understanding, he attained that supreme state of emancipation which is
regarded as Eternal. Therefore, thou also, O Kunti's son, ought not to
grieve. Deprived thou hast truly been of a flourishing kingdom, but thou
wilt regain it by thy ascetic austerities. Misery after happiness, and
happiness after misery, revolve by turns round a man even like the point
of a wheel's circumference round the axle. After the thirteenth year
hath passed away, thou wilt, O thou of immeasurable might, get back the
kingdom possessed before thee by thy father and grand-father. Therefore,
let the fever of thy heart depart!'"

Vaisampayana continued "Having said this to Pandu's son, the worshipful
Vyasa went back to his hermitage for the purpose of performing
austerities."

SECTION CCLX

Janamejaya said, "While the high-souled Pandavas were living in those
woods, delighted with the pleasant conversation they held with the
_Munis_, and engaged in distributing the food they obtained from the
sun, with various kinds of venison to Brahmanas and others that came to
them for edibles till the hour of Krishna's meal, how, O great _Muni_,
did Duryodhana and the other wicked and sinful sons of Dhritarashtra,
guided by the counsels of Dussasana, Karna and Sakuni, deal with them? I
ask thee this. Do thou, worshipful Sir, enlighten me."

Vaisampayana said, "When, O great king, Duryodhana heard that the
Pandavas were living as happily in the woods as in a city, he longed,
with the artful Karna, Dussasana and others, to do them harm. And while
those evil-minded persons were employed in concerting various wicked
designs, the virtuous and celebrated ascetic Durvasa, following the bent
of his own will, arrived at the city of the Kurus with ten thousand
disciples. And seeing the irascible ascetic arrived, Duryodhana and his
brothers welcomed him with great humility, self-abasement and
gentleness. And himself attending on the _Rishi_ as a menial, the prince
gave him a right worshipful reception. And the illustrious _Muni_ stayed
there for a few days, while king Duryodhana, watchful of his
imprecations, attended on him diligently by day and night. And sometimes
the _Muni_ would say, 'I am hungry, O king, give me some food quickly.'
And sometimes he would go out for a bath and, returning at a late hour,
would say, 'I shall not eat anything today as I have no appetite,' and
so saying would disappear from his sight. And sometimes, coming all on a
sudden, he wou