Vaishampayana said O king, at the destruction of Kichaka and his brothers and thinking of this calamity, people were filled with surprise.

All over the city and provinces, it was widely known that the kings Vallabha and Kichaka were both brave and powerful heroes.

The wicked-minded Kichaka was the oppressor of men and the ravisher of soldier's wives; that vicious, wicked man has been slain by the Gandharvas.

It is in this way, O great king, that people of various countries spoke about the irrepressible Kichaka, the slayer of hostile armies.

In the meantime spies, engaged by Dhritarashtra's son, searching many villages, provinces and cities.

Accomplishing all they had been commanded and seeing all countries, returned to the city; being successful (in one thing).

Then beholding Dhritarashtra's son, king Duryodhana of the Kuru race, seated in his court, with Drona, Karna, Kripa, the noble Bhishma, his brothers and the great heroes, the Trigarthas, they said to him.

The spies said O king of men, we have with great care searched the sons of Pandu in that huge forest.

Solitary, abounding in wild animals, filled with various trees, creepers, entwining creepers and various groves.

1But we haven failed to find out the way (stamped) with their footsteps, by which the highly powerful sons of Pritha might have gone.

On mountain summits, in fastness, in various countries, in provinces filled with men, in encampments and cities.

We have made many inquires, O king, but we have not found out the Pandavas; may good betide you. O king; it seems they have perished.

O foremost of car-warriors, we pursued (also) the track of those car-warriors, but O foremost of men, we have not found out their whereabouts and movements.

O king of men, for sometime we pursued their charioteers; and making due enquiries we have got at the truth.

O slayer of enemies, the charioteers reached, Dvaravati without the son of Pritha. O king, there is neither Krishna nor are the Pandavas of great vows.

They have all perished. We bow to you. O foremost of Bharata. We do no know the movements and whereabouts of those highsouled ones.

We know of the inclination of ht Pandavas and some of their deeds. After this, give us instructions, O king, O lord of men.

As to what we should again do in our search after the Pandavas. O heroes, listen to these pleasing words tending to your wellbeing.

Oking, the Trigarthas were repeatedly vanquished by the great prowess of Kichaka, the charioteer of the king of Matsya.

O descendant of Bharata, that vicioussouled one lies slain on earth with his brother by some invisible Gandharvas at night.

Hearing this pleasant news of the defeat of our enemy, do you decide, O Kauravya, as to what you should do hereafter.