05.095

Vaiśampāyana said:

After hearing the words of Jāmadagnya, the venerable sage Kaṇva also spoke these words to Duryodhana in the Kuru assembly. (5-95-1)

Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds, is indeed imperishable and eternal; likewise, those two blessed sages, Nara and Nārāyaṇa. (5-95-2)

Among all the Ādityas, Viṣṇu alone is the eternal one—unconquerable, imperishable, everlasting, the lord, the ruler. (5-95-3)

But all the others—the Moon and the Sun, the Earth, water, wind, fire, space, the planets, and the stars—are subject to incidental destruction. (5-95-4)

And when their time in the world ends, always leaving the three worlds, they all indeed pass into destruction and are created again and again. (5-95-5)

But others meet their end in a moment—humans, animals, birds, other creatures born in non-human wombs, and all other beings who are considered to dwell among mortals. (5-95-6)

But most kings, after enjoying prosperity and when their lives end, encounter death to experience the results of their good and bad deeds. (5-95-7)

Therefore, your highness ought to make peace here with Yudhishthira, so that both the Pandavas and the Kurus may rule the earth. (5-95-8)

Do not think, Suyodhana, merely that 'I am strong.' For, O bull among men, the strong are indeed seen to be overcome by the more powerful. (5-95-9)

Kaurava, strength does not prevail among the strong, for all the Pandavas are mighty—possessed of godlike power. (5-95-10)

Here too, they tell this ancient story of Mātali, who was seeking a suitable husband for his daughter. (5-95-11)

Mātali, the charioteer named in the mind of the king of the three worlds, had in his family only one daughter, renowned throughout the world for her beauty. (5-95-12)

She was named Guṇakeśī and was well-known by that name. Divine in form, she indeed surpassed other women in beauty and appearance. (5-95-13)

O king, Mātali, knowing that the time had come for her to be given in marriage, together with his wife, focused on that and reflected upon it. (5-95-14)

Indeed, shame on the taking root of a maiden in the family of illustrious, eminent men who are not of low character and have noble spirit. (5-95-15)

Where the maiden is given, she creates doubt for three families—the father's, the mother's, and that to which she is given—among honourable people. (5-95-16)

Having entered and examined both the worlds of gods and humans with my mind's eye or with vision, still, the suitor does not please me. (5-95-17)

For the sake of choosing a boon, I did not take a liking to the gods, nor the Dānavas, nor the Gandharvas, nor humans—nor, likewise, to the many seers. (5-95-18)

But after consulting with his wife Sudharma during the night, Mātali resolved to go to the realm of the Nāgas. (5-95-19)

Among gods and humans, I see no suitor equal to Guṇakeśī in beauty; surely there will not be anyone among the nāgas either. (5-95-20)

Thus, after taking leave of Sudharmā, circumambulating her respectfully, and touching the girl's head with his own nose, he entered the earth. (5-95-21)