we had already heard of Maharishi Shukra having attained the power of Sanjeevani [2] . On the strength of that power, he is bringing back to life all their men killed in action.
War ... whether between two individuals, two communities or two powers, has to my mind always been something to be deprecated and outlawed. How vast and rich in resources is this beautiful world brought into being by the Creator! Cannot all of us live happily in it? I do not know if this foolish dream of mine will ever come true! At least today such a thought is more than indulging in moonshine!
It is evident that the gods will be defeated in this war. But it is hard to witness with open eyes the defeat of one’s community. I feel it my duty to do something to avoid it. I restlessly paced about all night in the courtyard before the hut. The stars were out in the sky. But my disturbed mind was in darkness. How much did I think of you! In the end, towards the morning I thought of ... no, an inspiration came to me. I became aware of how a poem comes to a poet!
It is only if the gods acquire the power of Sanjeevani that their defeat can be avoided. And that secret is known only to Maharishi Shukra, the Lord Preceptor of the Demons. Someone must therefore go to him as a disciple and acquire that power. It seems unlikely that anyone from among the gods will venture forth, so I have decided to go to Vrishaparva’s (the Demon King’s) kingdom and become a disciple of Maharishi Shukra for acquiring that power. The future is uncertain. Maybe I shall succeed in my object. Maybe I will have to lay down my life.
Maharishi Angiras ... did I tell you before that he comes from our family? ... has blessed the venture. He casually said in his blessing, ‘You are a Brahmin by birth. It is true you are going to acquire a kind of knowledge, but the venture is more appropriately that of a Kshatriya than a Brahmin.’ I replied, ‘If Prince Yayati had been here, I would have ventured into the Kingdom of Demons only with him; the daring part of the venture would have been his and only the acquisition of knowledge mine.’
What harm can there be in every class imbibing the qualities of another? In our worship, do we not mix the waters of many rivers for bathing the image?
Prince, we came together during the sacrifice for peace. I shall always remember you with affection. If I return safely with the power of Sanjeevani, we shall certainly meet sometime.
Some stars get together at short intervals ... some at long intervals. It is difficult to say when we shall meet but it is certain that we will. And that time, I fondly imagine, I shall meet my friend in a deep embrace as the meritorious King, the upholder of religion and of all that is holy in this world.
There is little else to write about. Even Vedas, the essence of learning, fall short in the expression of feelings! Maharishi Angiras sends you his blessing and we pray to Lord Shiva for the speedy recovery of King Nahusha.
Oh, I forgot one thing ... that sweet little girl next door is crying her heart out because I am leaving the hermitage. Her creeper is laden with flowers. She is worried as to who will admire them. So I have told her that the Prince will soon visit her cottage to admire not only their beauty but their fragrance also.
This letter of Kacha’s was very disturbing. Kacha had set out to lay his life for his side. And I? I even forgot last night that my father was on his deathbed. I was scouring round for happiness.
Did I sin? Last night was I guilty of sin? The thought of sin agitated me. That the beehive should come alive while one is tasting honey and bees should sting spitefully all over the body —
There was no improvement at all in Father’s condition. Mother was sitting before the golden awning of a miniature temple set up in the room. I sat near her and she stroked my back. The touch of her hand was like love incarnate.
My dejection grew at the sight of my grief-stricken mother and
War ... whether between two individuals, two communities or two powers, has to my mind always been something to be deprecated and outlawed. How vast and rich in resources is this beautiful world brought into being by the Creator! Cannot all of us live happily in it? I do not know if this foolish dream of mine will ever come true! At least today such a thought is more than indulging in moonshine!
It is evident that the gods will be defeated in this war. But it is hard to witness with open eyes the defeat of one’s community. I feel it my duty to do something to avoid it. I restlessly paced about all night in the courtyard before the hut. The stars were out in the sky. But my disturbed mind was in darkness. How much did I think of you! In the end, towards the morning I thought of ... no, an inspiration came to me. I became aware of how a poem comes to a poet!
It is only if the gods acquire the power of Sanjeevani that their defeat can be avoided. And that secret is known only to Maharishi Shukra, the Lord Preceptor of the Demons. Someone must therefore go to him as a disciple and acquire that power. It seems unlikely that anyone from among the gods will venture forth, so I have decided to go to Vrishaparva’s (the Demon King’s) kingdom and become a disciple of Maharishi Shukra for acquiring that power. The future is uncertain. Maybe I shall succeed in my object. Maybe I will have to lay down my life.
Maharishi Angiras ... did I tell you before that he comes from our family? ... has blessed the venture. He casually said in his blessing, ‘You are a Brahmin by birth. It is true you are going to acquire a kind of knowledge, but the venture is more appropriately that of a Kshatriya than a Brahmin.’ I replied, ‘If Prince Yayati had been here, I would have ventured into the Kingdom of Demons only with him; the daring part of the venture would have been his and only the acquisition of knowledge mine.’
What harm can there be in every class imbibing the qualities of another? In our worship, do we not mix the waters of many rivers for bathing the image?
Prince, we came together during the sacrifice for peace. I shall always remember you with affection. If I return safely with the power of Sanjeevani, we shall certainly meet sometime.
Some stars get together at short intervals ... some at long intervals. It is difficult to say when we shall meet but it is certain that we will. And that time, I fondly imagine, I shall meet my friend in a deep embrace as the meritorious King, the upholder of religion and of all that is holy in this world.
There is little else to write about. Even Vedas, the essence of learning, fall short in the expression of feelings! Maharishi Angiras sends you his blessing and we pray to Lord Shiva for the speedy recovery of King Nahusha.
Oh, I forgot one thing ... that sweet little girl next door is crying her heart out because I am leaving the hermitage. Her creeper is laden with flowers. She is worried as to who will admire them. So I have told her that the Prince will soon visit her cottage to admire not only their beauty but their fragrance also.
This letter of Kacha’s was very disturbing. Kacha had set out to lay his life for his side. And I? I even forgot last night that my father was on his deathbed. I was scouring round for happiness.
Did I sin? Last night was I guilty of sin? The thought of sin agitated me. That the beehive should come alive while one is tasting honey and bees should sting spitefully all over the body —
There was no improvement at all in Father’s condition. Mother was sitting before the golden awning of a miniature temple set up in the room. I sat near her and she stroked my back. The touch of her hand was like love incarnate.
My dejection grew at the sight of my grief-stricken mother and
Similar Books
