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 CXXV

"Vaisampayana said, "Beholding his five handsome sons growing up before him in that great forest on the charming mountain slope, Pandu felt the last might of his arms revive once more. One day in the season of spring which maddens every creature the king accompanied by his wife (Madri), began to rove in the woods where every tree had put forth new blossoms.

He beheld all around Palasas and Tilakas and Mangoes and Champakas and Parihadrakas and Karnikaras, Asokas and Kesaras and Atimuktas and Kuruvakas with swarms of maddened bees sweetly humming about. And there were flowers of blossoming Parijatas with the Kokilas pouring forth their melodies from under every twig echoing with the sweet hums of the black bees.

And he beheld also various other kinds of trees bent down with the weight of their flowers and fruits. And there were also many fine pools of water overgrown with hundreds of fragrant lotuses.

Beholding all these, Pandu felt the soft influence of desire. Roving like a celestial with a light heart amidst such scenery, Pandu was alone with his wife Madri in semi-transparent attire. And beholding the youthful Madri thus attired, the king’s desire flamed up like a forest-fire. And ill-able to suppress his desire thus kindled at the sight of his wife of eyes like lotus-petals, he was completely overpowered.

The king then seized her against her will, but Madri trembling in fear resisted him to the best of her might. Consumed by desire, he forgot everything about his misfortune.

And, O you of Kuru’s race unrestrained by the fear of (the Rishi’s) curse and impelled by fate, the monarch, overpowered by passion, forcibly sought the embraces of Madri, as if he wished to put an end to his own life. His reason, thus beguiled by the great Destroyer himself by intoxicating his senses, was itself lost with his life. And the Kuru king Pandu, of virtuous soul, thus succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time, while united in intercourse with his wife.

"Then Madri, clasping the body of her senseless lord, began to weep aloud. And Kunti with her sons and the twins of Madri, hearing those cries of grief, came to the spot where the king lay in that state.

Then, O king, Madri addressing Kunti in a piteous voice, said,

'Come hither alone, O Kunti, and let the children stay there.'

Hearing these words, Kunti, bidding the children stay, ran with speed, exclaiming, 'Woe to me!'

And beholding both Pandu and Madri lying prostrate on the ground she went in grief and affliction, saying,

'Of passions under complete control, this hero, O Madri, had all along been watched by me with care. How did he then forgetting the Rishi’s curse, approach you with enkindled desire?

O Madri, this foremost of men should have been protected by you. Why didst you tempt him into solitude? Always melancholy at the thought of the Rishi’s curse, how came he to be merry with you in solitude?

O princess of Valhika, more fortunate than myself, you are really to be envied, for you have seen the face of our lord suffused with gladness and joy.'

"Madri then replied, saying,

'Revered sister, with tears in my eyes, I resisted the king, but he could not control himself, bent on, as it were making the Rishi’s curse true.'

"Kunti then said,

'I am the older of his wedded wives; the chief religious merit must be mine.
Therefore, O Madri, prevent me not from achieving that which must be achieved.
I must follow our lord to the region of the dead.
Rise up, O Madri, and yield me his body. Rear you these children.'

Madri replied, saying,

'I do clasp our lord yet, and have not allowed him to depart; therefore, I shall follow him. My appetite has not been appeased.

You are my older sister, O let me have your sanction. This foremost one of the Bharata princes had approached me, desiring to have intercourse. His appetite unsatiated, shall I not follow him in the region of Yama to gratify him?

O revered one, if I survive you, it is certain I shall not be able to rear your children as if they were mine. Will not sin touch me on that account?

But, you, O Kunti, shall be able to bring my sons up as if they were thine. The king, in seeking me wishfully, has gone to the region of spirits; therefore, my body should be burnt with his.

O revered sister, withhold not your sanction to this which is agreeable to me. You will certainly bring up the children carefully. That indeed, would be very agreeable to me. I have no other direction to give!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the daughter of the king of Madras, the wedded wife of Pandu, ascended the funeral pyre of her lord, that bull among men.'"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section CXXV 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 CXXV of Book 1 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Madri, Pandu, Kunti, Rishi, Vaisampayana, Kuru; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section CXXV. There are a total of 20 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 49 times.

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

Section CXXV is part of the Sambhava Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 1 (Adi Parva). The Sambhava Parva contains a total of 78 sections while Book 1 contains a total of 19 such Parvas.

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

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

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