'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'With these words king Drupada proclaimed the
Swayamvara. On hearing of them, O Bharata, the kings of other lands came
to his capital. And there came also many illustrious Rishis desirous of
beholding the Swayamvara. And there came also, O king, Duryodhana and the
Kurus accompanied by Karna. There also came many superior Brahmanas from
every country. And the monarchs who came there were all received with
reverence by the illustrious Drupada. Desirous of beholding the Swayamvara,
the citizens, roaring like the sea, all took their seats on the platforms
that were erected around the amphitheatre. The monarch entered the grand
amphitheatre by the north-eastern gate. And the amphitheatre which itself
had been erected on an auspicious and level plain to the north-east of
Drupada's capital, was surrounded by beautiful mansions. And it was
enclosed on all sides with high walls and a moat with arched doorways here
and there. The vast amphitheatre was also shaded by a canopy of various
colours. And resounding with the notes of thousands of trumpets, it was
scented with black aloes and sprinkled all over with water mixed with
sandal-paste and decorated with garlands of flowers. It was surrounded
with high mansions perfectly white and resembling the cloud-kissing peaks
of Kailasa. The windows of those mansions were covered with net works of
gold; the walls were set with diamonds and precious costly carpets and
cloths. All those mansions adorned with wreaths and garlands of flowers
and rendered fragrant with excellent aloes, were all white and spotless,
like unto the necks of swans.
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