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THE ASCENT OF YUDISTHiB 341 Seeing this region of night, abounding thus in horror, Yudisthira said to his guide, "How much further must we travel along paths like these ? What world of the gods is this ? I command thee at once to disclose to me where my brothers are ! "

The messenger stopped. "Thus far, O King, is your way ! It was the command of the denizens of Heaven that, having come to this point, I was to return. As for yourself, if you, O Yudisthira the Just, should be weary, you have the right of return with me !"

Stupefied by noxious vapours, and with his mind sunk in heaviness, the King turned round, and took a few steps backwards. As he did so, however, moaning voices and sobs broke out in the thick darkness about him. " Stay I stay!" sighed the voices. " Our pain is lessened by the presence of Yudisthira. A sweet breeze, a glimpse of light, come with thee. O King, leave us not this instant ! "

" Alas ! alas ! " said Yudisthira in his compas- sion, and immediately stood still amongst these souls in Hell. As he listened, however, the voices appeared to be strangely familiar. " Who are you ? Who are you ? " he exclaimed to one and another, as he heard them, and great beads of sweat stood on his brow as their unbodied groans shaped themselves out of the darkness into answers, " Arjuna ! Draupadi ! Kama ! " and the rest