Page:The Mahabharata (Kishori Mohan Gangopadhyay, First Edition) Volume 17.djvu/17

Rh mountain Meru, the foremost of all high-peaked mountains. As those mighty ones were proceeding quickly, all rapt in Yoga, Yājnaseni, falling off from Yoga, dropped down on the Earth. Beholding her fallen down, Bhimasena of great strength addressed king Yudhishthira the just, saying,'O scorcher of foes, this princess never did any sinful act. Tell us what the cause is for which Krishnā has fallen down on the Earth!'

"Yudhishthira said,'She had great partiality for Dhananjaya in especial. She obtains the fruit of that conduct today, O best of men!

Vaiçampāyana continued, "Having said this, that foremost one of Bharata's race proceeded on. Of righteous soul, that foremost of men, endued with great intelligence, went on, with mind intent on itself. Then Sahdeva of great learning fell down on the Earth. Beholding him drop down, Bhima addressed the king, saying,'He who with great humility used to serve us all, alas, why is that son of Mādravati fallen down on the Earth?'

"Yudhishthira said,'He never thought anybody his equal in wisdom. It is for that fault that this prince has fallen down.

Vaiçampāyana continued,"Having said this, the king proceeded, leaving Sahdeva there. Indeed, Kunti's son Yudhishthira went on, with his brothers and with the dog. Beholding both Krishnā and the Pāndava Sahadeva fallen down, the brave Nakula, whose love for kinsmen was very great, fell down himself. Upon the falling down of the heroic Nakula of great personal beauty, Bhima once more addressed the king, saying,'This brother of ours who was endued with righteousness without incompleteness, and who always obeyed our behests, this Nakula who was unrivalled [sic] for beauty, has fallen down!' Thus addressed by Bhimasena, Yudhishthira said, with respect to Nakula, these words:'He was of righteous soul and the foremost of all persons endued with intelligence. He, however, thought that there was nobody that equalled [sic] him in beauty of person. Indeed, he regarded himself as superior to all in that respect. It is for this that