shall, therefore, exert myself in such a way that thou mayst succeed in
acquiring wealth.' The night passed away and morning came. Seeing his
guest rise cheerfully from bed, the bird addressed him, saying, 'Go, O
amiable one, along this very route and thou art sure to succeed. At the
distance of about three Yojanas from this place, there is a mighty king
of the Rakshasas. Possessed of great strength, his name is Virupaksha,
and he is a friend of mine. Go to him, O foremost of Brahmanas! That
chief, induced by my request, will, without doubt, give thee as much
wealth as thou desirest.' Thus addressed, O king, Gautama cheerfully set
out from that place, eating on the way, to his fill, fruits sweet as
ambrosia. Beholding the sandal and aloe and birch trees that stood along
the road, and enjoying their refreshing shade, the Brahmana proceeded
quickly. He then reached the city known by the name of Meruvraja. It had
large porches made of stone, and high walls of the same material. It was
also surrounded on every side with a trench, and large pieces of rock and
engines of many kinds were kept ready on the ramparts. He soon became
known to the Rakshasa chief of great intelligence, O king, as a dear
guest sent unto him by the chief's friend (the crane). The chief received
Gautama very gladly. The king of the Rakshasas then, O Yudhishthira,
commanded his attendants, saying, 'Let Gautama be soon brought hither
from the gate.' At the command of the king, certain persons, quick as
hawks, issued from the splendid palace of their ruler, and proceeding to
the gate accosted Gautama. The royal messengers, O monarch, said unto
that Brahmana, 'Come quickly, the king desires to see thee. Thou mayst
have heard of the king of the Rakshasas, Virupaksha, by name, possessed
of great courage. Even he is impatient of seeing thee. Come quickly and
tarry not.' Thus addressed, the Brahmana, forgetting his toil in his
surprise, ran with the messengers. Beholding the great affluence of the
city, he became filled with wonder. Soon he entered the king's palace in
the company of the messengers solicitous of obtaining a sight of the king
of the Rakshasas."'"

SECTION CLXXI

"'Bhishma said, "Led into a spacious apartment, Gautama was introduced to
the king of the Rakshasas. Worshipped by the latter (with the usual
offerings), he took his seat on an excellent seat. The king asked him
about the race of his birth and his practices, his study of the Vedas a