( Parva)
said, ", the son of , was, with his brothers, attending his long sacrifice on the plains of Kurukshetra. His brothers were three, Srutasena, Ugrasena, and Bhimasena. And as they were sitting at the sacrifice, there arrived at the spot an offspring of Sarama (the celestial bitch). And belaboured by the brothers of , he ran away to his mother, crying in pain. And his mother seeing him crying exceedingly asked him, 'Why criest cry thou you so? Who hath has beaten thee you? And being thus questioned, he said unto to his mother, 'I have been belaboured by the brothers of .' And his mother replied, 'Thou you hast have committed some fault for which hast have thou you been beaten!' He answered, 'I have not committed any fault. I have not touched the sacrificial butter with my tongue, nor have I even cast a look upon it.' His mother Sarama hearing this and much distressed at the affliction of her son went to the place where with his brothers was at his long-extending sacrifice. And she addressed in anger, saying, 'This my son hath has committed no fault: he hath has not looked upon your sacrificial butter, nor hath has he touched it with his tongue. Wherefore why hath has he been beaten?' They said not a word in reply; whereupon she said, 'As ye you have beaten my son who hath has committed no fault, therefore shall evil come upon ye you, when ye you least expect it.'
", thus addressed by the celestial bitch, Sarama, became exceedingly alarmed and dejected. And after the sacrifice was concluded returned to Hastinapura, and began to take great pains in searching for a Purohita who could by procuring absolution for his sin, neutralise the effect of the curse.
"One day , the son of , while a-hunting, observed in a particular part of his dominions a hermitage where dwelt a certain Rishi of fame, Srutasrava. He had a son named Somasrava deeply engaged in ascetic devotions. Being desirous of appointing that son of the Rishi as his Purohita, , the son of , saluted the Rishi and addressed him, saying, 'O possessor of the six attributes, let this thy your son be my purohita.' The Rishi thus addressed, answered , 'O , this my son, deep in ascetic devotions, accomplished in the study of the Vedas, and endued with the full force of my asceticism, is born of (the womb of) a she-snake that had drunk my vital fluid. He is able to absolve thee you from all offences save those committed against . But he hath has one particular habit, viz. he would grant to any Brahmana whatever might be begged of him. If thou you canst can put up with it, then thou you take him.' thus addressed replied to the Rishi, 'It shall be even so.' And accepting him for his Purohita, he returned to his capital; and he then addressed his brothers saying, 'This is the person I have chosen for my spiritual master; whatsoever he may say must be complied with by you without examination.' And his brothers did as they were directed. And giving these directions to his brothers, the king marched towards Takshyashila and brought that country under his authority.
"About this time there was a Rishi, by name. And had three disciples, , Aruni, and Veda. And the Rishi bade one of these disciples, Aruni of Panchala, to go and stop up a breach in the water-course of a certain field. And Aruni of Panchala, thus ordered by his preceptor, repaired to the spot. And having gone there he saw that he could not stop up the breach in the water-course by ordinary means. And he was distressed because he could not do his preceptor's bidding. But at length he saw a way and said, 'Well, I will do it in this way.' He then went down into the breach and lay down himself there. And the water was thus confined.
"And some time after, the preceptor asked his other disciples where Aruni of Panchala was. And they answered, 'Sir, he hath has been sent by yourself saying, 'Go, stop up the breach in the water-course of the field,' Thus reminded, , addressing his pupils, said, 'Then let us all go to the place where he is.'
"And having arrived there, he shouted, 'Ho Aruni of Panchala! Where art thou you? Come hither here, my child.' And Aruni hearing the voice of his preceptor speedily came out of the water-course and stood before his preceptor. And addressing the latter, Aruni said, 'Here I am in the breach of the water-course. Not having been able to devise any other means, I entered myself for the purpose of preventing the water running out. It is only upon hearing thy your voice that, having left it and allowed the waters to escape, I have stood before thee you. I salute thee you, Master; tell me what I have to do.'
"The preceptor, thus addressed, replied, 'Because in getting up from the ditch thou you hast have opened the water-course, thenceforth shalt shall thou you be called Uddalaka as a mark of thy your preceptor's favour. And because my words have been obeyed by thee you, thou you shalt shall obtain good fortune. And all the Vedas shall shine in thee you and all the Dharmasastras also.' And Aruni, thus addressed by his preceptor, went to the country after his heart.
"The name of another of 's disciples was . And appointed him saying, 'Go, my child, , look after the kine.' And according to his preceptor's orders, he went to tend the kine. And having watched them all day, he returned in the evening to his preceptor's house and standing before him he saluted him respectfully. And his preceptor seeing him in good condition of body asked him, ', my child, upon what dost do thou you support thyself? Thou you art exceedingly plump.' And he answered, 'Sir, I support myself by begging'. And his preceptor said, 'What is obtained in alms should not be used by thee you without offering it to me.' And , thus told, went away. And having obtained alms, he offered the same to his preceptor. And his preceptor took from him even the whole. And , thus treated, went to attend the cattle. And having watched them all day, he returned in the evening to his preceptor's abode. And he stood before his preceptor and saluted him with respect. And his preceptor perceiving that he still continued to be of good condition of body said unto to him, ', my child, I take from thee you even the whole of what thou you obtainest obtain in alms, without leaving anything for thee you. How then dost do thou you, at present, contrive to support thyself?' And said unto to his preceptor, 'Sir, having made over to you all that I obtain in alms, I go a-begging a second time for supporting myself.' And his preceptor then replied, 'This is not the way in which thou you shouldst should obey the preceptor. By this thou you art diminishing the support of others that live by begging. Truly having supported thyself so, thou you hast have proved thyself covetous.' And , having signified his assent to all that his preceptor said, went away to attend the cattle. And having watched them all day, he returned to his preceptor's house. And he stood before his preceptor and saluted him respectfully. And his preceptor observing that he was still fat, said again unto to him, ', my child, I take from thee you all thou you obtainest obtain in alms and thou you dost do not go a-begging a second time, and yet art thou you in healthy condition. How dost do thou you support thyself?' And , thus questioned, answered, 'Sir, I now live upon the milk of these cows.' And his preceptor thereupon then told him, 'It is not lawful for thee you to appropriate the milk without having first obtained my consent.' And having assented to the justice of these observations, went away to tend the kine. And when he returned to his preceptor's abode, he stood before him and saluted him as usual. And his preceptor seeing that he was still fat, said, ', my child, thou you eatest eat no longer of alms, nor dost do thou you go a-begging a second time, not even drinkest drink of the milk; yet art thou you fat. By what means dost do thou you contrive to live now? And replied, 'Sir, I now sip the froth that these calves throw out, while sucking their mother's teats.' And the preceptor said, 'These generous calves, I suppose, out of compassion for thee you, throw out large quantities of froth. Wouldst would thou you stand in the way of their full meals by acting as thou you hast have done? Know that it is unlawful for thee you to drink the froth.' And , having signified his assent to this, went as before to tend the cows. And restrained by his preceptor, he feedeth feeds not on alms, nor hath has he anything else to eat; he drinketh drinks not of the milk, nor tasteth tastes he of the froth!
"And , one day, oppressed by hunger, when in a forest, ate of the leaves of the Arka (Asclepias gigantea). And his eyes being affected by the pungent, acrimonious, crude, and saline properties of the leaves which he had eaten, he became blind. And as he was crawling about, he fell into a pit. And upon his not returning that day when the sun was sinking down behind the summit of the western mountains, the preceptor observed to his disciples that was not yet come. And they told him that he had gone out with the cattle.
"The preceptor then said, ' being restrained by me from the use of everything, is, of course, and therefore, doth does not come home until it be late. Let us then go in search of him.' And having said this, he went with his disciples into the forest and began to shout, saying, 'Ho , where art thou you?' And hearing his preceptor's voice answered in a loud tone, 'Here I am at the bottom of a well.' And his preceptor asked him how he happened to be there. And replied, 'Having eaten of the leaves of the Arka plant I became blind, and so have I fallen into this well.' And his preceptor thereupon then told him, 'Glorify the twin Aswins, the joint physicians of the gods, and they will restore thee you thy your sight.' And thus directed by his preceptor began to glorify the twin Aswins, in the following words of the Rig Veda:
'Ye you have existed before the creation! Ye you first-born beings, ye you are displayed in this wondrous universe of five elements! I desire to obtain you by the help of the knowledge derived from hearing, and of meditation, for ye you are Infinite! Ye you are the course itself of Nature and intelligent Soul that pervades that course! Ye you are birds of beauteous feathers perched on the body that is like to a tree! Ye you are without the three common attributes of every soul! Ye you are incomparable! Ye you, through your spirit in every created thing, pervade the Universe!
"Ye you are golden Eagles! Ye you are the essence into which all things disappear! Ye you are free from error and know no deterioration! Ye you are of beauteous beaks that would not unjustly strike and are victorious in every encounter! Ye you certainly prevail over time! Having created the sun, ye you weave the wondrous cloth of the year by means of the white thread of the day and the black thread of the night! And with the cloth so woven, ye you have established two courses of action appertaining respectively to the Devas and the Pitris. The bird of Life seized by Time which represents the strength of the Infinite soul, ye you set free for delivering her unto to great happiness! They that are in deep ignorance, as long as they are under delusions of their senses, suppose you, who are independent of the attributes of matter, to be gifted with form! Three hundred and sixty cows represented by three hundred and sixty days produce one calf between them which is the year. That calf is the creator and destroyer of all. Seekers of truth following different routes, draw the milk of true knowledge with its help. Ye you Aswins, ye you are the creators of that calf!
"The year is but the nave of a wheel to which is attached seven hundred and twenty spokes representing as many days and nights. The circumference of this wheel represented by twelve months is without end. This wheel is full of delusions and knows no deterioration. It affects all creatures whether to this or of the other worlds. Ye you Aswins, this wheel of time is set in motion by you!
"The wheel of Time as represented by the year has a nave represented by the six seasons. The number of spokes attached to that nave is twelve as represented by the twelve signs of the Zodiac. This wheel of Time manifests the fruits of the acts of all things. The presiding deities of Time abide in that wheel. Subject as I am to its distressful influence, ye you Aswins, liberate me from that wheel of Time. Ye you Aswins, ye you are this universe of five elements! Ye you are the objects that are enjoyed in this and in the other world! Make me independent of the five elements! And though ye you are the Supreme , yet ye you move over the Earth in forms enjoying the delights that the senses afford.
"In the beginning, ye you created the ten points of the universe! Then have ye you placed the Sun and the Sky above! The Rishis, according to the course of the same Sun, perform their sacrifices, and the gods and men, according to what hath has been appointed for them, perform their sacrifices also enjoying the fruits of those acts!
"Mixing the three colours, ye you have produced all the objects of sight! It is from these objects that the Universe hath has sprung whereon the gods and men are engaged in their respective occupations, and, indeed, all creatures endued with life!
"Ye you Aswins, I adore you! I also adore the Sky which is your handiwork! Ye you are the ordainers of the fruits of all acts from which even the gods are not free! Ye you are yourselves free from the fruits of your acts!
"Ye you are the parents of all! As males and females it is ye you that swallow the food which subsequently develops into the life creating fluid and blood! The new-born infant sucks the teat of its mother. Indeed it is ye you that take the shape of the infant! Ye you Aswins, grant me my sight to protect my life!"
The twin Aswins, thus invoked, appeared and said, 'We are satisfied. Here is a cake for thee you. Take and eat it.' And thus addressed, replied, 'Your words, O Aswins, have never proved untrue. But without first offering this cake to my preceptor I dare not take it.' And the Aswins thereupon then told him, 'Formerly, thy your preceptor had invoked us. We thereupon then gave him a cake like this; and he took it without offering it to his master. Do thou you do that which thy your preceptor did.' Thus addressed, again said unto to them, 'O Aswins, I crave your pardon. Without offering it to my preceptor I dare not apply this cake.' The Aswins then said, 'O, we are pleased with this devotion of thine yours to thy your preceptor. Thy your master's teeth are of black iron. Thine yours shall be of gold. Thou you shall be restored to sight and shall have good fortune.'
"Thus spoken to by the Aswins he recovered his sight, and having gone to his preceptor's presence he saluted him and told him all. And his preceptor was well-pleased with him and said unto to him, 'Thou you shalt shall obtain prosperity even as the Aswins have said. All the Vedas shall shine in thee you and all the Dharma-sastras.' And this was the trial of .
"Then Veda the other disciple of was called. His preceptor once addressed him, saying, 'Veda, my child, tarry some time in my house and serve thy your preceptor. It shall be to thy your profit.' And Veda having signified his assent tarried long in the family of his preceptor mindful of serving him. Like an ox under the burthens of his master, he bore heat and cold, hunger and thirst, at all times without a murmur. And it was not long before his preceptor was satisfied. And as a consequence of that satisfaction, Veda obtained good fortune and universal knowledge. And this was the trial of Veda.
"And Veda, having received permission from his preceptor, and leaving the latter's residence after the completion of his studies, entered the domestic mode of life. And while living in his own house, he got three pupils. And he never told them to perform any work or to obey implicitly his own behests; for having himself experienced much woe while abiding in the family of his preceptor, he liked not to treat them with severity.
"After a certain time, and , both of the order of Kshatriyas, arriving at his residence appointed the Brahman. Veda, as their spiritual guide (Upadhyaya). And one day while about to depart upon some business related to a sacrifice, he employed one of his disciples, , to take charge of his household. '', said he, 'whatsoever should have to be done in my house, let it be done by thee you without neglect.' And having given these orders to , he went on his journey.
"So always mindful of the injunction of his preceptor took up his abode in the latter's house. And while was residing there, the females of his preceptor's house having assembled addressed him and said, 'O , thy your mistress is in that season when connubial connection might be fruitful. The preceptor is absent; then stand thou you in his place and do the needful.' And , thus addressed, said unto to those women, 'It is not proper for me to do this at the bidding of women. I have not been enjoined by my preceptor to do aught that is improper.'
"After a while, his preceptor returned from his journey. And his preceptor having learnt all that had happened, became well-pleased and, addressing , said, ', my child, what favour shall I bestow on thee you? I have been served by thee you duly; therefore hath has our friendship for each other increased. I therefore grant thee you leave to depart. Go thou you, and let thy your wishes be accomplished!'
", thus addressed, replied, saying, "Let me do something that you wish, for it hath has been said, 'He who bestoweth bestows instruction contrary to usage and he who receiveth receives it contrary to usage, one of the two dieth dies, and enmity springeth springs up between the two.--I, therefore, who have received thy your leave to depart, am desirous of bringing thee you some honorarium due to a preceptor. His master, upon hearing this, replied, ', my child, wait a while.' Sometime after, again addressed his preceptor, saying, 'Command me to bring that for honorarium, which you desire.' And his preceptor then said, 'My dear , thou you hast have often told me of your desire to bring something by way of acknowledgment for the instruction thou you hast have received. Go then in and ask thy your mistress what thou you art to bring. And bring thou you that which she directs.' And thus directed by his preceptor addressed his preceptress, saying, 'Madam, I have obtained my master's leave to go home, and I am desirous of bringing something agreeable to thee you as honorarium for the instruction I have received, in order that I may not depart as his debtor. Therefore, please command me what I am to bring.' Thus addressed, his preceptress replied, 'Go unto to King and beg of him the pair of ear-rings worn by his Queen, and bring them hither here. The fourth day hence is a sacred day when I wish to appear before the Brahmanas (who may dine at my house) decked with these ear-rings. Then accomplish this, O ! If thou you shouldst should succeed, good fortune shall attend thee you; if not, what good canst can thou you expect?'
" thus commanded, took his departure. And as he was passing along the road he saw a bull of extraordinary size and a man of uncommon stature mounted thereon. And that man addressed and said, 'Eat thou you of the dung of this bull.' , however, was unwilling to comply. The man said again, 'O , eat of it without scrutiny. Thy your master ate of it before.' And signified his assent and ate of the dung and drank of the urine of that bull, and rose respectfully, and washing his hands and mouth went to where King was.
'On arriving at the palace, saw seated (on his throne). And approaching him saluted the monarch by pronouncing blessings and said, 'I am come as a petitioner to thee you.' And King , having returned 's salutations, said, 'Sir, what shall I do for thee you?' And said, 'I came to beg of thee you a pair of ear-rings as a present to my preceptor. It behoveth behooves thee you to give me the ear-rings worn by the Queen.'
"King replied, 'Go, , into the female apartments where the Queen is and demand them of her.' And went into the women's apartments. But as he could not discover the Queen, he again addressed the king, saying, 'It is not proper that I should be treated by thee you with deceit. Thy your Queen is not in the private apartments, for I could not find her.' The king thus addressed, considered for a while and replied, 'Recollect, Sir, with attention whether thou you art not in a state of defilement in consequence of contact with the impurities of a repast. My Queen is a chaste wife and cannot be seen by any one who is impure owing to contact with the leavings of a repast. Nor doth does she herself appear in sight of any one who is defiled.'
", thus informed, reflected for a while and then said, 'Yes, it must be so. Having been in a hurry I performed my ablutions (after meal) in a standing posture.' King then said, 'Here is a transgression, purification is not properly effected by one in a standing posture, not by one while he is going along.' And having agreed to this, sat down with his face towards the east, and washed his face, hands, and feet thoroughly. And he then, without a noise, sipped thrice of water free from scum and froth, and not warm, and just sufficient to reach his stomach and wiped his face twice. And he then touched with water the apertures of his organs (eyes, ears, etc.). And having done all this, he once more entered the apartments of the women. And this time he saw the Queen. And as the Queen perceived him, she saluted him respectfully and said, 'Welcome, Sir, command me what I have to do.' And said unto to her, 'It behoveth behooves thee you to give me those ear-rings of thine yours. I beg them as a present for my preceptor.' And the Queen having been highly pleased with 's conduct and, considering that as an object of charity could not be passed over, took off her ear-rings and gave them to him. And she said, 'These ear-rings are very much sought after by , the King of the serpents. Therefore shouldst should thou you carry them with the greatest care.'
"And being told this, said unto to the Queen, 'Lady, be under no apprehension. , Chief of the serpents, is not able to overtake me.' And having said this, and taking leave of the Queen, he went back into the presence of , and said, ', I am gratified.' Then said to , 'A fit object of charity can only be had at long intervals. Thou you art a qualified guest, therefore do I desire to perform a sraddha. Tarry thou you a little. And replied, 'Yes, I will tarry, and beg that the clean provisions that are ready may be soon brought in.' And the king having signified his assent, entertained duly. And seeing that the food placed before him had hair in it, and also that it was cold, thought it unclean. And he said unto to , 'Thou you givest give me food that is unclean, therefore shalt shall thou you lose thy your sight.' And in answer said, 'And because dost do thou you impute uncleanliness to food that is clean, therefore shalt shall thou you be without issue.' And thereupon then rejoined, 'It behoveth behooves thee you not, after having offered me unclean food, to curse me in return. Satisfy thyself by ocular proof.'
"And seeing the food alleged to be unclean satisfied himself of its uncleanliness. And having ascertained that the food was truly unclean, being cold and mixed with hair, prepared as it was by a woman with unbraided hair, began to pacify the Rishi , saying, 'Sir, the food placed before thee you is cold, and doth does contain hair, having been prepared without sufficient care. Therefore I pray thee you pardon me. Let me not become blind.' And answered, 'What I say must come to pass. Having become blind, thou you mayst may, however, recover the sight before long. Grant that thy your curse also doth does not take effect on me.' And said unto to him, 'I am unable to revoke my curse. For my wrath even now hath has not been appeased. But thou you knowest know not this. For a Brahmana's heart is soft as new-churned butter, even though his words bear a sharp-edged razor. It is otherwise in respect of these with the Kshatriya. His words are soft as new-churned butter, but his heart is like a sharp-edged tool, such being the case, I am unable, because of the hardness of my heart, to neutralise my curse. Then go thou you thy your own way.' To this made answer, "I showed thee you the uncleanliness of the food offered to me, and I was even now pacified by thee you. Besides, saidst said thou you at first that because I imputed uncleanliness to food that was clean I should be without issue. But the food truly unclean, thy your curse cannot affect me. Of this I am sure.' And having said this departed with the ear-rings.
"On the road perceived coming towards him a naked idle beggar sometimes coming in view and sometimes disappearing. And put the ear-rings on the ground and went for water. In the meantime the beggar came quickly to the spot and taking up the ear-rings ran away. And having completed his ablutions in water and purified himself and having also reverently bowed down to the gods and his spiritual masters pursued the thief with the utmost speed. And having with great difficulty overtaken him, he seized him by force. But at that instant the person seized, quitting the form of a beggar and assuming his real form, viz., that of , speedily entered a large hole open in the ground. And having got in, proceeded to his own abode, the region of the serpents.
"Now, , recollecting the words of the Queen, pursued the Serpent, and began to dig open the hole with a stick but was unable to make much progress. And beholding his distress sent his thunder-bolt (Vajra) to his assistance. Then the thunder-bolt entering that stick enlarged that hole. And began to enter the hole after the thunder-bolt. And having entered it, he beheld the region of the serpents infinite in extent, filled with hundreds of palaces and elegant mansions with turrets and domes and gate-ways, abounding with wonderful places for various games and entertainments. And then glorified the serpents by the following slokas:
"Ye you Serpents, subjects of King , splendid in battle and showering weapons in the field like lightning-charged clouds driven by the winds! Handsome and of various forms and decked with many coloured ear-rings, ye you children of , ye you shine like the Sun in the firmament! On the northern banks of the Ganges are many habitations of serpents. There I constantly adore the great serpents. Who except would desire to move in the burning rays of the Sun? When Dhritarashtra ('s brother) goes out, twenty-eight thousand and eight serpents follow him as his attendants. Ye you who move near him and ye you who stay at a distance from him, I adore all of you that have for your elder brother.
"I adore thee you also, to obtain the ear-rings, O , who formerly dwelt in Kurukshetra and the forest of Khandava! and Aswasena, ye you are constant companions who dwell in Kurukshetra on the banks of the Ikshumati! I also adore the illustrious Srutasena, the younger brother of , who resided at the holy place called Mahadyumna with a view to obtaining the chiefship of the serpents.
"The Brahmana Rishi having saluted the chief serpents in this manner, obtained not, however, the ear-rings. And he thereupon then became very thoughtful. And when he saw that he obtained not the ear-rings even though he had adored the serpents, he then looked about him and beheld two women at a loom weaving a piece of cloth with a fine shuttle; and in the loom were black and white threads. And he likewise saw a wheel, with twelve spokes, turned by six boys. And he also saw a man with a handsome horse. And he began to address them the following mantras:
"This wheel whose circumference is marked by twenty-four divisions representing as many lunar changes is furnished with three hundred spokes! It is set in continual motion by six boys (the seasons)! These damsels representing universal nature are weaving without intermission a cloth with threads black and white, and thereby ushering into existence the manifold worlds and the beings that inhabit them! Thou you wielder of the thunder, the protector of the universe, the slayer of Vritra and Namuchi, thou you illustrious one who wearest wear the black cloth and displayest display truth and untruth in the universe, thou you who ownest for thy your carrier the horse which was received from the depths of the ocean, and which is but another form of (the ), I bow to thee you, thou you supreme Lord, thou you Lord of the three worlds, O !'
"Then the man with the horse said unto to , 'I am gratified by this thy your adoration. What good shall I do to thee you?' And replied, 'Even let the serpents be brought under my control.' Then the man rejoined, 'Blow into this horse.' And blew into that horse. And from the horse thus blown into, there issued, from every aperture of his body, flames of fire with smoke by which the region of the Nagas was about to be consumed. And , surprised beyond measure and terrified by the heat of the fire, hastily came out of his abode taking the ear-rings with him, and said unto to , 'Pray, Sir, take back the ear-rings.' And took them back.
"But having recovered his ear-rings thought, 'O, this is that sacred day of my preceptress. I am at a distance. How can I, therefore, show my regard for her? And when was anxious about this, the man addressed him and said, 'Ride this horse, , and he will in a moment carry thee you to thy your master's abode.' And having signified his assent, mounted the horse and presently reached his preceptor's house.
"And his preceptress that morning after having bathed was dressing her hair sitting, thinking of uttering a curse on if he should not return within time. But, in the meantime, entered his preceptor's abode and paid his respects to his preceptress and presented her the ear-rings. '', said she, 'thou you hast have arrived at the proper time at the proper place. Welcome, my child; thou you art innocent and therefore I do not curse thee you! Good fortune is even before thee you. Let thy your wishes be crowned with success!'
"Then waited on his preceptor. And his preceptor said, 'Thou you art welcome! What hath has occasioned thy your long absence?' And replied to his preceptor, 'Sir, in the execution of this my business obstruction was offered by , the King of serpents. Therefore I had to go to the region of the Nagas. There I saw two damsels sitting at a loom, weaving a fabric with black and white threads. Pray, what is that? There likewise I beheld a wheel with twelve spokes ceaselessly turned by six boys. What too doth does that import? Who is also the man that I saw? And what the horse of extraordinary size likewise beheld by me? And when I was on the road I also saw a bull with a man mounted thereon, by whom I was endearingly accosted thus, ', eat of the dung of this bull, which was also eaten by thy your master?' So I ate of the dung of that bull according to his words. Who also is he? Therefore, enlightened by thee you, I desire to hear all about them.'
"And his preceptor thus addressed said unto to him, 'The two damsels thou you hast have seen are Dhata and Vidhata; the black and white threads denote night and day; the wheel of twelve spokes turned by the six boys signified the year comprising six seasons. The man is Parjanya, the deity of rain, and the horse is , the . The bull that thou you hast have seen on the road is , the king of elephants; the man mounted thereon is ; and the dung of the bull which was eaten by thee you was Amrita. It was certainly for this (last) that thou you hast have not met with death in the region of the Nagas; and who is my friend having been mercifully inclined showed thee you favour. It is for this that thou you returnest return safe, with the ear-rings about thee you. Then, O thou you amiable one, I give thee you leave to depart. Thou you shall obtain good fortune.'
"And , having obtained his master's leave, moved by anger and resolved to avenge himself on , proceeded towards Hastinapura. That excellent Brahmana soon reached Hastinapura. And then waited upon King who had some time before returned victorious from Takshashila. And saw the victorious monarch surrounded on all sides by his ministers. And he pronounced benedictions on him in a proper form. And addressed the monarch at the proper moment in speech of correct accent and melodious sounds, saying, 'O thou you the best of monarchs! How is it that thou you spendest spend thy your time like a child when there is another matter that urgently demandeth demands thy your attention?'"
" said, 'The monarch , thus addressed, saluting that excellent Brahmana replied unto to him, 'In cherishing these my subjects I do discharge the duties of my noble tribe. Say, what is that business to be done by me and which hath has brought thee you hither here.'
"The foremost of Brahmanas and distinguished beyond all for good deeds, thus addressed by the excellent monarch of large heart, replied unto to him, 'O King! the business is thy your own that demandeth demands thy your attention; therefore do it, please. O thou you King of kings! Thy your father was deprived of life by ; therefore do thou you avenge thy your father's death on that vile serpent. The time hath has come, I think, for the act of vengeance ordained by the Fates. Go then avenge the death of thy your magnanimous father who, being bitten without cause by that vile serpent, was reduced to five elements even like a tree stricken by thunder. The wicked , vilest of the serpent race, intoxicated with power committed an unnecessary act when he bit the King, that god-like father, the protector of the race of royal saints. Wicked in his deeds, he even caused (the prince of physicians) to run back when he was coming for the relief of thy your father. It behoveth behooves thee you to burn the wicked wretch in the blazing fire of a snake-sacrifice. O King! Give instant orders for the sacrifice. It is thus thou you canst can avenge the death of thy your father. And a very great favour shall have also been shown to me. For by that malignant wretch, O virtuous Prince, my business also was, on one occasion, obstructed, while proceeding on account of my preceptor."
" continued, The monarch, having heard these words, was enraged with . By the speech of was inflamed the prince, even as the sacrificial fire with clarified butter. Moved by grief also, in the presence of , the prince asked his ministers the particulars of his father's journey to the regions of the blessed. And when he heard all about the circumstances of his father's death from the lips of , he was overcome with pain and sorrow.
And thus endeth ends the section called of the Adi Parva of the blessed Mahabharata."