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 CCXXXIV

"Jaritari said,

'The person that is wise remaines wakeful in view of death. Accordingly, when the hour of death approaches, he feels no pangs. But the person of perplexed soul, who remaines not awake, when the hour of death comes, feels the pangs of death and never attains salvation.'

"The second brother Sarisrikka, said,

'You are patient and intelligent. The time is come when our lives are threatened. Without doubt, one only amongst many becomes wise and brave.'

"The third brother, Stamvamitra, said,

'The eldest brother is called the protector. It is the eldest brother that rescues (the younger ones) from danger. If the eldest himself fails to rescue them, what can the younger ones do?'

"The fourth and the youngest brother, Drona said,

'The cruel god of fire, with seven tongues and seven mouths quickly comes towards our habitation, blazing forth in splendour and licking up everything in his path.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having addressed one another thus, the sons of Mandapala then each devotedly addressed an eulogistic hymn to Agni. Listen now, O monarch, to those hymns as I recite them.'

"Jaritari said,

'You are, O fire, the soul of air! You are the body of the Earth’s vegetation! O Sukra, water is your parent as you are the parent of water! O you of great energy, your flames, like the rays of the sun, extend themselves above, below, behind, and on each side.'

"Sarisrikka said,

'O smoke-bannered god, our mother is not to be seen, and we know not our father!
Our feathers have not grown as yet. We have none to protect us save you.
O Agni, infants that we are protect us!
O Agni, as we are distressed, protect us with that auspicious form you have and with those seven flames of thine!
We seek protection at your hands.
You alone, O Agni, art the giver of heat (in the universe).
O lord, there is none else (save you) that gives heat to the rays of the sun.
O, protect us who are young and who are Rishis.
O Havyavaha (carrier of sacrificial butter), be pleased to go hence by some other route.'

"Stamvamitra said,

'You alone, O Agni, art everything! This whole universe is established in you!
You sustainest every creature, and you supportest the universe!
You are the carrier of the sacrificial butter, and you are the excellent sacrificial butter itself!
The wise know you to be one (as cause) and many (as effects)!
Having created the three worlds, you, O Havyavaha, again destroyest them when the time comes, swelling thyself forth!
You are the productive cause of the whole universe, and you also art the essence in which the universe dissolves itself!'

"Drona said,

'O lord of the universe, growing in strength and remaining within their bodies, you causest the food that living creatures eat to be digested. Everything therefore, is established in you.

O Sukra, O you from whose mouth the Vedas have sprung, it is you who assumests the form of the sun, and sucking up the waters of the earth and every liquid juice that the earth yields, givest them back in time in the form of rain and causest everything to grow!

From you, O Sukra, are these plants and creepers with green foliage! From you have sprung these tanks and pools, and the great ocean also that is ever blessed!

O you of fierce rays, this our (human) body depends on Varuna (the water-god)! We are unable to bear your heat. Be you, therefore, our auspicious protector!

O, destroy us not! O you of copper-hued eyes, O you of red neck, O you whose path is marked by a black colour, save us by going along any remote route, as indeed, the ocean saves the house on its banks!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Drona—that utterer of Brahma—Agni, well-pleased at what he heard, and remembering also the promise he had made to Mandapala, replied unto him, saying,

'You are a Rishi, O Drona! For what you have said is Brahma (Vedic truth). I shall do your pleasure. Fear not!

Indeed, Mandapala had spoken to me of you to the effect that I should spare his sons, while consuming the forest. The words he spoke and your speech also are entitled to great weight to me.

Say what I am to do. O best of Brahmanas, I have been greatly pleased with your hymn. Blest be you, O Brahmana!'

"Drona said, 'O Sukra, these cats trouble us every day. O Hutasana; consume them with their friends and relatives.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Agni did what the Sarngakas; asked him to do, telling them of his intentions. And, O Janamejaya, growing in strength, he began then to consume the forest of Khandava.'"

Conclusion:

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

The most relevant definitions are: Agni, Drona, Sukra, Vaisampayana, Mandapala, Jaritari; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section CCXXXIV. There are a total of 20 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 43 times.

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

Section CCXXXIV is part of the Khandava-daha Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 1 (Adi Parva). The Khandava-daha Parva contains a total of 13 sections while Book 1 contains a total of 19 such Parvas.

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

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

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