The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi Parva
Religion
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi Parva
Epic literature, Sanskrit
"'And the king having entered that forest which was like unto Indra's
garden, soon forgot his hunger and thirst. And he was pleased beyond
measure. And the monarch, laying aside all signs of royalty, entered that
excellent asylum with but his minister and his priest, desirous of
beholding that Rishi who was an indestructible mass of ascetic merit. And
the king saw that the asylum was like unto the region of Brahman. Here
were bees sweetly humming and there were winged warblers of various
species pouring forth their melodies. At particular places that tiger
among men heard the chanting of Rik hymns by first-rate Brahmanas
according to the just rules of intonation. Other places again were graced
with Brahmanas acquainted with ordinances of sacrifice, of the Angas and
of the hymns of the Yajurveda. Other places again were filled with the
harmonious strains of Saman hymns sung by vow-observing Rishis. At other
places the asylum was decked with Brahmanas learned in the Atharvan Veda.
At other places again Brahmanas learned in the Atharvan Veda and those
capable of chanting the sacrificial hymns of the Saman were reciting the
Samhitas according to the just rules of voice. And at other places again,
other Brahmanas well-acquainted with the science of orthoepy were reciting
mantras of other kinds. In fact, that sacred retreat resounding with these
holy notes was like unto a second region of Brahman himself. And there
were many Brahmanas skilled in the art of making sacrificial platforms and
in the rules of Krama in sacrifices, conversant with logic and the mental
sciences, and possessing a complete knowledge of the Vedas. There were
those also who were fully acquainted with the meanings of all kinds of
expressions; those that were conversant with all special rites, those also
that were followers of Moksha-Dharma; those again that were well-skilled
in establishing propositions, rejecting superfluous causes, and drawing
right conclusions. There were those having a knowledge of the science of
words (grammar), of prosody, of Nirukta; those again that were conversant
with astrology and learned in the properties of matter and the fruits of
sacrificial rites, possessing a knowledge of causes and effects, capable
of understanding the cries of birds and monkeys, well-read in large
treatises, and skilled in various sciences. And the king, as he proceeded,
heard their voices. And the retreat resounded also with voice of men
capable of charming human hearts. And the slayer of hostile heroes also
saw around him learned Brahmanas of rigid vows engaged in Japa (the
repeated muttering of the names of gods) and Homa (burnt-offering). And
the king wondered much on beholding the beautiful carpets which those
Brahmanas offered to him respectfully. And that best of monarchs, at the
sight of the rites with which those Brahmanas worshipped the gods and the
great Rishis, thought within himself that he was in the region of Brahman.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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