The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,273 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,273 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1.
Nala had addressed him thus, O king, the royal son of Bhangasura came upon a Vibhitaka tree with fruits in a forest.  And seeing that tree, the king hastily said to Vahuka, ’O charioteer, do thou also behold my high proficiency in calculation.  All men do not know everything.  There is no one that is versed in every science of art.  Knowledge in its entirety is not found in any one person, O Vahuka, the leaves and fruits of this tree that are lying on the ground respectively exceed those that are on it by one hundred and one.  The two branches of the tree have fifty millions of leaves, and two thousand and ninety five fruits.  Do thou examine these two branches and all their boughs.’  Thereupon staying the car Vahuka addressed the king, saying, ’O crusher of foes, thou takest credit to thyself in a matter which is beyond my perception.  But, O monarch, I will ascertain it by the direct evidence of my senses, by cutting down the Vibhitaka.  O king, when I actually count, it will no longer be matter of speculation.  Therefore, in thy presence, O monarch, I will hew down this Vibhitaka.  I do not know whether it be not (as thou hast said).  In thy presence, O ruler of men, I will count the fruits and leaves.  Let Varshneya hold the reins of the horses for a while.’  Unto the charioteer the king replied, ‘There is no time to lose.’  But Vahuka answered with humility, ’Stay thou a short space, or, if thou art in a hurry, go then, making Varshneya thy charioteer.  The road lies direct and even.’  And at this, O son of the Kuru race, soothing Vahuka, Rituparna said, ’O Vahuka, thou art the only charioteer, there is none other in this world.  And, O thou versed in horse lore, it is through thy help that I expect to go to the Vidarbhas.  I place myself in thy hands.  It behoveth thee not to cause any obstacle.  And, O Vahuka, whatever thy wish.  I will grant it if taking me to the country of the Vidarbhas to-day, thou makest me see the sun rise.’  At this, Vahuka answered him, saying, ’After having counted (the leaves and fruits of the) Vibhitaka, I shall proceed to Vidarbha, do thou agree to my words.  Then the king reluctantly told him, ’Count.  And on counting the leaves and fruits of a portion of this branch, thou wilt be satisfied of the truth of my assertion.’  And thereupon Vahuka speedily alighted from the car, and felled that tree.  And struck with amazement upon finding the fruits, after calculation, to be what the king had said, he addressed the king, saying, ’O monarch, this thy power is wonderful.  I desire, O prince, to know the art by which thou hast ascertained all this.’  And at this king, intent upon proceeding speedily, said unto Vahuka.  ’Know that I am proficient at dice besides being versed in numbers.  And Vahuka said unto him, ’Impart unto me this knowledge and, O bull among men, take from me my knowledge of horses.’  And king Rituparna, having regard to the importance of the act that depended upon Vahuka’s good-will, and tempted also by the horse-lore (that his charioteer possessed), said, ‘So be it.’  As solicited by thee, receive this science of dice from me, and, O Vahuka, let my equine science remain with thee in trust.’  And saying this, Rituparna imparted unto Nala the science (he desired).  And Nala upon becoming acquainted with the science of dice, Kali came out of his body, incessantly vomiting from his mouth the virulent poison of Karkotaka.

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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.