“Vaishampaayana said, ‘O you of Kuru’s race (Janamejaya), the Rishi Mandapala became very anxious
about his children, although he had spoken of them to the god of fierce rays (Agni). Indeed, his mind was not in peace.
Distressed on account of his sons, he addressed Lapita (his second wife
with whom he then was), saying, ‘O
Lapita, as my children are incapable of the power of moving, how are they? When
the fire will grow in strength and the wind begin to blow violently, my
children will scarcely be able to save themselves. How will their mother be
able to rescue them? That innocent woman will be pained with great sorrow when
she will find herself unable to save her offspring. Oh, how will she compose
herself, uttering various lamentations on account of my children who are all
incapable of taking wing or rising up into the air. Oh, how is Jaritaari, my
son, and how is Saarisrikka, and how is Stambamitra, and how is Dronaa, and how
also is their helpless mother (Jarita)?’
“To the Rishi Mandapaala thus weeping in the forest, Lapita, O Bharata (Janamejaya), thus replied, under the influence of
jealousy, ‘You need not worry for your children who, as you have assured me,
are all Rishis filled with energy and prowess! They can have no fear from fire.
Did you not speak to Agni in my presence, in their behalf? Has not the
illustrious deity (Agni) promised to
save them? One of the regents of the universe (Lokapaala) as Agni is, he will never falsify his
speech. You have no anxiety, nor is your heart inclined towards benefiting
friends. It is only by thinking of her -- my rival (Jarita) that you are so distracted! Certain it is
that the love you bear to me is not equal to what you have for her at first. He
that has two parties dividing his attention, can easily see one of those suffer
all sorts of pangs; but he should not disregard the party that is next to his
heart. Then you go to Jarita, for whom your heart is sorrowing! As for myself,
I shall from now on wander alone, as a fit reward for my having attached myself
to a wicked person.’
“Hearing these words, Mandapaala replied, ‘I do not wander over the
earth with such intentions as you conceive. It is only for the sake of offspring
that I am here. Even those that I have are in danger. He
who puts off what he has for the sake of what he may acquire, is a wicked
person. The world disregards and insults him.
(Therefore, go I must). As for yourself you are free to do what you choose.
This blazing fire that licks up the trees causes sorrow in my anxious heart and
raises in that place evil presentiments.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Meanwhile, after the fire had left the spot
where the Shaarngakaas dwelt, Jarita, much attached to her children, quickly
came there to see how they were. She found that all of them had escaped from
the fire and were perfectly well. Looking their mother, they began to weep,
though safe and sound. She too shed tears upon seeing them alive. She embraced,
one by one, all her weeping children. Just at that time, O Bharata (Janamejaya), the Rishi Mandapaala arrived there. But
none of his sons expressed joy, upon seeing him. The Rishi, however, began to
speak to them one after another and to Jarita also, repeatedly. But neither his
sons nor Jarita spoke anything well or ill to him in return.’
“Mandapaala then said, ‘Who among these is your first born, and who the
next after him? And who is the third, and who the youngest? I am speaking to you
woefully; why do you not reply to me? I left you, it is true, but I was not
happy where I was.’
“Jarita then said, ‘What have you to do with the eldest of these, and
what with him that is next? And what with the third and what with the youngest?
Go now to that Lapita of sweet smiles and filled with youth, to whom you did went
before, seeing me deficient in everything!’
“Mandapaala replied, ‘As regards females, there
is nothing so destructive of their happiness whether in this or the other world
as a co-wife and a secret lover. There is nothing like these two that, inflames
the fire of hostility and causes such anxiety. Even the auspicious and
well-behaved Arundhati, celebrated among all creatures, had been jealous of the
illustrious Vasishtha of great purity of mind and always devoted to the good of
his wife. Arundhati insulted the wise Muni among the seven (Sapta Rishis). In consequence of such insulting thoughts
of hers, she has become a little star, like fire mixed with smoke, sometimes
visible and sometimes invisible, like an omen portending no good (amongst a
constellation of seven bright stars representing the seven Rishis). I look to you for the sake of children. I
never wronged you, like Vasishtha who never wronged his wife. You have,
therefore, by your jealousy behaved towards me like Arundhati towards Vasishtha
in ancient times. Men should never trust women even if
they be wives. Women, when they have become mothers, do not much mind serving
their husbands.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘After this, all his children came forward
to worship him. He also began to speak kindly towards them all, giving them
every assurance.’”
No comments:
Post a Comment