in a stainless
race. Ye are of rigid vows. Having sported in joy in the regions of the
gods, ye shall come back to the world of men. Living happily as long as
the creation lasts, all of you at the next new creation will be admitted
among the gods, and enjoying all kinds of felicities ye will at last be
numbered among the Siddhas. Let no fear be yours. Be you cheerful."'"

SECTION CCLXXXI

"'Yudhishthira said, "How great was the love of virtue possessed by Vritra
of immeasurable energy, whose knowledge was incomparable and whose
devotion to Vishnu was so great. The status occupied by Vishnu of
immeasurable energy is exceedingly difficult of apprehension. How, O
tiger among kings, could Vritra (who was an Asura) comprehend it (so
well)? Thou hast spoken of Vritra's acts. I too have listened to thee in
full faith. In consequence, however, of my seeing that one point (in thy
discourse) is unintelligible (and that, therefore, it requires
explanation), my curiosity has been roused for questioning thee
again.[1387] How, indeed, was Vritra, who was virtuous, devoted to
Vishnu, endued with knowledge of truth derivable from a just
comprehension of the Upanishads and Vedanta, vanquished by Indra, O
foremost of men? O chief of the Bharatas, resolve me this doubt. Indeed,
tell me, O tiger among kings, how Vritra was vanquished by Sakra![1388] O
grandsire, O thou of mighty arms, tell me in detail how the battle took
place (between the chief of the deities and the foremost of Asuras). My
curiosity to hear it is very great."

"'Bhishma said, "In days of yore, Indra, accompanied by the celestial
forces, proceeded on his car, and beheld the Asura Vritra stationed
before him like a mountain. He was full five hundred Yojanas in height, O
chastiser of foes, and three hundred Yojanas in circumference. Beholding
that form of Vritra, which was incapable of being vanquished by the three
worlds united together, the celestial became penetrated with fear and
full of anxiety. Indeed, suddenly seeing that gigantic form of his
antagonist, O king, Indra was struck with palsy in the lower extremities.
Then, on the eve of that great battle between the deities and the Asuras,
there arose loud shouts from both sides, and drums and other musical
instruments began to beat and blow. Beholding Sakra stationed before him,
O thou of Kuru's race, Vritra felt neither awe nor fear, nor was he
disposed to muster all his energies for the fight.[1389] Then the