Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 09.djvu/242

218 Seeing Mándháta crowned, and Bhagirath, Daushyanti, Bhárata, with all thy line. Now therefore wash thee in this holy stream, Gunga's pure font, whereof the bright waves bless All the Three Worlds. It will so change thy flesh To likeness of th' immortal, thou shalt leave Passions and aches and tears behind thee, there.'

"And when the awful Sákra thus had said, Lo! Dharma spake—th' embodied Lord of Right:

" 'Bho! bho! I am well pleased! Hail to thee, Chief! Worthy, and wise, and firm. Thy faith is full, Thy virtue, and thy patience, and thy truth, And thy self-mastery. Thrice I put thee, king! Unto the trial. In the Dwaita wood, The day of tempting—then thou stoodest fast; Next, on thy brethren's death and Draupadí's, When, as a dog, I followed thee, and found Thy spirit constant to the meanest friend. Here was the third and sorest touchstone, son! That thou should'st hear thy brothers cry in hell, And yet abide to help them. Pritha's child, We love thee! Thou art fortunate and pure, Past trials now. Thou art approved, and they Thou lov'st have tasted hell only a space, Not meriting to suffer more than when An evil dream doth come, and Indra's beam Ends it with radiance—as this vision ends. It is appointed that all flesh see death, And therefore thou hast borne the passing pangs, Briefest for thee, and brief for those of thine— Bhíma the faithful, and the valiant twins Nakula and Sahadev, and those great hearts Kama, Arjuna, with thy princess dear, Draupadí. Come, thou best-beloved son, Blessed of all thy line; bathe in this stream— It is great Gunga, flowing through Three Worlds.'