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MAHABHARATA

enemies. Assailed with a mighty shower of weapons, Viswamitra's troops broke and fled, panic-stricken, in all directions before his very eyes. But, O bull in Bharata's race, the troops of Vasistha, though excited with wrath, took not the life of any of Viswamitra's troops. Nandini simply caused the monarch's army to be rooted and driven off. And driven (from the asylum) twenty-seven full miles, panic-stricken, they shrieked aloud and behold not anyone that could protect them. Viswamitra, beholding this wonderful feat that resulted from Brahmana prowess, became disgusted with Kshatriya prowess and said.-, fie on Kshatriya prowess ! Brahmana prowess is true prowess! In judging of strength and weakness, I see that asceticism is true strength -Saying this, the monarch, abandoning his large domains and regal splendour and turning his back upon all pleasures, set bis mind on asceticism. Crowned with success in asceticism and filling the three worlds with the heat of his ascetic penances, he afflicted all creatures and finally became a Brahmana. The son of Kusika at last drank Soma with Indra himself (in Heaven)."

Thus ends the hundred and seventy-seventh section in the Chaitraratha Parva of the Adi Parva.

SECTION CLXXVIII

(Chaitra-ratha Parva continued)

"The Gandharva continued, "There was, O Partha, a king in this world, named Kalmashapada, who was the race of Ikshaku and was unequalled on earth for prowess. One day the king went from his capital into the woods for purposes of hunting, and this grinder of foes pierced (with his arrows) many deer and wild boars. And in those deep woods the king also slew many thinoceroses. Engaged in sport for some length of time, the monarch became very much fatigued and at last he gave up the chase, desiring to rest a while.

The great Viswamitra, endued with energy, had, a little while ago, desired to make chat monarch his disciple. As the monarch, afflicted with hunger and thurst, was proceeding through the woods, he came across that best of Rishis, the illustrious son of Vasistha coming along the same path. The king ever victorious in battle saw that Muni bear. ing the name of Saktri, that illustrious propagator of Vasistha's race, the eldest of the high-souled Vasistha's hundred sons, coming along from opposite direction. The king, beholding him said.-Stand out of our way-The Rishi, addressing the monarch in a conciliatory manner,