Pandavas with Vaisravana (Kuvera), and the meeting with Arjuna after he had obtained for the purpose of Yudhishthira many celestial weapons, then Arjuna's terrible encounter with the Nivatakavachas dwelling in Hiranya parva, and also with the Paulomas, and the Kalakeyas ; their destruction at the hands of Arjuna ; the commencement of the display of the celestial weapons by Arjuna before Yudhishthira, the prevention of the same by Narada ; the descent of the Pandavas from Gandhamadana; the seizure of Bhima in the forest by a mighty serpent buge as the mountain ; his release from the coils of the snake, upon Yudhishthira's answering certain questions; the return of the Pandavas to the Kamyaka woods. Here is described the reappearance of Vasudeva to see the mighty sons of Pandu ; the arrival of Markandeya, and various recitals; the history of Prithu the son of Vena recited by the great Rishi; the stories of Saraswati and the Rishi Tarkhya. After these, is the story of Matsya : other old stories recited by Markandeya ; the stories of Indradyumna and Dhundhumara ; then the history of the chaste wife; the history of Angira, the meeting and conversation of Draupadi and Satyabhama; the return of the Pandavas to the forest of Dwaita ; then the procession to see the calves and the captivity of Duryodhana ; and when the wretch was being carried off, his rescue by Arjuna ; here is Yudhishthira's dream of the deer; then the re-entry of the Pandavas into the Kamyaka forest, here also is the long story of Vribidraunika. Here also is recited the story of Durvasa; then the abduction by Jayadratha of Draupadi from the asylum ; the pursuit of the ravisher by Bhima swift as the air and the ill-shaving of Jayadratha's crown at Bhima's hand. Here is the long history of Rama in which is shown how Rama by his prowess slew Ravana in battle. Here also is narrated the story of Savitri ; then Karna's deprivation by Indra of his ear-rings; then the presentation to Karna by the gratified Indra of a Sakti (missile weapon) which had the virtue of killing only one person against whom it might be hurled ; then the story called Aranya in which Dharma (the god of justice) gave advice to his son (Yudhishthira); in which, besides is recited how the Pandavas after having obtained a boon went towards the west. These are all included in the third Parva called Aranyaka, consisting of two hundred and sixty-nine sections. The number of slokas is eleven thousand, six hundred and sixty-four.
"The extensive Parva that comes next is called Virata. The Pandavas arriving at the dominions of Virata saw in a cemetery on the outskirts of the city a large shami tree whereon they kept their weapons, Here hath been recited their entry into the city and their stay there in disguise. Then the slaying by Bhima of the wicked
