And
the king then offered him--his grandfather Krishna--who fully deserved
them, water to wash his feet and mouth, and the Arghya, and kine. And
accepting those offerings from the Pandava Janamejaya and ordering the
kine also not to be slain, Vyasa became much gratified. And the king,
after those adorations bowed to his great-grandfather, and sitting in joy
asked him about his welfare. And the illustrious Rishi also, casting his
eyes upon him and asking him about his welfare, worshipped the Sadasyas,
having been before worshipped by them all. And after all this, Janamejaya
with all his Sadasyas, questioned that first of Brahmanas, with joined
palms as follows:
'O Brahmana, thou hast seen with thy own eyes the acts of the Kurus and
the Pandavas. I am desirous of hearing thee recite their history. What was
the cause of the disunion amongst them that was fruitful of such
extraordinary deeds? Why also did that great battle, which caused the
death of countless creatures occur between all my grandfathers--their
clear sense over-clouded by fate? O excellent Brahmana, tell me all this
in full as everything had happened.'
"Hearing those words of Janamejaya, Krishna-Dwaipayana directed his
disciple Vaisampayana seated by his side, saying, 'The discord that
happened between the Kurus and the Pandavas of old, narrate all to the
king even as thou hast heard from me.'
"Then that blessed Brahmana, at the command of his preceptor recited the
whole of that history unto the king, the Sadasyas, and all the chieftains
there assembled.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237