Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/73

Rh This the tenth Parva, called Sauptika, is recited. The great Vyasa hath composed in this eighteen sections. The number of slokas also composed in this by the great reciter of sacred truths is eight hundred and seventy. In this Parva have been put together by the great Rishi the two Parvas called Sauptika and Aishika.

"After this hath been recited the highly pathetic Parva called Stri. of prophetic eye, afflicted at the death of his children, and moved by enmity towards Bhima, broke into pieces a statue of hard iron deftly placed before him by Krishna (as a substitute for Bhima). Then Vidura, removing the distressed  affection for worldly things by reasons pointing to final release, consoled that wise monarch. Then hath been described the wending of the distressed  accompanied by the ladies of his house to the field of battle of the Kauravas. Here follow the pathetic wailings of the wives of the slain heroes. Then the wrath of Gandhari and  and their loss of consciousness. Then the Kshetria ladies saw those heroes,—their unreturning sons, brothers, and fathers,—lying dead on the field. Then the pacification by Krishna of the wrath of Gandhari distressed at the death of her sons and grandsons. Then the cremation of the bodies of the deceased Rajahs with due rites by that monarch ( of great wisdom and the foremost also of all virtuous men. Then upon the presentation of water to the manes of the deceased princes having commenced, the story of Kunti's acknowledgement of Karna as her son born in secret. These have all been described by the great Rishi Vyasa in the highly pathetic eleventh Parva. Its perusal moveth every feeling heart with sorrow and even draweth tears from the eye. The number of sections composed is twenty seven. The number of slokas is seven hundred and seventy five.

"Twelfth in number cometh the Santi Parva, which increaseth the understanding and in which is related the despondency of on his having slain his fathers, brothers, sons, maternal uncles and matrimonial relations. In this Parva is described how from his bed of arrows Bhisma exposed various systems of duties worth the study of kings desirous of know-