srimahabharata -(Book 14) Aswamedha Parva - chapters 76 to 87

great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Aswamedha Parva
Book 14

 Book 14
Chapter 76

 

1 [v]
      saindhavair abhavad yuddhaṃ tatas tasya kirīṭinaḥ
      hataśeṣair mahārāja hatānāṃ ca sutair api
  2 te 'vatīrṇam upāśrutya viṣayaṃ śvetavāhanam
      pratyudyayur amṛṣyanto rājānaḥ pāṇḍavarṣabham
  3 aśvaṃ ca taṃ parāmṛśya viṣayānte viṣopamāḥ
      na bhayaṃ cakrire pārthād bhīmasenād anantarāt
  4 te 'vidūrād dhanuṣpāṇiṃ yajñiyasya hayasya ca
      bībhatsuṃ pratyapadyanta padātinam avasthitam
  5 tatas te tu mahāvīryā rājānaḥ paryavārayan
      jigīṣanto naravyāghrāḥ pūrvaṃ vinikṛtā yudhi
  6 te nāmāny atha gotrāṇi karmāṇi vividhāni ca
      kīrtayantas tadā pārthaṃ śaravarṣair avākiran
  7 te kirantaḥ śarāṃs tīkṣṇān vāraṇendra nivāraṇān
      raṇe jayam abhīpsantaḥ kaunteyaṃ paryavārayan
  8 te 'samīkṣyaiva taṃ vīram ugrakarmāṇam āhave
      sarve yuyudhire vīrā rathasthās taṃ padātinam
  9 te tam ājaghnire vīraṃ nivātakavacāntakam
      saṃśaptaka nihantāraṃ hantāraṃ saindhavasya ca
  10 tato rathasahasreṇa hayānām ayutena ca
     koṣṭhakī kṛtyakaunteyaṃ saṃprahṛṣṭam ayodhayan
 11 saṃsmaranto vadhaṃ vīrāḥ sindhurājasya dhīmataḥ
     jayadrathasya kauravya samare savyasācinā
 12 tataḥ parjanyavat sarve śaravṛṣṭim avāsṛjan
     taiḥ kīrṇaḥ śuśubhe pārtho ravir meghāntare yathā
 13 sa śaraiḥ samavacchanno dadṛśe pāṇḍavarṣabhaḥ
     pañjarāntara saṃcārī śakunta iva bhārata
 14 tato hāhākṛtaṃ sarvaṃ kaunteye śarapīḍite
     trailokyam abhavad rājan raviś cāsīd rajo'ruṇaḥ
 15 tato vavau mahārāja māruto romaharṣaṇaḥ
     rāhur agrasad ādityaṃ yugapat somam eva ca
 16 ulkāś ca jaghnire sūryaṃ vikīryantyaḥ samantataḥ
     vepathuś cābhavad rājan kailāsasya mahāgireḥ
 17 mumucuś cāsram atyuṣṇaṃ duḥkhaśokasamanvitāḥ
     saptarṣayo jātabhayās tathā devarṣayo 'pi ca
 18 śaśaś cāśu nivirbhidya maṇḍalaṃ śaśino 'patat
     viparītas tadā rājaṃs tasminn utpātalakṣaṇe
 19 rāsabhāruṇa saṃkāśā dhanuṣmantaḥ sa vidyutaḥ
     āvṛtya gaganaṃ meghā mumucur māṃsaśoṇitam
 20 evam āsīt tadā vīre śaravarṣābhisaṃvṛte
     loke 'smin bharataśreṣṭha tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 21 tasya tenāvakīrṇasya śarajālena sarvaśaḥ
     mohāt papāta gāṇḍīvam āvāpaś ca karād api
 22 tasmin moham anuprāpte śarajālaṃ mahattaram
     saindhavā mumucus tūrṇaṃ gatasattve mahārathe
 23 tato mohasamāpannaṃ jñātvā pārthaṃ divaukasaḥ
     sarve vitrastam anasas tasya śānti parābhavan
 24 tato devarṣayaḥ sarve tathā saptarṣayo 'pi ca
     brahmarṣayaś ca vijayaṃ jepuḥ pārthasya dhīmataḥ
 25 tataḥ pradīpite devaiḥ pārtha tejasi pārthiva
     tasthāv acalavad dhīmān saṃgrāme paramāstravit
 26 vicakarṣa dhanur divyaṃ tataḥ kauravanandanaḥ
     yantrasyeveha śabdo 'bhūn mahāṃs tasya punaḥ punaḥ
 27 tataḥ sa śaravarṣāṇi pratyamitrān prati prabhuḥ
     vavarṣa dhanuṣā pārtho varṣāṇīva sureśvaraḥ
 28 tatas te saindhavā yodhāḥ sarva eva sarājakāḥ
     nādṛśyanta śaraiḥ kīrṇāḥ śalabhair iva pāvakāḥ
 29 tasya śabdena vitresur bhayārtāś ca vidudruvuḥ
     mumucuś cāśruśokārtāḥ suṣupuś cāpi saindhavāḥ
 30 tāṃs tu sarvān naraśreṣṭhaḥ sarvato vicaran balī
     alātacakravad rājañ śarajālaiḥ samarpayat
 31 tad indra jālapratimaṃ bāṇajālam amitrahā
     vyasṛjad diṣku sarvāsu mahendra iva vajrabhṛt
 32 meghajālanibhaṃ sainyaṃ vidārya sa raviprabhaḥ
     vibabhau kauravaśreṣṭhaḥ śaradīva divākaraḥ

SECTION LXXVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus waged that battle, O chief of the Bharatas, for three days between Arjuna and that prince like the encounter between him of a hundred sacrifices and Vritra. On the fourth day, Vajradatta of great might laughed loudly and, addressing Arjuna, said these words: 'Wait, wait, O Arjuna. Thou shalt not escape me with life. Slaying thee I shall duly discharge the water-rite of my sire. My aged sire, Bhagadatta, who was the friend of thy sire, was slain by thee in consequence of his weight of years. Do thou, however, fight me that am but a boy!' 1 Having said these words, O thou of Kuru's race, king Vajradatta, filled with rage, urged his elephant towards the son of Pandu. Urged on by Vajradatta of great intelligence, that prince of elephants, as if desirous of cutting through the welkin, rushed towards Dhananjaya. That prince of elephants drenched Arjuna with a shower of juice emitted from the end of his trunk, like a mass of blue clouds drenching a hill with its downpour. Indeed, urged on by the king, elephant, repeatedly roaring like a cloud, rushed towards Phalguna, with that deep noise emitted from its mouth. Verily, urged on by Vajradatta, that prince of elephants quickly moved towards the mighty car-warrior of the Kurus, with the tread of one that seemed to dance in excitement. Beholding that beast of Vajradatta advance towards him, that slayer of foes, viz., the mighty Dhananjaya, relying on Gandiva, stood his ground without shaking with fear. Recollecting what an obstacle Vajradatta was proving to the accomplishment of his task, and remembering the old enmity of the house (of Pragjyotisha towards the Pandavas), the son of Pandu became exceedingly inflamed with wrath against the king. Filled with rage, Dhananjaya impeded the course of that beast with a shower of arrows like the shore resisting the surging sea. That prince of elephants possessed of beauty (of form), thus impeded by Arjuna, stopped in its course, with body pierced with many an arrow, like a porcupine with its quills erect. Seeing his elephant impeded in its course, the royal son of Bhagadatta, deprived of sense by rage, shot many whetted arrows at Arjuna. The mighty-armed Arjuna baffled all those arrows with many foe-slaying shafts of his. The feat seemed to be exceedingly wonderful. Once more the king of the Pragjyotishas, inflamed with ire, forcibly urged his elephant, which resembled a mountain, at Arjuna. Beholding the beast once more advancing towards him, Arjuna shot with great strength a shaft at it that resembled a veritable flame of fire. Struck
p. 131
deeply in the very vitals, O king, by the son of Pandu, the beast suddenly fell down on the Earth like a mountain summit loosened by a thunder-bolt. Struck with Dhartanjaya's shaft, the elephant, as it lay on the Earth, looked like a huge mountain cliff lying on the ground, loosened by the bolt of Indra. When the elephant of Vajradatta was prostrated on the ground, the son of Pandu, addressing the king who had fallen down with his beast, said,--'Do not fear. Indeed, Yudhishthira of mighty energy said unto me while commissioning me for this task even these words,--'Thou shouldst not, O Dhananjaya, slay those kings (who may encounter thee in battle). O tiger among men, thou shouldst regard thy task as accomplished if only thou disablest those hostile kings. Thou shouldst not also, O Dhananjaya, slay the warriors of those kings who may come forth to fight thee, with all their kinsmen and friends. They should be requested to come to the horse-sacrifice of Yudhishthira.'--Having heard these commands of my brother, I shall not slay thee, O king. Rise up; let no fear be thine; return to thy city safe and sound, O lord of Earth. When the day of full moon in the month of Chaitra comes, thou shalt, O great king, repair to that sacrifice of king Yudhishthira the just, for it takes place on that day. Thus addressed by Arjuna, the royal son of Bhagadatta, defeated by the son of Pandu, said,--'So be it.'"

 

 

Book 14
Chapter 77

 

 

 1 [v]
      tato gāṇḍīvabhṛc chūro yuddhāya samavasthitaḥ
      vibabhau yudhi durdharṣo himavān acalo yathā
  2 tataḥ saindhava yodhās te punar eva vyavasthitāḥ
      vimuñcantaḥ susaṃrabdhāḥ śaravarṣāṇi bhārata
  3 tān prasahya mahāvīryaḥ punar eva vyavasthitān
      tataḥ provāca kaunteyo mumūrṣañ ślakṣṇayā girā
  4 yudhyadhvaṃ parayā śaktyā yatadhvaṃ ca vadhe mama
      kurudhvaṃ sarvakāryāṇi mahad vo bhayam āgatam
  5 eṣa yotsyāmi vaḥ sarvān nivārya śaravāgurām
      tiṣṭhadhvaṃ yuddhamanaso darpaṃ vinayitāsmi vaḥ
  6 etāvad uktvā kauravyo ruṣā gāṇḍīvabhṛt tadā
      tato 'tha vacanaṃ smṛtvā bhrātur jyeṣṭhasya bhārata
  7 na hantavyā raṇe tāta kṣatriyā vijigīṣavaḥ
      jetavyāś ceti yat proktaṃ dharmarājñā mahātmanā
      cintayām āsa ca tadā phalgunaḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ
  8 ity ukto 'haṃ narendreṇa na hantavyā nṛpā iti
      kathaṃ tan na mṛṣeha syād dharmarāja vacaḥ śubham
  9 na hanyeraṃś ca rājāno rājñaś cājñā kṛtā bhavet
      iti saṃcintya sa tadā bhrātuḥ priyahite rataḥ
      provāca vākyaṃ dharmajñaḥ sandhavān yuddhadurmadān
  10 bālān striyo vā yuṣmākaṃ na haniṣye vyavasthitān
     yaś ca vakṣyati saṃgrāme tavāsmīti parājitaḥ
 11 etac chrutvā vaco mahyaṃ kurudhvaṃ hitam ātmanaḥ
     ato 'nyathā kṛcchragatā bhaviṣyatha mahārditāḥ
 12 evam uktvā tu tān vīrān yuyudhe kurupuṃgavaḥ
     atvarāvān asaṃrabdhaḥ saṃrabdhair vijigīṣubhiḥ
 13 tataḥ śatasahasrāṇi śarāṇāṃ nataparvaṇām
     mumucuḥ saindhavā rājaṃs tadā gāṇḍīvadhanvani
 14 sa tān ātapataḥ krūrān āśīviṣaviṣopamān
     ciccheda niśitair bāṇair antaraiva dhanaṃjayaḥ
 15 chittvā tu tān āśu gamān kaṅkapatrāñ śilāśitān
     ekaikam eṣa daśabhir bibheda samare śaraiḥ
 16 tataḥ prāsāṃś ca śaktīṃś ca punar eva dhanaṃjaye
     jayadrathaṃ hataṃ smṛtvā cikṣipuḥ saindhavā nṛpāḥ
 17 teṣāṃ kirīṭī saṃkalpaṃ moghaṃ cakre mahāmanāḥ
     sarvāṃs tān antarā chittvā mudā cukrośa pāṇḍavaḥ
 18 tathaivāpatatāṃ teṣāṃ yodhānāṃ jaya gṛddhinām
     śirāṃsi pātayām āsa bhallaiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
 19 teṣāṃ pradravatāṃ caiva punar eva ca dhāvatām
     nivartatāṃ ca śabdo 'bhūt pūrṇasyeva mahodadheḥ
 20 te vadhyamānās tu tadā pārthenāmita tejasā
     yathāprāṇaṃ yathotsāhaṃ yodhayām āsur arjunam
 21 tatas te phalgunenājau śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     kṛtā visaṃjñā bhūyiṣṭhāḥ klāntavāhana sainikāḥ
 22 tāṃs tu sarvān pariglānān viditvā dhṛtarāṣṭrajā
     duḥśalā bālam ādāya naptāraṃ prayayau tadā
     surathasya sutaṃ vīraṃ rathenānāgasaṃ tadā
 23 śānty arthaṃ sarvayodhānām abhyagacchata pāṇḍavam
     sā dhanaṃjayam āsādya mumocārtasvaraṃ tadā
     dhanaṃjayo 'pi tāṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanur visasṛje prabhuḥ
 24 samutsṛṣṭa dhanuḥ pārtho vidhivad bhaginīṃ tadā
     prāha kiṃ karavāṇīti sā ca taṃ vākyam abravīt
 25 eṣa te bharataśreṣṭha svasrīyasyātmajaḥ śiśuḥ
     abhivādayate vīra taṃ paśya puruṣarṣabha
 26 ity uktas tasya pitaraṃ sa papracchārjunas tadā
     kvāsāv iti tato rājan duḥśalā vākyam abravīt
 27 pitṛśokābhisaṃtapto viṣādārto 'sya vai pitā
     pañcatvam agamad vīra yathā tan me nibodha ha
 28 sa pūrvaṃ pitaraṃ śrutvā hataṃ yuddhe tvayānagha
     tvām āgataṃ ca saṃśrutya yuddhāya hayasāriṇam
     pituś ca mṛtyuduḥkhārto 'jahāt prāṇān dhanaṃjaya
 29 prāpto bībhatsur ity eva nāma śrutvaiva te 'nagha
     viṣādārtaḥ papātorvyā mamāra ca mamātmajaḥ
 30 taṃ tu dṛṣṭvā nipatitaṃ tatas tasyātmajaṃ vibho
     gṛhītvā samanuprāptā tvām adya śaraṇaiṣiṇī
 31 ity uktvārtasvaraṃ sātu mumoca dhṛtarāṣṭrajā
     dīnā dīnaṃ sthitaṃ pārtham abravīc cāpy adhomukham
 32 svasāraṃ māma vekṣasva svasrīyātmamam eva ca
     kartum arhasi dharmajña dayāṃ mayi kurūdvaha
     vismṛtya kururājānaṃ taṃ ca mandaṃ jayadratham
 33 abhimanyor yathā jātaḥ parikṣit paravīra hā
     tathāyaṃ surathāj jāto mama pautro mahābhuja
 34 tam ādāya naravyāghra saṃptāptāsmi tavāntikam
     śamārthaṃ sarvayodhānāṃ śṛṇu cedaṃ vaco mama
 35 āgato 'yaṃ mahābāho tasya mandasya pautrakaḥ
     prasādam asya bālasya tasmāt tvaṃ kartum arhasi
 36 eṣa prasādya śirasā mayā sārdham ariṃdama
     yācate tvāṃ mahābāho śamaṃ gaccha dhanaṃjaya
 37 bālasya hatabandhoś ca pārtha kiṃ cid ajānataḥ
     prasādaṃ kuru dharmajña mā manyuvaśam anvagāḥ
 38 tam anāryaṃ nṛśaṃsaṃ ca vismṛtyāsya pitāmaham
     āgaḥ kāriṇam atyarthaṃ prasādaṃ kartum arhasi
 39 evaṃ bruvatyāṃ karuṇaṃ duḥśalāyāṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ
     saṃsmṛtya devīṃ gāndhārīṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ ca pārthivam
     provāca duḥkhaśokārtaḥ kṣatradharmaṃ vigarhayan
 40 dhik taṃ duryodhanaṃ kṣudraṃ rājyalubdhaṃ ca māninam
     yatkṛte bāndhavāḥ sarve mayā nītā yamakṣayam
 41 ity uktvā bahu sāntvādi prasādam akaroj jayaḥ
     pariṣvajya ca tāṃ prīto visasarja gṛhān prati
 42 duḥśalā cāpi tān yodhān nivārya mahato raṇāt
     saṃpūjya pārthaṃ prayayau gṛhān prati śubhānanā
 43 tataḥ saindhavakān yodhān vinirjitya nararṣabhaḥ
     punar evānvadhāvat sa taṃ hayaṃ kāmacāriṇam
 44 sasāra yajñiyaṃ vīro vidhivat sa viśāṃ pate
     tārāmṛgam ivākāśe devadevaḥ pināka dhṛk
 45 sa ca vājī yatheṣṭena tāṃs tān deśān yathāsukham
     vicacāra yathākāmaṃ karma pārthasya vardhayan
 46 krameṇa sahayas tv evaṃ vicaran bharatarṣabha
     maṇipūra pater deśam upāyāt saha pāṇḍavaḥ

SECTION LXXVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'There occurred a great battle between the diadem-decked Arjuna and the hundreds of Saindhavas who still lived after the slaughter of their clan (on the field of Kurukshetra). Hearing that he of white steeds had entered their territories, those Kshatriyas came out against him, unable to bear that foremost one of Pandu's race. Those warriors who were as terrible as virulent poison, finding the horse within their dominion, seized it without being inspired with any fear of Partha who was the younger brother of Bhimasena. Advancing against Vibhatsu who waited on foot, armed with his bow, upon the sacrificial steed, they assailed him from a near point. Defeated in battle before, those Kshatriyas of mighty energy, impelled by the desire of victory, surrounded that foremost of men. Proclaiming their names and families and their diverse feats, they showered their arrows on Partha. Pouring showers of arrows of such fierce energy as were capable of impeding the course of hostile elephants, those heroes surrounded the son of Kunti, desirous of vanquishing him in battle. Themselves seated on cars, they fought Arjuna of fierce feats who was, on foot. From every side they began to strike that hero, that slayer of the Nivatakavachas, that destroyer of the Samasaptakas, that killer of the king of the Sindhus. Surrounding him on every side as within a cage by means of a thousand cars and ten thousand horses, those brave warriors expressed their exaltation. Recollecting the slaughter by Dhananjaya of
p. 132
[paragraph continues] Jayadratha in battle, O thou of Kuru's race, they poured heavy showers of arrows on that hero like a mass of clouds showering a heavy downpour. Over-whelmed with that arrowy shower, Arjuna looked like the sun covered by a cloud. That foremost son of Pandu, in the midst of that cloud of arrows, resembled a bird in the midst of an iron cage, O Bharata. Seeing the son of Kunti thus afflicted with shafts, cries of Oh and Alas were uttered by the three worlds and the Sun himself became shorn of his splendour. Then, O king, a terrible wind began to blow, and Rahu swallowed up both the Sun and the Moon at the same time. Many meteors struck the solar disc and then shot in different directions. The prince of mountains, viz., Kailasa, began to tremble. The seven (celestial) Rishis, as also the other Rishis of Heaven, penetrated with fear, and afflicted with grief and sorrow, breathed hot sighs. Piercing through the welkin, those meteors fell on the lunar disc as well. All the points of the compass became filled with smoke and assumed a strange aspect. Reddish clouds, with flashes of lightning playing in their midst and the bow of Indra measuring them from side to side, suddenly covered the welkin and poured flesh and bloods on the Earth. Even such was the aspect which all nature assumed when that hero was overwhelmed with showers of shafts. Indeed, when Phalguna, that foremost one among the Bharatas, was thus afflicted, those marvels were seen. Overwhelmed by that dense cloud of arrows, Arjuna became stupefied. His bow, Gandiva, fell down from his relaxed grip and his leathern fence also slipped down. When Dhananjaya became stupefied, the Saindhava warriors once more shot at that senseless warrior, without loss of time, innumerable other shafts. Understanding that the son of Pritha was deprived of consciousness, the deities, with hearts penetrated by fear, began to seek his welfare by uttering diverse benedictions. Then the celestial Rishis, the seven Rishis, and the regenerate Rishis, became engaged in silent recitations from desire of giving victory to Pritha's son of great intelligence. When at last the energy of Partha blazed forth through those acts of the denizens of Heaven, that hero, who was conversant with celestial weapons of high efficacy, stood immovable like a hill. The delighter of the Kurus then drew his celestial bow. And as he repeatedly stretched the bowstring, the twang that followed resembled the loud sound of some mighty machine. Like Purandara pouring rain, the puissant Arjuna then, with that bow of his, poured incessant showers of shafts on his foes. Pierced by those shafts the Saindhava warriors with their chiefs became invisible like trees when covered with locusts. They were frightened at the very sound of Gandiva, and afflicted by fear they fled away. In grief of heart they shed tears and uttered loud lamentations. The mighty warrior moved amidst that host of foes with the celerity of a fiery wheel, all the time piercing those warriors with his arrows. Like the great Indra, the wielder of the thunder-bolt, that slayer of foes, viz., Arjuna, shot from his bow in every direction that shower of arrows which resembled a sight produced by magic (instead of any human agency). The Kaurava hero, piercing the hostile host with showers of arrows, looked resplendent like the autumnal Sun when he disperses the clouds with his powerful rays.'"

 

 

Book 14
Chapter 78

 

 

1 [v]
      śrutvā tu nṛpatir vīraṃ pitaraṃ babhru vāhanaḥ
      niryayau vinayenāryo brāhmaṇārghya puraḥsaraḥ
  2 maṇipūreśvaraṃ tv evam upayātaṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ
      nābhyanandata medhāvī kṣatradharmam anusmaran
  3 uvāca cainaṃ dharmātmā sa manyuḥ phalgunas tadā
      prakriyeyaṃ na te yuktā bahis tvaṃ kṣatradharmataḥ
  4 saṃrakṣyamāṇaṃ turagaṃ yaudhiṣṭhiram upāgatam
      yajñiyaṃ viṣayānte māṃ nāyotsīḥ kiṃ nu putraka
  5 dhiktvām astu sudurbuddhiṃ kṣatradharmaviśāradam
      yo māṃ yuddhāya saṃprāptaṃ sāmnaivātho tvam agrahīḥ
  6 na tvayā puruṣārthaś ca kaś cid astīha jīvatā
      yas tvaṃ strīvad yudhā prāptaṃ sāmnā māṃ pratyagṛhṇathāḥ
  7 yady ahaṃ nyastaśastras tvām āgaccheyaṃ sudurmate
      prakriyeyaṃ tato yuktā bhavet tava narādhama
  8 tam evam uktaṃ bhartrā tu viditvā pannagātmajā
      amṛṣyamāṇā bhittvorvīm ulūpī tam upāgamat
  9 sā dadarśa tataḥ putraṃ vimṛśantam adhomukham
      saṃtarjyamānam asakṛd bhartrā yuddhārthinā vibho
  10 tataḥ sā cārusarvāṅgī tam upetyoragātmajā
     ulūpī prāha vacanaṃ kṣatradharmaviśāradā
 11 ulūpīṃ māṃ nibodha tvaṃ mātaraṃ pannagātmajām
     kuruṣva vacanaṃ putra dharmas te bhavitā paraḥ
 12 yudhyasvainaṃ kuruśreṣṭhaṃ dhanaṃjayam ariṃdama
     evam eṣa hi te prīto bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
 13 evam uddharṣito mātrā sa rājā babhru vāhanaḥ
     manaś cakre mahātejā yuddhāya bharatarṣabha
 14 saṃnahya kāñcanaṃ varma śiras trāṇaṃ ca bhānumat
     tūṇī raśata saṃbādham āruroha mahāratham
 15 sarvopakaraṇair yuktaṃ yuktam aśvair manojavaiḥ
     sucakropaskaraṃ dhīmān hemabhāṇḍa pariṣkṛtam
 16 paramārcitam ucchritya dhvajaṃ siṃhaṃ hiraṇmayam
     prayayau pārtham uddiśya sa rājā babhru vāhanaḥ
 17 tato 'bhyetya hayaṃ vīro yajñiyaṃ pārtha rakṣitam
     grāhayām āsa puruṣair hayaśikṣā viśāradaiḥ
 18 gṛhītaṃ vājinaṃ dṛṣṭvā prītātmā sadhanaṃjayaḥ
     putraṃ rathasthaṃ bhūmiṣṭhaḥ saṃnyavārayad āhave
 19 tataḥ sa rājā taṃ vīraṃ śaravrātaiḥ sahasraśaḥ
     ardayām āsa niśitair āśīviṣaviṣopamaiḥ
 20 tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ pituḥ putrasya cātulam
     devāsuraraṇaprakhyam ubhayoḥ prīyamāṇayoḥ
 21 kirīṭinaṃ tu vivyādha śareṇa nataparvaṇā
     jatru deśe naravyāghraḥ prahasan babhru vāhanaḥ
 22 so 'bhyagāt saha puṅkhena valmīkam iva pannagaḥ
     vinirbhidya ca kaunteyaṃ mahītalam athāviśat
 23 sa gāḍhavedano dhīmān ālambya dhanur uttamam
     divyaṃ tejaḥ samāviśya pramīta iva saṃbabhau
 24 sa saṃjñām upalabhyātha praśasya puruṣarṣabhaḥ
     putraṃ śakrātmajo vākyam idam āha mahīpate
 25 sādhu sādhu mahābāho vatsa citrāṅgadātmaja
     sadṛśaṃ karma te dṛṣṭvā prītimān asmi putraka
 26 vimuñcāmy eṣa bāṇāṃs te putra yuddhe sthiro bhava
     ity evam uktvā nārācair abhyavarṣad amitrahā
 27 tān sa gāṇḍīvanirmuktān vajrāśanisamaprabhān
     nārācair acchinad rājā sarvān eva tridhā tridhā
 28 tasya pārthaḥ śarair divyair dhvajaṃ hemapariṣkṛtam
     suvarṇatālapratimaṃ kṣureṇāpāharad rathāt
 29 hayāṃś cāsya mahākāyān mahāvegaparākramān
     cakāra rājño nirjīvān prahasan pāṇḍavarṣabhaḥ
 30 sa rathād avatīryāśu rājā paramakopanaḥ
     padātiḥ pitaraṃ kopād yodhayām āsa pāṇḍavam
 31 saṃprīyamāṇaḥ pāṇḍūnām ṛṣabhaḥ putra vikramāt
     nātyarthaṃ pīḍayām āsa putraṃ vajradharāthamaḥ
 32 sa hanyamāno vimukhaṃ pitaraṃ babhru vāhanaḥ
     śarair āśīviṣākāraiḥ punar evārdayad balī
 33 tataḥ sa bālyāt pitaraṃ vivyādha hṛdi patriṇā
     niśitena supuṅkhena balavad babhru vāhanaḥ
 34 sa bāṇas tejasā dīpto jvalann iva hutāśanaḥ
     viveśa pāṇḍavaṃ rājan marma bhittvātiduḥkha kṛt
 35 sa tenātibhṛśaṃ viddhaḥ putreṇa kurunandanaḥ
     mahīṃ jagāma mohārtas tato rājan dhanaṃjayaḥ
 36 tasmin nipatite vīre kauravāṇāṃ dhuraṃdhare
     so 'pi mohaṃ jagāmāśu tataś citrāṅgadā sutaḥ
 37 vyāyamya saṃyuge rājā dṛṣṭvā ca pitaraṃ hatam
     pūrvam eva ca bāṇaughair gāḍhaviddho 'rjunena saḥ
 38 bhartāraṃ nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā putraṃ ca patitaṃ bhuvi
     citrāṅgadā paritrastā praviveśa raṇājiram
 39 śokasaṃtapta hṛdayā rudatī sā tataḥ śubhā
     maṇipūra pater mātā dadarśa nihataṃ patim

 

SECTION LXXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'The irresistible wielder of Gandiva, addresst for battle, stood immovable on the field like Himavat himself. The Saindhava warriors, once more rallying, showered in great wrath repeated down-pours of shifts on him. The mighty-armed hero, laughing at his foes, who had once more rallied but who were on the point of death, addressed them in these soft words,--'Do ye fight to the best of your power and do ye endeavour to vanquish me. Do ye however, accomplish all necessary acts, for a great danger awaits you all. See, I fight all of you, baffling your clouds of arrows. Bent as you are on battle, tarry a little. I shall soon quell your pride.' The wielder of Gandiva, having said these words in wrath, recollected, however, the words, O Bharata, of his eldest brother. Those words were,--'Thou shouldst not, O child, slay those Kshatriyas who will come against thee for battle. They should, however, be vanquished by thee. That foremost of men, Phalguna, had been thus addressed by king Yudhishthira the just, of great soul. He, therefore, began to reflect in this strain. 'Even thus was I commissioned by my brother. Warriors advancing against me should not be slain. I must act in such a way as not to falsify the words of king Yudhishthira the just.' Having arrived at this conclusion, Phalguna, that foremost of men, then said unto those Saindhavas who were all fierce in battle, these words:--'I say what is for your benefit. Though staying before me. I do not wish to slay you. He amongst you who will say unto me that he has been vanquished by me and that he is mine, will be spared by me. Having heard these words of mine, act towards me in that way which may best conduce to your benefit. By acting in a different way you will place yourselves in a situation of great fear and danger.' Having said these words unto those heroic warriors the chief of the Kurus began to fight them. Arjuna was inflamed with wrath. His foes, desirous of victory, were equally enraged. The Saindhavas then, O king, shot hundreds and thousands of straight arrows at the wielder of Gandiva. Dhananjaya, with his own whetted shafts, cut off those arrows of sharp and terrible points, resembling snakes of virulent poison, before they could come up to him. Having cut off those sharp arrows equipt with Kanka feathers, Arjuna pierced each of the warriors opposed to him with a whetted shaft. The Saindhava Kshatriyas, recollecting that it was Dhananjaya who had slain their king Jayadratha, then hurled at him darts and javelins with great force. The diadem-decked Dhananjaya of great might baffled their intent by cutting off all those weapons before any of them could reach him. At length the son of Pandu became highly angry. With many straight and broad-headed arrows, he felled the heads of many of those warriors who were rushing at him from desire of victory. Many fled, many rushed at Arjuna; many moved not, all of them, however, uttered such aloud noise (of wrath and grief) that it resembled the roar of the ocean. As they were slain by Partha of immeasurable might, they fought him, each according to his strength and prowess. Their animals being all exhausted, Partha succeeded in depriving a large number of those warriors of their senses by means of his sharpest shafts
p. 134
in that battle. Then Dussala, their queen, the daughter of Dhritarashtra, knowing that they were rendered cheerless by Arjuna, took her grandson in her arms and repaired to Arjuna. The child was the son of Suratha (the son of Jayadratha). The brave prince proceeded to his maternal uncle on his car for the safety of all the Saindhava warriors. The queen, arrived at the presence of Dhananjaya, began to weep in sorrow. The puissant Dhananjaya, seeing her, cast off his bow. Abandoning his bow, Partha duly received his sister and enquired of her as to what he could do for her. The queen replied unto him, saying,--'O chief of the Bharatas, this child is the son of thy sister's son. He salutes thee, O Partha. Look at him, O foremost of men.' Thus addressed by her, Partha enquired after his son (Suratha), saying--'Where is he?' Dussala then answered him, saying,--'Burning with grief on account of the slaughter of his sire, the heroic father of this child died in great affliction of heart. Listen to me how he met with his death. 'O Dhananjaya, he had heard before that his sire Jayadratha had been slain by thee, O sinless one. Exceedingly afflicted with grief at this, and hearing of thy arrival here as the follower and protector of the sacrificial horse, he at once fell down and gave up his life-breaths. Verily, deeply afflicted with grief as he was, as go on as he heard of thy arrival he gave up his life. Seeing him prostrate on the Earth, O lord, I took his infant son with me and have come to thee, desirous of thy protection.' Having said these words, the daughter of Dhritarashtra began to lament in deep affliction. Arjuna stood before her in great cheerlessness of heart. His face was turned towards the Earth. The cheerless sister then said unto her brother, who was equally cheerless, these words: 'Behold thy sister. Behold the child of thy sister's son. O perpetuator of Kuru's race, O thou that art fully conversant with every duty, it behoveth thee to show mercy to this child, forgetting the Kuru prince (Duryodhana) and the wicked Jayadratha. Even as that slayer of hostile heroes, Parikshit, has been born of Abhimanyu, so has this mighty-armed child, my grandson, sprung from Suratha. Taking him with me, O chief of men, I have come to thee, desirous of the safety of all the warriors. Do thou listen to these words of mine. This child of that wicked foe of thine hath now come to thee, O mighty-armed hero. It behoveth thee, therefore to show mercy to this infant. O chastiser of foes, this infant seeks to gratify thee by bending his head. He solicits thee for peace. O mighty-armed hero, be inclined to make peace. O thou that art conversant with every duty, be thou gratified with the child whose friends and kinsmen have all been slain and who himself knows nothing of what has happened. Do not yield to wrath. Forgetting his disreputable and cruel grandfather, who offended against thee so highly, it behoveth thee to show thy grace towards this child.' Recollecting queen Gandhari and king Dhritarashtra, Dhananjaya, afflicted with grief, addressed Dussala who had said so unto him, and answered her, censuring Kshatriya practices the while. 'Fie on Duryodhana, that mean wight, covetous of kingdom and full of vanity! Alas, it was for him that all my kinsmen have been despatched by me to the abode of Yama.' Having said so, Dhananjaya comforted his sister and became inclined to make peace. Cheerfully he embraced her and then dismissed her, telling her to return to her palace. Dussala
p. 135
bade all her warriors desist from that great battle, and worshipping Partha, she of beautiful face retraced her steps towards her abode. Having vanquished those heroes, viz., the Saindhavas, thus, Dhananjaya began to follow that steed which roved at its will. The heroic Arjuna duly followed that sacrificial horse even as the divine wielder of Pinaka had in days of yore followed the deer through the firmament. 1 The steed, at its will, wandered through various realms one after another, enhancing the feats of Arjuna. In course of time, O chief of men, the horse wandering at its pleasure, at last arrived within the dominions of the ruler of Manipura, followed by the son of Pandu.'"

 

Book 14
Chapter 79

 

 

 

1 [v]
      tato babu vidhaṃ bhīrur vilapya kamalekṣaṇā
      mumoha duḥkhād durdharṣā nipapāta ca bhūtale
  2 pratilabhya ca sā saṃjñāṃ devī divyavapur dharā
      ulūpīṃ pannagasutāṃ dṛṣṭvedaṃ vākyam abravīt
  3 ulūpi paśya bhartāraṃ śayānaṃ nihataṃ raṇe
      tvatkṛte mama putreṇa bālena samitiṃjayam
  4 nanu tvam ārye dharmajñā nanu cāsi pativratā
      yat tvatkṛte 'yaṃ patitaḥ patis te nihato raṇe
  5 kiṃ tu sarvāparādho 'yaṃ yadi te 'dya dhanaṃjayaḥ
      kṣamasva yācyamānā me saṃjīvaya dhanaṃjayam
  6 nanu tvam ārye dharmajñā trailokyaviditā śubhe
      yad ghātayitvā bhartāraṃ puteṇeha na śocasi
  7 nāhaṃ śocāmi tanayaṃ nihataṃ pannagātmaje
      patim eva tu śocāmi yasyātithyam idaṃ kṛtam
  8 ity uktvā sā tadā devīm ulūpīṃ pannagātmajām
      bhartāram abhigamyedam ity uvāca yaśasvinī
  9 uttiṣṭha kurumukhyasya priyakāmamama priya
      ayam aśvo mahābāho mayā te parimokṣitaḥ
  10 nanu nāma tvayā vīradharmarājasya yajñiyaḥ
     ayam aśvo 'nusartavyaḥ sa śeṣe kiṃ mahītale
 11 tvayi prāṇāḥ samāyattāḥ kurūṇāṃ kurunandana
     sa kasmāt prāṇado 'nyeṣāṃ prāṇān saṃtyaktavān asi
 12 ulūpi sādhu saṃpaśya bhartāraṃ nihataṃ raṇe
     putraṃ cainaṃ samutsāhya ghātayitvā na śocasi
 13 kāmaṃ svapitu bālo 'yaṃ bhūmau pretagatiṃ gataḥ
     lohitākṣo guḍākeśo vijayaḥ sādhu jīvatu
 14 nāparādho 'sti subhage narāṇāṃ bahubhāryatā
     nārīṇāṃ tu bhavaty etan mā te bhūd buddhir īdṛśī
 15 sakhyaṃ hy etat kṛtaṃ dhātrā śāśvataṃ cāvyayaṃ ca ha
     sakhyaṃ samabhijānīhi satyaṃ saṃgatam astu te
 16 putreṇa ghātayitvemaṃ patiṃ yadi na me 'dya vai
     jīvantaṃ darśayasy adya parityakṣyāmi jīvitam
 17 sāhaṃ duḥkhānvitā bhīru patiputra vinākṛtā
     ihaiva prāyam āśiṣye prekṣantyās te na saṃśayaḥ
 18 ity uktvā pannagasutāṃ sapatnīṃ caitravāhinī
     tataḥ prāyam upāsīnā tūṣṇīm āsīj janādhipa

SECTION LXXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'The ruler of Manipura, Vabhruvahana, hearing that his sire Arjuna had arrived within his dominions, went out with humility, with a number of Brahmanas and some treasure in his van. 2 Remembering, however, the duties of Kshatriyas, Dhananjaya of great intelligence, seeing the ruler of Manipura arrive in that guise, did not approve of it. The righteous-souled Phalguna angrily said, 'This conduct of thine is not becoming. Thou hast certainly fallen away from Kshatriya duties. I have come here as the protector of Yudhishthira's sacrificial horse. Why, O son, wilt thou not fight me, seeing that I have come within thy dominions? Fie on thee, O thou of foolish understanding, fie on thee that hast fallen away from Kshatriya duties! Fie on thee that would receive me peacefully, even though I have come here for battling with thee. In thus receiving me peacefully thou actest like a woman. O thou of wretched understanding, if I had come to thee, leaving aside my arms, then would this behaviour of thine have been fit, O worst of men.' Learning that these words were addressed by her husband, the daughter of the Snake-king, viz., Ulupi unable to tolerate it, pierced through the Earth and came up to that spot. 3 She beheld her son standing there perfectly cheerless and with face hanging down. Indeed, the prince was repeatedly rebuked by his sire who was desirous of battle with him, O monarch. The daughter of the snake, with every limb possessed of beauty, viz., Ulupi, said these words consistent with righteousness and duty unto the prince who was conversant with righteousness and duty,--'Know that I am thy mother Ulupi that am the daughter of a snake. Do thou accomplish my behest, O son, for thou wouldst then attain to great merit. Fight thy father, this foremost one
p. 136
of Kuru's race, this hero that is irresistible in battle. Without doubt, he will then be gratified with thee.' In this way was king Vabhruvahana incited against his sire by his (step) mother. At last, endued as he was with great energy, he made up his mind, O chief of the Bharata's, to fight Dhananjaya. Putting on his armour of bright gold and his effulgent head-gear, he ascended an excellent car which had hundreds of quivers ready on it. That car was equipt with necessaries for battle and had steeds yoked to it that were endued with the speed of the mind. It had excellent wheels and a strong Upashkara, and was adorned with golden ornaments of every kind. Raising his standard which was decorated most beautifully and which bore the device of a lion in gold, the handsome prince Vabhruvahana proceeded against his sire for battle. Coining upon the sacrificial steed which was protected by Partha, the heroic prince caused it to be seized by persons well-versed in horse-lore. Beholding the steed seized, Dhananjaya became filled with joy. Standing on the Earth, that hero began to resist the advance of his son who was on his car. The king afflicted the hero with repeated showers of shafts endued with whetted points and resembling snakes of virulent poison. The battle that took, place between sire and son was incomparable. It resembled the encounter between the deities and the Asuras of old. Each was gratified with obtaining the other for an antagonist. Then Vabhruvahana, laughing, pierced the diadem-decked Arjuna, that foremost of men, in the shoulder with a straight shaft. Equipt with feathers, that shaft penetrated Arjuna's body like a snake penetrating on an anthill. Piercing the son of Kunti through, the shaft went deep into the Earth. Feeling acute pain, the intelligent Dhananjaya rested awhile, supporting himself on his excellent bow. He stood, having recourse to his celestial energy and seemed to outward appearance like one deprived of life. That foremost of men, then regaining consciousness, praised his son highly. Possessed of great splendour, the son of Sakra said, 'Excellent, Excellent, O mighty-armed one, O son of Chitrangada! O son, beholding this feat, so worthy of thee, I am highly gratified with thee. I shall now shoot these arrows at thee, O son. Stand for fight (without running away).' Having said these words, that slayer of foes shot a shower of arrows on the prince. King Vabhruvahana, however, with his own broad-headed shafts, cut all those arrows which were shot from Gandiva and which resembled the thunder-bolt of Indra in splendour, some in twain and some into three parts. Then the standard, decked with gold and resembling a golden palmyra, on the king's car was cut off by Partha with some excellent shafts of his. The son of Pandu, laughing, next slew the king's steeds endued with large size and great speed. Descending from his car, the king inflamed with rage, fought his sire on foot. Gratified with the prowess of his son, that foremost one of the sons of Pritha, viz., the son of the wielder of the thunder-bolt, began to afflict him greatly. The mighty Vabhruvahana, thinking that his father was no longer able to face him, again afflicted him with many shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. From a spirit of boyishness he then vigorously pierced his father in the breast with a whetted shaft equipt with excellent wings. That shaft, O king, penetrated the body of Pandu's son and reaching his very vital caused him great pain. The delighter
p. 137
of the Kurus, Dhananjaya, deeply pierced therewith by his son, then fell down in a swoon on the Earth, O king. When that hero, that bearer of the burthens of the Kuru's fell down, the son of Chitrangada also became deprived of his senses. The latter's swoon was due to his exertions in battle as also to his grief at seeing his sire slain. He had been pierced deeply by Arjuna with clouds of arrows. He, therefore, fell down at the van of battle embracing the Earth. Rearing that her husband had been slain and that her son had fallen down on the Earth, Chitrangada, in great agitation of mind, repaired to the field of battle. Her heart burning with sorrow, weeping piteously the while, and trembling all over, the mother of the ruler of Manipura saw her slain husband."'

 

 

Book 14
Chapter 80

 

1 [v]
      tathā vilapyoparatā bhartuḥ pādau pragṛhya sā
      upaviṣṭābhavad devī socchvāsaṃ putram īkṣatī
  2 tataḥ saṃjñāṃ punar labdhvā sa rājā babhru vāhanaḥ
      mātaraṃ tām athālokya raṇabhūmāv athāvravīt
  3 ito duḥkhataraṃ kiṃ nu yan me mātā sukhaidhitā
      bhūmau nipatitaṃ vīram anuśete mṛtaṃ patim
  4 nihantāraṃ raṇe 'rīṇāṃ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varam
      mayā vinihataṃ saṃkhye prekṣate durmaraṃ bata
  5 aho 'syā hṛdayaṃ devyā dṛḍhaṃ yan na vidīryate
      vyūḍhoraskaṃ mahābāhuṃ prekṣantyā nihataṃ patim
  6 durmaraṃ puruṣeṇeha manye hy adhvany anāgate
      yatra nāhaṃ na me mātā viprayujyeta jīvitāt
  7 aho dhik kuruvīrasya hy uraḥ sthaṃ kāñcanaṃ bhuvi
      vyapaviddhaṃ hatasyeha mayā putreṇa paśyata
  8 bho bho paśyata me vīraṃ pitaraṃ brāhmaṇā bhuvi
      śayānaṃ vīraśayane mayā putreṇa pātitam
  9 brāhmaṇāḥ kurumukhyasya prayuktā hayasāriṇaḥ
      kurvantu śāntikāṃ tv adya raṇe yo 'yaṃ mahāhataḥ
  10 vyādiśantu ca kiṃ viprāḥ prāyaścittam ihādya me
     sunṛśaṃsasya pāpasya pitṛhantū raṇājire
 11 duścarā dvādaśa samā hatvā pitaram adya vai
     mameha sunṛśaṃsasya saṃvītasyāsya carmaṇā
 12 śiraḥ kapāle cāsyaiva bhuñjataḥ pitur adya me
     prāyaścittaṃ hi nāsty anyad dhatvādya pitaraṃ mama
 13 paśya nāgottama sute bhartāraṃ nihataṃ mayā
     kṛtaṃ priyaṃ mayā te 'dya nihatya samare 'rjunam
 14 so 'ham apy adya yāsyāmi gatiṃ pitṛniṣevitām
     na śaknomy ātmanātmānam ahaṃ dhārayituṃ śubhe
 15 sā tvaṃ mayi mṛte mātas tathā gāṇḍīvadhanvini
     bhava prītimatī devi satyenātmānam ālabhe
 16 ity uktvā sa tadā rājā duḥkhaśokasamāhataḥ
     upaspṛśya mahārāja duḥkhād vacanam abravīt
 17 śṛṇvantu sarvabhūtāni sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca
     tvaṃ ca mātar yathāsatyaṃ bravīmi bhujagottame
 18 yadi nottiṣṭhati jayaḥ pitā me bharatarṣabhaḥ
     asminn eva raṇoddeśe śoṣayiṣye kalevaram
 19 na hi me pitaraṃ hatvā niṣkṛtir vidyate kva cit
     narakaṃ pratipatsyāmi dhruvaṃ guru vadhārditaḥ
 20 vīraṃ hi kṣatriyaṃ hatvā gośatena pramucyate
     pitaraṃ tu nihatyaivaṃ dustarā niṣkṛtir mayā
 21 eṣa hy eko mahātejāḥ pāṇḍuputro dhanaṃjayaḥ
     pitā ca mama dharmātmā tasya me niṣkṛtiḥ kṛtaḥ
 22 ity evam uktvā nṛpate dhanaṃjaya suto nṛpaḥ
     upaspṛśyābhavat tūṣṇīṃ prāyopeto mahāmatiḥ

 

SECTION LXXX

"Vaisampayana said, 'That lady of eyes like lotus petals, having indulged in copious lamentations, and burning with grief, at last lost her senses and fell down on the Earth. Regaining consciousness and seeing Ulupi, the daughter of the snake chief, queen Chitrangada endued with celestial beauty, said unto her these words, 'Behold. O Ulupi, our ever-victorious husband slain in battle, through thee, by my son of tender years. Art thou conversant with the practices of the respectable? Art thou a wife devoted to thy lord? It is through thy deed that thy husband is laid low, slain in battle. If Dhananjaya hath offended against thee in every respect, do thou forgive him I solicit thee, do thou revive that hero. O righteous lady, thou art conversant with piety. Thou art, O blessed one, known (for thy virtues) over the three worlds. How is it that having caused thy husband to be slain by my son, thou dost not indulge in grief? O daughter of the snake chief, I do not grieve for my slain son. I grieve for only my husband who has received this hospitality from his son.' Having said these words unto the queenly Ulupi, the daughter of the snake chief, the illustrious Chitrangada proceeded to where her husband lay on the Earth and addressing him, said, 'Rise, O dear lord, thou occupiest the foremost place in the affections of the Kuru king (Yudhishthira). Here is that steed of thine. It has been set free by me. Verily, O puissant one, this sacrificial steed of king Yudhishthira the just, should be followed by thee. Why then dost thou lie still on the Earth? My life-breaths depend on thee, O delighter of the Kurus. How is it that he who is the giver of other people's life-breaths casts off his own life-breaths today? Behold, O Ulupi, this goodly sight of thy husband lying prostrate on the ground. How is it that thou dost not grieve, having caused him to be slain through my son when thou didst excite with thy words? It is fit that this boy should succumb to the power of death and lie thus on the ground beside his own sire. Oh, let Vijaya, let him that is called Gudakesa, let this hero with reddish eyes, come back O life. O blessed lady, polygamy is not fault with men. Women only incur fault by taking more than one husband.
p. 138
[paragraph continues] Do not, therefore, harbour such thoughts (of vengeance). 1 This relationship was ordained by the Supreme ordainer himself. It is, besides, an eternal and unchangeable one. Do thou attend to that relationship. Let thy union (with Dhananjaya) be made true. If, having slain thy husband through my son, thou dost not revive him today before my eyes, I shall then cast off my life-breaths. Without doubt, O reverend lady, afflicted as I am with grief and deprived as I am of both husband and son, I shall sit here today in Praya in thy very sight!' Having said so unto the daughter of the snake chief, who was a co-wife with her to Arjuna, the princess Chaitravahini sat in Praya, O king, restraining speech.' 2
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Ceasing to lament, the cheerless queen, taking upon her lap the feet of her husband, sat there, sighing heavily and wishing also the restoration of her son to life. King Vabhruvahana then, regaining consciousness, saw his mother seated in that guise on the field of battle. Addressing her he said, 'What can be more painful than the sight of my mother, who has been brought up in luxury, lying on the bare ground beside her heroic husband stretched thereon? Alas, this slayer of all foes, this foremost of all wielders of weapons, hath been slain by me in battle, It is evident that men do not die till their hour comes. 3 Oh, the heart of this princess seems to be very hard since it does not break even at the sight of her mighty-armed and broad-chested husband lying dead on the ground. It is evident that one does not die till one's hour comes, since neither myself, nor my mother is deprived of life (at even such a sight). Alas, alas, the golden coat of mail of this foremost hero of Kuru's race, slain by me, his son, knowingly, is lying on the ground, cut off from his body. Alas, ye Brahmanas, behold my heroic sire lying prostrate on the Earth, on a hero's bed, slain by his son. What benefit is done to this hero, slain by me in battle, by those Brahmanas who were commissioned to attend upon this foremost one of Kuru's race engaged in following the steed? Let the Brahmanas direct what expiation should now be undergone by me, a cruel and sinful wretch, that has slain his own sire in battle. Having slain my own sire, I should, suffering every kind of misery, wander over the Earth, cruel that I am, covering myself with his skin. Give me the two halves of my sire's head to day, (so that I may wander over the Earth with them for that period), for there is no other expiation for me that have slain my own sire. Behold, O daughter of the foremost of snakes, thy husband slain by me. Verily, by slaying Arjuna in battle I have accomplished what is agreeable to thee. I shall today follow in the track by which my sire has gone. O blessed one, I am unable to comfort myself. Be happy today, O mother, seeing myself and the wielder of Gandiva both embrace death today. I swear to thee by truth itself (that I shall castoff my life-breaths).' Having said
p. 139
these words, the king, deeply afflicted with grief, O monarch, touched water, and exclaimed in sorrow, 'Let all creatures, mobile and immobile, listen to me. Do thou also listen to me, O mother. I say the truth, O best of all daughters of the snakes. If this best of men, Jaya, my sire, does not rise up, I shall emaciate my own body, sitting on the field of battle. Having slain my sire, there is no rescue for me (from that dire sin). Afflicted as I am with the sin of slaying my sire, I shall without doubt have to sink in Hell. By slaying a heroic Kshatriya one becomes cleansed by making a gift of a hundred kine. By slaying my sire, however, so dire has been my sin that my I rescue is impossible. This Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, was the one hero endued with mighty energy. Possessed of righteous soul, he was the author of my being. How can I be rescued after having slain him? Having uttered these lamentations, the high-souled son of Dhananjaya, king Vabhruvahana, touched water and became silent, vowing to starve himself to death.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the king of Manipura, that chastiser of foes, afflicted with grief, along with his mother, sat down to starve himself to death, Ulupi then thought of the gem that has the virtue of reviving a dead man. The gem, the great refuge of the snakes, thus thought of, came there. The daughter of the prince of snakes taking it up, uttered these words that highly gladdened the combatants standing on the field. 'Rise up, O son. Do not grieve. Jishnu has not been vanquished by thee. This hero is incapable of being vanquished by men as also by the deities with Vasava himself at their head I have exhibited this illusion, deceiving your senses, for the benefit of this foremost of men, viz., thy illustrious sire. O thou of Kuru's race, desirous of ascertaining the prowess of thyself, his son, this slayer of hostile heroes, O king, came here for battling with thee. It was for that reason, O son, that thou wert urged by me to do battle. O puissant king, O son, do not suspect that thou hast committed any, even the least, fault, by accepting his challenge. He is a Rishi, of a mighty soul, eternal and indestructible. O dear son, Sakra himself is incapable of vanquishing him in battle. This celestial gem has been brought by me, O king. It always revives the snakes as often as they die. O puissant king, do thou place this gem on the breast of thy sire. Thou shalt then see the son of Pandu revived.' Thus addressed, the prince who had committed no sin, moved by affection for his sire, then placed that gem on the breast of Pritha's son of immeasurable energy. After the gem had been placed on his breast; the heroic and puissant Jishnu became revived. Opening his red eyes he rose up like one who had slept long. Beholding his sire, the high-souled hero of great energy, restored to consciousness and quite at his ease, Vabhruvahana worshipped him with reverence. When that tiger among men, O puissant one, awoke from the slumber of death with every auspicious sign of life, the chastiser of Paka rained down celestial flowers. Kettle-drums struck by nobody, produced their music deep as the roar of the cloud. A loud uproar was heard in the welkin consisting of the words--Excellent, Excellent! The mighty-armed Dhananjaya, rising up and well-comforted, embraced Vabhruvahana and smelled his head. He saw sitting at a distance from his son, this latter's mother afflicted with grief, in the company of Ulupi. Dhananjaya
p. 140
asked,--'Why is it that every thing in the field of battle seems to bear the indications of grief, wonder, and joy? If, O slayer of foes, the cause is known to thee, do thou then tell me. Why has thy mother come to the field of battle? Why also has Ulupi, the daughter of the prince of snakes, come here? I know that thou hadst fought this battle with me at my own command. I desire to know what the cause is that has brought out the ladies.' The intelligent ruler of Manipura, thug questioned by Dhananjaya, gratified him by bending his head in reverence, and then said,--'Let Ulupi be questioned.'

 

Book 14
Chapter 81

 

 

1 [v]
      prāyopaviṣṭe nṛpatau maṇipūreśvare tadā
      pitṛśokasamāviṣṭe saha mātrā paraṃtapa
  2 ulūpī cintayām āsa tadā saṃjīvanaṃ maṇim
      sa copātiṣṭhata tadā pannagānāṃ parāyaṇam
  3 taṃ gṛhītvā tu kauravya nāgarājapateḥ sutā
      manaḥ prahlādanīṃ vācaṃ sainikānām athābravīt
  4 uttiṣṭha māṃ śucaḥ putra naiṣa jiṣṇus tvayā hataḥ
      ajeyaḥ puruṣair eṣa devair vāpi sa vāsavaiḥ
  5 mayā tu mohinī nāma māyaiṣā saṃprayojitā
      priyārthaṃ puruṣendrasya pitus te 'dya yaśasvinaḥ
  6 jijñāsur hy eṣa vai putrabalasya tava kauravaḥ
      saṃgrāme yudhyato rājan nāgataḥ paravīrahā
  7 tasmād asi mayā putra yuddhārthaṃ paricoditaḥ
      mā pāpam ātmanaḥ putra śaṅkethās tv aṇv api prabho
  8 ṛṣir eṣa mahātejāḥ puruṣaḥ śāśvato 'vyayaḥ
      nainaṃ śakto hi saṃgrāme jetuṃ śakro 'pi putraka
  9 ayaṃ tu me maṇir divyaḥ samānīto viśāṃ pate
      mṛtān mṛtān pannagendrān yo jīvayati nityadā
  10 etam asyorasi tvaṃ tu sthāpayasva pituḥ prabho
     saṃjīvitaṃ punaḥ putra tato draṣṭāsi pāṇḍavam
 11 ity uktaḥ sthāpayām āsa tasyorasi maṇiṃ tadā
     pārthasyāmita tejāḥ sa pituḥ snehād apāka kṛt
 12 tasmin nyaste maṇau vīra jiṣṇur ujjīvitaḥ prabhuḥ
     suptotthita ivottasthau mṛṣṭalohita locanaḥ
 13 tam utthitaṃ mahātmānaṃ labdhasaṃjñaṃ manasvinam
     samīkṣya pitaraṃ svasthaṃ vavande babhru vāhanaḥ
 14 utthite puruṣavyāghre punar lakṣmīvati prabho
     divyāḥ sumanasaḥ puṇyā vavṛṣe pākaśāsanaḥ
 15 anāhatā dundubhayaḥ praṇedur meghanisvanāḥ
     sādhu sādhv iti cākāśe babhūva sumahāsvanaḥ
 16 utthāya tu mahābāhuḥ paryāśvasto dhanaṃjayaḥ
     babhru vāhanam āliṅgya samājighrata mūrdhani
 17 dadarśa cāvidūre 'sya mātaraṃ śokakarśitām
     ulūpyā saha tiṣṭhantīṃ tato 'pṛcchad dhanaṃjayaḥ
 18 kim idaṃ lakṣyate sarvaṃ śokavismaya harṣavat
     raṇājiram amitraghna yadi jānāsi śaṃsa me
 19 jananī ca kimarthaṃ te raṇabhūmim upāgatā
     nāgendra duhitā ceyam ulūpī kim ihāgatā
 20 jānāmy aham idaṃ yuddhaṃ tvayā madvacanāt kṛtam
     strīṇām āgamane hetum aham icchāmi veditum
 21 tam uvāca tataḥ pṛṣṭo maṇipūra patis tadā
     prasādya śirasā vidvān ulūpī pṛcchyatām iti

 

SECTION LXXXI

"Arjuna said, 'What business brought thee here, O daughter (-in-law) of Kuru's race, and what also is the cause of the arrival on the field of battle of her who is the mother of the ruler of Manipura? Dost thou entertain friendly motives towards this king, O daughter of a snake? O thou of restless glances, dost thou wish good to me too? I hope, O thou of ample hips, that neither I, nor this Vabhruvahana here, have, O beautiful lady, done any injury to thee unconsciously? Has Chitrangada of faultless limbs, descended from the race of Chitravahana, done thee any wrong?' Unto him, the daughter of the prince of snakes answered smilingly, 'Thou hast not offended me, nor has Vabhruvahana done me any wrong; nor this prince's mother who is always obedient to me as a hand-maid. Listen, how all this has been brought about by me. Thou shouldst not be angry with me. Indeed, I seek to gratify thee by bending my head in reverence. O thou of Kuru's race, all this has been done by me for thy good, O puissant one. O mighty-armed Dhananjaya, hear all that I have done. In the great battle of the Bharata princes, thou hadst slain the royal son of Santanu by unrighteous ways. What I have done has expiated thy sin. Thou didst not overthrow Bhishma while battling with thee. He was engaged with Sikhandin. Relying on him as thy help, thou didst compass the overthrow of Santanu's son. If thou hadst died without having expiated thy sin, thou wouldst then have fallen without doubt into Hell in consequence of that sinful act of thine. Even this which thou hast got from thy son is the expiation of that sin. Formerly, O ruler of Earth, I heard this said by the Vasus while they were in the company of Ganga, O thou of great intelligence. After the fall of Santanu's son, those deities, viz., the Vasus, coming to the banks of Ganga, bathed in her waters, and calling the goddess of that stream, they uttered these terrible words having the sanction of Bhagirathi herself, viz.,--Santanu's son Bhishma has been slain by Dhananjaya. Verily, O goddess, Bhishma then was engaged with another, and had ceased to fight. For this fault we shall today denounce a curse on Dhananjaya.--To this, the goddess Ganga readily assented, saying,--Be it so!--Hearing these words I became very much afflicted and penetrating into the nether regions represented everything to my
p. 141
sire. Informed of what had happened, my sire became plunged in grief. Repairing to the Vasus, he solicited them for thy sake, repeatedly gratifying them by every means in his power. They then said unto him, 'Dhananjaya has a highly blessed son who, endued with youth, is the ruler of Manipura. He will, standing on the field of battle, cast Dhananjaya down on the Earth. When this will happen, O prince of snakes, Arjuna will be freed from our curse. Do thou go back.--Thus addressed by the Vasus, he came back and informed me of what had happened. Having learnt all this, O hero, I have freed thee from the curse of the Vasus even in this way. The chief of the deities himself is incapable of vanquishing thee in battle. The son is one's own self. It is for this that thou hast been vanquished by him. I cannot be held, O puissant one, to have committed any fault. How, indeed, wouldst thou hold me censurable?'--Thus addressed (by Ulupi), Vijaya became cheerful of heart and said unto her, 'All this that thou hast done, O goddess, is highly agreeable to me.' After this, Jaya addressed his son, the ruler of Manipura, and said unto him in the hearing of Chitrangada, the daughter (-in-law) of Kuru's house, the Horse-sacrifice of Yudhishthira will take place on the day of full moon in the coming month of Chaitra. Come there, O king, with thy mother and thy counsellors and officers.' Thus addressed by Partha, king Vabhruvahana of great intelligence, with tearful eyes, said these words to his sire, 'O thou that art conversant with every duty, I shall certainly repair, at thy command, to the great Horse-sacrifice, and take upon myself the task of distributing food among the regenerate ones. For, however, showing thy grace towards me, thou enter thy own city with thy two wives. Let no scruple, be thine as regards this, O thou that art fully acquainted with every duty. O lord, having lived for one night in thy own mansion in happiness, thou mayst then follow the steed, O foremost of victorious warriors. The ape-bannered son of Kunti, thus addressed by his son, answered the child of Chitrangada, saying 'Thou knowest, O mighty-armed one, what vow I am observing. O thou of large eyes, till the termination of this my vow, I cannot enter thy city. O foremost of men, this sacrificial horse wanders at will. (I have to follow it always.) Blessings on thee! I must go away. Place I have none wherein to rest for even a short while.' The son of the chastiser of Paka then, duly worshipped by his son and obtaining the permission of his two wives, left the spot and proceeded on his way.'"

 

 

Book 14
Chapter 82

 

 

1 [arjuna]
      kim āgamanakṛtyaṃ te kauravya kulanandini
      maṇipūra pater mātus tathaiva ca raṇājire
  2 kac cit kuśalakāmāsi rājño 'sya bhujagātmaje
      mama vā cañcalāpāṅge kac cit tvaṃ śubham icchasi
  3 kac cit te pṛthula śroṇināpriyaṃ śubhadarśane
      akārṣam aham ajñānād ayaṃ vā babhru vāhanaḥ
  4 kac cic ca rājaputrī te sapatnī caitravāhinī
      citrāṅgadā varārohā nāparādhyati kiṃ cana
  5 tam uvācoraga pater duhitā prahasanty atha
      na me tvam aparāddho 'si na nṛpo babhru vāhanaḥ
      na janitrī tathāsyeyaṃ mama yā preṣyavat sthitā
  6 śrūyatāṃ yad yathā cedaṃ mayā sarvaṃ viceṣṭitam
      na me kopas tvayā kāryaḥ śirasā tvāṃ prasādaye
  7 tvat prītyarthaṃ hi kauravya kṛtam etan mayānagha
      yat tac chṛṇu mahābāho nikhilena dhanaṃjaya
  8 mahābhārata yuddhe yat tvayā śāṃtanavo nṛpaḥ
      adharmeṇa hataḥ pārtha tasyaiṣā niṣkṛtiḥ kṛtā
  9 na hi bhīṣmas tvayā vīra yudhyamāno nipātitaḥ
      śikhaṇḍinā tu saṃsaktas tam āśritya hatas tvayā
  10 tasya śāntim akṛtvā tu tyajes tvaṃ yadi jīvitam
     karmaṇā tena pāpena patethā niraye dhruvam
 11 eṣā tu vihitā śāntiḥ putrād yāṃ prāptavān asi
     vasubhir vasudhā pāla gaṅgayā ca mahāmate
 12 purā hi śrutam etad vai vasubhiḥ kathitaṃ mayā
     gaṅgāyās tīram āgamya hate śāṃtanave nṛpe
 13 āplutya devā vasavaḥ sametya ca mahānadīm
     idam ūcur vaco ghoraṃ bhāgīrathyā mate tadā
 14 eṣa śāṃtanavo bhīṣmo nihataḥ savyasācinā
     ayudhyamānaḥ saṃgrāme saṃsakto 'nyena bhāmini
 15 tad anenābhiṣaṅgeṇa vayam apy arjunaṃ śubhe
     śāpena yojayāmeti tathāstv iti ca sābravīt
 16 tad ahaṃ pitur āvedya bhṛśaṃ pravyathitendriyā
     abhavaṃ sa ca tac chrutvā viṣādam agamat param
 17 pitā tu me vasūn gatvā tvadarthaṃ samayācata
     punaḥ punaḥ prasādyaināṃs ta evam idam abruvan
 18 punas tasya mahābhāga maṇipūreśvaro yuvā
     sa enaṃ raṇamadhya sthaṃ śaraiḥ pātayitā bhuvi
 19 evaṃ kṛte sa nāgendra muktaśāpo bhaviṣyati
     gaccheti vasubhiś cokto mama cedaṃ śaśaṃsa saḥ
 20 tac chrutvā tvaṃ mayā tasmāc chāpād asi vimokṣitaḥ
     na hi tvāṃ devarājo 'pi samareṣu parājayet
 21 ātmā putraḥ smṛtas tasmāt tenehāsi parājitaḥ
     nātra doṣo mama mataḥ kathaṃ vā manyase vibho
 22 ity evam ukto vijayaḥ prasannātmābravīd idam
     sarvaṃ me supriyaṃ devi yad etat kṛtavaty asi
 23 ity uktvāthābravīt putraṃ maṇipūreśvaraṃ jayaḥ
     citrāṅgadāyāḥ śṛṇvantyāḥ kauravya duhitus tathā
 24 yudhiṣṭhirasyāśvamedhaḥ parāṃ caitrīṃ bhaviṣyati
     tatrāgaccheḥ sahāmātyo mātṛbhyāṃ sahito nṛpa
 25 ity evam uktaḥ pārthena sa rājā babhru vāhanaḥ
     uvāca pitaraṃ dhīmān idam asrāvilekṣaṇaḥ
 26 upayāsyāmi dharmajña bhavataḥ śāsanād aham
     aśvamedhe mahāyajñe dvijātipariveṣakaḥ
 27 mama tv anugrahārthāya praviśasva puraṃ svakam
     bhāryābhyāṃ saha śatrughna mā bhūt te 'tra vicāraṇā
 28 uṣitveha viśalyas tvaṃ sukhaṃ sve veśmani prabho
     punar aśvānugamanaṃ kartāsi jayatāṃ vara
 29 ity uktaḥ sa tu putreṇa tadā vānaraketanaḥ
     smayan provāca kaunteyas tadā citrāṅgadā sutam
 30 viditaṃ te mahābāho yathā dikṣāṃ carāmy aham
     na sa tāvat praveṣkyāmi puraṃ te pṛthulocana
 31 yathākāmaṃ prayāty eṣa yajñiyaś ca turaṃgamaḥ
     svasti te 'stu gamiṣyāmi na sthānaṃ vidyate mama
 32 sa tatra vidhivat tena pūjitaḥ pākaśāsaniḥ
     bhāryābhyām abhyanujñātaḥ prāyād bharatasattamaḥ

 

SECTION LXXXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'The (sacrificial) steed, having wandered over the whole Earth bounded by the ocean, then ceased and turned his face towards the city called after the elephant. Following as he did that horse, the diadem-decked Arjuna also turned his face towards the Kuru capital. Wandering at
p. 142
his will, the steed then came to the city of Rajagriha. Beholding him arrived within his dominion, O monarch, the heroic son of Sahadeva, observant of Kshatriya duties, challenged him to battle. Coming out of his city, Meghasandhi, mounted on his car and equipt with bow and arrows and leathern fence, rushed towards Dhananjaya who was on foot. Possessed of great energy, Meghasandhi approaching Dhananjaya, O king, said these words from a spirit of childishness and without any skill. 'This steed of thine, O Bharata, seems to move about, protected by women only. I shall take away the horse. Do thou strive to free him. Although my sires did not teach thee in battle, I, however, shall do the duties of hospitality to you. Do thou strike me, for I shall strike thee.' Thus addressed, the son of Pandu, smiling the while, answered him, saying, 'To resist him who obstructs me is the vow cast on me by my eldest brother. Without doubt, O king, this is known to thee. Do thou strike me to the best of thy power. I have no anger.' Thus addressed, the ruler of Magadha first struck the son of Pandu, showering his arrows on him like the thousand-eyed Indra showering heavy downpour of rain. Then, O chief of Bharata's race, the heroic wielder of Gandiva, with shafts sped from his excellent bow, baffled all the arrows shot carefully at him by his antagonist. Having thus baffled that cloud of arrows, the ape-bannered hero sped a number of blazing arrows at his foe that resembled snakes with fiery mouths. These arrows he shot at his flag and flag-staff and car and poles and yoke and the horses, sparing the body of his foe and his car-driver. Though Partha who was capable of shooting the bow with the left hand (as well as with the right) spared the body of the prince of Magadha, yet the latter thinking that his body was protected by his own prowess, shot many arrows at Partha. The wielder of Gandiva, deeply struck by the prince of Magadha, shone like a flowering Palasa (Butea frondosa) in the season of spring. Arjuna had no desire of slaying the prince of Magadha. It was for this that, having struck the son of Pandu, he succeeded in remaining before that foremost of heroes. Then Dhananjaya, becoming angry, drew his bow with great force, and slew his antagonist's steeds and then struck off the head of his car-driver. With a razor-headed shaft he then cut off Meghasandhi's large and beautiful bow, and then his leathern fence. Then cutting off his flag and flag-staff, he caused it to fall down. The prince of Magadha, exceedingly afflicted, and deprived of his steeds and bow and driver, took up a mace and rushed with great speed at the son of Kunti. Arjuna then with many shafts of his equipt with vulturine feathers cut off into fragments, that mace of his advancing foe which was adorned with bright gold. Thus cut off into fragments, that mace with its begemmed bonds and knots all severed, fell on the Earth like a she-snake helplessly hurled down by somebody. When his foe became deprived of his car, his bow, and his mace, that foremost of warriors, viz., the intelligent Arjuna, did not wish to strike him. The ape-bannered hero then, comforting his cheerless foe who had been observant of Kshatriya duties, said unto him these words, 'O son, thou hast sufficiently displayed thy adherence to Kshatriya duties. Go now. Great have been the feats, O king, which thou hast accomplished in battle although thou art very young in years. The command I received from Yudhishthira
p. 143
was that kings who oppose me should not be slain. It is for this thou livest yet, O monarch, although thou hast offended me in battle. Thus addressed, the ruler of Magadha considered himself vanquished and spared. Thinking then that it was his duty to do so, he approached Arjuna and joining his hands in reverence worshipped him. And he said, 'Vanquished have I been by thee. Blessed be thou, I do not venture to continue the battle. Tell me what I am to do now for thee. Regard thy behest as already accomplished. Comforting him again, Arjuna once more said unto him, 'Thou shouldst repair to the Horse-sacrifice of our king which takes place at the coming full moon of Chaitra.' Thus addressed by him, the son of Sahadeva said, 'So be it,'--and then duly worshipped that horse as also Phalguna, that foremost of warriors. The sacrificial horse then, equipt with beautiful manes, proceeded at his will along the sea-coast, repairing to the countries of the Bangas, the Pundras, and the Kosalas. In those realms Dhananjaya, with his bow Gandiva, O king, vanquished innumerable Mlechecha armies one after another.'"

 

Book 14
Chapter 83

 

 

1 [v]
      sa tu vājī samudrāntāṃ paryetya pṛthivīm imām
      nivṛtto 'bhimukho rājanyena nāgāhvayaṃ puram
  2 anugacchaṃś ca tejasvī nivṛtto 'tha kirīṭabhṛt
      yadṛcchayā samāpede puraṃ rājagṛhaṃ tadā
  3 tam abhyāśagataṃ rājā jarāsaṃdhātmajātmajaḥ
      kṣatradharme sthito vīraḥ samarāyājuhāva ha
  4 tataḥ purāt sa niṣkramya rathī dhanvī śarī talī
      meghasaṃdhiḥ padātiṃ taṃ dhanaṃjayam upādravat
  5 āsādya ca mahātejā meghasaṃdhir dhanaṃjayam
      bālabhāvān mahārāja provācedaṃ na kauśalāt
  6 kim ayaṃ cāryate vājī strīmadhya iva bhārata
      hayam enaṃ hariṣyāmi prayatasva vimokṣaṇe
  7 adattānunayo yuddhe yadi tvaṃ pitṛbhir mama
      kariṣyāmi tavātithyaṃ praharapraharāmi vā
  8 ity uktaḥ pratyuvācainaṃ pāṇḍavaḥ prahasann iva
      vighnakartā mayā vārya iti me vratam āhitam
  9 bhrātrā jyeṣṭhena nṛpate tavāpi viditaṃ dhruvam
      praharasva yathāśakti na manyur vidyate mama
  10 ity uktaḥ prāharat pūrvaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ magadheśvaraḥ
     kirañ śarasahasrāṇi varṣāṇīva sahasradṛk
 11 tato gāṇḍīvabhṛc chūro gāṇḍīvapreṣitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     cakāra moghāṃs tān bāṇān ayatnād bharatarṣabha
 12 sa moghaṃ tasya bāṇaughaṃ kṛtvā vānaraketanaḥ
     śarān mumoca jvalitān dīptāsyān iva pannagān
 13 dhvaje patākā daṇḍeṣu rathayantre hayeṣu ca
     anyeṣu ca rathāṅgeṣu na śarīre na sārathau
 14 saṃrakṣyamāṇaḥ pārthena śarīre phalgunasya ha
     manyamānaḥ svavīryaṃ tan māgadhaḥ prāhiṇoc charān
 15 tato gāṇḍīvabhṛc chūro māgadhena samāhataḥ
     babhau vāsantika iva palāśaḥ puṣpito mahān
 16 avadhyamānaḥ so 'bhyaghnan māgadhaḥ pāṇḍavarṣabham
     tena tasthau sa kauravya lokavīrasya darśane
 17 savyasācī tu saṃkruddho vikṛṣya balavad dhanuḥ
     hayāṃś cakāra nirdehān sāratheś ca śiro 'harat
 18 dhanuś cāsya mahac citraṃ kṣureṇa pracakarta ha
     hastāvāpaṃ patākāṃ ca dhvajaṃ cāsya nyapātayat
 19 sa rājā vyathito vyaśvo vidhanur hatasārathiḥ
     gadām ādāya kaunteyam abhidudrāva vegavān
 20 tasyāpatata evāśu gadāṃ hemapariṣkṛtām
     śaraiś cakarta bahudhā bahubhir gṛdhravājitaiḥ
 21 sā gadā śakalībhūtā viśīrṇamaṇibandhanā
     vyālī nirmucyamāneva papātāsya sahasradhā
 22 virathaṃ taṃ vidhanvānaṃ gadayā parivarjitam
     naicchat tāḍayituṃ dhīmān arjunaḥ samarāgraṇīḥ
 23 tata enaṃ vimanasaṃ kṣatradharme samāsthitam
     sāntvapūrvam idaṃ vākyam abravīt kapiketanaḥ
 24 paryāptaḥ kṣatradharmo 'yaṃ darśitaḥ putra gamyatām
     bahv etat samare karma tava bālasya pārthiva
 25 yudhiṣṭhirasya saṃdeśo na hantavyā nṛpā iti
     tena jīvasi rājaṃs tvam aparāddho 'pi me raṇe
 26 iti matvā sa cātmānaṃ pratyādiṣṭaṃ sma māgadhaḥ
     tathyam ity avagamyainaṃ prāñjaliḥ pratyapūjayat
 27 tam arjunaḥ samāśvāsya punar evedam abravīt
     āgantavyaṃ parāṃ caitrīm aśvamedhe nṛpasya naḥ
 28 ity uktaḥ sa tathety uktvā pūjayām āsa taṃ hayam
     phalgunaṃ ca yudhāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ vidhivat sahadevajaḥ
 29 tato yatheṣṭam agamat punar eva sa kesarī
     tataḥ samudratīreṇa vaṅgān puṇḍrān sa keralān
 30 tatra tatra ca bhūrīṇi meccha sainyāny anekaśaḥ
     vijigye dhanuṣā rājan gāṇḍīvena dhanaṃjayaḥ

 

SECTION LXXXIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Worshipped by the ruler of Magadha, Pandu's son having white steeds yoked unto his car, proceeded along the south, following the (sacrificial) steed. Turning round in course of his wanderings at will, the mighty steed came upon the beautiful city of the Chedis called after the oyster. 1 Sarabha, the son of Sisupala, endued with great strength, first encountered Arjuna in battle and then worshipped him with due honours. Worshipped by him, O king, that best of steeds then proceeded to the realms of the Kasis, the Angas, the Kosalas, the Kiratas, and the Tanganas. Receiving due honours in all those realms, Dhananjaya turned his course. Indeed, the son of Kunti then proceeded to the country of the Dasarnas. The ruler of that people was Chitrangada who was endued with great strength and was a crusher of foes. Between him and Vijaya occurred a battle exceedingly terrible. Bringing him under his sway the diadem-decked Arjuna, that foremost of men, proceeded to the dominions of the Nishada king, viz., the son of Ekalavya. The soon of Ekalavya received Arjuna in battle. The encounter that took place between the Kuru hero and the Nishadas was so furious as to make the hair stand on end. Unvanquished in battle, the valiant son of Kunti defeated the Nishada king who proved an obstacle to the sacrifice. Having subjugated the son of Ekalavya, O king, the son of Indra, duly worshipped by the Nishadas, then proceeded towards the southern ocean. In those regions battle took place between the diadem-decked hero and the Dravidas and Andhras and the fierce Mahishakas
p. 144
and the hillmen of Kolwa. Subjugating those tribes without having to accomplish any fierce feats, Arjuna proceeded to the country of the Surashtras, his footsteps guided by the horse. Arrived at Gokarna, he repaired thence to Prabhasa. Next he proceeded to the beautiful city of Dwaravati protected by the heroes of the Vrishni race. When the beautiful sacrificial horse of the Kuru king reached Dwaravati, the Yadava youths, used force against that foremost of steeds. King Ugrasena, however, soon went out and forbade those youths from doing what they meditated. Then the ruler of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, issuing out of his palace, with Vasudeva, the maternal uncle of Arjuna, in his company, cheerfully met the Kuru hero and received him with due rites. The two elderly chiefs honoured Arjuna duly. Obtaining their permission, the Kuru prince then proceeded to where the horse he followed, led him. The sacrificial steed then proceeded along the coast of the western ocean and at last reached the country of the five waters which swelled with population and prosperity. Thence, O king, the steed proceeded to the country of Gandharas. Arrived there, it wandered at will, followed by the son of Kunti. Then occurred a fierce battle between the diadem-decked hero and the ruler of Gandharas, viz., the son of Sakuni, who had a bitter rememberance of the grudge his sire bore to the Pandavas.'

 

Book 14
Chapter 84

 

 

 

1 [v]
      māgadhenārcito rājan pāṇḍavaḥ śvetavāhanaḥ
      dakṣiṇāṃ diśam āsthāya cārayām āsa taṃ hayam
  2 tataḥ sa punar āvṛtya hayaḥ kāmacaro balī
      āsasāda purīṃ ramyāṃ cedīnāṃ śuktisāhvayām
  3 śarabheṇārcitas tatra śiśupālātmajena saḥ
      yuddhapūrveṇa mānena pūjayā ca mahābalaḥ
  4 tatrārcito yayau rājaṃs tadā sa turagottamaḥ
      kāśīn andhrān kosalāṃś ca kirātān atha taṅganān
  5 tatra pūjāṃ yathānyāyaṃ pratigṛhya sa pāṇḍavaḥ
      punar āvṛtya kaunteyo daśārṇān agamat tadā
  6 tatra citrāṅgado nāma balavān vasudhādhipaḥ
      tena yuddham abhūt tasya vijayasyāti bhairavam
  7 taṃ cāpi vaśam ānīya kirīṭī puruṣarṣabhaḥ
      niṣādarājño viṣayam ekalavyasya jagmivān
  8 ekalavya sutaś cainaṃ yuddhena jagṛhe tadā
      tataś cakre niṣādaiḥ sa saṃgrāmaṃ romaharṣaṇam
  9 tatas tam api kaunteyaḥ samareṣv aparājitaḥ
      jigāya samare vīro yajñavighnārtham udyatam
  10 sa taṃ jitvā mahārāja naiṣādiṃ pākaśāsaniḥ
     arcitaḥ prayayau bhūyo dakṣiṇaṃ salilārṇavam
 11 tatrāpi draviḍair andhrai raidrair māhiṣakair api
     tathā kolla gireyaiś ca yuddham āsīt kirīṭinaḥ
 12 turagasya vaśenātha surāṣṭrān abhito yayau
     gokarṇam api cāsādya prabhāsam api jagmivān
 13 tato dvāravatīṃ ramyāṃ vṛṣṇivīrābhirakṣitām
     āsasāda yahaḥ śrīmān kururājasya yajñiyaḥ
 14 tam unmathya hayaśreṣṭhaṃ yādavānāṃ kumārakāḥ
     prayayus tāṃs tadā rājann ugraseno nyavārayat
 15 tataḥ puryā viniṣkramya vṛṣṇyandhakapatis tadā
     sahito vasudevena mātulena kirīṭinaḥ
 16 tau sametya kuruśreṣṭhaṃ vidhivat prītipūrvakam
     parayā bharataśreṣṭhaṃ pūjayā samavasthitau
     tatas tābhyām anujñāto yayau yena hayo gataḥ
 17 tataḥ sa paścimaṃ deśaṃ samudrasya tadā hayaḥ
     krameṇa vyacarat sphītaṃ tataḥ pañcanadaṃ yayau
 18 tasmād api sa kauravya gāndhāraviṣayaṃ hayaḥ
     vicacāra yathākāmaṃ kaunteyānugatas tadā
 19 tatra gāndhārarājena yuddham āsīn mahātmanaḥ
     ghoraṃ śakuniputreṇa pūrvavairānusāriṇā

 

SECTION LXXXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'The heroic son of Sakuni, who was a mighty car-warrior among the Gandharas, accompanied by a large force, proceeded against the Kuru hero of curly hair. 1 That force was properly equipt with elephants and horses and cars, and was adorned with many flags and banners. Unable to bear and, therefore, burning to avenge, the slaughter of their king Sakuni, those warriors, armed with bows, rushed together at Partha. The unvanquished Vibhatsu of righteous soul addressed them peacefully, but they were unwilling to accept the beneficial words of Yudhishthira (through Arjuna). Though forbidden by Partha with sweet words, they still gave themselves up to wrath and surrounded the sacrificial steed. At this, the son of Pandu became filled with wrath. Then Arjuna, carelessly shooting from Gandiva many shafts with razor-like heads that blazed with splendour, cut off the heads of many Gandhara warriors. While thus slaughtered by Partha, the Gandharas, O king, exceedingly afflicted, set free the horse, moved by fear and desisted from battle. Resisted, however, by those Gandhara combatants who still surrounded him on every side, the son of Pandu, possessed of great energy, felled the heads of many, previously naming those whom he thus despatched. When the Gandhara warriors were thus being slain all around him
p. 145
in battle, the royal son of Sakuni came forward to resist the son of Pandu. Unto the Gandhara king who was fighting with him, impelled by Kshatriya duty, Arjuna said, 'I do not intend to slay the kings who fight with me, in consequence of the commands of Yudhishthira. Cease, O hero, to fight with me. Do not court defeat.' Thus addressed the son of Sakuni, stupefied by folly, disregarded that advice and covered with many swift arrows the Kuru hero who resembled Sakra himself in the feats he accomplished in battle. Then Partha, with a crescent-shaped arrow, cut off the head-gear of his foe. Of immeasurable soul, he also caused that head-gear to be borne along a great distance like the head of Jayadratha (after he had cut it off in the battle of Kurukshetra). Beholding this feat, all the Gandhara warriors became filled with wonder. That Arjuna voluntarily spared their king was well understood by them. The prince of the Gandharas then began to fly away from the field, accompanied by all his warriors who resembled a flock of frightened deer. The Gandharas, through fear, lost their senses and wandered over the field, unable to escape. Arjuna, with his broad-headed shafts, cut off the heads of many. Many there were who lost their arms in consequence of Arjuna's arrows, but so stupefied were they with fear that they were not aware of the loss of that limb. Verity, the Gandhara army was exceedingly afflicted with those large shafts which Partha sped from Gandiva. That army, which then consisted of frightened men and elephants and horses, which lost many warriors and animals, and which had been reduced to a rabble and put to rout, began to wander and wheel about the field repeatedly. Among those foes who were thus being slaughtered none could be seen standing in front of the Kuru hero famed for foremost of feats. No one could be seen who was able to bear the prowess of Dhananjaya. Then the mother of the ruler of the Gandharas, filled with fear, and with all the aged ministers of state, came out of her city, bearing an excellent Arghya for Arjuna. She forbade her brave son of steady heart from fighting any longer, and gratified Jishnu who was never fatigued with toil. The puissant Vibhatsu worshipped her and became inclined to show kindness towards the Gandharas. Comforting the son of Sakuni, he said, 'Thou hast not, O mighty-armed hero, done what is agreeable to me by getting thy heart upon these measures of hostility. O slayer of heroes, thou art my brother, O sinless one. 1 Recollecting my mother Gandhari, and for the sake of Dhritarashtra also, I have not taken thy life. It is for this, O king, that thou livest still. Many of thy followers, however, have been slain by me. Let not such a thing happen again. Let hostilities cease. Let not thy understanding again go astray. Thou shouldst go to the Horse-sacrifice of our king which comes off on the day of full moon of the month of Chaitra.'

 

Book 14
Chapter 85

 

 

1 [v]
      śakunes tu suto vīro gāndhārāṇāṃ mahārathaḥ
      prayudyayau guḍākeśaṃ sainyena mahatā vṛtaḥ
      hastyaśvarathapūrṇena patākādhvajamālinā
  2 amṛṣyamāṇās te yodhā nṛpateḥ śakuner vadham
      abhyayuḥ sahitāḥ pārthaṃ pragṛhītaśarāsanāḥ
  3 tān uvāca sa dharmātmā bībhatsur aparājitaḥ
      yudhiṣṭhirasya vacanaṃ na ca te jagṛhur hitam
  4 vāryamāṇās tu pārthena sāntvapūrvam amarṣitāḥ
      parivārya hayaṃ jagmus tataś cukrodha pāṇḍavaḥ
  5 tataḥ śirāṃsi dīptāgrais teṣāṃ ciccheda pāṇḍavaḥ
      kṣurair gāṇḍīvanirmuktair nātiyatnād ivārjunaḥ
  6 te vadhyamānāḥ pārthena hayam utsṛjya saṃbhramāt
      nyavartanta mahārāja śaravarṣārditā bhṛśam
  7 vitudyamānas taiś cāpi gāndhāraiḥ pāṇḍavarṣabhaḥ
      ādiśyādiśya tejasvī śirāṃsy eṣāṃ nyapātayat
  8 vadhyamāneṣu teṣv ājau gāndhāreṣu samantataḥ
      sa rājā śakuneḥ putraḥ pāṇḍavaṃ pratyavārayat
  9 taṃ yudhyamānaṃ rājānaṃ kṣatradharme vyavasthitam
      pārtho 'bravīn na me vadhyā rājāno rājaśāsanāt
      alaṃ yuddhena te vīra na te 'sty adya parājayaḥ
  10 ity uktas tad anādṛtya vākyam ajñānamohitaḥ
     sa śakrasamakarmāṇam avākirata sāyakaiḥ
 11 tasya pārthaḥ śiras trāṇam ardhacandreṇa patriṇā
     apāharad asaṃbhrānto jayadrathaśiro yathā
 12 tad dṛṣṭvā vismayaṃ jagmur gāndhārāḥ sarva eva te
     icchatā tena na hato rājety api ca te viduḥ
 13 gāndhārarājaputras tu palāyanakṛtakṣaṇaḥ
     babhau tair eva sahitas trastaiḥ kṣudramṛgair iva
 14 teṣāṃ tu tarasā pārthas tatraiva paridhāvatām
     vijahārottamāṅgāni bhallaiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
 15 ucchritāṃs tu bhujān ke cin nābudhyanta śarair hṛtān
     śarair gāṇḍīvanirmuktaiḥ pṛthubhiḥ pārtha coditaiḥ
 16 saṃbhrāntanaranāgāśvam atha tad vidrutaṃ balam
     hatavidhvastabhūyiṣṭham āvartata muhur muhuḥ
 17 na hy adṛśyanta vīrasya ke cid agre 'gryakarmaṇaḥ
     ripavaḥ pātyamānā vai ye saheyur mahāśarān
 18 tato gāndhārarājasya mantrivṛddha puraḥsarā
     jananī niryayau bhītā puraskṛtyārghyam uttamam
 19 sā nyavārayad avyagrā taṃ putraṃ yuddhadurmadam
     prasādayām āsa ca taṃ jiṣṇum akliṣṭakāriṇam
 20 tāṃ pūjayitvā kaunteyaḥ prasādam akarot tadā
     śakuneś cāpi tanayaṃ sāntvayann idam abravīt
 21 na me priyaṃ mahābāho yat te buddhir iyaṃ kṛtā
     pratiyoddhum amitraghna bhrātaiva tvaṃ mamānagha
 22 gāndhārīṃ mātaraṃ smṛtvā dhṛtarāṣṭra kṛtena ca
     tena jīvasi rājaṃs tvaṃ nihatās tv anugās tava
 23 maivaṃ bhūḥ śāmyatāṃ vairaṃ mā te bhūd buddhir īdṛśī
     āgantavyaṃ parāṃ caitrīm aśvamedhe nṛpasya naḥ

 

SECTION LXXXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having said these words, Partha set out, following the horse which wandered at its will. The sacrificial steed then turned towards the road that led to the city called after the elephant. Yudhishthira heard from his intelligence-bearers that the steed had turned back. And hearing also that Arjuna was hale and hearty, he became filled with joy. 1 Hearing also the feats, accomplished by Vijaya in the country of the Gandharas as also in another realms, the king became exceedingly glad. Meanwhile, king Yudhishthira the just, seeing that the twelfth day of the lighted fortnight in the month of Magha had come, and noticing also that the constellation was favourable, summoned all his brothers, viz., Bhima and Nakula and Sahadeva. Endued with great energy, the king, O thou of Kuru's race, that foremost of all persons conversant with duties, said these words in proper time. Indeed, that foremost of all speakers, addressing Bhima, the first of all smiters, said;--'Thy younger brother (Arjuna), O Bhimasena, is coming back with the horse. I have learnt this from those men who had followed Arjuna. The time (for the sacrifice) is come. The sacrificial horse is near. The day of full moon of the month of Magha is at hand. The month is about to expire, O Vrikodara. Let, therefore, learned Brahmanas conversant with the Vedas look for a sacrificial spot for the successful accomplishment of the Horse-sacrifice.' Thus addressed, Bhima obeyed the royal behest. He became very glad upon hearing that Arjuna of curly hair was about to come back. Then Bhima went out with a number of men well conversant with the rules of laying out sacrificial grounds and constructing buildings. And he took with him many Brahmanas well-versed in all the rites of sacrifices. Bhima selected a beautiful spot and caused it to be duly measured out for laying the sacrificial compound. Numerous houses and mansions were constructed on it and high and broad roads also were laid out. Soon enough the Kaurava hero caused that ground to teem with hundreds of excellent mansions. The surface was levelled and made smooth with jewels and gems, and adorned with diverse structures made of gold. Columns were raised, ornamented with bright gold, and high and wide triumphal arches also were constructed on that sacrificial compound. All these were made of pure gold. The righteous-souled prince also caused apartments to be duly constructed for the accommodation of ladies and of the numerous kings who, hailing from many realms, were expected to grace the sacrifice with their presence. The son of Kunti also caused many mansions to be duly erected for Brahmanas who were expected to come from diverse realms. Then the mighty-armed Bhimasena, at the command of the king, sent out messengers to the great kings of the Earth. Those best of kings, came to the Horse-sacrifice of the Kuru monarch for doing what was agreeable to him. And they brought many gems
p. 147
with them and many female slaves and horses and weapons. The sounds that arose from those high-souled kings who resided within those pavilions touched the very heavens and resembled the noise made by the roaring ocean. King Yudhishthira, the delighter of the Kurus, assigned unto the monarchs who thus came to his sacrifice diverse kinds of food and drink, and beds also of celestial beauty. The chief of the Bharatas, viz., king Yudhishthira the just, assigned several stables well filled with different kinds of corn and sugarcane and milk to the animals (that came with the guests). To that great sacrifice of king Yudhishthira the just who was possessed of high intelligence, there also came a large number of Munis all of whom were utterers of Brahman. Indeed, O lord of Earth, all the foremost ones among the regenerate class that were then alive, came to that sacrifice, accompanied by their disciples. The Kuru king received them all. King Yudhishthira of mighty energy, casting off all pride, himself followed all his guests to the pavilions that had been assigned for their residence. Then all the mechanics and engineers, having completed the arrangements of the sacrifice informed king Yudhishthira of it. Hearing that everything was ready, king Yudhishthira the just, full of alertness and attention, became highly glad along with his brothers all of whom honoured him duly.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the great sacrifice of Yudhishthira commenced, many eloquent dialecticians started diverse propositions and disputed thereon, desirous of vanquishing one another. 1 The (invited) kings beheld the excellent preparations of that sacrifice, resembling those of the chief himself of the deities, made, O Bharata, by Bhimasena. They beheld many triumphal arches made of gold, and many beds and seats and other articles of enjoyment and luxury, and crowds of men collected at different sports. There were also many jars and vessels and cauldrons and jugs and lids and covers. The invited kings saw nothing there that was not made of gold. Many sacrificial stakes also were set up, made, according to the directions of the scriptures of wood, and adorned with gold. Endued with great effulgence, these were duly planted and dedicated (with scriptural Mantras). The king saw all animals, again, which belong to land and all those which belong to water, collected there on the occasion. And they also beheld many kine and many buffaloes and many old women, and many aquatic animals, many beasts of prey and many species of birds, and many specimens of viviparous and oviparous creatures, and many that are filth-born, and many belonging to the vegetable kingdom, and many animals and plants that live or grow on mountains. Beholding the sacrificial compound thus adorned with animals and kine and corn, the invited kings became filled with wonder. Large heaps of costly sweet-meats were kept ready for both the Brahmanas and the Vaisyas. And when the feeding was over of a hundred thousand Brahmanas, drums and cymbals were beat. And so large was the number fed that the sounds of drums and cymbals were repeatedly heard, indeed, from day to day those sounds continued. Thus was performed that sacrifice of king Yudhishthira of
p. 148
great intelligence. Many hills of food, O king, were dedicated on the occasion. Many large tanks were seen of curds and many lakes of ghee. In that great sacrifice, O monarch, was seen the entire population of Jamvudwipa, with all its realms and provinces, collected together. Thousands of nations and races were there. A large number of men, O chief of Bharata's race, adorned with garlands and wearing bright ear-rings made of gold, taking innumerable vessels in their hands, distributed the food unto the regenerate classes by hundreds and thousands. The attendants of the Pandavas gave away unto the Brahmanas diverge kinds of food and drink which were, besides, so costly as to be worthy of being eaten and drunk by kings themselves.'"

 

Book 14
Chapter 86

 

 

 

 1 [v]
      ity uktvānuyayau pārtho hayaṃ taṃ kāmacāriṇam
      nyavartata tato vājī yena nāgāhvayaṃ puram
  2 taṃ nivṛttaṃ tu śuśrāva cāreṇaiva yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      śrutvārjunaṃ kuśalinaṃ sa ca hṛṣṭamanābhavat
  3 vijayasya ca tat karma gāndhāraviṣaye tadā
      śrutvānyeṣu ca deśeṣu sa suprīto 'bhavan nṛpaḥ
  4 etasminn eva kāle tu dvādaśīṃ māghapākṣikīm
      iṣṭaṃ gṛhītvā nakṣatraṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
  5 samānāyya mahātejāḥ sarvān bhrātṝn mahāmanāḥ
      bhīmaṃ ca nakulaṃ caiva sahadevaṃ ca kauravaḥ
  6 provācedaṃ vacaḥ kāle tadā dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
      āmantya vadatāṃ śreṣṭho bhīmaṃ bhīmaparākramam
  7 āyāti bhīmasenāsau sahāśvena tavānujaḥ
      yathā me puruṣāḥ prāhur ye dhanaṃjaya sāriṇaḥ
  8 upasthitaś ca kālo 'yam abhito vartate hayaḥ
      māghī ca paurṇamāsīyaṃ māsaḥ śeṣo vṛkodara
  9 tat prasthāpyantu vidvāṃso brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ
      vājimedhārtha siddhyarthaṃ deśaṃ paśyantu yajñiyam
  10 ity uktaḥ sa tu tac cakre bhīmo nṛpatiśāsanam
     hṛṣṭaḥ śrutvā narapater āyāntaṃ savyasācinam
 11 tato yayau bhīmasenaḥ prājñaiḥ sthapatibhiḥ saha
     brāhmaṇān agrataḥ kṛtvā kuśalān yajñakarmasu
 12 taṃ sa śālacaya grāmaṃ saṃpratolī viṭaṅkinam
     māpayām āsa kauravyo yajñavāṭaṃ yathāvidhi
 13 sadaḥ sapatnī sadanaṃ sāgnīdhram api cottaram
     kārayām āsa vidhivan maṇihemavibhūṣitam
 14 stambhān kanakacitrāṃś ca toraṇāni bṛhanti ca
     yajñāyatana deśeṣu dattvā śuddhaṃ ca kāñcanam
 15 antaḥpurāṇi rājñāṃ ca nānādeśanivāsinām
     kārayām āsa dharmātmā tatra tatra yathāvidhi
 16 brāhmaṇānāṃ ca veśmāni nānādeśasameyuṣām
     kārayām āsa bhīmaḥ sa vividhāni hy anekaśaḥ
 17 tathā saṃpreṣayām āsa dūtān nṛpatiśāsanāt
     bhīmaseno mahārāja rājñām akliṣṭakarmaṇām
 18 te priyārthaṃ kurupater āyayur nṛpasattamāḥ
     ratnāny anekāny ādāya striyo 'śvān āyudhāni ca
 19 teṣāṃ niviśatāṃ teṣu śibireṣu sahasraśaḥ
     nardataḥ sāgarasyeva śabdo divam ivāspṛśat
 20 teṣām abhyāgatānāṃ sa rājā rājīvalocanaḥ
     vyādideśānna pānāni śayyāś cāpy ati mānuṣāḥ
 21 vāhanānāṃ ca vividhāḥ śālāḥ śālīkṣu gorasaiḥ
     upetāḥ puruṣavyāghra vyādideśa sa dharmarāṭ
 22 tathā tasmin mahāyajñe dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ
     samājagmur munigaṇā bahavo brahmavādinaḥ
 23 ye ca dvijātipravarās tatrāsan pṛthivīpate
     samājagmuḥ sa śiṣyāṃs tān patijagrāha kauravaḥ
 24 sarvāṃś ca tān anuyayau yāvad āvasathād iti
     svayam eva mahātejā dambhaṃ tyaktvā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 25 tataḥ kṛtvā sthapatayaḥ śilpino 'nye ca ye tadā
     kṛtsnaṃ yajñavidhiṃ rājan dharmarājñe nyavedayan
 26 tac chrutvā dharmarājaḥ sa kṛtaṃ sarvam aninditam
     hṛṣṭarūpo 'bhavad rājā saha bhrātṛbhir acyutaḥ

 

SECTION LXXXVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Beholding those kings--lords of Earth--all conversant with the Vedas, arrive, king Yudhishthira, addressing Bhimasena, said,--'O chief of men, let proper honours be paid to these kings who have come (to my sacrifice), for these foremost of men are all worthy of the highest honours.' Thus addressed by king Yudhishthira of great fame Pandu's son Bhimasena of mighty energy did as he was enjoined, assisted by the twins. The foremost of all men, viz., Govinda, came there, accompanied by the Vrishnis, and with Valadeva in the van. He was accompanied by Yuyudhana and Pradyumna and Gada, and Nisatha and Samvo and Kritavarman. The mighty car-warrior Bhima offered them the most reverential worship. Those princes then entered the palaces, adorned with gems, that were assigned to them. At the end of a conversation he had with Yudhishthira, the slayer of Madhu referred to Arjuna who had been emaciated in consequence of many fights. The son of Kunti repeatedly asked Krishna, that chastiser of foes, about Arjuna. Unto Dharma's son, the lord of all the universe began to speak about Jishnu, the son of Sakra. 'O king, a confidential agent of mine residing in Dwaraka came to me. He had seen Arjuna, that foremost of Pandu's sons. Indeed, the latter has been very much emaciated with the fatigue of many battles. O puissant monarch, that agent of mine informed me that the mighty-armed hero is very near to us. Do thou set thyself to accomplish thy Horse-sacrifice.' Thus addressed, king Yudhishthira the just, said unto him,--'By good luck, O Madhava, Arjuna comes back safely. I desire to ascertain from thee, O delighter of the Yadavas, what has been said in this matter by that mightiest of heroes among the song of Pandu.' Thus addressed by king Yudhishthira the just, the lord of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, that foremost of eloquent men, said these words unto that monarch of righteous soul,--'My agent, recollecting the words of Partha, reported them thus to me, O great king,--Yudhishthira, O Krishna, should be told these words of mine when the time comes. O chief of the Kauravas. many kings will come (to thy
p. 149
sacrifice). When they arrive, high honours should be paid unto them. This would, indeed, be worthy for us. O giver of honours, the king should further be informed at my request that he should do what is necessary for preventing a carnage similar to what took place at the time of presenting the Arghya (on the occasion of the Rajasuya-sacrifice). Let Krishna also approve of this. Let not. O king, through the ill-feeling of kings, the people be slaughtered. My man further reported, O king, these words of Dhananjaya. Listen as I repeat them, 'O monarch, the ruler of Manipura, my dear son Vabhruvahana, will come at the sacrifice. Do thou honour him duly for my sake. O puissant one. He is always attached and deeply devoted to me.'--Hearing these words, king Yudhishthira the just, approved of them and said as follows.'

Book 14
Chapter 87

 

 

 1 [v]
      tasmin yajñe pravṛtte tu vāgmino hetuvādinaḥ
      hetuvādān bahūn prāhuḥ parasparajigīṣavaḥ
  2 dadṛśus taṃ nṛpatayo yajñasya vidhim uttamam
      devendrasyeva vihitaṃ bhīmena kurunandana
  3 dadṛśus toraṇāny atra śātakumbhamayāni te
      śayyāsanavihārāṃś ca subahūn ratnabhūṣitān
  4 ghaṭān pātrīḥ kaṭāhāni kalaśān vardhamānakān
      na hi kiṃ cid asauvarṇam apaśyaṃs tatra pārthivāḥ
  5 yūpāṃś ca śāstrapaṭhitān dāravān hemabhūṣitān
      upakḷptān yathākālaṃ vidhivad bhūri varcasaḥ
  6 sthalajā jalajā ye ca paśavaḥ ke cana prabho
      sarvān eva samānītāṃs tān apaśyanta te nṛpāḥ
  7 gāś caiva mahiṣīś caiva tathā vṛddhāḥ striyo 'pi ca
      audakāni ca sattvāni śvāpadāni vayāṃsi ca
  8 jarāyujāny aṇḍajāni svedajāny udbhidāni ca
      parvatānūpa vanyāni bhūtāni dadṛśuś ca te
  9 evaṃ pramuditaṃ sarvaṃ paśugodhanadhānyataḥ
      yajñavāṭaṃ nṛpā dṛṣṭvā paraṃ vismayam āgaman
      brāhmaṇānāṃ viśāṃ caiva bahu mṛṣṭānnam ṛddhimat
  10 pūrṇe śatasahasre tu viprāṇāṃ tatra bhuñjatām
     dundubhir meghanirghoṣo muhur muhur atāḍyata
 11 vinanādāsakṛt so 'tha divase divase tadā
     evaṃ sa vavṛte yajño dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ
 12 annasya bahavo rājann utsargāḥ parvatopamāḥ
     dadhikulyāś ca dadṛśuḥ sarpiṣaś ca hradāñjanāḥ
 13 jambūdvīpo hi sakalo nānājanapadāyutaḥ
     rājann adṛśyataikastho rājñas tasmin mahākratau
 14 tatra jātisahasrāṇi puruṣāṇāṃ tatas tataḥ
     gṛhītvā dhanam ājagmur bahūni bharatarṣabha
 15 rājānaḥ sragviṇaś cāpi sumṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalāḥ
     paryaveṣan dvijāgryāṃs tāñ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 16 vividhāny annapānāni puruṣā ye 'nuyāyinaḥ
     teṣāṃ nṛpopabhojyāni brāhmaṇebhyo daduḥ sma te

 

SECTION LXXXVII

"Yudhishthira said, 'I have heard, O Krishna, thy agreeable words. They are such as deserve to be spoken by thee. Gladsome and sweet as nectar are they, indeed, they fill my heart with great pleasure, O puissant one. O Hrishikesa, I have heard that innumerable have been the battles which Vijaya has fought with the kings of the Earth. For what reason is Partha always dissociated from ease and comfort? Vijaya is exceedingly intelligent. This, therefore, pains my heart very much. I always, O Janarddana, think, when I am withdrawn from business, of Kunti's son Jishnu. The lot of that delighter of the Pandus is exceedingly miserable. His body has every auspicious mark. What, however, O Krishna, is that sign in his excellent body in consequence of which he has always to endure misery and discomfort? That son of Kunti has to bear an exceedingly large share of unhappiness. I do not see any censurable indication in his body. It behoves thee to explain the cause to me it I deserve to hear it. Thus addressed, Hrishikesa, that enhancer of the glory of the Bhoja princes, having reflected for a long time, answered as follows--'I do not see any censurable feature in this prince, except that the cheek bones of this lion among men are a little too high. It is in consequence of this that that foremost of men has always to be on the road. I really do not see anything else in consequence of which he could be made so unhappy.' Thus answered by Krishna of great intelligence, that foremost of men, viz., king Yudhishthira, said unto the chief of the Vrishnis that it was even so. The princess Draupadi, however, looked angrily and askance at Krishna, (for she could not bear the ascription of any fault to Arjuna). The slayer of Kesi, viz., Hrishikesa, approved of that indication of love (for his friend) which the princess of Panchala, who also was his friend, displayed. 1 Bhimasena and the other Kurus, including
p. 150
the sacrificial priests, who heard of the agreeable triumphs of Arjuna in course of his following the horse, became highly gratified. While they were still engaged in discoursing on Arjuna, an envoy came from that high-souled hero bearing a message from him. Repairing to the presence of the Kuru king, the intelligent envoy bowed his head in reverence and informed him of the arrival of that foremost of men, viz., Phalguna. On receipt of this intelligence, tears of joy covered the king's eyes. Large gifts were made to the messenger for the very agreeable tidings he had brought. On the second day from that date, a loud din was heard when that foremost of men, that chief of the Kurus, came. The dust raised by the hoofs of that horse as it walked in close adjacence to Arjuna, looked as beautiful as that raised by the celestial steed Uchchaisravas. And as Arjuna advanced he heard many gladdening words uttered by the citizens. 'By good luck, O Partha, thou art out of danger. Praise to you and king Yudhishthira! Who else than Arjuna could come back after having caused the horse to wander over the whole Earth and after having vanquished all the kings in battle? We have not heard of such a feat having been achieved by even Sagara and other high-souled kings of antiquity. Future kings also will never be able to accomplish so difficult a feat, O foremost one of Kuru's race, as this which thou hast achieved.' Listening to such words, agreeable to the ear, of the citizens, the righteous-souled Phalguna entered the sacrificial compound. Then king Yudhishthira with all his ministers, and Krishna, the delighter of the Yadus, placing Dhritarashtra in their van, went out for receiving Dhananjaya. Saluting the feet of his sire (Dhritarashtra), and then of king Yudhishthira the just of great wisdom, and then worshipping Bhima and others, he embraced Kesava. Worshipped by them all and worshipping them in return according to due rites, the mighty-armed hero, accompanied by those princes, took rest like a ship-wrecked man tossed on the waves resting on reaching the shore. Meanwhile king Vabhruvahan of great wisdom, accompanied by his mothers (Chitrangada and Ulupi), came to the Kuru capital. The mighty-armed prince duly saluted all his seniors of Kuru's race and the other kings present there, and was honoured by them all in return. He then entered the excellent abode of his grand-mother Kunti."'

 

 

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguliji for the collection)