ilated seven
phalanxes of Diti's offspring, the magnanimous Parthas went round it. And
being highly pleased, they offered excellent worship unto Matali, as unto
the lord of the celestials himself. And then the son of the Kuru king
duly enquired of him after the health of all the gods. And Matali also
greeted them. And having instructed the Parthas even as a father doth his
sons, he ascended that incomparable car, and returned to the lord of the
celestials.

"And when Matali had gone away, that foremost of the royal race, Sakra's
son, the high-souled destroyer of all foes made over unto his love, the
mother of Sutasoma, beautiful precious gems and ornaments having the
splendour of the sun, which had been presented to him by Sakra. Then,
sitting in the midst of those foremost of the Kurus, and those best of
the Brahmanas, effulgent like unto fire or the sun, he began to relate
all as it had happened, saying, "In this way, I have learnt weapons from
Sakra, Vayu, and the manifest Siva; and all the celestials with Indra
also have been pleased with me, on account of my good behaviour, and
concentration.'

"After having briefly narrated unto them his sojourn in heaven, Kiriti of
spotless deeds agreeably slept that night with the two sons of Madri."

SECTION CLXV

Vaisampayana said, "Then when the night had been spent, Dhananjaya,
together with his brothers, paid homage unto Yudhishthira the just. And,
O Bharata, at this moment, proceeding from the celestials there arose
mighty and tremendous sounds of a musical instrument, and the rattling of
car-wheels, and the tolling of bells. And there at all the beasts and
beasts of prey and birds emitted separate cries. And from all sides in
cars resplendent as the sun, hosts of Gandharvas and Apsaras began to
follow that represser of foes, the lord of the celestials. And ascending
a car yoked with steeds, decorated with burnished gold, and roaring like
clouds, that king of the celestials, Purandara blazing in beauty came
unto the Parthas. And having arrived (at that place), he of a thousand
eyes descended from his car. And as soon as Yudhishthira the just saw
that high-souled one, he together with his brothers, approached that
graceful king of the immortals. And in accordance with the ordinance that
generous one duly worshipped him of immeasurable soul, in consequence
with his dignity. And then Dhananjaya possessed of prowess, having bowed
down unto Purandara, stood before the l