conveyed to her relatives on the paternal side.  And bidding her farewell and uttering benedictions on his handsome sister, he of the Vrishni race, next saw Draupadi and Dhaumya.  That best of men duly made obeisance unto Dhaumya, and consoling Draupadi obtained leave from her.  Then the learned and mighty Krishna, accompanied by Partha, went to his cousins.  And surrounded by the five brothers, Krishna shone like Sakra in the midst of the celestials.  He whose banner bore the figure of Garuda, desirous of performing the rites preparatory to the commencement of a journey, purified himself by a bath and adorned his person with ornaments.  The bull of the Yadu race then worshipped the gods and Brahmanas with floral wreaths, mantras, bows of the head, and excellent perfumes.  Having finished all these rites, that foremost of steady and virtuous persons then thought of setting out.  The chief of the Yadu race then came out of the inner to the outer apartment, and issuing thence he made unto Brahmanas, deserving of worship, offerings of vessel-fulls of curd and fruits, and parched-grain and caused them to pronounce benedictions upon him.  And making unto them presents also of wealth, he went round them.  Then ascending his excellent car of gold endued with great speed and adorned with banner bearing the figure of Tarkhya (Garuda) and furnished also with mace, discus, sword, his bow Sharnga and other weapons, and yoking thereunto his horses Saivya and Sugriva, he of eyes like lotuses set out at an excellent moment of a lunar day of auspicious stellar conjunction.  And Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, from affection, ascended the chariot after Krishna, and causing that best charioteer Daruka to stand aside, himself took the reins.  And Arjuna also, of long arms, riding on that car, walked round Krishna and fanned him with a white chamara furnished with a handle of gold.  And the mighty Bhimasena accompanied by the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva and the priests and citizens all followed Krishna from behind.  And Kesava, that slayer of hostile heroes, followed by all the brothers, shone like a preceptor followed by his favourite pupils.  Then Govinda spoke unto Arjuna and clasped him firmly, and worshipping Yudhisthira and Bhima, embraced the twins.  And embraced in return by the three elder Pandavas, he was reverentially saluted by the twins.  After having gone about half a Yojana (two miles), Krishna, that subjugator of hostile towns, respectfully addressed Yudhishthira and requested him, O Bharata, to stop following him further.  And Govinda, conversant with every duty, then reverentially saluted Yudhishthira and took hold of his feet.  But Yudhishthira soon raised Kesava and smelt his head.  King Yudhishthira the just, the son of Pandu, having raised Krishna endued with eyes like lotus-petals and the foremost of the Yadava race, gave him leave, saying,—­’Good bye!’ Then the slayer of Madhu, making an appointment with them (about his return) in words that were proper,