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Mahabharata
Indralokagamana Parva
Seeing of Shakra city. The seeing of Indra-sabha. The learning of weapons. The colloquy between Chitrasena and Urvashi. Urvashi's curse. The arrival of Lomasha. The lamentation of Dhritarashtra. The description of the food of the Pandavas.
Vaishampayana said:
O king of kings, after the Lokapalas had gone away, Partha, the represser of enemies, began to think of the chariot of the king of celestials.
While the intelligent (Arjuna) of controlled senses was thinking, the highly-effulgent car having Matali as its charioteer came there.
Making the sky devastated of darkness, dividing the clouds and filling the quarters with a sound resembling that of huge clouds.
Dreadful swords and missiles, terrible-looking maces, Prasas of celestials prowess and highly effulgent lightning. Thunder-bolts, Tulagudas (canon) furnished with wheels and worked with atmospheric expansion and emitting sounds resembling that of huge clouds were on the car.
There (were) huge-bodied and fierce Nagas having fiery mouths heaps of stones white as the fleecy clouds.
Ten thousand horses of golden colour gifted with the speed of wind drew that celestials car full of illusion (with such velocity) that hardly could the eye see it.
There he saw the greatly effulgent and blue flag-staff called Vaijayanta resembling the dark blue lotus and adorned with gold and straight as bamboo.
Beholding seated on that car a charioteer adorned with burning gold, the mighty-armed son of Pritha, considered it as belonging to the celestials.
Thereupon while Falguni was thus thinking about the car, Matali, descending and bending himself low, said to Arjuna.
Matali said:
O lucky one, O son of Shakra, Shakra wants to see you, ascend speedily this car sent by Indra.
Your father, the foremost of the immortals and the performer of a thousand sacrifices said to me, "Bring the son of Kunti here and let the celestials see him." Shakra encircled by the celestials and Rishis, Gandharvas and Apsaras, is waiting to see you.
By the command of the chastiser of Paka ascend with me from this region to that of the celestials and having obtained the weapon return therefrom.
Arjuna said:
O Matali, go soon and make me ascend this best of cars that cannot be obtained even by a hundred Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices.
Even kings, rendered illustrious by scarifies accompanied with proper gifts, celestials of Danavas are not capable of riding this excellent car.
He who has not acquired ascetic merit is not capable of seeing and touching this excellent car far from riding it.
O sage, after you have mounted it, after horses have become quiet, I will mount it like a pious man following the road of honesty.
Vaishampayana said:
Hearing his words, Matali, Shakra charioteer, speedily mounted the chariot and controlled the steeds with reins.
Thereupon Arjuna, the descendant of Kuru and the son of Kunti bathing in the Ganges and becoming purified and with a contented mind, duly repeated his customary prayers.
Thereupon duly and according to the ordinances offering oblation to the manes he began to invoke Mandara the king of mountains.
"O you mountain, you are always the refuge of the pious and god-charactered sages seek in heaven.
By your favour, O mountain, the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas attain to heaven and rid of afflictions sport with the celestials.
O king of mountains, O great mountain, O you that contain sages and sacred shrines, I lived happily on you; I go today bidding you farewell.
Many a time and often have I seen your table-lands and bowers, your springs and rivulets and your sacred shrines.
I have eaten you savoury fruits and have satisfied my thirst with draughts of perfumed water coming out from your body. I have drunk the water of your spring tasting like nectar.
O mountain, As a child happily lives on the lap of his sire, so I have sported on your lap
O king of mountains, on your lap filled with Apsaras and resounding with the recitations of the Vedas. I always lived happily on your table-lands
Having thus welcomed and said to the mountain, Arjuna, the slayer of hostile heroes, blazing like the sun, ascended the celestials car.
And that intelligent descendant of Kuru, with a delighted heart coursed through the welkin in that car of wonderful deeds resembling the sun in its form. And coming within the view of pious mortals.
He espied thousands of chariots of wondrous make. There did not shine the sun, the moon or the fire.
But it blazed in its own light begotten-of virtue and ascetic merit. And those brilliant regions that are seen from the earth in the form of stars. Like lamps, too small on account of the distance, though very large, were seen in their own spheres, by the son of Pandu full of beauty and brilliance and shinning in their native splendour. (There he saw) royal sages of accomplished piety, heroes who had been slain in battle.
And those who had obtained heaven by their devout penances, hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Gandharvas shinning in effulgence like the sun and also Guhyakas, Rishis and various Apsaras. Beholding those self-effulgent regions, Falguni, stricken with wonder.
Accosted Matali, who gladly replied, saying, "These are pious persons, O son of Pritha, stationed in their respective spheres, whom, you have seen, O lord, from the earth in the form of stars."
Then he saw standing at the gate, the white and ever victorious elephant, Airavata, having four tusks resembling the mount Kailasa with its summits. And passing along the path of the Siddhas that foremost of Kurus and Pandavas shone like Mandhata, the best of kings in the days of yore. And he, having lotus eyes, passed through (various) regions set apart for the kings.
Having thus passed through the celestials regions, the highly illustrious (Arjuna) at last beheld India's city Amaravati.
Vaishampayana said:
He saw the beautiful city resorted to by Siddhas and Charanas, filled with flowers of all seasons and adorned with sacred trees.
Here as if fanned by the fragrant breezes charged with the fragrance of sweet scented flowers and invited by the celestials flowers and trees he saw the celestials garden Nandana resorted to by the Apsaras.
None but those who have gone through devout penances and poured libations on fire, could behold it; that region was for the performers of pious deeds and not for them who had turned their back on the field of battle.
(It was not to be seen) by them who had not celebrated sacrifices or observed rigid penances or who had been divorced from the Vedas and Shrutis or who had not bathed in sacred waters or who had not been distinguished for sacrifices and gifts.
Those, who had put obstacles in the performance of sacrifices, who were mean, who were addicted to drinking, who had violated the preceptor's bed, who had taken meat and who were wicked-minded, were not capable of seeing it.
Beholding that celestials garden resounding with celestials music that mighty-armed hero entered the beloved city of Shakra.
He beheld their thousands of celestials cars coursing at will stationed in their proper places and Ayutas of such moving every where. The son of Pandu was eulogised by Gandharvas and Apsaras and fanned by the delightful wind carrying the fragrance of flowers.
Thereupon the celestials, accompanied by Gandharvas, Siddhas and great Rishis, delighted, adored the son of Pritha of unwearied actions.
He was (adored) by benedictions accompanied by the sounds of celestials music; the mighty-armed hero heard (on all sides) the music of conchs and drums. Eulogised on all sides and commanded by Indra, the son of Pritha went to that large and extensive starry way named Surabhithi (probably the milk way).
There he met with Sadhyas, Vishvas, the Maruts, the twin Ashvins, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras and the pure Brahmana saints. Many a royal saint, many kings headed by the king Dilipa, Tumbaru, Narada and the two Gandharvas named Haha and Huhu.
Having duly saluted them all, that descendant of Kuru, the slayer of enemies, beheld the king of celestials, the performer of hundred sacrifices.
Thereupon descending from the excellent car, the mighty-armed son of Pritha, saw his father, the king of gods and the chastiser of Paka.
A beautiful white umbrella having a golden staff, was held over his head; he was fanned by a chamara perfumed with celestials fragrance.
He was eulogised by many Gandharvas headed by Vishvavasu and others, by bards and singers and leading Brahmanas chanting Rig and Yaju hymns.
Thereupon approaching him the powerful son of Kunti saluted him bending his head low; he (Indra) too embraced him with his round and plump arms.
Taking him by hand Shakra made him sit on a portion of his own sacred seat resorted to by the celestials and Rishis.
Smelling his head bent low in humility, the king of gods, the slayer of hostile heroes, made him sit on his lap.
Seated on Shakra's seat, at the command of the thousand-eyed deity, the son of Pritha, of immeasurable prowess appeared like the second Vasava (Indra).
Thereupon consoling him and out of affection, the enemy of Vitra touched the beautiful face of Arjuna with his perfumed hands.
Patting and gently rubbing again and again with his own hands which bore the marks of the thunder-bolt the handsome and large arms of Arjuna like two golden columns and hard on account of drawing bow-string and arrows, the wielder of thunderbolt began to console him.
Seeing the smiling Gudakesha (Arjuna) the thousand-eyed deity, the slayer of Vitra, with his eyes expanded with delight, seemed not to be gratified.
Seated on one seat, they beautified the assembly like the sun and moon beautifying the sky on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight.
Gandharvas headed by Tumbaru, skilled in music sacred and profane, sang hymns in sweet and melodious notes.
Ghritachi, Menaka, Rambha, Purvachithi, Sayamprabha, Urvashi, Misrakeshi, Dandagauri, Varuthini,, Gopali, Sahajanya, Kumbhayoni, Prajagara, Chitrasena, Chitra-lekha, Saha, Madhurasvara, these and thousands of others having lotus-eyes, engaged in captivating the minds of the sages of accomplished piety, danced there. Having slim waists and fair, large hips they began to make various gestures shaking their breasts, casting their side-long looks and displaying other motions capable of captivating heart and mind of the spectators.
Vaishampayana said:
Thereupon the celestials and the Gandharvas, knowing the opinion of Shakra (Indra) procured an excellent Arghya and they presented it to Partha (Arjuna) as soon as possible.
Having given him water to wash his foe and feet, they made the prince enter the palace of Purandara (Indra).
Having been thus worshipped, Jishnu (Arjuna) lived in the house of his father (Indra). The Pandava (Arjuna) then began to learn the great weapons together with the mode of withdrawing them.
He received from the hands of Shakra (Indra) his favourite Vajra (thunder) weapon of irresistible force and also those lightning of tremendous roars, flashes of which are bespoken (by the appearance) of clouds and (the dancing) of peacocks.
The son of Kunti, the Pandava (Arjuna), after receiving the weapons, remembered his brothers. At the command of Purandara (Indra) he lived there for five years in (great) happiness.
When the proper time came, Shakra (Indra) said to Partha (Arjuna), "O son of Kunti, learn from Chitrasena singing and dancing.
Learn (instrumental) music known only to the celestials which does not exist in the world of men. O son of Kunti, if you learn all this, it will be for your good."
Purandara then gave him to Chitrasena as his friend. Partha (Arjuna) then lived with him in happiness and peace.
He (Chitrasena) taught him vocal and instrumental music and dancing. But remembering the game at dice the active (Arjuna) did not obtain any peace of mind.
Thinking of Shakuni, the son of Subala and thinking also with anger of Dushasana's death (he got no peace). But as he derived unrivalled pleasure from the matchless singing and dancing of the Gandharvas he was able to learn their arts.
Having learnt various kinds of dance and various sorts of vocal and instrumental music, that slayer of hostile heroes, (Arjuna) did not (still) obtain any peace of mind, remembering his brothers and (his mother) Kunti.
Vaishampayana said:
One day Vasava (Indra), knowing that the glances of Partha were cast on Urvashi, called Chitrasena, spoke to him in private.
Indra said:
O chief of the Gandharvas, sent by me go today to that foremost of Apsaras, Urvashi, so that she might wait upon that best of men, Falguni.
As you have, at my command, made him learned in all the weapons worshipped by all, so you should also make him learned in all the arts of mixing with the females.
Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus addressed, he said, "So be it." And receiving the command of Vasava (Indra), the chief of the Gandharvas went to that foremost of Apsaras, Urvashi.
Seeing him she recognised and being delighted worshipped him by inquiring after his welfare. Having been comfortably seated, he smilingly thus spoke to her who was also comfortably seated.
Chitrasena said:
O lady of fair hips, know that I have come here being sent by the one sole king of heaven who asks from you a favour.
He, who is known among good men for his grace, behaviour, beauty, vows and Self-control, who is famous for his might and prowess, who is respected by the pious, who is endued with presence of mind.
Who is a genius and who possesses great energy, who is forgiving and who is without any sort of malice, who has studied the four Vedas and the Upanishadas with all their branches and also the Puranas.
Who is endued, with devotion to his preceptors, who possesses intellect that stands on the eight attributes, who by his Brahmacharya, ability origin and age.
Is alone capable of protecting heaven like Maghabat himself, who is never boastful, who shows (proper) respects to all, who clearly sees even the minutes thing as if they are large and gross, who is sweet-speeched.
Who showers on his friends and dependents various kinds of foods and drinks, who is truthful, who is worshipped by all, who is eloquent, handsome and without pride.
Who is kind to those devoted to him, who is pleasing and dear to all, who is firm in promise, who is like Mahendra and Varuna in every desirable attribute.
Is the heroic Arjuna, thus known to you. O blessed lady, he is made to taste the fruits (pleasure) of heaven. At the command of Shakra (Indra) let him today obtain your feet. Do this, for Dhananjaya (Arjuna) is inclined to you.
Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus addressed, Urvashi of faultless feature received the words of Chitrasena with high respect. She then smiled .and replied to him thus with cheerfulness.
Urvashi said:
Having heard the virtues that should adorn men, as told by you I would bestow my favours upon any man, why should I not then choose Arjuna?
At the command of Indra and for my friendship for you and also moved by the many virtues of Falguni (Arjuna), I am already full of the god of love. Go therefore wherever you like to go I shall go to him.
Vaishampayana said:
Having sent away the Gandharva successful (in his mission), the smiling Urvashi, moved by the desire of possessing Partha (Arjuna), bathed.
After the bath she adorned herself with charming and greatly splendid ornaments and sweet scented garlands. Her heart was pierced by the arrows of the god of love on account of the beauty and grace of Dhananjaya (Arjuna).
Being greatly pierced by (the arrows of the) god of love and being excited by him, she withdrew her mind from any other object; and with her imagination highly inflamed, she mentally sported with him (Arjuna) on a wide and excellent bed laid over with celestials sheets.
Starting at the time when the moon rose and the twilight deepened, that lady of high hips went towards the abode of Partha (Arjuna).
That lady went looking extremely beautiful, with her crisp, soft and long veni (braids of hair) adorned with bunches of flowers.
With her beauty, grace and the charm of the motions of her eye-brows, with her soft accents and moon-like face, she walked on as if defying the moon.
As she proceeded along, her two well-devoted and finely tapering breasts, adorned with a golden chain and celestials unguent and also with fragrant sandal paste, began to tremble.
In consequence of the weight of her two breasts, she had to slightly stoop forward at every step; it displayed the beauty of her waist lined with the three-folds.
He fair, high, round and matchless hip which was wide as two hillocks, which was the charming abode of the god of love, which was decked with the chains of gold and which was capable of shaking the saint-ship of the celestials Rishis, being covered with thin attire, looked highly beautiful.
Her feet, with beautiful ankles, with flat soles and bright copper-colored toes high and carved like the back of a tortoise, looked extremely charming with the ornaments with rows of little bells.
Exhilarated with the little liquor she had drunk and excited also by desire she moved in many attitudes and looked more beautiful than ever.
Notwithstanding there were many wonderful sights in heaven the Siddhas, the Charanas and the Gandharvas considered her to be the most beautiful object as that beautiful lady went on.
The upper half of her body being clad in an attire of fine texture and of cloud colour, she looked like the digit of the moon moving on in the sky covered over by the (passing) fleecy clouds.
That lady of the speed of mind or the wind, that beauty of charming smiles reached the abode of the son of Pandu Falguni (Arjuna) in a moment.
O foremost of men, having arrived at the gate (of Arjuna's abode), Urvashi of charming eyes sent words (to Arjuna) through the gatekeeper.
O king, she entered that brilliant and charming house. Seeing her at night, Arjuna with fear-stricken heart went forward to receive her.
Seeing Urvashi, Partha closed his eyes form modesty. Then saluting her, he offered her the worship usually offered to a superior.
Arjuna said:
O foremost of all the foremost of Apsaras, I salute you by bowing my head. O celestials lady, what is your command? I wait upon you as a servant.
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard the words of Falguni (Arjuna) Urvashi became deprived of her senses. She then told him all that was told to her by the Gandharva (Chitrasena).
Urvashi said:
O best of men, I shall tell you all that was told to me by Chitrasena and the reason why I have come here.
On account of your coming here, Mahendra had convened a large and charming assembly in which great festivities of heaven were held. O best of men, there came all the Rudras, the Adityas. A large member of great Rishis, also royal sages, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the Yakshas and the great Nagas. When all those (celestials) as effulgent as the fire or the sun or the moon took their seats according to their rank, honour and prowess. The Gandharvas, O son of Shakra (Indra), O large-eyed hero, began to play on the Vinas and to sing the charming songs of celestials melody. O perpetuator of the Kuru race, the chief Apsaras also began to dance. O Partha, you had looked at me only once with a steadfast gaze.
When that assembly of the celestials broke, the celestials at the command of your father (Indra) went away to their respective homes. O slayer of foes, the chief Apsaras also and other too at the command of your father went away to their own abodes.
O lotus-eyed one, therefore at the command of Shakra. (Indra), Chitrasena came to me; and arriving at my house, he then thus spoke to me.
O charming lady, I have been sent to you by the chief of the celestials. Do the favourite work of Mahendra and of myself and also of yourself.
O lady of fair hips, desire (to possess) him who is as heroic in battle as Indra and who is always endued with the virtue of magnanimity." He thus spoke to me.
O sinless one, thus commanded by him and also by your father, O chastiser of foes, I have come to wait upon you.
O hero, my heart has been fascinated with your virtues. I am under the influence of the god of love. This is my wish and I have cherished it for ever.
Vaishampayana said:
Hearing her speak there in that heaven in this way, Arjuna was filled with great shame. He shut his ears with his hands and said.
Arjuna said:
O blessed lady, O charming featured one, it is not proper for me to hear what you have said to me. You are considered by me as the wife of my superior.
As the illustrious Kunti is to me, as the wife of Indra, Sachi, is to me. O blessed lady, so are you to me. There is no doubt about it.
O blessed one, O lady of charming smiles, I did gaze specially at you is true. By there was a reason for it. I shall truly tell it to you, hear.
I gazed at you with wide expanded eyes in delight, thinking, "This is the mother of the Puru dynasty." O blessed one, O Apsara, you should not entertain any other feeling towards me, for you are superior to my superior, you are perpetuator of my race.
Urvashi said:
O son of the celestials king, O hero, we (Apsaras) are free and unfettered in our choice. You should not therefore place me in the position of our superior.
The sons and grandsons of the Puru dynasty, who have come here from their asceticism, all sport with us; and they do not incur any sin by doing it. Therefore be favourable towards me. You ought not send me away. O giver of proper respect, I am burning with desire. I am devoted to you, therefore accept me.
Arjuna said:
O beautiful lady, O beauty of faultless features, hear what I truly tell you and also let the four directions and the four transverse directions and also the celestials hear.
O sinless one, as Kunti, Madri and Sachi is to me, so are you to me, an object of respect, the mother of our race.
O beautiful complexioned one, go away, I bow my head to you, I prostrate myself at your feet. You are worthy of my worship as my mother. Protect me as your son.
Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus addressed by Partha, Urvashi lost her senses out of anger. Trembling in anger and contracting her brows, she thus cursed Dhananjaya (Arjuna).
Urvashi said:
As you insult a woman who come to you at the command of your father and at her own desire, (a woman) who is pierced with the arrows of the god of love. O Partha, you shall have to live among women, losing all respect becoming a dancer and being deprived of manhood.
Vaishampayana said:
Having thus cursed Arjuna, with her lips quivered and her breaths heavily drawn, Urvashi speedily returned to her own abode.
Thereupon that chastiser of foes Arjuna soon went to Chitrasena. Having got him, the son of Pandu (Arjuna) told him all that had happened in the night and also what had happened between himself and Urvashi, especially mentioning the curse again and again.
Chitrasena also told everything to Shakra (Indra). Then Harivahana (Indra), calling his son in private. And consoling him in sweet words, thus smilingly spoke to him, "O excellent man, O child, having obtained you, Pritha (Kunti) has today became a true mother.
O mighty-armed hero, O giver of proper respects, you have defeated even the Rishis by your patience. Urvashi's curse will be to, your good. O child, it will come very much to your use. O sinless one, O hero, you shall have to pass on earth the thirteenth year (of your exile) disguised and undiscovered. It will then the curse will be much to your benefit.
Having passed one year as a dancer without manhood, you shall again regain your power.
Having been thus addressed by Shakra (Indra), that slayer of hostile heroes, Falguni, became exceedingly glad and ceased to think of the curse.
The son of Pandu, Dhananjaya, sported in his celestials abode with the illustrious Gandharva Chitrasena.
The desires of the man, who often hears this history of the son of Pandu (Arjuna), never runs after lustful ends.
Those foremost of men, who listen to this history of greatly pure conduct of Falguni (Arjuna), becoming freed from pride, arrogance, wrath an other faults, ascend to heaven and they (merrily) sport there.
Vaishampayana said:
One day the great Rishi Lomasha, in the course of his wanderings, went to the abode of Shakra (Indra) with the intention of seeing Purandara (Indra). Having come to him, the great Rishi bowed to the king of the celestials. He saw that the son of Pandu (Arjuna) occupying the half of the seat of Vasava (Indra).
Having been worshipped by the great Rishis, that best of the twice-born sat at the desire of Shakra (Indra) on an excellent seat.
Seeing Arjuna seated on the seat of Indra, he pondered as to how Partha had attained to the seat of Shakra, he being (but) a Kshatriya.
What act of merit had been performed by him and what regions had been conquered by him that he had obtained a seat which was worshipped by the celestials themselves?
Having known his thoughts, the slayer of Vitra, Shakra, the husband of Sachi, smilingly spoke these words to Lomasha.
Indra said:
O Brahmarshi, hear all about what is now passing in your mind. This one (Arjuna) is not a mortal, though he has taken his birth among men.
O great Rishi, this mighty-armed hero is my son, born (in the womb) of Kunti. He has come here to obtain weapons. For what wonderful reason. Alas, you do not recognise him as the excellent Rishi of old! O Brahmana, listen to me, I shall tell you who he is and for what reason he has come here.
Know, those two excellent and ancient Rishis, known by the name of Nara and Narayana, are none else than Hrishikesha (Krishna) and Dhananjaya (Arjuna).
The Rishis Nara and Narayana are renowned all over the three worlds; they have descended (on earth) for the accomplishment of certain purpose on earth, which is the region for the acquisition of virtue.
The sacred hermitage, which even the celestials and the high-souled Rishis adore, which is known by the name of Badarika, which is situate at the source of the Ganges and which is frequented by the Siddhas and the Charanas, O Brahmana, was the abode of Vishnu (Krishna) and Jishnu (Arjuna).
O Brahmarshi, those two effulgent ones have at my request taken their birth on earth. Those two greatly powerful ones will remove the burden of the earth.
Besides, there are certain Asuras, called Nivatkavachas who, being proud of the boon they have acquired, are (now) engaged in doing us injuries.
Proud of their great prowess, they are planning the destruction of the celestials, for having received the boon, they do not at all regard the celestials.
Those fearful and greatly powerful sons of Dano live in the nether regions. Even all the celestials put together are in capable of fighting with them. The blessed Vishnu, the slayer of Madhu, he who was known on earth as Kapila,
O exalted one, who destroyed by his glance alone the high-souled sons of Sagara when they came roaring towards him, that illustrious and invincible.
O foremost of Brahmanas, Hari (Krishna) is capable alone or with Partha both together, of doing us a great good in a great battle. There is no doubt about it.
Like the snakes in a great lake he (Krishna) is capable of destroying at the very first sight all those Asuras, the Nivatkavachas, with all their followers.
But the slayer of Madhu should not be requested to perform an insignificant task. He can consume the Universe by the great mass of his effulgence, if he minds to increase it.
This one (Arjuna) also is quite competent to fight with them all. This hero, having destroyed them all in a battle, will again go back to the earth.
At my request go back to the earth. You will find the heroic Yudhishthira living in the Kamyaka (forest).
On my behalf tell that invincible and virtuous hero that he should not be anxious for Falguni. He will soon return acquiring all weapons.
For without the sacred prowess of arms and without the skill in weapons and in war, he will not be able to meet Bhishma, Drona and others in battle. Tell him.
That the high-minded and the mighty-armed Gudakesha Arjuna has acquired all weapons and has mastered the arts of celestials dancing and vocal and instrumental music.
(You should also tell him) saying, "O foremost of men, O chastiser of foes, you too with all your brothers should see the various sacred shrines. O king of kings, having bathed in various sacred waters, you will be cleansed of your sins and the fever of your heart will abate. You will then be able to enjoy your kingdom in happiness."
O best of Brahmanas, O foremost of the twice-born, endued with the prowess of asceticism, you should protect him (Yudhishthira) in his wandering over the earth.
Fearful Rakshasas always live in mountain passes and in rugged steppes. Protect him from them.
Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus addressed by Mahendra, Vibhatsu also spoke to Lomasha with all reverence, saying, "Protect the son of Pandu (Yudhishthira).
O excellent man, O great Rishi, let the king, protected by you, visit the various sacred shrines and give away (much wealth) to the Brahmanas in charity."
The greatly ascetic Lomasha, saying, "Be it so," went to the earth with the intention of going to the Kamyaka forest.
He saw there the son of Kunti, that chastiser of foes, Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) surrounded by the ascetics and by his brothers.
Janamejaya said:
These acts of the immeasurably effulgent Partha (Arjuna) are (no doubt) wonderful. O Brahmana, what did greatly wise Dhritarashtra say on hearing (all this)?
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard from the foremost of Rishis, Krishna Dvaipayana, that Partha (Arjuna) had gone to the abode of Indra, the son of Ambika, the king Dhritarashtra, thus spoke to Sanjaya.
Dhritarashtra said:
O charioteer, O Suta, do you know in detail the acts of the wise Arjuna which I have heard from the beginning to end?
Mad in performing acts of the most vulgar kind, my wicked-minded and ever sinful son of wicked policies will destroy the earth.
That high-souled one (Yudhishthira) whose words are ever true and who has Dhananjaya (Arjuna) to fight for him will certainly conquer the three worlds.
Is there any one who is even beyond the influence of death and decrepitude, that will be able to stand before Arjuna when he will shower his barbed and sharp-pointed arrows sharpened on the stone?
My wicked-minded sons, who will have to fight with the invincible Pandavas are all under the influence of Death.
Reflecting day and night I do not see amongst us that warrior who will be able to stand in battle before the wielder of the Gandiva (Arjuna).
Even if Drona, Karma or Bhishma advance against him in battle, there will befall a great calamity over the world. But I do not see even there any chance of our Victory.
Karna is kind and forgetful, the preceptor (Drona) is old and he is (also Arjuna's) tutor. But Arjuna is wrathful, strong, proud and greatly powerful. As all these heroes are invincible, all skilled in weapons and all illustrious, a fearful battle will take place between them.
They will not desire even the sovereignty of the whole world, if it is at all to be had by defeat; peace will be established only at the death of either of these (Bhishma etc.) or Falguni (Arjuna).
But he, who will be able to kill Arjuna, does not exist, nor even he who will defeat him. How shall that wrath of his which has myself for its object be appeased?
That hero, equal to the lord of the celestials gratified Agni at Khandava. He vanquished all the rulers of the earth at the time of the great Rajasuya sacrifice.
O Sanjaya, O child, even the thunderbolt, that falls on the mountain peak, leaves a portion unburnt, but the arrows, shot by Kirti (Arjuna) do not leave anything behind.
As the rays of the sun scorch mobile and immobile universe, so will the arrows, shot by the arms of Partha, scorch all my sons.
It seems to me that the Chamus (armies) of the Bharatas have already run away in all directions, being terrified at the clatter of Arjuna's chariot wheels.
Vidhata (creator) has created Kirti (Arjuna) as our all-destroying, destroyer. He stands as a foe in the battle, scattering and vomiting swarms of arrows. Who is there that will defeat him?
Sanjaya said:
O king, what you have said as regards, Duryodhana is true. O ruler of earth, nothing what you have said is untrue.
The immeasurably effulgent Pandavas were filled with wrath seeing their illustrious wedded wife, Krishna, brought into the Sabha. O great king, hearing the cruel words of Dushashana and Karna, they have become so angry that I believe they would not forgive.
O great king, I have heard how Arjuna has gratified in battle by means of his bow the god of gods, Sthanu of eleven forms.
The exalted lord of all the gods, Kapardin (Shiva) himself, having assumed the disguise of a Kirata, fought with Falguni (Arjuna) to test his prowess.
It was then that the Lokapalas appeared before that hero of undeterioating ascetic prowess in order to give away their weapons to that chief of the Kuru race.
What other man, on earth except Falguni can ever attempt to get a sight of these gods in their own real forms?
O king, who is there who will be able to weaken that hero who was not weakened by Maheswara (Shiva) himself with eight forms?
Having dragged Draupadi (into the Sabha) and thus provoked the Pandavas, your sons have brought upon themselves this terrible, fearful and hair-stirring calamity.
Seeing Duryodhana in the act of displaying his both thighs to Draupadi. Bhima, with quivering lips, spoke these words.
O sinful wretch, as you are a great gambler, I will smash with the fearfully forcible maces, your these two thighs on the expiration of the thirteenth year."
All (the Pandavas) are the foremost of smiters, all immeasurably effulgent, all skilled in every weapon, all invincible even before the celestials.
I am sure, the sons of Pritha, angry as they are at the insult offered to their wedded wife, will kill all your sons in battle.
Dhritarashtra said:
O charioteer, what (great) mischief has been done by Karna by his uttering cruel words?
Was it not enmity to the extreme by bringing Krishna (Draupadi) to the assembly-hall?
How can my wicked minded sons live when their eldest brother and superior does not walk in the path of righteousness?
O Suta, seeing me blind and incapable of taking any active steps, my wicked son considers me a fool and does not listen to what I say.
Those wretches also, who are his counsellors, namely, Karna, the son of Subala (Shakuni) and others, always encourage him in his course of vice; he is incapable of understanding things.
The arrows, that the immeasurably powerful Arjuna shoots in playfulness are able to consume all my sons, what to speak of his those arrows which are shot by him in anger!
The arrows, pulled by the strength of Arjuna's arms and shot from his bows and also inspired with mantras which convert them to celestials weapons, can chastise even the celestials.
What is there which is unconquerable by him who has for his protector, counsellor and friend, the Lord of the three worlds, Hari, Janardana (Krishna).
O Sanjaya, this is most wonderful in Arjuna as we have heard that he clasped Mahadeva (Shiva) with his arms. That act also which Falguni (Arjuna) did of old aided by Damodara (Krishna) in order to help Agni to consume the Khandava (forest) was witnessed by all the world.
When these Bhima, Partha (Arjuna) and Vasudeva (Krishna) of the Satvata race are angry, my sons with their friends and the son of Subala are surely not at all capable to fight with them.
Janamejaya said:
O (Muni), king Dhritarashtra must uselessly have lamented after having sent the heroic sons of Pandu into exile.
Why did the king thus permit his narrow-minded son Duryodhana to excite the anger of those mighty warriors, the sons of Pandu?
What was the food of the sons of Pandu while they lived in the woods? You explain to me-was it obtained from the woods or was it the product of cultivation?
Vaishampayana said:
The best of men ate the produce of the wilderness and the (meat of) deer killed with pure arrows, which they first dedicated to the Brahmanas.
O king, both classes of Brahmanas (those worshipping with fire and those worshipping without it) followed these heroes wielding large bows while they lived in the wilderness.
There were ten thousand most illustrious Snataka Brahmanas, who had perfect knowledge in the matter and means of salvation and whom Yudhishthira fed in the woods.
He dedicated the black and other kinds of deer and clean animals of the forest to those Brahmanas, after having killed them with his arrows.
None of those who lived with Yudhishthira in the woods looked either pale or diseased, lean or weak and timid or terrified.
The best of the Kurus, the most virtuous Yudhishthira, supported his dear brothers as if they were his sons; and maintained his relatives, as if they were his own brothers.
The famous Draupadi first supplied her husband and the Brahmanas with food like their mother and at last she took her food herself.
The king going towards the east and Bhima towards the south and the twins towards the west or the north, put an end to the race of the deer in the forest (by daily killing them with their bows) for sake of meat.
Thus the Pandavas lived in the forest of Kamyaka for five years; but all the while they remained very anxious on account of the absence of Arjuna and were always busy with study, prayers and sacrifices.
Vaishampayana said:
The foremost of men, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, having heard this most extraordinary and wonderful account (the mode of life of the Pandava king in the Kamyaka forest) became filled with grief and anxiety; and overwhelmed with melancholy and breathing hot and long he addressing his charioteer Sanjaya said,
"O charioteer, I do not enjoy a moment's rest either during the day or in the night, thinking of the terrible misconduct of my sons resulting from their past gambling;
And thinking of the heroism, patience superior fortitude and the extraordinary mutual love of those brothers of unbearable prowess.
When the two Pandavas, Nakula and Sahadeva who are of divine origin, most exalted, equal to the king of the gods in splendour, invincible in battle, steady in management of weapons, able to shoot at a great distance indefatigable in battle, light-handed, of inextinguishable wrath, persevering, of untiring activity, mighty as the lions, unbearable as the Ashvins themselves will come to the field of battle placing Bhima and Arjuna in the front, then I see, O Sanjaya, that my soldiers will be slain to a mass; and those mighty and matchless warriors of divine origin will not show mercy.
As they are very angry at the insult upon Draupadi. And the most powerful warriors of the Vrishni race and the Panchalas of great strength and the sons of Pritha themselves guarded by Vasudeva of indomitable strength, will defeat my son's legions.
O son of charioteer, my assembled forces are incapable of standing the push as given by the Vrishnis, when commanded by Rama and Krishna.
The mighty-warrior Bhima of terrible prowess, armed with his uplifted mace, capable of crushing every hero, will rove about in their midst. The kings on my side will not be able to stand against the twang of Gandiva, as loud as the thunder of heaven and the push of the mace of Bhima.
It is then that I, ever obedient to the counsels of Duryodhana, shall call to my memory the advices of my friends, which, I should have listened to beforehand.
Sanjaya said:
O king, you did not care for this, your great fault was that though capable you did not prevent out of affection-your son from doing what he had done.
Having heard the defeat at dice of the Pandavas, the slayer of Madhu, that hero of imperishable fame, went at once to the forest of Kamyaka.
So also Dhristadyumna at the head of the sons of Drupada and Virata and Dhristaketu and those mighty warriors, the Kaikeyas.
O king, I have learnt through the spies whatever they talked of after they had seen the sons of Pandu defeated at dice.
Having advanced towards the slayer of Madhu, the Pandavas appointed him to the charioteership of Falguni in battle; and Hari in response to their request said- “So be it."
And Krishna, beholding the sons of Pritha, gone to the woods and dressed in the skins of black deer, became greatly annoyed and addressing Yudhishthira, said,
"I beheld the prosperity of the sons of Pritha at Indraprastha, on the occasion of the Rajasuya sacrifice, which could not even painfully be obtained by other kings.
At the Rajasuya I saw also all the kings those of the Bangas and Angas, Paundras and Odras, Cholas and Dravidas and Andhakas; and the rulers of several islands and the countries on the sea-coast and the kings of the frontier dominions i.e. the chiefs of the Sinhalas, the barbarians Mlechchhas, the aboriginal tribes of Lanka and hundreds of the kings of the west and the chiefs of the sea-coast principalities and all those of the Pahlavas and the Daradas. The various tribes of the Kiratas, the Yavanas, the Cakras, the Harahunas, the Chinas, the Thukharas, the Sindavas, the Jugudas, the Ramathas and the Mundas; and the natives of the kingdom of women, the Tanganas, the Kaikeyas, the Malavas and the inhabitants of Kashmira, who were greatly afflicted with the terror of your weapons, strength and who, having been present as you had invited them, performed various offices.
That prosperity, so very ephemeral was taken away by your enemies and now rests upon them, which I shall recover from them for you by depriving them of their very life.
O chief of the Kurus, I shall, with the help of Rama, Bhima and Arjuna and the twins and of Akrura, Gada and Samba and Pradyumna and Ahuka and also with the assistance of the heroic Dhristadyumna and the son of Shishupala, kill Duryodhana and Karna in a day and so also Dushasana, Subala's son and all others who will stand against us in battle. And thereafter you shall, O Bharata, live in Hastinapur with your brothers and having in possession the prosperity that is now being enjoyed by the sons of Dhritarashtra, govern this earth."
Thereupon the king (Yudhishthira) spoke unto Krishna in the hearing of those heroes at the head of whom was Dhristadyumna whilst they were listening to him.
Yudhishthira said:
O Janardana, I accept these words of your to be true.
O mighty-armed one, slay my enemies with their followers subsequent to the expiration of the thirteen years. O Keshava, swear this to me. I really promised in the assembly of the kings to live in the woods as I am now doing.
Hearing these words of the most righteous, Yudhishthira his courtiers headed by Dhristadyumna instantly pacified the indignant Keshava with sweet words most suitable to the occasion.
They, (the courtiers) in the hearing of Vasudeva, said to the daughter of Panchala (Draupadi), "O lady, Duryodhana shall certainly give up his life on account of your wrath.
O fair-complexioned one, we make this promise unto you and therefore grieve no more. O Krishna, the flesh of those that laughed on beholding the victory at dice will be devoured by the wolves and birds.
They themselves will be mocked; and their blood will be drunk by the jackals and vultures. O daughter of Panchala, you shall see the bodies of those that dragged you by the hair at once dragged and devoured by the carnivorous animals.
Krishna, the blood, of those with severed heads, by whom you were much aggrieved and neglected, will be drunk by the earth."
The foremost ones of the Bharata race uttered these and various other speeches (in order to console Draupadi). Yudhishthira made this request to those brave heroes who were all impressed with the marks of battle, that they should after the expiration of the thirteenth year (of life in the forest), come to the field (of battle) keeping Vasudeva at their head.
Who is there that, desiring to have his existence in earth, will appear in the field of battle and encounter these most illustrious and invincible heroes (like the furious lions with erect manes) viz. Rama and Krishna and Dhananjaya, Pradyumna and Samba and Yuyudhana and Bhima and the sons of Madri and the Kaikeya and Panchala princes, attended by the king of Matsya, who will come to the battle with all their troop and attendants.
Dhritarashtra said:
Vidura in the occasion of the past gambling told me this "O king, you shall surely defeat the Pandavas at dice; but certainly there will ensue a terrible bloodshed, resulting in the total destruction of the Kurus."
O charioteer, I think it is now almost certain what Vidura had told me of old, that undoubtedly you would happen, a most fearful battle with the Pandavas just after the expire of the said period of thirteen years.
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