Nagas, with fear depicted on their eyes, offered him their worship according to due forms.  Indeed, all the Nagas placing the old and the young one’s before them, bowed unto him with their heads and joining their hands addressed him, saying, ‘Be gratified with us, O holy one!’ Having gratified that Brahmana and offered him water to wash his feet and the ingredients of the Arghya (for honouring him), the Nagas gave him those celestial and highly-adored ear-rings.  Thus honoured by them, Utanka of great prowess, circumambulating the deity of fire, started for the retreat of his preceptor.  Indeed, repairing quickly to Gautama’s asylum, O king, he presented those ear-rings unto the wife of his preceptor, O sinless one.  That best of Brahmanas also told his preceptor everything about Vasuki and the other Nagas that had occurred.  It was even thus, O Janamejaya, that the high-souled Utanka, having wandered through the three worlds, fetched those jewelled ear-rings (for his preceptor’s wife).  Of such prowess, O chief of Bharata’s race, was the ascetic Utanka.  So austere were the penances with which he was endued.  I have thus told thee what thou hadst asked me.’”

SECTION LIX

“Janamejaya said, ’After having conferred that boon on Utanka, O foremost of regenerate persons, what did the mighty-armed Govinda of great celebrity next do?’

“Vaisampayana said, ’Having granted that boon to Utanka, Govinda, accompanied by Satyaki, proceeded to Dwaraka on his car drawn by his large steeds endued with great speed.  Passing many lakes and rivers and forests and hills, he at last came upon the delightful city of Dwaravati.  It was at the time, O king, when the festival of Raivataka had begun, that he of eyes like lotus-petals arrived with Satyaki as his companion.  Adorned with many beautiful things and covered with diverse Koshas made of jewels and gems, the Raivataka hill shone, O king, with great splendour.  That high mountain, decked with excellent garlands of gold and gay festoons of flowers, with many large trees that looked like the Kalpa trees of Indra’s garden, and with many golden poles on which were lighted lamps, shone in beauty through day and night.  By the caves and fountains the light was so great that it seemed to be broad day.  On all sides beautiful flags waved on the air with little bells that jingled continuously.  The entire hill resounded with the melodious songs of men and women.  Raivataka presented a most charming prospect like Meru with all his jewels and gems.  Men and women, excited and filled with delight, O Bharata, sang aloud.  The swell of music that thus rose from that foremost of mountains seemed to touch the very heavens.  Everywhere were heard spouts and loud whoops of men who were in all stages of excitement.  The cackle of thousands of voices made that mountain delightful and charming.  It was adorned with many shops and stalls filled with diverse viands and