Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/200

166 safe and fearless. Then they heard of Krishna (the princess of Panchala) having become disposed to elect a husband from among the assembled princes. And hearing they went to Panchala and going there they obtained the maiden. And having obtained Draupadi (for their common wife) they then dwelt there fora year. And after they were known, those persecutors of all enemies went back to Hastinapura. And they were then told by king Dhrita-rashtra and the son of Shantanu (Visma) as follows:—'In order that, O dear ones, dissensions may not take place between ye and your cousins, we have settled that Khandava-prastha should be your abode. Therefore, go ye, casting all jealousy away, to Khandava-prastha containing many towns and divided by many broad roads for dwelling there!' And according to these words, the Pandavas went, with all their friends and followers, to KhandavaprasthaKhandava-prastha [sic], taking with them many jewels and precious stones. And the sons of Pritha dwelt there for many years. And they brought, by force of arms, many princes under their subjection. And thus, setting their hearts on virtue and firmly adhering to truth, unexcited by affluence, calm in deportment, and putting down numerous evils, the Pandavas gradually rose in power. And Bhima of great reputation subjugated the East; the heroic Arjuna, the North; Nakula, the West; and Sahadeva—the slayer of all hostile heroes, the South. And having done this, their dominion was spread over the whole world. And owing to the five Pandavas, each like unto the Sun, with the Sun himself in his splendour, the Earth looked as if she had six Suns.

"Then for some reason, Yudhish-thira the just, gifted with great energy and prowess, sent his brother Arjuna (the right and left handed one) dearer unto him than life itself, into the woods. And Arjuna, that tiger among men, of firm soul, and gifted with all virtues, lived in the woods for eleven years and ten months. And during this period, on a certain occasion, Arjuna went to Krishna in Dwaravati. And Vivatsu (Arjuna) there obtained for wife the lotus-eyed younger sister of Vasudeva, of name Suvadra, of sweet speech. And she became united, in gladness, with Arjuna the son of Pandu,