Philosophy and Religion / Mahabharata

Mahabharata

Sambhava Parva (XI)

The birth of Vichitravirya son’s. History of Animandavya. Coronanation of Pandu. Marriage of Dhritarashtra. Acquirement of lndra's weapon. Marriage of Kunti. Conquest of Pandu.

Vaishampayana said:
When her daughter-in-law performed her purifying bath after her season, Satyavati led her to a luxurious bed-room and spoke to her thus-

"O princess of Kosalya, your husband has an elder brother who will today come to you. Wait for him without falling asleep."

Having heard these words of her mother-in-law, the amiable lady, as she lay on her bed in her bedroom, began to think of Bhishma and other great Kuru chiefs.

Then the truthful Rishi, who had given his promise as regards Ambika first, came to her bedroom while the lamp was burning.

Seeing his dark visage, his matted locks of copper colour, his blazing eyes and his grim beard, the lady closed her eyes in fear.

But he (the Rishi), in order to accomplish his mother's desire, united with her. The daughter of the king of Kashi was not able to open her eyes from fear.

When he came out, the mother asked the son, "Will the princess have an accomplished son?"

Hearing his mother's words, the son of Satyavati, the self-controlled and greatly wise Vyasa said, "The son that will be brought forth by the princess, will be equal to ten thousand elephants in strength. He will be greatly fortunate, greatly powerful and vastly intelligent. The noble prince will have one thousand sons.

"But for the fault of his mother, he will be blind." Having heard these words of his son, the mother said, "O great ascetic, how can one who is blind be a king, worthy of the Kurus? How can one who is blind can protect his relatives and friends and increase the glory of his fathers and continue the dynasty? Therefore, you should give another king to the Kuru race."

Having promised this, the illustrious (Vyasa) went away. In due time the princess of Kosalya gave birth to a blind son. O chastiser of foes, after securing the consent of her daughter-in-law, Satyavati soon after again summoned Vyasa as she did before. Vyasa came according to his promise and went to the second wife (Ambalika) of his brother in proper form. But she became pale and discoloured with fear on seeing the Rishi.

O descendant of the Bharata race, seeing her pale and discoloured with fear and afflicted with grief.

The son of Satyavati, Vyasa, spoke to her thus, "As you have become pale by seeing me ugly, so your son will be also pale in complexion.

O beautiful featured lady, the name of your son will be accordingly Pandu, (pale.)" Having said this, the excellent and illustrious Rishi came out and met her mother who asked him about the child. He told her that the child will be pale.

His mother (Satyavati hearing this) begged again for another son. The Rishi replied to his mother by saying, "Be it so."

The lady (Ambalika) gave birth to a son in due time. He was of pale complexion, very effulgent and endued with all auspicious marks.

This son afterwards begot those mighty bow-men, the five Pandavas. (Sometime after), when her eldest daughter-in-law was again in her season, she was asked by (Satyavati) to go to Vyasa.

But she, endued with the beauty of a daughter of the celestial, remembering the grim visage and strong odour of the great Rishi, did not act according to the request of the lady (Satyavati) out of fear.

Having decked a maid-servant like an Apsara with her ornaments. The daughter of the king of Kashi sent her to Krishna (Vyasa).

She rose up and saluted him as the Rishi came. After having waited upon him respectfully, she took her seat near him when asked.

O king, the Rishi of rigid vows was greatly pleased with her. When he rose (to go away) he said, "O amiable girl, you shall no longer remain a maid-servant. Your son will be greatly fortunate, virtuous and the foremost of all intelligent men on earth."

The son of Krishna Dvaipayana thus born was known by the name of Vidura. He was thus the brother of the illustrious Dhritarashtra and Pandu.

The God of Justice was thus born as Vidura in consequence of the curse of the Rishi Mandavya. He was free from desire and anger.

When Krishna Dvaipayana was met by his mother as before, he told her, how he had been deceived by the eldest of the princesses and how he had begotten a son on a Shudra woman. Having said this, he disappeared in her sight.

Thus were begotten on the field (wives) of Vichitravirya by Dvaipayana three sons, as effulgent as the celestial children, the expanders of the Kuru race.

Janamejaya said:
What did Dharma (the god of justice) for which he was cursed? Who was the Brahmana Rishi, for whose curse the god had to be born in the womb of Shudra woman?

Vaishampayana said:
There was a certain Brahmana, who was known as Mandavya. He was learned in all the precepts of virtue; he was devoted to truth and asceticism.

The great ascetic sat at the entrance of his hermitage, as a great Yogi with his arms upraised in the observance of the vow of silence.

As he passed years together (in that state), one day (some) robbers came to his hermitage with stolen properties.

O best of the Bharata race, they were pursued by many guards-men. O best of the Kuru race, the thieves, entering that hermitage, hid their booty there. Before the force (guardsmen) came up, they too hid themselves in fear. But as soon as they had concealed themselves, the guards in pursuit came to the spot. O king, the pursuers of the thieves saw the ascetic sitting in that state; and they asked him, "O excellent Brahmana, which way the thieves have gone? O Brahmana, point them to us, so that we may follow them without loss of time."

O king, having been thus addressed by the guards, the ascetic did not say a word in reply, good or bad.

Thereupon, the officers of the king, in searching that hermitage, found the thieves with the stolen properties concealed there.

The suspicion of the guards fell upon the Rishi; they seized him with the thieves and brought him before the king.

The king sentenced him along with the thieves. The guards, acting in ignorance, put the great Rishi also on the Shula (an instrument of death).

Having put them (the thieves) and the Rishi on the Shula, they returned to the king with the stolen property they had recovered.

Though the virtuous-minded Brahmana Rishi remained for many years on the Shula without food, yet he did not die.

The illustrious man, who was in deep Tapa, at the point of the Shula, kept up his life and brought other Rishis there by his ascetic power. O descendant of the Bharata race, they came in the night in the forms of birds; and seeing him engaged in Tapa (ascetic meditation), though fixed on the Shula, they were extremely aggrieved. Having shown themselves in their own forms, they asked that excellent Brahmana -

"O Brahmana, we desire to hear what is your sin for which you suffer this torture of being placed at the point of the Shula."

Vaishampayana said:
Thereupon, that best of Rishis thus replied to the ascetics, "Whom shall I blame? None is to blame."

O king, the guards, having seen him after many days in that state, told the king all that had happened.

Having heard their words, the king after consulting with his ministers, gratified that excellent Rishi fixed on the Shula.

The king said :
O best of Rishis, I have offended you out of ignorance. I beseech you, pardon me. You should not be angry with me.

Vaishampayana said :
Having been thus addressed by the king, the Rishi was gratified. Having thus gratified him, the king took down the Shula and tried to draw it out from him but he was unable to do it.

The Rishi in that state with Shula practised the austerest penances and he thus conquered by his asceticism many regions difficult to be obtained.

Therefore, he was called on earth Animandavya. That great truth-knowing Brahmana (one day) went to Dharma (the god of justice). Seeing the god seated on his seat, the lord (Rishi) asked him reproachingly, "What is the sinful act which has been committed unconsciously by me. For which I am suffering from this punishment? Tell me without delay and then see my ascetic power."

Dharma said:
O ascetic, a little insect was once pierced by you with a blade of grass; you now receive the fruit of your action.

Animandavya said:
You have inflicted upon me a great punishment for a little fault. Therefore O Dharma, you will be born as a man in the womb of a Shudra woman. I establish this rule today on earth in respect of the consequences of one's act that no sin will be committed in any act done by a man below the age of fourteen years. When committed only above that age, it will be sin."

Vaishampayana said:
Being cursed by that illustrious man for this fault, Dharma was born as Vidura in the womb of a Shudra woman.

He (Vidura) was learned in Dharma and Artha; he was free from avarice and anger; he was fore-seeing, tranquil in mind and ever engaged in doing good to the Kurus.

Vaishampayana said:
On the birth of these three sons (Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura), Kurujangala, Kurukshetra and the Kurus grew in prosperity.

The land gave abundant harvests and the crops were juicy. The clouds showered rains at proper time and the trees became full of fruits and flowers.

The beasts of burdens were happy and the deer and the birds were exceedingly glad. The flowers became fragrant and the fruits became sweet.

The cities were filled with merchants and artisans; the people became brave, learned, honest and happy.

There were no thieves, there was none who was sinful. It seemed that Satyayuga had come over all parts of the kingdom.

The people were devoted to virtuous acts, sacrifices and the vow of the truth. Bearing love and affection for one another, they grew in prosperity.

They were free from pride, anger and covetousness; they took delight in sports which were perfectly innocent.

The holy city (Hastinapur) like the wide ocean, full of hundreds of palaces and mansions, possessing gates and arches and looking like dark clouds, appeared like the celestial capital of Indra. The people sported in great delight in the rivers, lakes, tanks, beautiful groves and woods.

The Southern Kurus, in virtuous rivalry with the Northern Kurus, walked with the Devarshis and Charanas.

None was there miserly and there was no woman who was a widow in that delightful country whose prosperity was thus increased by the Kurus.

The wells were full of water, the groves abounded with trees, the houses of Brahmanas were full of wealth and the whole kingdom was fall of prosperity.

O king, thus virtuously ruled by Bhishma, the kingdom was adorned with hundreds of sacrificial stakes.

The wheel of virtue being thus set in motion by Bhishma, the country was full of increased population, people coming from other countries.

The citizens and the people were all filled with hope on seeing the achievements and behaviour of the youthful princes.

O king, in the house of the chief Kurus and in those of the people, "Give" "Eat" were the words that were constantly heard.

Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura were brought up from their birth by Bhishma, as if they were his own sons.

They passed through the usual rites of their order; they engaged themselves in study and vows; they grew up into youths, expert in athletic sports and labour.

They became expert in archery, learned in the Veda, skillful in club-fight and in using sword and shield. They were experts in horsemanship and in the management of elephants; they were learned in the science off morality.

They were acquainted with history, Puranas and with many other branches of learning. They were well-acquainted with the mystery of the Vedas and the Vedangas. The knowledge they acquired was versatile and deep.

The greatly powerful Pandu excelled all men in the science of archery. The king Dhritarashtra excelled all men in personal strength.

O king, there was none in the three worlds, who excelled Vidura in his devotion towards religion and virtue and in his knowledge of the science of morality.

On seeing the restoration of the extinct dynasty of Shantanu, the following saying became current over all countries.

"Amongst the mothers of heroes, the daughter of the king of Kashi; among all countries, Kurujangalas; among all virtuous men, Bhishma; and among all cities, Hastinapur, are the foremost. Dhritarashtra did not get the kingdom, because he was blind; and Vidura also did not get it, because he was born of a Shudra woman, therefore Pandu became king.

One day the foremost of all statesmen, the learned in all the moral precepts, the son of Ganga (Bhishma), spoke to Vidura thus.

Bhishma said:
This our famous dynasty, endued with every virtue and accomplishment, has all along ruled over all other kings on earth.

It was perpetuated by many virtuous-minded and virtuously inclined kings. Satyavati, the illustrious Krishna (Dvaipayana) and myself, have raised you up in order that this our great dynasty may not be extinct.

It is certainly your duty and mine to take such steps as our this dynasty may expand as the sea.

I have heard that the princess of the Yadavas, the daughter of Suvala and the princess of Madra, are worthy of being allied to our dynasty.

O sons, all these maidens are the best of Kshatriyas; they are beautiful and of are birth; they are eminently fit for alliance with our family.

O foremost of intelligent men, Vidura, I think we should chose them for the perpetuation of our race. Tell me what you think.

Vidura said:
You are our father, you are our mother, you are our great preceptor. You yourself do what you think proper for the welfare of this dynasty.

Vaishampayana said:
He (Bhishma) heard from the Brahmanas that the daughter of Subala, Gandhari, had received a boon by worshipping the destroyer of eyes of Bhaga, the boon-giving deity Hara (Shibi). The amiable, Gandhari would get one hundred sons. Having heard this, the grandsire of the Kurus, Bhishma. Sent messengers to the king of Gandhara. O descendant of the Bharata race, (king) Suvala hesitated on account of the blindness (of the bridegroom).

But taking into consideration the noble blood, the fame and the conduct of the Kurus, he bestowed the virtuous Gandhari on Dhritarashtra.

O descendant of the Bharata race, having heard of the blindness of Dhritarashtra and that her parents had consented to bestow her (Gandhari) upon him. O king, ever-devoted to her husband, (Gandhari) bandaged her own eyes with cloth, gathered into many folds, out of her desire that she would not be wanting in respect and love for her husband. Thereupon, the son of the king of Gandhara, Shakuni bringing his beautiful and young and well-behaved sister to the Kurus, formally gave her to Dhritarashtra.

The nuptials were solemnised with the permission of Bhishma. The hero (Shakuni), giving away his sister with (many valuable) robes, returned to his own capital, after being duly worshipped by Bhishma.

O descendant of the Bharata race, the beautiful Gandhari pleased all the Kurus by her behaviour and respectful attentions.

She, ever-devoted to her husband, pleased her superiors by her good conduct and vow-observing as she was, she never referred to other men even in words.

Vaishampayana said:
There was a chief among the Yadus, named Shura, who was the father of Vasudeva. His daughter was named Pritha, she was matchless in beauty on earth.

O descendant of the Bharata race, that truthful man (Shura) give his first born child to the son of his paternal aunt, his childless cousin and favour seeking friend, the high-souled Kuntibhoja, according to a promise given before.

She (Pritha) was appointed as her (adoptive) father's house to look after the hospitality to the Brahmanas and guests. One day by careful attentions she gratified the terrible Brahmana of rigid vows, known by the name of Durvasa, learned in the mystery of religion.

Anticipating the future difficulty of her getting sons, he (Durvasa) taught her a Mantra for invoking any of the celestial (she liked for growing her children). The Rishi then said to her.

"Through the effulgence of those celestial whom you will invoke by this Mantra, offspring will be certainly begotten on you".

Having been thus told by the Brahmana, (Durvasa) the illustrious Kunti (Pritha), being curious, invoked in her maidenhood the god Arka (Sun).

She immediately saw (before her) that effulgent deity (Sun), that beholder of everything in the world. Seeing the wonderful sight, that maiden of fruitless feature was very much surprised.

The deity Vivasvata (Sun), coming to her said,"O black-eyed lady, here I am. Tell me what I can do for you."

Kunti said:
O slayer of foes, a certain Brahmana gave me this science (Mantra). O Lord, I have invoked you, only to see the efficacy of the Mantra.

For my this fault, I bow down my head to you to ask for your grace. A woman, however guilty, deserves protection."

The Sun said:
I know Durvasa has given you this boon. Cast off your fears and allow me your embrace.

O amiable girl, my approach is infallible; it must be fruitful. O timid maiden, if my coming be for nothing, it will be certainly a transgression of yours."

Vaishampayana said:
Vivasvata thus spoke to her many things to allay her fears. O descendant of the Bharata race, the illustrious and beautiful girl, as she was a maid.

Did not grant his request from modesty and from the fear of her relatives. O best of the Bharata race, Arka again addressed her thus.

"O princess, there will be no sin in gratifying me." Having said this to the daughter of Kuntibhoja, that illustrious deity.

That illuminator of the universe, Tapana (Sun) received her embraces. Thereupon was born a hero, known all over the world by the name of Karna, the foremost of all wielders of arms, encased in a natural armour, blessed with good fortune and endued with celestial beauty and all auspicious marks and with a face brightened by ear-rings.

The greatly effulgent Tapana, then giving Pritha her maiden-hood, again went to heaven.

The princess of the Vrishni race (Pritha) became affected with sorrow to see the birth of the child. She intently reflected on the course she should adopt.

She resolved to conceal her frailty from the fear of her friends and relatives. Kunti threw her that powerful son into water.

The illustrious husband of Radha took up that child thrown into the water. That son of Suta, (the husband of Radha), with his wife brought him up as their son.

They gave that son the name of Vasusena, because he was born with wealth, (a natural armour and ear-rings).

He grew up very strong and became expert in all weapons. Possessed of great energy, he worshipped the Sun until his back was scorched by its rays.

When he was thus engaged in his worship, there was nothing on earth that the heroic and intelligent Vasusena would not give to Brahmanas.

Indra, assuming the form of a Brahmana, came to him for alms. Ever engaged to do good to Arjuna, he asked for the armour.

Taking off the natural armour from his body, Karna with joined hands gave it to Indra in the form of a Brahmana.

The king of the celestial received the gift and he was exceedingly pleased with his liberality. The lord of the celestials gave him a weapon, saying.

"Among the celestial, the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the Nagas and the Rakshasas, whoever you will desire to conquer he will certainly be killed by this weapon.

The son of Surya was known by the name of Vasushena, but after his cutting off his natural armour, he was called Karna (cutter).

Vaishampayana said:
The daughter of Kuntibhoja, Pritha, had large eyes; she was endued with beauty and every accomplishment; she was of rigid vows, devoted to virtue; and she possessed every good quality.

But through the maiden was effulgent and possessed beauty and all womanly qualifications and youth, yet no king sought for her hand.

O best of kings, thereupon, the king Kuntibhoja invited all the monarchs and offered her in a Svyamvara.

The intelligent Kunti saw that best of kings, the foremost of the Bharata race, Pandu, in the assembly of the kings.

Proud as the lion, broad-chested, bull-eyed, greatly strong, like sun outshining all the kings in splendour.

He (Pandu) looked among the kings as the second Indra. In the assembly that best of men, Pandu, having seen the maiden of faultless feature, the amiable daughter of Kuntibhoja, became very much agitated in mind.

Kunti advanced in modesty, quivering with emotion and placed the nuptial garland round the neck of the king (Pandu). Finding that Kunti had chosen Pandu, the other kings returned to their kingdoms on elephants, on horses and cars on which they had come. O king, her father then performed the nuptial rites in due form.

The descendant of Kuru (Pandu) and the daughter of Kuntibhoja (Kunti) blessed with great and good fortune, formed a couple like Indra and Sachi.

O king, Kuntibhoja, after the marriage of Kunti presented the bridegroom with much wealth. O best of the Kuru race, the king (Kuntibhoja) then sent him (Pandu) to his own capital. Accompanied by a large force, bearing various kinds of banners and pennons and eulogised and blessed by many Brahmanas and great Rishls. The descendant of Kuru, king Pandu, reached his own capital and that lord (Pandu) established his wife Kunti there.

Vaishampayana said:
Some time after, the son of Shantanu, the intelligent Bhishma, thought of marrying Pandu to a second wife.

Accompanied by the aged ministers Brahmanas and great Rishis and with a force of the four kinds he went to the capital of the king of Madra.

That best of Valhikas (the king of Madra), having heard of his coming, went out to receive him with all honour; and that king (Bhishma) also entered his capital.

The king of Madra, having given him a white seat, water for washing his feet and Arghya, asked the reason of his coming.

The supporter of the Kurus' honour, Bhishma replied to the king of Madra, “O chastiser of foes, know that I have come for a maiden.

We have heard that you have an illustrious and chaste sister, named Madri. I chose that illustrious maiden for Pandu.

O king, you are in every way worthy of alliance with us. We also are worthy of you. O king of Madra, considering all this, accept us in the proper from."

Having been thus addressed by Bhishma, the king of Madra replied, "To my mind there is no other better bridegroom than one of your family.

But there is a custom in our family ever observed by all the best of our kings. Be it good or bad, I can not transgress it.

It (this custom) is well known and there is no doubt that it is also known to you. O excellent man, therefore, it is not proper for you to say "Bestow your sister."

O hero, it is our family custom to receive tribute. Therefore, I cannot give you any assurance in the matter of your request."

The king Bhishma thus replied to the king of Madra, "O king, this is a great virtue; the self created (Brahma) has himself said it.

Your ancestors have observed this custom. There is no fault to be found with it. O Salya, it is well known that this custom has the approbation of the wise."

Having said this, that greatly effulgent son of Ganga (Bhishma) gave Salya much gold, both coined and uncoined, precious stones of various colors, elephants, horses and cars, much cloth and many ornaments, many gems, pearls and corals.

Salya receive all these wealth in delightful health and gave away his sister decked with ornaments, to that lion of the Kuru race.

The son of ocean going Ganga, intelligent Bhishma, taking Madri with him, returned to the capital, named after the elephant (Hastinapur).

The king Pandu, on an auspicious day and at the time indicated by the wise accepted the hands of Madri in due form.

After the completion of the marriage, that king, the descendant of the Kuru race, established his beautiful wife in handsome mansions.

O king of kings, that best of kings (Pandu) then give himself up to enjoyments with his two wives, Kunti and Madri, at will and at pleasure.

O king, when thirty days had passed away that Kuru king, the lord Pandu, started from his capital to conquer the world.

After saluting and bowing to Bhishma and other elders and bidding adieu to Dhritarashtra and other best of the Kurus, receiving their permission and performing all auspicious rites, the king (Pandu) set out on his great campaign blessed by all around and accompanied by a great army of elephants, horses and cars. That celestial like king was desirous of conquering the whole earth.

Pandu marched against the enemies with such strong forces (as narrated above). Going to the east, that best of men, that spreader of Kuru fame, Pandu, defeated the Dasharnas.

Pandu then with his army of innumerable elephants, cavalry, infantry and charioteers and various colored banners. Marched against Dirgha, the king of Magadha, who being proud of his strength, had offended many kings. Attacking him in his capital, Rajgriha, he killed him.

Taking possession of his treasury and many beasts of burden Pandu, went to Mithila and conquered the Videha in battle.

O best of men, he then conquered Kashi, Sumha and Pundra; and by the strength of his prowess he spread the fame of the Kurus.

The kings were burnt by the far reaching flames, represented by his arrows and the splendour of his weapons, of the great fire represented by that chastiser of foes, Pandu.

Pandu defeated with his army the kings with their forces; he kept them engaged in the works of the Kurus.

Having been thus defeated by him, all the kings of the world recognised him as the only hero on earth as Indra is among the celestial.

All the kings of the world bowed to him with joined hands and they waited upon him with presents of various kinds of gems and wealth.

Precious stones, pearls, corals, much gold and silver, the jewels of cows and horses, elephants and cars. Asses, camels, buffaloes, goats and sheep, blankets and beautiful birds and carpets made of the skin of Ranku. Having taken them all, the king of Hastinapur.

Pandu, returned to his own capital Hastinapur to the great delight of all his subjects and citizens.

O the lion of kings, the fame of Shantanu and that of Bharata, was about to be extinct, but it was now revived by Pandu.

They, who robbed the Kurus before of both territory and wealth, were now forced by Pandu, the lion of Hastinapur, to pay tributes."

Thus said in joyful heart the kings with their ministers and with the citizens and people.

All the Kurus with Bhishma at their head went out to receive him when he neared Hastinapur. They saw in delight the attendants of the king (Pandu), laden with much wealth; the train of various conveyances, of elephants, horses, cars, kine, camels and other animals laden with all kinds of wealth was so long that they could not find its end.

Then the dweller of Kausalya's joy, (Pandu), worshipped the feet of his father (uncle) Bhishma and then saluted the citizens and others as each deserved.

Bhishma also shed tears of joy and embraced his son who had returned victorious after subjugating many kingdoms of others.

And he (Pandu), instilling joy into the hearts of his people, entered Hastinapur in a flourish of hundreds of trumpets and bugles.

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