Mahabharata (English)

by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 2,566,952 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933

The English translation of the Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. It is authored by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and contains the records of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas family. Another part of the large contents, deal with many philosophical dialogues such as the goals of life. Book...

Section LXXXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Yayati, then, overcome with decrepitude, returned to his capital and summoning his eldest son Yadu who was also the most accomplished, addressed him thus,

'Dear child, from the curse of Kavya called also Usanas, decrepitude and wrinkles and whiteness of hair have come over me. But I have not been gratified yet with the enjoyment of youth.

Do you, O Yadu, take this my weakness along with my decrepitude. I shall enjoy with your youth. And when a full thousand years will have elapsed, returning to you your youth, I shall take back my weakness with this decrepitude!'

"Yadu replied,

'There are innumerable inconveniences in decrepitude, in respect of drinking and eating.

Therefore, O king, I shall not take your decrepitude. This is, indeed, my determination. White hair on the head, cheerlessness and relaxation of the nerves, wrinkles all over the body, deformities, weakness of the limbs, emaciation, incapacity to work, defeat at the hands of friends and companions—these are the consequences of decrepitude.

Therefore, O king, I desire not to take it. O king, you have many sons some of whom are dearer to you. You are acquainted with the precepts of virtue. Ask some other son of thine to take your decrepitude.'

"Yayati replied,

'You are sprung from my heart, O son, but you givest me not your youth. Therefore, your children shall never be kings.'

And he continued, addressing another son of his,

'O Turvasu, take you this weakness of mine along with my decrepitude. With your youth, O son, I like to enjoy the pleasure of life. After the lapse of a full thousand years I shall give back to you your youth, and take back from you my weakness and decrepitude.'

"Turvasu replied,

'I do not like decrepitude, O father, it takes away all appetites and enjoyments, strength and beauty of person, intellect, and even life.'

Yayati said to him,

'You are sprung from my heart, O son! But you givest me not your youth!

Therefore, O Turvasu, your race shall be extinct. Wretch, you shall be the king of those whose practices and precepts are impure, amongst whom men of inferior blood procreate children upon women of blue blood, who live on meat, who are mean, who hesitate not to appropriate the wives of their superiors, whose practices are those of birds and beasts, who are sinful, and non-Aryan.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Yayati, having thus cursed his son Turvasu, then, addressed Sarmishtha’s son Drahyu thus,

'O Drahyu, take you for a thousand years my decrepitude destructive of complexion and personal beauty and give me your youth. When a thousand years have passed away, I shall return you your youth and take back my own weakness, and decrepitude.'

To this Drahyu replied,

'O king, one that is decrepit can never enjoy elephants and cars and horses and women. Even his voice becomes hoarse. Therefore, I do not desire (to take) your decrepitude.'

Yayati said to him,

'You are sprung from my heart, O son! But you refusest to give me your youth. Therefore, your most cherished desires shall never be fulfilled.

You shalt be king only in name, of that region where there are no roads for (the passage of) horses and cars and elephants, and good vehicles, and asses, and goats and bullocks, and palanquins; where there is swimming only by rafts and floats.'

Yayati next addressed Anu and said,

'O Anu, take my weakness and decrepitude. I shall with your youth enjoy the pleasures of life for a thousand years.'

To this Anu replied,

'Those that are decrepit always eat like children and are always impure. They cannot pour libations upon fire in proper times. Therefore, I do not like to take your decrepitude.'

Yayati said to him,

'You are sprung from my heart, you givest not your youth. You findest so many faults in decrepitude. Therefore, decrepitude shall overcome you! And, O Anu, your progeny also as soon as they attain to youth, shall die. And you shalt also not be able to perform sacrifices before fire.'

"Yayati at last turned to his youngest child, Puru, and addressing him said,

'You are, O Puru, my youngest son! But you shall be the first of all! Decrepitude, wrinkles, and whiteness of hair have come over me in consequence of the curse of Kavya called also Usanas. I have not yet however, been satiated with my youth.

O Puru, take you this my weakness and decrepitude! With your youth I shall enjoy for some years the pleasures of life. And when a thousand years have passed away, I shall give back to you your youth and take back my own decrepitude.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by the king, Puru answered with humility,

'I shall do, O monarch, as you bidest me. I shall take, O king, your weakness and decrepitude. Take you my youth and enjoy as you listest the pleasures of life.

Covered with your decrepitude and becoming old, I shall, as you commandest, continue to live, giving you my youth.'

Yayati then said,

'O Puru, I have been gratified with you. And being gratified, I tell you that the people in your kingdom shall have all their desires fulfilled.'

"And having said this, the great ascetic Yayati, then thinking of Kavya, transferred his decrepitude unto the body of the high-souled Puru.'"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section LXXXIV of Book 1 (Adi Parva) of the Mahabharata, of which an English translation is presented on this page. This book is famous as one of the Itihasa, similair in content to the eighteen Puranas. Book 1 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Which keywords occur in Section LXXXIV of Book 1 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Yayati, Puru, Turvasu, Vaisampayana, Yadu, Kavya; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section LXXXIV. There are a total of 8 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 32 times.

What is the name of the Parva containing Section LXXXIV of Book 1?

Section LXXXIV is part of the Sambhava Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 1 (Adi Parva). The Sambhava Parva contains a total of 78 sections while Book 1 contains a total of 19 such Parvas.

Can I buy a print edition of Section LXXXIV as contained in Book 1?

Yes! The print edition of the Mahabharata contains the English translation of Section LXXXIV of Book 1 and can be bought on the main page. The author is Kisari Mohan Ganguli and the latest edition (including Section LXXXIV) is from 2012.

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