SECTION 217
(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Arjuna narrated everything unto
those Brahmanas residing with him there, set out for the breast of Himavat.
Arriving at the spot called Agastyavata, he next went to Vasishtha's peak.
Thence the son of Kunti proceeded to the peak of Bhrigu. Purifying himself with
ablutions and other rites there, Arjuna gave away unto Brahmanas many thousands
of cows and many houses. Thence Arjuna proceeded to the sacred asylum called
Hiranyabindu. Performing his ablutions there, Arjuna saw many holy regions.
Descending from those heights Arjuna, accompanied by the Brahmanas, journeyed towards
the east, desiring to behold the regions that lay in that direction. Arjuna saw
many regions of sacred waters one after another. And beholding in the forest of
Naimisha the delightful river Utpalini (full of lotuses) and the Nanda and the
Apara Nanda, the far-famed Kausiki, and the mighty rivers Gaya and Ganga, and all
the regions of sacred water, he purified himself, with the usual rites, and
gave away many cows unto Brahmanas. Whatever regions of sacred waters and
whatever other holy palaces there were in Vanga and Kalinga, Arjuna visited all
of them. Seeing them all and performing proper ceremonies, he gave away much
wealth. Then, all those Brahmanas following Arjuna, bade him farewell at the gate
of the kingdom of Kalinga and desisted from proceeding with him any further.
Dhananjaya, obtaining their leave, went towards the ocean, accompanied by only
a few attendants. Crossing the country of the Kalingas, the mighty one
proceeded, seeing on his way diverse countries and sacred spots and diverse
delightful mansions and houses. Beholding the Mahendra mountain adorned with
the ascetics residing there, he went to Manipura, proceeding slowly along the sea-shore.
Beholding all the sacred waters and other holy places in that province, Arjuna at
last went, to Chitravahana, the ruler of Manipura. The king of Manipura had a daughter
of great beauty named Chitrangada. And it so happened that Arjuna beheld her in
her father's palace roving at pleasure. Beholding the handsome daughter of
Chitravahana, Arjuna desired to possess her. Going unto the king her father, he
represented unto him what he sought.He said. 'Give away unto me thy daughter, O
king! I am an illustrious Kshatriya's son.' Hearing this, the king asked him,
'Whose son art thou?' Arjuna replied, 'I am Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti.' The
king, hearing this, spoke unto him these words in sweet accents, 'There was in our
race a king of the name of Prabhanjana, who was childless. To obtain a child,
he underwent severe ascetic penances. By his severe asceticism, he gratified Mahadeva,
that supreme Lord holding the mighty bow called Pinaka. The illustrious Lord
granted him the boon that each successive descendant of his race should have
one child only. In consequence of that boon only one child is born unto every
successive descendant of this race. All my ancestors one after another had each
a male child. I, however, have only a daughter to perpetuate my race. But, I
ever look upon this daughter of mine as my son.I have duly made her a Putrika.
Therefore, one amongst the sons that may be begotten upon her by thee, shall be
the perpetuator of my race. That son is the dower for which I may give away my
daughter. If them choosest, thou canst take her upon this understanding.'
Hearing these words of the king, Arjuna accepted them all, saying, 'So be it.'
Taking Chitravahana's daughter as his wife, the son of Kunti resided in that city
for three years. When Chitrangada at last gave birth to a son, Arjuna embraced
that handsome princess affectionately. And taking leave of the king, he set out
on his wanderings again.'"
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