Intro
Ghosha means cowherd, cowboy (or cow-person). Ghoshayatra Parva is the story of the Kauravas going to the stock show near Lake Dvaitavana.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/ghosha
As it Rhymes
Chapter 1-2 (236-7)
An idea to troll the exiled Pandavas is born
1.
Vaishampayana said,
‘After Dhritarashtra cautioned Duryodhana not to start wars.
Shakuni went with Karna to speak to Duryodhana at night.’
2.
Shakuni said,
‘The time has come to show the Pandavas your worth.
Like Shambara’s killer Indra runs heaven you rule this earth.
3.
Kings send taxes to your treasury from every cardinal direction.
4.
Your might is like a blazing light.
But the Pandavas never humbled themselves before your benediction.
5.
Dhritarashtra’s son has eclipsed Yudhishthira’s run.
I bow in respect before your throne. Â
6.
Your enemy has fallen yet we’ve not yet seen how bad they hurt.
You outwit that twit.
Yudhisthira and his Queen lay in dirt.Â
7.
Your power blazes for all to see.
You are the Indra of Kings and shine like a second sun.
8.
The advocates say you turn scripture to purpose.
And you carry the world on your back like a tortoise.
9.
You rule the earth from ocean to ocean.
The great forests and mountains stand for your sight.
Villages lay in the palm of your hand.
10.
The brahmanas worship you as is right.
The brahmans burn puja to show their devotion.
The brahmans believe a demigod arises when you stand.
11.
As Maruts do Vasava or Yama by the Rudras.
So your brother Kurus exalt you to the stars.
12.
The Pandavas ignored your words.
As a consequence the Pandavas lost everything and live in the forest like birds.
13.
We heard the Pandavas are living near Lake Dvaitavana.
The Pandavas have been there since the spring living with fellow forest dwellers.
14.
You should go there so the Pandavas can see you in all your glory.
15.
The down-fallen king Yudhishthira’s hopes and dreams will perish.
Let Yudhishthira see your wealth flourish.
16.
Let you visit them surrounded by advocates like Nahusha’s son Yayati.
17.
Enjoying one’s wealth in front of a downtrodden enemy is the true measure of prosperity.
18.
The Pandavas are situated in wicked calamity.
19.
O’ Tiger among Kings, neither sons nor wealth nor kingdoms are so sweet as the sight of an enemy on bended knee.
20.
Imagine the joy upon seeing Dhananjaya attired in barks and rags.
Oh boy, What a gag!
21.
Let your wife rub her fancy clothes in Draupadi’s nose.
Oh joy, what a gas!
22.
The grief Draupadi felt in the Sabha will pale in comparison.
Panchali will go mad with humiliation.’
23.
Vaishampayana said,
‘O’ Janamejaya, after speaking Shakuni and Karna were so pleased they grinned and slapped their knees.’
Notes
[1] ibid.
[2] Shakuni won the game of dice for Duryodhana - sending the Pandavas into exile.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/dyuta
[5] Indraprastha is the name of the Pandavas capital city
[6] Yudhishthira's queen is Draupadi.Â
[7] Indra is the king of Gods
[10] Brahman means priest
[11] The Rudras are forms of Shiva. The Maruts are also Rudras or forms of Shiva.
Yama is the lord of death.
[16] Nahusha and Yayati are famed Kuru ancestors. Nahusha appeared as the giant python in Ajagara.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/ajagara
[17] Schadenfreude is the German word for this sentiment.
[20] Dhananjaya is an epithet for Arjuna. Dhananjaya means winner of riches, so this is a savage burn. The story of how Arjuna earned this name is told in Digvijaya.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/digvijaya
[22] Duryodhana's brother Duhshasana assaulted Draupadi in the Sabha. The story is told in dyuta parva.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/dyuta
Panchali is another name for Draupadi
Ghosha Chapter 3 (238)
Duryodhana wants to flex
1.
Vaishampayana said,
‘King Duryodhana was giddy with glee after hearing Karna speak.’
2.
Duryodhana said,
‘Karna you read my mind!
The trouble is I will never receive permission to leave.Â
3.
King Dhritarashtra believes austerity has made the Pandavas’ valor divine.
4.
If the King knows our wish then he will not grant us leave.
5.
Dhritarashtra knows there is no legit reason for us to go to Lake Dvaitavana than to give the Pandavas grief.
6.
You remember what Kshatta said to us during the dice game.
7.
Vidura’s words still sting.
Still it pains not to see the Pandavas in their sorry forest lair.
8.
What great joy to see Bhima and Phalguna live like wild beasts.
To witness Krishnaa’s wet tears would be a precious treat.
9.
All my earthly treasure will not measure up to the pleasure witnessing the Pandavas clad in bark and deerskin.
10.
O’ Karna! To see Draupada’s daughter in the forest wearing saffron tatters would be a clear win.
11.
If Dharmaraja and Bhimasena and the Pandavas see my wealth my life would be complete.
I can’t wait to see them stare!
12.
But alas I do not see a way for us to receive Dhritarashtra’s permission to go on a retreat.
13.
Karna, summon the brain trust.
Shakuni, Duhshasana and yourself will think of a way for us to bust.
14.
I will decide if I am going to see Partha before the morning sun.
15.
If you see me in the Kuru assembly tomorrow, you and Shakuni should speak to the King.
Bhishma’s confidence must also be won.
16.
If we secure Bhishma’s and Dhritarashtra’s permission, we can leave before the night.
17.
Absorbed in thought, Karna and Duryodhana retired for the night.
The next morning Karna visited Duryodhana at first light.
18.
‘I’ve got it!’ Karna cried eyes smiling wide.
‘It’s a perfect plan. Take note. Hear me out.
19.
We have a herd of cattle near Lake Dvaitavana.
We have every right to go see our cattle no doubt.Â
20.
The Vaishyas are having a stock show.
If you say this to Dhritarashtra, he is sure to let us go.’
21.
While the two were speaking, the Gandhara King Shakuni smiled ear to ear.
22.
Shakuni said,
‘Hear, hear!
The stock show is a perfect pretext.’
23.
Dhritarashtra will want us to go see the beef.
No doubt we will go to Lake Dvaitavana next.’
24.
The three clapped and laughed and back slapped.
Then the three left to game the Kuru chief.
Notes
[1] ibid.
[6] Kshatta is an epithet for Vidura. Vidura was not happy at the dice game.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/dyuta
[8] Phalguna is an epithet for Arjuna.
Krishnaa is another name for Draupadi. Krishna means dark skinned.
We heard from Draupadi in the aftermath of the dice game. Draupadi won back her husbands freedom and a promise to restore their kingdom.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/dyuta
[10] Karna and Krishnaa have an interesting dynamic - Krishnaa flat rejected Karna at her Svayamvara after he was the first to string King Drupada’s contest bow. The story of Svayamvara is available -
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/svayamvara
Draupadi rejected Karna a second time at the dice game when Karna suggested Draupadi choose another husband.
[11] Dharmaraja is an epithet for Yudhishthira. Dharmaraja means Dharma King. Yudhishthira's father is said to be Dharma.
[20] Vaishyas are merchants or farmers. Vaishyas tend to the Kuru's cattle.
Translation Collage
