342 CRADLE TALES OF HINDUISM
A moment passed. " Duryodhana in Heaven !" he pondered, " and these my kinsmen fallen into Hell I Do I wake, or dream ? Or is all this some disorder of the brain ? What justice can there be in the Universe ? Nay, for this crime shall I abandon the very gods themselves ! " At these words, uttered within himself by his own mind, the wrath of an all-powerful monarch awoke in the heart of Yudisthira. " Go !" he thundered in anger, turning himself to his guide. " Return thou to the presence of those whose messenger thou art, and make known to them that I return not to their side. Here, where my brothers suffer, here, where my presence aids them, here and no other where, do I eternally abide ! "
The messenger bowed his head, and passed swiftly out of sight. Up to high Heaven passed he, carrying this defiance of Yudisthira, to Indra, Chief of Gods and Men. And the King stood alone in Hell, brooding over the unspeakable sufferings of his kinsfolk.
Not more than a moment had passed, when a cool and fragrant breeze began to blow. Light dawned. All the repulsive sights disappeared. The boulders of iron, the cauldrons of oil, and the thorny plants vanished from sight. And Yudisthira, raising his eyes, saw himself sur- rounded by the gods.
"These illusions," said they, " are ended.
