Chapter 67
“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After the snake had vanquished, Nala, the ruler of theNishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day entered the city of Rituparna.And he approached the king, saying, ‘My name is Vahuka.
“Vrihadaswa said, ‘After the snake had vanquished, Nala, the ruler of theNishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day entered the city of Rituparna.And he approached the king, saying, ‘My name is Vahuka.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘O best of monarchs, within a few days after this,there commenced on the Raivataka mountain, a grand festival of theVrishnis and the Andhakas. At the mountain-festival of the Bhojas, theVrishnis and the Andhakas, the heroes of those tribes began to give awaymuch wealth unto Brahmanas by thousands.
“Bhishma said, ‘Then all the highly blessed deities and the Pitris, andthe highly blessed Rishis also, addressing the Pramathas, said,[557] ‘Yeare all highly blessed beings.
Dhritarashtra said, “While Drona’s son, that mighty car-warrior, thusproceeded towards the hostile camp, did Kripa and Bhoja stop from fear?
“Vidula said, ‘If, having fallen into such a plight, thou wishest to giveup manliness, thou shalt then have, in no time, to tread the path that istrod by those that are low and wretched.
“Sanjaya said, ‘Listen, O king, to me as I describe to thee the wonderfulbattle that then took place between the Kurus and the Pandavas.
“Vrihadaswa said, ‘O monarch, having deserted Damayanti, king Nala saw amighty conflagration that was raging in that dense forest.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Dhananjaya, informed of the assent ofYudhishthira, and ascertaining, O Janamejaya, that the maiden had gone tothe Raivataka hill, obtained the assent of Vasudeva also, after havingsettled in consultation with him all that required to be done.
“Bhishma said, ‘The Rishis there assembled, together with the Pitris andthe deities, then, with concentrated attention, questioned Arundhati (thespouse of Vasishtha) who was endued with great ascetic merit.
Sanjaya said, “The son of Drona, O monarch, having reflected thus,descended from the terrace of his car and stood, bending his head untothat supreme god.