Book Fourteen: The Horse Sacrifice

Judhistir is asked to perform the horse sacrifice (ashvamedha) by Arjun.

Krishna returns home to Dwaraka.  There he narrates the story of the 
battle.  Sughadra mourns her son's death.  When the time for the horse
sacrifice dawns near, Krishna along with the Yadavas return to Hastinapur.

Abhimanyu's widow gives birth to a still born baby whom Krishan restores
to life.  The baby boy is named Parikshit.  

They prepare for the horse sacrifice.  The horse is let free to roam 
through all the lands.  Arjun follows and captures the kingdoms the
horses goes through.  Arjun fights many battles in capturing the kingdoms.

The sacred horse wandered through many kingdoms before going to the kingdom
of Vabhruvahana, the son of Arjun by Chirtrangada.  Hearing that his 
father was in his kingdom, Vabhruvahana goes to meet him with expensice 
presents and and numer of Brahmins to welcome him.  Arjun angrily asks
why he is not performing his Kshatriya duties.  That he was here to fight
but instead finds his son receiving him with open arms.  Vabhruvahana 
becomes upset as Arjun yells that he is not fit to be king if he 
receives some one who is here to take over his kingdom with open arms.
Arjun's Naga wife, Ulupi hears these words and come to Vabhruvahana who 
cresfallen.  She tells him to fight Arjun because only that will please
him.  The battle begins and they both fight well.  Finally, from the 
blows of each others arrows, both father and son fall to the ground.  
Chitrangada mourns over Arjun's fall and blames Ulupi for supporting
the battle.  When Vabhruvahana recovers, he sees his mother with on the 
ground with Arjun's head on her lap.  He mourns because he has killed his
own father.  Ulupi asks him not to mourn saying that it was all an illusion
she created to show Arjun the prowess of his son.  She calls forth a gem
with powers of reving a dead man, and hands it to Vabhruvahana to use on
Arjun.  Arjun is instantly revived.  Very proud of his son, Arjun with
the permission of his wives leaves to follow the horse once again.

He follows the horse through many more kingdoms and captures many more 
lands before he follows the horse back to Hastinapur.  

After Arjun's return, Judhistir performs the great horse sacrifice and 
distributes gold and riches to everyone.  To the attending kings, he gives
presents of gems, elephants, horses, and many more.



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