DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0396
ATONEMENT AND THE ASCENT 315
son fought against them with arrows which were trans-
formed into peacocks; and the peacocks devoured the
serpents. Then the Naga king delivered up the magic
jewel, and the rajah returned with it. He touched the
body of Arjuna with the jewel, and the hero came to life
again, and all his wounds were healed. When he de-
parted from Manipura city the rajah, his son, accompanied
him.
So from kingdom to kingdom the horse wandered
while the army followed, until a year had expired. Then
it returned to Hastinapur.
Yudhishthira had meantime lived a life of purity and
self-restraint. Each night he lay upon the ground, and
always slept within the city. Beside him lay Draupadi,
and a naked sword was ever betwixt them.
Great were the rejoicings of the people when the
horse came back: they made glad holiday, and went forth
to welcome the army with gifts of fine raiment and jewels
and flowers. Money was scattered in the streets, and
the poor were made happy, being thus relieved generously
in their need.
Yudhishthira embraced Arjuna and kissed him and
wept tears of gladness, and welcomed Arjuna's son,
Babhru-vahana, Rajah of Manipura, and also the other
rajahs who had followed the sacred horse.
Twelve days after the return of Arjuna, and on the
day when Magha's full moon marked the close of the
winter season, the people assembled in great multitudes
from far and near to share Yudhishthira's generous hospi-
tality and witness the Aswa-medha ceremony, which was
held upon a green and level portion of consecrated
ground. Stately pavilions, glittering with jewels and
gold, had been erected for the royal guests, and there
were humbler places for the Brahmans. In thrones of
son fought against them with arrows which were trans-
formed into peacocks; and the peacocks devoured the
serpents. Then the Naga king delivered up the magic
jewel, and the rajah returned with it. He touched the
body of Arjuna with the jewel, and the hero came to life
again, and all his wounds were healed. When he de-
parted from Manipura city the rajah, his son, accompanied
him.
So from kingdom to kingdom the horse wandered
while the army followed, until a year had expired. Then
it returned to Hastinapur.
Yudhishthira had meantime lived a life of purity and
self-restraint. Each night he lay upon the ground, and
always slept within the city. Beside him lay Draupadi,
and a naked sword was ever betwixt them.
Great were the rejoicings of the people when the
horse came back: they made glad holiday, and went forth
to welcome the army with gifts of fine raiment and jewels
and flowers. Money was scattered in the streets, and
the poor were made happy, being thus relieved generously
in their need.
Yudhishthira embraced Arjuna and kissed him and
wept tears of gladness, and welcomed Arjuna's son,
Babhru-vahana, Rajah of Manipura, and also the other
rajahs who had followed the sacred horse.
Twelve days after the return of Arjuna, and on the
day when Magha's full moon marked the close of the
winter season, the people assembled in great multitudes
from far and near to share Yudhishthira's generous hospi-
tality and witness the Aswa-medha ceremony, which was
held upon a green and level portion of consecrated
ground. Stately pavilions, glittering with jewels and
gold, had been erected for the royal guests, and there
were humbler places for the Brahmans. In thrones of