DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0271
192 INDIAN MYTH AND LEGEND
her eyes, and, uttering a low cry, she swooned where
she sat. Vidura sprinkled water on her face, and she
was revived. Then she wept bitterly because that she
could not reveal the secret of Kama's birth.
Kripa,1 the foster-brother of Bhishma, performed the
duties of herald, and as Arjuna strode forth to combat
he proclaimed: "Behold! this is mighty Arjuna, of
Bharata's great line, son of Pandu and of Pritha, a prince
of valour and worth who will not shrink from battle.
Unknown and long-armed chief," he said unto Kama,
" declare now thy name and lineage, the royal house
thou dost adorn, and the names of thy sire and thy
mother. Know thou that by the rules of single combat
the sons of kings cannot contend against low-born or
nameless rivals."
Kama heard, but was silent. He hung his head like
the dew-laden lotus bloom; he could claim nor lineage or
high rank, as he believed, for he regarded the charioteer
of Anga as his sire.
Duryodhana, perceiving his discomfiture, cried out to
Kripa, saying: " Valour is not reckoned by birth but by
deeds. Kama hath already shown himself to be the peer
of princes. I now proclaim him the Rajah of Anga.
Having spoken thus, the elder of the Kauravas led
Kama by the hand and placed him upon a throne, and the
red umbrella was held above his head. Brahmans chanted
the texts for the ceremony and anointed Kama as a king.
Then the fan was waved and the royal umbrella raised on
high, while the Kauravas shouted : "The rajah is crowned;
blessings on the rajah; honour to the valorous warrior!
Robed in royal attire, Kama then spake to Duryodhana
and said: " With generous heart thou hast conferred upon
1 Kripa, like Drona, was of miraculous birth. He and his sister were found m *
forest, and were adopted by King Shantanu.
her eyes, and, uttering a low cry, she swooned where
she sat. Vidura sprinkled water on her face, and she
was revived. Then she wept bitterly because that she
could not reveal the secret of Kama's birth.
Kripa,1 the foster-brother of Bhishma, performed the
duties of herald, and as Arjuna strode forth to combat
he proclaimed: "Behold! this is mighty Arjuna, of
Bharata's great line, son of Pandu and of Pritha, a prince
of valour and worth who will not shrink from battle.
Unknown and long-armed chief," he said unto Kama,
" declare now thy name and lineage, the royal house
thou dost adorn, and the names of thy sire and thy
mother. Know thou that by the rules of single combat
the sons of kings cannot contend against low-born or
nameless rivals."
Kama heard, but was silent. He hung his head like
the dew-laden lotus bloom; he could claim nor lineage or
high rank, as he believed, for he regarded the charioteer
of Anga as his sire.
Duryodhana, perceiving his discomfiture, cried out to
Kripa, saying: " Valour is not reckoned by birth but by
deeds. Kama hath already shown himself to be the peer
of princes. I now proclaim him the Rajah of Anga.
Having spoken thus, the elder of the Kauravas led
Kama by the hand and placed him upon a throne, and the
red umbrella was held above his head. Brahmans chanted
the texts for the ceremony and anointed Kama as a king.
Then the fan was waved and the royal umbrella raised on
high, while the Kauravas shouted : "The rajah is crowned;
blessings on the rajah; honour to the valorous warrior!
Robed in royal attire, Kama then spake to Duryodhana
and said: " With generous heart thou hast conferred upon
1 Kripa, like Drona, was of miraculous birth. He and his sister were found m *
forest, and were adopted by King Shantanu.