DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0340
SECOND EXILE OF THE PANDAVAS 259
and they worshipped Matali, the charioteer. Then Indra
came with his hosts of Apsaras and Gandharvas, and
when they had adored him, the god promised Yudhish-
thira that he would yet reign in splendour over all men.
Arjuna appeared, and he was received with rejoicing,
and all the Pandavas returned together to Kamyaka.
There they were visited by Markandeya, the mighty sage,
whose life endures through all the world's ages, and he
spake of the mysteries and all that had taken place from
the beginning, and revealed unto them full knowledge of
the Deluge.
Now while the Pandavas were enduring great suffer-
ing in the forest, Kama spake to Duryodhana and pre-
vailed upon him to spy upon their misery. So Dhrita-
rashtra's son went forth, as was the custom every three
years, to inspect the cattle and brand the calves. And
with him went Kama and many princes and courtiers,
and also a thousand ladies of the royal household. When,
however, they all drew nigh to the forest, they found that
the Gandharvas and Apsaras, who, as it chanced, had
descended to make merry there, would not permit the
royal train to advance. Duryodhana sent messages to
the Gandharva king, commanding him to depart with
all his hosts; but the celestial spirits feared him not, and
issued forth to battle. A great conflict was waged, and
the Kauravas were defeated. Kama fled, and Duryod-
hana and many of his courtiers and all the royal ladies
were taken prisoners.
It happened that some of Duryodhana's followers
who took flight reached the place where the Pandavas
were, and told them how their kinsmen had been over-
come. Then Arjuna and Bhima and the two younger
brethren went forth against the Gandharvas and fought
with them until they were compelled to release the royal
and they worshipped Matali, the charioteer. Then Indra
came with his hosts of Apsaras and Gandharvas, and
when they had adored him, the god promised Yudhish-
thira that he would yet reign in splendour over all men.
Arjuna appeared, and he was received with rejoicing,
and all the Pandavas returned together to Kamyaka.
There they were visited by Markandeya, the mighty sage,
whose life endures through all the world's ages, and he
spake of the mysteries and all that had taken place from
the beginning, and revealed unto them full knowledge of
the Deluge.
Now while the Pandavas were enduring great suffer-
ing in the forest, Kama spake to Duryodhana and pre-
vailed upon him to spy upon their misery. So Dhrita-
rashtra's son went forth, as was the custom every three
years, to inspect the cattle and brand the calves. And
with him went Kama and many princes and courtiers,
and also a thousand ladies of the royal household. When,
however, they all drew nigh to the forest, they found that
the Gandharvas and Apsaras, who, as it chanced, had
descended to make merry there, would not permit the
royal train to advance. Duryodhana sent messages to
the Gandharva king, commanding him to depart with
all his hosts; but the celestial spirits feared him not, and
issued forth to battle. A great conflict was waged, and
the Kauravas were defeated. Kama fled, and Duryod-
hana and many of his courtiers and all the royal ladies
were taken prisoners.
It happened that some of Duryodhana's followers
who took flight reached the place where the Pandavas
were, and told them how their kinsmen had been over-
come. Then Arjuna and Bhima and the two younger
brethren went forth against the Gandharvas and fought
with them until they were compelled to release the royal