SECTION XV
(Rajasuyarambha Parva Continued)
"Yudhishthira said,--"Intelligent as
thou art, thou hast said what none else is capable of saying. There is none
else on earth who is settler of all doubts. Behold, there are kings in every
province employed in benefiting their respective selves. But no one amongst
them hath been able to achieve the imperial dignity. Indeed, the title emperor
is difficult of acquisition. He that knoweth the valour and strength of others
never applaudeth himself.
He, indeed, is really worthy of applause
(worship) who, engaged in encounters with his enemies, beareth himself
commendably. O thou supporter of the dignity of the Vrishni race, man's desires
and propensities, like the wide earth itself adorned with many jewels, are
varied and extensive. As experience can seldom be gained but by travelling in
regions remote from one's home, so salvation can never be attained except by
acting according to principles that are very high, compared with the ordinary
level of our desire and propensities. I regard peace of mind as the highest
object here, for from that quality may proceed my prosperity. In my judgment, if
I undertake to celebrate this sacrifice, I shall never win the highest reward.
O Janardana, endued with energy and intelligence, these that have been born in
our race think that some one amongst them will at one time become the foremost
amongst all Kshatriyas. But, O exalted one, we also were all frightened by the
fear of Jarasandha and, O sinless one, by the wickedness of that monarch. O
thou invincible in battle, the might of thy arm is my refuge. When, therefore,
thou taken fright at Jarasandha's might, how should I regard myself strong in
comparison with him? Madhava, O thou of the Vrishni race, I am repeatedly
depressed by the thought whether Jarasandha is capable or not of being slain by
thee, by Rama, by Bhimasena, or by Arjuna. But what shall I say, O Keshava?
Thou art my highest authority on everything.'
"On hearing these words, Bhima well-skilled
in speech said,--'That king who is without exertion, or who being weak and
without resources entereth into hostility with one that is strong, perisheth like
an ant-hill. It may be generally seen, however, that even a king that is weak
may vanquish an enemy that is strong and obtain the fruition of all his wishes,
by wakefulness and by the application of policy. In Krishna is policy, in
myself strength, in Arjuna triumphs. So like the three (sacrificial) fires that
accomplish a sacrifice, we shall accomplish the death of the king of
Magadha."
"Krishna then said,--'One that is immature
in understanding seeketh the fruition of his desire without an eye to what may
happen to him in future. It is seen that no one forgiveth for that reason a foe
that is of immature understanding and inclined to serve his own interests. It
hath been heard by us that in the krita age, having brought every one under
their subjection, Yauvanaswin by the abolition of all taxes, Bhagiratha by his
kind treatment to his subjects, Kartavirya by the energy of his asceticism, the
lord Bharata by his strength and valour, and Maruta by his prosperity, all
these five became emperors. But, O Yudhishthira, thou who covetest the imperial
dignity deserves it, not by one but by all these qualities, viz., victory,
protection afforded to thy people, virtue, prosperity, and policy. Know, O bull
of the Kuru race, that Jarasandha, the son of Vrihadratha, is even such (i.e.,
a candidate for the imperial dignity). A hundred dynasties of kings have become
unable to oppose Jarasandha. He, therefore, may be regarded to be an emperor
for his strength. Kings that are wearers of jewels worship Jarasandha (with
presents of jewels). But, wicked from his childhood, he is scarcely satisfied
with such worship. Having become the foremost among all, he attacketh yet with
violence kings with crowns on their heads. Nor is there seen any king from whom
he taketh not tribute. Thus hath he brought under his sway nearly a hundred
kings. How can, O son of Pritha, any weak monarch approach him with hostile
intentions? Confined in the temple of Shiva and offered as sacrifice unto him
like so many animals, do not these monarchs dedicated unto that god feel the
most poignant misery, O bull of the Bharata race? A Kshatriya that dieth in
battle is ever regarded with respect. Why shall we not, therefore, meet
together and oppose Jarsandha in battle? He hath already brought eighty-six
kings; fourteen only are wanting to complete one hundred. As soon as he
obtaineth those fourteen, he will begin his cruel act. He that shall be to
obstruct that act will surely win blazing renown. And he that will vanquish
Jarasandha will surely become the emperor of all the Kshatriyas.'"
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