Mahābhārata

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Hearing these words of the god of wind, Arjuna remained silent. At this, the god of wind once more addressed him saying, When the dwellers of Heaven, headed by Indra, found themselves within the mouth of the Asura Mada, at that time, Chyavana took away from them the Earth.

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

M. N. Dutt: Deprived previously of Heaven and now of the Earth also, the gods became very dispirited. Indeed, those great ones, afflicted with grief, then threw themselves unreservedly upon the Grandfather's protection.

M. N. Dutt: The Gods said O you who are adored by all creatures of the universe, the Earth has been taken away from us by Chyavana, while we have been deprived of Heaven by the Kapas, O powerful one.

M. N. Dutt: Brahman said You dwellers of Heaven, do you, with Indra, repair speedily and scck the protection of the Brahmanas. By pleasing them you will succeed in regaining both the regions as before.

M. N. Dutt: Thus instructed by the Grandfather, the deities went to the Brahmanas and begged for their protection. The Brahmanas replied, enquiring, Whom shall we subjugate? Thus asked, the celestials said to them, Do you subjugate the Kapas.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmanas then said, Bringing them down on the Earth first, we shall quickly subjugate them. After this, the Brahmanas began a rite having for its object the destruction of the Kapas. As soon as this was heard of by the Kapas, they immediately sent a messenger of theirs, named Dhani, to those Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: Dhani, coming to them as they sat on the Earth, thus communicated to them the message of the Kapas, The Kapas are like you all. Hence, what will be the results of these rites which it appears you are determined upon?

M. N. Dutt: Of all them are well conversant with the Vedas and gifted with wisdom. All of them care for sacrifices. All of them have Truth for their vow, and for these reasons all of them are considered as equal to great Rishis.

M. N. Dutt: The goddess of Prosperity sports among them, and they, in their turn, support her with respect. They They never know their wives uselessly, and they never eat the flesh of such animals as have not been killed in sacrifices.

M. N. Dutt: They pour libations in the sacrificial fire (every day) and obey the commands of their preceptors and elders. All of them are of souls under perfect restraint, and never take any food without dividing it duly among their children.

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

M. N. Dutt: They always proceed on cars and other vehicles together. They never know their wives when the latter are in mcnses. They all act in such a way as to acquire regions of happiness hercafter. Indeed, they are always righteous in their deeds.

M. N. Dutt: They never cat anything themselves, when enciente women or old men have not caten. They never indulge in play or sports of any kind in the forenoon. They never sleep during the day.

M. N. Dutt: When the Kapas have these and many other virtues and qualities, why, indeed, would you seek to subjugate them? You should abstain from the attempt. Indeed, by such abstention you would achieve what is for your good.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmanas said Oh, we shail subjugate the Kapas. In this matter, we are quite of a piece with the celestials. Hence, the Kapas deserve to be killed by us. As regards Dhanin, he should return whence he came.

M. N. Dutt: After this, Dhanin, returning to the Kapas, said to them, The Brahmans are not disposed to do you any good. Hearing this, all the Kapas took up their weapons and went towards the Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing the Kapas advancing against them with the standard of their cars upraised, the Brahmanas immediately created certain fires for the destruction of the vital airs of the Kapas.

M. N. Dutt: Having brought about the destruction of the Kapas, those eternal fires, created with the help of the Vedic Mantras, began to shine in the firmament like so many clouds.

M. N. Dutt: The gods having assembled together in battle, killed many of the Danavas. They did not know at that time that it was the Brahmanas who had encompassed their destruction.

M. N. Dutt: Then coming there, O king, the highly energetic Narada informed the deities how their enemies, the Kapas, had been really killed by the Brahmanas of mighty cnergy.

M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of Narada, the dwellers of Heaven became highly pleased. They also lauded those regenerate and illustrious allies of theirs.

M. N. Dutt: The energy and prowess of the celestials then began to increase, and adored in all the worlds, they acquired also the boon of immortality.

M. N. Dutt: After the god of wind had said these words, king Arjuna adored him duly and addressing him answered in these words. Hear, O mightyarmed king, what Arjuna said.

M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said O powerful god, always and by all means do I live for the Brahmanas. Devoted to them, I adore them always.

M. N. Dutt: Through the favour of Dattatreya I have acquired this might of mine. Through his favour I have been able to perform great feats in the world and acquire high inerit.

M. N. Dutt: Oh, I have with attention, heard the achievements, O god of wind, of the Brahmanas with all their interesting details as described by you truly.

M. N. Dutt: The god of wind said Do you protect and maintain the Brahmanas, by performing those Kshatriya duties which are yours by birth. Do you protect them even as you protect your own senses. There is danger to you from the family of Bhrigu. All that, however, will happen on a distant day.