(Sambhava Parva continued)
" continued, 'When the spectators, with eyes expanded with wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities, , that hero with his natural mail and face brightened with ear-rings, took up his bow and girded on his sword, and then entered the spacious lists, like a walking cliff. That far-famed destroyer of hostile hosts, the large-eyed , was born of in her maidenhood. He was a portion of the hot-beamed Sun and his energy and prowess were like unto to those of the lion, or the bull, or the leader of a herd of elephants. In splendour he resembled the Sun, in loveliness the Moon, and in energy the fire. Begotten by himself, he was tall in stature like a golden palm tree, and, endued with the vigour of youth, he was capable of slaying a lion. Handsome in features, he was possessed of countless accomplishments. The mighty-armed warrior, eyeing all around the arena, bowed indifferently to and . And the entire assembly, motionless and with steadfast gaze, thought, 'Who is he?' And they became agitated in their curiosity to know the warrior. And that foremost of eloquent men, the offspring of , in a voice deep as that of the clouds, addressed his unknown brother, the son of the subduer of the Asura, Paka (), saying, 'O , I shall perform feats before this gazing multitude; excelling all thou you hast have performed! Beholding them, thou you shall be amazed.' And, O thou you best of those blest with speech, he had hardly done when the spectators stood up all at once, uplifted by some instrument, as it were. And, O tiger among men, was filled with delight, while was instantly all abashment and anger. Then with the permission of , the mighty , delighting in battle, there did all that had done before. And, O Bharata, with his brothers thereupon then embraced in joy and then addressed him saying, 'Welcome O mighty-armed warrior! I have obtained thee you by good fortune, O polite one! Live thou you as thou you pleasest please, and command me, and the kingdom of the Kurus.' Kama replied, 'When thou you hast have said it, I regard it as already accomplished. I only long for thy your friendship. And, O lord, my wish is even for a single combat with .' said, 'Do thou you with me enjoy the good things of life! Be thou you the benefactor of thy your friend, and, O represser of enemies, place thou you thy your feet on the heads of all foes."
"Vaisampayanacontinued, ', after this, deeming himself disgraced, said unto to stationed amidst the brothers like unto to a cliff, 'That path which the unwelcome intruder and the uninvited talker cometh comes to, shall be thine yours, O , for thou you shall be slain by me.' replied, 'This arena is meant for all, not for thee you alone, O ! They are kings who are superior in energy; and verily truly the Kshatriya regardeth regards might and might alone. What need of altercation which is the exercise of the weak? O Bharata, speak then in arrows until with arrows I strike off thy your head today before himself!'
" continued, 'Hastily embraced by his brothers, that subduer of hostile cities, with the permission of , advanced for the combat. On the other side, , having been embraced by with his brothers, taking up his bow and arrows, stood ready for the fight. Then the firmament became enveloped in clouds emitting flashes of lightning, and the coloured bow of appeared shedding its effulgent rays. And the clouds seemed to laugh on account of the rows of white cranes that were then on the wing. And seeing thus viewing the arena from affection (for his son), too dispersed the clouds from over his own offspring. And remained deep hid under cover of the clouds, while remained visible, being surrounded by the rays of . And the son of stood by , and and and remained with . And the assembly was divided, as also the female spectators. And knowing the state of things, the daughter of Bhoja, swooned away. And by the help of female attendants, , versed in the lore of all duties, revived the insensible by sprinkling sandal-paste and water on her person. On being restored to consciousness, , seeing her two sons clad in mail, was seized with fear, but she could do nothing (to protect them). And beholding both the warriors with bows strung in their hands the son of Saradwat, viz., , knowing all duties and cognisant of the rules regulating duels, addressed , saying 'This Pandava, who is the youngest son of , belongeth belongs to the Kaurava race: he will engage in combat with thee you. But, O mighty-armed one, thou you too must tell us thy your lineage and the names of thy your father and mother and the royal line of which thou you art the ornament. Learning all this, will fight with thee you or not (as he will think fit). Sons of kings never fight with men of inglorious lineage.'
" continued, 'When he was thus addressed by , 's countenance became like unto to a lotus pale and torn with the pelting showers in the rainy season. said, 'O preceptor, verily truly the scriptures have it that three classes of persons can lay claim to royalty, viz., persons of the blood royal, heroes, and lastly, those that lead armies. If is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I will install as king of Anga.'
" said, 'At that very moment, seated on a golden seat, with parched paddy and with flowers and water-pots and much gold, the mighty warrior was installed king by Brahmanas versed in mantras. And the royal umbrella was held over his head, while Yak-tails waved around that redoubtable hero of graceful mien. And the cheers, having ceased, king () said unto to the Kaurava , 'O tiger among monarchs, what shall I give unto to thee you that may compare with thy your gift of a kingdom? O king, I will do all thou you biddest!' And said unto to him, 'I eagerly wish for thy your friendship.' Thus spoken to, replied, 'Be it so.' And they embraced each other in joy, and experienced great happiness.'"
(Sambhava Parva continued)
" said, 'After this, with his sheet loosely hanging down, Adhiratha entered the lists, perspiring and trembling, and supporting himself on a staff.
"Seeing him, left his bow and impelled by filial regard bowed down his head still wet with the water of inauguration. And them the charioteer, hurriedly covering his feet with the end of his sheet, addressed crowned with success as his son. And the charioteer embraced and from excess of affection bedewed his head with tears, that head still wet with the water sprinkled over it on account of the coronation as king of Anga. Seeing the charioteer, the Pandava took for a charioteer's son, and said by way of ridicule, 'O son of a charioteer, thou you dost do not deserve death in fight at the hands of . As befits thy your race take thou you anon the whip. And, O worst of mortals, surely thou you art not worthy to sway the kingdom of Anga, even as a dog doth does not deserve the butter placed before the sacrificial fire.' , thus addressed, with slightly quivering lips fetched a deep sigh, looked at the God of the day in the skies. And even as a mad elephant riseth rises from an assemblage of lotuses, the mighty rose in wrath from among his brothers, and addressed that performer of dreadful deeds, , present there, 'O , it behoveth behooves thee you not to speak such words. Might is the cardinal virtue of a Kshatriya, and even a Kshatriya of inferior birth deserveth deserves to be fought with. The lineage of heroes, like the sources of a lordly river, is ever unknown. The fire that covereth covers the whole world riseth rises from the waters. The thunder that slayeth slays the Danavas was made of a bone of (a mortal named) Dadhichi. The illustrious deity Guha, who combines in his composition the portions of all the other deities is of a lineage unknown. Some call him the offspring of ; some, of Krittika, some, of , and some of . It hath has been heard by us that persons born in the Kashatriya order have become Brahmanas. and others (born Kshatriyas) have obtained the eternal Brahma. The foremost of all wielders of weapons, hath has been born in a waterpot and of the race of Gotama hath has sprung from a clump of heath. Your own births, ye you Pandava princes, are known to me. Can a she-deer bring forth a tiger (like ), of the splendour of the Sun, and endued with every auspicious mark, and born also with a natural mail and ear-rings? This prince among men deserveth deserves the sovereignty of the world, not of Anga only, in consequence of the might of his arm and my swearing to obey him in everything. If there be anybody here to whom all that I have done unto to hath has become intolerable, let him ascend his chariot and bend his bow with the help of his feet.'
" continued, 'Then there arose a confused murmur amongst the spectators approving of 's speech. , however, went down, but prince taking 's hand led him out of the arena lighted with countless lamps. And, O king, the Pandavas also, accompanied by and and , returned to their abodes. And the people, too, came away, some naming , some , and some (as the victor of the day). And , recognising her son in by the various auspicious marks on his person and beholding him installed in the sovereignty of Anga, was from motherly affection, very pleased. And , O monarch, having obtained (in this way), banished his fears arising out of 's proficiency in arms. And the heroic , accomplished in arms, began to gratify by sweet speeches, while was impressed with the belief that there was no warrior on earth like unto to .'"