And going unto the king, they represented unto
him everything about Duryodhana's conduct. And Ajatasatru, hearing
everything that the Gandharvas had said, liberated all the Kauravas and
applauded the Gandharvas. And the king said, 'Fortunate it is for us
that though gifted with great strength, ye did not yet slay the wicked
son of Dhritarashtra along with all counsellors and relatives. This, O
sir, hath been an act of great kindness done to me by the Gandharvas.
The honour also of my family is saved by liberating this wicked wight. I
am glad at seeing you all. Command me what I am to do for you. And
having obtained all you wish, return ye soon whence ye came!'
"Thus addressed by the intelligent son of Pandu, the Gandharvas became
well-pleased and went away with the Apsaras. And the lord of the
celestials then, coming to that spot, revived those Gandharvas that had
been slain in the encounter with the Kurus, by sprinkling the celestial
_Amrita_ over them. And the Pandavas also, having liberated their
relatives along with the ladies of the royal household, and having
achieved that difficult feat (the defeat of the Gandharvas host) became
well-pleased. And those illustrious and mighty warriors worshipped by
the Kurus along with their sons and wives, blazed forth in splendour
like flaming fires in the sacrificial compound. And Yudhishthira then
addressing the liberated Duryodhana in the midst of his brothers, from
affection, told him these words: 'O child, never again do such a rash
act.
Pages:
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410