Mahabharata Vol. 1 (Penguin Translated Texts) (65 page)
Read Mahabharata Vol. 1 (Penguin Translated Texts) Online
Authors: Bibek Debroy
104
Rahu.
105
The word used is
sandhya
, which can mean dawn, as well as dusk.
106
This story is taken up later, and we learn why Kalmashapada requested Vashishtha to impregnate the queen.
107
The king.
108
Meaning the king, who had now been freed from the curse of the rakshasa.
109
One of the twenty-seven nakshatras.
114
There are fourteen
loka
s (worlds). Seven are above the ground and seven are below. This is a reference to the seven that are above the ground—
bhurloka
,
bhuvarloka
,
svarloka
,
maharloka
,
janarloka
,
taparloka
and
brahmaloka
(
satyaloka
).
117
A horse is
vadava
and a horse’s head is called
vadavamukha
,
mukha
meaning face. This submarine fire is thus called vadavamukha. Since
anala
means fire, it is also called
vadavanala
.
118
Shakti’s son Parashara.
119
Because they had nothing to do with Shakti’s death.
120
Kalmashapada.
5
Agallochum, a soft, resinous wood with an aromatic smell burnt as perfume.
6
That is, those of the lunar dynasty, an epithet for the Panchalas.
9
Kubera.
10
The giant birds in general.
11
The nagas.
12
Semi-divine species.
13
Celestial singers.
14
Halayudha is one of Balarama’s names.
Hala
means plough,
ayudha
means weapon. Halayudha is one with the plough as one’s weapon.
15
Krishna.
16
Krishna.
17
Balarama.
18
Another name of Arjuna’s.
19
Therefore, they did not notice the Pandavas.
20
Pritha is Kunti’s name and only Yudhishthira, Bhima and Arjuna were Kunti’s sons. Nakula and Sahadeva were Madri’s sons.
25
Bhima and Arjuna, who had not left the assembly. Arjuna had only left the arena.
26
Krishna.
27
Bhima.
28
Usually a name used for Krishna, but here used for Balarama.
29
Karaka
, more specifically, water pots made out of coconut shells.
30
One of Karna’s names.
31
Radha’s son, that is, Karna.
32
In the shower of arrows, because they were swiftly shooting arrows at each other.
33
Parashurama.
34
Dhanur Veda.
35
Indra.
36
Indra.
37
Arjuna.
38
Arjuna.
39
Purandara is Indra’s name. Hence, Indra’s weapon.
40
With this wonderful feat.
41
Kripa was Sharadvata’s son.
42
It is not very clear who this Brahmana leading the way is, and must be a reference to Dhoumya.
43
Krishna.
44
Balarama.
45
One without enemies, Yudhishthira’s epithet.
46
One of Yudhishthira’s names.
47
Kunti.
48
Meaning, the south. This is a reference to the sage Agastya’s journey to the south.
49
In the morning.
50
The own varna means a Kshatriya. The higher varna means a Brahmana.
51
The word used is
vama
, which means left, as well as lower being. In this context, lower being seems best.
52
The word ‘sons’ is used here in the sense of descendants.
53
The daityas. Although the word Indra isn’t directly used, the suggestion is clearly that he resembled Indra.
54
The kings.
6
Semi-divine species.
7
Droupadi.
8
The arrangement for the marriage would depend on what caste the Pandavas came from.
9
Drupada.
10
Drupada.
11
The Pandavas. Drupada assured them that he would help them get back their kingdom.
12
Varanavata.
13
Yudhishthira.
14
Drupada.
15
The Pandavas.
16
Arjuna.
17
Arjuna.
18
Dhrishtadyumna. The text is such that it could also mean Drupada, ruler of Panchala.
19
Krishna Dvaipayana.
20
The text actually says bipeds.
21
Meaning probably Drupada. Parshata is a family name, used for both Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna.
22
Kunti’s son, Yudhishthira.
27
Brahma.
28
The gods.
29
Pundarika
, usually a white lotus.
30
The river Ganga.
31
Indra, the vajra is Indra’s weapon.
32
Indra.
33
Indra.
34
The king of mountains (
giriraja
) means high and lofty mountains, but is also a name for the Himalayas.
35
Indra.
36
The other god. As will become clear, this other god was none other than Shiva or Mahadeva.
37
Indra.
38
Shiva or Mahadeva; literally the lord of the mountains.
39
One of Indra’s names; literally the performer of a hundred sacrifices.
40
Indra.
41
Shiva.
42
Indra.
58
Dhoumya.
59
Yudhishthira.
60
That is, Bhima got married on the next day, Arjuna on the next, and so on.
61
Vyasa.
62
That is, she regained her virginity after the earlier day’s marriage.
63
Drupada.
64
The Pandavas.
65
Around her wrists.
66
Indra’s wife.
67
Indra.
68
The fire-god’s wife.
69
The fire-god.
70
The moon-god’s wife.
71
The moon-god.
72
Kubera’s wife.
73
Kubera, the god of wealth.
74
Yudhishthira.