The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa | Page 7

those, thirty hundred
thousand are known in the world of the Devas; fifteen hundred
thousand in the world of the Pitris: fourteen hundred thousand among
the Gandharvas, and one hundred thousand in the regions of mankind.
Narada recited them to the Devas, Devala to the Pitris, and Suka
published them to the Gandharvas, Yakshas, and Rakshasas: and in this
world they were recited by Vaisampayana, one of the disciples of
Vyasa, a man of just principles and the first among all those acquainted

with the Vedas. Know that I, Sauti, have also repeated one hundred
thousand verses.
Yudhishthira is a vast tree, formed of religion and virtue; Arjuna is its
trunk; Bhimasena, its branches; the two sons of Madri are its
full-grown fruit and flowers; and its roots are Krishna, Brahma, and the
Brahmanas.
Pandu, after having subdued many countries by his wisdom and
prowess, took up his abode with the Munis in a certain forest as a
sportsman, where he brought upon himself a very severe misfortune for
having killed a stag coupling with its mate, which served as a warning
for the conduct of the princes of his house as long as they lived. Their
mothers, in order that the ordinances of the law might be fulfilled,
admitted as substitutes to their embraces the gods Dharma, Vayu, Sakra,
and the divinities the twin Aswins. And when their offspring grew up,
under the care of their two mothers, in the society of ascetics, in the
midst of sacred groves and holy recluse-abodes of religious men, they
were conducted by Rishis into the presence of Dhritarashtra and his
sons, following as students in the habit of Brahmacharis, having their
hair tied in knots on their heads. 'These our pupils', said they, 'are as
your sons, your brothers, and your friends; they are Pandavas.' Saying
this, the Munis disappeared.
When the Kauravas saw them introduced as the sons of Pandu, the
distinguished class of citizens shouted exceedingly for joy. Some,
however, said, they were not the sons of Pandu; others said, they were;
while a few asked how they could be his offspring, seeing he had been
so long dead. Still on all sides voices were heard crying, 'They are on
all accounts welcome! Through divine Providence we behold the
family of Pandu! Let their welcome be proclaimed!' As these
acclamations ceased, the plaudits of invisible spirits, causing every
point of the heavens to resound, were tremendous. There were showers
of sweet-scented flowers, and the sound of shells and kettle-drums.
Such were the wonders that happened on the arrival of the young
princes. The joyful noise of all the citizens, in expression of their
satisfaction on the occasion, was so great that it reached the very
heavens in magnifying plaudits.
Having studied the whole of the Vedas and sundry other shastras, the
Pandavas resided there, respected by all and without apprehension from

any one.
The principal men were pleased with the purity of Yudhishthira, the
courage of Arjuna, the submissive attention of Kunti to her superiors,
and the humility of the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva; and all the people
rejoiced in their heroic virtues.
After a while, Arjuna obtained the virgin Krishna at the swayamvara, in
the midst of a concourse of Rajas, by performing a very difficult feat of
archery. And from this time he became very much respected in this
world among all bowmen; and in fields of battle also, like the sun, he
was hard to behold by foe-men. And having vanquished all the
neighbouring princes and every considerable tribe, he accomplished all
that was necessary for the Raja (his eldest brother) to perform the great
sacrifice called Rajasuya.
Yudhishthira, after having, through the wise counsels of Vasudeva and
by the valour of Bhimasena and Arjuna, slain Jarasandha (the king of
Magadha) and the proud Chaidya, acquired the right to perform the
grand sacrifice of Rajasuya abounding in provisions and offering and
fraught with transcendent merits. And Duryodhana came to this
sacrifice; and when he beheld the vast wealth of the Pandavas scattered
all around, the offerings, the precious stones, gold and jewels; the
wealth in cows, elephants, and horses; the curious textures, garments,
and mantles; the precious shawls and furs and carpets made of the skin
of the Ranku; he was filled with envy and became exceedingly
displeased. And when he beheld the hall of assembly elegantly
constructed by Maya (the Asura architect) after the fashion of a
celestial court, he was inflamed with rage. And having started in
confusion at certain architectural deceptions within this building, he
was derided by Bhimasena in the presence of Vasudeva, like one of
mean descent.
And it was represented to Dhritarashtra that his son, while partaking of
various objects of enjoyment and diverse precious things, was
becoming meagre, wan, and pale. And