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 XLIX

"Sanjaya said,

'That which has been uttered by you, O king, with respect to Duryodhana is all true. Nothing that you have said, O lord of the earth, is untrue. The Pandavas of immeasurable energy have been filled with rage at the sight of Krishna their wedded wife of pure fame—brought in the midst of the assembly. Hearing also those cruel words of Dussasana and Karna, they have been so incensed, O king, that they will not, I ween, forgive (the Kurus) on my account.

I have heard, O king, how Arjuna has gratified in battle by means of his bow the god of gods—Sthanu of eleven forms. The illustrious lord of all the gods—Kapardin himself—desirous of testing Phalguna, fought with him, having assumed the guise of a Kirata. And there it was that the Lokapala, in order to give away their weapons unto that bull of the Kuru race, showed themselves unto him of undeteriorating prowess.

What other man on earth, except Phalguna, would strive to have a sight of these gods in their own forms? And, O king, who is there that will weaken in battle Arjuna, who could not be weakened by Mahesvara himself possessed of eight forms? Your sons, having dragged Draupadi, and thereby incensed the sons of Pandu, have brought this frightful and horrifying calamity upon themselves.

Beholding Duryodhana showing both his thighs unto Draupadi, Bhima said with quivering lips,

'wretch! those thighs of thine will I smash with my fierce descending mace, on the expiration of thirteen years.'

All the sons of Pandu are the foremost of smiters; all of them are of immeasurable energy; all of them are well-versed in every kind of weapons. For these, they are incapable of being vanquished even by the gods. Incensed at the insult offered to their wedded wife, Pritha’s sons, urged by wrath, will, I ween, slay all your sons in battle.'

"Dhritarashtra said,

'O charioteer, what mischief has been done by Karna uttering those cruel words, to the sons of Pandu! Was not the enmity sufficient that was provoked by bringing Krishna into the assembly? How can my wicked sons live, whose eldest brother and preceptor walks not in the path of righteousness? Seeing me void of eye-sight, and incapable of exerting myself actively, my wretched son, O charioteer, believes me to be a fool, and listens not to my words. Those wretches also that are his counsellors, viz., Karna and Suvala, and others, always pander to his vices, as he is incapable of understanding things rightly. The shafts that Arjuna of immeasurable prowess may lightly shoot, are capable of consuming all my sons, leave alone those shafts that he will shoot, impelled by anger.

The arrows urged by the might of Arjuna’s arms and shot from his large bow, and inspired with mantras capable of converting them into celestial weapons can chastise the celestials themselves. He who has for his counsellor and protector and friend that smiter of sinful men—the lord of the three worldsHari himself—encounters nothing that he cannot conquer.

This, O Sanjaya, is most marvellous in Arjuna that, as we have heard, he has been clasped by Mahadeva in his arms. That also which Phalguna, assisted by Damodara did of old towards helping Agni in the conflagration of Khandava, has been witnessed by all the world. When, therefore, Bhima and Partha and Vasudeva of the Satwata race become enraged, surely my sons along with their friends and the Suvalas are all unequal to fight with them.'"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section XLIX 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 XLIX of Book 3 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Arjuna, Phalguna, Pandu, Karna, Sanjaya, Draupadi; since these occur the most in Book 3, Section XLIX. There are a total of 29 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 45 times.

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

Section XLIX is part of the Indralokagamana Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 3 (Vana Parva). The Indralokagamana Parva contains a total of 10 sections while Book 3 contains a total of 13 such Parvas.

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

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

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