handsome and ever victorious
elephant--Airavata--furnished with four tusks, and resembling the
mountain of Kailasa with its summits. And coursing along that path of
the _Siddhas_, that foremost of the Kurus and the son of Pandu, sat in
beauty like Mandhata--that best of kings. Endued with eyes like lotus
leaves, he passed through the region set apart for virtuous kings. And
the celebrated Arjuna having thus passed through successive regions of
heaven at last beheld _Amaravati_, the city of Indra."

SECTION XLIII

Vaisampayana said, "And the city of Indra which Arjuna saw was
delightful and was the resort of _Siddhas_ and _Charanas_. And it was
adorned with the flowers of every season, and with sacred trees of all
kinds. And he beheld also celestial gardens called _Nandana_--the
favourite resort of Apsaras. And fanned by the fragrant breezes charged
with the farina of sweet-scented flowers, the trees with their lord of
celestial blossoms seemed to welcome him amongst them. And the region
was such that none could behold it who had not gone through ascetic
austerities, or who had not poured libations on fire. It was a region
for the virtuous alone, and not for those who had turned their back on
the field of battle. And none were competent to see it who had not
performed sacrifices or observed rigid vows, or who were without a
knowledge of the Vedas, or who had not bathed in sacred waters, or who
were not distinguished for sacrifices and gifts. And none were competent
to see it who were disturbers of sacrifices, or who were low, or who
drank intoxicating liquors, or who were violators of their preceptors'
bed, or who were eaters of (unsanctified) meat, or who were wicked. And
having beheld those celestial gardens resounding with celestial music,
the strong-armed son of Pandu entered the favourite city of Indra. And
he beheld there celestial cars by thousands, capable of going everywhere
at will, stationed in proper places. And he saw tens of thousands of
such cars moving in every direction. And fanned by pleasant breezes
charged with the perfumes of flowers, the son of Pandu was praised by
Apsaras and Gandharvas. And the celestials then, accompanied by the
Gandharvas and Siddhas and great Rishis, cheerfully reverenced Pritha's
son of white deeds. Benedictions were poured upon him, accompanied by
the sounds of celestial music. The strong-armed son of Pritha then heard
around him the music of conchs and drums. And praised