fied with Vedic mantras. Adored by
panegyrists and bards, the king mounted upon that car like Soma riding
upon his own ambrosial vehicle. His brother Bhima of terrible prowess
took the reins. Arjuna held over his head a white umbrella of great
effulgence. That white umbrella held upon the car looked beautiful like a
star-decked white cloud in the firmament. The two heroic sons of Madri,
viz., Nakula and Sahadeva, took up two yak-tails white as the rays of the
moon and adorned with gems for fanning the king. The five brothers decked
with ornaments, having ascended the car, O king, looked like the five
elements (that enter into the composition of everybody). Riding upon
another white car unto which were yoked steeds fleet as thought, Yuyutsu,
O king, followed the eldest son of Pandu behind. Upon his own brilliant
car of gold unto which were yoked Saivya and Sugriva, Krishna, with
Satyaki, followed the Kurus. The eldest uncle of Pritha's son, O Bharata,
accompanied by Gandhari, proceeded at the head of the train, upon a
vehicle borne on the shoulders of men. The other ladies of the Kuru
household, as also Kunti and Krishna, all proceeded on excellent
vehicles, headed by Vidura. Behind followed a large number of cars and
elephants decked with ornaments, and foot-soldiers and steeds. His
praises chanted by sweet-voiced panegyrists and bards, the king proceeded
towards the city called after the elephant. The progress, O mighty-armed
one, of king Yudhishthira, became so beautiful that its like had never
been on earth. Teeming with healthy and cheerful men, the busy hum of
innumerable voices was heard there. During the progress of Pritha's son,
the city and its streets were adorned with gay citizens (all of whom had
come out for honouring the king). The spot through which the king passed
had been decked with festoons of flowers and innumerable banners. The
streets of the city were perfumed with incense. The place was overlaid
with powdered perfumes and flowers and fragrant plants, and hung over
with garlands and wreaths. New metallic jars, full of water to the brim,
were kept at the door of every house, and bevies of beautiful maidens of
the fairest complexion stood at the particular spots. Accompanied by his
friends, the son of Pandu, adored with sweet speeches, entered the city
through its well-adorned gate.'"

SECTION XXXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'At the time the Parthas entered the city, thousands
upon thousands of the c