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Mahabharata
Viduragamana-Rajyalambha Parva
Consultations of Dhritarashtra. Word of Bhishma. Word of Drona. Word of Vidura. Colloquy of Vidura and Drupada. Departure of Krishna. Colloquy of Yudhishthira and Narada. History of Sunda and Upasunda. Creation of Tilottama.
Karna said:
O Duryodhana, in my opinion your reasoning are not well-founded. O perpetuator of the Kuru race, no machinations will succeed against the Pandavas.
O hero, you have formerly tried to accomplish your wishes by various subtle means, but you have not been successful in killing them.
O king, they were then living near you, they were then mere children, they were then without allies and friends, still you could nor injure them.
They are now living at a distance, they are now grown up and they are now stronger by securing allies. It is my firm belief that you will not be able to injure them now with any subtle machinations.
They are aided by Fate. When they are desirous of regaining the place of their fathers and grandfathers, we can never succeed to injure them by any means of ours.
It is impossible to create disunion amongst them. They can never be disunited who have taken a common wife.
We can never succeed in estranging Krishna (Draupadi) from them by any spies. she choose them as her husband when they were in adversity, they are now in prosperity.
Women generally desire to have many husbands, Krishna has got it; she can never be estranged from them.
The Panchala king is honest and virtuous, he is not covetous for wealth. Even if we offer him our whole kingdom, he will certainly not abandon the sons of Kunti.
His son is also well-accomplished and has become attached to the Pandavas; therefore, I think by no subtle machinations that are in your power, you will be able to injure them.
O best of men, this is what is good and advisable for us to-day, namely, O king, to attack and smite them till the Pandavas are exterminated. O sire, consent to this. As long as our party is strong and that of the Panchalas weak, so long let us strike them without scruple.
O son of Gandhari, O king, as long as their innumerable conveyances, their friends and relatives, do not gather together, so long continue to display your prowess.
O king, as long as the Panchala king with his greatly powerful son does not resolve to fight with us, so long display your prowess.
As long as Vasudeva, Krishna, does not march with the Yadava hosts into the city of the Panchala king in order to restore the Pandavas to their kingdom, so long display your prowess.
Wealth, articles of enjoyments, kingdom, nay their is nothing which Krishna may not sacrifice for the Pandavas.
The whole earth was acquired by the illustrious Bharata by his prowess. Indra has obtained the sovereignty of three worlds by prowess alone.
O king, prowess is always admired in a Kshatriya. O best of kings, prowess is the cardinal virtue of the heroes.
O king, therefore, without any further delay let us with our large army of four kinds of troops vanquish Drupada and bring here the Pandavas.
The Pandavas cannot be defeated by any policy of conciliation, of gift, of wealth, of bribery or of disunion. Therefore, vanquish them by your prowess.
O king, after defeating them by your prowess, rule over the wide world. I do not see any other means of becoming successful in our object.
Vaishampayana said:
Hearing what the son of Radha (Karna) said, the powerful Dhritarashtra gave him high praise and he then spoke to him thus -
"O son of Suta, you are gifted with great wisdom and you are highly accomplished in arms. Such words breathing the spirit of heroism are surely worthy of you.
But let Bhishma, Drona and Vidura and also you two, consult together and then adopt that means which may lead to our good."
Thereupon, the greatly illustrious king Dhritarashtra summoned to him all those councillors and consulted with them.
Bhishma said:
O Dhritarashtra, I can never consent to a quarrel with the sons of Pandu. There is no doubt Pandu was to me as you are to me.
The sons of Gandhari are (as dear) to me as the sons of Kunti. O Dhritarashtra, they are to be protected as much by me as you.
O king, they are as much dear to me as prince Duryodhana and other Kurus.
Therefore, I can never like a quarrel with them. Conclude a treaty with those heroes and give them the half of the kingdom. There is no doubt that this is the ancestral kingdom of those best of the Kurus (the Pandavas).
O Duryodhana, as you consider this kingdom as your paternal property, so do the Pandavas consider this their paternal property.
If the illustrious sons of Pandu do not get the kingdom, how can it be yours or of any descendant of the Bharata race?
O best of the Bharata race, if you think you have rightfully come into the possession of the kingdom, I think, they can consider also thai they have rightfully come to the possession of the kingdom before you.
Give them in peace the half of the kingdom. O best of men, this is for the good of all.
If you act otherwise, no good will come to any of us. There is no doubt we all will be covered with dishonour.
Try to maintain your good name. A good name is the source of one's strength. It is said that a man, whose reputation is gone, lives in vain.
O descendant of Kuru, O son of Gandhari, a man not die so long his reputation exists. One lives as long as his fame lasts; he dies when his reputation is gone.
Therefore, follow the practice that is worthy of the Kuru race. O mighty-armed hero, act as your forefathers did before you.
It is fortunate for us that the sons of Pritha are alive; It is fortunate that the sinful Purochana, without being successful (in his evil design), himself perished.
O son of Gandhari, from that time when I heard that the sons of Kunti Bhoja's daughter had been burnt to death, I could not meet with any living creatures. O best of men, hearing the way in which Kunti was killed, men do not consider Purochana so much guilty as they consider you.
O king, therefore the escape of the sons of Pandu from that conflagration and their present reappearance remove your bad repute.
O descendant of Kuru, know that as long as those heroes (the Pandavas) live, the wielder of thunder (Indra) himself cannot deprive them of their paternal property.
They are virtuous and united; they are unjustly kept out of their equal share in the kingdom.
If you want to act justly, if you want to act what is pleasing to me, if you want to seek the welfare of all, then give them the half of the kingdom.
Drona said:
O king Dhritarashtra, it has been heard that friends summoned for consultation should always speak what is right, true and conductive of fame.
O Sire, my opinion is as that of the illustrious Bhishma. Let the sons of Kunti have a share in the kingdom. It is eternal virtue.
O descendant of Bharata, send a sweet-speeched man to Drupada; let him carry for them (the Pandavas) a large treasure with him.
Let him take costly presents with him for both the bridegroom and the bride and let him speak to him (Draupada) the increase of your power and dignity that has been secured by this alliance. O king, let him say to Draupada and Dhrishtadyumna that both you and Duryodhana have become exceedingly glad by all that has hapnened.
Let him say that the alliance has been exceedingly proper and it has become very pleasing to you and that you are quite worthy of it. Let him repeatedly propitiate the sons of Kunti and the two sons of Madri.
O king, let many brilliant golden ornaments at your command be given to Draupadi.
O best of the Bharata race, let proper presents be given to all the sons of Drupada and all the Pandavas with (their mother) Kunti.
Thus propitiating Drupada with the Pandavas, he should then propose their return (to Hastinapur).
When those heroes will get the permission (of Drupada) to come here, let Dushasana and Vikarna go with a magnificent army to receive the Pandavas.
Let those best of the Kurus, the sons of Pandu, always be treated by you with affection and let them be installed in their paternal kingdom as desired by the people.
O descendant of Bharata, in my opinion and that of Bhishma, this should be your conduct towards the Pandavas, who stand to you in the relation of your own sons.
Karna said:
These two (Bhishma and Drona) are supported by your wealth and favours. They are supposed to be your best friends. What can be more surprising than they should give you advice that is not for your good!
How can the wise accept the advice which is pronounced good by the man who speaks with wicked intention, taking care to conceal the wickedness of his heart?
Friends can neither do good nor harm in distress, man's happiness or misery depends on Destiny alone.
He who is wise, or he who is a fool, he who is old or he who is a child, he who has friends or he who has no friends, becomes happy or unhappy everywhere.
We have heard that there was a king of old, named Ambuvich, who was the king at Rajgriha over the Magadhas.
He was a king who never looked to his affairs. All he did was to inhale and exhale the air. All his affairs were in the hands of his ministers.
He had a minister, named Mahakarni, who became the supreme lord of his kingdom
Regarding that all authority had been gained, he even disregarded the king.
The fool himself appropriated everything belonging to the king, including his articles of luxury, his women, his jewels and his sovereignty.
Having secured them all, that avaricious man's avarice only increased; and having appropriated all, he coveted his kingdom.
We have heard that with all his endeavours he did not succeed to get the kingdom, although the king did not look to his affairs and only breathed the air.
O king, what else human exertion can be said to have been in him than that the kingdom was dependent on his Destiny. If this kingdom be fixed in you by destiny. It will certainly remain in you, notwithstanding the enmity of all the worlds. If otherwise, however you may try, it will never remain in you.
You are learned, therefore, remembering all this, judge of the honesty and dishonesty of your ministers. Ascertain also who amongst them are wicked and who have spoken wisely and well.
Drona said:
Wicked as you are, you say so out of the wickedness of your intentions. It is to injure the Pandavas, you find fault with us.
O Karna, know that what I have said is good for all. This is for the prosperity of the Kuru race. If you consider it as productive of evil, tell yourself what is the great good.
If the advice, productive of great good that I have given, is not followed, my opinion is that the Kurus will be exterminated.
Vidura said:
O king, there is no doubt your friends have spoken to you what is good for you. But as you don't listen to their words, they find no place here.
O king, the best of Kurus, the son of Shantanu (Bhishma) has said what is for your great good, but you do not accept it (his advice). What has been said by Drona is for your good, but the son of Radha, Karna, does not consider it for your good.
O king, after (due) reflection I do not find there is any who is a better friend of your than these two best of men (Bhishma and Drona) or who excels them in wisdom.
These two are old in age, in wisdom and in Shastras. O king, they look at the sons of Pandu with equal eyes.
O descendant of the Bharata, O king they are not certainly inferior to Rama, the son of Dasharatha and Gaya in the virtue and truthfulness.
It is not seen that they have ever given you evil advice. O king, you too have never injured them. Why should, therefore, these best of men, who are ever truthful, give you wicked advice?
O king, these foremost of men are endued with wisdom; they will never give you evil advises or say any thing that is crooked.
O descendant of Kuru, this is my firm conviction that being tempted by wealth these, learned as they are in the precepts of morality, will never utter anything savouring partisanship.
O descendant of Bharata, I consider what they have said is highly beneficial to you. O king, the Pandavas are certainly your sons as much as Duryodhana and others. Therefore, those ministers who give you any advice that is fraught with evil intentions towards the Pandavas do not really look after your interest. O king, if there is any partiality (for your sons) in your heart, it is certain that they who seek to excite it do you no good.
Therefore, O king, I think these illustrious and effulgent persons have not certainly said anything that leads to evil. You however do not understand it.
O best of kings, what these excellent men have said regarding the invincibility of the Pandavas is perfectly true. Do not think otherwise. Be blessed.
O king, can the handsome Pandavas Savyasachi Dhananjaya be ever vanquished in battle even by Maghavata (Indra) himself?
Can the powerful Bhimsena of strong arms possessing the might of ten thousand elephants be vanquished in battle even by the immortals?
Who having the desire of living can vanquish in battle the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), who are like the sons of Yama himself and who are both well-skilled in battle?
How can the eldest Pandavas (Yudhishthira) in whom patience, mercy, forgiveness, truth and prowess are always present, be ever vanquished?
Is there any whom they have not already vanquished in battle, who have Rama (Baladeva) as their ally, Janardana (Krishna) as their counsellor, Satyaki as their supporter.
Drupada as their father-in-law and the descendant of Prishata, Drupada's son Dhrishtadyumna and his other heroic brothers as their brother-in-law? O descendant of Bharata, remembering this and knowing that their claim to the kingdom is even prior to yours, behave virtuous towards them.
O king, the stain of calumny is on you on account of the act of Purochana. Wash yourself off it by kindly behaving towards them (the Pandavas).
Your kindly behaviour towards them will be for our great good. It will protect the lives of all of us of the Kuru race and it will lead to the growth of the whole Kshatriya race.
O king, we have formerly waged a great war with the king of Drupada; if we can now secure him as an ally, it will strengthen our party.
O king, the Dasharahas are numerous and powerful. They will be all there where Krishna will be. Where Krishna is, victory is certainly there.
O king, unless cursed by the celestials, who would seek to effect by means of war that which can be effected by conciliation?
O king, having heard that the sons of Pritha are alive, the men of the city and the country have become exceedingly glad; and they are all eager to see them. Do what will be agreeable to them.
Duryodhana, Karna and the son of Subala, Shakuni, are sinful, foolish and young. Do not listen to their words.
O king, endued with all accomplishments as you are, I have told you long ago that for the fault of Duryodhana, the subjects of this kingdom will be annihilated.
The learned Bhishma, the son of Shantanu and the illustrious Rishi Drona and you yourself, have said the truth and what is good for me.
There is no doubt that as those great car-warriors, the heroic sons of Kunti, are the sons of Pandu, so they are my sons also according to ordinance.
As my sons are entitled to this kingdom, so certainly are the sons of Pandu entitled to it.
O Khattva, go and in due affectionate way, bring them (the Pandavas) here along with their mother. O descendant of Bharata, bring also with them Krishna (Draupadi) of celestials beauty.
From our good fortune the sons of Pritha are alive; from our good fortune Pritha is alive. From our good fortune those great car-warriors have obtained the daughter of Drupada.
From our good fortune our strength is increased; and from our good fortune Purochana is dead. O greatly effulgent one, from our good fortune my great grief is also removed.
Vaishampayana said:
O descendant of Bharata, thereupon Vidura at the command of Dhritarashtra went to Yajnasena and the Pandavas. He carried with him numerous jewels and various kinds of wealth for Draupadi, for the Pandavas and for Yajnasena.
O king, having arrived there, that virtuous man, learned in all the Shastras, properly addressed Drupada and waited upon him.
He (Drupada) too received Vidura in proper form and they both enquire after each other's welfare.
O descendant of Bharata, he saw there the Pandavas and Vasudeva (Krishna). He embraced them from affection and inquired after their welfare.
They too worshiped in due order Vidura of immeasurable intelligence. According to the command of Dhritarashtra, he (Vidura) spoke to the sons of Pandu again and again words of affection. O king, he then gave to the Pandavas, Kunti, Draupadi, Drupada and Drupada's sons, the gems and various kinds of wealth, sent through him by the Kurus.
The immeasurably intelligent Vidura then, in the presence of the Pandavas and Keshava (Krishna), thus modestly addressed Drupada in words of affection.
Vidura said:
O king, listen to my words with your sons and ministers. Dhritarashtra with his ministers, sons and friends. Has again and again joyously inquired after your welfare. O king, he has been pleased by the alliance with you.
The son of Shantanu, the greatly wise Bhishma with all the Kurus has enquired after your welfare in every respect.
The son of Bharadvaja, the greatly, wise Drona, your beloved friend, embracing you mentally, has enquired after your welfare.
Panchala king, Dhritarashtra and all the Kurus regard themselves very blessed by this alliance with you.
Yajnasena, this alliance with you has made them more happy than if they had acquired a new kingdom.
Knowing all this, O Sir, permit the Pandavas to go there. The Kurus are exceedingly eager to see the sons of Pandu.
These best of men (the Pandavas) are long absent (from Hastinapur). They and Pritha (Kunti) must be very eager to see their own city.
All the Kuru Ladies, all the citizens and our subjects are eagerly waiting to see the Panchala princess Krishna.
Therefore, O Sir, my opinion is that you should permit the Pandavas to go there with their wife without any further delay.
O king, when the illustrious Pandavas will get your permission, I shall then send information to Dhritarashtra by quick messengers. Then, O king, the Pandavas will set out with Kunti and Krishna (Draupadi.)
Drupada said:
O Vidura, O greatly learned man, it is as you say. O lord, I too have been exceedingly happy by this alliance.
It is highly proper for these illustrious princess to return to their ancestral kingdom. But it is not proper for me to say this myself. If the hero, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, if Bhima and Arjuna, if these best of men the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and if Rama and Krishna, both learned in the precepts of religion, wish it, then let the Pandavas go there. These two best of men (Rama and Krishna) are ever engaged in doing what is agreeable and beneficial to them (the Pandavas).
Yudhishthira said:
O king, I with all my brothers, am now dependent on you. We shall all gladly do what you will command us to do.
Vaishampayana said:
Thereupon Vasudeva said, "I am of opinion that they should go. But we must all abide by the opinion of the king Drupada who is learned in all the precepts of virtue."
Drupada said:
Having considered all the circumstances, I certainly agree with the foremost of men, the heroic and mighty armed Dasharaha (Krishna). There is no doubt the illustrious sons of Kunti, the Pandavas, are now to me as they are to Vasudeva.
The son of Kunti, Yudhishthira, himself does not seek the welfare of the Pandavas so much as this foremost of men Keshava (Krishna) does.
Vaishampayana said :
O king, having been commanded by the illustrious Drupada, the Pandavas, Krishna and Vidura. Taking with them the daughter of Drupada, Krishna and the illustrious Kunti, journeyed in pleasure towards the city of Hastinapur.
The king, Dhritarashtra, learning that those heroes (the Pandavas) had arrived, sent out the Kurus to receive them.
O descendant of Bharata, Vikarna, the great bowmen Chitrasena, the foremost of bowmen Drona and the son of Gautama Kripa (went out to receive them).
Surrounded by those (illustrious men), those mighty heroes (the Pandavas), their splendour (many times) increased, slowly entered the city of Hastinapur. The city became radiant with the curious sight-seers of the city. Those foremost of men, the dispelled of grief and sorrow. The Pandavas, dear to the hearts of the people, heard as they proceeded, various exclamations which the citizens, ever desirous of obeying the wishes of those princes, loudly uttered.
They exclaimed, "Here return that best of men (Yudhishthira), learned in the precepts of virtue. He always protects us as if we are his nearest relatives.
It seems as if the great king Pandu, ever beloved of his subjects, returns to-day from the forest to do what is agreeable to us.
What good is not done to us today when the heroic sons of Kunti returns to our city?
If we have ever given away in charity, if we have ever poured libations of ghee on the (sacrificial) fire, if we have any ascetic merit, let the Pandavas live in our city for one hundred years." They (the Pandavas) worshipped the feet of Dhritarashtra, as also those of Bhishma and also the feet of every body else that deserved the honour.
They inquired after the welfare of all the citizens. They then entered the palace assigned to them at the command of Dhritarashtra.
When those illustrious and greatly strong heroes had taken rest for some time, they were summoned by the king Dhritarashtra and the son of Shantanu (Bhishma.)
Dhritarashtra said:
O sun of Kunti, (Yudhishthira), listen with your brothers to what I say. Go to Khandavaprastha, so that no difference may arise again.
If you live there, none will be able to injure you. Taking half of the kingdom, live at Khandavaprastha protected by Partha (Arjuna), as the celestials are by the wielder of the thunder (Indra).
Vaishampayana said:
Agreeing to what the king said, those best of men worshipped the kings and started for that fearful forest. Receiving half of the kingdom, the Pandavas entered the Khandavaprastha, Krishna being at the head of the procession. Thereafter, the infallible Pandavas accompanied by Krishna, and by going to that place made it as glorious as heaven.
Those great car-warriors, selecting with the assistance of Dvaipayana a sacred and auspicious place, performed the propitiatory ceremonies and measured out a piece of land to found a city.
It was surrounded by a most as wide as the sea and by wall rising high up to the sky. It was as white as the white clouds or the rays of the moon. Those foremost of cities looked resplendent like the city of Bhogavati of the Nagas.
It was adorned with mansions having windows like the out-stretched wings of Garuda. It was protected with gates looking like the clouds and they were as high as the Mandara mountain; the weapons of the enemy could not make any impression on them. They were almost covered with darts and other missiles like the double tongued snakes. The turrets were filled with armed men and the walls were lined with warriors. It was well-stocked with various weapons of attack; there were thousands of sharp hooks and Shataghanis (a sort of weapon) and numerous other machines; there were also many iron wheels planted on them. With these were adorned that best of cities.
The streets were all wide and excellently laid out. Adorned with innumerable white mansions, the city looked like Amaravati (the celestials city); it looked like a mass clouds charged with lightings. It came to be called Indraprastha.
In a delightful and auspicious place stood the palace of those descendants of Kuru (the Pandavas). It was full of every kind of wealth like the palace of the (celestials) treasurer (Kubera) himself.
O king, there came with the desire of living (in that city) numerous Brahmanas learned in all the Vedas and conversant with every language. There came also from every direction numerous merchants with the desire of earning wealth.
There also came with the desire of living (in that city) numerous men well-skilled in all arts. Around the city were laid out many charming gardens with Amras, Amratakas, Kadambas, Ashokas, Champakas, Punnagas, Nagas, Lakuchas, Panasas, Salas, Talas, Tamalas, Bakulas and Ketakas. They were all beautiful and blossoming; they bent down with the weight of their fruits.
The Amlokas, Lodhras, blossoming Ankolas, Jambus, Patalas, Kubjakas, Atimuktakas, Karaviras, Parijatas and various other tress were there. All adorned with flowers and fruits and thronged with birds of various kinds.
These verdant groves were resounded with the notes of the maddened peacocks and Kokilas. There were various pleasure houses bright as mirrors and innumerable bowers of creepers, charming artificial hillocks, many lakes full to the brim with crystal water and delightful tanks fragrant with lotuses and lilies and adorned with swans, ducks and Chakravakas. There were many tanks overgrown with fine aquatic plants and various large and beautiful pounds.
O great king, the joy of the Pandavas increased from day to day in consequence of their residence in that large kingdom which was inhabited by pious men.
Thus inconsequence of the virtuous conduct of Bhishma and the king (Dhritarashtra) the Pandavas became the dwellers of Khandavaprastha.
Adorned with those excellent and great bow-men, each like an Indra himself, that best of cities looked like Bhogavati with the Nagas.
O king, having settled the Pandavas there, the heroic Krishna, on obtaining their leave, came back with Rama to Dvaravati.
Janamejaya said:
O ascetic, what did those illustrious men, the high-souled ones, my grandsires, the Pandavas, do after obtaining the kingdom of Indraprastha? How did their wedded wife Draupadi obey them all?
How was it that no dissension arose amongst those illustrious rulers of men, though attached to one wife Krishna?
O ascetic Rishi, I desire to hear everything in detail as regards their conduct towards one another after their union with Krishna.
Vaishampayana said:
Having obtained their kingdom at the command of Dhritarashtra, those chastisers of foes, the Pandavas, sported with Krishna at Indraprastha.
Having obtained the kingdom, the ever truthful greatly effulgent Yudhishthira with his brothers virtuously ruled the kingdom.
Having defeated all their foes, the greatly wise and ever devoted to truth and virtue, the sons of Pandu lived there in great happiness.
Those of men, seated on costly royal seats, discharged all the duties of government.
When (one day) those illustrious heroes were so seated, there came to them the celestials Rishi Narada in course of his travels.
Yudhishthira gave him his own excellent seat. When the celestials Rishi was seated, the wise Yudhishthira duly offered him the Arghya with his own hands. The Rishi accepted the worship and became very much pleased.
Uttering benedictions on him, he (the Rishi) asked him (Yudhishthira) to take his seat. Thus commanded, the king Yudhishthira took his seat.
He sent words to Krishna informing her of the arrival of the high-souled (Rishi). Hearing it, Draupadi, after properly purifying herself.
Went there where Narada was with the Pandavas. And that lady of virtuous deeds worshipped his feet.
Then the daughter of Drupada, being properly covered with her veil, stood before him with joined hands. That virtuous, truthful and excellent Rishi.
The illustrious Rishi Narada, after uttering various benedictions on the princess and saying that faultless lady, "Go," sent her away.
When Krishna retired, the illustrious Rishi thus spoke to the Pandavas with Yudhishthira at their head.
Narada said:
The illustrious princess of Panchala is the wedded wife of all of you establish a rule amongst yourselves so that no dissension may arise amongst you.
There were in the days of yore two brothers, celebrated throughout the three words by the names of Sunda and Upasunda; they were incapable if being killed by any one else except one by the other.
They ruled the same kingdom, lived in the same house, slept on the same bed, sat on the same seat and ate off the same dish, yet they killed each other for the sake of Tilottama.
O Yudhishthira, therefore preserve your friendship for one another and do that which may not produce dissension amongst you.
Yudhishthira said:
O great Rishi, whose sons were Sunda and Upasunda? How did their dissension arise and why did they kill each other?
Whose daughter was the Apsara, the celestials maiden Tilottama? Maddened by whose love they killed each other?
O ascetic, O Brahmana, I desire to hear all this in detail as it happened. Our curiosity has become very great.
Narada said:
O son of Pritha, Yudhishthira, listen to it with your brothers, as I narrate this old story exactly as every thing happened.
In the days of yore there was a Danava chief, named Nikumbha, who was energetic and strong and who was born in the race of Hiranyakashipu.
Two sons were born to him, named Sunda and Upasunda, both of them being chiefs of the Danavas and both of them being very energetic and powerful, very fearful and wicked-minded.
Those two Danavas were both of the same resolution and always engaged in performing the same work and in achieving the same end. They were ever the same to each other in weal and in woe.
Each speaking and doing what was agreeable to each other, the brothers never ate unless they were together and never went anywhere unless together.
Of exactly the same dispositions and habits, they seemed to be one individual divided into two parts. Possessing great energy and the same resolution in every thing, the brothers thus gradually grew up.
Always entertaining the same purpose and ever desiring of subjugating the three worlds, the brothers went after due initiation to the mountains of Vindhya; and going there, they performed served penances.
Exhausted with hunger and thirst with matted locks on their heads and attired in barks of trees, They performed penances for a very long time till at last they received sufficient ascetic merits.
Besmearing themselves with dirts from head to foot, living on air alone and standing on the toes of their own legs, they poured into fire pieces of flesh from their own body. With arms upraised and fixed eyes, they observed their vows for a long period.
(During the course of their ascetic penances), a wonderful incident happened. The Vindhya mountain, heated by their ascetic penance for many long years, began to emit vapours from every part of its body.
Thereupon, seeing their severe penances the celestials were alarmed. The celestials threw many obstacles for impeding their asceticism.
They again and again tempted them with gems and jewels and the most handsome maidens. But those two (brothers), firmly engaged in asceticism, did not break their vows.
Then the celestials displayed Maya (delusion) before those (two) illustrious Rishis. It appeared to them as if their sisters, mothers, wives and other relatives, with dishevelled hair, ornaments and robes, were running towards them in terror, pursued and struck down by a Rakshasas who had a lance in his hands. It appeared as if they were all crying, "O save us! O save us." But even this could not break the vows of those two great vow-observing Rishis.
When all this did not produce any impression on any of the two (Rishis), then the women and all the other apparitions vanished (into space).
Thereupon the Grandsire (Brahma) himself came to those two heroes and the Lord who seeks the welfare of all, asked them to solicit the boon they desired.
Then try two greatly powerful brothers, Sunda and Upasunda, rose from their seat on seeing the Grandsire and they stood before him with joined hands. They both together spoke thus to that celestials Lord, "O Grandsire, if you are pleased with our worship. And, O lord, if you are propitious to us, let us then possess the knowledge of all weapons and of all powers of Maya (delusion); let us possess great strength and assume any form at will; let us be immortal.
Brahma said:
Except being immortal, you two will be all that you desire. Ask for some death by which you may be equal to the immortals.
As you have performed these severe penances from the desire of sovereignty alone, I cannot bestow on you the boon of immortality.
You have undergone your ascetic penances for the subjugation of the three worlds; O chiefs of the Danavas. it is for this I cannot grant you what you desire.
Sunda and Upasunda said:
O Grandsire, let us then have no fear from any created thing, mobile or immobile in the three worlds, except only from each other.
The Grandsire said:
I great you what you have asked, said and desired. Your death is fixed according to your own desire.
Narada said:
Having granted them this boon, the Grandsire made them desist from their asceticism; and he then went away to the region of Brahma.
Having received those boons, those two brothers, the chiefs of Danavas, became non-slayable by any creature in the universe. They then returned to their own home.
Seeing those intelligent beings successful in their desire and crowned with success as regards the boon, their friends and relatives became exceedingly glad.
They then cut off their matted locks and wore coronets on their heads. They adorned and attired themselves in costly ornaments and handsome robes. They made the moon to rise untimely and it all times; and all their friends and relatives were always enjoy.
"Eat," "Feed,” "Give," "Make merry," "Sing," "Drink," such sounds were heard in every house (in their city).
Here and there arose loud uproars of merriment, mixed with the clapping of hands which filled the city of those two Danavas.
The Danavas, capable of assuming any form at will, engaged themselves in every kind of amusements and sports. They scarcely noticed that time was passing away. They regarded a whole year as if it was but a day.
Narada said:
As soon as the festivals came to an end, they (Sunda and Upasunda), being desirous of the sovereignty of the three worlds, took counsel and commanded their forces to be arranged.
Having obtained the consent of their friends and relatives, of the elder, of the Danava race and of their ministers and having performed the preliminary rites of departure, they started on the night when the constellation Magha was on the ascendant.
A large army of the Danavas clad in mails and armed with clubs, axes, lances and maces, went with them. The Charanas chanted auspicious panegyrics indicative of their future victory; and they sat out on their expedition with joyous hearts.
Furious in war and capable of going everywhere at will, the two Danavas rose to the sky and went to the region of the celestials.
Learning that they were coming and knowing also what boons they had obtained from the Supreme Lord, the celestials left heaven and sought refuge in the region of Brahma.
The greatly powerful (Danava) brothers subjugated the region of Indra and defeated various tribes of Yakshas and Rakshasas. They then returned.
The two great car-warriors then subjugated the Nagas of the nether regions, then the inmates of the ocean and then all the Mleccha races.
Being desirous of subjugating the whole earth, those two greatly irresistible heroes, summoning their soldiers, spoke these cruel words, "The royal sages with the help of the Brahmanas increase the strength and prosperity of the celestials by pouring libations on the fire and offering other foods in grand sacrifices.
"Engaged in such works, they are the enemies of the Asuras. Therefore, the duty of all of us is to muster together and exterminate them."
Thus ordering them all on the eastern shore of the great ocean and forming such a cruel resolution, the Asura brothers started in all directions.
The two heroes immediately killed those that were performing sacrifices and the Brahmanas that were assisting in those sacrifices. Killing them all, they started for another place.
Their soldiers threw into the water the sacrificial fires that were in the hermitages o Rishis who had controlled their souls.
The curses uttered by (he high-souled ascetics in anger became futile on account of the boons granted to them (by Brahma); but they did not any way affect them.
When the Brahmanas saw that their curses make no impressions on them like arrows shot at stones, they fled in all directions, forsaking their rites and vows.
Even those, that were crowned with ascetic success in the world and that were self-controlled and wholly engrossed in meditation of the Deity, fled in their fear as snakes at the approach of the son of Vinata (Garuda).
All the sacred hermitages were trodden down and broken; and their contents were scattered all over the ground. The universe became empty, as if every thing was destroyed at a Dissolution.
O king, when all the Rishis had disappeared, the two great Asuras resolved upon their destruction and assumed various forms.
They assumed the forms of maddened elephants with temples rent (from excess of juice) and they slaughtered the Rishis hidden in mountain caves.
Sometimes they became lions, sometimes tigers and sometime, they disappeared. By assuming such forms, they killed the Rishis wherever they saw them.
Sacrifice and study ceased; kings and Brahmanas were exterminated. The earth became destitute of festivals and sacrifices.
The people cried, "Alas! Alas!" and all buying and selling were stopped. The works of the celestials ceased and sacred ceremonies and marriages discontinued.
Agriculture was neglected and cattle were not tended; both cities and hermitages became desolate. The earth, being covered with bones and skeletons, looked fearful.
The ceremonies in honour of the Pitris, the sacred sound of Vashata (Vedas) and all auspicious rites ceased. The universe looked frightful to behold.
The moon, the sun, the planets, the stars, the constellations and the dwellers of heaven, became exceedingly sorry on seeing these works of Sunda and Upasunda.
Thus subjugating all the points of heaven by cruel acts, the Danavas lived at Kurukshetra having not a single rival (in all the earth).
Narada said:
Thereupon the tranquil and self-restrained celestials Rishi, Siddhas and the Paramhansas, became exceedingly sorry on seeing that great massacre.
Being moved by compassion, they with their passions, senses and souls under complete control, went to the abode of the Grandsire.
They then saw the Grandsire seated with the celestials, surrounded by the Siddhas and the Brahmarshis.
There was the Deity Mahadeva (Shiva), there was Agni with Vayu. There were Chandra, Aditya, Indra and the Rishis devoted to the contemplation of the Supreme. (There were) the Vaikhanasas, the Balkhilyas, the Vanaprasthas, the Marichipas, the Ajanma, the Avimudas and many other greatly effulgent ascetics. All the Rishis came to the Grandsire and those great Rishis all approached him with sorrowful hearts. They represented to him all the acts of Sunda and Upasunda. The celestials and the great Rishis told the Grandsire of the universe in details what they had done and how and in what order they had done it. They all pressed the matter to the Grandsire and the Grandsire, having heard what they said, reflected for a moment and settled what ought to be done. Resolving to kill them, he summoned Vishvakarma.
Seeing Vishvakarma, the Grandsire commanded him saying, "O great ascetic, create a damsel who will be captivating to all hearts?"
Bowing down to the Grandsire and receiving his command with reverence, he created a celestials damsel after good deal of thought.
Vishvavita (Vishvakarma) first collected whatever handsome there was in mobile or immobile things in the three worlds.
He placed millions of gems on the body of the damsel. The celestials beauty that he created was a mass of gems and jewels.
She was created by Vishvakarma with good deal of care. She became matchless in beauty amongst the women of the three worlds.
There was not the minutest part of her body which by its wealth of beauty did not rivet the gaze of the beholder directed towards it.
She was like Lakshmi himself; and that extraordinarily beautiful damsel captivated the eyes and hearts of all creatures.
Because she was created with the portions of every gem in every minute portion, the Grandsire gave her the name of Tilottama.
She bowed down to Brahma and spoke to him with joined hands, "O lord of creatures, what task am I to accomplish and for what purpose am I created?"
The Grandsire said:
O Tilottama, go to the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda. O amiable girl, tempt them with your desirable beauty.
Act in such a way that as soon as they saw you they may quarrel with each other in consequence of your wealth of beauty.
She promised to do it; and bowing down to the Grandsire, she walked round the celestials assembly.
The illustrious Deity (Brahma) was then sitting facing eastwards; Mahadeva (Shiva) also was sitting facing eastwards; all the other celestials with their faces northwards and the Rishis with their faces towards all directions.
When she was walking round the assembly, Indra and the illustrious Sthanu (Shiva) alone succeeded in preserving their tranquility of mind.
Because he (Shiva) was very much desirous of seeing her, therefore when she came at his side, another face came out on the southern side of his body with eyes like fall-blossomed lotuses.
When she came behind him, another face appeared on his western side; and when she came on the northern side, a fourth face appeared on his northern side. Indra also came to have one thousand eyes before, behind and on his flanks, each large and reddish.
Thus in days of yore, Sthanu (Shiva) the great Deity, came to have four faces and the slayer of Vala (Indra) one thousand eyes.
All the celestials and the Rishis turned their faces to that direction where Tilottama went in her walking round the assembly.
Except those of the Deity, the divine Grandsire, the eyes of all those illustrious begins fell on her body.
When that great beauty went away, the celestials and the great Rishis regarded the task already accomplished.
After Tilottama had departed, the First Cause of the creation (Brahma) sent away all the celestials and the Rishis.
Narada said:
Subjugating the whole earth, the two Danavas became unrivalled; and when they had brought the three worlds under their sway, they then considered themselves free from fatigue and regarded that their works were done.
Having taken all the wealth of the Devas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, the kings, they become exceedingly happy.
When they saw they had no rival, like the immortals they gave up all labour and exertion and they passed their time in pleasures and merriments.
They derived great pleasure in women, in garlands, in perfumes, in viands, in drinks and in various other article of enjoyments.
Like the immortals they roamed in profuse pleasure and amusement in houses, in woods, in gardens, in forests and on hills, nay wherever they liked.
Thereupon one day they went to sport to a table-land of the Vindhya mountain, on perfectly level and stony ground, overgrown with Sala trees blossomed with flowers.
After every object of desire of the most agreeable kind had been brought, they (Sunda and Upasunda) sat on an excellent seat in happiness and joy with many handsome women (around them).
Wishing to please those two (heroes), those damsels danced in accompaniment with music and sang many songs in praise of the mighty brothers.
Thereupon Tilottama, attired in a single red silk cloth and thereby exposing all her charms, came there gathering flowers in the forest.
Gathering Kamikaras that grew along the banks of the river, she slowly came to the place where those two great heroes were.
They were intoxicated with a large quantity of liquor and their eyes had grown red. As soon as they saw that most beautiful damsel, they were filled with desire.
Leaving their seat, they immediately went to the place where she was. Both being full of desire, both sought her favours.
Sunda caught that beauty of fair eyebrows by her right hand and Upasunda caught hold of the left hand of Tilottama.
Intoxicated with the boons that they had obtained, with their physical strength, with the wealth and gems they had amassed and with the wine they had drunk.
Intoxicated with all this and maddened with desire, each of them contracted his eye-brows in anger; and they then spoke thus to each other.
Sunda said, "She is my wife and your superior." Upasunda said, "She is my wife and your sister-in-law."
They each exclaimed, "She is mine, not yours." Maddened by her beauty, they lost all love and friendship (that they bore for each other).
For her sake they went for their, maces and deprived of heir reason by desire, they took of their fearful clubs.
(Crying), "I was the first," (in taking her hand), they attacked each other. Struck by those fearful clubs, both of them fell on the ground.
Their bodies being covered with blood they looked like two suns loosened from the sky. The women and the others that were present all fled away trembling in grief and fear; and took refuge in the nether regions. Thereupon the pure souled Grandsire with the celestials and great Rishis came there and applauded Tilottama. The illustrious Grandsire cheered her by granting boons. Before she spoke, the Grandsire thus spoke in cheerfulness,
"O beautiful damsel, you shall roam in the region of the suns. Your splendour will be so great that none will ever be able to took at you." Having granted this boon to her, the Grandsire of all creatures, the Supreme lord, placed Indra over the region of Indra and went away to the region of Brahma.
Thus those two Asuras, ever united and inspired with the same purpose, killed each other in anger for the sake of Tilottama. O best of the Bharata race, therefore, from affection for you all, I tell you that if you wish to do anything agreeable to me, make some such arrangement as you may not quarrel with one another for the sake of Draupadi.
Vaishampayana said:
O king having been thus addressed by the high-souled great Rishi Narada, they (the Pandavas) consulted with one another and established a rule in the presence of the celestials Rishi of immeasurable energy that when one of them would be with Draupadi, any of the other four, who would see that one, must go to the forest for twelve years to lead the life of a Brahmachari. After the virtuous Pandavas had established this rule among themselves, the great Rishi Narada, being pleased with them, went to the place he wished (to go).
O descendant of Bharata, thus requested by Narada, they (the Pandavas) made in the days of yore a rule amongst themselves with respect to their common wife. It was, therefore, that no dispute ever arose amongst them.
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