SECTION CCXVII
(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the son of the
wielder of the thunderbolt narrated everything unto those Brahmanas (residing
with him there), set out for the breast of Himavat. Arriving at the spot called
Agastyavata, he next went to Vasishtha's peak. Thence the son of Kunti
proceeded to the peak of Bhrigu. Purifying himself with ablutions and other
rites there, that foremost of the Kurus gave away unto Brahmanas many thousands
of cows and many houses. Thence that best of men proceeded to the sacred asylum
called Hiranyavindu. Performing his ablutions there, that foremost of the sons
of Pandu saw many holy regions. Descending from those heights that chief of
men, O Bharata, accompanied by the Brahmanas, journeyed towards the east,
desiring to behold the regions that lay in that direction. That foremost one of
Kuru's race saw many regions of sacred waters one after another. And beholding
in the forest of Naimisha the delightful river Utpalini (full of lotuses) and
the Nanda and the Apara Nanda, the far-famed Kausiki, and the mighty rivers
Gaya and Ganga, and all the regions of sacred water, he purified himself, O
Bharata, (with the usual rites), and gave away many cows unto Brahmanas.
Whatever regions of sacred waters and whatever other holy palaces there were in
Vanga and Kalinga, Arjuna visited all of them. Seeing them all and performing
proper ceremonies, he gave away much wealth. Then, O Bharata, all those
Brahmanas following the son of Pandu, bade him farewell at the gate of the
kingdom of Kalinga and desisted from proceeding with him any further. The brave
Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, obtaining their leave, went towards the ocean,
accompanied by only a few attendants. Crossing the country of the Kalingas, the
mighty one proceeded, seeing on his way diverse countries and sacred spots and
diverse delightful mansions and houses. Beholding the Mahendra mountain adorned
with the ascetics (residing there), he went to Manipura, proceeding slowly
along the sea-shore. Beholding all the sacred waters and other holy places in
that province, the strong-armed son of Pandu at last went, O king, to the virtuous
Chitravahana, the ruler of Manipura. The king of Manipura had a daughter of
great beauty named Chitrangada. And it so happened that Arjuna beheld her in
her father's palace roving at pleasure. Beholding the handsome daughter of
Chitravahana, Arjuna desired to possess her. Going unto the king (her father),
he represented unto him what he sought. He said. 'Give away unto me thy
daughter, O king! I am an illustrious Kshatriya's son.' Hearing this, the king
asked him, 'Whose son art thou?' Arjuna replied, 'I am Dhananjaya, the son of
Pandu and Kunti.' The king, hearing this, spoke unto him these words in sweet
accents, 'There was in our race a king of the name of Prabhanjana, who was
childless. To obtain a child, he underwent severe ascetic penances. By his
severe asceticism, O Partha, he gratified that god of gods, Mahadeva, the
husband of Uma, that supreme Lord holding (the mighty bow called) Pinaka. The
illustrious Lord granted him the boon that each successive descendant of his
race should have one child only. In consequence of that boon only one child is
born unto every successive descendant of this race. All my ancestors (one after
another) had each a male child. I, however, have only a daughter to perpetuate
my race. But, O bull amongst men, I ever look upon this daughter of mine as my
son. O bull of Bharata's race, I have duly made her a Putrika. Therefore, one
amongst the sons that may be begotten upon her by thee, O Bharata, shall be the
perpetuator of my race. That son is the dower for which I may give away my
daughter. O son of Pandu, if them choosest, thou canst take her upon this
understanding.' Hearing these words of the king, Arjuna accepted them all,
saying, 'So be it.' Taking Chitravahana's daughter (as his wife), the son of
Kunti resided in that city for three years. When Chitrangada at last gave birth
to a son, Arjuna embraced that handsome princess affectionately. And taking
leave of the king (her father), he set out on his wanderings again.'"
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