Gaudavaho

Author(s): Vakpatiraj, Narhari Govind Suru, P L Vaidya, A N Upadhye, H C Bhayani
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 495

198
Gaüdavaho
481. The stomach of the fire was greatly filled (af ) with the coiling ( 55) masses of the burning, wriggling snakes. It appeared as if the fire had a feast (3TTET) of snakes, and then felt overfull and bloated (3GHT3T) in his stomach and his intestines (31a-ter), coiled inside, started their wriggling, peristaltic action in full force.
482. The king Tafel, father of JTSTU, was bitten by the Cobra-King named T&T and, therefore, he wanted to have his vengeance on him. He was, however, given protection by Indra himself. In the snake-sacrifice, therefore, an offering of metai together with Indra himself, was invoiced by TTÀ CTY and his priests.
Cf. किल तक्षककोपेन जनमेजयेन सेन्द्राय तक्षकाय स्वाहेति सेन्द्रतक्षकाहुतिः TFATT I Com. The fire-flames displayed a variety of colours, in accordance with the jewels of cobras being consumed. It looked as if these flames had, inside them (TAUTTT), the bow of Indra (i, e. the rainbow), which came down (317313a) first ahead of Indra (TFE3T), who was, along with 7879, made an offering (377€$7631) to be given in the sacrificial fire.
483. A graphic description of what must have happened at the time, when Indra also was demanded as an offering. The Lord of snakes (faqafie), seeking refuge, clutches the feet of Indra with his circle of hoods and Indra trembles (aq) with fear, as he is invoiced by the angry king जनमेजय, placing him on the sacrificial ladle (सुआ) dispatched to the heaven to bring him ( Indra ) down on the earth.
In a Kulaka of 7 Gāthās (485-491 ) the Poet describes the conflict between Bhima and Duryodhana, because this lake was the scene of the conflict.
485. 'On the eighteenth day of the battle (between Pāndavas and Kauravas ), after his party had been utterly defeated, Duryodhana fled and hid himself in a lake, for he was said to possess the power of remaining under water. He was discovered and with great difficulty, by taunts and sarcasms was induced to come out. It was agreed that he and Bhima should fight it out with clubs. The contest was long and furious and Duryodhana was getting the best of it, when Bhima remembers his vow and, although it was unfair to strike below the waist, he gave his antagonist such a violent blow on the thigh that the bone was smashed and Duryodhana fell?.