03.225
The chapter on the cowherd camp expedition.
Janamejaya said.
Thus, when the foremost of men were dwelling in the forest, their bodies worn by cold, heat, wind, and sun, having reached the lake and the sacred forest—then, what did the Pārthas do next? (03-225-1)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having reached the lake, the sons of Pāṇḍu left the people behind, having arranged for them, and then wandered through the pleasant forests, mountains, and river regions. (03-225-2)
Thus, while those heroic dwellers in the forest endowed with study of the Veda and ascetic wealth were there, the ancient Vedic sages approached them, and then the foremost among men honored them. (03-225-3)
Then, once, a brāhmaṇa skilled in stories came to the Kauraveyas on earth. After meeting them, he happened by chance to approach King Vichitravīrya. (03-225-4)
Then, having been seated and honored by the aged king, the best of the Kurus, he was prompted to narrate about the two who were born from Dharma, Anila, and Indra. (03-225-5)
Emaciated and bodies wasted by wind and sun, plunged in the jaws of intense suffering; her, too, though she truly has a warrior for her protector, looking as if helpless—the dark-complexioned one, overwhelmed by the quality of suffering. (03-225-6)
Then, upon hearing that account, King Vaiśitravīrya (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), deeply moved with compassion, learned that the royal sons and grandsons, staying in the forest, had come to be engulfed in a river of sorrow. (03-225-7)
With his inner self overcome by despondency, and overwhelmed by sighs and tears, he addressed the sons of Pṛthā. With difficulty making his speech steady, and reflecting on all that had arisen from himself, he spoke. (03-225-8)
How is it that my Dharmaraja, the truthful, pure, noble in conduct, eldest among sons—Ajatashatru (one whose enemy was never born)—now lies on the ground, once lying upon a pillow of arrows? (03-225-9)
He, who is like Indra, is daily awakened by groups of bards and singers constantly praising him; but at the end of the night, surely, he who dwells on earth is awakened by flocks of birds. (03-225-10)
How indeed does Vṛkodara, his body emaciated by wind and sun and overcome by anger, lie on the ground in the presence of Kṛṣṇa, his body in a state not suitable for him, lying on the earth? (03-225-11)
Thus Arjuna, though tender and of strong mind, stays under the control of King Yudhiṣṭhira, yet—afflicted as if in every limb—certainly does not sleep in the dwellings, out of indignation. (03-225-12)
Having seen the twins, Kṛṣṇā, Yudhiṣṭhira, and Bhīma deprived of happiness, (he) sighs deeply like a serpent of fierce energy, and certainly does not rest in his dwelling out of indignation. (03-225-13)
Thus, the twins—unhappy though deserving happiness, prosperous in form and immortal, like gods in heaven—remained awake, certainly restless, being restrained by righteousness and truth. (03-225-14)
He is equal in strength to the wind itself; in fact, the son of the Wind-god is even stronger. By the restraint of dharma, with his pure and intense energy, he surely endures his anger, breathing it out in control. (03-225-15)
He too, rolling on the ground and desiring the slaughter of my sons, though restrained by truth and righteousness, waited for the time, excelling others in battle. (03-225-16)
But after Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira) had been deceitfully defeated, the harsh words spoken by Duḥśāsana have entered Bhīma (Vṛkodara)'s body and burn within him like fuel in a joint-fire. (03-225-17)
Dharmaputra will not think of sin; Dhanañjaya likewise follows him. But by living in the forest, Bhīma’s anger is increasing, like fire with the wind. (03-225-18)
He, torn apart by that anger, pressed his hand firmly with his other hand—the hero exhaled exceedingly hot and fierce breaths, as if burning these, my sons and grandsons. (03-225-19)
He who wields the Gāṇḍīva and Vṛkodara, both furious and like god Death at the end-time, in battle would leave no enemy army remaining, as they scatter arrows shining like lightning. (03-225-20)
Duryodhana, Śakuni, Karna, and likewise Duḥśāsana, whose minds are very dull, see only the honey and not the precipice; and so it is with Bhīma and Arjuna. (03-225-21)
A person, having performed good and bad actions, certainly waits for their fruits; he is bound, helplessly, by those results. Therefore, how can liberation be possible for such a person? (03-225-22)
Even in a well-cultivated field, when the seed is sown and the god of rain pours at the proper time, yet the fruit may not come; how, then, is success achieved? I think that, apart from all this, it depends upon destiny. (03-225-23)
What was done with my approval was not good; and by the righteous Pāṇḍava; and by me, following the will of my wicked son, this has become the destruction of the Kurus. (03-225-24)
Certainly, (the lamp) will go out even though not blown; certainly, a pregnant woman will indeed give birth; as surely as at dawn the night ends, so at dusk the day ends. (03-225-25)
Why would something not be done, and why would others not do; why would people not give wealth in any way? At the time when something is to be attained, there might be misfortune; how indeed would that come about, and from where would that arise? (03-225-26)
One should guard so that it is neither broken, nor leaks, nor gets spilled; for if unprotected, it will certainly shatter into a hundred pieces. Yet, what has been done never perishes in the world. (03-225-27)
Dhananjaya indeed went from the forest to Indra's world; behold his prowess. Having mastered the four kinds of divine weapons, he has now returned to this world. (03-225-28)
For, having reached heaven with his body, which man would wish to return? Elsewhere, observing many of the Kurus afflicted by time and seeking death. (03-225-29)
Arjuna, the ambidextrous wielder of the bow, and that Gāṇḍiva bow, essence of the worlds, and his divine missiles—who indeed could surpass the splendor of these three? (03-225-30)
When he heard those words of the king, Duryodhana and Śakuni, the son of Subala, informed Karna of everything in private; and he too became dispirited and faint of heart. (03-225-31)
