Section CXXXVI

["Kunti continued,]

"The mother said,

'Into whatever calamity a king may fail, he should not still betray it. Beholding the king afflicted with fright, the whole kingdom, the army, the counsellors, all yield to fear, and all the subjects become disunited. Some go and embrace the side of the enemy; others simply abandon the king; and others again, that had before been humiliated, strive to strike. They, however, that are intimate friends wait by his side, and though desiring his welfare yet from inability to do anything wait helplessly, like a cow whose calf has been tethered.

As friends grieve for friends that are plunged into distress, so those well-wishers also grieve upon beholding their lord plunged into grief. Even you have many friends whom you had worshipped before. Even you have many friends after your heart, who feel for your kingdom and who desire to take a state of your calamities on themselves. Do not frighten those friends, and do not suffer them to abandon you on beholding you afflicted with fear. Desiring to test your might, manliness, and understanding, and wishing also to encourage you, I have said all this for enhancing your energy.

If you understandest what I have said, and if all I have said appears proper and sufficient, then, O Sanjaya, muster your patience and gird up your lions for victory. We have a large number of treasure-houses unknown to you. I alone know of their existence, and no other person. I will place all these at your disposal. You have also, O Sanjaya, more than one friend who sympathise with you in your joys and woes, and who, O hero, never retreat from the field of battle. O grinder of foes, allies such as these, always play the part of faithful counsellors to a person who seeks his own welfare and desires to acquire what is agreeable to himself.'

"Kunti continued,

'Hearing this speech of his mother fraught with excellent words, and sense, the despair that had overtaken Sanjaya’s heart left instantly, although that prince was not gifted with great intelligence. And the son said, 'When I have you that are so observant of my future welfare for my guide, I shall certainly either rescue my paternal kingdom that is sunk in water or perish in the attempt. During your discourse I was almost a silent listener. Now and then only I interposed a word. It was, however, only with the view of drawing you out, so that I might hear more on the subject. I have not been satiated with your words, like a person not satiated with drinking amrita. Deriving support from any allies, behold, I gird up my loins for repressing my foes and obtaining victory.'

"Kunti continued,

'Pierced by the wordy arrows of his mother, the son roused himself like a steed of proud mettle and achieved all that his mother had pointed out. When a king is afflicted by foes and overcome with despair, his minister should make him hear this excellent history that enhances energy and inspires might. Indeed, this history is called Jaya and should be listened to by every one desirous of victory. Indeed, having listened to it, one may soon subjugate the whole earth and grind his foes.

This history causes a woman to bring forth a heroic son, the woman quick with child that listens to it repeatedly, certainly gives birth to a hero. The Kshatriya woman that listens to it brings forth a brave son of irresistible prowess, one that is foremost in learning, foremost in ascetic austerities, foremost in liberality, devoted to asceticism, blazing forth with Brahmic beauty, enumerable with the good, radiant with effulgence, endued with great might, blessed, a mighty car-warrior, possessed of great intelligence, irresistible (in battle), ever victorious, invincible, a chastiser of the wicked and a protector of all practisers of virtue.'"