is such that those who are born in it, however much they might be afflicted by calamities, never deviate from the paths of virtue and morality.  O Princess of Panchala, this conduct of thine also, viz. that though sunk in distress, thou still easiest thy eyes on virtue and morality, is assuredly worthy of thee.  These persons, Drona and others, of mature years and conversant with morality, sit heads downwards like men that are dead, with bodies from which life hath departed.  It seemeth to me, however, that Yudhishthira is an authority on this question.  It behoveth him to declare whether thou art won or not won.”

SECTION LXIX

Vaisampayana said,—­“The kings present in that assembly, from tear of Duryodhana, uttered not a word, good or ill, although they beheld Draupadi crying piteously in affliction like a female osprey, and repeatedly appealing to them.  And the son of Dhritarashtra beholding those kings and sons and grand sons of kings all remaining silent, smiled a little, and addressing the daughter of the king of Panchala, said,—­O Yajnaseni, the question thou hast put dependeth on thy husbands—­on Bhima of mighty strength, on Arjuna, on Nakula, on Sahadeva.  Let them answer thy question.  O Panchali, let them for thy sake declare in the midst of these respectable men that Yudhishthira is not their lord, let them thereby make king Yudhishthira the just a liar.  Thou shalt then be freed from the condition of slavery.  Let the illustrious son of Dharma, always adhering to virtue, who is even like Indra, himself declare whether he is not thy lord.  At his words, accept thou the Pandavas or ourselves without delay.  Indeed, all the Kauravas present in this assembly are floating in the ocean of thy distress.  Endued with magnanimity, they are unable to answer thy question, looking at thy unfortunate husbands.’”

Vaisampayana continued,—­“Hearing these words of the Kuru king, all who were present in the assembly loudly applauded them.  And shouting approvingly, they made signs unto one another by motions of their eyes and lips.  And amongst some that were there, sounds of distress such as ’O! and ’Alas!” were heard.  And at these words of Duryodhana, so delightful (to his partisans), the Kauravas present in that assembly became exceedingly glad.  And the kings, with faces turned sideways, looked upon Yudhishthira conversant with the rules of morality, curious to hear what he would say.  And every one present in that assembly became curious to hear what Arjuna, the son of Pandu never defeated in battle, and what Bhimasena, and what the twins also would say.  And when that busy hum of many voices became still, Bhimasena, waving his strong and well-formed arms smeared with sandalpaste spake these words,—­’If this high-souled king Yudhishthira the just, who is our eldest brother, had not been our lord, we would never have forgiven the Kuru race (for all this).  He is the lord of all