Section XXXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira Susarman was overwhelmed with shame and hung down his head. And liberated (from slavery), he went to king Virata, and having saluted the monarch, took his departure. And the Pandavas also replying on the might of their own arms, and endued with modesty and observant of vows, having slain their enemies and liberated Susarman, passed that night happily on the field of battle. And Virata gratified those mighty warriors, the sons of Kunti, possessed of super-human prowess with wealth and honour.

And Virata said,

"All these gems of mine are now as much mine as yours. Do you according to your pleasure live here happily. And you smiter of foes in battle, I will bestow on you damsels decked with ornaments, wealth in plenty, and other things that you may like. Delivered from perils today by your prowess, I am now crowned with victory. Do you all become the lords of the Matsyas.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And when the king of the Matsyas had addressed them thus, those descendants of the Kurus with Yudhishthira at their head, joining their hands, severally replied unto him saying,

'We are well-pleased with all that you sayest, O monarch. We, however, have been much gratified that you have today been freed from your foes.'

Thus answered, that foremost of kings, Virata the lord of the Matsyas, again addressed Yudhishthira, saying,

'Come, we will install you in sovereignty of the Matsyas. And we will also bestow on you things that are rare on earth and are objects of desire, for you deserves everything at our hands. O foremost of Brahmanas of the Vaiyaghra order I will bestow on you gems and kine and gold and rubies and pearls. I bow unto you. It is owing to you that I once more behold today my sons and kingdom. Afflicted and threatened as I had been with disaster and danger, it is through your prowess that I have not succumbed to the foe.'

Then Yudhishthira again addressed the Matsyas, saying,

'Well-pleased are we with the delightful words that you have spoken. Mayst you be ever happy, always practising humanity towards all creatures. Let messengers now, at your command, speedily repair into the city, in order to communicate the glad tidings to our friends, and proclaim your victory.

Hearing these words of him, king Matsya ordered the messengers, saying,'

'Do you repair to the city and proclaim my victory in battle. And let damsels and courtesons, decked in ornaments, come out of the city with every kind of musical instruments.'

Hearing this command uttered by the king of the Matsyas, the men, laying the mandate on their head, all departed with cheerful hearts. And having repaired to the city that very night, they proclaimed at the hour of sunrise the victory of the king about the city-gates.'"