Mahabharata Vol. 1 (Penguin Translated Texts) (47 page)

‘“The king lives in a place known as Vetrakiyagriha. But he makes no efforts to free his subjects from this danger for good. We deserve all of this, because we live in continued harassment in the kingdom of a weak and incompetent king. Brahmanas are free to live, as they wish, on anyone’s land.
¹¹
They base themselves on their qualities
and like birds freely go where they will. It is said that first one should find a king, then a wife, and then riches. By acquiring all three, one can maintain one’s relatives and one’s sons. But in acquiring these three, I have chosen the wrong order. Therefore, having fallen into this danger, I am suffering great grief. It is now my turn and it will destroy my family. I shall have to provide food and a man as stipend. I don’t have the riches to purchase a man. Nor am I able to give up someone who is dear to me. I do not see any means of saving myself from that rakshasa. I am immersed in this great ocean of grief from which no escape seems possible. Today, I will go to that rakshasa with my entire family, so that the evil one can eat all of us together.”’

‘Kunti said, “Do not grieve because of this fear. I see a means through which you can escape from that rakshasa. You have an only son who is a child and an only daughter who is engaged in austerities. It does not seem right to me that they, you or your wife should go there. O Brahmana! I have five sons. One of them will go, taking on your behalf the offerings to that evil rakshasa.”

‘The Brahmana said, “In order to live, I can never do this. For the sake of saving my own life, I cannot cause the death of a Brahmana and a guest. Even those who are of low birth and sinful refuse to do this. One should sacrifice oneself and one’s children for the sake of a Brahmana. I consider this principle to be the best for me and I would like to follow it. Between the death of a Brahmana and my own, it seems to me that the latter is better. There is no salvation from the great sin of killing a Brahmana. Even if I do it without the right frame of mind, it is better for me to sacrifice myself. O fortunate lady! In sacrificing myself, I will not commit the crime of self-destruction, because there is no sin if someone else does the killing. But if I deliberately kill a Brahmana, I will commit a cruel and vile act, from which there is no means of atonement. The learned have said that
the sacrifice of someone who has come to your house or has sought your protection or the killing of a supplicant are cruel and sinful deeds. Great-souled ones, learned in principles that should be followed at times of distress, have earlier said that one should never commit cruel deeds capable of censure. It is best for me that I should perish today with my wife, than that I should ever cause the killing of a Brahmana.”

‘Kunti said, “O Brahmana! It is also my firm view that Brahmanas must always be protected. If I had 100 sons, I would not love any one of them less. But this rakshasa will not be able to kill my son. My son is full of energy, valorous and has knowledge of the mantras. He will deliver all that food to the rakshasa, but it is my firm conviction that he will be able to save himself. Earlier, I have myself seen that powerful and gigantic rakshasas have fought with that brave one and have been killed, one after another. O Brahmana! But do not reveal this to anyone through any means. For people, curious and wishing to learn,
¹²
will trouble my sons. The learned have said that if my son parts with this knowledge without the permission of his preceptor, the receiver will not gain from it.”’

Vaishampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Pritha,
¹³
the Brahmana and his wife were very happy and agreed to her words, which were like ambrosia.
¹⁴
Then, Kunti and the Brahmana went to Anila’s son
¹⁵
and said, “Do this.” “So shall it be,” was his reply.’

Vaishampayana said, ‘O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Bhima said that he would do it before all the Pandavas returned
there after collecting their alms.
¹⁶
Looking at his
¹⁷
appearance, Pandu’s son Yudhishthira guessed and sitting down with his mother, alone and privately, asked her, “What is the exploit that the immensely powerful Bhima wishes to undertake? Is it something he wishes to do on his own or is it something you have commanded?” Kunti replied, “On my instructions, the scorcher of enemies
¹⁸
will perform this great task, for the sake of the Brahmana and in order to save this town.”

‘Yudhishthira said, “What have you done in your extreme rashness? This is a difficult task. The learned have certainly never praised the sacrifice of one’s own son. Why do you wish to sacrifice your own son for the sake of someone else’s? You have performed an act of abandoning your son. This is not approved by the worlds and by the Vedas. Through the strength of his arms all of us sleep in peace and hope to recover the kingdom that the evil ones have deprived us of. It is because of his infinite powers that Duryodhana, Shakuni and all the others spend sleepless nights of worry. Through his valour we escaped from the burning of the house of lac and other dangers when Purochana was killed. It is through dependence on his valour that we believe that we have already acquired this earth and its riches and have killed Dhritarashtra’s sons. What came to your mind that you deliberately decided to sacrifice him? Have you lost your senses and your intelligence because of the miseries?”

‘Kunti said, “O Yudhishthira! You need not lament over Vrikodara.
¹⁹
I did not take my decision because of the weakness of my intelligence. O son! We have lived happily in the house of this Brahmana. O son! I wish to regard this as our compensation. A man is true to the extent he recognizes a good deed. Having witnessed Bhima’s valour in the house of lac and in the killing of Hidimba, I have great confidence in Vrikodara. The strength in Bhima’s arms is as much as that in
10,000
²⁰
elephants. It is because of this that he was able to carry us, as heavy as elephants, from Varanavata. There has been no one, nor will there be any one, as strong as Vrikodara. In battle, he is the equal of the best, the wielder of the vajra
²¹
himself. Earlier, as soon as he was born, he fell from my lap on a mountain. Through the hardness of his body, he shattered the rock into pieces. O Pandava! From that day, I have known Bhima’s strength and, remembering it, I wished to repay the Brahmana. I have not done this from folly, delusion or desire for gain. I have consciously desired to perform this act because it is what dharma requires. O Yudhishthira! Two objectives will be attained in this way. We will repay the Brahmana for his lodging us and we will obtain great religious merit. I have heard that a Kshatriya who helps a Brahmana in any way obtains the fortunate worlds after death. A Kshatriya who saves the life of another Kshatriya obtains great fame in this world and the next. A Kshatriya who helps a Vaishya on this earth is certainly loved by the subjects in all the worlds. A king who frees a Shudra who comes to him for protection is reborn in a wealthy family in his next life and is revered by other kings. O descendant of the Kuru lineage! Earlier, the illustrious and extremely wise Lord Vyasa told me this. That is why I want to act in this way.”

‘Yudhisthira said, “O mother! What you have intelligently decided to do, driven by compassion for the poor Brahmana, is indeed right. It is certain that Bhima will kill that maneater and return alive. But the Brahmana must carefully be told that he must restrain himself, so that the inhabitants of this town do not find out.”’

Vaishampayana said, ‘Thereafter, when night had passed, Pandava Bhimasena took the food with him and left for the place where the maneater lived. Reaching the forest where the
rakshasa lived, the immensely strong Pandava began to eat the food himself and called out to the rakshasa by name. Then, on hearing Bhimasena’s words, the rakshasa was greatly enraged and came to where Bhima was. His body was huge and his speed was swift, as if he was breaking up the ground. His forehead was furrowed into three lines and he bit his lips. On seeing Bhimasena eating the food, the rakshasa dilated his eyes and angrily said, “Who are you, stupid one, who dares to eat these offerings meant for me, that too in front of my own eyes? Do you wish to go to the land of the dead?” O descendant of the Bharata lineage! On hearing this, Bhimasena began to laugh. Ignoring the rakshasa, he turned his head away and continued to eat.

‘Uttering a terrible roar and raising both arms high, the maneater rushed at Bhimasena, with the intention of killing him. Even then, Pandava Vrikodara, the killer of enemy warriors, ignored the rakshasa. Casting only a glance, he went on eating. Greatly enraged, the rakshasa struck a mighty blow with both his hands on the back of Kunti’s son. Though Bhima was powerfully struck by those arms, he did not even look up, and continued to eat. Thereupon, the rakshasa became even more enraged. He uprooted a tree and powerfully dashed at Bhima, so as to strike him again. Bhima, bull among men and immensely strong, slowly finished eating all the food. He washed himself and then cheerfully stood up to fight. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! The valorous Bhima laughingly caught the tree that had been angrily hurled in his left hand. Then that powerful one hurled many other trees at Bhimasena and the Pandava Bhima also hurled many at him. O great king! The terrible and great fight between Baka and the Pandava with trees went on, denuding the forest of its trees. Announcing his name, Baka dashed at the Pandava and grasped the immensely powerful Bhimasena in both his arms. Bhimasena also grasped the rakshasa in his great arms and began to violently drag the swift and strong one.
²²

‘Dragged by Bhima and also dragging the Pandava, the maneater was gradually overcome by great fatigue. The earth shook because
of their violent movements. Giant trees that stood there were shattered into pieces. O bull among the Bharata lineage! On seeing the rakshasa fading away, Vrikodara pressed him down on the ground and began to strike him with his arms. Powerfully pushing the middle of his
²³
back down with one knee, the Pandava grabbed his neck with his right hand and his loincloth with the left, and then ripped the rakshasa into two with great force. O ruler of the earth! Uttering a terrible roar, the fearsome rakshasa was torn into two by Bhima and vomited blood.’

Vaishampayana said, ‘O king! Frightened by that noise, the rakshasa’s relatives and their attendants came out of their houses. On seeing them terrified and bereft of reason, the powerful Bhima, supreme among those who wield arms, pacified them and made them promise. “You shall never do violence to humans here. Those who perform violence will quickly die the same way.” O descendant of the Bharata lineage! On hearing his words, the rakshasas gave the desired promise and accepted the terms. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! From that day, the rakshasas there were friendly and behaved peacefully when they were sighted in town by the inhabitants of that town. Then, unobserved by anyone, Bhima took the dead maneater and placed him at one of the gates. He then went away.

‘After killing him,
²⁴
Bhima returned to the Brahmana’s house and described in detail to the king
²⁵
all that had happened. The next morning, the inhabitants of the town came out and saw the rakshasa lying dead on the ground, his body wet with blood, horrible and spread out, as huge as the peak of a mountain. They went to Ekachakra
and spread the news throughout the city. O king! In their thousands, the citizens went with their wives, old people and the young to see Baka. They were astonished at the sight of this superhuman feat. O ruler of the earth! They gave offerings of gratitude to the gods. Then they began to calculate whose turn it had been the previous day to supply food. Learning that it was the Brahmana’s turn, they went to him and questioned him.

‘Thus repeatedly asked, the bull among Brahmanas then protected the Pandavas, but told the citizens everything else. “When I was ordered to supply the food, I was weeping with my family, when a great-souled Brahmana, learned in the mantras, saw me. He asked me about the cause and learnt about the calamity that had befallen this city. That best among Brahmanas then reassured us and smilingly comforted us. He said that he would himself carry the food to the evil-hearted one and that we should not be frightened for his sake. After taking the food, he set out for the forest where Baka lived. For the welfare of the worlds, he must have been the one who performed this deed.” Thereupon, all the astonished and delighted Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras had a feast in honour of the Brahmana. All the inhabitants of the country came to the city to witness this extraordinary miracle. Pritha’s sons went on living there.’

This parva has 557 shlokas and twenty-one chapters.

Chapter 153: 12 shlokas
Chapter 154: 25 shlokas
Chapter 155: 52 shlokas
Chapter 156: 11 shlokas
Chapter 157: 16 shlokas
Chapter 158: 55 shlokas
Chapter 159: 22 shlokas
Chapter 160: 41 shlokas
Chapter 161: 20 shlokas
Chapter 162: 18 shlokas
Chapter 163: 23 shlokas
Chapter 164: 14 shlokas
Chapter 165: 44 shlokas
Chapter 166: 45 shlokas
Chapter 167: 21 shlokas
Chapter 168: 25 shlokas
Chapter 169: 25 shlokas
Chapter 170: 21 shlokas
Chapter 171: 26 shlokas
Chapter 172: 17 shlokas
Chapter 173: 24 shlokas

The parva is named after Chitraratha, a gandharva, whose stories figure in this section.

Janamejaya said, ‘O Brahmana! After killing the demon named Baka, what did the Pandavas, those tigers among men, do?’

Vaishampayana said, ‘O king! After killing the demon named Baka, they lived in the house of that Brahmana, engaging themselves in studies about the supreme brahman. A few days later, a Brahmana who was rigid in the practice of his vows came to live in that Brahmana’s house. That learned bull among Brahmanas, always hospitable towards guests, duly worshipped him and gave him a place to live in his house. Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, and Kunti, requested the Brahmana to tell them about his wonderful experiences. He told them about many countries, places of pilgrimage, rivers, many kings and many wonderful cities.

‘O Janamejaya! When these accounts were over, the Brahmana told them about the wonderful svayamvara
¹
of Yajnasena’s
²
daughter in the land of Panchala and the births of Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi and also that of Krishna,
³
who was born from Drupada’s great sacrifice and not from any woman’s womb. Hearing of these wonderful events that had happened in this world, those bulls among men
⁴
asked the great-souled one
⁵
to narrate these accounts in greater detail. “How did Drupada’s son, Dhrishtadyumna’s birth take place from the fire? How did Krishna’s wonderful birth take place from the middle of the altar? How did he
⁶
learn the usage of all weapons from the great archer Drona? How did the great friendship between those two
⁷
break up?” O king! Having been thus asked by those bulls among men, the Brahmana recounted in detail the story of Droupadi’s birth.’

‘The Brahmana said, “At the source of the Ganga, there lived a rishi of great austerities. He was always rigid in his vows and he was extremely wise. His name was Bharadvaja. One day, the rishi went to the Ganga to have his bath and saw there the apsara Ghritachi, who had arrived before him and now stood there, having finished her bath. Then a wind arose from the riverbank and removed the clothing from her body. Seeing her nude, the rishi was afflicted with desire. He had been celibate
⁸
since boyhood. As soon as his mind felt desire, his semen dropped and the rishi collected it in a wooden cup.
⁹
From that was born a son, who became the learned Drona and who studied all the Vedas and the Vedangas.

‘“Bharadvaja had a king as his friend. His name was Prishata and he had a son named Drupada. Parshata,
¹⁰
that bull among Kshatriyas, always used to go to the hermitage and play and study with Drona. After Prishata died, Drupada became the king. Drona heard that Rama
¹¹
wanted to give away all his riches. When Rama was leaving for the forest,
¹²
Bharadvaja’s son went to him and said, ‘O bull among Brahmanas! I am Drona and I have come to you for some riches.’ Rama said, ‘O Brahmana! Now I have only my body left. Ask for either my body or my weapons.’ Drona said, ‘O illustrious one! Give me all your weapons, together with the knowledge of releasing them and recalling them.’ The descendant of Bhrigu
¹³
agreed and gave those to him. On receiving them, Drona concluded
that he had become successful. On obtaining from Rama that supreme weapon known as brahmastra, Drona became extremely happy and became supreme among men. Thereupon, Bharadvaja’s powerful son went to Drupada, a tiger among men, and said, ‘Know me to be your friend.’ Drupada said, ‘A man without learning cannot be a friend to one who is learned, nor one without chariots to one who has chariots, nor one who is not a king to one who is a king. Why do you desire our old friendship?’ Turning his mind against the king of Panchala, the intelligent one
¹⁴
went to Nagasahrya,
¹⁵
the capital of the Kurus.

‘“Thereupon, Bhishma took a lot of riches with him and offered his grandsons to the wise Drona as students. With the intention of humiliating Drupada, Drona assembled all his students and told them, ‘O unblemished ones! When you have become skilled in the use of all weapons, as a preceptor’s fee, you must promise that you will give me what I wish for.’ When the Pandavas became skilled in the use of all weapons and became successful in their labour, Drona spoke to them and reminded them about the preceptor’s fee, ‘Parshata Drupada is the king in Chhatravati.
¹⁶
Take his kingdom away from him and give it to me quickly.’ Then Pandu’s five sons defeated Drupada in battle. Taking him and his advisers prisoners, they showed them to Drona. Drona said, ‘O king of men! I again seek your friendship. One who is not a king cannot be a friend to one who is a king. O Yajnasena! Therefore, I will divide the kingdom with you. You will be the king on the southern banks of the Bhagirathi and I on the north.’ The thought of that great insult never left the king’s
¹⁷
mind for a single instant. Being miserable, the king became thin.”’

‘The Brahmana said, “Being miserable, King Drupada wandered in many places where Brahmanas lived, searching for bulls among Brahmanas who were perfect in all the rites.
¹⁸
He wished for the birth of a son. Afflicted with grief and out of his mind, he always thought, ‘I don’t have excellent offspring.’ When his sons were born, he said, ‘Cursed are my relatives
¹⁹
who are without learning.’ He kept on sighing, thinking about taking revenge on Drona.”

‘O descendant of the Bharata lineage! But however much that best among kings tried, he could think of no means to overcome Drona’s influence, humility, learning and accomplishments through his Kshatriya powers. Wandering around, the king came to a holy hermitage of Brahmanas located on the banks of the Ganga. There was no Brahmana there who was not rigid in his vows, nor one who was not a
snataka
.
²⁰
Prishata’s son found two brahmarshis named Yaja and Upayaja there. They were greatly illustrious, rigid in their vows, self-controlled and given to the study of the samhitas. They were descended from Kashyapa’s lineage and both of those supreme Brahmanas were capable of rescuing him.
²¹
Having controlled his mind, he served them in every possible way. Knowing the strength of the younger one to be greater, he worshipped Upayaja of rigid vows, giving him every object of desire, serving at his feet and addressing him in pleasant words.

‘Worshipping him in accordance with the prescribed rites, he told Upayaja, “O Brahmana! O Upayaja! If you perform the sacrifice that will give me a son who can kill Drona, I will give you ten crore
²²
cows. O best of the Brahmanas! I will give you whatever else is in your mind and whatever pleases you. There is no doubt about this.” Having been thus addressed, the rishi refused. Thereupon, Drupada again began to worship him and serve him. O king! After one year had passed and at the right time, Upayaja, best of the Brahmanas, spoke to the king in gentle words, “When roaming in a forest and at a waterfall, my elder brother picked up a fruit that had fallen on the ground, not knowing that it was impure and should be discarded. I was following him and witnessed my brother’s impure act. He never has scruples about taking that which is unclean. He did not see the impurities that were on the fruit. One who does not see impurities in one’s acts, is not expected to see it in another. When he was in his preceptor’s house and was studying the samhitas, without any scruples he used to eat the leftover food of others and repeatedly praise its qualities. Judging from this, my brother desires material fruit. O king! Go to him and he will perform your sacrifices.” Hearing Upayaja’s words and thinking about them, the king, who was well versed in the ways of dharma, went to Yaja, though he had a low opinion of him.

‘Worshipping the rishi who was deserving of worship, he told Yaja, “O lord! I will give you 80,000 cows. Please perform the sacrifice. I am inflamed with enmity for Drona. Pacify my heart. That best of men is learned in the Vedas and is skilled in the use of brahmastra. Therefore, Drona defeated me in a quarrel that arose over our friendship. There is no Kshatriya on this earth, however great, who is superior to him and that wise son of Bharadvaja has become the chief preceptor of the Kurus. Drona’s net of arrows can kill every living creature. His bow is 6 cubits long and looks great and matchless. That great-minded and great archer, Bharadvaja’s son, is undoubtedly capable of destroying the might of Kshatriyas with the might of a Brahmana. He has been created like another son of Jamadagni
²³
to destroy the Kshatriyas. There is no man on earth who can withstand the terrible power of his weapons. Like a blazing fire that has been fed with sacrificial offerings, Drona’s Brahmana powers consume every Kshatriya power in battle. Though his Brahmana powers are
combined with Kshatriya powers, your Brahmana powers are superior to his. I am inferior because I only possess Kshatriya powers. Give me your Brahmana powers. I have now found you, whose Brahmana powers are superior to Drona’s. O Yaja! Perform the sacrifice so that I obtain a son who will be invincible and can kill Drona. I will give you ten crore
²⁴
cows.” Yaja agreed and began to think of what was required for the sacrifice.

‘Upayaja wished for no rewards, but was called to assist his elder. Then Yaja promised Drona’s destruction. The great ascetic Upayaja instructed the king of men
²⁵
on the sacrificial rites that would produce a son. “O king! According to your desires, a son will be born to you, who will possess great valour, great energy and great strength.” King Drupada, wishing to obtain a son who would kill Bharadvaja’s son, began to make the required preparations for bringing success to his effort. Yaja poured offerings into the sacrificial fire and instructed the queen, “O queen Prishati! Come here. The time for uniting has arrived.”
²⁶
The queen said, “O Brahmana! My face is anointed with divine scents. O Yaja! Wait a little. My body is not yet ready for the happy consummation that will give a son.” Yaja said, “Offerings made sacred by Upayaja’s incantations have already been prepared by Yaja. Why should the object of this sacrifice not be attained, whether you come or wait?” Saying this, Yaja poured the sanctified sacrificial offerings into the fire.

‘Then a youth who resembled a god arose from the flames. His complexion was like the fire and his form was terrible. He wore a crown on his head and his body was encased in excellent armour. He had a sword in his hand and a bow and arrows and he let out many loud roars. As soon as he was born, he ascended a supreme chariot
and went forth. All the Panchalas were delighted and exclaimed, “Blessed!” From the sky issued the voice of an invisible and great being. “This terrible prince has been born for Drona’s destruction. He will increase the fame of the Panchalas and remove the king’s grief.” Then a young maiden arose from the centre of the altar. She was blessed with good fortune and was known as Panchali. She was beautiful and her waist was shaped like an altar. She was dark. Her eyes were like the petals of lotuses. Her hair was dark blue and curled. She was truly a goddess born in human form. The sweet fragrance of blue lotuses emanated from her body, a full 2 miles
²⁷
away. Her form and supreme beauty were such that she had no equal on earth. When the one with beautiful hips was born, the invisible voice said, “Supreme among women, this beauty of the dark complexion will bring about the destruction of the Kshatriyas. In time, this one with the beautiful waist will perform the objective of the gods. From her will arise terrible fear among the Kshatriyas.” Hearing this, all the Panchalas roared like a pride of lions. The earth was unable to bear their great joy.

‘On seeing these two, Prishati wished to get them and came to Yaja and said, “Let these two know no one but me as their mother.” Desiring to please the king, Yaja agreed. The Brahmanas, whose desires were entirely satisfied, gave the two names. “Because of his great courage and because he has been born from lustre, let this son of Drupada be called Dhrishtadyumna.
²⁸
Because she is dark in complexion, let her be called Krishna.” Thus Drupada’s twin children were born from the great sacrifice. Bharadvaja’s powerful son
²⁹
took the Panchala prince Dhrishtadyumna to his own house and taught him the use of all weapons. Thus did the illustrious Drona ensure that his own deeds would become famous, because the immensely wise one knew that what was destined would come to be.’

Vaishampayana said, ‘On hearing this, Kunti’s sons seemed to be pierced with spears. All those maharathas lost their mental peace. On seeing that her sons were confused and not in control of their senses, the truthful Kunti spoke to Yudhishthira.

‘Kunti said, “We have lived in this Brahmana’s house for many nights. O Yudhishthira! We have lived in this beautiful city and have received alms. O chastiser of enemies! We have seen again and again all the beautiful forests and woods. Seeing them again will not give us any pleasure. O brave descendant of Kuru! Alms will not be as easily available. O fortunate one! If you wish, let us go to Panchala. O son! We have not seen it before and it must be beautiful. O destroyer of enemies! It has been heard that alms are easily obtained in Panchala and that King Yajnasena himself is devoted to Brahmanas. It is my view that one should not live in the same place for a long time. O son! Therefore, if you also think the same, let us go there.” Yudhishthira said, “Your views are for our welfare and we should act in that way. But I don’t know if my younger brothers will wish to go.” Then Kunti spoke to Bhimasena, Arjuna and the twins about going there, and all of them agreed.