“Vaisampayana continued, ’Then king Yudhishthira the just, smilingly said unto the afflicted king Virata, ’If, O monarch, Vrihannala hath been his charioteer, the foe will never be able to take away thy kine today.  Protected by that charioteer, thy son will be able to vanquish in battle all the lords of earth allied with the Kurus, indeed, even the gods and the Asuras and the Siddhas and the Yakshas together.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Meanwhile, the swift-footed messengers despatched by Uttara, having reached Virata’s city, gave tidings of the victory.  And the minister-in-chief then informed the king of everything, viz., the great victory that had been won, the defeat of the Kurus, and the expected arrival of Uttara.  And he said, ’All the kine have been brought back, the Kurus have been defeated, and Uttara, that slayer of foes, is well with his car-driver.’  Then Yudhishthira said, ’By good luck it is that the kine have been recovered and the Kurus routed.  I do not, however, regard it strange that thy son should have vanquished the Kurus, for his victory is assured that hath Vrihannala for his charioteer.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Hearing of the victory of his son possessed of immeasurable might, king Virata became so glad that the bristles of his body stood erect.  And having made presents of raiments unto the messengers, he ordered his ministers, saying, ’Let the highways be decorated with flags, and let all the gods and goddesses be worshipped with flowery offerings.  And let princes and brave warriors, and musicians and harlots decked in ornaments, march out to receive my son.  And let the bellman, speedily riding an intoxicated elephant, proclaim my victory at places where four roads meet.  And let Uttara, too, in gorgeous attire and surrounded by virgins and chanters of eulogies, go forth to receive my son.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Having listened to these words of the king, all the citizens with auspicious things in hand, and many amongst them with cymbals and trumpets and conchs, and beautiful women attired in gorgeous robes, and reciters of auspicious and sacred hymns, accompanied by encomiasts and minstrels, and drummers and other kinds of musicians issued forth from the city of the mighty Virata to welcome Uttara of immeasurable prowess.  And having despatched troops and maidens and courtezens decked in ornaments, the wise king of the Matsyas cheerfully said these words, ’O Sairindhri, fetch the dice.  And, O Kanka, let the play commence.’  The son of Pandu replied, saying, ’We have heard it said that one whose heart is filled with joy should not play with a cunning gambler.  I do not therefore, dare gamble with thee that are so transported with joy.  I am ever desirous of doing what is for thy good.  Let the play, however, commence if it pleases thee.’