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 CCXXXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'When the fire blazed forth in the forest of Khandava, the infant birds became very much distressed and afflicted. Filled with anxiety, they saw not any means of escape. Their mother, the helpless Jarita, knowing that they were too young to escape, was filled with sorrow and wept aloud. And she said,

'Oh, the terrible conflagration, illuminating the whole universe and burning the forest down, approaches towards us, increasing my woe. These infants with immature understanding, without feathers and feet, and the sole refuge of our deceased ancestors, afflict me.

Oh, this fire approaches, spreading fear all around, and licking with its tongue the tallest trees. But my unfledged children are incapable of effecting their escape.

I myself am not capable of escaping, taking all these with me. Nor am I capable of abandoning them, for my heart is distressed on their account. Whom amongst my sons, shall I leave behind, and whom shall I carry with me? What (act) should I do now that is consistent with duty? What also do you, my infant sons, think?

I do not, even by reflection, see any way of escape for you. I shall even cover you with my wings and die with you. Your cruel father left me some time before, saying,

'Upon this Jaritari, because he is the eldest of my sons, will my race depend. My second Sarisrikka will beget progeny for the expansion of my ancestors' race. My third, Stamvamitra, will be devoted to asceticism, and my youngest, Drona, will become the foremost of those acquainted with the Vedas.'

But how has this terrible calamity overtaken us! Whom shall I take with me? As I am deprived of judgment what should I do that is consistent with duty? I do not see, by the exercise of my own judgment, the escape of my children from the fire!'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Unto their mother indulging in these lamentations, the infant ones said.

'O mother, relinquishing your affection for us, go you to a place where there is no fire. If we are killed here, you mayest have other children born to you.

If you, O mother be killed, we can have no more children in our race. Reflecting upon both these calamities, the time has come for you, O mother, to do that which is beneficial to our race.

Do not be influenced by affection for your offspring, which promises to destroy both us and you. If you savest thyself, our father, who is even desirous of winning regions of felicity, may have his wishes gratified.'

"Hearing what the infants said. Jarita replied,

'There is a hole here in the ground near to this tree, belonging to a mouse. Enter this hole without loss of time. You shall have then no fear of fire. After you have entered it, I shall, you children, cover its mouth with dust. This is the only means of escape that I see from the blazing fire. Then when the fire will be put out, I shall return hither to remove the dust.

Follow my advice if you are to escape from the conflagration.'

"The infant birds replied,

'Without feathers we are but so many balls of flesh. If we enter the hole, certain it is that the carnivorous mouse will destroy us all. Beholding this danger before us, we cannot enter this hole. Alas, we do not see any means by which we may escape from the fire or from the mouse. We do not see how our father’s act of procreation may be prevented from becoming futile, and how also our mother may be saved.

If we enter the hole, the mouse will destroy us; we remain where we are and the sky-ranging fire will destroy us. Reflecting upon both the calamities, a death by fire is preferable to a death by being eaten up. If we are devoured by the mouse within the hole, that death is certainly ignoble, whereas the destruction of the body in fire is approved by the wise.'"

Conclusion:

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

The most relevant definitions are: Vaisampayana, Jarita, Khandava, Jaritari, Sarisrikka, Drona; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section CCXXXII. There are a total of 7 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 9 times.

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

Section CCXXXII is part of the Khandava-daha Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 1 (Adi Parva). The Khandava-daha Parva contains a total of 13 sections while Book 1 contains a total of 19 such Parvas.

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

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

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