विदुरागमन-राज्यलाभ पर्व — सुन्द और उपसुन्द की कथा

Narada said: Subjugating the whole earth, the two Danavas became unrivalled; and when they had brought the three worlds under their sway, they then considered themselves free from fatigue and regarded that their works were done.

Having taken all the wealth of the Devas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, the kings, they become exceedingly happy.

When they saw they had no rival, like the immortals they gave up all labour and exertion and they passed their time in pleasures and merriments.

They derived great pleasure in women, in garlands, in perfumes, in viands, in drinks and in various other article of enjoyments.

Like the immortals they roamed in profuse pleasure and amusement in houses, in woods, in gardens, in forests and on hills, nay wherever they liked.

Thereupon one day they went to sport to a table-land of the Vindhya mountain, on perfectly level and stony ground, overgrown with Sala trees blossomed with flowers.

After every object of desire of the most agreeable kind had been brought, they (Sunda and Upasunda) sat on an excellent seat in happiness and joy with many handsome women (around them).

Wishing to please those two (heroes), those damsels danced in accompaniment with music and sang many songs in praise of the mighty brothers.

Thereupon Tilottama, attired in a single red silk cloth and thereby exposing all her charms, came there gathering flowers in the forest.

Gathering Karnikaras that grew along the barks of the river, she slowly came to the place where those two great heroes were.

They were intoxicated with a large quantity of liquor and their eyes had grown red. As soon as they saw that most beautiful damsel, they were filled with desire.

Leaving their seat, they immediately went to the place where she was. Both being full of desire, both sought her favours.

Sunda caught that beauty of fair eyebrows by her right hand and Upasunda caught hold of the left hand of Tilottama.

Intoxicated with the boons that they had obtained, with their physical strength, with the wealth and gems they had amassed and with the wine they had drunk.

Intoxicated with all this and maddened with desire, each of them contracted his eyebrows in anger; and they then spoke thus to each other.

Sunda said, "She is my wife and your superior." Upasunda said, "She is my wife and your sister-in-law."

They each exclaimed, "She is mine, not yours.” Maddened by her beauty, they lost all love and friendship (that they bore for each other).

For her sake they went for their, maces and deprived of heir reason by desire, they took of their fearful clubs.

(Crying), "I was the first,” (in taking her hand), they attacked each other. Struck by those fearful clubs, both of them fell on the ground.

Their bodies being covered with blood they looked like two suns loosened from the sky. The women and the others that were present all fled away trembling in grief and fear; and took refuge in the nether regions. Thereupon the pure souled Grandsire with the celestials and great Rishis came there and applauded Tilottama. The illustrious Grandsire cheered her by granting boons. Before she spoke, the Grandsire thus spoke in cheerfulness,

"O beautiful damsel, you shall roam in the region of the suns. Your splendour will be so great that none will ever be able to took at you.” Having granted this boon to her, the Grandsire of all creatures, the Supreme lord, placed Indra over the region of Indra and went away to the region of Brahma.

Thus those two Asuras, ever united and inspired with the same purpose, killed each other in anger for the sake of Tilottama. O best of the Bharata race, therefore, from affection for you all, I tell you that if you wish to do anything agreeable to me, make some such arrangement as you may not quarrel with one another for the sake of Draupadi.

Vaishampayana said : O king having been thus addressed by the high-souled great Rishi Narada, they (the Pandavas) consulted with one another and established a rule in the presence of the celestials Rishi of immeasurable energy that when one of them would be with Draupadi, any of the other four, who would see that one, must go to the forest for twelve years to lead the life of a Brahmachari. After the virtuous Pandavas had established this rule among themselves, the great Rishi Narada, being pleased with them, went to the place he wished (to go).

O descendant of Bharata, thus requested by Narada, they (the Pandavas) made in the days of yore a rule amongst themselves with respect to their common wife. It was, therefore, that no dispute ever arose amongst them.