Chapter 81
Sanjaya said, “Then those heroes, O king, who cherished feelings ofhostility towards one another, retired to their tents, their personscovered with blood.
Sanjaya said, “Then those heroes, O king, who cherished feelings ofhostility towards one another, retired to their tents, their personscovered with blood.
“Dhritarashtra said. ‘O Yudhishthira, art thou in peace and happiness,with all thy brothers and the inhabitants of the city and the provinces?
“Sauti said, ‘And Sringin then replied to his father, saying, ‘Whetherthis be an act of rashness, O father, or an improper act that I havedone, whether thou likest it or dislikest it, the words spoken by meshall never be in vain. O father, I tell thee (a curse) can never beotherwise. I have never spoken a lie even in jest.’
Vaisampayana continued, “The princess Draupadi, thus questioned by thatornament of Sivi’s race, moved her eyes gently, and letting go her holdof the Kadamva blanch and arranging her silken apparel she said,
“Sanjaya said, ‘Having passed the night, that mighty car-warrior viz.,Bharadwaja’s son, addressed Suyodhana, O monarch, saying, ‘I amthine![33] I have made arrangements for Partha’s encounter with theSamsaptaka.’
“Vaisampayana said, ‘The slayer of Madhu, retiring to his bed, slepthappily. Awaking when half a Yama was wanting to usher in the day, headdressed himself to contemplation. Fixing all his senses, he meditatedon the eternal Brahma.
“Vyasa said, ‘I shall now tell thee, how, when his day is gone and hisnight comes, he withdraws all things unto himself, or how the SupremeLord, making this gross universe exceedingly subtile, merges everythinginto his Soul.
Sanjaya said, “O chief of the Bharatas, Ganga’s son, once more addressingthy son who was plunged in thought, told him these delightful words,’Myself and
“Vaisampayana said, ‘They passed that night which was characterised byauspicious constellations even thus, O king, in that retreat of righteousascetics.
“Sauti said, ‘And Takshaka, after this, answered, ‘If, indeed, thou artable to cure any creature bitten by me, then, O Kasyapa, revive thou thistree bit by me. O best of Brahmanas, I burn this banian in thy sight. Trythy best and show me that skill in mantras of which thou hast spoken.’