nd it contained
exceedingly beautiful unearthly birds. And it always swarmed throughout
with cheerful _Asuras_, wearing garlands, and bearing in their hands
darts, two edged swords, maces, bows, and clubs. And, O king, on seeing
this wonderful city of the Daityas, I asked Matali saying, "What is this
that looketh so wonderful?" Thereat, Matali replied, "Once on a time a
_Daitya's_ daughter, named _Pulama_ and a mighty female of the _Asura_
order, _Kalaka_ by name, practised severe austerities for a thousand
celestial years. And at the end of their austerities, the self-create
conferred on them boons. And, O king of kings, they received these
boons,--that their offspring might never suffer misfortune; that they
might be incapable of being destroyed even by the gods, the _Rakshasas_
and the _Pannagas_; and that they might obtain a highly effulgent and
surpassingly fair aerial city, furnished with all manner of gems and
invincible even by the celestials, the _Maharshis_, the _Yakshas_, the
_Gandharvas_, the _Pannagas_, the _Asuras_ and the _Rakshasas_. O best
of the Bharatas, this is that unearthly aerial city devoid of the
celestials, which is moving about, having been created for the
_Kalakeyas_, by _Brahma_ himself. And this city is furnished with all
desirable objects, and is unknown of grief or disease. And, O hero,
celebrated under the name of _Hiranyapura_, this mighty city is
inhabited by the _Paulamas_ and the _Kalakanjas_; and it is also guarded
by those mighty _Asuras_. And, O king, unslayed by any of the gods,
there they dwell cheerfully, free from anxiety and having all their
desires gratified, O foremost of kings. Formerly, _Brahma_ had destined
destruction at the hands of mortals. Do thou, O Partha, in fight,
compass with that weapon--the thunder-bolt--the destruction of the
mighty and irrepressible _Kalakanjas_."'

"Arjuna continued, 'O lord of men, learning that they were incapable of
being destroyed by the celestials and the _Asuras_, I cheerfully said
unto Matali, "Do thou speedily repair into yonder city. With weapons
will I compass the annihilation of the haters of the lord of the
celestials. Surely, there exist no wicked haters of the gods who ought
not to be slain by me." Thereupon Matali took me to the vicinity of
_Hiranyapura_ on the celestial chariot yoked with steeds. And seeing me,
those sons of Diti, wearing various kinds of attire and ornament and
accoutred in mail, flew at me with a mighty ru