Mahabharata VOL I2 - HolyBooks.com

4 MAfiABHABATADuryodhana hath wasted the Earth ; and the treasury of that wickedmindedson of Dhritarashtra is empty. (In this sacrifice), the Eaith isthe Dakshina ; this is the rule that is prescribed in the first instance.The usual reversal of this rule, though sanctioned, is observed, by thelearned as such. Nor, O ascetic, do I like to have a substitute (for thisIn this matter, O reverend sir, it behoveth thee to favour meprocess).with thy counsel'. Thus addressed by Pritha's son, Krishna Dwaipayana,reflecting for a while, spoke unto the righteous king, This treasury,(now) exhausted, shall be full. O son of Pritha, in the mountainHimavat (The Himalayas) there is gold which had been left behind byBrahmanas at the sacrifice of the high-souled Marutta'. 1 Yudhishthiraasked, 'How in that sacrifice celebrated by Marutta was so much goldamassed ? And, O foremost of speakers, when did he reign ?' Vyasasaid : 'If, O Pritha's son, thou art anxious to hear concerning that kingsprung from the Karandhama race, then listen to me as I tell thee whenthat highly powerful monarch possessed of immense wealth reigned.1'SECTION IV"Yudhishthira said, 'O righteous one, I am desirous of hearingthe history of that royal sage Marutta. Do thou, O Dwaipayana, relatethis unto me, O sinless one.'"Vyasa said, 'O child, in the Krita age Manu was lord (of theEarth) wielding the sceptre. His son was known under the name ofPrasandhi.- Prasandhi had a son named Kshupa- Kshupa's son was thatlord (of men), king Ikshwaku. He, O king, had a hundred sons endowedwith pre-eminent piety- And all of them were made monarchs by kingIkshwaku. The eldest of them, Vinsa by name became the model ofbowmen. Vinsa's son, O Bharata, was the auspicious Vivinsa. Vivinsa,O king, had five and ten sons ; all of them were powerful archers,revcrencial to the Brahmanas and truthful, gentle and ever speakingfair. The eldest brother, Khaninetra, oppressed all his brothers. Andhaving conquered the entire kingdom rid of all troubles, Khaninetracould not retain his supremacy ; nor were the people pleased withhim. And dethroning him, they, O foremost of monarchs, investedhis son Suvarcha with the rights of sovereignty and (having effectedthis) experienced joy (in their hearts). Seeing the reverses sustainedby his sire as well as his expulsion" from the empire, he was ever intenton bringing about the welfare of the people, being devoted to the Brahmanas,speaking the truth, practising purity and restraining his senses1 King Marufcfca celebrated a sacrifice in the Himalayas, bestowinggold on Brahmanas. Not being able to carry the entire quantity, they hadcarried as much as they could, throwing away the remainder. T.