Vaishampayana said : The greatly effulgent great bowman Arjuna then smilingly thus spoke to Chitrasena in the midst of the Gandharvas soldiers.

"O hero, what purpose do you serve by punishing the Kurus? Why do you persecute Duryodhana with his wives."

Chitrasena said : O Dhananjaya, I knew long before the (real) purpose of the wicked Duryodhana and the wretched Karna in coming here.

That purpose is this, knowing that you are exiled in the forest and suffering great afflictions, as if you had no one to take care of you, himself in prosperity, this wretch desired to see you in adversity and misfortune.

They came here to mock you and the illustrious Draupadi. Knowing their purpose the lord of the celestials thus spoke to me,

"Go and bring Duryodhana in chains with all his counsellors. Protect Dhananjaya with all his brothers in battle; he is my dear friend and that Pandava is also my disciple.”

At these words of the lord of the celestials, I speedily came here. The wicked wretch is now in chains, I shall go to the abode of the celestials. I shall now take this wicked-minded one at the command of the slayer of Paka.

Arjuna said : O Chitrasena, if you wish to do what is agreeable to me, then set Duryodhana free at the command of Dharmaraja, he is our brother.

Chitrasena said : This sinful wretch is always full of vanity. He deserves not to be let off. O Dhananjaya, he has deceived and wronged both Dharmaraja and Krishna (Draupadi). The son of Kunti Yudhishthira knows not the purpose in which this wretch came here. Let the king therefore do what he likes after knowing everything.

Vaishampayana said: Thereupon all of them went to king Yudhishthira. Going to him they told all that had happened.

Ajatshatru (Yudhishthira), having heard the words of the Gandharva, asked to set them all free and he also praised the Gandharva.

(He said), “It is fortunate for us that though you possess great prowess, you did not kill the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana) with all his counsellors and relatives.

O sir, this is a great kindness that has been shown to me by the Gandharvas. The honour of my family is also saved by liberating the wicked wretch.

I am pleased to see you all. Command me what I can do for you. Having received all that you desire to have, go back to the place whence you came."

Thus requested by the greatly intelligent Pandava, the Gandharvas became greatly delighted. They went away with the Apsaras with Chitrasena at their head.

The lord of the celestials then came there and vivified with the celestials Ambrosia all those Gandharvas that were killed in the battle with the Kurus.

The Pandavas also, having rescued their relatives with the ladies of the royal household and having achieved that great feat, became exceedingly delighted.

Those illustrious car-warriors, worshipped by the Kurus with their sons and wives, blazed forth in splendour, as a fire blazes in a sacrifice.

Then Yudhishthira thus spoke out of affection to the liberated Duryodhana in the midst of his brothers.

"O child, O descendant of Bharata never again commit such a rash act. A rash man never becomes happy.

Kuru prince, be blessed with all your brothers. Go back home as pleases you without any despondency or cheerlessness."

Having been thus dismissed by the Pandavas, Duryodhana saluted the son of Dharma (Yudhishthira). Overwhelmed with shame, his heart appeared as if rent in two. He mechanically started for his city as destitute of life.

When that Kuru (Duryodhana), had gone away, the son of Kunti Yudhishthira with his brothers was worshipped by the Brahmanas. Surrounded by these great ascetics, as Indra by the celestials, he lived in great happiness in that forest of Dvaitavana. one