And followed by foremost of
Brahmanas uttering blessings all the way, the king in great gladness of
heart went towards the forest, eager for slaying the deer. And many
Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras, followed the monarch who was
like unto the king of the celestials seated on the back of a proud
elephant. The citizens and other classes followed the monarch for some
distance. And they at last refrained from going farther at the command of
the king. And the king, then, ascending his chariot of winged speed,
filled the whole earth and even the heavens, with the rattle of his
chariot wheels. And, as he went, he saw around him a forest like unto
Nandana itself (the celestial garden). And it was full of Vilwa, Arka,
Khadira (catechu), Kapittha (wood-apple) and Dhava trees. And he saw that
the soil was uneven and scattered over with blocks of stone loosened from
the neighbouring cliffs. And he saw that it was without water and without
human beings and lay extended for many Yojanas around. And it was full of
deer, and lions, and other terrible beasts of prey.
"And king Dushmanta, that tiger among men, assisted by his followers and
the warriors in his train, agitated that forest, killing numerous animals.
And Dushmanta, piercing them with his arrows, felled numerous tigers that
were within shooting range. And the king wounded many that were too
distant, and killed many that were too near with his heavy sword. And that
foremost of all wielders of darts killed many by hurling his darts at them.
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