This seemed too good to be true, even to the fond father, but Yudhishthira smilingly reassured him. Said he: "Have no doubts, O king. What the messengers say must be true.

When Brihannala went out as charioteer, success was certain. There is nothing extraordinary in your son's victory. Ihappen to know that even Indra's charioteer or Krishna's cannot equal Brihannala."

This seemed absurd to Virata, but he was too happy to resent it. He made large gifts of precious stones and other wealth to the messengers who brought the good news and ordered public rejoicing. "My success over Susarma is nothing," he proclaimed. "The prince's is the real victory.

Let special prayers of I thanksgiving be offered at all places of worship. Let all the principal streets are decorated with flags and the citizen’s go in procession tostrains of triumphal music. Make all arrangements to receive, in a befitting manner, my lion- hearted boy."