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The Kuru king Yudhishthira, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, surrounded on a large number of Brahmanas' his praises lauded by a large band of Sutas and Magadhas and bards, and with a white umbrella held over his head, and surrounded by a large number of cars, started on his journey.

ततो द्विजैः परिवृतः कुरुराजो युधिष्ठिरः। संस्तूयमानो बहुभिः सूतमागधबन्दिभिः॥ पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि। रथानीकेन महता निर्जगाम कुरुद्वहः॥

Vrikodara, the son of the Wind-God, went on an elephant huge as a hill, equipt with strong bow and machines and weapons of attack and defense.

गजैश्चाचलसंकाशैर्भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः। सज्जयन्त्रायुधोपेतैः प्रययौ पवनात्मजः॥

The twin sons of Madri went on two quickcoursing horses, well cased in mail, wellprotected, and equip with banners.

माद्रीपुत्रावपि तथा हयारोहौ सुसंवृतौ। जग्मतुः शीघ्रगमनौ संनद्धकवचध्वजौ॥

Arjuna of great energy, with senses under restraint, proceeded on an excellent car effulgent like the sun to which were yoked excellent white horses.

अर्जुनश्च महातेजा रथेनादित्यवर्चसा। वशी श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्तैर्दिव्येनान्वगमन्नृपम्॥

The royal ladies headed by Draupadi proceeded in closed litters protected by the superintendents of women. They scattered showers of wealth as they went on.

द्रौपदीप्रमुखश्चापि स्त्रीसंघाः शिबिकायुताः। स्त्र्यध्यक्षगुप्ताः प्रययुर्विसृजन्तोऽमितं वसु॥

Teeming with cars and elephants and horses, and echoing with the blare of trumpets and the music of Vinas, the Pandav army, O monarch, shone with great beauty.

समृद्धरथहस्त्यश्वं वेणुवीणानुनादितम्। शुशुभे पाण्डवं सैन्यं तत् तदा भरतर्षभ॥

Those chiefs of Kuru's race proceeded slowly, resting by delightful banks of rivers and lakes, O monarch.

नदीतीरेषु रम्येषु सरःसु च विशाम्पते। वासान् कृत्वा क्रमेणाथ जग्मुस्ते कुरुपुङ्गवाः॥

Yuyutsu of great energy, and Dhaumya, the priest, at the command of Yudhishthira, were engaged in protecting the city.

युयुत्सुश्च महातेजा धौम्यश्चैव पुरोहितः। युधिष्ठिरस्य वचनात् पुरगुप्ति प्रचक्रतुः॥

By slow marches, king Yudhishthira, reached Kurukshetra, and then, crossing the Yamuna, that highly sacred river, he saw from a distance the hermitage, O you of Kuru's race, of the royal sage of great wisdom and of Dhritarashtra.

ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा कुरुक्षेत्रमवातरत्। क्रमेणोत्तीर्य यमुना नदी परमपावनीम्॥ स ददर्शाश्रमं दूराद् राजर्षेस्तस्य धीमतः। शतयूपस्य कौरव्य धृतराष्ट्रस्य चैव ह॥

Then all the men became filled with joy and quickly entered the forest, filling it with loud sounds of joy, O chief of Bharata's race.

ततः प्रमुदित: सर्वो जनस्तद् वनमञ्जसा। विवेश सुमहानादैरापूर्य भरतर्षभ॥

Vaishampayana said The Pandavas got down at a distance, from their cars and proceeded on foot to the hermitage of the king, bending themselves in humility.

वैशम्पायन उवाच ततस्ते पाण्डवा दूरादवतीर्य पदातयः। अभिजग्मुर्नरपतेराश्रमं विनयानताः॥

All the combatants also, and the citizens and the wives of the Kuru chiefs, followed them on foot.

स च योधजनः सर्वो ये च राष्ट्रनिवासिनः। स्त्रियश्च कुरुमुख्यानां पद्भिरेवान्वयुस्तदा।॥

The Pandavas then reached the sacred hermitage of Dhritarashtra which abounded with herds of deer and which was adorned with plantain plants.

आश्रमं ते ततो जग्मुधृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवाः। शून्यं मृगगणाकीर्णं कदलीवनशोभितम्॥

Many ascetics of rigid vows, filled with curiosity, came there for seeing the Pandavas who had arrived at the hermitage.

ततस्तत्र समाजग्मुस्तापसा नियतव्रताः। पाण्डवानागतान् द्रष्टुं कौतूहलसमन्विताः॥

The king, with tears in his eyes, asked them, saying, 'Where has my eldest sire the perpetuator of Kuru's race, gone?

तानपृच्छत् ततो राजा क्वासौ कौरववंशभृत्। पिता ज्येष्ठो गतोऽस्माकमिति बाष्पपरिप्लुतः॥

They answered, O monarch, telling him that he had gone to the Yamuna, for his ablutions, as also for fetching flowers and waters.

ते तमूचुस्ततो वाक्यं यमुनामवगाहितुम्। युष्याणामुदकुम्भस्य चार्थे गत इति प्रभो॥

Proceeding quickly on foot along the path pointed out by them, the Pandavas saw all of them from a distance.

तैराख्यातेन मार्गेण ततस्ते जग्मुरञ्जसा। ददृशुश्चाविदूरे तान् सर्वानथ पदातयः॥

Desirous of meeting with their sire they walked rapidly. Then Sahadeva ran quickly towards the spot where Pritha was.

ततस्ते सत्वरा जग्मुः पितुर्दर्शनकाक्षिणः। सहदेवस्तु वेगेन प्राधावद् यत्र सा पृथा।॥

Touching the feet of his mother, he began to weep aloud. With tears running down her cheeks, she saw her darling child.

सुस्वरं रुरुदे धीमान् मातुः पादावुपस्पृशन्। सा च बाष्पाकुलमुखी ददर्श दयितं सुतम्॥

Raising her son up and embracing him with her arms she informed Gandhari of Sahadeva's arrival.

बाहुभ्यां सम्परिष्वज्य समुन्नाम्य च पुत्रकम्। गान्धार्याः कथयामास सहदेवमुपस्थितम्॥

Then seeing he king Bhimasena, Arjuna and Nakula, Pritha tried to advance quickly towards them.

अनन्तरं च राजानं भीमसेनमथार्जुनम्। नकुलं च पृथा दृष्ट्वा त्वरमाणोपचक्रमे॥

She was walking in advance of the childless old pair, and was dragging them forward. Seeing her, the Pandavas feel down on the earth.

सा ह्यग्रे गच्छति तयोर्दम्पत्योर्हतपुत्रयोः। कर्यन्ती तौ ततस्ते तां दृष्ट्वा संन्यपतन भुवि॥

The powerful and the great monarch, gifted with great intelligence, recognising them by their voices ard also by touch, comforted them one after another.

राजा तान् स्वरयोगेन स्पर्शेन च महामनाः। प्रत्यभिज्ञाय मेधावी समाश्वासयत प्रभुः॥

Shedding tears, those great princes, with due formalities, approached the old king and Gandhari, as also their own mother.

ततस्ते बाष्पमुत्सृज्य गान्धारीसहितं नृपम्। उपतस्थुर्महात्मानो मातरं च यथाविधि॥

Indeed, regaining their senses, and once more consoled by their mother, the Pandavas took away from the king and their aunt and mother the jars full of water which they ha been carrying

सर्वेषां तोयकलशाजगृहुस्ते स्वयं तदा। पाण्डवा लब्धसंज्ञास्ते मात्रा चाश्वासिताः पुनः॥

The ladies of those leading men, and all the women of the royal household, as also all the inhabitants of the city and the provinces, then saw the old king.

तथा नार्यो नृसिंहानां सोऽवरोधजनस्तदा। पौरजानपदाश्चैव ददृशुस्तं जनाधिपम्॥

King Yudhishthira presented all those individuals one after another to the old king, repeating their names and families and then himself adored his eldest sire with respect.

निवेदयामास तदा जनं तन्नामगोत्रतः। युधिष्ठिरो नरपति: स चैनं प्रत्यपूजयत्॥

Surrounded by them all, the old monarch, with eyes bathed in tears of joy, considered himself as once more staying in the midst of the city of Hastinapur.

स तैः परिवृत्तो मेने हर्षबाष्पाविलेक्षणः। राजाऽऽत्मानं गृहगतं पुरेव गजसाह्वये॥

Saluted with respect by all his daughters-inlaw headed by Krishna, king Dhritarashtra, gifted with great intelligence, with Gandhari and Kunti became filled with joy.

अभिवादितो वधूभिश्च कृष्णाद्याभिः स पार्थिवः। गान्धार्या सहितो धीमान् कुन्त्या च प्रत्यनन्दत॥

He then reached his forest-retreat which was highly spoken of by Siddhas and Charanas, and that then was filled up with vast crowds of men all desirous of seeing him, like the sky teeming with my raids of stars.

ततश्चाश्रममागच्छत् सिद्वयारणसेवितम्। दिदृक्षुभिः समाकीर्णं नमस्तारागणैरिव॥

Vaishmpayana said The king, O chief of Bharatas' race, with those foremost of men, viz., his brothers who all had eyes resembling lotus petals, took his seat in the hermitage of his eldest sire.

वैशम्पायन उवाच स तैः सह नरव्याप्रैर्धातृभिर्भरतर्षभ। राजा रुचिरपद्माक्षरासांचक्रे तदाश्रमे॥

There sat around him many highly blessed ascetics, coming from various regions, from desire of seeing the sons of that lord of Kuru's race, viz., the Pandavas of wide chests.

तापसैश्च महाभागैर्नानादेशसमागतैः। द्रष्टुं कुरुपतेः पुत्रान् पाण्डवान् पृथुवक्षसः॥

They said, 'We wish to know who amongst these is Yudhishthira, who are Bhima and Arjuna, who the twins, and who is the illustrious Draupadi?'

तेऽब्रुवज्ञातुमिच्छामः कतमोऽत्र युधिष्ठिरः। भीमार्जुनौ यमौ चैव द्रौपदी च यशस्विनी॥

Then the Suta, Sanjaya, in answer to their queries, pointed out to them the Pandavas, naming each, and Draupadi too as also the other ladies of the Kururace.

सर्वोस्तानभिनामतः। संजयो द्रौपदी चैव सर्वाश्चान्या कुरुस्त्रियः॥

Sanjaya said This one fair like pure gold, who is endued with a body which looks like that of a fullgrown lion, who is possessed of a large aquiline nose, and wide and expansive eyes of a coppery hue, is the Kuru king.

संजय उवाच स्तनुर्महासिंह इव प्रवृद्धः। स्ताम्रायताक्षः कुरुराज एषः॥

This one whose tread is like that of an infuriate elephant, whose complexion is as fair as that of heated gold, whose frame is of large and expansive proportions, and whose arms are long sand stout, is Vrikodara. See him well.

तानाचख्यौ तदा सूत: अयं पुनर्मत्तगजेन्द्रगामी प्रतप्तचामीकरशुद्धगौरः। वृकोदरः पश्यत पश्यतेमम्॥

The powerful bowmen who sits besides him, of darkish color and youthful frame, who resembles the leader of an elephantine herd, whose shoulders are as high as those of a lion, who walks like a sporting elephant, and whose eyes are as expansive as the petals of a lotus, is the hero called Arjuna.

यस्त्वेष पार्वेऽस्य महाधनुष्मान् श्यामो युवावारणयूथपाभः। सिंहोन्नतांसो गजखेलगामी पद्मायताक्षोऽर्जुन एष वीरः॥

Those two foremost of men, who are sitting beside Kunti, are the twins resembling Vishnu and Mahendra. In the entire world, they have not their cquals in beauty and strength and excellence of conduct.

कुन्तीसमीपे पुरुषोत्तमौ तु यमाविमौ विष्णुमहेन्द्रकल्पौ। मनुष्यलोके सकले समोऽस्ति ययोर्न रूपे न बले न शीले॥

This lady having eyes expansive as lotuspetals, who seems to have touched the middle age of life, whose complexion resembles that of the blue lotus, and who looks like goddess, is Krishna, the embodied form of the goddess of prosperity.

इयं पुन: पद्मदलायताक्षी मध्यं वयः किञ्चिदिव स्पृशन्ती। नीलोत्पलाभा सुरदेवतेव कृष्णा स्थिता मूर्तिमतीव लक्ष्मीः॥

She who sits besides her, possessed of the complexion of pure gold, who looks like the embodied rays of the moon, in the midst of other ladies, O foremost of twice-born oncs, is the sister that unrivaled hero who holds the discus.

अस्थास्तु पार्वे कनकोत्तमाभा यैषा प्रभा मूर्तिमतीव सौमी। श्चक्रायुधस्याप्रतिमस्य तस्य।॥

This other, as fair as pure gold, is the daughter of the Naga king and wife of Arjuna. This other whose complexion is like of pure gold or like that of Madhuka flowers, is the princess Chitrangada.

इयं च जाम्बूनदशुद्धगौरी पार्थस्य भार्या भुजगेन्द्रकन्या। चित्राङ्गदा चैव नरेन्द्रकन्या यैषा सवर्णामधूकपुष्पैः॥

This one, whose complexion is like an assemblage of blue lotuses, is the sister of that monarch, that lord of hosts, who used to always challenge Krishna. She is the foremost wife of Vrikodara.

इयं स्वसा राजचमूपतेश्च प्रवृद्धनीलोत्पलदामवर्णा। पस्पर्ध कृष्णेन सदा नृपो यो वृकोदरस्यैष परिग्रहाय्यः॥

This is the daughter of the king of Magadha who was known by the name of Jarasandha. Possessed of the complexion of an assemblage of Champakas, she is the wife of the youngest son of Madravati.

इयं च राज्ञो मगधाधिपस्य सुता जरासन्ध इति श्रुतस्य। यवीयसो भाद्रवतीसुतस्य भार्या मता चम्पकदामगौरी॥

Possessed of complexion dark as the blue lotus, she who sits there on the earth, and whose eyes are as expansive as lotus-petals, she is the wife of the eldest son of Madravati,

इन्दीवरश्यामतनुः स्थिता तु यैषा परासन्नमहीतले च। भार्या मता माद्रवतीसुतस्य ज्येष्ठस्य सेयं कमलायताक्षी॥

This lady whose complexion is as fair as that of heated gold and who sits with her child on her lap, is the daughter of king Virata. She is the wife of that Abhimanyu who while divested of his car, was killed by Drona and other fighting from their cars.

इयं तु निष्टप्तसुवर्णगौरी राज्ञो विराटस्य सुता सपुत्रा। भार्याभिमन्योर्निहतो रणे यो द्रोणादिभिस्तैर्विरथो रंथस्थैः॥

These ladies, the hair on whose heads shows not the parted line, and who are clad in white, are the widows of the killed sons of Dhritarashtra. They are the daughters-in-law of this old king, the wives of his hundred sons, now deprived of both their husbands and children who have been killed by heroic enemies.

एतास्तु सीमन्तशिरोरुहायाः शुल्कोत्तरीया नरराजपल्यः। राज्ञोऽस्य वृद्धस्य परं शताख्या: स्नुषा नृवीरा हतपुत्रनाथाः॥

I have now pointed them out in the order of precedence. On account of their devotion to Brahmanas, their understanding and hearts are divested of every kind of crookedness. Possessed of pure souls, they have all been pointed out by men, these princesses of the Kaurava line, in answer to your queries.

एता यथामुख्यमुदाहता वो ब्राह्मण्यभावादृजुबुद्धिसत्त्वाः। सर्वा भवद्भिः परिपृच्छ्यमाना नरेन्द्रपल्यः सुविशुद्धसत्त्वाः॥

Vaishampayana said Thus that aged king of Kuru's race, having met with those sons of him that was a celestial among men, enquired about their well-being after all the ascetics had departed.

वैशम्पायन उवाच एवं स राजा कुरुवृद्धवर्यः समागतस्तैर्नरदेवपुत्रैः पप्रच्छ सर्वं कुशलं तदानीं गतेषु सर्वेष्वथ तापसेषु॥

The warriors who had accompanied the Pandavas, leaving the retreat, sat themselves down at a little distance, getting down from their cars and the animals they rode. Indeed, after all the crowd, viz., the ladies the old men and the children, had been seated, the old king duly addressed thein after making the usual polite enquireis.

योधेषु वाप्याश्रममण्डलं तं मुक्त्वा निविष्टेषु विमुच्य पत्रम्। स्त्रीवृद्धबाले च सुसंनिविष्टे यथार्हतस्तान् कुशलान्यपृच्छत्॥

They passed that night which was marked out by auspicious constellations thus, o king, in that hermitage of pious ascetics.

वैशम्पायन उवाच ततस्तु राजन्नेतेषामाश्रमे पुण्यकर्मणाम्। शिवा नक्षत्रसम्पन्ना सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी॥

The conversation that took place was marked by many reflections on morality and wealth. Consisting of delightful and sweet words, it was greed with various citations from the Shrutis.

ततस्तत्र कथाश्चासंस्तेषां धर्मार्थलक्षणाः। विचित्रपदसंचारा नानाश्रुतिभिरन्विताः॥

The Pandavas, O king, leaving costly beds, laid themselves down, near their in other, on the naked earth.

पाण्डवास्त्वभितो मातुर्धरण्यां सुषुपुस्तदा। उत्सृज्य तु महार्हाणि शयनानि नराधिप।॥

Indeed, those heroes passed that night, having eaten the food which was the food of the great king Dhritarashtra.

यदाहारोऽभवद् राजा धृतराष्ट्रो महामनाः। तदाहार नृवीरास्ते न्यवसंस्तां निशां तदा॥

After the night had passed away, king Yudhishthira, having performed his morning rites proceeded to survey that'hermitage in the company of his brothers.

व्यतीतायां तु शर्वर्यां कृतपौर्वाह्निकक्रियः। भ्रातृभिः सहितो राजा ददर्शाश्रममण्डलम्॥

With the royal ladies, the servants, and his priest, the king roved about the hermitage in all directions as he pleased, at the command of Dhritarashtra.

सान्तःपुरपरीवारः सभृत्यः सपुरोहितः। यथासुखं यथोद्देशं धृतराष्ट्राभ्यनुज्ञया।॥

He saw many sacrificial alters with sacred firs burning on them and with many ascetics seated on them, who had performed their oblations and poured libations in honour of the celestials.

ददर्श तत्र वेदीश्च संप्रज्वलितपावकाः। कृताभिषेकैर्मुनिभिर्हताग्निभिरुपस्थिताः॥

Those alters were covered with fruits and roots of he forest, and with heaps of flowers. The smoke of clarified butter curled upwards from them. They were graced, besides, with many ascetics possessed of bodies which appeared like the embodied Vedas and with many laymen.

वानेयपुष्पनिकरैराज्यधूमोद्गमैरपि। ब्राह्मणे वपुषा युक्ता युक्ता मुनिगणस्य ताः॥

Herds of deer were grazing or resting here and there, shorn of fear. Countless birds also were there, engaged in uttering their sweet notes, O king!

मृगयूथैरनुद्विग्नस्तत्र तत्र समाश्रितैः। अशङ्कितैः पक्षिगणैः प्रगीतैरिव च प्रभो॥

The entire forest seemed to resound with the notes of peacocks and Datyuhas and Kokilas and the sweet songs of other warblers.

केकाभिर्नीलकण्ठानां दात्यूहानां च कूजितैः। कोकिलानां कुहुरवैः सुखैः श्रुतिमनोहरैः॥

Some spots were echoed with the chaunt of Vedic hymns recited by learned Brahmanas. Some were adorned wit large heaps of fruits and roots gathered from the forest.

प्राधीतद्विजघोषैश्च क्वचित् क्वचिदलंकृतम्। फलमूलसमाहारैर्महद्भिश्चोपशोभितम्॥

King Yudhishthira then distributed amongst those ascetics golden or copper jars which he had brought for them, and many deer-skins and blankets and wooden sacrificial ladies and Kamandalus and wooden Platters, and pots and pans, O Bharata.

ततः स राजा प्रददौ तापसार्थमुपाहृतान्। कलशान् काञ्चनान् राजंस्तथैवौदुम्बरानपि।॥ अजिनानि प्रवेणीश्च स्रुक् स्रुवं च महीपतिः। कमण्डलूंश्च स्थालीश्च पिठराणि च भारत॥

Various kinds of vessels, made of iron, and smaller vessels and cups of various sizes, were also given away by the king, the ascetics taking them away, each as many as he liked.

भाजनानि च लौहानि पात्रीश्च विविधा नृप। यद् यदिच्छति यावच्च यच्चान्यदपि भाजनम्॥

Pious king Yudhishthira, having thus roved through the forest and seen the various retreats of ascetics and made many gifts, returned to the place where his uncle was.

एवं स राजा धर्मात्मा परीत्याश्रममण्डलम्। वसु विश्राण्य तत् सर्वं पुनरायान्महीपतिः॥

He saw king Dhritarashtra, seated at ease, with Gandhari besides him, after having finished his morning rites.

कृताह्निकं च राजानं धृतराष्ट्रं महीपतिम्। ददर्शासीनमव्यग्रं गान्धारीसहितं तदा॥

The righteous souled monarch beheld also his mother, Kunti, seated not much remote from that place, like a disciple with bent head, gifted with humility.

मातरं चाविदूरस्थां शिष्यवत् प्रणतां स्थिताम्। कुन्तीं ददर्श धर्मात्मा शिष्टाचारसमन्विताम्॥

He saluted the old king giving his name. 'Sit down', were the words the old king said. With Dhritarashtra's permission, Yudhishthira sat himself down on a mat of Kusha grass.

स तमभ्यर्च्य राजानं नाम संश्राव्य चात्मनः। निषीदेत्यभ्यनुज्ञातो बृस्यामुपविवेश ह॥

Then the other sons of Pandu with Bhima among them, O you of Bharata's race, saluted the king and touched his feet and sat themselves down, with his order.

भीमसेनादश्यचैव पाण्डवा भरतर्षभ। अभिवाद्योपसंगृह्य निषेदुः पार्थिवाज्ञया॥

The old Kuru king, surrounded by them looked highly beautiful, indeed, he blazed with a Vedic splendour like Brihaspati in the midst of the celestials.

स तैः परिवृतो राजा शुशुभेऽतीव कौरवः। बिभ्रद् ब्राह्मीं श्रियं दीप्तां देवैरिव बृहस्पतिः॥

After they had sat themselves down, many great Rishis, viz., Shatayupa, and others, who were inhabitants of Kurukshetra came there.

तथा तेषूपविष्टेषु समाजग्मुर्महर्षयः। शतयूपप्रभृतयः कुरुक्षेत्रनिवासिनः॥

The illustrious and learned Vyasa, gifted with great energy and respected by even the celestial Rishis, showed himself at the head of his numerous disciples to Yudhishthira.

व्यासश्च भगवान् विप्रो देवर्षिगणसेवितः। वृतः शिष्यैर्महातेजा दर्शयामास पार्थिवम्॥

The Kuru king Dhritarashtra, Kunti's son Yudhishthira of great energy, and Bhimasena and others, stood up and going a few steps, saluted those guests.

ततः स राजा कौरव्यः कुन्तीपुत्रश्च वीर्यवान्। भीमसेनादयश्चैव प्रत्युत्थायाभ्यवादयन्॥

Approaching near, Vyasa, surrounded by Shatayupa and others, addressed king Dhritarashtra, saying, 'Be seated.'

समागतस्ततो व्यासः शतयूपादिभिर्वृतः। धृतराष्ट्रं महीपालमास्यतामित्यभाषत।॥

The illustrious Vyasa then took an excellent seat made of Kusha grass placed upon a black deer-skin and covered with a piece of silken cloth. They has reserved that seat for him.

वरं तु विष्टरं कौश्यं कृष्णाजिनकुशोत्तरम्। प्रतिपदे तदा व्यासस्तदर्थमुपकल्पितम्॥

After Vyasa had been seated, all those foremost of twice-born persons, gifted with profuse energy, sat themselves down, with the permission of Krishna-Dvaipayana.

ते च सर्वे द्विजश्रेष्ठा विष्टरेषु समन्ततः। द्वैपायनाभ्यनुज्ञाता निषेदुर्विपुलौजसः॥

Janamejaya said Tell me, o learned Brahman, what that wonderful feat was, which the great Rishi Vyasa of great energy accomplished after he had his made promise to the old king, when Dhritarashtra, that foremost one of Kuru's race, had taken up his residence in the forest, with his wife, and with his daughter-in-law Kunti and after, indeed, Vidura had left his own body and entered into Yudhishthria, and at the time when all the sons of Pandu were living in the hermitage.

जनमेजय उवाच वनवासं गते विप्र धृतराष्ट्र महीपतौ। सभार्ये नृपशार्दूले बध्वा कुन्त्या समन्विते॥ विदुरे चापि संसिद्धे धर्मराजं व्यपाश्रिते। वसत्सु पाण्डुपुत्रेषु सर्वेष्वाश्रममण्डले॥ यत् तदाश्चर्यमिति वै करिष्यामीत्युवाच ह। व्यासः परमतेजस्वी महर्षिस्तद् वदस्व मे॥

For how many days did the Kuru king Yudhishthira of Undecaying glory, stay with his men in the forest.

वनवासे च कौरव्यः कियन्तं कालमच्युतः। युधिष्ठिरो नरपति→वसत् सजनस्तदा॥

Of what food, O powerful one, did the great Pandavas support themselves with their men, and wives, while they lived in the forest? O sinless one, do you tell me this.

किमाहाराश्च ते तत्र ससैन्या न्यवसन् प्रभो। सान्त:पुरा महात्मान इति तद् ब्रूहि मेऽनघ॥

Vaishampayana said With the permission of the Kuru king, the Pandavas, O monarch, with their troops and the ladies of their household, lived on various kinds of food and drink and passed about a month in great happiness in that forest. Towards the close of that period, O sinless one, Vyasa came there.

वैशम्पायन उवाच तेऽनुज्ञातास्तदा राजन् कुरुराजेन पाण्डवाः। विविधान्यन्नपानानि विश्राम्यानुभवन्ति ते॥ मासमेकं विजह्वस्ते ससैन्यान्तःपुरा वने। अथ तत्रागमद् व्यासो यथोक्तं ते मयाऽनघ॥

While all those princes sat around Vyasa, engaged in conversation on various topics, other Rishis came there.

तथा च तेषां सर्वेषां कथाभिर्नृपसंनिधौ। व्यासमन्वास्यतां राजन्नाजग्मुर्मुनयो परे॥

They were Narada, Parvata, Devala of austere penances, Vishvavasu, Tunburu and Chitrasena, O Bharata.

नारदः पर्वतश्चैव देवलश्च महातपाः। विश्वावसुस्तुम्बुस्च चित्रसेनश्च भारत॥

Gifted with severe penances, the Kuru king Yudhishthira, with the permission of Dhritarasthra, adored them according to due rites.

तेषामपि यथान्यायं पूजां चक्रे महातपाः। धृतराष्ट्राभ्यनुज्ञातः कुरुराजो युधिष्ठिरः॥

Having got that worship from Yudhishthira, all of them sat down on sacred seats (made of Kusha grass as also on excellent seats made of peacock feathers.

निषेदुस्ते ततः सर्वे पूजां प्राप्य युधिष्ठिरात्। आसनेषु च पुण्येषु बर्हिणेषु वरेषु च॥

After they had all been seated, the Kuru king of great intelligence took his seat there, surrounded by the sons of Pandu.

तेषु तत्रोपविष्टेषु स तु राजा महामतिः। पाण्डुपुत्रैः परिवृतो निषसाद कुरूद्वह॥

Gandhari, Kunti and Draupadi, and she of the Satvata race, and other ladies of the royal household also sat down.

गान्धारी चैव कुन्ती च द्रौपदी सात्वती तथा। स्त्रियश्चान्यास्तथान्याभिः सहोपविविशुस्ततः॥

The conversation which then arose was excellent and had reference to subjects, connected with piety, and the Rishis of old, and the celestials and the Asuras.

तेषां तत्र कथा दिव्या धर्मिष्ठाश्चाभवन् नृप। ऋषीणां च पुराणानां देवासुरविमिश्रिताः॥

At the close of the conversation the highly energetic Vyasa, that foremost of eloquent men, that first of all persons knowing the Vedas highly pleased, addressed the blind monarch and once more said, 'Burning as you are with grief on account of your children, I know, O king of kings, what object is cherished by you in your heart. I know the sorrow which always exists in the heart of Gandhari, that which exists in the heart of Kunti, and that also which is cherished by Draupadi in her heart, and that burning grief, on. account of the death of her son, which Krishna's sister Subhadra also cherishes. Hearing of this meeting, O king, of yours with all these princes and princesses of your house., I have come here, O delighter of the Kauravas, for removing your doubts. Let the celestials and Gandharvas and all these great Rishis, see today the energy of those penances which I have acquired for these long years. Therefore, O king, tell me what wish of yours I shall grant today.

तत: कथान्ते व्यासस्तं प्रज्ञाचक्षुषमीश्वरम्। प्रोवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठः पुनरेव स तद् वचः॥ प्रीयमाणो महातेजाः सर्ववेदविदां वरः। विदितं मम राजेन्द्र यत् ते हृदि विवक्षितम्॥ दह्यमानस्य शोकेन तव पुत्रकृतेन वै। गान्धार्याश्चैव यद् दुःखं हृदि तिष्ठति नित्यदा॥ कुन्त्याश्च यन्महाराज द्रौपद्याश्च हृदि स्थितम्। यच्च धारयते तीव्र दुःखं पुत्रविनाशजम्॥ सुभद्रा कृष्णभगिनी तच्चापि विदितं मम। श्रुत्वा समागममिमं सर्वेषां वस्तुतो नृप॥ संशयच्छेदनार्थाय प्राप्तः कौरवनन्दन। इमे च देवगन्धर्वाः सर्वे चेमे महर्षयः॥ पश्यन्तु तपसो वीर्यमद्य मे चिरसम्भृतम्। तदुच्यतां महाप्राज्ञ कं कामं प्रददामि ते॥

I am powerful enough to grant you a boon. See the fruit of my penances. Thus addressed by Vyasa of great understanding, king Dhritarashtra thought for a moment and then prepared to speak. He said, 'I ain greatly fortunate. Lucky am I in obtaining your favour. My life is crowned with success today, since this meeting has taken place between me and you all of great piety. To-day I shall attain to that highly happy end which is reserved for me, since, you ascetics who have penances for wealth, you who are equal to Brahma himself, I have succeeded in obtaining this meeting with you all. There is not the least doubt that this sight that I have obtained of you all has purged me of every sin. son

प्रवणोऽस्मि वरं दातुं पश्य मे तपसः फलम्। एवमुक्तः स राजेन्द्रो व्यासेनामितबुद्धिना॥ मुहूर्तमिव संचिन्त्य वचनायोपचक्रमे। धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतश्च सफलं जीवितं च मे॥ यन्मे समागमोऽोह भवद्भिः सह साधुभिः। अद्य चाप्यवगच्छामि गतिमिष्टामिहात्मनः॥ ब्रह्मकल्पैर्भवद्भिर्यत् समेतोऽहं तपोधनाः। दर्शनादेव भवतां पूतोऽहं नात्र संशयः॥

O sinless ones, I have no longer any fear about my end in the next world. Full as I am of love for my children, I always remember them. My mind, however is always pained by the recollection of the various acts of wrong which my wicked of exceedingly evil understanding perpetrated. Having a sinful understanding, he always persecuted the innocent Pandavas.

विद्यते न भयं चापि परलोकान्ममानधाः। किं तु तस्य सुदुर्बुद्धेर्मन्दस्यापनयैर्भृशम्॥ दूयते मे मनो नित्यं स्मरतः पृत्रगृद्धिनः। अपापाः पाण्डवा येन निकृताः पापबुद्धिना॥

Alas, the whole Earth has been devastated by him, with her horses, elephants and men. Many great kings, rulers of various kingdoms, came for helping my son and succumbed to death. Alas, leaving their beloved father and wives and their very life-breaths, all those heroes have become guests of the king of the dead. What end, O twice-born one, has been attained by those men who have killed, for the sake of their friend, in battle? What end also has attained by my sons and grandsons who have fallen in the battle? My heart is always pained at the thought of my having brought about the destruction of the powerful Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, and of Drona, that foremost of Brahmanas, through my foolish and sinful son who was an injurer of his friends.

घातिता पृथिवी येन सहया सनरद्विपा। राजानश्च महात्मानो नानाजनपदेश्वराः॥ आगम्य मम पुत्रार्थे सर्वे मृत्युवशं गताः। ये ते पितूंश्च दारांश्च प्राणांश्च मनसः प्रियान्॥ परित्यज्य गताः शूराः प्रेतराजनिवेशनम्। का नु तेषां गतिर्ब्रह्मन् मित्रार्थे ये हता मृधे॥ तथैव पुत्रपौत्राणां मम ये निहता युधि। दूयते मे मनोऽभीक्ष्णं घातयित्वा महाबलम्॥ भीष्मं शान्तनवं वृद्धं द्रोणं च द्विजसत्तमम्। मम पुत्रेण मूढेन पापेनाकृतबुद्धिना॥

Desirous of getting the sovereignty of the Earth, he caused the Kuru race, blazing with prosperity, to be annihilated. Thinking of all this, I burn day and night with grief.

क्षयं नीतं कुलं दीप्तं पृथिवीराज्यमिच्छता। एतत् सर्वमनुस्मृत्य दह्यमानो दिवानिशम्॥

Deeply afflicted with pain and grief, I am unable to get peace of mind. Indeed, O sire, thinking of all this, I have no peace of man.

न शान्तिमधिगच्छापि दुःखशोकसमाहतः। इति मे चिन्तयानस्य पितः शान्तिन विद्यते॥

Hearing these lamentation expressed in various ways, of that royal sage, the grief, O Janamejaya of Gandhari, became fresh.

वैशम्पायन उवाच तच्छुत्वा विविधं तस्य राजर्षेः परिदेवितम्। पुनर्नवीकृतः शोको गान्धार्या जनमेजय॥

The grief, also, of Kunti, of the daughter of Drupada, of Subhadra, and of the other members male and female, and the daughterin-law of the royal house of Kuru became equally green.

कुन्त्या दुपदपुत्र्याश्च सुभद्रायास्तथैव च। तासां च वरनारीणां वधूनां कौरवस्य हा॥

Queen Gandhari, with bandaged eyes, joining her hands, addressed her father-in-law. Deeply afflicted with grief on account of the destruction of her sons, she said-O foremost of ascetics, this king has passed sixteen years grieving for the death of his sons and shorn of peace of mind.

पुत्रशोकसमाविष्टा गान्धारी त्विदमब्रवीत्। श्वशुरं बद्धनयना देवी प्राञ्जलिरुत्थिता॥ षोडशेमानि वर्षाणि गतानि मुनिपुङ्गव। अस्य राज्ञो हतान् पुत्राशोचतो न शमो विभो॥

Afflicted with grief on account of the destruction of his his children, this king Dhritarashtra, always breathes heavily, and never sleeps at night, O great Rishi.

पुत्रशोकसमाविष्टो निःश्वसन् ह्येष भूमिपः। न शेते वसतीः सर्वा धृतराष्ट्रो महामुने॥

Through the power of your penances you are competent to create new worlds. What need I say then about showing this king his children who are now in the other world?

लोकानन्यान् समर्थोऽसि स्रष्टुं सर्वांस्तपोबलात्। किमु लोकान्तरगतान् राज्ञो दर्शयितुं सुतान्॥

This Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, has lost all her kinsmen and children. Therefore, she who is the dearest of my daughters-in-law grieves greatly.

इयं च द्रौपदी कृष्णा हतज्ञातिसुता भृशम्। शौचत्यतीव सर्वासां स्नुषाणां दयिता स्नुषा॥

The sister of Krishna, viz., Subhadra of sweet words, burning with the loss of her son, grieves as deeply.

तथा कृष्णस्य भगिनी सुभद्रा भद्रभाषिणी। सौभद्रवधसंतप्ता भृशं शोचति भाविनी॥

This lady who is respected by all, who is the wife of Bhurishravas, stricken with grief on account of the fate of her husband, always indulges in heart-rending lamentations.

इयं च भूरिश्रवसो भार्या परमसम्मता। भर्तृव्यसनशोकार्ता भृशं शोचति भाविनी॥

Her father-in-law the intelligent Valhika of Kuru's race. Alas, Somadatta also was was killed, along with his father, in the great battle.

यस्यास्तुश्वशुरो धीमान् बाह्निकः स कुरूद्वहः। निहतः सोमदत्तश्च पित्रा सह महारणे॥