Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/453

Rh costly seats one after another according to the order of their ages. After those heroes were seated, well dressed servants male and female, and skilful cooks brought excellent and costly viands worthy of kings on gold and silver plates. Then those foremost of men dined on those dishes and became well pleased. And after the dinner was over. those heroes among men, passing over all other articles, began to observe with interest the various utensils of war. Beholding this, Drupada's son and Drupada himself, along with all his chief ministers of state. understanding the sons of Kunti to be all of royal blood became exceed. ingly glad."

Thus ends the hundred and ninety-sixth section in the Vaivahika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Vaisa mpayana said, "Then the illustrious king of the Panchala, addressing prince Yudhishthira in the form applicable to Brahmanas, cheerfully enquired of that illustrious son of Kunti, saying, 'Are we to know as Kshatriyas, or Brahmanas, or are we to know you as celestials who disguising themselves as Brahmanas are ranging the Earth and come hither for the hand of Krishna ? O tell us truly, for we have great doubts! Shall we not be glad when our doubts have been removed ? O chastiser of enemies, have the fates been propitious unto us? Tell us the truth willingly! Truth becometh monarchs better than sacrifices and dedications of tanks. Therefore, tell us not what is untrue! O thou of the beauty of a celestial, O chastiser of foes, hearing thy reply I shall make arrangements for my daughter's wedding according to the order to which ye belong 1

"Hearing these words of Drupada, Yudhishthira answered, saying, "Be not cheerless, O king: Let joy fill thy heart I The desire cherished by thee hath certainly been accomplished! We are Kshatriyas. O king, and sons of the illustrious Pandu. Know me to be the eldest of the song of Kunti and these to be Bhima and Arjuna ! By these. O king, was thy daughter won amid the concourse of monarchs ! The twins (Nakula and Sabadeva) and Kunti wait where Krishna is. O bull amongst men, let grief be driven from thy heart, for we are Kshatriyasi Thy daughter, O monarch, hath like a lotus been transferred only