ire to
the same, the Kurus with Dhritarashtra and others, stood on the right
sight of the funeral pyre. Those foremost ones of Kuru's race, having
thus cremated the body of the son of Ganga, proceeded to the sacred
Bhagirathi, accompanied by the Rishis. They were followed by Vyasa, by
Narada, by Asita, by Krishna, by the ladies of the Bharata race, as also
by such of the citizens of Hastinapore as had come to the place. All of
them, arrived at the sacred river, duly offered oblation of water unto
the high-souled son of Ganga. The goddess Bhagirathi, after those
oblations of water had been offered by them unto her son, rose up from
the stream, weeping and distracted by sorrow. In the midst of her
lamentations, she addressed the Kurus, "Ye sinless ones, listen to me as
I say unto you all that occurred (with respect to my son). Possessed of
royal conduct and disposition, and endued with wisdom and high birth, my
son was the benefactor of all the seniors of his race. He was devoted to
his sire and was of high vows. He could not be vanquished by even Rama of
Jamadagni's race with his celestial weapons of great energy. Alas, that
hero has been slain by Sikhandin. Ye kings, without doubt, my heart is
made of adamant, for it does not break even at the disappearance of that
son from my sight! At the Self choice at Kasi, he vanquished on a single
car the assembled Kshatriyas and ravished the three princesses (for his
step-brother Vichitravirya)! There was no one on earth that equalled him
in might. Alas, my heart does not break upon hearing the slaughter of
that son of mine by Sikhandin!" The puissant Krishna, hearing the goddess
of the great river indulging in these lamentations consoled her with many
soothing words. Krishna said, "O amiable one, be comforted. Do not yield
to grief, O thou of beautiful features! Without doubt, thy son has gone
to the highest region of felicity! He was one of the Vasus of great
energy. Through a curse, O thou of beautiful features, he had to take
birth among men. It behoveth thee not to grieve for him. Agreeably to
Kshatriya duties, he was slain by Dhananjaya on the field of battle while
engaged in battle. He has not been slain, O goddess, by Sikhandin. The
very chief of the celestials himself could not slay Bhishma in battle
when he stood with stretched bow in hand. O thou of beautiful face, thy
son has, in felicity, gone to heaven. All the gods assembled together
could not slay him in battle. Do