creatures.  Thou hast heard that prosperity is unstable.  Thou hast heard how the dead son of Srinjaya was revived.  O learned king, do not grieve.  Peace be to thee, I go!’—­Having said this, the holy Vyasa disappeared then and there.  Upon the departure of that master of speech, that foremost of intelligent persons, viz., the holy Vyasa, whose colour was like that of the clouded sky, Yudhishthira, having derived consolation in consequence of what he had heard about the sacrificial merit and prosperity of these great monarchs of olden times, possessed of energy equal to that of the great Indra himself and all of whom had acquired wealth by righteous means, mentally applauded those illustrious persons and became freed from grief.  Once more, however, with a melancholy heart he asked himself, saying, ‘What shall we say unto Dhananjaya?’”

SECTION LXXII

“Sanjaya said, ’When that terrible day, so fraught with the slaughter of creatures, departed, and when the sun set, the beautiful twilight of the evening spread itself.  The troops, O bull of Bharata’s race, of both parties, had retired to their tents.  Then the ape-bannered Jishnu, having slain a large number of Samsaptakas by means of his celestial weapons, proceeded towards his tent, mounted on that victorious car of his.  And as he was proceeding, he asked Govinda, with voice choked with tears, ’Why is my heart afraid, O Kesava, and why both my speech falter?  Evil omens encounter me, and my limbs are weak.  Thoughts of disaster possess my mind without living it.  On earth, on all sides, various omens strike me with fear.  Of many kinds are those omens and indications, and seen everywhere, foreboding dire calamity.  Is it all right with my venerable superior, viz., the king with all his friends?’

“Vasudeva said, ’It is evident that everything is right with thy brother and his friends.  Do not grieve, some trifling evil in another direction will happen.’

“Sanjaya continued, ’Then those two heroes (viz., Krishna and Arjuna), having adored the Twilight,[125] mounted on their car and proceeded, talking of the day’s battle so destructive of heroes.  Having achieved feats exceedingly difficult of accomplishment, Vasudeva and Arjuna, at last, reached the (Pandava) encampment.  Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., Vibhatsu, beholding the camp joyless and melancholy and everything to be in confusion, addressed Krishna with an agonised heart, and said, ’O Janardana, no auspicious trumpet blows today, its blasts mingled with the beat of drums and the loud blare of conchs.  The sweet Vina also is nowhere played upon in accompaniment with slapping of palms.[126] Auspicious and delightful songs fraught with praise are nowhere recited or sung by our bards amongst the troops.  The warriors also, all recede hanging down their heads.  They do not tell me beholding me, as before, of the feats achieved by them.  O Madhava, is it all right with my brothers today?  Beholding our own men plunged in grief, I know no peace.  Is it all right, O giver of honours, with the ruler of the Panchalas, or Virata, or all our warriors, O thou of unfading glory?  Alas, Subhadra’s son, ever cheerful, doth not today, with his brothers, come out with smiles to receive me returning from battle.’