thee to hear the
account which will only augment my pain? Know me, O king of men, to be
Vrihannala, a son or daughter without father or mother.'

"Virata said, 'O Vrihannala, I give thee what thou desirest. Instruct my
daughter, and those like her, in dancing. To me, however, this office
seemeth unworthy of thee. Thou deservest (the dominion of) the entire
earth girt round by the ocean.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "The king of the Matsyas then tested Vrihannala
in dancing, music, and other fine arts, and consulting with his various
ministers forthwith caused him to be examined by women. And learning
that this impotency was of a permanent nature, he sent him to the
maiden's apartments. And there the mighty Arjuna began giving lessons in
singing and instrumental music to the daughter of Virata, her friends,
and her waiting-maids, and soon won their good graces. And in this
manner the self-possessed Arjuna lived there in disguise, partaking of
pleasures in their company, and unknown to the people within or without
the palace."

SECTION XII

Vaisampayana said, "After a while, another powerful son of Pandu was
seen making towards king Virata in haste. And as he advanced, he seemed
to everyone like solar orb emerged from the clouds. And he began to
observe the horses around. And seeing this, the king of the Matsyas said
to his followers, 'I wonder whence this man, possessed of the effulgence
of a celestial, cometh. He looks intently at my steeds. Verily, he must
be proficient in horse-lore. Let him be ushered into my presence
quickly. He is a warrior and looks like a god!' And that destroyer of
foes then went up to the king and accosted him, saying, 'Victory to
thee, O king, and blest be ye. As a trainer of horses, I have always
been highly esteemed by kings. I will be a clever keeper of thy horses.'

"Virata said, 'I will give thee vehicles, wealth, and spacious quarters.
Thou shalt be the manager of my horses. But first tell me whence thou
comest, who thou art, and how also thou happenest to come here. Tell us
also all the arts thou art master of.' Nakula replied, 'O mower of
enemies, know that Yudhishthira is the eldest brother of the five sons
of Pandu. I was formerly employed by him to keep his horses. I am
acquainted with the temper of steeds, and know perfectly the art of
breaking them. I know also how to correct vicious horses, and all the
methods of treating their diseases. No animal in my hands becometh weak