Vaishampayana said Having recovered speedily his wealth, Virata, the master of the army entered delightedly the city with the four Pandavas.

Having defeated the Trigartas in battle and rescued the kine, the king shone there, in the inidst of the Partha's.

All the heroes, with the sons of Pritha, worshipped the heroic (Virata) the increaser of friend's joy, who was seated on his throne.

All his subjects, along with the Brahmanas and the soldiers, came and adored him. Welcoming them, the king of Matsya sent away the Brahmanas and the subjects. Then the king of Matsya's, Virata, the commander of armies, enquired of Uttara and said “Where has he gone?” Then all the females and girls of the inner apartments said “The kine were taken away by the Kurus. Out o excessive bravery, the conqueror of the earth alone, with Brihannala as his help, went out to vanquish them-the six powerful car-warriors Bhishma the son of Shantanu, Kripa, Karna, Duryodhana, Drona and Drona's son, who all have come.”

Hearing that his brave son had gone out with only one car and Brihannala as his charioteer, the king Virata was filled with sorrow and said to his leading ministers:

“Hearing of the discomfiture of the Trigartas, all the Kurus and other kings will not surely wait there.

Let those of my warriors, who have not been wounded by Trigartas, go out with a highly powerful army to rescue Uttara."

Saying this, the king Virata soon dispatched for his son, horses, elephants, cars, and a large number of infantry, decked with various dresses and ornaments.

Virata, the king of Matsya's and commander of armies, ordered out speedily an army consisting of four divisions.

He said: “Learn without delay, if the prince is still alive or not. Methinks, he, who has got an useless person for his charioteer, is not yet alive.

Then the king Yudhishthira smilingly said to the king Virata, who was greatly stricken with sorrow. If Brihannala has been his charioteer, the enemies will not be able to take away the kine.

Well guarded by that charioteer, your son will be able to defeat all the kings allied with the Kurus, as well as all the celestials, Asuras and Yakshas.

In the meantime, the swiftly coursing emissaries, dispatched by Uttara, reached the city and announced the victory.

The messenger then described to the king everything-the excellent victory, the defeat of the Kurus, and the expected arrival of Uttara. He said: "All the kine have been rescued, the Kurus have been vanquished, and Uttara, the slayer of enemies, fares well with his charioteer.”

Yudhishthira said "By good luck it is, that the kine have been rescued and the Kurus have fled away. I do not consider it strange, that your son defeated the Kurus. Victory is secure to him who has got Brihannala as his charioteer.”

Hearing of the victory of his son of immeasurable energy, the king Virata was greatly delighted, and the hairs of his body stood up.

Then having covered the messengers with presents, he said to the ministers "Let my highway be decorated with flags."

"Let all the gods be adored with presents of flowers. Let the princes, leading warriors, harlots adorned with ornaments."

And all the musicians go out to receive iny son. Let the man who rings the bell, riding an infuriated elephant.

Announce my victory at the meeting of the four roads. Let Uttara, too, encircled by many princesses, dressed and adorned in a charming style, go out to receive my son.

Hearing the words of the king, all the citizens, with auspicious things in their hands, with cymbals, trumpets and conchs, and gorgeously attired handsome ladies, reciters of hymns, and many other musicians, went out to welcome the highly powerful son of Virata.

Having ordered out soldiers, maidens and well-adorned harlots, the wise king delightedly said these words.

“Bring the dice, O Sairandhri, and let us play, O Kanka.” To him then speaking, We have heard that one, in an ecstasy of joy, should not gamble . I do not wish to play with you today who are filled with joy. I always wish to do you good. If you (still wish), begin.

Virata said Females, kine, gold and other riches whatever I have, nothing you will be able to keep today even if I do not gamble.

Kanka said "O king, O giver of honours, what have you to do with gambling which is attended with so many evils. There are many evils in gambling, and so you should avoid it.

You might have heard, if not seen, that the king Yudhishthira lost his vast and prosperous kingdom, his god-like brothers, and everything at a game of dice. I, therefore, do not like this game. If you, however, like, O king, I shall begin.”

While the play was going on, the Matsya king said to Yudhishthira "Even so very fearful Kauravas have been defeated in battle by my son." Whereto Yudhishthira replied “Why should he not conquer who has got Brihannala as his charioteer?"

At this, being enraged, the king of Matsya's said to the son of Pandu: “O wretch of a Brahman, you speak highly of an eunuch as compared with my son.

Have you not an idea of what is proper and what is not proper? Forsooth, you insult me. Why should he not defcat all the heroes headed by Bhishma and Drona?

For the sake of friendship, O Brahmana, I forgive you for this offence. You must not speak so again, if you wish to live."

Yudhishthira said There, where Drona, Bhishma Drona's son, Vikartanas son, Kripa, the king Duryodhana, and other kings and car-warriors are, and where Indra himself is surrounded by Maruts, who else, save Brihannala, can fight with them, all collectively.

None has been and none will be his equal in strength of arms. It is he only who takes delight on seeing a mighty encounter. Why should he not come off victorious, being aided by him who defeated all the celestials, the Asuras and the human beings, assembled together?

Virata said “Although prevented by me repeatedly, you do not control your speech. If there is none to govern, who will practise virtues?"

Vaishampayana said Saying this, the king, worked up with anger, siruck Yudhishthira on the face with a dice, and remonstrated with him in anger. Having been struck with great force, blood began to glow from his nose. But Partha held it in his hands so that it mighty not fall on the ground.

The pious Yudhishthira then looked at Draupadi who was standing by his side. Understanding his intention, that faultless one, ever obedient to her husband, brought a golden vessel filled with water, and held the blood that flowed from his nose.

In the meantime, Uttara, covered with various perfumes and garlands, slowly entered the city with delight.

He was welcomed by the citizens, females and villagers. Arrived at the gate, he sent news to his father. The waiter, approaching the king Virata said: “Your son waits at the gate with Brihannala as his help.”

The king of Matsya then said with delight to the porter. “Bring them here-I am anxious to see them.” Then Yudhishthira whispered to the porter. “Let Uttara alone come, and not Brihannala.

That mighty-armed hero has taken this vow that whoever shall wound my body or shed my blood except in battle, shall never live. Greatly angered, he will never see me bleeding but will kill Virata with his counsellors, horses and soldiers."

Vaishampayana said Then the eldest son of the king, Bhuminjaya, entered there. Having saluted the feet of his father, he approached Kanka. He saw him there, bathed in blood, sitting on the ground, at one end of the court, attended upon by Sairandhri.

Uttara, then, in a hurry, asked his father “Who has struck him, Oking? Who has committed this iniquity?"

Virata said : “This wily Brahmana has been struck by me. He deserves even more than this. When I was speaking highly of you, heroic as you are, he praised a eunuch.”

Uttara said: "You have committed a great sin. Please him soon so that the deadly venom of Brahmana's curse may not consume you to the very roots.

Hearing the words of his son Virata, enhancer of the state begged pardon with the son of Kunti, radiant like fire within ashes,

Seeking forgiveness him, the son of Pandu said the king that I have taken the vow of pardon, so I have no anger in my mind.

Forsooth, If the blood comes out from my nose, and falls on the ground, O king, you with your kingdom would have been destroyed.

O king! Do not censure anybody and killing of others is a sinful act, but sometimes mighty king as you is bound to take this cruel step.

Vaishampayana sajd When the bleeding had stopped, Brihannala entered the room and having saluted Virata and Kanka, stood silent.

Having pacified Yudhishthira, the king began to praise Uttara in the hearing of Arjuna. "O descendant of Kaikeya, in you I have truly got a son. Like you I never had nor shall have a son."

O son! How did you fight with that Karna who on his one target releases arrows for thousand targets unfailingly. And how did you meet in battle with who is unequal to any person in this world.

O son! How did you fight with that twiceborn Drona, who is preceptor of the Vishni heroes and sons of Kurus, preceptor of all the Kshatriyas and the foremost among the armed soldiers.

How is the battle was that of Ashvatthama with you, the son of your preceptor who was the best among the warriors and armed heroes.

As a Vaishya becomes much distressed on destruction of his wealth, the warriors seeing Kripa become f}accid. How did you fight with them.

O son, how was that your encounter with prince Duryodhana, who had broken the hills by his great arrows.

O son! The Kuru sons had been kidnapped the kine wealth, you regain it. I feel great pleasure, wind also delighted me.

Forsooth, o foremost of men, having routed the enemy of having great streinght but afraid, you have snatched away from them by precious kine like a tiger his prey.