Mahābhārata

M. N. Dutt: The celestial messenger said: O great Rishi, you are very simple, for having obtained that celestial bliss which brings great honour, you are still delebrating like an unwise person.

M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, that which is known in the world by the name of heaven exists above us. It is high, it is furnished with excellent paths and is always frequented by celestial cars.

M. N. Dutt: O sage, atheists and untruthful persons, those that have not performed asceticism and those that have not performed great sacrifices, cannot go there.

M. N. Dutt: Only virtuous souls and those of subdued minds and those that have their faculties under control and those that have controlled their senses and those that are free from malice and persons intent on the practice of charity and heroes and men bearing marks of battle, after having subdued senses and faculties and performed the most meritorious rites, attain to those regions, O Brahmana, capable of beings obtained only by virtuous acts and inhabitatedd by pious men.

M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, there are established separately myriads of beautiful, shinning and respendent worlds bestowing every object of desire owned by those celestial beings, the gods, the Sadhyas, the Vishvadevas, the great sages, the Yamas, the Dhamas and the Gandharvas and the Apsaras.

M. N. Dutt: There is that foremost of mountains, the golden Meru extending thirty-three thousand Yojanas. O Mudgala, there are also the celestial gardens. With Nandan at their head here sport the persons of meritorious acts. Neither hunger nor thirst nor heat or cold nor fear.

M. N. Dutt: Nor anything that is disgusting and inauspicious is there. Delightful fragrance is everywhere and breezes are delicious and sounds are captivating both to the ear and mind; there is no grief, no old age; nor labour nor repentance is there.

M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, the world obtained as the fruit of one's (good) acts is like this. Men go there by virtue of their meritorious acts.

M. N. Dutt: Men that live there look resplendant and O Mudgala, solely by virtue of their own acts and not through the me its of fathers or mothers.

M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, there is neither sweat nor stench, nor exeretion nor urine. There dust does not soil one's clothes.

M. N. Dutt: There excellent garments full of celestial fragrance never fade. O Brahmana, there are such cars as this (one I have brought).

M. N. Dutt: O great Rishi, being free from envy and grief and fatigue and ignorance and malice, men, who have gone to heaven, live in that region in great happiness.

M. N. Dutt: O foremost of Rishis, higher and higher over such regions, there are others possessing higher celestial virtues.

M. N. Dutt: Of these, the charming and effulgent region of Brahma is the highest. O Brahmana, there go the Rishis that have been purified by their meritorious acts.

M. N. Dutt: There live certain beings called Ribhus, they are the gods of the gods. Their region is highly blessed and they are adored even by the celestials.

M. N. Dutt: They shine in their own effulgence and they bestow every object of desire. They suffer no pangs arising from women. They do not possess worldly wealth and they are free from ill.

M. N. Dutt: They do not live on oblations or on ambrosia. They possess such celestial forms that they cannot be perceived by the senses.

M. N. Dutt: Those everlasting gods of the gods do not desire happiness for happiness sake, nor do they undergo any change at the change of a Kalpa.

M. N. Dutt: Old, age, death they have none; for them there is neither ecstacy, nor joy nor happiness. They have neither happiness nor misery, O Rishi, anger and aversion they have none.

M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, their supreme state is coveted even by the celestial. The great emancipation, which is very difficult to attain, can never be acquired by people subject to desire.

M. N. Dutt: The number of these gods is thirty-three. To their region go wise men after having observed excellent vows or bestowed gifts according to the ordiance.

M. N. Dutt: You have easily acquired that success by your charities, your effulgence is displayed by virtue of your asceticism. (Now) enjoy that condition which is obtained by your meritorious acts. Such, O Brahmana, is bliss of heaven containing many worlds. Thus have I described to you the blessing of the celestial, region. Now hear some of its disadvantages.

M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, in the celestial region a person, while enjoying the fruits of acts he had already performed, cannot perform any other new acts. He must enjoy the fruits of the former life till they are completely exhausted and besides he is liable to fall after he has entirely exhausted his merit, these are in my opinion the disadvantages of heaven. The fall of persons whose minds have been once steeped in happiness must be called a great draw back (of heaven).

M. N. Dutt: The discontent and regret that must follow ones stay in an inferior place after he has enjoyed more auspicious and effulgent regions must be very difficult to bear.

M. N. Dutt: The consciousness of those about to fall is stupified and it is also agitated by emotions. As the garlands of those about to fall fade away, fear possesses their hearts.

M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, these are the great draw backs that exist even in the region of Brahma. In the celestial region the virtues, of men who have performed righteous acts, are countless.

M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, this is another of the attributes of the fallen that by reason of their merits, they take birth amongst men.

M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, then they obtain high fortune and happiness. If one however cannot acquire knowledge, he takes an inferior birth. The fruits of acts performed in this world are reaped in the next. O Brahmana, this worid has been declared to be one of acts.

M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, thus have I, as asked by you, described all to you. Now, O virtuous Rishi, with your favour, we shall easily go with speed.

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said : Having heard those words, Mudgala reflected in his mind. Having reflected that foremost of Rishis thus spoke to the celestial Messenger.

M. N. Dutt: O celestial messenger, I bow to you. O sir, go back in peace. I have nothing to do with either happiness or heaven with such drawbacks.

M. N. Dutt: Men who enjoy heaven suffer great misery and extreme regret in this world. Therefore I do not desire (to go to) heaven.

M. N. Dutt: I seek that unfailing region, going where people have not to lament or to be pained or to be agitated.

M. N. Dutt: You have described to me the great draw backs of the celestial region. Now describe to me a region which is free from fault.

M. N. Dutt: The Celestial Messenger said: Above the abode of Brahma there is the supreme seat of Vishnu which is pure, eternal and effulgent. It is known by the name of Parabrahma. senses are

M. N. Dutt: O Brahmana, persons who are addicted to sensual objects or those who are subject to arrogance, coveteousness, ignorance, anger and envy, cannot go to that place.

M. N. Dutt: Those men who are free from conflicting emotions and those that have restrained their and those that given to contemplation and Yoga can go there.

M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, thus have I told you all that you asked me. O pious one, now without any further delay kindly come with me. Hearing those words that virtuous Rishi, leading unccha mode of life, assumed perfect contentment.

M. N. Dutt: Then praise and blame became equal to him. A brick,a stone and a piece of gold all became the same to him. By pure Jnana Yoga, he always became engaged in meditation.

M. N. Dutt: Having acquired power by means of knowledge. He acquired excellent understanding and obtained that supreme state of emancipation which is eternal.

M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O son of Kunti, you ought not to grieve. You have been deprived of a great kingdom, but you will region it by your asceticism.

M. N. Dutt: Misery after happiness and happiness after misery revolve by turns round a man like a wheel round its axile.

M. N. Dutt: O undeterioratingly powerful one, after the thirteenth year has passed away, you will get back the kingdom of your father and grandfather.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Having said thus to the Pandava, the severed Vyasa went back to his hermitage for performing asceticism.

M. N. Dutt: Janamejaya said : While the high-souled Pandavas were living in the forest, delighted with the pleasant conversation they held with the Rishis and engaged in distributing the food, they obtained from the sun, with various kinds of venison to Brahmanas and others that came to them for fool till the hour of Krishna's meal, how O great Rishi, did Duryodhana and the other wicked and sinful sons of Dhritarashtra, guided by the counsels of Dushasana, Karna and Sakuni, deal with them? I ask you, O reverend one, O Vaishampayana, tell me all this.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Hearing that they (the Pandavas) are living in the forest as in a city, the great king Duryodhana with Karna, Dushashana and others longed to do them harm. When those wicked men were concerting various evil designs, the virtuous and the celebrated ascetic Durvasa, wandering about at will, came to the city of the Kurus with ten thousand disciples.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing the greatly wrathful Rishi arrived. The handsome Duryodhana and his brother welcomed him with great humility, self-abuse and gentleness.

M. N. Dutt: Himself he waited upon the Rishi as a menial. The illustrious Rishi remained there for a few days.

M. N. Dutt: Janamejaya, king Duryodhana, fearing his curse, served him diligently day and right.

M. N. Dutt: Sometime saying “O ruler of men I am hungry, give me food without delay," he would go to bathe but would return after along time and say, “I shall not eat anything today, I have no appetite." So saying he would disappear.

M. N. Dutt: Sometimes suddenly coming, he would say "feed us soon.” At other times, being bent on mischief, he would awake at midnight and having ordered his food to be prepared, he would not eat it at all.

M. N. Dutt: When the Rishi found that king Duryodhana was not enraged or annoyed, he became gracious towards him. O descendant of Bharata, then the wrothful Durvasa thus spoke to him, “I am capable of giving boons."

M. N. Dutt: Durvasa said: You may ask from me whatever you desire to possess. Be blessed. I am pleased with you, you may obtain from me anything that is not opposed to religion.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said: Having heard those words of the high-souled ascetic, Duryodhana became inspired with a new life.

M. N. Dutt: It had been settled between that wicked wretch and Karna and Duhshasana as to the boon he would ask, if the Rishi be so pleased as to agree to bestow one. With great joy the king (Duryodhana) asked for the following boon, O Brahman, as you have been my guest for sometime. So you become the guest of Yudhisthira who is accomplished and who is well-behaved; he is the great king, the best and the eldest of our family, that viruous-minded one is now living in the forest surrounded by his brothers.

M. N. Dutt: Then at that time you should once go there as you have favoured me (by coming here), when that illustrious princess, that delicate lady, that excellent lady (Draupadi) after having fed the Brahmanas and regaled her husbands and also eating herself, will be comfortably seated for rest.

M. N. Dutt: He (Rishi) replied to the Duryodhana “I shall do it for your satisfaction.” Having said this, that great Brahmana went in the way he came. Duryodhana then considered that all his desires had been fulfilled.

M. N. Dutt: Holding Karna by the hand he expressed his great delight. Karna also with great joy thus spoke to the king (Duryodhana).

M. N. Dutt: Karna said: By singular good luck, you have fared well and attained to the fulfilment of your desire. By good luck your enemies have been plunged into the sea of misery which is difficult to cross. The Pandavas are now exposed to the fire of Durvasa's anger. Through their own fault they have fallen into an abyss of darkness.

M. N. Dutt: O king, thus expressing their great delight, Duryodhana and others, ever bent on mischief, cheerfully went to their respective house.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Thereupon one day, knowing that the Pandavas had been comfortably seated and Krishna was taking her rest after meal the ascetic entered the forest surrounded by ten thousand disciples.

M. N. Dutt: Beholding that guest arrive there the king Yudhishthira graceful and honest, proceeded with his brothers. Joining his hands and making him sit on an excellent seat. And adoring him duly he treated him with hospitalicy. He said, “Come back soon, O venerably sir, after performing your ablutions and reciting your prayers."

M. N. Dutt: That innocent ascetic went to bathe along with his disciples, thinking "how will he feed me and my disciples.” Those ascetics of controlled minds went into the water.

M. N. Dutt: In the interval, O king, Draupadi, the best of women ever devoted to her husband, began to think how she could provide food.

M. N. Dutt: While she was thus thinking she could not find any means. She then thought in mind of Krishna, the slayer at Kansa.

M. N. Dutt: (She said) O Krishna, O Krishna of mighty arms, O eternal, O son of Devaki.O Vasudeva, O lord of the universe, O you the killer of the difficulties of those that bow to you, O soul of the universe, O creator of the universe, O destroyer, O lord O inexhaustible. Oh the protector of the afflicted, O the saviour of kine and subjects, O the highest of the high, O the source of the mental perceptions such as faculties of knowledge and moral sense, I bow to you.

M. N. Dutt: O worshipful one, O endless giver of boons, you are the refuge of the helpless; You are the ancient Purusha, the vital breath, beyond the perception of mental faculties. Oh lord of all, the most excellent lord, I seek your refuge; O lord, O you fond of your votaries, kindly protect me.

M. N. Dutt: O you having complexion dark as the leaves of the blue lotus having eyes red as the corola of the lilly, O you clad in yellow raiment, O you adorned with the brilliant Kaustava. You are the beginning and the end of creation; the great refuge of all, you are the supreme light and essence of the universe with your face directed towards all directions.

M. N. Dutt: They call you the supreme germ and the depository of all wealth; O king of gods, being protected by you all will lose their terrors.

M. N. Dutt: You did save me before from Dushasana in the assembly; it behoves you now to save me from this difficutly.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Then thus eulogised by Krishna the lord, fond of his votaries, the god of gods, the lord of the universe, Kesava of mysterious movements, percieving Draupadi's difficulty and leaving Rukmani on the bed him, came there quickly.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon beholding him arrived there Draupadi, in great delight, bowed to him and communicated to Vasudeva the coming of the ascetic and every other thing,

M. N. Dutt: “Thereupon Krishna said to her, I am greatly stricken with hunger; soon feed me, O Krishna and afterwards I shall do all.” Hearing his words Krishna, ashamed, said, The vessel given by the sun remains full till I take my meals. O lord, I have taken my meals and there is no food.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the lotus-eyed god said to Krishna. This is not the time for joke, O Krishna; I am assailed with hunger and fatigue; soon go, fetch the vessel and show me. Having thus got persistently the vessel brought, the ornament of the Yadu race, Keshava, saw a particle of rice and vegetable sticking at a corner. Eating it up he said to her "May the lord Hari, the soul of the universe, be pleased with it and may the God who partakes at sacrifices be satiated with it."

M. N. Dutt: Then the long-armed Krishna, the destroyer of miseries said to Sahadeva, “soon bring the ascetics here and feed them."

M. N. Dutt: O foremost of kings, thereupon the mighty illustrious Sahaveda soon went to invite them to repast. The ascetic Durvasa and others, who had gone to the nearest river to cool and transparent water to bath, all having plunged into the river, were rubbing their persons. And they were all feeling their stomachs to be full. Coming out of the water they began to eye each other. Then turning their faces towards Durvasa they all said, "Having asked the king to get our meals ready we have come here to bathe. Our stomachs have been filled to the throat; how can we eat anything now, O Brahmana Rishi? The food has been uselessly prepared for us, what shall we do now?"

M. N. Dutt: Durvasa said : By uselessly making him prepare our food we have done a great wrong to that royal sage. Will not the Pandavas distroy us by looking down upon us with angry eyes? I know, the royal sage is endued with great ascetic power; O Brahmana, I am afraid of those man who are devoted to Hari's feet. All those Pandavas are high-souled, pious, heroic, learned, observant of vows and of devout panances. They always observe the rules of good conduct and are devoted to Vasudeva; if angry, they can consume us with their anger as fire does a bale of cotton. So O disciples, you all run away quickly without seeing them.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampnyana said : Being thus addressed by their ascetic preceptor, all those Bramhanas, greatly afraid of the Pandavas, fled away in all directions.

M. N. Dutt: Not beholding those best ascetics in the celestial river. Sahadeva searched them here, there and at all the landing places.

M. N. Dutt: Then learning from the other ascetics there that they had all fled away he came and communicated the news to Yudhishthira.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon all the self-controlled Pandavas, awaiting their arrival, remained in expectation for some time.

M. N. Dutt: Yudhisthira said: Coming in the dead of night the ascetics will impose on us; Oh, how can we escape from this difficulty created by destiny.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing them thus stricken with anxiety and breathing long deep sighs frequently the graceful Krishna suddenly appeared before them and said,

M. N. Dutt: Krishna said: O son of Pritha, knowing your difficulty from the highly wrathful Rishi implored by Draupadi I soon came here.

M. N. Dutt: Now you have not the least fear from the ascetic Durvasa; afraid of your ascetic powers, he has already fled away.

M. N. Dutt: Those who always abide by virtue never suffer. I now ask your permission to return home; may good always betide you.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Hearing Kashava's words the sons of Pritha along with Draupadi became easy in mind and relieved from anxiety they said, O lord, O Govinda, as persons drowning in the vast deep, reach shore by means of a boat, so have we, by your protection, overcome this great difficulty.

M. N. Dutt: Now go in peace; may good betide you. Thus commanded he repaired to his own city and the Pandavas too, O great king, O lord, long with Draupadi.

M. N. Dutt: Delightedly spent their days wandering from forest to forest. O king, I have thus, as asked by you, recounted the story.

M. N. Dutt: It was in this way the evil desires of the wicked sons of Dhritarastra about the Pandavas in the forest, were baffled.