Maha-bharata Part 22

Mirth and song and nuptial music waked the echoes of the night, Youthful bosoms throbbed with pleasure, love-lit glances sparkled bright,

But when young and white-robed USHAS ope'd the golden gates of day, To Virata's council chamber chieftains thoughtful held their way.

Stones inlaid in arch and pillar glinted in the glittering dawn, Gay festoons and graceful garlands o'er the golden cushions shone!

Matsya's king, Panchala's monarch, foremost seats of honour claim, Krishna too and Valadeva, Dwarka's chiefs of righteous fame!

By them sate the bold Satyaki from the sea-girt western sh.o.r.e, And the G.o.dlike sons of Pandu,--days of dark concealment o'er,

Youthful princes in their splendour graced Virata's royal hall, Valiant sons of valiant fathers, brave in war, august and tall!

In their gem-bespangled garments came the warriors proud and high, Till the council chamber glittered like the star-bespangled sky!

Kind the greetings, sweet the converse, soft the golden moments fly, Till intent on graver questions all on Krishna turn their eye,

Krishna with his inner vision then the state of things surveyed, And his thoughts before the monarchs thus in weighty accents laid:

"Known to all, ye mighty monarchs! May your glory ever last!

True to plighted word Yudhishthir hath his weary exile pa.s.sed,

Twelve long years with fair Draupadi in the pathless jungle strayed, And a year in menial service in Virata's palace stayed,

He hath kept his plighted promise, braved affliction, woe and shame, And he begs, a.s.sembled monarchs, ye shall now his duty name!

For he swerveth not from duty kingdom of the sky to win, Prizeth hamlet more than empire, so his course be free from sin,

Loss of realm and wealth and glory higher virtues in him prove, Thoughts of peace and not of anger still the good Yudhishthir move!

Mark again the sleepless anger and the unrelenting hate Harboured by the proud Duryodhan driven by his luckless fate,

From a child, by fire or poison, impious guile or trick of dice, He hath compa.s.sed dark destruction, by deceit and low device!

Ponder well, ye gracious monarchs, with a just and righteous mind, Help Yudhishthir with your counsel, with your grace and blessings kind,

Should the n.o.ble son of Pandu seek his right by open war, Seek the aid of righteous monarchs and of chieftains near and far?

Should he smite his ancient foemen skilled in each deceitful art, Unforgiving in their vengeance, unrelenting in their heart?

Should he rather send a message to the proud unbending foe, And Duryodhan's haughty purpose seek by messenger to know?

Should he send a n.o.ble envoy, trained in virtue, true and wise, With his greetings to Duryodhan in a meek and friendly guise?

Ask him to restore the kingdom on the sacred Jumna's sh.o.r.e?

Either king may rule his empire as in happy days of yore!"

Krishna uttered words of wisdom pregnant with his peaceful thought, For in peace and not by bloodshed still Yudhishthir's right he sought.

II

Valadeva's Speech

Krishna's elder Valadeva, stalwart chief who bore the plough, Rose and spake, the blood of Vrishnis mantled o'er his lofty brow:

"Ye have listened, pious monarchs, to my brother's gentle word, Love he bears to good Yudhishthir and to proud Hastina's lord,

For his realm by dark blue Jumna good Yudhishthir held of yore, Brave Duryodhan ruled his kingdom on the ruddy Ganga's sh.o.r.e,

And once more in love and friendship either prince may rule his share, For the lands are broad and fertile, and each realm is rich and fair!

Speed the envoy to Hastina with our love and greetings kind, Let him speak Yudhishthir's wishes, seek to know Duryodhan's mind,

Make obeisance unto Bhishma and to Drona true and bold, Unto Kripa, archer Karna, and to chieftains young and old,

To the sons of Dhrita-rashtra, rulers of the Kuru land, Righteous in their kingly duties, stout of heart and strong of hand,

To the princes and to burghers gathered in the council hall, Let him speak Yudhishthir's wishes, plead Yudhishthir's cause to all.

Speak he not in futile anger, for Duryodhan holds the power, And Yudhishthir's wrath were folly in this sad and luckless hour!

By his dearest friends dissuaded, but by rage or madness driven, He hath played and lost his empire, may his folly be forgiven!

Indra-prastha's s.p.a.cious empire now Duryodhan deems his own, By his tears and soft entreaty let Yudhishthir seek the throne,

Open war I do not counsel, humbly seek Duryodhan's grace, War will not restore the empire nor the gambler's loss replace!"

Thus with cold and cruel candour stalwart Valadeva cried, Wrathful rose the brave Satyaki, fiercely thus to him replied:

III

Satyaki's Speech

"Shame unto the halting chieftain who thus pleads Duryodhan's part, Timid counsel, Valadeva, speaks a woman's timid heart!

Oft from warlike stock ariseth weakling chief who bends the knee, As a withered fruitless sapling springeth from a fruitful tree!

From a heart so faint and craven, faint and craven words must flow, Monarchs in their pride and glory list not to such counsel low!

Could'st thou, impious Valadeva, midst these potentates of fame, On Yudhishthir pious-hearted cast this undeserved blame?

Challenged by his wily foeman and by dark misfortune crost, Trusting to their faith Yudhishthir played a righteous game and lost!

Challenge from a crowned monarch can a crowned king decline, Can a Kshatra warrior fathom fraud in sons of royal line?

Nathless he surrendered empire true to faith and plighted word, Lived for years in pathless forests Indra-prastha's mighty lord!

Past his years of weary exile, now he claims his realm of old, Claims it, not as humble suppliant, but as king and warrior bold!

Past his year of dark concealment, bold Yudhishthir claims his own, Proud Duryodhan now must render Indra-prastha's jewelled throne!