his heart, is able

to destroy the good and evil effect of his actions and attains eternal

beatitude by the enlightenment of his inward spirit. That state of peace

and purification of heart is likened to the state of a person who in a

cheerful state of mind sleeps soundly, or the brilliance of a lamp

trimmed by a skillful hand. Such a pure-minded person living on spare

diet perceives the Supreme Spirit reflected in his own, and by practising

concentration of mind in the evening and small hours of the night, he

beholds the Supreme Spirit which has no attributes, in the light of his

heart, shining like a dazzling lamp, and thus he attains salvation.

Avarice and anger must be subdued by all means, for this act constitutes

the most sacred virtue that people can practise and is considered to be

the means by which men can cross over to the other side of this sea of

affliction and trouble. A man must preserve his righteousness from being

overcome by the evil consequences of anger, his virtues from the effects

of pride, his learning from the effects of vanity, and his own spirit

from illusion. Leniency is the best of virtues, and forbearance is the

best of powers, the knowledge of our spiritual nature is the best of all

knowledge, and truthfulness is the best of all religious obligations. The

telling of truth is good, and the knowledge of truth may also be good,

but what conduces to the greatest good of all creatures, is known as the

highest truth. He whose actions are performed not with the object of

securing any reward or blessing, who has sacrificed all to the

requirements of his renunciation, is a real Sannyasin and is really wise.

And as communion with Brahma cannot be taught to us, even by our

spiritual preceptor,--he only giving us a clue to the

mystery--renunciation of the material world is called Yoga. We must not

do harm to any creature and must live in terms of amity with all, and in

this our present existence, we must not avenge ourselves on any creature.

Self-abnegation, peace of mind, renunciation of hope, and

equanimity,--these are the ways by which spiritual enlightenment can

always be secured; and the knowledge of self (one's own spiritual nature)

is the best of all knowledge. In this world as well as hereafter,

renouncing all worldly desires and assuming a stoic indifference, wherein

all suffering is at rest, people should fulfil their religious duties

with the aid of their intelligence. The muni who desires to obtain moksha

(salvation), which is very difficult to attain, must be constant in

austerities, forbearing, self-restrained, and must give up that longing

fondness which binds him to the things of this earth. They call these the

attributes of the Supreme Spirit. The gunas (qualities or attributes)

that we are conscious of, reduce themselves to agunas (non-gunas) in Him;

He is not bound by anything, and is perceptible only by the expansion and

development of our spiritual vision; as soon as the illusion of ignorance

is dispelled, this supreme unalloyed beatitude is attained. By foregoing

the objects of both pleasure and pain and by renouncing the feelings

which bind him to the things of this earth, a man may attain Brahma

(Supreme Spirit or salvation). O good Brahmana, I have now briefly

explained to thee all this, as I have heard. What else dost thou wish to

know?"

SECTION CCXIII

"Markandeya said, 'When, O Yudhishthira, all this mystery of salvation

was explained to that Brahmana, he was highly pleased and he said

addressing the fowler, 'All this that thou hast explained, is rational,

and it seems to me that there is nothing in connection with the mysteries

of religion which thou dost not know.' The fowler replied, 'O good and

great Brahmana, thou shalt perceive with thine own eyes, all the virtue

that I lay claim to, and by reason of which I have attained this blissful

state. Rise, worshipful sir, and quickly enter this inner apartment. O

virtuous man, it is proper that thou shouldst see my father and my

mother.' Markandeya continued, 'Thus addressed the Brahmana went in, and

beheld a fine beautiful mansion. It was a magnificent house divided in

four suites of rooms, admired by gods and looking like one of their

palaces; it was also furnished with seats and beds, and redolent of

excellent perfumes. His revered parents clad in white robes, having

finished their meals, were seated at ease. The fowler, beholding them,

prostrated himself before them with his head at their feet. His aged

parents then addressed him thus, 'Rise, O man of piety, rise, may

righteousness shield thee; we are much pleased with thee for thy piety;

mayst thou be blessed with a long life, and with knowledge, high

intelligence, and fulfilment of thy desires. Thou art a good and dutiful

son, for, we are constantly and reasonably looked after by thee, and even

amongst the celestials thou hast not another divinity to worship. By

constantly subduing thyself, thou hast become endowed with the

self-restraining power of Brahmanas and all thy grandsires and ancestors

are constantly pleased with thee for thy self-restraining virtues and for

thy piety towards us. In thought, word or deed thy attention to us never

flags, and it seems that at present thou hast no other thought in thy

mind (save as to how to please us). As Rama, the son of Jamadagni,

laboured to please his aged parents, so hast thou, O Son, done to please

us, and even more. Then the fowler introduced the Brahmana to his parents

and they received him with the usual salutation of welcome, and the

Brahmana accepting their welcome, enquired if they, with their children

and servants, were all right at home, and if they were always enjoying

good health at that time (of life). The aged couple replied, 'At home, O

Brahmana, we are all right, with all our servants. Hast thou, adorable

sir, reached this place without any difficulty?' Markandeya continued,

"The Brahmana replied, 'Yes, I have.' Then the fowler addressing himself

to the Brahmana said to him, 'These my parents, worshipful sir, are the

idols that I worship; whatever is due to the gods, I do unto them. As the

thirty-three gods with Indra at their head are worshipped by men, so are

these aged parents of mine worshipped by me. As Brahmanas exert

themselves for the purpose of procuring offering for their gods, so do I

act with diligence for these two (idols of mine). These my father and

mother, O Brahmana, are my supreme gods, and I seek to please them always

with offering of flowers, fruits and gems. To me they are like the three

sacred fires mentioned by the learned; and, O Brahmana, they seem to me

to be as good as sacrifices or the four Vedas. My five life-giving airs,

my wife and children and friends are all for them (dedicated to their

service). And with my wife and children I always attend on them. O good

Brahmana, with my own hands I assist them in bathing and also wash their

feet and give them food and I say to them only what is agreeable, leaving

out what is unpleasant. I consider it to be my highest duty to do what is

agreeable to them even though it be not strictly justifiable. And, O

Brahmana, I am always diligent in attending on them. The two parents, the

sacred fire, the soul and the spiritual preceptor, these five, O good

Brahmana, are worthy of the highest reverence from a person who seeks

prosperity. By serving them properly, one acquires the merit of

perpetually keeping up the sacred fire. And it is the eternal and

invariable duty of all householders."

SECTION CCXIV

"Markandeya continued, 'The virtuous fowler, having introduced his (both)

parents to that Brahmana as his highest gurus, again spoke to him as

follows, 'Mark thou the power of this virtue of mine, by which my inner

spiritual vision is extended. For this, thou wast told by that

self-restrained, truthful lady, devoted to her husband, 'Hie thee to

Mithila; for there lives a fowler who will explain to thee, the mysteries

of religion.' The Brahmana said, 'O pious man, so constant in fulfilling

thy religious obligations, bethinking myself of what that truthful

good-natured lady so true to her husband, hath said, I am convinced that

thou art really endowed with every high quality.' The fowler replied, 'I

have no doubt, my lord, that what that lady, so faithful to her husband,

said to thee about me, was said with full knowledge of the facts. I have,

O Brahmana, explained to thee all this as a matter of favour. And now,

good sir, listen to me. I shall explain what is good for thee. O good

Brahmana, of irreproachable character, thou hast wronged thy father and

thy mother, for thou hast left home without their permission, for the

purpose of learning the Vedas. Thou hast not acted properly in this

matter, for thy ascetic and aged parents have become entirely blind from

grief at thy loss. Do thou return home to console them. May this virtue

never forsake thee Thou art high-minded, of ascetic merit, and always

devoted to thy religion but all these have become useless to thee. Do

thou without delay return to console thy parents. Do have some regard for

my words and not act otherwise; I tell thee what is good for thee, O

Brahmana Rishi, Do thou return home this very day.' The Brahmana replied,

'This that thou hast said, is undoubtedly true; mayst thou, O pious man,

attain prosperity; I am much pleased with thee.' The fowler said, 'O

Brahmana, as thou practisest with assiduousness those divine, ancient,

and eternal virtues which are so difficult of attainment even by

pure-minded persons, thou appearest (to me) like a divine being. Return

to the side of thy father and mother and be quick and diligent in

honouring thy parents; for, I do not know if there is any virtue higher

than this.' The Brahmana replied, 'By a piece of singular good luck have

I arrived here, and by a piece of similar good luck have I thus been

associated with thee. It is very difficult to find out, in our midst, a

person who can so well expound the mysteries of religion; there is

scarcely one man among thousands, who is well versed in the science of

religion. I am very glad, O great man, to have secured thy friendship;

mayst thou be prosperous. I was on the point of falling into hell, but

was extricated by thee. It was destined to be so, for thou didst

(unexpectedly) come in my way. And, O great man, as the fallen King

Yayati was saved by his virtuous grandsons (daughter's sons), so, have I

know been saved by thee. According to thy advice, I shall honour my

father and my mother; for a man with an impure heart can never expound

the mysteries of sin and righteousness. As it is very difficult for a

person born in the Sudra class to learn the mysteries of the eternal

religion, I do not consider thee to be a Sudra. There must surely be some

mystery in connection with this matter. Thou must have attained the

Sudra's estate by reason of the fruition of thine own past karma. O

magnanimous man, I long to know the truth about this matter. Do thou tell

it to me with attention and according to thy own inclination.'

"The fowler replied, 'O good Brahmana, Brahmanas are worthy of all

respect from me. Listen, O sinless one, to this story of a previous

existence of mine. O son of an excellent Brahmana, I was formerly a

Brahmana, well-read in the Vedas, and an accomplished student of the

Vedangas. Through my own fault I have been degraded to my present state.

A certain king, accomplished in the science of dhanurveda (science of

archery), was my friend; and from his companionship, O Brahmana, I, too

became skilled in archery; and one day the king, in company with his

ministers and followed by his best warriors, went out on a hunting

expedition. He killed a large number of deer near a hermitage. I, too, O

good Brahmana, discharged a terrible arrow. And a rishi was wounded by

that arrow with its head bent out. He fell down upon the ground, and

screaming loudly said, 'I have harmed no one, what sinful man has done

this?' And, my lord, taking him for a deer, I went up to him and found

that he was pierced through the body by my arrow. On account of my wicked

deed I was sorely grieved (in mind). And then I said to that rishi of

severe ascetic merit, who was loudly crying, lying upon the ground, 'I

have done this unwittingly, O rishi.' And also this I said to the muni:

'Do thou think it proper to pardon all this transgression.' But, O

Brahmana, the rishi, lashing himself into a fury, said to me, 'Thou shalt

be born as a cruel fowler in the Sudra class."

SECTION CCXV

"The fowler continued, 'Thus cursed by that rishi, I sought to propitiate

him with these words: 'Pardon me, O muni, I have done this wicked deed

unwittingly. It behooves thee to pardon all that. Do thou, worshipful

sir, soothe yourself.' The rishi replied, 'The curse that I have

pronounced can never be falsified, this is certain. But from kindness

towards thee, I shall do thee a favour. Though born in the Sudra class

thou shalt remain a pious man and thou shalt undoubtedly honour thy

parents; and by honouring them thou shalt attain great spiritual

perfection; thou shalt also remember the events of thy past life and

shalt go to heaven; and on the expiation of this curse, thou shalt again

become a Brahmana. O best of men, thus, of old was I cursed by that rishi

of severe power, and thus was he propitiated by me. Then, O good

Brahmana, I extricated the arrow from his body, and took him into the

hermitage, but he was not deprived of his life (recovered). O good

Brahmana, I have thus described to thee what happened to me of old, and

also how I can go to heaven hereafter.' The Brahmana said, 'O thou of

great intelligence, all men are thus subject to happiness or misery, thou

shouldst not therefore grieve for that. In obedience to the customs of

thy (present) race, thou hast pursued these wicked ways, but thou art

always devoted to virtue and versed in the ways and mysteries of the

world. And, O learned man, these being the duties of thy profession, the

stain of evil karma will not attach to thee. And after dwelling here for

some little time, thou shalt again become a Brahmana; and even now, I

consider thee to be a Brahmana, there is no doubt about this. For the

Brahmana who is vain and haughty, who is addicted to vices and wedded to

evil and degrading practices, is like a Sudra. On the other hand, I

consider a Sudra who is always adorned with these

virtues,--righteousness, self-restraint, and truthfulness,--as a

Brahmana. A man becomes a Brahmana by his character; by his own evil

karma a man attains an evil and terrible doom. O good man. I believe that

sin in thee has now died out. Thou must not grieve for this, for men,

like thee who art so virtuous and learned in the ways and mysteries of

the world, can have no cause for grief.'

"The fowler replied, 'The bodily afflictions should be cured with

medicines, and the mental ones with spiritual wisdom. This is the power

of knowledge. Knowing this, the wise should not behave like boys. Man of

low intelligence are overpowered with grief at the occurrence of

something which is not agreeable to them, or non-occurrence of something

which is good or much desired. Indeed, all creatures are subject to this

characteristic (of grief or happiness). It is not merely a single

creature or class that is subject to misery. Cognisant of this evil,

people quickly mend their ways, and if they perceive it at the very

outset they succeed in curing it altogether. Whoever grieves for it, only

makes himself uneasy. Those wise men whose knowledge has made them happy

and contented, and who are indifferent to happiness and misery alike, are

really happy. The wise are always contented and the foolish always

discontented. There is no end to discontentment, and contentment is the

highest happiness. People who have reached the perfect way, do not

grieve, they are always conscious of the final destiny of all creatures.

One must not give way to discontent[57] for it is like a virulent poison.

It kills persons of undeveloped intelligence, just as child is killed by

an enraged snake. That man has no manliness whose energies have left him

and who is overpowered with perplexity when an occasion for the exercise

of vigour presents itself. Our actions are surely followed by their

consequences. Whoever merely gives himself up to passive indifference (to

worldly affairs) accomplishes no good. Instead of murmuring one must try

to find out the way by which he can secure exemption from (spiritual)

misery; and the means of salvation found, he must then free himself from

sensuality. The man who has attained a high state of spiritual knowledge

is always conscious of the great deficiency (instability) of all matter.

Such a person keeping in view the final doom (of all), never grieves, I

too, O learned man, do not grieve; I stay here (in this life) biding my

time. For this reason, O best of men, I am not perplexed (with doubts)'.

The Brahmana said, 'Thou art wise and high in spiritual knowledge and

vast is thy intelligence. Thou who art versed in holy writ, art content

with thy spiritual wisdom. I have no cause to find fault with thee.

Adieu, O best of pious men, mayst thou be prosperous, and may

righteousness shield thee, and mayst thou be assiduous in the practice of

virtue.'

"Markandeya continued, The fowler said to him, 'Be it so'. And the good

Brahmana walked round him[58] and then departed. And the Brahmana

returning home was duly assiduous in his attention to his old parents. I

have thus, O pious Yudhishthira, narrated in detail to thee this history

full of moral instruction, which thou, my good son, didst ask me to

recite,--the virtue of women's devotion to their husbands and that of

filial piety.' Yudhishthira replied, 'O most pious Brahmana and best of

munis, thou hast related to me this good and wonderful moral story; and

listening to thee, O learned man, my time has glided away like a moment;

but, O adorable sir, I am not as yet satiated with hearing this moral[59]

discourse.'"

SECTION CCXVI

Vaisampayana continued, "The virtuous king Yudhishthira, having listened

to this excellent religious discourse, again addressed himself to the

rishi Markandeya saying, 'Why did the fire-god hide himself in water in

olden times, and why is it that Angiras of great splendour officiating as

fire-god, used to convey[60] oblations during his dissolution. There is

but one fire, but according to the nature of its action, it is seen to

divide itself into many. O worshipful sir, I long to be enlightened on

all these points,--How the Kumara[61] was born, how he came to be known

as the son of Agni (the fire-god) and how he was begotten by Rudra or

Ganga and Krittika. O noble scion of Bhrigu's race, I desire to learn all

this accurately as it happened. O great muni, I am filled with great

curiosity.' Markandeya replied, 'In this connection this old story is

cited by the learned, as to how the carrier of oblations (the fire-god)

in a fit of rage, sought the waters of the sea in order to perform a

penance, and how the adorable Angiras transforming himself into the

fire-god,[62] destroyed darkness and distressed the world with his

scorching rays. In olden times, O long-armed hero, the great Angiras

performed a wonderful penance in his hermitage; he even excelled the

fire-god, the carrier of oblations, in splendour and in that state he

illumined the whole universe. At that time the fire-god was also

performing a penance and was greatly distressed by his (Angirasa's)

effulgence. He was greatly depressed, but did not know what to do. Then

that adorable god thought within himself, 'Brahma has created another

fire-god for this universe. As I have been practising austerities, my

services as the presiding deity of fire have been dispensed with; and

then he considered how he could re-establish himself as the god of fire.

He beheld the great muni giving heat to the whole universe like fire, and

approached him slowly with fear. But Angiras said to him, 'Do thou

quickly re-establish yourself as the fire animating the universe, thou

art well-known in the three stable worlds and thou wast first created by

Brahma to dispel darkness. Do thou, O destroyer of darkness, quickly

occupy thine own proper place.' Agni replied, 'My reputation has been

injured now in this world. And thou art become the fire-god, and people

will know thee, and not me, as fire. I have relinquished my god-hood of

fire, do thou become the primeval fire and I shall officiate as the

second or Prajapatyaka fire.' Angiras replied, 'Do thou become the

fire-god and the destroyer of darkness and do thou attend to thy sacred

duty of clearing people's way to heaven, and do thou, O lord, make me

speedily thy first child.' Markandeya continued, 'Hearing these words of

Angiras, the fire-god did as desired, and, O king, Angiras had a son

named Vrihaspati. Knowing him to be the first son of Angiras by Agni, the

gods, O Bharata, came and enquired about the mystery. And thus asked by

the gods he then enlightened them, and the gods then accepted the

explanation of Angiras. In this connection, I shall describe to thee

religious sorts of fire of great effulgence which are here variously

known in the Brahmanas[63] by their respective uses."

SECTION CCXVII

Markandeya continued, 'O ornament of Kuru's race, he (Angiras) who was

the third son of Brahma had a wife of the name of Subha. Do thou hear of

the children he had by her. His son Vrihaspati, O king, was very famous,

large-hearted and of great bodily vigour. His genius and learning were

profound, and he had a great reputation as a counsellor. Bhanumati was

his first-born daughter. She was the most beautiful of all his children.

Angiras's second daughter was called Raga.[64] She was so named because

she was the object of all creature's love. Siniwali was the third

daughter of Angiras. Her body was of such slender make that she was

visible at one time and invisible at another; and for this reason she was

likened to Rudra's daughter. Archismati was his fourth daughter, she was

so named from her great refulgence. And his fifth daughter was called

Havishmati, so named from her accepting havis or oblations. The sixth

daughter of Angiras was called Mahismati the pious. O keen-witted being,

the seventh daughter of Angiras is known by the name of Mahamati, who is

always present at sacrifices of great splendour, and that worshipful

daughter of Angiras, whom they call unrivalled and without portion, and

about whom people utter the words kuhu kuhu wonder, is known by the name

of Kuhu.'

SECTION CCXVIII

"Markandeya continued, 'Vrishaspati had a wife (called Tara) belonging to

the lunar world. By her, he had six sons partaking of the energy of fire,

and one daughter. The fire in whose honour oblations of clarified butter

are offered at the Paurnamasya and other sacrifices, was a son of

Vrishaspati called Sanju; he was of great ascetic merit. At the

Chaturmasya (four-monthly) and Aswamedha (horse) sacrifices, animals are

offered first in his honour, and this powerful fire is indicated by

numerous flames. Sanju's wife was called Satya, she was of matchless

beauty and she sprang from Dharma (righteousness) for the sake of truth.

The blazing fire was his son, and he had three daughters of great

religious merit. The fire which is honoured with the first oblations at

sacrifices is his first son called Bharadwaja. The second son of Sanju is

called Bharata in whose honour oblations of clarified butter are offered

with the sacrificial ladle (called Sruk) at all the full moon

(Paurnamasaya) sacrifices. Beside these, three sons of whom Bharata is

the senior, he had a son named Bharata and a daughter called Bharati. The

Bharata fire is the son of Prajapati Bharata Agni (fire). And, O ornament

of Bharata's race, because he is greatly honoured, he is also called the

great. Vira is Bharadwaja's wife; she gave birth to Vira. It is said by

the Brahmanas that he is worshipped like Soma (with the same hymns) with

offerings of clarified butter. He is joined with Soma in the secondary

oblation of clarified butter and is also called Rathaprabhu, Rathadhwana

and Kumbhareta. He begot a son named Siddhi by his wife Sarayu, and

enveloped the sun with his splendour and from being the presiding genius

of the fire sacrifice he is ever mentioned in the hymns in praise of

fire. And the fire Nischyavana praises the earth only; he never suffers

in reputation, splendour and prosperity. The sinless fire Satya blazing

with pure flame is his son. He is free from all taint and is not defiled

by sin, and is the regulator of time. That fire has another name

Nishkriti, because he accomplished the Nishkriti (relief) of all blatant

creatures here. When properly worshipped he vouchsafes good fortune. His

son is called Swana, who is the generator of all diseases; he inflicts

severe sufferings on people for which they cry aloud, and moves in the

intelligence of the whole universe. And the other fire (Vrihaspati's

third son) is called Viswajit by men of spiritual wisdom. The fire, which

is known as the internal heat by which the food of all creatures is

digested, is the fourth son of Vrihaspati known through all the worlds, O

Bharata, by the name of Viswabhuk. He is self-restrained, of great

religious merit, and is a Brahmacharin and he is worshipped by Brahmanas

at the Paka-sacrifices. The sacred river Gomati was his wife and by her

all religious-minded men perform their rites. And that terrible

water-drinking sea fire called Vadava is the fifth son of Vrihaspati.

This Brahmic fire has a tendency to move upwards and hence it is called

Urdhvabhag, and is seated in the vital air called Prana. The sixth son is

called the great Swishtakrit; for by him oblations became swishta (su,

excellently, and ishta, offered) and the udagdhara oblation is always

made in his honour. And when all creatures are claimed, the fire called

Manyauti becomes filled with fury. This inexorably terrible and highly

irascible fire is the daughter of Vrihaspati, and is known as Swaha and

is present in all matter. (By the respective influence of the three

qualities of sattwa, rajas and tamas, Swaha had three sons). By reason of

the first she had a son who was equalled by none in heaven in personal

beauty, and from this fact he was surnamed by the gods as the

Kama-fire.[65] (By reason of the second) she had a son called the Amogha

or invincible fire, the destroyer of his enemies in battle. Assured of

success he curbs his anger and is armed with a bow and seated on a

chariot and adorned with wreaths of flowers. (From the action of the

third quality) she had a son, the great Uktha (the means of salvation)

praised by (akin to) three Ukthas.[66] He is the originator of the great

word[67] and is therefore known as the Samaswasa or the means of rest

(salvation).'"

SECTION CCXIX

"Markandeya continued, 'He (Uktha) performed a severe penance lasting for

many years, with the view of having a pious son equal unto Brahma in

reputation. And when the invocation was made with the vyahriti hymns and

with the aid of the five sacred fires, Kasyapa, Vasistha, Prana, the son

of Prana, Chyavana, the son of Angiras, and Suvarchaka--there arose a

very bright energy (force) full of the animating (creative) principle,

and of five different colours. Its head was of the colour of the blazing

fire, its arms were bright like the sun and its skin and eyes were

golden-coloured and its feet, O Bharata, were black. Its five colours

were given to it by those five men by reason of their great penance. This

celestial being is therefore described as appertaining to five men, and

he is the progenitor of five tribes. After having performed a penance for

ten thousand years, that being of great ascetic merit produced the

terrible fire appertaining to the Pitris (manes) in order to begin the

work of creation, and from his head and mouth respectively he created

Vrihat and Rathantara (day and night) who quickly steal away (life, &c.).

He also created Siva from his navel, Indra from his might and wind and

fire from his soul, and from his two arms sprang the hymns Udatta and

Anudatta. He also produced the mind, and the five senses, and other

creatures. Having created these, he produced the five sons of the Pitris.

Of these Pranidhi was the son of Vrihadratha. Vrihadratha was the son of

Kasyapa. Bhanu was the godson of Chyavana, Saurabha, the son of

Suvarchaka, and Anudatta, the son of Prana. These twenty-five beings are

reputed (to have been created by him). Tapa also created fifteen other

gods who obstruct sacrifices[68]. They are Subhima, Bhima, Atibhima,

Bhimavala, Avala, Sumitra, Mitravana, Mitasina, Mitravardhana and

Mitradharaman,[69] and Surapravira, Vira, Suveka, Suravarchas and

Surahantri. These gods are divided into three classes of five each.

Located here in this world, they destroy the sacrifices of the gods in

heaven; they frustrate their objects and spoil their oblations of

clarified butter. They do this only to spite the sacred fires carrying

oblations to the gods. If the officiating priests are careful, they place

the oblations in their honour outside of the sacrificial altar. To that

particular place where the sacred fire may be placed, they cannot go.

They carry the oblation of their votaries by means of wings. When

appeased by hymns, they do not frustrate the sacrificial rites.

Vrihaduktha, another son of Tapa, belongs to the Earth. He is worshipped

here in this world by pious men performing Agnihotra sacrifices. Of the

son of Tapa who is known as Rathantara, it is said by officiating priests

that the sacrificial oblation offered in his honour is offered to

Mitravinda. The celebrated Tapa was thus very happy with his sons."

SECTION CCXX

"Markandeya continued, 'The fire called Bharata was bound by severe rules

of asceticism. Pushtimati is another name of his fire; for when he is

satisfied he vouchsafes pushti (development) to all creatures, and for

this reason he is called Bharata (or the Cherisher). And that other fire,

by name Siva, is devoted to the worship of Sakti (the forces of the

presiding deity of the forces of Nature), and because he always relieves

the sufferings of all creatures afflicted with misery, he is called Siva

(the giver of good). And on the acquisition of great ascetic wealth by

Tapa, an intelligent son named Puranda was born to inherit the same.

Another son named Ushma was also born. This fire is observed in the

vapour of all matter. A third son Manu was born. He officiated as

Prajapati. The Brahmanas who are learned in the Vedas, then speak of the

exploits of the fire Sambhu. And after that the bright Avasathya fire of

great refulgence is spoken of by the Brahmanas. Tapa thus created the

five Urjaskara fires, all bright as gold. These all share the Soma drink

in sacrifices. The great sun-god when fatigued (after his day's labours)

is known as the Prasanta fire. He created the terrible Asuras and various

other creatures of the earth. Angiras, too created the Prajapati Bhanu,

the son of Tapa. He is also called Vrihadbhanu (the great Bhanu) by

Brahmanas learned in the Vedas. Bhanu married Supraja, and Brihadbhanu

the daughter of Surya (the sun-god). They gave birth to six sons; do thou

hear of their progeny. The fire who gives strength to the weak is called

Valada (or the giver of strength). He is the first son of Bhanu, and that

other fire who looks terrible when all the elements are in a tranquil

state is called the Manjuman fire; he is the second son of Bhanu. And the

fire in whose honour oblations of clarified butter are enjoined to be

made here at the Darsa and Paurnamasya sacrifices and who is known as

Vishnu in this world, is (the third son of Bhanu) called Angiras, or

Dhritiman. And the fire to whom with Indra, the Agrayana oblation is

enjoined to be made is called the Agrayana fire. He is the (fourth) son

of Bhanu. The fifth son of Bhanu is Agraha who is the source of the

oblations which are daily made for the performance of the Chaturmasya

(four-monthly) rites. And Stuva is the sixth son of Bhanu. Nisa was the

name of another wife of that Manu who is known by the name of Bhanu. She

gave birth to one daughter, the two Agnishomas, and also five other

fire-gods. The resplendent fire-god who is honoured with the first

oblations in company with the presiding deity of the clouds is called

Vaiswanara. And that other fire who is called the lord of all the worlds

is Viswapati, the second son of Manu. And the daughter of Manu is called

Swistakrit, because by oblations unto her one acquires great merit.

Though she was the daughter of Hiranyakasipu, she yet became his wife for

her evil deeds. She is, however, one of the Prajapatis. And that other

fire which has its seats in the vital airs of all creatures and animates

their bodies, is called Sannihita. It is the cause of our perceptions of

sound and form. That divine spirit whose course is marked with black and

white stains, who is the supporter of fire, and who, though free from

sin, is the accomplisher of desired karma, whom the wise regard as a

great Rishi, is the fire Kapila, the propounder of the Yoga system called

Sankhya. The fire through whom the elementary spirits always receive the

offerings called Agra made by other creatures at the performance of all

the peculiar rites in this world is called Agrani. And these other bright

fires famous in the world, were created for the rectification of the

Agnihotra rites when marred by any defects. If the fires interlap each

other by the action of the wind, then the rectification must be made with

the Ashtakapala rites in honour of the fire Suchi. And if the southern

fire comes in contact with the two other fires, then rectification must

be made by the performance of the Ashtakapala rites in honour of the fire

Viti. If the fires in their place called Nivesa come in contact with the

fire called Devagni, then the Ashtakapala rites must be performed in

honour of the fire Suchi for rectification. And if the perpetual fire is

touched by a woman in her monthly course, then for rectification the

Ashtakapala rites must be performed in honour of the fire called

Dasyuman. If at the time of the performance of this Agnihotra rites the

death of any creature is spoken of, or if animals die, then rectification

must be made with the performance of the Ashtakapala rites in honour of

the Suraman fire. The Brahmana, who while suffering from a disease is

unable to offer oblations to the sacred fire for three nights, must make

amends for the same by performing the Ashtakapala rites in honour of the

northern fire. He who has performed the Darsa and the Paurnamasya rites

must make the rectification with the performance of the Ashtakapala rites

in honour of the Patikrit fire. If the fire of a lying-in room comes in

contact with the perpetual sacred fire, then rectification must be made

with the performance of Ashtakapala rites in honour of the Agniman fire.'"

SECTION CCXXI

Markandeya continued, "Mudita, the favourite wife of the fire Swaha, used

to live in water. And Swaha who was the regent of the earth and sky beget

in that wife of his a highly sacred fire called Advanta. There is a

tradition amongst learned Brahmanas that this fire is the ruler and inner

soul of all creatures. He is worshipful, resplendent and the lord of all

the great Bhutas here. And that fire, under the name of Grihapati, is

ever worshipped at all sacrifices and conveys all the oblations that are

made in this world. That great son of Swaha--the great Adbhuta fire is

the soul of the waters and the prince and regent of the sky and the lord

of everything great. His (son), the Bharata fire, consumes the dead

bodies of all creatures. His first Kratu is known as Niyata at the

performance of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. That powerful prime fire (Swaha)

is always missed by the gods, because when he sees Niyata approaching him

he hides himself in the sea from fear of contamination. Searching for him

in every direction, the gods could not (once) find him out and on

beholding Atharvan the fire said to him, 'O valiant being, do thou carry

the oblations for the gods! I am disabled from want of strength.

Attaining the state of the red-eyed fire, do thou condescend to do me

this favour!' Having thus advised Atharvan, the fire went away to some

other place. But his place of concealment was divulged by the finny

tribe. Upon them the fire pronounced this curse in anger, 'You shall be

the food of all creatures in various ways.' And then that carrier of

oblations spoke unto Atharvan (as before). Though entreated by the gods,

he did not agree to continue carrying their oblations. He then became

insensible and instantly gave up the ghost. And leaving his material

body, he entered into the bowels of the earth. Coming into contact with

the earth, he created the different metals. Force and scent arose from

his pus; the Deodar pine from his bones; glass from his phlegm; the

Marakata jewel from his bile; and the black iron from his liver. And all

the world has been embellished with these three substances (wood, stone

and iron). The clouds were made from his nails, and corals from his

veins. And, O king, various other metals were produced from his body.

Thus leaving his material body, he remained absorbed in (spiritual)

meditation. He was roused by the penance of Bhrigu and Angiras. The

powerful fire thus gratified with penance, blazed forth intensely. But on

beholding the Rishi (Atharvan), he again sought his watery refuse. At

this extinction of the fire, the whole world was frightened, and sought

the protection of Atharvan, and the gods and others began to worship him.

Atharvan rummaged the whole sea in the presence of all those beings eager

with expectation, and finding out the fire, himself began the work of

creation. Thus in olden times the fire was destroyed and called back to

life by the adorable Atharvan. But now he invariably carries the

oblations of all creatures. Living in the sea and travelling about

various countries, he produced the various fires mentioned in the Vedas.

The river Indus, the five rivers (of the Punjab), the Sone, the Devika,

the Saraswati, the Ganga, the Satakumbha, the Sarayu, the Gandaki, the

Charmanwati, the Mahi, the Medha, the Medhatithi, the three rivers

Tamravati, the Vetravati, and the Kausiki; the Tamasa, the Narmada, the

Godavari, the Vena, the Upavena, the Bhima, the Vadawa, the Bharati, the

Suprayoga, the Kaveri, the Murmura, the Tungavenna, the Krishnavenna and

the Kapila, these rivers, O Bharata, are said to be the mothers of the

fires! The fire called Adbhuta had a wife of the name of Priya, and Vibhu

was the eldest of his sons by her. There are as many different kinds of

Soma sacrifices as the number of fires mentioned before. All this race of

fires, first-born of the spirit of Brahma, sprang also from the race of

Atri. Atri in his own mind conceived these sons, desirous of extending

the creation. By this act, the fires came out of his own Brahmic frame. I

have thus narrated to thee the history of the origin of these fires. They

are great, resplendent, and unrivalled in power, and they are the

destroyers of darkness. Know that the powers of those fires are the same

as those of the Adbhuta fire as related in the Vedas. For all these fires

are one and same. This adorable being, the first born fire, must be

considered as one. For like the Jyotishtoma sacrifice he came out of

Angiras body in various forms. I have thus described to thee the history

of the great race of Agni (fires) who when duly worshipped with the

various hymns, carry the oblations of all creatures to the gods.

SECTION CCXXII

"Markandeya continued, 'O sinless scion of Kuru's race, I have described

to thee the various branches of the race of Agni. Listen now to the story

of the birth of the intelligent Kartikeya. I shall tell thee of that

wonderful and famous and highly energetic son of the Adbhuta fire

begotten of the wives of the Brahmarshis. In ancient times the gods and

Asuras were very active in destroying one another. And the terrible

Asuras always succeeded in defeating the gods. And Purandara (Indra)

beholding the great slaughter of his armies by them and anxious to find

out a leader for the celestial host, thought within himself, 'I must find

out a mighty person who observing the ranks of the celestial army

shattered by the Danavas will be able to reorganize it with vigour.' He

then repaired to the Manasa mountains and was there deeply absorbed in

thought of nature, when he heard the heart-rending cries of a woman to

the effect, 'May some one come quick and rescue me, and either indicate a

husband for me, or be my husband himself.' Purandara said to her, 'Do not

be afraid, lady!' And having said these words, he saw Kesin (an Asura)

adorned with a crown and mace in hand standing even like a hill of metals

at a distance and holding that lady by the hand. Vasava addressed then

that Asura saying, 'Why art thou bent on behaving insolently to this

lady? Know that I am the god who wields the thunderbolt. Refrain thou

from doing any violence to this lady.' To him Kesin replied, 'Do thou, O

Sakra, leave her alone. I desire to possess her. Thinkest thou, O slayer

of Paka, that thou shalt be able to return home with thy life?' With

these words Kesin hurled his mace for slaying Indra. Vasava cut it up in

its course with his thunderbolt. Then Kesin, furious with rage, hurled a

huge mass of rock at him. Beholding that, he of a hundred sacrifices rent

it asunder with his thunderbolt, and it fell down upon the ground. And

Kesin himself was wounded by that falling mass of rock. Thus sorely

afflicted, he fled leaving the lady behind. And when the Asura was gone,

Indra said to that lady, 'Who and whose wife art thou, O lady with a

beautiful face, and what has brought thee here?'"

SECTION CCXXIII

"The lady replied, 'I am a daughter of Prajapati (the lord of all

creatures, Brahma) and my name is Devasena. My sister Daityasena has ere

this been ravished by Kesin. We two sisters with our maids habitually

used to come to these Manasa mountains for pleasures with the permission

of Prajapati. And the great Asura Kesin used daily to pay his court to

us. Daityasena, O conqueror of Paka, listened to him, but I did not.

Daityasena was, therefore, taken away by him, but, O illustrious one,

thou hast rescued me with thy might. And now, O lord of the celestials, I

desire that thou shouldst select an invincible husband for me.' To this

Indra replied, 'Thou art a cousin of mine, thy mother being a sister of

my mother Dakshayani, and now I desire to hear thee relate thine own

prowess.' The lady replied, 'O hero with long arms, I am Avala[70] (weak)

but my husband must be powerful. And by the potency of my father's boon,

he will be respected by gods and Asuras alike.' Indra said, 'O blameless

creature, I wish to hear from thee, what sort of power thou wishest thy

husband to possess.' The lady replied, 'That manly and famous and

powerful being devoted to Brahma, who is able to conquer all the

celestials, Asuras, Yakshas, Kinnaras, Uragas, Rakshasas, and the

evil-minded Daityas and to subdue all the worlds with thee, shall be my

husband.'

"Markandeya continued, 'On hearing her speech, Indra was grieved and

deeply thought within himself, 'There is no husband for this lady,

answering to her own description.' And that god adorned with sun-like

effulgence, then perceived the Sun rising on the Udaya hill,[71] and the

great Soma (Moon) gliding into the Sun. It being the time of the new

Moon, he of a hundred sacrifices, at the Raudra[72] moment, observed the

gods and Asuras fighting on the Sunrise hill. And he saw that the morning

twilight was tinged with red clouds. And he also saw that the abode of

Varuna had become blood-red. And he also observed Agni conveying

oblations offered with various hymns by Bhrigu, Angiras, and others and

entering the disc of the Sun. And he further saw the twenty four Parvas

adorning the Sun, and the terrible Soma also present in the Sun under

such surroundings. And observing this union of the Sun and the Moon and

that fearful conjunction of theirs, Sakra thought within himself, This

terrific conjunction of the Sun and the Moon forebodeth a fearful battle

on the morrow. And the river Sindhu (Indus) too is flowing with a current

of fresh blood and the jackals with fiery laces are crying to the Sun.

This great conjunction is fearful and full of energy. This union of the

Moon (Soma) with the Sun and Agni is very wonderful. And if Soma giveth

birth to a son now, that son may become the husband of this lady. And

Agni also hath similar surroundings now, and he too is a god. If the two

begetteth a son, that son, may become the husband of this lady.' With

these thoughts that illustrious celestial repaired to the regions of

Brahma, taking Devasena[73] with him. And saluting the Grandsire he said

unto him, 'Do thou fix a renowned warrior as husband of this lady.'

Brahma replied, 'O slayer of Asuras, it shall be; as thou hast intended.

The issue of that union will be mighty and powerful accordingly. That

powerful being will be the husband of this lady and the joint leader of

thy forces with thee.' Thus addressed, the lord of the celestials and the

lady bowed unto him and then repaired to the place where those great

Brahmanas, the powerful celestial Rishis, Vasistha and others, lived. And

with Indra at their head, the other gods also, desirous of drinking the

Soma beverage, repaired to the sacrifices of those Rishis to receive

their respective shares of the offerings. Having duly performed the

ceremonies with the bright blazing fire, those great-minded persons

offered oblations to the celestials. And the Adbhuta fire, that carrier

of oblations, was invited with mantras. And coming out of the solar disc,

that lordly fire duly repaired thither, restraining speech. And, O chief

of Bharata's race, that fire entering the sacrificial fire that had been

ignited and into which various offerings were made by the Rishis with

recitations of hymns, took them with him and made them over to the

dwellers of heaven. And while returning from that place, he observed the

wives of those high-souled Rishis sleeping at their ease on their beds.

And those ladies had a complexion beautiful like that of an altar of

gold, spotless like moon-beams, resembling fiery flames and looking like

blazing stars. And seeing those wives of the illustrious Brahmanas with

eager eyes, his mind became agitated and he was smitten with their

charms. Restraining his heart he considered it improper for him to be

thus agitated. And he said unto himself, The wives of these great

Brahmanas are chaste and faithful and beyond the reach of other people's

desires. I am filled with desire to possess them. I cannot lawfully cast

my eyes upon them, nor ever touch them when they are not filled with

desire. I shall, therefore, gratify myself daily with only looking at

them by becoming their Garhapatya (house-hold) fire.'

"Markandeya continued, The Adbhuta fire, thus transforming himself into a

house-hold one, was highly gratified with seeing those gold-complexioned

ladies and touching them with his flames. And influenced by their charms

he dwelt there for a long time, giving them his heart and filled with an

intense love for them. And baffled in all his efforts to win the hearts

of those Brahmana ladies, and his own heart tortured by love, he repaired

to a forest with the certain object of destroying himself. A little while

before, Swaha, the daughter of Daksha, had bestowed her love on him. The

excellent lady had been endeavouring for a long time to detect his weak

moments; but that blameless lady did not succeed in finding out any

weakness in the calm and collected fire-god. But now that the god had

betaken himself to a forest, actually tortured by the pangs of love, she

thought, 'As I too am distressed with love, I shall assume the guise of

the wives of the seven Rishis, and in that disguise I shall seek the

fire-god so smitten with their charms. This done, he will be gratified

and my desire too will be satisfied.'"

SECTION CCXXIV

"Markandeya continued, 'O lord of men, the beautiful Siva endowed with

great virtues and an unspotted character was the wife of Angiras (one of

the seven Rishis). That excellent lady (Swaha) at first assuming the

disguise of Siva, sought the presence of Agni unto whom she said, 'O

Agni, I am tortured with love for thee. Do thou think it fit to woo me.

And if thou dost not accede to my request, know that I shall commit

self-destruction. I am Siva the wife of Angiras. I have come here

according to the advice of the wives of the other Rishis, who have sent

me here after due deliberation.'

Agni replied, 'How didst thou know that I was tortured with love and how

could the others, the beloved wives of the seven Rishis, of whom thou

hast spoken, know this?'

Swaha replied, 'Thou art always a favourite with us, but we are afraid of

thee. Now having read thy mind by well-known signs, they have sent to thy

presence. I have come here to gratify my desire. Be thou quick, O Agni,

to encompass the object of thy desire, my sisters-in-law are awaiting me.

I must return soon.'

Markandeya continued, 'Then Agni, filled with great joy and delight,

married Swaha in the guise of Siva, and that lady joyfully cohabiting

with him, held the semen virile in her hands. And then she thought within

herself that those who would observe her in that disguise in the forest,

would cast an unmerited slur upon the conduct of those Brahmana ladies in

connection with Agni. Therefore, to prevent this, she should assume the

disguise of a bird, and in that state she should more easily get out of

the forest.

Markandeya continued, 'Then assuming the disguise of a winged creature,

she went out of the forest and reached the White Mountain begirt with

clumps of heath and other plants and trees, and guarded by strange

seven-headed serpents with poison in their very looks, and abounding with

Rakshasas, male and female Pisachas, terrible spirits, and various kinds

of birds and animals. That excellent lady quickly ascending a peak of

those mountains, threw that semen into a golden lake. And then assuming

successively the forms of the wives of the high-souled seven Rishis, she

continued to dally with Agni. But on account of the great ascetic merit

of Arundhati and her devotion to her husband (Vasishtha), she was unable

to assume her form. And, O chief of Kuru's race, the lady Swaha on the

first lunar day threw six times into that lake the semen of Agni. And

thrown there, it produced a male child endowed with great power. And from

the fact of its being regarded by the Rishis as cast off, the child born

therefrom came to be called by the name of Skanda. And the child had six

faces, twelve ears, as many eyes, hands, and feet, one neck, and one

stomach. And it first assumed a form on the second lunar day, and it grew

to the size of a little child on the third. And the limbs of Guha were

developed on the fourth day. And being surrounded by masses of red clouds

flashing forth lightning, it shone like the Sun rising in the midst of a

mass of red clouds. And seizing the terrific and immense bow which was

used by the destroyer of the Asura Tripura for the destruction of the

enemies of the gods, that mighty being uttered such a terrible roar that

the three worlds with their mobile and immobile divisions became struck

with awe. And hearing that sound which seemed like the rumbling of a mass

of big clouds, the great Nagas, Chitra and Airavata, were shaken with

fear. And seeing them unsteady that lad shining with sun-like refulgence

held them with both his hands. And with a dart in (another) hand, and

with a stout, red-crested, big cock fast secured in another, that

long-armed son of Agni began to sport about making a terrible noise. And

holding an excellent conch-shell with two of his hands, that mighty being

began to blow it to the great terror of even the most powerful creatures.

And striking the air with two of his hands, and playing about on the

hill-top, the mighty Mahasena of unrivalled prowess, looked as if he were

on the point of devouring the three worlds, and shone like the bright

Sun-god at the moment of his ascension in the heavens. And that being of

wonderful prowess and matchless strength, seated on the top of that hill,

looked on with his numerous faces directed towards the different cardinal

points, and observing various things, he repeated his loud roars. And on

hearing those roars various creatures were prostrate with fear. And

frightened and troubled in mind they sought protection. And all those

persons of various orders who then sought the protection of that god are

known as his powerful Brahmana followers. And rising from his seat, that

mighty god allayed the fears of all those people, and then drawing his

bow, he discharged his arrows in the direction of the White Mountain. And

with those arrows the hill Krauncha, the son of Himavat, was rent

asunder. And that is the reason why swans and vultures now migrate to the

Sumeru mountains. The Krauncha hill, sorely wounded, fell down uttering

fearful groans. And seeing him fallen, the other hills too began to

scream. And that mighty being of unrivalled prowess, hearing the groans

of the afflicted, was not at all moved, but himself uplifting his mace,

yelled forth his war-whoop. And that high-souled being then hurled his

mace of great lustre and quickly rent in twain one of the peaks of the

White Mountain. And the White Mountain being thus pierced by him was

greatly afraid of him and dissociating himself from the earth fled with

the other mountains. And the earth was greatly afflicted and bereft of

her ornaments on all sides. And in this distress, she went over to Skanda

and once more shone with all her might. And the mountains too bowed down

to Skanda and came back and stuck into the earth. And all creatures then

celebrated the worship of Skanda on the fifth day of the lunar month.

SECTION CCXXV

"Markandeya continued, 'When that powerful, high-souled, and mighty being

was born, various kinds of fearful phenomena occurred. And the nature of

males and females, of heat and cold, and of such other pairs of

contraries, was reversed. And the planets, the cardinal points and the

firmaments became radiant with light and the earth began to rumble very

much. And the Rishis even, seeking the welfare of the world, while they

observed all these terrific prodigies on all sides, began with anxious

hearts to restore tranquillity in the universe. And those who used to

live in that Chitraratha forest said, This very miserable condition of

ours hath been brought about by Agni cohabiting with the six wives of the

seven Rishis.' Others again who had seen the goddess assume the disguise

of a bird said, 'This evil hath been brought about by a bird.' No one

ever imagined that Swaha was the authoress of that mischief. But having

heard that the (new born) male child was hers, she went to Skanda and

gradually revealed to him the fact that she was his mother. And those

seven Rishis, when they heard that a son of great power had been born (to

them), divorced their six wives with the exception of the adorable

Arundhati, because all the dwellers of that forest protested that those

six persons had been instrumental in bringing forth the child. Swaha too,

O king, said again and again to the seven Rishis, saying, 'Ye ascetics,

this child is mine, your wives are not his mother.'

The great Muni Viswamitra had, after the conclusion of the sacrifices of

the seven Rishis, followed unseen the god of fire, while the latter was

tortured with lust. He, therefore, knew everything as it happened and he

was the first to seek the protection of Mahasena. And he offered divine

prayers to Mahasena and all the thirteen auspicious rites appertaining to

childhood, such as the natal and other ceremonies, were all performed by

the great Muni in respect of that child. And for the good of the world he

promulgated the virtues of the six-faced Skanda, and performed ceremonies

in honour of the cock, the goddess Sakti, and the first followers of

Skanda. And for this reason he became a great favourite of the celestial

youth. That great Muni then informed the seven Rishis, of the

transformations of Swaha and told them that their wives were perfectly

innocent. But though thus informed the seven Rishis abandoned their

spouses unconditionally.

Markandeya continued, The celestials having heard of the prowess of

Skanda, all said to Vasava, 'O Sakra, do thou kill Skanda without delay

for his prowess is unbearable. And if thou dost not exterminate him, he

will conquer the three worlds with ourselves, and overpowering thee, will

himself become the mighty lord of the celestials.' Perplexed in mind,

Sakra replied unto them, 'This child is endowed with great prowess. He

can himself destroy the Creator of the Universe, in battle putting forth

his might. I venture not, therefore, to do away with him.' To this the

gods replied, 'Thou hast no manliness in thee, in that thou talkest in

this manner. Let the great Mothers of the Universe repair to-day to

Skanda. They can master at will any degree of energy. Let then kill this

child.' 'It shall be so.'--the mothers replied. And then they went away.

But on beholding that he was possessed of great might, they became

dispirited, and considering that he was invincible, they sought his

protection and said unto him, 'Do thou, O mighty being, become our

(adopted) son. We are full of affection for thee and desirous of giving

thee suck. Lo, the milk oozes from our breasts!' On hearing these words,

the mighty Mahasena became desirous of sucking their breasts and he

received them with due respect and acceded to their request. And that

mightiest of mighty creatures then beheld his father Agni come towards

him. And that god, who is the doer of all that is good, was duly honoured

by his son, and in company with the Mothers, he stayed there by the side

of Mahasena to tend him. And that lady amongst the Mothers who was born

of Anger[74] with a spike in hand kept watch over Skanda even like a

mother guarding her own offspring, and that irascible red-coloured

daughter of the Sea, who lived herself on blood, hugged Mahasena in her

breast and nursed him like a mother. And Agni transforming himself into a

trader with a goat's mouth and followed by numerous children began to

gratify that child of his with toys in that mountain abode of his."

SECTION CCXXVI

"Markandeya continued, The planets with their satellites, the Rishis and

the Mothers, Agni and numerous other blazing courtiers and many other

dwellers of heaven of terrible mien, waited on Mahasena along with the

Mothers. And the illustrious sovereign of the gods, desirous of victory

but believing success to be doubtful mounted his elephant Airavata and

attended by the other gods advanced towards Skanda. That mighty being

followed by all the celestials was armed with his thunderbolt. And with

the object of slaying Mahasena, he marched with terrible celestial army

of great-splendour, sounding their shrill war-cry and furnished with

various sorts of standards, with warriors encased in various armour and

armed with numerous bows and riding on various animals. When Mahasena

beheld the gloriously decked Sakra, attired in his best clothes,

advancing with the determination of slaying him, he (too on his part)

advanced to meet that chief of the celestials. O Partha, the mighty

Vasava, the lord of the celestials, then uttered a loud shout, to

encourage his warriors and marching rapidly with the view of killing

'Agnis' son and praised by Tridasas[75] and great Rishis, he at length

reached the abode of Kartikeya. And then he shouted out with other gods;

and Guha too in response to this, uttered a fearful war-cry resembling

the roaring of the sea. On hearing that noise, the celestial army behaved

like an agitated sea, and was stunned and fixed to the spot. And that son

of Pavaka (the Fire-god) beholding the gods come near to him with the

object of killing him, was filled with wrath, and gave out rising flame

of fire from within his mouth. And these flames destroyed the celestial

forces struggling on the ground. Their heads, their bodies, their arms

and riding animals were all burnt in that conflagration and they appeared

all on a sudden like stars displaced from their proper spheres. Thus

afflicted, the god renounced all allegiance to the thunder bolt, and

sought the protection of Pavaka's son; and thus peace was again secured.

When he was thus forsaken by the gods, Sakra hurled his thunder-bolt at

Skanda. It pierced him on the right side; and, O great king, it passed

through the body of that high-souled being. And from being struck with

the thunder-bolt, there arose from Skanda's body another being--a youth

with a club in hand, and adorned with a celestial amulet. And because he

was born on account of the piercing of the thunder-bolt, he was named

Visakha. And Indra, when he beheld that another person looking like the

fierce destroying Fire-god had come into being was frightened out of his

wits and besought the protection of Skanda, with the palms of his hands

joined together (as a mark of respect). And that excellent being Skanda,

bade him renounce all fear, with his arm. The gods were then transported

with joy, and their hands too struck up."

SECTION CCXXVII

"Markandeya continued, 'Now hear of those terrible and curious-looking

followers of Skanda. A number of male children came into being when

Skanda was struck with the thunder-bolt,--those terrific creatures that

steal (spirit away) little children, whether born, or in the womb and a

number of female children too of great strength were born to him. Those

children adopted Visakha as their father. That adorable and dexterous

Bhadrasakha, having a face like that of a goat was at the time (of the

battle), surrounded by all his sons and daughters whom he guarded

carefully in the presence of the great mothers. And for this reason the

inhabitants of this earth call Skanda the father of Kumaras (little

children). Those persons who desire to have sons born to them, worship in

their places the powerful Rudra in the form of the Fire-god, and Uma in

the form of Swaha. And by that means they are blessed with sons. The

daughters begotten by the Fire-god, Tapa, went over to Skanda, who said

to them, 'What can I do for you?' Those girls replied, 'Do us this

favour; by thy blessing, may we become the good and respected mothers of

all the world!' He replied, 'Be it so.' And that liberal-minded being

repeated again and again, 'Ye shall be divided into Siva and Asiva.'[76]

And the mothers then departed, having first established Skanda's sonship,

Kaki, Halima, Malini, Vrinhila, Arya, Palala and Vaimitra, these were the

seven mothers of Sisu. They had a powerful, red-eyed, terrific, and very

turbulent son named Sisu born by the blessing of Skanda. He was reputed

as the eighth hero, born of the mothers of Skanda. But he is also known

as the ninth, when that being with the face of a goat, is included. Know

that the sixth face of Skanda was like that of a goat. That face, O king,

is situated in the middle of the six, and is regarded constantly by the

mother. That head by which Bhadrasakha created the divine energy, is

reputed to be the best of all his heads O ruler of men, these virtuous

wonderful events happened on the fifth day of the bright half of the

lunar month, and on the sixth, a very fierce and terrific battle was

fought at that place."

SECTION CCXXVIII

"Markandeya continued, 'Skanda was adorned with a golden amulet and

wreath, and wore a crest and a crown of gold; his eyes were

golden-coloured, and he had a set of sharp teeth; he was dressed in a red

garment and looked very handsome; he had a comely appearance, and was

endowed with all good characteristics and was the favourite of the three

worlds. He granted boons (to people who sought them) and was brave,

youthful, and adorned with bright ear-rings. Whilst he was reposing

himself, the goddess of fortune, looking like a lotus and assuming a

personal embodiment, rendered her allegiance to him. When he became thus

possessed of good fortune, that famous and delicate-looking creature

appeared to all like the moon at its full. And high-minded Brahmanas

worshipped that mighty being, and the Maharshis (great rishis) then said

as follows to Skanda, 'O thou born of the golden egg, mayst thou be

prosperous and mayst thou become an instrument of good to the universe! O

best of the gods, although thou wast born only six nights (days) ago, the

whole world has owned allegiance to thee (within this short time), and

thou hast also allayed their fears. Therefore do thou become the Indra

(lord) of the three worlds and remove their cause of apprehension.'

Skanda replied, 'You gentlemen of great ascetic wealth (tell me) what

Indra does with all three worlds and how that sovereign of the celestials

protects the hosts of gods unremittingly.' The Rishis replied, 'Indra is

the giver of strength, power, children and happiness to all creatures and

when propitiated, that Lord of the celestials bestows on all the objects

of their desire. He destroys the wicked and fulfils the desires of the

righteous; and that Destroyer of Vala assigns to all creatures their

various duties. He officiates for the sun and the moon in places where

there is no sun or moon; he even when occasion requires it, acts for

(serves the purposes of) fire, air, earth, and water. These are the

duties of Indra; his capacities are immense. Thou too art mighty;

therefore great hero, do thou become our Indra.'

Sakra said, 'O mighty being, do thou make us happy, by becoming our lord.

Excellent being, thou art worthy of the honour; therefore shall we anoint

thee this very day.'

Skanda replied, 'Do thou continue to rule the three worlds with

self-possession, and with thy heart bent on conquest. I shall remain thy

humble servant. I covet not thy sovereignty.'

Sakra replied, 'Thy prowess is unrivalled, O hero, do thou therefore

vanquish the enemies of the gods. People have been struck with wonder at

thy prowess. More specially as I have been bereft of my prowess, and

defeated by thee, now if I were to act as Indra, I should not command the

respect of all creatures, and they would be busy in bringing about

dissensions between us; and then, my lord, they would become the

partisans of one or other of us. And when they formed themselves into two

distinct factions, war as before would be the result of that defection.

And in that war, thou wouldst undoubtedly defeat me without difficulty

and thyself become the lord of all worlds.'

Skanda replied, 'Thou, O Sakra, art my sovereign, as also of the three

worlds; mayst thou be prosperous! Tell me if I can obey any commands of

thine.'

Indra replied, 'At thy bidding, O powerful being, I shall continue to act

as Indra. And if thou hast said this deliberately and in earnest, then

hear me how thou canst gratify thy desire of serving me. Do thou, O

mighty being, take the leadership of the celestial forces accordingly.'

Skanda replied, 'Do thou anoint me as leader, for the destruction of the

Danavas, for the good of the celestials, and for the well-being of cows

and Brahmanas.'

Markandeya continued, "Thus anointed by Indra and all other gods, and

honoured by the Maharshis, he looked grand at the moment. The golden

umbrella[77] held (over his head) looked like a halo of blazing fire.

That famous god, the Conqueror of Tripura, himself fastened the celestial

wreath of gold, of Viswakarma's manufacture, round his neck. And, O great

man and conqueror of thine enemies, that worshipful god with the emblem

of the bull, had gone there previously with Parvati. He honoured him with

a joyous heart. The Fire-god is called Rudra by Brahmanas, and from this

fact Skanda is called the son of Rudra. The White Mountain was formed

from discharges of Rudra's semen virile and the sensual indulgences of

the Fire-god with the Krittikas took place on that same White Mountain.

And as Rudra was seen by all the dwellers of heaven to heap honours on

the excellent Guha (Skanda), he was for that reason reputed as the son of

Rudra. This child had his being by the action of Rudra entering into the

constitution of the Fire-god, and for this reason, Skanda came to be

known as the son of Rudra. And, O Bharata, as Rudra, the Fire-god, Swaha,

and the six wives (of the seven Rishis) were instrumental to the birth of

the great god Skanda, he was for that reason reputed as the son of Rudra.

"That son of Fire-god was clad in a pair of clean red cloths, and thus he

looked grand and resplendent like the Sun peeping forth from behind a

mass of red clouds. And the red cock given to him by the Fire-god, formed

his ensign; and when perched on the top of his chariot, it looked like

the image of the all-destroying fire. And the presiding deity of the

power which conduces to the victory of the god, and which is the director

of the exertions of all creatures, and constitutes their glory, prop and

refuge, advanced before him. And a mysterious charm entered into his

constitution the charm which manifests its powers on the battlefield.

Beauty, strength, piety, power, might, truthfulness, rectitude, devotion

to Brahmanas, freedom from illusion or perplexity, protection of

followers, destruction of foes, and care of all creatures,--these, O lord

of men, are the inborn virtues of Skanda. Thus anointed by all the gods,

he looked pleased and complacent; and dressed in his best style, he

looked beautiful like the moon at its full. The much-esteemed incantation

of Vedic hymns, the music of the celestial band, and the songs of gods

and Gandharvas then rang on all sides. And surrounded by all the

well-dressed Apsaras, and many other gay and happy-looking Pisachas and

hosts of gods, that anointed (by gods) son of Pavaka disported himself in

all his grandeur. To the dwellers of heaven, the anointed Mahasena,

appeared like the Sun rising after extinction of darkness. And then the

celestial forces looking upon him as their leader, surrounded him on all

sides in thousands. That adorable being followed by all creatures then

assumed their commands, and praised and honoured by them, he encouraged

them in return.

"The Performer of a thousand sacrifices then thought of Devasena, whom he

has rescued before. And considering that this being (Skanda) was

undoubtedly destined to be the husband of this lady by Brahma himself, he

had her brought there, dressed her with the best apparel. And the

vanquisher of Vala then said to Skanda, 'O foremost of gods, this lady

was, even before thy birth, destined to be thy bride by that

Self-existent Being.[78] Therefore do thou duly accept her lotus-like

beautiful right hand with invocation of the (marital) hymns.' Thus told,

he duly married her. And Vrihaspati learned in hymns performed the

necessary prayers and oblations. She who is called Shashthi, Lakshmi,

Asa, Sukhaprada, Sinivali, Kuhu, Saivritti, and Aparajita, is known among

men as Devasena, the wife of Skanda. When Skanda became united to

Devasena in indissoluble bonds of matrimony, then the gods of prosperity

in her own personal embodiment began to serve him with diligence. As

Skanda attained celebrity on the fifth lunar day, that day is called

Sripanchami (or the auspicious fifth day) and as he attained his object

on the sixth, that lunar day is considered to be of great moment."

SECTION CCXXIX

"Markandeya continued, 'Those six ladies, the wives of the seven Rishis

when they learned that good fortune had smiled on Mahasena and that he

had been made leader of the celestial forces,[79] repaired to his camp.

Those virtuous ladies of high religious merit had been disowned by the

Rishis. They lost no time in visiting that leader of the celestial forces

and then addressed him thus, 'We, O son, have been cast out by our

god-like husbands, without any cause. Some people spread the rumour that

we gave birth to thee. Believing in the truth of this story, they became

greatly indignant, and banished us from our sacred places. It behooves

thee now to save us from this infamy. We desire to adopt thee as our son,

so that, O mighty being, eternal bliss may be secured to us by that

favour. Do thou thus repay the obligation thou owest to us.'

"Skanda replied, 'O ladies of faultless character, do you accordingly

become my mothers. I am your son and ye shall attain all the objects of

your desire.'

Markandeya continued, 'Then Sakra having expressed a wish to say

something to Skanda, the latter enquired, 'What is it?' Being told by

Skanda to speak it out, Vasava said, The lady Abhijit, the younger sister

of Rohini, being jealous of her seniority, has repaired to the woods to

perform austerities. And I am at a loss to find out a substitute for the

fallen star. May good luck attend on thee, do thou consult with Brahma

(for the purpose of filling up the room) of this great asterism.

Dhanishtha and other asterisms were created by Brahma, and Rohini used to

serve the purpose of one such; and consequently their number was full.

And in accordance with Sakra's advice, Krittika was assigned a place in

the heavens, and that star presided over by Agni shines as if with seven

heads. Vinata also said to Skanda, 'Thou art as a son to me, and entitled

to offer me the funeral cakes (at my funeral obsequies). I desire, my

son, to live with thee always.'

"Skanda replied, 'Be it so, all honour to thee! Do thou guide me with a

mother's affection, and honoured by thy daughter-in-law, thou shalt

always live with me.'"

"Markandeya continued, 'Then the great mothers spoke as follows to

Skanda, 'We have been described by the learned as the mothers of all

creatures. But we desire to be thy mothers, do thou honour us.'"

"Skanda replied, 'Ye are all as mothers to me, and I am your son. Tell me

what I can do to please you."'

"The mothers replied, 'The ladies (Brahmi, Maheswari, &c.) were appointed

as mothers of the world in bygone ages. We desire, O great god, that they

be dispossessed of that dignity, and ourselves installed in their place,

and that we, instead of them, be worshipped by the world. Do thou now

restore to us those of our progeny, of whom we have been deprived, by

them on thy account.'"

"Skanda replied, 'Ye shall not recover those that have been once given

away, but I can give you other offspring if ye like.'" The mothers

replied, 'We desire that living with thee and assuming different shapes

we be able to eat up the progeny of those mothers and their guardians. Do

thou grant us this favour.'"

"Skanda said, 'I can grant you progeny, but this topic on which ye have

just now dilated is a very painful one. May ye be prosperous! All honour

to you, ladies, do ye vouchsafe to them your protecting care.'"

"The mothers replied, 'We shall protect them, O Skanda, as thou desirest.

Mayst thou be prosperous! But, O mighty being, we desire to live with

thee always.'"

"Skanda replied, 'So long as children of the human kind do not attain the

youthful state in the sixteenth year of their age, ye shall afflict them

with your various forms, and I too shall confer on you a fierce

inexhaustible spirit. And with that ye shall live happily, worshipped by

all.'"

"Markandeya continued, 'And then a fiery powerful being came out of the

body of Skanda for the purpose of devouring the progeny of mortal beings.

He fell down upon the ground, senseless and hungry. And bidden by Skanda,

that genius of evil assumed a terrific form. Skandapasmara is the name by

which it is known among good Brahmanas. Vinata is called the terrific

Sakuni graha (spirit of evil). She who is known as Putana Rakshasi by the

learned is the graha called Putana; that fierce and terrible looking

Rakshasa of a hideous appearance is also called the pisacha, Sita Putana.

That fierce-looking spirit is the cause of abortion in women. Aditi is

also known by the name of Revati; her evil spirit is called Raivata, and

that terrible graha also afflicts children. Diti, the mother of the

Daityas (Asuras), is also called Muhkamandika, and that terrible creature

is very fond of the flesh of little children. Those male and female

children, O Kaurava, who are said to have been begotten by Skanda, are

spirit of evil and they destroy the foetus in the womb. They (the

Kumaras) are known as the husbands of those very ladies, and children are

seized unawares by these cruel spirits. And, O king, Surabhi who is

called the mother of bovine kind by the wise is best ridden by the evil

spirit Sakuni, who in company with her, devours children on this earth.

And Sarama, the mother of dogs, also habitually kills human beings while

still in the womb. She who is the mother of all trees has her abode in a

karanja tree. She grants boons and has a placid countenance and is always

favourably disposed towards all creatures. Those persons who desire to

have children, bow down to her, who is seated in a karanja tree. These

eighteen evil spirits fond of meat and wine, and others of the same kind,

invariably take up their abode in the lying-in-room for ten days. Kadru

introduces herself in a subtle form into the body of a pregnant woman and

there she causes the destruction of the foetus, and the mother is made to

give birth to a Naga (serpent). And that mother of the Gandharvas takes

away the foetus, and for this reason, conception in woman turns out to be

abortive. The mother of the Apsaras removes the foetus from the womb, and

for this reason such conceptions are said to be stationary by the

learned. The daughter of the Divinity of the Red Sea is said to have

nursed Skanda,--she is worshipped under the name of Lohitayani on Kadamva

trees. Arya acts the same part among female beings, as Rudra does among

male ones. She is the mother of all children and is distinctly worshipped

for their welfare. These that I have described are the evil spirits

presiding over the destinies of young children, and until children attain

their sixteenth year, these spirits exercise their influence for evil,

and after that, for good. The whole body of male and female spirits that

I have now described are always denominated by men as the spirits of

Skanda. They are propitiated with burnt offerings, ablutions, unguents,

sacrifices and other offerings, and particularly by the worship of

Skanda. And, O king, when they are honoured and worshipped with due

reverence, they bestow on men whatever is good for them, as also valour

and long life. And now having bowed down to Maheswara, I shall describe

the nature of those spirits who influence the destinies of men after they

have attained their sixteenth year.

"The man who beholds gods while sleeping, or in a wakeful state soon

turns mad, and the spirit under whose influence these hallucinations take

place is called the celestial spirit. When a person beholds his dead

ancestors while he is seated at ease, or lying in his bed, he soon loses

his reason, and the spirit which causes this illusion of sensible

perception, is called the ancestral spirit. The man who shows disrespect

to the Siddhas and who is cursed by them in return, soon runs mad and the

evil influence by which this is brought about, is called the Siddha

spirit. And the spirit by whose influence a man smells sweet odour, and

becomes cognisant of various tastes (when there are no odoriferous or

tasteful substances about him) and soon becomes tormented, is called the

Rakshasa spirit. And the spirit by whose action celestial musicians

(Gandharvas) blend their existence into the constitution of a human

being, and make him run mad in no time, is called the Gandharva spirit.

And that evil spirit by whose influence men are always tormented by

Pisachas, is called the Paisacha spirit. When the spirit of Yakshas

enters into the system of a human being by some accident, he loses his

reason immediately, and such a spirit is called the Yaksha spirit. The

man who loses his reason on account of his mind being demoralised with

vices, runs mad in no time, and his illness must be remedied according to

methods prescribed in the Sastras. Men also run mad from perplexity, from

fear, as also on beholding hideous sights. The remedy lies in quieting

their minds. There are three classes of spirits, some are frolicsome,

some are gluttonous, and some sensual. Until men attain the age of three

score and ten, these evil influences continue to torment them, and then

fever becomes the only evil spirit that afflicts sentient beings. These

evil spirits always avoid those who have subdued their senses, who are

self-restrained, of cleanly habits, god-fearing and free from laziness

and contamination. I have thus described to thee, O king, the evil

spirits that mould the destinies of men. Thou who art devoted to

Maheswara art never troubled by them."

SECTION CCXXX

Markandeya continued, "When Skanda had bestowed these powers, Swaha

appeared to him and said, 'Thou art my natural son,--I desire that thou

shalt grant exquisite happiness to me."

"Skanda replied, 'What sort of happiness dost thou wish to enjoy?'"

"Swaha replied, 'O mighty being, I am the favourite daughter of Daksha,

by name Swaha; and from my youthful days I have been in love with

Hutasana (the Fire-god); but that god, my son, does not understand my

feelings. I desire to live for ever with him (as his wife).'"

"Skanda replied, 'From this day, lady, all the oblations that men of

virtuous character, who swerve not from the path of virtue, will offer to

their gods or ancestors with incantation of purifying hymns by Brahmanas,

shall always be offered (through Agni) coupled with the name of Swaha,

and thus, excellent lady, wilt thou always live associated with Agni, the

god of fire.'"

"Markandeya continued, Thus addressed and honoured by Skanda, Swaha was

greatly pleased; and associated with her husband Pavaka (the Fire-god),

she honoured him in return.'"

"Then Brahma, the lord of all creatures, said to Mahasena, 'Do thou go

and visit thy father Mahadeva, the conqueror of Tripura. Rudra coalescing

with Agni (the Fire-god) and Uma with Swaha have combined to make thee

invincible for the well-being of all creatures. And the semen of the

high-souled Rudra cast into the reproductive organ of Uma was thrown back

upon this hill, and hence the twin Mujika and Minjika came into being. A

portion of it fell into the Blood Sea, another portion, into the rays of

the sun, another upon the earth and thus was it distributed in five

portions. Learned men ought to remember that these thy various and

fierce-looking followers living on the flesh of animals were produced

from the semen'. 'Be it so,' so saying, the high-souled Mahasena with

fatherly love, honoured his father Maheswara."

"Markandeya continued, 'Men who are desirous of acquiring wealth, should

worship those five classes of spirits with the sun flower, and for

alleviation of diseases also worship must be rendered to them. The twin

Mujika and Minjika begotten by Rudra must always be respected by persons

desiring the welfare of little children; and persons who desire to have

children born to them must always worship those female spirits who live

on human flesh and are produced in trees. Thus all Pisachas are said to

be divided into innumerable classes. And now, O king, listen to the

origin of the bells and standards of Skanda. Airavata (Indra's elephant)

is known to have had two bells of the name of Vaijayanti, and the

keen-witted Sakra had them brought to him, and personally gave them to

Guha. Visakha took one of those bells and Skanda the other. The standards

of both Kartikeya and Visakha were of a red colour. That mighty god

Mahasena was pleased with the toys that had been given to him by the

gods. Surrounded by hosts of gods and Pisachas and seated on the Golden

Mountain, he looked splendid in all the grandeur of prosperity. And that

mountain covered with fine forests, also looked grand in his

companionship, just as the Mandara hill abounding with excellent caves

shines with the rays of the sun. The White Mountain was adorned with

whole tracts of wood-land covered with blossoming Santanaka flowers and

with forests of Karavira, Parijata, Jana and Asoke trees,--as also with

wild tracts overgrown with Kadamva trees; and it abounded with herds of

celestial deer and flocks of celestial birds. And the rumbling of clouds

serving the purpose of musical instruments sounded like the murmur of an

agitated sea, and celestial Gandharvas and Apsaras began to dance. And

there arose a great sound of joy from the merriment of all creatures.

Thus the whole world with Indra himself seemed to have been transferred

to the White Mountain. And all the people began to observe Skanda with

satisfaction in their looks, and they did not at all feel tired of doing

so."

Markandeya continued, "When that adorable son of the Fire-god was

anointed as leader of the celestial army, that grand and happy lord, Hara

(Mahadeva) riding with Parvati in a chariot shining with sunlike

refulgence repaired to a place called Bhadravata. His excellent chariot

was drawn by a thousand lions and managed by Kala. They passed through

blank space, and seemed as if they were about to devour the sky; and

striking terror into the heart of all creatures in the mobile divisions

of the worlds, those maned beasts flitted through the air, uttering

fearful growls. And that lord of all animals (Mahadeva) seated in that

chariot with Uma, looked like the sun with flames of lightning

illuminating masses of clouds begirt with Indra's bow (rainbow). He was

preceded by that adorable Lord of riches riding on the backs of human

beings with his attendant Guhyakas riding in his beautiful car Pushpaka.

And Sakra too riding on his elephant Airavata and accompanied by other

gods brought up the rear of Mahadeva, the granter of boons, marching in

this way at the head of the celestial army. And the great Yaksha Amogha

with his attendants--the Jambhaka Yakshas and other Rakshasas decorated

with garlands of flowers--obtained a place in the right wing of his army;

and many gods of wonderful fighting powers in company with the Vasus and

the Rudras, also marched with the right division of his army. And the

terrible-looking Yama too in company with Death marched with him.

(followed by hundreds of terrible diseases); and behind him was carried

the terrible, sharp-pointed, well-decorated trident of Siva, called

Vijaya. And Varuna, the adorable lord of waters with his terrible

Pasa,[80] and surrounded by numerous aquatic animals, marched slowly with

the trident. And the trident Vijaya was followed by the Pattisa[81] of

Rudra guarded by maces, balls, clubs and other excellent weapons. And the

Pattisa, O king, was followed by the bright umbrella of Rudra and the

Kamandalu served by the Maharshis; and on it progressed in the company of

Bhrigu, Angiras and others. And behind all these rode Rudra in his white

chariot, re-assuring the gods with the exhibition of his powers. And

rivers and lakes and seas, Apsaras, Rishis, Celestials, Gandharvas and

serpents, stars, planets, and the children of gods, as also many women,

followed him in his train. These handsome-looking ladies proceeded

scattering flowers all around; and the clouds marched, having made their

obeisance to that god (Mahadeva) armed with the Pinaka bow. And some of

them held a white umbrella over his head, and Agni (the Fire god) and

Vayu (the god of winds) busied themselves with two hairy fans (emblems of

royalty). And, O king, he was followed by the glorious Indra accompanied

by the Rajarshis, and singing the praise of that god with the emblem of

the bull. And Gauri, Vidya, Gandhari, Kesini, and the lady called Mitra

in company with Savitri, all proceeded in the train of Parvati, as also

all the Vidyas (presiding deities of all branches of knowledge) that were

created by the learned. The Rakshasa spirit who delivers to different

battalions the commands which are implicitly obeyed by Indra and other

gods, advanced in front of the army as standard-bearer. And that foremost

of Rakshasas, by name Pingala, the friend of Rudra, who is always busy in

places where corpses are burnt, and who is agreeable to all people,

marched with them merrily, at one time going ahead of the army, and

falling behind again at another, his movements being uncertain. Virtuous

actions are the offerings with which the god Rudra is worshipped by

mortals. He who is also called Siva, the omnipotent god, armed with the

Pinaka bow, is Maheswara. He is worshipped in various forms.

"The son of Krittika, the leader of the celestial army, respectful to

Brahmanas, surrounded by the celestial forces, also followed that lord of

the gods. And then Mahadeva said these weighty words to Mahasena, 'Do

thou carefully command the seventh army corps of the celestial forces.'

"Skanda replied, 'Very well, my lord! I shall command the seventh army

corps. Now tell me quickly if there is anything else to be done.'

"Rudra said, 'Thou shall always find me in the field of action. By

looking up to me and by devotion to me shalt thou attain great welfare.'

"Markandeya continued, 'With these words Maheswara received him in his

embrace, and then dismissed him. And, O great king, after the dismissal

of Skanda, prodigies of various kinds occurred to disturb the equanimity

of the gods.'

"The firmament with the stars was in a blaze, and the whole universe in a

state of utter confusion. The earth quaked and gave forth a rumbling

sound, and darkness overspread the whole world. Then observing this

terrible catastrophe, Sankara with the estimable Uma, and the celestials

with the great Maharshis, were much exercised in mind. And when they had

fallen into this state of confusion, there appeared before them a fierce

and mighty host armed with various weapons, and looking like a mass of

clouds and rocks. Those terrible and countless beings, speaking different

languages directed their movements towards the point where Sankara and

the celestials stood. They hurled into the ranks of the celestial army

flights of arrows in all directions, masses of rock, maces, sataghnis,

prasas and parighas. The celestial army was thrown into a state of

confusion by a shower of these terrible weapons and their ranks were seen

to waver. The Danavas made a great havoc by cutting up their soldiers,

horses, elephants, chariots and arms. And the celestial troops then

seemed as if they were about to turn their backs upon the enemy. And

numbers of them fell, slain by the Asuras, like large trees in a forest

burnt in a conflagration. Those dwellers of heaven fell with their heads,

separated from their bodies, and having none to lead them in that fearful

battle, they were slaughtered by the enemy. And then the god Purandara

(Indra), the slayer of Vala, observing that they were unsteady and

hard-pressed by the Asuras, tried to rally them with this speech, 'Do not

be afraid, ye heroes, may success attend your efforts! Do ye all take up

your arms, and resolve upon manly conduct, and ye will meet with no more

misfortune, and defeat those wicked and terrible-looking Danavas. May ye

be successful! Do ye fall upon the Danavas with me.'

"The dwellers of heaven were re-assured on hearing this speech from

Sakra; and under his leadership, they again rushed against the Danavas.

And then the thirty-three crores of gods and all the powerful Marutas and

the Sadhyas with the Vasus returned to the charge. And the arrows which

they angrily discharged against the enemy drew a large quantity of blood

from the bodies of the Daityas and of their horses and elephants. And

those sharp arrows passing through their bodies fell upon the ground,

looking like so many snakes falling from the sides of a hill. And, O

king, the Daityas pierced by those arrows fell fast on all sides, looking

like so many detached masses of clouds. Then the Danava host, struck with

panic at that charge of the celestials on the field of battle, wavered at

that shower of various weapons. Then all the gods loudly gave vent to

their joy, with arms ready to strike; and the celestial bands too struck

up various airs. Thus took place that encounter, so fearful to both

sides: for all the battle-field was covered with blood and strewn with

the bodies of both gods and Asuras. But the gods were soon worsted all on

a sudden, and the terrible Danavas again made a great havoc of the

celestial army. Then the Asuras, drums struck up and their shrill bugles

were sounded; and the Danava chiefs yelled their terrific war-cry.

"Then a powerful Danava, taking a huge mass of rock in his hands, came

out of that terrible Daitya army. He looked like the sun peering forth

from against a mass of dark clouds. And, O king, the celestials,

beholding that he was about to hurl that mass of rock at them, fled in

confusion. But they were pursued by Mahisha, who hurled that hillock at

them. And, O lord of the world, by the falling of that mass of rock, ten

thousand warriors of the celestial army were crushed to the ground and

breathed their last. And this act of Mahisha struck terror into the

hearts of the gods, and with his attendant Danavas he fell upon them like

a lion attacking a herd of deer. And when Indra and the other celestials

observed that Mahisha was advancing to the charge, they fled, leaving

behind their arms and colours. And Mahisha was greatly enraged at this,

and he quickly advanced towards the chariot of Rudra; and reaching near,

he seized its pole with his hands. And when Mahisha in a fit of rage had

thus seized the chariot of Rudra, all the Earth began to groan and the

great Rishis lost their senses. And Daityas of huge proportions, looking

like dark clouds, were boisterous with joy, thinking that victory was

assured to them. And although that adorable god (Rudra) was in that

plight, yet he did not think it worth while to kill Mahisha in battle; he

remembered that Skanda would deal the deathblow to that evil-minded

Asura. And the fiery Mahisha, contemplating with satisfaction the prize

(the chariot of Rudra) which he had secured, sounded his war-cry, to the

great alarm of the gods and the joy of the Daityas. And when the gods

were in that fearful predicament, the mighty Mahasena, burning with

anger, and looking grand like the Sun advanced to their rescue. And that

lordly being was clad in blazing red and decked with a wreath of red

flowers. And cased in armour of gold he rode in a gold-coloured chariot

bright as the Sun and drawn by chestnut horses. And at his sight the army

of the daityas was suddenly dispirited on the field of battle. And, O

great king, the mighty Mahasena discharged a bright Sakti for the

destruction of Mahisha. That missile cut off the head of Mahisha, and he

fell upon the ground and died. And his head massive as a hillock, falling

on the ground, barred the entrance to the country of the Northern Kurus,

extending in length for sixteen Yojanas though at present the people of

that country pass easily by that gate.

"It was observed both by the gods and the Danavas that Skanda hurled his

sakti again and again on the field of battle, and that it returned to his

hands, after killing thousands of the enemy's forces. And the terrible

Danavas fell in large numbers by the arrows of the wise Mahasena. And

then a panic seized them, and the followers of Skanda began to slay and

eat them up by thousands and drink their blood. And they joyously

exterminated the Danavas in no time, just as the sun destroys darkness,

or as fire destroys a forest, or as the winds drive away the clouds. And

in this manner the famous Skanda defeated all his enemies. And the gods

came to congratulate him, and he, in turn, paid his respects to

Maheswara. And that son of Krittika looked grand like the sun in all the

glory of his effulgence. And when the enemy was completely defeated by

Skanda and when Maheswara left the battle-field, Purandara embraced

Mahasena and said to him, 'This Mahisha, who was made invincible by the

favour of Brahma hath been killed by thee. O best of warriors, the gods

were like grass to him. O strong-limbed hero, thou hast removed a thorn

of the celestials. Thou hast killed in battle hundreds of Danavas equal

in valour to Mahisha who were all hostile to us, and who used to harass

us before. And thy followers too have devoured them by hundreds. Thou

art, O mighty being, invincible in battle like Uma's lord; and this

victory shall be celebrated as thy first achievement, and thy fame shall

be undying in the three worlds. And, O strong-armed god, all the gods

will yield their allegiance to thee.' Having spoken thus to Mahasena, the

husband of Sachi left the place accompanied by the gods and with the

permission of the adorable three-eyed god (Siva). And Rudra returned to

Bhadravata, and the celestials too returned to their respective abodes.

And Rudra spoke, addressing the gods, 'Ye must render allegiance to

Skanda just as ye do unto me.' And that son of the Fire-god, having

killed the Danavas hath conquered the three worlds, in one day, and he

hath been worshipped by the great Rishis. The Brahmana who with due

attention readeth this story of the birth of Skanda, attaineth to great

prosperity in this world and the companionship of Skanda hereafter."

Yudhishthira said, "O good and adorable Brahmana, I wish to know the

different names of that high-souled being, by which he is celebrated

throughout the three worlds."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by the Pandava in that assembly

of Rishis, the worshipful Markandeya of high ascetic merit replied,

'Agneya (Son of Agni), Skanda (Cast-off), Diptakirti (Of blazing fame),

Anamaya (Always hale), Mayuraketu (Peacock-bannered), Dharmatman (The

virtuous-souled), Bhutesa (The lord of all creatures), Mahishardana (The

slayer of Mahisha), Kamajit (The subjugator of desires), Kamada (The

fulfiller of desires), Kanta (The handsome), Satyavak (The truthful in

speech), Bhuvaneswara (The lord of the universe), Sisu (The child),

Sighra (The quick), Suchi (The pure), Chanda (The fiery), Diptavarna (The

bright-complexioned), Subhanana (Of beautiful face), Amogha (Incapable of

being baffled), Anagha (The sinless), Rudra (The terrible), Priya (The

favourite), Chandranana (Of face like the moon), Dipta-sasti (The wielder

of the blazing lance), Prasantatman (Of tranquil soul), Bhadrakrit (The

doer of good), Kutamahana (The chamber of even the wicked), Shashthipriya

(True favourite of Shashthi), Pavitra (The holy), Matrivatsala (The

reverencer of his mother), Kanya-bhartri (The protector of virgins),

Vibhakta (Diffused over the universe), Swaheya (The son of Swaha),

Revatisuta (The child of Revati), Prabhu (The Lord), Neta (The leader),

Visakha (Reared up by Visakha), Naigameya (Sprang from the Veda),

Suduschara (Difficult of propitiation), Suvrata (Of excellent vows),

Lalita (The beautiful), Valakridanaka-priya (Fond of toys), Khacharin

(The ranger of skies), Brahmacharin (The chaste), Sura (The brave),

Saravanodbhava (Born in a forest of heath), Viswamitra priya (The

favourite of Viswamitra), Devasena-priya (The lover of Devasena),

Vasudeva-priya (The beloved of Vasudeva), and Priya-krit (The doer of

agreeable things)--these are the divine names of Kartikeya. Whoever

repeateth them, undoubtedly secureth fame, wealth, and salvation."

'Markandeya continued, "O valiant scion of Kuru's race, I shall now with

due devotion pray to that unrivalled, mighty, six-faced, and valiant Guha

who is worshipped by gods and Rishis, enumerating his other titles of

distinction: do thou listen to them: Thou art devoted to Brahma, begotten

of Brahma, and versed in the mysteries of Brahma. Thou art called

Brahmasaya, and thou art the foremost of those who are possessed of

Brahma. Thou art fond of Brahma, thou art austere like the Brahmanas and

art versed in the great mystery of Brahma and the leader of the

Brahmanas. Thou art Swaha, thou art Swadha, and thou art the holiest of

the holy, and art invoked in hymns and celebrated as the six-flamed fire.

Thou art the year, thou art the six seasons, thou art the months, the

(lunar) half months, the (solar) declinations, and the cardinal points of

space. Thou art lotus-eyed. Thou art possessed of a lily-like face. Thou

hast a thousand faces and a thousand arms. Thou art the ruler of the

universe, thou art the great Oblation, and thou art the animating spirit

of all the gods and the Asuras. Thou art the great leader of armies. Thou

art Prachanda (furious), thou art the Lord, and thou art the great master

and the conqueror of thine enemies. Thou art, Sahasrabhu (multiform),

Sahasratusti (a thousand times content), Sahasrabhuk (devourer of

everything), and Sahasrapad (of a thousand legs), and thou art the earth

itself. Thou art possessed of infinite forms and thousand heads and great

strength. According to thine own inclinations thou hast appeared as the

son of Ganga, Swaha, Mahi, or Krittika. O six-faced god, thou dost play

with the cock and assume different forms according to thy will. Thou art

Daksha. Soma, the Maruta, Dharma, Vayu, the prince of mountains, and

Indra, for all time. Thou art mighty, the most eternal of all eternal

things, and the lord of all lords. Thou art the progenitor of Truth, the

destroyer of Diti's progeny (Asuras), and the great conqueror of the

enemies of the celestials. Thou art the personation of virtue and being

thyself vast and minute, thou art acquainted with the highest and lowest

points of virtuous acts, and the mysteries of Brahma. O foremost of all

gods and high-souled lord of the Universe, this whole creation is

over-spread with thy energy! I have thus prayed to thee according to the

best of my power. I salute thee who art possessed of twelve eyes and many

hands. Thy remaining attributes transcend my powers of comprehension!'

The Brahmana who with due attention readeth this story of the birth of

Skanda, or relateth it unto Brahmanas, or hears it narrated by regenerate

men, attaineth to wealth, long life, fame, children, as also victory,

prosperity and contentment, and the companionship of Skanda."

SECTION CCXXXI

(Draupadi-Satyabhama Samvada)

Vaisampayana said, "After those Brahmanas and the illustrious sons of

Pandu had taken their seats, Draupadi and Satyabhama entered the

hermitage. And with hearts full of joy the two ladies laughed merrily and

seated themselves at their ease. And, O king, those ladies, who always

spake sweetly to each other, having met after a long time, began to talk

upon various delightful topics arising out of the stories of the Kurus

and the Yadus. And the slender-waisted Satyabhama, the favourite wife of

Krishna and the daughter of Satrajit, then asked Draupadi in private,

saying, 'By what behaviour is it, O daughter of Drupada, that thou art

able to rule the sons of Pandu--those heroes endued with strength and

beauty and like unto the Lokapalas themselves? Beautiful lady, how is it

that they are so obedient to thee and are never angry with thee? Without

doubt the sons of Pandu, O thou of lovely features, are ever submissive

to thee and watchful to do thy bidding! Tell me, O lady, the reason of

this. Is it practice of vows, or asceticism, or incantation or drug at

the time of the bath (in season) or the efficacy of science, or the

influence of youthful appearance, or the recitation of particular

formulae, or Homa, or collyrium and other medicaments? Tell me now, O

princess of Panchala, of that blessed and auspicious thing by which, O

Krishna, Krishna may ever be obedient to me."

"When the celebrated Satyabhama, having said this, ceased, the chaste and

blessed daughter of Drupada answered her, saying, 'Thou askedest me, O

Satyabhama, of the practices of women that are wicked. How can I answer

thee, O lady, about the cause that is pursued by wicked females? It doth

not become thee, lady, to pursue the questions, or doubt me, after this,

for thou art endued with intelligence and art the favourite wife of

Krishna. When the husband learns that his wife is addicted to

incantations and drugs, from that hour he beginneth to dread her like a

serpent ensconced in his sleeping chamber. And can a man that is troubled

with fear have peace, and how can one that hath no peace have happiness?

A husband can never be made obedient by his wife's incantations. We hear

of painful diseases being transmitted by enemies. Indeed, they that

desire to slay others, send poison in the shape of customary gifts, so

that the man that taketh the powders so sent, by tongue or skin, is,

without doubt, speedily deprived of life. Women have sometimes caused

dropsy and leprosy, decrepitude and impotence and idiocy and blindness

and deafness in men. These wicked women, ever treading in the path of

sin, do sometimes (by these means) injure their husbands. But the wife

should never do the least injury to her lord. Hear now, O illustrious

lady, of the behaviour I adopt towards the high-souled sons of Pandu.

Keeping aside vanity, and controlling desire and wrath, I always serve

with devotion the sons of Pandu with their wives. Restraining jealousy,

with deep devotion of heart, without a sense of degradation at the

services I perform, I wait upon my husbands. Ever fearing to utter what

is evil or false, or to look or sit or walk with impropriety, or cast

glances indicative of the feelings of the heart, do I serve the sons of

Pritha--those mighty warriors blazing like the sun or fire, and handsome

as the moon, those endued with fierce energy and prowess, and capable of

slaying their foes by a glance of the eye. Celestial, or man, or

Gandharva, young or decked with ornaments, wealthy or comely of person,

none else my heart liketh. I never bathe or eat or sleep till he that is

my husband hath bathed or eaten or slept,--till, in fact, our attendants

have bathed, eaten, or slept. Whether returning from the field, the

forest, or the town, hastily rising up I always salute my husband with

water and a seat. I always keep the house and all household articles and

the food that is to be taken well-ordered and clean. Carefully do I keep

the rice, and serve the food at the proper time. I never indulge in angry

and fretful speech, and never imitate women that are wicked. Keeping

idleness at distance I always do what is agreeable. I never laugh except

at a jest, and never stay for any length of time at the house-gate. I

never stay long in places for answering calls of nature, nor in

pleasure-gardens attached to the house. I always refrain from laughing

loudly and indulging in high passion, and from everything that may give

offence. Indeed, O Satyabhama, I always am engaged in waiting upon my

lords. A separation from my lords is never agreeable to me. When my

husband leaveth home for the sake of any relative, then renouncing

flowers and fragrant paste of every kind, I begin to undergo penances.

Whatever my husband drinketh not, whatever my husband eateth not,

whatever my husband enjoyeth not, I ever renounce. O beautiful lady,

decked in ornaments and ever controlled by the instruction imparted to

me, I always devotedly seek the good of my lord. Those duties that my

mother-in-law had told me of in respect of relatives, as also the duties

of alms-giving, of offering worship to the gods, of oblations to the

diseased, of boiling food in pots on auspicious days for offer to

ancestors and guests of reverence and service to those that deserve our

regards, and all else that is known to me, I always discharge day and

night, without idleness of any kind. Having with my whole heart recourse

to humility and approved rules I serve my meek and truthful lords ever

observant of virtue, regarding them as poisonous snakes capable of being

excited at a trifle. I think that to be eternal virtue for women which is

based upon a regard for the husband. The husband is the wife's god, and

he is her refuge. Indeed, there is no other refuge for her. How can,

then, the wife do the least injury to her lord? I never, in sleeping or

eating or adorning any person, act against the wishes of my lord, and

always guided by my husbands, I never speak ill of my mother-in-law. O

blessed lady, my husbands have become obedient to me in consequence of my

diligence, my alacrity, and the humility with which I serve superiors.

Personally do I wait every day with food and drink and clothes upon the

revered and truthful Kunti--that mother of heroes. Never do I show any

preference for myself over her in matters of food and attire, and never

do I reprove in words that princess equal unto the Earth herself in

forgiveness. Formerly, eight thousand Brahmanas were daily fed in the

palace of Yudhishthira from off plates of gold. And eighty thousand

Brahmanas also of the Snataka sect leading domestic lives were

entertained by Yudhishthira with thirty serving-maids assigned to each.

Besides these, ten thousand yatis with the vital seed drawn up, had their

pure food carried unto them in plates of gold. All these Brahamanas that

were the utterers of the Veda, I used to worship duly with food, drink,

and raiment taken from stores only after a portion thereof had been

dedicated to the Viswadeva.[82] The illustrious son of Kunti had a

hundred thousand well-dressed serving-maids with bracelets on arms and

golden ornaments on necks, and decked with costly garlands and wreaths

and gold in profusion, and sprinkled with sandal paste. And adorned with

jewels and gold they were all skilled in singing and dancing. O lady, I

knew the names and features of all those girls, as also what they are and

what they were, and what they did not. Kunti's son of great intelligence

had also a hundred thousand maid-servants who daily used to feed guests,

with plates of gold in their hands. And while Yudhishthira lived in

Indraprastha a hundred thousand horses and a hundred thousand elephants

used to follow in his train. These were the possessions of Yudhisthira

while he ruled the earth. It was I however, O lady, who regulated their

number and framed the rules to be observed in respect of them; and it was

I who had to listen to all complaints about them. Indeed, I knew

everything about what the maid-servants of the palace and other classes

of attendants, even the cow-herds and the shepherds of the royal

establishment, did or did not. O blessed and illustrious lady, it was I

alone amongst the Pandavas who knew the income and expenditure of the

king and what their whole wealth was. And those bulls among the Bharatas,

throwing upon me the burden of looking after all those that were to be

fed by them, would, O thou of handsome face, pay their court to me. And

this load, so heavy and incapable of being borne by persons of evil

heart, I used to bear day and night, sacrificing my ease, and all the

while affectionately devoted to them. And while my husbands were engaged

in the pursuit of virtue, I only supervised their treasury inexhaustible

like the ever-filled receptacle of Varuna. Day and night bearing hunger

and thirst, I used to serve the Kuru princes, so that my nights and days

were equal to me. I used to wake up first and go to bed last. This, O

Satyabhama, hath ever been my charm for making my husbands obedient to

me! This great art hath ever been known to me for making my husbands

obedient to me. Never have I practised the charms of wicked women, nor do

I ever wish to practise them."

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing those words of virtuous import uttered

by Krishna, Satyabhama, having first reverenced the virtuous princess of

Panchala, answered saying, 'O princess of Panchala, I have been guilty, O

daughter of Yajnasena, forgive me! Among friends, conversations in jest

arise naturally, and without premeditation."

SECTION CCXXXII

"Draupadi said, 'I shall now indicate to thee, for attracting the heart

of thy husbands a way that is free from deceit. By adopting it duly, dear

friend, thou will be able to draw away thy lord from other females. In

all the worlds, including that of the celestials, there is no god equal,

O Satyabhama, unto the husband. When he is gratified with thee, thou

mayst have (from thy husband) every object of desire; when he is angry,

all these may be lost. It is from her husband that the wife obtaineth

offspring and various articles of enjoyment. It is from thy husband that

thou mayst have handsome beds and seats, and robes and garlands, and

perfumes, and great fame and heaven itself hereafter. One cannot obtain

happiness here by means that are easy. Indeed, the woman that is chaste,

obtains weal with woe. Always adore Krishna, therefore, with friendship

and love physical sufferings. And do thou also act in a way, by offering

handsome seats and excellent garlands and various perfumes and prompt

service, that he may be devoted to thee, thinking, 'I am truly loved by

her!' Hearing the voice of thy lord at the gate, rise thou up from thy

seat and stay in readiness within the room. And as soon as thou seest him

enter thy chamber, worship him by promptly offering him a seat and water

to wash his feet. And even when he commands a maidservant to do anything,

get thou up and do it thyself. Let Krishna understand this temper of thy

mind and know that thou adorest him with all thy heart. And, O

Satyabhama, whatever thy lord speaketh before thee, do not blab of it

even if it may not deserve concealment,--for if any of thy co-wives were

to speak of it unto Vasudeva, he might be irritated with thee. Feed thou

by every means in thy power those that are dear and devoted to thy lord

and always seek his good. Thou shouldst, however, always keep thyself

aloof from those that are hostile to and against thy lord and seek to do

him injury, as also from those that are addicted to deceit. Foregoing all

excitement and carelessness in the presence of men, conceal thy

inclinations by observing silence, and thou shouldst not stay or converse

in private even with thy sons, Pradyumna and Samva. Thou shouldst form

attachments with only such females as are high-born and sinless and

devoted to their lords, and thou shouldst always shun women that are

wrathful, addicted to drinks, gluttonous, thievish, wicked and fickle.

Behaviour such as this is reputable and productive of prosperity; and

while it is capable of neutralising hostility, it also leadeth to heaven.

Therefore, worship thou thy husband, decking thyself in costly garlands

and ornaments and smearing thyself with unguents and excellent perfumes."

SECTION CCXXXIII

Vaisampayana said, "Then Kesava, the slayer of Madhu, also called

Janardana, having conversed on various agreeable themes with the

illustrious sons of Pandu and with those Brahmanas that were headed by

Markandeya and having bid them farewell, mounted his car and called for

Satyabhama. And Satyabhama then, having embraced the daughter of Drupada,

addressed her in these cordial words expressive of her feelings towards

her: 'O Krishna, let there be no anxiety, no grief, for thee! Thou hast

no cause to pass thy nights in sleeplessness, for thou wilt surely obtain

back the earth subjugated by thy husbands, who are all equal unto the

gods. O thou of black eyes, women endued with such disposition and

possessed of such auspicious marks, can never suffer misfortune long. It

hath been heard by me that thou shall, with thy husbands, certainly enjoy

this earth peacefully and freed from all thorns! And, O daughter of

Drupada, thou shalt certainly behold the earth ruled by Yudhishthira

after the sons of Dhritarashtra have been slain and the deeds of their

hostility avenged! Thou wilt soon behold those wives of the Kurus, who,

deprived of sense by pride, laughed at thee while on thy way to exile,

themselves reduced to a state of helplessness and despair! Know them all,

O Krishna, that did thee any injury while thou wert afflicted, to have

already gone to the abode of Yama. Thy brave sons, Prativindhya by

Yudhishthira and Sutasoma by Bhima, and Srutakarman by Arjuna, and

Satanika by Nakula, and Srutasena begot by Sahadeva, are well and have

become skilled in weapons. Like Abhimanyu they are all staying at

Dwaravati, delighted with the place. And Subhadra also, cheerfully and

with her whole soul, looketh after them like thee, and like thee joyeth

in them and deriveth much happiness from them. Indeed, she grieveth in

their griefs and joyeth in their joys. And the mother of Pradyumna also

loveth them with her whole soul. And Kesava with his sons Bhanu and

others watcheth over them with especial affection. And my mother-in-law

is ever attentive in feeding and clothing them. And the Andhakas and

Vrishnis, including Rama and others, regard them with affection. And, O

beautiful lady, their affection for thy sons is equal unto what they feel

for Pradyumna.

"Having said these agreeable and truthful and cordial words, Satyabhama

desired to go to Vasudeva's car. And the wife of Krishna then walked

round the queen of the Pandavas. And having done so the beautiful

Satyabhama mounted the car of Krishna. And the chief of the Yadavas,

comforting Draupadi with a smile and causing the Pandavas to return, set

out for his own city, with swift horses (yoked unto his car)."

SECTION CCXXXIV

(Ghosha-yatra Parva)

Janamejaya said, "While those foremost of men--the sons of Pritha--were

passing their days in the forest exposed to the inclemencies of the

winter, the summer, the wind and the sun, what did they do, O Brahmana,

after they had reached the lake and woods going by the name of Dwaita?"

Vaisampayana said, "After the sons of Pandu had arrived at that lake,

they chose a residence that was removed from the habitations of men. And

they began to roam through delightful woods and ever charming mountains

and picturesque river-valleys. And after they had taken up their

residence there, many venerable ascetics endued with Vedic lore often

came to see them. And those foremost of men always received those

Veda-knowing Rishis with great respect. And one day there came unto the

Kaurava princes a certain Brahmana who was well known on earth for his

powers of speech. And having conversed with the Pandavas for a while, he

went away as pleased him to the court of the royal son of Vichitravirya.

Received with respect by that chief of the Kurus, the old king, the

Brahmana took his seat; and asked by the monarch he began to talk of the

sons of Dharma, Pavana, Indra and of the twins, all of whom having fallen

into severe misery, had become emaciated and reduced owing to exposure to

wind and sun. And that Brahmana also talked of Krishna who was

overwhelmed with suffering and who then had become perfectly helpless,

although she had heroes for her lords. And hearing the words of that

Brahmana, the royal son of Vichitravirya became afflicted with grief, at

the thought of those princes of royal lineage then swimming in a river of

sorrow. His inmost soul afflicted with sorrow and trembling all over with

sighs, he quieted himself with a great effort, remembering that

everything had arisen from his own fault. And the monarch said, 'Alas,

how is it that Yudhishthira who is the eldest of my sons, who is truthful

and pious and virtuous in his behaviour, who hath not a foe, who had

formerly slept on beds made of soft Ranku skins, sleepeth now on the bare

ground! Alas, wakened formerly by Sutas and Magadhas and other singers

with his praises, melodiously recited every morning, that prince of the

Kuru race, equal unto Indra himself, is now waked from the bare ground

towards the small hours of the night by a multitude of birds! How doth

Vrikodara, reduced by exposure to wind and sun and filled with wrath,

sleep, in the presence of the princess of Panchala, on the bare ground,

unfit as he is to suffer such lot! Perhaps also, the intelligent Arjuna,

who is incapable of bearing pain, and who, though obedient to the will of

Yudhishthira, yet feeleth himself to be pierced over all by the

remembrance of his wrongs, sleepeth not in the night! Beholding the twins

and Krishna and Yudhisthira and Bhima plunged in misery, Arjuna without

doubt, sigheth like a serpent of fierce energy and sleepeth not from

wrath in the night! The twins also, who are even like a couple of blessed

celestials in heaven sunk in woe though deserving of bliss, without doubt

pass their nights in restless wakefulness restrained (from avenging their

wrongs) by virtue and truth! The mighty son of the Wind-god, who is equal

to the Wind-god himself in strength, without doubt, sigheth and

restraineth his wrath, being tied through his elder brother in the bonds

of truth! Superior in battle to all warriors, he now lieth quiet on the

ground, restrained by virtue and truth, and burning to slay my children,

he bideth his time. The cruel words that Dussasana spoke after

Yudhishthira had been deceitfully defeated at dice, have sunk deep into

Vrikodara's heart, and are consuming him, like a burning bundle of straw

consuming a fagot of dry wood! The son of Dharma never acteth sinfully;

Dhananjaya also always obeyeth him; but Bhima's wrath, in consequence of

a life of exile, is increasing like a conflagration assisted by the wind!

That hero, burning with rage such as that, squeezeth his hands and

breatheth hot and fierce sighs, as if consuming therewith my sons and

grandsons! The wielder of the Gandiva and Vrikodara, when angry, are like

Yama and Kala themselves; scattering their shafts, which are like unto

thunder-bolts, they exterminate in battle the ranks of the enemy. Alas

Duryodhana, and Sakuni, and the Suta's son, and Dussasana also of wicked

soul, in robbing the Pandavas of their kingdom by means of dice, seem to

behold the honey alone without marking the terrible ruin. A man having

acted rightly or wrongly, expecteth the fruit of those acts. The fruit,

however, confounding him, paralyses him fully. How can man, thereof, have

salvation? If the soil is properly tilled, and the seed sown therein, and

if the god (of rain) showereth in season, still the crop may not grow.

This is what we often hear. Indeed, how could this saying be true unless,

as I think, it be that everything here is dependent on Destiny? The

gambler Sakuni hath behaved deceitfully towards the son of Pandu, who

ever acteth honestly. From affection for my wicked sons I also have acted

similarly. Alas, it is owing to this that the hour of destruction hath

come for the Kurus! Oh, perhaps, what is inevitable must happen! The

wind, impelled or not, will move. The woman that conceives will bring

forth. Darkness will be dispelled at dawn, and day disappear at evening!

Whatever may be earned by us or others, whether people spend it or not,

when the time cometh, those possessions of ours do bring on misery. Why

then do people become so anxious about earning wealth? If, indeed, what

is acquired is the result of fate, then should it be protected so that it

may not be divided, nor lost little by little, nor permitted to flow out

at once, for if unprotected, it may break into a hundred fragments. But

whatever the character of our possessions, our acts in the world are

never lost. Behold what the energy of Arjuna is, who went into the abode

of Indra from the woods! Having mastered the four kinds of celestial

weapons he hath come back into this world! What man is there who, having

gone to heaven in his human form, wisheth to come back? This would never

have been but because he seeth innumerable Kurus to be at the point of

death, afflicted by Time! The bowman is Arjuna, capable of wielding the

bow with his left hand as well! The bow he wieldeth is the Gandiva of

fierce impetus. He hath, besides, those celestial weapons of his! Who is

there that would bear the energy of these three!"

"Hearing these words of the monarch, the son of Suvala, going unto

Duryodhana, who was then sitting with Kama, told them everything in

private. And Duryodhana, though possessed of little sense, was filled

with grief at what he heard."

SECTION CCXXXV

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing those words of Dhritarashtra, Sakuni, when

the opportunity presented itself, aided by Kama, spoke unto Duryodhana

these words, 'Having exiled the heroic Pandavas by thy own prowess, O

Bharata, rule thou this earth without a rival like the slayer of Samvara

ruling the heaven! O monarch, the kings of the east, the south, the west,

and the north, have all been made tributory to thee! O lord of earth,

that blazing Prosperity which had before paid her court to the sons of

Pandu, hath now been acquired by thee along with thy brothers! That

blazing Prosperity, O king, which we not many days ago saw with heavy

hearts in Yudhishthira at Indraprastha, is today seen by us to be owned

by thee, she having, O mighty-armed monarch, been snatched by thee from

the royal Yudhishthira by force of intellect alone. O slayer of hostile

heroes, all the kings of the earth now living in subjection to thee,

await thy commands, as they did before under Yudhishthira, awaiting his.

O monarch, the goddess Earth with her boundless extent with girth of

seas, with her mountains and forests, and towns and cities and mines, and

decked with woodlands and hills is now thine! Adored by the Brahmanas and

worshipped by the kings, thou blazest forth, O king, in consequence of

thy prowess, like the Sun among the gods in heaven! Surrounded by the

Kurus, O king, like Yama by the Rudra, or Vasava by the Maruts, thou

shinest, O monarch, like the Moon among the stars! Let us, therefore, O

king, go and look at the sons of Pandu--them who are now divested of

prosperity, them who never obeyed commands, them who never owed

subjection! It hath been heard by us, O monarch, that the Pandavas are

now living on the banks of the lake called Dwaitavana, with a multitude

of Brahmanas, having the wilderness for their home. Go thither, O king,

in all thy prosperity, scorching the son of Pandu with a sight of thy

glory, like the Sun scorching everything with his hot rays! Thyself a

sovereign and they divested of sovereignty, thyself in prosperity and

they divested of it, thyself possessing affluence and they in poverty,

behold now, O king, the sons of Pandu. Let the sons of Pandu behold thee

like Yayati, the son of Nahusha, accompanied by a large train of

followers and enjoying bliss that is great. O king, that blazing

Prosperity which is seen by both one's friends and foes, is regarded as

well-bestowed! What happiness can be more complete than that which he

enjoyeth who while himself in prosperity, looketh upon his foes in

adversity, like a person on the hill top looking down upon another

crawling on the earth? O tiger among kings, the happiness that one

derives from beholding his foes in grief, is greater than what one may

derive from the acquisition of offering or wealth or kingdom! What

happiness will not be his who, himself in affluence, will cast his eyes

on Dhananjaya attired in barks and deer-skins? Let thy wife dressed in

costly robes look at the woeful Krishna clad in barks and deer-skins, and

enhance the latter's grief! Let the daughter of Drupada reproach herself

and her life, divested as she is of wealth, for the sorrow that she will

feel upon beholding thy wife decked in ornaments will be far greater than

what she had felt in the midst of the assembly (when Dussasana had

dragged her there)!"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having thus spoken unto the king, Karna and

Sakuni both remained silent, O Janamejaya, after their discourse was

over."

SECTION CCXXXVI

Vaisampayana said, "Having heard these words of Karna, king Duryodhana

became highly pleased. Soon after, however, the prince became melancholy

and addressing the speaker said, 'What thou tellest me, O Karna, is

always before my mind. I shall not, however, obtain permission to repair

to the place where the Pandavas are residing. King Dhritarashtra is

always grieving for those heroes. Indeed, the king regarded the sons of

Pandu to have become more powerful than before in consequence of their

ascetic austerities. Or, if the king understands our motives, he will

never, having regard to the future, grant us permission, for, O thou of

great effulgence, we can have no other business in the woods of

Dwaitavana than the destruction of the Pandavas in exile! Thou knowest

the words that Kshatri spoke to me to thyself, and to the son of Suvala,

at the time of the match at dice! Reflecting upon all those words as also

upon all those lamentations (that he and others indulged in), I cannot

make up my mind as to whether I should or should not go! I shall

certainly be highly pleased if I cast my eyes on Bhima and Phalguna

passing their days in pain with Krishna in the woods. The joy that I may

feel in obtaining the sovereignty of the entire earth is nothing to that

which will be mine upon beholding the sons of Pandu attired in barks of

trees and deer-skins. What joy can be greater, O Karna, that will be mine

upon beholding the daughter of Drupada dressed in red rags in the woods?

If king Yudhishthira and Bhima, the sons of Pandu, behold me graced with

great affluence, then only shall I have attained the great end of my

life! I do not, however, see the means by which I may repair to those

woods, by which, in fact, I may obtain the king's permission to go

thither! Contrive thou, therefore, some skilful plan, with Suvala's son

and Dussasana, by which we may go to those woods! I also, making up my

mind today as to whether I should go or not, approach the presence of the

king tomorrow. And when I shall be sitting with Bhishma--that best of the

Kurus--thou wilt, with Sakuni propose the pretext which thou mayst have

contrived. Hearing then the words of Bhishma and of the king on the

subject of our journey, I will settle everything beseeching our

grandfather.

"Saying; 'So be it,' they then all went away to their respective

quarters. And as soon as the night had passed away, Karna came to the

king. And coming to him, Karna smilingly spoke unto Duryodhana, saying,

'A plan hath been contrived by me. Listen to it, O lord of men! Our herds

are now waiting in the woods of Dwaitavana in expectation of thee!

Without doubt, we may all go there under the pretext of supervising our

cattle stations, for, O monarch, it is proper that kings should

frequently repair to their cattle stations. If this be the motive put

forth, thy father, O prince, will certainly grant thee permission!' And

while Duryodhana and Karna were thus conversing laughingly, Sakuni

addressed them and said, 'This plan, free from difficulties, was what I

also saw for going thither! The king will certainly grant us permission,

or even send us thither of his own accord. Our herds are now all waiting

in the woods of Dwaitavana expecting thee. Without doubt, we may all go

there under the pretext of supervising our cattle stations!'

"They then all three laughed together, and gave their hands unto one

another. And having arrived at that conclusion, they went to see the

chief of Kurus."

SECTION CCXXXVII

Vaisampayana said, "They then all saw king Dhritarashtra, O Janamejaya,

and having seen him, enquired after his welfare, and were, in return,

asked about their welfare. Then a cow-herd named Samanga, who had been

instructed beforehand by them, approaching the king, spoke unto him of

the cattle. Then the son of Radha and Sakuni, O king, addressing

Dhritarashtra, that foremost of monarchs, said, 'O Kaurava, our

cattle-stations are now in a delightful place. The time for their tale as

also for marking the calves hath come. And, O monarch, this also is an

excellent season for thy son to go ahunting! It behoveth thee, therefore,

to grant permission to Duryodhana to go thither.'

"Dhritarashtra replied, 'The chase of the deer, as also the examination

of cattle is very proper, O child! I think, indeed, that the herdsmen are

not to be trusted. But we have heard that those tigers among men, the

Pandavas, are now staying in the vicinity of those cattle stations. I

think, therefore, ye should not go thither yourselves! Defeated by

deceitful means they are now living in the deep forest in great

suffering. O Radheya, they are mighty warriors and naturally able, they

are now devoted to ascetic austerities. King Yudhishthira will not suffer

his wrath to be awakened, but Bhimasena is naturally passionate. The

daughter of Yajnasena is energy's self. Full of pride and folly, ye are

certain to give offence. Endued with ascetic merit she will certainly

consume you, or perhaps, those heroes, armed with swords and weapons!

Nor, if from force of numbers, ye seek to injure them in any respect,

that will be a highly improper act, although, as I think, ye will never

be able to succeed. The mighty-armed Dhananjaya hath returned thence to

the forest. While unaccomplished in arms, Vivatsu had subjugated the

whole earth before. A mighty warrior as he is and accomplished in arms

now, will he not be able to slay you all? Or, if in obedience to my

words, ye behave carefully having repaired thither, ye will not be able

to live happily there in consequence of the anxiety ye will feel owing to

a state of continued trustlessness. Or, some soldier of yours may do some

injury to Yudhishthira, and that unpremeditated act will be ascribed to

your fault. Therefore, let some faithful men proceed there for the work

of tale. I do not think it is proper for thee, Bharata, to go thither

thyself."

"Sakuni said, 'The eldest of the sons of Pandu is cognisant of morality.

He pledged in the midst of the assembly, O Bharata, that he would live

for twelve years in the forest. The other sons of Pandu are all virtuous

and obedient to Yudhishthira. And Yudhishthira himself, the son of Kunti,

will never be angry with us. Indeed, we desire very much to go on a

hunting expedition, and will avail of that opportunity for supervising

the tale of our cattle. We have no mind to see the sons of Pandu. We will

not go to that spot where the Pandavas have taken up their residence, and

consequently no exhibition of misconduct can possibly arise on our part.'

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Sakuni, that lord of men,

Dhritarashtra, granted permission, but not very willingly, to Duryodhana

and his counsellors to go to the place. And permitted by the monarch the

Bharata prince born of Gandhari started, accompanied by Karna and

surrounded by a large host. And he was also accompanied by Dussasana and

Suvala's son of great intelligence and by many other brothers of his and

by ladies in thousands. And as the mighty-armed prince started for

beholding the lake that was known by the name of Dwaitavana, the citizens

(of Hastina), also accompanied by their wives began to follow him to that

forest. Eight thousand cars, thirty thousand elephants, nine thousand

horses, and many thousands of foot-soldiers, and shops and pavilions and

traders, bards and men trained in the chase by hundreds and thousands

followed the prince. And as the king started, followed by this large

concourse of people, the uproar that was caused there resembled, O king,

the deep tumult of the ranging winds in the rainy season. And reaching

the lake Dwaitavana with all his followers and vehicles, king Duryodhana

took up his quarters at the distance of four miles from it."

SECTION CCXXXVIII

Vaisampayana said, "King Duryodhana then moving from forest to forest, at

last approached the cattle-stations, and encamped his troops. And his

attendants, selecting a well-known and delightful spot that abounded in

water and trees and that possessed every convenience constructed an abode

for him. And near enough to the royal residence they also erected

separate abodes for Kama and Sakuni and the brothers of the king. And the

king beheld his cattle by hundreds and thousands and examining their

limbs and marks supervised their tale. And he caused the calves to be

marked and took note of those that required to be tamed. And he also

counted those kine whose calves had not yet been weaned. And completing

the task of tale by marking and counting every calf that was three years

old, the Kuru prince, surrounded by the cowherds, began to sport and

wander cheerfully. And the citizens also and the soldiers by thousands

began to sport, as best pleased them, in those woods, like the

celestials. And the herdsmen, well skilled in singing and dancing and

instrumental music, and virgins decked in ornaments, began to minister to

the pleasures of Dhritarashtra's son. And the king surrounded by the

ladies of the royal household began cheerfully to distribute wealth and

food and drinks of various kinds amongst those that sought to please him,

according to their desires.

"And the king, attended by all his followers, began also to slay hyenas

and buffaloes and deer and gayals and bears and boars all around. And the

king, piercing by his shafts those animals by thousands in deep forest,

caused the deer to be caught in the more delightful parts of the woods.

Drinking milk and enjoying, O Bharata, various other delicious articles

and beholding, as he proceeded, many delightful forests and woods

swarming with bees inebriate with floral honey and resounding with the

notes of the peacock, the king at last reached the sacred lake of

Dwaitavana. And the spot which the king reached swarmed with bees

inebriate with floral honey, and echoed with the mellifluous notes of the

blue-throated jay and was shaded by Saptacchadas and punnagas and

Vakulas. And the king graced with high prosperity proceeded thither like

the thunder-wielding chief of the celestials himself. And, O thou best of

the Kuru race, King Yudhishthira the just, endued with high intelligence,

was then, O monarch, residing in the vicinity of that lake at will and

celebrating with his wedded wife, the daughter of Drupada, the diurnal

sacrifice called Rajarshi, according to the ordinance sanctioned for the

celestials and persons living in the wilderness. And, O monarch, having

reached that spot, Duryodhana commanded his men by thousands, saying,

'Let pleasure-houses be constructed soon.' Thus commanded, those doers of

the king's behests replying to the Kruru chief with the words, 'So be

it,' went towards the banks of the lake for constructing pleasure-houses.

And as the picked soldiers of Dhritarashtra's son, having reached the

region of the lake, were about to enter the gates of the wood, a number

of Gandharvas appeared and forbade them to enter. For, O monarch, the

king of the Gandharvas accompanied by his followers, had come thither

beforehand, from the abode of Kuvera. And the king of the Gandharvas had

also been accompanied by the several tribes of Apsaras, as also by the

sons of the celestials And intent upon sport, he had come to that place

for merriment, and occupying it, had closed it against all comers. And

the attendants of the (Kuru) king, finding the lake closed by the king of

the Gandharvas, went back, O monarch, to where the royal Duryodhana was.

And Duryodhana having heard these words, despatched a number of his

warriors difficult of being subjugated in battle, commanding them to

drive away the Gandharvas. And those warriors who formed the vanguard of

the Kuru army, hearing these words of the king, went back to the lake of

Dwaitavana and addressing the Gandharvas, said, 'The mighty king

Duryodhana--the son of Dhritarashtra--is coming, hither for sport. Stand

ye aside, therefore!' Thus addressed by them, O king, the Gandharvas

laughed and replied unto those men in these harsh words: 'Your wicked

king Duryodhana must be destitute of sense. How else could he have thus

commanded us that are dwellers of heaven, as if indeed, we were his

servants? Without forethought, ye also are doubtless on the point of

death; for senseless idiots as ye are, ye have dared to bring us his

message! Return ye soon to where that king of the Kurus is, or else go

this very day to the abode of Yama.' Thus addressed by the Gandharvas,

the advanced guard of the king's army ran back to the place where the

royal son of Dhritarashtra was."

SECTION CCXXXIX

Vaisampayana said, "Those soldiers then, O king, all went back to

Duryodhana and repeated to him every word that the Gandharvas had said.

And, O Bharata, finding that his soldiers had been opposed by the

Gandharvas, Dhritarashtra's son, endued with energy, was filled with

rage. And the king addressed his soldiers, saying, 'Punish these wretches

who desire to oppose my will, even if they have come hither to sport,

accompanied by all the celestials with him of a hundred sacrifices. And

hearing these words of Duryodhana, the sons and officers of Dhritarashtra

all endued with great strength, as also warriors by thousands, began to

arm themselves for battle. And filling the ten sides with loud leonine

roars and rushing at those Gandharvas that had been guarding the gates,

they entered the forest. And as the Kuru soldiers entered the forest,

other Gandharvas came up and forbade them to advance. And though gently

forbidden by the Gandharvas to advance, the Kuru soldiers, without

regarding them in the least, began to enter that mighty forest. And when

those rangers of the sky found that the warriors of Dhritarashtra along

with their king could not be stopped by words they all went to their king

Chitrasena and represented everything unto him. And when Chitrasena, the

king of the Gandharvas, came to know all this he became filled with rage,

alluding to the Kuru, and commanded his followers saying, 'Punish these

wretches of wicked behaviour.' And, O Bharata, when the Gandharvas were

so commanded by Chitrasena, they rushed weapons in hand, towards the

Dhritarashtra ranks. And beholding the Gandharvas impetuously rushing

towards them with upraised weapons, the Kuru warriors precipitously fled

in all directions at the very sight of Duryodhana. And beholding the Kuru

soldiers all flying from the field with their backs to the foe, the

heroic Radheya alone fled not. And seeing the mighty host of the

Gandharvas rushing towards him, Radheya checked them by a perfect shower

of arrows. And the Suta's son, owing to his extreme lightness of hand,

struck hundreds of Gandharvas with Kshurapras and arrows and Bhallas and

various weapons made of bones and steel. And that mighty warrior, causing

the heads of numerous Gandharvas to roll down within a short time, made

the ranks of Chitrasena to yell in anguish. And although they were

slaughtered in great numbers by Karna endued with great intelligence, yet

the Gandharvas returned to the charge by hundreds and thousands. And in

consequence of the swarms of Chitrasena's warriors rushing impetuously to

the field the earth itself became soon covered by the Gandharva host.

Then king Duryodhana, and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and Dussasana, and

Vikarna, and other sons of Dhritarashtra, seated on cars the clatter of

whose wheels resembled the roars of Garuda, returned to the charge,

following the lead of Karna, and began to slaughter that host. And

desirous of supporting Karna, these princes invested the Gandharva army,

with a large number of cars and a strong body of horses. Then the whole

of the Gandharva host began to fight with the Kauravas. And the encounter

that took place between the contending hosts was fierce in the extreme

and might make one's hair stand on end. The Gandharvas, at last,

afflicted with the shafts of the Kuru army, seemed to be exhausted. And

the Kauravas beholding the Gandharvas so afflicted sent up a loud sound.

"And seeing the Gandharva host yielding to fear, the angry Chitrasena

sprang from his seat, resolved to exterminate the Kuru army. And

conversant with various modes of warfare, he waged on the fight, aided by

his weapons of illusion. And the Kaurava warriors were then all deprived

of their senses by the illusion of Chitrasena. And then, O Bharata, it

seemed that every warrior of the Kuru army was fallen upon and surrounded

by ten Gandharvas. And attacked with great vigour, the Kuru host was

greatly afflicted and struck with panic. O king, all of them that liked

to live, fled from the field. But while the entire Dhritarashtra host

broke and fled, Karna, that offspring of the Sun, stood there, O king,

immovable as a hill. Indeed, Duryodhana and Karna and Sakuni, the son of

Suvala, all fought with the Gandharvas, although every one of them was

much wounded and mangled in the encounter. All the Gandharvas then,

desirous of slaying Karna, rushed together by hundreds and thousands

towards Karna. And those mighty warriors, desirous of slaying the Suta's

son, surrounded him on all sides, with swords and battle-axes and spears.

And some cut down the yoke of his car, and some his flagstaff, and some

the shaft of his car, and some his horses, and some his charioteer. And

some cut down his umbrella and some the wooden fender round his car and

some the joints of his car. It was thus that many thousands of

Gandharvas, together attacking his car, broke it into minute fragments.

And while his car was thus attacked, Karna leaped therefrom with sword

and shield in hand, and mounting on Vikarna's car, urged the steeds for

saving himself."

SECTION CCXL

Vaisampayana said, "After that great warrior Karna had been routed by the

Gandharvas, the whole of the Kuru army, O monarch, fled from the field in

the very sight of Dhritarashtra's son. And beholding all his troops

flying from the field of battle with their back to the foe, king

Duryodhana refused to fly. Seeing the mighty host of the Gandharvas

rushing towards him, that represser of foes poured down upon them a thick

shower of arrows. The Gandharvas, however, without regarding that arrowy

shower, and desirous also of slaying him, surrounded that car of his. And

by means of their arrows, they cut off into fragments the yoke, the

shaft, the fenders, the flagstaff, the three-fold bamboo poles, and the

principal turret of his car. And they also slew his charioteer and

horses, hacking them to pieces. And when Duryodhana, deprived of his car,

fell on the ground, the strong-armed Chitrasena rushed towards him and

seized him in such a way that it seemed his life itself was taken. And

after the Kuru king had been seized, the Gandharvas, surrounding

Dussasana, who was seated on his car, also took him prisoner. And some

Gandharvas seized Vivinsati and Chitrasena, and some Vinda and Anuvinda,

while others seized all the ladies of royal household. And the warriors

of Duryodhana, who were routed by the Gandharvas, joining those who had

fled first, approached the Pandavas (who were living in the vicinity).

And after Duryodhana had been made captive, the vehicles, the shops, the

pavilions, the carriages, and the draught animals, all were made over to

the Pandavas for protection. And those soldiers said, 'The mighty-armed

son of Dhritarashtra, possessed of great strength and handsome mien, is

being taken away captive by the Gandharvas! Ye sons of Pritha, follow

them! Dussasana, Durvishasa, Durmukha, and Durjaya, are all being led

away as captives in chains by the Gandharvas, as also all the ladies of

the royal household!'

"Crying thus, the followers of Duryodhana, afflicted with grief and

melancholy, approached Yudhishthira, desirous of effecting the release of

the king. Bhima then answered those old attendants of Duryodhana, who,

afflicted with grief and melancholy, were thus soliciting (the aid of

Yudhishthira), saying, 'What we should have done with great efforts,

arraying ourselves in line of battle, supported by horses and elephants

hath, indeed, been done by the Gandharvas! They that come hither for

other purposes, have been overtaken by consequences they had not

foreseen! Indeed, this is the result of the evil counsels of a king who

is fond of deceitful play! It hath been heard by us that the foe of a

person who is powerless, is overthrown by others. The Gandharvas have, in

an extraordinary way illustrated before our eyes the truth of this

saying! It seems that there is still fortunately some person in the world

who is desirous of doing us good who hath, indeed, taken upon his own

shoulders our pleasant load, although we are sitting idly! The wretch had

come hither to cast his eyes on us,--himself in prosperity while

ourselves are sunk in adversity and emaciated by ascetic austerities and

are exposed to wind, cold and heat. They that imitate the behaviour of

that sinful and wretched Kaurava, are now beholding his disgrace! He that

had instructed Duryodhana to do this, had certainly acted sinfully. That

the sons of Kunti are not wicked and sinful, I tell it before you all!"

"And while Bhima, the son of Kunti, was speaking thus in a voice of

sarcasm, king Yudhishthira told him, 'This is not time for cruel words!'"

SECTION CCXLI

"Yudhishthira said, 'O child, why dost thou use language such as this,

towards the frightened Kurus, who are now in adversity and who have come

to us, solicitous of protection! O Vrikodara, disunions and disputes do

take place amongst those that are connected in blood. Hostilities such as

these do go on. But the honour of the family is never suffered to be

interfered with. If any stranger seeketh to insult the honour of a

family, they that are good never tolerate such insult coming from the

stranger. The wicked-souled king of the Gandharvas knoweth that we are

living here from some time. Yet disregarding us, he hath done this deed

which is so disagreeable to us! O exalted one, from this forcible seizure

of Duryodhana and from this insult to the ladies of our house by a

stranger, our family honour is being destroyed. Therefore, ye tigers

among men, arise and arm yourselves without delay for rescuing those that

have sought our protection and for guarding the honour of our family. Ye

tigers among men, let Arjuna and the twins and thyself also that art

brave and unvanquished, liberate Duryodhana, who is even now being taken

away a captive! Ye foremost of warriors, these blazing cars, furnished

with golden flagstaff's and every kind of weapons belonging to

Dhritarashtra's sons, are ready here. With Indrasena and other

charioteers skilled in arms, for guiding them, ride ye on these

everfurnished cars of deep rattle! And riding on these, exert ye with

activity for fighting with the Gandharvas to liberate Duryodhana. Even an

ordinary Kashatriya (amongst those that are here), would to the height of

his power, protect one that hath come hither for refuge! What then, O

Vrikodara, shall I say of thee! Entreated for assistance in such words as

'O hasten to my aid!' Who is there (amongst those standing around me)

that is high-souled enough to assist even his foe, beholding him seeking

shelter with joined hands? The bestowal of a boon, sovereignty, and the

birth of a son are sources of great joy. But, ye sons of Pandu, the

liberation of a foe from distress is equal to all the three put together!

What can be a source of greater joy to you than that Duryodhana sunk in

distress seeketh his very life as depending on the might of your arms? O

Vrikodara, if the vow in which I am engaged had been over, there is

little doubt that I would myself have run to his aid. Strive thou by all

means, O Bharata, to liberate Duryodhana by the arts of conciliation. If,

however, the king of the Gandharvas cannot be managed by the arts of

conciliation, then must thou try to rescue Suyodhana by lightly

skirmishing with the foe. But if the chief of the Gandharvas do not let

the Kurus off even then, they must be rescued by crushing the foe by all

means. O Vrikodara, this is all I can tell thee now, for my vow hath been

begun and is not ended yet!"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Ajatasatru, Dhananjaya

pledged himself, from respect for these commands of his superior, to

liberate the Kauravas. And Arjuna said, 'If the Gandharvas do not set the

Dhartarashtras free peacefully, the Earth shall this day drink the blood

of the king of the Gandharvas!' And hearing that pledge of the

truth-speaking Arjuna, the Kauravas then, O king, regained (the lost)

tenor of their minds."

SECTION CCXLII

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing the words of Yudhishthira, those bulls among

men, headed by Bhimasena, rose up with faces beaming in joy. And those

mighty warriors, O Bharata, then began to case themselves in impenetrable

mail that were besides variegated with pure gold, and armed themselves

with celestial weapons of various kinds. And the Pandavas thus cased in

mail, and mounted on those chariots furnished with flagstaffs and armed

with bows and arrows, looked like blazing fires. And those tigers among

warriors, riding upon those well furnished cars drawn by fleet horses,

proceeded to that spot without losing a moment. And beholding those

mighty warriors--the sons of Pandu--thus proceeding together (for the

liberation of Duryodhana), the Kuru army sent forth a loud shout. And

soon did those rangers of the sky flushed with victory, and those

impetuous warriors, the sons of Pandu, fearlessly encounter each other in

that forest. The Gandharvas were flushed with success, and beholding the

four brave sons of Pandu coming to battle seated on their cars, they all

turned back towards the advancing combatants. And, the dwellers of the

Gandhamadana, beholding the Pandavas looking like blazing guardians of

the world provoked to ire, stood arrayed in order of battle. And, O

Bharata, in accordance with words of king Yudhishthira of great wisdom,

the encounter that took place was a skirmish. But when Arjuna--that

persecutor of foes--saw that the foolish soldiers of the king of

Gandharvas could not be made to understand what was good for them by

means of a light skirmish, he addressed those invincible rangers of the

skies in a conciliatory tone and said, 'Leave ye my brother king

Suyodhana.' Thus addressed by the illustrious son of Pandu, the

Gandharvas, laughing aloud, replied unto him saying, 'O child, there is

but one in the world whose behests we obey and living under whose rule we

pass our days in happiness: O Bharata, we always act as that one only

person commandeth us! Besides that celestial chief there is none that can

command us!' Thus addressed by the Gandharvas, Dhananjaya, the son of

Kunti, replied unto them, saying, 'This contact with other people's wives

and this hostile encounter with human beings are acts that are both

censurable in the king of the Gandharvas and not proper for him.

Therefore, leave ye these sons of Dhritarashtra all endued with mighty

energy. And liberate ye also these ladies, at the command of king

Yudhishthira the just. If, ye Gandharvas, ye do not set the sons of

Dhritarashtra free peacefully, I shall certainly rescue Suyodhana (and

his party) by exerting my prowess.' And speaking unto them thus, Pritha's

son, Dhananjaya, capable of wielding the bow with his left hand also,

then rained a shower of sharp pointed sky-ranging shafts upon those

rangers of the firmament. Thus attacked, the mighty Gandharvas then

encountered the sons of Pandu with a shower of arrows equally thick, and

the Pandavas also replied by attacking those dwellers of heaven. And the

battle then, O Bharata, that ranged between the active and agile

Gandharvas and the impetuous son of Pandu was fierce in the extreme."

SECTION CCXLIII

Vaisampayana said, "Then those Gandharvas decked in golden garlands and

accomplished in celestial weapons, showing their blazing shafts,

encountered the Pandavas from every side. And as the sons of Pandu were

only four in number and the Gandharvas counted by thousands, the battle

that ensued appeared to be extraordinary. And as the cars of Karna and

Duryodhana had formerly been broken into a hundred fragments by the

Gandharvas, so were the cars of the four heroes attempted to be broken.

But those tigers among men began to encounter with their showers of

arrows thousands upon thousands of Gandharvas rushing towards them. Those

rangers of skies endued with great energy, thus checked on all sides by

that arrowy down-pour, succeeded not in even coming near to the sons of

Pandu. Then Arjuna whose ire had been provoked, aiming at the angry

Gandharvas, prepared to hurl against them his celestial weapons. And in

that encounter, the mighty Arjuna, by means of his Agneya weapon, sent

ten hundreds of thousands of Gandharvas to the abode of Yama. And that

mighty bowman, Bhima, also, that foremost of all warriors in battle,

slew, by means of his sharp arrows, Gandharvas by hundreds. And the

mighty sons of Madri also, battling with vigour, encountered hundreds of

Gandharvas, O king, and slaughtered them all. And as Gandharvas were

being thus slaughtered by the mighty warriors with their celestial

weapons, they rose up to the skies, taking with them the sons of

Dhritarashtra. But Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, beholding them rise up

to the skies, surrounded them on every side by a wide net of arrows. And

confined within that arrowy net like birds within a cage, they showered

in wrath upon Arjuna maces and darts and broad-swords. But Arjuna who was

conversant with the most efficacious weapons, soon checked that shower of

maces and darts and broad-swords, and in return began to mangle the limbs

of the Gandharvas with his crescent-shaped arrows. And heads and legs and

arms began to drop down from above resembling a shower of stones. And at

that sight, the foe was struck with panic. And as the Gandharvas were

being slaughtered by the illustrious son of Pandu, they began to shower

from the skies a heavy downpour of shafts upon Arjuna, who was on the

surface of the earth. But that chastiser of foes, Arjuna, endued with

mighty energy checked that shower of arrows by means of his own weapons

and began, in return, to wound them. Then Arjuna of the Kuru race shot

his well-known weapons called Sthunakarna, Indrajala, Saura, Agneya and

Saumya. And the Gandharvas consumed by the fiery weapons of Kunti's son,

began to suffer heavily, like the sons of Diti, while being scorched by

Sakra's thunder-bolt. And when they attacked Arjuna from above, they were

checked by his net of arrows. And while they attacked him from all sides

on the surface of the earth, they were checked by his crescent-shaped

arrows. And beholding the Gandharvas put in fear by Kunti's son,

Chitrasena rushed, O Bharata, at Dhananjaya, armed with a mace. And as

the king of the Gandharvas was rushing at Arjuna from above with that

mace in hand, the latter cut with his arrows that mace wholly made of

iron into seven pieces. And beholding that mace of his cut into many

pieces by Arjuna of great activity, with his arrows, Chitrasena, by means

of his science, concealed himself from the view of the Pandava and began

to fight with him. The heroic Arjuna, however, by means of his own

celestial weapons checked all the celestial weapons that were aimed at

him by the Gandharvas. And when the chief of the Gandharvas saw that he

was checked by the illustrious Arjuna with those weapons of his he

entirely disappeared from sight by help of his powers of illusion. And

Arjuna, observing that the chief of the Gandharvas was striking at him

concealed from sight, attacked his assailant with celestial weapon

inspired with proper Mantras. And the multiform Dhananjaya filled with

wrath, prevented the disappearance of his foe by means of his weapon

known by the name of Sabda-veda. And assailed with those weapons by the

illustrious Arjuna, his dear friend, the king of the Gandharvas, showed

himself unto him. And Chitrasena said, 'Behold in me thy friend battling

with thee!' And beholding his friend Chitrasena exhausted in the battle,

that bull among the sons of Pandu withdrew the weapons he had shot. And

the other sons of Pandu beholding Arjuna withdraw his weapons, checked

their flying steeds and the impetus of their weapons and withdrew their

bows. And Chitrasena and Bhima and Arjuna and the twins enquiring about

one another's welfare, sat awhile on their respective cars."

SECTION CCXLIV

Vaisampayana said, "Then that mighty bowman of blazing splendour, Arjuna,

smilingly said unto Chitrasena in the midst of the Gandharva host, 'What

purpose dost thou serve, O hero, in punishing the Kauravas? O, why also

hath Suyodhana with his wives been thus punished?'

"Chitrasena replied, 'O Dhananjaya, without stirring from my own abode I

became acquainted with the purpose of the wicked Duryodhana and the

wretched Karna in coming hither. The purpose was even this,--knowing that

ye are exiles in the forest and suffering great afflictions as if ye had

none to take care of you, himself in prosperity, this wretch entertained

the desire of beholding you plunged in adversity and misfortune. They

came hither for mocking you and the illustrious daughter of Drupada. The

lord of the celestials also, having ascertained this purpose of theirs,

told me, 'Go thou and bring Duryodhana hither in chains along with his

counsellors. Dhananjaya also with his brother should always be protected

by thee in battle, for he is thy dear friend and disciple.' At these

words of the lord of the celestials I came hither speedily. This wicked

prince hath also been put in chains. I will now proceed to the region of

the celestials, whither I will lead this wicked wight at the command of

the slayer of Paka!'

"Arjuna answered, saying, 'O Chitrasena, if thou wishest to do what is

agreeable to me, set Suyodhana free, at the command of king Yudhishthira

the just, for he is our brother!'

Chitrasena said, "This sinful wretch is always full of vanity. He

deserveth not to be set free. O Dhananjaya, he hath deceived and wronged

both king Yudhishthira the just and Krishna. Yudhishthira the son of

Kunti as yet knoweth not the purpose on which the wretch came hither. Let

the king, therefore, do what he desires after knowing everything!"

Vaisampayana continued, "After this, all of them went to king

Yudhishthira the just. And going unto the king, they represented unto him

everything about Duryodhana's conduct. And Ajatasatru, hearing everything

that the Gandharvas had said, liberated all the Kauravas and applauded

the Gandharvas. And the king said, 'Fortunate it is for us that though

gifted with great strength, ye did not yet slay the wicked son of

Dhritarashtra along with all counsellors and relatives. This, O sir, hath

been an act of great kindness done to me by the Gandharvas. The honour

also of my family is saved by liberating this wicked wight. I am glad at

seeing you all. Command me what I am to do for you. And having obtained

all you wish, return ye soon whence ye came!'

"Thus addressed by the intelligent son of Pandu, the Gandharvas became

well-pleased and went away with the Apsaras. And the lord of the

celestials then, coming to that spot, revived those Gandharvas that had

been slain in the encounter with the Kurus, by sprinkling the celestial

Amrita over them. And the Pandavas also, having liberated their relatives

along with the ladies of the royal household, and having achieved that

difficult feat (the defeat of the Gandharvas host) became well-pleased.

And those illustrious and mighty warriors worshipped by the Kurus along

with their sons and wives, blazed forth in splendour like flaming fires

in the sacrificial compound. And Yudhishthira then addressing the

liberated Duryodhana in the midst of his brothers, from affection, told

him these words: 'O child, never again do such a rash act. O Bharata, a

rash wight never cometh by happiness. O son of the Kuru race, pleased be

thou with all thy brothers. Go back to thy capital as pleaseth thee,

without yielding thyself to despondency or cheerlessness!"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus dismissed by the son of Pandu, king

Duryodhana then saluted king Yudhishthira the just and overwhelmed with

shame, and his heart rent in twain, mechanically set out for his capital,

like one destitute of life. And after the Kaurava prince had departed,

the brave Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, along with his brothers, was

worshipped by the Brahmanas, and surrounded by those Brahmanas endued

with the wealth of asceticism, like Sakra himself by the celestials, he

began to pass his days happily in the woods of Dwaita."

SECTION CCXLV

Janamejaya said, "After his defeat and capture by the foe and his

subsequent liberation by the illustrious sons of Pandu by force of arms,

it seemeth to me that the entry into Hastinapura of the proud, wicked,

boastful, vicious, insolent, and wretched Duryodhana, engaged in

insulting the sons of Pandu and bragging of his own superiority, must

have been exceedingly difficult. Describe to me in detail, O

Vaisampayana, the entry into the capital, of that prince overwhelmed with

shame and unmanned by grief!"

Vaisampayana said, "Dismissed by the king Yudhishthira the just,

Dhritarashtra's son Suyodhana, bending his head down in shame and

afflicted with grief and melancholy, set out slowly. And the king,

accompanied by his four kinds of forces, proceeded towards his city, his

heart rent in grief and filled with thoughts of his defeat along the way

in a region that abounded in grass and water. The king encamped on a

delightful piece of ground as pleased him best, with his elephants and

cars and cavalry and infantry stationed all around. And as the king

Duryodhana was seated on an elevated bedstead endued with the effulgence

of fire, himself looking like the moon under an eclipse, towards the

small hours of the morning Karna, approaching him, said, 'Fortunate it

is, O son of Gandhari, that thou art alive! Fortunate it is, that we have

once more met! By good luck it is that thou hast vanquished the

Gandharvas capable of assuming any form at will. And, O son of the Kuru

race, it is by good luck alone, that I am enabled to see thy brothers--

mighty warriors all--come off victorious from that encounter, having

subjugated their foes! As regards myself, assailed by all the Gandharvas,

I fled before thy eyes, unable to rally our flying host. Assailed by the

foe with all his might, my body mangled with their arrows, I sought

safety in flight. This however, O Bharata, seemed to me to be a great

marvel that I behold you all come safe and sound in body, with your

wives, troops, and vehicles, out of that super-human encounter. O

Bharata, there is another man in this world who can achieve what thou, O

king, hast achieved in battle to-day with thy brothers."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana replied

unto the ruler of the Angas in a voice choked with tears."

SECTION CCXLVI

"Duryodhana said, 'O Radheya, thou knowest not what hath happened.

Therefore, I do not resent thy words. Thou thinkest the hostile

Gandharvas to have been vanquished by me with my own energy. O thou of

mighty arms, my brothers, indeed had for a long time, aided by me fought

with the Gandharvas. The slaughtered, indeed, on both sides were great.

But when those brave Gandharvas, resorting to their many powers of

illusion, ascended the skies and began to fight with us thence, our

encounter with them ceased to be an equal one. Defeat then was ours and

even captivity. And afflicted with sorrow, we along with our attendants

and counsellors and children and wives and troops and vehicles were being

taken by them through the skies. It was then that some soldiers of ours

and some brave officers repaired in grief unto the sons of Pandu--those

heroes that never refuse succour to those that ask for it. And having

gone to them they said, 'Here is king Duryodhana, the son of

Dhritarashtra, who with his younger brothers and friends and wives is

being led away a captive by the Gandharvas along the sky. Blest be ye.

Liberate the king along with the women of the royal household! Suffer no

insult to be offered unto all the ladies of the Kuru race. And when they

had spoken thus, the eldest of Pandu's sons, who is endued with a

virtuous soul then conciliated his brothers and commanded them to

liberate us. Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, overtaking the

Gandharvas, solicited our release in soft words, although fully able to

effect it by force of arms. And when the Gandharvas, addressed in such

conciliatory words, refused to set us at liberty, then Arjuna and Bhima

and the twins endued with mighty energy, shot showers of arrows at the

Gandharvas. Then the Gandharvas, abandoning the fight, fled through the

sky, dragging our melancholy selves after them, filled with joy. Then we

beheld a network of arrows spread all around by Dhananjaya, who was also

shooting celestial weapons upon the foe. And seeing the points of the

horizon covered by Arjuna with a thick network of sharp arrows, his

friend, the chief of the Gandharvas, showed himself. And Chitrasena and

Arjuna, embracing each other, enquired after each other's welfare. And

the other sons of Pandu also embraced the chief of the Gandharvas and

were embraced by him. And enquiries of courtesy passed between them also.

And the brave Gandharvas then abandoning their weapons and mail mingled

in a friendly spirit with the Pandavas. And Chitrasena and Dhananjaya

worshipped each other with regard."

SECTION CCXLVII

Duryodhana said, "That slayer of hostile heroes, Arjuna, then approaching

Chitrasena, smilingly addressed him in these manly words: 'O hero, O

foremost of the Gandharvas, it behoveth thee to set my brothers at

liberty. They are incapable of being insulted as long as the sons of

Pandu are alive.' 'Thus addressed by the illustrious son of Pandu, the

chief of the Gandharvas, O Karna, disclosed unto the Pandavas the object

we had in view in proceeding to that place, viz., that we came there for

casting our eyes on the sons of Pandu with their wife, all plunged in

misery. And while the Gandharva was disclosing those counsels of ours,

overwhelmed with shame I desired the earth to yield me a crevice, so that

I might disappear there and then. The Gandharvas then, accompanied by the

Pandavas, went to Yudhishthira, and, disclosing unto him also counsels,

made us over, bound as we were, to him. Alas, what greater sorrow could

be mine than that I should thus be offered as a tribute unto

Yudhishthira, in the very sight of the women of our household, myself in

chains and plunged in misery, and under the absolute control of my

enemies. Alas, they, who have ever been persecuted by me, they unto whom

I have ever been a foe released me from captivity, and wretch that I am,

I am indebted to them for my life. If, O hero, I had met with my death in

that great battle, that would have been far better than that I should

have obtained my life in this way. If I had been slain by the Gandharvas,

my fame would have spread over the whole earth, and I should have

obtained auspicious regions of eternal bliss in the heaven of Indra.

Listen to me therefore, ye bulls among men, as to what I intend to do

now. I will stay here forgoing all food, while ye all return home. Let

all my brothers also go to Hastinapura. Let all our friends, including

Karna, and all our relatives headed by Dussasana, return now to the

capital. Insulted by the foe, I myself will not repair thither. I who had

before wrested from the foe his respect, I who had always enchanced the

respect of my friends, have now become a source of sorrow unto friends

and of joy unto enemies. What shall I now say unto the king, going to the

city named after the elephant? What will Bhishma and Drona, Kripa, and

Drona's son, Vidura and Sanjaya, Vahuka and Somadatta and other revered

seniors,--what will the principal men of the other orders and men of

independent professions, say to me and what shall I say unto them in

reply? Having hitherto stayed over the heads of my enemies, having

hitherto trod upon their breasts, I have fallen away from my position.

How shall I ever speak with them? Insolent men having obtained prosperity

and knowledge and affluence, are seldom blest for any length of time like

myself puffed up with vanity. Alas, led by folly I have done a highly

improper and wicked act, for which, fool that I am, I have fallen into

such distress. Therefore, will I perish by starving, life having become

insupportable to me. Relieved from distress by the foe, what man of

spirit is there who can drag on his existence? Proud as I am, shorn of

manliness, the foe hath laughed at me, for the Pandavas possessed of

prowess have looked at me plunged in misery!"

Vaisampayana continued, 'While giving way to such reflections Duryodhana

spoke unto Dussasana thus: 'O Dussasana, listen to these words of mine, O

thou of the Bharata race! Accepting this installation that I offer thee,

be thou king in my place. Rule thou the wide earth protected by Karna and

Suvala's sons. Like Indra himself looking after the Maruts, cherish thou

thy brothers in such a way that they may all confide in thee. Let the

friends and relatives depend on thee like the gods depending on him of a

hundred sacrifices. Always shouldst thou bestow pensions on Brahmanas,

without idleness, and be thou ever the refuge of thy friends and

relatives. Like Vishnu looking after the celestials, thou shouldst always

look after all consanguineous relatives. Thou shouldst also ever cherish

thy superiors. Go, rule thou the earth gladdening thy friends and

reproving thy foes.' And clasping his neck, Duryodhana said, 'Go!'

Hearing these words of his, Dussasana in perfect cheerlessness and

overwhelmed with great sorrow, his voice choked in tears, said, with

joined hands and bending his head unto his eldest brother, 'Relent!' And

saying this he fell down on earth with heavy heart. And afflicted with

grief that tiger among men, shedding his tears on the feet of his brother

again said, 'This will never be! The earth may split, the vault of heaven

may break in pieces, the sun may cast off his splendour, the moon may

abandon his coolness, the wind may forsake its speed, the Himavat may be

moved from its site, the waters of the ocean may dry up, and fire may

abandon its heat, yet I, O king, may never rule the earth without thee.'

And Dussasana repeatedly said, 'Relent, O king! Thou alone shall be king

in our race for a hundred years.' And having spoken thus unto the king,

Dussasana began to weep melodiously catching, O Bharata, the feet of his

eldest brother deserving of worship from him.

"And beholding Dussasana and Duryodhana thus weeping, Karna in great

grief approached them both and said, 'Ye, Kuru princes, why do you thus

yield to sorrow like ordinary men, from senselessness? Mere weeping can

never ease a sorrowing man's grief. When weeping can never remove one's

griefs, what do you gain by thus giving way to sorrow? Summon patience to

your aid to not gladden the foe by such conduct. O king, the Pandavas

only did their duty in liberating thee. They that reside in the dominions

of the king, should always do what is agreeable to the king. Protected by

thee, the Pandavas are residing happily in thy dominion. It behoveth thee

not to indulge in such sorrow like an ordinary person. Behold, thy

uterine brothers are all sad and cheerless at seeing thee resolved to put

an end to thy life by forgoing food. Blest be thou! Rise up and come to

thy city and console these thy uterine brothers."

SECTION CCXLVIII

"Kama continued, 'O king, this conduct of thine to-day appeareth to be

childish. O hero, O slayer of foes, what is to be wondered at in this

that the Pandavas liberated thee when thou wert vanquished by the foe? O

son of the Kuru race, those that reside in the territories of the king,

especially those (amongst them) that lead the profession of arms, should

always do what is agreeable to the king whether they happen to be known

to their monarch or unknown to him. It happened often that foremost men

who crush the ranks of the hostile host, are vanquished by them, and are

rescued by their own troops. They that leading the profession of arms,

reside in the king's realm should always combine and exert themselves to

the best of their power, for the king. If, therefore, O king, the

Pandavas, who live in the territories, have liberated thee, what is there

to be regretted at in this? That the Pandavas, O best of kings, did not

follow thee when thou didst march forth to battle at the head of thy

troops, has been an improper act on their part. They had before this come

under thy power, becoming thy slaves. They are, therefore, bound to aid

thee now, being endued with courage and might and incapable of turning

away from the field of battle. Thou art enjoying all the rich possessions

of the Pandavas. Behold them yet alive, O king! They have not resolved to

die, forgoing all food. Blest be thou! Rise up, O king! It behoveth thee

not to indulge in great sorrow long. O king, it is the certain duty of

those that reside in the king's realm to do what is agreeable to the

king. Where should the regret be in all this? If thou, O king, dost not

act according to my words I shall stay here employed in reverentially

serving thy feet. O bull among men, I do not desire to live deprived of

thy company. O king, if thou resolvest to slay thyself by forgoing food,

thou wilt simply be an object of laughter with other kings."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana, firmly

resolved to leave the world, desired not to rise from where he sat."

SECTION CCXLIX

Vaisampayana said, "Beholding king Duryodhana, incapable of putting up

with an insult, seated with the resolution of giving up life by forgoing

food, Sakuni, the son of Suvala, said these words to comfort him. Sakuni

said, O son of the Kuru race, you have just heard what Kama hath said.

His words are, indeed fraught with wisdom. Why wouldst thou abandoning

from foolishness the high prosperity that I won for thee, cast off thy

life today, O king, yielding to silliness? It seemeth to me to-day that

thou hast never waited upon the old. He that cannot control sudden

accession of joy or grief, is lost even though he may have obtained

prosperity, like an unburnt earthen vessel in water. That king who is

entirely destitute of courage, who hath no spark of manliness, who is the

slave of procrastination, who always acts with indiscretion, who is

addicted to sensual pleasures, is seldom respected by his subjects.

Benefited as thou has been, whence is this unreasonable grief of thine?

Do not undo this graceful act done by the sons of Pritha, by indulging in

such grief. When thou shouldst joy and reward the Pandavas, thou art

grieving, O king? Indeed, this behaviour of thine is inconsistent. Be

cheerful, do not cast away thy life; but remember with a pleased heart

the good they have done thee. Give back unto the sons of Pritha their

kingdom, and win thou both virtue and renown by such conduct. By acting

in this way, thou mayst be grateful. Establish brotherly relations with

the Pandavas by being friends, and give them their paternal kingdom, for

then thou wilt be happy!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Sakuni, and seeing the

brave Dussasana lying prostrate before him unmanned by fraternal love,

the king raised Dussasana and, clasping him in his well round arms, smelt

his head from affection. And hearing these words of Karna and Sauvala,

king Duryodhana lost heart more than ever, and he was overwhelmed with

shame and utter despair overtook his soul. And hearing all that his

friends said, he answered with sorrow, 'I have nothing more to do with

virtue, wealth, friendship, affluence, sovereignty, and enjoyments. Do

not obstruct my purpose, but leave me all of you. I am firmly resolved to

cast away my life by forgoing food. Return to the city, and treat my

superiors there respectfully.'

"Thus addressed by him, they replied unto that royal grinder of foes,

saying, 'O monarch, the course that is thine, is also ours, O Bharata.

How can we enter the city without thee?'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Though addressed in all manner of ways by his

friends and counsellors and brothers and relatives, the king wavered not

from his purpose. And the son of Dhritarashtra in accordance with his

purpose spread Kusa grass on the earth, and purifying himself by touching

water, sat down upon that spot. And clad in rags and Kusa grass he set

himself to observe the highest vow. And stopping all speech, that tiger

among kings, moved by the desire of going to heaven, began to pray and

worship internally suspending all external intercourse.

"Meanwhile the fierce Daityas and the Danavas who had been defeated of

old by the celestials and had been dwelling in the nether regions having

ascertained Duryodhana's purpose and knowing that if the king died their

party would be weakened, commenced a sacrifice with fire for summoning

Duryodhana to their presence. And mantra knowing persons then commenced

with the help of formulae declared by Brihaspati and Usanas, those rites

that are indicated in the Atharva Veda and the Upanishads and which are

capable of being achieved by mantras and prayers. And Brahmins of rigid

vows, well-versed in the Vedas and the branches, began, with rapt soul,

to pour libations of clarified butter and milk into the fire, uttering

mantras. And after those rites were ended, a strange goddess, O king,

with mouth wide open, arose (from the sacrificial fire), saying, 'What am

I to do?' And the Daityas with well-pleased hearts, commanded her,

saying, 'Bring thou hither the royal son of Dhritarashtra, who is even

now observing the vow of starvation for getting rid of his life.' Thus

commanded, she went away saying, 'So be it.' And she went in the

twinkling of an eye to that spot where Suyodhana was. And taking up the

king back to the nether regions, and having brought him thus in a moment,

she apprised the Danavas of it. And the Danavas beholding the king

brought into their midst in the night, united together, and all of them

with well-pleased hearts and eyes expanded in delight addressed these

flattering words to Duryodhana."

SECTION CCL

"The Danavas said, 'O Suyodhana, O great king? O perpetuator of the race

of Bharata, thou art ever surrounded by heroes and illustrious men. Why

hast thou, then, undertaken to do such a rash act as the vow of

starvation? The suicide ever sinketh into hell and becometh the subject

of calumnious speech. Nor do intelligent persons like thee ever set their

hands to acts that are sinful and opposed to their best interests and

striking at the very root of their purposes. Restrain this resolve of

thine, therefore, O king, which is destructive of morality, profit, and

happiness, of fame, prowess, and energy, and which enhanceth the joy of

foes O exalted king, know the truth, the celestial origin of thy soul,

and the maker of thy body, and then summon thou patience to thy aid. In

days of old. O king, we have obtained thee, by ascetic austerities from

Maheswara. The upper part of thy body is wholly made of an assemblage of

Vajras, and is, therefore, invulnerable to weapons of every description,

O sinless one. The lower part of thy body, capable of captivating the

female heart by its comeliness was made of flowers by the goddess

herself--the wife of Mahadeva. Thy body is thus, O best of kings, the

creation of Maheswara himself and his goddess. Therefore, O tiger among

kings, thou art of celestial origin, not human. Other brave Kshatriyas of

mighty energy headed by Bhagadatta, and all acquainted with celestial

weapons, will slay thy foes. Therefore, let this grief of thine cease.

Thou hast no cause for fear. For aiding thee, many heroic Danavas have

been born on the earth. Other Asuras will also possess Bhishma and Drona

and Kama and others. Possessed by those Asuras, these heroes will cast

away their kindness and fight with thy foes. Indeed, when the Danavas

will enter their heart and possess them completely, flinging all

affections to a distance, becoming hard-hearted, these warriors will

strike every body opposed to them in battle without sparing sons,

brothers, fathers, friends, disciples, relatives, even children and old

men. Blinded by ignorance and wrath, and impelled by that destiny which

hath been ordained by the Creator, these tigers among men, with hearts

steeped in sin, will, O thou foremost of the Kurus, depopulate the earth

by hurling and shooting all kinds of weapons, with great manliness and

strength and always addressing one another boastfully with words such as

these, 'Thou shall not escape from me today with life.' And these

illustrious sons of Pandu also, five in number, will fight with these.

And, endued with mighty strength and favoured by Fate, they will compass

the destruction of these. And, O king, many Daityas and Rakshasas also

that have been born in the Kshatriya order, will fight with great prowess

in the battle with thy foes, using maces and clubs and lances and various

weapons of a superior kind. And, O hero, with respect to the fear that is

in thy heart rising from Arjuna, we have already settled the means for

slaying Arjuna. The soul of the slain Naraka hath assumed the form of

Karna. Recollecting his former hostility he will encounter both Kesava

and Arjuna. And that mighty warrior and foremost of smiters, proud of his

prowess will vanquish Arjuna in battle as also all thy enemies. The

wielder of the thunder-bolt, knowing all this, and desirous of saving

Arjuna, will in disguise take away from Karna his ear-rings and coat of

mail. We also have for that reason appointed hundreds upon hundreds and

thousands upon thousands of Daityas and Rakshasas, viz., those that are

known by the name of Samsaptakas.[83] These celebrated warriors will slay

the heroic Arjuna. Therefore, grieve not, O king. Thou wilt rule the

whole earth, O monarch, without a rival. Do not yield to despondency.

Conduct such as this does not suit thee. O thou of the Kuru race, if thou

diest, our party becometh weak. Go thou, O hero, and let not thy mind be

directed to any other course of action. Thou art ever our refuge as,

indeed, the Pandavas are the refuge of the gods.'

Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed him thus, those Daityas

embraced that elephant among kings, and those bulls among the Danavas

cheered that irrepressible one like a son. And, O Bharata, pacifying his

mind by soft speech, they permitted him to depart, saying, 'Go and attain

victory!' And when they had given leave to the mighty-armed one, that

very goddess carried him back to the spot where he had sat down, intent

upon putting an end to his life. And having set that hero down and paid

him homage, the goddess vanished, taking the king's permission. O

Bharata, when she had gone, king Duryodhana considered all (that had

happened) as a dream. He then thought within himself, 'I shall defeat the

Pandavas in battle.' And Suyodhana thought that Karna and the Samsaptaka

army were both able (to destroy) and intent upon destroying that slayer

of foes, Partha. Thus, O bull of the Bharata race, the hope was

strengthened of the wicked minded son of Dhritarashtra, of conquering the

Pandavas. And Karna also, his soul and faculties possessed by the inmost

soul of Naraka, had at that time cruelly determined to slay Arjuna. And

those heroes--the Samsaptakas also--having their sense possessed by the

Rakshasas, and influenced by the qualities of emotion and darkness, were

desirous of slaying Phalguna. And, O king, others with Bhishma, Drona,

and Kripa at their head, having their faculties influenced by the

Danavas, were not so affectionate towards the sons of Pandu as they had

been. But king Suyodhana did not tell any one of this.

"When the night passed away, Karna, that offspring of the Sun, with

joined hands, smilingly addressed these wise words to king Duryodhana,

'No dead man conquereth his foes: it is when he is alive that he can see

his good. Where is the good of the dead person; and, O Kauraveya, where

is his victory? Therefore, this is no time for grief, or fear or death.'

And having, with his arms embraced that mighty-armed one, he further

said, 'Rise up, O king! Why dost thou lie down? Why dost thou grieve, O

slayer of foes? Having afflicted thy enemies by thy prowess, why dost

thou wish for death? Or (perhaps) fear hath possessed thee at the sight

of Arjuna's prowess. I truly promise unto thee that I will slay Arjuna in

battle. O lord of men, I swear by my weapon that when the three and ten

years shall have passed away, I will bring the sons of Pritha under thy

subjection.' Thus addressed by Karna, and remembering the words of the

Daityas and supplications made by them (his brothers), Suyodhana rose up.

And having heard those words of the Daityas that tiger among men, with a

firm resolve in his heart arrayed his army, abounding in horses and

elephants and cars and infantry. And, O monarch, immensely swarming with

white umbrellas, and pennons, and white Chamaras, and cars, and

elephants, and foot-soldiers, that mighty army, as it moved like the

waters of the Ganga, looked graceful like the firmament, at a season when

the clouds have dispersed and the signs of autumn have been but partially

developed. And, O foremost of kings, eulogised like a monarch by the best

of the Brahmanas blessing with victory, that lord of men Suyodhana,

Dhritarashtra's son, receiving honours paid with innumerable joined

palms, and flaming in exceeding splendour, went in the front, accompanied

by Karna, and that gambler, the son of Suvala. And all his brothers with

Dussasana at their head, and Bhurisrava, and Somadatta, and the mighty

king Vahlika, followed that lion among kings on his way, with cars of

various forms, and horses, and the best of elephants. And, O prime among

monarchs, in a short time, those perpetuators of the Kuru race entered

their own city."

SECTION CCLI

Janamejaya said, "When the high-souled sons of Pritha were living in the

forest, what did those foremost of men and mighty archers--the sons of

Dhritarashtra--do? And what did the offspring of the Sun, Karna, and the

mighty Sakuni, and Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa do? It behoveth thee to

relate this unto me."

Vaisampayana said, "When, O mighty king, in this manner the Pandavas had

gone, leaving Suyodhana, and when, having been liberated by Pandu's sons,

he had come to Hastinapura, Bhishma said these words to the son of

Dhritarashtra, 'O child, I had told thee before, when thou wert intent

upon going to the hermitage that thy journey did not please me. But thou

didst do so. And as a consequence, O hero, wert thou forcibly taken

captive by the enemy, and wert delivered by the Pandavas versed in

morality. Yet art thou not ashamed. Even in the presence of thee, O son

of Gandhari, together with thy army, did the Suta's son, struck with

panic, fly from the battle of the Gandharvas, O king. And, O foremost of

kings, O son of the monarch! while thou with thy army wert crying

distressfully, thou didst witness the prowess of the high-souled

Pandavas, and also, O mighty-armed one, of the wicked son of the Suta,

Karna. O best of kings, whether in the science of arms, or heroism, or

morality, Karna, O thou devoted to virtue, is not a fourth part of the

Pandavas. Therefore, for the welfare of this race, the conclusion of

peace is, I think, desirable with the high-souled Pandavas."

'Having been thus addressed by Bhishma, Dhritarashtra's son the king,

laughed a good deal, and then suddenly sailed out with the son of Suvala.

thereupon, knowing that he was gone, those mighty bowmen with Karna, and

Dussasana at their head, followed the highly powerful son of

Dhritarashtra. And seeing them gone, Bhishma, the grandfather of the

Kurus, hung down his head from shame, and then, O king, went to his own

quarters. And, O mighty monarch, when Bhishma had left, that lord of men,

Dhritarashtra's son came there again, and began to consult with his

counsellors, 'What is it that is good for me? What remaineth to be done?

And how we can most effectively bring about the good we shall discuss

to-day.' Karna said, 'O Kuru's son, Duryodhana, do thou lay to heart tie

words that I say. Bhishma always blameth us, and praiseth the Pandavas.

And from the ill-will he beareth towards thee, he hateth me also. And, O

lord of men, in thy presence he ever crieth me down. I shall never, O

Bharata, bear these words that Bhishma had said in thy presence in

relation to this matter, extolling the Pandavas, and censuring thee, O

represser of foes! Do thou, O king, enjoin on me, together with servants,

forces, and cars. I shall, O monarch, conquer the earth furnished with

mountains and woods and forests. The earth had been conquered by the four

powerful Pandavas. I shall, without doubt, conquer it for thee

single-handed. Let that wretch of the Kuru race, the exceedingly

wicked-minded Bhishma, see it,--he who vilifies those that do not deserve

censure, and praises those that should not be praised. Let him this day

witness my might, and blame himself. Do thou, O king, command me. Victory

shall surely be thine. By my weapon, O monarch, I swear this before thee.'

"O king, O bull of the Bharata race, hearing those words of Karna, that

lord of men, experiencing the highest delight, spoke unto Karna, saying,

'I am blessed. I have been favoured by thee,--since thou, endued with

great strength, art ever intent on my welfare. My life hath borne fruit,

to-day. As thou, O hero, intendest to subdue all our enemies, repair

thou. May good betide thee! Do thou command me (what I am to do),' O

subduer of foes, having been thus addressed by Dhritarashtra's

intelligent son, Karna ordered all the necessaries for the excursion. And

on an auspicious lunar day, at an auspicious moment, and under the

influence of a star presided over by an auspicious deity, that mighty

bowman, having been honoured by twice-born ones, and been bathed with

auspicious and holy substances and also worshipped by speech set out,

filling with the rattle of his car the three worlds, with their mobile

and immobile objects."

SECTION CCLII

Vaisampayana continued, "Then, O bull among the Bharatas, that mighty

bowman, Karna, surrounded by a large army, besieged the beautiful city of

Drupada. And he, after a hard conflict, brought the hero under

subjection, and, O best of monarchs, made Drupada contribute silver and

gold and gems, and also pay tribute. And, O foremost of kings, having

subdued him, (Karna) brought under subjection those princes that were

under him (Drupada) and made them pay tribute. Then going to the north,

he subdued the sovereigns (of that quarter) and having effected the

defeat of Bhagadatta, Radha's son ascended that mighty mountain Himavat,

all along fighting his foes. And ranging all sides, he conquered and

brought under subjection all the kings inhabiting the Himavat, and made

them pay dues. Then descending from the mountain and rushing to the east,

he reduced the Angas, and the Bangas, and the Kalingas, and the Mandikas,

and the Magadhas. the Karkakhandas; and also included with them the

Avasiras, Yodhyas, and the Ahikshatras. Having (thus) conquered the

eastern quarter Karna then presented himself before Batsa-bhumi. And

having taken Batsa-bhumi, he reduced Kevali, and Mrittikavati, and Mohana

and Patrana, and Tripura, and Kosala,--and compelled all these to pay

tribute. Then going to the south, Karna vanquished the mighty charioteers

(of that quarter) and in Dakshinatya, the Suta's son entered into

conflict with Rukmi. After having fought dreadfully, Rukmi spake to the

Suta's son saying, 'O foremost of monarchs, I have been pleased with thy

might and prowess. I shall not do thee wrong: I have only fulfilled the

vow of a Kshatriya. Gladly will I give thee as many gold coins as thou

desirest.' Having met with Rukmi, Karna, repaired to Pandya and the

mountain, Sri. And by fighting, he made Karala, king Nila, Venudari's

son, and other best of kings living in the southern direction pay

tribute. Then going to Sisupala's son, the son of the Suta defeated him

and that highly powerful one also brought under his sway all the

neighbouring rulers. And, O bull of the Bharata race, having subjugated

the Avantis and concluded peace with them, and having met with the

Vrishnis, he conquered the west. And, having come to the quarter of

Varuna, he made all the Yavana and Varvara kings pay tribute. And, having

conquered the entire earth--east, west, north and south--that hero

without any aid brought under subjection all the nations of the

Mlechchhas, the mountaineers, the Bhadras, the Rohitakas, the Agneyas and

the Malavas. And, having conquered the mighty charioteers, headed by the

Nagnajitas, the Suta's son brought the Sasakas and the Yavanas under his

sway. Having thus conquered and brought under his subjection the world,

the mighty charioteer and tiger among men came (back) to Hastinapura.

That lord of men, Dhritarashtra's son, accompanied by his father and

brothers and friends, came to that mighty bowman, who had arrived, and

duly paid homage unto Karna crowned with martial merit. And the king

proclaimed his feats, saying, 'What I have not received from either

Bhishma, or Drona, or Kripa, or Vahlika, I have received from thee. May

good betide thee! What need of speaking at length! Hear my words, O

Karna! In thee, O chief of men, I have my refuge. O mighty-armed one. O

tiger among men, without doubt all the Pandavas and the other kings

crowned with prosperity, come not to a sixteenth part of thee. Do thou, O

mighty bowman, O Karna, see Dhritarashtra, and the illustrious Gandhari,

as the bearer of the thunderbolt did Aditi.'

"Then, O king, there arose in the city of Hastinapura a clamour, and

sounds of Oh! and Alas! and, O lord of men, some of the kings praised him

(Karna), while others censured him, while others, again, remained silent.

Having thus, O foremost of monarchs, in a short time conquered this earth

furnished with mountains and forests and skies, and with oceans, and

fields, and filled with high and low tracts, and cities, and replete also

with islands. O lord of earth, and brought the monarchs under

subjection,--and having gained imperishable wealth, the Suta's son

appeared before the king. Then, O represser of foes, entering into the

interior of the palace that hero saw Dhritarashtra with Gandhari, O tiger

among men, that one conversant with morality took hold of his feet even

like a son. And Dhritarashtra embraced him affectionately, and then

dismissed him. Ever since that time, O monarch, O Bharata, king

Duryodhana and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, thought that Pritha's sons had

already been defeated in battle by Karna."

SECTION CCLIII

Vaisampayana continued, "O king, O lord of men, that slayer of hostile

heroes, the Suta's son, said these words to Duryodhana, 'O Kaurava

Duryodhana, do thou lay unto thy heart the words that I shall tell thee;

and, O represser of foes, after having heard my words, it behoveth thee

to act accordingly every way. Now, O best of monarchs, O hero, hath the

earth been rid of foes. Do thou rule her even like the mighty-minded

Sakra himself, having his foes destroyed."

Vaisampayana continued, "Having been thus addressed by Karna, the king

again spake unto him, saying, 'O bull among men, nothing whatever is

unattainable to him who hath thee for refuge, and to whom thou art

attached and on whose welfare thou art entirely intent. Now, I have a

purpose, which do thou truly listen to. Having beheld that foremost of

sacrifices, the mighty Rajasuya, performed by the Pandavas, a desire hath

sprung up in me (to celebrate the same). Do thou, O Suta's son, fulfil

this desire of mine.' Thus addressed, Karna spake thus unto the king,

'Now that all the rulers of the earth have been brought under thy

subjection, do thou summon the principal Brahmanas, and, O best of Kurus,

duly procure the articles required for the sacrifice. And, O represser of

foes, let Ritwijas as prescribed, and versed in the Vedas, celebrate thy

rites according to the ordinance, O king. And, O bull of the Bharata

race, let thy great sacrifice also, abounding in meats and drinks, and

grand with parts, commence.'

"O king, having been thus addressed by Karna, Dhritarashtra's son

summoned the priest, and spake unto him these words, 'Do thou duly and in

proper order celebrate for me that best of sacrifices, the Rajasuya

furnished with excellent Dakshinas.' Thus accosted, that best of

Brahmanas spake unto the king, saying, 'O foremost of the Kauravas, while

Yudhishthira is living, that best of sacrifices cannot be performed in

thy family, O Prince of kings! Further, O monarch, thy father

Dhritarashtra, endued with long life, liveth. For this reason also, O

best of kings, this sacrifice cannot be undertaken by thee. There is, O

lord, another great sacrifice, resembling the Rajasuya. Do thou, O

foremost of kings, celebrate that sacrifice. Listen to these words of

mine. All these rulers of the earth, who have, O king, become tributary

to thee, will pay thee tribute in gold, both pure and impure. Of that

gold, do thou, O best of monarchs, now make the (sacrificial) plough, and

do thou, O Bharata, plough the sacrificial compound with it. At that

spot, let there commence, O foremost of kings, with due rites, and

without any disturbance the sacrifice, sanctified with mantras abounding

in edibles. The name of that sacrifice worthy of virtuous persons, is

Vaishnava. No person save the ancient Vishnu hath performed it before.

This mighty sacrifice vies with that best of sacrifices--the Rajasuya

itself. And, further, it liketh us--and it is also for thy welfare (to

celebrate it). And, moreover, it is capable of being celebrated without

any disturbance. (By undertaking this), thy desire will be fufilled.'

"Having been thus addressed by those Brahmanas, Dhritarashtra's son, the

king, spake these words to Karna, his brothers and the son of Suvala,

'Beyond doubt, the words of the Brahmanas are entirely liked by me. If

they are relished by you also, express it without delay.' Thus appealed,

they all said unto the king, 'So be it.' Then the king one by one

appointed persons to their respective tasks; and desired all the artisans

to construct the (sacrificial) plough. And, O best of kings, all that had

been commanded to be done, was gradually executed."

SECTION CCLIV

Vaisampayana continued, "Then all the artisans, the principal

counsellors, and the highly wise Vidura said unto Dhritarashtra's son,

"All the preparations for the excellent sacrifice have been made, O king;

and the time also hath come, O Bharata. And the exceedingly precious

golden plough hath been constructed.' Hearing this, O monarch, that best

of kings, Dhritarashtra's son commanded that prime among sacrifices to be

commenced. Then commenced that sacrifice sanctified by mantras, and

abounding in edibles, and the son of Gandhari was duly initiated

according to the ordinance. And Dhritarashtra, and the illustrious

Vidura, and Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and the celebrated

Gandhari experienced great delight. And, O foremost of kings, Duryodhana

despatched swift messengers to invite the princes and the Brahmanas. And

mounting fleet vehicles they went to the (respective) directions assigned

to them. Then to a certain messenger on the point of setting out,

Dussasana said, 'Go thou speedily to the woods of Dwaita; and in that

forest duly invite the Brahmanas and those wicked persons, the Pandavas.'

Thereupon, he repaired thither, and bowing down to all the Pandavas,

said, 'Having acquired immense wealth by his native prowess, that best of

kings and foremost of Kurus, Duryodhana, O monarch, is celebrating a

sacrifice. Thither are going from various directions the kings and the

Brahmanas. O king, I have been sent by the high-souled Kaurava. That king

and lord of men, Dhritarashtra's son, invites you. It behoveth you,

therefore, to witness the delightful sacrifice of that monarch.'

"Hearing these words of the messenger, that tiger among kings, the royal

Yudhishthira, said, 'By good luck it is that that enhancer of the glory

of his ancestors, king Suyodhana is celebrating this best of sacrifices.

We should certainly repair thither; but we cannot do now; for till (the

completion of) the thirteenth year, we shall have to observe our vow.'

Hearing this speech of Yudhishthira the just, Bhima said these words,

'Then will king Yudhishthira the just go thither, when he will cast him

(Duryodhana) into the fire kindled by weapons. Do thou say unto

Suyodhana. 'When after the expiration of the thirteenth year, that lord

of men, the Pandava, will, in the sacrifice of battle, pour upon the

Dhritarashtras, the clarified butter of his ire, then will I come!' But

the other Pandavas, O king, did not say anything unpleasant. The

messenger (on his return) related unto Dhritarashtra's son all as it had

fallen out. Then there came to the city of Dhritarashtra many foremost of

men, lords of various countries, and highly virtuous Brahmanas. And duly

received in order according to the ordinance, those lords of men

experienced great delight and were all well-pleased. And that foremost

among monarchs--Dhritarashtra--surrounded by all the Kauravas,

experienced the height of joy, and spake unto Vidura, saying, 'Do thou, O

Kshatta, speedily so act that all persons in the sacrificial compound may

be served with food, be refreshed and satisfied.' Thereupon, O represser

of foes, assenting to that order, the learned Vidura versed in morality,

cheerfully entertained all the orders in proper measure with meat and

beverages to eat and drink, and fragrant garland and various kinds of

attire. And having constructed pavilions (for their accommodation), that

hero and foremost of kings, duly entertained the princes and the

Brahmanas by thousands, and also bestowing upon them wealth of various

kinds, bade them farewell. And having dismissed all the kings, he entered

Hastinapura, surrounded by his brothers, and in company with Karna and

Suvala's son."

SECTION CCLV

Vaisampayana said, "While, O great king, Duryodhana was entering (the

city), the panegyrists eulogized the prince of unfailing prowess. And

others also eulogized that mighty bowman and foremost of kings. And

sprinkling over him fried paddy and sandal paste the citizens said, 'By

good luck it is, O king, that thy sacrifice hath been completed without

obstruction.' And some, more reckless of speech, that were present there,

said unto that lord of the earth, 'Surely this thy sacrifice cannot be

compared with Yudhishthira's: nor doth this come up to a sixteenth part

of that (sacrifice).' Thus spake unto that king some that were reckless

of consequences. His friends, however, said, This sacrifice of thine hath

surpassed all others. Yayati and Nahusha, and Mandhata and Bharata,

having been sanctified by celebrating such a sacrifice, have all gone to

heaven.' Hearing such agreeable words from his friends, that monarch, O

bull of the Bharata's race, well-pleased, entered the city and finally

his own abode. Then, O king, worshipping the feet of his father and

mother and of others headed by Bhishma, Drona and Kripa, and of the wise

Vidura, and worshipped in turn by his younger brothers, that delighter of

brothers sat down upon an excellent seat, surrounded by the latter. And

the Suta's son, rising up, said, 'By good luck it is, O foremost of the

Bharata race, that this mighty sacrifice of thine hath been brought to a

close. When, however, the sons of Pritha shall have been slain in battle

and thou wilt have completed the Rajasuya sacrifice, once again, O lord

of men, shall I honour thee thus.' Then that mighty king, the illustrious

son of Dhritarashtra, replied unto him, 'Truly hath this been spoken by

thee. When, O foremost of men, the wicked-minded Pandavas have been

slain, and when also the grand Rajasuya hath been celebrated by me, then

thou shalt again, O hero, honour me thus.' And having said this, O

Bharata, the Kaurava embraced Karna, and began, O mighty king, to think

of the Rajasuya, that foremost of sacrifices. And that best of kings also

addressed the Kurus around him, saying, 'When shall I, ye Kauravas,

having slain all the Pandavas, celebrate that costly and foremost of

sacrifices, the Rajasuya.' Then spake Karna unto him, saying, 'Hear me, O

elephant among kings! So long as I do not slay Arjuna, I shall not allow

any one to wash my feet, nor shall I taste meat. And I shall observe the

Asura vow[84] and whoever may solicit me (for any thing), I never shall

say, 'I have it not.' When Karna had thus vowed to slay Phalguna in

battle, those mighty charioteers and bowmen, the sons of Dhritarashtra,

sent up a loud cheer; and Dhritarashtra's sons thought that the Pandavas

had already been conquered. Then that chief of kings, the graceful

Duryodhana, leaving those bulls among men, entered his apartment, like

the lord Kuvera entering the garden of Chitraratha. And all those mighty

bowmen also, O Bharata, went to their respective quarters.

"Meanwhile those mighty bowmen, the Pandavas, excited by the words the

messenger had spoken, became anxious, and they did not (from that time)

experience the least happiness. Intelligence, further, O foremost of

kings, had been brought by spies regarding the vow of the Suta's son to

slay Vijaya. Hearing this, O lord of men, Dharma's son became exceedingly

anxious. And considering Karna of the impenetrable mail to be of

wonderful prowess, and remembering all their woes, he knew no peace. And

that high-souled one filled with anxiety, made up his mind to abandon the

woods about Dwaitavana abounding with ferocious animals.

"Meanwhile the royal son of Dhritarashtra began to rule the earth, along

with his heroic brothers as also with Bhishma and Drona and Kripa. And

with the assistance of the Suta's son crowned with martial glory,

Duryodhana remained ever intent on the welfare of the rulers of the

earth, and he worshipped the foremost of Brahmanas by celebrating

sacrifices with profuse gifts. And that hero and subduer of foes, O king,

was engaged in doing good to his brothers, concluding for certain in his

mind that giving and enjoying are the only use of riches."

SECTION CCLVI

Janamejaya said, 'After having delivered Duryodhana, what did the mighty

sons of Pandu do in that forest? It behoveth thee to tell me this.'

Vaisampayana said, "Once on a time, as Yudhishthira lay down at night in

the Dwaita woods, some deer, with accents choked in tears, presented

themselves before him in his dreams. To them standing with joined hands,

their bodies trembling all over that foremost of monarchs said, 'Tell me

what ye wish to say. Who are ye? And what do ye desire?' Thus accosted by

Kunti's son--the illustrious Pandava, those deer, the remnant of those

that had been slaughtered, replied unto him, saying, 'We are, O Bharata,

those deer that are still alive after them that had been slaughtered. We

shall be exterminated totally. Therefore, do thou change thy residence. O

mighty king, all thy brothers are heroes, conversant with weapons; they

have thinned the ranks of the rangers of the forest. We few--the

remnants,--O mighty-minded one, remain like seed. By thy favour, O king

of kings, let us increase.' Seeing these deer, which remained like seed

after the rest had been destroyed trembling and afflicted with fear,

Yudhishthira the just was greatly affected with grief. And the king,

intent on the welfare of all creatures, said unto them, 'So be it. I

shall act as ye have said.' Awaking after such a vision, that excellent

king, moved by pity towards the deer, thus spake unto his brothers

assembled there, 'Those deer that are alive after them that have been

slaughtered, accosted me at night, after I had awakened, saying, 'We

remain like the cues of our lines. Blest be thou! Do thou have compassion

on us.' And they have spoken truly. We ought to feel pity for the

dwellers of the forest. We have been feeding on them for a year together

and eight months. Let us, therefore, again (repair) to the romantic

Kamyakas, that best of forests abounding in wild animals, situated at the

head of the desert, near lake Trinavindu. And there let us pleasantly

pass the rest of our time.' Then, O king, the Pandavas versed in

morality, swiftly departed (thence), accompanied by the Brahmanas and all

those that lived with them, and followed by Indrasena and other

retainers. And proceeding along the roads walked (by travellers),

furnished with excellent corn and clear water, they at length beheld the

sacred asylum of Kamyaka endued with ascetic merit. And as pious men

enter the celestial regions, those foremost of the Bharata race, the

Kauravas, surrounded by those bulls among Brahmanas entered that forest."

SECTION CCLVII

Vaisampayana continued, "Dwelling in the woods, O bull of the Bharata

race, the high-souled Pandavas spent one and ten years in a miserable

plight. And although deserving of happiness, those foremost of men,

brooding over their circumstances, passed their days miserably, living on

fruits and roots. And that royal sage, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira,

reflecting that the extremity of misery that had befallen his brothers,

was owing to his own fault, and remembering those sufferings that had

arisen from his act of gambling, could not sleep peacefully. And he felt

as if his heart had been pierced with a lance. And remembering the harsh

words of the Suta's son, the Pandava, repressing the venom of his wrath,

passed his time in humble guise, sighing heavily. And Arjuna and both the

twins and the illustrious Draupadi, and the mighty Bhima--he that was

strongest of all men--experienced the most poignant pain in casting their

eyes on Yudhishthira. And thinking that a short time only remained (of

their exile), those bulls among men, influenced by rage and hope and by

resorting to various exertions and endeavours, made their bodies assume

almost different shapes.

"After a little while, that mighty ascetic, Vyasa, the son of Satyavati,

came there to see the Pandavas. And seeing him approach, Kunti's son,

Yudhishthira, stepped forward, and duly received that high-souled one.

And having gratified Vyasa by bowing down unto him, Pandu's son of

subdued senses, after the Rishi had been seated, sat down before him,

desirous of listening to him. And beholding his grandsons lean and living

in the forest on the produce of the wilderness, that mighty sage, moved

by compassion, said these words, in accents choked in tears, 'O

mighty-armed Yudhishthira, O thou best of virtuous persons, those men

that do not perform ascetic austerities never attain great happiness in

this world. People experience happiness and misery by turns; for surely,

O bull among men, no man ever enjoyeth unbroken happiness. A wise man

endued with high wisdom, knowing that life hath its ups and downs, is

neither filled with joy nor with grief. When happiness cometh, one should

enjoy it; when misery cometh, one should bear it, as a sower of crops

must bide his season. Nothing is superior to asceticism: by asceticism

one acquireth mighty fruit. Do thou know, O Bharata, that there is

nothing that asceticism cannot achieve. Truth, sincerity, freedom from

anger, justice, self-control, restraint of the faculties, immunity from

malice, guilelessness, sanctity, and mortification of the senses, these,

O mighty monarch, purify a person of meritorious acts. Foolish persons

addicted to vice and bestial ways, attain to brutish births in after life

and never enjoy happiness. The fruit of acts done in this world is reaped

in the next. Therefore should one restrain his body by asceticism and the

observance of vows. And, O king, free from guile and with a cheerful

spirit, one should, according to his power, bestow gifts, after going

down to the recipient and paying him homage. A truth-telling person

attaineth a life devoid of trouble. A person void of anger attaineth

sincerity, and one free from malice acquireth supreme contentment. A

person who hath subdued his senses and his inner faculties, never knoweth

tribulation; nor is a person of subdued senses affected by sorrow at the

height of other's prosperity. A man who giveth everyone his due, and the

bestower of boons, attain happiness, and come by every object of

enjoyment; while a man free from envy reapeth perfect ease. He that

honoureth those to whom honour is due, attaineth birth in an illustrious

line; and he that hath subdued his senses, never cometh by misfortune. A

man whose mind followeth good, after having paid his debt to nature, is

on this account, born again endued with a righteous mind.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O eminently virtuous one, O mighty sage, of the

bestowal of gifts and the observance of asceticism, which is of greater

efficacy in the next world, and which, harder of practice?'

"Vyasa said, 'There is nothing, O child, in this world harder to practise

than charity. Men greatly thirst after wealth, and wealth also is gotten

with difficulty. Nay, renouncing even dear life itself, heroic men, O

magnanimous one, enter into the depths of the sea and the forest for the

sake of wealth. For wealth, some betake themselves to agriculture and the

tending of kine, and some enter into servitude. Therefore, it is

extremely difficult to part with wealth that is obtained with such

trouble. Since nothing is harder to practise than charity, therefore, in

my opinion, even the bestowal of boons is superior to everything.

Specially is this to be borne in mind that well-earned gains should, in

proper time and place, be given away to pious men. But the bestowal of

ill-gotten gains can never rescue the giver from the evil of rebirth. It

hath been declared, O Yudhishthira, that by bestowing, in a pure spirit,

even a slight gift in due time and to a fit recipient, a man attaineth

inexhaustible fruit in the next world. In this connection is instanced

the old story regarding the fruit obtained by Mudgala, for having given

away only a drona[85] of corn.'"

SECTION CCLVIII

Yudhishthira said, "Why did that high-souled one give away a drona of

corn? And, O eminently pious one, to whom and in what prescribed way did

he give it? Do thou tell me this. Surely, I consider the life of that

virtuous person as having borne fruit with whose practices the possessor

himself of the six attributes, witnessing everything, was well pleased."

"Vyasa said, 'There lived, O king, in Kurukshetra a virtuous man (sage),

Mudgala by name. And he was truthful, and free from malice, and of

subdued senses. And he used to lead the Sila and Unchha modes of

life.[86] And although living like a pigeon, yet that one of mighty

austerities entertained his guests, celebrated the sacrifice called

Istikrita, and performed other rites. And that sage together with his son

and wife, ate for a fortnight, and during the other fortnight led the

life of a pigeon, collecting a drona of corn. And celebrating the Darsa

and Paurnamasya sacrifices, that one devoid of guile, used to pass his

days by taking the food that remained after the deities and the guests

had eaten. And on auspicious lunar days, that lord of the three worlds,

Indra himself, accompanied by the celestials used, O mighty monarch, to

partake of the food offered at his sacrifice. And that one, having

adopted the life of a Muni, with a cheerful heart entertained his guests

also with food on such days. And as that high-souled one distributed his

food with alacrity, the remainder of the drona of corn increased as soon

as a guest appeared. And by virtue of the pure spirit in which the sage

gave a way, that food of his increased so much that hundreds upon

hundreds of learned Brahmanas were fed with it.

"And, O king, it came to pass that having heard of the virtuous Mudgala

observant of vows, the Muni Durvasa, having space alone for his

covering,[87] his accoutrements worn like that of maniac, and his head

bare of hair, came there, uttering, O Pandava various insulting words.

And having arrived there that best of Munis said unto the Brahmana. 'Know

thou, O foremost of Brahmanas, that I have come hither seeking for food.

Thereupon Mudgala said unto the sage, 'Thou art welcome!' And then

offering to that maniac of an ascetic affected by hunger, water to wash

his feet and mouth, that one observant of the vow of feeding guests,

respectfully placed before him excellent fare. Affected by hunger, the

frantic Rishi completely exhausted the food that had been offered unto

him. Thereupon, Mudgala furnished him again with food. Then having eaten

up all that food, he besmeared his body with the unclean orts and went

away as he had come. In this manner, during the next season, he came

again and ate up all the food supplied by that wise one leading the

Unchha mode of life. Thereupon, without partaking any food himself, the

sage Mudgala again became engaged in collecting corn, following the

Unchha mode. Hunger could not disturb his equanimity. Nor could anger,

nor guile, nor a sense of degradation, nor agitation, enter into the

heart of that best of Brahmanas leading the Unchha mode of life along

with his son and his wife. In this way, Durvasa having made up his mind,

during successive seasons presented himself for six several times before

that best of sages living according to the Unchha mode; yet that Muni

could not perceive any agitation in Mudgala's heart; and he found the

pure heart of the pure-souled ascetic always pure. Thereupon,

well-pleased, the sage addressed Mudgala, saying, There is not another

guileless and charitable being like thee on earth. The pangs of hunger

drive away to a distance the sense of righteousness and deprive people of

all patience. The tongue, loving delicacies, attracteth men towards them.

Life is sustained by food. The mind, moreover, is fickle, and it is hard

to keep it in subjection. The concentration of the mind and of the senses

surely constitutes ascetic austerities. It must be hard to renounce in a

pure spirit a thing earned by pains. Yet, O pious one, all this hath been

duly achieved by thee. In thy company we feel obliged and gratified.

Self-restraint, fortitude, justice, control of the senses and of

faculties, mercy, and virtue, all these are established in thee. Thou

hast by the deeds conquered the different worlds and have thereby

obtained admission into paths of beautitude. Ah! even the dwellers of

heaven are proclaiming thy mighty deeds of charity. O thou observant of

vows, thou shalt go to heaven even in thine own body.

"Whilst the Muni Durvasa was speaking thus, a celestial messenger

appeared before Mudgala, upon a car yoked with swans and cranes, hung

with a neat work of bells, scented with divine fragrance, painted

picturesquely, and possessed of the power of going everywhere at will.

And he addressed the Brahmana sage, saying, 'O sage, do thou ascend into

this chariot earned by thy acts. Thou hast attained the fruit of thy

asceticism!'

"As the messenger of the gods was speaking thus, the sage told him, 'O

divine messenger, I desire that thou mayst describe unto me the

attributes of those that reside there. What are their austerities, and

what their purposes? And, O messenger of the gods, what constitutes

happiness in heaven, and what are the disadvantages thereof? It is

declared by virtuous men of good lineage that friendship with pious

people is contracted by only walking with them seven paces. O lord, in

the name of that friendship I ask thee, 'Do thou without hesitation tell

me the truth, and that which is good for me now. Having heard thee, I

shall, according to thy words, ascertain the course I ought to follow.'"

SECTION CCLIX

"The messenger of the gods said, 'O great sage, thou art of simple

understanding; since, having secured that celestial bliss which bringeth

great honour, thou art still deliberating like an unwise person. O Muni,

that region which is known as heaven, existeth there above us. Those

regions tower high, and are furnished with excellent paths, and are, O

sage, always ranged by celestial cars. Atheists, and untruthful persons,

those that have not practised ascetic austerities and those that have not

performed great sacrifices, cannot repair thither. Only men of virtuous

souls, and those of subdued spirits, and those that have their faculties

in subjection, and those that have controlled their senses, and those

that are free from malice, and persons intent on the practice of charity;

and heroes, and men bearing marks of battle, after having, with subdued

senses and faculties, performed the most meritorious rites, attain those

regions, O Brahmana, capable of being obtained only by virtuous acts, and

inhabited by pious men. There, O Mudgala, are established separately

myriads of beautiful, shining, and resplendent worlds bestowing every

object of desire, owned by those celestial beings, the gods, the Sadhyas,

and the Vaiswas, the great sages, Yamas, and the Dharmas, and the

Gandharvas and the Apsaras. And there is that monarch of mountains the

golden Meru extending over a space of thirty-three thousand Yojanas. And

there, O Mudgala, are the sacred gardens of the celestials, with Nandana

at their head, where sport the persons of meritorious acts. And neither

hunger, nor thirst, nor lassitude, nor fear, nor anything that is

disgusting or inauspicious is there. And all the odours of that place are

delightful, and all the breezes delicious to the touch. And all the

sounds there are captivating, O sage, to the ear and the heart. And

neither grief, nor decrepitude, nor labour, nor repentance also is there.

That world, O Muni, obtained as the fruit of one's own acts, is of this

nature. Persons repair thither by virtue of their meritorious deeds. And

the persons of those that dwell there look resplendent, and this, O

Mudgala, solely by virtue of their own acts, and not owing to the merits

of father or mothers. And there is neither sweat, nor stench, nor urine

there. And, there, O Muni, dust doth not soils one's garments. And their

excellent garlands, redolent of divine fragrance, never fade. And, O

Brahmana, they yoke such cars as this (that I have brought). And, O

mighty sage, devoid of envy and grief and fatigue and ignorance and

malice, men who have attained heaven, dwell in those regions happily.

And, O bull among Munis, higher and higher over such regions there are

others endued with higher celestial virtues. Of these, the beautiful and

resplendent regions of Brahma are the foremost. Thither, O Brahmana,

repair Rishis that have been sanctified by meritorious acts. And there

dwell certain beings named Ribhus. They are the gods of the gods

themselves. Their regions are supremely blessed, and are adored even by

the deities. These shine by their own light, and bestow every object of

desire. They suffer no pangs that women might cause, do not possess

worldly wealth, and are free from guile. The Ribhus do not subsist on

oblations, nor yet on ambrosia. And they are endued with such celestial

forms that they cannot be perceived by the senses. And these eternal gods

of the celestials do not desire happiness for happiness' sake, nor do

they change at the revolution of a Kalpa. Where, indeed, is their

decrepitude or dissolution? For them there is neither ecstasy, nor joy,

nor happiness. They have neither happiness nor misery. Wherefore should

they have anger or aversion then, O Muni? O Mudgala, their supreme state

is coveted even by the gods. And that crowning emancipation, hard to

attain, can never be acquired by people subject to desire. The number of

those deities is thirty-three. To their regions repair wise men, after

having observed excellent vows, or bestowed gifts according to the

ordinance. Thou also hast easily acquired that success by thy charities.

Do thou, by effulgence displayed by virtue of thy ascetic austerities,

enjoy that condition obtained by thy meritorious acts. Such, O Brahmana,

is the bliss of heaven containing various worlds.

"Thus have I described unto thee the blessing of the celestial regions.

Do thou now hear from me some of the disadvantages thereof. That in the

celestial regions a person, while reaping the fruit of the acts he hath

already performed, cannot be engaged in any others, and that he must

enjoy the consequences of the former until they are completely exhausted,

and, further, that he is subject to fall after he hath entirely exhausted

his merit, form, in my opinion, the disadvantages of heaven. The fall of

a person whose mind hath been steeped in happiness, must, O Mudgala, be

pronounced as a fault. And the discontent and regret that must follow

one's stay at an inferior seat after one hath enjoyed more auspicious and

brighter regions, must be hard to bear. And the consciousness of those

about to fall is stupefied, and also agitated by emotions. And as the

garlands of those about to fall fade away, fear invadeth their hearts.

These mighty drawbacks, O Mudgala, extend even to the regions of Brahma.

In the celestial regions, the virtues of men who have performed righteous

acts, are countless. And, O Muni, this is another of the attributes of

the fallen that, by reason of their merits, they take birth among men.

And then they attain to high fortune and happiness. If one, however,

cannot acquire knowledge here, one cometh by an inferior birth. The

fruits of acts done in this world are reaped in the next. This world, O

Brahmana, hath been declared to be one of acts; the others, as one of

fruit. Thus have I, O Mudgala, asked by thee, described all unto thee.

Now, O pious one, with thy favour, we shall easily set out with speed.'

"Vyasa continued, 'Having heard this speech, Mudgala began to reflect in

his mind. And having deliberated well, that best of Munis spake thus unto

the celestial messenger, 'O messenger of the gods, I bow unto thee. Do

thou, O sire, depart in peace. I have nothing to do with either

happiness, or heaven having such prominent defects. Persons who enjoy

heaven suffer, after all, huge misery and extreme regret in this world.

Therefore, I do not desire heaven. I shall seek for that unfailing region

repairing whither people have not to lament, or to be pained, or

agitated. Thou hast described unto me these great defects belonging to

the celestial regions. Do thou now describe unto me a region free from

faults.' Thereupon the celestial messenger said, 'Above the abode of

Brahma, there is the supreme seat of Vishnu, pure, and eternal, and

luminous known by the name of Para Brahma. Thither, O Brahmana, cannot

repair persons who are attached to the objects of the senses: nor can

those subject to arrogance, covetousness, ignorance, anger, and envy, go

to that place. It is only those that are free from affection, and those

free from pride, and those free from conflicting emotions, and those that

have restrained their senses, and those given to contemplation and Yoga,

that can repair thither.' Having heard these words, the Muni bade

farewell to the celestial messenger, and that virtuous one leading the

Unchha mode of life, assumed perfect contentment. And then praise and

dispraise became equal unto him; and a brickbat, stone, and gold assumed

the same aspect in his eyes. And availing himself of the means of

attaining Brahma, he became always engaged in meditation. And having

obtained power by means of knowledge, and acquired excellent

understanding, he attained that supreme state of emancipation which is

regarded as Eternal. Therefore, thou also, O Kunti's son, ought not to

grieve. Deprived thou hast truly been of a flourishing kingdom, but thou

wilt regain it by thy ascetic austerities. Misery after happiness, and

happiness after misery, revolve by turns round a man even like the point

of a wheel's circumference round the axle. After the thirteenth year hath

passed away, thou wilt, O thou of immeasurable might, get back the

kingdom possessed before thee by thy father and grand-father. Therefore,

let the fever of thy heart depart!'"

Vaisampayana continued "Having said this to Pandu's son, the worshipful

Vyasa went back to his hermitage for the purpose of performing

austerities."

SECTION CCLX

Janamejaya said, "While the high-souled Pandavas were living in those

woods, delighted with the pleasant conversation they held with the Munis,

and engaged in distributing the food they obtained from the sun, with

various kinds of venison to Brahmanas and others that came to them for

edibles till the hour of Krishna's meal, how, O great Muni, did

Duryodhana and the other wicked and sinful sons of Dhritarashtra, guided

by the counsels of Dussasana, Karna and Sakuni, deal with them? I ask

thee this. Do thou, worshipful Sir, enlighten me."

Vaisampayana said, "When, O great king, Duryodhana heard that the

Pandavas were living as happily in the woods as in a city, he longed,

with the artful Karna, Dussasana and others, to do them harm. And while

those evil-minded persons were employed in concerting various wicked

designs, the virtuous and celebrated ascetic Durvasa, following the bent

of his own will, arrived at the city of the Kurus with ten thousand

disciples. And seeing the irascible ascetic arrived, Duryodhana and his

brothers welcomed him with great humility, self-abasement and gentleness.

And himself attending on the Rishi as a menial, the prince gave him a

right worshipful reception. And the illustrious Muni stayed there for a

few days, while king Duryodhana, watchful of his imprecations, attended

on him diligently by day and night. And sometimes the Muni would say, 'I

am hungry, O king, give me some food quickly.' And sometimes he would go

out for a bath and, returning at a late hour, would say, 'I shall not eat

anything today as I have no appetite,' and so saying would disappear from

his sight. And sometimes, coming all on a sudden, he would say, 'Feed us

quickly.' And at other times, bent on some mischief, he would awake at

midnight and having caused his meals to be prepared as before, would carp

at them and not partake of them at all. And trying the prince in this way

for a while, when the Muni found that the king Duryodhana was neither

angered, nor annoyed, he became graciously inclined towards him. And

then, O Bharata, the intractable Durvasa said unto him, 'I have power to

grant thee boons. Thou mayst ask of me whatever lies nearest to thy

heart. May good fortune be thine. Pleased as I am with thee, thou mayst

obtain from me anything that is not opposed to religion and morals.'

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of the great ascetic,

Suyodhana felt himself to be inspired with new life. Indeed, it had been

agreed upon between himself and Karna and Dussasana as to what the boon

should be that he would ask of the Muni if the latter were pleased with

his reception. And the evil-minded king, bethinking himself of what had

previously been decided, joyfully solicited the following favour, saying,

'The great king Yudhishthira is the eldest and the best of our race. That

pious man is now living in the forest with his brothers. Do thou,

therefore, once become the guest of that illustrious one even as, O

Brahmana, thou hast with thy disciples been mine for some time. If thou

art minded to do me a favour, do thou go unto him at a time when that

delicate and excellent lady, the celebrated princess of Panchala, after

having regaled with food the Brahmanas, her husbands and herself, may lie

down to rest.' The Rishi replied, 'Even so shall I act for thy

satisfaction.' And having said this to Suyodhana, that great Brahmana,

Durvasa, went away in the very same state in which he had come. And

Suyodhana regarded himself to have attained all the objects of his

desire. And holding Karna by the hand he expressed great satisfaction.

And Karna, too, joyfully addressed the king in the company of his

brothers, saying, 'By a piece of singular good luck, thou hast fared well

and attained the objects of thy desire. And by good luck it is that thy

enemies have been immersed in a sea of dangers that is difficult to

cross. The sons of Pandu are now exposed to the fire of Durvasa's wrath.

Through their own fault they have fallen into an abyss of darkness.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "O king, expressing their satisfaction in this

strain, Duryodhana and others, bent on evil machinations, returned

merrily to their respective homes."

SECTION CCLXI

(Draupadi-harana Parva)

Vaisampayana said, "One day, having previously ascertained that the

Pandavas were all seated at their ease and that Krishna was reposing

herself after her meal, the sage Durvasa, surrounded by ten thousand

disciples repaired to that forest. The illustrious and upright king

Yudhishthira, seeing that guest arrived, advanced with his mothers to

receive him. And joining the palms of his hands and pointing to a proper

and excellent seat, he accorded the Rishis a fit and respectful welcome.

And the king said unto him, 'Return quick, O adorable sir, after

performing thy diurnal ablutions and observances.' And that sinless Muni,

not knowing how the king would be able to provide a feast for him and his

disciples, proceeded with the latter to perform his ablutions. And that

host of the Muni, of subdued passions, went into the stream for

performing their ablutions. Meanwhile, O king, the excellent princess

Draupadi, devoted to her husbands, was in great anxiety about the food

(to be provided for the Munis). And when after much anxious thought she

came to the conclusion that means there were none for providing a feast,

she inwardly prayed to Krishna, the slayer of Kansa. And the princess

said, 'Krishna, O Krishna, of mighty arms, O son of Devaki, whose power

is inexhaustible, O Vasudeva, O lord of the Universe, who dispellest the

difficulties of those that bow down to thee, thou art the soul, the

creator and the destroyer of the Universe. Thou, O lord, art

inexhaustible and the saviour of the afflicted. Thou art the preserver of

the Universe and of all created beings. Thou art the highest of the high,

and the spring of the mental perceptions Akuli and Chiti![88] O Supreme

and Infinite Being, O giver of all good, be thou the refuge of the

helpless. O Primordial Being, incapable of being conceived by the soul or

the mental faculties or otherwise, thou art the ruler of all and the lord

of Brahma. I seek thy protection. O god, thou art ever kindly disposed

towards those that take refuge in thee. Do thou cherish me with thy

kindness. O thou with a complexion dark as the leaves of the blue lotus,

and with eyes red as the corolla of the lily, and attired in yellow robes

with, besides, the bright Kaustubha gem in thy bosom, thou art the

beginning and the end of creation, and the great refuge of all. Thou art

the supreme light and essence of the Universe! Thy face is directed

towards every point. They call thee Supreme Germ and the depository of

all treasures. Under thy protections, O lord of the gods, all evils lose

their terror. As thou didst protect me before from Dussasana, do thou

extricate me now from this difficulty."

Vaisampayana continued, "The great and sovereign God, and Lord of the

earth, of mysterious movements, the lord Kesava who is ever kind to the

dependents, thou adored by Krishna, and perceiving her difficulty,

instantly repaired to that place leaving the bed of Rukmini who was

sleeping by his side. Beholding Vasudeva, Draupadi bowed down to him in

great joy and informed him of the arrival of the Munis and every other

thing. And having heard everything Krishna said unto her, 'I am very much

afflicted with hunger, do thou give me some food without delay, and then

thou mayst go about thy work.' At these words of Kesava, Krishna became

confused, and replied unto him, saying, 'The sun-given vessel remains

full till I finish my meal. But as I have already taken my meal today,

there is no food in it now. Then that lotus-eyed and adorable being said

unto Krishna, 'This is no time for jest, O Krishna.--I am much distressed

with hunger, go thou quickly to fetch the vessel and show it to me.' When

Kesava, that ornament of the Yadu's race, had the vessel brought unto

him,--with such persistence, he looked into it and saw a particle of rice

and vegetable sticking at its rim. And swallowing it he said unto her,

'May it please the god Hari, the soul of the Universe, and may that god

who partaketh at sacrifices, be satiated with this.' Then the long-armed

Krishna, that soother of miseries, said unto Bhimasena, 'Do thou speedily

invite the Munis to dinner. Then, O good king, the celebrated Bhimasena

quickly went to invite all those Munis, Durvasa and others, who had gone

to the nearest stream of transparent and cool water to perform their

ablutions. Meanwhile, these ascetics, having plunged into the river, were

rubbing their bodies and observing that they all felt their stomachs to

be full. And coming out of the stream, they began to stare at one

another. And turning towards Durvasa, all those ascetics observed,

'Having bade the king make our meals ready, we have come hither for a

bath. But how, O regenerate Rishi, can we eat anything now, for our

stomachs seem to be full to the throat. The repast hath been uselessly

prepared for us. What is the best thing to be done now?' Durvasa replied,

'By spoiling the repast, we have done a great wrong to that royal sage,

king Yudhishthira. Would not the Pandavas destroy us by looking down upon

us with angry eyes? I know the royal sage Yudhishthira to be possessed of

great ascetic power. Ye Brahmanas, I am afraid of men that are devoted to

Hari. The high-souled Pandavas are all religious men, learned, war-like,

diligent in ascetic austerities and religious observances, devoted to

Vasudeva, and always observant of rules of good conduct. If provoked,

they can consume us with their wrath as fire doth a bale of cotton.

Therefore, ye disciples, do ye all run away quickly without seeing them

(again)!"

Vaisampayana continued, "All those Brahmanas, thus advised by their

ascetic preceptor, became greatly afraid of the Pandavas and fled away in

all directions. Then Bhimasena not beholding those excellent Munis in the

celestial river, made a search after them here and there at all the

landing places. And learning from the ascetics of those places that they

had run away, he came back and informed Yudhishthira of what had

happened. Then all the Pandavas of subdued senses, expecting them to

come, remained awaiting their arrival for some time. And Yudhishthira

said, 'Coming dead of night the Rishis will deceive us. Oh how, can we

escape from this difficulty created by the facts?' Seeing them absorbed

in such reflections and breathing long deep sighs at frequent intervals,

the illustrious Krishna suddenly appeared to them and addressed them

these words: 'Knowing, ye sons of Pritha, your danger from that wrathful

Rishi, I was implored by Draupadi to come, and (therefore) have I come

here speedily. But now ye have not the least fear from the Rishi Durvasa.

Afraid of your ascetic powers, he hath made himself scarce ere this.

Virtuous men never suffer. I now ask your permission to let me return

home. May you always be prosperous!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing Kesava's words, the sons of Pritha, with

Draupadi, became easy in mind. And cured of their fever (of anxiety),

they said unto him, 'As persons drowning in the wide ocean safely reach

the shore by means of a boat, so have we, by thy aid, O lord Govinda,

escaped from this inextricable difficulty. Do thou now depart in peace,

and may prosperity be thine.' Thus dismissed, he repaired to his capital

and the Pandavas too, O blessed lord, wandering from forest to forest

passed their days merrily with Draupadi. Thus, O king, have I related to

thee the story which thou askedest me to repeat. And it was thus that the

machinations of the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra about the Pandavas in

the forest, were frustrated."

SECTION CCLXII

Vaisampayana said, "These great warriors of the race of Bharata sojourned

like immortals in the great forest of Kamyaka, employed in hunting and

pleased with the sight of numerous wild tracts of country and wide

reaches of woodland, gorgeous with flowers blossoming in season. And the

sons of Pandu, each like unto Indra and the terror of his enemies, dwelt

there for some time. And one day those valiant men, the conquerors of

their foes, went about in all directions in search of game for feeding

the Brahmanas in their company, leaving Draupadi alone at the hermitage,

with the permission of the great ascetic Trinavindu, resplendent with

ascetic grandeur, and of their spiritual guide Dhaumya. Meanwhile, the

famous king of Sindhu, the son of Vriddhakshatra was, with a view to

matrimony, proceeding to the kingdom of Salwa, dressed in his best royal

apparel and accompanied by numerous princes. And the prince halted in the

woods of Kamyaka. And in that secluded place, he found the beautiful

Draupadi, the beloved and celebrated wife of the Pandavas, standing at

the threshold of the hermitage. And she looked grand in the superb beauty

of her form, and seemed to shed a lustre on the woodland around, like

lightning illuminating masses of dark clouds. And they who saw her asked

themselves, 'Is this an Apsara, or a daughter of the gods, or a celestial

phantom?' And with this thought, their hands also joined together. They

stood gazing on the perfect and faultless beauty of her form. And

Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu, and the son of Vriddhakshatra, struck

with amazement at the sight of that lady of faultless beauty, was seized

with an evil intention. And inflamed with desire, he said to the prince

named Kotika, 'Whose is this lady of faultless form? Is she of the human

kind? I have no need to marry if I can secure this exquisitely beautiful

creature. Taking her with me, I shall go back to my abode, Oh sir, and

enquire who she is and whence she has come and why also that delicate

being hath come into this forest beset with thorns. Will this ornament of

womankind, this slender-waisted lady of so much beauty, endued with

handsome teeth and large eyes, accept me as her lord? I shall certainly

regard myself successful, if I obtain the hand of this excellent lady.

Go, Kotika, and enquire who her husband may be.' Thus asked, Kotika,

wearing a kundala, jumped out of his chariot and came near her, as a

jackal approacheth a tigress, and spake unto her these words.'"

SECTION CCLXIII

Kotika said, "Excellent lady, who art thou that standest alone, leaning

on a branch of the Kadamva tree at this hermitage and looking grand like

a flame of fire blazing at night time, and fanned by the wind?

Exquisitely beautiful as thou art, how is it that thou feelest not any

fear in these forests? Methinks thou art a goddess, or a Yakshi, or a

Danavi, or an excellent Apsara, or the wife of a Daitya, or a daughter of

the Naga king, or a Rakshasi or the wife of Varuna, or of Yama, or of

Soma, or of Kuvera, who, having assumed a human form, wanderest in these

forests. Or, hast thou come from the mansions of Dhatri, or of Vidhatri,

or of Savitri, or of Vibhu, or of Sakra? Thou dost not ask us who we are,

nor do we know who protects thee here! Respectfully do we ask thee, good

lady, who is thy powerful father, and, O, do tell us truly the names of

thy husband, thy relatives, and thy race, and tell us also what thou dost

here. As for us, I am king Suratha's son whom people know by the name of

Kotika, and that man with eyes large as the petals of the lotus, sitting

on a chariot of gold, like the sacrificial fire on the altar, is the

warrior known by the name of Kshemankara, king of Trigarta. And behind

him is the famous son of the king of Pulinda, who is even now gazing on

thee. Armed with a mighty bow and endued with large eyes, and decorated

with floral wreaths, he always liveth on the breasts of mountains. The

dark and handsome young man, the scourge of his enemies, standing at the

edge of that tank, is the son of Suvala of the race of Ikshwaku. And if,

O excellent lady, thou hast ever heard the name of Jayadratha, the king

of Sauviras, even he is there at the head of six thousand chariots, with

horses and elephants and infantry, and followed by twelve Sauvira princes

as his standard-bearers, named Angaraka, Kunjara, Guptaka, Satrunjaya,

Srinjaya, Suprabiddha, Prabhankara, Bhramara, Ravi, Sura, Pratapa and

Kuhana, all mounted on chariots drawn by chestnut horses and every one of

them looking like the fire on the sacrificial altar. The brothers also of

the king, viz., the powerful Valahaka, Anika, Vidarana and others, are

among his followers. These strong-limbed and noble youths are the flowers

of the Sauvira chivalry. The king is journeying in the company of these

his friends, like Indra surrounded by the Maruts. O fine-haired lady, do

tell us that are unacquainted (with these matters), whose wife and whose

daughter thou art."

SECTION CCLXIV

Vaisampayana continued, "The princess Draupadi, thus questioned by that

ornament of Sivi's race, moved her eyes gently, and letting go her hold

of the Kadamva blanch and arranging her silken apparel she said, I am

aware, O prince, that it is not proper for a person like me to address

you thus, but as there is not another man or woman here to speak with

thee and as I am alone here just now, let me, therefore, speak. Know,

worthy sir, that being alone in this forest here, I should not speak unto

thee, remembering the usages of my sex. I have learned, O Saivya, that

thou art Suratha's son, whom people know by the name of Kotika.

Therefore, on my part, I shall now tell thee of my relations and renowned

race. I am the daughter of king Drupada, and people know me by the name

of Krishna, and I have accepted as my husbands, five persons of whom you

may have heard while they were living at Kahandavaprastha. Those noble

persons, viz., Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Arjuna, and the two sons of

Madri, leaving me here and having assigned unto themselves the four

points of the horizon, have gone out on a hunting excursion. The king

hath gone to the east, Bhimasena towards the south, Arjuna to the west,

and the twin brothers towards the north! Therefore, do ye now alight and

dismiss your carriages so that ye may depart after receiving a due

welcome from them. The high-souled son of Dharma is fond of guests and

will surely be delighted to see you!' Having addressed Saivya's son in

this way, the daughter of Drupada, with face beautiful as the moon,

remembering well her husband's character for hospitality, entered her

spacious cottage."

SECTION CCLXV

Vaisampayana said, "O Bharata, Kotikakhya related to those princes who

had been waiting, all that had passed between him and Krishna. And

hearing Kotikakhya's words, Jayadratha said to that scion of the race of

Sivi, 'Having listened only to her speech, my heart has been lovingly

inclined towards that ornament of womankind. Why therefore, hast thou

returned (thus unsuccessful)? I tell thee truly, O thou of mighty arms,

that having once seen this lady, other women now seem to me like so many

monkeys. I having looked at her, she has captivated my heart. Do tell me,

O Saivya, if that excellent lady is of the human kind.' Kotika replied,

'This lady is the famous princess Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, and

the celebrated wife of the five sons of Pandu. She is the much esteemed

and beloved and chaste wife of the sons of Pritha. Taking her with thee,

do thou proceed towards Sauvira!'"

Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the evil-minded Jayadratha, the

king of Sindhu, Sauvira and other countries, said, 'I must see Draupadi.'

And with six other men he entered that solitary hermitage, like a wolf

entering the den of a lion. And he said unto Krishna, 'Hail to thee,

excellent lady! Are thy husbands well and those, besides, whose

prosperity thou always wishest.' Draupadi replied, 'Kunti's son king

Yudhishthira of the race of Kuru, his brothers, myself, and all those of

whom thou hast enquired of, are well. Is everything right with thy

kingdom, thy government, exchequer, and thy army? Art thou, as sole

ruler, governing with justice the rich countries of Saivya, Sivi, Sindhu

and others that thou hast brought under thy sway? Do thou, O prince,

accept this water for washing thy feet. Do thou also take this seat. I

offer thee fifty animals for thy train's breakfast. Besides these,

Yudhishthira himself, the son of Kunti, will give thee porcine deer and

Nanku deer, and does, and antelopes, and Sarabhas, and rabbits, and Ruru

deer, and bears, and Samvara deer and gayals and many other animals,

besides wild boars and buffaloes and other animals of the quadruped

tribe.' Hearing this Jayadratha replied, saying, 'All is well with me. By

offering to provide our breakfast, thou hast in a manner actually done

it. Come now and ride my chariot and be completely happy. For it becomes

not thee to have any regard for the miserable sons of Pritha who are

living in the woods, whose energies have been paralysed, whose kingdom

hath been snatched and whose fortunes are at the lowest ebb. A woman of

sense like thee doth not attach herself to a husband that is poor. She

should follow her lord when he is in prosperity but abandon him when in

adversity. The sons of Pandu have for ever fallen away from their high

state, and have lost their kingdom for all time to come. Thou hast no

need, therefore, to partake of their misery from any regard for them.

Therefore, O thou of beautiful hips, forsaking the sons of Pandu, be

happy by becoming my wife, and share thou with me the kingdoms of Sindhu

and Sauvira.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these frightful words of the king of

Sindhu, Krishna retired from that place, her face furrowed into a frown

owing to the contraction of her eye-brows. But disregarding his words

from supreme contempt, the slender-waisted Krishna reproving said unto

the king of Sindhu, 'Speak not thus again! Art thou not ashamed? Be on

thy guard!' And that lady of irreproachable character anxiously expecting

the return of her husband, began, with long speeches, to beguile him

completely."

SECTION CCLXVI

Vaisampayana said, "The daughter of Drupada, though naturally handsome,

was suffused with crimson arising from a fit of anger. And with eyes

inflamed and eye-brows bent in wrath, she reproved the ruler of the

Suviras, saying, 'Art thou not ashamed, O fool, to use such insulting

words in respect of those celebrated and terrible warriors, each like

unto Indra himself, and who are all devoted to their duties and who never

waver in fight with even hosts of Yakshas and Rakshasas? O Sauvira, good

men never speak ill of learned persons devoted to austerities and endued

with learning, no matter whether they live in the wilderness or in

houses. It is only wretches that are mean as thou who do so. Methinks

there is none in this assemblage of Kshatriya, who is capable of holding

thee by the hand to save thee from falling into the pit thou openest

under thy feet. In hoping to vanquish king Yudhishthira the just, thou

really hopest to separate, stick in hand, from a herd roaming in

Himalayan valleys, its leader, huge as a mountain peak and with the

temporal juice trickling down its rent temples. Out of childish folly

thou art kicking up into wakefulness the powerful lion lying asleep, in

order to pluck the hair from off his face! Thou shalt, however, have to

run away when thou seest Bhimasena in wrath! Thy courting a combat with

the furious Jishnu may be likened to thy kicking up a mighty, terrible,

full-grown and furious lion asleep in a mountain cave. The encounter thou

speakest of with those two excellent youths--the younger Pandavas--is

like unto the act of a fool that wantonly trampleth on the tails of two

venomous black cobras with bifurcated tongues. The bamboo, the reed, and

the plantain bear fruit only to perish and not to grow in size any

further. Like also the crab that conceiveth for her own destruction, thou

wilt lay hands upon me who am protected by these mighty heroes!'

Jayadratha replied, 'I know all this, O Krishna, and I am well aware of

the prowess of those princes. But thou canst not frighten us now with

these threats. We, too, O Krishna, belong by birth to the seventeen high

clans, and are endowed with the six royal qualities.[89] We, therefore,

look down upon the Pandavas as inferior men! Therefore, do thou, O

daughter of Drupada, ride this elephant or this chariot quickly, for thou

canst not baffle us with thy words alone; or, speaking less boastfully,

seek thou the mercy of the king of the Sauviras!'

Draupadi replied, "Though I am so powerful, why doth the king of Sauvira

yet consider me so powerless. Well-known as I am, I cannot, from fear of

violence, demean myself before that prince. Even Indra himself cannot

abduct her for whose protection Krishna and Arjuna would together follow,

riding in the same chariot. What shall I say, therefore, of a weak human

being. When Kiriti, that slayer of foes, riding on his car, will, on my

account, enter thy ranks, striking terror into every heart, he will

consume everything around like fire consuming a stack of dry grass in

summer. The warring princes of the Andhaka and the Vrishni races, with

Janardana at their head, and the mighty bowmen of the Kaikeya tribe, will

all follow in my wake with great ardour. The terrible arrows of

Dhananjaya, shot from the string of the Gandiva and propelled by his arms

fly with great force through the air, roaring like the very clouds. And

when thou wilt behold Arjuna shooting from the Gandiva a thick mass of

mighty arrows like unto a flight of locusts, then wilt thou repent of

thine own folly! Bethink thyself of what thou wilt feel when that warrior

armed with the Gandiva, blowing his conch-shell and with gloves

reverberating with the strokes of his bowstring will again and again

pierce thy breast with his shafts. And when Bhima will advance towards

thee, mace in hand and the two sons of Madri range in all directions,

vomiting forth the venom of their wrath, thou wilt then experience pangs

of keen regret that will last for ever. As I have never been false to my

worthy lords even in thought, so by that merit shall I now have the

pleasure of beholding thee vanquished and dragged by the sons of Pritha.

Thou canst not, cruel as thou art, frighten me by seizing me with

violence, for as soon as those Kuru warriors will espy me they will bring

me back to the woods of Kamyaka.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Then that lady of large eyes, beholding them

ready to lay violent hands on her, rebuked them and said, 'Defile me not

by your touch!' And in a great alarm she then called upon her spiritual

adviser, Dhaumya. Jayadratha, however, seized her by her upper garment,

but she pushed him with great vigour. And pushed by the lady, that sinful

wretch fell upon the ground like a tree severed from its roots. Seized,

however, once more by him with great violence, she began to pant for

breath. And dragged by the wretch, Krishna at last ascended his chariot

having worshipped Dhaumya's feet. And Dhaumya then addressed Jayadratha

and said, 'Do thou, O Jayadratha, observe the ancient custom of the

Kshatriyas. Thou canst not carry her off without having vanquished those

great warriors. Without doubt, thou shalt reap the painful fruits of this

thy despicable act, when thou encounterest the heroic sons of Pandu with

Yudhishthira the just at their head!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said these words Dhaumya, entering into

the midst of Jayadratha's infantry, began to follow that renowned

princess who was thus being carried away by the ravisher."

SECTION CCLXVII

Vaisampayana said, "Meanwhile those foremost of bowmen on the face of the

earth, having wandered separately and ranged in all directions, and

having slain plenty of deer and buffaloes, at length met together. And

observing that great forest, which was crowded with hosts of deer and

wild beasts, resounding with the shrill cries of birds, and hearing the

shrieks and yells of the denizens of the wilderness. Yudhishthira said

unto his brothers. 'These birds and wild beasts, flying towards that

direction which is illuminated by the sun, are uttering dissonant cries

and displaying an intense excitement. All this only shows that this

mighty forest hath been invaded by hostile intruders. Without a moment's

delay let us give up the chase. We have no more need of game. My heart

aches and seems to burn! The soul in my body, over-powering the

intellect, seems ready to fly out. As a lake rid by Garuda of the mighty

snake that dwells in it, as a pot drained of its contents by thirsty men,

as a kingdom reft of king and prosperity, even so doth the forest of

Kamyaka seem to me.' Thus addressed, those heroic warriors drove towards

their abode, on great cars of handsome make and drawn by steeds of the

Saindharva breed exceedingly fleet and possessed of the speed of the

hurricane. And on their way back, they beheld a jackal yelling hideously

on the wayside towards their left. And king Yudhishthira, regarding it

attentively, said unto Bhima and Dhananjaya, 'This jackal that belongs to

a very inferior species of animals, speaking to our left, speaketh a

language which plainly indicates that the sinful Kurus, disregarding us,

have commenced to oppress us by resorting to violence.' After the sons of

Pandu had given up the chase and said these words, they entered the grove

which contained their hermitage. And there they found their beloved one's

maid, the girl Dhatreyika, sobbing and weeping. And Indrasena then

quickly alighting from the chariot and advancing with hasty steps towards

her, questioned her, O king, in great distress of mind, saying, 'What

makes thee weep thus, lying on the ground, and why is thy face so

woe-begone and colourless? I hope no cruel wretches have done any harm to

the princess Draupadi possessed of incomparable beauty and large eyes and

who is the second self of every one of those bulls of the Kuru race? So

anxious hath been Dharma's son that if the princess hath entered the

bowels of the earth or hath soared to heaven or dived into the bottom of

the ocean, he and his brothers will go thither in pursuit of her. Who

could that fool be that would carry away that priceless jewel belonging

to the mighty and ever-victorious sons of Pandu, those grinders of foes,

and which is dear unto them as their own lives? I don't know who the

person could be that would think of carrying away that princess who hath

such powerful protectors and who is even like a walking embodiment of the

hearts of the sons of Pandu? Piercing whose breasts will terrible shafts

stick to the ground to-day? Do not weep for her, O timid girl, for know

thou that Krishna will come back this very day, and the sons of Pritha,

having slain their foes, will again be united with Yagnaseni!' Thus

addressed by him, Dhatreyika, wiping her beautiful face, replied unto

Indrasena the charioteer, saying, 'Disregarding the five Indra-like sons

of Pandu, Jayadratha hath carried away Krishna by force. The track

pursued by him hath not yet disappeared, for the broken branches of trees

have not yet faded. Therefore, turn your cars and follow her quickly, for

the princess cannot have gone far by this time! Ye warriors possessed of

the prowess of Indra, putting on your costly bows of handsome make, and

taking up your costly bows and quivers, speed ye in pursuit of her, lest

overpowered by threats or violence and losing her sense and the colour of

her cheeks, she yields herself up to an undeserving wight, even as one

poureth forth, from the sacrificial ladle, the sanctified oblation on a

heap of ashes. O, see that the clarified butter is not poured into an

unigniting fire of paddy chaff; that a garland of flowers is not thrown

away in a cemetery. O, take care that the Soma juice of a sacrifice is

not licked up by a dog through the carelessness of the officiating

priests! O, let not the lily be rudely torn by a jackal roaming for its

prey in the impenetrable forest. O, let no inferior wight touch with his

lips the bright and beautiful face of your wife, fair as the beams of the

moon and adorned with the finest nose and the handsomest eyes, like a dog

licking clarified butter kept in the sacrificial pot! Do ye speed in this

track and let not time steal a march on you.'

Yudhishthira said, 'Retire, good woman, and control thy tongue. Speak not

this way before us. Kings or princes, whoever are infatuated with the

possession of power, are sure to come to grief!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "With these words, they departed, following the

track pointed out to them, and frequently breathing deep sighs like the

hissing of snakes, and twanging the strings of their large bows. And then

they observed a cloud of dust raised by the hoofs of the steeds belonging

to Jayadratha's army. And they also saw Dhaumya in the midst of the

ravisher's infantry, exhorting Bhima to quicken his steps. Then those

princes (the sons of Pandu) with hearts undepressed, bade him be of good

cheer and said unto him, 'Do thou return cheerfully!'--And then they

rushed towards that host with great fury, like hawks swooping down on

their prey. And possessed of the prowess of Indra, they had been filled

with fury at the insult offered to Draupadi. But at sight of Jayadratha

and of their beloved wife seated on his car, their fury knew no bounds.

And those mighty bowmen, Bhima and Dhananjaya and the twin brothers and

the king, called out Jayadratha to stop, upon which the enemy was so

bewildered as to lose their knowledge of directions."

SECTION CCLXVIII

Vaisampayana said, "The hostile Kshatriyas, incensed at sight of

Bhimasena and Arjuna, sent up a loud shout in the forest. And the wicked

king Jayadratha, when he saw the standards of those bulls of the Kuru

race, lost his heart, and addressing the resplendent Yagnaseni seated on

his car, said, 'Those five great warriors, O Krishna, that are coming,

are I believe, thy husbands. As thou knowest the sons of Pandu well, do

thou, O lady of beautiful tresses, describe them one by one to us,

pointing out which of them rideth which car!' Thus addressed, Draupadi

replied, 'Having done this violent deed calculated to shorten thy life,

what will it avail thee now, O fool, to know the names of those great

warriors, for, now that my heroic husbands are come, not one of ye will

be left alive in battle. However as thou art on the point of death and

hast asked me, I will tell thee everything, this being consistent with

the ordinance. Beholding king Yudhishthira the just with his younger

brothers, I have not the slighest anxiety or fear from thee! That warrior

at the top of whose flagstaff two handsome and sonorous tabours called

Nanda and Upananda are constantly played upon,--he, O Sauvira chief, hath

a correct knowledge of the morality of his own acts. Men that have

attained success always walk in his train. With a complexion like that of

pure gold, possessed of a prominent nose and large eyes, and endued with

a slender make, that husband of mine is known among people by the name of

Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma and the foremost of the Kuru race. That

virtuous prince of men granteth life to even a foe that yields.

Therefore, O fool, throwing down thy arms and joining thy hands, run to

him for thy good, to seek his protection. And that other man whom thou

seest with long arms and tall as the full-grown Sala tree, seated on his

chariot, biting his lips, and contracting his forehead so as to bring the

two eye-brows together, is he,--my husband Vrikodara! Steeds of the

noblest breed, plump and strong, well-trained and endued with great

might, draw the cars of that warrior! His achievements are superhuman. He

is known, therefore, by the name of Bhima on earth. They that offend him

are never suffered to live. He never forgetteth a foe. On some pretext or

other he wrecketh his vengeance. Nor is he pacified even after he has

wrecked a signal vengeance. And there, that foremost of bowmen, endued

with intelligence and renown, with senses under complete control and

reverence for the old--that brother and disciple of Yudhishthira--is my

husband Dhananjaya! Virtue he never forsaketh, from lust or fear or

anger! Nor doth he ever commit a deed that is cruel. Endued with the

energy of fire and capable of withstanding every foe, that grinder of

enemies is the son of Kunti. And that other youth, versed in every

question of morality and profit, who ever dispelleth the fears of the

affrighted, who is endued with high wisdom, who is considered as the

handsomest person in the whole world and who is protected by all the sons

of Pandu, being regarded by them as dearer to them than their own lives

for his unflinching devotion to them, is my husband Nakula possessed of

great prowess. Endued with high wisdom and having Sahadeva for his

second, possessed of exceeding lightness of hand, he fighteth with the

sword, making dexterous passes therewith. Thou, foolish man, shall

witness today his performances on the field of battle, like unto those of

Indra amid the ranks of Daityas! And that hero skilled in weapons and

possessed of intelligence and wisdom, and intent on doing what is

agreeable to the son of Dharma, that favourite and youngest born of the

Pandavas, is my husband Sahadeva! Heroic, intelligent, wise and ever

wrathful there is not another man equal unto him in intelligence or in

eloquence amid assemblies of the wise. Dearer to Kunti than her own soul,

he is always mindful of the duties of Kshatriyas, and would much sooner

rush into fire or sacrifice his own life than say anything that is

opposed to religion and morals. When the sons of Pandu will have killed

thy warriors in battle, then wilt thou behold thy army in the miserable

plight of a ship on the sea wrecked with its freight of jewels on the

back of a whale. Thus have I described unto thee the prowess of the sons

of Pandu, disregarding whom in thy foolishness, thou hast acted so. If

thou escapest unscathed from them, then, indeed thou wilt have obtained a

new lease of life.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Then those five sons of Pritha, each like unto

Indra, filled with wrath, leaving the panic-stricken infantry alone who

were imploring them for mercy, rushed furiously upon the charioteers,

attacking them on all sides and darkening the very air with the thick

shower of arrows they shot."

SECTION CCLXIX

Vaisampayana said, "Meanwhile, the king of Sindhu was giving orders to

those princes, saying, 'Halt, strike, march, quick', and like. And on

seeing Bhima, Arjuna and the twin brothers with Yudhishthira, the

soldiers sent up a loud shout on the field of battle. And the warriors of

the Sivi, Sauvira and Sindhu tribes, at the sight of those powerful

heroes looking like fierce tigers, lost heart. And Bhimasena, armed with

a mace entirely of Saikya iron and embossed with gold, rushed towards the

Saindhava monarch doomed to death. But Kotikakhya, speedily surrounding

Vrikodara with an array of mighty charioteers, interposed between and

separated the combatants. And Bhima, though assailed with numberless

spears and clubs and iron arrows hurled at him by the strong arms of

hostile heroes, did not waver for one moment. On the other hand, he

killed, with his mace, an elephant with its driver and fourteen

foot-soldiers fighting in the front of Jayadratha's car. And Arjuna also,

desirous of capturing the Sauvira king, slew five hundred brave

mountaineers fighting in the van of the Sindhu army. And in that

encounter, the king himself slew in the twinkling of an eye, a hundred of

the best warriors of the Sauviras. And Nakula too, sword in hand, jumping

out of his chariot, scattered in a moment, like a tiller sowing seeds,

the heads of the combatants fighting in the rear. And Sahadeva from his

chariot began to fell with his iron shafts, many warriors fighting on

elephants, like birds dropped from the boughs of a tree. Then the king of

Trigartas, bow in hand descending from his great chariot, killed the four

steeds of the king with his mace. But Kunti's son, king Yudhishthira the

just, seeing the foe approach so near, and fighting on foot, pierced his

breast with a crescent-shaped arrow. And that hero, thus wounded in the

breast began to vomit blood, and fell down upon the ground besides

Pritha's son, like an uprooted tree. And king Yudhishthira the just,

whose steeds had been slain taking this opportunity, descended with

Indrasena from his chariot and mounted that of Sahadeva. And the two

warriors, Kshemankara and Mahamuksha, singling out Nakula, began to pour

on him from both sides a perfect shower of keen-edged arrows. The son of

Madri, however, succeeded in slaying, with a couple of long shafts, both

those warriors who had been pouring on him an arrowy shower--like clouds

in the rainy season. Suratha, the king of Trigartas, well-versed in

elephant-charges, approaching the front of Nakula's chariot, caused it to

be dragged by the elephant he rode. But Nakula, little daunted at this,

leaped out of his chariot, and securing a point of vantage, stood shield

and sword in hand, immovable as a hill. Thereupon Suratha, wishing to

slay Nakula at once, urged towards him his huge and infuriate elephant

with trunk upraised. But when the beast came near, Nakula with his sword

severed from his head both trunk and tusks. And that mail-clad elephant,

uttering a frightful roar, fell headlong upon the ground, crushing its

riders by the fall. And having achieved this daring feat, heroic son of

Madri, getting up on Bhimasena's car, obtained a little rest. And Bhima

too, seeing prince Kotikakhya rush to the encounter, cut off the head of

his charioteer with a horse-shoe arrow. That prince did not even perceive

that his driver was killed by his strong-armed adversary, and his horses,

no longer restrained by a driver, ran about on the battle-field in all

directions. And seeing that prince without a driver turn his back, that

foremost of smiters, Bhima the son of Pandu, went up to him and slew him

with a bearded dart. And Dhananjaya also cut off with his sharp

crescent-shaped arrows, the heads, as well as the bows of all the twelve

Sauvira heroes. And the great warrior killed in battle, with the arrow,

the leaders of the Ikshwakus and the hosts of Sivis and Trigartas and

Saindhavas. And a great many elephants with their colours, and chariots

with standards, were seen to fall by the hand of Arjuna. And heads

without trunks, and trunks without heads, lay covering the entire field

of battle. And dogs, and herons and ravens, and crows, and falcons, and

jackals, and vultures, feasted on the flesh and blood of warriors slain

on that field. And when Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu, saw that his

warriors were slain, he became terrified and anxious to run away leaving

Krishna behind. And in that general confusion, the wretch, setting down

Draupadi there, fled for his life, pursuing the same forest path by which

he had come. And king Yudhishthira the just, seeing Draupadi with Dhaumya

walking before, caused her to be taken up on a chariot by the heroic

Sahadeva, the son of Madri. And when Jayadratha had fled away Bhima began

to mow down with his iron-arrows such of his followers as were running

away striking each trooper down after naming him. But Arjuna perceiving

that Jayadratha had run away exhorted his brother to refrain from

slaughtering the remnant of the Saindhava host. And Arjuna said, 'I do

not find on the field of battle Jayadratha through whose fault alone we

have experienced this bitter misfortune! Seek him out first and may

success crown thy effort! What is the good of thy slaughtering these

troopers? Why art thou bent upon this unprofitable business?'

Vaisampayana continued, "Bhimasena, thus exhorted by Arjuna of great

wisdom, turning to Yudhishthira, replied, saying, 'As a great many of the

enemy's warriors have been slain and as they are flying in all

directions, do thou, O king, now return home, taking with thee Draupadi

and the twin brothers and high-souled Dhaumya, and console the princess

after getting back to our asylum! That foolish king of Sindhu I shall not

let alone as long as he lives, even if he find a shelter in the internal

regions or is backed by Indra himself! And Yudhishthira replied, saying,

'O thou of mighty arms remembering (our sister) Dussala and the

celebrated Gandhari, thou shouldst not slay the king of Sindhu even

though he is so wicked!'

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words, Draupadi was greatly

excited. And that highly intelligent lady in her excitement said to her

two husbands, Bhima and Arjuna with indignation mixed with modesty, 'If

you care to do what is agreeable to me, you must slay that mean and

despicable wretch, that sinful, foolish, infamous and contemptible chief

of the Saindhava clan! That foe who forcibly carries away a wife, and he

that wrests a kingdom, should never be forgiven on the battle-field, even

though he should supplicate for mercy!' Thus admonished, those two

valiant warriors went in search of the Saindhava chief. And the king

taking Krishna with him returned home, accompanied by his spiritual

adviser. And on entering the hermitage, he found it was laid over with

seats for the ascetics and crowded with their disciples and graced with

the presence of Markandeya and other Brahmanas. And while those Brahmanas

were gravely bewailing the lot of Draupadi, Yudhishthira endued with

great wisdom joined their company, with his brothers. And beholding the

king thus come back after having defeated the Saindhava and the Sauvira

host and recovered Draupadi, they were all elated with joy! And the king

took his seat in their midst. And the excellent princess Krishna entered

the hermitage with the two brothers.

"Meanwhile Bhima and Arjuna, learning the enemy was full two miles ahead

of them urged their horses to greater speed in pursuit of him. And the

mighty Arjuna performed a wonderful deed, killing the horse of Jayadratha

although they were full two miles ahead of them. Armed with celestial

weapons undaunted by difficulties he achieved this difficult feat with

arrows inspired with Mantras. And then the two warriors, Bhima and

Arjuna, rushed towards the terrified king of Sindhu whose horses had been

slain and who was alone and perplexed in mind. And the latter was greatly

grieved on seeing his steeds slain. And beholding Dhananjaya do such a

daring deed, and intent on running away, he followed the same forest

track by which he had come. And Falguna, seeing the Saindhava chief so

active in his fright, overtook him and addressed him saying, 'Possessed

of so little manliness, how couldst thou dare to take away a lady by

force? Turn round, O prince; it is not meet that thou shouldst run away!

How canst thou act so, leaving thy followers in the midst of thy foes?'

Although addressed by the sons of Pritha thus, the monarch of Sindhu did

not even once turn round. And then bidding him to what he chose the

mighty Bhima overtook him in an instant, but the kind Arjuna entreated

him not to kill that wretch."

SECTION CCLXX

Vaisampayana said, "Jayadratha flying for his life upon beholding those

two brothers with upraised arms, was sorely grieved and bolted off with

speed and coolness. But the mighty and indignant Bhimasena, descending

from his chariot, ran after him thus fleeing, and seized him by the hair

of his head. And holding him high up in the air, Bhima thrust him on the

ground with violence. And seizing the prince by the head, he knocked him

about. And when the wretch recovered consciousness, he groaned aloud and

wanted to get up on his legs. But that hero endued with mighty arms

kicked him on the head. And Bhima pressed him on the breast with his

knees as well as with his fists. And the prince thus belaboured, soon

became insensible. Then Falguna dissuaded the wrathful Bhimasena from

inflicting further chastisement on the prince, by reminding him of what

Yudhishthira had said regarding (their sister) Dussala. But Bhima

replied, saying, 'This sinful wretch hath done a cruel injury to Krishna,

who never can bear such treatment. He, therefore, deserveth to die at

hands! But what can I do? The king is always overflowing with mercy, and

thou, too, art constantly putting obstacles in my way from a childish

sense of virtue!' Having said these words, Vrikodara, with his

crescent-shaped arrow, shaved the hair of the prince's head, heaving five

tufts in as many places. Jayadratha uttered not a word at this. Then

Vrikodara, addressing the foe said, 'If thou wishest to live, listen to

me. O fool! I shall tell thee the means to attain that wish! In public

assemblies and in open courts thou must say,--I am the slave of the

Pandavas.--on this condition alone, I will pardon thee thy life! This is

the customary rule of conquest on the field of battle.' Thus addressed

and treated, king Jayadratha said to the mighty and fierce warrior who

always looked awful, 'Be it so!' And he was trembling and senseless and

begrimed with dust. Then Arjuna and Vrikodara, securing him with chains,

thrust him into a chariot. And Bhima, himself mounting that chariot, and

accompanied by Arjuna, drove towards the hermitage. And approaching

Yudhishthira seated there, he placed Jayadratha in that condition before

the king. And the king, smiling, told him to set the Sindhu prince at

liberty. Then Bhima said unto the king, 'Do thou tell Draupadi that this

wretch hath become the slave of the Pandavas.' Then his eldest brother

said unto him affectionately, 'If thou hast any regard for us, do thou

set this wretch at liberty!' And Draupadi too, reading the king's mind,

said, 'Let him off! He hath become a slave of the king's and thou, too,

hast disfigured him by leaving five tufts of hair on his head.' Then that

crest-fallen prince, having obtained his liberty, approached king

Yudhishthira and bowed down unto him. And seeing those Munis there, he

saluted them also. Then the kind-hearted king Yudhishthira, the son of

Dharma, beholding Jayadratha in that condition, almost supported by

Arjuna, said unto him, 'Thou art a free man now; I emancipate thee! Now

go away and be careful not to do such thing again; shame to thee! Thou

hadst intended to take away a lady by violence, even though thou art so

mean and powerless! What other wretch save thee would think of acting

thus?" Then that foremost king of Bharata's race eyed with pity that

perpetrator of wicked deeds, and believing that he had lost his senses,

said, 'Mayst thy heart grow in virtue! Never set thy heart again on

immoral deeds! Thou mayst depart in peace now with thy charioteers,

cavalry and infantry.' Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, the prince, O

Bharata, was overpowered with shame, and bending down his head, he

silently and sorrowfully wended his way to the place where the Ganga

debouches on the plains. And imploring the protection of the god of three

eyes, the consort of Uma, he did severe penance at that place. And the

three-eyed god, pleased with his austerities deigned to accept his

offerings in person. And he also granted him a boon! Do thou listen, O

monarch, how the prince received that boon! Jayadratha, addressing that

god, asked the boon, 'May I be able to defeat in battle all the five sons

of Pandu on their chariots!' The god, however, told him 'This cannot be.'

And Maheswara said, 'None can slay or conquer them in battle. Save

Arjuna, however, thou shall be able to only check them (once) on the

field of battle! The heroic Arjuna, with mighty arms, is the god

incarnate styled Nara. He practised austerities of old in the Vadari

forest. The God Narayana is his friend. Therefore, he is unconquerable of

the very gods. I myself have given him the celestial weapon called

Pasupata. From the regents also of all the ten cardinal points, he has

acquired the thunder-bolt and other mighty weapons. And the great god

Vishnu who is the Infinite Spirit, the Lord Preceptor of all the gods, is

the Supreme Being without attributes, and the Soul of the Universe, and

existeth pervading the whole creation. At the termination of a cycle of

ages, assuming the shape of the all-consuming fire, he consumed the whole

Universe with mountains and seas and islands and hills and woods and

forests. And after the destruction of the Naga world also in the

subterranean regions in the same way, vast masses of many-coloured and

loud-pealing clouds, with streaks of lightning, spreading along the

entire welkin, had appeared on high. Then pouring down water in torrents

thick as axles of cars, and filling the space everywhere, these

extinguishing that all-consuming fire! When at the close of four thousand

Yugas the Earth thus became flooded with water, like one vast sea, and

all mobile creatures were hushed in death, and the sun and the moon and

the winds were all destroyed, and the Universe was devoid of planets and

stars, the Supreme Being called Narayana, unknowable by the senses,

adorned with a thousand heads and as many eyes and legs, became desirous

of rest. And the serpent Sesha, looking terrible with his thousand hoods,

and shining with the splendour of ten thousand suns, and white as the

Kunda flower or the moon or a string of pearls, or the white lotus, or

milk, or the fibres of a lotus stalk, served for his conch. And that

adorable and omnipotent God thus slept on the bosom of the deep,

enveloping all space with nocturnal gloom. And when his creative faculty

was excited, he awoke and found the Universe denuded of everything. In

this connection, the following sloka is recited respecting the meaning of

Narayana. "Water was created by (the Rishi) Nara, and it formed his

corpus; therefore do we hear it styled as Nara. And because it formed his

Ayana (resting-place) therefore is he known as Narayana." As soon as that

everlasting Being was engaged in meditation for the re-creation of the

Universe, a lotus flower instantaneously came into existence from his

navel, and the four-faced Brahma came out of that navel-lotus. And then

the Grandsire of all creatures, seating himself on that flower and

finding that the whole Universe was a blank, created in his own likeness,

and from his will, the (nine) great Rishis, Marichi and others. And these

in their turn observing the same thing, completed the creation, by

creating Yakshas, Rakshas, Pisachas, reptiles, men, and all mobile and

immobile creatures. The Supreme Spirit hath three conditions. In the form

of Brahma, he is the Creator, and in the form of Vishnu he is the

Preserver, and in his form as Rudra, he is the Destroyer of the Universe!

O king of Sindhu, hast thou not heard of the wonderful achievements of

Vishnu, described to thee by the Munis and the Brahmanas learned in the

Vedas? When the world was thus reduced to one vast sea of water, with

only the heavens above, the Lord, like a fire-fly at night-time during

the rainy season, moved about hither and thither in search of stable

ground, with the view of rehabilitating his creation, and became desirous

of raising the Earth submerged in water. What shape shall I take to

rescue the Earth from this flood?--So thinking and contemplating with

divine insight, he bethought himself of the shape of a wild boar fond of

sporting in water. And assuming the shape of a sacrificial boar shining

with effulgence and instinct with the Vedas and ten Yojanas in length,

with pointed tusks and a complexion like dark clouds, and with a body

huge as a mountain, and roaring like a conglomeration of clouds, the Lord

plunged into the waters, and lifted up the Earth with one of his tusks,

and replaced it in its proper sphere. At another time, the mighty Lord,

assuming a wonderful form with a body half lion, half man, and squeezing

his hands, repaired to the court of the ruler of the Daityas. That

progenitor of the Daityas, the son of Diti, who was the enemy of the

(gods), beholding the Lord's peculiar form, burst out into passion and

his eyes became inflamed with rage. And Hiranya-Kasipu, the war-like son

of Diti and the enemy of the gods, adorned with garlands and looking like

a mass of dark clouds, taking up his trident in hand and roaring like the

clouds, rushed on that being half lion, half man. Then that powerful king

of wild beasts, half man, half lion, taking a leap in the air, instantly

rent the Daitya in twain by means of his sharp claws. And the adorable

lotus-eyed Lord of great effulgence, having thus slain the Daitya king

for the well-being of all creatures, again took his birth in the womb of

Aditi as son of Kasyapa. And at the expiration of a thousand years she

was delivered of that superhuman conception. And then was born that

Being, of the hue of rain-charged clouds with bright eyes and of dwarfish

stature. He had the ascetic's staff and water-pot in hand, and was marked

with the emblem of a curl of hair on the breast. And that adorable Being

wore matted locks and the sacrificial thread, and he was stout and

handsome and resplendent with lustre. And that Being, arriving at the

sacrificial enclosure of Vali, king of the Danavas, entered the

sacrificial assembly with the aid of Vrihaspati. And beholding that

dwarf-bodied Being, Vali was well-pleased and said unto him, 'I am glad

to see thee, O Brahmana! Say what is it that thou wantest from me!' Thus

addressed by Vali, the dwarf-god replied with a smile, saying, 'So be it!

Do thou, lord of the Danavas, give me three paces of ground!' And Vali

contented to give what that Brahmana of infinite power had asked. And

while measuring with his paces the space he sought. Hari assumed a

wonderful and extraordinary form. And with only three paces he instantly

covered this illimitable world. And then that everlasting God, Vishnu,

gave it away unto Indra. This history which has just been related to

thee, is celebrated as the 'Incarnation of the Dwarf', And from him, all

the gods had their being, and after him the world is said to be

Vaishnava, or pervaded by Vishnu. And for the destruction of the wicked

and the preservation of religion, even He hath taken his birth among men

in the race of the Yadus. And the adorable Vishnu is styled Krishna.

These, O king of Sindhu, are the achievements of the Lord whom all the

worlds worship and whom the learned describe as without beginning and

without end, unborn and Divine! They call Him, the unconquerable Krishna

with conchshell, discus and mace, and adorned with the emblem of a curl

of hair, Divine, clad in silken robes of yellow hue, and the best of

those versed in the art of war. Arjuna is protected by Krishna the

possessor of these attributes. That glorious and lotus-eyed Being of

infinite power, that slayer of hostile heroes, riding in the same chariot

with Pritha's son, protecteth him! He is, therefore, invincible; the very

gods cannot resist his power, still less can one with human attributes

vanquish the son of Pritha in battle! Therefore, O king, thou must let

him alone! Thou shalt, however, be able to vanquish for a single day

only, the rest of Yudhishthira's forces along with thine enemies--the

four sons of Pandu!"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said these words unto that prince, the

adorable Hara of three eyes, the destroyer of all sins, the consort of

Uma, and lord of wild beasts, the destroyer of (Daksha's) sacrifice, the

slayer of Tripura and He that had plucked out the eyes of Bhaga,

surrounded by his dwarfish and hunch-backed and terrible followers having

frightful eyes and ears and uplifted arms, vanished, O tiger among kings,

from that place with his consort Uma! And the wicked Jayadratha also

returned home, and the sons of Pandu continued to dwell in the forest of

Kamyaka."

SECTION CCLXXI

Janamejaya said, "What did those tigers among men, the Pandavas, do,

after they had suffered such misery in consequence of the ravishment of

Draupadi?"

Vaisampayana said, "Having defeated Jayadratha and rescued Krishna, the

virtuous king Yudhishthira took his seat by the side of that best of

Munis. And among those foremost of ascetics who were expressing their

grief upon bearing Draupadi's misfortune, Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu,

addressed Markandeya, saying, 'O adorable Sire, amongst the gods and the

ascetics, thou art known to have the fullest knowledge of both the past

as well as; the future. A doubt existeth in my mind, which I would ask

thee to solve! This lady is the daughter of Drupada; she hath issued from

the sacrificial altar and hath not been begotten of the flesh; and she is

highly blessed and is also the daughter-in-law of the illustrious Pandu.

I incline to think that Time, and human Destiny that dependeth on our

acts, and the Inevitable, are irresistible in respect of creatures. (If

it were not so), how could such a misfortune afflict this wife of ours so

faithful and virtuous, like a false accusation of theft against an honest

man? The daughter of Drupada hath never committed any sinful act, nor,

hath she done anything that is not commendable: on the contrary, she hath

assiduously practised the highest virtues towards Brahmanas. And yet the

foolish king Jayadratha had carried her away by force. In consequence of

this act of violence on her, that sinful wretch hath his hair shaved off

his head and sustained also, with all his allies, defeat in battle. It is

true we have rescued her after slaughtering the troops of Sindhu. But the

disgrace of this ravishment of our wife during our hours of carelessness,

hath stained us, to be sure. This life in the wilderness is full of

miseries. We subsist by chase; and though dwelling in the woods, we are

obliged to slay the denizens thereof that live with us! This exile also

that we suffer is due to the act of deceitful kinsmen! Is there any one

who is more unfortunate than I am? Hath thou ever seen or heard of such a

one before?"

SECTION CCLXXII

"Markandeya said, 'O bull of the Bharata race, even Rama suffered

unparalleled misery, for the evil-minded Ravana, king of the Rakshasas,

having recourse to deceit and overpowering the vulture Jatayu, forcibly

carried away his wife Sita from his asylum in the woods. Indeed, Rama,

with the help of Sugriva, brought her back, constructing a bridge across

the sea, and consuming Lanka with his keen-edged arrows.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'In what race was Rama born and what was the measure

of his might and prowess? Whose son also was Ravana and for what was it

that he had any misunderstanding with Rama? It behoveth thee, O

illustrious one, to tell me all this in detail; for I long to hear the

story of Rama of great achievements!'

"Markandeya said, 'Listen, O prince of Bharata's race, to this old

history exactly as it happened! I will tell thee all about the distress

suffered by Rama together with his wife. There was a great king named Aja

sprung from me race of Ikshwaku. He had a son named Dasaratha who was

devoted to the study of the Vedas and was ever pure. And Dasaratha had

four sons conversant with morality and profit known by the names,

respectively, of Rama, Lakshmana, Satrughna, and the mighty Bharata. And

Rama had for his mother Kausalya, and Bharata had for his mother Kaikeyi,

while those scourge of their enemies Lakshmana and Satrughna were the

sons of Sumitra. And Janaka was the king of Videha, and Sita was his

daughter. And Tashtri himself created her, desiring to make her the

beloved wife of Rama. I have now told thee the history of both Rama's and

Sita's birth. And now, O king, I will relate unto thee birth of Ravana.

That Lord of all creatures and the Creator of the Universe viz., the

Self-create Prajapati himself--that god possessed of great ascetic

merit--is the grandfather of Ravana. And Pulastya hath a mighty son

called Vaisravana begotten of a cow. But his son, leaving his father,

went to his grandfather. And, O king, angered at this, his father then

created a second self of himself. And with half of his own self that

regenerate one became born of Visrava for wrecking a vengeance on

Vaisravana. But the Grandsire, pleased with Vaisravana, gave him

immortality, and sovereignty of all the wealth of the Universe, the

guardianship of one of the cardinal points, the friendship of Isana, and

a son named Nalakuvera. And he also gave him for his capital Lanka, which

was guarded by hosts of Rakshasas, and also a chariot called Pushpaka

capable of going everywhere according to the will of the rider. And the

kingship of the Yakshas and the sovereignty over sovereigns were also

his.'"

SECTION CCLXXIII

Markandeya said, "The Muni named Visrava, who was begotten of half the

soul of Pulastya, in a fit of passion, began to look upon Vaisravana with

great anger. But, O monarch, Kuvera, the king of the Rakshasas, knowing

that his father was angry with him, always sought to please him. And, O

best of Bharata's race, that king of kings living in Lanka, and borne

upon the shoulders of men, sent three Rakshasa women to wait upon his

father. Their names, O king, were Pushpotkata, Raka and Malini. And they

were skilled in singing and dancing and were always assiduous in their

attentions on that high-souled Rishi. And those slender-waisted ladies

vied with one another, O king, in gratifying the Rishi. And that

high-souled and adorable being was pleased with them and granted them

boons. And to every one of them he gave princely sons according to their

desire. Two sons--those foremost of Rakshasas named Kumvakarna and the

Ten-headed Ravana,--both unequalled on earth in prowess, were born to

Pushpotkata. And Malini had a son named Vibhishana, and Raka had twin

children named Khara and Surpanakha. And Vibhishana surpassed them all in

beauty. And that excellent person was very pious and assiduously

performed all religious rites. But that foremost of Rakshasas, with ten

heads, was the eldest to them all. And he was religious, and energetic

and possessed of great strength and prowess. And the Rakshasa Kumvakarna

was the most powerful in battle, for he was fierce and terrible and a

thorough master of the arts of illusion. And Khara was proficient in

archery, and hostile to the Brahmanas, subsisting as he did on flesh. And

the fierce Surpanakha was constant source of trouble to the ascetics. And

the warriors, learned in the Vedas and diligent in ceremonial rites, all

lived with their father in the Gandhamadana. And there they beheld

Vaisravana seated with their father, possessed of riches and borne on the

shoulders of men. And seized with jealousy, they resolved upon performing

penances. And with ascetic penances of the most severe kind, they

gratified Brahma. And the Ten-headed Ravana, supporting life by means of

air alone and surrounded by the five sacred fires and absorbed in

meditation, remained standing on one leg for a thousand years. And

Kumvakarna with head downwards, and with restricted diet, was constant in

austerities. And the wise and magnanimous Vibhishana, observing fasts and

subsisting only on dry leaves and engaged in meditation, practised severe

austerities for a long period. And Khara and Surpanakha, with cheerful

hearts, protected and attended on them while they were performing those

austerities. And at the close of a thousand years, the invincible

Ten-headed One, cutting off his own heads, offered them as offering to

the sacred fire. And at this act of his, the Lord of the Universe was

pleased with him. And then Brahma, personally appearing to them, bade

them desist from those austerities and promised to grant boons unto every

one of them. And the adorable Brahma said, I am pleased with you, my

sons! Cease now from these austerities and ask boons of me! Whatever your

desires may be, they, with the single exception of that of immortality,

will be fulfilled! As thou hast offered thy heads to the fire from great

ambition, they will again adorn thy body as before, according to thy

desire. And thy body will not be disfigured and thou shall be able to

assume any form according to thy desire and become the conqueror of thy

foes in battle. There is no doubt of this!' thereupon Ravana said, 'May I

never experience defeat at the hands of Gandharvas, Celestials, Kinnaras,

Asuras, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Serpents and all other creatures!' Brahma

said, 'From those that hast named, thou shalt never have cause of fear;

except from men (thou shalt have no occasion for fear). Good betide thee!

So hath it been ordained by me!'

"Markandeya said, 'Thus addressed, the Ten-headed (Ravana) was highly

gratified, for on account of his perverted understanding, the man-eating

one slightened human beings. Then the great Grandsire addressed

Kumbhakarna as before. His reason being clouded by darkness, he asked for

long-lasting sleep. Saying, 'It shall be so' 'Brahma then addressed

Vibhishana, 'O my son, I am much pleased with thee! Ask any boon thou

pleasest!' Thereupon, Vibhishana replied, 'Even in great danger, may I

never swerve from the path of righteousness, and though ignorant, may I,

O adorable Sire, be illumined with the light of divine knowledge!' And

Brahma replied, 'O scourge of thy enemies, as thy soul inclines not to

unrighteousness although born in the Rakshasa race, I grant thee

immortality!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Having obtained this boon, the Ten-headed

Rakshasa defeated Kuvera in battle and obtained from him the sovereignty

of Lanka. That adorable Being, leaving Lanka and followed by Gandharvas,

Yakshas, Rakshas, and Kinnaras, went to live on mount Gandhamadana. And

Ravana forcibly took from him the celestial chariot Pushpaka. And upon

this Vaisravana cursed him, saying, 'This chariot shall never carry thee;

it shall bear him who will slay thee in battle! And as thou hast insulted

me, thy elder brother, thou shalt soon die!'

"The pious Vibhishana, O King, treading in the path followed by the

virtuous and possessed of great glory, followed Kuvera. That adorable

Lord of wealth, highly pleased with his younger brothers, invested him

with the command of the Yaksha and Raksha hosts. On the other hand, the

powerful and man-eating Rakshasas and Pisachas, having assembled

together, invested the Ten-headed Ravana with their sovereignty. And

Ravana, capable of assuming any form at will and terrible in prowess, and

capable also of passing through the air, attacked the gods and the

Daityas and wrested from them all their valuable possessions. And as he

had terrified all creatures, he was called Ravana. And Ravana, capable of

mustering any measure of might inspired the very gods with terror."

SECTION CCLXXIV

"Markandeya said, 'Then the Brahmarshis, the Siddhas and the Devarshis,

with Havyavaha as their spokesman, sought the protection of Brahma. And

Agni said, 'That powerful son of Visrava, the Ten-headed cannot be slain

on account of thy boon! Endued with great might he oppresseth in every

possible way the creatures of the earth. Protect us, therefore, O

adorable one! There is none else save thee to protect us!'

"Brahma said, 'O Agni, he cannot be conquered in battle by either the

gods or the Asuras! I have already ordained that which is needful for

that purpose. Indeed his death is near! Urged by me, the four-headed God

hath already been incarnate for that object. Even Vishnu, that foremost

of smiters will achieve that object!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Then the Grandsire also asked Sakra, in their

presence, 'Be thou, with all the celestials, born on earth! And beget ye

on monkeys and bears, heroic sons possessed of great strength and capable

of assuming any form at will as allies of Vishnu!' And at this, the gods,

the Gandharvas and the Danavas quickly assembled to take counsel as to

how they should be born on earth according to their respective parts. And

in their presence the boon-giving god commanded a Gandharvi, by name

Dundubhi saying, 'Go there for accomplishing this object!' And Dundubhi

hearing these words of the Grandsire was born in the world of men as the

hunchbacked Manthara. And all the principal celestials, with Sakra and

others begot offspring upon the wives of the foremost of monkeys and

bears. And those sons equalled their sires in strength and fame. And they

were capable of splitting mountain peaks and their weapons were stones

and trees of the Sala and the Tala species. And their bodies were hard as

adamant, and they were possessed of very great strength. And they were

all skilled in war and capable of mustering any measure of energy at

will. And they were equal to a thousand elephants in might, and they

resembled the wind in speed. And some of them lived wherever they liked,

while others lived in forests. And the adorable Creator of the Universe,

having ordained all this, instructed Manthara as to what she would have

to do. And Manthara quick as thought, understood all his words, and went

hither and thither ever engaged in fomenting quarrels."

SECTION CCLXXV

"Yudhishthira said, 'O adorable one, thou hast described to me in detail

the history of the birth of Rama and others. I wish to learn the cause of

their exile. Do thou, O Brahmana, relate why the sons of Dasaratha--the

brothers Rama and Lakshmana--went to the forest with famous princess of

Mithila.'

"Markandeya said, 'The pious king Dasaratha, ever mindful of the old and

assiduous in religious ceremonies, was greatly pleased when these sons

were born. And his sons gradually grew up in might and they became

conversant with the Vedas together with all their mysteries, and with the

science of arms. And when after having gone through the Brahmacharyya

vows the princes were married, king Dasaratha became happy and highly

pleased. And the intelligent Rama, the eldest of them all, became the

favourite of his father, and greatly pleased the people with his charming

ways. And then, O Bharata, the wise king, considering himself old in

years took counsel with his virtuous ministers and spiritual adviser for

installing Rama as regent of the kingdom. And all those great ministers

were agreed that it was time to do so. And, O scion of Kuru's race, king

Dasaratha was greatly pleased to behold his son,--that enhancer of

Kausalya's delight--possessed of eyes that were red, and arms that were

sinewy. And his steps were like those of a wild elephant. And he had long

arms and high shoulders and black and curly hair. And he was valiant, and

glowing with splendour, and not inferior to Indra himself in battle. And

he was well-versed in holy writ and was equal to Vrihaspati in wisdom. An

object of love with all the people, he was skilled in every science. And

with senses under complete control, his very enemies were pleased to

behold him. And he was terror of the wicked and the protector of the

virtuous. And possessed of intelligence and incapable of being baffled,

he was victorious over all and never vanquished by any. And, O descendant

of Kurus, beholding his son--that enhancer of Kausalya's joy--king

Dasaratha became highly pleased. And reflecting on Rama's virtues, the

powerful and mighty king cheerfully addressed the family priest, saying,

'Blessed be thou, O Brahmana! This night of the Pushya constellation will

bring in a very auspicious conjunction. Let, therefore, materials be

collected and let Rama also be invited. This Pushya constellation will

last till tomorrow. And Rama, therefore, should be invested by me and my

ministers as prince-regent of all my subjects!'

"Meanwhile Manthara (the maid of Kaikeyi), hearing these words of the

king, went to her mistress, and spoke unto her as was suited to the

occasion. And she said, 'Thy great ill-luck, O Kaikeyi, hath this day

been proclaimed by the king! O unlucky one, mayst thou be bitten by a

fierce and enraged snake of virulent poison! Kausalya, indeed, is

fortunate, as it is her son that is going to be installed on the throne.

Where, indeed, is thy prosperity, when thy son obtaineth not the kingdom?'

"Hearing these words of her maid, the slender-waisted and beautiful

Kaikeyi put on all her ornaments, and sought her husband in a secluded

place. And with a joyous heart, and smiling pleasantly, she addressed

these words to him with all the blandishments of love, 'O king, thou art

always true to thy promises. Thou didst promise before to grant me an

object of my desire. Do thou fulfil that promise now and save thyself

from the sin of unredeemed pledge!' The king replied, saying, 'I will

grant thee a boon. Ask thou whatever thou wishest! What man undeserving

of death shall be slain today and who that deserves death is to be set at

liberty? Upon whom shall I bestow wealth to-day, or whose wealth shall be

confiscated? Whatever wealth there is in this world, save what belongeth

to Brahmanas, is mine! I am the king of kings in this world, and the

protector of all the four classes! Tell me quickly, O blessed lady, what

that object is upon which thou hast set thy heart!' Hearing these words

of the king, and tying him fast to his pledge, and conscious also of her

power over him, she addressed him in these words, 'I desire that Bharata

be the recipient of that investiture which thou hast designed for Rama,

and let Rama go into exile living in the forest of Dandaka for fourteen

years as an ascetic with matted locks on head and robed in rags and

deer-skins!' Hearing these disagreeable words of cruel import, the king,

O chief of the Bharata race, was sorely afflicted and became utterly

speechless! But the mighty and virtuous Rama, learning that his father

had been thus solicited, went into the forest so that the king's truth

might remain inviolate. And, blessed be thou, he was followed by the

auspicious Lakshmana--that foremost of bowmen and his wife Sita, the

princess of Videha and daughter of Janaka. And after Rama had gone into

the forest, king Dasaratha took leave of his body, agreeably to the

eternal law of time. And knowing that Rama not near and that the king was

dead, queen Kaikeyi, causing Bharata to be brought before her, addressed

him in these words, 'Dasaratha hath gone to heaven and both Rama and

Lakshmana are in the forest! Take thou this kingdom which is so extensive

and whose peace there is no rival to disturb'. Thereupon the virtuous

Bharata replied unto her saying, 'Thou hast done a wicked deed, having

slain thy husband and exterminated this family from lust of wealth alone!

Heaping infamy on my head, O accursed woman of our race, thou hast, O

mother, attained this, thy object!' And having said these words, the

prince wept aloud. And having proved his innocence before all the

subjects of that realm he set out in the wake of Rama, desiring to bring

him back. And placing Kausalya and Sumitra and Kaikeyi in the vehicles at

the van of his train, he proceeded with a heavy heart, in company with

Satrughna. And he was accompanied by Vasishtha and Vamadeva, and other

Brahmanas by thousands and by the people of the cities and the provinces,

desiring to bring back Rama. And he saw Rama with Lakshmana, living on

the mountains of Chitrakuta with bow in hand and decked with the

ornaments of ascetics. Bharata, however, was dismissed by Rama, who was

determined to act according to the words, of his father. And returning,

Bharata ruled at Nandigrama, keeping before him, his brother's wooden

sandals. And Rama fearing a repetition of intrusion by the people of

Ayodhya, entered into the great forest towards the asylum of Sarabhanga.

And having paid his respects to Sarabhanga, he entered the forest of

Dandaka and took up his abode on the banks of beautiful river Godavari.

And while living there, Rama was inveigled into hostilities with Khara,

then dwelling in Janasthana, on account of Surpanakha. And for the

protection of the ascetics the virtuous scion of Raghu's race slew

fourteen thousand Rakshasas on earth, and having slain those mighty

Rakshasas, Khara and Dushana, the wise descendant of Raghu once more made

that sacred forest free from danger.'

"And after these Rakshasas had been slain, Surpanakha with mutilated nose

and lips, repaired to Lanka--the abode of her brother (Ravana). And when

that Rakshasa woman, senseless with grief and with dry blood-stains on

her face, appeared before Ravana, she fell down at his feet. And

beholding her so horribly mutilated, Ravana became senseless with wrath

and grinding his teeth sprung up from his seat. And dismissing his

ministers, he enquired of her in private, saying, 'Blessed sister, who

hath made thee so, forgetting and disregarding me? Who is he that having

got a sharp-pointed spear hath rubbed his body with it? Who is he that

sleepeth in happiness and security, after placing a fire close to his

head? Who is he that hath trodden upon a revengeful snake of virulent

poison? Who indeed, is that person who standeth with his hand thrust into

the mouth of the maned lion!' Then flames of wrath burst forth from his

body, like those that are emitted at night from the hollows of a tree on

fire. His sister then related unto him the prowess of Rama and the defeat

of the Rakshasas with Khara and Dushana at their head. Informed of the

slaughter of his relatives, Ravana, impelled by Fate, remembered Maricha

for slaying Rama. And resolving upon the course he was to follow and

having made arrangements for the government of his capital, he consoled

his sister, and set out on an aerial voyage. And crossing the Trikuta and

the Kala mountains, he beheld the vast receptacle of deep waters--the

abode of the Makaras. Then crossing the Ocean, the Ten headed Ravana

reached Gokarna--the favourite resort of the illustrious god armed with

the trident. And there Ravana met with his old friend Maricha who, from

fear of Rama himself, had adopted an ascetic mode of life.'"

SECTION CCLXXVI

"Markandeya said, 'Beholding Ravana come, Maricha received him with a

respectful welcome, and offered him fruits and roots. And after Ravana

had taken his seat, and rested himself a while, Maricha skilled in

speech, sat beside Ravana and addressed him who was himself as eloquent

in speech, saying, 'Thy complexion hath assumed an unnatural hue; is it

all right with thy kingdom, O king of the Rakshasas? What hath brought

thee here? Do thy subjects continue to pay thee the same allegiance that

they used to pay thee before? What business hath brought thee here? Know

that it is already fulfilled, even if it be very difficult of fulfilment!

Ravana, whose heart was agitated with wrath and humiliation informed him

briefly of the acts of Rama and the measures that were to be taken.' And

on hearing his story, Maricha briefly replied to him, saying, 'Thou must

not provoke Rama, for I know his strength! Is there a person who is

capable of withstanding the impetus of his arrows? That great man hath

been the cause of my assuming my present ascetic life. What evil-minded

creature hath put thee up to this course calculated to bring ruin and

destruction on thee?' To this Ravana indignantly replied, reproaching him

thus, 'If thou dost not obey my orders, thou shall surely die at my

hands.' Maricha then thought within himself, 'When death is inevitable, I

shall do his biddings; for it is better to die at the hands of one that

is superior.' Then he replied to the lord of the Rakshasas saying, 'I

shall surely render thee whatever help I can!' Then the Ten-headed Ravana

said unto him, 'Go and tempt Sita, assuming the shape of a deer with

golden horns and a golden skin! When Sita will observe thee thus, she

will surely send away Rama to hunt thee. And then Sita will surely come

within my power, and I shall forcibly carry her away. And then that

wicked Rama will surely die of grief at the loss of his wife. Do thou

help me in this way!'

"Thus addressed, Maricha performed his obsequies (in anticipation) and

with a sorrowful heart, followed Ravana who was in advance of him. And

having reached the hermitage of Rama of difficult achievements, they both

did as arranged beforehand. And Ravana appeared in the guise of an

ascetic with head shaven, and adorned with a Kamandala, and a treble

staff. And Maricha appeared in the shape of a deer. And Maricha appeared

before the princess of Videha in that guise. And impelled by Fate, she

sent away Rama after that deer. And Rama, with the object of pleasing

her, quickly took up his bow, and leaving Lakshmana behind to protect

her, went in pursuit of that deer. And armed with his bow and quiver and

scimitar, and his fingers encased in gloves of Guana skin, Rama went in

pursuit of that deer, after the manner of Rudra following the stellar

deer[90] in days of yore. And that Rakshasa enticed away Rama to a great

distance by appearing before him at one time and disappearing from his

view at another. And when Rama at last knew who and what that deer was,

viz., that he was a Rakshasa, that illustrious descendant of Raghu's race

took out an infallible arrow and slew that Rakshasa, in the disguise of a

deer. And struck with Rama's arrow, the Rakshasa, imitating Rama's voice,

cried out in great distress, calling upon Sita and Lakshmana. And when

the princess of Videha heard that cry of distress, she urged Lakshmana to

run towards the quarter from whence the cry came. Then Lakshmana said to

her, "Timid lady, thou hast no cause of fear! Who is so powerful as to be

able to smite Rama? O thou of sweet smiles, in a moment thou wilt behold

thy husband Rama!' Thus addressed, the chaste Sita, from that timidity

which is natural to women, became suspicious of even the pure Lakshmana,

and began to weep aloud. And that chaste lady, devoted to her husband,

harshly reproved Lakshmana, saying, 'The object which thou, O fool,

cherishest in thy heart, shall never be fulfilled! I would rather kill

myself with a weapon or throw myself from the top of a hill or enter into

a blazing fire than live with a sorry wretch like thee, forsaking my

husband Rama, like a tigress under the protection of a jackal!--

When the good natured Lakshmana, who was very fond of his brother, heard

these words, he shut his ears (with his hands) and set out on the track

that Rama had taken. And Lakshmana set out without casting a single

glance on that lady with lips soft and red like the Bimba fruit.

Meanwhile, the Rakshasa Ravana, wearing a genteel guise though wicked at

heart, and like unto fire enveloped in a heap of ashes, showed himself

there. And he appeared there in the disguise of a hermit, for forcibly

carrying away that lady of blameless character. The virtuous daughter of

Janaka, seeing him come, welcomed him with fruits and root and a seat.

Disregarding these and assuming his own proper shape, that bull among

Rakshasas began to re-assure the princess of Videha in these words, 'I

am, O Sita, the king of the Rakshasas, known by the name of Ravana! My

delightful city, known by the name of Lanka is on the other side of the

great ocean! There among beautiful women, thou wilt shine with me! O lady

of beautiful lips, forsaking the ascetic Rama do thou become my wife!'

Janaka's daughter of beautiful lips, hearing these and other words in the

same strain, shut her ears and replied unto him, saying, 'Do not say so!

The vault of heaven with all its stars may fall down, the Earth itself

may be broken into fragments, fire itself may change its nature by

becoming cool, yet I cannot forsake the descendant of Raghu! How can a

she-elephant, who hath lived with the mighty leader of a herd with rent

temples forsake him and live with a hog? Having once tasted the sweet

wine prepared from honey or flowers, how can a woman, I fancy, relish the

wretched arrak from rice?' Having uttered those words, she entered the

cottage, her lips trembling in wrath and her arms moving to and fro in

emotion. Ravana, however, followed her thither and intercepted her

further progress. And rudely scolded by the Rakshasa, she swooned away.

But Ravana seized her by the hair of her head, and rose up into the air.

Then a huge vulture of the name of Jatayu living on a mountain peak,

beheld that helpless lady thus weeping and calling upon Rama in great

distress while being carried away by Ravana."

SECTION CCLXXVII

"Markandeya said, 'That heroic king of the vultures, Jatayu, having

Sampati for his uterine brother and Arjuna himself for his father, was a

friend of Dasaratha. And beholding his daughter-in-law Sita on the lap of

Ravana, that ranger of the skies rushed in wrath against the king of the

Rakshasas. And the vulture addressed Ravana, saying, 'Leave the princess

of Mithila, leave her I say! How canst thou, O Rakshasa, ravish her when

I am alive? If thou dost not release my daughter-in-law, thou shalt not

escape from me with life!' And having said these words Jatayu began to

tear the king of the Rakshasas with his talons. And he mangled him in a

hundred different parts of his body by striking him with his wings and

beaks. And blood began to flow as copiously from Ravana's body as water

from a mountain spring. And attacked thus by that vulture desirous of

Rama's good, Ravana, taking up a sword, cut off the two wings of that

bird. And having slain that king of the vultures, huge as a mountain-peak

shooting forth above the clouds, the Rakshasa rose high in the air with

Sita on his lap. And the princess of Videha, wherever she saw an asylum

of ascetics, a lake, a river, or a tank, threw down an ornament of hers.

And beholding on the top of a mountain five foremost of monkeys, that

intelligent lady threw down amongst them a broad piece of her costly

attire. And that beautiful and yellow piece of cloth fell, fluttering

through the air, amongst those five foremost of monkeys like lightning

from the clouds. And that Rakshasa soon passed a great way through the

firmament like a bird through the air. And soon the Rakshasa beheld his

delightful and charming city of many gates, surrounded on all sides by

high walls and built by Viswakrit himself. And the king of the Rakshasa

then entered his own city known by the name of Lanka, accompanied by

Sita.'

"And while Sita was being carried away, the intelligent Rama, having

slain the great deer, retraced his steps and saw his brother Lakshmana

(on the way). And beholding his brother, Rama reproved him, saying, 'How

couldst thou come hither, leaving the princess of Videha in a forest that

is haunted by the Rakshasa?' And reflecting on his own enticement to a

great distance by that Rakshasa in the guise of a deer and on the arrival

of his brother (leaving Sita alone in the asylum), Rama was filled with

agony. And quickly advancing towards Lakshmana while reproving him still,

Rama asked him, 'O Lakshmana, is the princess of Videha still alive? I

fear she is no more!' Then Lakshmana told him everything about what Sita

had said, especially that unbecoming language of hers subsequently. With

a burning heart Rama then ran towards the asylum. And on the way he

beheld a vulture huge as a mountain, lying in agonies of death. And

suspecting him to be a Rakshasa, the descendant of the Kakutstha race,

along with Lakshmana rushed towards him, drawing with great force his bow

to a circle. The mighty vulture, however, addressing them both, said,

'Blessed be ye, I am the king of the vultures, and friend of Dasaratha!'

Hearing these words of his, both Rama and his brother put aside their

excellent bow and said, 'Who is this one that speaketh the name of our

father in these woods?' And then they saw that creature to be a bird

destitute of two wings, and that bird then told them of his own overthrow

at the hands of Ravana for the sake of Sita. Then Rama enquired of the

vulture as to the way Ravana had taken. The vulture answered him by a nod

of his head and then breathed his last. And having understood from the

sign the vulture had made that Ravana had gone towards the south, Rama

reverencing his father's friend, caused his funeral obsequies to be duly

performed. Then those chastisers of foes, Rama and Lakshmana, filled with

grief at the abduction of the princess of Videha, took a southern path

through the Dandaka woods beholding along their way many uninhabited

asylums of ascetics, scattered over with seats of Kusa grass and

umbrellas of leaves and broken water-pots, and abounding with hundreds of

jackals. And in that great forest, Rama along with Sumatra's son beheld

many herds of deer running in all directions. And they heard a loud

uproar of various creatures like what is heard during a fast spreading

forest conflagration. And soon they beheld a headless Rakshasa of

terrible mien. And that Rakshasa was dark as the clouds and huge as a

mountain, with shoulders broad as those of a Sola tree, and with arms

that were gigantic. And he had a pair of large eyes on his breast, and

the opening of his mouth was placed on his capacious belly. And that

Rakshasa seized Lakshmana by the hand, without any difficulty. And seized

by the Rakshasa the son of Sumitra, O Bharata, became utterly confounded

and helpless. And casting his glances on Rama, that headless Rakshasa

began to draw Lakshmana towards that part of his body where his mouth

was. And Lakshmana in grief addressed Rama, saying, 'Behold my plight!

The loss of thy kingdom, and then the death of our father, and then the

abduction of Sita, and finally this disaster that hath overwhelmed me!

Alas, I shall not behold thee return with the princess of Videha to

Kosala and seated on thy ancestral throne as the ruler of the entire

Earth! They only that are fortunate will behold thy face, like unto the

moon emerged from the clouds, after thy coronation bath in water

sanctified with Kusa grass and fried paddy and black peas!' And the

intelligent Lakshmana uttered those and other lamentations in the same

strain. The illustrious descendant, however, of Kakutstha's race

undaunted amid danger, replied unto Lakshmana, saying, 'Do not, O tiger

among men, give way to grief! What is this thing when I am here? Cut thou

off his right arm and I shall cut off his left.' And while Rama was still

speaking so, the left arm of the monster was severed by him, cut off with

a sharp scimitar, as if indeed, that arm were a stalk of the Tila corn.

The mighty son of Sumitra then beholding his brother standing before him

struck off with his sword the right arm also of that Rakshasa. And

Lakshmana also began to repeatedly strike Rakshasa under the ribs, and

then that huge headless monster fell upon the ground and expired quickly.

And then there came out from the Rakshasa's body a person of celestial

make. And he showed himself to the brothers, staying for a moment in the

skies, like the Sun in his effulgence in the firmament. And Rama skilled

in speech, asked him, saying, 'Who art thou? Answer me who enquire of

thee? Whence could such a thing happen? All this seems to me to be

exceedingly wonderful!' Thus addressed by Rama, that being replied unto

him, saying, 'I am, O prince, a Gandharva of the name of Viswavasu! It

was through the curse of a Brahmana that I had to assume the form and

nature of a Rakshasa. As to thyself, O Rama, Sita hath been carried away

with violence by king Ravana who dwelleth in Lanka. Repair thou unto

Sugriva who will give thee his friendship. There, near enough to the peak

of Rishyamuka is the lake known by the name of Pampa of sacred water and

cranes. There dwelleth, with four of his counsellors, Sugriva, the

brother of the monkey-king Vali decked with a garland of gold. Repairing

unto him, inform of thy cause of sorrow. In plight very much like thy

own, he will render thee assistance. This is all that we can say. Thou

wilt, without doubt, see the daughter of Janaka! Without doubt Ravana and

others are known to the king of the monkeys!' Having said these words,

that celestial being of great effulgence made himself invisible, and

those heroes, both Rama and Lakshmana, wondered much."

SECTION CCLXXVIII

"Markandeya said, 'Afflicted with grief at the abduction of Sita, Rama

had not to go much further before he came upon Pampa--that lake which

abounded with lotuses of various kinds. And fanned by the cool, delicious

and fragrant breezes in those woods, Rama suddenly remembered his dear

spouse. And, O mighty monarch, thinking of that dear wife of his, and

afflicted at the thought of his separation from her, Rama gave way to

lamentations. The son of Sumitra then addressed him saying, 'O thou that

givest proper respect to those that deserve it, despondency such as this

should not be suffered to approach thee, like illness that can never

touch an old man leading a regular life! Thou hast obtained information

of Ravana and of the princess of Videha! Liberate her now with exertion

and intelligence! Let us now approach Sugriva, that foremost of monkeys,

who is even now on the mountain top! Console thyself, when I, thy

disciple and slave and ally, am near!' And addressed by Lakshmana in

these and other words of the same import, Rama regained his own nature

and attended to the business before him. And bathing in the waters of

Pampa and offering oblations therewith unto their ancestors, both those

heroic brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, set out (for Rishyamuka). And

arriving at Rishyamuka which abounded with fruits and roots and trees,

those heroes beheld five monkeys on the top of the mountain-peak. And

seeing them approach, Sugriva sent his counsellor the intelligent

Hanuman, huge as the Himavat-mountains, to receive them. And the

brothers, having first exchanged words with Hanuman, approached Sugriva.

And then, O king, Rama made friends with Sugriva. And when Rama informed

Sugriva of the object he had in view, Sugriva showed him the piece of

cloth that Sita had dropped among the monkeys, while being carried away

by Ravana. And having obtained from him those credentials, Rama himself

installed Sugriva--that foremost of monkeys--in sovereignty of all the

monkeys of Earth. And Rama also pledged himself to slay Vali in battle.

And having come to that understanding and placing the fullest confidence

in each other, they all repaired to Kiskindhya, desirous of battle (with

Vali). And arriving at Kiskindhya, Sugriva sent forth a loud roar deep as

that of a cataract. Unable to bear that challenge, Vali was for coming

out (but his wife) Tara stood in way, saying, 'Himself endued with great

strength, the way in which Sugriva is roaring, showeth, I ween, that he

hath found assistance! It behoveth thee not, therefore, to go out! Thus

addressed by her, that king of the monkeys, the eloquent Vali, decked in

a golden garland replied unto Tara of face beautiful as the moon, saying,

'Thou understandest the voice of every creature. Tell me after reflection

whose help it is that this brother in name only of mine hath obtained!'

Thus addressed by him Tara endued with wisdom and possessed of the

effulgence of the moon, answered her lord after a moment's reflection,

saying, 'Listen, O monarch of the monkeys! That foremost of bowmen,

endued with great might, Rama the son of Dasaratha, whose spouse hath

been ravished, hath made an alliance offensive and defensive with

Sugriva! And his brother the intelligent Lakshmana also of mighty arms,

the unvanquished son of Sumitra, standeth beside him for the success of

Sugriva's object. And Mainda and Dwivida, and Hanuman the son of Pavana,

and Jamvuman, the king of the bears, are beside Sugriva as his

counsellors. All these illustrious ones are endued with great strength

and intelligence. And these all, depending upon the might and energy of

Rama, are prepared for thy destruction!' Hearing these words of hers that

were for his benefit, the king of the monkeys disregarded them

altogether. And filled with jealousy, he also suspected her to have set

her heart on Sugriva! And addressing Tara in harsh words, he went out of

his cave and coming before Sugriva who was staying by the side of the

mountains of Malyavat, he spoke unto him thus, 'Frequently vanquished

before by me, fond as thou art of life, thou art allowed by me to escape

with life owing to thy relationship with me! What hath made thee wish for

death so soon?' Thus addressed by Vali, Sugriva, that slayer of foes, as

if addressing Rama himself for informing him of what had happened,

replied unto his brother in these words of grave import, 'O king, robbed

by thee of my wife and my kingdom also, what need have I of life? Know

that it is for this that I have come!' Then addressing each other in

these and other words of the same import, Vali and Sugriva rushed to the

encounter, fighting with Sala and Tala trees and stones. And they struck

each other down on the earth. And leaping high into the air, they struck

each other with their fists. And mangled by each other's nail and teeth,

both of them were covered with blood. And the two heroes shone on that

account like a pair of blossoming Kinshukas. And as they fought with each

other, no difference (in aspect) could be observed so as to distinguish

them. Then Hanuman placed on Sugriva's neck a garland of flowers. And

that hero thereupon shone with that garland on his neck, like the

beautiful and huge peak of Malya with its cloudy belt. And Rama,

recognising Sugriva by that sign, then drew his foremost of huge bows,

aiming at Vali as his mark. And the twang of Rama's bow resembled the

roar of an engine. And Vali, pierced in the heart by that arrow, trembled

in fear. And Vali, his heart having been pierced through, began to vomit

forth blood. And he then beheld standing before him Rama with Sumatra's

son by his side. And reproving that descendant of Kakutstha's race, Vali

fell down on the ground and became senseless. And Tara then beheld that

lord of hers possessed of the effulgence of the Moon, lying prostrate on

the bare earth. And after Vali had been thus slain, Sugriva regained

possession of Kishkindhya, and along with it, of the widowed Tara also of

face beautiful as the moon. And the intelligent Rama also dwelt on the

beautiful breast of the Malyavat hill for four months, duly worshipped by

Sugriva all the while.

"Meanwhile Ravana excited by lust, having reached his city of Lanka,

placed Sita in an abode, resembling Nandana itself, within a forest of

Asokas, that looked like an asylum of ascetics. And the large-eyed Sita

passed her days there in distress, living on fruits and roots, practising

ascetic austerities with fasts, attired in ascetic garb, and waning thin

day by day, thinking of her absent lord. And the king of the Rakshasas

appointed many Rakshasa women armed with bearded darts and swords and

lances and battle-axes and maces and flaming brands, for guarding her.

And some of these had two eyes, and some three. And some had eyes on

their foreheads. And some had long tongues and some had none. And some

had three breasts and some had only one leg. And some had three matted

braids on their heads, and some had only one eye. And these, and others

of blazing eyes and hair stiff as the camel's, stood beside Sita

surrounding her day and night most watchfully. And those Pisacha women of

frightful voice and terrible aspect always addressed that large-eyed lady

in the harshest tones. And they said, 'Let us eat her up, let us mangle

her, let us tear her into pieces, her, that is, that dwelleth here

disregarding our lord!' And filled with grief at the separation from her

lord, Sita drew a deep sigh and answered those Rakshasa women, saying,

'Reverend ladies, eat me up without delay! I have no desire to live

without that husband of mine, of eyes like lotus-leaves and locks wavy,

and blue in hue! Truly I will, without food and without the least love of

life, emaciate my limbs, like a she-snake (hibernating) within a Tala

tree. Know this for certain that I will never seek the protection of any

other person than the descendant of Raghu. And knowing this, do what ye

think fit!' And hearing these words of hers, those Rakshasas with

dissonant voice went to the king of the Rakshasas, for representing unto

him all she had said. And when those Rakshasas had gone away, one of

their number known by the name of Trijata, who was virtuous and agreeable

in speech, began to console the princess of Videha. And she said,

'Listen, O Sita! I will tell thee something! O friend, believe in what I

say! O thou of fair hips, cast off thy fears, and listen to what I say.

There is an intelligent and old chief of the Rakshasas known by the name

of Avindhya. He always seeketh Rama's good and hath told me these words

for thy sake! 'Reassuring and cheering her, tell Sita in my name, saying:

'Thy husband the mighty Rama is well and is waited upon by Lakshmana. And

the blessed descendant of Raghu hath already made friends with Sugriva,

the king of the monkeys, and is ready to act for thee! And, O timid lady,

entertain thou no fear on account of Ravana, who is censured by the whole

world, for, O daughter, thou art safe from him on account of Nalakuvera's

curse. Indeed, this wretch had been cursed before for his having violated

his daughter-in-law, Rambha. This lustful wretch is not able to violate

any woman by force. Thy husband will soon come, protected by Sugriva and

with the intelligent son of Sumitra in his train, and will soon take thee

away hence! O lady, I have had a most terrible dream of evil omen,

indicating the destruction of this wicked-minded wretch of Pulastya's

race! This night wanderer of mean deeds is, indeed, most wicked and

cruel. He inspireth terror in all by the defects of his nature and the

wickedness of his conduct. And deprived of his senses by Fate, he

challengeth the very gods. In my vision I have seen every indication of

his downfall. I have seen the Ten-headed, with his crown shaven and body

besmeared with oil, sunk in mire, and the next moment dancing on a

chariot drawn by mules. I have seen Kumbhakarna and others, perfectly

naked and with crowns shaven, decked with red wreaths and unguents, and

running towards the southern direction. Vibhishana alone, with umbrella

over his head, and graced with a turban, and with body decked with white

wreaths and unguents, I beheld ascending the summit of the White hill.

And I saw four of his counsellors also, decked with white wreaths and

unguents, ascending the summit of that hill along with him. All this

bodeth that these alone will be saved from the impending terror. The

whole earth with its oceans and seas will be enveloped with Rama's

arrows. O lady, thy husband will fill the whole earth with his fame. I

also saw Lakshmana, consuming all directions (with his arrows) and

ascending on a heap of bones and drinking thereon honey and rice boiled

in milk. And thou, O lady, hast been beheld by me running towards a

northernly direction, weeping and covered with blood and protected by a

tiger! And, O princess of Videha, soon wilt thou find happiness, being

united, O Sita, with thy lord, that descendant of Raghu accompanied by

his brother!' Hearing these words of Trijata, that girl with eyes like

those of a young gazelle, once more began to entertain hopes of a union

with her lord. And when at last those fierce and cruel Pisacha guards

came back, they saw her sitting with Trijata as before."

SECTION CCLXXIX

"Markandeya said, 'And while the chaste Sita was dwelling there afflicted

with melancholy and grief on account of her lord, attired in mean garb,

with but a single jewel (on the marital thread on her wrist), and

incessantly weeping, seated on a stone, and waited upon by Rakshasa

women, Ravana, afflicted by the shafts of the god of desire, came to her

and approached her presence. And inflamed by desire, that conquerer in

battle of the gods, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, and the

Kimpurushas, attired in celestial robes and possessing handsome features,

decked with jewelled earrings and wearing a beautiful garland and crown,

entered the Asoka woods, like an embodiment of the vernal season. And

dressed with care, Ravana looked like the Kalpa tree in Indra's garden.

But though adorned with every embellishment, that inspired her only with

awe, like a beautified banian in the midst of a cemetery. And that night

wanderer, having approached the presence of that slender-waisted lady,

looked like the planet Saturn in the presence of Rohini. And smitten with

the shafts of the god of the flowery emblem he accosted that fair-hipped

lady then affrighted like a helpless doe, and told her these words, 'Thou

hast, O Sita, shown thy regard for thy lord too much! O thou of delicate

limbs, be merciful unto me. Let thy person be embellished now (by these

maids in waiting). O excellent lady, accept me as thy lord! And, O thou

of the most beautiful complexion, attired in costly robes and ornaments,

take thou the first place among all the women of my household. Many are

the daughters of the celestials and also the Gandharvas that I possess! I

am lord also of many Danava and Daitya ladies! One hundred and forty

millions of Pisachas, twice as many man-eating Rakshasa of terrible deed,

and thrice as many Yaksha do my bidding! Some of these are under the sway

of my brother who is the lord of all treasures. In my drinking hall, O

excellent lady of beautiful thighs, Gandharvas and Apsaras wait on me as

they do on my brother! I am, again, the son of that regenerate Rishi

Visravas himself of high ascetic merit. I am renowned, again, as the

fifth Regent of the Universe! And, O beautiful lady, of food and edibles

and drinks of the very best kind, I have as much as the Lord himself of

the celestials! Let all thy troubles consequent on a life in the woods

cease! O thou of fair hips, be my Queen, as Mandodari herself!' Thus

addressed by him, the beautiful princess of Videha, turning away and

regarding him as something less than a straw, replied unto that wanderer

of the night. And at that time the princess of Videha, that girl of

beautiful hips, had her deep and compact bosom copiously drenched by her

inauspicious tears shed ceaselessly. And she who regarded her husband as

her god, answered that mean wretch, saying, 'By sheer ill-luck it is, O

king of the Rakshasas, that I am obliged to hear such words of grievous

import spoken by thee! Blessed be thou, O Rakshasa fond of sensual

pleasures, let thy heart be withdrawn from me! I am the wife of another,

ever devoted to my husband, and, therefore, incapable of being possessed

by thee! A helpless human being that I am, I cannot be a fit wife for

thee! What joy can be thine by using violence towards an unwilling woman?

Thy father is a wise Brahmana, born of Brahma and equal unto that Lord

himself of the creation! Why dost thou not, therefore, thyself being

equal to a Regent of the Universe, observe virtue? Disgracing thy

brother, that king of the Yakshas, that adorable one who is the friend of

Maheswara himself, that lord of treasures, how is it that thou feelest no

shame?' Having said these words, Sita began to weep, her bosom shivering

in agitation, and covering her neck and face with her garments. And the

long and well-knit braid, black and glossy, falling from the head of the

weeping lady, looked like a black snake. And hearing these cruel words

uttered by Sita, the foolish Ravana, although thus rejected, addressed

Sita once more, saying, 'O lady, let the god having the Makara for his

emblem burn me sorely. I will, however, on no account, O thou of sweet

smiles and beautiful hips, approach thee, as thou art unwilling! What can

I do to thee that still feelest a regard for Rama who is only a human

being and, therefore, our food?' Having said those words unto that lady

of faultless features, the king of the Rakshasa made himself invisible

then and there and went away to the place he liked. And Sita, surrounded

by those Rakshasa women, and treated with tenderness by Trijata,

continued to dwell there in grief."

SECTION CCLXXX

"Markandeya said, 'Meanwhile the illustrious descendant of Raghu, along

with his brother, hospitably treated by Sugriva, continued to dwell on

the breast of the Malyavat hill, beholding every day the clear blue sky.

And one night, while gazing from the mountain-top on the bright moon in

the cloudless sky surrounded by planets and stars and stellar bodies,

that slayer of foes was suddenly awakened (to a remembrance of Sita) by

the cold breezes fragrant with the perfumes of the lily, lotus and other

flowers of the same species. And virtuous Rama, dejected in spirits at

the thought of Sita's captivity in the abode of the Rakshasa, addressed

the heroic Lakshmana in the morning saying, 'Go, Lakshmana and seek in

Kishkindhya that ungrateful king off the monkeys, who understand well his

own interest and is even now indulging in dissipations, that foolish

wretch of his race whom I have installed on a throne and to whom all apes

and monkeys and bears owe allegiance, that fellow for whose sake, O

mighty-armed perpetuator of Raghu's race, Vali was slain by me with thy

help in the wood of Kishkindhya! I regard that worst of monkeys on earth

to be highly ungrateful, for, O Lakshmana, that wretch hath now forgotten

me who am sunk in such distress! I think he is unwilling to fulfil his

pledge, disregarding, from dullness of understanding, one who hath done

him such services! If thou findest him lukewarm and rolling in sensual

joys, thou must then send him, by the path Vali hath been made to follow,

to the common goal of all creatures! If, on the other hand, thou seest

that foremost of monkeys delight in our cause, then, O descendant of

Kakutstha, shouldst thou bring him hither with thee! Be quick, and delay

not!' Thus addressed by his brother, Lakshmana ever attentive to the

behests and welfare of his superiors, set out taking with him his

handsome bow with string and arrows. And reaching the gates of

Kishkindhya he entered the city unchallenged. And knowing him to be

angry, the monkey-king advanced to receive him. And with his wife,

Sugriva the king of the monkeys, with a humble heart, joyfully received

him with due honours. And the dauntless son of Sumitra then told him what

Rama had said. And having heard everything in detail, O mighty monarch,

Sugriva, the king of the monkeys with his wife and servants, joined his

hands, and cheerfully said unto Lakshmana, that elephant among men, these

words: 'I am, O Lakshmana, neither wicked, nor ungrateful, nor destitute

of virtue! Hear what efforts I have made for finding out Sita's place of

captivity! I have despatched diligent monkeys in all directions. All of

them have stipulated to return within a month. They will, O hero, search

the whole earth with her forests and hills and seas, her villages and

towns and cities and mines. Only five nights are wanting to complete that

month, and then thou wilt, with Rama, hear tidings of great joy!'

"Thus addressed by that intelligent king of the monkeys, the high-souled

Lakshmana became appeased, and he in his turn worshipped Sugriva. And

accompanied by Sugriva, he returned to Rama on the breast of the Malyavat

hill. And approaching him, Lakshmana informed him of the beginning

already made in respect of his undertaking. And soon thousands of

monkey-chiefs began to return, after having carefully searched the three

quarters of the earth, viz., the North, the East and the West. But they

that had gone towards the South did not make their appearance And they

that came back represented to Rama, saying that although they had

searched the whole earth with her belt of seas, yet they could not find

either the princess of Videha or Ravana. But that descendant of

Kakutstha's race, afflicted at heart, managed to live yet, resting his

hopes (of hearing Sita's tidings) on the great monkeys that had gone

towards the South.

"After the lapse of two months, several monkeys seeking with haste the

presence of Sugriva, addressed him, saying, 'O king, that foremost of

monkeys, the son of Pavana, as also Angada, the son of Vali, and the

other great monkeys whom thou hadst despatched to search the southern

region, have come back and are pillaging that great and excellent orchard

called Madhuvana, which was always guarded by Vali and which hath been

well-guarded by thee also after him!' Hearing of this act of liberty on

their part, Sugriva inferred the success of their mission, for it is only

servants that have been crowned with success that can act in this way.

And that intelligent and foremost of monkeys communicated his suspicions

to Rama. And Rama also, from this, guessed that the princess of Mithila

had been seen. Then Hanuman and the other monkeys, having refreshed

themselves thus, came towards their king, who was then staying with Rama

and Lakshmana. And, O Bharata, observing the gait of Hanuman and the

colour of his face, Rama was confirmed in the belief that Hanuman had

really seen Sita. Then those successful monkeys with Hanuman at their

head, duly bowed unto Rama and Lakshmana and Sugriva. And Rama then

taking up his bow and quiver, addressed those monkeys, saying, 'Have you

been successful? Will ye impart life unto me? Will ye once more enable me

to reign in Ayodhya after having slain my enemy in battle and rescued the

daughter of Janaka? With the princess of Videha unrescued, and the foe

unslain in battle, I dare not live, robbed of wife and honour!' Thus

addressed by Rama, the son of Pavana, replied unto him, saying, 'I bring

thee good news, O Rama; for Janaka's daughter hath been seen by me.

Having searched the southern region with all its hills, forests, and

mines for some time, we became very weary. At length we beheld a great

cavern. And having beheld it, we entered that cavern which extended over

many Yojanas. It was dark and deep and overgrown with trees and infested

by worms. And having gone a great way through it, we came upon sun-shine

and beheld a beautiful palace. It was, O Raghava, the abode of the Daitya

Maya. And there we beheld a female ascetic named Prabhavati engaged in

ascetic austerities. And she gave us food and drink of various kinds. And

having refreshed ourselves therewith and regained our strength, we

proceeded along the way shown by her. At last we came out of the cavern

and beheld the briny sea, and on its shores, the Sahya, the Malaya and

the great Dardura mountains. And ascending the mountains of Malaya, we

beheld before us the vast ocean.[91] And beholding it we felt sorely

grieved in mind. And dejected in spirits and afflicted with pain and

famishing with hunger, we despaired of returning with our lives. Casting

our eyes on the great ocean extending over many hundreds of Yojanas and

abounding in whales and alligators and other aquatic animals, we became

anxious and filled with grief. We then sat together, resolved to die

there of starvation. And in course of conversation we happened to talk of

the vulture Jatayu. Just then we saw a bird huge as a mountain, of

frightful form, and inspiring terror into every heart, like a second son

of Vinata.[92] And coming upon us unawares for devouring us, he said,

'Who are ye that are speaking thus of my brother Jatayu? I am his elder

brother, by name Sampati, and am the king of birds. Once upon a time, we

two, with the desire of outstripping each other, flew towards the sun. My

wings got burnt, but those of Jatayu were not. That was the last time I

saw my beloved brother Jatayu, the king of vultures! My wings burnt, I

fell down upon the top of this great mountain where I still am!' When he

finished speaking, we informed him of the death of his brother in a few

words and also of this calamity that hath befallen thee! And, O king, the

powerful Sampati heating this unpleasant news from us, was greatly

afflicted and again enquired of us, saying, 'Who is this Rama and why was

Sita carried off and how was Jatayu slain? Ye foremost of monkeys I wish

to hear everything in detail!' We then informed him of everything about

this calamity of thine and of the reason also of our vow of starvation.

That king of birds then urged us (to give up our vow) by these words of

his: 'Ravana is, indeed, known to me. Lanka is his capital. I beheld it

on the other side of the sea in a valley of the Trikuta hills! Sita must

be there. I have little doubt of this!' Hearing these words of his, we

rose up quickly and began, O chastiser of foes, to take counsel of one

another for crossing the ocean! And when none dared to cross it, I,

having recourse to my father, crossed the great ocean which is a hundred

Yojanas in width. And having slain the Rakshasis on the waters, I saw the

chaste Sita within Ravana's harem, observing ascetic austerities, eager

to behold her lord, with matted locks on head, and body besmeared with

filth, and lean, and melancholy and helpless. Recognising her as Sita by

those unusual signs, and approaching that worshipful lady while alone, I

said, 'I am, O Sita, an emissary of Rama and monkey begotten by

Pavana![93] Desirous of having a sight of thee, hither have I come

travelling through the skies! Protected by Sugriva, that monarch of all

the monkeys, the royal brothers Rama and Lakshmana are in peace! And

Rama, O lady, with Sumitra's son, hath enquired of thy welfare! And

Sugriva also, on account of his friendship (with Rama and Lakshmana)

enquireth of thy welfare. Followed by all the monkeys, thy husband will

soon be here. Confide in me, O adorable lady, I am a monkey and not a

Rakshasa!' Thus addressed by me, Sita seemed to meditate for a moment and

then replied to me, saying, 'From the words of Avindhya I know that thou

art Hanuman! O mighty-armed one, Avindhya is an old and respected

Rakshasa! He told me that Sugriva is surrounded by counsellors like thee.

Thou mayst depart now!' And with these words she gave me this jewel as a

credential. And, indeed, it was by means of this jewel that the faultless

Sita had been able to support her existence. And the daughter of Janaka

further told me as a token from her, that by thee, O tiger among men, a

blade of grass (inspired with Mantras and thus converted into a fatal

weapon) had once been shot at a crow while ye were on the breast of the

mighty hill known by the name of Chitrakuta! And this she said as

evidence of my having met her and hers being really the princess of

Videha. I then caused myself to be seized by Ravana's soldiers, and then

set fire to the city of Lanka!'"

SECTION CCLXXXI

"Markandeya said, 'It was on the breast of that very hill where Rama was

seated with those foremost of monkeys that great monkey chiefs at the

command of Sugriva, began to flock together. The father-in-law of Vali,

the illustrious Sushena, accompanied by a thousand crores of active apes,

came to Rama. And those two foremost of monkeys endued with mighty

energy, viz., Gaya and Gavakshya, each accompanied by a hundred crores of

monkeys, showed themselves there. And, O king, Gavakshya also of terrible

mien and endued with a bovine tail, showed himself there, having

collected sixty thousand crores of monkeys. And the renowned

Gandhamadana, dwelling on the mountains of the same name, collected a

hundred thousand crores of monkeys. And the intelligent and mighty monkey

known by the name of Panasa mustered together fifty-two crores of

monkeys.[94] And that foremost and illustrious of monkeys named

Dadhimukha of mighty energy mustered a large army of monkeys possessed of

terrible prowess. And Jamvuvan showed himself there with a hundred

thousand crores of black bears of terrible deeds and faces having the

Tilaka mark.[95] And these and many other chiefs of monkey-chiefs,

countless in number, O king, came there for aiding Rama's cause. And

endued with bodies huge as mountain-peaks and roaring like lions, loud

was the uproar that was heard there made by those monkeys running

restlessly from place to place. And some of them looked like

mountain-peaks, and some looked like buffaloes. And some were of the hue

of autumnal clouds and the faces of some were red as vermillion. And some

rose high, and some fell down, and some cut capers, and some scattered

the dust, as they mustered together from various directions. And that

monkey army, vast as the sea at full tide, encamped there at Sugriva's

bidding. And after those foremost of monkeys had mustered from every

direction, the illustrious descendant of Raghu, with Sugriva by his side,

set out in an auspicious moment of a very fair day under a lucky

constellation, accompanied by that host arrayed in order of battle, as if

for the purpose of destroying all the worlds. And Hanuman, the son of the

Wind-god, was in the van of that host, while the rear was protected by

the fearless son of Sumitra. And surrounded by the monkey-chiefs, those

princes of Raghu's house with fingers cased in guana skin, shone, as they

went, like the Sun and the Moon in the midst of the planets. And that

monkey host armed with stones and Sala and Tala trees, looked very much

like a far-extending field of corn under the morning sun. And that mighty

army, protected by Nala and Nila and Angada and Kratha and Mainda and

Dwivida, marched forth for achieving the purpose of Raghava. And

encamping successively, without interruption of any kind, on wide and

healthy tracts and valleys abounding with fruits and roots and water and

honey and meat, the monkey host at last reached the shores of the briny

sea. And like unto a second ocean, that mighty army with its countless

colours, having reached the shores of sea, took up its abode there. Then

the illustrious son of Dasaratha, addressing Sugriva amongst all those

foremost monkeys, spoke unto him these words that were suited to the

occasion, 'This army is large. The ocean also is difficult to cross. What

contrivance, therefore, commends itself to thee for crossing the ocean?'

At these words, many vain-glorious monkeys answered, 'We are fully able

to cross the sea.' This answer, however, was not of much use, as all

could not avail of that means. Some of the monkeys proposed to cross the

sea in boats, and some in rafts of various kinds. Rama, however,

conciliating them all, said, 'This cannot be. 'The sea here is a full

hundred Yojanas in width. All the monkeys, ye heroes, will not be able to

cross it. This proposal, therefore, that ye have made, is not consonant

to reason. Besides we have not the number of boats necessary for carrying

all our troops. How, again, can one like us raise such obstacles in the

way of the merchants? Our army is very large. The foe wilt make a great

havoc if a hole is detected. Therefore, to cross the sea in boats and

rafts doth not recommend itself to me. I will, however, pray to the Ocean

for the necessary means. Foregoing food, I will lie down on the shore. He

will certainly show himself to me. If, however, he doth not show himself,

I will chastise him then by means of my great weapons that are more

blazing than fire itself and are incapable of being baffled!' Having said

these words, both Rama and Lakshmana touched water[96] and duly laid

themselves down on a bed of kusa grass on the seashore. The divine and

illustrious Ocean then that lord of male and female rivers, surrounded by

aquatic animals, appeared unto Rama in a vision. And addressing Rama in

sweet accents, the genius of the Ocean, surrounded by countless mines of

gems, said, 'O son of Kausalya, tell me what aid, O bull among men, I am

to render thee! I also have sprung from the race of Ikshwaku[97] and am,

therefore, a relative of thine!' Rama replied unto him, saying, 'O lord

of rivers, male and female, I desire thee to grant me a way for my

troops, passing along which I may slay the Ten-headed (Ravana), that

wretch of Pulastya's race! If thou dost not grant the way I beg of thee,

I will then dry thee up by means of my celestial arrows inspired with

mantras!' And hearing these words of Rama, the genius of Varuna's abode,

joining his hands, answered in great affliction, 'I do not desire to put

any obstacle in thy way. I am no foe of thine! Listen, O Rama, to these

words, and having listened, do what is proper! If, at thy command, I get

a way for the passage of thy army, others then, from strength of their

bows, will command me to do the same! In thy army there is a monkey of

the name of Nala, who is a skilful mechanic. And endued with great

strength, Nala is the son of Tashtri, the divine artificer of the

Universe. And whether it is wood, or grass or stone, that he will throw

into my waters, I will support the same on my surface, and thus wilt thou

have a bridge (over which to pass)!' And having said these words, the

genius of the Ocean disappeared. And Rama awaking, called Nala unto him

and said, 'Build thou a bridge over the sea! Thou alone, I am sure, art

able to do it!' And it was by this means that the descendant of

Kakutstha's race caused a bridge to be built that was ten Yojanas in

width and a hundred Yojanas in length. And to this day that bridge is

celebrated over all the world by the name of Nala's bridge. And having

completed that bridge, Nala, of body huge as a hill, came away at the

command of Rama.

"And while Rama was on this side of the ocean, the virtuous Vibhishana,

the brother of the king of the Rakshasas accompanied by four of his

counsellors, came unto Rama. And the high-souled Rama received him with

due welcome. Sugriva, however, feared, thinking he might be a spy. The

son of Raghu, meanwhile perfectly satisfied (with Vibhishana) in

consequence of the sincerity of his exertions and the many indications of

his good conduct, worshipped him with respect. And he also installed

Vibhishana in the sovereignty of all the Rakshasas and made him his own

junior counsellor, and a friend of Lakshmana's. And it was under

Vibhishana's guidance, O king, that Rama with all his troops crossed the

great ocean by means of that bridge in course of a month. And having

crossed the ocean and arrived at Lanka, Rama caused its extensive and

numerous gardens to be devastated by his monkeys. And while Rama's troops

were there, two of Ravana's counsellors and officers, named Suka and

Sarana, who had come as spies, having assumed the shape of monkeys, were

seized by Vibhishana. And when those wanderers of the night assumed their

real Rakshasa forms, Rama showed them his troop and dismissed them

quietly. And having quartered his troops in those woods that skirted the

city, Rama then sent the monkey Angada with great wisdom as his envoy to

Ravana."

SECTION CCLXXXII

"Markandeya said, 'Having quartered his army in those groves abounding

with food and water and with fruits and roots, the descendant of

Kakutstha began to watch over them with care. Ravana, on the other hand,

planted in his city many appliances constructed according to the rules of

military science. And his city, naturally impregnable on account of its

strong ramparts and gate-ways, had seven trenches, that were deep and

full of water to the brim and that abounded with fishes and sharks and

alligators, made more impregnable still by means of pointed stakes of

Khadira wood. And the ramparts, heaped with stones, were made impregnable

by means of catapults. And the warriors (who guarded the walls) were

armed with earthen pots filled with venomous snakes, and with resinous

powders of many kinds. And they were also armed with clubs, and

fire-brands and arrows and lances and swords and battle-axes. And they

had also Sataghnis[98] and stout maces steeped in wax.[99] And at all the

gates of the city were planted movable and immovable encampments manned

by large numbers of infantry supported by countless elephants and horses.

And Angada, having reached one of the gates of the city, was made known

to the Rakshasas. And he entered the town without suspicion or fear. And

surrounded by countless Rakshasas, that hero in his beauty looked like

the Sun himself in the midst of masses of clouds. And having approached

the hero of Pulastya's race in the midst of his counsellors, the eloquent

Angada saluted the king and began to deliver Rama's message in these

words, 'That descendant of Raghu, O king, who ruleth at Kosala and whose

renown hath spread over the whole world, sayeth unto thee these words

suited to the occasion. Accept thou that message and act according to it!

Provinces and towns, in consequence of their connection with sinful kings

incapable of controlling their souls, are themselves polluted and

destroyed. By the violent abduction of Sita, thou alone hast injured me!

Thou, however, wilt become the cause of death to many unoffending

persons. Possessed of power and filled with pride, thou hast, before

this, slain many Rishis living in the woods, and insulted the very gods.

Thou hast slain also many great kings and many weeping women. For those

transgressions of thine, retribution is about to overtake thee! I will

slay thee with thy counsellors. Fight and show thy courage![100] O

wanderer of the night, behold the power of my bow, although I am but a

man! Release Sita, the daughter of Janaka! If thou dost not release her,

I shall make the Earth divested of all Rakshasas with my keen-edged

arrows!' Hearing these defiant words of the enemy, king Ravana bore them

ill, becoming senseless with wrath. And thereupon four Rakshasas skilled

in reading every sign of their master, seized Angada like four hawks

seizing a tiger. With those Rakshasas, however, holding him fast by his

limbs, Angada leaped upwards and alighted on the palace terrace. And as

he leaped up with a great force, those wanderers of the night fell down

the earth, and bruised by the violence of the fall, had their ribs

broken. And from the golden terrace on which he had alighted, he took a

downward leap. And overleaping the walls of Lanka, he alighted to where

his comrades were. And approaching the presence of the lord of Kosala and

informing him of everything, the monkey Angada endued with great energy

retired to refresh himself, dismissed with due respect by Rama.

The descendant of Raghu then caused the ramparts of Lanka to be broken

down by a united attack of all those monkeys endued with the speed of the

wind. Then Lakshmana, with Vibhishana and the king of the bears marching

in the van, blew up the southern gate of the city that was almost

impregnable. Rama then attacked Lanka with a hundred thousand crores of

monkeys, all possessed of great skill in battle, and endued with reddish

complexions like those of young camels. And those crores of greyish bears

with long arms, and legs and huge paws, and generally supporting

themselves on their broad haunches, were also urged on to support the

attack. And in consequence of those monkeys leaping up and leaping down

and leaping in transverse directions, the Sun himself, his bright disc

completely shaded, became invisible for the dust they raised. And the

citizens of Lanka beheld the wall of their town assume all over a tawny

hue, covered by monkeys of complexions yellow as the ears of paddy, and

grey as Shirisha flowers, and red as the rising Sun, and white as flax or

hemp. And the Rakshasas, O king, with their wives and elders, were struck

with wonders at that sight. And the monkey warriors began to pull down

pillars made of precious stones and the terraces and tops of palatial

mansions. And breaking into fragments the propellers of catapults and

other engines, they began to cast them about in all directions. And

taking up the Sataghnis along with the discs, the clubs, and stones, they

threw them down into the city with great force and loud noise. And

attacked thus by the monkeys, those Rakshasas that had been placed on the

walls to guard them, fled precipitately by hundreds and thousands.

"Then hundreds of thousands of Rakshasas, of terrible mien, and capable

of assuming any form at will, came out at the command of the king. And

pouring a perfect shower of arrows and driving the denizens of the

forest, those warriors, displaying great prowess, adorned the ramparts.

And soon those wanderers of the night, looking like masses of flesh, and

of terrible mien, forced the monkeys to leave the walls. And mangled by

the enemies' lances, numerous monkey-chiefs fell down from the ramparts,

and crushed by the falling columns and gate-ways, numerous Rakshasas also

fell down to rise no more. And the monkeys and the brave Rakshasas that

commenced to eat up the foe, struggled, seizing one another by the hair,

and mangling and tearing one another with their nails and teeth. And the

monkeys and the Rakshasas roared and yelled frightfully, and while many

of both parties were slain and fell down to rise no more, neither side

gave up the contest. And Rama continued all the while to shower a thick

downpour of arrows like the very clouds. And the arrows he shot,

enveloping Lanka, killed large numbers of Rakshasas. And the son of

Sumitra, too, that mighty bowman incapable of being fatigued in battle,

naming particular Rakshasas stationed on the ramparts, slew them with his

clothyard shafts. And then the monkey host, having achieved success was

withdrawn at the command of Rama, after it had thus pulled down the

fortifications of Lanka and made all objects within the city capable of

being aimed at by the besieging force."

SECTION CCLXXXIII

"Markandeya said, 'And while those troops (thus withdrawn) were reposing

themselves in their quarters, many little Rakshasas and Pisachas owning

Ravana as their leader, penetrated amongst them. And among these were

Parvana, Patana, Jambha, Khara, Krodha-vasa, Hari, Praruja, Aruja and

Praghasa, and others. And as these wicked ones were penetrating (the

monkey host) in their invisible forms, Vibhishana, who had the knowledge

thereof, broke the spell of their invisibility. And once seen, O king, by

the powerful and long-leaping monkeys, they were all slain and prostrated

on the earth, deprived of life. And unable to endure this, Ravana marched

out at the head of his troops. And surrounded by his terrible army of

Rakshasas and Pisachas, Ravana who was conversant with the rules of

warfare like a second Usanas invested the monkey host, having disposed

his troops in that array which is named after Usanas himself. And

beholding Ravana advancing with his army disposed in that array, Rama,

following the mode recommended by Vrihaspati, disposed his troops in

counter array for opposing that wanderer of the night. And coming up

quickly, Ravana began to fight with Rama. And Lakshmana singled out

Indrajit, and Sugriva singled out Virupakshya, and Nikharvata fought with

Tara, and Nala with Tunda, and Patusa with Panasa. And each warrior,

advancing up to him whom he regarded as his match, began to fight with

him on that field of battle, relying on the strength of his own arms, and

that encounter, so frightful to timid persons, soon became terrible and

fierce like that between the gods and the Asuras in the days of old. And

Ravana covered Rama with a shower of darts and lances and swords, and

Rama also afflicted Ravana with his whetted arrows of iron furnished with

the sharpest points, and in the same way Lakshmana smote the contending

Indrajit with arrows capable of penetrating into the most vital parts and

Indrajit also smote Sumitra's son with an arrowy shower. And Vibhishana

showered upon Prahasta and Prahasta showered upon Vibhishana, without any

regard for each other a thick downpour of winged arrows furnished with

the sharpest points. And thus between those mighty warriors there came

about an encounter of celestial weapons of great force, at which the

three worlds with their mobile and immobile creatures were sorely

distressed."

SECTION CCLXXXIV

"Markandeya said, "Then Prahasta, suddenly advancing up to Vibhishana and

uttering a loud yell, struck him with his mace. But though struck with

that mace of terrible force, the mighty-armed Vibhishana of great wisdom,

without wavering in the least, stood still as the mountains of Himavat.

Then Vibhishana, taking up a huge and mighty javelin furnished with a

hundred bells, inspired it with mantras and hurled it at the head of his

adversary. And by the impetuosity of that weapon rushing with the force

of the thunderbolt, Prahasta's head was severed off, and he thereupon

looked like a mighty tree broken by the wind. And beholding that wanderer

of the night, Prahasta, thus slain in battle, Dhumraksha rushed with

great impetuosity against the monkey-host. And beholding the soldiers of

Dhumraksha, looking like the clouds and endued with terrible mien,

advancing up towards them, the monkey-chief suddenly broke and fled. And

seeing those foremost of monkeys suddenly give way, that tiger among

monkeys, Hanuman, the son of Pavana, began to advance. And beholding the

son of Pavana staying still on the field of battle, the retreating

monkeys, O king, one and all quickly rallied. Then mighty and great and

fearful was the uproar that arose there in consequence of the warriors of

Rama and Ravana rushing against each other. And in that battle which

raged terribly the field soon became miry with blood. And Dhumraksha

afflicted the monkey-host with volleys of winged shafts. Then that

vanquisher of foes, Hanuman, the son of Pavana, quickly seized that

advancing leader of the Rakshasa. And the encounter that took place

between that monkey and the Rakshasa hero, is desirous of defeating the

other, was fierce and terrible, like that of Indra and Prahlada (in days

of yore). And the Rakshasa struck the monkey with his maces and spiked

clubs while the monkey struck the Rakshasa with trunks of trees unshorn

of their branches. Then Hanuman, the son of Pavana, slew in great wrath

that Rakshasa along with his charioteer and horses and broke his chariot

also into pieces. And beholding Dhumraksha, that foremost of Rakshasa,

thus slain, the monkeys, abandoning all fear, rushed against the Rakshasa

army with great valour. And slaughtered in large numbers by the

victorious and powerful monkeys, the Rakshasas became dispirited and fled

in fear to Lanka. And the surviving wreck of the Rakshasa army, having

reached the city, informed king Ravana of everything that had happened.

And hearing from them that Prahasta and that mighty archer Dhumraksha,

had both, with their armies, been slain by the powerful monkeys, Ravana

drew a deep sigh and springing up from his excellent seat, said,--the

time is come for Kumbhakarna to act.--And having said this, he awake, by

means of various loud-sounding instruments, his brother Kumbhakarna from

his deep and prolonged slumbers. And having awaked him with great

efforts, the Rakshasa king, still afflicted with anxiety, addressed the

mighty Kumbhakarna and said unto him when seated at his ease on his bed,

having perfectly recovered consciousness and self-possession, these

words, 'Thou, indeed, art happy, O Kumbhakarna, that canst enjoy profound

and undisturbed repose, unconscious of the terrible calamity that hath

overtaken us! Rama with his monkey host hath crossed the Ocean by a

bridge and disregarding us all is waging a terrible war (against us). I

have stealthily brought away his wife Sita, the daughter of Janaka. and

it is to recover her that he hath come hither, after having made a bridge

over the great Ocean. Our great kinsmen also, Prahasta and others, have

already been slain by him. And, O scourge of thy enemies, there is not

another person, save thee, that can slay Rama! Therefore, O warrior,

putting on thy armour, do thou set out this day for the purpose of

vanquishing Rama and his followers! The two younger brothers of Dushana,

viz., Vajravega and Promathin, will join thee with their forces!' And

having said this unto the mighty Kumbhakarna. the Rakshasa king gave

instructions to Vajravega and Promathin as to what they should do. And

accepting his advice, those two warlike brothers of Dushana quickly

marched out of the city, preceded by Kumbhakarna."

SECTION CCLXXXV

"Markandeya said, "Then Kumbhakarna set out from the city, accompanied by

his followers. And soon he beheld the victorious monkey troops encamped

before him. And passing them by with the object of seeking out Rama, he

beheld the son of Sumitra standing at his post, bow in hand. Then the

monkey warriors, speedily advancing towards him, surrounded him on all

sides. And then they commenced to strike him with numberless large trees.

And many amongst them fearlessly began to tear his body with their nails.

And those monkeys began to fight with him in various ways approved by the

laws of warfare. And they soon overwhelmed that chief of the Rakshasas

with a shower of terrible weapons of various kinds. And attacked by them

thus, Kumbhakarna only laughed at them and began to eat them up. And he

devoured those foremost of monkeys known by the name of Chala, and

Chandachala, and Vajravahu. And beholding that fearful act of the

Rakshasa, other monkeys were frightened and set forth a loud wail of

fear. And hearing the screams of those monkey-leaders, Sugriva boldly

advanced towards Kumbhakarna. And that high-souled king of the monkeys

swiftly approaching the Rakshasa, violently struck him on the head with

the trunk of a Sala tree. And though the high-souled Sugriva always

prompt in action broke that Sala tree on the head of Kumbhakarna, he

failed to make any impression on that Rakshasa. And then, as if roused

from his torpor by that blow, Kumbhakarna stretching forth his arms

seized Sugriva by main force. And beholding Sugriva dragged away by the

Rakshasa, the heroic son of Sumitra, that delighter of his friends,

rushed towards Kumbhakarna. And that slayer of hostile heroes, Lakshmana,

advancing towards Kumbhakarna, discharged at him an impetuous and mighty

arrow furnished with golden wings. And that arrow, cutting through his

coat of mail and penetrating into his body, passed through it outright

and struck into the earth, stained with the Rakshasa's blood. Kumbhakarna

then, having his breast thus bored through, released the king of monkeys.

And taking up a huge mass of stone as his weapon, the mighty warrior

Kumbhakarna then rushed towards the son of Sumitra, aiming it at him. And

as the Rakshasa rushed towards him, Lakshmana cut off his upraised arms

by means of a couple of keen-edged shafts furnished with heads resembling

razors. But as soon as the two arms of the Rakshasa were thus cut off,

double that number of arms soon appeared on his person. Sumitra's son,

however, displaying his skill in weapon, soon by means of similar arrows

cut off those arms also, each of which had seized a mass of stone. At

this, that Rakshasa assumed a form enormously huge and furnished with

numerous heads and legs and arms. Then the son of Sumitra rived, with a

Brahma weapon, that warrior looking like an assemblage of hill. And rent

by means of that celestial weapon, that Rakshasa fell on the field of

battle like a huge tree with spreading branches suddenly consumed by

heaven's thunderbolt. And beholding Kumbhakarna endued with great

activity and resembling the Asura Vritra himself, deprived of life and

prostrated on the field of battle, the Rakshasa warriors fled in fear.

And beholding the Rakshasa warriors running away from the field of

battle, the younger brother of Dushana, rallying them, rushed in great

wrath upon the son of Sumitra. Sumitra's son, however, with a loud roar,

received with his winged shafts both those wrathful warriors, Vajravega

and Promathin, rushing towards him. The battle then, O son of Pritha,

that took place between those two younger brothers of Dushana on the one

hand and the intelligent Lakshmana on the other, was exceedingly furious

and made the bristles of the spectators stand on end. And Lakshmana

overwhelmed the two Rakshasas with a perfect shower of arrows. And those

two Rakshasa heroes, on the other hand, both of them excited with fury,

covered Lakshmana with an arrowy hail. And that terrible encounter

between Vajravega and Promathin and the mighty-armed Lakshmana lasted for

a short while. And Hanumana, the son of Pavana, taking up a mountain

peak, rushed towards one of the brothers, and with that weapon took the

life of the Rakshasa Vajravega. And that mighty monkey, Nala, also, with

a large mass of rock, crushed Promathin, that other younger brother of

Dushana. The deadly struggle, however, between the soldiers of Rama and

Ravana, rushing against one another, instead of coming to an end even

after this, raged on as before. And hundreds of Rakshasas were slain by

the denizens of the forest, while many of the latter were slain by the

former. The loss, however, in killed, of the Rakshasas was far greater

than that of the monkeys.

SECTION CCLXXXVI

"Markandeya said, 'Learning that Kumbhakarna had with his followers,

fallen in battle as also that great warrior Prahasta, and Dhumraksha too

of mighty energy, Ravana then addressed his heroic son Indrajit saying,

'O slayer of foes, slay thou in battle Rama and Sugriva and Lakshmana. My

good son, it was by thee that this blazing fame of mine had been acquired

by vanquishing in battle that wielder of the thunderbolt, the

thousand-eyed Lord of Sachi! Having the power of appearing and vanishing

at thy will, slay thou, O smiter of foes, my enemies by means, O thou

foremost of all wielders of weapons, of thy celestial arrows received as

boons (from the gods)! Rama and Lakshmana and Sugriva are incapable of

enduring the bare touch of thy weapons. What shall I say, therefore, of

their followers? That cessation of hostilities which could not be brought

about by either Prahasta or Kumbhakarna in battle, be it thine, O

mighty-armed one, to bring about! Slaying my enemies with all their army

by means of thy keen-edged shafts, enhance my joy to-day, O son, as thou

didst once before by vanquishing Vasava!' Thus addressed by him. Indrajit

said--So be it,--and encased in mail he quickly ascended his chariot, and

proceeded, O king, towards the field of battle. And then that bull

amongst Rakshasas loudly announcing his own name, challenged Lakshmana

endued with auspicious marks, to a single combat. And Lakshmana, thus

challenged, rushed towards that Rakshasa, with his bow and arrows, and

striking terror into his adversary's heart by means of the flapping of

his bow-string on the leathern case of his left hand. And the encounter

that took place between those warriors that defied each other's prowess

and each of whom was desirous of vanquishing the other, and both of whom

were conversant with celestial weapons, was terrible in the extreme. But

when the son of Ravana found that he could not by his arrows gain any

advantage over his adversary, that foremost of mighty warriors mustered

all his energy. And Indrajit then began to hurl at Lakshmana with great

force numberless javelins. The son of Sumitra, however, cut them into

fragments by means of his own keen-edged arrows. And those javelins, thus

cut into pieces by the keen-edged arrows of Lakshmana, dropped down upon

the ground. Then the handsome Angada, the son of Vali, taking up a large

tree, rushed impetuously at Indrajit and struck him with it on the head.

Undaunted at this, Indrajit of mighty energy sought to smite Angada with

a lance. Just at that juncture, however, Lakshmana cut into pieces the

lance taken up by Ravana's son. The son of Ravana then took up a mace and

struck on the left flank that foremost of monkeys, the heroic Angada who

was then staying close beside him. Angada, the powerful son of Vali,

little recking that stroke, hurled at Indrajit a mighty Sal stem. And

hurled in wrath by Angada for the destruction of Indrajit, that tree, O

son of Pritha, destroyed Indrajit's chariot along with his horses and

charioteer. And thereupon jumping from his horseless and driverless car,

the son of Ravana disappeared from sight, O king, by aid of his powers of

illusion. And beholding that Rakshasa, abundantly endued with powers of

illusion, disappear so suddenly, Rama proceeded towards that spot and

began to protect his troops with care. Indrajit, however, with arrows,

obtained as boons from the gods, began to pierce both Rama and mighty

Lakshmana in every part of their bodies. Then the heroic Rama and

Lakshmana both continued to contend with their arrows against Ravana's

son who had made himself invisible by his powers of illusion. But

Indrajit continued to shower in wrath all over those lions among men his

keen-edged shafts by hundreds and thousands. And seeking that invisible

warrior who was ceaselessly showering his arrows, the monkeys penetrated

into every part of the firmament, armed with huge masses of stone. Them

as well as the two brothers, however, the invisible Rakshasa began to

afflict with his shafts. Indeed, the son of Ravana, concealing himself by

his powers of illusion, furiously attacked the monkey host. And the

heroic brothers Rama and Lakshmana, pierced all over with arrows, dropped

down on the ground like the Sun and the Moon fallen down from the

firmament.'"

SECTION CCLXXXVII

"Markandeya said, 'Beholding both the brothers Rama and Lakshmana

prostrate on the ground, the son of Ravana tied them in a net-work of

those arrows of his which he had obtained as boons. And tied by Indrajit

on the field of battle by means of that arrowy net, those heroic tigers

among men resembled a couple of hawks immured in a cage. And beholding

those heroes prostrate on the ground pierced with hundreds of arrows,

Sugriva with all the monkeys stood surrounding them on all sides. And the

king of the monkeys stood there, accompanied by Sushena and Mainda and

Dwivida, and Kumuda and Angada and Hanuman and Nila and Tara and Nala.

And Vibhishana, having achieved success in another part of the field,

soon arrived at that spot, and roused those heroes from insensibility,

awakening them by means of the weapon called, Prajna.[101] Then Sugriva

soon extracted the arrows from their bodies. And by means of that most

efficacious medicine called the Visalya[102], applied with celestial

mantras, those human heroes regained their consciousness. And the arrow

having been extracted from their bodies, those mighty warriors in a

moment rose from their recumbent posture, their pains and fatigue

thoroughly alleviated. And beholding Rama the descendant of Ikshwaku's

race, quite at his ease, Vibhishana, O son of Pritha, joining his hands;

told him these words, 'O chastiser of foes, at the command of the king of

the Guhyakas, a Guhyaka hath come from the White mountains, bringing with

him his water![103] O great king, this water is a present to thee from

Kuvera, so that all creatures that are invisible may, O chastiser of

foes, become visible to thee! This water laved over the eyes will make

every invisible creature visible to thee, as also to any other person to

whom thou mayst give it!'--Saying--So be it,--Rama took that sacred

water, and sanctified his own eyes therewith. And the high-minded

Lakshmana also did the same. And Sugriva and Jambuvan, and Hanuman and

Angada, and Mainda and Dwivida, and Nila and many other foremost of the

monkeys, laved their eyes with that water. And thereupon it exactly

happened as Vibhishana had said, for, O Yudhishthira, soon did the eyes

of all these became capable of beholding things that could not be seen by

the unassisted eye!

"Meanwhile, Indrajit, after the success he had won, went to his father.

And having informed him of the feats he had achieved, he speedily

returned to the field of battle and placed himself at the van of his

army. The son of Sumitra then, under Vibhishana's guidance, rushed

towards that wrathful son of Ravana coming back, from desire of battle,

to lead the attack. And Lakshmana, excited to fury and receiving a hint

from Vibhishana, and desiring to slay Indrajit who had not completed his

daily sacrifice, smote with his arrows that warrior burning to achieve

success. And desirous of vanquishing each other, the encounter that took

place between them was exceedingly wonderful like that (in days of yore)

between the Lord of celestials and Prahrada. And Indrajit pierced the son

of Sumitra with arrows penetrating into his very vitals. And the son of

Sumitra also pierced Ravana's son with arrows of fiery energy. And

pierced with Lakshmana's arrows, the son of Ravana became senseless with

wrath. And he shot at Lakshmana eight shafts fierce as venomous snakes.

Listen now, O Yudhishthira, as I tell thee how the heroic son of Sumitra

then took his adversary's life by means of three winged arrows possessed

of the energy and effulgence of fire! With one of these, he severed from

Indrajit's body that arm of his enemy which had grasped the bow. With the

second he caused that other arm which had held the arrows, to drop down

on the ground. With the third that was bright and possessed of the

keenest edge, he cut off his head decked with a beautiful nose and bright

with ear-rings. And shorn of arms and head, the trunk became fearful to

behold. And having slain the foe thus, that foremost of mighty men then

slew with his arrows the charioteer of his adversary. And the horses then

dragged away the empty chariot into the city. And Ravana then beheld that

car without his son on it. And hearing that his son had been slain,

Ravana suffered his heart to be overpowered with grief. And under the

influence of extreme grief and affliction, the king of the Rakshasas

suddenly cherished the desire of killing the princess of Mithila. And

seizing a sword, the wicked Rakshasa hastily ran towards that lady

staying within the Asoka wood longing to behold her lord. Then Avindhya

beholding that sinful purpose of the wicked wretch, appeased his fury.

Listen, O Yudhishthira, to the reasons urged by Avindhya! That wise

Rakshasa said, 'Placed as thou art on the blazing throne of an empire, it

behoveth thee not to slay a woman! Besides, this woman is already slain,

considering that she is a captive in thy power! I think, she would not be

slain if only her body were destroyed. Slay thou her husband! He being

slain, she will be slain too! Indeed, not even he of an hundred

sacrifices (Indra) is thy equal in prowess! The gods with Indra at their

head, had repeatedly been affrighted by thee in battle!' With these and

many other words of the same import, Avindhya succeeded in appeasing

Ravana. And the latter did, indeed, listen to his counsellor's speech.

And that wanderer of the night, then, resolved to give battle himself

sheathed his sword, and issued orders for preparing his chariot.'"

SECTION CCLXXXVIII

"Markandeya said, The Ten-necked (Ravana), excited to fury at the death

of his beloved son, ascended his car decked with gold and gems. And

surrounded by terrible Rakshasas with various kinds of weapons in their

hands, Ravana rushed towards Rama, fighting with numerous monkey-chief.

And beholding him rushing in wrath towards the monkey army, Mainda and

Nila and Nala and Angada, and Hanuman and Jamvuman, surrounded him with

all their troops. And those foremost of monkeys and bears began to

exterminate with trunks of trees, the soldiers of the Ten-necked

(Ravana), in his every sight. And beholding the enemy slaughtering his

troops, the Rakshasa king, Ravana, possessed of great powers of illusion,

began to put them forth. And forth from his body began to spring hundreds

and thousands of Rakshasas armed with arrows and lances and double-edged

swords in hand. Rama, however, with a celestial weapon slew all those

Rakshasas. The king of the Rakshasas then once more put forth his prowess

of illusion. The Ten-faced, producing from his body numerous warriors

resembling, O Bharata, both Rama and Lakshmana, rushed towards the two

brothers. And then those Rakshasas, hostile to Rama and Lakshmana and

armed with bows and arrows, rushed towards Rama, and beholding that power

of illusion put forth by the king of Rakshasas, that descendant of

Ikshwaku's race, the son of Sumitra, addressed Rama in these heroic

words, 'Slay those Rakshasas, those wretches with forms like thy own!'

And Rama, thereupon slew those and other Rakshasas of forms resembling

his own. And that time Matali, the charioteer of Indra, approached Rama

on the field of battle, with a car effulgent as the Sun and unto which

were yoked horses of a tawny hue. And Matali said, 'O son of Kakutstha's

race, this excellent and victorious car, unto which have been yoked this

pair of tawny horses, belonging to the Lord of celestials! It is on this

excellent car, O tiger among men, that Indra hath slain in battle

hundreds of Daityas and Danavas! Therefore, O tiger among men, do thou,

riding on the car driven by me, quickly slay Ravana in battle! Do not

delay in achieving this!' Thus addressed by him, the descendant of

Raghu's race, however, doubted the truthful words of Matali, thinking

this is another illusion produced by the Rakshasas--Vibhishana then

addressed him saying, 'This, O tiger among men, is no illusion of the

wicked Ravana! Ascend thou this chariot quickly, for this, O thou of

great effulgence, belongeth to Indra!' The descendant of Kakutstha then

cheerfully said unto Vibhishana, 'So be it', and riding on that car,

rushed wrathfully upon Ravana. And when Ravana, too, rushed against his

antagonist, a loud wail of woe was set up by the creatures of the Earth,

while the celestials in heaven sent forth a leonine roar accompanied by

beating of large drums. The encounter then that took place between the

Ten-necked Rakshasa and that prince of Raghu's race, was fierce in the

extreme. Indeed, that combat between them hath no parallel elsewhere. And

Rakshasa hurled at Rama a terrible javelin looking like Indra's

thunderbolt and resembling a Brahmana's curse on the point of

utterance.[104] Rama, however, quickly cut into fragments that javelin by

means of his sharp arrows. And beholding that most difficult feat, Ravana

was struck with fear. But soon his wrath was excited and the Ten-necked

hero began to shower on Rama whetted arrows by thousands and tens of

thousands and countless weapons of various kinds, such as rockets and

javelins and maces and battle-axes and darts of various kinds and

Shataghnis and whetted shafts. And beholding that terrible form of

illusion displayed by the Ten-necked Rakshasa, the monkeys fled in fear

in all directions. Then the descendant of Kakutstha, taking out of his

quiver an excellent arrow furnished with handsome wings and golden

feathers and a bright and beautiful head, fixed it on the bow with

Brahmastra mantra. And beholding that excellent arrow transformed by

Rama, with proper mantras into a Brahma weapon, the celestials and the

Gandharvas with Indra at their head, began to rejoice. And the gods and

the Danavas and the Kinnaras were led by the display of that Brahma

weapon to regard the life of their Rakshasa foe almost closed. Then Rama

shot that terrible weapon of unrivalled energy, destined to compass

Ravana's death, and resembling the curse of a Brahmana on the point of

utterance. And as soon, O Bharata, as that arrow was shot by Rama from

his bow drawn to a circle, the Rakshasa king with his chariot and

charioteer and horses blazed up, surrounded on all sides by a terrific

fire. And beholding Ravana slain by Rama of famous achievements, the

celestials, with the Gandharvas and the Charanas, rejoiced exceedingly.

And deprived of universal dominion by the energy of the Brahma weapon,

the five elements forsook the illustrious Ravana. And were consumed by

the Brahma weapon, the physical ingredients of Ravana's body. His flesh

and blood were all reduced to nothingness,--so that the ashes even could

not be seen.'"

SECTION CCLXXXIX

"Markandeya said, 'Having slain Ravana, that wretched king of the

Rakshasas and foe of the celestials, Rama with his friends and Sumitra's

son rejoiced exceedingly. And after the Ten-necked (Rakshasa) hath been

slain, the celestials with the Rishis at their head, worshipped Rama of

mighty arms, blessing and uttering the word Jaya repeatedly. And all the

celestials and the Gandharvas and the denizens of the celestial regions

gratified Rama of eyes like lotus leaves, with hymns and flowery showers.

And having duly worshipped Rama, they all went away to those regions

whence they had come. And, O thou of unfading glory, the firmament at

that time looked as if a great festival was being celebrated.

"And having slain the Ten-necked Rakshasa, the lord Rama of worldwide

fame, that conqueror of hostile cities, bestowed Lanka on Vibhishana.

Then that old and wise counsellor (of Ravana) known by the name of

Avindhya, with Sita walking before him but behind Vibhishana who was at

the front, came out of the city. And with great humility Avindhya said

unto the illustrious descendant of Kakutstha, 'O illustrious one, accept

thou this goddess, Janaka's daughter of excellent conduct!' Hearing these

words, the descendant of Ikshwaku's race alighted from his excellent

chariot and beheld Sita bathed in tears. And beholding that beautiful

lady seated within her vehicle, afflicted with grief, besmeared with

filth, with matted locks on head, and attired in dirty robes, Rama,

afraid of the loss of his honour, said unto her, 'Daughter of Videha, go

withersover thou likest! Thou art now free! What should have been done by

me, hath been done! O blessed lady, owning me for thy husband, it is not

meet that thou shouldst grow old in the abode of the Rakshasa! It is for

this I have slain that wanderer of the night! But how can one like us,

acquainted with every truth of morality embrace even for a moment a woman

that had fallen into other's hands? O princess of Mithila whether thou

art chaste or unchaste, I dare not enjoy thee, now that thou art like

sacrificial butter lapped by a dog!' Hearing these cruel words, that

adorable girl suddenly fell down in great affliction of heart, like a

plantain tree severed from its roots. And the colour that was suffusing

her face in consequence of the joy she had felt, quickly disappeared,

like watery particles on a mirror blown thereon by the breath of the

mouth. And hearing these words of Rama, all the monkeys also with

Lakshmana became still as dead. Then the divine and pure-souled Brahma of

four faces, that Creator of the Universe himself sprung from a lotus,

showed himself on his car to Raghu's son. And Sakra and Agni and Vayu,

and Yama and Varuna and the illustrious Lord of the Yakshas, and the holy

Rishis, and king Dasaratha also in a celestial and effulgent form and on

car drawn by swans, showed themselves. And then the firmament crowded

with celestials and Gandharvas became as beautiful as the autumnal welkin

spangled with stars. And rising up from the ground, the blessed and

famous princess of Videha, in the midst of those present spoke unto Rama

of wide chest, these words, 'O prince, I impute no fault to thee, for

thou art well acquainted with the behaviour that one should adopt towards

both men and women. But hear thou these words of mine! The ever-moving

Air is always present within every creature. If I have sinned, let him

forsake my vital forces! If I have sinned, Oh, then let Fire, and Water,

and Space, and Earth, like Air (whom I have already invoked), also

forsake my vital forces! And as, O hero, I have never, even in my dreams,

cherished the image of any other person, so be thou my lord as appointed

by the gods.' After Sita had spoken, a sacred voice, resounding through

the whole of that region, was heard in the skies, gladdening the hearts

of the high-souled monkeys. And the Wind-god was heard to say, O son of

Raghu, what Sita hath said is true! I am the god of Wind. The princess of

Mithila is sinless! Therefore, O king, be united with thy wife!' And the

god of Fire said, 'O son of Raghu, I dwell within the bodies of all

creatures! O descendant of Kakutstha, the princess of Mithila is not

guilty of even the minutest fault!' And Varuna then said, 'O son of

Raghu, the humours in every creature's body derive their existence from

me! I tell thee, let the princess of Mithila be accepted by thee!' And

Brahma himself then said, 'O descendant of Kakutstha, O son, in thee that

art honest and pure and conversant with the duties of royal sages, this

conduct is not strange. Listen, however, to these words of mine! Thou

hast, O hero, slain this enemy of the gods, the Gandharvas, the Nagas,

the Yakshas, the Danavas, and the great Rishis! It was through my grace

that he had hitherto been unslayable of all creatures. And indeed, it was

for some reason that I had tolerated him for some time! The wretch,

however, abducted Sita for his own destruction. And as regards Sita, I

protected her through Nalakuvera's curse. For that person had cursed

Ravana of old, saying, that if he ever approached an unwilling woman, his

head should certainly be split into a hundred fragments. Let no

suspicion, therefore, be thine! O thou of great glory, accept thy wife!

Thou hast indeed, achieved a mighty feat for the benefit of the gods, O

thou that art of divine effulgence!' And last of all Dasaratha said, 'I

have been gratified with thee, O child! Blessed be thou, I am thy father

Dasaratha! I command thee to take back thy wife, and rule thy kingdom, O

thou foremost of men!' Rama then replied, 'If thou art my father, I

salute thee with reverence, O king of kings! I shall indeed, return, at

thy command, to the delightful city of Ayodhya!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Thus addressed, his father, O bull of the Bharata

race, gladly answered Rama, the corners of whose eyes were of a reddish

hue, saying, 'Return to Ayodhya and rule thou that kingdom! O thou of

great glory, thy fourteen years (of exile) have been completed.' Thus

addressed by Dasaratha, Rama bowed to the gods, and saluted by his

friends he was united with his wife, like the Lord of the celestials with

the daughter of Puloman. And that chastiser of foes then gave a boon to

Avindhya. And he also bestowed both riches and honours on the Rakshasa

woman named Trijata. And when Brahma with all the celestials having India

at their head, said unto Rama, 'O thou that ownest Kausalya for thy

mother, what boons after thy heart shall we grant thee?' Rama, thereupon,

prayed them to grant him firm adherence to virtues and invincibility in

respect of all foes. And he also asked for the restoration to life of all

those monkeys that had been slain by the Rakshasas, and after Brahma had

said--So be it, those monkeys, O king, restored to life, rose up from the

field of battle, and Sita too, of great good fortune, granted unto

Hanuman a boon, saying, 'Let thy life, O son, last as long as (the fame

of) Rama's achievements! And, O Hanuman of yellow eyes, let celestial

viands and drinks be ever available to thee through my grace!'

"Then the celestials with Indra at their head all disappeared in the very

sight of those warriors of spotless achievements. And beholding Rama

united with the daughter of Janaka, the charioteer of Sakra, highly

pleased, addressed him in the midst of friends, and said these words, 'O

thou of prowess that can never be baffled thou hast dispelled the sorrow

of the celestials, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Asuras, the Nagas,

and human beings! As long, therefore, as the Earth will hold together, so

long will all creatures with the celestials, the Asuras, the Gandharvas,

the Yakshas, the Rakshasas, and the Pannagas, speak of thee.' And having

said these words unto Rama, Matali worshipped that son of Raghu, and

having obtained the leave of that foremost of wielders of weapons, he

went away, on that same chariot of solar effulgence. And Rama also, with

Sumatra's son and Vibhishana, and accompanied by all the monkeys with

Sugriva at their head, placing Sita in the van and having made

arrangements for the protection of Lanka, recrossed the ocean by the same

bridge. And he rode on that beautiful and sky-ranging chariot called the

Pushpaka that was capable of going everywhere at the will of the rider.

And that subduer of passions was surrounded by his principal counsellors

in order of precedence. And arriving at that part of the sea-shore where

he had formerly laid himself down, the virtuous king, with all the

monkeys, pitched his temporary abode. And the son of Raghu then, bringing

the monkeys before him in due time, worshipped them all, and gratifying

them with presents of jewels and gems, dismissed them one after another.

And after all the monkey-chiefs, and the apes with bovine tails, and the

bears, had gone away, Rama re-entered Kishkindhya with Sugriva. And

accompanied by both Vibhishana and Sugriva, Rama re-entered Kishkindhya

riding on the Pushpaka car and showing the princess of Videha the woods

along the way. And having arrived at Kishkindhya, Rama, that foremost of

all smiters, installed the successful Angada as prince-regent of the

kingdom. And accompanied by the same friends as also by Sumitra's son,

Rama proceeded towards his city along the same path by which he had come.

And having reached the city of Ayodhya, the king despatched Hanuman

thence as envoy to Bharata. And Hanuman, having ascertained Bharata's

intentions from external indications, gave him the good news (of Rama's

arrival). And after the son of Pavana had come back, Rama entered

Nandigrama. And having entered that town, Rama beheld Bharata besmeared

with filth and attired in rags and seated with his elder brother's

sandals placed before him. And being united, O bull of Bharata race, with

both Bharata and Shatrughna, the mighty son of Raghu, along with

Sumitra's son, began to rejoice exceedingly. And Bharata and Shatrughna

also, united with their eldest brother, and beholding Sita, both derived

great pleasure. And Bharata then, after having worshipped his returned

brother, made over to him with great pleasure, the kingdom that had been

in his hands as a sacred trust. And Vasishtha and Vamadeva then together

installed that hero in the sovereignty (of Ayodhya) at the eighth

Muhurta[105] of the day under the asterism called Sravana. And after his

installation was over, Rama gave leave to well-pleased Sugriva the king

of the monkeys, along with all his followers, as also to rejoicing

Vibhishana of Pulastya's race, to return to their respective abodes. And

having worshipped them with various articles of enjoyment, and done

everything that was suitable to the occasion, Rama dismissed those

friends of his with a sorrowful heart. And the son of Raghu then, having

worshiped that Pushpaka chariot, joyfully gave it back unto Vaisravana.

And then assisted by the celestial Rishi (Vasishtha), Rama performed on

the banks of the Gomati ten horse-sacrifices without obstruction of any

kind and with treble presents unto Brahmanas.'"

SECTION CCLXL

"Markandeya said, 'It was thus, O mighty-armed one, that Rama of

immeasurable energy had suffered of old such excessive calamity in

consequence of his exile in the woods! O tiger among men, do not grieve,

for, O chastiser of foes, thou art Kshatriya! Thou too treadest in the

path in which strength of arms is to be put forth,--the path that leadeth

to tangible rewards. Thou hast not even a particle of sin. Even the

celestials with Indra at their head, and the Asuras have to tread in the

path that is trod by thee! It was after such afflictions that the wielder

of the thunderbolt, aided by the Maruts, slew Vritra, and the invincible

Namuchi and the Rakshasi of long tongue! He that hath assistance, always

secureth the accomplishment of all his purposes! What is that which

cannot be vanquished in battle by him that hath Dhananjaya for his

brother? This Bhima, also, of terrible prowess, is the foremost of mighty

persons. The heroic and youthful sons of Madravati again are mighty

bowmen. With allies such as these, why dost thou despair, O chastiser of

foes? These are capable of vanquishing the army of the wielder himself of

the thunderbolt with the Maruts in the midst. Having these mighty bowmen

of celestial forms for thy allies, thou, O bull of Bharata race, art sure

to conquer in battle all thy foes! Behold, this Krishna, the daughter of

Drupada, forcibly abducted by the wicked-minded Saindhava from pride of

strength and energy, hath been brought back by these mighty warriors

after achieving terrible feats! Behold, king Jayadratha was vanquished

and lay powerless before thee! The princess of Videha was rescued with

almost no allies by Rama after the slaughter in battle of the Ten-necked

Rakshasa of terrible prowess! Indeed, the allies of Rama (in that

contest) were monkeys and black-faced bears, creatures that were not even

human! Think of all this, O king in thy mind! Therefore, O foremost of

Kurus, grieve not for all (that hath occurred), O bull of the Bharata

race! Illustrious persons like thee never indulge in sorrow, O smiter of

foes!'

Vaisampayana continued, "It was thus that the king was comforted by

Markandeya. And then that high-souled one, casting off his sorrows, once

more spoke unto Markandeya."

SECTION CCLXLI

(Pativrata-mahatmya Parva)

"Yudhishthira said, 'O mighty sage, I do not so much grieve for myself or

these my brothers or the loss of my kingdom as I do for this daughter of

Drupada. When we were afflicted at the game of the dice by those

wicked-souled ones, it was Krishna that delivered us. And she was

forcibly carried off from the forest by Jayadratha. Hast thou even seen

or heard of any chaste and exalted lady that resembleth this daughter of

Drupada?'"

"Markandeya said, 'Listen, O king, how the exalted merit of chaste

ladies, O Yudhishthira, was completely obtained by a princess named

Savitri. There was a king among the Madras, who was virtuous and highly

pious. And he always ministered unto the Brahmanas, and was high-souled

and firm in promise. And he was of subdued senses and given to

sacrifices. And he was the foremost of givers, and was able, and beloved

by both the citizens and the rural population. And the name of that lord

of Earth was Aswapati. And he was intent on the welfare of all beings.

And that forgiving (monarch) of truthful speech and subdued senses was

without issue. And when he got old, he was stricken with grief at this.

And with the object of raising offspring, he observed rigid vows and

began to live upon frugal fare, having recourse to the Brahmacharya mode

of life, and restraining his senses. And that best of kings, (daily)

offering ten thousand oblations to the fire, recited Mantras in honour of

Savitri[106] and ate temperately at the sixth hour. And he passed

eighteen years, practising such vows. Then when the eighteen years were

full, Savitri was pleased (with him). And O king, issuing with great

delight, in embodied form, from the Agnihotra fire, the goddess showed

herself to that king. And intent on conferring boons, she spoke these

words unto the monarch, 'I have been gratified, O king, with thy

Brahmacharya practices, thy purity and self-restraint and observance of

vows, and all thy endeavours and veneration! Do thou, O mighty king. O

Aswapati, ask for the boon that thou desirest! Thou ought, however, by no

means show any disregard for virtue.' Thereat Aswapati said, 'It is with

the desire of attaining virtue that I have been engaged in this task. O

goddess, may many sons be born unto me worthy of my race! If thou art

pleased with me, O goddess, I ask for this boon. The twice-born ones have

assured me that great merit lieth in having offspring!' Savitri replied,

'O king, having already learnt this thy intention, I had spoken unto that

lord, the Grandsire, about thy sons. Through the favour granted by the

Self-create, there shall speedily be born unto thee on earth a daughter

of great energy. It behoveth thee not to make any reply. Well-pleased, I

tell thee this at the command of the Grandsire.'

"Markandeya said, 'Having accepted Savitri's words and saying, 'So be

it!' the king again gratified her and said, 'May this happen soon!' On

Savitri vanishing away, the monarch entered his own city. And that hero

began to live in his kingdom, ruling his subjects righteously. And when

some time had elapsed, that king, observant of vows, begat offspring on

his eldest queen engaged in the practice of virtue. And then, O bull of

the Bharata race, the embryo in the womb of the princess of Malava

increased like the lord of stars in the heavens during the lighted

fortnight. And when the time came, she brought forth a daughter furnished

with lotus-like eyes. And that best of monarchs, joyfully performed the

usual ceremonies on her behalf. And as she had been bestowed with delight

by the goddess Savitri by virtue of the oblations offered in honour of

that goddess, both her father, and the Brahmanas named her Savitri. And

the king's daughter grew like unto Sree herself in an embodied form. And

in due time, that damsel attained her puberty. And beholding that

graceful maiden of slender waist and ample hips, and resembling a golden

image, people thought, 'We have received a goddess.' And overpowered by

her energy, none could wed that girl of eyes like lotus-leaves, and

possessed of a burning splendour.'

'And it came to pass that once on the occasion of a parva, having fasted

and bathed her head, she presented herself before the (family) deity and

caused the Brahmanas to offer oblations with due rites to the sacrificial

fire. And taking the flowers that had been offered to the god, that lady,

beautiful as Sree herself, went to her high-souled sire. And having

reverenced the feet of her father and offering him the flowers she had

brought, that maiden of exceeding grace, with joined hands, stood at the

side of the king. And seeing his own daughter resembling a celestial

damsel arrived at puberty, and unsought by people, the king became sad.

And the king said, 'Daughter, the time for bestowing thee is come! Yet

none asketh thee. Do thou (therefore) thyself seek for a husband equal to

thee in qualities! That person who may be desired by thee should be

notified to me. Do thou choose for thy husband as thou listest. I shall

bestow thee with deliberation. Do thou, O auspicious one, listen to me as

I tell thee the words which I heard recited by the twice-born ones. The

father that doth not bestow his daughter cometh by disgrace. And the

husband that knoweth not his wife in her season meeteth with disgrace.

And the son that doth not protect his mother when her husband is dead,

also suffereth disgrace. Hearing these words of mine, do thou engage

thyself in search of a husband. Do thou act in such a way that we may not

be censured by the gods!'

"Markandeya said, 'Having said these words to his daughter and his old

counsellors, he instructed the attendants to follow her, saying,--Go!

Thereat, bashfully bowing down unto her father's feet, the meek maid went

out without hesitation, in compliance with the words of her sire. And

ascending a golden car, she went to the delightful asylum of the royal

sages, accompanied by her father's aged counsellors. There, O son,

worshipping the feet of the aged ones, she gradually began to roam over

all the woods. Thus the king's daughter distributing wealth in all sacred

regions, ranged the various places belonging to the foremost of the

twice-born ones.'"

SECTION CCLXLII

"Markandeya continued, 'On one occasion, O Bharata, when that king, the

lord of the Madras, was seated with Narada in the midst of his court,

engaged in conversation, Savitri, accompanied by the king's counsellors,

came to her father's abode after having visited various sacred regions

and asylums. And beholding her father seated with Narada, she worshipped

the feet of both by bending down her head. And Narada then said, 'Whither

had this thy daughter gone? And, O king, whence also doth she come? Why

also dost thou not bestow her on a husband, now that she hath arrived at

the age of puberty?' Aswapati answered, saying, 'Surely it was on this

very business that she had been sent, and she returneth now (from her

search). Do thou, O celestial sage, listen, even from her as to the

husband she hath chosen herself!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Then the blessed maid, commanded by her father

with the words,--Relate everything in detail,--regarded those words of

her sire as if they were those of a god, and spoke unto him thus, 'There

was, amongst the Salwas, a virtuous Kshatriya king known by the name of

Dyumatsena. And it came to pass that in course of time he became blind.

And that blind king possessed of wisdom had an only son. And it so

happened that an old enemy dwelling in the vicinity, taking advantage of

the king's mishap, deprived him of his kingdom. And thereupon the

monarch, accompanied by his wife bearing a child on her breast, went into

the woods. And having retired into the forests, he adopted great vows and

began to practise ascetic austerities. And his son, born in the city,

began to grow in the hermitage. That youth, fit to be my husband, I have

accepted in my heart for my lord!' At these words of hers, Narada said,

'Alas, O king, Savitri hath committed a great wrong, since, not knowing,

she hath accepted for her lord this Satyavan of excellent qualities! His

father speaketh the truth and his mother also is truthful in her speech.

And it is for this that the Brahmanas have named the son Satyavan. In his

childhood he took great delight in horses, and used to make horses of

clay. And he used also to draw pictures of horses. And for this that

youth is sometimes called by the name of Chitraswa.' The king then asked,

'And is prince Satyavan, who is devoted to his father, endued with energy

and intelligence and forgiveness and courage?' Narada replied, saying,

'In energy Satyavan is like unto the sun, and in wisdom like unto

Vrihaspati! And he is brave like unto the lord of the celestials and

forgiving like unto the Earth herself!' Aswapati then said, 'And is the

prince Satyavan liberal in gifts and devoted to the Brahmanas? Is he

handsome and magnanimous and lovely to behold?' Narada said, 'In bestowal

of gifts according to his power, the mighty son of Dyumatsena is like

unto Sankriti's son Rantideva. In truthfulness of speech and devotion

unto Brahmanas, he is like Sivi, the son of Usinara. And he is

magnanimous like Yayati, and beautiful like the Moon. And in beauty of

person he is like either of the twin Aswins. And with senses under

control, he is meek, and brave, and truthful! And with passion in

subjection he is devoted to his friends, and free from malice and modest

and patient. Indeed, briefly speaking, they that are possessed of great

ascetic merit and are of exalted character say that he is always correct

in his conduct and that honour is firmly seated on his brow.' Hearing

this, Aswapati said, 'O reverend sage, thou tellest me that he is

possessed of every virtue! Do thou now tell me his defects if, indeed, he

hath any!' Narada then said, 'He hath one only defect that hath

overwhelmed all his virtues. That defect is incapable of being conquered

by even the greatest efforts. He hath only one defect, and no other.

Within a year from this day, Satyavan, endued with a short life will cast

off his body!' Hearing these words of the sage, the king said, 'Come, O

Savitri, go thou and choose another for thy lord, O beautiful damsel!

That one great defect (in this youth) existeth, covering all his merits.

The illustrious Narada honoured by even the gods, sayeth, that Satyavan

will have to cast off his body within a year, his days being numbered!'

At these words of her father, Savitri said, 'The death can fall but once;

a daughter can be given away but one; and once only can a person say, I

give away! These three things can take place only once. Indeed, with a

life short or long, possessed of virtues or bereft of them, I have, for

once, selected my husband. Twice I shall not select. Having first settled

a thing mentally, it is expressed in words, and then it is carried out

into practice. Of this my mind is an example!' Narada then said, 'O best

of men, the heart of thy daughter Savitri wavereth not! It is not

possible by any means to make her swerve from this path of virtue! In no

other person are those virtues that dwell in Satyavan. The bestowal of

thy daughter, therefore, is approved by me!' The king said, 'What thou

hast said, O illustrious one, should never be disobeyed, for thy words

are true! And I shall act as thou hast said, since thou art my

preceptor!' Narada said, 'May the bestowal of thy daughter Savitri be

attended with peace! I shall now depart. Blessed be all of ye!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Having said this, Narada rose up into the sky and

went to heaven. On the other hand, the king began to make preparations

for his daughter's wedding!'"

SECTION CCLXLIII

"Markandeya said, 'Having pondered over these words (of Narada) about his

daughter's marriage, the king began to make arrangements about the

nuptials. And summoning all the old Brahmanas, and Ritwijas together with

the priests, he set out with his daughter on an auspicious day. And

arriving at the asylum of Dyumatsena in the sacred forest, the king

approached the royal sage on foot, accompanied by the twice-born ones.

And there he beheld the blind monarch of great wisdom seated on a cushion

of Kusa grass spread under Sala tree. And after duly reverencing the

royal sage, the king in an humble speech introduced himself. Thereupon,

offering him the Arghya, a seat, and a cow, the monarch asked his royal

guest,--Wherefore is this visit?--Thus addressed the king disclosed

everything about his intentions and purpose with reference to Satyavan.

And Aswapati said, 'O royal sage, this beautiful girl is my daughter

named Savitri. O thou versed in morality, do thou, agreeably to the

customs of our order, take her from me as thy daughter-in-law!' Hearing

these words, Dyumatsena said, 'Deprived of kingdom, and taking up our

abode in the woods, we are engaged in the practice of virtue as ascetics

with regulated lives. Unworthy of a forest life, how will thy daughter,

living in the sylvan asylum, bear this hardship?' Aswapati said, 'When my

daughter knoweth, as well as myself, that happiness and misery come and

go (without either being stationary), such words as these are not fit to

be used towards one like me! O king, I have come hither, having made up

my mind! I have bowed to thee from friendship; it behoveth thee not,

therefore, to destroy my hope! It behoveth thee not, also, to disregard

me who, moved by love, have come to thee! Thou art my equal and fit for

an alliance with me, as indeed, I am thy equal and fit for alliance with

thee! Do thou, therefore, accept my daughter for thy daughter-in-law and

the wife of the good Satyavan!' Hearing these words Dyumatsena said,

'Formerly I had desired an alliance with thee. But I hesitated, being

subsequently deprived of my kingdom. Let this wish, therefore, that I had

formerly entertained, be accomplished this very day. Thou art, indeed, a

welcome guest to me!'

"Then summoning all the twice-born ones residing in the hermitages of

that forest, the two kings caused the union to take place with due rites.

And having bestowed his daughter with suitable robes and ornaments,

Aswapati went back to his abode in great joy. And Satyavan, having

obtained a wife possessed of every accomplishment, became highly glad,

while she also rejoiced exceedingly upon having gained the husband after

her own heart. And when her father had departed, she put off all her

ornaments, and clad herself in barks and cloths dyed in red. And by her

services and virtues, her tenderness and self-denial, and by her

agreeable offices unto all, she pleased everybody. And she gratified her

mother-in-law by attending to her person and by covering her with robes

and ornaments. And she gratified her father-in-law by worshipping him as

a god and controlling her speech. And she pleased her husband by her

honeyed speeches, her skill in every kind of work, the evenness of her

temper, and by the indications of her love in private. And thus, O

Bharata, living in the asylum of those pious dwellers of the forest, they

continued for some time to practise ascetic austerities. But the words

spoken by Narada were present night and day in the mind of the sorrowful

Savitri.'"

SECTION CCLXLIV

"Markandeya said, 'At length, O king, after a long time had passed away,

the hour that had been appointed for the death of Satyavan arrived. And

as the words that had been spoken by Narada were ever present in the mind

of Savitri, she had counted the days as they passed. And having

ascertained that her husband would die on the fourth day following, the

damsel fasted day and night, observing the Triratra vow. And hearing of

her vow, the king became exceedingly sorrow and rising up soothed Savitri

and said these words, 'This vow that thou hast begun to observe, O

daughter of a king, is exceedingly hard; for it is extremely difficult to

fast for three nights together!' And hearing these words, Savitri said,

'Thou needst not be sorry, O father! This vow I shall be able to observe!

I have for certain undertaken this task with perseverance; and

perseverance is the cause of the successful observance of vows.' And

having listened to her, Dyumatsena said, 'I can by no means say unto

thee, Do thou break thy vow. One like me should, on the contrary,

say,--Do thou complete thy vow!' And having said this to her, the

high-minded Dyumatsena stopped. And Savitri continuing to fast began to

look (lean) like a wooden doll. And, O bull of the Bharata race, thinking

that her husband would die on the morrow, the woe-stricken Savitri,

observing a fast, spent that night in extreme anguish. And when the Sun

had risen about a couple of hand Savitri thinking within herself--To-day

is that day, finished her morning rites, and offered oblations to the

flaming fire. And bowing down unto the aged Brahmanas, and her

father-in-law, and mother-in-law, she stood before them with joined

hands, concentrating her senses. And for the welfare of Savitri, all the

ascetics dwelling in that hermitage, uttered the auspicious benediction

that she should never suffer widowhood. And Savitri immersed in

contemplation accepted those words of the ascetics, mentally saying,--So

be it!--And the king's daughter, reflecting on those words of Narada,

remained, expecting the hour and the moment.

Then, O best of the Bharatas, well-pleased, her father-in-law and

mother-in-law said these words unto the princess seated in a corner,

'Thou hast completed the vow as prescribed. The time for thy meal hath

now arrived; therefore, do thou what is proper!' Thereat Savitri said,

'Now that I have completed the purposed vow, I will eat when the Sun goes

down. Even this is my heart's resolve and this my vow!'

"Markandeya continued, 'And when Savitri had spoken thus about her meal,

Satyavan, taking his axe upon his shoulders, set out for the woods. And

at this, Savitri said unto her husband, 'It behoveth thee not to go

alone! I will accompany thee. I cannot bear to be separated from thee!'

Hearing these words of hers, Satyavan said, 'Thou hast never before

repaired to the forest. And, O lady, the forest-paths are hard to pass!

Besides thou hast been reduced by fast on account of thy vow. How wouldst

thou, therefore, be able to walk on foot?' Thus addressed, Savitri said,

'I do not feel langour because of the fast, nor do I feel exhaustion. And

I have made up my mind to go. It behoveth thee not, therefore, to prevent

me!' At this, Satyavan said, 'If thou desirest to go, I will gratify that

desire of thine. Do thou, however, take the permission of my parents, so

that I may be guilty of no fault!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Thus addressed by her lord, Savitri of high vows

saluted her father-in-law and mother-in-law and addressed them, saying,

'This my husband goeth to the forest for procuring fruits. Permitted by

my revered lady-mother and father-in-law, I will accompany him. For

to-day I cannot bear to be separated from him. Thy son goeth out for the

sake of the sacrificial fire and for his reverend superiors. He ought

not, therefore, to be dissuaded. Indeed, he could be dissuaded if he went

into the forest on any other errand. Do ye not prevent me! I will go into

the forest with him. It is a little less than a year that I have not gone

out of the asylum. Indeed, I am extremely desirous of beholding the

blossoming woods!' Hearing these words Dyumatsena said, 'Since Savitri

hath been bestowed by her father as my daughter-in-law, I do not remember

that she hath ever spoken any words couching a request. Let my

daughter-in-law, therefore, have her will in this matter. Do thou,

however, O daughter, act in such a way that Satyavan's work may not be

neglected!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Having received the permission of both, the

illustrious Savitri, departed with her lord, in seeming smiles although

her heart was racked with grief. And that lady of large eyes went on,

beholding picturesque and delightful woods inhabited by swarms of

peacocks. And Satyavan sweetly said unto Savitri, 'Behold these rivers of

sacred currents and these excellent trees decked with flowers!' But the

faultless Savitri continued to watch her lord in all his moods, and

recollecting the words of the celestial sage, she considered her husband

as already dead. And with heart cleft in twain, that damsel, replying to

her lord, softly followed him expecting that hour.'"

SECTION CCLXLV

"Markandeya said, The powerful Satyavan then, accompanied by his wife,

plucked fruits and filled his wallet with them. And he then began to fell

branches of trees. And as he was hewing them, he began to perspire. And

in consequence of that exercise his head began to ache. And afflicted

with toil, he approached his beloved wife, and addressed her, saying, 'O

Savitri, owing to this hard exercise my head acheth, and all my limbs and

my heart also are afflicted sorely! O thou of restrained speech, I think

myself unwell, I feel as if my head is being pierced with numerous darts.

Therefore, O auspicious lady, I wish to sleep, for I have not the power

to stand.' Hearing these words, Savitri quickly advancing, approached her

husband, and sat down upon the ground, placing his head upon her lap. And

that helpless lady, thinking of Narada's words, began to calculate the

(appointed) division of the day, the hour, and the moment. The next

moment she saw a person clad in red attire with his head decked with a

diadem. And his body was of large proportions and effulgent as the Sun.

And he was of a darkish hue, had red eyes, carried a noose in his hand,

and was dreadful to behold. And he was standing beside Satyavan and was

steadfastly gazing at him. And seeing him, Savitri gently placed her

husband's head on the ground, and rising suddenly, with a trembling

heart, spake these words in distressful accents, 'Seeing this thy

superhuman form, I take thee to be a deity. If thou will, tell me, O

chief of the gods, who thou art and what also thou intendst to do!'

Thereat, Yama replied, 'O Savitri, thou art ever devoted to thy husband,

and thou art also endued with ascetic merit. It is for this reason that I

hold converse with thee. Do thou, O auspicious one, know me for Yama.

This thy lord Satyavan, the son of a king, hath his days run out. I

shall, therefore, take him away binding him in this noose. Know this to

be my errand!' At these words Savitri said, 'I had heard that thy

emissaries come to take away mortals, O worshipful one! Why then, O lord,

hast thou come in person?'

"Markandeya continued, 'Thus addressed by her, the illustrious lord of

Pitris, with a view to oblige her, began to unfold to her truly all about

his intentions. And Yama said, 'This prince is endued with virtues and

beauty of person, and is a sea of accomplishments. He deserveth not to be

borne away by my emissaries. Therefore is it that I have come

personally.' Saying this, Yama by main force pulled out of the body of

Satyavan, a person of the measure of the thumb, bound in noose and

completely under subjection. And when Satyavan's life had thus been taken

out, the body, deprived of breath, and shorn of lustre, and destitute of

motion, became unsightly to behold. And binding Satyavan's vital essence,

Yama proceeded in a southerly direction. Thereupon, with heart

overwhelmed in grief, the exalted Savitri, ever devoted to her lord and

crowned with success in respect of her vows, began to follow Yama. And at

this, Yama said, 'Desist, O Savitri! Go back, and perform the funeral

obsequies of thy lord! Thou art freed from all thy obligations to thy

lord. Thou hast come as far as it is possible to come'. Savitri replied,

'Whither my husband is being carried, or whither he goeth of his own

accord, I will follow him thither. This is the eternal custom. By virtue

of my asceticism, of my regard for my superiors, of my affection for my

lord, of my observance of vows, as well as of thy favour, my course is

unimpeded. It hath been declared by wise men endued with true knowledge

that by walking only seven paces with another, one contracteth a

friendship with one's companion. Keeping that friendship (which I have

contracted with thee) in view, I shall speak to thee something. Do thou

listen to it. They that have not their souls under control, acquire not

merit by leading the four successive modes of life, viz.,--celibacy with

study, domesticity, retirement into the woods, and renunciation of the

world. That which is called religious merit is said to consist of true

knowledge. The wise, therefore, have declared religious merit to be the

foremost of all things and not the passage through the four successive

modes. By practising the duties of even one of these four modes agreeable

to the directions of the wise, we have attained to true merit, and,

therefore, we do not desire the second or the third mode, viz., celibacy

with study or renunciation. It is for this again that the wise have

declared religious merit to be the foremost of all things!' Hearing these

words of hers, Yama said, 'Do thou desist! I have been pleased with these

words of thine couched in proper letters and accents, and based on

reason. Do thou ask for a boon! Except the life of thy husband, O thou of

faultless features, I will bestow on thee any boon that thou mayst

solicit!' Hearing these words, Savitri said, 'Deprived of his kingdom and

bereft also of sight, my father-in-law leadeth a life of retirement in

our sylvan asylum. Let that king through thy favour attain his eye-sight,

and become strong 'like either fire or the Sun!' Yama said, 'O thou of

faultless features, I grant thee this boon! It will even be as thou hast

said! It seems that thou art fatigued with thy journey. Do thou desist,

therefore, and return! Suffer not thyself to be weary any longer!'

Savitri said, 'What weariness can I feel in the presence of my husband?

The lot that is my husband's is certainly mine also. Whither thou

carriest my husband, thither will I also repair! O chief of the

celestials, do thou again listen to me! Even a single interview with the

pious is highly desirable; friendship with them is still more so. And

intercourse with the virtuous can never be fruitless. Therefore, one

should live in the company of the righteous!' Yama said, 'These words

that thou hast spoken, so fraught with useful instruction, delight the

heart and enhance the wisdom of even the learned. Therefore, O lady,

solicit thou a second boon, except the life of Satyavan!' Savitri said,

'Sometime before, my wise and intelligent father-in-law was deprived of

his kingdom. May that monarch regain his kingdom. And may that superior

of mine never renounce his duties! Even this is the second boon that I

solicit!' Then Yama said,--'The king shall soon regain his kingdom. Nor

shall he ever fall off from his duties. Thus, O daughter of a king have I

fulfilled thy desire. Do thou now desist! Return! Do not take any future

trouble!' Savitri said, 'Thou hast restrained all creatures by thy

decrees, and it is by thy decrees that thou takest them away, not

according to thy will. Therefore it is, O god, O divine one, that people

call thee Yama! Do thou listen to the words that I say! The eternal duty

of the good towards all creatures is never to injure them in thought,

word, and deed, but to bear them love and give them their due. As regards

this world, everything here is like this (husband of mine). Men are

destitute of both devotion and skill. The good, however, show mercy to

even their foes when these seek their protection. Yama said, 'As water to

the thirsty soul, so are these words uttered by thee to me! Therefore, do

thou, O fair lady, if thou will, once again ask for any boon except

Salyavana's life!' At these words Savitri replied, That lord of earth, my

father, is without sons. That he may have a hundred sons begotten of his

loins, so that his line may be perpetuated, is the third boon I would ask

of thee!' Yama said, Thy sire, O auspicious lady, shall obtain a hundred

illustrious sons, who will perpetuate and increase their father's race!

Now, O daughter of a king, thou hast obtained thy wish. Do thou desist!

Thou hast come far enough.' Savitri said, 'Staying by the side of my

husband, I am not conscious of the length of the way I have walked.

Indeed, my mind rusheth to yet a longer way of. Do thou again, as thou

goest on, listen to the words that I will presently utter! Thou art the

powerful son of Vivaswat. It is for this that thou art called Vaivaswata

by the wise. And, O lord, since thou dealest out equal law unto all

created things, thou hast been designated the lord of justice! One

reposeth not, even in one's own self, the confidence that one doth in the

righteous. Therefore, every one wisheth particularly for intimacy with

the righteous. It is goodness of heart alone that inspireth the

confidence of all creatures. And it is for this that people rely

particularly on the righteous.' And hearing these words, Yama said, 'The

words that thou utterest, O fair lady, I have not heard from any one save

thee; I am highly pleased with this speech of thine. Except the life of

Satyavan, solicit thou, therefore, a fourth boon, and then go thy way!'

Savitri then said, 'Both of me and Satyavan's loins, begotten by both of

us, let there be a century of sons possessed of strength and prowess and

capable of perpetuating our race! Even this is the fourth boon that I

would beg of thee!' Hearing these words of hers, Yama replied, 'Thou

shalt, O lady, obtain a century of sons, possessed of strength and

prowess, and causing thee great delight, O daughter of a king, let no

more weariness be thine! Do thou desist! Thou hast already come too far!'

Thus addressed, Savitri said, 'They that are righteous always practise

eternal morality! And the communion of the pious with the pious is never

fruitless! Nor is there any danger to the pious from those that are

pious. And verily it is the righteous who by their truth make the Sun

move in the heaven. And it is the righteous that support the earth by

their austerities! And, O king, it is the righteous upon whom both the

past and the future depend! Therefore, they that are righteous, are never

cheerless in the company of the righteous. Knowing this to be the eternal

practice of the good and righteous, they that are righteous continue to

do good to others without expecting any benefit in return. A good office

is never thrown away on the good and virtuous. Neither interest nor

dignity suffereth any injury by such an act. And since such conduct ever

adheres to the righteous, the righteous often become the protectors of

all.' Hearing these words of hers, Yama replied, 'The more thou utterest

such speeches that are pregnant with great import, full of honeyed

phrases, instinct with morality, and agreeable to mind, the more is the

respect that I feel for thee! O thou that art so devoted to thy lord, ask

for some incomparable boon!' Thus addressed, Savitri said, 'O bestower of

honours, the boon thou hast already given me is incapable of

accomplishment without union with my husband. Therefore, among other

boons, I ask for this, may this Satyavan be restored to life! Deprived of

my husband, I am as one dead! Without my husband, I do not wish for

happiness. Without my husband, I do not wish for heaven itself. Without

my husband, I do not wish for prosperity. Without my husband, I cannot

make up my mind to live! Thou thyself hast bestowed on me the boon,

namely, of a century of sons; yet thou takest away my husband! I ask for

this boon, 'May Satyavan be restored to life, for by that thy words will

be made true.'"

"Markandeya continued, 'Thereupon saying,--So be it,--Vivaswat's son,

Yama, the dispenser of justice, untied his noose, and with cheerful heart

said these words to Savitri, 'Thus, O auspicious and chaste lady, is thy

husband freed by me! Thou wilt be able to take him back free from

disease. And he will attain to success! And along with thee, he will

attain a life of four hundred years. And celebrating sacrifices with due

rites, he will achieve great fame in this world. And upon thee Satyavan

will also beget a century of sons. And these Kshatriyas with their sons

and grandsons will all be kings, and will always be famous in connection

with thy name. And thy father also will beget a hundred sons on thy

mother Malavi. And under the name of the Malavas, thy Kshatriya brothers,

resembling the celestials, will be widely known along with their sons and

daughters!' And having bestowed these boons on Savitri and having thus

made her desist, Yama departed for his abode. Savitri, after Yama had

gone away, went back to the spot where her husband's ash-coloured corpse

lay, and seeing her lord on the ground, she approached him, and taking

hold of him, she placed his head on her lap and herself sat down on the

ground. Then Satyavan regained his consciousness, and affectionately

eyeing Savitri again and again, like one come home after a sojourn in a

strange land, he addressed her thus, 'Alas, I have slept long! Wherefore

didst thou not awake me? And where is that same sable person that was

dragging me away?' At these words of his, Savitri said, 'Thou hast, O

bull among men, slept long on my lap! That restrainer of creatures, the

worshipful Yama, had gone away. Thou art refreshed, O blessed one, and

sleep hath forsaken thee, O son of a king! If thou art able, rise thou

up! Behold, the night is deep!'"

"Markandeya continued, 'Having regained consciousness, Satyavan rose up

like one who had enjoyed a sweet sleep, and seeing every side covered

with woods, said, 'O girl of slender waist, I came with thee for

procuring fruits. Then while I was cutting wood I felt a pain in my head.

And on account of that intense pain about my head I was unable to stand

for any length of time, and, therefore, I lay on thy lap and slept. All

this, O auspicious lady, I remember. Then, as thou didst embrace me,

sleep stole away my senses. I then saw that it was dark all around. In

the midst of it I saw a person of exceeding effulgence. If thou knowest

everything, do thou then, O girl of slender waist, tell me whether what I

saw was only a dream or a reality!' Thereupon, Savitri addressed him,

saying, The night deepens. I shall, O prince, relate everything unto thee

on the morrow. Arise, arise, may good betide thee! And, O thou of

excellent vows, come and behold thy parents! The sun hath set a long

while ago and the night deepens. Those rangers of the night, having

frightful voices, are walking about in glee. And sounds are heard,

proceeding from the denizens of the forest treading through the woods.

These terrible shrieks of jackals that are issuing from the south and the

east make my heart tremble (in fear)!' Satyavan then said, 'Covered with

deep darkness, the wilderness hath worn a dreadful aspect. Thou wilt,

therefore, not be able to discern the tract, and consequently wilt not be

able to go!' Then Savitri replied, 'In consequence of a conflagration

having taken place in the forest today a withered tree standeth aflame,

and the flames being stirred by the wind are discerned now and then. I

shall fetch some fire and light these faggots around. Do thou dispel all

anxiety. I will do all (this) if thou darest not go, for I find thee

unwell. Nor wilt thou be able to discover the way through this forest

enveloped in darkness. Tomorrow when the woods become visible, we will go

hence, if thou please! If, O sinless one, it is thy wish, we shall pass

this night even here!' At these words of hers, Satyavan replied, 'The

pain in my head is off; and I feel well in my limbs. With thy favour I

wish to behold my father and mother. Never before did I return to the

hermitage after the proper time had passed away. Even before it is

twilight my mother confineth me within the asylum. Even when I come out

during the day, my parents become anxious on my account, and my father

searcheth for me, together with all the inhabitants of the sylvan

asylums. Before this, moved by deep grief, my father and mother had

rebuked me many times and often, saying,--Thou comest having tarried

long! I am thinking of the pass they have today come to on my account,

for, surely, great grief will be theirs when they miss me. One night

before this, the old couple, who love me dearly, wept from deep sorrow

and said into me, 'Deprived of thee, O son, we cannot live for even a

moment. As long as thou livest, so long, surely, we also will live. Thou

art the crutch of these blind ones; on thee doth perpetuity of our race

depend. On thee also depend our funeral cake, our fame and our

descendants! My mother is old, and my father also is so. I am surely

their crutch. If they see me not in the night, what, oh, will be their

plight! I hate that slumber of mine for the sake of which my unoffending

mother and my father have both been in trouble, and I myself also, am

placed in such rending distress! Without my father and mother, I cannot

bear to live. It is certain that by this time my blind father, his mind

disconsolate with grief, is asking everyone of the inhabitants of the

hermitage about me! I do not, O fair girl, grieve so much for myself as I

do for my sire, and for my weak mother ever obedient to her lord! Surely,

they will be afflicted with extreme anguish on account of me. I hold my

life so long as they live. And I know that they should be maintained by

me and that I should do only what is agreeable to them!'

"Markandeya continued, 'Having said this, that virtuous youth who loved

and revered his parents, afflicted with grief held up his arms and began

to lament in accents of woe. And seeing her lord overwhelmed with sorrow

the virtuous Savitri wiped away the tears from his eyes and said, 'If I

have observed austerities, and have given away in charity, and have

performed sacrifice, may this night be for the good of my father-in-law,

mother-in-law and husband! I do not remember having told a single

falsehood, even in jest. Let my father-in-law and mother-in-law hold

their lives by virtue of the truth!' Satyavan said, 'I long for the sight

of my father and mother! Therefore, O Savitri, proceed without delay. O

beautiful damsel, I swear by my own self that if I find any evil to have

befallen my father and mother, I will not live. If thou hast any regard

for virtue, if thou wishest me to live, if it is thy duty to do what is

agreeable to me, proceed thou to the hermitage!' The beautiful Savitri

then rose and tying up her hair, raised her husband in her arms. And

Satyavan having risen, rubbed his limbs with his hands. And as he

surveyed all around, his eyes fell upon his wallet. Then Savitri said

unto him, 'Tomorrow thou mayst gather fruits. And I shall carry thy axe

for thy ease.' Then hanging up the wallet upon the bough of a tree, and

taking up the axe, she re-approached her husband. And that lady of

beautiful thighs, placing her husband's left arm upon her left shoulder,

and embracing him with her right arms, proceeded with elephantic gait.

Then Satyavan said, 'O timid one, by virtue of habit, the (forest) paths

are known to me. And further, by the light of the moon between the trees,

I can see them. We have now reached the same path that we took in the

morning for gathering fruits. Do thou, O auspicious one, proceed by the

way that we had come: thou needst not any longer feel dubious about our

path. Near that tract overgrown with Palasa tree, the way diverges into

two. Do thou proceed along the path that lies to the north of it. I am

now well and have got back my strength. I long to see my father and

mother!' Saying this Satyavan hastily proceeded towards the hermitage.'"

SECTION CCLXLVI

"Markandeya said, 'Meanwhile the mighty Dyumatsena, having regained his

sight, could see everything. And when his vision grew clear he saw

everything around him. And, O bull of the Bharata race, proceeding with

his wife Saivya to all the (neighbouring) asylums in search of his son,

he became extremely distressed on his account. And that night the old

couple went about searching in asylums, and rivers, and woods, and

floods. And whenever they heard any sound, they stood rising their heads,

anxiously thinking that their son was coming, and said, 'O yonder cometh

Satyavan with Savitri!' And they rushed hither and thither like maniacs,

their feet torn, cracked, wounded, and bleeding, pierced with thorns and

Kusa blades. Then all the Brahmanas dwelling in that hermitage came unto

them, and surrounding them on all sides, comforted them, and brought them

back to their own asylum. And there Dyumatsena with his wife surrounded

by aged ascetics, was entertained with stories of monarchs of former

times. And although that old couple desirous of seeing their son, was

comforted, yet recollecting the youthful days of their son, they became

exceedingly sorry. And afflicted with grief, they began to lament in

piteous accents, saying, 'Alas, O son, alas, O chaste daughter-in-law,

where are you?' Then a truthful Brahmana of the name of Suvarchas spake

unto them, saying, 'Considering the austerities, self-restraint, and

behaviour of his wife Savitri, there can be no doubt that Satyavan

liveth!' And Gautama said, 'I have studied all the Vedas with their

branches, and I have acquired great ascetic merit. And I have led a

celibate existence, practising also the Brahmacharya mode of life. I have

gratified Agni and my superiors. With rapt soul I have also observed all

the vows: and I have according to the ordinance, frequently lived upon

air alone. By virtue of this ascetic merit, I am cognisant of all the

doings of others. Therefore, do thou take it for certain that Satyavan

liveth.' Thereupon his disciple said, 'The words that have fallen from

the lips of my preceptor can never be false. Therefore, Satyavan surely

liveth.' And the Rishi said, 'Considering the auspicious marks that his

wife Savitri beareth and all of which indicate immunity from widowhood,

there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth!' And Varadwaja said, 'Having

regard to the ascetic merit, self-restraint, and conduct of his wife

Savitri, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth.' And Dalbhya said,

'Since thou hast regained thy sight, and since Savitri hath gone away

after completion of the vow, without taking any food, there can be no

doubt that Satyavan liveth.' And Apastamba said, 'From the manner in

which the voices of birds and wild animals are being heard through the

stillness of the atmosphere on all sides, and from the fact also of thy

having regained the use of thy eyes, indicating thy usefulness for

earthly purposes once more, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth.'

And Dhauma said, 'As thy son is graced with every virtue, and as he is

the beloved of all, and as he is possessed of marks betokening a long

life, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth.'

"Markandeya continued, 'Thus cheered by those ascetics of truthful

speech, Dyumatsena pondering over those points, attained a little ease. A

little while after, Savitri with her husband Satyavan reached the

hermitage during the night and entered it with a glad heart. The

Brahmanas then said, 'Beholding this meeting with thy son, and thy

restoration to eye-sight, we all wish thee well, O lord of earth. Thy

meeting with thy son, the sight of thy daughter-in-law, and thy

restoration to sight--constitute a threefold prosperity which thou hast

gained. What we all have said must come to pass: there can be no doubt of

this. Henceforth thou shalt rapidly grow in prosperity.' Then, O Pritha's

son, the twice-born ones lighted a fire and sat themselves down before

king Dyumatsena. And Saivya, and Satyavan, and Savitri who stood apart,

their hearts free from grief, sat down with the permission of them all.

Then, O Partha, seated with the monarch those dwellers of the woods,

actuated by curiosity, asked the king's son, saying, 'Why didst thou not,

O illustrious one, come back earlier with thy wife? Why hast thou come so

late in the night? What obstacle prevented thee! We do not know, O son of

a king, why thou hast caused such alarm to us, and to thy father and

mother. It behoveth thee to tell us all about this,' Thereupon, Satyavan

said, 'With the permission of my father, I went to the woods with

Savitri. There, as I was hewing wood in the forest, I felt a pain in my

head. And in consequence of the pain, I fell into a deep sleep.--This is

all that I remember. I had never slept so long before I have come so late

at night, in order that ye might not grieve (on my account). There is no

other reason for this.' Gautama then said, 'Thou knowest not then the

cause of thy father's sudden restoration to sight. It, therefore,

behoveth Savitri to relate it. I wish to hear it (from thee), for surely

thou art conversant with the mysteries of good and evil. And, O Savitri,

I know thee to be like the goddess Savitri herself in splendour. Thou

must know the cause of this. Therefore, do thou relate it truly! If it

should not be kept a secret, do thou unfold it unto us!' At these words

of Gautama Savitri said, 'It is as ye surmise. Your desire shall surely

not be unfulfilled. I have no secret to keep. Listen to the truth then!

The high-souled Narada had predicted the death of my husband. To-day was

the appointed time. I could not, therefore, bear to be separated from my

husband's company. And after he had fallen asleep, Yama, accompanied by

his messengers, presented himself before him, and tying him, began to

take him away towards the region inhabited by the Pitris. Thereupon I

began to praise that august god, with truthful words. And he granted me

five boons, of which do ye hear from me! For my father-in-law I have

obtained these two boons, viz., his restoration to sight as also to his

kingdom. My father also hath obtained a hundred sons. And I myself have

obtained a hundred sons. And my husband Satyavan hath obtained a life of

four hundred years. It was for the sake of my husband's life that I had

observed that vow. Thus have I narrated unto you in detail the cause by

which this mighty misfortune of mine was afterwards turned into

happiness. The Rishis said, 'O chaste lady of excellent disposition,

observant of vows and endued with virtue, and sprung from an illustrious

line, by thee hath the race of this foremost of kings, which was

overwhelmed with calamities, and was sinking in an ocean of darkness,

been rescued.'

"Markandeya continued, 'Then having applauded and reverenced that best of

women, those Rishis there assembled bade farewell to that foremost of

kings as well as to his son. And having saluted them thus, they speedily

went, in peace with cheerful hearts, to their respective abodes.'"

SECTION CCLXLVII

"Markandeya continued, 'When the night had passed away, and the solar orb

had risen, those ascetics, having performed their morning rites,

assembled together. And although those mighty sages again and again spake

unto Dyumatsena of the high fortune of Savitri, yet they were never

satisfied. And it so happened, O king, that there came to that hermitage

a large body of people from Salwa. And they brought tidings of the enemy

of Dyumatsena having been slain by his own minister. And they related

unto him all that had happened, viz., how having heard that the usurper

had been slain with all his friends and allies by his minister, his

troops had all fled, and how all the subjects had become unanimous (on

behalf of their legitimate king), saying, 'Whether possessed of sight or

not, even he shall be our king!' And they said, 'We have been sent to

thee in consequence of that resolve. This car of thine, and this army

also consisting of four kinds of forces, have arrived for thee! Good

betide thee, O King! Do thou come! Thou hast been proclaimed in the city.

Do thou for ever occupy the station belonging to thy lather and

grand-father!' And beholding the king possessed of sight and able-bodied,

they bowed down their heads, their eyes expanded with wonder. Then having

worshipped those old and Brahmanas dwelling in the hermitage and honoured

by them in return, the king set out for his city. And surrounded by the

soldiers, Saivya also accompanied by Savitri, went in a vehicle furnished

with shining sheets and borne on the shoulders of men. Then the priests

with joyful hearts installed Dyumatsena on the throne with his

high-souled son as prince-regent. And after the lapse of a long time,

Savitri gave birth to a century of sons, all warlike and unretreating

from battle, and enhancing the fame of Salwa's race. And she also had a

century of highly powerful uterine brothers born unto Aswapati, the lord

of the Madras, by Malavi. Thus, O son of Pritha, did Savitri raise from

pitiable plight to high fortune, herself, and her father and mother, her

father-in-law and mother-in-law, as also the race of her husband. And

like that gentle lady Savitri, the auspicious daughter of Drupada, endued

with excellent character, will rescue you all."

Vaisampayana said, "Thus exhorted by that high-souled sage, the son of

Pandu, O king, with his mind free from anxiety, continued to live in the

forest of Kamyaka. The man that listeneth with reverence to the excellent

story of Savitri, attaineth to happiness, and success in everything, and

never meeteth with misery!"

SECTION CCLXLVIII

Janamejaya said,--"What, O Brahmana, was that great fear entertained by

Yudhishthira in respect of Karna, for which Lomasa had conveyed to the

son of Pandu a message of deep import from Indra in these words, That

intense fear of thine which thou dost never express to any one, I will

remove after Dhananjaya goeth from hence? And, O best of ascetics, why

was it that the virtuous Yudhishthira never expressed it to any one?"

Vaisampayana said, "As thou askest me, O tiger among kings, I will relate

that history unto thee! Do thou listen to my words, O best of the

Bharatas! After twelve years (of their exile) had passed away and the

thirteenth year had set in, Sakra, ever friendly to the sons of Pandu,

resolved to beg of Karna (his ear-rings). And, O mighty monarch,

ascertaining this intention of the great chief of the celestials about

(Karna's) ear-rings, Surya, having effulgence for his wealth, went unto

Karna. And, O foremost of kings, while that hero devoted to the Brahmanas

and truthful in speech was lying down at night at his ease on a rich bed

overlaid with a costly sheet, the effulgent deity, filled with kindness

and affection for his son, showed himself, O Bharata, unto him in his

dreams. And assuming from ascetic power the form of a handsome Brahmana

versed in the Vedas, Surya sweetly said unto Karna these words for his

benefit, 'O son, do thou O Karna, listen to these words of mine, O thou

foremost of truthful persons! O mighty-armed one, I tell thee to-day from

affection, what is for thy great good! With the object, O Karna, of

obtaining thy ear-rings, Sakra, moved by the desire of benefiting the

sons of Pandu, will come unto thee, disguised as a Brahmana! He, as Well

as all the world, knoweth thy character, viz., that when solicited by

pious people, thou givest away but never takest in gift! Thou, O son,

givest unto Brahmanas wealth or any other thing that is asked of thee and

never refusest anything to anybody. Knowing thee to be such, the subduer

himself of Paka will come to beg of thee thy ear-rings and coat of mail.

When he beggeth the ear-rings of thee, it behoveth thee not to give them

away, but to gratify him with sweet speeches to the best of thy power.

Even this, is for thy supreme good! While asking thee for the ear-rings,

thou shalt, with various reasons, repeatedly refuse Purandara who is

desirous of obtaining them, offering him, instead, various other kinds of

wealth, such as gems and women and kine, and citing various precedents.

If thou, O Kama, givest away thy beautiful ear-rings born with thee, thy

life being shortened, thou wilt meet with death! Arrayed in thy mail and

ear-rings, thou wilt, O bestower of honours, be incapable of being slain

by foes in battle! Do thou lay to heart these words of mine! Both these

jewelled ornaments have sprung from Amrita. Therefore, they should be

preserved by thee, if thy life is at all dear to thee."

"Hearing these words, Kama said, 'Who art thou that tellest me so,

showing me such kindness? If it pleaseth thee, tell me, O illustrious

one, who thou art in the guise of a Brahmana!'--The Brahmana thereupon

said, 'O son, I am he of a thousand rays! Out of affection, I point out

to thee the path! Act thou according to my words, as it is for thy great

good to do so!' Kama replied, 'Surely, this itself is highly fortunate

for me that the god himself of splendour addresses me today, seeking my

welfare. Listen, however, to these words of mine! May it please thee, O

bestower of boons, it is only from affection that I tell thee this! If I

am dear to thee, I should not be dissuaded from the observance of my vow!

O thou that are possessed of the wealth of effulgence, the whole world

knoweth this to be my vow that, of a verity, I am prepared to give away

life itself unto superior Brahmanas! If, O best of all rangers of the

sky, Sakra cometh to me, disguised as a Brahmana, to beg for the benefit

of the sons of Pandu, I will, O chief of the celestials, give him the

ear-rings and the excellent mail, so that my fame which hath spread over

the three worlds may not suffer any diminution! For persons like us, it

is not fit to save life by a blame-worthy act. On the contrary, it is

even proper for us to meet death with the approbation of the world and

under circumstances bringing fame. Therefore, will I bestow upon Indra

the ear-rings with my coat of mail! If the slayer himself of Vala and

Vritra cometh to ask for the ear-rings for the benefit of the sons of

Pandu, that will conduce to my fame, leading at the same time to his

infamy! O thou possessed of splendour, I wish for fame in this world,

even if it is to be purchased with life itself, for they that have fame

enjoy the celestial regions, while they that are destitute of it are

lost. Fame keepeth people alive in this world even like a mother, while

infamy killeth men even though they may move about with bodies

undestroyed. O lord of the worlds, O thou possessed of the wealth of

effulgence, that fame is the life of men is evidenced by an ancient sloka

sung by the Creator himself,--In the next world it is fame that is the

chief support of a person, while in this world pure fame lengthens life.

Therefore, by giving away my ear-rings and mail with both of which I was

born I will win eternal fame! And by duly giving away the same to

Brahmanas according to the ordinance, by offering up my body (as a gift

to the gods) in the sacrifice of war, by achieving feats difficult of

performance, and by conquering my foes in fight, I will acquire nothing

but renown. And by dispelling on the field of battle the fears of the

affrighted that may beg for their lives, and relieving old men and boys

and Brahmanas from terror and anxiety, I will win excellent fame and the

highest heaven. My fame is to be protected with the sacrifice of even my

life. Even this, know thou, is my vow! By giving away such a valuable

gift to Maghavan disguised as a Brahmana, I will, O god, acquire in this

world the most exalted state.'"

SECTION CCLXLIX

"Surya said, 'Never do, O Karna, anything that is harmful to thy self and

thy friends; thy sons, thy wives, thy father, and thy mother; O thou best

of those that bear life, people desire renown (in this world) and lasting

fame in heaven, without wishing to sacrifice their bodies. But as thou

desirest undying fame at the expense of thy life, she will, without

doubt, snatch away thy life! O bull among men, in this world, the father,

the mother, the son, and other relatives are of use only to him that is

alive. O tiger among men, as regard kings, it is only when they are alive

that prowess can be of any use to them. Do thou understand this? O thou

of exceeding splendour, fame is for the good of these only that are

alive! Of what use is fame to the dead whose bodies have been reduced to

ashes? One that is dead cannot enjoy renown. It is only when one is alive

that one can enjoy it. The fame of one that is dead is like a garland of

flowers around the neck of a corpse. As thou reverest me, I tell thee

this for thy benefit, because thou art a worshipper of mine! They that

worship me are always protected by me. That also is another reason for my

addressing thee thus! Thinking again, O mighty-armed one, that this one

revereth me with great reverence, I have been inspired with love for

thee! Do thou, therefore, act according to my words! There is, besides

some profound mystery in all this, ordained by fate. It is for this, that

I tell thee so. Do thou act without mistrust of any kind! O bull among

men, it is not fit for thee to know this which is a secret to the very

gods. Therefore, I do not reveal that secret unto thee. Thou wilt,

however, understand it in time. I repeat what I have already said. Do

thou, O Radha's son, lay my words to heart! When the wielder of the

thunder-bolt asketh thee for them, do thou never give him thy ear-rings!

O thou of exceeding splendour, with thy handsome ear-rings, thou lookest

beautiful, even like the Moon himself in the clear firmament, between the

Visakha constellation! Dost thou know that fame availeth only the person

that is living. Therefore, when the lord of the celestials will ask the

ear-rings, thou shouldst, O son, refuse him! Repeating again and again

answers fraught with various reasons, thou wilt, O sinless one, be able

to remove the eagerness of the lord of the celestial for the possession

of the ear-rings. Do thou, O Karna, after Purandara's purpose by urging

answers fraught with reason and grave import and adorned with sweetness

and suavity. Thou dost always, O tiger among men, challenge him that can

draw the bow with his left hand, and heroic Arjuna also will surely

encounter thee in fight. But when furnished with thy ear-rings, Arjuna

will never be able to vanquish thee in fight even if Indra himself comes

to his assistance. Therefore, O Karna, if thou wishest to vanquish Arjuna

in battle, these handsome ear-rings of thine should never be parted with

to Sakra.'"

SECTION CCC

"Karna said, 'As thou, O lord of splendour, knowest me for thy

worshipper, so also thou knowest that there is nothing which I cannot

give away in charity, O thou of fiery rays! Neither my wives, nor my

sons, nor my own self, nor my friends, are so dear to me as thou, on

account of the veneration I feel for thee, O lord of splendour! Thou

knowest, O maker of light, that high-souled persons bear a loving regard

for their dear worshippers. Karna revereth me and is dear to me. He

knoweth no other deity in heaven,--thinking this thou hast, O lord, said

unto me what is for my benefit. Yet, O thou of bright rays, again do I

beseech thee with bended head, again do I place myself in thy hands. I

will repeat the answer I have already given. It behoveth thee to forgive

me! Death itself is not fraught with such terrors for me as untruth! As

regards especially the Brahmanas, again, I do not hesitate to yield up my

life even for them! And, O divine one, respecting what thou hast said

unto me of Phalguna, the son of Pandu, let thy grief born of thy anxiety

of heart, O lord of splendour, be dispelled touching him and myself; for

I shall surely conquer Arjuna in battle! Thou knowest, O deity, that I

have great strength of weapons obtained from Jamadagnya and the

high-souled Drona. Permit me now, O foremost of celestials, to observe my

vow, so that unto him of the thunderbolt coming to beg of me, I may give

away even my life!'

"Surya said, 'If O son, thou givest away thy ear-rings to the wielder of

the thunder-bolt, O thou of mighty strength, thou shouldst also, for the

purpose of securing victory, speak unto him, saying,--O thou of a hundred

sacrifices, I shall give thee ear-rings under a condition.--Furnished

with the ear-rings, thou art certainly incapable of being slain by any

being. Therefore, it is, O son, that desirous of beholding thee slain in

battle by Arjuna, the destroyer of the Danavas desireth to deprive thee

of thy ear-rings. Repeatedly adoring with truthful words that lord of the

celestials, viz., Purandara armed with weapons incapable of being

frustrated, do thou also beseech him, saying, 'Give me an infallible dart

capable of slaying all foes, and I will, O thousand-eyed deity, give the

ear-rings with the excellent coat of mail!' On this condition shouldst

thou give the ear-rings unto Sakra. With that dart, O Karna, thou wilt

slay foes in battle: for, O mighty-armed one, that dart of the chief of

the celestials doth not return to the hand that hurleth it, without

slaying enemies by hundreds and by thousands!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the thousand-rayed deity

suddenly vanished away. The next day, after having told his prayers,

Karna related his dream unto the Sun. And Vrisha related unto him the

vision he had seen, and all that had passed between them in the night.

Thereupon, having heard everything, that enemy of Swarbhanu, that lord,

the resplendent and divine Surya, said unto him with a smile, 'It is even

so!' Then Radha's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, knowing all about

the matter, and desirous of obtaining the dart, remained in expectation

of Vasava."

SECTION CCCI

Janamejaya said, "What was that secret which was not revealed to Karna by

the deity of warm rays? Of what kind also were those ear-rings and of

what sort was that coat of mail? Whence, too, was that mail and those

ear-rings? All this, O best of men. I wish to hear! O thou possessed of

the wealth of asceticism, do tell me all this!"

Vaisampayana said, "I will, O monarch, tell thee that secret which was

not revealed by the deity possessed of the wealth of effulgence. I will

also describe unto thee those ear-rings and that coat of mail. Once on a

time, O king, there appeared before Kuntibhoja a Brahmana of fierce

energy and tall stature, bearing a beard and matted locks, and carrying a

staff in his hand. And, he was agreeable to the eye and of faultless

limbs, and seemed to blaze forth in splendour. And he was possessed of a

yellow-blue complexion like that of honey. And his speech was

mellifluous, and he was adorned with ascetic merit and a knowledge of the

Vedas. And that person of great ascetic merit, addressing king

Kuntibhoja, said, 'O thou that are free from pride, I wish to live as a

guest in thy house feeding on the food obtained as alms from thee!

Neither thy followers, nor thou thyself, shall ever act in such a way as

to produce my displeasure! If, O sinless one, it liketh thee, I would

then live in thy house thus! I shall leave thy abode when I wish, and

come back when I please. And, O king, no one shall offend me in respect

of my food or bed.'--Then Kuntibhoja spake unto him these words

cheerfully, 'Be it so, and more.' And he again said unto him, 'O thou of

great wisdom, I have an illustrious daughter named Pritha. And she

beareth an excellent character, is observant of vow, chaste, and of

subdued senses. And she shall attend on thee and minister unto thee with

reverence. And thou wilt be pleased with her disposition!' And having

said this to that Brahmana and duly paid him homage, the king went to his

daughter Pritha of large eyes, and spake thus unto her, 'O child, this

eminently pious Brahmana is desirous of dwelling in my house! I have

accepted his proposal, saying,--So be it, relying, O child, on thy

aptitude and skill in ministering unto Brahmanas. It, therefore, behoveth

thee to act in such a manner that my words may not be untrue. Do thou

give him with alacrity whatever this reverend Brahmana possessed of

ascetic merit and engaged in the study of the Vedas, may want. Let

everything that this Brahmana asketh for be giver to him cheerfully. A

Brahmana is the embodiment of pre-eminent energy: he is also the

embodiment of the highest ascetic merit. It is in consequence of the

virtuous practices of Brahmanas that the sun shineth in the heavens. It

was for their disregard of Brahmanas that were deserving of honour that

the mighty Asura Vatapi, as also Talajangha, was destroyed by the curse

of the Brahmanas. For the present, O child, it is a highly virtuous one

of that order that is entrusted to thy keep. Thou shouldst always tend

this Brahmana with concentrated mind. O daughter, I know that, from

childhood upwards, thou hast ever been attentive to Brahmanas, and

superiors, and relatives, and servants, and friends, to thy mothers and

myself. I know thou bearest thyself well, bestowing proper regard upon

everyone. And, O thou of faultless limbs, in the city of the interior of

my palace, on account of thy gentle behaviour, there is not one, even

among the servants, that is dissatisfied with thee. I have, therefore,

thought thee fit to wait upon all Brahmanas of wrathful temper. Thou art,

O Pritha, a girl and has been adopted as my daughter. Thou art born in

the race of the Vrishnis, and art the favourite daughter of Sura. Thou

wert, O girl, given to me gladly by thy father himself. The sister of

Vasudeva by birth, thou art (by adoption) the foremost of my children.

Having promised me in these words,--I will give my first born,--thy

father gladly gave thee to me while thou wert yet in thy infancy. It is

for this reason that thou art my daughter. Born in such a race and reared

in such a race, thou hast come from one happy state to another like a

lotus transferred from one lake to another. O auspicious girl, women,

specially they that are of mean extraction, although they may with

difficulty be kept under restraint, become in consequence of their unripe

age, generally deformed in character. But thou, O Pritha, art born in a

royal race, and thy beauty also is extraordinary. And then, O girl, thou

art endued with every accomplishment. Do thou, therefore, O damsel,

renouncing pride and haughtiness and a sense of self-importance, wait

upon and worship the boon-giving Brahmana, and thereby attain, O Pritha,

to an auspicious state! By acting thus, O auspicious and sinless girl,

thou wilt surely attain to auspiciousness! But if on the contrary, thou

stirest up the anger of this best of the twice-born ones, my entire race

will be consumed by him!'"

SECTION CCCII

"Kunti said, 'According to thy promise, I will, O king, with concentrated

mind, serve that Brahmana. O foremost of kings, I do not say this

falsely. It is my nature to worship Brahmanas. And, as in the present

case, my doing so would be agreeable to thee, even this would be highly

conducive to my welfare. Whether that worshipful one cometh in the

evening, or in morning, or at night or even at midnight, he will have no

reason to be angry with me! O foremost of kings, to do good by serving

the twice-born ones, observing all thy commands, is what I consider to be

highly profitable to me, O best of men! Do thou, therefore, O foremost of

monarchs rely on me! That best of Brahmanas, while residing in thy house,

shall never have cause for dissatisfaction. I tell thee truly. I shall, O

king, be always attentive to that which is agreeable to this Brahmana,

and what is fraught also with good to thee. O sinless one! I know full

well that Brahmanas that are eminently virtuous, when propitiated bestow

salvation, and when displeased, are capable of bringing about destruction

upon the offender. Therefore, I shall please this foremost of Brahmanas.

Thou wilt not, O monarch, come to any grief from that best of regenerate

persons, owing to any act of mine. In consequence of the transgressions

of monarchs, Brahmanas, O foremost of kings, became the cause of evil to

them, as Chyavana had become, in consequence of the act of Sukanya. I

will, therefore, O king, with great regularity, wait upon that best of

Brahmanas according to thy instructions in that respect!' And when she

had thus spoken at length, the king embraced and cheered her, and

instructed her in detail as to what should be done by her. And the king

said, 'Thou shall, O gentle maid, act even thus, without fear, for my

good as also thy own, and for the good of thy race also, O thou of

faultless limbs!' And having said this the illustrious Kuntibhoja, who

was devoted to the Brahmanas, made over the girl Pritha to that Brahmana,

saying, 'This my daughter, O Brahmana, is of tender age and brought up in

luxury. If, therefore, she transgresses at any time, do thou not take

that to heart! Illustrious Brahmanas are never angry with old men,

children, and ascetics, even if these transgress frequently. In respect

of even a great wrong forgiveness is due from the regenerate. The

worship, therefore, O best of Brahmanas, that is offered to the best of

one's power and exertion, should be acceptable!' Hearing these words of

the monarch, the Brahmana said, 'So be it!' Thereupon, the king became

highly pleased and assigned unto him apartments that were white as swans

or the beams of the moon. And in the room intended for the sacrificial

fire, the king placed a brilliant seat especially constructed for him.

And the food and other things that were offered unto the Brahmana were of

the same excellent kind. And casting aside idleness and all sense of

self-importance, the princess addressed herself with right good will to

wait upon the Brahmana. And the chaste Kunti, endued with purity of

conduct, went thither for serving the Brahmana. And duly waiting upon

that Brahmana as if he were a very god, she gratified him highly."

SECTION CCCIII

Vaisampayana said, "And that maiden of rigid vows. O mighty monarch, by

serving with a pure heart, that Brahmana of rigid vows, succeeded in

gratifying him. And, O foremost of kings, saying, 'I will come back in

the morning,' that best of Brahmanas sometimes came in the evening or in

night. Him, however, the maiden worshipped at all hours with sumptuous

food and drink and bed. And as day after day passed away, her attentions

to him, in respect of food and seat and bed, increased instead of

undergoing any diminution. And, O king, even when the Brahmana reproved

her, finding fault with any of her arrangements, or addressed her in

harsh words, Pritha did not do anything that was disagreeable to him. And

on many occasions the Brahmana came back after the appointed hour had

long passed away. And on many occasions (such as the depth of night) when

food was hard to procure, he said, 'Give me food!' But on all those

occasions saying, 'All is ready,'--Pritha held before him the fare. And

even like a disciple, daughter, or a sister, that blameless gem of a girl

with a devoted heart, O king, gratified that foremost of Brahmanas. And

that best of Brahmanas became well-pleased with her conduct and

ministrations. And he received those attentions of hers, valuing them

rightly. And, O Bharata, her father asked her every morning and evening

saying, "O daughter, is the Brahmana satisfied with thy ministrations?

And that illustrious maiden used to reply, 'Exceedingly well!' And

thereupon, the high-souled Kuntibhoja experienced the greatest delight.

And when after a full year that best of ascetics was unable to find any

fault whatever in Pritha, who was engaged in ministering unto him,

well-pleased he said unto her, 'O gentle maid, I have been well-pleased

with thy attentions, O beautiful girl! Do thou, O blessed girl, ask even

for such boons as are difficult of being obtained by men in this world,

and obtaining which, thou mayst surpass in fame all the women in this

world'. At these words of his, Kunti said, 'Everything hath already been

done in my behalf since thou, O chief of those that are versed in the

Vedas, and my father also, have been pleased with me! As regards the

boons, I consider them as already obtained by me, O Brahmana!' The

Brahmana thereupon said, 'If, O gentle maid, thou dost not, O thou of

sweet smiles, wish to obtain boons from me, do thou then take this mantra

from me for invoking the celestials! Any one amongst the celestials whom

thou mayst invoke by uttering this mantra, will appear before thee and be

under thy power. Willing or not, by virtue of this mantra, that deity in

gentle guise, and assuming the obedient attitude of slave, will become

subject to thy power!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed, that faultless maiden could-not,

O king, from fear of a curse, refuse tor the second time compliance with

the wishes of that best of the twice-born ones. Then, O king, that

Brahmana imparted unto that girl of faultless limbs those mantras which

are recited in the beginning of the Atharvan Veda. And, O king, having

imparted unto her those mantras, he said unto Kuntibhoja. 'I have, O

monarch, dwelt happily in thy house, always worshipped with due regard

and gratified by thy daughter. I shall now depart.' And saying this, he

vanished there and then. And beholding that Brahmana vanish there and

then, the king was struck with amazement. And the monarch then treated

his daughter Pritha with proper regard."

SECTION CCCIV

Vaisampayana said, "When that foremost of Brahmanas had gone away on some

other errand, the maiden began to ponder over the virtue of those

mantras. And she said to herself, 'Of what nature are those mantras that

have been bestowed on me by that high-souled one? I shall without delay

test their power'. And as she was thinking in this way, she suddenly

perceived indications of the approach of her season. And her season

having arrived, while she was yet unmarried, she blushed in shame. And it

came to pass that as she was seated in her chamber on a rich bed, she

beheld the solar orb rising in the east. And both the mind and the eyes

of that maiden of excellent waist became rivetted fast upon the solar

orb. And she gazed and gazed on that orb without being satiated with the

beauty of the morning Sun. And she suddenly became gifted with celestial

sight. And then she beheld that god of divine form accoutred in mail and

adorned with ear-rings. And at sight of the god, O lord of men, she

became curious as to the (potency of the) mantras. And thereupon that

maiden resolved to invoke him. And having recourse to Pranayama, she

invoked the Maker of day. And thus invoked by her, O king, the Maker of

day speedily presented himself. And he was of a yellowish hue like honey,

and was possessed of mighty arms, and his neck was marked with lines like

those of a conchshell. And furnished with armlets, and decked with a

diadem, he came smiling, and illumining all the directions. And it was by

Yoga power that he divided himself in twain, one of which continued to

give heat, and the other appeared before Kunti. And he addressed Kunti in

words that were exceedingly sweet, saying, 'O gentle maiden, over-powered

by the mantras, I come hither obedient to thee. Subject as I am to thy

power, what shall I do, O queen? Tell me, for I shall do whatever thou

mayst command? Hearing these words of the deity, Kunti said, 'O

worshipful one, go thou back to the place thou hast come from! I invoked

thee from curiosity alone. Pardon me, O worshipful one!' Surya then said,

'O damsel of slender waist, I will, even as thou hast said, return to the

place I have come from! Having called a celestial, it is not, however,

proper to send him away in vain. Thy intention, O blessed one, it is to

have from Surya a son furnished with a coat of mail and ear-rings, and

who in point of prowess would be beyond compare in this world! Do thou,

therefore, O damsel of elephantine gait, surrender thy person to me! Thou

shall then have, O lady, a son after thy wish! O gentle girl, O thou of

sweet smiles, I will go back after having known thee! If thou do not

gratify me to-day by obeying my word, I shall in anger curse thee, thy

father and that Brahmana also. For thy fault, I will surely consume them

all, and I shall inflict condign punishment on that foolish father of

thine that knoweth not this transgression of thine and on that Brahmana

who hath bestowed the mantras on thee without knowing thy disposition and

character! Yonder are all the celestials in heaven, with Purandara at

their head, who are looking at me with derisive smiles at my being

deceived by thee, O lady! Look at those celestials, for thou art now

possessed of celestial sight! Before this I have endued thee with

celestial vision, in consequence of which thou couldst see me!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thereupon the princess beheld the celestials

standing in the firmament, each in his proper sphere[107], even as she

saw before her that highly resplendent deity furnished with rays, viz.,

Surya himself. And beholding them all, the girl became frightened and her

face was suffused with blushes of shame. And then she addressed Surya,

saying, 'O lord of rays, go thou back to thy own region. On account of my

maidenhood, this outrage of thine is fraught with woe to me! It is only

one's father, mother, and other superiors, that are capable of giving

away their daughter's body. Virtue I shall never sacrifice, seeing that

in this world the keeping of their persons inviolate is deemed as the

highest duty of women, and is held in high regard! O thou possessed of

wealth of splendour, it is only to test the power of my mantras that I

have, from mere childishness, summoned thee. Considering that this hath

been done by a girl of tender years, it behoveth thee, O lord, to forgive

her!' Then Surya said, 'It is because I consider thee a girl that, O

Kunti, I am speaking to thee so mildly. To one that is not so I would not

concede this. Do thou, O Kunti, surrender thyself! Thou shalt surely

attain happiness thereby. Since, O timid maiden, thou hast invoked me

with mantras, it is not proper for me to go away without any purpose

being attained, for, if I do so I shall then. O thou of faultless limbs,

be the object of laughter in the world, and, O beauteous damsel, a

bye-word with all the celestials. Do thou, therefore, yield to me! By

that thou shalt obtain a son even like myself, and thou shalt also be

much praised in all the world.'"

SECTION CCCV

Vaisampayana said, "Although that noble girl addressed him in various

sweet words, yet she was unable to dissuade that deity of a thousand

rays. And when she failed to dissuade the dispeller of darkness, at last

from fear of a curse, she reflected, O king, for a long time!--'How may

my innocent father, and that Brahmana also, escape the angry Surya's

curse for my sake? Although energy and asceticism are capable of

destroying sins, yet even honest persons, if they be of unripe age,

should not foolishly court them. By foolishly acting in that way I have

today been placed in a frightful situation. Indeed, I have been placed

entirely within the grasp of this deity. Ye how can I do what is sinful

by taking it on myself to surrender my person to him?'

Vaisampayana continued, afflicted with fear of a curse, and thinking much

within herself, an utter stupefaction of the senses came upon her. And

she was so confounded that she could not settle what to do. Afraid, on

the one hand, O king, of the reproach of friends if she obeyed the deity,

and, on the other, of his curse if she disobeyed him, the damsel at last,

O foremost of kings, said these words unto that god, in accents tremulous

with bashfulness, 'O god, as my father and mother and friends are still

living, this violation of duty on my part should not take place. If; O

god, I commit this unlawful act with thee, the reputation of this race

shall be sacrificed in this world on my account. If thou, however, O thou

foremost of those that impart heat, deem this to be a meritorious act, I

shall then fulfil thy desire even though my relatives may not have

bestowed me on thee! May I remain chaste after having surrendered my

person to thee! Surely, the virtue, the reputation, the fame, and the

life of every creature are established in thee!' Hearing these words of

hers, Surya replied, 'O thou of sweet smiles, neither thy father, nor thy

mother, nor any other superior of thine, is competent to give thee away!

May good betide thee, O beauteous damsel! Do thou listen to my words! It

is because a virgin desireth the company of every one, that she hath

received the appellation of Kanya, from the root kama meaning to desire.

Therefore, O thou of excellent hips and the fairest complexion, a virgin

is, by nature, free in this world. Thou shalt not, O lady, by any means,

be guilty of any sin by complying with my request. And how can I, who am

desirous of the welfare of all creatures, commit an unrighteous act? That

all men and women should be bound by no restraints, is the law of nature.

The opposite condition is the perversion of the natural state. Thou shalt

remain a virgin after having gratified me. And thy son shall also be

mighty-armed and illustrious.' Thereupon Kunti said, 'If, O dispeller of

darkness, I obtain a son from thee, may he be furnished with a coat of

mail and ear-rings, and may he be mighty-armed and endued with great

strength!' Hearing these words of hers, Surya answered, 'O gentle maiden,

thy son shall be mighty-armed and decked with ear-rings and a celestial

coat of mail. And both his ear-rings and coat of mail will be made of

Amrita, and his coat will also be invulnerable.' Kunti then said, 'If the

excellent mail and ear-rings of the son thou wilt beget on me, be,

indeed, made of Amrita, then, O god, O worshipful deity, let thy purpose

be fulfilled! May he be powerful, strong, energetic, and handsome, even

like thee, and may he also be endued with virtue!' Surya then said, 'O

princess, O excellent damsel, these ear-rings had been given to me by

Aditi. O timid lady, I will bestow them, as also this excellent mail, on

thy son!' Kunti then said, 'Very well, O worshipful one! If my son, O

lord of light, become so, I will, as thou sayest, gratify thee!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of hers Surya said, 'So be

it!' And that ranger of the skies, that enemy of Swarbhanu, with soul

absorbed in Yoga, entered into Kunti, and touched her on the navel. At

this, that damsel, on account of Surya's energy, became stupefied. And

that reverend lady then fell down on her bed, deprived of her senses.

Surya then addressed her, saying, 'I will now depart, O thou of graceful

hips! Thou shalt bring forth a son who will become the foremost of all

wielders of weapons. At the same time thou shalt remain a virgin.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Then, O foremost of kings, as the highly

effulgent Surya was about to depart, that girl bashfully said unto him,

'So be it!' And it was thus that the daughter of king Kuntibhoja,

importuned by Surya, had after soliciting a son from him, fallen down

stupefied on that excellent bed, like a broken creeper. And it was thus

that deity of fierce rays, stupefying her, entered into her by virtue of

Yoga power, and placed his own self within her womb. The deity, however,

did not sully her by deflowering her in the flesh. And after Surya had

gone away, that girl regained her consciousness."

SECTION CCCVI

Vaisampayana said, "It was, O lord of earth, on the first day of the

lighted fortnight during the tenth month of the year that Pritha

conceived a son like the lord himself of the stars in the firmament. And

that damsel of excellent hips from fear of her friends, concealed her

conception, so that no one knew her condition. And as the damsel lived

entirely in the apartments assigned to the maidens and carefully

concealed her condition, no one except her nurse knew the truth. And in

due time that beauteous maiden, by the grace of deity, brought forth a

son resembling a very god. And even like his father, the child was

equipped in a coat of mail, and decked with brilliant ear-rings. And he

was possessed of leonine eyes and shoulders like those of a bull. And no

sooner was the beauteous girl delivered of a child, then she consulted

with her nurse and placed the infant in a commodious and smooth box made

of wicker work and spread over with soft sheets and furnished with a

costly pillow. And its surface was laid over with wax, and it was encased

in a rich cover. And with tears in her eyes, she carried the infant to

the river Aswa, and consigned the basket to its waters. And although she

knew it to be improper for an unmarried girl to bear offspring, yet from

parental affection, O foremost of kings, she wept piteously. Do thou

listen to the words Kunti weepingly uttered, while consigning the box to

the waters of the river Aswa, 'O child, may good betide thee at the hands

of all that inhabit the land, the water, the sky, and the celestial

regions. May all thy paths be auspicious! May no one obstruct thy way!

And, O son, may all that come across thee have their hearts divested of

hostility towards thee: And may that lord of waters, Varuna. protect thee

in water! And may the deity that rangeth the skies completely protect

thee in the sky. And may, O son, that best of those that impart heat,

viz., Surya, thy father, and from whom I have obtained thee as ordained

by Destiny, protect thee everywhere! And may the Adityas and the Vasus,

the Rudras and the Sadhyas, the Viswadevas and the Maruts, and the

cardinal points with the great Indra and the regents presiding over them,

and, indeed, all the celestials, protect thee in every place! Even in

foreign lands I shall be able to recognise thee by this mail of thine!

Surely, thy sire, O son, the divine Surya possessed of the wealth of

splendour, is blessed, for he will with his celestial sight behold thee

going down the current! Blessed also is that lady who will, O thou that

are begotten by a god, take thee for her son, and who will give thee suck

when thou art thirsty! And what a lucky dream hath been dreamt by her

that will adopt thee for her son, thee that is endued with solar

splendour, and furnished with celestial mail, and adorned with celestial

ear-rings, thee that hast expansive eyes resembling lotuses, a complexion

bright as burnished copper or lotus leaves, a fair forehead, and hair

ending in beautiful curls! O son, she that will behold thee crawl on the

ground, begrimed with dust, and sweetly uttering inarticulate words, is

surely blessed! And she also, O son, that will behold thee arrive at thy

youthful prime like maned lion born in Himalayan forests, is surely

blessed!'"

"O king, having thus bewailed long and piteously, Pritha laid the basket

on the waters of the river Aswa. And the lotus-eyed damsel, afflicted

with grief on account of her son and weeping bitterly, with her nurse

cast the basket at dead of night, and though desirous of beholding her

son often and again, returned, O monarch, to the palate, fearing lest her

father should come to know of what had happened. Meanwhile, the basket

floated from the river Aswa to the river Charmanwati, and from the

Charmanwati it passed to the Yamuna, and so on to the Ganga. And carried

by the waves of the Ganga, the child contained in the basket came to the

city of Champa ruled by a person of the Suta tribe. Indeed, the excellent

coat of mail and those ear-rings made of Amrita that were born with his

body, as also the ordinance of Destiny, kept the child alive."

SECTION CCCVII

Vaisampayana said, "And it came to pass that at this time a Suta named

Adhiratha, who was a friend of Dhritarashtra, came to the river Ganga,

accompanied by his wife. And, O king, his wife named Radha was

unparalleled on earth for beauty. And although that highly blessed dame

had made great endeavours to obtain a son, yet she had failed, O

represser of foes, to obtain one. And on coming to the river Ganga, she

beheld a box drifting along the current. And containing articles capable

of protecting from dangers and decked with unguents, that box was brought

before her by the waves of the Janhavi. And attracted by curiosity, the

lady caused it to be seized. And she then related all unto Adhiratha of

the charioteer caste. And hearing this Adhiratha took away the box from

the water-side, and opened it by means of instruments. And then he beheld

a boy resembling the morning Sun. And the infant was furnished with

golden mail, and looked exceedingly beautiful with a face decked in

ear-rings. And thereupon the charioteer, together with his wife, was

struck with such astonishment that their eyes expanded in wonder. And

taking the infant on his lap, Adhiratha said unto his wife, 'Ever since I

was born, O timid lady, I had never seen such a wonder. This child that

hath come to us must be of celestial birth. Surely, sonless as I am, it

is the gods that have sent him unto me!' Saying this, O lord of earth, he

gave the infant to Radha. And thereat, Radha adopted, according to the

ordinance, that child of celestial form and divine origin, and possessed

of the splendour of the filaments of the lotus and furnished with

excellent grace. And duly reared by her, that child endued with great

prowess began to grow up. And after Karna's adoption, Adhiratha had other

sons begotten by himself. And seeing the child furnished with bright mail

and golden ear-rings, the twice-born ones named him Vasusena. And thus

did that child endued with great splendour and immeasurable prowess

became the son of the charioteer, and came to be known as Vasusena and

Vrisha. And Pritha learnt through spies that her own son clad in

celestial mail was growing up amongst the Angas as the eldest son of a

charioteer (Adhiratha). And seeing that in process of time his son had

grown up, Adhiratha sent him to the city named after the elephant. And

there Karna put up with Drona, for the purpose of learning arms. And that

powerful youth contracted a friendship with Duryodhana. And having

acquired all the four kinds of weapons from Drona, Kripa, and Rama, he

became famous in the world as a mighty bowman. And after having

contracted a friendship with Dhritarashtra's son, he became intent on

injuring the sons of Pritha. And he was always desirous of fighting with

the high-souled Falguna. And, O king, ever since they first saw each

other, Karna always used to challenge Arjuna, and Arjuna, on his part,

used to challenge him. This, O foremost of kings, was without doubt, the

secret known to the Sun, viz., begot by himself on Kunti, Karna was being

reared in the race of the Sutas. And beholding him decked with his

ear-rings and mail, Yudhishthira thought him to be unslayable in fight,

and was exceedingly pained at it. And when, O foremost of monarchs, Karna

after rising from the water, used at mid-day to worship the effulgent

Surya with joined hands, the Brahmanas used to solicit him for wealth.

And at that time there was nothing that he would not give away to the

twice-born ones. And Indra, assuming the guise of a Brahmana, appeared

before him (at such a time) and said, 'Give me!' And thereupon Radha's

son replied unto him, 'Thou art welcome!'"

SECTION CCCVIII

Vaisampayana said, "And when the king of the celestials presented himself

in the guise of a Brahmana, beholding him, Kama said, 'Welcome!' And not

knowing his intention, Adhiratha's son addressed the Brahmana, saying,

'Of a necklace of gold, and beauteous damsels, and villages with plenty

of kine, which shall I give thee?' Thereupon the Brahmana replied, 'I ask

thee not to give me either a necklace of gold, or fair damsels, or any

other agreeable object. To those do thou give them that ask for them. If,

O sinless one, thou art sincere in thy vow, then wilt thou, cutting off

(from thy person) this coat of mail born with thy body, and these

ear-rings also, bestow them on me! I desire, O chastiser of foes, that

thou mayst speedily give me these; for, this one gain of mine will be

considered as superior to every other gain!' Hearing these words, Kama,

said, 'O Brahmana, I will give thee homestead land, and fair damsels, and

kine, and fields; but my mail and ear-rings I am unable to give thee!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Although thus urged with various words by Karna,

still, O chief of the Bharata race, that Brahmana did not ask for any

other boon. And although Karna sought to pacify him to the best of his

power, and worshipped him duly, yet that best of Brahmanas did not ask

for any other boon. And when that foremost of Brahmanas did not ask for

any other boon, Radha's son again spake unto him with a smile, 'My mail,

O regenerate one, hath been born with my body, and this pair of ear-rings

hath arisen from Amrita. It is for these that I am unslayable in the

worlds. Therefore, I cannot part with them. Do thou, O bull among

Brahmanas, accept from me the entire kingdom of the earth, rid of enemies

and full of prosperity! O foremost of regenerate ones, if I am deprived

of my ear-rings, and the mail born with my body, I shall be liable to be

vanquished by the foes!'

Vaisampayana continued, "When the illustrious slayer of Paka refused to

ask for any other boon, Kama with a smile again addressed him, saying, 'O

god of gods, even before this, I had recognised thee, O Lord! O Sakra, it

is not proper for me to confer on thee any unprofitable boon, for thou

art the very lord of the celestials! On the contrary, being as thou art

the Creator and lord of all beings, it is thou that shouldst confer boons

on me! If, O god, I give thee this coat of mail and ear-rings, then I am

sure to meet with destruction, and thou shalt also undergo ridicule!

Therefore, O Sakra, take my earrings and excellent mail in exchange for

something conferred by thee on me! Otherwise, I will not bestow them on

thee!' Thereupon Sakra replied, 'Even before I had come to thee, Surya

had known of my purpose and without doubt, it is he that hath unfolded

everything unto thee! O Karna, be it as thou wishest! O son, except the

thunder-bolt alone, tell me what it is that thou desirest to have!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Indra, Karna was filled

with delight and seeing that his purpose was about to be accomplished he

approached Vasava, and intent upon obtaining a dart incapable of being

baffled, he addressed Indra, saying, 'Do thou, O Vasava, in exchange for

my coat of mail and ear-rings, give me a dart incapable of being baffled,

and competent to destroy hosts of enemies when arrayed in order of

battle!' Thereupon, O ruler of earth, fixing his mind for a moment on the

dart (for bringing it there), Vasava thus spake unto Karna, 'Do thou give

me thy ear-rings, and the coat of mail born with thy body, and in return

take this dart on these terms! When I encounter the Daitya in battle,

this dart that is incapable of being baffled, hurled by my hand,

destroyeth enemies by hundreds, and cometh back to my hand after

achieving its purpose. In thy hand, however, this dart, O son of Suta,

will slay only one powerful enemy of thine. And having achieved that

feat, it will, roaring and blazing, return to me!' Thereat Karna said, 'I

desire to slay in fierce fight even one enemy of mine, who roareth

fiercely and is hot as fire, and of whom I am in fear!' At this, Indra

said, 'Thou shall slay such a roaring and powerful foe in battle. But

that one whom thou seekest to slay, is protected by an illustrious

personage. Even He whom persons versed in the Vedas call 'the invincible

Boar,' and 'the incomprehensible Narayana,' even that Krishna himself, is

protecting him!' Thereupon Karna replied, 'Even if this be so, do thou, O

illustrious one give me the weapon that will destroy only one powerful

foe! I shall, on my part, bestow on thee my mail and ear-rings, cutting

them off my person. Do thou, however, grant that my body, thus wounded,

may not be unsightly!' Hearing this, Indra said, 'As thou, O Karna, art

bent upon observing the truth, thy person shall not be unsightly, or

shall any scar remain on it. And, O thou best of those that are graced

with speech, O Karna, thou shall be possessed of complexion and energy of

thy father him self. And if, maddened by wrath, thou hurlest this dart,

while there are still other weapons with thee, and when thy life also is

not in imminent peril, it will fall even on thyself.' Karna answered, 'As

thou directest me, O Sakra, I shall hurl this Vasavi dart only when I am

in imminent peril! Truly I tell thee this!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thereupon, O king, taking the blazing dart,

Karna began to peel off his natural mail. And beholding Karna cutting his

own body, the entire host of celestials and men and Danavas set up a

leonine roar. And Karna betrayed no contortions of face while peeling his

mail. And beholding that hero among men thus cutting his body with an

weapon, smiling ever and anon, celestial kettle-drums began to be played

upon and celestial flowers began to be showered on him. And Karna cutting

off the excellent mail from his person, gave it to Vasava, still

dripping. And cutting off his ear-rings also from off his ears, he made

them over to Indra. And it is for this fact that he came to be called

Karna. And Sakra, having thus beguiled Karna that made him famous in the

world, thought with a smile that the business of the sons of Pandu had

already been completed. And having done all this, he ascended to heaven.

And hearing that Karna had been beguiled, all the sons of Dhritarashtra

became distressed and shorn of pride. And the sons of Pritha, on the

other hand, learning that such plight had befallen the son of the

charioteer, were filled with joy."

Janamejaya said, "When were those heroes, the sons of Pandu, at that

time? And from whom did they hear this welcome news? And what also did

they do, when the twelfth year of their exile passed away? Do thou, O

illustrious one, tell me all this!"

Vaisampayana said, "Having defeated the chief of the Saindhavas, and

rescued Krishna, and having outlived the entire term of their painful

exile in the woods, and having listened to the ancient stories about gods

and Rishis recited by Markandeya, those heroes among men returned from

their asylum in Kamyaka to the sacred Dwaitavana, with all their cars,

and followers, and accompanied by their charioteers, their kine, and the

citizens who had followed them."

SECTION CCCIX

(Aranya Parva)

Janamejaya said, "Having felt great affliction on account of the

abduction of their wife and having rescued Krishna thereafter, what did

the Pandavas next do?"

Vaisampayana said, "Having felt great affliction on account of the

abduction of Krishna, king Yudhishthira of unfading glory, with his

brothers, left the woods of Kamyaka and returned to the delightful and

picturesque Dwaitavana abounding in trees and containing delicious fruits

and roots. And the sons of Pandu with their wife Krishna began to reside

there, living frugally on fruits and practising rigid vows. And while

those repressers of foes, the virtuous king Yudhishthira, the son of

Kunti, and Bhimasena, and Arjuna, and those other sons of Pandu born of

Madri, were dwelling in Dwaitavana, practising rigid vows, they

underwent, for the sake of a Brahmana, great trouble, which, however, was

destined to bring about their future happiness. I will tell thee all

about the trouble which those foremost of Kurus underwent while living in

those woods, and which in the end brought about their happiness. Do thou

listen to it! Once on a time, as a deer was butting about, it chanced

that the two sticks for making fire and a churning staff belonging to a

Brahmana devoted to ascetic austerities, struck fast into its antlers.

And, thereupon, O king, that powerful deer of exceeding fleetness with

long bounds, speedily went out of the hermitage, taking those articles

away. And, O foremost of Kurus, seeing those articles of his thus carried

away, the Brahmana, anxious on account of his Agnihotra, quickly came

before the Pandavas. And approaching without loss of time Ajatasatru

seated in that forest with his brothers, the Brahmana, in great distress,

spake these words, 'As a deer was butting about, it happened, O king,

that my fire-sticks and churning staff which had been placed against a

large tree stuck fast to its antlers. O king, that powerful deer of

exceeding fleetness hath speedily gone out of the hermitage with long

bounds, taking those articles away. Tracking that powerful deer, O king,

by its foot-prints, do ye, ye sons of Pandu, bring back those articles of

mine, so that my Agnihotra may not be stopped!' Hearing these words of

the Brahmana, Yudhishthira became exceedingly concerned. And the son of

Kunti taking up his bow sallied out with his brothers. And putting on

their corselets and equipped with their bows, those bulls among men,

intent upon serving the Brahmana, swiftly sallied out in the wake of the

deer. And descrying the deer at no great distance, those mighty warriors

discharged at it barbed arrows and javelins and darts, but the sons of

Pandu could not pierce it by any means. And as they struggled to pursue

and slay it, that powerful deer became suddenly invisible. And losing

sight of the deer, the noble-minded sons of Pandu, fatigued and

disappointed and afflicted with hunger and thirst, approached a banian

tree in that deep forest, and sat down in its cool shade. And when they

had sat down, Nakula stricken with sorrow and urged by impatience,

addressed his eldest brother of the Kuru race, saying, 'In our race, O

king, virtue hath never been sacrificed, nor hath there been loss of

wealth from insolence. And being asked, we have never said to any

creature, Nay! Why then in the present case have we met with this

disaster?"

SECTION CCCX

Yudhishthira said, "There is no limit to calamities. Nor is it possible

to ascertain either their final or efficient cause. It is the Lord of

justice alone who distributeth the fruits of both virtue and vice.'

Thereupon Bhima said, 'Surely, this calamity hath befallen us, because I

did not slay the Pratikamin on the very spot, when he dragged Krishna as

a slave into the assembly. And Arjuna said, 'Surely, this calamity hath

befallen us because I resented not those biting words piercing the very

bones, uttered by the Suta's son!' And Sahadeva said, 'Surely, O Bharata,

this calamity hath befallen us because I did not slay Sakuni when he

defeated thee at dice!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Then king Yudhishthira addressed Nakula saying,

'Do thou, O son of Madri, climb this tree and look around the ten points

of the horizon. Do thou see whether there is water near us or such trees

as grow on watery grounds! O child, these thy brothers are all fatigued

and thirsty.' Thereupon saying, 'So be it,' Nakula speedily climbed up a

tree, and having looked around, said unto his eldest brother, 'O king, I

see many a tree that groweth by the water-side, and I hear also the cries

of cranes. Therefore, without doubt, water must be somewhere here.'

Hearing these words, Kunti's son Yudhishthira, firm in truth, said, 'O

amiable one, go thou and fetch water in these quivers!' Saying, 'So be

it,' at the command of his eldest brother Nakula quickly proceeded

towards the place where there was water and soon came upon it. And

beholding a crystal lake inhabited by cranes he desired to drink of it,

when he heard these words from the sky, 'O child, do not commit this rash

act! This lake hath already been in my possession. Do thou, O son of

Madri, first answer my questions and then drink of this water and take

away (as much as thou requirest). Nakula, however, who was exceedingly

thirsty, disregarding these words, drank of the cool water, and having

drunk of it, dropped down dead. And, O represser of foes, seeing Nakula's

delay, Yudhishthira the son of Kunti said unto Sahadeva, the heroic

brother of Nakula, 'O Sahadeva, it is long since our brother, he who was

born immediately before thee, hath gone from hence! Do thou, therefore,

go and bring back thy uterine brother, together with water.' At this,

Sahadeva, saying, 'So be it,' set out in that direction; and coming to

the spot, beheld his brother lying dead on the ground. And afflicted at

the death of his brother, and suffering severely from thirst, he advanced

towards the water, when these words were heard by him, 'O child, do not

commit this rash act! This lake hath already been in my possession. First

answer my question, and then drink of the water and take away as much as

thou mayst require.' Sahadeva, however, who was extremely thirsty,

disregarding these words, drank of the water, and having drunk of it,

dropped down dead. Then Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, said unto Vijaya,

'It is long since, O Vibhatsu, that thy two brothers have gone, O

represser of foes! Blessed be thou! Do thou bring them back, together

with water. Thou art, O child, the refuge of us all when plunged in

distress!' Thus addressed, the intelligent Gudakesa, taking his bow and

arrows and also his naked sword, set out tor that lake of waters. And

reaching that spot, he whose car was drawn by white steeds beheld those

tigers among men, his two younger brothers who had come to fetch water,

lying dead there. And seeing them as if asleep, that lion among men,

exceedingly aggrieved, raised his bow and began to look around that wood.

But he found none in that mighty forest. And, being fatigued, he who was

capable of drawing the bow by his left hand as well, rushed in the

direction of the water. And as he was rushing (towards the water), he

heard these words from the sky, 'Why dost thou approach this water? Thou

shalt not be able to drink of it by force. If thou, O Kaunteya, can

answer the question I will put to thee, then only shalt thou drink of the

water and take away as much as thou requirest, O Bharata!' Thus

forbidden, the son of Pritha said, 'Do thou forbid me by appearing before

me! And when thou shalt be sorely pierced with my arrows, thou wilt not

then again speak in this way!' Having said this, Partha covered all sides

with arrows inspired by mantras. And he also displayed his skill in

shooting at an invisible mark by sound alone. And, O bull of the Bharata

race, sorely afflicted with thirst, he discharged barbed darts and

javelins and iron arrows, and showered on the sky innumerable shafts

incapable of being baffled. Thereupon, the invisible Yaksha said, 'What

need of all this trouble, O son of Pritha? Do thou drink only after

answering my questions! If thou drink, however, without answering my

questions, thou shalt die immediately after.' Thus addressed, Pritha's

son Dhananjaya capable of drawing the bow with his left hand as well,

disregarding those words, drank of the water, and immediately after

dropped down dead. And (seeing Dhananjaya's delay) Kunti's son

Yudhishthira addressed Bhimasena, saying, 'O represser of foes, it is a

long while that Nakula and Sahadeva and Vibhatsu have gone to fetch

water, and they have not come yet, O Bharata! Good betide thee! Do thou

bring them back, together with water!' Thereupon saying, 'So be it,'

Bhimasena set out for that place where those tigers among men, his

brothers, lay dead. And beholding them, Bhima afflicted though he was

with thirst, was exceedingly distressed. And that mighty armed hero

thought all that to have been the act of some Yaksha or Rakshasa. And

Pritha's son Vrikodara thought, 'I shall surely have to fight today. Let

me, therefore, first appease my thirst.' Then that bull of the Bharata

race rushed forward with the intention of drinking. Thereupon the Yaksha

said, 'O child, do not commit this rash act! This lake hath already been

in my possession. Do thou first answer my questions, and then drink and

take away as much water as thou requirest!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by that Yaksha of immeasurable

energy, Bhima, without answering his questions, drank of the water. And

as soon as he drank, he fell down dead on the spot. Then thinking that

his brothers had left him long since, Yudhishthira waited for some time.

And the king said unto himself again and again, 'Why is it that the two

sons of Madri are delaying? And why doth the wielder also of the Gandiva

delay? And why doth Bhima too, endued with great strength, delay? I shall

go to search for them!' And resolved to do this, the mighty-armed

Yudhishthira then rose up, his heart burning in grief. And that bull

among men, the royal son of Kunti thought within himself. 'Is this forest

under some malign influence? Or, is it infested by some wicked beasts?

Or, have they all fallen, in consequence of having disregarded some

mighty being? Or, not finding water in the spot whither those heroes had

first repaired, they have spent all this time in search through the

forest? What is that reason for which those bulls among men do not come

back?' And speaking in this strain, that foremost of monarchs, the

illustrious Yudhishthira, entered into that mighty forest where no human

sound was heard and which was inhabited by deer and bears and birds, and

which was adorned with trees that were bright and green, and which echoed

with the hum of the black-bee and the notes of winged warblers. As he was

proceeding along, he beheld that beautiful lake which looked as if it had

been made by the celestial artificer himself. And it was adorned with

flowers of a golden hue and with lotuses and Sindhuvars. And it abounded

with canes and Ketakas and Karaviras and Pippalas, and fatigued with

toil, Yudhishthira saw that tank and was struck with wonder."

SECTION CCCXI

Vaisampayana said, "Yudhishthira saw his brothers, each possessed of the

glory of Indra himself, lying dead like the Regents of the world dropped

from their spheres at the end of the Yuga. And beholding Arjuna lying

dead, with his bow and arrows dropped on the ground, and also Bhimasena

and the twins motionless and deprived of life, the king breathed a hot

and long sigh, and was bathed in tears of grief. And beholding his

brothers lying dead, the mighty armed son of Dharma with heart racked in

anxiety, began to lament profusely, saying, 'Thou hadst, O mighty-armed

Vrikodara, vowed, saying,--I shall with mace smash the thighs of

Duryodhana in battle! O enhancer of the glory of the Kurus, in thy death,

O mighty-armed and high-souled one, all that hath become fruitless now!

The promises of men may be ineffectual; but why have the words of the

gods uttered in respect of thee been thus fruitless? O Dhananjaya, while

thou wert in thy mother's lying-in-room, the gods had said,--O Kunti,

this thy son shall not be inferior to him of a thousand eyes! And in the

northern Paripatra mountains, all beings had sung, saying,--The

prosperity (of this race), robbed by foes will be recovered by this one

without delay. No one will be able to vanquish him in battle, while there

will be none whom he will not be able to vanquish. Why then hath that

Jishnu endued with great strength been subject to death? Oh, why doth

that Dhananjaya, relying on whom we had hitherto endured all this misery,

lie on the ground blighting[108] all my hopes! Why have those heroes,

those mighty sons of Kunti, Bhimasena and Dhananjaya, came under the

power of the enemy,--those who themselves always slew their foes, and

whom no weapons could resist! Surely, this vile heart of mine must be

made of adamant, since, beholding these twins lying today on the ground

it doth not split! Ye bulls among men, versed in holy writ and acquainted

with the properties of time and place, and endued with ascetic merit, ye

who duly performed all sacred rites, why lie ye down, without performing

acts deserving of you? Alas, why lie ye insensible on the earth, with

your bodies unwounded, ye unvanquished ones, and with your vows

untouched?' And beholding his brothers sweetly sleeping there as (they

usually did) on mountain slopes, the high souled king, overwhelmed with

grief and bathed in sweat, came to a distressful condition. And

saying,--It is even so--that virtuous lord of men, immersed in an ocean

of grief anxiously proceeded to ascertain the cause (of that

catastrophe). And that mighty-armed and high-souled one, acquainted with

the divisions of time and place, could not settle his course of action.

Having thus bewailed much in this strain, the virtuous Yudhishthira, the

son of Dharma or Tapu, restrained his soul and began to reflect in his

mind as to who had slain those heroes. 'There are no strokes of weapons

upon these, nor is any one's foot-print here. The being must be mighty I

ween, by whom my brothers have been slain. Earnestly shall I ponder over

this, or, let me first drink of the water, and then know all. It may be

that the habitually crooked-minded Duryodhana hath caused this water to

be secretly placed here by the king of the Gandharvas. What man of sense

can trust wicked wight of evil passions with whom good and evil are

alike? Or, perhaps, this may be an act of that wicked-souled one through

secret messengers of his.' And it was thus that that highly intelligent

one gave way to diverse reflections. He did not believe that water to

have been tainted with poison, for though dead no corpse-like pallor was

on them. 'The colour on the faces of these my brothers hath not faded!'

And it was thus that Yudhishthira thought. And the king continued, 'Each

of these foremost of men was like unto a mighty cataract. Who, therefore,

save Yama himself who in due time bringeth about the end of all things,

could have baffled them thus.' And having concluded this for certain, he

began to perform his ablutions in that lake. And while he descended into

it, he heard these words from the sky, uttered by the Yaksha,--'I am a

crane, living on tiny fish. It is by me that thy younger brothers have

been brought under the sway of the lord of departed spirits. If, thou, O

prince, answer not the questions put by me, even thou shalt number the

fifth corpse. Do not, O child, act rashly! This lake hath already been in

my possession. Having answered my questions first, do thou, O Kunti's

son, drink and carry away (as much as thou requirest)!' Hearing these

words, Yudhishthira said, 'Art thou the foremost of the Rudras, or of the

Vasus, or of the Marutas? I ask, what god art thou? This could not have

been done by a bird! Who is it that hath overthrown the four mighty

mountains, viz., the Himavat, the Paripatra, the Vindhya, and the Malaya?

Great is the feat done by thee, thou foremost of strong persons! Those

whom neither gods, nor Gandharvas nor Asuras, nor Rakshasas could endure

in mighty conflict, have been slain by thee! Therefore, exceedingly

wonderful is the deed done by thee! I do not know what thy business may

be, nor do I know thy purpose. Therefore, great is the curiosity and fear

also that have taken possession of me? My mind is greatly agitated, and

as my head also is aching, I ask thee, therefore, O worshipful one, who

art thou that stayest here?' Hearing these words the Yaksha said, 'I am,

good betide thee, a Yaksha, and not an amphibious bird. It is by me that

all these brothers of thine, endued with mighty prowess, have been slain!'

Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these accursed words couched in harsh

syllabus,[109] Yudhishthira, O king, approaching the Yaksha who had

spoken then, stood there. And that bull among the Bharatas then beheld

that Yaksha of unusual eyes and huge body tall like a palmyra-palm and

looking like fire or the Sun, and irresistible and gigantic like a

mountain, staying on a tree, and uttering a loud roar deep as that of the

clouds. And the Yaksha said, 'These thy brothers, O king, repeatedly

forbidden by me, would forcibly take away water. It is for this that they

have been slain by me! He that wisheth to live, should not, O king, drink

this water! O son of Pritha, act not rashly! This lake hath already been

in my possession. Do thou, O son of Kunti, first answer my questions, and

then take away as much as thou likest!' Yudhishthira said, 'I do not, O

Yaksha, covet, what is already in thy possession! O bull among male

beings, virtuous persons never approve that one should applaud his own

self (without boasting, I shall, therefore, answer thy questions,

according to my intelligence). Do thou ask me!' The Yaksha then said,

'What is it that maketh the Sun rise? Who keeps him company? Who causeth

him to set? And in whom is he established?' Yudhishthira answered,

'Brahma maketh the Sun rise: the gods keep him company: Dharma causeth

him to set: and he is established in truth.'[110] The Yaksha asked, 'By

what doth one become learned? By what doth he attain what is very great?

How can one have a second? And, O king, how can one acquire

intelligence?' Yudhishthira answered, 'It is by the (study of the) Srutis

that a person becometh learned; it is by ascetic austerities that one

acquireth what is very great: it is by intelligence that a person

acquireth a second and it is by serving the old that one becometh

wise.'[111] The Yaksha asked, 'What constituteth the divinity of the

Brahmanas? What even is their practice that is like that of the pious?

What also is the human attribute of the Brahmanas? And what practice of

theirs is like that of the impious?' Yudhishthira answered, 'The study of

the Vedas constitutes their divinity: their asceticism constitutes

behaviour that is like that of the pious; their liability to death is

their human attribute and slander is their impiety.' The Yaksha asked,

'What institutes the divinity of the Kshatriyas? What even is their

practice that is like that of the pious? What is their human attribute?

And what practice of theirs is like that of the impious?' Yudhishthira

answered, 'Arrows and weapons are their divinity: celebration of

sacrifices is that act which is like that of the pious: liability to fear

is their human attribute; and refusal of protection is that act of theirs

which is like that of the impious.' The Yaksha asked, 'What is that which

constitutes the Sama of the sacrifice? What the Yajus of the sacrifice?

What is that which is the refuge of a sacrifice? And what is that which

sacrifice cannot do without?' Yudhishthira answered, 'Life is the Sama of

the sacrifice; the mind is the Yajus of the sacrifice: the Rik is that

which is the refuge of the sacrifice; and it is Rik alone which sacrifice

cannot do without.'[112] The Yaksha asked, 'What is of the foremost value

to those that cultivate? What is of the foremost value to those that sow?

What is of the foremost value to those that wish for prosperity in this

world? And what is of the foremost value to those that bring forth?'

Yudhishthira answered, 'That which is of the foremost value to those that

cultivate is rain: that of the foremost value to those that sow is seed:

that of the foremost value to those that bring forth is offspring.[113]'

The Yaksha asked, 'What person, enjoying all the objects of the senses,

endued with intelligence, regarded by the world and liked by all beings,

though breathing, doth not offer anything to these five, viz., gods,

guests, servants, Pitris, and himself, though endued with breath, is not

yet alive.' The Yaksha asked, 'What is weightier than the earth itself?

What is higher than the heavens?' What is fleeter than the wind? And what

is more numerous than grass?' Yudhishthira answered, 'The mother is

weightier than the earth; the father is higher than the heaven; the mind

is fleeter than the wind; and our thoughts are more numerous than grass.'

The Yaksha asked, 'What is that which doth not close its eyes while

asleep; What is that which doth not move after birth? What is that which

is without heart? And what is that which swells with its own impetus?'

Yudhishthira answered, 'A fish doth not close its eyes while asleep: an

egg doth not move after birth: a stone is without heart: and a river

swelleth with its own impetus.' The Yaksha asked, 'Who is the friend of

the exile? Who is the friend of the householder? Who is the friend of him

that ails? And who is the friend of one about to die?' Yudhishthira

answered, 'The friend of the exile in a distant land is his companion,

the friend of the householder is the wife; the friend of him that ails is

the physician: and the friend of him about to die is charity. The Yaksha

asked,--'Who is the guest of all creatures? What is the eternal duty?

What, O foremost of kings, is Amrita? And what is this entire Universe?'

Yudhishthira answered,--Agni is the guest of all creatures: the milk of

kine is amrita: Homa (therewith) is the eternal duty: and this Universe

consists of air alone.'[114] The Yaksha asked,--'What is that which

sojourneth alone? What is that which is re-born after its birth? What is

the remedy against cold? And what is the largest field?' Yudhishthira

answered,--'The sun sojourneth alone; the moon takes birth anew: fire is

the remedy against cold: and the Earth is the largest field.' The Yaksha

asked,--'What is the highest refuge of virtue? What of fame? What of

heaven? And what, of happiness?' Yudhishthira answered,--'Liberality is

the highest refuge of virtue: gift, of fame: truth, of heaven: and good

behaviour, of happiness.' The Yaksha asked,--'What is the soul of man?

Who is that friend bestowed on man by the gods? What is man's chief

support? And what also is his chief refuge?' Yudhishthira answered,--'The

son is a man's soul: the wife is the friend bestowed on man by the gods;

the clouds are his chief support; and gift is his chief refuge.' The

Yaksha asked,--'What is the best of all laudable things? What is the most

valuable of all his possessions? What is the best of all gains? And what

is the best of all kinds of happiness?' Yudhishthira answered,--"The best

of all laudable things is skill; the best of all possessions is

knowledge: the best of all gains is health: and contentment is the best

of all kinds of happiness.' The Yaksha asked,--'What is the highest duty

in the world? What is that virtue which always beareth fruit? What is

that which if controlled, leadeth not to regret? And who are they with

whom an alliance cannot break?' Yudhishthira answered,--'The highest of

duties is to refrain from injury: the rites ordained in the Three (Vedas)

always bear fruit: the mind, if controlled, leadeth to no regret: and an

alliance with the good never breaketh.' The Yaksha asked,--'What is that

which, if renounced, maketh one agreeable? What is that which, if

renounced, leadeth to no regret? What is that which, if renounced, maketh

one wealthy? And what is that which if renounced, maketh one happy?'

Yudhishthira answered,--'Pride, if renounced, maketh one agreeable;

wrath, if renounced leadeth to no regret: desire, if renounced, maketh

one wealthy: and avarice, if renounced, maketh one happy.' The Yaksha

asked,--'For what doth one give away to Brahmanas? For what to mimes and

dancers? For what to servants? And for what to king?' Yudhishthira

answered,--'It is for religious merit that one giveth away to Brahmanas:

it is for fame that one giveth away to mimes and dancers: it is for

supporting them that one giveth away to servants: and it is for obtaining

relief from fear that one giveth to kings.' The Yaksha asked,--'With what

is the world enveloped? What is that owing to which a thing cannot

discover itself? For what are friends forsaken? And for what doth one

fail to go to heaven?' Yudhishthira answered,--'The world is enveloped

with darkness. Darkness doth not permit a thing to show itself. It is

from avarice that friends are forsaken. And it is connection with the

world for which one faileth to go to heaven.' The Yaksha asked,--'For

what may one be considered as dead? For what may a kingdom be considered

as dead? For what may a Sraddha be considered as dead? And for what, a

sacrifice?' Yudhishthira answered,--'For want of wealth may a man be

regarded as dead. A kingdom for want of a king may be regarded as dead. A

Sraddha that is performed with the aid of a priest that hath no learning

may be regarded as dead. And a sacrifice in which there are no gifts to

Brahmanas is dead.' The Yaksha asked,--'What constitutes the way? What,

hath been spoken of as water? What, as food? And what, as poison? Tell us

also what is the proper time of a Sraddha, and then drink and take away

as much as thou likest!' Yudhishthira answered,--'They that are good

constitute the way.[115] Space hath been spoken of as water.[116] The cow

is food.[117] A request is poison. And a Brahmana is regarded as the

proper time of a Sraddha.[118] I do not know what thou mayst think of all

this, O Yaksha?' The Yaksha asked,--'What hath been said to be the sign

of asceticism? And what is true restraint? What constitutes forgiveness.

And what is shame?' Yudhishthira answered,--'Staying in one's own

religion is asceticism: the restraint of the mind is of all restraints

the true one: forgiveness consists in enduring enmity; and shame, in

withdrawing from all unworthy acts.' The Yaksha asked,--'What, O king is

said to be knowledge? What, tranquillity? What constitutes mercy? And

what hath been called simplicity?' Yudhishthira answered,--'True

knowledge is that of Divinity. True tranquillity is that of the heart.

Mercy consists in wishing happiness to all. And simplicity is equanimity

of heart.' The Yaksha asked,--'What enemy is invincible? What constitutes

an incurable disease for man? What sort of a man is called honest and

what dishonest?' Yudhishthira answered,--'Anger is an invincible enemy.

Covetousness constitutes an incurable disease. He is honest that desires

the weal of all creatures, and he is dishonest who is unmerciful.' The

Yaksha asked,--'What, O king, is ignorance? And what is pride? What also

is to be understood by idleness? And what hath been spoken of as grief?'

Yudhishthira answered,--'True ignorance consists in not knowing one's

duties. Pride is a consciousness of one's being himself an actor or

sufferer in life. Idleness consists in not discharging one's duties, and

ignorance in grief.' The Yaksha asked,--'What hath steadiness been said

by the Rishis to be? And what, patience? What also is a real ablution?

And what is charity?' Yudhishthira answered,--'Steadiness consists in

one's staying in one's own religion, and true patience consists in the

subjugation of the senses. A true bath consists in washing the mind clean

of all impurities, and charity consists in protecting all creatures.' The

Yaksha asked,--'What man should be regarded as learned, and who should be

called an atheist? Who also is to be called ignorant? What is called

desire and what are the sources of desire? And what is envy?'

Yudhishthira answered,--'He is to be called learned who knoweth his

duties. An atheist is he who is ignorant and so also he is ignorant who

is an atheist. Desire is due to objects of possession, and envy is

nothing else than grief of heart.' The Yaksha asked,--'What is pride, and

what is hypocrisy? What is the grace of the gods, and what is

wickedness?' Yudhishthira answered,--'Stolid ignorance is pride. The

setting up of a religious standard is hypocrisy. The grace of the gods is

the fruit of our gifts, and wickedness consists in speaking ill of

others.' The Yaksha asked,--'Virtue, profit, and desire are opposed to

one another. How could things thus antagonistic to one another exist

together?' Yudhishthira answered,--'When a wife and virtue agree with

each other, then all the three thou hast mentioned may exist together.'

The Yaksha asked,--'O bull of the Bharata race, who is he that is

condemned to everlasting hell? It behoveth thee to soon answer the

question that I ask!' Yudhishthira answered,--'He that summoneth a poor

Brahmana promising to make him a gift and then tells him that he hath

nothing to give, goeth to everlasting hell. He also must go to

everlasting hell, who imputes falsehood to the Vedas, the scriptures, the

Brahmanas, the gods, and the ceremonies in honour of the Pitris, He also

goeth to everlasting hell who though in possession of wealth, never

giveth away nor enjoyeth himself from avarice, saying, he hath none.' The

Yaksha asked,--'By what, O king, birth, behaviour, study, or learning

doth a person become a Brahmana? Tell us with certitude!' Yudhishthira

answered,-'Listen, O Yaksha! It is neither birth, nor study, nor

learning, that is the cause of Brahmanahood, without doubt, it is

behaviour that constitutes it. One's behaviour should always be

well-guarded, especially by a Brahmana. He who maintaineth his conduct

unimpaired, is never impaired himself. Professors and pupils, in fact,

all who study the scriptures, if addicted to wicked habits, are to be

regarded as illiterate wretches. He only is learned who performeth his

religious duties. He even that hath studied the four Vedas is to be

regarded as a wicked wretch scarcely distinguishable from a Sudra (if his

conduct be not correct). He only who performeth the Agnihotra and hath

his senses under control, is called a Brahmana!' The Yaksha asked,--'What

doth one gain that speaketh agreeable words? What doth he gain that

always acteth with judgment? What doth he gain that hath many friends?

And what he, that is devoted to virtue?'--Yudhishthira answered,--'He

that speaketh agreeable words becometh agreeable to all. He that acteth

with judgment obtaineth whatever he seeketh. He that hath many friends

liveth happily. And he that is devoted to virtue obtaineth a happy state

(in the next world).' The Yaksha asked,--'Who is truly happy? What is

most wonderful? What is the path? And what is the news? Answer these four

questions of mine and let thy dead brothers revive.' Yudhishthira

answered,--'O amphibious creature, a man who cooketh in his own house, on

the fifth or the sixth part of the day, with scanty vegetables, but who

is not in debt and who stirreth not from home, is truly happy. Day after

day countless creatures are going to the abode of Yama, yet those that

remain behind believe themselves to be immortal. What can be more

wonderful than this? Argument leads to no certain conclusion, the Srutis

are different from one another; there is not even one Rishi whose opinion

can be accepted by all; the truth about religion and duty is hid in

caves: therefore, that alone is the path along which the great have trod.

This world full of ignorance is like a pan. The sun is fire, the days and

nights are fuel. The months and the seasons constitute the wooden ladle.

Time is the cook that is cooking all creatures in that pan (with such

aids); this is the news.' The Yaksha asked,--'Thou hast, O represser of

foes, truly answered all my questions! Tell us now who is truly a man,

and what man truly possesseth every kind of wealth.' Yudhishthira

answered,--'The report of one's good action reacheth heaven and spreadeth

over the earth. As long as that report lasteth, so long is a person to

whom the agreeable and the disagreeable, weal and woe, the past and the

future, are the same, is said to possess every kind of wealth.' The

Yaksha said,--'Thou hast, O king truly answered who is a man, and what

man possesseth every kind of wealth. Therefore, let one only amongst thy

brothers, whom thou mayst wish, get up with life!' Yudhishthira

answered,--'Let this one that is of darkish hue, whose eyes are red, who

is tall like a large Sala tree, whose chest is broad and arms long, let

this Nakula, O Yaksha, get up with life! The Yaksha rejoined,-'This

Bhimasena is dear unto thee, and this Arjuna also is one upon whom all of

you depend! Why, then, O king dost thou, wish a step-brother to get up

with his life! How canst thou, forsaking Bhima whose strength is equal to

that of ten thousand elephants, wish Nakula to live? People said that

this Bhima was dear to thee. From what motive then dost thou wish a

step-brother to revive? Forsaking Arjuna the might of whose arm is

worshipped by all the sons of Pandu, why dost thou wish Nakula to

revive?' Yudhishthira said,--'If virtue is sacrificed, he that

sacrificeth it, is himself lost. So virtue also cherisheth the cherisher.

Therefore taking care that virtue by being sacrificed may not sacrifice

us, I never forsake virtue. Abstention from injury is the highest virtue,

and is, I ween, even higher than the highest object of attainment. I

endeavour to practise that virtue. Therefore, let Nakula, O Yaksha,

revive! Let men know that the king is always virtuous! I will never

depart from my duty. Let Nakula, therefore, revive! My father had two

wives, Kunti and Madri. Let both of them have children. This is what I

wish. As Kunti is to me, so also is Madri. There is no difference between

them in my eye. I desire to act equally towards my mothers. Therefore,

let Nakula live?' The Yaksha said,--'Since abstention from injury is

regarded by thee as higher than both profit and pleasure, therefore, let

all thy brothers live, O bull of Bharata race!"

SECTION CCCXII

Vaisampayana continued,--"Then agreeable to the words of the Yaksha the

Pandavas rose up; and in a moment their hunger and thirst left them.

Thereupon Yudhishthira said, 'I ask thee that art incapable of being

vanquished and that standest on one leg in the tank, what god art thou,

for I cannot take thee for a Yaksha! Art thou the foremost of the Vasus,

or of the Rudras, or of the chief of the Maruts? Or art thou the lord

himself of the celestials, wielder of the thunder-bolt! Each of these my

brothers is capable of fighting as hundred thousand warriors, and I see

not the warrior that can slay them all! I see also that their senses have

refreshed, as if they have sweetly awaked from slumber. Art thou a friend

of ours, or even our father himself? At this the Yaksha replied,-'O

child, I am even thy father, the Lord of justice, possessed of great

prowess! Know, bull of the Bharata race, that I came hither desirous of

beholding thee! Fame, truth, self-restraint, purity, candour, modesty,

steadiness, charity, austerities and Brahmacharya, these are my body! And

abstention from injury, impartiality, peace, penances, sanctity, and

freedom from malice are the doors (through which I am accessible). Thou

art always dear to me! By good luck thou art devoted to the five;[119]

and by good luck also thou hast conquered the six.[120] Of the six, two

appear in the first part of life; two in the middle part thereof; and the

remaining two at the end, in order to make men repair to the next world.

I am, good betide thee, the lord of justice! I came hither to test thy

merit. I am well-pleased to witness thy harmlessness; and, O sinless one,

I will confer boons on thee. Do thou, O foremost of kings, ask of me

boons. I shall surely confer them, O sinless one! Those that revere me,

never come by distress!' Yudhishthira said,--'A deer was carrying away

the Brahmana's fire-sticks. Therefore, the first boon that I shall ask,

is, may that Brahmana's adorations to Agni be not interrupted!' The

Yaksha said,--'O Kunti's son endued with splendour, it was I who for

examining thee, was carrying away, in the guise of a deer, that

Brahmana's fire-sticks!"

Vaisampayana continued,--"Thereupon that worshipful one said,--'I give

thee this boon! Good betide thee! O thou that are like unto an immortal,

ask thou a fresh boon! Yudhishthira said,--'We have spent these twelve

years in the forest; and the thirteenth year is come. May no one

recognise us, as we spend this year somewhere.'

Vaisampayana continued,-'Thereat that worshipful one replied,--'I give

this boon unto thee!' And then reassuring Kunti's son having truth for

prowess, he also said, 'Even if, O Bharata, ye range this (entire) earth

in your proper forms none in the three worlds shall recognise you. Ye

perpetuators of the Kuru race, through my grace, ye will spend this

thirteenth year, secretly and unrecognised, in Virata's kingdom! And

every one of you will be able at will to assume any form he likes! Do ye

now present the Brahmana with his fire-sticks. It was only to test you

that I carried them away in the form of a deer! O amiable Yudhishthira,

do thou ask for another boon that thou mayst like! I will confer it on

thee. O foremost of men, I have not yet been satisfied by granting boons

to thee! Do thou my son, accept a third boon that is great and

incomparable! Thou, O king, art born of me, and Vidura of portion or

mine!" Thereat Yudhishthira said,--'It is enough that I have beheld thee

with my senses, eternal God of gods as thou art! O father, whatever boon

thou wilt confer on me I shall surely accept gladly! May I, O lord,

always conquer covetousness and folly and anger, and may my mind be ever

devoted to charity, truth, and ascetic austerities! The Lord of justice

said,--'Even by nature, O Pandava, hast thou been endued with these

qualities, for thou art the Lord of justice himself! Do thou again attain

what thou asked for!"

Vaisampayana continued,--"Having said these words, the worshipful Lord of

justice, who is the object of contemplation of all the worlds, vanished

therefrom; and the high-souled Pandavas after they had slept sweetly were

united with one another. And their fatigue dispelled, those heroes

returned to the hermitage, and gave back that Brahmana his firesticks.

That man who pursueth this illustrious and fame-enhancing story of the

revival (of the Pandavas) and the meeting of father and son (Dharma and

Yudhishthira), obtaineth perfect tranquillity of mind, and sons and

grandsons, and also a life extending over a hundred years! And the mind

of that man that layeth this story to heart, never delighteth in

unrighteousness, or in disunion among friends, or misappropriation of

other person's property, or staining other people's wives, or in foul

thoughts!

SECTION CCCXIII

Vaisampayana continued,--"Commanded by the Lord of justice to thus spend

in disguise the thirteenth year of non-discovery, the high-souled

Pandavas, observant of vows and having truth for prowess, sat before

those learned and vow-observing ascetics that from regard were dwelling

with them in their exile in the forest. And with joined hands they said

these words, with the intention of obtaining permission to spend the

thirteenth year in the manner indicated. And they said, 'Ye know well

that the sons of Dhritarashtra have by deceit deprived us of our kingdom,

and have also done us many other wrongs! We have passed twelve years in

the forest in great affliction. The thirteenth year only, which we are to

spend unrecognised, yet remaineth. It behoveth you to permit us now to

spend this year in concealment! Those rancorous enemies of ours

Suyodhana, the wicked-minded Kama, and Suvala's son should they discover

us, would do mighty wrong to the citizens and our friends! Shall we all

with the Brahmanas, be again established in our own kingdom? Having said

this, that pure-spirited son of Dharma king Yudhishthira, overwhelmed

with grief and with accents choked in tears, swooned away. Thereupon the

Brahmanas, together with his brothers began to cheer him up. Then Dhaumya

spake unto the king these words fraught with mighty meaning,--'O king,

thou art learned and capable of bearing privations, art firm in promise,

and of subdued sense! Men of such stamp are not overwhelmed by any

calamity whatever. Even the high-souled gods themselves have wandered

over various places in disguise, for the purpose of overcoming foes.

Indra for the purpose of overcoming his toes, dwelt in disguise in the

asylum of Giriprastha, in Nishadha and thus attained his end. Before

taking his birth in the womb of Aditi, Vishnu for the purpose of

destroying the Daityas passed a long time unrecognised, assuming the form

of the Haya-griba (Horse-necked). Then how disguising himself in the form

of a dwarf, he by his prowess deprived Vali of his kingdom, hath been

heard by thee! And thou hast also heard how Hutasana entering into water

and remaining in concealment, achieved the purpose of the gods. And O

thou versed in duty, thou hast heard how Hari with the view of overcoming

his foes, entered into Sakra's thunder-bolt, and lay concealed there.

And, O sinless one, thou hast heard of the office the regenerate Rishi

Aurva at one time performed for the gods, remaining concealed in his

mother's womb. And O child, living in concealment in every part of the

earth, Vivaswat, endued with excellent energy, at last entirely burnt up

all his foes. And living disguised in the abode of Dasaratha, Vishnu of

dreadful deeds slew the Ten-necked one in battle.' Thus remaining in

disguise in various places, high-souled persons have before this

conquered their enemies in battle. Thus cheered by these words of

Dhaumya, the virtuous Yudhishthira, relying on his own wisdom and also

that acquired from the scriptures regained his composure. Then that

foremost of strong persons, the mighty-armed Bhimasena endued with great

strength encouraging the king greatly, spake these words, 'Looking up to

thy face (for permission), the wielder of the Gandiva, acting according

to his sense of duty hath not yet, O king, shown any rashness! And

although fully able to destroy the foe, Nakula and Sahadeva of dreadful

prowess have been ever prevented by me! Never shall we swerve from that

in which thou wilt engage us! Do thou tell us what is to be done! We

shall speedily conquer our enemies! When Bhimasena had said this, the

Brahmanas uttered benedictions on the Bharatas, and then obtaining their

permission, went to their respective quarters. And all those foremost of

Yatis and Munis versed in the Vedas, exceedingly desirous of again

beholding the Pandavas, went back to their homes. And accompanied by

Dhaumya, these heroes, the five learned Pandavas equipped in vows set out

with Krishna. And each versed in a separate science, and all proficient

in mantras and cognisant of when peace was to be concluded and when war

was to be waged those tigers among men, about to enter upon a life of

non-recognition, the next day proceeded for a Krose and then sat

themselves down with the view of taking counsel of each other.

The End of Vana Parva

FOOTNOTES

1. This seems to be the obvious. There is a different reading however.

For Drie--cyate-seen, some texts have Sasyate--applauded. Nilakantha

imagines that the meaning is "As distribution (of food) amongst the

various classes of beings like the gods, the Pitris, &c., is applauded

&c., &c."

2. A form of sacrifice which consists in pouring oblations of clarified

butter with prayers into a blazing fire. It is obligatory on Brahmanas

and Kshatriyas, except those that accept certain vows of great austerity.

3. The Viswedeva sacrifice is the offer of food to all creatures of the

earth (by scattering a portion).

4. A gift. It may be of various kinds. The fees paid to Brahmanas

assisting at sacrifices and religious rites, such as offering oblations

to the dead, are Dakshinas, as also gifts to Brahmanas on other occasions

particularly when they are fed, it bring to this day the custom never to

feed a Brahmana without paying him a pecuniary fee. There can be no

sacrifice, no religious rite, without Dakshina.

5. Reference to self, i.e. without the motive of bettering one's own

self, or without any motive at all. (This contains the germ of the

doctrine preached more elaborately in the Bhagavad gita).

6. This Yoga consists, in their case, of a combination of attributes by

negation of the contrary ones, i.e. by renunciation of motives in all

they do.

7. A form of Yoga that is said to consist in the mingling of some of the

air supposed to exist in every animal body. These airs are five: Prana,

Apana, Samana, Udana, and Vyana.

8. The 8 Vasus, the 11 Rudras, the 12 Adityas, Prajapati, and Vashatkara.

9. An order of celestials.

10. Celestial flowers of much fragrance.

11. The ascetic properties are Anima, Laghima, etc.

12. The bow of Vishnu, as that of Siva is called Pinaka.

13. The words of the text are Adhana, Pashubandha, Ishti Mantra, Yajana

and Tapa-kriya.

14. Dhritarashtra being blind is described as Pragnachakshu, i.e. having

knowledge for his eye. It may also mean. "Of the prophetic eye."

15. The great preceptor of the Asuras, viz., Sukra, possessing the

highest intelligence as evidenced by his various works on all manner of

subjects particularly, the Sukra-niti.

16. Also called Vadarika, a hermitage on the Himalaya near the sources of

the Ganges.

17. Nilakantha explains kshetra as including Mahabhuta, consciousness,

intellect, the unmanifest (primordial elements), the ten senses, the five

objects of the senses, viz., earth, water, &c., desire, aversion,

pleasure, pain, the combinations of elements, and chaitanya.

18. Hari here means the developed seed that is to expand into the vast

whole of the universe.

19. This wheel is the wheel of Time--i.e., measured according to the

solar, lunar and astral revolutions. The importance of Ashtavakra's reply

is this: May the meritorious deeds performed at proper times, during the

revolution of this wheel of Time protect thee.

20. Thunder and lightning or misery and death.

21. Cloud or the mind.

22. The male being that is ever conscious.

23. The mundane egg.

24. The soul that has renounced connection with the body.

25. The heart of a Yogi.

26. Ashtavakra comes to Janaka's sacrifice with the object of proving the

unity of the Supreme Being. Vandin avails himself of various system of

Philosophy to combat his opponent. He begins with the Buddhistic system.

The form of the dialogue is unique in literature being that of enigmas

and the latent meaning is in a queer way hid under the appearance of

puerile and heterogeneous combinations of things.

Vandin opens the controversy by saying that as the number of each of

these is one, so one only intellect is the lord, leader and guide of the

senses.

27. There is a Vedic revelation that two birds live together on a tree as

friends--one of these eats the fruits and the other looks at the former.

From this it is manifest that two are the lords, leaders, and guides of

the senses. That there is a second faculty besides the intellect is also

proved by the fact that in sleep when the intellect is inactive that

faculty continues in action, for if it were not so we could not remember

having slept, nor connect the state after awaking with that preceding

sleep. Accordingly by citing the number two Ashtavakra assets that

besides intellect there is another faculty--consciousness that these two

are jointly the lords, leaders and guides of the senses and that they act

together as Indra and Agni, etc.

28. By citing the number three Vandin means to say that as it is Acts

that produce the three kinds of born beings, etc., so Acts are supreme

and that everything else be it intellect alone, or intellect and

consciousness together is subservient to Acts.

29. Ashtavakra here advances the thesis that even if Acts be supreme

still when the (fourth) or Supreme Being becomes manifest to the soul, it

stands in no further needs to Acts.

30. By bringing in the quinquennial series, Vandin wishes to assert that

the five senses are competent to cognise their respective objects and

that besides these senses and their objects there is neither any other

sense to perceive nor any other object of perception. He also cites the

authority of the Veda according to which the Apsaras (or consciousness)

have five "locks" on their hands--i.e., five objects of perception.

31. Besides the five senses Ashtavakra contends for an additional sense

namely the Mind and accordingly cites the number six.

32. Vandin admits the existence of the six senses but says that the soul

experiences happiness and misery through those as well as through the

intellect.

33. Ashtavakra advances an eighth element, namely, the knowledge of the

ego.

34. Each of the three qualities (existence, foulness and ignorance) of

prakriti (the passive or material cause of the world) mixing with each of

the three corresponding qualities of pradhana (the active or spiritual

cause of the world) in various proportions produces the mundane order of

things. Thus is proved the eternity of prakriti or nature and is also

established the doctrine of duality.

35. Prakriti does not really create. It is the Supreme Being who through

the medium of illusion in contract with the ten organs (viz., the five

locomotive organs and the five organs of sense) makes manifest the system

of things. Prakriti therefore has no real existence--her existence is

only apparent in the real existence of the soul.

36. Yupas (stakes) mean here, feelings, etc, which keep men bound to the

world. Rudras are those who makes others cry.

Vandin means to say that the soul is not essential free from the fetters

of happiness and misery arising from the eleven objects of perception. In

this world all men are subject to happiness and misery. We also hear that

there are Rudras in heaven.

37. The supreme soul unaffected by happiness and misery really

exists--but His existence is not susceptible of being proved--nor can the

ignorant ever perceive Him. Men attain that condition through these

twelve, viz., virtue, true, self-restraint, penances, good-will, modesty,

forgiveness, exemption from envy, sacrifice, charity, concentration and

control over the senses.

38. According to some, endeavours to attain emancipation can be

successful not in this world but in the world of Brahma. Others say that

to that end a special yoga is necessary. By bringing forward the objects

numbering thirteen. Vandin advances the opinion that, virtue, etc., are

not sufficient for purposes of emancipation but that suitable time and

place are also essential.

39. Ashtavakra concludes by citing the same number thirteen. The soul

which is essentially unaffected, becomes subject to happiness and misery

through, the thirteen, viz., the ten organs of locomotion and sense, and

intellect mind and egoism. But Atichhanadas, i.e., those that have

surmounted ignorance, namely, the twelve, virtue, etc. destroy those

thirteen and that is emancipation.

40. Su means excellent, and uta, sacrifice. The compound accordingly

means,--performer of excellent sacrifice.

41. Iti means these six things, unfavourable to crops--excessive rain,

drought, rats, locusts, birds, and a neighbouring hostile king.

42. In as much as the rites performed by the Sudras have their origin in

the Vedas.

43. More literally, the state of the gods. It may appropriately be

remarked here that the ordinary Hindu gods, of the post-Vedic period,

like the gods of Ancient Greece and Italy, were simply a class of

superhuman beings, distinctly contra-distinguished from the Supreme

Spirit, the Paramatman or Parabrahma. After death, a virtuous man was

supposed to be transformed into one of these so-called gods.

44. This is the well-known and popular doctrine of transmigration of

souls.

45. The word in the text is Kora-dushakas, supposed by Wilson to be the

Paspalum frumentacea (vide Dict.).

46. The word in the text is mlecchibhutam. The Sanskrit grammar affords a

great facility for the formation of verbs from substantives. Mlecchify

may be hybrid, but it correctly and shortly signifies the Sanskrit word.

47. Pushya is the eighth lunar asterism consisting of three stars, of

which one is, the Cancer. (Vide Wilson's Diet.).

48. An Indian creeper of the order of Goertnera racemosa. It bears large

white flowers of much fragrance.

49. They, therefore, that lead deathless lives can enjoy this bliss from

day to day for ever.

50. It is difficult to understand how all that Vaka says can be an answer

to Indra's question. The chief of the gods enquires: What are the joys of

those that lead deathless lives? Vaka breaks away unto a confused

rigmarole about the merits of independence and the religious merit of

entertaining guests and servants. All the printed editions have the

passage as rendered here.

51. The ceremony of Swastivachana is described to be "a religious rite,

preparatory to any important observance, in which the Brahmanas strew

boiled rice on the ground, and invoke the blessings of the gods on the

ceremony about to commence" (Vide Wilson's Dict).

A flowery car was, probably, one of celestial make that the kings,

procured from heaven by performing costly rites and ceremonies. These

were sometimes exhibited to the people, and prior to these exhibitions,

the ceremony of Swastivachana was performed.

52. A man is said to sell the Vedas who lectures on the Vedas taking fees

from the hearers.

53. Japa is the silent recitation of particular Mantras.

54. Mantras are particular formulae of worship. They are for the most

part rhythmic compositions, believed to be of great efficacy.

55. The Homa is that sacrificial rite which consists of pouring libations

of clarified butter into fire.

56. Vedamayi nou. Lit, a boat made of the Vedas.

57. Vishada is the original. It means discontent, but here it means more

a mixture of discontent, perplexity and confusion than mere discontent.

58. A form of Hindu etiquette at parting.

59. It is so very difficult to translate the word Karma,--religion and

morals were invariably associated with each other in ancient Hindu mind.

60. Agni or fire was supposed to convey the oblations offered by men to

the gods.

61. Kumara means a boy, hence a prince. Here Kartika the war-god is meant.

62. By carrying their oblations to the gods.

63. Portions of the Vedas.

64. Raga means love.

65. Kama is the name of the god of love, Indian Cupid.

66. The body, the exciting Cause of our actions is an uktha, the soul of

the vivifier of the body is the second uktha, and the Supreme Spirit, the

inciter of the soul is the third.

67. The word of God.

68. In Hindu Mythology there are no gods who destroy sacrifices. It is

only the Asuras who do so. The Burdwan translator renders this

passage,--"fifteen other gods belonging to western nations or Asuras." It

is noticeable that the beings that were denounced as Asuras by the Hindus

were worshipped as Gods (Asuras) by the followers of Zarathustra.

69. In connection with the names of these Mitra-gods, it is to be

remembered that Mitra was the name of the principal god of the ancient

Persians.

70. Avala is a common name of women. It means one who has no vala or

strength or power. The word is also used as an adjective.

71. According to the Hindus, the sun rises from and sets behind two hills

respectively. He rises from the Udaya or Sun-rise hill and sets behind

the Asta or sun-set hill.

72. Raudra--belonging to Rudra, the god of fury, violence, war, &c.

73. Devasena literally means the celestial army. This fable seems to be

an allegorical representation of the attempts made by Indra to procure a

leader for the celestial host.

74. Anger personified is a deity.

75. Another name of gods, so named from their having only three stages of

life--viz., infancy, childhood, and youth--and being exempt from the

fourth--old age.

76. i.e., good and evil spirits.

77. One of the ensigns of royalty in Hindustan.

78. Brahma.

79. Devasenapati is the original. It may mean either the pati (leader) of

the sena (forces) of devas or the pati (husband) of Devasena.

80. A kind of missile.

81. Another kind of weapon.

82. The word in the text is "Agrahara," which, as Nilakantha explains,

means here, "That which is first taken from a heap after the dedication

of a portion to the "Viswadevas." What Draupadi means to say is, that she

always took care to feed those Brahmanas with food "first" taken from the

stores, without, in fact, having taken anything there from the use of

anybody else.

83. Lit, Soldiers that have sworn to conquer or die. A full Akshauhini of

these soldiers was owned by Krishna, who gave them to Duryodhana to fight

for him. The story of Krishna's offering to Duryodhana the choice between

these soldiers on the one side, and himself sworn not to fight but only

to aid with his counsels on the other, is given in full in the Udyoga

Parva. Duryodhana, from folly, accepted the former, who were all slain by

Arjuna.

84. The vow of the Asuras was (according to the Burdwan Pundits) never to

drink wine. It is more rational to suppose that Karna swears to give up

the refined manners and practices of the Aryas and adopt those of the

Asuras till the consummation of the cherished desire.

85. A very small measure.

86. Picking up for support (1) ears of corn and (2) individual grains,

left on the field by husbandmen after they have gathered and carried away

the sheaves, are called the Sila and the Unchha modes of life.

87. Naked.

88. Both these words are of doubtful meaning. It seems they are employed

in the Vedas to denote the faculties of knowledge and the moral sense

respectively.

89. The six acts of a king are peace, war, marching, halting, sowing

dissention, and seeking protection.

90. Tard-mrigam. Formerly Prajapati, assuming the Form of a deer,

followed his daughter from lust, and Rudra, armed with a trident, pursued

Prajapati and struck off his head. That deer-head of Prajapati severed

from the trunk, became the star, or rather constellation, called

Mrigasiras.

91. Abode of Varuna in the original.

92. Garuda.

93. Pavana, the God of the wind.

94. There is a difference of reading here. Some texts read fifty seven,

95. A difference of reading is observable here.

96. As a purificatory ceremony, called the Achamana. To this day, no

Hindu can perform any ceremony without going through the Achamana in the

first instance.

97. Traditions represents the sons of king Sagara of the Ikshwaku race as

the excavator of the ocean. Hence the ocean is called Sagara.

98. Lit. an engine killing a hundred. Perhaps, some kind of rude cannon.

99. Perhaps, brands or torches steeped in wax, intended to be thrown in a

burning state, amongst the foe. Readers of Indian history know how Lord

Lake was repulsed from Bharatpore by means of huge bales of cotton,

steeped in oil, rolled from the ramparts of that town, in a burning

state, towards the advancing English.

100. Lit. be a Purusha (male)! Manhood would not be appropriate in

connection with a Rakshasa.

101. This weapon could restore an insensible warrior to consciousness, as

the Sam-mohana weapon could deprive one of consciousness.

102. Visalya a medicinal plant of great efficacy in healing cuts and

wounds. It is still cultivated in several parts of Bengal. A medical

friend of the writer tested the efficacy of the plant known by that name

and found it to be much superior to either gallic acid or tannic acid in

stopping blood.

103. The Guhyakas occupy, in Hindu mythology, a position next only to

that of the gods, and superior to that of the Gandharvas who are the

celestial choristers. The White mountain is another name of Kailasa, the

peak where Siva hath his abode.

104. According to both Vyasa and Valmiki, there is nothing so fierce as a

Brahmana's curse. The very thunderbolt of Indra is weak compared to a

Brahmana's curse. The reason is obvious. The thunder smites the

individual at whom it may be aimed. The curse of Brahmana smites the

whole race, whole generation, whole country.

105. Abhijit is lit, the eighth muhurta of the day, a muhurta being equal

to an hour of 48 minutes, i.e. the thirtieth part of a whole day and

night. The Vaishnava asterism is as explained by Nilakantha, the Sravava.

106. Also called Gayatri, the wife of Brahma.

107. In the original., Vimanam, i. e., a car.

108. Samhritya--killing.

109. Lit. Letters.

110. Behind the plain and obvious meanings of the words employed both in

the question and the answer, there is a deeper signification of a

spiritual kind. I think Nilakantha has rightly understood the passage. By

Aditya, which of course commonly means the Sun, is indicated the

unpurified soul (from adatte sabdadin indriadivis &c.). The first

question then, becomes, 'Who is it that exalteth the unpurified soul?'

The act of exaltation implies a raising of the soul from its earthly

connections. The answer to this is, 'Brahma, i.e., Veda or

self-knowledge.' The second question--'What are those that keep company

with the soul during its progress of purification?' The answer is,

Self-restraint and other qualities, which are all of a god-like or divine

nature.' The third question is.--Who lead the soul to its place (state)

of rest? The answer is, Dharma, i.e., restitude, morality, and religious

observances.' It is often asserted that one must pass through the

observances (Karma) before attaining to a state of Rest or Truth or Pure

Knowledge. The last question is,--'On what is the soul established!' The

answer, according to all that has been previously said, is 'Truth or Pure

Knowledge.' For the soul that is emancipated from and raised above all

carnal connections, is no longer in need of observances and acts (Karma)

but stays unmoved in True Knowledge (Janana).

111. Nilakantha explains both Dhriti and Dwitiya in a spiritual sense.

There is no need, however, of a spiritual explanation here. By Dhriti is

meant steadiness of intelligence; by Dwitiya lit, a second. What

Yudhishthira says is that a steady intelligence serves the purposes of a

helpful companion.

112. Nilakantha explains this correctly, as I imagine, by supposing that

by 'sacrifice' is meant the spiritual sacrifice for the acquisition of

pure knowledge. In the objective sacrifice which one celebrates, the

Sama, the Yajus, and the Rik mantras are all necessary. In the subjective

sacrifice the acquisition of true knowledge, life and mind are as

necessary as the mantras from the Sama and the Yajur Vedas in an

objective one. And as no objective sacrifice can do without the Riks,

being principally dependent on them, so the subjective sacrifices for

acquiring true knowledge can never do without prayerfulness, which, I

imagine, is represented as the Riks. To understand this passage

thoroughly would require an intimate acquaintance with the ritual of a

sacrifice like the Agnishtoma or any other of that kind.

113. Some texts read apatatam for uvapatam. If the former be the correct

reading, the meaning would be--'What is the best of things that fall?'

Nilakantha explains both avapatam nivapatam in a spiritual sense. By the

first he understands--'They that offer oblation to the gods,' and by the

second, 'They that offer oblations to the Pitris.' The necessity of a

spiritual interpretation, however, is not very apparent.

114. Yudhishthira has the authority of the Srutis for saying that the one

pervading element of the universe is air.

115. The word used in the question is dik, literally, direction.

Obviously, of course, it means in this connection way. Yudhishthira

answers that the way which one is to tread along is that of the good.

116. Footnote 2: The Srutis actually speak of space as water. These are

questions to test Yudhishthira's knowledge of the Vedic cosmogony.

117. The Srutis speak of the cow as the only food, in the following

sense. The cow gives milk. The milk gives butter. The butter is used in

Homa. The Homa is the cause of the clouds. The clouds give rain. The rain

makes the seed to sprout forth and produce food. Nilakantha endeavours to

explain this in a spiritual sense. There is however, no need of such

explanation here.

118. What Yudhishthira means to say is that there is no special time for

a Sraddha. It is to be performed whenever a good and able priest may be

secured.

119. That is, tranquillity of mind, self-restraint, abstention from

sensual pleasures, resignation, and Yoga meditation.

120. That is, hunger, thirst, sorrow, bluntness of mortal feeling,

decrepitude, and death