The Mahabharata

Book 2 Sabha Parva

Kisari Mohan Ganguli

[1883-1896]

SECTION I

(Sabhakriya Parva)

Om! After having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara, the most exalted male being,
and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered.

“Vaisampayana said,–“Then, in the presence of Vasudeva, Maya Danava, having
worshipped Arjuna, repeatedly spoke unto him with joined hands and in amiable
words,–‘O son of Kunti, saved have I been by thee from this Krishna in spate
and from Pavaka (fire) desirous of consuming me. Tell me what I have to do for
thee.

“Arjuna said,–‘O great Asura, everything hath already been done by thee (even
by this offer of thine). Blest be thou. Go whithersoever thou likest. Be kind
and well-disposed towards me, as we are even kind to and well-pleased with thee!’

“Maya said,–‘O bull amongst men, what thou hast said is worthy of thee, O
exalted one. But O Bharata, I desire to do something for thee cheerfully. I am
a great artist, a Viswakarma among the Danavas. O son of Pandu, being what I am,
I desire to do something for thee.’

“Arjuna said,–‘O sinless one, thou regardest thyself as saved (by me) from
imminent death. Even if it hath been so, I cannot make thee do anything for me.
At the same time, O Danava, I do not wish to frustrate thy intentions. Do thou
something for Krishna. That will be a sufficient requital for my services to thee.’

Vaisampayana said,–“Then, O bull of the Bharata race, urged by Maya, Vasudeva
reflected for a moment as to what he should ask Maya to accomplish. Krishna, the
Lord of the universe and the Creator of every object, having reflected in his
mind, thus commanded Maya,–‘Let a palatial sabha (meeting hall) as thou choosest,
be built (by thee), if thou, O son of Diti, who art the foremost of all artists,
desirest to do good to Yudhishthira the just. Indeed, build thou such a palace
that persons belonging to the world of men may not be able to imitate it even
after examining it with care, while seated within. And, O Maya, build thou a mansion
in which we may behold a combination of godly, asuric and human designs.'”

Vaisampayana continued,–“Having heard those words, Maya became exceedingly
glad. And he forthwith built a magnificent palace for the son of Pandu like unto
the palace of the celestials themselves. Then Krishna and Partha (Arjuna) after
having narrated everything unto king Yudhishthira the just, introduced Maya unto
him. Yudhishthira received Maya with respect, offering him the honour he deserved.
And, O Bharata, Maya accepted that honour thinking highly of it. O monarch of
the Bharata race, that great son of Diti then recited unto the sons of Pandu the
history of the Danava Vrisha-parva, and that foremost of artists then, having
rested awhile, set himself after much thoughtful planning to build a palace for
the illustrious sons of Pandu. Agreeably to the wishes of both Krishna and the
sons of Pritha, the illustrious Danava of great prowess, having performed on an
auspicious day the initial propitiatory rites of foundation and having also gratified
thousands of well-versed Brahmanas with sweetened milk and rice and with rich
presents of various kinds, measured out a plot of land five thousand cubits square,
which was delightful and exceedingly handsome to behold and which was favourable
for construction of a building well-suited to the exigencies of every season.”