Page:The Mahabharata (Kishori Mohan Gangopadhyay, First Edition) Volume 16.djvu/24

Rh with his splendour. The Vrishnis, mixing with wine the food that had been cooked for high-souled Brāhmanas, gave it away unto monkeys and apes. Those heroes of fierce energy then began their high rivels, of which drinking formed the chief feature, at Prabhāsa. The entire field echoed with the blare of hundreds of trumpets and abounded with actors and dancers plying their vocations. In the very sight of Krishna, Rāma began to drink, with Kritavarman, Yuyudhāna and Gada and Vabru also did the same. Then Yuyudhāna, inebriated with wine, derisively laughing at and insulting Kritavarman in the midst of that assembly, said,'What Kshatriya is there who, armed with weapons, will slay men locked in the embraces of sleep and, therefore, already dead? Hence, O son of Hridikā, the Yādavas will never tolerate what thou hast done!' When Yuyudhāna had said these words, Pradyumna, that foremost of car-warriors, applauded them, expressing his disregard for the son of Hridikā. Highly incensed at this, Kritavarman, emphasising his disregard for Sātyaki by pointing to him with his left hand, said these words:'Professing thyself to be a hero, how couldst thou so cruelly slay the armless Bhuriçravas who, on the field of battle, (gave up all hostile intentions and) sat in prāya?' Hearing these words of his, Keçava, that slayer of hostile heroes, giving way to wrath, cast an angry glance at Kritavarman. Then Sātyaki informed the slayer of Madhu as to how Kritavarman had behaved towards Satrājit for taking away from him the celebrated gem Syamantaka. Hearing the narrative, Satyabhāmā, giving way to wrath and tears, approached Keçava and sitting on his lap enhanced his anger (for Kritavarman). Then rising up in a rage, Sātyaki said,'I swear to thee by Truth that I shall soon cause this one to follow in the wake of the five sons of Draupadi, and of Dhrishtadyumna and Cikhandin,they, viz., that were slain by this sinful wretch, while they were asleep, with the assistance of Drona's son. O thou of slender waist, Kritavarman's period of life and fame have come to their end.' Having said these words, Sātyaki rushed at Kritavarman and severed his head with a sword in the very sight of Keçava. Yuyu-