MAHABHARATA CONDENSED INTO ENGLISH ... - Mandhata Global
MAHABHARATA CONDENSED INTO ENGLISH ... - Mandhata Global
MAHABHARATA CONDENSED INTO ENGLISH ... - Mandhata Global
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Kindly heart hath good Yudhishthir, still he seeks for rightful peace,<br />
Render back his ancient kingdom, bid this war of kinsmen cease!"<br />
"Kripa," so Duryodhan answered, "in this sad and fatal strife,<br />
Ever foremost of our warriors, ever careless of thy life,<br />
Ever in the council chamber thou hast words of wisdom said,<br />
Needless war and dire destruction by thy peaceful counsel stayed,<br />
Every word thou speakest, Kripa, is a word of truth and weight.<br />
Nathless thy advice for concord, wise preceptor, comes too late!<br />
Hope not that the good Yudhishthir will again our friendship own<br />
Cheated once by deep Sakuni of his kingdom and his throne,<br />
Rugged Bhima will not palter, fatal is the vow he made,<br />
Vengeful Arjun will not pardon gallant Abhimanyu dead!<br />
Fair Draupadi doth her penance, so our ancient matrons say,<br />
In our blood to wash her insult and her proud insulters slay,<br />
Fair Subhadra morn and evening weeps her dear departed son,<br />
Feeds Draupadi's deathless anger for the hero dead and gone,<br />
Deeply in their bosoms rankle wrongs and insults we have given,<br />
Blood alone can wash it, Kripa, such the cruet will of Heaven!<br />
And the hour for peace is over, for our best sleep on the plain,<br />
Brothers, kinsmen, friends, and elders slumber with the countless slain,<br />
Shall Duryodhan like a recreant now avoid the deathful strife,<br />
After all his bravest warriors have in war surrendered life,<br />
Shall he, sending them to slaughter, now survive and learn to flee,<br />
Shall he, ruler over monarchs, learn to bend the servile knee?<br />
Proud Duryodhan sues no favour even with his dying breath,<br />
Unsubdued and still unconquered, changeless even unto death,<br />
Salya valiant king of Madra. leads our arméd hosts to-day,<br />
Or to perish or to conquer, gallant Kripa, lead the way!"<br />
Meanwhile round the brave Yudhishthir calmly stood the Pandav force,<br />
As the final day of battle now began its fatal course,