no BHARAVI, BHATTJ, KUMARADASA, AND MAGHA
placed ; Bharavi begins instead with the return of a spy whom Yudhisthira has sent to report on the deeds of Suyodhana— as he is always styled ; he bears the unwelcome tidings that the king is walking in the ways of virtue and charming the hearts of the people. Hence, naturally, Draupadi, anxious for the future, taunts Yudhisthira with his inglorious plight and urges swift battle (i). Bhima adds his support ; Yudhisthira, the unready, has scruples of honour (ii), but seeks counsel from Vyasa, and the sage admits that war must be, but, since the foe is so strong, urges that Arjuna should by penance in the Himalaya win Indra's aid. He vanishes, but a Yaksa appears to lead Arjuna on his way, and they depart, cheered by the good wishes of the re- mainder of the party (iii). At this point the poet's invention displays itself in elaboration; just before, by omitting all mention of the move to the Kamyaka wood, he had shortened the narra- tive, improving greatly the effect ; now he takes the opportunity to display the poet's command of language. In Canto iv the Yaksa leads Arjuna on ; and a brilliant picture is drawn of the autumnal scene, partly in narrative, partly in the mouth of the Yaksa. Then follows (v) the description of the Himalaya itself, the Yaksa lays stress on the mystery which guards it and on its close kinship with Civa and ParvatI, and vanishes after bidding Arjuna do penance on Indraklla. The penance of Arjuna terrifies the Guhyakas, the spirits who haunt Indraklla ; they appeal to Indra to aid them, and he sends Gandharvas and Apsarases to disturb the asceticism which menaces the quiet of his mountain (vi). The heavenly host speeds through the air to Indraklla and makes there its camp ; their elephants merit special description (vii). The Apsarases now leave their palaces, just made by their magic power, and wander in the woods to pluck the flowers ; then the Ganges invites them to the bath, and the bathing scene is described with much charm and beauty (viii). Evening comes, the sun sets, the moon arises — the banal theme wins new effect through the poet's skill ; the nymphs and their lovers drink and seek the pleasures of love ; the day dawns (ix). The Apsarases now turn their minds to their task ; aided by the seasons who now appear six in number to second their efforts, they expend, but in vain, all their charms on the young ascetic (x). Seeing his minions thus foiled through ArjTlna.'s constancy, Indra appears
