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Library:The elaborate index of Mahabharata.
The sages said:
O son of Suta, we wish to hear all this about the region of Samantapanchaka, as it was said, according to justice.
Sūta said:
If you, O brahmins, desire service and to hear the auspicious stories named Samantapanchaka, you deserve it, O best ones.
At the junction of Tretā and Dvāpara, Rama, the best of the wielders of weapons, repeatedly killed the earthly kshatriyas, impelled by anger.
He, with fiery splendor, destroyed all the warriors by his own prowess and made five blood lakes in Samantapanchaka.
He, overcome with anger, satisfied the ancestors in those bloody waters of the lakes with blood, thus it has been heard by us.
Then Ṛcīka and others, having approached the forefathers, requested the best of the Brāhmaṇas, saying 'Forgive him,' and then he indeed ceased.
Near them is the region of lakes filled with blood-waters, which is celebrated as the sacred Samantapanchaka.
The wise say that the region which is recognized by a particular characteristic should be called by that very name.
In the interval, indeed, having arrived of Kali and Dvapara, there was a battle at Samantapanchaka of the Kuru and Pandava armies.
In that most righteous land, free from earthly faults, eighteen armies assembled with the desire to fight.
Thus, O Brahmins, the name of that country indeed originated; the sacred and beautiful country is proclaimed as yours.
Thus, all this has been told by me to you, O best of sages, as the place is famous and renowned in the three worlds.
The sages said:
"O son of Sūta, the army which was spoken of by you, we wish to hear all of it exactly as it is."
Tell us the measurement of the army, including chariots, horses, men, and elephants, as it is, for everything is known to you.
Sūta said:
"One chariot, one elephant, five foot soldiers, and three horses are called an infantry by experts."
The wise declare this division to be threefold: the vanguard. Three vanguards are called one battalion.
The wise remember three divisions named as a group, but three groups are called armies in battle.
An army consists of three battalions, and three divisions make a unit. The wise declare a unit ten times larger as an Akshauhini.
O best of the twice-born, the enumeration of the army's chariots by those who know the truth of numerical calculations is twenty-one thousand.
One should indicate here the measurement of elephants as hundreds plus eight and seventy more.
To be known are a hundred thousand, but also thousands and nine; of men also fifty hundred, three, and sinless ones.
Sixty-five thousand and hundreds of horses, they say, with ten more, as it is here in number.
The people who are experts in numbers declare this army, which I have told you in detail, O best of the twice-born.
By this number, indeed, there were eighteen divisions of the Kuru and Pandava armies in total, O best of the twice-born.
Assembled there indeed in the region, right there they went to death, having made the Kauravas the cause, by time and by wonderful acts.
Bhishma, the supreme master of weapons, fought for ten days; but Drona protected the Kuru army for five days.
For two days, Karna, the destroyer of enemy forces, fought. Shalya was there for half a day, after which the mace battle continued.
But at the end of the day, Hārdikya, Drauṇi, and Gautamas killed the sleeping and trusting army of Yudhishthira at night.
But in the assembly of Śaunaka, I shall narrate your Bhārata narrative expansion, and there the narrative of Pauloma from the beginning further.
A narration endowed with various meanings and words, undertaken by wise men, like dispassion by those seeking liberation.
The self is indeed among the knowable, like life among the dear. History is the primary purpose, the best among all scriptures.
In the supreme history, indeed, in this, the supreme intellect is dedicated; like speech, entirely in the support of worldly knowledge of vowels and consonants.
"Let the summary of the chapters of the history of Bharata, endowed with wisdom and varied chapters, be heard."
"Index of sections, first, second, summary of sections: Pauṣya, Pauloma, Āstīka, descent of the original dynasties."
Then, the wonderful event as told in the Sambhava Parva, created by the gods, the burning of the lac house here, and the Hidimba chapter is said.
Then the chapter of the killing of Baka, then the chapter of Caitraratha. Then the self-choice ceremony of the goddess, the chapter of the Panchala princess is said.
By the duty of a warrior, having conquered, then marriage is remembered. The arrival of Vidura, the episode, and the acquisition of the kingdom also.
The residence of Arjuna in the forest, then the abduction of Subhadra. After the abduction of Subhadra, the act of taking away is to be known.
Then, the event named the burning of Khāṇḍava and the meeting with Maya took place there itself. Then, the Sabhā Parva was told, followed by the Mantra Parva.
The chapter on the killing of Jarasandha, the chapter on the conquest of directions, and after the conquest of directions, the Rājasūya sacrifice is said.
Then the offering was brought and Shishupala was killed. Then the gambling episode was told, and after gambling, beyond that.
Then the forest-related section, indeed the killing of Kirmira, and the battle of Ishvara and Arjuna, known as the Kairata section.
The chapter on the approach to Indra's realm is to be known from this point onward. Then follows the chapter on the pilgrimage of the wise Kuru king.
The episode of the killing of Jatāsura, followed by the battle with the Yakṣas. Similarly, the episode of the serpent is to be known thereafter.
The problem of Markandeya and what was mentioned in the chapter after that. Then, the dialogue of Draupadi and Satyabhama in the chapter.
The announcement procession then the festival, then the fear of the deer dream. The story of rice and Drona is said afterwards.
The episode of the abduction of Draupadi by Saindhava from the forest then. The episode of the abduction of earrings is then hereafter said.
The forest-related chapter, then the Virata chapter follows. After that, the chapter of the slaughter of the Kichakas, and then the chapter of cattle-seizing.
The wedding festival of Virata's daughter by Abhimanyu is remembered. From here onwards, the Udyoga Parva is known as very wonderful.
Then, the chapter named Sanjayayana is to be known from this point onward. Then, the chapter of Dhritarashtra's wakefulness with anxiety.
The chapter of Sanatsujata and the secret spiritual vision. Then the chapter of the junction of paths and indeed the divine path.
The section of disputes here is to be known, also the departure section of the great soul Karna, and then of the Kuru and Pandava armies.
The count of chariots and great chariot-warriors was mentioned in the section thereafter. The arrival of Uluka, the messenger, increased the anger in the section.
The story of Amba and the section to be known beyond this is Bhishma's anointment, a section known for its wonderful reason.
The construction of the Jambū continent is mentioned in the chapter; thereafter, the earth chapter should be known as the praise of the expanse of the islands.
As mentioned in the chapter, the Bhagavad Gita chapter describes Bhishma's demise, then Drona's consecration, as mentioned in the chapter, and then the slaying of the Samsaptakas.
The section on Abhimanyu's killing, the pledge section is said. Then, the section on Jayadratha's killing and Ghatotkacha's killing.
Then, the episode of the killing of Drona is to be known as hair-raising. The liberation from the Narayana weapon is said to be after the episode.
The Karna Parva is to be known, then the Shalya Parva after that. The Lake Entry Parva follows, and after that, the Mace Battle.
Then the chapter related to Sarasvati, endowed with the qualities of the lineage of sacred places. From there, above, but the horrifying chapter is called the Sauptika.
The bamboo section is designated as very fierce upward. Then the water-giving section, and then the women's section beyond.
The funeral rite, then, is to be known as the posthumous ceremony of the Kurus, the consecration ceremony of the wise Dharmaraja.
The chapter on the subjugation of Charvaka, the demon in the form of Brahman, and the division of the houses as mentioned in the chapter thereafter.
In the Shanti Parva, then, where the recitation of royal duties is mentioned, the duties in distress and the section on duties of liberation are said to be beyond.
Then the chapter known as the supreme Anushasana Parva, related to the ascent to heaven, of the wise Bhishma.
Then the chapter related to Ashvamedha, which is the destruction of all sins. Then the chapter known as Anugita, which is a spiritual discourse.
The chapter named Ashram residence, and the sight of the son, and Narada's arrival chapter, then afterwards is said here.
The Mausala chapter, then the terrible is described. Then the Mahaprasthanika chapter, the Svargarohanika.
The Harivamsa, then the section known as the Khila Purana, and also the Bhavishyat Parva are mentioned among the Khilas as indeed wonderful and great.
This hundred sections, complete, were said by Vyasa, the great soul, as it is, by the son of Suta, Lomaharshana, again.
"In Naimisharanya, eighteen festivals are indeed said; this is the summary of the Mahabharata, where the collection of sections is mentioned."
In the month of Pausha, during the festival, the greatness of Uttanka is described. In the Pauloma, the expansion of the Bhrigu lineage is praised.
In the story of Āstīka, the origin of all serpents and Garuḍa, the churning of the ocean of milk, and also the birth of Ucchaiḥśravas.
The story of the Bharatas, of the great souls, has been narrated during the serpent-sacrifice of King Parikshit.
The various origins of kings are mentioned in the Sambhava Parva, and indeed of others, of the sages, and of the sage Dvaipayana.
Here, the partial incarnation of the gods, demons, Danavas, and Yakshas of great energy is proclaimed.
The origin of the serpents, and of the snakes, of the celestial musicians, of the birds, and indeed of other beings of various kinds.
The rebirth of the Vasus in the Ganges, the great souls, and again their ascent to heaven in the abode of Shantanu.
The origin of Bhishma also from the assembly of the splendorous parts is here. Renunciation from the kingdom and indeed abidance in the vow of celibacy.
Promise-keeping and protection of Citrāṅgada; when Citrāṅgada was slain, indeed, protection of the younger brother.
The establishment of Vicitravīrya in the kingdom, thus, the manifestation of Dharma among men, born of the curse of Aṇīmāṇḍavya.
The birth from Krishna Dvaipayana and indeed from a boon, of Dhritarashtra, of Pandu, and of the Pandavas.
The journey to Varanavata and the plan of Duryodhana, and by the words of Vidura, the commencement of the tunnel action.
In the terrible forest, the meeting of the Pandavas with Hidimba and the birth of Ghatotkacha is mentioned here.
The Pandavas' living in disguise in a Brahmin's house, the death of Baka, and the astonishment of the townspeople.
Having conquered Angaraparna on the banks of the Ganges, Arjuna then, together with all his brothers, went towards the Panchalas.
The lineage of Tapa, then the story of Vasiṣṭha and Aurva, an excellent story, and the sub-story of the five Indras is indeed told here as wonderful.
The discussion of Drupada regarding the state of having one wife for the five, and the marriage of Draupadi ordained by the gods, was also superhuman.
The arrival of Vidura and the meeting with Keshava, the residence at Khandavaprastha, and also the rule over half of the kingdom.
By the command of Nārada and indeed by Draupadī's agreement, the story of Sunda and Upasunda was narrated there.
The forest dwelling of Pārtha and the meeting with Ulupi on the path; pilgrimage to holy places and the birth of Babhruvāhana.
In Dvaraka, Subhadra, the beautiful lady, was obtained by Arjuna by desire and with the permission of Vasudeva.
The abduction having taken place, when Krishna, the son of Devaki, arrived, and the arrival of the discus and bow, and the burning of Khandava.
The birth of Abhimanyu in Subhadra, and of the supreme splendor. The liberation of Maya from fire, and the release of the serpent. The birth of the son of the great sage Mandapala of Sharngya.
Thus, this Ādhiparva, the first, is said to be extensive. Indeed, two hundred chapters are counted by the great sage. Only eighteen chapters are by Vyasa of supreme brilliance.
Seven thousand verses, and nine hundred, and eighty-four verses were seen in the book by the great soul.
The second is the assembly chapter, which is said to contain many events, including the assembly activities and the view of the Pandavas and the attendants.
The account of the assembly of world protectors from Nārada and the sight of the gods, the commencement of the Rājasūya sacrifice, and also the killing of Jarāsandha.
In Girivraja, the restrained kings were liberated by Krishna. In the Rajasuya, in the discussion of the offering, there was also the killing of Shishupala.
In the sacrifice, having seen that glory, and the mockery of Duryodhana, filled with sorrow and anger, by Bhima in the assembly hall.
Where his anger arose, by which he caused gambling; where Shakuni, the cheat, defeated Dharmaputra in gambling.
Where Draupadi, like a boat, rescued those immersed in the ocean of gambling from the ocean; knowing them crossed, King Duryodhana again indeed then challenged the Pandavas in gambling.
This entire Sabhaparva is described by the great soul. Seventy chapters are known, and two more here in number.
In this section, two thousand five hundred and eleven verses are proclaimed.
Therefore, beyond this, the third is to be known as the great forest-related (section), indeed the following of the citizens of the wise son of Dharma.
Where the arrival of the Vṛṣṇis and all the Pāñcālas is, where the story of the killing of Saubha and the killing of Kirmīra also are, and the exile of Pārtha of immeasurable energy for the sake of weapons.
Battle with Mahadeva and with the form of a hunter together. Sight of the guardians of the world and ascension to heaven indeed.
The sight of Brihadashva, the great sage with a composed soul, and the lamentation of distressed Yudhishthira in adversity.
The story of Nala is indeed righteous and compassionate here, where the state of Damayanti is in adversity with Nala.
The progress of the great souls, the Pandavas, who went to the forest, was narrated in heaven by Lomasha, indeed, of Arjuna.
The pilgrimage here of the great-souled Pāṇḍavas is similarly described, as well as the killing of Jaṭāsura there itself.
Appointed by Draupadi, Bhimasena went to Gandhamadana, where he approached the lotus pond for Mandara flowers.
Where his very great battle occurred with demons, and also with mighty yakshas led by Manimat, thus.
The story of Agastya, where Vātāpi was eaten, and the approach to Lopāmudrā for progeny by the sage.
Then, the story of the hawk and the dove was told afterwards. Indra, Agni, and Dharma tested King Shibi where they were.
The conduct of Ṛśyaśṛṅga, the celibate in youth, and the conduct of Rāma, Jamadagni's son, of great energy.
The killing of Kārtavīrya, where the Haihayas are described, and also the narrative of Sukanī, where Cyavana, the descendant of Bhṛgu, is mentioned.
In the sacrifice of Śaryāti, the two Aśvins, who were drinkers of Soma, made it so that the sage's youth was restored by them where he was.
Here indeed is the story of creatures where Somaka, by his son, performed a sacrifice for the sake of a son; the king obtained a hundred sons and he.
Here indeed in the debate of Aṣṭāvakra, where Bandi was conquered, the sage gained his father, having obtained the ocean.
Having obtained divine weapons for the sake of the teacher, Arjuna fought a battle with the Nivātakavacas and the inhabitants of Hiranyapura.
The meeting of Pārtha with his brothers at Gandhamādana, and the musical procession with the Gandharvas where the battle of the crowned one took place.
The return of their lake in Dwaitavana, and the abduction of Draupadi by Jayadratha from the hermitage.
Where Bhima, equal to the speed of wind, followed this in speed; in the story of Markandeya, the stories are in parts.
The meeting of Krishna and the conversation with Satyā, the story of Vrīhidrauṇika, and also Aindradyumna.
The stories of Sāvitrī, Uddālaka, and Vainya, and the Rāmāyaṇa story are indeed extensively detailed here.
Here is the story of the taking away of Karna's earrings by Indra. This narrative is where Dharma followed his son. The Pandavas, having obtained boons, went to the western direction.
This forest-related section is proclaimed as the third. Here, two hundred chapters are counted by the great sage. Sixty-nine chapters are indeed thus proclaimed.
This section is proclaimed to have eleven thousand six hundred and sixty-four verses.
Therefore, further understand this chapter detailing Virata. Having gone to the city of Virata, in the cremation ground, having seen a large Shami tree, the Pandavas also placed their weapons there.
Where, having entered the city in disguise, they dwelt; where the wicked Kichaka was killed by Bhima.
In the cow-seizing, where the Kurus were defeated by Arjuna in battle, and the cattle of Virata were freed by the Pandavas.
Uttara, the daughter-in-law given by Virata, where the crowned one refers to Abhimanyu, the slayer of enemies, son of Subhadra.
This fourth extensive book of Virata is described here; also enumerated are the chapters by the great soul.
Sixty-seven, then complete, hear my foremost verse. Of verses, two thousand, but only fifty verses are declared in this section by the great sage.
The Udyoga Parva, known as the fifth, is beyond listening. In Upaplavya, settled among the Pandavas with the desire to conquer, Duryodhana and Arjuna indeed arrived to Vasudeva.
"You ought to help us in this battle," thus said in words, where Krishna, the wise, spoke.
O best of men, to the minister who is not fighting, do I give an army or whose army do I give?
Duryodhana, the foolish one, chose the army where the evil-minded was. Dhananjaya chose Krishna, the non-fighting minister.
Sanjaya was sent for peace to the Pandavas, where the great king Dhritarashtra, the powerful, had sent a messenger.
Having heard that the Pāṇḍavas, led by Vāsudeva, were there, wakefulness arose in Dhṛtarāṣṭra due to anxiety.
Vidura made the wise King Dhritarashtra hear the varied and beneficial words where.
Thus, by Sanatsujata, where supreme spiritual knowledge was imparted, the king, afflicted in mind, was made to hear, desirous of sorrow.
In the morning, in the royal assembly, where Sanjaya and the master were present, the unity of Vasudeva was spoken of by Arjuna.
Where Krishna, compassionate and greatly renowned, desiring peace, himself came to the city named Nāgasāhvaya to make peace.
The rejection by King Duryodhana of Krishna's request for peace was indeed for the benefit of both parties.
Having known the evil consultation of Karna, Duryodhana, and others, the position of Yogeshvara was shown by Krishna among the kings.
Having mounted the chariot by Krishna, where Karna was advised, he was rejected by him from arrogance by strategy.
Then also the departure of chariots, horses, men, and elephants from the city, from Hastinapura, and indeed the count of the army.
Where the king sent Uluka to the Pandavas; as a messenger by the cruel speaker in the great war happening tomorrow; the count of chariots and great chariots and indeed the story of Amba.
This is the fifth book in the Mahabharata, designated as the Udyoga Parva, related to peace and war.
Here, by number, eighty-six hundred chapters are remembered. Of verses, there are six thousand and as many hundreds.
Ninety-eight verses were spoken by the great soul Vyasa, the noble-minded, in this section, O sages.
Above this, the Bhishma Parva, with its various meanings, is described. The creation of Jambudvipa, where it is said by Sanjaya, indeed.
Where the battle was terrible for ten days, very fierce; where the army of Yudhishthira attained extreme despair.
Where Vāsudeva, of great intellect, destroyed the confusion of Pārtha, born of delusion, by reasons with views of liberation.
Placing Shikhandin in front, where Arjuna, the great archer, struck with sharp arrows, he felled Bhishma from the chariot.
This sixth great festival is celebrated in the Bharata. It is said to consist of a hundred chapters and seventeen others.
Five thousand verses, and eight hundred by number, and eighty-four verses are declared in this section, counted by Vyasa, the knower of Vedas, in the Bhishma Parva.
In the Drona Parva, then a wonderful account is told, where the Samsaptakas removed Arjuna from the battlefield.
Bhagadatta, the great king, who was equal to Indra in battle, was slain together with the elephant Supratika by Arjuna.
Where many great warriors of the world, headed by Jayadratha, killed the young heroic Abhimanyu, who had not yet reached full youth.
When Abhimanyu was slain, where Arjuna, enraged, in battle, having slain seven divisions, killed King Jayadratha. And the remnants of the Saṃśaptakas were completely destroyed in battle.
Alambusa, Śrutāyu, Jalasandha, the mighty Saumadatti, Virāṭa, Drupada, the great chariot-warrior, Ghaṭotkaca and others, and others were slain in the Drona Parva.
Ashwatthama, also here indeed, when Drona had fallen in battle, manifested a fierce weapon, the Narayana, in anger.
The seventh book in the Bharata is described as great. Here, those kings mostly met their death. In the Drona Parva, the heroes who were mentioned were the best among men.
A hundred chapters are said, and also seventy chapters; eight thousand verses, and also nine hundred.
Nine verses are likewise counted here by the seer of truth, Vyasa, the sage, having considered in the Drona Parva.
Therefore, further is said the most wonderful Karna Parva, where the engagement in charioteering of the wise king of Madra is narrated, and the ancient destruction of Tripura.
In the journey, there is a harsh dialogue here between Karna and Shalya. The story of the swan and the crow is indeed included here with reproach.
Mutual anger between Yudhishthira and Arjuna, where in the duel, Karna, the great charioteer, was killed by Arjuna.
This eighth book is described by the thinkers of the Mahabharata. Sixty-nine chapters are said to be in the Karna Parva. There are four thousand and nine hundred verses.
Therefore, further, the Shalya Parva with wonderful meaning is described. But in the army with heroes slain, the leader became the king of Madra.
The events of chariot battles are recounted in parts where the destruction of the Kuru chiefs is recounted in the Shalya Parva.
The death of Śalya here by Dharmaraja, the great chariot-warrior, and the fierce mace battle are described right here. The holiness of the holy places of Sarasvati is praised.
The ninth chapter, described as wonderful and meaningful, consists of fifty-nine chapters there by experts in enumeration.
Counted are many stories, and here the beginning of the verse is praised. Three thousand verses, two hundred and twenty, thus composed by the sage, of the Kauravas, of the glorious.
Therefore, I shall describe further the terrible episode of the sleeping, where the king Duryodhana, with broken thighs, was unforgiving.
When the sons of Pritha had departed, those three chariots approached: Kritavarma, Kripa, and Drona's son, blood-stained in the evening.
Drona's son, firm in anger, promised that he would not release his bite without killing all the Panchalas headed by Dhrishtadyumna and the Pandavas with their ministers, where the great chariot-warrior was.
At night, where those bulls among men were sleeping and trusting, Drona's son and his followers killed the Panchalas with their families.
Where the sons of Pritha, those five, were released from the refuge of Krishna's strength; Satyaki, the great archer, and the rest met their end.
Draupadī, afflicted by the grief of her sons and distressed by the killing of her father and brothers, having resolved to fast, sat where her husband was.
From Draupadi's words, where Bhima of terrible prowess chased angrily Bharadvaja, the son of the teacher.
Where, out of fear of Bhimasena, impelled by fate, Drona's son released the weapon in anger, saying 'against the Pandavas.'
Krishna said, "Not so," pacifying his words. Where Arjuna neutralized that weapon with a weapon.
The curses of Drona, Vyasa, and others were mutually caused during the water ritual in the offering of water by all the kings.
The story of the secretly born Karna, son of Pritha, is told here in the tenth book, the Sauptika Parva.
In this chapter, eighteen sections are spoken by the great soul. Here, the foremost verse is told, and also eight hundreds.
Seventy verses are properly spoken with enumeration in relation to the Sauptika and Aishika sections by the wise Amitabuddhi.
From now onwards, this is called the Strī Parva, the rise of compassion. The lamentation of the wives of heroes, where great compassion is remembered. Anger and grace of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra.
Where they saw those warrior heroes, fated and non-returning, sons, brothers, and fathers indeed, slain in battle.
Where the king, greatly wise and the best of all upholders of dharma, caused those bodies of kings to be burned according to scriptures.
This eleventh, said in the section, is a great compassionate one. Twenty-seven chapters are mentioned in this section.
Here, seven hundred and seventy-five verses are said. The story of Bharata, indeed composed here by the great soul, is tear-inducing, causing distress to the noble-minded.
Thereafter, beyond the twelfth Shanti Parva, which increases wisdom, where Yudhishthira, the king of dharma, attained dispassion, having killed fathers, brothers, sons, relatives, and kinsmen.
In the Shanti Parva, duties are explained on the bed of arrows, which are to be known by kings who properly desire to learn policy.
The duties in distress and the indicators of time and cause are indeed there. By understanding which, a person may properly attain omniscience. The duties of liberation are also described as various and extensive.
The twelfth book, described as pleasing to the wise, is here to be known as having three hundred chapters, and indeed thirty and nine chapters, O sage.
But they say there are fourteen thousand verses, and indeed five hundred with the number twenty-five.
From above, however, the supreme instruction is to be known, where having attained nature, having heard the decision on dharma from Bhishma, the son of Bhagirathi, the Kuru king Yudhishthira.
Here, conduct related to dharma and artha is completely shown. And the results of various kinds of gifts are different.
Thus, the specific recipients and the supreme method of gifts, the application of conduct and the ultimate goal of truth.
This excellent instruction with many stories, and the attainment of heaven by Bhishma, is proclaimed here itself.
This is the thirteenth book, establishing righteousness. Here, there are one hundred and forty-six chapters only. But of verses, there are six thousand seven hundred only.
Then the chapter named Aśvamedhika, the fourteenth, is said, where the excellent story of Saṃvarta and Maruttīya is told.
The attainment of a treasury of gold, the birth, and the statement of Parikshit; the revival of the burnt by the weapon's fire before by Krishna, again.
In the expedition, the horse released by the Pandava was followed. There, battles were fought by the impatient princes.
Dhanañjaya, by the son of Citrāṅgadā and the daughter, was shown doubt here in battle by Babruvāhana. In the Ashvamedha great sacrifice, indeed, the story of Nakula and.
Thus, this very wonderful section related to Ashvamedha is spoken. Here, one hundred and thirty-three chapters are mentioned.
Three thousand verses, as many hundreds, and twenty thus verses are counted by the seer of truth.
Then the chapter named 'The Hermitage Life' is remembered, where the king, having abandoned the kingdom, together with Gandhari, went to Dhritarashtra's hermitage, and Vidura indeed went.
Seeing whom departed, the virtuous lady Pṛthā also followed then, abandoning her son's kingdom, engaged in serving the elders.
Where the king saw the slain sons, grandsons, and other kings, the heroes who had departed to other worlds, returned.
By the grace of the sage, having seen the unsurpassed wonder of Krishna, having abandoned sorrow, he, with his wife, attained supreme perfection.
Where Vidura, having resorted to righteousness, attained a good state; and Sanjaya, the great minister, wise Gāvalgaṇi, self-controlled.
Yudhishthira, the Dharmaraja, saw Nārada there. And from Nārada, he indeed heard of the great destruction of the Vrishnis.
This is the very wonderful ashram residence named and previously mentioned in the forty-second chapter of this section by enumeration.
A thousand and one verses, five hundred verses, and six more verses are counted by the seer of truth.
Therefore, further understand this terrible chapter of the mace, where those tiger-like men, enduring weapon touch in battle, were crushed by Brahma's rod near the salt water.
In drinking, intoxicated and impelled by fate, they struck each other with thunderbolt-like weapons.
Where, having caused total destruction, those two, Rama and Keshava, did not surpass the time that had arrived, equally all-destroying.
Where Arjuna, having arrived at Dwaravati devoid of Vrishni, having seen, attained extreme sorrow and distress, the best of men.
He, having honored the best of the Yadus, his uncle Śauri himself, saw a great slaughter of the Yadu heroes in the drinking place.
The body of Vāsudeva and Rāma, the great soul, was given funeral rites, chiefly by the Vṛṣṇis.
He, having taken the old child, then saw the people of Dvaravati in distress and difficulty, the defeat of Gandiva.
The displeasure of all divine weapons, the destruction of the Vṛṣṇi wives, and the impermanence of powers.
Having seen, fallen into dispassion, urged by Vyasa's words, having approached Dharmaraja, he would choose renunciation.
Thus, this Mausala section, the sixteenth, is described. Eight chapters are named, and three hundred verses.
The great departure is remembered as the seventeenth, where the Pandavas, bulls among men, having abandoned the kingdom, together with the goddess Draupadi, attained supreme perfection.
Here, three chapters are mentioned, and a hundred and twenty verses are also counted by the seer of truth.
Then, the heavenly chapter, which is divine and superhuman, is to be known. By enumeration, this section is counted as five chapters. Indeed, two hundred verses are enumerated, O sages.
Eighteen sections are indeed mentioned completely. In the supplements, Harivamsa and Bhavishya are proclaimed.
This entire Bharata has been told from the collection of chapters. Eighteen armies assembled with the desire to fight. That great and terrible battle was eighteen.
He who knows the four Vedas along with the Upanishads, but does not know this narrative, is not wise at all.
Having heard this story, nothing else audible pleases; like a man's hearing the cuckoo's song, the harsh voice of the crow does not please.
From the best of histories, the intellects of poets are born, just as the three arrangements of the world arise from the five elements.
In the subject of this story, the ancient exists, O twice-born. In the subject of the sky, the people are like fourfold.
This narration is the support of all the qualities of actions; like varied mental actions of all the senses.
Without depending upon this narration, no story exists on earth, just as the body cannot sustain without relying on food.
This narrative is lived upon by all eminent poets, like a noble lord by servants desiring rise.
What is the need for him to perform ablution with the water of the lotus pond, who comprehends the Mahabharata, emerging from the lips of Dvaipayana, which is immeasurable, sacred, pure, and auspicious, and a remover of sin, being recited?
This narrative, which is excellent and of great meaning, is placed here in the collection of chapters. Having heard it at first, it becomes easy for men to enter, like a vast salt water by a boat.
