Om. Let us honor Narayana. Let us honor Him, the most honorable Nara. Let us honor Her, the goddess called Saraswati. Jayatu Bhava!
“Vaisampayana said:
‘Then, in Vasudeva’s presence, the Danavan named Maya, upon worshipping Arjuna, said pleasant things over and over again to him with joined palms. He said: O son of Kunti, you have saved me in a profound way from Krishna and from Pavaka (Fire), something that wanted to swallow me. What can I do for you?
"So Arjuna said: O great Asura, you have done it all for my sake— this offer of yours is yet another thing done by you for my sake. Blessings to you! Go where you please. Be kind; come to my defense when needed zealously – we have been kind and utterly protective of you all this time! Maya said: O taurine man – O honorable one – you were worthy enough to say those things. O Bharata tribesman, humor me by letting me do something for you with cheer. I am a great artist – to the Danavas, I am a second Viswakarma. O adopted of Pandu, I, knowing what kind of creature I am, want to do something for you.
"But Arjuna said: O innocent one, you believe I have saved you from death’s door. But, even if that were true, I cannot allow you to do me a favor. On the other hand, O Danava, I don’t want to ruin your plans. If you want to favor someone, favor Krishna. That is how you may thank me for the services I provided you.
"O taurine Bharatan tribesman, when Maya encouraged him to think of how he wanted to be thanked, Vasudeva mused for a moment. Then Krishna, the Lord of the Universe and the holy creator of everything in existence, said to Maya: O son of Diti – O supreme artist – if you want to do righteous Yudhishthira some good, I ask that you build a palace meant for hosting meetings to your liking. Yes, build a palace that no human being can, whether he enters therein and initially examines it to the letter or not, duplicate. Make this mansion an exemplar or what gods, Asuras, and humans can do.
"When he heard those words, Maya felt exceedingly glad. He immediately thereafter built a magnificent palace for the adopted son of Pandu that resembled the divinities’ palace. Krishna and Partha (Arjuna), upon telling King Yudhishthira what had happened thus far, introduced Maya to him. Yudhishthira respectfully welcomed Maya and honored him the way he deserved. O Bharata tribesman, Maya accepted his honor and thought highly of it. O King of the Bharatas, that great son of Diti then told the adopted sons of Pandu the story of the Danava named Vrishaparva. Afterwards, the supreme artist rested for a time and set his heart on, after lots of careful planning, building a palace for the noteworthy adopted sons of Pandu. Taking Krishna and the other sons and stepsons of Pritha into consideration, the noteworthy Danava that had a great amount of power, upon performing the initial favoring rituals that have to do with foundation on an auspicious day and upon gratifying thousands of scholarly Brahmins with sweetened milk, rice, and expensive and varying gifts, squared off a plot of land measuring about two-thousand-seven-hundred eight yards on all sides. This was delightful and an exceedingly beautiful sight. He only did the things that propelled the construction of a building. As the seasons changed, he only did the things having to do with construction work that were compatible with the current season’s requirements.’"
“Vaisampayana said,
‘Janardana, one who deserved to be worshipped by anyone and everyone, had been living happily in Khandavaprastha for some time. During his time there, the sons and stepsons of Pritha always showe him respectful love and affection.
"One day, Janardana decided to leave Khandavaprastha and look for his father.The large-eyed one who the creatures of the universe had an obligation to serve greeted Yudhishthira and Pritha. Then, he serviced the feet of Kunti, his paternal aunt, with his head. Once Kesava had shown her respect, Pritha smelt his head and hugged him. Then, noteworthy Hrishikesa went before his sister, Subhadra, lovingly. His eyes filled with tears, he told her things that were excellently weighty, excellently truthful, brief, righteous, possessive of no need for a reply, and filled with goodliness. Sweet-speaking Subhadra greeted him in return, worshipped him over and over with a bent head, and told him what she wanted her relatives on her father’s side to know. Upon bidding farewell to and blessing his beautiful sister, the Vrishnian then went to Draupadi and Dhaumya. The supreme man serviced Dhaumya and, upon soothing Draupadi, got her permission to leave. Then, educated and mighty Krishna and Partha went to see his cousins. When the five half-brothers surrounded him, Krishna shone like Shakra does when amongst celestials. The one whose flag had a picture of Garuda upon it, wanting to perform the rituals that prepare oneself for an impending journey, purified himself by bathing and decorating his body with ornaments. The taurine Yadu then worshipped the gods and the Brahmins by offering them leis, chanting mantras, bowing his head more than once, and offering them excellent perfumes. Having done those things, the supremely steadfast and virtuous individual thought about departing. The Yadus’ chief moved from the inner quarters to the outer ones, rewarding the Brahmins who deserved to be worshipped with curd-filled containers, fruits, and dried grain. This made the rewarded Brahmins bless him. Upon rewarding them further with riches, Krishna circled them. Then, Krishna mounted his excellent, golden chariot that was made to move at a great clip and was decorated with a flag that had a picture of Tarkhya (Garuda) on it. The chariot was furnished with a mace, a discus, a sword, Krishna’s personal bow named Sharnga, and other weapons. Krishna hitched his horses named Saivya and Sugriva to them, and then, the one whose eyes were like lotuses set out when the day was a lunar one, excellent, and a day when there was an auspicious lunar conjunction. Yudhishthira, the King of the Kurus, mounted Krishna’s chariot out of love and asked to hold the reins in place of Daruka (Krishna’s supreme charioteer). Before being the third individual to mount Krishna’s chariot, long-armed Arjuna circled Krishna and fanned him with a white yak-tail that had a golden handle. Mighty Bhimasena, accompanied by the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), the priests, and the citizens, followed Krishna. The unfriendly-hero-slayer, Kesava, when followed by the three half-brothers, shone like a teacher does when followed by his favorite students. Govinda spoke to Arjuna, hugged him tightly, worshipped Yudhishthira and Bhima, and hugged the twins. After the first three Pandavas to be born hugged him back, the twins saluted him with respect. After he had ridden about two miles, Krishna, the unfriendly-townsman-tamer, asked Yudhishthira, O Bharatan, to get out of his chariot. Govinda, one who knew each and every duty, saluted Yudhishthira respectfully and grasped his feet thereafter. At this, Yudhishthira put Krishna on his feet and smelled his head. After doing this to Krishna (the supreme Yadavan; the one whose eyes were like lotus-petals), the righteous adopted son of Pandu, King Yudhishthira, let him leave, bidding him farewell. Madhu’s slayer told them he would return using proper words; it was difficult, but he was able to keep the Pandavas from pursuing him on foot. Krishna gladly rode towards his city, as if he were Indra moving towards Amravati. Because they had love and affection for him, the Pandavas watched Krishna intently until he was out of sight. When he was out of sight, their minds’ eyes followed him. They were, however, still dissatisfied. The taurine men who were the sons and stepsons of Pritha, their minds set on Govinda, stopped pursuing hum. They were reluctant to turn back toward their own city quickly. Krishna, riding in his chariot, soon arrived at Dwaraka with heroic Satyaki in tow. Sauri, the son of Devaki, along with his charioteer named Daruka, reached Dwaraka, traveling at a speed Garuda could match.
"Meanwhile, King Yudhishthira, one whose glory was immortal, entered his excellent capital city with his half-brothers and friends around him. The tigrine man, after sending his relatives, half-brothers, and sons away, looked to amuse himself by being with Draupadi. Kesava, having been worshipped by the main Yadavas (one of which was Ugrasena), entered his excellent city with a happy heart. He worshipped his aged father, worshipped his noteworthy mother, greeted Valadeva (his brother), and then, the one with lotus-petal-like eyes sat down. After he hugged Pradyumna, Shamva, Nishatha, Charudeshna, Gada, Anirudha and Bhanu, the elderly men let him enter Rukmini’s quarters.’”
“Vaisampayana said,
‘Then, the Danava named Maya said to Arjuna, the supremely successful warrior: If you allow it, I will leave this place but return shortly. On the north side of Mount Kailasa’s peak that is near Mount Mainaka’s range, I, whilst the Danavas were devoting themselves to performing a sacrifice on Lake Vindu’s banks, made a great pile of rough-cut things -- jewels and gems. I put my pile in Vrihaparva’s mansion (he is one who always devotes himself to Truth). If my pile is still there, O Bharatan, I will return here with it. Then, I’ll start building a delightful palace for the Pandavas’ sake; every variety of gem will decorate it; it will be world-famous. Methinks, O Kuru, that one of the Danavas’ kings put the fierce club he used to kill his enemies on the battlefield in Lake Vindu. The club is heavy, strong, possessive of a variety of golden knobs, possessive of the capability of supporting much weight, possessive of the capability of slaying any enemy, and possessive of one-hundred-thousand clubs’ strength. It suits you just as much as Gandiva does. In that same lake is a great conch-shell of Varuna’s named Devadata that can makes a loud blast. Have no doubts that I will give those things to you. Having said these things to Partha, the Asura headed northeast. On the north side of Mount Kailasa, within Mainaka’s range, is a great peak filled with gems and jewels called Hiranyasringa. Near that peak is a delightful lake named Vindu. For some time, King Bhagiratha lived on its banks because he wanted to see the goddess named Ganga. That is why that body of water is also called Bhagirathi. On the banks of the Bhagirathi, O supreme Bharatan, Indra, the noteworthy ruler of all created things, performed one hundred great sacrifices long ago. Though it broke the law and though it was for the sake of beauty alone, sacrificial posts made of gems and altars made of gold were built upon the banks. Once he had performed those one hundred sacrifices, the husband of Sachi with the one-thousand eyes was crowned by success. Fierce Mahadeva, the immortal ruler of all creatures, started living on those banks after creating each and every world. Thousands of spirits worship him with respect. Nara, Narayana, Brahma, Yama, and Sthanu perform sacrifices on those banks after one-thousand ages have passed by. Vasudeva, for the establishment of Virtue and Faith, devoted himself piously and performed sacrifices over many, many years’ time. Kesava put thousands (perhaps nearly one-hundred-thousand) of sacrificial stakes in the banks, decorating them with golden garlands and golden altars that were greatly splendid. When he arrived there, O Bharata tribesman, Maya collected the club, the conch-shell, and the various crystalline things that had once belonged to King Vrishaparva. Maya, the great Asura, after visiting that place, now had the treasures the Yakshas and Rakshasas had guarded all this time on his person. Upon bringing them back with him, the Asura built a palace that had no equal. It possessed great beauty and had been made by a divinity. Made of only gems and precious stones, it was famous the three worlds over. Maya gave Bhimasena the supreme club and he gave Arjuna the supremely excellent conch whose sound made all creatures tremble out of awe. The palace Maya built them had golden columns and took up two-thousand-seven-hundred-eight yards. Exceedingly beautifully shaped, the palace looked like Agni, Surya, or Soma. Shining due to its great splendor, its brilliance even seemed to darken the bright sunbeams. Its pure, flowing shine (a mixture of divine and earthly light) made the palace look like it was aflame. Like a bank of new clouds that was plain to see in the sky, the palace seemed to soar to the heavens when it was coming into the view of any creature. Truly the palace that quick-witted Maya had built was so wide, so delightful, and so refreshing that it, built with such excellent materials, furnished with high-quality golden walls and archways, decorated with such a variety of pictures, internally and excellently luxurious and internally and excellently well-built, was far more beautiful than the Dasarhan named Sudharma’s or Brahma’s mansion. There were eight-thousand Kinkaras (Rakshasas that were fierce, large-bodied, and possessive of a great amount of strength with red, coppery eyes, arrow-shaped ears, that were excellently prepared when it came to weapons, and that were possessive of the capability of wandering through the sky) for palace-guards. Maya put a pool that had no rival inside the palace – lotuses with dark-colored gems for leaves and stalks made of bright-colored jewels and other flowers with golden leaves were placed in it. Various species of water-birds played on its surface. There were fully-opened lotuses in the pool as well as a variety of fish, a variety of gold-colored tortoises, a mud-less bottom, and clear water. One could climb the flight of crystal stairs that led from the land to the poolside. Gentle breezes blew across its surface so delicately that the flowers topping it fluttered. The land around the pool was made up of cascading slabs of expensive marble that were inset with pearls. Though the pool was decorated with a ring of jewels and precious stones, it was so similar to land that many a king fell into it with their eyes open. Many tall trees whose species varied were planted all around the palace. Lush, provident of cooling shade and always flowering, each tree was quite charming to look upon. Artificial forests were situated here and there; each one smelt wonderful. There were many other pools that swans, greater white-fronted geese, and Brahminy ducks that frequented the palace grounds visited. The lotuses that floated on water and the lotuses that grew on land had their scents carried by the breeze -- the scent gave pleasure and contentment to the Pandavas. Maya finished the meeting-hall that was a palace in fourteen months and then told Yudhishthira that he had finished.’”
“Vaisampayana said,
‘Then, the Chief of Men – King Yudhishthira— entered the meeting-hall that was a palace after feeding ten-thousand Brahmins milk and rice mixed with ghee, honey, fruits, roots, pork, and venison. The king gratified the superior Brahmins who had come from a variety of other countries and brought sesame-seed-seasoned food that had been prepared with jibanti with them. The had also brought rice mixed with ghee, meat prepared many different ways, other kinds of food, countless types of meat fit to be sucked, countless types of beverages, new and untouched robes, new and untouched other types of clothing, and excellent floral wreaths. The king gave each of his Brahmin guests one-thousand cows. O Bharata tribesman, the gratified Brahmins could be heard saying so loudly that the noise seemed to reach Heaven: What an auspicious day this is! Once the Kurus’ king entered the meeting-hall that was a palace after worshipping the gods by way of a variety of music and offerings of various excellent and expensive perfumes, the athletes, mimes, professional boxers, bards, and panegyrists started gratifying the noteworthy son of Dharma by parading their skills. To celebrate Yudhishthira’s entry into the palace, the five half-brothers played as if they were Shakra in Heaven. Within the palace sat the Pandavas, the rishis, and the kings from a variety of countries – Asita, Devala, Satya, Sarpamali, Mahasira, Arvavasu, Sumitra, Maitreya, Sunaka, Vali, Vaka, Dalvya, Sthulasira, Krishna (the island-born one), Suka, Sumanta, Jaimini, Paila, Vyasa’s disciples (we being among them), Titiri, Yajanavalkya, Lomaharshana, Lomaharshana’s son, Apsuhomya, Dhaumya, Animandavya, Kausika, Damoshnisha, Traivali, Parnada, Varayanuka, Maunjayana, Vayubhaksha, Parasarya, Sarika, Valivaka, Silivaka, Satyapala, Kritasrama, Jatukarna, Sikhavat, Alamva, Parijataka, honorable Parvata, the great muni named Markandeya, Pavitrapani, Savarna, Bhaluki, Galava, Janghabandhu, Raibhya, Kopavega, Bhrigu, Harivabhru, Kaundinya, Vabhrumali, Sanatana, Kakshivat, Ashija, Nachiketa, Aushija, Nachiketa, Gautama, Painga, Varaha, Sunaka, the one with great abstentious merit named Sandilya, Kukura, Venujangha, Kalapa, and Katha. These were the virtuous and educated munis whose senses and souls were controlled to a t. Hundreds of others, each one being a knower of The Vedas and The Vedangas, one familiar with the ethics-based rules, one who was pure, and one whose conscience was clear, served Yudhishthira and gladdened him with sacred lectures. There were numerous, important Kshatriyas such as noteworthy and virtuous Mujaketu, Vivardhana, Sangramjit, Durmukha, powerful Ugrasena, the Lord of the World named Kakshasena, Kshemaka, invincible Kamatha, the King of Kamvoja, and mighty Kampana (one who made the Yavanas tremble at his name like the thunderbolt-wielding god makes the Asuran Kalakeyas tremble in his presence), Jatasura, King of the Madrakas, Kunti, King Pulinda of the Kiratas, the King of Anga, the King of Vanga, Pandrya, the King of Udhara, Andhaka, Sumitra, the enemy-slayer named Saivya, Sumanas, King of the Kiratas, King Chanur of the Yavanas, Devarata, Bhoja, the so-called Bhimaratha, King Srutayudha of Kalinga, King Jayasena of Magadha, Sukarman, Chekitana, the enemy-slayer named Puru, Ketumata, Vasudana, Vaideha, Kritakshana, Sudharman, Anirudha, naturally and greatly strong Srutayu, invincible Anuparaja, handsome Karmajit, Sisupala, Sisupala’s son, King of Karusha, the invincible Vrishnian youths with one’s divinity-like handsomeness not above or below another’s (Ahuka, Viprithu, Sada, Sarana, Akrura, Kritavarman, and Satyaka, the son of Sini), Bhismaka, Ankriti, powerful Dyumatsena, and the best archers (the Kaikeyas and Somakan Yajnasena). Rich Kshatriyans born with great might who had equipped themselves with weapons and many others who others called supreme served Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, at that meeting-hall, wishing to make him happy. The princes who had been born with a great amount of strength and wore deer-skins learned the science of weaponry from Arjuna and served Yudhishthira. O king, the Vrishnian princes (Pradyumna, son of Rukmini, Samva, Yuyudhana, son of Satyaki, Sudharman, Anirudha, and Saivya) who were both supreme men and ones who learned the science of weaponry from Arjuna were not the only ones – other kings, O Lord of the World, did so and served Yudhishthira. Dhananjaya’s friend, Tumvuru, the Gandharva named Chitasena, Chitasena’s ministers, many other Gandharvas and Apsaras who were well-skilled when it came to singing, playing instruments, and keeping time, and Kinnaras that knew musical measures to a t and how to move while singing divine songs with proper, charming voices also served and gladdened the adopted sons of Pandu. The rishis who sat in the assembly-hall did the same. Seated within that assembly-hall, the taurine men men who kept to their harsh vows and were devoted to truth served Yudhishthira as if they were divinities in Heaven serving Brahma.’”
“Vaisampayana said,
‘Whilst the noteworthy Pandavas were sitting with the main Gandharvas, O Bharata tribesman, the divine rishi named Narada approached the assembly. Narada, one who knew The Vedas and The Upanishads, was worshipped by the divinities that knew history, knew The Puranas, knew everything that happened during the time-cycles of long ago, knew logic, knew the truth of ethics-based science, and knew the six Angas to a t – Pronunciation, Grammar, Prosody, An Explanation of Basic Terms, The Description of Religious Rituals, and Astronomy – Narada had perfectly mastered the art of remembering contradicting verses. He had also perfectly mastered the art of applying general principles to particular cases and the art of interpreting contradictions in reference to different situations. He was eloquent, determined, wise, and possessive of a powerful memory bank. He knew the science of morality and politics; he was educated, proficient when it came to distinguishing minorities from majorities, skilled when it came to making conclusions based on evidence, and good enough to judge how righteous or wicked syllogistic statements made up of five ideas each are. He could respond to Vrihaspati over and over again during a debate, forming definitive conclusions about Faith, Prosperity, Pleasure, and Liberation that were righteously framed. He was a mahatma; he saw the parts of the cosmos that were above, below, and around him as if they were before his very eyes. He had mastered both Sankhyan and yogic systems when it came to Philosophy. He always liked to tame the divinities and the Asuras by starting arguments amongst them. He knew about the art of war and the art of making treaties. He knew how to make conclusions by judging something that wasn’t easily accessed in his mind by heart. He knew the six parts of each of the following subject matters: Treaty, Warfare, Military-Campaign, Keeping One’s Ground When Facing The Enemy, How to Ambush, and How to Work With One’s Reserves. He had supremely mastered of every branch of knowledge; he liked warfare and music. No branch of science, plan, or deed could disgust him. Yes, these were the things he could do. There were countless numbers of others things he could do. The rishi, having passed through the different worlds, entered the meeting-hall. O king, the divine rishi who had an immeasurable amount of splendor (the one who had been born with a great amount of energy) was joined by Parijata, wise Raivata, Saumya, and Sumukha. Moving at the speed the mind possesses, the rishi arrived. When he saw the Pandavas, he was filled with gladness. The Brahmin, upon his arrival, paid his respects to Yudhishthira by blessing him and wishing him victory. When the firstborn Pandava saw that the educated rishi was making ready for an arrival, he, knowing each and every duty-based law, quickly leapt to his feet, his younger half-brothers doing the same. Nearly prostrate on the ground and humble, the king cheerfully greeted the rishi and offered him a sufficient seat as proper ceremonies were performed. The king offered the rishi cows and, as per usual, the Arghya (which contained honey and other things).
"Once the rishi had finished, Yudhishthira asked: How, O rishi, are The Vedas, riches, a wife, and a knowledge of the books of law rewarding?
"Narada, the great ascetic, having spoken thusly to Yudhishthira, spoke again to the righteous ruler: Do your government officials, O king, the ones who are paid from the taxes the locals pay, take only their rightful dues from the merchants who come to your territories from faraway lands because the desire to prosper drove them there? Are your merchants, O king, the ones whose treatment has to do with consideration for your capital city and kingdom, capable of bringing their goods to them without being tricked by the wicked buyers’ and government officials’ plans? Do you always, O king, listen to the elders’ words that are filled to the brim with religious and prosperity-based orders? Such men know the treaties on economy. Are gifts of honey and ghee offered to the Brahmins for the sake of crops, cows, fruit, flowers, and virtue? Do you always give, O king, to every artisan and artist you have hired? They must take a break from production -- four month’s time is the most you should let them work without pause. Four months is also the most time you should wait before paying them. Look at what your employees create; praise the things they have created in the presence of goodly men. Show them sufficient respect and then reward them. O taurine Bharata tribesman, do you agree with anything wise men say? What about what is said when it comes to elephants, horses, and chariots? O taurine Bharata tribesman, do you study the verses that speak of the science of weaponry and the sayings that have to do with using engines on the battlefield (things that are quite useful for towns and empowered places) in court? O innocent one, do you know about the mystical summons? Do you know the mysteries of poison whose knowledge helps one destroy any enemy? I hope those who are a part of your kingdom have no fear of fire, snakes, predators, disease or Rakshasas. You, one who knows each and every duty, should cherish the blind, mute, lame, maimed, friendless and homeless ascetics like a father. O king, have you put aside the six evils -- sleep, laziness, fear, anger, weakness of mind, and procrastination?