78.40

“Cease from your mourning Subhadra. Draupadi find some words of solace for Uttara. Abhimanyu has gone the celebrated way of the very greatest of warriors and I hope that all the men in our clan will follow in his glorious footsteps. May we and all those near to us strive to do things in our lives to match the great example of your son, and may our friends do things of the kind that this child born to you has done.”

And so the great warrior and tamer of foes left his noble sister and went back to see Arjuna. The other kings were waiting for him. He took leave from his friends and they all retired to their beds, while Keshava went on o majesty up to Arjuna’s tent.

sanjaya spoke:

79.1

When he reached arjuna’s august pavilion, bounteous Lotuseye walked out into open ground and found a rise that pleased him and sprinkled drops of water upon it. Then he covered the holy bank with grass that shimmered like cat’s eyes and following the scriptures he decorated it with flowers, dry grain and blessed perfumes. Lastly he set out the ornate weapons of ritual. Partha arrived and was duly anointed and as he looked on, Krishna directed the priests in a night offering to the Three Eyed God.

79.5

At the rite’s end Partha felt his heart lighten. He hung fragrant garlands around Madhava’s neck and gave the nightpiece* to his friend. Go·vinda smiled and spoke to the Red Star Fighter.