Vaisampayana said, "Then, on the third day, attired in white robes after
a bath, and decked in ornaments of all kinds, those great car-warriors,
the five Pandava brothers, having accomplished their vow, and with
Yudhishthira at their head, looked resplendent as they entered the
palace-gate like five intoxicated elephants. And having entered the
council-hall of Virata, they took their seats on the thrones reserved
for kings, and shone brilliantly like fires on the sacrificial altar.
And after Pandavas had taken their seats, Virata, that lord of earth,
came there for holding his council and discharging other royal offices.
And beholding the illustrious Pandavas blazing like fires, the king
reflected for a moment. And then, filled with wrath, the Matsya king
spoke unto Kanka seated there like a celestial and looking like the lord
of celestials surrounded by the Martus. And he said, 'A player at dice
thou wert employed by me as a courtier! How couldst thou occupy the
royal seat thus attired in handsome robes and ornaments?'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Virata, O king, and
desirous of jesting with him, Arjuna smilingly said in reply, 'This
person, O king, deserveth to occupy the same seat with Indra himself.
Devoted to the Brahmanas, acquainted with the _Vedas_, indifferent to
luxury and carnal enjoyments, habitually performing sacrifices, steady
in vows, this one, indeed, is the very embodiment of virtue. The
foremost of all Persons endued with energy and superior to every body on
earth in intelligence, devoted to asceticism, he is conversant with
various weapons. No other person among the mobile and immobile creatures
of the three worlds possesseth or will ever possess such knowledge of
weapons. And there is none even amongst the gods, or _Asuras_, or men,
or _Rakshasas_, or _Gandharvas_, or _Yaksha_ chiefs, or _Kinnaras_--or
mighty _Uragas_, who is like him. Endued with great foresight and
energy, beloved by the citizens and inhabitants of the provinces, he is
the mightiest of car-warriors amongst the sons of Pandu. A performer of
sacrifices, devoted to morality, and of subdued passions, like unto a
great _Rishi_, this royal sage is celebrated over all the worlds.
Possessed of great strength and great intelligence, able and truthful,
he hath all his senses under complete control. Equal unto Indra in
wealth and Kuvera in hoarding, he is the protector of the worlds like
unto _Manu_ himself of mighty prowess. Endued with great might, he is
even such. Kind unto all creatures he is no other than the bull of the
Kuru race, king Yudhishthira the just. The achievements of this king
resemble the sun himself of blazing effulgence. And his fame hath
travelled in all directions like the rays of that luminary. And like the
rays following the risen sun of blazing effulgence, ten thousand swift
elephants followed him, O king, when he dwelt among the Kurus. And, O
king, thirty thousand cars decked in gold and drawn by the best steeds,
also used to follow him then. And full eight hundred bards adorned with
ear-rings set with shining gems, and accompanied by minstrels, recited
his praises in those days, like the _Rishis_ adorning Indra. And, O
king, the Kauravas and other lords of earth always waited upon him like
slaves, as the celestials upon Kuvera. This eminent king, resembling the
bright-rayed sun, made all lords of earth pay tribute unto him like
persons of the agricultural class. And eighty-eight thousands of
high-souled _Snatakas_ depended for their subsistence upon this king
practising excellent vows. This illustrious lord protected the aged and
the helpless, the maimed and the blind, as his sons, and he ruled over
his subjects virtuously. Steady in morality and self-control, capable of
restraining his anger, bountiful, devoted to the Brahmanas, and
truthful, this one is the son of Pandu. The prosperity and prowess of
this one afflict king Suyodhana with his followers including Karna and
Suvala's son. And, O lord of men, the virtues of this one are incapable
of being enumerated. This son of Pandu is devoted to morality and always
abstains from injury. Possessed of such attributes, doth not this bull
among kings, this son of Pandu, deserve, O monarch, to occupy a royal
seat?'"