way what is agreeable to that
deceased son of _Suta_.' And then they addressed Virata, saying, 'It is
for her sake that Kichaka hath lost his life. Let him, therefore, be
cremated along with her. It behoveth thee to grant this permission.'
Thus addressed by them, king Virata, O monarch, knowing fully well the
prowess of the _Suta_ gave his assent to _Sairindhri_ being burnt along
with the _Suta's_ son. And at this, the Kichakas approaching the
frightened and stupefied Krishna of lotus-like eyes, seized her with
violence. And binding that damsel of slender waist and placing her upon
the bier, they set out with great energy towards the cemetery. And, O
king, while thus forcibly carried towards the cemetery by those sons of
the _Suta_ tribe, the blameless and chaste Krishna living under the
protections of her lords, then wailed aloud for the help of her
husbands, saying, 'Oh, let Jaya, and Jayanta, and Vijaya and Jayatsena,
and Jayadvala listen to my words. The _Sutas_ are taking me away. Let
those illustrious Gandharvas endued with speed of hand, the clatter of
whose cars is loud and the twang of whose bowstrings in the midst of the
mighty conflict are heard like the roar of thunder, listen to my
words,--the _Sutas_ are taking me away!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing those sorrowful words and lamentations
of Krishna, Bhima, without a moment's reflection started up from his bed
and said, 'I have heard, O _Sairindhri_ the words thou hast spoken. Thou
hast, therefore, O timid lady, no more fear at the hands of the
_Sutas._'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the mighty-armed Bhima
desirous of slaying the Kichakas, began to swell his body. And carefully
changing his attire, he went out of the palace by a wrong egress. And
climbing over a wall by the aid of a tree, he proceeded towards the
cemetery whither the Kichakas had gone. And having leapt over the wall,
and gone out of the excellent city, Bhima impetuously rushed to where
the _Sutas_ were. And, O monarch, proceeding towards the funeral pyre he
beheld a large tree, tall as palmyra-palm, with gigantic shoulders and
withered top. And that slayer of foes grasping with his arms that tree
measuring ten _Vyamas_, uprooted it, even like an elephant, and placed
it upon his shoulders. And taking up that tree with trunk and branches
and measuring ten _Vyamas_, that mighty hero rushed towards the _Sutas_,
like Yama himself, mace in hand. And by the impetus of his rus