"Vasudeva said,--'behold, O Partha, the great capital of Magadha, standing
in all its beauty. Filled with flocks and herds and its stock of water
never exhausted, and adorned also with fine mansions standing in excellent
array, it is free from every kind of calamity. The five large hills of
Vaihara, Varaha, Vrishava, Rishigiri, and the delightful Chaitya, all of
high peaks and overgrown with tall trees of cool shade and connected with
one another, seem to be jointly protecting the city of Girivraja. The
breasts of the hills are concealed by forests of delightful and fragrant
Lodhras having the ends of their branches covered with flowers. It was
here that the illustrious Gautama of rigid vows begat on the Sudra woman
Ausinari (the daughter of Usinara) Kakshivat and other celebrated sons.
That the race sprung from Gautama doth yet live under the sway of an
ordinary human race (of monarchs) is only evidence of Gautama's kindness
to kings. And, O Arjuna, it was here that in olden times the mighty
monarchs of Anga, and Vanga and other countries, came to the abode of
Gautama, and passed their days in joy and happiness. Behold, O Partha,
those forests of delightful Pippalas and beautiful Lodhras standing near
the side of Gautama's abode. There dwelt in old days those Nagas, Arvuda
and Sakravapin, those persecutors of all enemies, as also the Naga
Swastika and that other excellent Naga called Manu. Manu himself had
ordered the country of the Magadhas to be never afflicted with drought,
and Kaushika and Manimat also have favoured the country. Owning such a
delightful and impregnable city, Jarasandha is ever bent on seeking the
fruition of his purposes unlike other monarchs. We shall, however, by
slaying him to-day humble his pride.'"

Vaisampayana said,--"Thus saying those brothers of abundant energy, viz.,
he of the Vrishni race and the two Pandavas entered the city of Magadha.
They then approached towards the impregnable city of Girivraja that was
full of cheerful and well-fed inhabitants belonging to all the four orders,