SECTION XII

Vaisampayana said, "After a while, another powerful son of Pandu was
seen making towards king Virata in haste. And as he advanced, he seemed
to everyone like solar orb emerged from the clouds. And he began to
observe the horses around. And seeing this, the king of the Matsyas said
to his followers, 'I wonder whence this man, possessed of the effulgence
of a celestial, cometh. He looks intently at my steeds. Verily, he must
be proficient in horse-lore. Let him be ushered into my presence
quickly. He is a warrior and looks like a god!' And that destroyer of
foes then went up to the king and accosted him, saying, 'Victory to
thee, O king, and blest be ye. As a trainer of horses, I have always
been highly esteemed by kings. I will be a clever keeper of thy horses.'

"Virata said, 'I will give thee vehicles, wealth, and spacious quarters.
Thou shalt be the manager of my horses. But first tell me whence thou
comest, who thou art, and how also thou happenest to come here. Tell us
also all the arts thou art master of.' Nakula replied, 'O mower of
enemies, know that Yudhishthira is the eldest brother of the five sons
of Pandu. I was formerly employed by him to keep his horses. I am
acquainted with the temper of steeds, and know perfectly the art of
breaking them. I know also how to correct vicious horses, and all the
methods of treating their diseases. No animal in my hands becometh weak
or ill. Not to speak of horses, even mares in my hands will never be
found to be vicious. People called me Granthika by name and so did
Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu.'

"Virata said, 'Whatever horses I have, I consign to thy care even from
today. And all the keepers of my horses and all my charioteers will from
today be subordinate to thee. If this suits thee, say what remuneration