(Sambhava Parva continued)
"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, I have, indeed, heard from thee this
account of the incarnation, according to their portions, of the gods, the
Danavas, the Rakshasas, and also of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras. I
however, again desire to hear of the dynasty of the Kurus from the very
beginning. Therefore, O Brahmana, speak of this in the presence of all
these regenerate Rishis.'
"Vaisampayana said, 'O exalted one of Bharata's race, the founder of the
Paurava line was Dushmanta gifted with great energy. And he was the
protector of the earth bounded by the four seas. And that king had full
sway over four quarters of this world. And he was the lord also of various
regions in the midst of the sea. And that great oppressor of all foes had
sway over the countries even of the Mlechchhas.
"'And during his rule there were no men of mixed castes, no tillers of the
soil (for the land, of itself, yielded produce), no workers of mines (for
the surface of the earth yielded in abundance), and no sinful men. All
were virtuous, and did everything from virtuous motives, O tiger among men.
There was no fear of thieves, O dear one, no fear of famine, no fear of
disease. And all four orders took pleasure in doing their respective
duties and never performed religious acts for obtaining fruition of
desires. And his subjects, depending upon him, never entertained any fear.
And Parjanya (Indra) poured showers at the proper time, and the produce of
the fields was always pulpy and juicy. And the earth was full of all kinds
of wealth and all kinds of animals. And the Brahmanas were always engaged
in their duties and they were always truthful. And the youthful monarch
was endued with wonderful prowess and a physical frame hard as the
thunderbolt, so that he could, taking up the mountain Mandara with its
forests and bushes, support it on his arms. And he was well-skilled in
four kinds of encounters with the mace (hurling it at foes at a distance,
striking at those that are near, whirling it in the midst of many, and
driving the foe before). And he was skilled also in the use of all kinds
of weapons and in riding elephants and horses. And in strength he was like
unto Vishnu, in splendour like unto the maker of day, in gravity like unto
the ocean, and in patience, like unto the earth. And the monarch was loved
by all his subjects, and he ruled his contented people virtuously.'"