Abhimanyu weds Uttara
Having speedily recovered his wealth, Virata, owning a large army, entered his city with a cheerful heart, accompanied by the four Pandavas. Having vanquished the Trigartas in battle and recovered all the kine, that mighty monarch, along with the sons of Pritha, looked resplendent and blazed forth in beauty. As the brave king, that enhancer of the joys of friends, was seated on his throne, all his subjects headed by the Brahmanas stood before him. Worshipped by them, the king of the Matsyas, at the head of his army, saluted the Brahmanas and his subjects in return and dismissed them cheerfully. Virata, the king of the Matsyas owning a large army, enquired after Uttara, saying,
“Where has Uttara gone?”
And the women and the maidens of the palace and the other females living in the inner apartments joyfully said unto him,
“Our kine having been seized by the Kurus, Bhuminjaya incensed at this and from excess of bravery has issued forth alone with only Brihannala as his second, for vanquishing the six mighty car-warriors, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, and Kripa, and Karna, and Duryodhana, and Drona, and Drona's son who have all come with the Kuru army.”
Then king Virata, hearing that his brave son had gone forth with only one car and with Brihannala as his car-driver, became filled with grief, and addressing his chief counsellors, said,
“Without doubt, the Kauravas and other lords of earth, learning the defeat of the Trigartas, will never keep their ground. Therefore, let those of my warriors that have not been wounded by the Trigartas go out, accompanied by a mighty force, for the protection of Uttara.”
Saying this, the king speedily despatched, for the sake of his son, horses and elephants and cars and a large number of foot-soldiers, equipped and decked with various kinds of weapons and ornaments. It was thus that Virata, the king of the Matsyas, owning a large army, quickly ordered out a large division consisting of four kinds of troops. Having done this, he said,
“Learn, without loss of time whether the prince lives still or not! I myself think that he who has got a person of the neuter sex for his car-driver is not alive.”
Then king Yudhishthira the just, smilingly said unto the afflicted king Virata,
“If, O monarch, Brihannala has been his charioteer, the foe will never be able to take away your kine today. Protected by that charioteer, your son will be able to vanquish in battle all the lords of earth allied with the Kurus, indeed, even the gods and the Asuras and the Siddhas and the Yakshas together.”
Meanwhile, the swift-footed messengers despatched by Uttara, having reached Virata's city, gave tidings of the victory. The minister-in-chief then informed the king of everything, viz., the great victory that had been won, the defeat of the Kurus, and the expected arrival of Uttara. He said,
“All the kine have been brought back, the Kurus have been defeated, and Uttara, that slayer of foes, is well with his car-driver.”
Then Yudhishthira said,
“By good luck it is that the kine have been recovered and the Kurus routed. I do not, however, regard it strange that your son should have vanquished the Kurus, for his victory is assured that has Brihannala for his charioteer.”
Hearing of the victory of his son possessed of immeasurable might, king Virata became so glad that the bristles of his body stood erect. Having made presents of raiment unto the messengers, he ordered his ministers, saying,
“Let the highways be decorated with flags, and let all the gods and goddesses be worshipped with flowery offerings. Let princes and brave warriors, and musicians and harlots decked in ornaments, march out to receive my son. Let the bellman, speedily riding an intoxicated elephant, proclaim my victory at places where four roads meet. Let Uttara, too, in gorgeous attire and surrounded by virgins and chanters of eulogies, go forth to receive my son.”
Having listened to these words of the king, all the citizens with auspicious things in hand, and many amongst them with cymbals and trumpets and conchs, and beautiful women attired in gorgeous robes, and reciters of auspicious and sacred hymns, accompanied by encomiasts and minstrels, and drummers and other kinds of musicians issued forth from the city of the mighty Virata to welcome Uttara of immeasurable prowess. Having despatched troops and maidens and courtesans decked in ornaments, the wise king of the Matsyas cheerfully said these words,
“O Sairindhri, fetch the dice. And, O Kanka, let the play commence.”
The son of Pandu replied, saying,
“We have heard it said that one whose heart is filled with joy should not play with a cunning gambler. I do not therefore, dare gamble with you that are so transported with joy. I am ever desirous of doing what is for your good. Let the play, however, commence if it pleases you.”
Virata said,
“My female slaves and kine, my gold and whatsoever other wealth I have, nothing of all this shall you be able to protect today even if I do not gamble.”
Kanka said in reply,
“O monarch, O bestower of honours, what business have you with gamble which is attended with numerous evils? Gambling is fraught with many evils; it should, therefore, be shunned. You may have seen or at least heard of Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu. He lost his extensive and prosperous kingdom and his god-like brothers at dice. For this, I am averse to gambling. But if you like, O king, I will play.”
While the play was going on, Matsya said unto the son of Pandu,
“Lo, the Kauravas that are so formidable have been vanquished in battle by my son.”
Upon this, the illustrious king Yudhishthira said,
“Why should not he conquer who has Brihannala for his charioteer?”
Thus addressed, King Matsya became angry and said unto Pandu's son,
“You wretch of a Brahmana, do you compare one of the neuter sex with my son! Have you no knowledge of what is proper and what is improper for one to say? Without doubt, you disregard me. Why should not my son vanquish all those with Bhishma and Drona as their leaders? O Brahmana, for friendship only I pardon you this your offence. You must not, however, say so again if you wish to live.”
Yudhishthira said,
“There where Bhishma and Drona and Drona's son and the son of Vikartana and Kripa and king Duryodhana and other royal and mighty car-warriors are assembled or there where Indra himself is surrounded by the Maruts, what other person than Brihannala can fight, encountering them all! None has been, none will be, his equal in strength of arms! Indeed, it is Brihannala only whose heart is filled with joy at sight of a terrible conflict. It is he who had vanquished the celestials and the Asuras and human beings fighting together. With such a one for his ally, why should not your son conquer the foe?”
Virata said,
“Repeatedly forbidden by me, you do not yet restrain your tongue. If there is none to punish, no one would practise virtue.”
Saying this, the king inflamed with anger forcibly struck Yudhishthira in the face with a dice, and reproached him angrily, saying,
“Let it not occur again!”
And having been violently struck, blood began to flow from his nose. But the son of Pritha held it in his hands before it fell on the ground. The virtuous Yudhishthira then glanced at Draupadi who was standing by his side. Ever obedient to the wishes of her lord, the faultless Draupadi, understanding his meaning, and bringing a golden vessel filled with water, received the blood that flowed from his nose.
Meanwhile; Uttara, entertained with sweet perfumes of diverse kinds and decked with floral chaplets, slowly entered the city, received with respect by the citizens, the women, and the people of the provinces. Approaching the gate of the palace he sent the news of his arrival to his father. The porter then, approaching the king, said,
“Your son Uttara, waits at the gate with Brihannala as his companion.”
The Matsya king, with a cheerful heart, said unto him,
“Do you usher both, as I am very anxious to see them.”
Then Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, gently whispered unto the ears of the warder,
“Let Uttara enter alone; Brihannala must not come in. Such is the vow of that hero of mighty arms that whoever causes a wound on my person or sheds my blood except in battle, shall not live. Inflamed with rage he will never bear patiently to see me bleeding, but will slay Virata now with his counsellors and troops and steeds.”
Then Bhuminjaya, the eldest son of the king, entered, and having worshipped the feet of his father approached Kanka. He beheld Kanka covered with blood, and seated on the ground at one end of the court, and waited upon by the Sairindhri. Seeing this, Uttara asked his father in a hurry, saying,
“By whom, O king, has this one been struck? By whom has this sinful act been perpetrated?”
Virata said,
“This crooked Brahmana has been struck by me. He deserves even more than this. When I was praising you, he praised that person of the third sex.”
Uttara said,
“You have, O king, committed an improper act. Do speedily propitiate him so that the virulent poison of a Brahmana's curse may not consume you to your roots!”
Having heard the words of his son, Virata, that enhancer of the limits of his kingdom, began to soothe Kunti's son, who was like unto a fire hid in ashes, for obtaining his forgiveness. Unto the king desirous of obtaining his pardon the Pandava replied,
“O king, I have long ago forgiven it. Anger I have none. Had this blood from my nostrils fallen on the ground, then, without doubt, you, O monarch, would have been destroyed with your kingdom. I do not, however, blame you, O king, for having struck an innocent person. For, O king, they that are powerful generally act with unreasoning severity.”
When the bleeding had stopped, Brihannala entered (the council-room) and having saluted both Virata and Kanka, stood silent. The king, having appeased the chief of the Kurus, began to praise, in Savyasachi's hearing, Uttara who had returned from the battle. The king said,
“O enhancer of the joys of Kekaya's princess, in you have I truly a son! I never had nor shall have, a son that is equal to you! How, indeed, could you, O Child, encounter that Karna who leaves not a single mark unhit amongst even a thousand that he may aim at all at once? How could you, O child, encounter that Bhishma who has no equal in the whole world of men? How also could you, O child, encounter Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that preceptor of the Vrishnis and Kauravas, twice-born one who may be regarded as the preceptor of all the Kshatriyas? How could you meet in battle the celebrated Ashwatthama? How could you, O child, encounter that Duryodhana, the prince who is capable of piercing even a mountain with his mighty arrows? My foes have all been thrashed. A delicious breeze seems to blow around me. Since you have recovered in battle the whole of my wealth that had been seized by the Kurus, it seems that all those mighty warriors were struck with panic. Without doubt, you, O bull amongst men, have routed the foe and snatched away from them my wealth of kine, like his prey from a tiger.”
Uttara said,
“The kine have not been recovered by me, nor have the foe been vanquished by me. All that has been accomplished by the son of a deity. Capable of striking like a thunderbolt, that youth of celestial origin, beholding me running away in fear, stopped me and himself mounted on my car. It was by him that the kine have been recovered and the Kauravas vanquished. The deed, O father, is that hero's and not mine. It was he that repulsed with arrows Kripa and Drona and Drona's son of powerful energy, and the Suta's son and Bhishma. That mighty hero then spoke unto the affrighted prince Duryodhana who was running away like the leader of a head of elephants, these words,
“O prince of the Kuru race, I do not see that you are safe by any means even at Hastinapura. Protect your life by putting forth your might. You shall not escape me by flight. Therefore, make up your mind for fight. If victorious, the sovereignty of the earth will be yours, or if slain, heaven itself will be yours.”
Thus addressed, king Duryodhana, that tiger among men surrounded by his counsellors, sighing on his car like a snake turned back, showered arrows endued with the speed and force of thunderbolts. Beholding all this, venerable sire, my thighs began to quake. Then that celestial youth pierced with arrows the Kuru army consisting of leonine warriors. Having pierced and afflicted that crowd of cars, that youth, stout as the lion, laughed at them and robbed them of their clothes and attires. Indeed, the six great car-warriors of the Kurus were vanquished by that hero alone, even like herds of animals ranging in the forest by a single tiger in rage.”
Virata said,
“Where is that mighty-armed and famous youth of celestial origin, that hero who recovered in battle my wealth that had been seized by the Kurus? I am anxious to behold and worship that mighty warrior of celestial origin who has saved you and my kine also.”
Uttara replied,
“The mighty son of a deity disappeared there and then. I think, however, that he will show himself either tomorrow or the day after.”
Virata, that owner of a large army, remained ignorant of the son of Pandu who was thus described unto him by Uttara, and who was living in the palace in disguise.
Permitted by the high-souled Virata, Partha presented with his own hands the garments he had brought, unto Virata's daughter. The beautiful Uttara, obtaining those new and costly clothes of diverse kinds, became highly glad, along with the son of the Matsya king.
Then, on the third day, attired in white robes after a bath, and decked in ornaments of all kinds, those great car-warriors, the five Pandava brothers, having accomplished their row, and with Yudhishthira at their head, looked resplendent as they entered the palace-gate like five intoxicated elephants. Having entered the council-hall of Virata, they took their seats on the thrones reserved for kings, and shone brilliantly like fires on the sacrificial altar. After Pandavas had taken their seats, Virata, that lord of earth, came there for holding his council and discharging other royal offices. Beholding the illustrious Pandavas blazing like fires, the king reflected for a moment. Then, filled with wrath, the Matsya king spoke unto Kanka seated there like a celestial and looking like the lord of celestials surrounded by the Maruts. He said,
“A player at dice you were employed by me as a courtier! How could you occupy the royal seat thus attired in handsome robes and ornaments?”
Hearing these words of Virata, and desirous of jesting with him, Arjuna smilingly said in reply,
“This person, O king, deserves to occupy the same seat with Indra himself. Devoted to the Brahmanas, acquainted with the Vedas, indifferent to luxury and carnal enjoyments, habitually performing sacrifices, steady in vows, this one, indeed, is the very embodiment of virtue, The foremost of all Persons endued with energy and superior to every body on earth in intelligence, devoted to asceticism, he is conversant with various weapons. No other person among the mobile and immobile creatures of the three worlds possesses or will ever possess such knowledge of weapons. There is none even amongst the gods, or Asuras, or men, or Rakshasas, or Gandharvas, or Yaksha chiefs, or Kinnaras, or mighty Uragas, who is like him. Endued with great foresight and energy, beloved by the citizens and inhabitants of the provinces, he is the mightiest of car-warriors amongst the sons of Pandu. A performer of sacrifices, devoted to morality, and of subdued passions, like unto a great Rishi, this royal sage is celebrated over all the worlds. Possessed of great strength and great intelligence, able and truthful, he has all his senses under complete control. Equal unto Indra in wealth and Kubera in hoarding, he is the protector of the worlds like unto Manu himself of mighty prowess. Endued with great might, he is even such. Kind unto all creatures he is no other than the bull of the Kuru race, king Yudhishthira the just. The achievements of this king resemble the sun himself of blazing effulgence. His fame has travelled in all directions like the rays of that luminary. Like the rays following the risen sun of blazing effulgence, ten thousand swift elephants followed him, O king, when he dwelt among the Kurus. O king, thirty thousand cars decked in gold and drawn by the best steeds, also used to follow him then. Full eight hundred bards adorned with ear-rings set with shining gems, and accompanied by minstrels, recited his praises in those days, like the Rishis adorning Indra. O king, the Kauravas and other lords of earth always waited upon him like slaves, as the celestials upon Kubera. This eminent king, resembling the bright-rayed sun, made all lords of earth pay tribute unto him like persons of the agricultural class. Eighty-eight thousands of high-souled Snatakas depended for their subsistence upon this king practising excellent vows. This illustrious lord protected the aged and the helpless, the maimed and the blind, as his sons, and he ruled over his subjects virtuously. Steady in morality and self-control, capable of restraining his anger, bountiful, devoted to the Brahmanas, and truthful, this one is the son of Pandu. The prosperity and prowess of this one afflict king Suyodhana with his followers including Karna and Subala’s son. O lord of men, the virtues of this one are incapable of being enumerated. This son of Pandu is devoted to morality and always abstains from injury. Possessed of such attributes, does not this bull among kings, this son of Pandu, deserve, O monarch, to occupy a royal seat?”
Virata said,
“If this one, indeed, be the Kuru king Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, which amongst these is his brother Arjuna, and which, the mighty Bhima. Which of these is Nakula, and which Sahadeva and where is the celebrated Draupadi? After their defeat at dice, the sons of Pritha have not been heard of by any one.”
Arjuna said,
“This one, O king, who is called Vallava and is your cook, is that Bhima of mighty arms and terrible prowess and furious impetus. It was he who slew the furious Rakshasas on the mountains of Gandhamadana, and procured for Krishna celestial flowers of great fragrance. He is that Gandharva, who slew the Kichaka of wicked soul and it was he who killed tigers and bears and boars in the inner apartment of your palace. He who had been the keeper of your horse is that slayer of foes called Nakula, and this one is Sahadeva, the keeper of your kine. Both these sons of Madri are great car-warriors, possessed of great fame and beauty of person. These two bulls of the Bharata race, attired in handsome robes and decked in excellent ornaments, are a match for a thousand great car-warriors. Even this lady of eyes like lotus-petals and slender-waist and sweet smiles is Drupada's daughter, your wife's Sairindhri, for whose sake, O king, the Kichakas were slain. I am, O king, Arjuna who, it is evident, you have heard, is that son of Pritha, who is Bhima's junior and the senior of the twins! We have, O king, happily passed in your abode the period of non-discovery, like infants in the womb!”
After Arjuna had pointed out those heroes, the five Pandavas, the son of Virata then spoke of Arjuna's prowess. Uttara once again identified the sons of Pritha. The prince said,
“That one whose complexion is bright like that of pure gold, who is stout like a full-grown lion, whose nose is so prominent, whose eyes are large and expansive, and whose face is broad and of coppery hue, is the king of the Kurus. Behold that one whose tread is like that of an infuriate elephant, whose complexion is like that of heated gold, whose shoulders are broad and expanded, and whose arms are long and thick, is Vrikodara. He who stands by his side, that youth of darkish hue, who is like unto a leader of a herd of elephants, whose shoulders are broad like those of a lion, whose tread is like that of a mighty elephant, and whose eyes are large and expansive like lotus-leaves, is Arjuna that foremost of bowmen. All close to the king, are those foremost of men, the twins, like unto Vishnu and Indra, and who have no equals, in the world of men, in beauty, might, and behaviour. Close by them, behold, stands Krishna, beautiful as gold, like unto the very embodiment of light, possessing the complexion of the blue lotus, like unto a celestial damsel, and resembling the living embodiment of Lakshmi herself.”
Then Virata's son began to describe the prowess of Arjuna, saying,
“This one is he that slew the foe, like unto a lion devastating a flock of deer. He ranged through, crowds of hostile cars, slaying their best of car-warriors. By him was slain a huge, infuriate elephant by means of a single arrow. Pierced by him, that huge beast having its flanks adorned with an armour of gold, fell down piercing the earth with his tusks. By him have the kine been recovered and the Kauravas vanquished in battle. My ears have been deafened by the blare of his conch. It was by this hero of fierce deeds that Bhishma and Drona, along with Duryodhana, were vanquished. That achievement is his and not mine.”
Hearing these words of his, the mighty king of the Matsyas, considering himself guilty of having offended Yudhishthira, said unto Uttara in reply,
“I think the time has come for me to propitiate the sons of Pandu. If you like, I shall bestow my daughter Uttara upon Arjuna.”
Uttara said,
“Worthy of our adorations and worship and respect, the time has come for worshipping the illustrious sons of Pandu who deserve to be worshipped by us.”
Virata said,
“When brought under the foe's subjection in battle, it was Bhimasena that rescued me. My kine also have been recovered by Arjuna. It is through the might of their arms that we have obtained victory in battle. Such being the case, all of us, with our counsellors, shall propitiate Yudhishthira the son of Kunti. Blessed be you, with all your brothers, O bull among the sons of Pandu. If, O king, we have ever said or done anything in ignorance to offend you, it befits you to forgive us. The son of Pandu is virtuous.”
Then the high-souled Virata, delighted greatly, approached king Yudhishthira and made an alliance with him, and offered him his whole kingdom together with the sceptre and treasury and metropolis. Addressing all the Pandavas, and especially Dhananjaya, the mighty king of the Matsyas repeatedly said,
“By good luck it is that I see you.”
Having again and again embraced Yudhishthira and Bhima and the sons of Madri, and smelt their heads, Virata, that owner of a large army, was not satiated with gazing at them. Being highly pleased, he said unto king Yudhishthira,
“By good luck it is that I see you safe from woods. By good luck it is that you have accomplished with difficulty the period of exile, undiscovered by those wicked fools. I make over my entire kingdom to the sons of Pritha, and what else I have. Let the sons of Pandu accept these without the slightest hesitation. Let Dhananjaya, called also Savyasachi, accept the hand of Uttara: for that best of men is fit to be her lord.”
Thus addressed, king Yudhishthira the just, cast a look upon Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha. Looked at by his brother, Arjuna said unto the Matsya king,
“O monarch, I accept your daughter as my daughter-in-law. Alliance of this kind between the Matsya and the Bharatas is, indeed, desirable.”
Virata said,
“Why, O best among the Pandavas, do you not wish to accept as wife this my daughter that I bestow upon you?”
Arjuna said,
“Residing in your inner apartments, I had occasion always to behold your daughter, and she too, alone or in company, trusted me as her father. Well-versed in singing and dancing, I was liked and regarded by her, and, indeed, your daughter always regards me as her protector. O king, I lived for one whole year with her though she had attained the age of puberty. Under these circumstances, yourself or other men may not without reason, entertain suspicions against her or me. Therefore, O king, myself who am pure, and have my senses under control, beg to you, your daughter as my daughter-in-law. Thus do I attest 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, your 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 your son-in-law and the husband of your daughter.”
Virata said,
“It befits the best of the Kurus, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, who is so virtuous and wise, to say this. O son of Pritha, do carry out what you think should be done after this. He that has Arjuna for the father of his son-in-law, has all his desires gratified.”
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. The son of Kunti sent invitations to Vasudeva and to all his friends and relatives, and Virata also did the same. Then, after the expiry of the thirteenth year, the five Pandavas took up their abode in one of Virata's towns called Upaplavya, and Bibhatsu, the son of Pandu, brought over Abhimanyu and Janardana, and also many people of the Dasharha race from the Anarta country. The king of Kashi, and also Shaibya, being very friendly to Yudhishthira, arrived there, each accompanied by an Akshauhini of troops. The mighty Drupada, also with the heroic sons of Draupadi and the unvanquished Sikhandi, and that foremost of wielder of weapons, the invincible Dhrishtadyumna, came there with another Akshauhini of troops. 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.
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. He was highly pleased to bestow his daughter upon Abhimanyu. After the kings had come there from different parts of the country, there came Vasudeva decked in floral garlands, and Halayudha, and Kritavarma, the son of Hridika, and Yuyudhana, the son of Satyaka, and Anadhrishti and Akrura, and Samba and Nishatha. These repressors of foes came there bringing with them Abhimanyu and his mother. Indrasena and others, having lived at Dwaraka for one whole year, came there, bringing with them the well adorned cars of the Pandavas. There came also ten thousand elephants and ten thousand cars, and hundred millions of horses and hundred billions of foot-soldiers, and innumerable Vrishni and Andhaka and Bhoja warriors of great energy, in the train of that tiger among the Vrishnis, Vasudeva of great effulgence. Krishna gave unto each of the illustrious sons of Pandu numerous female slaves, and gems and robes.
Then the nuptial festival set in between the families of the Matsya king and the Pandavas. Then conchs and cymbals and horns and drums and other musical instruments appointed by the Pandavas, began to play in the palace of Virata. Deer of various kinds and clean animals by hundreds were slain. Wines of various kinds and intoxicating juices of trees were profusely collected. Mimes and bards and encomiasts, versed in singing and legendary lore, waited upon the kings, and chanted their praises and genealogies. The matrons of the Matsyas of symmetrical bodies and limbs, and wearing ear-rings of pearls and gems, headed by Sudeshna, came to the place where the marriage knot was to be tied. Amongst those beautiful females of fair complexion and excellent ornaments, Krishna was the foremost in beauty and fame and splendour. They all came there, leading forth the princess Uttara decked in every ornament and resembling the daughter of the great Indra himself. Then Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, accepted Virata's daughter of faultless limbs on behalf of his son by Subhadra. That great king, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, who stood there like Indra, also accepted her as his daughter-in-law. Having accepted her, the son of Pritha, with Janardana before him, caused the nuptial ceremonies to be performed of the illustrious son of Subhadra.
Virata then gave him (as dowry) seven thousand steeds endued with the speed of the wind and two hundred elephants of the best kind and much wealth also. Having duly poured libations of clarified butter on the blazing fire, and paid homage unto the twice-born ones, Virata offered to the Pandavas his kingdom, army, treasury, and his own self. After the marriage had taken place, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, gave away unto the Brahmanas all the wealth that had been brought by Krishna of unfading glory. He also gave away thousands of kine, and diverse kinds of robes, and various excellent ornaments, and vehicles, and beds, delicious viands of various kinds, and cardinal drinks of diverse species. The king also made gifts of land unto the Brahmanas with due rites, and also cattle by thousands. He also gave away thousands of steeds and much gold and much wealth of other kinds, unto persons of all ages. The city of the Matsya king, thronged with men cheerful and well-fed, shone brightly like a great festival.