wilt thyself accomplish it all.  I do not doubt what that voice said.  I bow to righteousness which is superior to all.  It is righteousness that supports all creatures.  Thou shalt say these words unto Dhananjaya.  Unto Vrikodara again, who is always ready for exertion, thou shalt say these words, ’The time hath come for that in view of which Kshatriya lady bringeth forth a son!  They that are foremost among men never become cheerless when they have hostilities to wage—­Thou knowest what the state of Bhima’s mind is.  That grinder of foes is never pacified until he exterminates his foes.  Thou shalt, O Madhava, next say unto the auspicious Krishna of great fame, that daughter-in-law of the high-souled Pandu, who is conversant with the details of every virtue, these words, ’O thou that art highly blessed, O thou of noble parentage, O thou that art endued with great fame, that becoming behaviour which thou always showest towards my sons is, indeed, worthy of thee.’  Thou must also say unto the sons of Madri who are always devoted to Kshatriya virtues, these words, ’Covet ye more than life itself, those enjoyments that are acquired by prowess.  Objects won by prowess always please the heart of a person that liveth according to Kshatriya practices.  Engaged as ye are in acquiring every kind of virtue, before your eyes the princess of Panchala was addressed in cruel and abusive epithets.  Who is there that can forgive that insult?  The deprivation of their kingdom grieved me not.  Their defeat at dice grieved me not.  But that noble and fair Draupadi, however, while weeping in the midst of the assembly, had to hear those cruel and insulting words is what grieveth me most.  Alas, exceedingly beautiful Krishna, ever devoted to Kshatriya virtues, found no protector on that occasion, though she was wedded to such powerful protectors.  O thou of mighty arms, say unto that tiger among men, Arjuna, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that he should always tread in the path that may be pointed out by Draupadi.  Thou knowest it very well, Kesava, that Bhima and Arjuna,—­that pair of fierce and all-destroying Yamas, are capable of making the very gods go the way of all creatures.  Is not this an insult to them that (their wife) Krishna was dragged into the assembly?  O Kesava, recall to their remembrance all those cruel and harsh words that Dussasana said unto Bhima in the very presence of all the warriors of Kuru’s race.  Enquire (in my name) after the welfare of the Pandavas with their children and Krishna.  Say unto them, O Janardana, that I am well.  Go thou on thy auspicious way, and protect my sons!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Saluting and walking round her, the mighty-armed Krishna whose gait resembled the majestic gait of the lion, then issued out of Pritha’s abode.  And he then dismissed those chiefs among the Kurus with Bhishma at their head (who had followed him), and taking Karna upon his chariot, left (the Kuru city), accompanied by Satyaki.  And after he of Dasarha’s race had departed, the Kurus assembled together and began to talk of that highly wonderful and marvellous incident connected with him.  And they said, ’Overcome with ignorance, the whole earth hath been entangled in the meshes of death!’ And they also said, ‘Through Duryodhana’s folly, all this is doomed to destruction.’