Indian Idylls · 4 of 9

The Enchanted Lake

(FROM THE VANA PARVA OF THE MAHÂBHÂRATA- PAGE 825, LINE 17305, OF THE CALCUTTA QUARTO TEXT.)

[In the preceding section the five Panda Princes have been wandering in the forest, greatly distressed for want of water. The concluding portion of this translation illustrates a passage in the "Swargarohana," where the god Dharma praises King Vudhisthira for his equity and self-denial. The riddles propounded by the Yaksha, some of which are here omitted, may be considered probably the oldest known to literature]

THEN Yudhisthira spake to Nakula: "Thou son of Madri, climb upon a tree, And look to all ten quarters, if by chance Water be nigh, or plants which love the pool; Thy brothers faint with thirst."

So Nakula Clomb a tall tree; and looking, called aloud: "Green leaves and water plants I see, which love The marish and the pool; also I hear The cry of cranes; yonder will water lie,"

"Go," said the King, "and fetch for us to drink, Filling thy quiver."

Then sped Nakula, Obeying Yudhisthira, with swift feet, And found a crystal pool brimmed to the bank: The great red-crested cranes stalked on its marge. And down he flung to drink; but a voice cried: "Beware to drink, rash youth, ere thou hast made Answers to such things as I ask of thee The law of this fair water standeth thus Arise, and hear, and speak; afterwards drink, And fill thy quiver!"

But the eager Prince, Being so parched, quaffed deep, not heeding him, The Vaksha [1] of the place, and thereupon Fell lifeless in the reeds.

So, when they looked To see him coming, and he tarried long, Again spake Yudhisthira: "Nakula Lingers too much, my brothers. Sahadev, Go thou, and bring him back, and bring to drink."

"I go," quoth Sahadev; and sought the pool, And saw the water, and saw Nakula Prone on the earth. Then mightily he grieved, Spying the Prince outstretched , yet, all so fierce His drouth was, that he ran and flung him down, Making to quaff; when, once again, the voice

[1. "Yakshas" are supernatural beings of Hindu poetry, resembling our fairies, and called, indeed, punya janas, or "good people." They are very powerful, and generally beautiful in form and benignant.]

Sounded: "Beware to drink, ere thou dost give Answer to what things I will ask of thee This is the law of me, who am the Lord Of the fair water; rise, and hear, and speak; Then thou shalt drink and draw."

Yet so the stress Of thirst o'ercame him, that he heeded not, But drank, and rose, and - reeled among the reeds Lifeless.

Then, once again, great Kunti's son Spake, saying: "O Arjuna, Fear of foes, These, our twain brethren, tarry; go thyself, And speed, and bring them back, and bring to drink. Our trust thou art, for we are sore distressed."

Which hearing, Gudikesá [1] seized his bow And arrows, and, with drawn sword, sought the pool, But coming thither, saw those heroes stretched [1. "He of the knotted locks,"]

His brethren, best of men, -in deadly swoon, Or dead indeed; and deep distraught he stood, Seeing them thus. All round the wood he gazed, With lifted bow, and arrow on the string, Seeking some foe; but when none carne in sight, So wild his thirst was, and the pool so clear, He bent his knee to drink, but, bending, heard That voice cry: "Dost thou this without my leave? Despite me, Kunti's son, thou canst not drink; And shalt not, till thou makest answer good Unto my asking; then mayst thou be free, O born of Bhârata, to drink and draw!"

Thus sternly stayed, the Prince exclaimed in wrath: Come forth and show thyself, and fight with me Pierced by my arrows thou shalt yield the pool." Then shot he shafts this way and that; and spoke Those spells which make a feathered barb fly straight; And darts he flung, of magic might, which find Th' escaping foe, tracking his winding feet; Karnis, nârâchas, nâlikas [1] he threw, - That angry Prince, - covering the sky and wood With searching barbs. Thereat the voice anew Mocked him, low laughing: "Son of Pritha, vain Thine anger is; answer me fair, and drink; But if thou drinkest ere thou answerest, Thou shalt not live." Yet was his throat so parched The Prince regarded not, and stooped, and drank, And fell down dead.

Then Yudhisthira spake: Bhima, thou Terror of thy foes, see now Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadev, are gone To fetch us water, but they come not back. Seek them, and bring to drink."

And Bhima said, So be it."And he went unto the place Where those, his mighty-hearted brethren, lay.

[1. These are names for different kinds of darts and arrows.]

But when he saw them -all three - dead and stark, Sore mourned that long-armed lord, and gazed around, Deeming some Yaksha or some Râkshasa Had wrought their doom, and chafing for the fight. "Put first," quoth he, "t'were good to drink," - so sore The drouth oppressed; and to the pool he sped, Thinking to quaff, when yet again that voice Echoed Dare not to drink! So stands the law Of this fair water; answer first, then drink!" But Bhima, parched and haughty, answered nought, Lapping the sweet wave; and in lapping, fell.

Then, long time left alone, Kunti's wise son Uprose, - great Yudhisthira, - sorrowful, Perplexed in thought, and strode into the wood: A leafy depth, where never foot was heard Of man, but shy deer roamed, and shaggy bears Rustled, and jungle-hens clucked in the shade; With tall trees crowded, in whose crown wild bees Swarmed buzzing, and strange birds builded their nests. Through this green darkness wending, Yudhisthir passed to the pool, and marked its silver face Shine in the light, rimmed round with purple cups Of lotus- blossoms, all as if 'twere made By Viswakarnia, architect divine; And all its gleaming shallows and bright bays With water-plants were broken, - lilies, reeds; And framed about with ketuk-groves,[1] and clumps Of sweet rose-laurel and the sacred fig; Insomuch that the King stood wondering there, Albeit heart- sorrowful.

For there he saw, Stretched dead together, - as the world's lords die, Indra and all, at every yuga's end, - His-warrior brethren. Prone Arjuna lay, Beside his bow and arrow; Bhima prone, With Nakula and Sahadev; each void Of life and motion; and, beholding these,

[1. The Pandanus odoratissimus.]

His soul sank, and he fetched a grievous sigh. Bitterly at that sight lamented he, Saying: "Ah, Bhima! O my brother, named From the grim wolf, I vain is the vow thou mad'st To break the thigh of fell Duryodhana, In battle with thy mace. Dead art thou now, And those words wind. Brother and faithful friend, - Who wast so princely hearted, and upheld'st The fortune of the Kurus, - vows of men Fail ofttimes, being blind, but this of thine Was noble; wherefore hath it borne not fruit? O Dhananjaya, conqueror of wealth, My joy, my brave Arjuna! At thy birth The glad gods spake to Kunti: 'This thy son Shall be like Indra with the thousand eyes.' And northwards of the Paripatra hills All people cried: 'Here is the chief shall bring The glory back to us, having such strength

[1. Bhima's other name was Vrikôdara, that is, "Wolf's belly," from his prodigious force and appetite.]

That in the battle none will make him fly, And none shall stand when he pursueth.' How, Ah, Jishnu! - how is this betided here, Killing those hopes with thee, with thee, whose love Made all our dangers sweet? And Sahadev, And Nakula, so valiant in the fight, So high and gallant, gifted like the gods, - How have ye fallen? Who could conquer you? Is my heart stone, that now it breaketh not, Seeing these great twins gone, the first of men, Heroes, the half of whose renownèd work Was yet to do? Ye knew the Shastras, -knew The times and places and observances, And kept the rites; how lie ye on the earth, Unconquered ones, thus slain, thus overcome, And not a wound to show - Day! but the strings Not slipped into the notches of your bows?"

So broke the sorrow forth from Yudhisthir, Beholding all four brethren lying still, Stark, like four corpses set asleep by Death; Much grieved he, and the marvel chilled his blood: Nor wist he, though so wise, whither to look For that which slew them. Yet, close-pondering, Unto himself he spake: "No hurts they bear Made by a mortal weapon, nor is print Of footmark nigh, save theirs; this is some Bhût, Some spirit of the waste! But let me drink, And afterward consider; it may be The vile Duryodhana hath drugged the pool, By counsel of Gandhâra's King; the wise Trust never him with senses unsubdued, To whom things lawful and unlawful count One and the same; yea, but this thing might be Wrought by hid hatred of Duryodhana!"

Thus mused the King, but murmured presently: Pure and unsullied seems the water,- fresh My brothers' faces are; no poison-stain Mars limb or lip! 'Tis Yama's self hath come, The conqueror of all, and slain them here, Whom none but he dared strike, being so strong."

So saying, to the brink he drew, athirst, And stooped to drink, when, close at hand, he heard A bird's cry; and the Yaksha, taking shape, Spake: "A gray crane I am, feeding on fish And water-weeds; 'tis I have sent yon four Into the regions of the dead, and thou Shalt go, the fifth, great Raja, following them, Except thou makest answers fair and good To all which I shall ask. Dare not to drink, Thou son of Kunti! for my law is strong; Answer, and afterwards drink thou, and draw."

Spake Yudhisthir: "Who art thou? Art thou chief Of Rudras, or of Vasus, or Marûts? [1]

[1. The Rudras, or "Howlers," eleven in number, and the Marûts, are storm-gods; the eight Vâsus, personifications of natural phenomena, such as water, wind, fire, light, &c.]

Tell me! No bird wrought thus, unless a bird Might overthrow Himavân, and the peaks Of Paripatra, or the Vindhya crags, Or Malabar's black ghâts. Ah! terrible And mighty one, this is a dread deed wrought This is a marvel, if thou slewedst those Whom Gods, and Gandharvas, and Asuras, And Demons dared not face in fight. I know Nought of thy mind, nor if thou didst this thing Desiring aught; wonder and fear possess My burdened heart. I pray thee, show thyself; Reveal what god thou art who hauntest here."

"Yea, King," came answer, "I am not a bird Wading the shallows, but a Yaksha dread; And I, as now thou seest me, killed these four." Raja (so Vaisampayana, went on), When Yudhisthira heard those scornful words, And saw that form, backward he drew a space, Gazing upon the Shape so fiery-eyed, Bulked like a crag, with towering head which topped The fan-palms waving near; shining as shines The glory of the sun, not to be borne For splendor; colored like an evening cloud, And, like a cloud, still shifting. Then it spake, That monstrous Shade: "These four, though I forbade, Drank of the pool, despite me, and were slain. Drink not, O King, if thou desirest life! O son of Pritha, drink not! Kunti's child, Answer my questionings; then drink and live!"

"I would not break thy rule," quoth Yudhisthir; The wise have said, I Keep everywhere the law.' And, Yaksha, wherein thou wilt question me, None can speak better than he understands; So what I know that will I answer. Ask!"

Then thus he questioned, and the King replied.

YAKSHA. What teacheth division 'twixt spirit and frame? And which is the practice assisteth the same? What finally freeth the spirit? and how Doth it find a new being? Resolve me these now.

KING. The Veds division plainly show; By worship rightly man doth go; Dharma the soul will surely free; In truth its final rest shall be.

YAKSHA. How cometh a man in the Veds to be wise? What bringeth the knowledge of God to his eyes? What learning shall teach. him the uttermost lore? And whence will he win it? Reply to these four.

KING. By hearing Scripture man acquires; By doing it his soul aspires; The utmost lore is conquiering sense, Which cometh of obedience.

YAKSHA. How wendeth a Brahman to heavenly rest? And what is the work which befitteth him best? And which are the sins that disgrace him? and why Doth he know himself humble and mortal? Reply!

KING. Reading the Vedas leads to rest; Pure meditation fits him best; Slander and cruelty defame; And Death stamps him and all the same.

YAKSHA. Who is it that, gifted with senses to see, To hear, taste, smell, handle, and seeming to be Sagacious, strong, fortunate, able, and fair, Hath never once lived, though he breatheth the air?

KING. The man who, having, doth not give Out of his treasure to these five, - Gods, guests, and Pitris, kin, and friend, Breathes breath, but lives not to life's end.

YAKSHA. What thing in the world weigheth more than the world? What thing goeth higher than white clouds are curled? What thing fleeth quicker than winds o'er the main? And what groweth thicker than grass on the plain?

KING. A mother's heart outweighs the earth; A father's fondness goeth forth Beyond the sky; thought can outpass The winds; and woes grow more than grass.

YAKSHA. Whose eyes are unclosed, though he slumbers all day? And what's born alive without motion? and, say, What moveth, yet lives not? and what, as it goes, Wastes not, but still waxes? Resolve me now those.

KING. With unclosed eyes a fish doth sleep; And new-laid eggs their place will keep; Stones roll - and streams, that seek the sea, The more they flow the wider be.

VAKSHA. What help is the best help to virtue? and then, What way is the best way to fame among men? What road is the best road to heaven? and how Shall a man live most happy? Resolve me these now.

KING. Capacity doth virtue gain; Gift-giving, will renown obtain; Truth is to heaven the best of ways And a kind heart wins happy days.

VAKSHA. What soul hath a man's which is his, yet another's? What friend do the gods grant, the best of all others? What joy in existence is greatest? and how May poor men be rich and abundant? say thou!

KING. Sons are the second souls of man; And wives the heaven-sent friends; nor can Among all joys health be surpassed Contentment answereth thy last.

YAKSHA. Which virtue of virtues is first? and which bears Most fruit? and which causeth the ceasing of tears?

KING. To bear no malice is the best; And reverence is fruitfullest; Subduing self sets grief at rest.

YAKSHA. Still tell me what foeman is worst to subdue? And what is the sickness lasts lifetime all through? Of men that are upright say which is the best? And of those that are wicked, who passeth the rest? KING. Anger is man's unconquered foe; The ache of greed doth never go Who loveth most of saints is first Of bad men cruel men are worst.

YAKSHA. Good Prince, tell me true, is a Brahmana made By birthright? or shall it be rightfully said, If he reads all the Veds, and the Srutis doth know, He is this? or doth conduct of life make him so?

KING. O Yaksha, listen to the truth: Not if a man do dwell from youth Beneath a Brahman's roof, nor when The Srutis known to holy men Are learned, and read the Vedas through, Doth this make any Brahman true. Conduct alone that name can give A Brahmana must steadfast live, Devoid of sin, and free from wrong; For he who walks low paths along, Still keeping to the way, shall come Sooner and safer to his home Than the proud wanderer on the hill; And reading, learning, praying, still Are outward deeds which ofttimes leave Barren of fruit minds that believe. Who practises what good he knows, Himself a Brahmana he shows; And if an evil nature knew The sacred Vedas through and through, With all the Srutis, still must he, Lower than honest Sudra [1] be. To know and do the right, and pay The sacrifice, in peace alway: This maketh one a Brahmana.

YAKSHA. Right skilfully hast thou my questionings mut Most pious of princes, and learned 1 but yet Resolve me, who liveth though death him befall? And what man is richest and greatest of all?

KING. Dead though he be, that mortal lives Whose virtuous memory survives; And richest, greatest, that one is Whose soul -indifferent to bliss

[1. The name of the lowest caste.]

Or misery, to joy or pain, To past or future, loss or gain Sees with calm eyes all fates befall, And, needing nought, possesseth all.

Then spake the Yaksha: "Wondrously, O King, Hast thou replied, and wisely hast fulfilled The law of this fair water: therefore, drink, And choose which one of these thy brethren dead Shall live again."

So Yudhisthira said: Let Nakula, O Yaksha, have his life, My dark-browed brother with the fiery eyes, Straight like a sâla-tree , broad-chested, tall, That long-armed lord."

"But see where Bhima lies Dead," spake the spirit, "dearest unto thee; And where Arjuna sleeps, thy guard and guide. Why dost thou crave the life of Nakula - Not thine own mother's son - in Bhima's stead, Who had the might of countless elephants, Whom all the people called thy 'Well-Beloved'? Or wouldst thou see Nakula alive again In place of great Arjuna, thine own blood., Whose valor was the tower of Pandavas?"

But Yudhisthira answered: "Faith and Right, Being preserved, save all, and, being lost, Leave nought to save: these therefore I will set First in my heart. Faithful and right it is To choose by justice, putting self aside. Let Nakula live, O Yaksha, for men call King Yudhisthira "just"; nor will he lose, Even for love, that name; make Nakula live Kund and Madri were my father's wives; Shall one be childless, and the other see Her sons returning? Madri is to me As Kunti, as my mother, at this hour; As she who bore me she that bore the twins; And justice shall she have, since I am judge. Let Nakula live, thou Yaksha!"

Then the voice Sighed sweet, evanishing Ah, noblest Prince, Ah, Best of Bhârat's Ene 1 as thou art just, Lo! all thy brethren here shall. live again."