The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,886 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,886 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3.
doubt, Vishnu, otherwise, called Janardana, protects all creatures. (For all that the Vahikas have no especial protectors among the gods).  The Magadhas are comprehenders of signs; the Koshalas comprehend from what they see; the Kurus and the Pancalas comprehend from a half-uttered speech; the Salwas cannot comprehend till the whole speech is uttered.  The Mountaineers, like the Sivis, are very stupid.  The Yavanas, O king, are omniscient; the Suras are particularly so.  The mlecchas are wedded to the creations of their own fancy.  Other peoples cannot understand.  The Vahikas resent beneficial counsels; as regards the Madrakas there are none amongst those (mentioned above.) Thou, O Shalya, art so.  Thou shouldst not reply to me.  The Madrakas are regarded on Earth as the dirt of every nation.  So the Madra woman is called the dirt of the whole female sex.  They that have for their practices the drinking of spirits, the violation of the beds of their preceptors, the destruction of the embryo by procuring miscarriage, and the robbing of other people’s wealth, there is no sin that they have not.  Fie on the Arattas and the people of the country of the five rivers.  Knowing this, be silent.  Do not seek to oppose me.  Do not let me slay Keshava and Arjuna, having slain thee first.’”

“’Shalya said, “The abandonment of the afflicted and the sale of wives and children are, O Karna, prevalent amongst the Angas whose king thou art.  Recollecting those faults of thine that Bhishma recited on the occasion of the tale of Rathas and Atirathas, drive away thy wrath.  Do not be angry.  Brahmanas may be found everywhere; Kshatriyas may be found everywhere; so also Vaishyas and Shudras, O Karna, women of chastity and excellent vows may also be found everywhere.  Everywhere men take delight in jesting with men and wounding one another.  Lustful men also may be found everywhere.  Everyone on every occasion can command skill in speaking of the faults of others.  No one, however, knows his own faults, or knowing them, feels shame.  Everywhere are kings devoted to their respective religions, and employed in chastising the wicked.  Everywhere may be found virtuous men.  It cannot be, O Karna, that all the people of a country are sinful.  There are men in many countries that surpass the very gods by their behaviour.’”

“Sanjaya continued, ’Then king Duryodhana stopped Karna and Shalya (from going on with their wordy warfare), addressing the son of Radha as a friend, and beseeching Shalya with joined hands, Karna, O sire, was quieted by thy son and forbore saying anything more.  Shalya also then faced the enemy.  Then Radha’s son, smiling, once more urged Shalya, saying, “Proceed."’”

46

“Sanjaya said, ’Beholding then that unrivalled array of the Parthas made by Dhrishtadyumna which was capable of resisting all hostile armies, Karna proceeded, uttering leonine shouts and causing his car to produce a loud rattle.  And he made the Earth to tremble with the loud din of musical instruments.  And that chastiser of foes, that hero in battle, seemed to tremble in rage.  Duly disposing his own troops in counter-array, O bull of Bharata’s race, that hero of great energy made a great slaughter of the Pandava forces like Maghavat slaughtering the Asura host.  Striking Yudhishthira then with many arrows, he placed the eldest son of Pandu to his right.’

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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.