thou unto Salwa.’  The discus then cleft Salwa in twain who in that fierce conflict was at the point of hurling a heavy mace.  And with its energy it set the foe ablaze.  And after that brave warrior was slain, the disheartened Danava women fled in all directions, exclaiming Oh! and Alas!  And taking my chariot in front of the town of Saubha I cheerfully blew my conch and gladdened the hearts of my friends.  And beholding their town, high as the peak of the Meru, with its palaces and gate-ways utterly destroyed, and all ablaze, the Danavas fled in fear.  And having thus destroyed the town of Saubha and slain Salwa, I returned to the Anarttas and delighted my friends.  And, O king, it is for this reason that I could not come to the city named after the elephant (Hastinapura), O destroyer of hostile heroes!  O warrior, if I had come, Suyodhana would not have been alive or the match at dice would not have taken place.  What can I do now?  It is difficult to confine the waters after the dam is broken!’”

Vaisampayana continued, “Having addressed the Kaurava thus, that foremost of male persons, of mighty arms, the slayer of Madhu, possessed of every grace, saluting the Pandavas, prepared for departure.  And the mighty-armed hero reverentially saluted Yudhishthira the just, and the king in return and Bhima also smelt the crown of his head.  And he was embraced by Arjuna, and the twins saluted him with reverence.  And he was duly honoured by Dhaumya, and worshipped with tears by Draupadi.  And causing Subhadra and Abhimanyu to ascend his golden car, Krishna, mounted it himself, worshipped by the Pandavas.  And consoling Yudhishthira, Krishna set out for Dwaraka on his car resplendent as the sun and unto which were yoked the horses Saivya and Sugriva.  And after he of the Dasharha race had departed, Dhristadyumna, the son of Prishata, also set out for his own city, taking with him the sons of Draupadi.  And the king of Chedi, Dhrishtaketu also, taking his sister with him set out for his beautiful city of Suktimati, after bidding farewell to the Pandavas.  And, O Bharata, the Kaikeyas also, with the permission of Kunti’s son possessed of immeasurable energy, having reverentially saluted all the Pandavas, went away.  But Brahmanas and the Vaisyas and the dwellers of Yudhishthira’s kingdom though repeatedly requested to go, did not leave the Pandavas.  O foremost of king, O bull of the Bharata race, the multitude that surrounded those high-souled ones in the forest of Kamyaka looked extraordinary.  And Yudhishthira, honouring those high-minded Brahmanas, in due time ordered his men, saying ‘Make ready the car.’”

SECTION XXIII