Chedi, Kasi and Karusha, he will maintain the prosperity of the Kurus. (Surfeited with libations at the sacrifice of king Swetaketu), Agni will derive great gratification from the fat of all creatures dwelling in the Khandava woods (to be burnt down) by the might of this one’s arms.  This mighty hero, vanquishing all the effeminate monarchs of the earth, will, with his brothers perform three great sacrifices.  In prowess, O Kunti, he will be even as Jamadagnya or Vishnu.  The foremost of all men endued with prowess, he will achieve great fame.  He will gratify in battle (by his heroism) Sankara, the god of gods (Mahadeva), and will receive from him the great weapon named Pasupata.  This thy son of mighty arms will also slay, at the command of Indra, those Daityas called the Nivatakavachas who are the enemies of the gods.  He will also acquire all kinds of celestial weapons, and this bull among men will also retrieve the fortunes of his race.’

’Kunti heard these extraordinary words, while lying in the room.  And hearing those words uttered so loudly, the ascetics dwelling on the mountain of a hundred peaks, and the celestials with Indra sitting in their cars, became exceedingly glad.  The sounds of the (invisible) drum filled the entire welkin.  There were shouts of joy, and the whole region was covered with flowers showered down by invisible agents.  The various tribes of celestials assembled together, began to offer their respectful adorations to the son of Pritha.  The sons of Kadru (Nagas), the son of Vinata, the Gandharvas, the lords of the creation, and the seven great Rishis, viz., Bharadwaja, Kasyapa, Gautama, Viswamitra, Jamadagni, Vasishtha, and the illustrious Atri who illumined the world of old when the Sun was lost, all came there.  And Marichi, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Daksha the lord of creation, the Gandharvas, and Apsaras, came there also.  The various tribes of Apsaras, decked with celestial garlands and every ornament, and attired in fine robes, came there and danced in joy, chanting the praises of Vibhatsu (Arjuna).  All around, the great Rishis began to utter propitiatory formulas.  And Tumvuru accompanied by the Gandharvas began to sing in charming notes.  And Bhimasena and Ugrasena, Urnayus and Anagha.  Gopati and Dhritarashtra and Suryavarchas the eighth, Yugapa and Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, and Chitraratha, Salisirah the thirteenth, Parjanya the fourteenth, Kali the fifteenth, and Narada the sixteenth in this list, Vrihatta, Vrihaka, Karala of great soul, Brahmacharin, Vahuguna, Suvarna of great fame, Viswavasu, Bhumanyu, Suchandra, Sam and the celebrated tribes of Haha and Huhu gifted with wonderful melody of voice,—­these celestial Gandharvas, O king, all went there.  Many illustrious Apsaras also of large eyes, decked with every ornament came there to dance and sing.  And Anuchana and Anavadya, Gunamukhya and Gunavara, Adrika and Soma, Misrakesi and Alambusha, Marichi and Suchika, Vidyutparna and Tilottama and Ambika, Lakshmana, Kshema Devi,