Maha-bharata Part 9

Sisupala's Fall

Tiger-hearted Sisupala spake in anger stem and high, Calm unto him Krishna answered, but a light was in his eye:

"List, O chiefs and righteous monarchs! from a daughter of our race Evil-destined Sisupala doth his n.o.ble lineage trace,

Spite of wrong and frequent outrage, spite of insult often flung, Never in his heart hath Krishna sought to do his kinsman wrong!

Once I went to eastern regions, Sisupala like a foe Burnt my far-famed seaport Dwarka, laid the mart and temple low!

Once on Bhoja's trusting monarch faithless Sisupala fell, Slew his men and threw him captive in his castle's dungeon cell!

Once for holy _aswamedha_ Vasudeva sent his steed, Sisupala stole the charger, sought to stop the righteous deed,

Once on saintly Babhru's consort, pious-hearted, pure and just, Sisupala fell in madness, forced the lady to his l.u.s.t,

Once Visala's beauteous princess went to seek her husband's side, In her husband's garb disguised Sisupala clasped the bride!

This and more hath Krishna suffered, for his mother is our kin, But the sickening tale appalleth, and he addeth sin to sin!

One more tale of sin I mention: by his impious pa.s.sion fired, To my saintly wife, Rukmini, Sisupala hath aspired,

As the low-born seeks the _Veda_, soiling it with impure breath, Sisupala sought my consort, and his righteous doom is Death!"

Krishna spake; the rising red blood speaks each angry hero's shame, Shame for Chedi's impious actions, grief for Sisupala's fame!

Loudly laughed proud Sisupala, spake with bitter taunt and jeer, Answered Krishna's lofty menace with disdain and cruel sneer:

"Wherefore in this vast a.s.sembly thus proclaim thy tale of shame, If thy wedded wife and consort did inspire my youthful flame?

Doth a man of sense and honour, blest with wisdom and with pride, Thus proclaim his wedded consort was another's loving bride?

Do thy worst! Or if by anger or by weak forbearance led, Sisupala seeks no mercy, nor doth Krishna's anger dread!"

Lowered Krishna's eye and forehead, and unto his hands there came Fatal disc, the dread of sinners, disc that never missed its aim,

"Monarchs in this hall a.s.sembled!" Krishna in his anger cried, "Oft hath Chedi's impious monarch Krishna's n.o.ble rage defied,

For unto his pious mother plighted word and troth was given, Sisupala's hundred follies would by Krishna be forgiven,

I have kept the plighted promise, but his crimes exceed the tale, And beneath this vengeful weapon Sisupala now shall quail!"

Then the bright and whirling discus, as this mandate Krishna said, Fell on impious Sisupala, from his body smote his head,

Fell the mighty-armed monarch like a thunder-riven rock, Severed from the parent mountain by the bolt's resistless shook!

And his soul be-cleansed of pa.s.sions came forth from its mortal shroud, Like the radiant sun in splendour from a dark and mantling cloud,

Unto Krishna good and gracious, like a lurid spark aflame, Chastened of its sin and anger, Sisupala's spirit came!

Rain descends in copious torrents, quick the lurid lightnings fly, And the wide earth feels a tremor, restless thunders shake the sky,

Various feelings away the monarchs as they stand in hushed amaze, Mutely in those speechless moments on the lifeless warrior gaze!

Some there are who seek their weapons, and their nervous fingers shake, And their lips they bite in anger, and their frames in tremor quake,

Others in their inmost bosom welcome Krishna's righteous deed, Look on death of Sisupala as a sinner's proper meed,

_Ris.h.i.+s_ bless the deed of Krishna as they wend their various ways, Brahmans pure and pious-hearted chant the righteous Krishna's praise!

Sad Yudhishthir, gentle-hearted, thus unto his brothers said: "Funeral rites and regal honours be performed unto the dead,"

Duteously his faithful brothers then performed each pious rite, Honours due to Chedi's monarch, to his rank and peerless might,

Sisupala's son they seated in his mighty father's place, And with holy _abhisheka_ hailed him king of Chedi's race!

VII

Yudhishthir Emperor

Thus removed the hapless hindrance, now the holy sacrifice Was performed with joy and splendour and with gifts of gold and rice,

G.o.dlike Krishna watched benignly with his bow and disc and mace, And Yudhishthir closed the feasting with his kindliness and grace.

Brahmans sprinkled holy water on the empire's righteous lord, All the monarchs made obeisance, spake in sweet and graceful word:

"Born of race of Ajamidha! thou hast spread thy father's fame, Rising by thy native virtue thou hast won a mightier name,

And this rite unto thy station doth a holier grace instil, And thy royal grace and kindness all our hope and wish fulfil,

Grant us, king of mighty monarchs, now unto our realms we go, Emperor o'er earthly rulers, blessings and thy grace bestow!"

Good Yudhishthir to the monarchs parting grace and honours paid, And unto his duteous brothers thus in loving-kindness said:

"To our feast these n.o.ble monarchs came from loyal love they bear, Far as confines of their kingdoms, with them let our friends repair."

And his brothers and his kinsmen duteously his hest obey, With each parting guest and monarch journey on the home ward way.

Arjun wends with high-souled Drupad, famed for lofty warlike grace, Dhrishta-dyumna with Virata, monarch of the Matsya race,

Bhima on the ancient Bhishma and on Kuru's king doth wait, Sahadeva waits on Drona, great in arms, in virtue great,

With Gandhara's warlike monarch brave Nakula holds his way, Other chiefs with other monarchs where their distant kingdoms lay.

Last of all Yudhishthir's kinsman, righteous Krishna fain would part, And unto the good Yudhishthir opens thus his joyful heart:

"Done this glorious _rajasuya_, joy and pride of Kuru's race, Grant, O friend! to sea-girt Dwarka, Krishna now his steps must trace."

"By thy grace and by thy valour," sad Yudhishthir thus replies, "By thy presence, n.o.ble Krishna, I performed this high emprise,