Chapter 31
Vaisampayana said,–“I shall now recite to you the deeds and triumphs ofNakula, and how that exalted one conquered the direction that had oncebeen subjugated by Vasudeva.
Chapter 32
Vaisampayana said,–“in consequence of the protection afforded byYudhisthira the just, and of the truth which he ever cherished in hisbehaviour, as also of the check under which he kept all foes, thesubjects of that virtuous monarch were all engaged in their respectiveavocations.
Chapter 33
Vaisampayana said,–“the ever-victorious Nakula, the son of Pandu, havingreached Hastinapura, formally invited Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. Theelder of the Kuru race with the preceptor at their head, invited with dueceremonies, came with joyous hearts to that sacrifice, with Brahmanaswalking before them.
Chapter 34
Vaisampayana said,–“then, O king, Yudhishthira, having approached andworshipped his grandfather and his preceptor, addressed Bhishma and Dronaand Kripa and the son of Drona and Duryyodhana and Vivingsati, andsaid,–‘Help me ye all in the mater of this sacrifice. This largetreasure that is here is yours. Consult ye with one another and guide meas ye desire.
Chapter 35
“Vaisampayana said,–On the last day of the sacrifice when the king wasto be sprinkled over with the sacred water, the great Brahmana Rishisever deserving of respectful treatment, along with the invited kings,entered together the inner enclosure of the sacrificial compound.
Chapter 36
“Sisupala said–‘O thou of the Kuru race, this one of the Vrishni racedoth not deserve royal worship as if he were a king, in the midst of allthese illustrious monarchs. O son of Pandu, this conduct of thine in thuswillingly worshipping him with eyes like lotus-petals is not worthy ofthe illustrious Pandavas.
Chapter 37
“Vaisampayana said,–Then the king Yudhishthira hastily ran afterSisupala and spoke unto him sweetly and in a conciliating tone thefollowing words,–‘O lord of earth, what thou hast said is scarcelyproper for thee.
Chapter 38
“Vaisampayana said,–The mighty Bhishma ceased, having said this.Sahadeva then answered (Sisupala) in words of grave import, saying,–‘Ifamongst ye there be any king that cannot bear to see Kesava of dark hue,the slayer of Kesi, the possessor of immeasurable energy, worshipped byme, this my foot is placed on the heads of all mighty ones (like him).
Chapter 39
“Vaisampayana said,–Beholding that vast assembly of kings agitated withwrath, even like the terrific sea agitated by the winds that blow at thetime of the universal dissolution, Yudhishthira addressing the agedBhishma, that chief of intelligent men and the grandsire of the Kurus,even like Puruhita (Indra) that slayer of foes, of abundant energyaddressing Vrihaspati, said,–‘This vast ocean of kings, hath beenagitated by wrath.
Chapter 40
‘Sisupala said,–‘Old and infamous wretch of thy race, art thou notashamed of affrighting all these monarchs with these numerous falseterrors! Thou art the foremost of the Kurus, and living as thou dost inthe third state (celibacy) it is but fit for thee that thou shouldst givesuch counsel that is so wide of morality.