King Yudhishthira consults Sage Markandeya about his Enemies
Ramopakhyana Parva Chapter 1 (7)
This begins the As It Rhymes Ramayana, as retold in the Mahabharata.
As It Rhymes
1.
Janamejaya said,
What did those tigers of men do to redress Draupadi’s source of distress?
2.
After the five Pandavas freed Krishnaa from Jayadratha through battle rage.
Dharmaraja Yudhishthira the eldest sought advice from a sage.
3.
Pandu’s son let out heaving sighs at the shame of Jayadratha the lech.
Under their breath other men cursed the wretch.
4.
Yudhishthira said,
‘O’ Lord! You are famed for being wise.
Doubt makes my heart falter.
5.
From Drupada’ great-soul she is born.
She was delivered on the altar.
6.
Time and destiny seem superior to me.
The living can’t defend against eternity.
7.
My dutiful wife duly does her duty.
Yet that inferior wretch stretched her dress.
8.
Draupadi has no guilt nor shame.
Draupadi honors the brahman.
9-10.
Yet the idiot fool king Jayadratha took her by force.
So what if Jayadratha suffered a scalped brain and memories of dead friends remains.
11.
Will another fool snatch our dearly beloved and run?
Our journey runs on while a pretender ruins what we won.
12.
With hands bent I beg God’s blessed amends.
Have you ever heard of any other that suffers such heavy ends?
Notes
[1] Janamejaya, ibid.
[2] Krishnaa is Draupadi.
Dharmaraja means Dharma king, or king of duty.
[3] Pandu's son is Yudhishthira.
[5] Drupada is Draupadi's father.
[8] Brahman are holy-men, or wise-men - sages.
[10] The story of Jayadratha taking Draupadi.
[11] Midhya - pretender. A reference to Duryodhana the pretender - because Duryodhana won his kingdom in a dice game. The Pandavas and other warriors consider it proper to win through battle or the merits as a king or warrior. Winning through something like a gambling match is of unsavory merit. The story of the dice game - https://crackpot.substack.com/t/dyuta
Translation notes
