brought under his subjection all the rulers of the
earth, even that exceedingly powerful and highly energetic monarch, the
grandsire of thy father, Santanu himself, is well-pleased with the
behaviour of that wielder of the Gandiva--the foremost of his race. And,
O king, abiding in Indra's regions, he who on the banks of the Yamuna had
worshipped the gods, the pitris, and the Brahmanas, by celebrating seven
grand horse sacrifices, that great grandsire of thine, the emperor
Santanu of severe austerities, who hath attained heaven, hath enquired of
thy welfare.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Having heard these words of the dispenser of wealth,
the Pandavas were well-pleased with them. Then lowering his club and mace
and sword and bow, that foremost of the Bharatas bowed down unto Kuvera.
And that giver of protection, the lord of treasures, seeing him
prostrate, said, 'Be thou the destroyer of the pride of foes, and the
enhancer of the delight of friends. And ye oppressors of enemies, do ye
live in our romantic region. The Yakshas will not cross your desires.
Gudakesa, after having acquired mastery over weapons, will come back
soon. Bidden adieu by Maghavat himself, Dhananjaya will join you.'

"Having thus instructed Yudhishthira of excellent deeds, the lord of the
Guhyakas, vanished from that best of mountains. And thousands upon
thousands of Yakshas, and Rakshasas followed him in vehicles spread over
with checkered cushions, and decorated with various jewels. And as the
horses proceeded towards the abode of Kuvera, a noise arose as of birds
flying in the air. And the chargers of the lord of treasures speedily
coursed through the sky as if drawing forward the firmament, and
devouring the air.

"Then at the command of the lord of wealth, the dead bodies of the
Rakshasas were removed from the summit of the mountain. As the
intelligent Agastya had fixed this period as the limit of (the duration
of) his curse, so being slain in conflict, the Rakshasas were freed from
the imprecation. And being honoured by the Rakshasas, the Pandavas for
several nights dwelt pleasantly in those habitations."

SECTION CLXII

Vaisampayana continued, "Then, O represser of foes, at sunrise, having
finished his daily devotions, Dhaumya came unto the Pandavas, with
Arshtishena. And having bowed down unto the feet of Arshtishena and
Dhaumya, they with joined hands paid homage unto all the Brahmanas. Then
Dhaumya taking Yudhishthira's right hand, said