by a Gandharva."

[17] _Weri_ means both a kettle-drum and a trumpet. The latter
however conveys a better meaning here.


SECTION XXII

Vaisampayana said, "Then all the relatives of Kichaka, arriving at that
place, beheld him there and began to wail aloud, surrounding him on all
sides. And beholding Kichaka with every limb mangled, and lying like a
tortoise dragged to dry ground from the water, all of them were overcome
with exceeding fright, and the bristles of their bodies stood on end.
And seeing him crushed all over by Bhima, like a Danava by Indra, they
proceeded to take him outside, for performing his funeral obsequies. And
then those persons of the _Suta_ clan thus assembled together espied
Krishna of faultless limbs hard by, who stood reclining on a pillar. And
all the Kichakas assembled there, exclaimed, 'Let this unchaste woman be
slain for whom Kichaka hath himself lost his life. Or, without slaying
her here, let us cremate her with him that had lusted after her,--for it
behoveth us to accomplish in every way what is agreeable to that
deceased son of _Suta_.' And then they addressed Virata, saying, 'It is
for her sake that Kichaka hath lost his life. Let him, therefore, be
cremated along with her. It behoveth thee to grant this permission.'
Thus addressed by them, king Virata, O monarch, knowing fully well the
prowess of the _Suta_ gave his assent to _Sairindhri_ being burnt along
with the _Suta's_ son. And at this, the Kichakas approaching the
frightened and stupefied Krishna of lotus-like eyes, seized her with
violence. And binding that damsel of slender waist and placing her upon
the bier, they set out with great energy towards the cemetery. And, O