Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/496

thee with due rites, I cannot abandon thee,—my wife, constant in her vows,—to save my own life! How shall I myself be able to sacrifice my son—a child of tender years and yet without the hirsute appendages (of manhood)? How shall I sacrifice my daughter whom I have begotten myself,—who hath been placed, as a pledge, in my hands by the illustrious Creator himself for bestowal on a husband,—and through whom I hope to enjoy, along with my ancestors, the regions attainable by those only that have daughter's sons? Some people think that the father's affection for a son is greater. Others that his affection for a daughter is greater; mine, however, is equal. How can I be prepared to abandon the innocent daughter upon whom rest the regions of bliss (obtainable by me in after life) and my own lineage and perpetual happiness? If, again, I sacrifice myself and go to the other world, I would scarcely know any peace, for, indeed, it is evident that left by me these would not be able to support life. The sacrifice of any of these would be cruel and censurable. On the other hand, if I sacrifice myself, these, without me, will certainly perish! The distress into which I have fallen is great; nor do I know the means of escape. Alas, what course shall I take today with my near ones! It is well that I should die with all these, for I can no longer live!'"

Thus ends the hundred and fifty-ninth Section in the Vaka-badha of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing these words of the Brahmana, his wife said, 'Thou shouldst not, O Brahmana, grieve like an ordinary man. Nor is this the time for mourning. Thou hast learning. Thou knowest that all men are sure to die! None should grieve for that which is inevitable! Wife, son, and daughter, these all are sought for one's own self. Possessed as thou art of a good understanding, kill thou thy sorrows. I will myself go there.