पाण्डवों का आगमन

Vaishampayana said : Having ranged in all directions and wandered on earth separately, those Parthas, the foremost of bowmen killing many deers, bear and buffaloes met together.

Seeing that huge forest abounding in many deer and wild animals, resonant with the shrill cries of birds and hearing the yells of the wild animals, Yudhishthira said to his brothers,

“Those birds and wild animals flying to the direction lighted up by the sun are emitting discordant cries and displaying excitement. This shows that this mighty forest has been invaded by the enemies.

Let us without delay desist; no more with game; my heart aches and seems to burn; clouding the intellect, the soul, in my body, seems to fly away.

Like a tank freed from serpents by Garuda, a pot drained of its contents by thirsty men, a kingdom shorn of its king and its prosperity this forest of Kamyaka appears to me.'

Thereupon those heroes drove towards their hermitage on mighty and beautifully made cars, drawn by exceedingly fleet horses of Saindhava breed and possessed of the speed of hurricane.

On their left side they espied a jackal yelling hideously. Marking it attentively the king (Yudhishthira), said to Bhima and Dhananjaya.

“This jackal of inferior breed, sneaking to our left side, is speaking a language, that clearly shows that violent oppression has been commenced by the sinful Kurus disregarding us.

Having given up the chase they in that great forest entered the grove containing their hermitage and there they saw their beloved one's maid, the girl Dhatreyika weeping and sobbing.

Then descending from the car and quickly approaching Dhatreyika, who was then greatly stricken with grief, Indrasena, O king, asked her (saying).

"Why do you weep lying down on earth and why is your mouth dried and pale? I hope the princess Draupadi has not been injured by any cruel wretch.

She is possessed of incomparable beauty, large eyes and is the second self of every one of those foremost of Kuru race. Dharma's son has grown so anxious that if the princess has entered into the earth or soared into heavens or has gone to the bottom of the deep, he and his brothers will go there in search of her.

Who could that fool be who could carry away the priceless jewel belonging to the powerful and ever victorious sons of Pandu, those repressors of foes, which is dear to them like the very life.

I cannot perceive (any one who could carry her) having (such powerful heroes) as her husband and who is like the walking embodiment of the sons of Pandu. Piercing whose body today, the dreadful and sharpened ends of shafts shall enter the earth?

Do not weep for her, O timid girl; know that Krishna shall come back even this very day. Having slain all their enemies the sons of Pritha shall be united with Yajnaseni."

Then rubbing her beautiful face Dhatreyika said to the charioteer Indrasena. “Disregarding the five Indra like princess Jayadratha has carried away Krishna by force. The way pursued by him still exists for the broken branches of the trees have not yet disappeared.

Therefore turn your cars and follow her speedily for the princess has not gone far by this time. Taking your handsomely made precious bows and quivers.

O warriors gifted with the strength of Indra and highly precious shafts, quickly proceed in quest of her, lest overpowered by ineanness and violence and being beside herself and with a dried mouth, she may give up her person to an unworthy person as the sanctified oblation is thrown into a mass of ashes. Let not the clarified butter be poured into an unigniting fire of paddy chaff and a garland of flowers be thrown into a cremation ground. Let not the Soma juice of a sacrifice be licked up by a dog through the carelessness of the officiating priest. Let not the lily be ruthlessly torn by a jackal walking for its prey in the deep forest.

Let no mean man touch with his lips the brilliant and charming face of your wife, delightful as the rays of the moon, having high nose and beautiful eyes like a dog licking ghee kept in a sacrificial pot. Go speedily by this way and let not time go before you."

Yudhishthira said: Go away, O gentle woman and govern your tongue; kings or princes who are inflated with the possession of power, are sure to come to grief.

Vaishampayana said : Saying this, they speedily went, wending the way pointed out to them, sighing hot and hard like snakes and twanging their large bows,

Then they saw dust raised by the hoops of the steeds belonging to his (Jayadratha's) soldiers; they saw also Dhaumya in the midst of (his) infantry bewailing and asking Bhima to go quickly.

Then with hearts not depressed the princes, consoling Dhaumya said, "Go back cheerfully', then they rushed furiously towards that army like hawks swooping down on their prey.

Endued with the strength of Indra, they had grown furious at the insult offered to Draupadi; but their anger was inflamed (the more) seeing Jayadratha and their sweet heart-seated in his car.

Vrikodara, Dhananjaya, the twins and the king, those mighty bowmen called out to the king of Sindhu to stop; (at which) the enemies lost all knowledge of directions.