test her
purity. There is no difference between a daughter-in-law and a daughter,
as also between a son and son's own-self. By adopting this course,
therefore, her purity will be proved. I am afraid of slanderous and
false accusations. I accept, therefore, O king, thy daughter Uttara as
my daughter-in-law. Surpassing all in knowledge of weapons, resembling a
celestial youth in beauty, my son, the mighty-armed Abhimanyu is the
favourite nephew of Vasudeva, the wielder of the discus. He, O king, is
fit to be thy son-in-law and the husband of thy daughter.'

"Virata said, 'It behoveth the best of the Kurus, Dhananjaya, the son of
Kunti, who is so virtuous and wise, to say this. O son of Pritha, do
thou carry out what thou thinkest should be done after this. He that
hath Arjuna for the father of his son-in-law, hath all his desires
gratified.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "The monarch having said this, Yudhishthira, the
son of Kunti, gave his assent to what was thus agreed upon between the
Matsya king and Arjuna. And, O Bharata, the son of Kunti sent
invitations to Vasudeva and to all his friends and relatives, and Virata
also did the same. And then, after the expiry of the thirteenth year,
the five Pandavas took up their abode in one of Virata's towns called
_Upaplavya_, and Vibhatsu, the son of Pandu, brought over Abhimanyu and
Janardana, and also many people of the Dasarha race from the Anarta
country. And the king of Kasi, and also Saivya, being very friendly to
Yudhishthira, arrived there, each accompanied by an _Akshauhini_ of
troops. And the mighty Drupada, also with the heroic sons of Draupadi
and the unvanquished Sikhandin, and that foremost of wielder of weapons,
the invincible Dhrishtadyumna came there with another _Akshauhini_ of
troops. And all the kings that came were not only lords of _Akshauhini_,
but performers of sacrifices with gifts in profusion to Brahmanas,
conversant with the _Vedas_ endued with heroism, and ready to die in
battle. And beholding them arrived, that foremost of virtuous men, the
king of the Matsyas, adored them duly, and entertained their troops and
servants and carriers of burdens. And he was highly pleased to bestow
his daughter upon Abhimanyu. And after the kings had come there from
different parts of the country, there came Vasudeva decked in floral
garlands, and Halayudha, and Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, and
Yuyudhana, the son of Satyaki, and Anadhristi and Akrura, and Samva and