“Vaisampayana said, ‘Arrived at Hastinapura, that best of Brahmanas, theson of Bharadwaja, continued to live privately in the house of Gautama(Kripa). His mighty son (Aswatthaman) at intervals of Kripa’s teaching,used to give the sons of Kunti lessons in the use of arms. But as yetnone knew of Aswatthaman’s prowess.
“Dhritarashtra said, “I ask thee, O Sanjaya, in the presence of my boyand of these kings, what words were said by the illustrious Dhananjaya ofmight that knoweth no diminution,–that leader of warriors,–thatdestroyer of the lives of the wicked?’
Vaisampayana continued, “And when the night had passed, Yudhishthira thejust, arose and together with his brothers, performed the necessaryduties.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘As he of Vrishni’s race was proceeding to Dwaraka,those foremost princes of Bharata’s race, those chastisers of foesembraced him and fell back with their attendants.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Without abandoning the domestic mode of life, Oroyal sage of Kuru’s race, who ever attained to Emancipation which is theannihilation of the Understanding (and the other faculties)?
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus worshipped by Bhishma, Drona, that first ofmen, endued with great energy, took up his quarters in the abode of theKurus and continued to live there, receiving their adorations.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘In the midst, O Bharata, of all those assembledkings, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, then said these words untoDuryodhana, ‘Once on a time, Vrihaspati and Sakra went to Brahma.
“Arjuna continued, ‘Then firmly confident, the sovereign of thecelestials considering as his own, pertinently said these words unto mewounded by cleaving shafts, ‘All the celestial weapons,
“Utanka said, ‘Do thou, O Kesava, tell me that faultless Adhyatma. Havingheard thy discourse I shall ordain what is for thy good or denounce acurse to thee, O Janarddana.’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘How was Suka, the son of Vyasa, in days of old, wonover to Renunciation? I desire to hear thee recite the story. Mycuriosity in this respect is irrepressible.
