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Once ona time Yudhajit, the king of Kekaya, sent unto the high-souled Rama, Gargya—son of his own preceptor Angeras—a Brahmin saint of unmitigated prowess ; 230

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and with him he sent, as tokens of affections, gifts.of ten thousand horses, numberless blankets, various jewels, diverse clothes and well washed coverlets. Hearing of the arrival of the great saint Gargya with above valuable presents sent by his material uncle Yudhajit, the intelligent Rama, with his brothers, proceeded about a Krosa to receive him and adored him particularly likely unto the lord of celestials honoring Vrihaspati. Having thus welcomed that foremost of Rishis and accepted the valuable presents sent by his maternal uncle he asked the ascetic about his welfare in every thing. Thereupon the great Rishi being seated, he said:— “ Thou art the foremost of those skilled in the art of speech like the very preceptor of the celestials. Since thine own self hath come here my uncle must have commissioned thee with a very important message.” Hearing those words of Rama the great saint communicated unto him the object of his coming, saying.—‘O thou having long arms, if thou dost like, hear what loving words thy maternal uncle Yudhajit, the foremost of men, has said. The Gandharvas, holding _ weapons and expert in warfare, guard that beautiful province abounding in fruits amd roots on the banks of the river Sindhu. O hero, those Gandharbas are Sailuska’s sons—highly ‘powerful and three kotis in number. Having hoisted thy flag of victory and conquered that highly picturesque city of Gandharbas do theu include that kingdom within thine well-established territories. None can enter there. O thou having long arms, I do not request thee for any harm of thine. Let that highly charming country be liked by thee.” Hearing the words of the maternal uncle communicated by the great saint, Rama, with delight, said :— What you have commanded shal be satisfied.’ Saying this he looked towards Bharata and delightedly and with folded hands said to the Rishi “O Brahmarshi, these two princes are Bharata’s sons and their names are Taksha and Pushkala. Being well protected by uncle Yudhajit and preceded by Bharata with army and

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followers. they shall subjugate the Gandharbas and divide the kingdom between them. Having established two king-. doms and installed his two sons there Bharata, the foremost of the pious, shall come back to me. Having thus said to. the Brahmarshi, Rama commanded. Bharata and welcomed the two princes. Thereupon under the auspices of favourable stars, having placed Gargya before them, Bharata with the princes.and army, issued out of the city of Ayodhya. And Rama’s army unconquerable evem by the celestials went on for a month, from the city like a celestial host nnder the command of Indra.. Animals, living upon flesh and huge-bodied Rakshasas tongimg for blood followed Bharata. Besides many thousand birds, moving in the sky, lions, tigers and boars went before the army. The army, consisting of delighted and healthy subjects speading half a month in the way, arrived at the Kekaya kingdom in good health.