like unto garlands put on by the summits of the mountain. Thus gradually
beholding on the slopes of the mountain many lakes, looking transparent
like crystal, and having swans of white plumage and resounding with
cries of cranes, and filled with lotuses and lilies, and furnished with
waters of delicious feel; and also beholding fragrant flowers, and
luscious fruits, and romantic lakes, and captivating trees, the Pandavas
penetrated into the forest with eyes expanded with wonder. And (as they
proceeded) they were fanned by the breeze of balmy feel, and perfumed by
kamalas and utpalas and kalharas and pundarikas. Then Yudhishthira
pleasantly spake unto Bhima saying, 'Ah! O Bhima, beautiful is this
forest of the Gandhamadana. In this romantic forest there are various
heavenly blossoming wild trees and creepers, bedecked with foliage and
fruit, nor are there any trees that do not flower. On these slopes of
the Gandhamadana, all the trees are of sleek foliage and fruit. And
behold how these lotus-lakes with fullblown lotuses, and ringing with
the hum of black bees, are being agitated by elephants with their mates.
Behold another lotus-lake girt with lines of lotuses, like unto a second
Sree in an embodied form wearing garlands. And in this excellent forest
there are beautiful ranges of woods, rich with the aroma of various
blossoms, and hummed over by the black bees. And, O Bhima, behold on all
sides the excellent sporting ground of the celestials. By coming here,
we have attained extra-human state, and been blessed. O Partha, on these
slopes of the Gandhamadana, yon beautiful blossoming trees, being
embraced by creepers with blossoms at their tops, look lovely. And, O
Bhima, hark unto the notes of the peacocks crying with their hens on the
mountain slopes. And birds such as chakoras, and satapatras, and
maddened kokilas, and parrots, are alighting on these excellent
flowering trees. And sitting on the twigs, myriads of jivajivakas of
scarlet, yellow and red hues, are looking at one another. And the cranes
are seen near the spots covered with green and reddish grass, and also