srimahabharatam - virata parva (book 4) chapters 1 to 30

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by

                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 

Virata Parva

Book 4

Chapter 1

Book 4

Chapter 1

 1 [j]
      kathaṃ virāṭanagare mama pūrvapitāmahāḥ
      ajñātavāsam uṣitā duryodhana bhayārditāḥ
  2 tathā tu sa varāṁl labdhvā dharmādharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
      gatvāśramaṃ brāhmaṇebhya ācakhyau sarvam eva tat
  3 kathayitvā tu tat sarvaṃ brāhmaṇebhyo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      araṇī sahitaṃ tasmai brāhmaṇāya nyavedayat
  4 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā dharmaputro mahāmanāḥ
      saṃnivartyānujān sarvān iti hovāca bhārata
  5 dvādaśemāni varṣāṇi rāṣṭrād viproṣitā vayam
      trayodaśo 'yaṃ saṃprāptaḥ kṛcchraḥ paramadurvasaḥ
  6 sa sādhu kaunteya ito vāsam arjuna rocaya
      yatremā vasatīḥ sarvā vasemāviditāḥ paraiḥ
  7 tasyaiva varadānena dharmasya manujādhipa
      ajñātā vicariṣyāmo narāṇā bharatarṣabha
  8 kiṃ tu vāsāya rāṣṭrāṇi kīrtayiṣyāmi kāni cit
      ramaṇīyāni guptāni teṣāṃ kiṃ cit sma rocaya
  9 santi ramyā janapadā bahv annāḥ paritaḥ kurūn
      pāñcālāś cedimatsyāś ca śūrasenāḥ paṭaccarāḥ
      daśārṇā nava rāṣṭraṃ ca mallāḥ śālva yugaṃdharāḥ
  10 eteṣāṃ katamo rājan nivāsas tava rocate
     vatsyāmo yatra rājendra saṃvatsaram imaṃ vayam
 11 evam etan mahābāho yathā sa bhagavān prabhuḥ
     abravīt sarvabhūteśas tat tathā na tad anyathā
 12 avaśyaṃ tv eva vāsārthaṃ ramaṇīyaṃ śivaṃ sukham
     saṃmantrya sahitaiḥ sarvair draṣṭavyam akutobhayam
 13 matsyo virāṭo balavān abhirakṣet sa pāṇḍavān
     dharmaśīlo vadānyaś ca vṛddhaś ca sumahādhanaḥ
 14 virāṭanagare tāta saṃvatsaram imaṃ vayam
     kurvantas tasya karmāṇi vihariṣyāma bhārata
 15 yāni yāni ca karmāṇi tasya śakṣyāmahe vayam
     kartuṃ yo yat sa tat karma bravītu kurunandanāḥ
 16 naradeva kathaṃ karma rāṣṭre tasya kariṣyasi
     virāṭa nṛpateḥ sādho raṃsyase kena karmaṇā
 17 mṛdur vadānyo hrīmāṃś ca dhārmikaḥ satyavikramaḥ
     rājaṃs tvam āpadā kliṣṭaḥ kiṃ kariṣyasi pāṇḍava
 18 na duḥkham ucitaṃ kiṃ cid rājan veda yathā janaḥ
     sa imām āpadaṃ prāpya kathaṃ ghorāṃ tariṣyasi
 19 śṛṇudhvaṃ yat kariṣyāmi karma vai kurunandanāḥ
     virāṭam anusaṃprāpya rājānaṃ puruṣarṣabham
 20 sabhāstāro bhaviṣyāmi tasya rājño mahātmanaḥ
     kaṅko nāma dvijo bhūtvā matākṣaḥ priya devitā
 21 vaiḍūryān kāñcanān dāntān phalair jyotī rasaiḥ saha
     kṛṣṇākṣāṁl lohitākṣāṃś ca nirvartsyāmi manoramān
 22 āsaṃ yudhiṣṭhirasyāhaṃ purā prāṇasamaḥ sakhā
     iti vakṣyāmi rājānaṃ yadi mām anuyokṣyate
 23 ity etad vo mayākhyātaṃ vihariṣyāmy ahaṃ yathā
     vṛkodara virāṭe tvaṃ raṃsyase kena karmaṇā

SECTION I

(Pandava-Pravesa Parva)

OM! Having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara, the most exalted of male beings, and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered.

Janamejaya said, "How did my great-grandfathers, afflicted with the fear of Duryodhana, pass their days undiscovered in the city of Virata? And, O Brahman, how did the highly blessed Draupadi, stricken with woe, devoted to her lords, and ever adoring the Deity 1, spend her days unrecognised?"

Vaisampayana said, "Listen, O lord of men, how thy great grandfathers passed the period of unrecognition in the city of Virata. Having in this way obtained boons from the god of Justice, that best of virtuous men, Yudhishthira, returned to the asylum and related unto the Brahmanas all that had happened. And having related everything unto them, Yudhishthira restored to that regenerate Brahmana, who had followed him the churning staff and the fire-sticks he had lost. And, O Bharata, the son of the god of Justice, the royal Yudhishthira of high soul then called together all his younger brothers and addressed them, saying, 'Exiled from our kingdom, we have passed twelve years. The thirteenth year, hard to spend, hath now come. Do thou therefore, O Arjuna, the son of Kunti, select some spot where we may pass our days undiscovered by our enemies.'"

Arjuna replied, "Even by virtue of Dharma's boon, we shall, O lord of men, range about undiscovered by men. Still, for purposes of residence, I shall mention some spots that are both delightful and secluded. Do thou select some one of them. Surrounding the kingdom of the Kurus, are, many countries beautiful and abounding in corn, such as Panchala, Chedi, Matsya, Surasena, Pattachchara, Dasarna, Navarashtra, Malla, Salva, Yugandhara, Saurashtra, Avanti, and the spacious Kuntirashtra. Which of these, O king, wouldst thou choose, and where, O foremost of monarchs, shall we spend this year?"

p. 2

Yudhishthira said "O them of mighty arms, it is even so. What that adorable Lord of all creatures hath said must become true. Surely, after consulting together, we must select some delightful, auspicious, and agreeable region for our abode, where we may live free from fear. The aged Virata, king of the Matsyas, is virtuous and powerful and charitable, and is liked by all. And he is also attached to the Pandavas. Even in the city of Virata, O child, we shall, O Bharata, spend this year, entering his service. Tell me, ye sons of the Kuru race, in what capacities ye will severally present yourselves before the king of the Matsyas!"

Arjuna said, "O god among men, what service wilt thou take in Virata's kingdom? O righteous one, in what capacity wilt thou reside in the city of Virata? Thou art mild, and charitable, and modest, and virtuous, and firm in promise. What wilt thou, O king, afflicted as thou art with calamity, do? A king is qualified to bear trouble like an ordinary person. How wilt thou overcome this great calamity that has overtaken thee?"

Yudhishthira replied, "Ye sons of the Kuru race, ye bulls among men, hear what I shall do on appearing before king Virata. Presenting myself as a Brahmana, Kanka by name, skilled in dice and fond of play, I shall become a courtier of that high-souled king. And moving upon chess-boards beautiful pawns made of ivory, of blue and yellow and red and white hue, by throws of black and red dice. I shall entertain the king with his courtiers and friends. And while I shall continue to thus delight the king, nobody will succeed in discovering me. And should the monarch ask me, I shall say, 'Formerly I was the bosom friend of Yudhishthira.' I tell you that it is thus that I shall pass my days (in the city of Virata). What office wilt thou, O Vrikodara, fill in the city of Virata?"

Book 4
Chapter 2

1 [bhm]
      paurogavo bruvāṇo 'haṃ ballavo nāma nāmataḥ
      upasthāsyāmi rājānaṃ virāṭam iti me matiḥ
  2 sūpānasya kariṣyāmi kuśalo 'smi mahānase
      kṛtapūrvāṇi yair asya vyañjanāni suśikṣitaiḥ
      tān apy abhibhaviṣyāmi prītiṃ saṃjanayann aham
  3 āhariṣyāmi dārūṇāṃ nicayān mahato 'pi ca
      tat prekṣya vipulaṃ karma rājā prīto bhaviṣyati
  4 dvipā vā balino rājan vṛṣabhā vā mahābalāḥ
      vinigrāhyā yadi mayā nigrahīṣyāmi tān api
  5 ye ca ke cin niyotsyanti samājeṣu niyodhakāḥ
      tān ahaṃ nihaniṣyāmi prītiṃ tasya vivardhayan
  6 na tv etān yudhyamānāṃ vai haniṣyāmi kathaṃ cana
      tathaitān pātayiṣyāmi yathā yāsyanti na kṣayam
  7 ārāliko govikartā sūpakartā niyodhakaḥ
      āsaṃ yudhiṣṭhirasyāham iti vakṣyāmi pṛcchataḥ
  8 ātmānam ātmanā rakṣaṃś cariṣyāmi viśāṃ pate
      ity etat pratijānāmi vihariṣyāmy ahaṃ yathā
  9 yam agnir brāhmaṇo bhūtvā samāgacchan nṛṇāṃ varam
      didhakṣuḥ khāṇḍavaṃ dāvaṃ dāśārha sahitaṃ purā
  10 mahābalaṃ mahābāhum ajitaṃ kurunandanam
     so 'yaṃ kiṃ karma kaunteyaḥ kariṣyati dhanaṃjayaḥ
 11 yo 'yam āsādya taṃ tāvaṃ tarpayām āsa pāvakam
     vijityaika rathenendraṃ hatvā pannagarakṣasān
     śreṣṭhaḥ pratiyudhāṃ nāma so 'rjunaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati
 12 sūryaḥ prapatatāṃ śreṣṭho dvipadāṃ brāhmaṇo varaḥ
     āśīviṣaś ca sarpāṇām agnis tejasvināṃ varaḥ
 13 āyudhānāṃ varo varjaḥ kakudmī ca gavāṃ varaḥ
     hradānām udadhiḥ śreṣṭhaḥ parjanyo varṣatāṃ varaḥ
 14 dhṛtarāṣṭraś ca nāgānāṃ hastiṣv airāvato varaḥ
     putraḥ priyāṇām adhiko bhāryā ca suhṛdāṃ varā
 15 yathaitāni viśiṣṭāni jātyāṃ jātyāṃ vṛkodara
     evaṃ yuvā guḍākeśaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvadhanurmatām
 16 so 'yam indrād anavaro vāsudevāc ca bhārata
     gāṇḍīvadhanvā śvetāśvo bībhatsuḥ kiṃ kariṣyati
 17 uṣitvā pañcavarṣāṇi sahasrākṣasya veśmani
     divyāny astrāṇy avāptāni devarūpeṇa bhāsvatā
 18 yaṃ manye dvādaśaṃ rudram ādityānāṃ trayodaśam
     yasya bāhū samau dīrghau jyā ghātakaṭhina tvacau
     dakṣiṇe caiva savye ca gavām iva vahaḥ kṛtaḥ
 19 himavān iva śailānāṃ samudraḥ saritām iva
     tridaśānāṃ yathā śakro vasūnām iva havyavāḥ
 20 mṛgāṇām iva śārdūlo garuḍaḥ patatām iva
     varaḥ saṃnahyamānānām arjunaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati
 21 pratijñāṃ ṣaṇḍhako 'smīti kariṣyāmi mahīpate
     jyā ghātau hi mahāntau me saṃvartuṃ nṛpa duṣkarau
 22 karṇayoḥ pratimucyāhaṃ kuṇḍale jvalanopame
     veṇī kṛtaśiro rājan nāmnā caiva bṛhannaḍā
 23 paṭhann ākhyāyikāṃ nāma strībhāvena punaḥ punaḥ
     ramayiṣye mahīpālam anyāṃś cāntaḥpure janān
 24 gītaṃ nṛttaṃ vicitraṃ ca vāditraṃ vividhaṃ tathā
     śikṣayiṣyāmy ahaṃ rājan virāṭa bhavane striyaḥ
 25 prajānāṃ samudācāraṃ bahu karmakṛtaṃ vadan
     chādayiṣyāmi kaunteya māyayātmānam ātmanā
 26 yudhiṣṭhirasya gehe 'smi draupadyāḥ paricārikā
     uṣitāsmīti vakṣyāmi pṛṣṭo rājñā ca bhārata
 27 etena vidhinā channaḥ kṛtakena yathā nalaḥ
     vihariṣyāmi rājendra virāṭa bhavane sukham

SECTION II

Bhima said, "I intend to present myself before the lord of Virata as a cook bearing the name of Vallabha. I am skilled in culinary art, and I shall prepare curries for the king, and excelling all those skilful cooks that had hitherto dressed his food I shall gratify the monarch. And I shall carry mighty loads of wood. And witnessing that mighty feat, the monarch will be pleased. And, O Bharata, beholding such superhuman feats of mine, the servants of the royal household will honour me as a king. And I shall have entire control over all kinds of viands and drinks. And commanded to subdue powerful elephants and mighty bulls, I will do as bidden. And if any combatants will fight with me in the lists, then

p. 3

will I vanquish them, and thereby entertain the monarch. But I shall not take the life of any of them. I shall only bring them down in such way that they may not be killed. And on being asked as regards my antecedent I shall say that--Formerly I was the wrestler and cook of Yudhishthira. Thus shall I, O king, maintain myself."

Yudhishthira said, "And what office will be performed by that mighty descendant of the Kurus, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, that foremost of men possessed of long arms, invincible in fight, and before whom, while he was staying with Krishna, the divine Agni himself desirous of consuming the forest of Khandava had formerly appeared in the guise of a Brahmana? What office will be performed by that best of warriors, Arjuna, who proceeded to that forest and gratified Agni, vanquishing on a single car and slaying huge Nagas and Rakshasas, and who married the sister of Vasuki himself, the king of the Nagas? Even as the sun is the foremost of all heat-giving bodies, as the Brahmana is the best of all bipeds, as the cobra is the foremost of all serpents, as Fire is the first of all things possessed of energy, as the thunderbolt is the foremost of all weapons, as the humped bull is the foremost of all animals of the bovine breed, as the ocean is the foremost of all watery expanses, as clouds charged with rain are the foremost of all clouds, as Ananta is the first of all Nagas, as Airavata is the foremost of all elephants, as the son is the foremost of all beloved objects, and lastly, as the wife is the best of all friends, so, O Vrikodara, is the youthful Gudakesa, the foremost of all bowmen. And O Bharata, what office will be performed by Vibhatsu, the wielder of Gandiva, whose car is drawn by white horses, and who is not inferior to Indra or Vasudeva Himself? What office will be performed by Arjuna who, dwelling for five years in the abode of the thousand-eyed Deity (Indra) shining in celestial lustre, acquired by his own energy the science of superhuman arms with all celestial weapons, and whom I regard as the tenth Rudra, the thirteenth Aditya, the ninth Vasu, and the tenth Graha, whose arms, symmetrical and long, have the skin hardened by constant strokes of the bowstring and cicatrices which resemble those on the humps of bulls,--that foremost of warriors who is as Himavat among mountains, the ocean among expanses of water, Sakra among the celestial, Havya-vaha (fire) among the Vasus, the tiger among beasts, and Garuda among feathery tribes!"

Arjuna replied, "O lord of the Earth, I will declare myself as one of the neuter sex. O monarch, it is, indeed difficult to hide the marks of the bowstring on my arms. I will, however, cover both my cicatrized arms with bangles. Wearing brilliant rings on my ears and conch-bangles on my wrists and causing a braid to hang down from my head, I shall, O king, appear as one of the third sex, Brihannala by name. And living as a female I shall (always) entertain the king and the inmates of the inner apartments by reciting stories. And, O king, I shall also instruct the women of Virata's palace in singing and delightful modes of dancing

p. 4

and in musical instruments of diverse kinds. And I shall also recite the various excellent acts of men and thus conceal myself, O son of Kunti, by feigning disguise. And, O Bharata should the king enquire, I will say that, I lived as a waiting maid of Draupadi in Yudhishthira's palace. And, O foremost of kings, concealing myself by this means, as fire is concealed by ashes, I shall pass my days agreeably in the palace of Virata."

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, Arjuna, that best of men and foremost of virtuous persons, became silent. Then the king addressed another brother of his." 1

Book 4
Chapter 3

1 [vai]
      kiṃ tvaṃ nakula kurvāṇas tatra tāta cariṣyasi
      sukumāraś ca śūraś ca darśanīyaḥ sukhocitaḥ
  2 aśvabandho bhaviṣyāmi virāṭa nṛpater aham
      granthiko nāma nāmnāhaṃ karmaitat supriyaṃ mama
  3 kuśalo 'smy aśvaśikṣāyāṃ tathaivāśvacikitsite
      priyāś ca satataṃ me 'śvāḥ kururāja yathā tava
  4 ye mām āmantrayiṣyanti virāṭanagare janāḥ
      tebhya evaṃ pravakṣyāmi vihariṣyāmy ahaṃ yathā
  5 sahadeva kathaṃ tasya samīpe vihariṣyasi
      kiṃ vā tvaṃ tāta kurvāṇaḥ pracchanno vicariṣyasi
  6 gosaṃkhyātā bhaviṣyāmi virāṭasya mahīpateḥ
      pratiṣeddhā ca dogdhā ca saṃkhyāne kuśalo gavām
  7 tantipāla iti khyāto nāmnā viditam astu te
      nipuṇaṃ ca cariṣyāmi vyetu te mānaso jvaraḥ
  8 ahaṃ hi bhavatā goṣu satataṃ prakṛtaḥ purā
      tatra me kauśalaṃ karma avabuddhaṃ viśāṃ pate
  9 lakṣaṇaṃ caritaṃ cāpi gavāṃ yac cāpi maṅgalam
      tat sarvaṃ me suviditam anyac cāpi mahīpate
  10 vṛṣabhān api jānāmi rājan pūjita lakṣaṇān
     yeṣāṃ mūtram upāghrāya api vandhyā prasūyate
 11 so 'ham evaṃ cariṣyāmi prītir atra hi me sadā
     na ca māṃ vetsyati paras tat te rocatu pārthiva
 12 iyaṃ tu naḥ priyā bhāryā prāṇebhyo 'pi garīyasī
     māteva paripālyā ca pūjyā jyeṣṭheva ca svasā
 13 kena sma karmaṇā kṛṣṇā draupadī vicariṣyati
     na hi kiṃ cid vijānāti karma kartuṃ yathā striyaḥ
 14 sukumārī ca bālā ca rājaputrī yaśasvinī
     pativratā mahābhāgā kathaṃ nu vicariṣyati
 15 mālyagandhān alaṃkārān vastrāṇi vividhāni ca
     etāny evābhijānāti yato jātā hi bhāminī
 16 sairandhryo 'rakṣitā loke bhujiṣyāḥ santi bhārata
     naivam anyāḥ striyo yānti iti lokasya niścayaḥ
 17 sāhaṃ bruvāṇā sairandhrī kuśalā keśakarmaṇi
     ātmaguptā cariṣyāmi yan māṃ tvam anupṛcchasi
 18 sudeṣṇāṃ pratyupasthāsye rājabhāryāṃ yaśasvinīm
     sā rakṣiṣyati māṃ prāptāṃ mā te bhūd duḥkham īdṛśam
 19 [y]
     kalyāṇaṃ bhāṣase kṛṣṇe kule jātā yathā vadet
     na pāpam abhijānāsi sādhu sādhvī vrate sthitā

SECTION III

Yudhishthira said, "Tender, possessed of a graceful presence, and deserving of every luxury as thou art, what office wilt thou, O heroic Nakula, discharge while living in the dominions of that king? Tell me all about it!"

Nakula said, "Under the name of Granthika, I shall become the keeper of the horses of king Virata. I have a thorough knowledge (of this work) and am skilful in tending horses. Besides, the task is agreeable to me, and I possess great skill in training and treating horses; and horses are ever dear to me as they are to thee, O king of the Kurus. At my hands even colts and mares become docile; these never become vicious in bearing a rider or drawing a car. 2 And those persons in the city of Virata that may enquire of me, I shall, O bull of the Bharata race, say,--Formerly I was employed by Yudhishthira in the charge of his horses. Thus disguised, O king, I shall spend my days delightfully in the city of Virata. No one will be able to discover me as I will gratify the monarch thus! 3

Yudhishthira said, "How wilt thou, O Sahadeva, bear thyself before that king? And what, O child, is that which thou wilt do in order to live in disguise."

Sahadeva replied, "I will become a keeper of the kine of Virata's king. I am skilled in milking kine and taking their history as well as in taming their fierceness. Passing under the name of Tantripal, I shall perform my duties deftly. Let thy heart's fever be dispelled. Formerly I was frequently employed to look after thy kine, and, O Lord of earth, I have a particular knowledge of that work. And, O monarch, I am well-acquainted

p. 5

with the nature of kine, as also with their auspicious marks and other matters relating to them. I can also discriminate bulls with auspicious marks, the scent of whose urine may make even the barren being forth child. Even thus will I live, and I always take delight in work of this kind. Indeed, no one will then be able to recognise me, and I will moreover gratify the monarch,"

Yudhishthira said, "This is our beloved wife dearer to us than our lives. Verily, she deserveth to be cherished by us like a mother, and regarded like an elder sister. Unacquainted as she is with any kind of womanly work, what office will Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, perform? Delicate and young, she is a princess of great repute. Devoted to her lords, and eminently virtuous, also, how will she live? Since her birth, she hath enjoyed only garlands and perfume? and ornaments and costly robes."

Draupadi replied, "There is a class of persons called Sairindhris, 1 who enter the services of other. Other females, however (that are respectable) do not do so. Of this class there are some. I shall give myself out as a Sairindhri, skilled in dressing hair. And, O Bharata, on being questioned by the king, I shall say that I served as a waiting woman of Draupadi in Yudhishthira's household. I shall thus pass my days in disguise. And I shall serve the famous Sudeshna, the wife of the king. Surely, obtaining me she will cherish me (duly). Do not grieve so, O king."

"Yudhishthira said, "O Krishna, thou speakest well. But O fair girl, thou wert born in a respectable family. Chaste as thou art, and always engaged in observing virtuous vows, thou knowest not what is sin. Do thou, therefore, conduct thyself in such a way that sinful men of evil hearts may not be gladdened by gazing at thee."

Book 4
Chapter 4

  1 [y]
      karmāṇy uktāni yuṣmābhir yāni tāni kariṣyatha
      mama cāpi yathābuddhirucitāni viniścayāt
  2 purohito 'yam asmākam agnihotrāṇi rakṣatu
      sūdapaurogavaiḥ sārdhaṃ drupadasya niveśane
  3 indrasena mukhāś ceme rathān ādāya kevalān
      yāntu dvāravatīṃ śīghram iti me vartate matiḥ
  4 imāś ca nāryo draupadyāḥ sarvaśaḥ paricārikāḥ
      pāñcālān eva gacchantu sūdapaurogavaiḥ saha
  5 sarvair api ca vaktavyaṃ na prajñāyanta pāṇḍavāḥ
      gatā hy asmān apākīrya sarve dvaitavanād iti
  6 vidite cāpi vaktavyaṃ suhṛdbhir anurāgataḥ
      ato 'ham api vakṣyāmi hetumātraṃ nibodhata
  7 hantemāṃ rājavasatiṃ rājaputrā bravīmi vaḥ
      yathā rājakulaṃ prāpya caran preṣyo na riṣyati
  8 durvasaṃ tv eva kauravyā jānatā rājaveśmani
      amānitaiḥ sumānārhā ajñātaiḥ parivatsaram
  9 diṣṭa dvāro labhed dvāraṃ na ca rājasu viśvaset
      tad evāsanam anvicched yatra nābhiṣajet paraḥ
  10 nāsya yānaṃ na paryaṅkaṃ na pīṭhaṃ na jagaṃ ratham
     ārohet saṃmato 'smīti sa rājavasatiṃ vaset
 11 atha yatrainam āsīnaṃ śaṅkeran duṣṭacāriṇaḥ
     na tatropaviśej jātu sa rājavasatiṃ vaset
 12 na cānuśiṣyed rājānam apṛcchantaṃ kadā cana
     tūṣṇīṃ tv enam upāsīta kāle samabhipūjayan
 13 asūyanti hi rājāno janān anṛtavādinaḥ
     tathaiva cāvamanyante mantriṇaṃ vādinaṃ mṛṣā
 14 naiṣāṃ dāreṣu kurvīta maitrīṃ prājñaḥ kathaṃ cana
     antaḥpura carā ye ca dveṣṭi yānahitāś ca ye
 15 vidite cāsya kurvīta karyāṇi sulaghūny api
     evaṃ vicarato rājño na kṣatir jāyate kva cit
 16 yatnāc copacared enam agnivad devavac ca ha
     anṛtenopacīrṇo hi hiṃsyād enam asaṃśayam
 17 yac ca bhartānuyuñjīta tad evābhyanuvartayet
     pramādam avalehāṃ ca kopaṃ ca parivarjayet
 18 samarthanāsu sarvāsu hitaṃ ca priyam eva ca
     saṃvarṇayet tad evāsya priyād api hitaṃ vadet
 19 anukūlo bhavec cāsya sarvārtheṣu kathāsu ca
     apriyaṃ cāhitaṃ yat syāt tad asmai nānuvarṇayet
 20 nāham asya priyo 'smīti matvā seveta paṇḍitaḥ
     apramattaś ca yattaś ca hitaṃ kuryāt priyaṃ ca yat
 21 nāsyāniṣṭāni seveta nāhitaiḥ saha saṃvaset
     svasthānān na vikampeta sa rājavasatiṃ vaset
 22 dakṣiṇaṃ vātha vāmaṃ vā pārśvam āsīta paṇḍitaḥ
     rakṣiṇāṃ hy āttaśastrāṇāṃ sthānaṃ paścād vidhīyate
     nityaṃ vipratiṣiddhaṃ tu purastād āsanaṃ mahat
 23 na ca saṃdarśane kiṃ cit pravṛddham api saṃjapet
     api hy etad daridrāṇāṃ vyalīka sthānam uttamam
 24 na mṛṣābhihitaṃ rājño manuṣyeṣu prakāśayet
     yaṃ cāsūyanti rājānaḥ puruṣaṃ na vadec ca tam
 25 śūro 'smīti na dṛptaḥ syād buddhimān iti vā punaḥ
     priyam evācaran rājñaḥ priyo bhavati bhogavān
 26 aiśvaryaṃ prāpya duṣprāpaṃ priyaṃ prāpya ca rājataḥ
     apramatto bhaved rājñaḥ priyeṣu ca hiteṣu ca
 27 yasya kopo mahābādhaḥ prasādaś ca mahāphalaḥ
     kas tasya manasāpīcched anarthaṃ prājñasaṃmataḥ
 28 na cauṣṭhau nirbhujej jātu na ca vākyaṃ samākṣipet
     sadā kṣutaṃ ca vātaṃ ca ṣṭhīvanaṃ cācarec chanaiḥ
 29 hāsyavastuṣu cāpy asya vartamāneṣu keṣu cit
     nātigāḍhaṃ prahṛṣyeta na cāpy unmattavad dhaset
 30 na cātidhairyeṇa cared gurutāṃ hi vrajet tathā
     smitaṃ tu mṛdupūrveṇa darśayeta prasādajam
 31 lābhe na harṣayed yas tu na vyathed yo 'vamānitaḥ
     asaṃmūḍhaś ca yo nityaṃ sa rājavasatiṃ vaset
 32 rājānaṃ rājaputraṃ vā saṃvartayati yaḥ sadā
     amātyaḥ paṇḍito bhūtvā sa ciraṃ tiṣṭhati śriyam
 33 pragṛhītaś ca yo 'mātyo nigṛhītaś ca kāraṇaiḥ
     na nirbadhnāti rājānaṃ labhate pragrahaṃ punaḥ
 34 pratyakṣaṃ ca parokṣaṃ ca guṇavādī vicakṣaṇaḥ
     upajīvī bhaved rājño viṣaye cāpi yo vaset
 35 amātyo hi balād bhoktuṃ rājānaṃ prārthayet tu yaḥ
     na sa tiṣṭhec ciraṃ sthānaṃ gacchec ca prāṇasaṃśayam
 36 śreyaḥ sadātmano dṛṣṭvā paraṃ rājñā na saṃvadet
     viśeṣayen na rājānaṃ yogyā bhūmiṣu sarvadā
 37 amlāno balavāñ śūraś chāyevānapagaḥ sadā
     satyavādī mṛdur dāntaḥ sa rājavasatiṃ vaset
 38 anyasmin preṣyamāṇe tu purastād yaḥ samutpatet
     ahaṃ kiṃ karavāṇīti sa rājavasatiṃ vaset
 39 uṣṇe vā yadi vā śīte rātrau vā yadi vā divā
     ādiṣṭo na vikalpeta sa rājavasatiṃ vaset
 40 yo vai gṛhebhyaḥ pravasan priyāṇāṃ nānusaṃsmaret
     duḥkhena sukham anvicchet sa rājavasatiṃ vaset
 41 samaveṣaṃ na kurvīta nātyuccaiḥ saṃnidhau haset
     mantraṃ na bahudhā kuryād evaṃ rājñaḥ priyo bhavet
 42 na karmaṇi niyuktaḥ san dhanaṃ kiṃ cid upaspṛśet
     prāpnoti hi haran dravyaṃ bandhanaṃ yadi vā vadham
 43 yānaṃ vastram alaṃkāraṃ yac cānyat saṃprayacchati
     tad eva dhārayen nityam evaṃ priyataro bhavet
 44 saṃvatsaram imaṃ tāta tathā śīlā bubhūṣavaḥ
     atha svaviṣayaṃ prāpya yathākāmaṃ cariṣyatha
 45 anuśiṣṭāḥ sma bhadraṃ te naitad vaktāsti kaś cana
     kuntīm ṛte mātaraṃ no viduraṃ ca mahāmatim
 46 yad evānantaraṃ kāryaṃ tad bhavān kartum arhati
     tāraṇāyāsya duḥkhasya prasthānāya jayāya ca
 47 [vai]
     evam uktas tato rājñā dhaumyo 'tha dvijasattamaḥ
     akarod vidhivat sarvaṃ prasthāne yad vidhīyate
 48 teṣāṃ samidhya tān agnīn mantravac ca juhāva saḥ
     samṛddhi vṛddhilābhāya pṛthivī vijayāya ca
 49 agniṃ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā brāhmaṇāṃś ca tapodhanān
     yājñasenīṃ puraskṛtya ṣaḍ evātha pravavrajuḥ

SECTION IV

Yudhishthira said, "Ye have already said what offices ye will respectively perform. I also, according to the measure of my sense, have said what office I will perform. Let our priest, accompanied by charioteers and cooks, repair to the abode of Drupada, and there maintain our Agnihotra fires. And let Indrasena and the others, taking with then the empty cars, speedily proceeded to Dwaravati. Even this is my wish. And let all these maid-servants of Draupadi go to the Panchalas, with our charioteers and cooks. And let all of them say,--We do not know where the Pandavas have gone leaving us at the lake of Dwaitavana."

p. 6

Vaisampayana said, "Having thus taken counsel of one another and told one another the offices they would discharge, the Pandavas sought Dhaumya's advice. And Dhaumya also gave them advice in the following words, saying, Ye sons of Pandu, the arrangements ye have made regarding the Brahmanas, yours friends, cars, weapons, and the (sacred) fires, are excellent. But it behoveth thee, O Yudhishthira, and Arjuna specially, to make provision for the protection of Draupadi. Ye king, ye are well-acquainted with the characters of men. Yet whatever may be your knowledge, friends may from affection be permitted to repeat what is already known. Even this is subservient to the eternal interests of virtue, pleasure, and profit. I shall, therefore speak to you something. Mark ye. To dwell with a king is, alas, difficult. I shall tell you, ye princes, how ye may reside in the royal household, avoiding every fault. Ye Kauravas, honourably or otherwise, ye will have to pass this year in the king's palace, undiscovered by those that know you. Then in the fourteenth year, ye will live happy. O son of Pandu, in this world, that cherisher and protector of all beings, the king, who is a deity in an embodied form, is as a great fire sanctified with all the mantras.  1 One should present himself before the king, after having obtained his permission at the gate. No one should keep contact with royal secrets. Nor should one desire a seat which another may covet. He who doth not, regarding himself to be a favourite, occupy (the king's) car, or coach, or seat, or vehicle, or elephant, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. He that sits not upon a seat the occupation of which is calculated raise alarm in the minds of malicious people, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. No one should, unasked offer counsel (to a king). Paying homage in season unto the king, one should silently and respectfully sit beside the king, for kings take umbrage at babblers, and disgrace laying counsellors. A wise person should not contact friendship with the king's wife, nor with the inmates of the inner apartments, nor with those that are objects of royal displeasure. One about the king should do even the most unimportant acts and with the king's knowledge. Behaving thus with a sovereign, one doth not come by harm. Even if an individual attain the highest office, he should, as long as he is not asked or commanded, consider himself as born-blind, having regard to the king's dignity, for O repressers of foes, the rulers of men do not forgive even their sons and grandsons and brothers when they happen to tamper with their dignity. Kings should be served with regardful care, even as Agni and other god; and he that is disloyal to his sovereign, is certainly destroyed by him. Renouncing anger, and pride, and negligence, it behoveth a man to follow the course directed by the monarch. After carefully deliberating on all things, a person should set forth before the

p. 7

king those topics that are both profitable and pleasant; but should a subject be profitable without being pleasant, he should still communicate it, despite its disagreeableness. It behoveth a man to be well-disposed towards the king in all his interests, and not to indulge in speech that is alike unpleasant and profitless. Always thinking--I am not liked by the king--one should banish negligence, and be intent on bringing about what is agreeable and advantageous to him. He that swerveth not from his place, he that is not friendly to those that are hostile to the king, he that striveth not to do wrong to the king, is alone worthy to dwell in a royal household. A learned man should sit either on the king's right or the left; he should not sit behind him for that is the place appointed for armed guards, and to sit before him is always interdicted. Let none, when the king is engaged in doing anything (in respect of his servants) come forward pressing himself zealously before others, for even if the aggrieved be very poor, such conduct would still be inexcusable. 1 It behoveth no man to reveal to others any lie the king may have told inasmuch as the king bears ill will to those that report his falsehoods. Kings also always disregard persons that regard themselves as learned. No man should be proud thinking--I am brave, or, I am intelligent, but a person obtains the good graces of a king and enjoys the good things of life, by behaving agreeably to the wishes of the king. And, O Bharata, obtaining things agreeable, and wealth also which is so hard to acquire, a person should always do what is profitable as well as pleasant to the king. What man that is respected by the wise can even think of doing mischief to one whose ire is great impediment and whose favour is productive of mighty fruits? No one should move his lips, arms and thighs, before the king. A person should speak and spit before the king only mildly. In the presence of even laughable objects, a man should not break out into loud laughter, like a maniac; nor should one show (unreasonable) gravity by containing himself, to the utmost. One should smile modestly, to show his interest (in what is before him). He that is ever mindful of the king's welfare, and is neither exhilarated by reward nor depressed by disgrace, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. That learned courtier who always pleaseth the king and his son with agreeable speeches, succeedeth in dwelling in a royal household as a favourite. The favourite courtier who, having lost the royal favour for just reason, does not speak evil of the king, regains prosperity. The man who serveth the king or liveth in his domains, if

p. 8

sagacious, should speak in praise of the king, both in his presence and absence. The courtier who attempts to obtain his end by employing force on the king, cannot keep his place long and incurs also the risk of death. None should, for the purpose of self-interest, open communications with the king's enemies. 1 Nor should one distinguish himself above the king in matters requiring ability and talents. He that is always cheerful and strong, brave and truthful, and mild, and of subdued senses, and who followeth his master like his shadow, is alone worthy to dwell in a royal household. He that on being entrusted with a work, cometh forward, saying,--I will do this--is alone worthy of living in a royal household. He that on being entrusted with a task, either within the king's dominion or out of it, never feareth to undertake it, is alone fit to reside in a royal household. He that living away from his home, doth no remember his dear ones, and who undergoeth (present) misery in expectation of (future) happiness, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. One should not dress like the king, nor should one indulge, in laughter in the king's presence nor should one disclose royal secrets. By acting thus one may win royal favour. Commissioned to a task, one should not touch bribes for by such appropriation one becometh liable to fetters or death. The robes, ornaments, cars, and other things which the king may be pleased to bestow should always be used, for by this, one winneth the royal favour. Ye children, controlling your minds, do ye spend this year, ye sons of Pandu, behaving in this way. Regaining your own kingdom, ye may live as ye please."

Yudhishthira said, "We have been well taught by thee. Blessed be thou. There is none that could say so to us, save our mother Kunti and Vidura of great wisdom. It behoveth thee to do all that is necessary now for our departure, and for enabling us to come safely through this woe, as well as for our victory over the foe."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, Dhaumya, that best of Brahmanas, performed according to the ordinance the rites ordained in respect of departure. And lighting up their fires, he offered, with mantras, oblations on them for the prosperity and success of the Pandavas, as for their reconquest of the whole world. And walking round those fires and round the Brahmanas of ascetic wealth, the six set out, placing Yajnaseni in their front. And when those heroes had departed, Dhaumya, that best of ascetics, taking their sacred fires, set out for the Panchalas. And Indrasena, and others already mentioned, went to the Yadavas, and looking after the horses and the cars of the Pandavas passed their time happily and in privacy."

Book 4
Chapter 5

1 [vai]
      te vīrā baddhanistriṃśās tatāyudha kalāpinaḥ
      baddhagodhāṅguli trāṇāḥ kālindīm abhito yayuḥ
  2 tatas te dakṣiṇaṃ tīram anvagacchan padātayaḥ
      vasanto giridurgeṣu vanadurgeṣu dhanvinaḥ
  3 vidhyanto mṛgajātāni maheṣvāsā mahābalāḥ
      uttareṇa daśārṇāṃs te pāñcālān dakṣiṇena tu
  4 antareṇa yakṛllomāñ śūrasenāṃś ca pāṇḍavāḥ
      lubdhā bruvāṇā matsyasya viṣayaṃ prāviśan vanāt
  5 tato janapadaṃ prāpya kṛṣṇā rājānam abravīt
      paśyaikapadyo dṛśyante kṣetrāṇi vividhāni ca
  6 vyaktaṃ dūre virāṭasya rājadhānī bhaviṣyati
      vasāmeha parāṃ rātriṃ balavān me pariśramaḥ
  7 dhanaṃjaya samudyamya pāñcālīṃ vaha bhārata
      rājadhānyāṃ nivatsyāmo vimuktāś ca vanāditaḥ
  8 tām ādāyārjunas tūrṇaṃ draupadīṃ gajarāḍ iva
      saṃprāpya nagarābhyāśam avatārayad arjunaḥ
  9 sa rājadhānīṃ saṃprāpya kaunteyo 'rjunam abravīt
      kvāyudhāni samāsajya praveśyāmaḥ puraṃ vayam
  10 sāyudhāś ca vayaṃ tāta pravekṣyāmaḥ puraṃ yati
     samudvegaṃ janasyāsya kariṣyāmo na saṃśayaḥ
 11 tato dvādaśa varṣāṇi praveṣṭavyaṃ vanaṃ punaḥ
     ekasminn api vijñāte pratijñātaṃ hi nas tathā
 12 iyaṃ kūṭe manuṣyendra gahahā mahatī śamī
     bhīma śākhā durārohā śmaśānasya samīpataḥ
 13 na cāpi vidyate kaś cin manuṣya iha pārthiva
     utpathe hi vane jātā mṛgavyālaniṣevite
 14 samāsajyāyudhāny asyāṃ gacchāmo nagaraṃ prati
     evam atra yathājoṣaṃ vihariṣyāma bhārata
 15 evam uktvā sa rājānaṃ dharmātmānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram
     pracakrame nidhānāya śastrāṇāṃ bharatarṣabha
 16 yena devān manuṣyāṃś ca sarpāṃś caikaratho 'jayat
     sphītāñjanapadāṃś cānyān ajayat kurunandanaḥ
 17 tad udāraṃ mahāghoṣaṃ sapatnagaṇasūdanam
     apajyam akarot pārtho gāṇḍīvam abhayaṃkaram
 18 yena vīraḥ kurukṣetram abhyarakṣat paraṃtapaḥ
     amuñcad dhanur as tasya jyām akṣayyāṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 19 pāñcālān yena saṃgrāme bhīmaseno 'jayat prabhuḥ
     pratyaṣedhad bahūn ekaḥ sapatnāṃś caiva dig jaye
 20 niśamya yasya visphāraṃ vyadravanta raṇe pare
     parvatasyeva dīrṇasya visphoṭam aśaner iva
 21 saindhavaṃ yena rājānaṃ parāmṛṣata cānagha
     jyā pāśaṃ dhanur as tasya bhīmaseno 'vatārayat
 22 ajayat paścimām āśāṃ dhanuṣā yena pāṇḍavaḥ
     tasya maurvīm apākarṣac chūraḥ saṃkrandano yudhi
 23 dakṣiṇāṃ dakṣiṇācāro diśaṃ yenājayat prabhuḥ
     apajyam akarod vīraḥ sahadevas tadāyudham
 24 khaḍgāṃś ca pītān dīrghāṃś ca kalāpāṃś ca mahādhanān
     vipāṭhān kṣura dhārāṃś ca dhanur bhir nidadhuḥ saha
 25 tām upāruhya nakulo dhanūṃṣi nidadhat svayam
     yāni tasyāvakāśāni dṛḍharūpāṇy amanyata
 26 yatra cāpaśyata sa vai tiro varṣāṇi varṣati
     tatra tāni dṛḍhaiḥ pāśaiḥ sugāḍhaṃ paryabandhata
 27 śarīraṃ ca mṛtasyaikaṃ samabadhnanta pāṇḍavāḥ
     vivarjayiṣyanti narā dūrād evaṃ śamīm imām
     ābaddhaṃ śavam atreti gandham āghrāya pūtikam
 28 aśītiśata varṣeyaṃ mātā na iti vādinaḥ
     kuladharmo 'yam asmākaṃ pūrvair ācarito 'pi ca
     samāsajānā vṛkṣe 'sminn iti vai vyāharanti te
 29 ā gopālāvi pālebhya ācakṣāṇāḥ paraṃtapāḥ
     ājagmur nagarābhyāśaṃ pārthāḥ śatrunibarhaṇāḥ
 30 jayo jayanto vijayo jayatseno jayadbalaḥ
     iti guhyāni nāmāni cakre teṣāṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 31 tato yathāpratijñābhiḥ prāviśan nagaraṃ mahat
     ajñātacaryāṃ vatsyanto rāṣṭraṃ varṣaṃ trayodaśam

SECTION V

Vaisampayana said, "Girding their waists with swords, and equipped with finger-protectors made of iguana skins and with various weapons, those heroes proceeded in the direction of the river Yamuna. And those bowmen desirous of (speedily) recovering their kingdom, hitherto living in inaccessible hills and forest fastnesses, now terminated their forest-life and proceeded to the southern bank of that river. And those mighty warriors endued with great strength and hitherto leading the lives of hunters by killing the deer of the forest, passed through Yakrilloma and Surasena, leaving behind, on their right, the country of the Panchalas, and on their left, that of the Dasarnas. And those bowmen, looking wan and wearing beards and equipped with swords, entered Matsya's dominions leaving the forest, giving themselves out as hunters. And on arriving at that country, Krishna addressed Yudhishthira, saying, 'We see footpaths here, and various fields. From this it appears that Virata's metropolis is still at a distance. Pass we here what part of the night is still left, for great is my fatigue."

Yudhishthira answered, "O Dhananjaya of Bharata's race, do thou take up Panchali and carry her. Just on emerging from this forest, we arrive at the city."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thereupon like the leader of a herd of elephants, Arjuna speedily took up Draupadi, and on coming to the vicinity of the city, let her down. And on reaching the city, Ruru's son (Yudhishthira), addressed Arjuna, saying, 'Where shall we deposit our weapons, before entering the city? If, O child, we enter it with our weapons about us, we shall thereby surely excite the alarm of the citizens. Further, the tremendous bow, the Gandiva, is known to all men, so that people will, without doubt, recognise us soon. And if even one of us is discovered, we shall, according to promise, have to pass another twelve years in the forest.'"

Arjuna said, "Hard by yon cemetery and near that inaccessible peak is a mighty Sami tree, throwing-about its gigantic branches and difficult to ascend. Nor is there any human being, who, I think, O Pandu's son, will espy us depositing our arms at that place. That tree is in the midst of an out-of-the way forest abounding in beasts and snakes, and is in the vicinity of a dreary cemetery. Stowing away our weapons on the Sami tree, let us, O Bharata, go to the city, and live there, free from anxiety!"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having O bull of the Bharata race spoken thus to king Yudhishthira the just, Arjuna prepared to deposit the weapons (on the tree). And that bull among the Kurus, then loosened the string of the large and dreadful Gandiva, ever producing thundering twang and always destructive of hostile hosts, and with which he had conquered, on a single car, gods and men and Nagas and swelling provinces. And the warlike Yudhishthira, that represser of foes, unfastened

p. 10

the undecaying string of that bow with which he had defended the field of Kurukshstra. And the illustrious Bhimasena unstrung that bow by means of which that sinless one had vanquished in fight the Panchals and the lord of Sindhu, and with which, during his career of conquest, he had, single-handed, opposed innumerable foes, and hearing whose twang which was like unto the roar of the thunder or the splitting of a mountain, enemies always fly (in panic) from the field of battle. And that son of Pandu of coppery complexion and mild speech who is endued with great prowess in the field, and is called Nakula in consequence of his unexampled beauty in the family, then unfastened the string of that bow with which he had conquered all the regions of the west. And the heroic Sahadeva also, possessed of a mild disposition, then united the string of that bow with which he had subjugated the countries of the south. And with their bows, they put together their long and flashing swords, their precious quivers, and their arrows sharp as razors. And Nakula ascended the tree, and deposited on it the bows and the other weapons. And he tied them fast on those parts of the tree which he thought would not break, and where the rain would not penetrate. And the Pandavas hung up a corpse (on the tree), knowing that people smelling the stench of the corpse would say--here sure, is a dead body, and avoid the tree from a distance. And on being asked by the shepherds and cowherds regarding the corpse, those repressers of foes said unto them, 'This is our mother, aged one hundred and eighty years. We have hung up her dead body, in accordance with the custom observed by our forefathers.' And then those resisters of foes approached the city. And for purposes of non-discovery Yudhisthira kept these (five) names for himself and his brothers respectively, viz., Jaya, Jayanta, Vijaya, Jayatsena, and Jayatvala. Then they entered the great city, with the view to passing the thirteenth year undiscovered in that kingdom, agreeably to the promise (to Duryodhana)."

Book 4
Chapter 6

1 [vai]
      tato virāṭaṃ prathamaṃ yudhiṣṭhiro; rājā sabhāyām upaviṣṭum āvrajat
      vaiḍūrya rūpān pratimucya kāñcanān; akṣān sa kakṣe parigṛhya vāsasā
  2 narādhipo rāṣṭrapatiṃ yaśasvinaṃ; mahāyaśāḥ kaurava vaṃśavardhanaḥ
      mahānubhāvo nararāja satkṛto; durāsadas tīkṣṇaviṣo yathoragaḥ
  3 bālena rūpeṇa nararṣabho mahān; athārci rūpeṇa yathāmaras tathā
      mahābhrajālair iva saṃvṛto ravir; yathānalo bhasma vṛtaś ca vīryavān
  4 tam āpatantaṃ prasamīkṣya pāṇḍavaṃ; virāṭa rāḍ indum ivābhrasaṃvṛtam
      mantridvijān sūta mukhān viśas tathā; ye cāpi ke cit pariṣat samāsate
      papraccha ko 'yaṃ prathamaṃ sameyivān; anena yo 'yaṃ prasamīkṣate sabhām
  5 na tu dvijo 'yaṃ bhavitā narottamaḥ; patiḥ pṛthivyā iti me manogatam
      na cāsya dāso na ratho na kuṇḍale; samīpato bhrājati cāyam indravat
  6 śarīraliṅgair upasūcito hy ayaṃ; mūrdhābhiṣikto 'yam itīva mānasam
      samīpam āyāti ca me gatavyatho; yathā gajas tāmarasīṃ madotkaṭaḥ
  7 vitarkayantaṃ tu nararṣabhas tadā; yidhiṣṭhiro 'bhyetya virāṭam abravīt
      samrāḍ vijānātv iha jīvitārthinaṃ; vinaṣṭa sarvasvam upāgataṃ dvijam
  8 ihāham icchāmi tavānaghāntike; vastuṃ yathā kāmacaras tathā vibho
      tam abravīt svāgatam ity anantaraṃ; rājā prahṛṣṭaḥ pratisaṃgṛhāṇa ca
  9 kāmena tātābhivadāmy ahaṃ tvāṃ; kasyāsi rājño viṣayād ihāgataḥ
      gotraṃ ca nāmāpi ca śaṃsa tattvataḥ; kiṃ cāpi śilpaṃ tava vidyate kṛtam
  10 yudhiṣṭhirasyāsam ahaṃ purā sakhā; vaiyāghrapadyaḥ punar asmi brāhmaṇaḥ
     akṣān pravaptuṃ kuśalo 'smi devitā; kaṅketi nāmnāsmi virāṭa viśrutaḥ
 11 dadāmi te hanta varaṃ yam icchasi; praśādhi matsyān vaśago hy ahaṃ tava
     priyā hi dhūrtā mama devinaḥ sadā; bhavāṃś ca devopama rājyam arhati
 12 āpto vivādaḥ paramo viśāṃ pate; na vidyate kiṃ cana matsyahīnataḥ
     na me jitaḥ kaś cana dhārayed dhanaṃ; varo mamaiṣo 'stu tava prasādataḥ
 13 hanyām avadhyaṃ yadi te 'priyaṃ caret; pravrājayeyaṃ viṣayād dvijāṃs tathā
     śṛṇvantu me jānapadāḥ samāgatāḥ; kaṅko yathāhaṃ viṣaye prabhus tathā
 14 samānayāno bhavitāsi me sakhā; prabhūtavastro bahu pānabhojanaḥ
     paśyes tvam antaś ca bahiś ca sarvadā; kṛtaṃ ca te dvāram apāvṛtaṃ mayā
 15 ye tvānuvādeyur avṛtti karśitā; brūyāś ca teṣāṃ vacanena me sadā
     dāsyāmi sarvaṃ tad ahaṃ na saṃśayo; na te bhayaṃ vidyati saṃnidhau mama
 16 evaṃ sa labdhvā tu varaṃ samāgamaṃ; virāṭa rājena nararṣabhas tadā
     uvāsa vīraḥ paramārcitaḥ sukhī; na cāpi kaś cic caritaṃ bubodha tat

SECTION VI

Vaisampayana said, "And while Yudhishthira was on his way to the delightful city of Virata, he began to praise mentally the Divine Durga, the Supreme Goddess of the Universe, born on the womb of Yasoda, and fond of the boons bestowed on her by Narayana, sprung from the race of cowherd Nanda, and the giver of prosperity, the enhancer (of the glory) of (the worshipper's) family, the terrifier of Kansa, and the destroyer of Asuras,--and saluted the Goddess--her who ascended the skies when dashed (by Kansa) on a stony platform, who is the sister of Vasudeva, one who is always decked in celestial garlands and attired in celestial

p. 11

robes,--who is armed with scimitar and shield, and always rescues the worshipper sunk in sin, like a cow in the mire, who in the hours of distress calls upon that eternal giver of blessings for relieving him of their burdens. And the king, desirous with his brothers of obtaining a sight of the Goddess, invoked her and began to praise her by reciting various names derived from (approved) hymns. And Yudhishthira said, 'Salutations to thee, O giver of boons. O thou that art identical with Krishna, O maiden, O thou that hast observed the vow of Brahmacharya, O thou of body bright as the newly-risen Sun, O thou efface beautiful as the full moon. Salutations to thee, O thou of four hands and four faces, O thou of fair round hips and deep bosom, O thou that wearest bangles made of emeralds and sapphires, O thou that bearest excellent bracelets on thy upper arm. Thou shinest, O Goddess, as Padma, the consort of Narayana. O thou that rangest the etherial regions, thy true form and thy Brahmacharya are both of the purest kind. Sable as the black clouds, thy face is beautiful as that of Sankarshana. Thou bearest two large arms long as a couple of poles raised in honour of Indra. In thy (six) other arms thou bearest a vessel, a lotus, a bell, a noose, a bow, a large discus, and various other weapons. Thou art the only female in the universe that possesses! the attribute of purity. Thou art decked with a pair of well-made ears graced with excellent rings. O Goddess, thou shinest with a face that challengeth the moon in beauty. With an excellent diadem and beautiful braid with robes made of the bodies of snakes, and with also the brilliant girdle round thy hips, thou shinest like the Mandara mountain encircled with snakes. Thou shinest also with peacock-plumes standing erect on thy head, and thou hast sanctified the celestial regions by adopting the vow of perpetual maiden-hood. It is for this, O thou that hast slain the Mahishasura,  1 that thou art praised and worshipped by the gods for the protection of the three worlds. O thou foremost of all deities, extend to me thy grace, show me thy mercy, and be thou the source of blessings to me. Thou art Jaya and Vijaya, and it is thou that givest victory in battle. Grant me victory, O Goddess, and give me boons also at this hour of distress. Thy eternal abode is on Vindhya--that foremost of mountains. O Kali, O Kali, thou art the great Kali, ever fond of wine and meat and animal sacrifice. Capable of going everywhere at will, and bestowing boons on thy devotees, thou art ever followed in thy journeys by Brahma and the other gods. By them that call upon thee for the relief of their burdens, and by them also that bow to thee at daybreak on Earth, there is nothing that cannot be attained in respect either of offspring or wealth. And because thou rescuest people from difficulties whether when they are afflicted in the wilderness

p. 12

or sinking in the great ocean, it is for this that thou art called Durga 1 by all. Thou art the sole refuge of men when attacked by robbers or while afflicted in crossing streams and seas or in wilderness and; forests. Those men that remember thee are never prostrated, O great Goddess. Thou art Fame, thou art Prosperity, thou art Steadiness, thou art Success; thou art the Wife, thou art men's Offspring, thou art Knowledge, and thou art the Intellect. Thou art the two Twilights, the Night Sleep, Light--both solar and lunar, Beauty, Forgiveness, Mercy, and every other thing. Thou dispellest, worshipped by the devotees their fetters, ignorance, loss of children and loss of wealth, disease, death, and fear. I, who have been deprived of my kingdom, seek thy protection. And as I bow to thee with bended head, O Supreme Goddess, grant me protection, O thou of eyes like lotus leaves. And be thou as boon-giving Truth unto us that are acting according to Truth. And, O Durga, kind as thou art unto all that seek thy protection, and affectionate unto all thy devotees, grant me protection!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus praised by the son of Pandu, the Goddess showed herself unto him. And approaching the king, she addressed him in these words, 'O mighty armed king, listen, O Lord, to these words of mine. Having vanquished and slain the ranks of the Kauravas through my grace, victory in battle will soon be thine. Thou shalt again lord it over the entire Earth, having made thy dominions destitute of thorns. And, O king, thou shalt also, with thy brothers, obtain great happiness. And through my grace, joy and health will be thine. And they also in the world who will recite my attributes and achievements will be freed from their sins, and gratified. I will bestow upon them kingdom, long life, beauty of person, and offspring. And they, O king, who will invoke me, after thy manner, in exile or in the city, in the midst of battle or of dangers from foes, in forests or in inaccessible deserts, in seas or mountain fastnesses, there is nothing that they will not obtain in this world. And ye sons of Pandu, he will achieve success in every business of his that will listen to, or himself recite with devotion, this excellent hymn. And through my grace neither the Kuru's spies, nor those that dwell in the country of the Matsyas, will succeed in recognising you all as long as ye reside in Virata's city!' And having said these words unto Yudhishthira, that chastiser of foes, and having arranged for the protection of the sons of Pandu, the Goddess disappeared there and then."

Book 4
Chapter 7

1 [vai]
      athāparo bhīmabalaḥ śriyā jvalann; upāyayau siṃhavilāsa vikramaḥ
      khajaṃ ca darvīṃ ca kareṇa dhārayann; asiṃ ca kālāṅgam akośam avraṇam
  2 sa sūdarūpaḥ parameṇa varcasā; ravir yathā lokam imaṃ prabhāsayan
      sukṛṣṇa vāsā girirājasāravān; sa matsyarājaṃ samupetya tasthivān
  3 taṃ prekṣya rājā varayann upāgataṃ; tato 'bravīj jānapadān samāgatān
      siṃhonnatāṃso 'yam atīva rūpavān; pradṛśyate ko nu nararṣabho yuvā
  4 adṛṣṭapūrvaḥ puruṣo ravir yathā; vitarkayan nāsya labhāmi saṃpadam
      tathāsya cittaṃ hy api saṃvitarkayan; nararṣabhasyādya na yāmi tattvataḥ
  5 tato virāṭaṃ samupetya pāṇḍavaḥ; sudīnarūpo vacanaṃ mahāmanāḥ
      uvāca sūdo 'smi narendra ballavo; bhajasva māṃ vyañjana kāram uttamam
  6 na sūdatāṃ mānada śraddadhāmi te; sahasranetra pratimo hi dṛśyase
      śriyā ca rūpeṇa ca vikrameṇa ca; prabhāsi tātānavaro nareṣv iha
  7 narendra sūdaḥ paricārako 'smi te; jānāmi sūpān prathamena kevalān
      āsvāditā ye nṛpate purābhavan; yudhiṣṭhireṇāpi nṛpeṇa sarvaśaḥ
  8 balena tulyaś ca na vidyate mayā; niyuddha śīlaś ca sadaiva pārthiva
      gajaiś ca siṃhaiś ca sameyivān ahaṃ; sadā kariṣyāmi tavānagha priyam
  9 dadāmi te hanta varaṃ mahānase; tathā ca kuryāḥ kuśalaṃ hi bhāṣase
      na caiva manye tava karma tat samaṃ; samudranemiṃ pṛthivīṃ tvam arhasi
  10 yathā hi kāmas tava tat tathā kṛtaṃ; mahānase tvaṃ bhava me puraskṛtaḥ
     narāś ca ye tatra mamocitāḥ purā; bhavasva teṣām adhipo mayā kṛtaḥ
 11 tathā sa bhīmo vihito mahānase; virāṭa rājño dayito 'bhavad dṛḍham
     uvāsa rājan na ca taṃ pṛthagjano; bubodha tatrānucaraś ca kaś cana

SECTION VII

Vaisampayana said, "Then tying up in his cloth dice made of gold and set with lapis lazuli, and holding them below his arm-pit, king Yudhishthira,--that illustrious lord of men--that high-souled perpetuator of the Kuru race, regarded by kings, irrepressible in might, and like unto a snake of virulent poison,--that bull among men, endued with strength and beauty and prowess, and possessed of greatness, and resembling in form a celestial though now like unto the sun enveloped in dense clouds, or fire covered with ashes, first made his appearance when the famous king Virata was seated in his court. And beholding with his followers that son of Pandu in his court, looking like the moon hid in clouds and possessed of a face beautiful as the full moon, king Virata addressed his counsellors and the twice-born ones and the charioteers and the Vaisyas and others, saying, "Enquire ye who it is, so like a king that looketh on my court for the first time. He cannot be a Brahmana. Methinks he is a man of men, and a lord of earth. He hath neither slaves, nor cars, nor elephants with him, yet he shineth like the very Indra. The marks on his person indicate him to be one whose coronal locks have undergone the sacred investiture. Even this is my belief. He approacheth me without any hesitation, even as an elephant in rut approacheth an assemblage of lotuses!'

"And as the king was indulging in these thoughts, that bull among men, Yudhishthira, came before Virata and addressed him, saying, 'O great king, know me for a Brahmana who, having lost his all hath come to thee for the means of subsistence. I desire, O sinless one, to live here beside thee acting under thy commands, 1 O lord. The king then, well-pleased, replied unto him saying, 'Thou art welcome. Do thou then accept the appointment thou seekest!' And having appointed the lion among kings in the post he had prayed for, king Virata addressed him with a glad heart, saying, 'O child, I ask thee from affection, from the dominions of what king dost thou come hither? Tell me also truly what is thy name and family, and what thou hast a knowledge of.'"

Yudhishthira said, "My name is Kanka, and I am a Brahmana belonging to the family known by the name of Vaiyaghra. I am skilled in casting dice, and formerly I was a friend of Yudhishthira."

Virata replied, "I will grant thee whatever boon thou mayst desire. Do thou rule the Matsyas.--I shall remain in submission to thee. Even cunning gamblers are liked by me. Thou, on the other hand, art like a god, and deservest a kingdom."

Yudhishthira said, "My first prayer, O lord of earth, is that I may not be involved in any dispute (on account of dice) with low people.

p. 14

[paragraph continues] Further, a person defeated by me (at dice) shall not be permitted to retain the wealth (won by me). Let this boon be granted to me through thy grace."

Virata replied, "I shall certainly slay him who may happen to displease thee, and should be one of the twice-born ones, I shall banish him from my dominions. Let the assembled subjects listen! Kanka is as much lord of this realm as I myself, Thou (Kanka) shalt be my friend and shalt ride the same vehicles as I. And there shall also be at thy disposal apparel in plenty, and various kinds of viands and drinks. And thou shalt look into my affairs, both internal and external. And for thee all my doors shall be open. When men out of employ or of strained circumstances will apply to thee, do thou at all hours bring their words unto me, and I will surely give them whatever they desire. No fear shall be thine as long as thou residest with me."

Vaisampayana said, "Having thus obtained an interview with Virata's king, and received from him boons, that heroic bull among men, began to live happily, highly regarded by all. Nor could any one discover him as he lived there."

Book 4
Chapter 8

1 [vai]
      tataḥ keśān samutkṣipya vellitāgrān aninditān
      jugūha dakṣiṇe pārśve mṛdūn asitalocanā
  2 vāsaś ca paridhāyaikaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ sumalinaṃ mahat
      kṛtvā veṣaṃ ca sairandhryāḥ kṛṣṇā vyacarad ārtavat
  3 tāṃ narāḥ paridhāvantīṃ striyaś ca samupādravan
      apṛcchaṃś caiva tāṃ dṛṣṭvā kā tvaṃ kiṃ ca cikīrṣasi
  4 sā tān uvāca rājendra sairandhry aham upāgatā
      karma cecchāmi vai kartuṃ tasya yo māṃ pupukṣati
  5 tasyā rūpeṇa veṣeṇa ślakṣṇayā ca tathā girā
      nāśraddadhata tāṃ dāsīm annahetor upasthitām
  6 virāṭasya tu kaikeyī bhāryā paramasaṃmatā
      avalokayantī dadṛśe prāsādād drupadātmajām
  7 sā samīkṣya tathārūpām anāthām ekavāsasam
      samāhūyābravīd bhadre kā tvaṃ kiṃ ca cikīrṣasi
  8 sā tām uvāca rājendra sairandhry aham upāgatā
      karma cecchāmy ahaṃ kartuṃ tasya yo māṃ pupukṣati
  9 [sudesṇā]
      naivaṃrūpā bhavanty evaṃ yathā vadasi bhāmini
      preṣayanti ca vai dāsīr dāsāṃś caivaṃ vidhān bahūn
  10 gūḍhagulphā saṃhatorus trigambhīrā ṣaḍunnatā
     raktā pañcasu rakteṣu haṃsagadgada bhāṣiṇī
 11 sukeśī sustanī śyāmā pīnaśroṇipayodharā
     tena tenaiva saṃpannā kāśmīrīva turaṃgamā
 12 svarāla pakṣmanayanā bimbauṣṭhī tanumadhyamā
     kambugrīvā gūḍhasirā pūrṇacandranibhānanā
 13 kā tvaṃ brūhi yathā bhadre nāsi dāsī kathaṃ cana
     yakṣī vā yadi vā devī gandharvī yadi vāpsarāḥ
 14 alambusā miśrakeśī puṇḍarīkātha mālinī
     indrāṇī vāruṇī vā tvaṃ tvaṣṭur dhātuḥ prajāpateḥ
     devyo deveṣu vikhyātās tāsāṃ tvaṃ katamā śubhe
 15 [drau]
     nāsmi devī na gandharvī nāsurī na ca rākṣasī
     sairandhrī tu bhujiṣyāsmi satyam etad bravīmi te
 16 keśāñ jānāmy ahaṃ kartuṃ piṃṣe sādhu vilepanam
     grathayiṣye vicitrāś ca srajaḥ paramaśobhanāḥ
 17 ārādhayaṃ satyabhāmāṃ kṛṣṇasya mahiṣīṃ priyām
     kṛṣṇāṃ ca bhāryāṃ pāṇḍūnāṃ kurūṇām ekasundarīm
 18 tatra tatra carāmy evaṃ labhamānā suśobhanam
     vāsāṃsi yāvac ca labhe tāvat tāvad rame tathā
 19 mālinīty eva me nāma svayaṃ devī cakāra sā
     sāham abhyāgatā devi sudeṣṇe tvan niveśanam
 20 [sudesṇā]
     mūrdhni tvāṃ vāsayeyaṃ vai saṃśayo me na vidyate
     no ced iha tu rājā tvāṃ gacchet sarveṇa cetasā
 21 striyo rājakule paśya yāś cemā mama veśmani
     prasaktās tvāṃ nirīkṣante pumāṃsaṃ kaṃ na mohayeḥ
 22 vṛkṣāṃś cāvasthitān paśya ya ime mama veśmani
     te 'pi tvāṃ saṃnamantīva pumāṃsaṃ kaṃ na mohayeḥ
 23 rājā virāṭaḥ suśroṇi dṛṣṭvā vapur amānuṣam
     vihāya māṃ varārohe tvāṃ gacchet sarvacetasā
 24 yaṃ hi tvam anavadyāṅgi naram āyatalocane
     prasaktam abhivīkṣethāḥ sa kāmavaśago bhavet
 25 yaś ca tvāṃ satataṃ paśyet puruṣaś cāruhāsini
     evaṃ sarvānavadyāṅgi sa cānaṅga vaśo bhavet
 26 yathā karkaṭakī gharbham ādhatte mṛtyum ātmanaḥ
     tathāvidham ahaṃ manye vāsaṃ tava śucismite
 27 [drau]
     nāsmi labhyā virāṭena nacānyena kathaṃ cana
     gandharvāḥ patayo mahyaṃ yuvānaḥ pañca bhāmini
 28 putrā gandharvarājasya mahāsattvasya kasya cit
     rakṣanti te ca māṃ nityaṃ duḥkhācārā tathā nv aham
 29 yo me na dadyād ucchiṣṭaṃ na ca pādau pradhāvayet
     prīyeyus tena vāsena gandharvāḥ patayo mama
 30 yo hi māṃ puruṣo gṛdhyed yathānyāḥ prākṛtastriyaḥ
     tām eva sa tato rātriṃ praviśed aparāṃ tanum
 31 na cāpy ahaṃ cālayituṃ śakyā kena cid aṅgane
     dukha śīlā hi gandharvās te ca me balavattarāḥ
 32 [sudesṇā]
     evaṃ tvāṃ vāsayiṣyāmi yathā tvaṃ nandinīcchasi
     na ca pādau na cocchiṣṭaṃ sprakṣyasi tvaṃ kathaṃ cana
 33 [vai]
     evaṃ kṛṣṇā virāṭasya bhāryayā parisāntvitā
     na caināṃ veda tatrānyas tattvena janamejaya

SECTION VIII

Vaisampayana said, "Then another endued with the dreadful strength and blazing in beauty, approached king Virata, with the playful gait of the lion. And holding in hand a cooking ladle and a spoon, as also an unsheathed sword of sable hue and without a spot on the blade, he came in the guise of a cook illumining all around him by his splendour like the sun discovering the whole world. And attired in black and possessed of the strength of the king of mountains, he approached the king of the Matsyas and stood before him. And beholding that king-like person before him, Virata addressed his assembled subjects saying, 'Who is that youth, that bull among men, with shoulders broad like those of a lion, and so exceedingly beautiful? That person, never seen before, is like the sun. Revolving the matter in my mind, I cannot ascertain who he is, nor can I with even serious thoughts guess the intention of that bull among men (in coming here). Beholding him, it seems to me that he is either the king of the Gandharvas, or Purandara himself. Do ye ascertain who it is that standeth before my eyes. Let him have quickly what he seeks.' Thus commanded by king Virata, his swift-footed messengers went up to the son of Kunti and informed that younger brother of Yudhishthira of everything the king had said. Then the high-souled son of Pandu, approaching Virata, addressed him in words that were not unsuited to his object, saying, 'O foremost of kings, I am

p. 15

a cook, Vallava by name. I am skilled in dressing dishes. Do thou employ me in the kitchen!'"

Virata said, "I do not believe, O Vallava, that cooking is thy office. Thou resemblest the deity of a thousand eyes; and in grace and beauty and prowess, thou shinest among these all as a king!"

Bhima replied, "O king of kings, I am thy cook and servant in the first place. It is not curries only of which I have knowledge, O monarch, although king Yudhishthira always used in days gone by to taste my dishes. O lord of earth, I am also a wrestler. Nor is there one that is equal to me in strength. And engaging in fight with lions and elephants, I shall, O sinless one, always contribute to thy entertainment."

Virata said, "I will even grant thee boons. Thou wilt do what thou wishest, as thou describest thyself skilled in it. I do not, however, think, that this office is worthy of thee, for thou deservest this (entire) earth girt round by the sea. But do as thou likest. Be thou the superintendent of my kitchen, and thou art placed at the head of those who have been appointed there before by me."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus appointed in the kitchen, Bhima soon became the favourite of king Virata. And, O king, he continued to live there unrecognised by the other servants of Virata as also by other people!"

Book 4
Chapter 9

1 [vai]
      sahadevo 'pi gopānāṃ kṛtvā veṣam anuttamam
      bhāṣāṃ caiṣāṃ samāsthāya virāṭam upayād atha
  2 tam āyāntam abhiprekṣya bhrājamānaṃ nararṣabham
      samupasthāya vai rājā papraccha kurunandanam
  3 kasya vā tvaṃ kuto vā tvaṃ kiṃ vā tāta cikīrṣasi
      na hi me dṛṣṭapūrvas tvaṃ tattvaṃ brūhi nararṣabha
  4 sa prāpya rājānam amitratāpanas; tato 'bravīn meghamahaughaniḥsvanaḥ
      vaiśyo 'smi nāmnāham ariṣṭanemir; gosaṃkhya āsaṃ kurupuṃgavānām
  5 vastuṃ tvayīcchāmi viśāṃ variṣṭha; tān rājasiṃhān na hi vedmi pārthān
      na śakyate jīvitum anyakarmaṇā; na ca tvadanyo mama rocate nṛpaḥ
  6 [virāṭa]
      tvaṃ brāhmaṇo yadi vā kṣatriyo 'si; samudranemīśvara rūpavān asi
      ācakṣva me tattvam amitrakarśana; na vaiśyakarma tvayi vidyate samam
  7 kasyāsi rājño viṣayād ihāgataḥ; kiṃ cāpi śilpaṃ tava vidyate kṛtam
      kathaṃ tvam asmāsu nivatsyase sadā; vadasva kiṃ cāpi taveha vetanam
  8 [saha]
      pañcānāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ jyeṣṭho rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      tasyāṣṭa śatasāhasrā gavāṃ vargāḥ śataṃ śatāḥ
  9 apare daśasāhasrā dvis tāvantas tathāpare
      teṣāṃ gosaṃkhya āsaṃ vai tantipāleti māṃ viduḥ
  10 bhūtaṃ bhavyaṃ bhaviṣyac ca yac ca saṃkhyā gataṃ kva cit
     na me 'sty aviditaṃ kiṃ cit samantād daśayojanam
 11 guṇāḥ suviditā hy āsan mama tasya mahātmanaḥ
     āsīc ca sa mayā tuṣṭaḥ kururājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 12 kṣipraṃ hi gāvo bahulā bhavanti; na tāsu rogo bhavatīha kaś cit
     tais tair upāyair viditaṃ mayaitad; etāni śilpāni mayi sthitāni
 13 vṛṣabhāṃś cāpi jānāmi rājan pūjita lakṣaṇān
     yeṣāṃ mūtram upāghrāya api vandhyā prasūyate
 14 [virāṭa]
     śataṃ sahasrāṇi samāhitāni; varṇasya varṇasya viniścitā guṇaiḥ
     paśūn sapālān bhavate dadāmy ahaṃ; tvadāśrayā me paśavo bhavantv iha
 15 [vai]
     tathā sa rājño 'vidito viśāṃ pate; uvāsa tatraiva sukhaṃ nareśvaraḥ
     na cainam anye 'pi viduḥ kathaṃ cana; prādāc ca tasmai bharaṇaṃ yathepsitam

SECTION IX

Vaisampayana said, "Binding her black, soft, fine, long and faultless tresses with crisped ends into a knotted braid, Draupadi of black eyes and sweet smiles, throwing it upon her right shoulders, concealed it by her cloth. And she wore a single piece of a black and dirty though costly cloth. And dressing herself as a Sairindhri, she began to wander hither and thither in seeming affliction. And beholding her wandering, men and women came to her hastily and addressed her, saying, 'Who are you? And what do you seek?' And she replied, 'I am a king's Sairindhri. I desire to serve any one that will maintain me.' But beholding her beauty and dress, and hearing also her speech that was so sweet, the people could not take her for a maid-servant in search of subsistence. And it came to pass that while looking this way and that from the terrace, Virata's beloved queen, daughter of the king of Kekaya, saw Draupadi. And beholding her forlorn and clad in a single piece of cloth, the queen addressed her saying, 'O beautiful one, who are you, and what do you seek?' Thereupon, Draupadi answered her, saying, 'O foremost of queen, I am Sairindhri. I will serve anybody that will

p. 16

maintain me.' Then Sudeshna said, 'What you say (regarding your profession) can never be compatible with so much beauty. (On the contrary) you might well be the mistress of servants both, male and female. Your heels are not prominent, and your thighs touch each other. And your intelligence is great, and your navel deep, and your words solemn. And your great toes, and bust and hips, and back and sides, and toe-nails, and palms are all well-developed. And your palms, soles, and face are ruddy. And your speech is sweet even as the voice of the swan. And your hair is beautiful, and your bust shapely, and you are possessed of the highest grace. And your hips and bust are plump. And like a Kashmerean mare you are furnished with every auspicious mark. And your eye-lashes are (beautiful) bent, and your nether-lip is like the ruddy ground. And your waist is slender, and your neck bears lines that resemble those of the conch. And your veins are scarcely visible. Indeed, your countenance is like the full moon, and your eyes resemble the leaves of the autumnal lotus, and your body is fragrant as the lotus itself. Verily, in beauty you resemble Sri herself, whose seat is the autumnal lotus. Tell me, O beautiful damsel, who thou art. Thou canst never be a maidservant. Art thou a Yakshi, a Goddess, a Gandharvi, or an Apsara? Art thou the daughter of a celestial, or art thou a female Naga? Art thou the guardian goddess of some city, a Vidyadhari, or a Kinnari,--or art thou Rohini herself? Or art thou Alamvusha, or Misrakesi, Pundarika, or Malini, or the queen of Indra, or of Varuna? Or, art thou the spouse of Viswakarma, or of the creative Lord himself? Of these goddesses who art renowned in the celestial regions, who art thou, O graceful one?'

"Draupadi replied, 'O auspicious lady, I am neither a goddess nor a Gandharvi, nor a Yakshi, nor a Rakshasi. I am a maid-servant of the Sairindhri class. I tell thee this truly. I know to dress the hair to pound (fragrant substances) for preparing unguents, and also to make beautiful and variegated garlands. O beauteous lady, of jasmines and lotuses and blue lilies and Champakas. Formerly I served Krishna's favourite queen Satyabhama, and also Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas and the foremost beauty of the Kuru race. I wander about alone, earning good food and dress; and as long as I get these, I continue to live in the place where they are obtainable. Draupadi herself called me Malini (maker of garlands).'

"Hearing this, Sudeshna said, 'I would keep thee upon my head itself, if the doubt did not cross my mind that the king himself would be attracted towards thee with his whole heart. Attracted by thy beauty, the females of the royal household and my maids are looking at thee. What male person then is there that can resist thy attraction? Surely, O thou of well-rounded hips, O damsel of exquisite charms, beholding thy form of superhuman beauty, king Virata is sure to forsake me, and will turn to thee with his whole heart. O thou of faultless limbs, O thou that art endued with large eyes casting quick glances, he upon whom thou wilt look with desire is sure to be stricken. O thou of sweet smiles, O thou

p. 17

that possessest a faultless form, he that will behold thee constantly, will surely catch the flame. Even as a person that climbs up a tree for compassing his own destruction, even as the crab conceives for her own ruin, I may, O thou of sweet smiles, bring destruction upon myself by harbouring thee.'

"Draupadi replied, 'O fair lady, neither Virata nor any other person will be able to have me, for my five youthful husbands, who are Gandharvas and sons of a Gandharva king of exceeding power, always protect me. None can do me a wrong. It is the wish of my Gandharva husbands that I should serve only such persons as will not give me to touch food already partaken of by another, or tell me to wash their feet. Any man that attempts to have me like any common woman, meeteth with death that very night. No one can succeed in having me, for, O beautiful lady, O thou of sweet smiles, those beloved Gandharvas, possessed of great energy and mighty strength always protect me secretly.'

"Sudeshna said, 'O thou that bringest delight to the heart, if it is as thou sayest, I will take thee into my household. Thou shalt not have to touch food that hath been partaken of by another, or to wash another's feet.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Virata's wife, O Janamejaya, Krishna (Draupadi) ever devoted to her lords, began to live in that city. Nor could anyone ascertain who in reality she was!'"

Book 4
Chapter 10

1 [vai]
      athāparo 'dṛśyata rūpasaṃpadā; strīṇām alaṃkāradharo bṛhat pumān
      prākāravapre pratimucya kuṇḍale; dīrghe ca kambū parihāṭake śubhe
  2 bahūṃś ca dīrghāṃś ca vikīrya mūrdhajān; mahābhujo vāraṇamattavikramaḥ
      gatena bhūmim abhikampayaṃs tadā; virāṭam āsādya sabhā samīpataḥ
  3 taṃ prekṣya rājopagataṃ sabhā tale; satra praticchannam aripramāthinam
      virājamānaṃ parameṇa varcasā; sutaṃ mahendrasya gajendravikramam
  4 sarvān apṛcchac ca samīpacāriṇaḥ; kuto 'yam āyāti na me purāśrutaḥ
      na cainam ūcur viditaṃ tadā narāḥ; sa vismitaṃ vākyam idaṃ nṛpo 'bravīt
  5 sarvopapannaḥ puruṣo manoramaḥ; śyāmo yuvā vāraṇayūthapopamāḥ
      vimucya kambū parihāṭake; śubhe vimucya veṇīm apinahya kuṇḍale
  6 śikhī sukeśaḥ paridhāya cānyathā; bhavasva dhanvī kavacī śarī tathā
      āruhya yānaṃ paridhāvatāṃ bhavān; sutaiḥ samo me bhava vā mayā samaḥ
  7 vṛddho hy ahaṃ vai parihāra kāmaḥ; sarvān matsyāṃs tarasā pālayasva
      naivaṃvidhāḥ klība rūpā bhavanti; kathaṃ caneti pratibhāti me manaḥ
  8 [arjuna]
      gāyāmi nṛtyāmy atha vādayāmi; bhadro 'smi nṛtte kuśalo 'smi gīte
      tvam uttarāyāḥ paridatsva māṃ svayaṃ; bhavāmi devyā naradeva nartakaḥ
  9 idaṃ tu rūpaṃ mama yena kiṃ nu tat; prakīrtayitvā bhṛśaśokavardhanam
      bṛhannaḍāṃ vai naradeva viddhi māṃ; sutaṃ sutāṃ vā pitṛmātṛvarjitām
  10 [virāṭa]
     dadāmi te hanta varaṃ bṛhannaḍe; sutāṃ ca me nartaya yāś ca tādṛśīḥ
     idaṃ tu te karma samaṃ na me mataṃ; samudranemiṃ pṛthivīṃ tvam arhasi
 11 [vai]
     bṛhannaḍāṃ tām abhivīkṣya matsyarāṭ; kalāsu nṛtte ca tathaiva vādite
     apuṃstvam apy asya niśamya ca sthiraṃ; tataḥ kumārī puram utsasarja tam
 12 sa śikṣayām āsa ca gītavāditaṃ; sutāṃ virāṭasya dhanaṃjayaḥ prabhuḥ
     sakhīś ca tasyāḥ paricārikās tathā; priyaś ca tāsāṃ sa babhūva pāṇḍavaḥ
 13 tathā sa satreṇa dhanaṃjayo 'vasat; priyāṇi kurvan saha tābhir ātmavān
     tathāgataṃ tatra na jajñire janā; bahiścarā vāpy atha vāntare carāḥ

SECTION X

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then clad in a cowherd's dress, and speaking the dialect of cowherds, Sahadeva came to the cowpen of Virata's city. And beholding that bull among men, who was shining in splendour, the king was struck with amazement. And he directed his men to summon Sahadeva. And when the latter came, the king addressed him, saying, 'To whom dost thou belong? And whence dost thou come? And what work dost thou seek? I have never seen thee before. O bull among men, tell me truly about thee.'

'Having come before the king that afflicter of foes, Sahadeva answered in accents deep as the roar of the cloud, 'I am a Vaisya, Arishtanemi by name. I was employed as a cowherd in the service of those bulls of the Kuru race, the sons of Pandu. O foremost of men, I intend now to live beside thee, for I do not know where those lions among kings, the sons of Pritha, are. I cannot live without service, and, O king, I do not like to enter into the service of anyone else save thee.'

"Hearing these words, Virata said, 'Thou must either be a Brahmana or a Kshatriya. Thou lookest as if thou wert the lord of the entire earth

p. 18

surrounded by the sea. Tell me truly, O thou that mowest down thy foes. The office of a Vaisya is not fit for thee. Tell me from the dominions of what king thou comest, and what thou knowest, and in what capacity thou wouldst remain with us, and also what pay thou wouldst accept.'

"Sahadeva answered, 'Yudhishthira, the eldest of the five sons of Pandu, had one division of kine numbering eight hundred and ten thousand, and another, ten thousand, and another, again, twenty thousand, and so on. I was employed in keeping those cattle. People used to call me Tantripala. I know the present, the past, and the future of all kine living within ten Yojanas, and whose tale has been taken. My merits were known to that illustrious one, and the Kuru king Yudhishthira was well-pleased with me. I am also acquainted with the means which aid kine in multiplying within a short time, and by which they may enjoy immunity from disease. Also these arts are known to me. I can also single out bulls having auspicious marks for which they are worshipped by men, and by smelling whose urine, the barren may conceive.'

"Virata said, 'I have a hundred thousand kine divided into distinct herds. All those together with their keepers, I place in thy charge. Henceforth my beasts will be in thy keep.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O king, undiscovered by that monarch, that lord of men, Sahadeva, maintained by Virata, began to live happily. Nor did anyone else (besides his brothers) recognise him.'"

Book 4
Chapter 11

1 [vai]
      athāparo 'dṛśyata pāṇḍavaḥ prabhur; virāṭa rājñas turagān samīkṣataḥ
      tam āpatantaṃ dadṛśe pṛthagjano; vimuktam abhrād iva sūryamaṇḍalam
  2 sa vai hayān aikṣata tāṃs tatas tataḥ; samīkṣamāṇaṃ ca dadarśa matsyarāj
      tato 'bravīt tān anugān amitrahā; kuto 'yam āyāti narāmara prabhaḥ
  3 ayaṃ hayān vīkṣati māmakān dṛḍhaṃ; dhruvaṃ hayajño bhavitā vicakṣaṇaḥ
      praveśyatām eṣa samīpam āśu me; vibhāti vīro hi yathāmaras tathā
  4 abhyetya rājānam amitrahābravīj; jayo 'stu te pārthiva bhadram astu te
      hayeṣu yukto nṛpa saṃmataḥ sadā; tavāśvasūto nipuṇo bhavāmy aham
  5 [virāṭa]
      dadāmi yānāni dhanaṃ niveśanaṃ; mamāśvasūto bhavituṃ tvam arhasi
      kuto 'si kasyāsi kathaṃ tvam āgataḥ; prabrūhi śilpaṃ tava vidyate ca yat
  6 [nakula]
      pañcānāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ jyeṣṭho rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      tenāham aśveṣu purā prakṛtaḥ śatrukarśana
  7 aśvānāṃ prakṛtiṃ vedmi vinayaṃ cāpi sarvaśaḥ
      duṣṭānāṃ pratipattiṃ ca kṛtsnaṃ caiva cikitsitam
  8 na kātaraṃ syān mama jātu vāhanaṃ; na me 'sti duṣṭā vaḍavā kuto hayāḥ
      janas tu mām āha sa cāpi pāṇḍavo; yudhiṣṭhiro granthikam eva nāmataḥ
  9 [virāṭa]
      yad asti kiṃ cin mama vājivāhanaṃ; tad astu sarvaṃ tvadadhīnam adya vai
      ye cāpi ke cin mama vājiyojakās; tvadāśrayāḥ sārathayaś ca santu me
  10 idaṃ taveṣṭaṃ yadi vai suropama; bravīhi yat te prasamīkṣitaṃ vasu
     na te 'nurūpaṃ hayakarma vidyate; prabhāsi rājeva hi saṃmato mama
 11 yudhiṣṭhirasyeva hi darśanena me; samaṃ tavedaṃ priya darśa darśanam
     kathaṃ tu bhṛtyaiḥ sa vinākṛto vane; vasaty anindyo ramate ca pāṇḍavaḥ
 12 [vai]
     tathā sa gandharvavaropamo yuvā; virāṭa rājñā muditena pūjitaḥ
     na cainam anye 'pi viduḥ kathaṃ cana; priyābhirāmaṃ vicarantam antarā
 13 evaṃ hi matsye nyavasanta pāṇḍavā; yathāpratijñābhir amoghadarśanāḥ
     ajñātacaryāṃ vyacaran samāhitāḥ; samudranemipatayo 'tiduḥkhitāḥ

SECTION XI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Next appeared at the gate of the ramparts another person of enormous size and exquisite beauty decked in the ornaments of women, and wearing large ear-rings and beautiful conch-bracelets overlaid with gold. And that mighty-armed individual with long and abundant hair floating about his neck, resembled an elephant in gait. And shaking the very earth with his tread, he approached Virata and stood in his court. And beholding the son of the great Indra, shining with exquisite lustre and having the gait of a mighty elephant,--that grinder of foes having his true form concealed in disguise, entering the council-hall and advancing towards the monarch, the king addressed all his courtiers, saying, 'Whence doth this person come? I have never heard of him before.' And when the men present spoke of the newcomer as one unknown to them, the king wonderingly said, 'Possessed of great strength, thou art like unto a celestial, and young and of darkish hue, thou resemblest the leader of a herd of elephants. Wearing conch-bracelets overlaid with gold, a braid, and ear-rings, thou shinest yet like one

p. 19

amongst those that riding on chariots wander about equipped with mail and bow and arrows and decked with garlands and fine hair. I am old and desirous of relinquishing my burden. Be thou like my son, or rule thou like myself all the Matsyas. It seemeth to me that such a person as thou can never be of the neuter sex.'

"Arjuna said, 'I sing, dance, and play on instruments. I am proficient in dance and skilled in song. O lord of men, assign me unto (the princess) Uttara. I shall be dancing-master to the royal maiden. As to how I have come by this form, what will it avail thee to hear the account which will only augment my pain? Know me, O king of men, to be Vrihannala, a son or daughter without father or mother.'

"Virata said, 'O Vrihannala, I give thee what thou desirest. Instruct my daughter, and those like her, in dancing. To me, however, this office seemeth unworthy of thee. Thou deserves! (the dominion of) the entire earth girt round by the ocean.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The king of the Matsyas then tested Vrihannala in dancing, music, and other fine arts, and consulting with his various ministers forthwith caused him to be examined by women. And learning that this impotency was of a permanent nature, he sent him to the maiden's apartments. And there the mighty Arjuna began giving lessons in singing and instrumental music to the daughter of Virata, her friends, and her waiting-maids, and soon won their good graces. And in this manner the self-possessed Arjuna lived there in disguise, partaking of pleasures in their company, and unknown to the people within or without the palace.'"

Book 4
Chapter 12

 1 [janam]
      evaṃ matsyasya nagare vasantas tatra pāṇḍavāḥ
      ata ūrdhvaṃ mahāvīryāḥ kim akurvanta vai dvija
  2 [vai]
      evaṃ te nyavasaṃs tatra pracchannāḥ kurunandanāḥ
      ārādhayanto rājānaṃ yad akurvanta tac chṛṇu
  3 yudhiṣṭhiraḥ sabhāstāraḥ sabhyānām abhavat priyaḥ
      tathaiva ca virāṭasya saputrasya viśāṃ pate
  4 sa hy akṣahṛdayajñas tān krīḍayām āsa pāṇḍavaḥ
      akṣavatyāṃ yathākāmaṃ sūtrabaddhān iva dvijān
  5 ajñātaṃ ca virāṭasya vijitya vasu dharmarāj
      bhrātṛbhyaḥ puruṣavyāghro yathārhaṃ sma prayacchati
  6 bhīmaseno 'pi māṃsāni bhakṣyāṇi vividhāni ca
      ati sṛṣṭāni matsyena vikrīṇāti yudhiṣṭhire
  7 vāsāṃsi parijīrṇāni labdhāny antaḥpure 'rjunaḥ
      vikrīṇānaś ca sarvebhyaḥ pāṇḍavebhyaḥ prayacchati
  8 sahadevo 'pi gopānāṃ veṣam āsthāya pāṇḍavaḥ
      dadhi kṣīraṃ ghṛtaṃ caiva pāṇḍavebhyaḥ prayacchati
  9 nakulo 'pi dhanaṃ labdhvā kṛte karmaṇi vājinām
      tuṣṭe tasmin narapatau pāṇḍavebhyaḥ prayacchati
  10 kṛṣṇāpi sarvān bhrātṝṃs tān nirīkṣantī tapasvinī
     yathā punar avijñātā tathā carati bhāminī
 11 evaṃ saṃpādayantas te tathānyonyaṃ mahārathāḥ
     prekṣamāṇās tadā kṛṣṇām ūṣuś channā narādhipa
 12 atha māse caturthe tu brahmaṇaḥ sumahotsavaḥ
     āsīt samṛddho matsyeṣu puruṣāṇāṃ susaṃmataḥ
 13 tatra mallāḥ samāpetur digbhyo rājan sahasraśaḥ
     mahākāyā mahāvīryāḥ kālakhañjā ivāsurāḥ
 14 vīryonnaddhā balodagrā rājñā samabhipūjitāḥ
     sinha skandhakaṭi grīvāḥ svavadātā manasvinaḥ
     asakṛl labdhalakṣās te raṅge pārthiva saṃnidhau
 15 teṣām eko mahān āsīt sarvamallān samāhvayat
     āvalgamānaṃ taṃ raṅge nopatiṣṭhati kaś cana
 16 yadā sarve vimanasas te mallā hatacetasaḥ
     atha sūdena taṃ mallaṃ yodhayām āsa matsyarāj
 17 codyamānas tato bhīmo duḥkhenaivākaron matim
     na hi śaknoti vivṛte pratyākhyātuṃ narādhipam
 18 tataḥ sa puruṣavyāghraḥ śārdūlaśithilaṃ caran
     praviveśa mahāraṅgaṃ virāṭam abhiharṣayan
 19 babandha kakṣyāṃ kaunteyas tatastaṃ harṣayañ janam
     tatas taṃ vṛtra saṃkāśaṃ bhīmo mallaṃ samāhvayat
 20 tāv ubhau sumahotsāhāv ubhau tīvraparākramau
     mattāv iva mahākāyau vāraṇau ṣaṣṭihāyanau
 21 cakarṣa dorbhyām utpāṭya bhīmo mallam amitrahā
     vinadantam abhikrośañ śārdūla iva vāraṇam
 22 tam udyamya mahābāhur bhrāmayām āsa vīryavān
     tato mallāś ca matsyāś ca vismayaṃ cakrire param
 23 bhrāmayitvā śataguṇaṃ gatasattvam acetanam
     pratyāpiṃṣan mahābāhur mallaṃ bhuvi vṛkodaraḥ
 24 tasmin vinihate malle jīmūte lokaviśrute
     virāṭaḥ paramaṃ harṣam agacchad bāndhavaiḥ saha
 25 saṃharṣāt pradadau vittaṃ bahu rājā mahāmanaḥ
     ballavāya mahāraṅge yathā vaiśravaṇas tathā
 26 evaṃ sa subahūn mallān puruṣāṃś ca mahābalān
     vinighnan matsyarājasya prītim āvahad uttamām
 27 yadāsya tulyaḥ puruṣo na kaś cit tatra vidyate
     tato vyāghraiś ca siṃhaiś ca dviradaiś cāpy ayodhayat
 28 punar antaḥpura gataḥ strīṇāṃ madhye vṛkodaraḥ
     yodhyate sma virāṭeṇa siṃhair mattair mahābalaiḥ
 29 bībhatsur api gītena sunṛttena ca pāṇḍavaḥ
     virāṭaṃ toṣayām āsa sarvāś cāntaḥpura striyaḥ
 30 aśvair vinītair javanais tatra tatra samāgataiḥ
     toṣayām āsa nakulo rājānaṃ rājasattama
 31 tasmai pradeyaṃ prāyacchat prīto rājā dhanaṃ bahu
     vinītān vṛṣabhān dṛṣṭvā sahadevasya cābhibho
 32 evaṃ te nyavasaṃs tatra pracchannāḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ
     karmāṇi tasya kurvāṇā virāṭa nṛpates tadā

SECTION XII

"Vaisampayana said, 'After a while, another powerful son of Pandu was seen making towards king Virata in haste. And as he advanced, he seemed to everyone like solar orb emerged from the clouds. And he began to observe the horses around. And seeing this, the king of the Matsyas said to his followers, 'I wonder whence this man, possessed of the effulgence of a celestial, cometh. He looks intently at my steeds. Verily, he must be proficient in horse-lore. Let him be ushered into my presence quickly. He is a warrior and looks like a god!' And that destroyer of foes then went up to the king and accosted him, saying, 'Victory to thee, O king, and blest be ye.' As a trainer of horses, I have always been highly esteemed by kings. I will be a clever keeper of thy horses.'

"Virata said, 'I will give thee vehicles, wealth, and spacious quarters. Thou shalt be the manager of my horses. But first tell me whence thou comest, who thou art, and how also thou happenest to come here. Tell

p. 20

us also all the arts thou art master of.' Nakula replied, 'O mower of enemies, know that Yudhishthira is the eldest brother of the five sons of Pandu. I was formerly employed by him to keep his horses. I am acquainted with the temper of steeds, and know perfectly the art of breaking them. I know also how to correct vicious horses, and all the methods of treating their diseases. No animal in my hands becometh weak or ill. Not to speak of horses, even mares in my hands will never be found to be vicious. People called me Granthika by name and so did Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu.'

"Virata said, 'Whatever horses I have, I consign to thy care even from today. And all the keepers of my horses and all my charioteers will from today be subordinate to thee. If this suits thee, say what remuneration is desired by thee. But, O thou that resemblest a celestial, the office of equerry is not worthy of thee. For thou lookest like a king and I esteem thee much. The appearance here hath pleased me as much as if Yudhishthira himself were here. Oh, how does that blameless son of Pandu dwell and divert himself in the forest, now destitute of servants as he is.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'That youth, like unto a chief of the Gandharvas, was treated thus respectfully by the delighted king Virata. And he conducted himself there in such a manner as to make himself dear and agreeable to all in the palace. And no one recognised him while living under Virata's protection. And it was in this manner then the sons of Pandu, the very sight of whom had never been fruitless, continued to live in the country of the Matsyas. And true to their pledge those lords of the earth bounded by her belt of seas passed their days of incognito with great composure notwithstanding their poignant sufferings.'"

Book 4
Chapter 13

 1 [vai]
      vasamāneṣu pārtheṣu matsyasya nagare tadā
      mahāratheṣu channeṣu māsā daśasamatyayuḥ
  2 yājñasenī sudeṣṇāṃ tu śuśrūṣantī viśāṃ pate
      avasat paricārārhā suduḥkhaṃ janamejaya
  3 tathā carantīṃ pāñcālīṃ sudeṣṇāyā niveśane
      senāpatir virāṭasya dadarśa jalajānanām
  4 tāṃ dṛṣṭvā devagarbhābhāṃ carantīṃ devatām iva
      kīcakaḥ kāmayām āsa kāmabāṇaprapīḍitaḥ
  5 sa tu kāmāgnisaṃtaptaḥ sudeṣṇām abhigamya vai
      prahasann iva senā nīr idaṃ vacanam abravīt
  6 neyaṃ purā jātu mayeha dṛṣṭā; rājño virāṭasya niveśane śubhā
      rūpeṇa conmādayatīva māṃ bhṛśaṃ; gandhena jātā madireva bhāminī
  7 kā devarūpā hṛdayaṃgamā śubhe; ācakṣva me kā ca kutaś ca śobhanā
      cittaṃ hi nirmathya karoti māṃ vaśe; na cānyad atrauṣadham adya me matam
  8 aho taveyaṃ paricārikā śubhā; pratyagra rūpā pratibhāti mām iyam
      ayuktarūpaṃ hi karoti karma te; praśāstu māṃ yac ca mamāsti kiṃ cana
  9 prabhūtanāgāśvarathaṃ mahādhanaṃ; samṛddhi yuktaṃ bahu pānabhojanam
      manoharaṃ kāñcanacitrabhūṣaṇaṃ; gṛhaṃ mahac chobhayatām iyaṃ mama
  10 tataḥ sudeṣṇām anumantrya kīcakas; tataḥ samabhetya narādhipātma jām
     uvāca kṛṣṇām abhisāntvayaṃs tadā; mṛgendra kanyām iva jambuko vane
 11 idaṃ ca rūpaṃ prathamaṃ ca te vayo; nirarthakaṃ kevalam adya bhāmini
     adhāryamāṇā srag ivottamā yathā; na śobhase sundari śobhanā satī
 12 tyajāmi dārān mama ye purātanā; bhavantu dāsyas tava cāruhāsini
     ahaṃ ca te sundari dāsavat sthitaḥ; sadā bhaviṣye vaśagovarānane
 13 [drau]
     aprārthanīyām iha māṃ sūtaputrābhimanyase
     vihīnavarṇāṃ sairandhrīṃ bībhatsāṃ keśakārikām
 14 paradārāsmi bhadraṃ te na yuktaṃ tvayi sāṃpratam
     dayitāḥ prāṇināṃ dārā dharmaṃ samanucintaya
 15 parapāre na te buddhir jātu kāryā kathaṃ cana
     vivarjanaṃ hy akāryāṇām etat satpuruṣavratam
 16 mithyābhigṛdhno hi naraḥ pāpātmā moham āsthitaḥ
     ayaśaḥ prāpnuyād ghoraṃ sumahat prāpnuyād bhayam
 17 mā sūtaputra hṛṣyasva mādya tyakṣyasi jīvitam
     durlabhām abhimanvāno māṃ vīrair abhirakṣitām
 18 na cāpy ahaṃ tvayā śakyā gandharvāḥ patayo mama
     te tvāṃ nihanyuḥ kupitāḥ sādhvalaṃ mā vyanīnaśaḥ
 19 aśakyarūpaiḥ puruṣair adhvānaṃ gantum icchasi
     yathā niścetano bālaḥ kūlasthaḥ kūlam uttaram
     tartum icchati mandātmā tathā tvaṃ kartum icchasi
 20 antar mahīṃ vā yadi vordhvam utpateḥ; samudrapāraṃ yadi vā pradhāvasi
     tathāpi teṣāṃ na vimokṣam arhasi; pramāthino deva sutā hi me varāḥ
 21 tvaṃ kālarātrīm iva kaś cid āturaḥ; kiṃ māṃ dṛḍhaṃ rārthayase 'dya kīcaka
     kiṃ mātur aṅke śayito yathā śiśuś; candraṃ jighṛkṣur iva manyase hi mām

SECTION XIII

(Samayapalana Parva)

"Janamejaya said, 'While living thus disguised in the city of the Matsyas, what did those descendants of the Kuru race endued with great prowess, do, O regenerate one!'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hear, O king, what those descendants of Kuru did while they dwelt thus in disguise in the city of the Matsyas, worshipping the king thereof. By the grace of the sage Trinavindu and of the high-souled lord of justice, the Pandavas continued to live unrecognised by others in the city of Virata. O lord of men, Yudhishthira, as courtier made himself agreeable to Virata and his sons as also to all the Matsyas. An adept in the mysteries of dice, the son of Pandu caused them to play at dice according to his pleasure and made them sit together in the dice-hall

p. 21

like a row of birds bound in a string. And that tiger among men, king Yudhishthira the Just, unknown to the monarch, distributed among his brothers, in due proportion, the wealth he won from Virata. And Bhimasena on his part, sold to Yudhishthira for price, meat and viands of various kinds which he obtained from the king. And Arjuna distributed among all his brothers the proceeds of worn-out cloths which he earned in the inner apartments of the palace. And Sahadeva, too, who was disguised as a cowherd gave milk, curds and clarified butter to his brothers. And Nakula also shared with his brothers the wealth the king gave him, satisfied with his management of the horses. And Draupadi, herself in a pitiable condition, looked after all those brothers and behaved in such a way as to remain unrecognized. And thus ministering unto one another's wants, those mighty warriors lived in the capital of Virata as hidden from view, as if they were once more in their mother's womb. And those lords of men, the sons of Pandu, apprehensive of danger from the son of Dhritarashtra, continued to dwell there in concealment, watching over their wife Draupadi. And after three months had passed away, in the fourth, the grand festival in honour of the divine Brahma which was celebrated with pomp in the country of the Matsyas, came off. And there came athletes from all quarters by thousands, like hosts of celestials to the abode of Brahma or of Siva to witness that festival. And they were endued with huge bodies and great prowess, like the demons called Kalakhanjas. And elated with their prowess and proud of their strength, they were highly honoured by the king. And their shoulders and waists and necks were like those of lions, and their bodies were very clean, and their hearts were quite at ease. And they had many a time won success in the lists in the presence of kings. And amongst them there was one who towered above the rest and challenged them all to a combat. And there was none that dared to approach him as he proudly stalked in the arena. And when all the athletes stood sad and dispirited, the king of the Matsyas made him fight with his cook. And urged by the king, Bhima made up his mind reluctantly, for he could not openly disobey the royal behest. And that tiger among men then having worshipped the king, entered the spacious arena, pacing with the careless steps of a tiger. And the son of Kunti then girded up his loins to the great delight of the spectators. And Bhima then summoned to the combat that athlete known by the name of Jimuta who was like unto the Asura Vritra whose prowess was widely known. And both of them were possessed of great courage, and both were endued with terrible prowess. And they were like a couple of infuriate and huge-bodied elephants, each sixty years old. And those brave tigers among men then cheerfully engaged in a wrestling combat, desirous of vanquishing each other. And terrible was the encounter that took place between them, like the clash of the thunderbolt against the stony mountain-breast. And both of them were exceedingly powerful and extremely delighted at each other's strength. And desirous of vanquishing each other, each stood eager to

p. 22

take advantage of his adversary's lapse. And both were greatly delighted and both looked like infuriate elephants of prodigious size. And various were the modes of attack and defence that they exhibited with their clenched fists. 1 And each dashed against the other and flung his adversary to a distance. And each cast the other down and pressed him close to the ground. And each got up again and squeezed the other in his arms. And each threw the other violently off his place by boxing him on the breast. And each caught the other by the legs and whirling him round threw him down on the ground. And they slapped each other with their palms that struck as hard as the thunderbolt. And they also struck each other with their outstretched fingers, and stretching them out like spears thrust the nails into each other's body. And they gave each other violent kicks. And they struck knee and head against head, producing the crash of one stone against another. And in this manner that furious combat between those warriors raged on without weapons, sustained mainly by the power of their arms and their physical and mental energy, to the infinite delight of the concourse of spectators. And all people, O king, took deep interest in that encounter of those powerful wrestlers who fought like Indra and the Asura Vritra. And they cheered both of them with loud acclamations of applause. And the broad-chested and long-armed experts in wrestling then pulled and pressed and whirled and hurled down each other and struck each other with their knees, expressing all the while their scorn for each other in loud voices. And they began to fight with their bare arms in this way, which were like spiked maces of iron. And at last the powerful and mighty-armed Bhima, the slayer of his foes, shouting aloud seized the vociferous athlete by the arms even as the lion seizes the elephant, and taking him up from the ground and holding him aloft, began to whirl him round, to the great astonishment of the assembled athletes and the people of Matsya. And having whirled him round and round a hundred times till he was insensible, the strong-armed Vrikodara dashed him to death on the ground. And when the brave and renowned Jimuta was thus killed, Virata and his friends were filled with great delight. And in the exuberance of his joy, the noble-minded king rewarded Vallava then and there with the liberality of Kuvera. And killing numerous athletes and many other men possessed of great bodily strength, he pleased the king very much. And when no one could be found there to encounter him in the lists, the king made him fight with tigers and lions and elephants. And the king also made him battle with furious and powerful lions in the harem for the pleasure of the ladies. And Arjuna, too, pleased the king and all the ladies of the inner apartments by singing and dancing. And Nakula pleased Virata, that best of kings, by showing him fleet and well-trained steeds that followed him wherever he went.

p. 23

[paragraph continues] And the king, gratified with him, rewarded him with ample presents. And beholding around Sahadeva a herd of well-trained bullocks, Virata that bull among men, bestowed upon him also wealth of diverse kinds. And, O king, Draupadi distressed to see all those warriors suffer pain, sighed incessantly. And it was in this way that those eminent persons lived there in disguise, rendering services unto king Virata.'"

Book 4
Chapter 14

1 [vai]
      pratyākhyāto rājaputryā sudeṣṇāṃ kīcako 'bravīt
      amaryādena kāmena ghoreṇābhipariplutaḥ
  2 yathā kaikeyi sairandhryā sameyāṃ tad vidhīyatām
      tāṃ sudeṣṇe parīpsasva māhaṃ prāṇān prahāsiśam
  3 tasya tāṃ bahuśaḥ śrutvā vācaṃ vilapatas tadā
      virāṭa mahiṣī devī kṛpāṃ cakre manasvinī
  4 svam artham abhisaṃdhāya tasyārtham anucintya ca
      udvegaṃ caiva kṛṣṇāyāḥ sudeṣṇā sūtam abravīt
  5 parviṇīṃ tvaṃ samuddiṣya surām annaṃ ca kāraya
      tatraināṃ preṣayiṣyāmi surā hārīṃ tavāntikam
  6 tatra saṃpreṣitām enāṃ vijane niravagrahām
      sāntvayethā yathākāmaṃ sāntvyamānā ramed yadi
  7 kīcakas tu gṛhaṃ gatvā bhaginyā vacanāt tadā
      surām āhārayām āsa rājārhāṃ suparisrutām
  8 ājaurabhraṃ ca subhṛśaṃ bahūṃś coccāvacān mṛgān
      kārayām āsa kuśalair annapānaṃ suśobhanam
  9 tasmin kṛte tadā devī kīcakenopamantritā
      sudeṣṇā preṣayām āsa sairandhrīṃ kīcakālayam
  10 [sudesṇā]
     uttiṣṭha gaccha sairandhir kīcakasya niveśanam
     pānam ānaya kalyāṇi pipāsā māṃ prabādhate
 11 [drau]
     na gaccheyam ahaṃ tasya rājaputri niveśanam
     tvam eva rājñi jānāsi yathā sa nirapatrapaḥ
 12 na cāham anavadyāṅgi tava veśmani bhāmini
     kāmavṛttā bhaviṣyāmi patīnāṃ vyabhicāriṇī
 13 tvaṃ caiva devi jānāsi yathā sa samayaḥ kṛtaḥ
     praviśantyā mayā pūrvaṃ tava veśmani bhāmini
 14 kīcakaś ca sukeśānte mūḍho madanadarpitaḥ
     so 'vamaṃsyati māṃ dṛṣṭvā na yāsye tatra śobhane
 15 santi bahvyas tava preṣyā rājaputri vaśānugāḥ
     anyāṃ preṣaya bhadraṃ te sa hi mām avamaṃsyate
 16 [sudesṇā]
     naiva tvāṃ jātu hiṃsyāt sa itaḥ saṃpreṣitāṃ mayā
 17 [vai]
     ity asyāḥ pradadau kāṃsyaṃ sa pidhānaṃ hiraṇmayam
     sā śaṅkamānā rudatī daivaṃ śaraṇam īyuṣī
     prātiṣṭhata surā hārī kīcakasya niveśanam
 18 [drau]
     yathāham anyaṃ pāṇḍubhyo nābhijānāmi kaṃ cana
     tena satyena māṃ prāptāṃ kīcako mā vaśe kṛthāḥ
 19 [vai]
     upātiṣṭhata sā sūryaṃ muhūrtam abalā tataḥ
     sa tasyās tanumadhyāyāḥ sarvaṃ sūryo 'vabuddhavān
 20 antarhitaṃ tatas tasyā rakṣo rakṣārtham ādiśat
     tac caināṃ nājahāt tatra sarvāvasthāsv aninditām
 21 tāṃ mṛgīm iva vitrastāṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇāṃ samīpagām
     udatiṣṭhan mudā sūto nāvaṃ labdhveva pāragaḥ

SECTION XIV

(Kichaka-badha Parva)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Living in such disguise, those mighty warriors, the sons of Pritha, passed ten months in Matsya's city. And, O monarch, although herself deserving to be waited upon by others, the daughter of Yajnasena, O Janamejaya, passed her days in extreme misery, waiting upon Sudeshna. And residing thus in Sudeshna's apartments, the princess of Panchala pleased that lady as also the other females of the inner apartments. And it came to pass that as the year was about to expire, the redoubtable Kichaka, the Commander of Virata's forces, chanced to behold the daughter of Drupada. And beholding that lady endued with the splendour of a daughter of the celestials, treading the earth like a goddess, Kichaka, afflicted with the shafts of Kama, desired to possess her. And burning with desire's flame, Virata's general came to Sudeshna (his sister) and smilingly addressed her in these words, 'This beauteous lady had never before been seen by me in king Virata's abode. This damsel maddens me with her beauty, even as a new wine maddens one with its fragrance. Tell me, who is this graceful and captivating lady possessed of the beauty of a goddess, and whose she is, and whence she hath come. Surely, grinding my heart she hath reduced me to subjection. It seems to me that (save her) there is no other medicine for my illness. O, this fair hand-maid of thine seemeth to me to be possessed of the beauty of a goddess. Surely, one like her is ill suited to serve thee. Let her rule over me and whatever is mine. O, let her grace my spacious and beautiful palace, decked with various ornaments of gold, full of viands and drinks in profusion, with excellent plates, and containing every kind of plenty, besides elephants and horses and cars in myriads. And having consulted with Sudeshna thus, Kichaka went to princess Draupadi, and like a jackal in the forest accosting a lioness, spoke unto Krishna these words in a winning voice, 'Who and whose art thou, O beautiful one? And O thou of beautiful face, whence hast thou come to the city of Virata? Tell me all this, O fair lady. Thy beauty and gracefulness are of the very first order and the comeliness of thy features is unparalleled. With its loveliness thy face shineth ever

p. 24

like the resplendent moon. O thou of fair eye-brows, thy eyes are beautiful and large like lotus-petals. Thy speech also, O thou of beautiful limbs, resembles the notes of the cuckoo. O thou of fair hips, never before in this world have I beheld a woman possessed of beauty like thine, O thou of faultless features. Art thou Lakshmi herself having her abode in the midst of lotuses or, art thou, O slender-waisted one, she who is called Bhuti 1. Or, which amongst these--Hri, Sri, Kirti and Kanti,--art thou, O thou of beautiful face? Or possessed of beauty like Rati's, art thou, she who sporteth in the embraces of the God of love? O thou that possessest the fairest of eye-brows, thou shinest beautifully even like the lovely light of the moon. Who is there in the whole world that will not succumb to the influence of desire beholding thy face? Endued with unrivalled beauty and celestial grace of the most attractive kind, that face of thine is even like the full moon, its celestial effulgence resembling his radiant face, its smile resembling his soft-light, and its eye-lashes looking like the spokes on his disc? Both thy bosoms, so beautiful and well-developed and endued with unrivalled gracefulness and deep and well-rounded and without any space between them, are certainly worthy of being decked with garlands of gold. Resembling in shape the beautiful buds of the lotus, these thy breast, O thou of fair eye-brows, are even as the whips of Kama that are urging me forward, O thou of sweet smiles, O damsel of slender waist, beholding that waist of thine marked with four wrinkles and measuring but a span, and slightly stooping forward because of the weight of thy breasts, and also looking on those graceful hips of thine broad as the banks of a river, the incurable fever of desire, O beauteous lady, afflicteth me sore. The flaming fire of desire, fierce as a forest conflagration, and fanned by the hope my heart cherisheth of a union with thee is consuming me intensely. O thou of exceeding beauty quench thou that flaming fire kindled by Manmatha. Union with thee is a rain-charged cloud, and the surrender of thy person is the shower that the cloud may drop. O thou of face resembling the moon, the fierce and maddening shafts of Manmatha whetted and sharpened by the desire of a union with thee, piercing this heart of mine in their impetuous course, have penetrated into its core. O black-eyed lady, those impetuous and cruel shafts are maddening me beyond endurance. It behoveth thee to relieve me from this plight by surrendering thyself to me and favouring me with thy embraces. Decked in beautiful garlands and robes and adorned with every ornament, sport thou, O sweet damsel, with me to thy fill. O thou of the gait of an elephant in rut, deserving as thou art of happiness though deprived of it now, it behoveth thee not to dwell here in misery. Let unrivalled weal be thine. Drinking various kinds of charming and delicious and ambrosial wines, and sporting at

p. 25

thy pleasure in the enjoyment of diverse objects of delight, do thou, O blessed lady, attain auspicious prosperity. This beauty of thine and this prime of thy youth, O sweet lady, are now without their use. For, O beauteous and chaste damsel, endued with such loveliness, thou dost not shine, like a graceful garland lying unused and unworn. I will forsake all my old wives. Let them, O thou of sweet smiles, become thy slaves. And I also, O fair damsel, will stay by thee as thy slave, ever obedient to thee, O thou of the most handsome face.' Hearing these words of his, Draupadi replied, 'In desiring me, a female servant of low extraction, employed in the despicable office of dressing hair, O Suta's son, thou desirest one that deserves not that honour. Then, again, I am the wife of others. Therefore, good betide thee, this conduct of thine is not proper. Do thou remember the precept of morality, viz., that persons should take delight only in their wedded wives. Thou shouldst not, therefore, by any means bend thy heart to adultery. Surely abstaining from improper acts is ever the study of those that are good. Overcome by ignorance sinful men under the influence of desire come by either extreme infamy or dreadful calamity.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the Sairindhri, the wicked Kichaka losing control over his senses and overcome by lust, although aware of the numerous evils of fornication, evils condemned by everybody and sometimes leading to the destruction of life itself,--then spoke unto Draupadi, 'It behoveth thee not, O beauteous lady, O thou of graceful features, thus to disregard me who am, O thou of sweet smiles, under the power of Manmatha on thy account. If now, O timid one, thou disregardest me who am under thy influence and who speak to thee so fair, thou wilt, O black-eyed damsel, have to repent for it afterwards. O thou of graceful eye-brows, the real lord of this entire kingdom, O slender-waisted lady, is myself. It is me depending upon whom the people of this realm live. In energy and prowess I am unrivalled on earth. There is no other man on earth who rivals me in beauty of person, in youth, in prosperity, and in the possession of excellent objects of enjoyment. Why it is, O auspicious lady, that having it in thy power to enjoy here every object of desire and every luxury and comfort without its equal, thou preferest servitude. Becoming the mistress of this kingdom which I shall confer on thee, O thou of fair face, accept me, and enjoy, O beauteous one, all excellent objects of desire.' Addressed in these accursed words by Kichaka, that chaste daughter of Drupada answered him thus reprovingly, 'Do not, O son of a Suta, act so foolishly and do not throw away thy life. Know that I am protected by my five husbands. Thou canst not have me. I have Gandharvas for my husbands. Enraged they will slay thee. Therefore, do thou not bring destruction on thyself. Thou intendest to tread along a path that is incapable of being trod by men. Thou, O wicked one, art even like a foolish child that standing on one shore of the ocean intends to cross over to the other. Even if thou enterest into the interior of the earth,

p. 26

or soarest into the sky, or rushest to the other shore of the ocean, still thou wilt have no escape from the hands of those sky-ranging offspring of gods, capable of grinding all foes. Why dost thou today, O Kichaka, solicit me so persistently even as a sick person wisheth for the night that will put a stop to his existence? Why dost thou desire me, even like an infant lying on its mother's lap wishing to catch the moon? For thee that thus solicitest their beloved wife, there is no refuge either on earth or in sky. O Kichaka, hast thou no sense which leads thee to seek thy good and by which thy life may be saved?'"

Book 4
Chapter 15

1 [kīcaka]
      svāgataṃ te sukeśānte suvyuṣṭā rajanī mama
      svāminī tvam anuprāptā prakuruṣva mama priyam
  2 suvarṇamālāḥ kambūś ca kuṇḍale parihāṭake
      āharantu ca vastrāṇi kauśikāny ajināni ca
  3 asti me śayanaṃ śubhraṃ tvadartham upakalpitam
      ehi tatra mayā sārdhaṃ pibasva madhumādhavīm
  4 [drau]
      apraiṣīd rājaputrī māṃ surā hārīṃ tavāntikam
      pānam ānaya me kṣipraṃ pipāsā meti cābravīt
  5 [kīcaka]
      anyā bhadre nayiṣyanti rājaputryāḥ parisrutam
  6 [vai]
      ity enāṃ dakṣiṇe pāṇau sūtaputraḥ parāmṛśat
      sā gṛhītā vidhunvānā bhūmāv ākṣipya kīcakam
      sabhāṃ śaraṇam ādhāvad yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
  7 tāṃ kīcakaḥ pradhāvantīṃ keśapakṣe parāmṛśat
      athaināṃ paśyato rājñaḥ pātayitvā padāvadhīt
  8 tato yo 'sau tadārkeṇa rākṣasaḥ saṃniyojitaḥ
      sa kīcakam apovāha vātavegena bhārata
  9 sa papāta tato bhūmau rakṣobalasamāhataḥ
      vighūrṇamāno niśceṣṭaś chinnamūla iva drumaḥ
  10 tāṃ cāsīnau dadṛśatur bhīmasena yudhiṣṭhirau
     amṛṣyamāṇau kṛṣṇāyāḥ kīcakena padā vadham
 11 tasya bhīmo vadhaprepsuḥ kīcakasya durātmanaḥ
     dantair dantāṃs tadā roṣān nispipeṣa mahāmanaḥ
 12 athāṅguṣṭhenāvamṛdnād aṅguṣṭhaṃ tasya dharmarāj
     prabodhanabhayād rājan bhīmasya pratyaṣedhayat
 13 sā sahā dvāram āsādya rudatī matsyam abravīt
     avekṣamāṇā suśroṇī patīṃs tān dīnacetasaḥ
 14 ākāram abhirakṣantī pratijñāṃ dharmasaṃhitām
     dahyamāneva raudreṇa cakṣur ā drupadātmajā
 15 [drau]
     yeṣāṃ vairī na svapiti padā bhūmim upaspṛśan
     teṣāṃ māṃ māninīṃ bhāryāṃ sūtaputraḥ padāvadhīt
 16 ye dadyur na ca yāceyur brahmaṇyāḥ satyavādinaḥ
     teṣāṃ māṃ māninīṃ bhāryāṃ sūtaputraḥ padāvadhīt
 17 yeṣāṃ dundubhinirghoṣo jyāghoṣaḥ śrūyate 'niśam
     teṣāṃ māṃ māninīṃ bhāryāṃ sūtaputraḥ padāvadhīt
 18 ye te tejasvino dāntā balavanto 'bhimāninaḥ
     teṣāṃ māṃ māninīṃ bhāryāṃ sūtaputraḥ padāvadhīt
 19 sarvalokam imaṃ hanyur dharmapāśasitās tu ye
     teṣāṃ māṃ māninīṃ bhāryāṃ sūtaputraḥ padāvadhīt
 20 śaraṇaṃ ye prapannānāṃ bhavanti śaraṇārthinām
     caranti loke pracchannāḥ kva nu te 'dya mahārathāḥ
 21 kathaṃ te sūtaputreṇa vadhyamānāṃ priyāṃ satīm
     marṣayanti yathā klībā balavanto 'mitaujasaḥ
 22 kva nu teṣām amarṣaś ca vīryaṃ tejaś ca vartate
     na parīpsanti ye bhāryāṃ vadhyamānāṃ durātmanā
 23 mayātra śakyaṃ kiṃ kartuṃ virāṭe dharmadūṣaṇam
     yaḥ paśyan māṃ marṣayati vadhyamānam anāgasam
 24 na rājan rājavat kiṃ cit samācarasi kīcake
     dasyūnām iva dharmas te na hi saṃsadi śobhate
 25 na kīcakaḥ svadharmastho na ca matsyaḥ kathaṃ cana
     sabhā sado 'py adharmajñā ya imaṃ paryupāsate
 26 nopālabhe tvāṃ nṛpatau virāṭa janasaṃsadi
     nāham etena yuktā vai hantuṃ matsyatavāntike
     sabhā sadas tu paśyantu kīcakasya vyatikramam
 27 [virāṭa]
     parokṣaṃ nābhijānāmi vigrahaṃ yuvayor aham
     arthatattvam avijñāya kiṃ nu syāt kuśalaṃ mama
 28 [vai]
     tatas tu sabhyā vijñāya kṛṣṇāṃ bhūyo 'bhyapūjayan
     sādhu sādhv iti cāpy āhuḥ kīcakaṃ ca vyagarhayan
 29 [sabhyā]
     yasyeyaṃ cārusarvāṅgī bhāryā syād āyatekṣaṇā
     paro lābhaś ca tasya syān na sa śocet kadā cana
 30 [vai]
     evaṃ saṃpūjayaṃs tatra kṛṣṇāṃ prekṣya sabhā sadaḥ
     yudhiṣṭhirasya kopāt tu lalāṭe sveda āsajat
 31 athābravīd rājaputrīṃ kauravyo mahiṣīṃ priyām
     gaccha sairandhri mātrasthāḥ sudeṣṇāyā niveśanam
 32 bhartāram anurudhyantyaḥ kliśyante vīra patnayaḥ
     śuśrūṣayā kliśyamānāḥ patilokaṃ jayanty uta
 33 manye na kālaṃ krodhasya paśyanti patayas tava
     tena tvāṃ nābhidhāvanti gandharvāḥ sūryavarcasaḥ
 34 akālajñāsi sairandhri śailūṣīva vidhāvasi
     vighnaṃ karoṣi matsyānāṃ dīvyatāṃ rājasaṃsadi
     gaccha sairandhri gandharvāḥ kariṣyanti tava priyam
 35 [drau]
     atīva teṣāṃ ghṛṇinām arthe 'haṃ dharmacāriṇī
     tasya tasyeha te vadhyā yeṣāṃ jyeṣṭho 'kṣadevitā
 36 [vai]
     ity uktvā prādravat kṛṣṇā sudeṣṇāyā niveśanam
     keśān muktvā tu suśroṇī saṃrambhāl lohitekṣaṇā
 37 śuśubhe vadanaṃ tasyā rudantyā virataṃ tadā
     meghalokhā vinirmuktaṃ divīva śaśimaṇḍalam
 38 [sudesṇā]
     kas tvāvadhīd varārohe kasmād rodiṣi śobhane
     kasmād ya na sukhaṃ bhadre kena te vipriyaṃ kṛtam
 39 [drau]
     kīcako māvadhīt tatra surā hārīṃ gatāṃ tava
     sabhāyāṃ paśyato rājño yathaiva vijane tathā
 40 [sudesṇā]
     ghātayāmi sukeśānte kīcakaṃ yadi manyase
     yo sau tvāṃ kāmasaṃmatto durlabhām abhimanyate
 41 [drau]
     anye vai taṃ vadhiṣyanti yeṣām āgaḥ karoti saḥ
     manye cādyaiva suvyaktaṃ paralokaṃ gamiṣyati

SECTION XV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Rejected thus by the princess, Kichaka, afflicted with maddening lust and forgetting all sense of propriety, addressed Sudeshna saying, 'Do thou, Kekaya's daughter, so act that thy Sairindhri may come into my arms. Do thou, O Sudeshna, adopt the means by which the damsel of the gait of an elephant may accept me; I am dying of absorbing desire.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing his profuse lamentations, that gentle lady, the intelligent queen of Virata, was touched with pity. And having taken counsel with her own self and reflected on Kichaka's purpose and on the anxiety of Krishna, Sudeshna addressed the Suta's son in these words, 'Do thou, on the occasion of some festival, procure viands and wines for me. I shall then send my Sairindhri to thee on the pretence of bringing wine. And when she will repair thither do thou in solitude, free from interruption, humour her as thou likest. Thus soothed, she may incline her mind to thee.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, he went out of his sister's apartments. And he soon procured wines well-filtered and worthy of a king. And employing skilled cooks, he prepared many and various kinds of choice viands and delicious drinks and many and various kinds of meat of different degrees of excellence. And when all this had been done, that gentle lady Sudeshna, as previously counselled by Kichaka, desired her Sairindhri to repair to Kichaka's abode, saying, 'Get up, O Sairindhri and repair to Kichaka's abode to bring wine, for, O beauteous lady, I am afflicted with thirst.' Thereupon the Sairindhri replied, 'O princess, I shall not be able to repair to Kichaka's apartments. Thou thyself knowest, O queen, how shameless he is. O thou of faultless limbs, O beauteous lady, in thy palace I shall not be able to lead a lustful life, becoming faithless to my husbands. Thou rememberest, O gentle lady, O beautiful one, the conditions I had set down before entering thy house. O thou of tresses ending in graceful curls, the foolish Kichaka

p. 27

afflicted by the god of desire, will, on seeing me, offer me insult. Therefore, I will not go to his quarters. Thou hast, O princess, many maids under thee. Do thou, good betide thee, send one of them. For, surely, Kichaka will insult me.' Sudeshna said, 'Sent by me, from my abode, surely he will not harm thee.' And having said this, she handed over a golden vessel furnished with a cover. And filled with apprehension, and weeping, Draupadi mentally prayed for the protection of the gods, and set out for Kichaka's abode for fetching wine. And she said, 'As I do not know another person save my husbands, by virtue of that Truth let Kichaka not be able to overpower me although I may approach his presence.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And that helpless damsel then adored Surya for a moment. And Surya, having considered all that she urged, commanded a Rakshasa to protect her invisibly. And from that time the Rakshasa began to attend upon that blameless lady under any circumstances. And beholding Krishna in his presence like a frightened doe, the Suta rose up from his seat, and felt the joy that is felt by a person wishing to cross to the other shore, when he obtains a boat.'"

Book 4
Chapter 16

 1 [vai]
      sā hatā sūtaputreṇa rājaputrī samajvalat
      vadhaṃ kṛṣṇā parīpsantī senā vāhasya bhāminī
      jagāmāvāsam evātha tadā sā drupadātma jā
  2 kṛtvā śaucaṃ yathānyāyaṃ kṛṣṇā vai tanumadhyamā
      gatrāṇi vāsasī caiva prakṣālya salilena sā
  3 cintayām āsa rudatī tasya duḥkhasya nirṇayam
      kiṃ karomi kva gacchāmi kathaṃ kāryaṃ bhaven mama
  4 ity evaṃ cintayitvā sā bhīmaṃ vai manasāgamat
      nānyaḥ kartā ṛte bhīmān mamādya manasaḥ priyam
  5 tata utthāya rātrau sā vihāya śayanaṃ svakam
      prādravan nātham icchantī kṛṣṇā nāthavatī satī
      duḥkhena mahatā yuktā mānasena manasvinī
  6 sā vai mahānase prāpya bhīmasenaṃ śucismitā
      sarvaśveteva māheyī vane jātā trihāyanī
      upātiṣṭhata pāñcālī vāśiteva mahāgajam
  7 sā lateva mahāśālaṃ phullaṃ gomati tīrajam
      bāhubhyāṃ parirabhyainaṃ prābodhayad aninditā
      siṃhaṃ suptaṃ vane durge mṛgarājavadhūr iva
  8 vīṇeva madhurābhāṣā gāndhāraṃ sādhu mūrcchitā
      abhyabhāṣata pāñcālī bhīmasenam aninditā
  9 uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha kiṃ śeṣe bhīmasena yathā mṛtaḥ
      nāmṛtasya hi pāpīyān bhāryām ālabhya jīvati
  10 tasmiñ jīvati pāpiṣṭhe senā vāhe mama dviṣi
     tat karmakṛtavaty adya kathaṃ nidrāṃ niṣevase
 11 sa saṃprahāya śayanaṃ rājaputryā prabodhitaḥ
     upātiṣṭhata meghābhaḥ paryaṅke sopasaṃgrahe
 12 athābravīd rājaputrīṃ kauravyo mahiṣīṃ priyām
     kenāsy arthena saṃprāptā tvariteva mamāntikam
 13 na te prakṛtimān varṇaḥ kṛśā pāṇḍuś ca lakṣyase
     ācakṣva pariśeṣeṇa sarvaṃ vidyām ahaṃ yathā
 14 sukhaṃ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṃ dveṣyaṃ vā yadi vā priyam
     yathāvat sarvam ācakṣva śrutvā jñāsyāmi yat param
 15 aham eva hi te kṛṣṇe viśvāsyaḥ sarvakarmasu
     aham āpatsu cāpi tvāṃ mokṣayāmi punaḥ punaḥ
 16 śīghram uktvā yathākāmaṃ yat te kāryaṃ vivakṣitam
     gaccha vai śayanāyaiva purā nānyo 'vabudhyate

SECTION XVI

"Kichaka said, 'O thou of tresses ending in beautiful curls, thou art welcome. Surely, the night that is gone hath brought me an auspicious day, for I have got thee today as the mistress of my house. Do what is agreeable to me. Let golden chains, and conchs and bright ear-rings made of gold, manufactured in various countries, and beautiful rubies and gems, and silken robes and deer-skins, be brought for thee. I have also an excellent bed prepared for thee. Come, sitting upon it do thou drink with me the wine prepared from the honey flower.' Hearing these words, Draupadi said, 'I have been sent to thee by the princess for taking away wine. Do thou speedily bring me wine, for she told me that she is exceedingly thirsty.' And this, Kichaka said, 'O gentle lady, others will carry what the princess wants.' And saying this, the Suta's son caught hold of Draupadi's right arm. And at this, Draupadi exclaimed, 'As I have never, from intoxication of the senses, been unfaithful to my husbands even at heart, by that Truth, O wretch, I shall behold thee dragged and lying powerless on the ground.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Seeing that large-eyed lady reproving him in that strain, Kichaka suddenly seized her by the end of her upper garment as she attempted to run away. And seized with violence by Kichaka, the beautiful princess, unable to tolerate it, and with frame trembling with wrath, and breathing quickly, dashed him to the ground.

p. 28

[paragraph continues] And dashed to the ground thus, the sinful wretch tumbled down like a tree whose roots had been cut. And having thrown Kichaka down on the ground when the latter had seized her, she, trembling all over rushed to the court, where king Yudhishthira was, for protection. And while she was running with all her speed, Kichaka (who followed her), seizing her by the hair, and bringing her down on the ground, kicked her in the very presence of the king. Thereupon, O Bharata, the Rakshasa that had been appointed by Surya to protect Draupadi, gave Kichaka a shove with a force mighty as that of the wind. And overpowered by the force of Rakshasa, Kichaka reeled and fell down senseless on the ground, even like an uprooted tree. And both Yudhishthira and Bhimasena who were seated there, beheld with wrathful eyes that outrage on Krishna by Kichaka. And desirous of compassing the destruction of the wicked Kichaka, the illustrious Bhima gnashed his teeth in rage. And his forehead was covered with sweat, and terrible wrinkles appeared thereon. And a smoky exhalation shot forth from his eyes, and his eye-lashes stood on end. And that slayer of hostile heroes pressed his forehead with his hands. And impelled by rage, he was on the point of starting up with speed. Thereat king Yudhishthira, apprehensive of discovery, squeezed his thumbs and commanded Bhima to forbear. And Bhima who then looked like an infuriate elephant eyeing a large tree, was thus forbidden by his elder brother. And the latter said, 'Lookest thou, O cook, for trees for fuel. If thou art in need of faggots, then go out and fell trees.' And the weeping Draupadi of fair hips, approaching the entrance of the court, and seeing her melancholy lords, desirous yet of keeping up the disguise duty-bound by their pledge, with eyes burning in fire, spoke these words unto the king of the Matsyas, 'Alas, the son of a Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved wife of those whose foe can never sleep in peace even if four kingdoms intervene between him and them. Alas, the son of a Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved wife of those truthful personages, who are devoted to Brahmanas and who always give away without asking any thing in gift. Alas! the son of a Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved wife of those, the sounds of whose kettle-drums and the twangs of whose bow-strings are ceaselessly heard. Alas, the son of a Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved wife of those who are possessed of abundant energy and might, and who are liberal in gifts and proud of their dignity. Alas, the son of a Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved wife of those who, if they had not been fettered by the ties of duty, could destroy this entire world. Where, alas, are those mighty warriors today who, though living in disguise, have always granted protection unto those that solicit it? Oh, why do those heroes today, endued as they are with strength and possessed of immeasurable energy, quietly suffer, like eunuchs, their dear and chaste wife to be thus insulted by a Suta's son? Oh, where is that wrath of theirs, that prowess, and that energy, when they quietly bear their wife

p. 29

to be thus insulted by a wicked wretch? What can I (a weak woman) do when Virata, deficient in virtue, coolly suffereth my innocent self to be thus wronged by a wretch? Thou dost not, O king, act like a king towards this Kichaka. Thy behaviour is like that of a robber, and doth not shine in a court. That I should thus be insulted in thy very presence, O Matsya, is highly improper. Oh, let all the courtiers here look at this violence of Kichaka. Kichaka is ignorant of duty and morality, and Matsya also is equally so. These courtiers also that wait upon such a king are destitute of virtue.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'With these and other words of the same kind the beautiful Krishna with tearful eyes rebuked the king of the Matsyas. And hearing her, Virata said, 'I do not know what your dispute has been out of our sight. Not knowing the true cause how can I show my discrimination?' Then the courtiers, having learnt every thing, applauded Krishna, and they all exclaimed, 'Well done!' 'Well done!' and censured Kichaka. And the courtiers said, 'That person who owneth this large-eyed lady having every limb of hers endued with beauty for his wife, possesseth what is of exceeding value and hath no occasion to indulge in any grief. Surely, such a damsel of transcendent beauty and limbs perfectly faultless is rare among men. Indeed, it seems to us that she is a goddess.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And while the courtiers, having beheld Krishna (under such circumstances), were applauding her thus, Yudhishthira's forehead, from ire, became covered with sweat. And that bull of the Kuru race then addressed that princess, his beloved spouse, saying, 'Stay not here, O Sairindhri; but retire to the apartments of Sudeshna. The wives of heroes bear affliction for the sake of their husbands, and undergoing toil in ministering unto their lords, they at last attain to region where their husbands may go. Thy Gandharva husbands, effulgent as the sun, do not, I imagine, consider this as an occasion for manifesting their wrath, inasmuch as they do not rush to thy aid. O Sairindhri, thou art ignorant of the timeliness of things, and it is for this that thou weepest as an actress, besides interrupting the play of dice in Matsya's court. Retire, O Sairindhri; the Gandharvas will do what is agreeable to thee. And they will surely display thy woe and take the life of him that hath wronged thee.' Hearing these words the Sairindhri replied, 'They of whom I am the wedded wife are, I ween, extremely kind. And as the eldest of them all is addicted to dice, they are liable to be oppressed by all.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And having said this, the fair-hipped Krishna with dishevelled hair and eyes red in anger, ran towards the apartments of Sudhesna. And in consequence of having wept long her face looked beautiful like the lunar disc in the firmament, emerged from the clouds. And beholding her in that condition, Sudeshna asked, 'Who, O beauteous lady, hath insulted thee? Why, O amiable damsel, dost thou weep? Who, gentle one, hath done thee wrong? Whence is

p. 30

this thy grief?' Thus addressed, Draupadi said, 'As I went to bring wine for thee, Kichaka struck me in the court in the very presence of the king, as if in the midst of a solitary wood.' Hearing this, Sudeshna said, 'O thou of tresses ending in beautiful curls, as Kichaka, maddened by lust hath insulted thee that art incapable of being possessed by him, I shall cause him to be slain if thou wishest it.' Thereupon Draupadi answered, 'Even others will slay him,--even they whom he hath wronged, I think it is clear that he will have to go to the abode of Yama this very day!'"

Book 4
Chapter 17

1 [drau]
      aśocyaṃ nu kutas tasyā yasyā bhartā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      jānaṃ sarvāṇi duḥkhāni kiṃ māṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi
  2 yan māṃ dāsī pravādena prātikāmī tadānayat
      sabhāyāṃ pārṣado madhye tan māṃ dahati bhārata
  3 pārthivasya sutā nāma kā nu jīveta mādṛśī
      anubhūya bhṛśaṃ duḥkham anyatra draupadīṃ prabho
  4 vanavāsa gatāyāś ca saindhavena durātmanā
      parāmarśaṃ dvitīyaṃ ca soḍhum utsahate nu kā
  5 matsyarājñaḥ samakṣaṃ ca tasya dhūrtasya paśyataḥ
      kīcakena padā spṛṣṭā kā nu jīveta mādṛśī
  6 evaṃ bahuvidhaiḥ kleśaiḥ kliśyamānāṃ ca bhārata
      na māṃ jānāsi kaunteya kiṃ phalaṃ jīvitena me
  7 yo 'yaṃ rājño virāṭasya kīcako nāma bhārata
      senā nīḥ puruṣavyāghra syālaḥ paramadurmatiḥ
  8 sa māṃ sairandhi veṣeṇa vasantīṃ rājaveśmani
      nityam evāha duṣṭātmā bhāryā mama bhaveti vai
  9 tenopamantryamāṇāyā vadhārheṇa sapatnahan
      kāleneva phalaṃ pakvaṃ hṛdayaṃ me vidīryate
  10 bhrātaraṃ ca vigarhasva jyeṣṭhaṃ durdyūta devinam
     yasyāsmi karmaṇā prāptā dukham etad anantakam
 11 ko hi rājyaṃ parityajya sarvasvaṃ cātmanā saha
     pravrajyāyaiva dīvyeta vinā durdyūta devinam
 12 yadi niṣkasahasreṇa yac cānyat sāravad dhanam
     sāyamprātar adeviṣyad api saṃvatsarān bahūn
 13 rukmaṃ hiraṇyaṃ vāsāṃsi yānaṃ yugyam ajāvikam
     aśvāśvatara saṃghāṃś ca na jātu kṣayam āvahet
 14 so 'yaṃ dyūtapravādena śriyā pratyavaropitaḥ
     tūṣṇīm āste yathā mūḍhaḥ svāni karmāṇi cintayan
 15 daśanāgasahasrāṇi padmināṃ hemamālinām
     yaṃ yāntam anuyāntīha so 'yaṃ dyūtena jīvati
 16 tathā śatasahasrāṇi nṛṇām amitatejasām
     upāsate mahārājam indraprasthe yudhiṣṭhiram
 17 śataṃ dāsī sahasrāṇi yasya nityaṃ mahānase
     pātrī hastaṃ divārātram atithīn bhojayanty uta
 18 eṣa niṣkasahasrāṇi pradāya dadatāṃ varaḥ
     dyūtajena hy anarthena mahatā samupāvṛtaḥ
 19 enaṃ hi svarasaṃpannā bahavaḥ sūtamāgadhāḥ
     sāyaṃprātar upātiṣṭhan sumṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalāḥ
 20 sahasram ṛṣayo yasya nityam āsan sabhā sadaḥ
     tapaḥ śrutopasaṃpannāḥ sarvakāmair upasthitāḥ
 21 andhān vṛddhāṃs tathānāthān sarvān rāṣṭreṣu durgatān
     bibharty avimanā nityam ānṛśaṃsyād yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 22 sa eṣa nirayaṃ prāpto matsyasya paricārakaḥ
     sabhāyāṃ devitā rājñaḥ kaṅko brūte yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 23 indraprasthe nivasataḥ samaye yasya pārthivāḥ
     āsan balibhṛtaḥ sarve so 'dyānyair bhṛtim icchati
 24 pārthivāḥ pṛthivīpālā yasyāsan vaśavartinaḥ
     sa vaśe vivaśo rājā pareṣām adya vartate
 25 pratāpya pṛthivīṃ sarvāṃ raśmivān iva tejasā
     so 'yaṃ rājño virāṭasya sabhā stāro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 26 yam upāsanta rājānaḥ sabhāyām ṛṣibhiḥ saha
     tam upāsīnam adyānyaṃ paśya pāṇḍava pāṇḍavam
 27 atadarhaṃ mahāprājñaṃ jīvitārthe 'bhisaṃśritam
     dṛṣṭvā kasya na duḥkhaṃ syād dharmātmānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram
 28 upāste sma sabhāyāṃ yaṃ kṛtṣṇā vīra vasuṃdharā
     tam upāsīnam adyānyaṃ paśya bhārata bhāratam
 29 evaṃ bahuvidhair duḥkhaiḥ pīḍyamānām anāthavat
     śokasāragamadhyasthāṃ kiṃ māṃ bhīma na paśyasi

SECTION XVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus insulted by the Suta's son, that illustrious princess, the beautiful Krishna, eagerly wishing for the destruction of Virata's general, went to her quarters. And Drupada's daughter of dark hue and slender waist then performed her ablutions. And washing her body and cloths with water Krishna began to ponder weepingly on the means of dispelling her grief. And she reflected, saying, 'What am I to do? Whither shall I go? How can my purpose be effected?' And while she was thinking thus, she remembered Bhima and said to herself, 'There is none else, save Bhima, that can today accomplish the purpose on which my heart is set!' And afflicted with great grief, the large-eyed and intelligent Krishna possessed of powerful protectors then rose up at night, and leaving her bed speedily proceeded towards the quarters of Bhimasena, desirous of beholding her lord. And possessed of great intelligence, the daughter of Drupada entered her husband's quarters, saying, 'How canst thou sleep while that wretched commander of Virata's forces, who is my foe, yet liveth, having perpetrated today that (foul act)?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the chamber where Bhima slept, breathing hard like a lion, being filled with the beauty of Drupada's daughter and of the high-souled Bhima, blazed forth in splendour. And Krishna of sweet smiles, finding Bhimasena in the cooking apartments, approached him with the eagerness of a three-year old cow brought up in the woods, approaching a powerful bull, in her first season, or of a she-crane living by the water-side approaching her mate in the pairing season. And the Princess of Panchala then embraced the second son of Pandu, even as a creeper embraces a huge and mighty Sala on the banks of the Gomati. And embracing him with her arms, Krishna of faultless features awaked him as a lioness awaketh a sleeping lion in a trackless forest. And embracing Bhimasena even as a she-elephant embraceth her mighty mate, the faultless Panchali addressed him in voice sweet as the

p. 31

sound of a stringed instrument emitting Gandhara note. And she said, 'Arise, arise! Why dost thou, O Bhimasena, lie down as one dead? Surely, he that is not dead, never suffereth a wicked wretch that hath disgraced his wife, to live.' And awakened by the princess, Bhima of mighty arms, then rose up, and sat upon his couch overlaid with a rich bed. And he of the Kuru race then addressed the princess--his beloved wife, saying, 'For what purpose hast thou come hither in such a hurry? Thy colour is gone and thou lookest lean and pale. Tell me everything in detail. I must know the truth. Whether it be pleasurable or painful, agreeable, or disagreeable, tell me all. Having heard everything, I shall apply the remedy. I alone, O Krishna, am entitled to thy confidence in all things, for it is I who deliver thee from perils again and again! Tell me quickly what is thy wish, and what is the purpose that is in thy view, and return thou to thy bed before others awake.'"

Book 4
Chapter 18

 1 [drau]
      idaṃ tu me mahad duḥkhaṃ yat pravakṣyāmi bhārata
      na me 'bhyasūyā kartavyā duḥkhād etad bravīmy aham
  2 śārdūlair mahiṣaiḥ siṃhair āgāre yudhyase yadā
      kaikeyyāḥ prekṣamāṇāyās tadā me kaśmalo bhavet
  3 prekṣā samutthitā cāpi kaikeyī tāḥ striyo vadet
      prekṣya mām anavadyāṅgī kaśmalopahatām iva
  4 snehāt saṃvāsajān manye sūdam eṣā śucismitā
      yodhyamānaṃ mahāvīryair imaṃ samanuśocati
  5 kalyāṇa rūpā sairandhrī ballavaś cāti sundaraḥ
      strīṇāṃ ca cittaṃ durjñeyaṃ yuktarūpau ca me matau
  6 sairandhrī priya saṃvāsān nityaṃ karuṇavedinī
      asmin rājakule cemau tulyakālanivāsinau
  7 iti bruvāṇā vākyāni sā māṃ nityam avedayat
      krudhyantīṃ māṃ ca saṃprekṣya samaśaṅkata māṃ tvayi
  8 tasyāṃ tathā bruvatyāṃ tu duḥkhaṃ māṃ mahad āviśat
      śoke yaudhiṣṭhire magnā nāhaṃ jīvitum utsahe
  9 yaḥ sa devān manuṣyāṃś ca sarpāṃ caikaratho 'jayat
      so 'yaṃ rājño virāṭasya kanyānāṃ nartako yuvā
  10 yo 'tarpayad ameyātmā khāṇḍave jātavedasam
     so 'ntaḥpura gataḥ pārthaḥ kūpe 'gnir iva saṃvṛtaḥ
 11 yasmād bhayam amitrāṇāṃ sadaiva puruṣarṣabhāt
     sa lokaparibhūtena veṣeṇāste dhanaṃjayaḥ
 12 yasya jyātalanirghoṣāt samakampanta śatravaḥ
     striyo gītasvanaṃ tasya muditāḥ paryupāsate
 13 kirīṭaṃ sūryasaṃkāśaṃ yasya mūrdhani śobhate
     veṇī vikṛtakeśāntaḥ so 'yam adya dhanaṃjayaḥ
 14 yasminn astrāṇi divyāni samastāni mahātmani
     ādhāraḥ sarvavidyānāṃ sa dhārayati kuṇḍale
 15 yaṃ sma rājasahasrāṇi tejasāpratimāni vai
     samare nātivartante velām iva mahārṇavaḥ
 16 so 'yaṃ rājño virāṭasya kanyānāṃ nartako yuvā
     āste veṣapraticchannaḥ kanyānāṃ paricārakaḥ
 17 yasya sma rathaghoṣeṇa samakampata medinī
     sa parvata vanā bhīma sahasthāvarajaṅgamā
 18 yasmiñ jāte mahābhāge kuntyāḥ śoko vyanaśyata
     sa śocayati mām adya bhīmasena tavānujaḥ
 19 bhūṣitaṃ tam alaṃkāraiḥ kuṇḍalaiḥ parihāṭakaiḥ
     kambupāṇinam āyāntaṃ dṛṣṭvā sīdati me manaḥ
 20 taṃ veṇī kṛtakeśāntaṃ bhīmadhanvānam arjunam
     kanyā parivṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīma sīdati me manaḥ
 21 yadā hy enaṃ parivṛtaṃ kanyābhir devarūpiṇam
     prabhinnam iva mātaṅgaṃ parikīrṇaṃ kareṇubhiḥ
 22 matsyam arthapatiṃ pārthaṃ virāṭaṃ samupasthitam
     paśyāmi tūryamadhya sthaṃ diśa naśyanti me tadā
 23 nūnam āryā na jānāti kṛcchraṃ prāptaṃ dhanaṃjayam
     ajātaśatruṃ kauravyaṃ magnaṃ dūdyūta devinam
 24 tathā dṛṣṭvā yavīyāṃsaṃ sahadevaṃ yudhāṃ patim
     goṣu goveṣam āyāntaṃ pāṇḍubhūtāsmi bhārata
 25 sahadevasya vṛttāni cintayantī punaḥ punaḥ
     na vindāmi mahābāho sahadevasya duṣkṛtam
     yasminn evaṃvidhaṃ duḥkhaṃ prāpnuyāt satyavikramaḥ
 26 dūyāmi bharataśreṣṭha dṛṣṭvā te bhrātaraṃ priyam
     goṣu govṛṣasaṃkāśaṃ matsyenābhiniveśitam
 27 saṃrabdhaṃ raktanepathyaṃ gopālānāṃ purogamam
     virāṭam abhinandantam atha me bhavati jvaraḥ
 28 sahadevaṃ hi me vīraṃ nityam āryā praśaṃsati
     mahābhijana saṃpanno vṛttavāñ śīlavān iti
 29 hrīniṣedho madhuravāg dhārmikaś ca priyaś ca me
     sa te 'raṇyeṣu boddhavyo yājñaseni kṣapāsv api
 30 taṃ dṛṣṭvā vyāpṛtaṃ goṣu vatsa carma kṣapāśayam
     sahadevaṃ yudhāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ kiṃ nu jīvāmi pāṇḍava
 31 yas tribhir nityasaṃpanno rūpeṇāstreṇa medhayā
     so 'śvabandho virāṭasya paśya kālasya paryayam
 32 abhyakīryanta vṛndāni dāma granthim udīkṣatām
     vinayantaṃ janenāśvān mahārājasya paśyataḥ
 33 apaśyam enaṃ śrīmantaṃ matsyaṃ bhrājiṣṇum uttamam
     virāṭam upatiṣṭhantaṃ darśayantaṃ ca vājinaḥ
 34 kiṃ nu māṃ manyase pārtha sukhiteti paraṃtapa
     evaṃ duḥkhaśatāviṣṭā yudhiṣṭhira nimittataḥ
 35 ataḥ prativiśiṣṭāni duḥkhāny anyāni bhārata
     vartante mayi kaunteya vakṣyāmi śṛṇu tāny api
 36 yuṣmāsu dhriyamāṇeṣu duḥkhāni vividhāny uta
     śoṣayanti śarīraṃ me kiṃ nu kuḥkham ataḥ param

SECTION XVIII

"Draupadi said, 'What grief hath she not who hath Yudhishthira for her husband? Knowing all my griefs, why dost thou ask me? The Pratikamin dragged me to the court in the midst of an assembly of courtiers, calling me a slave. That grief, O Bharata, consumeth me. What other princess, save Draupadi, would live having suffered such intense misery? Who else, save myself, could bear such second insult as the wicked Saindhava offered me while residing in the forest? Who else of my position, save myself, could live, having been kicked by Kichaka in the very sight of the wicked king of the Matsyas? Of what value is life, O Bharata, when thou, O son of Kunti, dost not think me miserable, although I am afflicted with such woes? That vile and wicked wretch, O Bharata, known by the name of Kichaka, who is the brother-in-law of king Virata and the commander of his forces, every day, O tiger among men, addresses me who am residing in the palace as a Sairindhri, saying, 'Do thou become my wife.'--Thus solicited, O slayer of foes, by that wretch deserving to be slain, my heart is bursting like a fruit ripened in season. Censure thou that elder brother of thine addicted to execrable dice, through whose act alone I have been afflicted with such woe. Who else, save him that is a desperate gambler, would play, giving up kingdom and everything including even myself, in order to lead a life in the woods? If he had gambled morning and evening for many years together, staking nishkas by thousand and other kinds of substantial wealth, still his silver, and gold, and robes, and vehicles, and teams, and goats, and sheep, and multitudes of steeds and mares and mules would not have sustained any diminution. But now deprived of prosperity by the rivalry

p. 32

of dice, he sits dumb like a fool, reflecting on his own misdeeds. Alas, he who, while sojourning, was followed by ten thousand elephants adorned with golden garlands now supports himself by casting dice. That Yudhishthira who at Indraprastha was adored by kings of incomparable prowess by hundreds of thousands, that mighty monarch in whose kitchen a hundred thousand maid-servants, plate in hand, used every day to feed numerous guests day and night, that best of liberal men, who gave (every day) a thousand nishkas, alas, even he overwhelmed with woe in consequence of gambling which is the root of all evil, now supporteth himself by casting dice. Bards and encomiasts by thousands decked with ear-rings set with brilliant gems, and gifted with melodious voice, used to pay him homage morning and evening. Alas, that Yudhishthira, who was daily waited upon by a thousand sages of ascetic merit, versed in the Vedas and having every desire gratified, as his courtiers,--that Yudhishthira who maintained eighty-eight thousands of domestic Snatakas with thirty maid-servants assigned unto each, as also ten thousand yatis not accepting anything in gift and with vital seed drawn up,--alas, even that mighty king now liveth in such guise. That Yudhishthira who is without malice, who is full of kindness, and who giveth every creature his due, who hath all these excellent attributes, alas--even he now liveth in such guise. Possessed of firmness and unbaffled prowess, with heart disposed to give every creature his due, king Yudhishthira, moved by compassion, constantly maintained in his kingdom the blind, the old, the helpless, the parentless and all others in his dominions in such distress. Alas, that Yudhishthira becoming a dependant and a servant of Matsya, a caster of dice in his court, now calls himself Kanka. He unto whom while residing at Indraprastha, all the rulers of earth used to pay timely tribute,--alas, even he now begs for subsistence at another's hands. He to whom the kings of the earth were in subjection,--alas, even that king having lost his liberty, liveth in subjection to others. Having dazzled the entire earth like the sun by his energy, that Yudhishthira, alas, is now a courtier of king Virata. O Pandu's son, that Pandava who was respectfully waited upon in court by kings and sages, behold him now waiting upon another. Alas, beholding Yudhishthira a courtier sitting beside another and breathing adulatory speeches to the other, who can help being afflicted with grief? And beholding the highly wise and virtuous Yudhishthira, undeserving as he is of serving others, actually serving another for sustenance, who can help being afflicted with grief? And, O hero, that Bharata who was worshipped in court by the entire earth, do thou now behold him worshipping another. Why then, O Bharata, dost thou not regard me as one afflicted with diverse miseries, like one forlorn and immersed in a sea of sorrow?'"

Book 4
Chapter 19

 1 [drau]
      ahaṃ sairandhi veṣeṇa carantī rājaveśmani
      śaucadāsmi sudeṣṇāyā akṣadhūrtasya kāraṇāt
  2 vikriyāṃ paśya me tīvrāṃ rājaputryāḥ paraṃtapa
      āse kālam upāsīnā sarvaṃ duḥkhaṃ kilārtavat
  3 anityā kila martyānām arthasiddhir jayājayau
      iti kṛtvā pratīkṣāmi bhartṝṇām udayaṃ punaḥ
  4 ya eva hetur bhavati puruṣasya jayāvahaḥ
      parājaye ca hetuḥ sa iti ca pratipālaye
  5 dattvā yācanti puruṣā hatvā vadhyanti cāpare
      pātayitvā ca pātyante parair iti ca me śrutam
  6 na daivasyāti bhāro 'sti na daivasyāti vartanam
      iti cāpy āgamaṃ bhūyo daivasya pratipālaye
  7 sthitaṃ pūrvaṃ jalaṃ yatra punas tatraiva tiṣṭhati
      iti paryāyam icchantī pratīkṣāmy udayaṃ punaḥ
  8 daivena kila yasyārthaḥ sunīto 'pi vipadyate
      daivasya cāgame yatnas tena kāryo vijānatā
  9 yat tu me vacanasyāsya kathitasya prayojanam
      pṛccha māṃ duḥkhitāṃ tat tvam apṛṣṭā vā bravīmi te
  10 mahiṣī pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ duhitā drupadasya ca
     imām avasthāṃ saṃprāptā kā mad anyā jijīviṣet
 11 kurūn paribhavan sarvān pāñcālān api bhārata
     pāṇḍaveyāṃś ca saṃprāpto mama kleśo hy ariṃdama
 12 bhrātṛbhiḥ śvaśuraiḥ putrair bahubhiḥ paravīra han
     evaṃ samuditā nārī kā nv anyā duḥkhitā bhavet
 13 nūnaṃ hi bālayā dhātur mayā vai vipriyaṃ kṛtam
     yasya prasādād durnītaṃ prāptāsmi bharatarṣabha
 14 varṇāvakāśam api me paśya pāṇḍava yādṛśam
     yādṛśo me na tatrāsīd duḥkhe paramake tadā
 15 tvam eva bhīma jānīṣe yan me pārtha sukhaṃ purā
     sāhaṃ dāsatvam āpannā na śāntim avaśā labhe
 16 nādaivikam idaṃ manye yatra pārtho dhanaṃjayaḥ
     bhīma dhanvā mahābāhur āste śānta ivānalaḥ
 17 aśakyā vedituṃ pārtha prāṇināṃ vai gatir naraiḥ
     vinipātam imaṃ manye yuṣmākam avicintitam
 18 yasyā mama mukhaprekṣā yūyam indrasamāḥ sadā
     sā prekṣe mukham anyāsām avarāṇāṃ varā satī
 19 paśya pāṇḍava me 'vasthāṃ yathā nārhāmi vai tathā
     yuṣmāsu dhriyamāṇeṣu paśya kālasya paryayam
 20 yasyāḥ sāgaraparyantā pṛthivī vaśavartinī
     āsīt sādya sudeṣṇāyā bhītāhaṃ vaśavartinī
 21 yasyāḥ puraḥsarā āsan pṛṣṭhataś cānugāminaḥ
     sāham adya sudeṣṇāyāḥ puraḥ paścāc ca gāminī
     idaṃ tu duḥkhaṃ kaunteya mamāsahyaṃ nibodha tat
 22 yā na jātu svayaṃ piṃṣe gātrodvartanam ātmanaḥ
     anyatra kuntyā bhadraṃ te sādya piṃṣāmi candanam
     paśya kaunteya pāṇī me naivaṃ yau bhavataḥ purā
 23 [vai]
     ity asya darśayām āsa kiṇabaddhau karāv ubhau
 24 [drau]
     bibhemi kuntyā yā nāhaṃ yuṣmākaṃ vā kadā cana
     sādyāgrato virāṭasya bhītā tiṣṭhāmi kiṃkarī
 25 kiṃ nu vakṣyati samrāṇ māṃ varṇakaḥ sukṛto na vā
     nānyapiṣṭaṃ hi matsyasya candanaṃ kila rocate
 26 [vai]
     sā kīrtayantī duḥkhāni bhīmasenasya bhāminī
     ruroda śanakaiḥ kṛṣṇā bhīmasenam udīkṣatī
 27 sā bāṣpakalayā vācā niḥśvasantī punaḥ punaḥ
     hṛdayaṃ bhīmasenasya ghaṭṭayantīdam abravīt
 28 nālpaṃ kṛtaṃ mayā bhīma devānāṃ kilbiṣaṃ purā
     abhāgyā yat tu jīvāmi martavye sati pāṇḍava
 29 tatas tasyāḥ karau śūnau kiṇabaddhau vṛkodaraḥ
     mukham ānīya vepantyā ruroda paravīra hā
 30 tau gṛhītvā ca kaunteyo bāṣpam utsṛjya vīryavān
     tataḥ paramaduḥkhārta idaṃ vacanam abravīt

SECTION XIX

"Draupadi said, 'This O Bharata, that I am going to tell thee is another great grief of mine. Thou shouldst not blame me, for I tell thee this from sadness of heart. Who is there whose grief is not enhanced at sight of thee, O bull of the Bharata race, engaged in the ignoble office of a cook, so entirely beneath thee and calling thyself as one of Vallava caste? What can be sadder than this, that people should know thee as Virata's cook, Vallava by name, and therefore one that is sunk in servitude? Alas, when thy work of the kitchen is over, thou humbly sittest beside Virata, calling thyself as Vallava the cook, then despondency seizeth my heart. When the king of kings in joy maketh thee fight with elephants, and the women of the inner apartments (of the palace) laugh all the while, then I am sorely distressed. When thou fightest in the inner apartments with lions, tigers, and buffaloes, the princess Kaikeyi looking on, then I almost swoon away. And when Kaikeyi and those maidservants, leaving their seats, come to assist me and find that instead of suffering any injury in limbs mine is only a swoon, the princess speaks unto her women, saying, 'Surely, it is from affection and the duty begot of intercourse that this lady of sweet smiles grieveth for the exceedingly powerful cook when he fights with the beasts. Sairindhri is possessed of great beauty and Vallava also is eminently handsome. The heart of woman is hard to know, and they, I fancy, are deserving of each other. It is, therefore, likely that the Sairindhri invariably weepeth (at such times) on account of her connection with her lover. And then, they both have entered this royal family at the same time. And speaking such words she always upbraideth me. And beholding me wroth at this, she suspects me to be attached to thee.' When she speaketh thus, great is the grief that I feel. Indeed, on beholding thee, O Bhima of terrible prowess, afflicted with such calamity, sunk as I already am in grief on account of Yudhishthira. I do not desire to live. That youth who on a single car had vanquished all celestials and men, is now, alas, the dancing master of king Virata's daughter. That Pritha's son of immeasurable soul, who had gratified Agni in the forest of Khandava, is now living in the inner apartments (of a palace) like fire hid in a well. Alas, the bull among men, Dhananjaya, who was ever the terror of foes, is now living in a guise that is despaired by all. Alas, he whose mace-like arms have been cicatrized in consequence of the strokes of his bow-string, alas that Dhananjaya is passing the days in grief covering his wrists with bracelets of conchs. Alas, that Dhananjaya the twang of whose bow-string and the sound of whose leathern fences made every foe tremble, now entertains only gladdened women with his songs. Oh, that Dhananjaya whose head was formerly decked with a diadem of solar splendour, is now wearing braids ending in unsightly curls. O Bhima, beholding that terrible bowman, Arjuna, now wearing braids and in the midst of women, my heart

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is stricken with woe. That high-souled hero who is master of all the celestial weapons, and who is the repository of all the sciences, now weareth ear-rings (like one of the fair sex). That youth whom kings of incomparable prowess could not overpower in fight, even as the waters of the mighty ocean cannot overleap the continents, is now the dancing-master of king Virata's daughters and waits upon them in disguise. O Bhima, that Arjuna the clatter of whose car-wheels caused the entire earth with her mountains and forests, her mobile and immobile things to tremble, and whose birth dispelled all the sorrows of Kunti, that exalted hero, that younger brother of thine, O Bhimasena, now maketh me weep for him. Beholding him coming towards me, decked in golden ear-rings and other ornaments, and wearing on the wrists bracelets of conchs, my heart is afflicted with despondency. And Dhananjaya who hath not a bowman equal unto him on earth in prowess, now passeth his days in singing, surrounded by women. Beholding that son of Pritha who in virtue, heroism and truth, was the most admired in the world, now living in the guise of a woman, my heart is afflicted with sorrow. When I behold, the godlike Partha in the music-hall like an elephant with rent temples surrounded by she-elephants in the midst of females, waiting before Virata the king of the Matsyas, then I lose all sense of directions. Surely, my mother-in-law doth not know Dhananjaya to be afflicted with such extreme distress. Nor doth she know that descendant of the Kuru race, Ajatasatru, addicted to disastrous dice, to be sunk in misery. O Bharata, beholding the youngest of you all, Sahadeva, superintending the kine, in the guise of a cowherd, I grow pale. Always thinking of Sahadeva's plight, I cannot, O Bhimasena, obtain sleep,--what to speak you of the rest? I do not know, O mighty-armed one, what sin Sahadeva may have committed for which that hero of unbaffled prowess suffereth such misery. O foremost of the Bharatas, beholding that beloved brother of thine, that bull among men, employed by Matsya in looking after his kine, I am filled with woe. Seeing that hero of proud disposition gratifying Virata, by living at the head of his cowherds, attired in robes dyed in red. I am attacked with fever. My mother-in-law always applauds the heroic Sahadeva as one possessed of nobility, excellent behaviour, and rectitude of conduct. Ardently attached to her sons, the weeping Kunti stood, embracing Sahadeva while he was about to set out (with us) for the great forest. And she addressed me saying, "Sahadeva is bashful and sweet-speeched, and virtuous. He is also my favourite child. Therefore, O Yajnaseni, tend him in the forest day and night. Delicate and brave, devoted to the king, and always worshipping his elder brother, do thou, O Panchali, feed him thyself.' O Pandava, beholding that foremost of warriors, Sahadeva, engaged in tending kine, and sleeping at night on calf-skins, how can I bear to live? He again who is crowned with the three attributes of beauty, arms, and intelligence, is now the superintendent of Virata's steeds. Behold the change brought on by time. Granthika (Nakula), at sight of

p. 35

whom hostile hosts fled from the field of battle, now traineth horses in the presence of the king, driving them with the speed. Alas, I now see that handsome youth wait upon the gorgeously decked and excellent Virata, the king of the Matsyas, and display horses before him. O son of Pritha, afflicted as I am with all these hundred kinds of misery on account of Yudhishthira, why dost thou, O chastiser of foes, yet deem me happy? Listen now to me, O son of Kunti, as I tell thee of other woes far surpassing these. What can be sadder to me than miseries so various as these should emaciate me while ye are alive.'"

Book 4
Chapter 20

 1 [bhīmas]
      dhig astu me bāhubalaṃ gāṇḍīvaṃ phalgunasya ca
      yat te raktau purā bhūtvā pāṇī kṛtakiṇāv ubhau
  2 sabhāyāṃ sma virāṭasya karomi kadanaṃ mahat
      tatra māṃ dharmarājas tu kaṭākṣeṇa nyavārayat
      tad ahaṃ tasya vijñāya sthita evāsmi bhāmini
  3 yac ca rāṣṭrāt pracyavanaṃ kurūṇām avadhaś ca yaḥ
      suyodhanasya karṇasya śakuneḥ saubalasya ca
  4 duḥśāsanasya pāpasya yan mayā na hṛtaṃ śiraḥ
      tan me dahati kalyāṇi hṛdi śalyam ivārpitam
      mā dharmaṃ jahi suśroṇi krodhaṃ jahi mahāmate
  5 imaṃ ca samupālambhaṃ tvatto rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      śṛṇuyād yadi kalyāṇi kṛtsnaṃ jahyāt sa jīvitam
  6 dhanaṃjayo vā suśroṇi yamau vā tanumadhyame
      lokāntara gateṣv eṣu nāhaṃ śakṣyāmi jīvitum
  7 sukanyā nāma śāryātī bhārgavaṃ cyacanaṃ vane
      valmīka bhūtaṃ śāmyantam anvapadyata bhāminī
  8 nāḍdāyanī cendrasenā rūpeṇa yadi te śrutā
      patim anvacarad vṛddhaṃ purā varṣasahasriṇam
  9 duhitā janakasyāpi vaidehī yadi te śrutā
      patim anvacarat sītā mahāraṇyanivāsinam
  10 rakṣasā nigrahaṃ prāpya rāmasya mahiṣī priyā
     kliśyamānāpi suśroṇī rāmam evānvapadyata
 11 lopāmudrā tathā bhīru vayo rūpasamanvitā
     agastyam anvayād dhitvā kāmān sarvān amānuṣān
 12 yathaitāḥ kīrtitā nāryo rūpavatyaḥ pativratāḥ
     tathā tvam api kalyāṇi sarvaiḥ samuditā guṇaiḥ
 13 mā dīrghaṃ kṣama kālaṃ tvaṃ māsam adhyardhasaṃmitam
     pūrṇe trayodaśe varṣe rājño rājñī bhaviṣyasi
 14 [drau]
     ārtayaitan mayā bhīmakṛtaṃ bāṣpavimokṣaṇam
     apārayantyā duḥkhāni na rājānam upālabhe
 15 vimuktena vyatītena bhīmasena mahābala
     pratyupasthita kālasya kāryasyānantaro bhava
 16 mameha bhīmakaikeyī rūpābhibhava śaṅkayā
     nityam udjivate rājā kathaṃ neyād imām itī
 17 tasyā viditvā taṃ bhāvaṃ svayaṃ cānṛta darśanaḥ
     kīcako 'yaṃ suduṣṭātmā sadā prārthayate hi mām
 18 tam ahaṃ kupitā bhīma punaḥ kopaṃ niyamya ca
     abruvaṃ kāmasaṃmūḍham ātmānaṃ rakṣa kīcaka
 19 gandharvāṇām ahaṃ bhāryā pañcānāṃ mahiṣī priyā
     te tvāṃ nihanyur durdharṣāḥ śūrāḥ sāhasa kāriṇaḥ
 20 evam uktaḥ sa duṣṭātmā kīcakaḥ pratyuvāca ha
     nāhaṃ bibhemi sairandhir gandharvāṇāṃ śucismite
 21 śataṃ sahasram api vā gandharvāṇām ahaṃ raṇe
     samāgataṃ haniṣyāmi tvaṃ bhīru kuru me kṣaṇam
 22 ity ukte cābruvaṃ sūtaṃ kāmāturam ahaṃ punaḥ
     na tvaṃ pratibalas teṣāṃ gandharvāṇāṃ yaśasvinām
 23 dharme sthitāsmi satataṃ kulaśīlasamanvitā
     necchāmi kaṃ cid vadhyantaṃ tena jīvasi kīcaka
 24 evam uktaḥ sa duṣṭātmā prahasya svanavat tadā
     na tiṣṭhati sma san mārge na ca dharmaṃ bubhūṣati
 25 pāpātmā pāpabhāvaś ca kāmarāgavaśānugaḥ
     avinītaś ca duṣṭātmā pratyākhyātaḥ punaḥ punaḥ
     darśane darśane hanyāt tathā jahyāṃ ca jīvitam
 26 tad dharme yatamānānāṃ mahān dharmo naśiṣyati
     samayaṃ rakṣamāṇānāṃ bhāryā vo na bhaviṣyati
 27 bhāryāyāṃ rakṣyamāṇāyāṃ prajā bhavati rakṣitā
     prajāyāṃ rakṣyamāṇāyām ātmā bhavati rakṣitaḥ
 28 vadatāṃ varṇadharmāṃś ca brāhmaṇānāṃ hi me śrutam
     kṣatriyasya sadā dharmo nānyaḥ śatrunibarhaṇāt
 29 paśyato dharmarājasya kīcako māṃ padāvadhīt
     tava caiva samakṣaṃ vai bhīmasena mahābala
 30 tvayā hy ahaṃ paritrātā tasmād ghorāj jaṭāsurāt
     jayadrathaṃ tathaiva tva majaiṣīr bhrātṛbhiḥ saha
 31 jahīmam api pāpaṃ tvaṃ yo 'yaṃ mām avamanyate
     kīcako rājavāllabhyāc chokakṛn mama bhārata
 32 tam evaṃ kāmasaṃmmattaṃ bhindhi kumbham ivāśmani
     yo nimittam anarthānāṃ bahūnāṃ mama bhārata
 33 taṃ cej jīvantam ādityaḥ prātar abhyudayiṣyati
     viṣam āloḍya pāsyāmi māṃ kīcaka vaśaṃ gamam
     śreyo hi maraṇaṃ mahyaṃ bhīmasena tavāgrataḥ
 34 [vai]
     ity uktvā prārudat kṛṣṇā bhīmasyoraḥ samāśritā
     bhīmaś ca tāṃ pariṣvajya mahat sāntvaṃ prayujya ca
     kīcakaṃ manasāgacchat sṛkkiṇī parisaṃlihan

SECTION XX

"Draupadi said, 'Alas, on account of that desperate gambler, I am now under Sudeshna's command, living in the palace in the guise of a Sairindhri. And, O chastiser of foes, behold the plight of poignant woe which I, a princess, am now in. I am living in expectation of the close of this stated period. 1 The extreme of misery, therefore, is mine. Success of purpose, victory, and defeat, as regards mortals, are transitory. It is in this belief that I am living in expectation of the return of prosperity to my husbands. Prosperity and adversity revolve like a wheel. It is in this belief that I am living in expectation of the return of prosperity to my husbands. That cause which bringeth on victory, may bring defeat as well. I live in this hope. Why dost thou not, O Bhimasena, regard me as one dead? I have heard that persons that give may beg: that they who slay may be slain; and that they who over-throw others may themselves be overthrown by foes. Nothing is difficult for Destiny and none can over-ride Destiny. It is for this that I am awaiting the return of favourable fortune. As a tank once dried, is filled up once again, so hoping for a change for the better, I await the return of prosperity. When one's business that hath been well-provided for is seen to be frustrated, a truly wise person should never strive for bringing back good fortune. Plunged as I am an sorrow, asked or unasked by thee to explain the purpose of these words spoken by me, I shall tell thee everything. Queen of the sons of Pandu and daughter of Drupada, who else, save myself, would wish to live, having fallen into such a plight? O represser of foes, the misery, therefore, that hath overtaken me, hath really humiliated the entire Kuru race, the Panchalas, and the sons of Pandu. Surrounded by numerous brothers and father-in-law and sons, what other woman having such cause for joy, save

p. 36

myself, would be afflicted with such woe? Surely, I must, in my childhood, have committed act highly offensive to Dhatri through whose displeasure, O bull of the Bharata race, I have been visited with such consequences. Mark, O son of Pandu, the pallour that hath come over my complexion which not even a life in the woods fraught as it was with extreme misery, could bring about. Thou, O Pritha's son, knowest what happiness, O Bhima, was formerly mine. Even, I, who was such have now sunk into servitude. Sorely distressed, I can find no rest. That the mighty-armed and terrible bowman, Dhananjaya the son of Pritha, should now live like a fire that hath been put out, maketh me think of all this as attributable to Destiny. Surely, O son of Pritha, it is impossible for men to understand the destinies of creatures (in this world). I, therefore, think this downfall of yours as something that could not be averted by forethought. Alas, she who hath you all, that resemble Indra himself to attend to her comforts--even she, so chaste and exalted, hath now to attend to the comforts of others, that are to her far inferior in rank. Behold, O Pandava, my plight. It is what I do not deserve. You are alive, yet behold this inversion of order that time hath brought. She who had the whole Earth to the verge of the sea under her control, is now under the control of Sudeshna and living in fear of her. She who had dependants to walk both before and behind her, alas, now herself walketh before and behind Sudeshna. This, O Kaunteya, is another grief of mine that is intolerable. O, listen to it. She who had never, save for Kunti, pounded unguents even for her own use, now, good betide thee, poundeth sandal (for others). O Kaunteya, behold these hands of mine which were not so before. Saying this she showed him her hands marked with corns. And she continued, she who had never feared Kunti herself nor thee and thy brothers, now standeth in fear before Virata as a slave, anxious of what that king of kings may say unto her regarding the proper preparation of the unguents, for Matsya liketh not sandal pounded by others.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Relating her woes thus, O Bharata, unto Bhimasena, Krishna began to weep silently, casting her eyes on Bhima. And then, with words choked in tears, and sighing repeatedly, she addressed Bhima in these words, powerfully stirring his heart, 'Signal, O Bhima, must have been my offence of old unto the gods, for, unfortunate as I am. I am yet alive, when, O Pandava, I should die.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then that slayer of hostile heroes, Vrikodara, covering his face with those delicate hands of his wife marked with corns, began to weep. And that mighty son of Kunti, holding the hands of Draupadi in his, shed copious tears. And afflicted with great woe, he spoke these words.'"

Book 4
Chapter 21

  1 [bhīmas]
      tathā bhadre kariṣyāmi yathā tvaṃ bhīru bhāṣase
      adya taṃ sūdayiṣyāmi kīcakaṃ saha bāndhavam
  2 asyāḥ pradoṣe śarvaryāḥ kuruṣvānena saṃgamam
      duḥkhaṃ śokaṃ ca nirdhūya yājñaseni śucismite
  3 yaiṣā nartana śālā vai matsyarājena kāritā
      divātra kanyā nṛtyanti rātrau yānti yathā gṛham
  4 tatrāsti śayanaṃ bhīru dṛjḍhāṅgaṃ supratiṣṭhitam
      tatrāsya darśayiṣyāmi pūrvapretān pitāmahān
  5 yathā ca tvāṃ na paśyeyuḥ kurvāṇāṃ tena saṃvidam
      kuryās tathā tvaṃ kalyāṇi yathā saṃnihito bhavet
  6 [vai]
      tathā tau kathayitvā tu bāṣpam utsṛjya duḥkhitau
      rātriśeṣaṃ tad atyugraṃ dhārayām āsatur hṛdā
  7 tasyāṃ rātryāṃ vyatītāyāṃ prātar utthāya kīcakaḥ
      gatvā rājakulāyaiva draupadīm idam abravīt
  8 sabhāyāṃ paśyato rājñaḥ pātayitvā padāhanam
      na caivālabhathās trāṇam abhipannā balīyasā
  9 pravādena hi matsyānāṃ rājā nāmnāyam ucyate
      aham eva hi matsyānāṃ rājā vai vāhinīpatiḥ
  10 sā sukhaṃ pratipadyasva dāsabhīru bhavāmi te
     ahnāya tava suśroṇiśataṃ niṣkān dadāmy aham
 11 dāsī śataṃ ca te dadyāṃ dāsānām api cāparam
     rathaṃ cāśvatarī yuktam astu nau bhīru saṃgamaḥ
 12 [drau]
     ekaṃ me samayaṃ tv adya pratipadyasva kīcaka
     na tvāṃ sakhā vā bhrātā vā jānīyāt saṃgataṃ mayā
 13 avabodhād dhi bhītāsmi gandharvāṇāṃ yaśasvinām
     evaṃ me pratijānīhi tato 'haṃ vaśagā tava
 14 [kīcaka]
     evam etat kariṣyāmi yathā suśroṇi bhāṣase
     eko bhadre gamiṣyāmi śūnyam āvasathaṃ tava
 15 samāgamārthaṃ rambhoru tvayā madanamohitaḥ
     yathā tvāṃ nāvabhotsyanti gandharvāḥ sūryavarcasaḥ
 16 [drau]
     yad idaṃ nartanāgāraṃ matsyarājena kāritam
     divātra kanyā nṛtyanti rātrau yānti yathā gṛham
 17 tamisre tatra gacchethā gandharvās tan na jānate
     tatra doṣaḥ parihṛto bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
 18 [vai]
     tam arthaṃ pratijalpantyāḥ kṛṣṇāyāḥ kīcakena ha
     divasārdhaṃ samabhavan māsenaiva samaṃ nṛpa
 19 kīcako 'tha gṛhaṃ gatvā bhṛśaṃ harṣapariplutaḥ
     sairandhrī rūpiṇaṃ mūḍho mṛtyuṃ taṃ nāvabuddhavān
 20 gandhābharaṇa mālyeṣu vyāsaktaḥ sa viśeṣataḥ
     alaṃ cakāra so ''tmānaṃ sa tvaraḥ kāmamohitaḥ
 21 tasya tat kurvataḥ karmakālo dīrgha ivābhavat
     anucintayataś cāpi tām evāyata locanām
 22 āsīd abhyadhikā cāsya śrīḥ śriyaṃ pramumukṣataḥ
     nirvāṇakāle dīpasya vartīm iva didhakṣataḥ
 23 kṛtasaṃpratyayas tatra kīcakaḥ kāmamohitaḥ
     nājānād divasaṃ yāntaṃ cintayānaḥ samāgamam
 24 tatas tu draupadī gatvā tadā bhīmaṃ mahānase
     upātiṣṭhata kalyāṇī kauravyaṃ patim antikāt
 25 tam uvāca sukeśāntā kīcakasya mayā kṛtaḥ
     saṃgamo nartanāgāre yathāvocaḥ paraṃtapa
 26 śūnyaṃ sa nartanāgāram āgamiṣyati kīcakaḥ
     eko niśi mahābāho kīcakaṃ taṃ niṣūdaya
 27 taṃ sūtaputraṃ kaunteya kīcakaṃ madadarpitam
     gatvā tvaṃ nartanāgāraṃ nirjīvaṃ kurupāṇḍava
 28 darpāc ca sūtaputro 'sau gandharvān avamanyate
     taṃ tvaṃ praharatāṃ śreṣṭha naḍaṃ nāga ivoddhara
 29 aśruduḥkhābhibhūtāyā mama mārjasva bhārata
     ātmanaś caiva bhadraṃ te kuru mānaṃ kulasya ca
 30 [bhīmas]
     svāgataṃ te varārohe yan māṃ vedayase priyam
     na hy asya kaṃ cid icchāmi sahāyaṃ varavarṇini
 31 yā me prītis tvayākhyātā kīcakasya samāgame
     hatvā hiḍimbaṃ sā prītir mamāsīd varavarṇini
 32 satyaṃ bhratṝṃś ca dharmaṃ ca puraskṛtya bravīmi te
     kīcakaṃ nihaniṣyāmi vṛtraṃ devapatir yathā
 33 taṃ gahvare prakāśe vā pothayiṣyāmi kīcakam
     atha ced avabhotsyanti haṃsye matsyān api dhruvam
 34 tato duryodhanaṃ hatvā pratipatsye vasuṃdharām
     kāmaṃ matsyam upāstāṃ hi kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 35 [drau]
     yathā na saṃtyajethās tvaṃ satyaṃ vai matkṛte vibho
     nigūḍhas tvaṃ tathā vīra kīcakaṃ vinipātaya
 36 [bhīmas]
     evam etat kariṣyāmi yathā tvaṃ bhīru bhāṣate
     adṛśyamānas tasyādya tamasvinyām anindite
 37 nāgo bilvam ivākramya pothayiṣyāmy ahaṃ śiraḥ
     alabhyām icchatas tasya kīcakasya durātmanaḥ
 38 [vai]
     bhīmo 'tha prathamaṃ gatvā rātrau channa upāviśat
     mṛgaṃ harir ivādṛśyaḥ pratyākāṅkṣat sa kīcakam
 39 kīcakaś cāpy alaṃ kṛtyayathākāmam upāvrajat
     tāṃ velāṃ nartanāgāre pāñcālī saṃgamāśayā
 40 manyamānaḥ sa saṃketam āgāraṃ prāviśac ca tam
     praviśya ca sa tad veśma tamasā saṃvṛtaṃ mahat
 41 pūrvāgataṃ tatas tatra bhīmam apratimaujasam
     ekāntam āsthitaṃ cainam āsasāda sudurmatiḥ
 42 śayānaṃ śayane tatra mṛtyuṃ sūtaḥ parāmṛśat
     jājvalyamānaṃ kopena kṛṣṇā dharṣaṇajena ha
 43 upasaṃgamya caivainaṃ kīcakaḥ kāmamohitaḥ
     harṣonmathita cittātmā smayamāno 'bhyabhāṣata
 44 prāpitaṃ te mayā vittaṃ bahurūpam anantakam
     sat sarvaṃ tvāṃ samuddiśya sahasā samupāgataḥ
 45 nākasmān māṃ praśaṃsanti sadā gṛhagatāḥ striyaḥ
     suvāsā darśanīyaś ca nānyo 'sti tvā dṛśaḥ pumān
 46 [bhīmas]
     diṣṭyā tvaṃ darśanīyo 'si diṣṭyātmānaṃ praśaṃsasi
     īdṛśas tu tvayā sparśaḥ spṛṣṭapūrvo na karhi cit
 47 [vai]
     ity uktvā taṃ mahābāhur bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ
     samutpatya ca kaunteyaḥ prahasya ca narādhamam
     bhīmo jagrāha keśeṣu mālyavatsu sugandhiṣu
 48 sa keśeṣu parāmṛṣṭo balena balināṃ varaḥ
     ākṣipya keśān vegena bāhvor jagrāha pāṇḍavam
 49 bāhuyuddhaṃ tayor āsīt kruddhayor narasiṃhayoḥ
     vasante vāsitā hetor balavad gajayor iva
 50 īṣad āgalitaṃ cāpi krodhāc cala padaṃ sthitam
     kīcako balavān bhīmaṃ jānubhyām ākṣipad bhuvi
 51 pātito bhuvi bhīmas tu kīcakena balīyasā
     utpapātātha vegena daṇḍāhata ivoragaḥ
 52 spardhayā ca balonmattau tāv ubhau sūta pāṇḍavau
     niśīthe paryakarṣetāṃ balinau niśi nirjane
 53 tatas tad bhavanaśreṣṭhaṃ prākampata muhur muhuḥ
     balavac cāpi saṃkruddhāv anyonyaṃ tāv agarjatām
 54 talābhyāṃ tu sa bhīmena vakṣasy abhihato balī
     kīcako roṣasaṃtaptaḥ padān na calitaḥ padam
 55 muhūrtaṃ tu sa taṃ vegaṃ sahitvā bhuvi duḥsaham
     balād ahīyata tadā sūto bhīmabalārditaḥ
 56 taṃ hīyamānaṃ vijñāya bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ
     vakṣasy ānīya vegena mamanthainaṃ vicetasam
 57 krodhāviṣṭo viniḥśvasya punaś cainaṃ vṛkodaraḥ
     jagrāha jayatāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ keśeṣv eva tadā bhṛśam
 58 gṛhītvā kīcakaṃ bhīmo virurāva mahābalaḥ
     śārdūlaḥ piśitākāṅkṣī gṛhītveva mahāmṛgam
 59 tasya pādau ca pāṇī ca śirogrīvāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ
     kāye praveśayām āsa paśor iva pināka dhṛk
 60 taṃ saṃmathita sarvāṅgaṃ māṃsapiṇḍopamaṃ kṛtam
     kṛṣṇāyai darśayām āsa bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ
 61 uvāca ca mahātejā draupadīṃ pāṇḍunandanaḥ
     paśyainam ehi pāñcāli kāmuko 'yaṃ yathā kṛtaḥ
 62 tathā sa kīcakaṃ hatvā gatvā roṣasya vai śamam
     āmantrya draupadīṃ kṛṣṇāṃ kṣipram āyān mahānasam
 63 kīcakaṃ ghātayitvā tu draupadī yoṣitāṃ varā
     prahṛṣṭā gatasaṃtāpā sabhā pālān uvāca ha
 64 kīcako 'yaṃ hataḥ śete gandharvaiḥ patibhir mama
     parastrī kāmasaṃmattaḥ samāgacchata paśyata
 65 tac chrutvā bhāṣitaṃ tasyā nartanāgāra rakṣiṇaḥ
     sahasaiva samājagmur ādāyokāḥ sahasraśaḥ
 66 tato gatvātha tad veśma kīcakaṃ vinipātitam
     gatāsuṃ dadṛśur bhūmau rudhireṇa samukṣitam
 67 kvāsya grīvā kva caraṇau kva pāṇī kva śiras tathā
     iti sma taṃ parīkṣante gandharveṇa hataṃ tadā

SECTION XXI

"Bhima said, 'Fie on the might of my arms and fie on the Gandiva of Falguni, inasmuch as thy hands, red before, now become covered with corns. I would have caused a carnage in Virata's court but for the fact that Kunti's son eyed me (by way of forbidding it), or like a mighty elephant. I would, without ado, have crushed the head of Kichaka intoxicated with the pride of sovereignty. When, O Krishna, I beheld thee kicked by Kichaka, I conceived at that instant a wholesale slaughter of the Matsyas. Yudhishthira, however, forbade me by a glance, and, O beauteous lady, understanding his intention I have kept quiet. That we have been deprived of our kingdom, that I have not yet slain the Kurus, that I have not yet taken the heads of Suyodhana and Karna, and Suvala's son Sakuni, and the wicked Duhsasana, these acts and omissions, O lady, are consuming every limb of mine. The thought of those abides in my heart like a javelin implanted in it. O thou of graceful hips, do not sacrifice virtue, and, O noble-hearted lady, subdue thy wrath. If king Yudhishthira hear from thee such rebukes, he will surely put an end to his life. If also Dhananjaya and the twins hear thee speak thus, even they will renounce life. And if these, O slender-waisted maiden, give up life. I also shall not be able to bear my own. In olden days Sarjati's daughter, the beautiful Sukanya, followed into the forest Chyavana of Bhrigu's race, whose mind was under complete control, and over whom, while engaged in ascetic meditation, the ants had built a hill. Thou mayst have heard that Indrasena also who in beauty was like unto Narayani herself, followed her husband aged a thousand years. Thou mayst have heard that Janaka's daughter Sita, the princess of Videha, followed her lord while living in dense woods. And that lady of graceful hips, Rama's beloved wife, afflicted with calamities and persecuted by the Rakshasas, at length regained the company of Rama. Lopamudra also, O timid one, endued with youth and beauty, followed Agastya, renouncing all the objects of enjoyment unattainable by men. And the intelligent and faultless Savitri also followed the heroic Satyavan, the son of Dyumatsena, alone into the world of Yama. Even like these chaste and beautiful ladies that I have named, thou, O blessed girl, bloomest with every virtue. Do thou spend a short while more that is measured by even a half month. And when the thirteenth year is complete, thou wilt (again) become the Queen regnant of a king.' Hearing these words, Draupadi said, 'Unable, O Bhima, to bear my griefs, it is from grief alone that I have shed these tears. I do not censure Yudhishthira. Nor is there any use in dwelling on the past. O Bhima of mighty strength, come quickly forward to the work of the hour. O Bhima, Kaikeyi, jealous of my beauty, always pains me by her endeavours to prevent the king from taking a fancy to me. And understanding this disposition of hers, the wicked-souled Kichaka of immoral ways constantly solicits me himself. Angry with him for this, but then suppressing my wrath

p. 38

[paragraph continues] I answer that wretch deprived of sense by lust, saying, 'O Kichaka, protect thyself. I am the beloved queen and wife of five Gandharvas. Those heroes in wrath will slay thee that art so rash.' Thus addressed, Kichaka of wicked soul replied unto me, saying, 'I have not the least fear of the Gandharvas, O Sairindhri of sweet smiles. I will slay hundred thousand Gandharvas, encountering them in battle. Therefore, O timid one, do thou consent.' Hearing all this, I again addressed the lust-afflicted Suta, saying, 'Thou art no match for those illustrious Gandharvas. Of respectable percentage and good disposition, I ever adhere to virtue and never wish for the death of any one. It is for this that thou I vest, O Kichaka!' At this, that wight of wicked soul burst out into a loud laughter. And it came to pass that Kaikeyi previously urged by Kichaka, and moved by affection for her brother, and desirous of doing him a good turn, despatched me to him, saying 'Do thou, O Sairindhri, fetch wine from Kichaka's quarter's!' On beholding me the Suta's son at first addressed me in sweet words, and when that failed, he became exceedingly enraged, and intended to use violence. Understanding the purpose of the wicked Kichaka, I speedily rushed towards the place where the king was. Felling me on the ground the wretch then kicked me in the very presence of the king himself and before the eyes of Kanka and many others, including charioteers, and royal favourites, and elephant-riders, and citizens. I rebuked the king and Kanka again and again. The king, however, neither prevented Kichaka, nor inflicted any chastisement on him. The principal ally of king Virata in war, the cruel Kichaka reft of virtue is loved by both the king and the queen. O exalted one, brave, proud, sinful, adulterous, and engrossed in all objects of enjoyment, he earneth immense wealth (from the king), and robs the possessions of others even if they cry in distress. And he never walketh in the path of virtue, nor doth he any virtuous act. Of wicked soul, and vicious disposition, haughty and villainous, and always afflicted by the shafts of Kama, though repulsed repeatedly, if he sees me again, he will outrage me. I shall then surely renounce my life. Although striving to acquire virtue (on my death) your highly meritorious acts will come to naught. Ye that are now obeying your pledge, ye will lose your wife. By protecting, one's wife one's offspring are protected, and by protecting one's offspring, one's own self is protected. And it is because one begets one's own self in one's wife that the wife is called Jaya 1 by the wise. The husband also should be protected by the wife, thinking,--How else will he take his birth in my womb?--I have heard it from Brahmanas expounding the duties of the several orders that a Kshatriya hath no other duty than subduing enemies. Alas, Kichaka kicked me in the very presence of Yudhishthira the Just, and also of thyself, O Bhimasena of mighty strength. It was thou, O Bhima, that didst deliver me from the terrible Jatasura. It was thou also that with thy brothers didst vanquish Jayadratha. Do thou now slay this wretch also who hath

p. 39

insulted me. Presuming upon his being a favourite of the king, Kichaka, O Bharata, hath enhanced my woe. Do thou, therefore, smash this lustful wight even like an earthen pot dashed upon a stone. If, O Bharata, tomorrow's sun sheds his rays upon him who is the source of many griefs of mine, I shall, surely, mixing poison (with some drink), drink it up,--for I never shall yield to Kichaka. Far better it were, O Bhima, that I should die before thee.'

"Vaisampayana Continued, 'Having said this, Krishna, hiding her face in Bhima's breast began to weep. And Bhima, embracing her, consoled her to the best of his power. And having abundantly consoled that slender-waisted daughter of Drupada by means of words fraught with grave reason and sense, he wiped with his hands her face flooded with tears. And thinking of Kichaka and licking with his tongue the corners of his mouth, Bhima, filled with wrath thus spake to that distressed lady.'"

Book 4
Chapter 22

 1 [vai]
      tasmin kāle samāgamya sarve tatrāsya bāndhavāḥ
      ruruduḥ kīcakaṃ dṛṣṭvā parivārya samantataḥ
  2 sarve saṃhṛṣṭaromāṇaḥ saṃtrastāḥ prekṣya kīcakam
      tathā sarvāṅgasaṃbhugnaṃ kūrmaṃ sthala ivoddhṛtam
  3 pothitaṃ bhīmasenena tam indreṇeva dānavam
      saṃskārayitum icchanto bahir netuṃ pracakramuḥ
  4 dadṛśus te tataḥ kṛṣṇāṃ sūtaputrāḥ samāgatāḥ
      adūrād anavadyāṅgīṃ stambham āliṅgya tiṣṭhatīm
  5 samaveteṣu sūteṣu tān uvācopakīcakaḥ
      hanyatāṃ śīghram asatī yatkṛte kīcako hataḥ
  6 atha vā neha hantavyā dahyatāṃ kāminā saha
      mṛtasyāpi priyaṃ kāryaṃ sūtaputrasya sarvathā
  7 tato virāṭam ūcus te kīcako 'syāḥ kṛte hataḥ
      sahādyānena dahyeta tadanujñātum arhasi
  8 parākramaṃ tu sūtānāṃ matvā rājānvamodata
      sairandhryāḥ sūtaputreṇa saha dāhaṃ viśāṃ pate
  9 tāṃ samāsādya vitrastāṃ kṛṣṇāṃ kamalalocanām
      momuhyamānāṃ te tatra jagṛhuḥ kīcakā bhṛśam
  10 tatas tu tāṃ samāropya nibadhya ca sumadhyamām
     jagmur udyamya te sarve śmaśānam abhitas tadā
 11 hriyamāṇā tu sā rājan sūtaputrair aninditā
     prākrośan nātham icchantī kṛṣṇā nāthavatī satī
 12 [drau]
     jayo jayanto vijayo jayatseno yajadbalaḥ
     te me vācaṃ vijānantu sūtaputrā nayanti mām
 13 yeṣāṃ jyātalanirghoṣo visphūrjitam ivāśaneḥ
     vyaśrūyata mahāyuddhe bhīmaghoṣas tarasvinām
 14 rathaghoṣaś ca balavān gandharvāṇāṃ yaśasvinām
     te me vācaṃ vijānantu sūtaputrā nayanti mām
 15 [vai]
     tasyās tāḥ kṛpaṇā vācaḥ kṛṣṇāyāḥ paridevitāḥ
     śrutvaivābhyapatad bhīmaḥ śayanād avicārayan
 16 [bhīmas]
     ahaṃ śṛṇomi te vācaṃ tvayā sairandhi bhāṣitām
     tasmāt te sūtaputrebhyo na bhayaṃ bhīru vidyate
 17 [vai]
     ity uktvā sa mahābāhur vijajṛmbhe jighāṃsayā
     tataḥ sa vyāyataṃ kṛtvā veṣaṃ viparivartya ca
     advāreṇābhyavaskandya nirjagāma bahis tadā
 18 sa bhīmasenaḥ prākārād ārujya tarasā drumam
     śmaśānābhimukhaḥ prāyād yatra te kīcakā gatāḥ
 19 sa taṃ vṛkṣaṃ daśavyāmaṃ sa skandhaviṭapaṃ balī
     pragṛhyābhyadravat sūtān daṇḍapāṇir ivāntakaḥ
 20 ūruvegena tasyātha nyagrodhāśvattha kiṃśukāḥ
     bhūmau nipatitā vṛkṣāḥ saṃghaśas tatra śerate
 21 taṃ siṃham iva saṃkruddhaṃ dṛṣṭvā gandharvam āgatam
     vitresuḥ sarvataḥ sūtā viṣādabhayakampitāḥ
 22 tam antakam ivāyāntaṃ gandharvaṃ prekṣya te tadā
     didhakṣantas tadā jyeṣṭhaṃ bhrātaraṃ hy upakīcakāḥ
     parasparam athocus te viṣādabhayakampitāḥ
 23 gandharvo balavān eti kruddha udyamya pādapam
     sairandhrī mucyatāṃ śīghraṃ mahan no bhayam āgatam
 24 te tu dṛṣṭvā tam āviddhaṃ bhīmasenena pādapam
     vimucya draupadīṃ tatra prādravan nagaraṃ prati
 25 dravatas tāṃs tu saṃprekṣya savajrī dānavān iva
     śataṃ pañcādhikaṃ bhīmaḥ prāhiṇod yamasādanam
 26 tata āśvāsayat kṛṣṇāṃ pravimucya viśāṃ pate
     uvāca ca mahābāhuḥ pāñcālīṃ tatra draupadīm
     aśrupūrṇamukhīṃ dīnāṃ durdharṣaḥ sa vṛkodaraḥ
 27 evaṃ te bhīru vadhyante ye tvāṃ kliṣyanty anāgasam
     praihi tvaṃ nagaraṃ kṛṣṇe na bhayaṃ vidyate tava
     anyenāhaṃ gamiṣyāmi virāṭasya mahānasam
 28 pañcādhikaṃ śataṃ tac ca nihataṃ tatra bhārata
     mahāvanam iva chinnaṃ śiśye vigalitadrumam
 29 evaṃ te nihatā rājañ śataṃ pañca ca kīcakāḥ
     sa ca senāpatiḥ sūrvam ity etat sūta ṣaṭ ṣatam
 30 tad dṛṣṭvā mahad āścaryaṃ narā nāryaś ca saṃgatāḥ
     viṣmayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā nocuḥ kiṃ cana bhārata

SECTION XXII

"Bhima said, 'I will, O timid one, do even as thou sayest. I will presently slay Kichaka with all his friends. O Yajnaseni of sweet smiles, tomorrow evening, renouncing sorrow and grief, manage to have a meeting with Kichaka. The dancing-hall that the king of the Matsya hath caused to be erected is used by the girls for dancing during the day. They repair, however, to their homes at night. There in that hall, is an excellent and well-placed wooden bed-stead. Even there I will make him see the spirits of his deceased grandsires. But, O beautiful one, when thou holdest converse with him, thou must manage it so that others may not espy thee."

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having thus conversed with others, and shed tears in grief, they waited for the dawn of that night with painful impatience. And when the night had passed away, Kichaka, rising in the morning, went to the palace, and accosted Draupadi saying, 'Throwing thee down in the court I kicked thee in the presence of the king. Attacked by mighty self, thou couldst not obtain protection. This Virata is in name only the king of the Matsyas. Commanding the forces of this realm it is I, who am the real lord of the Matsyas. Do thou, O timid one, accept me cheerfully. I shall become thy slave. And, O thou of graceful hips, I will immediately give thee a hundred nishkas, and engage a hundred male and a hundred female servants (to tend thee), and will also bestow on thee cars yoked with she-mules. O timid lady, let our union take place.' Draupadi replied, 'O Kichaka, know even this is my condition. Neither thy friends nor thy brothers should know thy union with me. I am a terror of detection

p. 40

by those illustrious Gandharvas. Promise me this, and I yield to thee.' Hearing this Kichaka said, 'I will, O thou of graceful hips, do even as thou sayest. Afflicted by the god of love, I will, O beauteous damsel, alone repair to thy abode for union with thee, O thou of thighs round and tapering like the trunks of the plantain,--so that those Gandharvas, effulgent as the sun, may not come to know of this act of thine.' Draupadi said, 'Do thou, when it is dark, go to the dancing-hall erected by the king of the Matsyas where the girls dance during the day, repairing to their respective homes at night. The Gandharvas do not know that place. We shall then without doubt, escape all censure.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Reflecting on the subject of her conversation with Kichaka, that half a day seemed to Krishna as long as a whole month. And the stupid Kichaka also, not knowing that it was Death that had assumed the form of a Sairindhri, returning home experienced the greatest delight. And deprived of sense by lust, Kichaka became speedily engaged in embellishing his person with unguents and garlands and ornaments. And while he was doing all this, thinking of that damsel of large eyes, the day seemed to him to be without an end. And the beauty of Kichaka, who was about to forsake his beauty for ever, seemed to heighten, like the wick of a burning lamp about to expire. And reposing the fullest confidence in Draupadi, Kichaka, deprived of his senses by lust and absorbed in the contemplation of expected meeting, did not even perceive that the day had departed. Meanwhile, the beautiful Draupadi approaching her husband Bhima of the Kuru race, stood before him in the kitchen. And that lady with tresses ending in beautiful curls then spake unto him, saying, 'O chastiser of foes, even as thou hadst directed, I have given Kichaka to understand that our meeting will take place in the dancing-hall. Alone will he come at night to the empty hall. Slay him there, O thou of mighty arms. Do thou, O son of Kunti, repair to that dancing-hall, and take the life, O Pandava, of Kichaka, that son of a Suta intoxicated with vanity. From vanity alone, that son of a Suta slights the Gandharvas. O best of smiters, lift him up from the earth even as Krishna had lifted up the Naga (Kaliya) from the Yamuna. O Pandava, afflicted as I am with grief, wipe thou my tears, and blessed be thou, protect thy own honour and that of thy race.'

"Bhima said, 'Welcome, O beauteous lady, Except the glad tidings thou bringest me, I need, O thou of exceeding beauty, no other aid whatever. The delight that I feel, O thou of great beauty, on hearing from thee about my coming encounter with Kichaka, is equal to what I felt in slaying Hidimva. I swear unto thee by Truth, by my brothers, and by morality, that I will slay Kichaka even as the lord of the celestials slew Vritra. Whether secretly or openly, I will crush Kichaka, and if the Matsyas fight for him, then I will slay them too. And slaying Duryodhana afterwards, I shall win back the earth. Let Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, continue to pay homage unto the king of Matsya.' Hearing these words of Bhima, Draupadi said, 'In order that, O lord,

p. 41

thou mayst not have to renounce the truth already pledged to me, do thou, O hero, slay Kichaka in secret.' Bhima assuring her said, 'Even today I shall slay Kichaka together with his friends unknown to others during the darkness of the night. I shall, O faultless lady, crush, even as an elephant crusheth a vela fruit,  1 the head of the wicked Kichaka who wisheth for what is unattainable by him!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Repairing first to the place of assignation at night, Bhima sat down, disguising himself. And he waited there in expectation of Kichaka, like a lion lying in wait for a deer. And Kichaka, having embellished his person as he chose, came to the dancing-hall at the appointed time in the hope of meeting Panchali. And thinking of the assignation, he entered the chamber. And having entered that hall enveloped in deep gloom, that wretch of wicked soul came upon Bhima of incomparable prowess, who had come a little before and who was waiting in a corner. And as an insect approacheth towards a flaming fire, or a puny animal towards a lion, Kichaka approached Bhima, lying down in a bed and burning in anger at the thought of the insult offered to Krishna, as if he were the Suta's Death. And having approached Bhima, Kichaka possessed by lust, and his heart and soul filled with ecstacy smilingly said, 'O thou of pencilled eye-brows, to thee I have already given many and various kinds of wealth from the stores earned by me, as well as hundred maids and many fine robes, and also a mansion with an inner apartment adorned with beauteous and lovely and youthful maid servants and embellished by every kind of sports and amusements And having set all those apart for thee, I have speedily come hither. And all on a sudden, women have begun to praise me, saying, 'There is not in this world any other person like unto thee in beauty and dress!' Hearing this, Bhima said, 'It is well that thou art handsome, and it is well thou praisest thyself. I think, however, that thou hadst never before this such pleasurable touch! Thou hast an acute touch, and knowest the ways of gallantry. Skilled in the art of love-making, thou art a favourite with women. There is none like thee in this world!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, that son of Kunti, the mighty-armed Bhima of terrible prowess, suddenly rose up, and laughingly said, 'Thy sister, O wretch, shall today behold thee dragged by me to the ground, like a mighty elephant, huge as a mountain, dragged to the ground by a lion. Thyself slain Sairindhri will live in peace, and we, her husbands, will also live in peace.' Saying this, the mighty Bhima seized Kichaka by the hairs of his head, which were adorned with garlands. And thus seized with force by the hair, that foremost of mighty persons, Kichaka, quickly freed his hair and grasped the arms of Bhima. And then between those lions among men, fired with wrath, between that chief of the Kichaka clan, and that best of men, there ensued a hand-to-hand

p. 42

encounter, like that between two powerful elephants for a female elephant in the season of spring, or like that which happened in days of yore between those lions among monkeys, the brothers Vali and Sugriva. And both equally infuriate and both eager for victory, both those combatants raised their arms resembling snakes furnished with five hoods, and attacked each other with their nails and teeth, wrought up to frenzy of wrath. Impetuously assailed by the powerful Kichaka in that encounter, the resolute Bhima did not waver a single step. And locked in each other's embraces and dragging each other, they fought on like two mighty bulls. And having nails and teeth for their weapons, the encounter between them was fierce and terrible like that of two furious tigers. And felling each other in fury, they encountered each other like a couple of elephants with rent temples. And the mighty Bhima then seized Kichaka, and Kichaka, that foremost of strong persons threw Bhima down with violence. And as those mighty combatants fought on, the crash of their arms produced a loud noise that resembled the clatter of splitting bamboos. Then Vrikodara throwing Kichaka down by main force within the room, began to toss him about furiously even as a hurricane tosseth a tree. And attacked thus in battle by the powerful Bhima, Kichaka grew weak and began to tremble. For all that, however, he tugged at the Pandava to the best of his power. And attacking Bhima, and making him wave a little, the mighty Kichaka struck him with his knees and brought him down to the ground. And overthrown by the powerful Kichaka, Bhima quickly rose up like Yama himself with mace in hand. And thus that powerful Suta and the Pandava, intoxicated with strength and challenging each other, grappled with each other at midnight in that solitary place. And as they roared at each other in wrath, that excellent and strong edifice began to shake every moment. And slapped on the chest by the mighty Bhima, Kichaka fired with wrath moved not a single pace. And bearing for a moment only that onslaught incapable of being born on earth, the Suta, overpowered by Bhima's might, became enfeebled. And seeing him waning weak, Bhima endued with great strength forcibly drew Kichaka towards his breast, and began to press hard. And breathing hard again and again in wrath, that best of victors, Vrikodara, forcibly seized Kichaka by the hair. And having seized Kichaka, the mighty 'Bhima began to roar like a hungry tiger that hath killed a large animal. And finding him exceedingly exhausted, Vrikodara bound him fast with his arms, as one binds a beast with a cord. And then Bhima began for a long while, to whirl the senseless Kichaka, who began to roar frightfully like a broken trumpet. 1 And in order to pacify Krishna's wrath Vrikodara grasped Kichaka's throat with his arms and began to squeeze it. And assailing with his knees the waist of that worst of the Kichakas,

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all the limbs of whose body had been broken into fragments and whose eye-lids were closed, Vrikodara slew him, as one would slay a beast. And beholding Kichaka entirely motionless, the son of Pandu began to roll him about on the ground. And Bhima then said, 'Slaying this wretch who intended to violate our wife,--this thorn in the side of Sairindhri, I am freed from the debt I owed to my brothers, and have attained perfect peace.' And having said this, that foremost of men, with eyes red in wrath, relinquished his hold of Kichaka, whose dress and ornaments had been thrown off his person, whose eyes were rolling, and whose body was yet trembling. And that foremost of mighty persons, squeezing his own hands, and biting his lips in rage, again attacked his adversary and thrust his arms and legs and neck and head into his body like the wielder of the Pinaka reducing into shapeless mass the deer, which form sacrifice had assumed in order to escape his ire. And having; crushed all his limbs, and reduced him into a ball of flesh, the mighty Bhimasena showed him unto Krishna. And endued with mighty energy that hero then addressed Draupadi, that foremost of all women, saying, 'Come princess of Panchala, and see what hath become of that lustful wretch!' And saying this, Bhima of terrible prowess began to press with his feet the body of that wicked wight. And lighting a torch then and showing Draupadi the body of Kichaka, that hero addressed her, saying, 'O thou of tresses ending in beautiful curls, those that solicit thee, endued as thou art with an excellent disposition and every virtue, will be slain by me even as this Kichaka hath been, O timid one.' And having accomplished that difficult task so highly agreeable to Krishna--having indeed slain Kichaka and thereby pacified his wrath, Bhima bade farewell to Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, and quickly went back to the kitchen. And Draupadi also, that best of women, having caused Kichaka to be slain had her grief removed and experienced the greatest delight. And addressing the keepers of the dancing-hall, she said, 'Come ye and behold Kichaka who had violated after other people's wives lieth down here, slain by my Gandharva husbands.' And hearing these words the guards of the dancing hall soon came by thousands to that spot, torches in hand. And repairing to that room, they beheld the lifeless Kichaka thrown on the ground, drenched with blood. And beholding him without arms and legs, they were filled with grief. And as they gazed at Kichaka, they were struck with amazement. And seeing that superhuman act, viz., the overthrow of Kichaka, they said, 'Where is his neck, and where are his legs?' And beholding him in this plight they all concluded that he had been killed by a Gandharva.'"

Book 4
Chapter 23

 1 [vai]
      te dṛṣṭvā nihatān sūtān rājñe gatvā nyavedayan
      gandharvair nihatā rājan sūtaputrāḥ paraḥśatāḥ
  2 yathā vajreṇa vai dīrṇaṃ parvatasya mahac chiraḥ
      vinikīrṇaṃ pradṛśyeta tathā sūtā mahītale
  3 sairandhrī ca vimuktāsau punar āyāti te gṛham
      sarvaṃ saṃśayitaṃ rājan nagaraṃ te bhaviṣyati
  4 tathārūpā hi sairandhrī gandharvāś ca mahābalāḥ
      puṃsām iṣṭaś ca viṣayo maithunāya na saṃśayaḥ
  5 yathā sairandhri veṣeṇa na te rājann idaṃ puram
      vināśam eti vai kṣipraṃ tathā nītir vidhīyatām
  6 teṣāṃ tad vacanaṃ śrutvā virāṭo vāhinīpatiḥ
      abravīt kriyatām eṣāṃ sūtānāṃ paramakriyā
  7 ekasminn eva te sarve susamiddhe hutāśane
      dahyantāṃ kīcakāḥ śīghraṃ ratnair gandhaiś ca sarvaśaḥ
  8 sudeṣṇāṃ cābravīd rājā mahiṣīṃ jātasādhvasaḥ
      sairandhrīm āgatāṃ brūyā mamaiva vacanād idam
  9 gaccha sairandhri bhadraṃ te yathākāmaṃ carābale
      bibheti rājā suśroṇi gandharvebhyaḥ parābhavāt
  10 na hi tām utsahe vaktuṃ svayaṃ gandharvarakṣitām
     striyas tv adoṣās tāṃ vaktum atas tvāṃ prabravīmy aham
 11 atha muktā bhayāt kṛṣṇā sūtaputrān nirasya ca
     mokṣitā bhīmasenena jagāma nagaraṃ prati
 12 trāsiteva mṛgī bālā śārdūlena manasvinī
     gātrāṇi vāsasī caiva prakṣālya salilena sā
 13 tāṃ dṛṣṭvā puruṣā rājan prādravanta diśo daśa
     gandharvāṇāṃ bhayatrastāḥ ke cid dṛṣṭīr nyamīlayan
 14 tato mahānasa dvāri bhīmasenam avasthitam
     dadarśa rājan pāñcālī yathāmattaṃ mahādvipam
 15 taṃ vismayantī śanakaiḥ saṃjñābhir idam abravīt
     gandharvarājāya namo yenāsmi parimocitā
 16 [bhīmas]
     ye yasyā vicarantīha puruṣā vaśavartinaḥ
     tasyās te vacanaṃ śrutvā anṛṇā vicaranty uta
 17 [vai]
     tataḥ sā nartanāgāre dhanaṃjayam apaśyata
     rājñaḥ kanyā virāṭasya nartayānaṃ mahābhujam
 18 tatas tā nartanāgārād viniśkramya sahārjunāḥ
     kanyā dadṛśur āyāntīṃ kṛṣṇāṃ kliṣṭām anāgasam
 19 [kanyāh]
     diṣṭyā sairandhri muktāsi diṣṭyāsi punarāgatā
     diṣṭyā vinihatāḥ sūtā ye tvāṃ kliśyanty anāgasam
 20 [bṛhan]
     kathaṃ sairandhri muktāsi kathaṃ pāpāś ca te hatāḥ
     icchāmi vai tava śrotuṃ sarvam eva yathātatham
 21 [sair]
     bṛhannaḍe kiṃ nu tava sairandhryā kāryam adya vai
     yā tvaṃ vasasi kalyāṇi sadā kanyā pure sukham
 22 na hi duḥkhaṃ samāpnoṣi sairandhrī yad upāśnute
     tena māṃ duḥkhitām evaṃ pṛcchase prahasann iva
 23 [bṛhan]
     bṛhannaḍāpi kalyāṇi duḥkham āpnoty anuttamam
     tiryagyonigatā bāle na cainām avabudhyase
 24 [vai]
     tataḥ sahaiva kanyābhir draupadī rājaveśma tat
     praviveśa sudeṣṇāyāḥ samīpam apalāyinī
 25 tām abravīd rājaputrī virāṭa vacanād idam
     sairandhri gamyatāṃ śīghraṃ yatra kāmayase gatim
 26 rājā bibheti bhadraṃ te gandharvebhyaḥ parābhavāt
     tvaṃ cāpi taruṇī subhru rūpeṇāpratimā bhuvi
 27 [sair]
     trayodaśāha mātraṃ me rājā kṣamatu bhāmini
     kṛtakṛtyā bhaviṣyanti gandharvās te na saṃśayaḥ
 28 tato māṃ te 'paneṣyanti kariṣyanti ca te priyam
     dhruvaṃ ca śreyasā rājā yoṣkyate saha bāndhavaiḥ

SECTION XXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the relatives of Kichaka, arriving at that place, beheld him there and began to wail aloud, surrounding him on all sides. And beholding Kichaka with every limb mangled, and lying like a tortoise dragged to dry ground from the water, all of them were overcome with exceeding fright, and the bristles of their bodies stood on end. And seeing him crushed all over by Bhima, like a Danava by Indra, they proceeded to take him outside, for performing his funeral obsequies. And then those persons of the Suta clan thus assembled together espied Krishna of faultless limbs hard by, who stood reclining on a pillar. And all the Kichakas assembled there, exclaimed, 'Let this unchaste woman be slain for whom Kichaka hath himself lost his life. Or, without slaying her here, let us cremate her with him that had lusted after her,--for it behoveth us to accomplish in every way what is agreeable to that deceased son of Suta.' And then they addressed Virata, saying, 'It is for her sake that Kichaka hath lost his life. Let him, therefore, be cremated along with her. It behoveth thee to grant this permission.' Thus addressed by them, king Virata, O monarch, knowing fully well the prowess of the Suta gave his assent to Sairindhri being burnt along with the Suta's son. And at this, the Kichakas approaching the frightened and stupefied Krishna of lotus-like eyes, seized her with violence. And binding that damsel of slender-waist and placing her upon the bier, they set out with great energy towards the cemetary. And, O king, while thus forcibly carried towards the cemetary by those sons of the Suta tribe, the blameless and chaste Krishna living under the protections of her lords, then wailed aloud for the help of her husbands, saying, 'Oh, let Jaya, and Jayanta, and Vijaya and Jayatsena, and Jayadvala listen to my words. The Sutas are taking me away. Let those illustrious Gandharvas endued with speed of hand, the clatter of whose cars is loud and the twang of whose bowstrings in the midst of the mighty conflict are heard like the roar of thunder, listen to my words,--the Sutas are taking me away!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing those sorrowful words and lamentations of Krishna, Bhima, without a moment's reflection started up from his bed and said, 'I have heard, O Sairindhri the words thou hast spoken. Thou hast, therefore, O timid lady, no more fear at the hands of the Sutas.

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the mighty-armed Bhima desirous of slaying the Kichakas, began to swell his body. And carefully changing his attire, he went out of the palace by a wrong egress. And climbing over a wall by the aid of a tree, he proceeded towards the cemetary whither the Kichakas had gone. And having leapt over the wall, and gone out of the excellent city, Bhima impetuously rushed to where the Sutas were. And, O monarch, proceeding towards the funeral

p. 45

pyre he beheld a large tree, tall as palmyra-palm, with gigantic shoulders and withered top. And that slayer of foes grasping with his arms that tree measuring ten Vyamas, uprooted it, even like an elephant, and placed it upon his shoulders. And taking up that tree with trunk and branches and measuring ten Vyamas, that mighty hero rushed towards the Sutas, like Yama himself, mace in hand. And by the impetus of his rush 1 banians and peepals and Kinsukas falling down on the earth lay in clusters. And beholding that Gandharva approach them like a lion in fury, all the Sutas trembling with fear and greatly distressed, became panic-struck. And they addressed each other, saying, 'Lo, the powerful Gandharva cometh hither, filled with rage, and with an upraised tree in hand. Let Sairindhri, therefore, from whom this danger of ours hath arisen, be set free.' And beholding the tree that had been uprooted by Bhimasena, they set Draupadi free and ran breathlessly towards the city And seeing them run away, Bhima, that mighty son of the Wind-god, despatched, O foremost of kings, by means of that tree, a hundred and five of them unto the abode of Yama, like the wielder of the thunderbolt slaying the Danavas. And setting Draupadi free from her bonds, he then, O king, comforted her. And that mighty-armed and irrepressible Vrikodara, the son of Pandu, then addressed the distressed princess of Panchala with face bathed in tears, saying, 'Thus, O timid one, are they slain that wrong thee without cause. Return, O Krishna, to the city. Thou hast no longer any fear; I myself will go to the Virata's kitchen by another route.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'It was thus, O Bharata, that a hundred and five of those Kichakas were slain. And their corpses lay on the ground, making the place look like a great forest overspread with uprooted trees after a hurricane. Thus fell those hundred and five Kichakas. And including Virata's general slain before, the slaughtered Sutas numbered one hundred and six. And beholding that exceedingly wonderful feat, men and women that assembled together, were filled with astonishment. And the power of speech, O Bharata, was suspended in every one.'"

Book 4
Chapter 24

  1 [vai]
      kīcakasya tu ghātena sānujasya viśāṃ pate
      atyāhitaṃ cintayitvā vyasmayanta pṛthagjanāḥ
  2 tasmin pure janapade saṃjalpo 'bhūc ca sarvaśaḥ
      śauryād dhi vallabho rājño mahāsattvaś ca kīcakaḥ
  3 āsīt prahartā ca nṛṇāṃ dārāmarśī ca durmatiḥ
      sa hataḥ khalu pāpātmā gandharvair duṣṭapūruṣaḥ
  4 ity ajalpan mahārājan parānīka viśātanam
      deśe deśe manuṣyāś ca kīcakaṃ duṣpradharṣaṇam
  5 atha vai dhārtarāṣṭreṇa prayuktā ya bahiścarāḥ
      mṛgayitvā bahūn grāmān rāṣṭrāṇi nagarāṇi ca
  6 saṃvidhāya yathādiṣṭaṃ yathā deśapradarśanam
      kṛtacintā nyavartanta te ca māga puraṃ prati
  7 tatra dṛṣṭvā tu rājānaṃ kauravyaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭra jam
      dorṇa karṇa kṛpaiḥ sārdhaṃ bhīṣmeṇa ca mahātmanā
  8 saṃgataṃ bhrātṛbhiś cāpi trigartaiś ca mahārathaiḥ
      duryodhanaṃ sabhāmadhye āsīnam idam abruvan
  9 kṛto 'smābhiḥ paro yatnas teṣām anveṣaṇe sadā
      pāṇḍavānāṃ manuṣyendra tasmin mahati kānane
  10 nirjane mṛgasaṃkīrṇe nānādrumalatāvṛte
     latāpratāna bahule nānāgulmasamāvṛte
 11 na ca vidmo gatā yena pārthāḥ syur dṛḍhavikramāḥ
     mārgamāṇāḥ padanyāsaṃ teṣu teṣu tathā tathā
 12 girikūṭeṣu tuṅgeṣu nānājanapadeṣu ca
     janākīrṇeṣu deśeṣu kharvaṭeṣu pareṣu ca
 13 narendra bahuśo 'nviṣṭā naiva vidmaś ca pāṇḍavān
     atyantabhāvaṃ naṣṭās te bhadraṃ tubhyaṃ nararṣabha
 14 vartmāny anviṣyamāṇās tu rathānāṃ rathasattama
     kaṃ cit kālaṃ manuṣyendra sūtānām anugā vayam
 15 mṛgayitvā yathānyāyaṃ viditārthāḥ sma tattvataḥ
     prāptā dvāravatīṃ sūtā ṛte pārthaiḥ paraṃtapa
 16 na tatra pāṇḍavā rājan nāpi kṛṣṇā pativratā
     sarvathā vipranaṣṭās te namas te bharatarṣabha
 17 na hi vidmo gatiṃ teṣāṃ vāsaṃ vāpi mahātmanām
     pāṇḍavānāṃ pravṛttiṃ vā vidmaḥ karmāpi vā kṛtam
     sa naḥ śādhi manuṣyendra ata ūrdhvaṃ viśāṃ pate
 18 anveṣaṇe pāṇḍavānāṃ bhūyaḥ kiṃ karavāmahe
     imāṃ ca naḥ priyām īkṣa vācaṃ bhadravatīṃ śubhām
 19 yena trigarttā nikṛtā balena mahatā nṛpa
     sūtena rājño matsyasya kīcakena mahātmanā
 20 sa hataḥ patitaḥ śete gandharvair niśi bhārata
     adṛśyamānair duṣṭātmā saha bhrātṛbhir acyuta
 21 priyam etad upaśrutya śatrūṇāṃ tu parābhavam
     kṛtakṛtyaś ca kauravya vidhatsva yad anantaram

SECTION XXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'And beholding the Sutas slain, the citizens went to the king, and represented unto him what had happened, saying, 'O king, those mighty sons of the Sutas have all been slain by the Gandharvas. Indeed, they lie scattered on the earth like huge peaks of mountains

p. 46

riven by thunder. Sairindhri also, having been set free, returneth to thy palace in the city. Alas, O king, if Sairindhri cometh, thy entire kingdom will be endangered. Sairindhri is endued with great beauty; the Gandharvas also here exceedingly powerful. Men again, without doubt, are naturally sexual. Devise, therefore, O king, without delay, such means that in consequence of wrongs done to Sairindhri, thy kingdom may not meet with destruction.' Hearing those words of theirs, Virata, that lord of hosts, said unto them, 'Do ye perform the last rites of the Sutas. Let all the Kichakas be burnt, in one blazing pyre with gems and fragrant unguents in profusion.' And filled with fear, the king then addressed his queen Sudeshna, saying, 'When Sairindhri comes back, do thou tell her these words from me, 'Blessed be thou, O fair-faced Sairindhri. Go thou whithersoever thou likest. The king hath been alarmed, O thou of graceful hips, at the defeat already experienced at the hands of the Gandharvas. Protected as thou art by the Gandharvas, I dare not personally say all this to thee. A woman, however, cannot offend, and it is for this that I tell thee all this through a woman.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus delivered by Bhimasena after the slaughter of the Sutas, the intelligent and youthful Krishna relieved from all her fears, washed her limbs and clothes in water, and proceeded towards the city, like a doe frightened by a tiger. And beholding her, the citizens, O king, afflicted with the fear of the Gandharvas fled in all directions. And some of them went so far as to shut their eyes. And then, O king at the gate of the kitchen, the princess of Panchala saw Bhimasena staying, like an infuriate elephant of gigantic proportions. And looking upon him with wonder-expanded eyes, Draupadi, by means of words intelligible to them alone, said, 'I bow unto that prince of the Gandharvas, who hath rescued me.' At these words of her, Bhima said, 'Hearing these words of hers in obedience to whom those persons were hitherto living in the city, they will henceforth range here, regarding themselves as freed from the debt.' 1

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then she beheld the mighty-armed Dhananjaya, in the dancing-hall instructing king Virata's daughters in dancing. And issuing with Arjuna from the dancing-hall, all those damsels came to Krishna who had arrived there, and who had been persecuted so sorely, all innocent though she was. And they said, 'By good luck also it is, O Sairindhri, that thou hast been delivered from thy dangers. By good luck it is that thou hast returned safe. And by good luck also it is that those Sutas have been slain that had wronged thee, innocent though thou art.' Hearing this, Virhannala said, 'How hast thou, O Sairindhri, been delivered? And how have those sinful wretches been slain? I wish to learn all this from thee exactly as it occurred.' Sairindhri replied, 'O blessed Vrihannala, always passing thy days happily in the apartments of

p. 47

the girls, what concern hast thou with Sairindhri's fate to say? Thou hast no grief to bear that Sairindhri hath to bear! It is for this, that thou askest me thus, distressed as I am in ridicule.' Thereat Vrihannala said, 'O blessed one, Vrihannala also hath unparalleled sorrows of her own. She hath become as low as a brute. Thou dost not, O girl, understand this. I have lived with thee, and thou, too hast lived with us. When, therefore, thou art afflicted with misery, who is it that will not, O thou of beautiful hips, feel it? But no one can completely read another's heart. Therefore it is, O amiable one, that thou knowest not my heart!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Draupadi, accompanied by those girls entered the royal abode, desirous of appearing before Sudeshna. And when she came before the queen, Virata's wife addressed her at the command of the king, saying, 'Do thou, O Sairindhri, speedily go whithersoever thou likest. The king, good betide thee, hath been filled with fear at this discomfiture at the hands of the Gandharvas. Thou art, O thou of graceful eye-brows, young and unparalleled on earth in beauty. Thou art, besides, an object of desire with men. The Gandharvas again, are exceedingly wrathful.' Thereat Sairindhri said, 'O beauteous lady, let the king suffer me to live here for only thirteen days more. Without doubt, the Gandharvas also will be highly obliged at this. They will then convey me hence and do what would be agreeable to Virata. Without doubt, the king, by doing this, with his friends, will reap great benefit.'"

Book 4
Chapter 25

 1 [vai]
      tato duryodhano rājā śrutvā teṣāṃ vacas tadā
      ciram antar manā bhūtvā pratyuvāca sabhā sadaḥ
  2 suduḥkhā khalu kāryāṇāṃ gatir vijñātum antataḥ
      tasmāt sarve udīkṣadhvaṃ kva nu syuḥ pāṇḍavā gatāḥ
  3 alpāvaśiṣṭaṃ kālasya gatabhūyiṣṭham antataḥ
      teṣām ajñātacaryāyām asmin varṣe trayodaśe
  4 asya varṣasya śeṣaṃ ced vyatīyur iha pāṇḍavāḥ
      nivṛttasamayās te hi satyavrataparāyaṇāḥ
  5 kṣaranta iva nāgendrāḥ sarva āśīviṣopamāḥ
      duḥkhā bhaveyuḥ saṃrabdhāḥ kauravān prati te dhruvam
  6 arvāk kālasya vijñātāḥ kṛcchrarūpadharāḥ punaḥ
      praviśeyur jitakrodhās tāvad eva punar vanam
  7 tasmāt kṣipraṃ bubhutsadhvaṃ yathā no 'tyantam avyayam
      rājyaṃ nirdvandvam avyagraṃ niḥsapatnaṃ ciraṃ bhavet
  8 athābravīt tataḥ karṇaḥ kṣipraṃ gacchantu bhārata
      anye dhūrtatarā dakṣā nibhṛtāḥ sādhukāriṇaḥ
  9 carantu deśān saṃvītāḥ sphītāñ janapadākulān
      tatra goṣṭhīṣv athānyāsu siddhapravrajiteṣu ca
  10 paricāreṣu tīrtheṣu vividheṣv ākareṣu ca
     vijñātavyā manuṣyais tais tarkayā suvinītayā
 11 vividhais tatparaiḥ samyak tajjñair nipuṇa saṃvṛtaiḥ
     anveṣṭavyāś ca nipuṇaṃ pāṇḍavāś channavāsinaḥ
 12 nadī kuñjeṣu tīrtheṣu grāmeṣu nagareṣu ca
     āśrameṣu ca ramyeṣu parvateṣu guhāsu ca
 13 athāgrajānantarajaḥ pāpabhāvānurāgiṇam
     jyeṣṭhaṃ duḥśāsanas tatra bhrātā bhrātaram abravīt
 14 etac ca karṇo yat prāha sarvam īkṣāmahe tathā
     yathoddiṣṭaṃ carāḥ sarve mṛgayantu tatas tataḥ
     ete cānye ca bhūyāṃso deśād deśaṃ yathāvidhi
 15 na tu teṣāṃ gatir vāsaḥ pravṛttiś copalabhyate
     atyāhitaṃ vā gūḍhās te pāraṃ vormimato gatāḥ
 16 vyālair vāpi mahāraṇye bhakṣitāḥ śūramāninaḥ
     atha vā viṣamaṃ prāpya vinaṣṭāḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ
 17 tasmān mānasam avyagraṃ kṛtvā tvaṃ kurunandana
     kuru kāryaṃ yathotsāhaṃ manyase yan narādhipa

SECTION XXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'At the slaughter of Kichaka and brothers, people, O king, thinking of this terrible feat, were filled with surprise. And in the city and the provinces it was generally bruited about that for bravery the king's Vallava and Kichaka were both mighty warriors. The wicked Kichaka, however, had been an oppressor of men and a dishonourer of other people's wives. And it was for this that wicked of sinful soul had been slain by the Gandharvas. And it was thus, O king, that people began to speak, from province to province of the invincible Kichaka, that slayer of hostile ranks.

'Meanwhile, the spies employed by Dhritarashtra's son, having searched various villages and towns and kingdoms and done all that they had been commanded to do and completed their examination, in the manner directed, of the countries indicated in their orders, returned to Nagarupa, gratified with at least one thing that they had learnt. 1 And

p. 48

seeing Dhritarashtra's son king Duryodhana of the Kuru race seated in his court with Drona and Karna and Kripa, with the high-souled Bhishma, his own brothers, and those great warriors--the Trigartas, they addressed him, saying, 'O lord of men, great hath been the care always bestowed by us in the search after the sons of Pandu in that mighty forest. Searched have we through the solitary wilderness abounding with deer and other animals and overgrown with trees and creepers of diverse kind. Searched have we also in arbours of matted woods and plants and creepers of every species, but we have failed in discovering that track by which Pritha's son of irrepressible energy may have gone. Searched have we in these and other places for their foot-prints. Searched have we closely, O king, on mountain tops and in inaccessible fastnesses, in various kingdoms and provinces teeming with people, in encampments and cities. No trace have yet been found of the sons of Pandu. Good betide thee, O bull among men, it seems that they have perished without leaving a mark behind. O foremost of warriors, although we followed in the track of those warriors, yet, O best of men, we soon lost their footprints and do not know their present residence. O lord of men, for some time we followed in the wake of their charioteers. And making our inquiries duly, we truly ascertained what we desired to know. O slayer of foes, the charioteers reached Dwaravati without the sons of Pritha among them. O king, neither the sons of Pandu, nor the chaste Krishna, are in that city of Yadavas. O bull of the Bharata race, we have not been able to discover either their track or their present abode. Salutations to thee, they are gone for good. We are acquainted with the disposition of the sons of Pandu and know something of the feats achieved by them. It behoveth thee, therefore, O lord of men, to give us instructions, O monarch, as to what we should next do in the search after the sons of Pandu. O hero, listen also to these agreeable words of ours, promising great good to thee. King Matsya's commander, Kichaka of wicked soul, by whom the Trigartas, O monarch, were repeatedly vanquished and slain with mighty force, now lieth low on the ground with all his brothers, slain, O monarch, by invisible Gandharvas during the hours of darkness, O thou of unfading glory. Having heard this delightful news about the discomfiture of our enemies, we have been exceedingly gratified, O Kauravya. Do thou now ordain what should next be done.'"

Book 4
Chapter 26

 1 [vai]
      athābravīn mahāvīryo droṇas tattvārtha darśivān
      na tādṛśā vinaśyanti nāpi yānti parābhavam
  2 śūrāś ca kṛtavidyāś ca buddhimanto jitendriyāḥ
      dharmajñāś ca kṛtajñāś ca dharmarājam anuvratāḥ
  3 nītidharmārthatattvajñaṃ pitṛvac ca samāhitam
      dharme sthitaṃ satyadhṛtiṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ jyeṣṭhāpacāyinam
  4 anuvratā mahātmānaṃ bhrātaraṃ bhrātaro nṛpa
      ajātaśatruṃ hrīmantaṃ taṃ ca bhrātṝn anuvratam
  5 teṣāṃ tathāvidheyānāṃ nibhṛtānāṃ mahātmanām
      kimarthaṃ nītimān pārthaḥ śreyo naiṣāṃ kariṣyati
  6 tasmād yatnāt pratīkṣante kālasyodayam āgatam
      na hi te nāśam ṛccheyur iti paśyāmy ahaṃ dhiyā
  7 sāṃprataṃ caiva yat kāryaṃ tac ca kṣipram akālikam
      kriyatāṃ sādhu saṃcintya vāsaś caiṣāṃ pracintyatām
  8 yathāvat pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ sarvārtheṣu dhṛtātmanām
      durjñeyāḥ khalu śūrās te apāpās tapasā vṛtāḥ
  9 śuddhātmā guṇavān pārthaḥ satyavān nītimāñ śuciḥ
      tejorāśir asaṃkhyeyo gṛhṇīyād api cakṣur ī
  10 vijñāya kriyatāṃ tasmād bhūyaś ca mṛgayāmahe
     brāhmaṇaiś cārakaiḥ siddhair ye cānye tadvido janāḥ

SECTION XXVI

(Go-harana Parva)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having listened to these words of his spies, king Duryodhana reflected inwardly for some time and then addressed his courtiers, saying, 'It is difficult to ascertain the course of events definitely. Discern ye all, therefore, whither the sons of Pandu have gone, of this thirteenth year which they are to pass undiscovered by us all, the greater part hath already expired. What remains is by much the smaller. If, indeed, the sons of Pandu can pass undiscovered what remains of this year, devoted to the vow of truth as they are, they will then have fulfilled their pledge. They will then return like mighty elephants with temporal juice trickling down, or like snakes of virulent poison. Filled with wrath, they will, without doubt, be inflicters of terrible chastisement on the Kurus. It behoveth ye, therefore, to make such efforts without loss of time as may induce the sons of Pandu, acquainted as they are with the proprieties of time, and staying as they now are in painful disguise, to re-enter the woods suppressing their rage. Indeed, adopt ye such means as may remove all causes of quarrel and anxiety from the kingdom, making it tranquil and foeless and incapable of sustaining a diminution of territory.' Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Kama said, 'Let other spies, abler and more cunning, and capable of accomplishing their object, quickly go hence, O Bharata. Let them, well-disguised, wander through swelling kingdoms and populous provinces, prying into assemblies of the learned and delightful retreats of provinces. In the inner apartments of palaces, in shrines and holy spots, in mines and diverse other regions, the sons of Pandu should be searched after with well-directed eagerness. Let the sons of Pandu who are living in disguise be searched after by well-skilled spies in large numbers, devoted to their work, themselves well-disguised, and all well-acquainted with the objects of their search. Let the search be made on the banks of rivers, in holy regions, in villages and towns, in retreats of ascetics, in delightful mountains and mountain-caves.' When Karna ceased, Duryodhana's second brother Dussasana, wedded to a sinful disposition, then addressed his eldest brother and said, 'O monarch, O lord of men, let those spies only in whom we have confidence, receiving their rewards in advance, once more go after the search. This and what else hath been said by Karna have our fullest approval. Let all the spies engage themselves in the search according to the directions already given. Let these and others engage in the search from province to province according to approved rules. It is my belief, however, that the track the Pandavas have followed or their present abode or occupation will not be discovered. Perhaps, they are closely concealed; perhaps, they have gone to the other side of the ocean. Or, perhaps, proud as they are of their strength and Courage, they have been devoured by wild beasts; or perhaps, having been overtaken by

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some unusual danger, they have perished for eternity. Therefore, O prince of the Kuru race, dispelling all anxieties from thy heart, achieve what thou wilt, always acting according to thy energy.'"

Book 4
Chapter 27

  1 [vai]
      tataḥ śāṃtanavo bhīṣmo bharatānāṃ pitāmahaḥ
      śrutavān deśakālajñas tattvajñaḥ sarvadharmavit
  2 ācārya vākyoparame tad vākyam abhisaṃdadhat
      hitārthaṃ sa uvācemāṃ bhāratīṃ bhāratān prati
  3 yudhiṣṭhire samāsaktāṃ dharmajñe dharmasaṃśritām
      asatsu durlabhāṃ nityaṃ satāṃ cābhimatāṃ sadā
      bhīṣmaḥ samavadat tatra giraṃ sādhubhir arcitām
  4 yathaiṣa brāhmaṇaḥ prāha droṇaḥ sarvārthavattva vit
      sarvalakṣaṇasaṃpannā nāśaṃ nārhanti pāṇḍavāḥ
  5 śrutavṛttopasaṃpannā sādhuvratasamanvitāḥ
      vṛddhānuśāsane magnāḥ satyavrataparāyaṇāḥ
  6 samayaṃ samayajñās te pālayantaḥ śucivratāḥ
      nāvasīditum arhanti udvahantaḥ satāṃ dhuram
  7 dharmataś caiva guptās te svavīryeṇa ca pāṇḍavāḥ
      na nāśam adhigaccheyur iti me dhīyate matiḥ
  8 tatra buddhiṃ praṇeṣyāmi pāṇḍavān prati bhārata
      na tu nītiḥ sunītasya śakyate 'nveṣituṃ paraiḥ
  9 yat tu śakyam ihāsmābhis tān vai saṃcintya pāṇḍavān
      buddhyā pravaktuṃ na drohāt pravakṣyāmi nibodha tat
  10 sā tv iyaṃ sādhu vaktavyā na tv anītaḥ kathaṃ cana
     vṛddhānuśāsane tāta tiṣṭhataḥ satyaśīlinaḥ
 11 avaśyaṃ tv iha dhīreṇa satāṃ madhye vivakṣatā
     yathāmativivaktavyaṃ sarvaśo dharmalipsayā
 12 tatra nāhaṃ tathā manye yathāyam itaro janaḥ
     pure janapade vāpi yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 13 nāsūyako na cāpīrṣur nātivādī na matsarī
     bhaviṣyati janas tatra svaṃ svaṃ dharmam anuvrataḥ
 14 brahmaghoṣāś ca bhūyāṃsaḥ pūrṇāhutyas tathaiva ca
     kratavaś ca bhaviṣyanti bhūyāṃso bhūridakṣiṇāḥ
 15 sadā ca tatra parjanyaḥ samyag varṣī na saṃśayaḥ
     saṃpannasasyā ca mahī nirītīkā bhaviṣyati
 16 rasavanti ca dhānyāni guṇavanti phalāni ca
     gandhavanti ca mālyāni śubhaśabdā ca bhāratī
 17 vāyuś ca sukhasaṃsparśo nispratīpaṃ ca darśanam
     bhayaṃ nābhyāviśet tatra yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 18 gāvaś ca bahulās tatra na kṛśā na ca durduhāḥ
     payāṃsi dadhi sarpīṃṣi rasavanti hitāni ca
 19 guṇavanti ca pānāni bhojyāni rasavanti ca
     tatra deśe bhaviṣyanti yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 20 rasāḥ sparśāś ca gandhāś ca śabdāś cāpi guṇānvitāḥ
     dṛśyāni ca prasannāni yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 21 svair svair guṇaiḥ susaṃyuktās tasmin varṣe trayodaśe
     deśe tasmin bhaviṣyanti tāta pāṇḍava saṃyute
 22 saṃprītimāñ janas tatra saṃtuṣṭaḥ śucir avyayaḥ
     devatātithipūjāsu sarvabhūtānurāgavān
 23 iṣṭadāno mahotsāhaḥ śaśvad dharmaparāyaṇaḥ
     aśubha dvic chubhaprepsur nityayajñaḥ śubhavrataḥ
     bhaviṣyati janas tatra yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 24 tyaktavākyānṛtas tāta śubhakalyāṇa maṅgalaḥ
     śubhārthepṣuḥ śubhamatir yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     bhaviṣyati janas tatra nityaṃ ceṣṭa priyavrataḥ
 25 dharmātmā sa tadādṛśyaḥ so 'pi tāta dvijātibhiḥ
     kiṃ punaḥ prākṛtaiḥ pārthaḥ śakyo vijñātum antataḥ
 26 yasmin satyaṃ dhṛtir dānaṃ parā śāntir dhruvā kṣamā
     hrīḥ śrīḥ kīrtiḥ paraṃ teja ānṛśaṃsyam athārjavam
 27 tasmāt tatra nivāsaṃ tu channaṃ satreṇa dhīmataḥ
     gatiṃ vā paramāṃ tasya notsahe vaktum anyathā
 28 evam etat tu saṃcintya yatkṛtaṃ manyase hitam
     tat kṣipraṃ kuru kauravya yady evaṃ śraddadhāsi me

SECTION XXVII

"Vaisampayana said, "Endued with mighty energy and possessed of great discernment, Drona then said, 'Persons like the sons of Pandu never perish nor undergo discomfiture. Brave and skilled in every science, intelligent and with senses under control, virtuous and grateful and obedient to the virtuous Yudhishthira, ever following in the wake of their eldest brother who is conversant with the conclusions of policy and virtue and profit, who is attached to them as a father, and who strictly adhereth to virtue and is firm in truth,--persons like them that are thus devoted to their illustrious and royal brother, who gifted with great intelligence, never injureth any body and who in his turn himself obeyeth his younger brothers, never perish in this way. Why, then, should not (Yudhishthira) the son of Pritha possessing a knowledge of policy, be able to restore the prosperity of his brothers who are so obedient and devoted and high-souled? It is for this that they are carefully waiting for the arrival of their opportunity. Men such as these never perish. This is what I see by my intellect. Do, therefore, quickly and without loss of time, what should now be done, after proper reflection. And let also the abode which the sons of Pandu with souls under control as regards every purpose of life, are to occupy, be now settled. Heroic and sinless and possessed of ascetic merit, the Pandavas are difficult to be discovered (within the period of non-discovery). Intelligent and possessed of every virtue, devoted to truth and versed in the principles of policy, endued with purity and holiness, and the embodiment of immeasurable energy, the son of Pritha is capable of consuming (his foes) by a glance alone of his eyes. Knowing all this, do what is proper. Let us, therefore, once more search after them, sending Brahmanas and Charanas, ascetics crowned with success, and others of this kind who may have a knowledge of those heroes!'"

Book 4
Chapter 28

  1 [vai]
      tataḥ śāradvato vākyam ity uvāca kṛpas tadā
      yuktaṃ prāptaṃ ca vṛddhena pāṇḍavān prati bhāṣitam
  2 dharmārthasahitaṃ ślakṣṇaṃ tattvataś ca sa hetumat
      tatrānurūpaṃ bhīṣmeṇa mamāpy atra giraṃ śṛṇu
  3 teṣāṃ caiva gatis tīrthair vāsaś caiṣāṃ pracintyatām
      nītir vidhīyatāṃ cāpi sāṃprataṃ yā hitā bhavet
  4 nāvajñeyo ripus tāta prākṛto 'pi bubhūṣatā
      kiṃ punaḥ pāṇḍavās tāta sarvāstrakuśalā raṇe
  5 tasmāt satraṃ praviṣṭeṣu pāṇḍaveṣu mahātmasu
      gūḍhabhāveṣu channeṣu kāle codayam āgate
  6 svarāṣṭra pararāṣṭreṣu jñātavyaṃ balam ātmanaḥ
      udaye pāṇḍavānāṃ ca prāpte kāle na saṃśayaḥ
  7 nivṛttasamayāḥ pārthā mahātmāno mahābalāḥ
      mahotsāhā bhaviṣyanti pāṇḍavā hy ati tejasaḥ
  8 tasmād balaṃ ca kośaṃ ca nītiś cāpi vidhīyatām
      yathākālodaye prāpte samyak taiḥ saṃdadhāmahe
  9 tāta manyāmi tat sarvaṃ budhyasva balam ātmanaḥ
      niyataṃ sarvamitreṣu balavatsv abaleṣu ca
  10 uccāvacaṃ balaṃ jñātvā madhyasthaṃ cāpi bhārata
     prahṛṣṭam aprahṛṣṭaṃ ca saṃdadhāma tathā paraiḥ
 11 sāmnā bhedena dānena daṇḍena balikarmaṇā
     nyāyenānamya ca parān balāc cānamya durbalān
 12 sāntvayitvā ca mitrāṇi balaṃ cābhāṣyatāṃ sukham
     sakośa balasaṃvṛddhaḥ samyak siddhim avāpsyasi
 13 yotsyase cāpi balibhir aribhiḥ pratyupasthitaiḥ
     anyais tvaṃ pāṇḍavair vāpi hīnasvabalavāhanaiḥ
 14 evaṃ sarvaṃ viniścitya vyavasāyaṃ svadharmataḥ
     yathākālaṃ manuṣyendra ciraṃ sukham avāpsyasi

SECTION XXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then that grandsire of the Bharatas, Bhishma the son of Sutanu, conversant with the Vedas, acquainted with the proprieties

p. 51

of time and place, and possessing a knowledge of every duty of morality, after the conclusion of Drona's speech, applauded the words of the preceptor and spake unto the Bharatas for their benefit these words consistent with virtue, expressive of his attachment to the virtuous Yudhishthira, rarely spoken by men that are dishonest, and always meeting with the approbation of the honest. And the words that Bhishma spake were thoroughly impartial and worshipped by the wise. And the grandsire of the Kurus said, 'The words that the regenerate Drona acquainted with the truth of every affair hath uttered, are approved by me. I have no hesitation in saying so. Endued with every auspicious mark, observant of virtuous vows, possessed of Vedic lore, devoted to religious observances, conversant with various sciences, obedient to the counsels of the aged, adhering to the vow of truth, acquainted with the proprieties of time, observant of the pledge they have given (in respect of their exile), pure in their behaviour, ever adhering to the duties of the Kshatria order, always obedient to Kesava, high-souled, possessed of great strength, and ever-bearing the burthens of the wise, those heroic ones can never wither under misfortune. Aided by their own energy, sons of Pandu who are now leading a life of concealment in obedience to virtue, will surely never perish. It is even this that my mind surmiseth. Therefore, O Bharata, I am for employing the aid of honest counsel in our behaviour towards the sons of Pandu. It would not be the policy of any wise man to cause them to be discovered now by means of spies, 1 what we should do unto the sons of Pandu, I shall say, reflecting with the aid of the intellect. Know that I shall say nothing from ill will to thee. People like me should never give such counsels to him that is dishonest, for only counsels (like those I would give) should be offered unto them that are honest. Counsels, however, that are evil, should under no circumstances be offered. He, O child, that is devoted to truth and obedient to the aged, he, indeed, that is wise, while speaking in the midst of an assembly, should under all circumstances speak the truth, if the acquisition of virtue be an object with him. I should, therefore, say that I think differently from all those people here, in respect of the abode of Yudhishthira the just in this the thirteenth year of his exile. The ruler, O child, of the city or the province where king Yudhishthira resides cannot have any misfortune. Charitable and liberal and humble and modest must the people be of the country where king Yudhishthira resides. Agreeable in speech, with passions under control, observant of truth, cheerful, healthy, pure in conduct, and skilful in work must the people be

p. 52

of the country where king Yudhishthira resides. The people of the place, where Yudhishthira is, cannot be envious or malicious, or vain, or proud, but must all adhere to their respective duties. Indeed, in the place where Yudhishthira resides, Vedic hymns will be chanted all around, sacrifices will be performed, the last full libations will always be poured,  1 and gifts to Brahmanas will always be in profusion. There the clouds, without doubt, pour abundant rain, and furnished with good harvest the country will ever be without fear. There the paddy will not be without grain, fruits will not be bereft of juice, floral garlands will not be without fragrance, and the conversation of men will always be full of agreeable words. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the breezes will be delicious, the meetings of men will always be friendly, and cause of fear there will be none. There kine will be plentiful, without any of them being lean-fleshed or weak, and milk and curds and butter will all be savoury and nutritious. There where king Yudhishthira resides, every kind of corn will be full of nutrition and every edible full of flavour. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the objects of all the senses, viz.,--taste, touch, smell, and hearing, will be endued with excellent attributes. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the sights and scenes will be gladdening. And the regenerate ones of that place will be virtuous and steady in observing their respective duties. Indeed, in the country where the sons of Pandu may have taken up their abode during this thirteenth year of their exile, the people will be contented and cheerful, pure in conduct and without misery of any kind. Devoted to gods and guests and the worship of these with their whole soul, they will be fond of giving away, and filled with great energy, they will all be observant of eternal virtue. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the people, eschewing all that is evil, will be desirous of achieving only what is good. Always observant of sacrifices and pure vows, and hating untruth in speech, the people of the place where king Yudhishthira may reside will always be desirous of obtaining what is good, auspicious and beneficial. There where Yudhishthira resides, the people will certainly be desirous of achieving what is good, and their hearts will always incline towards virtue, and their vows being agreeable they themselves are ever-engaged in the acquisition of religious merit. O child, that son of Pritha in whom are intelligence and charity, the highest tranquillity and undoubted forgiveness, modesty and prosperity, and fame and great energy and a love for all creatures, is incapable of being found out (now that he hath concealed himself) even by Brahmanas, let alone ordinary persons. The wise Yudhishthira is living in close disguise in regions whose characteristics I have described. Regarding his excellent mode of life, I dare not say anything more. Reflecting well upon all this, do without loss of time what thou mayst think to be beneficial, O prince of the Kuru race, if indeed, thou hast any faith in me.'"

Book 4
Chapter 29

[vai]
      atha rājā trigartānāṃ suśarmā rathayūthapaḥ
      prāptakālam idaṃ vākyam ucāva tvarito bhṛśam
  2 asakṛn nikṛtaḥ pūrvaṃ matsyaiḥ sālveyakaiḥ saha
      sūtena caiva matsyasya kīcakena punaḥ punaḥ
  3 bādhito bandhubhiḥ sārdhaṃ balād balavatā vibho
      sa karṇam abhyudīkṣyātha duryodhanam abhāṣata
  4 asakṛn matsyarājñā me rāṣṭraṃ bādhitam ojasā
      praṇetā kīcakaś cāsya balavān abhavat purā
  5 krūro 'marṣī sa duṣṭātmā bhuvi prakhyātavikramaḥ
      nihatas tatra gandharvaiḥ pāpakarmā nṛśaṃsavān
  6 tasmiṃś ca nihate rājan hīnadarpo nirāśrayaḥ
      bhaviṣyati nirutsāho virāṭa iti me matiḥ
  7 tatra yātrā mama matā yadi te rocate 'nagha
      kauravāṇāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ karṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ
  8 etat prāptam ahaṃ manye kāryam ātyayikaṃ hitam
      rāṣṭraṃ tasyābhiyātv āśu bahu dhānyasamākulam
  9 ādadāmo 'sya ratnāni vividhāni vasūni ca
      grāmān rāṣṭrāṇi vā tasya hariṣyāmo vibhāgaśaḥ
  10 atha vā gosahasrāṇi bahūni ca śubhāni ca
     vividhāni hariṣyāmaḥ pratipīḍya puraṃ balāt
 11 kauravaiḥ saha saṃgamya trigartaiś ca viśāṃ pate
     gās tasyāpaharāmāśu saha sarvaiḥ susaṃhatāḥ
 12 saṃdhiṃ vā tena kṛtvā tu nibadhnīmo 'sya pauruṣam
     hatvā cāsya camūṃ kṛtsnāṃ vaśam anvānayāmahe
 13 taṃ vaśe nyāyataḥ kṛtvā sukhaṃ vatsyāmahe vayam
     bhavato balavṛddhiś ca bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
 14 tac chrutvā vacanaṃ tasya karṇo rājānam abravīt
     sūktaṃ suśarmaṇā vākyaṃ prāptakālaṃ hitaṃ ca naḥ
 15 tasmāt kṣipraṃ viniryāmo yojayitvā varūthinīm
     vibhajya cāpy anīkāni yathā vā manyase 'nagha
 16 prajñāvān kuruvṛddho 'yaṃ sarveṣāṃ naḥ pitāmahaḥ
     ācāryaś ca tathā droṇaḥ kṛpaḥ śāradvatas tathā
 17 manyante te yathā sarve tathā yātrā vidhīyatām
     saṃmantrya cāśu gacchāmaḥ sādhanārthaṃ mahīpateḥ
 18 kiṃ ca naḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ kāryaṃ hīnārthabalapauruṣaiḥ
     atyarthaṃ vā pranaṣṭās te prāptā vāpi yamakṣayam
 19 yāmo rājann anudvignā virāṭa viṣayaṃ vayam
     ādāsyāmo hi gās tasya vividhāni vasūmi ca
 20 tato duryodhano rājā vākyam ādāya tasya tat
     vaikartanasya karṇasya kṣipram ājñāpayat svayam
 21 śāsane nityasaṃyuktaṃ duḥśāsanam anantaram
     saha vṛddhais tu saṃmantrya kṣipraṃ yojaya vāhinīm
 22 yathoddeśaṃ ca gacchāmaḥ sahitāḥ sarvakauravaiḥ
     suśarmā tu yathoddiṣṭaṃ deśaṃ yātu mahārathaḥ
 23 trigartaiḥ sahito rājā samagrabalavāhanaḥ
     prāg eva hi susaṃvīto matsyasya viṣayaṃ prati
 24 jaghanyato vayaṃ tatra yāsyāmo divasāntaram
     viṣayaṃ matsyarājasya susamṛddhaṃ susaṃhatāḥ
 25 te yātvā sahasā tatra virāṭanagaraṃ prati
     kṣipraṃ gopān samāsādya gṛhṇantu vipulaṃ dhanam
 26 gavāṃ śatasahasrāṇi śrīmanti guṇavanti ca
     vayam api nigṛhṇīmo dvidhākṛtvā varūthinīm
 27 sa sma gatvā yathoddiṣṭāṃ diśaṃ vahner mahīpatiḥ
     ādatta gāḥ suśarmātha gharmapakṣasya saptamīm
 28 aparaṃ divasaṃ sarve rājan saṃbhūya kauravāḥ
     aṣṭamyāṃ tāny agṛhṇanta gokulāni sahasraśaḥ

SECTION XXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Saradwata's son, Kripa said, 'What the aged Bhishma hath said concerning the Pandavas is reasonable, suited to the occasion, consistent with virtue and profit, agreeable to the ear, fraught with sound reason, and worthy of him. Listen also to what I would say on this subject. It behoveth thee to ascertain the track they have followed and their abode also by means of spies, 1 and to adopt that policy which may bring about thy welfare. O child, he that is solicitous of his welfare should not disregard even an ordinary foe. What shall I say, then, O child, of the Pandavas who are thorough masters of all weapons in battle. When, therefore, the time cometh for the reappearance of the high-souled Pandavas, who, having entered the forest, 2 are now passing their days in close disguise, thou shouldst ascertain thy strength both in thy own kingdom and in those of other kings. Without doubt, the return of the Pandavas is at hand. When their promised term of exile is over, the illustrious and mighty sons of Pritha, endued with immeasurable prowess, will come hither bursting with energy. Do thou, therefore, in order to conclude an advantageous treaty with them, have recourse to sound policy and address thyself to increase thy forces and improve the treasury. O child, ascertaining all these, reckon thou thy own strength in respect of all thy allies weak and strong. 3 Ascertaining the efficiency, and weakness, and indifference of thy forces, as also who amongst them are well-affected and who are disaffected, we should either fight the foe or make treaty with him. Having recourse to the arts of conciliation, disunion, chastisement, bribery, presents and fair behaviour, attack thy foes and subdue the weak by might, and win over thy allies and troops and by soft speeches. When thou hast (by these means) strengthened thy army and filled thy treasury, entire success will be thine. When thou hast done all this, thou wilt be able to fight with powerful enemies that may present themselves, let alone the sons of Pandu deficient in troops animals of their own. By adopting all these expedients according to the customs of thy order, thou wilt, O foremost of men, attain enduring happiness in due time!'"

Book 4
Chapter 30

 1 [vai]
      tatas teṣāṃ mahārāja tatraivāmita tejasām
      chadma liṅgapraviṣṭānāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām
  2 vyatītaḥ samayaḥ samyag vasatāṃ vai purottame
      kurvatāṃ tasya karmāṇi virāṭasya mahīpateḥ
  3 tatas trayodaśasyānte tasya varṣasya bhārata
      suśarmaṇā gṛhītaṃ tu godhanaṃ tarasā bahu
  4 tato javena mahatā gopāḥ puram athāvrajat
      apaśyan matsyarājaṃ ca rathāt praskandya kuṇḍalī
  5 śūraiḥ parivṛtaṃ yodhaiḥ kuṇḍalāṅgada dhāribhiḥ
      sadbhiś ca mantribhiḥ sārdhaṃ pāṇḍavaiś ca nararṣabhaiḥ
  6 taṃ sabhāyāṃ mahārājam āsīnaṃ rāṣṭravardhanam
      so 'bravīd upasaṃgamya virāṭaṃ praṇatas tadā
  7 asmān yudhi vinirjitya paribhūya sa bāndhavān
      gavāṃ śatasahasrāṇi trigartāḥ kālayanti te
      tān parīpsa manuṣyendra mā neśuḥ paśavas tava
  8 tac chrutvā nṛpatiḥ senāṃ matsyānāṃ samayojayat
      rathanāgāśvakalilāṃ pattidhvajasamākulām
  9 rājāno rājaputrāś ca tanutrāṇy atra bhejire
      bhānumanti vicitrāṇi sūpasevyāni bhāgaśaḥ
  10 savajrāyasa garbhaṃ tu kavacaṃ taptakāñcanam
     virāṭasya priyo bhrātā śatānīko 'bhyahārayat
 11 sarvapāra savaṃ varma kalyāṇa paṭalaṃ dṛḍham
     śatānīkād avarajo madirāśvo 'bhyahārayat
 12 śatasūryaṃ śatāvartaṃ śatabindu śatākṣimat
     abhedyakalpaṃ matsyānāṃ rājā kavacam āharat
 13 utsedhe yasya padmāni śataṃ saugandhikāni ca
     suvarṇapṛṣṭhaṃ sūryābhaṃ sūryadattābhyahārayat
 14 dṛḍham āyasa garbhaṃ tu śvetaṃ varma śatākṣimat
     virāṭasya suto jyeṣṭho vīraḥ śaṅkho 'bhyahārayat
 15 śataśaś ca tanutrāṇi yathā svāni mahārathāḥ
     yotsyamānābhyanahyanta devarūpāḥ prahāriṇaḥ
 16 sūpaskareṣu śubhreṣu mahatsu ca mahārathāḥ
     pṛthak kāñcanasaṃnāhān ratheṣv aśvān ayojayan
 17 sūryacandra pratīkāśo rathe divye hiraṇmayaḥ
     mahānubhāvo matsyasya dhvaja ucchiśriye tadā
 18 athānyān vividhākārān dhvajān hemavibhūṣitān
     yathā svaṃ kṣatriyāḥ śūrā ratheṣu samayojayan
 19 atha matsyo 'bravīd rājā śatānīkaṃ jaghanyajam
     kaṅkaballava gopālā dāma granthiś ca vīryavān
     yudhyeyur iti me buddhir vartate nātra saṃśayaḥ
 20 eteṣām api dīyantāṃ rathā dhvajapatākinaḥ
     kavacāni vicitrāṇi dṛḍhāni ca mṛdūni ca
     pratimuñcantu gotreṣu dīyantām āyudhāni ca
 21 vīrāṅgarūpāḥ puruṣā nāgarājakaropamāḥ
     neme jātu na yudhyerann iti me dhīyate matiḥ
 22 etac chrutvā tu nṛpater vākyaṃ tvaritamānasaḥ
     śatānīkas tu pārthebhyo rathān rājan samādiśat
     sahadevāya rājñe ca bhīmāya nakulāya ca
 23 tān prahṛṣṭās tataḥ sūtā rājabhaktipuraskṛtāḥ
     nirdiṣṭān naradevena rathāñ śīghram ayojayan
 24 kavacāni vicitrāṇi dṛḍhāni ca mṛdūni ca
     virāṭaḥ prādiśad yāni teṣām akliṣṭakarmaṇām
     tāny āmucya śarīreṣu daṃśitās te paraṃtapāḥ
 25 tarasvinaś chinnarūpāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ
     virāṭam anvayuḥ paścāt sahitāḥ kurupuṃgavāḥ
     catvāro bhrātaraḥ śūrāḥ pāṇḍavāḥ satyavikramāḥ
 26 bhīmāś ca mattamātaṅgāḥ prabhinnakaraṭā mukhāḥ
     kṣaranta iva jīmūtāḥ sudantāḥ ṣaṣṭihāyanāḥ
 27 svārūḍhā yuddhakuśalaiḥ śikṣitair hastisādibhiḥ
     rājānam anvayuḥ paścāc calanta iva parvatāḥ
 28 viśāradānāṃ vaśyānāṃ hṛṣṭānāṃ cānuyāyinām
     aṣṭau rathasaraḥsrāṇi daśanāgaśatāni ca
     paṣṭiś cāśvasahasrāṇi matsyānām abhiniryayuḥ
 29 tad anīkaṃ virāṭasya śuśubhe bharatarśabha
     saṃprayātaṃ mahārāja ninīṣantaṃ gavāṃ padam
 30 tad balāgryaṃ virāṭasya saṃprasthitam aśobhata
     dṛḍhāyudha janākīrṇaṃ jagāśvarathasaṃkulam

SECTION XXX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Discomfited before, O monarch, many a time and oft by Matsya's Suta Kichaka aided by the Matsyas and the Salyas, the mighty king of the Trigartas, Susarman, who owned innumerable cars, regarding the opportunity to be a favourable one, then spoke the following words without losing a moment. And, O monarch, forcibly vanquished along with his relatives by the mighty Kichaka, king Susarman, eyeing Karna in askance, spoke these words unto Duryodhana, 'My kingdom hath many a time been forcibly invaded by the king of the Matsyas. The mighty Kichaka was that king's generalissimo. Crooked and wrathful and of wicked soul, of prowess famed over all the world, sinful in deeds and highly cruel, that wretch, however, hath been slain by the Gandharvas, Kichaka being dead, king Virata, shorn of pride and his refuge gone, will, I imagine, lose all courage I think, we ought now to invade that kingdom, if it pleases thee, O sinless one, as also the illustrious Karna and all the Kauravas. The accident that hath happened is, I imagine, a favourable one for us. Let us, therefore, repair to Virata's kingdom abounding in corn. We will appropriate his gems and other wealth of diverse kinds, and let us go to share with each other as regards his villages and kingdom. Or, invading his city by force, let us carry off by thousands his excellent kine of various species. Uniting, O king, the forces of the Kauravas and the Trigartas, let us lift his cattle in droves. Or, uniting our forces well, we will check his power by forcing him to sue for peace. Or, destroying his entire host, we will bring Matsya under subjection. Having brought him under subjection by just means, we will live in our kingdom happily, while thy power also will, without doubt, be enhanced.' Hearing these words of Susarman, Karna addressed the king, saying, 'Susarman hath spoken well; the opportunity is favourable and promises to be profitable to us. Therefore, if it pleases thee, O sinless one, let us, drawing up our forces in battle array and marshalling them in divisions, speedily set out. Or, let the expedition be managed as Saradwata's son Kripa, the preceptor Drona, and the wise and aged grandsire of the Kurus may think. Consulting with each other, let us, O lord of earth, speedily set out to attain our end. What business have we with the sons of Pandu, destitute as they are of wealth, might, and prowess? They have either disappeared for good or have gone to the abode of Yama? We will, O king, repair without anxiety to Virata's city, and plunder his cattle and other wealth of diverse kinds.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Accepting these words of Karna, the son of Surya, king Duryodhana speedily commanded his brother Dussasana, born immediately after him and always obedient to his wishes, saying, 'Consulting with the elders, array without delay, our forces. We will, with all the Kauravas go to the appointed place. Let also the mighty

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warrior, king Susarman, accompanied by a sufficient force with vehicles and animals, set out with the Trigartas for the dominions of Matsyas. And let Susarman proceed first, carefully concealing his intention. Following in their wake, we will set out the day after in close array, for the prosperous dominions of king Matsya. Let the Trigartas, however, suddenly repair to the city of Virata, and coming upon the cowherds, seize that immense wealth (of kine). We also marching in two divisions, will seize thousands of excellent kine furnished with auspicious marks.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Lord of earth, those warriors, the Trigartas, accompanied by their infantry of terrible prowess, marched towards the south-eastern direction, intending to wage hostilities with Virata from the desire of seizing his kine. And Susarman set out on the seventh day of the dark fortnight for seizing the kine. And then, O king, on the eighth day following of the dark fortnight, the Kauravas also accompanied by all their troops, began to seize the kine by thousands."

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