SECTION –XXXVI
(Arjunabhigamana Parva Continued)
Vaisampayana said, "Hearing those words of
Bhima, Yudhishthira. the son of Kunti--tiger among men and slayer of all
foes--began to sigh heavily, and reflect in silence. And he thought within
himself, 'I have heard recited the duties of kings, also all truths about the
duties of the different orders. He is said to observe those duties truly who
keepeth them before his eyes, so as to regulate his conduct both in the present
and the future. Knowing as I do the true course of virtue, which, however is so
very difficult of being known, how can I forcibly grind virtue down like
grinding the mountains of Meru? Having reflected so for a moment, and settled what
he should do, he replied unto Bhima as follows without allowing him another
word:
"O thou of mighty arms, it is even so as
thou hast said. But, O thou foremost of speakers, listen now to another word I
say. Whatever sinful deeds, O Bhima, one seeketh to achieve, depending on his
courage alone, become always a source of pain. But, O thou of mighty arms,
whatever is begun with deliberation, with well-directed prowess, with all
appliances, and much previous thought, is seen to succeed. The gods themselves favour
such designs. Hear from me something about what, proud of thy might, O Bhima,
and led away by thy restlessness, thou thinkest should be immediately begun.
Bhurisravas, Sala, the mighty Jarasandha, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, the mighty son
of Drona, Dhritarashtra's sons--Duryodhana and others--so difficult of being
vanquished, are all accomplished in arms and ever ready for battle with us.
Those kings and chiefs of the earth also who have been injured by us, have all
adopted the side of the Kauravas, and are bound by ties of affection to them. O
Bharata, they are engaged in seeking the good of Duryodhana and not of us. With
full treasures and aided by large forces, they will certainly strive their best
in battle. All the officers also of the Kuru army together with their sons and
relatives, have been honoured by Duryodhana with wealth and luxuries. Those
heroes are also much regarded by Duryodhana. This is my certain conclusion that
they will sacrifice their lives for Duryodhana in battle. Although the behaviour
of Bhishma, Drona, and the illustrious Kripa, is the same towards us as towards
them, yet, O thou of mighty arms, this is my certain conclusion that in order
to pay off the royal favours they enjoy, they will throw their very lives, than
which there is nothing dearer, in battle. All of them are masters of celestial
weapons, and devoted to the practice of virtue. I think they are incapable of
being vanquished even by gods led by Vasava himself. There is again amongst
them that mighty warrior--Karna--impetuous, and ever wrathful, master of all
weapons, and invincible, and encased in impenetrable mail. Without first
vanquishing in battle all those foremost of men, unaided as thou art, how canst
thou slay Duryodhana? O Vrikodara, I cannot sleep thinking of the lightness of
hand of that Suta's son, who, I regard, is the foremost of all wielders of the
bow!"
"Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these
words of Yudhishthira, the impetuous Bhima became alarmed, and forbore from
speaking anything. And while the sons of Pandu were thus conversing with each
other, there came to that spot the great ascetic Vyasa, the son of Satyavati.
And as he came, the sons of Pandu worshipped him duly. Then that foremost of
all speakers, addressing Yudhishthira, said, O, Yudhishthira, O thou of mighty
arms, knowing by spiritual insight what is passing in thy heart, I have come to
thee, O thou bull among men! The fear that is in thy heart, arising from
Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and Drona's son, and prince Duryodhana,
and Dussasana, I will dispell, O slayer of all foes, by means of an act
enjoined by the ordinance. Hearing it from me, accomplish it thou with
patience, and having accomplished it, O king, quell this fever of thine
soon.'"
That foremost of speakers then, the son of
Parasara, taking Yudhishthira to a corner, began to address him in words of
deep import, saying, 'O best of the Bharatas, the time is come for thy
prosperity, when, indeed Dhananjaya--that son of Pritha--will slay all thy foes
in battle. Uttered by me and like unto success personified, accept from me this
knowledge called Pratismriti that I impart to thee, knowing thou art capable of
receiving it. Receiving it (from thee), Arjuna will be able to accomplish his
desire. And let Arjuna, O son of Pandu, go unto Mahendra and Rudra, and Varuna,
and Kuvera, and Yama, for receiving weapon from them. He is competent to behold
the gods for his asceticism and prowess. He is even a Rishi of great energy,
the friend of Narayana; ancient, eternal a god himself, invincible, ever
successful, and knowing no deterioration. Of mighty arms, he will achieve
mighty deeds, having obtained weapons from Indra, and Rudra, and the Lokapalas,
O son of Kunti, think also of going from this to some other forest that may, O
king, be fit for thy abode. To reside in one place for any length of time is
scarcely pleasant. In thy case, it might also be productive of anxiety to the
ascetics. And as thou maintainest numerous Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and
the several branches thereof, continued residence here might exhaust the deer
of this forest, and be destructive of the creepers and plants.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed
him thus, that illustrious and exalted ascetic Vyasa, of great wisdom, acquired
with the mysteries of the world, then imparted unto the willing Yudhishthira
the just, who had meanwhile purified himself, that foremost of sciences. And
bidding farewell unto the son of Kunti, Vyasa disappeared then and there. The
virtuous and intelligent Yudhishthira, however, having obtained that knowledge
carefully retained it in his mind and always recited it on proper occasions.
Glad of the advice given him by Vyasa, the son of Kunti then, leaving the wood
Dwaitavana went to the forest of Kamyaka on the banks of the Saraswati. And, O
king, numerous Brahmanas of ascetic merit and versed in the science of orthoepy
and orthography, followed him like the Rishis following the chief of the
celestials. Arrived at Kamyaka, those illustrious bulls amongst the Bharata took
up their residence there along with their friends and attendants. And possessed
of energy, those heroes, O king, lived there for some time, devoted to the
exercise of the bow and hearing all the while the chanting of the Vedas. And
they went about those woods every day in search of deer, armed with pure
arrows. And they duly performed all the rites in honour of the Pitris, the
celestials and the Brahmanas."
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