T H F S T O RY

TH E GR E AT WAR
S OME L ESS ON S F ROM TH E MAH AB H ARATA

F OR TH E U S E OF H I N D U S TU DE N TS I N

TH E S CH OOL S OF I N DI A

BY

AN N I E B E S A N T, F T S . . .

F ROM N OTE S OF L E CTURE S ORI GI N AL L Y D EL I V ERE D

AT TH E CEN TRAL H I N DU COL L EGE, B EN ARES .

TH E OS O P H I CAL P UB LI S H I N G S OCI E TY B E N AR E S
, .

T H E O S O P H I S T O F F I C E ADYAR M A DRAS
, ,

T H E OS O P H I CAL P UB L I S H I N G S OCI E TY 2 6 C H AR I N G C ROS S.

L O N DO N .
 C ON T EN T S Z 5 3
4
.
,

R T?
C HA PTE R I . I N TR O D U CTI O N .

C HA P T E RI I . T H E YO U T H O F TH E H E ROES .

Em ma .

C HA PT E R I I I THE . P E R I LS
AN D T R I U M P H S O F TH E

P AN DA V A S jdz P a rz/a
'

. .

C HA PT E R IV . THE G A T H E RI N G OF TH E S TO R M
C LO U D S . S a éfi ci P a wn .

C HA PT E R V . T H E T H I R T E E N Y EA R S
’
EX I LE . V a na
a nd V £74214 P a w/ a s .

C HA P T E R V I . P EA CE OR W AR ? Udyoga a nd B /z z sfz
‘

ma P a rt/ a s .

C HA PT E R V II . TH E SI N OF Y UD H I STH I RA D ro zm, .

m a , S /z a ly a S a up lz é a , S i n , a nd
'

Ka
”

S k dm z P a m/ as
'
‘
.

C HA PT E R V II I . T H E G REA T E X H O R TA T I O N . S /z zi n ti
a nd A n u s k dm i z a P a rv a s .

C H APTE R IX . THE C LO S I N G S CEN ES . As / wa mea lz a ’

Asb ra ma vds i ka , M a m a /a , M a
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la i
pm s tk é mka ,
’
‘

a nd S va rgdro/z a g
’

z z ka

P a rt/ as .

8 52 9 60
 T H E S T O RY

OF

WA R
'

TH E G R E A T

C H AP T E R I .

I N TRO D U CT I O N

W E a r e g o ing to s t u d y th e b oo k c al l ed the M ah a
“

b h a rata o ne o f th e greates t b oo k s i n t he w orl d .

T o d o th i s u s e fu l l y , w e m u st be g i n by see i ng wh at
s ort o f boo k i t i s th at w e are goi n g to s t u dy , a n d
wh at so rt o f m i n d we a re to b ri n g to th e r ead i n g o f
it Fo r the m i n d o f th e s tu d e n t h as a great d ea l to
.

d o w i th u n d ers ta n d i n g th e boo k I f h i s m i n d be
.

p ro perl y p re p ared h e wi l l u n d ers ta n d m ore e as i l y the

b o ok h e i s goi n g t o read , th a n i f h e c o m es to i t w it h
h i s m i n d i n a wro n g atti t u d e I f y ou wa n t t o s e e
.

a th i n g you m u st l oo k a t i t w i th y o u r eyes ope n ,

,

n ot sh u t Yo u m u s t t u r n y ou r fa c e to i t , no t y o u r
.

bac k . A n d s o wi t h th e m i n d ; i ts eyes m u s t be
o pe n ed a n d i t s face tu rned t o th e b oo k W e m u s t
.

k n o w h ow to read it , a n d wh a t p ri n c i p l es a re t a k e n
for gra n ted i n i t S o we w i l l begi n by get ti n g o u r
.

min d s ready , a n d p u tt i n g th e m i n to the ri gh t att i t u d e

.
6 I N TR O D U C TI O N

We m u s t fi n d o u t h ow t o read o u r b o o k The n we .

shal l t ake u p Parv a a ft er P a rv a ( v ol u m e a fter v ol u m e ) ,

p i c k i ng ou t t h e m ost i m por t a n t parts a n d s tri n gi n g

t he m i n to an ord erl y s t ory W e shal l try t o get a c l ea r
.

i dea o f t he wh ol e book — what i t i s m ea n t to teac h th e

“

k i n d of peopl e wh os e s tor y i s t o l d i n i t , wh at th ey were

d oi n g an d t ry i n g t o d o h o w the God s h el ped o r
,

h i nd ered t h em a n d t h e work i n g o f th e G od s i n th e
,

even t s t hat took pl ace .

W he n yo u go o u t i n to th e worl d y ou w i l l m ee t
peopl e wh o d o n ot bel ieve t h at God s a re sh ap i n g
e ve n ts an d gu id i ng th e worl d s Those wh o d o no t
,
.

be l ie ve i n the H i n d u re l i gio n w i l l al so attac k you r

S cri ptu res you r sac re d boo ks I t i s t here fore part o f
,
.

t h e d u t y o f a H i n d u boy t o u n d ers t an d a l i t t l e abou t

t he sac red boo ks o f h i s re l i gi o n , so that h e m a y n o t
be sha ken by wh at i gn ora n t o r fo o lish peo pl e m ay
s a y agai ns t t he m .
j
T he M ah a bh a ra t a h as a h igh val u e as l i terat u re ,
th at i s w he n j ud ged fro m a l i t erary s t and poi n t
, .

E ve ry n a t i o n h as a l i t e ratu re — book s — a n d s o m e s t an d
h igh an d s om e l o w i n th i s respec t . They h a ve
poe m s , h is t ori es , s to ri es , ph i l oso ph i c an d rel igi o u s
boo ks Th e pl ace that a n a t i o n h ol d s i n the m i n d
.

o f t h e worl d d epen d s very l argel y o n i ts book s . If a

n ati o n p r o d u ces g reat boo k s , that n at ion i s l o oke d
 A N AT I O N S G REAT N E S S
’
7

on as gr eat by o the r n at i o n s I f i t h a s n o g rea t

.

boo ks , i t i s d e s p is ed Th ere i s n o n at ion w h ic h h a s

‘
.

greate r boo ks th a n th e I n d i a n .

You re ad abo u t the G ree k s , w i th th e i r p o e t H o m e r

wh o tol d t h e s tory o f a te n yea rs wa r, a n d wi th ma n y
-
’

s p l en d i d w ri ters o f ph i l osophy a nd h i s to ry P eop l e

.

n o w rea d the i r boo ks a nd sa y, wh at a gre a t c o u n try

G reece was to p ro d u ce s u c h wr i ters P eop le i n th e

.

Wes t are begi n n i n g t o read y o u r boo k s wri tte n i n

S an s k ri t, an d t o say wh at a great n a ti o n the I n d i a n s
m u s t h ave bee n i n the o ld d ays to w ri te s u c h bo o k s .

T he M ah a bh a rata i s th e grea tes t po e m i n th e

whol e worl d T here i s n o othe r poe m s o s p l e n di d a s
.

th is , s o fu l l o f wh at we wa n t to k n o w, a n d o f wh a t i t
i s good fo r u s to s tu d y I t i s s o beau t i fu l i n i ts la n
.

gu age a n d tel l s s o i n teres ti n g a story , Th at e v e r y

H i nd u boy sh o u l d k n o w s om eth i n g a bou t i t I t i s .

n o t good to gro w u p w i t ho u t k n owi n g a l i t t le o f th i s

grea t es t poe m i n the wo rl d , wr i tte n by a n d fo r y ou r

o wn fo re fathe r s
-
S O w e a re go i n g t o b eg in i ts
.

s tu d y
.

T here are th ree th i n gs i n wh i c h i ts great n es s

ch i efly c o n si s t s : (4 ) I ts E th i c s ; ( é ) I ts P h i l os ophy ;
( )
5 I t s H i story .

( a ) Et h i cs m ea n s m o r al i ty d eal t w i th syste ma ti
c a l ly — go o d co n d uc t, a n d the r u l e s of goo d con d u c t
 8 I N TR O D U CTI O N

he n yo u l ea r n a r it h m et i c yo u a re g i ve n c e rt a i n
‘
IV

r u l es a n d i f y ou fol l ow th e ru l e s a n d a ppl y th e m p ro
,

perl y , the s u m c o m es o u t righ t S o i t i s wi t h e th i c s ,

.

t h e s c i e n ce o f m o ral i t y I t d eal s w i th ri gh t a n d wro n g

.
,

h a t i t i s good to d o a n d wh at i t i s ba d to d o Th ere .

a re d efi n i te ru l es . Et h i cs d oes no t sa y : Y o u o u gh t “

t o be good , o r Yo u o ugh t n o t to be bad b u t i t

“

g i ves r u l es , sh ow i n g wh at i s g ood a n d what i s bad ,

what yo u s h o u l d d o a n d wh at y ou s h ou l d avo i d .

A l l t hes e ru les a n d th e p ri n c i p l e s u nd e rly i ng th e m

a re c al l ed E th i c s
.

Th e “
M ah a bh a rata i s g reat as a teach er o f
E th i cs , s h ow i n g u s h o w t o beh ave o u rsel ves I t .

t ea c hes eve ryb o dy I t teaches c h ildre n b o ys an d

.
t

gi rl s , m e n a n d wo m en a n d i t teach e s the m wh a t t o
,

d o a t eac h pa rt o f l i fe I t t eaches B r a h m a n as ,
.

K sh a t triya s V a i sh ya s, S h u d ra s a n d p e opl e w i t h o u t
, ,

c aste as wel l , s o th at al l m ay lea rn h o w t o beh av e

“

t h e msel ves i n e ve ry d ay l i fe I t t each es h ow t o l i ve

.

I n b u s i n ess , i n th e fam i l y as h u sba n d fa t he r a nd so n,

, ,

wi fe , m o t h er a n d d augh te r I t teach es the c o m m o n

.

t h i n gs Cf e veryd ay l i fe a n d d o es th i s i n a very i n
,

t e re s t i n g way by m ean s of stories I n s t ead o f s ay i ng

.

Y ou o u gh t t o tel l th e t ru th i t tel l s u s a n u m”
,

be r o f st ori es abou t peop l e wh o tol d th e t ru th a n d

wh at h a p pe n ed to the m I n ste a d o f say i ng : Yo u
.
 P R AH L ADA AND B E HA V IOU R 9

o u gh t n o t to tel l a l i e ,
i t tel l s u s a n u m be r of stor i es
a bou t peop l e wh o tol d l i es a n d w hat h ap p e n ed to
t hem I n t h i s way we l earn h o w t o a p ply th e r u l es
.

o f c o n duc t an d th u s to u n d ers ta n d t he m m u c h bette r

,
.

W he n o ne o f you r p ro fessors teach es yo u a ru l e i n

a r it h m et i c , h e gi ves y o u a n u m be r o f s u m s to be
w ork ed o u t by t h at ru l e a n d that hel ps you to u n der
,

s tan d i t m u c h better tha n i f y ou had o n ly the r u l e

a nd n o e x am p l es .

Good beh av i ou r i s a m ore i m p ortan t th i n g th a n

s o me peopl e th i n k s u ccess , h ap pi n ess a n d p ros peri t y
d epe n d o n i t T here i s a s tory ab ou t P ra h la da wh o ,
i

.
,

by the m eri t of h is good c o n d u ct took fro m I n d ra ,

th e s overeig n ty of the th ree w o rl d s ; the n I n d ra d i s ,

g u i s i n g h i m sel f as a B r a h m a n a , w en t a n d serve d
P ra h la da as h i s d isc i pl e u n ti l P ra h la da , pl eased w i t h
,

h i m , o ffe red t o gra n t a ny b o o n h e d es i red T he n .

I n d ra as k ed th at P ra h la da w ou l d gi ve h i m h is b e
h av i o u r ; a n d t h ou gh fi l l ed w i th fea r as to the c o n se
,

q ue nc e s P ra h la da gave i t bo u n d by h i s wo rd
, , As .

P ra h la da sa t, b r o od i n g o ve r w h at h ad o cc u rred , a
fl a m e wi t h a sh ad owy for m iss u ed fro m h is bod y , an d
wh e n the k i n g as k ed , W h o a rt thou ? the for m
“

a n swered : I am th e e m bod i m e n t of t hy B eh av i ou r,
“

c as t o ff by thee I a m goi n g away to d we l l w i t h th y

.

d ev o t e d d isc i p l e the B ra h m a n a A n d a n o the r for m

.
”
 I O IN TR O D U CT I O N

l e ft the k i n g s b od y, and , when as ked , s a i d : I a m

’
“

Ri gh teo us n ess ; I l i ve where B eh av i ou r d wel l s A nd .

i n t he s am e way we n t fo r t h T ru t h , Good D eed s ,

M igh t an d P ros peri ty ; an d th e l as t n am ed s ai d : O
P ra h la da i t was by t hy B eh av i ou r t h a t tho u ha ds t
,

red u ced th e t h ree world s to s u bj ec ti on K n owi n g .

th i s t he ch i e f o f the ce l es t ial s robbed thee Of t h y

,

B ehavi o u r Ri gh t eou s n ess Tru t h , Good D eed s , M i gh t

.
,

a n d m y sel f, O th o u o f great w is d om , al l have o u r i

root veri l y i n Beh avi ou r A n d the n P rO S pe ri ty we n t

.

wh i t her Behav i o u r h ad go n e ( S /z dn tz P a rr/a , g

'

A n other i m portan t pri nc i p l e we l ea rn fro m m an y

s tori es i n t he M aha bh a rat a is t h a t m o ral i t y i s re
l a t i ve Th i s m ean s t h a t what is ri gh t co nd u c t fo r o n e
.
,

pe rs o n i s n ot al ways ri gh t c o n d u c t for a n o t he r an d t h a t ,

d u t y d epe nd s o n wh at a ma n i s I f y o u are a boy i t .

,

i s righ t fo r yo u t o d o w ha t y ou r teache r te l l s yo u I f
-
.

y o u are a teache r , i t i s ri gh t fo r yo u to te l l o t hers

w h at to d o I f yo u are a fathe r, i t i s you r d u t y t o
.

t rai n you r s on s I f yo u are a s o n i t i s you r d u t y to

.
,

fol l o w you r fa t her s ad vi ce Th e u se fu l ness o f a m a n

’
.

d epen d s o n h is k n ow i n g a n d d oi n g t he d u t i es bel on g
i ng to h is p l ace i n l i fe T o you , as boys i n sc hoo l
.

a n d c ol l ege i t i s no t of i m por t an ce to k no w t he d u t ies

,

o f the head of a h ou s e h o ld I t is ve ry i m por t an t

.

th at y o u s ho u ld kn o w a nd d o y o ur d u t i e s a s s tu d en ts ,
 TH E ON E S E LF I I

Th e Mah a bh ar ata l ays great stress o n th i s re l at i o n

be t wee n c on d u c t a n d p os i t i o n .

F u rth e r, t h is
_
boo k gi ves al l th at i s n eed ed by
e very bod y i n t he way o f m oral te ach i n g
!

S o m e boo k s .

a re m ean t o n l y fo r s peci al pe op l e A v e ry d i ffi c u l t
.

boo k i s o n l y fo r a learn ed m an ; th e i gn ora n t m a n

c an n ot un d e rsta n d i t A l a w boo k i s u se fu l t o a
.

p l ead e r u sel ess t o a peasa n t S o m e books o n rel i gi o n

, .

are o n l y fo r ad va n ced peo pl e B u t th i s boo k i s fo r

.

e ve r y bod y , a n d h o we ve r l i tt l e a m an m ay k n o w ,

there i s s o me th i n g fo r h i m h ere I t c a n be read by

.

e verybod y , a n d e ve ry body c a n profi t by i t I f they .

read n o o the r book t hey c an l earn fro m th is al l t h ey

,

n eed i n rel i gi o u s a n d m ora l k n ow l ed ge .

( 5) P h i l osophy i s ad d ressed to t h e I n t e l lec t t h e ,

r easo n i ng a n d j ud gi n g powe r i n m a n I t d eal s w i t h .

t ru t h s abou t God m an , t h e worl d , a n d th e u n i ve rs e ,

,

a n d a rra nges t hes e t h i n gs i n a n i n tel l ec t u a l s y s t e m .

'
J he M ah a b h a ra t a t eaches a great ph i l oso ph y , t ha t
w h ich u n d erl i es a ll th e H i nd u re l i gi o n T here i s .

o n e S u p re m e B ei n g , God , t he o n e S el f i n e ve r y bod y
a n d i n e v ery t h i n g T h i s G od i s eve ry wh ere i n t h e
.
,

su n , m oo n a n d s t ars , i n God s a n d m n i n a n i m al s ,
e ,

ve g etabl es a nd m i n eral s The re i s o ne l i fe i n al l , an d

.

tha t l i fe i s God There fore al l c rea t u res are o ne ;

.

they a re n o t real ly se p arate w h at is g ood fo r o ne is

12 I N T R O D U C TI O N

g o o d for al l ; wh at i s good fo r a l l i s g o o d fo r o ne .

B ecau se o f th i s , w e sh o u l d be k i n d to a l l a n d l ove al l
t here i s a c om m o n l i fe , a n d we h u rt i t i n o u rsel ves
whe n we h u rt i t i n a noth er T he l i fe i n the o x , i n
.

the bi rd is yo u r l i fe , i s you rs Yo u sh o u l d take c are

, .

o f i t a n d p rotec t i t as you r ow n Let m e tel l yo u the

.

s to ry abo u t k i ng Us h i n a ra a n d th e p igeo n wh o s ou g h t
h i s p ro t ec ti o n T he ch i e f d u ty o f a k i ng i s to pro
.

te e t al l i n h is k i n gd o m a n d t wo o f the God s , I n d ra
,

a nd A g n i , w ishe d to tes t Ush i n a ra i n h i s d i sch arge o f

th is d u t y . I n d ra to o k th e form o f a h aw k A g n i o f ,

a p i g eon , an d the p i geon , ch ased by t h e h aw k t oo k ,

re fuge i n th e k i n g s l a p T he h aw k d e m an d ed th e
’
.

p i g eo n as h i s l aw fu l p rey , bu t th e k i ng re fused o n ,

t he grou n d th at t he h aw k h ad s ou gh t h i s p rotec ti o n ,

T he n the h aw k a rgu ed th at , d ep ri ved o f food h e ,

wo u l d peri sh , an d t hat i n p rotec t i n g o ne l i fe the k i n g

fai led t o p rotec t m any T he k i n g re fus i n g t o g i ve
.
,

u p the p i geo n , o ffered o t he r food b u t a ll was re fu se d ,

,

u n ti l a t l as t t he h aw k o ffered to gi ve u p h i s c l ai m i f

t he k i n g w ou l d g i ve o f h i s o wn fles h as m u ch as
eq u al l ed th e weigh t o f the p ige on T he k i n g gl ad ly
.

c o n se n ted an d p l aced a p i ece o f h i s ow n flesh i n the

,

b al a nc e a ga i nSt t h e we igh t o f th e p igeo n ; bu t the

scal e rose . S o h e c u t o ff p iec e a ft e r p iece a n d s ti l l
,

t he p i g eo n wa s the h e av i e r u n t i l at l as t he p l a c ed h i s
,
 TH E L OSS OF B E LI EF 1 3

o w man gl ed fi gu r e i n the scal e T he n the G o d s

n .

r eveal ed the m sel ves , a n d bl essed t he k i n g wh o s aved a

s u p p l i a n t at the c os t o f h i s o w n flesh ( V erna P a wa ,.

1 30 , 1 31 1)

( c ) T he M ah a b ha rata i s a h is tory , a l th ou g h i t i s
m o re tha n a h is tory T h i s b i g boo k i n ei gh t ee n vo
.

l u m es te l l s a s tory abou t th i ngs th at r eal l y o c

c u rred s o m e fi ve th ou s an d yea rs ago F i ve t h o u san d.

years ago S hr i K rish n a the B l essed Lord , p u t o ff H i s

,

m ortal bod y T heh bega n the K al i Y u ga Th e s tory

. .

tol d i n t h i s bo o k e n d s soo n a ft e r H e l e ft t he earth .

Th at i s the fi rs t t h i n g t o u n d ers ta n d T h i s i s n ot a
.

fai ry tal e , b u t a h i s to ry
-
T h e m i gh ty K s h a ttriya
.

c aste , t he warri or —c as te o f I n d i a , w as fo r th e m os t
p art d es troye d i n th e G reat W a r H e r s ol d i e rs th a t
. .

kep t h e r s a fe , a n d m ad e an i ro n wal l a ro u n d he r ,
were sl ai n i n th is w ar a n d th at c as te cease d to e x i s t a s
,

a p ower fu l o rd e r an d was c arried o n on l y by s c at tere d

,

fa m i l i es I ts des tru c t i o n O p e n ed th e w ay fo r I n d i a s
.
’

c o n q u es t an d fal l .

T he K al i Yu ga i s a t im e i n wh i ch p eop l e l os e
be l ie f i n t he G od s an d the ir wo r k a n d bec o m e m o re
,

a n d m ore the se r va n ts o f o u te r th i n g s Th ey bel i e ve .

i n th e t h i n gs t hat th ey c a n se e hea r, tou ch tas te o r

, ,

s m el l — the th i n g s you r bod i l y s e n ses te l l yo u abou t .

Yo u bel i ev e i n a ta b l e , be c a u se y o u c a n see a n d
 1 4 I N TR O D U C TI O N

tou ch i t Y ou bel i eve i n a h ou s e , a p e rs on , the

.

obj ec ts rou n d you , beca u se yo u c an se e an d h an d l e

t hem B u t m an y peop l e d o n ot bel i eve i n th i n gs
.

th a t t he y c an n ot s e e o r t ou ch i n G od s th at a re ro u n d
,

u s al l t he t i m e i n the S u pre m e S el f wh ose Li fe i s

,

o u r l i fe M os t peop l e here are hal f way Th ey wi l l

.
-
.

n o t sa y they d o n o t bel i eve i n t he God s , b u t t he i r

l i ves sh ow th at t hey d o n ot bel ieve i n t he m T h e .

th i n gs t hat are d o n e by t h e God s every d ay a m o n g

u s are n ot see n as the i r work Y o u tal k o f n a t u re ,
.

o f the su n ri s i n g t he m oo n sh i n i ng the wa t er ru n
, ,

n i n g , the fi re b u rn i n g T hese th i n gs a re m a t te rs o f
.

c ou rse B u t i n every o ne o f the m a G od i s at work

. .

! Vhe n the fi re bu rns — o n the hearth i n t he j u n gl e ,

a God i s at work , an d the fi re i s h i s way o f s h o wi n g

h i msel f T he fi re i s n ot a m ere che m i c al th i ng , b u t

.

i t i s the way the God Agn i h as o f s h owi n g h i m sel f

d own he re I n other worl d s h e sh ews h i m sel f i n
.

othe r ways , b u t he re as fi re W h e n the water o f

.

Gang a rises a God dess i s the re ; i n S va rga sh e sh o ws

,

h ersel f d i ffere n tly , bu t he re as a ru sh i n g s trea m I f .

y o u c a n n ot bel ieve t h i s , t he M ah a bh a rata w i l l

“ ”

al ways pu z zl e y o u for i t rel ates th i ngs as t hey rea l ly

h appe ned i ns t ead , of i n th e way i n wh ic h th ey l oo k
t o ou r eyes I ns tead o f sayi ng t he fi re bu rned the
.

fores t o f K h a nda va , i t s ays A g n i bu rn ed i t I t tal k s .

 TH E USE OF M A N TRA S I5
a l ways of wh at th e G o ds a re d oi n g a n d peo p l e wh o
,

do n o t be l ieve i n th e God s t h i n k t h at th at i s a fau c i

fu l way o f pu t ti ng th i n g s F e w peop l e bel i eve th at s u ch
.

th i ngs hap pe n n o w a nd yet t h e y d o h a ppe n as m u c h

,

as eve r t hey d i d I n oth e r ages th e God wou l d o ft e n

.

shew h i mse l f at w or k a nd le t peop l e s e e h i m N o w .

t h e God s h i d e t he msel ves beca u s e th e peopl e h av e

,

bec o m e m aterial i s t i c an d d o n ot c a re fo r t h e m N o w .

a n d t hen a pers o n w h o i s pu re a n d l ov i ng s ees t he m

as i n t h e ol d days a n d su c h a p ers o n bel i ev es i n a b oo k
,

l i ke t h i s a n d i ts s tori es d o n ot see m st ra n ge to h i m
, .

M e n n o w o ft e n s pea k o f the i n v i s i bl e s i d e o f
“ ”
n at u re as s u pe rn at u ral Th at i s a m i sta ke T h e
. .

g reat e r part o f n at u re i s m ad e u p o f the wo rl d s a nd

the be i ngs that are i n v i s i bl e t o o u r p hy s i c al se ns es ,
b u t wh o m ove th i s l o we r w o rl d .

I n t h e ol d d ays th e G o ds tau ght m en , s o m et i m e s

d i rec tly s om eti m es th rou gh great m e n c a ll ed S ages ,
,

o r Ri sh i s .M an tras — th at i s , a w ord o r a sen te n ce o f

, ,

wh i ch the s o u n d h as p ower i n the i n vi s i bl e w orl d s —we r e

g i ve n t o m e n t o use , a n d great e ffec ts w e re p rod u ce d
by t hese m an t ras M en we re ta ugh t h o w t o t h i n k s o
.
,

th at the i r t hou ght h ad p o we r W e read h o w a m a n

.

th ou gh t o f a God a n d th e G o d appea red H o w h e

,
.

th ou gh t of a weap on an d th e weapo n c a me t o h i m
, .

T hou gh t h as the s a m e p o we r n o w , a n d s c i e n t ific me n

 1 6 I N TR O DU C TI O N

a re beg i n n i n g to m ak e e x per i m en ts w it h i t E ve ry on e
.

c o u ld n o t u se i t i n the ol d d ays to cal l a G od or a wea ,

p on bu t o n ly great m e n c o u l d u se i t , wh o h ad bee n
,

t augh t by t he G od s N o w a d ays s o m e Y ogi s c a n

.
- -

u se t hou gh t i n thi s w ay , for t he G od s h ave no t

c han ged n or h ave they ch an ged the i r l aws ; i t i s o n l y
,

m e n wh o h av e g row n wea k , be c a us e they a re un

b e l i e v i ng
.

T he God s gu i d e t he worl d A s a c oach m a n gu i d es

.

h i s h orses s o th e God s gu i d e t h e worl d A s yo u

, .

m igh t s i t i n a c arri age a n d p u l l th e re i ns th i s way an d

t hat , t h e h orses obed ie n t l y m o v i n g th e c arr i age so ,

t h e God s s it o ve r t h e wo rl d a n d p u l l the for c es o ne

wa y or th e ot h e r, a n d t he n th e worl d i s m oved T hey .

a re al ways t ryi ng t o d ri v e th e worl d t h e bes t way .

T he worl d i s m ak i n g a l on g j ou rney , an d the re are

m an y s i d e road s o ff th e m ai n t rac k
-
.W e c al l th e
mai n trac k e vo l u ti o n
“
th e way o f th e wo rl d fro m
t h e beg i n n i n g to th e e n d o f i t I f y ou go fro m h e re
.

( Be n ares ) to A l l ahabad y o u p ass m an y s i d e road s

,
-
,

b u t goi ng al on g t he tru n k road yo u reach A l l ah aba d

i n the sh o r t es t t i m e .T he G od s d ri ve th e wo rl d
a l o n g th e tru n k road evol u t i o n , b u t m e n o ft e n w an t
,

t o t u r n d o wn s i d e road s th a t l oo k p l easa n t B u t t h e
-
.

G od s h ave d u g d i tches a n d p u t u p s i gn pos ts al o n g

-

t he m a i n ro ad , an d , w he n m e n w i l fu l ly try to l eav e
I 8 I N TR O D U CTI O N

T h e work of the God s i s to carry o ut th e l a w of

t he S u p rem e Lo rd o r I s h wa ra wh o i s m an i fes t ed
, ,

t o u s as a T ri n i t y , M ah a d eva , V i sh n u a n d B rah m a .

T h i s l aw i s t h a t the u n i verse sh a l l ev ol ve i n t o a n
i m a ge o f God , a n d the G od s w o rk fo r t h a t e n d a n d ,

n o t fo r fu r t heri n g se pa ra t e p erso n al a i m s Th is.

m a k es th ei r d u t ies d i ffere n t fro m t h e d u t ies o f m e n .

Th ey h ave to t es t peopl e ; s o they pu t d i ffi c u l t i es a n d

t e m p t a t i o n s a n d t ri al s i n t h ei r way i n ord er th a t
,

m e n ma y g ro w s tron g a n d l ear n wi sd o m an d gai n

,

v i r t u e I n t h i s wor k t hey m u s t oft e n do t h i n gs t h at

.

m e n o ugh t n o t to d o a nd t hey a re n o t e x a m pl es
,

for m e n i n c on d u c t a n y m o re t h an a k i n g o r j u d ge ,
, ,

o r m agi s t ra t e i n p u n i s h i n g a m a n wh o h as co m m i tt ed
,

a c ri me i s a n ex a m pl e t h a t y o u are t o fol l o w I f a m an
, .

s t eal s y ou r sh oes t h e m agis t ra t e p u t s h i m i n p ri s on

,

for b re ak i ng t he l aw th ou gh he h as s t ol e n n o t h i n g fro m
,

t h e m agis trate a n d t he m agi s t rate i s n o t a n gry B u t .

i f y ou fro m wh o m h e h a s s t ole n th e sh oes ge t a ng ry

, ,

a n d l oc k h i m u p a n d k ee p h i m a s a pr i so n e r y o u ,

w ou l d be d oi n g w ro n g W he n yo u are o l d er y o u w i l l
.

l earn t hat al l th i n gs t ha t are w ro ng are wro ng becau se

t he y a re d o n e fro m wh a t i s c al l ed a pe rson al “

m o t i ve — th at i s fro m t h i n k in g a n d ac t i n g i n y o u r
,

o w n wa y to p l ease y o u r e l f i n s t ead of d oi ng t he wi l l
,
s ,

o f G od .
 M A K I N G DE S T I N Y 19

W e al s o l ear n fro m th e M ah a bh a rata th a t whe n

a n a t i on goes w ro ng i t s uffers T h i s i s wh a t we
, .

c al l a m o ral l aw an d th i s l aw is worked o u t by th e
,

G od s I f I n d i a i s t o bec o m e ri c h s t ro n g a n d free as
.
, ,

s h e o n ce wa s i t c an , o n l y be b y I n d i a n s beco m i n g
p u re a n d rel ig i o u s ari d go od T h e re i s n o o th e r way
'

. .

For t h e G od s ru l e t he wo rl d an d t h ey m ak e n a t i o n a l
,

g rea t nes s the re wa rd o f d oi n g ri gh t bec au se that i s ,

t h e la w I f p eo p l e d o wro ng t h e great n a t i o n b e
.
,

c o m es s m al l a n d the s m a l l n a t i o n th at d oes righ t

,

g rows great .

W he n th e ti m e c o m es fo r a vas t ch an ge i n th e
l i fe o f a n a t i o n —as i t c a m e i n I n d i a y e a rs
a go — gre a t m e n a re bo rn i n t o t h a t n a t i o n S ome o f .

t hese m e n a re g rea t i n good n ess s o me a re g rea t i n ,

e v i l — s t ron g bad m e n T hese m e n a re bor n bec a u se

, , .

th ey are w a n ted i n th e n a t i o n a n d t hey are m e n wh o

,

h av e p rep are d t h e m sel ves i n p as t l i ves fo r i m p o rta n t

wo rk T h es e g rea t m en good an d bad a re n o t h e re
.
, ,

for the fi rs t t i m e I n fo rm e r l i ves th e good o n es h a d

.

g ro w n good a n d s t ro n g t i l l th ey we re fi t to be bor n
,

a t a c ri t i c al t i m e t o work wi th t h e G ods O t he rs
w

.
,

t he bad o nes h a d bee n s e l fi sh c ru el reve n ge fu l a n d

, , , ,

they h ad fi t t ed th e m se l ves t o re s i s t t h e good la w o f

e vol u ti on a nd by t h ei r res i s t a n c e t o bri n g o n t ro u bl es
,

th at w ou l d teac h t h e n at i o n i t wa s goi n g w ron g .

20 I N T R O D U C TI O N

B o th t h e go od a n d t h e bad m e n h a d mad e th e i r ow n
fates o n e se t t o w ork w i t h t h e
,
God s t he o t h er s e t
,

t o wo rk agai n s t t he m T he re i s
. n o fav o ri t i s m o n t h e
p ar t of t h e God s bu t s u i t abl e
, m e n a re gu i d ed t o
th e p l ac es th ey h av e earned an d , are bo r n i n th e m .

W e are t ol d i n t h e Adi Pa rva the fi rs t v ol u m e , o f

,

th e “
M ah a bh a ra ta abo u t t h e p repara t i on s t h at
we re m ad e i n S v arga fo r t h e G rea t W a r Th e G od s.

c o n s u l ted , a n d d ec i d ed t h at ce r t ai n m e n sh ou l d be
b o r n as l ead ers ; fou r m e n we re c h ose n , wh o i n t he
p as t h ad fi l l ed t he o ffi c e o f k i n g o f t h e G od s ; t h e
k i n g o f t he God s i s c a l l ed I n d ra , an d t hese fou r me n
h ad a l l bee n I n d ra s T h e p rese n t I nd ra h ad o ne
.

d ay beh ave d p ro ud ly , an d h ad bee n c o n d e m n ed by

M ah a d e va t o l ose h i s p owe r fo r awh i l e . T h ose t h a t
“

are o f d i s pos i t i o n l i ke t h i n e s a i d M ah a dev a , n eve r

,
“

o b t a i n m y grace . A n d H e we n t o n t o say that h e

a n d fo u r o t he r I n d ras s h ou l d be bor n as m e n ,
an d p er fo r m a certai n tas k , an d the n re tu rn t o
S va rga Th e n fo u r o f t hese I n d ras p raye d t ha t
.

t h ey m i gh t h av e d i v i n e fa t h ers w h e n t h ey wer e
bo r n o f wo m e n a n d t h e fi ft h I n d ra s ai d t h a t
,

h e wou l d c reate fro m h i m sel f th e fi ft h m a n wh o

w as t o fu l fi l t h e t as k T o t h i s M ah a d ev a agreed
. .

( A d i P arva , 5 W he n t h e t i m e c am e th e fou r
,

I n d r as w ere bor n as Yudh ist h ira , a n d B h i m a , a n d the

 TH E H E RO ES O F T H E B OO K 21

t w in s N ak u l a a n d S ah ad ev a the G od s D h arm a,

( J u st i ce ),
V a y u ( w i n d ) a n d the
, tw i n A s h v i ns bei ng

t he i r fa t he rs ; a n d A rj u n a— wh o h ad bee n N ara a ,

g rea t R i sh i — was bo r n as t h e s o n o f t h e prese n t I n d ra .

A n d t hese we re t h e fi ve m i gh t y warri o rs w h ose d eed s

we are go i n g t o s t u dy a nd wh o were t he c o n q u ero rs
,

i n th e G rea t Wa r .

A nd as a ne w age wa s t o begi n a ft e r t h e w a r ,

e ve n t he grea t God V i sh n u H i m s el f t oo k A va ta ra
a s S h ri K ri sh n a ac co m pan i ed
, by S hesh a t h e e t ern al ,

s e rpe n t as H i s bro t he r B al ar a m a
, ( A d i Pa rva.
,

A n A va ta ra i s a s pec i a l m an i fes t a t i o n o f t h e S u p re m e
B ei n g i n a phys i ca l fo rm a pp ea ri n g i n o rd e r t o
,

des t roy e v i l whe n i t h as bec o m e s o s tro ng t h at i t

,

t h reate n s to s t op e vo l u t i o n .

T he M ah a bh a ra t a c o n tai n s t he s tory o f a race de s

“

c e nde d from a p owe rfu l k i ng n a m ed B ha rata H e w as .

t he s o n o f D us h y n ta a n d S ha k u n t al a wh os e s tory
a ,

yo u m u s t read s o m e d ay S h ak u n t al a a d ra m a by
.
”

K a l i d a sa ) B h a ra t a m ea ns t he d esce n d a n ts o f B h arata
.
,

a nd m ah a m ean s great S o o u r boo k i s The grea t s t o ry

.
“

o f t he d esce n d a n t s o f B h a ra t a O n e o f t hese d es
”
.

c e nda n ts wa s n a m ed K u ru , an d h e was a k i n g wh o w as
al s o an as ce t i c H e c arri ed o u t m a n y au s t ere p rac t i ces
.

i n a fi el d t h a t was n a med a ft e r h i m K u ru k s h e t ra o r th e ,

fi e ld o f K u ru , a n d i t wa s o n tha t fi e l d th a t the g reat

 “
2 I N TR O D U C TI O N

ba tt l e took p l ace A m on g t h e d es ce n d a n ts o f K u ru
.

we re t h ree bro t hers : t he bl i n d k i n g D h ri tar a sh tra ,

u hose s o n s fou gh t o n t h e w ro n g s i de i n th e Grea t
! V a r ; P a n du t h e n o m i n al fa t he r o f t h e fi ve p ri n ces
,

wh o fou gh t on t he ri gh t si d e ; an d V i du ra a very ,

wi se a n d j u s t m an h ol d i ng h igh offi ce i n t h e k i ngd o m

, .

The s t or y of t he l i ves a n d deed s o f these m e n i s

t ol d i n t h is grea t poem o f eigh tee n v ol u m es , o r
P a rvas E ac h P a rva ta kes i ts n a m e fro m th e p ar t
.

of t he s t ory tol d i n i t .

Th i s poe m was reci ted t o a n u m be r o f ascet ic s ,

res t i n g t he msel ves i n th e fores t o f N a i m is h a , by
A gra s h ra v a , t he s o n o f L o ma h a rs h a n a s u rn am e d ,

S au t i O ne of t h ese Ri sh is as ked h i m w he n ce h e
.

h a d co m e an d he an swered tha t h e h ad c om e fro m

,

a tt e nd i n g a grea t s acri fi ce , t he S n ake S a c ri fi c e o f

-

k i n g ja n a me ja
ya The re he h ad h eard rec i t ed th e
.

poe m cal led t he M ah a bh a rata a n d he h a d h i ms e l f

“ ”
,

l earn ed i t I t was c om posed by a fa m o u s S age ,

.

n a me d K ri sh n a D va i pa y a n a Ved a V y a s a — K ri sh n a ,
becau s e he wa s s o d a rk D va ip a ya n a , becau se h e was
born o n a n i s l an d ; Ved a V y a sa becau se h e h ad di vi ded
,
,

i e co m pi led a n d arran ged t he Ved as The R is hi s

. .

, .

as ked S au t i t o rec i t e t he poe m t o t he m an d h e d i d ,

so .
Tha t is t he s t ory wh i c h we shal l begi n to stu d y
i n th e ne x t c hap t e r .
 C H AP T E R I I .

T H E YO UT H OF THE H EROES

W e mu s t n o w beg i n ou r s tory o f t h e G r eat W a r

by s t u dy i n g s o m e o f th e ev e n t s reco rd ed i n t he Adi
P a rva t he fi rs t v o l u m e o f t h e M ah a bh a rata
, , We
s h al l l ea rn s om e t h i n g abo u t t he you t h o f t h e h eroes
o f t he s t ory an d s o me t h i n g abo u t t he i r pare n ts , t he i r
,

c i rc u m s t an c es a n d t h ei r ed u c at i o n Fu r t he r we sh al l
.

s e e i n s t u d y i n g t hese , t he
, wo rk i n g o f s o m e o f th e
g reat p ri n ci p l es s po ke n o f i n t h e I n trod u c t i o n
.

B h i s h ma i s th e greates t a nd m os t hero i c fi gu re i n
th is s t ory ; h e i s o ne o f th e n obl es t m e n o f th e
A rya n race a per fec t e x a m p l e o f c o n d u c t fo r m e n
,

l i v i n g i n t he worl d H e n eve r fal l s i n to any o f t he s i n s

.

i n t o wh i ch m os t m e n fal l a l l t h rou gh h i s l i fe h e d oe s
t h e righ t th i ng a t t he ri gh t t i m e ; he n e v e r l oses h i s
’

bal a n c e ; he i s n eve r ex aggerated ; h e keeps o n t h e

m i dd le l i n e o f d u t y n e i ther lea n i n g to t he ri gh t n o r t o
,

th e l e ft H e i s a t ea che r a n d a c ou n sel l o r ; h e is per fec t

.

as s o n as gu ard i an as s tates m a n I n every p art o f

, , .

h is l i fe h e d oes h is d u ty .

Lon g be fore B h is h ma was bo rn the re was a grea t

,

f es ti va l a m on g t he G od s , a n d a k i n g n a m ed M a h a g
24 . TH E YO U T H OF TH E H E RO E S

b h ish a , wh o h ad reached heave n by h i s sac ri fi ces was ,

p resen t at t h i s fes t i va l Gan g a the q u ee n o f ri ve rs ,

.
,

wa s al s o t he re , a n d t h e w i n d bl e w as i d e her c l o t h e s ,
e x pos i n g her bos o m ; t h e God s ben t t h ei r h ead s s o ,

t h a t s h e m i gh t n o t feel c o n fu sed , b u t n o t so k i n g
M a h a b h is h a . T h e n B rah m a p ro n ou n ce d a c u rse o n
t he k i n g ; t h a t i s , H e fo re t ol d t h e s u ffe ri n g wh i c h h e
h ad b ro u gh t o n h i mse lf i n the fu t u re by h i s w ron g
th ou gh t a n d ac t [ The fu t u re res u l t s o f o u r t h o u gh t s
.

”
a n d ac ts a re c al l e d o u r ka rm a , a n d a c u rse fro m
“ ”

a G od o r a R ish i i s a forete l l i n g o f t h is k a rm a ] T h i s
k i ng h avi n g ac t e d agai n s t m od es t y B rah m a sai d t h a t
,

h e m u s t be re bo r n o n ea r t h i n s t ea d o f re m ai n i n g i n
-

h eave n G a n g a too w i l l be bor n i n th e worl d o f m e n

a n d w i l l i n fl ic t i nj u ri es o n th ee B u t w h e n thy a n ge r
.

i s p ro vo k ed , t he n th o u sh al t be freed fro m m y c u rse

”
.

T he ti m e c a m e fo r the rebi r t h o f M a h a bh ish a ,

a n d h e wa s bor n as the s o n o f P ra ti pa a v ery p i o u s
,

k i n g O n e d ay wh en th e l a tt er was en gaged i n asce ti c

.
,

p rac t i ces t he G odd e ss G an g a t o ok t he for m o f a

,

l o vel y m ai d e n a n d , sea t i n g he rse l f o n h i s l ap begge d

, ,

h i m to m arry h e r K i n g P ra ti pa re fu sed b u t p ro m is
.
,

e d to m arry he r t o h i s s o n S he acce p t e d h i s o ffe r b u t

.
,

w arne d h i m th a t h i s s o n w o u l d n o t be abl e t o j u d ge
wh e t h e r h e r ac ts were p ro pe r o r i m p roper .T he k i n g
t he n , w i th h i s w i fe , perfo rmed a u s t er i ti e s u n d erwe n t
26 T II E YO U T H OF T H E H E RO E S

say i ng , Th is is fo r thy good Th e s a m e th i n g

.

h a ppened w i th t he sec o n d ch i ld , a n d w i t h t h e t h i rd
an d fou r t h u p t o t he seve n th A n d t h e p oo r k i n g
, .

grew ver y t rou bl ed a n d u n hap py H e c o u l d n o t .

“

a p prove o f s u c h con d u c t s ays th e s tory tel le r

, But -
.
“

he s ai d n o t a word , l est h i s w i fe sh o u l d l ea v e h i m .

B u t when the e igh t h ch i l d was born a n d h i s wi fe , as ,

before was a bou t to th ro w i t s m i l i n gly i n to t h e ri v e r,

,

t he k i n g wi t h a sorrow fu l co u n te n a n ce an d d es i ro u s
, ,

o f s avi n g i t fro m d es tru c t i o n , ad d ressed h e r a n d s ai d

“
S l ay i t n o t ! wh o art t hou a n d whos e ? wh y d os t
th ou sl ay t h i n e o w n c h i ld re n ? M u rd eress o f thy s on s ,
t he l oad o f t hy si ns i s great .

P oor k i n g S h a nta n u l th e t ri al was a v ery se ve re

one an d he forgot h is fa t her s co m m an d H i s w i fe
,
’
.

a n s wered : I sh al l n ot s l ay t h is ch i l d o f t h i n e B u t
“
.

accor di ng to o ur agreem e n t t he peri o d o f m y s t ay

,

w i t h t hee is at an e nd I a m Gang a t he d a u gh t e r
.
,

o f J a h nu The n sh e e x pl a i ned t o h i m t h at t h e
.

eigh t Yasu s celes t i al bei ngs had a l on g t i m e be fore ,

, , ,

s t ol e n awa y fro m a g reat Rish i t h e c o w o f p l e n ty ,

N a n di n i on e o f t hem n a m ed D y a u bei n g t he ac t u al
, , ,

t h ie f The R ish i was ver y d isp leased , a n d d ec l ared

.

t ha t t he V a s us s ho u l d be born u po n ear t h as t h e ,

res u l t o f t hei r s i n They begged h is p ard o n very

.

h u m bly, s o the Rish i sai d that they sho u l d be se t

 D EA T H AN D L I FE 27

fr e e a ga i n fro m h u m a n l i fe w i t h i n a year o f the i r

bi r t hs w i t h t he ex cep ti o n o f D ya u w h o for h i s s in
, ‘
, ,
“

fu l ac t sh al l h ave to d wel l o n ear t h for a l o n g t i me

, .

Th e n t h e V a su s we nt to Gan g a a n d begged he r , ,

wh e n sh e bec a me a wo m a n , to le t the m be born as

her ch i l d re n p ray i n g he r to th ro w t he m i n t o t he
,

water as soo n as t hey were bo rn a n d t h u s t o fre e ,

the m fro m t he phys i c al bod y o f p u n i sh m en t I did .

“

as t hey d es i red co n cl u d ed t he God d ess

,
i n ord e r t o ,
“

free t he m fro m thei r ear t h l y l i fe A nd , O bes t o f .

k i n gs , be c a u se o f t he R i sh i s c u rse , t h i s o n e o n l y ,
’

D ya u h i m sel f i s t o l i ve for s o m e ti m e o n ear t h

”

, .

Th e n the God d ess d i s appeared , ta k i n g w i t h h er t h e

e igh t h ch i l d t he Vas u D y a u, a fte r wa rd s n am ed D ev a
,

v ra t a
.
96 99
-
.

P eo pl e a re o ft e n very m u c h a frai d o f d y i n g B u t .

yo u s e e whe n a Go d i s bor n h ere he fee l s as I f h e ,

we re p u t i n t o p ris o n a n d l oo ks o n d ea t h as a fri en d
,

wh o open s t he ga t e o f t he p ri so n D o w n h ere we re jo 1c e
.

whe n a ch i ld is bo rn a n d we wee p whe n a pers o n d ies

,
.

I t i s as i f peop l e m ad e a fes t i v al whe n a frien d i s

p u t i n t o j ai l a n d we p t wh e n h e is s e t free I n eve ry
, .

dea t h i t i s a G od w ho se t s free t h e s o u l j
,
u s t as ,

G an g a s e t free t he V a s u s O n l y t h i s s t or y s h ows u s
.
,

t he Gods a t work s o t ha t we m ay l earn t o s e e t hei r

,

k i n d han d s I n al l t h e t h i ngs that m ak e us s orry be

,

c a use we d o no t u nd er s tan d .
28 TH E YO U TH OF T H E H E RO E S

Gan g a too k a way h e r son , as we h ave s ee n , bu t ,

wh e n h e h ad gro w n t o be a y ou t h s h e brou gh t h i m t o
,

h is fa t he r t rai n ed i n k n owl ed ge a n d t he u se o f a rm s ;
,

a nd i n
“
a l l bran c hes o f l earn i ng s p i ri t u al a n d worl d ly ,
,

h i s s k i l l was very great H i s s t reng t h a n d e n ergy

.

we re ex t raord i n ary A n d h i s fi l i al p ie t y was as great

.

as h i s k no wl ed ge T h is he sh ewed i n a ve ry s t ri k i n g
.

w ay O n e d ay h i s fa t her wa s w an d e ri n g o n t he
.

ban ks o f t he Ya m u n a a n d s a w a l ovel y g i rl wh o m
,

h e d es i red t o m ak e h is w i fe S he was o n ly a fi s h e r
.

m an s d au gh t er , b u t the fi sherm a n wo u l d n o t gi ve he r
’

to t he k i n g u n l ess h e wo u l d p ro m i se t h a t t he s o n
born o f h er sh ou l d i n heri t the th ro n e T h i s th e k i n g
.

wo u l d n ot d o as he wou l d n o t p u t as id e the s o n h e
,

al read y h ad a n d h e re t u rned h om e v ery sad Dev a

, .

v ra t a l ov i n gly e n q u i red t he reaso n for h is fa t he r s gri e f, ’

a n d as h i s fa t her wo u l d n o t t el l h i m , h e we n t fo r ad vi c e
t o a n ol d m i n i s t er , d ev o t ed t o the k i n g T h i s m i n is
.

t e r t o l d h i m abou t t he fi sh e rma n s d au gh t e r a n d
’
,

D e va v ra ta we n t wi t h a n o bl e e s cort o f w arri or ch i e fs ,
,

t o as k t h e fi she rm a n t o gi ve h is d au gh t e r as w i fe t o
t he k i n g T h e fi sherm a n s ai d t h at he cou l d n o t gi ve
t he m ai de n S a tya v a ti t o t he k i n g beca use t h e k i n g
,

h ad a s o n wh o wo u l d be th e ri val o f any s o n o f S a t ya
v a t i The n D e va vra ta sai d be fore al l th e ch i e fs
.

“
“
L i ste n to m y vo w I w i l l d o al l yo u w i sh Th e so n
. .
 B H I SH M A AND D EA T H 29

t h at ma y be born o f t h i s m ai d e n sh al l be o u r k i n g .

Th u s h e t h re w a wa y t he c ro w n t h at he m i gh t gra t i fy
,

h i s fa t her s wi sh S t i l l t h e fi she rm an was n o t c on t en t ,

’

w
.

bu t s ai d t h a t h i l e h e fel t s u re D e v a v ra ta w ou l d keep
h i s p ro m i se he h ad s o m e d ou b t s whe t he r h i s ch i l d re n
,

w o u l d keep i t as wel l T he n s po k e o u t D e va vra ta

’
'

“
I h ave fi rs t rel i n q u i shed m y ri gh t t o t he t h rone I .

sh al l no w se tt l e t he q u es t i o n o f m y ch i ld ren O .

fi sherm a n ! fro m t h i s d a y I ad op t t h e vo w o f B rah m a

c h a rya [ ce l i bacy ] T ho u gh I d i e s o n l ess I shal l ye t
.
,

a tt ai n t o reg i on s o f perpe t u al bl i ss i n h eaven The n .

”

flo wers rai ned d o wn fro m the s ky o n t h e s o n wh o

sacri fi ced h i msel f t o pl ease h i s fa t he r , an d d i v i n e
vo ices c rie d o u t Th i s i s B h i s h m a l ( t he Terri ble ) .

Ye s ! t h i s was B h i s h m a , begi n n i n g a stai n l ess l i fe of

d u t y by ren o u n c i n g wh a t me n h o l d m ost d ea r A n d .

tu rn i n g to the m ai d e n h e sai d s wee t ly :

,
O m o t he r ,
as ce n d t h i s ch a r i o t an d l e t u s go h o m e S o he
.

brou gh t h er t o h i s fa t her , wh o bl essed h i m , s ay i n g

D ea t h sh al l n ever co m e to t h ee as l on g as t h o u
d es i res t t o l i ve T ru l y , d ea t h sh al l o n l y a pp roac h
.

th ee O s i n less o n e , h av i n g fi rs t o btai n ed thy l ea ve

, .

I oo .
]
K i n g S h a nta nu d ied l eav i n g two s o ns an d Ebi sh
, ,

m a beca m e t hei r protec tor p l ac i n g the el d e r , C h i t

,

ra nga da o n t h e thro n e
, Ch i tra nga da fe l l i n bat tl e,
.
30 THE YO U TH OF T H E H E RO ES

a n d h i s you nge r b rothe r V ic h i tra vi rya s ti l l a you t h , ,

beca m e k i n g a n d i t wa s n ecess ary to fi n d h i m a w i fe

,

A t that ti m e k i n g s d au gh t ers were o ft e n w o n i n

,
’

mar ri age a t what was c al led a S va ya mva ra a sel f ,

“

’
c hoi ce M an y k i n gs asse m bl e d a n d too k p a rt i n
.

g ames , feats o f s t ren g t h a n d fi gh t s and o u t o f t h e m

, , ,

al l t he p ri n cess ch o se a s h e r h u sba n d t h e on e wh o was

,

m os t su ccess fu l a n d p l eased h e r bes t S he sh owe d .

her choi c e by th ro wi n g a ga rl an d o f flo we rs rou n d th e

n ec k o f th e c h osen V i c h it ra v i ry a
. be i n g o n l y a ,

y ou th cou l d n o t e n ter i n to su ch a c o n t es t , s o B h i s h
,

m a w h o was ru l i n g t he k i ngd o m u n de r th e q u ee n
,

m o t her we n t i n h i s s tead The re we re t h ree p ri n

, .

cess es , s isters a n d B h i sh ma q u ie t l y too k th e m u p o n

,

h i s ch ari ot a n d , ad d re ss i n g al l t h e k i n gs re m i n d e d
, ,

t he m o f t he c u s to m th a t a m a id e n at a S v a ya mv a ra , ,

migh t be c arri ed o ff by fo rce , t he cap t or fi gh t i n g al l

h i s ri val s for he r possess i o n Ye m o n archs ! I “ ‘

be ar away t hese m a id e ns by fo rce S t r i ve ye t o th e .

,

bes t o f yo u r m igh t t o v a n q u i sh m e o r be va nq u i sh
,

ed ! ”
A g reat fi gh t fol l owed i n wh i c h B h i s h m ,
a ,

s i ngle h a n d ed fo u gh t al l t he asse m b l ed k i n gs an d
-
,

c arried o ff t h e m ai d en s i n t ri u m ph bri n gi n g t he ,

dau gh t ers o f t h e k i ng o f K a sh i u n t o t he K u ru s a s
t end e rl y as i f t hey we re h is d au gh t e rs i n l aw o r - -
,

y o u nger s is t e rs ,
o r d au gh ters T he e l d es.t pri
’
ncess ,
 men A vo w 3I

h owe ve r tol d h i m tha t i n her h eart sh e h a d c h ose n

,

a n o t h e r k i n g as h er h u s ban d an d h e yi el ded t o her

,

wi sh m arr yn
, the t wo o t h er s i s te rs A m bi k a a nd ,

A m b a l i k a , to h is y ou n g brother T he you t h h ow .
,

e ve r d ied l eav i n g I to ch i l d ren , an d th a t grea t es t o f

, ,

m i s fo r t u n es t o a k i n gl y ra ce t h e ex t i n c t i o n of t h e
,

fa m i ly t h rea t e n ed t h e l i n e o f S h a nta n u
,
g .

S a ty a v a ti , broke n hea r t ed i m pl ored B h i s h ma to

-

tak e t he t h ro n e an d to m arry t h e w i d owed p ri n cesses .

F ri e n d s a n d rel at i ves begged h i m t o d o as t h e q u ee n

w i shed a n d agai n th ron e a n d fa m i l y j oys were pl aced
,

w i t h i n h i s reach O n ly h i s v ow s t ood bet wee n h i m

.

a n d t he c ro wn wi t h wed d ed h app i n ess O n l y h is V O W ! .

B u t t o B h i s h ma t ru t h w as m ore th an a ny t h i n g t he
worl d c ou l d gi ve .Read h i s an s we r al l H i n d u boys , ,

th a t yo u m ay u n de rs t an d w h a t k i n d o f m e n o n ce
m ad e I n d i a grea t O m o t h er ! wh a t th ou sayes t i s
.
“

cer t ai n l y s an c t i o n ed by v i r t u e B u t t h o u k n owes t
.

wh at m y v o w i s i n t h e m a tt er o f bege t ti n g ch i ld ren .

T ho u k n o wes t al s o al l t h a t h appe ned i n c on n ec t i o n

w i t h t h y d owe r O S a tya va ti l I re pea t t he p l e dge
.

I o n ce gave I wou l d re n o u n ce t he t h ree w orl d s t h e

.
,

e m p i re of h eave n or an yt h i n g t h a t m a y be grea t e r
,

t h an t h a t b u t t ru t h I w i l l n eve r ren o u n ce E a rt h
,
.

m a y re n ou n ce it s sce n t wa t e r m a y ren ou n c e its m oi s

,

t u re l igh t m ay re n o u n ce i ts p owe r o f show i n g fo r m s ,

,
32 THE YO U T H OF T H E H E RO E S

th e a i r m ay re n ou n ce i ts percep ti bi l i t y to tou ch t h e ,

s u n m ay re n ou n ce h i s gl or y , fi re hi s h eat t he m oo n,

h i s c oo l rays , S pace i t s c apac i t y to g e n e ra t e s ou n d the ,

sl ayer o f V i t ra h i s p ro wess t he God of j u s t i c e h i s

,

i m p arti al i t y bu t I re n ou nce n o t t ru t h !
,

T he weepi n g S a tya va ti s ti l l u rged her pl ea b u t ,

B h i s h ma c o u l d n o t be m o ved O Q u een ! ta k e n o t
“
.

t h i n e eyes fro m v i r t u e O h ! d es troy u s n ot B reach

. .

o f t ru t h i n a K s h a tt riy a i s n eve r ap pl au d ed i n o u r re l i

gi o u s boo ks .I s ha l l soo n te l l t hee O Q u een , wh at i s

,

t he es t abl ished K sh a ttriy a u sage to wh i c h re cou rse

m ay be h ad t o p reve n t S h a nta nu s l i n e fro m b e c o m
’

i n g ex t i n c t u po n ear t h H eari n g m e , reflec t o n wh a t

.

sh ou l d be d o n e co ns u l ti n g l earne d p ri es t s an d th os e
,

t hat are acqu ai n t ed wi t h prac t i ces al l owabl e i n t i m es

o f e mergen cy an d d is t ress fo rge tt i n g n o t a t t he s am e

,

t i m e wh a t i s t h e ord i n ary c ou rs e o f soc i a l c on d u c t .

”

[5
B h i s h ma th e n ad v i sed th at so m e great Ri sh i
sh ou l d be as ked t o be t h e fa t her o f ch i l d re n wh o bei n g ,

bo rn e by t he t wo wido ws wo u ld be regard ed a s t he son s

,

o f t he d ead m an S a tya va t i t ol d h i m t ha t t h ere w as

.

a Ri sh i wh o h ad bee n born o f her w i t h P a ra sh a ra as h i s

,

fa t he r a nd wh o h av i n g bee n a m igh t y asce t i c i n t h e

, ,

pas t h ad go ne away w i t h h i s fa t her i m m ed i a t el y a ft er

,

h i s rebi rth Th i s was K r i sh n a D va ipa ya na V y a sa H e

.
.
34 TH E Y O U TH OF T H E H E RO ES

d es i red by th e q u een b u t A m bi k a r e fu sed to d o h e r

,

m othe r ln l aw s b i d d i n g , an d se n t h er m ai d a S h u d ra
- -
’

wom a n to the R i sh i i n stead ; sh e t h i n k i n g o f h i s

, ,

s p i ri t u al great ness i n s tead o f h i s u gl y bod y , beh aved

t o h i m w i t h d e e p respec t a n d sweetn es s , a n d th e
R i sh i blessed her a n d th e God o f J u s ti ce wa s born to
,

h e r a s a s o n a n d was n a med V idu ra

, These were .

t h e t h ree broth e rs Dh ri t a ra sh t ra P a n du an d V i du ra
, ,
’

u h o p l ayed s o p ro m i ne n t a par t i n t he G reat W a r — t wo

,

o f t he m be i n g t h e fa t hers o f t he Op posed pri n ces a n d ,

V i du ra th e th i rd , the wi se c o u nc i l l or o f t he b l i n d
,

k i ng. 104 106 ]

-

B h i s h ma took cha rge o f th e th ree boys a n d

b rou gh t the m u p as i f they we re h i s ow n ch i l d re n .

A n d t he ch i l d re n h av i n g p assed th rou gh t h e u s u al
,

ri tes o f t h e i r ord e r dev oted t he m sel ves t o v ows an d

,

s t u dy A n d t he y gre w u p i n to fi n e yo u t hs sk i l l ed i n
.
,

t h e Ved as an d i n al l a t h le ti c S p o rts A n d they bec am e

.

we ll s k i l led i n ex e rc ises o f the b o w, i n h o rse m an sh i p ,

i n e n c ou n ters w it h th e m ace s word an d sh iel d , i n th e

,

m an age men t o f el e ph an t s i n battl e a nd the s c ie n c e

,

o f m oral i t y W e l l read i n h i sto ry an d t h e P u r a n as

.
, ,

a nd v ari o u s b ran ch es o f l ear n i ng a n d a c qu ai n t ed

,
”

w i th the tru th s of t h e Ved a s an d t hei r bran ch es th e ,

k n owl ed ge t h ey acq u i red wa s vers a ti l e a nd d ee ’

p
.

Y o u see th at , i n th ose d a y s a b o y wa s t a u gh t to b e
,
 T H E CU R S E ON PA NDU 35

r el igi ou s a n d m oral at t he sam e ti m e th at h e

'
w as
t rai n ed to be a t h le t i c a n d s k i l fu l 109 . .

P a n du was m ade k i n g as th e e ld est b rothe r D h r i

, ,

t a ra s h tra w as bl i n d , B y t h e ad vi ce O f B h i s h ma ,
,

D h ri tar a sh tra w as m arried to G a n d h a r i t h e d au gh te r ,

o f th e k i n g o f S u v a la an d t he s is t e r o f S h ak u n i w h o
, ,

l ater b rou gh t s o m u c h t ro u bl e i n t o the fa m i l y T here .

i s a p ret t y s t o ry tol d o f G a n d h a ri wh e n s h e heard t h at

h e r fu tu re h u sba n d was b l i n d , s h e ba n d aged he r o wn
eyes w i t h a p i ece o f c l o t h w i sh i n g to sh a re he r
!

h usba n d s trou bl e an d n ot to enj oy wh at h e cou l d no t

’

h ave . I nd i a n w i ves h ave al ways bee n re

markabl e fo r the i r d evoti o n to thei r h usb an d s .

A s th e w i fe o f P a n du , B h i s h ma d es i red P ri th a th e ,

d au gh t er o f S h u ra k i n g of t h e Y a d avas S he was the

, .

s is ter o f Vas u d ev a wh o bec am e t h e fa t her o f S h r i

,

K ri sh n a A t her S va ya mva ra s h e c h ose P a n du t h u s

.
,

fu l fi l l i n g B h i s h ma s w ish a n d a l i ttl e l a t e r B h i s h m a
’

o b t ai n ed fo r P a n du a seco n d w i fe M a d ri t he s i s t er o f , ,

S halya the k i ng o f M a dra W he n a m o n t h h ad p assed

, .

a ft e r the sec o n d m arri age k i ng P a n du we n t ou t an d

,

c on q u e red vari o u s k i n gd o m s bri ngi n g bac k t o h is cap i

,

tal H a st i n a pu ra m u ch sp oi l a n d a n i m al s o f al l k i nd s
, ,
.

H e then we n t to th e wood s for the ch ase a n d l i ve d ,

there awh i l e w i t h h i s t wo wi ves 1 I M 14 . .

36 TH E YO UT I I OF TH E H E RO E S

O n e d ay wh e n P a n du was ou t h u n ti n g , h e c o m
mi tte d a v ery c ru e l ac t , sh oot i ng a s t ag t h at was
c ou p l i n g wi t h i t s m ate T h i s d is regard of k i n d nes s
.

brou gh t o n h i m th e c u rse t h a t i f h e sou gh t t o l i ve

as a h us ban d w i t h h i s wi fe h e s h o u l d i m m ed i a t el y
d i e Th i s s ad se n t en c e m ad e the k i n g very u n h ap py ,
.

as i t m ea n t t hat he wo u l d h ave t o d i e ch i l d less H e .

gave away a l l h i s p ers o n a l p ro perty a n d we n t t o

w a n d e r i n t h e wood s as a n asce t i c , h i s w i ves P ri th a ,
u s u al ly c al l ed K u n t i fro m th e n am e o f he r ad o pte d
father , a n d M a d ri , fo l l o wi n g h i m 1 1 8, 1 1 9 ] .

N o w P a n du began , aft e r a ti m e , t o l o n g v e ry
m u c h to h ave so n s an d b e c on s u l t ed K u n t i h o w t h i s
,

m igh t be brou g h t abo u t S h e t o l d h i m t h a t as a g i rl

.
, ,

she h ad very m u ch p l eas ed t he great Ri sh i D u rva s a

b y h er se rv i ces a n d h e ha d tau gh t he r a m an t ra by
,

w h i c h sh e c ou l d cal l o n a n y o f t h e God s t o g i v e h e r
c h i l d re n S h e as ked he r h u s ba n d i f she s ho u l d n o w u s e
.

th is m an tra an d t h u s obtai n c h i l d re n fro m th e God s

,
.

H e ord ered h e r t o cal l t he G od o f J u s t i ce D h arm a ,

a n d t o as k h i m to gi ve he r a s o n T h u s w as bor n .

Y u dh is h th i ra A n d the n K u n t i c al l ed o n t h e s t ro n g
.

G od o f W i n d V a y u a n d h e gave h er B h i m a Th en
, ,
.

she i n vo ked th e k i n g of the God s , I n d ra a n d h e gav e ,

he r A rj u n a F u r t he r at th e req u es t o f P a n du K u n t i
.
, ,

Lau gh t M a d ri th e m a n t ra an d M a d r i c al l ed th e t w i n
,
 T H E CO M I N G OF D U R YO D HA NA 37
Ash vins wh o gave he r t he t w i ns N a k u l a a nd S ah adeva
, .

N o w t h ese are t h e fi ve P a n da vas or s on s O f P a n du iv e n

,
g ,

h im by t h e God s a n d as we s a w i n t he I n t rod u c t i o n
, ,
,

fou r o f t h e m had bee n I nd ras i n t he pas t a n d were re

,

born w i t h God s fo r the i r fa t he rs , wh i l e A rj u n a w as th e

g rea t R ish i N a ra , w h o too k bi rth as the s o n o f t he
p rese n t I n d ra.

O n e d ay , k i n g P a n du forgo t h i s v o w, an d s ou gh t
t he e m braces o f M a d ri , wh o t ri ed i n va i n t o res i s t
h i m a n d as h e t o u ched h e r he d i ed
, . Th e w i fe lay
weepi n g , a n d was fo u n d by K u n t i bes i d e t he i r d ead
h u s ban d. T he n aros e a l o v i n g q u a rre l be t wee n t h e
t wo w i ves , each o f wh o m l o n ged t o d i e w i t h P a n du

i t was d ec id ed t hat M a d ri sh o u l d h ave th at p riv i l ege

a s h e h ad d i ed i n h er arm s , a n d s he y i e ld ed u p he r
b rea t h , g i v i n g h er t wo ch i l d re n i n to t he c a re o f
K u n ti , w h o c heris hed t he m as i f t h ey we re h er
o wn, m ak i n g n o d i fferen ce be t ween the m a n d h e r
th ree s o n s A n u m ber o f R is h is q u i c kl y c a m e a n d
.

c on d u c ted K u n t i a n d the fi ve boys to H a s ti n a p u ra ,

t o p l ace the m u nd er t he c a re o f D h ri t ar a sh t ra a n d

B h i s h ma
. A n d t he fu n eral ri t es an d S h r a dd h a cere
m o n ies were t h ere d u l y cel ebra t ed . 1 20 1 2 7
-
.

M ean wh i l e k i n g D h ri t ar a sh t ra h ad a h u n d red
,

so n s an d o ne d au gh ter bo rn e to h i m by h i s w i fe
G an d h a ri , th rou gh a s p ec i al bl ess i n g bes t o wed on he r ,
 38 TH E YO U TH OF T H E H E RO E S

Th e el d es t o f t hese D u ry od ha na , h ad bee n bo rn o n
,

t he s a m e d ay a s Bh i m a b ut h is bi rth was s u rrou n de d

,

by t h e wors t o m en s Th ere were s tor ms an d fi res ,

.

a n d v u l t u res a n d j ac k al s a n d o t her l ow k i n d s o f an i
m a l s sc ream ed a n d h owl ed Fo r wh e n m e n an d .

n a t u re are l i v i n g h arm o n i ou s l y n at u re sh ews sy m

,

p a t h y w i t h t he co u rse o f h u m a n a ffai rs , an d bewai l s th e

c o m i n g o f s o rro w to t h e h u m an race T h i s ne w bor n .
-

c h i l d was to be th e d es t roye r o f h is fa m i l y a n d h is
c o u n t ry a n d n at u re m ou rn ed ov er h i s c o m i n g Th e
, .

w i s e V i dura i n d eed ad v ised t h at h e sh ou l d be cast o ff

by h i s fa m i l y bu t Dh ri t ar a sh t ra co u l d no t fi n d i t i n h is
,

h ear t t o a ba n d o n h i s s o n S o h e k ep t h i m t o h is
.

s orro w an d h is ow n u n d oi n g forgetti n g th a t h e wa s
,

a k i n g wi th a d u ty to h i s n ati on , a s wel l as a fa t he r ,

I
D u ryod h a n a was bo rn at th i s t i me to se rv e th e
p u rposes o f t he God s i n t h e g reat obj ec t l esso n th a t
h ad t o be gi ve n t o t he worl d h avi n g p re pa red h i m
,

s el f for s u c h a career by t h e charac t e r h e h ad m ad e i n

h i s p rev i ou s l i ves H e was s tron g a n d ve ry b rav e
.

re l i gi o u s i n m a n y t h i n gs a n d d oi n g m u ch of h is d u t y
,

a s a p ri n ce. B u t he was sel fi sh I wan t to be fi rs t

.
“
,

I wa n t to be k i n g I wa n t e very th i n g m y o wn wa y
, .
”

These were h i s feel i n gs a n d h e beca m e m i se rabl e

,

wi th j eal ou sy whe n a ny o n e d i d b ette r th a n he T h a t .

 B H I MA AND T H E P O I SO N 39

wa s th e fau l t w h i c h brou gh t h i m to ru i n For Y udh is h .

th i ra bei n g ol d er t han D u ryod ha n a , t he s u c cess i o n to

t h e t h ro n e was h is thou gh D u ryod ha n a h ad bee n
‘

bro u gh t u p as he i r to t he c row n .

Th e P a n davas an d th e s o n s o f D h ri tar a sh t ra n o w
bec am e c o m pan i o ns a n d t h e great s tre n g t h o f B h i m a
,

— exe r t ed i n ch i l d i sh m isch i e f— began t o m a k e trou bl e .

H e wo u l d k n oc k th e o t hers d ow n h ol d te n o f th e m
,

u n d e r water al l to g e t h er t i l l t hey were n earl y

d ro wn ed sh ak e a tre e o n wh i ch s o m e o f the m h a d
,

c l i m bed t i l l d o wn c a m e t he fru i ts a n d t he fru i t p l u c k

“ -

e rs at t he s a m e t i m e A n d t h ou gh i t is s ai d th at h e
.
”

t orm e n te d t hem i n ch i l d ish ness bu t n o t fro m m a

“

l i ce we c an n ot wo n d e r t ha t t hey d i d n ot l i k e s u c h
,
”

rou gh p l ay S t ro n g boys o ft e n m a ke e n e m ies by

.

u s i ng th e i r s t ren g t h t h ou gh tless ly D u rvo dh a n a b e

.

c a m e ve ry j eal o u s o f B h i m a s s t re n g t h an d d e t e r
’

m i ned to k i l l h i m S o h e had bu i l t a pl eas an t

.

s u m mer — h o u se o n t he ban ks o f t he Gan g a an d i n v i t ,

ed t he P a n davas t o a feas t A t th e feas t , pre t e nd i n g

.

to be ve ry frie n d ly h e gave B h i m a food w i t h h is o wn

,

h a nd s h a v i n g p rev i ou s l y h ad t h e foo d poi s o n ed

,
.

A ft e r t h e m eal t h e boys p l ayed i n the w ater , a n d

B hi m a feel i ng the e ffects o f t h e poi s o n l ay d ow n o n
, ,

t he grou n d whe n the o t hers we n t i n t o t he s u m m e r

h o us e to re s t D u ry od ha n a s tayed b eh in d , a nd, whe n
.
40 T H E Y O U TH OF TH E H E RO ES

B hi m a be c am e in sen s i bl e h e t i ed rou n d h im som e

,

t rai l s o f c reepers an d t h rew h i m i n to th e water B h i m a .

s an k d ow n t i l l h e re ach ed th e k i n gd om o f the great

s n a k es c al l ed N a gas an d t h ey bi t h i m se verel y w i th
,

t h e i r poi s o n fa n gs B u t the s na ke p o i so n n eu tral i sed

-
.
-

t h e vege t ab l e p oi s o n i n the food a n d B h i m a recove r

,

e d h is s e n s es H e b u rs t h is bo n d s a n d bega n k i l l i n g
.

t h e s n ak es wh o c al led o n th ei r k i n g V a s uki to
,

p rot ect th e m O n e o f th e serpe n ts h ad bee n a n

.

a n cesto r o f B h i m a t h rou gh h is m othe r a nd a t h is ,

req u es t t h e k i n g al l owed B hi m a to d ri n k so m e o f h i s
n ec tar,
wh i ch gav e i m m en se s t ren gth E i ght d ays .

a ft erwards B h i m a retu rn ed h o m e t o h is m other a n d

b roth ers wh o we re ve ry a n x i ou s abou t h i m an d tol d
, ,

t he m wh at D u ryodh an a h ad d o n e B u t by th e ad v i ce.
,

o f V i du ra a n d Y u dh i sh th ira n o c o m pl a i n t
, was m ad e
a gai ns t D u ryodh an a eve n wh e n h e c on t i n u ed to p l ot
,

a ga i n s t B h i m a a n d h i s broth ers y et i n S p i te o f th i s
,

k i n d n ess , h is e n m i ty to ward s the P a n davas c o n ti

n u a lly g rew .

M ea n wh i l e th e k i n g beh ol d i n g th e K u ru p ri n ce s
, ,

p ass i n g t h ei r t i m e i n i d l en ess a n d growi n g n au gh ty ,”

as i d l e boys w i l l p l ac ed t he m u n de r a t u to r n am ed
, ,

K ri pa , t o l earn th e u s e o f a rm s The re was l i vi n g i n

.

t h e h ou se o f K ri pa , ju s t th e n a B r a h m a n a n a m ed
,

D ro n a , wh o wa s the h u sban d o f K ripa s s i ster D ro n a ’

.
42 TH E Y O U TH OF T H E H E RO E S

a n d h e se n t the m to tel l th e i r s t ory to B h is h ma .

N o w B h i s h ma had bee n l ook i n g for a s u i t abl e t u t or fo r

t h e yo u ng p ri n ces a n d , gu ess i n g t h a t t h i s wo nderfu l
,

B r a h m a n a was n o o t he r t h a n D ro n a he wen t to h i m ,

a t o n ce an d brou gh t h i m t o t he pal ac e D ro n a t ol d h i s.

s t o r y a n d B h i s h ma begge d h i m to ta ke t h e p ri n ces as
,

h is p u p i l s , rej oi c i n g o ve r obtai n i n g s u c h a t u to r .

i
W he n the boys c a m e to h i m , D ro n a tol d t he m
O

tha t he h ad a p u rpose i n h i s h ear t a nd as ked t he m to ,

p ro m i se t ha t , whe n t hey h ad l earn ed t he s c ie n ce of

a r ms the y wo u l d carry i t o u t T h e res t re m ai ned
, .

s i l e n t b u t A rj u n a p ro m is ed t o d o i t w hate ver i t
, ,

m igh t be a n d al l th ro u gh h is p u pi l age h e s h owed th i s

,

read y devo t i o n to h i s t each er so th at h e bec am e h i s

,

fa vou ri t e p u p i l O n e eve n i n g whe n A rj u n a was

.
,

t ak i n g h is food t h e w i n d bl e w o u t t he l a m p an d h e
, ,

we n t o n ea t i ng i n th e d ar k , h i s h an d fro m habi t ,
“

go i n g t o h is m o u t h H is atte n t i o n bei n g th u s cal le d

.

to th e force o f h abi t , t he s t ro n g a rm ed s o n o f P a n du
-

s et h is heart u po n p rac t i si n g w i t h h i s b o w i n th e
n i gh t .Th i s e n ergy o f h i s m u ch p l eased h i s t eac he r
”
.

B y observ i ng s ma l l t h i ngs as A rj u n a d i d , yo u c a n
,

Ofte n lear n wh a t is u sefu l .

M a ny p ri n c es ca m e to D ro n a eage r t o b ec o m e
,

h is p u p i l s a n d a m o n g the m a p ri nc e n am ed E k a la vya
,
 P H YS I C AL K AR M A 43

so n o f th e k i n g o f t h e N i sh a d as , a ve ry l o w t ri be .

D ro n a re fu sed to take E k a la vy a as h is p u p i l as h e ,

m igh t o n ly te a c h t he s ci e n c e of arm s — wh ich i n c l u d

‘

e d t he u se o f m a n t ras a nd t h e c o n tro l o f t h o ugh t — to

th ose wh o by t he i r l i ves had earn ed t he re ward o f
b e i n g b OI fI i n t o t h e h igher c as t es E k a la v ya was
‘

n o t an gry at t h i s rep u ls e b u t to u ch i n g D ro n a s fee t

,
’

re vere n t l y he we n t to t he fores t T here h e m ad e a

, .

c l a y i m age o f D ro na wo rsh i p p i n g i t as h i s t eache r ,

,

a n d p rac ti sed before i t t he u se o f arm s H e gai n ed .

grea t s k i l l by h i s reve re n ce for t he t eac he r an d h i s

devo t i o n t o h i s p u rpos e a n d o n e d ay whe n t he
, ,

p ri n ces we re i n t he wood h e as ton i shed t h e m w i th a

,

s t ri k i n g p roo f o f h i s m as t ery o f t h e b o w T he p ri n .

ce s re l a t ed t o D ro n a wh a t t hey h ad see n a n d D ro n a ,

we n t w i t h A rj u n a t o t he w ood E k a la vy a seei n g .
,

h i m co m i n g we n t t o m ee t h i m an d t ou ched h i s fee t
, ,

a n d t he n s t oo d be fo re h i m res pec t fu l l y wai t i n g fo r

,

h is co m m a n ds Th e n s ai d D ro n a : I f, O he ro t h o u
.
“
,

a r t re al l y m y p u p i l g i ve m e t he n m y fee
”

,
The n .

E k a la vy a o ffered to gi ve h i m an yt h i n g he poss essed ,

fo r t he re i s n o t h i n g t h at I m ay n o t gi ve u n t o m y
p re ce p t o r
. E k a la vy a an s wered D ro n a
”
,
i f th o u ,
“

a r t real l y i n te n t o n m a k i n g m e a gi ft I s h o u ld l i k e ,

the n t o h ave t he t h u m b o f t hy ri gh t h an d H ear ”

.

i ng these c ru e l wo rd s o f D ro n a , wh o h ad as ked of
44 T H E Y O U TH OF T H E H E R O ES

h i m h is th u m b as t u iti on fe e , E ka la vya , eve r dev o ted

-

t o t ru t h a n d des i rou s al s o o f k eep i n g h i s p ro m i se ,

wi t h a cheerfu l fac e an d a n u na ffl ic te d h ear t , c u t O ff

wi t h ou t ad o h i s t h u m b , a n d gave i t u n to D ro n a .
”

Y o u ma y th i n k i t was a h a r d a n d c ru el d e m a n d
t ha t D ro n a m ad e , b u t a very i m portan t l esso n u n d e r
l i es i t A m a n i s bo rn ac co rd i ng to h i s pas t t h ou g h ts
.

a n d act io n s , a n d h i s bod y i s p art o f h is k ar m a H e .

m u s t n o t forc i bl y s n atch at ad van t ages d en i ed to h i m

by h is phys ic a l c o n d i t i o n , b u t m u st pati en tl y we a r
h i s d isabi l i t ies t i l l h e has wo rn th e m o ut, a n d t he way
Ope n s be fore h i m E ka la vya wou l d n o t w a i t H e
. .

resol u tel y gras ped t he fru i t t hat to h i m was forb i d

de n a n d the bod y th at h ad s i n n ed h ad to pay i ts
,

d ebt B u t t he l ove for h i s teache r w i t h wh i ch h is

.

yo u n g heart was fi l l ed , h i s p a t i en ce , h i s resol u te w i l l —

4

al l th ese were work i n g fo r h i m o n th e h igher p l a n es ,

a n d ass u ri n g to h i m a fu t u re o f su cc ess eve n i n the
p hys i c al worl d .

O n e d ay D ro n a w i shed to tes t h i s p u pi l s , s o h e
p l aced a n arti fi c i a l bi rd i n a t ree an d cal led t he m to
sh oot a t i t i n tu rn Fi rs t Y u dh ish th i ra took u p h i s
.

bow , a n d , p oi n ti n g o u t th e b i rd , D ro n a as k ed h i m :
Wh a t d os t th o u see , O p ri n ce ? S eest t h ou th e t ree ,
mysel f, or thy brothers ? The n Y u dh is h t h ira a n s we r
e d that h e s a w the m a l l .
“
S ta n d th ou a p art , s ai d
”
 A RJ U N A AND K ARNA
45

D ro n a . I t i s n o t fo r t hee t o s tri k e th e a i m
“
The .

s am e th i n g happe ned w i th each o f th e p ri n ce s i n

t u rn , u n ti l Arj u n a was c al led
-
D ro n a rep e ated h i s
.

q ues t i o n , a n d A rj u n a rep l i ed : “
I see t h e bi rd o n l y ,
bu t n o t th e tree o r t hyse l f Q u i e t l y a n s we re d
'
.

D ro n a I f t h ou sees t t he v u l tu re , t he n d es c ri be i t
to me I see o n l y t he head o f t h e v u l tu re n o t i t s ,

b od y sa i d t h e s t ead i ly a tt e n t i ve A rj u n a
, S hoot
.
“
,
”

s a i d D ro n a , d el i gh ted .

Cl ose at t en t i o n th ere i s o ne o f th e q u al i t i es we
:

al l wa n t to c u l t i va t e I f yo u are to a i m a t o n e t h i n g ,
.

a nd yo u see fi ve o r s i x o t h e r s a t t he s a m e t i m e yo u r ,

a i m w i l l n ot be s tead y Y o u m u s t fi x yo u r m i n d o n
.

th e t h i n g yo u a re goi n g to d o I f yo u are l ear n i n g .

A ri t h met i c d o n o t s ee wh at i s goi n g o n o u ts i d e th e
,

roo m o r wh a t the boy n ex t yo u i s d oi ng ; fi x yo u r

,

thou gh t o n the s u m yo u r teac he r i s w ork i n g o u t o n

th e bl ac k boa rd , an d see n o th i n g e ls e .

A t l as t th e p r i n ces ed u c a ti o n was fi n i shed an d

’

i t was d e ci d e d to g i ve a great e xh i bi t i o n o f t hei r

s k i l l S o al l th e c o u rt a n d the c i ti ze n s cam e t oge t he r t o
.

see t h e feats o f a rm s A rj u n a e x cel led al l th e o t hers ;

. .

a n d i t m ay i n te res t yo u to k n o w th at o n e o f th e
spo rts was to s h oo t at a m ov i n g i ro n boar h e sh ot
fi ve a rro ws t ogethe r fro m h i s bows t ri n g i n t o t he
m o uth o f th i s boa r J u s t as th e e x h i b i ti o n w as o v er
.
46 TH E Y O U TH OF T H E H E RO E S

a gre at n o i se was heard , a n d the c ro wd m ad e way

for a you n g warri or n a m ed Ka r na , o f wh om we sha l l
,

h ea r m u ch as the s t ory goes o n H e al so h ad bee n .

a p u p i l o f D ro n a , a n d h ad al ways s h o wn m u c h j ea l

o n sy t ow ard s A rj u n a H e no w c h a l l e n ged A rj u n a
.

by repea t i n g al l h i s feats a ft e r wh i ch t he t wo a d
,

v a n c e d t o m eet eac h othe r i n s i n gl e c o m ba t T he n .

K ri pa , acco rd i n g t o r u l e pro c l ai m ed the n a m e a nd

,

fa m i l y o f A rj u n a an d as ked for t he l i n eage o f h is

,

ch al l en ge r th at i t al s o m igh t be p roc l ai m ed K ar n a .

t u rn ed pal e an d D u ryod h an a h as t i ly i n te rp osed ,

,

s ay i ng th at i f roy a l t y were a n ecessary c o nd i t i o n fo r

mee ti ng A rj u n a i n a d uel he wou l d m ak e K arn a a
,

k i n g K ar n a was then c ro w n ed k i n g o f A n ga , a n d
.

s wore frie n dsh i p to D u ryo dh an a wh o h ad gi v e n h i m

,

a k i ngd o m J u s t the n an ol d ch ari o t eer t o t te red i n t o

.

th e l ists , a nd K ar n a go i n g t o m ee t h i m , bo wed a t
,

h is fee t , a n d wa s ad d ressed by h i m a s h i s so n A t t h i s,.

B h i m a s p ran g u p a n gri l y a n d m oc k i ngly ad d ressi n g

,

K a m a as the so n o f a ch ari otee r d ec l a red h i m u n fi t

,

t o fi gh t w i th t he roya l A rj u n a U p leap t D u ryod h an a

.

i n wra t h pass i on atel y d e fe n d i ng h i s fri e nd b u t j u s t

, ,

the n th e s u n wen t d o w n an d th e m ee t i n g d i s pe rsed ,

l eav i n g t h e q u es t i o n u n d ec i d ed as t o t he rel a t i ve
p rowess o f A rj u n a an d Karn a T h is q u es ti on stran ge
.
,

ly e n ou gh , w as n eve r se t at res t .
 D RO N A s
’
G E N E R OS I TY 47

N ow had t h e t i m e c o m e to p ay D ro n a h i s fee as
p recep t or , an d c al l i n g h i s p u p il s — ready to go fo r t h
i n t o t he w o rl d —D ro n a sai d : S ei ze D ru pa da th e
“
,

k i n g of P a n ch a l a i n b a t tl e an d bri n g h i m u n to m e
/
, .

Th a t sh al l be t h e mos t accep tabl e fee T hen t h e

.
”

p ri n ces we nt for t h t h e K u ru s a n d t h e P a n davas a n d

, ,

fou gh t agai n s t D ru p a da ; t h e K u ru s were d i s pe rs ed

by t h e val ou r o f D ru pa da b u t A rj u n a w i t h h is bro
,

th e rs c arried al l be fore th em a n d fi n al l y sei zed D ru

,

p ad a h i m s el f an d bore h i m aw a y c ap t i ve t o D ro n a .

D ro n a t he n sp o k e t o h is con q u ered foe a n d i n s t ead ,

o f s peak i n g b i tt erl y h i s w ord s were s weet

, Fear .
“

n o t for t hy l i fe, t h ou gh i t de pe n de th n o w o n th e w i l l
o f t h y foe . D os t t h ou n o w d es i re t o rev i ve t hy
fri e n dsh i p w i t h m e ? S m i l i n g h e we n t o n
,
Fear n o t “

for t h y l i fe b rave k i n g W e B r a h m a n as are e ver fo r

, .

gi vi n g A n d O bu l l am o ng K s h a tt riya s m y a ffec t i o n
.
, ,

an d l ove fo r t h ee h av e grow n w i t h m y grow t h i n

c o n seq u e n ce o f ou r h av i n g s por t ed toge t h e r i n ch i l d
h oo d i h the h er m i t age T herefore 0 k i n g I a s k for
.
, ,

th y fri en dsh i p agai n A rid as a boo n I gi v e t h ee

.
,

b ac k h al f th y k i n gd o m Th ou t o lde s t m e before
.

t h a t n o n e wh o was n o t a k i n g c o u l d be a k ing s ’

frien d T here fore is i t t h at I re t a in h al f t h y k i n g

.

d om T hou art t h e k i n g o f a ll t h e t e rri t ori es l y i n g o n

.

the so u t her n s i de of th e B li a gi ra th i , whi l e I beco m e

48 THE YO U TH OF THE H E R O ES.

k i n g o f al l the terr i to ry o n the n ort h o f th at r i ve r

A n d , 0 P a nc h AI a , i f i t p leaseth thee , k no w m e fro m
hen ce for t h as t hy fri e n d
.

T h u s n obl y d i d D ro n a re p ay th e cr ue l i n s u l t he
had rece i v e d [ 5 1 35 1 4 0 ]
.
-
50 THE PE R I LS AND TR I U M P H S OF T H E PAN DA V AS

w h at h e s h ou l d d o a n d K a n i k a r e p l i ed w i th a c l eve r
b u t c ru e l s to ry T here was o n c e a j ac k al wh o l i ved
.
,

i n a w ood w i t h fo u r fr i e n d s — a ti ge r a wol f a m o u s e
, ,

a n d a m o n goose O ne d ay , i n o rd er t o c atch a s tro n g

.

s w i ft d ee r , t h e j ac k al ad vi sed t h a t t h e m o u se sh ou l d
n i bbl e h i s feet wh i l e h e w as s leep i n g , a n d t h e t i ge r

s h ou l d p o u n ce o n h i m whe n h e c o u l d n ot ru n T h i s .

w as d on e , a n d t h e j ac k a l o ffered t o watch the d ee r

wh i l e t he o thers ba t hed . T he t ige r c a m e bac k fi rs t ,
a n d t h e j ac k al tol d h i m th at the m o u se boasted h e h ad
Sl a i n t he d ee r a n d t hat t h e t i ger o wed h i m h i s d i n n e r .

T he n t h e p ri d e o f the t i ge r was r o u s ed , an d he we n t
a way to get h i s o wn d i n n e r . N e x t c a m e th e m ou se ,
a n d th e j ac k al fri gh te n ed h i m a way by tel l i n g h i m
t h e m on goose w o u l d eat h i m T h e wo lf fl e d o n hea r
.

i n g th at th e t i ge r was a n gry wi th h i m , a n d th e mo n
goose retreated wh e n th e j ac k al t ol d h i m th at h e h ad
fou ght wi th a n d co n q u e red th e other th ree . T he n t h e
j ac k al h ap p i ly fe as t ed o n th e d ee r S o , s a i d Ka n i k a ,
.

sh o u l d k i n gs c o nq u e r the i r foe s o ne by o n e , by art s

t h at tou c he d a wea k sp ot .

N o w D u ryod ha n a be ca m e m u ch d i s t ressed b y
h ea ri n g th e peop l e pra i se Y udh i sh th ira an d d es i re h i m
a s t h ei r k i n g ; a n d h e wen t t o h i s fa t h e r a n d c o m
p l a i n ed th a t the c ro wn wou l d ce r t ai n l y pass t o P a ndu s ’

l i n e u n l es s h e too k s teps to p reve n t i t .S e n d t he m

“
 A C O U R TE O U S E X I L E 5x

a w ay h e b egged h i s fath er ; ba n i sh by s o m e gen tl e

,
“
,

m ea n s th e P a n davas t o t h e to w n o f Ya ra n a va rta 0
, ,

king . Wh e n th e s overe i g n ty sh al l h av e bee n v es te d

i n m e the n 0 B h a ra t a m ay K u n t i w it h h e r ch i l d re n
, , ,

c o m e bac k fro m t h a t p l ace T he k i n g c o u l d fi nd .

”

n o c au s e o f q u arre l agai n s t t he P a n da v a s so p rete n d , ,

i ng t o w is h t o p l eas e t he m he t ol d the m th at they

,

m i gh t go i f t h ey l i ked t o see a re l i gi ou s fes t i v al i n

, ,

h o n ou r S h i va th at was be i n g hel d at V fi ra n a va rta

o f .

T hey agreed n o t w i sh i n g t o go bu t feari n g t o re fu s e

, , .

A n d no w p ri n ce D u ryod ha n a w i t h Kar n a , D u s h a s a na ,

a nd S h ak u n i m ad e u p a fi en d i sh p l ot , a n d b ri bed a m a n
,

n am ed P u ro c h a na to bu i l d a p al ace a t V a ra na va rta ,
m ak i n g i t o f he m p , res i n l ac a n d o t he r i n flam m ab l e
, ,

ma t eri al s p u rp os i n g t o set i t o n fi re w he n th e p ri n c e s
,

w ere set t l ed the re , s o that th ey m i gh t b e bu r n ed t o

death .

T h e p e o p l e o f H a sti na pu ra s u r r ou n d ed the p r i n ce s
o n the i r d epart u re i n m u c h d i s tress , c o m p l a i n i n g th a t

th ey sho u l d be sen t away ; bu t Y udh ish th i ra bad e the m

r e m e m be r th at Th e k i n g i s o u r fath e r w or t h y o f re
“
,

ga rd o ur s p i ri t u al gu i d e a n d o u r s u peri o r T o a ch i e ve
, .

w i t h u n s u s p i c i ou s h ea rts wh ateve r h e b i d d e t h i s i n ,

d eed ,o u r d u ty H e bad e the m go h o m e q u i e t l y a n d ,

.
”
,

as t hey we n t , V i du ra s p o k e t o h i m i n the M l ech ch h a

to n gu e — s o t h at n o o ne m igh t u nd e rs ta n d — w arn i n g
52 TH E P E RI LS A N D TR I U M P H S O F T H E PAN DA V AS

h im aga i n s t weap o n s n o t m ad e o f s teel , a nd s ay i n g

t h at a ma n m igh t be s a fe fro m fi re by m ak i n g h i s

h ou se l i k e th at o f the j ac k al ( w it h ma ny road s o u t ) ,
a nd m i gh t l ea rn the way abou t by w an d e ri n g . Yu
dh is h th i ra u n d ers tood , a n d wh e n P uro c h a na i n v i te d
h i m to th e c os t l y h ou se h e h ad b u i l t , h e a c ce pted th e
i n v it at i on , bu t we n t o u t h u n t i n g d ai l y th a t h e mi gh t
lear n a ll t h e fo re st paths , a n d h ad a s u bte rran ea n
wa y se c retl y d u g by a m i n e r , se n t by V idu ra from th e
,

c h a m be r whe r e he s l e p t w i th h is b rothe rs to the fo re st

o u ts i d e
.

Fo r a year th e princ e s live d in th e h o u s e o f la c ,

u n t i l P u ro c h a n a t h ou gh t th e t i m e h ad c o m e for set

t i n g i t o n fi re
. B u t B h i m a was be fo reh a n d w it h h i m .

K u n t i h ad bee n feed i n g a n u m be r o f B r a h m a n a s o ne
n i gh t a m o n g t hese ca m e a N is h a da wo m e n wi th h e r
fi ve so n s , wh o beco m i n g i n t ox i ca t ed , re m ai n ed wh e n
,

t h e res t we n t h o m e . O f th i s B h i m a k n e w n oth i n g
h e o n l y k n e w t h at P uro c h a na was t he re . H e set th e
h ou se o n fi re i n s ev e ral pl a c es a n d the n h e , h is
,

b ro t hers a n d h i s m o t he r ra n o u t th rou gh the u n d e r

g ro u n d way t o th e fores t The re they we re m e t by a
.

m esse n ge r fro m th e good V idura , wh o h ad a b oa t

ready to c a rry t h e m o ver th e ri ve r Ga n g a , a n d , c ross
t n g th e s t rea m , th ey we n t s ou th wa rd s M e an wh i l e
.

i he bl az i n g h o u se d re w the p eo p l e t o g e the r, a nd they

 F U GIT IV E S I N TH E WOODS 53

fo u n d th e r e m a i n s o f P uro c h a na a nd o f a w o m an w it h
fi ve yo u t h s a n d g a ther i n g these l a t te r u p as th e re
, ,

ma i n s o f th e P a n da v a s a n d t h e i r m o ther they c a rri e d

‘

t he m ,
wee p i n g to D h ri tar a s h tra T he n the b l i n d
, .

k i ng a nd al l t he c it i z en s we pt a n d l am e n t ed b u t V i ,

d u ra did no t weep m u ch bec a u s e he k n e w th e tr u th .

1 43

T he P a n davas we re no w fu gi t i ves , h o m el es s
w a nd erers l i v i n g i n wi l d fo res t s a m i d m an y h ard sh i p s
, .

I t bro ke t he i r h ea rts t o see t h ei r m o t her s l ee p i n g o n

th e bare g rou nd e x posed to t h e wea t he r she o n wh o m
, ,

n o w i n d h ad bl o w n t o o ro u gh l y B h i m a ca rri ed th e m
.

a l l o n h i s s t ro n g s ho u ld e rs a n d fo u gh t fo r t h e m a n d
, ,

watched t h e m wh i l e they sl ep t O n e n igh t a R a k s h as a

.
,

a gi an t , s m el l i n g h u m a n be i n gs n ea r s en t h i s s is t er t o
,

k i l l t he m a nd b ri n g th e m t o h i m fo r food ; b u t sh e ,

s eei n g B h i m a l oo k so s p l e n d i d a n d st ro n g as h e watch

e d o ve r h i s s l ee pi n g m o t h e r a n d bro the rs , fel l i n l o v e

w i t h h i m i ns t ead o f t ry i n g t o m u rd e r h i m A s sh e .

w as tel l i n g B h i m a o f h i s d an ger , th e R a ksh asa ,

H idi mva c am e h u rr y i n g u p ve ry a ng ry c r y i n g t ha t
, ,

h e wo u l d k i l l h i s s i s t e r wi t h he r n e w fri en d s S t o p, “
.

s t op sai d B h tma s m i l i ng at h i m d o no t a wa k e n
” “
, ,

th ese peopl e s l eep i n g s o c o m fo r t abl y ; b u t he wa s

h i m sel f q u i te read y fo r a fi gh t S o u p h e j u m ped a s
.

t h e g i an t r a n a t h i m , a n d , p u l l i ng h i m a w ay t o a d is
54 TH E PER I L S A N D TR I U M P H S OF T H E P AN DA V AS

ta nce s o as n ot t o a wa k e n th e sl eepers , h e be g a n
w res t l i n g w it h h i m T h at was i nd eed a fi gh t : they
.

p u l l ed u p t rees an d roc k s a n d fo ugh t wi t h t h e m , a nd

s t ru ggl ed u p a n d d o w n t i l l the broth er s w o k e a nd
,

c al l ed o n B h i m a to fi n i sh the fi gh t a n d h e tossed th e
,

grea t bod y o f t he R a k sh as a u p i n t he ai r , a n d , d ash i n g

i t o n t he g ro u n d bro k e h i s b a c k b e ndi ng h i m d o u bl e
, ,
.

M an y s u c h a fi gh t was t h i s s t ro n g B h i m a t o w age to ,

c l ear th e worl d o f m igh t y a n d e v i l be i n gs wh o m ad e

li fe i m p os si bl e fo r q u i e t harm l ess fol k Wh e n th e r e
.

a re m a n y bad a n d po wer fu l peop l e op press i n g t h e p oo r

a n d t he h e l pl ess , th e G od s u s e a s trong m a n l i k e
B h i m a to s wee p o ff t h e e ar t h th ose w h o m a ke i t u n fi t
t o l i ve i n I t was B h i m a s d u t y to fi gh t h ard agai n s t
.
’

o p p ress o rs , a n d h i s great s tre ng t h wa s m ea n t t o be

u sed i n d e fe n ce o f the wea k .

A ft e r he r b roth er s d eath t h e R a k sh a si , m ak i n g
’

h e rsel f i n t o a bea u t i fu l wo m a n l i ved wi t h Bh i m a a s

,

h is wi fe , a n d t hey h ad a gi a n t so n n a med G h a to t
k ach a wh o was ve ry u se fu l l a t e r o n t o t he P a n davas
, .

M ea n wh i l e the bro t he rs l i ved b y h u n t i ng ti l l they me t

,

V ya sa wh o tol d t h e m t o re m ai n , awa i t i n g h i s ret u rn ,

,

i n t he h o u se o f a B r a h m a n a to w ho m he brou gh t
t he m . T he n they u sed to beg fo r food as asceti c s,
a n d K u n ti wo u l d d i v i d e a m o ng the m wh at th ey c o l

le c te d a s a l m s , gi v ing h a l f to B h i m a , a nd s h a rin g th e
 THE DI S TR E S S E D B R AH MA N A 55

s e co n d h a lf a mo ng th e fou r b ro t he rs a n d h e rsel f O ne .

d ay whe n the bro t hers e x cep t B h tma were o u t K u n t i

, , ,

fo u n d t h e B ra h m a n a weep i n g wi t h h i s wi fe a n d h is
t wo ch i l d re n , a n d hea rd h i ml a m e n t i ng t h at he o r o n e

o f h i s d ear o nes mii s t p eri sh T he n t he wi fe s ai d

.

th a t s he w a s q u i t e w i l l i ng t o d i e a n d t hat he r h u s
,

b an d m u s t s ac ri fi ce h e r fo r t he good o f al l A n d th e .

d au gh t e r sai d t ha t s he was t h e o ne t o d i e , fo r th e y
wo u l d have t o g i ve h e r away i n m arri age a n d m igh t
as we l l gi ve h er t o d ea t h A n d t h e l i tt l e s o n , to o
.

yo u ng t o u n d e rs t an d s ai d h e wo u l d fi gh t t h e w i c k e d
,

gi a n t w i t h a bl ad e o f g rass A s t he y we re s m i l i n g
.

a t t he c h i l d , K u n t i as ked wh at was th e m at te r , a nd
l earned th at to a R a ksh as a was pa i d tri b u te c o n s i s ti n g
o f a cart l oad o f ri ce a n d t wo b u ffal oes a n d the h u m a n
-

bei n g wh o too k h i m th e food T he h o u sehol d er s

.

p ai d th i s t ri bu te i n tu rn a n d t he tu r n o f th i s B r a h
,

m a n a had co m e ; he a nd h i s fa m i ly we r e d i s p u ti ng wh o
s h o u l d tak e t he food a n d eac h w an te d t o be th e
,

v i c t i m a n d to s av e th e othe rs T he n K u n t i s ai d c hee r
.

fu l l y th at o ne o f he r so n s wo u l d t ak e t h e fo od , a n d
wh e n t he B r a h ma n a s ai d th at h e wou l d n e ve r be s o
w i c ked as to se n d a gu es t t o h i s d eath sh e a n s we red ,

th a t B r a h m a n as m u s t a l ways be p rotec ted , a n d tha t

h e r s o n was s t ro n g a n d wo u ld be i n n o d a nge r T h e n .

s h e c al le d B h i m a , wh o g l ad l y u n d ert oo k the tas k o f

 56 TH E PE RI L S A N D T RI UM P H S or TH E P AN DAVA S

s av i n g th e ir k i n d h ost W he n Yudh ish th ira c a m e

.

h o m e a n d h eard wh at had h ap pe n ed , h e beca m e v e ry

a n x i o u s a n d ge n tl y re p r oached h i s m oth e r fo r se n d i n
g
B h i m a i n t o d an ge r ; b u t K u n t i s ai d i t was a go o d
‘

deed t o r e ward the ir h os t a n d d el i ve r the to w n a nd ,

t hat B h i m a s h ou l d perfo r m t h i s v ir t u o u s a ct i o n , s u c h

b ei n g th e d u ty o f the K sh a ttriya .S o B h i m a we n t
o ff, d r i v i n g th e bu l l oc k s w i th t h e r i ce a n d whe n h e
,

rea c hed the p l ace whe re th e g ia n t l i ved feel i n g a l i tt l e

,

h u n g ry , h e s at d ow n a n d bega n to eat u p th e r i c e .

O u t c a m e the gi an t a n d gave B h i m a a great bl o w on

t h e bac k b u t B h i m a s m i l ed at h i m a n d we n t o n w i t h
,

h is d i n n e r. The n t he gia n t p u l l e d u p a t re e a nd
s tru c k at h i m b u t B h i m a c a u gh t the t ree i n h i s
, l e ft
h a n d an d c o n t i n u ed to eat W h e n B h i m a h ad q u i t e
.

fi n ished , h e washed h i m sel f a n d the n t u r n ed cheer fu l l y

,

t o fi gh t . G reat wa s th e s tru ggl e , bu t B h i m a w o n ,

a nd b rok e th e R a ks hasa s bac k ac ross h i s k n ee
’
The n
.

h e w e n t q u i etl y ba c k agai n , a ft e r te l l i n g t he gi ant s

'

rel at i ves to gi ve u p th e p ra c ti c e o f e a t i ng m e n , a nd

a ll th e to w n s m e n r ej oi c ed t ha t thei r terri bl e e n e m y

w as s l a i n a nd th at th ey co ul d l i v e i n p e a ce § x35
.

No w on e da y a B r a h m a n a c a m e a s a g u est to th e
h o u se whe r e th e P a n davas were s tay i n g a n d tol d t h e
,

p r in c es th e s to r y o f D r o na a nd D rupa da a nd s p o k e ,
58 TH E P E RI L S AN D TRIU MPHS or THE P AN DAVA S

da u gh t e r o f D rupa da , had p r a yed re p eated ly to M a

h a de va fo r a h u s ba n d a n d H e h ad t ol d h e r t h a t a s
, ,

s h e had fi ve t i mes d e m a n d ed a h u s ba n d o f H i m fi ve
,

h u sba n d s sh o u l d sh e h ave i n a n o t h e r l i fe . S h e wa s
th e wi fe a p p o i n ted fo r th e P a n davas a n d V y a s a bad e
,

th e m go to D ru pa da s c o u r t O n t he w ay , by th e
’
.

ad v i ce o f a Ga n d ha rva th ey v i s i ted a n asc et i c n a m e d

,

D h a u mya , a n d p r ayed h i m t o bec o m e the i r p r i es t ;

a nd h e , accep ti ng the m as h is d i sc i p l es , we n t w i t h
t h e m t o P a n ch a l a F u r t he r o n they m et so m e B r a h
.

ma n as , j ou rn ey i n g to th e s a m e pl a ce to a t te n d th e
S va ya mva ra of K ris h n a an d , j o i n i n g th e i r co m pa n y ,
,

s u p po r t ed the m sel ves by beggi ng l i ke B r a h m a n a s .

N o w D ru pa da — c al le d al s o Ya j na s e n a — h ad l o n g

d es i red t h a t A rj u n a s h ou l d bec o m e the h u s ba n d o f

h is d au gh t e r , a n d , k n o wi n g h i s s k i l l as a n arc he r , h e
h ad m ad e a great b o w tha t h e th ou gh t n o o n e el s e
c o u l d be n d, a nd se t u p a m ar k h i gh i n the s k y , pr o

c l ai m i n g th at h e who c o u l d s t ri n g the b o w a n d h it
t h e m ark sh o u l d marry h i s d au gh t e r . G reat was t h e
c ro wd o f k i n gs asse m bl ed to tak e part i n t he c o n t es t,
a n d a m on g th e m ca m e as o n l oo ke r w i t h H i s bro t he r

V a la de va , o r B al ar a m a S h r i K rish n a l oo k i n g w i t h
, ,

e yes o f l o ve o n A rj u n a a nd h i s bro t hers fo r t h e fi rs t

,

t i me s eei n g i n th i s b i rth H i s an ci e n t fri e n d .

S o o n the s t r u gg l e b e g a n a n d princ e a fte r princ e

,
 TH E WI N N I N G OF K RIS H N A 59

to o k u p th e g reat bo w an d fai l ed to s tr i n g i t , w h i l e
K rish n a l oo ked o n w i t h s h i n i n g eyes , see k i n g h e r
fu tu re l ord . I n a ll th a t gre at asse m bl y n o n e wa s
fo u nd to be n d th e bo w , t i l l Ka r n a s p ra n g fo rward a n d
s e i z i n g the bo w, be n t an d s t ru n g i t an d fi tt ed a n
a rrow t o the s tri n g B u t as th e s o n s o f P a n du t h ou gh t
.

th e m sel ves l ost K rish n a s c l ear v oi ce r a n g be l l l i k e

,
’
-

ove r t h e c ro wd : I w i l l n ot ch oos e a S u t a fo r m y
“

lo rd a n d K ar n a c ast a w ay t h e b o w a n d we n t
, T he n.

A rj u n a s t epped forwa rd , l ook i n g l i ke a B r a h m a n a , a

s t ri p l i n g s t i l l th o u g h gra n d l y for m ed a n d ta l l , a n d h e
li fted t he b o w l i gh t l y a n d s tru n g i t w i t h o u t a n e ffor t ,
a n d, d raw i n g i t , se n t th e fi ve arro ws s w i ft l y to th e
m ark The n flowe rs fel l fro m th e s ky a n d m u s i c i a n s
.
,

a nd bard s bro ke i n to m u s i c , a n d K rish n a royal l y

,

g arbed an d s m i l i n g , w i th fl o wers a n d wa t e r i n a
gol de n d is h , a p p roac hed A rj u n a an d th rew o n h i m a
,

wh i t e robe a nd a ga rla nd o f s wee t b l oss o m s th u s ,

sh owi n g th at sh e c hose h i m as he r h u sba n d Th e n .

h e t u rn ed to l eave th e fi el d , a n d sh e fol l owed h i m

w
m eek l y , wh o had o n he r a n d wh o m he r h ea r t a ppro v
ed B u t the re a rose a great u proar a m o ng t h e k i n gs ,
.

wh o c ried “
Th i s m ai de n i s a K s h a ttriya a n d m u s t
n ot be g i ve n to a B ra h ma n a ! a n d t hey c rowd e d
”

to gethe r t o t a ke he r fro m A rj u n a by fo rc e T he n .

A rj u n a pic ke d u p th e g reat bo w , a n d B h i m a t or e u p
60 TH E P E RI L S AN D T RI U M P H S OF TH E P AN DAVA S

a t r ee as wea p o n , a nd togeth e r th e t wo b r othe r s fa c e d

t h e ru sh i n g k i n gs S hal ya was th ere a n d D uryo
.

dh a n a a n d Ka r n a , a n d a l l m e n wo n d e red whe n the y

s a w t he t wo a pp are n t B r a h m a n as h ol d t hei r o wn
a gai n s t these warri or s A n d at l as t S h ri K ri sh n a
.

i n te rp osed a n d r e m i n d ed the m o narch s th at K ri s h n a

h a d bee n fa i rly w o n , a n d t h ey l e ft o ff fi ghti n g , a nd
th e bro t he rs d ep arted h o m e to the ir m oth er .

A s t h ey c am e i n , K u n t i was i n the i n n e r roo m ,

a n d t hey c al l ed o u t to h er i n p l ay tha t they h ad
b ro u gh t h o m e the d ay s al m s she a n s we red
’
E nj o y ,

i t a ll o f yo u
, a n d th e n see i ng K r i sh n a sh e e x c l ai m
,
”
, ,

ed ,Oh “
wh a t h ave I s ai d Y u dh is h th i ra h ad c o m e
ba c k earl y , a n d t h e m o t he r ap peal ed to h i m t o d ec i d e
h o w sh e c ou l d a vo i d h av i ng u t te red an u n tru th a n d ,

y e t K ri sh n a be w i t ho u t s i n A rj
. u n a h ad wo n h er , let

h i m m a rry h e r, s ai d Y u dh is h th i ra B u t A rj u n a
.

a n s we red that h e co u l d n o t ri gh teo u s ly m arry be fo r e

h is t wo el de r b ro the rs . T h e n Y udh is h th i ra re m e m
b e red V y a s a s s t ran ge p ro ph ecy a n d s ai d :
’

,
“
Th e
a u s p i c i ou s D ra u p a di s h a ll be th e c om m o n w i fe o f a l l
!
.

J u s t the n i n cam e S h ri K ri s h n a wh o sa id tou ch i n g th e

, ,

feet o f H is el d e r , Y u dh is h th i ra , I a m K ri sh n a
“

a n d th ey g reeted e a c h o t her j oy fu l ly , bu t soo n pa r t

ed les t atte n ti o n sh ou l d be dra w n to th e s o n s o f

,

P a n da .T he n , w he n they e a te n , th ey l ay d o w n to
 T H E M ARR IAG E OF K RIS H N A 61

s l ee p th e b roth e rs l y i n g s i d e by s id e t he ir mo the r
, ,

a l o n g th e ir head s a n d K rish n a at thei r feet an d e re ,

t h ey s l ep t t hey tal ked o f weapo n s a n d ba tt l es a s

wa rri o rs w ou l d N o w K ri sh n a s b rothe r
’
. a n x i ou s
,

a bo u t h i s s i s t e r s fa te h ad c rep t i nto th e l i ttl e h o u s e

’
,

u n see n a n d ove rh eard th e c o n ve rsati o n a nd h as te n

, , ,

i n g b a c k to h i s fa t he r he to l d h i m that th e you t h s
'

w ere n o B r a h m a n as n or we re th ey V a is h ya s n o r
,

S h fi dra s fo r t hei r tal k was th a t o f warri ors a n d the y

, ,

w e re l i ke t h e so n s o f P a n du .

T he n was D ru pa da g l ad e x e e dingly, a n d s e n t h is
p r i es t to fi n d o u t wh o thes e yo u ths we re b u t Y u dh is h
th i ra w o u l d o n l y say th a t K ri sh n a h a d bee n fai rl y
wo n , a n d th at the k i n g m u s t n o t gri ev e th at th e
p r i n cess sh o u l d bel ong to t he he ro w h o h ad fu l fi l l ed
th e c o n d i t i o ns he h ad h i m se l f l ai d d ow n M ea n w h i l e
.

t h e k i n g p rep a red a feas t , a n d gath e red m a n y th i n gs

s u i tab l e t o eac h o f t he fo u r o rd ers ; a n d wh e n th e
p r i n ce s a fter d i n i n g ,tu r ned to th e weapo n s w i th eage r
,

i nte res t , h e was gl ad , h 0 p i n g th at th ey w e re K s h a t

t riy a s . A t l as t he as ked w h o they were an d Y u dh is h
,

th i ra s a i d th at they were the s o n s o f P a n du a n d tol d ,

the d el igh t ed k i n g o f th e ir es ca pe a n d l a t er ad ven tu res .

Th e n c am e t h e q u es ti on o f K rish n a s m arria ge ,
’

a nd D rUp a da s a i d that s h e m i gh t m arry a ny o ne o f

t h e fi ve brothers ; b ut Yudh ish th ira s a i d th a t h is
62 TH E P E RI L S A N D TRI U M P H S O F T H E P AN DAVA S

m oth er h ad o rd ered th at K r ish n a sh ou l d be th e i r

c o m m o n w i fe : we e ve r enj oy eq u al ly a je we l we ma y
“

o bta i n B u t p ro tested D ru pa da h o w m ay a w o m a n
”
.
, ,

h ave fi ve h u s ban d s O son o f K u n t i p u re as t h o u

,

a rt a n d acq u a i n t ed w it h t h e r u l es o f m o r al i t y i t b e ,

h o ve th t h ee n ot t o c o m m i t a n ac t t h at i s s i n fu l a n d ,

o p posed both to u s age a n d t h e Ved as ” “

M y t on gu e
.
,

s ai d Y u dh i h th i ra
s ne ve r u tt ere d a n u n t r u t h M y
,
“
.

h ea rt al s o n ev er t u rne t h t o t h at wh i ch i s s i n fu l My .

m o t h er c o m m a nd eth s o a n d m y hea r t al so a p p rove t h

,

o f it .
”
B u t k i ng D ru pa da cou l d n ot agree an d d i s ,

c u s s io n arose d u ri n g wh i c h V y a s a arri v ed a n d ap pe a l
,

w as m ad e to h i m H e t oo k D ru pa da ap art an d t ol d
.

h i m th at the fi v e s o n s o f P a n da were fo u r I n d ras o f

th e p as t a n d th e s o n o f t h e p rese n t I n d ra an d h e ,

s h o wed h i m i n a v i s i on t h e d i vi ne for m s o f t he b ro
t h e rs th e n he e xp l ai n ed th a t K ri sh n a was t h e God d es s
S h ri , born as a w o m a n i n o rd er th at s h e m igh t be th e
w i fe o f these I n d ras , a n d th at i n he r l as t b i rt h
M ah a de va h ad d ec reed th at s h e sh ou l d th u s h ave fi ve
h u sba n d s , bec au se she h ad u rge n tl y as k e d fi ve ti m e s
o ve r fo r a h u sban d O n th i s D ru pa da y i el d ed a nd
.
,

t h e p ri n cess K ri sh n a was m arr i ed to the fi ve so ns o f

P a n du . 1 67 2 00 ] -

T he P a n davas n o w bega n t o rega i n p r os p eri ty ,

S h ri K r i s h n a sen d i ng the m vast s tores o f weal th , b u t
 A H A P P Y E S C AP E 63

D u r yod h an aa n d h i s fri e n d s , h eari n g o f t he i r es c a p e ,

bega n fres h p l o t s agai n s t t he m K ar n a ad v i sed ope n
.

wa r e re y e t th e P a n dava s h ad g row n s t ro n g , b ut
‘

Bh i s h ma d ec l ared t h a t h e c ou l d n eve r a p p ro v e o f a
q u arrel w i t h the m , a n d t h at h al f t h e k i n gd o m
“

o u gh t t o be gi ve n ove r t o t he m A good n a m e
.
“
,
”

s ai d h e , i s i n d eed t he sou rce o f o n e s s t ren g t h

“
, ,
’
w e,
a re for t u n a t e t ha t t he P a n davas h av e n o t p eri sh ed .

W e a re for t u n a t e t h a t K u n t i l i ve t h
. O t i ge r
a m on g m e n he ari n g o f t h e fa t e th a t ov er t oo k K u n t i ,
,

the worl d d o t h n ot regard P u ro c h a n a as s o gu i l ty as

i t rega rd e t h thee .O k i n g , t h e es c a pe , th e re fore , o f
the so n s o f P a n du w i t h l i fe fro m t h a t c o n fl a gra t io n,
a n d thei r reap pearan ce d o away w it h t h y ev i l re p u t e
, .

K n o w, O t h ou o f K u r u s race t hat as l on g as t h os e
’
,

h eroes l i ve , th e w i el d e r o f th e t h u n d er h i m s e l f c an n o t
d ep ri v e t h e m o f t hei r a n cest ral sh are i n th e k i n gd o m .

T he P a n davas a re v i rt u ou s a n d u n i ted T hey are .

bei n g w ro n gl y k ep t o u t o f th ei r eq u al sh are i n t h e
k i n gd o m . I f th ou sh ou l d s t ac t ri gh tly , i f t h o u
sh ou l d s t d o wh at i s ag reea bl e to m e i f th ou sh ou l d s t
.

see k t h e we l fare o f al l , the n gi v e h al f th e k i n d o m u n

t o th e m .
”
D ro n a sp ok e i n t h e sa m e sen s e as d i d ,

V i du ra K arn a bi t te rl y Op pos i n g an d fi n al l y D h ri ta
, ,

ra s h tra se n t V i du ra to b r i n g the s o n s o f K u n t i
h ome .
 64 THE P E RI L S A N D T RI U M P H S O F T H E P AN DAVA S

G reat w as t he j oy o f t he peo p l e o n th e i r a rr i va l
th e w hol e c i ty be c a m e rad i a n t an d k i n g D h ri ta
”
,

ra sh t ra gave t he m h al f t he k i n gd o m bid d i n g the m

,

r es i d e a t K h a nda va pra sth a K h a nda va pra s th a wa s

.

a t t h a t t i m e a n u n rec l ai m ed d eser t , b u t t he P a n dav a s

s oo n b u i l t t he m sel ves a bea u t i fu l c i ty o n a s i te ch ose n
w i t h t he hel p o f V ya sa . S o fai r was th i s ci ty th a t
m e n c o m pared i t w i th I n d r a s c i t y , a n d c a l led i t
’

I n d rap ras t ha .

O ne d ay N ar ad a c a me t o see th e m , a n d , tal k i n g
w i t h t he b rothe rs , he warned the m agai ns t t he d is u n i o n
th a t m igh t ar i se fro m the i r h av i n g a c o m m o n w i fe .

H e ad v ised t he m to m ak e s o m e ru l e as to the i r
r el ati on s wi th he r, an d t hey agreed th at whe n o n e o f
the m was i n K rish n a s c o m pan y , an y o n e o f t h e
’

o t he rs tha t i n t e rru p ted th ose t wo sh ou l d go i n to t h e

fores t as a n e x i l e fo r t we l ve years N o w i t ha ppe n e d
.

t hat so m e robbe rs s tol e a B r a h m an a s c attl e , a n d th e

’

ma n , l a me n t i n g h i s l oss , c ri e d to th e P a n davas fo r
a
ju s ti ce A rj u n a hea rd h i m a n d pro m i sed to r ed res s
.

t he wron g ,bu t h is weap o n s we r e a ll i n th e roo m

w h e r e Y udh ish th ira was s i t ti n g w i th D ra u pa di .

W hat cou l d h e d o ? I f h e d id n o t p rotec t the B r a h

m a n a b l am e w o u l d fa l l o n the k i n g , fo r a k i ng i n
wh ose k i n gd o m wro n g w e n t u n p u n ish ed was h el d a s
s i n ful T r u e , if h e w e n t i n t o the ro o m h e wo u l d in
.
66 T H E P E RI L S A N D TRI U M P H S o r T H E P AN DAVA S
ere l o n g as h e was bath i ng a n d perform i n g hi s p fij
, a ,

U l u p i , a wate r ny m ph , the d augh t e r o f t he k i ng o f

-

t he N a gas cau gh t h i m rou nd t he wa i s t a n d d ragged

,

h i m to th e bo tt om o f the s t rea m i n to h er pal ace ,

I n te r ru p ted i n h is wo rsh i p t h i s u n cerem o n i ou s w y

in a ,

A rj u n a seei ng a fi re bu rn i n g i n t he pal ace q u i e t l y

, ,

fi n i shed h i s d e vo t ions an d t hen as ked t he nym ph

,

why she had carried h i m o ff S he t ol d h i m tha t sh e .

h ad fal len i n l ove wi t h h i m an d A rj u n a yiel d ed t o

,

her u rgen cy a n d rem ai ned wi t h her t i l l t he fol l owi n g

m orn i ng H e the n wen t o n h is way m eeti n g w it h
.
,

m any ad ven t u res an d v is i t i n g h oly pl aces t i l l he

, ,

reac hed the l and o f S h ri K rish n a an d the H ol y O ne ,

cam e t o s e e H is fri end Presen t ly t h ey we n t t oge t her

.

t o D va a ka a n d t he re A rj u na sa w t he beau ti fu l
r ,

S u b h a dra t he s is t er o f S h r i K rish n a
, H e fel l d ee ply
.

i n l ove w i th he r an d Sh ri K rish n a ad vised h i m t o

,

carry he r o ff by force as t h i s was a K s h a tt iya cu s

,
r

tom A rj u n a sen t a m essage to Yudh ish thira and

.
, ,

receiv i n g h is conse n t h e wa t ched h i s oppor t u n i t y

, ,

an d c arried the m ai d e n o ff i n h i s chari o t as s h e wa s

wal k i n g w i th h er a tt en d an t s These gave the al a rm.
,

an d al l the ch iefs o f t he Y a davas an d V rish nis

gathered t oge t her h ot wi t h anger eager t o pu rsu e
, ,

and fi gh t wi t h A rj u na B u t Shri K ri sh n a soo t hed

.

the m w i th g e n tle wo rd s p ra i s i ng A rj u n a an d cou n

, ,
 T HE B IRT H OF AB H I M AN YU 67

s el l i n g t hem to go a ft er h i m an d bri ng h i m bac k i n

friend sh i p fo r whe re c o u ld be fou n d for S u b h a dra a
,

bet t er h us b an d tha n he ? The n th e ch iefs d i d as H e

ad vised , a n d A rj u n a l i ved i n D va ra k a for awh i l e a nd , ,

whe n t h e t wel ve years o f ex i l e we re ove r h e re t u rn ed ,

to I n d ra p ra s t ha accom p a n ied by K e s h a v a an d B al a
,

r a m a and m a ny grea t warri o rs a nd t he V ris h nis ,

brou gh t a s w e d d i ng gi ft s vas t s t ores of weal t h an d

a n i mals The re i n I ndra pra s th a S u b h a dra gave b i rth
.
, ,

to Abh i ma nyu the fav ou ri t e o f Sh ri K ri sh n a whose

, ,

l i fe was to be so sh ort a n d gl or i o u s fo r h e wa s
V a rc h a s t he s o n o f th e G o d S o m a who on ly al l owed
, ,

h i m to l e ave heave n fo r s i x t een ye a rs , to fi gh t o n :

K u ru k s h e t ra an d fro m th a t fie l d my boy o f m igh t y

“
,

a r m s shal l re appear be fore m e

-
20 1 2 2 3.
-
,

There to K e sh a va a nd A rj u n a s port i n g i n th e ,

w ood s came A gn i on e da y i n t h e gu ise o f a B r a h

,

ma n a , as k i n g t he i r a i d t o co nsu m e t he fores t o f
K h a n da va pro t ec t ed by I nd ra
,
B r a h m a had ad vi sed
.

h i m to see k t he hel p of N a ra an d N a r a yana t hen o n ,

earth as A rj u n a a nd Sh r i K rish n a an d h e ca m e t o ,

the m begg i n g for i t A rj u n a sa id t h at h e h ad n o

.

prope r b o w n o r a s u ffi c i en t s u p pl y o f arrows a n d h e ,

need ed a car wi t h swi ft h orses an d a m igh ty we a po n

,

for K e s h a va T he n A gn i t h ou gh t o f Va ru n a t h e
.
,

G o d o f the wa te r s , a n d , Varu n a a pp ear i ng i n a ns w e r

68 T H E P E RI L S A N D TRI U MP H S OF T H E PAN DAV As

to h i s thou gh t Agn i p rayed h i m to g i ve t o A rj u n a

,

the grea t b o w cal led G a n di va , an d t he i nexh aus ti bl e

q u ivers an d t he ape ban ne red car of k i ng S o ma a n d
,
-

to gi ve t o S hr i Krish n a t he d i s cu s o f great fame

'

V aru na gave t hese weapons as he was as ked , an d A gn i

bl azed for t h i n the fores t of K h a nda va a nd whe n , ,

I n d ra sen t cl ou ds to p ou r d own rai n , A rj u n a sh ower

ed arrows o n t hem a nd d i spersed the m A n d fo r .

fi ft ee n d ays the forest bu rn ed t i l l i t was d estroyed ,

an d o n ly s ix l i v i ng c rea t u res escaped fro m it , o ne
o f who m was M aya , an A su ra , wh o ra n to A rj u n a
t o p ro t ec t h i m .

A n d whe n al l was ove r I nd r a , pl eased w i th the

,

sk i l l an d c ou rage o f h is son , a ppeared t o K e sh a va

an d A rj u n a as t hey were resti n g and offered the m a
,

boon T he n A rj u n a asked I n d ra to gi ve h i m h i s
.

celesti al w eapons , an d I nd ra a nswered : Whe n the “

i l l u s t ri ous M ah a dev a becomes pl eased w i th thee , t he n ,

O s o n o f P a n du , I w i l l gi ve thee al l my wea p o n s
'

”
.

And V a su dev a [ S h ri K rish n a ] as ked th at H is

“

frien dsh ip w i th A rj u n a m ight be etern al .2 24

2 36 ]

[EN D or T H E ADI PARV AJ

 C H APTER I V .

T H E G AT H E R I N Q OF T H E S TORM C LO U D S-

We n ow beg i n th e seco n d vo l u me of the M ah a

b h a ra t a t he S abh a P a rva t ak i n g i ts n a me fro m
,

t he t hree fa t efu l assem b l i es t he rec ord o f wh i ch m a kes

,

u p i t s co n t e n t s .

Y ou rem e mber t h at i n th e b u rn i n g of the forest

‘

o f K h a nda va , M aya , a D a n ava escaped I n gra t i

, .

t u d e for t he savi n g o f h is l i fe by A rj u n a h e was ,

eager t o d o so me t h i n g i n retu rn ; Arj u n a an s wered

k i n d l y an d cou r t eou sl y bu t refused h is o ffer o f servi ce
, ,

a nd o n M aya pressi n g t he o ffer bad e h i m d o so m e

, ,

thi n g for Sh ri K ri sh n a : V a s u d eva , o n reflec t i on d e ,

s i red h i m si nce he was t h e forem os t o f ar t is t s t o

, ,

bu i ld a spl end id pal ace fo r Y u dh i sh t h ira an d M aya ,

c onsen t ed wi th d e l i gh t a n d re t u rn i ng to t he capi t al
, , ,

m eas u re d o u t a l arge piece o f l an d as s i te fo r t he

bu i l d i n g
. I .

S hr i K rish n a j us t then wen t away ho me an d we ,

m ay d el ay a m ome n t t o m ark the reve re nce H e e ver

showed to H i s el ders —H e who wa s God I n tak i n g .

farewe l l H e m ad e obei san ce w i t h H is head to t he

,

feet o f H is father s Si ster , a n d wo rsh i p pe d t he B r a h

’
70 TH E GAT H E RI N G OF TH E STOR M C L O U D S
-

m a n as Y u dh ish th ira an d Bh i m a— the t wo l a tte r be i n g

,

H i s se n io rs 2 . O n an o t he r oc cas i o n we read t hat

H e was e n gage d a t H i s o wn w i l l i n wash i n g th e
“

fee t o f t h e B r a h ma n as .
”

35 H e
. di d n o t she w
t he m od e rn s pi ri t o f ca rel ess d i s res pect bu t se t th e ,

ex a m ple o f the m ost d u t i fu l reveren ce to t h ose wh o ,

p h v s ic a lly w
,
ere H i s s u peri ors .

M aya i n formed th e P a n davas th at h e had o n ce ,

d u ri ng a sac ri fi ce n ea r l ake V i nd u by t he D a n avas ,

ga t hered l arge s t ores o f preci ou s s ton es i n t he l ak e

we re al so a c l u b bel ongi n g t o t he k i ng o f t h e D a n av a s
an d V aru n a s great c on ch D e va da t ta
’

,
H e we n t t hi
.

t he r an d brou gh t bac k al l t hese t reasu res gi v i ng th e ,

cl u b t o Bh i m a , t he c on ch shel l to A rj u na an d u si n g
-
,

t he ge ms for t he bu i l d i ng of a w on d e rfu l pal ace .

I t h ad gol d e n wal l s , a nd a rches o n gol d e n col u m ns ,

a n d flowers o f ge ms floati n g o n a tan k w i th c rys t a l
s t eps a n d e m ban k m e n ts o f m arbl e set wi t h p earl s .

A nd rou nd were bl oss om i n g trees o f fragran t sce n ts ,

a n d t an k s wi t h s wa n s a n d other aq u a t i c bi rds a n d
l o t uses I n fou r t ee n m o n ths t h e peerl ess p al ace wa s
.

ready and a great o pen i n g cere m ony was he l d t o

,

wh i ch c a m e k i ngs fro m m a ny c ou n t ries — the fi rs t

S abh a o r asse m bly , rec ord ed i n th i s v ol u m e
, 3 .
,

H i t he r c ame N a rad a a grea t Ri sh i an d beh ol d

, ,

i ng the learned Ri sh i a r r i ve the el dest o f the P a n da

,
 A KI N G s
’
D U TI E S 7I

va s, con ve rsan t w i th al l ru les o f d u ty q u i c k l y s t o od

,

u p wi t h h i s you nger bro t hers Be nd i n g lo w wi th

.

hu m i l i t y t h e m o na rch cheerfu l l y s al u ted the R ish i

,

wi th al l proper forms an d t he n Na rad a pu t q u es t i o ns

,
k

to the k i ng to s e e i f he p rop erl y c arri ed o u t h is -

d u t ies . The k i ng , ac c ord i ng to H i nd u teach i ng ,

-

s tands a t the head o f a n a t i o n ves ted w i t h D i v i ne

,

au t hori t y H e h as t he heavies t d u t i es an d t h e h e a v i
.

es t respons i bi l i ti es t he m os t u nceas i ng l abo u r de m an d

,

i n g t he m ost in cessan t i n d us t ry I f he be good .

,

a l l goes wel l wi t h h is p eop l e and h e i s a nswerab l e

,

fo r t he we l fare an d p rosper it y o f t he S ta t e La t er
.
,

we shal l hear B h is h ma o n t he d u ties o f a k i n g ; n ow ,

N a rada q ues ti ons Yu dh ish th ira D oes h e d i v i d e h i s

.

t un e j ud ic i ousl y gi vi n g t o rel igi o n pl eas u re a n d p rofi t

, ,

s everal ly i t s righ tfu l sh a re ? Does he c hoose h i s m i n i s

ters wisely a nd pay h is t roops regu l arly ? D oes h e

s u p port t he w i ves an d ch i l d re n o f the m e n wh o
had g i ve n thei r l i ves fo r h i m i n battl e an d p rotec t ,

h is co nq uered foes ? I s he eq u al ly accessi bl e to al l ,

a nd
“
can e ve ry o ne app roach thee w i t hou t fear as i f
tho u was t thei r m other a n d fathe r ? I s h i s e x pe ndi”

t u re c ove red by a fou r t h a t h i rd o r a h a lf o f h i s i n co me ?

, ,

A re the agri cu l t u r i s t s co n t e n t ed ? A re l arge t an k s

“

an d l akes es tabl ished al l over thy k i ngd o m a t p roper

d i sta n c es , w i th ou t a g ri c u l tu re bei ng i n thy real m en
 72 TH E GAT H E RI N G O F TH E STORM C LO U DS
-

t i re ly d epe nden t o n the sh owers o f heaven ? The

agri c u l tu ral i sts i n thy k i n gd o m wan t not ei t her seed
‘

o r food ? D oes he m ake l oan s o f seed to the t i l lers

”
;

a n d se e tha t hon es t m e n m anage agri c u l t u re , t rad e ,

c attle —rea ri ng an d le n di ng o n i n t erest ? D oes he eve r

'

c om m i t i nj u s t i ce from cove t ou sn ess fol ly o r p ri d e ?

,

A re t s m i n isters above bri bery ? D oes h e see that

t axes are n ot u nj u stly l evied ? D oes he gi ve arti san s
w ages a n d m a t eri als at i n ter v al s o f n o t m ore th an
fou r m o n ths ? Does he p ro t ec t h i s k i ngd o m fro m
d an gers an d c h e ris h e s t t hou l i ke a fa t her t he bl i n d
, . , ,

t he l ame the d u mb , t he de formed t he fri end l ess a n d

, ,

asce t i cs t h at have n o homes ? H as t th o u ban i shed

these s i x evi l s O m on arch sl eep , id le n ess fea r ange r ,
, , , ,

weak ness o f m i n d , proc ras t i n a t i o n ? Then Y u dh is h

”

t hi ra bowed d own to N a rad a worsh i ppi n g h is feet

, ,

a nd p rom is i ng t o fu l fi l the du t ies o n wh i ch he had

been q u es t i oned an d Na rad a the n d esc ri bed to t he
,

asse m bl y so me of the celes t i al pal aces 511 -

.

N ow i t ap peared fro m h i s accou n t that on l y o ne

k i ng H a ris h c h a n dra was l i v i n g i n the p alace o f

, ,

I nd ra an d Yudh is h th ira e n qu i red as to h i s meri t s

,

a n d als o as ked fo r n ews o f h i s o wn fa t her N a rad a .

a ns we red that H a rish c h a ndra h ad pe rform ed t he

R aj a s uy a s ac ri fi ce thu s gai n i n g th e heave n of I nd ra ,
,

a n d that P an du wi sh e d his s on Yudh ish th ira t o c o n

74 TH E G AT H E RI N G OF T H E STORM C LO U DS -

g o od a nd gen tl e k i n g h is c ou n sel l ors w i t h o n e v o ic e

said t ha t he was wo r t hy to perfor m the s ac ri fice .

H e howeve r s t i l l revol ved t h e m a tt e r i n h i s m i nd

, , ,

rec kon i ng u p h is res ou rces n ot ove r h as t y b u t re

,
-
,

me mb e ri ng t ha t the wise ne ver co me t o grie f o wi n g

“

to t he i r al ways ac ti n g aft er fu l l d el ibera t i on He .

”

fi n al ly d ec i ded to se nd to S h ri K r i sh na an d ask fo r
h is ad v i ce k n ow in g that he cou l d fi n d n o b e t t e r
,

c o u n sel l or .

S hr i K r i sh n a q u ic k ly c am e a t H is fr i en d s r eq u e s t ,
’

a n d whe n H e heard o f the proposed sac ri fi ce H e

, ,

d ec l ared that one great obs tacl e s t ood i n t he way .

Y u dh is h th i ra i nd eed , was worthy to p erfor m th e

,

s ac ri fi ce bu t he co u l d o n ly o ffe r i t i f he were ac k n o w
,

l ed ged by al l t he k i n gs as t hei r c h ie f a nd the re wa s

,

o ne k i n g J a ra s a ndh a o f m i gh t y p ower , wh o wo u l d
,

n eve r bo w d o wn to h i m as l o rd N o w ja ra sa ndh a
.

i n te n ded to o ffe r a te rri ble h u m an sac ri fi ce i n wh i c h ,

t h e v i c ti m s we re to be one h u nd red i n n u m be r eac h ,

one a k i ng E igh t y s i x k i ngs he h ad conq u e red and

.
-

wa s t he n hold i n g c apti ve ; t h u s on ly fou rtee n m ore

were wa n ted to com pl ete t h e tal e T he m an wh o
..

p re ve n ted J a ra sa ndh a from accom pl ish i n g t h is c ri me ,

wi l l s u rely wi n bl az i n g renow n
”
s ai d S h r i K ri sh n a .
,

S o he c ou n sel le d atta c k o n j a ra s a ndh a 12.

 THE T H R E E H E RO ES 75

I t wa s dec i ded , aft er so m e d i scu ss i o n , t h a t i t wa s

u se l ess to figh t ja ra s a ndh a w i t h a n army— h is stren g t h
wa s great Be t te r l e t Sh ri K ri sh n a go to h i m
‘

to o .

wi t h B h i m a Arj u n a ; i n H i m w as pol i c y , i n
a nd
‘

B h i m a s t reng t h i n Arj u n a prosperi t y B u t Y udh is h

, .

th i ra obj ec t ed t o t he d anger they wou l d ru n t i l l “

if ,

t ho u k nowes t m y hear t , i f t hou has t any fai t h i n m e ,

”

said Sh r i K ri sh n a fi n al ly t he n mak e ove r to m e a s

, ,

a pl ed ge Bh i m a a n d A rj u n a w it h ou t l oss o f t i me
,
.
!

A t t h is Yudh is h t h ira gave way , respec t fu l ly s ay i n g

,

t h a t he was u nd e r H i s com m and l et A rj u n a fol l o w “

K ri sh n a t he fo rem os t o f the Y a d a vas an d l et Bh i m a

, ,

fol l ow A rj u n a P ol i cy an d good fortu n e a nd m igh t

.

wi l l bri ng abou t s u c cess The n the th re e heroe s

.

dressed t he msel ves u p as S n a ta k a B r a h m a nas an d

s e t o u t fo r M a the ca pi t al f dh But
g a dh a , o
J a ra sa n a .

u n l i ke peace fu l B r a h m a n as , they brok e d own as they ,

approached M a ga dh a th e peak o f a m ou n ta i n wor

,

sh i pped by t he i nhabi t an ts , en tered th e c it y by a n

i m pro pe r ga t e a nd pass i ng th rough t h e s t ree t s , v i o
,

le ntly sei zed garl a nd s an d robes wherewi t h t o d ec k

them se l ves A rri ved a t the p al ace t hey s a w k i n g
.
,

J a rfi s a ndh a wh o q u i c kl y rose u p t o recei ve t h e m a s

,

B r a h m a n as bu t t hey wou l d n o t accep t h i s worsh i p

, ,

K e s h a va as k i ng h i m to see the m aft er m i d n i gh t .

When the k i n g c am e , h e b e ga n to q u es t i o n h i s gues t s

76 T H E GAT H E RI N G OF T H E S TOR M C LO U DS -

as to t he i r s tran ge beh av i ou r S na ta k a B r a h m a n as
.

d i d no t d ec k t he msel ves wi t h flo wers a n d sand al

pas t e n or break d own h i l l s n or c om e i n to a c i t y wi t h
, ,

v i ol en ce S h ri Krish n a ans wered gravel y t h a t K s h a t

.

t ri ya s an d V a is h y a s cou l d observe the S n a ta k a vo w

as wel l as B r a h m a n as , tha t flowers d en o t ed pros

p e ri ty t
, ha t a n en emy s ’
abode s hou l d be e n t ered
th ro ugh a wron g ga t e a nd t h at h avi n g e n t ered t h e
”

,
’
foe s abode for the acco m p l is h me n t of o u r pu rpos e ,
we accept n ot t he wors h i p o ffe red to u s S u rp ri sed
.
’J
,

k i n g ja ra sa ndh a d em an ded t o k n ow h i s o ffen c e an d ,

S h r i Kris h n a t ol d h i m t hat i t l ay i n h i s p roposal t o

o ffer h u m a n bei n gs i n sac ri fi ce t o Ru d ra Th i s c ri m e
. .

they were there t o preve n t A n d d ec l ari n g H is n am e

.

a n d t h ose o f H i s c om pan i o ns , he c o n c l ud ed O
k i ng o f M a ga dh a we ch al len ge t hee Fi gh t stan d i n g
,

befo re u s ! E i t her s e t free al l the m on archs , or go

th ou to t he abode o f Y a m a ( the k i n g o f d ea t h ) .

K i ng ja ré s a ndh a accep t ed t he ch al l en ge a n d i n s tal

, ,

i n g h i s s o n o n t h e t h rone he ch ose Bh i m a as h i s
,

I O ppo ne nt For fou rtee n d ays t hey wres t l e d a nd at

.
,

l as t B hi ma , feel i ng h is foe y i el d i ng cau gh t h i m i n

,

h is terri ble gri p whi rl ed h i m rou nd an d broke h i s

, ,

bac k agai ns t h is k nee . The n S h ri K ri sh n a se t free

t he k i ngs a n d m ou n ti n g o n ja ré sa n dh a s fa m o u s
, ,
’

c eles ti al car d rove away w i th the b r othe r s fro m the

,
 U N ITY OF T H E B ROT H E RS 77

sc e n e v i c t ory
of The l i bera t ed k i n gs an d J ar a
.

s a n dh a s s o n al l accep ted Y u dh i s h t h i ra a s l ord para

’

m ou n t , a nd the warri ors r etu rn ed h ome i n t ri u m ph .

1 6

The fo u r you n ger b rothers the n s e t ou t w i th

a rm ies A rj u n a t o t he n or t h B h i m a t o t he eas t ,
°

, ,

S ah adeva t o t h e so u th a nd N aku l a t o the west— l ay

,

i ng al l na t ions u nd er tri bu t e t o Yu dh is h t h ira H ere .

l ay t he s t ren g t h o f the P a n davas A l l d one by the .

fou r bro the rs wa s d on e for t hei r el der bro t her A l l .

t hey c on q uered t hey c on q u ered for h i m A l l t hey

, .

gai ned , they gai n ed fo r h i m E ach re t u rn i n g l aden

.
,

w i t h weal t h , t hey p resen t ed al l that weal t h t o

Yu dh ish t h ira Thu s the great sacri fi ce becam e po s
.

s i bl e . 25

I n read i ng the M ah a bh ar ata o ne i s con ti n u al l y

rem i n ded o f the weal th o f I n d i a i n anc ien t d ays i n ,

t he d ays when s h e p u t r el igi o n fi rs t an d worl d l y

m a t ters second A s she sa n k d ow n fro m he r S pi r it u al
.

p re em i nence s h e beca me weak sh e fel l a prey to c on

-
, ,

q u e ro rs a n d her
,
vas t treasu res were grad u al l y dis

p e rs e d We fi n d gorgeou s bu i ld i n gs w i th wel l bu i l t
.
-

w a l l s w i nd ows c overed w i t h networ k o f gol d i n

, ,

t e rio rs d ecorated w i th rows o f pearl s sta i rcases strew n ,

wi t h c ostly carpe ts We fi nd am on g t he t r i
.

b u te brough t t o k i ng Y udh is h th ira n ot on l y v as t

 78 TH E GAT H E RI N G O E TH E S T ORM C LO U D S
-

s t o r es o f ge m s an d gol de n co i ns b u t gold e n j a r s a nd ,

pl a t e i vory han d led an d gem dec ked sword s i n laid

,
- -
,

arm ou r cars s ple nd i d ly ad orned fi ne bl an ke t s of

, ,

wool c l o t hes wove n fro m j u t e and fro m t h e t h read s

,

o f i nsec t s rich c arpets cos t l y beds gol d e m broi d ered

, , ,
-

s t u ffs s i l ks pe rfu mes sand al wo od Th ou sand s o f

, , , .

e le pha n ts horses , m u l es asses a re sen t d ec ked w i th

, , , ,

s pl en d i d ho us i ngs E ve r y wh ere t here i s evi d e nce o f

.

ar t i s t ic taste as wel l as o f t he m os t gorgeou s m agn i

,

fi e nc e
c . N o t h i n g c ou l d she w m ore pl ai n ly t he h i gh
c i v i l i s a t i o n o f anc ien t I nd i a her u nc ou n t ed weal t h
, ,

h er abu n d a n t p ros peri ty than th e d esc ri p t i on s o f

,

grea t cere m on ies gi ve n i n s u ch bo oks as th e M ah a

bh a rata a n d t he R a m a yan a boo k s of u n cha l l enged ”
,

an t i q u i t y I n ad d i t i o n to th i s th ere is e vi d en ce o f
.
,

wid ely s p read abu nda nce an d p ros peri t y am on g t he

m asses o f the peo pl e ; we see sh ops ru n n i n g ove r
w i th goods c i t i zen s ho uses gai ly d ec ked for pagean ts
,
’
.

Where t he b le s mgs o f the God s are gai ned by p i ety

s ,

r evere nce d u t i fu l n e ss an d chari t y there al l go o d

, ,

t h i ngs are fou nd m ate ri al wea l t h a m on g t hem

, .

To the sac ri fi ce cam e k i n gs fro m al l q u ar t er a n d s,

N a k u l a was sen t to H a s t ina p u t o fo rm al l y i n v i t e ra

B h i s h ma a nd D h ri tar a sh t ra Th i t he r c am e a ls o V i
.

du ra a nd D ro n a a n d th e so ns o f Dh ri t ar a sh tra w i t h ,

K ar na a nd K ri p a a n d al l the heroe s w h o p l ay gre a t

,
 T H E FIRST m e n u 79

pa r ts in ou r s to ry Yudh ish th ira p l aced th e wh ol e

.

t reas u re a t t he com m an d o f B h ish ma a nd D ro na an d

h i s e l ders ,beggi n g t hem to d i rec t every t h i ng A l l .

we n t w e l l ti l l t he la s t d ay when Yudh ish th ira was to

,

be s p ri n k l ed wi t h sac red wa t e r as e m pero r As .

N a rad a l ooked rou n d o n t he vas t assem bl y o f k ings

t h e s ec on d g rea t S abh a o f t h is vol u m e — h e remem
be red wha t h e h ad heard o f t h e d ei t i es t ak i ng bi r t h
as m en a nd o f N a r a yan a H i msel f beco m i ng i nc a r
,

n a t e a nd t h i n k i n g t h a t H e w ou ld ere l on g swe p
, ,
e

a way the v as t c on cou rse he sat the re fi l led w i th awe

, .

The fi rs t wa r c ry o f t h e com i n g s t ru g gl e was i nd eed , ,

there u t t e red For B h i s h ma cal l ed fo r t he o fferi ng o f

.

Argh ya s to t he k i n gs each i n h is tu rn an d fi rs t to the

,

fore m os t A s ked Y udh is h th ira : W h o m d os t th ou

.
“

d ee m the fore mos t am on g t hese ? a n d B h ish ma

”

a n swe red i n d ic a t i n g S h ri K rish na

,
As the su n
am on g al l l u m i n o us obj ects s o d oth t h i s on e sh i ne
l i k e t he s u n am on g al l th ese Then S ahad eva o ffer
.

e d the fi rst Argh ya to K e sh a va wh o d u ly acce pted i t

, .

A t t h at u p s pran g S i h u p a la k i n g o f C hed i ho t ly
s , ,

re proach i n g t h e P a n davas an d B h is h ma as ign o ran t

o fd u ty th is K rish na was n ot even a k i ng no r wa s ,

he t h e eld es t n or t he gu ru n or the p ries t ; i n every

, ,

a s pec t t he re was a m an h ighe r t han he ; why were

,

th e m o n archs brou g h t t he re to be i ns u l t ed by th e
 So T H E GAT H E RI N G O F THE STOR M C L O U D S
-

o ffe r o worsh i p to o ne wh o was n o k i n g ? A nd

f
S ish u pa la t u rned to l eave t he assem bl y i n anger,
fol l owed by t he k i n gs Then Yu dh ish th ira ran aft er
.

h i m soft ly en t rea t i n g hi m bu t B h i sh ma s a i d s t ern ly

, ,

H e t ha t ap p ro v e t h n o t t he worsh i p offered u n t o
K rish n a t he O l des t O ne i n t he u n i verse d eserve t h
, ,

nei t her so ft word s no r con sid erat i o n .

”
A n d , i n word s
we igh t y an d w ise he e x t ol l ed t he H ol y O ne , t he re
,

p rese n t i n h u m an form Then S ah adeva chal le nged

.

an y who resen t ed t h e w orsh i p offered t o Sh r i Krish na ,

Fathe r an d G u ru an d N ak u l a sai d : Those m en

,
“

that w i l l n o t worsh i p K rish n a , w i t h eyes l i ke l o t u s

l eaves S ho u l d be regarded as dead th o u gh m ov i n g ,
,

an d shou ld ne ve r be tal ked t o o n a ny occas i o n .

”

Th en t he great assembl y became a gi t ated an d to ,

Y u dh is h t h ira an x iou s t hat h is sac ri fi ce sh ou l d no t

,

be obs t ru c t ed , B h i s h ma s poke cal m l y tel l i ng h i m

,

tha t th e d og cou l d n ot s l ay t h e l i on an d t hat A c h yu ta

,

( Sh ri Kri sh n a ) was l i ke a l i on t hat i s as leep

“ !
.

S is h u p a la broke o u t a gai n i n pass i on ate reproaches ,

u nti l B hi m a l eapt u p t o a tt ac k h i m , bu t wa s res trai n ed

by B h i s h ma , who recou n t ed the s t ory o f S is h u p a la ,

s ayi n g t h at he was d es t i n ed t o be s l a i n by Sh r i
K rish n a who h ad p rom ised h is m other t o p ard o n
,

h i m for on e h u nd red offen ces . T he war o f w ord s

r a ged h otly , ti l l B h i s h ma dec l ared that they had
82 TH E GAT H E RI N G O F TH E STOR M C L O U DS
-

H e d r ew u p h i s robe o n c ross i ng a c rys t al su rface ,

fan cy i n g i t was water an d then fel l i n to a l a k e b e

, ,

l ie vi ng i t to be c rys t al H e s tru c k h i s head agai n s t

.

a c rys tal d oor , seei n g n oth i ng i n h is way , a nd gu ard

,

i n g h i msel f agai ns t th is bl u nd er fel l th rough an ope n

,

d oor t h i n k i n g i t c l osed A n d Bh i ma l au ghed al ou d

, .

at h i s bl u nd ers as dld Arj u n a a nd the t wi ns a nd

, ,

e ve n the servan ts an d D u ryod h ana was an gry an d

, ,

a t l as t we nt away hom e wi th e n vy an d w rath i n h i s

h eart B i t terl y h e com pl ai ned to h i s u n c l e Sh ak u n i
.
,

K i ng o f G a n dh a ra , a nd th reaten ed to k i l l h i m sel f .

“
B ehol d i n g thei r s overei gn t y o ve r th e worl d t hei r ,

v ast weal th an d al so t hat sac ri fi ce , who i s t here l i k e

m e that wo u l d n ot s m art u nder al l t hat The sons “

o f D hri t ar a sh t ra are d ecayi n g an d the son s o f P ri th a

a re grow i ng d ay b y day S hak u n i sou gh t to com

.
”

for t h i m p oi n t i ng ou t h ow great were h i s own re s o u r

,

ces ; i f th i s d i d n ot sa t i s fy h i m the n , wh i l e t he
,

P a n davas cou l d n o t be v anqu ished by force — they

we re t oo stron g — n on e the l ess they m igh t be over
c o m e by gu i l e Then he spoke the fa t e fu l word s
.

“
Th e s o n o f K u n ti i s ver y fo nd o f gambl i n g a l ,

t h ou gh h e d oth n o t k n o w h o w to p l a y Th at k i n g .
,

i f as ked to p l ay i s i l l able t o refu se I am s k i l fu l a t

, .

d i ce There is n one equ al t o m e o n earth n o n o t

.
, ,

e ve n i n the th ree world s , O so n o K u ru l T here fo re

f
 S H AK UN I S
’
PRO P O S A L 83

a sk h i m to play at d i ce S k i l l ed at d i ce , I w i l l wi n
.

h is k i ngd om a nd t hat s pl en d i d p ros peri t y o f h i s for

t hee O bu l l am ong m e n B u t O D u ryod han a , re
, .
,

prese n t al l t h i s u n t o t he k i ng C om m anded by thy .

fa t her I w il l wi n wi thou t d ou b t the whol e o f Yu dh ish

,

’
t h i ra s possessi ons .Th u s spoke t he craft y Shak u n i
”

m oved by l ove for h is n eph e w To Dh ri t ar a sh t ra h e .

we n t a n d tol d h i m o f D u ryod han a s grie f an d ’

t he bl i n d k i ng se n d i n g fo r h is el des t so n ge n t ly
, ,

c h id h i m fo r h is fol ly B u t h ead s t ro n g D u ryo

.

d han a i n ans wer on ly pou red o u t h i s en v i ou s feel

, ,

i ngs b itt erly a n d S hak u n i p roposed t o pl a y at d ic e

,

wi th Yudhis h th ira for h i s possessi o n s Dh ri t ar a sh t ra .

refused to conse n t w it hou t cons u l ti ng V i du ra an d ,

se nt fo r h i s you nger bro t her des pi te D u ryod h an a s ,

’

c ry th at i f h i s father d i d n o t yi el d he wou l d k i l l h i m
sel f an d w he n I am d ead O k i ng tho u wi l t becom e
,
“
, ,

happy wi th V idu ra Whe n V idu ra c am e , D h ri ta

.
”

ra s h t ra t o ld h i m t ha t he h ad d ec id ed to l e t t he ch a l
l enge go an d wou ld sen d h i m a s m esse n ger t o bri ng
,

Yu dh is h th i ra ; bu t wh i le V i dura we n t to B h i s h ma i n
great sorrow the bl i n d k i n g sen t agai n for
,
h is el des t
so n, an d begged h i m t o gi ve u p h is pu rp ose D uryo .

d han a however s t ood obs t i n a t ely agai ns t h i s fa t her s

, ,
’

e ntreaties , d es cr i bi ng agai n w i t h m u ch de t ai l the

, ,

w eal th a n d g l ory of th e P a n davas , a nd bitterly r e c al l

84 T H E GAT H E RI N G OF T H E S TORM —C LO U DS
i n g t he bl u n ders he had m ade i n the i r wo nd rou s
pal ace Dhri tar a sh t ra pl eaded to h i m to cease fro m
.

h is e n vy : O son , be n ot j eal ou s o f t he P a n dav as

“
.
‘

H e t ha t i s j eal ou s I S al wa y s u nh appy an d s u ffere t h

,

t he pangs of d ea t h O chi l d , c ove t i ng o t hers pos ’

sess i o ns i s ex ceed i ngly weak H e , o h t h e o t her h an d

.

e nj o ye th happ i ness wh o i s con t e n t wi t h h i s o wn S ti l l”

.

D u ryodha na pressed for h i s way an d u rged t he m a t c h

a t d ice u n t i l hi s fa t her y i eld ed u n wi l l i ngl y , forebod i n g
,

t he evi l t hat was com i ng . The weak m i nded Dhri

“
-

t a ra s h t ra regard ed fa t e as su prem e an d u n av oid abl e ,

forge tt i n g t hat man c rea t es h i s ow n des ti ny an d t hat

as l on g as he i s abl e to thi n k he i s abl e t o c ha n g e
, .

V idu ra u tt ered a l as t pro t es t : I app rove no t 0 ,

k i n g o f t h i s c o m m an d of thi ne D o n o t a c t s o I
, . .

fear thi s w i l l bri ng abo u t the d es t ru c t i on o f o u r

race . N one t he l ess bei n g com m an ded agai n s t
h is wi l l by h i s el d er bro t her an d sovereign V i du ra ,

se t ou t for K h a nda va pra s th a to carry the fate fu l

c ha He nge .

A rr i ved there he del i vered the k i ng s m essa ge,

,
’

i nv i t i ng Y udh ish t hi ra to repai r t o the n ewl y erected

p al ace of h is u nc l e an d to s i t for a frie nd l y m atch a t
“

d i ce . A t o n ce Y udh is h th ira obj ec t ed t hat t he m atch

”

m igh t l ead to a q u arrel ; wha t d i d V idura ad vi se ?

V i du ra answered tha t g a mb l i n g i s the r oot of m i sery,
 A N U N WILLI N G GA M E S T E R 85

a n d I strove to d iss u ade the k i n g from i t T he k i n g .

h o weve r, ha th sen t m e t o thee Y u dh is h th ira m us t .

”

d o what was bes t O l earn ed o n e s ai d t he k i ng

.
“
,
”

I d o n o t d es i re at t he co m m an d o f Dh ri t ar a s h t ra ,
, .

t o e ngage i n gam bl i n g B u t t here c ame i n t he .

”

du t y o f th e K s h a tt riya never to refuse a chal le nge

, .

U n wi l l i ng as I am t o gam bl e I wi l l n ot d o s o i f t h e ,

w ic ked S hak u n i d o t h n o t su m mon m e t o i t i n t he

S abh a I f ho wever he ch al lenge t h me I wi l l neve r
.
, , ,

refu se F o r t ha t as settl ed i s my e t ern al vo w

.
, , .

S ad ly the you n g k i ng set for t h w i th h is bro t hers ,

a nd h is w i fe o n t he fa t al j ou rney D eep h i dde n i n

,
.

h is n atu re was t he l ove o f gam bl i n g th ough fi rm ly ,

h el d i n chec k by h i s sel f con t rol T he God s so -

.

g u i ded eve n t s as t o b u rn i t o ut o f h is n a t u re an d t o ,

g i ve a n obj ec t l esso n fo r al l t i m e as to the m isch ief

-

wrou g ht b y th i s v i ce A rr i ved a t H a s ti na p ura they

.
,

were royal ly l odged i n the ne w pal ace , an d the t h i rd

g rea t S abh a t ha t whi ch wi t nessed t he ru i n o f the
,

P a n davas was c om ple t e

, 47 .

S h ak u n i t he wi ly games te r , c hal len ged t he you n g

,

k i ng who m ad e on e l ast p rotes t i n favo u r of a t leas t

, , ,

fa i r pl ay B u t Sh ak u n i au d aci ou sly dec l ared t ha t

.

h e hoped t o wi n an d m oc ki ngly bad e Yudh is h th i ra

,

I f t hou art u nder any fear t he n d esis t fro m pl a y , .

S t u n g by t he tau nt , Y udh is h th ira p rou d ly answer e d

86 T H E GAT H E RI N G OF T H E STORM C LO U D S -

S u m m on ed I d o n ot w i thd raw Th i s i s m y e s
, .

t a b lis h e d v o w B u t wh o cou l d s t a ke agai n st h i m o n

.

eq u al t er ms ? D u r y odhan a s taked h i s weal t h n am i n g

“

h i s u n cl e S hak u n i as h is represen t ati ve i n t h rowi n g

t he d i ce Yu dh ish th i ra u t t ered a h opeless obj ec t i on
.

Gam bl i n g for o n esel f b y t he agen cy of an o t h er seem

e t h to m e to be co n trary t o ru l e Thou al so , O l earned .

o ne wi l t ad m i t thi s
, I f however th ou art sti l l ben t
.
, ,

o n i t l e t the pl ay begi n
”

, .

T he great m atch opened , the k i ng s tak i n g a wreat h

o f pearl s s e t i n gol d S hak u n i t h rew an d c ri ed Lo ,
I have won The n t he k i ng s taked h i s weal t h o f
gol d s i l ver , m i n eral s , an d agai n Lo I have won
, ,

sai d S hak u n i H is royal car was Y udh ish th ira s n ex t

.
’

s t ak e u s i n g u n fai r m ean s , S hak u n i cal l ed Lo ,

I h ave won The n the k i n g set h i s fem al e s laves ,

.

an d agai n c am e the an swer , Lo , I h ave wo n ! H I S

.
”

m al e S l aves ; Lo , I have wo n ! E l ephan ts wel l

“ ”

t rai ned i n war w i t h t hei r m ates S t i l l the m o n oto n

, .

ou s refrai n : Lo I h av e wo n ! B a t tl e cars wi t h
“
,
”

t rai ned h orses an d warri ors Lo I h ave wo n ! .

“
,

S t eed s of p u res t e ve n o f ce les t i al , breeds

, Lo I .
“
,

h ave wo n 1 Veh i c l es an d d rau gh t an i mal s an d p i c k

”

ed warri ors Lo I h ave wo n ! J ewel s of fabu l ou s

.
,
”

val u e .
Lo , I have wo n ! The n V idu ra broke i n ,
“ ”

u n able to bear the g rowi ng r u i n , an d p rayed Dh rita

 AGR E E ABL E WORDS 87

ra s h tra t o i n te rve n e . Ga mbl i n g i s the root of dis

se ns i on s . I t bri n geth abou t d is u n i on I ts c o nse
.

q ue nc e s a r e frigh t fu l D u ryod han a i s gam bl i n g

w i th t h e so n o f P a n du an d thou art i n rap tu res t h a t
,

he i s w i n n i ng I t i s s u ch su ccess t ha t bege t te t h wa r
.
,

whi ch e nde t h i n the d es t ru c t io n o f me n W ha t

d os t t ho u gai n by wi n n i ng from t he P a n davas thei r
v as t weal t h ? Wi n t he P a n davas the mse l ves who wi l l ,

be more t o thee t han al l the weal t h t hey have We .

al l k n o w the s k i l l o f S u va la [ S ha ku n i ] i n p l ay Th i s .

h i l l k i n g k noweth m any nefari ou s methods i n ga m

bl i ng Let S hak u n i re t u r n when ce h e c am e W ar
. .

n o t O B h a ra t a wi t h the so n s o f P a n du
, , D u ryo
d ha na an s wered an gri l y tau nt i ng V idu ra w i th h i s
,

par t i al i t y fo r the P a n davas tho ugh he was t he serva n t

o f t he K u ru s W i th bi tter word s he bad e h i s u n c l e
.

l eave t he m a nd go wh i t her he wou ld A wi fe t ha t

.
“

i s u n chas t e h oweve r wel l t rea t ed forsake t h he r h u s

,
-
,

ban d y e t .Deep ly wou nded , V idu ra t u rned to t he

”

bl i n d k i n g as k i ng h is i m parti al j ud gm en t H e t he n
,
.

tol d the a ng ry pri n ce t hat i f h e wo u l d a l ways h e a r

pleasan t word s n o m atter what h i s co n d uct he m us t
, ,

see k t he weak for h is frie nd s A s i n ful ma n s pea k

.

i ng word s that are agreeabl e m a y be had i n t h i s

worl d B u t a s peaker o f word s that are d isagreeabl e
. ,

thou g h fi t as r e g i m en , o r a hearer o f the s ame , is very

 88 T H E GAT H E RI N G OF T H E S TORM C LO U D S -

rare H e i n deed i s a k i ng s true al ly who d is regard

.
’
, ,

i ng wh a t i s agreeabl e o r d isagreeabl e to h i s m aster ,

beare t h h i msel f vi r t u ou sly an d u t tere t h what m ay be
d is agreeabl e bu t req u i red as regi me n O great k i n g .
,

d ri n k t ho u t hat wh i ch the hones t d ri n k an d t he d i shon

e s t sh u n eve n h u m i l i ty , whi ch i s l i ke a m ed i ci ne tha t i s
,

bi tt er pu n gen t bu rn i ng u n i n tox i ca t i n g d i sagreeabl e

, , , ,

a nd revol t i ng A nd d ri n k i ng i t , O k i ng regai n thou

.
, ,

thy s obri e t y H
The n V i du ra bowed as i n l eave tak i n g ,
.
-

sad a t heart .

T he gam e goes o n Y u dh ish t h ira sta kes al l h is

.

rem ai n i n g weal t h i n coi n u n t ol d i n v al u e Agai n t h e

, .

c ry ari ses Lo I h ave wo n

,
“
,
H e pl ed ges al l h i s
c a tt l e h orses shee p a nd goats
, , L o I h ave wo n 1 .
,
”

H i s c i ty a n d l an d t he weal t h o f al l h i s s u bj ects save

, ,

t h a t o f B r a h ma n as Lo I have wo n l H i s su b
.
“
,
”

j e c t k i n gs Lo I h ave wo n ! S t ri pped o f al l h i s
.
“
,
”

p o ssess i on s o f h is serva n t s h is s u bj ec t s hi s pri n ces

, , , ,

s u re ly Yu dh is h t h ira i s no w u tte rly d es poi l ed W hat .

el se re m ai ns ? A l as the fe ver of t he ga mble r i s u po n

h i m T he ban d o f bro t hers i s sti l l u n bro ke n H e
. .

I s n ot yet wh ol ly wi t hou t weal t h W h at are t hese .

w i l d word s that break fro m h i s wh i t e l i ps ? Th is “

N ak u l a here o f m ighty arm s and l eo n i n e n ec k o f red

, ,

e y es a n d e nd u ed wi t h you th i s n ow my on e s t a ke
, , .

K n o w th a t he i s my weal th There i s a r i n g o f t ri .
90 TH E GAT H E RI N G OF T H E S TORM C LO U D S
-

wh o had g u id ed so w i sel y h i s r oyal h ou sehol d .

K rish n a who had l ai n i n h is bos o m who was t he

, ,

m o t her o f h i s s o n W o u l d h e s t a ke her , h is wi fe
.
,

t he gl ory a n d hon ou r of h is race ? Li s t e n as he r ,

p raises fal l from h i s q u i veri ng l i ps yet s t i l l the gam

ble r t ri u m phs , m i xed wi t h who can s a y wh at o f
K s h a t t riya an d ki n g gri m l y resol u t e to fi gh t t o t he
,

l as t gas p ? H e p u ts D ra u pa di o n the th row o f the

fatal d i c e m ak i n g the s l en der wai sted D ra u pa di
'
-

m y s t ake I wi l l p l a y wi th thee , O so n o f S u va la
,

C ries o f Fi e l Fi e l ari se as the you n g k i n g t h u s

“ ”

s t akes h i s wi fe t h e whol e asse m bl y i s agi ta t ed me n ,

weep o r l au gh as th ei r sym pa t hi es ru n grea t k i n gs ,

are sobb i n g ; o ver t he tu m u l t rises fo r the l as t t i me

t he ex u l t a n t c ry : Lo , I h ave wo n l A l l i s ove r ;
“ ”

t he p l ay is p l ayed e verythi n g i s l os t .

The n c ried D u ryod han a m ock i n g to V idura to g o

, ,

an d fe t ch t he d earl y l oved wi fe o f the P a n davas

-
.

“
Le t her s weep the ch am bers he sh ou t ed , l e t h er ”

s t ay where o u r servi n g wom e n are V i du ra a n

-
.
’

s we re d sad ly warn i n gly

,
bu t D u ryod h an a was n ot
,

to be s t ayed i n t h e head l on g ru sh o f h i s t ri u m ph .

H e bad e a servan t go an d fe t ch D ra u pa di an d th e ,

m an ,
en t eri n g t he abod e o f t he P a n davas l i ke a ,

d og a l i on s de n app roached the q u ee n o f t he son s

’

o f P a n du , a n d tol d he r rough ly that D u ryodha n a

”
 WH O WAS FIR S T LO S T ? 91

h a d wo n h e r at d i ce a n d that he wou l d pu t her t o

,

som e men i al work . The q ueen s u r p rised as ked wha t

, ,

had happ en ed and o n l earn i ng t h at Yudh ish th i ra

,

had s t aked h is bro t hers t h en h i msel f a n d las t ly her

, , ,

s h e s a w wi t h her q u i c k wom an s wi t a way o f escape’

, ,
.

Go an d a sk S h e sai d who m he ha t h l os t fi rs t hi m
, ,
“
,

sel f o r m e Re t u rn i n g th e messe nger repea t ed her

.
,

word s bu t Y udh is h t h ira s t ri c ke n wi t h gri ef gave n o

, , ,

answer Then D u ryod ha n a bad e bri ng her t o t he

.

asse mbly a n d l et her s a y t here wh at sh e wou l d an d ,

t he messenger shamed at h eart at t he ou trage wen t

, ,

bac k an d d epreca t i ngly exec u t ed h i s m i ss i on D ra u .

pad i sen t h i m bac k to a s k the el ders what s h e S hou l d

d o , p ro fess i ng her wi l l i ngn ess to obey t he m an d t h e ,

messenger agai n we n t bac k an d repea t ed her word s .

Y u dh ish t h ira n ow re mem beri n g tha t he had l os t her

, ,

cru s hi n g d ow n h i s ou traged ho n ou r , se n t to b id he r
c ome As D u ryod han a s m essenger hes i t a t ed feari n g
.
’

to com m i t t he o u t rage o f bri ngi n g her t he re t he head ,

s t ron g pri n ce bad e h is you nger bro th er D u s h a s a na , ,

go an d bri n g Kri sh n a t hi t her by fo rce Fo r t h wen t .

D u sh a sa na o n h is sh am efu l erran d , an d m oc k i ngl y

bad e t he gen t l e l ad y pu t as id e her m odes t y an d fac e
t he grea t assem b ly The n D ra u pa di i n d espai r ,
.
,

l eap t u p an d fled toward s t he d wel l i ng o f t h e l ad i es

o f t he royal hou sehold , bu t D ush a sa na rushed afte r
92 TH E GAT H E RI N G OF T H E S TORM C LO U D S -

h e r an d catch i n g her by her l on g stream i ng l ocks

'

, ,

h e d ragged her wi t h c ru el forc e i n to t h e S abh a A l as .

for her t he Cheri shed wi fe , o n wh om n o rou gh w i n d

,

h ad bl own , n o u n frien d ly eye h ad res t ed , d ragged by

he r h ai r— s o l a t el y s anc t i fi ed b y t he waters o f co n
sec ra t i o n — i nto a ri o t ou s assembl y , ex posed there t o
the ru d e gaze o f m en hal f n aked a s i ngl e c l oth
,
-

wrap ped rou n d her sh ri n k i ng bod y M ad d en ed by

.

o u t raged m od esty her a nger rose an d K ri sh n a c ri ed

,

t o t he l earned , n ay t o the very warri ors , to s t o p fo r

, ,

eve n sh ame s s ake a n act so u n wor t hy o f t hei r o rde r

’

, .

Were al l afrai d ? Why d o th ose fore m os t o f th e

“

K u ru el ders l ook s i l en t ly o n th is great c ri m e ? ”

There s at her h usban ds her l ord s — was there n o

,

hel p i n them A l as t hey were bou n d by the i r d u t y ,

,

an d m igh t n o t resc ue her , a nd D ush a s a na k n ow i ng ,

thei r h el p less ness shook h er yet m o re rou gh l y c ry i n g

, , ,
“ ”
S l ave S l ave 1 a n d K arn a l au ghed al o u d a n d ,

S hak u n i bu t these w i t h D us h a sa n a an d D u ryod hana ,

, ,

were al l that rej oi ced i n swee t K rish n a s s ham e ’

.

The n B h i s h ma sp ake s l owly an d s ad ly he c ou ld n ot

d ec id e t he p oi n t raised ; Yudh is h th ira h avi n g l os t
h i msel f had n ou gh t to s t a ke ye t was a wi fe eve r
,

u nd er t he co m man d of her l ord I c a n n o t d eci d e

.
“ ”
,

he said Where B h i sh ma hes i t ated who shou l d be

.
,

s u re, an d sol u t i o n the r e see med n o n e D ush a sa na .

 S A H AD E VA BRI N G FIR E ”
93

c on ti n u ed h i s rough u sage t i l l the pi teou s p l igh t

,

o f hi s l oved o n e a t l as t m oved B h i m a beyon d al l

end u rance ,an d h e b ro ke for t h i n wra t h B i tt e rly h e .

re proached Yu dh is h th i ra fo r s t ak i ng her ; al l el se
m igh t h ave go n e b ut n o t t he wi fe
, For her sake “
,

O k i n g ni y anger fal le t h o n t hee I shal l bu rn those

, .

han ds o f t h i n e Sahadeva bri ng fi re ! The l i o n s

.
,
” ’

roar rol led rou n d t he d u m b assem bl y bu t A rj u n a , ,

t he bl amel ess s pake rebu ki ngl y hol d i ng h i msel f i n

, ,

s t ron g con trol Y udh i h t h i a h ad u phel d the Ks b a t

s r

t iya u sage pl ayi n g agai nst h i s w i l l a t t he chal l en ge

r ,

o f th e foe ; bes i des w ho m i gh t speak agai ns t t he

,

el des t brother ? Th en B h i m a a nswered m as t eri n g h is ,

rage by a m igh t y e ffor t I f I had n o t k n own O

:
“
,

D han anj aya [ A rj u n a ] that the k i n g had acted a c

,

cord i n g to K s h a ttriya u sage t he n t ak i ng h is h a nd s

, ,

toge t her by sheer force I wo uld h ave bu rned t he m

,

i n a b l az i n g fi re .
”

A t l ast Vi karna a you nge r brother o f D u ryo

,

d han a s poke u rgen t l y app eal i ng t o t he assem bl ed

, ,

k i ngs t o d eci d e t he qu es t i o n raised by Krish n a Fai l .

i ng t o obtai n a n ans wer h e bol d ly d ecl ared t ha t for

,

h i s par t h e regard ed D ra u pa di as n ot won

, Th e .

k i n gs l ou d ly a pp l au ded t h is dec l ar a t ion bu t Kar n a ,

sharply rep roved Vi k ar n a for t h u s s peak i n g before

h is e lders an d su per i ors A nd he wen t o n to j usti fy
.
94 T H E GA T H E RI N G OF T H E S T ORM C LO UD S
-

the treatme n t of Kr i sh n a , a n d bad e D ush a s a na tak e

o ff the robes o f the P a n davas an d stri p D ra u a di
p .

T hen t he P a n davas fl ung o ff thei r u p pe r garm e n t s ,

a nd D us h a s a na be g an to d rag o ff the s ol e coveri n g
worn by Krish n a Bereft of h u m a n pro t ec t i o n sh u t
.
,

o u t fro m hel p of m an the d au gh t er of t he sac ri fi c i al

,

fi re cried al ou d i n he r agony t o H i m who eve r b e

frie nd s t he hel pl ess O Govi nd a ! O T hou th at
.
“

d wel les t i n D va ra k a O K ri sh n a l a n d so w i th many ”

a n o t her n ame she c al l ed A n d S h ri K ri sh n a hear

, .
,

i ng was d eepl y m o ved an d ca me A n d Dh arm a

, .
,

s t an d i n g by u nseen covered Krish n a wi th cl o t hes o f

,

m any h u es A n d as one robe was d ragged o ff a n

.

o t her was seen an d so on t i l l h u nd red s were heaped

,

u po n t he floor an d D ush a s a na t i red an d ashamed s a t

, , ,

d o wn Agai n ran g ou t the l i o n s roar o f Bh i ma an d

.
’

d read was t he oa t h h e s wore H ea r these words o f

.

m i ne ye K sh a ttriya s o f the worl d W o rd s s uch a s

, .

t hese were n e ver before u tt ered by o t her m e n n or ,

wi l l be u t tered i n the fu t u re Ye l ords o f ear t h i f

.
, ,

havi n g s p oken these word s I d o n ot accom p l ish the m

,

hereaft er l e t m e not obtai n the pa t h o f my deceased

,

a nces t ors Teari n g Open i n ba t tle by sheer force t h e , ,

breast of th is wre t ch th is wi cked m i n ded s c ou n d rel of

,
-

t he Bh a ratas — if I d o n ot d ri n k h is l i fe bl ood l et -
,

me n ot obta i n the p ath of my a n cestors l ”

Terri bl e
 ’
B H lMA S OA T H S
p led g e t o be terr i bl y red ee med
, .

S t i l l was th e weep i n g K ri sh n a le ft w i th ou t a n
.

ans wer a n d Karn a bad e D u sh a s a na

, T ak e away ,

t h is servi ng wom an Kri sh n a t o t he i n ner apart m en t s

-
.

Agai n he bega n t o d rag a t he r s h e l ook i n g ap pea l ,

i ngly rou n d Th en sai d D u ryod han a cra ft i l y t h at

.

sh e sh ou l d a ppeal t o her h u sband s Le t t he m .

dec l are Yu dh is h t h i ra n o t t o be t hei r l ord l e t the m ,

m ake k i ng Yu dh is h th i ra t he j u s t a l i ar t h e n sh al t ,

thou be freed from s l avery Le t t he i l l u s t ri ou s s o n

.

o f D harm a , al ways adheri n g t o v i rtu e wh o is eve n ,

l i ke I nd ra h i m sel f decl are whethe r he i s or i s n o t

, , ,

thy l ord ! “
The n Bh i m a c ried wavi n g h i s m i gh t y ,

arm s th at k i n g Yu dis h th ira t he j u s t was t ru ly t hei r

,

l ord H e i s the l ord o f al l o u r rel i gi ous an d asce t i c

.

me ri t s the l o rd of e ve n o ur l i ves ! I f he regard e t h

,

h i msel f as wo n we t oo h ave al l been w o n

, K ar n a .
’

m oc k i ngl y bad e K ri sh n a go t o her serv i ce an d ,

choose a n oth er h u sban d o ne

, who wi l l n o t m ake
“

t hee a sl ave by gam bl i ng O bed i en t t o t he k i ng

.
“

and bou nd by the ti e o f v i rtu e an d d u t y B h i m a s a t ,

b rea t h i n g h ard a v ery p i c t u re o f woe

,
“
D u ryo .

d ha na c hal len ged Yu dh is h t h ira to a ns wer an d t hen , ,

t o e xas pera t e B hi m a i ns u l t i ngl y u n covered h is l e ft

,

t h igh i n the sigh t o f D ra u pa di Fu ri ou sly Bh i m a .

sho uted : “
Le t no t V ri k o da ra [ B hi ma ] at t a i n t o th e
 96 T H E GAT H E RI N G OF T H E STOR M C L O U D S -

regi on s ob t ai ned by h is ancestors i f h e d oth n ot ,

brea k t ha t t h i gh o f th i ne i n t he great c onfl ic t The .

”

secon d aw fu l pl ed ge gi ven b y Bh i m a t o t he fu t u re .

A t l as t , appea l was m ad e t o t he bl i nd k i n g , an d
he d es i rou s of ward i ng o ff d e s t ru c t i on , S po ke soft ly
,

t o K rish n a an d bad e her as k o f h i m any boo n s h e

,

wou ld A t o nce she as ked for the freed om o f Y u d

.

h is h t h ira , t hat he r son m igh t n o t be cal l ed the so n o f

a s l ave G ran t i ng t h is t he k i ng bad e her ch oose a
.
,

sec o n d boon an d sh e chose t he l i berty o f the fou r

,

b ro t hers wi t h t he i r wea pons Th is was gra n t ed an d

.
,

a th i rd boo n p ro ffered Th is K ri sh n a refused de c la r

.
,

i ng t h a t her h u sban d s set free , c ou l d t hem sel ves

,

ach ieve pros peri t y T ru l y d i d Kar n a say that D rau

.

pad i ,
“
be co m i n g as a boat t o the son s o f P a n du who ,

were S i n k i n g i n a boatless ocean o f d is tress , h a t h

brou gh t the m i n s afe t y to t he sho re .
”

T he n Yu dh is h th i ra h avi n g c al m ed B h i m a , a p
,

pro a c h e d Dh ri t ar a sh tra wi t h j o i ned han ds an d p ra y ed ,

h i m to gi ve h is o rd ers , fo r t he y d es i red to rem ai n i n

o bed ien ce t o h i m T he bl i n d k i n g bad e h i m re t u r n
.

ho me a n d ru l e h is k i ngd o m u rgi n g h i m t o fol l o w

,

c ou n sel s o f peace t o forge t t he harshness o f D u ryo

,

d han a an d rem em ber on ly G a nd h a r i an d h i msel f .

B u t as t he b ro t hers were set t i n g for t h D u ryod han a

, ,

we n t i n has t e t o t he k i n g a nd poi n ti ng ou t tha t the

, ,
98 THE G AT H E RI N G OF T H E STORM C LO U DS -

A rj u n a sa i d s oftly :
“
O Bh i m a , the r es ol uti on s of

h igh m i nded m e n are n ot k n ow n i n word s on l y

-
. On
the fou rteen th yea r fro m th i s d ay they sh al l see what ,

h ap pen eth T here s p ake the st ron g m an , s peak i n g

.
”

by deeds E ach o f the fou r yo u n ger b r others form

.

al ly regi s t ered a sole m n vo w t o s l ay the i r en e m ies

a n d the n wen t t o bi d res pec t fu l farewel l to k i ng D h rita
ra sh t ra W hen Y udh is h th i ra s pok e h i s brief an d sa d
.

farewe l l n on e wa s able to ans wer h i m for very sham e

, ,

bu t w i t h i n t hei r hearts , h owever t hey prayed fo r h i s

“
,
”

we l fare T he n V idura bad e them leave thei r m other

.

i n h i s ch arge an d dec l ared to th e m th at they wou l d

,

reap great be nefi t fro m t hei r e x i l e ; th ey wou l d gai n

i n i t righ t ly u sed forces tha t n o foe wou l d be abl e to
, ,

w i t hstan d O so n o f K u n t i w i th ou r l eave go
.
“
,

h en ce O Bh a ra t a , bl ess i n gs be th i n e N o o ne can
. .

s a y t h at ye have d on e an y t h i ng si n fu l W e h ope to .

see t hee t herefore retu rn i n safety an d c row ned wi t h

, ,

s u ccess S ad was the par t i n g betwee n the heart

.
”

b roke n K u n t i an d he r s on s scar c e cou l d sh e maste r

h e r woe a nd tear hersel f away A t l as t al l was ove r .
, ,

a n d the m ou rn fu l p rocess i o n fi l ed for t h Yu dh is h .

t h i ra wen t fi rs t c ove r i n g h i s face ; B h i m a , l ook i ng at

,

h i s s trong arms ; A rj u n a sca tt eri n g s an d ; S a h ade va , ,

bes meari n g h is face N ak u l a s t ai n i ng h i m sel f wi t h ,

d u s t ; K r i sh n a , wee pin g a n d c over i n g he r fa c e wi t h

 TH E GO I N G F OR T H 99

h er d i shevel l ed hai r ; D h a u mya , wi th k u sha g rass i n

“
h and , u tte ri n g the aw fu l m an tras o f the S a m aved a ,
rel ati ng t o Y am a .

Dh r i tar a shtra a n x i o usl y e nq u i red of V idu ra , wh o

b rough t h im t he n ews o f t he g oi ng for t h wh at wa s
,

the mean i n g o f t he ac t i ons o f t h e P a n davas A n d .

V idura said t h at k i ng Yu dh is h t h i ra ever k i n d wou l d

, ,

n ot le t h i s eyes l igh t o n any l es t t hey S h ou l d be i n

j u red by h i s w rath ; tha t B h i m a was l ongi n g for th e
d ay whe n h i s s tr o ng arm s shou l d wreak h is v en g ean ce
on h i s foes that A rj u n a scattered sa n d as em bl e m o f
the arrows h e wo u ld scatter i n ba tt le t hat S ahad ev a
wou l d avoi d recogn i ti o n i n t h e d ay o f trou bl e ; th at
N aku l a s ta i ned h i s face w i th d us t that h e m igh t w i n
n o heart by l o ve t ha t D a u pa di th ou ght o f the wi ves
r

of he r e ne m i es wh o i n fou rtee n years wou l d be b e

,

wai l i n g thei r hu sband s on t hat very road ; a nd t ha t

D h a u mya was ch anti ng be fo reha n d th e obseq u ie s
that wou l d ac c om p any the d ead .

T hen n atu re bewa i l ed th e c r i m e that h ad bee n

wr o u ght an d the co m i ng woes an d N a rad a s u rrou n d
, ,

ed by great Ri sh i s ap p eared a nd sai d

,
O n the :
“

fou r t een t h year he n c e th e Kau ravas i n co nseq u en c e

, ,

o f D u ryodhan a s fau l t wi l l al l be des troyed by th e

’

,
1 00 TH E GAT H E RI N G OF TH E S TORM C LO U DS
-

might o f Bh i m a an d A rj u n a . On
wh i ch they va r
e d , as s ud d en ly as t hey came Th u s i n gl oom
.

fate fu l pre sage se t the su n that wi t n essed the

the P a n davas .
1 02 T H E T H IRT EE N Y E ARS EX IL E ’

t he arms o f de a th — a l ovely story an d the tal e o f k i n g

N al a and hi s wi fe D a mayan t i an d o f al l t h e sorrows
,

t he y u nd erwe n t i n con seq u en ce of N a l a s gam bl i n g

’
,

The p ri nces learn ed a grea t d eal d u ri n g t hei r ex i l e ,

a s you may al so l earn i f yo u fol l o w the i r foo t ste ps

,

t hrou g h the Va n a P arva .

Whe n the pri nces fro m H a s t ina pu ra they

se t o ut

were fol l owed by a great c rowd o f peop l e , wh o wi s h

ed to go wi t h them i ns tead o f re m ai n i ng u n der the
,

ru l e o f D u ryod han a th e v d ec l ared tha t they w i s he d

t o ass oci ate wi th t he good n ot wi th th e bad for asso
, ,

c i a tio n wi t h t he righteou s brou gh t rel igi ou s m eri t whi l e

assoc iati o n wi th the evi l cau sed vi rtu e to l esse n We

.

w ish t o l i ve wi th you , they c r i ed , who posses s th os e

”

a t tri bu tes of g ood ness The peop l e we re here stat

”
.

i ng a very i mpor t an t ru l e o f c on d u c t We sho u l d

.

t ry a nd l i ve wi t h t h ose who are l ead i n g a good l i fe ,

a n d shou l d n ot go i n t o bad c o m pan y O ne perso n
.

a ffec t s ano t her Yo u m ay catch s m al l pox by goi n g

.

a m on g peopl e s u fferi ng fro m that d isease , an d m ora l

d iseases are m ore catch i ng a n d m ore seri ou s tha n
phys i cal o n es The m i nd s of go o d peopl e se n d o ut
.

p u ri t y a nd the m i n ds o f bad peopl e i m p u r i ty B o t h

, .

a re ca t ch i n g I n ch oos i n g you r c om p an i ons , c h oos e

.

t he good espec i al ly wh i l e y ou are y o u n g ; as yo u

,

gro w o lder, you r charac te r s w i l l be c om e m ore fi xed ,

 K I N G A N D P E OPL E 1 03

an d yo u w i l l be l ess l i abl e t o cat c h othe r p eo p l e s ’

h abi ts t ha n wh i l e yo u are you n g .

B u t Yudh ish th ira k new that the p eop l e had n o

rig h t to leave thei ro wn k i n g i n order to fol l ow h i m .

S O he begged them to go bac k an d to l ove an d ,

se rve B h i sh ma D hri tar a sh tra , V idu ra an d K u n t i , a nd

,

th us shew t he i r l ove t o h i m sel f an d h i s brothers I f .

we have a bad ru le r , we d o n ot i m p rove h i m by

deser t ion or rebel l i on We have th e ru ler we deserve
.
,

tha t o ur k ar m a br i n g s to u s I f he be bad we sho u l d

.
,

m ake t h e bes t o f h i m a n d by d o i ng o ur p art of d u t y

,

wel l as l oya l s u bj ec ts , s h ou l d s tead y t he d ist u rbed

,

S tate I f we are rebel l i ou s , we a r e l eft to o ur o wn

.

re med y an d i t goes i l l w i th r u l er an d p eop l e al i ke ;

i f we con ti n u e fai t h fu l an d d u ti ful t he God s se e t o
,

o u r p ro t ec t i o n as i n th i s c ase whe re D u ryod h an a w as

, ,

re moved a t the p ro p er ti m e by a ri gh t eou s war led ,

by th ose wh ose d u t y i t was to wage i t T h i s i s t he

.

o ld H i n d u teach i n g a n d i t worked o u t m u ch be t ter

,

fo r every bod y c o n cern ed th a n the m od ern way of

agi tatio n an d rebel l i o n S o th e p eopl e wen t hom e a t
.

Yu dh ish th i ra bi d d i ng an d the pri n ces passed

’
s on
,

ward s to t he ban ks of Gan g a , accom pan ied on ly by

som e B r a h m a n as w h o s u rr o u n ded t he m w i th holy
c ha n ts .
 1 04 T H E T H IRT E E N Y E AR S EX IL E ’

O n the fol l owi ng morn i ng , Yudh ish th ira was m u ch

d is t ressed becau se he had n o food to gi ve t o the
B r a h ma nas he wh o had ever fed th em d ai ly by
,

t housand s an d h e prayed t hem t o l e ave h i m s o t hat

, ,

t he y s hou l d n o t s u ffer pri va t i o n They s t i l l cl u n g

.

t o h i m t i l l he san k weepi n g on t he grou nd l am e n t i n g

, ,

h i s i n abi l i t y t o p ro t ec t t he m I n vai n o n e o f them ,

.

n am ed S au n aka rem i nd ed h i m tha t he sh ou l d n ot

,

gri eve over t he l oss of weal t h an d bad e h i m em an e i

,

p a t e h i msel f fro m des i re for world ly possess i on s H e .

answe red pi t eou sly t h at he d i d no t des i re weal t h for

h i msel f bu t on l y for the su pp ort o f t he B r a h m a n as
,

d epend en t on h i m ; h o w c ou l d he n eglec t the d u t y

o f t he h ou sehold er ? I n el oq u en t w ord s h e p raised
t he e t ern al m oral i t y o f hos pi t al i t y
“
To t he weary
.

a bed t o on e fa t igued wi t h s t an d i n g a sea t to t he

, ,

t h i rs t y wa t er and t o the h u ngr y food sh ou l d ever be

,

gi ven To t he gues t are du e p l easan t l ook s a n d a

.

cheerfu l he a r t an d sweet word s .

”
The n h e t u rn ed
t o h is p ries t an d as ked wha t he sh ou l d d o and Dha u ,

m ya bade h i m p ray t o S u r y a Deva t he s u n an d , ,

p rac t ise au s t eri t y an d med i t a t i o n ; s o shou ld a way

o f escape be fou nd . A n d t he k i n g s t an d i n g i n
,

G ang a a nd pra ct is i ng p r a n a y a m a ( c on t rol o f t h e

b rea t h ) l i ft ed u p h is hear t t o G od as r eveal ed i n t h e
,

S u n and pra i sed h i m a s the gi ver o f al l ; an d th e

 T H E T H IRT E E N Y E ARS EX IL E ’

gross wron g e nded by reap i ng su ccess an d Yudh ish

, ,

th i ra prom ised t o abid e by hi s ad vi ce . B u t D h ri ta

ra s h t ra soon repen ted of h is has t y ac t i on a n d cal led
V idura bac k an d
, V I du ra , eve r d u ti fu l retu rned an d
,

spoke l ovi ngl y t o h is el de r brother assu ri ng h i m t hat ,

h is son s were dear t o h i m as the P a n davas , o n ly as

the l at t er are no w i n d istress my heart ye a rne th after
,
”
them . Mean wh i l e Karn a i nc i ted D u ryodhan a to
p u rsu e th e P a n davas i n to t he fo rest , an d t he K u ru
pri nces ru shed o u t i n a b ody to s l ay t he s on s o f
P a n du B u t the grea t V y a sa k n owi n g by h is i n
.
,

n er vis ion that t hey h ad set ou t wi th th is ev i l i n ten t

appeared before them an d sen t them bac k and the n ,

wen t t o k i ng Dhri tar a sht ra d es i ri ng h i m to res t rai n

,

D u ryodhan a from m i schief els e on l y ru i n cou l d b e

,

fal l. O ki ng o f t he earth i f thou d es i res t al l th e

“
,

K au ravas t o l i ve l e t t hy s o n D u ryodh an a m ake peac e

,

wi t h t he P a n davas A s V ya sa l e ft an o t her g reat

.
,

sage M ai treya , came , and he re m on s t ra t ed wi th the

,

k i ng for al l owi ng s uch wrongs as had bee n pe rpe tra t

ed ; o n accou n t o f these he sai d , wh i c h are eve n ,
“

l i ke the acts o f wre tched ou tcastes t ho u art no t wel l ,

t hough t o f am ong the asce ti cs The n M ai treya

.
”

t u rned to D u ryodhan a an d s poke ve ry gen t l y t o h i m ,

beggi ng hi m to be at peace w i th h is cou si ns , bu t

D u ry odhan a ru dely s l a pp ed h i s o wn t high a n d s mi led
 E FFORTS To MA K E P E A C E I o7

mo c k i n gly at t he g reat asceti c Mai treya a t th i s

.
, ,

p rono u n ced h is fatefu l c u rse t hat D uryodhan a sho u l d

,

re ap t he fru i t o f h i s i n sole n ce a n d i n t he great war

,
“

wh ic h s hal l s pri ng e u t o f t he wron gs perpe t rate d b y

thee t he m igh ty Bh i m a S ha l l brea k that t high o f
,

th i n e W i t h a s troke o f h is m ace D hri t ar a sh tra t ri ed

.

t o pers u ad e the sage to rec al l h i s word s bu t h e tol d

,

h i m t ha t hi s se n t e n c e c o u l d o n ly be m ad e v oi d by
D u ryod han a m ak i n g peace w i th the P a n davas ; re fu s
i n g to tal k any l onge r s i n ce h is cou n sels were dis re
,

g ard ed t he ge n tl e M ai treya we n t h is way o ne o f t he

, ,

m any ho ly o nes wh o sough t to t u r n D u ryod han a

fro m h i s ev i l pa t h a nd fai l ed .

A t t h i s t i m e S h r i K r i sh n a wen t to th e P a n davas
t o tel l the m why H e had n o t a p peared at th e co u r t o f
'

D h ri tar a sh tra i n t i m e to s t o p the gam e at d i ce an d t o ,

H i m K ri sh n a m ad e a m os t pi teou s ap peal d ecl ari n g ,

that hu sban d s o r s ons o r frie nd s o r bro t h ers o r

“
, ,

fa t he r have I n one ! N o r have I t h e e , O th ou s laye r o f

M ad h u for ye a l l behol d i n g m e treated s o c ru el ly
, ,

s i t sti l l u n m o ved . The Lord co n so l ed her an d p ro ,

m ise d her t hat she shou l d aga i n reig n as q u ee n ove r

k i ngs . T he heave ns m ight fal l o r t he H i m av at
,

m igh t s pli t , the earth m i gh t be ren t , o r t he wa t ers o f

t h e ocea n m igh t d ry u p bu t M y word s shal l n ever be
,

in va in Y et Dra upa di c o u l d no t res i gn hersel f t o

.
”
I 08 T H E T H IRT EEN Y E ARS EX IL E ’

pa t ie n ce an d we fi nd he r s oo n u rgi ng Yu dh ish th ira t o

,

ac t io n i mpl ori n g h i m n o t to forgi ve th e wron gs they

,

h ad su ffe red . Th is d rew fro m the you n g ki ng a n

ad m i rabl e d iscou rse on forgi ve ness t he m an
:
“
If
who ha t h i l l speeches from an o t her ret u rn e t h those
s peeches aft erward s ; i f t he i nj u red m an retu rn e t h h i s
i nj u ri es ; i f t he chas t ised person chas t i se t h i n re t u rn ;
i f fa t hers s l ay sons an d s on s fa t hers ; i f h u sba nd s
,

s l a y w i ves and wi ves h u sban ds ; t he n O K rish n a

, , ,

h o w can bi r t h t ake p l ace i n a worl d where an ge r th u s

p revai l s ? O ne shou l d forgi ve u n der every ,

H e i ndeed , is a wi se and excel l en t perso n who h ath

,

c onq uered h is wrath , a nd who she weth fo rgi ve n ess

e ven when i nsu l t ed o pp res sed an d angered by a
, ,

s t ron g person Forgi ve ness i s B rah m an forgi veness

.

i s t ru t h forgi ve ness i s s t ored asce t i c m eri t ; forgi ve

n ess pro te c te th t he asce t i c meri t of t he fu t u re ; for

gi ve ne s s I S ascetic is m forgi veness i s ho l i n ess ; an d by
forg i ve ness i t is t ha t t he u n i verse i s hel d t oge t her .

The m an o f wi sd om shou l d ever forgi ve for whe n h e ,

i s capabl e o f forgi vi ng e very t h i n g h e a t t a i n e th t o

,

B u t D ra u pa di s t i l l an swered an gr i ly , and ,
”
B rah m an .

assa i l i n g t he ord e r o f t he world S he bi tt erly d ec l are d

,

tha t God pl ayed wi t h H is c rea t u res ac cord i n g t o H i s

pleasu re l i ke a ch i ld makes o r d es t roys an ear t he n
,

toy .
Wh at wa s the use of v ir tu e , i f the vi rtu ou s
1 10 T H E T H IR T E E N Y E ARS EX I L E ’

as K a shyapa testi fi es Le t t hy d ou bt , the refore O

.
,

K rish na , be d is p el l ed l i ke mis t Reflec t i n g u p on a ll

‘

this let t hy scepti ci s m gi ve way t o fai t h S l an de r

, .

n ot God , wh o i s t he Lo r d o f a l l c reat u res Lear n 0

’
.

k n o w H i m B o w d o wn to H i m Le t n ot thy m i n d
. .

be s u ch A n d O K rish n a , n eve r d isregard t hat S u

.
,

p re me Bei n g th rou gh whos e gra c e m ortal m an by

pi ety a c q u ire th i m m ortal i ty .
”

D ra upa d s t i l l pl ead ed pass i on ately th at i t was

h er h u sban d s d u t y to re g a i n h is k i n gd om , a nd B h i m a
’

a ngri l y ch i med i n , reproach i n g Yu dh ish th ira fo r thei r

forl or n c on d i t io n ; v i rtu e wa s no t en ou gh , h e sai d ;
k i ngs m u s t shew s tre n gth an d fi gh t l et them se t
forth and d o battl e a nd w r es t the soverei g n t y fro m
,

D u r yod han a B u t Yudh ish th ira p a t i en tly a ns wered

.

th a t he deserved bl am e , an d I can n ot r ep roach thee

“

for tortu ri n g me t h u s by p ierc i n g m e wi th thy arrowy

words . H e had l ost h is se l f con t ro l wh i l e pl ayi n g
”
-
,

a n d h ad th u s brough t t he m to ru i n B u t h e had gi ve n .

h is wo rd to abi de by t he throw o f th e d i c e as to e x i le ,
a n d he c ou l d n ot break i t ; B hi m a shou l d h ave o b
je c te d t hen , i f at al l H av i ng gi ven the p l ed ge he
.
,

c o u l d no t v i ol ate i t My pro m ise ca n ne ver be

.

u n t ru e I re ga rd v i r
. tu e as su peri or to l i fe i tsel f a nd
a bl essed s ta t e of c el es t i al ex i sten ce K i n gd om s ons , .
,

fa me w e al t h — al l these d o n ot c o me u p eve n to a
,
 TH E W E APO N S OF T H E GODS I I I

s i x teen th part of t r u t h B hi m a , h owever , wo ul d

.

n o t be pers u ad ed , bu t con ti n u ed to argu e h otly for

ba tt le , ti l l Y u dh is h th ira , weary , an s wered h i m o n
l i n es m ore su i tabl e t o h i s d isposi t i o n , a n d tol d h i m
’

th a t i n fi gh ti n g h e w ou l d be o pposed by B h i sh ma ,

D ro n a K ri pa an d Kar n a , an d t h at h e co u l d no t c o n
,

q u er t hese A t t h i s Bh i m a becam e s i l en t and d e

.

pressed bu t j u s t t hen V ya sa arri ved an d tak i n g t he

'

, ,

you n g k i n g as i d e , h e bad e h i m sen d A rj u n a i n searc h

of wea po n s fro m t he Gods , an d fu r t her i m par t ed t o
h i m t h e cel es t i al sc ie n ce of weapon s t ha t he m igh t
teac h i t to A rj u n a l astl y h e ad vi sed t he brothers t o
travel fro m pl ace to p l ace d u ri n g the abse n ce o f
A rj u na [ lgI
.

S oon a ft erwards th e you n g k i n g cal l i n g A rj u n a

,

to h i m ta u g h t h i m the sc i enc e gi ven h i m by V y a sa ,

,

an d bad e h i m go to I nd ra an d obtai n fro m h i m t h e

weapon s o f the God s .T ak i n g l eave of h is bro t hers
an d o f K ri sh n a an d fol l owed by t he bl essi ngs of t h e
,

B r a h m a n as t he heroi c A rj u n a s e t forth al on e a nd
, ,

j o u rn eyed ti l l he reache d t he m i gh t y barrie r of t h e

H i m a l ayas , a n d c rossed the s n owy ran ge Reach i n g .

I nd rak i l a he heard a v oice c ry s t o p an d s a w a

”

, ,

S h i n i n g ascet i c , s i tt i n g u nd er a tree Th i s ascet i c

.

ba de h i m th row away h i s bo w a s he h ad reach ed a

, ,

sp ot w here al l was p eace bu t A rj u n a refused to

,
 I I z T H E T H IRT EE N Y E AR S E X I L E ’

d isarm h i m sel f t hou gh repeated ly p r essed to do so

, .

T hen t he asceti c revealed h i m sel f a s I n d ra an d ,

o ffe red h i m a boo n A rj u n a , bowi n g l ow , p rayed

.

h i m t o gi ve h i m weap on s b u t I nd ra s m i l i ngly O ffe r

,

ed h i m i ns tead an y regi o ns o f bl i ss he m igh t d es i re .

A rj u n a re fused s u ch gi ft , h is bro t he rs be i n g wand er ~

ers i n t he forest , and seei ng h i m t h u s s t ead fast i n

,

d u t y I n d ra an s wered : W hen t hou art abl e to b e

,
“

h old t he t h ree eyed , t r i de n t beari ng S h i va , the Lord

- -

o f al l c rea t u res , i t i s th e n O ch i l d that I w i l l gi ve ,

thee al l t he celes t i a l weapon s Therefore s tri ve thou.

t o ob t ai n the s igh t o f the h i ghes t o f the God s ; for

i t is o n ly aft er thou has t see n H i m , O so n of K u n t i ,

t hat t hou wi l t ob t ai n al l th y wi sh es T hen I nd ra , .

”

d i sappeared ,
“
an d A rj u na devot i n g h i msel f to as
,

c e t i c is m, rem ai ned at t hat sp ot

”
.

Yo u m ay reme mbe r th at a fter the bu rn i n g of the

fores t o f K h a nda va I nd ra h ad a p pe ared to A rj u n a
, ,

a nd had p rom ised t o gi ve h i m cel es t i al wea p on s aft e r

h e h ad o b t ai ned the grace o f M ah a deva Th a t p ro .

m ise was n o w to be redeem ed , b u t fi rs t the c ond i ti o n

m u s t be fu l fi l l ed S o A rj u n a set t o work to p u ri fy
.

h i m se l f that he m igh t be abl e to see the great Lord

, ,

a nd a t fi rs t he too k a few l eaves an d fru i t s as fo od ,

l essen i n g t he am ou n t d u ri ng t hree m on t hs , an d t hen

fas t ed en t i rely H e was the m as ter o f h i s b o dy , n ot
.
 I I 4 THE T H IRT EE N Y E ARS E X I L E
’

consc i ous ness , he st r ove n o m o r e , b ut m ak ing a c lay

i mage o f Mah a deva , he wor sh i p p ed i t w i th flowers ,
a nd beh ol d ! the garl and he t h rew r ou nd i t appeared
o n the Ki r a ta T he n he k ne w the God an d fe l l at
.

H is feet, an d M ah a deva gave h i m the v i s ion that

'

c ou l d see H i m a nd A rj u n a prayi n g pard o n fo r hav

, ,

i ng fough t wi t h H i m , an d rece i vi n g H is blessi n g wa s ,

t ol d o f his o wn past an d o f h i s d i vi ne grea t n ess .

T hen he prayed fo r wea p ons an d Sh i va taugh t h i m

,

to u se H is o wn m igh t y weapon , t he P a sh upa ta , u n

k n own ev en t o the c h ief o f t he Gods , an d t ha t
weapon b egan t o wai t u po n Arj u na as i t d i d u po n
“

S h ankara Fi nal ly Sh i va bade h i m g o to heave n ,

.
,

and givmg h i m back G a ndi va H e d i sa pp eared , .

As Arj u n a s t i l l wondered , I nd r a Varu na , K u vera

,

a nd Y ama c ame s u r rou nded

, by l esser de i ties , an d
Yam a g a ve h i m h is mace Va ru n a h i s n ooses K u vera
, ,

h is favou ri t e wea po n tha t se nt the foe t o s lee p wh i le , ,

fi nal ly , I n d ra bad e h i m m ou n t h i s c ar a n d asc e n d t o

heaven The n , as the Gods van i shed that s pl e n d i d
.
,

chari o t c ame flashi n g d own an d A rj u n a h av i n g

, ,

ba t hed a nd p rayed and bl essed the h oly pea k wh ere

,

on he had l i ved , m ou n t ed t he bl az i n g c a r an d d rove

t h rough spa c e seei ng the sel f l u m i n ou s r egi o ns
,
-
so
s mal l i n c on sequ en ce o f the i r d i s tan ce , though very
l arge th a t a r e see n fro m the ea r th in the fo rm o f
-
“
 ARJ UN A IN H E A V EN I I5
s ta r s u n t i l he saw sh i n i n g before h i m A m ar a vat i ,

the c i ty o f I nd r a Therei n t o h e en te red a n d j ou r

.

n e e d on wards su rrou n ded by hos t s o f celest i al bei n gs ,

y ,

t i l l he reached the th r o n e o f I n d ra a n d bowed be fore

t he feet of h is d i vi ne Fa t he r ,w ho raised h i m a nd sea t ed
h i m besi de h i msel f o n h i s own seat I n d r a g ave h i m .

h is th u nd erbol t a n d t h e l igh t n i ngs , an d bade h i m

rem a i n i n heaven , an d l earn o f Ch i tra se na the k i n g ,

o f t he hea ve n ly m u s ic i an s t he Gand harvas voca l

, ,

a nd i nstru me ntal m u s ic a nd d a n ci n g z e t he p o we r s
'

, . .

o f n u m bers an d s ou n d s a n d rhyth m ic form s B u t .

th o ugh Arj u n a obeyed , a nd l e arned d u ti fu l ly al l t hat

he was b i dd e n d u ri ng fi ve years h i s h ea rt wearied ,

for h is bro t hers wan d eri n g i n e xi le u po n earth B u t .

e r e he w as al l owed t o l eave , he w as s u bj ected to a

tri al to se e i f h is m i n d was as p u re a s h i s body wa s
,

s tr on g Urva s h i a heaven l y nym ph was sen t to w i n

.
, ,

h is l ove an d c am e t o woo h i m rad i an t i n d a zzl i n g

,

beau ty N o w the race o f A rj u n a had d es cended

.

from Urva s h i s o h e bowed be fore he r revere n t l y a s

,

t he pare n t of h is race worsh i pp i n g he r as a so n h is

,

m o t her More t han th i s worsh i p he wou l d n o t gi ve

.

h er and U rva s h i wa s angry a n d c ond em ned h i m to

, ,

l i ve as a eu n u ch a mong wo me n A rj u n a wen t an d .

tol d Ch it ra s e na wh at had occ u rred an d t hey we n t to ,

I n d ra The n the God blessed A rj u n a , wh o h a d

.
1 16 T H E T H IRT EE N Y E ARS EX IL E ’

vanq u i shed e ven Rish i s by thy p at i en c e a n d sel f

”
con trol . The ap paren t c u rse wou l d be a bless i n g ,

for i t shou l d tak e e ffec t d u ri ng th e thi rteen th year o f

ex i l e , th rough wh i ch A rj u n a m us t rem ai n i n d i sgu ise
u n recogn ised I n d ra then sen t a great Rishi n amed
.
,

L o ma sh a to t he earth to gi ve Arj
’

,
u n a s brothers n ews
,

o f his wel l bei n g an d to bi d the m perform pi lgri

-
,

m ages to vari ou s s acred s h ri nes A rj u n a ere h e re .

,

t u rned to ear t h had to d estroy cer t ai n Asu ras an d

, ,

t hen he wou l d rej o i n h i s bro t hers S o L o ma sh a se t .

o u t, an d we nt to Y u dh is h t h ira an d h i s brothers .

I§ 37 4 7l
-
-

Yo u m ay i magi ne h o w del ighted the P a n davas

we r e to hear of thei r bel oved A rj u n a an d o f t he
s u ccess of h is m i ss i on Yu dh is h th ira gl ad l y agreed
.

t o v i s i t the ti rth a s as I n d ra d es i red an d they star t ed

, ,

forthwi t h o n thei r l on g ro u nd , accom pan i ed by L o

m asha [ 91 93] A t l as t after l ong wan der i ngs they
.
-

, ,

reached the H i m a l ayas an d came t o Kai l a sa , t o the

,

herm i tage where N ara an d Na r a yan a had l i ved i n

d ays o f o ld an d there they rested fo r awh i le , ha pp y
,

and at peace .

O n e d ay a n orth eas t w i n d rose s u dd en l y an d

-

brou gh t a won d rous l otu s bl osso m wi th a t hou san d

petal s an d l eft i t o n the grou nd D ra u pa di del igh t ed
.
,

w i th i ts beau ty a n d fragran ce begged B h i m a to fin d

,
 1 18 T H E T H IRT EE N ’
vE ARs EX IL E

he pu l l ed and tu gged w i th al l h i s streng t h , t i l l s weat

pou red off h is body , bu t sti l l i m m ovabl e the ta i l re
m ai ned A t l as t hu m bled , he bowed before the
.
,

wond rou s m on key , and prayed to k n o w wh o he w as ,

a n d l earned t ha t he was H a numa na t he m i ghty ,

m on key ch ief, wh o h ad befrie nd ed R a m a the Av a ,

ta ra Then t h e bro t hers tal ked fo r awh i le an d H an u

.

m a n a po i n ti ng o u t t he way to B hi ma , va n ished ,
,

whi l e Bhi m a wen t on t i l l he r eached a ri ve r an d l ake

where the gold e n l otu ses grew i n abu n d an c e B u t .

as he prepared to gathe r the l otu ses a n u mber of

R a ksh asas a p p roached , and t ol d h i m that the l ake
bel on ged to K u vera , an d that he m u st n o t p i c k the
flowers wi thou t as ki ng h is perm i ss i on B hi m a h a ugh ti
.

ly re fused to as k pe rmiss io n o f any o ne s i nc e a ,

K s h a tt riya cou l d n o t beseech , an d h e pl u nged forth

wi t h i n to the l ake Then i ts gu ard i an s attac ked h i m
.
,

b u t h e tu rned o n them wi t h h is terri ble m ace a n d

S l ew t he m by h u nd reds , ti l l t he s u rvi vo rs fle d to K u v e ra

for ai d bu t t he God s m i l i n g , bade them l et Bh i m a

,

t ake for Krish n a wha t flowers he wou l d an d so ,

pa c i fied thei r anger Meanwh i l e Yu dh ish th ira an d

.

t he t wi ns wi th K rish n a h ad fol l owed B hi m a carried

, , ,

t hrough t he ai r by G h a to tka c h a , Bh i m a s R a ksh asa ’

s o n an d
, they al l re mai ned for a ti me a t t hat p lea
sant s p ot on the s l opes o f th e Ga ndh a ma da na , e x ~
 ARJ UN A S
’
R ET U R N IIg
p e e ri n g the r etu r n o f A rj u n a E re l o ng ho w ever
. , ,

they were s en t bac k to the he r m i t a g e o f N ara an d

N a ra ya n a a n d bidde n to go thence to two o t her
,

s a c red herm i tages O bed ien tly they se t forth and

. .
, ,

fol l ow i n g the path trace d o u t fo r them they fina lly ,

no t w i t hou t ad ven tu res o n t he way — rea c hed Mou n t

M eru an d there abode l ongi n g fo r A rj u na U n t i l

, , .
,

o ne d ay as they thought o f h i m I nd ra s g reat c ar

, ,
’

c ame bl az i ng d own fro m heaven an d there w as ,

Arj u n a wear i n g the d i adem and the a r m ou r h i s Father

,

had g i ve n h i m a n d s p r i n gi ng to the grou n d he

, , ,

bowed d own to Dh a u mya , Yudhish th ira an d Bh i m a .

H o w g l ad a meet i n g was that , when Dha n anj aya

came home a g a i n , the years of separa ti on ove r, an d
h i s q ues t c row n ed wi th s u ccess 1 45 .

Fo r fou r years the b r others abode he r e m ak i n g ,

wi th t he p reced i n g s i x — ten years of the i r ex i le a n d ,

the n for another year they wan dered th rough the

m ou n ta i ns happi ly ti l l t hey rea c hed the ban ks o f
,

S arasvati an d there l i ved for awh i l e 1 75 1 76 ] .

-

A s the l as t year o f the twel ve was pass i n g they re ,

tu r n ed to the forest o f K a mya ka an d there S hri

K rish na came to se e them , an d to try h i m , H e bad e
,

Yudh is h th ira sen d a n army o f the men wh o were wi l l

i ng to fight for h i m , led by B al ar a ma H is ow n el der ,

br othe r, to d o battle wi th D u ryod ha n a B u t Y u .

1 20 T H E T H IRT EEN Y E ARS EX IL E ’

dh ish th ira answered stead fastly that they w ou l d

complete thei r twel ve years i n t he forest and the o ne
year i n d isgu ise, and wou l d t h en c om e to H i m for
h el p .
Associ a ti ng wi t h H i m h o w c ou l d they d o
,

o t herwise ? The sons o f P a n du s werve no t from th e

“

path o f tru th , for the sons o f P rith a w i th thei r ,

chari ty an d thei r p iety, wi th the i r p eopl e a n d the ir

wives , and wi t h thei r rel ati on s h ave thei r p r ote c to r
,
”
i n Thee . Wh i le they were thu s tal k i ng the great ,

sage M a rk a nde ya a p pea r ed , a nd hav ing d u ly ho n ou r

ed h i m Shri Krish na p rayed h i m to tel l them of the
,
“

e t ernal r u l es o f r i ghteou s c o n d uct by whi ch are gu i d

ed ki ngs , wo m e n an d sai nts .
”
1 81 , The n
M a rk a nde ya tau ght th e m m a ny th ing s , o u t o f w hich
we c a n only glan c e at a few .

Yu dh ish th ira asked as to the c ou r se of c ond u c t

he shou l d fol low and the sage answered
, Be merc i “

ful to al l creatu res and d evo t ed to thei r good

, Love .

al l c reatu res , scorni ng n one Be tru th fu l i n s p eech

.
,

h u mble , wi t h passions u nder complet e c on tr o l an d ,

al ways devoted to t he protecti o n o f thy people .

P rac t ise v ir t ue an d renou nce si n an d worshi p t hou

,

the P i t ri s a nd the Gods And wha t soeve r thou m ay

.

e s t have d one from i gn or a nce or c are lessness wash ,

i t off a n d e x piate i t by chari ty Ren ou n ci ng pri d e

.

a n d van it y, be th o u po sse ss e d o f h um i l i ty a nd goo d

1 22 T H E T H IRT EE N Y E AR S EX IL E !

never freed from si n by s u ch acts S o al so i s c h a ri ty

.

grea t er t ha n sacri fices H e t hat g i ve t h food to a

.

person t ha t is dyi n g o f hu n ger , an d he who, fou nd i n g

a home o f chari ty establ ishe t h there a perso n to l oo k
,

aft er al l c o mers are both cro wn ed wi th the mer i ts o f

,

s hou l d a ny H i nd u
[5 ] Why
”
al l the sac rifi ces . 1 99
boy seek teachi n g from any rel igi o n s ave h i s ow n ,
when su ch r i ch s tores o f nobl e m oral i t y a r e fo u nd in
h is own sacred books ?
In tal k su ch as th i s , an d in the tel l in g a nd h ea ring
o f m any pri celess s to rie s s u c h as th at o f the B r a h
w

ma na K a ush i ka an d the v i rt uou s fowle r wh o taugh t

h i m moral i ty 20 5 2 1 6] — the t i me p as sed a way
-
.

Meanwhi le , Shaku n i and Ka r na i nc i ted D u ry o dhan a

to go and vis i t the P a n davas , that he m i gh t p a in
t hem by the con t rast be t ween h is pros per i ty a n d the i r
s a d es t ate . I n orde r t hat Dhri tar a sh tra m i g ht no t
i n t erfere Kar na devised the p re t ex t o f go i ng to v is i t
,

thei r cat t le s t ations i n t he wood s of D va ita va na ,

where t he pr i nces then were the k i n g however , had ,

heard tha t the P a n davas were i n t he ne i ghbou rhood

o f t hese cat t le sta t ions
-
and adv i sed D u ryodh an a to
,

send some o ne else thi t her ra t her t han go h i m se l f .

O n t he p rom ise o f Shaku n i however that t hey wou l d

, ,

not go near t he s p ot where t he P a n davas were l i v i ng ,

a n d o n is lyi ng state m ent that they had n o min d
h “
 D U RYOD H A N A AN D TH E GA N D H ARVAS 1 23

to see th e son s o f P a n du th e k i ng rel u ctan tly c o n

,

s en t ed to t he e xped i t i on , an d D u ryod han a s e t o u t ,

accom pan ied by a l arge army an d m any fol l owe rs .

They d ispor t ed t he msel ves in var i ous ways , an d

c ou nt ed thei r ca t tl e at t he s t a ti ons , u n ti l they a p
pro a c h e d the s acred l ake o f D va ita v a na , wh e re t h e
P a n davas were res id i ng A s t he van gu ard o f s old iers
.

we re abou t to en ter th e wood s u rrou nd i n g the l ake ,

som e Gandharvas forbade the i r entry , for the k i ng o f

th e G an d harvas h ad com e th i ther and had c l osed the
wood agai ns t al l co mers The n D u ryod han a tried t o
.

fo rce h is way , and a fi erce c on flic t bro ke ou t i n wh i c h ,

the K u ru s were rou t ed , a n d eve n Kar n a wh o had ,

stood agai n st al l assau l ts , i m movabl e as a h i l l was

“
,

at l as t forced to fly A n d D u ryodhan a , wh o wou l d

.

n o t fly , was take n p ri s oner w it h D ush a sa na an d

,

o t hers , and t hey were l ed away i n chai ns The n t h e .

rou t ed sol d iers o f t he K u ru army fled to th e P a n da

vas an d prayed t hem fo r p ro t ecti on Bh i m a an s wer .

ed S harp ly and sc orn fu l ly , re fu s i n g al l a id bu t Y u ,

dh is h th i ra sayi n g ,
, T h is i s no t t he ti me fo r cru e l
“

word s r e bu ked Bh i m a an d t o l d h i m t ha t t houg h

, ,

d isp u tes m igh t arise i n a fam i l y t he fam i ly hon ou r

,

m u st be p ro t e ct ed whe n i t was assai led by a s t range r .

The n he bad e h is bro t hers a rm t hemsel ves an d go

fo rth a n d r es c u e D u ryod h a n a a n d t he oth e r ca p t i ves .
1 24 T H E T H IRT EE N vE ARS
‘
EX IL E

As t he Gandharvas wou l d n ot release thei r p r i so n ers ,

t he P a n d vas fiercely a t tac ked t hem an d t hey fou gh t

a ,

u n t il t hei r k i ng an d Arj u n a com i ng i n to con flic t ,

Ch itra se na revealed h i m sel f as h i s fri en d T he n .

A rj u na as ked hi m why he h ad assai led D u ryod han a ,

and Ch itra se na e xpl ai ned that he h ad p u n ished h i m
becau se he had come th i t her to m oc k the P a n davas
i n t hei r ad ve rsi ty S omewhat u n wi l l i ngly Ch itra se na
.

c onsen ted to lead h is capti ves before Yu dh is h th i ra ,

and t o al low h i m to deci de thei r fate aft er he was

m ade acqu ai n ted w i th thei r m ean wish to gl ory over
h i m The n the you n g k i ng p rais i n g the Gan d harvas
.
, ,

a t o nce l i berated h is rel ati ves , an d gen tly sai d to t he

h u mbl ed D u ryodhan a O ch i l d nev er aga i n d o s u ch
,

a rash ac t O Bh a rata , a rash pers on n ever a tta ine th

.

h app i ness O so n o f the Ku ru race bl essed be t hou ,

.
,

w i t h al l t hy bro t hers Go bac k to t hy cap i tal as i t

.

pleases t hee wi t hou t yiel di n g t hysel f to d es po n den cy

'

or cheerlessness S o spake t he gen tle k i n g , remem

.
”

beri ng on ly that D u ryodhan a was o f h i s bl ood an d

i n d i s t ress .

Then Du ryodh an a wen t away b roken h earted ,

-

al i ke a t hi s de feat and h is del iveran ce , an d as he sa t ,

m ood y and d owncast Kar n a came to h i m i magi n i n g

, ,

t ha t he had bee n vi c t orious congra t u l a t i ng h i m t ha t ,

,

w hi le he h i msel f had fle d, D u ryodhan a h ad c o n q ue r

 1 26 T H E T H IRT EE N Y E AR S EX I L E
’

a nd he h i msel f shou l d r u l e the earth H e w a s the.

cham pio n of t he Asu r a s as the P a n davas we r e the

,

champions of the God s D u ryod han a was the n

.

t ranspor t ed bac k to h i s p l ace and , cheered by these

,

prom ises he rose u p and arrayi ng h i s a rmy , retu rned

,

t o H a stina pura Thence Kar n a set forth , an d c o n

.

quered cou n t ry aft er cou n t ry , bri ngi n g the m u nder

t he ru le o f D u ryodh an a a nd that pr i n c e c elebra t ed
,

a great sacri fice , t he Vaish nava , a n d was h ai l ed as

t he foremos t of k i ngs H is hear t , ho wever, was se t
.

o n performi ng the R aj a s uya sacri fi ce , wh i ch he cou l d

n ot d o whi l e Yudh ish t h ira was l i vi n g , an d Kar na t o ,

cheer hi m swore that u nti l he sl e w A rj u n a he wou l d

,

no t eat meat n or al low any to wash h i s feet no r

, ,

refuse any t h ing to any o ne who asked h i m 2 35

.

2 55] I l l d id this vow serve h i m , for when I nd ra ,

i n t ent on be ne fitting A rj u n a came to h i m an d as ked
,

h i m for h is na t u ral mai l and earri n gs , he gave them ,

observi ng his vow , an d th u s l os t h i s i m pe netrable

a rmou r [ See the s t ory o f Karn a ,
.

D u ryodhana d id no t c ease h is p l ots agai n st th e

P a n davas bu t n o i l l t hat was p l an ned aga i n st them
,

t ook effect A nd no w the e nd o f t he t we l ve years

.

d re w n igh I t was marked by a sharp o rdeal o f t he

.

v i r t ue of Yudh is h th ira A deer bu t t i n g wi th i ts h or ns

.
, ,

caught u p the fire stic ks a n d the chu r n i n g sta ff o f a

 T H E Q U E ST IO N I N G C RA N E I 27

B r a h ma na a n d c ar ri ed the m awa y o n i ts a ntl e r s Th e .

B r a h ma n a c r i ed to t h e P a n davas to recov e r fo r h i m
m
th ese i m ple en t s of sa c r i fi ce, an d they sta r ted i n
p u rs u i t o f the d e e r They fai l e d to shoot o r over
.

t ake i t, an d at l ast , lo s mg s i gh t o f i t sat d own weary

,

and exha usted by thi rst Yudh ish th ira sen t N ak u l a

.

to l ook fo r w ater , wh o fi nd i ng a l ake d is regarded

, ,

a v o ic e t hat warned hi m n o t t o d ri n k u n t i l he h ad
answered cer t ai n q u esti on s , an d d r i n k i n g , fel l d ead
,
.

A s N ak u l a d i d n ot retu rn Sahadeva was s en t t o see k

,

fo r hi m , an d m et the same fate A rj u n a fol lowed

.
,

a n d Bh i m a , an d both d ran k a nd d ied T h en Yu .

dh is h t h i ra h i msel f wen t t o seek an d fou n d h is fou r

,

bro t hers lyi n g dead on the grou n d O verco me wi th

.

grief he sough t fo r the en emy that h ad sl ai n t hem

, ,

and as he began h i s abl u t i ons i n the l ake , he h eard a

v oi ce de c l ari ng that the speaker h ad s l ai n hi s b rothe rs
an d rep eati n g the warn i ng g i ve n them Yu dh i sh .

t h i ra e n qu i red , wond eri n g wh o he was ,an d the speak

,

er a cran e a n swered th at h e w as a Yaksha an d

, , ,

agai n bad e Yu dh ish th ira n ot take o f h i s water ti l l

he had answered h i s qu esti on s E ver sel f c on trol led
.
-
,

t he you n g k i n g r ep l ied that he d id no t c ovet wha t

bel onged to an o t her , an d th at h e wou l d answer t he
q uestio ns to the bes t o f h i s abi l i t y The Yaksh a .

the n pu t to h i m q u es ti on after qu es ti o n , and Yudh ish

 I 28 TH E T H IR T EEN YE AR S EX I L E
’

t hi ra answered wise ly an d wel l , u n t i l at l as t the Y ak ;

sh a wa s satisfied , an d g ranted h i m the boo n o f t h e
revi val o f o ne o f h i s brothers Yudh ish th i ra chose
.

N aku la a t wh ich the Ya ksha re m onstrated wi th h i m

, ,

u rg i ng that he sho u l d c hoos e B h i m a o r A rj u n a r ather

t han one o f h is hal f b ro t hers B u t stead fas t ly the
.

j us t k i ng rep l ied that absten t i o n fro m i nj u ry was t he

highest vi rtu e , an d that ne i t he r o f h i s fa t her s wi ves ’

shou l d be left ch i l d less I des i r e to act eq u al l y

.

t owards my m others Therefore , l et N ak u l a l i ve

. .

T hen the Yaksha sai d : S i n ce abs ten t i on from ln

“

j u ry is regarded by thee as h i ghe r tha n both p ro fi t

a nd pl easu re there fore let a ll thy bro t he r s l i ve O
, ,

bu l l of Bharata s race ’
The n the fou r arose u nh u rt ,
a nd when Yudh ish th ira p rayed to k n ow what Go d
was concealed i n the crane s form , as i t was s u rely
’

n o Yaksha Dharma the G od o f J u sti ce , reveal ed

, ,

h i msel f blessi ng h i s n obl e son H e o ffered h i m a

, .

boon and Yu dh is h th ira begged t hat the B r a h m a n a

,

m igh t h ave hi s fi re stic ks agai n -

I t was I sai d .
”

D harma , who c arried away t he fire s ti c ks as a deer ,

“
-

i n order t o test t hee ”

A nd he offered a secon d boon
. .

A nswered Y udh ish th ira : We h ave S pen t th e se

t wel ve years i n t he forest and the th i rtee n th year is
c ome . May n o o ne recogn ise u s as we s pe nd th is year
so mewhere .
Dharma g r a n ted the boon a n d bade ,
I 3o TII E T H IRT EE N Y E AR S EX IL E ’

h i s servan t s to the P a nc h a la s , so th at
D va ra v a t i, and
n one m igh t kn ow o f th e ir re t rea t save D h a u mya o n ly .

S e tt i n g for t h t he s ix ap proached t h e c i t y o f
,

Vi r at a and i n a h u ge t ree near a ce m e t ery the b ro

,

t h e rs hid t hei r weapons h an gi ng a c orpse o n t he tree

,

t ha t n on e m igh t ap proach i t The n Yu dh ish th ira .

p ra y ed t o t he God dess D fl rga wh o saves her worsh i p

,

pers from al l d angers an d she appeared t o h i m an d

,

bl essed h i m prom isi n g h i m pro t ec t i o n an d s u ccess

, .

T h u s bl essed Yu dh is h th ira t ook golde n an d j ewe l led

,

d ice a nd e n t ered t he cou r t of Vi r a ta wh o s t ru c k by , ,

b y h is n obl e aspec t gave h i m gl ad wel co m e an d a p

,

p oi n t ed h i m a s h is c h ie f m i n is t er a n d fri en d B h i m a .

ap p e ared pray i ng t o be em p l oyed as c ook an d Vi r at a

, ,

ex press i ng m u ch d ou b t a s t o s u ch offi ce befi tt i n g

h i m— a greed t o m ake h i m su peri n t en de n t o f h i s k i t
chen K rish na d ressi ng hersel f h u m bly wandered
.
, ,

n ear t he pal ace an d t he q ueen

, seei n g her se n t for
, ,

h er an d as ked h e r who sh e was ; D ra u pa di an swered

t ha t S he sough t for servi ce bu t th e q u een see i n g h er
, ,

m arvel l o us beau ty t h ou gh t h er a God dess ra t h er

,

t ha n a servan t When D ra u pa di i ns isted t h e q u ee n

.

re pl ied t ha t s h e feared t o t ake her i n t o serv i ce for ,

her rare l ovel i ness wou l d w i n t he k i n g s hear t wh o ’

i ndeed m igh t resi s t her ? B u t D ra u pa di t ol d he r t hat

,

S he was married to fi ve Gandharvas who ever pro t ec t

 PRI N C E S AS M EN IA LS I 3I

dher an d t hat n o m an wou l d be all o wed to do he r

'

c ,

w ron g Then S u de s h na t he q u een t ook her i n t o he r

.
, ,

h ou s ehol d wi t h d el igh t , and n o ne gu essed wh o s h e

re al ly wa s N ow came S ah a d eva c l a d a s a cowh erd ,
.
,

a nd re prese n t i ng h i m sel f a s s k i l led i n al l c a tt le l ore -

an d h e wa s appoi n t ed h ead keeper o f V ira ta s k i n e ’

.

N ex t A rj u n a appeared weari ng fe m a l e orn am en ts an d

, ,

h e p rayed t ha t he m i gh t be assigned t o t he p ri ncess

Utt ar a a s t eacher of d an ci ng an d m u s i c ; Vi rat a ,

d ecl ari n g t ha t he rese mbled a warri or a nd ru ler ra t he r

than a eu n u ch ye t t es t ed h i s s k i l l i n t he fi ne a r t s
, ,

an d fi nal l y sen t h i m am o n g t he wom en t o gi ve t he m

l essons Las t l y ca m e N ak u l a an d o ffe red h i m sel f a s
.

a keepe r o f h orses an d Vi r at a ac cep t ed h i m an d

,

m ade h i m h i s head eq u erry Th u s d i d t he P a n davas

.

c om men ce t hei r t hi r t een t h year o f ex i l e and passed ,

t h ei r d a y s of d isgu i se w i t h grea t com p osu re no twith ,

stan d i n g t hei r p oi gn an t s u fferi ngs [§ I

.
”

For ten m on t hs the y l i ved i n V i ra ta s cou r t serv’

i n g t he k i n g an d q u een gai n i ng bo t h re spec t an d

,

weal t h an d then a me n ac i ng s t orm c l ou d arose Th e

,
-
.

q u een s bro t her K i ch aka t he c om man de r o f t h e

’

, ,

army of Vi r at a fel l m ad ly i n l ove w i t h K ri s h n a s

,
’

beau t y an d wou l d n o t be gai n sai d i n h is d es i re t o

,

h ave her a s h i s wi fe , th o u gh s h e t ol d h i m o f h e r
G a n dh arva h u s b an ds a nd t h a t to l o ve her wa s de s
1 32 T H E T H IRT E EN YE AR S EX I L E
’

t ru c tio n . At l as t he pe r s u aded h i s s ister S ude sh na

t o send K rish n a t o h i s house u nder pre t ex t o f fetch
,

i ng wi ne i n vai n Krish n a i mp l ored her m i stress n o t

to send her o n s u ch erran d lest K i chaka shou l d i n
,

s u l t her a nd evi l S hou l d b e fa l S ude s h na to p l ease

.
,

her fool i sh bro t her , i nsis t ed o n her goi ng an d K rish n a , ,

prayi ng to S tlrya we n t for t h accom pan ied — th ou gh

, ,

s h e k new i t n o t — b y a R a kshasa appo i n t ed by S fi rya

,

t o pro t ec t her K i chaka wel comed her wi t h d el ight a n d

.

begged her t o s i t d own bu t Krish n a cold ly ans wered

,

t ha t sh e came on ly for wi ne for her m i s t ress K i .

chaka t hereu pon sei zed her by t he arm an d Krish n a , ,

seeki ng t o escape , pu shed hi m v i olen tly away a n d

fled to t he cou r t , where Y u d h i s h t h i ra an d B hi m a
were sea t ed wi th the k i ng . Ki ch ak a fol l owe d i n hot
pu rsu i t , and , catch i ng her by th e hai r , pu l l ed h e r
d own and k icked her i n the very p resen ce o f th e
k i ng . The R a ksh asa fl un g h i m sensel ess to th e
grou nd bu t wha t shou l d her h usba nds d o seei ng t hei r
, ,

bel oved t hu s ou t raged ? As m i gh t be ex pected Bhi ma , ,

fu ri ous , wa s s t ar t i ng u p on t he verge o f sel f be t raya l -

bu t t he col d voice of Yu dh ish t h ira wa s heard Loo k “

e s t t h ou O cook for trees for fu el ? I f t hou ar t i n

, ,

n eed of faggots t he n go o u t and fel l t rees D rau

, .
”

pad i s t ri v i ng t o keep her prom is e , ad d ressed k i n g

,

Vi r at a on ly p ass i o n ately re pr oach i ng h i m fo r al l o w

,
 I 3 TII E T H IRT E EN Y E AR S EX IL E ’

c onsen t and aid i n i n vad i n g Matsya and i n sei z i n g

k ing V ira ta s ca tt l e and on t he eigh t h d ay of t he l as t
’

for t nigh t of t he t h i r t ee n t h year o f t he P a n davas ’

ex i le t he Kau ravas s e t for t h on t h i s en terpri se S u

,
.

sharman wi t h h i s Triga rta s had star t ed on t he

, ,

p reced i ng d ay K i ng V i r a ta wi t h hi s army i n whi ch

. ,

were i ncl u ded Yudh ish th ira , Bh i m a an d the t wi ns ,

met the T riga rta s i n ba tt l e an d after a fi erce figh t , , ,

were d efea t ed S us h a rma n carry i ng V i r a ta away o n

,

h is ch ariot a s a prisoner The n t h e fou r bro t he rs

.

bega n t o figh t and speed i ly changed t he fortu nes o f

,

t he d ay Bh i ma cap t u ri n g S ush a rma n an d se tt i ng

,

V i r at a free Mean t i me t he Kau ravas were sei z i n g

.
,

t he c tt l e an d t he co wherds fl y i ng for assis t an ce

a , , ,

fou n d no one left as leader save a boy p ri nce Utt ara -

, .

The l ad proud ly said he wou l d go i f he h ad a Ch a

rio te e r, and D ra u pa di pressed h i m to ta ke V rih a n

n al a who S he said h ad bee n t he chari o t eer of
, , ,

A rj u na Thi s wa s d one and A rj u n a tak i ng the rei ns

.
, ,

a s soon as he arri ved near the K u ru s u rged t he ,

horses s t raigh t a t t he foe The n the boy s c o u rage

.
’

fa i led hi m an d he pra y ed h is char i o t eer t o s t o p ; bu t

A rj u n a scorn fu l ly re fused ti l l p oo r Utt ara s pran g
,

from t he ru sh i n g chari o t i n terror t h r owi n g a w ay h i s ,

bo w .
I nd ignan tly A rj u n a fl u ng d own the r ei ns an d
ra n aft er h i m h i m by th e h ai r, s t o ppe d
, and , sei zi ng
 ARJ U N A I N BATT L E 1 37

h i s fl i ght .
“
D r i ve
t hen for m e h e c r i ed a nd l i ft ed
, ,

h i m o n to .
t he chari o t an d d r ove q u i c k ly t o t he
,

tree where he had h i d den h i s weapon s a year be fore ,

bi dd i ng U tt ara c l i m b i n t o t he t ree an d fe t ch d ow n
the b o w o f A j u na , th a t h e wou l d fi n d t he re a s t he
r ,

bows o f Utt ara wo u l d n ot bear h is stren g t h O nce .

agai n d i d A rj u n a h ol d wi t h j oy h i s m i gh t y bow a n d ,

t el l i n g Utt ara o f t he weapons an d t he own e rs h e ,

fi n ished by sayi n g I a m A rj u n a an d reveal i n g

, ,

al so the i de n ti t y o f h is bro t hers T hen Utt ara re .

,

jo i c i n g l ost h is fear a n d too k u p the rei n s of t he

,

ba tt l e s t e ed s , a n d A rj u n a en tered t he ba tt le fie ld wi t h
- -

t h e fu ri ou s ra tt l i ng o f wheel s t he l ou d bl are of h i s
,

c onch , an d t h e c rashi ng t wan g o f t he s t ri n g o f G a n

i

d i va R ush i n g at Kar na he fi rs t d rove t h at h ero

.
, ,

m an gl ed a n d bl eed i n g fro m t he fi el d an d t h en charg

, ,

ed o n K ri pa d es t roy i ng h i s car so t hat h e a lso was

, ,

c o m pel l ed t o l eave N o w cam e D ro na ch argi n g d own ,

.

an d A rj u n a sal u t ed h i m res pec t fu l ly , re fus i n g t o

s t ri k e u n l ess he s t ru c k fi rs t : b u t D ro n a repl ied wi t h
a shower o f a rrows an d comba t raged be t we e n p re
,

c e p t or an d pu pi l u n t i l D ro n a s son cam e t o h is
,
’

fa t her s res c ue an d D ro n a fled s wi ft ly fro m t he fi el d

’

o f ba tt l e Then was As h va tth a ma also overcome

. ,

a n d Kar na re t u rn i ng fou gh t o nce m ore an d was

, ,

a g ai n fo rc ed to fl e e an d at l a s t , a s A rj u n a was d ri vi n g
,
 I 4o T H E T H IRT EE N Y E AR S EX IL E ’ ‘

a ns wered tha t he had d on e n oth i n g ; a cel es ti al you t h

fou gh t for h i m and alo ne h ad van q u i shed the great
,

K u ru chie fs h e h ad d i sappeared , bu t wou l d , U tt ara

t hough t re t u rn
, .

A t l as t t he hap py m orn i n g d awn ed wh en th e

t h i r t een t h y ear o f t he vo w was over an d th e fi ve ,

P a ndavas i n wh i te an d regal robes , ca me , bl azi n g

,

wi t h ornamen t s i n t o V ira ta s cou n ci l h a ll an d sa t

,
’

t hemsel ves d own on t h e sea t s res e rved for k i ngs .

When Vi r at a came i n an d s a w them t h u s seated h i s ,

w ra t h blazed u p and he a ngri l y repro ved the su p pos

ed Kan ka for h is i nsolen ce B u t A rj u n a an swe red
.

p lay fu l ly descri bi n g h i s brother s a t tai n men t s and

,
’

t hen dec lari n g : H e i s n o o t her t han the bu l l o f t he

“

K u ru race k i ng Yudh ish th i ra the j u st

, As tou n ded
.
,

V i r at a asked i f he were i ndeed Yu dh ish th ira where

, ,

were hi s m i gh t y bro t hers an d D ra u pa di an d A rj u n a

n amed t he m one b y o ne : t he cook the keepe rs o f ,

h orse and k i ne t he S a irindh ri wh i l e h e h i m sel f was

, ,
-

A rj u n a Great was t he n t he j oy an d t he k i n g wo r
.

shi pped t he son s of P a n du wi t h d u e h on ou r , o fferi n g

t o Yudh is h th ira h is whol e k i ngdo m an d t o A rj u n a
h is fai r daugh t er U t t ar a A rj u n a re fu sed her fo r
.

h i msel f si nce sh e had ever treated h i m as a fa t her,

,

bu t accep t ed her as wi fe for h i s n o b le s o n A bh i

manyu t he favou ri te nephew of V a su d eva
, The n .
 C H APTER VI .

P EAC E OR WAR ?
At t he cl o se o f the las t ch apte r we l e ft the pr i n c es
i n t he m idst of t he m arriage fes t i vi t ies t ha t su cceeded
t he t h i r t ee n years of ex i l e W hen t hese w ere ove r
.
,

t he grea t q ues t i on n a t u ral l y arose H o w t o rec over

t he k i n gd om ? The con t rac t en t ered i n t o you will
”
,

remember wa s t hat a t the en d o f the thi r t ee n years

, ,

passed accord i ng t o t he t erm s thei r k i n gd o m sho u l d

,

be given back to them The P a n davas h ad m an fu l ly

.

carried o ut t hei r sh are of t he ag reem en t wou l d

D u r y odhan a perform hi s ? The n ex t sec t i o n o f t he
Mah a bh a ra t a
,
”
t he Udyo ga P a rva ans wers t h i s,

q ues t i on and rel a t es the eve nts wh i ch i m med i a t ely

,

p receded the Grea t War .

T he d ay aft er t he wed d i ng t he vari ou s k i ngs a nd

,

p ri nces g a t hered i n t he cou n ci l h al l o f k i n g Vi r at a ,

who w i t h D ru pa da pres ided over the roya l asse m bly
, , .

A ft er som e general conversa t i on S i l en ce fel l o n t he

,

warriors and t he y sa t wai t i ng

, w i t h t he i r e y es fi xed
,
“

u po n Krish n a feel i ng t ha t H e t he wise an d t he

, ,

l over of t he P a n davas , wa s t he one who cou l d best

open t he subj e c t they al l had at heart S hri Krish n a .
 TH E COU N CI L I 43

s poke , bri efly n arra t i ng the even t s tha t had occu rred ,

a nd p oi n t i ng o u t t h e evi l t rea t m en t r e cei ved from boy

h ood by th e P a n davas fro m D u r y odha n a ; H e bad e
t he k i n gs con si der what wa s for the good o f both
p ar t i es c o ns i s t e n t wi t h t he ru les o f righteou sness
,
“

a n d p ropr i e t y and wh a t w i l l m ee t w i t h t he a pp o b a
, r

tion of all W ha t D u ryodh a na t h i n ks is n o t exac t

.
”

ly k n own n or wha t h e m a y d o
, H e t here fore a d
.

v i sed t h a t a n am bassad or sho u ld be se n t t o beseech

t he m m i ld l y to gi ve h al f t he k i n gd o m t o Yu dh ish
t h i ra
. V a la de v fol l owed exp ressi n g t he hope t ha t
a ,

a s Y udh i h th i a wa s w i l l i n g t o gi ve u p h al f t he k i n g
s r

d om D u ryod ha n a wou l d d o t he sam e H e was pro

, .

ced i ng t o u rge t ha t the a m bassad or sho u l d c as t t he

bl a me of t he gam bl i n g o n Y u dh i h th i a an d so gai ns r

b y con c i l i a t i on ; b u t t h i s wa s t oo m u ch for t he ho t
tem pered S a tya k i who s prang t o h is fee t an d war ml y
,

d efe nd ed Y u dh is h th i a who had on l y fol l owed t he

r ,

r u l es o f hi s ord er ; t he m ean s by w h i ch I wou ld

“

beseech t he m wo u l d be sharp arro ws c ri ed he D ru ,

.

pada S poke soo t h i ngl y bu t ad v ised tha t hav i ng i n

, ,

v i ew t he obs t i n a t e charac t e r of D u r y od ha n a me ,
s

se n g rs shou l d be sen t to al l t he s u rrou nd i ng k i n gs

e ,

e n t rea t i n g t hei r al l ia n ce t hi s sh ou l d be d on e a t on ce ,

S i n ce ri gh t m i nd ed person s wo u ld gran t t he reques t

-

t ha t fi r t reached them ; m ean wh i l e l et a prie s t be

s
1 40 THE TH I RT EE N Y E AR S E X I L E
’ '

a nswered t h a t he had d one n o t h i n g ; a ce les t i al yo u t h

fou gh t for h i m a nd al one had v an q u ished the grea t
,

K u ru ch ie fs h e h ad d is ap p eared , bu t wou l d , U ttara

t hou gh t retu r n
, .

A t l as t the h ap py m orn i ng d awn ed wh e n th e

th i r t een t h year o f t he vow was over an d t he fi ve ,

P a n davas i n wh i te an d regal robes , c a me , bl azi n g

,

w i t h orn aments i n to V i ra ta s c ou nc i l h al l a n d s a t
,
’
,

t hem se l ves d o wn o n t h e sea t s res e rved fo r k i ngs .

When V i r at a came i n an d saw t he m th u s seated h i s ,

w ra t h bl azed u p an d he a ngri ly re p roved the s u p pos

e d Kan ka for h i s i nsole n ce B u t A rj u n a an swere d
.

p l ay fu l ly desc ri bi n g h i s brother s attai n men t s an d

,
’
,

t he n d ec l ari n g : H e i s no o t her t han the bu l l o f the

K u ru race k i ng Y udh ish t h i ra the j u st
, A stou n ded . ,

V i r at a as ked i f he were i n deed Yu dh ish t h i ra where

, ,

w ere h i s m i gh t y bro t hers an d D ra u pa di an d A rj u n a

n am ed t he m o ne b y o ne : the cook t he keepers o f ,

h orse and k i ne t he S a i rindh ri wh i l e he h i msel f was

, ,

A rj u n a Great was the n the j oy , an d t he k i ng wo r

.

sh i pped the sons of P a n du wi t h d u e h on ou r , o fferi n g

t o Yudh ish th ira h i s wh ol e k i ngd om and t o A rj u n a
h is fai r d aughter U t t ar a A rj u n a re fu sed her for
.

h i m sel f s i nce sh e had ever treated h i m as a father ,

,

bu t accep t ed her as wi fe for h is n oble son A bh i

m any u the favou ri te nephew o f V a s u deva
, The n .
 C H APTE R VI .

PE ACE OR WAR ?
At t he cl ose o f t he l as t ch apte r we l eft t he pr i n c es
i n t h e m idst of t he m arri age fes t i vi t ies tha t su cceeded
t he th i r t ee n years of ex i l e When t hese were ove r
.
,

t he grea t q ues t i on n atu ral l y arose H o w t o rec ove r

t he k i n g d om ? T he con t rac t en t ered i n t o you wi l l
”
,

remem be r was t hat a t t he en d o f the th i r t ee n years

, ,

p assed accord i ng to t he t erm s thei r k i n gd o m shou l d

,

be gi ven bac k to t hem The P a n dav as h ad m an ful l y

.

carri ed o u t t hei r sh are of t he agreem en t wou l d

D u r y od han a perform h is ? The ne x t sec t i o n o f t he
M ah a bh a ra t a ,
t h e U dyo ga P a rva ans we rs thi s
”

q u es t i on an d rel a t es t he e ven ts wh i ch i m med i a t el y

,

p reced ed th e Grea t W ar .

T he d ay a ft er t he wedd i ng t he vari ou s k i n gs a nd
,

p ri n ces ga t hered i n t he cou n c i l h al l o f k i ng Vi r at a ,

who w i t h D u pa da p res i ded over t he royal asse m bly

,
r , .

A ft er some general c on versa t i on s i l en ce fel l o n t he

,

warriors and t he y sa t wai t i ng

, w i t h t hei r e y es fi xed
,
“

u po n K rish n a feel i ng t ha t H e the wi se an d t he

”

, ,

l over o f t he P a n dav as wa the o ne who cou l d be t

, s s

ope n t he s u bj e c t they al l had at heart S hri Krish n a .

 TH E COU N CI L 1 43

s p oke , bri e fly n arra t i ng the eve n t s t h at h ad occu rred ,

a nd poi n t i n g o ut t h e e vi l t rea t m en t recei ved from bo y

h ood by t he P a n davas fro m D u ryodha n a ; H e bade
t he k i ngs con s id er what wa s for t he good of bo t h
‘

p ar t i es
,
“
Co ns is t en t
. wi t h t he ru les f righ t eou s n esso

a n d prop rie t y and wh a t w i l l m ee t w i t h t he a ppro b a

,

tion of all . Wh a t D u ryod h ana t h i n ks i s n o t exac t

”

ly k n own n or wh a t h e m a y d o
, H e t here fore a d
.

v i sed t h a t a n am bassad or sho u l d be sen t t o beseech

t he m m i l d ly t o gi ve h al f t he k i n gd om t o Yu dh i h s

th i ra
. V a la de v fol l owed exp ressi n g t he hope t ha t
a ,

a s Y udh i h th ira w s wi l l i n g t o gi ve u p h al f t he k i ng
s a

d om D u ryod han a wo u l d d o t he same H e w s pro

, . a

ced i ng t o u rge t ha t t he am bassad or sh ou l d cas t t he

bl ame o f t he gam bl i ng o n Yu dh i h th i a an d so gai n s r

by c on c i l i a t i o n ; b u t t h is wa s t oo m u ch for t he ho t
tem pered S é tya k i who s prang t o h is fee t an d war m
,

d efe nd ed Yu dh i h th ira who had o n l y fol l owed t he

s ,

r u l es of hi s ord er ; t he m eans by wh i ch I wou ld

“

beseech them wou l d be sharp arro ws c ried he D ru ,

.

pada s poke soo t h i n gl y bu t ad vised t h a t hav i ng i n

, ,

v i e w t he obs t i n a t e ch arac t er o f D u r y od ha n a me s ,

s e n e rs
g sh ou l d be sen t t o al l t he s u rrou nd i ng k i ngs ,

en t rea t i ng t hei r al l ia n ce t hi s shou l d be d on e a t on ce ,

s i n ce righ t m i nd ed persons wo u ld gran t t he requ es t

-

t ha t fi rst reached the m ; m ean wh i l e le t a p ries t be

1 44 P E A CE OR WAR ?

sen t to D hr i tar a sh t ra as am bass ador Th i s c ou rs e

.

was approved by S h r i Kri sh na wh o there u po n left

,

for Dva ra k a , an d DrUpa da then sen t h is ow n pri est

t o t he Ku ru k i ng wh i l e warri ors fro m al l p ar t s bega n
,

t o assem bl e to es pou se the cau se of ei t her t he P a n da

v as or t he Ku r us . I

Now D u ryod h an a an d A rj u n a al i ke d es i red to

sec u re t h e al l i an ce o f t he m i gh ty K e s h a va a n d bo t h
, ,

se tt i n g o u t for D va ra k a arri ved there o n t he sam e

,

d a y a nd fou n d S h ri K ri sh n a s l eepi n g D u ryod h an a

.

t here u po n ha ugh t i ly sea t ed h i m sel f o n a h an dsom e

sea t a t t he head of the bed wh i l e A rj u na bowi ng
, ,

h u m bl y to t he s leeper , s t ood wi t h j oi n ed h an d s at
H is fee t A s H e awaked H is eyes fel l fi rst o n
.
,

A rj u n a an d aft er greeti n g th em H e as ked t he reaso n

, , ,

o f t he i r v i s i t
. D u r y od h an a a nswered fi rs t cl ai m i n g
,

t he ai d of S h ri Kri sh n a i n t he i m pen d i n g wa r an d ,

u rgi ng co m pl i an ce w i th h is requ est o n the grou n d

t ha t he was the fi rs t t o as k assis t an ce The Lord .

ac cep t ed h is ass u ran ce t ha t he had arri ved fi rs t bu t ,

s ai d t ha t A rj u n a was the fi rs t t o be see n b y H i m o n

awak i n g ; H e shou l d t herefore h el p bo t h H e ha d .

a n army o f te n c rores o f m igh ty s ol d i ers t hat H e

wou l d gi ve t o o ne s u pp l i a n t ; H e H i m se l f u n armed
,

an d n o t fi gh t i ng H e wou ld g i ve t o t he o t her : A rj u n a
, ,

a s the you nger , had the righ t of c hoi ce ; yo u m ay ,

“
1 46 P E A CE OR WAR ?

t he men who had prepared for h is com ing bel i ev ing ,

t hem to be t he servan ts O f t he so n of Ku n t i D uryo ,

d hana p resen t ed h i msel f an d on bei ng offered any

, ,

t h i ng he wished pra y ed Shalya t o be t he leader Of h i s

,

army Thus en t rapped Shal ya was obl iged to con

.
,

sen t and wen t sad ly to the son s of P a n du to t el l

,

t hem o f t he prom ise he had been forced t o gi ve .

Y u dh ish th ira at once said he had d one righ t ly bu t ,

prayed hi m i f he d rove Kar n a i n a com ba t wi t h

,

A rj u na — as d oub t less he wo u l d bei ng e q u al to K ri h

, s

n a as a chari oteer — t ha t he wou ld d i scou rage Kar n a

and pro t ec t A rj u n a d am pi ng the spi ri ts o f K a rma by

,

p rais i ng hi s foe This S halya p rom i sed t o d o an d

.
,

d epar t ed wi t h h i s army t o D u ryod han a .

7 ,

8, 1 8 .

Mean wh i le t he troops were assem bl i n g from al l

si des t i l l seven Ak s h a uh i nis were ran ged u nd er t he
,

banner O f Y udh is h th ira wh i le n o less t h an el eve n

,

were arrayed u nder D u ryodh a n a D rup a da s pries t .

’

arri vi ng a t H a s ti na pu ra pl eaded the j ust i ce of t he

,

P a n dava s cause p o i n t i ng ou t th at t hei r patern al p ro

’

per ty had been usu rped by t he s on s o f Dh rita ra sh

b y frau d S u rel y i t were be tt er to restore to the m

.

t h e i r o wn, as had been p rom ised by the compac t ,

 WAR OR J U S TI CE 1 47

r ather than pl u nge i nto a ru i no us wa r B hi h ma .

s
.

S u p por t ed t he argu men t s Of t he p r i est bu t was ru dely

,

i n t erru p t ed by Kar n a an d t he d is pu te wa s wax i ng hot

,

whe n Dh ri tar a sh t ra in tervened d ism iss i ng t he pries t

,

c ou r t eou sly w i t h message t ha t he wou l d send S an

,

j aya t o the sons of P a n du aft er d ue de libe a t on r .

C al l i ng S a nj a ya,the bl i n d ki ng charged h im wi t h
m any com pl i men t ary mess ges t o t he i nj u red p ri nces
a ,

b u t prom i sed n o red ress and S a nj a ya i n de l i veri n g

,

t hese c ou l d on ly u rge peace o n general pri nc i p les

, .

Y udh ish t h ira rep l ied somewhat s t ern ly tha t n o o n e

w ished for war bu t t ha t the ki ng an d hi s sons were
,

forc i ng i t by t he d en i al of j u stice ; l et I nd rap ras t h a

be gi ven t o hi m S a nj
. a ya u rged t ha t i t wou l d be
bet t er to l i ve on al ms t han go to war a nd Yudh ish
,

t hi ra a p pealed t o Shr i K ri sh n a for h is dec isi on . Th e

Lord an swered i n weighty and i m parti al words poi n t ,

i ng o ut that j us t i ce l ay wi th t he P a n davas , an d
rem i nd i n g S a nj
a ya o f the d uty Of the K s h a ttriya .

Dee p ly i nj u red as they were they yet des i red peace

, ,

b ut n ot at the cos t O f d u t y H e con cl ud ed by sa y

.

i ng H e wou l d H i m sel f go to th e K u rus t o t r y t o

b ri ng abou t an agreemen t , else wou ld war i nevi t abl y
ens ue S a nj
. a
ya t hen prayed l eave to depar t a n d ,

was d ism issed by Yu dh ish th ira w i th the message :

“
That des i re Of th i ne wh i ch t o rme n ts thy heart , th e
1 43 P E A C E OR WAR
desi re of ru l i n g t h e K u rus wi thou t a r i val is ve r y ,

u n reasonabl e I t ha t h n o j usti fi cation A s fo r o ur

. .

sel ves , we wi l l never a c t i n su ch a way as to d o an y

thi ng t hat may be d isagreeabl e to thee O foremos t .

of heroes among the Bh a ra t as , ei t her gi ve m e ba c k

my own I ndrapras t ha o r figh t w i t h m e Then Yu
.

dh ish th ira added som e l ov i ng words to the o ld k i n g ,

B h i sh ma an d V idura ; to D u ryodh an a h e sen t a
m essage O f forgi veness for al l t he i n ju ries h e had done
t he m and for the i nsu l ts O ffered to K ri sh n a , bu t he
i nsisted that a share o f the k i ngd om m ust be restored
to them ; a s i ngl e prov i n c e n ay , even fi ve v i l lages ,
,

they wou l d accep t an d en d the qu arrel Let u s .

Then S a nj a ya departed and r etu r n ed

’
m ake peace .

t o the cou rt Of Dhri tar a sh tra 1 9 32

.
-
.

Lon g and d i scord an t was the d i s c u ss i o n that

fol l owed o n the re t u rn Of t he heral d and h i s d ra
m atic accou nt O f al l he h ad seen and hea r d B h i .

s h ma warned t he Ku rus that V a su deva an d A rj u n a

were N ara an d N a r a yana the warr i or G ods whom
,

n one m igh t hope t o defea t an d D ro n a p rayed the

,

k i ng to l isten to B h i sh ma s word s B u t the k i ng

’
.

t u rned from the m and enqu i red as to the for c es o f

t h e P a n davas an d t hen bewai l ed t he c om i n g ru i n
, ,

t hou gh cl i ngi ng to t he cou nsels o f hi s so n D uryo .

dhana at this encou r a ged h is fa t her ,d e c l ar i n g that he

 1 50 P E A CE OR WAR ?
t ake refu ge i n bu t he decl ared :
K e s h a va , I f the “

d ivi ne so n O f Devak i , u n i t ed i n frien dsh i p wi t h

A rj u na were to sl a y al l m an k i nd I can not even then
, ,

resign m y sel f t o K e s h a va I n despai r both fa t her

.
”
,

and m o t her reproached h i m , and V ya s a bad e the

k i ng hi msel f yiel d to J a n a rda na , the scene e nd i n g
wi th S a nja ya s p rocl ama t i o n o f t he n ames o f Shr i
’

K rish n a an d Dhri t arasht ra s resol u tion — al as ! no t

,
’

kep t — to place hi msel f i n the h ands o f the E ternal

O ne 4 6 70
-
. .

Meanwhi le the P a n davas o n thei r s i de were , ,

d iscussi ng t he matter and S hri K rish n a had d ecl ared

,

H is resolve to vis i t t he Ku r us i n order to try to

avert the i mpendi ng war Yu dh is h th ira at fi rst o b
.

j e c te d t o H is goi ng lest i nj u ry sho u ld befal l H i m , bu t

consen t ed on K e s h a va rem i n d i n g hi m t hat n one c ou l d

s t and before h i m i f H e arose t o s l ay ; H e poi nted
o u t t o Yu dh i s h th ira that , a s a K s h a ttri a he cou l d
y ,

no t con t i n ue t o s ubsis t o n al ms and th at W h i l e H e ,

wou l d s t ri ve to make peace , H e regarded war as

cer t ai n A nd now a su rpris i ng t h i ng o c c ure d Bhi ma ,
.

t he warl i ke and haugh t y Bhi ma sp oke i n favou r ,

o f peace l est they shou l d become the destroyers

,

o f t hei r race — s peech as u nexpec t ed as i f t he hi l l s

“

had l os t t hei r weight and fi re h ad become col d .

”

K e sh a va , l augh i ng , chi d hi m for h is g e ntl e mood

,
 D U TY N OT R E S U LT S 1 51

d ecl ari n g th at su ch a frame of m i nd i n h i m was d u e

t o pan ic a nd was a s s t range as ar t ic u l ate s p eech i n
,

k i ne
.
’
Bh i m a fi red u p angri l y a t t he t au n t , de c la r
i ng t hat he fel t no fear bu t on ly sought t he p reserva
,

t ion Of t he Bh a ra t as Then S hri Krish na gen t ly t ol d

.

h i m t ha t he wa s al l a son of h is warrior race shou ld be ,

'

bu t t h a t H e had t h us spoke n because a m an wo u l d

n ever do righ t ly wh o weighed the conseq uences o f h i s
ac t io n agai ns t h is du t y D u t y m u s t be d one, what
.

e ver t he appare n t res u l t .

It was i n the m on t h Of K a rti ka that Shr i Kr i sh na

set o u t o n h is momen t ou s m issi on to H a s tin a pura ,

a nd Dh ri t arash t ra heari ng o f h is com i n g co m m an d

, ,

ed the m ost splend i d p repara t ions t o be m ade for H is

recep t i o n O n t he way D u ryod hana at h is order
.
, ,

erec t ed magn i ficen t pavi l i ons at variou s s t ages , bu t

K e sh a va passed by t hem al l wi thou t cas t i n g a
,
“

s i ngle gl an ce at t he m V idu ra , i ndeed on heari ng

”
.
,

t he d i rec t ions o f the k i n g remons t ra t ed wi t h h i m for

,

h is i ns i n ceri t y d ecl ari ng t ha t he sough t t o wi n Kesha

,

v a by h is weal th a futi l e hope ! K e sh a v a wou ld accep t

,

n augh t save peace and gi ft s were o f n o avai l D u r

, .

yo dh a na warm ly s up ported V idu ra hold i ng that th is ,

was n o fi t season for shewi ng s peci al h on ou r t o

K e sh a va n ay he i m p iou sl y d ecl ared
, ,
t h is i ndeed is
“
, ,

a great r esol u tio n wh ich I have formed I wi l l i mpri .

1 52 P E A CE OR WAR ?
a na rda n a wh o i s the refuge O f the P a n davas
so n j , .

H o rri fi e d t he ki ng p ro t es t ed t hat H rish ik e sh a cam e

,

as an ambassad o r , wh il e B h i sh ma , c ryi ng o ut t hat

D u ryod han a wou ld be destroyed an d that he d ared ,

n o t l is t e n to su c h words , rose and left the pal ace .

71
-
87 1
Now Sh ri K rish na ap p roached H a s tina pura , an d
al l the sons Of Dhri tarash t ra , save D u ryodhan a wen t ,

o ut ,
w i t h B h i sh ma D ro n a an d K ri pa to bid H i m
,

w el com e H avi ng d on e d u e hom age to the k i ng H e

.
,

wen t t o the house of V idu ra an d t here saw the ,

bereaved m other Of t he P a n davas A fter a n atu ra l .

ou tbreak O f grief t he heroi c s p i ri t o f t h e K sh a ttriya

,

s poke ou t i n Ku nti an d she se nt to each o f her son s

,

“
a s ti rri ng message The ti m e for that even t is com e
i n vi ew for wh ich a K sh a ttriya wom an bri nge t h for t h
a so n I f you al low the ti m e to sl eep W i thou t you r
.

achiev i ng an y th i ng then though at presen t ye are

, ,

res p ected by al l t he world ye wi l l be on ly d oi ng that

,

wh i ch wou l d be regarded as con t em p tibl e A n d i f .

contem p t t ouches you I wi l l aban d on you fo r ever

, .

Wh en the t i m e cometh even l i fe , wh i ch i s so d ear,

shou l d be l ai d down C om for t i n g K u n t i Shri
.
,

K rish n a wen t o n t o se e D u ryodhan a an d greeted h i m

c ou rteously bu t , o n bei ng offered food , refused to eat
, .

D uryodhana , s p eak i n g g ently, b u t w i t h de c e i t fu l pur

1 54 P EA C E OR WAR ?
and po ssessed O f grave i m port t hen th at p ea c e wh i ch ,

i s M y Obj ec t wi l l be brou gh t abou t

”
I n th e m orn i n g .

H e wen t t o t he cou rt where t h e k i ngs were asse m bl ed ,

a s pl end i d array Of warri or ch iefs sh i n i ng w i th go l d

-

a nd gems and al l arose i n respec t fu l gree t i n g whe n

,

H e t he lotu s eyed a t ti red i n y e l low l i ke a d ark

,
-
, ,
“

gem mou n t ed i n gold a n d wea i ng t he blazi ng j ewel

”

,
r

K a ust u bh e ntered t he hal l

a, E very eye was fi xed o n
.

H i m and breathl ess s i len ce prevai led u n t i l H is voi c e , ,

“
deep as t he rol l O f c l ouds i n t he rai ny season broke ”
,

t he t en se s t i l l ness I n order t ha t O Bh a rata pea c e

.
“
, ,

may be es t abl ished bet ween the Ku ru s an d P a n davas

wi t hou t a sl aughter o f heroes I have come h i ther , .
’

H e began wi t h p lead i n g soo t h i ng word s d wel l i n g o n ,

t he i rresis t i ble s t rength wh i ch wou l d accru e to Dh rita

a h t a i f t he P a n davas wi t h h i s o wn sons were the
r s r

d fenders O f his t h rone B u t i f e i t he r were s l ai n

e .
,

where wou ld be h is happi ness ? Le t t he Ol d l ove re

vi ve wi t h whi ch a s ch i ld ren he had c heri shed them
, , .

Th e P a n davas had kep t t hei r pl edge d u ri n g t he

t h i r t een years O f ex i l e ; le t t he ki ng no w ke ep h i s .

S peaki ng i n t hei r name H e cried K nowi n g t ha t

, :
“

ou r obed ien ce i s d ue t o t hee we h ave q u ie t l y u n der ,

gone m u ch m iser y Behave thou t hen u n to u s l i ke a

.

fa t h er or bro t her . I f we go wron g i t i s the d u ty

.
,

o f our fa t her t o set u s ri ht There fore s e t us o n the

g .
 T H E PL E ADI N G FOR P E A C E 1 55

way and tread thou al so the ex cel l en t path

,
of right
e o u s ne ss . Pa t hetical ly
H e rem i nded Dhr it ar a sh t ra
o f t he wrongs i nfli c t ed o n t he sons O f P a n du an d O f

thei r patien t e nd u ran ce an d p rese n t w i l l i ngn ess t o for

g i.ve F or t he sake o f vi r t u e o f profi t
,
o f h appi ness
, ,

m ake peace 0 k i n g and do n o t al l ow t he ear t h s

’

, ,

pop u l a t i o n to be sl augh t ered regard i ng ev i l a s good

,

an d good as evi l Res t rai n t hy sons O monarch wh o

.
, ,

h ave fro m c ove t ou s nes s p roceeded t oo far A s re .

gards the sons o f P ri th a t hey are equ al ly ready t o

,

wa i t u po n thee i n d u t i fu l servi ce as to fi gh t Tha t .

wh ich seeme t h t o thee t o be for t hy good 0 chas t i ser ,

O f foes d o t hou ad op t
,
The s i l ver t ones san k i n t o
.

s i le nc e an d s t i l l ness agai n brooded ove r t he a s s e mb lv

,

t he ki ngs th i n k i ng w i t h i n them sel ves t ha t t h ere

“

was n o m an who cou l d d are rep ly t o tha t S peech .

”

A t l as t o ne Ri sh i aft er an o t her add ressed D u y o r

d han a gi vi ng hi m i ns t an ces O f t he d efeat Of t hose

,

i n t o xi ca t ed by pri d e N a rad a pl eaded l ong wi t h h i m

.
,

beggi ng h i m t o l i s t en t o fri en d s wh o wi shed h i m w el l ,

b u t al l was i n vai n The n Dh ri t ar a sh t ra begged t h e

.

Lord H i msel f to s tr i ve to pers u ade h is fool i sh an d

wi c ked so n and K e sh a va app roach i ng D u r y od hana
, , ,

spok e s wee t l y to h i m p rai i ng h i s good q ual i t ies an d

, s

p rayi ng hi m to t u rn f o m h is perverse wa y s and m k e

r a

p eace A l l wou l d t hen be ha p py an d he wou l d Obey

.
,
I 56 P E A C E OR WAR ?

h is fa t her and mother .

“
Peace w it h the P a n davas ,
O s i re recommends i tsel f to t hy fathe r
,
. Let i t there
fore , O ch ief Of the Ku ru s recom men d i tsel f
,
to t hee .

To fol l o w u n righteou s ness was to cou rt ru i n . Let

no t h is rel a t i ves an d the c h i e fs wh o fol l owed h i m be
slai n . Le t n ot peopl e sa y that thou art the ex t er
“

mina to r o f t h y race an d the destroyer of i ts achieve

men t s . H e m ight be l ord paramou n t w i th the c o n
”

sen t and su ppor t Of the P a n davas Mak i ng p eace .

“

wi t h t he P a n davas an d a c ti ng a cc ord i ng to the cou n

sel s of thy friends , an d rej oi ci n g wi t h them , thou art
s u re t o Obtai n wha t i s fo r thy good fo r ever an d ever .
”

B h i s h ma fol lowed , p rayi n g D u ryod ha n a n ot to s i n k

h is fa t her and m o t her i n an ocea n O f gri ef, an d D ro n a
p lead ed and V idura and Dhri tar a sh t ra h i msel f an d
, ,

agai n B h i s h ma and D ro na al l w i th l ov i n g word s a n d

,

gen t l e u rgi ngs bu t al l i n vai n D u ryodha n a s p oke

, .

fi ercel y i n reply d eclari ng h i msel f fau l tless , an d agai n

,

sayi ng that whi l e he l ived eve n th at mu c h o f o ur

“
,

l and wh i ch may be covered by the p oi n t of a shar p

need l e shal l no t, 0 M a d ha y a , be g i ven by u s u n t o the
P a n davas
”
Then rep l ied K e sh a va stern ly : Wi sh
.

e s t t hou for a bed of heroes ? Veri ly thou shal t h ave

i t wi t h t hy cou n ci l l ors ”
Thou art n ot , 0 si n fu l
.

m an wi l l i ng to gi ve them thei r pater nal share i n t h e

,

k i n g do m al th o u g h they a r e b e ggi n g i t of the e T h o u .

 1 58 P E A C E OR WAR ?
h i m O f K e sh a va s m igh t and th at n on e m i gh t se i ze
’

H i m by force aga i ns t H is wi l l Then K e sh a va , a d .

d ressi ng Du ryod ha na sai d Fro m d el usi o n O S uyo

, ,

d hana thou regardes t Me to be al one , an d i t i s for

,

t his 0 t hou of l i tt l e u nderstand i ng th at th ou see kes t

, ,

t o m ake Me a cap t i ve a ft er va nq u ish i ng Me w i th

v iole nce H ere ho wever , are al l t he P a n davas an d
.
,

al l t he V ris h nis and A n dh a ka s H ere a re al l t he .

Ad i t yas , t he Rud ras and the V a s u s wi t h al l t he

, ,

great Ri sh is ! A nd as the m ighty O n e l au ghed

”

a t H is pu ny foe , l o ! from ou t H i s body i ss ued

myriad forms Of Gods an d formed a bl az i n g hal o
rou nd H im an d A rj u n a s t ood on H i s righ t an d
,

R a m a on H is left, wi t h the fou r P a n davas beh i n d

H i m , and t he rol l o f d ru ms t hu n dered t h rou gh t h e
h al l and flowers fel l as rai n A n d as al l wond ered , .

t he d ivi ne gl ory v an i shed and K e s h a v a l e ft the cou r t

, ,

fi nd i ng ou t side H is wh i te chari ot await i n g H i m .

The n Dh ri t ar a sh t ra fol l owi ng ad d ressed H i m s ad ly

, , ,

pro t es t i ng h i s powerl essness t o control h i s sons an d ,

K e sh a va answered s t ernly and shor t l y ad d ressi ng the ,

grea t chiefs and the ki ng : Ye have you rsel ves wi t“

n e ss e d al l t ha t ha s happened i n the assem bly o f the

K u ru s , t he wi cked D u ryodhan a l i ke a n u ne du
ho w ,

c a te d wretch left th e cou rt i n anger an d how k i n g

, ,

Dhri tar a sh t ra al so des c ri beth h i ms e lf to be p owe rless .

 TH E LA S T T H ROW 1 59

W it h the perm i ssi on O f yo u al l , I w i l l no w g o bac k

t o Y udh ish th ira W i t h a grave sal u t e K e s h a va a s
.
”

c e n de d the chari ot an d wen t t o v i si t K u n t i wh o a gai n

, ,

sen t fi ery messages to her s ons , i n v i t i n g t hem t o bat t l e .

H e t he n cal led Kar n a and t ook h i m wi t h H i m a bri ef

way an d ,a ft er d is mis s i ng h i m d rove away l eav i n g
, , ,

the Ku ru s t o t hei r d oom The l as t t h ro w had bee n

.

m ade for peace a n d was l os t W ar wa sn ow i nev i

, .

t able . 87 1 36 ] -

B h i s h ma a nd D r o na l e ft beh i n d on ce m ore b e
, ,

sou gh t D u ryodhan a t o m ake peace ass u ri n g h i m O f ,

t hei r feal t y bu t pa t he t ical l y bewai l i n g t hei r e n forced

c o mba t w i t h the P a n davas , O f wh om , said D ro n a A r ,

j u n a was dearer to h i m t han h i s own s o n They were .

Ol d ; t he i r l i ves were over B u t h e was s ti l l y ou ng

.
,
!

and was fli ngi n g away fri ends k i ngdom an d l i fe , .

g 1 37 1 38
-
. I t i s someti mes asked why sh ou l d no t
,

B his h ma and those l i ke m i nded wi t h h i m have gon e

-

t o t he P a n davas an d fou gh t o n t he s id e where l ay

,

t hei r hear t s an d t he blessi ng O f t he God s ? B h i sh ma

above al l devo t ed to S hri K ri sh n a h o w co ul d h e l i ft
, ,

bow agai ns t H i m ? Bh i sh ma whose l i fe wa s t he sy m

,

bol of d u t y righ t eou s ness and j us t i ce how cou l d he

, ,

war agai ns t t he s i de t ha t em bod i ed t hese and on t h e ,

s i de arra y e d agai nst the m ? Ye t B h i s h ma a s t he ,

i ncarn ation O f d u ty never shone more brigh t ly tha n

,
 P E A CE OR WAR ?

i n t hese c l osi n g s c enes of h is l i fe A n d D r o n a ? H e

.

who had tra i ned A rj u na , who l oved n one as he l oved

h i m why shou l d h e go for t h to d o bat t l e wi t h h i m ?
,

Be c au se u nder al l trials i n al l t he ci rc u mstan ces o f

,

l i fe i n face O f hear t break an d death , d u ty m us t be

,
-

don e A nd for t he K sh a ttriya , d u ty Of co mbat fo r

.

h is k i ng for the cause of h i s c ou n try , was the s u

,
~

preme l aw Of l i fe The bod ies Worn by B h is h ma an d

.

D ro n a owed al legi an ce t o Dhri tarash t ra and h is so ns

t he y were h is su bj ec t s h is warri ors , h is c ou nc i l l ors ;
,

t hey had l i ved worked , fou gh t i n h is serv i ce al l h i s

,

l i fe t hrough N ot for pai n an d s u fferi n g n o t fo r

.
,

broke n hear t and ru i ned l i fe , c ou l d B h i sh ma an d

D ro na leave d u ty They m ust pay w i th thei r bod i es
.

t he deb t t hose bod ies owed Thei r l ove , thei r hop e s ,

.

t hei r reverence were wi t h S h ri K rish n a an d H i s

,

frien ds bu t thei r bod i ly s t reng t h t hei r warri or arm s ,

, ,

t hei r s ki l led brai ns t he i r m i gh t as l eaders , l ay at th e

,

fee t O f t he k i ng t o whom they h ad s worn al legi an ce .

N o t for t hem t o j udge O f the ri ght o r wro ng Of th e

q uarrel when war ou t broke ; thei rs to fi gh t where
t he i r karma had p laced them S O they got them .

read y for t he ba tt le to figh t ou t ward ly agai n s t th e

,

Lord t hey l oved hopi ng i t m ay be tha t i n t he

, , ,

s t ruggle a bol t from H i m m ight l ay t he m l ow t hat ,

t h e y m igh t d i e O f the wou nds O f l ove .

1 62 PEAC E OR WAR ?

i ncl ud ing H i msel f wou l d fol l ow h i m ; the s o ve r e ign ty

,

Of the earth shou l d be his an d the l ove o f h i s yo u n g

,

e r brothers Gen tl y bu t stead i ly , Kar n a pu t a w ay

.

the proffered ru l e an d happ i ness ; Ku n ti had aban

d o ued h i m , and th ou gh ,
of r i ght the e ld est son of

P a n du , he c ou l d n ot take u p the broke n bon ds o f

k i nsh ip H e owed everyth i ng to the S u ta Adh ira th a
.

a n d his w i fe d h a care i n i n fan cy p r otec ti o n in

, ,

ch i l dhood fatherly gu i d ance an d trai n i n g H i s wi ves

, .

were o f Adhira th a s choi ce ; sons an d gra n dson s had

’

bee n born to h i m By every t i e Of fa mily lo ve ,fi de lity,

.
,

he was bou n d to h i s ado p ted k i n a nd to the i r orde r .

TO D u ryod hana also wh o gave h i m a k i n g d om h e was

, ,

bou nd by grati tu de ; D u ryod hana was go i ng i nto th is

wa r depen d i ng o n h i m , and he was selec ted to meet
A rj u na i n s i ngl e combat A bove al l t he P a n davas
.
,

m ust not k now the story o f h i s b i r t h el se wou l d they ,

n ever fi gh t agai nst h i m o r a c cept t he k i n g d om Be .

s i des were the k i ngd om h i s , he wou l d gi ve i t to

,

D uryodhan a Yudh is h th ira w as worthy to be k i ng

.
,

and the k i ngd om was al ready p ra cti cal ly won The .

ba t tlefiel d wou l d be a sacri fici al pl at form where the ,

leaders wo u ld be the p riests , the warri ors t he Offeri ngs ,

arrows the sacri fi c ial l ad l s There wou l d he h i msel f

e .

be s l a i n by A rj u n a wh i le Bh i ma wou l d sl ay D u sh a
s a na a n d D u ry o dha n a F or a ll the ha rs h wor ds he
.
 L AST WORDS 1 63

h ad s p oke n to the s o n s Of P a n du h e w as c ons u med

wi t h re p en tan ce W i th o ne p rayer he ended
. Oh ! “

le t this s wel l i n g host Of K sh a ttriya s per i sh by m eans o f

weapo n s o n that mo st sacred Of al l spots i n t he th ree
w o rlds K uruksh e tra O K e sh a va ! 0 Thou o f eyes l i ke
, ,

l ot u s l eaves ac c om p l ish o n th is s p o t what Thou has t

-
,

i n Thy m i nd , so that , 0 Tho u Of V rish ni s race the ’

whol e K s h a ttriya o rde r may at t a i n to heaven G ra .

”

c io us ly the Lord a nswered h i m that wi t h the grea t

bat tl e th e a g es K rita , Treta an d Dva pa ra wou l d

v an i sh , an d H e bade h i m g o to B h i sh ma D ro na an d
,

K r ip a a nd say to the m the ti me was fai r and p leas an t

seve n d ays then c e was the d ay Of the ne w m oon ;
the n l et the battle j o i n a nd the warrio rs , Obta i n i ng
,
“

d e ath by wea pons , w i l l attai n to a n excel len t state .

F o r th us , i n t he c ou nsels Of the God s was the great

,

K sh a ttriya ord er to p as s from t he eart h , leav i n g i t to

the K al i Y uga Then Karn a worsh ipped K e sh a v a
.
,

a nd rel ati n g a v i s i on i n wh i ch he had seen t he P a n da

vas t ruimph a nt a n d o n ly As va tth a ma K ri pa and ,

K rita va rma n a s su rv i vors o f D u ryodhan a s army , he

'

spoke h i s las t wo rds to Sh ri Krish n a . I f, 0 K ris h

“

n a we c ome o ut wi th l i fe fro m th is great ba t t le

,

that wi l l b e s o d es tru c t i ve o f heroi c K sh a ttriya s ,

then 0 Thou Of m i ghty arms may we meet here

, ,

a g a in O th e rwi se O K ri sh n a w e s hal l c e r ta in ly
.
, ,
1 64 P E A CE OR WAR ?
m eet in heave n O s i n less one i t see m eth t o me no w
. ,

t hat t here only i t is p oss i bl e fo r us to meet Ha

”
~

v i ng spoke n these w ords Kar n a ti g htly pr e sse d,

Ma dh a va to h i s bosom Di s m i ssed by K e sh a va h e
.
,

the n des c ended from the c a r A n d r i d i n g o n h is .

o wn c a r de c ked w i th gold R a d h a s so n gr eat l y

’

, , ,

dej ec t ed c a me ba c k
,
S u ch wa s the l as t i n te r v i e w
.

betwee n Shri Kr i sh na and Ka r na ti l l they me t fa c e ,

to face on t he fi eld Of K uruks h e tra 1 39 1 4 2 ] .

-

O ne othe r p a i nfu l i n terv i e w h ad Kar n a t o fac e

o ne wi t h h i s own m other K u n t i so ugh t h i m a nd
.
,

prayed h i m to take h i s r i ghtfu l p l ac e a s K sh a ttriya

a nd P a n d ava and to be u n i ted wi th A rj un a a s wa s
,

K e sh a va wi t h Bal ar a ma H e r p l e ad i n g was re info rc

.

ed by a voi c e i ssu i ng fr om th e Su n Th e w o r ds sa i d
“

by Pri th a a re true 0 Kar n a a c t ac cor d i n g to th e

.
,

words o f thy mothe r 0 t i ge r a mo n g me n grea t

.
,

good wi l l r esu l t to thee i f thou fu l ly fo llo we s t t h o se

word s .
”
B u t K ar na s heart d i d yet n ot w ave r fo r
“ ’

he was fi rm ly devoted t o t rut h a n d h e a g a in r efu se d ,

to d e ser t h is fr iend s in the h ou r o f the ir dan g e r .

“
Th i s i s the t im e when al l those th a t h ave be e n s up
ported by Dh ri ta ra sh t a s son s s h o u l d e x e rt t he m
r
’

s el ves for thei r maste r s I shal l c erta i n l y a c t for

.

t hem re c k le ss Of even my l i fe T hose s i n fu l me n o f

, .

u n steady hea rt w ho w el l fed a nd we ll furnish e d by

, ,
- ~
1 66 P E A C E OR WAR ?
wa s sl a i n . 1 50W i th th e c lash o f a r ms , th e
bea t i ng O f d ru ms the blare o f c on c h es , c o n c l u des th e
,

Udyo ga Parva .

We Open the B h i sh ma Pa r va th e P arva th at tel l s

,

o f the te n d ays figh t i n g Of Bh i sh ma , an d co nta i n s

’

t he i m m or t al , the i ncomparable , B k a ga va d Gé tri ‘

.

V ya s a , com i ng to the bl i n d k i ng Dhri tar a sh tra ,

O ffered h i m s i ght to behol d th e battle ; bu t Dh rita
ra sh t ra , s h ri n k i ng fro m the seei n g Of sl au ghter the
,

Rish i bestowed o n S a nj a
ya celes t i al v isi on , that h e
m igh t d escri be to t he k i ng al l that occu rred , whethe r
i t hap pe ned by day o r n ight or was onl y thought o f
i n the m i nd A s to the res u l t Of the combat , v i ctory ,
.
‘

said the sage , i s there whe r e r i ghteou s ness i s

“
.
”

I Tru ly h owever wron g m ay seem to t ri u m p h ,

,

as i t d i d agai nst the P a n da vas , t ru th an d j u sti c e u l t i

m atel y carry al l be fore them O u tnu mbered by a
.

t hi rd the P a n davas were yet des ti ned to tri u m p h ,

,

accord i ng to words s p oke n by B rah m a i n a n othe r

com bat and q u oted by A rj u n a as the a rm i es we re
arrayed for bat t le They t h at are d esi rou s of v ic
.
“

tory d o n ot con q u er by m igh t an d energy so m u ch

as by tru t h com passi on , righteou s ness an d e nergy
, .

D iscri m i nati n g t hen between righteou s ness and u n

righ t eous ness , an d u n derstan d i ng wh at i s m ean t by
c ove t ou sn ess , and hav i n g re c ou rse t o exert io n , fi g ht
 THE G IV E R OF VI C TORY 1 67

wi th o u t a rr oga n ce fo r v i c tory i s there whe r e righ te

,

o u s ne ss is A n d N ar ad a h ad s ai d
.
”
There i s v ic tory “

where Krish n a is Then S hr i K r i s h n a bad e A rj u n a

.
”

hy m n D u rg a the G ve r o f v i c tory , an d he san g to

,
i

H er who l i fts H er wors h ip p ers above al l de feat an d

m isery above al l cal am i t ies A n d t he m igh t y Go d
, .

de s s ap p eared an d p r om ised A rj u n a t hat he shou l d

c onqu er h is foes an d A rj u n a mou n t ed o n h i s c har i o t
,

w i th K e sh a va as h i s char i oteer 21 2 .
-

D raw n u p by K e sh a va between t he two arm i es ere

the fl i g h t Of arrows be g a n A j una s l i on heart fal ter , r
’
-

ed a n d he san k des po nde n t o n the floor O f h i s c a r

, .

N ot fro m fear o r t he sight o f h is foes i n serr i ed array

, ,

no t fro m ter r or O f death n o r o f warr i or s c har g e

’
,

fa i led that hero i c heart B u t fo r the i m p end i n g.

sl au ghter o f relati ves O f c o m r ades o f boyhood s d ea r

, ,
’

c om pan io ns a nd the friend s Of matu re r yea r s ; fo r

,

B h is h ma m ore t han father for D ro n a p rece p tor b e

, , ,

l oved The i ro n h eart O f the warrio r broke w i t h

.

an gu ish I wi l l n ot fi gh t ! he cr i ed an d cast away

“ ”
,

h is bo w T he n the Lord to chee r h i m spake th e

. , ,

wo nderfu l So n g the So ng C el es ti al that u t t ered fi ve

, , ,

thousan d years a g o has s i n ce echoed fro m heart to ,

heart s weetes t an d lo ft i es t O f al l teach i ng gi ve n to

,

th ose wh o l ove th e Lord Shri Kr i sh n a s p ake the .

B /z a ga va d Gi ld . 25
1 68 P E A CE OR WAR ?
A n d now occ u r s a st ra n ge th i n g A s t he a rm i e s
.

a re r eady to e ngage , k i n g Yudhish th i ra th rows d ow n

h i s wea p ons , p u ts O ff h is arm ou r , an d w i th j o in ed

h a n ds a pp r oa c hes the h ost i l e fo r ce A l a r med A rj u n a
.
,

l ea p s d ow n to fol l o w hi m , an d the o the r brothers a n d

K e sh a va a n d al l the k i n g s fol l ow h i m , an d they c al l
a l oud a n x i ously , ask i ng h i m wh i the r he g oes Only .

K e sh a va says , s m i l in g , H i s Obj ect i s k n own to me ,

“

a n d ex p l a i ns i t to the p u z zl ed c h ie fs F rom the .

ene my ari se sh ou ts of d er i s i o n he i s afra i d , he seek s

shel ter The n al l i s s i len t a n d Yudh ish th ira ,u n a rmed ,
,

p resses th r ough the armed ran ks o f h i s foes t i l l h e

r ea c hes B hi sh ma , an d c l as pi ng h i s feet , he says : I “

sal u te thee , O i n v i nc i bl e on e ! W i t h thee wi l l we d o

battl e G r ant u s thy p e rmi ss i on in th i s m atte r G i ve
. .

u s al s o thy b l ess i n g A n d B h i sh ma bl essed h i m

”
.

wi th the p rom i se o f v i ctory, a nd bade h im as k what

b o o n he w ou ld : B ou n d a m I to the Kau ravas by
“

weal th B attle ex c epted , w hat d ost tho u d es ir e ?

.

The n Yudh ish th ira asked wh o m i g ht c o n q u e r h im i n

battl e , a nd B h i sh ma r e p l ied that n o n e m i g ht d e feat
h im so l on g as he fough t H ow the n co u l d he be .

s l a in ?
“
The t i me al so Of my death i s
n ot yet c o m e ,
”

a n s w e r ed B h i sh ma C ome to m e o nc e a g a in
.
“
.

The n Yudh ish th ira p a i d d ue h o m age to D r o n a wh o ,

t o l d h im h e co u l d on ly be s l a in w h e n h e c a s t a wa y
1 70 P EAC E OR WAR ?
d ow n c a m e an d d ark n ess saved the r ou ted Ku ru s
,

from h i s arrows O n the th i rd d ay the K u r u s were

.
,

agai n fly i ng from the ir foes whe n B hi sh ma stu ng to

, ,

fu ry at the S ight char g ed d ow n u p o n the P a n da v as

,

and changed the fort u n e Of the d ay The n as th e .

,

P a n davas i n tu rn gave way K e sh a va tu rned th e

,

s i l very steeds agai ns t B h is h ma s ons l au ght a n d

’

brough t A rj u n a to meet the grands ir e aga i n A rj u n a .

t he n atta c ked h i s beloved e ne my bu t w it h m i ld ness

, ,

hat i n g h i s tas k t i l l K e sh a va to sti ng h i m to e xerti on

, , ,

c al l ed H is m ighty d i s c u s an d wh i rl i n g i t o n h i gh l ea p t
, ,

from the c hariot a n d rushed at B h i sh ma who c ri ed ,

al ou d in j oyou s wel com e S l a i n he r e by thee O

,
“
,

Kri sh na great wi l l be my good fortu ne both in th i s

,

world and the next .B u t A rj u n a sh amed as he was

,

m ean t to h e , ran aft er K e sh a va , an d fl i ngi n g h is arm s

rou n d H i m , d ragged H i m bac k , p ro m is i n g to figh t
m ore e nerget i cal ly , an d K e s h a va too k u p the rei n s
agai n , an d the ba t tle raged fu r i ously ti l l set O f s un,
A rj u n a d r i vi ng al l before h im 4 8 59 ] Th us fo r
.
-

day aft er d ay t he c o mbatan ts fou gh t , a nd s u c cess

seemed so met i mes o n one s i de an d somet i mes o n the
o t her , yet wherever B h ish ma t u rned t he t id e O f battl e
,

flowed agai ns t the P a n davas Te n thousan d m en a

.

d ay he d estroyed ; he bl azed u p l i k e a fi re i n the

“

m idst Of a fores t an d con s u med h i s foe s 60 99 ]

.
”
-
 “
I WI L L SLAY T H E GRA N DSIR E ”
1 71

On the n i n th d ay the m ighty warr i o r was eve n m o re

i nv i n c i bl e than before , an d i t seemed a s th ou gh t he
l ot O f battle were to be fi nal ly cast agai nst the P a n da
vas . As even i n g w as app roachi n g K e sh a va o n ce
m ore h otly rebu ke d A rj u n a wh o was fi gh ti n g hal f
,

h earted l y an d who agai n , at H i s bi d d i ng , atta c ked

,

u nwi l l i ngly t he grea t chi e f ; a n d on ce mo re , as though

h opeless o f s t i m u l a t i ng H i s frien d i n any o t he r way ,

H e l eap t from the chari ot w i t h only whi p i n han d , an d

r u shed t hrou gh t he ba tt l e , th ough bu t robed i n yel l o w
s i l k , o n B h i sh ma . O n ce m ore th at n obl e warri or
w el comed d eath th reaten i ng fro m that bel oved ha n d
“
S tr i ke m e as thou p l eases t , for I am thy s l ave , O
s i n less o ne l A n d o n ce m ore , Arj u na shame s tr i c ken ,
”
,
-

c hec ked Sh ri K ri sh n a s onset : O Thou o f m ighty

’ “

a rms , s top O K e sh a va , i t b e h o ve th T hee n ot to m ak e

those word s false wh i ch Thou hads t spoke n be fore ,
I w i l l n ot fi ght : 0 M a dh a va , peopl e w i l l sa y th at
Tho u art a l ia r A l l th i s bu rde n res teth u p o n m e
. .

I wi l l s lay the grands i re I swe a r O K e sh a va , by

.
,

my weapo ns by tru th an d by my good deeds tha t ,

, ,

O s l ayer Of foes I wi l l d o a l l by wh ich t he d es t ru o

,

t i on o f my foes m ay be a c h ieved .
”
M a dha y a wrath
fu l ly re mo u n ted the car , a n d s t i l l B h i sh ma carried a ll
before h i m t i l l n igh t fel l o n the n i n th d ay o f com bat .

That n ig ht Yudh ish th ira so l ame n ted the s l au g h te r ,

 1 72 P EAC E OR WAR ?
that K e sh a va Offered t o th r ow as i d e h i s
prom ise a nd
H i msel f sl ay B h ish ma ; bu t the you ng k i n g ab i d ing ,

fi rm by tru th r e fused to al l ow K e sh a va to fals i fy H is

,

wo r ds H ad no t B h ish ma pro m i sed the m c o u n sel ?

.

H e m ight tel l them how to c om pass h is o wn death .

Let the m al l go to B h i h ma a n d as k h i s ad vi ce A n d
s , .

a b i tter c ry e nded the s p ee c h : We w ere ch i l d re n “

a nd o r phans .B y h i m were we reared O M a dh a va .

,

h i m ou r a g ed grand s i re I wi sh to s l ay — h i m the
, , ,

si re of o u r s ire ! O h ! fi e u p on the p ro fess i o n O f a

K e sh a va ap p roved the pro p osal a n d
”
K sh a ttriya ! ,

c as t i ng asid e thei r arm ou r and we p o n s K e sh a va an d a

,

the fi ve sons o f P a n du wen t o n to m ode rn v i ew the , ,

s tra n gest o f errands to as k B h ish ma h o w they m igh t

,

s l ay h i m i n ba tt l e B h ish ma gave the m wa r m we l

.

c ome and Yudh ish th ira gen tly p u t befo r e h im the t e

q u est to adv i se them h o w to br i n g abou t h i s own
’

defeat and d eath B h i s h ma an s we r ed th at wh i l e

.

he l i ved they cou l d n ot c o n q ue r b u t that they m i gh t ,

s tri ke h i m as they wou l d Yu dh ish th i ra dec lar ing .

that they c ou l d no t slay h i m B h i s h ma c al m ly g av e ,

them h is o wn death warran t fo r to m e n l i ke B h i sh ma

-

there i s on l y one w i l l the wi l l o f the S u p re me Lo r d

, ,

a nd they hol d themsel ves as H i s wi thou t an x i ety ,

o r w i sh o f the ir o wn There w as a m ighty warr i o r

.

a m on g the m n a m e d S hi kh a ndin; he had bee n a fe m a l e ,

1 74 P E A C E OR WAR ?
and perfo r m sac ri fi ces al l w i thou t m al ic e
, H av ing .

set t led al l wi th B h i s h ma s perm i ssi o n , the P a n davas

’

a nd t he Lord reti red to awai t the d awn i ng o f the

,

ten t h d ay o f bat t l e , the d ay o f sac ri fi ce o n w h i c h

B h i sh ma was to be the gl ori ous v i ct i m a n d A rj u n a
the sacri fici ng p ries t . l oo

A t s u nr i se S h ikh a ndin s d i v i s ion ad va nc ed a g a i ns t

’

B h i sh ma and B h i sh ma c harged agai nst i t bu t m o c k

, ,

i ngly refused to ai m a bl o w at it s l eade r , si n c e he

was s ti l l the wom an G od had m ad e h i m G reate r .

than ever s hone forth B h i sh ma on that l ast d ay O f

battle , cri mson i n g al l a r o u n d h i m l i ke the sett ing s u n .

N one c ou l d stand before h i m save A rj u n a , wi th h i s

wh i te steeds that were as the s teeds of Death , a n d
S h ikh a n di n whom h e wou l d no t s m i te D is regard ing
.

S hikh a n din, he shot o n ly at A rj u n a A s s un set d re w

.

near , B h i sh ma , k nowi ng that death m igh t no t tou ch

h i m save by h i s o wn w i l l , s poke w it h i n h i msel f : I “

sh o u l d no w, however, w i sh m y own d eath , th i s be ing

the proper h o u r .
”
Then the Rish is an d the V a sus,
who watched the battle, c r i ed to h i m : That w h ic h “

has been resol ved by thee i s a pp roved by u s al so , O

son Act accord i ng to thy resol u t i o n , 0 k i ng W i th
. .

”
d raw thy heart fro m battle A nd a s weet breeze
.

breathed fragran tly o n the hero , a nd a flowery shower

fel l I n va in a rro ws r a in e d on h im from a ll o th e r
.
 B H i SH M A FALLS 1 75

co mbata n ts ; he stood u n m oved B u t fo r Arj u na s .

’

sh aft s h is will m ad e way an d they p ierced h i m

.
,

through an d th rou gh S m i l i n g he sa i d to D u sh a
.
,

s an a : These ar r o w s c ou rs i ng towards m e i n o ne
conti n u ous l i ne whose t ou ch re s e mb le th that Of hea
,

v en s b O
’
lt, h ave bee n shot by A rj u n a S ave the
h eroi c w i el de r O f G a ndi va , the ape ba nn e r ed J ish nu -
,

eve n al l o t her k i ngs u n i ted t ogether c an not cau se m e

p a in .
”
The a rrowy showe r c on ti n u ed ti l l there ,
“

was n ot i n B h ish ma s b o d y s p a c e O f eve n t wo fi ngers

’ ’

b read t h that was n ot p ierced wi t h arro ws And a .

”

l i tt le be fore s u nset he fel l fro m h is c h ari ot h i s head ,

to the eas t , so t rans fi xed w it h arrows that h i s body

c ou l d no t tou ch the gr o u nd an d he l ay, u p hel d by
,

s hafts o n a bed o f a rr o ws Wh i l e fal l i ng he m arked

, .
,

that the s u n was i n h i s sou the r n p ath a n d heaven ly ,

v o ic es c r i ed : Why Oh ! w hy shou l d Gan ga s so n

“
,
’

that fore mos t O f al l warr i ors w i th weapons y i el d ,

u p h is l i fe d u r i n g the sou thern d e c lens i o n ?

”
And
he c ried al ou d I a m al i ve ! an d s u ffered ”

n ot h is senses to d e p art Then Gang a sen t the

.

g reat Rishi s to h i m i n s w an l i ke forms , an d they

repeated the s am e q uest i o n . And B h ish ma sa i d : “
I
w i l l never p ass o ut as l on g as the s un is i n the sou the rn
path E ve n th i s i s m y resol ve I w i l l p ro c eed to m y
. .

own a nci e n t a bo d e w he n the sun r e a c he th th e nor th

1 76 P E A CE OR WAR ?
e m p ath The boo n th a t was g r a n t e d to m e by
m y i l l us tr i ous s i r e , that m y death w ou l d depe nd o n
m y ow n wish , Oh ! l et that boo n be c o m e t r u e I wi l l .

hol d my l i fe , s inc e I have c o n t r o l i n th e m atte r of

l ay i n g i t do wn
”
.

T he n the r oa r o f b a ttl e c ease d a nd al l m e n l a i d

d o w n the ir w eapons a n d the ve r y su n gre w d i m a nd
, ,

earth bewai led h i s fal l Th e k i ng s o f both arm ies

.
,

p u t t i n g Off the ir a rm ou r a pp ro a c hed h im r eve r en tl y

,

an d d i d h i m hom a g e a n d he greeted the m w it h b less

,

i n gs Then h i s head hang in g d own he a s ked fo r a

.
, ,

pi l l o w bu t w he n they br ou g ht s o ft a n d del i cat e

,

p i l l o w s he p u t the m as i de l a ug h ing : T hese ye

, ,
“
,

k i ngs d o n ot beco m e a he r o s bed

, A n d see in g
’
.

A rj u n a s ta n d ing by he sa i d O Dh an an j aya O tho u

, ,

o f m i ghty a r ms m y head ha ng eth d o wn O S i re !

, .

gi ve m e a pi l l o w s u ch as th ou r e g a r dest to be fi t
, .
”

The n A r j u na bl i nded w i th tears took th r ee kee n

, ,

shaft s a n d bl essed the m wi t h m a n t r as to s u p po r t

B h i sh ma s head a n d the he r o s m i led w el l p l eased
’
-
, ,

Th ou has t gi ve n me O so n o f P a n du a pi l l o w that
, ,

beco m eth m y bed E ve n th us 0 m i ghty a r m ed ,

o ne , shou l d a K sh a ttriya obse r van t o f h is d u t ies

, ,

sl ee p o n the fi el d o f battl e o n h is bed o f a rr ows .

”

A n d h e bade the m d ig a d i tch r o u n d the p l a c e w here

he lay a n d c eas e from fi gh t ing Re fusing th e o ffic es
, .
1 78 P E A C E OR WAR ?
t o thee F or fea r o f i ntest i ne d i sse n s ions , I al wa ys
.

s p o ke harsh word s abou t thee . A n d he pr a i sed h i m

”

as equ al to A rj u n a , an d bade h im u n i te wi th h i s o wn
brothe r s , the hero ic sons O f P an du B ut th i s Ka r n a
.

c ou l d n ot d o to the end he m ust fig ht the P an davas .

“
G ra n t me thy p e r m i ss ion , 0 he r o I wi l l fi gh t E ve n
. .

th i s i s my wi sh I t be h o ve th thee t o fo rgi ve me al s o
.

a n y h arsh word s that I m ay at any t i me h ave utte r ed

a g a in st thee , or a n y a c t th at I m ay have d o n e a g ai n st
thee fr o m an ge r or i n cons i de r ate n ess T he n B h i s h ma
.
”

gave h i m l eave F i gh t , m oved by the d es i re o f

.
“

h eave n W i thou t a ng e r a n d w i th o u t v in d ic t i ve n ess

.

se r ve thou the k i n g ac c o r d ing t o thy pow e r a n d thy

,

c ou ra g e , a n d observa n t O f th e con d u c t o f the r ight

eo ns . I n p eace the o l d fo es p arted a n d Ka r na w e n t
11

ba c k to D u ry o dhan a , l eav i n g B h i sh ma to p ay h i s l ast

d ebt O f agony w i th the body that , thou g h r ig htl y, had
yet f ou gh t a g ai nst r ig hteou s n es s, wai ti ng p at i en tl y
t h e a pp o i nted e n d ing , the w i l l i n g v ic t im on h is co u c h

o f pai n .
 C H APTER VI I .

T H E SI N OF YUDH I SH TH I RA .

S a dly withdra wi ng
, from B h is h ma , leav ing h i m
to hol d death at bay, the k i n g s p re p a r ed t o res u me
the in ter r u p ted battl e B ut w ho shou l d rep l a c e the
.

g rands i re the hero, the m i g ht i est warr ior O f the K u r u

,

h osts ? A ll hea r ts tu r ned to wards o ne m a n , the m an

w h o for te n d ays had stood as i de from b at tle , an d
o ne cr y ar o se , Kar n a ! Kar n a ! Ka r n a was wi l l i ng
“ ”

t o fig ht , bu t fir st sou g h t B h i sh ma s p erm i ss ion , w ho

’

b ade h i m g o in t o the battl e , an d D u ryodha n a p ray

ed h i m to lead the army i n B h ish ma s s tead u n l ess ’

he th o u gh t some othe r c h i ef sh o u l d b e c h o se n K ar n a .

ad v i sed the k i n g to a n o i n t as c om ma n de r i n c h i ef - -

th e on e w ho h ad ta ught the m al l the u se O f weapon s

a n d w h o m the r efore al l w ou l d c heerfu l ly fol l ow , D ro na
the g reat p re c e p to r A l l the k ing s ha i led the s ugge s
.

t i o n w i th del i ght , an d D r o na , a cc e p t i n g the l ead ersh i p

wa s d u ly i ns tal led , a n d set the army i n ar r a y fo r the
el eve n th t i me a g a i n st the fo e Th e even ts Of h is
.

l eadersh ip a r e n arrated in the D ro na P a r v a E re re .

c om me n ci n g the battl e , D ro na O ffe r ed D u ryodha n a

a boo n , an d he c h ose the c aptu re o f Yudh is h th ira ,
cr a ft i l y s ay ing that th e s l au g hte r of th e y o u ng k ing
1 80 TH E S I N OF YUDH I SH TH I RA

wou l d leave h is b r others

in h i s s tead wh o w o u l d
avenge h i m bu t h is captu re al i ve wou l d kee p the m
,
-

i n Obed i en ce to the ir el d e r and he c o u l d a g a i n ex i l e

,

them by anothe r vi c tory at d i ce D ro n a dec lare d .

t hat Yudh ish th ira cou l d o n ly be captu red by d ra wi n g

A rj u n a away from h is s i d e an d the P a n davas hea r
, ,
:

i ng O f this p l ot ar r an g ed thei r own p l ans to c ou n teract

,

i t A rj u na swear i n g that D r o na shou l d no t sei ze Yu

,

dh ish th ira wh i l e h e was l iv i n g al though he c ou l d ,

no t h i msel f s l ay h i s teacher Wi t h thi s c e n t r e o f

.

com bat the ca p tu re of Yudh is h th ira the stru g gl e

, ,

reco m men ced Ma n y deed s o f p ro wess we r e d o n e

.

o n both s i des Abh i ma nyu Arj u na s gl or i ou s so n

’

, , a ,

mere boy fi ght i ng des p erate d uel s w i th Pa ura va

, ,

ra th a an d Sha l ya wh i l e Bh i m a s R a kshasa so n
’

jy a a d , ,

Gh a to tk a c h a performed p rod ig i es of val ou r

, Mea n .

wh i l e D ro n a d rawn by S p le n d i d c hes n u t steeds had

, ,

m ad e a tremend ou s on s l au gh t i n the d i rect i on Of Yu

dh ish th ira an d tram p l i n g d ow n a ll o p pone n ts h e
,

reached the c ar Of the you n g k i n g S hou ts Of vi c tory .

fro m the K u rus re n t the ai r as they thou ght Yudh ish

,

th i ra was c aptu red ; bu t 10 ! the wh i t e steeds Of

A rj u n a g u ided by K e sh a va co me fl ash i n g a c ross the
, ,

fi el d wi t h t he rattle Of thu n der a nd Dhananj aya ,

rou t s the m d ri vi n g the m i n every d i r ec t ion as the

, ,

s un sets on the el e v e n th d ay . 1
 1 82 T H E SI N OF YUDH I S H TH I RA

no t s l ay i t from beh in d bu t tu rn ed a g a in t o fa c e it .

The n B h a ga da tta fl u n g a weapo n at A rj u n a , an d

K e s h a va , throw i n g H i mse l f i n fr on t O f H i s frie n d ,
recei ved t he bol t u po n H i s b r eas t , and i t be c ame there
a tri u m phal g a r l and B u t A rj u n a re pr oa c hed h is
.

d i vi ne C har i otee r for H i s in terfe r ence , on ly pe rmi s

si bl e were he o ve rc ome , th i n k i n g h i m sel f shame d
by s u ch de fen c e Then S h r i K r i sh n a g en tl y tol d h i m
.

that th i s wea p o n , the Va i sh nava , mig h t be tu rn ed

asi de by n one save by H i msel f, fo r i t w a s H is o wn ,
gran ted on ce in boo n t o the E a r th fo r he r so n , fro m
whom B h a ga da tta h ad r ece i ved i t I n v inc i bl e whi l e
.

he hel d i t , he had n o w th r ow n i t a way , a nd A rj u n a

c ou l d s l ay both m o n a rc h an d el e p ha n t Whe n at .

l ast n i gh t fel l an d c l osed th e twel fth d ay s battle , the ’

P a n davas hel d the fi el d a n d D r o n a s pr om i se t o s e i ze ’

Yudhish th ira was ye t u n fu l fi l led 17 .

The th i rteen th d ay was the d ay fo r the r et u rn Of

V a rc h a s t o S var g a —h e who was b orn a s Abhima nyu
O f Shri K r i sh n a s s i ste r S ubh a dra — a n d the g l or y o f
’

t he d ay was w o n by th i s hero ic boy S c a rc e o u t O f .

chi ld hood , b u t s i xtee n years o f a g e , he fough t l i ke

a ve te ra n and c arr i ed al l be fore h im A rj u n a wa s .

a g ai n chal le n g ed and d raw n a w ay , and h i s you n g

s o n was h i dde n by Yudh is h h i ra to l ead the c ha r ge
t
a gai n st D ro n a r my d v a nci n g in circ u l a r form
'

s a , a a
 AB H I MAN YU S
’
H E ROIS M 1 83

that on l y A rj u n a K e sh a va Pra ddyumna a n d th i s l ad

, ,

k n e w h o w t o b reak They w ou l d al l fol l ow h im bu t

.
,

o n ly h e c o u l d b r eak the a rr ay Abh i ma nyu j oy fu l l y

.

a cc e p ted the t as k p r o u d of h i s fathe r a n d h is moth er s

’

br o the r a n d vow ing in the i r n ame s t o c o n q ue r he

, , ,

bad e h is rel u c ta n t c har i otee r d ri ve h i m aga i nst the

fo e,
“
l i ke a n i n fa n t l i o n a ssa ilinga he r d o f elepha n ts .
”

The fu ry of h i s o n set b r oke the a rr ay a n d h e fo ugh t ,

s i ngle ha n d ed a g a in st D r o na an d h i s s on K r i pa
-
, ,

Kar n a a n d others wh o r es c u ed D u ryod ha n a fr om h i s

,

a ssau l t .The n D ush a sa na was d i sabl ed by h i m Kar ,

n a s b r othe r s l a i n a n d Ka r n a h im sel f d r i ve n fr om
’

the fi el d by the he roic boy A t l as t J a ya dra th a the

.
,

ru le r o f th e S indh us c he c ked the ro u t o f the K u ru s

, ,

bu t s t i l l n o ne co u l d s tan d aga in s t Abh ima nyu D u r ,

yo dh a na be ing a g a i n beate n ba c k o h i s se c on dn

attem p t H i s son L a ksh ma na was s l a in whe n he

.

assa i l ed the you ng wa rri or whose o nset i t see med i m

,

p oss i bl e t o c hec k The n s i x c a r war ri ors D ro na

.
-
,

Ash va tth a ma Kri pa K a r n a K rita va rma n a n d Vr i :

, , ,

h a dva la al l ru shed u p o n the bo y to g e t he r wh i l e

, ,

J a ya dra th a ke p t o ff al l su cc ou r by char ging a g ai nst

Yudh is h th ira . S ti l l th e you th hel d h i s own t i l l ,

D ro n a bade Kar n a c u t h i s bow to p ieces w i th a rrows ,

a n d K rita va rma n sle w h i s horses K r i pa h i s two char i,

o tee rs c arless a n d bow l ess h e sn at c hed u p sh i e l d a n d

,
1 84 T H E SI N OF YUD H I S H TH IRA
s wo rd,a nd whe n these were b r oke n by th e a rr o w s o f h is
wel l armed foes , he c au gh t u p a car whee l a n d ru shed
- -

w i t h i t u p raised at D ro n a Th i s be i ng sh i vered i nto

.

p ie c es by h i s assa i l an ts , he sei zed a m ace , an d d r i v i ng

A s va tth a ma before h i m , beat d ow n the ho r ses and
s teeds Of D ush a sa na
’
s so n. I t was h i s l ast t r i u mp h ;
B oth c ombatan ts fel l to the g rou nd , a s ea c h l evel led
a bl ow at h i s a n tagon i st , an d D ush a sa na ’
s s on , r i s i n g
fi rs t s tru c k Ab h i ma nyu on th e head a n d the b oy
, ,

o f hero ic arm s w en t hom e 33 4 9 ]

”
-
.

Th e battl e c eased wi th Abh ima nyu s fal l a nd

’

great was th e g r i ef o f Yudh ish th ira wh o had p u t o n ,

h i m the tas k o f p enetrat i ng I n to th e h osti l e army a n d

then had fa i led to su pp ort h i m H ow sho u l d he fa c e
.

the bereaved A rj u n a an d tel l h i m h i s favou r i te so n

w as dead ? V ya sa came a n d con soled the d istressed
k i n g rel at i n g t o h i m the ori g in of d eath a n d the
, ,

s tori es o f m any k i ngs wh o h ad fal l en a prey to the

God dess , and tel l i n g h i m that no wi se m a n g r i eved
fo r the d ead ; the l iv i ng m an shou l d th i n k of the
“

j oy , the gl o r y a n d the h app i ness of the dead Th u s .

sayi ng the holy V ya sa d i sappea r ed a n d th e k i n g wa s

,

c o m forted bu t st i l l , w i th a mel a nc holy heart h e

,
“

as ked hi msel f say in g What sh a l l we say u n t o Dh a

, ,
‘

jy
na n a a ? 0 —
5 7I ] .
1 86 T H E SI N OF YUDH I S H TH I RA

fearfu l o ath , conc l u d i n g by a de c l a r at i o n th at if the

n ex t d ay s s u n shou l d set w i tho u t h is h av i n g sl ai n
’

h is foe he wou l d h i msel f

,
“
e n te r the bl az ing fir e .
”

N ews of th i s be i n g c ar ri ed t o ja ya dra th a , he be c a m e
wi l d wi th fea r a n d sou g h t t o l eave the c am p , bu t wa s
pers uaded to r e ma in by pro m i s es o f p rote c t ion .

D r o n a tol d h i m , in a n s we r to h i s ea ge r q uest i on ing,

that al tho ug h bo t h he a n d A rj u n a h ad r e c e i ve d the
s ame tea c h ing, in c o n seq uen c e of Y o g a an d th e
“

h ard l i fe led by A rj u n a , h e i s s u p e ri o r t o thee

.
”
B ut
he h i msel f w ou l d g uard h im , a n d for m a n a rr ay tha t
P artha co u l d no t pi e rc e .
72

Mea nw hi l e K e sh a va h a d s te rn l y re b u ked A rj u n a
fo r m ak i n g s o r ash a vo w w i th o u t seek ing H i s co u n se l .

I n c onseque nc e of th i s s ix o f the gr eatest Ku ru wa r

riors wou l d be p l a c ed in fr o n t o f J a ya dra th a , a nd h e
wou l d be kept in the c e n t r e o f a n ar r ay d i ffi c u l t to
p i e rc e
. H oweve r , H e set H im sel f to th i n k h o w
A rj u n a m ig h t be s aved fr o m fai l u r e on the morro w,
a nd g ave o r de r s t o pre p are H i s o wn ch a ri ot an d we a

pon s in c ase o f n eed The n , as A rj u n a s le p t , K e

.

shava a pp ea r ed to h i m a n d d raw i ng h i m fr o m h is
,

bod y took h i m to Kai l a sa , where Mah a d eva s at i n

S ple nd ou r , a n d S hr i Kr i sh n a and A rj u n a w o r sh ipp ed
the S u p reme an d obta i ned from H i m the g reates t o f
,

H is wea pon s , the Pa sh upa ta , for u se o n th e morro w,

 AR J U N A FOIL E D 1 87

a nd the n r e tu r n ed rej o i c i n g su r e o f v ic t or y
,
.
75
Te fou rteenth d ay o f battle d awned , an d A rj u n a ,
leav i n g Yudhish th ira i n the care of S é tya k i sou gh t ,

J y
a a d ra th a i n fu l fi l m en t O f h i s vow . H e had fir s t t o
b reak h is way t hrou g h the el epha n t d i v i s ion , an d
pu t t i n g th i s to r ou t he c ha r ged o n D ro n a sal u ti n g ,

h i s p re c e p to r r eve r en tly a n d the n a ssai l i ng h i m , s inc e

,

he was the p rote c to r o f ja ya dra th a . I n va in , h o w

ever , A rj u n a fou ght aga i n st h i s p re c e ptor , an d at l as t ,
u r g ed by K e sh a va , he evaded h i m a n d sou g ht by

m ak i n g a ci r c u i t to r ea c h h i s foe . O p p o sed by
S h ruta yush a and Ac h yuta yush a , A rj u n a w as fo r a fe w
m o m en ts o ve rp owered an d sa n k fai n t in g a g a in s t h is
fla gsta ff, b u t re c over i n g , he s l e w h i s foes a n d a g ai n
fou g h t h i s way o n ward . A t l en g th h i s steeds b e i n g
w ou n ded a nd weary A rj u n a left h i s c har i ot a n d fa c ed
,

the rush i n g wa r char i ots on foot , w h i l e K e sh a va

bathed a n d r efr eshed the horses as thou g h no foe were
n ear ; the n , r e m ou n t i n g , he a gin fau g h t h i s way o n
w a r ds , though O pp osed by D u ryod ha n a , en c ased
i n arm ou r m ade i n vu l nerable by D ro na s man tras ’
.

Mea n wh i l e Yudh ish th ira had bee n r ende r ed carless

by D ro na , a n d w as on ly s aved from captu r e by the
he r o ic S é tya ki, who the n , at Yudh ish th ira ’
s order ,
fol lowed A rj u n a , an d su cc eeded i n b reak i ng t hro ug h
D ro na s d i v ision a nd s lay ing D ro na s c h a rio t e e r s o
’ ’

,
1 88 TH E SI N OF YUDH I S H TH I RA

that h i s s teed s ra n a w ay wi th h i m B h i m a als o p e r

.

formed p rod igies Of val ou r ; h e c ru shed the c hari ot

o f D ro n a wi th h i s m a c e , so that D ro na o n ly saved
h is l i fe by leap i n g from i t , an d he d rove Kar n a fro m
the field That warri or r etu rn i ng , the d u el re c o m
.

me nc e d, a nd on ce , whe n B hi m a h ad Kar n a at h i s
m ercy, he refra i n ed fro m sl ay i n g h im , r eme mberi ng
A rj u na s vow
’
an d a g a in , w he n the p os i t i o ns we re
reversed Kar n a spared B hi m a , be c au se of h is p rom ise
to K u n t i B u t the s u n was g o i n g d ow n , an d Arj
’
. u na s

v o w was s ti l l u n fu l fi l led , wh i le
J a ya dra th a was h id de n
fro m h i s sigh t by h i s g u a r d s The n K e sh a va , by
.

Yoga S hro uded the s u n , so that i t see med to be se t

,

t i n g a rid J a ya dra th a , th in ki n g h i msel f safe , ex p osed

,

h i m sel f to v i ew A n d A rj u n a r u shed toward s h i m

.

a nd s c attered h i s d efenders , pi e rci n g h i s s i x pro te c

tors w i th h is shafts the n he too k u p a te r r i ble arro w ,
m a n tra i nsp i red , an d shot at J a ya dra th a , a n d — war n
-

ed by K e sh a va that the m an who m ad e J a ya dra th a s

’

h ead fal l on the grou nd wou l d , by a vow o f h i s

father s , have h is o wn head s p l i t i n to fragm en ts —c u t
’

t i n g o ff wi th th i s shaft h is en emy s head , he s p ed i t

’

al ong w i th other arrows ti l l i t fel l in to h is ow n father s

’

l ap who ,
, ri s i n g let the head fal l to the grou nd an d
,

h i msel f p er i shed u n der h i s own c u rse Th us was.

ja ya dra th a sl a i n an d Arj una s vo w fu l fi l led a n d as

’

,
1 90 THE SI N OF YUDH I S H TH I RA

shatte r ed by h i s ow n a c t M i d ni ght had com e , a nd

.

the wa r r i o r s , exhau sted , w ere fal l i n g as lee p , eve n as

they fou g ht , s o Arj u n a s tayed the battl e, un t i l the
ri s ing o f the moon . 83 1 85] -

The battle a g a i n b r oke ou t w i th u n abated e n e rg y ,

a n d the fi ftee n th d ay w as d i s ti n g u i shed by a fi e rc e
d uel betwee n D r o n a a n d A rj u n a in wh ic h n e i ther
c ou l d g ai n a n y adv a n ta g e T hen , avo i d i n g ea c h othe r,
.

they attacked othe r fo es , an d the s l au g hter c o n t i n u ed

t i l l K e sh a va s u gg es ted that some o ne shou l d tel l
D ro na th at Ash va tth a ma was s l a in .Th i s A rj u n a
refused t o d o , bu t B h i m a , s l ay i n g a n ele p ha n t c al led

by that same n a me , c al led ou t t o D ro na , Ash va t “

th a m a h ath b een s la in — w o r d s tru e in fa c t b u t false

i n the se n se c o n veyed by the m D r o n a sta gge red fo r
.

a m o m e n t , bu t re c ove r ed h im sel f, th i n k i n g the n e w s

u n tru e
. The n m any g reat Rish i s cri ed t o D r o n a
that h i s h o u r had co me fo r q u i tt ing the wor l d o f m e n ,
a nd as D h rish ta dyumna , h i s dest in ed s l aye r, ap p ea r e d
be fore h i m , h i s heart be c am e c hee r less S O he s e n t.

to enq u i re o f Yudh ish th ira wh o he ,

“
,
fi rml y bel ieved
wou l d n ever s p eak a n u n t r u th eve n fo r the
s overe i gn ty of the th ree w orl ds , whether h i s so n
were sl a i n or n ot N o w K e sh a va ad v i sed Yudhis h
.

thi ra to say that D r o n a s so n was dead What S h ri

’
.

K r i sh n a ad v i sed the t e l l ing o f a l i e ? aye, th us H e

 TH E LI E 1 91

te s ted the r eal i ty o f Yudh ish thira s l o v e of t r uth

’
.

Dee p h i d d e n i n the n at u r e o f Yudh ish th ira the r e wa s

a w eak n ess a d i s p os i t i o n t o r ely too m u c h on others
, ,

to sh rin k from tak i n g res p on s i b i l i ty a n d s ta n d i n g

a l on e Righteou s g e n tle e nd u r i ng bl amel ess i n l i fe
.
, , , ,

th i s we a k ne s i n h is in n e r n at u r e r e mai ned an d i t
s
,

w as n o w t o be brou g h t to th e su rfa c e a n d t o c au se h i s
‘

fal l ;h e was tested an d h e fai led A l ou d he said ,

.

“
Ash va tth a ma i s dead , u tteri n g bel ow h is b r eath
the wo r ds the el e p h an t , tel l ing a l i e wi th h i s heart
“

a n d see k i n g to m a in tai n o u te r tru th fu l ness a s ub te r ,

fug e wor se tha n a bol d ly s p ok e n fal seh o od A s he .

s p ake , h i s steed s a n d char iot , th at had bee n w o nt to

r e m a in fou r fi nge r s b r ead th above the g rou n d , s an k
’

d o wn an d t o u c hed the earth — m u te bu t el oqu e n t

test i m on y to h i s fal l Y et by that fal l a n d the l i fe
.

l o n g sorrow O f h av ing sl a in h i s G u ru by a l i e , Yudh i

sh th ira was p u r g ed of the l ast weak n ess in h i s n obl e

c haracte r, an d w hen , at the c l ose o f l i fe he w as a ga i n ,

tested , whe n a God bade h i m d esert h i s fai th fu l

d og he r o se above the tr i al and stood fast i n right
,

e o u sne s s th r ow ing away heaven that he m i gh t be

,

fa i th ful t o the e n d Th u s d o the God s d eal w it h

.

u s t ry i ng u s to the very u tterm ost , that a ny fl a w

,

m ay be fou n d a nd got t e n r i d o f that i n the e nd we

,

m ay be abl e t o stan d bl a m eless th r o ugh a n y s t r ess

,

O f p a in or an y s tra in on sel f r el i a nc e
-
.
 T H E SI N OF YUDH I S H I H I RA
'‘
1 92

Whe n D ro na hea r d fr o m B hi m a , o n Yu dh ish thira s ’

au thori ty , that h is so n was s l a i n , he d ro pp ed hi s

weapons , an d , si tt i ng d own o n h is c ar , g ave h i msel f
to med i ta ti on The n D h rish ta dyu mn a , l eap i ng fro m
’

h is chari ot se i zed a s word an d ru shed on the we a pon

,

less hero wh o , ben d i n g h i s head l eft h i s b o d y, ri s in g

, ,
.

i n rad ian t gl ory i n to the s ky A s he r ose , the l i feless

.

body san k prone o n the s i d e Of the war , a n d D h rish ta

dy u mna , sei z i ng the wh i te l oc ks , stru c k o ff the vener
able head , the head O f h i s G u ru , that an c ie n t hero o f
fi ve and eighty years , wh ose d i s ci pl es we r e th e l eaders
- -

of the bat t l i ng hos ts I n v a in A rj u n a c r i ed , B r i n g

,
“

t he prece p to r al i ve d o no t s l ay h i m he sho ul d no t
be s l ai n . D r o na had p assed ere the s word had
”

s t ru c k h i m and , g l or i ou s i n the reg i o n o f B r ah m a n ,

,

was beyo nd al l ear t h ly p ai n 1 86 1 93] .

-

A t D ro na s d eath the K u ru t r oo p s broke a n d fl e d

’

i n al l d i rectio n s , u n ti l Ash va tth a ma , hear i ng o f h i s

fa t her s d eath , a n d i nflam ed to fu ry at th e in su l t of
’

se i z i ng h i m by hi s revere n d wh i te l o c ks s wore the ,

dea t h o f h i s S l ayers an d s u m m o ned to h i s aid th e

,

m igh t y N a r a ya n a weapo n cap abl e o f an n i hi l ati n g a ll

,

foes i n war H e ral l ied the flyi n g for c es an d m arshal

.

l ed t he m aga i n for bat t le Mean wh i l e A rj u n a ,broken

.

hear ted , was bewai l i ng h i s precepto r an d h i s o wn

cri m e i n be i n g pr ese n t at h i s cr uel sl au g hte r,th o u g h i n
1 94 THE SI N OF YUD H I S H TH I RA

th e fi el d Meet i n g V ya sa , he l ea r ne d from h im the

.

t ru e n atu r e of K e sh a va an d A rj u n a , an d why h is wea

po n c ou l d no t s l ay them , an d the n he cal led the army
t o reti re fo r th e n i gh t , an d t he battl e c eased A t i ts
.

c l ose A rj u n a asked V ya sa wh o was a B e i n g he sa w

goi ng befo r e h i s c ar , an d s l ayi n g those wh o were a p
a re n tly s l ai n by h i msel f, an d V ya s a tol d h i m t hat i t
p
was M a h a d eva H i m sel f, the S u p rem e Lord ; he the n
gave h i m a wo n d erfu l d es c ri pt i o n Of the great n ess o f
M a h e sh va ra , a n d w i th th i s the D r o n a P a r va c l oses .

1 94

O n the s i x teen th d ay o f battle , Kar na — wh ose

n a m e i s gi ve n to the n ex t P arva — was m ad e general is
si m o , an d the co m bat broke o u t w i th u n d im in i shed
v i gou r . K arn a fought wi t h N ak u l a , d ep ri v i ng h i m
o f ch ari oteer , h orses an d fi nal ly weapons , bu t s p ared
’
h is l i fe for K u nti s sake ; p l ac i ng h i s bowstri n g rou n d
h i s nec k he let h i m fly , van qu i shed an d asham e d
, .

Y u dh ish th ira l i kewise spare d D u ryod hana w hen the ,

l atter swo oned away wou nd ed by the P a n dava k i ng

, ,

rememberi n g B h i m a s v o w
’
Th e d ay s hon ou rs aga i n
.
’

res ted w i th A rj u n a wh o carri ed al l before h i m

,

where ver t he wh i te horses flashed , g u i d ed by the

d i vi n e C har i oteer v i ctory was seen That n i g ht Kar n a
, .

resol ved to p i t h i msel f agai n st A rj u n a o n the mo r

row a nd , when t he seventeen th d ay o f b attl e d a wn ed ,
,
 K AR N A As L E AD E R 1 95

he vo w ed to sl ay A rj u n a o n that d ay o r to h e h i msel f
s l a i n by h i m ; bu t he as ked that Shalya the k i n g ,

o f the M a d ras shou l d be h is chari otee r, and thu s

,

e n abl e h i m to cope w i th A rj u n a o n eq ual term s .

A t fi rs t Sh al ya , r egard i n g the reques t as a n i nsu l t ,

was m u ch e n raged bu t D u ryodhan a paci fied hi m

,

an d persu aded h i m to co n se nt , s i nce he wou l d be

p itted agai nst K e sh a va H i m sel f, an d s i nce B rah m a
H i msel f h ad once d ri ve n the chari ot o f Ru d ra .

Th u s Ka r n a we n t fo r th t o battl e wi th Shalya as hi s
c h ar i oteer , an d the d ay o p ened i n auspic i ously b y
a q u arrel betwee n c h ar i oteer an d warr i or , as S halya
reb u ked K ar n a fo r h is boast ing and pra i sed A rj u n a ‘

h i s foe . 1

Ka r na s fi rst great c o m bat was w it h Yu dh ish th ira

’

whose c ar h e d estroyed , an d who fi nal ly fled before

’
h i m bu t Bh i m a re ven ged h is brother s d efeat , and
, ,

s tri k i ng Karn a sensel ess , force d h is chari o t eer t o

d ri ve h i m ou t Of t he battle S oon however , re t u rn i ng
.
,

he engaged agai n i n battle an d p resen t ly , meeti ng

,

Y udh ish th i ra wi t h N ak u l a an d S ahadeva h e con ,

q u ered al l th ree an d the n ru shed to t he rescu e o f

,

D u ryod han a hard p ressed by Bh i m a A rj u na mean

, .
,

whi l e havi ng d e feated Ash v a tth a ma sought h is elde r

, ,

bro t her an x i ou s as to h is fa t e an d Yudh ish th ira

, ,

wel c o med h i m j oy fu l l y th i n k i n g that Ka m a m u st

,
1 96 T H E SI N OF YUD H I H S TH I RA

be sl a i n s in ce D han anj aya had l e ft the fi el d . On

heari n g h owever t hat Kar na was s t i l l al i ve , Yudh ish
, ,

t h i ra
, s m arti n g from h i s o wn d efeat , bu rst o ut i n to
a n gry reproaches aga in st A rj u n a , eve n tau n t i ng h i m
w i t h cowa rd i ce an d b i d d i n g h i m g i ve Ga n di va to
a bette r m an Then A rj u n a d rew h i s s wo rd a n d
.
, ,

o n the hasty i n terpos i ti o n o f Gov i nd a , he d e c l ared

that he h ad vowed to s l ay the m an wh o shou l d bi d
h i m g i ve G a ndi va to an other , an d , s l ay i ng Yu dh ish
t h i ra ,he wou l d pay h is debt to tru th S tern ly K e sh a va
.

repro ved h i s fri en d fo r d r a wi n g h i s sword o n h i s el d er

b rother an d k i n g , ti l l A rj u na su b m iss i ve l y p rayed
h i s Lord to tel l h i m h o w he m igh t keep h i s vo w
a n d yet no t s l ay the k i n g Then S hri Kr i sh n a bade
.

h i m shew som e tr i fl i n g d i sres p ect to h i s el d er b rother ,

s i nce d is res pect k i l l ed a su per i or , an d afterward s

worsh i p h is feet a n d s oothe h i m O n thi s A rj u n a
.

h arsh l y add ressed the k i n g bu t h e a rtstric ke n at

, ,

h i s o wn d i srespec t aga i n d re w h i s sword t o s l ay h i m

,

sel f i n ex p i ati o n Of h is fau l t P at i en tl y K e sh a va

.

a g a i n chec ked h i m reaso n i ng w i th h i m ti l l A rj u n a

, ,

t ou ch i n g the k i ng s feet , p rayed h i s p ard on an d

’

vowed to s l ay Kar na T h e n Y udh is h th ira c u t to

.
,

t h e h eart , bi tterl y r eproached h i msel f for h i s c ru el

word s a n d was fai n to th r ow away h i s cr own , h av i ng
,

wrong ed h i s bro th e r . B u t Go v in d a soo th e d th e

1 98 T H E SI N OF YUD H I S H TH I RA

h i s fat her s eyes , attac ked h i s l i fe l on g foe The G od s

’
-
.

themsel ves c am e to see that combat , an d the God s “

were o n the s i d e o f A rj u n a wh i l e the Asu ras were

,

on that o f Kar na Fi g hters fi rst with thei r fam ous

.
”

bows , nei ther obtai n ed any ad van tage , an d whe n

A rj u na i n vo ked the B r a h m a wea p on , K ar n a baffled i t s
force an d sen t a g ai nst h is foe fi er c e s n akes Of fi re
,
.

T he n a m igh ty s n ake, whose mother h ad bee n s l ai n

i n the bu rn i n g of the forest o f K lI a nda va , e n tered
Kar n a s qu i ver as a b lazi n g shaft an d as , S hot fro m
’

K ar n a s b o w, i t flew through the ai r K e sh a va p ressed

’

d own Arj una s c a r so that i t san k a c u bi t s d epth i nto

’ ’

the earth , wh i l e t he s i l ver steeds l a i d them sel ves flat

o n the g ro u n d A n d the fi ery s nake sh aft swe pt O ff
.
-

a nd broke i n to fra g me n ts the I n d ra g i ve n d i adem o f -

A rj u n a , bu t hi m i t harmed n ot as he had su n k w it h
,

h is c hari ot , th us through Gov i nda , a g ai n esca p i n g

,

d eath The s nake retu rn ed to K ar na to be a g ai n shot

.

forth bu t Kar n a re fused to l au n ch the sam e arrow

,

t wi ce , an d , whe n the s n ak e h u rl ed h i m sel f at A rj u n a ,

th at warri o r c u t hi m i n to p ie c es w i th h is sh a ft s .

P ress i n g h is en emy hard , A rj u n a m ad e h i m d rop h is

wea p ons , an d then s tayed awh i l e n ot w i l l i n g to Sl a y,

his fo e whi le h e stood weapon l ess . But K e sh a va

u rged h i m o n , a n d K a r n a , re c o ver ing, s n at c hed u p
h is bow w he n , 10 ! a v oic e s a i d t o Ka r na ,
“
T he
 KA R N A S D E AT H
’
1 99

ea r th i s dev o u r i n g thy wheel a n d the l eft whee l

Kar n a s c ar began t o s i n k d eeply i nto th e
’
of

g rou nd ( Fo r a B r a hm a na whose cal f had bee n

.
,

heed less ly s l ai n by K ar n a had o n ce c u rsed hi m an d

, ,

had tol d h i m that o n the app roach o f h is d ea t h hou r -

,

th e wheel o f h is c ar shou l d S i n k i n to the ear t h i n

battle ) [ S ee
. The n d espai r stru c k h i m an d h e
bega n to rai l at righteous n ess , bu t s t i l l fou gh t fu
ri o us ly u n ti l baffled by h i s su n ke n wheel he sprang
, ,

fro m h is c har i ot to p u l l i t u p H e c r i ed to A rj u n a t o
.

w a i t t i l l he had freed h is w heel pra i s i ng h i m fo r h is

,

v i rtu e a nd appeal i n g to that fo r h i s pro t ect i on The n

.

v a su dev a sai d to h i m bi tterl y that he d i d we l l to

r em em ber v i rtu e i n t he h ou r o f h i s ext rem i ty , whe n
h e h ad for g o tte n i t i n al l hi s deal i ngs wi th t he P a n da
vas , i n the p o i son i ng o f Bh i ma , i n the hou se o f l ac ,

i n th e i n s u l ts to K r i sh n a
.
“
I f the v i rtu e that thou
n o w i n vo k e s t was n owhere o n these Occasio n s ,what
i s the u se then o f par c h i ng thy pal ate no w by u tter
i n g that word Then Karn a , l eavi ng h i s wheel s ped ,

h is best weapo ns a g ai nst A rj u n a an d i t wa s Arj

,
un a s
’

t u r n to stagger bac k , so that Kar n a agai n sp rang to

the grou n d an d tried t o l i ft h i s wheel Then A rj u na
.
,

recoveri ng S h ot a g a in at h is fo e c ut ti ng o ff h i s stan
, ,

d ard , an d w i th a n arrow , s p ed by ap peal to tru th an d

rig hte o usn ess , h e s t r u c k off Ka r n a s head a nd the
’
 20 0 TH E SI N OF YUD H I S H TH I RA

great wa rri o r fel l Forth fro m th e body of th e S o n

.

O f t he S u n God c ame a rad i an t l ight , th at , as c e nd i n g

-
,

m i ngled w it h the S u n , an d the s u n rays n ear i ng the -

,

set t i ng tou ch i n g t he bod y o f K a rma see m ed sta i ned

, ,

w i t h h is l i fe bl ood pai n t i n g the s ky w i th c r i mso n

-
,

a n d th e n th e su n i tsel f be c ame pal l i d an d san k o ut

o f s ight The n the battl e c eased a nd the c am p o f
.
,

t he K u ru s res ou n ded w i th wai l i n gs as th at o f the

P a n davas ra n g w i t h j oy 84 96 ]
.
-

T he e i ghteen th d ay o p e n ed wj th the el ect i on o f

S halya as co m m an der i n ch ie f, an d the Shalya P arva

- -

t el l s u s o f h is br i e f l ead ersh i p Y udh ish th ira l ed the

.

onsl au g ht agai ns t h i m an d the battl e ra g ed h otly

be t wee n the d i m i n i shed arm i es Seve ral ti mes t he .

y ou n g k i ng m et h i s fo e , an d was separated from h i m

by others u n t i l at l as t , a ft e r a c om bat i n wh i ch h i s
,

d ri ve r a nd h i s steed s were s l a i n , Yudh ish th ira d i s

c harged a bl az i n g weapon i n sp i r i n g i t w i t h m a n tras
, ,

a n d i t sh eared th rou gh S h a lya s chest an d stretched’

h i m d ead u po n the grou nd 1 .

The battl e sti l l co nt i n u ed th ou gh n ow al l h ope

,

h ad l eft th e K u ru s save th at o f d y i ng gl ori ously , and

i t raged on ti l l o f Dh r i tar a sh t ra s sons on l y two —D u r
’

y o dh a na an d S u da rs h a — rem ai ned A t l as t , D ury o .

d han a fou nd h i msel f al on e wit hou t a com pan i on

,

l eav i ng h is s l a i n s teed , h e fled to wa r d s a l ake a n d

20 2 TH E SI N OF YUDH I S H TH I RA

sessed o f cars . Yet the gal l an t s pi ri t o f the m a n

h e ld fi rm i n h i s sore ne c ess i t y . S tan d i n g i n battle ,

al one as I am , I sh a ll res i s t al l o f you A n d he

.
”

chal lenged them to figh t h i m o ne at a t i me Yu .

dh is h th ira conse nted to th is wager o f battl e , add i n g

t hat i f he s le w any o ne o f them the k i ngd o m s hou l d
,

be h i s Then D u ryod han a chal le n g ed o ne o f the

.

sons o f P a n du to fight h i m o n foot wi t h the m ace ,

a nd th is agreed to he ros e from the waters Y u
, ,
.
~

dh ish th ira prov i ded h i m w i th arm ou r a nd w it h al l he

n eeded a n d B h i ma was pu t forward as h i s a n ta g on i s t .

The s p ectators s a t rou n d the fi gh t ers to v i e w the

stru ggl e an d Go vi nda s eld e r b rother , R am a , c am e t o
’

s e e t he l as t d uel betwee n the two warri ors , th at was

t o e nd t hei r l i fe l o ng ri val ry
-
. 18

R a m a had com e th i the r, h av i ng se t o ut o n a pi l

gri m age after refu si n g to hel p ei t her s i d e i n the
war an d he h ad v i s i ted m a n y t irth a s a n d had h e a itd
'

, ,

the s tory o f Ku ru t i l l ing th e fi eld aft erwa r d s c al led

by h is n am e .
35 54 ]
-
R a m a ad v i sed the c om ba
t an ts to retu rn to K uruk sh e tra for the ir d ue ] , a n d
t hey accord i n g repa i red th i ther, an d the c om bat b e
gan F ie rc e ly i t raged betwee n the t wo m i ght y war
.

ri ors s o equ al ly matched , each o f them gi v i ng an d

re c ei v i n g heavy bl ows As th e y fou ght , K e sh a va
'

r e min ded A rj u n a o f B h i m a s v ow, a n d A rj u n a s t r uc k

’
 D U RYODH AN A S FALL ’
20 3

h i s ow n l e ft th igh i n the sigh t o f Bhi ma B hi m a .

too k the h i n t , an d watch i ng h is oppo rtu n i t y h e rushed

at h is foe, wh i rl i n g rou n d h is mace t o t h row i t D u r
o dh a n a l eapt i n t h e a i r to d ece ive the ai m o f Bh i ma
y ,

and , a s h e l eap t B h i m a h u rled h i s m ace at the th ighs

,

o f t h e K u ru k i ng , fractu ri n g t hem wi t h t he bl o w
Th e n B h i m a m ad w i t h o ld m emories o f wrong a p
, ,

p ro a c h e d h is hel pl ess an t agon i s t a nd bi d d i n g h i m

,

r emem ber the i nsu l t ed D ra u pa di , he t ou ched h is fal le n

h ead w i t h h is l eft foot The k i ngs arou nd seei ng
.
,

thi s she wed s ig ns o f d isapp roval an d Yu dh ish th ira

, ,

rep roved h is brother : D u ryodh an a is a ki n g H e is .

,

a gai n , thy k i ns m an H e is fal len

. D O n ot 0 ,

B hi m a tou ch a k i n g a nd a k i nsm an wi th t hy foo t

,
.
”

A n d he pa t het i cal l y reci ted D u ryodhan a s gri evou s

’

l osses Then app roach i ng hi s fal le n ene my he c o m

.

forted h i m tel l i n g h im th at h is fate was e n vi abl e th u s

,

t o d i e rather t h an to l i ve , as m u st he an d hi s bro t hers

, ,

u nd er t he c u rses o f the w i ves o f thei r s l ai n k i ns men .

R a ma , m oreove r was fu r i ou s at the fou l bl ow

,

s t r u c k by B h i m a fi g hters wi th the mace n o t bei n g

,

al l owed to stri ke bel ow t he wa i s t , an d h e ru shed u po n

B h i m a to slay h i m , whe n K e sh a va flu ng h is arm s
rou n d h i m a n d wi t h gen tl e words soothed h is anger .

re m in d ing hi m o f Bh i m a s vo w ’
Then R a m a
.

mo un ted h is c a r a n d w e n t a w ay , l eav ing the s on s o f

204 T H E S I N OF YUDH I SH TH I RA

P an du sad at heart U n fa i rl y st r u c k d ow n a n d w a i t
.

i ng d eath , D u ryodhan a s cou rage d i d n ot fai l h i m ;

’

rep roached by K e sh a va , he answe r ed bold ly : I “

h ave stud ied m ad e presen ts a c cord i n g to the ord i

,

n ance gove rned the w i d e earth w i th he r seas , a n d

,

s tayed over t he head s Of my foes Wh o i s there s o .

fortu n ate as mysel f ? Th at e nd aga i n wh i ch i s c oveted

by K s h a t triya s obse rva n t o f the d u ties o f thei r ow n
o rd er , death i n battle , h ath becom e m i ne wh o the r e ,

fore i s s o fortu nate as mysel f ? H u m an enj oymen t s

,

s u c h as were wor t hy o f the very G ods , an d s u c h as

c ou l d w it h diffic u ltly be obtai ned by othe r k i ngs ,

h ave bee n m i ne . P ros peri ty o f the v ery highes t

k i nd has been a t ta i ned by m e W ho the n i s s o .

fortu n ate as mysel f ? W i th al l m y we l l w i shers an d

. -

my you nger bro t hers I am go i ng to heaven , 0 Tho u

of u n fad i ng gl ory ! A s regard s you rsel ves , w it h you r
p u rposes u nachi eved an d t orn by gri ef, l i ve ye i n
t h i s u nhap py worl d I t was a hero h eart th at i n
.
-

t he hou r o f d efeat i n bod i ly agony , a nd s u r rou n ded

,

by t ri u m phan t foes co u l d th u s rej oi ce ex u l tan tly :

,

obsti n a t e c ruel u nsc ru pu l ou s h ad D u ryodhana been ,

, , ,

b u t he was strong and b rave 55 .

A s t he P a n davas reached t hei r q u arters , K e sh a va

bad e A rj u n a rem ove G a n di va an d h i s qu i vers fro m
h is c ar an d desce nd i n fro n t o f H i m The n K e sh a va .
 20 6 T H E S I N OF YUD H I S H TH I RA

to G a ndh a r i , rem i nd i ng he r O f her o wn w o r d s to

her son , a n d s h e conqu ered her gr i ef en ough to
s peak : I t is eve n 50 , O K e sh a va , as Thou sayes t .

My hear t , bu rn i ng i t gr i e f, had bee n u ns t ead i ed .

A ft er heari n g Thy words , ho wever, that heart, O

J a n a rda na hath aga i n beco me steady As re g a r d s
, .

t he bl i nd ol d k i n g n o w become ch i l d less , thou , O

,

foremost of me n w i th th ose heroes , the sons of

,

P a n du , hast become h i s refu ge Th u s sa y i ng sh e

.
”

covered her face a nd bu rst agai n i n to tears The n .

K e sh a va k n ew that D r o na s so n w as med i ta ti n g evi l

’

agai nst the P a n davas , an d ris in g h asti ly , H e took

leave , ex pl a i n i ng that Ash va tth a ma was p l ott i n g to
destroy the P a n davas that n i gh t The n t he bl i n d .

k i ng an d h is wi fe b ade H i m go s wi ftl y and protec t

t he sons o f P a n du , an d H e d rove bac k to the cam p
a n d we n t t o those H e l oved 62 , 63 . .

Mean w h i le D u ryodhan a l ay dy i n g a nd was fou n d ,

stretched on the grou n d by Kri pa As va tth a ma an d

K ri ta va rma n who sorely bewai led h i s fal l The n
,
.

A s va tth a ma prayed t he dyi ng k i n g to gi ve h i m

perm ission to sla y the c onqu erors an d D u ryod han a ,
’
bade K ri pa i nstal Dron a s s o n a s general Ge neral .
,

t ruly w i t hou t a n army bu t s ti l l n ot a foe to be d e

, ,

s is e d as the sequ el p roved A nd w it h th i s cere m o n y

p , .

th e Shalya P a r v a e n ds
.
64 , 65
. .
 DU RYOD H A N A DI E S 20 7

The b r i ef S a u pti ka Parva gi ves the sto ry o f t he

ven gean c e take n by Ash va tth a ma for h i s fa t her s ’

d ea t h H e d ec id ed to a t tac k the s leep i n g h ost o f

.

the son s o f P a n du an d desp i te t he efforts o f K ri pa

, ,

to d i ssu ad e h i m , he wen t to the en t ran c e o f t hei r

ca mp H e was foi led by a mighty Be i n g who s tood

.

th ere , i n to wh ose body hi s weapons penetrated wi t h

ou t effec t an d t hen worsh i ppi n g Rud ra , an d en ter
, ,

i n g i n to the sacri fi ci al fi re , offeri n g u p hi msel f a s

v i c t i m he Ob t ai ned fro m M ah a deva the power to
,

a c com p l i sh h is obj ect E nteri n g th e cam p at d ead

.

of n i ght , he sl au ghtered h i s sl eepi n g en em i es Dh rish ,

t a dyu mn a fi rst o f al l , wi th t he son s O f D ra Upa di ,

t i l l n on e were left al i ve , save the fi ve s ons o f P a n du

an d s a tya k i an d K e sh a va Hi msel f wh o were n ot ,

there . Retu rn i n g to the dyi n g D u ryodha n a w i t h ,

K ri pa a n d K rita va rma n h e t ol d h i m o f the de stru c

,

t i o n o f h is foes I t brou gh t a l ast gl e a m o f sa tis fa c

.

t i on to the a go n i s i n g k i ng an d w i th the word s : Good

,

be to yo u al l P rosperi t y be yo u rs A l l o f u s wi l l
. .

”
agai n m eet i n heaven , he q u ietl y breathed h is l ast
[5 1 -

91 -

Yudh ish th i ra , o n hear i ng the

g r i evou s news sen t ,

for D a upa di wh o broken hearted too k a v o w t o

r , ,
-
,

d ie i f Ash va tth a ma were n o t sl ai n and t he gem o n ,

h i s head born wi th h i m brou ght to her B hi m a

, ,
.
20 8 TH E ‘

e OF QH I RA
YUD H I S H Q

se t ti n g forth to p u rs u e Ash va tth a ma , K e sh a va des ir

ed Yudh is h th i ra an d A rj u n a to com e wi th H i m o n
H is c ar , as Bh i m a cou l d n ot c ope w i th the celestial
weapon B ra h ma sh ira , k n ow n to D ro n a s so n an d they
’

overtook Bh i m a as he was j ust reach i n g Ash va tth a ma .

The latte r tak i n g u p a bl ade o f grass tu rned i t by ,

m an tras i n to the great c eles ti al weap on wh i le A rj u n a

,

q u i ck l y obeyi n g K e sh a va , h u rl ed aga i ns t A s h va tth a

m a the same celes tial weapon the u se o f wh ic h he had
,

l earned from D ro na h i msel f T he n N a rad a an d V ya sa

.

th re w themsel ves bet wee n these wea p o n s an d h el d

them in c hec k , an d A rj u na , s u b m i ss i ve an d obed i en t
“

to al l h is su p er i ors , w i thd rew h is we a po n in rever ~

e nce , a feat that n on e save the c haste i n heart m igh t

d o As h va tth a ma , h owever , was u n able to wi t hd raw
.

h is , bu t d esi rou s o f shewi n g reveren c e to the R i sh is ,

h e tu rned i t to sl ay on ly the u n born ch i ld ren o f t he

P a n dava wo men , an d gave the gem born w i t h h i m
fro m h is head Desp i te h is sl au ghte r o f t he ch i ld re n
.
,

K e sh a va dec l ared that o ne Of the m sh ou l d l i ve ,

rev i ved by H i msel f, an d shou l d ru l e over the k i n g

d om o f the P a n davas as P a ri ksh it, wh i le As h va t
th a m a h i msel f shou l d for h i s w ic ked act roam l onely
, ,

over the earth for th ree th ou sa n d years , wi t hou t “

a com pa n i o n a n d w i thou t be i n g able to tal k w it h

any on e .
”
K e sh a va r etu rn e d wi th N ar ad a a n d the
210 TH E SI N O F YUD H I S H TH I RA

c hes t b r u i sed by th e st ron g e m b ra c e T he n re mors e .

s t ru c k the k i n g an d h e c ried al ou d , A l as ! O B h i m a !
”

t i l l K e sh a va see i n g h i s w rat h was s p e n t , e x pl a i n e d

,

w h at H e h ad d o n e a n d th a t n o h a r m h ad bee n
w r ou gh t T he k i n g c o n fess i n g h i s o w n fau l ts , a n d
. ,

s ayi n g th at h e h ad fal l e n away fro m ri gh teo u s

n ess fro m p are n ta l a ffec t i o n , the n e m b race d t h e s o n s
o f P a n du an d bl essed the m , ac ce p ti n g t he m as h i s
o wn .
G an d h a r i al s o pard o n ed t h e m , a ft e r a s t ru ggl e
w i th he r a n ge r , bu rn i n g w i th th e fie rc e fi r e t ha t
h e r asce ti c l i fe h ad g i ve n h e r a fi re s o e ffec ti ve t o ,

c o ns u m e he r e n e m i es th at whe n she d i rec ted h e r

d ow n wa rd gl an ce fro m w i th i n t he fo l d s t h at c ove red
he r eyes o n t he foot o f Yu dh i s h th i ra , the sp ot whe re
t h at gl a nc e fe l l w as s c o rched a s by a phys i cal fl a me *
.

N o w G a n d h a ri w as e nd owed w it h a h igh fo rm o f
wh at i s n o w cal l ed c l ai rvoyan c e o r as t ra l v is i on , an d ,

S h e s a w fro m a d is tan c e , bu t as i f fro m a n ea r poi n t

“
,

t hat fi e l d o f bat t l e where t he K u ru hos ts l ay s lau gh te r ~

ed . P i t eou s ly sh e d es c ri be d s ce n e a ft e r sce n e to
K e s h a va u n t i l sh e reache d th e bu rn i n g o f th e bod ie s
,

o f he r s o n s , a n d t hen , o ve rc o m e by grie f, she l i ft ed

u p h e r v oi ce agai ns t S h ri K ri sh n a : B y the l i t tl e “

I t is i n te res ti ng to k no w t h a t t hi s fo rc e of th e W ll,i w hi h c

re a d of h e re , ma y b e mo c k e d a s a su pe rst i ti o n , h a s b e e n pro ve d
by mo dern i
sc e n c e to i
e x st , a nd b urns h a ve b ee n ma de by h ypno s

tic sugge st on . i
 TH E C U RS E ON K ES H AV A

m er i t I h av e a c q u i red th r ou gh wai t i n g d u t i fu l l y o n
m y h u s ba n d by t h a t m e ri t s o d i ffi c u l t to o b t ai n I
, ,

sh al l c u rse Thee O w i el d e r o f t h e d is c u s a n d th e
,

m ac e ! S i n ce Th o u wert i n d i ffe re n t to t h e K u ru s a n d
th e P a n davas w h i ls t t hey sl e w eac h o t h e r t he re fo re , ,

O G ov i n d a Th o u s h al t be th e s l aye r o f Th i n e o wn
,

k i n s m e n O n the t h i rty s ix th yea r fro m th i s 0 s l aye r

.
,

o f M ad h u , Th o u sh a l t , a ft e r c au s i n g t h e s l au gh te r o f

Th y k i ns m e n a n d fri e n d s an d so n s pe ri s h by sh am e ,

fu l m ean s w i th i n th e w i l d e rn ess T h e m igh t y Lord

.
”

o f li fe a n d d eath k n ow i ng al l th i ngs be fo rehan d ,

,

a n s wered w i t h a fa i n t s a d s m i l e : T here i s n on e i n “

t he w orl d s av e Mys el f t hat i s c apab l e O f e x te rm ina t

i n g the V rish nis I k n o w i t we l l I a m e n d eav o u r
. .

i n g to bri n g i t abo u t I n d e n o u n c i n g t h is c u rse , O

.

t ho u O f ex cel l e n t v ows , th ou has t ai d ed M e i n th e

a c c om pl i sh me n t o f t ha t tas k S O s u rely d o ou r
.

w i l d est fol l i es bu t wo rk t owa rd s th e fu l fi l m en t o f th e

d i vi n e p u rposes .

O n G ang a s ba n ks a v as t c o n c ou r s e o f m ou rn er s
’

g athe red to o ffe r o bl a t i on s to t he s l ai n wa rri ors , a n d

th e re K u n t i , b ro ke n d o w n w i t h grie f, reveal ed to the
s o n s o f P a n du t h a t K ar n a h a d bee n bo rn o f he r , t h e
c h i l d o f th e S u n G od , a n d th a t h e wa s t h u s t hei r el de r
-

bro th er Th e n the fi ve b rothers bu rs t i n to l o u d l a me n

.

ta tio ns, a n d Yudh ish th i ra b e w a i l ed the d e ad he r o ,

212 TH E S I N O F Y UD H I SH TH I RA

c ryi ng t h at i f t h i s h ad bee n k n ow n th e wh ol e terri b l e

c ar nage m i gh t h ave bee n p re ve n ted [ S tri P a rva ,
.

I -
27 .
l
T h e you n g k i n g h i s bro th e r s , a nd the m ou r n e r s
, ,

re m ai n ed a wh i l e o n t h e ba n k s of Ga ng a , a n d th i t he r

c a m e N a rad a a n d o t he r Rish i s , t o wh o m Y udh is h th ira

ou red o u t h is bi tt e r grie f fo r K a r n a , for h av i n g sl ai n
p
u n wi tt i n gly h i s el de r b ro t he r W hy h e as k ed i n
.
,
’
c o n cl u s i o n h ad th e ea rth s wal l owed u p K arn a s wh ee l ?
,

wh at c u rse was o n h i m N a rad a th e n rel ated t o th e

p ri n ces th e s to ry o f Ka rn a a nd t ol d h o w, o n be i n g
,

re fu sed by D ro n a the k n owl ed ge o f the B r a h m a wea

p o n s i
, n ce h e was n e i the r a B r a h m a n a n o r a n ascet i c

K s h a tt riya h e had go n e t o R a m a a n d to h i m h ad
,

fal sel y re p resen t ed h i m sel f t o b e a B r a h m a n a o f

B h rigu s rac e an d h ad be c o m e h is p u p i l
’

, .W h i l e wi th
h i m h e h ad bee n cu rsed b y a B r a h m a n a fo r t he h eed ,

les s s l ayi n g o f h i s c o w t o be behead ed by h is foe

,

whe n t he earth s wal l owed h i s c h ari ot whe el i n b a t tl e .

M oreov e r R a m a d i sc overi n g by h i s ex t ra ord i n ary

,

e n d u ran c e o f pai n th at he was n o t a B r a h m a n a , c u r

se d h i m for h i s fal seh ood , d ec l ar i n g t h a t he s h ou l d
fo rge t t h e B ra h m a wea po n i n t he h ou r o f h i s n eed .

Y u dh is h th ira c ou l d n ot be c o m fo rted , h oweve r, fo r

th e S l ay i ng o f h i s e l d er bro t he r a n d pass i onatel y
,

d ec lared th at, res ign in g th e k i n gd om t o A rj u n a , h e

214 TH E S I N O F YUD H I SH TH I RA

t o the poor , a n d the n p rai s i n g S h ri K r i s h na i n a

,

n obl e hy m n , h e bad e h i s b rothe rs res t, a n d the e a r t h

too h ad p ea c e [ S h a n t i P a rva , 1 46]
.
-
 C H A PTE R VI II .

TH E G R E AT E X H ORTATIO N .

We o
l e ft o u r grea t es t h ero l yi ng o n the fi el d
h a ve
o f ba tt l e o n h is bed o f a n gu i sh , an d there i n tru t h h e
l ay th rou gh al l the e ve n t s we h av e gl a n ced at , t i l l
the fi gh t i n g was o ve r a n d k i n g Y udh ish th ira wa s
i ns t al l ed as m on arch B u t n o w t h e l as t scen es a re
.

a p p roach i ng a n d t he gre ate r part o f t h e S h a n t i P arv a

,

th e l on ges t P a rva i n t h e M ah a bh a rata , as we l l as

“ ”

the wh ol e A nu sh a sh a na P arva , i s d ev o t ed t o th ese

c l osi ng sce n es , a n d t o t he wo n d erfu l ex p os i ti o n o f
D h arm a g i ve n by the dy i n g he ro .

Y u dh ish th ira , go i n g to S h r i K r i sh n a fou n d

se e ,

H i m s eated i n m ed i t a t i on robed i n yel l ow an d bl az

,

i ng w i t h ge m s so beau t i fu l d i d H e l oo k t h at s i m i l e
the re i s n o n e i n t he th ree wo rl d s H e a n s were d
.
”

n au gh t to t he k i n g s q u esti on s be i n g w ho l ly abs
’

t r a ct ed a n d Y u dh is h th i ra , worsh i p pi n g H i m , as ked
,

w o n d e ri n gly why H e , t h e m igh t y God sh ou l d p rac tis e

,

yoga T he n K e s h a va a n s we red , s m i l i n g t ha t B h i sh ma
. ,

i s th i n k i n g o f m e H en ce i s M y m i n d al so c o n
.

c e n t ra te d o n h i m W h at a l igh t sh i nes o u t fro m

.
”

t hese ge n tl e w o r d s W h e n a wor sh i pp e r h as fix e d
.
216 T H E G R E AT EX H ORTATIO N
h i s th ou gh ts o n God G o d th i n ks o f h i m th e t u r n i ng
, ,

O f the h ea rt t o G o d d ra ws H i s atte n t i on . S h ri
K ri sh n a we n t o n to ad v i se Y udh is h th i ra t o go an d
learn fro m B h i sh ma e re he pas sed a way wh ateve r h e
n eed ed to k n o w as to d u ty ; whe n B h i sh ma , th at
“

fo re m os t o n e o f K u ru s race , d i sa p pears fro m earth

’

every k i n d o f k n ow l ed ge w i l l d i sa p pea r w i th h i m .
”

Y u dh i s h t h ira as se n t i n g an d p r ay i n g G ov i n d a t o b l ess
,

t h e d y i n g warri or w i th H is p resen ce , S h r i K r i sh n a s ’

c ar w as y ok ed , a n d they s et forth for K u ru k sh e tra

w i th a n i l l u s t ri ou s t ra i n O n th e fi el d m ea n wh i l e
.

B h i sh ma was l y i n g th i n k i ng o f K ri sh n a i n m in d
“
, ,

w o r d a n d a c t , u tter i n g t o H i m a n obl e hy m n th at
y o u sh o u l d al l stu d y . H e ad o red K e sh a va i n for m
a fte r form , see i n g H i m i n al l a n d al l i n H i m , ti l l h i s
l o ve d rew l ov i n g r es p o n se a n d the H oly O n e c a m e t o
H i s d evotee .

A p p r oach i n g “
B h i s h ma st r etch ed o n h i s arro w y
bed , a n d rese m bl i n g i n s pl e n d ou r th e even i n g s u n
c o ve red w i t h h i s ow n rays , v a s u d eva S p ok e t o h i m
t e n d erl y a n d be g ged h i m t o i n s tru c t Y u dh ish th ira as
t o d u ty , th us d i s pel l i n g th e gr i e f h e fel t fo r th e sl ay
i ng o f h is k i n s m e n . B h i sh ma an s wered w i th l ov i n g
d ev o ti o n , pray i ng the Lo rd t o bl es s h i m , a n d v a s u
d ev a re p l i ed that he h ad ye t s i x a n d fi ft y d ays to
l i ve , a n d th at w he n he w e n t “
a ll k now l ed g e , 0 h e ro,
21 8 T H E GR E AT EX H ORTAT I O N
N a rad a . I n re p l y to G o vi nda s g e n t l e q u es t i o n ,
’

B h is h ma s ai d grate fu l ly t h at a l l s u fferi ng h ad l e ft
’
h i m by the Lo rd s grace , a n d al l k n owl edge h ad
c om e t o h i m by t h at s a m e favou r B u t why sh ou l d
.

n ot H e , the G ive r , H i m se l f s pea k as Teacher ? W i th

e xq u is i te te n de rnes s t h e Lord an s we red th at n oth i n g
c ou l d ad d to H is g l ory wh o was th e root Of fam e an d
al l good t h i ngs b u t H e wi l led th at t h e fa m e o f H i s
,

d e vo t ee sh ou l d s p read ov er the wo rl d a n d th at h e
m i gh t l i ve by th at fa m e as l on g as ear t h sh ou l d l ast
'
.

A s a fa t he r to h is s o ns l et B h i sh ma teach of D harm a ,

fo r he h a d n e ver tra n sgressed d u ty an d was the re fore

c om pete n t t o teach T he n B h i s h ma a ns we red : I
.
“

sh al l d iscou rse o n D h arm a M y s peec h an d m i n d

.

h ave beco m e s tead y th ro u gh T hy grace , O G ov i n d a ,

wh o art t h e ete rn al S o u l o f every be i ng . A nd he
bad e Y u dh ish th ira q u es t i o n h i m , s i n ce he w as a fi t
p u p i l ; i n h i m were i n te l l ige n ce sel f restrai n t , c h a s ti
,
-

ty, forgi ve n ess , ri gh t eo us n ess , m e n tal v i gou r a n d

e n e rgy , a n d he was t h ere fore fi t to l e arn For t h e .

d is ci p l e m u st be wor t hy as wel l as the G u ru , th e pu p i l

as we l l as the teac her , e l se i s teach i n g u sel ess ; i f t he
p u p i l d o n ot p ractis e m oral i t y , h o w m ay t he s u btl e
l es so ns o f d u ty be p ro fi tably gi ve n ? B u t Y udh ish
th i ra feared to app roach , s ai d S h ri K ri sh n a , h av i ng
p ier c ed tho s e w h o d es e r ved h i s w o rsh ip . C al m ly
 I D EA L K I N GS H I P 219

S p ok e the obl e B h i sh ma , j u st a n d d u t i fu l , d es pi t e
n

a l l th e agony h e h ad u n d e rgo ne d ecl ari n g t h a t i t ,

w as t h e d u t y o f th e K s h a ttriya to s l ay i n ba tt l e
e ve n h i s G u ru i f he e ngaged i n a n u nj us t ba tt l e w i t h
,

h i m A n d as Y u dh is h th ira i n passi on a t e gri ef a n d

.

grati tu d e sei zed h i s fee t, t he hero wel co med h i m a n d ,

b ad e h i m s i t : D o n ot fear 0 bes t o f t he K u ru s
“
, .

As k m e , 0 ch i l d , w i t h ou t an y a n x i e t y 53 .

F i rs t, Y udh is h th ira w ou l d k n ow of k i ngl y d u t ies ,

a nd on t h is them e s p ok e a t l eng t h gi v i n g
B h i s h ma ,

u s the O ld i d eal o f k i n gsh i p of royal t y as i t sh ou l d

,

be , the m i n i ste r O f the God s o n earth I n t he fi rs t .

p l ace th e k i n g m u s t be rel igi ou s , a wor sh i pper o f

G od s a n d B r a h m a n as a n d n ex t h e sh ou l d S h o w
,

p r o m p t i t u d e a n d exe r t i on I n fai l u re h e s h ou l d
.

r ed ou bl e h i s e fforts t h i s i s th e h igh d u t y o f k i ngs

“
.

H e m u s t be d ev o t ed t o t ru th a n d ad m i n i s t e r j u s t i ce ,
be i ng n e i t he r t oo i n du l ge n t n or to o severe H e m u st .

love h is peo pl e , as t he m o t he r t h e ch i ld o f her wo m b ,

s ee k i n g t h e i r good as the m o t he r t he good o f t h e
c h i l d T o ben efi t h i s peopl e h e m u s t sa c ri fi ce h i s
.

o w n pl eas u re a n d n e ver l ose for t i t u d e bei ng eve r

, ,

read y i n acti o n The ha pp i ness o f t hei r s u bj e c ts

.
“
,

o bservan ce o f tru t h , an d s i n ce ri t y o f beh av i ou r are ,

the e t ern al d u t y O f k i n gs H e sh ou l d be d ig n i fi ed
.
”
,

s el f co n trol led , a ffabl e , d e fe r e n ti al to the aged , s p l e n

-
2 20 TH E G R E AT EX H ORTATIO N
di d a n d l i beral H i s s u bj e c ts sh ou l d l i ve in h i s k ing
.

do m l i ke so n s i n the hou se o f the i r fathe r H e i s;

“
.

in d eed a k i n g wh ose s u bj ec ts a r e e n g a g ed i n the ir

,

res pe ct i ve d u ti es , a n d d o n ot fea r t o cas t o fl the ir

'

bod i es wh e n d u t y bi d s wh ose p eop le , d u l y p rote c ted ,

are a l l o f peac e fu l beh av i ou r , obed i e n t d oc i l e , t rac t
,

a bl e , u n wi l l i n g to e n ga g e i n d is p u tes an d i n c l i ned
t o l i beral i ty.
”
T o p rote c t h i s s u bj e c ts i s th e c rea m
o f k i ngl y d u ties “
. Th e he r o w h o a c ts i s s u p er ior
t o th e he ro wh o t al ks .
”

B u t w hy sh o u l d on e m a n r u l e , as k ed Yu dh ish
th i ra. A t fi rst , a n s we red B h i sh ma , there was n o k ing ,
a l l m e n righ teo u sl y p rotec t i n g o n e a n other , b u t as
m e n beca m e co veto u s k i n gsh i p be c a m e n e cessa r y for
,

p rotec ti on , an d th e Gods gave c el es t i al m e n to be th e

r u l e rs l ater m e n o f g r eat m er i t were reborn o n eart h
,

as k i ngs , a n d obed i e n ce w as gl ad l y re n dered t o on e

s ee n to be s u pe r i or H e n c e was i t s ai d th at th e r e
.

w as n o d i ffe re n ce be t wee n a G od a n d a K i n g .
55
59 ] A ft e r e x p l ai n i ng th e fou r o rde rs a n d the fou r
m odes o f l i fe , B h i s h ma po i n ted o u t th at a l l th e s e
h ad the i r roo t a n d pl ace i n k i n gly d u t i es , a n d th e
k i n g was th e p rote c to r o f al l . 60 66 ]
-
A n a r c hy
w as the w o rs t po ss i b l e s tate , a n d n o o n e sh ou l d
d wel l in k i n g d o m s to r n by a n ar c hy S u ffe ri n g u n d e r
.

the o pp r e s sion of th e s t ron g , me n h ad p raye d for

2 22 TH E GR E AT EX H ORTATIO N
the weak n o c h i l d re n ta k e bi r t h S u ch eyes b u rn th e
,
.

rac e t o i t s ve ry roots D o n o t the re fore co me i n to

.

( hos t i l e ) c o n tac t w i t h t h e weak ! Wea k ness i s m ore

p ower fu l t h a n e ve n th e greates t p o we r fo r t h at p owe r
,

w h i c h i s s c orc hed by weak n ess be c o m es to t al ly e x te r

mi n a te d I f a pers o n w ho h as bee n h u mi l i ate d o r
.

s tr u c k , fai l , w h i l e sh ri ek i n g fo r ass is ta n c e to ob ta i n
,

a pro te c to r, d i v i n e c has tise m e n t o ve rta kes t h e k i n g

a n d bri ngs abo u t h is d es tru c ti o n D O n o t 0 S i re ,

.
,

w h i l e i n e nj oym e n t o f po wer t ak e weal t h fro m th os e

,

t ha t are wea k T a ke ca re th a t the eyes Of the wea k

.

d o no t bu r n t h ee l i k e a b l az i n g fi re T he tears shed
.

by we e pi n g m e n affl i c te d by fal sehood s s l ay the c h i l d

re n a nd a n i m al s o f t h ose tha t h ave u t t e red th ose
fal seh ood s W h e n a wea k pe rso n fa i l s t o fi n d a
r esc u e r the great ro d o f d i v in e c has t i s e m e n t fal ls
,

( u po n th e k i n g ) .
9L ]
B h i s h ma t he n tu rn s to t he d u t i es o f wa r r i o r s ,

p oi n t i n g o u t that m e n sho u l d fi gh t w i t h o u t an ge r a n d
b l ood t h i rs t i ness sh o u l d n eve r t a ke a n u n fai r a dva nt
,

age n or s t ri ke a d i s abl ed foe T he w ou n d ed shou l d

, .

be se n t h o m e o r n u rs ed a n d e ve n th e w i c k ed sh o u l d
, ,

be s u bd u ed by fai r m ea n s B e tt er to l ose l i fe tha n t o

.

gai n v i c t o ry u n ri gh teo u s l y T h u s m e n we re t r a i n e d
.

i n K s h a ttriy a d u t i es lear n ing u sefu l l ess o ns in w a r

,

i tsel f .
 D E STI N Y A N D E X E RTIO N 223

W h i l e th i s e a rl i er part O f the G re at E xh ortat i o n

d ea l s w i t h d u ti es be l o ngi n g t o roya l t y an d warfare ,
m a n y o f t h e p rec ep t s g i ve n a re u se fu l t o al l o f u s .

T h u s w he n B h i s h ma u rges o n the k i ng th e n ecess i t y

fo r p ro m pt i tu d e an d e x er t i o n he rem ar ks t hat he re
gards e x erti o n as s u peri o r t o d es t i n y , fo r d es t i n y i s
the res u l t o f p rev io u s exe r t i o n . N o wad ays ,

we so m e t i m es hear peop l e say t h a t ex er t i o n i s u se l ess ,

s i n ce al l i s d es t i ny o r k arm a B h i s h ma n eve r fal l s

, .

i n to t h a t m is take for h e u n d ers t a n d s the w ork i ngs

,

o f k arm a a n d k n o ws tha t i t d oes

,
no t d ep r i ve e x e r

t i o n o f i ts val u e T he k a rm a t hat we reap n o w i s

.

th e res u l t o f o u r pas t ex e r t i o n , a n d p rese n t e xer ti o n

c a n m od i fy t h i s ka rm a W e are n o t s tra ws i n t h e
.

c u rre n t o f k arm a b u t m en , n ay God s i n t he m ak i n g

, ,
.

O u r m e n tal p o we rs fee l i n gs d es i res pass i o n s a re i n

, , ,

d eed o u r k ar m a b u t we c reated t h e m by o u r e x e r
,

t i o ns an d we have n o t l os t t h a t p ower o f ex er t i o n
,

wh i c h c a n m od i fy i n t h e prese n t w h at i t c rea t e d i n
the pas t S O agai n th e k i n g i s to l d n o t to aban d o n
.

fo rti t u d e.
56 ] T h is , to o , i s fo r al l A m a n shou l d
.

be stro n g abl e to e n d u re Th e ten de n cy o f m oder n

, .

c i v i l is a t i o n is to m ak e eve ryth i n g s m oo t h an d easy to ,

gi ve the body al l i t as ks an d to sh ri n k fro m hard sh ip s

,
.

Le arn to be stro n g D o n o t m i nd s o m u c h bei n g

.

u nc o m fo r ta b l e T r a in y o u r bod i e s t o e n d u r a n c e
.
.
2 24 T H E G R E AT EX H ORTATIO N
Our bod i es sh ou l d be o u r s l aves , n o t o ur m as te rs .

There i s to o m u ch phys i ca l so ft n ess i n m oder n l i fe ,

a n d su ch so ft ness weake ns O r tak e aga i n the s tory
.

o f t he k i n g se i zed by the R a ksh asa T he k i n g

was fearl ess becau se he h ad d o n e h i s d u t y Th e
, .

m a n w h o d oes h i s d u ty n eed n ever fea r H ar m c a n

.

o n l y to u ch u s wh e n d u ty h as bee n fo rgotte n o r neg

le c te d N oth i n g c a n d o u s h u rt , n o c i rc u m s ta nc es c a n
.

i nj u re u s , n o power c a n b r eak u s d own , wh i l e we d o

ri g ht ; W e are t i m i d an d trou b led bec au se we are
c on s c i ou s o f w ro n g th i n k i n g a n d w ro n g d oi n g a nd
,

th es e op e n o u r gates t o the e n e m y a n d we fear h i s

assau l ts S h u t th e gates , a n d n o foe ca n e n ter B h i
. .
~

s h ma sh ews h i s g rea tness as tea c he r by h i s kee n i ns igh t

i n t o the d i fferen ce betwee n a p pea ran ce a n d real i ty ;

th u s h e says : Th ere i s a de c la ra tio n i n the Ved as th at
p en an ces are h i gh e r th a n s ac r i fi ces I sh al l n o w s pea k
.

t o thee o f pen an ces O l ear ned p ri n c e , l i s te n t o m e

. .

A bs t e n t i o n fro m i nj u ry t ru th fu l n es s o f S pee c h , b e
,

n e vo le nc e c o m pass i o n — th ese are regard ed as pe n

,

a u ces by the w i se , a n d no t the e m ac i ati o n O f th e

body . Th e s a m e i d ea c o m es o u t i n the
s tory o f k i n g J a n a k a a n d S u la bh a , a fe m al e ascet i c .

T h e k i n g a rgu ed that the we ari n g o f brow n c l oth s ,

s h av i n g o f the h ead , beari n g o f the tri p l e s t ic k a nd
k a ma ndula — these are the o u t w a r d s i gns O f o ne s
’
 2 26 TH E GR E AT EX H ORTATIO N
t he ro ad be a h a r d on e To l i ve i n the w or l d in
.

d i ffere n t to i ts a t tra c t i o ns to be o utward ly a ma n

,

o f t h e w orl d an d i n ward l y a n as c et ic that is the ,

dema n d m ad e o n m any to d ay A n d in th i s there

-
.

i s n o g reate r tea c he r tha n B h i s h ma the r u ler th e , ,

s t ates m an the w arr i o r a n d yet the y o gi of s tead y

, ,

m in d o f c on t ro l led p ass ion s bl a m eless fr om bi rth

, ,

to d eath .

I n h is r ev i e w o f h u m a n d u t i es B h is h ma no w
t akes u p th ose o f g e n e r al obl ig at i o n A n d he p u ts .

i n the forefr on t a d u ty wh ic h i n mod e r n d ays i s fal l

i n g o u t o f s i g h t wi th ve ry m a n y : The wo r sh ip o f
“

father mothe r an d g u r u i s most i m p orta n t a cc ord i n g

,

t o m e I f that be ne g l e c ted , noth ing el s e i s w el l

.

d on e Reveren c e , ve n e r at i o n , s u b m i ss i o n, h u m i l i t y
.

t hese l ie a t th e root o f c h aracter Th e father i s .

“

s u per i o r to te n Upa dh ya ya s The mother a g a i n , I s

.
,

s u peri or to te n fa t hers , or p e r ha p s to the w h o le wo r l d

i n i m p orta nc e There i s no o n e that d ese r v e s s u c h
.

reve ren ce as the mother I n my O pi n i o n , h owever

.
,

t h e gu ru i s wo r thy o f g reater reveren c e tha n the

fathe r or eve n the m other The fathe r a n d the
.

m o t h e r are au thors O f o ne s bei n g The l i fe, o n th e

’
.

other h a n d , obtai n ed fro m o ne s g u r u i s heave n ly ’ '

Th at l i fe i s s ubj ect to no de c ay a nd is i m mo r ta l .
”

I n mo der n l ndia , rev e r e nc e fo r p a r e n t s is s t i l l fo un d

 GU RU AN D S H IS H YA 2 27

fa r mor e tha n in a n y othe r l a n d though eve n th i s i s

,

be ing u n derm i ned by the s u btl e work i ngs of the

false weste rn i dea of i n de p e nd e nc e B u t t he ol d '
“ ”
.

s w eet an d sa cr ed ti e betwee n Gu ru a n d sh i shya h as

.

wel l n ig h d isa pp ea r ed and as ever i t i s the s u peri or

-
, ,
.

w h o i s to bl ame T he fa i l u re o f the Gu ru i n the t wo

.

gr eat d u t i es he o wes to h is sh i shya l ove and gu i d ,

a nc e has l ed to the fai l u re o f the sh i shya i n h i s

,

d u t i es reveren c e an d t rust
, G u ru s al ways she w
.
“

gr eat a ffect i o n fo r the i r d isc ip l es sai d B h ish ma ,

”
,

s p eak i n g o f the fa c ts o f h is t i m e “
The l atter shou ld
.

t here fore she w the i r gu ru s c om m ens u rate reveren c e .

Y et eve n i n these m oder n d ays G u rus ma y yet be

fou n d w ho fa i th fu l ly p e r form i n g t hei r d u t ies en a bl e
, ,

the d i s cip l e t o p e r form h i s ; the great respons ibi l i t y

eve r l i es wi th the su p e r i or a nd the r a re a pp earan ce
,

o f a t r ue G u r u h as led to the equ al l y r are a pp earan c e

of t r u e d i s cip l e s
.

Th e gr eat teache r then a nsw e red a va ri ety o f

q u est i o n s p u t by Yudh ish th ira fro m w h ich we ca n
,

on l y sele c t a few The you ng k in g enqu i red as to

.

t h e n atu r e o f D ha rm a a n d B h i sh ma a ft er ex p la i n i ng
, ,

t he d i ffi c u l t y o f de fin in g i t ga ve some ru les by wh ich

,

i t m ig ht be p a r tly k n ow n . D harm a was o rd a i ned

“

fo r th e ad van c emen t a n d growth o f al l c reatu res .

T h e r e for e t ha t wh ic h l e ad s t o ad va nc eme n t a n d
2 28 T H E GR E AT EX H ORTATIO N
growth i s Dha r ma Dharm a w as orda in ed fo r reS
. o

t rai n i n g c reatu res from i nj u r i ng on e an othe r There .

fore t hat is Dharm a wh i ch prev en ts i nj u r y to cr ea

t u res . Dharm a i s s o cal l ed becau se i t u ph old s a ll
c reatu res . I n fa c t al l c reatu res a r e Upheld by Dha r ma ;
There fo r e that i s D ha r m a wh i ch i s c a p abl e of u p;

h ol d i n g al l c reatu res . H o w m igh t a m a n

ove r co m e d i ffi c u l t i es ? They that n ever p ract i s e
“

d ecei t they wh ose beh av i ou r is restrai ned by sal u tary

,

restri c t ion s , a n d they t hat co n trol al l world l y des i res ,

su cceed i n ove rco m i n g al l d i ffi c u l ti es T hey that d o
.

n ot s p ea k w he n add ressed i n ev i l l an g u a g e , t hey that

d o no t i nj u re others w he n i nj u red the msel ves , they
t hat gi ve bu t do n ot tak e s u cceed i n overcom i n g a ll
,

d i ffi c u l ti es They t h at d o n ot c om m i t a ny k i nd o f
si n i n thou gh t , word an d d eed , they that never i nj u re
,

any c rea t u re s u c c eed in overcom i n g al l d i ffi cu l ties

,

They t hat al ways speak t he tru th i n th is worl d eve n ,

whe n l i fe i s a t stake , a n d t hat are ex am ples fo r a ll

c reatu res to i m i tate , s u cceed i n over c om i ng al l diffi
c ultie s The y wh ose ac t s never d ece i ve wh ose word s
. .
,

are al ways a greeabl e, an d whose weal t h i s al ways

wel l s p e nt , s u cceed i n overcom i n g al l d i ffi c u l t i es
They that bo w to al l th e God s , th at l i ste n to th e
d octr in e s of al l c reed s that have fa i th , a n d a re e nd ued
,

wi th t ra nq u i l s o ul s s ucc eed i n ove rc o m in g al l ditfi

,
s
 2 30 TH E G E R AT EX H OR I ATI ON
’ ‘ ‘

ma n .Tru th hath bee n sa i d to be sa crific e of a h i g h

orde r E very th ing r ests o n t r u th
. The fo r m s th a t
t ru th ass u m es a r e i m pa r t i al i ty , s el f c o nt r ol , for gi ve-

n ess , m od es t y , e nd u r a n ce , g o o d n e ss , r en u n ci at i o n ,
con te m plati o n , d i gn i ty , forti tu de , c om p ass i o n a n d
a bsten t i o n fro m inj u ry H e the n e x p l a i n s h ow th es e
.
”

are forms o f t ru th a n d co n c l u des : T he r e i s n o d u ty

,

wh i ch i s h ighe r tha n t r ut h , a n d no si n m o r e he in ou s
th an u n tru th I n deed , tru th i s the ve r y fou n d at ion
.

o f r ig hteou s ness O n c e o n a t i m e a tho usa n d

h orse sa c ri fic e s a n d t ru th we r e we ig hed a g a i ns t ea c h
-

o the r i n the bal an c e Tru th we i ghed h eav i e r th a n a

.

I 62 ] E very I n d ia n boy
”
th ou san d h orse sa c ri fic e s
-
. .

s h ou l d s tu d y th i s se c t i o n an d l i ve i t Ly i ng de gr ad e s
.

t he wh ol e charac te r T o d o a d ece i tfu l th ing lo w e r s

.

a boy m a kes h i m m ea n a n d c on te mp t i bl e The b oy

, .

wh o l i es o r c heats i s n o tru e H in d u , n o tr ue A r ya n .

N ow m e n i n th i s w orl d s u ffer m uc h , a n d the roo t s

o f s u ffer i ng l i e i n the i r ig n o ran c e They c ove t .

e x terna l th i n g s whe r eas h a ppi ness co n s i sts i n r ea

,

lis i ng i n n e r th ing s i n k n ow i n g that

, dear Se l f “

i n who m there i s n oth ing bu t tranq u i l l i ty th at d ear

S u p re m e S el f, a n d in cas ti n g o ff al l d es i re fo r
w o rl d l y obj e c ts Poverty , w h ic h m e n
”
.

s o m u ch d r ead , on ly ta k es a way e x ter n al th in gs

a n d r eal ly re l i e ve s u s from m a n y so urc e s o f a nxi ety
 T H E SO N G OF MA N R I 2 31

a nd t ro u bl e I f a m a n ha s fou n d p ea c e in th e Sel f
.
,

a n d des i res n ot h i n g , the n co m p l ete p overty , in th i s

“

wo rl d , i s ha ppi ness I t i s a g ood re gi m en , i t I s th e

.

s o u r c e o f bl ess i ngs , i t i s freed o m fro m d ange r Th i s .

foeles s p ath i s u n atta i n ab l e ( by p ersons c her i sh in g

d es i re ) a n d i s eas i l y atta in ed ( by t hose th at a r e freed
fro m d es ir e ) C as ti ng m y eyes o n every part of th e
.

t h ree w o rld s I d o no t beho l d the p e r so n wh o i s

,

eq u al to a poor m a n o f p u r e c o n d u c t an d w i th ou t
a t t ach m e n t ( to worl d l y th in gs ) I we i g hed pover t y
.

a n d sovere i g n ty in a ba l a nc e P overty we i ghed

.

heav i er tha n s o ve re i g n ty a n d see m ed to p osses s

g reate r m er i ts .
”
I 75 ] B u t th u s to feel i m p l ies
.

t hat des ir es h ave bee n gotte n r i d o f an d o n t h i s ,

i s r ec i ted the s on g that M a n k i s u n g whe n freed fro m

h i s l o n g bo n d age to d es i re G reedy o f w eal th M a n k i
.
,

sear c hed fo r i t l on g bu t eve r w as he d oom ed t o

,

d i sap poi n t me n t W i th the l as t re m n a n t o f h i s p ro

.

perty h e bou g h t a p a i r o f c a l ves to tra in u p fo r th e

p l ou g h B u t ev i l fate ord a in ed th at th e c ord wi t h
.

w h ic h the two w ere t i ed sho u l d g et en tangl ed with

a p ass ing c amel s o th at bot h we re k i l led Th i s las t
, .

m i scha nc e o p e n e d the h eart o f Ma n k i so that d es i re ,

fled then ce u nconfi ned an d M an k i bu rs t for t h i n t o

,

s on g : H e th at d es i res ha pp i ness m u s t r en o u nc e
“

De sir e We l l S hu ka sa i d that o f these two the o ne

.
,
2 32 TH E
.

GR E AT EX H ORTATIO N
wh o g e ts al l th at h e wi shes , an d the o n e wh o c a s t s
o ff eve ry w i sh , the l atte r , w h o r e n ou n ces al l , i s
s u rel y m u ch s u p eri o r to the form er , fo r n o ne ca n
ever at tai n t o the e nd o f al l d esi res D o th ou , .

O m y s ou l ! s o l ong a s l ave to greed , taste n o w

for o nce th e j oys o f freed o m an d t ran q u i l l i ty .

Lon g h ave I s lept , bu t I shal l s l eep n o l on ger : I

shal l wake N o m ore sh al t tho u d ece i ve m e O
.
,

D es i re ! W hatever obj ec t th ou settes t heart u po n ,

th o u d i ds t fo rce m e t o fol l o w i t heed less an d neve r

,

paus i n g to en qu i re i f i t was easy o r i m pos s i bl e to

ga i n Tho u art w i th ou t i n tel l i g e nc e Th ou art a
. .

fool E ve r u n sat i s fied , th ou b urne s t l i k e a fi re , al ways

.

l am be n t fo r m o r e Offeri n g Thou art i m p oss i bl e t o

.

fi l l l i ke s p a c e i tsel f Thy on e w i sh i s to p l u n g e
, .

m e i nto sorro w Th i s d ay w e p art ; from th i s d ay ,

.

0 D es i re ! [ c a n n o m ore l i ve i n t hy com p a n y I .

t h i n k n o m ore o f thee a n d o f thy trai n I c as t .

thee o ff wi th al l the p ass i on s of m y h e a rtf I wh o

was ha rassed w it h d es pai r before have no w attai ned ,

t o p erfe c t p ea c e o f m i nd I n fu l l con te n t m e n t of
.

t he heart , se nses at ease , sh al l I live he nceforth

o n what I c an get , an d l abou r no t aga i n fo r sat is fac t i o n

of thy w is hes , O m y foe . C as t i n g thee o ff an d al l t hy

trai n , I ga i n i n stead tran q u i l l i t y a n d sel f
at o n ce ~

r e s t r a in t forgi ve n ess a nd comp a ss i o n a nd d e l i v e r

,
2 34 TH E GR E AT EX H ORTATI ON
p ath of m ed i tat i o n , m a k i n g i t i nde p e n de n t of the
body o r any other r e fu ge I have s p o ke n o f the
.
” “

path o f med it ati o n fi rs t , s i n ce the Y og i has fi rs t to

c on trol h i s sen ses an d h is m i nd ( an d d ir ect the m to
t h at path ) The m i n d w h i ch c o n s t i tu tes the s i x th
.

( sen se ) , whe n thu s restra i ne d, seeks to flash o ut l i ke

the c a pr i c i ou s a nd fl igh ty l i gh tn i n g m ov in g i n fr ol i c
a m o n g th e cl ou d s A s a d rop o f water o n a ( l otu s )
.

l eaf i s u n stabl e and m oves abou t i n al l d i rec ti o n s ,

even so becomes the Y og i s m i n d when fi rs t fi xed ’

i n the p ath o f med i t a ti on Whe n fi x ed , fo r a wh i l e

.

the m i n d stays i n t h at pa t h ; when , however , i t strays

a gai n in to t h e p ath of the w i nd , i t becom es as fligh t y

a s th e wi n d . Th e p erson c on versan t w i th the w a y s

o f yoga med i tati on , u n d is c ou raged
-
by th i s , n ev er
regard i n g the l oss o f th e toi l u n dergon e , c asti n g
a s id e i d le n ess an d m al i ce shou ld a ga i n d i re c t h is
,

m i n d to med i tati on Whe n one , observ i n g the vo w

.

o f s i lence , begi ns to s e t h is m in d on y oga , the n

d i s cr i m i nat i on , k n owl edge , an d p owe r to avo i d ev i l ,
are gai ned by h i m . T hough feel i n g an n oyed in
c on sequen c e o f the fl igh ti ne ss of h is m i n d he sh o u l d ,

fi x i t ( i n m ed i tatio n aga i n a n d a g a i n ) N ever sh ou l d

, .

t h e Yog i des p a ir .
”
1 95 ] O n ly by p erseve r a n c e
can s u ccess h e g a i ned bu t th e ga mi ng o f s u c cess i s
,

c e r ta in by p e r seve r a nc e ; a n d the n co m es the j oy .

 TH E DIFFI CU L T PAT H 1

2 35

w h ic h c a n n eve r o th e rwiSe be r eached h i gher tha n ,

a n yth ing e l se o n earth the j

, o y of u n i o n w it h t h e
o n e Sel f s u prem e tranq u i l l i ty perfe c t peace
, , By .

c ast ing o ff wit h the a i d o f yog a these fi ve fau l ts

, , ,

atta c h men t heed l ess n ess a ffe c t i o n l u st an d w ra t h

, , , ,

o n e atta i ns to e m an c i pati o n .
”
3O I ] T ru l y t h e
.

r oad o f yo g a i s no easy o n e I n fac t Thi s h ig h

.
,
“

p ath o f lear n ed B r a h ma nas i s ex ceed i ngl y d i ffi cu l t “

t o t r ead N 0 on e c a n wal k al on g th i s path wi t h ease

. .

Th at path i s l i ke a terr i bl e forest wh i ch abou nd s

wi th i nn u m erabl e s n akes a n d cr awl i ng verm i n w i t h ,

( c o nc ealed ) pi ts o cc u rring everyw h ere w i thou t wate r ,

fo r s l ak i n g o n e s th i rs t a n d fu l l o f thorns a nd i n
’

, ,

a cc ess i bl e o n that a c cou n t I n deed the p a t h o f

.
,

yog a i s l i ke a road al on g wh i ch n o ed i bles occ u r ,

w h ic h r u n s th r ou gh a d esert h av i n g al l i ts t rees
bu rn t d ow n in a c o nfl a gra tio n an d wh ic h h as bee n
,

r e n de r ed u n safe by be i n g i n fested w i th ba n d s o f
robbe rs . Very fe w you ng m en c a n p ass safel y
t hrou g h i t L i ke u n to a p ath o f th i s n atu re fe w
.
,

B ra h m a n a s c a n t r ead the yo g a pa t h w it h ease a n d

com fort Th at m a n w h o h av ing betake n h i msel f
.

t o th i s p ath c eases to g o forward ( bu t tu rn s bac k

a fter hav i n g mad e som e p rog r ess
) i s regard, ed as

gu i l ty o f m a n y fau l ts Me n of c l eansed sou ls O

. ,

L or d of e a r th ! c a n s tay wi th e a s e u p o n yo g a c o n -
236 TH E GR E A T EXH ORTAT I O N
t e mpla t io n, wh i ch i s l i ke the shar p ed ge o f a r a z or.

P e r so ns of u n c lea n sed sou l s h o weve r c a n n ot stay

, ,

on it .

Fu rthe r, B h is h ma i nstru c ts the you ng k ing on

many d eep p h i l osoph i c tru ths s u ch as k arm a , n atu re ,
,

m an , an d t hat wh i ch m ay be k n ow n o f G od H e r e .

I S m at t e r fo r l ong an d pat i en t st ud y , a nd we ca n on ly

gl an ce b riefly at a fe w o f the teach i n gs , that we ma y

see h o w vas t i s the reach o f t h i s great e pi c , h o w
p ro fou n d an d l u m i nou s i t s ex pos i t ion s Karm a i s a
.

rel at i o n bet wee n a c t i on s , that wh i c h m akes o ne grow

o u t Of an othe r , l i n k i ng a l l i n to a cha i n o f c au ses a n d

e ffe c ts a n d th u s b i nd i n g the a c tor I t e x i sts i n a n d

, .

t h rough d es i re d es i re bei n g the ad hes i ve q u al i ty in

,

na tu re . By o ur d es i res we a t tach ou rsel ves t o Ob

j ts, a n d we are bo r n aga i n an d agai n in the p l a c es
e c

whe re the Obj ec ts a r e fou n d to wh ich we h ave th u s

a ttached o u rsel ves . Wha
“
t eve r ac t s are a c com p l i sh
ed by mean s o f t he body , o ne enj oys t he fru i ts there
o f i n a s t ate o f phys i ca l ex i s t e n c e W hateve r
ac ts are acco m p l i shed by m ean s o f word s the i r fru i t s
,

are to be enj oyed i n a s tate i n wh i ch word s c an be

s poke n S O wh ateve r ac t s are a c com pl is hed by the
.

m i nd , thei r fru i t s are e nj oyed i n a state in w h i ch o ne

i s n o t freed fro m the m i nd . Dev o t ed t o the fru i ts
o f a c ts , wh a teve r k in d o f a c t s a pe rso n co v e t ous o f
'
 2 38 TH E GR E AT EX H OR T A T IO N
n ess p at i e nc e e ne r g y , c o n te n t m e n t , t ru th fu l n e ss Of
, ,

s peech m od es ty , abs te n t i on from i n j u ry , fr eed o m

,

fro m v i c i ou s p rac t i ces , an d c l ever nes s these are pr o

-

d uc ti ve o f hap p i ness N o c reatu re i s ete r n al ly s u b

.

je c t to the fru it s o f h i s good o r bad a c t s One

n eve r has to e n j oy o r e nd u r e the goo d a nd b ad a c ts
o f a n oth e r . T ru l y o n e en j oys a n d e n d u res the fr u i t s
,

o f th ose ac ts o n ly that on e d oe s o nesel f .

”

I n a c o n ve rsat i on bet wee n M a nn a n d V rih a spa ti,

rec ou n ted by B h i sh ma , a r e gi ve n the ou tl i n es ( d eta i ls
a r e o m i tted ) o f s o me o f the fu n d am e n tal c o nc e p t i o n s
o f H i n d u i s m r e g ard i ng the on e E x i ste nc e a n d the

m any , F r om the e t e rn al a n d u n d eter i orat ing O n e

“ ”

c am e forth in the aspe c t o f m atter the fi ve g reat

‘

E leme nts i n d ue su cc ess i o n ; the ir r o o t i s the O n e

“

wi th o u t a seco nd a n d th i s O n e , wh o d o es al l th ing s
,
” “

i s the c au se E ve r yth ing el se is e ffe c t

. Th i s i s the
.

the S E LF , Un man i fested F ro m Th is,i n the as p ec t of

.

c on s ci ous ness , s p r i n g s the m a ni fested Sel f in m a n

i de n t ic al i n n atu re w it h th e U n m an i fested fro m th i s
the U nde r s tan d i ng i s evol ved , a n d fr om the U n d e r
s ta n d i n g the M i n d ; to the M i nd the S e n ses a r e add ed ,

a n d these fi ve m ake u p the D we l le r in the B ody , wh ic h

B od y i s fo rmed o f the fi ve E l em en ts A s the s u n
.

send s o u t h i s r ays , s o t he S el f se n ds o u t the S e n s e s ,

a nd th ro u gh th e m com e s in t o con t a c t wi th obj e c t s ;

 T HE S E LF A N D I TS V EH I CL E S 2 39

these obj ects a re a pp rehe nd ed by the M i nd and a re ,

d i st i n g u i shed by the i r attri bu tes as reached by the

S e n ses ; me nt al i mag e s c ons is t o f attr i bu tes for th e ,

M i nd can n ot k n ow o bj e c ts e x cep t by the i r attr i bu tes .

T he U nd ers t an d i ng con ce r ns i tsel f wi t h these grou ps

o f att ri bu tes o r m en ta l obj ects a nd when i t ca n ge t
, ,

r i d o f the at t ri bu tes a n d rea c h that i n wh ich they i n

h e r e i t atta i n s to k n owl ed ge a n d can the n r efle c t th e
, ,

S el f wh i c h has k n owl ed ge as i ts essen ce M e re i n

, .

t e llige nc e o r M i n d at i ts h i g h es t can n ot behol d the

, , ,

S e l f no r c a n the S el f be l earn ed by tea c h i n g s inc e

, ,

i t c a nn ot form the s u bj e c t o f l an g u age I t i s reached .

by a reve r sal o f t he pr oces s by wh ich i t c o n tacted the

ex te rn al w orl d
.
Th e S e n ses a r e wi thd raw n fro m
.

obj e c ts a n d are p l a c ed q u i es c e n t i n the M i n d ; th e

, , ,

M i n d i s w i thd r aw n fro m the i ma g es obtai ned by th e

a i d o f the Se n ses an d i s pl a c ed q u ies c e n t in the Un der
, , ,

stan d ing T he Un de r sta n d i n g w i thd r a w s i tsel f from the

.

s t udy o f attr i bu tes pr ese n ted b y the m i nd a n d r efle c ts ,

t he Se l f Th i s p ro c ess o f w i thd ra w al i s c al led yoga

.
.

The S e nses c an n o t a i d the M i nd to becom e q u ie t n or ,

c a n the M i nd a pp rehend the Un derstand i ng no r t he

‘

U nderstand ing the m an i fested Sel f ; the S el f c an

k now the m al l The M i n d shou l d c on tr o l t he Senses ;
.

the U nd ersta n d i n g shou l d p u r i fy the m in d ; k nowledge

sh o ul d c l ea ns e th e Un de rs ta n d ing a n d the n the Sel f ,
2 40 TH E GR E A T EX H OR T A T I O N
i s rea c hed Th e m i n d ma y tu rn ou twa r d s t o O bj e c t s
.

th r ou gh the Se n ses o r i n wa rd s to t he Sel f th r ou g h

,

t he U nd e rs tand i n g ; the fi rs t co u r se l eads to mi se ry ,

the secon d to bl i ss . 2 0 2 20 6 ] -
T h e S el f is t h e
W i tness an d i s i n it sel f i n ac t i ve
, , 2 0 6] bu t
v i v i fy i ng the ear i t hea r s ; v i v i fy i n g the eye i t s ees
, ,

t h rou gh the body i t e vo l ves i ts ow n n a t u re wh ic h ,

i s k n owled g e ; an d th u s the bod i ly o r g an s a r e n o t

“

t h e d oers bu t i t i s t he Sel f th at i s the d oe r o f al l acts

”
, .

B u t as w i n d i s n ot s tai ned by t he d u st i t
c a r r i es away bu t i s se p arate fro m i t so i s the Sel f
, ,

u nsta i n ed by ac t i on s an d se p a r ate fro m man i fested

,

l i fe e x i s t i n g i n i ts o wn n atu re T i m e i s the c au se o f
,
.

al l w e k n o w as e ffe c ts O f al l m u l t ip l ici ty
, .

V rih a s pa t i,speak i n g to Yudh is h thira , l a i d d ow n

the fu n d amen tal s of t r u e r el i gi on Th at m an , sai d .

he , who p ract i ses the r el ig i o n of u n i versal c o m

“

pass i o n , ac hieves h i s h ig hes t good Th at m a n wh o

r egard s a ll c reatu res as h is o wn sel f an d behaves ,

to ward s the m as t owards h is o wn sel f, l ay i ng asi d e

the ro d of chas tisem en t an d c om pletel y s u bj u gati n g
h is w r ath , s u cceeds i n atta i n i ng to happ i ness On e
shou l d n ever d o th at to an othe r whi ch on e re g ard s
as i nj ur i ou s to o ne s own sel f Th i s , i n brie f, i s th e
’
.

r u l e of r i g hteou s n e ss [ Anush a sa na P arva §

.
”
,

T h i s led k in g Yudh ish th ira t o r a i se a qu est i o n w h ic h

24 2 TH E GR E AT E X H OR T ATIO N
b reath s in th i s w o r l d E v e n th i s i s the h ig h r el igion
.

wh i c h m e n o f w i sd o m p ra i se T he l i fe b r eaths o f
.
-

othe r c r eatu res are as d ea r t o the m as a re on e s o wn ’

t o o n ese l f M e n e n d u ed w i th i n te l l ig e nc e a n d o f
.

c l eanse d s ou l s s h o u l d al w ays beh ave to w ard s o the r

c reat u r es a fte r th e m a nn e r of th at behav i ou r w h ic h
t hey wi s h o the r s t o o bse r ve to w a r d s
K n o w that the d i s c ard i ng o f m eat i s the h ig h es t t e
fu g e o f re l ig i o n , o f heave n , a nd o f h a p p in e s s A b s .

ten ti o n fro m i nj u ry i s the h ighes t r el i gi on I t is a g a i n

.

th e h i ghes t pe n a nc e I t i s al s o the h ig hes t t r u th ,

.

fro m w h i ch al l d u ty pr o c eed s F l es h c a n no t b e h ad
.

fro m gr ass or wo od , or s t on e U n less a l i v ing cr ea

.

t u re i s s l a i n , i t ca n n o t be h ad H e nc e the fau l t o f
.

e ati n g flesh T he k i l ler , the p u r c h ase r, th e e a te r

.

a re al l s i n fu l T h os e wh o eat m eat o bt a in ed fro m

.

s ac ri fi c es , z e n ot s l a in for the gr at ific at ion o f taste ,

'

. .

i nc u r o n l y a l i tt l e fa u l t A l l o the r m eat is g a in ed by
.

u se less sl a ugh te r , an d i s the re fore i n ed i bl e by th e goo d .

“
I n th i s w o r l d the r e i s n o th i n g d ea r e r t o a c reatu re
th a n i ts l i fe H e n c e o n e sh ou l d sh o w c o m p as s io n t o
.

th e l i ves o f o the rs as o ne d oes t o on e s o w n l i fe ’

.
”

K sh a ttriya s m i gh t ea t m eat obtai n ed by h u n ti n g i n

wh i c h th ey ri s ked th e ir o wn l i ve s “
th e r e i s eq u al i ty
o f ris k bet w ee n th e s l aye r a n d the S la i n . M o reo ve r
“
th e s l aye r i s al w ay s s l a i n . K a rm a r et u rns t o h im
 A B ST E N TIO N FRO M C R U E LT Y 24 3

h is o wn a c ts A bs te n t i o n fro m c ru el ty i s th e h ighes t
.
“

rel igi o n A bs te n ti o n fro m c ru e l ty i s the h ighes t sel f

.

c o n trol A bs te n ti o n fro m c ru el ty i s the h ighes t gi ft

.

t he h i gh es t pen a n ce the h i ghes t s a c ri fi ce the h i g hes t

, ,

p owe r ; t h e h ighes t fri en d , th e h ighes t h app i n ess t he ,

h ighes t t ru th the h ighe s t S c ri p tu re

, Gi fts m ad e i n
.

a l l s a c ri fi ces ab l u t i o n s pe rformed i n al l s ac red wa t ers

, ,

a n d the m e ri t a c q u i red by m ak i n g al l th e k i n d s o f
gi ft s m e n t i on ed i n the S c ri p t u res — al l these d o n o t
c o m e u p to abs te n ti o n fro m c r u el ty Th e pe n a n c es
.

o f a m a n th at abstai n s fr o m c ru el t y are in ex hau s ti bl e .

T h e m a n wh o abs ta i n s fro m c ru el ty i s r egarded as

al ways p e r for m i n g sa c r ific es T he m a n wh o abs tai n s
.

fro m c ru e l ty i s the fathe r a n d mo the r o f al l c reatu res .

”

1 1 5, 1 16 ]
A n s wer i n g a q u est i o n as to th e G o d o f the
wo rl d B h i sh ma r e c i ted the tho u s a nd n am es o f V a s u
,

d ev a an d aft e r s o m e fu rthe r d i sco u rse h e ,

ceas ed a n d the G reat E x hortat i o n w as e n ded A s

, .

th e v i bran t vo ic e s an k in to s i l e n ce a g reat s t i l l ness

,

c am e d ow n a n d a l l the k i n gs s at m oti o n l ess

, l i ke
,
“

fi g u res p ai n t e d o n ca n vas P resen t l y at V y a s a s

.
”
,
’

su gges t i on , the great warri o r bad e Y udh ish th ira retu rn

h ome : Whe n the h o u r c o m es fo r m y d epar t u re
“

fro m t his wo rl d d o th ou co me h ere 0 k i n g The

, , .

t i me whe n I s h al l ta ke l eave o f m y bo dy is that

2 44 T H E G R E AT EX H ORTA T IO N
p eri od whe n t he S u n , s t op p i n g i n h i s s ou the r n c ou r s e ,
w i l l begi n t o re t u rn n o r t h wa rd s R e ve re n t l y s al u t
.
”

i ng B h i s h ma , Y u dh ish th i ra r e t u rn ed to H a s t i n a pu ra ,
a n d re m ai n ed t here for fi ft y d a ys t i l l th e S u n t u r n e d
,

t o h is nor t hern pa t h a n d B h i s h ma s d e part u re was a t

,
’

h a n d T h e n h e c ol l ected al l th a t was n ecess a ry for

.

th e b u rn i ng o f th e b od y o f the s o n o f Gan g a a n d ,

t h e s ole m n process i on s et forth beari n g al s o w i th i t

,

h is s a c ri fi c i al fi res H e fo u n d B h i s h ma atte n d ed by
.

V y a sa a n d N a rad a , D e val a a n d A s i ta , w i t h s o m e
mo n arch s th at h ad re m ai n ed a nd , ap p roach i n g the
,

h ero o n h i s be d o f arrows , h e revere n t l y to l d h i m

that h e h ad brou gh t al l tha t was n eed ed fo r that a p
p o i n ted hou r B h i sh ma Ope n ed h i s eyes a n d gr e ete d
.
,

t he you n g k i n g l ov i n gl y , tel l i ng h i m t hat t h e h o u r h a d

c o m e , a n d the n t u r n i n g to k i n g D h ri tar a sh t ra , h e
,

b ad e h i m c her i s h t h e so n s o f P a n du a n d n o l o nge r
gri eve fo r h i s o wn ch i l d re n a n d th e P a n davas wou l d
,

d u ti fu l ly serve a nd h on ou r h i m T o V a s u d e va the n
.

t h e dy i n g eyes t u rn e d i n ad ori n g l ov e , a n d h e h a i l ed
H i m as t he H ol y One , t h e G o d o f G od s ; Res c u e “

me , O fore m os t f
al l bei ngs D o T h o u gi ve m e
o .

pe rm i ss i o n , 0 K r i sh n a , to d e p art fro m t h i s
D o t h ou , O K ri sh n a g ran t m e l eav e t hat I m ay
,

c as t o ff m y bod y P erm i t ted by Thee , I sh al l attai n

.

to t he h ighes t e n d T h e s w eet m u s i c o f S hr i
”
.
 C H APTE R I X .

TH E C LOSI N G S C E N ES .

W he n k in g Y udh ish th ira wa s m ou n t ing the ba n k

o f G an g a aft er l ib at i o n s had bee n o ffe red t o B h i s h ma ,
,

h i s gri e f ove rc a m e h i m a n d h e fel l , l i k e a n e leph a n t

“

p i erced by th e h u n ter .
”
V ery te n d erly G ov i n d a c o n
s ol ed h i m , tel l i ng h i m th at o v e r m u ch so rr ow g ri eve d
th os e wh o h ad d ep arted , a n d the n V y a sa bad e h i m
c e l ebrate the H orse S ac ri fi c e , the A shv a m ed ha , wh i c h
g i ves th e n a m e t o th is P a rv a a n d gi ve g i fts , th u s
re m ov i n g h i s g ri e f a n d o bta i n i ng pro s p eri ty Yu
w
.

dh ish t h i ra obj e c t in g th at h i s treas u r y a s e m p ty an d

t h at h e c ou l d n o t l ev y o n h is im po ve ri shed k ing d o m ,

V y a s a tol d h i m th at h e c o u l d fi n d v ast st or es o f g ol d
i n th e H i m a l ayas , l e ft th ere a fte r the s a c ri fi ce o ffe r ed
by a k i n g , wh os e st ory b e r el ated To c al m Y u.

dh ish th i ra , V a s u d ev a e x p la i n ed to h i m th at h e m u s t
c o n q u e r s or r o w by m aster i n g h i s mi n d : Th e t i m e
“

h a s n o w arri ved wh e n th ou m u s t figh t t h e battl e

w h i ch e ach m u s t fi gh t s i n gl e han d ed wi th h i s
-

I n th i s wa r there wi l l b e n o n eed for an y m i ss i les ,

n o r fo r fr i e n d s n or atte n d an ts .T h e battl e wh i c h i s
t o be fo u g h t al on e a n d s i n g l e ha n d e d h a s now a r r i ved
-
 TH E AN UG i TA 24 7

for thee I f va n q u i shed i n th i s s t r u g gl e , th o u sh al t

.

fi nd thyse l f i n the m os t wr etch ed p l i gh t O so n o f .

K u n t i , k no w ing th i s a n d ac t i n g ac c o rd i n g l y , sh al t
tho u atta i n s u c c ess Th e n Y u dh is h th ira s tru ggl e d
.
”

a g a in s t h i s d es po n d e n c y , a n d , gra te fu l ly th a n k i n g
h is c o ns ol e rs , betoo k h i m sel f to h i s d u ti es , ret u rn i n g
to H a s ti na
pura .
] I -
I 4 .

S h r i K r i sh n a a n d A rj u n a no w fo r awh i l e travel l e d
t o gethe r i n pl e as a n t p l a c es i n pea c e a n d j oy
a n d o ne d ay A rj u n a r e m i n ded h i s d i v i ne Fri e n d o f
th e tea c h in g H e h ad gi ve n h i m j u s t be fore the battl e .

T h i s h e had fo rgotten , an d h e pr ayed the Lord t o

a g a in i n st r u c t h i m V a s u d ev a rep l i ed g ravel y a nd
.

re pr oa c h fu l l y th at H e h ad the n to l d h i m m ysteri o u s
a n d ete rn a l tru th s , h av i n g c on c e n trated H i m se l f i n
Y oga , a n d th at H e c ou l d n o t no w r e m e m be r al l th a t
H e h ad th e n s a i d H e wou l d , howeve r, re ci te t o h i m
.

a n a n ci e n t h is t o ry o f wh at a B r a h m a n a , v i s i ti n g
h eaven , h ad s ai d c o n c er n i n g e m an ci p at i o n Th i s .

d i sco u rse i s th e fa m ou s A n ugi ta 16

“
i n wh i ch ,
as V a s u d e v a tol d A rj u n a , I a m the p re c ep to r O
“
,

m i g hty a r m ed on e , an d k n o w th at th e m i n d i s M y
pu pil . Th i s i s an othe r o f the p ro fou n d te ach i n gs
wh i ch yo u m u s t o n e d ay s tu d y .

The n S h r i K ri sh n a , d es i r in g t o r et u rn h o m e , d rove
to H a sti n a pura w i th A rj u n a , a n d h av i n g obtai ned
2 48 TH E C LO S I N G SC E N ES
Y udh is h th ira p erm i ss i o n to l eave H e b ad e farewe l l
’
s ,

t o t h e P a n dav as a n d K u ru s a n d tak i n g H i s s iste r

, ,

S u bh a dra w i t h h i m d ep a rted t o D va ra k a
, T here .

H e w as w el c o m ed w i t h great jo y a n d re c o u n ted th e
,

s to ry o f t h e great bat t l e t o Vas u d ev a a n d D e vak i ; a

p a th et i c s ce n e o c c u rred wh e n H e tol d t he tal e o f
A b h i ma n yu s d eath o m i tted by H i m at fi rst i n c o m
’

p as s i o n ate te n d e r ness a n d d esc ri bed the co u r a ge wi th

,

wh i ch K u n t i h ad born e th e te rri bl e b l o w , a n d h ad
c hee r e d he r w i d o w ed gran d d au gh te r 52 6 I ]
-
.
-
.

M ea n wh i le , i n H a s tin a pu ra , Y udh ish th i ra , u r g ed

by V ya sa , w as p rep ari ng fo r th e H orse S a c ri fi c e , a nd
p res e n tl y s e t o u t w i th h i s b r oth er s a n d a l a rge t ra i n
t o th e H i m a l ayas ; h av i n g w o r sh i p p ed M ah a d ev a , h e
mad e e x c avati on s o n th e s p ot wh ere the weal th h a d
b ee n b u ri e d , an d d u g o u t v as t s t or es o f c o in s an d
v essel s , wh i ch he b rou gh t bac k by sl ow m arches t o
h is c a p it al
. 62 D u r i n g h i s abse n c e , K e sh a va
retu rn ed t o H a s t i n a u ra , fo r th e t i m e h a d c o m e fo r
p
t he bi rth o f A b h i ma ny u s so n, a n d s oo n t h e ch i l d was
’

b o rn b u t bor n d ead , s l ai n by th e cel es t i a l weap on o f

'

A sh va tth a ma H as ti ly S h r i K ri sh n a e n tered th e i n
.

n e r a part m en ts , to be m e t by K u n t i a n d S u bh a dra
a n d m a n y oth ers , wee pi n g p i teo u sl y , a n d c ry i n g to

H i m for h el p H i s s i s ter , w a i l i n g rem i n d ed H i m o f

.
,

H i s p r om i s e t o r e v i v e th e c h i l d , a n d p rayed H im to
2 50 TH E C LOSI N G SCE N ES
m o ve , a n d c ri es o f p ra i se a n d j oy took th e pl a c e o f
s obs a n d wai l i n gs A n d K e sh a v a n a m ed th e ch i l d ,
.

wh e n t he ri gh t t i m e ca m e , s ayi n g S i n ce th i s c h i l d
“

o f A bh i ma n u has bee n bo r n at a t i m e whe n th i s

y
r a c e ha t h be c o m e n earl y e x t i n c t l e t h is n a m e be
,

P a rik s h i t
”

( a l l rou n d d e c ayed ) A m on th l
. ate r th e
P a n davas a rr i ved b r i n gi n g h om e th e w eal th th ey h ad
,

c ol l ec ted
. 66 70 ]
-

P re pa rat i o n s fo r the great s ac r ific e we r e n ow r a pi d

ly m ad e a n d A rj u n a was c h ose n t o fol l ow a n d g u ard
,

th e s acri fi c i a l s teed A m agn i fi c en t bl ac k h o rse wa s

.

c hose n , an d Yu dh is h th ira h av i n g bee n d u l y in i ti ate d

,

as th e p erform er o f th e s ac ri fi ce ,the s teed was set l oos e

t o wa n d e r wh it he r h e wo u l d E very k i n g wh ose l a n d
.

h e e n tered m u s t e i the r ac k n o w l ed g e Y udh ish th ira as

l ord o r d o battl e w i th th e bl ac k s teed s ch a m p i o n ,
,
’

a n d n o n e migh t c he c k o r s tay h i m save at h i s p eri l .

A rj u n a fol l owed i n h i s w a r ch ar i ot , t o wh i c h we r e
-

y o k ed w h i te h orses , as was h i s w o n t , a n d the t wa i n ,

s teed an d ch a mp io n , se t forth a m i d the pl au d i ts a n d
bl ess i ngs o f al l I n the c o u rse o f h i s wa n deri n gs a n d
_
.

fi gh t i ngs A rj u n a c am e to th e d o m i n i o n s o f M a n i
,

p u ra t h e ru l e r o f w h i c h was h lS o w n so n ; th e
,
‘

k i n g c a m e to m eet h i s fathe r w i th s u bm i ssi ve re

v e re nc e , b u t A rj u n a tol d h i m s tern l y th at h e was
beha v i n g l i k e a wo m a n in s tead o f l i ke a K sh a ttri ya
 FA T H E R A N D SO N 2; 1

a nd m us t fi gh t h i m for h is c ro w n U l u p i th e d au gh te r
.
,

o f the S n ak e K i n g a p peared a n d i n c i ted th e you n g

, ,

k i n g B a b h ruva h a na to do battl e w it h h i s fath er an d

, , ,

a fi e rc e d u el bega n i n wh i ch th e you th sh owe d great

,

c ou ra g e a n d s k i l l t o th e d el i gh t o f A rj u n a ; fi n al l y
,

A rj u n a fel l u n d er a wel l ai m ed sh aft a n d h i s s o n

,
-

s woon ed o n seei n g h i s fathe r s fal l The n C h i t

’
.

ra nga da , h i s m othe r ca m e h asti l y to th e fi el d an d

, ,

r eproach ed U l u p i for h a vi n g e n cou raged th e c o m bat ,

de c l ar i n g th at sh e w ou l d s ta r ve h ersel f to d eath i f
U lfipi d i d n ot rev i ve thei r h u s ban d A rj u n a , .

B a b h ru va h a na r e c ov eri n g fro m h i s s woo n ad d ed h i s

, ,

p rayers to th o se o f h i s m othe r a n d t ook a s i m i l a r ,

v o w o f d eath by s tarvat i o n t i l l U l u p i th i n k i n g o f
, ,

a ge m th at c ou l d rev i ve th e d ead c al led th at ge m ,

t o he r by h er th o u gh t T h e n sh e tol d th e yo u n g
.

k i n g t hat h e c ou l d no t r eal l y c on q u e r A rj u n a b u t ,

t h at sh e h ad c au sed a n i l l u s i on fo r Arj u n a s s ake an d

’

t h at i f h e p l a c ed th e j ewe l o n A rj u na s breas t h e
’

w o u l d rev i v e W he n the h ero aros e h e as ked wo n

.
,

de ri ngly wh at h ad h ap p en ed , an d U l u p i tol d h i m t ha t
th e V a su s h ad c u rsed h i m beca u s e he had sho t B h i
sh ma u n ri gh te ou s l y wh en h e wa s no t bat tl i n g wi t h
him U l u p i d eepl y g ri eved had s ou gh t he r fa t her s
, ,
’

hel p wh o wen t to th e V a su s a n d pac i fi ed t he m , s o

,

that they a g reed that A rj u n a s h o u l d fa l l be fore hi s

2 52 TH E CL OSI N G S C E N E S
o w n s on a n d th u s be freed fro m th e i r c u rs e , e x p ia t
,

i n g h is fau l t T he n A rj u n a bad e h i s s o n c o m e t o
.

th e s ac ri fi ce a n d we n t o n h i s way t h rou gh the l an d s ,

,

u n t i l at las t he s a w a g a i n t h e wal l s o f H a s ti na

p u ra a n d was wel c o m ed ho me agai n i n t ri u m p h , h i s

,

t as k ach ieved 71.

V as t was th e weal th e x p en d ed i n th at s a c ri fi c e ,
th e arc hes o r n am e n tal s tak es j ars an d vessel s be i n g
, ,

al l o f gol d a nd myri ad s o f gol d e n c o i ns be i n g g i ve n

,

a way T o V y a s a , the k i ng gave th e c o n q u e red earth

.

a s gi ft d e cl ari n g h i s w i sh to go away i n t o t he wood s

, .

B u t V ya s a bad e h i m red ee m t h e ear t h w it h gol d a n d ,

h e y i el d ed t o th e c o m m an d , a n d a l l w h o a tte nd ed th e
s a c r i fi ce , fro m B r a h m a n as to M le c h c h a s, re tu rn ed
h o m e l ad e n wi th wea l th B u t a c u r i ou s th i n g h a p
.

p en ed A m o n goos e , hal f o f wh ose body was gol d e n

.
,

a p peared an d s ai d : Ye k i n gs , th is great s ac ri fi c e i s
“

n o t eq u al to a l i t tl e m eas u re o f po wd ered barl ey g i ve n

a way by a l iberal B r a h m a n a o f K u ru k sh e tra wh o ,

wa s observ i n g th e u n e ch a vo w Q u esti o n ed a s to
”
.

th e m ean i n g o f h is s tran ge words , the m on goose tol d

th e fol l o w i ng s t o ry : Th ere was a B r a h m a n a wh o ,
wi t h h i s fam i l y was l i v i n g o n th e g ra i n s o f c or n h e
,

c o u l d p i c k u p i n the fi el d s , ea ti ng b u t o n ce a d ay at
a fi xed h ou r A nd behol d ! a terri bl e fa m i n e l a i d
.

wa s te t he l a n d , a n d i t c ha nc ed m a ny t i m es th at a t
2 54 T H E C LOSI N G S C E N E S
righ teo u s n ess u ns ta i ned a n d b ad e the m ri se i n ha p py
,

p eace to hea ve n A n d t he m o n goose , co m i n g w here

.

s o m e g rai n s o f t he ba rl ey powd er had fal l en , r ol led o n

-

t he m a n d h al f h i s bod y t u rn ed t o gol d fro m th e

m agi c po we r Of that l o v i n g s a c ri fi ce a n d e ve r a fte r
,

h ad h e s o u gh t a s a c ri fic e O f eq u al m e ri t a n d h ad
fo u n d n o n e , n o , no t tha t s a c r ifi ce O f k i n g Y udh ish
th i ra w it h a l l i ts g or g e o u s profu sion o f g ol d a n d
,

ge m s . 88

T h e Ash ra ma va s ik a P arva gi ve s th e c l os in g s c e n es
O f th e l i fe O f D h r i tar a sh t ra G a n d h a r i a nd K u n t i
, .

F o r fi ftee n years the b l i n d k i n g d wel t i n p eace an d

h o n o u r , obeyed by Y udh ish th ira a n d h i s brothers ,
w h o s u r rou n ded h i m wit h the ten d e r es t r evere n ce ,
that , d ep ri v ed Of al l h i s c h i l d re n , h e migh t n e ve r fee l
n egl e c ted o r u n h a p py A l o n e B h i m a s ti l l c her i shed
.

h at red i n h i s heart , an d th o u gh o u t w ard ly r everen t

,

i n h i s beh av i ou r he wou l d s e cr etly t r y t o m a ke

,

t rou bl e a n d wo u l d u tte r bi tte r s peeches w i th in t he

,

h eari n g o f th e bl i n d k i n g wh o was O ft e n th u s pi e rc ed
,

to the hea r t A t l as t D h ri tar a sh tra c al l ed h i s ne

.

ph e ws a n d c o n fessed to the m h i s se cr et pen an c es fo r

,

t h e fau l ts th at h ad brough t abou t t h e wa r , p ra y i n g

Y u dhi sh th i ra to con sen t to h i s ret i ri n g w i th h i s wi fe
t o t he fo r es t , t o c l o se h i s l i fe i n ascet i c i s m Y udh is
.

t h i ra a nsw e r e d l o v in gl y , pr ay ing h i m t o r e m a in , b u t
 D H RITAR AS H TRA S L E AV E TA K I N G
’
2 55

t he Ol d k i n g re p eati n g h i s w i sh fa i n ted away fro m

, ,

wea k n ess i n d u ced by age a n d m u c h fas ti n g G rea t

, .

w as Y u dh ish th i ra s s o rro w , bu t V y a s a ca m e a n d bad e

’

h i m y i el d to h i s u nc l e s req u est , re m i n d i n g h i m th at
’

d eath i n ba t tl e o r i n the fores t was th e fi tt i n g c lose

.

for a r oy a l K s h a ttriv a s l i fe S O Yu dh i s h t h i ra yi el d
’
.

ed , th o u g h sa d a t he art , a n d th e brothers asse m bl ed ,

t o h ea r t he l as t i n stru c t i o n s O f th e Ol d k i n g e re h e
l eft t he m H av i n g ex horted Y u dh is h th i ra o n t h e
.

d i sch arge O f h i s r oyal d u t i e s , D h ri tar a sh t ra rested

fo r a wh i l e , a n d the n ad d ressed th e c i ti ze n s , s u m mon ed
a t h i s w i sh H e S pok e a ffe c ti o n ately to them tel l i ng
.
,

t he m th at bei ng Old a n d c h i ld less , he w ished t o ret i re

t o th e woods w i th h is w i fe ; h e h ad s tr i ve n t o serve
th e m b u t , th r o u gh h is s o n s fau l t an d h i s o wn great
,
’

c arn age h a d o cc u r r ed , for wh i c h h e p rayed th ei r fo r

g i v e n e.ss Y u dh is h t h ira wou l d ru l e the m wel l , a n d
h e g ave h i m the real m i n c harge Let the m forg i ve
.

a n d forge t a ny i nj u ry d on e the m by h i s d ead son s ,

a n d g i ve h i m pe rm i ss i o n t o reti r e The c rowd l iste n

.

e d t o th e p atheti c p lead i n g O f the aged a n d gri e f

s t r i c ke n m on a rch wit h s tream i ng eyes u n abl e to spea k
,

i n a n s we r , a n d Dh ri tar a sh t ra agai n u ttered a fe w

bro ke n wo rd s , beggi ng for h i s rel ease fro m royal d u t ies .

A t l as t a B r a h m a na was p u t for ward to s pea k wh o voi e

,

ed the l o ve a n d grat i t ud e Of the peo p l e , a n d d ecl ared

2 56 T H E C L OS I N G S C E N ES
that D h r i tar a sh t ra a n d h i s so n s w ere h o no u r ed b y
the m as t ru e m o n arch s O f m e n l et th e k i n g go fort h
i n peace , a n d ac co m p l i s h h i s ri ghteo us w i sh [ 5I I O ]
.
-
.

D h r i tar a sh t ra th e n d ec i d ed to l eav e o n th e a p
pro a c h i ng fu l l m oo n O f K a rti ka , a nd , e re go i n g , as ked
th e P a n dav as t o gi ve h i m wea l th th a t h e m igh t
perform the S h r a d d h a O f B h i sh ma a n d oth e r h eroes .

Y udh is h th ira a n d A rj u n a gl ad l y co n sen ted , d ec l ari n g

th at they an d al l th ey poss esse d were h i s ; al o n e
B h i m a gru d ge d th e gi v i n g d es p i te th e ge n tl e p l ead
,

i n g o f A rj u n a a n d th e reb u ke O f h i s el d e r b rothe r .

H e c ou l d no t bl ot o u t fro m h i s m e m o ry the b i tte r

wron g s a n d s u ffe r i n gs O f th e p as t .A t l as t a ll wa s
o ver the l as t sp l e n d id gi fts were m ad e , r o yal l y c l o s
,
’

i n g a roy a l l i fe , a n d th e n Dh r i ta ra sh t ra s et forth on
foo t , tre m bl i n g w i th wea k n ess a n d l ean i n g o n h is
d evoted w i fe , fro m th e c i ty h e h ad ru l ed s o l o n g
V i du ra a n d S a nj a
ya ac co m pa n i ed h i m , as d i d al s o
K u n ti , d esp i te th e p ass i o n ate l a m e n tati o n s an d pro
tests O f he r s o n s , a n d t h e s ad p r o c ess i o n m oved
t h ro ugh c ro wd s o f gri e f s t ri c ke n peopl e ti l l the c i ty
-
,

w as l e ft beh i nd , a n d th e bl i n d k i n g a n d h is fo l l owers
p assed o ut O f S igh t B u t th e P a n davas c ou l d no t be
.

c o m forted for the l oss O f the ir m other , a n d gri eve d

fo r he r i n c ess a n tl y A t l en g th they r eso l ved t o v i s i t
.

the ir l o ved o n es in the ir for es t r et r eat and going

, ,
2 58 T H E C LO S I N G S C E N E S
s peak i n g al s o fo r K ri sh n a S ubh a dra , a n d the ot he r
,

bereaved w i ve s an d m oth ers T h e n V ya s a t ol d t he m

.

t h a t t he great warr i ors w h o h ad fal l e n i n bat t l e we re

al l Ri sh i s Gan d h a rvas R a k sh asas a n d o t he r S u ra s
, , ,

a n d A s u ra s , wh o h ad take n bi r t h fo r th is s t ru ggle ,
a n d o n t h e c o m i n g n i gh t , o n th e ba n ks o f G ang a ,

the y s h ou l d se e t he i r d ead aga i n A n d t h at n i gh t.

,

V y a sa s t an d i n g i n t he s t rea m c a l le d o n th e warri or s
, ,

wh o had passed t h o u gh d ea t h t o ap pea r a n d they ,

c am e i n a ll t he gl o r y o f t he i r heave n l y sta t e rad i a n t , ,

fu l l o f peace an d j o y Th e n Karn a was rec on c i l e d

.

wi t h t he P a n dav as an d A b h i ma n y u a n d t h e Chi ld re n
,

o f D ra u pa di gl ad d e ned t he i r m o t hers hea rt s a n d t h e ’

warr io rs a ll m e t i n a m i ty a ll p as t s t ri fes forgo tt e n

, .

G rea t w as t he rej o i c i n g meas u re less t he c on t e n t i n

, ,

t h a t n igh t s bl es t re u n i o n a nd o n t h e l eav i n g of t h e
’

, ,

he roes t he i r w i ves cas t i n g o ff t he i r bod ies a c c o m

, , ,

p a n i e d t he m to t h e reg i on s o f h ap pi n ess S hor t l y .

a ft e r t h i s t h e P a n dav as bad e farewe l l to D h ri ta

,

ra s h t ra ,
G a n d h a ri a n d K u n t i — d es pi te a l as t at t e mp t
o f Y u dh i s h th i ra an d S ah adev a t o re m ai n w i t h t he m

a n d d epar t ed to H a s t i n a p u ra wh i t her ca m e N a ra da
, ,

t wo yea rs l a t e r t o a n nou n ce t he pass i n g Of t he t h ree

,

ro y a l as ce t i cs H e t ol d t he m t hat a ft e r p rac t is i n g
. ,

sev ere a u ste ri t i es t he y h ad go n e to t he ba n k s o f

,

Ga ng a S a nj
, a
y a acc o m pa n y i ng t he m A s t hey t u r n .
 D H R I TA R AS H TRA PA SS ES 2 59

e d away th ey behe l d t he fo res t i n flam es be fo re t he m

, ,

a n d D h r i t ar a sh t ra bi d d i ng S a nj
, a
y a lea v e t h e m s a t ,

d ow n wi t h G a nd h a r i a nd K u n t i t o awa i t th e en d
, .

T here abso rbed ih m ed i t a t i on t hey were bu rned i n

, ,

a c o n fl a gra t io n k i n d l ed by t hei r o w n s ac ri fi c i al fi res ,

aba n d o ned i n t he wood s an d t he y t h u s passed t o t h e

,

h eave n l y wo rl d s A n d t hou gh Y u dh is h t h ira t h i n k

.
,

i n g o f h i s m o t he r we p t l i ke a ch i l d rai s i n g h is a rm s
, ,

i n ago n y y e t he w i t h h is bro t he rs regai ned c al m

, , ,

n ess s oo t he d by N a rad a a n d t hough s a d bore

, , , ,

p a t i e n t ly t h e heavy b u rd e n of soverei gn t y N o w .

e igh t ee n y ears h ad p assed s i nce t he grea t ba tt le ,

wh e n D h ri t ar a sh tra cas t O ff h is body 2 7 39 ] .

-

M a u s a la P arva , i n i t s e igh t sec t i on s , t el l s o f

_ The
t he sl au gh ter o f t he race o f K e s h a va an d of t h e ,

d e par t u re fro m ear t h o f B al a r a m a a n d S h r i K ri sh n a .

T h i rty s i x y ea rs had co m e a n d go n e s i n ce t he s t ru gg l e
o n t he fi el d o f K u ru an d s t ra nge por t e n t s appeared
,

o n every s i de t h e l o rd o f d a y grew d i m an d bl az i n g
, ,

c i rc l es were seen ro u n d s u n a n d m oo n M oved by .

fol ly t h e h o u r o f d oo m h av i n g s t ru c k so me heroes
, ,

o f t he V rish n is see i n g t he a pp roach o f N a ra da

, ,

V is h v a mi tra an d K an n a d ressed u p Sh a m va a
, ,

warri or as a wo m an a n d a s ked t h e s a ges wha t t h i s

, ,

w o m an d es i ri n g a s o n sh o u l d bri ng for t h
, ,
A fi e rc e .
“

i ro n bo l t , was t he s t er n a ns wer
”
for the de s truc
,
2 60 T H E C LO S I N G S C E N E S
tion of t he V an d A ndh a k a s
ris h n is O n the fol l o w
.

i n g d ay a n i ron bol t ca m e for t h fro m S h a mva s bod y ,

,
’

a n d th e k i n g U p a sa rga , to av oi d the foretol d fate ,

grou n d i t i n to p owd er a n d cas t i t i n t o the s e a But .

10 ! m an y d read o m e n s ap peared , forebod i n g the

c o m i n g d oom Th e d i s c u s O f S h r i K ri sh n a ascen d ed
.

t o heave n , an d H i s fam ou s h orses fled away wi t h H i s

c el es t i a l c ar u n d er t he very eyes o f H i s ch ari oteer ,
wh i l e H i s s ta n d ard a n d t h at o f B al a r a m a were c arri
ed away by A p saras A n d pat ie n t ly H e wai ted
. ,

k n ow i n g al l t h a t w as t o c o m e T he n o ne d ay t he
.

V ris h n i he roes gave th e m sel ves u p t o d ri n k i n g a nd , ,

e xc i ted by w i ne t hey fl u n g t au n ts a t eac h othe r

, ,

S é tya k i j ee ri n g at K ri ta va rma n fo r t he m i d n i gh t ra i d
o n th e c am p o f t he s l ee p i n g h osts O f t he so n s o f
P a n du . B i tt er s pee c h es we re ex c h an ged wh i l e ,

G ov i n d a s at s i l e n t l y w ai t i n g t i l l S a tya k i ru sh
,

ed a t K ri ta va rma n a n d severed h i s head fro m h is

b od y a n d a fi erce fi gh t e n s u ed K e sh a va , p rese n t l y
,
.

s too pi n g too k u p a h an d fu l Of grass an d i t ch an ged

’

, ,

i n t o a t erri bl e bol t o f i ro n a n d H e s tood there w i t h

,

t h e bol t u p l i ft ed , eye i ng i n s a d s t ern s i l e n ce al l th at

p assed w h i l e bl ades o f gr a ss i n the h an d s o f t h e
,

c o m ba t a n ts bec a m e bol t s o f i ro n u n t i l
H i s bol t fle w
,

for t h a n d al l was d on e an d h e stood w i t h two s urvi

, ,

v ors a m i d th e d ead T he n G o v i n d a se n t o ne of the s e

, . ,
2 63 T H E C LO S I N G S C E N E S
A n d A rj u n a H is wel l bel oved wh at o f A rj u n a ?
,
-

Rec ei v i n g K e s h a va s m essage h e s e t ou t at o n ce fo r
’

D v a ra k a a nd fou n d t h e fai r Ci t y i n la me n t a t i o n wi do w
, ,

ed of j o y an d K e s h a va d e par t e d n o n e k n ew wh i t h e r
, ,
.

A l l t h a t Vas u d eva c ou l d s a y was t ha t h i s d i v i n e S o n

h ad l e ft h i m t el l i n g t ha t A rj u n a w ou l d co m e a n d do
,

a t h at was n eed ed fo r t h e wo m en a n d Ch i l d ren a nd

ll ,

t h t o n h i d epartu re D v a a k a wo u l d be s wal l owed u p

a s r

b y t he s e a O r t h e m orrow s d aw n i n g t h e a ged
. .
’

Vas u d eva p assed away a n d w as bu rn ed w i t h g rea t

.

h o n ou r b y A rj u n a wh o see k i n g for th e cas t O ff bod ies

,
-

o f R a m a a n d K e h a va c au sed t he m al s o t o be bu rned
s , .

O n t h e seve n t h d a y h e l e ft D va a k a esc o r t i n g t he r ,

m o u rn fu l p rocess i o n o f w id o ws a n d o rph a n s As .

t h e y l e ft t he o cea n rose an d o verwh el m ed Sh r i

,

K ri sh n a s m u c h l oved h o m e a n d t h e m ou rn ers press

’

e d o n m o re r a p i d ly i n fron t o f t he s we l l i n g waves .

A s t he y t rave l l ed t hey were on e d ay assa i l ed by ro b

,

bers an d A rj u n a l a u gh i ng a t t he i r i n s ol en ce t u r ned
, , ,

t o d ri ve t he m away A l as ! w h a t i s t h is ? G a n di va w i l l
.

s ca rce be n d t o he r m i gh t y m as t e r s h an d a n d for th e ’

fi rs t t i m e res is t s h is s t ri n gi n g H i s ce les t i al weapon s

.

c om e n o t a t h is c al l i n g h is sh a ft s erewh i l e i n e x h a u s
, ,

t i b l e are e xh au s t ed U nd e r t he very e y es o f t h e
,
.

c o nq ue ro r o f K u ru k s h e tra m an y a s wee t wo m an i s,

d ragge d i n t o c a p t i v i t y a n d robbers o verc o m e h i m

,

b e fore wh o m warri or k i n g s h ad fl e d Asha m ed , h e

-
.
 THE C OM I N G OF T H E E N D 2 63

y i el d ed an d we n t o n h is wa y , t a k i ng t h e re m n a n t o f
t h e wo me n a n d t he we al t h a nd s e tt l i ng t he m i n
,

v ari ou s c i t ies o f h i s bro t her s real m T he n he so ugh t

’
.

V y a s a an d a t h i s fee t po u red o u t h i s s o rrows : t he

V ris h ni s were s l ai n ; h is weapo ns h ad fai l ed h i m ;
R a m a a n d K e s h a va h ad c as t O ff Thei r bod ies H is .

G o v i n da s d ea t h was as i n c red i bl e as t he d r y i n g U p
’

o f t he oce an o r the fal l i n g d ow n o f heave n ; reft o f

,

G ovi n d a h o w c o u l d h e l i ve ? K e s h a va h ad le ft t h e
,

t he ear t h a n d h i s he ar t was e m p t y G ravel y a n d

, .

s t ead i l y V y a s a s po ke : T he grea t wo rk o f t h e G od s
was perfo rm ed ; wh a t n eed for gr i e f ? H e a n d h i s
b ro t hers h ad d on e the i r wo rk a n d t h e t i m e h ad c o m e
,

for t hei r d epar t u re T he wea po ns h ad go ne bac k t o

.

t he i r o w n pl a ce bei ng n o l o n ger n eed ed T he t i m e

,
.

for l i be ra t i o n was here T he n A rj u n a d e par t ed to

.

H a s t i n a p u ra a n d rec o u n t e d al l t ha t h ad h ap pe ned
,
.

1 -
8

The sh ad o ws d ee pe n rou n d th e heroi c bro t h ers ,

a n d t he G rea t G oi n g Fo r t h i s he re I n t hree brie f .

s ec t io n s t h e M a h a pra s t h a ni k a P arva t el l s t he pa t h e t i c
t al e Yu dh is h th i ra heari n g Arju na s s t ory d ec l are d
.
,
’
,

t h a t t he t i m e had co m e fo r t he m t o go an d A rj u n a ,

s ad l y s igh ed T i m e t i me !
,
“
l i k e t he t o l l i ng o f a
,
”

fu ne ra l k n el l T he t h ree o t he r bro t h e rs agreei n g

. ,

P a ri k s h i t was m ad e k i n g of the K u ru s i n H a s ti n a
2 64 T H E C LO S I N G S C E N E S
pu ra a n d th e sol e s u rv i v i n g Y a d av a p r i n c e Vaj ra ,
, ,

wa s i n s tal led as ru le r o f I nd ra p ras t h a K ri pa wa s

.

w as m ad e Gu ru o f P a rik s h it, a n d Y u yu ts u , t h e on l y
re m ai n i n g roy al w arri o r o f the e l d e r gen era t i on wa s ,

p l aced i n ch arge o f t h e k i n gd o m T h i s d o n e , t h e
.

fi ve brothe rs an d t h ei r w i fe cl ad t he msel ves i n robes

o f bark an d se t forth fro m H a s t i n a p u ra
,
fo r t h e l as t
t i m e recal l i n g th e s i m i l a r l eav i n g a fter t h e ga m e o f
,

d i c e , b u t no w, t h ou gh t he o n l oo kers we re weep i n g ,

th e bro t h e rs we re s m i l i n g fo r th ey we re gl a d a t h eart
,

i n c as ti n g o ff th e bu rd e n o f royal t y , n o l on ge r p ri zed .

A n d a seve n th fo l l owed t he m — a d og O n e beh i n d .

th e othe r they w al ked Y u dh i s h th i ra fi rs t an d th e

,

o t h ers i n th e ord e r o f t he i r bi r t h , w h i l e D ra u pa di
fol l owed S ah ad eva , an d th e d og c am e l as t o f al l .

A rj u n a s ti l l carri ed G a n di va an d h i s q u i vers l o t h t o
,

pa r t w i t h t hem b u t w hen a ft e r l on g t ravel eastward s ,

, ,

t hey reached t he sea A gn i t h e seve n fl a me d, s too d

, ,
-

be fore t he m a n d bad e A rj u n a cast h i s weapo n s i n

,

t h e sea , t h at Va ru n a m igh t t a ke t he m bac k i n ch arge .

T h en Arj u n a c as t th e m i n h i s l ast bo n d wi t h earth

w a s bro ke n .

Far they j ou rn eye d sou t h wa rd an d t he n s ou th wes t

,

a n d wes t a n d t h e n t u rn ed the i r w ea ry fee t n or t h wa r d

,

t o wh e re H i m a l aya l i ft s h i s aw fu l p ea k s t o h eaven .

C ross i n g th e m i g h ty ran ge , th ey s aw s tretchi n g i n

 T H E C LO S I N G S C E N E S
h a ve I fal l e n ? Tel l m e i f t h ou k n o west , W it h ou t .

l oo k i n g ba c k Y udh i s h th i ra an s we rs :
, Th ou wer t a “

grea t e a t e r a n d t h o u d i d s t o ft bo as t o f t hy s t re ng t h
, .

Th o u d i d s t ne ve r 0 P a r t h a ! a tt e n d t o the wa n t s O f
,

o t hers wh i l e ea t i n g Fo r t h a t , O Bh i m a has t t h o u
.
,

fal l e n d ow n U nsh aken t h ou gh no w al on e t h e k i n g ,

.
’

, ,

walks o n . A l o n e ? n ay st i l l h is do g fol l ows h i m ,

,

fai t h fu l t o t h e e nd .

B u t l is t a rat t l e as o f th u n de r a n d d ow n flash es ,

I n d ra o n a c el es t i al ch a ri o t an d b id s t he k i n g asce n d
,

i n i t t o h eave n N a y , t h a t he w i l l no t d o H i s bro
. .

t h e rs fa l l e n by t he way an d h is s wee t K ri sh n a
, , no t

w i t h o u t t he m w i l l h e asce nd t o heave n T he n I n d ra .

t el l s h i m t hey are go n e th i t her be fo re h i m b u t i n h i s ,

b ody m u s t he rise t o S v a rga W h a t no w p reve n ts ? .

w h y d oes he hes i tate ? Th i s d og 0 Lord o f t he pas t ,

a n d p rese n t i s ver y d evo ted to m e H e sh o u l d go

,
.

w i t h m e M y h ea r t i s fu l l o f co m pass i o n fo r h i m
. .
”

B u t I n d ra w i l l h ave n o ne o f t he d og : I m m o r t al i t y
a n d a c o nd i ti o n e q u al t o m i n e O k i n g far s t re t ch i n g
, ,
-

p ros peri t y , a nd h i gh s u ccess a n d al l t he j o y s o f ,

h eave n — t h es e h as t t ho u wo n t o d ay C ast O ff t h is -
.

d og There i s n o t h i n g c ru e l i n t he ac t
. S t ead i l y .
”

s ou n d s t h e vo ice o f t h e wh i te sou l ed k i ng O th o u
-

o f a t h o u san d eyes , 0 t h o u o f ri gh t eou s beh avi o u r,

a n A ry a n c an n ot d o a n ac t u n wor t hy o f a n A rya n .
 ST E ADFA S T TO T H E E N D 2 67

I d o n ot d es i re a bl i ss bou gh t by casti n g O ff one u h o

i s d evo t ed t o m e T he re i s n o pl ace i n h eaven fo r
“

p e rso n s w i t h d ogs says I nd ra ,

aban do n t he d og
“

I t i s s ai d t h e aban d on m en t o f o n e t h a t i s d evo t ed is

i n fi n i t el y s i n fu l I t i s eq u al t o t he s in i n c u rred b y
.

sl a y i n g a B r a h m a n a 0 g rea t I n d ra n o t for t he sa k e
.
,

o f m y o w n h app i n ess shal l l c a s t away t h i s d og !

”

S t i l l I n d ra u rges h i m h e had ren ou n ced h is bro t hers

an d K ri sh n a wh y n o t a d og ? 0 righ t eou s k i ng !
,

u n s h ake n i n t h e h ou r o f t e m p t a t i on n o w c o mes o u t

t h e v al u e o f t h e l esso n l earn ed on K u ru k s h e t ra i n
h is fal l fro m t ru t h N o t fo r th e j oys o f heave n n o t
.
,

fo r t h e u rgi n g o f a G od w i l l h e swerve fro m righ t e

,

o u s ne s s
“
T h is is wel l k n o w n i n al l t he wo rl d s t h a t
t h e re i s n e i t h e r frie nd sh i p n o r e n m i ty wi t h t h e d ead .

W h e n m y bro t hers an d K ri sh n a d i ed I wa s u n abl e ,

t o rev i v e t h e m H en ce i t wa s t h a t l ab a n do ne d
.

the m . I d i d n o t aban d o n t he m a s l o n g as t he y were

l i v i n g T o t e rrorise o n e w ho h a s so u gh t p ro t ec t i o n
.
,

t o s l a y a wo m a n t o s t eal wh a t i s a B r a h m a n a s t o
,
’

i nj u re a fri e nd each O f t h ese m e t h i n k s i s eq u al 0

, , , ,

S h a k ra t o t h e aba n d o n m e n t o f on e wh o is d evo t ed
”
.

T h e n t he d og v a n i s h es a nd rad i an t l y gl ori o u s
, , ,

D h a rm a a ris es fro m h is for m a nd bl esses h is s o n for

,

t h i s bri gh t ex am p l e o f co m pass i o n an d fa i t h fu l n e s s ;
be l i e vi n g t h e d og t o b e fa i th fu he h ad re n ou n ced t he
2 68 T H E C L OSI N G S C E N E S
very ch ar i ot o f the G od s r ather th a n aban d on h i m
“
Regi o n s o f i n ex ha u s t i b le j oy are t h i ne Th o u has t .

w o n t he m 0 k i n g a n d t h i n e i s a h igh an d a c el esti a l
, ,

goal . The n Yu dh is h t h i ra wi th I nd ra an d Dh arm a

,

a n d m a n y o the r G od s , as cen d s i n t ri u m p h to heave n ,

wh i l e N a rad a pro cl a i m s h i m grea t es t o f royal sages .

B u t i n t h e m i d s t o f t h is i n t o x i ca t i n g gl ory Y u dh ish ,

t h i ra s l ov i n g fai t h fu l hear t y earn s fo r h is bro t he rs

‘

a n d h i s w i fe . H ap py o r w oe fu l h e c ri es , I d es i re
”
,
“

t o go t o t he regi o n t h at i s n o w m y bro t h ers ; I d o ’

n o t w i sh t o go a n y wh ere e lse V ai n l y I n d ra bi ds
.
”

h i m leave a l l h u m a n a ffec t i o n s an d enj o y t h e heave n

,

ly k i n gd om he h as wo n h i s bro t he rs a re h a pp y ; l et
t he m be B u t n o ! where i s D ra u pa di ? t here m u s t
.

h e a l s o be ; 0 c on q u ero r o f D a i tya s I ve n t u re n ot
“
,

t o d wel l a nywhere , separated fro m the m I desi re .

t o go wh i t her m y b ro the rs h ave go n e I .

U n s a t i sfi ed the l ong i n g eyes o f Y u dh i h th ira

, s

t u rned fro m face t o face i n heaven N ow h ere h e .

s a w t h e l o ved fea tu res h i s h ear t d es i red The n h i s .

ga ze fe l l o n o ne h e so u gh t n ot 1 ! D u ryodh an a : 0

w as t he re ! I n d i gn an t l y h e c ried o ut i n p r t es t ; h e o

d i d n o t w i s h eve n to see h is ol d foe an d agai n h is ,

y earn i n g b ro k e for t h I w i s h to go t he re whe re m y

:
“

bro t hers are ! N a rad a t ol d h i m s m i l i n g t hat t here

”
, ,

were n o e n m i t i es i n heaven b u t Yudh is h th ira w ou l d

,
2 70 T H E C LO S I N G SCE N ES
I a m A rj u n a I am N ak u l a . I a m S ah ad e va .
’

l a m D h ris h t a dy u mn a .
“
I a m D ra u pa d] .
“
We
a re t he s o n s o f D a u pa d Ye j u s t G od s ! wha t i s
r i .

this D u r y od h a n a i n h eave n a n d th es e h eroes here ! ,

B e u ilde m e n t g rie f a t l a s t a n ge r s wee p ove r t h e

r , , ,

k i n g s h ea r t
’
Re t u r n h e c ries t o t h e h ea ve n l y
“
,

m esse n ge r re t u rn t o t h e p resen ce o f t h ose wh ose

,

m essen ge r t h ou ar t Te l l t he m I sh al l n o t re t u rn t o
.

t h e m b u t sh a l l s t ay h ere e ve n h e re s i n ce by my p re
, , ,

se n ce t h ese t o r t u red broth ers o f m i n e are co m fo r t ed .

O n ob l e h ea r t ! 0 s po t l ess l oya l ty a n d d au n t l ess

c o u rage ! A n d 10 ! i n a m o m e n t t h e God s a re t here ,

wi t h I n d ra a t t h ei r h ead a n d a l l t he h orrors v a n is h
,

l i ke a n ev i l d rea m a n d al l i s l igh t a n d fr gran ce a n d

, a

b a l m y a i rs The n I n d ra s peaks an d c om forts t h e

.

sad de n ed k i n g t el l i n g h i m t h a t these i l l u s i on s are

,

o ve r an d th a t h e a n d h is bro t hers h ad bu t see n h e l l

,

by i l l us i o n ; h is s i n aga i n s t D ro n a bro u gh t on h i m
t h is b ri e f d ecep t i o n t h i s pass i n g m ise r y N o w le t
, .

h i m ri se t o hea ve n wh e re al l h is bro t hers are awai t i n g

h i m a n d rea p i n j oy t he fru i t s o f al l h i s woe A n d
, .

D ha rm a S p eak s prais i n g h is n obl e s o n a n d bid s h i m

, ,

p l u n ge i n t o t he heave n l y G an g a whe re i n ba t h i n g , ,

h e cas ts o ff h i s h u m an bod y a n d ass u m es a heave n l y

fo rm
‘

T he n com es th e j oy o f re -
u n i o n , —for there is
 T H E E N D O F SO R RO “
T
2 71
,

G ov i nd a in gl or y H e wh o t h e Fri en d o n
b la z mg ,

ea r t h an d w i t h H i m A rj u n a H i s bel ov ed rad i a n t
, , ,

a n d ad ori n g H i m A nd i n a n o t her p l ace wi t h S a r y a

.

K a m a i s sh i n i n g re fu l ge n t i n gol d e n gl o r y
, an d ,

B h i m a el s e w h ere rej o i ces wi t h V a y u a n d t h e A s h v i n s ,

h a ve w i t h t he m N ak u l a a n d S ahad eva wh i l e K r i s h n a ,

i s agai n t he G odd ess S h r i a n d A b h i ma n y u i s sh i n i n g

,

wi t h t he s i l ve r r a d i an ce o f n i gh t s brig h t G od ’
Pa n .

du i s t he re wi t h K u n t i an d M a d r i a n d B h i s h ma is
, ,

res t o red t o h i s pl ace a m on g t he V a s us w h i l e D ro n a ,

l i ves be s i d e V ri h a s pa ti S orro w i s e xh au s t e d an d al l
.
, ,

a t l a s t i s j oy [ S va rga ro h a n i k a Parva
, . 1 5 ,
-
.

T hu s t h e s t or y o f t h e G rea t W ar ha t h e n d i n g ,

al l s t ri fes are m erged i n peace .

P EAC E To ALL B RI N GS .

P rm tm a li B e nm c s
'

ma n J r Co o rkx,
‘

F1 ce .
, L td th e Ta ra c