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 XCI

Vaisampayana continued, "O son of the Kuru race, while Dhaumya was speaking thus, there arrived at the spot the Rishi Lomasa of great energy. And the king, who was the eldest of Pandu’s sons, with his followers and those Brahmanas sat round the highly righteous one, like celestials in heaven sitting round Sakra. And having received him duly, Yudhishthira the just enquired after the reason of his arrival, and the object also of his wanderings.

Thus asked by Pandu’s son, the illustrious ascetic, well-pleased, replied in sweet words delighting the Pandavas,

'Travelling at will, O Kaunteya, over all the regions, I came to Sakra’s abode, and saw there the lord of the celestials. There, I saw your heroic brother capable of wielding the bow with his left hand, seated on the same seat with Sakra. And beholding Partha on that seat I was greatly astonished, O tiger among men!

And the lord of the celestials then said unto me,

'Go you unto the sons of Pandu.'

At the request, therefore, of Indra as also of the high-souled son of Pritha have I come hither with speed, desiring to see you with your younger brothers. O child, I will relate what will please you highly, O son of Pandu! Do you listen to it, O king, with Krishna and the Rishis that are with you. O bull of the Bharata race, Partha has obtained from Rudra that incomparable weapon for the acquisition of which you had sent him to heaven. That fierce weapon, known by the name of Brahma-sira which arose after Amrita, and which Rudra had obtained by means of ascetic austerities, has been acquired by Arjuna together with the Mantras for hurling and withdrawing it, and the rites of expiation and revival.

And, O Yudhishthira, Arjuna of immeasurable prowess has also acquired Vajras and Dandas and other celestial weapons from Yama and Kuvera and Varuna and Indra, O son of the Kuru race! And he has also thoroughly learnt music, both vocal and instrumental, and dancing and proper recitation of the Saman (Veda) from Vishwavasu’s son. And having thus acquired weapons and mastered the Gandharva Veda, your third brother Vibhatsu lives happily (in heaven).

Listen to me, O Yudhishthira, for I shall now deliver to you the message of that foremost of celestials.

He has commanded me saying,

"You will, no doubt, go to the world of men. O best of Brahmanas, tell you Yudhishthira these words of mine. Soon will your brother Arjuna come to you, having acquired arms and accomplished a great deed for the celestials that is incapable of being accomplished by themselves.

Do you meanwhile devote thyself to ascetic austerities, with your brothers. There is nothing superior to asceticism, and it is by asceticism that a person achieves great results. And, O bull of the Bharata race, well do I know that Karna is endued with great ardour and energy and strength and prowess that is incapable of being baffled.

Well do I know that, skilled in fierce conflict, he has not his rival in battle; that he is a mighty bowman, a hero deft in the use of fierce weapons and cased in the best of mail. Well do I know that that exalted son of Aditya resembles the son of Mahesvara himself. Well do I also know the high natural prowess of the broad-shouldered Arjuna. In battle Karna is not equal unto even a sixteenth part of Pritha’s son.

And as for the fear of Karna which is in your heart, O repressor of foes, I shall dispel when Savyasachin will have left heaven. And as regards your purpose, O hero, to set out on a pilgrimage to tirthas, the great Rishi Lomasa will, without doubt, speak unto you. And whatever that regenerate Rishi will relate unto you touching the merits of asceticism and tirthas, you should receive with respect and not otherwise!'"

Conclusion:

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

The most relevant definitions are: Rishi, Pandu, Arjuna, Yudhishthira, Karna, Sakra; since these occur the most in Book 3, Section XCI. There are a total of 35 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 61 times.

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

Section XCI is part of the Tirtha-yatra Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 3 (Vana Parva). The Tirtha-yatra Parva contains a total of 101 sections while Book 3 contains a total of 13 such Parvas.

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

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

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