Chapter 268
Vaisampayana said, “The hostile Kshatriyas, incensed at sight ofBhimasena and Arjuna, sent up a loud shout in the forest.
Vaisampayana said, “The hostile Kshatriyas, incensed at sight ofBhimasena and Arjuna, sent up a loud shout in the forest.
Sanjaya said, “Thou hast, O king, in consequence of thy own fault, beenovertaken by this calamity.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Those foremost of men, the heroic Pandavas,–thosedelighters of their mother–became exceedingly afflicted with grief.
“Sauti said, ‘Hearing the respective speeches of all the snakes, andhearing also the words of Vasuki, Elapatra began to address them, saying,’That sacrifice is not one that can be prevented.
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding that army of thine exceedingly broken, thevaliant Vrishasena, single-handed, began to protect it, O king,displaying the illusion of his weapons.
“Vasudeva said, ‘Listen, O son of Kunti, to the story of Rama’s energyand powers and birth as heard by me from great Rishis discoursing uponthe subject.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘By what disposition, what course of duties, whatknowledge, and what energy, does one succeed in attaining to Brahma whichis immutable and which is beyond the reach of primordial nature.'[866]
Sanjaya said, “Then king Duryodhana, regaining his senses, once morebegan to resist Bhima with showers of arrows. And once more those mightycar-warriors viz., thy sons, united together, began to fight valiantlywith Bhimasena.
“Vaisampayana said. ‘That foremost one of Bharata’s race, then orderedhis troops, which were protected by heroes that were headed by Arjuna andthat resembled the very guardians of the universe, to march out.Instantly, a loud clamour arose consisting of the words–Equip,Equip!
“Sauti said, ‘O best of regenerate ones, hearing these words of Elapatra,all the serpents, in great delight, exclaimed, ‘Well said, well said!’And from that time Vasuki set about carefully bringing up that maiden,viz., his sister Jaratkaru. And he took great delight in rearing her.