Dhananjaya, beholding in those shops their affluence, passed along the public road.  And endued with great strength they snatched forcibly from the flower-vendors the garlands they had exposed for sale.  And attired in robes of various colours and decked in garlands and ear-rings the heroes entered the abode of Jarasandha possessed of great intelligence, like Himalayan lions eyeing cattle-folds.  And the arms of those warriors, O king, besmeared with sandal paste, looked like the trunks of sala trees.  The people of Magadha, beholding those heroes looking like elephants, with necks broad like those of trees and wide chests, began to wonder much.  Those bull among men, passing through three gates that were crowded with men, proudly and cheerfully approached the king.  And Jarasandha rising up in haste received them with water to wash their feet with, and honey and the other ingredients of the Arghya—­with gifts of kine, and with other forms of respect.  The great king addressing them said,—­’Ye are welcome’!  And, O Janamejaya, both Partha and Bhima remained silent at this.  And addressing the monarch Krishna said,—­’O king of kings these two are now in the observance of a vow.  Therefore they will not speak.  Silent they will remain till midnight After that hour they will speak with thee!’ The king then quartering his guests in the sacrificial apartments retired into his private chambers.  And when midnight arrived, the monarch arrived at the place where his guests attired as Brahmanas were.  For, O King, that ever victorious monarch observed this vow which was known throughout the Worlds that as soon as he should hear of the arrival of Snataka Brahmanas at his place, should it be even at midnight, he would immediately, O Bharata, come out and grant them an audience.  Beholding the strange attire of his guests that best of kings wondered much.  For all that, however, he waited on them respectfully.  Those bulls among men, those slayers of all foes, on the other hand, O thou best of the Bharata race, beholding king Jarasandha, said,—­’Let salvation be attained by thee, O king, without difficulty.’  And, O tiger among kings, having said this unto the monarch, they stood looking at each other.  And, O king of kings, Jarasandha then said unto those sons of Pandu and him of the Yadu race, all disguised as Brahmanas—­’Take your seats.’  And those bulls among men sat themselves down, and like the three priests of a great sacrifice blazed forth in their beauty.  And king Jarasandha, O thou of the Kuru race, firmly devoted to truth, censuring the disguised guests, said unto them,—­’It is well known to me that in the whole world Brahmanas in the observance of Snataka vow never deck their persons with garlands and fragrant paste unseasonably.  Who are ye, therefore, thus decked with flowers, and with hands bearing the marks of the bow-string?  Attired in coloured robes and decked unseasonably with flowers and paste, ye give me to understand that ye are Brahmanas, although ye bear Kshatriya energy.