and Vritra, and Prahrada, and Naraka.  And mounted on this car also Maghavan, had conquered in battle many thousands and millions and hundreds of millions of Daityas.  And, O Kaunteya, thou also, riding on this car, by thy prowess shalt conquer the Nivatha-Kavachas in conflict, even as did the self-possessed Maghavan in days of yore.  And here is the best of shells; by this also thou shalt defeat the Danavas And by this it is that the high souled Sakra conquered the words.’  Saying this, the gods offered (unto me) this shell, Devadatta, sprung in the deep; and I accepted it for the sake of victory.  And at this moment, the gods fell extolling me.  And in order to be engaged in action, I proceeded to the dreadful abode of the Danavas, furnished with the shell, the mail, and arrows, and taking my bow.”

SECTION CLXVIII

“Arjuna continued, ’Then at places eulogised by the Maharshis, I (proceeded, and at length) beheld the ocean—­that inexhaustible lord of waters.  And like unto flowing cliffs were seen on it heaving billows, now meeting together and now rolling away.  And there (were seen) all around barks by thousands filled with gems.  And there were seen timingilas and tortoises and makaras like unto rock submerged in water.  And on all sides round thousands of shells sunk in water appeared like star in the night covered by light clouds.  And thousands upon thousands of gem were floating in heaps and a violent wind was blowing about in whirls—­and this was wonderful to behold.  And having beheld that excellent lord of all waters with powerful tides, I saw at a short distance the city of the demons filled with the Danavas.  And even there, eftsoons entering underneath the earth, Matali skilled in guiding the car, sitting fast on the chariot drove it with force; and he dashed on, frightening that city with the rattling of his chariot.  And hearing that rattling of the chariot like unto the rumbling of the clouds in the sky, the Danavas, thinking me to be the lord of the celestials, became agitated.  And thereupon they all, frightened at heart, stood holding in their hands bows and arrows and swords and javelins and axes and maces and clubs.  Then having made arrangements for the defence of the city, the Danavas, with minds alarmed, shut the gates, so that nothing could be discovered.  Thereupon taking my shell, Devadatta, of tremendous roars, I again and again winded it with exceeding cheerfulness.  And filling all the firmament, those sounds produced echoes.  Thereat mighty beings were terrified and they hid (themselves).  And then, O Bharata, all of them adorned with ornaments, those offsprings of Diti—­the Nivata-Kavachas—­made their appearance by thousands, donning diverse mail and taking in their hands various weapons and equipped with mighty iron javelins and maces and clubs and hatchets and sabres and discs and sataghnis and bhusundis and variegated and ornamented swords.  Then, after