Gratified with thee, I will give thee my science. That
the obligation, however, may not all be on one side, I will take from thee,
O Vibhatsu, O bull in Bharata's race, thy excellent and eternal weapon of
fire!'
"Arjuna said, 'I would accept thy horses in exchange for my weapon. Let
our friendship last for ever. O friend, tell us for what we human beings
have to stand in fear of the Gandharvas. Chastisers of foes that we are
and virtuous and conversant with the Vedas, tell us, O Gandharva, why in
travelling in the night-time we have been censured by thee.'
"The Gandharva said, 'Ye are without wives (though ye have completed the
period of study). Ye are without a particular Asrama (mode of life).
Lastly, ye are out without a Brahmana walking before, therefore, ye sons
of Pandu, ye have been censured by me. The Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas,
Pisachas, Uragas and Danavas, are possessed of wisdom and intelligence,
and acquainted with the history of the Kuru race. O hero, I have heard too
from Narada and other celestial Rishis about the good deeds of your wise
ancestors. I myself, too, while roaming over the whole earth bounded by
her belt of seas, have witnessed the prowess of thy great race. O Arjuna,
I have personal knowledge of thy preceptor, the illustrious son of
Bharadwaja, celebrated throughout the three worlds for his knowledge of
the Vedas and the science of arms. O tiger in Kuru's race, O son of Pritha,
I also know Dharma, Vayu, Sakra, the twin Aswins, and Pandu,--these six
perpetuators of Kuru race,--these excellent celestials and human
progenitors of you all.
Pages:
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674