himself.  And in swiftness, he is even as the wind, and in grace, as the moon, and in ire, he is the eternal Death himself.  O mighty-armed one, with the object of beholding that war-like tiger among men, shall we repair to the Gandhamadana mountain, where lies the hermitage of Nara and Narayana at the site of the celebrated jujube tree, and which is inhabited by the Yakshas.  We shall see that best of mountains.  And, practising severe austerities only on foot we shall go to Kuvera’s beautiful lake guarded by Rakshasas.  That place cannot be reached by vehicles, O Vrikodara.  Neither can cruel or avaricious, or irascible people attain to that spot, O Bharata’s son.  O Bhima, in order to see Arjuna, thither shall we repair, in company, with Brahmanas of strict vows, girding on our swords, and wielding our bows.  Those only that are impure, meet with flies gad-flies, mosquitoes, tigers, lions, and reptiles, but the pure never come across them.  Therefore, regulating our fare, and restraining our senses, we shall go to the Gandhamadana, desirous of seeing Dhananjaya.’”

SECTION CXLI

“Lomasa said, O sons of Pandu, ye have seen many a mountain, and river and town and forest and beautiful tirtha; and have touched with your hands the sacred waters.  Now this way leads to the celestial mountain Mandara; therefore be ye attentive and composed.  Ye will now repair to the residence of the celestials and the divine sages of meritorious deeds.  Here, O king, flows the mighty and beautiful river (Alakananda) of holy water adored by hosts of celestials and sages, and tracing its source to (the site of) the jujube tree.  It is frequented and worshipped by high-souled Vaihayasas, Valakhilyas and Gandharvas of mighty souls.  Accustomed to sing the Sama hymns, the sages, Marichi, Pulaha, Bhrigu and Angiras, chanted them at this spot.  Here the lord of celestials performeth with the Maruts his daily prayers.  And the Sadhyas and the Aswins attend on him.  The sun, the moon and all the luminaries with the planets resort to this river, alternately by day and by night.  O highly fortunate monarch, that protector of the world; Mahadeva, having a bull for his mark, received on his head the fall of the waters of this river, at the source of the Ganga.  O children, approach this goddess of the six attributes and bow down before her with concentrated minds.’

“Hearing the words of the high-souled Lomasa, the son of Pandu reverentially worshipped the river (Ganga), flowing through the firmament.  And after having adored her the pious sons of Pandu resumed their journey accompanied by the sages.  And it came to pass that those best of men beheld at a distance some white object of vast proportions, even like Meru and stretching on all sides.  And knowing that Pandu’s sons were intent upon asking (him), Lomasa versed in speech said, ’Hear, O sons of Pandu!  O best of men, what ye see before you, of vast proportions like unto a mountain and beautiful