rated and
sacred spots in company with the high-souled Lomasa. Now, O Bhima, how
shall we repair to the sacred abode of Vaisravana, inhabited by the
Siddhas? Do thou think of the means of entering (the same).'"

Vaisampayana said, "When that king had said this, an aerial voice spake,
saying. 'Thou will not be able to go to that inaccessible spot. By this
very way, do thou repair from this region of Kuvera to the place whence
thou hadst come even to the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, known by the
name of Vadari. Thence, O Kaunteya, thou wilt repair to the hermitage of
Vrishaparva, abounding in flowers and fruit, and inhabited by the
Siddhas and the Charanas. Having passed that, O Partha, thou wilt
proceed to the hermitage of Arshtishena, and from thence thou wilt behold
the abode of Kuvera.' Just at that moment the breeze became fresh, and
gladsome and cool and redolent of unearthly fragrance; and it showered
blossoms, And on hearing the celestial voice from the sky, they all were
amazed,--more specially those earthly _rishis_ and the Brahmanas. On
hearing this mighty marvel, the Brahmana Dhaumya, said, 'This should not
be gainsaid. O Bharata, let this be so.' Thereupon, king Yudhishthira
obeyed him. And having returned to the hermitage of Nara and Narayana,
he began to dwell pleasantly, surrounded by Bhimasena and his other
brothers, Panchali, and the Brahmanas."

SECTION CLVI

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus dwelling with the Brahmanas in that best
of mountains, in expectation of Arjuna's return, when the Pandavas had
grown confident and when all those Rakshasas together with Bhima's son
had departed, one day while Bhimasena was away, a Rakshasa all of a
sudden carried off Yudhishthira the just and the twins and Krishna. That
Rakshasa (in the guise of a Brahmana) had constantly remained in the
company of the Pandavas, alleging that he was a high-class Brahmana,
skilled in counsel, and versed in all the _Sastras_. His object was to
possess himself of the bows, the quivers and the other material
implements belonging to the Pandavas; and he had been watching for an
opportunity of ravishing Draupadi. And that wicked and sinful one was
named Jatasura. And, O king of kings, Pandu's son (Yudhishthira) had
been supporting him, but knew not that wretch like unto a fire covered
with ashes.

"And once on a day while that represser of foes, Bhimasena, was out
hunting, he (the Rakshasa), seeing Ghatotkacha and his followers sc