Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/52

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MAHABHARATA.

Sasavindu, and Bhagiratha; Kritavirya the greatly fortunate, and Janamejaya too; and Yayati of good deeds who performed sacrifices being assisted therein by the celestials themselves, and by whose sacrificial altars and stakes this earth with her habited and uninhabited regions hath been marked all over. These twenty-four Rajas were formerly spoken of by the celestial Rishi Narada unto Saivya when much afflicted for the loss of his children. Besides these, other Rajas had gone before, still more powerful than they, mighty charioteers, noble in mind, and resplendent with every worthy quality. These were Puru, Kuru, Yadu, Sura, and Viswagaswa of great glory; Anuha, Yuvanaswa, Kakutstha, Vikrami, and Raghu; Vijaya, Vitihotra, Anga, Bhava, Sweta, and Vrihadguru; Usinara, Sata-ratha, Kanka, Duliduha, and Druma; Dambhodbhava, Para, Vena, Sagara, Sankrita, and Nimi; Ajeya, Parasu, Pundra, Sambhu, and the holy Deva-Vridha; Devahwuya, Supritima, Supritika, and Vrihad-ratha; Mahotsaha, Vinitatma, Sukratu, and Nala the king of the Nishadhas; Satyabrata, Santa-bhaya, Sumitra, and the chief Subala; Jānujangha, Anaranya, Arka, Priyabhritya, Shuchi-brata, Balabandhu, Niramardda, Ketusringa, and Brihadbala; Dhrishtaketu, Brihatketu, Driptaketu, and Niramaya; Abikshit, Chapala, Dhurta, Kritabandhu, and Dridhe-shudi; Mahapurana-sambhavya, Pratyanga, Parahā, and Sruti. These, O Chief, and other Rajas, we hear ennumerated by hundreds and by thousands, and still others by millions, princes of great power and wisdom, quitting very abundant enjoyments, met death as thy sons have done! Their heavenly deeds, valor, and generosity, their magnanimity, faith, truth, purity, simplicity and mercy, are published to the world in the records of former times by sacred bards of great learning. Though endued with every noble virtue, these have yielded up their lives. Thy sons were malevolent, inflamed with passion, avaricious, and very evil-dispositioned. Thou art versed in the Shastras, O Bhārata, and art intelligent and wise; they never sink under misfortunes whose understandings are guided by the Shastras. Thou art acquainted, O prince, with the lenity and severity of fate: this anxiety therefore for the safety of