and Samva and Nisatha and Sanku; and Charudeshna,
and Jhilli of great prowess, and Viprithu also and
Sarana of mighty arms and Gada, the foremost of learned
men. These and many other Vrishnis and Bhojas,
and Andhakas came to Indraprastha, bringing with them
many nuptial presents. King Yudhishthira, hearing
that Madhava had arrived, sent the twins out to receive
him. Received by them, the Vrishni host of great
prosperity entered Khandavaprastha well-adorned with
flags and ensigns. The streets were well-swept
and watered and decked with floral wreaths and bunches.
These were, again, sprinkled over with sandalwood
water that was fragrant and cooling. Every part
of the town was filled with the sweet scent of burning
aloes. And the city was full of joyous and healthy
people and adorned with merchants and traders.
That best of men, viz., Kesava of mighty arms,
accompanied by Rama and many of the Vrishnis, Andhakas
and Bhojas, having entered the town, was worshipped
by the citizens and Brahmanas by thousands. At
last Kesava entered the palace of the king which was
like unto the mansion of Indra himself. Beholding
Rama, Yudhishthira received him with due ceremonies.
The king smelt the head of Kesava and embraced him.
Govinda, gratified with the reception, humbly worshipped
Yudhishthira. He also paid homage unto Bhima,
that tiger among men. Yudhishthira the son of
Kunti then received the other principal men of the
Vrishni and the Andhaka tribes with due ceremonies.
Yudhishthira reverentially worshipped some as his
superiors, and welcomed others as equals. And
some he received with affection and by some he was
worshipped with reverence. Then Hrishikesa of
great renown gave unto the party of the bridegroom
much wealth. And unto Subhadra he gave the nuptial
presents that had been given to her by her relatives.
Krishna gave unto the Pandavas a thousand cars of gold
furnished with rows of bells, and unto each of which
were put four steeds driven by well-trained charioteers.
He also gave unto them ten thousand cows belonging
to the country of Mathura, and yielding much milk and
all of excellent colour. Well-pleased, Janardana
also gave them a thousand mares with gold harnesses
and of colour white as the beams of the moon.
He also gave them a thousand mules, all well-trained
and possessing the speed of the wind, of white colour
with black manes. And he of eyes like lotus-petals
also gave unto them a thousand damsels well-skilled
in assisting at bathing and at drinking, young in
years and virgins all before their first-season, well-attired
and of excellent complexion, each wearing a hundred
pieces of gold around her neck, of skins perfectly
polished, decked with every ornament, and well-skilled
in every kind of personal service. Janardana
also gave unto them hundreds of thousands of draft
horses from the country of the Valhikas as Subhadra’s
excellent dower. That foremost one of Dasarha’s
race also gave unto Subhadra as her peculium ten carrier-loads