08.030
Pancharatra-Ext: Shalya and Karna continue to exchange insults at each other.
Sanjaya said:
Then, O great king, Radheya, the subduer of enemies, addressed the king of Madra again, restraining his words of reply.
You, Śalya, have spoken to me as an example, but I cannot be intimidated by your words in battle.
Even if all the gods, including Indra, were to fight against me, I would still have no fear; what then of facing Arjuna with Keshava?
"I cannot be frightened merely by words. Find someone else who can be intimidated by you in battle."
"The strength of the lowly is only in their harsh words," you say to me. Unable to attain our virtues, you boast excessively, O wicked-minded one.
Karna was not born out of fear, O sir. I am born for valor and fame, and so it is.
"But now, listen attentively, O king of Madra, to what I have heard being spoken in the presence of Dhritarashtra."
The Brahmins were narrating various wonderful ancient events, countries, and kings, and they indeed worshipped Dhritarashtra.
There, an elder, revered among the twice-born, recounted some ancient tales, expressing criticism towards the Bahlika region and the Madras.
Those who were banished by the Himalayas and disregarded by the Ganges, Sarasvati, Yamuna, and Kurukshetra.
One should avoid the Bahlika people, who are considered impure and outside of dharma, living between the five and the sixth rivers, including the Sindhu.
I remember the banyan tree named Govardhana and the square named Subhanda. This is the gate of the royal palace that I recall from my childhood.
Due to the exceedingly intense task, I lived among the Bahlika people, and thus, I have come to know their news from our time together.
The city named Śākala is known for the river Āpaga that flows through it. The Bāhlīkas, known as Jartikā, are praised for their commendable conduct.
Those who consume liquor made from rice and molasses, eat beef with garlic, cakes, and meat from the huts, are devoid of good conduct.
They laugh, sing, and dance with women, intoxicated and without clothes, on the terraces of city houses, adorned with garlands and ointments.
Intoxicated by various songs that resembled the braying of donkeys and camels, they conversed with each other, speaking excessively under the influence of intoxication.
The women, lamenting 'Alas, killed, alas, indeed killed, master and husband killed,' cry out and dance slowly, restrained during the festivals.
Among them, indeed, someone from the arrogant leaders of Bahlika, residing in Kurujangala, sang with a mind not very pleased.
She, the great fair lady, wearing a thin blanket, is indeed lying down remembering me, the Bahlika, who dwells in Kuru.
After crossing the river Śatadru and the beautiful Irāvatī, I will return to my homeland and witness the large conch-shells and auspicious women.
The fair-complexioned ones, with eyes bright as cinnabar and triple-braided hair, clad only in deer-skins, are playful and pleasant to look at.
Intoxicated by the sounds of drums, kettledrums, conch shells, and tabors, as well as the braying of donkeys, camels, and mules, we shall proceed happily.
In the forests where Shami, Pilu, and Karira trees grow, travelers enjoy the pleasant paths while eating cakes and flour balls accompanied by buttermilk.
"When we become strong on the paths and are crushed on the road, we will strike back at the wicked offerings again."
A wandering human being should not dwell even for a moment among the lowly, outcasts, people of Bahlika, and the wicked.
A Brahmin spoke these words to Bahlika, who acts in vain: "You are the receiver of six parts of both good and bad deeds."
Thus, the Brahmin, having spoken, reiterated his reply. He urged them to listen to what was being said among the undisciplined Bahlika people.
In the prosperous city of Śākala, there was a demoness who would always sing on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, striking the drum at night.
When will the heralds sing their songs again in Shakala, having been satisfied with milk and meat, and having drunk wine at the great feast?
The well-adorned women, both fair and large, enjoy eating many cakes filled with mouthfuls of onion.
The birth of those who do not consume pork, chicken, beef, donkey meat, camel meat, and ram meat is considered useless.
"Thus, those intoxicated with wine, the people of Shakala, sing along with children and elders playing among them. How would their conduct be?"
Thus, O Śalya, understand that I am telling you again what another Brahmin also told us in the Kuru assembly.
Five rivers flow through the land where the Pīlu forests are also found. These rivers are Śatadru, Vipāśā, Irāvatī, Candrabhāgā, Vitastā, and the Sindhu, which is the sixth river flowing beyond.
The lands known as Āraṭṭa, where righteousness is lost, should not be approached. These are the lands of outcasts, servile people, Videhas, and those who do not perform sacrifices.
It is said that the gods, ancestors, and Brahmins do not accept offerings from the Bahlika people, as their dharma is considered lost.
In the assembly of the virtuous, the wise Brahmin spoke thus: the Bahlika people eat in wooden and earthen vessels.
The Bahlika people consume sheep's, camel's, and donkey's milk and their derivatives.
The wicked ones who cause confusion of progeny and consume all food and milk, known as Āraṭṭas and Bāhlīkas, should be avoided by the wise.
And Śalya, understand this, I tell you once more. What another noble Brahmin also mentioned in the Kuru assembly.
In Yugandhara, after drinking water and staying in Acyutasthala, and similarly bathing in Bhūtilaya, how will one ascend to heaven?
Five rivers flow from the mountains here, known as Āraṭṭā and Bāhlīkas, and it is advised that a noble person should not reside among them for more than two days.
Bahiḥ and Hlīkaḥ were two Piśācas residing in Vipāśā. Their descendants are known as the Bāhlīkas. This lineage is not attributed to the creation of Prajāpati.
It is advised to steer clear of the people from Karaskara, Mahishaka, Kalinga, the forests of Kīkaṭa, as well as the inhabitants of Karkotaka, heroes, and those who are wicked.
Thus, a certain demoness addressed the pilgrim, saying: "Spend one night in the house of Śamī, where a great mortar serves as a girdle."
The lands known as Āraṭṭā and the people called Bāhlīka are generally referred to as Vasātisindhusauvīra and are mostly looked down upon.
And Śalya, understand this: I am speaking to you once more. Listen carefully with full attention to what I am saying.
An old Brahmin guest visited the artisan's house. After observing the conduct there, he expressed his pleasure to the artisan.
I have lived for a long time on one peak of the Himalayas. I have also seen many lands filled with diverse customs.
The subjects here are not opposed by any form of dharma. All of them indeed spoke of the dharma as it was stated by the masters of the Vedas.
While wandering through various countries filled with unrighteousness, it was observed in Bahlika, O great king, as you were coming.
In that very place, one transforms from a Brahmin to a Kshatriya, then to a Vaishya, a Shudra, and a Bahlika, eventually becoming a barber.
A barber, after becoming a Brahmin, is reborn as a servant. Similarly, a twice-born, after becoming a Brahmin, is reborn as a servant in the same place.
In a family, there is usually one learned person, while others follow their desires. The people of Gandhara, Madra, and Bahlika are considered to be among the foolish.
"I heard this there, which causes confusion of duty. After wandering the entire earth, there is a reversal in Bahlika."
And Śalya, understand this: I am telling you again what another person said, which were disparaging words about the Bahlika people.
Once, a virtuous woman from the Aratta region was abducted by robbers. She approached them in an unrighteous manner and cursed them.
"You have approached me, a young girl of noble lineage, unrighteously. Therefore, noble women will not become captives in your families. And certainly, you will not be released from this terrible sin, you worst of men."
The Kurus, along with the Panchalas, Shalvas, Matsyas, Naimishas, Kosalas, Kashis, Angas, Kalingas, and Magadhas, were all present.
The Chedis and the greatly fortunate ones understand the eternal dharma. In various regions, the saints are generally external except for dissolution.
The virtuous people from the regions of Matsyas, Kurus, Panchalas, Naimisha, and Chedis, who are distinguished, live by the ancient dharma, except for the Madras and the deceitful people of the five rivers.
Thus, O wise king, you should remain silent and indifferent like a thorn. You are the protector of your people and their king, receiving a portion of their good and bad deeds.
Then, either you are the remover of the sinful and their non-protector, or you are the protector and virtuous king of the subjects, yet you are indeed the non-enjoyer of virtue.
In ancient times, when dharma was revered in all eternal regions, seeing the state of dharma in Panchanada, the grandsire exclaimed 'alas!'
The grandsire disregarded the duty of the region of five rivers for the sake of the outcasts, the Dasyus, and those who perform evil deeds. Even among the classes in their own duties, he should not honor this.
And Śalya, know this: Alas, I speak to you once more. Kalmashapada, while immersing in the lake, the demon spoke.
Begging is considered an impurity for a Kshatriya, while falsehood is seen as an impurity for a Brahmin. The Bahlika people are regarded as the impurity of the earth, and the Madra women are viewed as the impurity of women.
A certain king, having lifted the drowning night-wanderer, asked him, and he replied, "Listen to what was said:"
For humans, the impurity is foreigners; for foreigners, it is thieves; for thieves, it is eunuchs; and for eunuchs, it is the royal priests.
The impurities associated with the royal priests, sacrifices, and the Madras will become your own if you do not set us free.
Thus, it was declared that the perfected medicine for the demons afflicted and destroyed by the potency of poison was a response to their condition.
The Brahman, Panchalas, and Kauravas adhere to their own duties; truth is upheld by the Matsyas, and the Shurasenas perform sacrifices. The Easterners are servants and outcastes, the Southerners are thieves, and the Bahlikas are mixed, indeed the Saurashtras.
Ingratitude, theft, drinking, and violation of sacred relationships are considered duties by some, and for them, there is no unrighteousness. Let there be contempt for the people of the Aratta and Punjab regions.
The Pāñcālas, Kurus, Naimiṣas, and Matsyas know dharma. The Kaliṅgas, Aṅgas, and Māgadhas live by the learned dharmas of the elders.
The gods, with Agni at the forefront, have taken refuge in the east, while the ancestors, safeguarded by Yama's virtuous actions, reside in the south.
Varuna, the strong guardian of the demons, protects the west, while the blessed Soma, devoted to Brahman, resides with the Brahmins in the north.
Vishnu, known as Janardana, is the lord of all beings, including demons, ghosts, Himavan, secret beings, Gandhamadana, and Dhruva, and he governs all worlds.
The Magadhas are adept at understanding gestures, while the Kosalas excel in interpreting looks. The Kurus and Panchalas communicate in half-spoken words, and the Shalvas provide comprehensive guidance. The people from the mountains are as rugged as the terrain they inhabit.
The foreigners, known for their omniscience, O king, and the brave ones, especially the barbarians, are self-identified and not unmentioned among other people.
The Bahlika people were attacked, but none of the Madraka people were. Therefore, Shalya, you should not respond in such a manner.
Having understood this, stay calm and do not act against it. I have already defeated you before and will defeat Keshava and Arjuna.
Śalya said:
The distressed are abandoned, and one's own wife and son are sold, in the realm of those whose lord is Karna.
In the enumeration of charioteers and great chariot-warriors, Bhishma then addressed you: Knowing their own faults, remain calm and do not be angry.
Everywhere, there are Brahmins and Kshatriyas. Likewise, there are Vaishyas, Shudras, and Karna, along with virtuous women of good vows.
Men indulge in mockery and insult each other while engaging in sexual acts with other men, moving from place to place.
People are always adept at handling others' affairs, but when it comes to their own, they often find themselves confused, even if they are aware.
Sanjaya said:
Karna did not respond, and Shalya, facing the enemies, also remained silent. Smiling again, Radheya urged once more, "Go ahead."
