Nakalu with Sahadev; in whose still steps--
O Best of Bharat's offspring!--Draupadi,
That gem of women paced, with soft dark face,--
Clear-edged like lotus petals; last the dog
Following the Pandavas.

* * * * *

While yet those heroes walked,
Now to the northward banding, where long coasts
Shut in the sea of salt, now to the north,
Accomplishing all quarters, journeyed they;
The earth their altar of high sacrifice,
Which these most patient feet did pace around
Till Meru rose.

At last it rose! These Six,
Their senses subjugate, their spirits pure,
Wending along, came into sight--far off
In the eastern sky--of awful Himavat;
And midway in the peaks of Himavat,
Meru, the mountain of all mountains, rose,
Whose head is heaven; and under Himavat
Glared a wide waste of sand, dreadful as death.

Then, as they hastened o'er the deathly waste,
Aiming for Meru, having thoughts at soul
Infinite, eager,--lo! Draupadi reeled,
With faltering heart and feet; and Bhima turned,
Gazing upon her; and that hero spake