sidhellman/clean_data.txt · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 182
commands of Dhritarashtra. He, on the other hand, who behaves otherwise towards him, is my enemy. Such a man should
certainly be punished by me. On days of performing the rites ordained for the Pitris, as also in the Sraddhas performed for his
sons and all well-wishers, the high-souled Kuru king Dhritarashtra, gave away unto Brahmanas, as each deserved, as profuse
measures of wealth as he liked. King Yudhishthira the just, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the twins, desirous of doing what was
agreeable to the old king, used to execute all his orders. They always took care that the old king who was afflicted with the
slaughter of his sons and grandsons,--with, that is, grief caused by the Pandavas themselves,--might not die of his grief Indeed,
the Pandavas bore themselves towards him in such a way that that Kuru hero might not be deprived of that happiness and all
those articles of enjoyment which had been his while his sons lived. The five brothers, viz., the sons of Pandu, behaved
themselves even thus towards Dhritarashtra, living under his command. Dhritarashtra also, seeing them so humble and
obedient to his commands and acting towards him as disciples towards preceptors, adopted the affectionate behaviour of a
preceptor towards them in return. Gandhari, by performing the diverse rites of the Sraddha and making gifts unto Brahmanas of
diverse objects of enjoyment, became freed from the debt she owed to her slain children. Thus did that foremost of righteous
men, viz., king Yudhishthira the just, possessed of great intelligence, along with his brothers, worship king Dhritarashtra.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Possessed of great energy, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, viz., the old king Dhritarashtra, could
not notice any ill-will in Yudhishthira Seeing that the high-souled Pandavas were in the observance of a wise and righteous
conduct, king Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, became gratified with them. Suvala's daughter, Gandhari, casting off all
sorrow for her (slain) children, began to show great affection for the Pandavas as if they were her own children. Endued with
great energy, the Kuru king Yudhishthira, never did anything that was disagreeable to the royal son of Vichitraviryya. On the
other hand, he always behaved towards him in a highly agreeable way. Whatever acts, grave or light, were directed by king
Dhritarashtra, or the helpless Gandhari to be done, were all accomplished with reverence, O monarch, by that slayer of hostile
heroes, viz., the Pandava king. The old king became highly gratified with such conduct of Yudhishthira. Indeed, he was
grieved at the remembrance of his own wicked son. Rising every day at early dawn, he purified himself and went through his
recitations, and then blessed the Pandavas by wishing them victory in battle. Making the usual gifts unto the Brahmanas and
causing them to utter benedictions, and Pouring libations on the sacred fire, the old king prayed for long life to the Pandavas.
Indeed, the king had never derived that great happiness from his own sons which he always derived from the sons of Pandu.
King Yudhishthira at that time became as agreeable to the Brahmanas as to the Kshatriyas, and the diverse bands of Vaisyas
and Sudras of his realm. Whatever wrongs were done to him by the sons of Dhritarashtra, king Yudhishthira, forgot them all,
and reverenced his uncle. If any man did anything that was not agreeable to the son of Amvika, he became thereby an object of
hatred to the intelligent son of Kunti. Indeed, through fear of Yudhishthira, nobody could talk of the evil deeds of either
Duryodhana or Dhritarashtra. Both Gandhari and Vidura also wore well pleased with the capacity the king Ajatasatru showed
for bearing wrongs. They were, however, not so pleased, O slayer of foes, with Bhima. Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, was truly
obedient to his uncle. Bhima, however, at the sight of Dhritarashtra, became very cheerless. That slayer of foes, seeing
Dharma's son reverencing the old king, reverenced him outwardly with a very unwilling heart."'

SECTION III

"Vaisampayana said, 'The people who lived in the Kuru kingdom failed to notice any variance in the cordiality that subsisted
between king Yudhishthira and the father of Duryodhana. When the Kuru king recollected his wicked son, he then could not
but feel unfriendly, in his heart, towards Bhima. Bhimasena also, O king, impelled by a heart that seemed to be wicked, was
unable to put up with king Dhritarashtra. Vrikodara secretly did many acts that were disagreeable to the old king. Through
deceitful servitors he caused the commands of his uncle to be disobeyed. Recollecting the evil counsels of the old king and
some acts of his, Bhima, one day, in the midst of his friends, slapped his armpits, in the hearing of Dhritarashtra and of
Gandhari. The wrathful Vrikodara, recollecting his foes Duryodhana and Karna and Dussasana, gave way to a transport of
passion, and said these harsh words: 'The sons of the blind king, capable of fighting with diverse kinds of weapons, have all
been despatched by me to the other world with these arms of mine that resemble a pair of iron clubs. Verily, these are those
two arms of mine, looking like maces of iron, and invincible by foes, coming within whose clasp the sons of Dhritarashtra have
all met with destruction. These are those two well-developed and round arms of mine, resembling a pair of elephantine trunks.
Coming within their clasp, the foolish sons of Dhritarashtra have all met with destruction. Smeared with sandal-paste and
deserving of that adornment are those two arms of mine by which Duryodhana has been despatched to the other world along
with all his sons and kinsmen.' Hearing these and many other words, O king, of Vrikodara, that were veritable darts, king
Dhritarashtra gave way to cheerlessness and sorrow. Queen Gandhari, however, who was conversant with every duty and
possessed of great intelligence, and who knew what Time brings on its course, regarded them as untrue. After five and ten
years had passed away, O monarch, king Dhritarashtra afflicted (constantly) by the wordy darts of Bhima, became penetrated
with despair and grief. King Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, however, knew it not; nor Arjuna of white steeds, nor Kunti; nor
Draupadi possessed of great fame; nor the twin sons of Madri, conversant with every duty and who were always engaged in
acting after the wishes of Dhritarashtra. Employed in doing the behests of the king, the twins never said anything that was
disagreeable to the old king. Then Dhritarashtra one day honoured his friends by his confidence. Addressing 'them with tearful
eyes, He said these words.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'How the destruction of the Kurus has happened is well known to you. All that was brought about by my
fault though the Kauravas approved of all my counsels. Fool that I was, I installed the wicked minded Duryodhana, that
enhancer of the terrors of kinsmen, to rule over the Kurus. Vasudeva had said unto me, 'Let this sinful wretch of wicked
understanding be killed along with all his friends and counsellors.' I did not listen to those words of grave import. All wisemen
gave me the same beneficial advice. Vidura, and Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, said the same thing. The holy and high-
souled Vyasa repeatedly said the same, as also Sanjaya and Gandhari. Overwhelmed, however, by filial affection, I could not
follow that advice. Bitter repentance is now my lot for my neglect. I also repent for not having bestowed that blazing
prosperity, derived from sires and grand sires, on the high-souled Pandavas possessed of every accomplishment. The eldest
brother of Gada foresaw the destruction of all the kings; Janarddana, however, regarded that destruction as highly beneficial.[2]
So many Anikas of troops, belonging tome, have been destroyed. Alas, my heart is pierced with thousands of darts in
consequence of all these results. Of wicked understanding as I am, now after the lapse of five and ten years, I am seeking to
expiate my sins. Now at the fourth division of the day or sometimes at the eighth division, with the regularity of a vow, I eat a
little food for simply conquering my thirst. Gandhari knows this. All my attendants are under the impression that I eat as usual.
Through fear of Yudhishthira alone I concealed my acts, for if the eldest son of Pandu came to know of my vow, he would feel
great pain. Clad in deer-skin, I lie down on the Earth, spreading a small quantity of Kusa grass, and pass the time in silent
recitations. Gandhari of great fame passes her time in the observance of similar vows. Even thus do we both behave, we that
have lost a century of gong none of whom even retreated from battle. I do not, however, grieve for those children of mine.
They have all died in the observance of Kshatriya duties.' Having said these words, the old king then addressed Yudhishthira in
particular and said, 'Blessed be thou, O son of the princess of Yadu's race. Listen now to what I say. Cherished by thee, O son, I
have lived these years very happily. I have (with thy help) made large gifts and performed Sraddhas repeatedly.[3] I have, O
son, to the best of my power, achieved merit largely. This Gandhari, though destitute of sons, has lived with great fortitude,
looking all the while at me. They whom inflicted great wrongs on Draupadi and robbed thee of thy affluence,--those cruel
wights--have all left the world, slain in battle agreeably to the practice of their order.

I have nothing to do for them, O delighter of the Kurus. Stain with their faces towards battle, they have attained to those
regions which are for wielders of weapons.[4] I should now accomplish what is beneficial and meritorious for me as also for
Gandhari. It behoveth thee, O great king, to grant me permission. Thou art the foremost of all righteous persons. Thou art
always devoted to righteousness. The king is the preceptor of all creatures. It is for this that I say so. With thy permission, O
hero, I shall retire into the woods, clad in rags and barks. O king, alone with this Gandhari, I shall live in the woods, always
blessing thee. It is meet, O son, for the members of our race, to make over sovereignty, when old age comes, to children and
lead the forest mode of life. Subsisting there on air alone, or abstaining from all food, I shall, with this wife of mine, O hero,
practise severe austerities. Thou shalt be a sharer of these penances, O son, for thou art the king. Kings are sharers of both
auspicious and inauspicious acts done in their kingdom.'[5]

"Yudhishthira said, 'When thou, O king, art thus subject to grief, sovereignty does not please me at all. Fie on me that am of
wicked understanding, devoted to the pleasures of rule, and utterly heedless of my true concerns. Alas, I, with all my brothers,
was ignorant of thyself having so long been afflicted with grief, emaciated with fasts, abstaining from food, and lying on the
bare ground. Alas, foolish that I am, I have been deceived by thee that hast deep intelligence, inasmuch as, having inspired me
with confidence at first thou hast latterly undergone such grief. What need have I of kingdom or of articles of enjoyment, what
need of sacrifices or of happiness, when thou, O king, hast undergone go much affliction? I regard my kingdom as a disease,

commands of Dhritarashtra. He, on the other hand, who behaves otherwise towards him, is my enemy. Such a man should

certainly be punished by me. On days of performing the rites ordained for the Pitris, as also in the Sraddhas performed for his

sons and all well-wishers, the high-souled Kuru king Dhritarashtra, gave away unto Brahmanas, as each deserved, as profuse

measures of wealth as he liked. King Yudhishthira the just, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the twins, desirous of doing what was

agreeable to the old king, used to execute all his orders. They always took care that the old king who was afflicted with the

slaughter of his sons and grandsons,--with, that is, grief caused by the Pandavas themselves,--might not die of his grief Indeed,

the Pandavas bore themselves towards him in such a way that that Kuru hero might not be deprived of that happiness and all

those articles of enjoyment which had been his while his sons lived. The five brothers, viz., the sons of Pandu, behaved

themselves even thus towards Dhritarashtra, living under his command. Dhritarashtra also, seeing them so humble and

obedient to his commands and acting towards him as disciples towards preceptors, adopted the affectionate behaviour of a

preceptor towards them in return. Gandhari, by performing the diverse rites of the Sraddha and making gifts unto Brahmanas of

diverse objects of enjoyment, became freed from the debt she owed to her slain children. Thus did that foremost of righteous

men, viz., king Yudhishthira the just, possessed of great intelligence, along with his brothers, worship king Dhritarashtra.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Possessed of great energy, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, viz., the old king Dhritarashtra, could

not notice any ill-will in Yudhishthira Seeing that the high-souled Pandavas were in the observance of a wise and righteous

conduct, king Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, became gratified with them. Suvala's daughter, Gandhari, casting off all

sorrow for her (slain) children, began to show great affection for the Pandavas as if they were her own children. Endued with

great energy, the Kuru king Yudhishthira, never did anything that was disagreeable to the royal son of Vichitraviryya. On the

other hand, he always behaved towards him in a highly agreeable way. Whatever acts, grave or light, were directed by king

Dhritarashtra, or the helpless Gandhari to be done, were all accomplished with reverence, O monarch, by that slayer of hostile

heroes, viz., the Pandava king. The old king became highly gratified with such conduct of Yudhishthira. Indeed, he was

grieved at the remembrance of his own wicked son. Rising every day at early dawn, he purified himself and went through his

recitations, and then blessed the Pandavas by wishing them victory in battle. Making the usual gifts unto the Brahmanas and

causing them to utter benedictions, and Pouring libations on the sacred fire, the old king prayed for long life to the Pandavas.

Indeed, the king had never derived that great happiness from his own sons which he always derived from the sons of Pandu.

King Yudhishthira at that time became as agreeable to the Brahmanas as to the Kshatriyas, and the diverse bands of Vaisyas

and Sudras of his realm. Whatever wrongs were done to him by the sons of Dhritarashtra, king Yudhishthira, forgot them all,

and reverenced his uncle. If any man did anything that was not agreeable to the son of Amvika, he became thereby an object of

hatred to the intelligent son of Kunti. Indeed, through fear of Yudhishthira, nobody could talk of the evil deeds of either

Duryodhana or Dhritarashtra. Both Gandhari and Vidura also wore well pleased with the capacity the king Ajatasatru showed

for bearing wrongs. They were, however, not so pleased, O slayer of foes, with Bhima. Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, was truly

obedient to his uncle. Bhima, however, at the sight of Dhritarashtra, became very cheerless. That slayer of foes, seeing

Dharma's son reverencing the old king, reverenced him outwardly with a very unwilling heart."'

SECTION III

"Vaisampayana said, 'The people who lived in the Kuru kingdom failed to notice any variance in the cordiality that subsisted

between king Yudhishthira and the father of Duryodhana. When the Kuru king recollected his wicked son, he then could not

but feel unfriendly, in his heart, towards Bhima. Bhimasena also, O king, impelled by a heart that seemed to be wicked, was

unable to put up with king Dhritarashtra. Vrikodara secretly did many acts that were disagreeable to the old king. Through

deceitful servitors he caused the commands of his uncle to be disobeyed. Recollecting the evil counsels of the old king and

some acts of his, Bhima, one day, in the midst of his friends, slapped his armpits, in the hearing of Dhritarashtra and of

Gandhari. The wrathful Vrikodara, recollecting his foes Duryodhana and Karna and Dussasana, gave way to a transport of

passion, and said these harsh words: 'The sons of the blind king, capable of fighting with diverse kinds of weapons, have all

been despatched by me to the other world with these arms of mine that resemble a pair of iron clubs. Verily, these are those

two arms of mine, looking like maces of iron, and invincible by foes, coming within whose clasp the sons of Dhritarashtra have

all met with destruction. These are those two well-developed and round arms of mine, resembling a pair of elephantine trunks.

Coming within their clasp, the foolish sons of Dhritarashtra have all met with destruction. Smeared with sandal-paste and

deserving of that adornment are those two arms of mine by which Duryodhana has been despatched to the other world along

with all his sons and kinsmen.' Hearing these and many other words, O king, of Vrikodara, that were veritable darts, king

Dhritarashtra gave way to cheerlessness and sorrow. Queen Gandhari, however, who was conversant with every duty and

possessed of great intelligence, and who knew what Time brings on its course, regarded them as untrue. After five and ten

years had passed away, O monarch, king Dhritarashtra afflicted (constantly) by the wordy darts of Bhima, became penetrated

with despair and grief. King Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, however, knew it not; nor Arjuna of white steeds, nor Kunti; nor

Draupadi possessed of great fame; nor the twin sons of Madri, conversant with every duty and who were always engaged in

acting after the wishes of Dhritarashtra. Employed in doing the behests of the king, the twins never said anything that was

disagreeable to the old king. Then Dhritarashtra one day honoured his friends by his confidence. Addressing 'them with tearful

eyes, He said these words.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'How the destruction of the Kurus has happened is well known to you. All that was brought about by my

fault though the Kauravas approved of all my counsels. Fool that I was, I installed the wicked minded Duryodhana, that

enhancer of the terrors of kinsmen, to rule over the Kurus. Vasudeva had said unto me, 'Let this sinful wretch of wicked

understanding be killed along with all his friends and counsellors.' I did not listen to those words of grave import. All wisemen

gave me the same beneficial advice. Vidura, and Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, said the same thing. The holy and high-

souled Vyasa repeatedly said the same, as also Sanjaya and Gandhari. Overwhelmed, however, by filial affection, I could not

follow that advice. Bitter repentance is now my lot for my neglect. I also repent for not having bestowed that blazing

prosperity, derived from sires and grand sires, on the high-souled Pandavas possessed of every accomplishment. The eldest

brother of Gada foresaw the destruction of all the kings; Janarddana, however, regarded that destruction as highly beneficial.[2]

So many Anikas of troops, belonging tome, have been destroyed. Alas, my heart is pierced with thousands of darts in

consequence of all these results. Of wicked understanding as I am, now after the lapse of five and ten years, I am seeking to

expiate my sins. Now at the fourth division of the day or sometimes at the eighth division, with the regularity of a vow, I eat a

little food for simply conquering my thirst. Gandhari knows this. All my attendants are under the impression that I eat as usual.

Through fear of Yudhishthira alone I concealed my acts, for if the eldest son of Pandu came to know of my vow, he would feel

great pain. Clad in deer-skin, I lie down on the Earth, spreading a small quantity of Kusa grass, and pass the time in silent

recitations. Gandhari of great fame passes her time in the observance of similar vows. Even thus do we both behave, we that

have lost a century of gong none of whom even retreated from battle. I do not, however, grieve for those children of mine.

They have all died in the observance of Kshatriya duties.' Having said these words, the old king then addressed Yudhishthira in

particular and said, 'Blessed be thou, O son of the princess of Yadu's race. Listen now to what I say. Cherished by thee, O son, I

have lived these years very happily. I have (with thy help) made large gifts and performed Sraddhas repeatedly.[3] I have, O

son, to the best of my power, achieved merit largely. This Gandhari, though destitute of sons, has lived with great fortitude,

looking all the while at me. They whom inflicted great wrongs on Draupadi and robbed thee of thy affluence,--those cruel

wights--have all left the world, slain in battle agreeably to the practice of their order.

I have nothing to do for them, O delighter of the Kurus. Stain with their faces towards battle, they have attained to those

regions which are for wielders of weapons.[4] I should now accomplish what is beneficial and meritorious for me as also for

Gandhari. It behoveth thee, O great king, to grant me permission. Thou art the foremost of all righteous persons. Thou art

always devoted to righteousness. The king is the preceptor of all creatures. It is for this that I say so. With thy permission, O

hero, I shall retire into the woods, clad in rags and barks. O king, alone with this Gandhari, I shall live in the woods, always

blessing thee. It is meet, O son, for the members of our race, to make over sovereignty, when old age comes, to children and

lead the forest mode of life. Subsisting there on air alone, or abstaining from all food, I shall, with this wife of mine, O hero,

practise severe austerities. Thou shalt be a sharer of these penances, O son, for thou art the king. Kings are sharers of both

auspicious and inauspicious acts done in their kingdom.'[5]

"Yudhishthira said, 'When thou, O king, art thus subject to grief, sovereignty does not please me at all. Fie on me that am of

wicked understanding, devoted to the pleasures of rule, and utterly heedless of my true concerns. Alas, I, with all my brothers,

was ignorant of thyself having so long been afflicted with grief, emaciated with fasts, abstaining from food, and lying on the

bare ground. Alas, foolish that I am, I have been deceived by thee that hast deep intelligence, inasmuch as, having inspired me

with confidence at first thou hast latterly undergone such grief. What need have I of kingdom or of articles of enjoyment, what

need of sacrifices or of happiness, when thou, O king, hast undergone go much affliction? I regard my kingdom as a disease,