Mahābhārata

M. N. Dutt: O king, one day assembling his pupils together, the preceptor Drona asked his Dakshina from them all, saying-

M. N. Dutt: "Seize the kind of Panchala, Drupada, in battle and bring him to me. That will be the most acceptable Dakshina to me".

M. N. Dutt: Saying “Be it so," they all ascended their chariots with their arms and marched out with Drona in order to pay the remuneration to their preceptor.

M. N. Dutt: Those best of man destroyed the Panchalas and went to the capital of the greatly powerful Drupada and attacked it. Duryodhana, Karna, greatly strong Yuyutsu, Dushasana, Vikarna, Jalasandha, Sulochana. These and many other princes of great prowess, all foremost of Kshatriyas, vied with one another to become foremost in the attack.

M. N. Dutt: The princes, riding on first class chariots and followed by cavalry, entered the hostile capital and proceeded along its streets.

M. N. Dutt: At this time the king of the Panchalas, seeing the great army and hearing its roar, soon came out of his palace with all his brothers.

M. N. Dutt: The king Yajnasena (Drupada) was well armed, but he was assailed by them (Kurus) with a shower of arrows, all uttering their war cry.

M. N. Dutt: The invincible warrior, Yajnasena, riding on his white chariot, attacked the Kurus and began to rain his fearful arrows.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampanya said : Seeing the pride of the princes, Partha (Arjuna) spoke thus to the preceptor, that excellent Brahmana Drona.

M. N. Dutt: “We shall display our power when they would finish theirs. The are not capable of killing the king of the Panchalas in the battle."

M. N. Dutt: Having said this, that sinless son of Kunti (Arjuna) with his brothers waited outside the city at a distance of a mile.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing the Kauravas, Drupada rushed forward and afflicted the Kuru army with a shower of arrows. Such was his lightness of motion on the field of battle that though he was fighting alone on a single chariot, the Kurus thought in fear that there was more then one Drupada.

M. N. Dutt: The fearful arrows of Drupada fell on all sides and thousands of conches, trumpets and drums began to be sounded by the Panchalas in their houses. O great king, a terrible roar, like that of the lion, rose from the mighty Panchalas. The great sound of the twang of their bow-strings seemed to rend the very sky.

M. N. Dutt: (Thereupon) Duryodhana, Vikarna, Subahu, Dirghalochana and Dushasana, becoming furious, began to shower arrows upon the enemy. The mighty bow-man, the son of Prishata (Drupada), invincible in battle, though pierced with arrows. Instantly began to afflict the hostile army. O descendant of the Bharata race, careering over the field of battle like a fiery wheel, he smote with his arrows Duryodhana, Vikarna, even greatly powerful Karna and many other heroic princes and various other soldiers and slaked their thirst for battle.

M. N. Dutt: Then the citizens showered upon the Kurus club, maces and other missiles, like cloud's showering rains.

M. N. Dutt: O descendant of the Bharata race, young and old, all the citizens, hearing of the battle, rushed out and assailed the Kurus. They (Kurus) broke and fled, wailing towards the Pandavas; and the Pandavas, hearing their terrible wall. Ascended their cars after duly worshipping Drona. Then Arjuna, hastily asking Yudhisthira not to engage in the fight by saying "Don't fight".

M. N. Dutt: At that time appointing the sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva) as the protectors of his chariot wheels, rushed out. And Bhima, ever in the front, ran ahead with his club in his hand.

M. N. Dutt: The sinless son of Kunti (Arjuna), thus accompanied by his brother, hearing the shouts of the enemy, advanced towards them, filling the whole region with the rattle of the wheels of his chariot.

M. N. Dutt: As a Makara enters the sea, so the mightyarmed Yama-like Bhima with his club in his hand entered the Panchala ranks and roared as fiercely as the ocean in a tempest. Ever skillful in battle, Bhima, the son of Pritha, upraising his club, attacked the soldiers riding on elephants with the powers of his arms like the great destroyer himself.

M. N. Dutt: Those huge animals like mountains, struck with Bhima's club, had their heads broken into pieces and they fill covered with blood, like cliffs loosened by thunder.

M. N. Dutt: The Pandava, the elder of Arjuna, (Bhima) felled to the ground elephants and horses and cars by thousands and killed many foot soldiers and car-warriors. As a herdsman drives the cattle with his stuff in the wood, so did Vrikodara drive before him the chariots and elephants (of the hostile force).

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Falguni (Arjuna), eager to do the favourite work of the son of Bharadvaja, (Drona), felled the son of Prishata (Drupada) from his elephant, covering him with arrows. O king, like the fire at the end of a Yuga, he felled in the battle thousands of horses, car and elephants.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon all the Panchalas and the Shrinjyas, being thus attacked (by Arjuna), assailed Partha with a shower of weapons of various kinds.

M. N. Dutt: They uttered from their mouths great shorts like the roars of lions and they desperately attacked the Pandava (Arjuna). The battle became fearful and furious to be hold. Hearing their great leonine shouts, he (Arjuna) became illed with wrath.

M. N. Dutt: Kirti (Arjuna) immediately assailed the Panchalas in the battle and covering them with a shower of arrows, he greatly confused them.

M. N. Dutt: They, that saw the son of Kunti (at that time), could not mark any interval between his fixing the arrows on the bowstring and letting them off.

M. N. Dutt: The whole place was filled with leonine shouts mixed with cheers of approval. Thereupon the king of the Panchalas, accompanied with Satyajit (his commander-in-chief). Rushed towards him with speed, as Indra did towards (the Danava) Shambara, Partha covered the Panchala king with a thick shower of arrows.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon arose a great uproar among the Panchala-host like the roar of a great lion when springing on the leader of a heard of elephants.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing Arjuna rush towards the Panchalaking for slaying him, greatly powerful Satyajit attacked him. The two heroes (Arjuna and the Panchala-king) rushed upon each other like Indra upon Virochanas; and they broke each other's ranks.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Parth “pierced Satyajit with ten keen arrows" at which feat the spectators were all amazed.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the Panchala (Satyajit) covered Partha with one hundred arrows. That great car-warrior Arjuna rubbed his bow-string in order to increase the force and velocity of his arrows. Then covering the enemy with a shower of arrows, he cut off the bow of Satyajit and rushed upon the king (Drupada).

M. N. Dutt: But Satyajit immediately took up an other bow and he soon pierced with arrows Partha, with his chariot, charioteer and horses.

M. N. Dutt: Thus being assailed, the hero Partha did not forgive the Panchala (Satyajit). In order to kill him soon, he (Arjuna) pierced with a number of arrows.

M. N. Dutt: (His enemy's) horses, flags, bow, clenched fist, charioteer and the attendant at his back. Seeing his bow repeatedly cut down. And his horses slain as often, he (Satyajit) desisted from the fight. Secing Satyajit thus desisted from the fight. The king (Drupada) attacked the Pandava (Arjuna) with great speed. Then that foremost of victorious heroes. Arjuna, fought a wonderful battle.

M. N. Dutt: Cutting off his bow and felling his flatstaff on the grounds he pierced his enemy's horses and charioteer with five arrows.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon that son of Kunti (Arjuna), throwing aside his bow and taking off his quiver, took up a scimitar and sent forth a leonine shout.

M. N. Dutt: He suddenly leaped from his chariot and fell on that of the Panchala-king. Dhananjaya (Arjuna) stood fearlessly on the chariot of the Panchala-king. He seized him (Drupada) as Garuda seized a huge snake after agitating the waters of the deep sea. Thereupon all the Panchalas ran away in all directions.

M. N. Dutt: Showing the prowess of arms to all the hosts, Dhananjaya (Arjuna), sending forth a leonine shout, came out of the Panchala ranks).

M. N. Dutt: Seeing him return (with his captive), the princes laid waste the capital of the illustrious Drupada.

M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said : This best of kings Drupada is a relative of the Kuru heroes. Therefore, O Bhima, do no: kill his soldiers. Let us only give out preceptor's remuneration.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : O king thus prevented by Arjuna, the greatly strong Bhima, though unsatiated with the battle, refrained from the act of slaughter.

M. N. Dutt: O best of the Bharata race, thus seizing Yajnasena Drupada in the battle with his ministers, they offered him to Drona.

M. N. Dutt: (Seeing the king) humiliated and deprived of wealth and brought under his complete control, Drona remembered his former hostility towards him and he thus spoke to him.

M. N. Dutt: "Your kingdom and your capital have been laid waste by me. Receiving your like at my hand, do you desire to revive our old friendship?".

M. N. Dutt: Having said this, he smiled a little and again said, "O hero, do not fear for your life. We are Brahmans that are ever-forgiving.

M. N. Dutt: O beast of Kshatriyas, from that day when in your boyhood you played with me in the ĀDI PARVA hermitage, my love and affection for you have grown up.

M. N. Dutt: O king, I ask for your friendship again. O king, I grant you as a boon half of your kingdom.

M. N. Dutt: O Yajnasena, how can one be a friend of a king who is not a king? And therefore I retain half of your kingdom.

M. N. Dutt: You became the king of the territory lying on the southern side of the Bhagirathi and I become that of the northern side. O Panchala, if it please you, know me henceforth as your friend."

M. N. Dutt: Drupada said : O Brahmana, this is not (at all) wonderful to the man of noble soul and great prowess. I am pleased with you and I desire to give you everlasting pleasure.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : O descendant of Bharata, having been thus addressed, Drona released him (Drupadas); and cheerfully performing the usual offices of regard, he bestowed upon him the half of the kingdom.

M. N. Dutt: (Receiving the territory named) Makandi with many towns and cities, situated on the banks of the Ganges, Drupada lived in the best of cities, called Kampilya. After his defeat by Drona, he (Drupada) also ruled over the southern Panchala upto the banks of the Charmanavati river.

Corresponding verse not found in M. N. Dutt's version.

M. N. Dutt: He was well convinced that his could not defeat Drona by Kshatriya might alone, he being very much inferior to him in Brahma (spiritual) power. He therefore wandered over the world to find the rneans of obtaining a son (who could defeat Drona). (Meanwhile) Drona lived at Ahichatra.

M. N. Dutt: Which was full of towns and cities and which was bestowed upon him by Partha after defeating the hero (Drupada).

M. N. Dutt: Vaisha'mpayana said : O king, after the expiration of a year (from this), the son of Pandu, Yudhisthira, was installed as the heir-apparent. For he was noted for his firmness, fortitude, patience, benev olence, frankness and unswerving honesty of heart.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, within a very short time, the son of Kunti, Yudhisthira, overshadowed the deeds of his faiher by his good behaviour, manners and close application to business.

M. N. Dutt: The Pandava Vrikodara began to receive lessons from Sankarshana (Balarama) in sword-fight, club-fight and car-fight.

M. N. Dutt: At the end of his education (in arms), he became in strength equal to Duymutsena. He remained in harmony with his brothers, becoming great in prowess.

M. N. Dutt: Arjuna became famous for the firmness of his grasp (of weapons), for his lightness of motion, his precision of aim and his proficiency in Kshura, Naracha, Bhalla, Vipatha and other straight, crooked and heavy weapons. And Drona said that there was none in the world who was equal to Bibhatsa (Arjuna) in lightness of hand and in general proficiency. Thereupon (one day) Drona thus spoke to Gudakesha (Arjuna) before the assembly of Kauravas.

M. N. Dutt: In the time of yore Agastya had a disciple in the science of arms. Who was known as Agnivesha. He was my preceptor and I was his disciple. O descendant of Bharata, I obtained from him by asceticism a weapon, known by the name of Brahmashira, which can never be futile and which is like thunder itself and capable of consuming the whole earth. That weapon from what I have done may now descend from disciple to disciple. Giving it to me, my preceptor said, “O son of Bharadvaja, do not hurl this weapon against any human being and against one who possess but little energy." O hero, (Arjuna), you have obtained that celestial weapon (from me); none else deserves it. But O Vishampata, obey the command of that best of Rishis (Agnivesha). Now give your preceptor's Dakshina before all your relatives and cousins.

M. N. Dutt: Falguni (Arjuna) promised to the preceptor "To give (the Dakshina)." Drona said, O sinless one, you must fight with me when I fight with you.'

M. N. Dutt: That best of Kurus promised this also to Drona. Touching his feet, he went away northwards.

M. N. Dutt: There arose a great shout covering the whole earth, bounded by the belt of sea. “There was no bowman in the whole world equal to Arjuna.”

M. N. Dutt: Pandava Dhananjaya became proficient in club-fight, sword-fight, car-fight and bowfight.

M. N. Dutt: Sahadeva, obtaining the whole science of morality and duties from the lord of all science Drona, remained obedient to his brothers. Nakula, the favourite of his brothers, taught by Drona, became known ass a skilful warrior and a car-warrior.

M. N. Dutt: Arjuna and the other Pandava princes became so powerful that they killed in battle the great Sauvira who had performed a sacrifice extending for three years, (remaining) undaunted by the attacks of the Gandharvas. The Yavana king, whom the powerful Pandu could not bring under subjection, was (also brought by Arjuna under control.

M. N. Dutt: The great powerful and ever showing disregard for the Kurus. The king, named Vipula of the Sauviras was slain by the intelligent Partha. Arjuna also subjugated by means of his arrows king Sumitra of Sauvira, also known as Dattamitra, who always sought for an encounter with him.

M. N. Dutt: The third of the Pandava princes, assisted by Bhima, on only one single car, subjugated all the kings of the East backed by ten thousand cars.

M. N. Dutt: In the same way Dhananjaya conquered on a single car the whole of the South; and he sent immense booty to the kingdom of the Kurus. Thus did the foremost of men, the illustrious Pandavas.Conquering the kingdoms of others, extended their own kingdom in the time of yore.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing the great prowess and strength of these mighty bow-men, King Dhritarashtra's mind became suddenly poisoned against the Pandavas. From that day that king became filled with so much anxiety that he could not sleep.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Hearing that the heroic sons of Pandu were endued with great energy and prowess, the king Dhritarashtra became very miserable with anxiety.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon summoning that best of ministers, Kanika, learned in politics and expert in counsels, Dhritarashtra said-

M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said : O best of Brahmanas, the Pandavas are daily over-shadowing the earth. I am very jealous of them. Should I have peace or war with them? O Kanika, advise me truly; I shall do your bidding.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : That best of Brahmanas feel answered him in these pointed words, well-agreeing with the import of politics.

M. N. Dutt: Kanika said: O sinless king, listen to me as I answer. O best of the Kurus, you should not be angry with me on hearing what I say.

M. N. Dutt: Kings should ever be ready with upraised scepter (to rule) and they should ever extend their prowess. Carefully avoiding all faults of theirs, they should ceaselessly watch for the faults of others.

M. N. Dutt: If the king is ever ready with his uplifted scepter, every one fears him. Therefore he should ever have recourse to his scepter (chastisement) in all he does.

M. N. Dutt: He should so act as others (his enemies) may not find any fault in him. But he should see the faults (defects) others. He should keep his resources concealed as does a tortoise his members of body. Having begun a particular act, he should ever completely accomplish it. A thorn, if not wholly extracted, produces a fostering sore.

M. N. Dutt: The killing of a harmful foe is always praiseworthy. If he be powerful, if he be a great warrior, one should watch for the hour of his disaster and then kill him without any scruple. O son, if the enemy be weak, still he should not be scorned.

M. N. Dutt: A spark of fire can consume a forest if it can spread from object to object. They (kings) should sometimes feign deafness and blindness; for if they are incapable of chastising, they should pretend not to notice the faults. They should then consider their bows as made of straw.

M. N. Dutt: But they should be as watchful as a herd of deer sleeping (in the woods). When your enemy will be in your hands, destroy him by any means, open or secret. Do not show him any mercy, though he seeks your protection.

M. N. Dutt: An old enemy should be killed even by winning him over by wealth. Thus you must be free of anxiety, for there is no fear from a dead man.

M. N. Dutt: Destroy all the three, five and seven resources of the enemy; you must destroy them (enemies) by completely uprooting them.

M. N. Dutt: Then you should destroy their allies and partisans. If the root (principal) is destroyed, they (allies) can never exist.

M. N. Dutt: If the root of the lord of the forest (tree) is uprooted, its branches and twigs can never exist as before. Carefully concealing your own weakness and watching those of your enemies.

M. N. Dutt: O king, you should rule over your kingdom, ever being very watchful.

M. N. Dutt: By maintaining the perpetual fire by sacrifices, by brown clothes, by matted locks and skin cloth. You should first gain the confidence of men (your enemies); and then you should spring upon them like a wolf.

M. N. Dutt: It is said that in earning wealth, hypocrisy is a cheap means. As a hooked staff is used to bend down a bough of a tree of pluck the ripe fruits.

M. N. Dutt: So this method should be adopted in destroying one's own enemies. Carry your enemy on your shoulder till the time comes.

M. N. Dutt: When the times come, you can throw him down and break him into pieces as a earthen vessel is broken being thrown on stones. An enemy should never be allowed to escape, even if he piteously addresses you. You ought not to show him any inercy; he must be slain at once. Enemies should be destroyed by the arts of conciliation or the expenditure of money or by producing disunion amongst his allies or by the employment of every means in your power.

M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said : Tell me in detail how can a foe be destroyed by the arts of conciliation, or the expenditure of money or by producing disunion or by the employment of force.

M. N. Dutt: Kanika said: O king, hear what happened in the days of yore. O great king, there dwelt in the forest a jackal well-acquainted with the science of politics.

M. N. Dutt: The Jackal was wise and mindful of his own interest. He lived in the company of four friends, namely a tiger, a wolf, a mouse and a mongoose. They saw in the woods a strong deer, the leader of a herd, whom however they could not seize for his fleetness and strength. Thereupon they held a consultation.

M. N. Dutt: The Jackal said : O tiger, you have made many attempts to seize this deer, but your efforts were in vain, for this deer is young, fleet and intelligent. Let the mouse go and eat into its feet when it is asleep. When his feet will be thus eaten, let the tiger go and seize it. Then we shall all eat it with a delightful heart.

M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of the jackal, they carefully did what he said. The feet of the deer being eaten up by the mouse, he was killed by the tiger.

M. N. Dutt: The Jackal said, “ Blessed be you! Go and perform your ablutions. I shall look after it (the deer)".

M. N. Dutt: Hearing what the Jackal said, they all went to a river. The Jackal waited there, deeply meditating what he should do (next).

M. N. Dutt: The greatly strong tiger came first after his bath and saw the Jackal sitting in a pensive mind.

M. N. Dutt: The Tiger said : O greatly wise one, what are you pondering over? You are the foremost of all intelligent persons. Let us enjoy ourselves (now) by feasting on this carcass.

M. N. Dutt: The Jackal said: O mighty armed one, hear what the mouse has said. (He said)" Fie on the strength of the king of beasts (tiger). The deer has been killed by me.

M. N. Dutt: He will gratify his hunger today by the might of my arms.” When he has thus boasted, I, for my part, do not wish to touch this food.

M. N. Dutt: The Tiger said: If the mouse has really said this, my sense is awakened. I shall from this day kill with the might of my own arms the beasts of the forest and feast on their flesh. Having said this he went away into the forest. At this time the mouse came there. Seeing him come, the Jackal thus spoke to him.

M. N. Dutt: The Jackal said : Blessed by you, O mouse. Listen to what the mongoose has said.

M. N. Dutt: (He said) "The flesh of this deer is poisoned (by the touch of the tiger). I shall not eat it. If you give me permission I shall eat the mouse."

M. N. Dutt: Having heard this, the mouse became alarmed and he quickly entered his hole. O king, then after his bath came there the wolf.

M. N. Dutt: On his coming, the Jackal spoke to him thus. The king of the beasts (tiger) has become angry with you. No good will come to you. He will be soon here with his wife. Do now as you please. The wolf, ever fond of animal food, fled contracting his body into the smallest dimensions, and thus was he got rid of by the jackal. At this time the mongoose came.

M. N. Dutt: O great king, the jackal thus spoke to the mongoose in the forest. I have defeated others with the might of my arms and they have already fled away. Fight with me first and then eat this flesh as you please.

M. N. Dutt: The Mongoose said : When the king of the beasts (tiger) the wolf and the intelligent mouse have all been defeated by you, heroes as they are, you seem to be a greater hero than they. I do not desire (therefore) to fight with you: Saying this he went away.

M. N. Dutt: Kanika said: When thus they all went away, the jackal was much pleased in his heart for the success of policy and he alone ate the flesh (of that deer).

M. N. Dutt: If kings act in this way, they can always be happy. Thus should the timid, by exciting their fears, the courageous by the arts of conciliation, the covetous by gift of wealth and the inferiors and the equals by the exhibition of prowess, be brought into subjugation. O king, besides what I have said, listen to something else that I say.

M. N. Dutt: If your son, friend, brother and father, or even your preceptor, become your enemy. If you desire prosperity, you should.

M. N. Dutt: Destroy him by curses, by incantations, by gift of wealth, by poison or by deception. He should never be neglected out of scorn. If both the parties be equal and success uncertain, then he who acts with diligence grows in prosperity.

M. N. Dutt: If the preceptor himself be vain, ignorant of what should be done and what should be left undone and vicious in his ways, even he should be chastised.

M. N. Dutt: If you are angry, show yourself as if you are not so, speaking then with even smiles. O descendant of Bharatas, never reprove any one with indications of anger. Speak soft words before you hit (your enemy), (speak soft words) even when you are hitting (your enemy). After hitting (your enemy), pity the victim and grieve for him and even shed tears.

M. N. Dutt: Securing confidence (of the enemy) by conciliation, by gift of wealth and by long kind behaviour. You must destroy him if he does not walk aright.

M. N. Dutt: The greatly sinful men live as if they are very virtuous. He conceals his sins, as black clouds cover the mountains.

M. N. Dutt: You should burn the house of those that should be killed by you. You should never permit beggars, atheists and thieves to live in you kingdom.

M. N. Dutt: By a sudden sally or pitched battle, by poison, by gift of wealth, or by any means, you must destroy your enemy. You can act with the greatest cruelty. You should make your teeth sharp (enough) to bite with fatal effect.

M. N. Dutt: You must destroy him so effectually that he may not again raise up his head. You should always fear even those from whom you have no fear. If you do not fear a man, by your root may be destroyed (your ruin inay come).

M. N. Dutt: You should never trust the faithless, nor should you trust too much those that are faithful. If fear (enmity) is engendered in a man whom you trust, your root may be destroyed (your total ruin may come).

M. N. Dutt: The spies should be first carefully tested of their fidelity and then they should be appointed in your cwn (kingdom) or in (the kingdom of others). The spies in the kingdoms of others should be scoundrels and persons in the garbs of ascetic.

M. N. Dutt: They should be (placed) in gardens. In place of amusements, in temples. In drinkingballs, in streets and with all the Tirthas (state officials), in place of sacrifice, near wells, on mountains, in forests. In all places where people congregate and on rivers. They should move about in these places.

M. N. Dutt: They should be humble in speech, but their hearts must be as sharp as the razors. When you are engaged in doing a very cruel and terrible act, you should talk with smiles on your lips.

M. N. Dutt: If you desire for prosperity, you must (adopt these acts narnely) fold your hands, be humble, take oath, use conciliation, worship the feet of others by lowering your head and inspire hope.

M. N. Dutt: A man of policy should be like a tree decked with flowers but bearing no fruits. If there be any fruiti, it must be inaccessible and at a great height. If ripe, they must look raw. Such a man never fades.

M. N. Dutt: Trivarga, (Dharma, Artha and Kama) has three evils knit together (with three goods). Extracting the good from it, the evil should be avoided. He who practices virtue has also two diseases, (evil to cope with).

M. N. Dutt: (Namely) the want of wealth and the neglect of pleasure. Those in pursuit of pleasure are made unhappy for the neglect of the two others. And those who pursue pleasure suffer for the want of virtue and wealth.

M. N. Dutt: Therefore you should pursue virtue, wealth and pleasure in such a way that you may not have to suffer in any way. With humiliation and attention, without jealousy and solicitations, you should in all sincerity consult with Brahmanas in accomplishing your purpose.

M. N. Dutt: When you are fallen, you should raise yourself by any means, either gentle or violent. When you have raised yourself, you should practice virtue.

M. N. Dutt: The man who has never met with any calamity can never have prosperity. This is seen in the life of one who has passed through calamities.

M. N. Dutt: He who is afflicted with sorrow should be consoled by the recitation of old history. The ignorant (should be consoled) by the hope of future prosperity and the learned by pleasing office. He who quietly responses after concluding a treaty with an enemy, considering himself crowned with success.

M. N. Dutt: Is like a person who awakes after having failen down from the top of a tree where he slept. Counsel should be kept concealed without the fear of calumny.

M. N. Dutt: And while seeing everything with the eyes of his spies, he should conceit his own thoughts before the spies of others like a fisherman who becomes rich by catching and killing fish, a king grc" vs prosperous by tearing the vitals of his enemy and by doing some violent acts.

M. N. Dutt: The strength of your enemy as represented by his force should always be completely destroyed, by ploughing it up, by moving it down or by afflicting it with disease, starvation and want of drink.

M. N. Dutt: A person in want never goes to a person in affluence. When your purpose has been fulfilled, you need not go to the man whom you have hitherto looked to for its accomplishment.

M. N. Dutt: Therefore, when you do a thing, do it completely, leaving nothing to be done. He who desires prosperity, should diligently exert to seek for allies and means in order to conduct his war.

M. N. Dutt: He should act in such a way that both friends and foes may not know his intention before the commencement of the act. Let them know it when the act has been commenced or ended.

M. N. Dutt: As long as danger does not come, so long only should you look as if you are afraid. Seeing the danger already come, you should grapple it courageously.

M. N. Dutt: The man, who trusts his enemy who is already under his control, invites his own death as a mule by her conception.

M. N. Dutt: You should consider the future acts as already arrived. Else on account of the loss of reason, you may overlook an important point (in accomplishing the act). He who desires prosperity, should always exert himself with energy and prudence.

M. N. Dutt: Adopting his measures (suited) to time and place, destiny and Dharma, Artha and Kama. It is well known that time and place produce the greatest good.

M. N. Dutt: If an enemy is despised and over looked, he may soon grow like a palm tree extending its roots, or like a spark of fire in the deep forest that may soon flame upto a great conflagration.

M. N. Dutt: As a small fire, if fed with fagots, soon becomes capable of coming all, so a man who increase his power making alliances, soon becomes capable of vanquishing even the strongest foe.

M. N. Dutt: The hope, that you give to your enemy, should be long deferred to be fulfilled. When the time comes for fulfilling it, invent some pretext to defer it still. Let the pretext appear as founded on some reason and let that reason (also) appear as founded on some other reason.

M. N. Dutt: Unpitying and sharp, concealed in their leathern cases, striking when opportunity comes, sweeping of all hair, kings should resemble razors in the mater of destroying their enemy.

M. N. Dutt: O supporter of the Kuru dignity, act with the Pandavas and others as policy dictates and (act) in such a way that you may not have to reput in futuic. I have not the least doubt that you are endued with every blessing and good fortune, O king, therefore, protect yourself frorn the sons of Pandu.

M. N. Dutt: O king, the sons of Pandu are stronger than their cousins (your sons). O chastiser of foes, I tell you plainly what you ought to do.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Having said this Kanika went away to his house and the descendant of Kuru Dhritarashtra become pensive and sad.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Thereupon after consulting with one another the son of Subala (Sakuni) king Duryodhana, Dushasana and Karna formed and evil conspiracy. They resolved with the sanction of the descendant of Kuru the king Dhritarashtra to burn to death Kunti with her sons.

M. N. Dutt: The wise and learned Vidura, capable of reading the heart (of men) by external signs, came to know from their demeanours the intention of those wicked-minded men.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, the sinless Vidura, whose soul was enlightened with true knowledge and who was ever devoted to the good of the Pandavas, resolved that Kunti should escape with her sons.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon he procured a boat with machinery and flats and which was strong enough to withstand wind and waves. He then spoke to Kunti thus.

M. N. Dutt: Vidura said: This Dhritarashtra is born to destroy the fame and offspring of your (Kuru) race. Being wicked-minded, he is going to cast off eternal virtue. O amiable lady, I have kept ready in the river a boat, capable of withstanding both wind and waves. By it escape with your sons from the net of death.

M. N. Dutt: O best of the Bharata race, having heard this, Kunti became deeply grieved. She then with her sons got into the boat and went over the Ganges.

M. N. Dutt: Then leaving the boat according to the advice of Vidura, the Pandavas entered a forest taking the wealth that was given to them.

M. N. Dutt: For some reasons a Nishada woman came to the house of lac and though (she was) innocent, she was burnt to death with her five sons.

M. N. Dutt: The worst of Mlecchas, the sinful Purochana, was also burnt to death. Thus were deceived the sons of Dhritarashtra with their counsellors.

M. N. Dutt: Thus also were the illustrious sons of Kunti with their mother saved by the advice of Vidura; but the people did not know that they were alive.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the citizens of Varanavata, seeing the house of lac burnt down, became exceedingly grieved.

M. N. Dutt: They sent messenger to the king to tell him all that had happened and they said, “Your great end has been achieved, you have burnt to death the Pandavas. O descendant of Kuru, your desire is (now) fulfilled; enjoy the kingdom with your sons." Having heard this, Dhritarashtra with his sons expressed their sorrow.

M. N. Dutt: He performed the last rites of the Pandavas with his friends and relatives, with Kshatta (Vidura) and that foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma.

M. N. Dutt: Janamejaya said : O best of the twice-born, I desire to hear in detail the account of the burning of the house of lac and the escape of the Pandavas.

M. N. Dutt: That was a cruel act of theirs, acting under the counsel of the wicked. Recite the history to me, all as it happened. I am full of great curiosity.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : O chastiser of foes, o king, listen to me, I shall describe to you the burning of the lachouse and the escape of the Pandavas.