by thee!  And thou hast also heard how Hutasana entering into water and remaining in concealment, achieved the purpose of the gods.  And O thou versed in duty, thou hast heard how Hari with the view of overcoming his foes, entered into Sakra’s thunder-bolt, and lay concealed there.  And, O sinless one, thou hast heard of the office the regenerate Rishi Aurva at one time performed for the gods, remaining concealed in his mother’s womb.  And O child, living in concealment in every part of the earth, Vivaswat, endued with excellent energy, at last entirely burnt up all his foes.  And living disguised in the abode of Dasaratha, Vishnu of dreadful deeds slew the Ten-necked one in battle.’  Thus remaining in disguise in various places, high-souled persons have before this conquered their enemies in battle.  Thus cheered by these words of Dhaumya, the virtuous Yudhishthira, relying on his own wisdom and also that acquired from the scriptures regained his composure.  Then that foremost of strong persons, the mighty-armed Bhimasena endued with great strength encouraging the king greatly, spake these words, ’Looking up to thy face (for permission), the wielder of the Gandiva, acting according to his sense of duty hath not yet, O king, shown any rashness!  And although fully able to destroy the foe, Nakula and Sahadeva of dreadful prowess have been ever prevented by me!  Never shall we swerve from that in which thou wilt engage us!  Do thou tell us what is to be done!  We shall speedily conquer our enemies!  When Bhimasena had said this, the Brahmanas uttered benedictions on the Bharatas, and then obtaining their permission, went to their respective quarters.  And all those foremost of Yatis and Munis versed in the Vedas, exceedingly desirous of again beholding the Pandavas, went back to their homes.  And accompanied by Dhaumya, these heroes, the five learned Pandavas equipped in vows set out with Krishna.  And each versed in a separate science, and all proficient in mantras and cognisant of when peace was to be concluded and when war was to be waged those tigers among men, about to enter upon a life of non-recognition, the next day proceeded for a Krose and then sat themselves down with the view of taking counsel of each other.

The End of Vana Parva

FOOTNOTES

1.  This seems to be the obvious.  There is a different reading however.  For Drie—­cyate-seen, some texts have Sasyate—­applauded.  Nilakantha imagines that the meaning is “As distribution (of food) amongst the various classes of beings like the gods, the Pitris, &c., is applauded &c., &c.”

2.  A form of sacrifice which consists in pouring oblations of clarified butter with prayers into a blazing fire.  It is obligatory on Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, except those that accept certain vows of great austerity.

3.  The Viswedeva sacrifice is the offer of food to all creatures of the earth (by scattering a portion).