An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s1.250

c5.s1.250

leapt down from Bhīṣma's car), Çālva, and Dhātṛ (the creator). She resolved that her vengeance should fall upon Bhīṣma. She repaired to a hermitage of ascetics (*tāpasāḥ*), and stayed there that night. There was the great brahman Çaikhāvatya, a preceptor in the scriptures and the Āraṇyakas (*çāstre cāraṇyake guruḥ*) (V, 175). The ascetics counselled her to repair to her father's abode; but she would not, lest she should be slighted by her relatives; she wished to practise ascetic austerities. Then came her maternal grandfather, the Sṛñjaya king, the R.-ṛ. Hotravāhana, and advised her to go to Rāma Jāmadagnya, who would slay Bhīṣma in battle if Bhīṣma did not obey his behest; he always dwelt on the Mahendra mountain with R., G., and Aps. While they were speaking there appeared Akṛtavraṇa, a dear companion of Rāma; he said that Rāma would come the next morning to see Hotravāhana; Hotravāhana related the history of Ambā to Akṛtavraṇa (V, 176). The next day Rāma appeared with his disciples, his bow in hand, etc. (description). Ambā asked him to slay Bhīṣma (V, 177). Rāma said he would not take up arms except at the command of brahmans. Akṛtavraṇa supported the demand of Ambā. The next morning they all set out for Kurukṣetra with the maiden, and quartered themselves on the banks of Sarasvatī. On the third day Rāma sent a message to Bhīṣma, who came and worshipped him. Rāma demanded that he should bestow Ambā upon Vicitravīrya, which Bhīṣma refused. Rāma threatened to slay him in battle; Bhīṣma said that Rāma had himself taught him the four kinds of arms (*ishwastram caturvidham*; see the note of PCR.); and quoted a *çloka* in the Purāṇa, sung by Marutta (v. 7074). Having first gone to Hāstinapura and represented everything to Satyavatī, Bhīṣma set out for Kurukṣetra on his car (description). Gaṅgā ("worshipped by Si. and Cā," v. 7095) in vain endeavoured to make them desist (V, 178). Bhīṣma asked Rāma to mount on a chariot; but Rāma said that the earth was his chariot, the Vedas his steeds, the wind (*Mātariçvan*) his charioteer, and the mothers of tho Vedas (*Vedamātaraḥ*; see the note of PCR.) his harness. Bhīṣma saw him stationed on an excellent car (description), with Akṛtavraṇa as his charioteer. Bhīṣma propitiated Rāma by worshipping him, on foot. The combat lasted for many days; at last Bhīṣma, from pity and reverence, would not strike Rāma any longer, and the combat ceased at sunset (V, 179). Next morning the battle was taken up again. Bhīṣma's Vāyavya weapon was neutralized by Rāma's Guhyaka; Bhīṣma's Āgneya by Rāma's Vāruṇa. At a momentary swoon of Bhīṣma, Akṛtavraṇa, Ambā, etc., were filled with joy; then Rāma fell into a swoon and dropped down; the ascetics and Ambā comforted him. A conflagration was caused in the welkin. At evening Rāma withdrew (V, 180). The next day they fought again, and at evening they desisted (V, 181). The next day Bhīṣma's charioteer was slain; Bhīṣma, pierced by an arrow, fell down to the earth; eight brahmans supported him on their arms in mid-air; Gaṅgā was seen on his car; she had controlled his steeds in the combat. Bhīṣma dismissed her and fought till evening. When Rāma for a moment lost his consciousness, Rāhu enveloped the sun, etc. At evening the battle ceased; next day it was taken up again, and lasted for twenty-three days (V, 182). During the night the above-mentioned eight brahmans appeared to Bhīṣma in a dream, comforted him, and said that the weapon Prasvāpa (*Prājāpatyam Viçvakṛtam*, v. 7259; PCR., "appertaining to the lord of all creatures and forged by the divine artificer")