“And Arjuna said,—­’O Bhima, I will, as thou directest, slay in battle this Karna so malicious and jealous and harsh-speeched and vain.  For doing what is agreeable to Bhima, Arjuna voweth that he will slay in battle with his arrows this Karna with all his followers.  And I will send unto the regions of Yama also all those other kings that will from foolishness fight against me.  The mountains of Himavat might be removed from where they are, the maker of the day lose his brightness, the moon his coldness, but this vow of mine will ever be cherished.  And all this shall assuredly happen if on the fourteenth year from this, Duryodhana doth not, with proper respect, return us our kingdom.’”

Vaisampayana continued,—­“After Arjuna had said this, Sahadeva the handsome son of Madri, endued with great energy, desirous of slaying Sakuni, waving his mighty arms and sighing like snake, exclaimed, with eyes red with anger—­’Thou disgrace of the Gandhara kings, those whom thou thinkest as defeated are not really so.  Those are even sharp-pointed arrows from whose wounds thou hast run the risk in battle.  I shall certainly accomplish all which Bhima hath said adverting to thee with all thy followers.  If therefore thou hast anything to do, do it before that day cometh.  I shall assuredly slay thee in battle with all thy followers soon enough, it thou, O son of Suvala, stayest in the light pursuant to the Kshatriya usage.’

“’Then, O monarch hearing these words of Sahadeva, Nakula the handsomest of men spake these words,—­’I shall certainly send unto the abode of Yama all those wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, who desirous of death and impelled by Fate, and moved also by the wish of doing what is agreeable to Duryodhana, have used harsh and insulting speeches towards this daughter o Yajnasena at the gambling match.  Soon enough shall I, at the command of Yudhishthira and remembering the wrongs to Draupadi, make the earth destitute of the sons of Dhritarashtra.’

Vaisampayana continued,—­“And those tigers among men, all endued with long arms, having thus pledged themselves to virtuous promises approached king Dhritarashtra.”

SECTION LXXVII

Yudhishthira said,—­’I bid farewell unto all the Bharatas, unto my old grand-sire (Bhishma), king Somadatta, the great king Vahlika, Drona, Kripa, all the other kings, Aswathaman, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, all the sons of Dhritarashtra, Yayutsu, Sanjaya, and all the courtiers, I bid fare well, all of ye and returning again I shall see you.”

Vaisampayana continued,—­“Overcome with shame none of those that were present there, could tell Yudhishthira anything.  Within their hearts, however, they prayed for the welfare of that intelligent prince.

Vidura then said,—­The reverend Pritha is a princess by birth.  It behoveth her not to go into the woods.  Delicate and old and ever known to happiness the blessed one will live, respected by me, in my abode.  Known this, ye sons of Pandu.  And let safety be always yours.’