Mahābhārata

Vaishampāyana said: Having heard Dvaipāyana's words and Dhananjaya being angry, Kounteya Yudhishthira addressed Vyasa and replied ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This kingdom of mine, nor the various enjoyments, do not please my mind today; this grief is tormenting me. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

And having heard the lamentations of women who are without heroes and without sons, I do not find peace, O Sage. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Thus addressed, Vyasa, the best of those who know yoga, replied to Yudhishthira, the very wise one, who knew Dharma and had mastered the Vedas. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

It is not to be attained by action or by thought; nor is there any giver of it to a man. By the union of circumstances, it is prescribed by the Creator; in due time ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

It cannot be attained by the study of the scriptures of the intellect; by men of special qualities at the wrong time. Even a fool sometimes attains his goal; for time makes no distinction between one ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

And in the time of dissolution it does not give fruit; art, spells, and medicines are not successful in that time. But when the time is right, they are successful or unsuccessful. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The winds blow at the proper time, the clouds rain at the proper time, the water in the lakes becomes covered with lotuses and lilies at the proper time, and the trees in the forests ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The nights are dark and bright by turns; the moon is full and then wanes. The trees do not bear flowers and fruits out of season; the rivers do not flow with unusual speed. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Birds, snakes, and animals, and the great mountains, do not become intoxicated at the wrong time. Children are not born to women at the wrong time, and the cold, heat, and ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

A child does not die, is not born, does not speak at the wrong time; Youth does not come at the wrong time, a seed does not grow at the wrong time. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The sun does not rise or set at the wrong time, nor does the moon wax or wane at the wrong time, nor does the ocean with its great waves rise or fall at the wrong time ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

M. N. Dutt: He is the best of kings whose conduct, even after his death, is praised by the denizens of the city and the country and by his counsellors and friends.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Thereat, the great Yudhishthira said to

M. N. Dutt: You think, O Partha, that there is nothing superior to wealth, and that the poor man can neither have heaven, nor happiness, nor the accomplishment of his wishes.

M. N. Dutt: This however, is not true. Many persons are scen who have become successful through Sacrifice in the shape of Vedic study. Many sages are seen who by practising penances have acquired eternal regions for themselves.

M. N. Dutt: They, O Dhananjaya who always follow the practice of the Rishis by leading the life of a Brahmacharin and who become acquainted with all duties, are regarded by the gods as Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: O Dhananjaya, you should always know those Rishis who are devoted to the study of the Vedas and those who are devoted to the pursuit of true knowledge as persons who are truly virtuous.

M. N. Dutt: O son of Pandu, all our acts should be shaped by those who are devoted to the acquisition of true knowledge. Surely it is the opinion of the Vaikhanasas, O powerful one.

M. N. Dutt: The Ajas, the Prishnis, the Sikatas, O Bharata, Arunas, and the Ketavas, have all gone to heaven by the merit of Vedic study.

M. N. Dutt: By performing those acts, O Dhananjaya, that are laid down in the Vedas, viz., battle, study of the Vedas, Sacrifices, the control of passion that is so difficult, one goes to heaven by the southern path of the Sun. I have, before this, told you that those very regions are reserved for persons who perform (Vedic) acts.

M. N. Dutt: You will see, however, that the northern path is trodden by those who are devoted to Yoga. Those eternal and bright regions to which that path leads is reserved for Yogins.

M. N. Dutt: Of these two, the northern path is spoken highly by those conversant with the Puranas. You should know that one gains heaven through contentment begets happiness.

M. N. Dutt: There is nothing superior to contentment. To the Yogin who has controlled anger and joy, contentment is the greatest success.

M. N. Dutt: Regarding it is cited the discourse of Yayati. Listening to that discourse one can withdraw all his desires like a tortoise drawing in all his limbs.

M. N. Dutt: When one entertains no fear of anything, when one is not feared by anything when one entertains no desire, when one bears no hate, then is one said to have attained to the dignity of Brahma.

M. N. Dutt: When one does not commit sin by any creature, in deed, thought, or word, one is then said to have attained to Brahma.

M. N. Dutt: When one has governed his pride and folly, and withdrawn himself from all attachments, it is then that pious man of controlled soul becomes fit for attaining to that emancipation which is brought about by the annihilation of personal existence.

M. N. Dutt: Listen now to me with rapt attention, O son of Pritha, as I say it to you. Some seek virtue; some, good conduct, and some, wealth.

M. N. Dutt: One may desire wealth. The abandonment, however, of such desire is better for himn. There are many shortcomings attached to wealth and, therefore, to those religious acts that are performed with wealth.

M. N. Dutt: We have seen it with our own eyes. You should also see this. He that desires wealth finds it very difficult to leave off that which should by all means be abandoned.

M. N. Dutt: Good deeds are very rare in those who collect riches. It is said that wealth can never be acquired without injuring others, and that, when acquired, it is attended with various troubles.

M. N. Dutt: A weak minded person, disregarding the fear of repentance, oppresses others, tempted by even a little wealth, not knowing all while of the sin Brahmanicide that he incurs by his acts.

M. N. Dutt: Acquiring wealth which is so difficult of acquisition, one burns with grief if he has to give a part of it, even if it be, to his servants,-tantamount to what he would actually feel if he is robbed by others. If, on the other hand, one does not distribute his wealth, he becomes an object of censure.

M. N. Dutt: One, however, that has no wealth, is never blamed. Forsaking all attachments, such a person can become happy in all respects by living upon what little he may get as alms. No one, however, can be happy by acquiring riches.

M. N. Dutt: Regarding it certain verses relating to Sacrifices are recited by persons well read in ancient scriptures.

M. N. Dutt: Wealth was created by the Creator for celebrating Sacrifices, and man was created by hinn for protecting that wealth and performing Sacrifices. For this, all wealth should be devoted to Sacrifices. It is not proper that it should be spent for enjoyments.

M. N. Dutt: The Creator gives wealth to mortals for the sake of Sacrifices. Know this, O Son of Kunti, foremost of all wealthy persons.

M. N. Dutt: Therefore the wise think that wealth, forsooth, is nobody's on Earth. One should celebrate Sacrifices with it and give it away with a confident heart.

M. N. Dutt: One should make gift of what he has acquired, and not waste or spend it in gratifying his desire of enjoyment. What use is there in hoarding up wealth when proper objects exist in which to spend it.

M. N. Dutt: Those foolish people who give away (wealth) to men who have neglected the duties of their order, have to live hereafter for a hundred years on ordure and dirt.

M. N. Dutt: Being unable to the discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving, men give to the undeserving and refrain from giving to the deserving. For this reason the administration of charity is difficult.

M. N. Dutt: These are the two faults with wealth even when acquired, viz., gift to an undeserving person and abstaining to give to a deserving man.

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said On account of the death of young Abhimanyu of the sons of Draupadi, of Draupadi, of Dhrishtadyumna, of Virata, of king Drupada, of Vasusena conversant with every duty, of the royal Dhrishtaketu, and of Various other kings coming from various, countries in battle, grief does not forsake my wretched self that am a destroyer of kinsmen! Indeed, I covet very much for kingdom and am an exterminator of my own race.

M. N. Dutt: He upon whose breast and limbs I used to play, alas, that Ganga's son has been killed by me in battle out of desire for sovereignty.

M. N. Dutt: When I saw that foremost of men, viz., our grandfather, assailed by Shikhandin and trembling and reeling in consequence of Partha's arrows that resembled thunder-bolts in power, when I saw his tall form cut all over with blazing arrows and himself become weak like an aged lion, my heart was greatly pained.

M. N. Dutt: When I saw that destroyer of hostile cars reel like a mountain summit and drop down on the terrace of his own car with his face turned towards the east, my senses were bewildered.

M. N. Dutt: That foremost of Kuru's race who with bow and arrow in hand had fought in dreadful battle for inany days with Rama himself of Bhrigu's race on the field purified by Kuru, that son of Ganga, that hero, who, at Varanasi, for the sake of maidens, had, on a single car, challenged to battle the assembled Kshatriyas of the world, he who had consumed by the power of his weapons that irresistible and best of kings Ugrayudha, alas, that hero has been killed in battle by me.

M. N. Dutt: Knowing full well that Shikhandin the prince of Panchala was his slayer, that hero still refrained from killing the prince with his arrow. Alas, such a magnanimous warrior was killed by Arjuna.

M. N. Dutt: O best of sages, when I saw the grandfather stretched on the Earth and bathed in blood, a violent fever afflicted my heart.

M. N. Dutt: He who had protected and brought us up when we were children alas, he was caused to be killed by my sinful self that am covetous of kingdom, that am a slayer of reverend elders, and a perfect fool, for the sake of fickle sovereignty.

M. N. Dutt: I gave a false statement of his son to our preceptor, the great bowman Drona, worshipped of all the kings.

M. N. Dutt: The recollection of that act of mine is burning all my limbs. The preceptor said to me,-Tell me truly, O king, whether my son lives still,—Expecting truth from me, the Brahmana asked me only. By silently saying the word elephant, I behaved falsely towards him.

M. N. Dutt: Sinful that I am, highly covetous of kingdom, and a destroyer of my reverend elders, I behaved even thus towards my preceptor in battle, casting off the garb of truth-for I said to him that Ashvatthama had been slain when, in sooth, an elephant of the name had been slain.

M. N. Dutt: To what regions shall I go (hereafter) having committed such a crime? I caused also my eldest brother Karna to be killed, that terrible warrior who never retreated from battle. Who is there more sinful than I?

M. N. Dutt: Through covetousness I caused young Abhimanyu that hero who resembled a lion born in the hills, to enter into the array that was protected by Drona himself.

M. N. Dutt: I am guilty of infanticide. Sinful as I am, I have not, since then, been able to look at the face of Arjuna or the lotus-eyed Krishna.

M. N. Dutt: I grieve also for Draupadi who is deprived of her five sons like the Earth shorn of her five mountains.

M. N. Dutt: I am a great sinner and a destroyer of the Earth. Not rising from this seat which I now occupy, I will emaciate my body (by starvation) and meet with death.

M. N. Dutt: Know me who am the destroyer of my preceptor as one who has sat down here observing the Praya vow. A destroyer of my family, I must do so in order that I may not be born again in any of other orders of being.

M. N. Dutt: I shall abstain from taking all food and drink, and without moving from here, O great ascetic, shall dry up my life-breaths which are sodear.

M. N. Dutt: I humbly pray you to grant me permission in this and go wherever you please. Let every one grant me permission. I shall renounce this body of mine."

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Preventing Pritha's son, who beside himself with sorrow on account of his kinsmen, gave vent to such words, Vyasa, that best of ascetics, said, first telling him,-'This cannot be.'

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said 'You should not, O king, indulge in such painful grief. I shall again say what I have once said. All this is Destiny, O powerful one.

M. N. Dutt: Forsooth, all creatures that are born show at first a union (of various ingredients and forces). Dissolution, however, overtakes them at the end. Like bubbles in water they come and go away. All things collected together are sure to be dissipated, and all things that rise must fall down. Union terininates in dissolution and life terininates in death.

M. N. Dutt: Idleness, though pleasant for the time being, ends in misery, and skilful labour, though painful in beginning, ends in happiness. Affluence, Prosperity, Modesty, Contentment, and Fame reside in labour and skill but not in idleness.

M. N. Dutt: Friends cannot confer happiness nor foes inflict misery. Likewise wisdom does not give wealth nor does wealth bring happiness.

M. N. Dutt: O son of Kunti, you have been created by your Maker to engage yourself in action. Success originates from work, You cannot, O king, avoid Work."

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Vyasa then removed the grief of the cldest of Pandu, who, filled with sorrow consequent on the destruction of his kinsmen, had resolved to throw off his life-brcaths.

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said 'Regarding this subject is cited the old story, O foremost of men, that is known by the name of Ashma's discourse, Listen to it, O Yudhishthira.

This is the inevitable course of all mortals. All men die when their time is up. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Kings kill other men, and other men kill those kings. This is the worldly convention, O king. One does not kill, nor is one killed. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Some think that the killer kills, others that he does not kill. But the rise and fall of beings is determined by their own nature. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

When wealth, wife, son, or father is lost, or when one dies, One should reflect, "Alas, what a calamity!" and practice the removal of grief. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

What is it that you grieve for, O fool? What is it that you grieve for, that is to be grieved for? See the sorrows in sorrows, and the terrors in terrors, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

And this self is not mine, nor is the whole earth mine. Seeing that it is as mine, so it is for others, he does not become deluded. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Thousands of places of sorrow, hundreds of places of joy, Enter the fool, not the wise, day after day. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Thus, these dear and hateful things, in parts, change with time in living beings, as do the sorrows and pleasures. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

There is only suffering, not happiness, therefore it is perceived. Suffering arises from the affliction of thirst, happiness arises from the affliction of suffering. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

After happiness comes sorrow, after sorrow comes happiness. One does not always get happiness, one does not always get sorrow. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

For the end of happiness is misery, and the end of misery is happiness. Therefore, he who desires eternal happiness should abandon this pair. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

That which is the cause of grief, or of torment, or of stupefaction with sorrow, or which is the root of weariness, one should abandon even a single limb of it. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Whether it is happiness or sorrow, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, One should accept what has come to pass, with an unvanquished heart. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

If you do not love your wife and children even a little, then you will know who is whose, and how and why. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Those who are the most foolish in the world, and those who have gone beyond the Buddha, they alone attain happiness, the middle one is afflicted with affliction. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Thus spoke the highly wise Yudhishthira, the conqueror of armies, the knower of the past and future, the knower of Dharma, the knower of happiness and sorrow. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He who is happy in the misery of another will never be happy. For misery is not destroyed; it is only changed into another. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Happiness and unhappiness, existence and non-existence, gain and loss, death and life, all these are but different names for the same thing. Therefore the wise man should not be elated or depressed ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Initiation, protection in sacrifice, war, they call Yoga, in the kingdom, by the policy of punishment. The giving of wealth, the sacrificial gifts, in sacrifice, right knowledge, they know ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He protects the kingdom with wisdom and policy; he is self-controlled, devoted to sacrifice, and great-souled. He moves through all the worlds in the form of Dharma; after death ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Having won battles and protected the kingdom, having drunk Soma and increased the subjects, Having upheld the rod of punishment with wisdom for the subjects, he rejoices in the world of the gods when exhausted ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Having obtained the Vedas properly, having studied the scriptures, having properly protected the kingdom, the king Having established the four castes in their own duties, with a purified soul, he rejoices in the ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The king who is bowed to by the people, even those in heaven, and by the citizens, subjects, and ministers, is the best of kings. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.