THE ASCENT OF VUDISTHIRA 339
his foe's brothers, and finally of the whole hundred and one sons of Dritarashtra, blazing like the sun, wearing all the signs of glory that belong to heroes, and seated on thrones like gods. At this sight, Yudisthira was filled with rage. " I will not," he shouted in anger, " dwell even in the regions of happiness with the vain and reckless Duryodhana ! For him were our friends and kinsmen slaughtered. By him was the Queen insulted. Listen to me, ye gods 1 I will not even look upon such as these. Let me go there, whither my brothers are gone ! "
"But, Great King," said one of those about him, smiling at his fury, "this should not be. In Heaven do all feuds cease. By pouring himself, like an oblation, on the fire of battle, by remain- ing unterrified in moments of great terror, has Duryodhana attained to celestial joys. Do thou forget thy woes. This is Heaven, O Lord of men ! Here there can be no enmity ! "
" If such as he could have deserved this," answered Yudisthira, no whit appeased, " what must not my friends and kindred have deserved I Let me go to the company of the righteous ! What are the celestial regions to me without my brothers ? Where they are, must in itself be Heaven. This place, in my opinion, is not so."
Seeing the King so determined, the gods turned and gave orders to the celestial messenger, saying,
