Chapter 63
Janamejaya said, “For what reason did that tiger among kings,Yudhishthira the just, despatch that scorcher of foes, Vasudeva, untoGandhari?
Janamejaya said, “For what reason did that tiger among kings,Yudhishthira the just, despatch that scorcher of foes, Vasudeva, untoGandhari?
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Upon the failure of Krishna’s solicitations (forpeace), and after he had started for the Pandavas from the Kurus, Kshatriapproached Pritha and said these words slowly in grief,
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘After Arjuna had got the ruler of the Sindhuswithin sight, what, O Sanjaya, did the Panchalas, attacked byBharadwaja’s son, do, encountering the Kurus?’
“Vrihadaswa said, ‘Damayanti, having bowed down unto the gods, thusaddressed Nala with a smile, ‘O king, love me with proper regard, andcommand me what I shall do for thee.
Vaisampayana said, ‘Then the inhabitants of the forest of Khandava, theDanavas and Rakshasas and Nagas and wolves and bears and other wildanimals, and elephants with rent temples, and tigers, and lions withmanes and deer and buffaloes by hundreds, and birds, and various othercreatures, frightened at the falling stones and extremely anxious, beganto fly in all directions.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Which amongst these three is superior, viz.,knowledge, penances, and gifts? I ask thee, O foremost of righteouspersons! Do tell me this, O grandsire!’
Sanjaya said, “All those kings, possessed of arms that resembled spikedbludgeons, then proceeded towards their tents, filled with joy andblowing their conchs on their way.
“Karna said, ‘I am Karna, son of Radha and Adhiratha. For what, O lady,hast thou come here? Tell me what I am to do for thee?’
“Sanjaya said, ‘Kshemadhurti, O monarch, pierced the advancingVrihatkshatra of great valour, that prince of the Kaikeyas, with manyarrows in the chest.
“Janamejaya said, ‘O Brahmana, tell me why and when that forest burnt inthat way, Agni consumed not the birds called Sarngakas?