Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/74

40 ledge; this Parva exposeth the duties relative to emergencies, with full indications of time and reasons. By understanding these, a person attaineth to consummate knowledge. The mysteries also of final emancipation have been expatiated upon. This is the twelfth Parva the favorite of the wise. It consists of three hundred and sections, and contains fourteen thousand seven hundred and thirty two slokas.

"Next in order is the excellent Anushashana Parva. In it is described how the king of the Kurus was reconciled to himself on hearing the exposition of duties by Bhisma, the son of Bhagirathi. This Parva treats of rules in detail and of Dharma and Artha; then the rules of charity and its merits; then the qualifications of donees, and the supreme rule regarding gifts. This Parva also describes the ceremonials of individual duty, the rules of conduct, and the matchless merit of truth. This Parva showeth the great merit of Brahmanas and kine, and unraveleth the mysteries of duties in relation to time and place. These are embodied in the excellent Parva called Anushashana of varied incidents. In this hath been described the ascension of Bhisma to Heaven. This is the thirteenth Parva which hath laid down accurately the various duties of men. The number of sections in this is one hundred and  The number of slokas is eight thousand.

"Then comes the fourteenth Parva called Aswamedhika. In this is the excellent story of Samvarta and Marutta. Then is described the discovery (by the Pandavas) of golden treasuries; and then the birth of Parikshita who was revived by Krishna after having been burnt by the (celestial) weapon (of The battles of Arjuna the son of Pandu, while following the sacrificial horse let loose, with various princes who in wrath seized it. Then is shewn the great risk of Arjuna in his encounter with  the son of Chitrangada (by Arjuna) the appointed daughter (of the chief of Manipura). Then the story of the mungoose during the performance of the horse sacrifice. This is the most wonderful Parva called Aswamedhika. The number of sections is one hundred and three. The number of slokas composed in this by Vyasa of true knowledge is three thousand three hundred and twenty.