paid homage unto Vrikodara's feet; and the twins also bowed down unto
him. Then going to Krishna, and having cheered her, he stood before his
(elder) brother in humble guise. And on meeting with that matchless one,
they were exceedingly delighted. And he also meeting with them rejoiced
exceedingly, and began to eulogise the king. And seeing before them that
car driving in which the slayer of Namuchi had annihilated seven
phalanxes of _Diti's_ offspring, the magnanimous Parthas went round it.
And being highly pleased, they offered excellent worship unto Matali, as
unto the lord of the celestials himself. And then the son of the Kuru
king duly enquired of him after the health of all the gods. And Matali
also greeted them. And having instructed the Parthas even as a father
doth his sons, he ascended that incomparable car, and returned to the
lord of the celestials.

"And when Matali had gone away, that foremost of the royal race, Sakra's
son, the high-souled destroyer of all foes made over unto his love, the
mother of _Sutasoma_, beautiful precious gems and ornaments having the
splendour of the sun, which had been presented to him by Sakra. Then,
sitting in the midst of those foremost of the Kurus, and those best of
the _Brahmanas_, effulgent like unto fire or the sun, he began to relate
all as it had happened, saying, 'In this way, I have learnt weapons from
_Sakra_, _Vayu_, and the manifest _Siva_; and all the celestials with
Indra also have been pleased with me, on account of my good behaviour,
and concentration.'

"After having briefly narrated unto them his sojourn in heaven, _Kiriti_
of spotless deeds agreeably slept that night with the two sons of
Madri."