The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,393 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,393 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2.
in battle and imperturbable (as a tower), he whose might knoweth no diminution, that commander of armies, Drona of great effulgence,—­him, O Partha, thou wishest in vain to conquer!  It is never heard that the Sumeru peak hath been crushed by the wind.  Yet even the wind will bear away Sumeru, heaven itself will fall down on the earth, the very Yugas will be altered in respect of their course, if what thou hast said unto me becometh true!  What man is there, desirous of life, be it Partha or any body else, who having approached that grinder of foes, would be able to return home with sound body?  What person is there, treading upon the earth with his feet, who, encountered by Drona and Bhishma and struck with their arrows, would escape from the battle with life?  Like a frog having its abode in a well, why art thou not able to realise the might of this vast army of the assembled monarchs, invincible, looking like the very celestial host, and protected by these lords of men, as the heavenly host by the gods themselves,—­protected that is, by the kings of the East, the West, the South and the North, by the Kamvojas, the Sakas, the Khasas, the Salwas, the Matsyas, the Kurus of the middle country, the Mlechchhas, the Pulindas, the Dravidas, the Andhras, and the Kanchis,—­this host of many nations, ready for battle, and resembling the uncrossable current of the Ganga.  O thou of little understanding, how canst thou, O fool, venture to fight with me when stationed in the midst of my elephant-host?  Thy inexhaustible quivers, thy car given thee by Agni, and thy celestial banner, O Partha, will all, O Bharata, be tested by us in battle!  Fight, O Arjuna, without bragging!  Why dost thou indulge in too much boast!  Success in battle resulteth from the method in which it is fought.  A battle is never gained by bragging.  If, O Dhananjaya, acts in this world succeeded in consequence of vauntings, all persons would then have succeeded in their objects, for who is there that is not competent to brag?  I know that thou hast Vasudeva for thy ally.  I know that thy Gandiva is full six cubits long.  I know that there is no warrior equal to thee.  Knowing all this, I retain thy kingdom yet!  A man never winneth success in consequence of the attributes of lineage.  It is the Supreme Ordainer alone who by his fiat of will maketh things (hostile) friendly subservient.  For these thirteen years, I have enjoyed sovereignty while ye were weeping.  I shall continue to rule in the same way, slaying thee with thy kinsmen.  Where was thy Gandiva then, when thou wert made slave won at stake?  Where, O Falguni, was Bhima’s might then?  Your deliverance then came neither from Bhimasena, armed with mace, nor from you armed with Gandiva, but from the faultless Krishna.  It was she, the daughter to Prishata’s house, that delivered you all, sunk in slavery, engaged in occupations worthy only of the low, and working as servitors.  I characterised you all as sesame seeds without kernel.  That
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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.