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 CXVIII

"Narada said,

'The illustrious Madhavi, faithful to her promise, abandoning that prosperity and once more becoming a maiden, followed the footsteps of the Brahmana Galava. And Galava, whose heart was set upon the accomplishment of his own business, reflecting upon what he should do next then went to the city of the Bhojas for waiting upon king Usinara.

And arrived before that king of unbaffled prowess, Galava addressed him, saying,

'This maiden will bear you two royal sons. And, O king, begetting upon her two sons equal unto the Sun and the Moon, you mayst attain all your objects both here and hereafter. As her dower, however, O you that art conversant with every duty, you shalt have to give me four hundred steeds of lunar splendour, each having ear black of hue. This effort of mine for obtaining the steeds is only on account of my preceptor, otherwise I myself have nothing to do with them. If you are able to accept (my terms), do as I bid you without any hesitation. O royal sage, you are now childless. Beget, O king, a couple of children. With offspring so begot as a raft, save they Pitris and thyself also. O royal sage, he that has fruit in the shape of offspring to enjoy, never falls from heaven. Nor has such a person to go to that frightful hell whither the childless are doomed to go.'

Hearing these and other words of Galava, king Usinara. replied unto him, saying,

'I have heard what you, O Galava, hast said. My heart also is inclined to do your bidding. The Supreme Ordainer, however, is all-powerful. I have only two hundred steeds of the kind indicated by you, O best of Brahmanas. Of other kinds, I have many thousands moving about in my dominions. I will, O Galava, beget only one son upon her, by treading the path that has been told by others such as Haryasva and Divodasa. I will act after their manner in the matter of the dower. O best of Brahmanas, my wealth exists for only my subjects residing in the city and the country, and not for my own comforts and enjoyment. That king, O virtuous one, who gives away for his own pleasure the wealth that belongs to others, can never earn virtue or fame. Let this maiden, endued with the radiance of a celestial girl, be presented to me. I will accept her for begetting only one child.'

Hearing these and many other words that Usinara spoke, that best of Brahmanas, Galava, then applauded the monarch and gave him the maiden. And making Usinara accept that damsel, Galava went into the woods. And like a righteous man enjoying the prosperity (won by his deeds), Usinara began to sport with and enjoy that damsel in valleys and dales of mountains by fountains and falls of rivers, in mansions, delightful chambers, variegated gardens, forests and woods, agreeable places, and terraces of houses. And, in due time, was born unto him a son of the splendour of the morning sun, who afterwards became an excellent king, celebrated by the name Sivi. And after the birth of that son, the Brahmana Galava came to Usinara, and taking back from him the maiden went, O king, to see the son of Vinata.'"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section CXVIII of Book 5 (Udyoga 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 5 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Which keywords occur in Section CXVIII of Book 5 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Galava, Usinara, Brahmana, Brahmanas, Narada, Madhavi; since these occur the most in Book 5, Section CXVIII. There are a total of 12 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 31 times.

What is the name of the Parva containing Section CXVIII of Book 5?

Section CXVIII is part of the Bhagavat-Yana Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 5 (Udyoga Parva). The Bhagavat-Yana Parva contains a total of 89 sections while Book 5 contains a total of 4 such Parvas.

Can I buy a print edition of Section CXVIII as contained in Book 5?

Yes! The print edition of the Mahabharata contains the English translation of Section CXVIII of Book 5 and can be bought on the main page. The author is Kisari Mohan Ganguli and the latest edition (including Section CXVIII) is from 2012.

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