The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Virata Parva
Religion
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Virata Parva
Epic literature, Sanskrit
Sahadeva, engaged in tending kine, and sleeping at night on calf-skins,
how can I bear to live? He again who is crowned with the three
attributes of beauty, arms, and intelligence, is now the superintendent
of Virata's steeds. Behold the change brought on by time. Granthika
(Nakula), at sight of whom hostile hosts fled from the field of battle,
now traineth horses in the presence of the king, driving them with the
speed. Alas, I now see that handsome youth wait upon the gorgeously
decked and excellent Virata, the king of the Matsyas, and display horses
before him. O son of Pritha, afflicted as I am with all these hundred
kinds of misery on account of Yudhishthira, why dost thou, O chastiser
of foes, yet deem me happy? Listen now to me, O son of Kunti, as I tell
thee of other woes far surpassing these. What can be sadder to me than
miseries so various as these should emaciate me while ye are alive.'"
SECTION XX
"Draupadi said, 'Alas, on account of that desperate gambler, I am now
under Sudeshna's command, living in the palace in the guise of a
_Sairindhri_. And, O chastiser of foes, behold the plight of poignant
woe which I, a princess, am now in. I am living in expectation of the
close of this stated period.[14] The extreme of misery, therefore, is
mine. Success of purpose, victory, and defeat, as regards mortals, are
transitory. It is in this belief that I am living in expectation of the
return of prosperity to my husbands. Prosperity and adversity revolve
like a wheel. It is in this belief that I am living in expectation of
the return of prosperity to my husbands. That cause which bringeth on
victory, may bring defeat as well. I live in this hope. Why dost thou
not, O Bhimasena, regard me as one dead? I have heard that persons that
give may beg: that they who slay may be slain; and that they who
over-throw others may themselves be overthrown by foes. Nothing is
difficult for Destiny and none can over-ride Destiny. It is for this
that I am awaiting the return of favourable fortune. As a tank once
dried, is filled up once again, so hoping for a change for the better, I
await the return of prosperity. When one's business that hath been
well-provided for is seen to be frustrated, a truly wise person should
never strive for bringing back good fortune. Plunged as I am an sorrow,
asked or unasked by thee to explain the purpose of these words spoken by
me, I shall tell thee everything. Queen of the sons of Pandu and
daughter of Drupada, who else, save myself, would wish to live, having
fallen into such a plight? O represser of foes, the misery, therefore,
that hath overtaken me, hath really humiliated the entire _Kuru_ race,
the Panchalas, and the sons of Pandu. Surrounded by numerous brothers
and father-in-law and sons, what other woman having such cause for joy,
save myself, would be afflicted with such woe? Surely, I must, in my
childhood, have committed act highly offensive to _Dhatri_ through whose
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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