“Arjuna asked, ‘What for, O Gandharva, did king Kalmashapada command hisqueen to go unto that foremost of all persons conversant with theVedas–the master Vasishtha? Why also did that illustrious and greatRishi Vasishtha himself who was acquainted with every rule of moralityknow a woman he should not have known?
“Narada said, ‘The heroic king Paurava also, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell aprey to death. That king gave away a thousand times thousand horses thatwere all white in hue.
“The celestials said, ‘Through thy favour it is that all born beings ofthe four kinds increase. And they being created, propitiate the dwellersof heaven by offerings made to the gods and the names of departedforefathers.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Do thou tell us, O slayer of Madhu, what theprosperity is that attaches to the worship of the Brahmanas. Thou artwell-conversant with this topic. Verily, our grandsire knows thee.’
Vaishampayana said, “Arrived at the auspicious Ganga full of sacredwater, containing many lakes, adorned with high banks and broad shores,and having a vast bed, they cast off their ornaments, upper garments, andbelts and girdles.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words uttered by the high-souledKesava, all the persons who sat in that assembly remained silent, theirhair standing on their ends.
“Narada said, Usinara’s son, Sivi also, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell a preyto death. That king had, as it were, put a leathern girdle around theearth, making the earth with her mountains and islands and seas andforests resound with the clatter of his car.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou always worshippest, O king, Brahmanas ofpraiseworthy, vows. Whatever, however is that fruit seeing which thouworshippest them, O king? O thou of high vows, beholding what prosperityattaching to the worship of the Brahmanas dost thou worship them? Tell meall this, O thou of mighty arms!
“The holy one said, Arise, arise, O Gandhari, do not set thy heart ongrief! Through thy fault, this vast carnage has taken place!
