t purpose, when Arjuna and Bhima arrive in search
of him.

On finding the seniors there, Arjuna purposes to withdraw; but Bhima
insists on first addressing them, which they do, but in insulting terms.

Dhritarashtra, reproaching them for this language, is told they use it
not in pride, but in requital of his having witnessed, without
interfering to prevent, the oppression and barbarous treatment the
Pandavas experienced from his sons. Duryodhana interferes and defies
Bhima, who is equally anxious for the combat; but Arjuna prevents it,
and the brothers are called off by a summons from Yudhishthira, who
orders the battle to cease for the day and the dead bodies of either
party to be burnt. Aswatthama is now disposed to be reconciled to
Duryodhana; but the prince receives his advances coldly, and he
withdraws in disgust. Dhritarashtra sends Sanjaya after him to persuade
him to overlook Duryodhana's conduct. Duryodhana mounts his car, and the
aged couple seek the tent of Salya, the king of Madra.

Duryodhana is discovered concealed in a swamp, and compelled to fight
with Bhimasena, by whom he is slain. Yudhisthira orders public
rejoicings on the occasion.

Charvaka, a Rakshasa disguised as a sage, then enters, requiring rest
and water. He relates that he has seen Arjuna engaged with Duryodhana,
Bhima having been previously slain by the latter, and gives his hearers
to understand that Arjuna also has fallen. Draupadi determines to mount
the funeral pile, and Yudhishthira, to put an end to himself when the
Rakshasa, satisfied with the success of his scheme, which was intended
to prevail on this couple to perish, departs. The pile is prepared, and
Yudhishthira and Draupadi are about to sacrifice themselves, when they
are disturbed by a great clamour. Supposing it to precede the approach
of Duryodhana, Yudhishthira calls for his arms, when Bhima, his club
besmeared with blood, rushes in. Draupadi runs away; he catches her by
the hair, and is seized by Yudhishthira--on which the mistake is
discovered.

The braid of Draupadi's hair is now again bound up. Arjuna and Vasudeva
arrive, and announce that they have heard of the fraud of Charvaka. On
hearing that the mendicant is slain by Nakula, Krishna expresses great
satisfaction.

CHANDA KAUSIKA

OR

THE OFFENDED VISWAMITRA.

Maharaja Harischandra, a scion of the solar race, a powerful king,
endowed with uncommon virtues and skilled in all arts, sees a vision of