यक्षयुद्ध पर्व — यक्ष-युद्ध से अर्जुन की वापसी

Vaishampayana said : Those noble-minded (Pandavas), the observers of pious vows, desirous of beholding Arjuna dwelling in that best of mountains, became passionately attached (to it) and got themselves amused.

Numerous Gandharvas and Maharshis gladly came to those powerful and energetic ones of chaste desires-(princes), the foremost of those gifted with truth and fortitude.

Getting to that excellent mountain, adorned with blossoming trees, those mighty carwarriors were supremely glad at heart as the Maruts on reaching the heavenly regions.

Beholding the summit and the table-land of that mighty mountain, covered with flowers and ringing with the cries of peacocks and cranes, they remained there feeling great joy.

On that excellent mountain they beheld tanks, excavated by Kubera himself, full of lotuses and frequented by Kadamvas, Karandavas and swans and with their banks covered with (trees).

(They beheld also) magnificent sporting grounds, pleasant to the mind and covered with arrays of beautiful and variegated garlands and studded with gems and suited to the taste of the king (Kubera), the giver of wealth.

The best of ascetics, always wandering (there) could not (sufficiently) comprehended (the sublimity) of that mountain summit furnished as it was with various many-coloured trees and covered with masses of clouds.

O great hero, by reason of the splendour of this excellent mountain itself and of the brilliancy of the annual herbs there was no difference between day and night.

Those best of men saw the rising and setting of Vibhavasu of unrivalled splendour, while, dwelling in that mountain, remaining where he (the sun) nourishes all the mobile and the immobile (creatures).

Having witnessed the setting in and exit of darkness, the rising and the setting of the sun and all the cardinal points covered with his (sun's rays), those heroes,

Awaiting the arrival of that mighty carwarrior, firm in truth and of true vows, were engaged in reciting the Vedas, constantly practising rituals, chiefly discharging the religious duties and observing pure vows.

Saying "let all those assembled experience joy by meeting speedily here with Arjuna skilled in arms," those highly blessed Parthas became absorbed in Yoga.

Inspite of beholding many romantic forests on the mountain, as they could not help constantly thinking of Arjuna, every day and night appeared to them (long) as a year.

From that very moment when the nobleminded Vishnu, with Dhaumya's leave, matting his hair, went abroad, they (Pandavas) did not experience joy. How could they, lost in his thought, experience any happiness there (on that mountain however romantic it might be)?

Since the very moment when in accordance with the command of his brother Yudhishthira, Vishnu, endowed with the gait of an elephant (with exuberance of spirits), left the forest Kamyaka they became buried in deep sorrow.

O Bharata, in this way the Bharatas passed a month with great difficulty on that mountain thinking of Sitasvha Arjuna, who had gone to Vasava, desirous of learning the (science of) arims.

(On the other hand) dwelling five years in the abode of the thousand-cyed (Indra) and from that lord of the celestials obtaining all the heavenly weapons,

(Namely) those of Agni, Varuna, Soma, Bhrigu, Vishnu, Indra, Pashupati, Brahma, Parameshthi, Prajapati,

Yama, Dhata, Savita, Tashta and Vaisravana and getting these weapons, paying homage to the performer of hundred sacrifices.

And going round him, Arjuna with his permission, returned Gandhamadana delighted and fully pleased.