Chapter 1251(32)
22 Duryodhana has practised against an iron statue.
23 Bhima has not practised as much as Duryodhana has.
24 Shachi’s lord (husband) is Indra, that is, just as Vishnu gave the lordship of the three worlds to Indra.
25 Bhima had taken a vow that he would break Duryodhana’s thigh in the battle.
26 Meaning Satyaki.
27 This is a reference to the attempt to burn the Pandavas down, described in Section 8 (Volume 1).
28 Pratikami is a messenger. This isn’t a proper name. In Section 27 (Volume 2), after the gambling match, the Pratikami was sent to summon Droupadi to the assembly hall. However, the Pratikami didn’t seize Droupadi by the hair, Duhshasana did. Nor, before this, have we been told anything about the Pratikami being killed.
Chapter 1252(33)
29 Balarama.
30 Both Bhima and Duryodhana had studied under Balarama. Balarama’s weapon was the plough.
31 Bhima.
32 Though listings of the twenty-seven nakshatras sometimes differ, Pushya is usually the eighth, while Shravana is usually the twenty-second. Three days per nakshatra gives that total of forty-two days.
33 Krishna.
34 Balarama was Rohini’s son.
Chapter 1253(34)
35 This is a reference to Krishna’s mission of peace, described in Section 54 (Volume 4).
36 The text leaves it as ‘them’. Balarama meant helping the Kouravas.
37 Maitra or Mitra is more a muhurta, rather than a conjunction of nakshatras. Depending on when the sun rises, it is usually between 7.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m.
38 Kritavarma.
39 A sacred fire burns in every household. That is carried at the time of a pilgrimage.
40 The moon.
41 The word prabha means radiance.
42 Chandra, Soma and Shashi are names for the moon god.
43 These were the twenty-seven nakshatras, married to Soma, the moon.
44 Rohini is Aldebaran and is brighter than the others.
45 Daksha.
46 Shitamshu is another name for the moon, meaning the one with the cool rays.
47 Another name for the moon god.
48 Shasha or shashaka is a rabbit or hare. Because the moon bears the mark of a hare, it is known as Shashi or Shashanka.
49 Daksha.
50 Chandra took Daksha’s leave.
51 Balarama.
52 The Sarasvati has been destroyed in the sense of becoming invisible and flowing underground.
Chapter 1254(35)
53 Literally, first, second and third.
54 That is, Goutama died.
55 Goutama.
56 Yajamanas, that is, the kings.
57 The word udapana means well.
58 Mentally.
59 If the gods do not turn up.
60 The forms of predatory beasts like wolves.
Chapter 1255(36)
61 Abhiras are cowherds and vinashana means disappearance.
62 Balarama.
63 Balarama.
64 The sage Garga is believed to have been a pioneer in astronomy and astrology.
65 A large tree or mountain. The word used is naga, so it could mean either. However, subsequently, a tree is indicated.
66 Vasuki.
67 Valakhilyas are sages who are as small as the thumb. Ashmakuttas are sages who pound their bodies with stone. Dantolukhalinas (or Dantolukhalikas) are sages who use their teeth as mortar, that is, they only eat grain that has not been ground. Samprakshalas are sages who incessantly wash themselves in water.
68 Meaning that part of the Ganga (Mandakini) that flows in heaven.
69 The rishis’.
70 Badari is the Indian ber tree, inguda is the desert date, kashmarya is the barberry, plaksha is pipal, ashvattha is the religious fig tree, vibhitaka is myrobalan, panasa is jackfruit, palasha is flame of the forest, karira is capparis deciduas and pilu is salvadora oleoides.
71 Parusha is difficult to identify, Bilva is bel, Amrataka is wild mango, atimukta is madhumalati, Kashanda is difficult to identify and parijata is the night jasmine or coral jasmine.
72 Vaneyas are those who live in forests.
Chapter 1256(37)
73 It is not clear whether Vimalodaka is a proper name or not. If it is a proper name, the seven names of Sarasvati are in addition to the name of Sarasvati. If Sarasvati is also one of the seven names, Vimalodaka is an adjective, meaning the one with clear waters. However, since the seven names occur separately later, Sarasvati is not one of the seven names.
74 Brahma.
75 Because the sacrifice was so spectacular.
76 Here, the text actually says Manohrada, but the two words mean the same thing. Literally, both mean something that has been summoned by the mind.
77 The Critical edition abruptly excises a shloka here. The missing shloka tells us that Sarasvati appeared there as Suvenu. Gangadvara is the gate of the Ganga, meaning the opening in the Himalayas, through which, Ganga descends into the plains. This is in Haridvara.
78 The same as Vimalodaka.
79 The Maruts are gods of the storm and the wind, sometimes identified with Indra and sometimes with Shiva. While the number of Maruts varies, it is often given as forty-nine, which fits the notion of seven times seven.
80 Shiva was in the disguise of a brahmana.
81 After death.
Chapter 1257(38)
82 Shukra, the preceptor of the demons. The wise Shukra laid down many kinds of policy (niti).
83 Not a conflict between the daityas and the danavas, but their conflict with the gods.
84 Kapala means a skull and mochana means release. Thus, release from a skull.
85 Vishvamitra was born as a kshatriya and wanted to become a brahmana.
86 Another name for Balarama.
Chapter 1258(39)
87 That is, knowledge of the Vedas.
88 Sarasvati.
89 Alternatively, snakes.
90 The word used is tata. This means son, but is affectionately used towards anyone younger or junior.
91 The use of the word Koushika causes a problem, since it is being used for both Vishvamitra and his father. The entire family was descended from Kusha. Vishvamitra’s father was Gadhi. Hence, both Gadhi and Vishvamitra are Koushika.
Chapter 1259(40)
92 Donation given to priests for performing a sacrifice.
93 That is, the king of Panchala.
94 Baka offered them his animals.
95 The flesh was offered as an oblation, intending the destruction of the kingdom.
96 Balarama.
97 Instead of water.
98 Balarama.
Chapter 1260(41)
99 We haven’t been told this yet, nor has Janamejaya heard it yet. Janamejaya has inferred this from the name Vasishthapavaha. Apavaha means to bear or carry away, so Vasishthapavaha means something that carries off Vasishtha.
100 Vasishtha and Vishvamitra.
101 The eastern and western banks of the river Sarasvati.
102 Sthanu means one who is fixed and immobile and is one of Shiva’s names. The tirtha got its name because of this.
103 Vishvamitra.
104 There was a sage named Maitra Varuni. According to some accounts, Vasishtha was the son of the sage Maitra Varuni and Urvashi. Thus, Vasishtha is being referred to as Maitra Varuni’s son.
105 As a goddess, Sarasvati was born from Brahma’s mental powers.
106 Sarasvati is the goddess of learning.
107 Pushti, Dyuti, Kirti, Siddhi, Vriddhi and Uma respectively.
108 The incantation made when oblations are offered into the fire for the gods.
109 Those born from wombs, those born from eggs, those that are trees/plants and those that are born from sweat (insects).
110 Vishvamitra.
Chapter 1261(42)
111 Vasishthapavaha, where the river flowed in the form of blood.
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112 Saras means lake or pool and Sarasvati was so named because the river had many lakes or pools.
113 Of feeding on blood.
114 A wicked brahmana becomes a brahma-rakshasa. In this, a varna-based classification is being made of rakshasas.
115 The text uses the word yonidosha. More literally, this is sexual defilement, or a defect in the female genital organ.
116 Foam is neither wet, nor dry. Because of the mist, it was neither day, nor night.
117 Because Namuchi was descended from the sage Kashyapa.
118 Namuchi.
119 Skanda or Kartikeya’s name. Kumara is another of his names.
Chapter 1262(43)
120 Skanna means something that has trickled down or fallen. The word Skanda is derived from that. The story is left implicit. Shiva was interrupted by the god of love. The seed fell down and was conveyed by Agni.
121 Meaning Agni.
122 Because Agni had borne the seed.
123 Krittika (Pleiades) is the third of the twenty-seven nakshatras. Krittika is actually a star cluster, not a single star. There are believed to be six Krittikas in that cluster.
124 After the Krittikas.
125 They had come to see Skanda.
126 Uma’s consort is Shiva. The daughter of the mountains is Uma or Parvati. The bhutas are demons, Shiva’s followers.
127 Cats have already been mentioned. The text uses the word vrishadamsha. Vrisha means rat or mouse. Therefore, vrishadamsha is something that bites rats/mice, hence it means cat. However, the word can be used for any animal that has strong teeth.
128 The matrikas are mother goddesses, originally identified with the Krittikas. They have both malign and benign aspects, vis-à-vis infants. Usually, the matrikas are said to be seven—Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Koumari, Varahi and Chamundi (or Narasimhi).
129 The sages who were created through Brahma’s mental powers.
130 The sun god.
131 Shiva.
132 All four had some claim to parentage. There are varying stories about Kartikeya’s birth. In some of these, Parvati is the mother.
133 Agni.
134 Parvati.
Chapter 1263(44)
135 The sun god.
136 Hermits.
137 Semi-divine species.
138 Hri is modesty personified. Shri can be interpreted as prosperity personified, or Lakshmi. Sinivali is the first day of the new moon, when the crescent is barely visible. Anumati is the fifteenth day of the moon. Kuhu is the day of the new moon. Raka is the day of the full moon. Dhishana is intellect personified.
139 Kala and Kashtha are small measures of time.
140 Kratu.
141 Nairritas.
142 Agni.
143 Some names are repeated more than once.
144 Tuhana and Tuhaana.
145 Shishumara, alternatively, dolphins or porpoises.
146 Vrishadamsha again.
147 Tittira and krikala are mentioned. Both are types of partridges.
148 Followers of Shiva.
Chapter 1264(45)
149 Some names are repeated more than once.
150 Indra.
151 Kartikeya’s name.
152 Demons.
153 Kind of drum.
154 Kind of musical instrument.
155 Adambara. Alternatively, drum.
156 Kind of musical instrument.
157 Dindimas.
158 Kartikeya.
159 All in personified form.
160 The one he received from Indra.
161 Taraka.
162 Mahisha is a demon in the form of a buffalo. In some accounts, he was killed by Durga/Parvati. In others, he was killed by Skanda. A padma is a large number.
163 There is a slight anomaly, because we have been told that the javelin was given by Indra, not Agni. Krouncha is a curlew/snipe. When it was shattered, the mountain shrieked like a curlew/snipe and got its name. Mount Krouncha is believed to be in Bellary district of Karnataka.
164 Pine.
165 Golangula, the cow-tailed black monkey.
166 Mythical animal similar to a lion, which feeds on lions.
167 Pavaka is one of Agni’s names.
168 Usually, it is said that four sons were born to Brahma through his mental powers—Sanatkumara, Sanaka, Sanatana and Sanandana, though seven sons are sometimes also mentioned. Sanatkumara is believed to have reappeared as Kartikeya.
Chapter 1265(46)
169 We have deliberately retained the word kalpa, since a kalpa is much more than an era (yuga). It is more like an aeon or epoch. A cycle of satya (or krita) yuga, treta yuga, dvapara yuga and kali yuga constitutes a mahayuga and 1000 mahayugas constitute a kalpa, one of Brahma’s days. A kalpa is divided into fourteen manvantara, with a Manu presiding over each of these.
170 The moon.
171 Name of a demon killed by Balarama.
172 The sage Bhrigu’s wife was Puloma. A demon was enamoured of her and asked Agni who she was. To avoid telling a lie, Agni said that she was the sage Bhrigu’s wife. The demon abducted her. At that time, Puloma was pregnant and had a miscarriage. Though the child (Chyavana) survived, Bhrigu cursed Agni for revealing Puloma’s identity. The curse was that Agni would devour everything. The story has been recounted in Section 1 (Volume 1).
173 Balarama.
174 Balarama.
175 According to some accounts, Vishrava was the son of Pulastya and Vishrava’s wife was Ilavida or Ilavila. The son of this union was Ailavida or Ailabila. Ailabila performed austerities and became Kubera, the lord of riches.
Chapter 1266(47)
176 A berry or jujube is badara and pachana is to cook, in this case, boil. Hence the name Badarapachana.
177 Vasishtha’s wife.
178 Shiva told her these, while the berries were being cooked.
179 Shiva.
180 The rishis.
181 The text is gender neutral. But that is difficult to render in English.
182 Gender neutral again.
183 The word srijana means something that is shed, explaining the name Sruchavati.
184 Balarama.
Chapter 1267(48)
185 Shata is one hundred and kratu is sacrifice.
186 Parashurama.
187 Kind of sacrifice.
188 Kashyapa.
189 This means Balarama now.
190 Balarama’s name. Literally, the one who wears a garland of wild flowers.
Chapter 1268(49)
191 Asita-Devala is sometimes described as a single sage and sometimes as two different sages. This is true of this section too. While the singular is generally used, in some shlokas, there is the dual too.
192 Jaigishavya.
193 Before Asita-Devala reached there.
194 Asita-Devala.
195 Different kinds of sacrifices. Agnihotra sacrifices are performed with fire, darsha sacrifices on the day of the new moon and pournamasa sacrifices on the day of the full moon.
196 Performed once every four months.
197 Ashvamedha is a horse sacrifice, in which, a horse is sacrificed. In a naramedha sacrifice, a human being is sacrificed.
198 Sacrifice in Indra’s honour.
199 Sacrifices that go on for twelve days.
200 Vishnu’s world.
201 Release, liberation, salvation, emancipation.
202 Jaigishavya.
203 Asita-Devala.
204 Sannyasa cannot be satisfactorily rendered in English. Literally, it means resorting to the path of virtue. Loosely, it is the path of an ascetic who renounces the world. But it also means casting aside one’s body.
205 In case Asita-Devala gives up his pursuit of moksha and continues to feed the beings by plucking fruit, roots, flowers and herbs.
206 Presumably because the austerities have been inappropriately used.
207 Narada.
Chapter 1269(50)
208 Famous battle fough
t between the gods and the demons.
209 In case those powers were used to dislodge Indra.
210 Indra could not tempt him away from his austerities.
211 Dadhicha.
212 Dadhicha.
213 From his bones.
214 Indra.
215 Indra killed Vritra with the vajra. Because of the crime of killing a brahmana, Indra hid for twelve years and a drought ensued.
216 They formally became his disciples.
217 As a token of becoming a disciple.
Chapter 1271(52)
218 Kshetra means field, Kurukshetra is Kuru’s field.
219 King famous for his generosity.
220 There were believed to be four yakshas on the four corners of Kurukshetra. Tarantuka was on the north-east, now identified as Pipli. Arantuka was in the north-west, now identified as Behar Jaka, partly in Patiala and partly in Kaithal. Machakruka was in the south-east, now identified as Sinkh, in Panipat. Kapila yaksha was in the south-west, near Jind. This is also where Rama’s lakes are. Parashurama is believed to have created five (pancha) lakes of blood, after killing the kshatriyas, one reason for the name Samantapanchaka. Another reason for the name Samantapanchaka is that it was five yojanas in every direction.
Chapter 1272(53)
221 Madhuka is a kind of tree. Plaksha is the religious fig tree. Nyagrodha is the Indian fig tree. Bilva is bel and arjuna is a tall tree.
222 The text uses the word kacchapi. This means a lute, which is the sense in which we have translated it. However, this could also mean that the veena was made of tortoise shell.
223 Narada liked to incite quarrels.
224 Balarama.
225 Balarama.
Chapter 1273(54)
1 Balarama.
2 Yudhishthira.
3 Balarama.
4 That is, they would go to Samantapanchaka. The encounter would take place there, rather than near Lake Dvaipayana.
Mahabharata: Volume 7 Page 65
