sidhellman/clean_data.txt · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 182
residing in the woods. The Kuru ladies, understanding how firm her resolution was regarding her retirement into the woods,
and seeing that those foremost ones of Kuru's race (viz., their own lords), had ceased to follow her, set up a loud wail of
lamentation. After all the sons of Pritha and all the ladies had retraced their steps, king Yudhishthira of great wisdom continued
his journey to the woods. The Pandavas, exceedingly cheerless and afflicted with grief and sorrow accompanied by their wives,
returned to the city, on their cars. At that time the city of Hastinapura, with its entire population of men, both old and young,
and women, became cheerless and plunged into sorrow. No festivals of rejoicing were observed. Afflicted with grief, the
Pandavas were without any energy. Deserted by Kunti, they were deeply afflicted with grief, like calves destitute of their dams.
Dhritarashtra reached that day a place far removed from the city. The puissant monarch arrived at last on the banks of the
Bhagirathi and took rest there for the night. Brahmanas conversant with the Vedas duly ignited their sacred fires in that retreat
of ascetics. Surrounded by those foremost of Brahmanas, those sacred fires blazed forth in beauty. The sacred fire of the old
king was also ignited. Sitting near his own fire, he poured libations on it according to due rites, and then worshipped the
thousand-rayed sun as he was on the point of setting. Then Vidura and Sanjaya made a bed for the king by spreading some
blades of Kusa grass. Near the bed of that Kuru hero they made another for Gandhari. In close proximity to Gandhari,
Yudhishthira's mother Kunti, observant of excellent vows, happily laid herself down. Within hearing distance of those three,
slept Vidura and others. The Yajaka Brahmanas and other followers of the king laid themselves down on their respective beds.
The foremost of Brahmanas that were there chanted aloud many sacred hymns. The sacrificial fires blazed forth all around.
That night, therefore, seemed as delightful to them as a Brahmi night.[37] When the night passed away, they all arose from
their beds and went through their morning acts. Pouring libations then on the sacred fire, they continued their journey. Their
first day's experience of the forest proved very painful to them on account of the grieving inhabitants of both the city and the
provinces of the Kuru kingdom."

SECTION XIX

"Vaisampayana said. 'Following the advice of Vidura, the king took up his abode on the banks of the Bhagirathi which were
sacred and deserved to be peopled with the righteous. There many Brahmanas who had taken up their abode in the woods, as
also many Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, came to see the old monarch. Sitting in their midst, he gladdened them all by his
words. Having duly worshipped the Brahmanas with their disciples, he dismissed them all. As evening came, the king, and
Gandhari of great fame, both descended into the stream of the Bhagirathi and duly performed their ablutions for purifying
themselves. The king and the queen, and Vidura and others, O Bharata, having bathed in the sacred stream, performed the
usual rites of religion. After the king had purified himself by a bath, the daughter of Kuntibhoja gently led both him, who was
to her as her father-in-law and Gandhari from the water into the dry bank. The Yajakas had made a sacrificial altar there for the
king. Devoted to truth, the latter poured libations then on the fire. From the banks of the Bhagirathi the old king, with his
followers, observant of vows and with senses restrained, then proceeded to Kurukshetra. Possessed of great intelligence, the
king arrived at the retreat of the royal sage Satayupa of great wisdom and had an interview with him. Satayupa, O scorcher of
foes, had been the great king of the Kekayas. Having made over the sovereignty of his kingdom to his son he had come into the
woods. Satayupa, received king Dhritarashtra with due rites. Accompanied by him, the latter proceeded to the retreat of Vyasa.
Arrived at Vyasa's retreat, the delighter of the Kurus received his initiation into the forest mode of life. Returning he took up
his abode in the retreat of Satayupa. The high-souled Satayupa, instructed Dhritarashtra in all the rites of the forest mode, at the
command of Vyasa. In this way the high-souled Dhritarashtra set himself to the practice of penances, and all his followers also
to the same course of conduct. Queen Gandhari also, O monarch, along with Kunti, assumed barks of trees and deer-skins for
her robe, and set herself to the observance of the same vows as her lord. Restraining their senses in thought, words, and deeds,
as well as by eye, they began to practise severe austerities. Divested of all stupefaction of mind, king Dhritarashtra began to
practise vows and penances like a great Rishi, reducing his body to skin and bones, for his flesh was all dried up, bearing
matted locks on head, and his person clad in barks and skins. Vidura, conversant with the true interpretations of righteousness,
and endued with great intelligence, as also Sanjaya, waited upon the old king with his wife. Both of them with souls under
subjection, Vidura and Sanjaya also reduced themselves, and wore barks and rags."'

SECTION XX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Those foremost of ascetics, viz. Narada and Parvata and Devala of austere penances, came there to see
king Dhritarashtra. The Island-born Vyasa with all his disciples, and other persons endued with great wisdom and crowned
with ascetic success, and the royal sage Satayupa of advanced years and possessed of great merit, also came. Kunti worshipped
them with due rites, O king. All those ascetics were highly gratified with the worship offered to them. Those great Rishis
gladdened the high-souled king Dhritarashtra with discourses on religion and righteousness. At the conclusion of their
converse, the celestial Rishi Narada, beholding all things as objects of direct perceptions, said the following words.'

"Narada said, 'There was a ruler of the Kekayas, possessed of great prosperity and perfectly fearless. His name was
Sahasrachitya and he was the grandfather of this Satayupa. Resigning his kingdom to his eldest son endued with a large
measure of righteousness, the virtuous king Sahasrachitya retired into the woods. Reaching the other end of blazing penances,
that lord of Earth. endued with great splendour, attained to the region of Purandara where he continued to live in his company.
On many occasions, while visiting the region of Indra, O king, I saw the monarch, whose sins had all been burnt off by
penances, residing in Indra's abode. After the same manner, king Sailalaya, the grandfather of Bhagadatta, attained to the
region of Indra by the power alone of his penances. There was another king, O monarch, of the name of Prishadhra who
resembled the wielder of the thunder-bolt himself. That king also, by his penances proceeded from the Earth to Heaven. In this
very forest, O king, that lord of Earth, Purukutsa, the soil of Mandhatri, attained to high success. That foremost of rivers, viz.,
Narmada, became the consort of that king. Having undergone penances in this very forest, that ruler of Earth proceeded to
Heaven. There was another king, highly righteous, of the name of Sasaloman. He too underwent severe austerities in this forest
and then ascended to Heaven. Thou also, O monarch, having arrived at this forest, shalt, through the grace of the Island-born,
attain to a goal that is very high and that is difficult of attainment. Thou also, O foremost of kings, at the end of thy penances,
become endued with great prosperity and, accompanied by Gandhari, attain to the goal reached by those high-souled ones.
Dwelling in the presence of the slayer of Vala, Pandu thinks of thee always. He will, O monarch, certainly assist thee in the
attainment of prosperity. Through serving thee and Gandhari, this daughter-in-law of thine, possessed of great fame, will attain
to residence with her husband in the other world. She is the mother of Yudhishthira who is the eternal Dharma. We behold all
this, O king, with our spiritual vision. Vidura will enter into the high-souled Yudhishthira. Sanjaya also, through meditation,
will ascend from this world into Heaven.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'That high-souled chief of Kuru's race, possessed of learning, having, with his wife, heard these
words of Narada, praised them and worshipped Narada with unprecedented honours. The conclave of Brahmanas there present
became filled with great joy, and desirous of gladdening king Dhritarashtra, O monarch, themselves worshipped Narada with
profound regards. Those foremost of regenerate persons also praised the words of Narada. Then the royal sage Satayupa,
addressing Narada, said, 'Thy holy self hath enhanced the devotion of the Kuru king, of all those people here, and of myself
also, O thou of great splendour. I have, however, the wish to ask thee something. Listen to me as I say it. It has reference to the
king Dhritarashtra, O celestial Rishi, that art worshipped by all the worlds. Thou art acquainted with the truth of every affair.
Endued with celestial sight, thou beholdest, O regenerate Rishi, what the diverse goals are of human beings. Thou hast said
what the goal has been of the kings mentioned by thee, viz., association with the chief of celestials. Thou hast not, however, O
great Rishi, declared what those regions are that will be acquired by this king. O puissant one, I wish to hear from thee what
region will be acquired by the royal Dhritarashtra. It behoveth thee to tell me truly the kind of region that will be his and the
time when he will attain to it.' Thus addressed by him, Narada of celestial sight and endued with austere penances, said in the
midst of the assembly these words highly agreeable to the minds of all.'

"Narada said, 'Repairing at my will to the mansion of Sakra, I have seen Sakra the lord or Sachi; and there, O royal sage. I have
beheld king Pandu. There a talk arose, O monarch, regarding this Dhritarashtra and those highly austere penances which he is
performing. There I heard from the lips of Sakra himself that there are three years yet of the period of life allotted to this king.
After that, king Dhritarashtra, accompanied by his wife Gandhari, will go to the regions of Kuvera and be highly honoured by
that king of kings. He will go there on a car moving at his will, his person adorned with celestial ornaments. He is the son of a
Rishi; he is highly blessed; he has burnt all his sins by his penances. Endued with a righteous soul, lie will rove at will through
the regions of the deities, the Gandharvas, and the Rakshasas. That about which thou hast enquired is a mystery of the gods.
Through my affection for you, I have declared this high truth. Ye all are possessed of the wealth of Srutis and have consumed
all your sins by your penances.'

residing in the woods. The Kuru ladies, understanding how firm her resolution was regarding her retirement into the woods,

and seeing that those foremost ones of Kuru's race (viz., their own lords), had ceased to follow her, set up a loud wail of

lamentation. After all the sons of Pritha and all the ladies had retraced their steps, king Yudhishthira of great wisdom continued

his journey to the woods. The Pandavas, exceedingly cheerless and afflicted with grief and sorrow accompanied by their wives,

returned to the city, on their cars. At that time the city of Hastinapura, with its entire population of men, both old and young,

and women, became cheerless and plunged into sorrow. No festivals of rejoicing were observed. Afflicted with grief, the

Pandavas were without any energy. Deserted by Kunti, they were deeply afflicted with grief, like calves destitute of their dams.

Dhritarashtra reached that day a place far removed from the city. The puissant monarch arrived at last on the banks of the

Bhagirathi and took rest there for the night. Brahmanas conversant with the Vedas duly ignited their sacred fires in that retreat

of ascetics. Surrounded by those foremost of Brahmanas, those sacred fires blazed forth in beauty. The sacred fire of the old

king was also ignited. Sitting near his own fire, he poured libations on it according to due rites, and then worshipped the

thousand-rayed sun as he was on the point of setting. Then Vidura and Sanjaya made a bed for the king by spreading some

blades of Kusa grass. Near the bed of that Kuru hero they made another for Gandhari. In close proximity to Gandhari,

Yudhishthira's mother Kunti, observant of excellent vows, happily laid herself down. Within hearing distance of those three,

slept Vidura and others. The Yajaka Brahmanas and other followers of the king laid themselves down on their respective beds.

The foremost of Brahmanas that were there chanted aloud many sacred hymns. The sacrificial fires blazed forth all around.

That night, therefore, seemed as delightful to them as a Brahmi night.[37] When the night passed away, they all arose from

their beds and went through their morning acts. Pouring libations then on the sacred fire, they continued their journey. Their

first day's experience of the forest proved very painful to them on account of the grieving inhabitants of both the city and the

provinces of the Kuru kingdom."

SECTION XIX

"Vaisampayana said. 'Following the advice of Vidura, the king took up his abode on the banks of the Bhagirathi which were

sacred and deserved to be peopled with the righteous. There many Brahmanas who had taken up their abode in the woods, as

also many Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, came to see the old monarch. Sitting in their midst, he gladdened them all by his

words. Having duly worshipped the Brahmanas with their disciples, he dismissed them all. As evening came, the king, and

Gandhari of great fame, both descended into the stream of the Bhagirathi and duly performed their ablutions for purifying

themselves. The king and the queen, and Vidura and others, O Bharata, having bathed in the sacred stream, performed the

usual rites of religion. After the king had purified himself by a bath, the daughter of Kuntibhoja gently led both him, who was

to her as her father-in-law and Gandhari from the water into the dry bank. The Yajakas had made a sacrificial altar there for the

king. Devoted to truth, the latter poured libations then on the fire. From the banks of the Bhagirathi the old king, with his

followers, observant of vows and with senses restrained, then proceeded to Kurukshetra. Possessed of great intelligence, the

king arrived at the retreat of the royal sage Satayupa of great wisdom and had an interview with him. Satayupa, O scorcher of

foes, had been the great king of the Kekayas. Having made over the sovereignty of his kingdom to his son he had come into the

woods. Satayupa, received king Dhritarashtra with due rites. Accompanied by him, the latter proceeded to the retreat of Vyasa.

Arrived at Vyasa's retreat, the delighter of the Kurus received his initiation into the forest mode of life. Returning he took up

his abode in the retreat of Satayupa. The high-souled Satayupa, instructed Dhritarashtra in all the rites of the forest mode, at the

command of Vyasa. In this way the high-souled Dhritarashtra set himself to the practice of penances, and all his followers also

to the same course of conduct. Queen Gandhari also, O monarch, along with Kunti, assumed barks of trees and deer-skins for

her robe, and set herself to the observance of the same vows as her lord. Restraining their senses in thought, words, and deeds,

as well as by eye, they began to practise severe austerities. Divested of all stupefaction of mind, king Dhritarashtra began to

practise vows and penances like a great Rishi, reducing his body to skin and bones, for his flesh was all dried up, bearing

matted locks on head, and his person clad in barks and skins. Vidura, conversant with the true interpretations of righteousness,

and endued with great intelligence, as also Sanjaya, waited upon the old king with his wife. Both of them with souls under

subjection, Vidura and Sanjaya also reduced themselves, and wore barks and rags."'

SECTION XX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Those foremost of ascetics, viz. Narada and Parvata and Devala of austere penances, came there to see

king Dhritarashtra. The Island-born Vyasa with all his disciples, and other persons endued with great wisdom and crowned

with ascetic success, and the royal sage Satayupa of advanced years and possessed of great merit, also came. Kunti worshipped

them with due rites, O king. All those ascetics were highly gratified with the worship offered to them. Those great Rishis

gladdened the high-souled king Dhritarashtra with discourses on religion and righteousness. At the conclusion of their

converse, the celestial Rishi Narada, beholding all things as objects of direct perceptions, said the following words.'

"Narada said, 'There was a ruler of the Kekayas, possessed of great prosperity and perfectly fearless. His name was

Sahasrachitya and he was the grandfather of this Satayupa. Resigning his kingdom to his eldest son endued with a large

measure of righteousness, the virtuous king Sahasrachitya retired into the woods. Reaching the other end of blazing penances,

that lord of Earth. endued with great splendour, attained to the region of Purandara where he continued to live in his company.

On many occasions, while visiting the region of Indra, O king, I saw the monarch, whose sins had all been burnt off by

penances, residing in Indra's abode. After the same manner, king Sailalaya, the grandfather of Bhagadatta, attained to the

region of Indra by the power alone of his penances. There was another king, O monarch, of the name of Prishadhra who

resembled the wielder of the thunder-bolt himself. That king also, by his penances proceeded from the Earth to Heaven. In this

very forest, O king, that lord of Earth, Purukutsa, the soil of Mandhatri, attained to high success. That foremost of rivers, viz.,

Narmada, became the consort of that king. Having undergone penances in this very forest, that ruler of Earth proceeded to

Heaven. There was another king, highly righteous, of the name of Sasaloman. He too underwent severe austerities in this forest

and then ascended to Heaven. Thou also, O monarch, having arrived at this forest, shalt, through the grace of the Island-born,

attain to a goal that is very high and that is difficult of attainment. Thou also, O foremost of kings, at the end of thy penances,

become endued with great prosperity and, accompanied by Gandhari, attain to the goal reached by those high-souled ones.

Dwelling in the presence of the slayer of Vala, Pandu thinks of thee always. He will, O monarch, certainly assist thee in the

attainment of prosperity. Through serving thee and Gandhari, this daughter-in-law of thine, possessed of great fame, will attain

to residence with her husband in the other world. She is the mother of Yudhishthira who is the eternal Dharma. We behold all

this, O king, with our spiritual vision. Vidura will enter into the high-souled Yudhishthira. Sanjaya also, through meditation,

will ascend from this world into Heaven.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'That high-souled chief of Kuru's race, possessed of learning, having, with his wife, heard these

words of Narada, praised them and worshipped Narada with unprecedented honours. The conclave of Brahmanas there present

became filled with great joy, and desirous of gladdening king Dhritarashtra, O monarch, themselves worshipped Narada with

profound regards. Those foremost of regenerate persons also praised the words of Narada. Then the royal sage Satayupa,

addressing Narada, said, 'Thy holy self hath enhanced the devotion of the Kuru king, of all those people here, and of myself

also, O thou of great splendour. I have, however, the wish to ask thee something. Listen to me as I say it. It has reference to the

king Dhritarashtra, O celestial Rishi, that art worshipped by all the worlds. Thou art acquainted with the truth of every affair.

Endued with celestial sight, thou beholdest, O regenerate Rishi, what the diverse goals are of human beings. Thou hast said

what the goal has been of the kings mentioned by thee, viz., association with the chief of celestials. Thou hast not, however, O

great Rishi, declared what those regions are that will be acquired by this king. O puissant one, I wish to hear from thee what

region will be acquired by the royal Dhritarashtra. It behoveth thee to tell me truly the kind of region that will be his and the

time when he will attain to it.' Thus addressed by him, Narada of celestial sight and endued with austere penances, said in the

midst of the assembly these words highly agreeable to the minds of all.'

"Narada said, 'Repairing at my will to the mansion of Sakra, I have seen Sakra the lord or Sachi; and there, O royal sage. I have

beheld king Pandu. There a talk arose, O monarch, regarding this Dhritarashtra and those highly austere penances which he is

performing. There I heard from the lips of Sakra himself that there are three years yet of the period of life allotted to this king.

After that, king Dhritarashtra, accompanied by his wife Gandhari, will go to the regions of Kuvera and be highly honoured by

that king of kings. He will go there on a car moving at his will, his person adorned with celestial ornaments. He is the son of a

Rishi; he is highly blessed; he has burnt all his sins by his penances. Endued with a righteous soul, lie will rove at will through

the regions of the deities, the Gandharvas, and the Rakshasas. That about which thou hast enquired is a mystery of the gods.

Through my affection for you, I have declared this high truth. Ye all are possessed of the wealth of Srutis and have consumed

all your sins by your penances.'