Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/296

282 him, and Indra was so intoxicated with the Soma juice he drank and the Brahmans with the large presents they received, that both the gods and the great Rishis began themselves to perform everything appertaining to that sacrifice of the illustrious royal sage. And thereupon Vyushitaswa began to shine above all men like the Sun appearing in double splendour after the season of frost is over. And the powerful Vyushitaswa, who was endued with the strength of ten elephants very soon performed the horse-sacrifice, overthrowing, O best of monarchs, all the kings of the East, the North, the West and the South, and exacted tributes from them all. There is a proverb, o best of the Kurus, that is sung by all reciters of the Puranas, in connection with that first of all men, the illustrious Vyushitaswa.-Having conquered the whole Earth up to the shores of the sea, Vyushitaswa protected every class of his subjects as a father does his own begotten sonsPerforming many great sacrifices he gave away much wealth to the Brahmanas. After collecting unlimited jewels and precious stones he made arrangements for performing still greater ones. And he performed also the Agnishtoma, and other special Vedic sacrifices, extracting great quantities of Soma juice. And, o king, Vyushitaswa bad for his dear wife. Vadra, the daughter of Kakshivat, unrivalled for beauty on Earth. And it hath been heard by us that the couple loved each other deeply. King Vyushitaswa was seldom separated from bis wife. Sexual excess, however, brought on an attack of phthisis and the king died within a few days, sinking like the Sun in his glory. Then Vadra, his beautiful queen, was plunged into woe, and as she was sonless, O.tiger among men, she wept in great affliction. Listen to me, O king, as I narrate to you all that Vadra said with bitter tears trickling down her cheeks virtuous one, she said, women serve no purpose when their husbands are dead! She who, liveth, after her husband is dead, drageth on a miserable existence that can hardly be called life! O bull of the Kshatriya order, death is a blessing to women without husbands. I wish to follow the way thou hast gone ! Be kind and take me with thee I In thy absence, I am unable to bear life even for a moment 1 Be kind to me, O king and take me hence pretty soon ! O tiger among men, I shall follow thee over the even and uneven ground. Thou hast gone away, O lord, never to return! I shall follow thee, O king, as thy own shadow! O tiger among men, I will obey thee (as thy slave) and will ever do what is agreeable to thee and what is for thy good 1 O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, without thee, from this day, mental agonies will overwhelm me and eat into my heart! Wretch that I am, some loving couple had doubtless been separated by me in a former