“On hearing these words of the Gandharva, Arjuna said, ’O Gandharva, if from satisfaction for having obtained thy life at my hands in a situation of danger, thou givest me thy science, and these horses, I would not accept thy gift.’  The Gandharva replied, saying, ’A meeting with an illustrious person is ever a source of gratification; besides thou hast given me my life.  Gratified with thee, I will give thee my science.  That the obligation, however, may not all be on one side, I will take from thee, O Vibhatsu, O bull in Bharata’s race, thy excellent and eternal weapon of fire!’

“Arjuna said, ’I would accept thy horses in exchange for my weapon.  Let our friendship last for ever.  O friend, tell us for what we human beings have to stand in fear of the Gandharvas.  Chastisers of foes that we are and virtuous and conversant with the Vedas, tell us, O Gandharva, why in travelling in the night-time we have been censured by thee.’

“The Gandharva said, ’Ye are without wives (though ye have completed the period of study).  Ye are without a particular Asrama (mode of life).  Lastly, ye are out without a Brahmana walking before, therefore, ye sons of Pandu, ye have been censured by me.  The Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Pisachas, Uragas and Danavas, are possessed of wisdom and intelligence, and acquainted with the history of the Kuru race.  O hero, I have heard too from Narada and other celestial Rishis about the good deeds of your wise ancestors.  I myself, too, while roaming over the whole earth bounded by her belt of seas, have witnessed the prowess of thy great race.  O Arjuna, I have personal knowledge of thy preceptor, the illustrious son of Bharadwaja, celebrated throughout the three worlds for his knowledge of the Vedas and the science of arms.  O tiger in Kuru’s race, O son of Pritha, I also know Dharma, Vayu, Sakra, the twin Aswins, and Pandu,—­these six perpetuators of Kuru race,—­these excellent celestials and human progenitors of you all.  I also know that you five brothers are learned and high-souled, that ye are foremost of all wielders of weapons, that ye are brave and virtuous and observant of vows.  Knowing that your understanding and hearts are excellent and your behaviour faultless, I have yet censured you.  For, O thou of Kuru’s race, it behoveth no man endued with might of arms to bear with patience any ill usage in the sight of his wife.  Especially as, O son of Kunti, our might increaseth during the hours of darkness, accompanied by my wife I was filled with wrath.  O best of vow-observing men, I have, however, been vanquished by thee in battle.  Listen to me as I tell thee the reasons that have led to my discomfiture.  The Brahmacharya is a very superior mode of life, and as thou art in that mode now, it is for this, O Partha, that I have been defeated by thee in battle.  O chastiser of foes, if any married Kshatriya fight with us at night, he can never escape, with life.  But, O Partha, a married Kshatriya,