“Vaisampayana continued, ’Having said so unto the Pandavas, the illustrious and blessed grandsire then bade them farewell.  The great ascetic then left them and went to the place whence he had come.’”

SECTION CLXXII

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’After Vyasa had gone away, those bulls among men, the Pandavas, saluted the Brahmana and bade him farewell, and proceeded (towards Panchala) with joyous hearts and with their mother walking before them.  Those slayers of all foes, in order to reach their destination, proceeded in a due northerly direction, walking day and night till they reached a sacred shrine of Siva with the crescent mark on his brow.  Then those tigers among men, the sons of Pandu, arrived at the banks of the Ganga.  Dhananjaya, that mighty car-warrior, walking before them, torch in hand, for showing the way and guarding them (against wild animals).  And it so happened that at that time the proud king of the Gandharvas, with his wives, was sporting in that solitary region in the delightful waters of the Ganga.  The king of the Gandharvas heard the tread of the Pandavas as they approached the river.  On hearing the sounds of their foot-steps, the mighty Gandharvas were inflamed with wrath, and beholding those chastisers of foes, the Pandavas, approach towards him with their mother, he drew his frightful bow to a circle and said, ’It is known that excepting the first forty seconds the grey twilight preceding nightfall hath been appointed for the wandering of the Yakshas, the Gandharvas and the Rakshasas, all of whom are capable of going everywhere at will.  The rest of the time hath been appointed for man to do his work.  If therefore, men, wandering during those moments from greed of gain, come near us, both we and the Rakshasas slay those fools.  Therefore, persons acquainted with the Vedas never applaud those men—­not even kings at the head of their troops—­who approach any pools of water at such a time.  Stay ye at a distance, and approach me not.  Know ye not that I am bathing in the waters of the Bhagirathi?  Know that I am Angaraparna the Gandharva, ever relying on my own strength!  I am proud and haughty and am the friend of Kuvera.  This my forest on the banks of the Ganga, where I sport to gratify all my senses, is called Angaraparna after my own name.  Here neither gods, nor Kapalikas, nor Gandharvas nor Yakshas, can come.  How dare ye approach me who am the brightest jewel on the diadem of Kuvera?’

“Hearing these words of the Gandharva, Arjuna said, ’Blockhead, whether it be day, night, or twilight, who can bar others from the ocean, the sides of the Himalayas, and this river?  O ranger of the skies, whether the stomach be empty or full, whether it is night or day, there is no special time for anybody to come to the Ganga—­that foremost of all rivers.  As regards ourselves endued with might, we care not when we disturb thee.  Wicked