Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/28

14 the word "Sasti" and that Aswatthaman had to give up the jewel-like excrescence on his head, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success. When I heard that upon the embryo in the womb of Virata's daughter being wounded by Aswatthaman with a mighty weapon, Dwaipayana and Krishna pronounced curses on him, then, O Sanjaya, I had no hope of success.

'Alas! Gandhari, destitute of children, grand children, parents, brothers, and kindred, is to be pitied. Difficult is the task that hath been performed by the Pandavas : by them hath a kingdom been recovered without a rival.

'Alas! I have heard that the war hath left only ten alive: three of our side, and the Pandavas, seven, in that dreadful conflict eighteen Akshaukinis of Kshatriyas have been slain ! All around me is utter darkness, and a fit of swoon assaileth me: consciousness leaves me, O Suta, and my mind is distracted."

"Sauti said, 'Dhritarashtra, bewailing his fate in these words, was overcome with extreme anguish and for a time deprived of sense; but being revived, he addressed Sanjaya in the following words.

'After what hath come to pass, O Sanjaya, I wish to put an end to my life without delay; I do not find the least advantage in cherishing it any longer.'

"Sauti said, "The wise son of Gavalgana (Sanjaya) then addressed the distressed lord of Earth while thus talking and bewailing, sighing like a serpent and repeatedly fainting, in these words of deep import,

'Thou hast heard, O Raja, of the greatly powerful men of vast exertions, spoken of by Vyasa and the wise Narada; men born of great royal families, resplendent with worthy qualities, versed in the science of celestial arms, and in glory emblems of India ; men who having conquered the world by justice and performed sacrifices with fit offer. ings (to the Brahmanas), obtained renown in this world and at last succumbed to the sway of time. Such were Saivya ; the valiant Maharatha ; Srinjaya, great amongst conquerors; Subotra ; Rantideva, and Kakshivanta, great in glory ; Valhika, Damana, Saryati, Ajita, and Nala ; Viswamitra the destroyer of foes, Amvarisha, great in strength; Marutta, Manu, Ikshaku, Gaya, and Bharata: Rama the son of Dasaratha : Sasavindu, and Bhagiratha : Kritavirya, the greatly fortunate, and Janamejaya too; and Yayati of good deeds who performed sacrifices, being assisted therein by the celestials themselves, and by whose sacrificial altars and stakes this earth with her habited and uninhabited regions hath been marked all over. These twenty-four Rajas were formerly spoken of by the celestial Rishi Narada unto Saivya when much afflicted for the loss of his children. Besides these, other Rajas