The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 5 UDYOGA PARVA

 

The Mahabharata

of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa

BOOK 5

UDYOGA PARVA

Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text

by

Kisari Mohan Ganguli

[1883-1896]

Scanned at sacred-texts.com, 2004. Proofed by John Bruno Hare, October

2004.

THE MAHABHARATA

UDYOGA PARAVA

SECTION I

OM! HAVING BOWED down to Narayana, and Nara the most exalted of male

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

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those valiant descendants of Kuru, who belonged

to the same party (with Virata), having joyfully celebrated the nuptials

of Abhimanyu and rested themselves that night, presented themselves at

dawn, well pleased, in the court of Virata, And the chamber of the king

of the Matsya was full of riches, and variegated with choice gems and

precious stones, with seats methodically arranged, adorned with garlands,

and filled with fragrance. And those mighty monarchs of men all came to

that place, And on the seats in front sat the two kings Virata and

Drupada. And the revered and aged rulers of the earth, and Valarama and

Krishna along with their father, all sat there. And close to the king of

Panchala was seated the great hero of the race of Sini, together with the

son of Rohini. And side by side with the king of the Matsya sat Krishna

and Yudhishthira, and all the sons of king Drupada, and Bhima and Arjuna,

and the two sons of Madri, and Pradyumna and Samva, both valiant in

battle, and Abhimanyu with Virata's sons. And those princes, the sons of

Draupadi, rivalling their fathers in valour, strength, grace, and

prowess, sat upon excellent seats inlaid with gold. And when those mighty

heroes wearing shining ornaments and robes had set themselves down, that

gorgeous assembly of kings looked beautiful like the firmament spangled

with resplendent stars. And those valiant men, assembled together, having

conversed with one another upon various topics, remained for some time in

a pensive mood, with their eyes fixed upon Krishna. And at the end of

their talk, Krishna drew their attention to the affairs of the Pandavas.

And those powerful kings together listened to Krishna's speech, pregnant

and lofty. And Krishna said, It is known to you all, how this

Yudhishthira was deceitfully defeated at dice by the son of Suvala, and

how he was robbed of his kingdom and how a stipulation was made by him

concerning his exile in the forest. And capable as they were of

conquering the earth by force, the sons of Pandu remained firm in their

plighted faith. And accordingly for six and seven years these

incomparable men accomplished the cruel task imposed upon them. And this

last, the thirteenth year, was exceedingly hard for them to pass. Yet

unrecognised by any one they have passed it, as known to you, suffering

unendurable hardships of various kinds. This is known to you all. These

illustrious men have spent the thirteenth year, employed in menial

service of others. This being so, it is for you to consider what will be

for the good of both Yudhishthira and Duryodhana, and what, as regards

the Kurus and the Pandavas, will be consistent with the rules of

righteousness and, propriety and what will meet with the approbation of

all. The virtuous king Yudhishthira would not unrighteously covet even

the celestial kingdom. But righteously he would accept the rule even of a

single village. How the sons of Dhritarashtra fraudulently robbed him of

his paternal kingdom, and how he hath passed a life of unendurable

hardships, are known to all the kings assembled here. The sons of

Dhritarashtra are incapable of overcoming by strength Arjuna, the son of

Pritha. Nevertheless, king Yudhishthira and his friends have no other

desire than the good of Dhritarashtra's son. These brave sons of Kunti,

and the two sons of Madri, ask for only what they themselves, achieving

victory in battle, had won from the defeated kings. You, no doubt, know

full well how those enemies of the Pandavas--with the object of

possessing themselves of the kingdom, endeavoured by various means to

destroy them, when they were yet mere boys. So wicked and rancorous they

were. Consider, how grasping they are and how virtuous Yudhishthira is.

Consider also the relationship that exists between them. I beseech you

all to consult together and also think separately. The Pandavas have

always had a regard for truth. They have fulfilled their promise to the

very letter. If now treated wrongfully by the sons of Dhritarashtra, they

would slay them all though banded together. They have friends, who, on

being informed of their unworthy treatment at the hands of others, would

stand by them, engaged in fight with their persecutors, and willingly

slay them even if they should lose their own lives for it. If you suppose

them to be too few to be capable of winning a victory over their enemies,

you must know that united together and followed by their friends, they

would, no doubt, try their utmost to destroy those enemies. What

Duryodhana thinks is not exactly known, nor what he may do. When the mind

of the other side is not known, what opinion can be formed by you as to

what is best to be done? Therefore, let a person, virtuous and honest and

of respectable birth, and wary,--an able ambassador, set out to beseech

them mildly for inducing them to give half the kingdom to Yudhishthira.

Having listened to the speech of Krishna, marked by prudence and a regard

for virtue and showing a pacific and impartial spirit, his elder brother

then addressed the assembly bestowing high encomiums on the words of the

younger brother.'"

SECTION II

"Baladeva said, 'You have all listened to the speech of him who is the

elder brother of Gada, characterised as it is by a sense of virtue and

prudence, and salutary alike to Yudhishthira and king Duryodhana. These

valiant sons of Kunti are ready to give up half their kingdom, and they

make this sacrifice for the sake of Duryodhana. The sons of

Dhritarashtra, therefore, should give up half of the kingdom, and should

rejoice and be exceedingly happy with us that the quarrel can be so

satisfactorily settled. These mighty persons having obtained the kingdom

would, no doubt, be pacified and happy, provided the opposite party

behave well. For them to be pacified will redound to the welfare of men.

And I should be well-pleased if somebody from here, with the view of

pacifying both the Kurus and the Pandavas, should undertake a journey and

ascertain what is the mind of Duryodhana and explain the views of

Yudhishthira. Let him respectfully salute Bhishma the heroic scion of

Kuru's race, and the magnanimous son of Vichitravirya, and Drona along

with his son, and Vidura and Kripa, and the king of Gandhara, along with

the Suta's son. Let him also pay his respects to all the other sons of

Dhritarashtra, to all who are renowned for strength and learning, devoted

to their proper duties, heroic, and conversant with signs of the times.

When all these persons are gathered together and when also the elderly

citizens are assembled, let him speak words full of humility and likely

to serve the interests of Yudhishthira, At all events, let them not be

provoked, for they have taken possession of the kingdom with a strong

hand. When Yudhishthira had his throne, he forgot himself by being

engaged in gambling and was dispossessed by them of his kingdom. This

valiant Kuru, this descendant of Ajamida, Yudhishthira, though not

skilled in dice and though dissuaded by all his friends, challenged the

son of the king of Gandhara, an adept at dice, to the match. There were

then at that place thousands of dice-players whom Yudhishthira could

defeat in a match. Taking however, no notice of any of them, he

challenged Suvala's son of all men to the game, and so he lost. And

although the dice constantly went against him, he would still have Sakuni

alone for his opponent. Competing with Sakuni in the play, he sustained a

crushing defeat. For this, no blame can attach to Sakuni. Let the

messenger make use of words characterised by humility, words intended to

conciliate Vichitravirya's son. The messenger may thus bring round

Dhritarashtra's son to his own views. Do not seek war with the Kurus;

address Duryodhana in only a conciliatory tone, The object may possibly

fail to be gained by war, but it may be gained by conciliation, and by

this means also it may be gained enduringly.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'While that valiant scion of Madhu's race was

even continuing his speech, the gallant son of the race of Sini suddenly

rose up and indignantly condemned the words of the former by these words

of his.'

SECTION III

"Satyaki said, 'Even as a man's heart is, so doth he speak! Thou art

speaking in strict conformity with the nature of thy heart. There are

brave men, and likewise those that are cowards. Men may be divided into

these two well defined classes. As upon a single large tree there may be

two boughs one of which beareth fruits while the other doth not, so from

the self-same line of progenitors may spring persons that are imbecile as

well as those that are endowed with great strength O thou bearing the

sign of a plough on thy banner, I do not, in sooth, condemn the words

thou hast spoken, but I simply condemn those, O son of Madhu, who are

listening to thy words! How, indeed, can he, who unblushingly dares

attach even the slightest blame in the virtuous king Yudhishthira be

permitted to speak at all in the midst of the assembly? Persons clever in

the game of dice challenged the magnanimous Yudhishthira unskilled as he

is in play, and confiding in them he was defeated! Can such persons be

said to have virtuously won the game? If they had come to Yudhishthira

while playing in this house with his brothers and defeated him there,

then what they would have won would have been righteously won. But they

challenged Yudhishthira who was bound in conscience to follow the rules

observed by the military caste, and they won by a trick. What is there in

this conduct of theirs that is righteous? And how can this Yudhishthira

here, having performed to the utmost the stipulations entered into by way

of stakes in the play, freed from the promise of a sojourn in the forest,

and therefore entitled to his ancestral throne, humble himself? Even if

Yudhishthira coveted other people's possessions, still it would not

behove him to beg! How can they be said to be righteous and not intent on

usurping the throne when, although the Pandavas have lived out their

sojourn of concealment unrecognised, they still say that the latter had

been recognised? They were besought by Bhishma and the magnanimous Drona,

but they would not yet consent to give back to the Pandavas the throne

that belongeth to them by right of birth. The means with which I would

beseech them would be sharp arrows. I shall fight and with a strong hand

force them to prostrate themselves at the feet of the illustrious son of

Kunti. If, however, they do not bow at the feet of the wise Yudhishthira,

then they and their partisans must go to the regions of Yama. When

Yuyudhana (myself) is enraged and resolved to fight, they, to be sure,

are unequal to withstand his impetus, as mountains are unable to resist

that of the thunderbolt. Who can withstand Arjuna in fight, or him who

hath the discus for his weapon in battle, or myself as well? Who can

withstand the unapproachable Bhima? And who, having regard for his life,

would come near the twin brothers who firmly grasp their bows and

resemble the death-dealing Yama in intelligence? Who would approach

Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Drupada, or these five sons of the Pandavas

who have added lustre to Draupadi's name, rivalling their fathers in

valour, equal to them in every respect and full of martial pride, or him

of the powerful bow, Subhadra's son, irresistible by even the gods

themselves; or Gada, or Pradyumna, or Samva, resembling Yama or the

thunderbolt or fire? We shall slay Dhritarashtra's son and Sakuni and

Karna in battle, and place the Pandava on the throne. There is no sin in

slaying them that are bent on slaying us: but to be a beggar before foes

is both impious and infamous. I ask you to be diligent in doing that

which is heartily desired by Yudhishthira. Let Pandu's son get back the

kingdom resigned by Dhritarashtra! Either Yudhishthira should get back

his kingdom this very day or all our enemies shall lie down on the earth

slain by me!'

SECTION IV

"Drupada said, 'O mighty-armed one, it will, without doubt, be even as

thou hast said! Never will Duryodhana give up the kingdom by peaceful

means, and Dhritarashtra, who dotes on his son, will follow him in his

wish. And so will Bhishma and Drona from imbecility, and Karna and Sakuni

from folly. The words of Valadeva command themselves to my judgment; the

course pointed out by him should, indeed, be followed by a man who

desires peaceful settlement. But Duryodhana should never be addressed in

mild words. Vicious by nature, he, I believe cannot be brought to reason

by mildness. In respect of an ass, mildness is in place; but in respect

of animals of the bovine species, severity should be resorted to. If any

one were to speak mild words to Duryodhana, vicious by nature that wicked

wight would consider the speaker to be an imbecile person. If a mild

course is adopted towards him, the fool will think that he has won. Let

us do even this, let us make preparations; let us send word to our

friends that they may collect an army for us. Let speedy messengers go to

Salya, and Dhrishtaketu, and Jayatsena, and the prince of the Kekayas.

Duryodhana also, on his part, will send word to all the kings,

Rightminded persons, however, respond to the request of those that first

beseech them. Therefore, I ask you to make haste in first preferring your

suit to these rulers of men. Meseems that a great undertaking is awaiting

us. Quickly send word to Salya, and to the kings under him, and to king

Bhagadatta of immeasurable valour residing on the eastern sea-coast, and

to fierce Hardikya, and Ahuka, and the king of the Mallas of powerful

understanding, and Rochamana. Let Vrihanta be summoned and king

Senavindu, and Vahlika and Mudjakesa and the ruler of the Chedis, and

Suparsva, Suvahu; and that great hero, Paurava; and also the kings of the

Sakas, the Pahlavas, and the Daradas, and Surari, and Nadija, and king

Karnavest, and Nila, and the valiant king Viradharman; and Durjaya, and

Dantavakra, and Rukmi, and Janamejaya; and Ashada and Vayuvega, and king

Purvapali; and Bhuritejas, and Devaka, and Ekalaya with his sons; and

also the kings of the Krausha race, and the valiant Kshemamurti, and the

kings of the Kamboja and the Richika tribes, and of the western

sea-coast; and Jayatsena and the king of Kashi, and the rulers of the

land of the five rivers, and the proud son of Kratha, and the rulers of

the mountain regions, and Janaki, and Susarman and Maniman, and

Potimatsyaka, and the valiant Dhrishtaketu, and the ruler of the kingdom

of Pansu; and Paundra, and Dandadhara, and the brave Vrihatsena; and

Aparajita, and Nishada and Srenimat and Vasumat; and Vrihadvala of great

strength, and Vahu the conqueror of hostile cities; and the warlike king

Samudrasena with his son; and Uddhava, and Kshemaka and king Vatadhana;

and Srutayus, and Dridhayus, and the gallant son of Salwa; and the king

of the Kalingas, and Kumara, unconquerable in battle. Speedily send word

to these. This is what recommends itself to me. And let this my priest,

learned Brahmana, be sent, O king, to Dhritarashtra. Tell him the words

he is to say and what Duryodhana should be told; and how Bhishma is to be

addressed, and how Drona, that best of car-warriors!"

SECTION V

"Krishna said, 'These worlds are worthy of the chief of the Somaka tribe,

and are calculated to promote the interests of Pandu's son of

immeasurable strength. As we are desirous of adopting a politic course,

this is, no doubt, our first duty; a man acting otherwise would be a

great fool. But our relationship to both the Kurus and the Pandus is

equal, howsoever these two parties may behave with each other. Both you

and we have been invited here on the occasion of a marriage. The marriage

having now been celebrated, let us go home well-pleased. You are the

foremost of kings, both in years and learning; and here we all, no doubt

are as if your pupils. Dhritarashtra has always entertained a great

respect for you; and you are also a friend of the preceptors Drona and

Kripa. I, therefore, ask you to send a message (to the Kurus) in the

interests of the Pandavas. We all resolve even upon this that you should

send a message unto them. If that chief of the Kuru race should make

peace on equitable terms, then the brotherly feelings between the Kuras

and the Pandus will sustain no injury. If on the other hand, the son of

Dhritarashtra should wax haughty and from folly refuse to make peace,

then, having summoned others, summon us too. The holder of Gadiva then

will be fired with wrath and the dull-headed and wicked Duryodhana, with

his partisans and friends, will meet his fate.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'King Virata, then having honoured Krishna, sent him

home with his followers and relatives. And after Krishna had set out for

Dwaraka, Yudhishthira and his followers, with king Virata, began to make

preparations for war. And Virata and his relatives sent word to all the

monarchs, and king Drupada also did the same. And at the request of those

lions of the Kuru race, as also of the two kings of the Matsyas and the

Panchalas, many lords of the earth possessed of great strength, came to

the place with cheerful hearts. And when the sons of Dhritarashtra heard

that the Pandavas had collected a large army, they also assembled many

rulers of the earth. And, O king, at that time the whole land became

thronged with the rulers of the earth who were marching to espouse the

cause of either the Kurus or the Pandavas. And the land was full of

military bands composed of four kinds of forces. And from all sides the

forces began to pour in. And the goddess Earth with her mountains and

forests seemed to tremble beneath their tread. And the king of the

Panchalas, having consulted the wishes of Yudhishthira, despatched to the

Kurus his own priest, who was old both in years and understanding.'

SECTION VI

"Drupada said, 'Of beings those that are endowed with life are superior.

Of living beings those that are endowed with intelligence are superior.

Of intelligent creatures men are superior. Of men the twice-born are

superior. Of the twice-born, students of the Veda are superior. Of

students of the Veda those of cultured understanding are superior. Of

cultured men practical persons are superior. And finally, of practical

men those knowing the Supreme Being are superior. You, it seems to me,

are at the very top of those that are of cultured understanding. You are

distinguished both for age and learning. You are equal in intellect to

either Sukra or Vrihaspati, the son of Angiras. You know what kind of man

the chief of the Kuru race is, and what kind of man also is Yudhishthira,

the son of Kunti. It was with Dhritarashtra's knowledge that the Pandavas

were-deceived by their opponents. Though instructed by Vidura he yet

follows his son! Sakuni advisedly challenged Yudhishthira to a gambling

match although the latter was unskilled in gambling while the former was

an adept in it. Unskilled in play, Yudhishthira was guileless and firm in

following the rules of the military order. Having thus cheated the

virtuous king Yudhishthira, they will, by no means, voluntarily yield up

the kingdom. If you speak words of righteousness unto Dhritarashtra, you

will certainly gain the hearts of his fighting men. Vidura also will make

use of those words of yours and will thus alienate the hearts of Bhishma,

and Drona, and Kripa, and others. When the officers of state are

alienated and fighting men are backward, the task of the enemy will be to

gain back their hearts. In the meantime, the Pandavas will, with ease and

with their whole hearts, address themselves in preparing the army and in

collecting stores. And when the enemy's adherents are estranged, and

while you are hanging about them, they will surely not be able to make

adequate preparations for war. This course seems expedient in this wise.

On your meeting with Dhritarashtra it is possible that Dhritarashtra may

do what you say. And as you are virtuous, you must therefore act

virtuously towards them. And to the compassionate, you must descant upon

the various hardships that the Pandavas have endured. And you must

estrange the hearts of the aged persons by discoursing upon the family

usages which were followed by their forefathers. I do not entertain the

slightest doubt in this matter. Nor need you be apprehensive of any

danger from them, for you are a Brahmana, versed in the Vedas; and you

are going thither as an ambassador, and more specially, you are an aged

man. Therefore, I ask you to set out without delay towards the Kauravas

with the object of promoting the interests of the Pandavas, timing your

departure under the (astrological) combination called Pushya and at that

part of the day called Jaya.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus instructed by the magnanimous Drupada, the

virtuous priest set out for Hastinapura (the city called after the

elephant). And that learned man, well-versed in the principles of the

science of politics, started with a following of disciples towards the

Kurus for the sake of promoting the welfare of Pandu's sons.'

SECTION VII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having despatched the priest to the city called

after the elephant they sent messengers to the kings of various

countries. And having sent messengers to other places, the Kuru hero

Dhananjaya, that bull among men and son of Kunti, himself set out for

Dwaraka. And after Krishna and Valadeva, the descendants of Madhu, had

both departed for Dwaraka with all the Vrishnis, the Andhakas and the

Bhojas, by hundreds, the royal son of Dhritarashtra had, by sending

secret emissaries, furnished himself with information of all the doings

of the Pandavas. And learning that Krishna was on his way, the prince

went to the city of Dwaraka by means of fine horses possessing the speed

of the wind, and taking with him a small number of troops. And on that

very day the son of Kunti and Pandu, Dhananjaya, also speedily arrived at

the beautiful city of the Anarta land. And the two scions of the Kuru

race, those tigers among men, on arriving there saw that Krishna was

asleep, and drew near him as he lay down. And as Krishna was sleeping,

Duryodhana entered the room, and sat down on a fine seat at the head of

the bed. And after him entered that wearer of the diadem the magnanimous

Arjuna. And stood at the back of the bed, bowing and joining his hands.

And when the descendant of Vrishni, Krishna awoke, he first cast his eyes

on Arjuna. And having asked them as to the safety of their journey, and

having fitly bestowed his greetings upon them, the slayer of Madhu

questioned them as to the occasion of their visit. Then Duryodhana

addressed Krishna, with a cheerful countenance, saying, It behoveth you

to lend me your help in the impending war. Arjuna and myself are both

equally your friends. And, O descendant of Madhu, you also bear the same

relationship to both of us. And today, O slayer of Madhu, I have been the

first to come to you. Right-minded persons take up the cause of him who

comes first to them. This is how the ancients acted. And, O Krishna, you

stand at the very top of all right-minded persons in the world, and are

always respected. I ask you to follow the rule of conduct observed by

rightminded men.' Thereat Krishna replied, 'That you have come first, O

king, I do not in the least doubt. But, O king, the son of Kunti,

Dhananjaya, has been first beheld by me. On account of your first

arrival, and on account of my having beheld Arjuna first, I shall, no

doubt, lend my assistance, O Suyodhana, to both. But it is said that

those who are junior in years should have the first choice. Therefore,

Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, is entitled to first choice. There is a

large body of cowherds numbering ten crores, rivalling me in strength and

known as the Narayanas, all of whom are able to fight in the thick of

battle. These soldiers, irresistible in battle, shall be sent to one of

you and I alone, resolved not to fight on the field, and laying down my

arms, will go to the other. You may, O son of Kunti, first select

whichever of these two commends itself to you. For, according to law, you

have the right to the first choice.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Krishna, Dhananjaya the son

of Kunti selected Kesava who was not to fight on the battle-field, even

Narayana himself, the slayer of foes, increate, born among men at his own

will,--the foremost of all Kshatriyas and above all the gods and the

Danavas. And Duryodhana selected for himself that entire army (composed

of the Narayanas). And, O descendant of Bharata, having obtained those

troops numbering thousands upon thousands, he was exceedingly delighted,

although he knew that Krishna was not on his side. And having secured

that army possessed of terrible prowess, Duryodhana went to the son of

Rohini of great strength, and explained to him, the object of his visit.

The descendant of Sura in reply addressed the following words to

Dhritarashtra's son, 'Thou shouldst remember, O tiger among men, all that

I said at the marriage ceremony celebrated by Vitrata. O thou delighter

of the race of Kuru, for thy sake I then contradicted Krishna and spoke

against his opinions. And again and again I alluded to the equality of

our relationship to both the parties. But Krishna did not adopt the views

I then expressed; nor can I separate myself from Krishna for even a

single moment. And seeing that I cannot act against Krishna even this is

resolution formed by me, viz., that I will fight neither for Kunti's sons

nor for you. And, O bull of the Bharatas, born as thou art in Bharata's

race that is honoured by all the kings, go and fight in accordance with

the rules of propriety.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, Duryodhana embraced that hero

wielding a plough for his weapon of battle, and although knowing that

Krishna had been taken away from his side, he yet regarded Arjuna as

already vanquished. And the royal son of Dhritarashtra then went to

Kritavarman. And Kritavarman gave him a body of troops numbering an

Akshauhini. And surrounded by that military host, terrible to behold, the

Kaurava marched forth delighting his friends. And after Duryodhana had

departed, Krishna, the Creator of the world, clad in yellow attire,

addressed Kiritin, saying, 'For what reason is it that you have selected

me who will not fight at all?'

"Thereupon Arjuna answered, 'I question not that you are able to slay

them all. I also am alone capable of slaying them, O best of men. But you

are an illustrious person in the world; and this renown will accompany

you. I also am a suitor for fame; therefore, you have been selected by

me. It hath been always my desire to have you for driving my car. I,

therefore, ask you to fulfil my desire cherished for a long time.'

"Vasudeva's son thereupon said, It beseems thee well, O Kunti's son, that

thou measurest thyself with me. I will act as thy charioteer; let thy

wish be fulfilled.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then with a glad heart, Kunti's son,

accompanied by Krishna as well as by the flower of the Dasarha race, came

back to Yudhishthira.'

SECTION VIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'O king, having learnt the news from the messengers,

Salya, accompanied by a large body of troops and by his sons, all of whom

were mighty in battle, was coming to the Pandavas. His encampment covered

an area of one and a half yojana, so large was the force owned by that

best of men. He was the master, O king, of an Akshauhini and had great

prowess and valour. And there were in his army heroes bearing armour of

various colours, with diverse kinds of banners and bows and ornaments and

cars and animals, all wearing excellent garlands, and various robes and

ornaments. And hundreds and thousands of foremost of Kshatriyas were the

leaders of his troops, dressed and decorated in the manner of their

native land. And he proceeded by slow marches, giving rest to his troops,

towards the place where the Pandava was. And the creatures of the earth

felt oppressed and the earth trembled under the tread of his troops. And

king Duryodhana, hearing that magnanimous and mighty hero was on his way,

hastened towards him and paid him honours, O best of the Bharata race and

caused finely decorated places of entertainment to be constructed at

different spots for his reception, on beautiful sites, and whither many

artists were directed to entertain the guests. And those pavilions

contained garlands and meat and the choicest viands and drinks, and wells

of various forms, capable of refreshing the heart, and tanks of various

forms, and edibles, and roomy apartments. And arriving at those

pavilions, and waited upon like a very god by the servants of Duryodhana

located at different spots, Salya reached another house of entertainment

resplendent as a retreat of the celestials. And there, greeted with

choice creature-comforts fit for beings superior to man, he deemed

himself superior even to the lord himself of the gods and thought meanly

of Indra as compared with himself. And that foremost of Kshatriyas,

well-pleased, asked the servants, saying, 'Where are those men of

Yudhishthira, who have prepared these places of refreshment? Let those

men who made these be brought to me. I deem them worthy of being rewarded

by me. I must reward them, let it so please the son of Kunti!' The

servants, surprised, submitted the whole matter to Duryodhana. And when

Salya was exceedingly pleased and ready to grant even his life,

Duryodhana, who had remained concealed, came forward and showed himself

to his maternal uncle. And the kind of the Madras saw him and understood

that it was Duryodhana who had taken all the trouble to receive him. And

Salya embraced Duryodhana and said, 'Accept something that you may

desire.'

"Duryodhana thereupon said, 'O thou auspicious one, let thy word be true,

grant me a boon. I ask thee to be the leader of all my army.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And hearing this, Salya said, 'Be it so! What

else is to be done?' And the son of Gandhari repeated again and again,

'It is done.' And Salya said, 'O Duryodhana, O best of men, go to thy own

city. I shall proceed to pay a visit to Yudhishthira, the subduer of

foes. O king, I shall speedily come back, O ruler of men. That best of

men, Pandu's son Yudhishthira, must, by all means, be visited by me.' And

bearing this Duryodhana said, 'O king, O ruler of the earth, having seen

the Pandava, come speedily back. I depend entirely upon thee, O king of

kings. Remember the boon that thou hast granted me.' And Salya answered,

'Good betide thee! I shall come speedily back. Repair to thy own city, O

protector of men.' And then those two kings Salya and Duryodhana embraced

each other. And having thus greeted Salya, Duryodhana came back to his

own city. And Salya went to inform the sons of Kunti of that proceeding

of his. And having reached Upaplavya, and entered the encampment, Salya

saw there all the sons of Panda. And the mighty-armed Salya having met

the sons of Panda, accepted as usual water for washing his feet, and the

customary gifts of honour including a cow. And the king of the Madras,

that slayer of foes, first asked them how they were, and then with great

delight embraced Yudhishthira, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the sons of his

sister the two twin-brothers. And when all had sat down, Salya spoke to

Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, saying, 'O tiger among kings, O thou

delighter of the race of Kuru, is it all well with thee? O best of

victors, how fortunately hast thou spent the term of thy residence in the

wilderness, O king, O lord of monarchs, it was an exceedingly hard task

that thou hast performed by dwelling in the wilderness together with thy

brothers and this noble lady here. And awfully difficult task again was

that sojourn of thine,--the period of concealment,--which task also thou

hast performed, O descendant of Bharata; for one pulled down from a

throne it is nothing but hardship that awaits him. O king, where is there

any happiness for him! O afflicter of thy foes, in compensation for all

this vast misery wrought by Dhritarashtra's son, thou wilt attain to

proportional happiness after having killed thy foes, O great king, O lord

of men, the ways of the world are known to thee. Therefore, O my son,

thou art never guided by avarice in any of thy dealings. O descendant of

Bharata, do thou treat on the foot-prints of ancient saintly kings. My

son, Yudhishthira, be steady in the path of liberality, and

self-abnegation, and truth. And, O royal Yudhishthira, mercy and self

control, and truth and universal sympathy, and everything wonderful in

this world, are to be found in thee. Thou art mild, munificent,

religious, and liberal, and thou regardest virtue as the highest good. O

king, many are the rules of virtue that prevail amongst men, and all

those are known to thee. O my son, O afflicter of foes, thou knowest in

fact everything relating to this world. O king, O best of Bharata's race,

how lucky it is that thou hast come out of this difficulty of thine. How

lucky, O king, O foremost of monarchs, O lord, it is that I see thee, so

virtuous a soul, a treasure-house of righteousness, freed with thy

followers from this.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O descendant of Bharata, the king spoke

of his meeting with Duryodhana and gave a detailed account regarding that

promise of his and that boon granted by himself. And Yudhishthira said, O

valiant king, it has been well-done by thee that being pleased at heart

thou hast plighted thy truth to Duryodhana. But good betide thee, O ruler

of the earth, I ask thee to do one thing only. O king, O best of men,

thou wilt have to do it solely for my sake, though it may not be proper

to be done. O valiant one, hear what I submit to thee. O great king, thou

art equal to Krishna on the field of battle. When, O best of kings, the

single combat between Karna and Arjuna will take place, I have no doubt

thou wilt have to drive Karna's car. On that occasion, if thou art

inclined to do good to me, thou must protect Arjuna. O king, thou must

likewise so act that the Suta's son Karna may be dispirited and the

victory may be ours. Improper it no doubt is; but, O my uncle, for all

that thou must do it. Salya said, 'Good betide thee. Listen, O son of

Panda. Thou tellest me to so act that the vile son of the Suta may be

dispirited in fight. To be sure, I shall be his charioteer' on the field,

for he always considers me equal to Krishna. O tiger like descendant of

Kuru, I shall certainly speak to him, when desirous of fighting on the

field of battle, words contradictory and fraught with harm to him, so

that bereft of pride and valour, he may be easily slain by his

antagonist. This I tell thee truly. Asked by thee to do it, this I am

determined to do, O my son. Whatever else I may be able to bring about, I

shall do for thy good. Whatever troubles were suffered by thee together

with Draupadi on the occasion of the game at dice, the rude inhuman words

uttered by the Suta's son, the misery inflicted by the Asura Jata and by

Kichaka, O illustrious one, all the miseries experienced by Draupadi,

like those formerly experienced by Damayanti,--will all, O hero, end in

joy. Thou shouldst not be aggrieved at this; for Destiny is all powerful

in this world; and, O Yudhishthira, high-minded persons have to endure

miseries of various kinds, nay, even the gods themselves, O king, have

suffered misfortunes. O king, O descendant of Bharata, it is narrated

that the high-minded Indra, the chief of the celestials, had to endure

together with his wife very great misery, indeed.'

SECTION IX

"Yudhishthira said, 'O foremost of monarchs, I wish to know how it was

that great and unparalleled misery had to be endured by the illustrious

Indra together with his queen.'

"Salya said, 'Listen, O king, to me as I relate this ancient story of the

events of former days,--how, O descendant of Bharata, misery befell Indra

and his wife. Once Twashtri, the lord of creatures and the foremost of

celestials, was engaged in practising rigid austerities. And it is said

that from antipathy to Indra he created a son having three heads. And

that being of universal form possessed of great lustre hankered after

Indra's seat. And possessed of those three awful faces resembling the

sun, the moon, and the fire, he read the Vedas with one mouth, drank wine

with another, and looked with the third as if he would absorb all the

cardinal points. And given to the practice of austerities, and mild being

and self-controlled, he was intent upon a life of religious practices and

austerities. And his practice of austerities, O subduer of foes, was

rigid and terrible and of an exceedingly severe character. And beholding

the austerities, courage, and truthfulness of this one possessed of

immeasurable energy, Indra became anxious, fearing lest that being should

take his place. And Indra reflected, 'How may he be made to addict

himself to sensual enjoyments; how may he be made to cease his practice

of such rigid austerities? For were the three-headed being to wax strong,

he would absorb the whole universe.' And it was thus that Indra pondered

in his mind; and, O best of Bharata's race, endued with intelligence, he

ordered the celestial nymphs to tempt the son of Twashtri. And he

commanded them, saying, 'Be quick, and go without delay, and so tempt him

that the three-headed being may plunge himself into sensual enjoyment to

the utmost extent. Furnished with captivating hips, array yourselves in

voluptuous attires, and decking yourselves in charming necklaces, do ye

display gestures and blandishments of love. Endued with loveliness, do ye

tempt him and alleviate my dread. I feel restless in my heart, O lovely

damsels. Avert ye, ladies, this awful peril that hangs over me. Good

betide you.'

"Then the nymphs said, 'O Indra, O slayer of Vala, we shall so endeavour

to allure him that thou wilt have nothing to fear at his hands. That very

receptacle of austerities, sitting now as if scorching everything with

his eyes, O god, we are going together to tempt. We shall try to bring

him under our control, and to put an end to your fears.'

"Salya continued, 'Commanded by Indra, they then went to the three-headed

being. And arriving there, those lovely damsels tempted him with various

gestures of love, displaying their fine figures. But engaged in the

practice of exceedingly severe austerities, although he looked at them,

yet he was not influenced by desire. Of subdued senses he was like the

ocean, full to the brim, in gravity. And the nymphs after having tried

their best, came back to Indra. And they all with joined hands spoke to

the lord of the celestials, saying, 'O, that unapproachable being is

incapable of being disturbed by us. O highly gifted being, thou mayst do

what now may seem proper to thee.' The high-minded Indra honoured the

nymphs and then dismissed them reflecting, O Yudhishthira, solely upon

other means of destroying his foe. And endued with intelligence, he fixed

upon a contrivance for destroying the three-headed being. And he said,

'Let me today hurt my thunderbolt at him. By this means he will speedily

be killed. Even a strong person should not overlook a rising foe,

contemptible though he may be.' And thus reflecting upon the lessons

inculcated in treatises of learning, he was firmly resolved upon slaying

that being. Then Indra, enraged, hurled at the three-headed being his

thunderbolt which looked like fire and was terrible to behold, and which

inspired dread. And forcibly struck by that thunderbolt, he was slain and

fell down, as falls on the earth the loosened summit of a hill. And

beholding him slain by the thunderbolt, and lying down huge as a hill,

the chief of the celestials found no peace, and felt as if scorched by

the effulgent appearance of the dead; for though slain, he had a blazing

and effulgent appearance and looked like one alive. And, strange to say,

though lifeless, his heads seemed to be alive as they were beheld lying

low on the field. And exceedingly afraid of that lustre, Indra remained

plunged in thought. And at that time, O great king, bearing an axe on his

shoulder, a carpenter came to the forest and approached the spot where

lay that being. And Indra, the lord of Sachi, who was afraid, saw the

carpenter come there by chance. And the chastiser of Paka said unto him

immediately, 'Do this my behest. Quickly cut off this one's heads.' The

carpenter thereupon said, 'His shoulders are broad: this axe will not be

able to cut them off. Nor shall I be able to do what is condemned by

righteous persons.' And Indra said, 'Do not fear, quickly do what I say.

At my command thy axe shall equal the thunderbolt.' The carpenter said,

'Whom am I to take thee to be who hast done this frightful deed today?

This I wish to learn, tell me the exact truth.' And Indra said, 'O

carpenter, I am Indra, the chief of the gods. Let this be known to thee.

Do thou act just as I have told thee. Do not hesitate, O carpenter! The

carpenter said, 'O Indra, how is it that thou art not ashamed of this thy

inhuman act? How it is that thou hast no dread of the sin of slaying a

Brahmana, after having slain this son of a saint?' Indra said, 'I shall

afterwards perform some religious ceremony of a rigorous kind to purify

myself from this taint. This was a powerful enemy of mine whom I have

killed with my thunderbolt. Even now I am uneasy, O carpenter; I, indeed,

dread him even now. Do thou quickly cut off his heads, I shall bestow my

favour upon thee. In sacrifices, men will give thee the head of the

sacrificial beast as thy share. This is the favour I confer on thee. Do

thou quickly perform what I desire.'

"Salya said, 'Hearing this, the carpenter, at the request of the great

Indra, immediately severed the heads of the three-headed one with his

axe. And when the heads were cut off, out flew therefrom a number of

birds, viz., partridges, quails and sparrows. And from the mouth

wherewith he used to recite the Vedas and to drink the Soma-juice, came

out partridges in quick succession. And, O king, O son of Pandu, from the

mouth with which he used to look at the cardinal points as if absorbing

them all, a number of quails came forth. And from that mouth of the

three-headed being which used to drink wine, out flew a number of

sparrows and hawks. And the heads having been cut off Indra was freed

from his trepidation, and went to heaven, glad at heart. And the

carpenter also went back to his house. And the slayer of Asuras, having

killed his foe, considered his object gained. Now when the lord of

creatures, Twashtri, heard that his son had been slain by Indra, his eyes

became red with ire, and he spoke the following words, 'Since Indra hath

killed my son who had committed no offence at all, who was constantly

engaged in the practice of austerities, who was merciful, possessed of

self-control, and of subdued passions, therefore, for the destruction of

Indra, I will create Vritra. Let the worlds behold what power I possess,

and how mighty is the practice of austerities! Let that inhuman,

wicked-minded lord of the gods also witness the same!' And saying this,

that enraged one, famous for his austerities, washed his mouth with

water, made offerings on the fire, created the terrible Vritra, and spoke

to him, saying, 'O destined slayer of Indra, grow in might even from the

strength of my austere rites.' And that Asura grew in might, towering

towards the firmament, and resembling the son of fire. And he asked,

'Risen like the doomsday sun, what am I to do?' 'Kill Indra,' was the

reply. And then he departed towards the celestial regions. And next

ensued a great fight between Vritra and Indra, both fired with wrath. And

there took place a terrible combat, O best of Kuru's race. And the heroic

Vritra seized the celestial lord who had performed a hundred sacrifices.

And filled with wrath, he whirled Indra and threw him into his mouth. And

when Indra was swallowed up by Vritra, the terrified senior gods,

possessed of great might, created Jrimbhika to kill Vritra. And as Vritra

yawned and his mouth opened the slayer of the Asura, Vala contracted the

different parts of his body, and came out from within Vritra's mouth. And

thenceforth the yawn attaches itself to the living breath of animated

beings in three worlds. And the gods rejoiced at the egress of Indra. And

once again commenced the terrible fight between Vritra and Indra, both

full of ire. And it was waged for a long while, O best of Bharata's race.

And when Vritra, inspired with the mighty spirit of Twashtri and himself

endowed with strength, got the upper hand in fight, Indra turned back And

on his retreat, the gods became exceedingly distressed. And all of them

together with Indra were overpowered by the might of Twashtri. And they

all consulted with the saints, O descendant of Bharata. And they

deliberated as to what was proper to be done, and were overwhelmed with

dread. And seated on the top of the Mandara mountain, and bent on killing

Vritra, they only bethought themselves of Vishnu, the indestructible one.'

SECTION X

"Indra said, This whole indestructible universe, O gods, hath been

pervaded by Vritra. There is nothing that can be equal to the task of

opposing him. I was capable of yore, but now I am incapable. What good

betide you, can I do? I believe him to be unapproachable. Powerful and

magnanimous, possessing immeasurable strength in fight, he would be able

to swallow up all the three worlds with the gods, the Asuras, and the

men. Therefore, hear ye dwellers of heaven, this is my resolution.

Proceeding to the abode of Vishnu, in company with that high-souled Being

must we consult, and ascertain the means of slaying this ruthless wretch.'

"Salya continued, 'Indra having thus spoken, the gods with that host of

Rishis repaired to the mighty god Vishnu to place themselves under

the-protection of that protector of all. And afflicted with the dread of

Vritra, they said unto the Supreme Lord of the deities. Thou hadst in

former times covered the three worlds with three steps. Thou hadst

procured the ambrosial food, O Vishnu, and destroyed the Asuras in

battle. Thou didst bind the great Asura Vali and hadst raised Indra to

the throne of heaven. Thou art the lord of the gods, and this entire

universe is pervaded by thee. Thou art the God, the mighty Deity, saluted

by all persons. Be thou the refuge of all the celestials together with

Indra, O best of gods. The whole universe, O slayer of Asuras, hath been

pervaded by Vritra. And Vishnu said, 'I am no doubt bound to do what is

for your good. I shall, therefore, tell you of a contrivance whereby he

may be annihilated. Do ye with the Rishis and the Gandharvas repair to

the place where Vritra that bearer of a universal form is and adopt

towards him a conciliatory policy. You will thus succeed in overthrowing

him. By virtue of my power, victory, ye gods, will be won by Indra, for,

remaining invisible, I shall enter into his thunderbolt, that best of

weapons. O foremost of gods, depart ye with the Rishis and the

Gandharvas. Let there be no delay in effecting a peace between Indra and

Vritra.'

"Salya continued, 'When he had thus spoken, the Rishis and the celestials

placed Indra at their head, and uniting together, went away. Approaching

Indra they behold Vritra glowing and resplendent as if scorching the ten

points, and swallowing all the three worlds, and resembling the sun or

the moon. And then the Rishis, came up to Vritra and spoke to him in

conciliatory terms, saying, 'O thou unconquerable being, the whole of

this universe hath been pervaded by thy energy. Thou art not able however

to overpower Indra, O best of mighty beings. A long period hath now

elapsed since you began to fight. All beings, with the gods and the

Asuras and men, are suffering from the effects of the fight. Let there be

eternal friendship between thee and Indra. Thou shalt be happy and shall

dwell eternally in Indra's regions.' And the mighty Vritra having heard

the words of the saints, bowed his head unto them. And the Asura (thus)

spoke, 'What you, O highly-gifted beings, and also all these Gandharvas

are saying, I have heard. Ye stainless beings, hear also what I have got

to say. How can there be peace between us two, Indra and myself? How can

there be friendship, ye gods, between two hostile powers?' The Rishis

said, 'Friendship among righteous persons happens at a single meeting. It

is a desirable object. Thereafter will happen what is fated to be. The

opportunity of forming friendship with a righteous person should not be

sacrificed. Therefore, the friendship of the righteous should be sought.

The friendship of the righteous is (like) excellent wealth, for he that

is wise would give advice when it is needed. The friendship of a good

person is of great use; therefore, a wise person should not desire to

kill a righteous one. Indra is honoured by the righteous, and is the

refuge of magnanimous persons, being veracious and unblamable, and knows

what virtue is, and is possessed of a refined judgment. Let there be

eternal friendship between thee and Indra, as described above. In this

way, have faith (in him); let not thy heart be differently inclined.'

"Salya said, 'Hearing these words of the great Rishis, the illustrious

Asura spoke to them, 'No doubt, the Rishis, endued with supernatural

powers, are to be respected by me. Let what I am going to say, ye gods,

be performed in its entirety; then I shall do everything that (these)

best of Brahmanas have said to me. Ye lords of the Brahmana race, ordain

so that Indra himself or the gods do not kill me by what is dry, or wet;

by stone, or by wood; by a weapon fit for close fight, or by a missile;

in the day time, or at night. On those terms eternal peace with Indra

would be acceptable to me,--Very good! was what the Rishis told him, O

best of Bharata race.' Thus peace having been concluded, Vritra was very

much pleased. And Indra also became pleased though constantly occupied

with the thought of killing Vritra. And the chief of the deities passed

his time in search of a loophole, uneasy (in mind). And on a certain day

when it was evening and the hour awful, Indra caught sight of the mighty

Asura on the coast of the sea. And he bethought himself of the boon that

was granted to the illustrious Asura, saying, 'This is the awful evening

time; it is neither day, nor night; and this Vritra, my enemy, who hath

stripped me of my all, must undoubtedly be killed by me. It I do not kill

Vritra, this great and mighty Asura of gigantic frame, even by deceit, it

will not go well with me.' And as Indra thought of all this, bearing

Vishnu in mind he beheld at that instant in the sea a mass of froth as

large as a hill. And he said, 'This is neither dry, nor wet, nor is it a

weapon; let me hurl it at Vritra. Without doubt, he will die

immediately.' And he threw at Vritra that mass of froth blended with the

thunderbolt. And Vishnu, having entered within that froth, put an end to

the life of Vritra. And when Vritra was killed, the cardinal points were

free from gloom; and there also blew a pleasant breeze; and all beings

were much pleased. And the deities with the Gandharvas and Yakshas and

Rakshasas, with the great snakes and saints, glorified the mighty Indra

with various laudatory hymns. And saluted by all beings, Indra spoke

words of encouragement to all. And his heart was glad as also that of

everyone of the gods for having killed the foe. And knowing the nature of

virtue, he worshipped Vishnu, the most praiseworthy of all objects in the

world. Now when the mighty Vritra, terrible to the gods, was killed,

Indra became overpowered by falsehood, and he became exceedingly sad; and

he was also overpowered by the sin of Brahmanicide on account of having

killed the three-headed son of Twashtri. And he betook himself to the

confines of the worlds, and became bereft of his senses and

consciousness. And overpowered by his own sins, he could not be

recognised. And he lay concealed in water, just like a writhing snake.

And when the lord of celestials, oppressed with the dread of

Brahmanicide, had vanished from sight, the earth looked as if a havoc had

passed over it. And it became treeless, and its woods withered; and the

course of rivers was interrupted; and the reservoirs lost all their

water; and there was distress among animals on account of cessation of

rains. And the deities and all the great Rishis were in exceeding fear;

and the world had no king, and was overtaken by disasters. Then the

deities and the divine saints in heaven, separated from the chief of the

gods, became terrified, and wondered who was to be their king. And nobody

had any inclination to act as the king of the gods.'

SECTION XI

"Salya said, 'Then all the Rishis and the superior gods said, "Let the

handsome Nahusha be crowned as king of the gods. He is powerful and

renowned, and devoted to virtue ever more.' And they all went and said to

him, 'O lord of the earth, be thou our king.' And Nahusha intent on his

welfare, spoke to those gods and saints accompanied by the progenitors

(of mankind), 'I am feeble; I am not capable of protecting you; it is a

powerful person who should be your king; it is Indra who hath always been

possessed of strength.' And all the gods, led by the saints, spoke again

to him, 'Aided by the virtue of our austerities, rule thou the kingdom of

heaven. There is no doubt that we have all our respective fears. Be

crowned, O lord of monarchs, as the king of heaven. Whatever being may

stand within thy sight, whether he be a god, an Asura, a Yaksha, a saint,

a Pitri, or a Gandharva, thou shalt absorb his power and (thereby) wax

strong. Always placing virtue before (all other things), be thou the

ruler of the worlds. Protect also the Brahmarsis (Brahmana saints) and

the gods in heaven.' Then, O lord of monarchs, Nahusha was crowned king

in heaven. And placing virtue before (everything else), he became the

ruler of all the worlds. And though always of a virtuous disposition, yet

when he obtained that precious boon and the kingdom of heaven, Nahusha

assumed a sensual turn of mind. And when Nahusha became the king of the

gods, he surrounded himself with celestial nymphs, and with damsels of

celestial birth, and took to enjoyments of various kinds, in the Nandana

groves, on mount Kailasa, on the crest of Himavat, on Mandara. the White

hill Sahya, Mahendra and Malaya, as, also upon seas and rivers. And he

listened to various divine narratives that captivated both the ear and

the heart, and to the play of musical instruments of different sorts, and

to sweet vocal strains. And Viswavasu and Narada and bevies of celestial

nymphs and bands of Gandharvas and the six seasons in living shapes,

attended upon the king of the gods. And fragrant breezes, refreshingly

cool, blew round him. And while that wretch was thus enjoying himself, on

one occasion the goddess who was the favourite queen of Indra came in his

sight. And that vicious soul, having looked at her, said to the

courtiers, 'Why doth not this goddess, the queen of Indra, attend upon

me? I am the monarch of the gods, and also the ruler of the worlds. Let

Sachi make haste and visit me at my house.' Saddened at hearing this, the

goddess said to Vrihaspati, 'Protect me, O Brahmana, from this Nahusha. I

come to you as my refuge. You always say, O Brahmana, that I have got on

my person all the auspicious marks, being the favourite of the divine

king; that I am chaste, devoted to my lord, and destined never to become

a widow. All this about me you have said before. Let your words be made

true. O possessor of great powers, O lord, you never spoke words that

were vain. Therefore, O best of Brahmanas, this that you have said ought

to be true.' Then Vrihaspati said to the queen of Indra who was beside

herself through fear, 'What thou hast been told by me will come to be

true, be sure, O goddess. Thou shalt see Indra, the lord of the gods, who

will soon come back here. I tell thee truly, thou hast no fear from

Nahusha; I shall soon unite thee with Indra.' Now Nahusha came to hear

that Indra's queen had taken refuge with Vrihaspati, the son of Angiras.

And at this, the king became highly enraged.'

SECTION XII

"Salya said, 'Seeing Nahusha enraged, the gods led by the saints spoke

unto him, 'Who was now their king of awful mien? O king of gods, quit thy

wrath. When thou art in wrath, O lord, the Universe, with its Asuras and

Gandharvas, its Kinnaras, and great snakes, quaketh. Quit this wrath,

thou righteous being. Persons like thee do not put themselves out. That

goddess is another person's wife. Be pacified, O lord of gods! Turn back

thy inclination from the sin of outraging another's wife. Thou art the

king of gods, prosperity to thee! Protect thy subjects in all

righteousness?' So addressed, he heeded not the saying rendered senseless

by lust. And the king spoke to the gods, in allusion to Indra, 'Ahalya of

spotless fame, the wife of a saint, was outraged by Indra while her

husband was alive. Why did ye not prevent him? Many were the deeds of

inhumanity, of unrighteousness, of deceit, committed by Indra in former

times. Why did ye not prevent him? Let the goddess do my pleasure; that

would be her permanent good. And so the same will ever more rebound to

your safety, ye gods!'

"The gods said, 'We shall bring to thee the queen of Indra even as thou

hast laid the command, 'O lord of heaven! Quit this wrath, thou valiant

soul! Be pacified, O lord of gods!'

"Salya continued, 'Thus having spoken to him, the gods with the saint

went to inform Vrihaspati and the queen of Indra of the said news. And

they said, 'We know, O foremost of Brahmanas, that the queen of Indra

hath betaken herself to thy house, for protection, and that thou hast

promised her protection, O best of divine saints! But we, the gods and

Gandharvas and saints, beseech thee, O thou of great lustre, to give up

the queen of Indra to Nahusha. Nahusha, the king of gods, of great

effulgence, is superior to Indra. Let her, that lady of choice figure and

complexion, choose him as her lord!' Thus addressed, the goddess gave

vent to tears; and sobbing audibly, she mourned in piteous accents. And

she spoke to Vrihaspati, 'O best of divine saints, I do not desire

Nahusha to be my lord. I have betaken myself to thy protection, O

Brahmana! Deliver me from this great peril!'

"Vrihaspati said, 'My resolution is this, I shall not abandon one that

hath sought my protection. O thou of unblamable life, I shall not abandon

thee, virtuous as thou art and of a truthful disposition! I do not desire

to do an improper act, specially as I am a Brahmana knowing what

righteousness is, having a regard for truth, and aware also of the

precepts of virtue. I shall never do it. Go your ways, ye best of gods.

Hear what hath formerly been sung by Brahma with regard to the matter at

hand. He that delivereth up to a foe of a person terrified and asking for

protection obtaineth no protection when he himself is in need of it. His

seed doth not grow at seed-time and rain doth not come to him in the

season of rains. He that delivereth up to a foe a person terrified and

asking for protection never succeedeth in anything that he undertaketh;

senseless as he is, he droppeth paralysed from heaven; the god refuse

offerings made by him. His progeny die an untimely death and his

forefathers always quarrel (among themselves). The gods with Indra and

their head dart the thunderbolt at him. Know it to be so, I shall not

deliver up this Sachi here, the queen of Indra, famous in the world as

his favourite consort. O ye best of gods, what may be for both her good

and mine I ask you to do. Sachi I shall never deliver up!'

"Salya continued, 'Then the gods and the Gandharvas said these words to

the preceptor of the gods, 'O Vrihaspati, deliberate upon something that

may be conformable to sound policy!' Vrihaspati said, 'Let this goddess

of auspicious looks ask for time from Nahusha in order to make up her

mind to his proposal. This will be for the good of Indra's queen, and of

us as well. Time, ye gods, may give rise to many impediments. Time will

send time onward. Nahusha is proud and powerful by virtue of the boon

granted to him!'

"Salya continued, 'Vrihaspati having spoken so, the gods, delighted then

said, 'Well hast thou said, O Brahmana. This is for the good of all the

gods. It is no doubt so. Only, let this goddess be propitiated.' Then the

assembled gods led by Agni, with a view to the welfare of all the worlds,

spoke to Indra's queen in a quiet way. And the gods said, 'Thou art

supporting the whole universe of things mobile and immobile. Thou art

chaste and true: go thou to Nahusha. That vicious being, lustful after

thee, will shortly fall: and Indra, O goddess, will get the sovereignty

of the gods!' Ascertaining this to be the result of that deliberation,

Indra's queen, for attaining her end, went bashfully to Nahusha of awful

mien. The vicious Nahusha also, rendered senseless by lust, saw how

youthful and lovely she was, and became highly pleased.'

SECTION XIII

"Salya said, 'Now then Nahusha, the king of the gods, looked at her and

said, 'O thou of sweet smiles, I am the Indra of all the three worlds. O

thou of beautiful thighs and fair complexion, accept me as thy lord!'

That chaste goddess, thus addressed by Nahusha, was terrified and quaked

like a plantain-stalk at a breezy spot. She bowed her head to Brahma, and

joining her hands spoke to Nahusha, the king of the gods, of awful mien,

said, 'O lord of the deities, I desire to obtain time. It is not known

what hath become of Indra, or where he is. Having enquired into the truth

regarding him, if, O lord, I obtain no news of him, then I shall visit

thee; this tell I thee for truth.' Thus addressed by Indra's queen,

Nahusha was pleased. And Nahusha said, 'Let it be so, O lady of lovely

hips, even as thou art telling me. Thou wilt come, after having

ascertained the news. I hope thou wilt remember thy plighted truth.'

Dismissed by Nahusha, she of auspicious looks stepped out; and that

famous lady went to the abode of Vrihaspati. And, O best of kings, the

gods with Agni at their head, when they heard her words, deliberated,

intent upon what would promote the interests of Indra. And they then

joined the powerful Vishnu, the God of gods. And skilled in making

speeches, the uneasy gods spoke the following words to him, 'Indra, the

lord of all the gods, hath been overpowered by the sin of Brahmanicide.

Thou, O lord of the gods, art the first-born, the ruler of the universe,

and our refuge. Thou hadst assumed the form of Vishnu for the protection

of all beings. When Vritra was killed through thy energy, Indra was

overwhelmed by the sin of Brahmanicide. O best of all the gods, prescribe

the means of setting him free.' Having heard these words of the gods,

Vishnu said, 'Let Indra. offer sacrifice to me. Even I shall purify the

holder of the thunderbolt. The chastiser of Paka, having performed the

holy horse-sacrifice, will fearlessly regain his dignity as lord of the

gods. And the wicked-minded Nahusha will be led to destruction by his

evil deeds. For a certain period, ye gods, ye must be patient, being

vigilant at the same time.' Having heard these words of Vishnu, words

that were true, and pleasant like ambrosia to their ears, the gods, with

their preceptor, and with the Rishis proceeded to that spot where Indra

was uneasy with fear. And there, O king, was performed a great

horse-sacrifice, capable of removing the sin of Brahmanicide, for the

purification of the high-minded and great Indra. And the lord of the

gods,--O Yudhishthira, divided the sin of Brahmanicide among trees and

rivers and mountains and the earth and women. And having distributed it

thus among those beings and parted with it, Indra was free from fever.

And rid of his sin, he came to himself. And at that place, the slayer of

the Asura Vala, quaked when he looked at Nahusha, before whom all

animated beings felt cowed, and who was unapproachable by virtue of the

boon the Rishis had granted to him. And the divine husband of Sachi

vanished from sight once again. And invisible to all beings, he wandered

biding his time. And Indra having disappeared, Sachi fell into grief. And

exceedingly miserable, she bewailed, 'Alas! O Indra, if ever I have made

a gift, or made offering to the gods, or have propitiated my spiritual

guides, if there is any truth in me, then I pray that my chastity may

remain inviolate. I bow myself to this goddess Night,--holy, pure,

running her course during this the northern journey of the sun,[1] let my

desire be fulfilled.' Saying this, she, in a purified condition of body

and soul, worshipped the goddess Night. And in the name of her chastity

and truth she had recourse to divination.[2] And she asked, 'Show me the

place where the king of the gods is. Let truth be verified by truth.' And

it was thus that she addressed the goddess of Divination.'

SECTION XIV

"Salya said, 'Then the goddess of Divination stood near that chaste and

beautiful lady. And having beheld that goddess, youthful and lovely,

standing before her, Indra's queen, glad at heart, paid respects to them

and said, 'I desire to know who thou art, O thou of lovely face.' And

Divination said, 'I am Divination, O goddess, come near thee. Since thou

art truthful, therefore, O high-minded lady, do I appear in thy sight.

Since thou art devoted to thy lord, employed in controlling thyself, and

engaged in the practice of religious rites, I shall show thee the god

Indra, the slayer of Vritra. Quickly come after me, so may good betide

thee! Thou shalt see that best of gods.' Then Divination proceeded and

the divine queen of Indra went after her. And she crossed the heavenly

groves, and many mountains; and then having crossed the Himavat

mountains, she came to its northern side. And having reached the sea,

extending over many yojanas, she came upon a large island covered with

various trees and plants. And there she saw a beautiful lake, of heavenly

appearance, covered with birds, eight hundred miles in length, and as

many in breadth. And upon it, O descendant of Bharata, were full-blown

lotuses of heavenly appearance, of five colours, hummed round by bees,

and counting by thousands. And in the middle of that lake, there was a

large and beautiful assemblage of lotuses having in its midst a large

white lotus standing on a lofty stalk. And penetrating into the

lotus-stalk, along with Sachi, she saw Indra there who had entered into

its fibres. And seeing her lord lying there in a minute form, Sachi also

assumed a minute form, so did the goddess of divination too. And Indra's

queen began to glorify him by reciting his celebrated deeds of yore. And

thus glorified, the divine Purandara spoke to Sachi, 'For what purpose

hast thou come? How also have I been found out?' Then the goddess spoke

of the acts of Nahusha. And she said, 'O performer of a hundred

sacrifices, having obtained the sovereignty of the three worlds, powerful

and haughty and of a vicious soul, he hath commanded me to visit him, and

the cruel wretch hath even assigned me a definite time. If thou wilt not

protect me, O lord, he will bring me under his power. For this reason, O

Indra, have I come to thee in alarm. O thou of powerful arms, slay the

terrible Nahusha of vicious soul. Discover thyself, O slayer of Daityas

and Danavas. O lord, assume thy own strength and rule the celestial

kingdom.'"

SECTION XV

"Salya said, 'Thus addressed by Sachi, the illustrious god said to her

again, 'This is not the time for putting forth valour. Nahusha is

stronger than I am. O beautiful lady, he hath been strengthened by the

Rishis with the merits of offerings to the gods and the Pitris. I shall

have recourse to policy now. Thou wilt have to carry it out, O goddess. O

lady, thou must do it secretly and must not disclose it to any person. O

lady of a beautiful waist, going to Nahusha in private, tell him, O lord

of the Universe, thou must visit me mounted on a nice vehicle borne by

Rishis. In that case I shall be pleased and shall place myself at thy

disposal. This shouldst thou tell him.' And thus addressed by the king of

the gods, his lotus-eyed consort expressed her consent and went to

Nahusha. And Nahusha, having seen her, smilingly addressed her, saying,

'I welcome thee, O lady of lovely thighs. What is thy pleasure, O thou of

sweet smiles. Accept me, O lady of propitious looks, who am devoted to

thee. What is thy will, O spirited dame. I shall do thy wish, O lady of

propitious looks and slender waist. Nor needst thou be bashful, O thou of

lovely hips. Have trust in me. In the name of truth I swear, O goddess,

that I shall do thy bidding.'

"Sachi said, 'O lord of Universe, I wanted the time that thou hast

assigned to me. Thereafter, O lord of the gods, thou shalt be my husband.

I have a wish. Attend and hear, O king of the gods. What it is I shall

say, O king, so that thou mayst do what I like. This is an indulgence

that I ask from thy love for me. If thou grantest it, I shall be at thy

disposal. Indra had horses for carrying him, and elephants, and cars. I

want thee to have, O king of the gods, a novel vehicle, such as never

belonged to Vishnu, or Rudra, or the Asuras, or the Rakshasas, O lord.

Let a number of highly dignified Rishis, united together, bear thee in a

palanquin. This is what commends itself to me. Thou shouldst not liken

thyself to the Asuras or the gods. Thou absorbest the strength of all by

thy own strength as soon as they look at thee. There is none so strong as

to be able to stand before thee.'

"Salya continued, 'Thus addressed, Nahusha was very much pleased. And the

lord of the deities said to that lady of faultless features, 'O lady of

the fairest complexion, thou hast spoken of a vehicle never heard of

before. I like it exceedingly, O goddess. I am in thy power, O thou of

lovely face. He cannot be a feeble person who employeth Rishis for

bearing him. I have practised austerities, and am mighty. I am the lord

of the past, the present, and the future. The Universe would be no more

if I were in rage. The whole Universe is established in me. O thou of

sweet smiles, the gods, the Asuras and Gandharvas, and snakes, and

Rakshasas are together unable to cope with me when I am in rage.

Whomsoever I gaze upon I divest him of his energy. Therefore, thy request

I shall no doubt fulfil, O goddess. The seven Rishis, and also the

regenerate Rishis, shall carry me. See our greatness and splendour, O

lady of lovely complexion.'

"Salya continued, 'Having thus addressed that goddess of lovely face, and

having dismissed her thus, he harnessed to his heavenly car a number of

saints devoted to the practice of austerities. A disregarder of

Brahmanas, endued with power and intoxicated with pride, capricious, and

of vicious soul, he employed those saints to carry him. Meanwhile,

dismissed by Nahusha, Sachi went to Vrihaspati and said, 'But little

remaineth of the term assigned by Nahusha to me. But compassionate unto

me who respect thee so, and quickly find out Indra.'

"The illustrious Vrihaspati then said to her, 'Very good, thou needst

not, O goddess, fear, Nahusha of vicious soul. Surely, he shall not long

retain his power. The wretch, in fact, is already gone, being regardless

of virtue and because, O lovely dame, of his employing the great saints

to carry him. And I shall perform a sacrifice for the destruction of this

vicious wretch, and I shall find out Indra. Thou needst not fear. Fare

thee well.' And Vrihaspati of great power then kindled a fire in the

prescribed form, and put the very best offerings upon it in order to

ascertain where the king of the gods was. And having put his offerings, O

king, he said to the Fire, 'Search out Indra.' And there upon that

revered god, the eater of burnt offerings, assumed of his own accord a

wonderful feminine form and vanished from sight at that very spot. And

endued with speed of the mind, he searched everywhere, mountains and

forests, earth and sky, and came back to Vrihaspati within the twinkling

of the eye. And Agni said, Vrihaspati, nowhere in these places do I find

the king of the gods. The waters alone remain to be searched. I am always

backward in entering the waters. I have no ingress therein. O Brahmana,

what I am to do for thee.' The preceptor of the gods then said to him, 'O

illustrious god, do thou enter the water.'

"Agni said, 'I cannot enter the water. Therein it is extinction that

awaits me. I place myself in thy hand, O thou of great effulgence. Mayst

thou fare well! Fire rose from water, the military caste rose from the

priestly caste; and iron had its origin in stone. The power of these

which can penetrate all other things, hath no operation upon the sources

from which they spring.'"

SECTION XVI

"Vrihaspati said, 'Thou art the mouth, O Agni, of all the gods. Thou art

the carrier of sacred offerings. Thou, like a witness, hast access to the

inner souls of all creatures. The poets call thee single, and again

three-fold. O eater of burnt offerings, abandoned by thee the Universe

would forthwith cease to be. The Brahmanas by bowing to thee, win with

their wives and sons an eternal region, the reward of their own

meritorious deeds. O Agni, it is thou who art the bearer of sacred

offerings. Thou, O Agni, art thyself the best offering. In a sacrificial

ceremony of the supreme order, it is thee that they worship with

incessant gifts and offerings. O bearer of offerings, having created the

three worlds, thou when the hour cometh, consumeth them in thy unkindled

form. Thou art the mother of the whole Universe; and thou again, O Agni,

art its termination. The wise call thee identical with the clouds and

with the lightning; flames issuing from thee, support all creatures. All

the waters are deposited in thee; so is this entire world. To thee, O

purifier, nothing is unknown in the three worlds. Every body taketh

kindly to his progenitor; do thou enter the waters without fear. I shall

render thee strong with the eternal hymns of the Veda. Thus glorified,

the bearer of burnt offerings, that best of poets, well-pleased, spoke

laudable words to Vrihaspati. And he said, 'I shall show Indra to thee.

This I tell thee for truth.'

"Salya continued, 'Then Agni entered the waters including seas and tiny

ponds, and came to that reservoir, where, O best of Bharata's race, while

searching the lotus flowers, he saw the king of the gods lying within the

fibres of a lotus-stalk. And soon coming back, he informed Vrihaspati how

Indra had taken refuge in the fibres of a lotus-stalk, assuming a minute

form. Then Vrihaspati, accompanied by the gods, the saints and the

Gandharvas, went and glorified the slayer of Vala by referring to his

former deeds. And he said, 'O Indra, the great Asura Namuchi was killed

by thee; and those two Asuras also of terrible strength, viz., Samvara

and Vala. Wax strong, O performer of a hundred sacrifices, and slay all

thy foes. Rise, O Indra! Behold, here are assembled the gods and the

saints. O Indra, O great lord, by slaying Asuras, thou hast delivered the

worlds. Having got the froth of waters, strengthened with Vishnu's

energy, thou formerly slew Vritra. Thou art the refuge of all creatures

and art adorable. There is no being equal to thee. All the creatures, O

Indra, are supported by thee, Thou didst build the greatness of the gods.

Deliver all, together with the worlds by assuming thy strength, O great

Indra.' And thus glorified, Indra increased little by little; and having

assumed his own form, he waxed strong and spoke to the preceptor

Vrihaspati standing before. And he said, 'What business of yours yet

remaineth; the great Asuras, son of Twashtri, hath been killed; and

Vritra also, whose form was exceedingly big and who destroyed the worlds.'

"Vrihaspati said, 'The human Nahusha, a king, having, obtained the throne

of heaven by virtue of the power of the divine saints, is giving us

exceeding trouble.'

"Indra said, 'How hath Nahusha obtained the throne of heaven, difficult

to get? What austerities did he practise? How great is his power, O

Vrihaspati!'

"Vrihaspati said, 'The gods having been frightened, wished for a king of

heaven, for thou hadst given up the high dignity of heaven's ruler. Then

the gods, the Pitris of the universe, the saints, and the principal

Gandharvas, all met together, O Indra, and went to Nahusha and said, 'Be

thou our king, and the defender of the Universe!' To them said Nahusha,

'I am not able; fill me with your power and with the virtue of your

austerities!' So told, the deities strengthened him, O king of the gods!

And thereupon Nahusha became a person of terrible strength, and becoming

thus the ruler of the three worlds, he hath put the great saints in

harness, and the wretch is thus journeying from world to world. Mayst

thou never see Nahusha who is terrible. He emitteth poison from his eyes,

and absorbeth the energy of all. All the gods are exceedingly frightened;

they go about concealed and do not cast a glance at him!'

"Salya continued, While that best of Angira's race was thus speaking,

there came that guardian of the world, Kuvera, and also Yama the son of

Surya, and the old god Soma, and Varuna. And arrived there they said to

the great Indra, 'How lucky that the son of Twashtri hath been killed,

and Vritra also! How lucky, O Indra, that we are beholding thee safe and

sound, while all thy enemies have been killed!' Indra received all those

guardians of the worlds, and with a glad heart greeted them in proper

form with a view to requesting them in connection with Nahusha. And he

said, 'Nahusha of terrible mien is the king of the gods; therein lend me

your assistance.' They replied, 'Nahusha is of awful mien; his sight is

poison; we are afraid of him, O God. If thou overthrowest Nahusha, then

we shall be entitled to our shares of sacrificial offerings, O Indra.'

Indra said, 'Let it be so. You and the ruler of the waters, and Yama, and

Kuvera shall this day be crowned along with me. Aided by all the gods,

let us overthrow the foe Nahusha of terrible gaze.' Then Agni also said

to Indra, 'Give me a share in sacrificial offerings. I also shall lend

you my assistance.' Indra said to him, 'O Agni, thou also shalt get a

share in great sacrifices,--there will be a single share (in such) for

both Indra and Agni.'

"Salya continued, 'Thus did the illustrious lord Indra, the chastiser of

Paka, the giver of boons, bestow, after deliberation upon Kuvera the

sovereignty over the Yakshas, and all the wealth of the world; upon Yama,

the sovereignty over the Pitris; and upon Varuna, that over the waters.'

SECTION XVII

"Salya said, 'Now when the great Indra, the intelligent chief of the

gods, was deliberating with the guardians of the world and other deities

upon the means of slaying Nahusha, there appeared at that spot the

venerable ascetic Agastya. And Agastya honoured the lord of the gods and

said, 'How fortunate that thou art flourishing after the destruction of

that being of universal form, as also that of Vritra. And how fortunate.

O Purandara, Nahusha hath been hurled from the throne of heaven. How

fortunate, O slayer of Vala, that I behold thee with all thy enemies

killed.'

"Indra said, 'Hath thy journey hither been pleasant, O great saint, I am

delighted to see thee. Accept from me water for washing thy feet and

face, as also the Arghya and the cow.'

"Salya continued, 'Indra, well-pleased, began to question that best of

saints and greatest of Brahmanas when he was seated on a seat after

receiving due honours, thus, O revered saint, O best of Brahmanas, I wish

to have it recited by thee how Nahusha of vicious soul was hurled from

heaven.'

"Agastya said, 'Listen, O Indra, to the pleasant narrative how the wicked

and vicious Nahusha, intoxicated with pride of strength, had been hurled

from heaven. The pure-spirited Brahmanas and celestial saints, while

carrying him, weary with toil, questioned that vicious one, O best of

victors, saying, 'O Indra, there are certain hymns in the Vedas, directed

to be recited while sprinkling the cows. Are they authentic or not?

Nahusha, who had lost his senses by the operation of the Tamas, told them

that they were not authentic.' The saints then said, 'Thou art tending

towards unrighteousness; thou takest not to the righteous path. The

greatest saints have formerly said they are authentic, O Indra.' And

incited by Untruth, he touched me on my head with his foot. At this, O

lord of Sachi, he became divested of power and of good looks. Then, as he

was agitated and overpowered with fear, I spoke to him, 'Since thou hast

pronounced as spurious the unexceptionable hymns of the Veda which have

been recited by Brahmarsis (Brahmana saints), and since thou hast touched

my head with thy foot, and since thou, O ignorant wretch, hast turned

these unapproachable saints, equal to Brahma, into animals for carrying

thee, therefore, O wretch, be divested of thy lustre, and being hurled

headlong, fall thou from heaven, the effect of all thy good deeds being

exhausted. For ten thousand years, thou shalt, in the form of an enormous

snake, roam over the earth. When that period is full, thou mayst come

back to heaven. Thus hath that wretch been hurled from the throne of

heaven, O repressor of foes.' How fortunate, O Indra, that we are

flourishing now. That thorn of the Brahmanas hath been killed. O lord of

Sachi, repair thou to heaven, protect the worlds, subdue thy senses,

subdue thy foes, and be glorified by the great saints.'

"Salya continued, 'Then, O ruler of men, the gods, and the bands of great

saints were exceedingly pleased. And so also were the Pitris, the

Yakshas, the Snakes, the Rakshasas, the Gandharvas, and all the bands of

celestial nymphs. And the tanks, the rivers, the mountains, and the seas

also were highly pleased. And all came up and said, 'How fortunate, O

slayer of foes, that thou art flourishing! How fortunate, that the

intelligent Agastya hath killed the vicious Nahusha! How fortunate that

the vile individual hath been turned into a snake to roam over the

earth!'"

SECTION XVIII

"Salya said, "Then Indra, glorified by the bands of Gandharvas and

celestial nymphs, mounted on Airavata, the king of elephants,

characterised by auspicious marks. And the illustrious Agni, and the

great saint Vrihaspati, and Yama, and Varuna, and Kuvera, the lord of

riches, accompanied him. And the lord Sakra, the slayer of Vritra, then

went to the three worlds surrounded by the gods together with the

Gandharvas and the celestial nymphs. And the performer of a hundred

sacrifices, the king of the deities, was thus united with his queen. And

he began to protect the worlds with exceeding gladness. Then the

illustrious divine saint Angiras arrived in the assembly of Indra and

worshipped him duly by reciting the hymns of the Atharva. And the great

lord Indra became satisfied and granted a boon to the Atharvangiras. And

Indra said, 'Thou wilt be known as a Rishi of the name Atharvangiras in

the Atharva Veda, and thou wilt also get a share in sacrifices.' And

having honoured Atharvangiras thus, the great lord Indra, the performer

of a hundred sacrifices, parted with him, O great king. And he honoured

all the deities and all the saints endued with wealth of asceticism. And,

O king, Indra, well-pleased, governed the people virtuously. Thus was

misery endured by Indra with his wife. And with the view of slaying his

foes, even he had to pass a period in concealment. Thou shouldst not take

it to heart that thou, O king of kings, hast suffered with Draupadi as

also with thy high-minded brothers in the great forest. O king of kings,

O descendant of Bharata, O delighter of Kuru's race, thou wilt get back

thy kingdom in the same way as Indra got his, after having killed Vritra.

The vicious Nahusha, that enemy of Brahmanas, of evil mind, was

overthrown by the curse of Agastya, and reduced to nothing for endless

years. Similarly, O slayer of foes, thy enemies, Karna and Duryodhana and

others of vicious souls will quickly be destroyed. Then, O hero, thou

wilt enjoy the whole of this earth, as far as the sea, with thy brothers

and this Draupadi. This story of the victory of Indra, equal to the Veda

in its sacred character, should be listened to by a king desirous of

victory and when his forces have been arrayed in order of battle.

Therefore, O best of victors, I am reciting it to thee for thy victory, O

Yudhishthira. High-souled persons attain prosperity when they are

glorified. O Yudhishthira, the destruction of high-souled Kshatriyas is

at hand by reason of the crimes of Duryodhana, and through the might also

of Bhima and Arjuna. He who readeth this story of Indra's victory with a

heart full of religious faith, is cleansed of his sins, attaineth a

region of bliss, and obtaineth joy both in this world and in the next. He

hath no fear of his foes; he never becometh a sonless man, never

encountereth any peril whatever, and enjoyeth long life. Everywhere

victory declareth for him, and he knoweth not what defeat is.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'O best of Bharata's race, the king, that best

of righteous men, thus encouraged by Salya, honoured him in proper form.

And Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, of powerful arms, having beard the

words of Salya, spoke to the king of the Madras the following words,

'There is no doubt that thou wilt act as the charioteer of Karna. Thou

must damp the spirits of Karna then by recounting the praises of Arjuna.'

"Salya said, 'Let it be so. I shall do just as thou tellest me. And I

shall do for thee anything else that I may be able to do.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Salya, the king of the Madras, bade

farewell to the sons of Kunti. And that handsome man then went with his

army to Duryodhana, O repressor of foes.'"

SECTION XIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Yuyudhana, the great hero of the Satwata race,

came to Yudhishthira with a large army of foot, and horses and cars and

elephants. And his soldiers of great valour come from various lands, bore

various weapons of war, and heroic in look they beautified the Pandava

army. And that army looked splendid by reason of battleaxes, and missiles

and spears, and lances, and mallets, and clubs, and staves, and cords,

and stainless swords, and daggers, and arrows of various kinds, all of

the best temper. And the army, beautified by those weapons, and

resembling in colour the cloudy sky, assumed an appearance like to amass

of clouds with lightning-flashes in its midst. And the army counted an

Akshauhini of troops. And when absorbed in the troops of Yudhishthira it

entirely disappeared, as doth a small river when it enters the sea. And

similarly, the powerful chief of the Chedis, Dhrishtaketu, accompanied by

an Akshauhini, came to the sons of Pandu of immeasurable strength. And

the king of Magadha, Jayatsena of great strength, brought with him for

Yudhishthira an Akshauhini of troops. And similarly, Pandya, who dwelt on

the coast-land near the sea, came accompanied by troops of various kinds

to Yudhishthira, the king of kings. And, O king, when all these troops

had assembled, his army, finely dressed and exceedingly strong, assumed

an appearance pleasant to the eye. And the army of Drupada, also was

beautified by valiant soldiers who had come from various lands, and also

by his mighty sons. And similarly, Virata, the king of the Matsyas, a

leader of troops, accompanied by the king of the hilly regions, came to

Pandu's sons. And for the high-souled sons of Pandu there were thus

assembled from various directions, seven Akshauhini of troops, bristling

with banners of various forms. And eager to fight with the Kurus, they

gladdened the hearts of the Pandavas. And in the same way king

Bhagadatta, gladdening the heart of Dhritarashtra's son, gave an

Akshauhini of troops to him. And the unassailable mass of his troops,

crowded with Chins and Kiratas, all looking like figures of gold, assumed

a beauty like to that of a forest of Karnikara trees. And so the valiant

Bhurisravas, and Salya, O son of Kuru, came to Duryodhana, with an

Akshauhini of troops each. And Kritavarman, the son of Hridika,

accompanied by the Bhojas, the Andhas, and the Kukuras, came to

Duryodhana with an Akshauhini of troops. And the body of his troops

composed of those mighty soldiers, who wore on their persons garlands of

many-coloured flowers, looked as graceful as a number of sportive

elephants that have passed through a wood. And others led by Jayadratha,

the dwellers of the land of Sindhusauvira, came in such force that the

hills seemed to tremble under their tread. And their force, counting an

Akshauhini, looked like a mass of clouds moved by the wind. And

Sudakshina, the king of the Kambhojas, O ruler of men, accompanied by the

Yavanas and Sakas, came to the Kuru chief with an Akshauhini of troops.

And the body of his troops that looked like a flight of locusts, meeting

with the Kuru force, was absorbed and disappeared in it. And similarly

came king Nila, the resident of the city of the Mahishmati, with mighty

soldiers from the southern country who carried weapons of pretty make.

And the two kings of Avanti, accompanied by a mighty force, brought to

Duryodhana, each a separate Akshauhini of troops. And those tigers among

men, the five royal brothers, the princes of Kekaya, hastened to

Duryodhana with an Akshauhini of troops, and gladdened his heart. And

from the illustrious king, of other quarters there came, O best of

Bharata's race, three large divisions of troops. And thus Duryodhana had

a force which numbered eleven Akshauhinis all eager to fight with the

sons of Kunti, and bristling with banners of various forms. And, O

descendant of Bharata, there was no space in the city of Hastinapura even

for the principal leaders of Duryodhana's army. And for this reason the

land of the five rivers, and the whole of the region called Kurujangala,

and the forest of Rohitaka which was uniformly wild, and Ahichatra and

Kalakuta, and the banks of the Ganga, and Varana, and Vatadhana, and the

hill tracts on the border of the Yamuna--the whole of this extensive

tract--full of abundant corn and wealth, was entirely overspread with the

army of the Kauravas. And that army, so arranged, was beheld by the

priest who had been sent by the king of the Panchalas to the Kurus.'"

SECTION XX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Drupada's priest, having approached the Kaurava

chief, was honoured by Dhritarashtra as also by Bhishma and Vidura. And

having first told the news of the welfare of the Pandavas, he enquired

about the welfare of the Kauravas. And he spoke the following words in

the midst of all the leaders of Duryodhana's army, 'The eternal duties of

kings are known to you all. But though known, I shall yet recite them as

an introduction to what I am going to say. Both Dhritarashtra and Pandu

are known to be sons of the same father. There is no doubt that the share

of each to the paternal wealth should be equal. The sons of Dhritarashtra

obtained the paternal wealth. Why did not the sons of Pandu at all

receive their paternal portion? Ye are aware how formerly the sons of

Pandu did not receive their paternal property which was all usurped by

Dhritarashtra's sons. The latter endeavoured in various ways to remove

the sons of Pandu from their path by employment even of murderous

contrivances; but as their destined terms of life had not wholly run out,

the sons of Pandu could not be sent to the abode of Yama. Then again,

when those high-souled princes had carved out a kingdom by their own

strength, the mean-minded sons of Dhritarashtra, aided by Suvala's son,

robbed them of it by deceit. This Dhritarashtra gave his sanction even to

that act as hath been usual with him. And for thirteen years they were

then sent to sojourn in the great wilderness. In the council-hall, they

had also been subjected to indignities of various kinds, along with their

wife, valiant though they were. And great also were the sufferings that

they had to endure in the woods. Those virtuous princes had also to

endure unspeakable woes in the city of Virata,--such as are endured only

by vicious men when their souls transmigrate into the forms of inferior

beings, Ye best of Kuru's race, overlooking all these injuries of yore

they desire nothing but a peaceful settlement with the Kurus! Remembering

their behaviour, and that of Duryodhana also, the latter's friends should

entreat him to consent to peace! The heroic sons of Pandu are not eager

for war with the Kurus. They desire to get back their own share without

involving the world in ruin. If Dhritarashtra's son assigns a reason in

favour of war, that can never be a proper reason. The sons of Pandu are

more powerful. Seven Akshauhinis of troops have been collected on behalf

of Yudhishthira, all eager to fight with the Kurus, and they are now

awaiting his word of command. Others there are tigers among men, equal in

might to a thousand Akshauhinis, such as Satyaki and Bhimasena, and the

twin brothers of mighty strength. It is true that these eleven divisions

of troops are arrayed on one side, but these are balanced on the other by

the mighty-armed Dhananjaya of manifold form. And as Kiritin exceeds in

strength even all these troops together, so also doth Vasudeva's son of

great effulgence and powerful intellect. Who is there that would fight,

in view of the magnitude of the opposing force, the valour of Arjuna, and

the wisdom of Krishna? Therefore, I ask you to give back what should be

given, as dictated by morality and compact. Do not let the opportunity

pass!'"

SECTION XXI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having heard his words, Bhishma, senior in wisdom,

and endued with great effulgence, paid honours to him, and then spoke

words suitable to the occasion. And he said, 'How fortunate that they are

all well, with Krishna! How fortunate that they have procured aid, and

that they are inclined to a virtuous course! How fortunate that those

scions of Kuru's race desire peace with their cousins! There is no doubt

that what thou hast said is true. Thy words, however, are exceedingly

sharp,--the reason, I suppose, being that thou art a Brahmana. No doubt,

the sons of Pandu were much harassed both here and in woods. No doubt, by

law they are entitled to get all the property of their father. Arjuna,

the son of Pritha, is strong trained in weapons, and is a great

car-warrior. Who, in sooth, can withstand in battle Dhananjaya the son of

Pandu. Even the wielder himself of the thunderbolt cannot,--other bowmen

are hardly worth mention. My belief is that he is a match for all the

three worlds!' And while Bhishma was thus speaking, Karna wrathfully and

insolently interrupted his words, and looking at Duryodhana said, 'There

is no creature in the world, O Brahmana, who is not informed of all these

facts. What is the good of repeating them again and again? On behalf of

Duryodhana, Sakuni formerly won in game of dice. Yudhishthira, the son of

Pandu went to the woods according to a stipulation. He is now paying no

regard to that stipulation, but confident of aid from the Matsyas and

Panchalas, he wisheth to get back his ancestral throne. O learned man,

Duryodhana would not yield even a single foot of land if thou appealest

to his fears, but if justice requires, he would give up the whole earth

even to a foe. If they wish to get back their ancestral throne, they

should pass the specified period of time in the forest as had been

stipulated. Afterwards let them live as the dependants of Duryodhana,

safe and sound. From dull-headedness, however, let them not turn their

mind towards an absolutely unrighteous course. If, nevertheless,

abandoning the path of virtue, they desire war, then when they encounter

in battle these praise-worthy Kurus, they will remember these my words.'

"Bhishma said, 'What is the use of thy talking, O Radha's son? Thou

shouldst remember that occasion when Pritha's son, single-handed,

over-powered in battle six car-warriors. If we do not act as this

Brahmana hath said, to be sure, we shall be all slain by him in battle!"

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Dhritarashtra pacified Bhishma with words

of entreaty, rebuked the son of Radha, and spoke the following words,

What Bhishma, Santanu's son, hath said is salutary for us, as also for

the Pandavas, and likewise for the whole universe. I shall, however,

after deliberation, send Sanjaya to the sons of Pandu. So thou needst not

wait. Go thou to the son of Pandu this very day.' The Kaurava chief then

honoured Drupada's priest and sent him back to the Pandavas. And

summoning Sanjaya to the council-hall, he addressed him in the following

words."

SECTION XXII

"Dhritarashtra said, 'They say, O Sanjaya, that the Pandavas have arrived

at Upaplavya. Go thou and enquire after them. Thou must greet Ajatasatru

in the following words, 'By good luck it is that (emerged from the woods)

thou hast reached such a city. And to all of them thou must say, O

Sanjaya, these words. Are ye well, having spent that harassing period of

sojourn, ye who were unworthy of such harassment?' In no time will they

be appeased towards us, for though treated treacherously (by foes), yet

they are righteous and good. In no case, O Sanjaya, have I ever met with

any untruthfulness on the part of the Pandavas. It was by their own

valour that they had won all their prosperity, and (yet) they were ever

dutiful to me. Though I scrutinized their conduct, I could never find

fault with them,--no, not even a single fault for which we might blame

them. They always act mindful of virtue and wealth; they never give way

to love of sensual enjoyments, or cold, or hunger, or thirst; they subdue

steep and laziness and wrath and joy and heedlessness. The sons of

Pritha, mindful of both virtue and wealth, are ever pleasant to all. On

proper occasions they part with their wealth to friends. Friendship with

them never loses its ardour on account of length of time; for they bestow

honours and wealth on every one according to his deserts. Not a soul in

the race of Ajamida ever entertains hatred for them excepting this vile,

capricious, dull-headed Duryodhana, and excepting also the still more

mean-minded Karna. These two always enhance the energy of those

high-souled ones who have been divested of both friends and happiness.

Enterprising and brought up in every indulgence, Duryodhana reckons all

that to be well-done. It is childish on Duryodhana's part to think that

it is possible to rob the Pandavas of their just share so long as they

are alive. It is wise to yield to Yudhishthira his due share before the

war,--to him whose steps are followed by Arjuna and Krishna and Bhima and

Satyaki and the two sons of Madri and the warriors of the Srinjaya race.

That wielder of the Gandiva, Savyasachin, seated on his car, would alone

be able to devastate the whole world. And likewise the victorious and

high-souled Krishna, the lord of the three worlds, incapable of defeat is

able to do the same. What mortal would stand before him who is the one

worthiest person in all the worlds and who discharges his multitude of

arrows that roar like the clouds, covering all sides, like flights of

swiftly-coursing locusts? Alone on his car, holding the Gandiva, he had

conquered the northern regions as also the Kurus of the north and brought

away with him all their wealth. He converted the people of the Dravida

land to be a portion of his own army. It was Falguna, the wielder of the

Gandiva, who defeating in the Khandava woods all the gods together with

Indra, made offerings to Agni, enhancing the honour and fame of the

Pandavas. Of all wielders again of the mace, there is none equal to

Bhima; and there is none also who is so skilful a rider of elephants. On

car, they say, he yields not to even Arjuna; and as to might of arms, he

is equal to ten thousand elephants. Well-trained and active, he who hath

again been rendered bitterly hostile, would in anger consume the

Dhartarashtras in no time. Always wrathful, and strong of arms, he is not

capable of being subdued in battle by even Indra himself. Of great heart,

and strong, and endued with great lightness of hand, the two (twin)

brothers, sons of Madri, carefully trained by Arjuna, would leave not a

foe alive, like to a pair of hawks preying upon large flocks of birds.

This our army, so full, to tell thee the truth, will be nowhere when it

will encounter them. In their side will be Dhrishtadyumna, endued with

great activity,--one who is regarded as one of the Pandavas themselves.

The chief of the Somaka tribe, with his followers, is, I have heard, so

devoted to the cause of the Pandavas that he is ready to lay down his

very life for them. Who would be able to withstand Yudhishthira who hath

the best of the Vrishni tribe (Krishna) for his leader? I have heard that

Virata, the chief of the Matsyas, with whom the Pandavas had lived for

some time and whose wishes were fulfilled by them, old in years, is

devoted, along with his sons to the Pandava cause, and hath become an

adherent of Yudhishthira. Deposed from the throne of the Kekaya land, and

desirous of being reinstated thereon, the five mighty brothers from that

land, wielding mighty bows, are now following the sons of Pritha ready to

fight. All who are valiant among the lords of the earth have been brought

together and are devoted to the Pandava cause. I hear that they are bold,

worthy, and respectful,--they who have allied themselves to the virtuous

king Yudhishthira from feelings of attachment to him. And many warriors

dwelling on the hills and inaccessible fastnesses, and many that are high

in lineage and old in years, and many Mlechcha tribes also wielding

weapons of various kinds, have been assembled together and are devoted to

the cause of the Pandavas. And there hath come Pandya also, who, hardly

inferior to Indra on the field of battle, is followed when he fights by

numberless warriors of great courage. Remarkably heroic and endued with

prowess and energy that have no parallel, he is devoted to the Pandava

cause. That same Satyaki who, I have heard, obtained weapons from Drona

and Arjuna and Krishna and Kripa and Bhishma, and who is said to be equal

to the son of Krishna, is devotedly attached to the Pandava cause. And

the assembled kings of the Chedi and the Karusha tribes have all taken

the part of the Pandavas with all their resources. That one in their

midst, who, having been endued with blazing beauty, shone like the sun,

whom all persons deemed unassailable in battle and the very best of all

drawers of the bow on earth, was slain by Krishna in a trice, by help of

his own great might, and counting for naught the bold spirit of all the

Kshatriya kings. Kesava cast his eyes on that Sishupala and smote him,

enhancing the fame and honour of the sons of Pandu. It was the same

Sishupala who was highly honoured by those kings at whose head stood the

king of the Karusha tribe. Then the other kings, deeming Krishna

unassailable when seated on his car drawn by Sugriva and other steeds,

left the chief of the Chedis and ran away like small animals at the sight

of a lion. And it was thus that he, who, from audacity had sought to

oppose and encounter Krishna in a combat hand to hand, was slain by

Krishna and lay down lifeless, resembling a Karnikara tree uprooted by a

gale. O Sanjaya, O son of Gavalgana, what they have told me of the

activity of Krishna in cause of Pandu's sons, and what I remember of his

past achievements, leave me no peace of mind. No foe whatsoever is

capable of withstanding them, who are under the lead of that lion of the

Vrishni tribe. My heart is trembling with fear upon learning that the two

Krishnas, are seated on the selfsame car. If my dull-headed son forbear

to fight with those two, then may he fare well,--else those two will

consume the race of Kuru as Indra and Upendra consume the Daitya hosts.

Dhananjaya is, I conceive, equal to Indra, and the greatest of the

Vrishni race, Krishna, is the Eternal Vishnu himself. The son of Kunti

and Pandu, Yudhishthira, is virtuous and brave and eschews deeds that

bring on shame. Endued with great energy, he hath been wronged by

Duryodhana. If he were not high-minded, the would in wrath burn the

Dhritarashtras. I do not so much dread Arjuna or Bhima or Krishna or the

twin brothers as I dread the wrath of the king, O Suta, when his wrath is

excited. His austerities are great; he is devoted to Brahmacharya

practices. His heart's wishes will certainly be fulfilled. When I think

of his wrath, O Sanjaya, and consider how just it is, I am filled with

alarm. Go thou speedily on a car, despatched by me, where the troops of

the king of the Panchalas are encamped. Thou wilt ask Yudhishthira about

his welfare. Thou wilt repeatedly address him in affectionate terms. Thou

wilt also meet Krishna, O child, who is the chief of all brave men and

who is endued with a magnanimous soul. Him also thou wilt ask on my part

as to his welfare, and tell him that Dhritarashtra is desirous of peace

with Pandu's sons. O Suta, there is nothing that Yudhishthira, the son of

Kunti, would not do at the bidding of Krishna. Kesava is as dear to them

as their own selves. Possessed of great learning, he is ever devoted to

their cause. Thou wilt also enquire about the welfare of all the

assembled sons of Pandu and the Srinjayas and Satyaki and Virata and all

the five sons of Draupadi, professing to be a messenger from me. And

whatsoever also thou mayst deem to be opportune, and beneficial for the

Bharata race, all that, O Sanjaya, thou must say in the midst of those

kings,--everything, in sooth, that may not be unpalatable or provocative

of war.'

SECTION XXIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having beard these words of king Dhritarashtra

Sanjaya went to Upaplavya to see the Pandavas of immeasurable strength.

And having approached king Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, he made

obeisance to him first and then spoke. And the son of Gavalgana, by name

Sanjaya and by caste a Suta, cheerfully spoke unto Ajatasatru, 'How

lucky, O king, that I see you hale, attended by friends and little

inferior to the great Indra. The aged and wise king Dhritarashtra, the

son of Ambika, hath enquired about your welfare. I hope Bhimasena is

well, and that Dhananjaya, that foremost of the Pandavas, and these two

sons of Madri, are well. I hope princess Krishna also, the daughter of

Drupada, is well,--she who never swerves from the path of truth, that

lady of great energy, that wife of heroes. I hope she is well with her

sons,--she in whom are centred all your dearest joys and whose welfare

you constantly pray for.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Sanjaya, the son of Gavalgana, hath thy journey

here been safe? We are pleased with thy sight. I ask thee in return how

thou art. I am, O learned man, in excellent health with my younger

brothers. O Suta, after a long while do I now receive news of the aged

king of the Kurus, that descendant of Bharata. Having seen thee, O

Sanjaya, I feel as if I have seen the king himself, so pleased I am! Is

our aged grandsire Bhishma, the descendant of Kuru, endued with great

energy and the highest wisdom and always devoted to the practices of his

own order, O sire, in health? I hope he still retains all his former

habits. I hope the high-souled king Dhritarashtra, the so-n of

Vichitravirya, is in health with his sons. I hope the great king Vahlika,

the son of Pratipa, endued with great learning, is also in health. I

hope, O sire, that Somadatta is in health, and Bhurisravas, and

Satyasandha, and Sala, and Drona with his son, and the Brahmana Kripa are

also well. I hope all those mighty bowmen are free from disease. O

Sanjaya, all those greatest and best of bowmen, endued with the highest

intelligence and versed in letters, and occupying the very top of those

who wield weapons, have attached themselves to the Kurus. I hope those

bowmen receive their honours due. I hope they are free from disease. How

happy are they in whose kingdom dwells the mighty and handsome bowman,

the well-behaved son of Drona! I hope Yuyutsu, the highly intelligent son

of Dhritarashtra by his Vaisya wife is in health. I hope, O sire, the

adviser Karna, whose counsels are followed by the dull-headed Suyodhana,

is in health. I hope, the aged ladies, the mothers of the Bharata race,

and the kitchen-maidens, the bond-maids, the daughters-in-law, the boys,

the sister's sons, and 'the sisters, and the daughters' sons of

Dhritarashtra's house are all free from trouble. O sire, I hope the king

still allows their former subsistence to the Brahmanas. I hope, O

Sanjaya, Dhritarashtra's son hath not seized those gifts to the Brahmanas

that I made. I hope Dhritarashtra with his sons meets in a spirit of

forbearance any over-bearing conduct on the part of the Brahmanas. I hope

he never neglects to make provision for them, that being the sole highway

to heaven. For this is the excellent and clear light that hath been

provided by the Creator in this world of living beings. If like

dull-headed persons, the sons of Kuru do not treat the Brahmanas in a

forbearing spirit, wholesale destruction will overtake them. I hope king

Dhritarashtra and his son try to provide for the functionaries of state.

I hope there are no enemies for theirs, who, disguised as friends, are

conspiring for their ruin. O sire, I hope none of these Kurus talk of our

having committed any crimes. I hope Drona and his son and the heroic

Kripa do not talk of our having been guilty in any way. I hope all the

Kurus look up to king Dhritarashtra and his sons as the protectors of

their tribe. I hope when they see a horde of robbers, they remember the

deeds of Arjuna, the leader in all fields of battle. I hope they remember

the arrows shot from the Gandiva, which course through the air in a

straight path, impelled onwards by the stretched bow-string in contact

with the fingers of his hand, and making a noise loud as that of the

thunder. I have not seen the warrior that excels or even rivals Arjuna

who can shoot by a single effort of his hand sixty-one whetted and

keen-edged shafts furnished with excellent feathers. Do they remember

Bhima also, who, endued with great activity causeth hostile hosts arrayed

in battle to tremble in dread, like an elephant with rent temples

agitating a forest of reeds? Do they remember the mighty Sahadeva, the

son of Madri, who in Dantakura conquered the Kalingas, shooting arrows by

both the left and right hand? Do they remember Nakula, who, O Sanjaya,

was sent, under your eye, to conquer the Sivis and the Trigartas, and who

brought the western region under my power? Do they remember the disgrace

that was theirs when under evil counsels they came to the woods of

Dwaitavana on pretence of taking away their cattle? Those wicked ones

having been over-powered by their enemies were afterwards liberated by

Bhimasena and Arjuna, myself protecting the rear of Arjuna (in the fight

that ensued) and Bhima protecting the rear of the sons of Madri, and the

wielder of the Gandiva coming out unharmed from the press of battle

having made a great slaughter of the hostile host,--do they remember

that? It is not by a single good deed, O Sanjaya, that happiness can here

be attained, when by all our endeavours we are unable to win over the son

of Dhritarashtra!"

SECTION XXIV

"Sanjaya said, 'It is even so as thou hast said, O son of Pandu! Dost

thou enquire about the welfare of the Kurus and of the foremost ones

among them? Free from illness of every kind and in the possession of

excellent spirit are those foremost ones among the Kurus about whom, O

son of Pritha, thou enquirest. Know, O son of Pandu, that there are

certainly righteous and aged men, as also men that are sinful and wicked

about Dhritarashtra's son. Dhritarashtra's son would make gifts even to

his enemies; it is not likely, therefore, that he should withdraw the

donations made to the Brahmanas. It is customary with you, Kshatriyas, to

follow a rule fit for butchers, that leads you to do harm to those that

bear no ill-will to you; but the practice is not good. Dhritarashtra with

his sons would be guilty of the sin of intestine dissension, where he,

like a bad man, to bear ill-will towards you who are righteous. He does

not approve of this injury (done to you); he is exceedingly sorry for it;

he grieves at his heart-the old man--O Yudhishthira,--for, having

communicated with the Brahmanas, he hath learnt that provoking intestine

dissensions is the greatest of all sins. O king of men, they remember thy

prowess on the field, and that of Arjuna, who taketh the lead in the

field of battle. They remember Bhima wielding his mace when the sound of

the conch-shell and the drum rises to the highest pitch. They remember

those mighty car-warriors, the two sons of Madri, who on the field of

battle career in all directions, shooting incessant showers of shafts on

hostile hosts, and who know not what it is to tremble in fight. I

believe, O king, that which Futurity hath in store for a particular

person cannot be known, since thou, O son of Pandu, who art endowed with

all the virtues, hast had to suffer trouble of such unendurable kind. All

this, no doubt, O Yudhishthira, thou wilt again make up by help of your

intelligence. The sons of Pandu, all equal to Indra would never abandon

virtue for the sake of pleasure. Thou, O Yudhishthira, wilt so make up

thy intelligence that they all, viz., the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu

and the Srinjayas, and all the kings who have been assembled here, will

attain peace. O Yudhishthira, bear what thy sire Dhritarashtra having

consulted with his ministers and sons, hath spoken to me. Be attentive to

the same.'"

SECTION XXV

"Yudhishthira said, 'Here are met the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, and

Krishna, and Yuyudhana and Virata, O son of the Suta Gavalgana, tell us

all that Dhritarashtra hath directed thee to say.'

"Sanjaya said, 'I greet Yudhishthira, and Vrikodara and Dhananjaya, and

the two sons of Madri, and Vasudeva the descendant of Sura, and Satyaki,

and the aged ruler of the Panchalas, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of

Prishata. Let all listen to the words I say from a desire for the welfare

of the Kurus. King Dhritarashtra, eagerly welcoming the chance of peace,

hastened the preparation of my car for this journey here. Let it be

acceptable to king Yudhishthira with his brothers and sons and relations.

Let the son of Pandu prefer peace. The sons of Pritha are endowed with

every virtue with steadiness and mildness and candour. Born in a high

family, they are humane, liberal, and loath to do any act which would

bring on shame. They know what is proper to be done. A base deed is not

befitting you, for you are so high-minded, and have such a terrible

following of troops. If you committed a sinful act, it would be a blot on

your fair name, as a drop of collyrium on a white cloth. Who could

knowingly be ever guilty of an act, which would result in universal

slaughter, which would be sinful and lead to hell,--an act consisting in

the destruction (of men), an act the result of which, whether it be

victory or defeat, is or the self-same value? Blessed are they that have

served their relative's cause. They are the true sons and friends and

relatives (of Kuru's race) who would lay down life, life which is liable

to be abused by misdeeds, in order to ensure the welfare of the Kurus. If

you, ye sons of Pritha, chastise the Kurus, by defeating and slaying all

your foes,--that subsequent life of yours would be equivalent to death,

for what, in sooth, is life after having killed all your kinsfolk? Who,

even if he were Indra himself with all the gods on his side, would be

able to defeat you who are aided by Kesava and Chekitanas, and Satyaki,

and are protected by Dhrishtadyumna's arms? Who again, O king, can defeat

in battle the Kurus who are protected by Drona and Bhishma, and

Aswatthaman, and Salya, and Kripa and Karna with a host of Kshatriya

kings? Who, without loss to himself, is able to slay the vast force

assembled by Dhritarashtra's son? Therefore it is, that I do not see any

good either in victory or in defeat. How can the sons of Pritha, like

base persons of low lineage, commit an act of unrighteousness? Therefore,

I appease, I prostrate myself before Krishna and the aged kin I g of the

Panchalas. I betake myself to you as my refuge, with joined hands, so

that both the Kurus and the Srinjayas may be benefited. It is not likely

that either Krishna or Dhananjaya will not act up to these my words.

Either of them would lay down his life, if besought (to do so).

Therefore, I say this for the success of my mission. This is the desire

of the king and his counsellor Bhishma, that there may be confirmed peace

between you (and the Kurus).'"

SECTION XXVI

"Yudhishthira said, 'What words from me, O Sanjaya, hast thou heard,

indicative of war, that thou apprehendest war? O sire, peace is

preferable to war. Who, O charioteer, having got the other alternative

would wish to fight? It is known to me, O Sanjaya, that if a man can have

every wish of his heart without having to do anything, he would hardly

like to do anything even though it might be of the least troublesome

kind, far less would he engage in war. Why should a man ever go to war?

Who is so cursed by the gods that he would select war? The sons of

Pritha, no doubt, desire their own happiness but their conduct is ever

marked by righteousness and conducive to the good of the world. They

desire only that happiness which results from righteousness. He that

fondly followeth the lead of his senses, and is desirous of obtaining

happiness and avoiding misery, betaketh himself to action which in its

essence is nothing but misery. He that hankers after pleasure causeth his

body to suffer; one free from such hankering knoweth not what misery is.

As an enkindled fire, if more fuel be put upon it, blazeth forth again

with augmented force, so desire is never satiated with the acquisition of

its object but gaineth force like unkindled fire when clarified butter is

poured upon it. Compare all this abundant fund of enjoyment which king

Dhritarashtra hath with what we possess. He that is unfortunate never

winneth victories. He that is unfortunate enjoyeth not the voice of

music. He that is unfortunate doth not enjoy garlands and scents! nor can

one that is unfortunate enjoy cool and fragrant unguents! and finally he

that is unfortunate weareth not fine clothes. If this were not so, we

would never have been driven from the Kurus. Although, however, all this

is true, yet none cherished torments of the heart. The king being himself

in trouble seeketh protection in the might of others. This is not wise.

Let him, however, receive from others the same behaviour that he displays

towards them. The man who casteth a burning fire at midday in the season

of spring in a forest of dense underwood, hath certainly, when that fire

blazeth forth by aid of the wind, to grieve for his lot if he wisheth to

escape. O Sanjaya, why doth king Dhritarashtra now bewail, although he

hath all this prosperity? It is because he had followed at first the

counsels of his wicked son of vicious soul, addicted to crooked ways and

confirmed in folly. Duryodhana disregarded the words of Vidura, the best

of his well-wishers, as if the latter were hostile to him. King

Dhritarashtra, desirous solely of satisfying his sons, would knowingly

enter upon an unrighteous course. Indeed, on account of his fondness for

his son, he would not pay heed to Vidura, who, out of all the Kurus, is

the wisest and best of all his well-wishers, possessing vast learning,

clever in speech, and righteous in act. King Dhritarashtra is desirous of

satisfying his son, who, while himself seeking honours from others, is

envious and wrathful, who transgresses the rules for the acquisition of

virtue and wealth, whose tongue is foul, who always follows the dictates

of his wrath, whose soul is absorbed in sensual pleasures, and who, full

of unfriendly feelings to many, obeys no law, and whose life is evil,

heart implacable, and understanding vicious. For such a son as this, king

Dhritarashtra knowingly abandoned virtue and pleasure. Even then, O

Sanjaya, when I was engaged in that game of dice I thought that the

destruction of the Kurus was at hand, for when speaking those wise and

excellent words Vidura obtained no praise from Dhritarashtra. Then, O

charioteer, did trouble overtake the Kurus when they disregarded the

words of Vidura. So long as they had placed themselves under the lead of

his wisdom, their kingdom was in a flourishing state. Hear from me, O

charioteer, who are the counsellors now of the covetous Duryodhana. They

are Dussasana, and Sakuni the son of Suvala, and Karna the Suta's son! O

son of Gavalgana, look at this folly of his! So I do not see, though I

think about it, how there can be prosperity for the Kurus and the

Srinjayas when Dhritarashtra hath taken the throne from others, and the

far seeing Vidura hath been banished elsewhere. Dhritarashtra with his

sons is now looking for an extensive and undisputed sovereignty over the

whole world. Absolute peace is, therefore, unattainable. He regardeth

what he hath already got to be his own. When Arjuna taketh up his weapon

in fight, Karna believeth him capable of being withstood. Formerly there

took place many great battles. Why could not Karna then be of any avail

to them. It is known to Karna and Drona and the grandsire Bhishma, as

also to many other Kurus, that there is no wielder of the bow, comparable

to Arjuna. It is known to all the assembled rulers of the earth, how the

sovereignty was obtained by Duryodhana although that repressor of foes,

Arjuna, was alive. Pertinanciously doth Dhritarashtra's son believe that

it is possible to rob the sons of Pandu of what is their own, although he

knoweth having himself gone to the place of fight, how Arjuna comforted

himself when he had nothing but a bow four cubits long for his weapon of

battle. Dhritarashtra's sons are alive simply because they have not as

yet heard that twang of the stretch Gandiva. Duryodhana believeth his

object already gained, as long as he beholdeth not the wrathful Bhima. O

sire, even Indra would forbear to rob us of our sovereignty as long as

Bhima and Arjuna and the heroic Nakula and the patient Sahadeva are

alive! O charioteer, the old king with his son still entertains the

notion that his sons will not be perished, O Sanjaya, on the field of

battle, consumed by the fiery wrath of Pandu's sons. Thou knowest, O

Sanjaya, what misery we have suffered! For my respect to thee, I would

forgive them all. Thou knowest what transpired between ourselves and

those sons of Kuru. Thou knowest how we comforted ourselves towards

Dhritarashtra's son. Let the same state of things still continue, I shall

seek peace, as thou counsellest me to do. Let me have Indraprastha for my

kingdom, Let this be given to me by Duryodhana, the chief of Bharata's

race.'"

SECTION XXVII

"Sanjaya said, 'O Pandava, the world hath heard thy conduct being

righteous. I see it also to be so, O son of Pritha. Life is transient,

that may end in great infamy; considering this, thou shouldst not perish.

O Ajatasatru, if without war, the Kurus will not yield thy share, I

think, it is far better for thee to live upon alms in the kingdom of the

Andhakas and the Vrishnis than obtain sovereignty by war. Since this

mortal existence is for only a short period, and greatly liable to blame,

subject to constant suffering, and unstable, and since it is never

comparable to a good name, therefore, O Pandava, never perpetrate a sin.

It is the desires, O ruler of men, which adhere to mortal men and are an

obstruction to a virtuous life. Therefore, a wise man should beforehand

kill them all and thereby gain a stainless fame in the world, O son of

Pritha. The thirst after wealth is but like fetter in this world; the

virtue of those that seek it is sure to suffer. He is wise who seeketh

virtue alone; desires being increased, a man must suffer in his temporal

concerns, O sire. Placing virtue before all other concerns of life, a man

shineth like the sun when its splendour is great. A man devoid of virtue,

and of vicious soul, is overtaken by ruin, although he may obtain the

whole of this earth. Thou hast studied the Vedas, lived the life of a

saintly Brahman, hast performed sacrificial rites, made charities to

Brahmanas. Even remembering the highest position (attainable by beings),

thou hast also devoted thy soul for years and years to the pursuit of

pleasure. He who, devoting himself excessively to the pleasures and joys

of life, never employeth himself in the practice of religious meditation,

must be exceedingly miserable. His joys forsake him after his wealth is

gone and his strong instincts goad him on towards his wonted pursuit of

pleasure. Similarly, he who, never having lived a continent life,

forsaketh the path of virtue and commiteth sin, hath no faith in

existence of a world to come. Dull as he is after death he hath torment

(for his lot). In the world to come, whether one's deeds be good or evil

these deeds are in no case, annihilated. Deeds, good and evil, precede

the agent (in his journey to the world to come); the agent is sure to

follow in their path. Your work (in this life) is celebrated by all as

comparable to that food, savoury and dainty, which is proper to be

offered with reverence to the Brahmanas--the food which is offered in

religious ceremonies with large donations (to the officiating priests).

All acts are done, so long as this body lasts, O son of Pritha. After

death there is nothing to be done. And thou hast done mighty deeds that

will do good to thee in the world to come, and they are admired by

righteous men. There (in the next world) one is free from death and

decrepitude and fear, and from hunger and thirst, and from all that is

disagreeable to the mind; there is nothing to be done in that place,

unless it be to delight one's senses. Of this kind, O ruler of men, is

the result of our deeds. Therefore, do not from desire act any longer in

this world. Do not, O Pandu's son, betake to action in this world and

thereby thus take leave of truth and sobriety and candour and humanity.

Thou mayst perform the Rajasuya and the Aswamedha sacrifices, but do not

even come near an action which in itself is sin! If after such a length

of time, ye sons of Pritha, you now give way to hate, and commit the

sinful deed, in vain, for virtue's sake, did ye dwell for years and years

in the woods in such misery! It was in vain that you went to exile, after

parting with all your army; for this army was entirely in your control

then. And these persons who are now assisting you, have been always

obedient to you,--this Krishna, and Satyaki, and Virata of the golden

car, of Matsya land, with his son at the head of martial warriors. All

the kings, formerly vanquished by you would have espoused your cause at

first. Possessed of mighty resources, dreaded by all, having an army, and

followed behind by Krishna and Arjuna, you might have slain your foremost

of foes on the field of battle. You might have (then) brought low

Duryodhana's pride. O Pandava, why have you allowed your foes to grow so

powerful? Why have you weakened your friends? Why have you sojourned in

the woods for years and years? Why are you now desirous of fighting,

having let the proper opportunity slip? An unwise or an unrighteous man

may win prosperity by means of fighting; but a wise and a righteous man,

were he free from pride to betake to fight (against better instinct),

doth only fall away from a prosperous path. O Pritha's son, your

understanding inclines not to an unrighteous course. From wrath you ever

committed a sinful act. Then what is the cause, and what is the reason,

for which you are now intent to do this deed, against the dictates of

wisdom? Wrath, O mighty king, is a bitter drug, though it has nothing to

do with disease; it brings on a disease of the head, robs one of his fair

fame, and leads to sinful acts. It is drunk up (controlled) by those that

are righteous and not by those that are unrighteous. I ask you to swallow

it and to desist from war. Who would incline himself to wrath which leads

to sin? Forbearance would be more beneficial to you than love of

enjoyments where Bhishma would be slain, and Drona with his son, and

Kripa, and Somadatta's son, and Vikarna and Vivingsati, and Karna and

Duryodhana. Having slain all these, what bliss may that be, O Pritha's

son, which you will get? Tell me that! Even having won the entire

sea-girt earth, you will never be free from decrepitude and death,

pleasure and pain, bliss and misery. Knowing all this, do not be engaged

in war. If you are desirous of taking this course, because your

counsellors desire the same, then give up (everything) to them, and run

away. You should not fall away from this path which leads to the region

of the gods!'"

SECTION XXVIII

"Yudhishthira said, 'Without doubt, O Sanjaya, it is true that righteous

deeds are the foremost of all our acts, as thou sayest. Thou shouldst,

however, ensure me having first ascertained whether it is virtue or vice

that I practise. When vice assumes the aspects of virtue and virtue

itself wholly seems as vice, and virtue, again, appears in its native

form, they that are learned should discriminate it by means of their

reason. So, again, virtue and vice, which are both eternal and absolute,

exchange their aspects during seasons of distress. One should follow

without deviation the duties prescribed for the order to which he belongs

by birth. Know, O Sanjaya, that duties in seasons of distress are

otherwise. When his means of living are totally gone, the man, that is

destitute should certainly desire those other means by which he may be

able to discharge the sanctioned duties of his order. One that is not

destitute of his means of living, as also one that is in distress, are, O

Sanjaya, both to be blamed, if they act as if the state of each were

otherwise. When the Creator hath ordained expiation for those Brahmanas,

who, without wishing for self-destruction, betake themselves to acts not

sanctioned for them, this proves that people may, in season of distress,

betake to acts not ordained for the orders to which they belong. And, O

Sanjaya, thou shouldst regard them as worthy that adhere to the practices

of their own order in usual times as also those that do not adhere to

them in season of distress; thou shouldst censure them that act otherwise

in usual times while adhering to their ordained practices during times of

distress. As regards men desiring to bring their minds under control,

when they endeavour to acquire a knowledge of self, the practices that

are ordained for the best, viz., the Brahmanas, are equally ordained for

them. As regards those, however, that are not Brahmanas and that do not

endeavour to acquire knowledge of self, those practices should be

followed by them that are ordained for their respective orders in seasons

of distress or otherwise. Even that is the path followed by our fathers

and grandfathers before us and those also that had lived before them. As

regards those that are desirous of knowledge and avoiding to act, even

these also hold the same view and regard themselves as orthodox. I do

not, therefore, think that there is any other path. Whatsoever wealth

there may be in this earth, whatsoever there may be among the gods, or

whatsoever there may be unattainable by them,--the region of the

Prajapati, or heaven or the region of Brahma himself, I would not, O

Sanjaya, seek it by unrighteous means. Here is Krishna, the giver of

virtue's fruits, who is clever, politic, intelligent, who has waited upon

the Brahmanas, who knows everything' and counsels various mighty kings.

Let the celebrated Krishna say whether I would be censurable if I dismiss

all idea of peace, of whether if I fight, I should be abandoning the

duties of my caste, for Krishna seeketh the welfare of both sides. This

Satyaki, these Chedis, the Andhakas, the Vrishnis, the Bhojas, the

Kukuras, the Srinjayas, adopting the counsels of Krishna, slay their foes

and delight their friends. The Vrishnis and the Andhakas, at whose head

stands Ugrasena, led by Krishna, have become like Indra, high-spirited,

devoted to truth, mighty, and happy. Vabhru, the king of Kasi, having

obtained Krishna, that fructifier of wishes, as his brother, and upon

whom Krishna showers all the blessings of life, as the clouds upon all

earthly creatures, when the hot season is over, hath attained the highest

prosperity, O sire, so great is this Krishna! Him you must know as the

great judge of the propriety or otherwise of all acts. Krishna is dear to

us, and is the most illustrious of men. I never disregard what Krishna

sayeth.'"

SECTION XXIX

"Krishna said, 'I desire, O Sanjaya, that the sons of Pandu may not be

ruined; that they may prosper, and attain their wishes. Similarly, I pray

for the prosperity of king Dhritarashtra whose sons are many. For

evermore, O Sanjaya, my desire hath been that I should tell them nothing

else than that peace would be acceptable to king Dhritarashtra. I also

deem it proper for the sons of Pandu. A peaceful disposition of an

exceedingly rare character hath been displayed by Pandu's son in this

matter. When Dhritarashtra and his sons, however, are so covetous, I do

not see why hostility should not run high? Thou canst not pretend, O

Sanjaya, to be more versed than I am or Yudhishthira. is, in the niceties

of right and wrong. Then why dost thou speak words of reproach with

reference to the conduct of Yudhishthira who is enterprising, mindful of

his own duty, and thoughtful, from the very beginning, of the welfare of

his family, agreeably to the injunctions (of treatises of morality)? With

regard to the topic at hand, the Brahmanas have held opinions of various

kinds. Some say that success in the world to come depends upon work. Some

declare that action should be shunned and that salvation is attainable by

knowledge. The Brahmanas say--that though one may have a knowledge of

eatable things, yet his hunger will not be appeased unless he actually

eats. Those branches of knowledge that help the doing of work, bear

fruit, but not other kinds, for the fruit of work is of ocular

demonstration. A thirsty person drinks water, and by that act his thirst

is allayed. This result proceeds, no doubt, from work. Therein lies the

efficacy of work. If anyone thinks that something else is better than

work, I deem, his work and his words are meaningless. In the other world,

it is by virtue of work that the gods flourish. It is by work that the

wind blows. It is by virtue of work that the sleepless Surya rises every

day and becomes the cause of day and night, and Soma passes through the

months and the fortnights and the combinations of constellations. Fire is

kindled of itself and burns by virtue of work, doing good to mankind. The

sleepless goddess Earth, sustains by force this very great burden. The

sleepless rivers, giving satisfaction to all (organised) beings, carry

their waters with speed. The sleepless Indra, possessed of a mighty

force, pours down rain, resounding the heaven and the cardinal points.

Desirous of being the greatest of the gods, he led a life of austerities

such as a holy Brahmana leads. Indra gave up pleasure, and all things

agreeable to the heart. He sedulously cherished virtue and truth and

self-control, and forbearance, and impartiality, and humanity. It was by

work that he attained a position the highest (of all). Following the

above course of life, Indra attained the high sovereignty over the gods.

Vrihaspati, intently and with self-control, led in a proper manner that

life of austerities which a Brahmana leads. He gave up pleasure and

controlled his senses and thereby attained the position of the preceptor

of the celestials. Similarly, the constellations in the other world, by

virtue of work, and the Rudras, the Adityas, the Vasus, king Yama, and

Kuvera, and the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, and the celestial nymphs, all

attained their present position by work. In the other world, the saints

shine, following a life of study, austerity and work (combined). Knowing,

O Sanjaya, that this is the rule followed by the best of Brahmanas, and

Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas, and thou being one of the wisest men,--why art

thou making this endeavour on behalf of those sons of Kurus? Thou must

know that Yudhishthira is constantly engaged in the study of the Vedas.

He is inclined to the horse-sacrifice and the Rajasuya. Again, he rides

horses and elephants, is arrayed in armour, mounts a car, and takes up

the bow and all kinds of weapons. Now, if the sons of Pritha can see a

course of action not involving the slaughter of the sons of Kuru, they

would adopt it. Their virtue would then be saved, and an act of religious

merit also would be achieved by them, even if they would have then to

force Bhima to follow a conduct marked by humanity. On the other hand, if

in doing what their forefathers did, they should meet with death under

inevitable destiny, then in trying their utmost to discharge their duty,

such death would even be worthy of praise. Supposing thou approvest of

peace alone I should like to hear what thou mayst have to say to this

question,--which way doth the injunction of religious law lie, viz.,

whether it is proper for the king to fight or not?--Thou must, O Sanjaya,

take into thy consideration the division of the four castes, and the

scheme of respective duties allotted to each. Thou must hear that course

of action the Pandavas are going to adopt. Then mayst thou praise or

censure, just as it may please thee. A Brahmana should study, offer

sacrifices, make charities, and sojourn to the best of all holy places on

the earth; he should teach, minister as a priest in sacrifices offered by

others worthy of such help, and accept gifts from persons who are known.

Similarly, a Kshatriya should protect the people in accordance with the

injunctions of the law, diligently practise the virtue of charity, offer

sacrifices, study the whole Veda, take a wife, and lead a virtuous

householder's life. If he be possessed of a virtuous soul, and if he

practise the holy virtues, he may easily attain the religion of the

Supreme Being. A Vaisya should study and diligently earn and accumulate

wealth by means of commerce, agriculture, and the tending of cattle. He

should so act as to please the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas, be virtuous,

do good works, and be a householder. The following are the duties

declared for a Sudra from the olden times. He should serve the Brahmanas

and submit to them; should not study; sacrifices are forbidden to him; he

should be diligent and be constantly enterprising in doing all that is

for his good. The king protects all these with (proper) care, and sets

all the castes to perform their respective duties. He should not be given

to sensual enjoyments. He should be impartial, and treat all his subjects

on an equal footing. The King should never obey the dictates of such

desires as are opposed to righteousness. If there be any body who is more

praise-worthy than he, who is well-known and gifted with all the virtues,

the king should instruct his subjects to see him. A bad (king), however,

would not understand this. Growing strong, and inhuman and becoming a

mark for destiny's wrath, he would cast covetous eye on the riches of

others. Then comes war, for which purpose came into being weapons, and

armour, and bows. Indra invented these contrivances, for putting the

plunderers to death. He also contrived armours, and weapons, and bows.

Religious merit is acquired by putting the robbers to death. Many awful

evils have manifested themselves on account of the Kurus having been

unrighteous, and unmindful of law and religion. This is not right, O

Sanjaya. Now, king Dhritarashtra with his sons, hath unreasonably seized

what lawfully belonged to Pandu's son. He minds not the immemorial law

observable by kings. All the Kurus are following in the wake. A thief who

steals wealth unseen and one who forcibly seizes the same, in open

day-light, are both to be condemned, O Sanjaya. What is the difference

between them and Dhritarashtra's sons? From avarice he regards that to be

righteous which he intends to do, following the dictates of his wrath.

The shares of the Pandavas is, no doubt, fixed. Why should that share of

theirs be seized by that fool? This being the state of things, it would

be praiseworthy for us to be even killed in fight. A paternal kingdom is

preferable to sovereignty received from a stranger. These time-honoured

rules of law, O Sanjaya, thou must propound to the Kurus, in the midst of

the assembled kings,--I mean those dull-headed fools who have been

assembled together by Dhritarashtra's son, and who are already under the

clutches of death. Look once more at that vilest of all their acts,--the

conduct of the Kurus in the council-hall. That those Kurus, at whose head

stood Bhishma did not interfere when the beloved wife of the sons of

Pandu, daughter of Drupada, of fare fame, pure life, and conduct worthy

of praise, was seized, while weeping, by that slave of lust. The Kurus

all, including young and old, were present there. If they had then

prevented that indignity offered to her, then I should have been pleased

with Dhritarashtra's behaviour. It would have been for the final good of

his sons also. Dussasana forcibly took Krishna into the midst of the

public hall wherein were seated her fathers-in-law. Carried there,

expecting sympathy, she found none to take her part, except Vidura. The

kings uttered not a word of protest, solely because they were a set of

imbeciles. Vidura alone spoke words of opposition, from a sense of

duty,--words conceived in righteousness addressed to that man

(Duryodhana) of little sense. Thou didst not, O Sanjaya, then say what

law and morality were, but now thou comest to instruct the son of Pandu!

Krishna, however, having repaired to the hall at that time made

everything right, for like a vessel in the sea, she rescued the Pandavas

as also herself, from that gathering ocean (of misfortunes)! Then in that

hall, while Krishna stood, the charioteer's son addressed her in the

presence of her fathers-in-law saying, 'O Daughter of Drupada thou hast

no refuge. Better betake thyself as a bond-woman to the house of

Dhritarashtra's son. Thy husbands, being defeated, no longer exist. Thou

hast a loving soul, choose some one else for thy lord.' This speech,

proceeding from Karna, was a wordy arrow, sharp, cutting all hopes,

hitting the tenderest parts of the organisation, and frightful. It buried

itself deep in Arjuna's heart. When the sons of Pandu were about to adopt

the garments made of the skins of black deer, Dussasana spoke the

following pungent words, 'These all are mean eunuchs, ruined, and damned

for a lengthened time.' And Sakuni, the king of the Gandhara land, spoke

to Yudhishthira at the time of the game of dice the following words by

way of a wily trick, 'Nakula hath been won by me from you, what else have

you got? Now you should better stake your wife Draupadi'. You know, O

Sanjaya, all these words of an approbrious kind which were spoken at the

time of the game of dice. I desire to go personally to the Kurus, in

order to settle this difficult matter. If without injury to the Pandava

cause I succeed in bringing about this peace with the Kurus, an act of

religious merit, resulting in very great blessings, will then have been

done by me; and the Kurus also will have been extricated from the meshes

of death. I hope that when I shall speak to the Kurus words of wisdom,

resting on rules of righteousness, words fraught with sense and free from

all tendency to inhumanity, Dhritarashtra's son will, in my presence, pay

heed to them. I hope that when I arrive, the Kurus will pay me due

respect. Else thou mayst rest assured that those vicious sons of

Dhritarashtra, already scorched by their own vicious acts, will be burnt

up by Arjuna and Bhima ready for battle. When Pandu's sons were defeated

(at the play), Dhritarashtra's sons spoke to them words that were harsh

and rude. But when the time will come, Bhima will, no doubt, take care to

remind Duryodhana of those words. Duryodhana is a big tree of evil

passions; Karna is its trunk; Sakuni is its branches; Dussasana forms its

abundant blossoms and fruits; (while) the wise king Dhritarashtra is its

toots. Yudhishthira is a big tree of righteousness; Arjuna is its trunk;

and Bhima is its branches; the sons of Madri are its abundant flowers and

fruits; and its roots are myself and religion and religious men. King

Dhritarashtra with his sons constitutes a forest, while, O Sanjaya, the

sons of Pandu are its tigers. Do not, oh, cut down the forest with its

tigers, and let not the tigers be driven away from the forest. The tiger,

out of the woods, is easily slain; the wood also, that is without a

tiger, is easily cut down. Therefore, it is the tiger that protects the

forest and the forest that shelters the tiger. The Dhritarashtras are as

creepers, while, O Sanjaya, the Pandavas are Sala trees. A creeper can

never flourish unless it hath a large tree to twine round. The sons of

Pritha are ready to wait upon Dhritarashtra as, indeed, those repressors

of foes are ready for war. Let king Dhritarashtra now do what may be

proper for him to do. The virtuous and the high-souled sons of Pandu,

though competent to be engaged in fight, are yet now in place (with their

cousins). O learned man, represent all this truly (to Dhritarashtra).'"

SECTION XXX

"Sanjaya said, 'I did thee farewell, O divine ruler of men. I will now

depart, O son of Pandu. Let prosperity be thine. I hope, I have not

carried away by the feelings of my heart, given utterance to anything

offensive. I would also bid farewell to Janardana, to Bhima and Arjuna,

to the son of Madri, to Satyaki, and to Chekitana, and take my departure.

Let peace and happiness be yours. Let all the kings look at me with eyes

of affection.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'Permitted by us, O Sanjaya, take your leave. Peace

to thee! O learned man, thou never thinkest ill of us. Both they and we

know thee to be a person of pure heart in the midst of all in the court

(of the Kurus). Besides, being an ambassador now, O Sanjaya, thou art

faithful, beloved by us, of agreeable speech and excellent conduct, and

well-affected towards us. Thy mind is never clouded, and even if

addressed harshly thou art never moved to wrath. O Suta, thou never

utterest harsh and cutting words, or those that are false or bitter. We

know that thy words, free from malice, are always fraught with morality

and grave import. Amongst envoys thou art the most dear to us. Beside

thee, there is another, who may come here, and that is Vidura. Formerly,

we always used to see thee. Thou art, indeed, a friend to us as dear as

Dhananjaya. Proceeding hence, O Sanjaya, with all speed, thou shouldst

wait upon those Brahmanas of pure energy and devoted to study according

to the Brahmacharya mode,--those, namely, that are devoted to the study

of the Vedas while leading lives of mendicancy, those ascetics that

habitually dwell in the woods, as also the aged ones of other classes,

should all be addressed by thee in my name, O Sanjaya, and then their

welfare should be enquired into by thee. O Suta, repairing unto the

priest of king Dhritarashtra as also unto his preceptors and Ritwijas,

thou shouldst address them and enquire after their welfare. Even amongst

them that are, though not well-born at least aged, endued with energy,

and possessed of good behaviour and strength, who remembering speak of us

and practise according to their might even the least virtue, should first

be informed of my peace, O Sanjaya, and then shouldst thou enquire after

their welfare. Thou shouldst also enquire after the welfare of those that

live in the kingdom carrying on trade, and those that live there filling

important offices of state. Our beloved preceptor Drona, who is fully

versed in morality, who is our counsellor, who had practised the

Brahmacharya vow for mastering the Vedas, who once again hath made the

science of weapons full and complete, and who is always graciously

inclined towards us, should be greeted by thee in our name. Thou shouldst

also enquire into the welfare of Aswatthaman, endued with great learning,

devoted to the study of the Vedas, leading the Brahmacharya mode of life,

possessed of great activity, and like unto a youth of the Gandharva race,

and who, besides, hath once again made the science of weapons full and

complete. Thou must also, O Sanjaya, repair to the abode of Kripa, the

son of Saradwat, that mighty car-warrior and foremost of all persons

having a knowledge of self, and repeatedly saluting him in my name touch

his feet with thy hand. Thou shouldst also, touching his feet, represent

me as hale unto that foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma, in whom are combined

bravery, and abstention from injury, and asceticism, and wisdom and good

behaviour, and Vedic learning, and great excellence, and firmness.

Saluting unto also the wise, venerable, and blind king (Dhritarashtra),

who possessed of great learning and reverential to the old, is the leader

of the Kurus. Thou shouldst also, O Sanjaya, enquire, O sire, about the

welfare of the eldest of Dhritarashtra's sons, Suyodhana, who is wicked

and ignorant and deceitful and vicious, and who now governs the entire

world. Thou shouldst also enquire about the welfare of even the wicked

Dussasana, that mighty bowman and hero among the Kurus, who is the

younger of Duryodhana and who possesses a character like that of his

elder brother. Thou shouldst, O Sanjaya, also salute the wise chief of

the Vahlikas, who always cherishes no other wish save that there should

be peace among the Bharatas. I think, thou shouldst also worship that

Somadatta who is endued with numerous excellent qualities, who is wise

and possesses a merciful heart, and who from his affection for the Kurus

always controls his anger towards them. The son of Somadatta is worthy of

the greatest reverence among the Kurus. He is my friend and is a brother

to us. A mighty bowman and the foremost of car-warriors, he is worthy in

all respects. Thou shouldst, O Sanjaya, enquire after his welfare along

with that of his friends and counsellors. Others there are of youthful

age and of consideration amongst the Kurus, who bear a relationship to us

like that of sons, grandsons, and brothers. Unto each of these thou must

speak words which thou mayst consider suitable, enquiring, O Suta, after

his welfare. Thou must also enquire about the welfare of those kings that

have been assembled by Dhritarashtra's son for fighting with the

Pandavas, viz., the Kekayas, the Vasatis, the Salwakas, the Amvashthas,

and the leading Trigartas, and of those endued with great bravery that

have come from the east, the north, the south, and the west, and of those

that have come from hilly countries, in fact, of all amongst them that

are not cruel and that lead good lives. Thou shouldst also represent unto

all those persons who ride on elephants, and horses and cars, and who

fight on foot,--that mighty host composed of honourable men,--that I am

well, and then thou must enquire about their own welfare. Thou must also

enquire about the welfare of those that serve the king in the matter of

his revenue or as his door-keepers, or as the leaders of his troops, or

as the accountants of his income and outlay, or as officers constantly

occupied in looking after other important concerns. Thou must, O sire,

also enquire about the welfare of Dhritarashtra's son by his Vaisya

wife,--that youth who is one of the best of the Kuru race,--who never

falls into error, who possesseth vast wisdom, who is endued with every

virtue, and who never cherishes a liking for this war! Thou shouldst also

ask about the welfare of Chitrasena who is unrivalled in the tricks of

dice, whose tricks are never detected by others, who plays well, who is

well-versed in the art of handling the dice, and who is unconquerable in

play but not in fight. Thou must also, O sire, enquire about the welfare

of Sakuni, the king of the Gandharas, that native of the hilly country,

who is unrivalled in deceitful games at dice, who enhances the pride of

Dhritarashtra's son, and whose understanding naturally leads to

falsehood. Thou must also enquire about the welfare of Karna, the son of

Vikartana, that hero who is ready to vanquish, alone and unassisted,

mounted on his car, the Pandavas whom no one dares assail in battle, that

Karna who is unparalleled in deluding those that are already deluded.

Thou must also enquire about the welfare of Vidura, O sire, who alone is

devoted to us, who is our instructor, who reared us, who is our father

and mother and friend, whose understanding finds obstruction in nought,

whose ken reaches far, and who is our counsellor. Thou must also salute

all the aged dames and those who are known to be possessed of merit, and

those who are like mothers to us, meeting them gathered together in one

place. Thou must tell them, O Sanjaya, these words at first,--Ye mothers

of living sons, I hope, your sons comfort themselves towards you in a

kindly, considerate, and worthy way.--Thou must then tell them that

Yudhishthira is doing well with his sons. Those ladies, O Sanjaya, who

are in the rank of our wives, thou must ask as to their welfare also

addressing them in these words,--I hope, you are well-protected. I hope,

your fair fame hath suffered no injury. I hope, you are dwelling within

your abodes blamelessly and carefully. I hope, you are comforting

yourselves towards your fathers-in-law in a kindly, praise-worthy and

considerate way. You must steadily adopt such a conduct for yourselves as

will help you to win your husband's favour! Those young ladies, O

Sanjaya, who bear a relationship to us like that of your

daughters-in-law, who have been brought from high families, who are

possessed of merit and who are mothers of children,--thou must meet them

all and tell them that Yudhishthira send his kindly greetings to them.

Thou must, O Sanjaya, embrace the daughters of your house, and must ask

them about their welfare on my behalf. Thou must tell them,--May your

husbands be kindly and agreeable; may you be agreeable to your husbands;

may you have ornaments and clothes and perfumery and cleanliness; may you

be happy and have at your command the joys of life; may your looks be

pretty and words pleasant; Thou must ask, O sire, the women of the house

as to their welfare. Thou must also represent unto the maid-servants and

man-servants there, may be of the Kurus, and also the many humpbacked and

lame ones among them, that I am doing well, and thou must then ask them

about their welfare. Thou must tell them,--I hope, Dhritarashtra's son

still vouchsafes the same kindly treatment to you. I hope, he gives you

the comforts of life.--Thou must also represent unto those that are

defective in limb, those that are imbecile, the dwarfs to whom

Dhritarashtra gives food and raiment from motives of humanity, those that

are blind, and all those that are aged, as also to the many that have the

use only of their hands being destitute of legs, that I am doing well,

and that I ask them regarding their welfare, addressing them in the

following words,--Fear not, nor be dispirited on account of your unhappy

lives so full of sufferings; no doubt, sins must have been committed by

you in your former lives. When I shall check my foes, and delight my

friends, I shall satisfy you by gifts of food and clothes.--Thou shouldst

also, O sire, at our request, enquire after the welfare of those that are

masterless and weak, and of those that vainly strive to earn a living,

and of those that are ignorant, in fact, of all those persons that are in

pitiable circumstances. O charioteer, meeting those others, that coming

from different quarters, have sought the protection of the

Dhritarashtras, and in fact, all who deserve our greetings, thou shouldst

also enquire about their welfare and peace. Thou shouldst also enquire

about the welfare of those who have come to the Kurus of their own accord

or who have been invited, as also of all the ambassadors arrived from all

sides and then represent unto them that I am well. As regards the

warriors that have been obtained by Dhritarashtra's son, there are none

equal to them on earth. Virtue, however, is eternal, and virtue is my

power for the destruction of my enemies. Thou shouldst, O Sanjaya, also

represent unto Suyodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, the following,--That

desire of thine which torments thy heart, viz., the desire of ruling the

Kurus without a rival, is very unreasonable. It had no justification. As

for ourselves, we will never act in such a way as to do anything that may

be disagreeable to thee! O foremost of heroes anwng the Bharatas, either

give me lack my own Indraprastha or fight with me!'"

SECTION XXXI

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Sanjaya, the righteous and the unrighteous, the

young and the old, the weak and the strong, are all under the control of

the Creator, It is that Supreme Lord who imparteth knowledge to the child

and childishness to the learned, according to his own will. If

Dhritarashtra ask thee about our strength, tell him everything truly,

having cheerfully consulted with everyone here and ascertained the truth.

O son of Gavalgana, repairing unto the Kurus, thou wilt salute the mighty

Dhritarashtra, and touching his feet enquire after his welfare speaking

in our name. And when seated in the midst of the Kurus, tell him from

us.--The sons of Pandu, O king, are living happily in consequence of thy

prowess. It was through thy grace, O repressor of foes, that those

children of tender years had obtained a kingdom. Having first bestowed a

kingdom on them, thou shouldst not now be indifferent to them, for

destruction then would overtake them! The whole of this kingdom, O

Sanjaya, is not fit to be owned by one person. Tell him again, from

us.--O sire, we wish to live united. Do not suffer thyself to be

vanquished by foes.--Thou shouldst again, O Sanjaya, bending thy head, in

my name salute the grandsire of the Bharatas, Bhishma, the son of

Santanu. Having saluted our grandsire, he should then be told.--By thee,

when Santanu's race was about to be extinct, it was revived. Therefore, O

sire, do that according to thy own judgment by which thy grandsons may

all live in amity with one another. Thou shouldst then address Vidura

also, that adviser of the Kurus, saying.--Counseleth peace, O amiable

one, from desire of doing good unto Yudhishthira.--Thou shouldst address

the unforbearing prince Duryodhana also, when seated in the midst of the

Kurus, beseeching him again and again, saying,--The insults thou hadst

offered to innocent and helpless Draupadi in the midst of the assembly,

we will quietly bear, simply because we have no mind to see the Kurus

slain. The other injuries also, both before and after that, the sons of

Pandu are quietly bearing, although they are possessed of might to avenge

them. All this, indeed, the Kauravas know. O amiable one, thou hadst even

exiled us dressed in deer-skins. We are bearing that also because we do

not want to see the Kurus slain. Dussasana, in obedience to thee, had

dragged Krishna, disregarding Kunti. That act also will be forgiven by

us. But, O chastiser of foes, we must have our proper share of the

kingdom. O bull among men, turn thy coveting heart from what belongeth to

others. Peace then, O king, will be amongst our gladdened selves. We are

desirous of peace; give us even a single province of the empire. Give us

even Kusasthala, Vrikasthala, Makandi, Varanavata, and for the fifth any

other that thou likest. Even this will end the quarrel. O Suyodhana, give

unto thy five brothers at least five villages,--O Sanjaya, O thou of

great wisdom, let there be peace between us and our cousins. Tell him

also,--Let brothers follow brothers, let sires unite with sons. Let the

Panchalas mingle with the Kurus in merry laughter. That I may see the

Kurus and the Panchalas whole and sound, is what I desire. O bull of the

Bharata race, with, cheerful hearts let us make peace. O Sanjaya, I am

equally capable of war and peace. I am prepared to acquire wealth as well

as to earn virtue. I am fit enough for severity as for softness.'"

SECTION XXXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Dismissed with salutation by the Pandavas, Sanjaya

set out for (Hastinapura) having executed all the commands of the

illustrious Dhritarashtra. Reaching Hastinapura he quickly entered it,

and presented himself at the gate of the inner apartments of the palace.

Addressing the porter, he said, 'O gate-keeper, say unto Dhritarashtra

that I, Sanjaya, have just arrived, coming from the sons of Pandu. Do not

delay. If the king be awake, then only shouldst thou say so, O keeper,

for I like to enter having first apprised him of my arrival. In the

present instance I have something of very great importance to

communicate.' Hearing this, the gate-keeper went to the king and

addressed him, saying, 'O lord of earth, I bow to thee. Sanjaya is at thy

gates, desirous of seeing thee. He cometh, bearing a message from the

Pandavas. Issue your commands, O king, as to what he should do.'

"The king said, 'Tell Sanjaya that I am happy and hale. Let him enter.

Welcome to Sanjaya. I am always ready to receive him. Why should he stay

outside whose admission is never forbidden?"

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, with the king's permission, having

entered that spacious apartment, the Suta's son, with joined hands,

approached the royal son of Vichitravirya who was protected by many wise,

valiant, and righteous persons, and who was then seated on his throne.

And Sanjaya addressed him, saying, 'I am Sanjaya, O king. I bow unto

thee. O chief of men, proceeding hence I found the sons of Pandu. After

having paid his salutations to thee, Pandu's son, the intelligent

Yudhishthira, enquired of thy welfare. And well-pleased, he also

enquireth after thy sons, and asketh thee whether thou art happy with thy

sons and grandsons and friends and counsellors, and, O king, all those

that depend upon thee.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O child, giving my blessings to Ajatasatru, I ask

thee, O Sanjaya, whether that king of the Kauravas, Pritha's son, is well

with his sons and brothers and counsellors.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Pandu's son is well with his counsellors. He desires

possessions of that which he formerly had as his own. He seeketh virtue

and wealth without doing anything that is censurable, possesseth

intelligence and vast learning, and is, besides, far-sighted and of

excellent disposition. With that son of Pandu, abstention from injury is

even superior to virtue, and virtue superior to the accumulation of

wealth. His mind, O Bharata, is always inclined to happiness and joy, and

to such course of action as are virtuous and conducive to the higher ends

of life. Even like doll pulled this way and that by threads, man (in this

world) moveth, swayed by a force not his own. Beholding the sufferings of

Yudhishthira, I regard the force of destiny to be Superior to the effect

of human exertion. Beholding again thy unworthy deeds, which, besides,

being highly sinful and unspeakable, are sure to terminate in misery, it

seemeth to me that one of thy nature winneth praise only so long as his

able foe bideth his time. Renouncing all sin, even as a serpent casteth

off its worn out slough which it cannot any longer retain, the heroic

Ajatasatru shineth in his natural perfection, leaving his load of sins to

be borne by thee. Consider, O king, thy own acts which are contrary to

both religion and profit, and to the behaviour of those that are

righteous. Thou hast, O king, earned a bad repute in this world, and wilt

reap misery in the next. Obeying the counsels of thy son thou hopest to

enjoy this doubtful property, keeping them aloof. This unrighteous deed

is loudly bruited about in the world, Therefore, O foremost of the

Bharatas, this deed is unworthy of thee. Calamity overtaketh him who is

deficient in wisdom, or who is of low birth, or who is cruel, or who

cherisheth hostility for a long time, or who is not steady in Kshatriya

virtues, or is devoid of energy, or is of a bad disposition, in fact, him

who hath such marks. It is by virtue of luck that a person taketh his

birth in good race, or becometh strong, or famous, or versed in various

lore, or possesseth the comforts of life, or becometh capable of subduing

his senses, or discriminating virtue and vice that are always linked

together. What person is there, who, attended upon by foremost of

counsellors, possessed of intelligence, capable of discriminating between

virtue and vice in times of distress, not destitute of the rituals of

religion, and retaining the use of all his faculties, would commit cruel

deeds. These counsellors, ever devoted to thy work, wait here united

together. Even this is their firm determination (viz., that the Pandavas

are not to get back their share). The destruction of the Kurus,

therefore, is certain to be brought about by the force of circumstances.

If, provoked by the offences, Yudhishthira wisheth for misery to thee,

then Kurus will be destroyed prematurely, while, imparting all his sins

to thee, the blame of that deed will be thine in this world. Indeed, what

else is there save the will of the Gods, for Arjuna, the son of Pritha,

leaving this world ascended to the very heavens and was honoured there

very greatly. This proves that individual exertion is nothing. There is,

no doubt, as to this. Seeing that the attributes of high birth, bravery,

etc., depended for their development or otherwise on acts, and beholding

also prosperity and adversity and stability and instability (in persons

and their possessions), king Vali, in his search after causes, having

failed to discover a beginning (in the chain of acts of former lives one

before another), regarded the eternal Essence to be the cause of

everything. The eye, the ear, the nose, the touch, and the tongue, these

are the doors of a person's knowledge. If desire be curbed, these would

be gratified by themselves. Therefore, cheerfully and without repining

one should control the senses. Others there are that think differently.

They hold that if a person's acts are well-applied, these must produce

the desired result. Thus the child begot by the act of the mother and the

father grows when duly tended with food and drink. Men in this world

become subject to love and hate, pleasure and pain, praise and blame. A

man is praised when he behaves honestly. Thee I blame, since these

dissensions of the Bharatas (whose root thou art) will surely bring about

the destruction of innumerable lives. If peace be not concluded, then

through thy fault Arjuna will consume the Kurus like a blazing fire

consuming a heap of dried grass. O ruler of men, thou alone of all the

world, yielding to thy son whom no restraints can blind, hadst regarded

thyself as crowned with success and abstained from avoiding dispute at

the time of the match at dice. Behold now the fruit of that (weakness of

thine)! O monarch, by rejecting advisers that are faithful and accepting

those that deserve no confidence, this extensive and prosperous empire, O

son of Kuru, thou art unable to retain owing to thy weakness. Wearied by

my fast journey and very much fatigued, I solicit thy permission to go to

bed now, O lion of men, for tomorrow morning will the Kurus, assembled

together in the council-hall, hear the words of Ajatasatru.'"

SECTION XXXIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'King Dhritarashtra endued with great wisdom (then)

said to the orderly-in-waiting, 'I desire to see Vidura. Bring him here

without delay.' Despatched by Dhritarashtra, the messenger went to

Kshatri and said, 'O thou of great wisdom, our lord the mighty king

desireth to see thee.' Thus addressed, Vidura (set out and) coming to the

palace, spoke unto the orderly, 'Apprise Dhritarashtra of my arrival.'

Thereupon the orderly went to Dhritarashtra, and said, O, foremost of

kings, Vidura is here at thy command. He wisheth to behold thy feet.

Command me as to what he is to do.' Thereupon Dhritarashtra said, 'Let

Vidura of great wisdom and foresight enter. I am never unwilling or

unprepared to see Vidura.' The orderly then went out and spoke unto

Vidura, 'O Kshatri, enter the inner apartments of the wise king. The king

says that he is never unwilling to see thee.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having entered Dhritarashtra's chamber, Vidura

said with joined hands unto that ruler of men who was then plunged in

thought, 'O thou of great wisdom, I am Vidura, arrived here at thy

command. If there is anything to be done, here I am, command me!'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Vidura, Sanjaya hath come back. He hath gone away

after rebuking me. Tomorrow he will deliver, in the midst of the court,

Ajatasatru's message. I have not been able today to ascertain what the

message is of the Kuru hero. Therefore, my body is burning, and that hath

produced sleeplessness. Tell us what may be good for a person that is

sleepless and burning. Thou art, O child, versed in both religion and

profit. Ever since, Sanjaya hath returned from the Pandavas, my heart

knoweth no peace. Filled with anxiety about what he may deliver, all my

senses have been disordered'.

"Vidura said, 'Sleeplessness overtaketh thief, a lustful person, him that

hath lost all his wealth, him that hath failed to achieve success, and

him also that is weak and hath been attacked by a strong person. I hope,

O king, that none of these grave calamities have overtaken thee. I hope,

thou dost not grieve, coveting the wealth of others.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'I desire to hear from thee words that are

beneficial and fraught with high morality. In this race of royal Rishis

thou alone art reverenced by the wise.' Vidura replied, 'King

(Yudhishthira), graced with every virtue, is worthy of being the

sovereign of the three worlds; yet, O Dhritarashtra, however worthy of

being kept by thy side, he was exiled by thee. Thou art, however,

possessed of qualities which are thy very reverse of those possessed by

him. Although virtuous and versed in morality, thou hast yet no right to

a share in the kingdom owing to thy loss of sight. In consequence of his

inoffensiveness and kindness, his righteousness, love of truth and

energy, and his remembering the reverence that is due to thee,

Yudhishthira patiently bears innumerable wrongs. Having bestowed on

Duryodhana and Suvala's son and Karna, and Dussasana the management of

the empire, how canst thou hope for prosperity? He that is not served

from the high ends of life by the aid of self-knowledge, exertion,

forbearance and steadiness in virtue, is called wise. These again are the

marks of a wise man, viz., adherence to acts, worthy of praise and

rejection of what is blamable, faith, and reverence. He whom neither

anger nor joy, nor pride, nor false modesty, nor stupefaction, nor

vanity, can draw away from the high ends of life, is considered as wise.

He whose intended acts, and proposed counsels remain concealed from foes,

and whose acts become known only after they have been done, is considered

wise. He whose proposed actions are never obstructed by heat or cold,

fear of attachment, prosperity or adversity, is considered wise. He whose

judgment dissociated from desire, followeth both virtue and profit, and

who disregarding pleasure chooseth such ends as are serviceable in both

worlds, is considered wise. They that exert to the best of their might,

and act also to the best of their might, and disregard nothing as

insignificant, are called wise. He that understandeth quickly, listeneth

patiently, pursueth his objects with judgment and not from desire and

spendeth not his breath on the affairs of others without being asked, is

said to possess the foremost mark of wisdom. They that do not strive for

objects that are unattainable, that do not grieve for what is lost and

gone, that do not suffer their minds to be clouded amid calamities, are

regarded to possess intellects endued with wisdom. He who striveth,

having commenced anything, till it is completed, who never wasteth his

time, and who hath his soul under control, is regarded wise. They that

are wise, O bull of the Bharata race, always delight in honest deeds, do

what tendeth to their happiness and prosperity, and never sneer at what

is good. He who exulteth not at honours, and grieveth not at slights, and

remaineth cool and unagitated like a lake in the course of Ganga, is

reckoned as wise. That man who knoweth the nature of all creatures (viz.,

that everything is subject to destruction), who is cognisant also of the

connections of all acts, and who is proficient in the knowledge of the

means that men may resort to (for attaining their objects), is reckoned

as wise. He who speaketh boldly, can converse on various subjects,

knoweth the science of argumentation, possesseth genius, and can

interpret the meaning of what is writ in books, is reckoned as wise. He

whose studies are regulated by reason, and whose reason followeth the

scriptures, and who never abstaineth from paying respect to those that

are good, is called a wise man. He, on the other hand, who is ignorant of

scripture yet vain, poor yet proud, and who resorteth to unfair means for

the acquisition of his objects, is a fool. He who, forsaking his own,

concerneth himself with the objects of others, and who practiseth

deceitful means for serving his friends, is called a fool. He who wisheth

for those things that should not be desired, and forsaketh those that may

legitimately be desired, and who beareth malice to those that are

powerful, is regarded to be a foolish soul. He who regardeth his foe as

his friend, who hateth and beareth malice to his friend, and who

committeth wicked deeds, is said to be a person of foolish soul. O bull

of the Bharata race, he who divulgeth his projects, doubteth in all

things, and spendeth a long time in doing what requireth a short time, is

a fool. He who doth not perform the Sraddha for the Pitris, nor

worshippeth the deities, nor acquireth noble-minded friends, is said to

be a person of foolish soul. That worst of men who entereth a place

uninvited, and talketh much without being asked, and reposeth trust on

untrustworthy wights, is a fool. That man who being himself guilty

casteth the blame on others, and who though impotent giveth vent to

anger, is the most foolish of men. That man, who, without knowing his own

strength and dissociated from both virtue and profit, desireth an object

difficult of acquisition, without again adopting adequate means, is said

to be destitute of intelligence. O king, he who punisheth one that is

undeserving of punishment, payeth homage to persons without their

knowledge, and waiteth upon misers, is said to be of little sense. But he

that, having attained immense wealth and prosperity or acquired (vast)

learning, doth not bear himself haughtily, is reckoned as wise. Who,

again, is more heartless than he, who, though possessed of affluence,

eateth himself and weareth excellent robes himself without distributing

his wealth among his dependents? While one person committeth sins, many

reap the advantage resulting therefrom; (yet in the end) it is the doer

alone to whom the sin attacheth while those that enjoy the fruit escape

unhurt. When a bowman shooteth an arrow, he may or may not succeed in

slaying even a single person, but when an intelligent individual applieth

his intelligence (viciously); it may destroy an entire kingdom with the

king. Discriminating the two by means of the one, bring under thy

subjection the three by means of four, and also conquering the five and

knowing the six, and abstaining from the seven, be happy. Poison slayeth

but one person, and a weapon also but one; wicked counsels, however,

destroy an entire kingdom with king and subject. Alone one should not

partake of any savoury viand, nor alone reflect on concerns of profit,

nor alone go upon a journey, nor alone remain awake among sleeping

companions. That Being who is One without a second, and whom, O king,

thou hast not been able to comprehend, is Truth's self, and the Way to

heaven, even like a boat in the ocean. There is one only defect in

forgiving persons, and not another; that defect is that people take a

forgiving person to be weak. That defect, however, should not be taken

into consideration, for forgiveness is a great power. Forgiveness is a

virtue of the weak, and an ornament of the strong. Forgiveness subdueth

(all) in this world; what is there that forgiveness cannot achieve? What

can a wicked person do unto him who carrieth the sabre of forgiveness in

his hand? Fire falling on a grassless ground is extinguished of itself.

And unforgiving individual defileth himself with many enormities.

Righteousness is the one highest good; and forgiveness is the one supreme

peace; knowledge is one supreme contentment; and benevolence, one sole

happiness. Even as a serpent devoureth animals living in holes, the earth

devoureth these two, viz., a king who is incompetent to fight, and a

Brahmana who doth not sojourn to holy places. A man may attain renown in

this world by doing two things, viz., by refraining from harsh speech,

and by disregarding those that are wicked. O tiger among men, these two

have not a will of their own, viz., those women who covet men simply

because the latter are coveted by others of their sex, and that person

who worships another simply because the latter is worshipped by others.

These two are like sharp thorns afflicting the body, viz., the desires of

a poor man, and the anger of the impotent. These two persons never shine

because of their incompatible acts, viz., a householder without exertion,

and a beggar busied in schemes. These two, O king, live (as it were) in a

region higher than heaven itself, viz., a man of power endued with

forgiveness, and poor man that is charitable. Of things honestly got,

these two must be looked upon as misuse, viz., making gifts to the

unworthy and refusing the worthy. These two should be thrown into the

water, tightly binding weights to their necks, viz., a wealthy man that

doth not give away, and a poor man that is proud. These two, O tiger

among men, can pierce the orb itself of the sun, viz., a mendicant

accomplished in yoga, and a warrior that hath fallen in open fight. O

bull of the Bharata race, persons versed in the Vedas have said that

men's means are good, middling, and bad. Men also, O king, are good,

indifferent, and bad. They should, therefore, be respectively employed in

that kind of work for which they may be fit. These three, O king, cannot

have wealth of their own, viz., the wife, the slave, and the son, and

whatever may be earned by them would be his to whom they belong. Great

fear springeth from these three crimes, viz., theft of other's property,

outrage on other's wives, and breach with friend. These three, besides,

being destructive to one's own self, are the gates of hell, viz., lust,

anger, and covetousness. Therefore, every one should renounce them. These

three should never be forsaken even in imminent danger, viz., a follower,

one who seeks protection, saying,--I am thine,--and lastly one who hath

come to your abode. Verily, O Bharata, liberating a foe from distress,

alone amounteth in point of merit, to these three taken together, viz.,

conferring a boon, acquiring a kingdom, and obtaining a son. Learned men

have declared that a king, although powerful, should never consult with

these four, viz., men of small sense, men that are procrastinating, men

that are indolent, and men that are flatterers. O sire, crowned with

prosperity and leading the life of a householder, let these four dwell

with thee, viz., old consanguineous, relatives, high-born persons fallen

into adversity, poor friends, and issueless sisters. On being asked by

the chief of the celestials, Vrihaspati, O mighty king declared four

things capable of fructifying or occurring within a single day, viz., the

resolve of the gods, the comprehensions of intelligent persons, the

humility of learned men, and the destruction of the sinful. These four

that are calculated to remove fear, bring on fear when they are

improperly performed, viz., the Agni-hotra, the vow of silence, study,

and sacrifice (in general). O bull of the Bharata race, these five fires,

should be worshipped with regard by a person, viz., father, mother, fire

(proper), soul and preceptor. By serving these five, men attain great

fame in this world, viz., the gods, the Pitris, men, beggars, and guests.

These five follow thee wherever thou goest, viz., friends, foes, those

that are indifferent, dependants, and those that are entitled to

maintenance. Of the five senses beholding to man, if one springeth a

leak, then from that single hole runneth out all his intelligence, even

like water running out from a perforated leathern vessel. The six faults

should be avoided by a person who wisheth to attain prosperity, viz.,

sleep, drowsiness, fear, anger, indolence and procrastination. These six

should be renounced like a splitting vessel in the sea, viz., a preceptor

that cannot expound the scriptures, a priest that is illiterate, a king

that is unable to protect, a wife that speaketh disagreeable words, a

cow-herd that doth not wish to go to the fields, and a barber that

wisheth to renounce a village for the woods. Verily, those six qualities

should never be forsaken by men, viz., truth, charity, diligence,

benevolence, forgiveness and patience. These six are instantly destroyed,

if neglected, viz., kine, service, agriculture, a wife, learning, and the

wealth of a Sudra. These six forget those who have bestowed obligations

on them, viz., educated disciples, their preceptors; married persons,

their mothers; persons whose desires have been gratified, women; they who

have achieved success, they who had rendered aid; they who have crossed a

river, the boat (that carried them over); and patients that have been

cured, their physicians. Health, unindebtedness, living at home,

companionship with good men, certainty as regards the means of

livelihood, and living without fear, these six. O king, conduce to the

happiness of men. These six are always miserable, viz., the envious, the

malicious, the discontented, the irascible, the ever-suspicious, and

those depending upon the fortunes of others. These six, O king, comprise

the happiness of men, viz., acquirement of wealth, uninterrupted health,

a beloved and a sweet-speeched wife, an obedient son, and knowledge that

is lucrative. He that succeedeth in gaining the mastery over the six that

are always present in the human heart, being thus the master of his

senses, never committeth sin, and therefore suffereth calamity. These six

may be seen to subsist upon other six, viz., thieves, upon persons that

are careless; physicians, on persons that are ailing; women, upon persons

suffering from lust; priests, upon them that sacrifice; a king, upon

persons that quarrel; and lastly men of learning, upon them that are

without it. A king should renounce these seven faults that are productive

of calamity, inasmuch as they are able to effect the ruin of even

monarchs firmly established; these are women, dice, hunting, drinking,

harshness of speech, severity of punishment, and misuse of wealth. These

eight are the immediate indications of a man destined to destruction,

viz., hating the Brahmanas, disputes with Brahmanas, appropriation of a

Brahmana's possessions, taking the life of Brahmana, taking a pleasure in

reviling Brahmanas, grieving to hear the praises of Brahmanas, forgetting

them on ceremonious occasions, and giving vent to spite when they ask for

anything. These transgressions a wise man should understand, and

understanding, eschew. These eight, O Bharata, are the very cream of

happiness, and these only are attainable here, viz., meeting with

friends, accession of immense wealth, embracing a son, union for

intercourse, conversation with friends in proper times, the advancement

of persons belong to one's own party, the acquisition of what had been

anticipated, and respect in society. These eight qualities glorify a man,

viz., wisdom, high birth, self-restraint, learning, prowess, moderation

in speech gift according to one's power, and gratitude. This house hath

nine doors, three pillars, and five witnesses. It is presided over by the

soul. That learned man who knoweth all this is truly wise. O

Dhritarashtra, these ten do not know what virtue is viz., the

intoxicated, inattentive, the raving, the fatigued, the angry, the

starving, the hasty, the covetous, the frightened, and the lustful.

Therefore, he that is wise must eschew the company of these. In this

connection is cited the old story about what transpired between Suyodhana

and (Prahlada), the chief of the Asuras in relation to the latter's son.

That king who renounceth lust and anger, who bestoweth wealth upon proper

recipients, and is discriminating, learned, and active, is regarded as an

authority of all men. Great prosperity attends upon that king who knoweth

how to inspire confidence in others, who inflicteth punishment on those

whose guilt hath been proved, who is acquainted with the proper measure

of punishment, and who knoweth when mercy is to be shown. He is a wise

person who doth not disregard even a weak foe; who proceeds with

intelligence in respect of a foe, anxiously watching for an opportunity;

who doth not desire hostilities with persons stronger than himself; and

who displayeth his prowess in season. That illustrious person who doth

not grieve when a calamity hath already come upon him, who exerteth with

all his senses collected, and who patiently beareth misery in season, is

certainly the foremost of persons, and all his foes are vanquished. He

who doth not live away from hope uselessly, who doth not make friends

with sinful persons, who never outrageth another's wife, who never

betrayeth arrogance, and who never committeth a theft or showeth

ingratitude or indulgeth in drinking is always happy. He who never

boastfully striveth to attain the three objects of human pursuit, who

when asked, telleth the truth, who quarreleth not even for the sake of

friends, and who never becometh angry though slighted, is reckoned as

wise. He who beareth not malice towards others but is kind to all, who

being weak disputeth not with others, who speaketh not arrogantly, and

forgeteth a quarrel, is praised everywhere. That man who never assumeth a

haughty mien, who never censureth others praising himself the while, and

never addresseth harsh words to others for getting himself, is ever loved

by all. He who raketh not up old hostilities, who behaveth neither

arrogantly nor with too much humility, and who even when distressed never

committeth an improper act, is considered by respectable men a person of

good conduct. He who exulteth not at his own happiness, nor delighteth in

another's misery, and who repenteth not after having made a gift, is said

to be a man of good nature and conduct. He who desireth to obtain a

knowledge of the customs of different countries, and also the languages

of different nations, and of the usages of different orders of men,

knoweth at once all that is high and low; and wherever he may go, he is

sure to gain an ascendancy over even those that are glad. The intelligent

man who relinquisheth pride, folly, insolence, sinful acts, disloyalty

towards the king, crookedness of behaviour, enmity with many, and also

quarrels with men that are drunk, mad and wicked, is the foremost of his

species. The very gods bestow prosperity upon him who daily practiseth

self-restraint, purification, auspicious rites, worship of the gods,

expiatory ceremonies, and other rites of universal observance. The acts

of that learned man are well-conceived, and well-applied who formeth

matrimonial alliances with persons of equal positions and not with those

that are inferior, who placeth those before him that are more qualified,

and who talketh, behaveth and maketh friendships with persons of equal

position. He who eateth frugally after dividing the food amongst his

dependants, who sleepeth little after working much, and who, when

solicited giveth away even unto his foes, hath his soul under control,

and calamities always keep themselves aloof from him. He whose counsels

are well-kept and well-carried out into practice, and whose acts in

consequence thereof are never known by others to injure men, succeedeth

in securing even his most trifling objects. He who is intent upon

abstaining from injury to all creatures, who is truthful, gentle,

charitable, and pure in mind, shineth greatly among his kinsmen like a

precious gem of the purest ray having its origin in an excellent mine.

That man who feeleth shame even though his faults be not known to any

save himself, is highly honoured among all men. Possessed of a pure heart

and boundless energy and abstracted within himself, he shineth in

consequence of his energy like the very sun. King Pandu consumed by a

(Brahmana's) curse, had five sons born unto him in the woods that are

like five Indras. O son of Ambika, thou hast brought up those children

and taught them everything. They are obedient to thy commands. Giving

them back their just share of the kingdom, O sire, filled with joy, be

thou happy with thy sons. Then, O monarch, thou shalt inspire confidence

in both the gods and men.'"

SECTION XXXIV

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me what may be done by a person that is

sleepless and burning with anxieties, for thou alone amongst us, O child,

art versed in both religion and profit. Advise me wisely, O Vidura. O

thou of magnanimous heart, tell me what is thou deemest to be beneficial

for Ajatasatru and what is productive of good to the Kurus. Apprehending

future evils. I look back only on my previous guilt: I ask thee with

anxious heart, O learned one, tell me what is exactly in Ajatasatru's

mind,'

"Vidura said, 'Even if unasked, one should speak truly, whether his words

be good or bad, hateful or pleasing, unto him whose defeat one doth not

wish. I shall, therefore, say, O king, what is for the good of the Kurus.

I shall say what is both beneficial and consistent with morality. Listen

to me. Do not, O Bharata, set the heart upon means of success that are

unjust and improper. A man of intelligence must not grieve if any purpose

of his doth not succeed, notwithstanding the application of fair and

proper means. Before one engageth in an act, one should consider the

competence of the agent, the nature of the act itself, and its purpose,

for all acts are dependent on these. Considering these one should begin

an act, and not take it up on a sudden impulse. He that is wise should

either do an act or desist from it fully considering his own ability, the

nature of the act, and the consequence also of success. The king who

knoweth not proportion or measure as regards territory, gain, loss,

treasury, population, and punishment, cannot retain his kingdom long. He,

on the other hand, who is acquainted with the measures of these as

prescribed in treatises, being necessarily possessed of the knowledge of

religion and profit, can retain his kingdom. As the stars are affected by

the planets, so is this world affected by the senses, when they are

directed, uncontrolled, to their respective objects. Like the moon during

the lighted fortnight, calamities increase in respect of him who is

vanquished by the five senses in their natural state, which ever lead him

towards various acts. He who wisheth to control his counsellors before

controlling his own self, or to subdue his adversaries before controlling

his counsellors, at last succumbs deprived of strength. He, therefore,

who first subdueth his own self regarding it as a foe, never faileth to

subdue his counsellors and adversaries at last. Great prosperity waiteth

upon him who hath subdued his senses, or controlled his soul, or who is

capable of punishing all offenders, or who acteth with judgment or who is

blessed with patience. One's body, O king, is one's car; the soul within

is the driver; and the senses are its steeds. Drawn by those excellent

steeds, when well-trained, he that is wise, pleasantly performeth the

journey of life, and awake in peace. The horses that are unbroken and

incapable of being controlled, always lead an unskilful driver to

destruction in the course of the journey; so one's senses, unsubdued,

lead only to destruction. The inexperienced wight, who, led by this

unsubdued senses, hopeth to extract evil from good and good from evil,

necessarily confoundeth misery with happiness. He, who, forsaking

religion and profit, followeth the lead of his senses, loseth without

delay prosperity, life, wealth and wife. He, who is the master of riches

but not of his senses, certainly loseth his riches in consequence of his

want of mastery over his senses. One should seek to know one's self by

means of one's own self, controlling one's mind, intellect, and senses,

for one's self is one's friend as, indeed, it is one's own foe. That man,

who hath conquered self by means of self, hath his self for a friend, for

one's self is ever one's friend or foe. Desire and anger, O king, break

through wisdom, just as a large fish breaks through a net of thin cords.

He, who in this world regarding both religion and profit, seeketh to

acquire the means of success, winneth happiness, possessing all he had

sought. He, who, without subduing his five inner foes of mental origin,

wisheth to vanquish other adversaries, is, in fact, overpowered by the

latter. It is seen that many evil-minded kings, owing to want of mastery

over their senses, are ruined by acts of their own, occasioned by the

lust of territory. As fuel that is wet burneth with that which is dry, so

a sinless man is punished equally with the sinful in consequence of

constant association with the latter. Therefore, friendship with the

sinful should be avoided. He that, from ignorance, faileth to control his

five greedy foes, having five distinct objects, is overwhelmed by

calamities. Guilelessness and simplicity, purity and contentment,

sweetness of speech and self-restraint, truth and steadiness,--these are

never the attributes of the wicked. Self-knowledge and steadiness,

patience and devotion to virtue, competence to keep counsels and

charity,--these,--O Bharata, never exist in inferior men. Fools seek to

injure the wise by false reproaches and evil speeches, The consequence

is, that by this they take upon themselves the sins of the wise, while

the latter, freed from their sins, are forgiven. In malice lieth the

strength of the wicked; in criminal code, the strength of kings, in

attentions of the weak and of women; and in forgiveness that of the

virtuous. To control speech, O king, is said to be most difficult. It is

not easy to hold a long conversation uttering words full of meaning and

delightful to the hearers. Well-spoken speech is productive of many

beneficial results; and ill-spoken speech, O king, is the cause of evils.

A forest pierced by arrows, or cut down by hatchets may again grow, but

one's heart wounded and censured by ill-spoken words never recovereth.

Weapons, such as arrows, bullets, and bearded darts, can be easily

extracted from the body, but a wordy dagger plunged deep into the heart

is incapable of being taken out. Wordy arrows are shot from the mouth;

smitten by them one grieveth day and night. A learned man should not

discharge such arrows, for do they not touch the very vitals of others.

He, to whom the gods ordain defeat, hath his senses taken away, and it is

for this that he stoopeth to ignoble deeds. When the intellect becometh

dim and destruction is nigh, wrong, looking like right., firmly sticketh

to the heart. Thou dost not clearly see it, O bull of the Bharata race,

that clouded intellect hath now possessed thy sons in consequence of

their hostility to the Pandavas. Endued with every auspicious mark and

deserving to rule the three worlds, Yudhishthira is obedient to thy

commands. Let him, O Dhritarashtra, rule the earth, to the exclusion of

all thy sons, Yudhishthira is the foremost of all thy heirs. Endued with

energy and wisdom, and acquainted with the truths of religion and profit,

Yudhishthira, that foremost of righteous men, hath, O king of kings,

suffered much misery out of kindness and sympathy, in order to preserve

thy reputation."

SECTION XXXV

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O thou of great intelligence, tell me again words

such as these, consistent with religion and profit. My thirst for hearing

them is not quenched. What thou sayst is charming!"

"Vidura said, 'Ablution in all the holy places and kindness to all

creatures,--these two are equal. Perhaps, kindness to all creatures

surpasseth the former. O master, show kindness unto all thy sons, for by

that winning great fame in this world, thou wilt have heaven hereafter.

As long as a man's good deeds are spoken of in this world, so long, O

tiger among men, is he glorified in heaven. In this connection is cited

an old story about the conversation between Virochana and Sudhanwan, both

suitors for Kesini's hand. Once on a time, O king, there was a maiden of

the name of Kesini, unrivalled for beauty; moved by the desire of

obtaining a good husband, she resolved to choose her lord in Swayamvara.

Then one of the sons of Diti, Virochana by name, went to that spot,

desirous of obtaining the maiden. Beholding that chief of the Daityas,

Kesini addressed him, saying, 'Are Brahmanas superior, O Virochana, or

are the sons of Diti superior? And why also should not Sudhanwan sit on

the sofa?' Virochana said, 'Sprung from Prajapati himself, we, O Kesini,

are the best and at the top of all creatures, and this world is ours

without doubt. Who are the gods, and who are the Brahmanas?' Kesini said,

'We will, O Virochana, stay here in this very pavilion. Sudhanwan will

come here on the morrow, and let me see both of you sitting together.'

Virochana said, 'O amiable and timid girl, I will do what thou sayst.

Thou wilt behold Sudhanwan and myself met together in the morning.'

"Vidura continued, 'When the night had passed away and the solar disc had

risen, Sudhanwan, O best of kings, came to that place where, O master,

Virochana was waiting with Kesini. And Sudhanwan saw there both

Prahlada's son and Kesini. And beholding the Brahmana arrived, Kesini, O

bull of the Bharata race, rising up from hers, offered him a seat, water

to wash his feet, and Arghya. And asked by Virochana (to share his seat)

Sudhanwan said, 'O son of Prahlada, I touch thy excellent golden seat. I

cannot, however, suffer myself to be regarded as thy equal, and sit on it

with thee.' Virochana said, 'A piece of wooden plank, an animal skin, or

a mat of grass or straw,--these only, O Sudhanwan, are fit for thee. Thou

deservest not, however, the same seat with me.' Sudhanwan said, 'Father

and son. Brahmanas of the same age and equal learning, two Kshatriyas,

two Vaisyas and two Sudras, can sit together on the same seat, Except

these, no other can sit together. Your father used to pay his regards to

me, taking a seat lower than that occupied by me. Thou art a child,

brought tip in every luxury at home and thou understandest nothing.'

Virochana said, 'Staking all the gold, kine, horses, and every other kind

of wealth that we have among the Asuras, let us, O Sudhanwan, ask them

this question that are able to answer.' Sudhanwan said, 'Let alone your

gold, kine, and heroes, O Virochana? Making our lives forfeited, we will

ask them this question that are competent.' Virochana said, 'Wagering our

lives where shall we go? I will not appear before any of the gods and

never before any among men.' Sudhanwan said, 'Having wagered our lives,

we will approach thy father, for he, Prahlada, will never say an untruth

even for the sake of his son.'

"Vidura continued, 'Having thus laid a wager, Virochana and Sudhanwan,

both moved by rage, proceeded to that place where Prahlada was. And

beholding them together, Prahlada said, 'These two who had never before

been companions, are now seen together coming hither by the same road,

like two angry snakes. Have ye now become companions,--ye who were never

companions before? I ask thee, O Virochana, has there been friendship

between thee and Sudhanwan?' Virochana said, 'There is no friendship

between me and Sudhanwan. On the other hand, we have both wagered our

lives. O chief of the Asuras, I shall ask thee a question, do not answer

it untruly!' Prahlada said, 'Let water, and honey and curds, be brought

for Sudhanwan. Thou deservest our worship, O Brahmana. A white and fat

cow is ready for thee.' Sudhanwan said, 'Water and honey and curds, have

been presented to me on my way hither. I shall ask thee a question.

Prahlada, answer it truly! are Brahmanas superior, or is Virochana

superior?' Prahlada said, O Brahmana, this one is my only son. Thou also

art present here in person. How can one like us answer a question about

which ye two have quarrelled? Sudhanwan said, 'Give unto thy son thy kine

and other precious wealth that thou mayst have, but, O wise one, thou

shouldst declare the truth when we two are disputing about it.' Prahlada

said, 'How doth that misuser of his tongue suffer, O Sudhanwan, who

answereth not truly but falsely, a question that is put to him? I ask

thee this.' Sudhanwan said, 'The person that misuseth his tongue suffers

like the deserted wife, who pineth, at night, beholding her husband

sleeping in the arms of a co-wife; like a person who hath lost at dice,

or who is weighed down with an unbearable load of anxieties. Such a man

hath also to stay, starving outside the citygates, into which his

admission is barred. Indeed, he that giveth false evidence is destined to

always find his foes. He that speaketh a lie on account of an animal,

casteth down from heaven five of his sires of the ascending order. He

that speaketh a lie on account of a cow casteth down from heaven ten of

his ancestors. A lie on account of a horse causeth the downfall of a

hundred; and a lie on account of a human being, the downfall of a

thousand of one's sires of the ascending order. An untruth on account of

gold ruineth the members of one's race both born and unborn, while an

untruth for the sake of land ruineth everything. Therefore, never speak

an untruth for the sake of land.' Prahlada said, 'Angiras is superior to

myself, and Sudhanwan is superior to thee, O Virochana. Mother also of

Sudhanwan is superior to thy mother; therefore, thou, O Virochana, hath

been defeated by Sudhanwan. This Sudhanwan is now the master of thy life.

But, O Sudhanwan, I wish that thou shouldst grant Virochana his life.'

Sudhanwan said, 'Since, O Prahlada, thou hast preferred virtue and hast

not, from temptation, said an untruth, I grant thy son his life that is

dear to thee. So here is thy son Virochana, O Prahlada, restored by me to

thee. He shall, however, have to wash my feet in the presence of the

maiden Kesini.'

"Vidura continued, 'For these reasons, O king of kings, it behoveth thee

not to say an untruth for the sake of land. Saying an untruth from

affection for thy son, O king, hasten not to destruction, with all thy

children and counsellors. The gods do not protect men, taking up clubs in

their hands after the manner of herdsmen; unto those, however, they wish

to protect, they grant intelligence. There is no doubt that one's objects

meet with success in proportion to the attention he directs to

righteousness and morality. The Vedas never rescue from sin a deceitful

person living by falsehood. On the other hand, they forsake him while he

is on his death-bed, like newly fledged birds forsaking their nests.

Drinking, quarrels, enmity with large numbers of men, all connections

with connubial disputes, and severance of relationship between husband

and wife, internal dissensions, disloyalty to the king,--these and all

paths that are sinful, should, it is said, be avoided. A palmist, a thief

turned into a merchant, a fowler, a physician, an enemy, a friend, and a

minstrel, these seven are incompetent as witness. An Agnihotra performed

from motives of pride, abstention from speech, practised from similar

motives, study and sacrifice from the same motives,--these four, of

themselves innocent, become harmful when practised unduly. One that

setteth fire to a dwelling house, an administerer of poison, a pander, a

vendor of the Soma-juice, a maker of arrows, an astrologer, one that

injureth friends, an adulterer, one that causeth abortion, a violater of

his preceptor's bed, a Brahmana addicted to drink, one that is

sharp-speeched, a raker of old sores, an atheist, a reviler of the Vedas,

and taker of bribes, one whose investiture with the sacred thread has

been delayed beyond the prescribed age, one that secretly slayeth cattle,

and one that slayeth him who prayeth for protection,--these all are

reckoned as equal in moral turpitude as the slayers of Brahmanas. Gold is

tested by fire; a well-born person, by his deportment; an honest man, by

his conduct. A brave man is tested during a season of panic; he that is

self-controlled, in times of poverty; and friends and foes, in times of

calamity and danger. Decrepitude destroyeth beauty; ambitious hopes,

patience; death, life, envy, righteousness, anger, prosperity,

companionship with the low, good behaviour; lust, modesty, and pride,

everything. Prosperity taketh its birth in good deeds, groweth in

consequence of activity, driveth its roots deep in consequence of skill,

and acquireth stability owing to self-control. Wisdom, good lineage,

self-control, acquaintance with the scriptures, prowess, absence of

garrulity, gift to the extent of one's power, and grateful ness,--these

eight qualities shed a lustre upon their possessor. But, O sire, there is

one endowment which alone can cause all these attributes to come

together; the fact is, when the king honoureth a particular person, the

royal favour can cause all these attributes to shed their lustre (on the

favourite). Those eight, O king, in the world of men, are indications of

heaven. Of the eight (mentioned below) four are inseparably connected,

with the good, and four others are always followed by the good. The first

four which are inseparably connected with the good, are sacrifice, gift,

study and asceticism, while the other four that are always followed by

the good, are self-restraint, truth, simplicity, and abstention from

injury to all.

'Sacrifice, study, charity, asceticism, truth, forgiveness, mercy, and

contentment constitute the eight different paths of righteousness. The

first four of these may be practised from motives of pride, but the last

four can exist only in those that are truly noble. That is no assembly

where there are no old men, and they are not old who do not declare what

morality is. That is not morality which is separated from truth, and that

is not truth which is fraught with deceit. Truth, beauty, acquaintance

with the scriptures, knowledge, high birth, good behaviour, strength,

wealth, bravery, and capacity for varied talk,--these ten are of heavenly

origin. A sinful person, by committing sin, is overtaken by evil

consequences. A virtuous man, by practising virtue, reapeth great

happiness. Therefore, a man, rigidly resolved, should abstain from sin.

Sin, repeatedly perpetrated, destroyeth intelligence; and the man who

hath lost intelligence, repeatedly committeth sin. Virtue, repeatedly

practised, enhanceth intelligence; and the man whose intelligence hath

increased, repeatedly practiseth virtue. The virtuous man, by practising

virtue, goeth to regions of blessedness. Therefore, a man should, firmly

resolved, practise virtue. He that is envious, he that injureth others

deeply, he that is cruel, he that constantly quarreleth, he that is

deceitful, soon meeteth with great misery for practising these sins. He

that is not envious and is possessed of wisdom, by always doing what is

good, never meeteth with great misery; on the other hand, he shineth

everywhere. He that draweth wisdom from them that are wise is really

learned and wise. And he that is wise, by attending to both virtue and

profit, succeedeth in attaining to happiness. Do that during the day

which may enable thee to pass the night in happiness; and do that during

eight months of the year which may enable thee to pass the season of

rains happily. Do that during youth which may ensure a happy old age; and

do that during thy whole life here which may enable thee to live happily

hereafter. The wise prize that food which is easily digested, that wife

whose youth hath passed away, that hero who is victorious and that

ascetic whose efforts have been crowned with success. The gap that is

sought to be filled by wealth acquired wrongfully, remaineth uncovered,

while new ones appear in other places. The preceptor controlleth them

whose souls are under their own control; the king controlleth persons

that are wicked; while they that sin secretly have their controller in

Yama, the son of Vivaswat. The greatness of Rishis, of rivers, of

river-banks, of high-souled men, and the cause of woman's wickedness,

cannot be ascertained. O king, he that is devoted to the worship of the

Brahmanas, he that giveth away, he that behaveth righteously towards his

relatives, and the Kshatriya that behaveth nobly, rule the earth for

ever. He that is possessed of bravery, he that is possessed of learning,

and he that knows how to protect others,--these three are always able to

gather flowers of gold from the earth. Of acts, those accomplished by

intelligence are first; those accomplished by the arms, second; those by

the thighs, and those by bearing weights upon the head, are the very

worst. Reposing the care of thy kingdom on Duryodhana, on Sakuni, on

foolish Dussasana, and on Karna, how canst thou hope for prosperity?

Possessed of every virtue, the Pandavas, O bull of the Bharata race,

depend on thee as their father. O, repose thou on them as on thy sons!"

SECTION XXXVI

"Vidura said, 'In this connection is cited the old story of the discourse

between the son of Atri and the deities called Sadhyas is as heard by us.

In days of old, the deities known by the name of Sadhyas questioned the

highly wise and great Rishi of rigid vows (the son of Atri), while the

latter was wandering in the guise of one depending on eleemosynary

charity for livelihood. The Sadhyas said, 'We are, O great Rishi, deities

known as Sadhyas. Beholding thee, we are unable to guess who thou art. It

seemeth to us, however, that thou art possessed of intelligence and

self-control in consequence of acquaintance with the scriptures. It,

therefore, behoveth thee to discourse to us in magnanimous words fraught

with learning.' The mendicant Rishi answered, 'Ye immortals, it hath been

heard by me that by untying all the knots in the heart by the aid of

tranquillity, and by mastery over all the passions, and observance of

true religion, one should regard both the agreeable and the disagreeable

like his own self. One should not return the slanders or reproaches of

others for the pain that is felt by him who beareth silently, consumeth

the slanderer; and he that beareth, succeedeth also in appropriating the

virtues of the slanderer. Indulge not in slanders and reproaches. Do not

humiliate and insult others. Quarrel not with friends. Abstain from

companionship with those that are vile and low. Be not arrogant and

ignoble in conduct. Avoid words that are harsh and fraught with anger.

Harsh words burn and scorch the very vitals, bones, heart, and the very

sources of the life of men. Therefore, he, that is virtuous, should

always abstain from harsh and angry words. That worst of men is of harsh

and wrathful speech, who pierceth the vitals of others with wordy thorns,

beareth hell in his tongue, and should ever be regarded as a dispenser of

misery to men. The man that is wise, pierced by another's wordy arrows,

sharp-pointed and smarting like fire or the sun, should, even if deeply

wounded and burning with pain, bear them patiently remembering that the

slanderer's merits become his. He that waiteth upon one that is good or

upon one that is wicked, upon one that is possessed of ascetic merit or

upon one that is a thief, soon taketh the colour from that companion of

his, like a cloth from the dye in which it is soaked. The very gods

desire his company, who, stung with reproach, returneth if not himself

nor causeth others to return it, or who being struck doth not himself

return the blow nor causeth other to do it, and who wisheth not the

slightest injury to him that injureth him. Silence, it is said, is better

than speech, if speak you must, then it is better to say the truth; if

truth is to be said, it is better to say what is agreeable; and if what

is agreeable is to be said, then it is better to say what is consistent

with morality. A man becometh exactly like him with whom he liveth, or

like him whom he regardeth, or like that which he wisheth to be. One is

freed from those things from which one abstaineth, and if one abstaineth

from everything he hath not to suffer even the least misery. Such a man

neither vanquisheth others, nor is vanquished by others. He never

injureth nor opposeth others. He is unmoved by praise or blame. He

neither grieveth nor exalteth in joy. That man is regarded as the first

of his species who wisheth for the prosperity of all and never setteth

his heart on the misery of others, who is truthful in speech, humble in

behaviour, and hath all his passions under control. That man is regarded

as a mediocre in goodness who never consoleth others by saying what is

not true; who giveth having promise; and who keepeth an eye over the

weakness of others. These, however, are the indications of a bad man,

viz., incapacity to be controlled; liability to be afflicted by dangers;

proneness to give way to wrath, ungratefulness; inability to become

another's friend, and wickedness of heart. He too is the worst of men,

who is dissatisfied with any good that may come to him from others who is

suspicious of his own self, and who driveth away from himself all his

true friends. He that desireth prosperity to himself, should wait upon

them that are good, and at times upon them that are indifferent, but

never upon them that are bad. He that is wicked, earneth wealth, it is

true, by putting forth his strength, by constant effort, by intelligence,

and by prowess, but he can never win honest fame, nor can he acquire the

virtues and manners of high families (in any of which he may be born).'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'The gods, they that regard both virtue and profit

without swerving from either, and they that are possessed of great

learning, express a liking for high families. I ask thee, O Vidura, this

question,--what are those families that are called high?'

"Vidura said, 'Asceticism, self-restraint, knowledge of the Vedas,

sacrifices, pure marriages, and gifts of food,--those families in which

these seven exist or are practised duly, are regarded as high. There are

high families who deviate not from the right course whose deceased

ancestors are never pained (by witnessing the wrong-doings of their

descendants), who cheerfully practise all the virtues, who desire to

enhance the pure fame of the line in which they are born, and who avoid

every kind of falsehood. Families that are high, fall down and become low

owing to the absence of sacrifices, impure marriages, abandonment of the

Vedas, and insults offered to Brahmanas. High families fall off and

become low owing to their members disregarding or speaking ill of

Brahmanas, or to the misappropriation, O Bharata, of what had been

deposited with them by others. Those families that are possessed of

members, wealth and kine, are not regarded as families if they be wanting

in good manners and conduct, while families wanting in wealth but

distinguished by manners and good conduct are regarded as such and win

great reputation. Therefore, should good manners and good conduct be

maintained with care, for, as regards wealth, it cometh or goeth. He that

is wanting in wealth is not really wanting, but he that is wanting in

manners and conduct is really in want. Those families that abound in kine

and other cattle and in the produce of the field are not really worthy of

regard and fame if they be wanting in manners and conduct. Let none in

our race be a fomenter of quarrels, none serve a king as minister, none

steal the wealth of others, none provoke intestine dissensions, none be

deceitful or false in behaviour, and none eat before serving the Rishis,

the gods, and guests. He, in our race, who slayeth Brahmanas, or

entertaineth feelings of aversion towards them, or impedeth or otherwise

injureth agriculture, doth not deserve to mix with us. Straw (for a

seat), ground (for sitting upon), water (to wash the feet and face), and,

fourthly sweet words,--these are never wanting in the houses of the good.

Virtuous men devoted to the practice of righteous acts, when desirous of

entertaining (guests), have these things ready for being offered with

reverence. As the Sandal tree, O king, though thin, is competent to bear

weights which timbers of other trees (much thicker) cannot; so they that

belong to high families are always able to bear the weight of great cares

which ordinary men cannot. He is no friend whose anger inspireth fear, or

who is to be waited upon with fear. He, however, on whom one can repose

confidence as on a father, is a true friend. Other friendships are

nominal connection. He that beareth himself as a friend, even though

unconnected by birth of blood, is a true friend, a real refuge, and a

protector. He, whose heart is unsteady, or who doth not wait upon the

aged, or who is of a restless disposition cannot make friends. Success

(in the attainment of objects) forsaketh the person whose heart is

unsteady, or who hath no control over his mind, or who is a slave of his

senses, like swans forsaking a tank whose waters have dried up. They that

are of weak minds suddenly give way to anger and are gratified without

sufficient cause; they are like clouds that are so inconstant. The very

birds of prey abstain from touching the dead bodies of those who having

been served and benefited by friends, show ingratitude to the latter.

Beest thou poor or beest thou rich, thou shouldst honour thy friends.

Until some service is asked, the sincerity or otherwise of friends cannot

be known. Sorrow killeth beauty; sorrow killeth strength; sorrow killeth

the understanding; and sorrow bringeth on disease. Grief, instead of

helping the acquisition of his object, drieth up the body, and maketh

one's foes glad. Therefore, do not yield to grief, Men repeatedly die and

are reborn; repeatedly they wither away and grow; repeatedly they ask

others for help, and they themselves are asked for help; repeatedly they

lament and are lamented. Happiness and misery, plenty and want, gain and

loss, life and death, are shared by all in due order. Therefore, he that

is self-controlled should neither exult in joy nor repine in sorrow. The

six senses are always restless. Through the most predominant one amongst

them one's understanding escapeth in proportion to the strength it

assumes, like water from a pot through its holes.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'King Yudhishthira who is like a flame of fire, has

been deceived by me. He will surely exterminate in battle all my wicked

sons. Everything, therefore, seems to me to be fraught with danger, and

my mind is full of anxiety, O thou of great intelligence, tell me such

words as may dispel my anxiety.'

"Vidura said, 'O sinless one, in nothing else than knowledge and

asceticism, in nothing else than restraining the senses, in nothing else

than complete abandonment of avarice, do I see thy good. Fear is

dispelled by self-knowledge; by asceticism one winneth what is great and

valuable; by waiting upon superiors learning is acquired; and peace is

gained by self-restraint. They that desire salvation without having

acquired the merit attainable by gifts, or that which is attainable by

practising the ritual of the Vedas, do not sojourn through life, freed

from anger and aversion. The happiness that may be derived from a

judicious course of study, from a battle fought virtuously, from ascetic

austerities performed rigidly, always increaseth at the end. They that

are no longer in peace with their relatives, obtain no steep even if they

have recourse to well-made beds; nor do they, O king, derive any plea.

sure from women, or the laudatory hymns of bards and eulogists. Such

persons can never practise virtue. Happiness can never be theirs, in this

world. Honours can never be theirs, and peace hath no charm for them.

Counsels that are for their benefit please them not. They never acquire

what they have not, nor succeed in retaining what they have, O king,

there is no other end for such men save destruction. As milk is possible

in kine, asceticism in Brahmanas, and inconstancy in women, so fear is

possible from relatives. Numerous thin threads of equal length, collected

together, are competent to bear, from the strength of numbers, the

constant rolling of the shuttle-cock over them. The case is even so with

relatives that are good, O bull of the Bharata race, separated from one

another, burning brands produce only smoke; but brought together they

blaze forth into a powerful flame. The case is even so, O Dhritarashtra,

with relatives. They, O Dhritarashtra, who tyrannise over Brahmanas,

women, relatives, and kine, soon fall off their stalks, like fruits that

are ripe. And the tree that stands singly, though gigantic and strong and

deep-rooted, hath its trunk soon smashed and twisted by a mighty wind.

Those trees, however, that grow in close compact are competent owing to

mutual dependence to resist winds more violent still. Thus he that is

single, however, endowed with all the virtues, is regarded by foes as

capable of being vanquished like an isolated tree by the wind. Relatives,

again, in consequence of mutual dependence and mutual aid, grow together,

like lotus-stalks in a lake. These must never be slain, viz., Brahmanas,

kine, relatives, children, women, those whose food is eaten, and those

also that yield by asking for protection. O king, without wealth no good

quality can show itself in a person. If, however, thou art in health,

thou canst achieve thy good, for he is dead who is unhealthy and ill. O

king, anger is a kind of bitter, pungent, acrid, and hot drink, painful

in its consequences: it is a kind of headache not born of any physical

illness, and they that are unwise can never digest it. Do thou, O king,

swallow it up and obtain peace. They that are tortured by disease have no

liking for enjoyments, nor do they desire any happiness from wealth. The

sick, however, filled with sorrow, know not what happiness is or what the

enjoyments of wealth are. Beholding Draupadi won at dice, I told thee

before, O king, these words,--They that are honest avoid deceit in play.

Therefore, stop Duryodhana! Thou didst not, however, act according to my

words. That is not strength which is opposed to softness. On the other

hand, strength mixed with softness constitutes true policy which should

ever be pursued. That prosperity which is dependent on crookedness alone

is destined to be destroyed. That prosperity, however, which depends on

both strength and softness, descends to sons and grandsons in tact. Let,

therefore, thy sons cherish the Pandavas, and the Pandavas also cherish

thy sons. O king, let the Kurus and the Pandavas, both having same

friends and same foes, live together in happiness and prosperity. Thou

art, today, O king, the refuge of the sons of Kuru. Indeed, the race of

Kuru, O Ajamida, is dependent on thee. O sire, preserving thy fame

unsullied, cherish thou the children of Pandu, afflicted as they are with

the sufferings of exile. O descendant of Kuru, make peace with the sons

of Pandu. Let not thy foes discover thy holes. They all, O god among men,

are devoted to truth. O king of men, withdraw Duryodhana from his evil

ways.'"

SECTION XXXVII

"Vidura said, 'O son of Vichitravirya, Manu, the son of the Self-created,

hath, O king, spoken of the following seven and ten kinds of men, as

those that strike empty space with their fists, or seek to bend the

vapoury bow of Indra in the sky, or desire to catch the intangible rays

of the sun. These seven and ten kinds of foolish men are as follow: he

who seeketh to control a person that is incapable of being controlled; he

who is content with small gains; he who humbly pays court to enemies; he

who seeks to restrain women's frailty; he who asketh him for gifts who

should never be asked; he who boasteth, having done anything; he who,

born in a high family, perpetrateth an improper deed; he who being weak

always wageth hostilities with one that is powerful; he who talketh to a

person listening scoffingly; he who desireth to have that which is

unattainable; he who being a father-in-law, jesteth with his

daughter-in-law; he who boasteth at having his alarms dispelled by his

daughter-in-law; he who scattereth his own seeds in another's field; he

who speaketh ill of his own wife; he who having received anything from

another sayeth that he doth not remember it, he who, having given away

anything in words in holy places, boasteth at home when asked to make

good his words, and he who striveth to prove the truth of what is false.

The envoys of Yama, with nooses in hand, drag those persons to hell. One

should behave towards another just as that other behaveth towards him.

Even this is consistent with social polity. One may behave deceitfully

towards him that behaveth deceitfully, but honestly towards him that is

honest in his behaviour. Old age killeth beauty; patience, hope; death,

life; the practice of virtue, worldly enjoyments; lust, modesty;

companionship with the wicked, good behaviour; anger, prosperity; and

pride, everything.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Man hath been spoken of in all the Vedas as having

hundred years for the period of his life. For what reason then, do not

all men attain the allotted period?'

"Vidura said, 'Excess of pride, excess in speech, excess in eating,

anger, the desire of enjoyment, and intestine dissensions,--these, O

king, are six sharp swords that cut off the period of life allotted to

creatures. It is these which kill men, and not death. Knowing this,

blessed be thou!'

'He who appropriates to himself the wife of one who hath confided in him;

he who violates the bed of his preceptor; that Brahmana, O Bharata, who

becomes the husband of a Sudra woman, or drinks wines; he who commendeth

Brahmanas or becometh their master, or taketh away the lands that support

them; and he who taketh the lives of those who yield asking for

protection, are all guilty of the sin of slaying Brahmanas. The Vedas

declare that contact with these requires expiation. He that accepts the

teaching of the wise; he that is acquainted with the rules of morality;

he that is liberal; he that eateth having first dedicated the food to the

gods and Pitris; he that envieth none; he that is incapable of doing

anything that injureth others; he that is grateful, truthful, humble and

learned, succeedeth in attaining to heaven.

'They are abundant, O king, that can always speak agreeable words. The

speaker, however, is rare, as also the hearer, of words that are

disagreeable but medicinal. That man who, without regarding what is

agreeable or disagreeable to his master but keeping virtue alone in view,

sayeth what is unpalatable, but medicinal, truly addeth to the strength

of the king. For the sake of the family a member may be sacrificed; for

the sake of the village, a family may be sacrificed; for the sake of a

kingdom a village may be sacrificed; and for the sake of one's soul, the

whole earth may be sacrificed. One should protect his wealth in view of

the calamities that may overtake him; by his wealth one should protect

his wives, and by both his wealth and wives one should protect his own

self. From very olden times it hath been seen that gambling provoketh

quarrels. Therefore, he that is wise, should not resort to it even in

jest. O son of Pratipa, at the time of that gambling match I told thee, O

king--this is not proper. But, O son of Vichitravirya, like medicine to a

sick man, those words of mine were not agreeable to thee. O king, thou

desirest to vanquish the sons of Pandu, who are just as peacocks of

variegated plumage, whereas thy sons are all as crows. Forsaking lions

thou art protecting jackals! O king, when the time cometh, thou wilt have

to grieve for all this. That master, O sire, who doth not give vent to

his displeasure with devoted servants zealously pursuing his good,

enlisteth the confidence of his servants. In fact, the latter adhere to

him even in distress. By confiscating the grants to one's servants or

stopping their pay, one should not seek to amass wealth, for even

affectionate counsellors deprived of their means of life and enjoyment,

turn against him and leave him (in distress). Reflecting first on all

intended acts and adjusting the wages and allowances of servants with his

income and expenditure, a king should make proper alliances, for there is

nothing that cannot be accomplished by alliances. That officer who fully

understanding the intentions of his royal master dischargeth all duties

with alacrity, and who is respectable himself and devoted to his master,

always telleth what is for his master's good, and who is fully acquainted

with the extent of his own might and with that also of those against,

whom he may be engaged, should be regarded by the king as his second

self. That servant, however, who commanded (by his master) disregardeth

the latter's injunctions and who enjoined to do anything refuseth to

submit, proud as he is of his own intelligence and given to arguing

against his master, should be got rid of without the least delay. Men of

learning say that a servant should be endued with these eight qualities,

viz., absence of pride, ability, absence of procrastination, kindness,

cleanliness, incorruptibility, birth in a family free from the taint of

disease, and weightiness of speech. No man should confidently enter an

enemy's house after dusk even with notice. One should not at night lurk

in the yard of another's premises, nor should one seek to enjoy a woman

to whom the king himself might make love. Never set thyself against the

decision to which a person hath arrived who keepeth low company and who

is in the habit of consulting all he meeteth. Never tell him,--I do not

believe thee,--but assigning some reason send him away on a pretext. A

king who is exceedingly merciful, a woman of lewd character, the servant

of a king, a son, a brother, a widow having an infant son one serving in

the army, and one that hath suffered great losses, should never be

engaged in pecuniary transactions of lending or borrowing. These eight

qualities shed a lustre on men, viz., wisdom, high lineage, acquaintance

with scriptures, self-restraint, prowess, moderation in speech, gift to

the extent of one's power, and gratefulness. These high qualities, O

sire, are necessarily brought together by one only by gifts. When the

king favours a person, that incident (of royal favour) bringeth in all

others and holdeth them together. He that performeth ablutions winneth

these ten, viz., strength, beauty, a clear voice, capacity to utter all

the alphabetical sounds, delicacy of touch, fineness of scent,

cleanliness, gracefulness, delicacy of limbs, and beautiful women. He

that eateth sparingly winneth these six, viz., health, long life, and

ease; his progeny also becometh healthy, and nobody reproacheth him for

gluttony. One should not give shelter to these in his house, viz., one

that always acteth improperly, one that eateth too much, one that is

hated by all, one that is exceedingly deceitful, one that is cruel, one

that is ignorant of the proprieties of time and place, and one that

dresseth indecently. A person, however distressed, should never solicit a

miser for alms, or one that speaketh ill of others, or one that is

unacquainted with the shastras, or a dweller in the woods, or one that is

cunning, or one that doth not regard persons worthy of regard, or one

that is cruel, or one that habitually quarrels with others, or one that

is ungrateful. A person should never wait upon these six worst of men,

viz., one that is a foe, one that always errs, one that is wedded to

falsehood, one that is wanting in devotion to the gods, one that is

without affection, and one that always regards himself competent to do

everything. One's purposes depend (for their success) on means; and means

are dependent, again, on the nature of the purposes (sought to be

accomplished by them). They are intimately connected with each other, so

that success depends on both. Begetting sons and rendering them

independent by making some provision for them, and bestowing maiden

daughters on eligible persons, one should retire to the woods, and desire

to live as a Muni. One should, for obtaining the favours of the Supreme

Being, do that which is for the good of all creatures as also for his own

happiness, for it is this which is the root of the successful of all

one's objects. What anxiety hath he for a livelihood that hath

intelligence, energy, prowess, strength, alacrity and perseverance?

'Behold the evils of a rupture with the Pandavas which would sadden the

very gods with Sakra. These are, first, enmity between them that are all

thy sons; secondly, a life of continued anxiety; thirdly, the loss of the

fair fame of the Kurus; and lastly, the joy of those that are thy

enemies. The wrath of Bhishma, O thou of the splendour of Indra, of

Drona, and the king Yudhishthira, will consume the whole world, like a

comet of large proportions falling transversely on the earth. Thy hundred

sons and Karna and the sons of Pandu can together rule the vast earth

with the belt of the seas. O king, the Dhartarashtras constitute a forest

of which the Pandavas are, I think, tigers. O, do not cut down that

forest with its tigers! O, let not the tigers be driven from that forest!

There can be no forest without tigers, and no tigers without a forest.

The forest shelters the tigers and tigers guard the forest!'

They that are sinful never seek so much to ascertain the good qualities

of others as to ascertain their faults. He that desires the highest

success in all matters connected with worldly profit, should from the

very beginning practise virtue, for true profit is never separated from

heaven. He whose soul hath been dissociated from sin and firmly fixed on

virtue, hath understood all things in their natural and adventitious

states; he that followeth virtue, profit, and desire, in proper seasons,

obtaineth, both here and hereafter, a combination of all three. He that

restraineth the force of both anger and joy, and never, O king, loseth

his senses under calamities, winneth prosperity. Listen to me, O king.

Men are said to have five different kinds of strength, Of these, the

strength of arms is regarded to be of the most inferior kind. Blessed be

thou, the acquisition of good counsellors is regarded as the second kind

of strength. The wise have said that the acquisition of wealth is the

third kind of strength. The strength of birth, O king, which one

naturally acquireth from one's sires and grandsires, is regarded as the

fourth kind of strength. That, however, O Bharata, by which all these are

won, and which is the foremost of all kinds of strength, is called the

strength of the intellect. Having provoked the hostility of a person who

is capable of inflicting great injury on a fellow creature, one should

not gather assurance from the thought that one liveth at a distance from

the other. Who that is wise that can place his trust on women, kings,

serpents, his own master, enemies, enjoyments, and period of life? There

are no physicians nor medicines for one that hath been struck by the

arrow of wisdom. In the case of such a person neither the mantras of

homa, nor auspicious ceremonies, nor the mantras of the Atharva Veda, nor

any of the antidotes of poison, are of any efficacy. Serpents, fire,

lions, and consanguineous relatives,--none of these, O Bharata, should be

disregarded by a man; all of these are possessed of great power. Fire is

a thing of great energy in this world. It lurketh in wood and never

consumeth it till it is ignited by others. That very fire, when brought

out by friction, consumeth by its energy not only the wood in which it

lurketh, but also an entire forest and many other things. Men of high

lineage are just like fire in energy. Endued with forgiveness, they

betray no outward symptoms of wrath and are quiet like fire in wood.

Thou, O king, with thy sons art possessed of the virtue of creepers, and

the sons of Pandu are regarded as Sala trees. A creeper never groweth

unless there is a large tree to twine round. O king, O son of Ambika, thy

son is as a forest. O sire, know that the Pandavas are the lions of that

forest. Without its lions the forest is doomed to destruction, and lions

also are doomed to destruction without the forest (to shelter them).'"

SECTION XXXVIII

"Vidura said, 'The heart of a young man, when an aged and venerable

person cometh to his house (as a guest), soareth aloft. By advancing

forward and saluting him, he getteth it back. He that is self-controlled,

first offering a seat, and bringing water and causing his guest's feet to

be washed and making the usual enquiries of welcome, should then speak of

his own affairs, and taking everything into consideration, offer him

food. The wise have said that man liveth in vain in whose dwelling a

Brahmana conversant with mantras doth not accept water, honey and curds,

and kine from fear of being unable to appropriate them, or from

miserliness and unwillingness with which the gifts are made. A physician,

a maker of arrows, even one that hath given up the vow of Brahmacharya

before it is complete, a thief, a crooked-minded man, a Brahmana that

drinks, one that causeth miscarriage, one that liveth by serving in the

army, and one that selleth the Vedas, when arrived as a guest, however

undeserving he may be the offer of water should be regarded (by a

householder) as exceedingly dear. A Brahmana should never be a seller of

salt, of cooked food, curds, milk, honey, oil, clarified butter, sesame,

meat, fruits, roots, potherbs, dyed clothes, all kinds of perfumery, and

treacle. He that never giveth way to anger, he that is above grief, he

that is no longer in need of friendship and quarrels, he that

disregardeth both praise and blame, and he that standeth aloof from both

what is agreeable and disagreeable, like one perfectly withdrawn from the

world, is a real Yogin of the Bhikshu order. That virtuous ascetic who

liveth on rice growing wild, or roots, or potherbs, who hath his soul

under control, who carefully keepeth his fire for worship, and dwelling

in the woods is always regardful of guests, is indeed, the foremost of

his brotherhood. Having wronged an intelligent person, one should never

gather assurance from the fact that one liveth at a distance from the

person wronged. Long are the arms which intelligent persons have, by

which they can return wrongs for wrongs done to them, One should never

put trust on him who should not be trusted, nor put too much trust on him

who should be trusted, for the danger that ariseth from one's having

reposed trust on another cutteth off one's very roots. One should

renounce envy, protect one's wives, give to others what is their due, and

be agreeable in speech. One should be sweet-tongued and pleasant in his

address as regards one's wives, but should never be their slave. It hath

been said that wives that are highly blessed and virtuous, worthy of

worship and the ornaments of their homes, are really embodiments of

domestic prosperity. They should, therefore, be protected particularly.

One should devolve the looking over of his inner apartments on his

father; of the kitchen, on his mother; of the kine, on somebody he looks

upon as his own self, but as regards agriculture, one should look over it

himself. One should look after guests of the trader-caste through his

servants, and those of the Brahmana caste through his sons. Fire hath its

origin in water; Kshatriyas in Brahmanas; and iron in stone. The energy

of those (i.e., fire, Kshatriyas, and iron) can affect all things but is

neutralised as soon as the things come in contact with their progenitors.

Fire lieth concealed in wood without showing itself externally. Good and

forgiving men born of high families and endued with fiery energy, do not

betray any outward symptoms of what is within them. That king whose

counsels cannot be known by either outsiders or those about him, but who

knoweth the counsels of others through his spies, enjoyeth his prosperity

long. One should never speak of what one intends to do. Let anything thou

doest in respect of virtue, profit, and desire, be not known till it is

done. Let counsels be not divulged. Ascending on the mountain-top or on

the terrace of a palace, or proceeding to a wilderness devoid of trees

and plants, one should, in secrecy, mature his counsels. O Bharata,

neither a friend who is without learning, nor a learned friend who hath

no control over his senses, deserveth to be a repository of state

secrets. O king, never make one thy minister without examining him well,

for a king's finances and the keeping of his counsels both depend on his

minister. That king is the foremost of rulers, whose ministers know his

acts in respect of virtue, profit and desire, only after they are done.

The king whose counsels are kept close, without doubt, commandeth

success. He that from ignorance committeth acts that are censurable,

loseth his very life in consequence of the untoward results of those

acts. The doing of acts that are praise-worthy is always attended with

ease. Omission to do such acts leadeth to repentance. As a Brahmana

without having studied the Vedas is not fit to officiate at a Sraddha (in

honour of the Pitris), so he that hath not heard of the six (means for

protecting a kingdom) deserveth not to take part in political

deliberations. O king, he that hath an eye upon increase, decrease, and

surplus, he that is conversant with the six means and knoweth also his

own self, he whose conduct is always applauded, bringeth the whole earth

under subjection to himself. He whose anger and joy are productive of

consequences, he who looketh over personally what should be done, he who

hath his treasury under his own control, bringeth the whole earth under

subjection to himself. The king should be content with the name he wins

and the umbrella that is held over his head. He should divide the wealth

of the kingdom among these that serve him. Alone he should not

appropriate everything. A Brahmana knoweth a Brahmana, the husband

understandeth the wife, the king knoweth the minister, and monarchs know

monarchs. A foe that deserveth death, when brought under subjection

should never be set free. If one be weak one should pay court to one's

foe that is stronger, even if the latter deserves death; but one should

kill that foe as soon as one commandeth sufficient strength, for, if not

killed, dangers soon arise from him. One should, with an effort, control

his wrath against the gods, kings, Brahmanas, old men, children, and

those that are helpless. He that is wise should avoid unprofitable

quarrels such as fools only engage in. By this one winneth great fame in

this world and avoideth misery and unhappiness. People never desire him

for a master whose grace is fruitless and whose wrath goest for nothing,

like women never desiring him for a husband who is a eunuch. Intelligence

doth not exist for the acquisition of wealth, nor is idleness the cause

of adversity; the man of wisdom only knoweth, and not others, the cause

of the diversities of condition in this world. The fool, O Bharata,

always disregardeth those that are elderly in years, and eminent in

conduct and knowledge, in intelligence, wealth, and lineage. Calamities

soon come upon them that are of wicked disposition, devoid of wisdom,

envious, or sinful, foul-tongued, and wrathful. Absence of deceitfulness,

gift, observance of the established rules of intercourse, and speech

well-controlled, bring all creatures under subjection. He that is without

deceitfulness, he that is active, grateful, intelligent, and guileless,

even if his treasury be empty, obtaineth friends, counsellors, and

servants. Intelligence, tranquillity of mind, self-control, purity,

absence of harsh speech and unwillingness to do anything disagreeable to

friends,--these seven are regarded as the fuel of prosperity's flame. The

wretch who doth not give to others their due, who is of wicked soul, who

is ungrateful, and shameless, should, O king, be avoided. The guilty

person who provoketh another about him that is innocent, cannot sleep

peacefully at night, like a person passing the night with a snake in the

same room. They, O Bharata, who upon being angry endanger one's

possessions and means of acquisition, should always be propitiated like

the very gods. Those objects that depend upon women, careless persons,

men that have fallen away from the duties of their caste, and those that

are wicked in disposition, are doubtful of success. They sink helplessly.

O king, like a raft made of stone, who have a woman, a deceitful person,

or a child, for their guide. They that are competent in the general

principles of work, though not in particular kinds of work are regarded

by men as learned and wise for particular kinds of work, are subsidiary,

That man who is highly spoken of by swindlers, mimes and women of ill

fame, is more dead than alive, Forsaking these mighty bowmen of

immeasurable energy, viz., the son of Pandu, thou hast. O Bharata,

devolved on Duryodhana, the cares of a mighty empire. Thou shalt,

therefore, soon see that swelling affluence fall off, like Vali fallen

off from the three worlds.'"

SECTION XXXIX

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Man is not the disposer of either his prosperity or

adversity. He is like a wooden doll moved by strings. Indeed, the Creator

hath made man subject to Destiny. Go on telling me, I am attentive to

what thou sayest.'

"Vidura said, 'O Bharata, by speaking words out of season even Vrihaspati

himself incurreth reproach and the charge of ignorance, one becometh

agreeable by gift, another by sweet words, a third by the force of

incantation and drugs. He, however, that is naturally agreeable, always

remaineth so. He that is hated by another is never regarded by that other

as honest or intelligent or wise. One attributeth everything good to him

one loveth; and everything evil to him one hateth. O king, as soon as

Duryodhana was born I told thee,--thou shouldst abandon this one son, for

by abandoning him thou wouldst secure the prosperity of thy hundred

sons,--and by keeping him, destruction would overtake thy hundred sons,

that gain should never be regarded highly which leadeth to loss. On the

other hand, that loss even should be regarded highly which would bring on

gain. That is no loss, O king, which bringeth on gain. That, however,

should be reckoned as loss which is certain to bring about greater losses

still. Some become eminent in consequence of good qualities; others

become so in consequence of wealth. Avoid them, O Dhritarashtra, that are

eminent in wealth but destitute of good qualities!'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'All that you sayest is approved by the wise and is

for my future good. I dare not, however, abandon my son. It is well-known

that where there is righteousness there is victory.'

"Vidura said, 'He that is graced with every virtue and is endued with

humility, is never indifferent to even the minutest sufferings of living

creatures. They, however, that are ever employed in speaking ill of

others, always strive with activity quarrelling with one another and in

all matters, calculated to give pain to others. There is sin in accepting

gifts from, and danger in making gifts to them, whose very sight is

inauspicious and whose companionship is fraught with danger. They that

are quarrelsome, covetous, shameless, deceitful, are known unrighteous,

and their companionship should always be avoided. One should also avoid

those men that are endued with similar faults of a grave nature, When the

occasion that caused the friendship is over the friendship of those that

are low, the beneficial result of that connection, and the happiness also

derivable from it, all come to an end. They then strive to speak ill of

their (late) friend and endeavour to inflict loss on him, and if the loss

they sustain be even very small, for all that they, from want of

self-control, fail to enjoy peace. He that is learned, examining

everything carefully and reflecting well, should, from a distance, avoid

the friendship of vile and wicked-minded persons such as these. He that

helpeth his poor and wretched and helpless relatives, obtain children and

animals and enjoyeth prosperity that knoweth no end. They that desire

their own benefit should always succour their relatives. By every means,

therefore, O king, do thou seek the growth of thy race. Prosperity will

be thine, O Monarch, if thou behavest well towards all thy relatives.

Even relatives that are destitute of good qualities should be protected.

O bull of the Bharata race, how much more, therefore, should they be

protected that are endued with every virtue and are humbly expectant of

thy favours? Favour thou the heroic sons of Pandu, O monarch, and let a

few villages be assigned to them for their maintenance. By acting thus, O

king, fame will be thine in this world. Thou art old; thou shouldst,

therefore, control thy sons. I should say what is for thy good. Know me

as one that wishes well to thee. He that desireth his own good should

never quarrel, O sire, with his relatives. O bull of the Bharata race,

happiness should ever be enjoyed with one's relatives, and not without

them, to eat with one another, to talk with one another, and to love one

another, are what relatives should always do. They should never quarrel.

In this world it is the relatives that rescue, and the relatives that

ruin (relatives). Those amongst them that are righteous rescue; while

those that are unrighteous sink (their brethren). O king, be thou, O

giver of honours, righteous in thy conduct towards the sons of Pandu.

Surrounded by them, thou wouldst be unconquerable by thy foes. If a

relative shrinks in the presence of a prosperous relative, like a deer at

sight of a hunter armed with arrows, then the prosperous relative hath to

take upon himself all the sins of the other. O best of men, repentance

will be thine (for this thy inaction at present) when in future thou wilt

hear of the death of either the Pandavas or thy sons. O, think of all

this. When life itself is unstable, one should in the very beginning

avoid that act in consequence of which one would have to indulge in

regrets having entered the chamber of woe. True it is that a person other

than Bhargava, the author of the science of morality is liable to commit

actions that go against morality. It is seen, however, that a just notion

of consequence is present in all persons of intelligence. Thou art an

aged scion of Kuru's race. If Duryodhana inflicted these wrongs on the

sons of Pandu, it is thy duty, O king of men, to undo them all.

Re-instating them in their position, thou wilt, in this world, be

cleansed of all thy sins and be, O king of men, an object of worship with

even those that have their souls under control. Reflecting on the

well-spoken words of the wise according to their consequences, he that

engageth in acts never loseth fame. The knowledge imparted by even men of

learning and skill is imperfect, for that which is sought to be

inculcated is ill-understood, or, if understood, is not accomplished in

practice. That learned person who never doth an act, the consequences of

which are sin and misery, always groweth (in prosperity). The person,

however, of wicked soul, who from folly pursueth his sinful course

commenced before falleth into a slough of deep mire. He that is wise

should ever keep in view the (following) six conduits by which counsels

become divulged, and he that desireth success and a long dynasty should

ever guard himself from those six. They are, intoxication, sleep,

inattention to spies, set over one by another, one's own demeanour as

dependent on the working of one's own heart, confidence reposed on a

wicked counsellor, and unskilful envoys. Knowing these six doors (through

which counsels are divulged), he that keepeth them shut while pursuing

the attainment of virtue, profit, and desire, succeedeth in standing over

the heads of his foes. Without an acquaintance with the scriptures and

without waiting upon the old, neither virtue nor profit can be known (or

won) by persons blessed even with the intelligence of Vrihaspati. A thing

is lost if cast into the sea; words are lost if addressed to one that

listens not; the scriptures are lost on one that hath not his soul under

control; and a libation of clarified butter is lost if poured over the

ashes left by a fire that is extinguished. He that is endued with the

intelligence maketh friendships with those that are wise, having first

examined by the aid of his intelligence, repeatedly searching by his

understanding, and using his ears, eyes, and judgment. Humility removeth

obloquy, ears, failure, prowess; forgiveness always conquereth anger; and

auspicious rites destroy all indications of evil. One's lineage, O king,

is tested by his objects of enjoyment, place of birth, house, behaviour,

food, and dress. When an object of enjoyment is available, even that one

who hath attained emancipation is not unwilling to enjoy; what, again,

need be said of him that is yet wedded to desire? A king should cherish a

counsellor that worshippeth persons of wisdom, is endued with learning,

virtue, agreeable appearance, friends, sweet speech, and a good heart.

Whether of low or high birth, he who doth not transgress the rules of

polite intercourse, who hath an eye on virtue, who is endued with

humility and modesty, is superior to a hundred persons of high birth. The

friendship of those persons never cooleth, whose hearts, secret pursuits,

and pleasures, and acquirements, accord in every respect. He that is

intelligent should avoid an ignorant person of wicked soul, like a pit

whose mouth is covered with grass, for friendship with such a person can

never last. The man of wisdom should never contract friendship with those

that are proud, ignorant, fierce, rash and fallen off from righteousness.

He that is grateful, virtuous, truthful, large-hearted, and devoted, and

he that hath his senses under control, preserveth his dignity, and never

forsaketh a friend, should be desired for a friend. The withdrawal of the

senses from their respective objects is equivalent to death itself. Their

excessive indulgence again would ruin the very gods. Humility, love of

all creatures, forgiveness, and respect for friends,--these, the learned

have said, lengthen life. He who with a firm resolution striveth to

accomplish by a virtuous policy purposes that have once been frustrated,

is said to possess real manhood. That man attaineth all his objects, who

is conversant with remedies to be applied in the future, who is firmly

resolved in the present, and who could anticipate in the past how an act

begun would end. That which a man pursueth in word, deed, and thought,

winneth him for its own; therefore, one should always seek that which is

for his good. Effort after securing what is good, the properties of time,

place, and means, acquaintance with the scriptures, activity,

straightforwardness, and frequent meetings with those that are

good,--these bring about prosperity. Perseverance is the root of

prosperity, of gain, and of what is beneficial. The man that pursueth an

object with perseverance and without giving it up in vexation, is really

great, and enjoyeth happiness that is unending. O sire, there is nothing

more conducive of happiness and nothing more proper for a man of power

and energy as foregiveness in every place and at all times. He that is

weak should forgive under all circumstances. He that is possessed of

power should show forgiveness from motives of virtue; and he, to whom the

success or failure of his objects is the same, is naturally forgiving.

That pleasure the pursuit of which doth not injure one's virtue and

profit, should certainly be pursued to one's fill. One should not,

however, act like a fool by giving free indulgence to his senses.

Prosperity never resides in one who suffers himself to be tortured by a

grief, who is addicted to evil ways, who denies Godhead, who is idle, who

hath not his senses under control, and who is divested of exertion. The

man that is humble, and who from humility is modest is regarded as weak

and persecuted by persons of misdirected intelligence. Prosperity never

approacheth from fear the person that is excessively liberal, that giveth

away without measure, that is possessed of extraordinary bravery, that

practiseth the most rigid vows, and that is very proud of his wisdom.

Prosperity doth not reside in one that is highly accomplished, nor in one

that is without any accomplishment. She doth not desire a combination of

all the virtues, nor is she pleased with the total absence of all

virtues. Blind, like a mad cow, prosperity resides with some one who is

not remarkable. The fruits of the Vedas are ceremonies performed before

the (homa) fire; the fruits of an acquaintance with the scriptures are

goodness of disposition and conduct. The fruits of women are the

pleasures of intercourse and offspring; and the fruits of wealth are

enjoyment and charity. He that performeth acts tending to secure his

prosperity in the other world with wealth acquired sinfully, never

reapeth the fruits of these acts in the other world, in consequence of

the sinfulness of the acquisitions (spent for the purpose). In the midst

of deserts, or deep woods, or inaccessible fastnesses, amid all kinds of

dangers and alarms or in view of deadly weapons upraised for striking

him, he that hath strength of mind entertaineth no fear. Exertion,

self-control, skill, carefulness, steadiness, memory, and commencement of

acts after mature deliberation,--know that these are the roots of

prosperity. Austerities constitute the strength of ascetics; the Vedas

are the strength of those conversant with them; in envy lieth the

strength of the wicked; and in forgiveness, the strength of the virtuous.

These eight, viz., water, roots, fruits, milk, clarified butter (what is

done at) the desire of a Brahmana, (or at) the command of a preceptor,

and medicine, are not destructive of a vow. That which is antagonistic to

one's own self, should never be applied in respect of another. Briefly

even this is virtue. Other kinds of virtue there are, but these proceed

from caprice. Anger must be conquered by forgiveness; and the wicked must

be conquered by honesty; the miser must be conquered by liberality, and

falsehood must be conquered by truth. One should not place trust on a

woman, a swindler, an idle person, a coward, one that is fierce, one that

boasts of his own power, a thief, an ungrateful person, and an atheist.

Achievements, period of life, fame, and power--these four always expand

in the case of him that respectfully saluteth his superiors and waiteth

upon the old. Do not set thy heart after these objects which cannot be

acquired except by very painful exertion, or by sacrificing

righteousness, or by bowing down to an enemy. A man without knowledge is

to be pitied; an act of intercourse that is not fruitful is to be pitied;

the people of a kingdom that are without food are to be pitied; and a

kingdom without a king is to be pitied. These constitute the source of

pain and weakness to embodied creatures; the rains, decay of hills and

mountains; absence of enjoyment, anguish of women; and wordy arrows of

the heart. The scum of the Vedas is want of study; of Brahmanas, absence

of vows; of the Earth, the Vahlikas; of man, untruth; of the chaste

woman, curiosity; of women, exile from home. The scum of gold is silver;

of silver, tin; of tin, lead; and of lead, useless dross. One cannot

conquer sleep by lying down; women by desire; fire by fuel; and wine by

drinking. His life is, indeed, crowned with success who hath won his

friends by gifts, his foes in battle, and wife by food and drink; they

who have thousands live; they, who have hundreds, also live. O

Dhritarashtra, forsake desire. There is none who cannot manage to live by

some means or other. Thy paddy, wheat, gold, animals, and women that are

on earth all cannot satiate even one person .. Reflecting on this, they

that are wise never grieve for want of universal dominion. O king, I

again tell thee, adopt an equal conduct towards thy children, i.e.,

towards the sons of Pandu and thy own sons.'"

SECTION XL

"Vidura said, 'Worshipped by the good and abandoning pride, that good man

who pursueth his objects without outstepping the limits of his power,

soon succeedeth in winning fame, for they that are good, when gratified

with a person, are certainly competent to bestow happiness on him. He

that forsaketh, of his own accord, even a great object owing to its being

fraught with unrighteousness, liveth happily, casting off all foes, like

a snake that hath cast off its slough. A victory gained by an untruth,

deceitful conduct towards the king, and insincerity of intentions

expressed before the preceptor,--these three are each equal to the sin of

slaying a Brahmana. Excessive envy, death, and boastfulness, are the

causes of the destruction of prosperity. Carelessness in waiting upon

preceptor, haste, and boastlessness, are the three enemies of knowledge.

Idleness, inattention, confusion of the intellect, restlessness,

gathering for killing time, haughtiness, pride, and covetous ness,--these

seven constitute, it is said, the faults of students in the pursuit of

learning. How can they that desire pleasure have knowledge? Students,

again, engaged in the pursuit of learning, cannot have pleasure. Votaries

of pleasure must give up knowledge, and votaries of knowledge must give

up pleasure. Fire is never gratified with fuel (but can consume any

measure thereof). The great ocean is never gratified with the rivers it

receives (but can receive any number of them). Death is never gratified

even with entire living creatures. A beautiful woman is never gratified

with any number of men (she may have). O king, hope killeth patience;

Yama killeth growth; anger killeth prosperity; miserliness killeth fame;

absence of tending killeth cattle; one angry Brahmana destroyeth a whole

kingdom. Let goats, brass, silver, honey, antidotes of poison, birds,

Brahmanas versed in the Vedas, old relatives, and men of high birth sunk

in poverty, be always present in thy house. O Bharata, Manu hath said

that goats, bulls, sandal, lyres, mirrors, honey, clarified butter, iron,

copper, conch-shells, salagram (the stony-image of Vishnu with gold

within) and gorochana should always be kept in one's house for the

worship of the gods. Brahmanas, and guests, for all those objects are

auspicious. O sire, I would impart to thee another sacred lesson

productive of great fruits, and which is the highest of all teachings,

viz., virtue should never be forsaken from desire, fear, or temptation,

nay, nor for the sake of life itself. Virtue is everlasting; pleasure and

pain are transitory; life is, indeed, everlasting but its particular

phases are transitory. Forsaking those which are transitory, betake

thyself to that which is everlasting, and let contentment be thine, for

contentment is the highest of all acquisitions. Behold, illustrious and

mighty kings, having ruled lands abounding with wealth and corn, have

become the victims of the Universal Destroyer, leaving behind their

kingdoms and vast sources of enjoyment. The son brought up with anxious

care, when dead, is taken up and carried away by men (to the burning

ground). With the dishevelled hair and crying piteously, they then cast

the body into the funeral pyre, as if it were a piece of wood. Others

enjoy the deceased's wealth, while birds and fire feast on the elements

of his body. With two only he goeth to the other world, viz., his merits

and his sins which keep him company. Throwing away the body, O sire,

relatives, friends, and sons retrace their steps, like birds abandoning

trees without blossoms and fruits. The person cast into the funeral pyre

is followed only by his own acts. Therefore, should men carefully and

gradually earn the merit of righteousness. In the world above this, and

also in that below this, there are regions of great gloom and darkness.

Know, O king, that those are regions where the senses of men are

exceedingly afflicted. Oh, let not any of those places to thine.

Carefully listening to these words, if thou canst act according to them,

thou wilt obtain great fame in this world of men, and fear will not be

thine here or hereafter. O Bharata, the soul is spoken of as a river;

religious merit constitutes its sacred baths; truth, its water;

self-control, its banks; kindness, its waves. He that is righteous

purifieth himself by a bath therein, for the soul is sacred, and the

absence of desire is the highest merit. O king, life is a river whose

waters are the five senses, and whose crocodiles and sharks are desire

and anger. Making self-control thy raft, cross thou its eddies which are

represented by repeated births! Worshipping and gratifying friends that

are eminent in wisdom, virtue, learning, and years, he that asketh their

advice about what he should do and should not do, is never misled. One

should restrain one's lust and stomach by patience; one's hands and feet

by one's eyes; one's eyes and ears by one's mind; and one's mind and

words by one's acts. That Brahmana who never omitteth to perform his

ablutions, who always weareth his sacred thread, who always attendeth to

the study of the Vedas, who always avoideth food that is unclean, who

telleth the truth and performeth acts in honour of his preceptor, never

falleth off from the region of Brahma. Having studied the Vedas, poured

libations into fire, performed sacrifices, protected subjects, sanctified

his soul by drawing weapons for protecting kine and Brahmanas, and died

on the field of battle, the Kshatriya attaineth to heaven. Having studied

the Vedas, and distributed in proper time, his wealth among Brahmanas,

Kshatriyas, and his own dependents, and inhaled the sanctified smoke of

the three kinds of fires, the Vaisya enjoyeth heavenly bliss in the other

world. Having properly worshipped Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaisayas in

due order, and having burnt his sins, by gratifying them, and then

peacefully casting off his body, the Sudra enjoyeth the bliss of heaven.

The duties of the four orders are thus set forth before thee. Listen now

to the reason of my speech as I discourse it. Yudhishthira, the son of

Pandu, is falling off from the duties of the Kshatriya order. Place him,

therefore, O king, in a position to discharge the duties of kings.'

"Dhritarashtra said, It is even so as thou always teachest me. O amiable

one, my heart also inclineth that very way of which thou tellest me.

Although, however, I incline in my mind towards the Pandavas even as thou

teachest me to do, yet as soon as I come in contact with Duryodhana it

turneth off in a different way. No creature is able to avert fate.

Indeed, Destiny, I think, is certain to take its course; individual

exertion is futile.'"

SECTION XLI

(Sanat-sujata Parva)

"Dhritarashtra said, 'If there is anything still left unsaid by thee, O

Vidura, say it then, as I am ready to listen to thee. The discourse is,

indeed, charming.'

"Vidura. said, 'O Dhritarashtra, O thou of the Bharata race, that ancient

and immortal Rishi Sanat-sujata who, leading a life perpetual celibacy,

hath said that there is no Death,--that foremost of all intelligent

persons,--will expound to thee all the doubts, in thy mind, both

expressed and unexpressed.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Dost thou not know what that immortal Rishi will

say unto me? O Vidura, do thou say it, if indeed, thou hast that degree

of wisdom.'

"Vidura said, 'I am born in the Sudra order and, therefore, do not

venture to say more than what I have already said. The understanding,

however, of that Rishi leading a life of celibacy, is regarded by me to

be infinite. He that is a Brahmana by birth, by discoursing on even the

profoundest mysteries, never incureth the censure of the gods. It is for

this alone that I do not discourse to thee, upon the subject.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, O Vidura, how with this body of mine I can

meet with that ancient and immortal one?'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Vidura began to think of that Rishi of rigid

vows. And knowing that he was thought of, the Rishi, O Bharata, showed

himself there. Vidura then received him with the rites prescribed by

ordinance. And when, having rested a while, the Rishi was seated at his

ease, Vidura addressed him, saying, 'O illustrious one, there is a doubt

in Dhritarashtra's mind which is incapable of being explained away by me.

It behoveth thee, therefore, to expound it, so that listening to thy

discourse, this chief of men may tide over all this sorrows, and to that

gain and loss, what is agreeable and what disagreeable, decrepitude and

death, fright and jealously, hunger and thirst, pride and prosperity,

dislike, sleep, lust and wrath, and decrease and increase may all be

borne by him!'"

SECTION XLII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the illustrious and wise king Dhritarashtra,

having applauded the words spoken by Vidura, questioned Sanat-sujata in

secret, desirous of obtaining the highest of all knowledge. And the king

questioned the Rishi saying, 'O Sanat-sujata, I hear that thou art of the

opinion that there is no Death. Again it is said that the gods and the

Asuras, practise ascetic austerities in order to avoid death. Of these

two opinions, then, which is true?'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'Some say, death is avertable by particular acts;

others' opinion there is no death; thou hast asked me which of these is

true. Listen to me, O king, as I discourse to thee on this, so that thy

doubts may be removed. Know, O Kshatriya, that both of these are true.

The learned are of opinion that death results from ignorance. I say that

ignorance is Death, and so the absence of ignorance (Knowledge) is

immortality. It is from ignorance that the Asuras became subject to

defeat and death, and it is from the absence of ignorance that the gods

have attained the nature of Brahman. Death doth not devour creatures like

a tiger; its form itself is unascertainable. Besides this, some imagine

Yama to be Death. This, however, is due to the weakness of the mind. The

pursuit of Brahman or self-knowledge is immortality. That (imaginary) god

(Yama) holdeth his sway in the region of the Pitris, being the source of

bliss to the virtuous and of woe to the sinful. It is at his command that

death in the form of wrath, ignorance, and covetousness, occurreth among

men. Swayed by pride, men always walk in unrighteous path. None amongst

them succeeds in attaining to his real nature. With their understanding

clouded, and themselves swayed by there passions, they cast off their

bodies and repeatedly fall into hell. They are always followed by their

senses. It is for this that ignorance receives the name of death. Those

men that desire the fruits of action when the time cometh for enjoying

those fruits, proceed to heaven, casting off their bodies. Hence they

cannot avoid death. Embodied creatures, from inability to attain the

knowledge of Brahman and from their connection with earthly enjoyments,

are obliged to sojourn in a cycle of re-births, up and down and around,

The natural inclination of man towards pursuits that are unreal is alone

the cause of the senses being led to error. The soul that is constantly

affected by the pursuit of objects that are unreal, remembering only that

with which it is always engaged, adoreth only earthly enjoyments that

surround it. The desire of enjoyments first killeth men. Lust and wrath

soon follow behind it. These three, viz., the desire of enjoyments, lust,

and wrath, lead foolish men to death. They, however, that have conquered

their souls, succeed by self-restraint, to escape death. He that hath

conquered his soul without suffering himself to be excited by his

ambitious desire, conquereth these, regarding them as of no value, by the

aid of self-knowledge. Ignorance, assuming the form of Yama, cannot

devour that learned man who controlled his desires in this manner. That

man who followeth his desires is destroyed along with his desires. He,

however, that can renounce desire, can certainly drive away all kinds of

woe. Desire is, indeed, ignorance and darkness and hell in respect of all

creatures, for swayed by it they lose their senses. As intoxicated

persons in walking along a street reel towards ruts and holes, so men

under the influence of desire, misled by deluding joys, run towards

destruction. What can death do to a person whose soul hath not been

confounded or misled by desire? To him, death hath no terrors, like a

tiger made of straw. Therefore, O Kshatriya, if the existence of desire,

which is ignorance, is to be destroyed, no wish, not even the slightest

one, is either to be thought of or pursued. That soul, which is in thy

body, associated as it is with wrath and covetousness and filled with

ignorance, that is death. Knowing that death arises in this way, he that

relies on knowledge, entertaineth no fear of death. Indeed, as the body

is destroyed when brought under the influence of death, so death itself

is destroyed when it comes under the influence of knowledge.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'The Vedas declare the emancipating capacity of

those highly sacred and eternal regions, that are said to be obtainable

by the regenerate classes by prayers and sacrifices. Knowing this, why

should not a learned person have recourse to (religious) acts?'[3]

"Sanat-sujata said, 'Indeed, he that is without knowledge proceedeth

thither by the path indicated by thee, and the Vedas also declare that

thither are both bliss and emancipation. But he that regardeth the

material body to be self, if he succeeds in renouncing desire, at once

attaineth emancipation (or Brahman). If, however, one seeketh

emancipation without renouncing desire, one must have to proceed along

the (prescribed) route of action, taking care to destroy the chances of

his retracing the routes that he hath once passed over.'[4]

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Who is it that urgeth that Unborn and Ancient One?

If, again, it is He that is all this Universe in consequence of His

having entered everything (without desire as He is) what can be His

action, or his happiness? O learned sage, tell me all this truly.'[5]

"Sanat-sujata said, 'There is great objection in completely identifying

(as here) the two that are different Creatures always spring from the

union of Conditions (with what in its essence is without Conditions).

This view doth not detract from the supremacy of the Unborn and the

Ancient One. As for men, they also originate in the union of Conditions.

All this that appears is nothing but that everlasting Supreme Soul.

Indeed, the universe is created by the Supreme Soul itself undergoing

transformations. The Vedas to attribute this power (of

self-transformation) to the Supreme Soul. For the identity, again, of the

power and its possessor, both the Vedas and others are the authority.'[6]

"Dhritarashtra said, 'In this world, some practise virtue, and some

renounce action or Karma (adopting what is called Sannyasa Yoga).

(Respecting those that practise virtue) I ask, is virtue competent to

destroy vice, or is it itself destroyed by vice?'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'The fruits of virtue and of (perfect) inaction are

both serviceable in that respect (i.e., for procuring emancipation).

Indeed, both are sure means for the attainment of emancipation. The man,

however, that is wise, achieveth success by knowledge (inaction). On the

other hand, the materialist acquireth merit (by action) and (as the

consequence thereof) emancipation. He hath also (in course of his

pursuit) to incur sin. Having obtained again fruits of both virtue and

vice which are transitory, (heaven having its end as also hell in respect

of the virtuous and the sinful), the man of action becometh once more

addicted to action as the consequence of his own previous virtues and

vices. The man of action, however, who possesseth intelligence,

destroyeth his sins by his virtuous acts. Virtue, therefore, is strong,

and hence the success of the man of action.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, according to their gradation, of those

eternal regions that are said to be attainable, as the fruits of their

own virtuous acts, by regenerate persons, engaged in the practice of

virtue. Speak unto me of others' regions also of a similar kind. O

learned sire, I do not wish to hear of actions (towards which man's heart

naturally inclineth, however interdicted or sinful they may be).'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'Those regenerate persons that take pride in their

Yoga practices, like strong men in their own strength, departing hence,

shine in the region of Brahman. Those regenerate persons that proudly

exert in performing sacrifices and other Vedic rites, as the fruit of

that knowledge which is theirs, in consequence of those acts, freed from

this world, proceed to that region which is the abode of the deities.

There are others, again, conversant with the Vedas, who are of opinion

that the performance of the sacrifices and rites (ordained by the Vedas)

is obligatory (their non-performance being sinful). Wedded to external

forms, though seeking the development of the inner self (for they

practise these rites for only virtue's sake and not for the

accomplishment of particular aims), these persons should not be regarded

very highly (although some respect should be theirs). Wherever, again,

food and drink worthy of a Brahmana are abundant, like grass and reeds in

a spot during the rainy season, there should the Yogin seek for his

livelihood (without afflicting the householder of scanty means); by no

means should he afflict his own self by hunger and thirst. In a place,

where there may be both inconvenience and danger to one, for one's

aversion, to disclose one's superiority, he that doth not proclaim his

superiority is better than he that doth. The food offered by that person

who is not pained at the sight of another disclosing his superiority, and

who never eateth without offering the prescribed share to Brahmanas and

guests, is approved by the righteous. As a dog oftentimes devoureth its

own evacuations to its injury, so those Yogins devour their own vomit who

procure their livelihood by disclosing their pre-eminence. The wise know

him for a Brahmana, who, living in the midst of kindred, wishes his

religious practices to remain always unknown to them. What other Brahmana

deserveth to know the Supreme Soul, that is unconditioned, without

attributes, unchangeable, one and alone, and without duality of any kind?

In consequence of such practices, a Kshatriya can know the Supreme Soul

and behold it in his own soul. He that regardeth the Soul to be the

acting and feeling Self,--what sins are not committed by that thief who

robbeth the soul of its attributes? A Brahmana should be without

exertion, should never accept gifts, should win the respect of the

righteous, should be quiet, and though conversant with the Vedas should

seem to be otherwise, for then only may he attain to knowledge and know

Brahman. They that are poor in earthly but rich in heavenly wealth and

sacrifices, become unconquerable and fearless, and they should be

regarded as embodiments of Brahman. That person even, in this world, who

(by performing sacrifices) succeedeth in meeting with the gods that

bestow all kinds of desirable objects (on performers of sacrifices), is

not equal to him that knoweth Brahman for the performer of sacrifices

hath to undergo exertions (while he that knoweth Brahman attaineth to Him

without such exertions). He was said to be really honoured, who,

destitute of actions, is honoured by the deities. He should never regard

himself as honoured who is honoured by others. One should not, therefore,

grieveth when one is not honoured by others. People act according to

their nature just as they open and shut their eyelids; and it is only the

learned that pay respect to others. The man that is respected should

think so. They again, in this world, that are foolish, apt to sin, and

adepts in deceit, never pay respect to those that are worthy of respect;

on the other hand, they always show disrespect to such persons. The

world's esteem and asceticism (practices of Mauna), can never exist

together. Know that this world is for those that are candidates for

esteem, while the other world is for those that are devoted to

asceticism. Here, in this world, O Kshatriya, happiness (the world's

esteem) resides in worldly prosperity. The latter, however, is an

impediment (to heavenly bliss). Heavenly prosperity, on the other hand,

is unattainable by one that is without true wisdom. The righteous say

that there are various kinds of gates, all difficult of being guarded,

for giving access to the last kind of prosperity. These are truth,

uprightness, modesty, self-control, purity of mind and conduct and

knowledge (of the Vedas). These six are destructive of vanity and

ignorance.'"

SECTION XLIII

"Dhritarashtra said, 'What is the object of asceticism (mauna)? Of the

two kinds of mauna (viz., the restraining of speech and meditation),

which is approved by thee? O learned one, tell me the true aspect of

mauna. Can a person of learning attain to a state of quietude and

emancipation (moksha) by that mauna? O Muni, how also is asceticism

(mauna) to be practised here?'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'Since the Supreme Soul cannot be penetrated by both

the Vedas and the mind, it is for this that Soul itself is called mauna.

That from which both the Vedic syllable Om and this one (ordinary sounds)

have arisen, that One, O king, is displayed as the Word.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Is he that knoweth both the Rig and the Yajus

Vedas, is he that knoweth the Sama Veda, sullied by sins or not when he

commiteth sins?'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'I tell thee truly that the man that hath not

restrained his senses is not rescued from his sinful acts by either the

Sama or the Rig, or the Yajus Veda. The Vedas never rescue from sin the

deceitful person living by deceit. On the other hand, like newfledged

birds forsaking their nest, the Vedas forsake such a person at the end.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O thou that hast restrained thy senses, if, indeed,

the Vedas are not competent to rescue a person without the aid of virtue,

whence then is this delusion of the Brahmanas that the Vedas are always

destructive of sins?'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'O magnanimous one, this universe hath sprung from

that Supreme Soul by the union of Conditions respecting name, form, and

other attributes. The Vedas also, pointing it out duly, declare the same,

and inculcate that the Supreme Soul and the universe are different and

not identical. It is for attaining to that Supreme Soul that asceticism

and sacrifices are ordained, and it is by these two that the man of

learning earneth virtue. Destroying sin by virtue, his soul is

enlightened by knowledge. The man of knowledge, by the aid of knowledge,

attaineth to the Supreme Soul. Otherwise, he that coveteth the four

objects of human pursuit, taking with him all that he doth here, enjoyeth

their fruits hereafter, and (as those fruits) are not everlasting cometh

back to the region of action (when the enjoyment is over). Indeed, the

fruits of ascetic austerities performed in this world have to be enjoyed

in the other world (as regards those persons who have not obtained the

mastery of their souls). As regards those Brahmanas employed in ascetic

practices (who have the mastery of their souls), even these regions are

capable of yielding fruits.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Sanat-sujata, how can ascetic austerities which

are all of the same kind, be sometimes successful and sometimes

unsuccessful? Tell us this in order that we may know it!'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'That asceticism which is not stained by (desire and

other) faults is said to be capable of procuring emancipation, and is,

therefore, successful, while the asceticism that is stained by vanity and

want of true devotion is regarded unsuccessful. All thy enquiries, O

Kshatriya, touch the very root of asceticism. It is by asceticism that

they that are learned, know Brahman and win immortality!'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'I have listened to what thou hast said about

asceticism unstained by faults, and by which I have succeeded in knowing

an eternal mystery. Tell me now, O Sanat-sujata, about asceticism that is

stained by faults!'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'O king, the twelve, including anger, as also the

thirteen kinds of wickedness, are the faults of asceticism that is

stained. Anger, lust, avarice, ignorance of right and wrong, discontent,

cruelty, malice, vanity, grief, love of pleasure, envy, and speaking ill

of others, are generally the faults of human beings. These twelve should

always be avoided by men. Any one amongst these can singly effect the

destruction of men, O bull among men. Indeed, every one of these wait for

opportunity in respect of men, like a hunter expectant of opportunities

in respect of deer. Assertion of one's own superiority, desire of

enjoying others' wives, humiliating others from excess of pride,

wrathfulness, fickleness, and refusing to maintain those worthy of being

maintained, these six acts of wickedness are always practised by sinful

men defying all dangers here and hereafter. He that regards the

gratification of lust to be one of life's aims, he that is exceedingly

proud, he that grieves having given away, he that never spends money, he

that persecutes his subjects by exacting hateful taxes, he that delights

in the humiliation of others, and he that hates his own wives,--these

seven are others that are also called wicked. Righteousness, truth

(abstention from injury and truthfulness of speech), self-restraint,

asceticism, delight in the happiness of others, modesty, forbearance,

love of others, sacrifices, gifts, perseverance, knowledge of the

scriptures,--these twelve constitute the practices of Brahmanas. He that

succeeds in acquiring these twelve, becomes competent to sway the entire

earth. He that is endued with three, two, or even one, of these, should

be regarded of heavenly prosperity. Self-restraint, renunciation, and

knowledge of Self,--in these are emancipation. Those Brahmanas that are

endued with wisdom, say, that these are attributes in which truth

predominates. Self-restraint is constituted by eighteen virtues. Breaches

and non-observance of ordained acts and omissions, falsehood, malice,

lust, wealth, love of (sensual) pleasure, anger, grief, thirst, avarice,

deceit, joy in the misery of others, envy, injuring others, regret,

aversion from pious acts, forgetfulness of duty, calumniating others, and

vanity-he that is freed from these (eighteen) vices; is said by the

righteous to be self-restrained. The eighteen faults (that have been

enumerated) constitute what is called mada or pride. Renunciation is of

six kinds. The reverse of those six again are faults called mada. (The

faults, therefore, that go by the name of mada are eighteen and six). The

six kinds of renunciation are all commendable. The third only is

difficult of practice, but by that all sorrow is overcome. Indeed, if

that kind of renunciation be accomplished in practice, he that

accomplishes it overcomes all the pairs of contraries in the world.

'The six kinds of renunciation are all commendable. They are these: The

first is never experiencing joy on occasions of prosperity. The second is

the abandonment of sacrifices, prayers, and pious acts. That which is

called the third, O king, is the abandonment of desire or withdrawing

from the world. Indeed, it is in consequence of this third kind of

renunciation of desire, which is evidenced by the abandonment of all

objects of enjoyment (without enjoying them) and not their abandonment

after having enjoyed them to the fill, nor by abandonment after

acquisition, nor by abandonment only after one has become incompetent to

enjoy from loss of appetite. The fourth kind of renunciation consists in

this: One should not grieve nor suffer his self to be afflicted by grief

when one's actions fail, notwithstanding one's possession of all the

virtues and all kinds of wealth. Or, when anything disagreeable happens,

one feeleth no pain. The fifth kind of renunciation consists in not

soliciting even one's sons, wives, and others that may all be very dear.

The sixth kind consists in giving away to a deserving person who

solicits, which act of gifts is always productive of merit. By these

again, one acquires the knowledge of Self. As regards this last

attribute, it involves eight qualities. These are truth, meditation,

distinction of subject and object, capacity for drawing inferences,

withdrawal from the world, never taking what belongeth to others, the

practices of Brahmacharya vows (abstinence), and non-acceptance (of

gifts).

'So also the attribute of mada (the opposite of dama or self-restraint)

hath faults which have all been indicated (in the scriptures). These

faults should be avoided. I have spoken (to thee) of renunciation and

self-knowledge. And as, self-Knowledge hath eight virtues, so the want of

it hath eight faults. Those faults should be avoided. O Bharata, he that

is liberated from this five senses, mind, the past and the future,

becomes happy. O king, let thy soul be devoted to truth; all the worlds

are established on truth; indeed, self-control, renunciation, and

self-knowledge are said to have truth for their foremost attribute.

Avoiding (these) faults, one should practise asceticism here. The

Ordainer hath ordained that truth alone should be the vow of the

righteous. Asceticism, that is dissociated from these faults and endued

with these virtues, becomes the source of great prosperity, I have now

briefly told these about that sin-destroying and sacred subject which

thou hadst asked me and which is capable of liberating a person from

birth, death, and decrepitude.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'With Akhyana (Puranas) as their fifth, the Vedas

declare the Supreme Soul to be this universe consisting of mobile and

immobile things. Others regard four God-heads; and others three; others

again regard two; and others only one; and others regard Brahman alone as

the sole existent object (there being nothing else possessing a separate

existence). Amongst these, which should I know to be really possessed of

the knowledge of Brahman.'

"Sanat-sujata, 'There is but one Brahman which is Truth's self. It is

from ignorance of that One, that god-heads have been conceived to be

diverse. But who is there, O king, that hath attained to Truth's self or

Brahman? Man regardeth himself wise without knowing that One Object of

knowledge, and from desire of happiness is engaged in study and the

practices of charity and sacrifices. They have deviated from Truth

(Brahman) and entertain purposes corresponding (with their state) and

hence relying on the truth of Vedic texts thereof perform sacrifices.

Some perform (or attain the object of) sacrifices by the mind

(meditation), some by words (recitation of particular prayers, or Yapa);

and some by acts (actual consummation of the Yatishtoma and other costly

rites). The person, however, who seeketh Brahman through Truth, obtaineth

his desired objects at home. When however, one's purposes become abortive

(through absence of knowledge of Self), one should adopt vows of silence

and such like, called Dikshavrata. Indeed, Diksha cometh from the root

Diksha, meaning the observance of vows. As regards those that have

knowledge of Self, with them Truth is the highest object of pursuit.'

'The fruits of knowledge are visible; asceticism yieldeth fruits

hereafter. A Brahmana who (without knowledge and asceticism) hath only

read much should only be known as a great reader. Therefore, O Kshatriya,

never think that one can be a Brahman (Brahman-knowing) by only reading

the scriptures. He, on the other hand, should be known by thee to be

possessed of the knowledge of the Brahman who doth not deviate from

Truth. O Kshatriya, the verses that were recited by Atharvan to a

conclave of great sages, in days of old, are known by the name of

Chhandas. They are not be regarded as acquainted with the Chhandas who

have only read through the Vedas, without having attained to the

knowledge of Him who is known through the Vedas. The Chhandas, O best of

men, become the means of obtaining Brahman independently and without the

necessity of anything foreign. They cannot be regarded as acquainted with

the Chhandas who are acquainted only with the modes of sacrifice enjoined

in the Vedas. On the other hand, having waited upon those that are

acquainted with the Vedas, have not the righteous attained to the Object

that is knowable by the Vedas? There is none who hath truly caught the

sense of the Vedas or there may be some who have, O king, caught the

sense. He that hath only read the Vedas, doth not know the Object

knowable by them. He, however, that is established in Truth, know the

Object knowable by the Vedas. Amongst those faculties which lead to

perception of the body as the acting agent, there is none by which true

knowledge may be acquired. By the mind alone one cannot acquire the

knowledge of Self and Not-Self. Indeed, he that knoweth Self also knoweth

what is Not-self. He, on the other hand, that knoweth only what is

Not-self, doth not know Truth. He, again, that knoweth the proofs,

knoweth also that which is sought to be proved. But what that Object in

its nature is (which is sought to be proved) is not known to either the

Vedas or those that are acquainted with the Vedas. For all that, however,

those Brahmanas that are (truly) acquainted with the Vedas succeed in

obtaining a knowledge of the Object knowable (by the Vedas) through the

Vedas. As the branch of a particular tree is sometimes resorted to for

pointing out the lunar digit of the first day of the lighted fortnight so

the Vedas are used for indicating the highest attributes of the Supreme

Soul. I know him to be a Brahmana (possessing a knowledge of Brahman) who

expoundeth the doubts of others, having himself mastered all his own

doubts, and who is possessed of the knowledge of Self. One cannot find

what the Soul is by seeking in the East, the South, the West, the North,

or in the subsidiary directions or horizontally. Very rarely can it be

found in him who regardeth this body be to Self. Beyond the conception of

even the Vedas, the man of Yoga-meditation only can behold the Supreme.

Completely restraining all thy senses and thy mind also seek thou that

Brahman which is known to reside in thy own Soul. He is not a Muni who

practiseth only Yoga-meditation; nor he who liveth only in the woods

(having retired from the world). He, however, is a Muni and is superior

to all who knoweth his own nature. In consequence of one's being able to

expound every object (Vyakarana), one is said to be endued with universal

knowledge (Vaiyakarana); and, indeed, the science itself is called

Vyakarana owing to its being able to expound every object to its very

root (which is Brahman). The man who beholdeth all the regions as present

before his eyes, is said to be possessed of universal knowledge. He that

stayeth in Truth and knoweth Brahman is said to be a Brahmana, and a

Brahmana, possesseth universal knowledge. A Kshatriya also, that

practises such virtues, may behold Brahman. He may also attain to that

high state by ascending step by step, according to what is indicated in

the Vedas. Knowing it for certain, I tell thee this.'"

SECTION XLIV

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Excellent, O Sanat-sujata, as this thy discourse

is, treating of the attainment of Brahman and the origin of the universe.

I pray thee, O celebrated Rishi, to go on telling me words such as these,

that are unconnected with objects of worldly desire and are, therefore,

rare among men.'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'That Brahman about which thou askest me with such

joy is not to be attained soon. After (the senses have been restrained

and) the will hath been merged in the pure intellect, the state that

succeeds in one of utter absence of worldly thought. Even that is

knowledge (leading to the attainment of Brahman). It is attainable only

by practising Brahmacharya.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Thou sayest that the knowledge of Brahman dwelleth

of itself in the mind, being only discovered by Brahmacharya; that is

dwelling in the mind, it requires for its manifestation no efforts (such

as are necessary for work) being manifested (of itself) during the

seeking (by means of Brahmacharya). How then is the immortality

associated with the attainment of Brahman?'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'Though residing in and inherent to the mind, the

knowledge of Brahman is still unmanifest. It is by the aid of the pure

intellect and Brahmacharya that, that knowledge is made manifest. Indeed,

having attained to that knowledge, Yogins forsake this world. It is

always to be found among eminent preceptors. I shall now discourse to

thee on that knowledge.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'What should be the nature of that Brahmacharya by

which the knowledge of Brahman might be attained without much difficulty?

O regenerate one, tell me this.'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'They, who, residing in the abodes of their

preceptors and winning their good will and friendship, practise

Brahmacharya austerities, become even in this world the embodiments of

Brahman and casting off their bodies are united with the Supreme Soul.

They that in this world desirous of obtaining the state of Brahman,

subdue all desires, and endued as they are with righteousness, they

succeed in dissociating the Soul from the body like a blade projected

from a clump of heath. The body, O Bharata, is created by these, viz.,

the father and the mother; the (new) birth, however, that is due to the

preceptor's instructions is sacred, free from decrepitude, and immortal.

Discoursing upon Brahman and granting immortality, he who wraps all

persons with (the mantle of) truth, should be regarded as father and

mother; and bearing in mind the good he does, one should never do him any

injury. A disciple must habitually salute his preceptor with respect, and

with purity (of body and mind) and well-directed attention, he must

betake to study. He must not consider any service as mean, and must not

harbour anger. Even this is the first step of Brahmacharya. The practices

of that disciple who acquires knowledge by observing the duties ordained

for one of his class are regarded also as the first step of Brahmacharya.

A disciple should, with his very life and all his possessions, in

thought, word and deed, do all that is agreeable to the preceptor. This

is regarded as the second step of Brahmacharya. He should behave towards

his preceptor's wife and son also in the same way as towards his

preceptor himself. This also is regarded as the second step of

Brahmacharya. Bearing well in mind what has been done to him by the

preceptor, and understanding also its object, the disciple should, with a

delighted heart think,--I have been taught and made great by him. This is

the third step of Brahmacharya. Without requiring the preceptor by

payment of the final gift, a wise disciple must not betake to another

mode of life; nor should he say or even think of in his mind,--I make

this gift. This is the fourth step of Brahmacharya. He attaineth the

first step of (knowledge of Brahman which is) the object of Brahmacharya

by aid of time; the second step, through the preceptor's prelections; the

third, by the power of his own understanding; and finally, the fourth, by

discussion. The learned have said that Brahmacharya is constituted by the

twelve virtues, the Yoga-practices are called its Angas, and perseverance

in Yoga-meditation called is its Valam and one is crowned with success in

this in consequence of the preceptor's aid and the understanding of the

sense of the Vedas. Whatever wealth a disciple, thus engaged, may earn,

should all be given to the preceptor. It is thus that the preceptor

obtaineth his highly praise-worthy livelihood. And thus also should the

disciple behave towards the preceptor's son. Thus stationed (in

Brahmacharya), the disciple thriveth by all means in this world and

obtaineth numerous progeny and fame. Men also from all directions shower

wealth upon him; and many people come to his abode for practising

Brahmacharya. It is through Brahmacharya of this kind that the celestials

attained to their divinity, and sages, highly blessed and of great

wisdom, have obtained the region of Brahman. It is by this that the

Gandharvas and the Apsaras acquired such personal beauty, and it is

through Brahmacharya that Surya riseth to make the day. As the seekers of

the philosopher's stone derive great happiness when they obtain the

object of their search those mentioned above (the celestials and others),

on completing their Brahmacharya, derive great happiness in consequence

of being able to have whatever they desire. He, O king, who devoted to

the practice of ascetic austerities, betaketh himself to Brahmacharya in

its entirety and thereby purifieth his body, is truly wise, for by this

he becometh like a child (free from all evil passions) and triumpheth

over death at last. Men, O Kshatriya, by work, however, pure, obtain only

worlds that are perishable; he, however, that is blessed with Knowledge,

attaineth, by the aid of that Knowledge, to Brahman which is everlasting.

There is no other path (than Knowledge or the attainment of Brahman)

leading to emancipation.

"Dhritarashtra said, 'The existence of Brahman, thou sayest, a wise man

perceiveth in his own soul. Now, is Brahman white, or red, or black or

blue, or purple? Tell me what is the true form and colour of the

Omnipresent and Eternal Brahman?'

"Sanat-sujata said, 'Indeed, Brahman as (perceived) may appear as white,

red, black, brown, or bright. But neither on the earth, nor in the sky,

nor in the water of the ocean, is there anything like it, Neither in the

stars, nor in lightning, nor in the clouds, is its form to be seen, nor

is it visible in the atmosphere, nor in the deities, nor in the moon, nor

in the sun. Neither in the Riks, nor among the Yajus, nor among the

Atharvans, nor in the pure Samans, it is to be found. Verily, O king, it

is not to be found in Rathantara or Varhadratha, nor in great sacrifices.

Incapable of being compassed and lying beyond the reach of the limited

intellect, even the universal Destroyer, after the Dissolution, is

himself lost in it. Incapable of being gazed at, it is subtle as the edge

of the razor, and grosser than mountains. It is the basis upon which

everything is founded; it is unchangeable; it is this visible universe

(omnipresent); it is vast; it is delightful; creatures have all sprung

from it and are to return to it. Free from all kinds of duality, it is

manifest as the universe and all-pervading. Men of learning say that it

is without any change, except in the language used to describe it. They

are emancipated that are acquainted with That in which this universe is

established.'"

SECTION XLV

"Sanat-sujata said, 'Sorrow, anger, covetousness, lust, ignorance,

laziness, malice, self-importance, continuous desire of gain, affection,

jealousy and evil speech,--these twelve, O monarch, are grave faults that

are destructive of men's lives. Each of these, O monarch, wait for

opportunities to seize mankind. Afflicted by them, men lose their senses

and commit sinful acts. He that is covetous, he that is fierce, he that

is harsh of speech, he that is garrulous, he that is given to nursing

anger, he that is boastful,--these six of wicked disposition, on

obtaining wealth, cannot treat others with courtesy. He that regardeth

sensual gratification as the end of life, he that is self-conceited, he

that boasteth having made a gift, he that never spendeth, he that is weak

in mind, he that is given to self-admiration, and he that hateth his own

wife,--these seven are counted as wicked men of sinful habits.

Righteousness, truth, asceticism, self-restraint, contentment, modesty,

renunciation, love of others, gift, acquaintance with the scriptures,

patience, and forgiveness,--these twelve are the practices of a Brahmana.

He that doth not fall off from these twelve, may sway the entire earth.

He that is endued with three, or two, or even one, of these, doth never

regard anything as his own to the exclusion of others. Self-restraint,

renunciation, and knowledge,--in these reside emancipation. These are the

attributes of Brahmanas endued with wisdom and regarding Brahman as the

highest of all objects of attainment. True or false, it is not laudable

for a Brahmana to speak ill of others; they that do this have hell for

their abode. Mada hath eighteen faults which have not yet been enumerated

by me. They are ill-will towards others, throwing obstacles in the way of

virtuous acts, detraction, falsehood in speech, lust, anger, dependence,

speaking ill of others, finding out the faults of others for report,

waste of wealth, quarrel, insolence, cruelty to living creatures, malice,

ignorance, disregard of those that are worthy of regard, loss of the

senses of right and wrong, and always seeking to injure others. A wise

man, therefore, should not give way to mada, for the accompaniments of

mada are censurable. Friendship is said to possess six indications;

firstly, friends delight in the prosperity of friends, and secondly, are

distressed at their adversity. If any one asketh for anything which is

dear to his heart, but which should not be asked for, a true friend

surely giveth away even that. Fourthly, a true friend who is of a

righteous disposition, when asked, can give away his very prosperity, his

beloved sons, and even his own wife. Fifthly, a friend should not dwell

in the house of a friend, on whom he may have bestowed everything, but

should enjoy what he earneth himself. Sixthly, a friend stoppeth not to

sacrifice his own good (for his friend). The man of wealth who seeketh to

acquire those good qualities, and who becometh charitable and righteous

restraineth his five senses from their respective objects. Such restraint

of the senses is asceticism. When it groweth in degree, it is capable of

winning regions of bliss hereafter (unlike Knowledge which leadeth to

success even here). They that have fallen off from patience (and are

incapable, therefore, of attaining to Knowledge) acquire such asceticism

in consequence of the purpose they entertain, viz., the attainment of

bliss in the high regions hereafter. In consequence of his ability to

grasp that Truth (Brahman) from which sacrifices flow, the Yogin is

capable of performing sacrifices by the mind. Another performeth

sacrifices by Words (Yapa) and another by Work. Truth (Brahman) resides

in him who knoweth Brahman as vested with attributes. It dwelleth more

completely in him who knoweth Brahman as divested of attributes. Listen

now to something else from me. This high and celebrated philosophy should

be taught (to disciples). All other systems are only a farrago of words.

The whole of this (universe) is established in this Yoga-philosophy. They

that are acquainted with it are not subjected to death. O king, one

cannot, by Work, however well-accomplished, attain to Truth (Brahman).

The man that is destitute of knowledge even if he poureth homa libations

or performeth sacrifices, can never, by Work, O king, attain to

immortality (emancipation). Nor doth he enjoy great happiness at the end.

Restraining all the external senses and alone, one should seek Brahman.

Giving up Work, one should not exert mentally. One should also (while

thus engaged) avoid experiencing joy at praise or anger at blame. O

Kshatriya, by conducting himself in this way according to the successive

steps indicated in the Vedas, one may, even here, attain to Brahman.

This, O learned one, is all that I tell thee.'"

SECTION XLVI

"Sanat-sujata said, 'The primary Seed (of the universe), called

Mahayasas, is destitute of accidents, is pure Knowledge, and blazeth with

effulgence. It leadeth the senses, and it is in consequence of that Seed

that Surya shineth. That Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by

Yogins (by their mental eye). It is in consequence of that Seed (which is

Joy's self) that Brahman becomes capable of Creation and it is through it

that Brahman increaseth in expansion. It is that Seed which entering into

luminous bodies giveth light and heat. Without deriving its light and

heat from any other thing it is self-luminous, and is an object of terror

to all luminous bodies. The Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by

Yogins (by their mental eye). The body composed of the five grosser

elements, that are themselves sprung from the five subtler ones,--the

latter, in their turn, originating in one homogeneous substance called

Brahman--is upheld (realised) in consciousness by both the creature-Soul

endued with life and Iswara. (These two, during sleep and the universal

dissolution, are deprived of consciousness). Brahman on the other hand,

which is never bereft of consciousness, and which is the Sun's Sun,

upholdeth both these two and also the Earth and the Heaven. The Eternal

One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their mental eye). The

Seed upholdeth the two gods, the Earth and the Heaven, the Directions,

and the whole Universe. It is from that Seed that directions (points of

the compass) and rivers spring, and the vast seas also have derived their

origin. The Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by

their mental eye). The body is like a car destined to destruction. Its

acts, however, are undying. Tied to the wheels of that car (which are

represented by the acts of past lives), the senses, that are as steeds,

lead, through the region of consciousness, the man of wisdom towards that

Increate and Unchangeable One, that One endued with Divinity is beheld by

Yogins (by their mental eye). The form of that One cannot be displayed by

any comparison. None ever beholdeth Him by the eye. They that know him by

the rapt faculties, the mind, and the heart, become freed from death. The

Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their mental

eye). The stream of illusion is terrible; guarded by the gods, it hath

twelve fruits. Drinking of its waters and beholding many sweet things in

its midst, men swim along it to and fro. This stream flows from that

Seed. That Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their

mental eye). Destined to sojourn to and fro, the creature-Soul, having

reflected enjoyeth (in the other world) only half of the fruits of his

acts. It is that creature-Soul which is Iswara, pervading everything in

the universe. It is Iswara that hath ordained sacrifices. That Eternal

One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their mental eye). Souls

divested of accidents, resorting to Avidya, which is like unto a tree of

golden foliage, assume accidents, and take births in different orders

according to their propensities. That Eternal One endued with Divinity

(in Whom all those Souls are united) is beheld by Yogins (by their mental

eye). Accidents (which coming in contact with Brahman make the latter

assume many forms) raise the universe in its Fulness from that Brahman

which is full. Those accidents also, in their Fulness, arise from Brahman

in its Fulness. When one succeeds in dispelling all accidents from

Brahman which is ever Full, that which remains is Brahman in its Fulness.

That Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their

mental eye). It is from that Seed that the five elements have arisen, and

it is in it that the power resideth for controlling them. It is from that

Seed that both the consumer and the consumed (called Agni and Soma) have

sprung, and it is in it that the living organisms with the senses rest.

Everything should be regarded to have sprung from it. That Seed called in

the Vedas TATH (Tad), we are unable to describe. That Eternal One endued

with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their mental eye). The vital air

called Apana is swallowed up by the Air called Prana; Prana is swallowed

up by the Will, and the Will by the Intellect, and the Intellect by the

Supreme Soul. That Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins

(by their mental eye). The Supreme Soul endued with four legs, called

respectively Waking, Dream, profound Sleep, and Turiya, like unto a swan,

treading above the unfathomable ocean of worldly affairs doth not put

forth one leg that is hid deep. Unto him that beholdeth that leg (viz.,

Turiya) as put forth for the purpose of guiding the other three, both

death and emancipation are the same. That Eternal One endued with

Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their mental eye). Of the measure of the

thumb, ever Full, and different from this eternal organism, coming in

contact with the Vital airs, the Will, the Intellect, and the ten Senses,

it moveth to and fro. That Supreme Controller, worthy of reverential

hymns, capable of everything when vested with accidents and the prime

cause of everything, is manifest as Knowledge in creature-Souls. Fools

alone do not behold him; that Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld

by Yogins (by their mental eye). Among individuals there are those that

have obtained the mastery of their minds, and those that have not. Yet in

all men the Supreme Soul may be seen equally. Indeed, it resideth equally

in him that is emancipate and in him that is not, with only this

difference that they that are emancipate obtain honey flowing in a thick

jet. That Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their

mental eye). When one maketh life's Sojourn, having attained to the

knowledge of Self and Not-Self, then it matters little whether his

Agni-hotra is performed or not. O monarch, let not such words as 'I am

thy servant' fall from their lips. The Supreme Soul hath another name,

viz., Pure Knowledge. They only that have restrained their minds obtain

Him. That Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their

mental eye). Even such is He. Illustrious and Full, all living creatures

are merged into Him. He that knoweth that embodiment of Fullness

attaineth to his object (emancipation) even here. That Eternal One endued

with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by their mental eye). That which

flieth away stretching forth thousands of wings, yea, if endued with the

speed of the mind, must yet come back to the Central Spirit within the

living organism (in which the most distant things reside... That Eternal

One endued with Divinity) is beheld by Yogins (by their mental eye). His

form cannot be an object of sight. They only, that are of pure hearts,

can behold him. When one seeketh the good of all, succeedeth in

controlling his mind, and never suffereth his heart to be affected by

grief, then he is said to have purified his heart. Those again that can

abandon the world and all its cares, become immortal. (That Supreme Soul

which is undying),--that Eternal One endued with Divinity--is beheld by

Yogins (by their mental eye). Like serpents concealing themselves in

holes, there are persons who following the dictates of their preceptors,

or by their own conduct conceal their vices from scrutiny's gaze. They

that are of little sense are deceived by these. In fact, bearing

themselves outwardly without any impropriety, these deceive their victims

for leading them to hell. (Him, therefore, who may be attained by

companionship with persons of the very opposite class), that Eternal One

endued with Divinity--is beheld by Yogins (by their mental eye). He that

is emancipate thinks,--this transitory organism can never make me liable

to joy and grief and the other attributes inhering to it: nor can there

be, in my case, anything like death and birth: and, further, when

Brahman, which hath no opposing force to contend against and which is

alike in all times and all places, constitutes the resting-place of both

realities and unrealities, how can emancipation be mine? It is I alone

that am the origin and the end of all causes and effects.--(Existing in

the form of I or Self) that Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by

Yogins (by their mental eye). The Brahman-knowing person, who is equal

unto Brahman itself, is neither glorified by good acts nor defiled by bad

ones. It is only in ordinary men that acts, good or bad, produce

different results. The person that knoweth Brahman should be regarded as

identical with Amrita or the state called Kaivalya which is incapable of

being affected by either virtue or vice. One should, therefore, disposing

his mind in the way indicated, attain to that essence of sweetness

(Brahman). That Eternal One endued with Divinity is beheld by Yogins (by

their mental eye). Slander grieveth not the heart of the person that

knoweth Brahman not the thought--I have not studied (the Veda), or, I

have not performed my Agni-hotra. The knowledge of Brahman soon imparteth

to him that wisdom which they only obtain who have restrained their mind.

(That Brahman which freeth the Soul from grief and ignorance)-that

Eternal One endued with Divinity-is beheld by Yogins (by their mental

eye). He, therefore, that beholdeth his own Self in everything, hath no

longer to grieve, for they only have to grieve who are employed in

diverse other occupations of the world. As one's purposes (appeasing

thirst, etc.) may be served in a well as in a large reservoir or vast

expanse, so the various purposes of the Vedas may all be derivable by him

that knoweth the Soul. Dwelling in the heart, and of the measure of the

thumb, that illustrious One--the embodiment of Fullness--is not an object

of sight. Unborn he moveth, awake day and night. He that knoweth him,

becometh both learned and full of joy. I am called the mother and father.

I am again the son. Of all that was, and of all that we will be, I am the

Soul. O Bharata, I am the old grandsire, I am the father, I am the son.

Ye are staying in my soul, yet ye are not mine, nor am I yours! The Soul

is the cause of my birth and procreation. I am the warp and woof of the

universe. That upon which I rest is indestructible. Unborn I move, awake

day and night. It is I knowing whom one becometh both learned and full of

joy. Subtler than the subtle, of excellent eyes capable of looking into

both the past and the future, Brahman is awake in every creature. They

that knows Him know that Universal Father dwelleth in the heart of every

created thing!'"

SECTION XLVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus conversing with Sanat-sujata and the learned

Vidura, the king passed that night. And after the night had passed away,

all the princes and chiefs, entered the court-hall with joyous hearts and

desirous of seeing that Suta (who had returned). And anxious to hear the

message of Partha's, fraught with virtue and profit, all the kings with

Dhritarashtra at their head, went to that beautiful hall. Spotlessly

white and spacious, it was adorned with a golden floor. And effulgent as

the moon and exceedingly beautiful, it was sprinkled over with

sandal-water. And it was spread over with excellent seats made of gold

and wood, and marble and ivory. And all the seats were wrapped with

excellent covers. And Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Salya, and

Kritavarman and Jayadratha, and Aswatthaman and Vikarna, and Somadatta

and Vahlika and Vidura of great wisdom and Yuyutsu, the great

car-warrior,--all these heroic kings in a body, O bull among the

Bharatas, having Dhritarashtra at their head, entered that hall of great

beauty. And Dussasana and Chitrasena, and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and

Durmukha and Dussaha, Karna and Uluka and Vivingsati,--these also, with

Duryodhana, the wrathful king of the Kurus, at their head, entered that

hall, O monarch, like the celestials forming the train of Sakra himself.

And filled with these heroes possessed of arms like maces of iron, that

hall looked, O king, like a mountain-cave filled with lions. And all

these mighty bowmen, endued with great energy and blazing, with solar

effulgence, entering the hall, seated themselves on those beautiful

seats. And after all those kings, O Bharata, had taken their seats, the

orderly-in-waiting announced the arrival of the Suta's son, saying,

'Yonder cometh the car that was despatched to the Pandavas. Our envoy

hath returned quickly, by the aid of well-trained steeds of the, Sindhu

breed.' And having approached the place with speed and alighted from the

car, Sanjaya adorned with ear-rings entered that hall full of high-souled

kings. And the Suta said, 'Ye Kauravas, know that having gone to the

Pandavas I am just returning from them. The sons of Pandu offer their

congratulations to all the Kurus according to the age of each. Having

offered their respects in return, the sons of Pritha have saluted the

aged ones, and those that are equal to them in years, and those also that

are younger, just as each should, according to his years, be saluted.

Listen, ye kings, to what I, instructed before by Dhritarashtra, said to

the Pandavas, having gone to them from this place.'

SECTION XLVIII

"Dhritarashtra said, "I ask thee, O Sanjaya, in the presence of my boy

and of these kings, what words were said by the illustrious Dhananjaya of

might that knoweth no diminution,--that leader of warriors,--that

destroyer of the lives of the wicked?'

"Sanjaya said, 'Let Duryodhana listen to the words which the high-souled

Arjuna, eager for fight, uttered, with Yudhishthira's sanction and in the

hearing of Kesava. Fearless (in battle) and conscious of the might of his

arms, the heroic Kiritin, eager for fight, spoke thus unto me in the

presence of Vasudeva, 'Do thou, O suta, say unto Dhritarashtra's son, in

the presence of all the Kurus, and also in the hearing of that Suta's

son, of foul tongue and wicked soul, of little sense, stupid reason, and

of numbered days, who always desires to fight against me, and also in the

hearing of those kings assembled for fighting against the Pandavas, and

do thou see that all the words now uttered by me are heard well by that

king with his counsellors.' O monarch, even as the celestials eagerly

listen to the words of their chief armed with the thunderbolt, so did the

Pandavas and the Srinjayas listened to those words of grave import

uttered by Kiritin. Just these are the words spoken by Arjuna, the

wielder of Gandiva, eager for the fight and with eyes red as the lotus,

'If Dhritarashtra's son doth not surrender to king Yudhishthira of the

Ajamida race, his kingdom, then (it is evident) there must be some sinful

act committed by the sons of Dhritarashtra, whose consequences are yet

unreaped by them, for it can be nothing else when they desire battle with

Bhimasena and Arjuna, and the Aswins and Vasudeva and Sini's son, and

Dhrishtadyumna infallible in arms, and Sikhandin, and Yudhishthira, who

is like Indra himself and who can consume heaven and earth by merely

wishing them ill. If Dhritarashtra's son desireth war with these, then

will all objects of the Pandavas be accomplished. Do not, therefore,

propose peace for the sons of Pandu, but have war if thou likest. That

bed of woe in the woods which was Yudhishthira's when that virtuous son

of Pandu lived in exile; Oh, let a more painful bed than that, on the

bare earth, be now Duryodhana's and let him lie down on it, as his last,

deprived of life. Win thou over those men that were ruled by the wicked

Duryodhana of unjust conduct to the side of Pandu's son endued with

modesty and wisdom and asceticism and self-restraint and valour and might

regulated by virtue. Endued with humility and righteousness, with

asceticism and self-restraint and with valour regulated by virtue, and

always speaking the truth, our king, though afflicted by numerous

deceptions, hath forgiven all and hath patiently borne great wrongs. When

the eldest son of Pandu, of soul under proper control, will indignantly

dart at the Kurus his terrible wrath accumulated for years, then will the

son of Dhritarashtra repent for this war. As a blazing fire burning all

around consumeth dry grass in the hot season, so will Yudhishthira,

inflamed with wrath, consume the Dhritarashtra host by glance alone of

his eye. When Dhritarashtra's son will behold Bhimasena, that wrathful

Pandava of terrific impetus, stationed on his car, mace in hand, vomiting

the venom of his wrath, then will Duryodhana repent for this war. Indeed,

when he will behold Bhimasena, who always fighteth in the van, accoutred

in mail, scarcely capable of being looked at even by his own followers

felling hostile heroes and devastating the enemy's ranks like Yama

himself, then will the exceedingly vain Duryodhana recollect these words.

When he will behold elephants, looking like mountain-peaks, felled by

Bhimasena, blood flowing their broken heads like water from broken casks,

then will Dhritarashtra's son repent for this war. When falling upon the

sons of Dhritarashtra the fierce Bhima of terrible mien, mace in hand,

will slaughter them, like a huge lion falling upon a herd of kine, then

will Duryodhana repent for this war. When the heroic Bhima undaunted even

in situations of great danger and skilled in weapons-when that grinder of

hostile hosts in battle,--mounted on his car, and alone will crush by his

mace crowds of superior cars and entire ranks of infantry, seize by his

nooses strong as iron, the elephants of the hostile army, and mow down

the Dhritarashtra's host, like a sturdy woodsman cutting a forest down

with an axe, then will Dhritarashtra's son repent for this war. When he

will behold the Dhartarashtra's host consumed like a hamlet full of

straw-built huts by fire, or a field of ripe corn by lightning,--indeed

when he will behold his vast army scattered, its leaders slain, and men

running away with their back towards the field afflicted with fear, and

all the warriors, humbled to the dust, being scorched by Bhimasena with

the fire of his weapons,--then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent for

this war, When Nakula, that warrior of wonderful feats, that foremost of

all car-warriors, dexterously shooting arrows by hundreds, will mangle

the car-warriors of Duryodhana, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent

for this war. Accustomed to enjoy all the comforts and luxuries of life,

when Nakula, recollecting that bed of woe on which he had slept for a

long time in the woods, will vomit the poison of his wrath like an angry

snake, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this war. Ready to

lay down their very lives, the (allied) monarchs, O Suta, urged to battle

by king Yudhishthira the just, will furiously advance on their

resplendent cars against the (hostile) army. Beholding this, the son of

Dhritarashtra will certainly have to repent. When the Kuru prince will

behold the five heroic sons of (Draupadi), tender in years but not in

acts, and all well-versed in arms, rush, reckless of their lives, against

the Kauravas, then will that son of Dhritarashtra repent for this war.

When bent upon carnage Sahadeva, mounted on his car of noiseless wheels,

and motion incapable of being obstructed, and set with golden stars, and

drawn by well-trained steeds, will make the heads of monarchs roll on the

field of battle with volleys of arrows,--indeed, beholding that warrior

skilled in weapons, seated on his car in the midst of that frightful

havoc, turning now to the left and now to the right and falling upon the

foe in all directions, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this

war. Indeed, when the modest but mighty Sahadeva, skilled in battle,

truthful, conversant with all the ways of morality, and endued with great

activity and impetuousness, will fall upon the son of Gandhari in fierce

encounter and rout all his followers, then will the son of Dhritarashtra

repent for this war. When he will behold the sons of Draupadi, those

great bowmen, those heroes skilled in weapons and well-versed in all the

ways of chariot-fighting, dart at the foe like snakes of virulent poison,

then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this war. When that slayer

of hostile heroes, Abhimanyu, skilled in arms like Krishna himself, will

overpower the foe showering upon them, like the very clouds, a thick

downpour of arrows, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this

war. Indeed, when he will behold that son of Subhadra, a child in years

but not in energy, skilled in weapons and like unto Indra himself,

failing like Death's self upon the ranks of the foe, then will the son of

Dhritarashtra repent for this war. When the youthful Prabhadrakas, endued

with great activity, well-versed in battle, and possessed of the energy

of lions will overthrow the sons of Dhritarashtra with all their troops,

then will Duryodhana repent for this war. When those veteran car-warriors

Virata and Drupada will assail, at the head of their respective

divisions, the sons of Dhritarashtra and their ranks, then will

Duryodhana repent for this war. When Drupada, skilled in weapons, and

seated on his car, desirous of plucking the heads of youthful warriors,

will wrathfully strike them off with arrows shot from his bow, then will

the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this war. When that slayer of hostile

heroes, Virata will penetrate into the ranks of the foe, grinding all

before him with the aid of his Matsya warriors of cool courage, then will

the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this war. When he will behold in the

very van the eldest son of the Matsya king, of cool courage and collected

mien, seated on his car and accoutred in mail on behalf of the Pandavas,

then will the son of Dhritarashtra. repent for this war. I tell thee

truly that when that foremost of Kaurava heroes, the virtuous son of

Santanu, will be slain in battle by Sikhandin, then all our foes, without

doubt, will perish. Indeed, when, overthrowing numerous car-warriors,

Sikhandin, seated on his own well-protected car, will proceed towards

Bhishma, crushing multitudes of (hostile) cars by means of his own

powerful steeds, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this war.

When he will behold Dhristadyumna unto whom Drona hath imparted all the

mysteries of the science of weapons, stationed in splendour in the very

van of the Srinjaya ranks, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent.

Indeed, when the leader of the Pandava host, of immeasurable prowess and

capable of withstanding the rush of any force, will proceed to attack

Drona in battle, crushing with his arrows the Dhritarashtra ranks, then

will Duryodhana repent for this war. What enemy can withstand him who

hath, for fighting in his van, that lion of the Vrishni race, that chief

of the Somakas, who is modest and intelligent, mighty and endued with

great energy, and blessed with every kind of prosperity? Say also this

(unto Duryodhana),--Do not covet (the kingdom). We have chosen, for our

leader, the dauntless and mighty car-warrior Satyaki, the grandson of

Sini, skilled in weapons and having none on earth as his equal. Of broad

chest and long arms, that grinder of foes, unrivalled in battle, and

acquainted with the best of weapons, the grandson of Sini, skilled in

arms and perfectly dauntless, is a mighty car-warrior wielding a bow of

full four cubits' length. When that slayer of foes, that chief of the

Sinis, urged by me, will shower, like the very clouds, his arrows on the

foe, completely overwhelming their leaders with that downpour, then will

the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this war. When that illustrious

warrior of long arms and firm grasp of the bow, musters his resolution

for fight, the foe then, like kine getting the scent of the lion, fly

away from him before even commencing the encounter. That illustrious

warrior of long arms and firm grasp of the bow is capable of splitting

the very hills and destroying the entire universe. Practised in weapons,

skilled (in battle), and endued with exceeding lightness of hand, he

shineth on the field of battle like the sun himself in the sky. That lion

of the Vrishni race, that scion of Yadu's line, of superior training,

hath diverse wonderful and excellent weapons. Indeed, Satyaki is

possessed of a knowledge of all those uses of weapons that are said to be

of the highest excellence. When he will behold in battle the golden car

of Satyaki of Madhu's race, drawn by four white steeds, then will that

wretch of uncontrolled passions, the son of Dhritarashtra, repent. When

he will also behold my terrible car, endued with the effulgence of gold

and bright gems, drawn by white steeds and furnished with the banner

bearing the device of the Ape and guided by Kesava himself, then will

that wretch of uncontrolled passions repent. When he will hear the fierce

twang produced by the constant stretch of the bow-string with fingers

cased in leather gloves,--that terrible twang, loud as the rolling of the

thunder, of my bow Gandiva wielded by me in the midst of the great

battle,--then will that wicked wretch, the son of Dhritarashtra repent,

beholding himself abandoned by his troops, flying away like kine from the

field of battle in all directions, overwhelmed with the darkness created

by my arrowy downpour. When he will behold innumerable keen-edged arrows,

furnished with beautiful wings, and capable of penetrating into the very

vitals, shot from the string of Gandiva, like fierce and terrible flashes

of lightning emitted by the clouds, destroying enemies by thousands, and

devouring numberless steeds and elephants clad in mail, then will the son

of Dhritarashtra repent for this war. When he will behold the arrows shot

by the enemy turned off, or turned back struck by my shafts, or cut to

pieces pierced transversely by my arrows, then will the foolish son of

Dhritarashtra repent for this war. When broad-headed arrows shot by my

hands will strike off the heads of youthful warriors, like birds picking

off fruits from the tree-tops, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent

for this war. When he will behold excellent warriors of his failing down

from their cars, and elephants and steeds rolling on the field, deprived

of life by my arrows, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this

war. When he will behold his brothers, even before fairly coming within

the range of the enemy's weapons, die all around, without having achieved

anything in battle, then will the son of Dhritarashtra repent for this

war. When pouring my blazing shafts incessantly, I will, like Death

himself with mouth wide-open, destroy on all sides multitudes of cars and

foot-soldiers, then will that wretch repent. When he will behold his own

troops, covered with the dust raised by my car wander in all directions,

torn to pieces by Gandiva and reft of senses, then will that wretch

repent. When he will behold his whole army running away in fear in all

directions, mangled in limbs, and bereft of senses; when he will behold

his steeds, elephants, and foremost of heroes slain; when he will see his

troops thirsty, struck with panic, wailing aloud, dead and dying, with

their animals exhausted; and hair, bones and skulls lying in heaps around

like half-wrought works of the Creator, then will that wretch repent.

When he will behold on my car, Gandiva, Vasudeva, and the celestial conch

Panchajanya, myself, my couple of inexhaustible quivers, and my conch

called Devadatta as also my white steeds, then will the son of

Dhritarashtra repent for this war. When I consume the Kauravas, like Agni

consuming innumerable wicked souls assembled together at the time of

ushering in another Yuga at the end of the last one, then Dhritarashtra

with all his sons repent. When the wicked, hearted and the wrathful son

of Dhritarashtra will be deprived of prosperity with brothers and army

and followers, then, reft of pride and losing heart and trembling all

over, will that fool repent. One morning when I had finished my

water-rites and prayers, a Brahmana spoke unto me these pleasant words,

'O Partha, thou shalt have to execute a very difficult task. O

Savyasachin, thou shalt have to fight with thy foes. Either Indra riding

on his excellent steed and thunderbolt in hand will walk before thee

slaying thy foes in battle, or Krishna, the son of Vasudeva will protect

thee from behind riding on his car drawn by the steeds headed by Sugriva.

Relying on those words, I have, in this battle passing over Indra, the

wielder of the thunderbolt, preferred Vasudeva as my ally. That Krishna

hath been obtained by me for the destruction of those wicked ones. I see

the hand of the gods in all this. The person whose success is only wished

for by Krishna, without the latter's actually taking up arms in his

behalf, is certain to prevail over all enemies, even if those be the

celestials with Indra at their head, while anxiety there is none if they

be human. He that wisheth to conquer in battle that foremost of heroes,

Vasudeva's son Krishna endued with great energy, wisheth to cross by his

two arms alone the great ocean of wide expanse and immeasurable water.

He. that wisheth to split by a slap of his palm the high Kailasa

mountain, is not able to do the slightest damage to the mountain although

his hand only with its nails is sure to wear away. He that would conquer

Vasudeva in battle, would, with his two arms, extinguish a blazing fire,

stop the Sun and the Moon, and plunder by force the Amrita of the

gods,--that Vasudeva, viz., who having mowed down in battle by main force

all the royal warriors of the Bhoja race, had carried off on a single car

Rukmini of great fame for making her his wife; and by her was afterwards

born Pradyumna of high soul. It was this favourite of the gods, who,

having speedily smashed the Gandharas and conquered all the sons of

Nagnajit, forcibly liberated from confinement king Sudarsana of great

energy. It was he that slew king Pandya by striking his breast against

his, and moved down the Kalingas in battle Burnt by him, the city of

Varanasi remained for many years without e king, incapable of being

defeated by others. Ekalavya, the king of the Nishadas, always used to

challenge this one to battle; but slain by Krishna he lay dead like the

Asura Jambha violently thrashed on a hillock. It was Krishna, who, having

Baladeva for his second, slew Ugrasena's wicked son (Kansa), seated in

court in the midst of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, and then gave unto

Ugrasena the kingdom. It was Krishna who fought with king Salya, the lord

of Saubha, stationed in the skies, fearless in consequence of his powers

of illusion; and it was he, who, at the gate of Subha caught with his

hands the fierce Sataghni (hurled by Saubha's lord). What mortal is able

to bear his might? The Asuras had a city named Pragjyotisha, which was

formidable, inaccessible and unbearable. It was there that the mighty

Naraka, the son of the Earth, kept the jewelled ear-rings of Aditi,

having brought them by force. The very gods, who, fearless of death,

assembled together with Sakra at their head were incapable of conquering

him. Beholding Kesava's prowess and might, and weapon that is

irresistible, and knowing also the object of his birth, the gods employed

him for the destruction of those Asuras. Vasudeva, too, endued with all

the divine attributes that ensure success, agreed to undertake that

exceedingly difficult task. In the city of Nirmochana that hero slew six

thousand Asuras, and cutting into pieces innumerable keen-edged shafts,

he slew Mura and hosts of Rakshasas, and then entered that city. It was

there, that an encounter took place between the mighty' Naraka and Vishnu

of immeasurable strength. Slain by Krishna, Naraka lay lifeless there,

like a Karnikara tree uprooted by the wind. Having slain the Earth's son,

Naraka, and also Mura, and having recovered those jewelled ear-rings, the

learned Krishna of unparalleled prowess came back, adorned with beauty

and undying fame. Having witnessed his terrible feats in that battle, the

gods then and there blessed him saying, 'Fatigue will never be thine in

fights, neither the firmament nor the waters shall stop thy course, nor

shall weapons penetrate thy body.' And Krishna, by all this, regarded

himself amply rewarded. Immeasurable, and possessed of great might, in

Vasudeva ever exist all the virtues. And yet the son of Dhritarashtra

seeketh to vanquish that unbearable Vishnu of infinite energy, for that

wretch often thinks of imprisoning him. Krishna, however, beareth all

this for our sake only. That wretch seeketh to create a sudden disunion

between Krishna and myself. How far, however, he is capable of taking

away the affection of Krishna from the Pandavas, he will see on the field

of battle. Having bowed down unto Santanu's son, and also Drona with his

son, and the unrivalled son of Saradwat, I shall fight for regaining our

kingdom. The God of justice himself, I am sure, will bring destruction on

that sinful man who will fight with the Pandavas. Deceitfully defeated at

dice by those wretches, ourselves, of royal birth, had to pass twelve

years in great distress in the forest and one long year in a state of

concealment. When those Pandavas are still alive, how shall the sons of

Dhritarashtra rejoice, possessing rank and affluence? If they vanquish us

in fight, aided by the very gods headed by Indra, the then practice of

vice would be better than virtue, and surely there would be nothing like

righteousness on earth. If man is affected by his acts, if we be superior

to Duryodhana, then, I hope that, with Vasudeva as my second, I shall

slay Duryodhana, with all his kinsmen. O lord of men, if the act of

robbing us of our kingdom be wicked, if these our own good deeds be not

fruitless, than beholding both this and that, it seems to me, the

overthrow of Duryodhana is certain. Ye Kauravas, ye will see it with your

eyes that, if they fight, the sons of Dhritarashtra shall certainly

perish. If they act otherwise instead of fighting, then they may live;

but in the event of a battle ensuing, none of them will be left alive.

Slaying all the sons of Dhritarashtra along with Karna, I shall surely

wrest the hole of their kingdom, Do ye, meanwhile, whatever ye think

best, and enjoy also your wives and other sweet things of life. There

are, with us, many aged Brahmanas, versed in various sciences, of amiable

behaviour, well-born, acquainted with the cycle of the years, engaged in

the study of astrology, capable of understanding with certainty the

motions of planets and the conjunctions of stars as also of explaining

the mysteries of fate, and answering questions relating to the future,

acquainted with the signs of the Zodiac, and versed with the occurrences

of every hour, who are prophesying the great destruction of the Kurus and

the Srinjayas, and the ultimate victory of the Pandavas, so that

Yudhishthira, who never made an enemy, already regardeth his objects

fulfilled in consequence of the slaughter of his foes. And Janardana

also, that lion among the Vrishnis, endued with the knowledge of the

invisible future, without doubt, beholdeth all this. And I also, with

unerring foresight, myself behold that future, for that foresight of

mine, acquired of old, is not obstructed. The sons of Dhritarashtra, if

they fight, will not live. My bow, Gandiva, yawneth without being

handled; my bow-string trembleth without being stretched; and arrows

also, issuing from my quiver's mouth, are again and again seeking to fly.

My bright scimitar issueth of itself from its sheath, like a snake

quitting its own worn off slough; and on the top of my flag-staff are

heard terrific voices,--When shall thy car be yoked, O Kiritin?

Innumerable jackals set up hideous howls at night, and Rakshasas

frequently alight from the sky; deer and jackals and peacocks, crows and

vultures and cranes, and wolves and birds of golden plumage, follow in

the rear of my car when my white steeds are yoked unto it. Single-handed

I can despatch, with arrowy showers, all warlike kings, to the regions of

death. As a blazing fire consumeth a forest in the hot season, so,

exhibiting diverse courses, I will hurl those great weapons called

Sthur-karna, Pasupata, and Brahma, and all those that Sakra gave me, all

of which are endued with fierce impetuosity. And with their aid, setting

my heart on the destruction of those monarchs, I will leave no remnant of

those that come to the field of battle. I will rest, having done all

this. Even this is my chief and decided resolve. Tell them this, O son of

Gavalgana. Look at the folly of Duryodhana! O Suta, they that are

invincible in battle even if encountered with the aid of the very gods

headed by Indra,--even against them that son of Dhritarashtra thinketh of

warring! But so let it be even as the aged Bhishma, the son of Santanu,

and Kripa, and Drona with his son, and Vidura endued with great wisdom,

are saying, 'May the Kauravas all live long!"

SECTION XLIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'In the midst, O Bharata, of all those assembled

kings, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, then said these words unto

Duryodhana, 'Once on a time, Vrihaspati and Sakra went to Brahma. The

Maruts also with Indra, the Vasus with Agni, the Adityas, the Sadhyas,

the seven celestial Rishis, the Gandharvas, Viswavasu, and the beautiful

tribes of the Apsaras, all approached the ancient Grandsire. And having

bowed down unto the Lord of the universe, all those dwellers of heaven

sat around him. Just then, the two ancient deities, the Rishis Nara and

Narayana, as if drawing unto themselves by their own energy the minds and

energies of all who were present there, left the place.' Thereupon,

Vrihaspati asked Brahma, saying,--Who are these two that leave the place

without worshipping thee? Tell us, O Grandsire, who are they? Thus asked,

Brahma said, 'These two, endued with ascetic merit, blazing with

effulgence and beauty, illuminating both the earth and the heaven,

possessed of great might, and pervading and surpassing all, are Nara and

Narayana, dwelling now in the region of Brahman having arrived from the

other world. Endued with great might and prowess, they shine in

consequence of their own asceticism. By their acts they always contribute

to the joy of the world. Worshipped by the gods and the Gandharvas, they

exist only for the destruction of Asuras.'

"Bhishma continued, 'Having heard these words, Sakra went to the spot

where those two were practising ascetic austerities, accompanied by all

the celestials and having Vrihaspati at their head. At that time, the

dwellers of heaven had been very much alarmed in consequence of a war

raging between themselves and the Asuras. And Indra asked that

illustrious couple to grant him a boon. Thus solicited, O best of the

Bharata race, those two said,--Name thou the boon.--Upon this Sakra said

unto them,--Give us your aid.--They then said unto Sakra,--We will do

what thou wishest. And then it was with their aid that Sakra subsequently

vanquished the Daityas and the Danavas. The chastiser of foes, Nara, slew

in battle hundreds and thousands of Indra's foes among the Paulomas and

the Kalakhanjas. It was this Arjuna, who, riding on a whirling car,

severed in battle, with a broad-headed arrow, the head of the Asura

Jambha while the latter was about to swallow him. It was he who afflicted

(the Daitya city of Hiranyapura) on the other side of the ocean, having

vanquished in battle sixty thousands of Nivatakavachas. It was this

conqueror of hostile towns, this Arjuna of mighty arms, that gratified

Agni, having vanquished the very gods with Indra at their head. And

Narayana also hath, in this world, destroyed in the same way numberless

other Daityas and Danavas. Even such are those two of mighty energy that

are now seen united with each other. It hath been heard by us that the

two heroic and mighty car-warriors, Vasudeva and Arjuna, that are now

united with each other, are those same ancient gods, the divine Nara and

Narayana. Amongst all on earth they are incapable of being vanquished by

the Asuras and the gods headed by Indra himself. That Narayana is

Krishna, and that Nara is Falguna. Indeed, they are one Soul born in

twain. These two, by their acts, enjoy numerous eternal and inexhaustible

regions, and are repeatedly born in those worlds when destructive wars

are necessary. For this reason their mission is to fight. Just this is

what Narada, conversant with the Vedas, had said unto the Vrishnis. When

thou, O Duryodhana, wilt see Kesava with conch-shell and discus, and mace

in hand, and that terrible wielder of the bow, Arjuna, armed with

weapons, when thou wilt behold those eternal and illustrious ones, the

two Krishnas seated on the same car, then wilt thou, O child, remember

these my words. Why should not such danger threaten the Kurus when thy

intellect, O child, hath fallen off from both profit and virtue? If thou

heedest not my words, thou shalt then have to hear of the slaughter of

many, for all the Kauravas accept thy opinion. Thou art alone in holding

as true the opinion, O bull of the Bharata race, only three persons,

viz., Karna, a low-born Suta's son cursed by Rama, Sakuni, the son of

Suvala, and thy mean and sinful brother Dussasana.'

'Karna said. 'It behoveth thee not, O blessed grandsire, to use such

words towards me, for I have adopted the duties of the Kshatriya order

without falling off from those of my own. Besides, what wickedness is

there in me? I have no sin known to any one of Dhritarashtra's people. I

have never done any injury to Dhritarashtra's son; on the other hand, I

will slay all the Pandavas in battle. How can they that are wise make

peace again with those that have before been injured? It is always my

duty to do all that is agreeable to king Dhritarashtra, and especially to

Duryodhana, for he is in possession of the kingdom.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having listened to these words of Karna,

Bhishma the son of Santanu, addressing king Dhritarashtra, again said,

'Although this one often boasteth saying,--I shall slay the

Pandavas,--yet he is not equal to even a sixteenth part of high-souled

Pandavas. Know that the great calamity that is about to overtake thy sons

of wicked souls, is the act of this wretched son of a Suta! Relying upon

him, thy foolish son Suyodhana hath insulted those heroes of celestial

descent, those chastiser of all foes. What, however, is that difficult

feat achieved by this wretch before that is equal to any of those

achieved of old by every one of the Pandavas? Beholding in the city of

Virata his beloved brother slain by Dhananjaya who displayed such

prowess, what did this one then do? When Dhananjaya, rushing against all

the assembled Kurus, crushed them and took away their robes, was this one

not there then? When thy son was being led away as a captive by the

Gandharvas on the occasion of the tale of the cattle, where was this son

of a Suta then who now belloweth like a bull? Even there, it was Bhima,

and the illustrious Partha, and the twins, that encountered the

Gandharvas and vanquished them. Ever beautiful, and always unmindful of

both virtue and profit, these, O bull of the Bharata race, are the many

false things, blessed be thou, that this one uttereth.'

'Having heard these words of Bhishma, the high-souled son of Bharadwaja,

having paid due homage unto Dhritarashtra and the assembled kings, spoke

unto him these words, 'Do that, O king, which the best of the Bharatas,

Bhishma, hath said. It behoveth thee not to act according to the words of

those that are covetous of wealth. Peace with the Pandavas, before the

war breaks out, seems to be the best. Everything said by Arjuna and

repeated here by Sanjaya, will, I know, be accomplished by that son of

Pandu, for there is no bowman equal unto him in the three world!' Without

regarding, however, these words spoken by both Drona and Bhishma, the

king again asked Sanjaya about the Pandavas. From that moment, when the

king returned not a proper answer to Bhishma and Drona, the Kauravas gave

up all hopes of life.'"

SECTION L

"Dhritarashtra said, 'What did that Pandava king, the son of Dharma, say,

O Sanjaya, after hearing that a large force hath been assembled here for

gladdening us? How also is Yudhishthira acting, in view of the coming

strife, O Suta, who amongst his brothers and sons are looking up to his

face, desirous of receiving his orders? Provoked as he is by the

deceptions of my wicked sons, who, again, are dissuading that king of

virtuous behaviour and conversant with virtue, saying,--Have peace?'

"Sanjaya said, 'All the Panchalas, along with the other sons of Pandu,

are looking up to Yudhishthira's face, blessed be thou, and he too is

restraining them all. Multitudes of cars belonging to the Pandavas and

the Panchalas are coming in separate bodies for gladdening Yudhishthira,

the son of Kunti, ready to march to the field of battle. As the sky

brightens up at the advent of the rising sun, so the Panchalas are

rejoicing at their union with Kunti's son of blazing splendour, risen

like a flood of light. The Panchalas, the Kekayas, and the Matsyas, along

with the very herdsmen that attend on their kine and sheep, are rejoicing

and gladdening Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu. Brahmana and Kshatriya

girls and the very daughters of the Vaisyas, in large number, are coming

in playful mood for beholding Partha accounted in coat of mail.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell us, O Sanjaya, of the forces of

Dhrishtadyumna, as also of the Somakas, and of all others, with which the

Pandavas intend to fight with us.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus interrogated, in the midst of the Kurus

and in their very hall, the son of Gavalgana' became thoughtful for a

moment and seemed to draw repeatedly deep and long sights; and suddenly

he fell down in a swoon without any apparent reason. Then in that

assembly of kings, Vidura said loudly, 'Sanjaya, O great king, hath

fallen down on the ground senseless, and cannot utter a word, bereft of

sense and his intellect clouded.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Without doubt, Sanjaya, having seen those mighty

car-warriors, the sons of Kunti, hath his mind filled with great anxiety

in consequence of those tigers among men.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having recovered consciousness, and being

comforted, Sanjaya addressed king Dhritarashtra in the midst of that

concourse of Kurus in that hall, saying, 'Indeed, O king of kings, I saw

those great warriors, the sons of Kunti, thinned in body, in consequence

of the restraint in which they had lived in the place of the king of the

Matsyas. Hear, O King, with whom the Pandavas will contend against you.

With that hero Dhrishtadyumna as their ally, they will fight against you.

With that personage of virtuous soul, who never forsaketh truth through

anger or fear, temptation, or for the sake of wealth, of disputation; and

who is, O King, a very authority in matters of religion, himself being

the best of those that practise virtue;--with him, who hath never made an

enemy, the sons of Pandu will fight against you.' He unto whom no one on

earth is equal in might of arms, and who, wielding his bow had brought

all kings under subjection, and who, vanquishing of old all the people of

Kasi and Anga and Magadha, as also the Kalingas;--with that Bhimasena

will the sons of Pandu fight against, you. Indeed, he through whose might

the four sons of Pandu quickly could alight on the earth, having issued

forth from the (burning) house of lac that son of Kunti, Vrikodara, who

became the means of their rescue from the cannibal Hidimva; that son of

Kunti, Vrikodara, who became their refuge when the daughter of Yajnasena

was being carried away by Jayadratha; indeed, with that Bhima. who

rescued the assembled Pandavas from the conflagration at Varanavata; even

with him (as their ally) will they fight against you. He, who for the

gratification of Krishna slew the Krodhavasas, having penetrated the

rugged and terrible mountains of Gandhamadana, he to whose arms hath been

imparted the might of ten thousand elephants; with that Bhimasena (as

their ally) the Pandavas will fight against you. That hero, who, for the

gratification of Agni, with Krishna only for his second, bravely

vanquished of yore Purandara in fight; he who gratified by combat that

God of gods, the trident-bearing lord of Uma--Mahadeva himself having the

mountains for his abode; that foremost of warriors who subjugated all the

kings of the earth--with that Vijaya (as their ally) the Pandavas will

encounter you in battle. That wonderful warrior Nakula, who vanquished

the whole of the western world teeming with Mlechchas, is present in the

Pandava camp. With that handsome hero, that unrivalled bowman, that son

of Madri, O Kauravya, the Pandavas will fight against you. He who

vanquished in battle the warriors of Kasi, Anga, and Kalinga,--with that

Sahadeva will the Pandavas encounter you in battle. He, who in energy

hath for his equals only four men on earth, viz., Aswatthaman and

Dhrishtaketu and Rukmi and Pradyumna,--with that Sahadeva, youngest in

years, that hero among men, that gladdener of Madri's heart, with him, O

King, will you have a destructive battle. She, who, while living of yore

as the daughter of the king of Kasi, had practised the austerest

penances; she, who, O bull of the Bharata race, desiring even in a

subsequent life to compass the destruction of Bhishma, took her birth as

the daughter of Panchala, and accidentally became afterwards a male; who,

O tiger among men, is conversant with the merits and demerits of both

sexes; that invincible prince of the Panchala who encountered the

Kalingas in battle, with what Sikhandin skilled in every weapon, will the

Pandavas fight against you. She whom a Yaksha for Bhishma's destruction

metamorphosed into a male, with that formidable bowman will the Pandavas

fight against you. With those mighty bowmen, all, brothers those five

Kekaya princes, with those heroes clad in mail will the Pandavas fight

against you. With that warrior of long arms: endued with great activity

in the use of weapons, possessed of intelligence and prowess incapable of

being baffled, with that Yuyudhana, the lion of the Vrishni race, will

you have to fight. He, who had been the refuge of the high-souled

Pandavas for a time, with that Virata, will ye have an encounter in

battle. The lord of Kasi, that mighty car-warrior who ruleth in Varanasi

hath become an ally of theirs; with him the Pandavas will fight against

you. The high-souled sons of Draupadi, tender in years but invincible in

battle, and unapproachable like snakes of virulent poison, with them,

will the Pandavas fight against you. He, that in energy is like unto

Krishna and in self-restraint unto Yudhishthira, with that Abhimanyu,

will the Pandavas fight against you. That war-like son of Sisupala,

Dhrishtaketu of great fame, who in energy is beyond comparison and who

when angry is incapable of being withstood in battle, with that king of

the Chedis who has joined the Pandavas at the head of an Akshauhini of

his own, will the sons of Pandu fight against you. He that is the refuge

of the Pandavas, even as Vasava is of the celestials, with that Vasudeva,

the Pandavas will fight against you. He also, O bull of Bharata race,

Sarabha the brother of the king of the Chedis, who again is united with

Karakarsa, with both these, the Pandavas will fight against you.

Sahadeva, the son of Jarasandha, and Jayatsena, both unrivalled heroes in

battle, are resolved upon fighting for the Pandavas. And Drupada too,

possessed of great might, and followed by a large force, and reckless of

his life, is resolved to fight for the Pandavas. Relying upon these and

other kings by hundreds, of both the eastern and northern countries, king

Yudhishthira the just, is prepared for battle.'"

SECTION LI

"Dhritarashtra said, 'All these named by thee are, indeed, endued with

great courage, but all of them together are equal to Bhima singly. My

fear, O child, from the wrathful Bhima is, indeed, very great, like that

of fat deer from an enraged tiger. I pass all my nights in sleeplessness,

breathing deep and hot sighs afraid of Vrikodara, O child, like an animal

of any other species afraid of the lion. Of mighty arms, and in energy

equal unto Sakra himself, I see not in this whole army even one that can

withstand him in battle. Exceedingly wrathful and determined in

animosity, that son of Kunti and Pandu smileth not even in jest, is mad

with rage, casteth his glances obliquely, and speaketh in a voice of

thunder. Of great impetuosity and great courage, of long arms and great

might, he will not, in battle, leave even one of my foolish sons alive.

Indeed, Vrikodara, that bull among the Kurus, whirling his mace in

battle, will, like a second Yama mace in hand slay all my sons who are

afflicted by a heavy calamity. Even now I see that terrible mace of his,

with eight sides made of steel, and adorned with gold, uplifted like a

Brahmana's curse. As a lion of mighty strength among a flock of deer,

Bhima will range among my troops. He only (amongst his brothers) always

displayed his strength cruelly towards my sons. Eating voraciously, and

endued with great impetuosity, from his very childhood he hath been

behaving inimically towards my children. My heart trembleth (to remember)

that even in their childhood, Duryodhana and other sons of mine, while

fighting with him (sportively) were always ground down by the

elephant-like Bhima. Alas, my sons have always been oppressed by his

might, and it is that Bhima of terrible prowess that hath been the cause

of this rupture. Even now I behold Bhima, mad with rage, fighting in the

very van, and devouring the whole of my host consisting of men,

elephants, and steeds. Equal unto Drona and Arjuna in weapons, his speed

equal unto the velocity of the wind, and in wrath like unto Maheswara

himself, who is there, O Sanjaya, that would slay that wrathful and

terrible hero in battle? I think it to be a great gain that my sons were

not even then slain by that slayer of enemies who is endued with such

energy. How can a human being withstand the impetuosity of that warrior

in battle who slew Yakshas and Rakshasas of terrible might before? O

Sanjaya, even in his childhood he was never completely under my control.

Injured by my wicked sons, how can that son of Pandu come under my

control now? Cruel and extremely wrathful, he would break but not bend.

Of oblique glances and contracted eye-brows, how can he be induced to

remain quiet? Endued with heroism, of incomparable might and fair

complexion, tall like a palmyra tree, and in height taller than Arjuna by

the span of the thumb, the second son of Pandu surpasseth the very steeds

in swiftness, and elephants in strength, speaketh in indistinct accents,

and possesseth eyes having the hue of honey. As regards form and might,

even such was he in his very boyhood, as I truly heard long before from

the lips of Vyasa! Terrible and possessed of cruel might, when angry he

will destroy in battle with his iron-mace cars and elephants and men and

horses. By acting against his wishes, that foremost of smiters who is

ever wrathful and furious, hath before been, O child, insulted by me.

Alas, how will my sons bear that mace of his which is straight, made of

steel, thick, of beautiful sides, adorned with gold, capable of slaying a

hundred, and producing a terrible sound when hurled at the foe? Alas, O

child, my foolish sons are desirous of crossing that inaccessible ocean

constituted by Bhima, which is really shoreless, without a raft on it,

immeasurable in depth, and full of currents impetuous as the course of

arrows. Fools in reality though boasting of their wisdom, alas, my

children do not listen to me even though I cry out. Beholding only the

honey they do not see the terrible fall that is before them. They that

will rush to battle with Death himself in that human shape, are certainly

doomed to destruction by the Supreme Ordainer, like animals within the

lion's view. Full four cubits in length, endued with six sides and great

might, and having also a deadly touch, when he will hurl his mace from'

the sting, how shall my sons, O child, bear its impetus? Whirling his

mace and breaking therewith the heads of (hostile) elephants, licking

with his tongue the corners of his mouth and drawing long breaths, when

he will rush with loud roars against mighty elephants, returning the

yells of those infuriated beasts that might rush against him, and when

entering the close array of cars he will slay, after taking proper aim,

the chief warriors before him, what mortal of my party will escape from

him looking like a blazing flame? Crushing my forces and cutting a

passage through them, that mighty armed hero, dancing with mace in hand,

will exhibit the scene, witnessed during the universal Dissolution at the

end of a Yuga. Like an infuriated elephant crushing trees adorned with

flowers, Vrikodara, in battle will, furiously penetrate the ranks of my

sons. Depriving my warriors of their cars, drivers, steeds, and

flag-staff, and afflicting all warriors fighting from cars and the backs

of elephants, that tiger among men will, O Sanjaya, like the impetuous

current of Ganga throwing down diverse trees standing on its banks, crush

in battle the troops of my sons. Without doubt, O Sanjaya, afflicted by

the fear of Bhimasena, my sons and their dependents and all the allied

kings will fly in different directions. It was this Bhima who, having

entered of old, with Vasudeva's aid, the innermost apartments of

Jarasandha, overthrew that king endued with great energy; that lord of

Magadha, the mighty Jarasandha, having fully brought under his subjection

the goddess Earth, oppressed her by his energy. That the Kauravas in

consequence of Bhishma's prowess, and the Andhakas and the Vrishnis in

consequence of their policy, could not be subjugated by him was due only

to their good fortune. What could be more wonderful than that the heroic

son of Pandu, of mighty arms and without any weapons, having approached

that king, slew him in a trice? Like a venomous snake, whose poison hath

accumulated for years, Bhima will, O Sanjaya, vomit in battle the poison

of his wrath upon my sons! Like the foremost of the celestials, the great

Indra, smiting the Danavas with his thunderbolt, Bhimasena will, mace in

hand, slay all my sons! Incapable of being withstood or resisted, of

fierce impetus and powers, and with eyes of a coppery hue, I behold even

now that Vrikodara failing upon my sons. Without mace or bow, without car

or coat of mail, fighting with his bare arms only, what man is there that

can stand before him? Bhishma, that regenerate Drona, and Kripa the son

of Saradwat,--these are as much acquainted as I myself with the energy of

the intelligent Bhima. Acquainted with the practice of those that are

noble, and desirous of death in battle, these bulls among men will take

their stand in the van of our army. Destiny is everywhere powerful,

especially in the case of a male person, for beholding the victory of the

Pandavas in battle, I do not yet restrain my sons. These mighty bowmen of

mine, desirous of treading in that ancient track leading up to heaven,

will lay down their lives in battle, taking care, however, of earthly

fame. O child, my sons are the same to these mighty bowmen as the

Pandavas are to them, for all of them are grandsons of Bhishma and

disciples of Drona and Kripa. O Sanjaya, the little acceptable services

that we have been able to do unto these three venerable ones, will

certainly be repaid by them owing to their own noble dispositions. It is

said that death in battle of a Kshatriya, who hath taken up arms and

desireth to observe Kshatriya practices is, indeed, both good and

meritorious. I weep, however, for all those that will fight against the

Pandavas. That very danger hath now come which was foreseen by Vidura at

the outset. It seems, O Sanjaya, that wisdom is incapable of dispelling

woe; on the other hand, it is overwhelming woe that dispelleth wisdom.

When the very sages, that are emancipated from all worldly concerns and

that behold, standing aloof, all the affairs of the universe, are

affected by prosperity and adversity, what wonder is there that I should

grieve, I who have my affections fixed on a thousand things such as sons,

kingdom, wives, grandsons, and relatives? What good can possibly be in

store for me on the accession of such a frightful danger? Reflecting on

every circumstance, I see the certain destruction of the Kurus. That

match at dice seems to be the cause of this great danger of the Kurus.

Alas, this sin was committed from temptation by foolish Duryodhana,

desirous of wealth; I believe all this to be the untoward effect of

ever-fleeting Time that bringeth on everything. Tied to the wheel of

Time, like its periphery, I am not capable of flying away from it. Tell

me, O Sanjaya, where shall I go? What shall I do, and, how shall I do it?

These foolish Kauravas will all be destroyed, their Time having come.

Helplessly I shall have to hear the wailing of women when my hundred sons

will all be slain. Oh, how may death come upon me? As a blazing fire in

the summer season., when urged by the wind, consumeth dry grass, so will

Bhima, mace in hand, and united with Arjuna, slay all on my side!'"

SECTION LII

"Dhritarashtra said, 'He whom we have never heard to speak a falsehood,

he who hath Dhananjaya to fight for him, may have the sovereignty of even

the three worlds. Reflecting from day to day I do not find the warrior

who may, on his car, advance in battle against the wielder of Gandiva.

When that wielder of Gandiva will shoot winged arrows and Nalikas and

shafts capable of piercing the breast of warriors, there is no rival of

his in battle. If those bulls among men, those heroes,--Drona and

Karna,--those foremost of mighty men, versed in weapons and invincible in

battle, withstand him, the result may be very doubtful, but I am sure

that the victory will not be mine. Karna is both compassionate and

heedless, and preceptor is aged and hath affection for this pupil.

Partha, however, is able and mighty, of firm grasp (of the bow). Terrible

will be the encounter between them, without resulting in any one's

defeat. Conversant with weapons and endued with heroism, all of them have

earned great fame. They may relinquish the very sovereignty of the gods,

but not the chance of winning victory. There would be peace, without

doubt, upon the fall of either of these two (Drona and Karna) or of

Falguna, There is none, however, who can either slay or vanquish Arjuna.

Alas, how may his wrath that hath been excited against my foolish sons be

pacified. Others there are acquainted with the use of weapons, that

conqueror are conquered; but it is heard that Falguna always conquereth.

Three and thirty years have passed away since the time, when Arjuna,

having invited Agni, gratified him at Khandava, vanquishing all the

celestials. We have never heard of his defeat anywhere, O child. Like the

case of Indra, victory is always Arjuna's, who hath for his charioteer in

battle Hrishikesa, endued with the same character and position. We hear

that the two Krishnas on the same car and the stringed Gandiva,--these

three forces,--have been united together. As regards ourselves, we have

not a bow of that kind, or a warrior like Arjuna, or a charioteer like

Krishna. The foolish followers of Duryodhana are not aware of this. O

Sanjaya, the blazing thunderbolt falling on the head leaveth something

undestroyed, but the arrows, O child, shot by Kiritin leave nothing

undestroyed. Even now I behold Dhanajaya shooting his arrows and

committing a havoc around, picking off heads from bodies with his arrowy

showers! Even now I behold the arrowy conflagration, blazing all around,

issuing from the Gandiva, consuming in battle the ranks of my sons. Even

now it seemeth to me that, struck with panic at the rattle of

Savyasachin's car, my vast army consisting of diverse forces is running

away in all directions. As a tremendous conflagration, wandering in all

directions, of swelling flames and urged by the wind, consumeth dry

leaves and grass, so will the great fame of Arjuna's weapons consume all

my troops. Kiritin, appearing as a foe in battle, will vomit innumerable

arrows and become irresistible like all destroying Death urged forward by

the Supreme Ordainer. When I shall constantly hear of evil omens of

diverse kinds happening in the homes of the Kurus. and around them and on

the field of battle, then will destruction, without doubt, overtake the

Bharats.'"

SECTION LIII

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Endued with great prowess and eager for victory,

even as the sons themselves of Pandu are, so are their followers, who are

all resolved to sacrifice their lives and determined to win victory. Even

thou, O son, hast told me of my mighty enemies, viz., the kings of the

Panchalas, the Kekayas, the Matsyas, and the Magadhas. He, again, who at

his will can bring under his subjection all the three worlds with Indra

at their head, even that Creator of the universe, the mighty Krishna is

bent on giving victory upon the Pandavas. As regards Satyaki, he acquired

in no time the whole science of arms from Arjuna. That scion of Sini's

race will stand on the battle-field, shooting his shafts like husbandmen

sowing seeds. The prince of Panchala, Dhristadyumna, that mighty

car-warrior of merciless deeds, acquainted with all superior weapons,

will fight with my host. Great is my fear, O child from the wrath of

Yudhishthira, from the prowess of Arjuna, and from the Twins and

Bhimasena. When those lords of men will, in the midst of my army, spread

their superhuman net of arrows, I fear my troops will not come out of it.

It is for this, O Sanjaya, that I weep. That son of Pandu, Yudhishthira,

is handsome, endued with great energy, highly blessed, possessed of

Brahma force, intelligent, of great wisdom, and virtuous soul. Having

allies and counsellors, united with persons ready for battle, and

possessing brothers and father-in-law who are all heroes and mighty

car-warriors, that tiger among men, the son of Pandu, is also endued with

patience, capable of keeping his counsels, compassionate, modest, of

powers incapable of being baffled, possessed of great learning, with soul

under proper control, ever waiting upon the aged, and subdued senses;

possessed thus of every accomplishment, he is like unto a blazing fire.

What fool, doomed to destruction and deprived of sense, will jump,

moth-like, into that blazing and irresistible Pandava fire! Alas, I have

behaved deceitfully towards him. The king, like unto a fire of long

flames, will destroy all my foolish sons in battle without leaving any

alive. I, therefore, think that it is not proper to fight with them. Ye

Kauravas, be ye of the same mind. Without doubt, the whole race of Kuru

will be destroyed, in case of hostilities being waged. This appears to me

very clearly, and if we act accordingly, my mind may have peace. If war

with them doth not seem beneficial to you, then we will strive to bring

about peace. Yudhishthira will never be indifferent when he sees us

distressed, for he censures me only as the cause of this unjust war.'"

SECTION LIV

"Sanjaya said, It is even so, O great king, as thou, O Bharata, sayest.

On the event of battle, the destruction of the Kshatriyas by means of

Gandiva is certain. This, however, I do not understand, how when thou art

always wise and especially acquainted with the prowess of Savyasachin,

thou followest yet the counsels of thy sons. Having O bull of the Bharata

race, injured the sons of Pritha from the very beginning, having in fact,

committed sins repeatedly, this is not, O great king, the time (to

grieve). He that occupies the position of a father and a friend, if he is

always watchful and of good heart, should seek the welfare (of his

children); but he that injures, cannot be called a father. Hearing of the

defeat of the Pandavas at dice, thou hadst, O king, laughed like a child,

saying, 'This is won, this is acquired!' When the harshest speeches were

addressed to the sons of Pritha, thou didst not then interfere, pleased

at the prospect of thy sons winning the whole kingdom. Thou couldst not

however, then see before thee inevitable fall. The country of the Kurus,

including the region called Jangala is, O king, thy paternal kingdom.

Thou hast, however, obtained the whole earth by those heroes. Won by the

strength of their arms, the sons of Pritha made over thee this extensive

empire. Thou thinkest, however, O best of kings, that all this was

acquired by thee. When thy sons, seized by the king of the Gandharvas,

were about to sink in a shoreless sea without a raft to save them, it was

Partha, O king, that brought them back. Thou hadst, like a child,

repeatedly laughed, O monarch, at the Pandavas when they were defeated at

dice and were going into exile. When Arjuna poureth a shower of keen

arrows, the very oceans dry up, let alone beings of flesh and blood.

Falguna is the foremost of all shooters; Gandiva is the foremost of all

bows; Kesava is the foremost of all beings; the Sudarsana is the foremost

of all weapons; and of cars, that furnished with the banner bearing the

blazing Ape on it is the foremost. That car of his, bearing all these and

drawn by white steeds, will, O king, consume us all in battle like the

upraised wheel of Time. O bull of the Bharata race, his is even now the

whole earth and he is the foremost of all kings, who hath Bhima and

Arjuna to fight for him. Beholding the host sinking in despair when

smitten by Bhima, the Kauravas headed by Duryodhana will all meet

destruction. Struck with the fear of Bhima and Arjuna, the sons, O king,

and the kings following them, will not, O lord, be able to win victory.

The Matsyas, the Panchalas, the Salways and the Surasenas, all decline to

pay thee homage now and all disregard thee. Acquainted with the energy of

that wise king, all of them, however, have joined that son of Pritha, and

for their devotion to him they are always opposed to thy sons. He that,

by his evil deeds, afflicted the sons of Pandu, who are all wedded to

virtue and undeserving of destruction, he that hateth them even

now,--that sinful man, O monarch, who is none else than thy son,--should,

with all his adherents, be checked by all means. It behoveth thee not to

bewail in this strain. Even this was said by myself as well as by the

wise Vidura at the time of the gambling match at dice. These thy

lamentations in connection with the Pandavas, as if thou wert a helpless

person, are, O king, all useless.'"

SECTION LV

"Duryodhana said, 'Fear not, O king. Nor shouldest thou grieve for us. O

monarch, O lord, we are quite able to vanquish the foe in battle. When

the Parthas had been exiled to the woods, there came unto them the slayer

of Madhu with a vast army in battle array and capable of crushing hostile

kingdoms; and there also came unto them the Kekayas, and Dhrishtaketu,

and Dhrishtadyumna of Pritha's race and numerous other kings in their

train; and all those great car-warriors were assembled in a place not far

from Indraprastha; and having assembled together they censured thee and

all the Kurus. And O Bharata, all those warriors with Krishna at their

head paid their homage unto Yudhishthira clad in deerskin and seated in

their midst. And all those kings then suggested to Yudhishthira that he

should take back the kingdom. And all of them desired to slay thee with

all the followers. And hearing of all this, O bull of the Bharata race, I

addressed Bhishma and Drona and Kripa, struck with fear, O king, at the

prospect of the ruin that threatened our kindred. And I said unto them,

'I think the Pandavas will not abide by the agreement made by them;

Vasudeva desireth our utter extinction. I think also that with the

exception of Vidura all of you will be slain, although the chief of the

Kurus, Dhritarashtra, conversant with morality, will not be included in

the slaughter, O sire, effecting our complete destruction, Janardana

wisheth to bestow upon Yudhishthira the entire kingdom of the Kurus. What

should be done? Shall we surrender, or fly, or shall we fight the foe

giving up every hope of life? If, indeed, we stand up against them, our

defeat is certain, for all the kings of the earth are under

Yudhishthira's command. The people of the realm are all annoyed with us,

and all our friends also are angry with us. All the kings of the earth

are speaking ill of us, and especially all our friends and relatives.

There can be no fault in our surrender, for from time immemorial, the

weaker party is known to conclude peace. I grieve, however, for that lord

of men, my, blind father, who may, on my account, be overtaken by woe and

misery that is endless. [It is known to thee, O king, even before this,

that thy other sons were all opposed to the foe for pleasing me only].

Those mighty car-warriors, the sons of Pandu, will, indeed, avenge their

wrongs by destroying the whole race of king Dhritarashtra with all his

counsellors.--(It was thus that I addressed them, and) seeing me

afflicted by great anxiety and my senses tortured, Drona and Bhishma and

Kripa and Drona's son then addressed me, saying, 'Fear not, O represser

of foes, for if the foe wage hostilities with us, they will not be able

to vanquish us when we take the field. Every one of us is singly capable

of vanquishing all the kings of the earth. Let them come. With keen-edged

arrows we will curb their pride. Inflamed with anger upon the death of

his father, this Bhishma (amongst us) in days of old had conquered all

the kings of the earth, on a single car. O Bharata, his wrath excited,

that best of the Kurus smote numberless ones amongst them, whereupon from

fear, they are surrendered to this Devavrata seeking his protection. That

Bhishma, united with us, is still capable of vanquishing the foe in

battle. Let thy fears, therefore, O bull of the Bharata race, be all

dispelled.'

"Duryodhana continued, 'Even this was the resolve then formed by these

heroes of immeasurable energy. The whole earth was formerly under the

foe's command. Now, however, they are incapable of vanquishing us in

battle, for our enemies, the sons of Pandu, are now without allies and

destitute of energy. O bull of the Bharata race, the sovereignty of the

earth now resteth in me, and the kings also, assembled by me, are of the

same mind with me in weal or woe. Know thou, O best of the Kuru race,

that all these kings, O slayer of foes, can, for my sake, enter into the

fire or the sea. They are all laughing at thee, beholding thee filled

with grief and including in these lamentations like one out of his wits,

and affrighted at the praises of the foe. Every one amongst these kings

is able to withstand the Pandavas. Indeed, sire, every one regardeth

himself; let thy fears, therefore, be dispelled. Even Vasava himself is

not capable of vanquishing my vast host. The Self-create Brahma himself,

if desirous of slaying it, cannot annihilate it. Having given up all

hopes of a city, Yudhishthira craveth only five villages, affrighted, O

lord, at the army I have assembled and at my power. The belief thou

entertainest in the prowess of Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, is unfounded.

O Bharata, thou knowest not the extent of my prowess. There is none on

earth equal to me in an encounter with the mace. None have ever surpassed

me in such an encounter, nor will any surpass me. With devoted

application and undergoing many privations, I have lived in my

preceptor's abode. I have completed my knowledge and exercises there. It

is for this that I have no fear either of Bhima or of others. When I

humbly waited upon Sankarshana (my preceptor), blessed be thou, it was

his firm conviction that Duryodhana hath no equal in the mace. In battle

I am Sankarshana's equal, and in might there is none superior to me on

earth. Bhima will never be able to bear the blow of my mace in battle. A

single blow, O king, that I may wrathfully deal unto Bhima will

certainly, O hero, carry him without delay to the abode of Yama. O king,

I wish to see Vrikodara mace in hand. This hath been my long-cherished

desire. Struck in battle with my mace, Vrikodara, the son of Pritha, will

fall dead on the ground, his limbs shattered. Smitten with a blow of my

mace, the mountains of Himavat may split into a hundred thousands

fragments. Vrikodra himself knoweth this truth, as also Vasudeva and

Arjuna, that there is no one equal to Duryodhana in the use of mace. Let

thy fears, therefore, caused by Vrikodara. be dispelled, for I will

certainly slay him in fierce conflict. Do not, O king, give way to

melancholy. And after I have slain him, numerous car-warriors of equal or

superior energy, will, O bull among the Bharatas, speedily throw Arjuna

down. Bhishma, Drona Kripa and Drona's son, Karna and, Bhurisravas,

Salya, the king of Pragjyotish, and Jayadratha, the king of the

Sindhus,--every one of these, O Bharata, is singly capable of slaying the

Pandavas. When united together, they will, within a moment, send Arjuna

to the abode of Yama. There, indeed, is no reason why the united army of

all the kings will be incapable of vanquishing Dhananjaya singly. A

hundred times shrouded by immeasurable arrows shot by Bhishma and Drona

and Drona's son and Kripa, and deprived of strength, Partha will have to

go unto Yama's abode. Our grandsire born of Ganga is, O Bharata, superior

to Santanu himself. Like unto a regenerate saint, and incapable of being

withstood by the very celestials, he took his birth amongst men. There is

no slayer of Bhishma, O king, on earth, for his father, being gratified,

gave him the boon,--Thou shalt not die except when it is thy own wish.

And Drona took his birth in a water-pot from the regenerate saint

Bharadwaja. And from Drona hath taken birth his son, having a knowledge

of the highest weapons. And this the foremost of preceptors. Kripa also,

hath taken his birth from the great Rishi Gautama. Born in a clump of

heath this illustrious one, I think, is incapable of being slain. Then

again, O king, the father, mother and maternal uncle of

Aswatthaman,--these three,--are not born of woman's womb. I have that

hero also on my side. All these mighty car-warriors, O king, are like

unto celestials, and can, O bull of the Bharata race, inflict pain on

Sakra himself in battle. Arjuna is incapable of even looking at any one

of these singly. When united together, these tigers among men will

certainly slay Dhananjaya. Karna also, I suppose, is equal unto Bhishma

and Drona and Kripa. O Bharata, Rama himself had told him,--Thou art

equal unto me. Karna had two ear-rings born with him, of great brilliance

and beauty; for Sachi's gratification Indra begged them of that repressor

of foes, in exchange, O king, of an infallible and terrible shaft. How

would Dhananjaya, therefore, escape with life from Karna who is protected

by that arrow? My success, therefore, O king, is as certain as a fruit

held fast in my own grasp. The utter defeat also of my foes is already

bruited about on earth. This Bhishma, O Bharata, killeth every day ten

thousand soldiers. Equal unto him are these bowmen, Drona, Drona's son

and Kripa. Then, O repressor of foes, the ranks of the Samsaptaka

warriors have made this resolution,--Either we will slay Arjuna or that

Ape-bannered warrior will slay us. There are other kings also, who firm

in their resolve of slaying Savyasachin, regard him as unequal to

themselves. Why dost thou then apprehend danger from the Pandavas? When

Bhimasena will be slain, O Bharata, who else (amongst them) will fight?

Tell me this, O repressor of foes, if thou knowest any amongst the foes.

The five brothers, with Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki,--these seven warriors

of the enemy, O king, are regarded as their chief strength. Those,

however, amongst us, that are our chief warriors, are Bhishma, Drona,

Kripa, Drona's son, Karna, Somadatta, Vahlika, and Salya, the king of

Pragjyotisha, the two kings (Vindha and Anuvinda) of Avanti, and

Jayadratha; and then, O king, thy sons Dussasana, Durmukha, Dussaha,

Srutayu; Chitrasena, Purumitra, Vivingsati, Sala, Bhurisravas, and

Vikarna. O king, I have assembled one and ten Akshauhinis. The army of

the enemy is less than mine, amounting only to seven Akshauhinis. How

then can I be defeated? Vrihaspati hath said that an army which is less

by a third ought to be encountered. My army, O king, exceedeth that of

the foe by a third. Besides, O Bharata, I know that the enemy hath many

defects, while mine, O lord, are endued with many good virtues. Knowing

all this, O Bharata, as also the superiority of my force and the

inferiority of the Pandavas, it behoveth thee not to lose thy senses.

'Having said this, O Bharata, that conqueror of hostile chiefs,

Duryodhana, asked Sanjaya again, anxious to known more about the doings

of the Pandavas.'"

SECTION LVI

"Duryodhana said, 'Having obtained, O Sanjaya, an army numbering seven

Akshauhinis, what is Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, with the other kings

in his company, doing in view of the war?'

"Sanjaya said, 'Yudhishthira, O king, is very cheerful in view of the

battle. And so also are Bhimasena and Arjuna. The twins also are

perfectly fearless. Desirous of making an experiment of the mantras

(obtained by him). Vibhatsu, the son of Kunti, yoked his celestial car

illuminating all the directions. Accoutred in mail, he looked like a mass

of clouds charged with lightning. After reflecting for a while, he

cheerfully addressed me, saying,--Behold, O Sanjaya, these preliminary

signs. We will certainly conquer.' Indeed, what Vibhatsu said unto me

appeared to me to be true.'

"Duryodhana said, 'Thou rejoicest to applaud those sons of Pritha

defeated at dice. Tell us now what sort of steeds are yoked unto Arjuna's

car and what sort of banners are set up on it?'

"Sanjaya said, 'O great king, the celestial artificer called Tashtri or

Bhaumana, aided by Sakra and Dhatri, created forms of diverse kinds and

great beauty for Arjuna's car. And displaying divine illusion they placed

on his flagstaff those celestial forms, large and small, of great value.

And at Bhimasena's request, Hanumat, the son of the Wind-god, will also

place his own image on it. And Bhaumana has, in its creation, had

recourse to such illusion that that banner covers, both perpendicularly

and laterally, an area of one yojana, and even if trees stand in its way,

its course cannot be impeded. Indeed, even as Sakra's bow of diverse

colours is exhibited in the firmament, and nobody knows of what it is

made, so hath that banner been contrived by Bhaumana, for its form is

varied and ever varying. And as column of smoke mixed with fire riseth

up, covering the sky and displaying many bright hues and elegant shapes,

so doth that banner contrived by Bhaumana rear its head. Indeed, it hath

no weight, nor is it capable of being obstructed. And unto that car are a

century of excellent celestial steeds of white hue and endued with the

speed of the mind, all presented by Chitrasena (the king of the

Gandharvas). And neither on earth, O king, nor in the sky, nor in heaven,

their course can be impeded. And formerly a boon hath been granted to the

effect that their number would always remain full how often so ever they

might be slain. And unto Yudhishthira's car are yoked large steeds of

equal energy and white in colour like ivory. And unto Bhimasena's car are

yoked courses endued with the speed of the wind and the splendour of the

seven Rishis. And steeds of sable bodies and backs variegated like the

wings of the Tittri bird, all presented by his gratified brother Falguna,

and superior to those of the heroic Falguna himself, cheerfully carry

Sahadeva. And Nakula of Ajamida's race, the son of Madri, is borne, like

Indra the slayer of Vritra, by excellent steeds, presented by the great

Indra himself, all mighty as the wind and endued with great speed. And

excellent steed of large size, equal unto those of the Pandavas

themselves in years and strength, endued with great swiftness and of

handsome make, and all presented by the celestials, carry those youthful

princes, the sons of Subhadra and Draupadi.'"

SECTION LVII

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Whom hast thou, O Sanjaya, seen to have, from

affection, arrived there, and who will, on behalf of the Pandavas, fight

my son's forces?'

"Sanjaya said, 'I have seen Krishna, the foremost of the Andhakas and the

Vrishnis, arrived there, and Chekitana, as also Satyaki, otherwise called

Yuyudhana. And those two mighty car-warriors, proud of their strength and

famed over all the world, have joined the Pandavas, each with a separate

Akshauhini of troops. And Drupada, the king of the Panchalas, surrounded

by his ten heroic sons--Satyajit and others--headed by Dhrishtadyumna,

and well-protected by Sikhandin, and having furnished his soldiers with

every necessary thing, hath come there with a full Akshauhini, desirous

of honouring Yudhishthira. And that lord of earth, Virata, with his two

sons Sankha and Uttara, as also with those heroes Suryadatta and

others--headed by Madiraksha and surrounded by one Akshauhini of troops,

hath thus accompanied by brothers and sons, joined the son of Pritha. And

the son of Jarasandha, the king of Magadha, and Dhrishtaketu, the king of

the Chedis, have separately come there, each accompanied by an Akshauhini

of troops. And the five brothers of Kekaya, all having purple flags, have

joined the Pandavas, surrounded by an Akshauhini of troops. Then

numbering to this extent, have I seen assembled there, and these, on

behalf of the Pandavas, will encounter the Dhartarashtra host. That great

car-warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, who is acquainted with human, celestial,

Gandharva and Asura arrays of battle, leadeth that host. O king, Bhishma,

the son of Santanu, has been assigned to Sikhandin as his share; and

Virata with all his Matsya warriors will support Sikhandin. The mighty

king of the Madras hath been assigned to the eldest son of Pandu as his

share, though some are of opinion that those two are not well-matched.

Duryodhana with his sons and his ninety-nine brothers, as also the rulers

of the east and the south, have been assigned to Bhimasena as his share.

Karna, the son of Vikartana, and Jayadratha the king of the Sindhus, have

been assigned to Arjuna as his share. And those heroes also on the earth

who are incapable of being withstood and who are proud of their might,

have been accepted by Arjuna as his share. And those mighty bowmen, the

five royal brothers of Kekaya, will put forth their strength in battle,

accepting the Kekaya warriors (on Dhritarashtra's side) as antagonists.

And in their share are included the Malavas also, and the Salwakas, as

also, the two famous warriors of the Trigarta host who have sworn to

conquer or die. And all the sons of Duryodhana and Dussasana, as also

king Vrihadvala, have been assigned to Subhadra's son as his share. And

those great bowmen, the sons of Draupadi, having cars furnished with

gold-embroidered banners, all headed by Dhrishtadyumna, will, O Bharata,

advance against Drona. And Chekitana on his car desireth to encounter

Somadatta in single combat with him, while Satyaki is anxious to battle

against the Bhoja chief, Kritavarman. And the heroic son of Madri,

Sahadeva, who setteth up terrible roars in battle, hath intended to take

as his share thy brother-in-law, the son of Suvala. And Nakula also, the

son of Madravati, hath intended to take as his share the deceitful Uluka

and the tribes of the Saraswatas. As for all the other kings of the

earth, O Monarch, who will go to battle, the sons of Pandu have, by

naming them, distributed them in their own respective shares. Thus hath

the Pandava host been distributed into divisions. Do thou now, without

delay, with thy sons, act as thou thinkest best.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Alas, all my foolish sons, addicted to deceitful

dice, are already dead when it is the mighty Bhima with whom they desire

to encounter in the field of battle. All the kings of the earth too,

consecrated by Death himself for sacrifice, will rush to the Gandiva,

like so many moths into fire. Methinks my host is already put to flight

by those illustrious warriors formerly injured by me. Who, indeed, shall

follow to battle my warriors, whose ranks will be broken by the sons of

Pandu in the encounter? All of them are mighty car-warriors, possessed of

great bravery, of famous achievements, endued with great prowess, equal

unto the fiery sun in energy, and all victorious in battle. Those that

have Yudhishthira for their leader, the slayer of Madhu for their

protector, the heroic Savyasachin and Vrikodara for their warriors, and

Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, and

Satyaki, and Drupada, and Dhrishtaketu with his son, and Uttamaujas, and

the unconquerable Yudhamanyu of the Panchalas, and Sikhandin, and

Kshatradeva, and Uttara, the son of Virata, and Kasayas, the Chedis, the

Matsyas, the Srinjayas, Vabhru the son of Virata, the Panchalas, and the

Prabhadrakas, for fighting for them, those, indeed, from whom Indra

himself cannot, if they are unwilling, snatch this earth,--those heroes,

cool and steady, in fight, who can split the very mountains--alas, it is

with them that are endued with every virtue and possessed of superhuman

prowess that this wicked son of mine, O Sanjaya, desireth to fight,

disregarding me even though I am crying myself hoarse!'

"Duryodhana said, 'Both the Pandavas and ourselves are of the same race;

both they and we tread upon the same earth, why dost thou think that

victory will declare itself for only the Pandavas? Bhishma, Drona, Kripa,

the unconquerable Karna, Jayadratha, Somadatta, and Aswatthaman-all

mighty bowmen and endued with great energy,--are incapable of being

vanquished by Indra himself united with the celestials. What sayst thou

then, O father of the Pandavas? Ali these noble and heroic kings of the

earth, bearing weapons, O father, are quite capable, for my sake, of

withstanding the Pandavas, while the latter are not capable of even

gazing at my troops. I am powerful enough to encounter in battle the

Pandavas with their sons. O Bharata, all those rulers of the earth, who

are anxious for my welfare, will certainly seize all the Pandavas like a

herd of young deer by means of net. I tell thee, in consequence of our

crowds of cars and snares of arrows, the Panchalas and the Pandavas will

all be routed.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Sanjaya, this my son speaketh like a mad man, for

he is incapable of vanquishing in battle Yudhishthira the just. This

Bhishma truly knoweth the might of the famous, powerful, virtuous, and

high-souled Pandavas and their sons, for he doth not wish a battle with

those illustrious ones. But tell me again O Sanjaya, of their movements.

Tell me, who are inciting those illustrious and mighty bowmen endued with

great activity, like priests enkindling (Homa) fires with libations of

clarified butter?'

"Sanjaya said, 'O Bharata, Dhrishtadyumna is always urging the Pandavas

to war, saying, 'Fight ye, best among the Bharatas. Do not entertain the

least fear. All those rulers of the earth, who, courted by

Dhritarashtra's son, will become in that fierce encounter target of

showers of weapons,--indeed, I alone will encounter all those angry kings

assembled together with their relatives, like a whale seizing little

fishes from the water. Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Karna and Drona's

son and Salya and Suyodhana,--them all I withstand, like the bank

resisting the swelling sea.' Unto him saying thus, the virtuous king

Yudhishthira said, 'The Panchalas and the Pandavas wholly depend upon thy

prowess and steadiness. Rescue us safely from the war. I know, O

mighty-armed one, that thou art firm in the duties of the Kshatriya

order. Thou art, indeed, quite competent to smite alone the Kauravas.

When the latter, eager for fight, will stand before us, what thou, O

repressor of foes, wilt arrange, will certainly be for our good. Even

this is the opinion of those acquainted with the scriptures, that the

hero, who, displaying his prowess, relieth those that after the rout run

away from the battle-field, seeking for protection, is to be bought with

a thousand. Thou, O bull among men, art brave, mighty, and powerful.

Without doubt, thou art that deliverer of those that are over-powered

with fear on the field of battle.' And when the righteous Yudhishthira

the son of Kunti said this, Dhrishtadyumna fearlessly addressed me in

these words, 'Go thou, O Suta, without delay, and say unto all those that

have come to fight for Duryodhana, say unto the Kurus of the Pratipa

dynasty with the Vahlikas, the son of Saradwata and Karna and Drona, and

Drona's son, and Jayadratha, and Dussasana, and Vikarna and king

Duryodhana, and Bhishma,--Do not suffer yourselves to be slain by Arjuna,

who is protected by the celestials. Before that happens, let some good

man approach Yudhishthira and entreat that son of Pandu, that best of

men, to accept the kingdom (surrendered by them) without delay. There is

no warrior on the earth like unto Savyasachin, son of Pandu, of prowess

incapable of being baffled. The celestial car of the holder of Gandiva is

protected by the very gods. He is incapable of being vanquished by human

beings. Do not, therefore, bend your mind to war!'"

SECTION LVIII

"Dhritarashtra said, Yudhishthira the son of Pandu is endued with

Kshatriya energy and leadeth the Brahmacharya mode of life from his very

youth. Alas, with him these foolish sons of mine desire to fight,

disregarding me that am thus bewailing. I ask thee, O Duryodhana, O

foremost of the Bharata race, desist from hostility. O chastiser of foes,

under any circumstances, war is never applauded. Half the earth is quite

enough for the maintenance of thyself and all thy followers. Give back

unto the sons of Pandu, O chastiser of foes, their proper share. All the

Kauravas deem just this to be consistent with justice, that thou shouldst

make peace with the high-souled sons of Pandu. Reflect thus, O son, and

thou wilt find that this thy army is for thy own death. Thou

understandest not this from thy own folly. I myself do not desire war,

nor Vahlika, nor Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Aswatthaman, nor Sanjaya, nor

Somadatta, nor Salya, nor Kripa, nor Satyavrata, nor Purumitra, nor

Bhurisravas,--in fact, none of these desireth war. Indeed, those warriors

upon whom the Kauravas, when afflicted by the foe, will have to rely, do

not approve of the war. O child, let that be acceptable to thee. Alas,

thou dost not seek it of thy own will, but it is Karna and the

evil-minded Dussasana and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, that are leading

thee to it.'

"Duryodhana said, 'I challenge the Pandavas to battle, without depending

upon thyself, Drona, or Aswatthaman, or Sanjaya, or Vikarna, or Kamvoja,

or Kripa, or Vahlika, or Satyavrata, or Purumitra, or Bhurisravas, or

others of thy party. But, O bull among men, only myself and Karna, O

sire, are prepared to celebrate the sacrifice of battle with all the

necessary rites, making Yudhishthira the victim. In that sacrifice, my

car will be the altar; my sword will be the smaller ladle, my mace, the

large one, for pouring libations; my coat of mail will be assembly of

spectators; my four steeds will be the officiating priests; my arrows

will be the blades of Kusa grass; and fame will be the clarified butter.

O king, performing, in honour of Yama, such a sacrifice in battle, the

ingredients of which will all be furnished by ourselves, we will return

victoriously covered with glory, after having slain our foes. Three of

us, O sire, viz., myself and Karna and my brother Dussasana,--will slay

the Pandavas in battle. Either I, slaying the Pandavas, will sway this

Earth, or the sons of Pandu, having slain me, will enjoy this Earth. O

king, O thou of unfading glory, I would sacrifice my life, kingdom,

wealth, everything, but would not be able to live side by side with the

Pandavas. O venerable one, I will not surrender to the Pandavas even that

much of land which may be covered by the sharp point of a needle.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'I now abandon Duryodhana for ever. 'A nevertheless

grieve for you all, ye kings, that will follow this fool who is about to

proceed to Yama's abode. Like tigers among a herd of deer, those foremost

of smiters-the sons of Pandu,--will smite down your principal leaders

assembled for battle. Methinks, the Bharata host, like a helpless woman,

will be afflicted and crushed and hurled to a distance by Yuyudhana of

long arms. Adding to the strength of Yudhishthira's army, which without

him was already sufficient, Sini's son will take up his stand on the

field of battle and scatter his arrows like seeds on a cultivated field.

And Bhimasena will take up his position in the very van of the

combatants, and all his soldiers will fearlessly stand in his rear, as

behind a rampart. Indeed, when thou, O Duryodhana, wilt behold elephants,

huge as hills, prostrated on the ground with their tusks disabled, their

temples crushed and bodies dyed with gore,--in fact, when thou wilt see

them lying on the field of battle like riven hills, then, afraid of a

clash with him, thou wilt remember these my words. Beholding thy host

consisting of cars, steeds, and elephants, consumed by Bhimasena, and

presenting the spectacle of a wide-spread conflagration's track, thou

wilt remember these my words. If ye do not make peace with the Pandavas,

overwhelming calamity will be yours. Slain by Bhimasena with his mace, ye

will rest in peace. Indeed, when thou wilt see the Kuru host levelled to

the ground by Bhima, like a large forest torn up by the roots, then wilt

thou remember these my words.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this unto all those rulers of the

earth, the king addressing Sanjaya again, asked him as follows.'"

SECTION LIX

Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, O thou of great wisdom, what high-souled

Vasudeva and Dhananjaya said. I am anxious to hear from thee all about

this.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Listen, O king, as I tell thee the state in which I found

Krishna and Dhananjaya. I will also, O Bharata, tell thee what those

heroes said; O king, with looks bent down and hands joined together, and

with senses well restrained, I entered the inner apartments for

conferring with those gods among men. Neither Abhimanyu nor the Twins can

repair to that place where are the two Krishnas and Draupadi and lady

Satyabhama. There I beheld those chastisers of foes, exhilarated with

Bassia wine, their bodies adorned with garlands of flowers. Attired in

excellent robes and adorned with celestial ornaments, they sat on a

golden dais, decked with numerous gems, and covered over with carpets of

diverse texture and hue. And I beheld Kesava's feet resting upon Arjuna's

lap while those of the high-souled Arjuna rested upon the laps of Krishna

and Satyabhama. Partha then pointed out to me (for a seat) a foot-stool

made of gold. Touching it with my hand, I seated myself down on the

ground. And when he withdraw his feet from the foot-stool, I beheld

auspicious marks on both his soles. Those consisted of two longitudinal

lines running from heels to fore-toe, O sire, endued with black

complexions, of high statures, and erect like Sala trunks, beholding

those youthful heroes, both seated on the same seat, a great fear seized

me. They seemed to me to be Indra and Vishnu seated together, though

Duryodhana of dull sense knoweth it no consequence of his reliance on

Drona and Bhishma and on the loud vaunts of Karna. That very moment, I

was convinced that the wishes of Yudhishthira the just, who had those two

for obeying his orders, were certain to succeed. Being hospitably

entertained with food and drink, and honoured with other courtesies, I

conveyed to them thy message, placing my joined hands on my head. Then

Partha, removing Kesava's auspicious foot from his lap, with his hand

scarred by the flappings of the bow-string, urged him to speak. Sitting

up erect like Indra's banner, adorned with every ornament, and resembling

Indra himself in energy, Krishna then addressed me. And the words which

that best of speakers said were sweet, charming and mild, though awful

and alarming to the son of Dhritarashtra. Indeed, the words uttered by

Krishna, who alone is fit to speak, were of correct emphasis and accent,

and pregnant with meaning, though heart-rending in the end. And Vasudeva

said, 'O Sanjaya, say thou these words unto the wise Dhritarashtra and in

the hearing of that foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma, and also of Drona,

having first saluted at our request, O Suta, all the aged ones and hawing

enquired after the welfare of the younger ones, 'Do ye celebrate diverse

sacrifices, making presents unto the Brahmanas, and rejoice with your

sons and wives, for a great danger threatens ye? Do ye give away wealth

unto deserving persons, beget desirable sons, and do agreeable offices to

those that are dear to thee, for king Yudhishthira is eager for victory?'

While I was at a distance, Krishna with tears addressing me said, 'That

debt, accumulating with time, hath not yet been paid off by me. Ye have

provoked hostilities with that Savyasachin, who hath for his bow the

invincible Gandiva, of fiery energy, and who hath me for his helpmate.

Who, even if he were Purandara himself, would challenge Partha having me

for his help-mate, unless, of course, his span of life were full? He that

is capable of vanquishing Arjuna in battle is, indeed, able to uphold the

Earth with his two arms, to consume all created things in anger and hurl

the celestials from Heaven. Among the celestials, Asuras, and men, among

Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Nagas, I do not find the person that can

encounter Arjuna in battle. That wonderful story which is heard of an

encounter in the city of Virata between a single person on one side and

innumerable warriors on the other, is sufficient proof of this. That ye

all fled in all directions being routed in the city of Virata by that son

of Pandu singly, is sufficient proof of this. Might, prowess, energy,

speed, lightness of hand, indefatiguableness, and patience are not to be

found in any one else save Partha.' Thus spoke Hrishikesa cheering up

Partha by his words and roaring like rain-charged clouds in the

firmament. Having heard these words of Kesava, the diadem-decked Arjuna,

of white steeds, also spoke to the same effect.'"

SECTION LX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having heard these words of Sanjaya, the monarch

endued with the eye of wisdom, took that speech into his consideration as

regards its merits and demerits. And having counted in detail the merits

and demerits as far as he could, and having exactly ascertained the

strength and weakness of both parties, the learned and intelligent king,

ever desirous of victory to his sons, then began to compare the powers of

both sides. And having at last ascertained that the Pandavas were endued

with strength and energy both human and divine, and that the Kurus were

much weaker Dhritarashtra said unto Duryodhana, 'This anxiety, O

Duryodhana, always filleth me. Indeed, it doth not leave me. Truly, it

seemeth that I behold it with my eye. This conviction is not a matter of

inference. All created beings show great affection for their offsprings,

and do, to the best of their power, what is agreeable and beneficial to

them. This is generally to be seen also in the case of benefactors. They

that are good always desire to return the good done to them and to do

what is highly agreeable to their benefactors. Remembering what was done

to him to Khandava, Agni will, no doubt, reader aid to Arjuna in this

terrible encounter between the Kurus and the Pandavas. And from parental

affection, Dharma. and other celestials duly invoked, will come together

to the aid of the Pandavas. I think that to save them from Bhishma and

Drona and Kripa, the celestials will be filled with wrath, resembling the

thunderbolt in its effects. Endued with energy and well-versed in the use

of weapons, those tigers among men, the sons of Pritha, when united with

the celestials, will be incapable of being even gazed upon by human

warriors, He who hath the irresistible, excellent and celestial Gandiva

for his bow, he who hath a couple of celestial quivers obtained from

Varuna,--large, full of shafts, and inexhaustible, he on whose banner,

that is unobstructed like smoke in its action, is stationed the

monkey-image of celestial origin, whose car is unequalled on the earth

girt by the four seas, and the rattle of which as heard by men is like

the roar of the clouds, and which like the rolling of the thunder

frightens the foe; he whom the whole world regards as superhuman in

energy; he whom all the kings of the earth know to be the vanquisher of

the very gods in battle; he that taketh up five hundred arrows at a time

and in the twinkling of the eye, shooteth them, unseen by other, to a

great distance; that son of Pritha and tiger among car-warriors and

chastiser of foes, whom Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Drona's son and

Salya, the king of the Madras, and in fact, all impartial persons, regard

as incapable of being vanquished by even earthly kings of superhuman

prowess, when ready for fight who shooteth at one stretch full five

hundred arrows, and who is equal unto Kartavirya in strength of arms;

that great bowman, Arjuna, equal unto Indra or Upendra in prowess,--I

behold that great warrior committing a great havoc in this terrible

battle. O Bharata, reflecting day and night on this, I am unhappy and

sleepless, through anxiety for the welfare of the Kurus. A terrible

destruction is about to overtake the Kurus, if there is nothing but Peace

for ending this quarrel. I am for peace with the Parthas and not for war.

O child, I always deem the Pandavas mightier than the Kurus.'"

SECTION LXI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of his father, the passionate

son of Dhritarashtra inflamed with great wrath, again said these words,

of envy, of 'Thou thinkest the Parthas having the celestials for their

allies, are incapable of being vanquished. Let this thy fear, O best of

kings, be dispelled. The gods attained to their divinity for absence of

desire, covetousness, and of enmity, as also for their indifference to

all worldly affairs. Formerly, Dwaipayana-Vyasa and Narada of great

ascetic austerities, and Rama, the son of Jamadagni, told us this. The

gods never like human beings engage in work, O bull of the Bharata race,

from desire, or wrath, or covetousness, or envy. Indeed, if Agni, or

Vayu, or Dharma, or Indra, or the Aswins had ever engaged themselves in

works from worldly desire, then the sons of Pritha could never have

fallen into distress. Do not, therefore, by any means, indulge in such

anxiety, because the gods, O Bharata, always set their eyes on affairs

worthy of themselves. If, however, envy or lust become noticeable in the

gods in consequence of their yielding to desire, then, according to what

has been ordained by the gods themselves, such envy or Just can never

prevail. Charmed by me, Agni will be instantly extinguished, even if he

blazes up all around for consuming all creatures. The energy with which

the gods are endued is, indeed, great, but know, O Bharata, that mine is

greater than that of the gods. If the Earth herself cleaves in twain, or

mountain crests split, I can re-unite them, O king, by my incantations

before the eyes of all. If for the destruction of this universe of

animate and inanimate, mobile and immobile creatures, there happeneth a

terrific tempest or stony shower of loud roar, I can always, from

compassion for created beings, stop it before the eyes of all. When the

waters are solidified by me, even cars and infantry can move over them.

It is I who set agoing all the affairs of both gods and Asuras. Unto

whatever countries I go with my Akshauhinis on any mission, my steeds

move whithersoever I desire. Within my dominions there are no fearful

snakes, and protected by my incantations, creatures within my territories

are never injured by others that are frightful. The very clouds, O king,

pour, as regards those dwelling in my dominions, showers as much as they

desire and when they desire. All my subjects, again, are devoted to

religion and are never subject to calamities of season. The Aswins, Vayu,

Agni, Indra with the Maruts, and Dharma will not venture to protect my

foes. If these had been able to protect by their might my adversaries,

never would the sons of Pritha have fallen into such distress for three

and ten years. I tell thee truly that neither gods, nor Gandharvas nor

Asuras nor Rakshasas are capable of saving him who hath incurred my

displeasure; I have never before been baffled as regards the reward to

punishment that I intended to bestow or inflict on friend or foe. If

ever, O repressor of foes, I said this is to be,--that hath always been.

People, therefore, have always known me as a speaker of truth. All

persons can bear witness to my greatness, the fame of which hath spread

all around. I mention this, O king, for thy information and not from

pride. Never had I, O king, praised myself before, for to praise one's

own self is mean. Thou wilt hear of defeat of the Pandavas and the

Matsyas, the Panchalas and the Kekayas, of Satyaki and Vasudeva, at my

hands. Indeed, as rivers, on entering the ocean, are entirely lost in it,

so the Pandavas with all their followers, on approaching me, will all be

annihilated. My intelligence is superior, my energy is superior, my

prowess is superior, my knowledge is superior, my resources are superior

by far to those of the Pandavas. Whatever knowledge of weapons is in the

Grandsire, in Drona, and Kripa, and Salya, and Shalya, exist in me as

well.

'Having said these words, O Bharata, Duryodhana, that repressor of foes,

again asked Sanjaya, in order to ascertain the proceedings of

Yudhishthira bent upon war.'"

SECTION LXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Without much minding Dhritarashtra, the son of

Vichitravirya who was about to ask of Partha, Karna said unto

Dhritarashtra's son these words, cheering up the spirit of the assembled

Kurus, 'Coming to know of the false pretence under which I obtained the

Brahma weapon of old from Rama, the latter told me,--When thy hour will

come thy memory will fail thee in respect of this weapon. Even for so

great an offence I was cursed so lightly by that great Rishi, my

preceptor. That great Rishi of fierce energy is capable of consuming even

the entire Earth with her seas. By attention and personal bravery, I

appeased his heart. I have that weapon with me still, and my period is

not yet run. I am, therefore, fully competent (to win victory) Let the

responsibility be mine. Having obtained the favour of that Rishi, I will

slay within the twinkling of an eye the Panchalas, the Karushas, the

Matsyas, and the sons of Pritha with their sons and grandsons, and bestow

on thee numerous regions won by my weapons. Let the Grandsire and Drona

and all the kings stay with thee. I will slay the sons of Pritha,

marching forth with the chief warriors of my army. Let that task be

mine.' Unto him speaking thus, Bhishma said, 'What sayest thou, O Karna?

Thy intellect is clouded at the approach of thy hour. Knowest thou not, O

Karna, that when the chief is slain, the sons of Dhritarashtra will all

be slain? Having heard of the feat achieved by Dhananjaya, with Krishna

only as his ally, at the burning of the Khandava forest, it behoveth thee

with thy friends and relatives to restrain thy mind. The shaft that the

illustrious and adorable chief of the celestials, the great Indra, gave

thee, thou wilt see, will be broken and reduced to ashes when struck by

Kesava with his discus. That other shaft of serpentine mouth that shineth

(in thy quiver) and is respectfully worshipped by thee with flowery

garlands, will, O Karna, when struck by the son of Pandu with his shafts,

perish with thee. O Karna, the slayer of Vana and Bhumi's son (Naraka),

Vasudeva himself, who hath, in the thickest of battle, slain foes equal

and even superior to thee, protecteth the diadem-decked Arjuna'.

"Karna said, 'Without doubt, the chief of the Vrishnis is even so.

Further, I admit, that that high-souled one is even more than that. Let,

however, the Grandsire listen to the effect of the bit of harsh speech

that he hath uttered. I lay down my weapons. The Grandsire will

henceforth behold me in court only and not in battle. After thou hast

become quiet, the rulers of the earth will behold my prowess in this

world.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, that great bowman (Karna),

leaving the court went to his own abode. Bhishma, however, O king,

addressing Duryodhana in the midst of the Kurus, and laughing aloud,

said, 'How truly doth the Suta's son keep his promise. Why having

repeatedly given his pledge, saying,--The kings of Avanti and Kalinga,

Jayadratha, and Chediddhaja and Valhika standing as spectators, I will

slay hostile warriors by thousands and tens of thousands,--how will he

discharge that obligation? Having distributed his divisions in

counter-array and scattering heads by thousands, behold the havoc

committed by Bhimasena. Indeed, that moment, when, representing himself

as a Brahmana unto the holy and blameless Rama, Vikartana's son obtained

that weapon, that vile wretch lost both his virtue and asceticism.' O

king of kings, when Bhishma said this after Karna had gone away giving up

his weapons, Duryodhana, that foolish son of Vichitravirya's son,

addressed Santanu's son in these words.'"

SECTION LXIII

"Duryodhana said, 'The son of Pritha are all as other men, and are, in

fact, of earthly birth as other men. Why then dost thou think that they

are sure to win victory? Both ourselves and they are equal in energy, in

prowess, in age, in intelligence, in knowledge of the scriptures, in

weapons, in the art of war, in lightness of hand, and in skill. All of us

are of the of same species, all being men by birth. How then, O

grandsire, dost thou know that victory will be theirs? I do not seek the

accomplishment of my aims by relying upon thee, or Drona, or Kripa or

Valhika, or upon the other kings. Myself, and Karna, the son of

Vikartana, and my brother Dussasana, will slay in battle the five sons of

Pandu by sharpened arrows. Then shall we, O king, gratify Brahmanas by

performing great sacrifices of diverse kinds, with abundant Dakshinas,

and by gifts of kine and horses and wealth. When my troops will drag by

the aid of their mighty arms the Pandavas in battle, like hunters

dragging a herd of deer by a net, or whirlpools drawing a crewless boat,

then the sons of Pandu, beholding us their foe, supported by crowds and

cars and elephants, will give up their pride, and not they alone but

Kesava also.' Hearing this, Vidura said, 'Venerable persons of infallible

knowledge say that in this world self-restraint is highly beneficial. In

the case of Brahmana especially, it is his duty. He whose self-restraint

followeth charity, asceticism, knowledge, and study of the Vedas, always

winneth success, forgiveness, and the fruit of his gifts. Self-restraint

enhanceth energy, and is an excellent and holy attribute. Freed from sin

and his energy increased by Self-restraint, one acquireth even Brahma

through it. People are always afraid of those that are without

self-restraint, as if the latter were very Rakshasas. And it is for

keeping these under check that the self-Existent created the Kshatriyas.

It hath been said that Self-restraint is an excellent vow for all the

four modes of life. I regard those attributes as its indications which

woe their origin to self-restraint, Those indications are forgiveness,

firmness of mind, abstention from injury, an equal regard for all things,

truthfulness of speech, simplicity, control over the senses, patience,

gentleness of speech, modesty, steadiness, liberality, mildness,

contentment, and faith, he that hath self-restraint casteth off Just,

avarice, pride, wrath, sleep, boastfulness, self-esteem, malice, and

sorrow. Purity and absence of crookedness and fraud, are the distinctive

marks of a man of self-restraint. He that is not covetous, that is

satisfied with a little, that regardeth not objects provoking lust, and

that is as grave as the ocean, is known as a man of self-restraint. He

that is well-behaved, of good disposition and contented soul, that

knoweth his own self is possessed of wisdom, winneth great regard here

and attaineth to a blissful state hereafter. Possessed of mature wisdom,

he that hath no fear of other creatures and whom other creatures fear

not, is said to be the foremost of men. Seeking the good of all, he is a

universal friend, and no one is made unhappy by him. Endued with gravity,

like that of the ocean and enjoying contentment in consequence of his

wisdom, such a man is always calm and cheerful. Regulating their conduct

according to the acts practised by the righteous olden times and before

their eyes, they that are self-restrained, being devoted to peace,

rejoice in this world. Or, abandoning Action, because contented in

consequence of Knowledge, such a person, with his senses under control

moveth quickly in this world, waiting for the inevitable hour and

absorption into Brahma. And as the track of feathery creatures in the sky

is incapable of being perceived, so the path of the sage enjoying

contentment in consequence of Knowledge is not visible. Abandoning, the

world he that betaketh himself, in pursuit of emancipation, to the

Sannyasa mode of life, hath bright and eternal regions assigned to him in

heaven.'"

SECTION LXIV

"Vidura said, 'We have heard, O sire, from old men, that once on a time a

fowler spread his net on the ground for catching feathery denizens of the

air. And in that net were ensnared at the same time two birds that lived

together. And taking the net up, the two winged creatures soared together

into the air. And seeing them soar into the sky, the fowler, without

giving way to despair, began to follow them in the direction they flew,

Just then, an ascetic living in a hermitage (close by), who had finished

his morning prayers, saw the fowler running in that manner hoping still

to secure the feathery creatures. And seeing that tenant of the earth

quickly pursuing those tenants of the air, the ascetic, O Kaurava,

addressed him in this Sloka,--O fowler, it appears very strange and

wonderful to me that thou, that art a treader of the earth, pursuest yet

a couple of creatures that are tenants of the air. The fowler said,

'These two, united together, are taking away my snare. There, however,

where they will quarrel they will come under my control.'

"Vidura continued, 'The two birds, doomed to death, soon after

quarrelled. And when the foolish pair quarrelled, they both fell on the

earth. And when, ensnared in the meshes of death, they began to contend

angrily against each other, the fowler approached unperceived and sized

them both. Even thus those kinsmen who fall out with one another for the

sake of wealth fall into the hands of the enemy like the birds I have

cited, in consequence of their quarrel. Eating together, talking

together,--these are the duties of kinsmen, and not contention under any

circumstances. Those kinsmen, that with loving hearts wait on the old,

become unconquerable like a forest guarded by lions. While those, O bull

of the Bharata race, that having won enormous riches nevertheless, behave

like mean-minded men, always contribute to the prosperity of their foes.

Kinsmen, O Dhritarashtra, O bull of the Bharata race, are like charred

brands, which blaze up when united but only smoke when disunited. I will

now tell thee something else that I saw on a mountain-breast. Having

listened to that also, do, O Kaurava, what is for thy best. Once on a

time we repaired to the northern mountain, accompanied by some hunters

and a number of Brahmanas, fond of discoursing on charms and medicinal

plants. That northern mountain, Gandhamadana, looked like a grove. As its

breast was overgrown on all sides with trees and diverse kinds of

luminous medicinal herbs, it was inhabited by Siddhas and Gandharvas. And

there we all saw a quantity of honey, of a bright yellow colour and of

the measure of a jar, placed on an inaccessible precipice of the

mountain. That honey, which was Kuvera's favourite drink, was guarded by

snakes of virulent poison. And it was such that a mortal, drinking of it

would win immortality, a sightless man obtain sight, and an old man would

become a youth. It was that those Brahmanas conversant with sorcery spoke

about that honey. And the hunters' seeing that honey, desired, O king, to

obtain it. And they all perished in that inaccessible mountain-cave

abounding with snakes. In the same way, this thy son desireth to enjoy

the whole earth without a rival. He beholdeth the honey, but seeth not,

from folly, the terrible fall. It is true, Duryodhana desireth an

encounter in battle with Savyasachin, but I do not see that energy or

prowess in him which may carry him safe through it. On a single car

Arjuna conquered the whole earth. At the head of their hosts Bhishma and

Drona and others were frightened by Arjuna and utterly routed at the city

of Virata. Remember what took place on that occasion. He forgiveth still,

looking up to thy face and waiting to know what thou wouldst do. Drupada,

and the king of Matsyas, and Dhananjaya, when angry, will, like flames of

fire urged by the wind, leave no remnant (of thy army). O Dhritarashtra,

take king Yudhishthira on thy lap since both parties can, under no

circumstances, have victory when thy will be engaged in battle.'"

SECTION LXV

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Consider, O Duryodhana, O dear son, what I tell

thee. Like an ignorant traveller thou thinkest, the wrong path to be the

right one, since thou art desirous of robbing the energy of the five sons

of Pandu, who are even as the five elements of the universe in their

subtle form upholding all mobile and immobile things. Without the certain

sacrifice of thy life thou art unable to vanquish Yudhishthira, the son

of Kunti, who is the foremost of all virtuous persons in this world.

Alas, like a tree defying the mighty tempest, thou chafest at Bhimasena

who hath not his peer (among men) in might and who is equal unto Yama

himself in battle. What man of sense would encounter in battle the

wielder of Gandiva, who is the foremost of all wielders of weapons, as

the Meru among mountains? What man is there whom Dhrishtadyumna, the

prince of Panchala, cannot overthrow, shooting his arrows among the foes,

like the chief of the celestials hurling his thunderbolt? That honoured

warrior among the Andhakas and the Vrishnis, the irresistible Satyaki,

ever engaged in the good of the Pandavas, will also slaughter thy host.

What man of sense, again, would encounter the lotus-eyed Krishna, who, as

regards the measure of his energy and power, surpasseth the three worlds?

As regards Krishna, his wives, kinsmen, relatives, his own soul and the

whole earth, put on one scale, weigheth with Dhananjaya on the other.

That Vasudeva, upon whom Arjuna relieth, is irresistible, and that host

where Kesava is, becometh irresistible everywhere. Listen, therefore, O

child, to the counsels of those well-wishers of thine whose words are

always for thy good. Accept thou thy aged grandsire, Bhishma, the son of

Santanu, as thy guide. Listen thou to what I say, and what these

well-wishers of the Kurus, Drona, and Kripa, and Vikarna, and king

Vahlika say. These all are as I myself. It behoveth thee to regard them

as much as thou regardest me, since, O Bharata, all these are conversant

with morality and bear affection to thee as much as I myself do. The

panic and rout, before thy eyes, at the city of Virata, of all thy troops

with thy brothers, after surrender of the king,--indeed, that wonderful

story that is heard of an encounter at that city between one and many,

are sufficient proof (of the wisdom of what I say). When Arjuna singly

achieves all that, what will not the Pandavas achieve when united

together? Take them by the hands as thy brothers, and cherish them with a

share of the kingdom.'"

SECTION LXVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having addressed Suyodhana thus, the highly blessed

and wise Dhritarashtra again asked Sanjaya, saying, 'Tell me, O Sanjaya,

what thou hast not yet said, viz., what Arjuna told thee after the

conclusion of Vasudeva's speech, for great is my curiosity to hear it.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Having heard the words spoken by Vasudeva, the

irresistible Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, when the opportunity came,

said these words in the hearing of Vasudeva. 'O Sanjaya, our grandsire,

the son of Santanu, and Dhritarashtra, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna,

and king Vahlika, and Drona's son, and Somadatta, and Sakuni the son of

Suvala; and Dussasana, and Sala, and Purumitra, and Vivingsati; Vikarna,

and Chitrasena, and king Jayatsena, and Vinda and Anuvinda, the two

chiefs of Avanti, and Bhurisravas, and king Bhagadatta, and king

Jarasandha and other rulers of the earth, assembled there to fight for

the good of the Kauravas, are all on the eve of death. They have been

assembled by Dhritarashtra's son for being offered up as libations on the

blazing Pandava-fire. In my name, Sanjaya, enquire after the welfare of

those assembled kings according to their respective ranks, paying them

proper regard at the same time. Thou shouldest also, O Sanjaya, say this,

in the presence of all kings, unto Suyodhana-that foremost of all sinful

men. Wrathful and wicked, of sinful soul and exceedingly covetous, do

thou, O Sanjaya, see that that fool with his counsellors hears all that I

say.' And with this preface, Pritha's son Dhananjaya, endued with great

wisdom, and possessed of large eyes with red corners, glancing at

Vasudeva, then spoke unto me these words pregnant with both virtue and

profit, 'Thou hast already heard the measured words spoken by the

high-souled chief of the Madhu's race. Say unto the assembled kings that

those are also my words. And say this also for me, unto those kings,--Do

ye together try to act in such a way that libations may not have to be

poured into the arrowy fire of the great sacrifice of battle, in which

the rattle of car-wheels will sound as mantras, and the rank-routing bow

will act as the ladle. If, indeed, ye do not give up unto Yudhishthira,

that slayer of foes, his own share in the kingdom asked back by him, I

shall then, by means of my arrows, send all of you, with cavalry,

infantry, and elephants, into the inauspicious regions of departed

spirits.' Then bidding adieu unto Dhananjaya and Hari of four arms and

bowing unto them both, I have with great speed come hither to convey

those words of grave import to thee, O thou that art endued with

effulgence equal that of the very gods.'

SECTION LXVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'When Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, showed

little regard for the words spoken by Sanjaya, and when the rest remained

silent, the assembled kings rose up and retired. And after all the kings

of the earth had retired, king Dhritarashtra, who always followed the

counsels of his son from affection, wishing success to the assembled

kings, began to enquire in secret of Sanjaya about the resolve of his own

party, and of the Pandavas who were hostile to him. And Dhritarashtra

said, 'Tell me truly, O son of Gavalgana, in what consists the strength

and weakness of our own host, Minutely acquainted as thou art with the

affairs of the Pandavas, tell me in what lies their superiority and in

what, their inferiority. Thou are fully conversant with the strength of

both parties, Thou knowest all things, and art well-versed in all matters

of virtue and profit. Asked by me, O Sanjaya, say which of the parties,

when engaged in battle, will perish?'

"Sanjaya said, 'I will not say anything to thee in secret, O king, for

then thou mayst entertain ill-feelings towards me. Bring thou hither, O

Ajamida, thy father Vyasa of high vows and thy queen Gandhari. Conversant

with morality, of keen perception, and capable of arriving at the truth,

they will remove any ill-feelings thou mayst cherish against me. In their

presence, O king, I will tell thee everything about the intensions of

Kesava and Partha.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, Dhritarashtra caused both

Gandhari and Vyasa to be brought there. And introduced by Vidura they

entered the court without delay. And understanding the intentions of both

Sanjaya and his son, Krishna-Dwaipayana endued with great wisdom said,

'Say, O Sanjaya, unto the enquiring Dhritarashtra everything that he

desireth to know. Tell him truly all that thou knowest about Vasudeva and

Arjuna.'"

SECTION LXVIII

"Sanjaya said, 'Those adorable bowmen, Arjuna and Vasudeva, who are

perfectly equal unto each other in respect of their godlike nature, have

taken their births of their own will. O lord, the discus owned by

Vasudeva, of abundant energy, occupieth a space full five cubits in

diameter, is capable also of being hurled at the foe (in forms large or

small) according to the will of the wielder himself, and it dependeth on

illusion. Always conspicuous by its effulgence, it is invisible to the

Kurus; and in ascertaining the strength or weakness of the Pandavas, that

discus offers the best ground. Indeed, that scion of Madhu's race, endued

with great might, vanquished with an effort and in seeming playfulness

the formidable Naraka and Samvara and Kansa and (Sisupala) the chief of

Chedis. Possessed of divinity and of soul superior to everything, that

most exalted of male beings can, by his will alone, bring the earth,

firmament, and heaven under his control. Thou askest me repeatedly, O

king, about the Pandavas for knowing their strength and weakness. Listen

now to all that in brief. If the whole universe be placed on one scale

and Janardana on the other, even then Janardana will outweigh the entire

universe. Janardana, at his pleasure, can reduce the universe to ashes,

but the entire universe is incapable of reducing Janardana to ashes.

Wherever there is truthfulness, wherever virtue, wherever modesty,

wherever simplicity, even there is Govinda. And thither where Krishna is,

success must be. That soul of all creatures, most exalted of male beings,

Janardana, guideth, as if in sport, the entire earth, the firmament, and

the heaven. Making the Pandavas the indirect means, and beguiling the

whole world. Janardana wisheth to blast thy wicked sons that are all

addicted to sin. Endued with divine attributes, Kesava, by the power of

his soul causeth the wheel of Time, the wheel of the Universe, and the

wheel of the Yuga, to revolve incessantly. And I tell thee truly that

glorious Being is alone the Lord of Time, of Death, and of this Universe

of mobile and immobile objects. That great ascetic Hari, though the Lord

of the whole Universe, still betaketh himself to work, like a humble

labourer that tilleth the fields. Indeed, Kesava beguileth all by the aid

of His illusion. Those men, however, that have attained to Him are not

deceived.'"

SECTION LXIX

"Dhritarashtra said, 'How hast thou, O Sanjaya, been able to know Madhava

as the Supreme Lord of the universe? And how is it that I am unable to

know Him as such? Tell me this, O Sanjaya.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Listen, O king! Thou hast no Knowledge, whereas my

Knowledge hath suffered no diminution. He that is without Knowledge and

is shrouded with the darkness of ignorance, knoweth not Kesava. Aided by

my knowledge, O sire, I know the slayer of Madhu to be the union of the

Gross, the subtle and the Cause; and that He is the Creator of all, but

is Himself increate; and also that, endued with Divinity, it is He from

whom everything springs and it is He unto whom all things return.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O son of Gavalgana, what is the nature of that

Faith which thou hast in Janardana and in consequence of which thou

knowest the slayer of Madhu to be the union of the Gross, the Subtle, and

the Cause?'

"Sanjaya said, 'Blessed be thou, O king, I have no regard for the

illusion (that is identified with worldly pleasures) and I never practise

the useless virtues (of vows and work without reliance on Him and purity

of Soul). Having obtained purity of Soul through Faith, I have known

Janardana from the scriptures.

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Duryodhana, seek thou the protection of

Janardana, otherwise called Hrishikesa. O child, Sanjaya is one of our

trustiest friends. Seek refuge with Kesava.'

"Duryodhana said, 'If the divine son of Devaki united in friendship with

Arjuna, were to slay all mankind, I cannot, even then, resign myself to

Kesava.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'This evil-minded son of thine, O Gandhari, is

resolved to sink in misery. Envious, wicked-souled, and vain, he setteth

aside the words of all his superiors.'

"Gandhari said, 'Thou covetous wretch that disregardest the commands of

the aged, abandoning thy father and myself and giving up prosperity and

life, enhancing the joy of thy foes, and afflicting me with deep

distress, thou wilt, O fool, remember thy father's words, when struck by

Bhimasena, thou wilt bite the dust.'

"Vyasa said, 'Listen to me, O king! Thou, O Dhritarashtra, art the

beloved of Krishna. When Sanjaya hath been thy envoy, he will verily lead

thee to thy good. He knoweth Hrishikesa,--that ancient and exalted One.

If thou listenest to him with attention, he will certainly save thee from

the great danger that hangs upon thee. O son of Vichitravirya, subject to

wrath and joy, men are entangled in various snares. They that are not

contented with their own possessions, deprived of sense as they are by

avarice and desire, they repeatedly become subject to Death in

consequence of their own acts, like blind men (falling into pits) when

led by the blind. The path that is trod by the wise is the only one (that

leadeth to Brahma). They that are superior, keeping that path of view,

overcome death and reach the goal by it.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, O Sanjaya, of that path without terrors by

which, obtaining Hrishikesa, salvation may be mine.'

"Sanjaya said, 'A man of uncontrolled mind can by no means know Janardana

whose soul is under perfect command. The performance of sacrifices

without controlling one's senses is even no means to that end.

Renunciation of the objects of our excited senses is due to spiritual

light; both spiritual light and abstention from injury arise doubtless

from true wisdom. Therefore, O king, resolve to subdue thy senses with

all possible vigour; let not thy intellect deviate from true knowledge;

and restrain thy heart from worldly temptations that surround it. Learned

Brahmanas describe this subjugation of the senses to be true wisdom; and

this wisdom is the path by which learned men proceed to their goal. O

king, Kesava is not obtainable by men who have not subdued their senses.

He that hath subdued his senses, desireth spiritual knowledge, awakened

by the knowledge of scriptures and the pleasure of Yaga-absorption.'

SECTION LXX

"Dhritarashtra said, 'I request thee, O Sanjaya, to tell me again of the

lotus-eyed Krishna; for, by being acquainted with the import of his

names, I may, O son, obtain that most exalted of male beings.'

"Sanjaya said, 'The auspicious names (of Kesava) have been previously

heard by me. Of those I will tell thee as many as I know. Kesava,

however, is immeasurable, being above the power of speech to describe. He

is called Vasudeva in consequence of his enveloping all creatures with

the screen of illusion, or of his glorious splendour, or of his being the

support and resting-place of the gods. He is called Vishnu because of his

all-pervading nature. He is called Madava, O Bharata, because of his

practising as a Muni, concentration of mind on truth and Yoga-absorption.

He is called Madhusudana because of his having slain the Asura Madhu, and

also because of his being the substance of the twenty-four objects of

knowledge. Born of the Sattwata race, he is called Krishna because he

uniteth in himself what are implied by the two words Krishi which

signifieth 'what existeth' and na which signifieth 'eternal peace'. He is

called Pundarikaksha from Pundarika implying his high and eternal abode,

and Aksha implying 'indestructible'; and he is called Janardana because

he striketh fear into the hearts of all wicked beings. He is called

Sattwata, because the attribute of Sattwa is never dissociated from him

and also because he is never dissociated from it; and he is called

Vrishabhakshana from Vrishabha implying the 'Vedas' and ikshana implying

'eye', the union of the two signifying that the Vedas are his eyes, or

the Vedas are the eyes through which he may be seen, That conqueror of

hosts is called Aja, or unborn', because he hath not taken his birth from

any being in the ordinary way. That Supreme Soul is called Damodara

because unlike the gods his effulgence is increate and his own, and also

because he hath self-control and great splendour. He is called

Hrishikesa, from Hrishika meaning 'eternal happiness' and Isa meaning

'the six divine attributes', the union signifying one having joy,

happiness, and divinity. He is called Mahavahu, because he upholdeth the

earth and the sky with his two arms. He is called Adhakshaja, because he

never falleth down or suffereth any deterioration, and is called Narayana

from his being the refuge of all human beings. He is called Purusottama

from Puru implying 'he that createth and preserveth' and so meaning 'he

that destroyeth, the union signifying one that createth, preserveth, and

destroyeth the universe'. He possesseth a knowledge of all things, and,

therefore, is called Sarva, Krishna is always in Truth and Truth is

always in him, and Govinda is Truth's Truth. Therefore, he is called

Satya. He is called Vishnu because of his prowess, and Jishnu because of

his success. He is called Ananta from his eternity, and Govinda from his

knowledge of speech of every kind. He maketh the unreal appear as real

and thereby beguileth all creatures. Possessed of such attributes, ever

devoted to righteousness, and endued with divinity, the slayer of Madhu,

that mighty-armed one incapable of decay, will come hither for preventing

the slaughter of the Kurus.'"

SECTION LXXI

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Sanjaya, I envy those gifted with sight, who will

behold before them that Vasudeva whose body endued with great beauty

shineth with effulgence, illuminating the cardinal and subsidiary points

of the compass; who will give utterance to words that will be listened to

with respect by the Bharatas,--words that are auspicious to the

Srinjayas, acceptable, by those desirous of prosperity, faultless in

every respect, and unacceptable by those that are doomed to death; who is

full of high resolves, eternal, possessed of unrivalled heroism, who is

the bull of the Yadavas and their leader, and who is the slayer and

awe-inspirer of all foes, and who is the destroyer of the fame of every

enemy? The assembled Kauravas will behold that high-souled and adorable

One, that slayer of foes, that chief of the Vrishnis, uttering words full

of kindness, and fascinating all of my party. I put myself in the hand of

that Eternal one, that Rishi endued with knowledge of Self, that ocean of

eloquence, that Being who is easily attainable by ascetics, that bird

called Arishta furnished with beautiful wings, that destroyer of

creatures, that refuge of the universe; that one of a thousand heads,

that Creator and Destroyer of all things, that Ancient one, that one

without beginning, middle, or end, that one of infinite achievements,

that cause of the Prime seed, that unborn one, that Eternity's self, that

highest of the high, that Creator of the three worlds, that Author of

gods, Asuras, Nagas, and Rakshasas, that foremost of all learned persons

and rulers of men, that younger brother of Indra.'"

SECTION LXXII

(Bhagwat Yana Parva)

"Janamejaya said, 'When good Sanjaya (leaving the Pandava camp) went back

to the Kurus, what did my grandsires, the sons of Pandu, then do? O

foremost of Brahmanas, I desire to hear all this. Tell me this,

therefore.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Sanjaya had gone, Yudhishthira the just,

addressed Krishna of the Dasarha race--that chief of all the Sattwatas,

saying, 'O thou that art devoted to friends, the time hath come for

friends to show their friendship. I do not see any other persons besides

thee that can save us in this season of distress. Relying on thee, O

Madhava, we have fearlessly asked back our share from Duryodhana who is

filled with immeasurable pride and from his counsellors. O chastiser of

foes, thou protectest the Vrishnis in all their calamities, do thou now

protect the Pandavas also from a great danger, for they deserve thy

protection.'

"Divine Krishna said, 'Here am I O mighty-armed one. Tell me what thou

desirest to say, for I will, O Bharata, accomplish whatever thou wilt

tell me.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'Thou hast heard what the intention is of

Dhritarashtra and his own. All that Sanjaya, O Krishna, said unto me hath

certainly the assent of Dhritarashtra. Sanjaya is Dhritarashtra's soul,

and spoke out his mind. An envoy speaketh according to his instructions,

for if he speaketh otherwise he deserveth to be slain. Without looking

equally on all that are his, moved by avarice and a sinful heart,

Dhritarashtra seeketh to make peace with us without giving us back our

kingdom. Indeed, at Dhritarashtra's command we spent twelve years in the

woods and one additional year in concealment, well-believing, O lord,

that Dhritarashtra would abide firmly by that pledge of ours. That we did

not deviate from our promise is well-known to the Brahmanas who were with

us. The covetous king Dhritarashtra, is now unwilling to observe

Kshatriya virtues. Owing to affection for his son, he is listening to the

counsels of wicked men. Abiding by counsels of Suyodhana, the king, O

Janardana, actuated by avarice and seeking his own good, behaveth

untruthfully towards us. What can be more sorrowful, O Janardana, than

this, that I am unable to maintain my mother and my friends? Having the

Kasis, the Panchalas, the Chedis, and the Matsyas, for my allies and with

thee, O slayer of Madhu, for my protector, I prayed for only five

villages, etc., Avishthala, Vrikasthala, Makandi, Varanavata, with any

other, O Govinda, as the fifth;--Grant us, we said, five villages or

towns, O sire, where we five may dwell in union, for we do not desire the

destruction of the Bharatas.--The wicked-minded son of Dhritarashtra,

however, regarding the lordship of the world to be; in him, doth not

agree to even that. What can be more sorrowful than this? When a man born

and brought up in a respectable family, covereth the possessions of

others, that avarice of his destroyeth his intelligence; and intelligence

being destroyed, shame is lost; and loss of shame leadeth to diminution

of virtue; and loss of virtue bringeth on loss of prosperity, Destruction

of prosperity, in its turn, ruineth a person, for poverty is a person's

death. Kinsmen and friends and Brahmanas shun a poor man as birds avoid,

O Krishna, a tree that beareth neither Rower nor fruits. Even this, O

sire, is death to me that kinsmen shun me, as if I were a fallen one like

the breath of life quitting 'a dead body. Samvara said that no condition

of life could be more distressful than that in which one is always racked

by the anxiety caused by the thought--I have no meat for today, what will

become of me tomorrow?--It is said that wealth is the highest virtue, and

everything depends on wealth. They that have wealth are said to live,

whereas those that are without wealth are more dead than alive. They that

by violence rob a man of his wealth not only kill the robbed but destroy

also his virtue, profit and pleasure. Some men when overtaken by poverty

choose death; others remove from cities to hamlets others retire into the

wood; while others, again, become religious mendicants to destroy their

lives. Some for the sake of wealth are driven to madness; others for

wealth, live under Subjection to their foes; while many others, again,

for the sake of wealth, betake themselves to the servitude of others. A

man's poverty is even more distressful to him than death, for wealth is

the sole cause or virtue and pleasure. The natural death of a person is

not much regarded, for that is the eternal path of all creatures. Indeed,

none among created beings can transgress it. O Krishna, a man who is poor

from birth is not so much distressed as one, who, having once possessed

great prosperity and having been brought up in luxury, is deprived of

that prosperity. Having through his own fault fallen into distress, such

a person blameth the very gods with Indra and his own self. Indeed,

knowledge of even the entire scriptures faileth to mitigate his pains.

Sometimes he getteth angry with his servants, and sometimes he cherisheth

malice towards even his well-wishers. Subject to constant anger, he

loseth his very senses, and his senses being clouded, be practiseth evil

deeds. Through sinfulness such a person contributeth to a fusion of

castes. A fusion of castes leadeth to hell and is the foremost of all

sinful acts. If he is not awakened in time, he goeth, certainly, O

Krishna, to hell., and, indeed, wisdom is the only thing that can awaken

him, for if he obtaineth back the eye of wisdom, he is saved. When wisdom

is regained, such a man turneth his attention to scriptures; and

attention to scriptures aideth his virtue. Then shame becometh his best

ornament. He that hath shame hath an aversion against sin, and his

prosperity also increaseth; and he that hath prosperity truly becometh a

man. He that is ever devoted to virtue, and hath his mind under control,

and always acteth after deliberation, never inclineth towards

unrighteousness and never engageth in any act that is sinful. He that is

without shame and sense is neither man nor woman. He is incapable of

earning religious merit, and is like a Sudra. He that hath shame

gratifieth the gods, the Pitris, and even his own self, and by this he

obtaineth emancipation, which indeed, is the highest aim of all righteous

persons.'

'Thou hast, O slayer of Madhu, seen all this in me with thy own eyes. It

is not unknown to thee, how, deprived of kingdom, we have lived these

years. We cannot lawfully abandon that prosperity (which had been ours).

Our first-efforts will be such that, O Madhava, both ourselves and the

Kauravas, united in peace, will quietly enjoy our prosperity. Otherwise,

we shall, after slaying the worst of the Kauravas, regain those

provinces, although success through bloodshed by destruction of even

despicable foes that are related to us so dearly is the worst of all

fierce deeds, O Krishna. We have numerous kinsmen, and numerous also are

the revered seniors that have taken this or that other side. The

slaughter of these would be highly sinful. What good, therefore, can

there be in battle? Alas, such sinful practices are the duties of the

Kshatriya order! Ourselves have taken our births in that wretched order!

Whether those practices be sinful or virtuous, any other than the

profession of arms would be censurable for us. A Sudra serveth; a Vaisya

liveth by trade; the Brahmana have choosen the wooden bowl (for begging),

while we are to live by slaughter! A Kshatriya, slayeth a Kshatriya;

fishes live on fish; a dog preyeth upon a dog! Behold, O thou of the

Dasarha race, how each of these followeth his peculiar virtue. O Krishna,

Kali is ever present in battle-fields; lives are lost all around. It is

true, force regulated by policy is invoked; yet success and defeat are

independent of the will of the combatants. The lives also of creatures

are independent of their own wishes, and neither weal nor woe can be

one's when the time is not come for it, O best of the Yadu's race.

Sometimes one man killeth many, sometimes many and united together kill

one. A coward may slay a hero, and one unknown to fame may stay a hero of

celebrity. Both parties cannot win success, nor both be defeated. The

loss, however, on both sides may be equal. If one flieth away, loss of

both life and fame is his. Under all circumstances, however, war is a

sin. Who in striking another is not himself struck? As regard the person,

however, who is struck, victory and defeat, O Hrishikesa, are the same.

It is true that defeat is not much removed from death, but his loss also,

O Krishna, is not less who winneth victory. He himself may not be killed,

but his adversaries will kill at least some one that is dear to him, or

some others and thus the man, O sire, deprived of strength and not seeing

before him his sons and brothers, becometh indifferent, O Krishna, to

life itself. Those that are quiet, modest, virtuous, and compassionate,

are generally slain in battle, while they that are wicked escape. Even

after slaying one's foes, repentance, O Janardana, possesseth the heart.

He that surviveth among the foes giveth trouble, for the survivor,

collecting a force, seeketh to destroy the surviving victor. In hopes of

terminating the dispute, one often seeketh to exterminate the foe. Thus

victory createth animosity, and he that is defeated liveth in sorrow. He

that is peaceful, sleepeth in happiness, giving up all thoughts of

victory and defeat, whereas he that hath provoked hostility always

sleepeth in misery, with, indeed, an anxious heart, as if sleeping with a

snake in the same room. He that exterminates seldom winneth fame. On the

other hand, such a person reapeth eternal infamy in the estimation of

all. Hostilities, waged over so long, cease not; for if there is even one

alive in the enemy's family, narrators are never wanted to remind him of

the past. Enmity, O Kesava, is never neutralised by enmity; on the other

hand, it is fomented by enmity, like fire fed by clarified butter.

Therefore, there can be no peace without the annihilation of one party,

for flaws may always be detected of which advantage may be taken by one

side or other. They that are engaged in watching for flaws have this

vice. Confidence in one's own prowess troubleth the core of one's heart

like an incurable disease. Without either renouncing that at once, or

death, there can be no peace. It is true, O slayer of Madhu, that

exterminating the foe by the very roots, may lead to good result in the

shape of great prosperity, yet such an act is most cruel. The peace that

may be brought about by our renouncing the kingdom is hardly different

from death, which is implied by the loss of kingdom, in consequence of

the design of the enemy and the utter ruin of ourselves. We do not wish

to give u the kingdom, nor do we wish to see the extinction of our race.

Under these circumstances, therefore, the peace that is obtained through

eve humiliation is the best. When these that strive for peace by all

means without of course wishing for war, find conciliation fail, war

becomes in evitable, and then is the time for the display of prowess.

Indeed, when conciliation fails, frightful results follow. The learned

have noticed all this in a canine contest. First, there comes the wagging

of tails, then the bark, then the bark in reply, then the

circumambulation, then the showing of teeth, then repeated roars, and

then at last the fight. In such a contest, O Krishna., the dog that is

stronger, vanquishing his antagonist, taketh the latter's meat. The same

is exactly the case with men. There is no difference whatever. They that

are powerful should be indifferent to avoid disputes with the weak who

always bow down. The father, the king, and he that is venerable in year,

always deserve regard. Dhritarashtra, therefore, O Janardana, is worthy

of our respect and worship. But, O Madhava, Dhritarashtra's affection for

his son is great. Obedient to his son, he will reject our submission.

What dost thou, O Krishna, think best at this juncture? How may we, O

Madhava, preserve both our interest and virtue? Whom also, besides thee,

O slayer of Madhu, and foremost of men, shall we consult in this

difficult affair? What other friend have we, O Krishna, who like thee is

so dear to us, who seeketh our welfare so, who is so conversant with the

course of all actions, and who is so well-acquainted with truth?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, Janardana replied unto

Yudhishthira the just, saying, 'I will go to the court of the Kurus for

the sake of both of You. If without sacrificing your interests I can

obtain peace, O king, an act of great religious merit will be mine,

productive of great fruits. I shall then also save from the meshes of

death the Kurus and the Srinjayas inflamed with wrath, the Pandavas and

the Dhritarashtras, and, in fact, this entire earth.'

"Yudhishthira said, It is not my wish, O Krishna, that thou wilt go to

the Kurus, for Suyodhana will never act according to thy words, even if

thou advisest him well. All the Kshatriyas of the world, obedient to

Duryodhana's command, are assembled there. I do not like that thou, O

Krishna, shouldst proceed into their midst, If any mischief be done to

thee, O Madhava, Jett alone happiness; nothing, not even divinity, nor

even the sovereignty over all the gods will delight us.'

"The holy one said, 'I know, O monarch, the sinfulness of Dhritarashtra's

son, but by going there we will escape the blame of all the kings of the

earth. Like other animals before the lion, all the kings of the earth

united together are not competent to stand still before me in battle when

I am enraged. If, after all, they do me any injury, then I will consume

all the Kurus. Even this is my intention. My going thither, O Partha,

will not be fruitless, for if our object be not fulfilled, we shall at

least escape all blame.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'Do, O Krishna, as it pleaseth thee. Blessed be thou,

go then to the Kurus. I hope to behold thee return successful and

prosperous. Going unto the Kurus, make thou, O Lord, such a peace that

all the sons of Bharata may live together with cheerful hearts and

contentedly. Thou art our brother and friend, dear to me as much as to

Vibhatsu. Such hath been our intimacy with thee that we apprehend no

neglect of our interest from thee. Go thou, there for our good. Thou

knowest us, thou knowest our antagonists, thou knowest what our purposes

are, and thou knowest also what to say. Thou wilt, O Krishna, say unto

Suyodhana such words as are for our benefit. Whether peace is to be

established by (apparent) sin or by any other means, O Kesava, speak such

words as may prove beneficial to us.'

SECTION LXXIII

"The holy one said, 'I have heard Sanjaya's words and now I have heard

thine. I know all about his purposes as also of thyself. Thy heart

inclineth to righteousness, whereas their inclination is towards enmity.

That which is obtained without war is of great value to thee. A long-life

Brahmacharya is not, O lord of earth, the duty of a Kshatriya. Indeed,

men of all the four orders have said that a Kshatriya should never

subsist on alms; victory or death in battle, hath been eternally ordained

by the Creator; even that is the duty of a Kshatriya. Cowardice is not

applauded (in a Kshatriya). Subsistence, O Yudhishthira, is not possible

by Cowardice, O thou of mighty arms. Display thy prowess, and vanquish, O

chastiser of foes, thy enemies. The covetous son of Dhritarashtra, O

chastiser of foes, living for a long time (with many kings) has by

affection and friendship become very powerful. Therefore, O king, there

is no hope of making his peace with thee. They regard themselves strong,

having Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and others with them. As long, O king,

as thou, O grinder of foes, wilt behave with them mildly, they will

withhold thy kingdom. Neither from compassion, nor from mildness, nor

from a sense of righteousness, will the sons of Dhritarashtra, O

chastiser of foes, fulfil thy wishes. This, O son of Pandu, is another

proof that they will not make peace with thee. Having pained thee so

deeply by making thee put on a Kaupina, they were not stung with remorse.

In the very sight of the Grandsire (Bhishma) and Drona and the wise

Vidura, of many holy Brahmanas, the king, the citizens, and all the chief

Kauravas, the cruel Duryodhana, deceitfully defeating thee at dice,--thee

that are charitable, gentle, self-restrained, virtuous, and of rigid vows

was not, O king, ashamed of his vile act. Do not, O monarch, show any

compassion for that wretch of such disposition. They deserve death at the

hands of all, how much more then of thee, O Bharata? O Bharata, with what

improper speeches did Duryodhana with his brothers, filled with gladness

and indulging in many a boast, afflict thee with thy brothers! He said,

'The Pandavas now have nothing of their own in this wide earth. Their

very names and lineage are extinct. In time, which is never-ending,

defeat will be theirs. All their virtues having merged in me, they will

now be reduced to the five elements.' While the match at dice was in

progress, the wretched Dussasana of most wicked soul, seizing that

weeping lady by the hair dragged princess Draupadi, as if she had no

protectors, to the assembly of kings, and in the presence of Bhishma and

Drona and others, repeatedly called her--cow, cow! Restrained by thee,

thy brothers of terrible prowess, bound also by the bonds of virtue, did

nothing to avenge it; and after thou hadst been exiled to the woods,

Duryodhana having uttered such and other cruel words, boasted amid his

kinsmen. Knowing thee innocent, they that were assembled sat silent in

the assembly-house, weeping with choked voice. The assembled kings with

the Brahmanas did not applaud him for this. Indeed, all the courtiers

present there censured him. To a man of noble descent, O grinder of foes,

even censure is death. Death is even many times better than a life of

blame. Even then, O king, he died when, upon being censured by all the

kings of the earth, he felt no shame! He whose character is so abominable

may easily be destroyed even like a rootless tree standing erect on a

single weak root. The sinful and evil-minded Duryodhana deserveth death

at the hands of every one, even like a serpent. Slay him, therefore, O

killer of foes, and hesitate not in the least. It behoveth thee, O

sinless one, and I like it too, that thou shouldst pay homage unto thy

father Dhritarashtra and also unto Bhishma. Going thither I will remove

the doubts of all men who are still undecided as to the wickedness of

Duryodhana. Thither in the presence of all kings I will enumerate all

those virtues of thine that are not to be met in all men, as also all the

vices of Duryodhana. And hearing me speak beneficial words, pregnant with

virtue and profit, the rulers of various realms will regard thee as

possessed of a virtuous soul, and as a speaker of truth, while at the

same time, they will understand how Duryodhana is actuated by avarice. I

will also tell the vice of Duryodhana, before both the citizens and the

inhabitants of the country, before both the young and the old, of all the

four orders that will be collected there. And as thou askest for peace no

one will charge thee sinful, while all the chiefs of the earth will

censure the Kurus and Dhritarashtra; and when Duryodhana will be dead in

consequence of his being forsaken by all men, there will be nothing left

to do. Do then what should now be done. Going unto the Kurus, I shall

strive to make peace without sacrificing thy interests, and marking their

inclination for war and all their proceedings, I will soon come back, O

Bharata, for thy victory. I think war with the enemy to be certain. All

the omens that are noticeable by me point to that. Birds and animals set

up frightful screeches and howls at the approach of dusk. The foremost of

elephants and steeds assume horrible shapes; the very fire exhibiteth

diverse kinds of terrible hues! This would never have been the case but

for the fact of the world-destroying Havoc's self coming into our midst!

Making ready their weapons, machines, coats of mail, and cars, elephants,

and steeds, let all thy warriors be prepared for battle, and let them

take care of their elephants and horses and cars. And, O king, collect

everything that thou needest for the impending war. As long as he liveth,

Duryodhana will, by no means, be able to give back unto thee. O king,

that kingdom of thine which, abounding in prosperity, have before been

taken by him at dice!'"

SECTION LXXIV

"Bhima said, 'Speak thou, O slayer of Madhu, in such a strain that there

may be peace with the Kurus. Do not threaten them with war. Resenting

everything, his wrath always excited, hostile to his own good and

arrogant, Duryodhana should not be roughly addressed. Do thou behave

towards him with mildness. Duryodhana is by nature sinful of heart like

that of a robber, intoxicated with the pride of prosperity, hostile to

the Pandavas, without foresight, cruel in speech, always disposed to

censure others, of wicked prowess, of wrath not easily to be appeased,

not susceptible of being taught, of wicked soul, deceitful in behaviour,

capable of giving up his very life rather than break or give up his own

opinion. Peace with such a one, O Krishna, is, I suppose, most difficult.

Regardless of the words of even his well-wishers, destitute of virtue,

loving falsehood, he always acts against the words of his counsellors and

wounds their hearts. Like a serpent hid within reeds, he naturally

commits sinful acts, depending on his own wicked disposition, and

obedient to the impulse of wrath. What army Duryodhana hath, what his

conduct is, what his nature, what his might, and what his prowess, are

all well-known to thee. Before this, the Kauravas with their son passed

their days in cheerfulness, and we also with our friends rejoiced like

the younger brother of Indra, with Indra himself. Alas, by Duryodhana's

wrath, O slayer of Madhu, the Bharatas will all be consumed, even like

forests by fire at the end of the dewy seasons, and, O slayer of Madhu,

well-known are those eighteen kings that annihilated their kinsmen,

friends, and relatives. Even as, when Dharma became extinct, Kali was

born in the race of Asuras flourishing with prosperity and blazing with

energy, so was born Udavarta among the Haihayas. Janamejaya among the

Nepas, Vahula among the Talajanghas, proud Vasu among the Krimis,

Ajavindu among the Suviras, Rushardhik among the Surashtras, Arkaja among

the Valihas, Dhautamulaka among the Chinas, Hayagriva among the Videhas,

Varayu among the Mahaujasas, Vahu among the Sundaras, Pururavas among the

Diptakshas, Sahaja among the Chedis and Matsyas, Vrishaddhaja among the

Praviras, Dharana among the Chandra-batsyas, Bigahana among the Mukutas

and Sama among the Nandivegas. These vile individuals, O Krishna, spring

up, at the end of each Yuga, in their respective races, for the

destruction of their kinsmen. So hath Duryodhana, the very embodiment of

sin and the disgrace of his race, been born, at the end of the Yuga,

amongst us the Kurus. Therefore, O thou of fierce prowess, thou shouldst

address him slowly and mildly, not in bitter but sweet words fraught with

virtue and profit, and discourse fully on the subject so as to attract

his heart. All of us, O Krishna, would rather in humiliation follow

Duryodhana submissively, but, oh, let not the Bharatas be annihilated. O

Vasudeva, act in such a way that we may rather live as strangers to the

Kurus than incurring the sin of bringing about the destruction of the

whole race should touch them, O Krishna, let the aged Grandsire and the

other counsellors of the Kurus be asked to bring about brotherly feelings

between brothers and to pacify the son of Dhritarashtra. Even this is

what I say. King Yudhishthira also approveth of this, and Arjuna too is

averse to war, for there is great compassion in him.'"

SECTION LXXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words from Bhima, that were fraught

with such mildness and that were, as unexpected as if the hills had lost

their weight and fire had become cold, Rama's younger brother Kesava of

Sura's race and mighty arms, wielding the bow called Saranga, laughed

aloud, and as if to stimulate Bhima by his words, like the breeze fanning

a fire, addressed him who was then so overwhelmed by the impulse of

kindness, saying, 'At other times, O Bhimasena, thou applaudest war only,

desirous of crushing the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra that take delight

in the destruction of others. O chastiser of foes, thou dost not steep

but wakest the whole night, sitting up face downwards. Thou often

utterest frightful exclamation of wrath, indicative of the storm within

thy heart. Inflamed with the fire of thy own fury, thou sighest, O Bhima

with an unquiet heart, like a flame of fire mixed with smoke. Withdrawing

from company thou liest down breathing hot sighs, like a weak man pressed

down by a heavy load. They, who do not know the cause regard thee as

insane. As an elephant breaking into fragments uprooted trees lying on

the ground grunteth in rage while trampling them under his feet, so thou

also, O Bhima, runnest on, breathing deep sighs and shaking the earth

under the tread. Here in the region thou takest no delight in company but

passest thy time in privacy. Night or day, Nothing pleases thee so much

as seclusion. Sitting apart thou sometimes laughest aloud all on a

sudden, and sometimes placing thy head between thy two knees, thou

continuest in that posture for a long time with closed eyes. At the other

times, O Bhima, contracting thy brows frequently and biting thy lips,

thou starest fiercely before thee. All this is indicative of wrath. At

one time, thou hadst, in the midst of thy brothers, grasped the mace,

uttering this oath, 'As the sun is seen rising in the east displaying his

radiance, and as he truly setteth in the west journeying around the Meru,

so do I swear that I will certainly slay insolent Duryodhana with this

mace of mine, and this oath of mine will never be untrue.' How then doth

that same heart of thine, O chastiser of foes, now follow the counsels of

peace? Alas, when fear entereth thy heart, O Bhima, it is certain that

the hearts of all who desire war are upset when war becometh actually

imminent. Asleep or awake, thou beholdest, O son of Pritha, inauspicious

omens. Perhaps, it is this for which thou desirest peace. Alas, like a

eunuch, thou dost not display any sign indicative of manliness in thee.

Thou art overwhelmed by panic, and it is for this that thy heart is

upset. The heart trembleth, thy mind is overwhelmed by despair, thy

thighs tremble, and it is for this that thou desirest peace. The hearts

of mortals, O Partha, are surely as inconstant as the pods of the Salmali

seed exposed to the force of the wind. This frame of thy mind is as

strange as articulate speech in kine. Indeed, the hearts of thy brothers

are about to sink in an ocean of despair,--like swimmers in the sea

without a raft to rescue them. That thou, O Bhimasena, shouldst utter

words so unexpected of thee is as strange as the shifting of a hill.

Recollecting thy own deeds and the race also in which thou art born,

arise, O Bharata, yield not, to grief, O hero, and be firm. Such langour,

O repressor of foes, is not worthy of thee, for a Kshatriya never

enjoyeth that which he doth not acquire through prowess.'"

SECTION LXXVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Vasudeva, the ever-wrathful Bhima,

incapable of bearing insults, was immediately awakened like a steed of

high metal, and replied, without losing a moment, saying, 'O Achyuta, I

wish to act in a particular way; thou, however, takest me in quite a

different light. That I take great delight in war and that my prowess is

incapable of being baffled, must, O Krishna. be well-known to thee in

consequence of our having lived together for a long time. Or it may be,

thou knowest me not, like one swimming in a lake ignorant of its depth.

It is for this that thou chidest me in such unbecoming words. Who else, O

Madhava, knowing me to be Bhimasena, could address me with such

unbecoming words as thou dost? Therefore, I shall tell thee, O delighter

of the Vrishnis, about my own prowess and unrivalled might. Although to

speak of one's own prowess is always an ignoble act, yet, pierced as I am

by thy unfriendly strictures, I will speak of my own might. Behold, O

Krishna, these--the firmament and the earth--which are immovable,

immense, and infinite, and which are the refuge of, and in which are born

these countless creatures. If through anger these suddenly collide like

two hills, just I, with my arms, can keep them asunder with all their

mobile and immobile objects. Behold the joints of these my mace-like

arms. I find not the person who can extricate himself having once come

within their grasp. The Himavat, the ocean, the mighty wielder of the

thunderbolt himself, viz., the slayer of Vala,--even these three cannot,

with all their power extricate the person attacked by me. I will easily

trample on the ground under my feet all the Kshatriyas, who will come to

battle against the Pandavas. It is not known to thee, O Achyuta, with

what prowess I vanquished the kings of the earth and brought them under

subjection. If, indeed, thou really knowest not my prowess which is like

the fierce energy of the midday sun thou wilt then know it, O Janardana,

in the fierce melee of battle. Thou woundest me with thy cruel words,

paining me with the pain of opening a foetid tumour. But know me to be

mightier than what I have said of myself of my own accord. On that day,

when the fierce and destructive havoc of battle will begin, thou will

then see me felling elephants and car-warriors combatants on steeds and

those on elephants, and slaying in rage the foremost of Kshatriya

warriors. Thou, as well as others, wilt see me doing all this and

grinding down the foremost of combatants. The marrow of my bones hath not

yet decayed, nor doth my heart tremble. If the whole world rusheth

against me in wrath, I do not yet feel the influence of fear. It is only

for the sake of compassion, O slayer of Madhu, that I am for displaying

goodwill to the foe. I am far quietly bearing all our injuries, lest the

Bharata race be extirpated.'"

SECTION LXXVII

"The holy one said, It was only through affection that I said all this,

desiring to know thy mind, and not from the desire of reproaching thee,

nor from pride of learning, nor from wrath, nor from desire of making a

speech. I know thy magnanimity of soul, and also thy strength, and thy

deeds. It is not for that reason that I reproached thee. O son of Pandu,

a thousand times greater will be the benefit conferred by thee on the

Pandava's cause than that which thou thinkest thyself to be capable of

conferring on it. Thou, O Bhima, with thy kinsmen and friends, art

exactly that which one should be that has taken his birth in a family

like thine, that is regarded by all the kings of the earth. The fact,

however, is that they can never arrive at the truth, who under the

influence of doubt proceed to enquire about the consequences hereafter of

virtue and vice, or about the strength and weakness of men. For it is

seen that what is the cause of the success of a person's object becometh

also the cause of his ruin. Human acts, therefore, are doubtful in their

consequences. Learned men, capable of judging of the evils of actions

pronounce a particular course of action as worthy of being followed. It

produces, however, consequences, the very opposite of what were foreseen,

very much like the course of the wind. Indeed, even those acts of men

that are the results of deliberation and well-directed policy, and that

are consistent with considerations of propriety, are baffled by the

dispensations of Providence. Then, again, Providential dispensations,

such as heat and cold and rain and hunger and thirst, that are not the

consequences of human acts, may be baffled by human exertion. Then again,

besides those acts which a person is pre-ordained (as the result of the

act of past lives) to go through, one can always get rid of all other

acts begun at his pleasure, as is testified by both the Smritis and the

Srutis. Therefore, O son of Pandu, one cannot go on the world without

acting. One should, hence, engage in work knowing that one's purpose

would be achieved by a combination of both Destiny and Exertion. He that

engageth in acts under this belief is never pained by failure, nor

delighted by success. This, O Bhimasena, was the intended import of my

speech. It was not intended by me that victory would be certain in an

encounter with the foe. A person, when his mind is upset should not lose

his cheerfulness and must yield neither to langour nor depression. It is

for this that I spoke to thee in the way I did. When the morrow comes, I

will go, O Pandava, to Dhritarashtra's presence. I will strive to make

peace without sacrificing your interests. If the Kauravas make peace,

then boundless fame will be mine. Your purposes will be achieved, and

they also will reap great benefit. If, however, the Kauravas, without

listening to my words, resolve to maintain their opinion, then there will

undoubtedly be a formidable war. In this war burthen resteth on thee, O

Bhimasena. That burthen should also be borne by Arjuna, while other

warriors should all be led by both of you. In case of war happening, I

will certainly be the driver of Vibhatsu's car, for that, indeed, is

Dhananjaya's wish and not that I myself am not desirous of fighting. It

is for this that, hearing thee utter thy intention, I rekindled that thy

energy, O Vrikodara.'"

SECTION LXXVIII

"Arjuna said, 'O Janardana, Yudhishthira hath already said what should be

said. But, O chastiser of foes, hearing what thou hast said, it seemeth

to me that thou, O lord, does not think peace to be easily obtainable

either in consequence of Dhritarashtra's covetousness or from our present

weakness. Thou thinkest also that human prowess alone is fruitless, and

also that without putting forth one's prowess one's purposes cannot be

achieved. What thou hast said may be true, but at the same time it may

not always be true. Nothing, however, should be regarded as

impracticable. It is true, peace seemeth to thee to be impossible in

consequence of our distressful condition, yet they are still acting

against us without reaping the fruits of their acts. Peace, therefore, if

properly proposed, O lord, may be concluded. O Krishna, strive thou,

therefore, to bring about peace with the foe. Thou, O hero, art the

foremost of all friends of both the Pandavas and the Kurus, even as

Prajapati is of both the gods and the Asuras. Accomplish thou, therefore,

that which is for the good of both the Kurus and the Pandavas. The

accomplishment of our good is not, I believe, difficult for thee. If thou

strivest, O Janardana, such is this act that it will be soon effected. As

soon as thou goest thither, it will be accomplished. If, O hero, thou

purposest to treat the evil-minded Duryodhana in any other way, that

purpose of thine will be carried out exactly as thou wishest. Whether it

be peace or war with the foe that thou wishest, any wish, O Krishna, that

thon mayest entertain, will certainly be honoured by us. Doth not the

evil-minded Duryodhana with his sons and kinsmen deserve destruction

when, unable to bear the sight of Yudhishthira's prosperity and finding

no other faultless expedient, that wretch, O slayer of Madhu, deprived us

of our kingdom by the sinful expedient of deceitful dice? What bowman is

there, who, born in the Kshatriya order, and invited to combat, turneth

away from the fight even if he is sure to die? Beholding ourselves

vanquished by sinful means and banished to the woods, even then, thou of

the Vrishni race, I thought that Suyodhana deserved death at my hands.

What thou, however, O Krishna, wishest to do for thy friends is scarcely

strange, although it seems inexplicable how the object In view is capable

of being effected by either mildness or its reverse. Or, if thou deemest

their immediate destruction to be preferable, let it be effected soon

without further deliberation. Surely, thou knowest how Draupadi was

insulted in the midst of the assembly by Duryodhana of sinful soul and

how also we bore it with patience. That Duryodhana, O Madhava, will

behave with justice towards the Pandavas is what I cannot believe. Wise

counsels will be lost on him like seed sown in a barren soil. Therefore,

do without delay what thou, O thou of Vrishni race, thinkest to be proper

and beneficial for the Pandavas, or what, indeed, should next be done.'"

SECTION LXXIX

"The holy one said, 'It shall be, O thou of mighty arms, what thou, O

Pandavas, sayest, I will strive to bring about that which would be

beneficial to both the Pandavas and the Kurus. Between the two kinds of

acts, war and peace, the latter, O Vibhatsu, is perhaps within my power.

Behold, the soil is moistened and divested of weeds by human exertion.

Without rain, however, O son of Kunti, is never yieldeth crops. Indeed,

in the absence of rain some speak of artificial irrigation, as a means of

success due to human exertion, but even then it may be seen that the

water artificially let in is dried up in consequence of providential

drought. Beholding all this, the wise men of old have said that human

affairs are set agoing in consequence of the cooperation of both

providential and human expedients. I will do all that can be done by

human exertion at its best. But I shall, by no means, be able to control

what is providential. The wicked-souled Duryodhana acteth, defying both

virtue and the world. Nor doth he feel any regret in consequence of his

acting in that way. Moreover, his sinful inclinations are fed by his

counsellors Sakuni and Karna and his brother Dussasana. Suyodhana will

never make peace by giving up the kingdom, without, O Partha, undergoing

at our hands a wholesale destruction with his kinsmen. King Yudhishthira

the just doth not wish to give up the kingdom submissively. The

wicked-minded Duryodhana also will not at our solicitation surrender the

kingdom. I, therefore, think that it is scarcely proper to deliver

Yudhishthira's message to him. The sinful Duryodhana of Kuru's race will

not, O Bharata, accomplish the objects spoken of by Yudhishthira. If he

refuses compliance, he will deserve death at the hands of all. Indeed, he

deserves death at my hands, as also, O Bharata, of every one since in

your childhood he always persecuted you all, and since that wicked and

sinful wretch robbed you of your kingdom and could not bear the sight of

Yudhishthira's prosperity. Many a time, O Partha, he strove to withdraw

me from thee, but I never reckoned those wicked attempts of his. Thou

knowest, O thou of mighty arms, what the cherished intentions of

Duryodhana are, and thou knowest also that I seek the welfare of king

Yudhishthira the just. Knowing, therefore, Duryodhana's heart and what my

most cherished wishes are, why then dost thou, O Arjuna, entertain such

apprehensions in respect of myself like one unacquainted with everything?

That grave act also which was ordained in heaven is known to thee, How

then, O Partha, can peace be concluded with the foe? What, however, O

Pandavas, is capable of being done by either speech or act, will all be

done by me. Do not, however, O Partha, expect peace to be possible with

the foe. About a year ago, on the occasion of attacking Virata's kine,

did not Bhishma, on their way back, solicit Duryodhana about this very

peace so beneficial to all? Believe me, they have been defeated even then

when their defeat was resolved by thee. Indeed, Suyodhana doth not

consent to part with the smallest portion of the kingdom for even the

shortest period of time. As regards myself, I am ever obedient to the

commands of Yudhishthira, and, therefore, the sinful acts of that wicked

wretch must have again to be revolved in my mind!'"

SECTION LXXX

"Nakula said, 'Much hath been said, O Madhava, by king Yudhishthira the

just who is conversant with morality and endued with liberality, and thou

hast heard what hath been said by Falguni also. As regards my own

opinion, O hero, thou hast repeatedly expressed it, Hearing first what

the wishes of the enemy are and disregarding all, do what thou regardest

to be proper for the occasion. O Kesava, diverse are the conclusions

arrived at as regards diverse matters. Success, however, O chastiser of

foes, is won when a man doth that which ought to be done in view of the

occasion. When a thing is settled in one way on one occasion, it becometh

unsuitable when the occasion becometh different. Persons, therefore, in

this world, O foremost of men, cannot stick to the same opinion

throughout. While we were living in the woods, our hearts were inclined

towards a particular course of action. While we were passing the period

of concealment, our wishes were of one kind, and now, at the present

time, O Krishna, when concealment is no longer necessary, our wishes have

become different. O thou of the Vrishni race, while we wandered in the

woods, attachment for the kingdom was not so great as now. The period of

our exile having ceased, hearing, O hero, that we have returned, an army

numbering full seven Akshauhinis hath, through thy grace, O Janardana,

been assembled. Beholding these tigers among men, of inconceivable might

and prowess, standing equipped for battle armed with weapons, what man is

there that will not be struck with fear? Therefore going into the midst

of the Kurus, speak thou first words fraught with mildness and then those

fraught with threats, so that the wicked Suyodhana may be agitated with

fear. What mortal man is there, of flesh and blood, who would encounter

in battle Yudhishthira and Bhimasena, the invincible Vibhatsu and

Sahadeva, myself, thyself and Rama, O Kesava, and Satyaki of mighty

energy. Virata with his sons, Drupada with his allies, and

Dhrishtadyumna, O Madhava, and the ruler of Kasi of great prowess and

Dhrishtaketu the lord of the Chedis? No sooner wilt thou go there than

thou wilt, without doubt, accomplish, O thou of mighty arms, the desired

object of king Yudhishthira the just. Vidura, and Bhishma and Drona and

Vahlika, these talents, O sinless one, will understand thee when thou

wouldst utter words of wisdom. They will solicit that ruler of men,

Dhritarashtra and Suyodhana of sinful disposition, with his counsellors,

to act according to the advice. When thou, O Janardana, art the speaker

and Vidura the listener, what subject is there that cannot be rendered

smooth and plain?'"

SECTION LXXXI

"Sahadeva said, 'What hath been said by the king is, indeed, eternal

virtue, but thou, O chastiser of foes, shouldst act, in such a way that

war may certainly happen. Even if the Kauravas express their desire for

peace with the Pandavas, still, O thou of Dasarha's race, provoke thou a

war with them. Having seen, O Krishna, the princess of Panchala brought

in that plight into the midst of the assembly, how can my wrath be

appeased without the slaughter of Suyodhana. If, O Krishna, Bhima and

Arjuna and king Yudhishthira the just are disposed to be virtuous,

abandoning virtue I desire an encounter with Duryodhana in battle.'

"Satyaki said, 'The high-souled Sahadeva, O thou of mighty arms, hath

spoken the truth. The rage I feel towards Duryodhana can be appeased only

by his death. Dost thou not remember the rage thou too hadst felt upon

beholding in the woods the distressed Pandavas clad in rags and

deer-skins? Therefore, O foremost of men, all the warriors assembled here

unanimously subscribe to what the heroic son of Madri, fierce in battle,

hath said!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'At these words of the high-souled Yuyudhana, a

leonine roar was set up by all the warriors assembled there. And all the

heroes, highly applauding those words of Satyaki, praised him, saying,

'Excellent! Excellent!' And anxious to fight, they all began to express

their joy.'"

SECTION LXXXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing the peaceful words of the king that were

fraught with both virtue and profit, king Drupada's daughter Krishna, of

long black tresses, afflicted with great grief, applauding Sahadeva and

that mighty car-warrior Satyaki, addressed Madhava seated by his side.

And beholding Bhimasena declare for peace, that intelligent lady,

overwhelmed with woe and with eyes bathed in tears, said, 'O slayer of

Madhu, it is known to thee, O thou of mighty arms, by what deceitful

means, O righteous one, the son of Dhritarashtra with his counsellors

robbed the Pandavas, O Janardana. of their happiness. Thou knowest also,

O thou of Dasarha's race, what message was privately delivered to Sanjaya

by the king. Thou hast also heard all that was said unto Sanjaya. O thou

of great effulgence, these words were even these, 'Let only five villages

be granted to us, viz., Avishthala, and Vrikasthala, and Makandi, and

Varanavata, and for the fifth, any other,--O thou of mighty arms, O

Kesava, even this was the message that was to have been delivered to

Duryodhana and his counsellors. But, O Krishna, O thou of Dasarha's race,

hearing those words of Yudhishthira, endued with modesty and anxious for

peace, Suyodhana hath not acted according to them. If, O Krishna,

Suyodhana desireth to make peace without surrendering the kingdom, there

is no necessity of going thither for making such a peace. The Pandavas

with the Srinjayas, O thou of mighty arms, are quite able to withstand

the fierce Dhritarashtra host inflamed with rage. When they are no longer

amenable to this arts of conciliation, it is not proper, O slayer of

Madhu, that thou shouldst show them mercy. Those enemies, O Krishna, with

whom peace cannot be established by either conciliation or presents,

should be treated with severity by one desirous of saving his life.

Therefore, O mighty-armed Achyuta, heavy should be the punishment that

deserves to be speedily inflicted upon them by thyself aided by the

Pandavas and the Srinjayas. Indeed, even this would become the son of

Pritha, and add to thy glory, and if accomplished, will, O Krishna, be a

source of great happiness to the whole Kshatriya race. He that is

covetous, whether belonging to the Kshatriya or any other order, save of

course a Brahmana, even if most sinful, ought surely to be slain by a

Kshatriya, who is true to the duties of his own order. The exception in

the case of a Brahmana, O sire, is due to a Brahmana's being the

preceptor of all the other orders, as also the first sharer of

everything. Persons conversant with the scriptures declare, O Janardana,

that sin is incurred in slaying one that deserveth not to be slain. So

there is equal sin in not slaying one that deserveth to be slain. Act

thou, therefore, O Krishna, in such a way with the forces of the Pandavas

and the Srinjayas, that sin may not touch thee. From excess of confidence

in thee, O Janardana, I will repeat what hath been said again and again.

Whatever woman, O Kesava, is there on earth like me? I am the daughter of

king Drupada, risen from the sacrificial alter. I am the sister of

Dhrishtadyumna, thy dear friend, O Krishna. I have by marriage become a

lady of Ajamida's race,--the daughter-in-law of the illustrious Pandu. I

am the queen of Pandu's sons, who resemble five Indras in splendour. I

have, by these five heroes, five sons that are all mighty car-warriors,

and that are morally bound to thee, O Krishna, as Abhimanyu himself.

Being such, O Krishna, I was seized by the hair, dragged into the

assembly and insulted in the very sight of the sons of Pandu and in thy

life-time. O Kesava, the sons of Pandu, the Panchalas, and the Vrishnis

being all alive, exposed to the gaze of the assembly I was treated as a

slave by those sinful wretches. And when the Pandavas beholding it all

sat silent without giving way to wrath, in my heart I called upon thee. O

Govinda, saying,--Save me, O save me!--Then the illustrious king

Dhritarashtra, my father-in-law, said unto me, 'Ask thou any boon, O

princess of Panchala. Thou deservest boons and even honour at my hands.'

Thus addressed I said, 'Let the Pandavas be free men with their cars and

weapons.' Upon this the Pandavas, O Kesava, were freed but only to be

exiled into the woods. O Janardana, thou knowest all these sorrows of

mine. Rescue me, O lotus-eyed one, with my husbands, kinsmen, and

relatives, from that grief. Morally, O Krishna, I am the daughter-in-law

of both Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. Though such, I was yet forcibly made a

slave. Fie to Partha's bowmanship, oh, fie to Bhimasena's might since

Duryodhana, O Krishna, liveth for even a moment. If I deserve any favour

at thy hands, if thou hast any compassion for me, let thy wrath, O

Krishna, be directed towards the sons of Dhritarashtra.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the beautiful Krishna of eyes

that were black in hue and large like lotus leaves, bathed in tears, and

walking like a cow-elephant, approached the lotus-eyed Krishna, and

taking with her left hand her own beautiful tresses of curly ends,

deep-blue in hue and scented with every perfume, endued with every

auspicious mark, and though gathered into a braid, yet soft and glossy

like a mighty snake, spake these words, 'Lotus-eyed one that art anxious

for peace with the enemy, thou shouldst, in all thy acts, call to thy

mind these tresses of mine seized by Dussasana's rude hands! If Bhima and

Arjuna, O Krishna, have become so low as to long for peace, my aged

father then with his war like sons will avenge for me in battle. My five

sons also that are endued with great energy, with Abhimanyu, O slayer of

Madhu, at their head, will fight with the Kauravas. What peace can this

heart of mine know unless I behold Dussasana's dark arm severed from his

trunk and pulverised to atoms? Thirteen long years have I passed in

expectation of better times, hiding in my heart my wrath like a

smouldering fire. And now pierced by Bhima's wordy darts that heart cf

mine is about to break, for the mighty-armed Bhima now casteth his eye on

morality. Uttering these words with voice choked in tears, the large-eyed

Krishna began to weep aloud, with convulsive sobs, and tears gushed down

her cheeks. And that lady, with hips full and round, began to drench her

close and deep bosom by the tears she shed which were hot as liquid fire.

The mighty-armed Kesava then spoke, comforting her in these words, 'Soon

wilt thou, O Krishna, behold the ladies of Bharata's race weep as thou

dost. Even they, O timid one, will weep like thee, their kinsmen and

friends being slain. They with whom, O lady, thou art angry, have their

kinsmen and warriors already slain. With Bhima and Arjuna and the twins,

at Yudhishthira's command, and agreeably to fate, and what hath been

ordained by the Ordainer, I will accomplish all this. Their hour having

arrived, the sons of Dhritarashtra, if they do not listen to my words,

will surely lie down on the earth turned as morsels of dogs and jackals.

The mountains of Himavat might shift their site, the Earth herself might

spilt into a hundred fragments, the firmament itself with its myriads of

stars might fall down, still my words can never be futile. Stop thy

tears, I swear to thee, O Krishna, soon wilt thou see thy husbands, with

their enemies slain, and with prosperity crowning them.'"

SECTION LXXXIII

"Arjuna said, 'Thou art now, O Kesava, the best friend of all the Kurus.

Related with both the parties, thou art the dear friend of both. It

behoveth thee to bring about peace between the Pandavas and the sons of

Dhritarashtra. Thou, O Kesava, art competent and, therefore, it behoveth

thee to bring about a reconciliation. O lotus-eyed one, proceeding hence

for peace, O slayer of foes, say unto our ever-wrathful brother

Suyodhana, what, indeed, should be said, 'If the foolish Duryodhana doth

not accept thy auspicious and beneficial counsels fraught with virtue and

profit, he will surely then be the victim of his fate.'

"The holy one said, 'Yes, I will go to king Dhritarashtra, desirous of

accomplishing what is consistent with righteousness, what may be

beneficial to us, and what also is for the good of the Kurus.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The night having passed away, a bright sun

arose in the east. The hour called Maitra set in, and the rays of the sun

were still mild. The month was (Kaumuda Kartika) under the constellation

Revati. It was the season of dew, Autumn having departed. The earth was

covered with abundant crops all around. It was at such a time that

Janardana, the foremost of mighty persons, in enjoyment of excellent

health, having heard the auspicious, sacred-sounding and sweet words of

gratified Brahmanas, like Vasava himself hearing the adorations of the

(celestial) Rishis,--and having also gone through the customary acts and

rites of the morning, purified himself by a bath, and decked his person

with unguents and ornaments, worshipped both the Sun and Fire. And having

touched the tail of a bull and reverently bowed to the Brahmanas, walked

round the sacred fire, and cast his eyes on the (usual) auspicious

articles placed in view, Janardana recollected Yudhishthira's word and

addressed Sini's grandson Satyaki, seated near, saying, 'Let my car be

made ready and let my conch and discus along with my mace, and quivers

and darts and all kinds of weapons, offensive and defensive, be placed on

it, for Duryodhana and Karna and Suvala's son are all of wicked souls,

and foes, however contemptible, should never be disregarded by even a

powerful person. Understanding the wishes of Kesava, the wielder of the

discus and the mace, his attendants immediately addressed themselves to

yoke his car. And that car resembled in effulgence the fire that shows

itself at the time of the universal dissolution, and itself in speed. And

it was provided with two wheels that resembled the sun and the moon in

lustre. And it bore emblazonments of moons, both crescent and full, and

of fishes, animals, and birds and it was adorned with garlands of diverse

flowers and with pearls and gems of various kinds all around. And endued

with the splendour of the rising sun, it was large and handsome. And

variegated with gems and gold, it was furnished with an excellent

flag-staff bearing beautiful pennons. And well-supplied with every

necessary article, and incapable of being resisted by the foe, it was

covered with tiger-skins, and capable of robbing the fame of every foe,

it enhanced the joy of the Yadavas. And they yoked unto it those

excellent steeds named Saivya and Sugriva and Meghapushpa and Valahaka,

after these had been bathed and attired in beautiful harness. And

enhancing the dignity of Krishna still further, Garuda, the lord of the

feathery creation, came and perched on the flag-staff of that car

producing a terrible rattle. And Saurin then mounted on that car, high as

the summit of the Meru, and producing a rattle, deep and loud as the

sound of the kettle-drum or the clouds and which resembled the celestial

car coursing at the will of the rider. And taking Satyaki also upon it,

that best of male beings set out, filling the earth and the welkin with

the rattle of his chariot-wheels. And the sky became cloudless, and

auspicious winds began to blow around, and the atmosphere freed from the

dust became pure. Indeed, as Vasudeva set out, auspicious animals and

birds, whirling by the right side, began to follow him, and cranes and

peacocks and swans all followed the slayer of Madhu, uttering cries of

good omens. The very fire, fed with Homa libations in accompaniment with

Mantras, freed from smoke blazed up cheerfully, sending forth its flames

towards the right. And Vasishtha and Vamadeva, and Bhuridyumna and Gaya,

and Kratha and Sukra and Kusika and Bhrigu, and other Brahmarshis and

celestial Rishis united together, all stood on the right side of Krishna,

that delighter of the Yadavas, that younger brother of Vasava. And thus

worshipped by those and other illustrious Rishis and holy men, Krishna

set out for the residence of the Kurus. And while Krishna was proceeding,

Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, followed him, as also Bhima and Arjuna

and those other Pandavas, viz., the twin sons of Madri. And the valiant

Chekitana and Dhrishtaketu, the ruler of the Chedis, and Drupada and the

king of Kasi and that mighty car-warrior Sikhandin, and Dhrishtadyumna,

and Virata with his sons, and the princes of Kekaya also,--all these

Kshatriyas followed that bull of the Kshatriya race to honour him. And

the illustrious king Yudhishthira the just, having followed Govinda to

some distance, addressed him in these words in the presence of all those

kings. And the son of Kunti embraced that foremost of all persons, who

never, from desire, or anger, or fear, or purpose of gain committed the

least wrong, whose mind was ever steady, who was a stranger to

covetousness, who was conversant with morality and endued with great

intelligence and wisdom, who knew the hearts of all creatures and was the

lord of all, who was the God of gods, who was eternal, who was possessed

of every virtue, and who bore the auspicious mark on his breast. And

embracing him the king began to indicate what he was to do.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'That lady who hath brought us from our infancy; who

is ever engaged in facts and ascetic penances and propitiatory rites and

ceremonies; who is devoted to the worship of the gods and guests; who is

always engaged in waiting upon her superiors who is fond of her sons,

bearing for them an affection that knows no bounds; who, O Janardana, is

dearly loved by us; who, O grinder of foes, repeatedly saved us from the

snares of Suyodhana, like a boat saving a ship-wrecked crew from the

frightful terrors of the sea; and who, O Madhava, however undeserving of

woe herself, hath on our account endured countless sufferings,--should be

asked about her welfare-Salute and embrace, and, oh, comfort her over and

over, overwhelmed with grief as she is on account of her sons by talking

of the Pandavas. Ever since her marriage she hath been the victim,

however undeserving, of sorrow and griefs due to the conduct of her

father-in-law, and suffering hath been her position. Shall I, O Krishna,

ever see the time when, O chastiser of foes, my afflictions being over, I

shall be able to make my sorrowing mother happy? On the eve of our exile,

from affection for her children, she ran after us in anguish, crying

bitterly. But leaving her behind, we went into the woods. Sorrow doth not

necessarily kill. It is possible, therefore, that she is alive, being

hospitably entertained by the Anartas, though afflicted with sorrow on

account of her sons. O glorious Krishna, salute her for me, the Kuru king

Dhritarashtra also, and all those monarchs who are senior to us in age,

and Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and king Vahlika, and Drona's son and

Somadatta, and in fact, every one of the Bharata race, and also Vidura

endued with great wisdom, that counsellor of the Kurus, of profound

intellect and intimate acquaintance with morality,--should all, O slayer

of Madhu, be embraced by thee!' Having in the presence of the kings, said

these words unto Kesava, Yudhishthira, with Krishna's permission, came

back having at first walked round him. Then Arjuna, proceeding a few

steps, further said unto his friend, that bull among men, that slayer of

hostile heroes, that invincible warrior of Dasarha's race, 'It is known

to all the kings, O illustrious Govinda, that at our consultation it was

settled that we should ask back the kingdom. If without insulting us, if

honouring thee, they honestly give us what we demand, then, O mighty

armed one, they would please me greatly and would themselves escape a

terrible danger. If, however, Dhritarashtra's son, who always adopts

improper means, acts otherwise, then I shall surely, O Janardana,

annihilate the Kshatriya race.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'When Arjuna said these words, Vrikodara was

filled with delight. And that son of Pandu continually quivered with

rage; and while still quivering with rage and the delight that filled his

heart upon hearing Dhananjaya's words, he set forth a terrible shout. And

hearing that shout of his, all the bowmen trembled in fear and steeds and

elephants were seen to pass urine and excreta. And having addressed

Kesava then and informed him of his resolution. Arjuna with Janardana's

permission, came back, having first embraced him. And after all the kings

had desisted following him, Janardana set out with a cheerful heart on

his car drawn by Saivya, Sugriva, and others. And those steeds of

Vasudeva, urged by Daruka, coursed onwards, devouring the sky and

drinking the road. And on his way Kesava of mighty arms met with some

Rishis blazing with Brahmic lustre, standing on both sides of the road,

And soon alighting from his car, Janardana saluted them reverently. And

worshipping them duly, he enquired of them, saying, 'Is there peace in

all the world? Is virtue being duly practised? And the other three orders

obedient to the Brahmanas? And having duly worshipped them, the slayer of

Madhu again said, 'Where have ye been crowned with success? Whither would

ye go, and for what object? What also shall I do for yourselves? What has

brought your illustrious selves down on the earth?' Thus addressed,

Jamadagni's son, the friend of Brahma--that lord of both gods and

Asuras,--approached Govinda the slayer of Madhu, embraced him, and said,

'The celestial Rishis of pious deeds, and Brahmanas of extensive

acquaintance with the scriptures, and royal sages, O Dasarha, and

venerable ascetic,--these witnesses, O illustrious one, of the former

feats of gods and Asuras,--are desirous of beholding all the Kshatriyas

of the earth assembled from every side as also the counsellors sitting in

the assembly, the kings, and thyself the embodiment of truth, O

Janardana. O Kesava, we will go thither for beholding that grand sight.

We are also anxious, O Madhava, to listen to those words fraught with

virtue and profit, which will be spoken by thee, O chastiser of foes,

unto the Kurus in the presence of all the kings. Indeed, Bhishma, and

Drona, and others, as also the illustrious Vidura and thyself, O tiger

among the Yadavas,--Ye all will be assembled together in conclave! We

desire, O Madhava, to hear the excellent, truthful, and beneficial words

that thou wilt utter and they also, O Govinda. Thou art now informed of

our purpose, O thou of mighty arms. We will meet thee again. Go thither

safely, O hero. We hope to see thee in the midst of the conclave, seated

on an excellent seat mustering all thy energy and might.'"

SECTION LXXXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'O smiter of foes, when Devaki's son of mighty arms

set out (for Hastinapura), ten mighty car-warriors, capable of slaying

hostile heroes, fully armed, followed in his train. And a thousand

foot-soldiers, and a thousand horsemen, and attendants by hundreds, also

formed his train, carrying, O king, provisions in abundance.'

"Janamejaya said, 'How did the illustrious slayer of Madhu, of Dasarha's

race, proceed on his journey? And what omens were seen when that hero set

out?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Listen to me as I narrate all those natural and

unnatural omens that were noticed at the time when the illustrious

Krishna departed (for Hastinapura). Though there were no clouds in the

sky, yet the roll of thunder accompanied by flashes of lightning was

heard. And fleecy clouds in a clear sky rained incessantly in the rear!

The seven large rivers including the Sindhu (Indus) though flowing

eastwards then flowed in opposite directions. The very directions seemed

to be reversed and nothing could be distinguished. Fires blazed up

everywhere, O monarch, and the earth trembled repeatedly. The contents of

wells and water-vessels by hundreds swelled up and ran out. The whole

universe was enveloped in darkness. The atmosphere being filled with

dust, neither the cardinal nor the subsidiary points of the horizon

could, O king, be distinguished. Loud roars were heard in the sky without

any being being visible from whom these could emanate. This wonderful

phenomenon, O king, was noticed all over the country. A south-westerly

wind, with the harsh rattle of the thunder, uprooting trees by the

thousands, crushed the city of Hastinapura. In those places, however, O

Bharata, through which he of Vrishni's race passed, delicious breezes

blew and everything became auspicious. Showers of lotuses and fragrant

flowers fell there. The very road became delightful, being free from

prickly grass and thorns. At those places where he stayed, Brahmanas by

thousands glorified that giver of wealth with (laudation) and worshipped

him with dishes of curds, ghee, honey, and presents of wealth. The very

women, coming out on the road, strewed wild flowers of great fragrance on

the person of that illustrious hero, devoted to the welfare of all

creatures. He then came upon a delightful spot called Salibhavana which

was filled with every kind of crops, a spot that was delicious and

sacred, after having, O bull of the Bharata race, seen various villages

abounding in bees, and picturesque to the eye, and delightful to the

heart, and after having passed through diverse cities and kingdoms.

Always cheerful and of good hearts, well-protected by the Bharatas and

therefore free from all anxieties on account of the designs of invaders,

and unacquainted with calamities of any kind, many of the citizens of

Upaplavya, coming out of their town, stood together on the way, desirous

of beholding Krishna. And beholding that illustrious one resembling a

blazing fire arrived at the spot, they worshipped him who deserved their

worship with all the honours of a guest arrived in their abode. When at

last that slayer of hostile heroes, Kesava, came to Vrikasthala, the sun

seemed to redden the sky by his straggling rays of light. Alighting from

his car, he duly went through the usual purificatory rites, and ordering

the steeds to be unharnessed, he set himself to say his evening prayers.

And Daruka also, setting the steeds free, tended them according to the

rules of equine science, and taking off the yokes and traces, let them

loose. After this was done, the slayer of Madhu said, 'Here must we pass

the night for the sake of Yudhishthira's mission. Ascertaining that to be

his intention, the attendants soon set a temporary abode and prepared in

a trice excellent food and drink. Amongst the Brahmanas, O king, that

resided in the village, they that were of noble and high descent, modest,

and obedient to the injunctions of the Vedas in their conduct, approached

that illustrious chastiser of foes, Hrishikesa, and honoured him with

their benedictions and auspicious speeches. And having honoured him of

Dasarha's race that deserveth honour from every one, they placed at the

disposal of that illustrious person their houses, abounding in wealth.

Saying unto them--'Enough'--the illustrious Krishna paid them proper

homage, each according to his rank, and wending with them to their house,

he returned in their company to his own (tent). And feeding all the

Brahmanas with sweet-meats and himself taking his meals with them, Kesava

passed the night happily there.'"

SECTION LXXXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile, understanding from his spies that the

slayer of Madhu had set out, Dhritarashtra, with his hair standing erect,

respectfully addressing the mighty-armed Bhishma and Dorna and Sanjaya

and the illustrious Vidura, said these words unto Duryodhana and his

counsellors, 'O scion of Kuru's race, strange and wonderful is the news

that we hear. Men, women and children, are talking of it. Others are

speaking of it respectfully, and others again assembled together. Within

houses where men congregate and in open spots, people and discussing it.

All say that Dasarha of great prowess will come hither for the sake of

Pandavas. The slayer of Madhu is, by all means, deserving of honour and

worship at our hands. He is the Lord of all creatures, and on him resteth

the course of every thing in the universe. Indeed, intelligence and

prowess and wisdom and energy, all reside in Madhava. Worthy of honour at

the hands of all righteous persons he is the foremost of all men, and is,

indeed, eternal Virtue. If worshipped he is sure to bestow happiness; and

if not worshipped fie is sure to inflict misery. If that smiter of foes,

Dasarha be gratified with our offerings, all our wishes may be obtained

by us, through his grace, in the midst of the kings. O chastiser of foes,

make without loss of time every arrangement for his reception. Let

pavilions be set up on the road, furnished with every object of

enjoyment. O mighty-armed son of Gandhari, make such arrangements that he

may be gratified with thee. What doth Bhishma think in this matter?' At

this, Bhishma and others, all applauding those words of king

Dhritarashtra, said,--'Excellent.' King Duryodhana then, understanding

their wishes, ordered delightful sites to be chosen for the erection of

pavilions. Many pavilions were thereupon constructed abounding with gems

of every kind, at proper intervals and at delightful spots. And the king

sent thither handsome seats endued with excellent qualities, beautiful

girls, and scents and ornaments, and fine robes, and excellent viands,

and drink of diverse qualities, and fragrant garlands of many kinds. And

the king of the Kurus took especial care to erect, for the reception of

Krishna, a highly beautiful pavilion at Vrikasthala, full of precious

gems. And having made all these arrangements that were god-like and much

above the capacity of human beings, king Duryodhana informed

Dhritarashtra of the same. Kesava, however, of Dasarha's race, arrived at

the capital of the Kurus, without casting a single glance at all those

pavilions and all those gems of diverse kinds.'"

SECTION LXXXVI

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Vidura, Janardana hath set out from Upaplavya. He

is now staying at Vrikasthala and will come here tomorrow. Janardana is

the leader of the Ahukas, the foremost person amongst all the members of

the Sattwata race, is high-souled, and endued with great energy and great

might. Indeed, Madhava is the guardian and protector of the Prosperous

kingdom of Vrishnis and is the illustrious Great-Grandsire of even the

three worlds. The Vrishnis adore the wisdom of the intelligent Krishna,

even as the Adityas, the Vasus, and the Rudras adore the wisdom of

Vrihaspati. O virtuous one, I will in thy presence, offer worship unto

that illustrious scion of Dasarha's race. Listen to me about that

worship. I will give him sixteen cars made of gold, each drawn by four

excellent and well-adorned steeds of uniform colour and of the Vahlika

breed. O Kaurava, I will give him eight elephants with temporal juice

always trickling down and tusks as large as poles of ploughs, capable of

smiting hostile ranks, and each having eight human attendants. I will

give him a century of handsome maid-servants of the complexion of gold,

all virgins, and man-servants I will give him as, many. I will give him

eighteen thousand woolen blankets soft to the touch, all presented to us

by the hill-men. I will also give him a thousand deer-skins brought from

China and other things of the kind that may be worthy of Kesava. I will

also give him this serene gem of the purest rays that shines day and

night, for Kesava alone deserves it. This car of mine drawn by mules that

makes a round of full fourteen Yojanas a day, I will also give him. I

will place before him every-day-provisions eight times greater than what

is necessary for the animals and attendants that form his train. Mounted

on their cars, having their person well-adorned, all my sons and

grandsons, save Duryodhana, will go out to receive him. And thousands of

graceful and well-decked dancing girls will go out on foot to receive the

illustrious Kesava. And the beautiful girls that will go out of the town

for receiving Janardana will go out unveiled. Let all the citizens with

their wives and children behold the illustrious slayer of Madhu wit h as

much respect and devotion as they show when casting their eyes on the

morning sun. Let the canopy all round, at my command, be crowded with

pendants and banners, and let the road, by which Kesava will come, be

well-watered and its dusts removed. Let Dussasana's abode, which is

better than Duryodhana's, be cleansed and well-adorned without delay.

That mansion consisting of many beautiful buildings, is pleasant and

delightful, and abounds with the wealth of all seasons. It is in that

abode that all my wealth, as also Duryodhana's, are deposited. Let all

that scion of the Vrishni race deserves be given unto him.'"

SECTION LXXXVII

"Vidura said, 'O monarch, O best of men, thou art respected by three

worlds. Thou, O Bharata, art loved and regarded by every body. Venerable

in year as thou art, what thou wilt say at this age cap never be against

the dictates of the scriptures or the conclusions of well-directed

reason, for thy mind is ever calm. Thy subjects, O king, are well-assured

that, like characters on stone, light in the sun, and billows in the

ocean, virtue resideth in thee permanently. O monarch, every one is

honoured and made happy in consequence of thy numerous virtues. Strive,

therefore, with thy friends and kinsmen to retain those virtues of thine.

Oh, adopt sincerity of behaviour. Do not from folly, cause a wholesale

destruction of thy sons, grandsons, friends, kinsmen, and all that are

dear to thee. It is much, O king, that thou wishes to give unto Kesava as

thy guest. Know, however, that Kesava deserves all this and much more,

aye, the whole earth itself. I truly swear by my own soul that thou dost

not wish to give all this unto Krishna either from motives of virtue or

for the object of doing what is agreeable to him. O giver of great

wealth, all this betrays only deception, falsehood, and insincerity. By

the external acts, O king, I know thy secret purpose. The five Pandavas,

O king, desire only five villages. Thou, however, dost not wish to give

them even that. Thou art, therefore, unwilling to make peace. Thou

seekest to make the mighty-armed hero of Vrishni's race thy own by means

of thy wealth; in foot, by this means, thou seekest to separate Kesava

from the Pandavas. I tell thee, however, that thou art unable, by wealth,

or attention, or worship, to separate Krishna from Dhananjaya. I know

magnanimity of Krishna; I know firm devotion of Arjuna towards him, I

know that Dhananjaya, who is Kesava's life, is incapable of being given

up by the latter. Save only a vessel of water, save only the washing of

his feet, save only the (usual) enquiries after the welfare (of those he

will see), Janardana will not accept any other hospitality or set his

eyes on any other thing. Offer him, however, O king, that hospitality

which is the most agreeable to that illustrious one deserving of every

respect, for there is no respect that may not be offered to Janardana.

Give unto Kesava, O king, that object in expectation of which, from

desire of benefiting both parties, he cometh to the Kurus. Kesava desires

peace to be established between thee and Duryodhana on one side and the

Pandavas on the other. Follow his counsels, O, monarch. Thou art their

father, O king, and the Pandavas are thy sons. Thou art old, and they are

children to thee in years, behave as father towards them, that are

disposed to pay thee filial regard."

SECTION LXXXVIII

"Duryodhana said, 'All that Vidura hath said about Krishna, hath indeed,

been truly said; for Janardana is greatly devoted to the Pandavas and can

never be separated from them. All the diverse kinds of wealth, O foremost

of kings, that are proposed to be bestowed upon Janardana ought never to

be bestowed upon him. Kesava is, of course, not unworthy of our worship,

but both time and place are against it, for he (Krishna), O king, on

receiving our worship, will very likely think that we are worshipping him

out of fear. This is my certain conviction, O king, that an intelligent

Kshatriya must not do that which may bring disgrace upon him. It is

well-known to me that the large-eyed Krishna deserveth the most

reverential worship of the three worlds. It is quite out of place,

therefore, O illustrious king, to give him anything now, for war having

been decided upon, it should never be put off by hospitality.'

"Vaisampayana. continued, 'Hearing these words of his, the Grandsire of

the Kurus spoke these words unto the royal son of Vichitravirya,

'Worshipped or not worshipped, Janardana never becometh angry. None,

however, can treat him with disrespect, for Kesava is not contemptible.

Whatever, O mighty one, he purposeth to do is incapable of being

frustrated by anybody by every means in his power. Do without hesitation

what Krishna of mighty arms sayeth and bring about peace with the

Pandavas through Vasudeva as the means. Truly Janardana, possessed of

virtuous soul, will say what is consistent with religion and profit. It

behoveth thee, therefore, with all thy friends, to tell him what only is

agreeable to him.'

"Duryodhana said, 'O Grandsire, I can, by no means, live by sharing this

swelling prosperity of mine with the Pandavas. Listen, this, indeed, is a

great resolution which I have formed. I will imprison Janardana who is

the refuge of the Pandavas. He will come here tomorrow morning; and when

he is confined, the Vrishnis and the Pandavas, aye, the whole earth, will

submit to me. What may be the means for accomplishing it, so that

Janardana may not guess our purpose, and so that no danger also may

overtake us, it behoveth thee to say.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these fearful words of his son about

imprisoning Krishna, Dhritarashtra, with all his counsellors, was very

much pained and became deeply afflicted. King Dhritarashtra then spoke

those words unto Duryodhana, 'O ruler of men, never say this again, this

is not immemorial custom. Hrishikesa cometh here as an ambassador. He is,

besides, related to and is dear to us. He hath done us no wrong; how then

doth he deserves imprisonment?'

"Bhishma said, 'This wicked son of thine, O Dhritarashtra, hath his hour

come. He chooseth evil, not good, though entreated by his well-' wishers.

Thou also followest in the wake of this wicked wretch of sinful

surroundings, who treadeth a thorny path setting at naught the words of

his well-wisher. This exceedingly wicked son of thine with all his

counsellors coming in contact with Krishna of unstained acts, will be

destroyed in a moment. I dare not listen to the words of this sinful and

wicked wretch that hath abandoned all virtue.'

'Having said this, that aged chief of the Bharata race, Bhishma of

unbaffled prowess, inflamed with rage rose and left that place.'"

SECTION LXXXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Rising up (from his bed) at day-dawn, Krishna went

through his morning rites, and taking leave of the Bharatas, set out for

the city (of the Kurus). Ana all the inhabitants of Vrikasthala, bidding

farewell unto that mighty one of long arms while he was about to depart,

all returned to their homes. And all the Dhartarashtras except

Duryodhana, attired in excellent robes, and with Bhishma, Drona, Kripa,

and others, went out to meet him. And the citizens by thousands, O king,

on cars of diverse kinds, and many on foot, also came out, desirous of

beholding Hrishikesa. And meeting on the way Bhishma of spotless deed,

and Drona, and Dhritarashtra's sons, he entered the city, surrounded by

them all. And in honour of Krishna, the city was beautifully adorned, and

the principal streets were decorated with diverse jewels and gems. And, O

king, O bull of the Bharata race, on that occasion no one,--man, woman,

or child,--remained in doors, so eager were the citizens for beholding

Vasudeva. And all the citizens came out and lined the streets and bent

their heads down to the ground singing eulogies in his honour, O king,

when Hrishikesa entered the city and passed through it. And substantial

mansions, filled with high-born ladies, seemed to be on the point of

falling down on the ground in consequence of their living weight. And

although Vasudeva's steeds were endued with great speed, yet they moved

very slowly through that dense mass of human beings. And that lotus-eyed

grinder of foes then entered Dhritarashtra's ash-coloured palace which

was enriched with numerous buildings. And having passed through the first

three chambers of the palace, that chastiser of foes, Kesava, came upon

the royal son of Vichitravirya. And upon that son of Dasarha's race

approaching his presence, the blind monarch of great fame stood up along

with Drona and Bhishma, Kripa and Somadatta, and king Vahlika also,--all

stood up for honouring Janardana. And the Vrishni hero, having approached

king Dhritarashtra of great fame, worshipped him and Bhishma with proper

words and without losing any time. And having offered that worship unto

them according to established usage, Madhava the slayer of Madhu, greeted

the other kings according to their seniority in years. And Janardana then

accosted the illustrious Drona and his son, and Vahlika, and Kripa, and

Somadatta. And there in that chamber Jay a spacious seat of beautiful

workmanship, made of gold and set with jewels. And at Dhritarashtra's

request, Achyuta took that seat; and the priests of Dhritarashtra duly

offered Janardana a cow, honey and curds and water. And after the rites

of hospitality were over, Govinda remained there for a while, surrounded

by the Kurus, laughing and jesting with them according to their

relationship with him. And that illustrious grinder of foes, honoured and

worshipped by Dhritarashtra, came out with the king's permission. And

Madhava having duly greeted all the Kurus in their assembly, then went to

the delightful abode of Vidura; and Vidura, having approached Janardana

of Dasarha's race thus arrived at his abode, worshipped him with every

auspicious and desirable offering. And he said, 'What use, O lotus-eyed

one, in telling thee of the joy I feel at this advent of thine, for thou

art the inner Soul of all embodied creatures.' And after the hospitable

reception was over, Vidura, conversant with all the principles of

morality, enquired of Govinda, the slayer of Madhu, about the welfare of

Pandavas. And that scion of Dasarha's race, that chief of the Vrishnis,

unto whom the past and the future were as the present, knowing that

Vidura was loved by the Pandavas and friendly towards them, and learned,

and firm in morality, and honest, and harbouring no wrath (against the

Pandavas), and wise, began to tell him everything in detail about the

doings of the sons of Pandu.'"

SECTION XC

"Vaisampayana said, 'Janardana, the chastiser of foes, after his meeting

with Vidura, went then in the afternoon to his paternal aunt, Pritha. And

beholding Krishna whose countenance beamed with the effulgence of the

radiant sun arrived at her abode, she encircled his neck with her arms

and began to pour forth her lamentations remembering her sons. And at the

sight, after a long time, of Govinda of Vrishni's race, the companion of

those mighty children of hers, the tears of Pritha flowed fast. And after

Krishna, that foremost of warriors, had taken his seat having first

received the rites of hospitality, Pritha, with a woe-begone face and

voice choked with tears addressed him, saying. They, who, from their

earliest years have always waited with reverence on their superiors;

they, who, in friendship are attached to one another; they, who, deprived

deceitfully of their kingdom had gone to seclusion, however worthy of

living in the midst of friends and attendants,--they, who have subjugated

both wrath and joy, are devoted to Brahman's, and truthful in

speech,--those children of mine, who, abandoning kingdom and enjoyments

and leaving my miserable self behind, had gone to the woods, plucking the

very roots of my heart,--those illustrious sons of Pandu, O Kesava, who

have suffered woe however undeserving of it,--how, alas, did they live in

the deep forest abounding with lions and tigers and elephants? Deprived

in their infancy of their father, they were all tenderly brought up by

me. How, also, did they live in the mighty forest, without seeing both

their parents? From their infancy, O Kesava, the Pandavas were aroused

from their beds by the music of conchs and drums and flutes. That they

who while at home, used to sleep in high palatial chambers on soft

blankets and skins of the Runku deer and were waked up in the morning by

the grunt of elephants, the neighing of steeds, the clatter of car-wheels

and the music of conchs and cymbals in accompaniment with the notes of

flutes and lyres,--who, adored at early dawn with sacred sounding hymns

uttered by Brahmanas, worshipped those amongst them that deserved such

worship with robes and jewels and ornaments, and who were blessed with

the auspicious benedictions of those illustrious members of the

regenerate order, as a return for the homage the latter received,--that

they, O Janardana, could sleep in the deep woods resounding with the

shrill and dissonant cries of beasts of prey can hardly be believed,

undeserving as they were of so much woe. How could they, O slayer of

Madhu, who were roused from their beds by music of cymbals and drums and

conchs and flutes, with the honeyed strains of songstresses and the

eulogies chanted by bards and professional reciters,--alas, how could

they be waked in the deep woods by the yells of wild beasts? He that is

endued with modesty, is firm in truth, with senses under control and

compassions for all creatures,--he that hath vanquished both lust and

malice and always treadeth the path of the righteous, he that ably bore

the heavy burthen borne by Amvarisha and Mandhatri Yayati and Nahusha and

Bharata and Dilip and Sivi the son of Usinara and other royal sages of

old, he that is endued with an excellent character and disposition, he

that is conversant with virtue, and whose prowess is incapable of being

baffled, he that is fit to become the monarch of the three worlds in

consequence of his possession of every accomplishment, he that is the

foremost of all the Kurus lawfully and in respect of learning and

disposition, who is handsome and mighty-armed and hath no enemy,--Oh, how

is that Yudhishthira of virtuous soul, and of complexion like that of

pure gold? He that hath the strength of ten thousand elephants and the

speed of the wind, he that is mighty and ever wrathful amongst the sons

of Pandu, he that always doth good to his brothers and is, therefore,

dear to them all, he, O slayer of Madhu, that slew Kichaka with all his

relatives, he that is the slayer of the Krodhavasas, of Hidimva, and of

Vaka, he that in prowess is equal unto Sakra, and in might unto the

Wind-god, he that is terrible, and in wrath is equal unto Madhava

himself, he that is the foremost of all smiters,--that wrathful son of

Pandu and chastiser of foes, who, restraining his rage, might,

impatience, and controlling his soul, is obedient to the commands of his

elder brother,--speak to me, O Janardana, tell me how is that smiter of

immeasurable valour, that Bhimasena, who in aspect also justifies his

name--that Vrikodara possessing arms like maces, that mighty second son

of Pandu? O Krishna, that Arjuna of two arms who always regardeth himself

as superior to his namesake of old with thousand arms, and who at one

stretch shooteth five hundred arrows, that son of Pandu who in the use of

weapons is equal unto king Kartavirya, in energy unto Aditya, in

restraint of senses unto a great sage, in forgiveness unto the Earth, and

in prowess unto Indra himself,--he, by whose prowess, O slayer of Madhu,

the Kurus amongst all the kings of the earth have obtained this extensive

empire, blazing with effulgence,--he, whose strength of arms is always

adored by the Pandavas,--that son of Pandu, who is the foremost of all

car-warriors and whose prowess is incapable of being frustrated,--he,

from an encounter with whom in battle no foe ever escapeth with

life,--he, O Achyuta, who is the conqueror of all, but who is incapable

of being conquered by any,--he, who is the refuge of the Pandavas like

Vasava of the celestials,--how, O Kesava, is that Dhananjaya now, that

brother and friend of thine? He that is compassionate to all creatures,

is endued with modesty and acquainted with mighty weapons, is soft and

delicate and virtuous,--he that is dear to me,--that mighty bowman

Sahadeva, that hero and ornament of assemblies,--he, O Krishna, who is

youthful in years, is devoted to the service of his brothers, and is

conversant with both virtue and profit, whose brothers, O slayer of

Madhu, always applaud the disposition of that high-souled and

well-behaved son of mine,--tell me, O thou of the Vrishni race, of that

heroic Sahadeva, that foremost of warriors, that son of Madri, who always

waiteth submissively on his elder brothers and so reverentially on me. He

that is delicate and youthful in years, he that is brave and handsome in

person,--that son of Pandu who is dear unto his brothers as also unto

all, and who, indeed, is their very life though walking with a separate

body,--he that is conversant with various modes of warfare,--he that is

endued with great strength and is a mighty bowman,--tell me, O Krishna,

whether that dear child of mine, Nakula, who was brought up in luxury, is

now well in body and mind? O thou of mighty arms, shall I ever behold

again Nakula of mine, that mighty car-warrior, that delicate youth

brought up in every luxury and undeserving of woe? Behold, O hero, I am

alive today, even I, who could know peace by losing sight of Nakula for

the short space of time taken up by a wink of the eye. More than all my

sons, O Janardana, is the daughter of Drupada dear to me. High-born and

possessed of great beauty, she is endued with every accomplishment.

Truthful in speech, she chose the company of her lords, giving up that of

her sons, Indeed, leaving her dear children behind, she followeth the

sons of Pandu. Waited upon at one time by a large train of servants, and

adored by her husbands with every object of enjoyment, the possessor of

every auspicious mark and accomplishment, how, O Achyuta, is that

Draupadi now? Having five heroic husbands who are all smiters of foes and

all mighty bowmen, each equal unto Agni in energy, alas, woe hath yet

been the lot of Drupada's daughter. I have not for fourteen long years, O

chastiser of foes, beheld the princess of Panchala, that daughter-in-law

of mine' who herself hath been a prey to constant anxiety on account of

her children, whom she hath not seen for that period. When Drupada's

daughter endued with such a disposition, doth not enjoy uninterrupted

happiness, it seemeth, O Govinda, that the happiness one enjoyeth is

never the fruit of one's acts. When I remember the forcible dragging of

Draupadi to the assembly, then neither Vibhatsu nor Yudhishthira, nor

Bhima, nor Nakula, nor Sahadeva, becometh an object of affection to me.

Never before had a heavier grief been mine than what pierced my heart

when that wretch Dussasana, moved by wrath and covetousness, dragged

Draupadi, then in her flow, and therefore clad in a single raiment, into

the presence of her father-in-law in the assembly and exposed her to the

gaze of all the Kurus. It is known that amongst those that were present,

king Vahlika, Kripa, Somadatta, were pierced with grief at this sight,

but of all present in that assembly, it was Vidura whom I worship.

Neither by learning, nor by wealth doth one become worthy of homage. It

is by disposition alone that one becomes respectable, O Krishna, endued

with great intelligence and profound wisdom, the character of the

illustrious Vidura, like unto an ornament (that he wears) adorns the

whole world.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Filled with delight at the advent of Govinda,

and afflicted with sorrow (on account of her sons) Pritha gave expression

to all her diverse griefs. And she said, 'Can gambling and the slaughter

of deer, which, O chastiser of foes, occupied all wicked kings of old, be

a pleasant occupation for the Pandavas? The thought consumeth, O Kesava,

that being dragged into the presence of all the Kurus in their assembly

by Dhritarashtra's sons, insults worse than death were heaped on Krishna,

O chastiser of foes, the banishment of my sons from their capital and

their wanderings in the wilderness,--these and various other griefs, O

Janardana, have been mine. Nothing could be more painful to me or to my

sons themselves, O Madhava, than that they should have had to pass a

period of concealment, shut up in a stranger's house. Full fourteen years

have passed since the day when Duryodhana first exited my sons. If misery

is destructive of fruits of sins, and happiness is dependent on the

fruits of religious merit, then it seems that happiness may still be ours

after so much misery. I never made any distinction between

Dhritarashtra's sons and mine (so far as maternal affection is

concerned). By that truth, O Krishna, I shall surely behold thee along

with the Pandavas safely come out of the present strife with their foes

slain, and the kingdom recovered by them. The Pandavas themselves have

observed their vow with such truthfulness sticking to Dharma that they

are incapable of being defeated by their enemies. In the matter of my

present sorrows, however, I blame neither myself nor Suyodhana, but my

father alone. Like a wealthy man giving away a sum of money in gift, my

father gave me away to Kuntibhoja. While a child playing with a ball in

my hands, thy grandfather, O Kesava, gave me away to his friend, the

illustrious Kuntibhoja. Abandoned, O chastiser of foes, by my own father,

and my father-in law, and afflicted with insufferable woes, what use, O

Madhava, is there in my being alive? On the night of Savyasachin's birth,

in the lying-in-room, an invisible voice told me, 'This son of thine will

conquer the whole world, and his fame will reach the very heavens.

Slaying the Kurus in a great battle and recovering the kingdom, thy son

Dhanajaya will, with his brothers, perform three grand sacrifices.' I do

not doubt the truth of that announcement. I bow unto Dharma that upholds

the creation. If Dharma be not a myth, then, O Krishna, thou wilt surely

achieve all that the invisible voice said. Neither the loss of my

husband, O Madhava, nor loss of wealth, nor our hostility with the Kurus

ever inflicted such rending pains on me as that separation from my

children. What peace can my heart know when I do not see before me that

wielder of Gandiva, viz., Dhananjaya, that foremost of all bearers of

arms? I have not, for fourteen years, O Govinda, seen Yudhishthira, and

Dhananjaya, and Vrikodara. Men perform the obsequies of those that are

missed for a long time, taking them for dead. Practically, O Janardana,

my children are all dead to me and I am dead to them.

'Say unto the virtuous king Yudhishthira, O Madhava, that-Thy virtue, O

son, is daily decreasing. Act thou, therefore, in such a way that thy

religious merit may not diminish. Fie to them that live, O Janardana, by

dependence on others. Even death is better than a livelihood gained by

meanness. Thou must also say unto Dhananjaya and the ever-ready Vrikodara

that--The time for that event is come in view of which a Kshatriya woman

bringeth forth a son. If you allow the time slip without your achieving

anything, then, though at present ye are respected by all the world, ye

will be only doing that which would be regarded as contemptible. And if

contempt touches you, I will abandon you for ever. When the time cometh,

even life, which is so dear, should be laid down, O foremost of men, thou

must also say unto Madri's sons that are always devoted to Kshatriya

customs.--More than life itself, strive ye to win objects of enjoyment,

procurable by prowess, since objects won by prowess alone can please the

heart of a person desirous of living according to Kshatriya customs.

Repairing thither, O mighty-armed one, say unto that foremost of all

bearers of arms, Arjuna the heroic son of Pandu,--Tread thou the path

that may be pointed out to thee by Draupadi. It is known to thee, O

Kesava, that when inflamed with rage, Bhima and Arjuna, each like unto

the universal Destroyer himself, can slay the very gods. That was a great

insult offered unto them, viz., that their wife Krishna, having been

dragged into the assembly was addressed in such humiliating terms by

Dussasana and Karna. Duryodhana himself hath insulted Bhima of mighty

energy in the very presence of the Kuru chiefs. I am sure he will reap

the fruit of that behaviour, for Vrikodara, provoked by a foe, knoweth no

peace. Indeed, once provoked, Bhima forgets it not for a long while, even

until that grinder of foes exterminates the enemy and his allies. The

loss of kingdom did not grieve me; the defeat at dice did not grieve me.

That the illustrious and beautiful princess of Panchala was dragged into

the assembly while clad in a single raiment and made to hear bitter words

grieved me most. What, O Krishna, could be a greater grief to me? Alas,

ever devoted to Kshatriya customs and endued with great beauty, the

princess, while ill, underwent that cruel treatment, and though

possessing powerful protectors was then as helpless as if she had none. O

slayer of Madhu, having thee and that foremost of all mighty persons,

Rama, and that mighty car-warrior Pradyumna for me and my children's

protectors and having, O foremost of men, my sons the invincible Bhima

and the unretreating Vijaya both alive, that I had still such grief to

bear is certainly strange!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by her, Sauri the friend of

Partha, then comforted his paternal aunt, Pritha, afflicted with grief on

account of her sons. And Vasudeva said, 'What woman is there, O aunt, in

the world who is like thee? The daughter of king Surasena, thou art, by

marriage, admitted into Ajamida's race. High-born and highly married,

thou art like a lotus transplanted from one mighty lake into another.

Endued with every prosperity and great good fortune, thou wert adored by

thy husband. The wife of hero, thou hast again given birth to heroic

sons. Possessed of every virtue, and endued with great wisdom, it

behoveth thee to bear with patience, both happiness and misery.

Overcoming sleep and langour, and wrath and joy, and hunger and thirst,

and cold and heat, thy children are always in the enjoyment of that

happiness, which, as heroes, should by theirs. Endued with great exertion

and great might, thy sons, without affecting the comforts derivable from

the senses such as satisfy only the low and the mean, always pursue that

happiness which as heroes they should. Nor are they satisfied like little

men having mean desires. They that are wise enjoy or suffer the same of

whatever enjoyable or sufferable, Indeed, ordinary persons, affecting

comforts that satisfy the low and the mean, desire an equable state of

dullness, without excitement of any kind. They, however, that are

superior, desire either the acutest of human suffering or the highest of

all enjoyments that is given to man. The wise always delight in extremes.

They find no pleasure betwixt; they regard the extreme to be happiness,

while that which lies between is regarded by them as misery. The Pandavas

with Krishna saluteth thee through me. Representing themselves to be

well, they have enquired after thy welfare. Thou wilt soon behold them

become the lords of the whole world, with their foe slain, and themselves

invested with prosperity.'

'Thus consoled by Krishna, Kunti, afflicted with grief on account of her

sons, but soon dispelling the darkness caused by her temporary loss of

understanding, replied unto Janardana, saying, 'Whatever, O mighty-armed

one, thou, O slayer of Madhu, regardest as proper to be done, let that be

done without sacrificing righteousness, O chastiser of foes, and without

the least guile. I know, O Krishna, what the power of thy truth and of

thy lineage is. I know also what judgment and what prowess thou bringest

to bear upon the accomplishment of whatever concerns thy friends. In our

race, thou art Virtue's self, thou art Truth, and thou art the embodiment

of ascetic austerities. Thou art the great Brahma, and everything rests

on thee. What, therefore, thou hast said must be true.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Bidding her farewell and respectfully walking

round her, the mighty-armed Govinda then departed for Duryodhana's

mansion.'"

SECTION XCI

"Vaisampayana said, 'With Pritha's leave and having walked round her, the

chastiser of foes, Govinda, also called Sauri, went to Duryodhana's

palace that was furnished with great wealth, adorned with beautiful

seats, and was like unto the abode of Purandara himself. Unobstructed by

the orderlies-in-waiting, that hero of great fame crossed three spacious

yards in succession and then entered that mansion looking like a mass of

clouds, high as the summit of a hill, and blazing forth in splendour. And

he there beheld Dhritarashtra's son of mighty arms seated on his throne

in the midst of a thousand kings and surrounded by all the Kurus. And he

also beheld there Dussasana and Karna and Sakuni, the son of Suvala,

seated on their respective seats by the side of Duryodhana. And on that

scion of Dasarha's race entering the court, Dhritarashtra's son of great

fame rose up from his seat with his counsellors for honouring the slayer

of Madhu. And Kesava then greeted Dhritarashtra's sons and all his

counsellors as also all the kings that were present there, according to

their respective ages. And Achyuta of Vrishni's race then took his seat

on a beautiful seat made of gold and overlaid with carpet embroidered

with gold. And the Kuru king then offered unto Janardana a cow, and honey

and curds and water, and placed at his service palaces and mansions and

the whole kingdom. And then the Kauravas, with all the kings there

present, worshipped Govinda on his seat and resembling the sun himself in

splendour. The worship being over, king Duryodhana invited him of

Vrishni's race--that foremost of victors--to eat at his house, Kesava,

however did not accept the invitation. The Kuru king Duryodhana seated in

the midst of the Kurus, in a gentle voice but with deception lurking

behind his words, eyeing Karna, and addressing Kesava, then said, 'Why, O

Janardana, dost thou not accept the diverse kinds of viands and drinks,

robes and beds that have all been prepared and kept ready for thee? Thou

hast granted aid to both sides; thou art engaged in the good of both

parties. Thou art again the foremost of Dhritarashtra's relations and

much loved by him. Thou, O Govinda, also knowest fully, and all things in

details, both religion and profit. I, therefore, desire to hear, O bearer

of the discus and the mace, what the true reason is of this thy refusal.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The high-souled Govinda, of eyes like lotus

leaves, then raising his mighty (right) arm, and in a voice deep as that

of the clouds, replied unto the king in excellent words fraught with

reasons,--words that were clear, distinct, correctly pronounced, and

without a single letter dropped, saying, 'Envoys, O king, eat and accept

worship only after the success of their missions. Therefore, O Bharata,

after my mission becomes successful, thou mayest entertain me and my

attendants.' Thus answered, Dhritarashtra's son again said unto

Janardana, It behoveth thee not, O Kesava, to behave towards us in this

way, Whether thou becomest successful, or unsuccessful, we are

endeavouring to please thee, O slayer of Madhu, because of thy

relationship with us. It seems, however, that all our efforts. O thou of

Dasarha's race, are fruitless. Nor do we see the reason, O slayer of

Madhu, in consequence of which, O foremost of men, thou acceptest not the

worship offered by us from love and friendship. With thee, O Govinda, we

have no hostility, no war. Therefore, on reflection, it will seem to thee

that words such as these scarcely become thee.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the king, Janardana of

Dasarha's race, casting his eyes on Dhritarashtra's son and ah his

counsellors, replied, saying, 'Not from desire, nor from wrath, nor from

malice, nor for gain, nor for the sake of argument, nor from temptation,

would I abandon virtue. One taketh another's food when one is in

distress. At present, however, O king, thou hast not inspired love in me

by any act of thine, nor have I myself been plunged into distress.

Without any reason, O king, thou hatest, from the moment of their birth,

thy dear and gentle brothers,--the Pandavas--endued with every virtue.

This unreasonable hatred of thine for the sons of Pritha ill becometh

thee. The sons of Pandu are all devoted to virtue. Who, indeed, can do

them the least injury? He that hateth them, hateth me; he that loveth

them, loveth me. Know that the virtuous Pandavas and my own self have but

a common soul. He, who, following the impulses of lust and wrath, and

from darkness of soul, hateth and seeketh to injure one that is possessed

of every good quality, is regarded as the vilest of men. That wrathful

wretch of every good quality, is regarded as the vilest of men. That

wrathful wretch of uncontrolled soul, who, from ignorance and avarice

hateth his kinsmen endued with every auspicious quality, can never enjoy

his prosperity long. He, on the other hand, who, by good offices, winneth

over persons endued with good qualities, even if he beareth aversion of

them within his heart, enjoyeth prosperity and fame for ever and ever.

Defiled by wickedness, all this food, therefore, deserveth not to be

eaten by me. The food supplied by Vidura alone, should, I think, be eaten

by me.'

'Having said this unto Duryodhana who was ever incapable of bearing

anything against his own wishes, Kesava of mighty arms then came out of

that blazing palace of Dhritarashtra's son. And the high-souled Vasudeva

of mighty arms, coming out of that mansion, directed his steps towards

the abode of the illustrious Vidura. And while that mighty-armed one

staying within Vidura's abode, thither came unto him Drona, and Kripa,

and Bhishma, and Vahlika, and many of the Kauravas. And the Kauravas that

came there addressed Madhava, the heroic slayer of Madhu, saying, 'O thou

of Vrishni's race, we place at thy disposal our houses with all the

wealth within them.'

'The slayer of Madhu, of mighty energy, answered them saying, 'Ye may go

away. I am much honoured by these your offers.' And after all the Kurus

had gone away, Vidura, with great care entertained that unvanquished hero

of Dasarha's race with every object of desire. And Kunti then placed

before the illustrious Kesava clean and savoury food in abundance.

Therewith the slayer of Madhu first gratified the Brahmanas. Indeed, from

that food he first gave a portion, along with much wealth, unto a number

of Brahmanas conversant with the Vedas, and then with his attendants,

like Vasava in the midst of the Marutas, he dined on what remained of the

clean and savoury food supplied by Vidura.'"

SECTION XCII

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Kesava had dined and been refreshed, Vidura

said unto him during the night, 'O Kesava, this advent of thine hath not

been a well judged one, for, O Janardana, Dhritarashtra's son

transgresseth the rules of both profit and religion, is wicked and

wrathful, insulteth others, though himself desirous of honours, and

disobeyeth the commands of the aged. He is, O Madhava, a transgressor of

the scriptures, ignorant, and of wicked soul, already overtaken by fate,

untractable, and disposed to do evil to those that seek his good. His

soul is possessed by desire and lust. He foolishly regardeth himself as

very wise. He is the enemy of all his true friends. Ever-suspicious,

without any control over his soul, and ungrateful, he hath abandoned all

virtue and is in love with sin. He is foolish, with understanding

uncultivated, a slave of his senses, ever obedient to the impulses of

lust and avarice, and irresolute in every act that should be done. He is

endued with these and many other vices. Although thou wilt point out to

him what is for his good, he will yet disregard it all, moved by pride

and anger. He hath great faith in Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and

Karna, and Drona's son, and Jayadratha, and, therefore, he never setteth

his heart on peace, O Janardana. Dhritarashtra's sons, with Karna, firmly

believe that the Pandavas are incapable of even looking at Bhishma,

Drona, and other heroes, not to speak of fighting against them. The

foolish Duryodhana of limited sight, having assembled a huge army

regardeth, O slayer of Madhu, that his purposes are already achieved. The

foolish son of Dhritarashtra hath arrived at the conclusion that Karna,

single-handed, is competent to vanquish his foes. He will, therefore,

never make peace. Thou, O Kesava, desirest to establish peace and

brotherly feelings between the two parties. But know that all the sons of

Dhritarashtra have come to the conclusion that they would not give unto

the Pandavas what, indeed, the latter have a right to. With those that

are so resolved thy words will certainly prove vain. Where, O slayer of

Madhu, words, good or bad, are of the same effect, no wise man would

spend his breath for nothing, like a singer before the deaf. As a

Brahmana before a conclave of Chandalas, thy words, O Madhava, would

command no respect among those ignorant and wicked wretches that have no

reverence for all that deserveth reverence. Foolish, as long as he hath

strength, he will never obey thy counsels. Whatever words thou mayest

speak to him will be perfectly futile. It doth not seem proper to me, O

Krishna, that thou shouldst go into the midst of these wicked-minded

wretches seated together. It doth not seem proper to me, O Krishna, that

going thither thou shouldst utter words against those wicked-souled,

foolish, unrighteous wights, strong in number. In consequence of their

having never worshipped the aged, in consequence of their having been

blinded by prosperity and pride, and owing to the pride of youth and

wrath, they will never accept the good advice thou mayest place before

them. He hath mustered a strong force, O Madhava, and he hath his

suspicions of thyself. He will, therefore, never obey any counsel that

thou mayest offer. The sons of Dhritarashtra, O Janardana, are inspired

with the firm belief that at present Indra himself, at the head of all

the celestials, is incapable of defeating them in battle. Efficacious as

thy words always are, they will prove to be of no efficacy with persons

impressed with such a conviction and who always follow the impulses of

lust and wrath. Staying in the midst of his ranks of elephants and his

army consisting of cars and heroic infantry, the foolish and wicked

Duryodhana, with all fears dispelled, regardeth the whole earth to have

already been subjugated by him. Indeed, Dhritarashtra's son coveteth

extensive empire on the earth without any rivals. Peace, therefore, with

him is unattainable. That which he hath in his possession he regardeth as

unalterably his. Alas, the destruction on the earth seems to be at hand

for the sake of Duryodhana, for, impelled by fate, the kings of the

earth, with all the Kshatriya warriors, have assembled together, desirous

of battling with the Pandavas? All those kings, O Krishna, are in enmity

with thee and have all been deprived of their possessions before this by

thee. Through fear of thee those heroic monarchs have joined together

with Karna and made an alliance with Dhritarashtra's sons. Reckless of

their very lives, all those warriors have united with Duryodhana and are

filled with delight at the prospect of fighting the Pandavas. O hero of

Dasarha's race, it doth not commend itself to me that thou shouldst enter

into their midst. How, O grinder of foes, wilt thou repair into the midst

of those numerous enemies of thine, of wicked souls, and seated together?

O thou of mighty arms, thou art, indeed, incapable of being vanquished by

the very gods, and I know, O slayer of foes, thy manliness and

intelligence. O Madhava, the love I bear to thee is equal to that I bear

to the sons of Pandu. I say, therefore, these words to thee from my

affection, regard, and friendship for thee. What need is there in

expressing to thee the delight that has been mine at sight of thy

persons, for, thou, O thou of eyes like lotus, art the inner Soul of all

embodied creatures.'"

SECTION XCIII

"The holy one said, 'That, indeed, which should be said by a person of

great wisdom: that, indeed, which should be said by one possessed of

great foresight; that indeed, which should be said by one like thee to a

friend like me; that indeed, which is deserving of thee, being consistent

with virtue and profit, and truth; that, O Vidura, hath been said by

thee, father and mother-like, unto me. That which thou hast told me is

certainly true, worthy of approbation and consistent with reason. Listen,

however, with attention, O Vidura, to the reason of my coming. Well

knowing the wickedness of Dhritarashtra's son and the hostility of the

Kshatriyas that have sided with him. I have still, O Vidura, come to the

Kurus. Great will be the merit earned by him who will liberate from the

meshes of death the whole earth, with her elephants, cars and steeds,

overwhelmed with a dreadful calamity. If a man striving to the best of

his abilities to perform a virtuous act meets with failure, I have not

the least doubt that the merit of that act becomes his, notwithstanding

such failure. This also is known to those that are conversant with

religion and scripture, that if a person having intended mentally to

commit a sinful act does not actually commit it, the demerit of that act

can never be his. I will sincerely endeavour, O Vidura, to bring about

peace between the Kurus and the Srinjayas who are about to be slaughtered

in battle. That terrible calamity (which hangs over them all) hath its

origin in the conduct of the Kurus, for it is directly due to the action

of Duryodhana and Karna, the other Kshatriyas only following the lead of

these two. The learned regard him to be a wretch who doth not by his

solicitation seek to save a friend who is about to sink in calamity.

Striving to the best of his might, even to the extent of seizing him by

the hair, one should seek to dissuade a friend from an improper act. In

that case, he that acteth so, instead of incurring blame, reapeth praise.

It behoveth Dhritarashtra's son, therefore, O Vidura, with his

counsellors, to accept my good and beneficial counsels that are

consistent with virtue and profit and competent to dispel the present

calamity. I will, therefore, sincerely endeavour to bring about the good

of Dhritarashtra's sons and of the Pandavas, as also of all the

Kshatriyas on the face of the earth. If while endeavouring to bring about

the good (of my friends), Duryodhana judgeth me wrongly, I shall have the

satisfaction of my own conscience, and a true friend is one who assumeth

the functions of an intercessor when dissensions break out between

kinsmen. In order, again, that unrighteous, foolish, and inimical persons

may not afterwards say that though competent, still Krishna did not make

any attempt to restrain the angry Kurus and the Pandavas from

slaughtering one another I have come here. Indeed, it is to serve both

parties that I have come hither. Having striven to bring about peace, I

will escape the censure of all the kings. If after listening to my

auspicious words, fraught with virtue and profit, the foolish Duryodhana

accept them not, he will only invite his fate. If without sacrificing the

interests of the Pandavas I can bring about peace among the Kurus, my

conduct will be regarded as highly meritorious, O high-souled one, and

the Kauravas themselves will be liberated from the meshes of death. If

the sons of Dhritarashtra reflect coolly on the words I shall

utter--words fraught with wisdom, consistent with righteousness, and

possessed of grave import,--then that peace which is my object will be

brought about and the Kauravas will also worship me (as the agent

thereof). If, on the other hand, they seek to injure me, I tell thee that

all the kings of the earth; united together, are no match for me, like a

herd of deer incapable of standing before an enraged lion.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said these words, that bull of the

Vrishni race and delighter of Yadavas, then laid himself down on his soft

bed for sleep.'"

SECTION XCIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'In such conversation between those two distinguished

persons, both of whom were endued with great intelligence, that night,

lit with bright stars, passed away. Indeed, the night passed away against

the wishes of the illustrious Vidura, who had been listening to the

varied conversation of Krishna fraught with virtue, profit, and desire,

and made up of delightful words and syllables of agreeable import; and

also those of Krishna himself, of 'immeasurable prowess, listening to

discourses equal in style and character. Then, at early dawn a band of

choristers and bards gifted with melodious voices, awoke Kesava with

sweet sounds of conchs and cymbals. And rising from bed, Janardana of

Dasarha's race, that bull amongst all the Sattwatas, went through all the

customary acts of the morning. And having cleansed himself by a bath,

recited the sacred Mantras and poured libations of clarified butter on

the sacrificial fire. Madhava decked his person and began to worship the

rising sun. And while the unvanquished Krishna of Dasarha's race was

still engaged in his morning devotions, Duryodhana and Suvala's son

Sakuni came to him and said, 'Dhritarashtra is seated in his court, with

all the Kurus headed by Bhishma and with all the kings of the earth. They

are all soliciting thy presence, O Govinda, like the celestials in heaven

desiring the presence of Sakra himself,--thus addressed, Govinda greeted

them both with sweet and courteous enquiries. And when the sun had risen

a little higher, Janardana, that chastiser of foes, summoning a number of

Brahmanas, made them presents of gold and robes and kine and steeds.

And after he had thus given away much wealth and taken his seat, his

driver (Daruka) came and saluted that unvanquished hero of Dasarha's

race. And Daruka soon returned with his master's large and blazing car

furnished with rows of tinkling bells and harnessed with excellent

steeds. And understanding that his handsome car adorned with every

ornament and producing a rattle, deep as the rumbling of the mighty

masses of clouds, was ready, the high-souled Janardana, that delighter of

all the Yadavas, walking round the sacred fire and a band of Brahmanas,

and putting on the gem known by the name of Kaustubha, and blazing with

beauty, surrounded by the Kurus, and well-protected by the Vrishnis,

mounted on it. And Vidura, conversant with all the precepts of religion,

followed on his own car that scion of Dasarha's race, that foremost of

all living creatures, that first of all persons gifted with intelligence.

And Duryodhana and Suvala's son Sakuni also, on one car followed Krishna,

that chastiser of foes. And Satyaki and Kritavarman and the other mighty

car-warriors of the Vrishni race, all rode behind Krishna on cars and

steeds and elephants. And, O king, the handsome cars of those heroes,

adorned with gold and drawn by excellent steeds and each producing a loud

rattle, as they moved forward, shone brilliantly. And Kesava, endued with

great intelligence, and beaming with beauty, soon came upon a broad

street that had previously been swept and watered, and that was fit to be

used by the highest of kings. And when that scion of Dasarha's race set

out, cymbals began to play, and conchs began to be blown, and other

instruments also to pour forth their music. And great number of youthful

heroes, foremost in the world for heroism, and possessed of lion-like

prowess, proceeded, surrounding Sauri's car. And many thousands of

soldiers, attired in a variegated dresses, bearing swords and lances and

axes, marched in advance of Kesava. And there were full five hundred

elephants, and cars by thousands, that followed that unvanquished hero of

Dasarha's race while he proceeded. And, O chastiser of foes, all the

citizens of the capital, of all ages and both sexes, desirous of

beholding Janardana came out into the streets. And the terraces and

balconies of the houses were so thronged by ladies that the houses were

on the point of falling down with the weight. And worshipped by the

Kurus, and listening to various sweet speeches, and returning the

greetings of all as each deserved, Kesava went along the street, casting

his eyes on all. And at last, when Kesava reached the Kuru court, his

attendants loudly blew their conchs and trumpets and filled the welkin

with that blare. And, thereupon, that whole assembly of kings, of

immeasurable prowess, trembled with delight at the expectation of soon

setting their eyes on Krishna. And hearing the rattle of his car, that

rumbled like the deep roll of rain-charged clouds, the monarchs

understood Krishna to be near, and the hair of their bodies stood erect

with delight. And having reached the gate of the court, Sauri, that bull

among the Satwatas, alighting from his car, that resembled the summit of

Kailasa, entered the court which looked like a mass of newly-risen

clouds, and blazed forth with beauty, and resembled the very abode of the

great Indra. And that illustrious hero entered the court, arm-in-arm with

Vidura and Satyaki on either side, and overshadowing with his own the

splendour of all the Kurus, like the sun overshadowing the radiance of

lesser lights in the firmament. And before Vasudeva sat Karna and

Duryodhana, while behind him were seated the Vrishnis with Kritavarman.

And Bhishma and Drona, and others with Dhritarashtra were on the point of

rising up from their seats for honouring Janardana. Indeed, as soon as

he, of Dasarha's race, came, the illustrious blind monarch, Drona and

Bhishma, all rose up from their seats. And when that mighty ruler of men,

king Dhritarashtra, rose up from his seat, those kings by thousands

around him all rose up also. And at Dhritarashtra's command, a seat

beautiful all over, and adorned with gold, had been kept there for

Krishna, And after taking his seat, Madhava smilingly greeted the king,

and Bhishma, and Drona, and all other rulers, each according to his age.

And all the kings of the earth, and all the Kurus also, beholding Kesava

arrived in that assembly, worshipped him duly. And as that chastiser of

foes, that vanquisher of hostile cities, that hero of Dasarha's race, was

seated there, he beheld the Rishis whom he had seen while proceeding to

Hastinapur, staying in the firmament. And beholding those Rishis with

Narada at their head, he of Dasarha's race, slowly addressed Bhishma the

son of Santanu, saying, 'O king, the Rishis have come to see this earthly

conclave of ours. Invite them with offer of seats and abundant courtesy,

for if they are not seated, no one here is capable of taking his seat.

Let proper worship, therefore, be speedily offered unto these Rishis with

souls under proper control. And beholding the Rishis then at the gate of

the palace, Santanu's son quickly ordered the servants to bring seats for

them. And soon enough they brought large and beautiful seats embroidered

with gold and set with gems. And after the Rishis. O Bharata, had taken

their seats and accepted the Arghyas offered to them, Krishna took his

seat, so also all the kings. And Dussasana gave an excellent seat to

Satyaki, while Vivingsati gave another golden one to Kritavarman. And not

far from where Krishna sat, that illustrious and wrathful pair, Karna and

Duryodhana, sat together on the same seat. And Sakuni, the king of

Gandhara, surrounded by the chiefs of his country, sat there, O king,

with his son beside him. And the high-souled Vidura sat on a begemmed

seat covered with a white deer-skin that almost touched Krishna's seat.

And all the kings in the assembly, although they gazed at Janardana of

Dasarha's race for a long while, were not, however, gratified with their

gaze, like drinkers of the Amrita, that are never satiated with quaffing

measure after measure. And Janardana attired in yellow robes having the

complexion of the Atasi flower, sat in the midst of that assembly like a

sapphire mounted on gold. And after Govinda had taken his seat, a perfect

silence ensued, for none present there spoke a single word.'"

SECTION XCV

"Vaisampayana said, 'And after all the kings had been seated and perfect

silence had ensued, Krishna possessing fine teeth and having a voice deep

as that of the drum, began to speak. And Madhava although he addressed

Dhritarashtra, spoke in a voice deep as the roll of clouds in the rainy

season, making the whole assembly hear. And he said, 'In order that, O

Bharata, peace may be established between the Kurus and the Pandavas

without a slaughter of the heroes, I have come hither. Besides this, O

king, I have no other beneficial words to utter, O chastiser of foes,

everything that should be learnt in this world is already known to thee.

This thy race, O king, owing to its learning and behaviour, and owing

also to its being adorned with every accomplishment, is most

distinguished among all royal dynasties. Joy in the happiness of others,

grief at sight of other people's misery, desire to alleviate distress,

abstention from injury, sincerity, forgiveness, and truth,--these, O

Bharata, prevail amongst the Kurus. Then thy race, therefore, O king, is

so noble, it would be a pity if anything improper were done by any one

belonging to it, and greater pity still if it were done by thee. O chief

of the Kurus, thou art the first of those that should restrain the Kurus

if they behave deceitfully towards strangers or those numbering with

themselves. Know, O thou of Kuru's race, that those wicked sons of thine,

headed by Duryodhana, abandoning both virtue and profit, disregarding

morality, and deprived of their senses by avarice, are now acting most

unrighteously towards, O bull of men, their foremost of kinsmen. That

terrible danger (which threatens all) hath its origin in the conduct of

the Kurus. If thou becomest indifferent to it, it will then produce a

universal slaughter. If, O Bharata, thou art willing, thou mayest be able

to allay that danger even yet, for, O bull of Bharata's race, peace, I

think, is not difficult of acquisition. The establishment of peace, O

king, depends on thee and myself, O monarch. Set right thy sons, O thou

of Kuru's race, and I will set the Pandavas right. Whatever be thy

command, O king, it behoveth thy sons with their followers to obey it. If

again they live in obedience to thee, that would be the very best they

could do. If thou strivest for peace by restraining thy sons, it will be

to thy profit, O king, as also to the benefit of the Pandavas. Having

reflected carefully, act thou thyself, O king. Let those sons of Bharata

(the Pandavas), be, O ruler of men, thy allies. Supported by the

Pandavas, O king, seek thou both religion and profit. By every exertion

in thy power, thou canst not have, O king, such allies as they who are

such. Protected by the illustrious sons of Pandu, Indra himself at the

head of the celestials will not be able to vanquish thee. How would it be

possible then for mere earthly kings to withstand thy prowess? If with

Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and Vivingsati, and

Aswatthaman, Vikarna, and Somadatta, and Vahlika and the chief of the

Sindhus, and the ruler of the Kalingas, and Sudakshina, the king of the

Kamvojas, there were Yudhishthira, and Bhimasena and Savyasachin, and the

twins, and if Satyaki of mighty energy, and Yuyutsu, that mighty car

warrior, are stationed, who is there, O bull of Bharata's race, of such

misdirected intelligence that would fight these? If, O slayer of foes,

thou hast both the Kurus and the Pandavas at thy back, the sovereignty of

the whole world and invincibility before all foes will be thine. All the

rulers of the earth, O monarch, that are either equal to thee or

superior, will then seek alliance with thee. Protected on all sides by

sons, grandsons, fathers, brothers, and friends, thou wilt then be able

to live in exceeding happiness. Keeping these before thee and treating

them with kindness as in days of yore, thou, O monarch, wilt enjoy the

sovereignty of the whole earth. With these as thy supporters and with the

sons of Pandu also, thou wilt, O Bharata, be able to conquer all thy

foes. Even this is thy best advantage. If, O chastiser of foes, thou art

united with thy sons and kinsmen and counsellors, thou wilt' enjoy

sovereignty of the whole earth won for thee by them. In battle, O great

king, nothing but wholesale destruction is visible. Indeed, in the

destruction of both the parties, what merit dost thou see? If the

Pandavas are slaughtered in battle, or if thy own mighty sons fall, tell

me, O bull of Bharata's race, what happiness wilt thou enjoy? All of them

are brave and skilled in weapons. All of them are desirous of battle, the

Pandavas as also thy sons. Oh, save them from the terrible danger that

threatens them. After the battle thou wilt not behold all the Kurus or

all the Pandavas, Car-warriors slain by car-warriors, thou wilt behold

the heroes of both parties reduced in numbers and strength. All the

rulers of the earth, O best of kings, have been assembled together.

Inflamed with wrath, they will certainly exterminate the population of

the earth. Save, O king, the world. Let not the population of the earth

be exterminated. O son of Kuru's race, if thou regainest thy natural

disposition, the earth may continue to be peopled as now. Save, O king,

these monarchs, who are all of pure descent, endued with modesty and

liberality and piety, and connected with on another in bonds of

relationship or alliance, from the terrible danger that threatens them.

Abandoning wrath and enmity, O chastiser of foes, let these kings,

embracing one another in peace, eating and drinking with one another,

dressed in excellent robes and decked with garlands, and doing courtesies

to one another, return to their respective homes. Let the affection thou

hadst for the Pandavas be revived in thy bosom, and let it, O bull of

Bharata's race, lead to the establishment of peace. Deprived of their

father while they were infants, they were brought up by thee. Cherish

them now as becomes thee, O bull of Bharata's race, as if they were thy

own sons. It is thy duty to protect them. And especially it is so when

they are distressed. O bull of Bharata's race, let not thy virtue and

profit be both lost. Saluting and propitiating thee, the Pandavas have

said unto thee, 'At thy command we have, with our followers, suffered

great misery. For these twelve years have we lived in the woods, and for

the thirteenth year have we lived incognito in an uninhabited part of the

world. We broke not our pledge, firmly believing that our father also

would abide by his. That we violated not our word is well-known to the

Brahman as who were with us. And as we, O bull of the Bharata race, have

abided by our promise, also do thou abide by thine. Long have we suffered

the greatest misery, but let us now have our share of the kingdom. Fully

conversant as thou art with virtue and profit, it behoveth thee to rescue

us. Knowing that our obedience is due to thee, we have quietly undergone

much misery. Behave thou then unto us like a father or brother. A

preceptor should behave as a preceptor towards his disciples, and as

disciples we are willing to behave as such towards thee, our preceptor.

Act thou, therefore, towards us as a preceptor should. If we go wrong, it

is the duty of our father to set us right. Therefore, set us on the way

and tread thou also the excellent path of righteousness.' Those sons of

thine, O bull of the Bharata race, have also said unto these kings

assembled in the court these words, 'If the members of an assembly are

conversant with morality, nothing improper should be permitted by them to

happen. Where, in the presence of the virtuous members of an assembly,

righteousness is sought to be overpowered by unrighteousness, and truth

by the untruth, it is those members themselves that are vanquished and

slain. When righteousness, pierced by unrighteousness, seeketh the

protection of an assembly, if the arrow is not extracted, it is the

members themselves that are pierced by that arrow. Indeed, in that case,

righteousness slayeth the members of that assembly, like a river eating

away the roots of the trees on its bank.' Judge now, O bull of the

Bharata race. The Pandavas, with their eyes turned towards righteousness

and reflecting on everything, are maintaining a calm attitude, and what

they have said is consistent with truth and virtue and justice. O ruler

of men, what canst thou say unto them, but that thou art willing to give

them back their kingdom? Let these rulers of earth that are sitting here

say (what the answer should be)! If it appears to thee that what I have

said after reflecting well on virtue to be true, save all these

Kshatriyas, O bull of the Bharata race, from the meshes of death. Effect

peace, O chief of Bharata's race, and yield not to anger. Giving unto the

Pandavas their just share of the paternal kingdom, enjoy thou then, with

thy sons, O chastiser of foes, happiness and luxury, thy wishes being all

crowned with success. Know that Yudhishthira always treadeth the path

that is trod by the righteous. Thou knowest also, O king, what the

behaviour of Yudhishthira is towards thee and thy sons. Although thou

hadst sought to burn him to death and hadst exiled him from human

habitation, yet he came back and once more repose confidence in thee.

Again, didst thou with thy sons, banish him to Indraprastha? While there,

he brought all the kings of the earth to subjection and yet looked up to

thy face, O king, without seeking to disregard thee. Although he behaved

in this way, yet Suvala's son, desirous of robbing him of his dominions

and wealth and possessions, applied the very efficacious means of dice.

Reduced to that condition and even beholding Krishna dragged into the

assembly, Yudhishthira of immeasurable soul, did not yet swerve from the

duties of a Kshatriya. As regards myself, I desire, O Bharata, thy good

as also theirs. For the sake of virtue, of profit, of happiness, make

peace, O king, and do not allow the Earth's population to be slaughtered,

regarding evil as good and good as evil. Restrain thy sons, O monarch,

who have from covetousness proceeded too far. As regards the sons of

Pritha, they are equally ready to wait upon thee in dutiful service or to

fight. That which, O chastiser of foes, seems to thee to be for thy good,

do thou adopt!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'All the rulers of earth there present highly

applauded these words of Kesava within their hearts, but none of them

ventured to say anything in the presence of Duryodhana.'

SECTION XCVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words uttered by the high-souled

Kesava, all the persons who sat in that assembly remained silent, their

hair standing on their ends. And all the kings thought within themselves

that there was no man who could dare reply to that speech. And seeing

that all the kings sat silent, Jamadagni's son (addressing Duryodhana)

then said these words in that assembly of Kurus, 'Listen confidingly to

my words illustrated by an example, and seek thy own good if my speech

recommends itself to thee. There was a king of yore named Dambhodbhava,

who was the Head of the earth. It hath been heard by us that his

sovereignty extended over the whole world. And that mighty car-warrior,

rising every morning after the night had passed away, called the

Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas unto himself and asked them, saying, 'Be he

a Sudra, a Vaisya, a Kshatriya, or a Brahmana, is there any one who is

superior or even equal to me in battle?' And uttering these words that

king wandered over the earth, intoxicated with pride and thinking of

nothing else. And it so happened that certain Brahmanas endued with high

souls, conversant with the Vedas, and fearing nothing on earth,

counselled the monarch, repeatedly boasting of his prowess, to curb his

pride. But though forbidden by those Brahmanas to boast in that way, the

king continued to ask the Brahmanas as before the same question day after

day. And some high-souled Brahmanas then, endued with ascetic merit and

acquainted with the proofs furnished by the Vedas, were inflamed with

anger, and addressing that proud and boastful king intoxicated with

prosperity, told him, 'There are two persons who are foremost of all men

and who are always victorious in battle. Thou, O king, wilt by no means

be equal to them if thou seekest an encounter with any one of them.' And

thus addressed by them, the king asked those Brahmanas, saying, 'Where

may those two heroes be found? In what race are they born? What feats

have they achieved? And who are they? And the Brahmanas answered him,

saying, It had been heard by us that those two persons are ascetics

called Nara and Narayana. They have both taken their births in the race

of man. Go and fight with them, O king. It is that illustrious pair, Nara

and Narayana, who are now practising the severest of penances in some

hidden region of the mountains of Gandhamadana.' Hearing those words of

the Brahmanas, that king speedily mustered his large army consisting of

six kinds of forces,[7] and unable to bear their reputation, marched to

the spot where those unvanquished ascetics were, and arrived at the

rugged and frightful mountains of Gandhamadana. He began to search after

those Rishis, and at last, came upon them concealed within the woods. And

beholding those two best of persons emaciated with hunger and thirst,

their veins swollen and visible, and themselves much afflicted with cold

winds, and the hot rays of the sun, he approached them, and touching

their feet, enquired after their welfare. And the two Rishis received the

king hospitably, with fruits and roots, and a seat and water. And they

then enquired after the king's business, saying, 'Let it be done.' And

thus addressed by them, the king said unto them the same words that he

was in the habit of saying unto all. And he said, 'The whole earth has

been conquered by the might of my arms. All my foes have been slain.

Desiring a battle with you both I have come to this mountain. Offer me

this hospitality. I have been cherishing this wish from a long time.'

Thus addressed, Nara and Narayana said, 'O best of kings, wrath and

covetousness have no place in this retreat. How can a battle, therefore,

be possible here? There are no weapons here, and nothing of

unrighteousness and malice. Seek battle elsewhere. There are many

Kshatriyas on earth.'

"Rama continued, 'Although thus addressed, the king still pressed them

for giving him battle. The Rishis, however, continually soothed him and

overlooked his importunity. King Dambhodbhava, still desirous of battle,

repeatedly summoned those Rishis to fight. Nara, then, O Bharata, taking

up a handful of grass-blades, said, 'Desirous of battle as thou art,

come, O Kshatriya, and fight! Take up all thy arms, and array thy troops.

I will curb thy eagerness for battle hereafter!' Dambhodbhava then said,

If, O ascetic, thou thinkest this weapon of thine fit to be used against

us, I shall fight with thee though thou mayest use that weapon, for I

have come hither desirous of fighting.' Saying this, Dambhodbhava with

all his troops, desirous of slaying that ascetic, covered all sides with

a shower of arrows. That ascetic, however, by means of those blades of

grass, baffled all those terrible shafts of the king that were capable of

mangling the bodies of hostile warriors. The invincible Rishi then let

off towards the king his own terrible weapon made of grass-blades and

which was incapable of being counteracted. And highly wonderful was that

which happened, for that ascetic, incapable of missing his aim, pierced

and cut off, by those grass-blades alone, the eyes and ears and noses of

the hostile warriors, aided also by his power of illusion. And beholding

the entire welkin whitened by those grass-blades, the king fell at the

feet of the Rishi and said, 'Let me be blessed! Ever inclined to grant

protection unto those that sought it, Nara then, O king, said unto that

monarch, 'Be obedient to the Brahmanas and be virtuous. Never do so

again. O king, O tiger among monarchs, a conqueror of hostile towns, a

Kshatriya mindful of the duties of his own or, should never, within even

his heart, be as thou art. Filled with pride, never insult anybody on any

occasion, be inferior or superior to thee. Even such conduct would befit

thee. Acquiring wisdom, abandoning covetousness and pride, controlling

thy soul, restraining thy passions, practising forgiveness and humility,

and becoming amiable, O king, go, and cherish thy subjects. Without

ascertaining the strength and weakness of men, never insult any one under

any circumstances. Blessed be thou, and with our leave, go hence, and

never again behave in this way. At our command, enquire thou always of

the Brahmanas as to what is for thy good! The king then, worshipping the

feet of those two illustrious Rishis, returned to his city, and from that

time began to practise righteousness. Great indeed, was that feat

achieved of old by Nara. Narayana, again, became superior to Nara in

consequence of many more qualities. Therefore, O king, besides such

weapons as Kakudika, Suka, Naka, Akshisantarjana, Santana, Nartana,

Ghora, and Asyamodaka, are placed on the string of that best of bows

called Gandiva, go thou unto Dhananjaya, laying aside thy pride Struck

with these weapons, men always yield up their lives. Indeed, these

weapons have other means corresponding with the eight passions, such as

lust, wrath, covetousness, vanity, insolence, pride, malice, and

selfishness. Struck with them, men are confounded, and move about

frantically deprived of their senses. Under their influence, persons

always sleep heavily, cut capers, vomit, pass urine and excreta, weep,

and laugh incessantly. Indeed, that Arjuna is irresistible in fight, who

hath for his friend Narayana--the Creator and Lord of all the

worlds--fully acquainted with the course of everything. Who is there in

the three worlds, O Bharata, who would venture to vanquish that hero--the

Ape-bannered Jishnu--who hath no equal in battle? Countless are the

virtues that reside in Partha. Janardana again, is superior to him. Thou

art thyself well-acquainted with Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti. They that

were Nara and Narayana in days of yore are now Arjuna and Kesava. Know

then, O great king, who those brave and foremost of persons are. If thou

believest in this and dost not mistrust me adopt thou a virtuous

resolution and make peace with the sons of Pandu. If thou regardest this

as thy good, viz., that there should be no disunion in thy family, then

make peace, O foremost of Bharata's race, and do not set thy heart upon

battle. O thou, that are foremost of Kuru's line, the race to which thou

belongest is highly regarded on earth. Let that regard continue to be

paid to it. Blessed be thou, think of what conduces to thy own welfare.'"

SECTION XCVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having listened to the words of Jamadagnya, the

illustrious Rishi Kanwa also said these words unto Duryodhana in that

assembly of the Kurus.'

"Kanwa said, 'Brahman, the Grandsire of the universe, is indestructible

and eternal. Those illustrious Rishis, Nara and Narayana, are of the same

character. Of all the sons of Aditi, Vishnu alone is eternal. He alone is

unconquerable and indestructible, existing for ever, the Lord of all, and

the possessor of divine attributes. All others, such as the sun and the

moon, earth and water, wind, fire and firmament, planets, and stars, are

liable to destruction. All these, when the end of the universe cometh,

take leave of the three worlds. They are destroyed and created again and

again. Others also, such as men and animals and birds, and creatures

belonging to other orders of living existence,--indeed, all that move on

this world of men,--are endued with short lives. And as regards kings,

all of them, having enjoyed great prosperity, reach, at last, the hour of

destruction and are reborn in order to enjoy the fruits of good and evil

deeds. It behoveth thee then to make peace with Yudhishthira. Let the

Pandavas and the Kauravas both rule this earth. O Suyodhana, one should

not think in this way, viz., I am strong!--for O bull among men, it is

seen that there are persons stronger than those generally regarded

strong. O son of Kuru's race, physical strength is scarcely regarded as

strength by those that are really strong. As regards the Pandavas, endued

as they all are with prowess equal to that of the celestials, they are

also regarded as strong. In this connection is cited an old story, as an

example, the story, viz., of Matali searching for a bridegroom upon whom

to bestow his daughter. The king of the three worlds (Indra) had a

charioteer, named Matali, whom he dearly loved. Unto him was born a

daughter celebrated over the world for beauty. Endued with the celestial

beauty, that daughter of Matali was known by the name of Gunakesi. And,

indeed, in both loveliness and symmetry of bodily figure, she far

excelled other members of her sex. Knowing that the time for giving her

way had come, Matali with his wife became very anxious, thinking, O

monarch, of what he was to do next. And he thought within himself, 'Alas,

the birth of a daughter in the families of those that are well-behaved

and high-born and possess reputation and humility of character, is always

attended with evil results. Daughters, when born in respectable families,

always endanger the honour of three families, viz., their maternal and

paternal families and the family into which they are adopted by marriage.

Glancing in my mind's eye the worlds of gods and men, I have searched

both, but no eligible bridegroom have I found.'

"Kanwa continued, 'And it so happened that amongst the gods, the Daityas

and Gandharvas, men and numerous Rishis, none was regarded by Matali as

an eligible husband for his daughter. And having held a consultation then

in the night with his wife Sudharma, Matali set his heart upon making a

journey to the world of the Nagas. And he thought within himself,

'Amongst both gods and men I have not found a husband fit, in respect of

beauty, for my Gunakesi. Surely, one may be found amongst the Nagas.' And

saying this, he took his wife's leave and sniffing the head of his

daughter, Matali entered the nether regions.'"

SECTION XCVIII

"Kanwa said, 'When Matali was wending his way, he saw the great Rishi

Narada proceeding at his pleasure to pay a visit to Varuna (the god of

the waters). And beholding Matali, Narada asked him, saying, 'Whither

dost thou go? Is it, O charioteer, on any mission of thy own, or is it at

Satakratu's command, that this journey of thine is undertaken?' Thus

addressed on the way by Narada who was proceeding towards his

destination, Matali duly informed Narada, of his mission. And the Rishi,

informed of everything, then said unto Matali, 'We shall go together. As

regards myself, it is to see the Lord of the waters that I am proceeding,

having left the heavens, searching the nether regions, I shall tell you

everything. After a good search there, we shall select a bridegroom, O

Matali! And penetrating then into nether regions, that illustrious

couple, Matali and Narada, beheld that Regent of the world--the Lord of

the waters. And there Narada received worship due to a celestial Rishi,

and Matali received that equal to what is offered to the great Indra. And

both of them skilful in business, informed Varuna of their purpose, and

obtaining his leave they began to wander in that region of the Nagas. And

Narada who knew all the residents of the nether regions then began to

describe in detail unto his companion all about the dwellers of the Naga

world.'

"And Narada said, 'Thou hast, O charioteer, seen Varuna surrounded by his

sons and grandsons. Behold the dominions of the Lord of the waters. It is

delightful all round, and full of riches. The son, endued with great

wisdom, of Varuna, the Lord of the Ocean, is even much distinguished for

his conduct and disposition and for his holiness. Possessed of eyes like

lotus leaves, this Pushkara is, indeed, Varuna's much-loved son, endued

with great beauty and delightful to behold. He has been chosen by Soma's

daughter as her husband. That daughter of Soma, equal in beauty unto a

second Sree, is known by the name of Jyotsnakali. Indeed, it is said,

that she had once before chosen the eldest and foremost of Aditi's son as

her lord. Behold now, O companion of the Lord of the celestials, that

abode, made entirely of gold, and full of the wine called Varuni. Indeed,

having obtained that wine, the gods acquired their god-heads. These

blazing weapons also of every kind that thou seest, belonged, O Matali,

to the Daityas who have been deprived of their sovereignty. These weapons

are incapable of deterioration, and when hurled at the foe always return

into the hand that hurleth them. Obtained by the gods as the booty of

war, they require considerable mental energy to be used against foes.

Here dwelt in days of yore many tribes of Rakshasas and Daityas,

possessed of many kinds of celestial weapons, but they were all

vanquished by the gods. Behold, there, in Varuna's lake is that fire of

blazing flames, and that discus of Vishnu surrounded by the lustrous

splendour of mighty caloric. Behold, there lieth that knotty bow that was

created for the destruction of the world. It is always protected with

great vigilance by the gods, and it is from this bow that the one wielded

by Arjuna hath taken its name. Endued with the strength of hundred

thousand bows, the power it assumes at the hour of battle is

indescribably great. It punishes all punishable wicked kings endued with

the nature of Rakshasas. This fierce weapon was first created by Brahman,

the utterer of the Vedas. The great preceptor Sukra hath said that this

weapon is a terrible one in respect of all kings. Endued with great

energy, it is held by the sons of the Lord of waters. Behold, there in

the umbrella-room is the umbrella of the Lord of the waters. It droppeth

refreshing showers like the clouds. The water dropped from this umbrella,

though pure as the moon, is yet enveloped by such darkness that it cannot

be seen by anybody. There, in these regions, O Matali, innumerable are

the wonders to be seen. Your business, however, will suffer if we spend

more time here. We will, therefore, leave this region soon.'"

SECTION XCIX

"Narada continued, 'Here in the very centre of the world of the Nagas is

situated the city known by the name of Patalam. Celebrated over all the

universe, it is worshipped by the Daityas and the Danavas. Creatures

inhabiting the earth, if brought hither by force of the water's current,

shriek loudly, afflicted with fear. Here the fire known by the name of

the Asura-fire[8] and which is fed by water, continually blazeth forth.

Held fast by the flat of the celestials, it moveth not, regarding itself

as bound and confined. It was here that' the gods, having first

vanquished and slain their foes, quaffed the Amrita and deposited the

residue. It is from this place that the waning and waxing of the moon are

seen. It is here that son of Aditi, the Horse-headed (Vishnu), on the

recurrence of every auspicious occasion, riseth, filling at such times

the universe, otherwise called Suvarna,[9] with the sound of Vedic hymns

and Mantras. And because all watery forms such as the Moon and others

shower their water on the region, therefore hath this excellent region

been called Patala.[10] It is from here that the celestial elephant

Airavata, for the benefit of the universe, taketh up cool water in order

to impart it to the clouds, and it is that water which Indra poureth down

as rain. Here dwell diverse kinds of aquatic animals, of various shapes

such as the Timi and others, which subsist on the rays of the moon. O

charioteer, here are many kinds of creatures that die during the day,

being pierced by the rays of the sun, but all of whom revive in the

night, the reason being that the moon, rising here every day, laying

those deceased creatures with Amrita by means of rays, that constitute

his arms, resuscitate them by that touch. Deprived of their prosperity by

Vasava, it is here that many sinful Danavas live confined, defeated by

him and afflicted by Time. It was here that the Lord of creatures--that

great Master of all created things--Mahadeva--had practised the severest

of ascetic austerities for the benefit of all creatures. Here dwell many

regenerate and great Rishis observant of vows called 'Go' and emaciated

with the recitation and study of the Vedas, and who, having suspended the

vital air called Prana, have attained to heaven by force of their

austerities. A man is said to adopt the vow called Go, when he sleepeth

wherever he listeth, and when he subsisteth on anything that others place

before him, and is clad with robes that others may supply. Here in the

race of the celebrated elephant Supratika were born those best of

elephants known by the names of Airavata, Vamana, Kumuda and Anjana, the

first being the king of his tribe. Look, O Matali, if there be any

bridegroom here, that is distinguished by the possession of superior

merits, for then I will go to him for respectfully soliciting him to

accept thy daughter. Behold, here lieth an egg in these waters, blazing

with beauty. From the commencement of the creation it is here. It moveth

not, nor doth it burst. I have never heard any body speaking of its birth

or nature. Nobody knoweth who its father or mother is. It is said, O

Matali, that when the end of the world cometh, mighty fire burst forth

from within it, and spreading consumeth the three worlds with all their

mobile and immobile objects.' Hearing those words of Narada, Matali

answered him, saying, 'No one here seems to me to be eligible. Let us go

hence, therefore, without delay!'"

SECTION C

"Narada continued, 'Here is that spacious and celebrated city of cities,

called Hiranyapura, belonging to the Daityas and Danavas, possessing a

hundred diverse kinds of illusion. Here in these regions called Patala,

it hath been built with great care by the divine artificer, and planned

by the Danava Maya. Endued with great energy and heroism, many Danavas,

having obtained boons (from Brahman) in days of old, lived here,

exhibiting a thousand different kinds of illusion. They were incapable of

being vanquished by Sakra or any other celestial, that is, by either

Yama, or Varuna, or the Lord of treasures (Kuvera). Here dwell, O Matali,

those Asuras called Kalakhanjas who sprang from Vishnu, and those

Rakshasas also called Yatudhanas who sprang from the feet of Brahman. All

of them are endued with frightful teeth, terrible impetus, the speed and

prowess of the wind, and great energy depending on powers of illusion.

Besides these, another class of Danavas called Nivatakavachas, who are

invincible in battle, have their abode here. Thou knowest bow Sakra is

unable to vanquish them. Many times, O Matali, thou, with thy son

Gomukha, and the chief of the celestials and lord of Sachi, along with

his son, had to retreat before them. Behold their homes, O Matali, that

are all made of silver and gold, and well-adorned with decorations done

according to the rules of art. All those mansions are decked with lapis

lazuli and corals, and made effulgent with the lustre of the

Arkasphatika, and the radiance of gem called Vajrasara. And many of those

palatial residences seem, as if, they have been made of the shine of

these gems called Padmaragas, or of bright marble, or of excellent wood.

And they are also possessed of the radiance of the sun, or blazing fire.

And all the edifices, adorned with gems and jewels, are very high and

stand close to another. Of spacious proportions and great architectural

beauty, it is impossible to say of what material these mansions are built

or to describe their style of beauty. Indeed, they are exceedingly

beautiful in consequence of their decorations. Behold these retreats of

the Daityas for recreation and sport, these beds of theirs for sleep,

these costly utensils of theirs set with precious stones, and these seats

also for their use. Behold these hills of theirs, looking like clouds,

those fountains of water, these trees also that move of their own will

and that yield all fruits and flowers that one may ask. See, O Matali, if

any bridegroom may be had here, acceptable to thee. If no one can be

found, we shalt, if thou likest, go hence to some other part of the

world.' Thus addressed, Matali answered Narada, saying, 'O celestial

Rishi, it behoveth me not to do anything that may be disagreeable to

dwellers of heaven. The gods and the Danavas, though brothers, are ever

at hostility with each other. How can I, therefore, make an alliance with

those that are our enemies? Let us repair, therefore, to some other

place. It behoveth me not to search among the Danavas. As regards

thyself, I know thy heart is ever set on fomenting quarrels.'"

SECTION CI

"Narada said, 'This region belongeth to the birds, all of whom possess

excellent feathers. They all subsist on snakes. They never feel any

fatigue in putting forth their prowess, or in making journeys, or in

bearing burthens. This race, O charioteer, hath multiplied from the six

sons of Garuda. They are Sumukha, Sunaman, Sunetra, Suvarchas, Suanch and

that prince of birds called Suvala. Born of Kasyapa's line and enhancing

the glory of Vinata's race, many winged creatures, the foremost of their

species, have by begetting children founded and increased a thousand

dynasties of birds, all endued with nobility of blood. All these

creatures are endued with great prosperity, have the auspicious whirl

called Sreevatsa, possess great wealth, and are inspired with great

might. By their acts they may be said to belong to the Kshatriya order,

but they are all without any compassion, subsisting as they do on snakes.

They never attain to spiritual enlightenment in consequence of their

preying on their kinsmen. I will now enumerate the chiefs by their names,

listen to me, O Matali. This race is much regarded in consequence of the

favour that, is shown to it by Vishnu. They all worship Vishnu, and

Vishnu is their protector. Vishnu always dwelleth in their hearts, and

Vishnu is their great refuge. These then are their names--Suvarnachuda,

Nagasin Daruna, Chandatundaka, Anala, Vaisalaksha, Kundalin, Pankajit,

Vajraviskambha, Vainateya, Vamana, Vatavega, Disachakshu, Nimisha,

Animisha, Trirava, Saptarava, Valmiki, Dipaka, Daityadwipa, Saridwipa,

Sarasa, Padmaketana, Sumukha, Chitraketu, Chitravara, Anagha, Meshahrit,

Kumuda, Daksha, Sarpanta, Somabhojana, Gurubhara, Kapota, Suryanetra,

Chirantaka, Vishnudharman, Kumara, Parivarha, Hari, Suswara, Madhuparka,

Hemavarna, Malaya, Matariswan, Nisakara and Divakara. These sons of

Garuda that I name dwell in only a single province of this region. I have

mentioned those only that have won distinction by might, fame and

achievements. If thou likest none here, come, we will go hence, O Matali.

I will take thee to another region where thou mayest find an eligible

husband for thy daughter.'"

SECTION CII

"Narada said, 'The region where we now are is called Rasatala and is the

seventh stratum below the Earth. Here dwelleth Surabhi, the mother of all

kine, she, who was born of the Amrita. She always yieldeth milk which is

the essence of all the best things of the earth, and which, excellent as

it is, and of one taste, springeth from the essence of the six different

kinds of tastes (that are talked of). The faultless Surabhi herself

sprang in days of old from the mouth of the Grandsire, gratified with

drinking the Amrita and vomiting the best things. A single jet only of

her milk, falling on the earth, created what is known as the sacred and

the excellent "Milky Ocean." The verge of that ocean all round is always

covered with white foam resembling a belt of flowers. Those best of

ascetics that are known by the name of the Foam-drinkers dwell around

this ocean, subsisting on that foam only. They are called Foam-drinkers

because they live, O Matali, on nothing else save that foam. Engaged in

the practice of the severest of austerities, the very gods are known to

fear them. From her are born four other kine, O Matali, supporting the

four quarters and therefore, are they called the supporters of the

quarters (Dikpali). Born of Surabhi herself, she who supporteth the

eastern quarter is called Surupa. She, who supporteth the southern

quarter is called Hansika. That illustrious cow, O Matali, of universal

form, who supporteth the western quarter ruled by Varuna is known by the

name of Subhadra. The northern quarter comprising the region of virtue,

and called after Kuvera the Lord of treasures, is supported by the cow

named Sarva-kamadugha. The gods, uniting with the Asuras, and making the

Mandara mountain their pole, churned the waters of the ocean and obtained

the wine called Varuni, and (the Goddess of Prosperity and Grace called)

Lakshmi, and Amrita, and that prince of steeds called Uchchhaisrava, and

that best of gems called Kaustubha. Those waters, O Matali, that yielded

these precious things had all been mixed with the milk of these tour

cows. As regards Surabhi, the milk she yielded becometh Swaha unto those

that live on Swaha, Swadha unto those that live on Swadha, and Amrita

unto those that live on Amrita. The couplet that was sung by the dwellers

of Rasatala in day of old, is still heard to be recited in the world by

the persons of learning. That couplet is this,--Neither in the region of

the Nagas, nor in Swarga, nor in Vimana, nor in Tripishtapa is residence

so happy as in Rasatala!'"

SECTION CIII

"Narada said, 'This foremost of cities that thou beholdest and which

resembles the Amaravati of the chief of the celestials himself, is known

by the name of Bhogavati. It is ruled over by Vasuki, the king of the

Nagas. That Shesha dwelleth here, who, in consequence of his ascetic

austerities of the foremost order, is able to support this earth with all

her vastness. His body is like that of a white mountain. He is decked in

celestial ornaments. He hath a thousand heads. His tongues are blazing

like flames of fire, and he is endued with great strength. There dwell in

happiness innumerable Nagas--sons of Surasa--possessed of diverse forms,

and decked on ornaments of diverse kinds, bearing the signs of gems,

Swastika, circles and drinking vessels. All of them endued with great

strength are by nature fierce. Some have a thousand heads, some five

hundred, and some three. And some have two heads, and some five, and some

have seven faces. And all of them are possessed of huge bodies that

resemble the mountains stretching over the earth. Millions and tens of

millions are they, in fact, uncountable, even as regards those of' them

that belong to a single race. Listen, however, to me as I name a few of

the more famous ones amongst them. They are Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka,

Dhanjaya, Kaliya, Nahusha, Aswatara, Vakyakunda, Mani, Apurana, Khaga,

Vamana, Elapatra, Kukura, Kukuna, Aryaka, Nandaka, Kalasa, Potaka,

Kalilasaka, Pinjaraka, Airavata, Sumanmukha, Dadhimukha, Sankha, Nanda,

Upanandaka, Apta, Kotaraka, Sikhi, Nishthuraka, Tittiri, Hastibhadra,

Kumuda, Maylapindaka, the two Padmas, Pundarika, Pushpa, Mudgaraparnaka,

Karavira, Pitharaka, Samvritta, Vritta, Pindara, Vilwapatra, Mushikada,

Sirishaka, Dilipa, Sankha-sirsha, Jyotishka, Aparajita, Kauravya,

Dhritarashtra, Kuhara, Krisaka, Virajas, Dharana, Savahu, Mukhara, Jaya,

Vidhira, Andha, Visundi, Virasa, and Sarasa. These and many others there

are amongst the sons of Kasyapa. See O Matali, if there is anybody here

whom thou canst elect.'

"Kanwa continued, 'Matali, meanwhile, had been looking attentively at a

person that stood by. And after Narada had ceased speaking, the celestial

charioteer with gratified mind asked the Rishi, saying, 'Of what race is

he the delighter--that comely youth of great radiance--who standeth

before Aryaka of Kauravya's line? Who is his father, and who is his

mother? Of what Naga's race is he? Indeed, of what line doth he stand as

a high flag-staff? In consequence of his intelligence, his patience, his

beauty, and his youth, my heart, O celestial Rishi, hath been attracted

towards him. That youth will make the best of husbands for my Gunakesi.'

"Kanwa continued, 'Beholding Matali's gratification at seeing the Naga

called Sumukha, Narada informed him of the nobility of his parentage and

of his feats. And he said, 'Born in the race of Airavata this prince of

Nagas is named Sumukha. He is the favourite grandson of Aryaka, and the

daughter's son of Vamana. The father of this youth was, O Matali, the

Naga called Chikura. Not long before was he slain by Vinata's Son.'

Hearing this Matali became highly pleased, and addressing Narada, the

charioteer said, 'This best of Nagas is, O sire, very acceptable to me

for a son-in-law. Make an endeavour to secure him, for I am highly

pleased at the thought of bestowing on this Naga, O Muni, my dear

daughter.'"

SECTION CIV

"Narada then said, 'This one is the charioteer of the name of Matali. He

is besides a dear friend of Sakra. Pure in conduct, he hath an excellent

disposition and possesses numerous virtues. Endued with strength of mind,

he hath great energy and great might. He is the friend, counsellor, and

charioteer of Sakra. It has been seen in every battle that small is the

difference that exists between him and Vasava as regards prowess and

strength. In all the battles between the gods and Asuras, it is this

Matali that driveth, by his mind alone, that ever-victorious and best of

cars belonging to Indra, which is drawn by thousand steeds. Vanquished by

his management of the steeds, the enemies of the gods are subjugated by

Vasava by the use of his hands. Defeated before-hand by Matali, the

Asuras are subsequently slain by Indra. Matali hath an excellent

daughter, who in beauty is unrivalled in the world. Truthful and

possessed of every accomplishment, she is known by the name of Gunakesi.

He was searching the three worlds for an eligible bridegroom. O thou that

art possessed of the splendour of a celestial, thy grandson, Sumukha,

hath become acceptable to him as a husband for his daughter. If O best of

serpents, his proposal be acceptable to thee, quickly make up thy mind, O

Aryaka, to take his daughter in gift for thy grandson. As Lakshmi in

Vishnu's house, or Swaha in that of Agni so let the slender-waisted

Gunakesi be a wife in thy race. Let Gunakesi, therefore be accepted by

thee for thy grandson, like Sachi for Vasava who deserveth her. Although

this youth hath lost his father, yet we choose him for his virtues, and

for the respectability of Airavata and thy own. Indeed, it is in

consequence of Sumukha's merits, his disposition, purity, self-restraint

and other qualifications that Matali hath become himself desirous of

giving away his daughter unto him. It behoveth thee, therefore, to honour

Matali.'

"Kanwa continued, 'Thus addressed by Narada, Aryaka beholding his

grandson elected as a bridegroom and remembering the death of his son was

filled with delight and sorrow at the same time. And he then addressed

Narada and said, 'How, O celestial Rishi, can I desire Gunakesi for a

daughter-in-law'! It cannot be, O great Rishi, that thy words are not

highly honoured by me, for who is there that would not desire an alliance

with the friend of Indra? I hesitate, however, O great Muni, in

consequence of the instability of the very cause that would not make that

alliance lasting. O thou of great effulgence, the author of this youth,

viz., my son, hath been devoured by Garuda. We are afflicted with sorrow

on that account. But worse still, O lord, Vinata's son, at the time of

leaving these regions, said, 'After a month I will devour this Sumukha

also. Surely, it will happen as he hath said, for we know with whom we

have to deal. At these words, therefore, of Suparna we have become

cheerless!'

"Kanwa continued, 'Matali then said unto Aryaka, 'I have formed a plan.

This thy grandson is elected by me as my son-in-law. Let this Naga then,

proceeding with me and Narada, come to the Lord of heaven the chief of

the celestials, O best of Nagas. I shall then endeavour to place

obstacles in the way of Suparna, and as a last resource, we will

ascertain the period of life that hath been vouchsafed to Sumukha.

Blessed be thou, O Naga, let Sumukha, therefore, come with me to the

presence of the Lord of the celestials.' Saying this, they took Sumukha

with them, and all the four, endued with great splendour, coming to

heaven beheld Sakra the chief of the gods seated in all his glory. And it

so happened that the illustrious Vishnu of four arms was also present

there. Narada then represented the whole story about Matali and his

choice.'

"Kanwa continued, 'Hearing all that Narada said, Vishnu directed

Purandara, the Lord of the universe, saying, 'Let Amrita be given to this

youth, and let him be made immortal like gods themselves. Let Matali, and

Narada, and Sumukha, O Vasava, all attain their cherished wish through

thy grace.' Purandara, however, reflecting on the prowess of Vinata's

son, said unto Vishnu, 'Let Amrita be given unto him by thee.' Thus

addressed, Vishnu said, 'Thou art the Lord of all mobile and immobile

creatures. Who is there, O lord, that would refuse a gift that may be

made by thee'?' At these words Sakra gave unto that Naga length of days.

The slayer of Vala and Vritra did not make him a drinker of Amrita.

Sumukha, having obtained that boon, became Sumukha[11] (in reality) for

his face was suffused with marks of joy. And having married Matali's

daughter, he cheerfully returned home. And Narada and Aryaka also filled

with delight at the success of their object, went away, after having

worshipped the glorious chief of the celestials.'"

SECTION CV

"Kanwa said, 'Meanwhile, O Bharata, the mighty Garuda heard what had

happened, viz., the bestowal by Sakra of length of days on the Naga

Sumukha. And inflamed with great anger, that ranger of the firmament,

Suparna, smiting the three worlds by the hurricane caused by the

flappings of his wings, quickly came to Vasava. And Garuda said, 'O

illustrious one, disregarding me why hast thou interfered with my

sustenance. Having granted me a boon of thy own will, why dost thou now

withdraw it? The Supreme Lord of all creatures hath, from the beginning,

ordained what my food is to be. Why dost thou then stand in the way of

that divine decree? I had selected this great Naga and had fixed time,

for O god, I had intended to offer the meat of his body, as sustenance to

my numerous progeny. When he, therefore, hath obtained a boon from thee

and hath become indestructible by me, how can I henceforth dare kill

another of his species? Dost thou sport thus, O Vasava, as thou listest?

I, however, shall have to die, as also the members of my family' and the

servants whom I have engaged in my house. That will, I think, gratify

thee, O Vasava! Indeed, O slayer of Vala and Vritra, I deserve all this,

nay more, since being the lord of the three worlds in might. I yet

consented to become the servant of another. O monarch of the three

worlds, Vishnu, however, is not the only cause of my inferiority, for

though, O Vasava, I am quite thy equal, yet the sovereignty of the three

worlds resteth on thee, O chief of the celestials. Like thee, I also have

a daughter of Daksha for my mother and Kasyapa for my father. Like thee,

I also can, without any fatigue, bear the weight of the three worlds. I

have strength that is immeasurable and incapable of being resisted by any

creature. In the war with the Daityas I also achieved grand feats.

Srutasri and Srutasena and Vivaswat, and Rochanamukha, and Prasrura, and

Kalakaksha amongst the sons of Diti were slain by me. Perching yet on the

flag-staff of thy younger brother's car I carefully protect it in battle,

and sometimes also I bear that brother of thine on my back. It is,

perhaps, for this that thou disregardest me. Who else in the universe is

there that is capable of bearing such heavy burthens? Who is there that

is stronger than myself? Superior though I am, I yet bear on my back this

younger brother of thine with all his friends. When, however,

disregarding me thou hast interfered with my foods, thou hast, O Vasava,

inflicted disgrace on me, like this younger brother of thine that had

hitherto been disgracing me by making me bear him on my back. As regards

thyself, O Vishnu, amongst all those endued with prowess and strength

that have been born of Aditi's womb, thou art superior in strength. Yet

thee I bear without any fatigue, with only one of my feathers. Think

coolly then, O brother, who amongst us is stronger?'

"Kanwa continued, 'Hearing the proud words of that bird foreshadowing

danger the bearer of the discus, provoking Tarkshya still more, said unto

him, 'Though so very weak, why dost thou, O Garuda, yet regard thyself

strong, O oviparous creature, it ill behoveth thee to vaunt thus in our

presence. The three worlds united together cannot bear the weight of my

body. I myself bear my own weight and thine also. Come now, bear thou the

weight of this one right arm of mine. If thou canst bear even this, thy

boast would be regarded as reasonable. Saying this, the holy one placed

his arms on Garuda's shoulders. Thereupon the latter fell down, afflicted

with its weight, confounded, and deprived of his senses. And Garuda, felt

that the weight of that one arm of Vishnu was as great as that of the

entire Earth with her mountains. Endued with might infinitely greater,

Vishnu, however, did not afflict him much. Indeed, Achyuta did not take

his life. That ranger of the sky, afflicted then by that immense weight,

gasped for breath, and began to cast off his feathers. With every limb

weakened, and utterly confounded, Garuda was almost deprived of his

senses. The winged offspring of Vinata then, thus confounded and almost

deprived of his senses, and rendered utterly helpless, bowing unto Vishnu

with bent bead, feebly addressed him, saying, 'O illustrious Lord, the

essence of that strength which sustains the universe dwelleth in this

body of thine. What wonder, therefore, that I should be crushed down to

the earth by a single arm of thine, stretched out at thy pleasure. It

behoveth thee, O divine Lord, to forgive this winged creature that

perches on thy flag-staff--this fool intoxicated with pride of strength,

but now rendered utterly helpless. Thy great strength, O divine Lord, was

never known to me before. It was for this that I regarded my own might to

be unequalled.' Thus addressed, the illustrious Vishnu became gratified,

and addressing Garuda with affection, said, 'Let not thy behaviour be

such again.' And saying this, Upendra threw Sumukha with the toe of his

foot upon Garuda's breast. And from that time, O king, Garuda hath ever

lived in friendship with that snake. It was thus, O king, that mighty and

illustrious Garuda, the son of Vinata, afflicted by the might of Vishnu,

was cured of his pride.'

"Kanwa continued, 'In the same way, O son of Gandhari, thou livest, O

son, as long as thou approachest not the heroic sons of Pandu in battle.

Who is there whom Bhima, that foremost of smiters, that mighty son of

Vayu and Dhananjaya, the son of Indra, cannot slay in battle? Vishnu

himself, and Vayu and Dharma, and the Aswins,--these gods are thy

enemies. Let alone an encounter with them, thou art not competent even to

look at them on the field. Therefore, O prince, do not set thy heart upon

war; let peace be made through the agency of Vasudeva. It behoveth thee

to save thy race thus. This great ascetic Narada witnessed with his own

eyes the incident (I have related to thee) which shows the greatness of

Vishnu, and know that this Krishna is that bearer of the discus and the

mace!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the Rishi, Duryodhana

contracted his eye-brows and began to breathe heavily. And casting his

eyes then on Radha's son, he burst out into a loud laughter. And setting

at naught those words of the Rishi, that wicked wretch began to slap his

thigh that resembled the trunk of an elephant. And addressing the Rishi,

he said, 'I am, O great Rishi, precisely what the Creator hath made me.

What is to be, must be. What also hath been ordained in my case must

happen, I cannot act otherwise. What can these senseless declamations,

therefore, avail?'"

SECTION CVI

"Janamejaya said, 'Interminably wedded to evil, blinded by avarice,

addicted to wicked courses, resolved upon bringing destruction on his

head, inspiring grief in the hearts of kinsmen, enhancing the woes of

friends, afflicting all his well-wishers, augmenting the joys of foes,

and treading the wrong path, why did not his friends seek to restrain

him, and why also did not that great friend (of Kuru's race), the holy

One; with tranquil soul, or the Grandsire tell him anything from

affection?'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Yes, the holy one did speak. Bhishma also spoke what

was beneficial. And Narada too said much. Listen to all that these said.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Narada said, 'Persons that listen to the

counsels of friends are rare. Friends again are rare that offer

beneficial counsels, for a friend (in need of counsel) is never there

where a friend (offering counsel) is. O son of Kuru's race, I think, the

word of friends ought to be listened to. Obstinacy ought to be avoided;

for it is fraught with great evil. In this connection is cited an old

story regarding Galava's having met with disgrace through obstinacy. In

ancient times, in order to test Viswamitra, who was then engaged in

ascetic austerities Dharma personally came to him, having assumed the

form of the Rishi, Vasishtha. Thus assuming, O Bharata, the form of the

one of the seven Rishis, and feigning himself hungry and desirous of

eating, he came, O king, to the hermitage of Kausika. Thereupon,

Viswamitra struck with awe, began to cook Charu (which was a preparation

of rice and milk). And in consequence of the care he took in preparing

that excellent food, he could not properly wait upon his guest. And it

was not till after the guest had dined on the food offered by the other

hermits that Viswamitra succeeded in approaching him with the Charu he

had cooked and which was still steaming. 'I have already dined; wait

here,'--were the words that the holy one said. And having said that the

holy one went away. And thereupon, the illustrious Viswamitra, O king,

waited there. And bearing that food on his head and holding it with his

arms, that ascetic of rigid vow stood in his hermitage, still as a post,

subsisting on air. And as he stood there, an ascetic of the name of

Galava, from motives of respect and reverence and from affection and

desire of doing what was agreeable, began to wait upon him. And after a

hundred years had passed away, Dharma, again assuming the form of

Vasishtha, came to Kausika from desire of eating. And beholding the great

Rishi Viswamitra, who was endued with high wisdom, standing there with

that food on his head, himself subsisting all the while on air, Dharma

accepted that food which was still warm and fresh. And having eaten that

food, the god said,--Gratified am I, O regenerate Rishi. And saying this,

he went away. And at those words of Dharma, Viswamitra divested of

Kshatriyahood because endued with the status of a Brahmana and was filled

with delight[12]. And pleased as he was with the services and devotion of

his discipline, the ascetic Galava, Viswamitra, addressed him and said,

'With my leave, O Galava, go whithersoever thou mayest wish.' Thus

commanded by his preceptor, Galava, highly pleased, said in a sweet voice

unto Viswamitra of great effulgence, What final gift shall I make thee in

consequence of thy services as preceptor? O giver of honours, it is in

consequence of the (final) present that a sacrifice becometh successful.

The giver of such gifts obtains emancipation. Indeed, these gifts

constitute the fruit (that one enjoys in heaven). They are regarded as

peace and tranquillity personified. What, therefore, shall I procure for

my preceptor? Oh, let that be said. 'The illustrious Viswamitra knew that

he had really been conquered by Galava by means of the latter's services,

and the Rishi, therefore, sought to dismiss him by repeatedly saying,

'Go, Go.' But thou repeatedly commanded by Viswamitra to go away, Galava

still addressed him saying, 'What shall I give?' And seeing this

obstinacy on the part of ascetic Galava, Viswamitra felt a slight rise of

anger and at last said, 'Give me eight hundred steeds, every one of which

should be as white as the rays of the moon, and every one of which should

have one ear black. Go now, O Galava, and tarry not.'"

SECTION CVII

"Narada said, 'Thus addressed by Viswamitra of great intelligence Galava

was filled with such anxiety that he could not sit or lie down, or take

his food. A prey to anxiety and regret, lamenting bitterly, and burning

with remorse, Galava grew pale, and was reduced to a skeleton. And

smitten with sorrow, O Suyodhana, he indulged in these lamentations,

'Where shall I find affluent friends? Where shall I find money? Have I

any savings? Where shall I find eight hundred steeds of lunar whiteness?

What pleasure can I have in eating? What happiness can be mine in objects

of enjoyment? The very love of life is extinct in me. What need have I of

life? Repairing to the other shore of the great ocean, or to the furthest

verge of the earth, I will relinquish my life. Of what use can life be to

me? What happiness, without severe exertion, can be his who is poor,

unsuccessful, deprived of all the good things of life, and burthened with

debt? Death is preferable to life as regards him who having enjoyed the

wealth of friends through their friendship for himself, is unable to

return their favour. The religious acts of that man lose their efficacy

who having promised to do an act fails to perform it and is thus stained

with falsehood. One that is stained by falsehood cannot have beauty, or

children, or power, or influence. How, therefore, can such a one attain

to a blissful state? What ungrateful man hath ever earned fame? Where,

indeed, is his place, and where his happiness? An ungrateful person can

never win esteem and affection. Salvation also can never be his. He that

is destitute of wealth is a wretch that can scarcely be said to live.

Such a wretch cannot support his kinsmen and friends. Unable to make any

return for the benefits he receiveth, he certainly meeteth with

destruction. Even I am that wretch, ungrateful, destitute of resources,

and stained with falsehood, for having obtained my objects from my

preceptor, I am unable to do his bidding. Having first endeavoured to the

utmost, I will lay down my life. Before this, I never craved for any

thing from the very gods. The deities regard me for this in sacrificial

place. I will go and seek the protection of Vishnu, the divine Lord of

the three worlds, of Krishna the great refuge of all who are blessed with

protection. Bowing down unto him, I desire to see that highest of all

ascetics, the Eternal Krishna from whom flow all those possessions and

enjoyments that are owned by both gods and Asuras.' And while Galava was

thus lamenting, his friend Garuda, the son of Vinata, appeared in his

sight. And Garuda, from desire of doing him good, cheerfully addressed

him, saying, Thou art a dear friend, of mine. It is the duty of a friend,

when himself in prosperity, to look to the accomplishment of the wishes

of his friends. The prosperity that I have, O Brahmana, is constituted by

Vasava's younger brother Vishnu. Before this, I spoke to him on thy

behalf and he hath been pleased to grant my wishes. Come now, we will go

together. I will bear thee comfortably to the other shore of the ocean,

or to the furthest extremity of the earth. Come, O Galava, do not tarry.'"

SECTION CVIII

"Garuda said, 'O Galava, commanded I have been by God, who is the cause

of all knowledge. I ask thee, towards which quarter shall I first take

thee to see what lie there? The eastern, the southern, the western, or

the northern, towards which, O best of regenerate persons, shall I go, O

Galava? That quarter towards which Surya the illuminator of the universe

first riseth; where, at eve, the Sadhyas engage in their ascetic

austerities; where that Intelligence, which pervades the whole universe

first springeth; where the two eyes of Dharma, as well as he himself, are

stationed; where the clarified butter first poured in sacrifice

subsequently flowed all around; that quarter, O best of all regenerate

persons, is the gate of Day and Time. There the daughters of Daksha, in

primeval times, gave birth to their children. There the sons of Kasyapa

first multiplied. That quarter is the source of all the prosperity of the

gods, for it was there that Sakra was first anointed as the king of the

celestials. It was there, O regenerate Rishi, that both Indra and the

gods underwent their ascetic penances. It is for this, O Brahmana, that

this quarter is called Purva (the first). And because in the earliest of

times this quarter was overspread by the Suras, it is for this that it is

called Purva. The gods, desirous of prosperity, performed all their

religious ceremonies here. It was here that the divine Creator of the

universe first sang the Vedas. It was here that the Gayatri was first

preached by Surya unto the reciters of that sacred hymn. It was here, O

best of Brahmanas, that the Yajurvedas  were delivered by Surya (unto

Yajnavalkya). It was here that the Soma juice, sanctified by boons, was

first drunk in sacrifices by Suras. It was here that the Homa-fires,

(gratified by mantras), first drank articles of cognate origin.[13] It

was here that Varuna first repaired to the nether regions, and attained

to all his prosperity. It was here, O bull among the twice-born, that the

birth, growth, and death of the ancient Vasishtha took place. Here first

grew the hundred different branches of Om![14] It was here that the

smoke-eating Munis are the smoke of sacrificial fires. It was in that

region that myriads of boars and other animals were killed by Sakra and

offered as sacrificial portions unto the gods. It is here that the

thousand-rayed sun, arising, consumeth, out of ire, all those that are

wicked and ungrateful among men and the Asuras. This is the gate of the

three worlds. This is the path of heaven and felicity. This quarter is

called Purva (east). We will go hither, if it pleaseth thee. I shall

always do what is agreeable to him who is my friend. Tell me, O Galava,

if any other quarter pleaseth thee, for we will then go there. Listen now

to what I say of another quarter.'"

SECTION CIX

"Garuda continued, 'In days of yore, Vivaswat, having performed a

sacrifice, gave this quarter away as a present (Dakshina) unto his

preceptor, And it is for this that this region is known by the name of

Dakshina (south). It is here that the Pitris of the three worlds have

their habitation. And, O Brahmana, it is said that a class of celestials

subsisting upon smoke alone also live there. Those celestials also that

go by the name of Viswedevas always dwell in this region along with the

Pitris. Worshipped in sacrifices in all the worlds, they are equal

sharers with the Pitris. This quarter is called the second door of Yama.

It is here that the periods allotted to men are calculated in Trutis and

Lavas.[15] In this region always dwell the celestial Rishis, the

Pitriloka Rishis, and the royal Rishis, in great happiness. Here are

religion and truth. It is here that the acts (of persons) exhibit their

fruits. This region, O best of the twice-born, is the goal of the acts of

the dead. It is this region, O best of regenerate persons, whither all

must repair. And as creatures are all overwhelmed by darkness, they

cannot, therefore, come hither in bliss. Here, O bull among regenerate

persons, are many thousands of Malevolent Rakshasas in order to be seen

by the sinful. Here, O Brahmana, in the bowers on the breast of Mandara

and in the abodes of regenerate Rishis, the Gandharvas chant psalms,

stealing away both the heart and the intellect. It was here that Raivata

(a Daitya), hearing the Sama hymns sung in a sweet voice, retired to the

woods, leaving his wife and friends and kingdom. In this region, O

Brahmana, Manu and Yavakrita's son together set a limit which Surya can

never overstep. It was here that the illustrious descendant of Pulastya,

Ravana, the king of the Rakshasas, undergoing ascetic austerities,

solicited (the boon of) immortality from the gods. It was here that (the

Asura) Vritra, in consequence of his wicked conduct, incurred the enmity

of Sakra. It is in this region that lives of diverse forms all come and

are then dissociated into their five (constituent) elements. It is in

this region, O Galava, that men of wicked deeds rot (in tortures). It is

here that the river Vaitarani flows, filled with the bodies of persons

condemned to hell. Arrived here, persons attain to the extremes of

happiness and misery. Reaching this region, the sun droppeth sweet waters

and thence proceeding again to the direction named after (Vasishtha),

once more droppeth dew, It was here that I once obtained (for food), a

prodigious elephant battling with an enormous tortoise. It was here that

the great sage Chakradhanu took his birth from Surya. That divine sage

afterwards came to be known by the name of Kapila, and it was by him that

the (sixty thousand) sons of Sagara were afflicted. It was here that a

class of Brahmanas named Sivas, fully mastering the Vedas, became crowned

with (ascetic) success. Having studied all the Vedas they at last

attained eternal salvation. In this region is the city called Bhogavati

that is ruled by Vasuki, by the Naga Takshaka and also by Airavata. They

that have to journey hither (after death) encounter here a thick gloom.

And so thick is that gloom that it cannot be penetrated by either the Sun

himself or by Agni. Worthy of worship as thou art, even thou shalt have

to pass this road. Tell me now if thou wishest to sojourn towards this

direction. Else, I listen to an account of the western direction.'"

SECTION CX

"Garuda said, 'This quarter is the favourite one of king Varuna, the

ruler of the ocean. Indeed, the lord of the waters had his origin here,

and it is hither that sovereignty lieth. And since it is here that

towards the day's end (paschat) the sun dismisseth his rays that this

quarter, O best of the twice-born ones, is called the west (paschima).

For ruling over all aquatic creatures and for the protection of the water

themselves, illustrious and divine Kasyapa installed Varuna here (as the

king of this region). Quaffing all the six juices of Varuna, the moon,

the dispeller of darkness, becometh young again in the beginning of the

fortnight. It was in the quarter, O Brahmana, that the Daityas were

routed and bound fast by the wind-god. And afflicted by a mighty tempest,

and breathing hard (as they fled), they at last laid themselves down in

this region to sleep (the sleep that knows no waking). Hither is that

mountain called Asta which is the cause of the evening twilight, and

which (daily) receiveth the sun lovingly turning towards it. It is from

this quarter that both Night and Sleep, issuing out at the close of day,

spread themselves, as if, for robbing all living creatures of half their

allotted periods of life. It was here that Sakra, beholding (his

stepmother) the goddess Diti lying asleep in a state of pregnancy, cut

off the foetus (into forty-nine parts), whence sprang the (forty-nine)

Maruts. It is towards this direction that the roots of Himavat stretch

towards the eternal Mandara (sunk in the ocean). By journeying for even a

thousand years one cannot attain to the end of those roots. It is in this

region that Surabhi (the mother of cows), repairing to the shores of the

extensive lake, adorned with golden lotuses, poureth forth her milk. Here

in the midst of the ocean is seen the headless trunk of the illustrious

Swarbhanu (Rahu) who is always bent upon devouring both sun and the moon.

Here is heard the loud chanting of the Vedas by Suvarnasiras, who is

invincible and of immeasurable energy, and whose hair is eternally green.

It is in this region that the daughter of Muni Harimedhas remained

transfixed in the welkin in consequence of Surya's injunction couched in

the words--Stop, Stop. Here, O Galava, wind, and fire, and earth, and

water, are all free, both day and night, from their painful sensations.

It is from this region that the sun's course begins to deviate from the

straight path, and it is in this direction that all the luminous bodies

(the constellations) enter the solar sphere. And having moved for

twenty-eight nights with the sun, they come out of the sun's course to

move in accompaniment with the moon. It is in this region that the rivers

which always feed the ocean have their sources. Here, in the abode of

Varuna, are the waters of the three worlds. In this region is situate the

abode of Anarta, the prince of snakes. And here is the unrivalled abode

also of Vishnu, who is without beginning and without end. In this region

is also situate the abode of the great Rishi Kasyapa, the son of Maricha.

The western quarter is thus narrated to thee in course of telling thee of

the different points. Tell me now, O Galava, towards which side, O best

of regenerate persons, shall we go?'"

SECTION CXI

"Garuda said, 'O Brahmanas, since this quarter saveth from sin, and since

one attaineth to salvation here, it is for this saying (Uttarana) power

that it is called the north (uttara). And, O Galava, because the abode of

all the treasures of the north stretches in a line towards the east and

the west, therefore is the north sometimes called the central region

(madhyama). And, O bull among the twice-born, in this region that is

superior to all, none can live that is unamiable, or of unbridled

passions, or unrighteous. Hither, in the asylum, known by the name of

Vadari, eternally dwell Krishna who is Narayana's self, and Jishnu that

most exalted, of all male beings, and Brahman (the Creator). Hither, on

the breast of Himavat always dwelleth Maheswara endued with the

effulgence of the fire that blazeth up at the end of the Yuga. As

Purusha, he sporteth here with Prakriti (the universal mother). Except by

Nara and Narayana, he is incapable of being seen by the diverse classes

of Munis, the gods with Vasava at their head, the Gandharvas, the

Yakshas, and the Siddhas. Though invested with Maya, him the eternal

Vishnu alone, of a thousand heads and thousand legs, can behold. It was

in this region that Chandramas (the moon) was installed into the

sovereignty of the entire regenerate order. It was in this region, O thou

foremost of all acquainted with Brahma, that Mahadeva first receiving her

on his head, afterwards let (the sacred stream) Ganga fall from the

heavens to the world of men. It was here that the Goddess (Uma) underwent

her ascetic austerities from her desire of obtaining Maheswara (as her

Lord). It was in this region that Kama, the wrath (of Siva), Himavat, and

Uma, all together shone brilliantly. It was here, on the breast of

Kailasa, O Galava, that Kuvera, was installed on the sovereignty of the

Rakshasas, the Yakshas, and the Gandharvas. It is in this region that

(Kuvera's gardens called) Chitraratha lie, and it is here that the asylum

of (the Munis called the) Vaikhanasas is situate. It is here, O bull

among the twice-born, that the celestial stream called Mandakini, and the

mountain Mandara are to be seen. It is here that the gardens called

Saugandhi-kanaka are always guarded by the Rakshasas. Here are many

plains covered with grassy verdure, as also the plantain forest, and

those celestial trees called the Sautanakas. It is in this, region, O

Galava, that the Siddhas, with souls ever under control and always

sporting at will, have their fit abodes, abounding with every object of

enjoyment. It is here that the seven Rishis with Arundhati may be seen.

It is here that the constellation Swati is to be seen, and it is here

that it first rises to the view. It is in this region that the Grandsire

Brahman dwelleth in the vicinity of Yajna (sacrifice embodied). It is in

this quarter that the sun, the moon, and the other luminaries are seen to

revolve regularly.

It is in this region, O foremost of Brahmanas, that those illustrious and

truth-speaking Munis called by the name of Dharma, guard the source of

the Ganges. The origin and physical features and ascetic penances of

these Munis are not known to all. The thousand dishes they use for

serving the food offered in hospitality and the edibles also they create

at will, are all a mystery, The man, O Galava, that passeth beyond the

point guarded by these Munis, is certain, O foremost of Brahmanas, to

meet with destruction. None else, O bull among Brahmanas, save the divine

Narayana, and the eternal Nara called also Jishnu, succeeded in passing

beyond the point so guarded. It is in this region that the mountains of

Kailasa lie, the abode of Ailavila (Kuvera). It is here that the ten

Apsaras known by the name of Vidyutprabha had their origin. In covering,

O Brahmana, the three worlds with three steps in the sacrifice of Vali

(the Asura king), Vishnu had covered this whole northern region; and,

accordingly, there is a spot here called Vishnupada. And it is so called

after the footprint of Vishnu caused on that occasion. Here, in this

quarter, at a place called Usiravija, by the side of the golden lake,

king Marutta performed, O foremost of Brahmanas, a sacrifice. It is here

that the brilliant and shining gold mines of Himavat exhibit themselves

to the illustrious and regenerate Rishi Jimuta. And Jimuta gave away the

whole of that wealth to the Brahmanas. And having given it away, that

great Rishi solicited them to call it after his own name. And hence that

wealth is known by the name of the Jaimuta gold. Here, in this region, O

bull among Bharatas, the regents of the worlds, O Galava, every morning

and evening, proclaim, 'What business of what person shall we do?' It is

for these, O foremost of Brahmanas, and other incidents, that the

northern region is superior to all quarters. And because this region is

superior (uttara) to all, therefore, it is called the north (uttara). The

four regions have thus, O sire, been, one after another described to thee

in details. Towards which quarter then dost thou desire to go? I am

ready, O foremost of Brahmanas, to show thee all the quarters of the

earth!'"

SECTION CXII

"Galava said, 'O Garuda, O slayer of foremost snakes, O thou of beautiful

feathers, O son of Vinata, carry me, O Tarkhya, to the east where the two

eyes of Dharma are first opened. O, take me to the east which thou hast

first described, and whither, thou hast said, the gods are always

present. Thou hast said that thither both truth and virtue reside. I

desire to meet all the gods. Therefore, O younger brother of Aruna, take

me thither, so that I may behold the gods.'

"Narada continued, 'Thus addressed, the son of Vinata replied unto that

Brahmana saying, 'Mount thou on my back.' And thereupon, the Muni Galava

rode on the back of Garuda. And Galava said, 'Thy beauty, O devourer of

snakes, as thou proceedest, seemeth to be like that of the sun himself in

the morning, that maker of the day endued with a thousand rays. And, O

ranger of the skies, thy speed is so great that the very trees, broken by

the storm caused by the flapping of thy wings, seem to pursue thee in the

course. Thou seemest, O tenant of the welkin, to drag by the storm caused

by the wings, the very Earth with all the waters of her oceans, and with

all her mountains, woods and forests. Indeed, the tempest caused by the

motion of thy wings seems to continually raise into mid air the waters of

the sea, with all their fishes and snakes and crocodiles. I see fishes

possessed of similar faces, and Timis and Timingilas and snakes endued

with human faces, all crushed by the tempest raised by thy wings. My ears

are deafened by the roar of the deep. So stunned am I that I can neither

hear nor see anything. Indeed, I have forgotten my own purpose. Slacken

thy speed, O ranger of the sky, remembering the risk to a Brahmana's

life. O sire, neither the sun, nor the cardinal points, nor the welkin

itself, is any longer perceptible to me. I see only a thick gloom around

me. The body is no longer visible to me. I see only thy two eyes, O

oviparous being, resembling two radiant gems. I cannot see either thy

body or my own. At every step, I behold sparks of fire emitted from thy

frame. Stop without delay these sparks of fire and extinguish the

dazzling radiance of thy eyes. O son of Vinata, slacken this exceeding

speed of thy course. O devourer of snakes, I have no business to go with

thee. Desist, O blessed one, I am unable to bear this speed of thine. I

have promised to give my preceptor eight hundred white steeds of lunar

effulgence, each having one ear black in hue. I see no way, O oviparous

being, of fulfilling my pledge. There is but one way that I can see, and

that is to lay down my own life. I have no wealth of my own, nor any

wealthy friend, nor can wealth, however immense, procure the

accomplishment of my object.'

"Narada continued, 'Unto Galava uttering these and many other words of

entreaty and sorrow, the son of Vinata, without slackening his speed,

laughingly replied, saying, 'Thou hast little wisdom, O regenerate Rishi,

since thou wishest to put an end to thy own life. Death can never be

brought about by one's effort. Indeed, Death is God himself. Why didst

thou not, before this, inform me of thy purpose? There are excellent

means by which all this may be accomplished. Here is this mountain called

Rishabha on the seaside. Resting here for some time and refreshing

ourselves with food, I will, O Galava, return.'"

SECTION CXIII

"Narada said, 'Alighting then on the peak of the Rishabha, the Brahmana

and the Bird beheld a Brahmana lady of the name of Sandili, engaged there

on ascetic penances. And Galava and Garuda both saluted her by bending

their heads, and worshipped her. And thereupon, the lady enquired after

their welfare and gave them seats. And having taken their seats, both of

them took the cooked food the lady offered them, after having first

dedicated it to the gods with Mantras. And having taken that food, they

laid themselves down on the ground and fell into a profound sleep. And

Garuda, from desire of leaving that place, upon awakening, found that his

wings, had fallen off. Indeed, he had become like a ball of flesh, with

only his head and legs. And beholding him come to that plight, Galava

sorrowfully enquired, saying, 'What is this condition that has overtaken

thee as the consequence of thy sojourn here? Alas, how long shall we have

to reside here? Hadst thou harboured any evil and sinful thought in thy

mind? It cannot, I am sure, be any trivial sin of which thou hast been

guilty.' Thus addressed, Garuda replied unto the Brahmana, saying,

'Indeed, O regenerate one, I entertained the thought of carrying away

this lady crowned with ascetic success from this spot to where the

Creator himself, the divine Mahadeva, the eternal Vishnu, and both Virtue

and Sacrifice personified, live together, for as I thought this lady

should live there. I shall now, from desire of doing myself good,

prostrate myself before this holy lady, and pray unto her, saying,--with

a heart full of pity, I had, indeed, entertained such a thought. Whether

I acted rightly or wrongly, even this was the wish, evidently against thy

own, that was cherished by me from my respect for thee. It behoveth thee,

therefore, to grant me forgiveness, from the nobility of thy heart.' That

lady became gratified with that prince of birds and that bull of

Brahmanas. And addressing Garuda, she said, 'Fear not, O thou of

beautiful feathers. Resume thy wings, and cast off thy fears. I was

contempted by thee, but know that I do not pardon contempt. That sinful

being who entertains contempt for me, would speedily fall away from all

blissful regions. Without a single inauspicious indication about me, and

perfectly blameless as I am, I have, in consequence of the purity of my

conduct, attained to high ascetic success. Purity of conduct beareth

virtue as its fruit. Purity of conduct beareth wealth as its fruit. It is

purity of conduct that bringeth on prosperity. And it is purity of

conduct that driveth away all inauspicious indications. Go thou, O

blessed prince of birds, whithersoever thou wishest, from this place.

Never entertain contempt for me, and take care that thou dost not

contempt women that may even be truly blamable. Thou shalt again be, as

before, invested with both strength and energy.' At these words of that

lady Garuda had his wings again, and they became even stronger than

before. And then with Sandili's leave, Garuda with Galava on his back

took his departure. But they failed to find the kind of steeds they were

in search of. And it so happened that Viswamitra met Galava on the way.

And thereupon, that foremost of speakers addressed Galava in the presence

of Vinata's son and said, 'O regenerate one, the time is already come

when thou shouldst give me the wealth thou hadst promised me of thy own

accord. I do not know what thou mayst. I have waited so long. I will wait

for some time more. Seek thou the way by which thou mayst succeed (in the

matter of thy promise).' Hearing these words, Garuda addressed cheerless

Galava who was overwhelmed with sorrow, saying, 'What Viswamitra said

unto thee before hath now been repeated in my presence. Come, therefore,

O Galava, best of Brahmanas, we will deliberate on the matter. Without

giving thy preceptor the whole of the wealth (promised by thee), thou

canst not even sit down.'

SECTION CXIV

"Narada said, 'Garuda then, that foremost of winged beings, addressed the

cheerless Galava and said, 'Because it is created by Agni, in the bowels

of the earth and augmented by Vayu, and because also the earth itself is

said to be Hiranmaya, therefore, is wealth called Hiranya. And because

wealth supports the world and sustains life, therefore, is it called

Dhana. It is for serving these ends that Dhana (wealth) exists from the

beginning in the three worlds. On that Friday, when either of the two

constellations--the Purvabhadra or the Uttarabhadra--is ascendant, Agni,

creating wealth by a fiat of his will, bestoweth it on mankind for the

increase of Kuvera's stock. The wealth that is embowelled in the Earth is

guarded by the deities called the Ajaikapats and the Ahivradnas, and also

by Kuvera. Exceedingly difficult of attainment, that wealth, therefore, O

bull among Brahmanas, is rarely attained. Without wealth there is no

chance of thy acquisition of the promised steeds. Beg thou, therefore, of

some king born in the race of some royal sage, who may, without

oppressing his subjects, crown our suit with success. There is a king

born in the lunar race, that is my friend. We shall go to him, for he,

amongst all on Earth, hath great wealth. That royal sage is known by the

name of Yayati, and he is the son of Nahusha. His prowess is incapable of

being baffled. Solicited by thee in person, and urged by me, he will give

what we seek, for he hath immense wealth, equal unto what belongeth to

Kuvera, the lord of treasures. Even thus, by accepting a gift, O learned

one, pay off thy debt to thy preceptor.' Talking thus, and thinking upon

what was best to be done, Garuda and Galava together went to king Yayati,

who was then in his capital called Pratisthana. The king received them

hospitably and gave them excellent Arghya and water to wash their feet.

And the king then asked them the cause of their advent. And thereupon

Garuda answered, saying, 'O son of Nahusha, this ocean of asceticism,

called Galava, is my friend. He had been, O monarch, a disciple of

Viswamitra for many thousand years. This holy Brahmana, when commanded by

Viswamitra to go away whithersoever he chose, addressed his preceptor at

that time, saying,--I desire to give something as preceptor's fee.

Knowing this one's resources to be poor, Viswamitra did not ask for

anything. But when he was repeatedly addressed by this Brahmana on the

subject of the tutorial fee, the preceptor, under a slight accession of

wrath, said, 'Give me eight hundred white steeds of good pedigree and of

lunar radiance, and each having one ear black in hue. If, O Galava, thou

desirest to give anything to thy preceptor, let this then be given!' It

was thus that Viswamitra endued with wealth of asceticism said unto him

in anger. And this bull among Brahmanas is on that account smarting with

great grief. Unable to fulfil that command (of his preceptor), he hath

now come to take thy shelter. O tiger among men, accepting this as alms

from thee, and filled once more with cheerfulness, he will, after paying

his preceptor's debt, devote himself again to serve ascetic penances. A

royal Rishi as thou art, and, therefore, endued with wealth of asceticism

of thy own, this Brahmana, by giving thee a portion of his wealth of

asceticism, will make thee richer in wealth of that kind. As many hairs,

O lord of men, as there are on a horse's body, so many regions of bliss,

O ruler of Earth, are attained by him that giveth away a horse in gift.

This one is as fit to accept a gift as thou art to make a gift. Let

therefore, thy gift in this instance be like milk deposited in a

conch-shell.'"

SECTION CXV

"Narada said, 'Thus addressed by Suparna in excellent words fraught with

truth, that performer of thousand sacrifices, that foremost of givers,

that liberal ruler of all the Kasis, the lord Yayati, revolving those

words in his mind and reflecting on them coolly, and seeing before him

his dear friend, Tarkshya, and that bull among Brahmanas, Galava, and

regarding the alms sought as an indication, highly praiseworthy, of

(Galava's) ascetic merit, and in view particularly of the fact that those

two came to him having passed over all the kings of the Solar race, said,

'Blessed is my life today, and the race also in which I am born, hath,

indeed, been blessed today. This very province also of mine hath equally

been blessed by thee, O sinless Tarkshya. There is one thing, however, O

friend, that I desire to say unto thee, and that is, I am not so rich now

as thou thinkest, for my wealth hath suffered a great diminution. I

cannot, however, O ranger of the skies, make thy advent here a fruitless

one. Nor can I venture to frustrate the hopes entertained by this

regenerate Rishi. I shall, therefore, give him that which will accomplish

his purpose. If one having come for alms, returneth disappointed, he may

consume the (host's) race. O son of Vinata, it is said that there is no

act more sinful than that of saying, 'I have nothing'--and thus

destroying the hope of one that cometh, saying, 'Give.' The disappointed

man whose hopes have been killed and his object not accomplished, can

destroy the sons and grandsons of the person that faileth to do him good.

Therefore, O Galava, take thou this daughter of mine, this perpetrator of

four families. In beauty, she resembleth a daughter of the celestials.

She is capable of prompting every virtue. Indeed, owing to her beauty,

she is always solicited (at my hands) by gods and men, and Asuras. Let

alone twice four hundred steeds each with a black ear, the kings of the

earth will give away their whole kingdoms as her dower. Take thou,

therefore, this daughter of mine, named Madhavi. My sole desire is that I

may have a daughter's son by her. Accepting that daughter in gift, Galava

then, with Garuda, went away, saying, 'We will again see thee'. And they

took that maiden with them. And Galava's oviparous friend addressed him,

saying, 'The means have at last been obtained whereby the steeds may be

obtained.' And saying this, Garuda went away to his own abode, having

obtained Galava's permission. And after the prince of birds had gone,

Galava, with that maiden in his company, began to think of going to some

one among the kings who would be able to give (fit) dower for the maiden.

And he first thought of that best of kings, Haryyaswa of Ikshaku's race,

who ruled at Ayodhya, was endued with great energy, possessed of a large

army consisting of four kinds of forces, had a well-filled treasury and

abundance of corn, and who was dearly loved by his subjects, and who

loved the Brahmanas well. Desirous of offspring, he was living in quiet

and peace, and engaged in excellent austerities. And the Brahmana Galava,

repairing unto Haryyaswa, said, 'This maiden, O king of kings, will

increase the family of her husband by bringing forth offspring. Accept

her from me, O Haryyaswa, as thy wife, by giving me a dower. I will tell

thee what dower thou shalt have to give. Hearing it, settle what thou

shalt do.'"

SECTION CXVI

"Narada said, 'That best of monarchs, king Haryyaswa, after reflecting

for a long while and breathing a long and hot sigh about the birth of a

son, at last said, 'Those six limbs[16] that ought to be high are high in

this maiden. Those seven, again, that ought to be slender are slender in

her. Those three, again, which ought to be deep are deep in her. And

lastly, those five that ought to be red are red in her. It seems that she

is worth being looked at by even the gods and the Asuras, and is

accomplished in all the arts and sciences. Possessed of all auspicious

signs, she will certainly bring forth many children. She is even capable

of bringing forth a son who may become an emperor. Having regard to my

wealth, tell me, O foremost of Brahmanas, what should be her dower.'

Galava said, 'Give me eight hundred steeds, born in a good country, of

lunar whiteness, and each with one ear black in hue. This auspicious and

large-eyed maiden will then become the mother of thy sons, like the

fire-stick becoming the genetrix of fire.'"

"Narada continued, 'Hearing these words, that royal sage, king Haryyaswa,

filled with sorrow, but blinded by lust, addressed Galava, that foremost

of Rishis, saying, 'I have only two hundred steeds about me of the kind

wanted by thee, although of other kinds all worthy of sacrifice, I have

many thousand moving about (in my dominions), O Galava, I desire to beget

only one son upon this damsel. Kindly grant this request of mine.'

Hearing these words of the king, that damsel said unto Galava, 'A reciter

of Brahma granted me a boon that I would after each delivery, be a maiden

again. Give me away, therefore, to this king, accepting his excellent

steeds. In this way, full eight hundred steeds may be obtained by thee

from four kings in succession, and I also may have four sons. Collect

thou the wealth intended for thy preceptor, in this way. Even this is

what I think. It depends, however, oil thee, O Brahmana, as to how thou

shouldst act.' Thus addressed by that maiden, the Muni Galava said these

words unto king Haryyaswa, 'O Haryyaswa, O best of men, accept this

damsel for a fourth part of the dower that I have settled, and beget only

one son upon her.' Taking then that maiden and worshipping Galava, the

king in due time and place had by her a son of the kind wished for. And

the son so born came to be called by the name of Vasumanas. Richer than

all the wealthy kings of the earth, and resembling one of the Vasus

themselves he became a king and giver of great wealth.

'After some time, intelligent Galava came back and approaching the

delighted Haryyaswa, said unto him, 'Thou hast, O king obtained a son.

Indeed, this child is like the sun himself in splendour. The time hath

come, O foremost of men, for me to go to some other king for alms.'

Hearing these words, Haryyaswa who was even truthful in speech and steady

in acts of manliness, and remembering that the balance of six hundred

steeds could not be made up by him, gave Madhavi back to Galava. And

Madhavi also, abandoning that blazing, kingly prosperity, and once more

becoming a maiden, followed the footsteps of Galava. And Galava too,

saying, 'Let the steeds remain with thee' then went, accompanied by the

maiden, to king Divodasa.'"

SECTION CXVII

"Narada said, 'Galava then, addressing Madhavi, said, The ruler of the

Kasis is an illustrious king known by the name of Divodasa. He is the son

of Bhimasena, is endued with great prowess, and is a mighty sovereign. O

blessed maiden, we are now going to him. Follow me slowly and grieve not.

That ruler of men is virtuous and devoted to truth and hath his passions

under control.'

"Narada Continued, 'When the muni came before that king he was received

with due hospitality by the latter. Galava, then, began to urge the

monarch for begetting a child. Thus addressed, Divodasa said, 'I heard of

all this before. Thou needest not speak much. O Brahmana. I may tell

thee, O best of Brahmanas, that as soon as I heard of this matter, my

heart was set upon it. This also is a mark of great honour to me that

passing over all other kings thou hast come to me, Without doubt, thy

object will be gained. In the matter of the steeds, O Galava, my wealth

is like that of king Haryyaswa. I shall, therefore, beget only one royal

son upon this maiden.' Hearing these words, that best of Brahmanas gave

that damsel unto the king, and, the king, thereupon, duly wedded her. And

the royal sage then sported with her, as Surya with Prabhavati, Agni with

Swaha, Vasava with Sachi, Chandra with Rohini, Yama with Urmila, Varuna

with Gauri, Kuvera with Riddhi, Narayana with Lakshmi, Sagara with

Jahnavi, Rudra with Rudrani, the Grandsire with Saraswati, Vasishtha's

son Saktri with Adrisyanti, Vasishtha with Arundhati (called also

Akshamala), Chyavana with Sukanya, Pulastya with Sandhya, Agastya with

the princess of Vidarbha Lopamudra, Satyavan with Savitri, Bhrigu with

Puloma, Kasyapa with Aditi, Richika's son Jamadagni with Renuka, Kusika's

son Viswamitra with Himavati, Vrihaspati with Tara, Sukra with Sataprava,

Bhumipati with Bhumi, Pururavas with Urvasi, Richika with Satyavati, Manu

with Saraswati, Dushyanta with Sakuntala, the eternal Dharma with Dhriti,

Nala with Damayanti, Narada, with Satyavati, Jaratkaru with Jaratkaru,

Pulastya with Pratichya, Urnayus with Menaka, Tumvuru with Rambha, Vasuki

with Satasirsha, Dhananjaya with Kamari, Rama with the princess of Videha

Sita, or Janardana with Rukmini. And unto king Divodasa, that sporting

with and taking delight in her, Madhavi bore a son named Pratardana. And

after she had borne him a son, the holy Galava came to Divodasa at the

appointed time, and said unto him, 'Let the maiden come with me, and let

the steeds also thou art to give me remain with thee, for I desire to go

elsewhere, O ruler of Earth, for dower.' Thus addressed, the virtuous

king Divodasa, who was devoted to truth, thereupon, gave back the maiden

to Galava at the appointed time.'"

SECTION CXVIII

"Narada said, 'The illustrious Madhavi, faithful to her promise,

abandoning that prosperity and once more becoming a maiden, followed the

footsteps of the Brahmana Galava. And Galava, whose heart was set upon

the accomplishment of his own business, reflecting upon what he should do

next then went to the city of the Bhojas for waiting upon king Usinara.

And arrived before that king of unbaffled prowess, Galava addressed him,

saying, 'This maiden will bear thee two royal sons. And, O king,

begetting upon her two sons equal unto the Sun and the Moon, thou mayst

attain all thy objects both here and hereafter. As her dower, however, O

thou that art conversant with every duty, thou shalt have to give me four

hundred steeds of lunar splendour, each having ear black of hue. This

effort of mine for obtaining the steeds is only on account of my

preceptor, otherwise I myself have nothing to do with them. If thou art

able to accept (my terms), do as I bid thee without any hesitation. O

royal sage, thou art now childless. Beget, O king, a couple of children.

With offspring so begot as a raft, save they Pitris and thyself also. O

royal sage, he that hath fruit in the shape of offspring to enjoy, never

falleth from heaven. Nor hath such a person to go to that frightful hell

whither the childless are doomed to go.' Hearing these and other words of

Galava, king Usinara. replied unto him, saying, 'I have heard what thou,

O Galava, hast said. My heart also is inclined to do thy bidding. The

Supreme Ordainer, however, is all-powerful. I have only two hundred

steeds of the kind indicated by thee, O best of Brahmanas. Of other

kinds, I have many thousands moving about in my dominions. I will, O

Galava, beget only one son upon her, by treading the path that hath been

told by others such as Haryyaswa and Divodasa. I will act after their

manner in the matter of the dower. O best of Brahmanas, my wealth exists

for only my subjects residing in the city and the country, and not for my

own comforts and enjoyment. That king, O virtuous one, who giveth away

for his own pleasure the wealth that belongeth to others, can never earn

virtue or fame. Let this maiden, endued with the radiance of a celestial

girl, be presented to me. I will accept her for begetting only one

child.' Hearing these and many other words that Usinara spoke, that best

of Brahmanas, Galava, then applauded the monarch and gave him the maiden.

And making Usinara accept that damsel, Galava went into the woods. And

like a righteous man enjoying the prosperity (won by his deeds), Usinara

began to sport with and enjoy that damsel in valleys and dales of

mountains by fountains and falls of rivers, in mansions, delightful

chambers, variegated gardens, forests and woods, agreeable places, and

terraces of houses. And, in due time, was born unto him a son of the

splendour of the morning sun, who afterwards became an excellent king,

celebrated by the name Sivi. And after the birth of that son, the

Brahmana Galava came to Usinara, and taking back from him the maiden

went, O king, to see the son of Vinata.'"

SECTION CXIX

"Narada said, 'Seeing Galava, Vinata's son smilingly addressed him,

saying, 'By good luck it is, O Brahmana, that I behold thee successful.'

Galava, however, hearing the words spoken by Garuda informed him that a

fourth part of the task was still un-finished.' Garuda then, that

foremost of all speakers, said unto Galava, 'Do not make any endeavour

(to obtain the remaining two hundred), for it will not succeed. In days

of yore, Richika sought at Kanyakuyja Gadhi's daughter, Satyavati, for

making her his wife.' Thereupon Gadhi, O Galava, addressing the Rishi,

said, 'O holy one, let a thousand steeds of lunar brightness, each with

one ear black of hue, be presented to me.' Thus requested, Richika said,

'So be it'. And then wending his way to the great mart of steeds

(Aswatirtha) in Varuna's abode, the Rishi obtained what he sought and

gave them unto the king. Performing a sacrifice then of the name of

Pundarika, that monarch gave away those steeds (as Dakshina) unto the

Brahmanas. The three kings to whom thou hadst applied had purchased those

horses from the Brahmanas, each to the number of two hundred. The

remaining four hundred, O best of Brahmanas, while being transported over

the river, were taken by the Vitasta.[17]Therefore, O Galava, thou canst

never have that which is not to be had. Do thou then, O virtuous one,

present unto Viswamitra this maiden as an equivalent for two hundred

steeds, along with the six hundred thou hast already obtained. Thou wilt

then, O best of Brahmanas, be freed from thy grief and crowned with

success. Galava then, saying, 'So be it,' and taking with him both the

maiden and the steeds, went with Garuda in his company unto Viswamitra.

And arrived in his presence, Galava said, 'Here are six hundred steeds of

the kind demanded by thee. And this maiden is offered as an equivalent

for the remaining two hundred. Let all these be accepted by thee. Upon

this maiden have been begotten three virtuous sons by three royal sages.

Let a fourth, foremost of all, be begotten upon her by thee. And thus let

the number of steeds, eight hundred, be regarded by thee as full, and let

me also, being freed from thy debt, go and practise ascetic penances as I

list.' Viswamitra then, beholding Galava in the company of the bird, and

that highly beautiful maiden, said, 'Why, O Galava, didst thou not give

me this maiden before? Four sons then, sanctifiers of my race, would all

have been mine alone. I accept this maiden of thine for begetting upon

her one son. As regards the steeds, let them graze in my asylum.' Saying

this, Viswamitra of great effulgence began to pass his time happily with

her, And Madhavi bore him a son of the name of Ashtaka. And as soon as

that son was born, the great Muni Viswamitra addressed him to both virtue

and profit, and gave him those six hundred steeds. Ashtaka then went to a

city, bright as the city of Soma. And Kusika's son Viswamitra also having

made over the damsel to his disciple, himself went into the Woods. And

Galava also, with his friend Suparna, having in this way succeeded in

giving his preceptor the fee he had demanded, with a cheerful heart

addressed that maiden and said, 'Thou hast borne a son who is exceedingly

charitable, and another who is exceedingly brave, and a third who is

devoted to truth and righteousness, and yet another who is a performer of

great sacrifices. O beautiful maiden, thou hast, by these sons, saved not

only thy father, but four kings and myself, also. Go now, O thou of

slender waist.' Saying this, Galava dismissed Garuda that devourer of

snakes, and returning the maiden unto her father himself went into the

woods.'"

SECTION CXX

"Narada said, 'King Yayati then, desirous again of disposing of his

daughter in Swayamvara, went to a hermitage on the confluence of the

Ganga and the Yamuna, taking Madhavi with him on a chariot, her person

decked with garlands of flowers. And both Puru and Yadu followed their

sister to that sacred asylum. And in that spot was assembled a vast

concourse of Nagas and Yakshas and human beings, of Gandharvas and

animals and birds, and of dwellers of mountains and trees and forests,

and of many inhabitants of that particular province. And the woods all

around that asylum were filled with numerous Rishis resembling Brahman

himself. And while the selection had commenced of husband, that maiden of

the fairest complexion, passing over all the bridegrooms there assembled,

selected the forest as her lord. Descending from her chariot and saluting

all her friends, the daughter of Yayati went into the forest which is

always sacred, and devoted herself to ascetic austerities. Reducing her

body by means of fasts of various kinds and religious rites and rigid

vows, she adopted the deer's mode of life And subsisting upon soft and

green grass-blades, resembling the sprouts of lapis lazuli and which were

both bitter and sweet to the taste, and drinking the sweet, pure, cool,

crystal, and very superior water of sacred mountain-streams, and

wandering with the deer in forests destitute of lions and tigers, in

deserts free from forest-conflagration, and in thick woods, that maiden,

leading the life of a wild doe, earned great religious merit by the

practice of Brahmacharya austerities.

'(Meanwhile) king Yayati, following the practice of kings before him,

submitted to the influence of Time, after having lived for many thousands

of years. The progeny of two of his sons--those foremost of men--Puru and

Yadu, multiplied greatly, and in consequence thereof, Nahusha's son won

great respect both in this and the other world. O monarch, dwelling in

heaven, king Yayati, resembling a great Rishi, became an object of much

regard, and enjoyed the highest fruits of those regions. And after many

thousands of years had passed away in great happiness, on one occasion

while seated among the illustrious royal sages and great Rishis, king

Yayati, from folly, ignorance, and pride, mentally disregarded all the

gods and Rishis, and all human beings. Thereat the divine Sakra--the

slayer of Vala--at once read his heart. And those royal sages also

addressed him saying, 'Fie, fie.' And beholding the son of Nahusha, the

questions were asked, 'Who is this person? What king's son is he? Why is

he in heaven? By what acts hath he won success? Where did he earn ascetic

merit? For what hath he been known here? Who knoweth him? The dwellers of

heaven, thus speaking of-that monarch, asked one another these questions

about Yayati, that ruler of men. And hundreds of heaven's charioteers,

and hundreds of those that kept heaven's gates, and of those what were in

charge of heaven's seats, thus questioned, all answered, 'We do not know

him.' And the minds of all were temporarily clouded, so that none

recognised the king and thereupon the monarch was soon divested of his

splendour.'"

SECTION CXXI

"Narada said, 'Removed from his place and pushed away from his seat with

heart trembling in fear, and consumed by burning remorse, with his

garlands dimmed in lustre and his knowledge clouded, shorn of his crown

and bracelets, with head swimming and every limb relaxed divested of

ornaments and robes, incapable of being recognised, sometimes not seeing

the other residents of heaven, filled with despair, and his understanding

a perfect blank, king Yayati fell headlong towards the earth. And before

the king fell down, he thought within himself, 'What inauspicious and

sinful thought was entertained by me in consequence of which I am hurled

from my place?' And all the kings there, as also the Siddhas and the

Apsaras, laughed at seeing Yayati losing his hold, and on the point of

falling down. And soon, O king, at the command of the king of the gods,

there came a person whose business it was to hurl down those whose merits

were exhausted. And coming there, he said unto Yayati, 'Extremely

intoxicated with pride, there is none whom thou hast not disregarded. In

consequence of this thy pride, heaven is no longer for thee. Thou

deservest not a residence here, O son of a king. Thou art not recognised

here, go and fall down.' Even thus the celestial messenger spoke unto

him, Nahusha's son then said, repeating the words three times, 'If fall I

must, let me fall amongst the righteous.' And saying this, that foremost

of persons that had won high regions by their acts, began to think of the

particular region whereon he should fall. Beholding meanwhile four mighty

kings, viz., Pratardana, Vasumanas, Sivi, the son of Usinara, and

Ashtaka, assembled together in the woods of Naimisha, the king fell

amongst them. And those monarchs were then engaged in gratifying the lord

of the celestials by performance of the sacrifice known by the name of

Vajapeya. And the smoke arising from their sacrificial altar reached the

very gates of heaven. And the smoke that rose thus, looked like a river

connecting both the earth and the heaven. And it resembled the sacred

stream Ganga while descending from heaven to earth. And smelling that

smoke and guiding his course by it, Yayati, the lord of the universe,

descended on the earth. And the king thus fell amongst those four lions

among rulers, who were all endued with great beauty, who were foremost of

all the performers of sacrifices, who were, indeed, his own relatives,

and who resembled the four regents of the four quarters, and looked like

four mighty sacrificial fires. And thus, in consequence of the exhaustion

of his merits, the royal sage Yayati fell amongst them. And beholding him

blazing with beauty, those kings asked him, saying, "Who art thou? Of

what race, country, or city art thou? Art thou a Yaksha, or a god, a

Gandharva, or a Rakshasa? Thou does not seem to be a human being. What

object hast thou in view?' Thus questioned, Yayati answered, 'I am the

royal sage Yayati. Fallen am I from heaven in consequence of the

expiration of my virtue. Having desired to fall amongst the righteous, I

have fallen amongst you.' The kings then said, 'O foremost of persons,

may that wish of thine, be realized. Accept thou our virtues and the

fruits of all our sacrifices.' Yayati replied saying, 'I am not a

Brahmana competent to accept a gift. On the other hand, I am a Kshatriya.

Nor is my heart inclined towards lessening the virtues of others.'

"Narada continued, 'About this time, Madhavi, in course of her

purposeless wanderings, came there. Beholding her, those monarchs saluted

her and said, 'What object hast thou in coming here? What command of

thine shall we obey? Thou deservest to command us, for all of us are thy

sons, O thou that art endued with wealth of asceticism!' Hearing these

words of theirs, Madhavi was filled with delight and approaching then her

father, she reverentially saluted Yayati. And touching the heads of all

her sons, that lady engaged in ascetic austerities said to her father,

'Being my sons these all are thy daughter's sons, O king of kings. They

are not strangers to thee. These will save thee. The practice is not new,

its origin extends to antiquity. I am thy daughter Madhavi, O king,

living in the woods after the manner of the deer. I also have earned

virtue. Take thou a moiety. And because, O king, all men have a right to

enjoy a portion of the merits earned by their offspring, it is for this

that they desire to have daughter's sons. Even this was the case with

thyself, O king (when thou madest me over to Galava).' At these words of

their mother, those monarchs saluted her, and bowing down unto also their

maternal grandsire, repeated those very words in a loud, incomparable,

and sweet voice, and making, as it were, the whole earth resounded

therewith, in order to rescue that maternal grandsire of theirs who had

fallen down from heaven. And at that time Galava also came there, and

addressing Yayati, said, 'Accepting an eighth part of my ascetic

austerities, ascend thou to heaven again.'"

SECTION CXXII

"Narada said, 'As soon as that bull among men, king Yayati was recognised

by those virtuous persons, he rose again to heaven, without having had to

touch the surface of the earth. And he regained his celestial form and

had all his anxieties entirely dispelled. And he rose again, decked with

celestial garlands and robes, adorned with celestial ornaments, sprinkled

with celestial scents, and furnished with heavenly attributes, and

without having been compelled to touch the earth with his feet.

Meanwhile, Vasumanas who was celebrated in the world for his liberality,

first addressing the king, uttered these words in a loud voice, 'The

merit that I have won on earth by my unblamable conduct towards men of

all orders, I give unto thee. Be it all thine, O king. The merit that one

winneth by liberality and forgiveness, the merit that is mine in

consequence of the sacrifices I have performed, let all that also be

thine.' After this, Pratardana, that bull among Kshatriyas, said, 'Ever

devoted to virtue as also to war, the fame that hath here been mine as a

Kshatriya, in consequence of the appellation of hero (by which I am

known),--be that merit thine. After this, Sivi, the intelligent son of

Usinara, said these sweet words, 'Unto children and women in jest,

danger, or calamity, in distress, or at dice, I have never spoken a

falsehood. By that truth which I never sacrificed ascend thou to heaven.

I can, O king, give up all objects of desire and enjoyment, my kingdom,

yea, life itself, but truth I cannot give up. By that truth, ascend thou

to heaven; that truth for which Dharma, that truth for which agni, that

truth for which he of a hundred sacrifices, have each been gratified with

me, by that truth ascend thou to heaven.' And lastly, the royal sage

Ashtaka, the offspring of Kusika's son and Madhavi, addressing Nahusha's

son Yayati who had performed many hundreds of sacrifices, said, 'I have,

O lord, performed hundreds of Pundarika, Gosava and Vajapeya sacrifices.

Take thou the merit of these. Wealth, gems, robes, I have spared nothing

for the performance of sacrifices. By that truth ascend thou to heaven.'

And that king thereupon leaving the earth, began to ascend towards

heaven, higher and higher, as those daughter's sons of his, one after

another, said those words unto him. And it was thus that those kings by

their good acts, speedily saved Yayati, who had been hurled from heaven.

It was thus that those daughter's sons born in four royal lines, those

multipliers of their races, by means of their virtues, sacrifices, and

gifts, caused their wise maternal grandfather to ascend again to heaven.

And those monarchs jointly said, 'Endued with the attributes of royalty

and possessed of every virtue, we are, O king, thy daughter's sons! (By

virtue of our good deeds) ascend thou to heaven.'"

SECTION CXXIII

"Narada said, 'Sent back to heaven by those righteous kings,

distinguished by the liberality of their sacrificial presents, Yayati

possessed of daughter's sons, dismissed them and reached the celestial

regions. Attaining to the eternal region obtained through the merit of

his daughter's sons, and adorned by his own deeds, Yayati, bathed in

shower of fragrant flowers and hugged by perfumed and delicious breezes,

blazed forth with great beauty. And cheerfully, received back into heaven

with sounds of cymbals, he was entertained with songs and dances by

various tribes of Gandharvas and Asuras. And diverse celestial and royal

Rishis and Charanas began to pay their adorations to him. And deities

worshipped him with an excellent Arghya and delighted him with other

honours. And after he had thus regained heaven and tranquillity of heart,

and had once more become freed from anxiety, the Grandsire, gratifying

him by his words said, 'Thou hadst earned the full measure I of virtue by

thy earthly deeds, and this region (that thou hadst won) is eternal, as

thy deeds are in heaven. Thou hadst, however, O royal sage, destroyed thy

acquisition by thy vanity alone, and thereby covered the hearts of all

the denizens of heaven with darkness in consequence of which none of them

could recognise thee. And since thou couldst not be recognised, thou wert

hurled hence! Saved once more by the love and affection of thy daughter's

sons, thou hast once more arrived here, and regained this unchangeable,

eternal, sacred, excellent, stable, and indestructible region won before

by thy own deeds.' Thus addressed, Yayati said, 'O holy one, I have a

doubt, which, it behoveth thee, to dispel. O Grandsire of all the worlds,

it behoveth me not to ask any one else. Great was my merit, augmented by

a (virtuous) rule over my subjects for many thousands of years and won by

innumerable sacrifices and gifts. How could merit (so great) be exhausted

so soon in consequence of which I was hurled hence? Thou knowest, O holy

one, that the regions created for me were all eternal. Why were all those

regions of mine destroyed, O thou of great effulgence? The Grandsire

answered, saying, 'Thy merit, augmented by a (virtuous) rule over thy

subjects for many thousands of years and won by innumerable sacrifices

and gifts, was exhausted by only one fault, in consequence of which thou

wert hurled (from this region). That fault, O king of kings, was thy

vanity for which thou hadst become an object of contempt with all the

residents of heaven. O royal sage, this region can never be rendered

eternal by vanity, or pride of strength, or malice, or deceitfulness, or

deception. Never disregard those that are inferior, or superior, or in

the middle station. There is not a greater sinner than he who is consumed

by the fire of vanity. Those men that will converse upon this fall and

re-ascension of thine, will, without doubt, be protected even if

overtaken by calamity.'

"Narada continued, 'O monarch, even such was the distress into which

Yayati fell in consequence of vanity, and such was the distress into

which Galava fell owing to his obstinacy. They that desire their own good

should listen to friends that wish them well. Obstinacy should never be

entertained, for obstinacy is always the root of ruin. For this reason, O

son of Gandhari, forsake vanity and wrath, O hero, make peace with the

sons of Pandu. Avoid anger, O king, that which is given away, that which

is done, the austerities that are practised, the libations that are

poured on fire, nor one of these is ever destroyed or suffereth any

diminution. None else, again, enjoyeth the fruits of these save he that

is their agent. He that succeedeth in understanding this truly superior

and excellent history, that is approved by persons of great learning as

well as by those that are freed from anger and lust, and that is enforced

by various references to scriptures and reason, obtaineth a knowledge of

virtue and profit and desire, and enjoyeth the sovereignty of the whole

world!'"

SECTION CXXIV

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O holy one, it is even so as thou, O Narada,

sayest. My wish also is precisely such, but, O holy one, I have no power

(to carry them out)!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Kuru king, having said these words unto

Narada, then addressed Krishna and said, 'Thou hast, O Kesava, told me

that which leadeth to heaven, what is beneficial to the world, consistent

with virtue, and fraught with reason. I am not, however, O sire,

independent. Duryodhana never doth what is agreeable to me. Do thou,

therefore, O mighty-armed Krishna, O best of persons, strive to persuade

that foolish and wicked son of mine, who disobeyeth my commands. O

mighty-armed one, he never listeneth to the beneficial words, O

Hrishikesa, of Gandhari, or of wise Vidura, or of other friends headed by

Bhishma, all of whom seek his good. Do thou, therefore, thyself counsel

that crooked, senseless, and wicked-souled prince, of evil disposition

and sinful heart. By doing this, O Janardana, thou shalt have done that

noble act which a friend should ever do.' Thus addressed, he of Vrishni's

race, conversant with the truths of virtue and profit, approached nearer

to the ever-wrathful Duryodhana and said unto him these sweet words, 'O

Duryodhana, O best of the Kurus, listen to these words of mine, uttered

especially for thy good, as also, O Bharata, for that of thy followers,

Thou art born in a race that is distinguished for its great wisdom. It

behoveth thee to act righteously as I indicate. Possessed of learning and

endued with excellent behaviour, thou art adorned with every excellent

quality. They that are born in ignoble families, or are wicked-souled,

cruel, and shameless, they only, O sire, act in the way that seemeth

acceptable to thee. In this world, the inclinations of those only that

are righteous seem to be consistent with the dictates of virtue and

profit. The inclinations, however, of those that are unrighteous seem to

be perverse. O bull of Bharata's race, the disposition that thou art

repeatedly manifesting is of that perverse kind. Persistence in such

behaviour is sinful, frightful, highly wicked, and capable of leading to

death itself. It is besides, causeless, while, again, thou canst not, O

Bharata, adhere to it long. If by avoiding this which is productive only

of woe, thou wilt achieve thy own good, if, O chastiser of foes, thou

wilt escape from the sinful and disreputable deeds of thy brothers,

followers, and counsellors, then, O tiger among men, make peace, O bull

among the Bharatas, with the sons of Pandu who are all endued with great

wisdom and great bravery with great exertion and great learning an all of

whom have their souls under complete control. Such conduct will be

agreeable to and conducive to the happiness of Dhritarashtra who is

endued with great wisdom, of grandsire (Bhishma), Drona, the high-souled

Kripa, Somadatta, wise Vahlika, Aswatthaman, Vikarna, Sanjaya,

Vivingsati, and of many of thy kinsmen, O chastiser of foes, and many of

thy friends also. The whole world, O sire, will derive benefit from that

peace. Thou art endued with modesty, born in a noble race, hast learning

and kindness of heart. Be obedient, O sire, to the commands of thy

father, and also of thy mother, O bull of Bharata's race. They that are

good sons always regard that to be beneficial which their fathers

command. Indeed, when overtaken by calamity, every one recollects the

injunctions of his father. Peace with the Pandavas, O sire, recommend

itself to thy father. Let it, therefore, O chief of the Kurus recommend

itself to thee also with thy counsellors. That mortal who having listened

to the counsels of friends doth not act according to them, is consumed at

the end by the consequences of his disregard, like him who swalloweth the

fruit called Kimpaka. He that from folly doth not accept beneficial

counsels, unnerved by procrastination and unable to attain his object, is

obliged to repent at last. He, on the other hand, who having listened to

beneficial counsels accepteth them at once, abandoning his opinion,

always winneth happiness in the world. He that rejects the words of

well-meaning friends, regarding those words as opposed to his interest,

but accepts words that are really so opposed, is soon subjugated by his

foes. Disregarding the opinions of the righteous he that abideth by the

opinions of the wicked, soon maketh his friends weep for him in

consequence of his being plunged into distress. Forsaking superior

counsellors he that seeketh the advice of inferior ones, soon falleth

into great distress and succeedeth not in saving himself. That companion

of the sinful, who behaveth falsely and never listeneth to good friends,

who honoureth strangers but hateth those that are his own, is soon, O

Bharata, cast off by the Earth. O bull of Bharata's race, having

quarrelled with those (the sons of Pandu), thou seekest protection from

others viz., those that are sinful, incapable, and foolish. What other

man is there on earth besides thee, who, disregarding kinsmen, that are

all mighty charioteers, and each of whom resembleth Sakra himself, would

seek protection and aid from strangers? Thou hast persecuted the sons of

Kunti, from their very birth. They have not been angry with thee, for the

sons of Pandu are indeed virtuous. Although thou hast behaved deceitfully

towards the Pandavas from their very birth, yet, O mighty-armed one,

those distinguished persons have acted generously towards thee. It

behoveth thee, therefore, O bull of Bharata's race, to act towards those

principal kinsmen of thine with equal generosity. Do not yield thyself to

the influence of wrath. O bull of Bharata's race, the exertions of the

wise are always associated with virtue, profit, and desire. If, indeed,

all these three cannot be attained, men follow at least virtue and

profit. If, again, these three are pursued separately, it is seen that

they that have their hearts under control, choose virtue; they that are

neither good nor bad but occupy a middle station, choose profit, which is

always the subject of dispute; while they that are fools choose the

gratification of desire. The fool that from temptation giveth up virtue

and pursueth profit and desire by unrighteous means, is soon destroyed by

his senses. He that speaketh profit and desire, should yet practise

virtue at the outset, for neither profit nor desire is (really)

dissociated from virtue. O king, it hath been said that virtue alone is

the cause of the three, for he that seeketh the three, may, by the aid of

virtue alone, grow like fire when brought into contact with a heap of dry

grass. O bull of Bharata's race, thou seeketh, O sire, by unrighteous

means this extensive empire, flourishing with prosperity and well-known

to all the monarchs of the earth. O king, he that behaveth falsely

towards those that live and conduct themselves righteously, certainly

cutteth down his own self, like a forest with an axe. One must not seek

to confound his understanding whose overthrow one doth not like, for, if

one's understanding is confounded, one can never devote his attention to

what is beneficial. One that hath his soul under control never, O

Bharata, disregardeth anybody in the three worlds,--no, not even the

commonest creature, far less those bulls among men, the sons of Pandu. He

that surrendereth himself to the influence of anger loseth his sense of

right and wrong. Rank growth must always be cut off. Behold, O Bharata,

this is the proof. At present, O sire, union with the sons of Pandu is

better for thee than thy union with the wicked. If thou makest peace with

them, thou mayst obtain the fruition of all thy wishes. O best of kings,

while enjoying the kingdom that has been founded by the Pandavas, thou

seekest protection from others, disregarding the Pandavas themselves.

Reposing the cares of thy state on Dussasana, Durvisaha, Karna, and

Suvala's son, thou desirest the continuance of thy prosperity, O Bharata.

These, however, are far inferior to the Pandavas in knowledge, in virtue,

in capacity for acquiring wealth, and in prowess. Indeed, O Bharata, (let

alone the four I have mentioned) all these kings together, with thee at

their head, are incapable of even looking at the face of Bhima, when

angry, on the field of battle. O sire, this force consisting of all the

kings of the earth is, indeed, at thy elbow. There are also Bhishma, and

Drona, and this Karna, and Kripa, and Bhurisrava, and Somadatta, and

Aswatthaman, and Jayadratha. All these together are incapable of fighting

against Dhananjaya. Indeed, Arjuna is incapable of being vanquished in

battle even by all the gods, Asuras, men, and Gandharvas. Do not set thy

heart for battle. Seest thou the man in any of the royal races of the

earth, who having encountered Arjuna in battle can return home safe and

sound? O bull of Bharata's race, what advantage is there in a universal

slaughter? Show me a single man who will defeat that Arjuna, by defeating

whom alone victory may be thine? Who will encounter that son of Pandu in

battle, who had vanquished all the celestials with the Gandharvas,

Yakshas and Pannagas at Khandavaprastha? Then also the marvellous account

that is heard of what happened at Virata's city, touching that encounter

between one and many, is sufficient proof of this, Hopest thou to

vanquish in battle Arjuna who when excited with rage is invincible,

irresistible, ever-victorious, and undeteriorating Arjuna, that hero, who

gratified the God of gods, Siva himself in fight? With myself again as

his second when that son of Pritha will rush to the field of battle

against an enemy, who is there that is competent to challenge him then?

Can Purandara himself do so? He that would vanquish Arjuna in battle

would support the Earth on his arms, consume in rage the whole population

of the Earth, and hurl the very gods from heaven. Look at thy sons, thy

brothers, kinsmen, and other relatives. Let not these chiefs of Bharata's

race all perish on thy account. Let not the race of Kauravas be

exterminated or reduced. O king, let not people say that thou art the

exterminator of thy race and the destroyer of its achievements. Those

mighty car-warriors, the Pandavas (if peace be made) will install thee as

the Yuvaraja, and thy father Dhritarashtra, that lord of men, as the

sovereign of this extensive empire. Do not, O sire, disregard the

prosperity that is awaiting thee and is sure to come. Giving to the sons

of Pritha half the kingdom, win thou great prosperity. Making peace with

the Pandavas and acting according to the counsels of thy friends, and

rejoicing with them, thou art sure to obtain what is for thy good for

ever and ever.'"

SECTION CXXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing, O bull of Bharata's race, these words of

Kesava, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, then said unto vindictive

Duryodhana, Krishna hath spoken to thee, desirous of bringing about peace

between kinsmen. O sire, follow those counsels, and do not yield to the

influence of wrath. If thou dost not act, O sire, according to the words

of the high-souled Kesava, neither prosperity, nor happiness nor what is

for thy good, wilt thou ever have. The mighty-armed Kesava, O sire, hath

said unto thee what is consistent with virtue and profit. Accept thou

that object, and do not, O king, exterminate the population of the earth.

This resplendent prosperity of the Bharatas amongst all the kings of the

earth, thou wilt, during the very life of Dhritarashtra, destroy through

thy wickedness, and thou wilt also, through this arrogant disposition of

thine, deprive thyself with all thy counsellors, sons, brothers, and

kinsmen, of life, if, O thou foremost of Bharata's race, thou

transgressest the words of Kesava, thy father, and of wise Vidura,--words

that are consistent with truth and fraught with benefit to thyself. Be

not the exterminator of thy race, be not a wicked man, let not thy heart

be sinful, do not tread the path of unrighteousness. Do not sink thy

father and mother into an ocean of grief.' After Bhishma had concluded,

Drona also said these words unto Duryodhana, who, filled with wrath, was

then breathing heavily, 'O sire, the words that Kesava hath spoken unto

thee are fraught with virtue and profit, Santanu's son Bhishma also hath

said the same. Accept those words, O monarch. Both of them are wise,

endued with great intelligence, with souls under control, desirous of

doing what is for thy good, and possessed of great learning. They have

said what is beneficial. Accept their words, O king, O thou possessed of

great wisdom, act according to what both Krishna and Bhishma have said. O

chastiser of foes, do not, from delusion of understanding, disregard

Madhava. They that are always encouraging thee, are unable to give thee

victory. During the time of battle they will throw the burthen of

hostility on other's necks. Do not slaughter the Earth's population. Do

not slay thy sons and brothers. Know that host is invincible in the midst

of which are Vasudeva and Arjuna. If, O Bharata, thou dost not accept the

truthful words of thy friends, Krishna and Bhishma, then, O sire, thou

wilt surely have to repent. Arjuna is even greater than what Jamadagni's

son hath described him to be. As regards Krishna, the son of Devaki, he

is incapable of being resisted by even the gods. O bull of Bharata's

race, what use is there in telling thee what is really conducive to thy

happiness and good? Everything hath now been said unto thee. Do what thou

wishest. I do not wish to say anything more unto thee, O foremost of

Bharata's race.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Drona had ceased, Vidura also, otherwise

called Kshattri, casting his eyes on Duryodhana, said unto that

vindictive son of Dhritarashtra, 'O Duryodhana, O bull of Bharata's race,

I do not grieve for thee. I grieve, however, for this old couple, viz.,

Gandhari and thy father. Having thee, of wicked soul for their protector

(of whom they will shortly be deprived), they will have to wander with

anybody to look after them, and deprived also of friends and counsellors,

like a pair of birds shorn of their wings. Having begotten such a wicked

son who is the exterminator of his race, alas, these two will have to

wander over the earth in sorrow, subsisting on alms.' After this, king

Dhritarashtra, addressing Duryodhana, seated in the midst of his brothers

and surrounded by all the kings, said, 'Listen, O Duryodhana, to what the

high-souled Sauri hath said. Accept those words which are eternal, highly

beneficial and conducive to what is for thy highest good. With the aid of

this Krishna of faultless deeds, we amongst all the kings, are sure to

have all our cherished objects. Firmly united by Kesava, be reconciled, O

sire, with Yudhishthira. Seek thou this great good of the Bharatas like

unto an august ceremony of propitiation. Through Vasudeva's agency, bind

thyself closely with the Pandavas. I think, the time for that is come. Do

not let the opportunity pass away. If, however, thou disregardest Kesava,

who from a desire of achieving what is for good, is soliciting thee to

make peace, then victory will never be thine.'"

SECTION CXXVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Dhritarashtra, both Bhishma

and Drona who sympathised with the old king, again addressed disobedient

Duryodhana and said, 'As yet the two Krishnas are not accoutred in mail,

as yet Gandiva resteth inactive, as yet Dhaumya doth not consume the

enemy's strength by pouring libations on the war-fire, as yet that mighty

bowman Yudhishthira, having modesty for his ornament, doth not cast angry

glances on thy troops, so let hostility cease. As yet that mighty bowman,

Bhimasena, the son of Pritha, is not seen stationed in the midst of his

division, so let hostility cease. As yet Bhimasena, doth not, mace in

band, stalk on the field of battle, grinding (hostile) divisions, so let

peace be made with the Pandavas. As yet Bhima doth not, with his

hero-slaying mace, make the heads of warriors fighting from the backs of

elephants roll on the field of battle, like the palmyra-fruits in the

season of their ripening, so let hostility cease. As yet Nakula, and

Sahadeva, Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, and Virata, and Sikhandin,

and Sisupal's son, accoutred in mail and all well-versed in arms, do not

penetrate thy ranks, like huge crocodiles penetrating the deep, and pour

their arrowy showers, so let hostility cease. As yet fierce-winged shafts

do not fall upon the delicate bodies of the assembled kings, so let

hostility cease. As yet fierce weapons made of iron and steel, shot

unerringly by mighty bowmen well-skilled in arms, endued with lightness

of hand and capable of hitting howsoever long distance, do not penetrate

the breasts of warriors, smeared with sandal and other fragrant unguents,

and adorned with golden garlands and gems, so let hostility cease. Let

that elephant among kings, Yudhishthira the Just, receive thee with an

embrace while thou salutest him bending thy head. O bull of Bharata's

race, let that king, distinguished for the liberality of his sacrificial

presents, place on thy shoulder that right arm of his, the palm of which

beareth the marks of the banner and the hook. Let him, with hands

begemmed and red, adorned with fingers, pat thy back while thou art

seated. Let the mighty-armed Vrikodara, with shoulder broad as those of

the sala tree, embrace thee, O bull of Bharata's race, and gently

converse with thee for peace. And, O king, saluted with reverence by

those three, viz., Arjuna and the Twins, smell thou their heads and

converse with them affectionately. And beholding the united with thy

heroic brothers--the sons of Pandu--let all these monarchs shed tears of

joy. Let the tidings of this cordial union be proclaimed in the cities of

all the kings. Let the Earth be ruled by thee with feelings of brotherly

affection (in thy bosom), and let thy heart be freed from the fever (of

jealousy and wrath).'"

SECTION CXXVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing in that assembly of the Kurus these words

that were disagreeable to him, Duryodhana replied unto the mighty-armed

Kesava of great fame, saying. 'It behoveth thee, O Kesava, to speak after

reflecting on all circumstances. Indeed, uttering such harsh words, thou,

without any reason, findest fault with me alone, addressed regardfully as

thou always art by the sons of Pritha, O slayer of Madhu. But dost thou

censure me, having surveyed the strength and weakness (of both sides)?

Indeed, thyself and Kshattri, the King, the Preceptor, and the Grandsire,

all reproach me alone and not any other monarch. I, however, do not find

the least fault in myself. Yet all of you, including the (old) king

himself, hate me. O repressor of foes, I do not, even after reflection,

behold any grave fault in me, or even O Kesava, any fault however minute.

In the game at dice, O slayer of Madhu, that was joyfully accepted by

them, the Pandavas were vanquished and their kingdom was won by Sakuni.

What blame can be mine as regards that? On the other hand, O slayer of

Madhu, the wealth that was won from the Pandavas then, was ordered by me,

to be returned unto them. It cannot, again, O foremost of victors, be any

fault of ours that the invincible Pandavas, were defeated once again at

dice and had to go to the Woods. Imputing what fault to us, do they

regard us as their enemies? And, O Krishna, though (really) weak, why do

the Pandavas yet so cheerfully seek a quarrel with us, as if they were

strong? What have we done to them? For what injury (done to them) do the

sons of Pandu, along with the Srinjayas, seek to slaughter the sons of

Dhritarashtra? We shall not in consequence of any fierce deed, or

(alarming) word (of theirs), bow down to them in fear, deprived of our

senses. We cannot bow down to Indra himself, let alone the sons of Pandu.

I do not, O Krishna, see the man, observant of Kshatriya virtues, who

can, O slayer of foes, venture to conquer us in battle. Let alone the

Pandavas, O slayer of Madhu, the very gods are not competent to vanquish

Bhishma, Kripa, Drona and Karna, in battle. If, O Madhava, we are, in the

observance of the practices of our order, cut off with weapons in battle,

when our end comes, even that will lead us to heaven. Even this, O

Janardana, is our highest duty as Kshatriyas, viz., that we should lay

ourselves down on the field of battle on a bed of arrows. If, without

bowing to our enemies, ours be the bed of arrows in battle, that, O

Madhava, will never grieve us. Who is there, born in a noble race and

conforming to Kshatriya practices, that would from fear bow to an enemy,

desirous only of saving his life? Those Kshatriyas that desire their own

good, accept regardfully this saying of Matanga, viz., that (as regards a

Kshatriya), one should always keep himself erect, and never bow down, for

exertion alone is manliness; one should rather break at the knots than

bend. A person like me should only bow down to the Brahmanas for the sake

of piety, without regarding anybody else. (As regards persons other than

Brahmanas), one should, as long as one lives, act according to Matanga's

saying. Even this is the duty of Kshatriyas; even this is ever my

opinion. That share in the kingdom which was formerly given them by my

father shall never again, O Kesava, be obtainable by them as long as I

live. As long, O Janardana, as king Dhritarashtra liveth, both ourselves

and they, sheathing our weapons, O Madhava, should live in dependence on

him. Given away formerly from ignorance or fear, when I was a child and

dependent on others, the kingdom, O Janardana, incapable of being given

away again, shall not, O delighter of Vrishni's race, be obtainable by

the Pandavas. At present, O Kesava of mighty arms, as long as I live,

even that much of our land which may be covered by the point of a sharp

needle shall not, O Madhava, be given by us unto the Pandavas.'"

SECTION CXXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Reflecting (for a moment), with eyes red in anger,

he, of Dasarha's race, addressing Duryodhana in that assembly of the

Kurus, then said these words, 'Wishest thou for a bed of heroes? Verily,

thou shalt have it, with thy consellors. Wait (for a short while), a

great slaughter will ensue. Thou thinkest, O thou of little

understanding, that thou hast committed no offence against the Pandavas?

Let the (assembled) monarchs judge. Grieved at the prosperity of the

high-souled Pandavas, thou conspirest, O Bharata, with Suvala's son about

the gambling match. O sire, how could those virtuous, honest, and

superior kinsmen of thine (otherwise) engage in such a wicked act with

the deceitful Sakuni? O thou that art endued with great wisdom, gambling

robs even the good of their understanding, and as regards the wicked,

disunion and dire consequence spring from it. It was thou who hadst

devised with thy wicked counsellors, that terrible source of calamity in

the form of the gambling match, without consulting with persons of

righteous behaviour. Who else is there, capable of insulting a brother's

wife in the way thou didst or of dragging her into the assembly and

addressing her in language thou hadst used towards Draupadi? Of noble

parentage, and endued with excellent behaviour, and dearer to them than

their very lives, the queen-consort of Pandu's sons was treated even thus

by thee. All the Kauravas know what words were addressed in their

assembly by Dussasana unto those chastisers of foes,--the sons of

Kunti,--when they were about to set out for the woods. Who is there

capable of behaving so wretchedly towards his own honest kinsmen, that

are ever engaged in the practice of virtue, that are untainted by

avarice, and that are always correct in their behaviour? Language such as

becomes only those that are heartless and despicable, was frequently

repeated by Karna and Dussasana and also by thee. Thou hadst taken great

pains to burn to death, at Varanavata, the sons of Pandu with their

mother, while they were children, although that effort of thine was not

crowned with success. After this, the Pandavas with their mother were

obliged to live for a long while, concealed in the town of Ekachakra in

the abode of a Brahmana. With poison, with snakes and cords, thou hadst,

by every means, sought the destruction of the Pandavas, although none of

thy designs was successful. With such feelings when thou hadst always

acted towards them so deceitfully, how canst thou say that thou hast not

offended against the high-souled Pandavas? Thou art not, O sinful man,

willing to give them their paternal share in the kingdom, although they

are begging it of thee. Thou shalt have to give it them, this, when

divested of prosperity, thou shalt be laid low. Having, like a heartless

fellow, done innumerable wrongs to the Pandavas and behaved so

deceitfully towards them, thou seekest now to appear in a different garb.

Though repeatedly solicited by thy parents, by Bhishma, Drona, and

Vidura, to make peace, thou dost not yet, O king, make peace. Great is

the advantage in peace, O king, both to thyself and Yudhishthira. Peace,

however, does not recommend itself to thee. To what else can it be due,

but to thy loss of understanding? Transgressing the words of thy friends,

thou canst never attain to what is for thy benefit. Sinful and

disreputable is that act, which thou, O king, art about to do.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'While he, of Dasarha's race, was saying this,

Dussasana addressed vindictive Duryodhana and said unto him these words

in the midst of the Kurus, If, O king, thou dost not willingly make peace

with the Pandavas, verity the Kauravas will bind thee (hand and foot) and

make over thee to the son of Kunti. Bhishma, and Drona, and thy (own)

father, O bull amongst men, will make over us three, viz., Vikartana's

son, thyself, and myself, to the Pandavas!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of his brother,

Dhritarashtra's son, wicked, shameless, disobedient, disrespectful, and

vain Suyodhana, breathing heavily like a great snake rose up from his

seat in anger, and disregarding Vidura, and Dhritarashtra and the great

king Vahlika, and Kripa, and Somadatta, and Bhishma, and Drona, and

Janardana, in fact, all of them, went out of the court, And beholding

that bull among men leave the court, his brother and all his counsellors,

and all the kings, followed him. And seeing Duryodhana rise and leave the

court in anger with his brothers, Santanu's son, Bhishma said, 'The

enemies of that person, who, abandoning both virtue and profit, followeth

the impulses of wrath, rejoice on beholding him plunged into distress at

no distant date. This wicked son of Dhritarashtra, this one unacquainted

with the true means (of accomplishing his objects), this fool that is

wrongly vain of his sovereignty, obeyeth only the dictates of wrath and

avarice. I see also, O Janardana, that the hour of all those Kshatriyas

is arrived, for all those kings, from delusion, have with their

counsellors followed Duryodhana.' Hearing these words of Bhishma, the

lotus-eyed hero of Dasarha's race, possessed of great powers, addressing

all those (that were still there) headed by Bhishma and Drona, said,

'Even this is great transgression, of which all the elders of the Kuru

race are becoming guilty, for they do not forcibly seize and bind this

wicked king in the enjoyment of sovereignty. Ye chastiser of foes, I

think the time hath come for doing this. If this is done, it may still be

productive of good. Listen to me, ye sinless ones. The words I will speak

will soon lead to beneficial results, if, indeed, ye Bharatas, ye accept

what I say in consequence of its recommending itself to you. The wicked

son, of ill-regulated soul, of the old Bhoja king, having usurped his

father's sovereignty during the latter's life-time, subjected himself to

death. Indeed, Kansa, the son of Ugrasena, abandoned by his relatives,

was slain by me in a great encounter, from desire of benefiting my

kinsmen. Ourselves with our kinsmen then, having paid due honours to

Ugrasena, the son of Ahuka, installed that extender of Bhoja's kingdom on

the throne. And all the Yadavas and Andhakas and the Vrishnis, abandoning

a single person, viz., Kansa for the sake of their whole race, have

prospered and obtained happiness. O king, when the gods and Asuras were

arrayed for battle and weapons were upraised for striking, the lord of

all creatures, Parameshthin said thus (something which applies to the

case at hand). Indeed, O Bharata, when the population of the worlds was

divided into two parties and was about to be slaughtered, the divine and

holy Cause of the universe, viz., the Creator, said, 'The Asuras and the

Daityas with the Danavas will be vanquished, and the Adityas, the Vasus,

the Rudras and other dwellers of heaven will be victorious. Indeed, the

gods, and Asuras, and human beings, and Gandharvas, and Snakes, and

Rakshasas, will in rage slaughter one another in this battle.' Thinking

so, the Lord of all creatures, Parameshthin, commanded Dharma, saying,

'Binding fast, the Daityas and the Danavas, make them over to Varuna.'

Thus addressed, Dharma, at the command of Parameshthin, binding the

Daityas and the Danavas, made them over to Varuna. And Varuna, the Lord

of the waters, having bound those Danavas, with Dharma's noose, as also

with his own, keepeth them within the depths of the ocean, always

guarding them carefully. Binding in the same way Duryodhana and Karna and

Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and Dussasana, make them over to the Pandavas.

For the sake of a family, an individual may be sacrificed. For a village,

a family may be sacrificed. For the sake of a province, a village may be

sacrificed. And lastly, for the sake of one's self, the whole earth may

be sacrificed. O monarch, binding Duryodhana fast, make peace with the

Pandavas. O bull among Kshatriyas, let not the whole Kshatriya race be

slaughtered on thy account.'"

SECTION CXXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Krishna, king Dhritarashtra

lost no time in addressing Vidura, who was conversant with all dictates

of virtue. And the king said, 'Go, O child, unto Gandhari, possessed of

great wisdom and foresight and bring her hither. With her I will solicit

this wicked-hearted (son of mine). If she can pacify this wicked wretch,

of evil heart, we may yet be able to act according to the words of our

friend Krishna. It may be that speaking words in recommendation of peace,

she may yet succeed in pointing out the right path to this fool,

afflicted by avarice and having wicked allies, If she can dispel this

great and dreadful calamity (about to be) occasioned by Duryodhana, it

will then conduce to the attainment and preservation of happiness and

peace for ever and ever.' Hearing these words of the king, Vidura, at

Dhritarashtra's command, brought (thither) Gandhari, possessed of great

foresight. And Dhritarashtra then addressed Gandhari and said, 'Behold, O

Gandhari, this thy son of wicked soul, transgressing all my commands, is

about to sacrifice both sovereignty and life in consequence of his lust

for sovereignty. Of wicked soul and little understanding, he hath, like

one of uncultivated mind, left the court, with his sinful counsellors,

disregarding his superiors and setting at naught the words of his

well-wishers.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of her husband, that princess of

great fame, Gandhari, desirous of what was highly beneficial, said these

words, 'Bring hither, without loss of time, that kingdom-coveting, sick

son of mine. He that is of uncultivated heart and sacrificeth both virtue

and profit, doth not deserve to govern a kingdom. For all that, however,

Duryodhana, who is destitute of humility hath, by every means, obtained a

kingdom. Indeed, O Dhritarashtra, thou so fond of thy son, art very much

to be blamed for this, for knowing well his sinfulness, thou followest

yet his counsel. That son of thine, completely possessed by lust and

wrath is now the slave of delusion, and is, therefore, incapable, O king,

of being now forcibly turned back by thee. Thou art now reaping the

fruit, O Dhritarashtra, of having made over the kingdom to an ignorant

fool of wicked soul, possessed by avarice and having wicked counsellors.

Why is the king indifferent (today) to that disunion, which is about to

take place between persons related so closely? Indeed, beholding thee

disunited with those that are thy own, thy enemies will laugh at thee.

Who is there that would use force for getting over that calamity, O king,

which can be overcome by conciliation and gift?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Kshattri then, and at Dhritarashtra's command,

and of his mother's also, once more caused vindictive Duryodhana to enter

the court. Expectant of his mother's words, the prince re-entered the

court, with eyes red as copper from wrath, and breathing heavily as a

snake. And beholding her son, who was treading in a wrong path, enter the

court, Gandhari rebuked him severely and said these words for bringing

about peace.'

"Gandhari said, 'O Duryodhana, attend, O dear son, to these words of mine

that are beneficial to thee as also to all thy followers,--words that

thou art competent to obey and that will conduce to thy happiness. O

Duryodhana, obey thou the words of thy well-wishers, those words, viz.,

which that best of the Bharatas--thy father--and Bhishma, and Drona, and

Kripa, and Kshattri, have spoken. If thou makest peace, thou wouldst by

that render homage to Bhishma, to thy father, to me, and to all thy

well-wishers with Drona at their head. O thou of great wisdom, nobody, O

best of the Bharatas, succeedeth by his own desire alone in acquiring and

keeping or enjoying a kingdom. One that hath not his senses under

control, cannot enjoy sovereignty for any length of time. He that hath

his soul under control and is endued with great intelligence, can rule a

kingdom. Lust and wrath wean away a man from his possessions and

enjoyments. Conquering these foes first, a king bringeth the earth under

his subjection. Sovereignty over men is a great thing. Those that are of

wicked souls may easily desire to win a kingdom, but they are not

competent to retain a kingdom (when won). He that desireth to obtain

extensive empire must bind his senses to both profit and virtue, for if

the senses are restrained, intelligence increaseth, like fire that

increaseth when fed with fuel. If not controlled, these can even slay

their possessor, like unbroken and furious horses, capable of killing an

unskilful driver. One that seeketh to conquer his counsellors without

conquering his own self, and to conquer foes without conquering his

counsellors, is soon vanquished himself and is ruined. He who conquereth

his own self first, taking it for a foe, will not seek in vain to conquer

his counsellors and enemies afterwards. Prosperity worshippeth greatly

that person who hath conquered his senses and his counsellors, who

inflicteth punishments on transgressors, who acteth after deliberation,

and who is possessed of wisdom. Lust and wrath that dwell in the body are

deprived of their strength by wisdom, like a couple of fishes ensnared in

a net with close holes. Those two in consequence of which the gods shut

the gates of heaven against one, who freed from worldly propensities is

desirous of going thither, are excited by lust and wrath. That king who

knoweth well how to conquer lust and wrath and avarice and boastfulness

and pride, can own the sovereignty of the whole earth. That king who is

desirous of gaining wealth and virtue and vanquishing his enemies, should

always be engaged in controlling his passions. Influenced by lust, or

from wrath, he that behaveth deceitfully towards his own kinsmen or

others, can never win many allies. Uniting thyself with those chastisers

of foes--the heroic sons of Pandu--who are all endued with great wisdom,

thou canst, O son, enjoy the earth in happiness. What Bhishma, the son of

Santanu, and that mighty car-warrior, Drona, have told thee is, O son,

quite true,--Krishna and Dhananjaya are invincible. Seek thou, therefore,

the protection of this mighty-armed one, this one that is not worried by

exertion, for if Kesava becometh gracious, both sides will be happy. That

min, who is not obedient to the wishes of wise and learned friends,

always seeking his prosperity, only gladdeneth his enemies. O son, there

is no good in battle, no virtue, no profit. How can it bring happiness

then? Even victory is not always certain. Do not set thy heart,

therefore, on battle. O thou of great wisdom, Bhishma and thy father and

Vahlika (formerly) gave unto the Pandavas their share (of the kingdom)

from fear. O chastiser of foes, never think of disunion with them. Thou

beholdest today the fruit of that (peaceful) cession in the fact of thy

sovereignty over the whole earth, with all its thorns removed by those

heroes. Give, O chastiser of foes, unto the son of Pandu what is their

due. If thou wishest to enjoy, with the counsellors even half (the

empire), let their share then be given unto them. Half the earth is

sufficient to yield the means of support unto thee and thy counsellors.

By acting according to the words of thy well-wishers, thou wilt, O

Bharata, win great fame. A quarrel with the sons of Pandu who are all

endued with prosperity, who have their souls under complete control, who

are possessed of great intelligence and have conquered their passions,

will only divest thee of thy great prosperity. Dispelling the wrath of

all thy well-wishers, rule thou thy kingdom as becometh thee, giving, O

bull of Bharata's race, unto the sons of Pandu the share that belongeth

to them. O son, persecution of the sons of Pandu for full thirteen years

hath been enough. Augmented by lust and wrath, quench (that fire) now, O

thou of great wisdom. Thou that covetest the wealth of the Pandavas are

not a match for them, nor this Suta's son, who is exceedingly wrathful,

nor this thy brother Dussasana. Indeed, when Bhishma and Drona and Kripa

and Karna and Bhimasena and Dhananjaya and Dhrishtadyumna will be

enraged, the population of the earth will be exterminated. Under the

influence of wrath, do not, O son, exterminate the Kurus. Let not the

wide earth be destroyed for thy sake. Of little understanding as thou

art, thou thinkest that Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, all others will

fight (for thee) with all their might. That will never happen, for as

regards these, that are endued with self-knowledge, their affection

towards the Pandavas and yourselves is equal. If for the sake of the

sustenance they have obtained from the king (Dhritarashtra), they consent

to yield up their very lives, they will not yet be able to cast angry

glances upon king Yudhishthira. It is never seen in this world that men

acquire wealth by avarice. Give up thy avarice then, O son, and desist, O

bull of Bharat's race.'"

SECTION CXXX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Disregarding these words of grave import, spoken by

his mother, Duryodhana went away, in anger, from that place to the

presence of wicked persons. And wending away from the court, the Kuru

prince began to consult with Suvala's royal son, Sakuni, most clever in

dice. And this was the resolution which Duryodhana and Karna and Suvala's

son Sakuni, with Dussasana as their fourth, arrived at, 'This Janardana,

quick in action, seeketh, with the king Dhritarashtra and Santanu's son,

to seize us first. We, however, shall forcibly seize this tiger among

men, Hrishikesa, first, like Indra forcibly seizing Virochana's son

(Vali). Hearing that this one of Vrishni's race hath been seized, the

Pandavas will lose their heart and become incapable of exertion, like

snakes whose fangs have been broken. This mighty-armed one is, indeed,

the refuge and protection of them all. If this grantor of wishes, this

bull of all the Satwatas, be confined, the Pandavas with the Somakas will

become depressed and incapable of any exertion. Therefore, disregarding

Dhritarashtra's cries, we will seize even here this Kesava, who is quick

in action, and then fight with the foe.' After those sinful men of wicked

souls had come to this sinful resolution, highly intelligent Satyaki,

capable of reading the heart by signs, soon came to know of it. And

because of that knowledge, he soon issued out of the court, accompanied

by Hridika's son (Kritavarman). And Satyaki addressed Kritavarman,

saying, 'Array the troops soon. And accoutred in mail and with thy troops

arrayed for battle, wait thou at the entrance of the court, till I

represent this matter unto Krishna, unwearied by exertion.' Saying this,

that hero re-entered the court, like a lion entering a mountain-cave. And

he (first) informed the high-souled Kesava and then Dhritarashtra, and

then Vidura of that conspiracy. And having informed them of that

resolution, he laughingly said, 'These wicked men intended to commit an

act here, that is disapproved by the good from consideration of virtue,

profit, and desire. They will, however, never be able to actually achieve

it. These fools of sinful souls assembled together, these wretches

overwhelmed by lust, anger and yielding themselves up to wrath and

covetousness, are about to perpetrate a highly unbecoming deed. Those

wretches of little understanding and desirous of seizing the lotus-eyed,

are like idiots and children desiring to seize a blazing fire by means of

their garments.' Hearing these words of Satyaki, Vidura, endued with

great foresight, said these words unto the mighty-armed Dhritarashtra in

the midst of the Kurus, 'O king, O chastiser of foes, the hour of all thy

sons is come, for they are endeavouring to perpetrate a highly infamous

act, however incapable they may be of actually accomplishing it. Alas,

united together they desire to vanquish this younger brother of Vasava,

and seize this lotus-eyed one. Indeed, encountering this tiger among men,

this invincible and irresistible one, they will all perish like insects

in a blazing fire. If Janardana wisheth, he can send all of them, even if

they fight in a body, unto the abode of Yama, like an enraged lion

dispatching a herd of elephants. He will, however, never do any such

sinful and censurable act. This best of persons, of unfading glory, will

never deviate from virtue.' After Vidura had said these words, Kesava,

casting his eyes on Dhritarashtra, said in the midst of those

well-meaning persons, who listen to others' words, 'O king, if these

(men) desire to chastise me by using violence, permit them to chastise

me. O monarch, as regards my chastising them, for I dare chastise all of

them together that are so excited with rage, I will not, however,

perpetrate any sinful and censurable act. Coveting the possessions of the

Pandavas, thy sons will lose their own. If they desire to perpetrate such

a deed, Yudhishthira's object will then be (easily) accomplished, for,

this very day, O Bharata, seizing these with all that follow them, I can

make them over to the sons of Pritha. What is there that is difficult of

attainment by me? I will not, however, O Bharata, commit in thy presence,

O great monarch, any such censurable deed, that can proceed only from

wrath and a sinful understanding. Let it be, O king, as this Duryodhana

desireth. I give permission, O monarch, to all thy sons to do it.'

"Hearing these words (of Kesava), Dhritarashtra addressed Vidura saying,

'Quickly bring hither sinful Duryodhana, who is so covetous of

sovereignty, with his friends, counsellors, brothers, and followers. I

shall see if indeed, making one more effort I can bring him to the right

path.

'Thus addressed by Dhritarashtra, Kshattri once more caused unwilling

Duryodhana to enter the court with his brothers, and surrounded by the

kings (that followed him). King Dhritarashtra then addressed Duryodhana,

surrounded by Karna and Dussasana and all those kings, saying, 'O wretch

of accumulated sins, having for thy allies men of despicable acts,

infamous is the deed that thou, uniting with sinful friends, seekest to

do. Of little understanding, thou, infamy of thy race, one like thee

alone can seek to do an act so infamous and disapproved by the good,

however impossible it may be of being actually achieved. Uniting with

sinful allies, wishest thou to chastise this invincible and irresistible

one of eyes like lotus-leaves? Like a child wishing to have the moon,

seekest thou, O fool, to do what cannot be done by the very gods, headed

by Vasava with all their strength? Knowest thou not, that Kesava is

incapable of being withstood in battle by gods and men and Gandharvas and

Asuras and Uragas? Like the wind which none can seize of being seized

with his hands, like the moon which no hand can reach, like the Earth

which none can support on his head, Kesava is incapable by force.'

"After Dhritarashtra had said these words, Vidura (casting) his eyes on

Duryodhana, addressed that vindictive son of Dhritarashtra, saying, 'O

Duryodhana, listen now to these words of mine. At the gates of Saubha,

that foremost of monkeys, known by the name of Dwivida, covered Kesava

with a mighty shower of stones. Desirous of seizing Madhava by putting

forth all his prowess and exertion, he did not yet succeed in seizing

him. Seekest thou to apprehend that Kesava by force? When Sauri went to

Pragjyotisha, Naraka with all the Danavas succeeded not in seizing him

there. Seekest thou to seize him by force? Slaying that Naraka in battle,

he brought away (from his city) a thousand damsels and married them all,

according to the ordinance. In the city of Nirmochana, six thousand

mighty Asuras failed to seize him with their nooses. Seekest thou to

seize that Kesava by force? While only a child, he slew Putana and two

Asuras assuming the shape of birds, and O bull of Bharata's race, he held

up the mountains of Govardhana (on his little finger) for protecting the

kine (from a continuous rain). He hath also slain Aristha, and Dhenuka

and Chanura of great strength, and Aswaraja, and Kansa, the doer of evil.

He hath slain Jarasandha, and Vakra, and Sisupala of mighty energy, and

Vana in battle, and numerous other kings also have been slain by him. Of

immeasurable might, he vanquished king Varuna and also Pavaka (Agni), and

on the occasion of bringing (down from the celestial regions) the

(heavenly flower called) Parijata, he defeated the lord of Sachi himself.

While floating on the vast deep, he slew Madhu and Kaitabha, and in

another birth he slew Hayagriva (Horse-necked). He is the maker of

everything but is himself made by none. He is the Cause of all power.

Whatever Sauri wisheth, he accomplisheth without any effort. Knowest thou

not sinless Govinda, of terrible prowess and incapable of deterioration?

This one, resembling an angry snake of virulent poison, is the

never-ending source of energy. In seeking to use violence towards

Krishna, endued with mighty arms and unwearied by exertion, thou wilt,

with all thy followers, perish like an insect failing into fire.'"

SECTION CXXXI

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Vidura had said this, Kesava, that slayer of

hostile divisions, endued with great energy, addressed Dhritarashtra's

son, Duryodhana, and said, 'From delusion, O Suyodhana, thou regardest me

to be alone, and it is for this, O thou of little understanding, that

thou seekest to make me a captive after vanquishing me by violence. Here,

however, are all the Pandavas and all the Vrishnis and Andhakas. Here are

all the Adityas, the Rudras, and the Vasus, with all the great Rishis.

Saying this Kesava, that slayer of hostile heroes burst out into a loud

laughter. And as the high-souled Sauri laughed, from his body, that

resembled a blazing fire, issued myriads of gods, each of lightning

effulgence, and not bigger than the thumb. And on his forehead appeared

Brahman, and on his breast Rudra. And on his arms appeared the regents of

the world, and from his mouth issued Agni, the Adityas, the Sadhyas, the

Vasus, the Aswins, the Marutas, with Indra, and the Viswedevas. And

myriads of Yakshas, and the Gandharvas, and Rakshasas also, of the same

measure and form, issued thence. And from his two arms issued Sankarshana

and Dhananjaya. And Arjuna stood on his right, bow in hand, and Rama

stood on his left, armed with the plough. And behind him stood Bhima, and

Yudhishthira, and the two sons of Madri, and before him were all the

Andhakas and the Vrishnis with Pradyumna and other chiefs bearing mighty

weapons upraised. And on his diverse arms were seen the conch, the

discus, the mace, the bow called Saranga, the plough, the javelin, the

Nandaka, and every other weapon, all shining with effulgence, and

upraised for striking. And from his eyes and nose and ears and every part

of his body, issued fierce sparks of fire mixed with smoke. And from the

pores of his body issued sparks of fire like unto the rays of the sun.

And beholding that awful form of the high-souled Kesava, all the kings

closed their eyes with affrighted hearts, except Drona, and Bhishma, and

Vidura, endued with great intelligence, greatly blessed Sanjaya, and the

Rishis, possessed of wealth of asceticism, for the divine Janardana gave

unto them this divine sight on the occasion. And beholding in the (Kuru)

court that highly wonderful sight, celestial drums beat (in the sky) and

a floral shower fell (upon him). And the whole Earth trembled (at the

time) and the oceans were agitated. And, O bull of the Bharata's race,

all the denizens of the earth were filled with great wonder. Then that

tiger among men, that chastiser of foes, withdrew that divine and highly

wonderful, and extremely varied and auspicious form. And arm-in-arm with

Satyaki on one side and Hridika's son (Kritavarman) on the other, and

obtaining permission of the Rishis, the slayer of Madhu went out. And

during the uproar that then took place, the Rishis, Narada and others

vanquished, for repairing to their respective places. And this also was

another wonderful incident that happened. And seeing that tiger among men

leave the court, the Kauravas with all the kings followed him, like the

gods following Indra. Sauri, however, of immeasurable soul, without

bestowing a single thought on those that followed him, issued from the

court, like a blazing fire mixed with smoke. And he beheld (at the gate

his charioteer) Daruka waiting with his large white car, furnished with

rows of tinkling bells, decked with golden ornaments, and endued with

great speed, the clatter of whose wheels resounded like the rumbling of

the clouds, and which was covered all over with white tiger-skins, and

unto which were harnessed his steeds Saivya (and others). And there also

appeared, mounted on his car, that favourite hero of Vrishnis, the mighty

car-warrior Kritavarman, the son of Hridika. And that chastiser of foes,

Sauri, who had his car ready, was about to depart, king Dhritarashtra

addressed him once more and said, 'O grinder of foes, thou hast seen, O

Janardana, the power I wield over my sons! Thou hast, indeed, witnessed

all with thy own eyes. Nothing now is unknown to thee. Seeing me

endeavour to bring about peace between the Kurus, and the Pandavas, in

fact, knowing the state (in which I am), it behoveth thee not to

entertain any suspicion regarding me. O Kesava, I have no sinful feelings

towards the Pandavas. Thou knowest what words have been spoken by me to

Suyodhana. The Kauravas and all the kings of the Earth, also know, O

Madhava, that I have made every endeavour to bring about peace.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The mighty-armed Janardana then addressed

Dhritarashtra, Drona, grandsire Bhishma, Kshattri, Vahlika, and Kripa and

said, 'Ye have yourselves witnessed all that hath happened in the

assembly of the Kurus, viz., how wicked Duryodhana, like an uneducated

wretch, left the court from anger, and how king Dhritarashtra also

describeth himself to be powerless. With the permission of you all, I

shall now go back to Yudhishthira.' Saluting them, that bull amongst men,

Sauri then mounted his car and set out. And those heroic bulls amongst

the Bharatas, those mighty bowmen, viz., Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa, and

Kshattri, and Aswatthaman and Vikarna, and that mighty car-warrior

Yuyutsu, all began to follow him. And Kesava, on his large white car,

furnished with rows of tinkling bells, proceeded then, in the very sight

of the Kurus, to the abode of his paternal aunt (Kunti).'"

SECTION CXXXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Entering her abode and worshipping her feet, Kesava

represented to her briefly all that had transpired in the assembly of the

Kurus. And Vasudeva said, 'Diverse words, worthy of being accepted and

fraught with reasons, were said both by myself and the Rishis, but

Duryodhana accepted them not. As regards Suyodhana and his followers,

their hour is come. With thy leave now, I shall speedily repair unto the

Pandavas. What should I say unto the Pandavas as thy instructions to

them? Tell me that, O thou endued with great wisdom. I desire to hear thy

words.'

"Kunti said, 'O Kesava, say unto king Yudhishthira of virtuous soul these

words, 'Thy virtue, O son, is decreasing greatly. Do not act vainly. O

king, like a reader of the Vedas incapable of catching their real

meaning, and, therefore, truly unlearned. Thy understanding, affected by

only the words of the Vedas, vieweth virtue alone. Cast thy eyes on the

duties of thy own order, as ordained by the Self-create. For all ruthless

deeds and for the protection of the people, from his (Brahmana's) arms

was created the Kshatriya, who is to depend upon the prowess of his own

arms. Listen, an instance is cited in this connection, that hath been

heard by me from the aged. In days of yore, Vaisravana, having been

gratified, made a gift of this Earth to the royal sage Muchukunda. The

latter without accepting the gift, said, 'I desire to enjoy that

sovereignty which is won by prowess of arms.' At this, Vaisravana was

highly delighted and filled with wonder. King Muchukunda then, fully

observing the duties of the Kshatriya order ruled this earth, having

conquered it by the prowess of his arms. Then again, a sixth part of the

virtue, practised by subjects well-protected by the king, is obtained, 'O

Bharata, by the king. The virtue again that the king himself practiseth

conferreth godhead on him, while if he perpetrateth sin, he goeth to

hell. The penal code properly applied by the ruler, maketh the four

orders adhere to their respective duties, and leadeth to an acquisition

(by the ruler himself) of virtue (profit, and salvation). When the king

properly abideth by the penal code, without making any portion of it a

dead letter, then that best of periods called the Krita Yuga setteth in.

Let not this doubt be thine, viz., whether the era is the cause of the

king, or the king the cause of the era, for (know this to be certain

that) the king is the cause of the era. It is the king that createth the

Krita, the Treta, or the Dwapara age. Indeed, it is the king that is the

cause of also the fourth Yuga (viz., the Kali). That king who causeth the

Krita age to set in, enjoyeth heaven exceedingly. That king who causeth

the Treta age to set in, doth enjoy heaven but not exceedingly. For thus

causing the Dwapara age to set in, a king enjoyeth heaven according to

his due. The king, however, who causeth the Kali age to set in, earneth

sin exceedingly. Thereupon, that king of wicked deeds resideth in hell

for countless years. Indeed, the king's sins affect the world, and the

world's sins affect him. Observe thou those kingly duties of thine that

befit thy ancestry. That is not the conduct of a royal sage in which thou

wishest to abide. Indeed, he that is stained by weakness of heart and

adhereth to compassion, and is unsteady, never obtaineth the merit born

of cherishing his subjects with love. That understanding according to

which thou art now acting was never wished (to thee) by Pandu, or myself,

or thy grandsire, while we uttered blessings on thee before; sacrifice,

gift, merit, and bravery, subjects and children, greatness of soul, and

might, and energy, these were always prayed by me for thee. Well-wishing

Brahmanas duly worshipped and gratified the gods and the Pitris for your

long life, wealth, and children, by adding Swaha and Swadha. The mother

and the father, as also the gods always desire for their children

liberality and gift and study and sacrifice and sway over subjects.

Whether all this be righteous or unrighteous, you are to practise it, in

consequence of your very birth. (Behold, O Krishna, so far from doing all

this), though born in a high race, they are yet destitute of the very

means of support, and are afflicted with misery. Hungry men, approaching

a brave and bountiful monarch, are gratified, and live by his side. What

virtue can be superior to this? A virtuous person, upon acquiring a

kingdom, should in this world make all persons his own, attaching some by

gift, some by force, and some by sweet words. A Brahmana should adopt

mendicancy; a Kshatriya should protect (subjects); a Vaisya should earn

wealth; and a Sudra should serve the other three. Mendicancy, therefore,

is forbidden to thee. Nor is agriculture suited to thee. Thou art a

Kshatriya and therefore, the protector of all in distress. Thou art to

live by the prowess of thy arms. O thou of mighty arms, recover thy

paternal share of the kingdom which thou hast lost, by conciliation, or

by working disunion among thy foes, or by gift of money or violence, or

well-directed policy. What can be a matter of greater grief than that I,

deprived of friends, should live upon food supplied by others, after

having brought thee forth, thou enhancer of the joys of friends? Fight,

according to the practices of kings. Do not sink thy ancestors (in

infamy). With thy merit worn out, do not, with thy younger brothers,

obtain a sinful end.'"

SECTION CXXXIII

"Kunti said, 'In this connection, O chastiser of foes, is cited an old

story of the conversation between Vidula and her son. It behoveth thee to

say unto Yudhishthira anything that can be gathered from this or anything

more beneficial than that.

'There was a high-born dame of great foresight, named Vidula. She was

famous, slightly wrathful, of crooked disposition, and devoted to

Kshatriya virtues. Well-educated, she was known to all the kings of the

earth. Of great learning, she had listened to the speeches and

instructions of diverse mien. And the princess Vidula, one day, rebuked

her own son, who, after his defeat by the king of the Sindhus, lay

prostrate with heart depressed by despair. And she said, 'Thou art not my

son, O enhancer of the joys of foes. Begotten thou hast not been by

myself and thy father! Whence hast thou come? Without wrath as thou art,

thou canst not be counted as a man. Thy features betray thee to be a

eunuch. Sinkest thou in despair as long as thou livest? If thou art

desirous of thy own welfare, bear thou the burthen (of thy affairs on thy

shoulders), Do not disgrace thy soul. Do not suffer it to be gratified

with a little. Set thy heart on thy welfare, and be not afraid. Abandon

thy fears. Rise, O coward. Do not lie down thus, after thy defeat,

delighting all thy foes and grieving the friends, and reft of all sense

of honour. Little streams are filled up with only a quantity of water.

The palms of a mouse are filled with only a small quantity. A coward is

soon gratified, with acquisitions that are small. Rather perish in

plucking the fangs of a snake than die miserable like a dog. Put forth

thy prowess even at the risk of thy life. Like a hawk that fearlessly

rangeth the sky, do thou also wander fearlessly or put forth thy prowess,

or silently watch thy foes for an opportunity. Why dost thou lie down

like a carcass or like one smitten by thunder? Rise, O coward, do not

slumber after having been vanquished by the foe. Do not disappear from

the sight of all so miserably. Make thyself known by thy deeds. Never

occupy the intermediate, the low, or the lowest station. Blaze up (like a

well-fed fire). Like a brand of Tinduka wood, blaze up even for a moment,

but never smoulder from desire, like a flameless fire of paddy chaff. It

is better to blaze up for a moment than smoke for ever and ever. Let no

son be born in a royal race, who is either exceedingly fierce or

exceedingly mild. Repairing to the field of battle and achieving every

great feat that is possible for man to achieve, a brave man is freed from

the debt he oweth to the duties of the Kshatriya order. Such a person

never disgraceth his own self. Whether he gaineth his object or not, he

that is possessed of sense never indulgeth in grief. On the other hand,

such a person accomplisheth what should be next done, without caring for

even his life. Therefore, O son, display thy prowess, or obtain that end

which is inevitable. Why, Indeed, dost thou live, disregarding the duties

of thy order? All thy religious rites, O eunuch, and all thy achievements

are gone. The every root of all thy enjoyments is cut off. What for then

dost thou live? If fall and sink one must, he should seize the foe by the

hips (and thus fall with the foe). Even if one's roots are cut off, he

should not yet give way to despair. Horse of high mettle put forth all

their prowess for dragging or bearing heavy weights. Remembering their

behaviour, muster, all thy strength and sense of honour. Know also in

what thy manliness consists. Exert thyself in raising that race which

hath sunk, in consequence of thee. He that hath not achieved a great feat

forming the subject of men's conversation, only increaseth the number of

population. He is neither man nor woman. He whose fame is not founded in

respect of charity, asceticism, truth, learning and acquisition of

wealth, is only his mother's excreta. On the other hand, he that

surpasseth others in learning, asceticism, wealth, prowess, and deeds, is

(truly) a man. It behoveth thee not to adopt the idle, wretched,

infamous, and miserable profession of mendicancy that is worthy only of a

coward. Friends never derive any happiness on obtaining that weak person

for a friend, at whose sight foes are delighted, who is despised by men,

who is without seats and robes, who is gratified with small acquisitions,

who is destitute, and who hath no courage, and is low. Alas, exiled from

our kingdom, driven from home, deprived of all means of enjoyment and

pleasure, and destitute, of resources, we shall have to perish from want

of the very means of life! Misbehaving in the midst of those that are

good, and the destroyer of thy race and family, by bringing thee forth, O

Sanjaya, I have brought forth Kali himself in the shape of a son. Oh, let

no woman bring forth such a son (as thou) that art without wrath, without

exertion, without energy, and that art the joy of foes. Do not smoulder.

Blaze thou up, effectively displaying thy prowess. Slay thy foes. For but

a moment, for ever so small a space of time, blaze thou up on the heads

of thy enemies. He is a man who cherisheth wrath and forgiveth not. He,

on the other hand, who is forgiving and without wrath, is neither a man

nor woman. Contentment and softness of heart and these two, viz., want of

exertion and fear, are destructive of prosperity. He that is without

exertion never winneth what is great. Therefore, O son, free thyself, by

thy own exertions, from these faults that lead to defeat and downfall.

Steel thy heart and seek to recover thy own. A man is called Purusha

because he is competent to trouble his foe (param). He, therefore, who

liveth like a woman is misnamed Purusha (man). A brave king of mighty

strength, and who moveth like a lion, may go the way of all creatures.

The subjects, however, that reside in his dominions do not yet become

unhappy. That king, who, disregarding his own happiness and pleasures,

seeketh the prosperity of his kingdom, succeedeth soon in gladdening his

counsellors and friends.'

"Hearing these words, the son said, 'If thou dost not behold me, of what

use would the whole earth be to thee, of what use thy ornaments, of what

use all the means of pleasure and even life itself?' The mother said,

'Let those regions be obtained by our foes which belong to those that are

low. Let those again that are friends go to those regions which are

obtainable by persons whose souls are held in respect. Do not adopt the

course of life that is followed by those wretched persons, who, destitute

of strength, and without servants and attendants (to do their bidding)

live upon the food supplied by others. Like the creatures of the earth

that depend on the clouds, or the gods depending on Indra, let the

Brahmanas and thy friends all depend on thee for their sustenance. His

life, O Sanjaya, is not vain on whom all creatures depend for their

sustenance, like birds repairing to a tree abounding with ripe fruits.

The life of that brave man is, indeed, praiseworthy, through whose

prowess friends derive happiness, like the gods deriving happiness

through the prowess of Sakra. That man who liveth in greatness depending

on the prowess of his own arms, succeedeth in winning fame in this world

and blessed state in the next!'"

SECTION CXXXIV

"Vidula said, 'If, having fallen into such a plight, thou wishest to give

up manliness, thou shalt then have, in no time, to tread the path that is

trod by those that are low and wretched. That Kshatriya, who, from desire

of life, displayeth not his energy according to the best of his might and

prowess, is regarded as a thief. Alas, like medicine to a dying man,

these words that are fraught with grave import, and are proper and

reasonable, do not make any impression on thee! It is true, the king of

the Sindhus hath many followers. They are, however, all discounted. From

weakness, and ignorance of proper means, they are waiting for the

distress of their master (without being able to effect a deliverance for

themselves by their own exertions). As regards others (his open enemies),

they will come to thee with their auxiliaries if they behold thee put

forth thy prowess. Uniting with them, seek refuge now in mountain

fastness, waiting for that season when calamity will overtake the foe, as

it must, for he is not free from disease and death. By name thou art

Sanjaya (the victorious). I do not, however, behold any such indication

in thee. Be true to thy name. Be my son. Oh, do not make thy name untrue.

Beholding thee while a child, a Brahmana of great foresight and wisdom,

said, 'This one falling into great distress will again win greatness.'

Remembering his words, I hope for thy victory. It is for that, O son, I

tell thee so, and shall tell thee again and again. That man who pursueth

the fruition of his objects according to the ways of policy and for the

success of whose objects other people strive cordially, is always sure to

win success. Whether what I have is gained or lost, I will not desist,

with such a resolve, O Sanjaya, O learned one, engage in war, without

withdrawing thyself from it. Samvara hath said, 'There is no more

miserable state than that in which one is anxious for his food from day

to day.' A state such as his hath beer said to be more unhappy than the

death of one's husband and sons. That which hath been called poverty is

only a form of death. As regards myself, born in a high race, I have been

transplanted from one take into another. Possessed of every auspicious

thing, and worshipped by my husband, my power extended over all. Staying

in the midst of friends, our friends formerly beheld me decked in costly

garlands and ornaments, with body well-washed, attired in excellent

robes, and myself always cheerful. When thou wilt behold both me and thy

wife weakened (from want of food), thou wilt then, O Sanjaya, scarcely

desire to live. Of what use will life be to thee when thou wilt behold

all our servants engaged in attending on us, our preceptors and our

ordinary and extraordinary priests, leaving us from want of sustenance?

If, again, I do not now see in thee those laudable and famous

achievements in which thou wert formerly engaged, what peace can my heart

know? If I have to say--Nay--to a Brahmana, my heart will burst, for

neither I nor my husband ever said--Nay--to a Brahmana before. We were

the refuge of others, without ourselves having ever taken refuge with

others. Having been such, if I have to support life by depending on

another, I will surely cast off my life. Be thou our means of crossing

the ocean that is difficult to cross. In the absence of boats, be thou

our boat. Make for us a place where place there is none. Revive us that

are dead. Thou art competent to encounter all foes if thou dost not

cherish the desire of life. If, however, thou art for adopting this mode

of life that is fit only for a eunuch, then with troubled soul and

depressed heart it would be better for thee to sacrifice thy life. A

brave man winneth fame by slaying even a single foe. By slaying Vritra,

Indra became the great Indra and acquired the sovereignty of all the gods

and the cup for drinking Soma, and the lordship of all the worlds.

Proclaiming his name in battle, challenging his foes accoutred in steel,

and grinding or slaying the foremost warriors of hostile ranks, when a

hero winneth far-extending fame in fair fight, his enemies then are

pained and bow down unto him. They that are cowards become helpless and

contribute by their own conduct to bestow every object of desire on those

that are skilled and brave and that fight reckless of their lives.

Whether kingdoms be overtaken by mighty ruin, or whether life itself be

endangered, they that are noble never desist till they exterminate the

foes within their reach. Sovereignty is either the door of heaven or

Amrita. Regarding it as one of these, and bearing it in mind that is now

shut against thee, fall thou like a burning brand in the midst of thy

foes. O king, slay thy foes in battle. Observe the duties of thy order.

Let me not behold thee cheerless, O enhancer of the fears of thy foes.

Let me not in dejection behold thee standing in misery, surrounded by our

sorrowing selves and rejoicing foes. Rejoice, O son, and make thyself

happy in the possession of wealth in the company of the daughters of the

Sauviras and do not, in weakness of heart, be ruled over by the daughters

of the Saindhavas. If a young man like thee, who is possessed of beauty

of person, learning and high birth, and world-wide fame, acteth in such

unbecoming a way, like a vicious bull in the matter of bearing its

burthen, then that, I think, would be equal to death itself. What peace

can my heart know if I behold thee uttering laudatory speeches in honour

of others or walking (submissively) behind them? Oh, never was one born

in this race that walked behind another. O son, it behoveth thee not to

live as a dependant on another. I know what the eternal essence of

Kshatriya virtues is as spoken of by the old and the older ones and by

those coming late and later still. Eternal and unswerving, it hath been

ordained by the Creator himself. He that hath, in this world, been born

as a Kshatriya in any high race and hath acquired a knowledge of the

duties of that order, will never from fear or the sake of sustenance, bow

down to any body on earth. One should stand erect with courage and not

bow down, for exertion is manliness. One should rather break in the

joints than yield in this world here to any body. A high-souled Kshatriya

should always roam like an infuriated elephant. He should, O Sanjaya, bow

down unto Brahmanas only, for the sake of virtue. He should rule over all

other orders, destroying all evil-doers. Possessed of allies, or

destitute of them, he should be so as long as he liveth.'"

SECTION CXXXV

"Kunti said, 'Hearing these words of his mother the son said, O ruthless

and wrathful mother, O thou that thinkest highly of martial heroism, thy

heart is surely made of steel beat into that shape. Fie on Kshatriya

practices, in accordance with which thou urgest me to battle, as if I

were a stranger to thee, and for the sake of which thou speakest to

me--thy only son--such words as if thou wert not my mother. If thou

beholdest me not, if thou art dissociated with me--thy son, of what use

then would the whole earth be to thee, of what use all thy ornaments and

all the means of enjoyment, indeed, of what use would life itself be to

thee?'

"The mother said, 'All the acts of those that are wise, are (undertaken),

O son, for the sake of virtue and profit. Eyeing these (virtue and

profit) only, I urge thee, O Sanjaya, to battle. The fit hour hath come

for exhibiting thy prowess. If at such a time thou dost not resort to

action, then disrespected by the people thou wouldst do that which would

be most disagreeable to me. If, O Sanjaya, thou art about to be stained

with infamy and I do not (from affection) tell thee anything, then that

affection, worthless and unreasonable, would be like that of the

she-ass's for her young. Do not tread the path that is disapproved by the

wise and adopted by the fool. Great is the ignorance here. Innumerable

creatures of the world have taken refuge in it. If thou, however,

adoptest the behaviour of the wise, thou wilt then be dear to me. Indeed,

if thou hast recourse to virtue and profit, if with God above thou

reliest upon human exertion, if thy conduct becometh like that of the

good, then it is by this and not by any other means that thou wilt become

dear to me. He that taketh delight in sons and grandsons that are

well-instructed (enjoyeth a delight that is real). He, on the other hand,

that taketh delight in a son who is destitute of exertion, refractory,

and wicked minded, hath not the very object accomplished for which a son

is desired. Those worst of men that never do what is proper and always do

what is censurable, do not obtain happiness here or hereafter. A

Kshatriya, O Sanjaya, hath been created for battle and victory. Whether

he winneth or perisheth, he obtaineth the region of Indra. The happiness

that a Kshatriya obtaineth by reducing his foes to subjection is such

that the like of it doth not exist in heaven in the sacred region of

Indra. Burning with wrath, a Kshatriya of great energy, if vanquished

many times, should wait desiring to vanquish his foes. Without either

casting away his own life or slaying his foes, how can he obtain peace of

mind by any other course? He that is possessed of wisdom regardeth

anything little as disagreeable. Unto that person to whom anything little

becomes agreeable, that little (ultimately) becometh a source of pain.

The man that hath not what is desirable soon becometh wretched. Indeed,

he soon feeleth every want and is lost like the Ganga on entering the

ocean.'

"The son said, 'Thou shouldst not, O mother, give expression to such

views before thy son. Show him kindness now, staying by his side, like a

silent and dumb being.'

"The mother said, 'Great is my gratification since thou sayest so. I who

may be urged (by thee to what is my duty) am thus urged by thee. I shall,

therefore, urge thee more (for doing what thou shouldst do). I will,

indeed, honour thee then when I will behold thee, crowned with complete

success after the slaughter of all the Saindhavas.'

"The son said, 'Without wealth, without allies, how can success and

victory be mine? Conscious of this exceedingly miserable state of mine, I

have myself abstained from desire of kingdom, like an evil-doer

abstaining from desire of heaven. If, therefore, O thou of mature wisdom,

thou seest any means (by which all this can be effected), speak fully of

it to me as I ask thee, for I shall do all that thou mayst command me to

do.'

"The mother said, 'Do not disgrace thy soul, O son, by anticipations of

failure. Objects unattained have been attained; while those attained have

been lost. The accomplishment of objects should never be sought with

wrath and folly. In all acts, O son, the attainment of success is always

uncertain. Knowing that success is uncertain, people still act, so that

they sometimes succeed, and sometimes do not. They, however, who abstain

from action, never obtain success. In the absence of exertion, there is

but one result, viz., the absence of success. There are, however, two

results in the case of exertion, viz., the acquisition of success or its

non-acquisition. He, O prince, who hath settled beforehand that all acts

are uncertain in respect of their results, maketh both success and

prosperity unattainable by himself. This will be,--with such a belief

should one, casting off all sloth, exert and wake up and address himself

to every act. That wise king, who, O son, engageth in acts, having

performed all auspicious rites and with the gods and the Brahmanas on his

side, soon winneth success. Like the sun embracing the east, the goddess

of prosperity embraceth him. I see thou hast shown thyself fit for the

various suggestions and means and encouraging speeches thou hast had from

me. Display (now) thy prowess. It behoveth thee to win, by every

exertion, the object thou hast in view. Bring together to thy own side

those that are angry (with thy foes), those that are covetous, those that

have been weakened (by thy foes), those that are jealous (of thy foes),

those that have been humiliated (by them), those that always challenge

(them) from excess of pride, and all others of this class. By this means

thou wilt be able to break the mighty host (of thy enemy) like an

impetuous and fierce-rising tempest scattering the clouds. Give them (thy

would be allies) wealth before it is due, seek their food, be up and

doing, and speak sweetly unto them all. They will then do the good, and

place thee at their head. When the enemy cometh to know that his foe hath

become reckless of his life, then is he troubled on the latter's account,

from a snake living in his chamber? If, knowing one to be powerful, one's

enemy doth not strive to subjugate him, he should at least make one

friendly by the application of the arts of conciliation, gift, and the

like. Even that would be tantamount to subjugation. Obtaining a respite

by means of the art of conciliation, one's wealth may increase. And if

one's wealth increaseth, one is worshipped and sought as a refuge by

one's friends. If, again, one is deprived of wealth, one is abandoned by

friends and relatives, and more than that mistrusted and even despised by

them. It is perfectly impossible for him to ever regain his kingdom, who,

having united himself with his foe, liveth confidently.'"

SECTION CXXXVI

"The mother said, 'Into whatever calamity a king may fail, he should not

still betray it. Beholding the king afflicted with fright, the whole

kingdom, the army, the counsellors, all yield to fear, and all the

subjects become disunited. Some go and embrace the side of the enemy;

others simply abandon the king; and others again, that had before been

humiliated, strive to strike. They, however, that are intimate friends

wait by his side, and though desiring his welfare yet from inability to

do anything wait helplessly, like a cow whose calf hath been tethered. As

friends grieve for friends that are plunged into distress, so those

well-wishers also grieve upon beholding their lord plunged into grief.

Even thou hast many friends whom thou hadst worshipped before. Even thou

hast many friends after thy heart, who feel for thy kingdom and who

desire to take a state of thy calamities on themselves. Do not frighten

those friends, and do not suffer them to abandon thee on beholding thee

afflicted with fear. Desiring to test thy might, manliness, and

understanding, and wishing also to encourage thee, I have said all this

for enhancing thy energy. If thou understandest what I have said, and if

all I have said appears proper and sufficient, then, O Sanjaya, muster

thy patience and gird up thy lions for victory. We have a large number of

treasure-houses unknown to thee. I alone know of their existence, and no

other person. I will place all these at thy disposal. Thou hast also, O

Sanjaya, more than one friend who sympathise with thee in thy joys and

woes, and who, O hero, never retreat from the field of battle. O grinder

of foes, allies such as these, always play the part of faithful

counsellors to a person who seeketh his own welfare and desireth to

acquire what is agreeable to himself.'

"Kunti continued, 'Hearing this speech of his mother fraught with

excellent words, and sense, the despair that had overtaken Sanjaya's

heart left instantly, although that prince was not gifted with great

intelligence. And the son said, 'When I have thee that are so observant

of my future welfare for my guide, I shall certainly either rescue my

paternal kingdom that is sunk in water or perish in the attempt. During

thy discourse I was almost a silent listener. Now and then only I

interposed a word. It was, however, only with the view of drawing thee

out, so that I might hear more on the subject. I have not been satiated

with thy words, like a person not satiated with drinking amrita. Deriving

support from any allies, behold, I gird up my loins for repressing my

foes and obtaining victory.'

"Kunti continued, 'Pierced by the wordy arrows of his mother, the son

roused himself like a steed of proud mettle and achieved all that his

mother had pointed out. When a king is afflicted by foes and overcome

with despair, his minister should make him hear this excellent history

that enhanceth energy and inspireth might. Indeed, this history is called

Jaya and should be listened to by every one desirous of victory. Indeed,

having listened to it, one may soon subjugate the whole earth and grind

his foes. This history causeth a woman to bring forth a heroic son, the

woman quick with child that listeneth to it repeatedly, certainly giveth

birth to a hero. The Kshatriya woman that listeneth to it bringeth forth

a brave son of irresistible prowess, one that is foremost in learning,

foremost in ascetic austerities, foremost in liberality, devoted to

asceticism, blazing forth with Brahmic beauty, enumerable with the good,

radiant with effulgence, endued with great might, blessed, a mighty

car-warrior, possessed of great intelligence, irresistible (in battle),

ever victorious, invincible, a chastiser of the wicked and a protector of

all practisers of virtue.'"

SECTION CXXXVII

"Kunti said, 'Say unto Arjuna, these words, when thou wert brought forth

in the lying-in room and when I was sitting in the hermitage surrounded

by ladies, a celestial and delightful voice was heard in the sky, saying,

'O Kunti, this thy son will rival the deity of a thousand eyes. This one

will vanquish in battle all the assembled Kurus. Aided by Bhima, he will

conquer the whole Earth and his fame will touch the very heavens. With

Vasudeva as his ally, he will slay the Kurus in battle and recover his

lost paternal share in the kingdom. Endued with great prosperity, he

will, with his brothers, perform three great sacrifices.' O thou of

unfading glory, thou knowest how steady, in truth, is Vibhatsu, otherwise

called Savyasachin, how irresistible he is. O thou of Dasarha's race, let

it be as that (celestial) voice said. If, O thou of Vrishni's race, there

is anything like righteousness, those words will be true, for then,

Krishna, thou wilt thyself accomplish it all. I do not doubt what that

voice said. I bow to righteousness which is superior to all. It is

righteousness that supports all creatures. Thou shalt say these words

unto Dhananjaya. Unto Vrikodara again, who is always ready for exertion,

thou shalt say these words, 'The time hath come for that in view of which

Kshatriya lady bringeth forth a son! They that are foremost among men

never become cheerless when they have hostilities to wage--Thou knowest

what the state of Bhima's mind is. That grinder of foes is never pacified

until he exterminates his foes. Thou shalt, O Madhava, next say unto the

auspicious Krishna of great fame, that daughter-in-law of the high-souled

Pandu, who is conversant with the details of every virtue, these words,

'O thou that art highly blessed, O thou of noble parentage, O thou that

art endued with great fame, that becoming behaviour which thou always

showest towards my sons is, indeed, worthy of thee.' Thou must also say

unto the sons of Madri who are always devoted to Kshatriya virtues, these

words, 'Covet ye more than life itself, those enjoyments that are

acquired by prowess. Objects won by prowess always please the heart of a

person that liveth according to Kshatriya practices. Engaged as ye are in

acquiring every kind of virtue, before your eyes the princess of Panchala

was addressed in cruel and abusive epithets. Who is there that can

forgive that insult? The deprivation of their kingdom grieved me not.

Their defeat at dice grieved me not. But that noble and fair Draupadi,

however, while weeping in the midst of the assembly, had to hear those

cruel and insulting words is what grieveth me most. Alas, exceedingly

beautiful Krishna, ever devoted to Kshatriya virtues, found no protector

on that occasion, though she was wedded to such powerful protectors. O

thou of mighty arms, say unto that tiger among men, Arjuna, that foremost

of all wielders of weapons, that he should always tread in the path that

may be pointed out by Draupadi. Thou knowest it very well, Kesava, that

Bhima and Arjuna,--that pair of fierce and all-destroying Yamas, are

capable of making the very gods go the way of all creatures. Is not this

an insult to them that (their wife) Krishna was dragged into the

assembly? O Kesava, recall to their remembrance all those cruel and harsh

words that Dussasana said unto Bhima in the very presence of all the

warriors of Kuru's race. Enquire (in my name) after the welfare of the

Pandavas with their children and Krishna. Say unto them, O Janardana,

that I am well. Go thou on thy auspicious way, and protect my sons!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saluting and walking round her, the

mighty-armed Krishna whose gait resembled the majestic gait of the lion,

then issued out of Pritha's abode. And he then dismissed those chiefs

among the Kurus with Bhishma at their head (who had followed him), and

taking Karna upon his chariot, left (the Kuru city), accompanied by

Satyaki. And after he of Dasarha's race had departed, the Kurus assembled

together and began to talk of that highly wonderful and marvellous

incident connected with him. And they said, 'Overcome with ignorance, the

whole earth hath been entangled in the meshes of death!' And they also

said, 'Through Duryodhana's folly, all this is doomed to destruction.'

'Having issued out of the (Kuru) city, that foremost of persons

proceeded, deliberating with Karna for a long time. And that delighter of

all the Yadavas then dismissed Karna and urged his steeds to greater

speed. And driven by Daruka, those swift coursers endued with the speed

of the tempest of the mind, went on as if drinking the skies. And quickly

traversing a long way like fleet hawks, they reached Upaplavya very soon,

bearing the wielder of Saranga.'"

SECTION CXXXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing the words of Kunti, the mighty car-warriors,

Bhishma and Drona, then spoke these words unto the disobedient

Duryodhana, 'Hast thou, O tiger among men, heard the fierce words of

grave import, excellent and consistent with virtue, that Kunti had spoken

in the presence of Krishna? Her sons will act according to them,

especially as they are approved by Vasudeva. O Kaurava, they will not

assuredly desist, without their share of the kingdom (being given to

them). Thou hast inflicted much pain on the sons of Pritha. And Draupadi

also was afflicted by thee in the assembly. They were, however, bound

then by the bounds of truth and it was for this that, they tolerated that

treatment. Obtaining Arjuna now, who is skilled in every weapon, and

Bhima of firm resolution, and Gandiva and the couple of (inexhaustible)

quivers, and that car (of Arjuna) and that banner (bearing the device of

the ape), and Nakula and Sahadeva, both endued with great might and

energy, and Vasudeva also, as his allies, Yudhishthira will not forgive

(thee). O mighty-armed one, thou hast witnessed with thy own eyes how

intelligent Arjuna vanquished us all in battle before, in the city of

Virata. Indeed, after this, that Ape-bannered (warrior) consumed in

battle, taking up his fierce weapons, those Danavas of terrible deeds

called the Nivatakavachas. On the occasion also of the tale of cattle,

when captured by the Gandharvas, this Karna and all these thy counsellors

and thyself accoutred in mail and on thy car, were all liberated from the

grasp of the Gandharvas by that Arjuna. That is a sufficient proof.

Therefore, O foremost of the Bharatas, with all thy brothers make peace

with the sons of Pandu. Save this whole earth from the Destruction's

jaws. Yudhishthira is thy elder brother, virtuous in behaviour,

affectionate towards thee, sweet-speeched and learned. Abandoning thy

sinful intentions, unite thyself with that tiger among men. If Pandu's

son beholdeth thee divested of thy bow, and without the wrinkles of rage

on thy brow, and cheerful, even that would be for the good of our race.

Approaching with all thy counsellors embrace him fraternally. O repressor

of foes, salute the king respectfully as before. And let Yudhishthira,

the son of Kunti, the elder brother of Bhima, hold from affection, thy

saluting self with his arms. And let that foremost of smiters, Bhima,

possessed of leonine shoulders and thighs round, and long, and mighty

arms, embrace thee. And then let that son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, called

also Partha, of eyes like lotus-petals, and curly hair and conch-like

neck salute thee respectfully. Then let those tigers among men, the twin

Aswins, unrivalled on earth for beauty, wait on thee with affection and

reverence as on their preceptor. And let all the kings with him of

Dasarha's race at their head, shed tears of joy. Abandoning thy pride,

unite thyself with thy brothers. Rule thou the whole earth, with thy

brothers. Let all the kings joyfully return to their respective homes,

having embraced one another. There is no need of battle, O king of kings.

Listen to the dissuasions of thy friends. In the battle that will ensue a

great destruction of the Kshatriyas is certainly indicated. The stars are

all hostile. The animals and birds have all assumed fearful aspects.

Diverse portents, O hero, are visible, all indicating the slaughters of

the Kshatriyas. All these portents, again, are particularly visible in

our abodes. Blazing meteors are afflicting thy host. Our animals are all

cheerless and seem, O king, to be crying. Vultures are wheeling around

thy troops. Neither the city nor the palace looks as before. Jackals,

setting forth ominous yells, are running about the four quarters which

are ablaze with conflagrations. Obey thou the counsels of thy father and

mother as also of ourselves who are thy well-wishers. War and peace, O

thou of mighty arms, are within thy control. If, O grinder of foes, thou

dost not act according to the words of thy friends, thou shalt have to

repent upon beholding thy army afflicted with the arrows of Partha.

Hearing in battle the terrible yells uttered by the mighty Bhima and the

twang of Gandiva, thou wilt remember our these words. Indeed, if what we

say appears unacceptable to thee, then it will be as we say.'"

SECTION CXXXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by them, Duryodhana, contracting the

space between his eye-brows, became cheerless, and with face bent down

began to cast oblique glances. And he said not a word in reply. Beholding

him cheerless, those bulls among men, Bhishma and Drona, looking at each

other, once more addressed him, and said (these words).'

"Bhishma said, 'What can be a matter of greater grief to us than that we

shall have to light against that Yudhishthira who is devoted to the

service of his superiors, destitute of envy, conversant with Brahma, and

truthful in speech.'

"Drona said, 'My affection for Dhananjaya is greater than that which I

bear for my son Aswatthaman. There is greater reverence also and humility

(towards me) in that Ape-bannered hero (than in Aswatthaman). Alas, in

observance of the Kshatriya duties, I shall have to light even against

that Dhananjaya who is dearer to me than my son. Fie on the Kshatriya

profession. That Vibhatsu who hath no other bowman in the world as his

equal, hath, through my grace, acquired this superiority over all bowmen.

He that hateth his friends, he that is of wicked disposition, he that

denieth Godhead, he that is crooked and deceitful, never obtaineth the

worship of the righteous, like an ignorant person present at a sacrifice.

Though dissuaded from sin, a sinful man would still wish to commit sinful

acts; while he that is righteous, though tempted by sin, would not yet

abandon righteousness. Though thou hast conducted thyself with falsehood

and deceit towards them, the Pandavas are still desirous of doing what is

agreeable to thee. As regards thyself, O thou best of the Bharatas, all

thy faults are calculated to bring about disasters on thee. Thou hast

been addressed by the eldest of the Kurus, by me, by Vidura, and by

Vasudeva. Thou dost not yet understand what is beneficial for thyself. I

have a large force,--with this conviction thou desirest to pierce the

Pandava host, abounding with heroes, like the current of the Ganga

piercing the ocean abounding with sharks and alligators and makaras.

Having obtained Yudhishthira's prosperity like the cast off robes or

garlands of another, thou regardest it as thy own. If the son of Pritha

and Pandu stayeth even in the woods with Draupadi, and surrounded by his

armed brothers, who is there, even in the possession of a kingdom, that

is competent to vanquish him? In the presence of even that Ailavila

(Kuvera) under whose command all the Yakshas live as servants,

Yudhishthira the Just, shone with splendour. Having proceeded to Kuvera's

abode and having procured wealth therefrom, the Pandavas are now desirous

of attacking thy swelling kingdom and winning sovereignty for themselves.

(As regards us two), we have made gifts, poured libations on fire,

studied (the scriptures), and gratified the Brahmanas by presents of

wealth. The (allotted) periods of our life have also run out. Know that

our work has been done. (As regards thyself however), giving up

happiness, kingdom, friends, and wealth, great will be thy calamity if

thou seekest war with the Pandavas. How canst thou vanquish the son of

Pandu, when Draupadi who is truthful in speech and devoted to rigid vows

and austerities, prayeth for his success? How wilt thou vanquish that son

of Pandu who hath Janardana. for his counsellor, and who hath for a

brother that Dhananjaya who is the foremost of wielders of weapons? How

wilt thou vanquish that son of Pandu, of severe austerities, who hath for

his allies so many Brahmanas, endued with intelligence and mastery over

their senses? In accordance with what a prosperity-wishing friend should

do when he sees his friends sinking in an ocean of distress, I again tell

thee, there is no necessity for war. Make peace with those heroes for the

sake of prosperity to the Kurus. Do not court defeat, with thy sons,

counsellors, and the army!'"

SECTION CXL

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Sanjaya, in the midst of all the princes and the

servants, the slayer of Madhu took Karna upon his car and went out (of

our city). What did that slayer of hostile heroes, that one of

immeasurable soul, say unto Radha's son? What conciliatory words did

Govinda speak unto the Suta's son? Tell me, O Sanjaya, what those words

were, mild or fierce, that Krishna, possessed of a voice deep as that of

newly-risen clouds during the rainy season said unto Karna?'

"Sanjaya said, 'Listen to me, O Bharata, as I repeat in due order those

words, both intimidating and mild, agreeable and consistent with virtue,

true and beneficial, and pleasing to the heart, which the slayer of

Madhu, of immeasurable soul, said unto Radha's son.'

"Vasudeva said, 'O son of Radha, thou hast worshipped many Brahmanas

fully conversant with the Vedas. With concentrated attention and mind

free from envy thou hast also (on many an occasion) enquired of them

after truth. Thou knowest, therefore, O Karna, what the eternal saying of

the Vedas are. Thou art also well-versed in all the subtle conclusions of

the scriptures. It is said by those conversant with the scriptures that

the two kinds of sons called Kanina and Sahoda that are born of a maiden,

have him for their father who weddeth the maid. Thou, O Karna, hast been

born in this way. Thou art, therefore, morally the son of Pandu. Come, be

a king, according to the injunction of the scriptures. On the side of thy

father, thou hast the sons of Pritha, on the side of thy mother, thou

hast the Vrishnis, (for thy kinsmen). O bull among men, know that thou

hast these two for thy own. Proceeding this very day with me hence, O

sire, let the Pandavas know thee as a son of Kunti born before

Yudhishthira. The brothers, the five Pandavas, the son of Draupadi, and

the invincible son of Subhadra, will all embrace thy feet. All the kings

and princes, again, that have been assembled for the Pandava-cause, and

all the Andhakas and Vrishnis, will also embrace thy feet. Let queens and

princesses bring golden and silver and earthen jars (full of water) and

delicious herbs and all kinds of seeds and gems, and creepers, for thy

installation. During the sixth period, Draupadi also will come to thee

(as a wife). Let that best of Brahmanas, Dhaumya, of restrained soul,

pour libations of clarified butter on the (sacred) fire, and let those

Brahmanas regarding all the four Vedas as authoritative (and who are

acting as priests unto the Pandavas), perform the ceremony of thy

installation. Let the family priest of the Pandavas who is devoted to

Vedic rites, and those bulls among men-those brothers, the five sons of

Pandu,--and the five sons of Draupadi, and the Panchalas, and the Chedis,

and myself also, install thee as the lord of the whole earth. Let

Dharma's son Yudhishthira, of righteous soul and rigid vows, be thy heir

presumptive, ruling the kingdom under thee. Holding the white chamara in

his hand (for fanning thee), let Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, ride on

the same car behind thee. After thy installation is over, let that other

son of Kunti, the mighty Bhimasena, hold the white umbrella over thy

head. Indeed, Arjuna then will drive thy car furnished with a hundred

tinkling bells, its sides covered with tiger-skins, and with white steeds

harnessed to it. Then Nakula and Sahadeva, and the five sons of Draupadi,

and the Panchalas with that mighty car-warrior Sikhandin, will all

proceed behind thee. I myself, with all the Andhakas and the Vrishnis,

will walk behind thee. Indeed, all the Dasarhas and the Dasarnas, will, O

king, be numbered with thy relatives. Enjoy the sovereignty of the earth,

O thou of mighty arms, with thy brothers the Pandavas, with yapas and

homas and auspicious rites of diverse kinds performed in thy honour. Let

the Dravidas, with the Kuntalas, the Andhras, and the Talacharas, and the

Shuchupas, and the Venupas, all walk before thee. Let chanters and

panegyrists praise thee with innumerable laudatory hymns. Let the

Pandavas proclaim,--Victory to Vasusena. Surrounded by the Pandavas, like

the moon by the stars, rule thou the kingdom, O son of Kunti, and gladden

Kunti herself. Let thy friends rejoice, and thy enemies grieve. Let there

be, this day, a brotherly union between thee and thy brothers, the sons

of Pandu."

SECTION CXLI

"Karna said, 'Without doubt, O Kesava, thou hast said these words from

thy love, affection, and friendship for me, as also in consequence of thy

desire of doing me good, O thou of Vrishni's race. I know all that thou

hast said unto me. Morally, I am the son of Pandu, as also in consequence

of the injunctions of the scriptures, as thou, O Krishna, thinkest. My

mother, while a maiden, bore me in her womb, O Janardana, through her

connection with Surya. And at the command of Surya himself, she abandoned

me as soon as I was born. Even thus, O Krishna, I came into the world.

Morally, therefore, I am the son of Pandu. Kunti, however, abandoned me

without thinking of my welfare. The Suta, Adhiratha, as soon as he beheld

me, took me to his home, and from her affection for me, Radha's breasts

were filled with milk that very day, and she, O Madhava, cleansed my

urine and evacuations. How can one like us, conversant with duties and

ever engaged in listening to scriptures deprive her of her Pinda? So also

Adhiratha of the Suta class regardeth me as a son, and I too, from

affection, always regard him as (my) father. O Madhava, that Adhiratha, O

Janardana, from paternal affection caused all the rites of infancy to be

performed on my person, according to the rules prescribed in the

scriptures. It is that Adhiratha, again, who caused the name Vasusena to

be bestowed upon me by the Brahmanas. When also I attained to youth, I

married wives according to his selections. Through them have been born my

sons and grandsons, O Janardana. My heart also, O Krishna, and all the

bonds of affection and love, are fixed on them. From joy or fear. O

Govinda. I cannot venture to destroy those bonds even for the sake of the

whole earth or heaps of gold. In consequence also of my connection with

Duryodhana of Dhritarashtra's race, I have, O Krishna, enjoyed

sovereignty for thirteen years, without a thorn on my side. I have

performed many sacrifices, always however in connection with persons of

the Suta tribe. All my family rites and marriage rites have been

performed with the Sutas. Obtaining me, O Krishna, Duryodhana hath, O

thou of Vrishni's race, made this preparations for an armed encounter and

provoked hostilities with the sons of Pandu. And it is for this, O

Achyuta, that in the battle (that will ensue), I, O Krishna, have been

chosen as the great antagonist of Arjuna to advance against him in a

single combat. For the sake of death, or the ties of blood, or fear, or

temptation, I cannot venture, O Janardana, to behave falsely towards the

intelligent son of Dhritarashtra. If I do not now engage in a single

combat with Arjuna, this will, O Hrishikesa, be inglorious for both

myself and Partha. Without doubt, O slayer of Madhu, thou hast told me

all this for doing me good. The Pandavas also, obedient as they are to

thee, will, without doubt, do all that thou hast said. Thou must,

however, conceal this our discourse for the present, O slayer of Madhu.

Therein lies our benefit, I think, O delighter of all the Yadavas. If

king Yudhishthira, of virtuous soul and well-controlled senses, cometh to

know me as the firstborn son of Kunti, he will never accept the kingdom.

If, again, O slayer of Madhu, this mighty and swelling empire becometh

mine. I shall, O repressor of foes, certainly make it over to Duryodhana

only. Let Yudhishthira of virtuous soul become king for ever. He that

hath Hrishikesa for his guide, and Dhananjaya and that mighty car-warrior

Bhima for his combatants, as also Nakula and Sahadeva, and the sons of

Draupadi, is fit, O Madhava, to rule over the whole earth.

Dhrishtadyumna, the prince of the Panchalas, that mighty car-warrior

Satyaki, Uttamaujas, Yudhamanyu, the prince of Somakas who is devoted to

truth, the ruler of the Chedis, Chekitana, the invincible Sikhandin, the

Kekaya brothers, all of the hue of Indragopaka insects, Bhimasena's uncle

Kuntibhoja of high soul and possessed of steeds endued with the colours

of the rainbow, the mighty car-warrior Syenajit, Sanka the son of Virata,

and thyself, O Janardana, like an ocean,--great is this assemblage, O

Krishna, of Kshatriyas (that hath been made by Yudhishthira). This

blazing kingdom, celebrated among all the kings of the earth, is already

won (by Yudhishthira). O thou of Vrishni's race, a great sacrifice of

arms is about to be celebrated by Dhritarashtra's son. Thou, O Janardana,

wilt be the Upadrashtri of that sacrifice. The office of Adhyaryu also, O

Krishna, in that sacrifice, will be thine. The ape-bannered Vibhatsu

accoutred in mail will be the Hotri (his bow), Gandiva will be the

sacrificial ladle, and the prowess of the warriors will be the clarified

butter (that is to be consumed). The weapons called Aindra, Pasupata,

Brahma, and Sthunakarna, applied by Arjuna, will, O Madhava, be the

mantras (of that sacrifice). Resembling his father, or perhaps, excelling

him in prowess, Subhadra's son (Abhimanyu) will be the chief Vedic hymn

to be chanted. That destroyer of elephant ranks that utterer of fierce

roars in battle, that tiger among men, the exceedingly mighty Bhima, will

be Udgatri and Prastotri in this sacrifice. King Yudhishthira of virtuous

Soul, ever engaged in Yapa and Homa, will himself be the Brahma of that

sacrifice. The sounds of conchs, tabors, and drums, and the leonine

roaring rising high in the welkin, will be the calls upon the invited to

eat. The two sons of Madri, Nakula and Sahadeva, of great fame and

prowess, will be the slayers of the sacrificial animals; rows of bright

cars furnished with standards of variegated hue, will, O Govinda, be

stakes (for tying the animals), O Janardana, in this sacrifice. Barbed

arrows and Nalikas, and long shafts, and arrows with heads like calf's

tooth, will play the part of spoons (wherewith to distribute the Soma

juice) while Tomaras will be the vessels of Soma, and bows will be

pavitras. The swords will be Kapalas, the heads (of slain warriors) the

Purodasas and the blood of warriors the clarified butter. O Krishna, in

this sacrifice. The lances and bright maces (of the warriors) will be

pokers (for stirring the sacrificial fire) and the corner stakes (for

keeping the fire-wood from falling down). The disciples of Drona and

Kripa, the son of Saradwat, will be the Sadasyas (assisting priests). The

arrows shot by the wielder of Gandiva and by (other) mighty car-warriors,

and by Drona and Drona's son, will play the part of ladles for

distributing the Soma. Satyaki will discharge the duties of the chief

assistant of the Adhyaryu. Of this sacrifice, Dhritarashtra's son will be

installed as the performer, while this vast army will be his wife. O thou

of mighty arms, when the nocturnal rites of sacrifice will begin, the

mighty Ghatotkacha will play the part of the slayer of (devoted) victims.

The mighty Dhrishtadyumna, who sprang into life from the sacrificial

fire, having for its mouth the rites celebrated with mantras, will, O

Krishna, be the Dakshina of that sacrifice. For those harsh words, O

Krishna, that I said before unto the sons of Pandu for the gratification

of Dhritarashtra's son,--for that wicked conduct of mine,--I am consumed

with repentance. When O Krishna, thou wilt behold me slain by Arjuna,

then will the Punachiti of this sacrifice commence. When the (second) son

of Pandu will drink the blood of the loudly roaring Dussasana, then will

the Soma-drinking of this sacrifice have taken place! When the two

princes of Panchala (Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin) will overthrow Drona

and Bhishma, then, O Janardana, will this sacrifice be suspended for an

interval. When mighty Bhimasena will slay Duryodhana, then, O Madhava,

will this sacrifice of Dhritarashtra's son be concluded. When the wives

of Dhritarashtra's sons and grandsons assembled together, deprived, O

Kesava, of their husbands and sons and without protectors, will indulge

in lamentations with Gandhari in their midst, on the field of battle

haunted by dogs and vultures and other carnivorous birds, then, O

Janardana, will the final bath of this sacrifice take place.

'I pray to thee, O bull of the Kshatriya race, let not the Kshatriyas,

old in learning and old in years, perish miserably, O Janardana, for thy

sake. Oh, let this swelling host of Kshatriyas perish by means of weapons

on that most sacred of all spots in the three worlds, viz. Kurukshetra, O

Kesava. O thou of eyes like lotus-leaves, accomplish on this spot what

thou hast in thy mind, so that, O thou of Vrishni's race, the whole

Kshatriya order may attain to heaven. As long, O Janardana, as the hills

and the rivers will last, so long will the fame of these achievements

last. The Brahmanas will recite this great war of the Bharatas. The fame,

O thou of Vrishni's race, that they achieve in battles is the wealth that

Kshatriyas own. O Kesava, bring Kunti's son (Arjuna) before me for

battle, keeping for ever this our discourse a secret, O chastiser of

foes.'"

SECTION CXLII

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these words of Karna, Kesava, that slayer of

hostile heroes, spoke unto him these words smilingly, 'Do not the means

of winning an empire recommend themselves to thee. O Karna? Wishest thou

not to rule over the whole earth given by me to thee? The victory of the

Pandavas, therefore, is very certain. There seems to be no doubt in this.

The triumphal banner of Pandu's son, with the fierce ape on it, seems to

be already set up. The divine artificer, Bhaumana, hath applied such

celestial illusion (in its construction) that it standeth high, displayed

like Indra's banner. Various celestial creatures of terrific shape,

indicating victory, are seen on that standard. Extending for a yojana

upwards and all around, that beautiful standard of Arjuna, resembling

fire in radiance, is never, O Karna, when set up, obstructed by hills or

trees. When thou wilt behold in battle Arjuna, on his car drawn by white

steeds and driven by Krishna, applying Aindra, Agneya and Maruta weapons,

and when thou wilt hear the twang of Gandiva piercing the welkin like the

very thunder, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara

ages will disappear (but, instead, Kali embodied will be present). When

thou wilt behold in battle Kunti's son, invincible Yudhishthira, devoted

to Yapa and Homa and resembling the very sun in brilliance, protecting

his own mighty army and burning the army of his foes, then all signs of

the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara ages will disappear. When thou wilt

behold in battle the mighty Bhimasena dancing, after having quaffed the

blood of Dussasana, like a fierce elephant with rent temples after having

killed a mighty antagonist, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and

the Dwapara ages will disappear. When thou wilt behold in battle Arjuna

checking Drona and Santanu's son and Kripa and king Suyodhana, and

Jayadratha of Sindhu's race, all rushing fiercely to the encounter, then

all signs of the Krita, the Treta and the Dwapara ages will disappear.

When thou wilt behold in battle the two mighty sons of Madri,--those

heroic car-warriors, capable of breaking into pieces all hostile

cars,--agitating, from the very moment when weapons will begin to clash,

the army of Dhritarashtra's sons like a couple of infuriated elephants,

then all signs of the Krita, the Treta and the Dwapara ages will

disappear. Returning hence, O Karna, say unto Drona and Santanu's son and

Kripa that the present month is a delightful one, and that food, drink,

and fuel are abundant now. All plants and herbs are vigorous now, all

trees full of fruits, and flies there are none. The roads are free from

mire, and the waters are of agreeable taste. The weather is neither very

hot nor very cold and is, therefore, highly pleasant. Seven days after,

will be the day of the new moon. Let the battle commence then, for that

day, it hath been said, is presided over by Indra. Say also unto all the

kings that have come for battling that I will fully accomplish the desire

cherished by them. Indeed, all the kings and princes that are obedient to

the orders of Duryodhana, obtaining death by weapons, will attain to an

excellent state.'"

SECTION CXLIII

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these beneficial and auspicious words of Kesava,

Karna worshipped Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, and said these words,

'Knowing (everything), why dost thou yet, O thou of mighty arms, seek to

beguile me? The destruction of the whole earth that is at hand for its

cause, Sakuni, and myself, and Dussasana, and king Duryodhana, the son of

Dhritarashtra. Without doubt, O Krishna, a great and fierce battle is at

hand between the Pandavas and the Kurus which will cover the earth with

bloody mire. All the kings and princes following the lead of Duryodhana,

consumed by the fire of weapons will proceed to the abode of Yama.

Diverse frightful visions are seen, O slayer of Madhu, and many terrible

portents, and fierce disturbances also. All these omens, making the hairs

(of the spectators) stand on their ends, indicate, O thou of Vrishni's

race, the defeat of Dhritarashtra's son and the victory of Yudhishthira.

That fierce planet of great effulgence, Sanaischara (Saturn), is

afflicting the constellation called Rohini, in order to afflict greatly

the creatures of the earth. The planet Angaraka (Mars), wheeling, O

slayer of Madhu, towards the constellation Jeshthya, approacheth towards

Anuradhas, indicating a great slaughter of friends. Without doubt, O

Krishna, a terrible calamity approacheth the Kurus when specially, O thou

of Vrishni's race, the planet Mahapat afflicteth the constellation

Chitra. The spot on the lunar disc hath changed its position; and Rahu

also approacheth towards the sun. Meteors are falling from the sky with

loud noise and trembling motion. The elephants are sending forth

frightful cries, while the steeds, O Madhava, are shedding tears, without

taking any delight in food and drink. They say, O thou of mighty arms,

that on the appearance of these portents, a terrible calamity

approacheth, productive of a great slaughter. O Kesava, amongst the

steeds, elephants and soldiers, in all the divisions of Duryodhana's

army, it is seen, O slayer of Madhu, that while small is the food these

take, ample is the excreta they evacuate. The wise have said that this is

an indication of defect. The elephants and steeds of the Pandavas, O

Krishna, all seem to be cheerful, while all the animals wheel along their

right. This also is an indication of their success. The same animal, O

Kesava, pass by the left side of Duryodhana's army, while incorporeal

voices are constantly heard (over their heads). All this is an indication

of defeat. All auspicious birds, such as peacocks, swans, cranes,

Chatakas, Jivajivas, and large flights of Vakas, follow the Pandavas,

while vultures, Kankas, hawks, Rakshasas, wolves and bees, in flights and

herds, follow the Kauravas. The drums in the army of Dhritarashtra's son

yield no sounds, while those of the Pandavas yield sounds without being

struck. The wells in the midst of Duryodhana's encampment send forth loud

roars like those of huge bulls. All this is an indication of defeat. The

gods are showering flesh and blood, O Madhava, on Duryodhana's soldiers.

Vapoury edifices of great effulgence with high walls, deep trenches, and

handsome porches, are suddenly appearing in the skies (over the Kuru

encampment). A black circle surrounding the solar disc appears to the

view. Both twilights at sunrise and sunset indicate great terrors. The

jackals yell hideously. All this is an indication of defeat. Diverse

birds, each having but one wing, one eye, and one leg, utter terrible

cries. All this, O slayer of Madhu, indicates defeat. Fierce birds with

black wings and red legs hover over the Kuru encampment at nightfall. All

this is an indication of defeat. The soldiers of Duryodhana betray hatred

for Brahmanas first, and then for their preceptors, and then for all

their affectionate servants. The, eastern horizon of (Duryodhana's

encampment) appeareth red; the southern of the hue of weapons; and

western, O slayer of Madhu, of an earthy hue. All the quarters around

Duryodhana's encampment seem, O Madhava, to be ablaze. In the appearance

of all these portents, great is the danger that is indicated.

'I have in a vision, O Achyuta, beheld Yudhishthira ascending with his

brothers a palace supported by a thousand columns. All of them appeared

with white head-gears and in white robes. And all of them appeared to me

to be seated on white seats. In the midst of the same vision, thou, O

Janardana, wast beheld by me to be employed in enveloping the blood-dyed

earth with weapons. Yudhishthira at the same time, of immeasurable

energy, ascending upon a heap of bones, was gladly eating buttered payasa

of a golden cup. I further beheld Yudhishthira to be employed in

swallowing the earth handed over to him by thee. This indicates that he

will verily rule the earth I beheld that tiger among men, Vrikodara, of

fierce deeds, standing on the summit, mace in hand, and as if devouring

this earth. This plainly indicates that he will slay all of us in fierce

battle. It is known to me, O lord of the senses, that victory is there

where righteousness is. I saw also Dhananjaya, the wielder of Gandiva,

seated on the back of a white elephant, with thee, O lord of the senses,

and blazing forth with great beauty. I have no doubt, O Krishna, that ye

will slay in battle all the kings headed by Duryodhana. I saw Nakula and

Sahadeva and that mighty car-warrior Satyaki, adorned with white

bracelets, white cuirasses, white garlands, and white robes. This tiger

among men were seated upon excellent vehicles borne on the shoulders of

men. And I saw that umbrellas were held over the heads of all the three.

Amongst the soldiers of Dhritarashtra's son, these three, O Janardana,

were beheld by me decked with white head-gears. Know, O Kesava, that

those three were Aswatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman of Satwata's race.

All other kings, O Madhava, were seen by me to have blood-red head-ears.

I saw also, O thou of mighty arms, that those mighty car-warriors Bhishma

and Drona, ascending on a vehicle drawn by camels, and by myself, and

Dhritarashtra's son, proceeded, O lord, to the quarter, O Janardana,

ruled by Agastya. This indicates that we shall soon have to proceed to

Yama's abode. I have no doubt that myself and the other kings, indeed,

the entire assemblage of Kshatriyas shall have to enter into the Gandiva

fire.'

"Krishna said, 'Indeed, the destruction of the earth is at hand when my

words, O Karna, do not become acceptable to thy heart. O sire, when the

destruction of all creatures approacheth, wrong assuming the semblance of

right leaveth not the heart.'

"Karna said, 'If, O Krishna, we come out of this great battle that will

be so destructive of heroic Kshatriyas, with life, then, O thou of mighty

arms may we meet here again. Otherwise, O Krishna, we shall certainly

meet in heaven. O sinless one, it seemeth to me now that there only it is

possible for us to meet.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Having spoken these words, Karna closely pressed Madhava

to his bosom. Dismissed by Kesava, he then descended from the car. And

riding on his own car decked with gold, Radha's son greatly dejected,

came back with us!'"

SECTION CXLIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Upon the failure of Krishna's solicitations (for

peace), and after he had started for the Pandavas from the Kurus, Kshatri

approached Pritha and said these words slowly in grief, 'O mother of

living children, thou knowest that my inclination is always for peace,

and although I cry myself hoarse, yet Suyodhana doth not accept my words.

King Yudhishthira, having the Chedis, the Panchalas, and the Kekayas,

Bhima and Arjuna, Krishna, Yuyudhana, and the twins for his allies,

stayeth yet at Upaplavya, and from affection for kinsmen, looketh up to

righteousness only, like a weak man, though he is possessed of great

strength. King Dhritarashtra here, though old in years, doth not effect

peace, and intoxicated with pride of children, treadeth a sinful path. In

consequence of the wickedness of Jayadratha and Karna and Dussasana and

Suvala's son, intestine dissensions will break out. They that behave

unrighteously towards him that is righteous, verily that sin of theirs

soon produceth its consequences. Who is there that will not be filled

with sorrow at the sight of the Kurus persecuting righteousness in this

way? When Kesava returneth without being able to bring about peace, the

Pandavas will certainly address themselves for battle. Thereupon, the sin

of the Kurus will lead to a destruction of heroes. Reflecting on all

this, I do not get sleep by day or by night.'

"Hearing these words uttered by Vidura, who always wished her sons the

accomplishment of their objects, Kunti began to sigh heavily, afflicted

with grief, and began to think within herself, 'Fie to wealth, for the

sake of which this great slaughter of kinsmen is about to take place.

Indeed, in this war, they that are friends will sustain defeat. What can

be a greater grief than this that the Pandavas, the Chedis, the

Panchalas, and the Yadavas, assembled together, will fight with the

Bharatas? Verily, I behold demerit in war. (On the other hand) if we do

not fight, poverty and humiliation would be ours. As regards the person

that is poor, even death is beneficial (to him). (On the other band) the

extermination of one's kinsmen is not victory. As I reflect on this, my

heart swelleth with sorrow. The grandsire (Bhishma), the son of Santanu,

the preceptor (Drona), who is the foremost of warriors, and Karna, having

embraced Duryodhana's side, enhance my fears. The preceptor Drona, it

seemeth to me, will never fight willingly against his pupils. As regards

the Grandsire, why will he not show some affection for the Pandavas?

There is only this sinful Karna then, of deluded understanding and ever

following the deluded lead of the wicked Duryodhana, that hateth the

Pandavas. Obstinately pursuing that which injureth the Pandavas, this

Karna is, again, very powerful. It is this which burneth me at present.

Proceeding to gratify him. I will today disclose the truth and seek to

draw his heart towards the Pandavas. Pleased with me, while I was living

in the inner apartments of the palace of my father, Kuntibhoja, the holy

Durvasa gave me a boon in the form of an invocation consisting of

mantras. Long reflecting with a trembling heart on the strength or

weakness of those mantras and the power also of the Brahmana's words, and

in consequence also of my disposition as a woman, and my nature as a girl

of unripe years, deliberating repeatedly and while guarded by a

confidential nurse and surrounded by my waiting-maids, and thinking also

of how not to incur any reproach, how to maintain the honour of my

father, and how I myself might have an accession of good fortune without

being guilty of any transgression, I, at last, remembered that Brahmana

and bowed to him, and having obtained that mantras from excess of

curiosity and from folly, I summoned, during my maidenhood, the god

Surya. He, therefore, who was held in my womb during my maidenhood,--why

should he not obey my words that are certainly acceptable and beneficial

to his brothers? And reflecting in this strain, Kunti formed an excellent

resolution. And having formed that resolution, she went to the sacred

stream called after Bhagiratha. And having reached the banks of Ganga,

Pritha heard the chanting of the Vedic hymns by her son, endued with

great kindness and firmly devoted to truth. And as Karna stood with face

directed to the east and arms upraised, then helpless Kunti, for the sake

of her interest stayed behind him, waiting the completion of prayers. And

the lady of Vrishni's race, that wife of Kuru's house, afflicted by the

heat of the sun began to look like a faded garland of lotuses. And, at

last, she stood in the shade afforded by the upper garments of Karna. And

Karna, of regulated vows, said his prayers until his back became heated

by the rays of the sun. Then turning behind, he behold Kunti and was

filled with surprise. And saluting him in proper form and with joined

palms that foremost of virtuous persons, endued with great energy and

pride, viz., Vrisha, the son of Vikartana, bowed to her and said (the

following words)."'

SECTION CXLV

"Karna said, 'I am Karna, son of Radha and Adhiratha. For what, O lady,

hast thou come here? Tell me what I am to do for thee?'

"Kunti said, 'Thou art Kunti's son, and not Radha's. Nor is Adhiratha thy

father. Thou, O Karna, art not born in the Suta order. Believe what I

say. Thou wert brought forth by me while a maiden. I held thee first in

my womb. O son, thou wert born in the palace of Kuntiraja. O Karna, that

divine Surya who blazeth forth in light and maketh everything visible, O

foremost of all wielders of weapons, begat thee upon me. O irresistible

one, thou, O son, wert brought forth by me in my father's abode, decked

with (natural) ear-rings and accoutred in a (natural) coat of mail, and

blazing forth in beauty. That thou, without knowing thy brothers,

shouldst, therefore, from ignorance, wait upon Dhritarashtra's son, is

not proper. It is improper in thee especially, O son. The gratification

of one's father and one's mother, who is the sole displayer of affection

(for her child), hath, O son, in the matter of ascertaining the duties of

men, been declared to be the highest of all duties. Acquired formerly by

Arjuna, the prosperity of Yudhishthira hath, from avarice, been wrested

by wicked persons. Snatching it back from Dhritarashtra's sons, do thou

enjoy that prosperity. Let the Kurus behold today the union of Karna and

Arjuna. Beholding thee and thy brother united together in bonds of

brotherly love, let those wicked persons bow down unto ye. Let Karna and

Arjuna be named in the same breath as Rama and Janardana. If you two are

united together, what cannot be accomplished in the world? O Karna,

surrounded by thy brothers, thou wilt, without doubt, blaze forth like

Brahma Himself, surrounded by the gods on the platform of a great

sacrifice. Endued with every virtue, thou art the first of all my

relations. Let not the epithet Suta's son attach to thee. Thou art a

Partha, endued with great energy.'"

SECTION CXLVI

"Vaisampayana said (After Kunti had said this), Karna heard an

affectionate voice issued out of the solar circle. Coming from a great

distance, that voice was uttered by Surya himself with paternal

affection. (And it said)--The words said by Pritha are true. O Karna, act

according to the words of thy mother. O tiger among men, great good will

result to thee if thou fully followest those words.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Though, thus addressed by his mother, and by

also his father Surya himself, Karna's heart did not yet waver, for he

was firmly devoted to truth. And he said, 'O Kshatriya lady, I cannot

admit what thou hast said, viz., that obedience to thy commands

constituteth (in my case) the highest of my duties. O mother, I was

abandoned by thee as soon as I was born. This great injury, involving

risk to life itself, that thou didst me, hath been destructive of my

achievements and fame. If, indeed, I am a Kshatriya, I have, for thee,

been deprived of all the rites of a Kshatriya. What enemy would have done

me a greater injury? Without showing me mercy, when thou shouldst have

shown it, and having kept me divested of all the rites (that are

obligatory in consequence of the order of my birth), thou wouldst

however, lay thy command on me today! Thou hadst never before sought my

good as a mother should. Thou addressest me today, however, desiring to

do good to thyself. Who is there that would not be afraid of Dhananjaya

having Krishna with him (for the driver of his car)? If, therefore, I go

today unto the Parthas, who is there that would not regard me as doing so

from fright? Hitherto, nobody knew me to be their brother. If, giving out

on the eve of battle that I am their brother, I go to the Pandavas, what

would all the Kshatriyas say? Furnished with every object of desire, and

worshipped by them with a view to make me happy, how can I render that

friendship of Dhritarashtra's sons utterly futile? Having provoked

hostilities with others, they always wait on me respectfully, and always

bow down to me, as the Vasus bow down to Vasava. They think that aided by

my might, they are capable of encountering the foe. How can I then

frustrate that cherished hope of theirs? With me as their boat, they

desire to cross the impassable ocean of battle. How can I then abandon

them that are desirous of crossing that ocean which hath no other ferry?

This is the time when all those have been supported by Dhritarashtra's

sons should exert themselves for their masters. I shall certainly act for

them, reckless of even my life. Those sinful men of unsteady heart, who,

well-fed and well-furnished (with every necessary) by their masters, undo

the benefit received by them when the time cometh for paying back, are

thieves of their master's cakes, have neither this nor the other world

for them. I will not speak deceitfully unto thee. For the sake of

Dhritarashtra's son, I shall fight against thy sons to the best of my

strength and might. I must not, however, abandon kindness and the conduct

that becometh the good. Thy words, therefore, however beneficial cannot

be obeyed by me now. This thy solicitation to me will not yet be

fruitless. Except Arjuna, thy other sons, Yudhishthira, Bhima, and the

twins, though capable of being withstood by me in tight and capable also

of being slain, shall not yet be slain by me. It is with Arjuna alone,

among all the combatants of Yudhishthira, that I will fight. Slaying

Arjuna in battle, I shall achieve great merit, or slain by Savyasachin, I

shall be covered with glory. O famous lady, the number of thy sons will

never be less than five. Five it will always be,--either with me, or with

Arjuna, and myself slain.'

"Hearing these words of Karna, Kunti who was trembling with grief,

embraced her son who was unmoved in consequence of his fortitude, and

said, 'Indeed, O Karna, even if what thou sayest seemeth to be possible,

the Kauravas will certainly be exterminated. Destiny is all. Thou hast,

however, O grinder of foes, granted to four of thy brothers the pledge of

safety. Let that pledge be borne in thy remembrance at the time of

shooting of weapons in battle.' And having told all this, Pritha also

addressed Karna, saying, 'Blessed be thou, and let health be thine.' And

Karna replied unto her, saying, 'Be it so!' And they then left the spot,

wending in different directions.'"

SECTION CXLVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Coming back to Upaplavya from Hastinapura, that

chastiser of foes, Kesava, represented unto the Pandavas all that had

happened, and conferring with them for a long space of time, and holding

repeated consultations, Sauri went to his own quarters for rest. And

dismissing all the kings, with Virata and others at their heads, the five

brothers--the Pandavas--when the sun had set, said their evening prayers.

And with hearts ever fixed on Krishna they began to think of him. And, at

last, bringing Krishna of Dasarha's race into their midst, they began to

deliberate again about what they should do. And Yudhishthira said, 'O

thou of eyes like lotus-petals, it behoveth thee to tell us all that thou

saidst unto Dhritarashtra's son in the assembly (of the Kurus), having

gone to Nagapura.' Vasudeva said, 'Having gone to Nagapura, I addressed

Dhritarashtra's son in the assembly such words as were true, reasonable,

and beneficial. That wicked minded fellow did not, however, accept them.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'When Duryodhana desired to tread along the wrong

path, what did the aged Kuru grandsire say, O Hrishikesa, unto that

vindictive prince? What also did the highly-blessed preceptor--the son of

Bharadwaja, say? And what did his parents Dhritarashtra and Gandhari say?

What did our junior father Kshattri, who is the foremost of all persons

conversant with virtue, and who is always afflicted with sorrow on

account of ourselves whom he regards as his sons, say unto

Dhritarashtra's son? What also did all the kings who sat in that assembly

say? O Janardana, say it all unto us, exactly as it happened. Thou hast

already told us all the disagreeable words that the Kuru chiefs (Bhishma

and Dhritarashtra) and others in that assembly of the Kurus said unto the

wicked Duryodhana who is overwhelmed with lust and covetousness, and who

regardeth himself wise. Those words, however, O Kesava, have flitted away

from my memory. O Govinda, I desire to hear, O lord, all those words

again. Act thou in such a way that the opportunity may not pass away.

Thou, O Krishna, art our refuge, thou art our lord, thou art our guide!'

"Vasudeva said, 'Hear, O king, the words that were addressed to king

Suyodhana in the midst of the assembly of the Kurus, and, O king of

kings, bear them in thy mind. After my words were ended, Dhritarashtra's

son laughed aloud. Highly incensed at this, Bhishma then said, 'Hear, O

Duryodhana, what I say for (the preservation of) our race, and having

heard it, O tiger among kings, do what is beneficial to thy own house. O

sire, O king, my father Santanu, was widely known in the world. I was, at

first, his only son. A desire sprung up in his heart as to how he might

obtain a second son, for the wise say that an only son is no son,--Let

not my race be extinct may my fame be spread. Even this was his desire.

Knowing this to have been his desire, I procured Kali to become my

mother, having myself made a promise highly difficult to observe, for the

sake of my father as also for the sake of our race. How, in consequence

of that promise I could not be king and have drawn up my vital seed, are,

of course, well-known to thee. (I do not grieve for that). Observing that

vow of mine, behold, I am living in happiness and joy. In her, O king,

was born my younger brother, that mighty-armed and handsome supporter of

Kuru's race, viz., Vichitravirya of virtuous soul. After my father's

ascension to heaven, I installed Vichitravirya as a ruler of the kingdom,

that was mine, while I placed myself under him as a servant of his. O

king of kings, I then brought him suitable wives, having vanquished many

assembled monarchs. Thou hast heard of it often. Sometime after, I was

engaged in a single combat with the (great) Rama. From fear of Rama, my

brother fled, the more so as his subject deserted him. During this

period, he became very much attached to his wives and accordingly had an

attack of phthisis. Upon his death, there was anarchy in the kingdom and

the chief of the gods poured not a drop of rain (on the realm).' The

subjects then, afflicted by fear of hunger, hastened to me and said, 'Thy

subjects are on the point of being exterminated. Be thou our king for the

sake of our good. Dispel this drought. Blessed be thou, O perpetuator of

Santanu's race. Thy subjects are being greatly afflicted by severe and

frightful maladies. Very few of them are still alive. It behoveth thee, O

son of Ganga, to save them. Dispel these tortures. O hero, cherish thy

subjects righteously. When thou art alive, let not the kingdom go to

destruction.' Hearing these words of theirs uttered in a weeping voice,

my heart was undisturbed. Remembering the behaviour of good, I desired to

maintain my vow. Then, O king, the citizens, my auspicious mother Kali

herself, our servants, the priests and the preceptors (of our house), and

many Brahmanas of great learning, all afflicted with great woe, solicited

me to occupy the throne.' And they said, 'When thou art alive, shall the

kingdom, ruled by Pratipa (of old), go to ruin? O thou of magnanimous

heart, be thou the king for our good.' Thus addressed by them, I joined

my hands together and, myself filled with grief and greatly afflicted, I

represented to them the vow I had made from filial respect. I repeatedly

informed them that for the sake of our race, I had vowed to live with

vital seed drawn up and foreswearing the throne. It was especially for my

mother, again, that I did so. I, therefore, begged them not to put me to

the yoke. I again joined my hands and conciliated my mother, saying, 'O

mother, begot by Santanu and being a member of Kuru's race, I cannot

falsify my promise.' I repeatedly told her this. And, O king, I said

further, It is for thee especially, O mother, that I took this vow; I am

verily thy servant and slave, O mother, thou that art distinguished for

parental affection.' Having begged my mother and the people thus, I then

solicited the great sage Vyasa for begetting children upon the wives of

my brother. Indeed, O king, both myself and my mother gratified that

Rishi. At last, O king, the Rishi granted our prayers in the matter of

the children. And he begot three sons in all, O best of Bharata's race.

Thy father was born blind, and in consequence of this congenital defect

of a sense, he could not become king. The high-souled and celebrated

Pandu became king. And when Pandu became king, his sons must obtain their

paternal inheritance. O sire, do not quarrel, give them half the kingdom.

When I am alive, what other man is competent to reign? Do not disregard

my words. I only wish that there should be peace amongst you. O sire, O

king, I make no distinction between thee and then (but love all of you

equally). What I have said unto thee represents also the opinion of thy

father, of Gandhari, and also of Vidura. The words of those that are old

should always be listened to. Do not disregard these words of mine. Do

not destroy all thou hast and the earth also.'"

SECTION CXLVIII

"Vasudeva said, 'After Bhishma had said these words, Drona, always

competent to speak, then addressed Duryodhana in the midst of the

(assembled) monarchs and said these words that are beneficial to thee.

And he said, 'O sire, as Pratipa's son, Santanu, was devoted to the

welfare of his race, and as Devavrata, otherwise called Bhishma was

devoted to the welfare of his race, so was the royal Pandu, that king of

the Kurus, who was firmly devoted to truth, who had his passions under

control, who was virtuous, of excellent vows, and attentive to all

duties. (Though king by right) that perpetuator of Kuru's race yet made

over the sovereignty to his elder brother, Dhritarashtra, endued with

great wisdom, and to his younger brother Kshattri (Vidura). And placing

this Dhritarashtra of unfading glory on the throne, that royal son of

Kuru's race went to the woods with his two wives. And that tiger among

men, Vidura, with great humility, placing himself in subjection to

Dhritarashtra, began to wait on him like a slave, fanning him with the

branch of a tender palm. And all the subjects then, O sire, duly tendered

their submission to king Dhritarashtra just as they had done to king

Pandu himself. And having made over the kingdom to Dhritarashtra and

Vidura, that conqueror of hostile cities, Pandu, wandered over the whole

earth. Always devoted to truth, Vidura then took charge of the finances,

gifts, superintendence of the servants (of the state), and the feeding of

all, while that conqueror of hostile cities, Bhishma, of mighty energy,

supervised the making of war and peace and the necessity of making or

withholding gifts to kings. When king Dhritarashtra of great strength was

on the throne, the high-souled Vidura was near him. Born in

Dhritarashtra's race how dost thou venture to bring about a disunion in

the family? Uniting with thy brothers (the Pandavas) enjoy all objects of

enjoyment. O king, I do not say this to you from cowardice, nor for the

sake of wealth. I am enjoying the wealth that Bhishma gave me, and not

thou, O best of kings. I do not desire, O king, to have from thee my

means of sustenance. Where Bhishma is, there Drona must be. Do what

Bhishma hath told thee. O grinder of foes, give unto the sons of Pandu

half the kingdom. O sire, I acted as their preceptor as much as thine.

Indeed, even as Aswatthaman is to me, so is Arjuna of white steeds. What

use is there of much declamation? Victory is there where righteousness

is.'

"Vasudeva continued, 'After Drona, of immeasurable energy, had said this,

the virtuous Vidura then, O king, who is devoted to truth, said these

words, turning towards his uncle (Bhishma) and looking at his face. And

Vidura said, 'O Devavrata, attend to the words I speak. This race of

Kuru, when it became extinct, was revived by thee. It is for this that

thou art indifferent to my lamentations now. In this our race, its stain

is this Duryodhana, whose inclinations are followed by thee, although he

is enslaved by avarice, and is wicked and ungrateful and deprived of his

senses by lust. The Kurus will certainly bear consequence of the acts of

that Duryodhana who transgresseth the command of his father, observant of

virtue and profit. O great king, act thou so that the Kurus may not

perish. Like a painter producing a picture, it was thou, O king, who

hadst caused me and Dhritarashtra to spring into life. The Creator,

having created creatures, destroys them again. Do not act like him.

Seeing before thy very eyes this extinction of thy race, be not

indifferent to it. If, however, thy understanding is gone in consequence

of the universal slaughter that is at hand, go then to the woods, taking

me and Dhritarashtra with thee. Otherwise, binding this very day wicked

Duryodhana that hath deceit for his wisdom, rule this kingdom with the

sons of Pandu guarding it around. Relent, O tiger among kings. A great

slaughter of the Pandavas, the Kurus, and of other kings of immeasurable

energy is before us.'

'Having said this, Vidura ceased, his heart overflowing with sorrow. And

reflecting on the matter, he began to draw repeated sighs. Then the

daughter of king Suvala, alarmed at the prospect of the destruction of a

whole race, said, from wrath, these words fraught with virtue and profit,

to cruel Duryodhana of wicked heart, in the presence of the assembled

monarchs, 'Let all the kings present in this royal assembly and let the

regenerate Rishis that form the other members of this conclave, listen

(to me) as I proclaim the guilt of thy sinful self backed by all thy

counsellors. The kingdom of the Kurus is enjoyable in due order of

succession. Even this hath always been the custom of our race. Of sinful

soul and exceedingly wicked in acts, thou seekest the destruction of the

Kuru kingdom by thy unrighteousness. Wise Dhritarashtra is in possession

of the kingdom, having Vidura of great foresight under him (as his

adviser). Passing over these two, why, O Duryodhana, dost thou, from

delusion, covet the sovereignty now? Even the high-souled king and

Kshattri, when Bhishma is alive, should both be subordinate to him.

Indeed, this foremost of men, this offspring of Ganga, the high-souled

Bhishma, in consequence of his righteousness, doth not desire the

sovereignty. It is for this reason that this invincible kingdom became

Pandu's. His sons, therefore, are masters today and no other. The

extensive kingdom, then by paternal right, belongeth to the Pandavas, and

their sons and grandsons in due order. Observing the customs of our race

and the rule with respect to our kingdom, we all fully accomplish that

which this high-souled and wise chief of the Kurus, Devavrata, firmly

adhering to truth, sayeth, 'Let this king (Dhritarashtra) and Vidura

also, at the command of Bhishma of great vows, proclaim the same thing.

Even that is an act that should be done by those that are well-wishers

(of this race). Keeping virtue in front, let Yudhishthira, the son of

Dharma, guided by king Dhritarashtra and urged by Santanu's son, rule for

many long years this kingdom of the Kurus lawfully obtainable by him.'"

SECTION CXLIX

"Vasudeva said, 'After Gandhari had said this, that ruler of men,

Dhritarashtra, then said these words to Duryodhana in the midst of the

(assembled) monarchs, 'O Duryodhana, listen, O son, to what I say, and

blessed be thou; do that if thou hast any respect for thy father. The

lord of creatures, Soma, was the original progenitor of the Kuru race.

Sixth in descent from Soma, was Yayati, the son of Nahusha. Yayati had

five best of royal sages as his sons. Amongst them, lord Yadu of mighty

energy was the eldest-born. Younger to Yadu was Puru, who, as our

progenitor, brought forth by Sarmistha the daughter of Vrishaparvan.

Yadu, O best of the Bharatas, was born of Devayani and, therefore, O

sire, was the daughter's son of Sukra, otherwise called Kavya, of

immeasurable energy. Endued with great strength and prowess, that

progenitor of the Yadavas, filled with pride and possessed of wicked

understanding, humiliated all the Kshatriyas. Intoxicated with pride of

strength, he obeyed not the injunctions of his father. Invincible in

battle, he insulted his father and brother. On this earth girt on four

sides by the sea, Yadu became all-powerful, and reducing all to

subjection, he established himself in this city called after the

elephant. His father Yayati, the son of Nahusha, enraged with him, cursed

that son of his, and, O son of Gandhari, even expelled him from the

kingdom. Angry Yayati also cursed those brothers of Yadu who were

obedient to that eldest brother of theirs, who was so proud of his

strength. And having cursed his these sons, that best of kings placed on

his throne his youngest son Puru who was docile and obedient to him. Thus

even the eldest son may be passed over and deprived of the kingdom, and

younger sons may, in consequence of their respectful behaviour to the

aged, obtain the kingdom. So also, conversant with every virtue there was

my father's grandfather, king Pratipa, who was celebrated over the three

worlds. Unto that lion among kings, who ruled his kingdom virtuously were

born three sons of great fame and resembling three gods. Of them, Devapi

was the eldest, Vahlika the next and Santanu of great intelligence, who,

O sire, was my grandfather, was the youngest. Devapi, endued with great

energy, was virtuous, truthful in speech, and ever engaged in waiting

upon his father. But that best of kings had a skin-disease. Popular with

both the citizens and the subjects of the provinces, respected by the

good, and dearly loved by the young and the old, Devapi was liberal

firmly adhering to truth, engaged in the good of all creatures, and

obedient to the instructions of his father as also of the Brahmanas. He

was dearly loved by his brother Vahlika as also the high-souled Santanu.

Great, indeed, was the brotherly love that prevailed between him and his

high-souled brothers. In course of time, the old and best of kings,

Pratipa, caused all preparations to be made according to the scriptures

for the installation of Devapi (on the throne). Indeed, the lord Pratipa

caused every auspicious preparation. The installation of Devapi, however,

was forbidden by the Brahmanas and all aged persons amongst the citizens

and the inhabitants of the provinces. Hearing that the installation of

his son was forbidden, the voice of the old king became choked with tears

and he began to grieve for his son. Thus, though Devapi was liberal,

virtuous, devoted to truth, and loved by the subjects, yet in consequence

of his skin-disease, he was excluded from his inheritance. The gods do

not approve of a king that is defective of a limb. Thinking of this,

those bulls among Brahmanas forbade king Pratipa to install his eldest

son. Devapi then, who was defective of one limb, beholding the king (his

father) prevented (from installing him on the throne) and filled with

sorrow on his account, retired into the woods. As regards Vahlika,

abandoning his (paternal) kingdom he dwelt with his maternal uncle.

Abandoning his father and brother, he obtained the highly wealthy kingdom

of his maternal grandfather. With Vahlika's permission, O prince, Santanu

of world-wide fame, on the death of his father (Pratipa), became king and

ruled the kingdom. In this way also, O Bharata, though I am the eldest,

yet being defective of a limb, I was excluded from the kingdom by

intelligent Pandu, no doubt, after much reflection. And Pandu himself,

though younger to me in age, obtained the kingdom and became king. At his

death, O chastiser of foes, that kingdom must pass to his sons. When I

could not obtain the kingdom, how canst thou covet it? Thou art not the

son of a king, and, therefore, hast no right to this kingdom. Thou,

however, desirest to appropriate the property of others. High-souled

Yudhishthira is the son of a king. This kingdom is lawfully his. Of

magnanimous soul, even he is the ruler and lord of this race of Kuru. He

is devoted to truth, of clear perception, obedient to the counsels of

friends, honest, loved by the subjects, kind to all well-wishers, master

of his passions, and the chastiser of all that are not good. Forgiveness,

renunciation, self-control, knowledge of the scriptures, mercy to all

creatures, competence to rule according to the dictates of virtue, of all

these attributes of royalty exist in Yudhishthira. Thou art not the son

of a king, and art always sinfully inclined towards thy relatives. O

wretch, how canst thou succeed in appropriating this kingdom that

lawfully belongeth to others? Dispelling this delusion, give half the

kingdom with (a share of the) animals and other possessions. Then, O

king, mayest thou hope to live for some time with thy younger brothers.'"

SECTION CXLX

"Vasudeva said, 'Though thus addressed by Bhishma, and Drona, and Vidura,

and Gandhari, and Dhritarashtra, that wicked wight could not yet be

brought to his senses. On the other hand, the wicked Duryodhana,

disregarding them all, rose (and left the assembly) with eyes red in

anger. And all the kings (invited by him), prepared to lay down their

lives, followed him behind. King Duryodhana then repeatedly ordered those

wicked-hearted rulers, saying, 'Today constellation Pushya is

ascendant--march ye (this very day) to Kurukshetra. Impelled by Fate,

those monarchs then, with their soldiers, gladly set out, making Bhishma

their generalissimo. Eleven Akshauhinis of troops have been, O King,

assembled for the Kauravas. At the head of that host, shineth Bhishma,

with the device of the palmyra on the banner of his car. In view,

therefore, of What hath happened, do now, O monarch, that which seemeth

to be proper. I have told thee, O king, everything that, O Bharata, that

was said by Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, in my

presence. The arts beginning with conciliation were all, O king, employed

by me from desire of establishing brotherly feelings (between yourselves

and your cousins), for the preservation of this race, and for the growth

and prosperity of the (earth's) population. When conciliation failed, I

employed the art of (producing) dissensions and mentioned, ye Pandavas,

all your ordinary and extraordinary feats. Indeed, when Suyodhana showed

no respect for the conciliatory words, (I spoke), I caused all the kings

to be assembled together and endeavoured to produce dissension (amongst

them). Extraordinary and awful and terrible and superhuman indications,

O, Bharata, were then manifested by me. O lord, rebuking all the kings,

making a straw of Suyodhana, terrifying Radha's son and repeatedly

censuring Suvala's son for the gambling match of Dhritarashtra's sons,

and once again endeavouring to disunite all the kings by means of both

words and intrigues, I again had recourse to conciliation. For the unity

of Kuru's race and in view of the special requirements of the business

(at hand), I spoke also of gift. Indeed, I said, 'Those heroes, the sons

of Pandu, sacrificing their pride, will live in dependence on

Dhritarashtra, Bhishma and Vidura. Let the kingdom be given to thee. Let

them have no power. Let: it all be as the king (Dhritarashtra), as

Ganga's son (Bhishma) and as Vidura say for thy good. Let the kingdom be

thine. Relinquish but five villages (to the Pandavas). O best of kings,

without doubt they deserve to be supported by thy father. Though

addressed thus, that wicked soul do not still give you your share. I,

therefore, see that chastisement, and nothing else, is now the means that

should be employed against those sinful persons. Indeed, all those kings

have already marched to, Kurukshetra. I have now told thee everything

that had happened in the assembly of the Kurus. They will not, O son of

Pandu, give thee thy kingdom without battle. With death waiting before

them, they have all become the cause of a universal destruction.'"

SECTION CLI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Janardana, king Yudhishthira

the Just, of virtuous soul, addressed his brothers in the presence of

Kesava and said, 'Ye have heard all that had happened in the court of the

assembled Kurus. Ye have also understood the words uttered by Kesava. Ye,

best of men, draw up, therefore, my troops now in battle-array in which

they are to fight. Here are seven Akshauhinis of troops assembled for our

victory. Hear the names of those seven celebrated warriors that would

lead those seven Akshauhinis. They are Drupada, and Virata, and

Dhristadyumna, and Sikhandin, and Satyaki, Chekitana, and Bhimasena of

great energy. Those heroes will be the leaders of my troops. All of them

are conversant with the Vedas. Endued with great bravery, all of them

have practised excellent vows. Possessed of modesty, all of them are

conversant with policy, and accomplished in war. Well-skilled in arrows

and weapons, all of them are competent in the use of every kind of

weapon. Tell us now, O Sahadeva, O son of Kuru's race, who that warrior,

is conversant with all kinds of battle-array, that may become the leader

of these seven and may also withstand in battle Bhishma who is like unto

a fire having arrows for its flames. Give us thy own opinion, O tiger

among men, as who is fit to be our generalissimo.'

"Sahadeva said, 'Closely related to us, sympathising with us in our

distress, endued with great might, conversant with every virtue, skilled

in weapons, and irresistible in battle, the mighty king of the Matsyas,

Virata, relying upon whom we hope to recover our share of the kingdom,

will be able to bear in battle both Bhishma and all those mighty

car-warriors.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Sahadeva had said this, eloquent Nakula

then said these words, 'He that in years, in knowledge of scriptures, in

perseverance, in family and birth, is respectable; he that is endued with

modesty, strength, and prosperity; he that is well-versed in all branches

of learning; he that studied the science of weapons (with the sage

Bharadwaja); he, who is irresistible and firmly devoted to truth; he that

always challenges Drona and mighty Bhishma; he that belongs to one of the

foremost of royal houses; he that is a famous leader of hosts; he that

resembles a tree of hundred branches in consequence of sons and grandsons

that surround him; that king, who, with his wife, performed, moved by

wrath, the austerest of penances for the destruction of Drona; that hero,

who is an ornament of assemblies; that bull among monarchs who always

cherishes us like a father; that father-in-law of ours, Drupada, should

be our generalissimo. It is my opinion that he will be able to withstand

both Drona and Bhishma rushing to battle, for that king is the friend of

Angira's descendant Drona and is conversant with celestial weapons.'

'After the two sons of Madri had thus expressed their individual

opinions, Vasava's son, Savyasachin, who was equal to Vasava himself,

said these words, 'This celestial person of the hue of fire and endued

with mighty arms, who sprang into life through the power of ascetic

penances and the gratification of sages; who issued from the sacrificial

fire-hole armed with bow and sword, accoutred in armour of steel, mounted

on a car unto which were yoked excellent steeds of the best breed, and

the clatter of whose car-wheels was as deep as the roar of mighty masses

of clouds; this hero endued with that energy and strength and resembling

the very lion in his frame of body and prowess, and possessed of leonine

shoulders, arms, chest, and voice like the lion's roar; this hero of

great effulgence; this warrior of handsome brows, fine teeth, round

cheeks, long arms, of stout make, excellent thighs, large expansive eyes,

excellent legs, and strong frame; this prince who is incapable of being

penetrated by weapons of any kind, and who looks like an elephant with

rent temples; this Dhrishtadyumna, truthful in speech, and with passions

under control, was born for the destruction of Drona. It is this

Dhrishtadyumna, I think, that will be able to bear Bhishma's arrows which

strike with the vehemence of the thunderbolt and look like snakes with

blazing mouths, which resemble the messengers of Yama in speed, and fall

like flames of fire (consuming everything they touch), and which were

borne before by Rama alone in battle. I do not, O king, see the man

except Dhrishtadyumna, who is able to withstand Bhishma of great vows.

This is just what I think. Endued with great lightness of hand and

conversant with all the modes of warfare, accoutred in coat of mail that

is incapable of being penetrated by weapons, this handsome hero,

resembling the leader of a herd of elephants, is according to my opinion,

fit to be our generalissimo.'

"Bhima then said, 'That son of Drupada, Sikhandin, who is born for the

destruction of Bhishma, as is said, 'O king, by the sages and Siddhas

assembled together, whose form on the field of battle, while displaying

celestial weapons, will be seen by men to resemble that of the

illustrious Rama himself, I see not, O king, the person who is able to

pierce with weapons that Sikhandin, when he is stationed for battle on

his car, accoutred in mail. Except the heroic Sikhandin, there is no

other warrior who is able to slay Bhishma in single combat. It is for

this, O king, that I think Sikhandin is fit to be our generalissimo.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O sire, the strength and weakness, might and

feebleness, of everything in the universe, and the intentions of every

person here, are well-known to virtuous Kesava. Skilled or unskilled in

weapons, old or young, let him be the leader of my forces, who may be

indicated by Krishna of Dasarha's race. Even he is the root of our

success or defeat. In him are our lives, our kingdom, our prosperity and

adversity, our happiness and misery. Even he is the Ordainer and Creator.

In him is established the fruition of our desires. Let him, therefore, be

the leader of our host, who may be named by Krishna. Let that foremost of

speakers say, for the night approacheth. Having selected our leader,

worshipped our weapons with offerings of flowers and perfumes, we will,

at day-break, under Krishna's orders march to the field of battle!'

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

Yudhishthira the Just, the lotus-eyed Krishna said, eyeing Dhananjaya,

the white, O king, I fully approve of all those powerful warriors whom ye

have named for becoming the leaders of thy troops. All of them are

competent to withstand thy foes. Indeed, they can frighten Indra himself

in great battle, let alone the covetous and wicked-minded sons of

Dhritarashtra. O thou of mighty arms, for thy good I made great efforts

to prevent the battle by bringing about peace. By that we have been freed

from the debt we owed to virtue. Fault-finding persons will not be able

to reproach us for anything. Foolish Duryodhana, destitute of

understanding, regardeth himself as skilled in weapons, and though really

weak thinketh himself to be possessed of strength. Array thy troops soon,

for slaughter is the only means by which they can be made to yield to our

demands. Indeed, the sons of Dhritarashtra will never be able to keep

their ground when they will behold Dhananjaya with Yuyudhana as his

second, and Abhimanyu, and the five sons of Draupadi, and Virata, and

Drupada, and the other kings of fierce prowess,--all lords of

Akshauhinis. Our army is possessed of great strength, and is invincible

and incapable of being withstood. Without doubt, it will slay the

Dhartarashtra host. As regards our leader, I would name that chastiser of

foes, Dhrishtadyumna.'"

SECTION CLII

"Vaisampayana said, 'When Krishna had said this, all the monarchs there

were filled with joy. And the shout sent forth by those delighted kings

was tremendous. And the troops began to move about with great speed,

saying, 'Draw up, Draw up.' And the neighing of steeds and roars of

elephants and the clatter of car-wheels and the blare of conchs and the

sound of drums, heard everywhere, produced a tremendous din. And teeming

with cars and foot-soldiers and steeds and elephants, that invincible

host of the marching Pandavas moving hither and thither, donning their

coats of mail, and uttering their war-cries, looked like the impetuous

current of the Ganga when at its full, agitated with fierce eddies and

waves. And in the van of that host marched Bhimasena, and the two sons of

Madri encased in their coats of mail, and Subhadra's son and the five

sons of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race. And the

Prabhadrakas and the Panchalas marched behind Bhimasena. And the din made

by the marching hosts, filled with joy, was like unto the roars of the

deep when the tide is highest on the day of the new moon. Indeed, the

tumult was such that it seemed to reach the very heavens. And capable of

breaking hostile ranks, those warriors cased in armour marched thus,

filled with joy. And Kunti's son, king Yudhishthira, amongst them

marched, taking with him the cars and other vehicles for transport, the

food-stores and fodder, the tents, carriages, and draught-cattle, the

cash-chests, the machines and weapons, the surgeons and physicians, the

invalids, and all the emaciated and weak soldiers, and all the attendants

and camp-followers. And truthful Draupadi, the princess of Panchala,

accompanied by the ladies of the household, and surrounded by servants

and maids, remained at Upaplavya. And causing their treasure and ladies

to be guarded by bodies of soldiers, some of whom were placed as

permanent lines of circumvallation and some ordered to move about at a

distance from this line, the Pandavas set out with their mighty host. And

having made presents of kine and gold to the Brahmanas, who walked around

them and uttered blessings, the sons of Pandu commenced the march on

their cars decked with jewels. And the princes of Kekaya, and

Dhrishtaketu, and the son of the king of the Kasis, and Srenimat, and

Vasudana, and the invincible Sikhandin, all hale and hearty, cased in

armour and armed with weapons and decked with ornaments, marched behind

Yudhishthira, keeping him in their centre. And in the rear, were Virata,

Yajnasena's son of the Somaka race (Dhrishtadyumna), Susarman,

Kuntibhoja, Dhrishtadyumna's sons, forty thousand cars, five times as

much cavalry, infantry ten times more numerous (than the last), and sixty

thousand elephants. And Anadhrishti, and Chekitana and Dhrishtaketu and

Satyaki all marched, surrounding Vasudeva and Dhananjaya. And reaching

the field of Kurukshetra with their forces in battle-array, those

smiters, the sons of Pandu, looked like roaring bulls. And entering the

field, those chastisers of foes blew their conchs. And Vasudeva and

Dhananjaya also blew their conchs. And hearing the blare of the conch

called Panchajanya, which resembled the roll of the thunder, all the

warriors (of the Pandava army) were filled with joy. And the leonine

roars of those warriors, endued with lightness of hand and speed of

motion, mingling with the blare of conchs and beat of Drums, made the

whole earth, the welkin, and the oceans resound therewith.'"

SECTION CLIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'King Yudhishthira then caused his troops to encamp

on a part of the field that was level, cool, and abounding with grass and

fuel. Avoiding cemeteries, temples and compounds consecrated to the

deities, asylums of sages, shrines, and other sacred plots. Kunti's

high-souled son, Yudhishthira, pitched his camp on a delightful, fertile,

open and sacred part of the plain. And rising up, again, after his

animals had been given sufficient rest, the king set out joyously

surrounded by hundreds and thousands of monarchs. And Kesava accompanied

by Partha began to move about, scattering numerous soldiers of

Dhritarashtra (kept as outposts). And Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race

and that mighty car-warrior of great energy, viz., Yuyudhana, otherwise

called Satyaki, measured the ground for the encampment. And arrived, O

Bharata, at the holy Hiranwati which flows through Kurukshetra, which was

filled with sacred water, and whose bed was divested of pointed pebbles

and mire, and which was regarded as an excellent tirtha, Kesava caused a

moat to be excavated there, and for its protection stationed a sufficient

number of troops with proper instructions. And the rules that were

observed in respect of the tents of the high-souled Pandavas, were

followed by Kesava in the matter of the tents he caused to be set up for

the kings (that came as their allies). And, O monarch, costly tents,

incapable of being attacked, apart from one another, were, by hundreds

and thousands, set up for those kings on the surface of the earth, that

looked like palatial residences and abounded with fuels and edibles and

drinks. And there were assembled hundreds upon hundreds of skilled

mechanics, in receipt of regular wages and surgeons and physicians,

well-versed in their own science, and furnished with every ingredient

they might need. And king Yudhishthira caused to be placed in every

pavilion large quantities, high as hills, of bow-strings and bows and

coats of mail and weapons, honey and clarified butter, pounded lac,

water, fodder of cattle, chaff and coals, heavy machines, long shafts,

lances, battleaxes, bow-staffs, breast-plates, scimitars and quivers. And

innumerable elephants cased in plates of steel with prickles thereon,

huge as hills, and capable of fighting with hundreds and thousands, were

seen there. And learning that the Pandavas had encamped on that field,

their allies, O Bharata, with their forces and animals, began to march

thither. And many kings who had practised Brahmacharya vows, drunk

(consecrated) Soma and had made large presents to Brahmanas at

sacrifices, came there for the success of the sons of Pandu.'"

SECTION CLIV

"Janamejaya said, 'Hearing that Yudhishthira had, with his troops marched

from the desire of battle and encamped on Kurukshetra, protected by

Vasudeva, and aided by Virata and Drupada with their sons, and surrounded

by the Kekayas, the Vrishnis, and other kings by hundreds, and watched

over by numerous mighty car-warriors, like the great Indra himself by the

Adityas, what measures were concerted by king Duryodhana? O high-souled

one, I desire to hear in detail all that happened in Kurujangala on that

frightful occasion. The son of Pandu, with Vasudeva and Virata and

Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchala prince and that mighty

car-warrior Sikhandin and powerful Yudhamanyu, incapable of being

resisted by the very gods, might trouble the deities themselves in battle

with Indra at their head. I, therefore, desire to hear in detail, O thou

that art possessed of wealth of asceticism, all the acts of the Kurus and

the Pandavas as they had happened.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'When he of Dasarha's race had departed (from the

Kuru court), king Duryodhana, addressing Karna and Dussasana and Sakuni,

said these words, 'Kesava hath gone to the sons of Pritha, without having

been able to achieve his object. Filled with wrath as he is, he will

surely stimulate the Pandavas. A battle between myself and Pandavas is

much desired by Vasudeva. Bhimasena and Arjuna are ever of the same mind

with him. Yudhishthira, again, is very much under the influence of

Bhimasena. Before this, Yudhishthira with all his brothers was persecuted

by me. Virata and Drupada whom I had waged hostilities with, obedient to

Vasudeva, both of them have become the leaders of Yudhishthira's host.

The battle, therefore, that will take place, will be a fierce and

terrific one. Casting off all sloth, cause every preparation to be made

for the encounter. Let the kings (my allies) pitch their tents by

hundreds and thousands on Kurukshetra, all of which must be spacious,

incapable of being approached by enemies, near enough to places abounding

with water and fuel, in such positions that the communications thereto

for sending supplies may not be stopped at any time by the foe,--full of

weapons of diverse kinds, and decked with streamers and flags. Let the

road from our city to the camp be made level for their march. Let it be

proclaimed this very day, without loss of time, that our march will

commence tomorrow.' (Hearing these words of the king), they said, 'So be

it,'--and when the morrow came, those high-souled persons did everything

they had been commanded to do for the accommodation of the monarchs. And

all those monarchs (meanwhile), hearing the king's command, rose up from

their costly seats, with wrath having the foe for its objects. And they

began to slowly rub their mace-like arms, blazing with bracelets of gold,

and decked with the paste of sandal and other fragrant substances. And

they also commenced, with those lotus-like hands of theirs, to wear their

head-gears and lower and upper garments and diverse kinds of ornaments.

And many foremost of car-warriors began to superintend the furnishing of

their cars, and persons conversant with horse-lore began to harness their

steeds, while those versed in matters relating to elephants began to

equip those huge animals. And all those warriors began to wear diverse

kinds of beautiful armour made of gold, and arm themselves with diverse

weapons. And the foot-soldiers began to take up various kinds of arms and

case their bodies in various kinds of armour decorated with gold. And, O

Bharata. the city of Duryodhana then, filled as it was with rejoicing

millions, wore the bright aspect of a festive occasion. And, O king, the

Kuru capital at the prospect of battle looked like the ocean on the

appearance of the moon, with the vast crowds of humanity representing its

waters with their eddies; the cars, elephants, and horses representing

its fishes; the tumult of conchs and drums, its roar; the

treasure-chests, its jewels and gems; the diverse kinds of ornaments and

armour its waves; the bright weapons its white foam; the rows of houses

the mountains on its beach; and the roads and shops, like lakes!'"

SECTION CLV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Recollecting the words spoken by Vasudeva,

Yudhishthira once more addressed that scion of Vrishni's race, saying,

'How, O Kesava, could wicked Duryodhana say it? O thou of unfading glory,

what should we do in view of the occasion that hath come? By acting in

what way may we keep on the track of our duty? Thou, O Vasudeva, art

acquainted with the views of Duryodhana, Karna, and Sakuni, the son of

Suvala. Thou knowest also what views are entertained by myself and my

brothers. Thou hast heard the words uttered by both Vidura and Bhishma. O

thou of great wisdom, thou hast also heard in their entirety the words of

wisdom spoken by Kunti. Overlooking all these, tell us, O thou of mighty

arms, after reflection, and without hesitation, what is for our good.'

"Hearing these words of king Yudhishthira the Just, that were fraught

with virtue and profit. Krishna replied, in a voice deep as that of the

clouds or cymbals, saying, 'Responding to his advantage and consistent

with both virtue and profit, those words that were uttered by me in the

Kuru court found no response in the Kuru prince Duryodhana with whom

deceit supplieth the place of wisdom. That wretch of wicked understanding

listeneth not in the least to the counsels of Bhishma or Vidura or mine.

He transgresseth everybody. He wisheth not to earn virtue, nor doth he

wish for fame. That wicked-souled wight, relying upon Karna, regardeth

everything as already won. Indeed, Suyodhana of wicked heart and sinful

in his resolves, even ordered my incarceration but he did not, however,

obtain the fruition of that wish. Neither Bhishma nor Drona said anything

on that subject. Indeed, all of them follow Duryodhana, except Vidura, O

thou of unfading glory, Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and Karna, and

Dussasana, all equally foolish, gave foolish and vindictive Duryodhana

much improper advice regarding thee. Indeed, what use is there in my

repeating to thee all that the Kuru prince hath said? In brief, that

wicked-souled wight beareth no good will towards thee. Not even in all

these kings together, that form thy army, is that measure of sinfulness

and wickedness which resideth in Duryodhana alone. As regards ourselves,

we do not desire to make peace with the Kauravas by abandoning our

property. War, therefore, is that which should now take place.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words uttered by Vasudeva, all

the kings (there present), O Bharata, without saying anything, looked at

Yudhishthira's face. And Yudhishthira, understanding the intention of

those monarchs, said, with Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, 'Draw up the

troops in battle array.' And the word of command having been passed, a

great uproar rose amongst the Pandava army and all the soldiers were

filled with joy. King Yudhishthira the Just, however, beholding the

(impending) slaughter of those that deserved not to be slain, began to

sigh deeply, and addressing Bhimasena and Vijaya, said, 'That for the

sake of which I accepted an exile into the woods and for which I suffered

so much misery, that great calamity overtaketh us of a set purpose. That

for which we strove so much leaveth us as if on account of our very

striving. On the other hand, a great distress overtaketh us, although we

did nothing to invite it. How shall we fight with those reverend

superiors (of ours) whom we on no account can slay? What kind of victory

shall we achieve by slaying our preceptors of venerable age?'

"Hearing these words of king Yudhishthira the Just, Savyasachin repeated

to his elder brother all those words that Vasudeva had said. And

addressing Yudhishthira, Arjuna continued, 'Thou hast, O king, certainly

understood all the words spoken by Kunti and Vidura, that were repeated

to thee by Devaki's son. I know it for certain that neither Vidura nor

Kunti would say anything that is sinful. Besides this, O son of Kunti, we

cannot withdraw without engaging in battle.'

"Hearing this speech of Savyasachin, Vasudeva also said unto Partha, 'It

is even so (as thou hast said). The sons of Pandu then, O great king,

made up their minds for war, and passed that night with their soldiers in

great happiness.'"

SECTION CLVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'After that night had passed away, king Duryodhana, O

Bharata, distributed (in proper order) his eleven Akshauhinis of troops.

And arranging his men, elephants, cars, and steeds, into three classes,

viz., superior, middling, and inferior, the king distributed them amongst

his divisions (by placing them in the van, centre, and rear of the

ranks). And furnished with timber and planks for repairing the damages

their cars might sustain in the press of battle, with large quivers borne

on cars, with tiger-skins and other stiff leather for enveloping the

sides of cars, with barbed javelins to be hurled by the hand, with

quivers borne on the backs of steeds and elephants, with long-handled

spears of iron and missiles, with quivers borne on the backs of

foot-soldiers with heavy clubs of woods, with flagstaffs and banners,

with long heavy shafts shot from bows, with diverse kinds of nooses and

lassoes, with armour of various kinds, with short-pointed clubs of wood,

with oil, treacle, and sand, with earthen pots filled with poisonous

snakes, with pulverised lac and other inflammable matter, with short

spears furnished with tinkling bells, with diverse weapons of iron, and

machines, for hurling hot treacle, water, and stones, with whistling

clubs of hard wood, with wax and heavy mallets, with clubs of wood having

iron spikes, with plough-poles and poisoned darts, with long syringes for

pouring warm treacle and planks of cane, with battle-axes and forked

lances with spiked gauntlets, with axes and pointed iron-spikes, with

cars having their sides covered with skins of tigers, and leopards, with

sharp-edged circular planks of wood, with horns, with javelins and

various other weapons of attack, with axes of the kuthara species, and

spades, with cloths steeped in oil, and with clarified butter, the

divisions of Duryodhana, glittering with robes embroidered with gold and

decked with various kinds of jewels and gems and consisting of warriors

endued with handsome persons, blazed forth like fire. And cased in coats

of mail and well-skilled in weapons, accomplished in horse-lore, brave

persons of good birth were employed as car-drivers. And all the cars were

furnished with various drugs, and with horses having rows of bells and

pearls on their heads, and with banners and flagstaffs, and with

ornaments gracing their steeples and turrets and with shields, swords,

and lances, and javelins and spiked maces. And unto each of those cars

were yoked four steeds of the best breed. And upon each of them were kept

a hundred bows. And each car had one driver in charge of the couple of

steeds in front, and two drivers in charge of the couple of steeds

attached to the wheels on the two sides. And both of the last-mentioned

drivers were skilled car-warriors, while the car-warrior himself was also

skilled in driving steeds. And thousands of cars thus furnished and

decked with gold, and protected like fortified town and incapable of

being conquered by foes, were stationed on all sides. And the elephants

also were furnished with rows of bells and pearls and decked with diverse

ornaments. And on the back of each of those animals, mounted seven

warriors. And in consequence of such accoutrements those animals looked

like hills graced with jewels. And amongst the seven, two were armed with

hooks, two were excellent bowmen, two were first-rate swords-men, and

one, O king, was armed with a lance and trident. And, O king, the army of

the illustrious Kuru king, teemed with innumerable infuriate elephants,

bearing on their backs loads of weapons and quivers filled with arrows.

And there were also thousands of steeds ridden by brave soldiers

accoutred in mail, decked in ornaments, and furnished with flags. And

numbering in hundreds and thousands, all those steeds were free from the

habit of scratching the ground with their forehoofs. And they were all

well-trained, and decked with ornaments of gold, and exceedingly obedient

to their riders. And of foot-soldiers, there were hundreds of thousands

of diverse mien, accoutred in armours of diverse kinds and armed also

with weapons of diverse species, and decked with golden ornaments. And

unto each car, were assigned ten elephants, and unto each elephant ten

horses, and unto each horse ten foot-soldiers, as protectors. Again, a

large body of troops was kept as a reserve for rallying the ranks that

would be broken. And this reserve consisted of cars, unto each of which

were attached fifty elephants; and unto each elephant were attached a

hundred horses; and unto each horse were attached seven foot-soldiers.

Five hundred cars, as many elephants (fifteen hundred horses, and two

thousand five hundred foot-soldiers) constitute a Sena. Ten Senas

constitute a Pritana; and ten Pritanas, a Vahini. In common parlance,

however, the words Sena, Vahini, Pritana, Dhwajini, Chamu, Akshauhini,

and Varuthini are used in the same sense.

'It was thus that the intelligent Kaurava arrayed his force. Between the

two sides, the total number was eighteen Akshauhinis. Of this, the

Pandava force consisted of seven Akshauhinis, while the Kaurava force

consisted of ten Akshauhinis and one more. Five times fifty men

constitute a Patti. Three Pattis make a Senamukha or Gulma. Three Gulmas

make a Gana. In Duryodhana's army, there were thousands and hundred of

such Ganas consisting of warriors capable of smiting (the foe) and

longing for battle. And the mighty-armed king Duryodhana, selecting from

among them brave and intelligent warriors, made them the leaders of his

troops. And placing an Akshauhini of troops under each of those best of

men, viz., Kripa, Drona, Salya, Jayadratha, the king of the Sindhus,

Sudakshina the ruler of the Kamvojas, Kritavarman, Drona's son

(Aswatthaman), Karna, Bhurisravas, Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and the

mighty Vahlika, the king used to bring them daily before him and at all

hours, and speak to them. And he repeatedly offered them worship before

his very eyes. And thus appointed, all warriors, with all their

followers, became desirous of doing what was most agreeable to the king.'"

SECTION CLVII

"Vaisampayana said, Dhritarashtra's son, accompanied by all the kings,

then addressed Bhishma, son of Santanu, and with joined hands said these

words, 'Without a commander, even a mighty army is routed in battle like

a swarm of ants. The intelligence of two persons can never agree.

Different commanders, again, are jealous of one another as regards their

prowess. O thou of great wisdom, it is heard (by us) that (once on a

time) the Brahmanas, raising a standard of Kusa grass, encountered in

battle the Kshatriyas of the Haihaya clan endued with immeasurable

energy. O grandsire, the Vaisyas and the Sudras followed the Brahmanas,

so that all the three orders were on one side, while those bulls among

the Kshatriyas were alone on the other. In the battles, however, that

ensued, the three orders repeatedly broke, while the Kshatriyas, though

alone, vanquished large army that was opposed to them. Then those best of

Brahmanas enquired of the Kshatriyas themselves (as to the cause of

this). O grandsire, those that were virtuous among the Kshatriyas

returned the true answer to the enquirers, saying, 'In battle we obey the

orders of one person endued with great intelligence, while ye are

disunited from one another and act according to your individual

understanding.' The Brahmanas then appointed one amongst themselves as

their commander, who was brave and conversant with the ways of policy.

And they then succeeded in vanquishing the Kshatriyas. Thus people always

conquer their foes in battle who appoint a skilled, brave, and sinless

commander, observing the good of the forces under him. As regards thee,

thou art equal to Usanas himself, and always seekest my good. Incapable

of being slain, thou art, again devoted to virtue. Be thou, therefore,

our commander. Like the sun among all luminaries, like the moon unto all

delicious herbs, like Kuvera among the Yakshas, like Vasava among the

gods, like Meru among mountains, Suparna among the birds, Kumara among

the gods, Havyavaha among Vasus, thou art amongst ourselves. Like the

gods protected by Sakra, ourselves, protected by thee, will assuredly

become invincible by the very gods. Like Agni's son (Kumara) at the head

of the gods, march thou at our head, and let us follow thee like calves

following the lead of a mighty bull.'

"Bhishma said, 'O mighty-armed one, it is even so, 'O Bharata, as thou

sayest. But the Pandavas are as dear to me as ye yourselves. Therefore, O

king, I should certainly seek their good as well, although I shall

certainly fight for thee, having given thee a pledge (before) to that

effect. I do not see the warrior on earth that is equal to me, except

that tiger among men, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti. Endued with great

intelligence, he is conversant with innumerable celestial weapons. That

son of Pandu, however, will never fight with me openly. With the power of

my weapons, I can, in a trice, destroy this universe consisting of gods,

Asuras, Rakshasas, and human beings. The sons of Pandu, however, O king,

are incapable of being exterminated by me. I shall, therefore, slay every

day ten thousand warriors. If, indeed, they do not slay me in battle

first, I will continue to slaughter their forces thus. There is another

understanding on which I may willingly become the commander of thy

forces. It behoveth thee to listen to that. O lord of earth, either Karna

should fight first, or I will fight first. The Suta's son always boasts

of his prowess in battle, comparing it with mine.'

"Karna said, 'As long as Ganga's son liveth, O king, I shall never fight.

After Bhishma is slain, I shall fight with the wielder of Gandiva.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, Dhritarashtra's son duly made

Bhishma the commander of his force, distributing large presents. And

after, his installation in the command, he blazed forth with beauty. And

at the king's behest, musicians cheerfully played upon drums and blew

conchs by hundreds and thousands. And numerous leonine roars were sent

forth and all the animals in the camp uttered their cries together. And

although the sky was cloudless, a bloody shower fell and made the ground

miry. And fierce whirl-winds, and earthquakes, and roars of elephants,

occurring, depressed the hearts of all the warriors. Incorporeal voices

and flashes of meteoric falls were heard and seen in the welkin. And

jackals, howling fiercely, foreboded great calamity. And, O monarch,

these and a hundred other kinds of fierce portents made their appearance

when the king installed Ganga's son in the command of his troops. And

after making Bhishma--that grinder of hostile hosts--his general, and

having also caused by abundant gifts of kine and gold to the Brahmanas to

pronounce benedictions on him, and glorified by those benedictions, and

surrounded by his troops, and with Ganga's son in the van, and

accompanied by his brothers, Duryodhana marched to Kurukshetra with his

large host. And the Kuru king, going over the plain with Karna in his

company, caused his camp to be measured out on a level part, O monarch,

of that plain. And the camp, pitched on a delightful and fertile spot

abounding with grass and fuel, shone like Hastinapura itself.'"

SECTION CLVIII

"Janamejaya said, 'When Yudhishthira heard that Bhishma, the high-souled

son of Ganga, the foremost of all wielders of weapons, the grandsire of

the Bharatas, the head of all the kings, the rival of Vrihaspati in

intellect, resembling the ocean in gravity, the mountains of Himavat in

calmness, the Creator himself in nobleness, and the sun in energy, and

capable of slaying hostile hosts like great Indra himself by showering

his arrows, was installed, till his removal by death, in the command of

the Kuru army on the eve of the great sacrifice of battle, terrific in

its mien and capable of making one's hairs stand on their ends, what did

that mighty-armed son of Pandu, that foremost of wielders of weapons,

say? What also did Bhima and Arjuna say? And what too did Krishna say?'

"Vaisampayana said, 'When news was received of this, Yudhishthira endued

with great intelligence and well-acquainted with what should be done in

view of dangers and calamities summoned all his brothers and also the

eternal Vasudeva (to his presence). And that foremost of speakers then

said in a mild voice, 'Make your rounds among the soldiers, and remain

carefully, casing yourselves in mail. Our first encounter will be with

our grandsire. Look ye for (seven) leaders for the seven Akshauhinis of

my troops.'

"Krishna said, 'Those words of grave import, which, O bull of the Bharata

race, it behoveth thee to utter on an occasion like this, have, indeed,

been uttered by thee. Even this, O mighty armed one, is what I also like.

Let therefore, that be done which should be done next. Let, indeed, seven

leaders be selected for thy army.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Summoning then those warriors eager for battle,

viz., Drupada and Virata, and that bull of Sini's race, and

Dhrishtadyumna the prince of Panchala, and king Dhrishtaketu, and prince

Shikhandi of Panchala, and Sahadeva, the ruler of the Magadhas,

Yudhishthira duly appointed them in the command of his seven divisions.

And above them all was placed in command of all the troops that

Dhrishtadyumna who had sprung from the blazing (sacrificial) fire for the

destruction of Drona. And Dhananjaya, of curly hair, was made the leader

of all those high-souled leaders. And handsome Janardana endued with

great intelligence, he who was the younger brother of Sankarshana, was

chosen as the guide of Arjuna and the driver of his steeds.'

"And beholding that a very destructive battle was about to take place,

there came, O king, into the Pandava encampment, Halayudha, accompanied

by Akrura, and Gada and Samva, and Uddhava, and Rukmini's son

(Pradyumna), and Ahuka's sons, and Charudeshna, and others. And

surrounded and guarded by those foremost warriors of the Vrishni race,

resembling a herd of mighty tigers, like Vasava in the midst of the

Maruts, the mighty-armed and handsome Rama, attired in garments of blue

silk and resembling the peak of the Kailasa mountain, and endued with the

sportive gait of the lion and possessed of eyes having their ends

reddened with drink, came there (at such a time). And beholding him, king

Yudhishthira the Just, and Kesava of great effulgence, and Pritha's son

Vrikodara of terrible deeds, and (Arjuna) the wielder of Gandiva, and all

the other kings that were, rose from their seats. And they all offered

worship unto Halayudha as he came to that place. And the Pandava king

touched Rama's hands with his own. And that chastiser of foes, Halayudha,

in return, accosting them all with Vasudeva at their head, and saluting

(respectfully) both Virata and Drupada who were senior in years, sat down

on the same seat with Yudhishthira. And after all the kings had taken

their seats, Rohini's son, casting his eyes on Vasudeva, began to speak.

And he said, 'This fierce and terrible slaughter is inevitable. It is,

without doubt, a decree of fate, and I think that it cannot be averted.

Let me hope, however, to behold all of you, with your friends, come

safely out of this strife, with sound bodies and perfectly hale. Without

doubt, all the Kshatriyas of the world that are assembled together have

their hour come. A fierce melee covering with a mire of flesh and blood

is sure to take place. I said unto Vasudeva repeatedly in private, 'O

slayer of Madhu, unto those that bear equal relationship to us, observe

thou an equal behaviour. As are the Pandavas to us, even so is king

Duryodhana. Therefore, give him also the same aid. Indeed, he repeatedly

soliciteth it. For thy sake, however, the slayer of Madhu regarded not my

words. Looking at Dhananjaya, he hath with his whole heart, been devoted

to your cause. Even this is what I certainly think, viz., that the

victory of the Pandavas is sure, for Vasudeva's wish, O Bharata, is even

so. As regards myself, I dare not cast my eyes on the world without

Krishna (on my side). It is for this that I follow whatever Krishna

seeketh to achieve. Both of these heroes, well-skilled in encounter with

the mace, are my disciples. My affection, therefore, for Bhima is equal

to that for king Duryodhana. For these reasons, I shall now repair to the

tirtha of the Saraswati for ablutions, for I shall not be able to behold

with indifference the destruction of the Kauravas.

"Having said this, the mighty-armed Rama, obtaining the leave of the

Pandavas, and making the slayer of Madhu desist (from following him

farther), set out on his journey for the sacred waters.'"

SECTION CLIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'About this time, there came into the Pandava camp

Bhishmaka's son, foremost among all persons of truthful resolution, and

known widely by the name of Rukmi. The high-souled Bhishmaka, who was

otherwise called king Hiranyaroman, was the friend of Indra. And he was

most illustrious among the descendants of Bhoja and was the ruler of the

whole southern country. And Rukmi was a disciple of that lion among the

Kimpurushas who was known by the name of Drona, having his abode on the

mountains of Gandhamadana. And he had learnt from his preceptor the whole

science of weapons with its four divisions. And that mighty-armed warrior

had obtained also the bow named Vijaya of celestial workmanship,

belonging to the great Indra, and which was equal to Gandiva in energy

and to also Sarnga (held by Krishna). There were three celestial bows

owned by the denizens of heaven, viz., Gandiva owned by Varuna, the bow

called Vijaya owned by Indra, and that other celestial bow of great

energy said to have been owned by Vishnu. This last (Sarnga), capable of

striking fear into the hearts of hostile warriors, was held by Krishna.

The bow called Gandiva was obtained by Indra's son (Arjuna) from Agni on

the occasion of the burning of Khandava, while the bow called Vijaya was

obtained from Drona by Rukmi of great energy. Baffling the nooses of Mura

and slaying by his might that Asura, and vanquishing Naraka, the son of

the Earth, Hrishikesa, while recovering the begemmed ear-rings (of

Aditi), with sixteen thousand girls and various kinds of jewels and gems,

obtained that excellent bow called Sarnga. And Rukmi having obtained the

bow called Vijaya whose twang resembled the roar of the clouds came to

the Pandavas, as if inspiring the whole universe with dread. Formerly,

proud of the might of his own arms, the heroic Rukmi could not tolerate

the ravishment of his sister Rukmini by wise Vasudeva. He had set out in

pursuit, having sworn that he would not return without having slain

Janardana. And accompanied by a large army consisting of four kinds of

forces that occupied (as it marched) a very large portion of the earth,

accoutred in handsome coats of mail and armed with diverse weapons and

resembling the swollen current of the Ganga, that foremost of all

wielders of weapons set out in pursuit of Vasudeva of Vrishni's race. And

having come up to him of Vrishni's race who was lord and master of

everything obtainable by ascetic austerities, Rukmi, O king, was

vanquished and covered with shame. And for this he returned not to (his

city) Kundina. And on the spot where that slayer of hostile heroes was

vanquished by Krishna, he built an excellent city named Bhojakata. And, O

king, that city filled with large forces and teeming with elephants,

steeds., is widely known on the earth by that name. Endued with great

energy, that hero, cased in mail and armed with bows, fences, swords and

quivers, quickly entered the Pandava camp, surrounded by an Akshauhini of

troops. And Rukmi entered that vast army, under a standard effulgent as

the sun, and made himself known to the Pandavas, from desire of doing

what was agreeable to Vasudeva. King Yudhishthira, advancing a few steps,

offered him worship. And duly worshipped and eulogised by the Pandavas,

Rukmi saluted them in return and rested for a while with his troops. And

addressing Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti in the midst of the heroes there

assembled, he said, 'If, O son of Pandu, thou art afraid, I am here to

render thee assistance in the battle. The assistance I will give thee

will be unbearable by thy foes. There is no man in this world who is

equal to me in prowess. I will slay those foes of thine whom thou, O son

of Pandu, wilt assign to me. I will slay one of those heroes, viz., Drona

and Kripa, and Bhishma, and Karna. Or, let all these kings of the earth

stand aside. Slaying in battle thy foes myself, I will give thee Earth.'

And he said this in the presence of king Yudhishthira the Just and of

Kesava and in the hearing of the (assembled) monarchs and all others (in

the camp). Then casting his eyes on Vasudeva and Pandu's son king

Yudhishthira the Just, Dhananjaya the intelligent son of Kunti smilingly

but in a friendly voice said these words, 'Born in the race of Kuru,

being especially the son of Pandu, naming Drona as my preceptor, having

Vasudeva for my ally, and bearing, besides the bow called Gandiva, how

can I say that I am afraid? O hero, when on the occasion of the tale 'of

cattle, I fought with the mighty Gandharvas, who was there to assist me?

In that terrific encounter also with the Gods and Danavas banded together

in great numbers at Khandava, who was my ally when I fought? When, again,

I fought with the Nivatakavachas and with those other Danavas called

Kalakeyas, who was my ally? When, again, at Virata's city I fought with

the numberless Kurus, who was my ally in that battle? Having paid my

respects, for battle's sake, to Rudra, Sakra, Vaisravana, Yama, Varuna,

Pavaka, Kripa, Drona, and Madhava, and wielding that tough celestial bow

of great energy called Gandiva, and accoutred with inexhaustible arrows

and armed with celestial weapons, how can a person like me, O tiger among

men, say, even unto Indra armed with the thunderbolt, such words as I am

afraid!--words that rob one of all his fame? O thou of mighty arms, I am

not afraid, nor have I any need of thy assistance. Go therefore, or stay,

as it pleaseth or suiteth thee.' Hearing these words of Arjuna, Rukmi

taking away with him his army vast as the sea, repaired then, O bull of

Bharata's race, to Duryodhana. And king Rukmi, repairing thither, said

the same words unto Duryodhana. But that king proud of his bravery,

rejected him in the same way.

'Thus, O king, two persons withdrew from the battle, viz., Rohini's son

(Rama) of Vrishni's race and king Rukmi. And after Rama had set out on

his pilgrimage to the tirthas, and Bhishmaka's son Rukmi had departed

thus, the sons of Pandu once more sat down for consulting with one

another. And that conclave presided over by king Yudhishthira the Just,

abounding with numerous monarchs, blazed forth like the firmament

bespangled with lesser luminaries with the moon in their midst.'"

SECTION CLX

"Janamejaya said, 'After the soldiers had been arrayed thus in order of

battle (on the field of Kurukshetra), what, O bull among Brahmanas, did

the Kauravas then do, urged as they were by destiny itself?'

"Vaisampayana said, 'After the soldiers, O bull of the Bharata race, had

been arrayed thus in order of battle, Dhritarashtra, O, king, said these

words to Sanjaya.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Come, O Sanjaya, tell me with the fullest details

all that hath happened in the encampment of the Kuru and the Pandava

troops. I regard destiny to be superior, and exertion useless, for

although I understand the evil consequences of war that will lead only to

ruin, still I am unable to restrain my son who rejoices in gambling and

considers deceit to be wisdom. Understanding everything, I am not yet

able to secure my own welfare. O Suta, my understanding is capable of

seeing the defects (of measures), but when I approach Duryodhana, that

understanding of mine turneth away (from that right path). When such is

the case, O Sanjaya, that will be which must be. Indeed, the sacrifice of

one's corporeal body in battle is the laudable duty of every Kshatriya.'

"Sanjaya said, 'This question, O great king, that thou hast put, is

indeed, worthy of thee. It behoveth thee not, however, to impute entire

fault to Duryodhana only. Listen to me, O king, as I speak of this

exhaustively. That man who cometh by evil in consequence of his own

misconduct, should never impute the fault to either time or the gods. O

great king, he amongst men who perpetrateth every wicked act, deserveth

to be slain in consequence of his perpetrating those acts. Afflicted with

injuries in consequence of the match at dice, the sons of Pandu, however,

with all their counsellors quietly bore all those injuries, looking up, O

best of men, to thy face alone. Hear from me fully, O king, of the

slaughter that is about to take place in battle, of steeds and elephants

and kings endued with immeasurable energy. Hearing patiently, O thou that

art endued with great wisdom, of the destruction of the world in the

fierce battle that has been brought about, come to this conclusion and no

other, viz., that man is never the agent of his acts right or wrong.

Indeed, like a wooden machine, man is not an agent (in all he does). In

this respect, three opinions are entertained; some say that everything is

ordained by God; some say that our acts are the result of free-will; and

others say that our acts are the result of those of our past lives.

Listen then, therefore, with patience, to the evil that hath come upon

us.'"

SECTION CLXI

(Uluka Dutagamana Parva)

"Sanjaya said, 'After the high-souled Pandavas, O king, had encamped by

the side of the Hiranwati, the Kauravas also fixed their camps. And king

Duryodhana having strongly posted his troops and paid homage to all the

kings (on his side) and planted outposts and bodies of soldiers for the

protection of warriors, summoned those rulers of men, viz., Karna and

Dussasana and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and began O Bharata, to consult

with them. And king Duryodhana, O Bharata, having (first) consulted with

Karna, and (next), O monarch, with Karna and his (own) brother Dussasana,

and Suvala's son all together, then summoned, O bull among men, Uluka and

bringing him into his presence in private, told him, O king, these words,

'O Uluka, O son of an adept at dice, repair thou unto the Pandavas and

the Somakas. And repairing thither, repeat these my words (unto

Yudhishthira) in the hearing of Vasudeva. That terrible battle between

the Kurus and the Pandavas which had been expected from a long time back

has, at last come. Those boastful words which Sanjaya brought to me, in

the midst of the Kurus and which thou hadst, with Vasudeva and thy

younger brothers, uttered in deep roar,--the time, O son of Kunti, hath

at last come for making them good. Do ye achieve, therefore, all which ye

have pledged yourselves to achieve. Unto the eldest son of Kunti thou

must say, as my words, the following, 'Virtuous as thou art, how canst

then, with all thy brothers, with the Somakas, and the Kekayas, set thy

heart upon unrighteousness? How canst thou wish the destruction of the

universe, when, as I think thou shouldst be the dispeller of the fears of

all creatures. O bull of Bharata's race, this sloka sung of old by

Prahlada when his kingdom had been wrested from him by the gods, hath

been heard by us,--Ye gods, that person whose standard of righteousness

is always up, but whose sins are always concealed is said to adopt the

behaviour of the cat (in the story).' I will here repeat to thee, O king,

this excellent story recited by Narada to my father. A wicked cat, O

king, once on a time took up his abode on the banks of the Ganges,

abandoning all work and with his hands upraised (after the manner of a

devotee). Pretending to have purified his heart, he said unto all

creatures these words, for inspiring confidence in them, viz.,--I am now

practising virtue. After a long time, all oviparous creatures reposed

trust in him, and coming unto him all together, O monarch, they all

applauded that cat. And worshipped by all feathery creatures, that

devourer of feathery creatures, regarded his purpose already

accomplished, as also the purpose of his austerities. And after some more

time, the mice went to that place. And these also all beheld him to be a

virtuous person engaged in the observance of vows, and proudly exerting

himself in a grand act. And having arrived at that settled conviction,

they entertained the following wish, O king,--'Many foes we have. Let

this one, therefore, become our maternal uncle, and let him always

protect all the old and young ones of our race. And going at last to the

cat, all of them said, 'Through thy grace we desire to roam in happiness.

Thou art our gracious shelter, thou art our great friend. For this, all

of us place ourselves under thy protection. Thou art always devoted to

virtue, thou art always engaged in the acquisition of virtue. O thou of

great wisdom, protect us, therefore, like the wielder of the thunderbolt

protecting the celestials.' Thus addressed, O king, by all the mice, the

cat answered them, saying, 'I do not see the consistency of these two,

viz., my ascetic pursuits and this protection (that I am called upon to

grant). I cannot avoid, however, doing good to you agreeably to your

request. You all, at the same time, should always obey my words. Staying

as I am in the observance of a severe vow, I am weakened by my ascetic

practices. I do not, therefore, see the means of my moving from place to

place. Ye all should, therefore, bear me hence every day to the

river-side.' Saying, 'So be it,' the mice then, O bull of Bharata's race,

made over all their old and young ones to that cat. Then that sinful

creature of wicked soul, feeding on mice, gradually became fat and of

good complexion and strong in his limbs. And thus while the mice began to

be reduced in number, the cat began to grow in vigour and strength. Then

all the mice, coming together, said unto one another, 'Our uncle is daily

growing stout, while we are being daily reduced (in number)!' Then a

certain mouse endued with wisdom, named Dindika, said, O king these words

unto the large swarm of mice gathered there, 'Go all of ye to the

river-side together. I will follow ye, accompanying our uncle.'

'Excellent, Excellent,' they said, and applauded that one of their

number. And they all did just as those words of grave import spoken by

Dindika seemed to indicate. The cat, however, not knowing all this, ate

up Dindika that day. All the mice then, without losing much time, began

to take counsel of one another. Then a very old mouse, named Kilika, said

these just words, O king, in the presence of all his kinsfolk, 'Our uncle

is not really desirous of earning virtue. He hath, like a hypocrite,

become our friend when in reality he is our enemy. Indeed, the excreta of

a creature that liveth only upon fruits and roots never containeth hair

of fur. Then again, while his limbs are growing, our number is decaying.

Besides, Dindika cannot be seen for these eight days.' Hearing these

words, the mice ran away in all directions. And that cat also of wicked

soul returned to whence he came. O thou of wicked soul, thou too art a

practiser of such feline behaviour. Thou behavest towards thy kinsmen

after the manner of the cat (in the story) towards the mice. Thy speech

is of one kind, and thy conduct is of another. Thy (devotion to)

scripture and thy peacefulness of behaviour are only for display before

men. Giving up this hypocrisy, O king, adopt the practices of a Kshatriya

and do all that one should do as such. Art thou not virtuous, O bull

among men? Acquiring the earth by means of the prowess of thy arms, make

gifts, O best of the Bharatas, unto the Brahmanas and to the means of thy

deceased ancestors as one should. Seeking the good of that mother of

thine who hath been afflicted with distress for a series of years, dry up

her tears, and confer honours on her by vanquishing (thy foes) in battle.

Thou hadst with great abjectness, solicited only five villages. Even that

was rejected by us, for how could we bring about a battle, how could we

succeed in angering the Pandavas, was all that we sought. Remembering

that it was for thee that the wicked Vidura was driven (by us) and that

we had tried to burn you all in the house of lac, be a man now; at the

time of Krishna's setting out (from Upaplavya) for the Kuru court, thou

hadst through him communicated this message (to us), viz.,--Hear, O king,

I am prepared for either war or peace! Know, O monarch, that the hour

hath come for battle. O Yudhishthira, I have made all these preparations

in view of that. What doth a Kshatriya regard as a more estimable

accession (of good fortune) than battle? Born thou hast beer in the

Kshatriya order. Known also thou art in the world. Having obtained

weapons again from Drona and Kripa, why, O bull of the Bharata race, dost

thou rely on Vasudeva who belongeth to the same order of life as thyself

and who is, not superior to thee in might.'

'Thou must also say unto Vasudeva in the presence of the Pandavas these

words,--For thy own sake, as also for the sake of the Pandavas, withstand

me in battle to the best of thy power! Assuming once more that form which

thou hadst assumed before in the Kuru court, rush thou with Arjuna

against me (on the field)! A conjuror's tricks or illusions may

(sometimes) inspire fright. But as regards the person that stands armed

for fight, such deceptions (instead of inspiring fight) only provoke

anger! We also are competent, by our powers of illusion, to ascend to

heaven or the firmament, or penetrate into the nether region, or the city

of Indra! We also can display various forms in our own body! The great

Ordainer bringeth all creatures to subjection by a flat of His will (and

never by such conjuror's tricks)! Thou always sayest, O thou of Vrishni's

race, these words, viz.,--Causing the sons of Dhritarashtra to be slain

in battle, I will confer undisputed sovereignty on the sons of

Pritha!--These words of thine were brought to me by Sanjaya. Thou hadst

also said, 'Know, ye Kauravas that it is with Arjuna, having me for his

second, ye have provoked hostilities!' Truthfully adhering to that

pledge, put forth thy energy for the Pandavas and fight now in battle to

the best of thy power! Show us that thou canst be a man! He is said to be

truly alive, who, having ascertained (the wight of his) foes inspireth

grief in them by resorting to true manliness! Without any reason, O

Krishna, great hath been thy fame spread in the world! It will, however,

presently be known that there are many persons, in the world that are

really eunuchs though possessed of the signs of manhood. A slave of

Kansa, especially as thou art, a monarch like me should not cover himself

in mail against thee!

'Say (next) repeatedly, from me, O Uluka, unto that stupid, ignorant,

gluttonous Bhimasena, who is even like a bull though divested of horns,

these words, viz.,--O son of Pritha, a cook thou hadst become, known by

the name of Vallabha, in the city of Virata! All this is evidence of thy

manliness! Let not the vow thou hadst made before in the midst of the

Kuru court be falsified! Let Dussasana's blood be drunk if thou art able!

O son of Kunti, thou often sayest,--Speedily shall I slay Dhritarashtra's

sons in battle!--The time for accomplishing it hath now come! O Bharata,

thou deservest to be rewarded in cookery! The difference, however, is

very great between dressing food and fighting! Fight now, be a man!

Indeed, thou shalt have to lie down, deprived of life, on the earth,

embracing thy mace, O Bharata! The boast in which thou hadst indulged in

the midst of thy assembly is all vain, O Vrikodara!

'Say, O Uluka, unto Nakula, from me, these words, viz.,--Fight now, O

Bharata, patiently! We desire, O Bharata, to behold thy manliness, thy

reverence for Yudhishthira, and thy hatred of myself! Recall to mind the

sufferings in their entirety that Krishna had suffered!

'Next, thou must say these words of mine unto Sahadeva in the presence of

the (assembled) monarchs,--Fight in battle now, to the best of thy power!

Remember all your woes!

'Say next, from me, unto both Virata and Drupada, these words,

viz.,--Since the beginning of the creation, slaves, endued even with

great accomplishments, have never been able to fully understand their

masters. Nor have affluent kings been always able to understand their

slaves! This king deserveth no praise,--possibly, under such a belief, ye

have come against me! United together, fight ye, therefore, against me

for achieving my death, and accomplish the objects ye have in view, as

also those that the Pandavas have!

Say also, from me, unto Dhrishtadyumna, the prince of Panchalas, these

words, viz.,--The hour hath now come for thee, and thou also hast come

for thy hour! Approaching Drona in battle thou wilt know what is best for

thee! Achieve thou the business of thy friend! Accomplish that feat which

is difficult of accomplishment!

'Tell, next, repeatedly from me, O Uluka, unto Sikhandin, these words,

viz.,--The mighty-armed Kaurava, foremost of all bowmen, Ganga's son

(Bhishma), will not slay thee, knowing thee to be only a female! Fight

now without any fear! Achieve in battle what canst to the best of thy

power! We desire to behold thy prowess!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, king Duryodhana laughed

aloud. And addressing Uluka again, he said, 'Say once more unto

Dhananjaya in the bearing of Vasudeva these words, viz.,--O hero, either

vanquishing us rule thou this world, or vanquished by us lie thou down on

the field (deprived of life)! Recalling to thy mind the sufferings

occasioned by your banishment from the kingdom, the woes of your sojourn

in the woods, and 'he affliction of Krishna, be a man, O son of Pandu!

That for which a Kshatriya lady bringeth forth a son is now arrived!

Displaying, therefore, in battle, thy might, energy, courage, manliness,

and great dexterity and speed in the use of weapons, appease thy wrath!

Afflicted with woe, and dispirited and exiled (from home) for a long

time, and driven from his kingdom, who is there whose heart would not

break? Who is there, well-born, and brave, and uncovetous of other's

wealth, that would not have his wrath excited when his kingdom descending

from generation to generation is attacked? Realise in deeds those high

words that thou hadst said! One that only boasts without being able to do

anything is regarded as a worthless man by those that are good. Recover

thy kingdom and those possessions that are now owned by thy foes! Even

these two are the purposes which a person desirous of war hath in view.

Exert, therefore, thy manliness! Thou wert won (as a slave) at dice!

Krishna was caused by us to be brought into the assembly! One that

regardeth himself a man should certainly display his wrath at this! For

twelve long years hadst thou been exiled from home into the woods, and

one whole year hadst thou passed in Virata's service! Remembering the

pangs of banishment from the kingdom and of thy sojourn in the woods, as

also those which Krishna had suffered, be thou a man! Display thy wrath

towards those that repeatedly utter harsh words at thee and thy brothers!

indeed, wrath (such as that) would consist in manliness! Let thy anger,

thy might and prowess, and knowledge, and thy lightness of hand in the

use of weapons, be exhibited? Fight, O son of Pritha, and prove to be a

man! The incantations in respect of all thy weapons have been performed.

The field of Kurukshetra is free from mire. Thy steeds are hale and

strong. Thy soldiers have received their pay. With Kesava, therefore, as

(thy) second, fight (with us)! Without encountering Bhishma as yet, why

dost thou indulge in such boasts? Like a fool, who, without having

ascended the Gandhamadana mountains, boasts (of his would-be feat), thou,

O son of Kunti, art indulging in a similar bragging, be a man! Without

having vanquished in battle the invincible Karna of the Suta race, or

Salya, that foremost of persons, or Drona, the first of all mighty

warriors and equal unto the lord of Sachi in battle, how canst thou, O

Partha, covet for thy kingdom? He that is a preceptor of both Vedic lore

and bowmanship, he that hath crossed both those branches of learning, he

that is foremost in battle and imperturbable (as a tower), he whose might

knoweth no diminution, that commander of armies, Drona of great

effulgence,--him, O Partha, thou wishest in vain to conquer! It is never

heard that the Sumeru peak hath been crushed by the wind. Yet even the

wind will bear away Sumeru, heaven itself will fall down on the earth,

the very Yugas will be altered in respect of their course, if what thou

hast said unto me becometh true! What man is there, desirous of life, be

it Partha or any body else, who having approached that grinder of foes,

would be able to return home with sound body? What person is there,

treading upon the earth with his feet, who, encountered by Drona and

Bhishma and struck with their arrows, would escape from the battle with

life? Like a frog having its abode in a well, why art thou not able to

realise the might of this vast army of the assembled monarchs,

invincible, looking like the very celestial host, and protected by these

lords of men, as the heavenly host by the gods themselves,--protected

that is, by the kings of the East, the West, the South and the North, by

the Kamvojas, the Sakas, the Khasas, the Salwas, the Matsyas, the Kurus

of the middle country, the Mlechchhas, the Pulindas, the Dravidas, the

Andhras, and the Kanchis,--this host of many nations, ready for battle,

and resembling the uncrossable current of the Ganga. O thou of little

understanding, how canst thou, O fool, venture to fight with me when

stationed in the midst of my elephant-host? Thy inexhaustible quivers,

thy car given thee by Agni, and thy celestial banner, O Partha, will all,

O Bharata, be tested by us in battle! Fight, O Arjuna, without bragging!

Why dost thou indulge in too much boast! Success in battle resulteth from

the method in which it is fought. A battle is never gained by bragging.

If, O Dhananjaya, acts in this world succeeded in consequence of

vauntings, all persons would then have succeeded in their objects, for

who is there that is not competent to brag? I know that thou hast

Vasudeva for thy ally. I know that thy Gandiva is full six cubits long. I

know that there is no warrior equal to thee. Knowing all this, I retain

thy kingdom yet! A man never winneth success in consequence of the

attributes of lineage. It is the Supreme Ordainer alone who by his fiat

of will maketh things (hostile) friendly subservient. For these thirteen

years, I have enjoyed sovereignty while ye were weeping. I shall continue

to rule in the same way, slaying thee with thy kinsmen. Where was thy

Gandiva then, when thou wert made slave won at stake? Where, O Falguni,

was Bhima's might then? Your deliverance then came neither from

Bhimasena, armed with mace, nor from you armed with Gandiva, but from the

faultless Krishna. It was she, the daughter to Prishata's house, that

delivered you all, sunk in slavery, engaged in occupations worthy only of

the low, and working as servitors. I characterised you all as sesame

seeds without kernel. That is true. For, did not Partha (some time after)

bear a braid when living in Virata's city? In the cooking apartments of

Virata, Bhimasena was fatigued with doing the work of a cook. Even this,

O son of Pritha, is (evidence of) my manliness! Flying from an encounter

with hips and braids and waist-bands, thyself binding thy hair, wert

engaged in teaching the girls to dance? It is thus that Kshatriyas always

inflict punishment on Kshatriyas! From fear of Vasudeva, or from fear of

thyself, O Falguni, I will not give up the kingdom! Fight with Kesava as

thy ally! Neither deception, nor conjuror's tricks, nor jugglery, can

terrify the armed man addressed for fight. On the other hand, these

provoke only his wrath. A thousand Vasudevas, a hundred Falgunis,

approaching me whose arms and weapons never go for nothing, will surely

fly away in all directions. Encounter Bhishma in combat, or strike the

hill with thy head, or cross with the aid of thy two arms alone the vast

and deep main! As regards my army, it is a veritable main with Saradwat's

son as its large fish, Vivingsati as its huge snake, Bhishma as its

current of immeasurable might, Drona as its unconquerable alligator,

Karna and Salwa and Salya its fishes and whirlpools, the ruler of the

Kamvojas its equine head emitting fire, Vrihadvala its fierce waves,

Somadatta's son its whale, Yuyutsu and Durmarshana its waters, Bhagadatta

its gale, Srutayus and Hridika's son its gulfs and bays, Dussasana its

current, Sushena and Chitrayuda its water-elephants (hippopotamus) and

crocodile, Jayadratha its (submarine) rock, Purumitra its depth, and

Sakuni its shores! When having plunged into this surging ocean with its

inexhaustible waves of weapons, thou wilt, from fatigue, be deprived of

senses and have all thy relatives and friends slain, then will repentance

possess thy heart! Then also will thy heart turn away from the thought of

ruling the earth, like the heart of a person of impure deeds turning away

from (hope of) heaven. Indeed, for thee to win a kingdom to rule is as

impossible as for one not possessed of ascetic merit to obtain heaven!'"

SECTION CLXII

"Sanjaya said, 'Having reached the Pandava camp, the gambler's son

(Uluka) presented himself before the Pandavas, and addressing

Yudhishthira said, 'Thou art fully conversant with what envoys say! It

behoveth thee not, therefore, to be angry with me if I repeat those words

only which Duryodhana hath instructed me to tell!'

"Hearing this, Yudhishthira said, 'Thou hast no fear., O Uluka! Tell us,

without any anxiety what are the views of the covetous Duryodhana of

limited sight!' Then in the midst and presence of the illustrious and

high-souled Pandavas, of the Srinjayas, and Krishna possessed of great

fame, of Drupada with his sons, of Virata, and of all monarchs, Uluka

said these words.'

"Uluka said, 'Even this is what the high-souled king Duryodhana hath in

the presence of all the Kuru heroes, said unto thee! Listen to those

words, O Yudhishthira! Thou wert defeated at dice, and Krishna was

brought into the assembly! At this, a person who regardeth himself a man

would be justified in giving way to wrath! For twelve years wert thou

banished from home into the woods! For one whole year didst thou live in

Virata's service. Remembering the reason there is for wrath, thy exile,

and the persecution of Krishna, be a man, O son of Pandu! Though weak,

Bhima yet, O Pandava, made a vow! Let him, if able, drink the blood of

Dussasana! Thy weapons have been properly worshipped and their presiding

deities have been invoked! The field of Kurukshetra also is without mire.

The roads are even. Thy steeds are well-fed. Engage in battle, therefore,

on the morrow, with Kesava as thy ally! Without having yet approached

Bhishma in battle, why dost thou indulge in boasts? Like a fool that

boasteth of his intention to ascend the mountains of Gandhamadana, thou,

O son of Kunti, art indulging in a vain boast. Without having vanquished

in battle the Suta's son (Karna) who is invincible, and Salya, that

foremost of mighty persons, and that first of all warriors and equal unto

Sachi's lord himself in combat, why, O son of Pritha, dost thou wish for

sovereignty? A preceptor in both the Vedas and the bow, he hath reached

the end of both these branches of learning. Thou desirest in vain, O son

of Pritha, to vanquish that leader of troops, the illustrious Drona, who

fightest in the van, is incapable of being agitated, and whose strength

knows no diminution. Never have we heard that the mountains of Sumeru

have been crushed by the wind! But the wind will bear away Sumeru, heaven

itself will fall down on the earth, the very Yugas will be reversed if

what thou hast said unto me really taketh place! Who is there fond of

life, fighting from the back of an elephant or of a horse or from a car,

that would return home (safe and sound), after having encountered that

grinder of foes? What creature treading the earth with his feet, would

escape with life from battle, having been attacked by Drona and Bhishma,

or pierced with their terrible shafts? Like a frog within a well, why

dost thou not realise the strength of this assembled host of monarchs,

which resembleth the very celestial host, and which is protected by these

kings like the gods protecting theirs in heaven, and which, swarming with

the kings of the East, West, South, and North, with Kamvojas, Sakas,

Khasas, Salwas, Matsyas, Kurus of the middle country, Mlechchhas,

Pulindas, Dravidas, Andhras, and Kanchis, indeed, with many nations, all

addressed for battle, is uncrossable like the swollen tide of Ganga? O

fool of little understanding, how wilt thou fight with me while I am

stationed in the midst of my elephant force?'

'Having said these words unto king Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma,

Uluka, turning his face then towards Jishnu, said unto him these words,

'Fight without bragging, O Arjuna! Why dost thou brag so much? Success

resulteth from the application of method. A battle is never won by

bragging. If acts in this world, O Dhananjaya, succeeded in consequence

only of boasts, then all men would have succeeded in their objects, for

who is there that is not competent to brag? I know that thou hast

Vasudeva for thy ally. I know that thy Gandiva is full six cubits long. I

know that there is no warrior equal to thee. Knowing all this, I retain

thy kingdom yet! A man never winneth success in consequence of the

attribute of lineage. It is the Supreme Ordainer alone who by his fiat

maketh (things hostile) friendly and subservient. For these thirteen

years have I enjoyed sovereignty, while ye were weeping! I shall continue

to rule in the same way, slaying thee with thy kinsmen! Where was thy

Gandiva then when thou wert made a slave won at dice? Where, O Falguni,

was Bhimasena's might then? Your deliverance then came neither from

Bhimasena armed with mace, nor from you armed with Gandiva, but from

faultless Krishna. It was she, the daughter of Prishata's house, that

delivered you all, sunk in slavery, engaged in occupations worthy only of

the low, and working as servitors! I characterised ye as sesame seeds

without kernel. That is very true, for, did not Partha bear a braid while

living in Virata's city? In the cooking apartments of Virata, Bhimasena

was fatigued with doing the work of a cook. Even this, O son of Kunti, is

(evidence of) thy manliness! Flying from an encounter with braids and

waist-bands thyself binding thy hair into a braid, thou wert employed in

teaching the girls to dance! It is thus that Kshatriyas always inflict

punishment on a Kshatriya! From fear of Vasudeva, or from fear of

thyself, O Falguni, I will not give up the kingdom. Fight, with Kesava as

thy ally! Neither deception, nor conjuror's tricks, nor jugglery can

terrify an armed man ready for fight. On the other hand, all this

provokes only his wrath! A thousand Vasudevas, a hundred Falgunis,

approaching me whose aim and weapons never go for nothing, will fly away

in all directions, Encounter Bhishma in combat, or pierce the hills with

thy head, or cross with the aid of thy two arms the vast and deep main!

As regards my army, it is a veritable ocean with Saradwat's son as its

large fish; Vivingsati, its smaller fish; Vrihadvala its waves;

Somadatta's son its whale; Bhishma its mighty force; Drona its

unconquerable alligator; Karna and Salya, its fishes and whirlpools;

Kamvoja its equine head vomiting fire, Jayadratha its (submarine) rock,

Purumitra its depth, Durmarshana its waters, and Sakuni its shores! When

having plunged into this swelling ocean with its inexhaustible waves of

weapons thou wilt from fatigue be deprived of thy senses, and have all

thy relatives and friends slain, then will repentance possess thy heart!

Then will thy heart turn away, O Partha, from the thought of ruling the

earth like the heart of a person of impure deeds turning away from (hope

of) heaven. Indeed, for thee to win a kingdom to rule is as impossible as

for one not possessed of ascetic merit to obtain heaven!'"

SECTION CLXIII

"Sanjaya said, 'O monarch, provoking Arjuna still further who was like a

snake of virulent poison, by means of those wordy strokes of his Uluka

once more repeated the words he had once spoken. The Pandavas had before

such repetition, been sufficiently provoked, but hearing these words (a

second time) and receiving those censures through the gambler's son, they

were provoked beyond endurance. They all stood up, and began to stretch

their arms. And looking like enraged snakes of virulent poison, they

began to cast their eyes on one another. And Bhimasena, with face

downwards, and breathing heavily like a snake, began to glance obliquely

at Kesava, directing the blood-red corners of his eyes towards him. And

beholding the Wind-god's son to be greatly afflicted and extremely

provoked with rage, he of Dasarha's race smilingly addressed the

gambler's son and said, 'Depart hence without a moment's delay. O

gambler's son, and say unto Suyodhana these words, viz.,--Thy words have

been heard and sense understood. Let that take place which  thou

desirest.' Having said this, O best of monarchs, the mighty-armed Kesava

looked once more at Yudhishthira endued with great wisdom. Then in the

midst and presence of all the Srinjayas, of Krishna possessed of great

fame, of Drupada with his sons, of Virata, and all the kings (there

assembled), Uluka once more repeated unto Arjuna the words he had said,

provoking him still further thereby, like one annoying wrathful snake of

virulent poison by means of a stake. And he also said unto all of them,

viz.,--Krishna and others, those words that Duryodhana had instructed him

to say. And hearing those harsh and highly disagreeable words uttered by

Uluka, Partha was greatly excited and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

And beholding Partha, O king, in that condition, that assembly of

monarchs could not bear it at all. And at that insult to Krishna and the

high-souled Partha, the car-warriors of the Pandavas were greatly

agitated. Though endued with great steadiness of mind, those tigers among

men began to burn with anger. And Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin and that

mighty car-warrior, Satyaki, and the five Kekaya brothers, and the

Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, the sons of Draupadi, and Abhimanyu, and king

Dhrishtaketu, and Bhimasena, endued with great prowess, and those mighty

car-warriors--the twins,--jumped up from their seats, their eyes red with

anger, tossing their handsome arms decked with red sandal-paste and

ornaments of gold. Then Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, understanding their

gestures and hearts, sprang up from his seat. And gnashing his teeth, and

licking with his tongue the corners of his mouth, and burning with rage,

and squeezing his hands and turning his eyes fiercely, said these words

unto Uluka, Ignorant fool, thy words have now been heard which Duryodhana

said unto thee for the object of provoking us as if we were a set of

imbeciles! Hear now the words which I say and which thou art to repeat

unto the inaccessible Suyodhana in the midst of all the Kshatriyas and in

the hearing of the Suta's son and the wicked-hearted Sakuni. We always

seek to gratify our elder brother! It was for this, O thou of wicked

behaviour, that we tolerated thy acts. Dost thou not regard this as

highly fortunate for thee? It was for only the good of our race that king

Yudhishthira the Just, endued with great intelligence, sent Hrishikesa to

the Kurus for bringing about a peace! Impelled by Fate, without doubt,

thou art desirous of repairing unto Yama's abode! Come, fight with us.

That, however, is certainly to take place tomorrow! I have, indeed, vowed

to slay thee with thy brothers! O sinful fool, do not entertain the

slightest doubt, for it will be as I have vowed! The very ocean, the

abode of Varuna-may all on a sudden transgress its continents. The very

mountains may split, yet my words can never be false! If Yama himself, or

Kuvera, or Rudra, assisteth thee, the Pandavas will still accomplish what

they have vowed! I shall certainly drink Dussasana's blood according to

my pleasure! And I also vow that Kshatriya whatsoever may then angrily

approach me, even if he cometh with Bhishma himself at the van, I will

send him to Yama's abode! That which I have said in the midst of a

Kshatriya assembly will certainly be true. I swear this by my soul!

'Hearing these words of Bhimasena, the wrathful Sahadeva also, with eyes

red in anger, said these words in the presence of the (assembled)

troops,--words that become that proud hero. And he said, 'Listen, O

sinful one, to the words I utter and which must be repeated to thy

father! A difference would never have arisen between us and the Kurus, if

Dhritarashtra had no relationship with thee! Of sinful acts and the

exterminator of thy own race, thou hast been born as an embodiment of

quarrel for the destruction of the whole world as also for the

destruction of Dhritarashtra's race! From our very birth, O Uluka, that

sinful father of thine hath always sought to do us injury and evil. I

desire to attain the opposite shore of that hostile relation. Slaying

thee first before the very eyes of Sakuni, I shall then slay Sakuni

himself in the sight of all bowmen!'

'Hearing these words of both Bhima and Sahadeva, Falguni smilingly

addressed Bhima, saying, 'O Bhimasena, they that have provoked

hostilities with thee, cannot live! Though they may dwell happily in

their homes, those fools become yet entangled in the meshes of death! O

best of men, Uluka doth not deserve to be addressed harshly by thee! What

fault do envoys commit, repeating as they only do what they are

instructed (to say)?' And having thus addressed Bhima of terrible prowess

that mighty-armed hero then addressed his heroic allies and well-wishers

headed by Dhrishtadyumna, saying, 'Ye have heard the words of the sinful

son of Dhritarashtra in dispraise of Vasudeva and especially of myself!

And hearing them ye have been filled with anger because ye wish us well!

But through Vasudeva's might and your endeavours, I do not reckon even

all the Kshatriyas of the earth assembled together! With your permission

I will now communicate to Uluka what the reply to those words is, what,

indeed, he should say unto Duryodhana!--When the morrow cometh, stationed

at the head of my division, the answer to these words shall I give

through Gandiva! For they that are eunuchs, answer in words!'

'Hearing this, all those best of kings applauded Dhananjaya, wondering at

the ingenuity of that reply. King Yudhishthira the Just, then, having

spoken mildly unto all the kings each according to his age and as each

deserved said, at last, unto Uluka these words so that he might carry

them to Duryodhana. And Yudhishthira said, 'No good king should patiently

bear an insult. Having so long heard what thou hadst to say, I shall now

tell thee what my reply is!'

'Having heard then, O best of Bharata's race, those words of Duryodhana,

Yudhishthira, that bull of the Bharata race, with eyes exceedingly red in

anger and himself sighing like a snake of virulent poison, licking the

corners of his mouth with his tongue, as if swelling with wrath, and

casting his eyes on Janardana and his own brothers, said unto Uluka these

words that were fraught with both mildness and vigour. And tossing his

massive arms he said unto the gambler's son, 'Go, O Uluka, and say unto

Duryodhana, that ungrateful, wicked-minded embodiment of hostilities,

that infamous wretch of his race, these words, viz.,--O sinful wretch,

thou always behavest with crookedness towards the Pandavas! O sinful

fool, he that displayeth his prowess relying on his own might and

summoneth his foes (to battle) and fulfilleth his own words, even he is a

man of the Kshatriya order! Be thou a Kshatriya, O sinful wretch, and

summon us to battle! O infamous one of thy race, do not come to battle,

placing at thy head others for whom we profess respect! O Kaurava,

relying on thy own might and on that of thy servants, summon the sons of

Pritha to battle! Be Kshatriya in every way! He, who summoneth his foes,

relying on the might of others, and incapable of receiving them himself

is, indeed, a eunuch! Thou, however, thinkest highly of thyself, relying

on the might of others! Being weak and unable thyself, why then dost thou

roar so (in words) at us?'

"Krishna said, 'My words also, O gambler's son, should be communicated

unto Suyodhana. Let that morrow come to thee on which the battle is to

take place. O thou of wicked soul, be a man! O fool, thou thinkest

Janardana will not fight, since he hath been chosen by the Pandavas to

act only as a charioteer, so thou art not alarmed. That, however, will

not be, even for a moment. If my wrath is excited, I may then consume all

the kings (assembled by thee) like a fire consuming a heap of straw. At

Yudhishthira's command, however, I shall only discharge the functions of

charioteer to the high-souled Falguni, of senses under complete control

and who alone, (amongst us two) will fight! If thou fliest beyond the

limits of the three worlds, if thou sinkest into the depths of the earth,

thou shalt, even at these places, behold Arjuna's car tomorrow morning.

Thou thinkest that Bhima's words have been spoken in vain! But know that

Dussasana's blood hath already been quaffed. Know this also that although

thou hast uttered such cross and perverse words, yet neither Partha, nor

king Yudhishthira, nor Bhimasena, nor any of the twins, regardeth thee as

straw!'"

SECTION CLXIV

"Sanjaya said, 'Having heard those words of Duryodhana, Gudakesha of

great fame looked at the gambler's son with eyes exceedingly red. And

eyeing Kesava also and tossing his massive arms, he addressed the

gambler's son, saying, 'He, who, relying on his own strength, summoneth

his foes and fighteth with them fearlessly, is spoken of as a man. He,

however, who, relying on the strength of others, summoneth his foes, is

an infamous Kshatriya. In consequence of his incapacity, such a one is

regarded as the lowest of men. Relying on the strength of others, thou (O

Duryodhana), being a coward thyself, desirest yet, O fool, to rebuke thy

foes. Having installed (Bhishma) the oldest of all the Kshatriyas, whose

heart is ever bent in doing what is good, who hath all his passions under

control, and who is endued with great wisdom, in the command of thy

troops and made him liable to certain death, thou indulgest in brag! O

thou of wicked understanding, thy object (in doing this) is fully known

to us, O wretch of thy race! Thou hast done it, believing that sons of

Pandu will not, from kindness, slay the son of Ganga. Know, however, O

Dhritarashtra's son, that I will slay that Bhishma first in the sight of

all the bowmen, relying upon whose strength thou indulgest in such

boasts! O gambler's son, repairing (hence) unto the Bharatas and

approaching Duryodhana the son of Dhritarashtra, say unto him that Arjuna

hath said,--So be it! After this night will have passed away, the fierce

encounter of arms will take place. Indeed, Bhishma of unfailing might and

firmly adhering to truth, hath told thee in the midst of the Kurus these

words, viz.,--I will slay the army of the Srinjayas and the Salweyas. Let

that be my task. Excepting Drona I can slay the whole world. Thou needest

not, therefore, entertain any fear oil the Pandavas! At this, thou, O

Duryodhana, regardest the kingdom as thy own and thinkest that the

Pandavas have sunk into distress. Thou hast been filled with pride at

this. Thou seest not, however, danger that is in thy own self. I shall,

therefore, in battle, first slay before thy very eyes, Bhishma the eldest

of the Kurus! At sunrise (tomorrow) at the head of the troops, with

standards and cars protect ye that leader of thy forces firm in his

promises. I shall, with my arrows, throw him down who is your refuge from

his car before the eyes of you all! When the morrow cometh, Suyodhana

will know what it is to indulge in brag, beholding the grandsire covered

with my arrows! Thou shalt, O Suyodhana, very soon see the fulfilment of

that which Bhimasena in anger had said, in the midst of the assembly,

unto thy brother, that man of limited sight, viz., Dussasana, wedded to

unrighteousness, always quarrelsome, of wicked understanding, and cruel

in behaviour. Thou shalt soon see the terrible effects of vanity and

pride, of wrath and arrogance, of bragging and heartlessness, cutting

words and acts, of aversion from righteousness, and sinfulness and

speaking ill of others, of transgressing the counsels of the aged, of

oblique sight, and of all kinds of vices! O scum of humanity, how canst

thou, O fool, hope for either life or kingdom, if I, having Vasudeva for

my second, give way to anger? After Bhishma and Drona will have been

quieted and after the Suta's son will have been overthrown, thou shalt be

hopeless of life, kingdom and sons! Hearing of the slaughter of thy

brothers and sons, and struck mortally by Bhimasena, thou wilt, O

Suyodhana, recollect all thy misdeeds!--Tell him, O gambler's son, that I

do not vow a second time. I tell thee truly that all this will be

true!--Departing hence, O Uluka, say, O sire, these words of mine, unto

Suyodhana! It behoveth thee not to apprehend my behaviour by the light of

thy own! Know the difference there is between thy conduct and mine, which

is even the difference between truth and falsehood! I do not wish harm to

even insects and ants. What shall I say, therefore, of my ever wishing

harm to my kinsmen? O sire, it was for this that five villages only were

solicited by me! Why, O thou of wicked understanding, dost thou not see

the dire calamity that threatens thee? Thy soul overwhelmed with lust,

thou indulgest in vauntings from defectiveness of understanding. It is

for this also thou acceptest not the beneficial words of Vasudeva. What

need now of much talk? Fight (against us) with all thy friends! Say, O

gambler's son, unto the Kuru prince who always doth what is injurious to

me (these words also, viz.,)--Thy words have been heard; their sense also

hath been understood. Let it be as thou wishest!'

'O son of king, Bhimasena then once more said these words, 'O Uluka, say

those words of mine unto the wicked-minded, deceitful, and unrighteous

Suyodhana, who is an embodiment of sin, who is wedded to guile, and whose

behaviour is exceedingly wicked. Thou shalt have to dwell in the stomach

of a vulture or in Hastinapura. O scum of human kind, I shall assuredly

fulfil the vow I have made in the midst of the assembly. I swear in the

name of Truth, slaying Dussasana in battle, I shall quaff his life-blood!

Slaying also thy (other) brothers, I shall smash thy own thighs. Without

doubt, O Suyodhana, I am the destroyer of all the sons of Dhritarashtra,

as Abhimanyu is of all the (younger) princes! I shall by my deeds,

gratify you all! Hearken once more to me. O Suyodhana, slaying thee, with

all thy uterine brothers, I shall strike the crown of thy head with my

foot in the sight of the king Yudhishthira the Just!'

'Nakula, then, O king, said these words, 'O Uluka, say unto

Dhritarashtra's son, Suyodhana, of Kuru's race that all the words uttered

by him have now been heard and their sense understood. I shall, O

Kauravya, do all that thou hast commended me to do.'

'And Sahadeva also, O monarch, said these words of grave import, 'O

Suyodhana, it will all be as thou wishest! Thou shalt have to repent, O

great king, along with thy children, kinsmen, and counsellors, even as

thou art now bragging joyously in view of our sufferings.'

'Then Virata and Drupada, both venerable in years, said these words unto

Uluka, It is even our wish that we become slaves of a virtuous person!

Whether, however, we are slaves or masters, will be known tomorrow, as

also who owns what manliness!'

'After them, Sikhandin said these words unto Uluka, 'Thou must say unto

king Duryodhana who is always addicted to sinfulness, these words,

viz.,--See, O king, what fierce deed is perpetrated by me in battle! I

shall slay grandsire of thine from his car, relying upon whose prowess

thou art certain of success in battle! Without doubt, I have been created

by the high-souled Creator for the destruction of Bhishma. I shall

assuredly slay Bhishma in the sight of all bowmen.'

'After this, Dhrishtadyumna also said unto Uluka, the gambler's son,

these words, 'Say unto prince Suyodhana these my words, viz., I shall

slay Drona with all his followers and friends. And I shall do a deed

which none else will ever do.'

'King Yudhishthira once more said these high words fraught with clemency,

viz.,--O monarch, I never desire the slaughter of my kinsmen. O thou of

wicked understanding, it is from thy fault that all this will assuredly

take place. I shall, of course, have to sanction the fulfilment of their

great feats by all these (around me). Go hence, O Uluka, without delay or

stay here, O sire, for, blessed be thou, we too are thy kinsmen.'

'Uluka, then, O king, thinking permission of Yudhishthira, the son of

Dharma, went thither where king Suyodhana was. Thus addressed, the

gambler's son carefully bearing in mind all he had heard, returned to the

place from which he had come. And arriving there, he fully represented

unto the vindictive Duryodhana all that Arjuna had charged him with. And

he also faithfully communicated unto Dhritarashtra's son the words of

Vasudeva, of Bhima, of king Yudhishthira the Just, of Nakula and Virata

and Drupada, O Bharata and the words of Sahadeva and Dhrishtadyumna and

Sikhandin, and the words also that were spoken (subsequently) by Kesava

and Arjuna. And having listened to the words of the gambler's son,

Duryodhana, that bull of Bharata's race, ordered Dussasana and Karna and

Sakuni, O Bharata, and their own troops and the troops of the allies, and

all the (assembled) kings, to be arrayed in divisions and be ready for

battle before sunrise (next morrow). Messengers then, instructed by Karna

and hastily mounting on cars and camels and mares and good steeds endued

with great fleetness, quickly rode through the encampment. And at Karna's

command they promulgated the order--Array (yourselves) before sunrise

tomorrow!'"

SECTION CLXV

'Sanjaya said, 'Having listened to Uluka's words, Yudhishthira, the son

of Kunti, moved his army headed by Dhrishtadyumna and others. And that

vast army commanded by Dhrishtadyumna, consisting of four kinds of

forces, viz., foot-soldiers and elephants and cars and cavalry, terrible,

and immovable like the earth herself, and guarded by mighty car-warriors

led by Bhimasena and Arjuna, could be compared to the vast ocean lying in

stillness. And at the head of that vast force was that mighty bowman, the

prince of Panchalas, invincible in battle, viz., Dhrishtadyumna, desirous

of obtaining Drona for his antagonist. And Dhrishtadyumna began to select

combatants (from his own army) for pitting them against particular

warriors of the hostile force. And he gave orders unto his car-warriors,

suited to their strength and courage. And he pitted Arjuna against the

Suta's son (Karna), Bhima against Duryodhana, Dhrishtaketu against Salya,

Uttamaujas against Gautama's son (Kripa), Nakula against Kritavarman,

Yuyudhana against the ruler of the Sindhus (Jayadratha). And he placed

Sikhandin in the van, pitting him against Bhishma. And he urged Sahadeva

against Sakuni, and Chekitana against Sala, and the five sons of Draupadi

against the Trigartas. And he urged Subhadra's son (Abhimanyu) against

Vrishasena (the son of Karna), and also against all the rest of the

kings, for he regarded Abhimanyu as superior to Arjuna himself in battle.

And distributing his warriors thus, individually and collectively, that

mighty bowman, of the hue of blazing fire, kept Drona for his own share.

And that leader of leaders of troops, the mighty and intelligent bowman

Dhrishtadyumna, having arrayed his troops duly, waited for battle with a

firm heart. And having arrayed the combatants, as indicated above, of the

Pandavas, he waited, with collected mind, on the field for securing

victory to the sons of Pandu.'"

SECTION CLXVI

"Dhritarashtra said, After Falguni had vowed the slaughter of Bhishma in

battle, what did my wicked sons headed by Duryodhana do? Alas, I already

behold my father, Ganga's son, slain in battle, by that bowman of firm

grasp, viz., Partha, having Vasudeva for his ally! And what also did that

mighty bowman, that foremost of smiters, Bhishma, endued with

immeasurable wisdom, say on hearing the words of Partha. Having accepted

also the command of the Kauravas, what did that foremost of warriors,

Ganga's son, of exceeding intelligence and prowess, do?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus questioned, Sanjaya told him everything

about what that eldest one of the Kurus, Bhishma of immeasurable energy,

had said.'

"Sanjaya said, 'O monarch, obtaining the command, Bhishma, the son of

Santanu said these words unto Duryodhana, gladdening him greatly,

'Worshipping the leader of celestial forces, viz., Kumara, armed with the

lance, I shall, without doubt, be the commander of thy army today! I am

well-versed in all mighty affairs, as also in various kinds of array. I

know also how to make regular soldiers and volunteers act their parts. In

the matter of marching the troops and arraying them, in encounters and

withdrawing, I am as well-versed, O great king, as Vrihaspati (the

preceptor of the celestials), is! I am acquainted with all the methods of

military array prevalent amongst the celestials, Gandharvas, and human

beings. With these I will confound the Pandavas. Let thy (heart's) fever

be dispelled. I will fight (the foe), duly protecting thy army and

according to the rules of (military) science! O king, let thy heart's

fever be dispelled!'

Hearing these words, Duryodhana said, 'O Ganga's son of mighty arms, I

tell thee truly, I have no fear from even all the gods and Asuras united

together! How much less, therefore, is my fear when thy invincible self

hath become the leader of my forces and when that tiger among men, Drona,

also waiteth willingly for battle! When you two foremost of men, are

addressed for battle on my side, victory, nay, the sovereignty of even

the celestial cannot assuredly be unattainable by me! I desire, however,

O Kaurava, to know who amongst all the warriors of the foe and my own are

to be counted as Rathas and who Atirathas. Thou, O grandsire, art

well-acquainted with the (prowess of the) combatants of the foe, also of

ourselves! I desire to hear this, with all these lords of earth!'

"Bhishma said, 'Listen, O son of Gandhari, O king of kings, to the tale

of Rathas in thy own army! Hear, O king, as to who are Rathas and who

Atirathas! They are in thy army, many thousands, many millions, and many

hundreds of millions of Rathas. Listen, however, to me as I name only the

principal ones. Firstly, with thy country of brothers including Dussasana

and others, thou art of the foremost of Rathas! All of you are skilled in

striking, and proficient in cutting chariots and piercing. All of you are

accomplished drivers of chariots while seated in the driver's box, and

accomplished managers of elephants while seated on the necks of those

animals. All of you are clever smiters with maces and bearded darts and

swords and bucklers. You are accomplished in weapons and competent in

bearing burthens of responsibility. Ye all are disciples of Drona and of

Kripa, the son of Saradwat, in arrows and other arms. Wronged by the sons

of Pandu, these Dhartarashtras, endued with energy, will assuredly slay

in the encounter the Panchalas irresistible in combat. Then, O foremost

of the Bharatas, come I, the leader of all thy troops, who will

exterminate thy foes, vanquishing the Pandavas! It behoveth me not to

speak of my own merits. I am known to thee. The foremost of all wielders

of weapons, Bhoja (chief) Kritavarman is Atiratha. Without doubt, he will

accomplish thy purpose in battle. Incapable of being humiliated by

persons accomplished in arms, shooting or hurling his weapons to a great

distance, and a severe smiter, he will destroy the ranks of the foe, as

the great Indra destroying the Danavas. The ruler of the Madras, the

mighty bowman Salya, is, as I think, an Atiratha. That warrior boasteth

himself as Vasudeva's equal, in every battle (that he fighteth). Having

abandoned his own sister's sons, that best of kings, Salya, hath become

thine. He will encounter in battle the Maharathas of the Pandava party,

flooding the enemy with his arrows resembling the very surges of the sea.

The mighty bowman Bhurisravas, the son of Somadatta, who is accomplished

in arms and is one of thy well-meaning friends, is a leader of leaders of

car-divisions. He will, certainly, make a great havoc among the

combatants of thy enemies. The king of the Sindhus, O monarch, is in my

judgment, equal to two Rathas. That best of car-warriors will fight in

battle, displaying great prowess. Humiliated, O king, by the Pandavas on

the occasion of his, abducting Draupadi, and bearing that humiliation in

mind, that slayer of hostile heroes will fight (for thee). Having

practised after that, O king, the severest austerities, he obtained a

boon, highly difficult of acquisition, for encountering the Pandavas in

battle. That tiger among car-warriors, therefore, remembering his old

hostility, will, O sire, fight with the Pandavas in battle, reckless of

his very life which is so difficult to lay down.'"

SECTION CLXVII

"Bhishma said, 'Sudhakshina, the ruler of the Kamvojas, is in my

judgment, equal to a single Ratha. Desiring the success of thy object, he

will certainly fight with the enemy in battle. O best of kings, the

Kauravas will behold the prowess of this lion among car-warriors exerted

for thee, to be equal to that of Indra himself in battle. As regards the

car-army of this king, O monarch, those smiters of fierce impetus, the

Kamvojas, will cover a large area like a flight of locusts! Coming from

(the province of) Mahishmati, Nila, accoutred in blue mail, is one of thy

Rathas. With his car-army he will cause a great havoc among thy foes, O

child, he had hostilities with Sahadeva. O king, he will continually

fight for thee, O thou of Kuru's race. Accomplished in battle, and of

fierce energy and prowess, (the princes) Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti are

both regarded as excellent Rathas. These two heroes among men will

consume the troops of thy foes, with maces and bearded darts, and swords

and long shafts, and javelins hurled from their hands. Like a couple of

(elephant) leaders sporting in the midst of their herds, these two

princes, O monarch, longing for battle, will range the field, each like

Yama himself. The five (royal) brothers of Trigarta are, in my judgment,

all foremost of Rathas. The sons of Pritha provoked hostilities with them

at Virata's city on that (well-known) occasion. Like huge Makaras, O

king, agitating the stream of the Ganges crested with high waves, they

will agitate the ranks of the Parthas in battle. All the five, O king,

are Rathas, having Satyaratha (amongst them) as their first. Remembering

the wrongs inflicted on them of old by that son of Pandu who is Bhima's

younger brother, when the latter, O Bharata, on his car drawn by white

steeds, was engaged, O monarch, in subjugating all the kings of the

earth, they will certainly exert themselves bravely in battle.

Encountering many Maharathas--chief of bowmen--leaders of Kshatriyas--on

the side of the Parthas, they will certainly slay them. Thy son Lakshmana

and the son also of Dussasana--those tigers among men are both

unretreating in battle. In prime of youth, of delicate limbs, endued with

great activity, those two princes, well-versed with battles and capable

of leading all, those tigers among Kurus, those car-warriors, are, I

think, two of our best Rathas. Devoted to the duties of the Kshatriya

order, those two heroes will achieve great feats. Dandadhara, O monarch,

is, O bull among men, equal to a single Ratha. Guarded by his own

soldiers, he will fight in battle for thee. Endued with great impetus and

prowess, king Vrihadvala, the ruler of the Kosalas, is, in my judgment, O

sire, equal to one Ratha. Fierce in arms, this mighty bowman, devoted to

the good of the Dhartarashtras, will exert himself powerfully in battle,

gladdening his own friends. Kripa, the son of Saradwat is, O king, a

leader of leaders of car-ranks. Reckless even of life which is so dear,

he will consume thy foes. Born among a clump of heath as the son of that

great sage, viz., the preceptor Gautama, otherwise called Saradwat, he is

invincible like Kartikeya himself. Consuming untold warriors armed with

various weapons and bows, he will, O sire, roam forth on the field of

battle like a blazing fire.'"

SECTION CLXVIII

"Bhishma said, 'This thy maternal uncle Sakuni is, O king, equal to a

single Ratha. Having caused the (present) hostilities (to break out) with

the sons of Pandu, he will fight. There is no doubt in this. His troops

are irresistible when rushing to battle. Armed with various kinds of

weapons in abundance, in speed, they are equal to the very wind. The

mighty bowman (Aswatthaman) who is Drona's son surpasseth all bowmen.

Acquainted with all modes of warfare, and of unbaffled weapons, he is a

Maharatha. Like the wielder of Gandiva, the shafts of this warrior, shot

from his bow, proceed in a continuous line, touching one another. If he

wishes it, this Maharatha is capable of consuming the three worlds.

Engaged in austerities in his hermitage, he hath, by these, increased

both his fury and energy. Possessed of great intelligence, he hath been

favoured by Drona with (the gift of all) celestial weapons. There is,

however, O bull of Bharata's race, one great defect in him, in

consequence of which, O best of kings, I do not regard him either as a

Ratha or a Maharatha. This regenerate man is exceedingly fond of living,

life being very dear to him. Amongst the warriors of both armies there is

no one who can be regarded as his peer. On even a single car he can

annihilate the very army of the celestials. Possessed of a strong frame,

he can split the very mountains by the flaps of his bow-string, striking

against the leathern fence on his left arm. Endued with innumerable

qualities, this smiter of fierce effulgence will wander (over the field

of battle), incapable of being withstood like Yama himself, mace in hand.

Resembling the fire at the end of the Yuga as regards his fury, possessed

of leonine neck, and endued with great lustre, Aswatthaman will

extinguish the embers of this battle between the Bharata's. His father

(Drona) is endued with great energy, and though aged, is still superior

to many young men. He will achieve great feats in battle. I have no doubt

of this. Staying immovably (on the field), he will consume Yudhishthira's

troops. The Pandava army will play the part of the dry grass and fuel in

which that fire will originate, while the impetus of his own weapons will

be the wind for fanning it into a (mighty) flame. This bull among men, is

a leader of bands of car-warriors. The son of Bharadwaja will achieve

fierce feats for thy good! The preceptor of all Kshatriyas of royal

lineage, the venerable preceptor, will exterminate the Srinjayas.

Dhananjaya, however, is dear to him. This mighty bowman, therefore,

remembering his own celebrated and highly meritorious services as

preceptor, will never be able to slay Partha who is capable of achieving

great feats without any trouble. O hero, Drona always boasteth of the

numerous accomplishments of Partha. Indeed, Bharadwaja looketh on him

with greater affection than on his own son. Endued with great prowess, he

can, on a single car, beat in battle, by means of his celestial weapons,

all the gods, Gandharvas, and human beings united together. That tiger

among kings, is, O monarch, one of thy Maharathas. Capable of breaking

the car-ranks of hostile heroes, he, in my judgment, is one of thy

foremost of car-warriors. Afflicting the ranks of the enemy at the head

of his own large force, he will consume the Panchalas like fire consuming

a heap of dry grass. Possessed of true fame, prince Vrihadvala is equal

to single Ratha. He, O monarch, will roam amid thy enemy's troops like

Death himself. His troops, O king of kings, accoutred in various kinds of

mail and armed with diverse kinds of weapons, will wander on the field,

slaying all the warriors opposed to them. Vrishasena, the son of Karna,

is one of thy foremost of car-warriors and is a Maharatha. That foremost

of mighty men will consume the troops of thy enemy. Endued with great

energy, Jalasandha, O king, is one of thy foremost of Rathas. Born in

Madhu's race, that slayer of hostile heroes, is prepared to cast away his

very life in battle. Skilled in battle, that mighty-armed warrior,

scattering the enemy's ranks before him, will fight in battle mounted on

car or from the elephant's back. That best of kings, O monarch, is in my

judgment, a Ratha. He will, in fierce battle, cast away for thy sake his

very life with all, his troops possessed of great prowess and acquainted

with all the modes of warfare, he will, O king, fight fearlessly with thy

foes in battle. Never retreating from battle, brave, and resembling Yama

himself, Vahlika, O king, is in my judgment, an Atiratha. Rushing to the

encounter he never cometh back. Indeed, he will slay hostile warriors in

battle like the Wind-god himself. That router of hostile car-ranks, that

car-warrior of wonderful feats in battle, commander of thy forces,

Satyavan is, O king, a Maharatha. He never cherisheth grief at the

prospect of battle. Confounding those warriors that stand in the way of

his car, he falleth upon them. Always displaying his prowess against the

enemy, that best of men will, for thy sake, in fierce press of battle,

achieve all that a good Kshatriya should. Thai chief of Rakshasas,

Alambhusha, of cruel deeds, is a Maharatha. Remembering his old

hostilities (with the Pandavas), he will commit great execution among the

foe. He is the best of Rathas amongst all the Rakshasa-warriors.

Possessing powers of illusion, and firm in enmity, he will wander

fiercely on the field. The ruler of Pragjyotisha, the brave Bhagadatta of

exceeding prowess, is the foremost of those holding the elephant hook,

and is skilled also in fighting from a car. An encounter took place

between him and the wielder of Gandiva for days together, O king, each

desirous of victory over the other. Then Bhagadatta, O son of Gandhari,

who regarded Indra as his friend, made friendship with (Indra's son) the

high-souled Pandava. Skilled in fight from the elephant's neck, this king

will fight in battle, like Vasava among the celestials, fighting from his

Airavata.'"

SECTION CLXIX

"Bhishma said, 'Both the brothers Achala and Vrisha are Rathas.

Invincible (in battle) they will slay thy foes. Endued with great

strength, those tigers among men, those foremost of Gandharvas, are firm

in wrath. Young and handsome, they are possessed of great strength. As

regards this thy ever dear friend, this one who is always boastful of his

skill in battle, this one who always urgeth thee, O king, to fight with

the Pandavas, this vile braggart, Karna, the son of Surya, this one who

is thy counsellor, guide, and friend, this vain wight who is destitute of

sense, this Karna, is neither a Ratha nor an Atiratha. Without sense,

this one hath been deprived of his natural coat of mail. Always kind, he

hath also been deprived of his celestial ear-rings. In consequence of the

curse of Rama (his preceptor in arms) as also of the words of a Brahmana

(who cursed him on another occasion), owing also to his deprivation of

the accoutrements of battle, he, in my judgment, is only half a Ratha.

Having approached Falguni (in battle), he will not certainly escape with

life!' Hearing this, Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons,

said, 'It is even so as thou hast said. That is not untrue! He boasteth

on the eve of every battle, but yet he is seen to retreat from every

engagement. Kind (out of season) and blundering, it is for this that

Karna, in my judgment, is only half a Ratha!'

"Hearing these words, Radha's son, expanding his eyes in rage, and

afflicting Bhishma with words like sharp hooks, said unto Ganga's son

these words, 'O grandsire, though I am innocent yet from thy aversion to

me, thou manglest me thus, according to thy pleasure, with thy wordy

arrows at every step. I tolerate, however, all this for the sake of

Duryodhana. Indicating me as only half a Ratha, thou regardest me

worthless, as if, indeed, I were a coward! What doubt is there in this? I

do not speak an untruth when I say that thou, O Ganga's son, art an enemy

of the whole universe, and especially of all the Kurus! The king,

however, doth not know this! Who else is there that would thus seek to

disunite and abate the energy of these kings that are all equal and that

are all equally brave, as thou, from thy hatred of merit, seekest to do?

O Kaurava, neither years, nor wrinkles, nor wealth, nor possession of

friends, would entitle a Kshatriya to be regarded as a Maharatha! It hath

been said that a Kshatriya acquireth eminence only through might, as

Brahmanas acquire eminence through superiority in mantras, as Vaisyas

through wealth, and Sudras through age. Influenced, however, by lust and

envy, and acting from ignorance, thou hast indicated Rathas and Atirathas

according only to thy own caprice! Blessed be thou, O mighty-armed

Duryodhana, judge properly! Let this wicked Bhishma, who only wrongeth

thee, be abandoned by thee! Thy warriors, once disunited, can with

difficulty be united again. O tiger among men, thy main army, under such

circumstances, can with difficulty be united; far greater will the

difficulty be in uniting an army gathered from various provinces! Behold,

O Bharata, doubt (of success) hath already arisen in the hearts of thy

warriors! This Bhishma weakeneth our energy in our very presence! Where

is the task of ascertaining the merits of Rathas, and where is Bhishma of

little understanding? I alone will withstand the army of Pandavas. Coming

in contact with me, whose arrows never go for nothing, the Pandavas and

the Panchalas will fly away in all directions like oxen when they come in

contact with a tiger! Where, Oh, are battle, the press of armed

encounter, good counsels and well-expressed words, and where is Bhishma,

who is superannuated and of wicked soul, and who is impelled by the very

fates to become their victim? Alone he challengeth the whole universe! Of

false vision he regardeth none else as a man. It is true the scriptures

teach that the words of the old should be listened to. That, however,

doth not refer to those that are very old, for these, in my judgment,

become children again. Alone I will exterminate the army of the Pandavas!

The fame, however, of such a feat will attach to Bhishma, O tiger among

kings, for this Bhishma, O monarch, hath been made by thee the commander

of thy forces, and the renown always attacheth to the leader and not to

those that fight under him. I will not, therefore, O king, fight as long

as Ganga's son liveth! After Bhishma, however, hath been laid low, I will

fight with all the Maharathas of the enemy united together!'

"Bhishma said, 'This burden, vast as the ocean, in the matter of

Duryodhana's battle (with the Pandavas), is about to be taken up by me. I

have thought of it for many years. Now that the hour is come for that

terrible encounter, dissensions amongst ourselves should not be created

by me. It is for this, Suta's son, that thou livest! Else, superannuated

though I am and young in years thou art, I would quell thy desire for

battle and crush thy hope of life! (Thy preceptor) Rama, the son of

Jamadagni, shooting his great weapons, could not cause me the slightest

pain. What canst thou, therefore, do to me? They that are good, do not

approve self-praise. Infamous wretch of thy race, know that I indulge in

little boast because I am enraged. Vanquishing on a single car all the

assembled Kshatriyas of the world at the Swayamvara of the daughters of

the ruler of Kasi, I abducted those maidens. Alone, I stopped on the

field of battle the rush of countless kings with their soldiers!

Obtaining thee as embodiment of strife, a great calamity is ready to

overtake the Kurus! Strive then for slaying our antagonists. Be a man,

fight with that Partha, whom thou so often challengest. O thou of wicked

understanding, I desire to see thee come out of that encounter with thy

life!'

"King Duryodhana then said unto Bhishma, of great prowess, 'Cast thy eyes

on me, O Ganga's son! Great is the business that is at hand! Think

earnestly as how I may be most benefited! Both of you will render me

great services! I desire now to bear of the best car-warriors among the

enemy, that is, of those that are Atirathas among them and of those that

are leaders of car-division. O Kaurava, I desire to hear of the strength

and weakness of my foes, since when this night will dawn, our great

battle will take place.'"

SECTION CLXX

"Bhishma said, 'I have now, O king, indicated who thy Rathas are and who

thy Atirathas and half Rathas. Listen now to the tale of Rathas and

Atirathas among the Pandavas. If thou feelest any curiosity, listen then,

O king, with these monarchs, to the tale of Rathas in the army of the

Pandavas. The king himself, son of Pandu and Kunti, is a mighty Ratha.

Without doubt, O sire, be will glide along the field of battle like a

blazing fire; Bhimasena, O king, is regarded equal to eight Rathas. In an

encounter with the mace or even with arrows, there is none equal to him.

Endued with the strength of ten thousand elephants, and filled with

pride, in energy he is superhuman. Those two bulls among men, the sons of

Madri, are both Rathas. In beauty, they are equal to the twin Aswinis,

and they are endued with great energy. Stationed at the head of their

divisions, all of them, remembering their great sufferings, without

doubt, wander along the field like so many Indras! All of them are endued

with high souls, and are tall in stature like the trunks of Sala trees.

Taller than other men by half-a-cubit in stature, all the sons of Pandu

are brave as lions and endued with great strength. All of them, O sire,

have practised Brahmacharya vows and other ascetic austerities. Endued

with modesty, those tigers among men are possessed of fierce strength

like the veritable tigers. In speed, in smiting, and in crushing (foes),

all of them are more than human. All of them, on the occasion of the

campaign of universal conquest, vanquished great kings, O bull of

Bharata's race! No other men can wield their weapons, maces, and shafts.

Indeed, O Kaurava, there are no men that can even string their bows, or

uplift their maces, or shoot their arrows in battle. In speed, in hitting

the aim, in eating, and in sports on the dust, they used to beat all of

you even when they were children. Possessed of fierce might they will,

when they encounter this force, exterminate it in battle. A collision,

therefore, with them is not desirable. Each of them can alone slay all

the kings of the earth! That which happened, O great king, on the

occasion of the Rajasuya sacrifice, had occurred before thy very eyes!

Remembering the sufferings of Draupadi and the harsh speeches uttered

after their defeat at dice, they will wander in battle like so many

Rudras. As regards Gudakesha, of reddish eyes, having Narayana for his

ally, there is not among both the armies any brave car-warrior that can

be regarded as his equal. Let men alone, it hath not been heard by us

that even among gods, Asuras, Uragas, Rakshasas and Yakshas, there ever

was born before, or there ever will be born hereafter, any car-warrior

like unto him! O great king, intelligent Partha owneth that car which is

furnished with the banner bearing the device of the ape; the driver of

that car is Vasudeva! Dhananjaya himself is the warrior who fighteth from

it; his, again, is that celestial bow called Gandiva; he owneth again

those steeds fleet as the wind; his coat of mail is impenetrable and of

celestial make; his two large quivers are inexhaustible; his arms have

been obtained from the great Indra, Rudra, Kuvera, Yama and Varuna; and

upon his car, again, are those maces of frightful mien, and diverse other

great weapons having the thunderbolt amongst them! What car-warrior can

be regarded as his equal, who, stationed on a single car' slew in battle

a thousand Danavas, having their abode in Hiranyapura? Inflamed with

wrath, possessed of great might and prowess, incapable of being baffled,

that mighty-armed warrior, while protecting his own army, will certainly

exterminate thy troops! Myself and preceptor (Drona) among the two

armies, and no third car-warrior, O great king, can advance against

Dhananjaya, that scatterer of arrowy showers! Pouring his shafts, like

the very clouds during the rainy season when propelled by mighty winds,

that son of Kunti when Vasudeva as his second, steppeth for battle! He is

skilful and young, while both of us are old and worn out!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Bhishma, and

recollecting with trembling heart, the well-known valour of the sons of

Pandu and thinking of it, as if it were present before their eyes, the

massive arms of kings, decked with bracelets and smeared with

sandal-paste, seemed to hang down divested of might.'"

SECTION CLXXI

"Bhishma said, 'All the five sons of Draupadi, O monarch, are Maharathas.

Virata's son Uttara is, in my judgment, one of the foremost of Rathas.

The mighty-armed Abhimanyu is a leader of leaders of car-divisions.

Indeed, that slayer of foes is equal in battle to Partha himself or

Vasudeva. Endued with great lightness of hand in shooting weapons, and

acquainted with all the modes of warfare, he is possessed of great energy

and is steady in the observance of vows. Remembering the sufferings of

his own father, he will put forth his prowess. The brave Satyaki of

Madhu's race is a leader of leaders of car-divisions. Foremost among the

heroes of the Vrishni race, he is endued with great wrath, and is

perfectly dauntless. Uttamaujas also, O king, is an excellent car-warrior

in my judgment. And Yudhamanyu, too, of great prowess, is, in my

judgment, an excellent car-warrior. All those chiefs own many thousands

of cars and elephants and horses, and they will fight, reckless of their

very lives, from desire of doing what is agreeable to Kunti's sons.

Uniting with the Pandavas, they will, O great king, sweep through thy

ranks like fire or the wind, challenging thy warriors. Invincible in

battle, those bulls among men, old Virata and old Drupada, both endued

with great prowess, are, in my judgment, both Maharathas. Though old in

years yet both of them are devoted to the observance of Kshatriya

virtues. Treading along the path that is trod by heroes, both of them

will exert to the best of their might. In consequence of their

relationship (to the Pandavas) and owing also, O king, to their being

endued with strength and prowess, those great bowmen devoted to pure

vows, have both derived additional strength from the strength of their

affection. According as the cause is, all strong-armed men become, O bull

of Kuru's race, heroes or cowards. Actuated by a singleness of purpose,

both these kings, who are powerful bowmen, will lay down their very lives

in causing a great massacre of thy troops to the best of their might, O

slayer of foes! Fierce in battle, these distinguished heroes, these

mighty bowmen, regardless, O Bharata, of their lives, will, at the head

of their respective Akshauhinis, achieve great feats, justifying their

relationship and the confidence that is reposed on them (by the

Pandavas).'"

SECTION CLXXII

"Bhishma said, 'That subjugator of hostile cities, Sikhandin, the son of

the king of the Panchalas, is, O king, in my judgment, one of the

foremost of Yudhishthira's Rathas. Having divested himself on his former

sex, he will fight in battle and earn great fame, O Bharata, among thy

troops! He hath a large number of troops,--Panchalas and

Prabhadrakas,--to support him. With those hosts of cars he will achieve

great feats. Dhrishtadyumna also, O Bharata, the leader of all

Yudhishthira's army, that mighty car-warrior who is also a disciple of

Drona, is, O king, in my judgment, an Atiratha. Afflicting all foes in

battle, he will singly sweep the field, like Pinaka,--bearing God himself

in rage on the occasion of the universal dissolution. Even great warriors

will speak of his car-divisions, so multitudinous are they, as resembling

the very ocean or that of the gods, in battle! Kshattradharman, the son

of Dhrishtadyumna, owing to his immature years, as also in consequence of

his want of exercise in arms, is, in my judgment, O king, only half a

Ratha. That relative of the Pandavas, the mighty bowman Dhrishtaketu, the

heroic son of Sisupala, the king of the Chedis, is a Maharatha. That

brave ruler of the Chedis will, O king, with his son, achieve feats such

as are difficult for even a Maharatha. Kshattradeva, that subjugator of

hostile cities, who is devoted to Kshatriya virtues, is, O great king, in

my judgment, one of the best Rathas among the Pandavas. Those brave

warriors among the Panchalas, viz., Jayanta and Amitaujas and the great

car-warrior Satyajit are all, O king, high-souled Maharathas. They will

all, O sire, fight in battle like furious elephants. Aja and Bhoja, both

endued with great prowess, are both Maharathas. Possessed of great might,

those two heroes will fight for the Pandavas. Both of them are endued

with great lightness of hand in the use of weapons. Both of them are

conversant with all the modes of warfare, both are well-skilled and

possessed of firm prowess. The five Kshatriya brothers, O king, who are

difficult of being vanquished, and all of whom have blood red banners,

are foremost of the Rathas. Kasika, and Sukumara, and Nila, and that

other one, viz., Suryadatta, and Sankha, otherwise called Madiraswa, are

all in my judgment, the foremost of Rathas. Possessed of every

qualification that renders them fit for battle, they are acquainted with

all weapons, and all of them are endued with high souls. Vardhakshemi, O

king, is in my judgment, a Maharatha. King Chitrayudha is, in my

judgment, one of the best of Rathas. He is, besides, an asset in battle

and devotedly attached to the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Those mighty

car-warriors, those tigers among men, Chekitana, and Satyadhriti, are two

of the best Rathas of the Pandavas in my judgment. Vyaghradatta, O

monarch, and Chandrasena also, O Bharata, are without doubt two of the

best Rathas, as I think, of the Pandavas. Senavindu, O king, otherwise

called Krodhahantri by name, who, O lord, is regarded as equal of

Vasudeva and of Bhimasena, will contend with great prowess in battle

against your warriors. Indeed, that best of kings, ever boasting of his

feats in battle, should be regarded by thee, precisely as myself, Drona

and Kripa are regarded by thee! That best of men, worthy of praise, viz.,

Kasya, is endued with great lightness of hand in the use of weapons.

Indeed, that subjugator of hostile cities is known to me as equal to one

Ratha. Drupada's son, Satyajit, young in years and displaying great

prowess in battle, should be regarded as equal to eight Rathas. Indeed

being Dhrishtadyumna's equal, he is an Atiratha. Desirous of spreading

the fame of the Pandavas, he will achieve great feats. Devoted to the

Pandavas and endued with great bravery, there is another great Ratha of

the Pandavas, viz., king Pandya, that bowman of mighty energy. The mighty

bowman Dhridadhanwan is another Maharatha of the Pandavas. O subjugator

of hostile cities, that foremost of Kurus, viz., Srenimat and king

Vasudeva are both, in my judgment, Atirathas.'"

SECTION CLXXIII

"Bhishma said, 'O great king, Rochamana is another Maharatha of the

Pandavas. He will, O Bharata, contend in battle against hostile warriors,

like a second god. That subjugator of foes, the mighty bowman Kuntibhoja

of great strength, the maternal uncle of Bhimasena, is, in my judgment,

an Atiratha. This mighty and heroic bowman is well-versed and highly

skilled in fight. Acquainted with all modes of warfare, this bull among

car-warriors is regarded by me as exceedingly competent. Displaying his

prowess he will fight, like a second Indra against the Danavas. Those

celebrated soldiers that he owns are all accomplished in fight. Stationed

on the side of the Pandavas and devoted to what is agreeable and

beneficial to them, that hero will, for the sake of his sister's sons

achieve extra-ordinary feats. That prince of Rakshasas (Ghatotkacha), O

king, born of Bhima and Hidimva, and endued with ample powers of

illusion, is, in my judgment, a leader of the leaders of car-divisions.

Fond of battle, and endued with powers of illusion, he will, O sire,

fight earnestly in battle. Those heroic Rakshasas who are his counsellors

or dependents will also fight under him.

'These and many other rulers of provinces, headed by Vasudeva, have

assembled for the sake of Pandu's son. These, O king, are principally the

Rathas, Atirathas, and half Rathas of the high-souled Pandava, and these,

O king, will lead in battle the terrible army of Yudhishthira which is

protected, again, by that hero, the diadem-decked (Arjuna), who is even

like the great Indra himself. It is with them (thus) endued with powers

of illusion and fired by the desire of success that I shall contend in

battle, expectant of victory or death. I shall advance against these two

foremost of car-warriors, Vasudeva and Arjuna, bearing (respectively)

Gandiva and the discus, and resembling the sun and the moon as seen

together in the evening. I shall, on the field of battle, encounter also

those other car-warriors of Yudhishthira (whom I have, mentioned) at the

head of their respective troops.

'The Rathas and Atirathas, according to their precedence, have now been

declared by me to thee, and they also that are half Rathas, belonging to

thee or them, O chief of the Kauravas! Arjuna and Vasudeva and other

lords of earth that may be there, all of them, upon whom my eyes may

fall, I will withstand, O Bharata! But, thou of mighty arms, I will not

strike or slay Sikhandin the prince of Panchalas, even if I behold him

rushing against me in battle with weapons upraised. The world knows how

from a desire of doing what was agreeable to my father, that I gave up

the kingdom that had become mine and lived in the observance of the

Brahmacharya vow. I then installed Chitrangada in the sovereignty of the

Kauravas, making at the same time the child Vichitravirya the Yuvaraja.

Having notified my god-like vow among all the kings of the earth, I shall

never slay a woman or one that was formerly a woman. It may be known to

you, O king, that Sikhandin was formerly a woman. Having been born as a

daughter, she afterwards became metamorphosed into the male sex. I shall

not, O Bharata, fight against him. I shall certainly smite all other

kings, O bull of Bharata's race, whom I may encounter in battle. I will

not, however, O king, be able to slay the sons of Kunti!'"

SECTION CLXXIV

"Duryodhana said, 'For what reason, O chief of the Bharatas, wilt thou

not slay Sikhandin even if thou beholdest him approach thee as a foe with

arms upraised? Thou hadst, O mighty-armed one, formerly told me,--I will

slay the Panchalas with the Somakas'--O son of Ganga, tell me, O

grandsire (the reason of the present reservation),'

"Bhishma said, 'Listen, O Duryodhana, to this history, with all these

lords of earth, as to why I will not slay Sikhandin even if I behold him

in battle! My father, Santanu, O king, was celebrated over all the world.

O bull of the Bharata race, that king of virtuous soul paid his debt to

nature in time, Observing my pledge, O chief of the Bharatas, I then

installed my brother, Chitrangada, on the throne of the extensive kingdom

of the Kurus. After Chitrangada's demise, obedient to the counsels of

Satyavati, I installed, according to the ordinance, Vichitravirya as

king. Although young in age, yet being installed duly by me, O monarch,

the virtuous Vichitravirya looked up to me in everything. Desirous of

marrying him, I set my heart upon procuring daughters from a suitable

family. (At that time) I heard, O thou of mighty arms, that three

maidens, all unrivalled for beauty, daughters of the ruler of Kasi, by

name Amva, Amvika, and Amvalika would select husbands for themselves, and

that all the kings of the earth, O bull of the Bharata's race, had been

invited. Amongst those maidens Amva was the eldest, Amvika the second,

while the princess Amvalika, O monarch, was the youngest. Myself

repairing on a single car to the city of the ruler of Kasi, I beheld, O

thou of mighty arms, the three maidens adorned with ornaments and also

all the kings of the earth invited thither on the occasion. Then, O bull

of Bharata's race, challenging to battle all those kings who were ready

for the encounter, I took up those maidens on my car and repeatedly said

unto all the kings assembled there these words--Bhishma, the son of

Santanu, is carrying away by force these maidens. Ye kings, strive ye all

to the best of your power for rescuing them! By force do I take them

away, ye bulls among men, making you spectators of my act!--At these

words of mine those rulers of the earth sprang up with weapons

unsheathed. And they angrily urged the drivers of their cars, saying,

'Make ready the cars,--Make ready the cars.' And those monarchs sprang up

to the rescue, with weapons unsheathed; car-warriors on their cars

resembling masses of clouds, those fighting from elephants, on their

elephants, and others on their stout and plump steeds. Then all those

kings, O monarch, surrounded me on all sides with a multitudinous number

of cars. With a shower of arrows, I stopped their onrush on all sides and

vanquished them like the chief of celestials vanquishing hordes of

Danavas. Laughingly, with easiness I cut down the variegated standards,

decked with gold, of the advancing kings, with blazing shafts, O bull of

Bharata's race! In that combat I overthrew their steeds and elephants and

car-drivers, each with a single arrow. Beholding that lightness (of hand)

of mine, they desisted (from the fight) and broke. And having vanquished

all those rulers of the earth, I came back to Hastinapura, I then, O thou

of mighty arms, made over those maidens, intending them for my brothers

to Satyavati and represented unto her everything I had done.'"

SECTION CLXXV

"Bhishma said, 'Then, O chief of the Bharatas, approaching my mother,

that daughter of the Dasa clan, and saluting that parent of heroes, I

said these words,--Having vanquished all the kings, these daughters of

the ruler of Kasi, having beauty alone for their dowry, have been

abducted by me for the sake of Vichitravirya!--Then, O king, Satyavati

with eyes bathed in tears, smelt my head, and joyously said, 'By good

luck it is, O child, that thou hast triumphed!' When next, with

Satyavati's acquiescence, the nuptials approached, the eldest daughter of

the ruler of Kasi said these words in great bashfulness,--O Bhishma, thou

art conversant with morality, and art well-versed in all our scriptures!

Hearing my words, it behoveth thee to do towards me that which is

consistent with morality. The ruler of the Salwas was before this

mentally chosen by me as my lord. By him also, without my father's

knowledge, I was privately solicited. How wouldst thou, O Bhishma, born

especially as thou art in Kuru's race, transgress the laws of morality

and cause one that longeth for another to live in thy abode? Knowing

this, O bull of Bharata's race, and deliberating in thy mind, it behoveth

thee, O mighty-armed one, to accomplish what is proper. O monarch, it is

clear that the ruler of the Salwas waiteth (for me). It behoveth thee,

therefore, O best of the Kurus' to permit me to depart. O mighty-armed

one, be merciful to me, O foremost of righteous persons! Thou, O hero,

art devoted to truth, it is well-known all over the earth!'"

SECTION CLXXVI

"Bhishma said, 'I then placed the matter before (my mother) Kali,

otherwise called Gandhavati, as also all our counsellors, and also before

our special and ordinary priests and then permitted, O king, the eldest

of those maidens, Amva, to depart. Permitted by me, that maiden then went

to the city of the ruler of the Salwas. And she had for her escort a

number of old Brahmanas and was also accompanied by her own nurse. And

having travelled the whole distance (between Hastinapura and Salwa's

city), she approached king Salwa and said these words, 'I come, O thou of

mighty arms, expectant of thee, O high-souled one! Unto her, however, O

king, the lord of the Salwas said with a laughter, 'O thou of the fairest

complexion, I no longer desire to make a wife of thee who wast to be

wedded to another. Therefore, O blessed one, go back thither unto

Bhishma's presence. I no longer desire thee that was forcibly ravished by

Bhishma. Indeed, when Bhishma, having vanquished the kings, took thee

away, thou didst go with him cheerfully. When having humiliated and

vanquished all the kings of the earth, Bhishma took thee away, I no

longer desire thee, O thou of the fairest complexion, for a wife,--thee

that was to have been wedded to another! How can a king like myself, who

is acquainted with all branches of knowledge and who lays down laws for

the guidance of others, admit (into his abode) a woman who was to have

been wedded to another? O blessed lady, go whithersoever thou wishest,

without spending thy time in vain!' Hearing these words of his, Amva

then, O king, afflicted with the arrows of the god of love, addressed

Salwa, saying, 'Say not so, O lord of the earth, for it is not so! O

grinder of foes, cheerful I was not when taken away by Bhishma! He took

me away by force, having routed all the kings, and I was weeping all the

while. An innocent girl that I am and attached to thee, accept me, O lord

of the Salwas! The abandonment (by one) of those that are attached (to

him) is never applauded in the scriptures. Having solicited Ganga's son

who never retreats from battle, and having at last obtained his

permission, I come to thee! Indeed, the mighty-armed Bhishma, O king,

desireth me not! It hath been heard by me that his action (in this

matter) hath been for the sake of his brother. My two sisters Amvika and

Amvalika, who were abducted with me at the same time, have, O king, been

bestowed by Ganga's son on his younger brother Vichitravirya! O lord of

the Salwas, I swear, O tiger among men, by touching my own head that I

have never thought of any other husband than thee! I do not, O great

king, come to thee as one who was to have been wedded to another! I tell

thee the truth, O Salwa, truly swearing by my soul! Take me, O thou of

large eyes, me--a maiden come to thee of her own accord--one unbetrothed

to another, one desirous of thy grace!' Although she spoke in this

strain, Salwa, however, O chief of the Bharatas, rejected that daughter

of the ruler of Kasi, like a snake casting off his slough. Indeed,

although that king was earnestly solicited with diverse expressions such

as these, the lord of the Salwas still did not, O bull of the Bharata

race, manifest any inclination for accepting the girl. Then the eldest

daughter of the ruler of Kasi, filled with anger, and her eyes bathed in

tears, said these words with a voice choked with tears and grief, 'Cast

off, O king, by thee, whithersoever I may go, the righteous will be my

protectors, for truth is indestructible!'

"It thus, O thou of Kuru's race, that the lord of the Salwas rejected

that maiden who addressed him in language such as this and who was

sobbing in grief so tenderly. Go, go,--were the words that Salwa said

unto her repeatedly. I am in terror of Bhishma, O thou of fair hips, thou

art Bhishma's capture! Thus addressed by Salwa destitute of foresight,

that maiden issued out of his city sorrowfully and wailing like a

she-osprey.'"

SECTION CLXXVII

"Bhishma said, 'Issuing out of the city, Amva reflected sorrowfully in

this strain. 'There is not in the whole world a young woman in such a

miserable plight as I! Alas, destitute of friends, I am rejected by Salwa

also! I cannot go back to the city named after an elephant, for I was

permitted by Bhishma to leave that city, expectant of Salwa! Whom then

shall I blame? Myself? Or, the invincible Bhishma? Or, that foolish

father of mine who made arrangements for my self-choice? Perhaps, it is

my own fault! Why did I not leap down before from Bhishma's car, when

that fierce battle took place, for coming to Salwa? That I am so

afflicted now, as if deprived of my senses, is the fruit of that omission

of mine! Cursed be Bhishma! Cursed be my own wretched father of foolish

understanding, who had arranged prowess to be my dower, sending me out as

if I were a woman (disposed) for a consideration! Cursed be myself!

Cursed be king Salwa himself and cursed be my creator too! Cursed be they

through whose fault such great misery hath been mine! Human beings always

suffer what is destined for them. The cause, however, of my present

affliction is Bhishma, the son of Santanu; I, therefore, see that at

present my vengeance should fall upon him, either through ascetic

austerities or by battle, for he is the cause of my woe! But what king is

there that would venture to vanquish Bhishma in battle? Having settled

this, she issued out of the city for repairing to an asylum of the

high-souled ascetics of virtuous deeds. The night she stayed there,

surrounded by those ascetics. And that lady of sweet smiles told those

ascetics, O Bharata, all that had happened to herself with the minutest

details, O mighty-armed one, about her abduction, and her rejection by

Salwa.'

"There lived in that asylum an eminent Brahmana of rigid vows, and his

name was Saikhavatya. Endued with ascetic merit of a high order, he was a

preceptor of the scriptures and the Aranyakas. And the sage Saikhavatya,

of great ascetic merit, addressed that afflicted maiden, that chaste girl

sighing heavily in grief, and said, 'If it hath been so, O blessed lady,

what can high-souled ascetics residing in their (woody) retreats and

engaged in penances do?' That maiden, however, O king, answered him,

saying, 'Let mercy be shown to me; I desire a life in the woods, having

renounced the world. I will practise the severest of ascetic austerities.

All that I now suffer is certainly the fruit of those sins that I had

committed from ignorance in my former life. I do not venture to go back

to my relatives, ye ascetics, rejected and cheerless that I am knowing

that I have been humiliated by Salwa! Ye that have washed away your sins,

godlike as ye are, I desire that ye should instruct me in ascetic

penance! Oh, let mercy be shown to me!' Thus addressed, that sage then

comforted the maiden by examples and reasons borrowed from the

scriptures. And having consoled her thus, he promised, with the other

Brahmanas, to do what she desired.'"

SECTION CLXXVIII

"Bhishma said, 'Those virtuous ascetics then set themselves about their

usual avocations, thinking all the while as to what they should do for

that maiden. And some amongst them said, 'Let her be taken to her

father's abode.' And some amongst them set their hearts upon reproaching

ourselves. And some thought that repairing to the ruler of the Salwas, he

should be solicited to accept the maiden. And some said, 'No, that should

not be done, for she hath been rejected by him.' And after some time had

passed thus, those ascetics of rigid vows once more said unto her, 'What,

O blessed lady, can ascetics with senses under control do? Do not devote

thyself to a life in the woods, renouncing the world! O blessed lady,

listen to these words that are beneficial to thee! Depart hence, blessed

be thou, to thy father's mansion! The king, thy father, will do what

should next be done. O auspicious one, surrounded by every comfort, thou

mayest live there in happiness. Thou art a woman! At present, therefore,

O blessed one, thou hast no other protector save thy father. O thou of

the fairest complexion, as regards a woman, she hath her father for her

protector or her husband. Her husband is her protector when she is in

comfortable circumstances, but when plunged in misery, she hath her

father for her protector. A life in the woods is exceedingly painful,

especially to one that is delicate. Thou art a princess by birth; over

this, thou art, again, very delicate, O beautiful dame! O blessed lady,

there are numerous discomforts and difficulties attaching to a life in a

(woody) retreat, none of which, O thou of the fairest complexion, shalt

thou have to bear in thy father's abode!' Other ascetics, beholding that

helpless girl said to her, 'Seeing thee alone in deep and solitary woods,

kings may court thee! Therefore, set not thy heart upon such a course!'

"Hearing these words, Amva said, 'I am incapable of going back to my

father's abode in the city of Kasi, for without doubt I shalt then be

disregarded by all my relatives. Ye ascetics, I lived there, in my

father's abode, during my childhood. I cannot, however, now go to thither

where my father is. Protected by the ascetics, I desire to practise

ascetic austerities, so that in even future life of mine such sore

afflictions may not be mine! Ye best of ascetics, I desire, therefore, to

practise ascetic austerities!'

"Bhishma continued, 'When those Brahmanas were thinking thus about her,

there came into that forest that best of ascetics, the royal sage

Hotravahana. Then those ascetics reverenced the king with worship,

enquiries of welcome and courtesy, a seat, and water. And after he was

seated and had rested for a while, those denizens of the forest once more

began to address that maiden in the hearing of that royal sage. Hearing

the story of Amva and the king of Kasi, that royal sage of great energy

became very anxious at heart. Hearing her speak in that strain, and

beholding her (distressed), that royal sage of rigid austerities, viz.,

the high-souled Hotravahana, was filled with pity. Then, O lord, that

maternal grandsire of her rose up with trembling frame and causing that

maiden to sit on his lap, began to comfort her. He then acquired of her

in details about that distress of hers from its beginning. And she,

thereupon, represented to him minutely all that had happened. Hearing all

she said, the royal sage was filled with pity and grief. And that great

sage settled in mind what she would do. Trembling from agitation he

addressed the afflicted maiden sunk in woe, saying, 'Do not go back to

thy father's abode, O blessed lady! I am the father of thy mother. I will

dispel thy grief. Rely on me, O daughter! Great, indeed, must thy

affliction he when thou art so emaciated! At my advice, go unto the

ascetic Rama, the son of Jamadagni. Rama will dispel this great

affliction and grief of thine. He will slay Bhishma in battle if the

latter obeyeth not his behest. Go, therefore, unto that foremost one of

Bhrigu's race who resembleth the Yuga-fire itself in energy! That great

ascetic will place thee once more on the right track!' Hearing this, that

maiden, shedding tears all the while, saluted her maternal grandsire,

Hotravahana, with a bend of her head and addressed him, saying, 'Go I

will at thy command! But shall I succeed in obtaining a sight of that

reverend sire celebrated over the world? How will he dispel this poignant

grief of mine? And how shall I go to that descendant of Bhrigu? I desire

to know all this.'

"Hotravahana said, 'O blessed maiden, thou wilt behold Jamadagni's son,

Rama, who is devoted to truth and endued with great might and engaged in

austere penances in the great forest. Rama always dwelleth in that

foremost of the mountains called Mahendra. Many Rishis, learned in the

Vedas, and many Gandharvas and Apsaras also dwell there. Go, blessed be

thou, and tell him these words of mine, having saluted with thy bent head

that sage of rigid vows and great ascetic merit. Tell him also, O blessed

girl, all that thou seekest. If thou namest me, Rama will do everything

for thee, for Rama, the heroic son of Jamadagni, that foremost of all

bearers of arms, is a friend of mine highly pleased with me, and always

wisheth me well!' And while king Hotravahana, was saying all this unto

that maiden, thither appeared Akritavrana, a dear companion of Rama. And

on his advent those Munis by hundreds, and the Srinjaya king Hotravahana,

old in years, all stood up. And those denizens of the forest, uniting

with one another, did him all the rites of hospitality. And they all took

their seats surrounding him. And filled, O monarch, with gratification

and joy, they then started various delightful, laudable, and charming

subjects of discourse. And after their discourse was over, that royal

sage, the high-souled Hotravahana enquired of Akritavrana about Rama that

foremost of great sages, saying, 'O thou of mighty arms, where, O

Akritavrana, may that foremost of persons acquainted with the Vedas,

viz., Jamadagni's son of great prowess be seen?' Akritavrana answered him

saying, 'O lord, Rama always speaketh of thee, O king, saying,--That

royal sage of the Srinjayas is my dear friend,--I believe, Rama will be

here tomorrow morning. Thou wilt see him even here when he cometh to

behold thee. As regards this maiden, for what, O royal sage, hath she

come to the wood? Whose is she, and what is she to thee? I desire to know

all this.' Hotravahana. said, 'The favourite daughter of the ruler of

Kasi, she is, O lord, my daughter's child! The eldest daughter of the

king of Kasi, she is known by the name of Amva. Along with her two

younger sisters, O sinless one, she was in the midst of her Swayamvara

ceremonies. The names of her two younger sisters are Amvika and Amvalika,

O thou endued with wealth of asceticism! All the Kshatriya kings of the

earth were assembled together at the city of Kasi. And, O regenerate

Rishi, great festivities were going on there on account of (the

self-choice of) these maidens. In the midst of these, Santanu's son,

Bhishma, of mighty valour, disregarding all the kings, abducted the

girls. Vanquishing all the monarchs, the pure-souled prince Bhishma of

Bharata's race then reached Hastinapura, and representing everything unto

Satyavati, ordered his brother Vichitravirya's marriage to take place

with the girls he had brought. Beholding the arrangements for those

nuptials complete, this maiden, O bull among Brahmanas, then addressed

Ganga's son in the presence of his ministers and said,--I have, O hero,

within my heart chosen the lord of the Salwas to be my husband.

Conversant as thou art with morality, it behoveth thee not to bestow me

on thy brother, whose heart is given away to another!--Hearing these

words of hers, Bhishma took counsel with his ministers. Deliberating on

the matter, he, at last, with Satyavati's consent, dismissed this maiden,

Permitted thus by Bhishma, this girl gladly repaired to Salwa, the lord

of Saubha, and approaching him said,--Dismissed I have been by Bhishma.

See that I do not fall off from righteousness! In my heart, I have chosen

thee for my lord, O bull among kings. Salwa, however, rejected her,

suspecting the purity of her conduct. Even she hath come to these woods,

sacred for asceticism, being ardently inclined to devote herself to

ascetic penances! She was recognised by me from the account that she gave

of her parentage. As regards her sorrow, Bhishma is considered by her to

be its root!' After Hotravahana had ceased, Amva herself said, 'O holy

one, it is even so as this lord of earth, this author of my mother's

body, Hotravahana of the Srinjaya race hath said. I cannot venture to go

back to my own city, O thou that art endued with wealth of asceticism,

for shame and fear of disgrace, O great Muni! At present, O holy one,

even this is what hath been my determination, viz., that that would be my

highest duty which the holy Rama, O best of Brahmanas, might point out to

me!'"

SECTION CLXXIX

"Akritavrana said, 'Of these two afflictions of thine, for which, O

blessed lady, dost thou seek a remedy? Tell me this. Is it thy wish that

the lord of Saubha should be urged to wed thee, the high-souled Rama will

certainly urge him from desire of doing thee good? Or, if thou wishest to

behold Ganga's son, Bhishma, defeated in battle by intelligent Rama

Bhargava will gratify even that wish of thine. Hearing what Srinjaya has

to say, and what thou also, O thou of sweet smiles, may have to say, let

that be settled this very day what should be done for thee.' Hearing

these words, Amva said, 'O holy one, abducted I was by Bhishma acting

from ignorance, for, O regenerate one, Bhishma knew not that my heart had

been given away to Salwa. Thinking of this in thy mind, let that be

resolved upon by thee which is consistent with justice, and let steps be

taken for accomplishing that resolution. Do that, O Brahmana, which is

proper to be done towards either that tiger among the Kurus, viz.,

Bhishma, singly, or towards the ruler of the Salwas, or towards both of

them! I have told thee truly about the root of my grief. It behoveth

thee, O holy one, to do that which is consistent with reason.'

"Akritavrana said, 'This, O blessed lady, O thou of the fairest

complexion, that thou sayest with eyes fixed upon virtue, is, indeed,

worthy of thee. Listen, however, to what I say! If Ganga's son had never

taken thee to the city called after the elephant, then, O timid girl,

Salwa would have, at Rama's behest, taken thee on his head! It is because

Bhishma bore thee away by force that king Salwa's suspicions have been

awakened in respect of thee, O thou of slender-waist! Bhishma is proud of

his manliness and is crowned with success. Therefore, thou shouldst cause

thy vengeance to fall upon Bhishma (and no other)!' Hearing these words

of the sage, Amva said, 'O regenerate one, this desire hath been

cherished by me also in my heart, viz., that, if possible. Bhishma should

be caused by me to be slain in battle! O thou of mighty arms, be it

Bhishma or be it king Salwa, punish that man whom thou thinkest to be

guilty and through whose act I have been so miserable!'

"Bhishma continued, 'In conversation such as this, that day passed and

the night also, O best of Bharata's race, with its delicious breeze which

was neither cold nor hot. Then Rama appeared there, beaming with energy.

And that sage wearing matted-locks on his bead and attired in deer-skins

was surrounded by his disciples. And endued with magnanimous soul, he had

his bow in hand. And bearing also a sword and a battle-axe, that sinless

one, O tiger among kings, approached the Srinjaya king (Hotravahana) in

that forest. And the ascetics dwelling there and that king also who was

endued with great ascetic merit, beholding him, all stood up and waited,

O king, with joined hands. And that helpless maiden too did the same. And

they all cheerfully worshipped Bhargava with the offer of honey and

curds. Being worshipped duly by them, Rama sat with them seated round

him. Then, O Bharata, Jamadagni's son and Hotravahana, seated thus

together, began to discourse. And after their discourse was over, the

sage Hotravahana opportunately said in a sweet voice these words of grave

import unto that foremost one of Bhrigu's race, viz., Rama of mighty

strength, 'O Rama, this is my daughter's daughter, O lord, being the

daughter of the king of Kasi.

She hath something to be done for her! Oh, listen to it duly, O thou that

art skilled in all tasks!' Hearing these words of his friend, Rama

addressed that maiden saying. 'Tell me what thou hast to say.' At these

words, Amva approached Rama who resembled a blazing fire, and worshipping

both his feet with her bent head, touched them with her two hands that

resembled, in radiance, a couple of lotuses and stood silently before

him. And filled with grief, she wept aloud, her eyes bathed in tears. And

she then sought the protection of that descendant of Bhrigu, who was the

refuge of all distressed persons. And Rama said, 'Tell me what grief is

in thy heart. I will act according to thy words!' Thus encouraged, Amva

said, 'O thou of great vows, O holy one, today I seek thy protection! O

lord, raise me from this unfathomable ocean of sorrow.'

"Bhishma continued, 'Beholding her beauty and her youthful body and its

great delicacy, Rama began to think,--What will she say? And that

perpetuator of Bhrigu's line, thinking inwardly of this, sat long in

silence, filled with pity. He then addressed that maiden of sweet smiles

again, saying, 'Tell us what thou hast to say!' Thus encouraged, she

represented everything truly unto Bhargava. And Jamadagni's son, hearing

these words of the princess, and having first settled what he should do,

addressed that damsel of the fairest complexion, saying, 'O beautiful

lady, I will send word unto Bhishma, that foremost one of Kuru's race.

Having beard what my behest is, that king will certainly obey it. If,

however, the son of Jahnavi do not act according to my words, I will then

consume him in battle, O blessed girl, with all his counsellors! Or, O

princess, if thou desirest it, I may even address the heroic ruler of the

Salwas to the matter in hand.' Hearing these words of Rama, Amva said,

'Dismissed I was by Bhishma, O son of Bhrigu's race, as soon as he heard

that my heart had previously been freely given away to the ruler of the

Salwas. Approaching then the lord of Saubha, I addressed him in language

that was unbecoming. Doubtful of the purity of my conduct, he refused to

accept me. Reflecting on all this, with the aid of thy own understanding,

it behoveth thee, O son of Bhrigu's race, to do that which should be done

in view of these circumstances. Bhishma, however, of great vows is the

root of my calamity, for he brought me under his power taking me up (on

his car) by violence! Slay that Bhishma, O thou of mighty arms, for whose

sake, O tiger of Bhrigu's race, overwhelmed with such distress, I suffer

such poignant misery! Bhishma, O thou of Bhrigu's race, is covetous, and

mean, and proud of his victory. Therefore, O sinless one, thou shouldst

give him his deserts. While, of lord, I was being abducted by him, even

this was the desire that I cherished in my heart, viz., that I should

cause that hero of great vows to be slain. Therefore, O sinless Rama,

gratify this desire of mine! O thou of mighty arms, slay Bhishma, even as

Purandara slew Vritra.'"

SECTION CLXXX

"Bhishma said, 'O lord, repeatedly urged by that maiden to slay Bhishma,

Rama replied unto that weeping girl, saying, 'O daughter of Kasi, O thou

of the fairest complexion, I do not, on any account, take up arms now

except for the sake of those that are conversant with the Vedas. Tell me,

therefore, what else I can do for thee? Both Bhishma and Salwa are, O

princess, exceedingly obedient to me. Do not grieve, I will accomplish

thy object. I will not, however, O beautiful lady, take up arms, except

at the command of Brahmanas. This hath been my rule of conduct.'

"Amva said, 'My misery, O holy one, should by any means be dispelled by

thee. That misery of mine hath been caused by Bhishma. Slay him,

therefore, O lord, without much delay.'

"Rama said, 'O daughter of Kasi, say but the word and Bhishma, however,

deserving of reverence from thee, will, at my word, take up thy feet on

his head!'

"Amva said, 'O Rama, slay in battle that Bhishma who roareth like an

Asura. Indeed, summoned to the encounter (by him), slay him, O Rama, if

thou wishest (to do) what is agreeable to me. It behoveth thee, besides,

to make thy promise true.'

"Bhishma continued, 'While, O king, Rama and Amva were talking thus with

each other, the Rishi (Akritavrana) of highly virtuous soul said these

words, 'It behoveth thee not, O mighty-armed one, to desert this girl

that seeketh thy protection! If summoned to battle, Bhishma cometh to the

encounter and sayeth--I am vanquished, or, if he obeyeth thy words, then

that which this maiden seeketh will be accomplished, O son of Bhrigu's

race, and the words spoken by thee, O hero, will also, O lord, be true!

This also was, O great Muni, the vow then made by thee, O Rama,--the vow

made by thee before Brahmanas after thou hadst conquered all the

Kshatriyas, viz., that thou wouldst slay in battle the person, be he a

Brahmana, a Kshatriya, a Vaisya, or a Sudra, who would be a foe to the

Brahmanas. Thou hadst further promised that as long as thou wouldst live

thou wouldst not abandon those that would come to thee in fright and seek

thy protection, and that thou wouldst, O Bhargava, slay that proud

warrior who would vanquish in battle all the assembled Kshatriyas of the

earth! O Ram, even Bhishma, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, hath

achieved such success (over all the Kshatriyas)! Approaching him, O son

of Bhrigu's race, encounter him now in battle!'

"Rama said, 'O best of Rishis, I recollect that vow of mine made before.

I will, however (in the present instance) do that which conciliation may

point out. That task which the daughter of Kasi hath in her mind is a

grave one, O Brahmana! Taking this maiden with me, I will repair myself

to the place where Bhishma is. If Bhishma, proud of his achievements in

battle, do not obey my behest, I will then slay that arrogant wight. Even

this is my fixed resolve. The arrows shot by me do not stick to the

bodies of embodied creatures (but pass them through). This is known to

you from what you saw in my encounters with the Kshatriyas!' Having said

this, Rama then, along with all those seekers of Brahma, resolved to

depart from that asylum! and the great ascetic then rose from his seat.

Then all those ascetics passing that night there, performed (on the next

morning) their homa-rites and recited their prayers. And then they all

set out, desirous of taking my life. And Rama, accompanied by all those

devotees of Brahma, then came to Kurukshetra, O monarch, with that

maiden, O Bharata, in their company. And those high-souled ascetics, with

that foremost one of Bhrigu's race at head, having arrived on the banks

of the stream of Saraswati, quartered themselves there.'"

SECTION CLXXXI

"Bhishma said, 'After he had quartered there, on third day, O king,

Jamadagni's son of high vows, sent a message to me, saying, 'I have come

here, do what is agreeable to me.' Hearing that Rama, of great might, had

come to the confines of our kingdom, I speedily went with a joyous heart

to that master who was an ocean of energy. And I went to him, O king,

with a cow placed in the van of my train, and accompanied by many

Brahmanas, and (ordinary) priests (of our family), and by others,

resembling the very gods in splendour, employed by us on special

occasions. And beholding me arrived at his presence, Jamadagni's son, of

great prowess, accepted the worship I offered unto him and said these

words unto me.'

"Rama said, 'Thyself, divested of desire, with what mood of mind, O

'Bhishma, didst thou abduct, on the occasion of her self-choice, his

daughter of the king of Kasi and again dismiss her subsequently? By thee

hath this famous lady been dissociated from virtue! Contaminated by the

touch of thy hands before, who can marry her now? Rejected she hath been

by Salwa, because thou, O Bharata, hadst abducted her. Take her

therefore, to thyself, O Bharata, at my command. Let this daughter of a

king, O tiger among men, be charged with the duties of her sex! O king, O

sinless one, it is not proper that this humiliation should be hers!

'Seeing him plunged into sorrow (on account of the maiden) I said unto

him,--O Brahmana, I cannot, by any means, bestow this girl on my brother.

O thou of Bhrigu's race, it was to myself that she said, I am Salwa's!

And it was by me that she was permitted to go to Salwa's city. As regards

myself, even this is my firm vow that I cannot abandon Kshatriya

practices from fear or pity, or avarice of wealth, or lust!--Hearing

these words of mine, Rama addressed me, with eyes rolling in anger,

saying, 'If, O bull among, men, thou dost not act according to my words,

I will slay thee this very day along with all thy counsellors!' Indeed,

with eyes rolling in anger, Rama in great wrath told me these words

repeatedly. I, however, O chastiser of foes, then beseeched him in sweet

words. But though beseeched by me, he did not cool down. Bowing down with

my head unto that best of Brahmanas I then enquired of him the reason for

which he sought battle with me. I also said,--O thou of mighty arms,

while I was a child it was thou who instructed me in the four kinds of

arms.[18] I am, therefore, O thou of Bhrigu's race, thy disciple! Then

Rama answered me with eyes red in anger, 'Thou knowest me, O Bhishma, to

be thy preceptor, and yet, O Kauravya, thou acceptest not, for pleasing

me, this daughter of the ruler of Kasi! O delighter of the Kurus, I

cannot be gratified unless thou actest in this way! O mighty-armed one,

take this maiden and preserve thy race! Having been abducted by thee, she

obtaineth not a husband. Unto Rama that subjugator of hostile cities, I

replied, saying.--This cannot be, O regenerate Rishi! All thy labour is

vain, O son of Jamadagni, remembering thy old preceptorship, I am

striving, O holy one, to gratify thee! As regards this maiden, she hath

been refused by me before knowing what the faults, productive of great

evils, of the female sex are, who is there that would admit into his

abode a woman whose heart is another's and who (on that account) is even

like a snake of virulent poison? O thou of high vows, I would not, even

from fear of Vasava, forsake duty! Be gracious unto me, or do me without

delay that which thou hast thought proper. This sloka also, O thou of

pure soul, is heard in the Puranas, O lord, sung by the high-souled

Marutta, O thou of great intelligence! The renunciation is sanctioned by

the ordinance of a preceptor who is filled with vanity, who is destitute

of the knowledge of right and wrong, and who is treading in a devious

path.--Thou art my preceptor and it is for this that I have from love

reverenced thee greatly. Thou, however, knowest not the duty of a

preceptor, and it is for this that I will fight with thee. I would not

slay any preceptor in battle, especially again a Brahmana, and more

specially one endued with ascetic merit. It was for this that I forgive

thee. It is well-known truth, gatherable from the scriptures, that he is

not guilty of slaying a Brahmana who killeth in battle a person of that

order that taketh up weapons like Kshatriya and fighteth wrathfully

without seeking to fly. I am a Kshatriya stationed in the practice of

Kshatriya duties. One doth not incur sin, nor doth one incur any harm by

behaving towards a person exactly as that person deserveth. When a person

acquainted with the proprieties of time and place and well-versed in

matters affecting both profit and virtue, feels doubtful, as regards

anything, he should without scruples of any kind, devote himself to the

acquisition of virtue which would confer the highest benefit on him. And

since thou, O Rama, in a matter connected with profit of doubtful

propriety, actest unrighteously, I would certainly fight with thee in a

great battle. Behold the strength of my arms and my prowess that is

superhuman! In view of such circumstances, I shall certainly do, O son of

Bhrigu, what I can. I shall fight with thee, O regenerate one, on the

field of Kurukshetra! O Rama of great effulgence, equip thyself as thou

listest for single combat! Come and station thyself on the field of

Kurukshetra where, afflicted with my shafts in great battle, and

sanctified by my weapons, thou mayest obtain those regions that have been

won by thee (thought for thy austerities). O thou of mighty arms and

wealth of asceticism, there I will approach thee for battle,--thee that

art so fond of battle! There, O Rama, where in days of yore thou hadst

propitiated thy (deceased) fathers (with oblations of Kshatriya blood),

slaying thee there, O son of Bhrigu, I will propitiate the Kshatriya

slain by thee! Come there, O Rama, without delay! There, O thou that art

difficult of being vanquished, I will curb thy old pride about which the

Brahmanas speak! For many long years, O Rama, thou hast boasted,

saying,--I have, single-handed, vanquished all the Kshatriyas of the

Earth!--Listen now to what enabled thee to indulge in that boast! In

those days no Bhishma was born, or no Kshatriyas like unto Bhishma!

Kshatriyas really endued with valour have taken their births later on! As

regards thyself, thou hast consumed only heaps of straw! The person that

would easily quell thy pride of battle hath since been born! He, O

mighty-armed one, is no other than myself, even Bhishma, that subjugator

of hostile cities! Without doubt, O Rama, I shall just quell thy pride of

battle!'

"Bhishma continued, 'Hearing these words of mine. Rama addressed me,

laughingly saying, 'By good luck it is, O Bhishma, that thou desirest to

fight with me in battle! O thou of Kuru's race, even now I go with thee

to Kurukshetra! I will do what thou hast said! Come thither, O chastiser

of foes! Let thy mother, Jahnavi, O Bhishma, behold thee dead on that

plain, pierced with my shafts, and become the food of vultures, crows,

and other carnivorous birds! Let that goddess worshipped by Siddhas and

Charanas, that blessed daughter of Bhagiratha, in the form of a river,

who begat thy wicked self, weep today, O king, beholding thee slain by me

and lying miserable on that plain, however undeserving she may be of

seeing such a sight! Come, O Bhishma, and follow me, O proud wight,

always longing for battle! O thou of Kuru's race, take with thee, O bull

of Bharatas' line, thy cars and all other equipments of battle!' Hearing

these words of Rama that subjugator of hostile towns, I worshipped him

with a bend of my head and answered him, saying,--So be it! Having said

all this, Rama then went to Kurukshetra from desire of combat, and I

also, entering our city, represented everything unto Satyavati. Then

causing propitiatory ceremonies to be performed (for my victory), and

being blessed also by my mother, and making the Brahmanas utter

benedictions on me, I mounted on a handsome car made of silver and unto

which, O thou of great glory, were yoked steeds white in hue. And every

part of that car was well-built, and it was exceedingly commodious and

covered on all sides with tiger-skin. And it was equipped with many great

weapons and furnished with all necessaries. And it was ridden by

charioteer who was well-born and brave, who was versed in horse-lore,

careful in battle, and well-trained in his art, and who had seen many

encounters. And I was accoutred in a coat of mail, white in hue, and had

my bow in hand. And the bow I took was also white in hue. And thus

equipped, I set out, O best of Bharata's race! And an umbrella, white in

hue, was held over my head. And, O king, I was fanned with fans that also

were white in colour. And clad in white, with also a white head-gear, all

my adornments were white. And eulogised (with laudatory hymns) by

Brahmanas wishing me victory. I issued out of the city named after the

elephant, and proceeded to Kurukshetra, which, O bull of Bharata's race,

was to be the field of battle! And those steeds, fleet as the mind or the

wind, urged by my charioteer, soon bore me, O king, to that great

encounter. And arrived in the field of Kurukshetra, both myself and Rama,

eager for battle, became desirous of showing each other our prowess. And

arrived within view of the great ascetic Rama, I took up my excellent

conch and blew a loud blast. And many Brahmanas, O king, and many

ascetics having their abodes in the forest, as also the gods with Indra

at their head, were stationed there for beholding the great encounter.

And many celestial garlands and diverse kinds of celestial music and many

cloudy canopies could be noticed there. And all those ascetics who had

come with Rama, desiring to become spectators of the fight, stood all

around the field. Just at this juncture, O king, my divine mother devoted

to the good of all creatures, appeared before me in her own form and

said, 'What is this that thou seekest to do? Repairing to Jamadagni's

son, O son of Kuru's race, I will repeatedly solicit him saying,--Do not

fight Bhishma who is thy disciple!--O son, being a Kshatriya do not

obstinately set thy heart on an encounter in battle with Jamadagni's son

who is a Brahmana!' Indeed, it was thus that she reproved me. And she

also said, 'O son, Rama, equal in prowess unto Mahadeva himself, is the

exterminator of the Kshatriya order! It is not known to thee, that thou

desirest an encounter with him.' Thus addressed by her, I saluted the

goddess reverentially and replied unto her with joined hands, giving her,

O chief of the Bharatas, an account of all that had transpired in that

self-choice (of the daughter of Kasi). I also told her every thing, O

king of kings, about how I had urged Rama (to desist from the combat). I

also gave her a history of all the past acts of the (eldest) daughter of

Kasi. My mother then, the great River, wending to Rama, began, for my

sake, to beseech the Rishi of Bhrigu's race. And she said unto him these

words, viz.,--Do not fight Bhishma who is thy disciple!--Rama, however,

said unto her while she was beseeching him thus, 'Go and make Bhishma

desist! He doth not execute out my wish! It is for this that I have

challenged him!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Rama, Ganga, from affection

for her son, came back to Bhishma. But Bhishma, with eyes rolling in

anger, refused to do her bidding. Just at this time, the mighty ascetic

Rama, that foremost one of Bhrigu's race, appeared in Bhishma's sight. An

then that best of the twice-born ones challenged him to the encounter.'"

SECTION CLXXXII

"Bhishma said, 'I then smilingly addressed Rama stationed for battle,

saying,--Myself on my car, I do not wish to fight with thee that art on

the earth! Mount on a car, O hero, and case thy body in mail, O

mighty-armed one, if indeed, O Rama, thou wishest to fight me in

battle!--Then Rama smilingly replied unto me on that field of battle,

saying, 'The Earth, O Bhishma, is my car, and Vedas, like good steeds,

are the animals that carry me! The wind is my car-driver, and my coat of

mail is constituted by those mothers in the Vedas (viz., Gayatri, Savitri

and Saraswati). Well-covered by these in battle, O son of Kuru's race, I

will fight!' Having said this, O Gandhari's son. Rama of prowess

incapable of being baffled, covered me on all sides with a thick shower

of arrows. I then beheld Jamadagni's son stationed on a car equipped with

every kind of excellent weapons! And the car he rode was exceedingly

handsome and was of wonderful appearance. And it had been created by a

fiat of his will, and it was beautiful like a town. And celestial steeds

were yoked unto it, and it was well-protected by the necessary defences.

And it was decked all over with ornaments of gold. And it was

well-covered with tough skins all around, and bore the device of the sun

and the moon. Rama was armed with bow and equipped with a quiver, and

with fingers cased in leathern fences! Akritavrana, the dear friend of

Bhargava, well-versed in the Vedas, did the duties of a car-driver for

that warrior. And he, of Bhrigu's race, repeatedly summoning me to

battle, saying,--Come, come,--gladden my heart. And I then, myself,

singly obtained for my adversary that invincible and mighty exterminator

of the Kshatriya race, viz., Rama risen like the sun himself in

splendour, desirous (on his part) of fighting singly! And after he had

poured three showers of arrows on me curbing my steeds, I came down from

my car and placing my bow aside I proceeded on foot to that best of

Rishis. And arriving before him, I worshipped the best of Brahmanas with

reverence. And having saluted him duly, I told him these excellent

words,--O Rama, whether thou art equal or superior to me, I will fight

with thee, my virtuous preceptor, in battle! O lord, bless me, wishing me

victory!'

"Rama, thus addressed, said, 'O foremost one of Kuru's race, he that

desires prosperity should act even thus! O thou of mighty arms, they that

fight with warriors more eminent than themselves, have this duty to

perform. O king, I would have cursed thee if thou hadst not approached me

thus! Go, fight carefully and summoning all thy patience, O thou of

Kuru's race! I cannot, however, wish thee victory, for I myself stand

here to vanquish thee! Go, fight fairly! I am pleased with thy

behaviour!--Bowing unto him, I then speedily came back, and mounting on

my car, I once more blew my conch decked with gold, And then, O Bharata,

the combat commenced between him and me. And it lasted for many days.

each of us, O king, having been desirous of vanquishing the other. And in

that battle, it was Rama who struck me first with nine hundred and sixty

straight arrows furnished with vulturine wings. And with that arrowy

shower, O king, my four steeds and charioteer were completely covered!

Notwithstanding all this, however, I remained quiet in that encounter,

accoutred in my coat of mail! Bowing unto the gods, and especially unto

the Brahmanas, I then smilingly addressed Rama stationed for battle,

saying,--Although thou hast shown little regard for me, yet I have fully

honoured thy preceptorship! Listen again, O Brahmana, to some other

auspicious duty that should be discharged if virtue is to be earned! The

Vedas that are in thy body, and the high status of Brahmana that is also

in thee, and the ascetic merit thou hast earned by the severest of

austerities, I do not strike at these! I strike, however, at that

Kshatriyahood which thou, O Rama, hast adopted! When a Brahmana taketh up

weapons, he becometh a Kshatriya. Behold now the power of my bow and the

energy of my arms! Speedily shall I cut off that bow of thine with a

sharp shaft!--Saying this I shot at him, O bull of Bharata's race, a

sharp broad-headed arrow, And cutting off one of the horns of his bow

with it. I caused it to drop on the ground. I then shot at Jamadagni's

car a hundred straight arrows winged with vulturine feathers. Piercing

through Rama's body and borne along by the wind, those arrows coursing

through space seemed to vomit blood (from their mouths) and resembled

veritable snakes. Covered all over with blood and with blood issuing out

of his body. Rama, O king, shone in battle, like the Sumeru mountain with

streams of liquid metal rolling down its breast, or like the Asoka tree

at the advent of spring, when covered with red bunches of flowers, or, O

king, like the Kinsuka tree when clad in its flowery attire! Taking up

then another bow, Rama, filled with wrath, showered upon me numerous

arrows of excessive sharpness, furnished with golden wings. And those

fierce arrows of tremendous impetus, resembling snakes, or fire, or

poison, coming at me from all sides, pierced my very vitals and caused me

to tremble. Summoning all my coolness then addressed myself for the

encounter, and filled with rage I pierced Rama with a hundred arrows. And

afflicted with those hundred blazing shafts resembling either fire, or

the sun or looking like snakes of virulent poison, Rama seemed to lose

his senses! Filled, O Bharata, with pity (at the sight), I stopped of my

own accord and said,--Oh, fie on battle! Fie on Kshatriya practices! And

overwhelmed, O king, with grief, I repeatedly said,--Alas, great is the

sin committed by me through observance of Kshatriya practices, since I

have afflicted with arrows my preceptor who is a Brahmana endued with a

virtuous soul!--After that, O Bharata, I ceased striking Jamadagni's son

any more. At this time, the thousand-rayed luminary, having heated the

earth with his rays, proceeded at the close of day to his chambers in the

west and the battle also between us ceased.'"

SECTION CLXXXIII

"Bhishma said, 'After the battle had ceased, my charioteer, well-skilled

in such operations, drew out from his own body, from the bodies of my

steeds, and from my body as well, the arrows that struck there. Next

morning, when the sun rose, the battle commenced again, my horses having

(a little while before) been bathed and allowed to roll on the ground and

having had their thirst slaked and thereby re-invigorated. And beholding

me coming quickly to the encounter attired in a coat of mail and

stationed on my car, the mighty Rama equipped his car with great care.

And I myself also, beholding Rama coming towards me from desire of

battle, placed aside my bow and quickly descended from my car. Saluting

Rama I re-ascended it, O Bharata, and desirous of giving battle, stood

fearlessly before that son of Jamadagni. I then overwhelmed him with a

thick shower of arrows, and he too covered me with an arrowy shower in

return. And filled with wrath. Jamadagni's son once more shot at me a

number of fierce shafts of great force and blazing mouths looking like

veritable snakes! And I too, O king, shooting sharp shafts by hundreds

and thousands, repeatedly cut: off Rama's arrows in mid-air before they

could come at me. Then the mighty son of Jamadagni began to hurl

celestial weapons at me, all of which I repelled, desirous of achieving

mightier feats, O thou of strong arms, with-my weapons. And loud was the

din that then arose in the welkin all around. At that time, I hurled at

Rama the weapon named Vayavya which Rama neutralised, O Bharata, by the

weapon called Guhyaka. Then I applied, with proper mantras, the weapon

called Agneya but the lord Rama neutralised that weapon of mine by one

(of his) called Varuna. And it was in this way that I neutralised the

celestial weapons of Rama, and that chastiser of foes, Rama also, endued

with great energy and acquainted with celestial weapons, neutralised the

weapons shot by me. Then, O monarch, that best of Brahmanas, the mighty

son of Jamadagni, filled with wrath, suddenly wheeling to my right,

pierced me in the breast. At this, O best of the Bharatas, I swooned on

my best of cars. And beholding me, reft of consciousness, my charioteer

quickly bore me away from the field. And seeing me afflicted and pierced

with Rama's weapons and borne away drooping and in a swoon, all the

followers of Rama, including Akritavrana and others and the princess of

Kasi, filled with joy, O Bharata, began to shout aloud! Regaining

consciousness then, I addressed my charioteer, saying,--Go where Rama

stayeth! My pains have left me, and I am ready for battle!--Thus

instructed, my charioteer soon took me where Rama was, with the aid of

those exceedingly handsome steeds of mine that seemed to dance as they

coursed (through the plain) and that were endued with the speed of the

wind. And approaching Rama then, O thou of Kuru's race, and filled with

wrath, from desire of vanquishing his angry self, I overwhelmed him with

an arrowy shower! But Rama, shooting three for every single of mine, cut

into fragments every one of my straight-going arrows in mid air before

any of them could reach him! And beholding those well-furnished arrows of

mine by hundreds and thousands, each cut off in twain by Rama's arrows,

all the followers of Rama were filled with joy. Impelled then by the

desire of slaying him, I shot at Rama, the son of Jamadagni, a

good-looking arrow of blazing effulgence with Death's self sitting at its

head. Struck very forcibly therewith and succumbing to its impetus, Rama

fell into a swoon and dropped down on the ground. And when Rama thus

dropped on the ground, exclamations of Oh and Alas arose on all sides,

and the whole universe, O Bharata, was filled with confusion and alarm,

such as may be witnessed if the sun himself were ever to fall down from

the firmament! Then all those ascetics together with the princess of

Kasi, quietly proceeded, O son of Kuru's race, with great anxiety towards

Rama. And embracing him, O Kaurava, they began to comfort him softly with

the touch of their hands, rendered cold by contact with water, and with

assurances of victory. Thus comforted, Rama rose up and fixing an arrow

to his bow he addressed me in an agitated voice, saying, 'Stay, O

Bhishma! Thou art already slain! And let off by him, that arrow quickly

pierced my left side in that fierce encounter. And struck therewith, I

began to tremble like a tree shaken by the tempest. Slaying my horses

then in terrific combat, Rama, fighting with great coolness, covered me

with swarms of winged arrows, shot with remarkable lightness of hand. At

this, O mighty-armed one, I also began to shoot arrows with great

lightness of hand for obstructing Rama's arrowy shower. Then those arrows

shot by myself and Rama covering the welkin all around, stayed even there

(without failing down). And, thereupon, enveloped by clouds of arrows the

very sun could not shed its rays through them. And the very wind,

obstructed by those clouds, seemed to be unable to pass through them.

Then, in consequence of the obstructed motion of the wind, the rays of

the sun, and the clash of the arrows against one another, a conflagration

was caused in the welkin. And then those arrows blazed forth in

consequence of the fire generated by themselves, and fell on the earth,

consumed into ashes! Then Rama, O Kaurava, filled with rage, covered me

with hundreds and thousands and hundreds of thousands and hundreds of

millions arrows! And I also, O king, with my arrows resembling snakes of

virulent poison, cut into fragments all those arrows of Rama and caused

them to fall down on the earth like snakes cut into pieces. And it was

thus, O best of the Bharatas, that combat took place. When, however, the

shades of evening approached, my preceptor withdrew from the fight.'"

SECTION CLXXXIV

"Bhishma said, 'The next day, O bull of Bharata's race, frightful again

was the combat that wok place between me and Rama when I encountered him

once more. That hero of virtuous soul, conversant with celestial

weapons,--the lord Rama, from day to day, began to use diverse kinds of

celestial weapons. Regardless of life itself, which is so difficult of

being sacrificed, in that fierce combat, O Bharata, I baffled all those

weapons with such of mine as are capable of baffling them. And, O

Bharata, when diverse weapons were in this way neutralised and baffled by

means of counter-weapons, Rama, of mighty energy began to contend against

me in that battle, reckless of his own life. Seeing all his weapons

baffled, the high-souled son of Jamadagni then hurled at me a fierce

lance, blazing like a meteor, with flaming mouth, filling the whole

world, as it were, with its effulgence, and resembling the dart hurled by

Death himself! I, however, with my arrows cut into three fragments that

blazing dart rushing against me, and resembling in effulgence the sun

that rises at end of the Yuga! At this, breezes charged with fragrant

odours began to blow (around me). Beholding that dart of his cut off,

Rama, burning with anger, hurled a dozen other fierce darts. Their forms,

O Bharata, I am incapable of describing in consequence of their great

effulgence and speed. How, indeed, shall I describe their forms?

Beholding those diverse-looking darts approach me from all sides, like

long tongues of fire and blazing forth with fierce energy like the dozen

suns that arise at the time of the destruction of the universe, I was

filled with fear. Seeing an arrowy net advancing against me, I baffled it

with an arrowy downpour of mine, and then sent a dozen shafts by which I

consumed those fierce-looking dozen darts of Rama. Then, O king, the

high-souled son of Jamadagni showered on me numerous fierce-looking

darts, furnished with variegated handles decked with gold, possessed of

golden wings, and resembling flaming meteors! Baffling those fierce darts

by means of my shield and sword, and causing them in that combat to fall

down on the ground, I then, with clouds of excellent arrows, covered

Rama's excellent steeds and his charioteer. Then that high-souled smiter

of the lord of the Haihayas,[19] beholding those darts of mine equipped

with gold-decked handles and resembling snakes emerged out of their

holes, and filled with wrath at the sight, had recourse once more to

celestial weapons! Then swarms of fierce arrows, looking like flights of

locusts fell upon me and overwhelmed me, my steeds, my charioteer, and my

car! Indeed, O king, my car, horses, and charioteer, were covered all

over with those arrows! And the yoke, shaft, wheels, and the wheel-spokes

of my car, overwhelmed with that arrowy shower, at once broke. After that

arrowy shower, however, was over, I also covered my preceptor with a

thick shower of arrows. Thereupon, that mass of Brahmic merit, mangled

with that arrowy downpour, began to bleed copiously, and continuously.

Indeed, like Rama afflicted with my clouds of arrows, I too was densely

pierced with his arrows. When at last in the evening, the sun set behind

the western hills, our combat came to an end.'"

SECTION CLXXXV

"Bhishma said, 'Next morning, O king, when the sun rose brightly, the

combat between myself and him of Bhrigu's race, again, commenced. Then

Rama, that foremost of smiters, stationed on his quickly-moving car,

rained on me a thick downpour of arrows like the clouds on the

mountain-breast. My beloved charioteer then, afflicted by that arrowy

shower, swerved from his place in the car, filling me with grief on his

account. A total unconsciousness then came over him. And thus wounded by

that arrowy downpour he fell down upon the earth in a swoon. And

afflicted as he had been by Rama's shafts, he soon gave up his life.

Then, O great king, fear entered my heart. And when, on the death of my

charioteer, I was still lamenting for him with heart unhinged by sorrow,

Rama began to shoot at me many death-dealing shafts. Indeed, even when

endangered at the death of my charioteer I was lamenting for him, he of

Bhrigu's race, drawing the bow with strength, pierced me deep with an

arrow! O king, that blood-drinking shaft, falling upon my breast, pierced

me through and fell simultaneously with my person upon the earth! Then, O

bull of Bharata's race, thinking I was dead, Rama repeatedly roared aloud

like the clouds and rejoiced exceedingly! indeed, O king, when thus I

fell down on the earth, Rama, filled with joy, sent forth loud shouts

along with his followers, while all the Kauravas who stood beside me and

all those who came there to witness the combat were afflicted with great

woe on seeing me fall. While lying prostrate, O lion among kings, I

beheld eight Brahmanas endued with the effulgence of the sun or the fire.

They stood surrounding me on that field of battle and supporting me on

their arms. Indeed, borne up by those Brahmanas I had not to touch the

ground. Like friends they supported me in mid-air while I was breathing

heavily. And they were sprinkling me with drops of water. And bearing me

up as they stood, they then, O king, repeatedly said unto me, 'Do not

fear! Let prosperity be thine!' Comforted then by those words of theirs,

I quickly rose up. I then beheld my mother Ganga--that foremost of the

rivers, stationed on my car. Indeed, O king of the Kurus, it was that

great river-goddess who had controlled my steeds in the combat (after my

charioteer's fall)! Worshipping then the feet of my mother and of the

spirits of my ancestors, I ascended my car. My mother then protected my

car, steeds, and all the implements of battle. With joined bands I

entreated her to go away. Having dismissed her, I myself restrained those

steeds endued with the speed of the wind, and fought with Jamadagni's

son, O Bharata, till the close of the day! Then, O chief of the Bharatas,

in course of that combat, I shot at Rama a powerful and heart-piercing

arrow endued with great speed. Afflicted with that shaft, Rama then, his

bow loosened from his grasp, fell down upon the earth on his knees, reft

of consciousness! And when Rama, that giver of many thousands (of golden

coins) fell, masses of clouds covered the firmament, pouring a copious

shower of blood! And meteors by hundreds fell, and thunder-rolls were

heard, causing everything to tremble! And suddenly Rahu enveloped the

blazing sun, and rough winds began to blow! And the earth itself began to

tremble. And vultures and crows and cranes began to alight in joy! And

the points of the horizon seemed to be ablaze and jackals began

repeatedly to yell fiercely! And drums, unstruck (by human hands), began

to produce harsh sound! Indeed, when the high-souled Rama embraced the

earth, reft of consciousness, all these frightful and alarming omens of

evil were seen! Then all on a sudden rising up, Rama approached me once

more, O Kaurava, for battle, forgetting everything and deprived of his

senses by anger. And that mighty-armed one took up his bow endued with

great strength and also a deadly arrow. I, however, resisted him

successfully. The great Rishis then (that stood there) were filled with

pity at the sight, while he, however, of Bhrigu's race, was filled with

great wrath. I then took up a shaft, resembling the blazing fire that

appears at the end of the Yuga, but Rama of immeasurable soul baffled

that weapon of mine. Then covered by clouds of dust, the splendour of the

solar disc was dimmed, and the sun went to the western mount. And night

came with its delicious and cool breezes, and then both of us desisted

from the fight. In this way, O king, when evening came the fierce battle

ceased, and (next day) with the re-appearance of the sun it commenced

again. And it lasted for three and twenty days together.'"

SECTION CLXXXVI

"Bhishma said, 'Then, O great king, during the night, having bowed unto

the Brahmanas, the Rishis, the gods, and all those creatures that wander

during the dark, and also all the kings of the earth, I laid myself down

on my bed, and in the solitude of my room, I began to reflect in the

following way.--For many days hath this fierce combat of terrible

consequence lasted between myself and Jamadagni. I am unable, however, to

vanquish on the field of battle that Rama of mighty energy. If indeed, I

am competent to vanquish in battle that Brahmana of mighty strength,

viz., Jamadagni's son of great prowess, then let the gods kindly show

themselves to me this night!--Mangled with arrows as I lay asleep, O

great king, that night on my right side, towards the morning, those

foremost of Brahmanas who had raised me when I had fallen down from my

car and held me up and said unto me--Do not fear--and who had comforted

me, showed themselves to me, O king, in a dream! And they stood

surrounding me and said these words. Listen to them as I repeat them to

thee, O perpetuator of Kuru's race! Rise, O Ganga's son, thou needst have

no fear! We will protect thee, for thou art our own body! Rama, the son

of Jamadagni, will never be able to vanquish thee in battle! Thou, O bull

of Bharata's race, wilt be the conqueror of Rama in combat! This beloved

weapon, O Bharata, called Praswapa, appertaining to the lord of all

creatures, and forged by the divine artificer, will come to thy

knowledge, for it was known to thee in thy former life! Neither Rama, nor

any person on earth is acquainted with it. Recollect it, therefore, O

thou of mighty arms, and apply it with strength! O king of kings, O

sinless one, it will come to thee of itself! With it, O Kaurava, thou

wilt be able to check all persons endued with mighty energy! O king, Rama

will not be slain outright by it, thou shalt not, therefore, O giver of

honours, incur any sin by using it! Afflicted by the force of this thy

weapon, the son of Jamadagni, will fall asleep! Vanquishing him thus,

thou wilt again awaken him in battle, O Bhishma, with that dear weapon

called Samvodhana! Do what we have told thee, O Kauravya, in the morning,

stationed on thy car. Asleep or dead we reckon it as the same, O king,

Rama will not surely die! Apply, therefore, this Praswapa weapon so

happily thought of!--Having said this, O king, those foremost of

Brahmanas, eight in number and resembling one another in form, and

possessed of effulgent bodies, all vanished from my sight!'"

SECTION CLXXXVII

"Bhishma said, 'After the night had passed away, I awoke, O Bharata, and

thinking of my dream I was filled with great joy. Then, O Bharata, the

combat began between him and me--a combat that was fierce and unrivalled

and that made the hairs of all creatures stand on their ends. And

Bhargava poured on me an arrowy shower which I baffled with an arrowy

shower of mine. Then filled with wrath at what he had seen the day before

and what he saw that day, Rama hurled at me a dart, hard as Indra's

thunderbolt and possessed of effulgence, resembling the Yama's mace! It

came towards me like a blazing flame of fire and drinking up, as it were,

all the quarters of that field of battle! Then, O tiger among the Kurus,

it fell, O perpetuator of Kuru's line, upon my shoulder, like the

lightning's flame that ranges the sky. Wounded thus by Rama, O thou of

red eyes, my blood, O mighty-armed one, began to flow copiously like

streams of red earth from a mountain (after a shower)! Filled with great

wrath, I then shot at Jamadagni's son a deadly shaft, fatal as the poison

of a snake. That heroic and best of Brahmanas, struck therewith at the

forehead, O monarch, then appeared as beautiful as a crested hill!

Extremely angry, that hero then, changing his position and drawing the

bow-string with great strength, aimed at me a terrible shaft resembling

all-destructive Death himself, and capable of grinding all foes! That

fierce arrow fell upon my breast, hissing (through the air) like a snake.

Covered with blood, I fell down on the earth, O king, thus struck.

Regaining consciousness, I hurled at Jamadagni's son a frightful dart,

effulgent as the thunderbolt. That dart fell upon the bosom of that

foremost of Brahmanas. Deprived of his senses at this, Rama began to

tremble all over. That great ascetic then, viz., his friend, the

regenerate Akritavrana, embraced him and with diverse words of comfort

soothed him. Reassured thus, Rama of high vows was then filled with wrath

and vindictiveness. He invoked the great Brahma weapon. For baffling it I

also used the same excellent weapon. Clashing against each other, the two

weapons began to blaze forth brightly, showing what happens at the end of

the Yuga! Without being able to reach either myself or Rama, those two

weapons, O best of the Bharatas, met each other in the mid-air. Then the

whole welkin seemed to be ablaze, and all creatures, O monarch, became

highly distressed. Afflicted by the energy of those weapons, the Rishis,

the Gandharvas, and the gods were all greatly pained. Then earth, with

her mountains and seas and trees began to tremble, and all creatures,

heated with the energy of the weapons, were greatly afflicted. The

firmament, O king, became ablaze and the ten points of the horizon became

filled with smoke. Creatures, therefore, that range the welkin were

unable to stay in their element. When, at all this, the whole world with

the gods, the Asuras and the Rakshasas began to utter exclamations of

woe.--This is the time--thought I and became desirous, O Bharata, of

speedily shooting the Praswapa weapon at the command of those utterers of

Brahma (that had appeared to me in my dream)! The Mantras also for

invoking excellent weapon suddenly came to my mind!'"

SECTION CLXXXVIII

"Bhishma said, 'When I had formed this resolution, O king, a din of

tumultuous voices arose in the sky. And it said,--O son of Kuru's race,

do not let off the Praswapa weapon!--Notwithstanding this, I still aimed

that weapon at Bhrigu's descendant. When I had aimed it, Narada addressed

me, saying, 'Yonder, O Kauravya, stay the gods in the sky! Even they are

forbidding thee today! Do not aim the Praswapa weapon! Rama is an ascetic

possessed of Brahma merit, and he is, again, thy preceptor! Never,

Kauravya, humiliate him.' While Narada was telling me this, I beheld

those eight utterers of Brahma stationed in the sky. Smilingly, O king,

they said unto me slowly,--O chief of the Bharatas, do even what Narada

sayeth. Even that, O best of Bharata's race, is highly beneficial to the

world!' I then withdrew that great weapon called Praswapa and invoked

according to the ordinance the weapon called Brahma in the combat.

Beholding the Praswapa weapon withdrawn, O lion among kings, Rama was in

great huff, and suddenly exclaimed, 'Wretch that I am, I am vanquished, O

Bhishma!' Then Jamadagni's son behold before him his venerable father and

his father's fathers. They stood surrounding him there, and addressed him

in these words of consolation, 'O sire, never display such 'rashness

again, the rashness, viz., of engaging in battle with Bhishma, or

especially with any Kshatriya, O descendant of Bhrigu's race, to fight is

the duty of a Kshatriya! Study (of the Vedas) and practice of vows are

the highest wealth of Brahmanas! For some reason, before 'this, thou

hadst been ordered by us to take up weapons. Thou hadst then perpetrated

that terrible and unbecoming feat. Let this battle with Bhishma be thy

very last, for enough of it thou hadst already. O thou of mighty arms,

leave the combat. Blessed be thou, let this be the very last instance of

thy taking up the bow! O invincible one, throw thy bow aside, and

practice ascetic austerities, O thou of Bhrigu's race! Behold, Bhishma,

the son of Santanu, is forbidden by all the gods! They are endeavouring

to pacify him, repeatedly saying,--Desist from this battle! Do not light

with Rama who is thy preceptor. It is not proper for thee, O perpetuator

of Kuru's race, to vanquish Rama in battle! O son of Ganga, show this

Brahmana every honour on the field of battle! As regards thee, we are thy

superiors and therefore forbid thee! Bhishma is one of the foremost of

Vasus! O son, it is fortunate, that thou art still alive! Santanu's son

by Ganga--a celebrated Vasu as he is,--how can he be defeated by thee?

Desist, therefore, O Bhargava! That foremost of the Pandavas, Arjuna, the

mighty son of Indra, hath been ordained by the Self-create to be the

slayer of Bhishma!'

"Bhishma continued, 'Thus addressed by his own ancestors, Rama answered

them, saying, 'I cannot give up the combat. Even this is the solemn vow I

have made. Before this, I never left the field, giving up battle! Ye

grandsires, if you please, cause Ganga's son to desist from the fight! As

regards myself, I can, by no means, desist from the combat!' Hearing

these words of his, O king, those ascetics with Richika at their head,

coming to me with Narada in their company, told me, 'O sire, desist from

battle! Honour that foremost of Brahmanas!' For the sake of Kshatriya

morality, I replied unto them, saying. Even this is the vow I have taken

in this world, viz., that I would never desist from battle turning my

back, or suffer my back to be wounded with arrows! I cannot, from

temptation or distress, or fear, or for the sake of wealth, abandon my

eternal duty! Even this is my fixed resolution! Then all those ascetics

with Narada at their head, O king, and my mother Bhagirathi, occupied the

field of battle (before me). I, however, stayed quietly with arrows and

bow as before, resolved to fight. They then once more turned towards Rama

and addressed him, saying. 'The hearts of Brahmanas are made of butter.

Be pacified, therefore, O son of Bhrigu's race! O Rama, O Rama, desist

from this battle, O best of Brahmanas! Bhishma is incapable of being

slain by thee, as indeed, thou, O Bhargava, art incapable of being slain

by him!' Saying these words while they stood obstructing the field, the

Pitris caused that descendant of Bhrigu's race to place aside his

weapons. Just at this time I once more beheld those eight utterers of

Brahma, blazing with effulgence and resembling bright stars risen on the

firmament. Stationed for battle as I was, they said these words unto me

with great affection, 'O thou of mighty arms, go unto Rama who is thy

preceptor! Do what is beneficial to all the worlds. Beholding then that

Rama had desisted owing to the words of his well-wishers, I also, for the

good of the worlds, accepted the words of my well-wishers. Though mangled

exceedingly, I still approached Rama and worshipped him. The great

ascetic Rama then, smilingly, and with great affection, said unto me,

'There is no Kshatriya equal to thee on the earth! Go now, O Bhishma, for

in this combat thou hast pleased me highly'! Summoning then in my

presence that maiden (the daughter of Kasi), Bhargava sorrowfully said

unto her these words in the midst of all those high-souled persons.'"

SECTION CLXXXIX

"Rama said, 'O damsel, in the very sight of all these persons, I have

fought according to the best of my power and displayed my prowess! By

using even the very best of weapons I have not been able to obtain any

advantage over Bhishma, that foremost of all wielders of weapons! I have

exerted now to the best of my power and might. O beautiful lady, go

withersoever thou wishest! What other business of thine can I accomplish?

Seek the protection of Bhishma himself! Thou hast no other refuge now!

Shooting mighty weapons Bhishma hath vanquished me!' Having said this,

the high-souled Rama sighed and remained silent. That maiden then

addressed him, saying, 'O holy one, it is even so as thy holy self hath

said! This Bhishma of great intelligence is incapable of being vanquished

in battle by even the gods! Thou hast done my business to the best of thy

exertion and power. Thou hast displayed in this battle energy incapable

of being baffled and weapons also of diverse kinds. Thou hast yet been

unable to obtain any advantage over Bhishma in combat. As regards myself,

I will not go a second time to Bhishma. I will, however, O perpetuator of

Bhrigu's race, go thither, O thou endued with wealth of asceticism, where

I may (obtain the means to) myself slay Bhishma in battle!' Having said

the words, that maiden went away, with eyes agitated with wrath, and

thinking to compass my death, she firmly resolved to devote herself to

asceticism. Then that foremost one of Bhrigu's race, accompanied by those

ascetics, bidding me farewell, departed, O Bharata, for the mountains

whence he had come. I also, ascending my car, and praised by the

Brahmanas, entered our city and represented, everything unto my mother

Satyavati, everything that had transpired, and she, O great king, uttered

benedictions on me. I then appointed persons endued with intelligence to

ascertain the doings of that maiden. Devoted to the good of myself--their

well-wisher, those spies of mine, with great application brought to me

accounts of her course of action, her words and actions, from day to day.

When that maiden went to the woods, resolved on ascetic austerities, even

then I became melancholy, and afflicted with pain, I lost my heart's

tenor. Except one acquainted with Brahma and observant of vows, that are

praiseworthy owing to the austerities they involve, no Kshatriya hath

ever by his prowess, vanquished me in battle! I then, O king, humbly

represented to Narada as also to Vyasa all that the maiden did. They both

told me, 'O Bhishma, do not give way to sorrow on account of the daughter

of Kasi. Who is there that would venture to baffle destiny by individual

exertion?' Meanwhile, O great king, that maiden, entering a cluster of

retreats practised austerities, that were beyond human powers (of

endurance). Without food, emaciated, dry, with matted-locks and begrimed

with filth, for six months she lived on air only, and stood unmoved like

a street-post. And that lady, possessed of wealth of asceticism,

foregoing all food in consequence of the fast she kept, passed a whole

year after this, standing in the waters of the Yamuna. Endued with great

wrath, she passed the next whole year standing on her front toes and

having eaten only one fallen leaf (of a tree). And thus for twelve years,

she made the heavens hot by her austerities. And though dissuaded by her

relatives, she could not by any means be weaned off (from that course of

action). She then went unto Vatsabhumi resorted to by the Siddhas and

Charanas, and which was the retreat of high-souled ascetics of pious

deeds. Bathing frequently in the sacred waters of that retreat, the

princess of Kasi roamed about according to her will. Proceeding next (one

after another) to the asylum, O king, of Narada, and to the auspicious

asylum of Uluka and to that of Chyavana, and to the spot sacred to

Brahmana, and to Prayaga the sacrificial platform of the gods, and to

that forest sacred to the gods, and to Bhogawati, and, O monarch, to the

asylum of Kusika's son (Viswamitra), and to the asylum of Mandavya, and

also to the asylum of Dwilipa, and to Ramhrada, and, O Kaurava, to the

asylum of Garga, the princess of Kasi, O king, performed ablutions in the

sacred waters of all these, observing all the while the most difficult of

vows. One day, my mother from the waters asked her, O Kauravya, saying,

'O blessed lady, for what dost thou afflict thyself so? Tell me the

truth!' Thus asked, O monarch, that faultless damsel answered her with

joined hands, saying, 'O thou of handsome eyes, Rama hath been vanquished

in battle by Bhishma. What other (Kshatriya) king then would venture to

defeat the latter when ready with his weapons? As regards myself, I am

practising the severest penances for the destruction of Bhishma. I wander

over the earth, O goddess, so that I may slay that king! In every thing I

do, O goddess, even this is the great end of my vows!' Hearing these

words of hers, the Ocean-going (river Ganga) replied unto her, saying, 'O

lady, thou art acting crookedly! O weak girl, this wish of thine thou

shalt not be able to achieve, O faultless one? if, O princess of Kasi,

thou observest these vows for destruction of Bhishma, and if thou takest

leave of thy body while observing them, thou shalt (in thy next birth)

become a river, crooked in her course and of water only during the rains!

All the bathing places along thy course will be difficult of approach,

and filled only during the rains, thou shalt be dry for eight months

(during the year)! Full of terrible alligators, and creatures of

frightful mien thou shalt inspire fear in all creatures! Addressing her

thus, O king, my mother, that highly-blessed lady, in seeming smiles,

dismissed the princess of Kasi. That highly fair damsel then once more

began to practise vows, foregoing all food, aye, even water, sometimes

for eight months and sometimes for ten months! And the daughter of the

king of Kasi, wandering hither and thither for her passionate desire of

tirthas, once more came back, O Kauravya, to Vatsabhumi. And it is there,

O Bharata, that she is known to have become a river, filled only during

the rainy seasons, abounding with crocodiles, crooked in her course, and

destitute of easy access to her water. And, O king, in consequence of her

ascetic merit only half her body became such a river in Vatsabhumi, while

with the other half, she remained a maiden as before!'

SECTION CXC

"Bhishma said, 'Then all those ascetics (that dwell in Vatsabhumi),

beholding the princess of Kasi firmly resolved on ascetic austerities,

dissuaded her and enquired of her, saying, 'What is thy business?' Thus

addressed, the maiden answered those ascetics, old in ascetic penances,

saying, 'Expelled I have been by Bhishma, prevented by him from the

virtue that would have been mine by living with a husband! My observance

of this vow is for his destruction and not for the sake of regions of

bliss, ye that are endued with wealth of asceticism! Having compassed the

death of Bhishma, peace will be mine. Even this is my resolve. He for

whom mine hath been this state of continuous grief, he for whom I have

been deprived of the region that would have been mine if I could obtain a

husband, he for whom I have become neither woman nor man, without slaying

in battle that son of Ganga I will not desist, ye that are endued with

wealth of asceticism. Even this that I have said is the purpose that is

in my heart. As a woman, I have no longer any desire. I am, however,

resolved to obtain manhood, for I will be revenged upon Bhishma. I should

not, therefore, be dissuaded by you.' Unto them she said these words

repeatedly. Soon, the divine lord of Uma, bearing the trident, showed

himself in his own form unto that female ascetic in the midst of those

great Rishis. Being asked to solicit the boon she wished, she begged of

the deity my defeat. Thou shalt slay him,--were the words the god said

unto that lady of great force of mind. Thus assured, the maiden, however,

once more said unto Rudra, 'How can it happen, O god, that being a woman

I shall yet be able to achieve victory in battle. O lord of Uma, as a

woman, my heart is quite stilled. Thou hast, however, promised me, O lord

of creatures, the defeat of Bhishma. O lord, having the bull for thy

mount, act in such a way that promise of thine may become true, that

encountering Bhishma, the son of Santanu, in battle I may be able to slay

him.' The god of gods, having the bull for his symbol, then said unto

that maiden, 'The words I have uttered cannot be false. O blessed lady,

true they will be. Thou shalt slay Bhishma, and even obtain manhood. Thou

shalt also remember all the incidents (of this life) even when thou shalt

obtain a new body. Born in the race of Drupada, thou shalt become a

Maharatha. Quick in the use of weapons and a fierce warrior, thou shalt

be well-skilled in battle. O blessed lady, all that I have said will be

true. Thou shalt become a man at the expiration of sometime (from thy

birth)!' Having said so, the god of gods, called also Kapardin, having

the bull for his symbol, disappeared then and there, in the very sight of

those Brahmanas. Upon this, that faultless maiden of the fairest

complexion, the eldest daughter of the king of Kasi, procuring wood from

that forest in the very sight of those great Rishis, made a large funeral

pyre on the banks of the Yamuna, and having set fire to it herself,

entered that blazing fire, O great king, with a heart burning with wrath,

and uttering, O king, the words,--(I do so) for Bhishma's destruction!'"

SECTION CXCI

"Duryodhana said, 'Tell me, O grandsire, how Sikhandin, O Ganga's son,

having before been born a daughter, afterwards became a man, O foremost

of warriors.'

"Bhishma said, 'O great king, the eldest and beloved queen of king

Drupada was, O monarch, childless (at first). During those years, king

Drupada, O monarch, paid his adoration to the god Sankara for the sake of

offspring, resolving in his mind to compass my destruction and practising

the austerest of penances. And he begged Mahadeva, saying, 'Let a son,

and not a daughter, be born unto me. I desire, O god, a son for revenging

myself upon Bhishma.' Thereupon, that god of gods said unto him, 'Thou

shalt have a child who will be a female and male. Desist, O king, it will

not be otherwise.' Returning then to his capital, he addressed his wife,

saying, 'O great goddess, great hath been the exertion made by me.

Undergoing ascetic austerities, I paid my adorations to Siva, and I was

told by Sambhu that my child becoming a daughter (first) would

subsequently become a male person. And though I solicited him repeatedly,

yet Siva said,--This is Destiny's decree. It will not be otherwise. That

which is destined must take place!' Then that lady of great energy, the

queen of king Drupada, when her season came, observing all the

regulations (about purity), approached Drupada. And in due time the wife

of Prishata conceived, agreeably to Destiny's decree, as I was informed,

O king, by Narada. And that lady, of eyes like lotus-petals, continued to

hold the embryo in her womb. And, O son of Kuru's race, the mighty-armed

king Drupada, from paternal affection, attended to every comfort of that

dear wife of his. And, O Kaurava, the wife of that lord of earth, the

royal Drupada, who was childless, had all her wishes gratified. And in

due time, O monarch, that goddess, the queen of Drupada, gave birth to a

daughter of great beauty. Thereupon, the strong-minded wife of that king,

the childless Drupada, gave out, O monarch, that the child she had

brought forth was a son. And then king Drupada, O ruler of men, caused

all the rites prescribed for a male child to be performed in respect of

that misrepresented daughter, as if she were really a son. And saying

that the child was a son, Drupada's queen kept her counsels very

carefully. And no other man in the city, save Prishata, knew the sex of

that child. Believing these words of that deity of unfading energy, he

too concealed the real sex of his child, saying,--She is a son. And, O

king, Drupada caused all the rites of infancy, prescribed for a son, to

be performed in respect of that child, and he bestowed the name of

Sikhandin on her. I alone, through my spies and from Narada's words, knew

the truth, informed as I previously was of the words of the god and of

the ascetic austerities of Amva!'"

SECTION CXCII

"Bhishma said, 'Drupada, O chastiser of foes, bestowed great attention on

everything in connection with that daughter of his, teaching her writing

and painting and all the arts. And in arrows and weapons that child

became a disciple of Drona. And the child's mother, of superior

complexion, then urged the king (her husband) to find, O monarch, a wife

for her, as if she were a son. Then Prishata, beholding that daughter of

his to have attained the full development of youth and assured of her sex

began to consult with his queen. And Drupada said, 'This daughter of mine

that so enhanceth my woe, hath attained her youth. Concealed, however,

she hath hitherto been by me at the words of the trident-bearing deity!'

The queen replied, 'That, O great king, can never be untrue! Why, indeed,

would the Lord of the three worlds say that would not occur? If it

pleases thee, O king, I will speak, and listen to my words, and, O son of

Prishata's race, having listened to me, follow thy own inclination! Let

the wedding of this child with a wife be caused to be performed

carefully. The words of that god will be true. This is my certain

belief!' Then that royal couple, having settled their resolution of that

affair, chose the daughter of the king of the Dasarnakas as their son's

wife. After this, the royal Drupada, that lion among kings, having

enquired about the purity of descent, of all the rulers of the earth,

selected the daughter of the king of Dasarnakas for wife to Sikhandin.

He, who was called the king of the Dasarnakas was named Hiranyavarman;

and he gave away his daughter to Sikhandin. And Hiranyavarman, the king

of the Dasarnakas, was a powerful monarch, incapable of being easily

vanquished. Incapable of being resisted, that high-souled monarch

possessed a large army. And sometimes after the wedding, the daughter of

Hiranyavarman, O best of monarchs, attained her youth while the daughter

of Drupada also had attained hers. And Sikhandin, after marriage, came

back to Kampilya. And the former soon came to know that the latter was a

woman like herself. And the daughter of Hiranyavarman, having ascertained

that Sikhandin was really a woman, bashfully represented unto her nurses

and companions everything about the so-called son of the king of the

Panchalas. Then, O tiger among kings, those nurses of the Dasarnakas

country were filled with great grief and sent emissaries unto their king.

And those emissaries represented unto the king of the Dasarnakas

everything about the imposture that had taken place. And, thereupon, the

king of the Dasarnakas was filled with wrath. Indeed, O bull of the

Bharata race, Hiranyavarman, hearing the news after the expiry of a few

days was much afflicted with wrath. The ruler of the Dasarnakas then,

filled with fierce wrath, sent a messenger to Drupada's abode. And the

messenger of king Hiranyavarman, having alone approached Drupada, took

him aside and said unto him in private, 'The king of the Dasarnakas, O

monarch, deceived by thee and enraged, O sinless one, at the insult thou

hast offered him, hath said these words unto thee,--Thou hast humiliated

me! Without doubt it was not wisely done by thee! Thou hadst, from folly,

solicited my daughter for thy daughter! O wicked one, reap now the

consequence of that act of deception' I will now slay thee with all thy

relatives and advisers! Wait a little!'"

SECTION CXCIII

"Bhishma said, 'Thus addressed, O king, by that messenger, king Drupada,

like a thief caught (in the act), could not speak. He exerted himself

greatly, by sending sweet-speeched emissaries with his own instruction to

them, saying,--This is not so,--in order to pacify his brother. King

Hiranyavarman, however, ascertaining once again, that the child of the

king of the Panchalas was really a daughter, issued out of his city

without losing any time. He then sent messages unto all his powerful

friends about that deception practised on his daughter, of which he had

heard from her nurses. Then, that best of kings, having mustered a large

army, resolved, O Bharata, to march against Drupada. Then, O monarch,

king Hiranyavarman held a consultation with his ministers about the ruler

of the Panchalas. And it was settled among those high-souled kings that

if, O monarch, Sikhandin was really a daughter, they should bind the

ruler of the Panchalas and drag him from his city, and installing another

king over the Panchalas they should slay Drupada with Sikhandin. Taking

that to be the fixed resolution (of all whom he had summoned) king

Hiranyavarman once more sent an envoy to the descendant of Prishata,

saying 'I will slay thee, be calm.'

"Bhishma continued, 'King Drupada was not naturally courageous. In

consequence, again, of that offence of his, he became filled with fear.

Sending his envoys again to the ruler of the Dasarnakas, king Drupada,

afflicted with grief, approached his wife and took counsel with her. And

possessed with great fright and with heart afflicted with grief, the king

of the Panchalas said unto his favourite wife, the mother of Sikhandin,

these words, 'My powerful brother, king Hiranyavarman, having mustered a

large force, is coming towards me in anger. Fools that we both are, what

are we now to do in respect of this our daughter? Thy son, Sikhandin,

hath been suspected to be a daughter. Under this suspicion, Hiranyavarman

with his allies and followed by his army wisheth to slay me thinking that

he hath been received by me! O thou of beautiful hips, tell us now what

is true or false in this, O beautiful lady! O blessed lady, hearing from

thee first, I will settle how to act. I am very much endangered and this

child, Sikhandin, also is equally so. Indeed, O queen, O lady of the

fairest complexion, thou too art threatened with danger! For the relief

of all, tell me who asketh thee what the truth is! O thou of beautiful

hips and sweet smiles, hearing what thou hast to say I shall act

suitably. Although I have been deceived by thee as to the duties I owe

towards a son, yet, O beautiful lady, from kindness I will act towards

you both in a suitable manner. Therefore, do not fear, nor let this

daughter of thine fear anything. Indeed, I have deceived the king of the

Dasarnakas. Tell me, O highly blessed lady, how may I act towards him so

that all may yet turn up well!' Indeed, although the king knew

everything, yet he addressed his wife in the presence of others in this

way, to proclaim his own innocence before others. His queen then answered

him in the following words.'"

SECTION CXCIV

"Bhishma said. 'Then, O mighty-armed king, Sikhandin's mother represented

unto her lord the truth about her daughter, Sikhandin. And she said,

'Childless, O great king, as I was, from fear of my co-wives, when

Sikhandini, my daughter, was born, I represented unto you that it was a

son! For thy love of me, thou also hadst corroborated it, and, O bull

among kings, thou hadst performed all the rites prescribed for a son in

respect of this daughter of mine! Thou then didst marry her, O king, to

the daughter of the king of the Dasarnakas. I also approved of this act,

remembering the words of the (great) god! Indeed, I did not prevent it,

remembering the words of Siva,--Born a daughter, she will become a son!'

Hearing all this, Drupada, otherwise called Yajnasena, informed all his

counsellors of these facts. And, O monarch, the king then took counsel

with ministers for the proper protection of his subjects (from the

would-be invader). Although he had himself deceived the king of the

Dasarnakas, yet giving it out that the alliance he had made was proper,

he began to settle his plans with undivided attention. King Drupada's

city was, O Bharata, naturally well-protected. Yet at the advent of

danger, O monarch, they began to protect it all the more carefully and

fortify it (with defensive works). The king, however, with his queen, was

greatly afflicted, thinking of how a war might not take place with his

brother. Reflecting on this, he began to pay his adorations to the gods.

His respected wife, beholding him relying on the god and paying his

adorations to them, than addressed him, O king, and said, 'Homage to the

gods is productive of benefits! It is, therefore, approved by the

righteous. What shall I say, again, of those that are sunk in an ocean of

distress? Therefore, pay homage to those that are thy superiors and let

all the gods also be worshipped, making large presents the while (unto

the Brahmanas)! Let oblations be poured on the fire for pacifying the

ruler of the Dasarnakas. O lord, think of the means by which, without a

war, thou mayst be able to pacify thy brother! Through the grace of the

gods all this will happen. For the preservation of this city, O thou of

large eyes, thou hast taken counsel with thy ministers. Do all, O king,

that those counsels seem to indicate, for reliance on the gods, when

supported by human exertion, always, O king, leadeth to success, If these

two do not go hand-in-hand, success becometh unattainable. Therefore,

with all thy advisers, make such arrangements in thy city as are proper,

and pay homage, O monarch, as thou pleasest, to the gods.' While husband

and wife were conversing with each other thus, both filled with grief,

their helpless daughter, Sikhandini, was filled with shame. She then

reflected, saying, 'It is for me that these two are plunged into grief!'

Thinking so, she resolved upon putting an end to her own life. Having

formed this determination, she left home, filled with heavy sorrow, and

went into a dense and solitary forest that was the haunt, O king, of a

very formidable Yaksha called Sthunakarna. From fear of that Yaksha men

never went into that forest. And within it stood a mansion with high

walls and a gateway, plastered over with powdered earth, and rich with

smoke bearing the fragrance of fried paddy. Entering that mansion,

Sikhandini, the daughter of Drupada, O king, began to reduce herself by

foregoing all food for many days. Thereupon, the Yaksha named Sthuna, who

was endued with kindness, showed himself unto her. And he enquired of

her, saying, 'For what object is this endeavour of thine? I will

accomplish it, tell me without delay!' Thus asked, the maiden answered

him, repeatedly saying, 'Thou art unable to accomplish it!' The Guhyaka,

however, rejoined, without a moment's delay, saying, 'Accomplish it I

will! I am a follower of the Lord of treasures, I can, O princess, grant

boons! I will grant thee even that which cannot be given! Tell me what

thou hast to say!' Thus assured, Sikhandini represented in detail

everything that had happened, unto that chief of Yakshas called

Sthunakarna. And she said, 'My father, O Yaksha, will soon meet with

destruction. The ruler of the Dasarnakas marcheth against him in rage.

That king eased in golden mail is endued with great might and great

courage. Therefore, O Yaksha, save me, my mother, and my father! Indeed,

thou hast already pledged thyself to relieve my distress! Through thy

grace, O Yaksha, I would become a perfect man! As long as that king may

not depart from my city, so long, O great Yaksha, show me grace, O

Guhyaka!'"

SECTION CXCV

"Bhishma said, 'Hearing, O bull of Bharata's race, those words of

Sikhandini, afflicted by destiny, that Yaksha, said after reflecting in

his mind, these words, 'Indeed, it was ordained to be so, and, O Kaurava,

it was ordained for my grief!' The Yaksha said, 'O Blessed lady, I will

certainly do what thou wishest! Listen, however, to the condition I make.

For a certain period I will give thee my manhood. Thou must, however,

come back to me in due time. Pledge thyself to do so! Possessed of

immense power, I am a ranger of the skies, wandering at my pleasure, and

capable of accomplishing whatever I intend. Through my grace, save the

city and thy kinsmen wholly! I will bear thy womanhood, O princess!

Pledge thy truth to me, I will do what is agreeable to thee!' Thus

addressed, Sikhandini said unto him, 'O holy one of excellent vows, I

will give thee back thy manhood! O wanderer of the night, bear thou my

womanhood for a short time! After the ruler of the Dasarnakas who is

cased in a golden mail will have departed (from my city) I will once more

become a maiden and thou wilt become a man!'

"Bhishma continued, 'Having said this (unto each other), they both. O

king, made a covenant, and imparted unto each other's body their sexes.

And the Yaksha Sthuna, O Bharata, became a female, while Sikhandini

obtained the blazing form of the Yaksha. Then, O king, Sikhandini of

Panchala's race, having obtained manhood, entered his city in great joy

and approached his father. And he represented unto Drupada everything

that had happened. And Drupada, bearing it all became highly glad. And

along with his wife the king recollected the words of Maheswara. And he

forthwith sent, O king, messenger unto the ruler of the Dasarnakas,

saying, 'This my child is a male. Let it be believed by thee!' The king

of the Dasarnakas meanwhile, filled with sorrow and grief, suddenly

approached Drupada, the ruler of the Panchalas. And arrived at Kampilya,

the Dasarnaka king despatched, after paying him proper honours, an envoy

who was one of the foremost of those conversant with the Vedas. And he

addressed the envoy, saying, 'Instructed by me, O messenger, say unto

that worst of kings the ruler of the Panchalas, these words,--viz., O

thou of wicked understanding, having selected my daughter as a wife for

one who is thy daughter, thou shalt today, without doubt, behold the

fruit of that act of deception.' Thus addressed and despatched by him, O

best of kings, the Brahmana set out for Drupada's city as Dasarnaka's

envoy. And having arrived at the city, the priest went unto Drupada's

presence. The king of the Panchalas then, with Sikhandin, offered the

envoy, O king, a cow and honey. The Brahmana, however, without accepting

that worship, said unto him these words that had been communicated

through him by the brave ruler of the Dasarnakas who was cased in a

golden mail. And he said, 'O thou of vile behaviours, I have been

deceived by thee through thy daughter (as the means)! I will exterminate

thee with thy counsellors and sons and kinsmen!' Having, in the midst of

his counsellors, been made by that priest to hear those words fraught

with censure and uttered by the ruler of the Dasarnakas, king Drupada

then, O chief of Bharata's race, assuming a mild behaviour from motives

of friendship, 'said, The reply to these words of my brother that thou

hast said unto me, O Brahmana, will be carried to that monarch by my

envoy!' And king Drupada then, sent unto the high-souled Hiranyavarman a

Brahmana learned in the Vedas as his envoy. And that envoy, going unto

king Hiranyavarman, the ruler of the Dasarnakas, said unto him, 'O

monarch, the word that Drupada had entrusted him with.' And he said,

'This my child is really a male. Let it be made clear by means of

witness! Somebody has spoken falsely to thee. That should not be

believed!' Then the king of the Dasarnakas, having heard the words of

Drupada, was filled with sorrow and despatched a number of young ladies

of great beauty for ascertaining whether Sikhandin was a male or female.

Despatched by him, those ladies, having ascertained (the truth) joyfully

told the king of the Dasarnakas everything, viz., that Sikhandin, O chief

of the Kurus, was a powerful person of the masculine sex. Hearing that

testimony, the ruler of the Dasarnakas was filled with great joy, and

wending then unto his brother Drupada, passed a few days with him in joy.

And the king, rejoiced as he was, gave unto Sikhandin much wealth, many

elephants and steeds and kine. And worshipped by Drupada (as long as he

stayed), the Dasarnaka king then departed, having rebuked his daughter.

And after king Hiranyavarman, the ruler of the Dasarnakas had departed in

joy and with his anger quelled, Sikhandin began to rejoice exceedingly.

Meanwhile, sometime after (the exchange of sexes had taken place) Kuvera,

who was always borne on the shoulders of human beings, in course of a

journey (through the earth), came to the abode of Sthuna. Staying (in the

welkin) above that mansion, the protector of all the treasures saw that

the excellent abode of the Yaksha Sthuna was well-adorned with beautiful

garland of flowers, and perfumed with fragrant roots of grass and many

sweet scents. And it was decked with canopies, and scented incense. And

it was also beautiful with standards and banners. And it was filled with

edibles and drink of every kind. And beholding that beautiful abode of

the Yaksha decked all over, and filled also with garlands of jewels and

gems and perfumed with the fragrance of diverse kinds of flowers, and

well-watered, and well-swept, the lord of the Yakshas addressed the

Yakshas that followed him, saying, 'Ye that are endued with immeasurable

prowess, this mansion of Sthuna is well-adorned! Why, however, doth not

that wight of wicked understanding come to me? And since that

wicked-souled one, knowing I am here, approacheth me not, therefore, some

severe punishment should be inflicted on him! Even this is my intention!'

Hearing these words of his, the Yakshas said, 'O king, the royal Drupada

had a daughter born unto him, of the name of Sikhandini! Unto her, for

some reason, Sthuna had given his own manhood, and having taken her

womanhood upon him, he stayeth within his abode having become a woman!

Bearing as he doth a feminine form, he doth not, therefore, approach thee

in shame! It is for this reason, O king, that Sthuna cometh not to thee!

Hearing all this, do what may be proper!' Let the car be stopped here!

Let Sthuna be brought to me,--were the words that the lord of the Yakshas

uttered, and repeatedly said,--I will punish him!--Summoned then by the

Lord of Yakshas, Sthuna bearing a feminine form came thither, O king, and

stood before him in shame. Then, O thou of Kuru's race, the giver of

wealth cursed him in anger, saying, 'Ye Guhyakas, let the femininity of

the wretch remain as it is!' And the high-souled lord of the Yakshas also

said, 'Since humiliating all the Yakshas, thou hast, O thou of sinful

deeds, given away thy own sex to Sikhandini and taken from her, O thou of

wicked understanding, her femininity,--since, O wicked wretch, thou hast

done what hath never been done by anybody,--therefore from this day, thou

shalt remain a woman and she shall remain a man!' At these words of his,

all the Yakshas began to soften Vaisravana for the sake of Sthunakarna

repeatedly saying, 'Set a limit to thy curse!' The high-souled lord of

the Yakshas then said unto all these Yakshas that followed him, from

desire of setting a limit to his curse, these words, viz.,--After

Sikhandin's death, ye Yakshas, this one will regain his own form!

Therefore, let this high-souled Yaksha Sthuna be freed from his anxiety!

Having said this, the illustrious and divine king of the Yakshas,

receiving due worship, departed with all his followers who were capable

of traversing a great distance within the shortest space of time. And

Sthuna, with that curse pronounced on him, continued to live there. And

when the time came, Sikhandin without losing a moment came unto that

wanderer of the night. And approaching his presence he said, It have come

to thee, O holy one!' Sthuna then repeatedly said unto him, 'I am pleased

with thee!' Indeed, beholding that prince return to him without guile,

Sthuna told Sikhandin everything that had happened. Indeed, the Yaksha

said, 'O son of a king, for thee I have been cursed by Vaisravana. Go

now, and live happily amongst men as thou choosest. Thy coming here and

the arrival of Pulastya's son were, I think, both ordained from

beforehand. All this was incapable of being prevented!'

"Bhishma continued, 'Thus addressed by the Kaksha, Sthuna, Sikhandin, O

Bharata, came to his city, filled with great joy. And he worshipped with

diverse scents and garlands of flower and costly presents persons of the

regenerate class, deities, big trees and crossways. And Drupada, the

ruler of the Panchalas, along with his son Sikhandin whose wishes had

been crowned with success, and with also his kinsmen, became exceedingly

glad. And the king then, O bull of Kuru's race, gave his son, Sikhandin,

who had been a woman, as a pupil, O monarch, to Drona. An prince

Sikhandin obtained, along with yourselves, the whole science of arms with

its four divisions. And (his brother) Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race

also obtained the same. Indeed, all this way represented unto me, O sire,

by the spies, disguised as idiots and as persons without the senses of

vision, and hearing whom I had set upon Drupada. It is thus, O king, that

that best of Rathas. Sikhandin, the son of Drupada, having first been

born a female, subsequently became a person of the other sex. And it was

the eldest daughter of the ruler of Kasi, celebrated by the name of Amva,

who was, O bull of Bharata's race, born in Drupada's line as Sikhandin.

If he approacheth me bow in hand and desirous of fight, I will not look

at him even for a moment nor smite him, O thou of unfading glory!

Even--this is my vow, known over all the world, viz., that I will not, O

son of Kuru's race, shoot weapons upon a woman, or one that was a woman

before or one bearing a feminine name, or one whose form resembleth a

woman's. I will not, for this reason, slay Sikhandin. Even this, O sire,

is the story that I have ascertained of Sikhandin's birth. I will not,

therefore, slay him in battle even if he approacheth me weapon in hand.

If Bhishma slayeth a woman the righteous will all speak ill of him. I

will not, therefore, slay him even if I behold him waiting for battle!'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing these words of Bhishma, king Duryodhana of

Kuru's race, reflecting for a moment, thought even that behaviour was

proper for Bhishma.'"

SECTION CXCVI

"Sanjaya said, 'When the night passed away and morning came, thy sons

once more, in the midst of all the troops, asked their grandsire, saying,

'O son of Ganga, this army that is ready for fight, of Pandu's son, that

abounds with men, elephants, and steeds, that is crowded with Maharathas,

that is protected by these mighty bowmen endued with great strength,

viz., Bhima and Arjuna and others headed by Dhrishtadyumna and all

resembling the very regents of the world, that is invincible and

incapable of being withstood, that resembles the unbounded sea,--this sea

of warriors incapable of being agitated by the very gods in battle, in

how many days, O son of Ganga, O thou of great effulgence, canst thou

annihilate it, and in what time can that mighty bowman, our preceptor

(Drona), in what time also the mighty Kripa, in what time Karna who

taketh a pleasure in battle, and in what time that best of Brahmanas,

viz., the son of Drona, can each annihilate it? Ye that are in my army

are all acquainted with celestial weapons! I desire to know this, for the

curiosity I feel in my heart is great! O thou of mighty arms, it behoveth

thee to say this to me!'

"Bhishma said, 'O foremost one of the Kurus, O lord of the earth, thou

enquirest about the strength and weakness of the foe. This, indeed, is

worthy of thee. Listen, O king, as I tell thee the utmost limit of my

power in battle, or of the energy of my weapons, or of the might of my

arms, O thou of mighty arms! As regards ordinary combatants, one should

fight with them artlessly. As regards those that are possessed of powers

of deception, one should fight with them aided by the ways of deception.

Even this is what hath been laid down in respect of the duties of

warriors. I can annihilate the Pandava army, O blessed monarch, taking

every morning ten thousand (ordinary) warriors and one thousand

car-warriors as my share from day to day. Cased in mail and always

exerting myself actively, I can, O Bharata, annihilate this large force,

according to this arrangement as regards both number and time. If,

however, stationed in battle, I shoot my great weapons that slay hundreds

and thousands at a time, then I can, O Bharata, finish the slaughter in a

month.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing these words of Bhishma, king Duryodhana then

asked Drona, O monarch, that foremost one of Angira's race, saying, 'O

preceptor, in what time canst thou annihilate the troops of Pandu's son?'

Thus addressed by him, Drona said smilingly, 'I am old, O mighty-armed

one! My energy and activity have both become weak. With the fire of my

weapons I can consume the army of the Pandavas, like Santanu's son

Bhishma, I think, in a month's time.' Even this is the limit of my power,

even this is the limit of my strength.' Then Saradwat's son Kripa said

that he could annihilate the foe in two month's time. Dron's son

(Aswatthaman) pledged himself to annihilate the Pandava army in ten

nights, Karna, however, acquainted as he was with weapons of high

efficacy, pledged himself to achieve that feat in five days. Hearing the

words of the Suta's son the son of the ocean-going (Ganga) laughed aloud

and said, 'As long, O son of Radha, as thou encounterest not in battle

Partha with his arrows, conch, and bows and rushing to the combat on his

car with Vasudeva in his company, so long mayest thou think so! Why, thou

art capable of saying anything, even what thou pleasest!'"

SECTION CXCVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words (of the leaders of the Kuru

army), Kunti's son Yudhishthira, summoning all his brothers, said unto

them these words in private.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'The spies I had placed in the army of

Dhritarashtra's son, brought me this news in the morning. Duryodhana.

asked Ganga's son of great vows, saying, 'O lord, in what time cant thou

annihilate the troops of Pandu's sons?' Indeed, the wicked Duryodhana was

answered by him in these words, viz.,--In a month! Drona also declared

that he could do the same feat in about the same time. Gautama (Kripa)

indicated twice that period, as hath been heard by us. Drona's son

acquainted with weapons of high efficacy declared the period (in his

case) to be ten nights. Karna also, acquainted with weapons of high

efficacy, asked in the midst of the Kurus, declared that the could

complete the slaughter in five days. Therefore, I also, O Arjuna, am

desirous of hearing thy words, 'In what time canst thou, O Falguni,

exterminate the foe?' Thus addressed by the king, Dhananjaya of curly

hair, casting a look upon Vasudeva, said these words, 'All these (Bhishma

and others) are high-souled (warriors), accomplished in arms and

acquainted with all modes of warfare. Without doubt, O king, they can

exterminate (our forces) even thus! Let thy heart's anguish, however, be

dispelled. I tell thee truly that with Vasudeva as my ally, I can, on a

single car, exterminate the three worlds with even the immortals, indeed,

all mobile creatures that were, are, will be, in the twinkling of the

eye. This is what I think. That terrible and mighty weapon which the Lord

of all creatures (Mahadeva) gave me on the occasion of my hand-to-hand

encounter with him (in the guise of) a hunter, still existeth with me.

Indeed, O tiger among men, that weapon which the Lord of all creatures

useth at the end of Yuga for destroying created things, existeth with me.

Ganga's son knoweth not that weapon; nor Drona nor Gautama (Kripa); nor

Drona's son, O king! How, therefore, can the Suta's son know it. It is

not, however, proper to slay ordinary men in battle by means of celestial

weapons. We shall (on the other band) vanquish our foes in a fair fight.

Then, these tigers among men, O king, are thy allies! All of them are

well-versed in celestial weapons, and all of them are eager for battle.

All of them after their initiation in the Vedas, have undergone the final

bath in sacrifices. All of them are unvanquished. They are competent, O

son of Pandu, to slay in battle the army of even the celestials. Thou

hast for thy allies Sikhandin, and Yuyudhana and Dhristadyumna of

Prishata's race; and Bhimasena, and these twins, and Yudhamanyu, and

Uttamaujas, and Virata and Drupada who are equal in battle unto Bhishma

and Drona; and the mighty-armed Sankha, and Hidimva's son of great might;

and this latter's son Anjanparvan endued with great strength and prowess;

and Sini's descendant of mighty arms and well-versed in battle, and the

mighty Abhimanyu and the five sons of Draupadi! Thou art thyself, again,

competent to exterminate the three worlds! O thou that art endued with

effulgence equal unto that of Sakra himself, I know it, O Kaurava, for it

is manifest, that that man upon whom thou mayest cast thy eyes in anger

is sure to be annihilated!'"

SECTION CXCVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Next morning, under a cloudless sky, all the kings,

urged by Dhritarashtra's son, Duryodhana,--set out against the Pandavas.

And all of them had purified themselves by baths, were decked in

garlands, and attired in white robes. And having poured libations on

fire, caused Brahmanas to utter benedictions on them, they took up their

weapons and raised their (respective) standards. And all of them were

conversant with the Vedas, and endued with great bravery, and had

practised excellent vows. And all of them were grantors of (other

people's) wishes, and all were skilled in battle. Endued with great

strength, they set out, reposing confidence on one another, and with

singleness of purpose desiring to win in battle the highest regions. And

first Vinda and Anuvinda, both of Avanti, and Kekayas, and the Vahlikas,

all set out with Bharadwaja's son at their head. Then came Aswatthaman,

and Santanu's son (Bhishma), and Jayadratha of the country of the Sindhu,

and the kings of the southern and the western countries and of the hilly

regions, and Sakuni, the ruler of the Gandharas, and all the chiefs of

the eastern and the northern regions, and the Sakas, the Kiratas, and

Yavanas, the Sivis and the Vasatis with their Maharathas at the heads of

their respective divisions. All these great car-warriors marched in the

second division. Then came Kritavarman at the head of his troops, and

that mighty car-warrior, viz., the ruler of the Trigartas, and the king

Duryodhana surrounded by his brothers, and Sala, and Bhurisravas, and

Salya, and Vrihadratha, the ruler of the Kosalas. These all marched in

the rear, with Dhritarashtra's sons at their head. And all these

Dhartarashtras endued with great might, uniting together in proper order,

and all clad in mail, took up their position at the other end of

Kurukshetra, and, O Bharata, Duryodhana caused his encampment to be so

adorned as to make it look like a second Hastinapura. Indeed, O king,

even those that were clever among the citizens of Hastinapura could not

distinguish their city from the encampment. And the Kuru king caused

inaccessible pavilions, similar to his own, to be erected by hundreds and

thousands for the (other) kings (in his army). And those tents, O king,

for the accommodation of the troops were well-planted on an area

measuring full five yojanas of that field of battle. And into those tents

by thousands that were full of provisions, the rulers of the earth

entered, each according to his courage according to the strength he

possessed. And king Duryodhana ordered excellent provisions to be

supplied for all those high-souled kings with their troops consisting of

infantry, elephants, and horses, and with all their followers. And as

regards all those that subsisted upon mechanical arts and all the bards,

singers, and panegyrists devoted to his cause, and vendors and traders,

and prostitutes, and spies, and persons who had come to witness the

battle, the Kuru king made due provision for all of them.'"

SECTION CXCIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Like Duryodhana, king Yudhishthira also, the son of

Kunti and Dharma, ordered out, O Bharata, his heroic warriors headed by

Dhrishtadyumna. Indeed, he ordered that slayer of foes and commander of

force, that leader, steady in prowess, of the Chedis, the Kasis, and the

Karushas, viz., Dhrishtaketu, as also Virata, and Drupada, and Yuyudhana,

and Sikhandin, and those two mighty bowmen, those two princes of

Panchala, viz., Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas, to set out. Those brave

warriors, cased in handsome coats of mail and decked with golden

ear-rings, blazed forth like fires on the sacrificial altar when fed with

clarified butter. Indeed, those mighty bowmen looked resplendent like the

planets in the firmament. Then that bull among men king Yudhishthira,

having duly honoured all his combatants, ordered them to march. And king

Yudhishthira ordered excellent provisions of food for those high-souled

kings with their troops consisting of infantry, and elephants and horses,

and with all their followers, as also for all those that subsisted on

mechanical arts. And the son of Pandu first ordered Abhimanyu, and

Vrihanta, and the five sons of Draupadi, to march with Dhrishtadyumna at

their head. And he then despatched Bhima, and Dhananjaya the son of

Pandu, in the second division of his forces. And the din made by the men

moving and running about for harnessing their steeds and elephants and

loading the cars with implements of battle, and the shouts of the

cheerful combatants, seemed to touch the very heavens. And last of all,

the king marched himself, accompanied by Virata and Drupada and the other

monarchs (on his side). And that army of fierce bowmen commanded by

Dhrishtadyumna, hitherto stationed in one place, but now extended into

columns for marching, looked like the (impetuous) current of Ganga. The

then intelligent Yudhishthira depending on his wisdom, disposed his

divisions in a different order, confounding the sons of Dhritarashtra.

And the son of Pandu ordered that those mighty bowmen, the (five) sons of

Draupadi and Abhimanyu, and Nakula, and Sahadeva, and all the

Prabhadrakas, and ten thousand horses, and two thousand elephants, and

ten thousand foot-soldiers, and five hundred cars, constituting the first

irresistible division of his army, should be placed under the command of

Bhimasena. And he placed in the middle division of his army Virata and

Jayatsena, and those two mighty car-warriors, viz., Yudhamanyu and

Uttamauja, the two high-souled princes of Panchala, both endued with

great prowess and both armed with mace and bow. And in this middle

division marched Vasudeva and Dhananjaya. There were (placed) combatants

highly accomplished in arms and burning with anger. Amongst them were

steeds ridden by brave warriors, and five thousand elephants, and crowds

of cars all around. And foot-soldiers in thousands, that were all brave

and armed with bows, swords, and maces, marched behind them, as thousand

marched before them. And in that part of that sea of troops, where

Yudhishthira himself was, there were stationed numerous lords of earth.

And there also were thousands of elephants, and steeds by ten thousands,

and cars and foot-soldiers also by thousands. And there also marched, O

bull among kings, Chekitana with his own large force, and king

Dhrishtaketu, the leader of the Chedis. And there also was that mighty

bowman, Satyaki, the foremost car-warrior of the Vrishnis, that mighty

combatant, surrounded by hundreds and thousands of cars and leading (them

to battle)! And those bulls among men, Kshatrahan and Kshatradeva,

mounted on their cars, marched behind, protecting the rear. And there (in

the rear) were the waggons, stalls, uniforms, vehicles and draft animals.

There also were thousands of elephants and horses by tens of thousands.

And taking all the invalids and women, and all that were emaciated and

weak, and all the animals carrying his treasures, and all his granaries,

with the aid of his elephant-divisions, Yudhishthira marched slowly. And

he was followed by Sauchitti, who steadily adhered to truth and was

invincible in battle, and Srenimat, and Vasudeva and Vibhu, the son of

the ruler of Kasi, with twenty thousand cars, and hundred million steeds

of high mettle, each bearing scores of bells on its limbs, and twenty

thousand smiting elephants with tusks as long as plough-shares, all of

good breed and divided temples and all resembling moving masses of

clouds. Indeed, these usually walked behind those monarchs. Besides

these, O Bharata, the elephants that Yudhishthira had in his seven

Akshauhinis, numbering seventy thousand with humour trickling down their

trunks and from their mouths, and resembling (on that account) showering

clouds, also followed the king, like moving hills.

'Thus was arrayed that terrible force of the intelligent son of Kunti.

And relying upon that force he battled with Suyodhana, the son of

Dhritarashtra. Besides those already named, other men by hundreds and

thousands and tens of thousands, in divisions numbering by thousands,

followed (the Pandava army), roaring loudly. And the warriors by

thousands and ten thousands, filled with joy, beat their drums by

thousands and blew conchs by tens of thousands!'"

The End of Udyoga Parva

FOOTNOTES

1. i.e., passage of the sun from the winter to the summer solstice.

2. Divination was practised by reference to the stars in the night.

3. The question that Dhritarashtra asks is easy enough. The Rishi having

applauded knowledge and its efficacy in procuring emancipation, the king

asks, if knowledge is of such efficacy, what then is the value of Karma

or acts, i.e. prayers and sacrifices as ordained in the Vedas? Ijyaya is

the instrumental form of Ijya, meaning sacrifices, religious rites, and

ceremonies. Parartham is explained by Nilakantha to mean

Mokshaprapakatwam, i.e., capacity to lead to emancipation. It should be

noted here that the Hindu idea of emancipation is not bliss enjoyed by a

conscious Self, but freedom from the obligation of re-birth and Karma.

Mere Karma, as such, implies pain and misery and the Supreme Soul

(Para-Brahman) is without action and attributes. Although other kinds of

salvation are spoken of in other systems of philosophy, the emancipation

that forms the subject of these queries and answers, is freedom from this

Karma.

4. The Rishi answers,--Yes, Karma or action does, indeed, lead to the

emancipate state. In the regions, of which thou speakest, there are both

bliss and emancipation (Arthajata) is explained by Nilakantha to mean

Bhoja-mokshakhya-prayojana samanyam. The second line is elliptical, the

construction being Paratma aniha (san) param ayati; (anyatha-tu) margena

margan nihatya param (prayati). Paratma is explained by Nilakantha, to

mean one who regards the material body to be Self. In the succeeding

Slokas the Rishi uses the word dehin which, in this connection, is the

same as dehabhimanin. The Rishi's answer is,--The materialist, by

renouncing desire, attaineth to the state of the Supreme Soul, i.e.,

emancipation. The sense seems to be that by renouncing desire, both

actions and attributes are lost. The state, therefore, of such a soul is

one of inaction, or perfect quietude and the absence of attributes, which

is exactly the nature of the Supreme Soul. If, again, emancipation be

sought without extinguishing desire, i.e., by the aid of work (prayers

and sacrifices), it is to be attained "by extinguishing path by a path,"

i.e., the seeker is to proceed along a definite or prescribed or ordained

route, taking care that the portions of the route he once passes over may

not have to be re-trodden by him. Action, as explained in a subsequent

Sloka, leadeth, it is true to regions of bliss and emancipation, but that

state is transitory, for when the merit is extinguished, the state that

was attained in consequence of it, is extinguished, and the person

falling off, has to recommence action. If, therefore, permanent

emancipation is to be attained, the obligation of re-commencing action

must be got rid of, i.e., care must be taken that the portions of the

route once passed over may not have to be re-trodden.

5. Apparently this question of Dhritarashtra is not connected with what

precedes. The connection however, is intimate, and the question follows

as a corollary from the Rishi's last answer. The Rishi having said that

the ordinary soul, by a certain process (i.e., renunciation of desire)

attains to the state of the Supreme Soul, Dhritarashtra infers that vice

versa, it is the Supreme Soul that becomes the ordinary soul, for (as

Nilakantha puts it in the phraseology of the Nyaya school) things

different cannot become what they are not and unless things are similar,

they cannot become of the same nature. Applying this maxim of the Nyaya

it is seen that when the ordinary soul becomes the Supreme Soul, these

are not different, and, therefore, it is the Supreme Soul that becomes

the ordinary soul. Under this impression Dhritarashtra asks,--Well, if it

is the Supreme Soul that becomes the ordinary soul, who is it that urgeth

the Supreme Soul to become so? And if all this (universe) be indeed, that

Soul, in consequence of the latter pervading and entering into

everything, then divested of desire as the Supreme Soul is, where is the

possibility of its action (action or work being the direct consequence of

desire)? If it is answered that the universe is the Deity's lila (mere

sport, as some schools of philosophy assert), then, as every sport is

ascribable to some motive of happiness, what can be the happiness of the

Deity, who, as presupposed, is without desire?

6. The Rishi answers--There is a great objection in admitting the

complete or essential identity of things different, i.e., the ordinary

soul and Supreme Soul being different, their identity cannot be admitted.

As regards creatures, they flow continually from Anadi-yoga, i.e., the

union of the Supreme Soul (which in itself is Unconditioned) with the

conditions of space, time etc.; i.e., there is this much of identity,

therefore between the ordinary and the Supreme Soul, but not a complete

or essential identity. It is also in consequence of this that the

superiority of the Supreme Soul is not lost (the opposite theory would be

destructive of that superiority). The favourite analogy of the thinkers

of this school for explaining the connection of the Supreme Soul with the

universe is derived from the connection of Akasa with Ghatakasa, i.e.,

space absolute and unconditioned and space as confined by the limits of a

vessel. The latter has a name, is moved when the vessel is moved, and is

limited in space; while space itself, of which the vessel's space forms a

part, is absolute and unconditioned, immovable, and unlimited.

7. Cars, elephants, horses, infantry, vehicles other than cars, and

warriors fighting from the backs of camels.

8. Called also the Badava fire.

9. The allusion is to the incarnation of Vishnu as the Horse-necked,

Nilakantha explains suvarnakhyam Jagat to be Veda prancha i.e., the whole

Vedas with all their contents, According to him, the sense of the passage

is that Vishnu in that form swells with his own voice the Vedic notes

chanted by the Brahmanas.

10. Patauti Jalam sravantiti patalam. Thus Nilakantha.

11. Literally, one that hath a beautiful or excellent face.

12. The story of Viswamitra's promotion to the status of a Brahmana is

highly characteristic. Engaged in a dispute with the Brahmana Rishi

Vasishtha, Viswamitra who was a Kshatriya king (the son of Kusika) found,

by bitter experience, that Kshatriya energy and might backed by the whole

science of arms, availed nothing against a Brahmana's might, for

Vasishtha by his ascetic powers created myriads and myriads of fierce

troops who inflicted a signal defeat on the great Kshatriya king. Baffled

thus, Viswamitra retired to the breast of Himavat and paid court to Siva.

The great God appeared and Viswamitra begged him for the mastery of the

whole science of weapons. The god granted his prayer. Viswamitra then

came back and sought an encounter with Vasishtha, but the latter by the

aid only of his Brahmanical (bamboo) stick baffled the fiercest weapons

of Viswamitra, of even celestial efficacy. Humiliated and disgraced,

Viswamitra set his heart on becoming a Brahmana. He gave up his kingdom

and retiring into the woods with his queen began to practise to severest

austerities. After the expiration of ten thousand years, the Creator

Brahma appeared before him and addressed him as a royal Rishi. Dispirited

at this, he devoted himself to still severer austerities. At last, at

Dharma's command (as here referred to) the great Kshatriya king became a

Brahmana. This, in the Hindu scriptures, is the sole instance of a person

belonging to a lower order becoming a Brahmana by ascetic austerities.

13. These articles of cognate origin are clarified butter, milk, and

other things used as libations in sacrifices.

14. i.e., the subdivisions of the Pranava, the mysterious Mantra, which

is the beginning of everything, were first promulgated here. Nilakantha

supposes this to refer to the origin of the Vedas, the Upanishads, and

the various branches of the Srutis and the Smritis.

15. Small divisions of time.

16. The limbs that should be 'prominent' or 'elevated' in order to

constitute an indication of beauty or auspiciousness are variously

mentioned. The general opinion seems to be that these six only, viz., the

back of each palm, the two dorsa, and the two bosoms should be elevated.

Another opinion would seem to indicate that the two bosoms, the two hips,

and the two eyes should be so. The seven that should be delicate or

slender are unanimously mentioned as the skin, the hair, the teeth, the

fingers of the hands, the fingers of the feet, the waist, and the neck.

The three that should be deep are the navel, the voice, and the

understanding. The five that should be red are the two palms, the two

outer corners of the eyes, the tongue, the nether and the upper-lips, and

the palate. These five also, are variously given.

17. The latter half of this Sloka is variously read. The correct reading,

I apprehend, is Niyamanani Santare Hritanyasan Vitastaya, i.e., 'while

transported across, were taken (down) by the (river) Vitasta'--the latter

being one of the five rivers of the Punjab.

18. The science of arms (Dhanurved) classes arms under four heads, viz.,

Mukta, Amukta, Muktamukta, and Yantramukta. A Mukta weapon is one that is

hurled from the hand, as a discus. An Amukta is not hurled from the hand,

as a sword. A Muktamukta is one that is sometimes hurled and sometimes

not, as a mace. A Yantramukta is one shot from a machine, as an arrow or

a ball. All Mukta weapons are Astras, while all Amukta ones are called

sastras.

19. The thousand-handed Arjuna, called also Kartaviryarjuna, the

vanquisher of Ravana, the chief of Haihaya clan of Kshatriyas having his

capital at Mahishmati on the banks of the Narmada (Nerbuda), was slain by

Rama