Then the priest of
the lunar race--a holy Brahmana conversant with all mantras--ignited the
sacrificial fire and poured on it with due rites libations of clarified
butter. And gratifying Agni by these libations and making the Brahmanas
utter the auspicious formula of benediction, stopped the musical
instruments that were playing all around. And when that vast amphitheatre,
O monarch, became perfectly still, Dhrishtadyumna possessed of a voice
deep as the sound of the kettledrum or the clouds, taking hold of his
sister's arm, stood in the midst of that concourse, and said, with a voice
loud and deep as the roar of the clouds, these charming words of excellent
import, 'Hear ye assembled kings, this is the bow, that is the mark, and
these are the arrows. Shoot the mark through the orifice of the machine
with these five sharpened arrows. Truly do I say that, possessed of
lineage, beauty of persons, and strength whoever achieveth this great feat
shall obtain today this my sister, Krishna for his wife.' Having thus
spoken unto the assembled monarchs Drupada's son then addressed his sister,
reciting unto her the names and lineages and achievements of those
assembled lords of the earth.'"
SECTION CLXXXVIII
(Swayamvara Parva continued)
"Dhrishtadyumna said, 'Duryodhana, Durvisaha, Durmukha and
Dushpradharshana, Vivinsati, Vikarna, Saha, and Duhsasana; Yuyutsu and
Vayuvega and Bhimavegarava; Ugrayudha, Valaki, Kanakayu, and Virochana,
Sukundala, Chitrasena, Suvarcha, and Kanakadhwaja; Nandaka, and Vahusali,
and Tuhunda, and Vikata; these, O sister, and many other mighty sons of
Dhritarashtra--all heroes--accompanied by Karna, have come for thy hand.
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