ler of the Videhas, of clear
understanding, having heard these words full of reason, become freed from
grief, and taking Asma's leave proceeded towards his abode. O thou of
unfading glory, cast off thy grief and rise up. Thou art equal to Sakra
himself. Suffer thy soul to be gladdened. The earth has been won by thee
in the exercise of Kshatriya duties. Enjoy her, O son of Kunti, and do
not disregard my words."'"

SECTION XXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'The foremost of kings, viz., Yudhishthira the son of
Dharma, still remaining speechless. Pandu's son Arjuna addressed Krishna
and spoke as follows:

"'Arjuna said, "This scorcher of foes, viz., Dharma's son, is burning with
grief on account of his (slaughtered) kinsfolk. Comfort him, O Madhava!
Once more, O Janardana, all of us have fallen into great danger. It
behoveth thee, O mighty-armed one, to dispel his grief."'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the high-souled Arjuna, the
lotus-eyed Govinda of unfading glory turned his face towards the king.
Kesava could not by any means be disregarded by Yudhishthira. From the
earliest years Govinda was dearer to Yudhishthira than Arjuna himself.
Taking up the king's hand adorned with sandal-paste and looking like a
column of marble, the mighty-armed Saurin began to speak, gladdening (the
hearts of all who listened to him). His face, adorned with teeth and eyes
that were very beautiful, shone brightly like a full-blown lotus at
sunrise.

"'Vasudeva said, "Do not, O tiger among men, indulge in such grief that
emaciates thy body. They who have been slain in this battle will on no
account be got back. Those Kshatriyas, O king, that have fallen in this
great battle, are even like objects that one acquires in one's dreams
and that vanish when one awakes. All of them were heroes and ornaments of
battle. They were vanquished while rushing with faces towards their foes.
No one amongst them was slain with wounds on the back or while flying
away. All of them, having contended with heroes in great battle and
having cast off their life-breaths then, have, sanctified by weapons,
proceeded to heaven. It behoveth thee not to grieve for them. Devoted to
the duties of Kshatriyas, possessed of courage, perfectly conversant with
the Vedas and their branches, all of them have attained to that blissful
end which is obtainable by heroes. It behoveth thee not to grieve for
them after hearing of those high-souled lords of the earth, of anc