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NOVEMBER, 1876.]
MAXIMS, &c. FROM THE MAHABHARATA. KRISHNA'S OPINION OF UNFAIR FIGHTING. BY J. MUIR, D.C.L., LL.D., PH.D., EDINBURGH.
In a paper which I contributed to the Indian Antiquary (vol. III. pp. 237ff.) I have quoted (in p. 239) a passage from the Rajadharma of the Mabháhárata in which fair fighting is enjoined upon warriors. In the Salya Parvan, however, it is related that Bhimasena shattered the thighs of Duryodhana with his club (v. 3292). This was regarded as contrary to the laws of war; and in verses 3346ff. we are told that Balarama, the brother of Krishna, expressed his indignation at the conduct of Bhimasena in these terms:"Shame that Vrikadara (another name of Bhima) should have smitten his antagonist below the navel in a lawful conflict! He has done what has never been witnessed in a fight with clubs. It is a rule of the Sastra that a blow should not be struck below the navel." The speaker then ⚫ rushed at Bhima, but was held back by Krishna (v. 3350), who goes on to say that the Pandavas were their friends, and that Bhima was only very properly fulfilling a threat which he had made that he would break Duryodhana's thighs with his club, and that this fate had been foretold to the latter by the sage Maitreya: Bhima therefore, Krishna concludes, was not in fault (vv. 3355ff.). In vv. 3366f. Balarama repeats his condemnation of Bhima's act:-" Having unrighteously smitten the righteous king Suyodhana (Duryodhana) the Pândava (Bhîma) will be reputed in the world as an unfair fighter (jihmayodhi), while the righteous king Duryodhana, son of Dhritarashtra, a fair fighter, being slain, will attain to eternal felicity. . . . Having said this, Balarama departed to Dvâraka. Further on (vv. 3442ff.) we are informed that in honour of Duryodhana a shower of
MAXIMS AND SENTIMENTS FROM THE MAHABHARATA. BY J. MUIR, D.C.L., LL.D., PH.D., EDINBURGH. (Continued from p. 154.)
King Yudhishthira answers:
22. The path of salvation. Mahâbh. i. 3176. That man with Brahmâ union winsThe highest good by sages soughtWho ne'er in deed, or word, or thought 'Gainst any living creature sins.
23. What makes a man a Brahman. iii. 17392. A spirit (Yaksha) asks:
What is it makes a Brâhman? birth, Deep study, sacred lore, or worth ?
fragrant flowers fell from the sky, accompanied by music from the Gandharvas, songs from the Apsarases, and acclamations from the Siddhas, &c. The narrative then proceeds (v. 4445):"Perceiving these wonders, and the honour paid to Duryodhana, Vasudeva (Krishna) and the rest became ashamed (vridám upágaman) and sorrowful, hearing that Bhishma, Drona, Karṇa, and Bhûriśravas had been unfairly killed. But seeing the Pândavas anxious and downcast, Krishna said to them, in a voice like a drum of the clouds, 'This man, rapid in handling his weapons, and all these valorous warriors, could not be slain by you through fair fighting. This prince could never be slain by righteous means. These great bowmen and charioteers, Bhishma and the rest, have all on different occasions been slain by me in battle by many devices, and the application of guile (or illusion, máya), from a desire to benefit you. If I did not practise this sort of guile (jihma) in battle, how could you any longer conquer, or obtain dominion and wealth? None of these four great warriors could be slain by fair means, even by the gods. who guard the different regions themselves. So, too, this wielder of a club, the energetic son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana), could not have been slain even by Death (Kala) himself, the wielder of the rod (danda). Nor should you (sadly) reflect that this enemy has been slain, (for) in the same way many more enemies must be killed by false devices. (This) path has been trodden by the former gods, the slayers of the Asuras; and the path which has been trodden by the good is followed by all.'"
311
Nor study, sacred lore, nor birth The Brahman makes; 'tis only worth. All men-a Brahman most of allShould virtue guard with care and pains: Who virtue rescues, all retains; But all is gone with virtue's fall.* The men in books who take delight, Frequenters all of learning's schools,
* Compare No. 7, p. 158.
