only evidence of Gautama’s kindness to kings.
And, O Arjuna, it was here that in olden times the
mighty monarchs of Anga, and Vanga and other countries,
came to the abode of Gautama, and passed their days
in joy and happiness. Behold, O Partha, those
forests of delightful Pippalas and beautiful Lodhras
standing near the side of Gautama’s abode.
There dwelt in old days those Nagas, Arvuda and Sakravapin,
those persecutors of all enemies, as also the Naga
Swastika and that other excellent Naga called Manu.
Manu himself had ordered the country of the Magadhas
to be never afflicted with drought, and Kaushika and
Manimat also have favoured the country. Owning
such a delightful and impregnable city, Jarasandha
is ever bent on seeking the fruition of his purposes
unlike other monarchs. We shall, however, by
slaying him to-day humble his pride.”
Vaisampayana said,—Thus saying those brothers
of abundant energy, viz., he of the Vrishni race
and the two Pandavas entered the city of Magadha.
They then approached towards the impregnable city of
Girivraja that was full of cheerful and well-fed inhabitants
belonging to all the four orders, and where festivities
were perennial. On arriving then at the gate
of the city, the brothers (instead of passing through
it) began to pierce (with their shafts) the heart
of the high Chaityaka peak that was worshipped by
the race of Vrihadratha, as also by the citizens and
which delighted the hearts of all the Magadhas.
There Vrihadratha had slain a cannibal called Rishava
and having slain the monster made of his hide three
drums which he placed in his own city. And those
drums were such that once beaten their sound lasted
one full month. And the brothers broke down the
Chaityaka peak that was delightful to all the Magadhas,
at that point where those drums covered with celestial
flowers used to yield their continuous sound.
And desirous of slaying Jarasandha they seemed by
that act of theirs to place their feet upon the head
of their foe. And attacking with their mighty
arms that immovable and huge and high and old and
celebrated peak always worshipped with perfumes and
floral wreaths, those heroes broke it down. And
with joyful hearts they then entered the city.
And it so happened that the learned Brahmanas residing
within the city saw many evil omens which they reported
to Jarasandha. And the priest making the king
mount an elephant whirled lighted brands about him.
And king Jarasandha also, possessed of great prowess,
with a view to warding of those evils, entered upon
the celebration of a sacrifice, with proper vows and
fasts. Meanwhile, O Bharata, the brothers unarmed,
or rather with their bare arms as their only weapons,
desirous of fighting with Jarasandha, entered the
capital in the guise of Brahmanas. They beheld
the extraordinary beauty of the shops full of various
edibles and floral wreaths, and supplied with articles
of every variety of various qualities that man can
desire. Those best of men, Krishna, Bhima, and
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