bound in chords of shrubs. Probably he had drunk poison. For when he fell amongst us, he was insensible. But when we began biting him, he regained his senses, and bursting his fetters, commenced laying at us. May it please your majesty to enquire who he is.'
"Then Vasuki, in accordance with the prayer of the inferior Nagas, went to the place and saw Bhim-sena. Of the serpents, there was one, named Aryaka. He was the grand-futher of the father of Kunti. The lord of serpents saw his relative and embraced him. Then, Vasuki, learning all, was pleased with Bhima, and said to Aryaka with satisfaction, 'How are we to please him? Let him have money and gems in profusion.'
"On hearing the words of Vasuki, Aryaka said, 'O king of serpents, when your majesty is pleased with him, no need of wealth for him. Permit him to drink of your rasa-kundu (nectar-vessels) and thus acquire immeasurable strength. There is the strength of one thousand elephants in each one of those vessels. Let this prince drink as much as he can.'
"The king of serpents gave his consent. And the serpents thereupon began auspicious rites. Then purifying himself carefully, Bhim-sena sat facing the east, and began to drink the nectar. At one breath, he quaffed off a whole vessel, and in this manner drained off eight successive jars, till he was full. At length the serpents prepared an excellent bed for him, on which he lay down at ease."
Thus ends the hundred and twenty-eighth Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.
( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Vaisampayana said, "Meanwhile after having thus sported there, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, without Bhima, set out for Hastinapore, some on horses, some on elephants, while others preferred cars and other conveyances. And on their way they said to one another, 'Perhaps, Bhima hath gone
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