this was the boon she had asked, and even this I granted her.  That number, ye kings, hath become full.  I shall now slay him in your presence, ye monarchs.’  Having said this, the chief of the Yadus, that slayer of all foes, in anger, instantly cut off the head of the ruler of Chedi by means of his discus.  And the mighty-armed one fell down like a cliff struck with thunder.  And, O monarch, the assembled kings then beheld a fierce energy, like unto the sun in the sky, issue out of the body of the king of Chedi, and O king, that energy then adored Krishna, possessed of eyes like lotus leaves and worshipped by all the worlds, and entered his body.  And all the kings beholding the energy which entered that mighty-armed chief of men regarded it as wonderful.  And when Krishna had slain the king of Chedi, the sky, though cloudless, poured showers of rain, and blasting thunders were hurled, and the earth itself began to tremble.  There were some among the kings who spoke not a word during those unspeakable moments but merely sat gazing at Janarddana.  And some there were that rubbed in rage their palms with their forefingers.  And there were others who deprived of reason by rage bit their lips with their teeth.  And some amongst the kings applauded him of the Vrishni race in private.  And some there were that became excited with anger; while others became mediators.  The great Rishis with pleased hearts praised Kesava and went away.  And all the high-souled Brahmanas and the mighty kings that were there, beholding Krishna’s prowess, became glad at heart and praised him.

“Yudhishthira then commanded his brothers to perform without delay the funeral rites of king Sisupala, the brave son of Damaghosha, with proper respect.  The sons of Pandu obeyed the behest of their brother.  And Yudhishthira then, with all the kings, installed the son of king Sisupala in the sovereignty of the Chedis.

“Then that sacrifice, O monarch, of the king of the Kurus possessed of great energy, blessed with every kind of prosperity, became exceedingly handsome and pleasing unto all young men.  And commenced auspiciously, and all impediments removed, and furnished with abundance of wealth and corn, as also with plenty of rice and every kind of food, it was properly watched by Kesava.  And Yudhishthira in due time completed the great sacrifice.  And the mighty-armed Janarddana, the exalted Sauri, with his bow called Saranga and his discus and mace, guarded that sacrifice till its completion.  And all the Kshatriya monarchs, having approached the virtuous Yudhishthira who had bathed after the conclusion of the sacrifice, said these words:  ’By good fortune thou hast come out successful.  O virtuous one, thou hast obtained the imperial dignity.  O thou of the Ajamida race, by thee hath been spread the fame of thy whole race.  And, O king of kings, by this act of thine, thou hast also acquired great religious merit.  We have been worshipped by thee to the full extent of our desires.  We now tell thee that we are desirous of returning to our own kingdoms.  It behoveth thee to grant us permission.’