Chapter 135
“Vaisampayana said, ‘When everyone had failed, Drona smilingly calledArjuna and said unto him, ‘By thee the aim must be shot; therefore, turnthy eyes to it. Thou must let fly the arrow as soon as I give the order.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘When everyone had failed, Drona smilingly calledArjuna and said unto him, ‘By thee the aim must be shot; therefore, turnthy eyes to it. Thou must let fly the arrow as soon as I give the order.
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘What did that Pandava king, the son of Dharma, say,O Sanjaya, after hearing that a large force hath been assembled here forgladdening us?
“Arjuna continued, ‘Then while returning, I happened to descry a mightyunearthly city, moving at will, and having the effulgence of fire or thesun.
“Utanka said, ‘I know thee, O Janarddana, to be the creator of theuniverse. Without doubt, this knowledge that I have is the result of thygrace towards me, O thou of unfading glory, my heart is possessed ofcheerful tranquillity in consequence of its being devoted to thee.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘If there is any efficacy in gifts, in sacrifices, inpenances well-performed, and in dutiful services rendered to preceptorsand other reverend seniors, do thou, O grandsire, speak of the same tome.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘O thou of Bharata’s race, beholding the sons ofDhritarashtra and Pandu accomplished in arms, Drona, O monarch, addressedking Dhritarashtra, in the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, Valhika, thewise son of Ganga (Bhishma), Vyasa, and Vidura, and said, ‘O best of Kurukings, thy children have completed their education.
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘All these named by thee are, indeed, endued withgreat courage, but all of them together are equal to Bhima singly.
“Arjuna continued, ‘Remaining invisible the Daityas began to fight withthe help of illusion. And I too fought with them, resorting to the energyof visible weapons.
“Janamejaya said, ‘With what penances was the high-souled Utanka enduedso that he entertained the wish to denounce a curse on Vishnu himself,who is the source of all puissance?’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, how the high-souled Suka ofaustere penances took birth as the son of Vyasa, and how did he succeedin attaining to the highest success?