Ashramavasika Parva — The conduct of the Pandavas after regaining their kingdom

Having saluted the Supreme Deity (Narayana) and the highest of all male beings (Nara) and also the Goddess of Learning (Sarasvati), let us cry success.

After having gained their kingdom, how did my grandfathers, the great Pandavas, treat the high-souled king Dhritarashtra?

How, indeed, did that king who had all his counselors and sons killed, who was with it a support, and whose wealth had vanise.., behave? How also did the illustrious Gandhari act?

For how many years did my noble grandfather rule the kingdom? You should tell me all this.

Vaishampayana said, Having regained their kingdom, the great Pandavas, their enemies all killed, ruled the earth, placing Dhritarashtra at their head.

Vidura, Sanjaya and the highly intelligent Yuyutsu, who was Dhritarashtra's son by his Vaishya wife, used to wait upon Dhritarashtra.

The Pandavas used to consult that king in all matters. Indeed, for fifteen years, they did all things under the advice of the old king.

Those heroes used very often to go to that king and sit beside him, after having adored his feet, according to the wishes of king Yudhishthira the just.

They did all things under the command of Dhritarashtra who smelt their heads in love. The daughter of king Kuntibhoja also obeyed Gandhari in all matters.

Draupadi and Subhadra and the other ladies of the Pandavas treated the old king and the queen as if they were their own father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Yudhishthira gave the king costly beds, dresses and ornaments, and food and drink and other enjoyable articles, in profusion and of such superior kinds as were worthy of royal use. Likewise Kunti behaved towards Gandhari as towards a senior.

Vidura, Sanjaya, and Yuyutsu, O you of Kuru's race, used to always wait upon the old king whose sons had all been killed.

The dear brother-in-law of Drona, viz., the very superior Brahmana, Kripa, that powerful bowman, also attended upon the king.

The holy Vyasa also used to often meet with the old king and recite to him the histories of old Rishis and celestial ascetics and Pitris and Rakshasas.

Vidura, under the order of Dhritarashtra, superintended the performance of all religious acts and the adıninistration of the law.

Through the excellent policy of Vidura, by the expenditure of very little money, the Pandavas got numerous agreeable services from their feudators and followers.

King Dhritarashtra freed prisoners and pardoned those who were condemned to death. King Yudhishthria the just never said anything to this.

On those occasions when the son of Ambika went on pleasure trips, the highly energetic. Kuru king Yudhishthira used to give him every article of enjoyment.

Aralikas, and juice-makers, and makers of Ragakhandavas waited on king Dhritarashtra as before.

Pandu's son collected costly dresses and garlands of various kinds and duly offered them to Dhritarashtra.

Maireya wines, flesh of various kinds, and sherlets and honey, and various kinds of food agreeably prepared by the admixture, of many articles, were caused to be made for the old king as in his prosperous days.

Those kings who came there one after another, all used to wait upon the old Kuru king as before.

Kunti, Draupadi, and she of the Sattwata race possessed of great fame, and ulupi the daughter of the Naga king, and queen Chitrangada, and the sister of Dhrishtaketu, and the daughter of Jarasandha, these and many other ladies, O king, used to wait upon the daughter of Subala like maids of all work. Yuthishthira always enjoined upon his bothers that Dhritarashtra, who was deprived of all his children, might not feel himself unhappy in any way. They also, on their part, listening to these pregnant commands from king Yudhishthira, showed particular obedience to the old king.

There was one exception, however. It was Bhimasena. All that had followed from that match at dice which had been brought about by the wicked understanding of Dhritarashtra, did not go away from the heart of that hero. Yuthishthira always enjoined upon his bothers that Dhritarashtra, who was deprived of all his children, might not feel himself unhappy in any way. They also, on their part, listening to these pregnant commands from king Yudhishthira, showed particular obedience to the old king.

There was one exception, however. It was Bhimasena. All that had followed from that match at dice which had been brought about by the wicked understanding of Dhritarashtra, did not go away from the heart of that hero.