The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (4 vols., libros 1–18) · 3 · 76

89. These seven sacrifices were the Agnishtoma, the Atyagnishtoma, the Ukthya, the Shodashi, the Vajapeya, the Atiratra, and the Aptoryama. Each of these required the consecration of the Soma.

90. The expression used is "He caused one umbrella only to be set up." The custom is well-known that none but kings could cause umbrellas to be held over their heads.

91. Kanwa had brought up in his retreat Bharata's mother Sakuntala who had been deserted, immediately after her birth, by her mother, Menaka, Bharata himself was born in Kanwa's retreat.

92. Jaruthyan is explained by Nilakantha as Stutyan. It may also mean Triguna-dakshinan.

93. The legend about the bringing down of Ganga is very beautiful. Ganga is nothing else than the melted form of Vishnu. For a time she dwelt in the pot (Kamandalu) of Brahman. The ancestors of Bhagiratha having perished through Kapila's curse, Bhagiratha resolved to rescue their spirits by calling down Ganga from heaven and causing her sacred waters to roll over the spot where their ashes lay. He succeeded in carrying out his resolution after conquering many difficulties. Urvasi literally means one who sits on the lap.

94. Triple-coursed, because Ganga is supposed to have one stream in heaven, one on the earth, and a third in the nether regions.

95. The sense, I think, is that such was the profusion of Dilipa's wealth that no care was taken for keeping gold-decked elephants within guarded enclosures.

96. Satadhanwan is explained by Nilakantha as one whose bow is capable of bearing a hundred Anantas.

97. Literally, "Me he shall suck."

98. The Burdwan translators take Asita and Gaya as one person called Asitangaya, and K.P. Singha takes Anga and Vrihadratha to be two different persons. Of course, both are wrong.

99. Samyapat is explained as hurling a heavy piece of wood. What it meant here is that Yayati, having erected an altar, took up and hurled a piece of wood forward, and upon the place where it fell, erected another altar. In this way he proceeded till he reached the very sea shore.

100. Dakshinah is explained by Nilakantha as men possessed of Dakshya. It may mean liberal-minded men.

101. Literally, 'there was but one umbrella opened on the earth in his time.'

102. The word in the original is nala. Nilakantha supposes that it has been so used for the sake of rhythm, the correct form being nalwa, meaning a distance of four hundred cubits.

103. Literally, one whose excreta are gold.

104. A Kshatriya should protect a Brahmana in respect of his penances and a Vaisya in respect of the duties of his order. Whatever impediments a Brahmana or a Vaisya might encounter in the discharge of his duties, must be removed by a Kshatriya.

105. i.e., thou shouldst think that the consequences of all acts must attach to the Supreme Being himself, he being the urger of us all.

106. Na Para etc., i.e., there is no Supreme Being and no next world.

107. No one being free in this life, all one's acts being the result of previous acts, there can be no responsibility for the acts of this life.

108. The manner in which this great battle has been brought about shows evidence of design and not mere Chance. Nilakantha reads hatam which is evidently wrong. There can be no doubt that the correct reading is hatham.

109. Nilakantha explains this in a different way. He thinks that the expression Kritantavidhisanjuktah means,—'through their own faults.'

110. The performer of a hundred sacrifices.

111. i.e., charges his pupils a fee for teaching them the scriptures.

112. i.e., not in a sacrifice.

113. Jighansiat is Jighansi and iat, i.e., may proceed with intention to slay.

114. i.e., one who knows that the Soma is used in sacrifices for gratifying the gods.

115. The rule laid down is that he should eat in the morning for the first three days, in the evening for the second three days, eat nothing but what is got without soliciting, for the next three days, and fast altogether for the three days that follow. This is called Krischara-bhojana. Observing this rule for six years, one may be cleansed of the sin of slaying a Brahmana.

116. The harder rule referred to is eating in the morning for seven days; in the evening for the next seven days; eating what is got without soliciting, for the next seven days; and fasting altogether for the next seven.

117. These are the five products of the cow, besides earth, water, ashes, acids and fire.

118. Appropriation etc., as in the case of the king imposing fines on offenders and appropriating them to the uses of the state. Untruth, as that of the loyal servant or follower for protecting the life of his master. Killing, as that of an offender by the king, or in the exercise of the right of self-defence.