'Sixteen,' replied the Vulture. 'Are the alliances numbered therein?' asked the King. 'No! these be four,' answered the Vulture, 'namely--of mutual help--of friendship--of blood--and of sacrifice.' 'You are a great diplomatist!' said the King. 'Advise us which to choose!' 'There is no Peace like the Golden "Sangata," which is made between good men, based on friendly feeling, and preceded by the Oath of Truth,' replied the Vulture. 'Let us make that Peace!' said the Goose. Far-sight accordingly, with fresh presents of robes and jewels, accompanied the Goose to the camp of the Peacock-King. The Rajah, Jewel-plume, gave the Goose a gracious audience, accepted his terms of Peace, and sent him back to the Swan-King, loaded with gifts and kind speeches. The revolt in Jambudwipa was suppressed, and the Peacock-King retired to his own kingdom. "And now," said Vishnu-Sarman, "I have told your Royal Highnesses all. Is there anything remaining to be told?" "Reverend Sir!" replied the Princes, "there is nothing. Thanks to you, we have heard and comprehended the perfect cycle of kingly duty, and are content." "There remains but this, then," said their Preceptor:-- 'Peace and Plenty, all fair things, Grace the realm where ye reign Kings; Grief and loss come not anigh you, Glory guide and magnify you; Wisdom keep your statesmen still Clinging fast, in good or ill, Clinging, like a bride new-wed, Unto lips, and breast, and head: And day by day, that these fair things befall, The Lady Lukshmi give her grace to all.' [21] A young Brahman, being invested with the sacred thread, and having concluded his studies, becomes of the second order: a householder. NALA AND DAMAYANTI [_Selected from the "Mahâbhârata" Translation by Sir Edwin Arnold_] INTRODUCTION