Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/514

500 king, I have already told thee what he said, having approached the illustrious pair. O tiger among kings, hearing those words of Agni who was desirous of consuming the forest of Khandava against the will of Indta. Vibhatsu said unto him these words well-suited to the occasion, -'I have numberless excellent celestial weapons with which I can fight even niany wielders of the thunderbolt. But O exalted one, I have no bow suited to the strength of my arms, and capable of bearing the might I may put forth in battle. In consequence of the lightness of my hands also I require-arrows that must be exhausted. My car also is scarcely able to bear the load of arrows that I would desire to keep by me. I desire celestial steeds of pure white, possessing the speed of the wind; and a car possessing the splendour of the sun and the clatter of whose wheels should resemble the roar of the clouds. Then, there is no weapon suited to Krishna's energy and with which Madhava can slay Nagas and Pishachas. O exalted one, it behoveth thee to give us the means by which success may be achieved and by which we may thwart Indra in pouring his showers upon that extensive forest ! O Pavaka, we are ready to do all that manliness and prowess can do. But, O exalted one, it behoveth thee to give us the adequate means i

Thus ends the two hundred and twenty-sixth section in the Khandavadaba Parva of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, -"Thus addressed by Arjuna, the smoke bannered Hutasana, desirous of an interview with Varuna, recollected that son of Aditi,--that deity protecting one of the points of the heavens and having his home in the water and ruling that element, Varuna, knowing that he was thought of by Pavaka, immediately appeared before that deity. The smoke-bannered celestial welcoming with reverence the ruler of the waters, that fourth of the Lokapalas, said unto that eternal god of gods,-'Give me without loss of time that bow and quiver, and that apa-bannered car also, which were obtained from king Soma ! Partha will achieve a great task with Gandiva, and Vasudeva also with the discuss! Give both, therefore, unto me to-day t' Hearing these words, Varuna replied unto Pavaka, saying-'Well, I am giving them. He then gave (unto Arjuna) that wonderful jewel of a bow that was endued with great energy. That bow was the enhancer of fame and achievements, and was incapable of being injured by any weapon. It