Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/232

198 the enemy's ranks. And possessed of mighty energy and the first of all persons acquainted with all weapons, he encountered the illustrious Rama himself the son of Jamadagni of the Bhrigu race. And, O king, that Brahmana sage who on earth was known by the name of Kripa and was the embodiment of all manliness, was born of the tribe of the Rudras. And the mighty charioteer and king who on earth was known by the name of Sakuni, that crusher of foes, thou shouldst know, O king, was Dwapara himself (the third yuga.) And he who was Satyaki of sure aim and the upholder of the pride of the Visni race, that oppressor of foes was begotten of the portion of the gods called the Marutas. And that royal sage Drupada who on earth was a monarch the first among all persons bearing arms was also born of the same tribe of the celestials. And, O king, thou shouldst also know that Kritavarma, that prince among men, of deeds, unsurpassed by any one, and the foremost of all bulls among Khatrias, was born of the portion of the same celestials. And that royal sage also, Virata by name, the scorcher of the kingdoms of others, and the great oppressor of all foes, was born of the portion of the same gods. That son of Arishta who was known by the name of Hansa was born in the Kuru race and became the monarch of the Gandharvas. He who was known as born of the seed of, and gifted with long arms and great energy, a monarch besides of the prophetic eye, became blind in consequence of the fault of his mother and the wrath of the Rishi. His younger brother possessed of great strength and who was really a great being, known as Pandu, was devoted to truth and virtue and was purity's self. And, O king, thou shouldst know that he who was known on earth as Vidura, who was the first of all virtuous men, who was the god himself of justice, was the excellent and greatly fortunate son of the Rishi Atri. The evil-minded and wicked king Duryodhana, the destroyer of the fair fame of the Kurus, was born of a portion of Kali on earth. He it was who caused all creatures to be slain and the earth to be wasted; and he it was who fanned the fire of hostility that ultimately consumed all. They who had been the sons of Pulastya (the