Mackenzie, Donald Alexander: Indian myth and legend: with illustrations by Warwick Goble and numerous monochrome plates (London, 1913)

248 INDIAN MYTH AND LEGEND

once again to play with Shakuni, and once again Shakuni
brought forth the loaded dice. Ere long the game ended,
and Yudhishthira had lost.

Duhsasana danced with joy and cried aloud: " Now is
established the empire of Duryodhana."

Said Bhima: "Be not too gladsome, O Duhsasana.
Hear and remember my words: May I never reach
Heaven or meet my sires until I shall drink thy blood!"
Then the Pandava princes cast off their royal garments
and clad themselves in deerskins like humble mendicants.
Yudhishthira bade farewell to Dhritarashtra and Bhishma
and Kripa and Vidura, one by one, and he even said fare-
well to the Kaurava brethren.

Said Vidura: "Thy mother, the royal Pritha, is too
old to wander with thee through forest and jungle. Let
her dwell here until the years of your exile have passed
away."

Yudhishthira spoke for his brethren and said: "Be it
so, O saintly Vidura. Now bless us ere we depart, for
thou hast been unto us like to a father."

Then Vidura blessed each one of the Pandava princes,
saying: "Be saintly in exile, subdue your passions, learn
truth in your sorrow, and return in happiness. May
these eyes be blessed by beholding thee in Hastinapur
once again."

Pritha wept over Draupadi and blessed her. Then
the Princess of Panchala went forth with loose tresses;
but ere she departed from the city she vowed a vow,
saying: "From this day my hair will fall over my fore-"
head until Bhima shall have slain Duhsasana and drunk
his blood; then shall Bhima tie up my tresses while his
hands are yet wet with the blood of Duhsasana."

The Pandava princes wandered towards the deep forest,
and Draupadi followed them.