The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Sabha Parva
Religion
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Sabha Parva
Epic literature, Sanskrit
Rishis who sat in that Sabha. And seated in that Sabha, those bull
among men, of rigid vows and devoted to truth, all waited upon
Yudhishthira like the celestials in heaven waiting upon Brahma."
SECTION V
(Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva)
Vaisampayana said,--"While the illustrious Pandavas were seated in that
Sabha along with the principal Gandharvas, there came, O Bharata, unto
that assembly the celestial Rishi Narada, conversant with the Vedas and
Upanishadas, worshipped by the celestials acquainted with histories and
Puranas, well-versed in all that occurred in ancient kalpas (cycles),
conversant with Nyaya (logic) and the truth of moral science,
possessing a complete knowledge of the six Angas (viz., pronunciation,
grammar, prosody, explanation of basic terms, description of religious
rites, and astronomy). He was a perfect master in reconciling
contradictory texts and differentiating in applying general principles
to particular cases, as also in interpreting contraries by reference to
differences in situation, eloquent, resolute, intelligent, possessed of
powerful memory. He was acquainted with the science of morals and
politics, learned, proficient in distinguishing inferior things from
superior ones, skilled in drawing inference from evidence, competent to
judge of the correctness or incorrectness of syllogistic statements
consisting of five propositions. He was capable of answering
successively Vrihaspati himself while arguing, with definite
conclusions properly framed about religion, wealth, pleasure and
salvation, of great soul and beholding this whole universe, above,
below, and around, as if it were present before his eyes. He was master
of both the Sankhya and Yoga systems of philosophy, ever desirous of
humbling the celestials and Asuras by fomenting quarrels among them,
conversant with the sciences of war and treaty, proficient in drawing
conclusions by judging of things not within direct ken, as also in the
six sciences of treaty, war, military campaigns, maintenance of posts
against the enemy and stratagems by ambuscades and reserves. He was a
thorough master of every branch of learning, fond of war and music,
incapable of being repulsed by any science or any course of action, and
possessed of these and numberless other accomplishments. The Rishi,
having wandered over the different worlds, came into that Sabha. And
the celestial Rishi of immeasurable splendour, endued with great energy
was accompanied, O monarch, by Parijata and the intelligent Raivata and
Saumya and Sumukha. Possessing the speed of the mind, the Rishi came
thither and was filled with gladness upon beholding the Pandavas. The
Brahmana, on arriving there, paid homage unto Yudhishthira by uttering
blessings on him and wishing him victory. Beholding the learned Rishi
arrive, the eldest of the Pandavas, conversant with all rules of duty,
quickly stood up with his younger brothers. Bending low with humility,
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