The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Adi Parva — John Shaqi
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
Sauti said, "The wise son of Gavalgana (Sanjaya) then addressed the
distressed lord of Earth while thus talking and bewailing, sighing like a
serpent and repeatedly fainting, in words of deep import.
"'Thou hast heard, O Raja, of the greatly powerful men of vast exertions,
spoken of by Vyasa and the wise Narada; men born of great royal families,
resplendent with worthy qualities, versed in the science of celestial arms,
and in glory emblems of Indra; men who having conquered the world by
justice and performed sacrifices with fit offerings (to the Brahmanas),
obtained renown in this world and at last succumbed to the sway of time.
Such were Saivya; the valiant Maharatha; Srinjaya, great amongst
conquerors; Suhotra; Rantideva, and Kakshivanta, great in glory; Valhika,
Damana, Saryati, Ajita, and Nala; Viswamitra the destroyer of foes;
Amvarisha, great in strength; Marutta, Manu, Ikshaku, Gaya, and Bharata;
Rama the son of Dasaratha; Sasavindu, and Bhagiratha; Kritavirya, the
greatly fortunate, and Janamejaya too; and Yayati of good deeds who
performed sacrifices, being assisted therein by the celestials themselves,
and by whose sacrificial altars and stakes this earth with her habited and
uninhabited regions hath been marked all over. These twenty-four Rajas
were formerly spoken of by the celestial Rishi Narada unto Saivya when
much afflicted for the loss of his children. Besides these, other Rajas
had gone before, still more powerful than they, mighty charioteers noble
in mind, and resplendent with every worthy quality. These were Puru, Kuru,
Yadu, Sura and Viswasrawa of great glory; Anuha, Yuvanaswu, Kakutstha,
Vikrami, and Raghu; Vijava, Virihorta, Anga, Bhava, Sweta, and Vripadguru;
Usinara, Sata-ratha, Kanka, Duliduha, and Druma; Dambhodbhava, Para, Vena,
Sagara, Sankriti, and Nimi; Ajeya, Parasu, Pundra, Sambhu, and holy Deva-
Vridha; Devahuya, Supratika, and Vrihad-ratha; Mahatsaha, Vinitatma,
Sukratu, and Nala, the king of the Nishadas; Satyavrata, Santabhaya,
Sumitra, and the chief Subala; Janujangha, Anaranya, Arka, Priyabhritya,
Chuchi-vrata, Balabandhu, Nirmardda, Ketusringa, and Brhidbala;
Dhrishtaketu, Brihatketu, Driptaketu, and Niramaya; Abikshit, Chapala,
Dhurta, Kritbandhu, and Dridhe-shudhi; Mahapurana-sambhavya, Pratyanga,
Paraha and Sruti. These, O chief, and other Rajas, we hear enumerated by
hundreds and by thousands, and still others by millions, princes of great
power and wisdom, quitting very abundant enjoyments met death as thy sons
have done! Their heavenly deeds, valour, and generosity, their magnanimity,
faith, truth, purity, simplicity and mercy, are published to the world in
the records of former times by sacred bards of great learning. Though
endued with every noble virtue, these have yielded up their lives. Thy
sons were malevolent, inflamed with passion, avaricious, and of very evil
disposition. Thou art versed in the Sastras, O Bharata, and art
intelligent and wise; they never sink under misfortunes whose
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