himself hath said it.  Thy ancestors were observant of custom.  There is no fault to find with it.  It is also well-known, O Salya, that this custom in respect of family dignity hath the approval of the wise and the good.’  Saying this Bhishma of great energy, gave unto Salya much gold both coined and uncoined, and precious stones of various colours by thousands, and elephants and horses and cars, and much cloth and many ornaments, and gems and pearls and corals.  And Salya accepting with a cheerful heart those precious gifts then gave away his sister decked in ornaments unto that bull of the Kuru race.  Then the wise Bhishma, the son of the oceangoing Ganga, rejoiced at the issue of his mission, took Madri with him, and returned to the Kuru capital named after the elephant.

“Then selecting on auspicious day and moment as indicated by the wise for the ceremony, King Pandu was duly united with Madri.  And after the nuptials were over, the Kuru king established his beautiful bride in handsome apartments.  And, O king of kings, that best of monarchs then gave himself up to enjoyment in the company of his two wives as best he liked and to the limit of his desires.  And after thirty days had elapsed, the Kuru king, O monarch, started from his capital for the conquest of the world.  And after reverentially saluting and bowing to Bhishma and the other elders of the Kuru race, and with adieus to Dhritarashtra and others of the family, and obtaining their leave, he set out on his grand campaign, accompanied by a large force of elephants, horses, and cars, and well-pleased with the blessings uttered by all around and the auspicious rites performed by the citizens for his success.  And Pandu, accompanied by such a strong force marched against various foes.  And that tiger among men—­that spreader of the fame of the Kurus—­first subjugated the robber tribes of asarna.  He next turned his army composed of innumerable elephants, cavalry, infantry, and charioteers, with standards of various colours against Dhirga—­the ruler of the kingdom of Maghadha who was proud of his strength, and offended against numerous monarchs.  And attacking him in his capital, Pandu slew him there, and took everything in his treasury and also vehicles and draught animals without number.  He then marched into Mithila and subjugated the Videhas.  And then, O bull among men, Pandu led his army against Kasi, Sumbha, and Pundra, and by the strength and prowess of his arms spread the fame of the Kurus.  And Pandu, that oppressor of foes, like unto a mighty fire whose far-reaching flames were represented by his arrows and splendour by his weapons, began to consume all kings that came in contact with him.  These with their forces, vanquished by Pandu at the head of his army, were made the vassals of the Kurus.  And all kings of the world, thus vanquished by him, regarded him as the one single hero on earth even as the celestials regard Indra in heaven.  And the kings of earth with joined palms bowed to him and waited on him with