Maha-bharata Part 3

"With such insults seek not, Bhima, thus to cause a warrior grief, Bitter taunts but ill befit thee, warlike tiger-waisted chief!

Proudest chief may fight the humblest, for like river's n.o.ble course, n.o.ble deeds proclaim the warrior, and we question not their source!

Teacher Drona, priest and warrior, owns a poor and humble birth, Kripa, n.o.blest of Gautamas, springeth from the lowly earth!

Known to me thy lineage Bhima, thine and of thy brothers four, Amorous G.o.ds your birth inspired, so they say, in days of yore!

Mark the great and gallant Karna decked in rings and weapons fair, She-deer breeds not lordly tigers in her poor and lowly lair!

Karna comes to rule the wide earth, not fair Anga's realms alone, By his valour and his weapons, by the homage which I own!

And if prince or armed chieftain doth my word or deed gainsay, Let him take his bow and quiver, meet me in a deadly fray!"

Loud applauses greet the challenge and the people's joyful cry, But the thickening shades of darkness fill the earth and evening sky,

And the red lamp's fitful l.u.s.tre shone upon the field around, Slowly with the peerless Karna proud Duryodhan left the ground.

Pandu's sons with warlike Drona marked the darksome close of day, And with Kripa and with Bhishma homeward silent bent their way.

"Arjun is the gallant victor!" "Valiant Karna's won the day!"

"Prince Duryodhan is the winner!" Various thus the people say.

By some secret sign apprised Pritha knew her gallant boy, Saw him crowned king of Anga, with a mother's secret joy,

And with greater joy Duryodhan fastened Karna to his side, Feared no longer Arjun's prowess, Arjun's skill of arms and pride,

E'en Yudhishthir reckoned Karna mightiest warrior on the earth, Half mis...o...b..ed Arjun's prowess, Arjun's skill and warlike worth!

BOOK II

SWAYAMVARA

(The Bride's Choice)

The mutual jealousies of the princes increased from day to day, and when Yudhishthir, the eldest of all the princes and the eldest son of the late Pandu, was recognised heir-apparent, the anger of Duryodhan and his brothers knew no bounds. And they formed a dark scheme to kill the sons of Pandu.

The sons of Pandu were induced with their mother to pay a visit to a distant town called Varanavata. A house had been built there for their residence, constructed of inflammable materials. At the appointed time fire was set to the house; but the five brothers and their mother escaped the conflagration through a subterranean pa.s.sage, retired into forests, and lived in the disguise of Brahmans.

In course of time they heard of the approaching celebrations of the marriage of the princess of Panchala, an ancient kingdom in the vicinity of modern Kanouj. All the monarchs of Northern India were invited, and the bride would choose her husband from among the a.s.sembled kings according to the ancient _Swayamvara_ custom. The five sons of Pandu decided to go and witness the ceremony.

The portion translated in this Book formed Sections clx.x.xiv. to cx.x.xix. of Book i. of the original text.

I

Journey to Panchala

Now the righteous sons of Pandu, wand'ring far from day to day, Unto South Panchala's country glad and joyful held their way,

For when travelling with their mother, so it chanced by will of fate, They were met by pious Brahmans bound for South Panchala's State,

And the pure and holy Brahmans hailed the youths of n.o.ble fame, Asked them whither they would journey, from what distant land they came.

"From the land of Ekachakra," good Yudhishthir answered so, "With our ancient mother travelling unto distant lands we go."

"Heard ye not," the Brahmans questioned, "in Panchala's fair domain, Drupad, good and gracious monarch, doth a mighty feast ordain?

To that festive land we journey, Drupad's bounteous gifts to share, And to see the _swayamvara_ of Panchala's princess fair,--

Human mother never bore her, human bosom never fed, From the Altar sprang the maiden who some n.o.ble prince will wed!

Soft her eyes like lotus-petal, sweet her tender jasmine form, And a maiden's stainless honour doth her gentle soul inform!

And her brother, mailed and armed with his bow and arrows dire, Radiant as the blazing altar, sprang from Sacrificial Fire!

Fair the sister slender-waisted, dowered with beauty rich and rare, And like fragrance of blue lotus, perfumes all the sweetened air!

She will choose from n.o.ble suitors gathered from the west and east, Bright and fair shall be the wedding, rich and bounteous be the feast!

Kings will come from distant regions sacrificing wealth and gold, Stainless monarchs versed in _sastra_, pious-hearted, mighty-souled,

Handsome youths and n.o.ble princes from each near and distant land, Car-borne chieftains bold and skilful, brave of heart and stout of hand!

And to win the peerless princess they will scatter presents rare, Food and milch-kine, wealth and jewels, gold and gifts and garments fair,

n.o.ble gifts we take as Brahmans, bless the rite with gladsome heart, Share the feast so rich and bounteous, then with joyful minds depart.

Actors, mimes, and tuneful minstrels fair Panchala's court will throng, Famed reciters of _puranas_, dancers skilled and wrestlers strong,

Come with us, the wedding witness, share the banquet rich and rare, Pleased with gifts and n.o.ble presents to your distant home repair.

Dowered ye are with princely beauty, like the radiant G.o.ds above, Even on you the partial princess may surrender heart and love!

And this youth so tall and stalwart, mighty-armed, strong and bold, He may win in feats of valour, and acquire much wealth and gold!"

"Be it so," Yudhishthir answered, "to Panchala we repair, View the wedding of the princess and the royal bounty share."

Thus the righteous sons of Pandu with the Brahmans took their way, Where in South Panchala's kingdom mighty Drupad held his sway.

Now the sinless saintly _ris.h.i.+_, deathless bard of deathless lay, Herald of the holy Vedas, Vyasa stood before their way!

And the princes bowed unto him and received his blessings kind, By his mandate to Panchala went with pleased and joyful mind!

Jungle woods and silver waters round their sylvan pathway lay, Halting at each wayside station marched the princes day by day,