Maha-bharata Part 8

Measureless their fame and virtue, great their penance and their power, And in converse deep and learned Brahmans pa.s.sed the radiant hour,

And on subjects great and sacred, oft divided in their thought, Various sages in their wisdom various diverse maxims taught,

Weaker reasons seemed the stronger, faultless reasons often failed, Keen disputants like the falcon fell on views their rivals held!

Some were versed in Laws of Duty, some the Holy Vows professed, Some with gloss and varied comment still his learned rival pressed,

Bright the concourse of the Brahmans unto sacred learning given, Like the concourse of the bright stars in the glorious vault of heaven,

None of impure caste and conduct trespa.s.sed on the holy site, None of impure life and manners stained Yudhishthir's sacred rite!

_Deva-rishi_, saintly Narad, marked the sacrificial rite, Sanctifying by its l.u.s.tre good Yudhishthir's royal might,

And a ray of heavenly wisdom lit the _rishi's_ inner eye, As he saw the gathered monarchs in the concourse proud and high!

He had heard from lips celestial in the heavenly mansions bright, All these kings were G.o.d incarnate, portions of Celestial Light,

And he saw in them embodied beings of the upper sky, And in lotus-eyed Krishna saw the Highest of the High!

Saw the ancient NARAYANA, great Creation's Primal Cause, Who had sent the G.o.ds as monarchs to uphold his righteous laws,

Battle for the cause of virtue, perish in a deadly war, Then to seek their upper mansions in the radiant realms afar!

"NARAYANA, World's Preserver, sent immortal G.o.ds on earth, He himself in race of Yadu hath a.s.sumed his mortal birth,

Like the moon among the planets born in Vrishni's n.o.ble clan,-- He whom bright G.o.ds render worship,--NARAYANA, Son of Man,

Primal Cause and Self-created! when is done his purpose high, NARAYANA leads Immortals to their dwelling in the sky."

Such bright glimpses of the Secret flashed upon his inner sight, As in lofty contemplation Narad gazed upon the rite.

IV

The Arghya

Outspake Bhishma to Yudhishthir: "Monarch of this wide domain, Honour due to crowned monarchs doth our sacred law ordain,

Arghya to the wise Preceptor, to the Kinsman and to Priest, To the Friend and to the Scholar, to the King as lord of feast,

Unto these is due the _arghya_, so our holy writs have said, Therefore to these kings a.s.sembled be the highest honour paid,

n.o.ble are these crowned monarchs, radiant like the noonday sun, To the n.o.blest, first in virtue, be the foremost honour done!"

"Who is n.o.blest," quoth Yudhishthir, "in this galaxy of fame, Who of chiefs and crowned monarchs doth our foremost honour claim?"

Pond'ring spake the ancient Bhishma in his accents deep and clear: "Greatest midst the great is Krishna! chief of men without a peer!

Midst these monarchs pure in l.u.s.tre, purest-hearted and most high Like the radiant sun is Krishna midst the planets of the sky,

Sunless climes are warmed to verdure by the sun's returning ray, Windless wastes are waked to gladness when reviving breezes play,

Even so this _rajasuya_, this thy sacrificial rite, Owes its sanct.i.ty and splendour unto Krishna's holy might!"

Bhishma spake and Sahadeva served his mandate quick as thought, And the _arghya_ duly flavoured unto peerless Krishna brought,

Krishna trained in rules of virtue then the offered _arghya_ took, Darkened Sisupala's forehead and his frame in tremor shook,

To Yudhishthir and to Bhishma turns the chief his flaming eyes, To the great and honoured Krishna, Sisupala wrathful cries.

V

Sisupala's Pride

"Not to Vrishni's uncrowned hero should this reverence be paid, Midst these mighty crowned monarchs in their kingly pomp arrayed,

Ill beseems the good Yudhishthir, royal Pandu's righteous son, Homage to an uncrowned chieftain, to the lowly honour done!

Pandu's sons are yet untutored, and with knowledge yet unblessed, Knowing Bhishma blessed with wisdom hath the rules of courts transgressed,

Learned in the Laws of Duty he hath sinned from partial love, Conscious breach of rules of honour doth our deeper hatred move!

In this throng of crowned monarchs, ruling kings of righteous fame, Can this uncrowned Vrishni chieftain foremost rank and honour claim?

Doth he as a sage and elder claim the homage to him done?

Sure his father Vasudeva hath his claims before his son!

Doth he as Yudhishthir's kinsman count as foremost and the best?

Royal Drupad by alliance surely might the claim contest!

Doth he as a wise preceptor claim the highest, foremost place, When the great preceptor Drona doth his royal mansion grace?

Unto Krishna as a _rishi_ should the foremost rank be given?

Saintly Vyasa claims the honour, Vedic bard inspired by Heaven!

Unto Krishna should we render honour for his warlike fame?

Thou, O Bhishma! Death's Subduer, surely might precedence claim!

Unto Krishna for his knowledge should the n.o.ble prize we yield?

Drona's son unmatched in learning surely might contest the field!

Great Duryodhan midst the princes stands alone without a peer, Kripa priest of royal Kurus, holiest of all priests is here!

Archer Karna--braver archer none there is of mortal birth-- Karna learnt his arms from Rama, he who slew the kings of earth!

Wherefore then to unknown Krishna render we this homage free!

Saintly priest, nor wise preceptor, king nor foremost chief is he!"

VI