'
"Arjuna continued, 'After having destroyed the _Danavas_, and also
subdued that city, with Matali I again went to that abode of the
celestials.'"
SECTION CLXXII
"Arjuna continued, 'Then while returning, I happened to descry a mighty
unearthly city, moving at will, and having the effulgence of fire or the
sun. And that city contained various trees composed of gems, and
sweet-voiced feathered ones. And furnished with four gates, and
gate-ways, and towers, that impregnable (city) was inhabited by the
_Paulamas_ and _Kalakanjas_. And it was made of all sorts of jewels and
was unearthly, and of wonderful appearance. And it was covered with
trees of all kinds of gems, bearing fruits and flowers. And it contained
exceedingly beautiful unearthly birds. And it always swarmed throughout
with cheerful _Asuras_, wearing garlands, and bearing in their hands
darts, two edged swords, maces, bows, and clubs. And, O king, on seeing
this wonderful city of the Daityas, I asked Matali saying, "What is this
that looketh so wonderful?" Thereat, Matali replied, "Once on a time a
_Daitya's_ daughter, named _Pulama_ and a mighty female of the _Asura_
order, _Kalaka_ by name, practised severe austerities for a thousand
celestial years. And at the end of their austerities, the self-create
conferred on them boons. And, O king of kings, they received these
boons,--that their offspring might never suffer misfortune; that they
might be incapable of being destroyed even by the gods, the _Rakshasas_
and the _Pannagas_; and that they might obtain a highly effulgent and
surpassingly fair aerial city, furnished with all manner of gems and
invincible even by the celestials, the _Maharshis_, the _Yakshas_, the
_Gandharvas_, the _Pannagas_, the _Asuras_ and the _Rakshasas_.
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