stones, the lower halves of which are well-furnished with wings of the hue of parrots’ feather and the upper halves, of well-tempered steels? [46] Whose is this excellent sword irresistible, and terrible to adversaries, with the mark of a toad on it, and pointed like a toad’s head? [47] Cased in variegated sheath of tiger-skin, whose is this large sword of excellent blade and variegated with gold and furnished with tinkling bells?  Whose is this handsome scimitar of polished blade and golden hilt?  Manufactured in the country of the Nishadas, irresistible, incapable of being broken, whose is this sword of polished blade in a scabbard of cow-skin?  Whose is this beautiful and long sword, sable in hue as the sky, mounted with gold, well-tempered, and cased in a sheath of goat-skin?  Who owneth this heavy, well-tempered, and broad sword, just longer than the breadth of thirty fingers, polished by constant clash with other’s weapons and kept in a case of gold, bright as fire?  Whose is this beautiful scimitar of sable blade covered with golden bosses, capable of cutting through the bodies of adversaries, whose touch is as fatal as that of a venomous snake which is irresistible and exciteth the terror of foes?  Asked by me, O Vrihannala, do thou answer me truly.  Great is my wonder at the sight of all these excellent objects.’”

SECTION XLIII

“Vrihannala said, ’That about which thou hath first enquired is Arjuna’s bow, of world-wide fame, called Gandiva, capable of devastating hostile hosts.  Embellished with gold, this Gandiva, the highest and largest of all weapons belonged to Arjuna.  Alone equal unto a hundred thousand weapons, and always capable of extending the confines of kingdoms, it is with this that Partha vanquisheth in battle both men and celestials.  Worshipped ever by the gods, the Danavas and the Gandharvas and variegated with excellent colours, this large and smooth bow is without a knot or stain anywhere.  Shiva held it first for a thousand years.  Afterwards Prajapati held it for five hundred and three years.  After that Sakra, for five and eighty years.  And then Soma held it for five hundred years.  And after that Varuna held it for a hundred years.  And finally Partha, surnamed Swetavahana,[48] hath held it for five and sixty years.[49] Endued with great energy and of high celestial origin, this is the best of all bows.  Adored among gods and men, it hath a handsome form.  Partha obtained this beautiful bow from Varuna.  This other bow of handsome sides and golden handle is Bhima’s with which that son of Pritha, that chastiser of foes, had conquered the whole of the eastern regions.  This other excellent bow of beautiful shape, adorned with images of Indragopakas, belongeth, O Virata’s son, to king Yudhishthira.  This other weapon with golden suns of blazing splendour shedding a dazzling effulgence around, belongeth to Nakula.  And this bow adorned with golden images of insects and set also with gems