DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0252
CHAPTER X
Royal Rivals: the Pandavas and Kauravas1
King Pandu's Two Wives—Pritha and the Sun God—Birth of Kama—
The Indian Moses — Babe rescued from Floating Cradle—Pandu slays
Brahman in Deer Guise—His Doom pronounced—Queen burned on King's
Pyre—Blind Brother becomes Rajah—The Rival Princes—Attempt to kill
Bhima—His Visit to the Underworld—The Draught of Strength—Drona,
Preceptor of Princes — His Royal Rival Draupada—Training of Young
Warriors—The Faithful Bhil Prince—His Sacrifice.
King Pandu became a mighty monarch, and was re-
nowned as a warrior and a just ruler of his kingdom.
He married two wives: Pritha, who was chief rani, and
Madri2, whom he loved best.
Now Pritha was of celestial origin, for her mother
was a nymph; her father was a holy Brahman, and her
brother, Vasudeva, was the father of Krishna.8 When
but a babe she had been adopted by the Rajah of Shura-
sena, whose kingdom was among the Vindhya mountains.
She was of pious heart, and ever showed reverence towards
holy men. Once there came to the palace the great
Rishi Durvasas, and she ministered unto him faithfully
by serving food at any hour he desired, and by kindling
the sacred fire in the sacrificial chamber. After his stay,
which was in length a full year, Durvasas, in reward for
her services, imparted to Pritha a powerful charm*, by
1 Pron. pan'davas and kow'ravas. s Pron. pree'tha and ma-drec\
s Krishna of the Yadavas was descended from the moon through Yadu : Bharata
was descended through Puru, Yadu's brother. *A mantra.
173
Royal Rivals: the Pandavas and Kauravas1
King Pandu's Two Wives—Pritha and the Sun God—Birth of Kama—
The Indian Moses — Babe rescued from Floating Cradle—Pandu slays
Brahman in Deer Guise—His Doom pronounced—Queen burned on King's
Pyre—Blind Brother becomes Rajah—The Rival Princes—Attempt to kill
Bhima—His Visit to the Underworld—The Draught of Strength—Drona,
Preceptor of Princes — His Royal Rival Draupada—Training of Young
Warriors—The Faithful Bhil Prince—His Sacrifice.
King Pandu became a mighty monarch, and was re-
nowned as a warrior and a just ruler of his kingdom.
He married two wives: Pritha, who was chief rani, and
Madri2, whom he loved best.
Now Pritha was of celestial origin, for her mother
was a nymph; her father was a holy Brahman, and her
brother, Vasudeva, was the father of Krishna.8 When
but a babe she had been adopted by the Rajah of Shura-
sena, whose kingdom was among the Vindhya mountains.
She was of pious heart, and ever showed reverence towards
holy men. Once there came to the palace the great
Rishi Durvasas, and she ministered unto him faithfully
by serving food at any hour he desired, and by kindling
the sacred fire in the sacrificial chamber. After his stay,
which was in length a full year, Durvasas, in reward for
her services, imparted to Pritha a powerful charm*, by
1 Pron. pan'davas and kow'ravas. s Pron. pree'tha and ma-drec\
s Krishna of the Yadavas was descended from the moon through Yadu : Bharata
was descended through Puru, Yadu's brother. *A mantra.
173