MAHABHARATA CONDENSED INTO ENGLISH ... - Mandhata Global
MAHABHARATA CONDENSED INTO ENGLISH ... - Mandhata Global
MAHABHARATA CONDENSED INTO ENGLISH ... - Mandhata Global
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Bright Immortals gaily crowding viewed the scene surpassing fair,<br />
Heavenly blossoms soft descending with a perfume filled the air,<br />
Bright celestial cars in concourse sailed upon the cloudless sky,<br />
Drum and flute and harp and tabor sounded deep and sounded high!<br />
V<br />
TRIAL OF SKILL<br />
Uprose one by one the suitors, marking still the distant aim,<br />
Alighty monarchs, gallant princes, chiefs of proud and warlike fame,<br />
Decked in golden crown and necklace, and inflamed by pride and love,<br />
Stoutly strove the eager suitors viewing well the target above,<br />
Strove to string the weapon vainly, tough unbending was the bow,<br />
Slightly bent, rebounding quickly, laid the gallant princes low!<br />
Strove the handsome suitors vainly, decked in gem and burnished gold,<br />
Reft of diadem and necklace, fell each chief and warrior bold,<br />
Reft of golden crown and garland, shamed and humbled in their pride,<br />
Groaned the suitors in their anguish, sought no more Panchala's bride!<br />
Uprose Karna, peerless archer, proudest of the archers he,<br />
And he went and strung the weapon, fixed the arrows gallantly,<br />
Stood like SURYA in his splendour and like AGNI in his flame,--<br />
Pandu's sons in terror whispered, Karna sure must hit the aim!<br />
But in proud and queenly accents Drupad's queenly daughter said:<br />
"Monarch's daughter, born a Kshatra, Suta's son I will not wed,"<br />
Karna heard with crimsoned forehead, left the emprise almost done,<br />
Left the bow already circled, silent gazed upon the Sun!<br />
Uprose Chedi's haughty monarch, mightiest of the monarchs he,<br />
Other kings had failed inglorious, Sisupala stood forth free,<br />
Firm in heart and fixed in purpose, bent the tough unbending bow,<br />
Vainly! for the bow rebounding laid the haughty monarch low!<br />
Uprose sturdy Jarasandha, far Magadha's mighty chief,<br />
Held the bow and stood undaunted, tall and stately as a cliff,