The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,273 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,273 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1.

The twin Aswins, thus invoked, appeared and said, ’We are satisfied.  Here is a cake for thee.  Take and eat it.’  And Upamanyu thus addressed, replied, ’Your words, O Aswins, have never proved untrue.  But without first offering this cake to my preceptor I dare not take it.’  And the Aswins thereupon told him, ’Formerly, thy preceptor had invoked us.  We thereupon gave him a cake like this; and he took it without offering it to his master.  Do thou do that which thy preceptor did.’  Thus addressed, Upamanyu again said unto them, ’O Aswins, I crave your pardon.  Without offering it to my preceptor I dare not apply this cake.’  The Aswins then said, ’O, we are pleased with this devotion of thine to thy preceptor.  Thy master’s teeth are of black iron.  Thine shall be of gold.  Thou shall be restored to sight and shall have good fortune.’

“Thus spoken to by the Aswins he recovered his sight, and having gone to his preceptor’s presence he saluted him and told him all.  And his preceptor was well-pleased with him and said unto him, ’Thou shalt obtain prosperity even as the Aswins have said.  All the Vedas shall shine in thee and all the Dharma-sastras.’  And this was the trial of Upamanyu.

“Then Veda the other disciple of Ayoda-Dhaumya was called.  His preceptor once addressed him, saying, ’Veda, my child, tarry some time in my house and serve thy preceptor.  It shall be to thy profit.’  And Veda having signified his assent tarried long in the family of his preceptor mindful of serving him.  Like an ox under the burthens of his master, he bore heat and cold, hunger and thirst, at all times without a murmur.  And it was not long before his preceptor was satisfied.  And as a consequence of that satisfaction, Veda obtained good fortune and universal knowledge.  And this was the trial of Veda.

“And Veda, having received permission from his preceptor, and leaving the latter’s residence after the completion of his studies, entered the domestic mode of life.  And while living in his own house, he got three pupils.  And he never told them to perform any work or to obey implicitly his own behests; for having himself experienced much woe while abiding in the family of his preceptor, he liked not to treat them with severity.

“After a certain time, Janamejaya and Paushya, both of the order of Kshatriyas, arriving at his residence appointed the Brahman.  Veda, as their spiritual guide (Upadhyaya).  And one day while about to depart upon some business related to a sacrifice, he employed one of his disciples, Utanka, to take charge of his household.  ‘Utanka’, said he, ’whatsoever should have to be done in my house, let it be done by thee without neglect.’  And having given these orders to Utanka, he went on his journey.

“So Utanka always mindful of the injunction of his preceptor took up his abode in the latter’s house.  And while Utanka was residing there, the females of his preceptor’s house having assembled addressed him and said, ’O Utanka, thy mistress is in that season when connubial connection might be fruitful.  The preceptor is absent; then stand thou in his place and do the needful.’  And Utanka, thus addressed, said unto those women, ’It is not proper for me to do this at the bidding of women.  I have not been enjoined by my preceptor to do aught that is improper.’

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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.