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 XXXI

"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, what was Indra’s fault, what his act of carelessness? How was Garuda born in consequence of the ascetic penances of the Valakhilyas? Why also Kasyapa—a Brahman—had the king of birds for a son? Why, too, was he invincible of all creatures and unslayable of all? Why also was that ranger of the skies capable of going into every place at will and of mustering at will any measure of energy? If these are described in the Purana, I should like to hear them.'

"Sauti said, 'What you askest me is, indeed, the subject of the Purana. O twice-born one, listen as I briefly recite it all.

"Once upon a time, when the lord of creation, Kasyapa, was engaged in a sacrifice from desire of offspring, the Rishis, the gods, and the Gandharvas, all gave him help. And Indra was appointed by Kasyapa to bring the sacrificial fuel; and with him those ascetics the Valakhilyas, and all the other deities. And the lord Indra, taking up according to his own strength, a weight that was mountain-like, brought it without any fatigue. And he saw on the way some Rishis, of bodies of the measure of the thumb, all together carrying one single stalk of a Palasa (Butea frondosa) leaf.

And those Rishis were, from want of food, very lean and almost merged in their own bodies. And they were so weak that they were much afflicted when sunk in the water that collected in an indentation on the road produced by the hoof of a cow. And Purandara, proud of his strength, beheld them with surprise, and laughing at them in derision soon left them behind insulting them, besides, by passing over their heads.

And those Rishis being thus insulted were filled with rage and sorrow. And they made preparations for a great sacrifice at which Indra was terrified.

Hear, O Saunaka, of the wish for accomplishment of which those vow-observing wise, and excellent ascetics poured clarified butter of the sacrificial fire with loudly uttered mantras,

'There shall be another Indra of all gods, capable of going everywhere at will, and of mustering at will any measure of energy, and striking tear into the (present) king of the gods. By the fruit of our ascetic penance, let one arise, fleet as the mind, and fierce withal.'

And the lord of the celestials of a hundred sacrifices, having come to know of this, became very much alarmed and sought the protection of the vow-observing Kasyapa. And the Prajapati Kasyapa, hearing everything from Indra, went to the Valakhilyas and asked them if their sacrifice had been successful. And those truth-speaking Rishis replied to him, saying,

'Let it be as you sayest!'

And the Prajapati Kasyapa pacifying them, spake unto them as follows,

'By the word of Brahman, this one (Indra) has been made the Lord of the three worlds. You ascetics, you also are striving to create another Indra! You excellent ones, it behoves you not to falsify the word of Brahman. Let not also this purpose, for (accomplishing) which you are striving, be rendered futile. Let there spring an Indra (Lord) of winged creatures, endued with excess of strength! Be gracious unto Indra who is a suppliant before you.'

And the Valakhilyas, thus addressed by Kasyapa, after offering reverence to that first of the Munis, viz., the Prajapati Kasyapa, spake unto him:

"The Valakhilyas said,

'O Prajapati, this sacrifice of us all is for an Indra! Indeed this has also been meant for a son being born unto you! Let this task be now left to you. And in this matter do whatsoever you seest to be good and proper.'

"Sauti continued, 'Meanwhile, moved by the desire of offspring, the good daughter of Daksha, the vow-observing, amiable, and fortunate Vinata, her ascetic penances over, having purified herself with a bath in that season when connubial companionship might prove fruitful, approached her lord. And Kasyapa spake unto her,

'Respected one, the sacrifice commenced by me has borne fruit. What has been desired by you shall come to pass. Two heroic sons, shall be born unto you, who shall be the lords of the three worlds. By the penances of the Valakhilyas and by virtue of the desire with which I commenced my sacrifice, those sons shall be of exceedingly good fortune and worshipped in the three worlds!'

And the illustrious Kasyapa spake unto her again,

'Bear you these auspicious seeds with great care. These two will be the lords of all winged creatures. These heroic rangers of the skies will be respected in all the worlds, and capable of assuming any form at will.'

"And the Prajapati, gratified with all that took place, then addressed Indra of a hundred sacrifices, saying,

'You shalt have two brothers of great energy and prowess, who shall be to you even as the helpmates. From them no injury shall result unto you. Let your sorrow cease; you shalt continue as the lord of all. Let not, however, the utterers of the name of Brahma be ever again slighted by you. Nor let the very wrathful ones, whose words are even the thunderbolt, be ever again insulted by you. Indra, thus addressed, went to heaven, his fears dispelled. And Vinata also, her purpose fulfilled, was exceedingly glad.

And she gave birth to two sons, Aruna and Garuda. And Aruna, of undeveloped body, became the fore-runner of the Sun. And Garuda was vested with the lordship over the birds. O you of Bhrigu’s race, hearken now to the mighty achievement of Garuda.'"

"So ends the thirty-first section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Conclusion:

This concludes Section XXXI of Book 1 (Adi 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 1 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Which keywords occur in Section XXXI of Book 1 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Indra, Kasyapa, Valakhilyas, Rishis, Prajapati, Garuda; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section XXXI. There are a total of 24 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 70 times.

What is the name of the Parva containing Section XXXI of Book 1?

Section XXXI is part of the Astika Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 1 (Adi Parva). The Astika Parva contains a total of 46 sections while Book 1 contains a total of 19 such Parvas.

Can I buy a print edition of Section XXXI as contained in Book 1?

Yes! The print edition of the Mahabharata contains the English translation of Section XXXI of Book 1 and can be bought on the main page. The author is Kisari Mohan Ganguli and the latest edition (including Section XXXI) is from 2012.

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