336 CRADLE TALES OF HINDUISM
Heaven. Nor could any one of us, indeed, accept felicity, if the delicate Draupadi, our Queen, were banished to regions of hardship. Let all therefore go in with me."
"But thou shalt behold them all when thou reachest the abodes of blessedness," said the god, '< Verily they have but ascended there before thee. Wherefore yield thee not to grief, O Chief of the Bharatas 1 But rise with me in this thy mortal form."
The King bowed his head in acceptance of the invitation, and stood aside to let the dog go first into the chariot.
But Indra intervened. '* To-day, O King, thou hast won immortality I Happiness and victory and a throne like unto my own, are thine. Bui send away this dog 1 Enjoy what thou hast achieved ! "
"How difficult is it to an Aryan," said Yudis- thira, *' to do a deed unworthy of an Aryan I How could I enjoy that prosperity for which I had cast off one who was devoted ? "
Said Indra, << For men with dogs there is no place in Heaven. Thou art the Just ! Abandon thou this dog I In doing this will be no cruelty."
But Yudisthira answered slowly, '^ Nay, great Indra, to abandon one who has loved us is infinitely sinful. Never till my life ends shall I give up the terrified, nor one who has shown me
