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Mahabharata

Sainyodyoga Parva

The speech of Krishna. The speech of Baladeva. The speech of Satyaki. The speech of Drupada. The mission of priest. Instruction of priest. The setting out of Krishna. The speech of Shalya. The defeat of Indra. The defeat of Indra. The assassination of Vritra. The fear of the queen of Indra. The defeat of Indra. The gifts of Upashruti. The prayer of the queen of Indra. Agni's speech to Brihaspati. Varuna and others' news to Indra. Agastya's news to Indra. The departure of Shalya. The mission of the priest.

Having saluted the Supreme Deity (Narayana) and the highest of all male beings (Nara) and also the Goddess of Learning (Sarasvati), let us cry success!

Vaishampayana said:
Then the heroic sons of Kuru belonging to the party of Abhimanyu pleased at having celebrated his (Abhimanyu's) nuptials and having rested during the night, awoke at break of day and went to the court of Virata.

The court of the Lord of the Matsyas was richly decorated and adorned with a collection of precious stones and choice gems, with seats arranged in it, having garlands and filled with fragrance. Those aged kings among men came there.

On the front seats sat the two kings Virata and Drupada, aged and revered among the rulers of the earth and Rama and Janardana also along with their father.

Near the king of Panchala sat the brave ruler of Shini along with the son of Rohini and next to the king of Matsya (sat) Janardana and Yudhishthira.

(There sat) also all the sons of king Drupada, Bhima and Arjuna, the two sons of Madri, Pradyumna and Samba, who were valiant in battle and Abhimanyu in company with the son of Virata.

And on the best seats wrought in gold sat the heroic sons of Draupadi who were equal to their fathers in valour, beauty and strength.

Those mighty heroes, shining in ornaments and clothes, being seated, that assemblage of kings shone like the firmament studded with beautiful stars.

Then those kings, heroes among men, having engaged in conversation with one another on various topics, remained for a moment gazing pensively on Krishna.

Those lions among kings, having reached the end of their talk and their attention having been called by Madhava to the affairs of the Pandavas, listened to his lofty speech which conveyed deep meaning.

Krishna said:
It is known to you all how this Yudhishthira was defeated by a trick at a game of dice by the son of Subala, how he was robbed of his kingdom and how he made a stipulation regarding his exile in the forest.

The sons of Pandu, who are capable of subjugating the word by sheer force of arms, whose chariots go unrestrained to the celestial or the terrestrial regions and who are true of their words, have fulfilled that austere vow for thirteen years.

The thirteenth year in the forest has been very hard, but this these great men have passed, unknown to you and suffering various sorts of unbearable hardships.

Even they who have been engaged in the menial service of others seek their family and their kingdom; such being the case, consider what is best for the son of Dharma (Yudhishthira) and for king Duryodhana.

(Consider) also what is right, suitable and calculated to redound to the glory of the illustrious Kauravas. The virtuous king Yudhishthira does not want even the kingdom of the gods wrongfully.

He would rather prefer the rightful lordship of some single village. It is known to all the kings (assembled here) how he has been robbed of his ancestral kingdom with the help of a mean trick by the sons of Dhritarashtra by whom the son of Pritha has not been vanquished through prowess borne by him.

Still the king Yudhishthira with his friends wishes them prosperity. The sons of Kunti, heroes among men and the two sons of Madri, seek only what has been earned by the sons of Pandu by overthrowing the king and winning victory over him. It is also well know to you how, when they were mere boys, their enemies who were cruel, dishonest and who sought to get the kingdom, attempted by several means to kill them. Consider their greediness and also the extreme piety of Yudhishthira.

Consider also the relationship between them; consult together and also think each of you yourself. They have always been attached to truth and have always fulfilled their promises.

If they are now wrongfully treated let them slay all the sons of Dhritarashtra or let their friends who see the unworthy treatment they get in this matter make them (the sons of Dhritarashtra) desist.

If they (the sons of Dhritarashtra) oppose them (the Pandavas) in battle the letter thus opposed will kill them; and if you are of opinion that the Pandavas, owing to insufficiency of numbers, will not be able to win victory over them let them combine with all their friends and try to overthrow them. The intentions of Duryodhana are not known nor what he is going to do. अज्ञायमाने च मते परस्य

The intentions of the other side not being known, how can you determine on what to do yourself. Therefore let a man virtuous, holy, of good parentage and wifeless go from here - a capable ambassador who will be able to pursuable them into surrendering half of Yudhishthira's kingdom.

Hearing this speech of Janardana which was pregnant with meaning and virtue, interesting and impartial, his elder brother accepted the suggestions and after praising the speech addressed him O king, thus.

Baladeva said:
The speech of the elder brother of Gada which is at once marked by a sense of virtue and prudence and which has aimed at the good of both Yudhishthira (one who has created no enemies) and king Duryodhana, has been listened to by you.

The heroic sons of Kunti, being willing to forego half of their kingdom, are trying to get the other half; the son of Dhritarashtra too should give up half and pass his days very happily with us.

These heroes among men, having obtained half of the kingdom, will take to a quiet life, if the other party dose the same for their quietness means the good of their subjects.

I should be glad if some body were to go there to bring about good feelings among the Kauravas and the Pandavas, to know the intentions of Duryodhana and to tell them the views of Yudhishthira.

Let him invite Bhishma, the heroic son of Kuru and the noble minded son of Vichitravirya, Drona, with his son, Vidura and Kripa and the king of Gandhara with the son of Suta.

And (with) also all the other sons of Dhritarashtra who have under their command the best army and a thorough knowledge of politics, who adhere to virtue, who are heroes among men and who know the meaning of the Vedas and the signs of the times.

Let him all these men and also the citizens and aged men, assembled together what the son of Kunti has said with all deference and which is fraught with meaning.

Though they have taken possession of Yudhishthira's kingdom by force when he was addicted to gambling, still they ought not to be provoked under all situations.

This brave son of Kuru, unskillful at the. game of dice, though dissuaded by all his friends, challenged this son of Gandhari, an expert in the game, to a match.

Although there were then at the place a thousand other people whom Yudhishthira could defeat at a game of dice, he took no notice of these and none of Karna and Suyodhana but challenged Subala's son and was defeated by him in the game. He lost at every step.

Having once commenced, he lost through anger and no blame can for this attach to the son of Shakuni; therefore it behooves him (the messenger) to speak with due deference to the son of Vichitravirya and assume a conciliatory tone.

By this means can the son of Dhritarashtra be persuaded, to enlist himself in our service, by the messenger. Let him address Duryodhana in a conciliatory tone and with the desire of the reverse of war.

A point gained by peaceful means is really beneficial, that gained by war is not a gain at all-it is only injurious.

Vaishampayana said:
While that valiant son of Madhu was yet speaking, all on a sudden rose the brave descendant of Shini and condemning his speech addressed these words to him.

Satyaki said:
As the inner nature of a man is, so he speaks. As your inner nature is, so do you speak.

There are brave men and there are cowards. Both these well defined divisions are seen among human beings.

In the same family are born very powerful men and powerless ones, as the same forest contains trees that bear fruits and those that do not.

O you who have the sign of a slough on your standard, I am not finding fault with your speech; I am, O son of Madhu, only blaming these who are listening to it.

How can one, who even in the slightest degree speaks ill of the virtuous king, dare continue in that stain without being checked, in this assembly.

People, experts at the game of dice, challenged the noble minded one who was unskillful in the game and defeated him; how can this be a defeat in the proper sense?

If the son of Kunti had been playing with his brothers at home and those people coming there, defeated him, then that would have been a proper defeat. But they challenged the king who was ever attached to the observance of the rites of a Kshatriya. They won by a mean trick; how can prosperity attend such men? And why should those man here, after fulfilling his vow, approach them in a humiliating spirit.

Freed now from his exile in the forest he has now attained to the position of his grandfather. Even if this Yudhishthira is seeking property wrongfully, it is not proper that he should beg other people's property though it would be righteous on their part not to surrender the kingdom.

Through Bhishma, Drona and Vidura have passed the prescribed period unknown in exile, yet have they said that they have been recognized.

They would not now consent to give back the ancestral territories of the Pandavas. And I shall persuade them by means of cold arrows in the field of battle.

And make them fall at the feet of the noble son of Kunti. If they refuse to fall at the feet of the wise (Yudhishthira).

Then must they with their ministers go to the kingdom of death (Yama); they cannot surely withstand Yuyudhana (myself) determined to fight.

Can the mountains bears the force of the thunderbolt? Who can bear the force of him who uses the Gandiva as his bow (Arjuna) and of him who has the wheel in his hand (Bhimasena)?

(Who can bear force of) myself when in wrath or of the Bhima who is hard to approach or of the twin brothers who firmly grasp the bow and whose effulgence is like that of Yama (who carries away life) and Kala (who cuts the thread of life) and the heroes Virates and Drupada who have the same quality?

What man valuing his life can approach the descendant of Prishata Dhrishtadyumna also the five sons of the Pandavas who have added to Draupadi's glory.

And who are the equals of the Pandavas in valour and in every other respect and having the true pride of a soldier or (who can approach) the son of Subhadra, whose impetus is hard to be borne even by the gods.

19-And (who can approach) Gada, Pradyumna and Samba resembling Kala, the son of the fire. We shall after killing the son of Dhritarashtra, with Shakuni and also Karna in battle appoint (as king) the Pandava. It is no sin to destroy an enemy who would have slain ourselves.

It is both impious and shameful to beg from enemies; do speedily, therefore that which is his (Yudhishthira's) heart-felt desire.

Let the Pandava get the kingdom surrendered by Dhritarashtra. This day either shall Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu get the kingdom or all our enemies fall on the ground slain in battle.

Drupada said:
O you with long arms, it will doubtless turn out as you have said. Duryodhana will not give back the kingdom by peaceful means.

And Dhritarashtra, fond of his son, will follow him. So will Bhima and Drona out of a false regard for the kingdom and the two sons of Subala out of folly.

In my opinion the suggestion of Baladeva is not appropriate; it can certainly be acted on by a man who is desirous of an amicable settlement.

The son of Dhritarashtra ought by no means to be addressed to in a conciliatory tone; I think that it is impossible to bring the ill- matured Duryodhana to reason by peaceful means.

Peaceful means should be adopted for asses; but severe measures should be resorted to for kines. He who uses mild words to the ill- hearted Duryodhana would be set down as an incapable man by that vicious one and if a mild course is adopted the fool will think himself to have won.

We shall do this; let us make preparations here and send word to our friends to collect armies for us.

Let swift going messengers go to Shalya, Dhrishtaketu, Jayatsena and the ruler of the Kaikeyas.

Duryodhana, too will certainly send his messenger to all places and good men attend to those who send word first and who ask for help first.

Make haste, therefore, in first sending words to this kings among men. I think that some great event is about to come.

Send quickly to Shalya and to those kings who are under his suzerainty and the king Bhagadatta and the inhabitants of the Eastern seas,

And to Hardikya of unequaled prowess and to the haughty Andhaka and to Rochamana, the hero of good understanding.

Invite Brihanta, the king Senabindu and Senajit, Prativindhya, Chitravarma and Suvastuka.

Also Bahlika, Munjakesha and the lord of the Chedis, Suparshva, Subahu and the mighty Paurava.

Also those who rule over the Shakas the Pahlavas and the Daradas and Surari Nadija and the king Karnaveshta.

And Nila, Viradharma and the heroic Bhumipala, Dantavaktra hard to vanquish, Rukmi and Janamejaya, Ashadha, Vayuvega and king Purvapali, Devaka of unusual prowess and Ekalavya with his son.

And the kings of the Karusha and the heroic Kshemadhurti and the rulers Kamboja and the Rishika tribes and the races inhabiting the west.

And Jayatsena and the rulers of Kashi and of the land of the five rivers and the invulnerable son of Kratha and the rulers of the hilly districts.

And Janaki, Susharma and Maniman and Yotimatsaka and the king Panshurashtra and the heroic Dhrishtaketu.

And Tunda and Dandadhara and the valiant Brihatsena and the unconquered Nishada and Shreniman and Vasuman.

And Bahu of great strength and prowess and Parapuranjaya and Samudrasena with his brave son.

And Udbhava and Kshemaka and the king Vatadhana and Shrutayu and Dridhayu the valiant son of Shalva.

And Kumara and the Prince of the Kalingas haughty in battle. I think that you should send (messengers) quickly war-invitation to him.

This Brahmin, O king, who is my priest, is a wise man, send him to Dhritarashtra and tell him what he is to say.

How Duryodhana is to be addressed, how the king Shantanva, how Dhritarashtra and how Drona, the best among the charioteers, tell him what he is to say.

Vasudeva said:
These words befit the chief of the king of the Pandu race, who is unequaled in prowess.

It ought to be done first of all by us, who desire to act on the principles of politics and the man who acts otherwise is a fool.

But our relations, are the same with the sons of Kuru and Pandu, whatever at this present moment might be those amongst themselves.

We all have been invited here and you as well for the wedding and the ceremony being over we shall go well pleased homeward bound.

You are the oldest among kings both in age and in learning and we doubtless are like your pupils.

Dhritarashtra too always reveres you much and are the friend of the preceptors Drona and Kripa.

This day, therefore, tutor us in what is to the interests of the Pandavas. None of us shall question what you say.

If the chief among the Kurus seek peace on equal terms, there will be no injury done to the brotherly feeling between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.

If the son of Dhritarashtra dose not thus seek peace owing to the ignorance mixed with vanity, summon us after sending word to others.

Then the bad man Duryodhana along with his ministers and friends will meet his fate at the hands of him who uses the Gandiva as his bow and who will be fired with wrath.

Vaishampayana said:
Then the lord of the earth Virata, having treated the descendant of Vrishni with due honours, sent him home along with his men and his friends.

Krishna having gone to Dwarka the followers of Yudhishthira and also the king Virata made all preparations for the war.

Then did Virata and his friends and also the king Drupada send word to all the rulers.

At the request of those lions among the Kauravas of the rulers of the Matsya and Panchala, came there cheerfully kings with large armies.

Having heard that a large army was being collected for the sons of Pandu, Dhritarashtra's too brought together many rulers.

At that time, O king the earth became crowded with the throng of kings who had come either for the Kauravas or for the Pandavas.

And the earth at time became thronged with the four elements of the army. The armies of those heroes began to pour from all quarters.

And the goddess earth, with her mountains and forest seemed as if trembling. And the king of the Panchalas, who was of the same opinion with; Yudhishthira, sent to the Kauravas his own priest who was old both in wisdom and in age.

Drupada said:
Of all beings, those that have life are superior. Of those that have life, those that live with the help of their intelligence are superior, those that have intelligence man is superior and among men, those that are twice-born are superior.

Among the twice-born, those that know the Vedas are superior and among the Veda- knowing people whose understanding is cultured are superior and among people with cultured understanding those living practical lives are superior and among practical people those that know Brahma are superior.

I am of opinion that you are the chief among those who have cultured understanding, you come of a respectable family and you are aged both in years and in learning.

Your wisdom is equal to that of Shukra or the son of Angirasa and it is known to you what sort of a man the Kaurava is.

Also what sort of a man Yudhishthira and the son of Kunti the descendant of Pandu is. The sons Pandu were dispossessed (of their kingdom) with the help of the knowledge of Dhritarashtra.

Though he is advised by Vidura, he follows the instructions of his son and it was at the instigation of Shakuni that he challenged the son of Kunti.

Adepts at the play, they robbed the virtuous king Yudhishthira who was holy, attached to the rules of the Kshatriya class and unskillful at the game of dice.

On no account whatever will they give back the kingdom voluntarily. You, too who will speak words of virtue to Dhritarashtra.

Will certainly gain the hearts of his soldiers. And Vidura also by men of your words will try to create disaffection in minds the minds of Bhishma, Drona Kripa and others. With difference opinion among the ministers and disaffection in the soldiers.

It will be their duty to make them agree and join one another; and in the meantime the very wise sons of Pritha will easily make preparations for the war and collect stores.

While you are still there and their men are delaying, they no doubt will not be able to make preparations. This is necessary and here it seems imperative.

Yourself, being virtuous, should behave virtuously with them and Dhritarashtra, on your meeting him, may act in conformity with your virtuous words.

By detailing those that are kind the hardships of the Pandavas and telling before old people the virtuous acts in the family done by their ancestors,

I have no doubt you will estrange the minds of the men and you need not have any fear for them for you are a Veda knowing Brahmin,

And engaged in the post of an ambassador especially as you are aged. You therefore set out quick for the accomplishment of the interests of the son of Kunti the moment called Jaya and at the position of the planets named Pushya.

Vaishampayana said:
Being instructed in this way by the noble- hearted Drupada the priest went to the city called after the elephant.

The priest, who was learned in scriptures of ethics and economy went to the city of Kauravas with his disciples.

Vaishampayana said:
His (Drupada's) priest, having gone towards the city called after the elephant, the Pandavas sent in messengers to the rulers in the several parts.

Having sent messengers elsewhere, the best among men, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, of race Kuru himself, went to Dwraka.

The sons of Madhu, Krishna and Balarama, in company with the Vrishni race and Andhaka and Bhoja by hundreds, having gone to Dvaravati.

The son of Dhritarashtra, himself a king, by sending scouts, privately, came to know all that had been done by the Pandavas.

Having heard that Madhava was on his way he set out for the city of Dwraka, with a retinue not large and good horses which could be compared to the wind.

That very day had Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, of the race of Pandu, arrived at the beautiful city of the Anartas.

The two sons of Kuru, foremost among men, having reached Dwraka, saw Krishna asleep and went near him as he lay.

And as Govinda lay, Suyodhana entered and sat him down on the floor which he used as a seat near the head of Krishna.

Then did enter the large-minded one, wearing a crown and stood with the hands clasped near the foot of Krishna.

The son of Vrishni, having awakened, first saw the one wearing a crown and welcomed them and did them due honours.

The son of Madhu asked the cause of their coming and Duryodhana said as if in jest -

"It is befitting that you should lend me your help in this war, for your friendship with myself and that with Arjuna are equal.

And, O slayer of Madhu our relations with you are the same and this day I have come first to you.

From the time of our ancestors, good men have befriended him who has been the first to come; and you, O Janardana, are the best person in this world; therefore act after this good example which has always been followed."

Srikrishna said:
I have not the slightest doubt that you came here first, but Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha has been, O king, first seen by me.

O Suyodhana, yourself having come first and he having been seen by me first, I shall help both of you.

But the holy books lay down that the younger persons should be aided first, therefore I should first assist Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha.

There is that large army of a hundred million of gopas who fight in battle, each of whom is capable of slaying me and who are known as the Narayanas.

Let them, who are hard to vanquish in battle, be the army of one party of you and let myself who shall not fight, having put off my weapons, take the side of the other.

Of these two, O son of Pritha, choose any one after your liking, for have the right of choosing first.

Vaishampayana said:
Dhananjaya the son of Kunti being thus spoken to by Krishna chose Keshava, who was not to fight in the battle.

(Who was) Narayana himself, the destroyer of those who were not his friends, who had volunteered a birth among men and who was superior to all the Kshatriyas, the gods and the Danavas.

And Duryodhana then chose the whole of that army. And O son of Bharata, having got thousands upon thousands of warriors and knowing (even) that Krishna was lost to him, he became mighty pleased; And O king, Duryodhana having taken that whole army of fearful strength came to the son of Rohini who was of great strength. He submitted to him the whole cause of his coming, upon which the son of Sura said in reply to the son of Dhritarashtra.

O you best among men, it is fitting that what was said by me at the time of the marriage, should be known to you.

O you son of Kuru, for your sake did I speak contradicting what Hrishikesha had said. O king! again and again did I point out that our relations with both of you were equal.

And what I said, Keshava did not accept. I cannot for a moment exist separated from Krishna.

I am no helper of either the son of Pritha or that of Duryodhana; such is the unalterable resolution I have come to after the opinion formed by Krishna.

You are born in the race of Bharata, honored by all rulers of the earth; O you best among men, go and fight in strict accordance with the rules of honour and those of the military class."

Being thus addressed he embraced him who used the plough as a weapon and knowing that Krishna had gone over to the other side he regarded as through a victory had already been achieved in battle.

The son of Dhritarashtra, himself a king, then went to Kritavarma and Kritavarma gave him an army counting an Akshauhini.

The son of Kuru, surrounded by all those troops, which were terrible looking, went forward with a light heart causing delight to his friends.

Duryodhana having departed, the creator of the world, Janardana, with yellow robes on, said to the wearer of the crown - "Knowing that I shall not take any part in the battle, why have you chosen me?”

Arjuna said:
"There is no doubt that you can slay all of them. O foremost among men, I too, alone, am able to slay them all.

In this world you are an illustrious man and I shall attain to eminence similar to yours by killing them single-handed. I too am a seeker after fame and so will you be surrounded by me.

It has been my desire to have the office of the charioteer filled by you and it is fitting that you should fulfill this desire which has been felt by me for a long time.

Vasudeva said:
It is fitting, O son of Pritha, that you measure yourself with me. I shall act as your charioteer, let your desire be fulfilled.

Vaishampayana said:
Being thus rendered glad, the son of Pritha, in company with Krishna and surrounded by the chiefs of the Dasharha race, came back to Yudhishthira.

Vaishampayana said:
Shalya, having heard the news of hostility between the two parties, went to help the Pandavas, O king, surrounded by a large army and by his friends who were mighty in battle.

The encampment of his army occupied one half of a yojana. That foremost among men was the lord of such a large army.

That man of great prowess and strength was, O king, the lord of an Akshauhini and heroes-best among the Kshatriyas with diverse armours, diverse ornaments and all riding

diverse cars and animals, with diverse garlands, all putting on diverse dresses-the dresses and ornaments of their respective lands, counted by hundreds and thousands ecame the leaders of his army.

He went by show marches to the place where the Pandavas were encamped, affording rest to his army and as if causing pain to the beings and shaking the earth.

Duryodhana, having, O son of Bharata, heard that the great-minded one, mighty in battle, was coming hastened towards him and welcomed him in person.

And for his accommodation and honour, Duryodhana had palaces erected in charming spots ornamented with gems and well decorated.

And sent there various artists for the amusement (of Shalya and his men) and provided there all sorts of eatables, drinks, meats and garlands.

And he (provided) wells of various shapes calculated to increase the cheerfulness of the heart and several sorts of streams, fountains and buildings.

Being welcomed and honoured by the agents of Duryodhana, as he arrived at these palaces in different countries, with the worship due to the gods.

He came to a palace, which would have been suitable even as the resting place for the gods; and being provided with all sorts of things and greeted with honours due to beings superior to man.

He thought too highly of himself and too little even of Purandara (Indra) and that, best among the Kshatriyas being pleased, asked the servants, saying-

Where are the men of Yudhishthira who erected these palaces here? Bring them. In my opinion it is proper for those builders of palaces to be rewarded by me.

"I shall reward them, may it so please the son of Kunti.” They all then, surprised, informed Duryodhana of all this.

And when Shalya was very highly pleased and did not mind giving away even his life, Duryodhana, who had concealed himself there, appeared before his maternal uncle.

Seeing the king of Madra, he knew that all these attentions came from him and embracing Duryodhana said, accept what you desire.

Duryodhana said:
May your word be true. Grant me an auspicious boon. It is fitting that you should be the leader of my army.

Vaishampayana said:
Said Shalya "It is done. What else do you desire of me?" and the son of Gandhari kept on repeating, "It is done."

Shalya said:
O Duryodhana, O you best among men, go to your own capital, I shall go to see that subduer of his enemies, Yudhishthira.

Having seen Yudhishthira, I shall come soon, O king. That best among men the son of Pandu, must be seen by me.

Duryodhana said:
O king, O Ruler of the earth, come soon after seeing the son of Pandu. I depend on you. O best among kings, remember the boon you have granted me.

Shalya said:
"Soon shall I return. (In the mean time) I wish you well; O king, go to your own capital." Then the two, Shalya and Duryodhana, embraced each other.

Vaishampayana said:
And having thus done honour to Shalya, he came back to his own capital while Shalya went to the sons of Kunti to tell them of that act of Duryodhana's.

Having come to Upaplavya and entered the camp, Shalya saw all the sons of Pandu there.

And having come there, he, the long armed one accepted the customary water for washing his feet and other gifts including a cow.

And then that slayer of his enemies, the king of the Madras, having asked them about their health, embraced Yudhishthira, with great cheerfulness.

And having done the same to Bhima and Arjuna and both the twin brothers, the sons of his sister, Shalya, who had seated himself, said to the son of Pritha:

O best among kings, O son of Kuru, is it all right with you? O you victorious one! you have now passed the prescribed period of residence in the forest.

Oking, great difficulties have been overcome by yourself residing in the forest, in the company, O chief of kings, of your brothers and this lady.

Residence unknown and unrecognised was another great difficulty overcome by you. O son of Bharata, naught but misery attends him who has lost a kingdom. Where is happiness for him?

After all this great trouble and misery brought on by the son of Dhritarashtra, O king, you will get happiness after having slain your enemies, O great devotee.

The ways and habits of men are known to you, O great king, O lord of men and therefore, O son, never has the slightest avarice been present in you.

O son of Bharata, follow in the path of the great Rishi, king of old and O my son Yudhishthira, be their equal in liberality, devotion and truth.

O Yudhishthira, forgiveness, power of self-control, truth, absence of desire for harm to anybody and all other virtues, that are rare in this world, are present in you, O king.

You are mild, generous, religions, liberal and attached to virtue. O king, all the virtues known among men are also known to you.

O son, everything connected with this world is known to you. O king, O you best among the race of Bharata, it is fortunate that this trouble is past.

It is fortunate that I see, O king O chief among the kings, O Lord, yourself, the treasury of virtues and large-minded, come out of your difficulties.

Vaishampayana said:
Then, O descendant of Bharata, did the king (Shalya) tell (the Pandavas) all about his meeting with Duryodhana, his promise and his boon.

Yudhishthira said:
“O king, a good act has been done by you in that you have fulfilled a promise made when you were well pleased in the recesses of your heart.

But, O lord of earth, I wish you well. I want you to do one thing for me. O king, O you most honest one, though it is improper still must you do it.

O hero, listen to what I tell you, you are a great king equal to the son of Vasudeva in battle.

O you best among kings, when the two, Karna and Arjuna meet in two chariots (in battle) I have no doubt that the office of charioteer of Karna will be filled by you.

O king, if you wish well to me, Arjuna must be protected by you and you should do what kills the energy of the son of Suta and what is calculated to bring him defeat. Though this is improper, yet must you do it, maternal uncle of mine.

Shalya said:
“Hear me, O son of Pandu, I wish you well O noble-minded one, what you are telling me is to kill the energy of the son of Suta, when I am with him.

I shall most certainly be his charioteer in the battle. He has always regarded me as the equal of the son of Vasudeva.

O you best among the race of Kuru, I shall most certainly, when with him who is desirous of battle, speak what will do him harm and go against him.

(I shall do this) so that his energy will be killed and his pride gone, O son of Pandu and then it will be easy to kill him. I speak with all sincerity.

O son, I shall do what you have told me and I shall do any thing more can I which is for your good.

All the troubles you have encountered with Draupadi after the game of dice and the harsh words you have had, to listen to, through the son of Suta and all the miseries endured, O illustrious one, through the Asura named Jata and Kichaka - all these unhappiness endured by Draupadi as (unhappiness was endured) by Damayanti - all this trouble, O hero, will give rise to happiness. Do not think that all this is through you, this is done by the fate which has greater control over matters.

O Yudhishthira, great minded persons, meet with difficulties. O Lord of the world, difficulties have been met with by the gods too.

We are told O king, O son of Bharata that the large minded Indra, the chief among the gods, had to endure great misery with his queen.

Yudhishthira said:
I want to hear how is was, O chief among, kings, that the large minded Indra, with his queen met with grave difficulties.

Shalya said:
O king, listen to this old story as related in ancient history, of how Indra with his queen met with difficulties, O son of Bharata.

There was a great devotee named Tvashtri who was the lord of all beings and the chief among gods. Out of pure wrath towards Indra, he created a son with three heads.

The place, occupied by Indra, was desired by this mysterious personage, who was as it were the image of the universe and had three awful faces comparable to the sun, the moon and fire.

With one mouth be read the Veda, with the second he drank wine and with the other he looked as if he would absorb the cardinal points.

He was a devotee, mild, having powers of self-control and engaged in religious worship and devotion. And O subduer of foes, the austerities practised by him could not be practised by others, for they were very hard and very difficult to be practised.

Shakra was depressed in spirits, at seeing the strength in devotion and truthfulness of the one with unrivaled power, for fear lest he be the chief among gods.

O best among the race of Bharata, the skillful Indra through of many ways by which the one with three heads, whose strength was ever increasing and who threatened to absorb the entire universe, could be made to engage himself in the enjoyment of sensual pleasures and not in that hard devotion.

He ordered fairies (to engage themselves) in decoying the son of Tvashtri, so that the three-headed one might, for certain, engage himself in the enjoyment of sensual pleasure saying them

Be quick, go and delay not in decoying him, (yourself) having beautiful hips, deck yourself in necklaces and beautiful pearls in such a way that his desires may be excited. I wish you well, decoy him with all the gestures of lust marked with every sort of fascination and thus allay my fear. O beautiful damsels, I feel restless in my heart. O ladies, destroy quickly this great fear of mine.

The Nymphs said:
O Shakra, we shall try to decoy him so that, O you slayer of Bala, you may not experience any dread from him

The great devotee who now sits, as if scorching with his eyes, O lord and whom we are going together to decoy. We shall try to get him under our control and thus destroy your fears.

Shalya said:
Being commanded by Indra they went to the three-headed one and the lovely damsels tempted him there with various gestures of lust.

They displayed too the beauties of their person but the great devotee, though looking at them, did not at all enjoy the satisfaction (of looking at them).

Having brought his senses under his control, he was in point of gravity as the full ocean. The damsels too, having tried their best, came back of Shakra.

Then, with the palms their hands elapsed they all said to the chief among the gods. O Lord, he, whom it is very difficult to subdue, cannot be influenced away from his purpose.

O you with great parts, do what you should after this. The great-minded Shakra, having greeted the nymphs with due honours, sent them away.

O Yudhishthira, he thought of some means to slay him. And the chief among the gods who was valiant, famous as a gifted being of unfailing judgment and intelligent, fixed on a plan for slaying the three-headed one.

(Thought he) I shall this soon cease to exist. A foe who has already grown up must not be made light of by even the powerful, a weak foe though he might be.

Deciding on this course of action laid down in the books, he firmly resolved on slaying him. Shakra, wrathful, flung his fearful and dress-inspiring thunderbolt, which could be compared to the fire, on the head of the three-headed one. Being severely struck by the thunderbolt he fell down to the earth, like the loosened summit of a mountain.

Seeing him struck by the thunderbolt and lying like a mountain, the chief among the gods got no peace of mind, owing to his luster which still retained its effulgence.

Though killed, his luster was effulgent and he seemed as if he were alive. It was strange that the heads of the slain one looked as if alive.

For that reason fearful to behold. Shakra remained kept in thought. Then there cams a wood cutter with an axe on his shoulder to that forest.

O great king, where he was lying felled down. The Lord of Sachi, who still had fears, saw that wood cutter coming there by chance and the subduer of Paka soon said to him "quickly cut down the heads of this being; do what I tell you."

The wood cutter said:
This man has large shoulders; the axe cannot cut down (the heads) nor shall I be able to do the deed which is regarded to be wrong by honest people.

Shakra said:
You need not have any fears, do quickly what I tell you; through my favour shall your weapon be equal to the thunderbolt.

The wood cutter said:
I must know who you are and I want to hear why you have done this cruel deed today. Tell me the truth.

Indra said:
I am Indra, the chief among the gods, let it be known to you O wood cutter. Do as I have told you. O wood cutter, do not ponder.

The wood cutter said:
O Shakra, how is it that you are not ashamed at this cruel deed? Having killed this son of a Rishi, have you no fear of the sin of killing a Brahmana?

Shakra said:
For the purification of my soul I shall thereafter precise some severe penance. He was my enemy, possessed of great strength and has been killed by my thunderbolt.

To this day, 0 wood cutter, am I anxious and dread this. Quickly cut off his heads. I shall bestow a favour on you.

In sacrificial rites, men will give the heads of the beasts. This is the favour I great you. Quickly do what I desire.

Shalya said:
Having heard this, the wood cutter, after the speech of Indra, cut down the heads of the three-headed one with his axe.

The heads, being cut off, came out from them a good many birds of the Kapinjala, (doves) Titara (sparrows) and Kalavinka (parrots) species.

From the mouth by which he used to read the Veda and drink Soma juice, came forth quickly birds of the Kapinjala species.

From the one by which, O king, he looked as if he would absorb (the cardinal points) came forth, O son of Pandu, birds of the Titara species.

And from the mouth of the three-headed one which used to drink wine, came out birds of the Kalavinka species and birds of prey, O best among the race of Bharata.

They having come out, Indra became tranquilized and went to heaven and the wood cutter too, well pleased, went home.

This chief among the gods, having killed his enemy, thought himself gratified. Tvashtri, the lord of all beings, having heard of the slaying of his son by Shakra, said these words with eyes red with wrath.

Tvashtri said:
My son who was ever devoted to devotion, of a forgiving nature, endowed with self- control and who had brought his passions under his control, has been killed by you without any fault.

For this reason shall I create Vritra with a view to destroy Shakra. Let the worlds see my influence and power as also the great strength due to my devotion.

Let the chief of the gods also see it who is vile and of a vicious nature. Then the wrathful devotee of very great fame having performed his ablutions.

And having made his offerings to fire and having created the hero Vritra said - "O you foe of Indra, grow up through the strength due to my devotions."

He grew up and the height of his figure reached beyond the sky and could be compared with the sun or fire. Like the sun that rises at the time of the annihilation of the universe, he said- "What shall I do?"

And the powerful one, being told to slay Shakara, went to the third heaven. And then there was a fierce battle between Vritra and Vasava.

O you the best among the race of Kuru! There was a hot contest between the two, both of whom were fired with wrath and then the hero Vritra caught hold of the chief among the gods who had performed a hundred sacrifices.

And opening his mouth the wrathful one threw him into his mouth. And Shakra being swallowed up by Vritra, the lords of the third heaven became very much terrified.

They highly powerful then created the Yawn which was to destroy Vritra and then the slayer of Bala contracted his limbs and came out of the open mouth of the yawning Vritra. Since that day has the yawn remained in the breath of men.

And seeing Shakra come out the gods all became joyful and then Vritra and Vasava again engaged themselves is fight.

O best among the race of Bharata, the fierce contest between the two, fired with ire, lasted for a long time, when in battle Vritra, possessed of power, got the victory through the

strength due to the inner spirit of Tvashtri. Shakra turned his back and he turning his back the gods were very much depressed.

Being pierced with the spirit of Tvashtri they untied with Shakra and all held a consultation with the Rishis, O son of Bharata.

Filled with dread they thought, O king, on what could best be done. Seated at the summit of Mandara, they all desirous of the destruction of Vritra, went in imagination of Vishnu, who was never to be destroyed.

Shakra said:
The whole of this indestructible universe has been pervaded, O gods, by Vritra. There is nothing equal to opposing him.

I was before this capable of (doing this) but at present I am incapable. I wish you well. What can I do? I think he is hard to vanquish.

He is spirited large minded and of unparalleled prowess in battle and he will absorb all the three worlds with all their gods, Asuras and men.

Therefore O you denizens of the heaven, this is certain that by going to the abode of Vishnu and joining with that large-minded one and consulting with him we shall know the means of slaying the vicious one.

Shalya said:
The godsing thus spoken to by Maghavan the group of Rishis placed themselves under the protection of the god Vishnu of great influence and competent to be a protector.

And they, distressed with the fear of Vritra, spoke thus to Vishnu the lord of all gods-In days of yore did you cover the three worlds with three steps.

And O Vishnu, robbed it of nectar and killed in battle all the Daityas and after slaying Vali the great Daityas appointed Shakra, as the lord of the gods.

You are the Supreme Lord of all the gods and the whole (of this world) is pervaded by you; you, O Lord, are the supreme Lord revered by all the worlds.

O you best among the immortals, be the means of salvation of the gods including Indra. O you slayer of Asuras, the entire world is pervaded by Vritra.

Vishnu said:
Doing your good is my imperative duty; therefore am I speaking of the means by which he shall cease to exist.

In company with the Rishis and the Gandharvas you go to the place where that holder of the universal from is staying; make use of conciliatory policy towards him; then shall you win victory over him.

O gods, through my influence, victory will be on the side of Shakra. Being invisible shall I enter the thunder bolt-that excellent weapons of his.

O you best among the gods, go in company with the Rishis and the Gandharvas. Effect a truce without delay between Shakra and Vritra.

Shalya said:
The Rishis and the dwellers, of the third heaven being thus spoken to by that god, went together, with Shakra at their head.

Then all those mighty ones came near him, through whose influence the ten cardinal points were on fire and being scorched.

Those gods, with Indra, then saw Vritra who seemed as if swallowing the three worlds and looking as the sun or the moon.

Then the Rishis came there and said these conciliatory words of Vritra. O you hard to conquer, this world is pervaded by your energy.

O you best of powerful beings, you will not be able to conquer Vasava and a very long period has elapsed since you commenced fighting.

All beings including the gods, the Asuras and the human beings, are enduring misery. Let there always exit, O Vritra, friendship between you and Shakra.

You will gain happiness and ever dwell in the regions of Shakra. Hearing these words of the Rishis, Vritra of great strength.

The Asura bowed unto all those Rishis with his head and said to them O you endowed with good qualities and O you Gandharvas, what you all have said, I have listened to. O you stainless beings, hear now what I say. How can there be peace between us two-myself and Shakra? How can there be friendship between two gods who are both powerful?

The Rishis said:
The company of virtuous ones is desirable (even for a time); thereafter what is fated will come to pass. The opportunity of friendship with virtuous men should not be lost; therefore is the company of virtuous men desirable.

Wise men ever speak of firm friendship with virtuous men as wealth is times of pecuniary difficulties. The company of virtuous men is vast wealth indeed; therefore wise men should not injure virtuous ones.

Indra is honoured by virtuous men and the refuse of the large-minded. He is also truth speaking, blameless, understands virtue and has refined judgment.

Let there be peace, to eternity, with Indra; come to entertain faith in him; let not your opinion be otherwise.

Shalya said:
The being with great luster, having heard the speech of the great Rishis, said to them! O devotees, O lord, you are, of course, to be honoured by me.

O gods, if you do all that I am going to say then shall I do all that you have said to me, O foremost among the twice born.

Not by dry thing nor be a wet one, not by stone, nor by wood, nor by a weapon fit for use from a distance, nor by one fit for hand to hand fight, not during the day time nor during the night,

Shall I be capable of being slain, O chief among the Brahmanas, by Shakra, assisted by the gods. If you ordain this then shall there ever be peace with Shakra.

O best among the race of Bharata the Rishis said-"very well" and Vritra too became pleased with having peace under these conditions.

Shakra too became delighted and became constantly engaged in the thought of finding out some means of killing Vritra.

The chief among the gods always remained anxious land on the look out for some loop-hole. He one day saw the great Asura at the sea coast.

It was evening and the moment was awe- inspiring and the god thus thought of the boons granted by the large minded one (Vishnu).

This is evening, it is not in the sun; it is neither the night nor the day. And Vritra, the enemy who has robbed me of all must be slain.

If I do not this day slay the great Asura, Vritra of great strength and of a huge body by an artifice, it will not be well with me.

Thus thinking Shakra invoked Vishnu and then saw coming out of the sea, foam high as a mountain.

This is not wet nor dry nor is this a weapon. I shall fling this which will destroy Vritra is moment.

Quickly did he fling the foam with the thunderbolt at Vritra and Vishnu having entered the foam destroyed Vritra.

And Vritra being slain, the cardinal points became divested of darkness and a pleasant wind blew and the beings of the earth rejoiced.

And then the gods along with the Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas and Pannagas and the Rishis propitiated the great Indra with diverse hymns.

Being bowed down to by all beings, he encouraged all the beings in his turn. Slaying the enemy, the mind of Vasava became delighted with the gods.

The one knowing virtue worshipped the foremost in the three worlds, Vishnu, after the great hero and fierce god Vritra was slain.

Now, Shakra became overpowered by false-hood and exceedingly depressed in spirits and also overpowered by the sin of slaying the Brahmana (the three headed one).

Staying at the end of the worlds, he became deprived of his senses and consciousness and the chief of the gods overpowered with the weight of his own sins could not be recognised.

He remained as if in disguise under the water restless as a serpent. And then the lord of the gods, struck with the fear of the sin of killing a Brahmana, was destroyed, so to say.

The earth became desolate and went to ruins and became treeless and the forests became dry. And the currents of the rivers became stopped and the lakes lost all their water.

And there came distress among the beings of the earth, owing to death of rain and the gods and the great Rishis remained struck with intense fear.

And the entire world oppressed with anarchy became overpowered with all sorts of disasters and the gods became frightened for no body would be their king.

And the divine saints in heaven also being deprived of the protection of the king of the gods became fearful. No body was inclined to be the king of the gods.

Shalya said:
Then did all the gods and Yakshas with the Kinnaras say 'Anoint this handsome Nahusha in the kingship of the gods.'

He is powerful, enjoys fame and is ever virtuous. Going to him they said- 'O ruler of the earth be our king.'

Thus, O king, did Nahusha, who wished their welfare, address the gods and the Rishis who were accompanied by our ancestors.

I am weak; it is not in my power to protect you. The powerful should make kings, (and) power ever graced Shakra.

All the gods and the foremost among the Rishis said to him, Endued with the virtue of devotion, protect our kingdom in heaven.

All of us doubtless have grave fears; be anointed our king, O foremost among monarchs, be the king of heaven.

You will absorb the power, of the gods, the Danavas, the Yakshas. Rishis the Rakshasas, the Pitris, the Gandharvas and all other beings within the range of your sight as soon as you see them. Setting virtue always above all other considerations be the lord of all worlds.

Protect also the Brahmarshis and the gods in heaven. And that chief among the kings being anointed the king in heaven.

And placing virtue above everything else became the protector of the worlds. Being granted a rare boon and obtaining the kingdom in heaven, he gave himself up to gratifying every wish of his, though before this he had ever been a virtuous being.

In all the gardens of the gods and in the pleasure gardens, on the Kailasa and on the brow of the Himavat, on the Mandara and on the white mountains, on the Shalya, on the Mahendra and on the Malaya in the seas and in the lakes surrounded by fairies and nymphs. Nahusha, the king of the gods, spent his time in many sorts of sports and hearing many sorts of stories relating to the gods, which were sweet to listen to. (He spent his time also) with all sorts of musical instruments and sweet sounding songs.

Vishvavasu, Narada, Gandharvas and celestial nymphs and the six seasons personified, attended on him.

Breezes, fragrant, cooling and charming too blew on him. The goddess, the dearly beloved Queen of Shakra, caught the gaze of the high-minded Nahusha, given thus to sporting.

Seeing her the evil minded one thus addressed his courtiers - "Why does not the goddess, the queen of Indra, attend on me. As the lord of the gods and the worlds, I am Indra. Let Sachi come to my palace this day at once."

Hearing this speech of the evil minded one the goodness said to Brihaspati - 'Protect me from Nahusha O Brahmana. I throw myself entirely under your protection. O Brahmana, do you speak of me as having all the auspicious marks on my person, as the consort of the king of the gods and so exceedingly prosperous. Before this have you spoken of me as being (ever) without widowhood, an only wife and strictly chaste.

O god, let this speech of your be made true. O lord, what you have said has never before proved false, therefore, O you foremost among the twice-born, let this said by you be true.

Then did Brihaspati address the panic- stricken queen of Indra - "What has been said by me, O goddess, will most certainly prove true. You will soon see the king of the gods, Indra, come here. Nahusha need not be feared by you. I speak this truly. I shall without delay bring Indra near you."

Nahusha heard that the queen of Indra had placed herself under the protection of Brihaspati the son of Angirasa and the king became very angry.

Shalya said:
The gods and the foremost among the Rishis seeing Nahusha enraged said to the (now) terrible looking king of the gods.

O king of the gods, put aside this anger. At your anger the world, with its Asuras and Gandharvas and Kinnaras and the great serpents, is stricken with panic.

O virtuous one, put aside this anger. Beings like you never get angry. That goddess is the wife of another. O lord of the gods, be propitious.

Turn back your mind from the wish of ravishing the wife of another. You are the king of the gods, we wish you well, protect your subjects by virtuous means.

Being thus addressed, he, struck with passion, listened not to those words. The protector of the gods then said to the gods regarding Indra.

Ahalya, the wife of a Rishi (herself) of good reputation, was ravished by Indra while her husband was alive. Why was he not then prevented by you.

In bygone days, many were the deeds of cruelty done by Indra, as also vicious deeds and deceitful ones. Why was he not prevented by you.

Let the goddess attend on me; this will be of great benefit to her and it will also prove to be your means of safety.

The gods said:
We shall bring here the wife of Indra as you wish, O lord of the heaven; O hero put aside this anger and be propitious, O lord of the gods.

Shalya said:
Saying this, the gods accompanied by the Rishis, O on of Bharata, went to tell this unwelcome news to Brihaspati and the wife of Indra.

And they said - we are aware that the queen of Indra has placed herself under your protection at your abode, O chief among the Brahmanas and that she has been accorded (your) protection, O chief among the Devarshis.

They, the gods with the Gandharvas and Rishis, pray you, O you of great luster, to make over the Queen of Indra to Nahusha.

The king of the gods Nahusha of great luster is superior to Indra. Let this lady with slender waist and bright complexion, choose him as her husband.

The goddess being thus spoken to, became depressed and sobbed aloud with tears in her eyes and then crying said these words to Brihaspati.

O you best among the Devarshis, I have no inclination for Nahusha; I have thrown myself under your protection, O Brahmanas, save me from this great calamity.

Brihaspati said:
It is settled that the queen of Indra, who has thrown herself under my protection, will not be turned out by me. I shall not turn out, O you who know what virtue is, the truthful and blameless.

I do not wish to do a wrong thing, especially as I am a Brahmanas, who have heard what virtue is and know the rules of virtue and am truthful.

I shall not do this; go, you best among the gods; listen to what has before been sung by Brahma, with regard to this matter, in days of old.

He that makes over a man, stricken with fear who has sought refuge with him, to the enemy, does not get protection himself when he desires it. His seed cannot be sown at seed time nor does he get rain at the time for rains.

The gods do not favour the undertakings of him who makes over a man stricken with fear, who has sought refuge with him, to his enemy. The offering made by such a weak-hearted person is refused by the gods and he loses the kingdom of heaven, as if shorn of all power.

The gods with Indra will level his thunderbolt on him who makes over a man stricken with fear, who has sought refuse with him, to his enemy. And his children will die untimely deaths and his fathers ever engage themselves in quarrels.

Knowing it to be so, I shall not give up this Sachi, the queen of Indra, known in this world as the beloved queen of Shakra.

What will be of benefit to her will also be of benefit to me. Do that then, O chief among the gods. I shall not give up Sachi.

Shalya said:
Then the gods with the Gandharvas said to their preceptor - O Brihaspati, deliberate on what will be good policy.

Brihaspati said:
Let this auspicious goddess ask time of Nahusha; this will be of benefit to herself and the same to us.

O God, time is full of impediments. Time will lead time (i.e. we are in the dark as to what will happen hereafter). Nahusha is haughty and powerful alike by virtue of the boon granted him.

Shalya said:
Being thus addressed by Brihaspati the gods became well pleased and said O Brahmanas, it is well said by you; this will be of benefit to all the denizens of heaven.

O chief among the twice born, this is so. Let us propitiate this goddess. Then all the gods headed by Indra addressed these quiet words to the queen of Indra, through a desire to do good to the worlds.

The gods said:
This entire world, with all its movable and immovable, is held by you, you are an only wife and truthful; go to Nahusha.

That doer of vicious deeds Nahusha, desirous of you, O goddess, will soon be destroyed and Shakra will regain the lordship of the gods.

Making herself sure on this point, the queen of Indra went with bashful looks to Nahusha (now ) fearful to look at, for the accomplishment of the object.

And Nahusha seeing her, possessed of youth and beauty, became pleased; the consciousness of that vicious soul was stricken with passion.

Shalya said:
Then did Nahusha, the king of the gods, seeing her address her thus - "I am the Indra of the three worlds, O you of sweet smiles."

O you with slender waist, O you with bright complexion, choose me as your husband." The chaste goddess being thus spoken to by Nahusha.

Literally trembled with fear as the plantain tree does during a storm and bowing her head to Brahma and clasping her hands together.

Said to the (now) terrific looking king of the gods. "I want time to get information on certain points, O lord of the gods.

I do not know where Shakra now is, nor where he has gone to. If after trying to get information on these points, I do not get them, O lord.

Then shall I attend on you; I speak sincerely." Being thus addressed by the queen of Indra, Nahusha became highly pleased.

Nahusha said:
O you with beautiful things, let it be as you tell me here; but remember your plighted word.

Shalya said:
Then did the beautiful one, thus dismissed by Nahusha, came out and the renowned one went to the abode of Brihaspati.

Having heard her words, the gods with Agni at their head, began to deliberate earnestly on the means of attaining to Shakra's good, O best among kings.

Having met the god among the gods, the Lord Vishnu, the anxious ones, who wore adepts at speeches, thus addressed him.

Shakra, the lord of the gods, is overpowered by the crime of slaying a Brahmana. You, O lord, O lord of the gods, are our refuge, O you born before the universe.

You assumed the form of Vishnu for protecting all the beings. Vritra being slain through (the aid of) your strength, Vasava, the chief among all the gods, is overpowered by the sin of slaying a Brahmana. Indicate to us the means of his salvation. Vishnu, having heard this speech of the gods said-

"Let Shakra offer sacrifice to me, I shall purity the one with the thunderbolt. Having duly worshipped me, by the holy sacrifice of a horse, shall the chastiser of the Paka.

Regain the position of the king of the gods without any fear. And the evil-minded Nahusha will meet with destruction, as the effect of his own deeds.

For some time, O gods, must you be patient and watchful." Hearing these words of Vishnu which were true, auspicious and like nectar.

All the gods, with the preceptors and the Rishis, went to the spot where Shakra lay stricken with fear.

There did they perform the sacrifice of a horse on a large scale, capable of absolving one from the sin of having slier of Brahmana, for the absolution of the large minded Mahendra.

Then, O Yudhishthira was the crime of slaying that Brahmana divided among the trees, the rivers and the mountains and the world and the women.

(This sin) being thus divided among all beings having left the lord of the gods, Vasava was cured of his disorder and getting rid of his sins, came to himself.

Form that place the slayer of Bala saw Nahusha, who was not afraid of him and who absorbed the power of all beings and who could not be approached through the boon granted him.

Then the god, the husband of Sachi again melted himself into the air and invisible by all beings he remained for a fitting opportunity.

Shakra having rendered himself invisible, Sachi, being stricken with grief and the goddess, exceedingly sad thus lamented for him, Alas Shakra.

If ever a gift has been made by me or an offering (made by me) or my superiors satisfied by me and if there is any truth in me, let me be with one husband only.

I bow to this holy, godly goddess night who is now on the northern solstice; let my wish be satisfied.

Then did she making her body and soul pure, offer due worship to the goddess night and for the sake of her truth and chastity she had recourse to divination.

Show me the spot where stays he the king of gods. Show me truth by means of truth. Thus did she ask of Upashruti.

Shalya said:
Then did beautiful Upashruti appear before the chaste one. And seeing the goddess possessed of youth and beauty appear before her.

The Queen of Indra became well-pleased and having propitiated her, thus spoke - O you of a beautiful face, 'I want to know you, tell me who you are.'

Upashruti said:
I am, O goddess, Upashruti, who have come to you. O you of noble mind, I have appeared in your sight through your truthfulness.

You are chest, you observe all the rules of life and you possess the power self control. I shall show you the god Shakra the slayer of Vritra.

I wish you well, follow me soon, you shall see the best among the gods. Then did the goddess the queen of Indra, follow her who went in advance.

Having gone through many forests of the gods and many mountains and having crossed the Himavat, the northern side was reached by them.

And having crossed the sea which extended over many yojanas they came to a large island which was covered by many trees and creepers.

They there saw a lake, suitable for the gods frequented by many birds and which extended over a hundred yojanas in length and a similar space in breadth.

And saw there, O son of Bharata thousands of beautiful lotuses of five colours full blown and around which the bees hummed.

Having penetrated into a particular lotus and entered into stalk, along with her ( Sachi) they there saw the performer of a hundred sacrifices who had entered the stalk.

Seeing her lord staying there in a diminutive form, the goddess too assumed a diminutive form and so did Upashruti.

Beholding there Indra in a form of very minute, goddesses Upashruti and Indrani also became in the form of minuteness.

And the queen of Indra propitiated Indra by reciting the deeds done by him in olden days and the god Purandara, being thus propitiated, said to Sachi.

With what object have you come here and by what means came you to know that I was here. Then did she narrate the attempt of Nahusha.

Having obtained the lordship of the three worlds and so being vain of his strength and being haughty the evil minded one asked me to attend on him, O performer of a hundred sacrifices.

And the evil minded one has granted me time (to do his bidding). If you do not save me, O lord, he will bring me under his sway.

For this reason have I come to you so soon O Shakra, O you with long arms slay Nahusha of wicked purposes.

O you slayer of Daityas and Danavas, hide no longer your ownself. O lord, assume your own strength and rule the kingdom of the gods.

Shalya said:
The god, being thus spoken to, thus addressed Sachi in reply - 'This is not the time for (showing) strength, Nahusha is stronger.

He has grown up to his present position by the virtue of the offerings made him by the Rishis. In this instance, shall prescribe a politic course and it proper that it should be followed by you.

It should be done by you with secrecy and on no account should you give it out. O you of slender waist, go to Nahusha and speak thus to him.

"O lord of the universe, come near me riding a conveyance suitable for the gods and borne by Rishis. By thus showing yourself attached to me, shall I be pleased with you” speak thus to him.

Being thus spoken to by the king of the gods his queen of lotus-like eyes, replied “Be it so" and went to Nahusha.

Nahusha surprised at seeing her, spoke these words - Welcome to you, O you of beautiful hips, what shall I do, O you of lovely smiles?

Accept me devoted to you; O blessed one, what do you wish, O maiden of independent spirit? O blessed one, O you of slender waist.

You need not be shy; O you of slender waist, have confidence in me. I swear by truth, O goddess, I shall do your bidding.

The queen of Indra said:
O lord of the world, I only want time-the favour that has already been accorded to me. After that you shall become my husband, lord of the gods.

The subject that is in my mind is this listen, O lord of the gods; I shall speak it to you, O king, fulfill my desire. The boon, that I demand of you, has connection with your love.

Indra had for his conveyance, horses, elephants and a car. I wish that you, O lord of the gods should have a conveyance, the like of which was never seen before, which was never owned by Vishnu, nor by Rudra, nor by the Asuras and the Rakshasas.

O Lord, to see yourself being borne by the Rishis having good attributes, united together in a palankin, is my wish, O king.

You should not be (merely) equal to the Asuras or the gods. By your own strength do you absorb that of all beings the moment you set your eyes on them. No one can stand face to face with you, O you powerful being.

Shalya said:
Nahusha, being thus spoken to became well pleased and the king of the gods said these words to that blameless one.

Nahusha said:
O you of bright complexion, the conveyance spoken of by you has never before been in existence. I have taken a strong fancy to it O goddess. I am at your disposal, O lovely faced one.

The one who makes the Rishis his bearers cannot be of little strength. I am a devotee, strong and lord of what has been, what is to be and what is.

At my being angry the world will be annihilated; everything depends on me. The gods, the Danavas and the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras, the serpents and the Rakashasas, not all of these, not all the world even can stand against me when I am angry. Whoever I see by my eyes, his strength do I absorb.

Therefore O goddess, shall I do your bidding, there is no doubt about it. Seven Rishis shall bear me, Brahmarshis all see, my powers and influence, having thus said to that goddess.

Shalya said:
O king! O you of bright complexion and having dismissed that lovely face one, he yoked, to car, Rishis who used to observe the rules of their class. The habits of his life being unworthy of a Brahmana, having come to the possession of power, vain of his strength, willful and of a vicious nature, he made the Rishis carry him.

Being dismissed by Nahusha, she said to Brihaspati - "But little remains to fulfill in its entirety the boon granted by Nahusha.

Be quick in hunting out Indra and do me who am devoted to you, a favour and the god Brihaspati said to her - "Be it so."

The evil minded Nahusha need not be feared by you. He will not exist till eternity; indeed he is already gone.

He is regardless of virtue so to say, having employed the great Rishis as his bearer, O lovely lady; and I shall perform sacrifices for the destruction of this evil minded one. I shall approach Shakra. You need not have any fears, I wish you well.

Then having lighted up a fire he offered the best offerings in the prescribed form. Brihaspati of great strength, in order to get the gods, having made offerings to Agni (the God of fire) said to him - O king search out Shakra.

From that place, the god (of fire) the consumer of offerings having himself assumed the wonderful form of a female vanished from sight.

Having searched in all countries and provinces, mountains and forest, the earth and the sky, with the speed of the mind, he in a moment came back to Brihaspati.

The god of fire said:
O Brihaspati, nowhere, in this world do I see the king of the gods. The waters (alone ) remain (to be searched). I have never been able to enter the waters.

I have no ingress there O Brahmana, what else shall I do for you. The preceptor of the gods said to him - "O you of great luster, enter the waters."

The god of fire said:
I cannot enter the water there I am destroyed. I throw myself under your protection. O you of great luster, I wish you well.

From the waters rose fire, from the Brahmana, the Kshatriya and from stone, the iron. Its strength penetrates everywhere; only in its birth-place is it powerless.

Brihaspati said:
O Agni, you are within all beings and concealed there you act like a witness.

The poets sang of you as the one and then again as the three. O you consumer of offerings, bereft of you this world is at once annihilated.

The Brahmanas, having bowed down to you, go away along with their wives and sons, to the eternal region, which has been won by the merit of their own deeds.

You are, O god of fire, the receiver of offering and you are yourself the best offering. They worship you in a sacrificial ceremony by the best offerings.

O you receiver of offerings, having created the three worlds in due time you again in due time consume them in an enkindled form; you are, O god of fire, the progenitor of the entire world and you again annihilate it.

Wise people called you, O Agni, the giver of water and lightning and flames coming out from you support all beings.

Water depends on you, everything and this entire world; O you purifying element, there is not the least thing unknown to you in these three worlds.

Everything accepts that which comes from it, enter the waters without any fear. I shall make you strong by reciting eternal hymns relating to Brahma.

Thus propitiated, the bearer of offerings, the god, the best among poets, said to Brihaspati, these good words indicating satisfaction. “I shall show you Shakra. I speak this truly.

Shalya said:
Agni (the god of fire) thus having entered the waters including the seas and the small lakes, came to the lake where Shakra lay in disguise.

And there searching among the lotuses, O you foremost in the race of Bharata, he saw at last the king of gods, in one of the stalks.

And then coming back quickly he gave that information to Brihaspati, namely that the lord having assumed a diminutive form was lying within a lotus.

Brihaspati, then having gone (there) along with the Devarshis and Gandharvas, propitiated the slayer of Bala by reciting his deeds of olden days.

O Shakra, the great Asura, Namuchi of great power has been slain by you; so are Shambara and Bala, both of great prowess.

O you performer of a hundred sacrifices, gain in strength and slay all enemies; rise up Shakra and see the Devarshis come to you.

O Great Indra, having slain the Danavas, you have saved the worlds. O Lord, having got the foam of the waters and with the assistance of the strength of Vishnu, you have killed Vritra before this; O you king of the gods, O you lord of the universe.

You are the saviour of all beings and worthy of beings and worthy of being propitiated by them. There is no being is this world equal to you. All the beings and support by you, O Shakra and you created the greatness of the gods.

O great Indra, rule over all three worlds and grow in strength. Being thus propitiated he, by slow degrees, increased (in strength).

Having gained his own form he became endowed with strength and the god thus addressed his preceptor who was standing before him.

What is there still remaining to be done. The great Asura, the son of Tvashtri, has been killed and so has been Vritra of large stature who destroyed the three worlds.

Brihaspati said:
The human being Nahusha, through the influence of the Devarshis, having gained the kingdom of gods, is very much inflecting us.

Indra said:
How did Nahusha obtain the kingdom of the gods, which is hard to gain; with what strength of devotion is he endued, what is his power, O Brihaspati.

Brihaspati said:
Yourself having left the celebrated position of Indra, the gods became anxious and wished for a Shakra; and at that time the gods, the Pitris, the Rishis and the chief among the Gandharvas all united together.

And going, O Shakra, to Nahusha they said - Be you king, the protector of the world- Nahusha said to them - I am not capable (of being your king); infuse in me, strength with the virtue of devotion.

The gods being thus spoken to, infused strength into Nahusha (now) of great strength and he became the king; having got the kingdom of the three worlds, he has made the great Rishis his bears and the wicked-minded one is now roaming about the worlds.

Never do you look at Nahusha who absorbs all energy and whose gaze is as very subtle as poison. The gods too, being very much afraid of Nahusha, do not look at him and roam about in concealment.

Shalya said:
While Brihaspati, that best among the race of Angira, was yet speaking, Kubera, the ruler of the world and Yama, the son of Vivasvata and the aged god Soma and Varuna came there.

They having come there spoke thus to the great Indra - "it is lucky that the son of Tvashtri has been killed and Vritra; it is lucky that we see you, O Shakra, safe and sound and without any would, with all your enemies slain.”

And he, the great Indra, with a glad heart having greeted the assembled rulers of the world each with suitable words, said to them, with a view to outwit Nahusha.

"Nahusha, the king of the gods is of a terrible form; therefore assistance to me must be rendered by you.” They too said - “Nahusha is terrible-looking and we fear, O lord, his poisonous gaze.

If you overthrow the king Nahusha, then O Shakra, it is only fitting that we too shall be entitled to our share (of the glory)." Indra said - you, O lord of waters and Kubera and Yama be crowed king along with me.

Coming together, shall we this day, with the aid of the gods, win victory over our enemy, Nahusha, of terrific gaze. Then the god of fire said to Shakra - "give me a share, I shall render you assistance" and Indra said to him; “O God of fire, you too shall get a share; in large sacrificial ceremonies, there will be but one share for Indra and Agni."

Shalya said:
Thus thinking, the god, the great Indra, the chastiser of the Paka, the giver of boons, with due deliberation, gave to Kubera the lordship of all the Yakshas and treasures and to the son of Vivasvata that over the Pitris and to Varuna that over the waters.

Shalya said:
While the wise king of the gods was fixing on means of killing Nahusha, along with the ruler of the worlds and the gods, the ascetic, who had the six attributes of a godly being, Agastya, appeared there and having delay greeted the king of the gods, said - It is fortunate that you are gaining in strength, having already killed the great Asura who had assumed a universal form; it is fortunate, O Purandara the Nahusha is this day ousted from the kingdom of heaven; it is fortunate, O slayer of Bala, that I see you with all your enemies, killed.

Indra said:
Welcome to you, O great Rishi; I am pleased at seeing you; be so good as to accept from me water for washing your feet and ycur face and also the things suitable for your worship and a cow.

Shalya said:
That best among the Rishis being duly worshipped and seated on a seat, the chief of the gods, well pleased, asked that best among the Brahmanas.

O you best among the twice born, having the six attributes, narrate how Nahusha of vicious purpose came to be ousted from heaven. I want to hear that.

Agastya said:
Listen, O Shakra, to this story as to how the vicious-souled Nahusha, of bad habits, vain of his strength, has been ousted from heaven.

The Devarshis of great attributes and the Brahmarshis of spotless fame wearied with bearing Nahusha, the doer of vicious deeds, asked him (Nahusha), O best of victors, if the hymns prescribed to be chanted by Brahma, at the time of sprinkling the cows, were authentic. And also if he believed in their authenticity, told them that it was not authentic.

The Rishis said:
You are going along the path of vice; you do not act virtuously. "That they are authentic" has before been said by our great Rishis.

Agastya said:
Then, O Vasava, he began quarreling with the Rishis and then the one, ruled by vice, touched my head with his feet.

By that act did the king lose his strength and became shorn of prosperity; and then as he was agitated and oppressed with fear and had lost the power of speech, I said -

Since, O king, you call into question, the hymns authorized by our ancestors and chanted by Brahmarshis and since you have touched me with your feet and since, O fool, you have your conveyance carried by Rishis equal to Brahma and unapproachable, whom you have made your bearers, therefore be shorn of your power. O Vice, be destroyed and turned out of heaven, go you to the earth where there is little virtue.

For ten thousand years, assuming the form of a large snake, shall you roam about and at the completion of that period shall you again get into heaven.

The wicked-souled one was thus turned out of the kingdom of the gods, O you subduer of foes. It is lucky, O Shakra, that we are now on the ascendant and that thorn, of the Brahmanas, has been killed.

O you lord of Sachi, go you to heaven and rule over the world, after conquering your senses and subduing your enemies and being propitiated by the great Rishis.

Shalya said:
Then the gods were highly pleased, along with the great Rishis and the Pitris and the Yakshas and the Rakshasas and the Gandharvas and the celestial nymphs and all the fairies; and all the tanks and the lakes and the mountains and the rivers rejoiced.

They all coming there said it is fortunate, O slayer of enemies, that you are on the ascendant; it is fortunate that the vicious Nahusha has been killed by the wise Agastya; it is fortunate that being of vicious habits has been turned into a snake in the earth.

Shalya said:
Then Shakra being glorified by the Gandharvas and the celestial nymphs, ascended on the Airavata, the chief among elephants, which bore auspicious marks. The god of fire, of very great strength and the great Rishi Brihaspati, Yama, Varuna and Kubera, the god of wealth, surrounded by all these gods and by the Gandharvas and the celestial nymphs Shakra, the slayer of Vritra and the lord of the three worlds, went round.

Being united with his queen the great Indra, the king of the gods, the performer of a hundred sacrifices, highly pleased ruled over the gods.

Then the god saw there Angira propitiating the king of the gods by chanting hymns from the Atharvaveda.

Then the god Indra became highly pleased and he granted a boon to Angiras who was chanting the Atharvaveda.

To this Veda, there will be given the name of Atharvangirasa; this is an example; and you will also get a share of the offerings in a sacrifice.

The god having thus greeted Angirasa, the king of the gods, the performer of a hundred sacrifices dismissed him, O great king.

Doing due honours to all, to the thirteen Rishis and those whose wealth consisted in devotion alone and well pleased, Indra ruled over his subjects with virtue, O king.

Such was the trouble experienced by Indra in company with his queen; he had also to remain unknown in exile through his wishing for the downfall of his enemies.

You should not, for this reason, mind the troubles that you experienced in the great forest in company with Draupadi, O chief among kings and your noble minded brothers.

O chief among kings, O son of Bharata, you too will get your kingdom in the same way as Shakra got his by slaying Vritra, O you who cause rejoicing among the race of Kurus.

Nahusha, of evil habits, the enemy of Brahmanas, of vicious mind, was overthrown through the curse of Agastya and absolutely ruined for a long period.

So shall your evil minded foes, Karna Duryodhana and others, O subduer of enemies, soon meet with ruin.

Then will you come into the possess of this world ending with the ocean, in company with your brothers, O hero and this lady Draupadi.

This story of the victory of Shakra is of the same rank, as the Veda, with regard to its sanctity and it ought to be listened to by a king who is desirous of a victory and who has his army ready for battle.

Therefore do I make it listened to by you so that you may gain a victory, O best of victors. The great minded increase (in strength) by being glorified, O Yudhishthira.

O Yudhishthira, the destruction of large minded Kshatriyas, through the crimes of Duryodhana and the strength of Bhima and Arjuna, is approaching.

He who constantly reads this story of the victory of Indra becomes free from (the effects of) his crimes and goes to heaven and passes his life pleasantly in this world and in another.

He need not have any fear from his enemy and he will never become sonless. He will never meet with any danger and he will live a long life. Everywhere he will get victories and seldom defeat.

Vaishampayana said:
The king being thus encouraged by Shalya, O you best of the race of Bharata, that chief among the supporters of virtue did due honours to Shalya.

And Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, having heard the speech of Shalya, said these words in reply to the king of Madra of long warms.

The post of charioteer of Karna will be field by you no doubt and from that position shall you destroy the spirit of Karna by chanting the glories of Arjuna.

Shalya said:
I shall do this, even as you dictate to me; and whatever else that I am able to do I shall do for you.

Vaishampayana said:
The ruler of Madra, Shalya, having bade farewell to the sons of Kunti, that beautiful man went with his army to Duryodhana, O subduer of foes.

Vaishampayana said:
Then did the hero Yuyudhana of the Satvata race, of great prowess, come to Yudhishthira with a large army containing all the four elements.

His warriors of great strength, came from many countries and heroes, holding many suits of weapons, beautified the army.

That army was ever beautiful for it had in it, battle axes, missiles, spears, lances, mallets, clubs, staves, cords, stainless, swords and daggers and arrows of various kinds all of the best sort.

The appearance of that army with those weapons was like the clouds with lightning.

And that army, numbering an Akshauhini when it became incorporated with Yudhishthira's army, vanished as it were, O king, as does a small river when it falls into the sea.

And in the same way did Dhrishtaketu, who was powerful as the best of the Chedis come with an army, an Akshauhini in number, to the Pandavas, of immeasurable strength.

And Jayatsena of great strength, son of Jarasandh, king of Magadha, came to the virtuous king with an army counting an Akshauhini.

In the same way, Pandya, O chief among kings, came to Yudhishthira surrounded by many warriors who had colonized along the sea.

And all his troops being assembled, the army with its fine dress and which was very strong became an object worth seeing, O chief among kings.

And the army of the king of Drupada, assembled from several countries, was graced by heroic men and also by his sons of wonderful valour.

In the same way did Virata, the king of the Matsya, the leader of an army come to the sons of Pandu, accompanied by a large body of soldiers, inhabiting hilly tracts.

And from several directions came for the noble minded sons of Pandu seven Akshauhini carrying flags of various sorts. All of them were desirous a fight with the sons of Kuru and so caused the sons of Pandu to rejoice.

In the same way increasing the delight of the son of Dhritarashtra, the king Bhagadatta gave army numbering an Akshauhini. And the army was filled with Chins and Kiratas as also with gold. The invulnerable army looked beautiful like a forest of Karnikaras.

In the same way, Bhurishravas and the hero Shalya, O son of Kuru, went to Duryodhana, each with an army counting an Akshauhini separately.

Kritavarman, the son of Hridika in company with the Bhojas, the Andhak and the Kukuras, went to Duryodhana with an Akshauhini of troops.

His army, with those foremost among men, graced with garlands of wild flowers, looked charming as a forest run about by wild elephants.

And others, the people of Sindhu Sauvira, under the leadership of Jayadratha and also other rulers of the earth, came as if shaking the mountains.

And their large army looked beautiful at that time like various sorts of clouds shaken by the winds.

O king! Sudakshina, the ruler of Kamboja with the Yavanas and the Shakas came to the son of Kuru, with an Akshauhini of troops. His army looked beautiful like locusts. And having entered the Kaurava army it vanished at the time.

So did Nila, the resident of Mahishmati, a king of great strength along with the residents of the southern countries with blue weapons.

And so did the two kings of Avanti surrounded by large forces, each with an Akshauhini of troops came to Suyodhana.

The five rulers of the earth, the sons of the same mother, the best among men, the Kaikeya princes, causing delight to the son of Kuru, came there with an Akshauhini.

O you foremost among the race of Bharata, from the large minded kings of other countries, there came three other armies.

In this way Duryodhana was surrounded by an army eleven Akshauhinis strong. All of them were desirous of a fight with the sons of Kunti and filled with banners of various sorts.

O king, In the city of Hastinapura, there was not space, even for the principal leaders of the king's own army.

O son of Bharata, for this reason the country of the five rivers, Krishna, Kurujangala and the forest of Rohitaka and the desert of Kevala and Ahichhatra and Kalakuta and the bank of the Ganges and Varana and Vatadhana and the mountains of Yamuna, all these extensive tracts containing large quantities of corn and wealth became exceedingly crowded with the army of the Kauravas.

There the priest saw the army of this description the priest who was sent by the king of Panchala to the Kauravas.

End of Sainyodyoga Parva

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