| [267] | A division of Hindu learning comprehending such science as is considered dependant upon the Vedas, hence called Vedanga; works on six subjects come under this description, viz., pronunciation, grammar, prosody, explanation of obscure terms, description of religious rites and astronomy. |
| [268] | The four division are (1) Diksha, initiation, (2) Sangraha collection, (3) Sidhi, proficiency (4) Prayoga the use. |
CHAPTER LXXXIX. JARASANDHA PREPARES TO ATTACK MATHURA.
Vaishampayana said:—United with Rohini's son Krishna spent some days happily in the city of Mathura filled with Yādavas (1). Gradually his person was embellished with the grace of youth and regal prosperity and he began to range all over Mathurā adorned with woods (2). After some days had elapsed in this way, Jarāsandha, the king of Rājagriha, heard of Kansa's death from his two daughters (3). Hearing this the powerful Jarāsandha was worked up with anger. And in order to pay his debt to Kansa and to slay all the Yadus, the powerful Jarāsandha, in no time, set out with his army consisting of six divisions. O king, the king of Magadha had two very beautiful and youthful daughters by name Asti and Prāpti. The royal son of Varhadratha conferred them on Kansa (4–6). Having chained his father the son of Ahuka enjoyed in their company. You have heard many a time and oft how, depending on Jarāsandhā's (help) and disregarding the Yadavas the lord of Surasena became king (7). In order to satisfy his duties by his kinsmen and to accomplish their objects Vasudeva was always carefully engaged in Ugrasena's well-being. Kansa did not spare him even (8). When the vicious-souled Kansa was slain by Ramā and Krishna, Ugrasena, encircled by Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas, became king (9).
Asti and Prāpti, the wives of a hero, were the beloved daughters of king Jarāsandha. Therefore burning like fire in anger at their instigation and making every possible arrangement the king of Magadha started for Mathurā. All the highly energetic warrior kings who were defeated and subjugated by Jarāsandha’s prowess, all those who were his friends, relatives, kinsmen and allies, encircled by their own armies, followed Jarāsandha with a view to please him. Dantavakra the king of Karusha, the powerful king of Chedi, the king of Kalinga, the foremost of the powerful, Poundra, Sāngkriti, the king of Keshika, the king Bhishmaka, his son Rukshmi, the foremost of bowmen who used to challenge Vāsudeva and Arjuna in a fight, Venudāri, Shrutarvā, Krātha, Angshumān, the powerful kings of Anga, Vanga, the kings of Koshala, Kashi and Dashārna, the powerful king of Sumha, the lord of Vidha, the powerful king of Madra, the lord of Trigarta, the king of Shālwa endued with prowess, the highly powerful Darada, the energetic Bhagadatta the lord of Yavanas, Saivya the king of Shouvira, Pāndya the foremost of the strong, Suvala, the king of Gāndhāra, Mahāvala, Nagnajit, Gonarda, the king of Kāshmir, the king of Darada, the highly powerful Duryodhana and other sons of Dhritarāshtra—these and other highly powerful kings, mighty car-warriors, followed Jarāsandha, out of jealousy towards Janārddana. Entering the province of Shurasena, abounding in barley and fuels, they all, placing their respecting detachments before them, laid siege to Mathurā (10-22).
CHAPTER XC. JARASANDHA'S ARMY.
Vaishampayana said:—Holding their counsels all the Yādavas, headed by Janārddana, surveyed the encampment of the kings in the gardens of Mathurā. Afterwards with a delighted heart Krishna said to Rāma:—"Forsooth the accomplishment of the object of the gods is near at hand since king Jarāsandha has come near us. The pennons of the cars, coursing like air, are being seen (1–3). Behold, O Sir, there shine the umbrellas of kings desirous of victory, white as the moon (4). The rows, of white umbrellas stationed on the cars of the kings, are moving towards us like swans ranging in the sky (5). However the king Jarāsandha has arrived here in proper time. He is our first guest of battle and is the touch-stone for testing our strength or weakness (6). O Sir, while the emperor has arrived here, we must begin with the fight. Judge now the strength of the enemy's army (7)". Giving vent to these words without any anxiety, Krishna, desirous of slaying Jarāsandha and fighting with him, began to survey his army (8).
Having taken a survey of the assembled kings and armies, the immortal Krishna, the foremost of Yadus conversant with Mantras began to think within himself (9). "These are the kings assembled who wend the ways of the mortals and will meet with death on account of their own actions as pointed out by scriptures (10). I consider these leading kings, on the verge of death, sprinkled by Death like unto sacrificial beasts. Their bodies are all shining as if they are about to repair to the celestial region (21). Assailed by the armies of these sovereigns and exhausted with the weight of their burden Prithivi (earth), covered with powerful kingdoms, went to Brahmā in the celestial region. In no time the surface of the earth will be shorn of men (12-13). And kings by hundreds will be killed."
Vaishampayana said:—The highly powerful, effulgent and persevering Lord Paramount Jarāsandha came there encircled by fore-fold ocean-like forces consisting of war-chariots containing beautiful seats and drawn by powerful steeds whose course is never obstructed any where, cloud-like elephants embellished with bells and golden seats, ridden by car-warriors well-read in the science of war and driven by clever charioteers, horses, going in leaps and bounds, driven by horsemen and resembling clouds and numberless fearful foot-soldiers armed with swords and coats of mail who could bound up in the sky like serpents (14-19). Innumerable kings attentively followed him. All the quarters of the city and her woods, resounding with the rattle of cars resembling the muttering of clouds, the tinkling of the ornaments worn by elephants in rut, the neighings of the horses and the leonine shouts of the infantry, the Emperor Jarāsandha, with his army, appeared like an ocean. With shouts and slapping of arms, the armies of these kings, consisting of proud warriors, appeared like an army of clouds. That army, consisting of cars and infuriated elephants, quick-coursing horses, and infantry resembling the sky-rangers, appeared like a collection of clouds descending on the ocean in the rains (20-24). Thereupon all the kings, headed by Jarāsandha, with their armies encamped around the city of Mathurā (25). The detachments of the army accomodated in the tents shone like the ocean overflowing in the light half of the month (26). After the expiration of the night those kings, desirous of fighting, rose up for entering into the city (27). Those kings, assembled on the bank of the Yamunā, began, out of curiosity, to hold proper counsels on the eve of the battle (28). Then there was heard a great tumult of the kings resembling that of the heaving deep at the time of the universal dissolution (29). At the command of the king, elderly guards, with head-gears on their heads and canes in their hands, began to move about exclaiming Ma (i.e. Do not make noise) (30). Thereupon that army, hushed into silence, shone like an ocean abounding in fishes and huge serpents (31).
When informed of the mandate of the king that huge ocean-like army stood motionless and silent like a Yogin, the king Jarāsandha, spoke, like Vrihaspati (32). 'Let the armies of the kings united lay siege on all sides to this city (33). Let them get ready stony weapons and maces and let all the level grounds be overflowed with water. Let them hold up swords and daggers (34). Let them assail the city with Tankas and Khamitras. And let kings, expert in the ways of war, near the city (35). As long as I do not kill in the battle, with sharpened arrows, the two sons of Vasudeva Krishna and Sangkarshaa, in the guise of milkmen, as long as the sky is not covered with Tankas so long my army should lay seige to the city (36-37). Let all the kings, obeying my command, wait at the outskirts of the city and enter as soon as an opportunity presents itself (38). Let the Maira king, Kalinga king, Chekitan, the king of Vālhika, Kashmira king Gonarda, the king of Karusha, Druma of Kimpurasha country and the Danava of hill tracts, unitedly and speedily protect the western gate of the city (39–40). Let Venudari of the Puru race, Sonaka the king of Vidarbha, Rukshmi the king of Bhojas, the Malava king, Suryaksha, the highly powerful Drupada, the king of Panchalas, Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, the powerful Dantavakra, Chhāgali, Purumitra, the emperor Virāt, the king of Koushāmvi, Mālava, Shatadhanwā, Viduratha, Bhurishrava the king of Trigartta, Vānga and Panchanada all these illustrious kings and powerful like a thunder-bolt now capable of attacking a fort, get upon the northern gate and assail the city (41-44). Let Ansumāna's son the heroic Kaitaveya, Uluka, Ekalavya, Vrihatkshatra, Kshatrādharmā, Jayadratha, Uttamoujā, Shalya, Kourāvas, Kekayas, Vāmadeva the king of Vidisha, Sāngkiti and the king of Seni occupy the eastern gate of the city. Let them proceed destroying everything as the wind disperses the clouds (45–47). Myself, Darava and the powerful king of Chedi will protect the Southern gate with our army (48). Thus beseiged on all sides by these armies let the city entertain a great fear like that at the fall of a lightning (49). Let club-holders with clubs, Parigha-holders with Parighas and other soldiers with various other weapons rend the city (50). By you, O kings, this city, of up hills and down hills, should be levelled down to-day (51).'