Markandeya said: O mighty-armed one, thus, in days of old Rama of unrivalled energy had experienced such a terrible disaster owing to his being exiled in the forests.

O most valiant of men, do not (therefore) lament (over your misfortune); for, O tormentor of foes, you are a Kshatriya. You are journeying along the path which calls forth the prowess of arms and which is calculated to lead to sure success.

(By following this path) you have not incurred even an atom of sin. The gods together with Indra and the Asuras have (sometimes) to adopt this path.

(It was by adopting this path) that the wielder of the thunderbolt (Indra) together with the Marutas slew Vritra, the invincible Namuchi and the Rakshasa female Dirghajivha.

In this world, he, that is backed up, has all his desires gratified. What is there that cannot be overcome by him in battle whose brother is Dhananjaya?

This Bhima of terrible prowess is the strongest of the strong; and the two youthful and heroic sons of Madravati are mighty bowmen.

Why, then, O tormentor of foes, do you grieve, since you have such supporters, as are capable of vanquishing the forces of the wielder of the thunderbolt together with the Marutas?

O best of the Bharatas, with these mighty bowmen of celestials appearance you will surely conquer in battle all your enemies.

Just see, these high-minded (brothers of yours) after achieving terrible feats (of arms) have rescued this daughter of Drupada carried off by the evil-minded Saindhava puffed up with pride and power. (And they) have also vanquished and reduced to subjection king Jayadratha.

Again, the princess of Videha was rescued by Rama with almost no allies after having slain in battle the terribly-powerful ten-necked.

Consider this, O king, by (the exercise of your) intelligence, that his (Rama's) only allies were the bears and the monkeys born in other orders of creation.

Therefore, O best of the Kurus, O most exalted of the Bharata, do not grieve over all this. O tormentor of foes, high-minded men like you never give way to sorrow.

Vaishampayana said : Thus consoled by the intelligent Markandeya, the large-hearted king giving up his sorrow again spoke to Markandeya.