high-souled lord of treasures.  And coursing through the firmament they (the steeds) arrived at the Gandhamadana, as if drawing forward the sky with their fleetness.  And with their down standing erect, the Pandavas saw that large assemblage of horses maintained by the lord of wealth and also the highsouled and graceful Kuvera himself surrounded by the Yaksha hosts.  And seeing those mighty charioteers the son of Pandu, possessed of great strength, equipped with bows and swords, Kuvera also was delighted; and he was pleased at heart, keeping in view the task of the celestials.  And like unto birds, they, (the Yakshas) gifted with extreme celerity, alighted on the summit of the mountain and stood before them (the Pandavas), with the lord of treasures at their head.  Then, O Bharata, seeing him pleased with the Pandavas, the Yakshas and the Gandharvas stood there, free from agitation.  Then thinking themselves as having transgressed, those high-souled and mighty charioteers, the Pandavas, having bowed down unto that lord, the giver of wealth stood surrounding the lord of treasures with joined hands.  And the lord of treasures sat on that excellent seat, the elegant Pushpaka, constructed by Viswakarma, painted with diverse colours.  And thousands of Yakshas and Rakshasas, some having huge frames and some ears resembling pegs, and hundreds of Gandharvas and hosts of Apsaras sat in the presence of that one seated, even as the celestials sit surrounding him of a hundred sacrifices and wearing a beautiful golden garland on his head and holding in his hands his noose and sword and bow, Bhima stood, gazing at the lord of wealth.  And Bhimasena did not feel depressed either on having been wounded by the Rakshasas, or even in that plight seeing Kuvera arrive.

“And that one going about on the shoulders of men, on seeing Bhima stand desirous of fighting with sharpened shafts, said unto Dharma’s son, ’O Partha, all the creatures know thee as engaged in their good.  Do thou, therefore, with thy brothers fearlessly dwell on this summit of the mountain.  And, O Pandava, be thou not angry with Bhima.  These Yakshas and Rakshasas had already been slain by Destiny:  thy brother hath been the instrument merely.  And it is not necessary to feel shame for the act of impudence that hath been committed.  This destruction of the Rakshasas had been foreseen by the gods.  I entertain no anger towards Bhimasena.  Rather, O foremost of the Bharata race, I am pleased with him; nay,—­even before coming here, I had been gratified with this deed of Bhima.’”

Vaisampayana said, “Having spoken thus unto the king, (Kuvera) said unto Bhimasena, ’O child, O best of the Kurus, I do not mind this, O Bhima, as in order to please Krishna, thou hast, disregarding the gods and me also, committed this rash act, namely, the destruction of the Yakshas and the Rakshasas, depending on the strength of thy arms, I am well-pleased with thee.  O Vrikodara, to-day I have been freed from a terrible curse.  For some offence, that great Rishi, Agastya, had cursed me in anger.  Thou hast delivered me by this act (of thine).  O Pandu’s son, my disgrace had ere this been fated.  No offence, therefore, in any way, attaches unto thee, O Pandava.’