03.026
Pancharatra: Markandeya visits Pandavas and advises them not to follow adharma, thinking they are powerful.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having reached that forest, the sons of the king, though accustomed to comfort, endured hardship in their dwelling and sported like Indra in the auspicious groves of śāla trees on the banks of the Sarasvati. (3-26-1)
The king, the great-souled bull among the Kurus, satisfied all the ascetics, sages, and the foremost of the twice-born in that forest with abundant roots and fruits. (3-26-2)
While the Pāṇḍavas dwelt in the great forest, Dhaumya, the priest of the Kurus, who possessed all-accomplished splendor, performed sacrificial, ancestral, and foremost rites for them like a father. (3-26-3)
After they had left the kingdom and were dwelling elsewhere, the ancient sage and guest, Markandeya, who possessed intense and abundant splendor, came to the hermitage of the illustrious Pandavas. (3-26-4)
He, the all-knowing one, seeing Draupadī (Kṛṣṇā), Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīmasena and Arjuna, and recalling Rāma in his mind, that great-souled ascetic of immeasurable energy smiled among the ascetics. (3-26-5)
Dharmarāja, appearing dispirited, said to him: "All these ascetics are modest. Why do you seem glad and as if smiling, having looked at me in the presence of these ascetics?" (3-26-6)
Markandeya said.
O father, I neither rejoice nor smile; no pride born of great joy possesses me. Seeing your misfortune today, I remember Rama, the son of Dasharatha, who is true to his vow. (3-26-7)
He, the king, together with Lakṣmaṇa, was dwelling in the forest solely by his father's command. O son of Pṛthā, I myself saw him earlier, armed with a bow and wandering, on the summit of the Ṛṣyamūka mountain. (3-26-8)
The great-souled son of Dasharatha, like Indra, conqueror of Maya and slayer of Namuci, sinless, performed his own duty by residing in the forest as commanded by his father. (3-26-9)
He too, equal in power to Śakra (Indra), of great dignity and invincible in battle, having abandoned pleasures, wandered in the forests; he did not command the army, thus he would not act unrighteously. (3-26-10)
Kings such as Nābhāga, Bhagīratha and others, after conquering this earth bounded by the ocean, also conquered the worlds by truth, O dear one; one is not the master of strength, thus one should not act unrighteously. (3-26-11)
They call Alarka, the best of men, virtuous and truthful in vow, the king of Kāśi and Karūṣa; but abandoning his kingdoms and riches, he could not restrain his strength, and thus acted unrighteously. (3-26-12)
O Pārtha, the rule established by the Creator in ancient times is worshipped by the virtuous best of men; the seven sages shine in heaven. In the absence of a ruler, strength prevails, and thus people act unrighteously. (3-26-13)
O king, see those tusked elephants of great strength and mountain-peak size; O best of men, standing at command, the elements under control of strength—thus, one should not act unrighteously. (3-26-14)
O king, see all beings; as ordained by the Creator, each acts according to their own nature. One who is self-born performs those powerful deeds; not being the master of strength, thus one should not act unrighteously. (3-26-15)
O Pārtha, by truth, righteousness, proper conduct, and modesty, you have surpassed all beings; your fame and splendor shine like that of fire and the sun. (3-26-16)
O great one, as you have promised, after enduring this difficult stay in the forest, you will then, by your own brilliance, obtain radiant prosperity from the Kauravas, O king. (3-26-17)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having thus spoken to him, the great sage, in the midst of ascetics and together with friends, after bidding farewell to Dhaumya and the sons of Pṛthā, then he set out towards the northern direction. (3-26-18)
