( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Vaisampayana said, "The large-eyed daughter of Kunti-bhoja—Pritha by name, was endured with beauty and every accomplishment. Of rigid vows, she was devoted to virtue, and possessed every good quality. But though endued with beauty and youth and every womanly attribute, yet it so hap pened that no king asked for her hand. Her father Kuntibhoja, seeing this, invited, O best of monarchs, the princes and kings of other countries and desired his daughter to elect her husband from among his guests. The intelligent Kunti entering the amphitheatre beheld Pandu—the foremost of the Bharatas—that tiger among kings—in that concourse of crowned heads. Proud as the lion, broad-chested; bull-eyed, endued with great strength, and out-shining in splendour all other monarchs, he looked like another Indra in that royal assemblage. And the amiable daughter of Kunti-bhoja, of faultless features, behholding Pandu—that best of men—in that assembly, became very much agitated. And advancing with modesty, all the while quivering with emotion, she placed the nuptial garland round Pandu's neck. The other monarchs, seeing Kunti choose Pandu for her lord, returned to their res pective kingdoms on elephants, horses, and cars, as they came. Then, O king, the bride's father caused the nuptial rites to be performed duly. The Kuru prince, blessed with great good fortune, and the daughter of Kunti-bhoja, formed a couple like Maghavan and Paulomi (the king and queen of the celestials). And, O thou best of Kuru monarchs, king Kunti-bhoja, after the nuptials were over, presented his son-in-law with much wealth and sent him back to his capital: Then the Kuru prince Pandu, accompanied by a large force bearing various kinds of banners and penons, and eulogised by Brahmanas and great Rishis pronouncing benedictions, reached his capital. And arrived at his own palace, he established his queen therein."
Thus ends the hundred and twelfth Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.
