eous-souled king proceeded, filled with diverse thoughts.22 He beheld a river full of boiling water and, therefore, difficult to cross, as also a forest of trees whose leaves were sharp swords and razors.23 There were plains full of fine white sand exceedingly heated, and rocks and stones made of iron. There were many jars of iron all around, with boiling oil in them.24 Many a Kuta-çālmalika was there, with sharp thorns and, therefore, exceedingly painful to the touch.[1] The son of Kunti beheld also the tortures inflicted upon sinful men.25 Beholding that inauspicious region abounding with every sort of foulness, Yudhishthira asked the celestial messenger, saying—'How far shall we proceed along a path like this?26 It behooveth thee to tell me where those brothers of mine are. I desire also to know what region is this of the gods!'27 Hearing these words of king Yudhishthira the just, the celestial messenger stopped in his course and replied, saying,—'Thus far is your way.28 The denizens of Heaven commanded me that having come thus far, I am to stop! If thou art tired O king of kings, thou mayst return with me!'29 Yudhishthira, however, was exceedingly disconsolate and stupified by the foul odor. Resolved to return, O Bhārata, he retraced his steps.30 Afflicted by sorrow and grief, the righteous-souled monarch turned back. Just at that moment he heard piteous lamentations all around.31—O son of Dharma, O royal sage, O thou of sacred origin, O son of Pāndu, do thou stay a moment for favouring us!32 At thy approach, O invincible one, a delightful breeze hath begun to blow, bearing the sweet scent of thy person! Great hath been our relief at this!33 O foremost of kings, beholding thee, O first of men, great hath been our happiness! O son of Prithā, let that happiness last longer through thy stay here for a few moments more!34 Do thou remain here, O Bhārata, for even a short while! As long as thou art here, O thou of Kuru's race, torments cease to afflict us!'35 These and many
- ↑ Kuta-çālmalika is a species of Cālmali or the Bombaz Malabaricum of Roxburgh. It is covered with sharp thorns and not even monkeys can climb it.—T.
