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 XCII

"Ashtaka asked,

'Who amongst these, O king, both exerting constantly like the Sun and the Moon, first attains to communion with Brahma, the ascetic or the man of knowledge?'

"Yayati answered,

'The wise, with the help of the Vedas and of Knowledge, having ascertained the visible universe to be illusory, instantly realises the Supreme Spirit as the sole existent independent essence. While they that devote themselves to Yoga meditation take time to acquire the same knowledge, for it is by practice alone that these latter divest themselves of the consciousness of quality.

Hence the wise attain to salvation first. Then again if the person devoted to Yoga find not sufficient time in one life to attain success, being led astray by the attractions of the world, in his next life he is benefited by the progress already achieved, for he devotes himself regretfully to the pursuit of success.

But the man of knowledge ever beholds the indestructible unity, and, is, therefore, though steeped in worldly enjoyments, never affected by them at heart. Therefore, there is nothing to impede his salvation.

He, however, who fails to attain to knowledge, should yet devote himself to piety as dependent on action (sacrifices &c.). But he that devotes himself to such piety, moved thereto by desire of salvation, can never achieve success.

His sacrifices bear no fruit and partake of the nature of cruelty. Piety which is dependent on action that proceeds not from the desire of fruit, is, in case of such men Yoga itself.'

"Ashtaka said,

'O king, you lookest like a young man; you are handsome and decked with a celestial garland. Your splendour is great! Whence dost you come and where dost you go? Whose messenger art you? Art you going down into the Earth?'

"Yayati said,

'Fallen from heaven upon the loss of all my religious merits, I am doomed to enter the Earth-hell.

Indeed, I shall go there after I have finished my discourse with you. Even now the regents of the points of the universe command me to hasten thither.

And, O king, I have obtained it as a boon from Indra that though fall I must upon the earth, yet I should fall amidst the wise and the virtuous. You are all wise and virtuous that are assembled here.'

"Ashtaka said,

'You are acquainted with everything.

I ask you, O king, are there any regions for myself to enjoy in heaven or in the firmament? If there be, then, you shalt not fall, though falling.'

"Yayati answered,

'O king, there are as many regions for you to enjoy in heaven even as the number of kine and horses on Earth with the animals in the wilderness and on the hills.'

"Ashtaka said,

'If there are worlds for me to enjoy, as fruits of my religious merits, in heaven, O king, I give them all unto you.

Therefore, though falling, you shalt not fall.

O, take you soon all those, wherever they be, in heaven or in the firmament. Let your sorrow cease.'

"Yayati answered,

'O best of kings, a Brahma-knowing Brahmana alone can take in gift, but not one like ourselves.

And, O monarch, I myself have given away to Brahmanas as one should. Let no man who, is not a Brahmana and let not the wife of a learned Brahmana ever live in infamy by accepting gifts.

While on earth, I ever desired to perform virtuous acts. Having never done so before, how shall I now accept a gift?'

"Pratardana who was amongst them asked,

'O you of the handsomest form, I am Pratardana by name.

I ask you if there are any worlds for me to enjoy as fruits of my religious merits, in heaven or the firmament? Answer me, you are acquainted with everything.'

"Yayati said,

'O king, numberless worlds, full of felicity, effulgent like the solar disc, and where woe can never dwell, await you. If you dwellest in each but for seven days, they would not yet be exhausted.'

"Pratardana said,

'These then I give unto you.

Therefore, though falling, you must not fall. Let the worlds that are mine be thine, whether they be in the firmament or heaven.

O, soon take them. Let your woes cease.'

"Yayati answered,

'O monarch, no king of equal energy should ever desire to receive as gift the religious merits of another king acquired by Yoga austerities. And no king who is afflicted with calamity through the fates should, if wise, act in a censurable way.

A king keeping his eye fixed for ever on virtue should walk along the path of virtue like myself and, knowing what his duties are, should not act so meanly as you directest. When others desirous of acquiring religious merits do not accept gifts, how can I do what they themselves do not?

On the conclusion of this speech, that best of kings, Yayati, was then addressed by Vasumat in the following words.'"

Conclusion:

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

The most relevant definitions are: Yayati, Ashtaka, Yoga, Brahmana, Pratardana, Brahma; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section XCII. There are a total of 9 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 27 times.

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

Section XCII 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 XCII as contained in Book 1?

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

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