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 CCLXLVIII

Janamejaya said,—"What, O Brahmana, was that great fear entertained by Yudhishthira in respect of Karna, for which Lomasa had conveyed to the son of Pandu a message of deep import from Indra in these words, That intense fear of thine which you dost never express to any one, I will remove after Dhananjaya goes from hence? And, O best of ascetics, why was it that the virtuous Yudhishthira never expressed it to any one?"

Vaisampayana said, "As you askest me, O tiger among kings, I will relate that history unto you! Do you listen to my words, O best of the Bharatas! After twelve years (of their exile) had passed away and the thirteenth year had set in, Sakra, ever friendly to the sons of Pandu, resolved to beg of Karna (his ear-rings). And, O mighty monarch, ascertaining this intention of the great chief of the celestials about (Karna’s) ear-rings, Surya, having effulgence for his wealth, went unto Karna.

And, O foremost of kings, while that hero devoted to the Brahmanas and truthful in speech was lying down at night at his ease on a rich bed overlaid with a costly sheet, the effulgent deity, filled with kindness and affection for his son, showed himself, O Bharata, unto him in his dreams.

And assuming from ascetic power the form of a handsome Brahmana versed in the Vedas, Surya sweetly said unto Karna these words for his benefit,

'O son, do you O Karna, listen to these words of mine, O you foremost of truthful persons! O mighty-armed one, I tell you to-day from affection, what is for your great good! With the object, O Karna, of obtaining your ear-rings, Sakra, moved by the desire of benefiting the sons of Pandu, will come unto you, disguised as a Brahmana! He, as Well as all the world, knows your character, viz., that when solicited by pious people, you givest away but never takest in gift!

You, O son, givest unto Brahmanas wealth or any other thing that is asked of you and never refusest anything to anybody. Knowing you to be such, the subduer himself of Paka will come to beg of you your ear-rings and coat of mail. When he begs the ear-rings of you, it behoves you not to give them away, but to gratify him with sweet speeches to the best of your power. Even this, is for your supreme good!

While asking you for the ear-rings, you shalt, with various reasons, repeatedly refuse Purandara who is desirous of obtaining them, offering him, instead, various other kinds of wealth, such as gems and women and kine, and citing various precedents.

If you, O Kama, givest away your beautiful ear-rings born with you, your life being shortened, you will meet with death! Arrayed in your mail and ear-rings, you will, O bestower of honours, be incapable of being slain by foes in battle! Do you lay to heart these words of mine! Both these jewelled ornaments have sprung from Amrita. Therefore, they should be preserved by you, if your life is at all dear to you."

(Vaisampayana continued, ) "Hearing these words, Kama said,

'Who art you that tellest me so, showing me such kindness? If it pleases you, tell me, O illustrious one, who you are in the guise of a Brahmana!'

—The Brahmana thereupon said,

'O son, I am he of a thousand rays! Out of affection, I point out to you the path! Act you according to my words, as it is for your great good to do so!'

Kama replied,

’surely, this itself is highly fortunate for me that the god himself of splendour addresses me today, seeking my welfare. Listen, however, to these words of mine! May it please you, O bestower of boons, it is only from affection that I tell you this! If I am dear to you, I should not be dissuaded from the observance of my vow!

O you that are possessed of the wealth of effulgence, the whole world knows this to be my vow that, of a verity, I am prepared to give away life itself unto superior Brahmanas! If, O best of all rangers of the sky, Sakra comes to me, disguised as a Brahmana, to beg for the benefit of the sons of Pandu, I will, O chief of the celestials, give him the ear-rings and the excellent mail, so that my fame which has spread over the three worlds may not suffer any diminution! For persons like us, it is not fit to save life by a blame-worthy act.

On the contrary, it is even proper for us to meet death with the approbation of the world and under circumstances bringing fame. Therefore, will I bestow upon Indra the ear-rings with my coat of mail! If the slayer himself of Vala and Vritra comes to ask for the ear-rings for the benefit of the sons of Pandu, that will conduce to my fame, leading at the same time to his infamy!

O you possessed of splendour, I wish for fame in this world, even if it is to be purchased with life itself, for they that have fame enjoy the celestial regions, while they that are destitute of it are lost. Fame keeps people alive in this world even like a mother, while infamy kills men even though they may move about with bodies undestroyed.

O lord of the worlds, O you possessed of the wealth of effulgence, that fame is the life of men is evidenced by an ancient sloka sung by the Creator himself,—

In the next world it is fame that is the chief support of a person, while in this world pure fame lengthens life.

Therefore, by giving away my ear-rings and mail with both of which I was born I will win eternal fame! And by duly giving away the same to Brahmanas according to the ordinance, by offering up my body (as a gift to the gods) in the sacrifice of war, by achieving feats difficult of performance, and by conquering my foes in fight, I will acquire nothing but renown.

And by dispelling on the field of battle the fears of the affrighted that may beg for their lives, and relieving old men and boys and Brahmanas from terror and anxiety, I will win excellent fame and the highest heaven. My fame is to be protected with the sacrifice of even my life. Even this, know you, is my vow! By giving away such a valuable gift to Maghavan disguised as a Brahmana, I will, O god, acquire in this world the most exalted state.'"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section CCLXLVIII of Book 3 (Vana 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 3 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Which keywords occur in Section CCLXLVIII of Book 3 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Brahmana, Karna, Brahmanas, Pandu, Kama, Sakra; since these occur the most in Book 3, Section CCLXLVIII. There are a total of 24 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 58 times.

What is the name of the Parva containing Section CCLXLVIII of Book 3?

Section CCLXLVIII is part of the Pativrata-mahatmya Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 3 (Vana Parva). The Pativrata-mahatmya Parva contains a total of 17 sections while Book 3 contains a total of 13 such Parvas.

Can I buy a print edition of Section CCLXLVIII as contained in Book 3?

Yes! The print edition of the Mahabharata contains the English translation of Section CCLXLVIII of Book 3 and can be bought on the main page. The author is Kisari Mohan Ganguli and the latest edition (including Section CCLXLVIII) is from 2012.

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