The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3: Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12
General
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3: Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12
Epic literature, Sanskrit
motions I shall course through space. Settling the kind of motion amongst
yourselves, you will have to course with me. Adopting all those different
motion, ye shall have to course with me through supportless space.' The
crow having said these words, one of the swans addressed him, 'Listen, O
son of Radha, to the words that the swan said. The swan spoke, 'Thou, O
crow, wilt doubtless fly the hundred and one different kinds of flight. I
shall, however, fly in that one kind of motion that all (other) birds
know, for I do not, O crow, know any other. As regards thee, O thou of
red eyes, fly thou in any kind of course that thou likest.' At these
words, those crows that had been assembled there laughed aloud, saying,
'How will the swan with only one kind of flight get the better of a
hundred different kinds of flight?'
"'"Then those two, viz., the swan and the crow, rose into the sky,
challenging each other. Capable of going everywhere at will, the swan
proceeded in one kind of motion, while the crow coursed in a hundred
different kinds. And the swan flew and the crow also flew, causing each
other to wonder (at his skill) and each speaking highly of his own
achievements. Beholding the diverse kinds of flight at successive
instants of time, the crows that were there were filled with great joy
and began to caw more loudly. The swans also laughed in mockery, uttering
many remarks disagreeable (to the crows). And they began to soar and
alight repeatedly, here and there. And they began to come down and rise
up from tree-tops and the surface of the earth. And they uttered diverse
cries indicative of their victory. The swan, however, with that one kind
of slow motion (with which he was familiar) began to traverse the skies.
For a moment, therefore, O sire, he seemed to yield to the crow. The
crows, at this, disregarding the swans, said these words: 'That swan
amongst you which has soared into the sky, is evidently yielding'.
Hearing these words, the (soaring) swan flew westwards with great
velocity to the ocean, that abode of Makaras. Then fear entered the heart
of the crow who became almost senseless at not seeing any island or trees
whereon to perch when tired. And the crow thought within his heart as to
where he should alight when tired, upon that vast expanse of water. The
ocean, being as it is the abode of countless creatures, is irresistible.
Dwelt in by hundreds of monsters, it is grander than space. Nothing can
exceed it in depth, O Suta's son. Men know, O Karna, that the waters of
the ocean are as limitless as space. For the extent of its waters, O
Karna, what is a crow to it? The swan, having traversed a great distance
in a moment, looked back at the crow, and (though capable) could not
leave him behind. Having transgressed the crow, the swan cast his eyes on
him and waited, thinking, 'Let the crow come up.' The crow then,
exceedingly tired, came up to the swan. Beholding him succumbing, and
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