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 CVI

"Vaisampayana said, ’soon after the monthly season of the princess of Kosala had been over, Satyavati, purifying her daughter-in-law with a bath, led her into the sleeping apartment. There seating her upon a luxurious bed, she addressed her, saying,

'O Princess of Kosala, your husband has an elder brother who shall this day enter your womb as your child. Wait for him tonight without dropping off to sleep.'

Hearing these words of her mother-in-law, the amiable princess, as she lay on her bed, began to think of Bhishma and the other elders of the Kuru race.

Then the Rishi of truthful speech, who had given his promise in respect of Amvika (the eldest of the princesses) in the first instance, entered her chamber while the lamp was burning. The princess, seeing his dark visage, his matted locks of copper hue, blazing eyes, his grim beard, closed her eyes in fear.

The Rishi, from desire of accomplishing his mother’s wishes, however knew her. But the latter, struck with fear, opened not her eyes even once to look at him. And when Vyasa came out, he was met by his mother, who asked him,

’shall the princess have an accomplished son?'

Hearing her, he replied,

'The son of the princess she will bring forth shall be equal in might unto ten thousand elephants. He will be an illustrious royal sage, possessed of great learning and intelligence and energy. The high-souled one shall have in his time a century of sons.

But from the fault of his mother he shall be blind'

At these words of her son, Satyavati said,

'O you of ascetic wealth, how can one that is blind become a monarch worthy of the Kurus? How can one that is blind become the protector of his relatives and family, and the glory of his father’s race? It behoves you to give another king unto the Kurus.'

Saying, ’so be it,'

Vyasa went away. And the first princess of Kosala in due time brought forth a blind son.

"Soon after Satyavati, O chastiser of foes, summoned Vyasa, after having secured the assent of her daughter-in-law. Vyasa came according to his promise, and approached, as before, the second wife of his brother. And Ambalika beholding the Rishi, became pale with fear And, O Bharata, beholding her so afflicted and pale with fear, Vyasa addressed her and said,

'Because you have been pale with fear at the sight of my grim visage, therefore, your child shall be pale in complexion. O you of handsome face, the name also your child shall bear will be Pandu (the pale).'

Saying this, the illustrious and best of Rishis came out of her chamber. And as he came out, he was met by his mother who asked him about the would-be-child. The Rishi told her that the child would be of pale complexion and known by the name of Pandu.

Satyavati again begged of the Rishi another child, and the Rishi told her in reply, ’so be it.'

Ambalika, then, when her time came, brought forth a son of pale complexion. Blazing with beauty the child was endued with all auspicious marks. Indeed, it was this child who afterwards became the father of those mighty archers, the Pandavas.

"Some time after, when the oldest of Vicitravirya’s widows again had her monthly season, she was solicited by Satyavati to approach Vyasa once again. Possessed of beauty like a daughter of a celestial, the princess refused to do her mother-in-law’s bidding, remembering the grim visage and strong odour of the Rishi.

She, however, sent unto him, a maid of hers, endued with the beauty of an Apsara and decked with her own ornaments. And when the Vyasa arrived, the maid rose up and saluted him. And she waited upon him respectfully and took her seat near him when asked.

And, O king, the great Rishi of rigid vows, was well-pleased with her, and when he rose to go away, he addressed her and said,

'Amiable one, you shalt no longer be a slave. Your child also shall be greatly fortunate and virtuous, and the foremost of all intelligent men on earth!'

And, O king, the son thus begotten upon her by Krishna-Dvaipayana was afterwards known by the name of Vidura. He was thus the brother of Dhritarashtra and the illustrious Pandu. And Vidura was free from desire and passion and was conversant with the rules of government, and was the god of justice born on earth under the curse of the illustrious Rishi Mandavya.

And Krishna-Dvaipayana, when he met his mother as before, informed her as to how he had been deceived by the seniormost of the princesses and how he had begotten a son upon a Sudra woman. And having spoken thus unto his mother the Rishi disappeared from her sight.

"Thus were born, in the field of Vicitravirya, even of Dvaipayana those sons of the splendour of celestial children, those propagators of the Kuru race.'"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section CVI 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 CVI of Book 1 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Rishi, Vyasa, Satyavati, Kuru, Pandu, Kosala; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section CVI. There are a total of 21 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 54 times.

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

Section CVI 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 CVI as contained in Book 1?

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

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: