Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/243

Rh the river, and the cluster of high trees standing together made the place look like a gaudy flatstaff.

"And in that forest which was the resort of ever-cheerful birds, the monarch saw a delightful and charming retreat of ascetics. And there were many trees around it. And the sacred fire was burning within it. And the king worshipped that unrivalled retreat. And he saw sitting in it numerous Yotis, Valakhillyas, and other Munis. And it was adorned with many chambers containing the sacrificial fire. And the flowers dropping from the trees had formed a thick carpet spread over the ground. And the spot looked exceedingly beautiful with those tall trees of large trunks. And by it flowed, O king, the sacred and transparent Malini with every species of water-fowl playing on its bosom. And that stream infused gladness into the hearts of the ascetics who resorted to it for purposes of ablutions. And the king beheld on its banks many innocent animals of the deer species and was exceedingly delighted with all he saw.

"And the monarch, the course of whose chariot no foe could obstruct, then entered that asylum which was like unto the region of the celestials, being exceedingly beautiful all over. And the king saw that it was on the margent of the sacred stream which was like the mother of all the living creatures residing in its vicinage. And on its beach sported the , and waves of milk-white foam. And there stood also the habitation of Kinnaras. And monkeys and bears too disported in numbers. And there lived also holy ascetics engaged in study and meditation. And there could be seen also elephants and tigers and snakes. And it was on the banks of that stream that the excellent asylum of the illustrious Kasyapa stood offering a home to numerous Rishis of great ascetic merit. And beholding that river, and the asylum also washed by that river which was studded with many islands and which possessed banks of so much beauty,—an asylum like unto that of Nara and Narayana laved by the waters of the Ganges,—the king then resolved to enter into that sacred abode. And that bull among men, desirous of beholding the great Rishi of ascetic wealth, the illustrious Kanwa of the race of Kasyapa 27