Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/274

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260
MAHABHARATA

and wrath. Possessed of great foresight and undisturbed tranquility of mind, Vidura was ever devoted to the welfare of the Kurus,'

Thus ends the hundred and eighth section in the Sambhava Parva of the Adi Parva

SECTION CIX

(Sambhava Parva continued)

Vaisampayana said, -"Upon the birth of those three children, Kurujangala, Kurukshetra, and the Kurus grew in prosperity. The Earth began to yield abundant harvest, and the crops also were of good flavour. And the clouds began to pour rain in season and trees became full of fruits and flowers. And the draught cattle were all happy and the birds and other animals rejoiced exceedingly. And the flowers became fragrant and the fruits became sweet ; the cities and towns became filled with merchants, artisans, traders and artists of every description. And the people became brave, learned, honest and happy. And there were no robbers then, nor anybody who was sinful. And it seemed that the golden age had come upon every part of the kingdom. And the people devoted to virtuous acts, sacrifices and truth, and regarding one another with love and affection grew in prosperity. And free from pirde, wrath and covetousness, they rejoiced in perfectly innocent sparts. And the capital of the Kurus, full as the ocean, was a second Amaravati, teeming with hundreds of palaces and mansions, and possessing gates and arches dark as the clouds. And men in great cheerfulness sported constantly on rivers, lakes and tanks, and in fine Groves and charming woods. And the southern Kurus, in their virtuous rivalry with tbeir northern kinsmen, walked about in the company of Siddhas and Charanas and Rishis. And all over that delightful country whose prosperity was thus increased by the Kurus, there were no misers and no widowed women. And the wells and lakes were ever full; the groves abounded with trees, and the houses and abodes of Brahmanas were full of wealth and the whole kingdom was full of festivities. And O king, virtuously ruled by Bhishma, the kingdom was adorned with hundreds of sacrificial stakes. And the wheel of virtue having been set in motion of Bhishma, and the country became so contented that the subjects of other kingdoms. quittingtheir homes, came to dwell there and increase its population. And the citizens and the people were filled with hope, upon seeing the youthful acts of their illustrious princes. And, o king in the houses of the Kuru chiefs as also of the principle citizens, give' and 'eat' were the only words constantly heard. And Dhrita