THE MAHAPRASTHANIKA PARVA OF THE MAHABHARATA. "THE GREAT JOURNEY." To Narayen, Lord of lords, be glory given , To sweet Saraswati, the Queen in Heaven, To great VyAsa, eke, pay reverence due, So shall this story its high course pursue. Then Janmejaya prayed: "Thou Singer, say, What wrought the princes of the Pandavas On tidings of the battle so ensued, And Krishna, gone on high?" Answered the Sage: "On tidings of the wreck of Vrishni's race, King Yudhishthira of the Pandavas Was minded to be done with earthly things, And to Arjuna spake: 'O noble Prince, Time endeth all; we linger, noose on neck, Till the last day tightens the line, and kills. Let us go forth to die, being yet alive,' And Kunti's son, the great Arjuna, said: 'Let us go forth to die!--Time slayeth all; We will find Death, who seeketh other men.' And Bhimasena, hearing, answered: 'Yea! We will find Death!' and Sahadev cried: 'Yea!' And his twin brother Nakula: whereat The princes set their faces for the Mount. "But Yudhishthira--ere he left his realm, To seek high ending--summoned Yuyutsu, Surnamed of fights, and set him over all, Regent, to rule in Parikshita's name Nearest the throne; and Parikshita king He crowned, and unto old Subhadra said: 'This, thy son's son, shall wear the Kuru crown, And Yadu's offspring, Vajra, shall be first In Yadu's house. Bring up the little prince Here in our Hastinapur, but Vajra keep At Indraprasth; and let it be thy last Of virtuous works to guard the lads, and guide.' "So ordering ere he went, the righteous king Made offering of white water, heedfully, To Vasudev, to Rama, and the rest,-- All funeral rites performing; next he spread A funeral feast, whereat there sate as guests Narada, Dwaipayana, Bharadwaj, And Markandeya, rich in saintly years, And Tajnavalkya, Hari, and the priests. Those holy ones he fed with dainty meats In kingliest wise, naming the name of Him Who bears the bow: and--that it should be well For him and his--gave to the Brahmanas Jewels of gold and silver, lakhs on lakhs. Fair broidered cloths, gardens and villages, Chariots and steeds and slaves. "Which being done,-- O Best of Bharat's line!--he bowed him low Before his Guru's feet,--at Kripa's feet, That sage all honoured,--saying, 'Take my prince; Teach Parikshita as thou taughtest me; For hearken, ministers and men of war! Fixed is my mind to quit all earthly state.' Full sore of heart were they, and sore the folk To hear such speech, and bitter spread the word Through town and country, that the king would go; And all the people cried, 'Stay with us, Lord!' But Yudhishthira knew the time was come, Knew that life passes and that virtue lasts, And put aside their love. "So--with farewells Tenderly took of lieges and of lords-- Girt he for travel, with his princely kin, Great Yudhishthira, Dharma's royal son. Crest-gem and belt and ornaments he stripped From off his body, and, for broidered robe A rough dress donned, woven of jungle-bark; And what he did--O Lord of men!--so did Arjuna, BhIma, and the twin-born pair, Nakula with Sahadev, and she--in grace The peerless--DraupadI. Lastly these six, Thou son of Bharata! in solemn form Made the high sacrifice of Naishtiki, Quenching their flames in water at the close; And so set forth, 'midst wailing of all folk And tears of women, weeping most to see The Princess DraupadI--that lovely prize Of the great gaming, DraupadI the Bright-- Journeying afoot; but she and all the Five Rejoiced, because their way lay heavenwards. "Seven were they, setting forth,--princess and king, The king's four brothers, and a faithful dog. Those left Hastinapur; but many a man, And all the palace household, followed them The first sad stage; and, ofttimes prayed to part, Put parting off for love and pity, still Sighing 'A little farther!'--till day waned; Then one by one they turned, and Kripa said, 'Let all turn back, Yuyutsu! These must go.' So came they homewards, but the Snake-King's child, UlÙpi, leapt in Ganges, losing them; And Chitranagad with her people went Mournful to Munipoor, whilst the three queens Brought Parikshita in. "Thus wended they, Pandu's five sons and loveliest DraupadI, Tasting no meat, and journeying due east; On righteousness their high hearts bent, to heaven Their souls assigned; and steadfast trode their feet, By faith upborne, past nullah, ran, and wood, River and jheel and plain. King Yudhishthir Walked foremost, BhIma followed, after him Arjuna, and the twin-born brethren next, Nakula with Sahadev; in whose still steps-- O Best of Bharat's offspring!--DraupadI, That gem of women, paced; with soft, dark face,-- Beautiful, wonderful!--and lustrous eyes, Clear-lined like lotus-petals; last the dog, Following the Pandavas. "At length they reach The far Lauchityan Sea, which foameth white Under Udayachala's ridge.--Know ye That all this while Nakula had not ceased Bearing the holy bow, named Gandiva, And jewelled quiver, ever filled with shafts Though one should shoot a thousand thousand times. Here--broad across their path--the heroes see Agni, the god. As though a mighty hill Took form of front and breast and limb, he spake. Seven streams of shining splendour rayed his brow, While the dread voice said: 'I am Agni, chiefs! O sons of Pandu, I am Agni! Hail! O long-armed Yudhishthira, blameless king,-- O warlike BhIma,--O Arjuna, wise,-- O brothers twin-born from a womb divine,-- Hear! I am Agni, who consumed the wood By will of Narayan for Arjuna's sake. Let this your brother give Gandiva back-- The matchless bow: the use for it is o'er.