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JUNE, 1911.) KALIYUGA, YUDHISTHIRA AND BHARATAYUDDHA ERAS
163
Hence we clearly see that the Great Battle is supposed to precede the Saka era by (3735-556 =) 3179 years; i.e., the Baka begins with the 3180th year of the Bharatayuddha era also.
Now, in considering whether these three eras are really identical with one another, we must note that they are somehow or other connected with the kings of Hastinapura who flourished about the time of the Great Battle. So we must first understand who were the monarchs of that city about that time. Chronologically they are :
i. Santanu. ii. Vichitravirys (his son) assisted by Devavrata (Bhishma).
iii. Dhritarashtra, the blind. Dhritarashtra was blind from birth. So, though he was the crowned monarch, there were appointed regent princes to rule over the country. First, his brother, Pându, supplied the place. After the death of Pându, and before the Pandavas and the Dhartarashtras attained their majority, Devavrata or Bhishma reigned as regent. When he attained his majority, Duryodbana assumed the office; and Yudhishthira, who was the eldest was pacified by the grant of a portion of the kingdom. It is during the regency of Duryodhana that the Great Battle took place-the world-renowned battle of Kurukshetra-between the Pandavas and the Dhartarashtras. After the battle, the victorious Pandavas did not dethrone their blind uncle, but Yudhiebyhira, with big four brothers, acted as his regents. This regency of Yudhishthira lasted for fifteen years.
पाण्डवाः सर्वकार्याणि संपृच्छन्ति स्म तं नृपम् ।
aanzarar: Vi l le [ para ] ततः पञ्चदशे वर्षे समतीते नराधिपः। Tar Araf arrotica: 114 ( 2. 4.]
(Herr-TYR-94.) Translation.-The Pån levas consulted the king in all matters, and performed them according
to his orders, for fifteen years, Then when the fifteenth year passed away, the king had much depression of
Spirits, being inflicted by the words of Bhimasens. Thus we seo that Yudbishthira did not become the independent ruler of Hastinf pora, until diteen years after the Great Battle, i.e., until the retirement of Dhritarashtra. Then Yudhishthira Bat on the throne of Hastinapura for 85 years; and it is said ibat in the 36th year he saw indica tions of destruction.
Vary Kra: 1 a fagrarfa fafa rifa yafet: 11 ll
C R. )
(HETT- E-8.) . Trunslation. Then, the thirty-sixth year baving come, the Kaurava prince, Yudhishthira, baw
many forebodings. Just then the king received the news that Kr'shma and the rest of the Yadavas (except the young and the female) had perished and that help for the protection of the survivors was needed. Thereupon, he sent Arjuna who offered libations to the dead. On his return the five Paodavas with their wife Draupadi started for Maháprasthana, leaving the kingdom in the hands of their grandson, Pariksbit.
In the above verse the phrase via TU T may be said to be indefinite, ani a question may arise, why we should not understand by it as "the thirty-sixth year after the Great Battle."
