Maha-Bharata Epic of the Bharatas

Posted by admin_akashic on Oct 20th, 2022 in Civilization

Brahmans chanted sacred mantra which the holy books ordain,
And anointed crownéd Karna king of Anga’s fair domain,

And they raised the red umbrella, and they waved the chowri fan,
“Blessings on the crownéd monarch! honour to the bravest man!”

Now the holy rites accomplished, in his kingly robes arrayed
Karna unto prince Duryodhan thus in grateful accents prayed:

“Gift of kingdom, good Duryodhan, speaketh well thy noble heart,
What return can grateful Karna humbly render on his part?”

“Grant thy friendship,” cried Duryodhan, “for no other boon I crave,
Be Duryodhan’s dearest comrade, be his helper true and brave,”

“Be it so!” responded Karna, with a proud and noble grace,
And he sealed his loyal friendship in a loving fond embrace!

VIII. The Chariot-driver

Dewed with drops of toil and languor, lo! a chariot-driver came,
Loosely hung his scanty garments, and a staff upheld his frame,

Karna, now a crownéd monarch, to the humble Suta sped,
As a son unto a father, reverently bent his head!

[208] With his scanty cloth the driver sought his dusty feet to hide,
And he hailed him as a father hails his offspring in his pride,

And he clasped unto his bosom crownéd Karna’s noble head,
And on Karna’s dripping forehead, fresh and loving tear-drops shed!

Is he son of chariot-driver? Doubts arose in Bhima’s mind,
And he sought to humble Karna with reproachful words unkind:

“Wilt thou, high-descended hero, with a Kuru cross thy brand?
But the goad of cattle-drivers better suits, my friend, thy hand!

Wilt thou as a crownéd monarch rule a mighty nation’s weal?
As the jackals of the jungle sacrificial offerings steal!”

Quivered Karna’s lips in anger, word of answer spake he none,
But a deep sigh shook his bosom, and he gazed upon the sun!

IX. Close of the Day

Like a lordly tusker rising from a beauteous lotus lake,
Rose Duryodhan from his brothers, proudly thus to Bhima spake:

“With such insults seek not, Bhima, thus to cause a warrior grief,
Bitter taunts but ill befit thee, warlike tiger-waisted chief,

Proudest chief may fight the humblest, for like river’s noble course,
Noble deeds proclaim the warrior, and we question not their source!

Teacher Drona, priest and warrior, owns a poor and humble birth,
Kripa, noblest of Gautamas, springeth from the lowly earth,

Known to me thy lineage Bhima, thine and of thy brothers four,
Amorous gods your birth imparted, so they say, in days of yore!

[209] Mark the great and gallant Karna decked in rings and weapons fair,
She-deer breeds not lordly tigers in her poor and lowly lair,

Karna comes to rule the wide earth, not fair Anga’s realms alone,
By his valour and his virtue, by the homage which I own,

And if prince or arméd chieftain doth my word or deed gainsay,
Let him take his bow and quiver, meet me in a deadly fray!”

Loud applauses greet the challenge and the people’s joyful cry,
But the thickening shades of darkness fill the earth and evening sky,

And the red lamp’s fitful lustre shone upon the field around,
Slowly with the peerless Karna proud Duryodhan left the ground.

Pandu’s sons with warlike Drona marked the darksome close of day,
And with Kripa and with Bhishma homeward silent bent their way,

“Arjun is the gallant victor!” “Valiant Karna’s won the day!”
“Prince Duryodhan is the winner!” Various thus the people say.

By some secret sign appriséd Pritha knew her gallant boy,
Saw him crownéd king of Anga with a mother’s secret joy,

And with greater joy Duryodhan fastened Karna to his side,
Feared no longer Arjun’s prowess, Arjun’s skill of arms and pride,

E’en Yudhishthir reckoned Karna mightiest warrior on the earth,
Half misdoubted Arjun’s prowess, Arjun’s skill and warlike worth!

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