rise that they began to come out in numbers with their wives and children to behold those ascetics. Seated on all kinds of cars and conveyances by thousands, vast numbers of Kshatriyas with their wives and Brahmanas accompanied by Brahmanis came out. And the concourse of Vaisyas and Sudras too was as large on the occasion. The vast assemblage was as peaceful as ever, for every heart then was inclined to piety. And there also came out Bhisma the son of Shantanu, and Somadatta of Valhika, and the royal sage (Dhrita-rashtra) endued with the vision of knowledge, and Vidura himself, and the venerable Satyavati, and the illustrious princess of Koshala, and Gandhari accompanied by the other ladies of the royal household. And the hundred sons of Dhrita-rashtra, decked in various ornaments, also came out.
"The Kauravas then, accompanied by their Purohitas, saluting the Rishis by lowering their heads, took their seats before them. The citizens also, saluting the ascetics and bowing down to them with heads touching the ground, took their seats there. Then Bhisma, seeing that vast concourse perfectly still all arround, duly worshipped, O king, those ascetics by offering them water to wash their feet and the customary Arghya. And having done this, he spoke to them about the sovereignty and the kingdom. Then the oldest of the ascetics, with matted locks on head and loins encased in animal skin, stood up, and with the concurrence of the other Rishis spoke as follows:—'Know ye all that that possessor of the sovereignty of the Kurus who was called king Pandu, had, after abandoning the pleasures of the world, repaired hence to dwell on the mountain of hundred peaks. He had adopted the Brahmacharya mode of life, but for some inscrutable purpose the gods have in view, this his eldest son—Yudhish-thira was born there, begotten by Dharma himself. Then that illustrious king obtained from Vayu this other son—the foremost of all mighty men—called Bhima. This other son, begotten upon Kunti by Indra, is Dhananjaya whose achievements will humble all bowmen in the world. Look here again at these tigers ariong men, mighty in the use of the bow,—the twin children begotten upon Madri by the twin Aswinas! Leading
