पाण्डवों का द्वैतवन में प्रवेश

Vaishampayana said : Having arrived at that forest those princes resembling Indra, (formerly) used to happiness, (but now) labouring under misfortune, began to sport in that sacred forest of Shala trees washed by Sarasvati.

In that forest, that king, the foremost of the Kurus, began to please all the Yatis, Munis and all the leading Brahmanas by offering them excellent fruits and roots.

And their highly energetic priest Dhaumya, like a father, began to perforin for those Pandavas living in the forest, the sacrificial rites (in honour of their departed manes) of Ishti and Paitreya.

The old Rishi Markandeya, of profuse and increasing energy, approached as a guest to the hermitage of the illustrious Pandavas who had repaired there on the loss of their kingdom.

The high-minded Kuru chief Yudhishthira of incomparable energy and prowess welcomed that great ascetic, who had come there gifted with the effulgence of blazing fire and worshipped by the celestials.

Seeing Draupadi, Yudhishthira, Bhima and Arjuna in the midst of the ascetics, that illustrious and omniscient ascetic of incomparable prowess, smiled thinking of Rama in his mind.

The pious Yudhishthira who was beside himself (with grief) said, “All these ascetics are sorry for seeing me here; why is it that you alone smile, as if in delight, before all these?"

Markandeya said : I am not delighted, O my child, but I am struck with amazement; nor does haughtiness begotten of delight, possess me. Seeing your calamity to day I think of Dasharatha's son Rama of truthful vows.

O son of Pritha, at the behest of his sire he (Rama) resided in the forest; I saw him in the days of yore wandering with his bow, at the summit of the mount Rishyamuka.

The high-souled and innocent son of Dasharatha, resembling the thousand-eyed Deity, the lord of Yama and the slayer of Namuchi, lived in the forest at the command of his father and for the satisfaction of his duty.

He was equal to Shakra in prowess, highminded and invincible in warfare, still he had to range the forest, renouncing pleasure; therefore none should act unrighteously thinking "I am powerful."

Having conquered by truth this earth bounded by seas the kings headed by Nabhaga and Bhagiratha obtained, O my son, all the regions hereafter. Therefore, none should act unrighteously thinking "I am powerful."

O foremost of men, for forsaking his kingdom and wealth, the pious and truthful king of Kashi and Karusha was called a maddog. Therefore, none should act unrighteously thinking “I am powerful."

O best of men, O son of Pritha, for satisfying the ordinances, laid down by the Creator himself in the Vedas, the seven pious Rishis shone brilliantly in the sky. Therefore, none should act unrighteously, thinking "I am powerful.”

Behold, O king, O foremost of men, (even) the powerful elephants, having tusks as huge as the mountain tops, do not pass by the laws of the Creator. Therefore none should act unrighteously, thinking, 'I am powerful.'

Behold, O king of men, all creatures act according to the laws (of their species) as laid down by the Creator. Therefore none should act unrighteously thinking, "I am powerful.”

O son of Pritha, you have excelled all men in truth, piety, decorum and modesty; your fame and energy are brilliant as fire or the sun.

O great king, having spent the painful days of your exile in the forest as promised, you shall again snatch from the Kauravas your blazing prosperity by dint of your own energy.

Vaishampayana said: Having addressed these words to him in the midst of the ascetics with friends the great Rishi saluting Dhaumya and all the Pandavas, proceeded towards the north.