“Vaishampaayana said, ‘The Pandavas, after they had taken up their
abode at Indraprastha at the command of (King) Dhritarashtra and Bhishma began to bring other kings under their rule.
All the subjects (of the kingdom)
lived most happily depending upon Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, like a soul living
happily depending upon a body blessed with auspicious marks and deeds of Dharma.
O bull in Bharata’s race (Janamejaya),
Yudhishthira paid homage to Dharma, Kaamaa, and Arthaa, in judicious
proportion, as if each were a friend dear to him as his own self. It seemed as
if the three pursuits --Dharma, Kaamaa, and Arthaa -- became personified on
earth, and among them the king (Yudhishthira) shined as a fourth. The subjects having obtained Yudhishthira as their
king, obtained in their monarch, one that was devoted to the study of the
Vedas, one that was performer of great yagnas, and one that was protector of
all good people.
“In consequence of Yudhishthira’s influence, the good fortune of all
the monarchs of the earth became stable, and their hearts became devoted to the
meditation of the Supreme Soul, and Dharma itself began to grow every way all
round. In the middle of and assisted by his four brothers, the king (Yudhishthira) looked more magnificient (than he
would have done if he were alone), like
a Mahayagna depending upon and assisted by the four Vedas. Many learned
Brahmanas with Dhananjaya (Arjuna)
at their head, each like to (Deva Guru)
Brihaspati, waited upon the monarch (Yudhishthira), like the Devas waiting upon the Lord of the creation (Lord
Brahma). From excess of affection, the
eyes and hearts of all the people equally took great delight in Yudhishthira
who was as the full moon without a stain. The people took delight in him not
only because he was their king but also from sincere affection. The king (Yudhishthira) always did what was agreeable to them. The
sweet-speeched Yudhishthira of great intelligence never uttered anything that
was improper or untrue or unbearable or disagreeable. The best of monarchs of
the Bharata race (Yudhishthira), filled
with great energy, passed his days happily for the welfare of all as his own.
His brothers also bringing by their energy other kings under their rule, passed
their days in happiness, without an enemy to disturb their peace.
“After a few days, Bibhatsu (Arjuna), addressing (Sri) Krishna,
said, ‘The summer days have set in, O (Sri) Krishna! Therefore, let us go to the banks of the Yamuna. O Madhusudana
(Sri Krishna), sporting there in the
company of friends, we will, O Janaardana (Sri Krishna), return in the evening.’ Immediately Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna) said, ‘O son of Kunti (Arjuna), this is also my wish. Let us, O Paartha (Arjuna), sport in the waters as we please, in the
company of friends.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Then, O Bharata (Janamejaya), having consulted thus with each other, Paartha
(Arjuna) and Govinda (Sri
Krishna), with Yudhishthira’s leave, set
out, surrounded by friends. Reaching a fine spot (on the banks of the
Yamuna) suitable for purposes of
pleasure, overgrown with numerous tall trees and covered with several high
mansions that made the place look like the city of Devas and within which had
been collected for (Sri) Krishna and
Partha numerous costly and well-flavoured food, drinks, other articles of
enjoyment, flower arrangements and various perfumes, the party entered without
delay the inner apartments adorned with many precious gems of pure rays.
“O Bharata (Janamejaya), entering
those apartments, everybody began to sport, according to their pleasure. The
women of the party, all of full round hips, deep breasts and beautiful eyes,
and walk unsteady with wine (Madu in Sanskrit) began to sport there at the command of (Sri) Krishna and Paartha (Arjuna).
Some among the women sported as they liked in the woods, some in the waters,
and some within the mansions, as directed by Paartha and Govinda. Draupadi and
Subhadra, intoxicated with wine (Madu in Sanskrit), began to give away to the women so sporting, their costly garments
and ornaments. Some among those women began to dance in joy, and some began to
sing; some among them began to laugh and joke, and some to drink excellent
wines. Some began to obstruct one another’s progress and some to fight with one
another, and to talk with one another in private. Those mansions and the woods,
filled with the charming music of flutes, veena, Mridangaa, became the scene of
prosperity personified.
“When such was the state of things there, Arjuna and Vaasudeva (Sri
Krishna) went to a certain charming spot
(in those forest) not far from the
place where the others were. O monarch (Janamejaya), the high-souled (Sri) Krishna,
and that subjugators of hostile cities, viz., Arjuna, going there, sat down
upon two very costly seats. Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna) and Paartha (Arjuna) amused
themselves there with conversing upon many past achievements of prowess and
other topics. To Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna) and Dhananjaya happily sitting there like the Ashwins (Ashwini
Devas) in heaven, a certain Brahmana came.
The Brahmana that came there looked like a tall Shaala tree (Botanical name
is Shorea Robusta). His complexion was
like to molten gold; his beard was bright yellow tinged with green; and the
height and the thickness of the body were in just proportion. Of matted (hair) locks and dressed in rags, he resembled
the morning Sun in brightness. Of eyes like lotus-petals and of a orange-brown colour,
he seemed to be blazing with brightnees. Looking that foremost of Brahmanas
blazing with splendour approach towards them both Arjuna and Vaasudeva (Sri
Krishna), quickly rising from their
seats, stood, waiting (for his commands).’”
No comments:
Post a Comment