Part 21 (1/2)

_Sankha's_ voice, _gandiva's_ accents, and the chariot's booming sound, Filled the air like distant thunder, shook the firm and solid ground!

Kuru soldiers fled in terror, or they slumbered with the dead, And the rescued lowing cattle, with their tails uplifted, fled!

V

Warrior's Guerdon

Now with joy the king Virata to his royal city came, Saw the rescued herds of cattle, saw Uttara prince of fame,

Marked the great and gallant Arjun, helmet-wearing, armour-cased, Knew Yudhishthir and his brothers now as royal princes dressed,

And he greeted good Yudhishthir, truth-beloving brave and strong, And to valiant Arjun offered Matsya's princess fair and young!

”Pardon, monarch,” answered Arjun, ”but I may not take as bride, Matsya's young and beauteous princess whom I love with father's pride,

She hath often met me trusting in the inner palace hall, As a daughter on a father waited on my loving call!

I have trained her _kokil_ accents, taught her maiden steps in dance, Watched her skill and varied graces all her native charms enhance!

Pure is she in thought and action, spotless as my hero boy, Grant her to my son, O monarch, as his wedded wife and joy!

Abhimanyu trained in battle, handsome youth of G.o.dlike face, Krishna's sister, fair Subhadra, bore the child of princely grace!

Worthy of thy youthful daughter, pure in heart and undefiled, Grant it, sire, my Abhimanyu wed thy young and beauteous child!”

Answered Matsya's n.o.ble monarch with a glad and grateful heart: ”Words like these befit thy virtue, n.o.bly hast thou done thy part!

Be it as thou sayest, Arjun; unto Pandu's race allied, Matsya's royal line is honoured, Matsya's king is gratified!”

VI

The Wedding

Good Yudhishthir heard the tidings, and he gave his free a.s.sent, Unto distant chiefs and monarchs kindly invitations sent,

In the town of Upa-plavya, of fair Matsya's towns the best, Made their home the pious brothers to receive each royal guest.

Came unto them Kasi's monarch and his armed troopers came, And the king of fair Panchala with his sons of warlike fame,

Came the sons of fair Draupadi early trained in art of war, Other chiefs and sacrifices came from regions near and far.

Krishna decked in floral garlands with his elder brother came, And his sister fair Subhadra, Arjun's loved and longing dame,

Arjun's son brave Abhimanyu came upon his flowery car, And with elephants and chargers, troopers trained in art of war.

Vrishnis from the sea-girt Dwarka, bravo Andhakas known to fame, Bhojas from the mighty Chumbal with the righteous Krishna came,

He to gallant sons of Pandu made his presents rich and rare, Gems and gold and costly garments, slaves and damsels pa.s.sing fair.