And seeing that the illustrious one, radiant like blazing fire, had arrived, they bowed before him who deserved their homage, with all the honors due a guest who had come to their dwelling. When at last Keshava, slayer of hostile heroes, reached Vrikasthala, the sun seemed to flood the sky red with its scattered rays of light. Descending from his chariot, he duly performed the usual purificatory rites, and having the horses unyoked, began to recite the evening prayer. Daruka too, releasing the horses, tended them according to the rules of horsemanship and, removing their harness and trappings, let them go free. When this was done, the slayer of Madhu said, 'Here we must spend the night for the sake of Yudhishthira's mission.' Perceiving that this was indeed his intention, the servants soon prepared for him a temporary lodging and, in the twinkling of an eye, made ready excellent food and drink. Among the brahmins, O king, who lived in the village, those of noble and high birth, modest and obedient in their conduct to the injunctions of the Vedas, approached the illustrious chastiser of foes, Hrishikesha, and honored him with their blessings and auspicious words.