was born with natural mail and sword and bow and arrows from the blazing fire, himself like unto the second Fire.  And that daughter of Yajnasena will select a husband from among the invited princes.  And we are repairing thither to behold her and the festivities on the occasion, like unto the festivities of heaven.  And to that Swayamvara will come from various lands kings and princes who are performers of sacrifices in which the presents to the Brahmanas are large:  who are devoted to study, are holy, illustrious, and of rigid vows; who are young and handsome; and who are mighty car-warriors and accomplished in arms.  Desirous of winning (the hand of) the maiden those monarchs will all give away much wealth and kine and food and other articles of enjoyment.  And taking all they will give away and witnessing the Swayamvara, and enjoying the festivities, we shall go wheresoever we like.  And there will also come unto that Swayamvara, from various countries, actors, and bards singing the panegyrics of kings, and dancers, and reciters of Puranas, and heralds, and powerful athletes.  And beholding all these sights and taking what will be given away to illustrious ones, ye will return with us.  Ye are all handsome and like unto the celestials!  Beholding you, Krishna may, by chance, choose some one amongst you superior to the rest.  This thy brother of mighty arms and handsome and endued with beauty also, engaged in (athletic) encounters, may, by chance, earn great wealth.’

“On hearing these words of the Brahmanas, Yudhishthira replied, ’Ye Brahmanas, we will all go with you to witness that maiden’s Swayamvara—­that excellent jubilee.’”

SECTION CLXXXVII

(Swayamvara Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Thus addressed by the Brahmanas, the Pandavas, O Janamejaya, proceeded towards the country of the southern Panchalas ruled over by the king Drupada.  And on their way those heroes beheld the illustrious Dwaipayana—­that Muni of pure soul, and perfectly sinless.  And duly saluting the Rishi and saluted by him, after their conversation was over, commanded by him they proceeded to Drupada’s abode.  And those mighty chariot-fighters proceeded by slow stages staying for some time within those beautiful woods and by fine lakes that they beheld along their way.  Devoted to study, pure in their practices, amiable, and sweet-speeched, the Pandavas at last entered the country of the Panchalas.  And beholding the capital, as also the fort, they took up their quarters in the house of a potter, Adopting the Brahmanical profession, they began to lead an eleemosynary life.  And no men recognised those heroes during their stay in Drupada’s capital.

“Yajnasena always cherished the desire of bestowing his daughter on Kiriti (Arjuna), the son of Pandu.  But he never spoke of it to anybody.  And, O Janamejaya, the king of Panchala thinking of Arjuna caused a very stiff bow to be made that was incapable of being bent by any except Arjuna.  Causing some machinery to be erected in the sky, the king set up a mark attached to that machinery.  And Drupada said, ’He that will string this bow and with these well-adorned arrows shoot the mark above the machine shall obtain my daughter.’