The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa

The Mahabharata of
Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa

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Title: The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Part 2
Author: Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7965] [This file was first posted on
June 6, 2003]

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The Mahabharata of
Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
BOOK 2
SABHA PARVA
Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text
by
Kisari Mohan Ganguli
[1883-1896]

SECTION I
(Sabhakriya Parva)
Om! After having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara, the most
exalted male being, and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word
Jaya be uttered.

Vaisampayana said,--"Then, in the presence of Vasudeva, Maya
Danava, having worshipped Arjuna, repeatedly spoke unto him with
joined hands and in amiable words,--'O son of Kunti, saved have I been
by thee from this Krishna in spate and from Pavaka (fire) desirous of
consuming me. Tell me what I have to do for thee.'
"Arjuna said,--'O great Asura, everything hath already been done by
thee (even by this offer of thine). Blest be thou. Go whithersoever thou
likest. Be kind and well-disposed towards me, as we are even kind to
and well- pleased with thee!'
"Maya said,--'O bull amongst men, what thou hast said is worthy of
thee, O exalted one. But O Bharata, I desire to do something for thee
cheerfully. I am a great artist, a Viswakarma among the Danavas. O son
of Pandu, being what I am, I desire to do something for thee.'
"Arjuna said,--'O sinless one, thou regardest thyself as saved (by me)
from imminent death. Even if it hath been so, I cannot make thee do
anything for me. At the same time, O Danava, I do not wish to frustrate
thy intentions. Do thou something for Krishna. That will be a sufficient
requital for my services to thee.'"
Vaisampayana said,--"Then, O bull of the Bharata race, urged by Maya,
Vasudeva reflected for a moment as to what he should ask Maya to
accomplish. Krishna, the Lord of the universe and the Creator of every
object, having reflected in his mind, thus commanded Maya,--'Let a
palatial sabha (meeting hall) as thou choosest, be built (by thee), if thou,
O son of Diti, who art the foremost of all artists, desirest to do good to
Yudhishthira the just. Indeed, build thou such a palace that persons
belonging to the world of men may not be able to imitate it even after
examining it with care, while seated within. And, O Maya, build thou a
mansion in which we may behold a combination of godly, asuric and
human designs.'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Having heard those words, Maya became
exceedingly glad. And he forthwith built a magnificent palace for the
son of Pandu like unto the palace of the celestials themselves. Then
Krishna and Partha (Arjuna) after having narrated everything unto king
Yudhishthira the just, introduced Maya unto him. Yudhishthira
received Maya with respect, offering him the honour he deserved. And,
O Bharata, Maya accepted that honour thinking highly of it. O monarch
of the Bharata race, that great son of Diti then recited unto the sons of

Pandu the history of the Danava Vrisha-parva, and that foremost of
artists then, having rested awhile, set himself after much thoughtful
planning to build a palace for the illustrious sons