Latest / Sacred Texts Archive / 12 - Aswa-Medha (Sacrifice of the Horse) - Mahabharata

Transcript

12 - Aswa-Medha (Sacrifice of the Horse) - Mahabharata · Sacred Texts Archive

0:00
Book twelve, A Swamid Sacrifice of the Whorse, the real epic answered the
0:07
ore and the funerals of the deceased warriors. Much of what follows in the
0:12
original Sanskrit poem is either episodical or comparatively recent interpolation. The great and venerable
0:18
warrior Vishma, still lying on his death bed, discourses for the instruction of
0:23
the newly crowned histir on various subjects like the duties of kings, the duties
0:28
of the fore castes, and the four stages of life. He repeats the
0:33
discourses of other saints of Rigu and Varutwaj of Manu and Rehspathy of Bias and
0:39
Suk of Yegabalka, and Janak of Narad and Narayan. He explained Sanchia philosophy
0:46
and Yoga philosophy and lays down the laws of marriage, the laws of succession,
0:51
the rules of gifts, and the rules of funeral rites. He preaches
0:55
the cult of Krishna and narrates endless legions, tales, traditions and means about
1:00
sieges and saints, gods and mortal kings. All this is told in two
1:04
books containing about twenty two thousand couplets and forming nearly one fourth of the entire
1:11
Sanskrit epic. The reason of adding all this episodical and comparatively recent matter to
1:18
the ancient epic is not far to seek. The epic became more popular with
1:23
the nation at large than dry codes of law and philosophy, and generations of
1:27
brahmanical writers labored therefore to insert in the epic itself their rules of caste and
1:33
moral conduct, their laws and philosophy. There is no more venerable character in
1:38
the epic than Vishma, and these rules and laws have therefore been supposed to
1:42
come from his lips on the solemn occasion of his death, as a storehouse
1:48
of ideal laws and traditions and moral rules. These episodes are invaluable, but
1:53
they form no part of the real epic. They are not a portion of
1:57
the leading story of the epic, and we pass them by Vishma dies and
2:01
discrimated. But the endless exposition of law's lesens and moral rules is not yet
2:07
over. Krishna himself takes up the task in a new book, And as
2:12
he has done once before in the Vagavad Gita, he now once more explains
2:15
to Urchin in the Anugita the great truths about soul and emancipation, creation and
2:22
the will of life, true knowledge and rights and penance. The adventures of
2:27
the sei Zutanka, whom Krishna meets then take up a good many pages.
2:32
All this forms no part of the real epic, and we pass it by.
2:38
It is to has in the meantime been crowned King of the Kurus at
2:42
Hastinapur, and the posthumous child of a Vimenu is named Parikshit and is destined
2:46
to succeed to the throne of the Kurus. But it is there's mind is
2:51
still troubled with the thoughts of the carnage of the war, of which he
2:54
considers himself guilty, and a great saint. Viaz advises the performance of thus
3:00
dom or the sacrifice of the horse, for the expiration of the scene.
3:06
The sacrifice of the horse was an ensign Hintu custom practiced by kings exercising sucerine
3:10
powers over surrounding kings. A horse was let free and was allowed to wander
3:16
from place to place, accompanied by the king's guard. If any neighboring king
3:23
ventured to detain the animal, it was a signal for war. If no
3:27
king ventured to restrain the venderer, it was considered a tacit mark of submission
3:31
to the owner of the animal. And when the horse returned from its peregrinations,
3:37
it was sacrificed to the Great pomp and splendor, at a feast to
3:40
which all neighboring kings were invited. It Ister allowed the sacrificeing horse to ender
3:46
at will, and Urchin accompanied it. Wherever the horse was stopped, urgin
3:52
fought and conquered, and thus proclaimed the supremacy of itstir over all neighboring potentates.
3:59
After various wars and adventures in various regions, Urginy at last returned victories
4:03
with the steet to hastinappur and the sacrifice commenced. The description of the sacrifice
4:11
is somewhat artificial and concerns itself, which writes in ceremonious details and gifts to
4:15
Brahman's and altogether bears unmistakable evidence of the interpolting hound of later priestly writers.
4:24
Nevertheless, we cannot exclude from this translation of the leading incidents of the epic,
4:29
the last great in crowning act of with is Stir now anointed monarchov Kuru
4:32
Land. The portion translated in this book forms sections eighty five and parts of
4:40
sections eighty seven and eighty nine of Book fourteen. Of the original text,
4:46
one the gathering victor of a hundred battles urgent Bantha's homeward way falling steel,
4:55
the sacred charger free to wander as it may, strolling minstrels to it.
5:00
Disteur spake of their returning Steeth spake of Virgin wenting homeward with the Victor's crown
5:06
of mead, and they sang of Virgin's triumphs in Guanhar's distant vale on the
5:13
banks of Brahmaputra, and in Sindu's rocky dale. Twelfth day came of Mark's
5:17
bright moon, and auspicious was the star. Neiher came the victor region from
5:24
his conquest. Sneer and far Gudistyr called his brothers faithful twins, and Vema
5:30
true spake to them in gentle accents, and his words were grave and few.
5:35
Wema now returneth herchein with di steet from many a fray. So they
5:42
tell me, noble brother who have met him on the way and the time
5:46
of Asomida. Day by days drawing nigh. Mark's full moon is approaching and
5:50
the winter passed by. Let the Brahmas worst invade us choose the sacrificial side
5:58
four of Fist of many nations and performance of the ride Vima heart of ever,
6:03
June's coming hero with the curly hair and to deeds. TR's mandate did
6:09
to let some hot repair. Brahmins forged in sacrifices, cunning architects of fame,
6:15
builders of each various altar with the son of Pritha came and the uppon
6:21
a level greensword mesre fort the sacred side laid it out with halls and pathways
6:28
for the sacrificial ride. Mansion's grace to jem and jewel. Round the bright
6:33
raina shown palaces of golden luster glinted in the morning sun. Guilt and blazon
6:41
two devices lofty columns stood around graceful arches. Gold surmounted spent the consecrated ground.
6:48
Gay pavilions rose in beauty round the sacrificial site for the queens of crowned
6:55
monarchs went into the holy ride. Humbler dwellings rose for brownmans, priests of
7:00
learning and of fame come to view it Isterzaegia and to blessed IST's name.
7:08
Messengers with kindly greetings went to monarch's far renowned asked them to Asthena city to
7:14
the consecrated ground and to please the grated di st came each king and chief
7:19
dane bold with their slaves and dark eyed damsels, arms and horses, gems
7:25
and gold, came and found a royal welcome in pavilions rich and high,
7:30
and the sea like voice of nations smoke dachoing vault of sky with his greetings
7:35
Dotty dist for his chief and king of man, calling drinks and sumptuous wines,
7:42
beds of regal pride or dame stables filled with corn and barley added milk
7:46
and lazier's cane greet the monarch's warlike taskers and the steets with flowing maine.
7:54
Moonies from their hermitages to the sacred Yeggya cane rishies from the grove and forest,
8:00
uttering Brahmha's holy name. Famed Acharias vorsed in vadas to the city,
8:05
held their way Brahmacharis with cross girdle, chanting rick or summon lay welcomed Kuru's
8:13
pious monarch, saint and sage and man of grace, and with gentle condescension,
8:18
showed its priest his fitting plays, skilled mechanics, cunning artists raised the
8:24
structures for the riot, and with every needful object graced the sacrificial side.
8:31
Every duty thus completed joyfully dister's mind, and they blessed his faithful brothers with
8:35
an elder's blessing. Skind two the fisting man in nations are assembled, aimes
8:46
are sung by Saint and sage under learned disputations. Keen disputants often engage,
8:52
and the conquours of the monarchs view. A splendor of the riot like the
8:56
glorious kyabinra is the sacrifice of side. Bright festoons and flaming streamers over the
9:03
golden arches, hung groups of men and gay dressed women form a bright and
9:09
joyous charm. Gears of gold and sparkling waters, vessels reach it, gold
9:13
and laithe costly cups and golden vases, cruze, welt and pride displayed sacrifices.
9:20
Stakes of timber with their golden fastenings grazed consecrated by the mantra are in
9:26
sumptuous order placed countless creatures of the wide art fishes from the lake and flood,
9:33
buffaloes and bolts from pasture, beast subpray from jungle wood, birds in
9:39
every eggborn creature, insects that from moisture spring. Thenizens of cave and mounting
9:46
for the sacrifice they bring. Noble chiefs and mighty monarchs gaze in wonder on
9:50
the side filled with every living object. Corn and cattle for the ride,
9:56
card and cake and sweet confection are for feasting. Brahman spread, and the
10:01
one hundred thousand people are with sumptuous wines, fed with deccans of the rain,
10:07
cloud drum and trumpet raised their voice speak it is TIR's noble bounty,
10:13
bid the sons of many joys. Day by day the holy Yekiya grows in
10:18
splendor and in joy, rise in hellets, feeds all commerce made and matron
10:24
man and boy, Lakes of card and lakes of butter speak its tears,
10:30
bounteous feast. Nations of the Jambo Deepa share it greatest and the least.
10:35
For a hundred diverse races from a hundred regions, came eighth of good it
10:41
Dister's bounty, bless the goody dister's name and the thousand proud attendants gay with
10:46
earrings. Garlant Grast carried food unto the feeders, and the sweet confections placed
10:54
Vyan's feet for crowned monarchs, where unto Brahmans, given drinks of rich and
10:58
cooling fresh like the nectar drink of heaven tree, sacrifice of animals. Victor
11:09
of a hundred battles Urgin came with conquering steed Vias herald of thebaidas bad the
11:15
holy rite proceed for the day is comedisttir. Let the sacrifice be done.
11:22
Let the priests repeat the mantra golden as the morning sun, treefold bounty as
11:28
by thy presence, and the treefold merit gain for thy wealth of gold sample
11:33
freely deduction Arraim made a treefold rich performance purified a darkening stain. Blood of
11:41
warriors and of kinsmen slaughtered on the gory plain made the yagaspure. Evolution was
11:46
d of the cruel scene, and the meat of sacrificers made the good it
11:52
is deir Win Vias spoke, and good it is to took the dicksha of
11:58
the right and commenced das chamid, gladdening every living white round the altar Soli
12:05
lusure move the priests with sacred all serve not from the rule of duty,
12:09
failed not in the sacred love. Turn the right of pure Brabaghia. With
12:15
the pious human lay to the task of Avisheba. Priests and Brahmans led the
12:20
way and the holy soma drinkers press the sacred soma plant and perform the pure
12:26
savannah with the solemn summoned chant. Bounty weights on squalid hunger, Gifts dispel
12:33
the timid fear, Gold revives the poor and lowly. Mercy wipes the mourner's
12:39
tear. Tender care relieves the streacken by the gracious king's command. Charity,
12:45
with loving sweetness, spreads her smile over all the land day by day.
12:50
Alsmither Doth with sacred rights, proceed day by day on royal bounty, poor
12:56
and grateful myriad's feet, and the deptin seak with AGAs strict in vow and
13:01
rich in lore seige. Preceptors holy teachers grew in virtue evermore. Six good
13:09
stakes of Bilva timber, six of hard Kadi rude, six of seasons serva
13:13
vernin on the place of ye gestood. Two were made of de Vadaru pine
13:20
that on Himalay grows. One was made of wood of Slatia, which the
13:24
sacrificer knows. Other steaks of golden lusser quainted curious carving done draped in silk
13:31
and gold brocaded like Darsam majer shorn. And the consecrated altar, built and
13:37
raised of bricks of gold, shown in splendor like the altar Daksha belt in
13:43
days of old, eighteen cubit square, the structure forty players of brick in
13:48
height with a specious wing triangle like an eagle in its flight. Beasts whose
13:54
flesh is pure and wholesome, dwellers of the lake or sky. Priest society
14:00
varied, offering to each heavenly power on high bolts of various breed and color,
14:05
steeds of metal true, and tried other creatures full three hundred to the
14:09
many stakes were tied. They verishes viewed the feasting. Sweet gundrbs woke the
14:16
song ubsaas like gleamps of sunlight on the greensward cheeped along kidners and kim Perusha's
14:24
mingled in the holy rite sit Thus of austere stpannons stood around the sacred side.
14:31
Biaza's great and gifted peopils, who the Vedas have compiled, gazed Upunda
14:35
Somida on the wondrous Egia smiled from the bright atrial mansions. Heavenly Rishi Narad
14:43
came Chitrasina woke the music singer of celestial fame, cheered by modern mortal music
14:50
Brahmans to their task in climb and Itistru's fame and virtue, which a brighter
14:56
lusts are shine for sacrifice of the horse, birds and beasts. Thus emolted,
15:05
dressed and cooked, provide the food done before the sacred charger. Priests
15:11
in rank and order stood and by rules of beda guided slew the horse of
15:16
noble Breathe placed dropody Queen of Yakia. By the slain and lifeless teeth,
15:22
hymns and gifts and pure devotion sanctified the noble Queen, Woman's wort and stainless
15:28
virtue, woman's pride and wisdom came. Priests with holy contemplation, cooked the
15:35
horse with pious right, and the steam of welcome fragrance sanctified the sacred side
15:41
good. It is Girandi's brothers by the rules by RICHI spoke piously in health,
15:46
the fragrance and the sin destroying smoke, several limbs and sacred fragments of
15:52
the courser duly dressed priests uppon the bleazing altar as a pious offering placed and
15:58
then since bird of beathaus Bias raised his voice in song, blessed is their
16:03
Kuruz Monarch and the many nation trong five gifts unto Brahmans gave it istir countless
16:15
nishkas of bright gold unto seize, and saintly weas all this realm and wealth
16:19
untold. But the bord and ancient Rishi, who the Holy Bedas spake,
16:26
rendered back the monarch's presence artly gift he might not take diyin his cruse ancient
16:32
empire rule the nations of the art gods of destined to ys Monarch from the
16:37
moment of die birth gold and wealth and rich Dakshina, let the priests and
16:41
Brahman's horde be dyed to rule the subjects as their father and their lord.
16:48
Krishnatiu, in gentle accents to the doubting monarch, said wells, speak a
16:53
word of wisdom, and his mandate be obeyed. From the Rishi good it
16:59
is Tir then received a cruel land with a treeful gift of riches, gladdens
17:03
all the priestly band, pious priests and grateful nations to their distant regions went
17:11
and the share of presents. Weas Tod ancient Prita' sent fame and virtue cruse
17:17
monarch. But the zamidh winds and the right of pure ablution cleanses all.
17:22
It disturirs scenes, and his stands amid his brothers, brightly beaming, pure
17:27
and high, even as Indra stands encircled by the dwellers of the sky and
17:33
the concourse of the monarchs. Grace it is to his regal miThe as the
17:37
radiance stars and planets graced the stillness of the night, JEMs and jewels in
17:42
his bounty, golden garments, rich and rare, gave it dis teir to
17:48
each monarch slaves and damselves, passing fair loving gifts to dear relations, gave
17:53
the king of righteous fame, and the grateful parting monarchs blessed Distir's sallowed name
18:00
last of all, with many tear drops. Krishna mounts his lofty car,
18:04
faithful still in joy or sorrow, faithful still in peace or oar Origin's comrade,
18:11
Wema's helper, Goodstir's friend of your. Krishna leaves Estina's mansions for the
18:18
Seagar Dwarka's shore, end of Book twelve.