Maha-bharata Part 21

_Sankha's_ voice, _gandiva's_ accents, and the chariot's booming sound, Filled the air like distant thunder, shook the firm and solid ground!

Kuru soldiers fled in terror, or they slumbered with the dead, And the rescued lowing cattle, with their tails uplifted, fled!

V

Warrior's Guerdon

Now with joy the king Virata to his royal city came, Saw the rescued herds of cattle, saw Uttara prince of fame,

Marked the great and gallant Arjun, helmet-wearing, armour-cased, Knew Yudhishthir and his brothers now as royal princes dressed,

And he greeted good Yudhishthir, truth-beloving brave and strong, And to valiant Arjun offered Matsya's princess fair and young!

"Pardon, monarch," answered Arjun, "but I may not take as bride, Matsya's young and beauteous princess whom I love with father's pride,

She hath often met me trusting in the inner palace hall, As a daughter on a father waited on my loving call!

I have trained her _kokil_ accents, taught her maiden steps in dance, Watched her skill and varied graces all her native charms enhance!

Pure is she in thought and action, spotless as my hero boy, Grant her to my son, O monarch, as his wedded wife and joy!

Abhimanyu trained in battle, handsome youth of G.o.dlike face, Krishna's sister, fair Subhadra, bore the child of princely grace!

Worthy of thy youthful daughter, pure in heart and undefiled, Grant it, sire, my Abhimanyu wed thy young and beauteous child!"

Answered Matsya's n.o.ble monarch with a glad and grateful heart: "Words like these befit thy virtue, n.o.bly hast thou done thy part!

Be it as thou sayest, Arjun; unto Pandu's race allied, Matsya's royal line is honoured, Matsya's king is gratified!"

VI

The Wedding

Good Yudhishthir heard the tidings, and he gave his free a.s.sent, Unto distant chiefs and monarchs kindly invitations sent,

In the town of Upa-plavya, of fair Matsya's towns the best, Made their home the pious brothers to receive each royal guest.

Came unto them Kasi's monarch and his armed troopers came, And the king of fair Panchala with his sons of warlike fame,

Came the sons of fair Draupadi early trained in art of war, Other chiefs and sacrifices came from regions near and far.

Krishna decked in floral garlands with his elder brother came, And his sister fair Subhadra, Arjun's loved and longing dame,

Arjun's son brave Abhimanyu came upon his flowery car, And with elephants and chargers, troopers trained in art of war.

Vrishnis from the sea-girt Dwarka, bravo Andhakas known to fame, Bhojas from the mighty Chumbal with the righteous Krishna came,

He to gallant sons of Pandu made his presents rich and rare, Gems and gold and costly garments, slaves and damsels pa.s.sing fair.

With its quaint and festive greetings came at last the bridal day, Matsya maids were merry-hearted and the Pandav brothers gay!

Conch and cymbal, horn and trumpet spake forth music soft and sweet, In Virata's royal palace, in the peopled mart and street!

And they slay the jungle red-deer, and they spread the ample board, And prepare the cooling palm-drink, with the richest viands stored!

Mimes and actors please the people, bards recite the ancient song, Glories of heroic houses minstrels by their lays prolong!

And deep-bosomed dames of Matsya, jasmine-form and lotus-face, With their pearls and golden garlands joyously the bridal grace!

Circled by those royal ladies, though they all are bright and fair, Brightest shines the fair Draupadi with a beauty rich and rare!

Stately dames and merry maidens lead the young and soft-eyed bride, As the queens of G.o.ds encircle INDRA'S daughter in her pride!

Arjun from the Matsya monarch takes the princess pa.s.sing fair, For his son by fair Subhadra, nursed by Krishna's loving care,

With a G.o.dlike grace Yudhishthir stands by faithful Arjun's side, As a father takes a daughter, takes the young and beauteous bride,

Joins her hands to Abhimanyu's, and with cake and parched rice, On the altar brightly blazing doth the holy sacrifice.

Matsya's monarch on the bridegroom rich and costly presents pressed, Elephants he gave two hundred, steeds seven thousand of the best,

Poured libations on the altar, on the priests bestowed his gold, Offered to the sons of Pandu rich domain and wealth untold!

With a pious hand Yudhishthir, true in heart and pure in mind, Made his gifts, in gold and garments, kine and wealth of every kind,

Costly chariots, beds of splendour, robes with thread of gold belaced, Viands rich and sweet confection, drinks the richest and the best,

Lands he gave unto the Brahman, bullocks to the labouring swain, Steeds he gave unto the warrior, to the people gifts and grain,

And the city of the Matsyas, teeming with a wealth untold, Shone with festive joy and gladness and with flags and cloth of gold!

BOOK VII

UDYOGA

(The Preparation)

The term of banishment having expired, Yudhishthir demanded that the kingdom of Indra-prastha should be restored to him. The old Dhrita-rashtra and his queen and the aged and virtuous councillors advised the restoration, but, the jealous Duryodhan hated his cousins with a genuine hatred, and would not cement. All negotiations were therefore futile, and preparations were made on both sides for the most sanguinary and disastrous battle that bad ever been witnessed in Northern India.

The portions translated in this Book are from Sections i., ii. iii., xciv., cxxiv., and cxxvi. of Book v. of the original text.

I

Krishna's Speech